Bradford reporter. (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, February 02, 1865, Image 2

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    NEWS FROM ALL NATIONS.
—Lieut. Davis, of the rebel army, was j
arrested at Newark, Ohio, a few days since. He
was on his way from Canada to the South, via
Washington. The importance of his capture con
sists in the fact, that he was for some time in
charge of the prison at Andersonville where our
brave soldiers suffered much torture.
—Counterfeit ten dollar bills on the
State Bank of New Jersy, and two dollar bills—
altered from ones—on the Bellinger Bank, of Her
kimer Co., have just been put in circulation.
—Some Canadian girls attending school
in Detroit having been refused transportation over
the river for want of passports, Mr. Seward has
decided that they are not travellers, under the rule,
and need no papers.
—A steamer from Mobile arrived at New
York Tuesday, bringing 1,000 bales of cotton on
account of the Kebel Government, to be disposed
of here and the proceeds to be invested in blankets
and other creature comforts for Rebel prisoners
now held in confinement in the North. That
amount of cotton ought to bring two or three hun
dred thousand blankets, which in case of an imme
diate and full exchange of prisoners, would make
a handsome addition to the wardrobe ofLee's army.
—Gen. Grant reports that our casualties
in the taking of Fort Fisher prove smaller than at
first reported. They foot up thus 12 officers and
107 men killed; 45 officers and 490 men wounded.
There were 102 guns in all, captured by our forces.
—Senator Wilson has introduced a new
Conscription bill. In most respects it is like the
House bill. Principals, however, are made respon
sible for the desertion of substitutes. Deserters
forfeit the rights of citizenship.
—On the 21st a detachment of our
troops from Memphis crossed the river and attack
ed a band of guerrillas at Mound City, killed and
wounded the Captain and five others, without the
loss of a man on our side.
—The Rebel Gen. Foster is reported to
l>e concentrated his force at Houston, Miss., with
the view of making a raid into Memphis.
—The Black Laws of Illinois (prohibit
ing negroes from settling in the State,) have bean
repeuled by the State Senate, and the House of
Assembly will without doubt concur.
—Gen. McClellan, with his wife and
child, sailed for Europe Wednesday, in the steam
ship China. He was attended to the vessel by a
number of personal friends and relatives.
—The explosion of some powder on Mar
ket-St., in West Philadelphia, Wednesday morning
caused the death of three persons, and annother
was seriously injured.
—The American Hotel in Buffalo, with
several adjoining buildings, was destroyed by fire
Wednesday. The loss amounts to nearly 51,000,-
000.
—The residence recently purchased bv a
committee of gentlemen from Philadelphia, and
which has been gratuitously tendered to Gen.
Grant and family as a permanent home, is on the
north side of Chestnut-st., west of Twentieth. The
building occupies a front of 22 feet,extending back
to the distance of 168 feet, with a thirty-foot street
in the rear. It is a four story double front, with
three-story double back buildings. It cost over '
$30,000. •
—On Wednesday morning, Jan. 18th
Owego was visited with a fire for the first time in
two years and four months. The conflagration
was of a barn belonging to Dr. E. B. Sprague.— I
Owego* has a population of about S,(MX), and its
freedom from fires for the few past years is worthy
of comment.
—According to a report in the Richmond
Mspntch of January 22, the rebel General Sterling :
Price is not dead, but has just captured Fort Smith.
Arkansas, with its garrison of two thousand men. !
The rumor lacks conformation.
—The old revenue cutter Harriet Lane,
captured by the rebels and renamed the Lavenia,
was burned at sea on the 18th instant, while on
her way from Galveston to Havana. It is sup- i
posed she was fired by a sailor who had failed to j
get his wages.
—Official reports from Admiral Dahlgren,
received at the Navy Department, show that by the
sinking in Charleston harbor of the iron-clad Mon- j
itor Patapsco, on the night of the Kith instant,six- j
ty-two officers and men were lost, while forty-three |
were saved. He has ordered a board of inquiry J
into the cause of the disaster, which is supposed j
to have been the explosion of a torpedo.
—General Sanborn, commanding the dis
trict of Southwestern Missouri, has banished forty- !
eight families and one hundred other men and wo- |
men, to a distance of fifty miles outside his lines, j
for feeding and harboring guerillas and bush- '
whackers. They are to leave the district by tlie
20th of February, on penalty of arrest and impris
onment.
—A despatch from Louisville, Ky., says: j
' The authorities have been officially informed that
Mundy's gang this evening killed at Samsonville :
thirty negroes, who were in charge of one thousand '
head of government cattle. No further partieu- j
lars have been received.
—The Canadian Attorney-General on j
Wednesday placed before Parliament a bill for the j
prevention and suppression of outrages on the fron
tier, and the manufacture and shipment of arms 1
for unlawful purposes ; and providing for the seiz- j
ure and examination of suspected vessels, and giv- j
nig notice to persons proving unworthy of the hos- j
pitality of the country to remove from it.
—Latest advices from Eastport confirm !
the report that the 18th Tennessee Cavalry, about !
six hundred strong, under Col. Johnson, encamped j
at Clifton, Tenn., had sent word into our lines that j
they wished to surrender, take the oath, and go i
home.
—The crews of the blockade-runners \
Stag and Charlotte, captured off Wilmington a few ;
days since, have been brought to Fortress Monroe. |
Another steamer was captured off Fort Fisher on
Sunday but her name was not known.
—There seems to he an unusual amount I
of small iox now in the cities of New York and I
Brooklyn. Many persons we learn by our exchan- j
ges, through the country have recently visited j
those cities and returned home with the seeds of i
the disease in their systems, which have broken j
out and thus spread throughout many families.
—Au interesting ceremony took place at
the White House on Tuesday morning. The occa-
M<>n was the presentation to President Lincoln of j
a truely beautiful and superb vase of skeleton
leaves, gathered from the battle fields of Gettys- j
burg. The vase was on exhibition at the great j
Sanitary Fair held in June last in Philadelphia,
and was there subscribed for as a gift to the Presi
dent.
—A motion has been made in the West
Virginia Senate to remove the capital fiom Wheel
ing to Clarksburg.
The high price of board, it is said, has
caused tlie Maine legislatures to talk of immediate
adjournment.
—Sherman's army lias cut up the slave
auction blocks at Savannah for firewood.
—A New-Hampshire paper says it is ru
mored that the Hon. Edward W. Harrington, the
Democratic candidate for Governor, will decline the
nomination. He was beaten last March, and seems
disinclined to a second trial.
—The steamer Eclipse, which exploded
licr boiler in the Tennessee River, opposite John
sonville, on the 29th, lind on board the members of
Ihe 9th Indiana Battery and other troops. In all
rer 140 lives were lost by the accident.
Bradford spotter.
Towanda, Thursday, February 2, 1865.
NATIONAL. BANKS VS. STATE BANKS.
We took occasion in our last, to point
out some of the more prominent advan
tages which the National have over the
State banks, and since, some others have
occurred to us, no less striking, nor less
important. One of these is, the unequal
values attached to the notes of the Banks
of the different States, in different local
ities. For instance, the notes of the Penn
sylvania banks have always been held at a
high rate of discount, by the banks, and the
business community of the State of New
York. This depreciation of our bank pa
per is just what the prejudice, the ignor
ance, and caprice of the people of our sister
state, chose to make it. Their bank paper
is not a whit better than ours, yet they see
proper to make a difference against us, and
our people have lost largely by means of
this. That too, which is true of these two
contiguous states, is equally true of most
others, and is one of the results growing
out of the practice of allowing each state
to create its own money. Since this sys
tem was inaugurated, one has not been able
to travel to distant parts of the country,
without loss. No bank has been suffici
ently known, or trusted—save the old United
States Bank, in her palmiest days—to war
rant the passage of her notes currently, in
all parts of the country ; and among a trav
eling people, such as ours are, this lias been
both a loss, and an inconvenience. With
the National banks this will, in a great
measure, be obviated. The manner of their
organization, and the securities on which
they are based, are known to all, which
will tend greatly towards giving them a
character, and credence, in every part of
the land. The chief reason usually assigned
for refusing paper, from remote localities,
is, that nothing is known of it. This can
not be said of the National banks. But the
most serious objection to the plan of allow
ing the different states to create money,
grows out of the fact, that it makes the
currency independent of the general gov
ernment, anil places it beyond its control ;
and this gives rise to great difficulties in
times like the present. When the colonies
formed the confederation for the purpose of
resisting the encroachments of England,
they refused to yield" the power to make
money, Massachusetts and Maryland hav
ing already issued coin ; but trouble
which ensued during the war, in conse
quence of the inability of the Continental
Congress to borrow, and to coin money, ex*
posed this as a great weakness ; and in the
formation of the Constitution, it was the
intention of the leading men of that body,
to remove this difficulty. The States Bight
men of the South, however, have always
clung to it. The right to charter banks has
been held as one of the reserved rights, and
the extensive practice upon this theory,
which has been going on in all the States,
has strengthened this claim. Aside from
the injurious effects produced l>y withhold- i
ing from Congress the control of the finan
ces, during the Revolutionary war, it has
so happened, in every serious war we have
had, that the State Banks suspended specie
payments, thereby inflicting on the people,
and on the government heavy losses. For, J
so soon as specie payments were stopped, j
the banks procured its legalization. Then j
the country was flooded with paper, and as
it increased, it depreciated. The invariable j
result of this was, that all commodities i
rose to two and three prices. The copper
head orators, and writers, have contended i
throughout this war, that the present high !
rates of products, was caused by the issue j
of government money ; but this is far from i
the truth. Why did we have, during the I
bank suspension of 1838 and '4O, as high
prices as at present, when the general gov
ernment paid all its liabilities in specie ?
So that federal office-holders had gold, and
the people about a worthless a batch of
rags as were ever used for money. On the
contrary, if the government had issued no
money, we would have had a much worse !
currency, and higher prices for commodities. I
If time and space permitted, we could deni- j
onstrate this by showing the circulation and I
discount statements of the banks, both of
which tend to inflation. ,\n effort was
made some time ago, by a New York pa-1
per, to refute this, by showing that the eir" j
dilution of the banks of that state had fal- j
len off instead of increased ; but this wri
ter left out two considerations which ma
terially change the aspect of the question.
One is, that the notes of the New York j
banks, which have mainly constituted the j
the currency of the Northwestern states, j
have all been driven out by force of public j
opinion, and the government money substi
tuted. By this probably not less than ten j
millions of the circulation was sent home, j
The other is, that he did not take into the j
account the discount item, which exhibits a j
large increase, and this inflates just as
much as circulation. Besides, the city
banks do not use their own paper, but that j
of the country banks for discounting, for it :
is cheaper and safer, thus stimAlating each
other to feed upon the public confidence.
feaT" Late Richmond papers contain an
official dispach from Gen. Hardee stating i
that Gen. Sherman has yet made no move- I
ment up the Savannah River, while Rebel !
rumors aver that he is moving on Augusta, ;
Georgia, byway of Blakesville. Gen.Hill
has ordered the removal of the Rebel pow- j
der works from Augusta, in case of a design 1
of Sherman to capture tin- town being dis
closed.
Some of the Richmond newspapers
have stated that the Rebel fleet on .lames
River made another attempt to pass the
I nion batteries and obstructions after their
failure ol last Tuesday. But this is contra
dicted by The Richmond I Vhig of Thursday
evening, which stated that the vessels of
the fleet still remained at their first position
up the river.
THE DRAFT—ASSIGNMENT OF QVOTAS.
The Provost Marshal General has assign
ed and forwarded to the different districts
their correct quotas under the call of De
cember 19 for three hundred thousand men.
Shortly after the call was made, quotas
were assigned upon the enrolment as it
stood on the thirteenth day of November,
and taking into account the reports of cred
its, and the estimates of the number of
years of service that were then available,
and these quotas sent to the districts, in
order that recruiting might commence
without any delay for computing the exact
quotas.
The correct quotas are based upon the
enrolment as corrected up to the Ist- in
stant, and embrace all the credits for troops
raised up to that date. A complete settle
ment with each district has been made,and
all former deficiencies charged, and surplus
credited to the district. Consequently all
men put into the service since January Ist,
whether by draft, the acceptance of sub
stitutes, or by voluntary enlistments, will
be applied as credits, in reduction of the
quotas now assigned.
It will be observed that the corrected
quotas vary in certain localities, from the
quotas assigned on tlio 23d December.
The reason of this is, first, that the enrol
ment in many localities has been much re
duced since the 30th November, while in
others but little change has occurred ; sec
ond, full and accurate reports of men and
years of service, furnished not only dur'ng
the month of December, but from different
localities, for the previous months, have
been received and taken into account in
determining the correct quotas.
We understand that the quota for this dis
trict is 2301, the quotas in the sub-districts
will not be assigned until the lists are le
vised.
FU 0 M II Altlt I 8 li Ult a.
llakbisbubo, Jan. 27, 1865.
Mb. Editoe :—There is but little business before
the Legislature, indeed they hardly know what to
do. The Senate is pressing what business is before
it with commendable industry, and wishes to ad
journ finally on the 28th of February. The House
does not appear to be in so much of a hurry. It
has but one session a day, from eleven till one, and
adjourns from Friday till Tuesday.. The matter yet
brought before either house have been almost ex
clusively of a local nature. A proposition is be
fore the Senate to have a general State bounty law,
that is, to have the State pay the bounty instead
of the counties or townships. There are many
strong arguments in favor of such a law, still it is
rather doubtful, I suppose, whether or not it pas
ses.
It is understood that Vice-President Johnson is
to pass through this city on his way to Washington
to commence his official duties. Wonder if the
members of tlie Legislature willrefuse to allow him
to speak in the Hall, as they did, or a majority of
them, two years ago. Things have changed since
then, in Pennsylvania as well as in Tennessee. It
will be gratifying to him to address the citizens of
Harrisburg, as well as the members, under the pe
culiar circumstances in which he will be placed,
but it will be annoying to those who voted him out
of the house but two years ago, to see him come
back Vice-President, and receive, from a majority
of both houses, such a he will receive.
Maj. H. White gave a very interesting, and in
some respects affecting account of his imprison
ment in Richmond, and his sufferings while at
tempting to escape. The Hall was crowded so that
there was not even a standing place on the floor,
still all listened with intense interest. I believe
the Major has gone back to liis regiment.
About three weeks since Senator M. B. LOWRY,
from Erie, while in Philadelphia, and riding in one
or the street railroad cars of the city, saw a negro
with but one leg, ejected from the cars, because he
was a negro. This man had lost his limb in the
defence of his country while keeping back from
this very city of Philadelphia, perhaps, the rebel
armies that would have destroyed it. This pro
cedure on the part of the railroad official, of course
aroused the indignation of Air. LOWRY, he felt, anil
justly, that it was a burning shame fc that a man who
had fought the battles of the country and had lost
his limb in thus fighting, should not be allowed |
to ride through the streets of the city on the rail
roads chartered lw the Legislature for the accom
modation of the public, merely because (tod had
given him a black skin instead of a white one. A
resolution was consequently introduced in the Sen
ate prohibiting the street railroad companies of
Philadelphia from passing or making regulations
that shall exclude Africans from their cars. On
this resolution Air. LOWRY who introduced it made !
a speech in his peculiar style, a speech though of
power. The democratic press throughout the State
has for hie action in the matter and his speech
opened their batteries of billingsgate upon him.—
The party organ of this city has poured out its
vials of wrath upon his head and yet lie lives, and
battles for the inalienable right of the African to!
fight for the country, if he desires to do that and to
ride in the cars with other men, provided he be
haves himself as other men ought to. LOWRY is a
regular old-school abolitionist, and is the last man
to be put down by the abuse of the democratic pa
pers. His bill may not pass, but it will call public
attention to the subject and the people will think
and consequently be prepared to act in the matter
at some future time. X.
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, I). C. Jan. 20, 1865.
EDITOR REPORTER : —I write nearly a week in ad
vance of the next issue of your paper, in order
that my letter may reach you in time. Previous
letters mailed here as early as Saturday morning,
have failed to reach you in time for your paper of i
the next Thursday.
I give you the following brief summary of mat
ters of most interest and importance, which have
been transpiring here since I last wrote you. Mon
day, Jan. 16.
TREATMENT OF REBEL PRISONERS.
Senate. A joint resolution, on motion of Air.
WADE, of Ohio, was referred to the Military Com
mittee, that rebel prisoners be subjected to the
same treatment as Union prisoners at the South.
V. H. CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.
House. On motion of Air. ASHLY, of Ohio, a
resolution was adopted, granting the use of the
llall of the Hqpse of Representatives to the U. N.
Christian Commission, for their anniversary exer
cises on Sabbath evening, Jan. 29th.
The annual exercises of this benevolent body,
are characterised with that lively interest which
always attends a description of the great good ren
dered to suffering humanity, and especially the re
lief rendered to our brave and suffering sick and
wounded soldiers, through their unceasing efforts.
I had the pleasure of attending the annual exer
cises of this body last year, in the Hall of the
House of Representatives, and can most truly say,
I felt a thrill of pride and satisfaction, as I lis
tened to the accounts given of the good work per
formed during the preceding year.
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
A resolution offered by Air. Cox, of Ohio, that it
is the duty of the President to send or receive
peace commissioners to secure a cessation of hos
tilities, was tabled by a vote of 84 to 51.
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN MISSOURI.
The Speaker laid before the House the Procla
mation of the Governor of Alissouri, declaring the
State now free; which on motion of Mr. WASHBURN
of Illinois, was ordered to lie printed in the Arch
ives of the Government,
The advent, at this time, of so important a State
into the sisterhood of free Commonwealths, is cal
culated to have, and most evidently is, producing a
favorable effect on the minds of members of the
present Congress, who have heretofore stood op
posed to the proposed AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTI
TUTION, abolishing slavery : and in this connection,
I venture again to predict that the requisite num
ber of votes to carry it will be found before the
close of the present session.
RECIPROCITY TREATY.
The joint resolution for the termination of the
Reciprocity treaty, of June sth. 1851, between the
United States and Great Britain, was passed fi
nally.
By the terms of this treaty our naval force on
the lakes was restricted to such a degree as to be
entirely inadequate for the present condition of af
fairs, and hence the necessity for its abrogation.
TREATMENT OF REBEL PRISONERS.
Senate. The resolution in reference to the treat
ment of rebel prisoners, was reported back by the
Military committee with a recommendation, that
the President should order rebel prisoners now in
our hands, or subsequently captured, to be placed
under the immediate control of officers and men
who have been prisoners in the hands of the rebels.
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE REBEL STATES.
House. The House on yesterday and to-day,
have had under consideration, the bill providing
for a Republican form of Government for States,
overthrown or subverted by the rebellion. Hon.
\VM. D. KELLEY, of Pennsylvania, made an elab
orate speech, in which he took ground against the
recognition of the State Governments of Arkansas
and Louisiana as at present organized, and against
the admission of the delegates from those states,
now claiming seats as members of the present Con
gress. He said in substance, that he would insist
upon having incorporated into (fny bill providing
for reconstruction, this provision : "That all loyal
male persons in the rebellious States, of suitable
age, without regard to color, provided they could
read, shall be permitted to vote." No vote lias yet
been reached upon the bill.
APPROPRIATION BILL.
House. The House resumed the consideration,
and passed the Legislative appropriation bill.
CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER.
Joint Resolutions were passed, tendering the
thanks of Congress respectively to Gen. TERRY and
Admiral PORTER, and to the officers and men under
their respective commands for the courage and gal
lantry displayed in the capture of Fort Fisher.
The capture of Fort Fisher, which effectually
closes up the Port of Wilmington against rebel
blockade running, is one of the severest blows yet
dealt the rebellion.
It so happened that at the moment the telegram
announcing the fall of Fort Fisher was received,
on Tuesday last, hy the Joint Committee on the
conduct ol the war, General BUTLER was before
them giving his testimony in regard to the failure
of the late expedition under his command to co
operate with the naval forces in frn attack on the
Fort. ITpon the announcement that the Fort had
been taken, the General exclaimed "Bless God for
the victory," and while he remained with the Com
mittee a national salute of one hundred guns or
dered by the Secretary of the Navy in honor of the
victory, boomed in his ears.
AS ASSAULT.
An assault with a knife, was made this (Friday)
evening upon the person of Hon. WM. D. KELLEY,
a member of Congress, from Philadelphia, by A. P.
FIELD, of Louisiana, claiming a seat as a number
of the House from that State. He inflicted a wound
upon the hand of Mr. KELLEY, some two inches in
length. The bystanders interfered and prevented
him from doing more serious damage. The ground
of assault, was Judge KELLEY'S opposition to his
admission to a seat as a member of the House.
PAY OF ARMY OFFICERS.
. Monday, Jan. 23d, in the Senate. Mr. WILSON,
of Mass., presented a bill providing for increased
rates of commutation for subsistence of army offi
cers, and also that they be relieved from the pay
ment of income tax upon their salaries. Which
war referred to the Committee on military affairs.
REDUCTION OF DUTY ON PRINTING PAPER.
In the House. Mr. WASHBURN, of 111., presented
a joint resolution, which was passed by 97 yeas to
40 nays, providing for a reduction of the duty on
printing paper unsized, and used exclusively for
the printing of books and newspapers, to three per
centum advalorem.
ASSAULT ON HON. WM. n. KELLEY.
Mr. SCHENCK, of Ohio, offered a resolution which
was adopted, providing for the appointment of a
select Committee of five members, to impure into
an alleged breach of privilege, committed by A. P.
FIELD, of Louisiana, (claiming a seat as a repre
sentative from that State) in the use of intimida
ting and bullying language towards the Hon. WM.
I). KELLEY, a member of Congress from Penn'a,
thereby attempting to interfere in his legitimate
rights and duties as a member, and following up
such intimidation by an assault with a knife on the
person of said WM. D. KELLEY.
Messrs. BEAM AN, Mich. ; ROLLINS, N. H. ; ROB
INSON. 111.: BALDWIN, Mass.; and TUWNSEND of N.
Y. were appointed said Committee.
Let us hope that this assault of Mr. FIELD may
be the last exhibition of pro-slavery virus and plan
tation manners ever to occur here. Although Mr.
FIELD professes to be a true Union man, the force
of early habit, and long association with Slavery,
has stamped its irredieable impress upon his char
acter. His imprudence has no doubt settled the
question of admission of himself and colleagues to
seats as members from Louisiana, adversely to
their claim.
MAJ. -GEN. 11. F. BUTLER, VINDICATED.
Mr. BROOKS, Democrat, of New Y'ork, rose to a
question of privilege and sent to the clerk's desk a
letter from Maj.-Gen. B. F. BUTLER, which he ask
ed the clerk to read, in which a demand was made
for an explanation of certain language used by Mr.
BROOKS in a speech made in the House on the (ith
inst. The language was in substance, "that the
" Government sent to the city of New York during
" the autumn of Election, a gold robber in the per
"son of a Major-General of the United States.—
"Robber as he was of the public treasure, and
" Major-General, be dared not exercise control over
"the actions of those whom the gentleman from
"Pennsylvania. (Mr. SCOFELD,) has called thieves
"and robbers."
Mr. R ROOKS claimed that the letter was intended
as a challenge to meet the General in a duel, and
was therefore a breach of his (BROOKS') privilege as
a member of the House. The Speaker decided that
the language of the letter, did not admit of such
construction, and therefore was not a breach of
privilege.
Mr. BROOKS, appealed from the decision, and up
on the pending question made further argument in
support of his charges against General BUTLER.
Mr. STEVENS, of Penn'a, obtained the floor to re
ply, when on motion the House adjourned.
Tuesday, Jan. 24, House. The discussion of the
case of Gen. BUTLER was continued, Mr. STEVENS
being entitled to the floor yielded to Mr. BOUTWELI,
of Mass., who is the immediate representative of
General BUTLER, and who made a triumphant vin
dication of the General, against all the charges
made by Mr. BKOOKS against him, and presented
official correspondence between General BUTLER
and the War and Treasury Departments touching
the disposition of money in his hands, which he
had taken from SMITH A Co., Bankers, in N. 0.,
and supposed agents of the Confederate loan, which
seemed to exculpate the General from the appear
ance of any intention of dishonesty. The discus
sion places General BUTLER in an honorable posit
ion before the country. Mr. STEVENS followed
with au unanswerable reply to Mr, BROOKS, and the
debate closed.
LOSS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE.
The destruction of this magnificent building by
fire oeeured this afternoon : the alarm was sound
ed at about 21 o'clock v. M., and before the devour
ing elements could be arrested, the towers, roof,
: and nearly all the upper portion of the building
with its contents, comprising valuable statistical
information relating to natural history, paintings,
relics, Ac. was destroyed. This is truly a national
calamity which must be greatly deplored by all. and
most especially by the scientific world.
Yours Truly,
COMB.
THEPEACE MISSION.
Return of Blair from the Rebel Capital.
Different Views of his Mission, and Comments of
the Rebel Press.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, Jan. 27, 1855.
i The following is a special dispatch to The
Evening Telegraph.
WASAINGTON, Friday, Jan. 27, 1855.
If is now definitely known that Mr. Blair's
mission to Richmond has been crowned
with complete success.
Mr. Davis pledged himself to send imme
diately three gentlemen to Washington to
; confer upon terms of peace.
Mr. Davis stated distinctly to Mr. Blair
that lie would conclude peace and return to
the Union upon terms that would be per
fectly satisfactory to Mr. Lincoln and Con
gress.
Mr. Blair also had an interview with
Gen. Leo, who avowed himself desirous of
! ending the rebellion by laying down their
arms and returning to the Union.
Mr. Blair also conversed with a majority
of the Rebel Congressmen, who represen
ted themselves as in favor of abandoning
l further hostilities.
There can be no doubt that in a day or
two at furthest Commissioners will reach
Washington to bring from the repentant
Rebels renewed allegiance to the Union,
the Constitution and the Laws.
Mr. Blair experienced the kindest of treat
ment at the hands of the authorities, and
reports that since the reduction of Fort
Fisher an entire revulsion of publicopinion
has taken place.
The most extreme advocates of "fighting
it out to the bitter cud," now admit the
hopelessness of their cause.
The probability of an early peace was
freely discussed in leading social and politi
cal circles in Richmond, and a general fee
ling of joy and relief resulted from the rap
id circulation of the information.
From the New York Herald.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 1855.
The only topic of conversation here to
day has been the return of Mr. Blair, Sir.,
from Richmond, and the result of his miss
ion. Contradictory stories were in circula
tion as to that result, and it was not until
this evening that authentic information
could be obtained in regard to it.
It is now definitely settled that his miss
ion has been an entire failure, and that he
is not to wears the honors of a great paci
ficator. Mr. Blair went to Richmond, as
has been stated in the HerahVn correspon
dence, confident that he should be able to
inaugurate negotiations whose ends would -
be the termination of hostilities and the res
toration of the Union. He returns satis
fied that at present there is no hope of a
p iaceful solution of existing difficulties.—
He found division and wrangling among
the rebel leaders ; but they are so distrust
ful of each other that none dare to assume
the responsibility of making advances, or
agreeing to terms which would lead to
peace. Davis is eindroned with enemies
who watch bis every motion, and are ready
at the first indication of a disposition to
accede to any possible terms of settlement,
to spring upon and overwhelm him. For
this reason he could offer no terms, except
a precedent recognition of commissioners
as representing the Confederate govern
ment ; or he was willing to negotiate with
out actual recognition provided an arm
istice of from thirty to ninety days was
granted. Neither of these propositions
could, of course, receive a moment's con
sideration, and so he was informed.
Finding all efforts to accommodate mat
ters unavailing, Mr. Blair has returned to
this city, and his labors as a peacemaker
are ended. Nothing now remains but a
vigorous prosecution of the war until the
army of Lee is destroyed, and then peace
will come, not by negotiation, but by the
disintegration of the rebel government.
The rebels are determined to make one
last effort, by the conscription of negroes
and a more vigorous enforcement of the
conscription of white men. to change the
current of disaster which lias so steadily
set against them of late. Their hopes of
recognition have not altogether failed them. I
and they are encouraged, from the action of ;
our Congress in relation to the French oe- J
cupation of Mexico, to believe that France '
will soon recognize them as an offset to the ,
hostility displayed towards the new gov
ernment of that country by the United
States. All these arguments are used to
keep the rebel Congress and the people from ;
despairing of ultimate success ; and they
have the effect desired for the present.
It is authoritively stated to-night that j
Mr. Blair is preparing a letter, addressed I
to Horace Greely, detailing his experience
as a peace negotiator and explaining the j
cause of his failure, and showing that there
is no hope of an immediate peaceful settle-i
men I of the war.
General Singleton has not returned yet
to this city, although it is understood that
he has come within our lines from Rich
mond. llis political friends are quite dis
appointed at his utter failure to bring the
rebels to a peaceful frame of mind.
Peace men are said to be plentiful in
Richmond, but reconstructionists do not as
yet dare to avow themselves.
A resolution will be introduced in the
Senate on Monday calling upon the Presi
dent for all the Blair-Davis correspondence.
REBEL ACCOUNTS.
THE BLAIIt MISSION,
MB. BLAIR CONVEYS A LETTER FROM LINCOLN TO
DAIVS.
[From the Richmond Examiner, Jan. 25.]
\\ e learn that Mr. Blair, contrary to gen
oral expectation, did not go down on the
llag of truce boat yesterday but yet tarries
in Richmond. In consequence of which
there were various rumors yesterday, as his
delay here was very naturally thought to
imply that his propositions, whatever they
may be, had neither been rebuffed nor an
swered with decision. All that is known
is the fact that lilair brought a letter from
addressed to Jefferson ltavis. Its contents
are not even surmised. But the only ob
ject of sending Blair here is to distract pub
lic attention from the public defence and
keep up the nonsense of demagogues about
peace while the Yankee armies are in mo
tion
MR. BLAIR AMBITIOUS TO BRING ABOIT PEACE.
[From the Richmond Whig, Jan. 25.]
There is no prospect of an armistice at
present, but Mr. Blair is still in Richmond,
and while we are not yet permitted to know
officially anything relative to his mission,
we are satisfied, from all that we can hear,
that he is zealously endeavoring to bring
about a termination of the war. A great
reputation will be the reward of his efforts,
if he succeeds, and he is ambitious enough
to strive to secure the renown which will
attach'" to his name if he proves a success
ful commissioner of peace.
A flag of truce boat went down the river
to-day. General Singleton, of Illinois, and
niece, were among the passengers.
MR. BI.AIK AUTHORIZED TO OFF.ER ANY TERMS THAT
WOULD SUIT JEFF. DAVIS.
[From the Richmond Sentinel, Jan. 25.]
Mr. Blair is still in the city. We saw
him on the street late yesterday afternoon
It is believed that Mr. Blair has been auth
arized to offer any terms of settlement that
could be accepted by the Confederate jteirjAe.—
What consultations have taken place be
tween him and President Davis, it is pre
sumed, are only known to themselves. The
rumor circulated yesterday of an armistice
for three months has its answer in the
thunder of cannon below the city. These
rumors of peace and of suspension of hos
tilities can have no other effect than to
raise false hopes in the nrnds of the peo
ple. The shortest way for peace is vigor
ously for war. The enemy will never make
terms with us until they are convinced we
.will fight till we achieve our independence.
MR. BLAIR AND JEFF. DAVIS KEEP THEIR OWN
COUNSEL.
[From tlie Richmond Despatch, Jan. 25.]
F. P Blair was still in the city last even
ing. lie arrived here on Saturday evening,
dined with the president on Sunday, and
has had several interviews with him since.
What transpired during these interviews is
postively not known. The President not
having even made any communication to
his Cabinet on the subject, we must await
the return of Mr. Blair to the North.
NO PEACE BUT IN SUBJUGATION OR INDEPENDENCE.
[From the Richmond Sentinel, Jan. 25.]
The more we talk about peace the more
arrogant the enemy becomes. The men
who are continually whining about peace
but prolong the war, as they wcllk now
there can be no peace but in two ways—
subjugation or independence.
The famous Richmond squadron,
consisting of four iron-clad vessels, came
down the -lames river Tuesday morning
and succeeded in running by Fort Brady
the high water, caused by the freshet, and
a dense fog enabling them to pass the ob
structions, intending to destroy the Fnion
works and depot at City Point. A battle
quickly ensued between the rebel fleet and
our nearest battery or fort, in which one of
the rebel vessels was blown up and instant
ly and entirely destroyed, while two others
were so badly damaged by shot and shell
as to compel them to seek safety by speedy
flight back in the direction of Richmond,
accompanied by the other two, which es
caped without serious damage.
There is literally nothing doing in
the Army of the Potomac. Since the flurry
of the Rebel ironclads,the silence has scarce
ly been broken. The only events worthy
of mention in our latest dispatches are the
execution of a deserter and the issue of or
ders promising certain rewards fur good be
havior. The colors of the Twentieth Mass
achusetts, lost in battle, have been restored,
the regiment being found innocent of blame.
PROPOSED VISIT TO REBEL PRISONS DENIED.—
The United States Christian Commission
last week proposed to the Rebel authorities
to send Bishops Mcllvaine, 0. Jayne anil
Lee, and Horatio Jones of Philadelphia, to
visit all the Rebel prisons and ascertain the
condition of the Union prisoners. Gen. Grant
forwarded the application to Gen. Lee, with
his approval indorsed, and giving permis
sion for an equal number of clergymen and
other civilians from the South to visit the
military prisons in the North on a like er
rand. These visits. Gen. Grant added, would
do much to relieve anxiety in the public
mind on both sides, caused by exagger
ations or misrepresentations as to the treat
ment of A reply was received
from the Rebel Government, through com
missioner Ould, declining to permit the visit
of the Bishops as "inexpedient."
General Grant has taken the whole mat
ter of the exchange of prisoners in his own
hands, and there is now reason to believe
that a full exchange will soon be effected.
The Lieutenant General could do no act. at
this time, which would cause more real joy
throughout the country, than effect the re
lease of our poor suffering fellow citizens
in the prison dens of the South. The heart
of the loyal North bleeds with anguish for
her starved sons in rebel prisons, and if
General Grant can secure their speedy re
lease, God and man will bless his name.
The steamer Peril arrived at New York
Friday from Savannah, but brought no later
reports regarding military movements.—
General Sherman had issued an order in
reference to the negroes within the lines of
his army. The young # and able bodied men
are to be encouraged to enlist in the milita
ry service, and the South Carolina sea is
lands and the abandoned rice and cotton
fields on portions of the Florida and South
Cai olina coasts are to be set apart for the
settlement of the old men, women and chil
dren. Gen. Rufus Saxton has been appoin
ted to superintend their location on these
lands. All the rebel obstructions have been
removed from the main channel in Savauah
harbor, and it is now open to navigation.
A.Charleston correspondent of the Richmond
Dispatch says that if Sherman succeeds in
getting possession of Rranchville the fall
of Charlston will soon follow.
M A li ]{ I E I) .
DUNFEE—COOLBAUGH—In Macedonia, Jan.24,
by Rev. J. A. Roseel, Mr. John Dnnfee to Miss
Alice B. daughter of Wm. Coolbangh.
CAMP—-STEVENS —On Tuesday, 22tli inst., at St.
Matthew's Church, Pike, by Rev. \V. S. Heaton.
Mr. Loomis B. Camp to Miss Miranda Stevens.
ilrtD a&bevtfscments.
"VTKW AND FRESH GOODS!
-Li Just received,
A FULL STOCK OF GROCERIES,
Bought for Cash,
WHICH WILL BE SOLD AT A SMALL ADVANCE.
Thankful for past favors, I would respectfully say to
my old triends that I hope by staid attention "and lair
prices to merit a continuance of their favors.
Towanda, Feb. 2. E. T. FOX.
A LARGE ARRIVAL OF FISH, COD
FISH, Mackerel, Heriing, Bine Fish, Scale-Fish.
Ac., at wholesale and retail. Mackerel put up in small
packages for family use, some very choice ones ; also
quarter and half-barrel packages, ah offering for sale at
low rates, by ten 2 E. T. FOX.
LAW CO-PARTNERSHIP
The undersigned have formed a co-partnership in
law business under the name of ADAMS A PKET. Partie
j ular attention paid to business In the Orphans' Court.
J. C. ADAMS,
I Towanda, January 3.1,1865. H. PEET.
Sicto ££M>ertfsements.
If US TC A L <• o \ vEN Ti o
The Sixth Convention of the
0H O KA I. UNION A SS O C I ATI OJi
Will be held at
LeJlaysville, Bradford County,
Commencing on TUESDAY, FEB 7,186>,at 9 <,'•
A M.. to continuefonr days, and close with\t( 'r>Yv.'? k 9
|on FRIDAY EVENING, Feb. 10, under direcUo,,,* J
PROF. GEORGE B. LOOMjg
Of Woc.ster, Ohio.
ADMITTANCE TO TFLFG FULL CORRSE ;
j Gentlemen ~ V|
Ladies " 11 \
To the Concert . %
Persona having the " Key-Note " will please |, r j„ A
and those who have not. will be furnished free of ii! 1
Good board can be obtained at the hotels, or u,l
i families at reasonable prices.
The friends of Prof. Loomis, and all lovers of
are requested to attend.
By order ol tbe Committee,
G. W. BRINK, President
! H. F. HKNDKU K, Secretary.
JgYE AND EAR IN ST I'll | K
DR. UP DEGRAFF,
OCULIST. ACBIST AND GENERAL SURGEON, ELMIRA \
Trent* all I>i*ia*e* of the Eye, Eur and 'litrmy M
THE EYE.—He will operate upon Cataract, Arti;. |
Eupil, CROSS Eyes, Lachrymal Fistula, Pterygium ;v.'
pion, (inversion of the eye-lid,] and treat all tone. - : 3
"SORE EYES," such as Granulated Lid:, Purii* |
Ophthalmia. Opacities of the Cornea, Scrolul j|
eases of the Eye. and all diseases to which thcEv". j
subject.
I"HE KAlL—Treats successfully Discharges from t a
Ear. .Yoises in the Ear. Difficulty of Hearing, Dealc- M
[even when the Drum is entirely destroyed, will in- Ja
an artificial one, answering nearly ail the purposes of
natural.
2'HE THKOA I. -Ulcerated Throat, Enlarged?
ail, tog j t her with
CATARRH ,1
in all its forms, permanently cured.
GENERAL SURGERY.—He will operate upon r;.
Feet. Hare Lip, Cleft Palate, Tumors. Cancers, y ..."
Growths, Deformities from Burns, and Hernia, an, 1 , ~.
forms PLASTIC OPERATIONS—Where the X -e.!.. 4
or auy portion of the face is destroyed through ds-/.
or otherwise, by healing them on anew.
Will attend to tbe Amputation of Limbs. -y \
' and General Surgery in all its branches.
INSERTS ARTIFICIAL EYES.—Giving them al. • 11
motii n and expression of the natural, defying dele - Ijfl
they are inserted without removing the old one or - fW
ducing pain.
The Doctors collection of instruments compri-e-, i
the latest improvements, and is the largest iu the Su;. %
the superior advantages be has had iu perfecting ;
selt in all that is new and valuable in Surgery,
him in .-.tying that everything within the bound- : • 1
piolession may be expected ut him.
The Institute has been greatly enlarged, so that
cau now accommodate an increased number of p.u
from a di.-tauce. Comfortable Boarding House, m'tj *
ed to the establishment. >'
No inrmable ca*e* received fur 7ieitment or Ou
it a case is iucurable he will be so informed,
institute on Water street, opposite the Brainard 1! ... I
j Elmira. N. Y. ' Feb. 2, is. ' >
T)LASTKR.—A fresh supply r,f G : r
J Plaster on baud aud for saie bv
Feb. 1. MB. W. A. ROCKWELL. .|9
IpIRST NATIONAL BANK OF TOW.
JL AN DA !
DESIGNATED DEPOSITORY OK THE r. s.
1 Capital >■ 10( i. <in
DIRECTORS:
K. 11. SMITH, IG. F. MASON, 1 JOSEPH I'-.iVELi * 1
C. S. RCsSKLL. E. T. FOX, GBOSGE VEX .JS
E. W. U ALE. JJ. D. MONT AN YK, |O. D. BAULK. jB
This Bank being a depository of the United >v- j
■ and in daily communication with the Treasury IL;' '°9
merit, affords to its dealers unusual facilities f.,r he.".- I
ing in Government Securities, or tor the payment
tcrest Coupons as they become due.
A supply ot U. S. floods and Treasury Note- ar- - ;S .i
| constantly on hand, and the officers of the Bank*
wayst>e pleased to furxish any iniortnation re ...
i regard to the various Government Loans.
Deposits received and interest allowed as usual.
Persons wishing to send money to any part ot ..
own or the Did Country, will be furnished with Ei
change at current rates.
E. 11. SMITH, Presides!
N. N. BETTS, JR., Cashier.
"VTOTICE.—'Hie Board of Re vision i 1 :, -
-Ll fixed upon the dates and places tor holding A
peals lor A. D. I 865, viz :
Towanda Borough, at the Commissioner's Office. V
nesday, February 15.
, Towinaa Township and Towanda North, at tbe O:.
miasioner's Office. Thursday. February 16.
Asylum, at house of Moses Kilenberger, Mond\. Fe :t sj
i Terry. " " E. W. Xeai. Tusday,
Wilmot, " " Hiram Horton, Wednesday' ..
Albany. " " S. D. Sterigere, Thursday. "
| Overton, " " Edward McGovern, Fridap," a |
Monroe township and Borough, at house ot W; ..
Decker, Saturday, Feb. 25.
Ul-ter, at house ol Ethan 1 utile. Monday, Feb.
Athens twp., at house of W. H. Simmons, Tiu-sA.
Feb.2B.
Athei s lioro", at house of W. 11. Simmon.-, Weutie-
March I.
Rtdgbury, at bouse of Benj. JL rman, Thursday. Me:
Springfield, at house o! Abram Beutley,Friday. NLr
i Smitlifleld, at house of L. S. Arnold. Satnrdav.
j South Creek, at bouseof John F.Gillett M i :.
: Welles, at hou-e of James Bfink, Tuesday-
Columbia and Sylvania, at house ol S. D. G. -c'r:
i Wednesday, March 8.
, Troy twp..at house of V. M. Ling, Thursday. Ma: .
: Troy la no' at house ol V. M. Long, Friday,
Burlington twp.. and bona' at house ol Jerome ii y
Saturday. March 11.
! Burlington West, at house of Jerome Hill. Mo: >'• I
March 13. .3
Granville, at bouse of Julius Bailey.Tuesday, Ma:
I Armenia and Alba boro" at house o't D. P. Kuapp, VV I
nesday, March 15.
I Canton twp., and boro' at the house of ii. 11. AJ.
Whitman, Thursday, March 16.
Leßoy, at hou.se of H. M. Holcomb. Friday . Mai K
Franklin, at house of S. S. Downing, Saturday, " I' '
: Wysox. at house ol Joseph Conklin, Monday"
Rome twp., and boro' at house of Jason Chaffee iv.e
--! day, Match 21.
i Shesliequiu, at house of C. H. Ames, Wednesday .Ma:..
! Litchfield, at house ot Cyrus Bloodgood. Thursday .
Windham, at house ot Hiram Sherry, Frid y, :> |
Warren, at house ot Robert Cooper, Saturday,
I Orwell, at house of Daniel Stevens. Monday", .
Derrick,at the School House in Herric-kville. Tue-.!
March 28.
Pike aud Lcßay-ville. at ha use ot James R. Field-
Wednesday. March 29. m
ruscarora. at house of 0. D. Black. Thursday, March
Wyalusing, at house ot Theodore ILncs. Friday.
| Standing Stone, at house of Charles Hotchki-s. 5.,:
da>, April 1.
Assessors will be punctual in .delivering notice
taxables, and in making their returns in person at:
time specified in their warrants, at which time a:
place the Board of ItKvisiun will attend, and hear a
who consider themselves aggrieved by the as-e-.-aie .
and make such alterations as to them shali appear j
and reasonable. By order of the Board.
Attest : E. B. COOLBAUUH, Clerk
Commissioner's Office, January 23, 1885.
OERSONAL PROPERTY AT PRIVATI
A SALE.—The undersigned will sell at private sc
at his residence on second Street, in Towanda. a qu.:
tity of secondhand Household Furniture. Alsoalau" |
quantity ol Text Books lor schooU. These books atffc
many ot them valuable for teachers aud scholars, s. /
though not now used in our schools. They em bra;
Grammars, Readers aud more advanced books in t "M
English. Latin, Greek, French and German languace
works upon all departments of Mathematics, the XJ: '3
ural Sciences, ftc. The books have not been used t
they will be sold at very low prices. The property
be purchased at any time before the first ot April tie.v s
For any sum over five dollars, three months credit '
he given. C. R. UOBURN
January 24. 1865.
rpo THE PUBLIC. Notice is herd
-L given to all whom it may concern, that Ih.w I 1
my books and accounts at my late place of busities- 1
and all persons indebted to me, will please call tbrrt i
aud settle their indebtedness immediately.
CHESTER WELLS
Tcwanda, Jan. 28, 1865.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN '
SETTLE 1 SETTLE UP!!
The time lias now come .that it is to the interest of a )
persons having accounts with tho undersigued to CJ
and settle up without delay.
Jan. 2.1865. JNO. BEIDI.EM AN
E STRAY.—Ctmie into the enclosure M
the subscriber on the 13th of Dec. last a red ,1
about five or six years old. The owuer is requested *>•'
come forward prove property, pay charges and t ike If' |
away, or she will be disposed of according to law.
Monroe,Jan. 9,1863. JAMESC.RIDGWAY.2J- |
P ROUND PLASTER & PITTSTONCOAI
vl The subscribers have on hand, and will keep e
stantly at their Store-House, in Ulster. CAYl' ,: '
GROUND PLASTOR and PITTSTON COAL, wbk; J|
thev will sell st reasonable rates.
Ulster, Jan. 16,1836. A. NEWELL A CO.
110 WANDA BOROUGH VOLUNTEER
. Bounty Loan. slllO Certiorates ot indebtedness
Towanda boto', payable in 6 months with interest.fs "J
from tax, for sale at the Banking office of B. S. ltus*'-
ft Co. Jannary ls'-^
TWO DWELLINGS FOR SALE.—;
subscriber offers for sale his Dwelling Houses aWj
Ixjts in Towanda Borough. The House formerly occupile
by me, on the north-east corner of Main and i' r!,,,l> ."
streets ; a framed house, two stories and j
a well, and in good repair. Will be sold with or withot •
the corner lot. ..
Also, the dwelling house now occupied by me,
north-west corner of Second and Franklin streets- " |
a two story house, with basement, and has a barn "I'v, I
the lot, with well and cistern, and an abundant supply
rnit. Terms made satisiaetorv to the purchaser.
Dec. 1,1864. ' JAMES MeCABE.