pi r EOTtLAPML H 1J mJT J A VOL. YIII-No. 145. PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1867. DOUBLE SHEET-THREE CENTS TFT XkTTTF TxTTT Kl . IK 1 1 I i FIRST EDITION GEM. SHEMDAH'S REPORT. Changes In the Filth Ullltary Dlstrlct-The tnll4 States and (be Late Revolution In Mexico Able Defense or the General Against Rebel ARpcrsIons, Etc, Etc. Tbe following Is the report of Major-General r. II. Bberldan'a operations In the Firth Mili tary District, which, not having beon reoelved until after the preparation of General Grant' annual report, was not embodied In it, and has not heretofore been published In full: Fifth Avbsuk Hotel, New Yokk, Nov. 21, 1807. General: 1 have the lionar lo inake the following report of operations within my com mand from November 11, ItiUU, to September 9, 18imrlus the? fall of 1SG0 and winter of I860 and 18u7,i he regular troop In the Department, of the Gulf, which cmbtaced wllbln Its limits the Hut.' 8 of LoulHluua, Florida, aud Texas, re mained, as a general thing, at the stations designated In my previous reports. The muster-out of the volunteer forces was continued, aud reduction and economy In the quarter ninhlers' and commissary departments rigidly enforced. Operations were commenced by the quint rmaaters' department on the frontier jiosiH in 'ivxas early In the spring, ac or In the vicinity of the following designated points.' liulInlo PprlDgs, IJelknap, Chadbourne. Camp hiocktou. Fort Davis, Loredo, Brownsville, and Brazos Santiago. Brevet Mojor-General George VV. Getty, who hRd succeeded Mnjor-Geneial H. G. Wright in command of the district of Texas, was, by pro lijolion and tbe natural military changes, sue oteded by lirevel wajor-uenerai a. tr. uuimzei nian.aud be by Brevet Msjor-Geueral Charles Grlttin. Brevet Major-General A. Balrd was succeeded by Brevet Major-General Joseph A. Mower. In command of the district of Louisiana, and Major-General J. G. Foster by Colonel Bprague in the district of Florida. Brevet Major General J. J. Keynolds also succeeded Brevet. Brigadier-General Brown in command of the Bub-dlslrlcl of the Rio Grande. Work waa commenced ou the posts above named In the early spring, and vigorously pro secuted until the rigid quarantine established against the anticipated spread of the yellow fever materially retarded the work of putting the soldiers on the frontier under shelter until late In tne ensuing fall. No changes of troops occuired in the districts of Louisiana and Flo rida, except such ns were incidental to the pre servation of order and the execution of the laws under tbe Civil Rights bill. A few Indian depredations occurred on the frontier of Tuxa-", arising principally from the adventurous char acter of tbe extreme frontier settlers, who, puabiig out towards the Indian territory, thereby Incurred the risk.of coming In contaot with hostile Indians; for there were no treaties With tbe Indians as fur as the Texan border was concerned, and the extreme line of frontier set-. Uemenls was regarded as the "dead line," below which If an Indian came he was killed 'if overtaken, and above which white men were treated in tho same manner by the In diana. In consequence of the struggles in the Re publlo of Mexico to drive out tne invaders, the KioGiande frontier gave me muoh auxlety. It was impossible to prevent tbe soldiers and Union people upon the border from expressing an open sympathy with the Lloeral cause; therefore It was exceedingly difficult to main tain strict neutrality, and on one or two ocoa Bions violations occurred which were not par ticularly objeotlonable to the Liberal party.and were without dlfliculty reconciled. I had also some trouble In breaking up the "Cordova settlement." whioh was a scheme on the part of Rebel adventurer who had iounded there the nucleus of an American Maximilian party In Mcxloo, to wnlch they Invited all dls contented and unrepentant Rebels in tbe Boutbern Slates. By preventing the embarka tion of this clam of malcontent emigrants at New Orleans, the Cordova scheme proved a The'condltlon of civil affairs In Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, from September 30, 1868, to March it, 1807, remained nearly the same as for the year previous, and heretofore reported. There was, however, some improvement in the tone of the public In reference to the rights and prlvl eges or freedmen. but many outrages and jumpers were committed In Louisiana and Texas, which it was impossible for tbe military to reach, and which were neglected by the civil authoilties, aud even in some instances the perpetrators of these outrages Justified by tbe lurm of a trial. On the 2d day of March, 1867. the act entitled "An aot to provide for the more elllcient government of tbe Rebel States" became a law, under the provisions of which tbe Btatea of Louisiana and Texas were consti tuted the Fifth Military District, and by direc tion of tbe President of the United States I was assigned to tbe said district In Geueral Orders No 10 dated Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's cilice, March 11.1807. Assuming command of the Filth Military District on the 19tb day of March. 1867, 1 found upon examin ing tbe'law that I was required "to protect all persons In their righta of person and properly, to suppress Insurrection, disorder, and vio lence, and to punish, or cause to be punished, all disturbers of the public peace and crlminils." . . ... To accomplish this purpose, and toreorganlze thesetwo Btates as loyal to tbe Government, I bad a small military force and the authority vesied in nae by law. I found upon a close ex amination of tbe existing civil Kovernments of those two States that nearly every civil func tionary, from the Governor dowu, had been soldiers or aiders and abettors in tbe Rebellion, and that in nearly all cases ihey bad been elected on Confederate grounds, aud solely for services rendered In their attempts to destroy tbe General Government. In fact, many, if Dot all, had advertised when they were candi dates their services In this respect as a merito rious appeal for votes. I round, also, that they were nearly all disfranchised by the law, and were substantially aliens. It is scarcely neces sary to state that. Irotn this condition of affairs, nearly every civil officer within my command was either openly or secretly opposed to the law and to myself, astheautbority held respon sible by the order of the Executive of the nation for its faithful execution. It was a diffi cult situation in which to be placed, rendered till more so by the apparently open sympathy of the President with the functionaries above alluded to. I make this remark, not as a charge, but simply as an explanation. To have attempted 'teprolecl all persons In their rights sf person anal property, to suppress Insurrec tion, disorder, and violence, and to punish or cause to be punUbed all disturbers of tho publlo eace and criminals." and reorganize these btates against all this power end influeuoe, in accordance with the intentions of the framers Of the law, without exercising the right of re moval, "vas simply absurd. ft would have takex years for military com missions to have tried tLase cuses of violations of tbe law alone that would have occurred In exaot reglstrn'lon of the legal voters of the Kiates. TnertTJeas only one sensible course to nnrsue. and that was to remove every civil officer who did not faithfully execute the law, erwr.o put any impediment In the way of Its cxecution-and this course was adopted. In fiursnauce of the same, I decided to use the au borlly vested in me as leniently as possible; to almost allow myself to be forced to the wall by open overt acts before aollon was taken; and In every order Issued th canse of removal was specified. I bad no desire to oppress, and did not oppress. loDly wished to give security to all good cltisens. and did so: aud Insecurity to all office-holders who failed to carry out tbe law, or wbo put ins pediments in the way of re- lDbave been charged by tbe highest authority ln tbe nation wim j.-u-.v". - t W""A" jfk-Knnr iuy.loe.aud truth: no polltl KuifluM oMntoraat. were allowed to eon K! actions. I carried out the law with IIV Jtlon to all except those whom it dls- iawho sought to" make" Vis To? the Taw to ft (bark ana 1 ill uu rbb'u w ihLVl'ea are made against me, that I feel In my truthful. In all my dealings and Texas I was of reconstruction was faithfully and eticoeas- f Dlly pnshedf orward to near lis completion, wun energT ani economy, uutu me mt oi nep teuiber, 187, whenT reoelved General OAiers No. Hl.daied headquarters of the army, Adjutant-General's office, Washington, August 27, 1867, relieving me from the command of the Fifth MiliUry District, and assigning me to the .UPianmem oi tne Missouri. In conclusion, I take tbe greatest pleasure in reporting to tho General-in-Chief the cbeerlul and able manner in which all the ofllcers of nay command performed their difficult and re sponsible duties. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. 11. 8heridan, Msjor-Geueral. Brevet Mnjor-General John A. Rawlins, Chief of fctaff, Washington, D. C. LATEST BY THE CUBA CABLE. ST. THOMAS. Ibi Island to be Traasferred on New Tear's Day Demolition of Unsafe BoUdlngs Divers at Work on tbe Wreck. IIavaka, Dec. 17. Our latest arlvlces from St. Thomas are to the 7th instant. The ceremony ol liansferrlne the Island to the authorities of tl e United States will probably take place on New Year's day, although that day Is not as yet officially designated. The Government architect is busy examining all tbe edifices that were shaken by the lute earthquakes. He has ordered the demolition of all that he considered in any way dangerous. A in o tie these are the offices of the Britieh Mail Company, the Pott Office, Lloyd's, Darman's Hotel, the stores ot II. Jardeman, Newton, Mor rison, and MoraCampo. Up to Dec. 7 the number of shocks felt was 8ve hundred. Divers are busily engaged raisin? the cargo of the British steamer Columbia, so tit in tbe gale of Oct. 29. They brinar np daily abont two hundred packages of merchandise. Business continues now uninterrupted, aud the failures have ceased. Rents, however, are enor mous. ST. DOMINGO. A Freneb loan Government Paper Re fused by Merchants. Havana, Dec. 17. The latest intelligence from St. DomiHL'0 confirms the report that the loan of ten millions ol trancs bad been realized In Paris for account ot the republic. The mer chants in St. Domlnero, however, are refusing to receive Government paner currency, aud some have been lined for so doing in the turn of $210 each. THE TENEMENT HuUSE HORROR. Death of Two Other Victims Funeral of the Mnrpbjr Family Condition of the Survivors The Fire Marshal's Investi gation. Two other victims ol the tenement house tragedy have succumbed to their injuries. Mrs. Kotunna Murphy, who hud lingered in a stats of unconsciousness from the moment of her ad mission to the hospital, expired at a late hour on Monday night. Happily for her she had not returned to the use of her faculties at the last moment, and death supervened while she was still insensible of her suOerings. Her husband, Patrick Murphy, is doiug well, although his Injuries are of a serious ca'.ure and may protract his sojourn in the hospital, and Cornelius O'Meara died at Bellevue yesterday afternoon. Mis. Julia Kelly, who jumped from the third story aindow, is lying in a critical state at tbe hospital. Her spine was seriously injured by tho shock of her descent. Mary Anne Garvev. the little etrl. has nearly recovered, and will be out of the hospital in a tew days. Tbe funeral ot .ne Murpny lainuy took place yesterday atternoon. It was a melancholy sight when the solemn proepdstou moved otf with tbe remains or the mother and her three children. The funeral of the O'Meara family takes place to-day, wbeu a mother and her three daughters will receive this last tribute ot respect. The male heads ot each of the two bereaved families still lie in the wards of the hospital, and lu tne one case it is ouiy too prooaoie that be is soon to follow, it not accompany, the remains of his wife and children. The crowd continued all day yesterday, both at the hotpital aud at the house. At the lormer place hundreds of young girls, the shopmates and acquaintances of the dead girls, took a last look at tbe bodies, and at the lormer an iuces sant throng continued, as if unable to feast their eyes with the sight of the spot made memorable by so sad a catastrophe. The prisoner. Maximilian Miller, still remains in confinement at the Twenty-first Precinct Station House, whither he has been committed by a warrant from Coroner Wildey. He is not allowed to communicate with visitors. Mr. Hoffmau, the owner of the house, in reference to questions put to him yssterday by Captain Allaire, (aid that Miller had not been doing a good business, that his neighbors had refused to buy of him, and that he bad been trying to sell out the place. Tbe Fire Marshal is in search of any facta that may tend to throw light upon the origin of the fire, but his efforts so fnr have not been very satisfactory, tie will, uwncrj, ui tviu flu., luiuiiunauu uc una beloie the Coroner's jury, who meet for tho inquest to-morrow moiniug at U o'clock, in the Morgue. As t his terrible disaster has given rise to conside rs ble diecussion as tow lure the responsibility of a want of fire-escapes m the building should be filaced, it may not be out of place to quote the aw on the subject. In tbe "Act for the regulation of tenement and lodging-houses in tbe cities of New York and Brooklyn," passed May 14, 18G7, section 3 reads as follows: "Every sucb house shall be provided with a proper fire-eBcttpe, or muns of -cape la cas oi lire, to be approved la JSw York by the inspector of Puoila Buildings and in Brooklyn by tbe Assistant Ba-il-tury ttaperlnteudcut or Hie Metropolitan Hoard of Htaltb." It will be seen that the law is very expressive in its terms, and does not leave the construction in tenement houses of fire-escapes at the option of tbe inspector, but says they "shall be pro vided." It has often been contended that the law ap plies only to such buildings as were con structed after tbe la was passed. The first section of the same law already quoted from makes this question clear: "Becllon 1. From and after the 1st day of July, 1867, ho bouse, building, oi portion thureof, in tbe cluei or New York aud itrooalya sball be used, occupied, lvuaad, or rented for a tenement aud liidnlDg-lioune, uulcm tbe tame conforms, in lis construction and ap purtenances, to tbe requirements of this act." It is to be regretted that at times the Board of Health Inspectors, in their sanitary reports, do not always agree with the sub-inspector of public; buildings; otherwise speaking, it has otten happened that when an inspector of tbe Board of Health has offlUally informed the Board that a certain house had no lire-escape, and the Board referred the matter to tie in spector of Public Buildings, it is allege! that no notice was taken of the subject whatever. Jf. y. herald. Truth In Jest. M. Bosco, the well-known conjurer, spent the winter of 1858-69 in Berlin, and was one day summoned to appear at the Palace, In order to eihibit his art before the King, at that time Prince Regent, and the court. Among other apparatus he had a terrestrial globe, upon which Prussia was made to appear extremely small. Bosco advanced to tbe Priace, who was sitting on an arm-chair in the front row, and asked him to take tbe globe in bis hands. The Prince did so, when, to his astonishment, the formerly little Prussia began to assume much larger dimensions. 'Your Royal Highness per ceives," said Boioo, "how Prussia will become argrandleed under your bands." The trick was loudly applauded at the time, but little did the spectators Imagloe that what waa intended as a courtly iest was destined to become political ear licit wUuin seven jean from that time. THE NATIONAL FINANCES. The fen at Finance Committee's Report Tk Argument for the Hew Issue of Bonds. Wabhikotoi, Deo. 17. The following is snb laatlally the Important report made by the Benate Finance Committee to-day on tbe finan cial situation and In explanation and support of its Dill to fund the debt of the Government: The Committee on Flnanes.'to whom was referred so mncn of tbe rresldvat's Uessagn as reUt- to the public debt and tbe report of tbe tsecretary ol the 1 reasary on the state of the tlnanrts, te callel to re pert noon tbree important subjects necsisrlly cou nseled wllb eacb other. First Tbe fnnrllni of the public debt, aud as an tocidenl to It the rmlempt on of the bonds commonly known' as Die nvc-twenty bonds; Second The taxmlon, Htnle and national, of publlo securities; and Third Tbe redumption anil conversion ol United btates notes or Ivfal-teuder currency. Jit-lore examining- the several provisions of the bill, yenr Committee beg leave to slate the preemit condition of the public dobl. It consists ol numerous lornn of public secorHlee, nearly all of which grew out of tbe urgent necessities of the late war. The Calls for money Co maintain tbe army aud navy were so Imperative tbat many dlirarent forms cf loans were resorted to, and, as a means to enable tbe Gov ernment to reach Ibe rtionrces ol tbe people, a cur rency waa improvised. This enrrency now forme a part of the pu tile debt, and, being a lpgal-ten ier lu tbe payment of debts, Is In tbe nature of a compul sory loss without Interest. It bas proved so convenient a currency tbat, asl.le from tbe advantage the Government derlvei Irom It bylhesavlutt ol liiterest.lt has; bein; and now is of grent importance lu promoting enterprise, aut tbe exchange of domestic products. It only remalui, either hv reducing the amouijt, or by other means or Increasing lis value to the standard of gold, to make it not only the ainst favornble form of loan, but tbe best currency devised. During the war the debt could only be contracted at a Ulgn rate of interest; but tbe necessity of funding the public debt ns soon as tbe war doted into one loan at as low rate of interest as pos sible, bas been conceded. Now that thecompound Interest notes and Seven thirty bonds have been converted, or are conver t'ble, two chief dilllculiles tbnt were presented a year ago are removed, X portion of tbe debt may be dis missed from view. Tbe bonds commouly known as the long bonds of 18 1. (2s: 676.600, were negotiated on the go, J basis, and are neither redeemable nor paya ble until IfSI. The Ten-forty bou Js, f ISW.S15 Sis. also, are neither payable or redeemable until 1S74, and both principal and Interest are payable In gold. Tbe smaller Items or debt, amounting to 1 1 17,00(1,000, will be (i paid from the funds on band, or current receipts, and may be dismissed from our considera tion. This leaves the Five-twenty bonds Includ ing with them (he Beven-lhlr:les, In the aggregate amoun lug to f.l.fliu.000 son, whica, wltu legal-tenders and fractional currency amounting to 1:187,142,457, comprises the body of the public debt ot the United Sjtates. A large portion of this debt I now redeemable at the pleasure oi the United States, and the whole of it will be so In a comparatively short lime. Your committee are of opinion that now Is the time to pro vide for the redemption of these bonds, as thev be come redeemable, by a new loan on more favorable terms to tbe United Btatss, and also to secure to tue holders of tbe United States notes as soon as practi cable, their full value in gold. Pucti a currency, con vertible Into gold, with a publlo dent bearing as low a rate of Interest as practicable, with tbe right again to redeem tbe principal when more favorable terras cau bo bad, with a moderate provision to diminish tbe principal annually, cunportod by a system of tnxss levied, as far as practicable, on Imported goods, luxuries, and incomes; these are tbe elements of a financial sr sum which your committee seek to esta blish. It Is said that tbe agent employed by the Secretary did. In bis advertisement, aUirm tbat tbe principal and Interest was payable In coin: that this construc tion was acqulesci d In by Congiest.and Indaced thou sands to taksthese bonds who would not otherwise have done so. To this It I' replied tbat such a pro nine Is not In accordance with the plain language of tbe law, and Is not a binding construction of ibe law. No doubt tbe agent supposed tbat before tbe five years expired, specie payments would be resumed. No one supposed that two years after tne war was over green backs would still be depreciated. Toe advertisement was a supposition of a stale of facta to occur five yrars afterwards rather than a legal construction ol a public law accessible to all men. And It Is contended that, conceding that tne agents of the Govern ment construed tbe law as bludlug the United Btates to pay the principal of this debt In coin, yet that this construction was not so gene rally acquiesced In and adopted by both parlies to the contract as to create a moral obligation which the United Htates Is bound to execute to preserve lis faith. Is ii true that this construction was so generally ad mitted as to makeil a part or the contract T Congress uniformly refused to declare this construction aa to the Five-twenty bonds, but did so as to the Ten-forty bonds. And It is a lurther and very significant fact that every State In tbe Union, with, perhaps, the ex ception of Massachusetts. Pt a different construction ou this act. Kvery btate bad a public debt. It stood In precisely the same position as tbe national debt. Its bonds had uniformly been paid, principal and interest, In coin, and yet under the law thev held tbat i heir public talih was compiled wltu when they paid either principal or interest In legal-tender notes, and this construction was acquiesced In by their creditors. Bo with corporations and private citizens who had contracted debts wh eh. by law and custom, had been previously paid In coiu. con sidered themselves and were released by payment In leual-tenders. Now. by a well-estubllHbed prla clple of the law of contracts, when It Is sought to vary the meaning of the words of a contract, by a contem poraneous construction, It must be shown that both finrlies acquiesced In Hand understood and acted upon l In precisely the same sense. Otherwise tbe words of the contract must govern. Wbeu a general rule Is laid down, aud an exception Is made, it Implies tbat there are no other exceptions. Dut'es on imporied goods and Interest on public debts are excepted Tbe construction drawn from tbe payment of previous loan in cold is answered by tbe fact that the act under which this loan was Issued expressly de clares that a note shall be lawful money as well as gold, and shall be receivable In pay ment of a publlo debt. The argument that a construction was put upon the law by the agent ot the United Btates is answered by tbe fact tbat th's was not a mutual coastrucilon recognised by co:n parties as a part of the contract, but was rather an opinion based upon a supposition of a slate of laots, which, when the live years expired, did not actually exist. It Is clear tbat If the bonds are payable when duels legal tenders they are redeemable after Ave years from tbe date In same kind of money. The word "payable" Imports a duty or obligation whloii must be performed at tbe time stipulated. The word "redeemable" Implies a discretionary power, which may beor may not be exercised, but tue same kind or money. In tbe same mode tendered, will redeem a note or pay a note, Your Committee have heretofore considered this question as Involving only whether the present United Btates notes, limited as they are to 400 000.000. can be applied to the redemption or the bonds. The question now arises, Can the United Btates, In good 'altU, avail ubwii ui iw u:yi c;itiuu ui lb. U'ttrs lu Issue a greater amount of tbem than was provided for when the tt-'li bonds were sold, and with them to pay the bi nds? What Is a United elates note? It Is a promise by the United States to pay a specified rum oudewaud. No legal-lender clause applies to this note. It Is conceded that the money of tbe world, sold or silver ooin, is the only money tbat can redeem this note. During tbe war this was Impracticable, and tberefore the United btates gave to the note every valuable qralliy possible. It was made lawful money and a leeal-tender for other debts. But the obligation to pay this note In cola at the earliest moment practicable Is a continuous obliga tion. Our fal'ure to do It Is the standiof reproach of our financial systtm. litis the cause of all the dis cussion that have arisen In retard to our bonds. Until our promise is made good to pay the United Btates Dotes in coin or its equivalent on demand, we rauBt sutler the reprosch or partial repudiation. This does not consist In allowing our lawful money, or promises lo pay on demand, to continue to be less valuable than colli nr Hllvercoln. Put moot of ibe bondi In existing Dotes would not materially affect the market of the bond), lor the market value oi tne notes, incressea as It would be by the provisions ef this bill, would make i.uih m,i.i sad bonds approach nearer the standard of gold. The present Issue of notes is held by tbe people, and cannot be drawn Into the Treasury except by taxation. We have already largely diminished Internal taxes, and cannot hope to receive over taO.OvO.OOO In currency in excess oi our expenditure (Continaed In next edition. Another Alleged Poisoning Case. Mrs. Mary Eliza Hurley made an affidavit before Coroner lvDcn. on tne 3Utn ot rtovemoer, charging John Firth with haviug caused the death of an old ladv named Maria bUelron, in September, 18C6. She said she saw Kirth pour a liauid from a bottle in Mrs. bueiton's tea, ana tbe lbbel on the bottle was marked "Lauda num." Tbe next day she went to his deok and saw the same bottle, tastea the contents and found that it was laudanum. Upon this affidavit Coroner Lynch had the body exhumed, and a long investigation fol lowed, when the jury came to the conclusion that tbe deceased came to tier oeuiuiroiu nam ral causes. The prisoner, Kirth, was thereupon discharged, the jury deciding that the charge aeainst r inn was mane ironi malicious motives, and deserving of the severest censure. The accused and the husband of tbe complainant were formerly partners. Oa the 2(ith ef August tbelr factory la Hancock: street was destroyed by fire, and Hurley was arrested on a charge of aison. nrtu appearing as the complainant. At the end of a month he was liberated, when he made a charge aeainst Firth of perjury; but as the charge could not be sustained, Firth was discharged. The parties, however, are still in litigation. JT. Y. UeiaUL Five negro men served on a petit Jury in Atlanta tue other dsy, SECOND EDITION kl EAItHlUKE TDIS MOILM'C It is Folt in Vermont, Now York, and Montreal. Firo at Secretary Seward's Residence. The European Markets To-Day. Etc Etc., Etc., Ete.t Ete.t Kta FROMEUROTE BY CABLE. Morning Report of Marketa. London, Dee. 18 11 "15 A. M. By advices re eeived from China, teals reported quiet at Hong Kong and Shangbae. Common Congou firm and active. Consols, 92j; U. f. Five-twenties, 72; Illinois Central, 69J; Fine Railroad, 50. Liverpool, Pec. 181115 A. M. Cotton steady; sales 10.000 bales. Breadstuff quiet and steady. Trovisions quiet. FROM WASHINGTON TO-DAY. SPECIAL DESPATCHES TO TUB EVENINO TELEORlFn. Washington, Dec. 18. Important Order by tbe President. The President bas been so importuned with office-hunters, claim agents, and patent ageuts, with every conceivable kind of business, from the inventors of a patent mousc-tiap to the dignified applicant for a foreign mission or a seat in the Cabinet, that he has been compelled to issue the following order, which requires these matters to be sent hereafter to the several beads of departments: By the President of the United States: It 1b desired aud adrised that all communica tions in writing intended for the Executive De partment of the Government, and relating to public business of whatever kind, including sug gestions for legislation, claims, contracts, em ployment, appointments and removals from office, and pardons, be transmitted directly in the first instance to the head of tbe department to which tbe care of tbe subject-matter of the communication properly belongi. This regula tion has become necessary for the more con venient, punctual, and regular despatch of tbe public business. By order of the President. William H. Sewabd, Secretary of State. Washington, Dec. 17, 1867. A NswCliurch. The congregation of the Calvary Baptist Church, destroyed by fire last Sunday, have re solved to rebuild their beautiful church without any material alteration from the original plan. Hon. Amos Kendall is taking a prominent part in the reconstruction of tbe church. He was oae of the largest contributors to Us building fund when first erected. Fire at Mr. Seward's Residence. At 1 o'clock this morning the residence of Secretary Seward, on 15J street, took fire acci dentally, but was extinguished soon by tbe fire men. One of the President's private Secretaries, Colonel Morrow, with several other gentlemen who happened to be iu the vicinity at the time, kept the fire under with buckets of water until the engines arrived, when the firemen cutjaway a portion of the staircase and soon put the fire ont. The honorable Secretary afterwards set out his good things for the firemen and police, and they had a good time generally. Internal Revenue Decision, The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has decided that cotton rags, remnants, waste, etc., are not shoddy withiu the commercial significa tion of the term, and should not be taxed. But batting cloths and other fabrics made from such materials are taxable. The tax upon a manu factured article is a lien upon all the property belonging to the manufacturer, whether at or subsequent to the time when It becomes due and payable. There is no lien upon a manufac tured article for the tax assessed upon Itself, but It may be subject to a lien for taxes due and payable from the manufacturers on account of other goods produced by him. From San Francisco. San Fbancibco, Dec. 17. The Democratic Legislative caucus adjourned to-night without succeeding in tbe nomination of a candidate for United States Senator. It was agreed to cast a vote in the joint convention to morrow, so as to prevent an election by tho Republicans. A letter in the Alia Oalifornian fiom Mariposa county states that tho Bcffton Mill Dam property in Mariposa bas been swept away by a flood, and is a total loss. The last portion of the wreck went over the Crown Lead dam, two miles below, on the lOlh instant. Tie work had just been completed, and cost nearly $30,000. A telegram from Oregon City, Washington Territory, announces great damage in that sec tion from a storm. The town of Montlcello, on Coulitz river, was destroyed. The floods have caused serious damage to the telegraph lines throughout tbe country. Flour dull at $7'608. Wheat, $2-60. Legal tenders, 7i. The Weather at Fortress Monroe. Fortress Monroe, Dec. 16. A heavy north west enow storm set In yesterday morning, and continued almost the entire day, so that we now have about six inches of snow on the ground, and very good sleighing. Those who aro fortu nate enough to possess even a dry goods box on runners are out to day enjoying it, for well they know It will not stay with us long. The jingle of bells is quite refreshing, and they are about as rare here as the jingle of our old-time cur rency. The weather is clear and cold. Soldiers' Fair at PottsuUe. Pottsvillb, Dec. 18. The Fair of the Army of the Republic, being held at Union Hall, 1 crowded daily. There is a magnificent display of goods and trophies. General Ilartranft was present last night, and met with an enthusiastic reception. He made a speech, and was after wards serenaded at tbe residence of Mr. George Selgfried. The Fair will realise three thousand dollars, which trill be distributed to the families of oldien fcerf. Earthquake in Vermont and New York. BuBLiHOTow, Tt., Dec. 13. At S o'clock this mornii'g a very dlatinct shock of earthquake was felt in this city, awakening most of the in habitants, and lasting thirty seconds. It was felt throughout Vermont and in New York -as far north as Whitehall, and throughout Canada, from Belleville, P. C. to Sackvllle New Bruns wick. Montreal, Dec. 18. A severe shock of earth quake was ftlt in this eity at S o'clock A. M. Accident on Hoard the Till de Paris. Hew Tons:, Dec. 18. A dreadful accident oecarred this morning on board the French steamship Tills de Paris. The hawser, while being wound around the windlass, gave way, in urig several of the crew. The injuries to some are feared to be of a fatal character. Markets fcy Telegraph. KlW Tobk, Dec. 18. Stocks lower Chicago and Rock Island, KHl Reading, Canton Oompanr, 4: Cleveland aud iuleilo, 103: Cleveland and PIUv burK, S7; Putaburg and Fori Wayne, 9',: Michigan (eatrai, ill; Michigan Houtbern, gzv. New York: C'ei.tral, 117V: Illinois Central, 133: Cumberland pre. (erred, 1 27 ,; Missouri ts, SH; Hudson KiTer, 182.; 17. 8. Flve-iwentlea, ISS2, 106 S; do. lHSt 104V: do, 1, 10BS.: Ten-forltm, ion1,; gevea-thlrtlea, 104V. Bold, v.r.t,. Money, t(7 per cent, Exchange, llut for three dava sight. Mkw YeBK, Dec. 18. ffotton quiet at 150. fnr middling. Flour du.l: barrels sold Htaie, IS 00 foio sfl: Ohio, 110(0 1H-I0; Western, 8 05jl4 (iO; Boutbern. IIO'2flfc01V6u; California. SI2 20i18'iH. Wb.al quiet. Coin dull. Oats Urm: Western at S4. Barler advan cing. Beet quiet, l'ork dull; mess, 20'7S, Lara dulL NYtilsky dull. LEGAL INTELLIGENCE. NISI PRIUS Jadge tsbarsvrood. Btockham vs. Dock. An action of trover, for the recovery of a half raft or timber. Before reported. Veidlclloruelendant. KoPnck, Administrator, vs. Kolloclc. An action en a promissory note and due bills. Verdict fol plalullll", S45h71i9. B. Li. Hall vs. Henry R. Coggaball. Verdict, by sgreement, tor plaintiff, Ui2'li. Daniel Tlnamy vs. City ot Philadelphia. Verdict, by agreement, for plaintiff. too, subject to a reserved Coint ot law concerning the constitutionality of a onnty act. Thomas Robertson vs. City of Philadelphia. This was an action to recover damages for injury sustained through the alleged n-gligence of the defendants. The plaintiff Is a nurseryman by trade, having his mireery and hot-house at the northwest corn.r of Twenty-fourth and Coates streets, and tbe city gas pires were laid In and near tbee premises, tt is alleged tbatsluce IS5S these pipes have boensadly out of repair, and the defendants, notwithstanding re peated notices of the matter by the plaln'iir have per sistently neglected lo mend and put them In order. In conseqneuce of this condltlou of tbe pipes, the gas escaped Into tke plaintiffs premises killed many valuable plants, and rendered the air In tbe houte noxious, to that at times toe plaintiff could not attend properly to his business: wher.bylbe was injured to the extent of 1 10,000, wblch sum'.he claims la damages. On trial. Osborn Conrad vs. Marcus Schamberger and Qui tavus Kchamberger. Yerdlct, by consent, for de fendants. TJN1TED STATES DISTRICT COURT Judge Cadwalader. In the case of the United Btates vs. John Halrel, charged with perjury. In swearing falsely in this Court in regard to bl liability as ball, before reported, tbe Jury rendered a verdict of guilty. Tbe United States vs. Enoch A. Neawanger. Ia this care tbe delendantwas charged with using an Inspector's brand and plate, and using a counterfeit brand aad plate, with latent to defraud the Govern ment. Revenue .A rent Miller testified That the defen dant was. in 186S and 187, a Revenue Inspector, and In May, 1M7, be was suspended from ofllce. A le ter Irotn the Trtasury Department was read, stating that tbe defendant had been discharge! from bis ollloe as inspector on the author May, 1887, and another man appointed lu his stead. A number ol witnesses were ca'led. whe testified. tbat they knew the defendant to have been an In spector, and to have Inspected and marked liquor for Patterson, Cole A Co., No. S3 N.Hecond street, and for Adams. No. 123 N. Wnter street, aad several of then testified that they knew hlui to have Inspected and branded so late as August, 1867. Mr. Mwsher testified that be was appointed In spector ol the First District on My 29. and acted as suci from June 10, and that the defendant was his predecessor. Without proving anything further, tbe case for the Un'ted Slates was closed. The defense offered no evidence. The Court Instructed the Jury that at no proof had been made ot notice to the defendant that be baa been suspended from ofllce. tbeir verdlot should be one of acquittal. Verdict not guilty. COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS-Judge Brew Bter. This morning was taken up In the trial of Isaac Latsel and Samuel Ilraddock unon the charge of con spiracy to cheat and defraud Benjamin D. Johnson, aud of making false pretenses lu pursuance; and as part of such cousulracy It was alleged that on Febru ary 1, 18f,7, they conspired together for the purpose ot defrauding Mr. Johnson ot certain bank shares and city bonds.to represent to him thai Lassel had obtained a highly valuable pateut right for an invention known s ''Leasers Patent Lubricating Oil," and that Brad dock bad bought this patent right from Lassel for tio.oou, for wblch a receipt was given; aud by these reprtsentatluns to Induce him to buy part of the right. And they did make these representations to Mr. Johnson, and produced a receipt forllo.ooo from Las sel to Braddock, given for this patent, aud also cer tain certificates of the great value of the patent; and did induce Mr. Johnson to buy. These representations were alt false, tbe patent being utterly worthless: the receipt was false, and t Iven Just for this fraudulent purpose, and tke certifi cates of tbe value of tbe patent were false and trauiiuleni'r obtained; and the whole transaction was corrupt and U'lUwful. Samuel Braddock was on trial alone. On trial. COURT OF QUARTER SESStONS-Jrdge Brew ster. This morning's session was taken up In the trial of the case of the Commonwealth vs. Petchaoi. i pon a charre of seduction, in which the Jury ren dered a verdict of guilty FINANCE AND COHMEIt CE. OKFICa Or TBI KVKNINO TCLBOBAFH.I Wednesday. Deo. 18. 1847. The Stock Market was moderately aetlvo this morning, and prices were rather firmer. Gov ernment loaLS were a fraction higher. lOOjj was bid tor HMOs; 111 tor6sof 1881; 104 lor June and July 7'30s; 108 for 'C2 6-20; 1C4J) for 'G4 6-20s; 106i for '65 6-20s; and 107 for July '65 6-20s. City loans were unchanged; the new Issue sold at 98j, and old do. at 95. Railroad shares were the most active ou the list. Pennsylvania Railroad sold at c9jtuj, no change; Heading at 4717J, a silent ad vance; Philadelphia and Erie at 28, a decline of i; Lehigh Valley at 6 li, an advance of j; North Pennsylvania as 33, an advance of 4"; and Cam den and Amboy at 1264, no cbanee. 26 was bid for Lfctlo tichujlkill; 671 for Minehitl; 23 for Catawissa preferred; and 2i for Northern Cen tral. City Passenger Railroad shares were firmly held. liestouvllle sold at 11J, no change 73$ was bid for Second and Third; 184 for Thir teenth and Fifteenth; 25J for Spruce and Pine; 44 4 lor Cbesnut and Walnut; 64 for West Phila delphia: and 2GJ tor Glrard College. liank shares were in wood demand for Invest ment at lull prices. Farmers' and Mechanics' sold at 130131, an advance of i. 103 was bid for Seventh National; 110 for Kensington; 65 for Girard; 29 for Manufacturers'; 70J for City; and CH lor Commonwealth. In Canal shares there was very little move ment. Lebih Navigation sold at 304, aa ad vance of J. 12$ was bid for Schuylkill Naviga tion common; and 12 for Susquehanna Canal. Quotations of Gold 10$ A. M., 133$; 11 A. M., 133; 12 M., 133 j; IP, M., 133J. Tbe N. Y. Tribune this morning says: "Money Is abundant at S per cent, on call, and more Is rlleied at this rate than can be used. Commercial bills are more salable, and there are many uaiues which could be placed at 7 percent. Paper not well known can only oe used at high rates. The approach ing quarterly statement of the banks, and the deinam s growing out of the settlement of the year's business, will probably be met without disturbing the market. Tbe sluggish movement ot cotton, ana tbe ea'ly return ot capital from the West, leaves the banks much Ptrooger than was anticipated before the marketing of the crops commenced. The banks, alter three mouths or active business, show un lu csease In their surplus of reserve of tl.fjoo.ooo." The N. Y. Times this morning says: "The Ilouse of Representatives of the United States have rlued. by tbe emphatic vote of IS to t, to even suspend ibe rults for the purpose of considering the very qualified proposition of Mr. Butler to pay the principal of any purl of the funded debt of the United Hi ales lu paper. On a square vote It Is doubtful whether "members, In a full House of 187 members, could have been brought to vote for such a proposi ti. ... II la ii.. .rih . that the 1 repudiating feature of Mr. Butler's caatiously wrrrfed regulation seems designed to apply to the l-iCs 0 fsbruary ti, leu. a4 tWe euT bva mere technical construction of an act, mm when gold waa only worth 1 or 2 per cent, premium! and which expressly provided and ptedved Uieui.n, In gold to pay ibe mterest and extinguish the imn elpal ef the loan. All the subsequent loan arts of Congress recognlre the authority to pay the principal of the 6 and S per cent, fusded slocks In coin. No class ef bonds of the Dulled mates, from the founda tion of the Government to the present lime, bear the written pledge on tbelr face of the reimbursement of the ptlncleal In coin, for the aufnclent reason that no other tender has ever been contemplated, and do other tenderever made la payment of principal when sue, smieh less under the option of the Uovernmeut to pay before maturity," The New York Herald this mornfog f avg "The fact that the Bena e Finance Con- mittee have declared themselves unanimously lu favor of the House hill suspending the furtner contraction of the currency, may be accepted as aufllolent to Insnre lie 5assage, aud In Ibis light It we regsrdsd on the Block: jchssge and among the banking and mercantile community yesterday afternoon. The result was a buoyant market far securities of all kinds, and Brie In particular among the railway auares, a at'clal canse for the strength of the latter being tbe proposed airssremeut by which the three trunk lines will be enabled to economise their current exi endltures and consolidate their earnings lo th Ir mutual sd vantage. The large earnings of the rallwayt durlrg tbe year, tbe aggresa'e bslng consi derably In excess of thoaeol last year, notwithstand ing tbe depression In trade, have Inspired confidence In the growing value ol railroad property, and henoe speculation, although qnlet, bas been mainly In favor ota llse lor some months past, and the Indications are now favorable to higher prices. The bears admit there Is a probability of a rise; but argue tbat stocks wl l be a good sale at tbe advanoe and they are biding their time accordingly. Meanwhile the knowledge tbat there will he no further curtail ment of the volume or legal tender notes Is restoring confidence la values all over the country, and Wait street will be the first to feel the benefit 01 the change for the belter. " "There is increasing ease to note In the money mar ket, the supply from the banks to the leading dealers In Government securities and other first class houses being In excess or tbe demaud, at six per cent., although seven per cent. Is the rate generally aked for loans on miscella neous collaierals. There Is a perceptible felling eft" In the Inquiry for discounts, and both at the banks and on the street flrst-class commercial pap r pasnts with amoderaie degree of freedom. In the open market It Is quoted at 7X per cent., and tbe second grade, consisting or good but not prime names, at UtolO. The banks are slill confining them selves to tbe accommodation of their customers at tbe legal rale, tbelr preference being to employ their surplus funds on call," riULAPELFHIA BT0CI EXCHANGE SALKS TO-DAY Reported by Debaven dt Bro., No. to a. Third street JTIHHT BOARD. f loot) City as, New.d b flviOZ do-New.d b VnJi 2ou sh Bead b.......sso- 7,v 200 do.s80wn.ls 47V lino do-ssown.ls 47V IIMI do. ....,., 47'8l 500 do. blkl. 47 !i Si0 do. ,.lsc 47-81 130 sh Phil A K ...... 28 100 sh Ocean Oll. 8-9 100 do,.. 8 S.-00 aou a...a o m fiooo Pa R 2 in 6s S4 5sh Comwl'lh B tt 12 th ten Da K.. 4! ?7 do ..ls. 4,'t SsbLeh N stk c. 3uS, C9sb Irf-b V R......IB. SI S S sh N I'enna .... 81 Messrs. Jay Cooke A Co. quote Govern ment securities, etc., as follows: O. 8. 6s of 1881, 11UU1; old 6-208, 10H108$; new 5-20s, 1804. 104J104; do., 1885, 105J(til05j; do., Juhr. 107if108; do., 1867, 107J108; 10-40s, 100$ 101; 730s, June, 104j106; do., July, 1041(31 106. Gold, 133J134. Messrs. William Painter Co., bankers, Ne. 86 S. Third street, report tho following rates of exchange to-day at 12 o'clock: : Gold. 1331335; 0. 8. 6s, 1861, 111$111; 0. 8. -20s, 1P62. 1084108; do., 164, 104sS104; do., 1866, 106iS1064; do. July, 1865, 107j108J; do. July, 1867, 107iftD108,; 6s. l(M0s, 100i100J; U. 8. 7'308, 2d series, 104$104; 3d series, 104t 104; Compound Interest Notes, December, 1864, 119-40; May, 1865, 117$: August, 1865, 116$; Sep tember, 1865, 115J ; October, 1866, 116$. Meeara. Ve Haven & Brotner, No. 40 South Third street, report the following rates of en chance to-day at 3 P. M. : U. 8. 6s of 1881, 1111 111J; do. 1862, 1083(3108$; do., 1864, 104$ 104; do., 1865, 1051064; do.. 1865, new, 107i(jd 108; do., 18C7, new, 1071 a)108; do. 6s, 10-40s, 1004O100J; do. 7-SOs, June, 104J104$; no., Jnly. 10480104$; Compound Interest Notes, June, 1864, llt-40; do., July, 1864, 119-40; do. August, 1H64, 110-40; oo., October, 1864. tutu; ug, ucvciuucr, xaos, ii-4u; (JO., May, 1865, 117117; do., Aucust. 1805. 11646a 116J: do., September, l8o'5. 115jJ(ail6: do.. October, 1865, 1153115. Silver, 128t3il29$. Gold, 133134. Philadelphia Trade Reports Wednesday-, Deo. 18. There la no spirit in the Flour Market, the demand being; entirely from the home consumers, who operate with extreme caution, only purchasing to npply present necessities. Sales of a few hundred barrels at $7 G0$8 25 for superfine; $8'60ia9-23 for extras; $10 712 for Pennsylvania and Ohio extra family; J9 7510'75 for Northwestern do. do.; and $12 7614 for fancy brands, according-, to qnality. Rye Flour la selling at $8 G08-75. Nothing doing in Corn Meil. The stock of Wheat Is light, and the demand for prime is steady at former rates. Bales of 2600 bushels good and prime Southern and Pennsylvania red at $2 o02 55. Rye la steady wlthsaleaof 1600 bushels Pennsylvania red at $1-75. Corn la held firmly at tbe advance re corded yesterday; sales of old vellow at $1-42-new do. at $1 05l 20; and new Western mixed at fl'25183. Oats are more active: sales of 10.C00 bushels Pennsylvania at 75a. Nothinr doing in either Barley or Malt. Beeds. Cloveiseed la held at$77'76i 64 lhn Timothy ranges from $2 602 65. Flaxseed sella at $2 46. Bark Is steady at $59 $ ton for No. 1 Q,uer. citron. W hlsky Nothing doing. LITEST SH1PPIHG INTELL16EHCE. Par additional Marine New tee Inrld rw.. PORT Olf FillLADiCLIUIA DKCfiMBKB li stat 0 iHiasoiierrB T nxa avsariwa tub. f A M ssss nr " .41 1 U A. M.....m..u....4 1 1 p, V CLEARED THIS MORWINQ. Bcbr Nellie btar, Poland, Trinidad, a Morris Wain ft Bch'rW. B. Thomas, Wlusmore, Bagaa La GraoJ Madeira x Cabaoa, ' ARRIVED THIS MORNINQ, Scbr J. I Leach, Kudlcult, 12 days from BL Af arv'a Oa., with lumber to K. A. Bouder fe Oo. ' SAILED. " The City Ice Boat, Scheilenger, went down the river early this morning, taking in tow brig Kolns, for Hamburg, aud schr Pickwick, for Odessa, .Russia, MEMORANDA. Steamship Star of the Union, Cooksey. hence tar New Orleans, sailed tretn Havana yexterday. Barque Irma Cummlngs, for Philadelphia. Sailed from Calbarlen Snth ull. Brig Rebecca Bheppard, hence, was discharging at Liverpool 10th Inst. bchrs E. W. Pratt, Tlendrlck, hence for Boston and A. H. Learning. Brown, hence for Norwalk. at New York yehierday. .ow Bchrs Minnesota, Plilnney, frem Newport for Phila delphia, and K. Baxter, Jerome, from New llaveu for oo.. at New York yesterday, v Bchrs H. T. Wines Iluise. and Black Diamond Young, both tor Philadelphia, sailed from Newport 16th Inst. Bcbr A. M. Flanagan. Collins, hence for Boston, re mained at Newport hitb lost. ' bcbr Dauntless. Coombs, hence for New York, at MayagueR 1st Inst. BchrC. E. Locke, Hnntley. for Philadelphia, sailed from New Bedlord 15th lost. DOM KHtTo" PORTH Niw York, Deo. 17. Arrived, steamship YUle de Paris, Buimont. Irom Brest. HieamBlilp Hull Lily, Btewart. from Qalveston, bhlp New World, Champion, from London, -md Fortkbsh Monrob, Dec 16 -The United BuM steumer De Hota, which arrived here on U" " a '"Vl has been ordered to the Uoaport Nvy vara ror re pairs, and will go up "'"""'bKTamaied Ilu purpose. Her keel ra coillr1"' rng lheear.hiu.kearBt la.a.nB betWMn N The taanj'" 7 ''"i'L'n. plng op the Roads yes York and cy"'l Ti, i,"rce pumps, and auchered off CWI.1. d aid rVpaired. the proceeded up the ,lvr this f,rM'"D Vernon, which pot Into Norfolk I to Norfolk yesterduy, sailed this morning for lies dTl.e steamer Admiral, from York river for nalll nore. which went ashore on York Bplt oa Jr'rlOay lust, was golten unsafely, aud proceeded on her vo- nedilr'gOeorgla Holt, from Charleston, wltit lumber for Baltimore, j j n.j vt,,ieriy, naa also susiainea some short ,''n',ubinery. Bhe is now being repaired """.""lu.nllo iron Woiks. at '' A.,i;ulr James A. Geary, from Wilmington: T"? ,. .,,. f,,r Halllinora. whl:h DUt la short of ISO. i.