ftiitoixl §lms. TEH THOUSAND PAPERS WANTED. Our Knoxville correspondent, in his letter published in this issue, presents eome facts about the intellectual char acter and growth in culture of our army, especially as they were observed by him in the West, which deserved most attentive consideration. He shows how, to such an army, a famine of read ing matter is almost as disastrous as a lack of hospital or quartermaster's stores. He askes for 10,000 copies of religious papers for distribution in the army at Knoxville: alone. It is of course impossible to send a tithe of them without aid from our friends. Those who have already contributed to this object, as will be seen, receive the gratitude of the chaplains and the men. How many persons will stand good for a thousand copies a week, either of the American Presbyterian or of the Ban ner or the Covenant, to he sent to proper persons, say through the Chris tian Commission, to the army at Knox ville? Who will contribute the neces sary $3O to accomplish this desirable object next week, and who for the week after, and so on ? A GIFTED AND USEFUL FAMILY. lid connection with the death of Prof. Hitchcock, of Amherst, and the late in effectual call of Rev. Mr. Seeley; of Springfield, to President Smith’s former charge in New York, it may be interest ing to readers of the American Presby. terian to state that Prof; Seelye, of Amherst college, whose influence in that Institution is justly commanding, Dr. Seelye, formerly, of Albany, now of Easthampton, Mass., and Rev. Mr. Seelye, of Springfield, all within, 20 miles of each other, are brothers; and are also nephew? of Hr. Hickok of Union college. Prom iieir : quiet Chris tian home in Connecticut, tnv.? e noble I BiJ- r - 7 . - hr' forth to bless the Wof IC* men nave gone Prof. Seelye is a man of remarkable completeness of character, well balanced and thorough —the highest style of man. Those who sneer at the Puritan faith and culture should first select such rep resentatives of both and make an exhi bition of their hollowness and vanity, but aiming their scorn directly at them. NEW PAPEE IN CHICAGO.; The brethren ot th e other braijch of the church in the extreme, west and North-west, not being daunted by pre vious failures, have again undertaken the publication of a large weekly pa per at Chicago, to be called The Preshy ■ terian Era. The first number appeared Feb. 15th. It is a large single sheet, handsomely printed, at two dollars per annum. The name of Alfred Hamilton is subscribed to the prospectus, which informs us that he has “no capital to expend independently of the active co operation of pastors, elders and people.” Wewishitr.Hamilton success,though we fear he will not find it attainable without a large expenditure of capital more substantial than the only sort he has. Eev. Dr. Cox preached a very able and interesting discourse at North ing, on the difficult passage in Kom. 9: 3., “ For I could wish that myself wfere accursed from Christ.” He regards these words as a parenthesis, and connects the following phrases: “ for my breth ren” &c., with the preceding verse. He translates, “ For I once gloried in being anathema from Christ,” and regards the words as referring to the writer’s condition before conversion and as des cribing the boldness ; of persecuting Saul’s rejection of the Saviour. The preacher’s account of the disasterous effects of the passage, as commonly translated and as employed by Dr. Emmonß in support of his peculiar views of self-abnegation, and his report of dis cussion he had with Prof. Stuart upon the passage were peculiarly interesting. The whole discourse was in the most felicitous style of the preacher, who is • never more at home than in the effort to illuminate obscure passages of Scrip ture, especially if in his judgment, they have been perverted to false and injurious ends. Kev. Dr. Tustin, of Washington, D. C., is supplying, gratuitously, a com pany of the Invalid Corps, stationed in that city with the regular ordinances of the Gospel. It is a noble work to a most interesting class of men in the army, who shonld not be neglected in our efforts to benefit the souls of our brave soldiers. Rev. J- J- Marks, D. D., author of the “ Peninsula Campaign” will preach in North Broad Street Church next Sab bath morning, and present the cause of the American Tract Society, (Boston.) THE NOON DAY: PEAYEB-MEETING, AND Y. M. 0. A. An unusual interest is apparent in- Christians attending this excellent meet ing. And an effort in which ought to be abundantly successful, is being made to increase the attendance, and the re sults, in the salvation of souls. An extra meeting on Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock, is appointed in the rooms of the Young M. C. A. Christian people who can attend these services, will find profitably spent, personally, and to others. . The Y. M. C. A., is a precious center of usefulness, and cannot receive too warmly the sympathy and coopera tion of our citizens, especially the relig ious portion of them. THE BIG WAGON. The Bev. Mr. McLeod, of Eeeseville, begs leave to acknowledge a very handsome and substantial gift, from his people in Bast Whiteland, in the shape of a heavy team of three Penn sylvania horses, “loded,” in apostolic language, “with such things as were ne cessary,” and of the very best quality. Glasgow, Del., Feb. 27th, 1864. Me. Editor : —Dear Sir :■ — You are, I know, always pleased to hear of the welfare of your friends; this we might also infer from the frequent insertions of late in your excellent paper of the kind attentions of various congrega tions to their pastors. "We also feel disposed to tell -you how the people Of the Presbyterian Church in Glasgow, Del., treated their pastor, the Bev. Geo. Foot. While-absent at a wedding he receiv ed an, intimation that he would find, company on his return home. On his arrival the face of a well known friend greeted him: and, conducting him into the parsonage, what was the surprise to find the parlors full of familiar faces and well known friends, who greeted him with the dear old tune of “Home, sweet Home.” Never seemed our choir to.perforin with better grace. Befresh ments succeeded; and toward the close of the evening a purse of one' hundred dollars was presented to the pastor, de livered by a gentleman and accompa nied by a touching little speech, which Was responded to by the pastor with grfttQful feelings. The evening closed with prayeiC BOThing. developed many other mementoes of kindness from the company in the shape of con tributions of wood, corn, oats, hay, po tatoes, hams, lard, pickles, preserves,] apples, sugars,, spices, rice, %oap, tur k.i®S, &6., oic. Truly, dear sir, there is no higher pleasure than in the performance of kind actions, for so all seemed to feel on that evening; and the moral influ ence of that seeße was of ;far higher va lue than material contributions. In this way our people celebrated the 22d of February —a day of dear remem brances to every true American. Yours respectfully, A. P. F. East Pembroke, N. Y., March 4th, 1864. Eev. J. W. Mears. Bear Brother I wish to acknowledge from the young and hopeful Presbyterian church and society of Pembroke and Batavia, the very handsome donation of $lOO,OO, made to me at the hall of our academy, on the evening of February the 23d. Also to Mrs. Dane, a set of silver spoons worth $20,00. This presentation was introduced by an appropriate little speech from our worthy principal. And this enduring tribute was the more acceptable, because Mrs. Dane united with this church on profession, and she received it from the young ladies, as from her former associates. And we make our acknowledgment now, while our heart is warming toward this sin ~cere gSd"eamest people. This church and society was formed some ten years since, and Eev. D. C. Houghton, D. D., was the first pastor. Yery sincerely your brother, John W. Dane. FIRST IMPRESSIONS OP A DELEGATE IN THE POTOMAC ARMY. Mr. Editor -Moved by strong desire to do something for my country in her time of need, and lacking youthful vigor to wield a musket, I volunteered to labor for her noble defenders, in the service of the Chris tian Commission. I went down from W ash ington toward the front, on Thursday, 25th inst., to Brandy Station. Friday, 25th, by the morning train, came in delegates from their several locations, to a meeting previously appointed, to report progress, and pray and consult together for the interests of their work. Some ten, twelve or more stations were represented. From every station we heard of the work of the Almighty Spirit, in quickening Christian Boldiers, reclaiming backsliders, and converting the impenitent. Some more, some less. Generally the visible fruit is much in proportion to the of time and labor expended. It is also varied somewhat by circumstances. For instance, when officers are moral, temperate, Chris tian, and encourage our work, fruit abounds. Where faithful chaplains welcome us as helpers and co-laborers, rich results are re alized. Where officers are infidel, intem perate, opposed, they retard, but e&nnot prevent, the progress of the good work. Some at every station, many in all, who were known as Christians at home, coming into the army, timid, and with no strong Christian at hand to lean upon, fell into the snare of trying to live religion silently; trying to retain the hope and comfort of the Christian, while neglecting to confess Christ before men; trying to gain the crown while shirking from the bearing of the oross. The experiment has failed as it ‘al PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1864. ways must. They have lost their evidence of acceptance of God. They are miserable- The word of the gospel comes to them now jn the Spirit’s power, the impenitent trem ble at the terrors of the Lord and submit their hearts to him, and break out in un wonted strains of praise, the swearer prays, the impure are holy. This is the work in progress in thearmy of the Potomac through the labors of Christian Commission delegates. Some well-attested cases may be narrated hereafter to the glory of divine grace. / When I was at home I had seriously feared that, while our army abounds in most exalted patriotism, their morals might deteriorate through the,temptations qf thu. camp. I desired earnestly to assist in throwing the shield of Christian influences around them, that when they should return at the close of the war, covered with glory by their principles and their achievements, they might not be so corrupted that we should fear their contamination as we would the plague. But blessed be God I with astonishment and joy I see and hear and. exclaim: “ What hath God wrought,” “ What is He now working 1” I think, from all I see and hear, that more young men are being converted in the camp than would be if the same men had they remained at home. O that Christian men, full of faith and the Holy Ghost, would presß forward and thrust the sickle into thiß wide field, white to the harvest! Western New Yorker. Lecture, by the Key. A. M. Stewart, Chaplain of 102 d Regiment, P. V., Army of the Potomac, to be delivered in the Second Reformed Presbyterian Church, 22d Street, below Callowhill, on Friday evening, March 11th, 1864, at 74 o’clock, for the benefit, of the Sabbath School. Subject.—The Camp, March and Battle Field/ At the close of the lecture, Ex-Gov. Pollock will present fifty Bibles, for the use of the Bible Class in. Chaplain Stewart’s Regiment. Tickets 25 cents. gifrws #ftlue Senate, March I.—The House joint reso lution granting thanks to officers and sol diers who have re-enlisted, was passed with out amendment.' Mr. Buckalew made a minority report on the bill to repeal the Fugitive Slave laws, which was ordered to be printed.. The. Conference Committee on the Whisky Tax reported an unadjustable disagreement, whereupon the Senate in sisted upon its amendments and agreed to submit the matter tp the House for final action. Hovsx Mr. Brandage offered a resolution, Which was passed, fixing the 31st day of M*.y, the Senate concurring, for the adjournment of Congress. The House resumed the con sideration of the bill to establish a Bureau for Freedmen’s Affairs. Mr. Knapp op posed and Mr. Price advocated the bill. - A message was received from the Senate thht the Committee of Conference on, the Whisky., biil had beenunAhle to agree. Mf.~ rWasE burne (111.) offered a resolution that the House insist on its disagreement to the Se nate amendment, and that the House re quest another Committee of Conference, and that the House hereby declares as its judg ment that in the adjustment of the differ ences there Bhould be an additional tax of hot less than twenty nor more than fifty cents a gallon upon Spirits on hand. De bate followed. Mr. Pendleton moved that the House recede from its amendments taxing whisky on hand. Lost, Yeas 53, Nays 78. Mr. Waßhburne’s amendment was adopted. Yeas 76, Nays 67. The conside 'ration of the Freedmen’s bill was resumed, and after debate it was passed by two’ ma jority. • Senate, March 2.—Mr. Wilson reported a new bill to equalize the pay of soldiers in the United States army • Mr. Sherman called up the bill to encourage emigration, and it was passed. A message was received from the House, announcing the appointment of a new Committe of Conference of the Whiskey bill. Mr. Grimes introduced a bill to amend the act to establish and equalize the grade of line officers. A resolution to inquire in to the causes of the late disaster in Florida was adopted. The Whisky bill was then taken up, and the Senate, by 25 against 15, re fused to agree to the request of the House' for an instructed Conference Committee. A motion to postpone the subject indefi nitely was rejected. _ Finally, the Senate dis agreed to the resolutions for instructing, and agreed to send a free Committee of Confer ence. House. —A bill to develop the mineral re sources of the public domain was referred. The House took up the bill defining the ju risdiction of the Court of Claims not to in clude anyfolaim against the United States growing out of . the destruction of property by the army-and navy engaged in the sup pression of the rebellion. An amendment was adopted providing that claims for quar termaster’s stores and subsistence shall be examined by the Quartermaster and Com missary Departments, and if approved shall be paid. Sundry Solicitors and Commis sioners are to be to hear applica tions for compensation. Senate, March 3. —Mr. Wilson introduced the House joint resolution for the continu ance of the payment of bounties to volun- teers to April, 1, as reported from the Com mittee on Military Affairs, with a letter from the Secretary of War, recommending that it be immediately passed. The resolution was passed without amendment. Mr. Davis introduced an amendment to the joint reso lution to amend the Constitution, which provides that no person whose mother or grandmother is a negro shall be entitled to citizenship ; and also that the .States of Maine and Massachusetts shall, constitute one State, to be called East Hew England, and that Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut constitute another, to be called West New England. Mr. Pow ell made a speech on the bill (adversely re ported) to prevent naval and military officers from interfering in elections. House. —Mr. Wilson qS'ered a resolution providing for 10,000 additional copies of Gen. Grant’s military report, Which was re ferred to the Committee oh Printing. The House proceeded to the consideration of 1 the adverse report on the resolution author izing the Secretary 10 sell surplus gold. Mr. Stehbins proposed a resolution that the Secretary we authorized- to sell any surplus gold on due notice, or use it in advance re demption of interest coupons. Mr. Fenton replied to the remarks of Mr. F.* Wood and Mr. Brooks, saying the Secretary of the Treasury, amid the greatest difficulty, bad managed,tour fiscal affairs with unrivalled .ability and success. Mr. Fenton proposed to amend that the Secretary sell any gold CONGRESS. exchange in surplus, save that on hand or hereafter received for customs; also that the' Secretary be authorized to pay interest on the public debt in advance. Amotion to lay the whole subject on the table was neg atived, 54 to 73. The subject was then laid aside, and Mr. Morrill reported that the Whisky Conference Committee could not agree. He said it was necessary for the House to recede from its disagreement to {he Senate’s amendments or lose the bill— the Senate would not agree to tax whisky on hand—that point out of the way, an agreement might be made. He moved that the House recede. After a long debate, the vote was taken, and the House refused to -recede by Yeas 61, Nays 71.' Motion was made that the House insist on its position; Tost by a large majority. It was then voted to adhere. Senate,. March 4.—Mr. Sherman from the CoShEuttee of Conference on the disagreeing vote of the two Houses on the Revenue bill, reported that the Committee of the Senate was unable to agree with that of the House. He moved that the Senate recede from the amendments disagreed to by the House, which motion was adopted, by Yeas, 25; •Nays, 11. The bill, as it now stands, pro vides a tax of 60 cents on all domestic liquors manufactured or removed for sale after the passage of the act until July 1, 1864, and 40 cents on imported spirits on hand. * House. —A bill to establish mails to Brazil was offered and referred. The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions reported a reso lution, which was unanimously adopted, ten dering thanks to the surviving Revolution ary soldiers, twelve in number, and sincerely rejoicing that bv the decree of Providence, tneir lives have been protracted beyond the period allotted to man. Copies of this reso lution are to be sent by the Speaker to each of the Revolutionary pensioners. ’ House, March 5.—-Speeches were the order of the day. Messrs. Baldwin, Boyd, Voor hees, Anderson, Grinnel and Hubbard in- dulged freely, after which the Houie ad journed. | Senate— March 7.—Mr. Foote presented a petition from Eli Thayer,, praying the pas sage-'of a law confiscating the lands of the fijehels and distributing them among Freed- i aßn. The bill repealing all acts for the rffittitioii of the Fugitive Slaves was made tie special order for Wednesday next. Mr. german offered the following: “That the; quorum of the Senate consists of a majority of the Senators, duly chosen and qualified; {hat if a majority of the Presidential Elec tors, duly appointed and qualified vote for one person, he u the President'; that if the eleotion of President devolves upon the House of Representatives, and thevotes of 4 majority of the States represented in the House be cast for one person, he is the Pre i!adent.” . {‘‘'House.—Mr. Cox wanted the President ter tend in all possible information about ex change of prisoners. Objected to. A bill Was reported requiring all sailing and steam yessels between the United States and fo reign countries to carry the mails for such Reasonable -compensation as may be deemed proper, authorizing- the Postmaster-General: to contract' for four years' carrying of the • mail matter, Other than letters, to the Pa cific COagt by sea >’ The bill passed. THE WAR, (The important military events of the past wfeek have been the expeditions of Gen, Sherman and Gen. Kilpatrick. The former ij said to be returning, and the latter has ijive a full account,of the expedition of Gen. Kilpatrick, because, in many respects it has been the most daring raid of the war. We do Hot altogether believe in these expedi tions, because nothing of importance seems ti be accomplished. The rebellion will cer tainly never be crushed in this way. NoTh ikg but a total destruction of the military power of the rebels will be likely to end the rebellion. I General Kilpatrick’s Expedition.— The much talked of raid by Gen. Kilpatrick has elded with failure as to the main result in tended to be accomplished, but with success id cutting the railroads between Lee’s army And 'Richmond, and the destruction of much property, stores, etc., and the actual shelling of Richmond. . (Starting on Sunday at 3 a. m., from camp with 5,000 cavalry, picked from his own and G-ens. Merritt's and Gregg’s Divisions, he proceeded- to the Rapidan, crossing at Ely’s Ford. From thence the column marched to-Spottsylvania C. H., which place was reached without encountering any of the .enemy. ’Two of those fatalities which more than once during this war have snatched success fr^pi'the very grasp of those who by their valor and daring have richly deserved the crown, interposed to prevent the consummation of one of the best conceived and most brilliant plans of the whole war. , Col. Dablgren had taken a negro to pilot him to Richmond. His detachment had rapidly moved across the country, destroy-, ing barns, forage and everything which could possibly be of service to the enemy. Pushing j on so as to reach Richmond as soon as pos sible, Col. Dahlgren discovered that his ne gro guide had betrayed him, and. led' him to Goochland instead of to Richmond, and Tuesday midnight found him miles in just the opposite direction from that which he wished to take. The negro was promptly hanged for his baseness. The troops reached the outer fortifications e'arly on Tuesday morning, and as the spires and houses of the city came in view, cheer upon cheer went up from our men. Riding Rapidly towards the city, the outer line of works was entered. The Rebels therein threw down their arms, and many of them surrendered, others taking to their heels. A fight then ensued for the next line, but the batteries were too much for them, and so with his battery, Gen. Kilpatrick opened upon them and the city. There is no doubt that the men would have dashed upon and over anything that stood in their way, so enthusiastic had they become ; but General Kilpatrick acted the wiser part, and as the shrill whistle of the locomotive told of the bringing up of re-en forcements from Pickett’s brigade, at Bot tom’s Bridge and vicinity, he reluctantly g-yg the order to move toward Mechanics ville. The negroes generally were delighted, and many, in the presence of their owners, asked to'be allowed to go along. A large number were thus gathered together, who cheerfully ! trudged along with the cavalry, delighted at gaining their freedom. Occasionally Union families were encountered who gave valuable informatian and freely offered what they had to eat and drink. . This raid has been one of the most daring of the war, and but for the two fatalities mentioned would have proved a complete success. The men and norses have bOrn’e ths hard marching remarkably well, the sad- < dlCa not being removed during the trip, sSid but little sleep being given to the men. Virginia.— Geiv. Custer’s cavalry ‘expedi tion to the left of Lee’s army has ’returned tofhe north side Of the Rapids*, having ae- complished the purpose intended. Not a man was killed;, only 11 were wounded, and 9 captured. Gen. Ouster’s business was to make a,diversion in favor of Kilpatrick, whose field was on the rebel right. Custer had 1,500 men and a section of artillery. He went through Madison Court-House on Monday, crossed the Bapidan and the Ri vanna, and went within three miles of Charlottesville. There the rebels had hastily gathered a heavy force, and Custer wheeled about. Meantime, the rebel cav alry had gathered in his rear, to the uumber of a whole brigade, and felt sure of captur ing his entire force, but by a series of bril liant movements, including some fine charges and sharp fighting, our men got safely off, having burnt the long bridge over the Bivanna, several mills and factories: taken 60 prisoners, many valuable horses, eight wagon-loads of stores, six caissons, two forges, &c. The horses belonged to the rebel army, and had been put out to board, so as to be in good condition for the Spring campaign. Louisiana.: —We have New Orleans dates to the 24th. The election was the absorb ing topic Mr. Hahn's majority is 1,000 over both his competitors'; the. vote of the State will be about 11,000, which iB nearly one third as much as the Presidential election of 1860. There is no war news ; the Texas Army is quiet; a great expedition is being formed in New Orleans, but the destination is not disclosed. Washington’s Birthday was grandly celebrated ; Mrs. Banks gave a lal masque at the Opera House. Mississippi.— A private letter, dated Memphis, Feb. 29, from an officer stationed at Vicksburg, says : "We hear nothing of a definite character from Gen. Sherman, but no doubt he has taken possession of Selma, Ala.” It is said that Gen. Sherman captur ed five rebel gun-boats at Selma. We don't like to believe the following story is true, although it may be: On the 14th of February, a Company of the Ist Mis sissippi Union (colored) Infantry was sur prised near. Grand Lake, Miss., by a Com pany of rebel guerrillas wearing Union uniform, and all but two were killed. Some of the negroes were pinned to the ground with bayonets ; others had their brains knocked out, and others were shot through the head while on their knees begging for quarter. The guerrillas escaped without losing a man. This is reported upon the authority of the Clerk of the steamer Pringle. Arkansas. —Gen, Steele has issued an ad dress tojthe people of Arkansas, in which he says every facility will be afforded for the expression of their sentiments uninfluenced by any consideration whatever, aside from those which affect their interests and the interests of their property in the electron to be held on the 14th instant. . Gen. Sherman’s Expedition.— Western dispatches are muddy as regards Sherman’s movements, and little reliance can be placed upon their assertions. The most direct news is by an officer who arrived at Cairo . yesterday from Vicksburg the 10tk ult., Bearing a dispatch from Gen. Sherman. When twelve miles east of Meridian, on the 11th, he says the enemy numbered only 7,000 or 8,000, and were much demoralized; No fighting had occurred after passing Jackson, Miss. When Gen, Sherman was twelve miles west of Meridian, on the 14th ult., he sent part of his forces to Selma. Official news settles the question as to Gen. Sherman’s occupation of Selma. The rail road between Jackson and Meridian has been totally destroyed,' The latest’advices are that part of Sherman’s forces are still at Selma, and the remainder have fallen back to Meridian. The Memphis Bulletin of the 20th says: “We have intelligence, the cor rectness of which we can vouch for, that last Sunday week, at noon, Gen' Sherman .entered Meridian with, but little opposition. Polk hurridly retreating before him for .Demopolis and Selma;” Still further ; A dispatch from; Cairo states that -when the steamer Mississippi on her way up, arrived at Vicksburg, a gentleman, formerly Cap tain of the steamboat Scotland, just came in from Mobile, having escaped from the rebels, into whose armyhenad been conscripted, re ported that when he left Mobile, Gen. Sher man was within forty mileß of that place, and could easily taken it if he wanted to. Spe cial advices by way of Washington say that after reaching Meridian, Sherman waited to hear from Smith’s Cavalry; no news came for three days; he had a short allowance of provisions; by a rapid move he turned Ab erdeen and Columbus, in the richest part of eastern Mississippi, where his army was sure to find an abundance of provisions. By this he turned his back upon Selma and Mobile, marched forward Logan, who had advanced to meet him, and, by an audacious stroke of strategy, placed himself at a distance of one hundred miles from Johnßton’B flank, now menaced by his advance. The dispatch says that the rumor spread concerning the attack upon Mobile and Selma by Sherman, was Bimply meant to divert puplic attention from the real object of the expedition, which aims at an invasion of Georgia somewhere between Trenton and Lafayette. Alabama. —The steamer Columbia, from New Orleans, brings news from Mobile. Our fleet opened a tremendous fire on Fort Powell on the morning of the 23d ult., and it was thought that it could not hold out long. The rebel ram Tennessee now lies under the protection of the guns of Fort Morgan. The women and children were being removed from the city. Admiral Farragut on board the Calhoun, was inside of Dauphin Island, and the flag-ship Hartford was at Ship Island, forty miles west of Mobile. An attack on our blockading fleet was anticipated, provided that the Rebel rams were in good order and condition. North Carolina. —Despatches from North Carolina say that Davis has given directions for the seizure of every important point in that State by the Confederate forces. This is interpreted as an indication that the Rebels, having worked out and worn out Virginia, are compelled to abandon that State and retreat to points nearer their base (if they have any) of supplies. GENERAL NEWS. The Secretary of War, in response to a note addressed to him by Senator Wilson, request ing his views regarding the joint resolution of - the House to continue the payment of bounties to the Ist of April, says that in his opinion the reoß'sitq troops; can be more expeditiously raised by continuing the payment of bounties than by any other means; second, that at pres ent great exertions are being made in the sev eral States to raise their quotas by volunteers, so as to avoid the draft, the people preferring that method of raising troops j third, that Generals Burnside and Haiteyck, and the State Legislaturesand Executives,are earnestly requesting the continuance.- of the boun*J, e ' s until the Ist of April; fodr'th, that inb,\s opin ion the joint resolution - 0 f the House is wise and judicious, and tba # u the speedy passage by the Senate would Utfiatly promote the public welfare, and Tsfteo.gthen the military force more quickly‘and. effectually than can be ac aceomplishda ir. any other mode. The first resolution 'ntrw only awaits the President’s signatUreHh become a law. The'S&iate has unanimously confirmed the t nomlifdtion of Gen. Grant as Lieut.-Gen@ral. Gen. Butler has sentenced George M. Bane and W. H. W. Hodges of Portsmouth, Va., to hard labor at Hatteras, for fraudulent disposal of the funds of the Portsmouth Savings Bank and the Mechanics’ Savings Bank of that city. Bane was cashier of the first named institution,, and Hodges cashier of the latter. All the funds of the two banks, it seems, were sent to Bichmond, and the two officers refused to di vulge to Ibe Bank Investigating Committee by whose authority the transfers were made. Gen. Butler has also ordered that the Bev. S. H. Wingfield be turned over to Col. Sawtelle to work for three months at cleaning the streets ef Norfolk and Portsmouth. The cler gyman is charged with being an avowed Se cessionist. Col. Fry ha* published an official order suspending the draft, and saying that a subsequent day will be announced for its resumption. , It appears from a letter of the Commis sioner of Pensions that only twelve of the Revolutionary soldiershre now living, whose ages range from 94 to 105 years, and whose pensions only amount to from $24 to $96 per annum. The President having approved and signed the bill amendatory of the Loan act of 1863, and the joint resolution extending the payment of bounties to the Ist of April, they have become laws, FOREIGN NEWS. The Bteamßhips Bremen, Canada, Hali fax and City of New York have arrived, with European news to the 25th ult. Great Britain.—The privateer Tuscaloosa has been seized in Simon’s Bay, Cape Col ony, by order of the English Government. In the English Parliament, further debates toolj place on tbe relations between England and the United States. Earl Bussell tried to prove that tbe order given by him for de taining the rams, could not have been influ enced by any representations of Mr. Adams. In another speech, Earl Bussell stated that he had held out no hope that the English Government would change its opinion with regard to the damages done by the Alabama, but he had hoped Wat We Federal Govern ment would modify its views. In We English Parliament, Lord Palmers ton had made a violent speech against the Außtro-Prysßian invasion of Schleswig. He declined saying what We Ehglish Govern ment would do if the troops of the Allied Powers should enter Jutland. English pa pers circulate We report that French policy is setting in favor of Denmark. The privateer Georgia has left the French >ort of Brest. It was again rumored that France would soon recognize the Southern Confederacy, but the report was not credited. The Great Eastern has been chartered to lay the Atlantic Telegraph Cable, in the Summer of 1865. : ; In the English Parliament, on February 23d, Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald mowed for pa pers relative to the seizure of tbe steam rams in the Mersey. The motion was op posed by the Government, and rejected by 178 votes against 153. A Reform Conference was held at Leeds, on Feb. 22d. Resolutions dununciatory of the conduct of the Government in. respect to reform, advocating Mr. Baine’s and Mr. Locke King’s bills as part of the reform due, and. in favor of the formation of a National Reform League, were passed. France. —The French Government has officially contradicted the statement, that a French army of observation was to be placed upon the frontier. The arrangements for the departure of Archduke Maximilian for Mexico, via Paris, are said to be completed. Tbe Revue des Deux Monies and We Siecle have come out in favor of Denmark. Spain.—The Spanish Government has chartered seven steamers to convey 4,000 troops to re-enforce the Spanish army in Santo-Domingo. The war in Germany.—The report of a battle between the Danes and the Prussians at Duppel, on Fein 13, seems to be prema ture. The Danes, whose number is estimat ed at 40,00, were'strengthening their defen ses, and the Prussians preparing for an attack. It is said that the Prussians will' occupy Jutland [the northermost province of tne mainland of the Danish monarchy] in case the Danes should continue to refuse the evacuation of the Island of Alsen. At' Ekunsund, a fight took place between a Danish monitor and the Austro-Prussian batteries, the monitor making an successful attempt to destroy the bridge erected by the Austro-Prussians. Thirty thousand Prussians have concentrated in the Sunde vitt, the district of Schleswig just opposite Alsen. The Danes, according to the latest ac counts, were still in possession of strong fortifications at Duppel, opposite the Island of Alsen. The allies attacked the Danish entrenchments on February 13. The pro posed armistice has been rejected by Den mark no lesß than by Prussia and Austria. Denmark is still determined to prosecute the,war, without, however, receiving as yet any promise of assistance from abroad. The Austro-Prussian programme for com promising the Schleswig-Holstein question is published. It comprises a recognition of the integrity of the Danish monarchy, and the connection of Schleswig and Holstein with Denmark by a Personal Union. The minor German States are very indignant at Prussia for having occupied several towns in- Holstein without previous authorization from the Federal Diet. Several complaints were therefore lodged at the Diet against Prussia. The principal minor States were to hold a Conference at Wuzburg, to deter mine what course they should pursue in view of the attitude of the two Great Powers. Danish war-vessels have received orders to capture not only the ships of Austria and Prussia, but also those of other German States. On February 18, the Prussians were re pulsed in a general attack upon the whole line of the Danish ‘ position. On February 19, all was quiet at Duppel. The Austro- Prussian troops have entered Jutland and occupied the town of Holding. An engagement between the Prussians and Danes took place at Duppel on Feb. 22. According to the account given by the don Times, the Prussians occupied the - but were afterward disloged with According to the Prussian aceo- they only made a reconnoissance, at (which they met with a loss of 3 killed a” jd aft wounded. The Conference propos' d . EDgland has been accented by ai f d p£ ssia> but hostilities, in the r jieanwhiie w iH- EC t be discontinued. A Conferer m ; nor German States ““ keen a t Warzburg. It was resolved not to *yj e i d to the demands of the two great P ov >ers, not to sanction any Convention af fecting the rights of the Duchies, and to in sist on the exclusive right of the Federal Diet to decide on the succession question. Mexico. —We have dates from Havana to Feb. 27, and from Mexico to Feb. 20th. Pre- Bident Juarez has arrived at Monterey. The remainder of TJraga’s force, to the number of 7,000 or 8,000, have rendezvoused at Santa Anita and Colima, bnt it was thought that they would not dare to attack Guadalajara, which is occupied by 3,000 French and “Re actionaries.” The report of an occupation of Zaeatocaß by the French was premature.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers