Cjjt I§TtSB. SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1862 EXTRACT FROM THE LAST SPEECH OF STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS “ The cons-pimey b kiMk ui> Um lain la a fact Mtr known to •11. Armies are being raised, and war levied to accomplish it. There can be but two sidqs to the controversr. Every man must be on the side of the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war. There can bo ■one bnt patriots and traitors.*’ THE LATEST WAR NEWS. A telegraphic despatch from Cairo to the Chica go Tribune brings the gratifying intelligence that Oen. Buell has surrounded the rebels at Murfrees borugh, Tennessee, and it is probable that he has captured the whole force. The general in com mand of the rebels had offered to surrender, pro vided his troops would be allowed to march out as prisoners of war, but General Buoll will not be satisfied with anything but an nncondi tional surrender, and, if that is not complied with, he will open fire on the port. It is probable that the rebel army consists of those regiments that evacuated Bowling Grycu, and subsequently Nash ville. on the approach of our troops. Jeff Davis’s message to the rebel Congress, which We publish in another column, is unusually pensive for a State dooument coming from the newly in augurated President of a Confederacy that has claimed omnipotence for a mere staple of its agri cultural resources, to say nothing of its boundless wealth of chivalry. The document is filled, from beginning to end, with nothing bnt illusive hopes and gloomy odjeotives. Its opening sentence is a waTy admission that “ the Government had at tempted more than it had power succsssfnlly to achieve!” Yes. considerubiy more. Mr. Davis! The first reference to the Roanoke Island affair is drawn exceedingly mild, the lucky substantive “ discomfiture-” being resorted to, as a gloss for the coarse-grained truth. In the next sentence, how ever, the confession is made that “it was deeply humiliating.” Sir. Davis deems it vitally import, ant that the South should be officially informed of the sense of its own humiliation. He excuses him self from dwelling upon the unpalatable news of the fall of Fort Donelson, because “ the official reports have not been received,” and meanwhile he asks a suspension of‘-judgment.” We can tell Mr. Da vis that the “judgment ” has been suspended too loDg already, and before many months have elapsed, the shadow of its wrath will be felt in every dis loyal city in the Union. Jefferson D. is evidently ineensedat Floyd for the latter’s cowardice, and makes this ironical refer ence to his services : “ The reports of the Secre taries of War and Nary Yf'U exhibit the masses of resources for the conduct of the war which we have been able to accumulate.” “We” is one of tho most intensely dignified of pronouns, however, and Floyd may be fool enough to feel flattered. On the whole, the Presidential Merryman of the Confederacy may congratulate himself on having got off a capital thing. Thackeray could not have done it better With such poor materials. With a few illustrations on wood by Crowquill or Darley, it would be absolutely side-splitting. From Washington, we have a semi-official con tradiction of tho sensation stories ourrent in this city last evening, to the effect that a battle had been fought on the Potomac, and disaster to tho Union cause had resulted. By way of Fortress Monroe we have received re bel papers of Wednesday last, extracts from which will be found in another oolnmn. The rebels state that our forces only took 7,000 prisoners at Fort Do nelson, and that Floyd saved all of his command except the Thirtieth Mississippi regiment, and Guy and Jackson batteries. Senator Simms, of Ken tucky, offered a resolution, in the rebel Congress, which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, pledging the last man and the last dollar, (and we suppose shinplaster, too,) for the purpose of prosecuting the war till tHeir independence Is acknowledged. It is reported that the rebel troops still hold Cumberland Gap, but they expect an early attaok from our forces. The communication between Fort Pulaski and Savannah} has been entirely cut off by our forces, who have erected throe heavy bat teries. The co'ton and tobacco planters have held a meeting in Bicbmond for the purpose of consult ing together about destroying the crops before they fall into Federal hands. No action was taken ; but we see that a bill has been introduced into Con gress compensating ail those who burn their crops for “ patriotic reasons.” All the prisoners captured at .Roanoke had arrived at Raleigh, having been released on their parole. General Nelson is in command of our forces at Nashville, General Buell being still on the north bank of the river. It is said that Governor Harris was driven out of Nashville by the Union men, the fatter having become bold at the near proximity of our forces. A despatch from St. Louis informs us that the Memphis papers of the 19thstate that General Polk had issued orders the previous day that the Mem phis and Ohio Railroad should be tom up and the bridges destroyed preparatory to the evaouatiou of Columbus and the demolition of its fortifica tions. The troops were to fall back to Island No. 10. on tbe Mississippi river, a place said to have strong natural positions, and one that can be impregnably fortified. Ne doubt this news is true, as the movements of Generals Hal leck and Buell’s armies have made the evacua tion of Columbus a military necessity on the part of the rebels. By an order of the Governor and Executive Council of South Carolina, the owners of slaves removed from the seaboard to the interior of the State are required to place them under the control of some white person residing in the neighborhood to which the slaves may be removed. Any viola tion of this order subjects the party infringing it to a penalty of ten dollars per head per month on each slave so left without proper control, A private letter received in Washington from Faria states that Yancey has left for Alabama, via Havana, taking with him a large supply of cheap but durable goods, for the clothing of negroes. It is stated that ho is fully satisfied that none of the great Powers of Europe will recognize the Confede rate Government. Th« British ship Labuan, of Hull, England, ar rived at New York yesterday, in oharge of a prize orew from the United States sloop-of-war Ports mouth. She was captured by the Portsmouth a few miles to the northward of Brecca Chics, a small Tillage near the Bio Grande, and it is sup posed that she intended to run the blockade. The vessel is worth £33,000. Her cargo consists of a large quantity of blankets, Ac. Congress Yesterday* Senate. — Mr. Sumner, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, reported a bill to abolish tho Stadt dues as stipulated in the treaty with Han over. Hr. Starke, of Oregon, offered a resolution that the papers bearing upon the subject of his loyalty be referred to the Committee Oh the Judieiary. The legislative and executive appropriation bill was taken up. An amendment of Mr. Grimes ap propriating *[llo,ooo to bnild a new jail in Wash ington city was adopted. An amendment of Mr. Harlan providing for an Assistant Secretary of the Interior was also adopted. The bill was then passed. House. —Mr. Moorhead, of Pennsylvania, from the special committee, reported a resolution to es tablish one national foundry east of tho Alleghany mountains; also, a national foundry, armory, and manufacturing arsenal, west of the Alleghenies. Beferred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. The bill to receive engineers in the volunteer ser vice being the special order, was taken up, and re jected—yeas 37, nays 66. Ibe bill granting homesteads to actual settlers, and a bounty to soldiers in lieu of lands, was passed by a vote of 105 yeas to 16 nays. Adjourned. Tlie State Legislature. Senate. —Mr. McClure, from .the Militia Com mittee, reported a bill which was passed, repealing so much of the act providing for the defence of the State as authorizes the privates of the Deserve Corps to elect their own officers. House. The vote upon tho bill for the suppres sion and destruction of bank-notes was reconsidered and postponed. _ .... An act granting to the Supreme Court jurisdic tion of a court of chancery in all cases of mortgages given by corporations was passed. The joint resolutions thanking our Mayor and citizens for the hospitality of the 22d ultimo was passed. The Message of Jeff Davis. The conspirators will find little to cheer, and much to depress them lu the dolorous tone Of the message of their chosen chieftain. They are, no doubt, already aware that their losses at Fort Donelson have not been exaggerated by the loyal journals, and the official announce ment of the difficulties of the rash enterprise upon which they have embarked will intensify their gloom. Important additional sncccsses in Tennessee are reported. Gen Buell has surrounded the enemy at Murfreesborough, and demanded from them an unconditional surrender. He seems to he on the point ol achieving a second Fort Donelson victory. Our glorious armies are marching from triumph to triumph as ra pidly as did the soldiers of Napoleon in his palmiest days. False Rumors. A large portion of the public have greatly overrated the influence the late order of Mr. StastOS, in relation to the publication of war intelligence, is calculated to exorcise upon the nuwspaper press. There is very little of real interest or of genuine importance that will be even temporarily suppressed. Garbled state ments, manufactured sensation reports, and information in reference to tho position, strength, or contemplated movements of our armies, may-indeed be withheld, but little or nothing that truly describes events that have actually occurred. It is probable that the American people will be almost, if uot quite, as well and promptly informed hereafter, as heretofore, of all the movements made to crush the rebellion; bnt if, by veiling in secrecy, for a few days, tile march of detach ments from one point te another, or the plans of our generals, tlic chances of triumphant restilts can bo increased, every loyal man shonld rejoice at the adoption of such precau tions. The mere suspicion that important news is kept from the public, however, lias given those who delight in originating and circulating false rumors a plausible pretext for coining nu merous fabrications. Most of them are so ab surd as to refute themselves; liko counterfeit coin, they arc clumsily constructed and readily detected. Much unnecessary uneasiness is occasionally caused, however, when they gain temporary credence among those who haye friends in divisions which are falsely said to be captured or destroyed. All should be on their guard against, these mischievous rumors. At least nine-tenths of them are utterly des titute of foundation, and not more worthy of attention than the babblings of an idiot, made up of “ sound and fury, signifying nothing.” The National Flao now waves triumphant ly in all the States of the Union, except Loui siana. The Government has undisputed con trol of all the free States, and of four of the slave States —Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. This leaves eleven of the thirty four States under the partial control of the rebels, but our armies hold the western, north ern, and eastern portions of Virginia; Ilatteras Inlet, Roanoke Island, Edcnton, Elizabeth City, and other points in North Carolina; Hil ton Hoad, Port Royal, and Edisto, in South Carolina TyboO Island, and several advaaeed posts, in Georgia; Key Vest, Cedar Keys, FortiPickens, and Santa Rosa, in Florida, and Ship Island, in Mississippi. The city of Gal veston, in Texas, is virtually in our possession. The army, under command of General Curtis, holds Fayetteville, in Arkansas. Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Clarksville, and Nashville, in Tennessee, are occupied by our troops. Our gunboats on the Cumberland lately penetrated to Florence, Alabama, where the old flag was joyfully bailed. That it will soon wave in Louisiana, too, cannot be doubted. The expe dition under command of General Butleh, and our war vessels cruising near the mouth of the Mississippi, have ample power to plant our glo rious emblem of Republican Liberty upon the soil of that State, and will soon make it over shadow the Pelican banner; and the reported evacuation of Columbus increases the proba bilities of a successful journey of our gun boats, at no distant day, down the Mississippi, to New Orleans. The circle of loyal emblems which enshrouds the rebellion is daily advan cing in every direction towards the centre of the Secession dominions. Peace Declarations. At present, from some cause yet nnavon ed and undiscovered, Great Britain somewhat ostentatiously parades her neutrality, and the Ministry declare, to place this new policy above suspicion or challenge, that the army and the navy estimates will he reduced con siderably below the amounts voted by Parlia ment in 38G1, In fact, we question whether the financial condition of England will not demand unusual economy in the expenditure of the national income, wrung from the people —who are the principal tax-payers—inasmuch as the income is less than ilie expenses. Be sides, by the non-supply of tobacco from this country, during the last ten months, the British revenue has been deprived of an im mense sum. The tax on tobacco imported into England is about 1000 per cent, on the cost-price of the article, and it has yielded about $20,000,000 per annum, all of which in now totally lost to the revenue, for the time being. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, (Mr. Gladstone, a very able man), will have a difliCHlt task in mailing good such an enormous deficit. More than forty years ago, Lord Castlereagii complained that the English had “an ignorant impatience of taxation.” That impatience continues to this hour, and the Financial Minister who has to propose further imposts, must bo prepared for any amount of popular antipathy. No doubt, Mr. Gladstone, who has publicly expressed him self very moderately on American politics, has intimated to his colleagues that, with such a decline in the Revenue, it would be absurd indeed to get involved in a war which must be costly and tedious. Although a small reduction in the military and naval establishments of England may be made, it is not to be forgotten that, just before the close of the year, while there was doubt, for only a short time, on the Trent af fair, Lords Palmerston and Bussell Involved England in an expenditure of some ten mil lion dollars in naval and military preparations —taking it for granted, it would seem, that our Government would not surrender Slidell and Mason, and that a war must then he com menced with the utmost alacrity on the part of England. Those ten million dollars have to he added to the deficit of twenty-six (on the tobacco account), which Mr. Glad, stone must make good, for the public expendi ture of 1862. It is very well, after having made ample preparations for war, which may be made available at any moment, for British statesmen to make a boast and a show of slightly redu cing the navy and army estimates. This will deceive few on this side of the water. The Mint and a National Foundry. A short time ago the New York papers were full of articles in favor of establishing a Mint in that city, their main argument being the cost of freighting gold to the Mint in Phila delphia for coinage. On tho strength of this argument a bill has been reported in Congress to establish a Mint in New York, the interest of the cost of which would pay the freight on' go Id sent (q Philadelphia three times over. On Friday a hill was reported in Congress by the Committee on Military Affairs to esta blish a National Foundry, to he located in New York, and appropriating a million dollars by way of commencement. Every pound of iron and of coal used there must he transported from Pennsylvania. While a great outcry is kept up about the freight on a few pounds of gold to Philadelphia, not a whisper is uttered against the freight to be paid on thousands of tons of iron and coal to New York in order that the National Foundry shall be in that State. New York is again showing her consistency by violently opposing the - establishment of a Mint in Colorado, where gold is found and mined in great quantities, thus demanding that it shall he transported thousands of miles for coinage. The Credit of the Government. The late legislation in regard to the trea sury-note bill has already had a marked effeot in monetary circles. The clause which makes the notes of tho old issue of 850,000,000 re ceivable in payment of impost duties, has already caused their advance to a slight pre mium over bankable funds. But a few days ago they were deemed Mess valuable than cun- ent bank-notes, and they would not be re ceived by our banking institutions except on special deposit. Now they rate at a slightly higher value, and are esteemed but little less desirable than gold. Tho savon and three tenths Government loan, too, is selling at only one-half per cent, below par. These are strong proofs of the' confidence of capitalists in the ability of tlic Government to meet all its pecuniary obligations, and indicate that it is considered powerful in a financial as well as in a military point of view. LETTER FROM “OCCASIONAL ” Wasiiinoton, February 28,1802. It is evident that, in order to effect a combi nation of different and differing political ele ments, there must ho a surrender of many opinions heretofore steadily and earnestly maintained. No one who has observed the course of events in both Houses of Congress for the last two months can fail to conic to this conclusion. When Mr. Chase, the able Secre tary of tbe Treasury, announced fiis willing ness to yield many of liis cherished sentiments on tbe question of finance, in order that the Republic might be saved, he set an example that may be wisely and profitably followed in other quarters and on other issues. No parti cular theory can be successfully carried out unless large concessions are made. We need only look at the conflicting views, even among Republicans, on all the mooted measures growing out of the triumph of our arms, to be assured of the truth of this assertion. Whilo an undoubted majority of both branches will sustain the abolition of slavery in the Dis trict of Columbia, many will demand, as an equivalent for their votes, that a clause mak ing compensation to loyal owners shall be in serted in any bill for this purpose, and others will ask that the project itself shall not become a law until it has been approved by a Yote of the people. In regard to confiscation there is considerable variance of opinion and of judg ment. Some assume the position that there is no power in the Constitution to pass a con fiscation bill; others rest tlieir belief in the necessity of such legislation, on the assump tion that without it the war will have been fought for nothing. One set of men demand the summary execution of the re bel leaders by drum-head court-martial, while a still larger party argue for a trial by jury even for the most pestilent and blood-thirsty of the traitors. A few days ago, in the Senate of the United States, oh tho bill introduced by Senator Wade, of Ohio, to authorize the President to appoint three commissioners to dispose of all property seized or captured by the military authority, including the culture of cotton, it was objected to with much earnestness by some of his party friends; bnt there is no question that will ex cite more division and discussion than that growing out of the erection of governments over thaeouquered seceded territory. An al most universal opinion prevails against taking any step that will ever permit the Secession leaders to assume their former ascen dency* ; but when men come to decide upon the plan by which the revolted States. are to be governed, many contradictory theories are advocated. The most extreme anti-slavery men are quite willing to entrust the destinies of Tennessee to such patriots as Johnson and Maynard, hut, with scarce an exception, they take the position that nothing but provisional governments will answer for such communities as South Carolina, Alaba ma, and Mississippi. They contend that, where there is no loyal population, this is the only remedy to prevent such communities from falling back into the hands of those loaders who began tlis rebellion, and who are still in aims against the Federal authority. In this maze of disputation, in this chaos of conflicting doctrines and anta gonism of opinion, he will be a wise man who shall prove himself able to digest such a law as will receive the votes of a majority and secure the sanction of the President. The proclamations of our commanding gene rals—that of McClellan in Western Virginia, that of Fremont in Missouri, that of Phelps at tho month of the Mississippi, that of Dix to the people of Accomac, Virginia, those of Halleck in Missouri, and more recently those ol'Foote and Grant to the people of Tennesee and Alabama, and that just published to the people of North Carolina by Goldsborough and Burnside—are all, with one or two excep tions, (and these have either been modified or disavowed,) instinct with the spirit of modera tion and forgiveness to the deluded people of the South, yet strong in their denunciations of the bad men who have deluded them. Is it not a fair inference that the proclaim-, tions which have net been disavowed, have either met the sanction of the President and his Cabinet, or have directly proceeded from them, and moy not onr statesmen, and our politicians, and our newspaper writers see in this indication the path to a policy, and the incentive to patriotic and instant com bination? Entertaining the strongest feelings myself in regard to this rebellion, I rather state facts as they are, than venture upon the sea of suggestion. He is not a sagacious le gislator who ignores the difficulties of the times. However he may* dislike it, he must consult and olten respect the objections and prejudices of others. We are living in an age of change and of novelties. Every hour produces a new crisis, and it has become a familiar spectacle in Congress for men to abandon long entertained opinions for tbe common good. If the Administration of Mr. Lincoln and those who are by right its guardians and friends can emerge from this struggle witli a vigorous, solid, and lasting po licy* by which, while treason is crushed and traitors punished, the Constitution is re-esta blished all over the land, they will have secured sucli a bold upon the popular confidence as will enable them to keep possession of the Go vernment for a long time to come. They have three years before them to do the work. Among their number are great, and liberal, and comprehensive minds, and millions stand ready to co-operate with them should they prove to he equal to their unprecedented obli gations. Occasional. TnOSE ENGAGED IN THE SECESSION CON SPIRACY are fond of indulging in the delusion that “ it is impossible to subjugate the South.” No matter, what reverses they meet with, or how many districts and States are rescued from their dominion, they fall back for hope and comfort upon the theory that they “can not be subdued.” The history of the world shows that almost any nation may finally bo conquered when a sufficient force is employed against it, and so far from the rebellious States possessing any attributes which render them an exception to this general rule, they contain many unusual elements of weakness. We know as a matter of fact, too, that during the last six or eight months the Union men of the South have been temporarily subjugated by tho Secessionists, and the aid of our armies will speedily enable the former, in turn, to hold in check the traitors in their midst. Many unthinking men, too, who have, in moments of excitement, been swept into the vortex of rebellion, will rejoice at an opportunity, when the “ sober second thought” resumes its sway, to return to their allegiance. Eepkint op the British Quarterlies. —We have the numbers of tho London Quarterly and of Blacfocood’s Magazine, (the New York reprint,) from W. B. Zieber, S-uth Third street, agoot in this city. The Quarterly is much better than it has been for some time, though unfair, to a degree, in its anti-Americanism, and Slachwood opens with uCaxlAßiana,” a series of Essays on Life, Litera ture, and Manners. Two stories are concluded this month, and a new one commenced, the hero of which is an English dissenting preacher. Thomas & Sons' Sales Monday and Tuesday next.— Eesidenck, Furniture, Coach Horses, &c., Monday, on the premises, North Broad street. Stocks, Beal Estate, Ac., on Tuesday, at the Exchange. See catalogues and advertisements of both sales . Pianos ! Pianos ! '.—George Steok (New York) makes a Piano-forte which has no equal in fullness and richness of tone and beauty of touch. J. E. Gould, Seventh and Chestnut. Polynesian,Affairs. —The Sandwich Islands are progressing rapidly. Beside the introduction of the democratic principle of the election by the people of the representatives in the Legislature, they nave also introduced two mors features of civilization. A foreigner on election day, at Hono lulu, struck a native, and a row immediately com menced, in which finally over five thousand people became engaged. In the election, the Catholics voted as Cathelics, and elected their nominee by one majority only, he receiving 1,260 votes, while the Protestant nominee received but 1,259. The result is a very bitter animosity. The Eev. W. C. Shipman, missionary of the American Board, died on December 21. A severe shock of an earthquake was felt all over the island on the 21st, consisting of ten regular vibrations from east to west. Gold hag been discovered to a vast extent in New Zealand, and a great rush was being made to that island. Death or A Privateersman in the Hospital. One of the prisoners captured on the privateer Sa vannah expired last Tuesday at SI Vincent's Hos pital, New York, of inflammation of the bowels. His assumed name was Bicbnrd Palmer, ne was born in Scotland, but a resident of South Carolina for several years, and strongly attached to the prin ciple of secession. By order of his counsel, Alger non S. Sullivan, he was interred in Calvary Ceme tery, according to the rites of the Catholic Church. The unfortunate man is said to bo’very respectably connected in the North. THE PRESS.—PHILADELPHIA, SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1862. Jeff Davis, in bis inaugural, eulogized so highly tlie freedom and liberality of the Go vernment which prevails in the dominions he assumes to control, that oven some of those who are fully conscious of the wickedness of his schemes and the infamy of the conspiracy may have felt inclined to think that he was “ the mildest-mannered man that ever scuttled fillip or cut a tliroflt,” Alter denouncing the alleged tyranny of the Federal Government, lie declared that in the South, “ through all the necessities of an unequal struggle, there has been no act lo impair personal liberty, or the freedom of speech, of thought, or of the -press. The courts have been open, the judicial func tions fully executed, and every right of the peaceful citizen maintained as securely as if a war of invasion had not disturbed the land.” A striking practical comment on this decla ration is given by* one ol the letters foiiitd in tbe rebel camp of General Price, dated Dover, Pope county, Arkansas, December 17tli, 1801, and signed James L. Adames. It briefly de scribes the sort of freedom, and tbe species of security for personal rights, which prevail among the conspirators. The writer says : “ Our men over the Boston mountains pen and swing the mountain boys who oppose Southern men ; the; hare in camp thirty, and in theßurrow ville jail seventy-two. in the Clinton jail thirty-five, and hay© sent twenty-seven to Little Rook. Wo took up same as low down as Dover. We will kill all we get , certain ; every one is so many less. I hope you will soon get help enough to clear out the last one in your State. If you know them they ought to be killed, as the older they grow the more stubborn they get.” The Offence of the “ Mountain hoys” who “ oppose Southern men” has doubtless been a refusal to join the conspirators, and they may possibly have been led in some cases to measures of retaliation for un deserved injuries and persecutions. Instead of being quietly permitted to dissent from the traitors around thorn, they were imprisoned or hnng. And the fate of these martyrs to the cause of the Union has been meted out in thousands of other cases, of which the rebel chieftain must have bad full knowledge when he boasted so londiy of the tolerance of tho inhuman rebels with whom he is leagued. FROM WASHINGTON. A SENSATION STORY CONTRADICTED. NO BATTLE ON THE POTOMAC. Important Order about Soldiers’ Letters, THE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. MESSAGE OF JEFF DAVIS. The Confederacy in Trouble. THE WAR IN ARKANSAS. THE POISONING OF UNION TROOPS. General Halleck’s Retaliation. Special Despatches to “ The Press.” Washington, Feb. 28, 1862. Contradictions and Explanations of Erro In order to correct erroneous statements, it is proper to Bay — First. That permits or licenses for trade in the blockaded ports have not been granted. The only permits are those granted on the recommendation of the War Department for supplies like sutler’s stores to the troops occupying military positions in the Southern States. This correction is made at the instance of a friendly foreign minister, who thinks the current statements likely to mislead European merchants and their Governments. Second. Mr. Cameron has not received his de finite instructions, and is.not oo»i«=.piatlng im mediate departure on his mission. No new Secre tary of Legation has been appointed—Grbee Clay, who was appointed with Mr. Cassius M. Clay, still retains his placo, though he is holding a command in Gen. Buell’s army, in Tennessee. Third. Neither Jefferson Davis nor any other person has made any communication to. the Government eoneeming terms of submission or compromise. The flag of truce some time ago sent by Gen. Johnson to Gen. McClellan, as also Howell Cobb’s appearance at Fortress Monroe, related to exchanges of prisoners. The above facts are derived from the best sources of information. Semi-Official Contradiction of the Sensa tion Stones of Yesterday.—No Battles Fought on the Potomac. Thera is authority for stating, in reply to the anxious inquiries received to-day from distant points, that no battles have been recently fought in the neighborhood of the Potomac. If any had been fought reliable information Yfpuld have been given by telegraph. Tbe public are cautioned against false reports of battles, defeats, &e., put into circulation by stock speculators and designing individuals. Whenever there is any news of importance to the public, or any matter relating to the war, it will be forwarded in an authentic form at the earliest possible moment. As an item of Art news, it is worthy of mention that there is in course of painting in this City a Pa norama of the Present War, which is expeoted to excel all other productions of its class ever exhibi ted in this country. It is the joint enterprise of Stanley, the famous delineator of Indian life, and Con ant, a highly popular artist, of St. Louis; who have brought to their aid several scenic artists well known to fame in onr Atlantic cities, among whom are Hillyard and Lamb. This great work is in tended to appeal to the patriotio spirit of the peo ple ; and the portions already completed afford sufficient evidence of the adequate inspiration of the artists for the successful consummation of their high design. Gambling Houses of Washington Closed. The gambling houses are all closed to-night, the keepers being apprehensive of a visit from the Pro vost Guard, and alarmed by a recent newspaper publication. The Returned Prisoners. About 800 of the relumed prisoners are now here. The Pay Department is busy night and day in arranging their accounts, and the furloughs will be prepared at the earliest possible period, in order that they may visit their families and friends. The Militia ,of the United States. It appears from the official returns for 1861, that the grand aggregate of the militia is 3,214,310. The number in Virginia, by the returns for 1861, was 143,000, while those of all the other so-called Confederate States, Virglniainolnded, do not exceed 621,000. These returns, however, are not recent; they date from 1838 to 1859. General Kino’s brigade, which ranks among the finest in the army, had a grand review at their encampment on Arlington Heights- Several gen tlemen from Philadelphia were present to witness it, and expressed much astonishment at the pre cision of the movements of the brigade, which is almost entirely composed of Wisconsin regiments. The Second which did good service at Bull Bun under Captain HatqewAy, is equal in drill to the famous Ellsworth Chicago Zouaves. General King was a classmate of Colonel Lee, the rebel proprietor of Arlington Heights, and he now occupies his mansion as his headquarters. Gen. King is a graduate of West Point, And FAhltS, as his brigade shows, among the best disciplinarians in the army. The Better Security of Soldiers’ Money Letters. The following letter has been addressed to all the generals commanding departments, in the ex pectation that they will cause the information to be communioated to their respective commands: Tost Office Department, j ArroiSTMENT OrriCß, Feb. 2C, 1883. J Sia -. In order to prevent, as far as possible, losses of valuable lellers mailed by the Boldiers in the rations camps, this Department recommendg that each comman der of a regiment or a brigade, Bhall appoint a trust worthy agent, into whose hands all letters from soldiers, coutaining valuable enclosures, Bhail he placed, with pro-ysument by stamps, » nd , ' lle five cents. It Should DO the duty of said Id d«- lirer such letters to a convenient post office daily, or m frequently as tho mails arc sent from such office, with two lists stiowfng the name of such writer and the address of each letter. One list, with the letters aud re gistering fee, should be placed in the hands of the post master or registering clerk, who shall sign and return ond copy, and file the other in his oitice, with the date ’when U was revival. A fftiluro to ragiitor increases the danger of loss. It is respectfully suggested that you take such order upon the proposition as the interest ot the soldiers under your command shall require. I have the honor to be your ob^ientseryant, JOHN A* JvASSUH, FlTBt Assistant Postmaster Genoral. The Western depots of the Sanitary Com mission remain tolerably well supplied with bed clothing and such articles as can be readily pro vided from household stores. Its treasury, how ever, is nearly depleted by the recent urgent de mands for articles and services of a different character. It is ascertained here that eighty-one severely wonnded soldiers were brought to Cin cinnati by the steamer Alton Collyer, which has of late been emploJ?4 *» ‘ he exclusive service of the commission, and in her trip to Fort Donelson was loaded with hospital stores, and also conveyed thither Dr. Newberry, one of the secretaries of the commission, ten surgeons, and thirty nurses. The Army Promotions for Gallant services In the late brilliant victories will probably be an nounced during the next week. They have been “Freedom” in the South. neons Statements. Panorama of the War. General King’s Brigade. The Western Sanitary commission. delayed until ail the official reports have been re ceived. Indemnity to a Spanish Vessel. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs have prepared a MU appropriating noiirly $3,090 as an indemnity to the owners, officers, tyid seamen of tho Spanish bark Providence , for her wrongful seizure and detention by the blockading squadron of the United States. Deaths of Pennsylvanians. Perpobs Who desire Information in regard to the dead bodies of soldiers should address thoir com munications to J. N. Plant, the Government un dertaker, and not to the Departments. The deaths of the following Pennsylvanians are recorded : John O. Wells, Company I, First Pennsylvania; Private Ureisman, Company E, One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania; Levi Barrebt, ComjpanyE, Fifty-second Pennsylvania; Theodore L’oileau, Company F, One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylva nia; Peter Kelsey, Company E, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania; John Layport, Company I, Eighth Pennsylvania j W. Fletcher, Company F, Ninety first Pennsylvania; Jonah Bendel, Company E, Twenty-third Pennsylvania; John Morgan, Com pany E, Eighth Pennsylvania; Sergeant Patrick Cunningham, Company A, Penn sylvania ; Courtland Schofield, Company I, First Pennsylvania Iteserves; William H&- VAMtrnw, Company JJ, Tenth Pennsylvania.; Richard Clift, Company H, Fifty-second Penn sylvania ; Charles Osbourn, Company I, One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania; Thomas Cod rington, Company G, Fifty-second Pennsylvania; William Paddock, Company I, First New Jersey Cavalry, and Charles Johnson, Company K, Tenth New Jersey Cavalry, The little steamers Reindeer and Volunteer ran the blockade last night. They were bound to An napolis. THE WAR IN TENNESSEE. The Rebels Surrounded at Mur freesboro’. Gen. Buell Demands their Uncon ditional Surrender. Cairo. Feb. 28— [Special despatch to the Chica go TribunG t \—Advices from the neighborhood of Murfreesboro 1 state that the rob els concentrated at that place have been surrounded by Gen. Buell's forces, so that none could escape. The rebels offered to surrender the position to the Fedfii'&l tiViAps if they weuld be allowed U ia&Mk out with the honors of war. General Buell refused to allow them theso con ditions, and demanded their unconditional surren der. He notified them that he would allow two days for wmsldor&Uoii, ahd, If the place was net surrendered at the expiration of that period, he would open fire upon them. The time expired this morning. Cairo, Feb. 28.—[Special to the Chicago Tri bune^ —The rebel army in their retreat from Nash ville, left behind I,GOO of their sick and wounded. They destroyed the bridges and burned all the steamboats lying there but one, which escaped. The Texas soldiers fired the city in many places, but the citizens extinguished the flames. f|-A great majority of tlic property owners re mained at Nashville to receive the protection of the United States troops. The excitement among them was intense. Befwe lwvieg Nashville, Governor Harris made a speech, in which he said he had done all he could, and was going to leave to Memphis, to which placo he advised the citizens to follow him. Sketch of Murfreesborough. Murfreesboreugh, where the telegraph informs us the rebels have been surrounded by Gen. Buell, is the capital of Rutherford county, Tennessee. Itisa handsome post-village situated in a beautiful plain, and surrounded by a healthy and fertile country. The Union University at this place is a flourishing institution, and was founded by the Baptists in 1841. There are also a female institution, one bank, and five churches. Several newspapers are published here. Murfreesborough was the capital of Tennessee from 1317 to 1527, when the State house was consumed by fire. THE WAR IN ARKANSAS. General Halleck’s Retaliation on the Prisoners. St. Louis, Feb. 28.—General Halleak, in a gene ral order which he has just issued, states that offi cial information has been received that the rebels, in evacuating Mudtown, Arkansas, poisoned the provisions they were obligna to ohannrm. nii.i forty-two officers and men were poisoned by eating the same. We cannot, he says, retaliate by adopt ing the same barbarous mode of warfare, nor can we retaliate by punishing the innocent for the guilty. The laws of war forbid this. But the same code authorizes us to retaliate upon the guilty par ties. Persons guilty of such acts, when captured, will not be treated as ordinary prisoners of war, nor will they he shot, hut suffer the ignominious punish ment of being hung as felons. Officers are in a measure responsible for the acts of their troops. Officers of troop! guilty of such acts, although not themselves the advisers or abet tors of this crime, will, when oaptured, be put in irons, and conveyed as criminals to these headquar. ters. The laws of war make it their duty to pre vent £ueh barbarities. If they neglect that duty they must suffer the consequences. EVACUATION GF COLUMBUS. CAIF.O, Feb. 28. —We learn from a gentleman, who is thoroughly conversant with Kentucky af fairs, that the rebels are dismounting their large guns and columbiads at Columbus, and the work of evacuation is now going on. Several transports ore lying at Columbus to carry off the troops. Every man coming into Columbus is impressed —even farmers with their teams. Several hundred negroes were sent to the Interior yesterday- This is from a reliable source. The rebel War Department has called on Ten* nessee for thirty-two more regiments. An official despatch, received from Knoxville, says an ample force will advance from Kichmond to protect East Tennessee. Governor Harris has taken the field in person. The story of General Beauregard’s illness is un founded, he left Corinth for Columbus on the 19th. The Memphis Avalanche , of the 24th, says that persons reputed to have left Gen. Johnson’s com mand, say he entertains no doubt of his ability to re-enter Nashville whenever he wished to do so. Travel to Washington. Baltimore, Feb. 2S.—The trains will run regu larly to and from Washington after to-day, the cause for the temporary interruption of travel having been removed. From Ilarrisbnrg—The ApSointtiiciiii of Officers in Pennsylvania Regiments. Habbisbdbg, February 23.—Heretofore all va cancies occasioned by death, resignation, or other wise occurring in Pennsylvania regiments, raised by order of the War Department, have been filled on the part of Governor Curtin by the appointment of men nominated by their respective colonels. There is the best authority for asserting that the Governor made no appointments to the California Regiment while commanded by the late Colonel Baler, and none since but those recommended by Colonel Baker, or Colonel Wistar, the officer now in command. The late general order on this sub ject is designed expressly for the protection of sub alterns and privates, and will, no doubt, prove effective in securing the promotion of those whose seniority entitles them to it. Public Amusements. The performance of Hamlet, this evening by Mr. iidwin Forrest, will not be repeated. On Monday week he will commence an engagement at Baltimore, and on the evening of the 27th of March will play at the opening of Ford's new theatre in Washington city. The latter occasion will be a famous one in the history of the American stage. Having played the most sueoessful engagements on this Continent, and in a time of panic and war, Mr. Forrest will im personate a legitimate part before the President, Cabinet, and Congress of the Republic, assembled to do honor to the first tragedian of the age. How great will be this height contrasted with the early poverty and struggles of Mr. Forrest, who has passed through every gradation of his art, from the meagre business of utility, farce, and sawdust, to the comprehension and rendition of the profouudest conceptions of Shakspeare and Bulwer. Thirty years ago we might have beheld him travelling twenty miles on foot to accept of an humble en gagement at an obscure theatre; to-day the powers of Ihe realm OQPgregate at the mention of his name, and the purses of a metropolis are emptied at his feet. The prices of seats at the Walnut-street theatre will be fifty cents and one dollar, according to their location. Mr. Forreßt plays for Mrs. Gar rettson in consideration of the services of Mr. John McCullough, whom the beneficiary loaned to the tragedian. It was on the Walnut-street stage that Mr. Forrest played his first considerable part—that of Yovng Norral. The grand military, naval, and civic ball will positively come off at the designated time next week, and nil the leading resident officers of the army and navy will be present. Among others, we notice that Lieutenant Fairfax, who boarded the deck of the Trent with his marines, has expressed a desire to tako part in the festivities. The prome nade in the foyer will be a grand affair, and tho handsomest ladies in the city will be marshalled upon the floors. Music of the best description has been provided, and we may confidently expeot a union of beauty, intelligence, and graoe which will notably commemorate tho late glorious viotories. The Germania Rehearsal comes off this afternoon. An hour of enjoyment in the quietest and pleasant est of our public halls may here be had, and to amateurs these entertainments are almost indispen sable. [For The Press.] Each soldier should have a copy, or at*least the offer of a copy, of the Herr Testament, in a conve nient form and size, to carry in his pocket, so that in his leisure moments he may be induced to look into the Word of Life. The convalescent and the sick in the hospitals should be accommodated with large-sized type, so they can Toad by dim light. Some few Bibles in charge of the. chaplains nr? of great serviee. Many of our soldiers have been readers of the Bible regularly at home, while many others have entirely neglected it, but now find time to read. Some will read from curiosity, others with an earnest and sincere desire to know thB truth as it is in Christ. No one needs the know ledge of the Book of God more ihan the soldier. Exposed to many dangers incident to his calling, ho needs the knowledge of a present Saviour—ho needs the truths taught him in the Sabbath School and the home circle to be brought afresh to his memory, and nothing will serve to do that equal to the Bible. As the Christian community and the Government have confided this werk to us, wo have been endeavoring to discharge the duty by supplying every soldior with a copy of the New Testament. Th« is a great work-must be done, as well as to attend to the wants of the families of soldiers at home, by supplying all destitute of the Bible with a copy. The con siderations in connection with loud calls for the Word of God from almost every quarter, lead us tv . appeal to patriots, philanthropists, as woll as ehns i tians, to aid us in this great and good work. Re mittances may be made to the Pennsylvania Bible A lump of plaoer gold having been found in the I jjible Heuse, Northwest corner of Walnut crop of a turkey killed in Honolulu, an lnvestiga- streets litviH 11, Tohrkxoe, iStaklHS 1 Eastern Pennsylvania. The Paummuui, at the Assembly Buildings, is in (he heyday of its career, and has been visited by thousands of people. MESSAGE OF JEFF DAVIS. A GLOOMY PROSPECT FOR HIS CONFEDERACY. ITS HOPES NOT REALIZED. No Official Boportg from Roanoke and Ronelaon. Tiie Policy of Short Enllstmruts Disastrous. Baltimore, Feb. 28.—The following is the mes sage of Jeff Davis, delivered to the rebel Congress : To the Senate and Bouse of Representatives of the Confederate Stales: I» obedience to the provision of tho Constitution re quiring the President from time to time to giro to Con* gi-esß information of the ntate of tike Confederacy, aud re commend to their consideration anch measures as he shall judge iiftessary and expedient, I have to communicate that, since my message at the last session of the Pro visional Congress, events have demonstrated that the Go vernment had attempted more than it hud power success fully to ftelilteva. lioDco, In tha effort to protect by oar arms tho whole territory of the Conpitlerate States, seaboard and inland, wo have been so exposed ft 3 recently to encounter serious disasters. Wien the Confederacy was formed, tike States compri sing it were, in the peculiar character of their pursuits and a misplaced confidence in their former associates, to a great extent destitute of tho means for the pronocution of ft war on so gigantic ft scale its that winch it I m ah tamed. The workshops and artisans were mainly to bo found In the Northern States, and one of tho first dntios which devolved upon this Government was to establish the necessary manufactories, aud in the meantime to obtain, by purchase from abroad, as fur as practicable, whatever was required for the public defence. No ellort has been spared to effect both of these ends : and though the results have not equalled our hopes, it is belleVed that, an {mpfcitiM judgment Will, U(MMI full IfiVJii tigation, award to the various departments of the Go vernment credit for having done atl which human power and foresight enabled them to accomplish. Tho valor and devotion of tho people have not ouly sustained the efforts of the Government, but have gone far to support its deficiencies. The active state of military prepara tions among the nations of Europe in April—the date tvluiii owr ttgenifi first went abroad—interposed unavoida ble delays in the procurement of arms, and the want of a navy has greatly impeded our efforts to import military supplies of all sorts. I have hoped for several days to receive official reports in relation to ourdiscomfiture at Roanoke Island, and tho fall of Fort Doueiaon. They have not yet reached me, aud I am therefore unable to communicato to ion guch information of past events, and the consequences result ing from them, as would enable me to make recommenda tions founded upon the changed condition which thoy have produced. Enough is known of tho surrender of lloanoke Island to make us feel that it was deeply hu miliating, however imperfect may have keen the prepara tions for defence. Tbe hope is stilt entertained that our reported losses at Fort Douelaon have been much exaggerated, inasmuch as I am not only unwilling, but unable to believe that a large army of our people have surrendered without a desperate attempt to cut thoir way through the investing forceß, whatever may have been their numbers, and to endeavor to mako a.umction with tho other divisions of the army. But In the absence of that exact Inforni&tlou which can be afford?d I>j official reports, it would he premature to pass judgment, and my own is reserved, as I trust yours will be, until that information is received. In the meantime, strenuous efforts have boon made to throw forward reinforcements to the armies at the posi tions threatened, and I cannot doubt that the bitter dis appointments we have borne, l>y nerving tlie people to still greater exertions, will gpuedily socuro results more accordant with our just expectations, and as favorable to our cause as those which marked the earlier periods of the war. Tbo reports of tbe Secretaries of War and the Navy will exhibit tbe mass of resources for tho conduct of the war, which we have been enabled to accumulate not withstanding the very serious difficulties against wkteh Yit hftY© They afford cheering hopes that our resources, limited as they wero at the beginning of the contest, will, during it progress, become developed to such an extent as fully to meet our future wants. The policy of «nlibtmente for short terms, against which 1 have steadily contended from tho commencement of the war, hap, in my judgment, contributed in no imma terial degrees to the recent reverses which wo have suf fered, Hud even now renders it difficult to furnish you an accurate statement of the army. When tlie war first broke out, many of our people could with difficulty be persuaded that it would be long or se rious. It was not deemed possible that anything so iu tane as a persistent attempt to subjugate these States could be made—still less, that tho deltißian would so far prevail as to give to the war the vast proportions that it has a stum cd. The people, incredulous of a long war, wore naturally averse to long enlistments, and the early legislation of Congress rendered it impracticable to obtain volunteers for a greater period than twelve mouths. Now that it lias become probable tli&t the war will be continued through a series of years, our high-spirited and gallant soldiers, while generally re-enlisting, are, from the fact of their having entered the service for a short term, compelled in many instances to go home to make tho necessary arrangements for their families during their prolonged absence. The quotas of the new regiments for the war* culled for from tlie different States, are in rapid progress of organi zation. Tho whole body of new levies and re-enlisted men will probably be ready and in the ranks within tlie next thirty dAys. But, in the meantime, it is exceed ingly difficult to give an accurate statement of tho num ber of onr forces in the field. They may, in general termß, he stated at 400 regiments of infantry, with a pro portionate force of cavalry and artillery, details of which will be shown by the report of the Secretary of War. I deem it proper to advert to the fact that the process of furloughs and re-enlistments, in progress for tbe last month, had so far disorganized and weakened our forces as to impair our ability for a successful defence; but I heartily congratulate you that this evil, which I had foreseen, and was powerless to prevent, may now be said to he Biibatantiftlly at an end, aud that we shall not again, during the war, be exposed to seeing ourntrongth diminished by this fruitful cause of disaster—short en listments. The people of the Confederate States, being principally engaged in agricultural pursuits, were unprovided at the ot hostilities with ships, ship yards, ma terials JUI BHU-V.1U1.. ......... -**.L I in sufficient numbers to make the prompt Vreiiu navy a practical task, even if the required appropriations had been made for tbe purpose. Notwithstanding our very limited resources, however, the report of the Secre tary will exhibit to you a satisfactory proportion in pre paration, and certainly of near completion, of vessels of a number aud class en which we may confidently rely for contesting the Taunted control of the enemy over our wa tors. The financial system devised by the wisdom of your predecessors has proved adequate to snppl>ing all the wants of the Government, notwithstanding the unex pected and very large inciease of expenditures resulting from tbe gieat augmentation in the necessary means of defence. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury will exhibit the gratifying fact that we have no floating debt, that the credit of the Government is unimpaired, and that Ibo total expenditure of the Government for tiie year Ims been, in round numbers, $170,000,000 —less than one-third of the sum wanted by the enemy in his vain efforts to conquer us—and less than the value of a single article of export—the cotton crop of the year. The report of the Postmaster General will ehow the condition of that Department to lie Fteadily improving, its revenues increasing, and already affording as surance that it will be self-sustaining at the dato re. rjuired by the Constitution, wliile affording ample mail facilities for the people. _ In thejDepartmentof Justice, which includes then Patent Office and Public Printing, some legislative provisions vill he rcumred, which will be specifically stated in the ieport of the head of that Department. I invite the attention of Congress to the duty of or ganizing a Supreme Court of the Confederate states, in accordance with the mandate of the Constitution. I refer you to my message communicated to the Pro visional Congress in November last, for such further information &s it might lm useful to lay before you, the short interval which has since elapsed not having pro duced any material change in that condition, other than those to which reference has already been made. In conclusion, I cordially welcome tho Representatives, who, being recently chosen by the people, are fully im bued with their views and feelings, and can so ably ad vise me &e to provisions for tho public service I assure j on of my hearty co- operation in all your efforts for the common w elfare of the country. JEFFERSON DAYIS. Late from California. Oregon, and British Columbia. San Francisco, Feb. 17. —The ship Charger has arrived, in forty-nine days from Hong Kong. The steamer Cortez has arrived from Oregon and British Columbia, bringing 8120,000 in gold. The weather throughout the Northern coast had been very cold, and many persons, on their way from Portland to the mines, bad bean frozflu to death. Thousands of miners are detained at Portland till the spring opens, who recently left California for the new El Dorado. The whale-ship Joseph Grannell has arrived from Poilu, Peru, with 1,500 bbls. sperm oil. Governor Wright’s. 9f Indiana, Opinion of the War. Governor Wright, of ludiana, recently appointed by Governor Morton to fill the unezpired term of Jesse D. Bright, who was expelled from his seat in the United States Senate, was serenaded in Indian apolis on Wednesday evening, and, in response to the compliment, made a lengthy speech on the pre sent condition of the country. The following os tract will show the political position of the Sena tor : Senator Wright, presenting himself, said he was do party man. He stood, in this crisis, only for his country. Away with all party creeds and plat forms ! The time for them had passed away. What we wanted now was an united North, and if party creeds prevailed, we should have war and blood shed in our own midst. How bitter do we become even in ordinary timos of peaoe ? Let the people be arrayed on party creeds, and what man could foretell the consequences ? Douglas had said, For get your party creeds and your party platforms, and bring your all to the servioeof your country, in this dire emergency. ■ His (Wright’s) party platform was that the Con stitution was to be maintained as the supreme law of the land, and that the Union must be preserved as the only guaranty of liberty. He recognized but two classes now- —the friends of the Union, and the enemies thereof. His motto was, maintain the Constitution, and at all hazards, and at all risks, and no matter at what cost, preserve the Union. His platform, in brief, was this: Ist, A vigorous prosecution of the war. 2d, No party creeds or platforms. 3d, Put down at all hazards, this infa mous rebellion. AclS Of Congress WMO of little value to him, where the perpetuity of the Govern ment was concerned. God gave ns one country. He made us one people, and we would have but one Government. 600,000 Bibles and Testaments for the Army. XnVDTfI CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION. Washington, Feb. 28, 1892. SENATE. PETITIONS. Mr. lIOM’A 1»D (Rep.), of Michigan, presented a pe tition from the citizens of the copper producing regions of Michigan, asking for a military roiui to Wisconsin. Mr. CHANDLER (Bep.), of Michigan, presented a petition for the establishment of a naval depot at SAglnaw b ‘ ir ' ABOLITION OF THE 9TADT DUES. Mr. SUMNER (Bep.), of Massachusetts, from the Com mittee on Foreign Relations, reported a bill to carry into effect the stipulations of tbe treaty with Uauover, for the abolition of the Stadt does. THE STARKE CAPE. Mr. STARKE (.Dem-L of Oregon, offered a resolution that tho papors relating to tho loyalty of BfffijMUil) Stftrktti Senator from Oregon, be referred to tho Committee on the Judiciary, with instructions to investigate tire charges, on evidonce, which have beoa or may lie presented. Mr. HALE (Rep.), of New Hampshire, objected to the resolution. Mr. STARKE said he presented the resolution himself because lie would spare any friend from- wbat might be an ungracious office, and ho cartately would not permit any one who was opposed to him-to place hitttsolf in SUCh a position. He was anxious that r if there was any Sena tor who proposes to be prosecuted of tbe charges implied in those papers, tlie opportunity might be afforded to him. He protested lhat, in presenting the resolution himtelf, be was not to be considered as volunteering to L#» prosecutor of liinibelT. He availed himself of this op portunity to any tlmli relying on bin ovrn TOUflciwKDfftw of loyalty and fidelity to (he country, and yielding to no mnn in devotion to the Constitution of the Union aud re verence and veneration for tbe flag of ids country, ho had hitherto refrained from enteriug into tlie question which is contained in these papers, preferring to stand oo what ho conceived to be his personal honor and the rights of bis State. If any one chooses to prosecute tire matter fnrthnr, ho would bo happy to meet him'. Mr. IIALE said lift hud fid detiPA (A tbe caßo. Ho had* acted from a sonso of duty, and thought the question was settled by the vote or the Berate yesterday. He should vote fop the Senator to re tain his seat on tlie evidence now presented. No- matter what tbe Judiciary Committee might report, ho withdrow his objection. Mr. SUMNER (Rep.) said he was very sorry for the vote given by tlie Senate yesterday. They sAemod now to be seeking u remedy for the mailer. He believed that there was evidence euough which, if uncontradietcd, would prove that the Senator from Oregon was a traitor, lie was not surprised that the Senate was trying to re trace its steps, or that Senators were seeking ts relieve themselves of the responsibility of their votes. Mr. FESSENDEN (Kop.)iof Maine, sniil he did not like the language of tbe Senator from Massachusetts, lie did not thtok he had any right to lecture him or the majority of the Senate. He was as ready to defeud hi» voio ami action as even that Senator. It will be time enough for the Senator from Massachusetts to I>e trou bled about the responsibility of Senators older than him self when they fallow any iloaire to avoid the respond!? bihty, and it will bo long enough before he (Mr. Fessen den) would ask it. Mr. HARRIS (Rep.), of Now York, did not wish tlie matter referred to tho Committees on the Judiciary. He had already expressed his opinion on the evidence before tbe Senate, and thought the Senator from Oregon hud done nil he could in the matter. Mr. MtDOUGALL (Bern.), of California, thought tho question had been satisfactorily settled, and he moved to lay the resolution on the table. Rejected—yeas 7, nays U 2. Mr. DIXON (Bep ), of Connecticut, said ho very much regretted the vote that the Senate hud given in this case. There was evidence against tho Senator from Oregon ■which, as yet, stmida entirely uncontradictal, aud, if true, would prove tho disloyalty of the Senator The Senator from Oregon was a native of Connecticut, and he (Mr. Dixon) had no unkind feeling toward him; but he thought tho vote of yesterday opened the door to anybo dy, traitor or not, and lie considered it the most disastrous decision that could have been given. Mr. BROWNING (Rep ), of Illinois, said the Senator from Massachusetts seemed very much concerned about other Senators’responsibility. It would be time enough to be noxious about him (Mr. Browning) wheu he asked for his services, lie reflected ou tlie vote he gave yes terday with as much satisfaction as any vote he bad ever given. He thought the Senator had no tight to lecture other Senators, and deplore thoir miserable condition. Mr. Browning then referred to the qualifications of a Se nator, and contended at some length that Mr. Starke ik Senate? in tael before ho took tho oath. Mr. SUMNER said tho Senators from Illinois and Maine had criticised what he said as being an injurious imputation on them. There was nothing further from his thoughts. He knew thut the Senator from Illinois wns amply able to take care of himself, and he hail not the presumption to offer him any insistence, Uf> thought that the remarks of the Senator from Maine were not perfectly kind nor without passion. He (Mr. Sumnor) intended nothing injurious to that Senator. He had too great a confidence in their kindly relations to make any suggestion which could be interpreted into nnkinclnes*. He had said that he was not astonished that Senators cdiould endeavor to relieve themwlreiof the responsi bility of their votes of yefetefday Mr. FESSENDEN a-sked wliat evidence there was, that any man sought to relieve himself. Mr, SUMNER replied that ho understood that certain Senators were now anxious that an inquiry should take place into the charges against the Senator from Oregon. Mr. BROWNING said he was in favor of a further investigation, but not with any view to relievo himself from the responsibility. Mr. HARRIS asked Mr. Sumner why he should make any such imputation, when he knew of no Senator who was anxious to relieve himself from responsibility. Mr* SUMNER said he reierred to tlie responsibility taken by the Senate, yesterday, in opening its doors to disloyalty. Mr. STARKE asked if tho Senator meant to say that he (Mr. Starke) was a disloyal than Mr. SUMNER said he regarded the question of the loyalty of tbe Senator as at issue; but on the testimony which has been produced, and an it now stands without contradiction, he did regard him as a disloyal man. Mr. STARKE said that was not a correct answer. Mr, gyMNE B said he had nothing to go by except the testimony which bad been adduced. He knew nothing of the Senator’s life or declaration outside of this testimony. Mr. STARKE asked, If the Senator did not mean to call me a disloyal man, wliat did he mean when he Baid that the Senate had opened its doors to disloyalty when, it admitted me ! Mr, SUMMER said he referred to all the consequences pai and Urn- The morning hour having expired, the matter waaiaiu over. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Mr. CLABK (Rep.), of New Hampshire, offered a bill to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, as a sub stitute for the bill of the committee on the same subject. THE NEGROES OF PORT ROYAL, Mr. WILSON (Bep.), of Massachusetts, offered a reso lution that the Secretary of the Tceasury be requested to transmit to the Senate a copy of the report of Edward L. Pierce on the negroes at Port Royal, and such other information as be may have ou the subject. Adopted. ENLISTMENTS IN THE REGULAR ARMY. Mr. WILSON also introduced a bill to encourage enlistments in the regular army. Referred. MEMORIAL FROM lOWA VOLUNTEERS Hr CRIMES (Rep.), from lowa* presented a memo* rial from certain regiments of Ittwa volunteers, asking that Springfield, Mill Spring, Belmont, and Fort Douel -8oi), be inscribed on their banners. THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE APPRO PRIATIONS. On motion of Mr. FESSENDEN (Rep.), of Maine, the legislative and. executive appropriation bill was taken up. PERSONAL EXPLANATION. Mr. WADE (Rep.) Before proceeding with the ap propriation bill, X rise to explain a paragraph that I discover in a paper, which carries an imputation with. it involving other persons' and which is entirely wrengr 1 wibh to explain it now if the Senate will permit me. The Presiding Officer, (Hr. RICE in the chair). The Senator can make an explanation, if there is no ob jection. The Chair hears none. Mr. WADE. I allude to a paragraph In tho New Turk Tribune, I will read the objectionable part of it. It eajs: « fraud is legislation discovered. “The Border-State policy got fetched up yesterday with a very round turn in the House, and Inquiries are pend ing in both branches of Congress, which will elucidate it still lurther, and expose, if it is too late to remedy, a fraud in legislation without a parallel in recent years. Three weeks ngo, a bill was rapidly ground through kotll lIOUBSS by which the President was authorized to take military possession of the railroads and telegraphs of the country, 'lliere was some objection to a grant of such extraordi nary power, but it was given. It has, however, been discovered that the bill, as passed, contains these words: 1 And to extend, repair, and complete the same’—mean ing railroads. These words do not appear in the bill printed, is believed* were interlined in it on its way from the Senate to the House, However this may be, the clause, unnoticed by legislators, and re pealed almost unanimously by the House, has been acted upon to the great advantage of Kentucky.” Now, Mr. President, 1 introduced that bill into tho Senate. It is very true that the original draft of the bill did not contain th* Words that M 4 £OlDphv[tt6<l Of here : but 1 moved (hem is open Senate, as an ' amendment. I explained very briefly what my object was—to give the Executive Government full and entire power over those roads during tho war and for war pur poses ; to repair them, to extend them, and to complete those that were commenced if it was necessary ; uefr doubting that they would exercise thiß power with dis cretion. Ido not doubt that they have. I have no reason to believe that they have at all iu any particular abused the power granted in that bill] but the idea that anybody interpolated these words in tho bill after it had passed the Senate, is to cast an implication upon some uf our clerks that id groundless and wrong? 5. If anybody is to blame for it, I am to blamr, for I moved to insert these words in my place in the ordinary way, as tho Globe will ehow; and I supposed it was perfectly understood by the Senate. I did intend to confer upon the Executive Government all tho power that they wished, during tho rebellion to. crush it. I intended to give them this great and extraordinary, and unusr.al powev. I do not believe they have abased it; if they have, that is another thing. Mr. GRIMES. You are mistaken in saying that ex plained it. You did not explain it to the Senate. Mr. WADE. The gentleman says I did not explain it. I moved it in the Senate iu the usual way, and showed how the bill would read with the amendment. That ii all I drum about it. Ido not taluk I made a speech on the amendment. Ido not remember that I did, but I moved it in the usual way of amending a hill. I believe the Senator doe* not intend to say that I did uot move it. Mr. GRIMES. The Senator stated that be explained it to the Senate. That bo did uot do. There was no explanation made. It passed as a matter of course. Mr. WADE. Ido not know that I explained it any further than to say how the bill would read as amended. It was perfectly evident to even body who paid attention to it, that 1 was putting very tixlritoVdihUey POW6t*S illtO tho bill, and I stated thftt in the Senato. Mr. GRIMES. I merely wish to coirect the Senator on that point I was unwilling that it should go out to the country that I would have voted for any such propo rtion as that, if I had known the purpose of it. The trouble is not SO mwb ' vit, ‘ that amendment aa with a subsequent amendment in tl»o i»nt section, mvrhwb, tu the fourth lino, after llie wont “ act” tliene words aro in - sorted, so far as it relates to the operating and running of said railroadsso that the section will read: u That the provisions of this act, eo far as it relates to tlw operating and running of said railroads, shall not be In force longei 1 than is necessary for the suppression of the rebellion.” . . .. But leaving any road that way be commenced by tne W T ar Department under the provisions of tbia-act, or any proceedings that may bo instituted toward the construc tion of a road io remain in full force and effect, and not stopping that, although it stops operating other roads and the telegraph. , ' - - , . * Mr. WADE. Ido not recollect whether I moved that amendment. Mr. GIG MBS. Yes, sir; you did. Mr WADE. I don’t remember about that. I only rose to say that I moved this amendment in question. The Senator does not suppose there is anything wrong “'sir GRIMES. No, »ir1!>»?« <° oked »* lUe j° urnal t °Mr J, 'wADK. Thot is all I wish to s»y. There is no body to blame but myself in regard to that. ADDITIONAL CLERKS. Mr. SHERMAN (Rep.), of Ohio, from the Committee on Finance, reported a bill to‘provide for additional clerks ill the office of the Assistant Treasurer at New Yotk, which was passed* THE APPROPRIATION BILL RESUMED. The SeiiAte then proceeded with the consideration of the appropriation bill* Several amendments from the Committee on 1 inance •wore adopted. Mr.’ SUMMER offered fl# amendment to increase the salary of Captain Sehufolh Consul General at lutak*, Rejected. .... Ur GBIMKS offeml an amendment maklug ail ap propriation of *ltt\Qoo for building ajall at Washington. Mr. SHERMAN opposed tho amendment on the ground that the eoip*i»tion of Washiigton ought to build tho jail and have it under tl*eir charge. He was willing, however, that tho Govoruniuit should boar a portion of the expense. _ , . . Messrs. Grimes, Clark, and WUson spoke in favor of the amendment, denouncing the present jail as a disgrace to civilisation. , t . oa • >3 be amendment _wus then adopted—yeas do, nays 7, Nats—Messrs* Ilamth Lan * (? ad *?» Satilahury, Sherman, and StarKe. An amendment was adopted dispensing with. the office of general recorder in the Land Office. Mr. HARLAN (Kep.)* of lowa, offered as amendment providing for an Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Adopted. The bill was than passed. Tno Seiiale edjournsa tiff Monday, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JOB A NATIONAL ARMORY. Mr. MOORHEAD (Bep.), of Pennsylvania, from tha special committee ou the establishment of a national armory, reported the following: j ßesolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, That thero shall bo established within the United States one national foundry east of the Alteghftßf Mountains, and also one national foundry, one national armor)’, and one manufacturing arsenal, west of tire Al legheny Mountains, and in the valley of the Ohio and Mississippi; and that to that end a commission of ft re citi zens be appointed byj.tlie President to locate the said foundries, ntmory and arsenal, who shall, within sixty days from the time of their appointment, report to the Secretary t> r War, And that tho Kecrotary, upon the incoming of tho report of the said commission, shall report the same to Congress, together with an estimate of the amount ne cessary to the establishment of the said foundries, armo ry, and arsenal, and (hat there be appropriated for the expense of the commission the sum of $5,000. The resolution was referred to the Uommittoe of tho Who!#* on tbo State of the Union, after Mr. Moorhead had ineffectually ohdcAfored to hteltd It A ftftiCjftl order. ADDITIONAL CLEUK. Tbe House passed the Mil providing for the appoint ment of an additional clerk in the office of the Assistant Treasurer of tlie United States at Now York, and (or ft Deputy Assistant Treasurer—his salary not to exceed sfi,ooo r*r annum. ENGINEERS IN THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE. The House proceeded to the consideration of tbe epe cial order, namely, the bill providing for receiving engi neers in the volunteer sorvice of the Unite! States. Mr. WILSON (Rep.), of ImtianA, in opposing it,said: Our armies are advancing successfully without this pro vision. The force cent* mplatnd was, he believed, for the pnrposo of constructing tho NichotasviHe (Kentucky) railroad te KhftJiVlllA. Mr. BLAIB (Rep*), of MUiouri r replied that tbo gen tlemnn was totally misinformed. Sir. MALLORY SU.), of Kentucky, suggested that until a short time ago onr armies have advanced only through the loyal States, is they are now moving into the robel States, it wae necessary to provide forces for repairing the bridges and railroads injured by tho enemy. M tf. WILSON, (Rap.)said that no damages had boon dene greater than thote to the Missouri railroads. Mr. DIYEN (Rep.), remarked that these companies had themselves made the repairs. Other gentlemen took part in the debate. Mr. BLAIR, or Missouri, said that as thus far the railroad question only bad been discussed, he desired to Bubmil alewworlfl mto the* vf tl# Ml), 7b? corps of nngitmtrs proposed was essential to the niuyt and this could not be better ilhietrated than by the assertion of tho fact that these men have Already been mustered into tho service without lawful authority, and have performed service. It was true that by the provi sions of the hill oach brigade was to have one company j of volunteer engineers, but tho President need not go to ] this MAtcL t mikfib he should dcom it necessary. ' J In reply to a question as to wUetltor any railroad wan 1 covered np in the bill, Mr. BLAIR said he believed tho M idea existed ouly iu the imagination. JH An amendment was offered, but rejected, to prohibit " the engineers authorized by this act from being employed in Ike construction of any railroad not authorized by law. Tbtrbffl was iffen rtyectvd—yea# &7, naye Sfl P Tift! HOMESTEAD AND BOUNTY ACT. The bill granting homesteads to actual settlers, and providing a bounty* for soldiers in lieu of lands, VM taken up. Messrs. HOLMAN, CRAVENS, and WINDOM, dis cussed tbe merits of the question Tbe bill Vvfta aßettlfcd w os to tab* faffxH an January Ist, 1863, and then passed by a vote of 168 yeas against lb nays. The House then adjourned till Monday. PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE. HARRISBURG! YebrQftry IS62< SENATE. The St-naU- was called to order at 11 o'clock by tho Speaker. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Gregg. PETITIONS. Mr. CONNETiIj, a remonatrunce against tlia auppio mtut to the North Philadelphia Plunk rfoad Company, Mr. NICHOLS, a petition against the removal of mar ket stands in Philadelphia. Mr. CRAWFORD, a memorial asking for an appro priation of 82,000 to the Howard Home of Lancaster. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. Mr. McCLUREi from tho Militia Committee, reported Uiu bupptahitLtit to the not to create a loan; and provide for arming tho State. This Bill was under consideration yesterday, and repcnls so much of the aforesaid act aa authorizes tho private soldiers in the Reserve Corps to elect the company officers. It was considered and passed finally. Mr, HIRfSI ANP) (Printing.) 88 tllf SUP plemeut to tho act relative to public printing, BILL INTRODUCED. Mr. CONNELL read in place a supplement to tho act of May 27,1841, authorizing the licensing of stock, ex change, and bill brokers, and regulating contracts for the jmrebuse and exchange of stocks. REuOLUTIONSi Mr. I Iff BRIE offered a resolution providing for an ad journment of the Senate from twelve o’clock, until Mon day evening at seven o'clock ; which was adopted. Mr. McCLURE offered a resolution requesting the Surveyor General to inform the Seuato what amount of money, in bis opinion, is due on unpatented lauds, and u hat progress lias been mode in Ascertaining the indebt edness of the several counties : which was agreed to. Mr. McCLURE also offered a resolution providing for j the appointment of a select committee of throe to report to the Senate a revision of the Congressional apportion ment of last session, so as to conform to tbe supplemental A act passed by Congress. The resolution was adopted. m BILLS CONSIDERED. M On motion of Mr, CLYttlKlt, the bill fixing the for the commencement of tbe term of sheriffs, in the veral comities of the Commonwealth, was considered on second reading and passed finally. On motion of Mr. SKKIULL, tbe supplement to the act incorporating the Pennsylvania Training School for idiotic and feeblu-mindod children was taken up and passed. On motion of Mr. CONNELL, the bit! to authorize the extinguishment of certain ground rents was con sidered and pusßed. On motion of Mr. HAMILTON, the supplement to the Marietta and Mount Joy Turnpike Company was con sidered and passed. On motion of Mp. DONAVAN, the bill regulating gag " Y~'TT — w —«onsWeri*»i n»4 passed to third reading, when it was postponed. ** Adjourned. HOUSE, e-ZiiLrYn"?. assembled ftt 10 A. M.» non. John Row*. BP m" !BI P *T P th * ?fr. tffefllfc sider tlio vote on na tion of counterfoil !,anlcV,V r J‘ Aerocd to. postponed for the present. »anl the bill Mr. ARMSTRONG, of by coni!,icr T mnvA , . the orders of the da>, for the, nrJH ® 0 Jf “tlrinsTr'Zl lution, »b follow#: 3 * re*#- Mtsolved, That tho reporters a the aubiir i SS-KS" 1 ”"-"" 1 s BILL RECOMMITTED. Mr. COCHRAN, or Philadelphia, mu,a «„ „„„ to Itlfi Commit!?? OP Banks and Baukii. ..L"? 0 ,”™ 4 nniring the resumption of spvttc p»y» onl i {J~ b&uks.” Agreed to. ' ia ® THE CONGRESSIONAL APFOBUON;! Kiri Mr. ARMSTRONG* of Lycoming, lowing resolution: 1 . Reaolved, That ft select committee ol three pointed to revise the Congressional app*ti o nme* JJ. last session,'so as to make it conform with ilk recent./T of Congress increasing the number of this State. k ' Mr. CESSNA, of Bedford, moved to amend insert* ing “seven be appointed by the Chair,and »f or next ten years/’ Mr. SCOTT, Of Huntingdon, This resolution l BIMnB . wbftt premature, it is founded on Congress bt<jo tj Pennsylvania one more Representative than she I move tliat the further consideration bo postponed y, r the present. Mr. ARMSTRONG, of Lycoming, had no objection tt postponing for th« prosont. The resolution \aa laid OWT* BBPOIWS OF JUDICIARY (GENERAL 1 001$. MITTKE Nr. SMITH, of Philadelphia, from the ((General) Committee, -reported with a negative reommen dutioii, “an act entitled a further supplement paa act untitled an act to alter and amend the fee bill,” 22d Fobiuary* 1821. . Nr. 80UTT* of Huntingdoni with mnendraui, a further supplement to the act entitled an act rei*p e Orphans’ Courts, and for other purposes, approv»Oo cL 13,1840. Also, as committed, “ a supplement to an act furt*. t 0 reguluto proceedings in courts of justice, and purposes.” | Aljo, with ft U?gatlye recommendation, “an a enable laud aud improvement comptiuiea uniU-r the law# of this Commonwealth, to meet the meat of tuxes upon lands held by said companies." Ho also, in behalf of the committee, asked to be .. charged from further consideration of 11 an act to ley, tax on bankers and banks in the Commonwealth, a that the same be referred tf the e<j,Bim|{(ee 98 *■ Meant, Agreed to. Mr. SMITH, of Philadelphia, same committee, wit amendments, “an act relating to the lien of jndgmeut Bgeinßt pereons in military service.” Also, an act to repeal an act entitled a supplement to an act to repeal an act entitled “ a supplement to the net lo provWefor the &b|*Uitluii(it of a reporter of the da. cisious of tlia Supremo Court of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania." . ■ . , Mr. DENNIS, of Philadelphia, same committee, with* negative recommendation, 11 an act to protoct parties fu. BU also, with a negative recommendation, “ai act eup pleumarv to an act entitled an act relating tf ne cam. mencementof actions, to judgments and dacras for the payment of money to tho widows aad childrm of dece dents, Ac., epproved April 14,1851." Mr. BANKS, of Blair, as committed, “a mpplemont to anuct to enable citizens to hold roal estate which lias been held by aliens or corporations, and by ttfn convoy ed (0 persons capable of holding the same." . Also, with anegntiTOrecommendation,“a act <mH tled an act giving justices of the peace ad alderman jurisdiction In cases of assault and assault ag bottery, Mr. BBOWN, of Northumberland, witha negative recommendation, “afurther supplement tod* act onti tlcd all act relating to the lien of mechanics in other*," passed 16th June, 1836. Also, with a negative recommendation, - an it reta- VINCENT, of Erie, with a negative reMmseda tion, “ an act to confiscate Uie property of perso m re volt or rebellion against tho State or United Stat" Also, with amendments, “an act to authqe the Governor to commute tho sentence of death ibrtaie eases to a specific term or imprisonment." Mr. SHANNON, of Allegheny, bb committed, kpple mi'Mt to an act approved April 11, 18j13 i rslaOno (h, payment or promissory notes, Ac. Also, witli a negative recommendation, a supment to an act entitled an act for tho greater certgy of title and more secure enjoyment of real estate, anted April 22,1556. militia committee REPORT. Mr. shaNSOH, of AlUgUsnp, from Uio Ootanu the Militia, reported, with amendments, an a* ppo_ vide for the adjudication and payment of certalth&arr claims. PUBLIC CALENDAB. Supplement to an act entitled an act to stsg po perty to ilio value of §3WPrvinieVP Mid SAI4, .11'yasOd April9,lSJo. Lost. An act relative to prothonotariesoftho Gomnoiwem. PflSß^d. A supplement to an act relative to liringinf stiffly creditors and others, against executors, admidstrata, assignees, and other trustees, in certain cases, sl.l tt |ng liollceS, and for aalfefaoUo* of mortgages aid otteg judgments in certain cases. Passed. An act to rrevent tho fraudulent use of castiigs. 04- poned for the present. ' 4 A supplemiut to tho act relative to tin coins ofiJ Commonwealth. Lost. _. All act relating to copartners and jot ot debton. Pl An act granting to the Supreme Court jnrlsantloal court of shuuetry In all tm«M of mortgaged gtvw corporations. Passed. \ Joint resolution relative to a national armoW foundry. Postponed. JOINT RESOLUTION. ) The House proceeded to the consideration of the j Jit resolution of thanks to the Mayor and Councila ol thi dclphia for the lioipitatity of the city on February!), which wtw passed. i COMMUNICATION FROM ADJUTANT GENE Mi. The chair presented a communication from A. LJia sell, Adjutant Gensval P. M., who, in oompliance wij tsa resolution of the House, submitted the reporta ini nilttsd to hia department by Major General R. Mint tf-rson, comninodlng First Division Pennsylvania Mtla and hv Brigadier Hi iieral A. 1 Plt4HPB!99i Home Guardd of city of Pliiliwlolphia. I The lionr of one having arrived* the Speaker adjopad the lieuse till Monday at 3 P. M» 1 To be Corrected. — There appcaii to have been some difllcutty between the mauageaA ot our military hospital* and donors of fruity contemn* and other daintier, for sick prisoners. to made that all gifts most pass through a steward* andhafa said steward freuueutly withholds the same from the prisoners intended. At auy rate* more courtesy A*W pruvnil in these institutions* with regard to tty ClljipiaWe and the suffering. Sudden Eeath. —Yesterday after noon a man named Thomas Devine* aged 00 yiart* fell dead whilst paying a bill in a confectionery store on Market street* below Soventh. Ha was hitnoif the proprietor of a small confectionery store in idro&t. a few doors above Ohestmik
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers