C||t J) msb. TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1862 THE LATEST WAR NEWS. Quite a number of papers, referring to the occu pation of Columbus, Ky., by the Union forces, con gratulate the public that another important bate t>f operations has thus boon secured. It has oc curred to us that the most important “ base of operations” lies not so much in the possession of disloyal cities and towns pe in the possession of the means to purge them of their disloyalty. What more important baßfc of operations, for instance, could |be secured than the confidence and una nimity, and s&f denytag spirit of a people like this, resolved to crush an insidious and desperate foe that has sought to entrench itself within their own dominions ? Compared with such bases of opera tions as these all the technicalities of military re source sink into insignificance, and suggest only the iron sway of Might, where Bight should be omnipotent. Let us thank God that Might and Bight are both on. the side of the Union! A week or two ago we published a stringent or der from General Paine, then commanding at Cairo, in which he commands a subordinate officer to 4 ‘ hang one of the rebel cavalry (captured a few days before) for eaoh Union man murdered, and after this two for each, and also continue to scout, capture, and kill.” Major General Ualleok has just issued a stringent order disapproving of the conduct of General Paine, in which he says : “It is contrary to the rules of civilized war; and, if its spirit should be Adopted, the whole country would be covered with blood. Botaliation has its limits, and the innocent should not be made to suffer for the acts of others oyer whom..they have no con trol;” The Navy Department has received more official reports from Commodore Foote of the doings of onr gunboats on the Cumberland river. The Com. medore despatched Lieutenant Bryant with the gunboat Cairo , up the Cumberland river, to make a reconnoissance in the vicinity of Nash ville. Lieutenant Bryant discovered that the rebels had a battery six miles" below Nash ville mounting fifteen guns, bat when they evacuated the city they threw some of the guns into the river, and then decamped. A strong Union feeling manifested itself among the people on the banks of the river, but the gunboats are the terror of the rebels. The telegraph tine has been completed to Nashville, and Postmaster Markl&nd has sent a despatch to the Post Office Department In which he states that ho has raised the stars and stripes over the Nashville post office, and is ready to discharge the duties of his office. The Fortress Monroe boat arrived at Baltimore yesterday. The steamer Express had gone up James river for the purpose of receiving more Federal prisoners, but the rebel boat did not appear, and she had to put back to the fortress. the rebel steamer steam ed down to the Express , with a flag of truce, to ascertain the cause of her appearance in the river ou two successive days. The matter was to the rebel officer, when the latter as serted that be had no knowledge of any prisoners being expected, but that he would return to Rich mond and inquire into the affair. So the matter ended, and it is. therefore, uncertain when Col. Cordor&a and the other prisoners will arrive at Fortress Monroe. It is stated that the rebel steamer which recently left Southamp ton, has run the blockade, and arrived safely at Wilmington, North Carolina. A Rochester paper, describing the arrival of Gens. Buckner and Tilghman in that city, on their way to Fort W&Tren, says that when they arrived at the hotel the bookkeeper brought in the register for the party to sign their names. Gen. Buckner signed it first, and then passed the book to Tilghman, say ing, “ Floyd, he wants your autograph.*’ Tilgh man playfully replied, “Don’t call me Floydj I am a better man than Floyd over was.” Tilgh man’s first name is Lloyd. He writes a bold, heavy band, on the “ Hancock” order. A despatch from Cairo informs us that a great tight was seen in the vicinity of Columbus on Saturday evening. It is supposed that the rebels have burned everything in the town of an in flammable nature. They are probably following the advice tendered by Toombs, Cobh, ft Co., to the people of Georgia. An important order, designed to facilitate the res toration of commercial intercourse with the Southern and Western States in which the flag of the Union now waves, was issued yesterday from the Depart* ment of Missouri. It will be found in full in our telegraphic columns, and is in itself a striking com mentary upon the vigor with which the Government is quelling the insurrection. Mr. Thurlow Weed writes a letter to the London Star of February 13th, in which he gives the fol lowing account of the manner in which John B. Floyd was brought to resign his place as Secretary ofWar under Mr. Buchananj which he had used to further the ends of treason : “In February, Major Anderson, commanding at Fort Moultrie, Charleston harbor, finding his posi tion endangered, pasSed hid g&friddb, by a prompt and brilliant movement, over to the stronger for tress of Sumpter; whereupon Mr. Floyd, Secretary ofWar, much excited, called upon the President to say that Major Anderson had violated express or ders, and thereby seriously* compromised him (Floyd,) and that unless the Major was immediately remanded to Fort Moultrie he should resign the War Office. “The Cabinet was assembled directly. Mr. Bu chanan, explaining the embarrassment of the Se cretary of War, remarked that the act of Major Andor§on would occasiia exasperation in the South; he had told Mr. Floyd that, as the Govern ment was strong, forbearance towards < erring brethren might win them back to their allegiance,’ M-d that that officer might be ordered back. After an ominous silence, the President inquired how the suggestion struck hi? Cabinet? “Mr. Stanton, just now called to the War Office, but then Attorney General, answered: ‘ That course, Mr. President, ought certainly to be re § aided as most liberal towards * erring brethren;’ ut while one member of your Cabinet has fraudu lent fleeeptfinees for millions of dollars afloat, and while the confidential olerk of another —himself in Carotins, teaching rebellion—has jnst stolen nine hundred thousand dollars from the Indian trust fund, the experiment of ordering Major Anderson back to Fort Moultrie would bo dangerous. But, if you intend to try it, before it is done I beg that you will accept my resignation.’ ” “ < And mine,’ added the Secretary of State, Mr. Black. “ ‘ And mine, also,’ said the Postmaster General, Mr. Holt. “ * And mine, too/ followed the Secretary of the Treasury, General Dix. “ This, of course, opened the bleared eyes of the President, and the meeting resulted in the accept ance of Mr. Floyd’B resignation. ” Congrees Yesterday* Senate.—Mr. Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, pre sented a resolution from the Legislature of Penn sylvania, relative to the defences of the Delaware river and bay. Referred. Mr. Harris, of New York, presented petitions, numerously signed, asking that the rank of major general be conferred on General Wool. The bill requiring captains of vessels sailing to foreign ports to take the oath of allegiance was passed. Mr, Fessenden, of Maine, made a report from the conference committee on the bill for the better organization of the cavalry. The report provides for a reduction of the number of regiments to forty, and the allotment of two months’ pay to of ficers thus discharged, The bill was laid aside. The bill for the organization of strife of divisions was passed. A joint resolution was adopted authorizing the President to appoint as many assistant adjutant generals, and other officers of staff, as may be deemed necessary. House. —Mr. Stovers, from the Ways and Meara Committee, reported a bill to provide an internal revenue for the payment of the interest on the public debt, snd for the support of the Govern ment. This is the long-delayed tax bill. It was made the special order for Wednesday week. Mr. Sedgwick, of New York, offered a resolution, which was adopted, requesting the President, if not unadvieable. to transmit to the House copies of correspondence or other information relative to the condition of Mexico Mr. Vallandigham offered a resolution request ing the President to inform the House whether any offer had been made to the Allied European Powers, or any of them, to assume the public debt of Mexico. An important bill, to seonre a clearer definition and more firm establishment of the maritime rights of nations, was introduced by Mr. Cox, of Ohio, and ordered to be printed. It reaffirms the prin ciples decreed by the Congress of Paris, in 1836, with the amendments of Mr. Marcy, and proposes a convention of the great Powers of England, France, and the United States. The State Legislature. Senate. —The bill reorganizing the Board of Controllers of Public Schools of this city was re ported with an amendment, and passed to a third leading- Horse.—Petitions from this city were presented, asking the passage of a law securing to farmers certain rights in the markets of Philadelphia.. Also, remonatrances against the incorporation of the Philadelphia and Frankford Railway Company. AISO t petitions for the passage of the aot incorpo rating said railway company. The Condition of the South, The letters found upon the prisoners cap tured by our armies, or in the rebel camps, sometimes throw considerable light upon the state of affairs in the South and assist us in forming correct, estimates of the actual condi tion of Secessia. Intermingled with their allusions to domestic affairs, are not unfre quently to be found references to public movements or graphic delineations of the pe culiarities of Southern society. A letter is before us now, whioh was fid* dressed to the captain of one of the rebel vessels destroyed by the Burnside Expedition, in Pamlico sound, by a frieml, writing from a town near Mobile, Alabama, under date of January 31. It expresses gloomy forebodings (which proved prophetic) of the fate of what he termed « the mosquito fleet ” of Commo dore Lynch. Tiie writer felt considerable un easiness, too, about Mobile, and, although an ardent rebel, gave free expression to his dis gust ami dissatisfaction with the reckless and thoughtless manner in which precautionary measures were delayed, and with the gross in temperance of the officers and men who com pose the rebel army. Speaking of the de fences of Mobile, be said : “ We have been making some preparations to meet the enemy, and have some eight thousand or nme thousand men, bat they are only imperfectly armed. I see with what want of wisdom many things are put off from day to day; and begin to think- that Providence Millt dd muh for lIS. I am more and more intolerant of strong drink. I see constantly how men muddle their brains, con fuse their ideas, and neglect their duties, for strong drink —ojjicers over stimulated , men drunk , ana everybody in the street talking nonsense, idling, and drinking.” The writer here doubtless gave utterance to a complaint that, while it may be true to some extent of other camps, is a peculiarly wolUfoundcd charge against the rebel forces, Ho proceeded to declare that the whole South will arm in the present war. After describing the enlistment of four preachers, he said: “ every mail) irrespective of ycars } in our county, able to bear arms, has been called upon by the brigadier general; and the whole population is aroused.” He alleged that a stub born and indomitable spirit of resistance ani mates them, and declared that they say “ we may have to fight for years, to meet many dis asters ; we must have years of taxation and hard times, but never will we yield to the Yankee.” Ho felt it necessary, however, to slightly qualify this burst of enthusiasm by declaring that “ though there be some pecula tors and mean men, they 7 are in small propor tion to the whole mass.” The drafting process is evidently frequently resorted to, and age is no protection against it where the power of bearing arms exists. It is well known that Governor Harris, of Tennes see, recently ordered a conscription of the whole militia force of that State ; but it was not very freely 7 responded to, however. In Virginia, too, the whole adult male population of many districts has repeatedly been called out, as well as in portions of North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina. How annoying and oppressive this system of ma king forced levies must prove, may readily be imagined. That it causes great discontent, and in many cases much hardship, cannot be doubted. The whole population of the South is kept in a state of constant alarm by these repeated calls for unwiiiing troops, and by the proba bilities of invasion from almost every direction. "When these raw levies are forced to the field they are supplied with arms, which, in most instances, are far inferior to those used by the Union armies, and their trepidation is consi derably increased by their knowledge of this inequality. Around their homes they know that want must linger in consequence of the presence of the blockade; and they cannot hut dread that danger, too, either of insurrection on the part of the slaves, or unexpected move ments of our armies, will menace their fire sides. Those who embark in the “ Confede rate service,” under all these disadvantages, not only find themselves poorly fed and poorly clad, but they have great difficulty in obtain ing the monthly pay in Confederate notes, which is nominally allowed them; and the news of our numerous victories is constantly an nouncing to them the power of the great na tion they are still vainly attempting, with their imperfect resources, to defy. Spring Trade. A despatch, published in The Press yester day, states that seven hundred thousand dol lars’ worth of cotton has fallen into our hands at Nashville, and that the Treasury Depart ment has taken measures to have it brought North. To some extent the impression pre vails that the prospect of a supply of cotton, now rendered probable by the victorious pro gress of the Federal army, will create an im mediate decline in the prices of all kinds of cotton goods. For obvious reasons this effect will not be realized. We have been at some pains to speak .advisedly in the matter, and our conclusion is, that no possible supply of cotton can materially change the price of manu factured goods during the trade season now opening. In the first place, the aggregate products of our factories for the present sea son, both here and in'the New England States, scarcely exceed one-fourth of their usual ave rage, or less, by a very large percentage, than the demand for them has ever been from what are now known as the loyal States alone. The present supply, therefore, is, clearly, not ade quate to the demand, and it is now too late to make up the deficiency from the raw material. It is on this account that the comparatively few jobbing houses in Philadelphia—and the still fewer in New York—that have heavy stocks on hand are not only holding them firmly, but buying ail they can at the old prices, believing, as they do, that under no circumstances can the prices be reduced, in first hands, within the next sixty or ninety days, from au iucieascd supply of cotton, even if the latter should sell down to pre-rebellion prices. For these reasons, the. Spring trade, though somewhat late and limited, will be healthy, vigorous, and profitable, Of course, the prospective decline which must eventually lollow will check mere speculative operations, and necessarily limit the sales to the country, to the nation’s present wants. Nevertheless, the current demand must be met, and as there is no surplus supply, but rather a deficiency, there is quite as much probability of desirable styles of cotton fabrics advancing, as that they will decline. yf e havu deemed it proper to say this much in order to dissipate the wrong impression above referred to. So far as the chances of trade this Spring are concerned, we believe that the prospects of selling goods, by those who have them to sell, were never more flatter ing. In this category we are pleased to find a large number of substantial Philadelphia houses, on Market, Third, Chestnut, and Front streets, who, almost against hope, have sur vived the perils of the war. To these, and others, we would suggest, in this connection, that the advertising columns of The Press present facilities for reaching the trade in all accessible parts of the Union unequalled by any other Philadelphia journal. Without boasting, we may here state, that the increase in onr circulation, within the last twelve months, is without precedent in the annals of daily journalism, and the daily increase of names, from every section of the country, upon our subscription books—which are open to inspection—we have reason to believe, is greater, fourfold, than that of any of our co temporaries. Auction Sauk of Boots, Shoes, Ac. —Tho early attention of purchasers is requested to the large as sortment of boots, shoes, brognns, rubber shoes, and sandals; also, stock of shoes, Ac., of a city dealer, embracing first-class seasonable goods, of city and Eastern manufacture, to be peremptorily sold, by catalogue, for cash, commencing this morning, at 10 o’clock, by J. B. Myers, & Co., auctioneers, Nos. 202 and 234 Market street. Sale To-day.—Stocks, Real Estate, Ac.— Thomas A Sons' first spring sale, including several effates by order of Orphans’ Court and others—will be sold to-day, at the Exchange, at twelve o’clock noon. See pamphlet catalogues and advertise ments. Sale of-, Furniture. —Birch A Son, No. 914 Chestnut street, have a sale, by catalogue, this morning, of superior new and second-hand house hold furniture, piano-forte, Ao. Monument to Col. Monteuil. —James G. Smith, of Providence, R. 1., has contributed one hundred dollars to the fund for the proposed monu ment to Lieut. Col. Vigier de Monteuil, killed at the battle of Roanoke Island. Public Amusements. The grand military and naval ball bids well for to night, as it is expected that the entire City Troop will appear in uniform j that Governor Curtin and lady will be present, and that many tnlinential civil and military people will participate in the fete. The arrangements are adequate, music and other essentials having been properly provided, and we doubt not that all will be leased, odd U>4 Ait Asian honored. LETTER FROM “ OCCASIONAL " - Washington, March ?>, 1862. When the news of the secession of South Carolina reached Washington city, it was greeted with delirious joy by a brilliant eve ning party assembled at the residence of Jef ferson Davis. A distinguished officer of the navy, who had been in the habit of visiting Senator Davis and his lady, dropped in during the evening, and was informed of the event which had excited so much gratification. And when he manifested no pleasure at the an nouncement, ho was informed by Davis that there was no time for delay, and that if he accepted service in the rebel ranks, he would, in course of time, bo made an admiral. « Stick to me, my friend,” said Davis to the gallant seaman, “ and I will make your fortune. In a short time all the Cotton States will be out of the Union, and those will he followed by the Border States, thus constituting a great, independent, and flourishing Empire.” Find ing him obdurate to such appeals, one of the ladies of the coterie approached him. “ Why,” she asked, “ should you falter now '! Why not take the advice of Gen. Davis ? The secession of South Carolina is but the beginning of ft revolution Idig prepared for* Wo have everything arranged. Not only will the South ern States be ours, but in a short period we will establish in that region a mighty monarchy, and with the aid of foreign Powers, and our own bravery and inexhaustible resources, will take possession of Central America and Mexi co, buy or take Cuba from Spain, and add to our dominions such of the West India islands as we desire. Give up yonr reverence for the mere symbol of a flag. Take sides with us against the vulgar Northern hordes, and so ac complish the future that is in store for you.” As lie ieft the house, indignant at these bold declarations of those who had been fostered and protected by the Government, the lady politician entered her carriage, to convey the thrilling intelligence of the treason of South Carolina to the friend and ally of the Soces sionists, James Buchanan. This incident, which I have from undoubted authority, is useful as showing not only that secession was prearranged by the traitors, hut that during the steps preceding its public development James Buchanan was in concert with them, cognizant of, if not a party to, their schemes. South Carolina seceded in December, and on the very day that the news of her treason reached this city, December 21, ISGO, I thus spoke of the criminal indifference of James Buchanan, in the face of this mighty peril: “ The Administration of the Government is in the hands of the enemies of the country! The Pre sident of the United States has ceased to be the Chief Magistrate of a free people, and may be called the chief of those who are seeking to enslave a free people. He is quoted by the Secessionist®, if not as their aetive, at least as their quiescent ally! He refuses to exercise his functions, and to enforce the laws! He refuses to protect the public property, and to reinforce the gallant Anderson at Fort Moultrie! He sends the Secretary of the Interior to North Caro lina, with the intention of forcing that loyal and conservative State into the ranks of the Disunionists! While sending General Harney (0 Kansas, with a large military force, to suppress a petty border insurgent, he folds his arms when General Scott, and his brave subordinates in South Carolina, appeal to him for succor! His Attorney General argues with all his ingenuity against the power of the Federal Government to enforce the laws of the country ! His confidants are Disunion ists! Bis leaders in the Senate, and in the House, and Disunionists! And while he drives into exile the oldest statesman in America, simply and only because he dares to raise his voice in fhvor of the country, he consults daily with men who publicly avow, in their seats in Congress, that the Union is dissolved, and that the laws are standing stfli! I® it not time, then, for the American people to take the country in their own hands, and to administer the Government in their own way ?” It would be an old story to revive the mon strous dereliction of President Buchanan in tho midst of a crisis which he could no more ignore than if an earthquake had opened the ground at his feet. The incident I have quo ted is one more evidence of the fact that he was aware of the conspiracy gad refused to arrest it. Nor is it a novelty to say that it was the intention of Jefferson Davis and his fel low-conspirators to establish a monarchy in the South. Permit me to quote a passage from my letter of December 20,1860, predict ing this design 1 “ Should the Cotton States go out in a body, we shall then witness the beginning of an experiment to establish, on this continent, a great slavehold ing monarchy, With few exceptions, the leaders of ihe Disunion cabal are men of the most aristo cratic pretensions—men who, notwithstanding what their past political course has been, and their assumed party relations, easily adopt the habits and titles of the European. nobility. South Carolina, which is at the head of Secession, is almost a monar chy herself. Her representatives in both branebes of Congress, for years past, have acted upon the idea that the people of the free States are servile, and Mr. Hammond, the most candid and straight forward of the set, denounced the laboring white masses of the free States as the mudsills of so ciety. The venerable Andrew P. Batter, who represented South Carolina in the United States Senate until his decease, was an aristocrat in every sense of the word; and it is unnecessary to refer to Mr. Porcher Miles, of the Charleston dis trict, Mr. Bonham, Mr. Keitt, General McQueen, and others who hare served in the lower branch, to prove that they toe are unconscious imitators of the counts and dukes of the Old World. The peo ple of South Carolina never vote for Presidential electors, that duty being discharged by their Le gislature, which body also chooses the chief magis trate of the State, who is a magnate on a large scale. Their judges go to court in official robes, and are preceded’by an officer with a drawn sword, and the mayor of tire populous city of Charleston affects all the airs and graces of the Lord Mayor of Lon don. South Carolina, while voting the Democratic ticket for years past in tho Presidential election, has done so with a kind of reluctant condescension; and her public men, from Mr. Calhoun down, have ignored all the popular movements of the day. That State is, therefore, the fitting pioneer of Southern monarchy, and those who follow in her train in other parts of the South, wilt, if they speak their honest-sentiments, not deny that they heartily sympathize with her in the purpose which she undoubtedly cherishes. What a proces sion of palatines, and earls, and baronets we shall have after the organization of this new Govern ment ! The material is ample. Who that knows the tastes and opinions of such men as John Slidell, ex-Governor Manning, James M. Mason, R. H. Toombs, C. C. Clay, Wigfall, Iverson, Chesnut, and Hammond, can doubt that they will eagerly adopt the example which has been set to them by the Governments of the Old World, and found a new order of nobility, the basis of which shall bo the institution of slavery, and the degradation of the white people of the Southern States ? Should they succeed in their plan of dividing the Union, they will be compelled to establish a standing army. Their Government Will be one of force, differing trom that salutary public opinion which has been heretofore the foundation of the American republic. To maintain a standing army will re quire onerous and odious taxation, a powerful Executive, and a subservient and fettered people. After they have passed through the delicate and difficult process of constructing their edifice, they will then be called upon to elect a King. I have little doubt that by genera] consent this high honor will be offered to Jefferson Davis, of Missis sippi. unless, in the meanwliile, his patriotic heart should revolt from the task which will unques tionably be set for him, and should act that better part which has been expected at his hands by the great body of the American people. Jefferson Davis, however, was too deeply involved in crime to retreat, and, shortly after, he left his seat and commenced the career ho had marked out for himself. Every subse quent step has only served to confirm the prophecy I ventured in the passage above quoted. The whole conspiracy is animated by the bitterest hatred of the popular prin ciple, and if it had not been arrested by the force of public opinion in the - free States, and by the irresistible progress of our arms, it would have culminated not simply in a mo narchy, hut in a remorseless despotism ? And where is this miserable effigy of a Govern ment now ? Bankrupted, broken, and totter ing to its fall amid the derisions of the civi lized Wbrld. Jitay 1 not once more quote from myself to show how thoroughly the an ticipations I formed, in regard to this crime against God and man, have been realized by events ? On the 4th of December, 1860, “ Occasional ” said; « The gentlemen who are engaged in the pious work of attempting to ruin the country, and dis solve the Union, are beginning to realize that they have undertaken a somewhat difficult task. Ae they approach the prose of their enterprise, its poetry vanishes. It is very easy to draw the plan of the ludtle, but very arduous to carry it out; £nd there is a vast difference between the philosopher who theorises in his study and the artist who toils to give life end substance to his theory. “ These men relied upon the belief that the popu lar affection for the Union had died out. There had boon so much sneering at Washington and Jefferson, and the patriots of the Revolution, on the part of many of our writers, and such a fash ionable habit of ridiculing the glittering generali ties of tho Declaration of Independence, that they imbibed the notion of making an easy conquest of the Government. They are now daily discovering that ‘YankeeDoodle,’ ‘Hail Columbia,’ and the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ are substantial things. Laughed at by superfine logicians, and repudiated by those rare casuists who think Calhoun the em bodiment of public virtue, tbe traditions, the asso ciations, and the victories of the past, are more deeply enshrined in the national heart to-day than at any former period of our history. The hand of God is against these Disunionists. They feel it, and see it in the indignation of the masses; in the terrible awakening of the wrath of the oppressed notions of the earth J in tho rapid obliteration of all party lines, and the formation of one great Union covenant—one vast Union army; in the thunders that roll from the judiciary; from the pulpit; from the press; from the student’s olo set and the mechanic's benoh ; from high and low; from rich and poor. They feel it in the irresistible strength of the argument against them, and in the wickedness and weakness of their own. They feel it in the wretchedness of tho foundation upon which they vainly hope to build their shameless Southern Confederacy. It is such considerations as these that lead mo to indulge the hope, even n this gloomy hour, that my- country cannot THE PRESS.—PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1862. be destroyed. Its enemies mart, henceforth, grow weaker and weaker, its friends stronger and more numerous. Here, in the Federal Capitol, where the peril must be met face to face, iet us form a central brotherhood, dedicated to the Union, and invoke the citizens of every village, and town, and city, to follow our example. Let us leave Presidential elections and the distribution of patronage 'to the politicians, and think only of our threatened country. AU good men will go with us. There is not an Ameri can heart that will not beat responsive to our call; there is not an American pen that will not bo inspired by our labors. The people wait fer such a movement. They long for a loud, strong, thrilling voioe in favor of the Union; find when they are once awakened to a sense of their coun try’s danger, they will rise like the tempest in its wildest fury, and sweep the spoilers of their na tion’s honor into instant and lasting oblivion.” FROM WASHINGTON. General Sigel to be Nominated a Major General. THE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. THE TAX BILL. Special Despatches to “ The Press.’' The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is being rapid* ly rebuilt) and will soon be in running order. About forty miles of iron and oross-tieß hare been carried off by the rebels. The Death of Gen. Lander. Gen. Lander received unremitting and affec tionate attention during the lost hours of his ill ness. He oontinued unconscious until 5 o’clock P. M., when he died, quietly aud without pain. He expired in the arms of Brigade Surgeon Scckley, bis bed surrounded by the members of his staff and weeping attendants. Gen. Shields has left this city to assume the command of the division lately commanded by the lamented Gen. Lander. General Sigel to J»e Nominated as Major It is understood that Col. F. P. Blair had an interview with the President to-day, on the subject of the appointment of Gen. Sioki, as a major gene ral, the result of which wits the determination of the President to send the name of Gen. Sigel to the Senate at once, for confirmation. Liberia and Hayti. The newspaper statement that the House Com mittee on Foreign Affairs have decided to report against the recognition of Liberia and Hayti is untrue. The oommittee have taken no notion whatever on the snbjoct. It Is expeoted that we will have railroad commu nication with Martinsburg, Va., within the neat three or four days. A strong effort is being made, both in Congress and out of it, to make Gen. Wool a Major Goheroi. It is thought that the President will send his name into the Senate for promotion. Military Matters. General Hooker arrived here this morning from Liverpool Point. General Hunt kit arrived last night from Missouri. General Shields loaves to night for the command made vacant by General Lander. The remains of General Lander are expected to arrive here this evening. The ground is still, covered with snow, with a drizzling rain falling, making the streets and roads muddier than ever. George W. Morgan, of Ohio, to be brigadier general of volunteers. From Nashville. Assistant Postmaster General Kassox received the following despatch from tjaahvillo, on Satur day. It shows that the line is in operation from there here: “ Nashville. March I.—The United States flag is floating over the post office here. lam in charge of the office, and will rotain it until relieved. George J. Furness, formerly connected with Furness, Brinlev, & Co., an auctioneer firm in Philadelphia, and a brother of Rev. William H. Furness, died this morning, at Willard’B Hotel, after a short illness of typhoid fever. At the time of his death he held a clerkship in the Post Office Department, which has already been filled by the appointment of Mr. B. F. 'Wilkins. Mr. Ashby, of Ohio, will make a report to-day, from the Territorial Committee of the House, in favor of abolishing the State Governments in re beldom. The committee Of conference agreed, this morn ing, on the bill making the number of cavalry re giments forty instead of seventy-eight. This bill abolishes those regiments now located in the dif ferent States. The bill is a law, the“report having been adopted. The saving to the Government will he about $5,000,000. The Senate Post Office: Com mittee have adopted the House bill allowing packages other than letters and papers to be car ried in the mails. Washington. March B,—The following h ah abstract of the tax bill, as reported to the House to-day: It provides for the appointment, by the Presi dent, of a Commissioner of Internal Revenue, with a salary of five thousand dollar!. Hi! office Uto be in the Treasury Department, with a suitable num ber of clerks. The country is to be divided, as the President may direct, into convenient collection districts, with an assessor and collector to be ap pointed by the President for each district, who Bhall have power to appoint such deputies as may be necessary. The bill provides for a duty— Oil tpiritueus liquors cents por gallon. On ale and beer. • SI per barrel. On slefai Attfl leaf lobaeeo 8 centi per pound. Do. to add‘when manufactured 5 cents. On cigars 5,10, and 20 cents per pound. (according to value.) On lard and linseed oil, burning fluid and crude coal oil ..6 cents per gallon. On refined coal oil 10 cents per gallon. On gaß per 1,000 cubic teet On Bank-Note Paper; On Writing Paper On Printing Paper. On Soap On Salt... On Solo Leather On Upper Lealliit. “ On Flour. 10 cents per bid. All other manufactures, 8 per cent, ad valorem.' Railroad passengers, 2 mills per mile of travel. Commutation tickets, 3 per ceDt. Steamboat travel, 1 mill per mile. Omnibuses, ferryboats, and liorso railroads, 3 per cent, on gross from fftflSCßgOM. Oh advertisements, 5 per cent, on amount of receipts an- . nually. For use of carriages, annually, from #1 to #lO, accord ing to value. On gold watches.... SI per annum. On silver watche5.i.........00 cte. “ On gold plate 50 cts. per oatice On silver plate ....... 3 eta. u On billiard tables., $2O On slaughtered cattle. 60 contaeacb. On hogs 10 “ On sheep <• ® “ On Lieenieg^BaDkers...;i.....ii. i i«nmammlM Auctioneers 20 Wholesale Dealers Detail Dealers in Liquors Retail Dealers in Goods. Pawnbrokers Rectifiers * Brewers. ............ Hotels, Inns, and Taverns (graduated accord* ing to rental), «•from W to 260 Bating Houses 10 Commercial Brokers,... 60 Other Brokers... 20 Theatres 100 Circuses 60 Bowling Alleys (mb a11ey)....... i... r. n• n 5 WholesalePedlers 00 Other Pedlers... ssto 20 Coal Oil Distillers, Ac 20 On incomes, 3 per cent, on all over $6OO, deducting the income derived from dividends, &c., which are taxed separately. *; On railroad bonds and dividends of banks and saving institutions..... 3 per cent* On payment of all salaries of officersJn the civil, mi- litary and naval service of the V. 8., (including members of Congress). . .3 per cent. On legacies and distribution shares of the personal property of deceased persons, (according to the degrees of relationship) I®s per cent. And stamp duties on all kinds of legal and commercial papers* all patent medicines* telegraphic messages, and all goods by expresses. The tax bill contains one hundred and fire sec tions, and is one of the longest of any kind ever be fore prepared, months of preparation having been bestowed upon it FROM GEN. BANKS' COMMAND. Charlestown, Va., via Washington, March 3. —From 600 to 1,000 barrels of flour, belonging to the rebels, have been seized and stored hare.. A woolen mill, owned by Davis, which has been manufacturing rebel clothing, was also seized, with a considerable stock of goods. Richard Washington, a brother of the late John A. Washington, is now confined at Harper’s Ferry. Nothing of importance transpired in onr lines last night or yesterday. Our national interests in this section appear to be in prosperous progression. Louisville, March 3. —Railroad communication between here and Nashville, (except over the creek ten miles north of Nashville,) was damaged by the rising of tho water on Soturday. It will be repaired te-morroW. An election was held at Nashville, on Saturday, for municipal officers. It passed off quietly. The retiring'mayor issued a proclamation assuring the citizens that they would reoeive tho protection of the United States troops if they quietly pursue their acoustomed avocations. Several rebel prisoners have been brought to Nashville, and twenty-five negroes, seized by the rebels in the vicinity of Bowling Green, haTC been recovered at Nashville and sent back. General mail communication is established to Bowling Green, and for military letters to Nashville, and Colonel J. J- Miller, the Government mail agent for Kentucky, is making energetio efforts to ex tend the mail facilities to every port of Kentucky- Bosion, March 3.— The rebel Generals Buckner and Tilghman arrived in this city at 5 o'clock this afternoon, and wore immediately conveyed to their quarters S'ort Warren. Washington, March 3. General. Tbe Railroad to Martinsburg. General Wool. Confirmation by the Senate. “A. H. Markland.” Miscellaneous. The Tax Bill. From Nashville Buckner at Fort Wtftren THE BURNING OF COLUMBUS. Hebei Aooount of the Occupation of Nashville. THEIR ONLY HOPE IN BEAUREGARD THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE WITHOUT A QUORUM. JEFF THOMPSON ON A SECRET EXPEDITION. THE FORTIFICATIONS AT ISLAND No. 10. Cairo, March 2.—(Special to the St. Louis Democrat. ) —A great light was seen in the direction of Columbus last night* and it ii generally be lieved that the rebels there have burned every thing of an inflammable nature. The Memphis Affinal of the 28th ult. baa the Mowing; Occasional. “ We have information from Nashville up to noon on Wednesday that General Buell and Com. Foote bad arrived and occupied that place. The United States flag was raised over the dome of the Capitol, and floats there now. But one other Federal flag was exhibited, and that wae from the shop of a Yankee jeweller, who had long been sus pected of disloyalty. The feeling in Nashville is strong Southern. A deep gloom seemed to oover the community, and the citizens avoid intercourse of any kind with the invaders. Two British flagd have been raisod by property holders, thus evin cing their intention to claim the protection of that Government (!) “ The sick are being removed to Columbus. We arc pleased to leant that Beauregard is making preparations to resist the attack, which now seems so imminent, on Columbus. “ The reported capture of General Buahrod Johnson, at Fort Donelson, was incorrect. He ar rived at Nashville on Saturday, having escaped from tho bands of ihe enemy. “Jeff Thompson left his old headquarters the day before yesterday on a secret expedition. He will turn up somewhere. “ Both houses of the Tennessee Legislature met on the 27th, but adjourned for want of a quorum.” Concerning Jen Daria’ message, the Appeal Bays : “He is free to confess the error of his past policy, and the extent of the disasters which have followed from it. He thinks war will soon be made on the advancing columns of the enemy, and that we will attack, pursue, and destroy, instead of be ing attacked, pursued, and destroyed. The spade will be dropped, and the bayonet resumed. Iu other words, the policy of Fabian Davis will yield to that of the Napoleonic Boauregard. In view of these facts we can see a light gleaming through the dark clouds that at present environ us, which will burst forth, in iess than sixty days, in a full resplendent lustre. ’ ’ The rebels are said to be fortifying Island No. 10, thirty-five miles bolow Columbus, to whioh place they will fall back on the high ground to be found on the island, which is well adapted for plant ing batteries to command the river. Prominent officers of the United States army be lieve that Columbus was burnt last night. The Restoration of Commerce in the Southwest. IMPORTANT ORDER OF GENERAL HALL EC K- St. Louis, March 3.—The tollowing important order was issued this morning: Department of Missouri, 1 St. Louis, Mareh 3, 1862. j In order that commerce may follow, with the post officii, close upon the advance southward of tho armies of the Union, the following regulations are established for the present conduct of restored in tercourse between the loyal section of the Depart ment of Missouri and the country on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. First. Steamboats and other Western craft run ning iu trade and travel on these rivers to or from the port of St. Louis, or within any other port within this department, must, in addition to the customary registration and enrollment required by the revenue laws of the United States, take out a special license for their renewed intercourse, which is now provided In the regulations established in January last for the trade and transportation of the Mississippi river. ' Second. Such license must be issued to tho su perintendent of transportation in the city of St. Louis, but can be applied for to any surveyor of customs within the department, whose certificate that all the requisite conditions have been complied with by the applicants must accompany the appli cation when forwarded to the superintendent. And the aforesaid boats engaging in trade and trans portation under suoh license are, of course, subject to the revenue laws of the United States, and must comply faithfully with the regulations) and instruc tions of the Treasury Department now in force, or which may hereafter be adopted, for the control of the commercial and personal intercourse of those sections. With the view to render uniform the customs now in a measure governing the trade and travel of the interior, and to subserve the ends of order and •law, it is further enacted— First, That the permit system—made necessary by the persistent efforts of persons in the loyal States with those engaged in the rebellion, and by pedlers and corrupt trafficers many of whom come from disloyal States and sections expressly for this purpose, to send goods, medicines, and other supplies through to the insurrectionists—shall be enforced on the Tennessee and Cumberland, as it is on the Ohio and Mississippi. Second. That the examination and sealing of ihe baggage of travellers, introduced mainly by reason of the frequent and illegal conveyance of packages of letters to and 1 from the North and South, after the rebellion had destroyed the postal facilities of these sections, he extended by the custom-house officers so as to embrace travel on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. • Third. That water crafts, railroad cars, and all ordinary wheeled vehicles, be, until otherwise' or dered, prohibited from carrying into the oountry on the Tennessee and Cumberland baggage not sealed, and merchandise not covered by custom house.permite, or shipped by military authority. These orders are issued only as a measure of safety to guard against illegal or improper inter course ana exchanges of commodities, and not in tended to impose additional expenses or burdens of anything upon trade, or impede in any manner the freedom of legitimate and proper transporta tion or travel. Consequently, First. No charge shall be made by the superin tendent of transportation for the license required to be taken out for the time being. Second. Blank forms will be supplied to the several surveyors of customs within the depart ment for their use, without cost to the parties making applications for license. Third. The surveyors aforesaid will use liberally, though cautiously, the discretion with which they are entrusted in the issue of permits to cover goods, wares, and merchandise going forward for commerce or family supply. Surveyors, and other officers of the customs, if resisted in the proper discharge of their dnties, will call for aid upon tne commander of the nearest military post or encampments; and at places where there are no custom-house officers or agents, such commanders are authorized and required to exercise all necessary precautions to prevent the transmission of letters and other mail matter by any other than the regularly established post office channels and agencies, or the transportation of merchandise or supplies of any description not covered by custom-house permits or going under the sanction of the military authori ties. By order of Major General Halleck . N. M. NcLean, Adjutant General. cents. ... b cents per lb. 2 ** (| ... 3mills “ ... 5 « <« ... 4 c. per 100 lbs. ... 1 cent, per lb. When not engaged in drilling or on duty, the soldiers in the army of tho Potomac amuse them selves in a variety of ways.' The spare hours in camp, especially during the inclement weather, have been to a great extent profitably employed by most of the men in reading, writing letters to their families and friends, and discussing the ab sorbing topic of the times. Many hours, also, have been whiled away in telling and in listening to stories or “yarns” around tho cheerful camp-fires. The bands belonging to the different regiments have proved a perpetual source of pleasure to our troops. ...... 100 A correspondent of the New York Herald,, speak ing on this subject, says theatrical performances have been gotten up in camp, and have met with much success. In tno Fairfax Seminary building, the former mess-room of the students has been used, by some of_the enterprising persons in General Kearney’s brigade, for theatrical representations. But in General Heintzelman's division, the regi ments composing the brigade recently commanded by General Sedgwick, now by GeneraUßirney, have erected an extensive structure, which is fitted up in most respects like a well-appointed theatre. KCaptain Gavitt, of the Thirty-eighth New York Regiment, took the initiative m the matter. At a meeting of the officers in the brigade, about the middle - of last December, the suggestion to have erected a spacious building on Colonel Ward’s camp ground, to be used alternately for lectures, balls, and theatrical representations, was imme diately approved. Fundß were raised, and so was the building. It is one hundred feet long, sixty feet wide, and thirty-eight feet high. It has an extensive gallery. The stage is twenty-eight feet deep. Besides this main structure, there are side build ings one hundred feet longhand fifteen feet wide. These are intended for the transaction of business, and for supper f coni? when balls are given. Detach ments from the regiments in the brigade have erected this theatre. It is built of large logs to the height of twelve feet, the upper portion being of frame, and substantially put together. It cost nearly four thousand dollars. A considerable por tion of that amount waa expended for lumber. The building is lighted by one of Kitchen's gas appa ratus, purchased in New York, and valued fit over a thousand dollars. The gas is the premises, and costs the merest trifle. Including the ..centre chandelier, ride lights, and footlights, there are, in all, about one hundred and forty burn ers. The inner walls are covered with canvas. * Colonel Ward, and ? nrost of the officers and men in the brigade, have taken considerable interest itt the enterprise. An association, called the Lyceum Association, has been formed, with the colonel as president. The theatre was recently opened, on which occasion every part of the house was crowd ed. The prices of admission are fifty cents to the dress circle and twenty-five to the Parquet. The dress circle is patronized by the officers, and the parquet by the privates. There are a number of ladies in the division, who generally attend the performances. It is expected that the receipts will soon cover the expenses of the building, and that whatever profits may accrue will be placed in a fund for the relief ef the families of the soldiers. There are a number of actors in the brigade, who take prominent characters, tho inferior cha racters being played by amateurs. On Thursday night Miss Susan Damn commenced a brief en gagement. in tho play of the “ Eddystone Light house,” assisted by Mr. Rogers, who performed the part of the low comedian. Captain Wm. Morgan, of the Third Maine. Regiment, sustained the cha racter of the Elf with credit. The Stevens brothers, of the Fortieth New York, or Mozart Regiment, played well in ‘‘Box and Cox,” the afterpiece. If the present managers do not devote the build ing too exclusively to theatrical performances, nor call in the aid of nigger minstrels of the “ baser sort,” as at the commencement, the enterprise oan be made the means Of healthful amusement to the men, and consequently quite successful. It is certainly astonishing to see such an elegant and commodious structure “in camp.” On Sundays it is used for religious service. After the army moves for irnrd it will be valuable either as a store house or a hospital. Army Theatricals. mm CONGRESS-FUM SB. WAMtmTOITi Mnrcli 3,1933, SENATE. TH* HOMKST BILL. * The homestead bill wes rp. (Rep.), Conkling,R.(Rep.) Conway (Rep.), | NAYS. Harrison (Union), Holman ft>em.), Horten (Rep.), Johnson (Dem.), Kellogg (R.), 111., Knapp (Rep.), Law (Dem.), Lazear (Dem.), Leary (Union), Mallory (U»), Maynard (U.), Monzies (U.), Nixon (Kep.), Noble (Dem.), Noell (Dem.), Norton (Dem.), Nugen (Dem.), Odell (DemJ, Pendleton (Dem.), Bailey (Dem.),Pa. Biddle (Bern.). Biair (V.)j Va.j Browne {!'.), B I Brown (TJ.), Va., Calvert (B.), Clemente (V.)« Cobb (Bern.), Coming (Bern.) Cox (DemOj Crißfleld (U.), Crittenden (U.) Biven (Rep.), Dunlap (U.), Bunn (Rep.), Goodwin (Rep.), Granger (Rep.), Bale (Rep.), Hall(U.), Harding (U.)« WASHINGTON AND GEORGETOWN STREET RAILWAY COMPANY. The House then passed a substitute for the Senate bill incorporating the Washington and Georgetown Street Railway Company. CLAIMS UPON DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST. The Houso passed the Senate’s joiut- resolution provid ing for the paymeut of the awards of the commission for claims growing out of the military movements in the De partment of the Weßt. UNEXECUTED orders for arms. Mr. ItOSCOE CONKLING (Rep.). of Now York, of fered a resolution, which he said he wanted to debate, re questing the Secretary of Wnr to suspend all unexecuted orders for arms to companios, manufacturers, or individ uals until the further action of Congress, or until they shall be either suspended or annulled by its authority. The resolution, at Mr. Conkling’s request, was laid OTCr * HOME FOB DISABLED SOLDIERS. On motion of Mr. DUNN (Rep.), of Indiana, the Com mittee on Military Affairs were instructed to inquire into and report on the establishment at Madison, Indiana, of a home for disabled soldiers. THE NATIONAL LOAN. Ob motion of Mr. PENDLETON (Dein.), of Ohio, it was resolved that the Secretary of the Treasury be di rected to communicate to the House the amount of the subscriptions to the National Loan authorized by the act of the 17th of July, 1861, the amount of money paid on such subscriptions, and the purposes to which they have been appropriated. MEXICO. Mr.YALLANDIGHAM (Pem ),of Ohio, offered the following, which, at his own request, was laid over for the purpose of debate: , , 41 . Resolved* That the President of the United States be requested to inform the House, if not incompatible with the public interests, whether any offer has been mads by the Executive to the Allied Powers of Europe, or any of them, to assume the public debt of Mexico, or any part thereof; also, whether any offer has been made by the Executive to Great Britain, or any other foreign Power, of thefreenavigatiouof the Mississippi, limited or unli mited; and if so, in either cane, to communicate the terms to the House. . _ THE CONFISCATION BXW*r Mr. ALDRICH (Rep ), of Minnesota, offered a reso lution directing the Committee on the Judiciary to re port back the bill for the confiscation of all Property ot rebels, and their aiders and abettors, and lor the libera tion of their slaves, and enjoining on all military com manders the seizure of all the enemy a property mauo Bill.!™* to capture by tllC Sftlll bill- Mr. YALLAKDIGHAM proposing to dobate the reso lution, It lies over. MILITARY TRIAL AND PUNISHMENT. Mr. ALDRICH elao offered a resolution instructing the Judiciary Committee to report backlhe bill subjecting certain persons to military trial and punishment. It lies oyer lor a Bitullar reason. MARI TIME RIGHTS. Mr COX (Dein.), of Ohio, introduced the following joint resolution in relation to maritime rights: J IVJiersas, International law cannot aenuire any con siderable extension except by the collective work of the nations, either am-mibled in CongriMs or by the com bined nosotiation of the Principal rations; atml whereas* The events connected with the Tnnt n n'uir have given rise tojlie discussion of maritime rights l y the niincipel l’owers of the world, all interested m their autboi it olive settlement, anil in that discussion the friendly offices of the Emperor of Franco were tendered to iis, for tin* purpose of adjusting till? question involved on a dear and liberal basis, ( looklng to the amelioration of the rights of nentrals upon the sea: Therefore, be it resolved, by the Senate and Rouse of Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled— First. That the National Legislature acknowledges the friendly Intentions and enlightened views of the Emperor of the French in the said interposition. Second T».»t it favors the most liberal propositions with respect to maritime rights, and tho abolition of such usages as restrict the liberty of neutrals and multiply the causes of diHuenriehti la tho wmU, believing that hu manity and justice demand that the calamities incident to war should be strictly limited to the belligerents them selves, and to those who volunturily take part with thorn; but tbat neutrals abstaining in good faith from such complicity onght to be left to pursue their ordinary trade with either belligerent. Third. Thai thu prcuiit tiaia |y pp&pltloufi for IL& re sumption of negotiations to secure these objects, and especially for the concurrence of the nations In the benignant articles of the declaration of the Congress of Paris of the 16th of April, 1850, with the amendment proposed by Mr. Marcy, viz Ist. Privateering Is and remains abolished, provided that tho private property of tha subjects or cltiuons of a belligerent on the high seas shall bu exempted from seizure by the piibiie armed vessels of the other bellige rent, except it bo contraband. 2d. The neutral flag covers an enemy’s goods, with tho exception of contraband of war. 3d. Neutral goods* with, the oxception of contraband of war, arc not liable to capture under the enemy’* Hug. 4th. Blockades, in order to be binding, must be effec tive. Fourth. That the people of the United States enter tain the hope that the great maritime Powen of France and England, relinquishing their present objections growing out of their ill-advised recognition of our insur gent States as belligerents, will consent to the proposi tions of the Paris Conference, as the United States have so constantly invited, and ns Mr. Marcy proposed to tho Government of France on the 26th day of July, 1856, with Btioli a liberal expansion of them that the private property, not contraband, of citizens and subjects of na tions in collision, shall bo exempted from confiscation equally in warfare waged on the land and in warfare waged on tho seas, which are the common highways of the nations. Fifth- That tho offorte of the late Secretory Mftisy and tho present Secretary of Stato to liavo those maxims engrafted as fixed principles of international law*, wore eminently wise and just, sanciicned by onr traditionary policy, and conducive to tho welfare of the Republic and to the highest interests of peace and civilization. Sixth. That for the accomplishment of this result it would bo botn oourteoua anti wine for our Government to consider the propori&i of the eminent publicist of France, M. Hautefeuillc,. for a Congress of the Maritime Powers which, by uniting in one body tho scattered forces of all neutrals, may secure to each the respect and security which they cannot obtain while remaining isolated, anti that thus they may he enabled to maintain as a lasting element of tho law. of nations that maritime squUibrlufn so long sought by the United States of America, and so important to the freedom of commerce and the repose of the world. On motion of Mr. COX (Dem.), the resolutions were or dered to be printed. The House passed the Senate joint resplutfqi) declarator/ of the Intention of the act of July, indemnifying the loyal States for the expenses incurred by them in raising troops, so as not only to apply to debts contracted before, bnt since the passage of the act. TREATY WITH INDIANS. Mr. WATTS, delegate from New Mexico, introduced a bill which Trag referred, authorizing the making of treaties with tho Apaches, Navajoea, and Utahs in that Territory. FACILITATION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. Mr. THOMAS (Rep.), of Massachusetts, called up tho bill to facilitate judicial proceedings in adjudications on c»ptorcU rrwrty, #nd for the better administration of the law of prizes. The bill wbb passed. The House then adjourned. Note.—ln our report of the debate on Friday last, upon the organization of engineer volunteers, mention was erroneously made of Mr. Wilson, of Indiana. The report should have read Mr. Wilson, of lowa. PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE. Habrisbdro? March 3,1863. The'Senate assembled at seven o'clock F. M., and were colled to order by tho Speaker* Mr. CONNELL presented a remonstrance against the passage of the supplement to the charter of the North Philadelphia Flank Road 'Company. Mr. PENNEY read a supplement to the lien law rela tive to churches* Mr. HIESTAND, & bill to extend the charter of the Columbia Bank. BILLS CONSIDERED. The bill relating to gas companies was taken up, but, after some discussion, was postponed. Tie bill reorganizing tbe Board of Controllers of the Public Schools of Philadelphia woe reported with an amendment, and passed to a third roading. A supplement to the charter of tbe McCauley Moun tain Railroad Company was considered aud passed. Tbe Senate then adjourned The Hours was called to order at three o’clock by the Speaker. PETITIONS AND REMONSTRANCES. Messrs WEIDNER, TATE, aud POTTEIGER, pre sented petitions from citizens of Philadelphia praying for the passage of a law to secure to farmers certain rights in the markets of Philadelphia. Messrs. JOSEPHS, MOORE, COCHRAN. DENNIS, GREENRANK, WILDEY, ABBOT, and McMANUS, presented remonstrances against the passage of the sup plement to the charter of the North Philadelphia Plank Road Company. Messrs. Hoover, Quigley, Greenback, Hess, and Rowland presented petitions relative to the rights of fanners in,the markets of Philadelphia. Messrs. Hopkins, Wilder, and Abbot* remonstrances against the passage of the act to incorporate the Phila delphia and Frankford Railway Company. Mr. DUFFIELD presented a petition, signed by three hundred citizens and business men of tbe Twenty-third and Twenty-fifth wards, asking for the passage of tbe act to Incorporate the Frankford and Philadelphia Passenger Railway Company. Alto, remonstrances from the Board of School Direc tors In the Twenty-third aud Twenty-fifth wards, against any change in the manner of electing the members of the Botrd of Controllers of the Public Schools in Philadel phia. Mr. McCOY reported, with amendments, an act incor porating the Frankford and Philadelphia Passenger Rail wa> Company. Mr. DOUGHERTY read a bill authorizing certain railroad companies to locate their roads in certain cases. Mr, * HU the sale of in toxicating liquors. Mr. COCHRAN, a further supplement to the act in corporating the North Philadelphia Flank Rood Com pany. Mr. JOSEPHB, a bill to prohibit the running of loco motives through the city of Philadelphia by the Philadel phia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad Company. Aie-o, a bill for the extension of Fifteenth street. Mr. TATE, a bill to repeal certain parte of the revised penal code. Mr. LICHTENWALLNER, a bill to prohibit the irre gular practice of suigery. Mr. DENNIS presented a petition from officers of cer tain military organizations, of the First Division Penn sylvania Militia, asking that money expended by them for accoutrements be refunded by the State. Tbe House then adjourned. Arrival of the Steamer Borussia. New York, March 3. —The steamer Borussia arrived at this port this nMJrateg, Her ady ices have been anticipated, Dental Surgery.— On last Friday Dr. J. L. Suesserott, Professor of Principles of Dental Sur gery and Therapeutics) in the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, in Philadelphia, delivered a very able valedictory address to the graduating class, and, at their request, has allowed it to be published. Accordingly, it appears in pamphlet form, with the imprint of Lippincott & Co., as pub lishers. In the medico-dental seienee Philadel phia takes the lead, not only in this country, but everywhere, and the college of which Professor Suesserott is an ornament, because an accomplished, skilful, and proficient teacher of the art, has ob tained, as it deserves, the highest reputation. His valedictory, avoiding the too-common fault of wrap ping up a few ideas in a crowd of high-sounding sentences, gave excellent advice to the graduating class, each member of which will do well to keep the document at hand, and frequently peruse it. The graduates of 1861-62 are nineteen in all— from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Ver mont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Louisiana, South America, Germany, and England. she annual session for 18G2-'63 will commence on the Ist of November, and end on the Ist of next March. Morrill (Rep.),Vt. Patton (Rep.), Pike (Rep.), Pomeroy (Rep.), Rice (Rep.), Me., Riddle (Rep.), Sargeaot (Rep.), Sedgwick (Rep.), Shanks (Rep ), Stevens f Rep.), Trowbridge (R.), Van Wyok(Kop.)t Verree (Rep.), Wallace (Rep.), Walton (R.), Me., Wheeler (Rep.), White (R.), Ind.» Wilson (Bcp.), windoin (Rep.), W orcester (Rep.) frOB ADDITIONAL CITY NEWS, SEE FOURTH PASE.J Perry (Dem.), Richardson (D.), Robinson (Bern.), Rollins (U.), Mo., Sheffield (U.), Shellabarger (B.), Smith (Dem ), Steele (D.), N.Y., Stratton (Rep.), Thomra (Rt)Masfl. Thomas (U.), Md. Trimble (Rep.), Vibbard (Dem.), Wadsworth (U.), Webster (U.,) Whaley (Union), WicMifFe (U,), Woodruff (Demi), Wright (U.) MEETINGS LAST NIGHT. Meeting in Behalf of the Contrabands, at Last evening National Hall, Thirteenth and Market streets, was comfortably filled with a highly respectable audience* among whom were a number .of wlorft! P?F iods, a meeting having been called for the purpose of considering means for bettering the condition of the free blacks in Virginia and South Carolina; and also for the purposo of suggesting means for their permanent employ ment. The flight* Apt* Bjglwp potter waß called upon to pre. side. On taking the chair, he Bald the ohjeel of the meet ing was to bring before them the claims of one of the most needy classes of our people. Within the lines o our military forces in North Carolina aud Georgia are between ten and twenty thousand men, women, and children* who have been relieved for the time being, hut are In danger of demoralization. Owing to the consumption of the corn on the p'anta tions by our troop 3, many of them are threatened with starvation. They are in need, also, of instruction, and of means of earning their own subsistence. Thotirae for raising the cotton crop is now at hand, and we have an opportunity of showing that free African labor can take charge of our fields. He did not deßire to pledge himself to any crude propositions in regard to emanci pation. That remains in the hands of Providence. If we are content to leave it, there we will at last, I trust, be shown the proper solution of this problem The Buy. Dr. Howe was then called upon for prayer. Hebcpeeched Almighty God to look down on this land in the day ont¥ adversity, »ud to Imp&rtto all 6iip pw ple a cheerful submission to- this day of trial. Look down with favor, 0 Lord, upon the proceedings ol this meeting : instruct tlioso who are to instruct us, and grant to those whom Thou haßt appointed to he our rulers that wisdom which comes from above. Make ua all patient to await the development of Thy purposes; let us not be impatient, but may we Wflit find cheerfully submitto all Thy righteous pleasure, and In the cud everything will bo made conducive to the progress of Uni land. Hear us m our prayers, and grant us that which Tbou Beest we need, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. A Rev. Dr. Tyng, of New York, was then introduced. He thought the presiding officer had well characterized the object of the meeting. We come to fpeak of the con dition mid plead the Cftuad of from hftppn to twenty thousand freed men of South Carolina. tAppJause.] Wo come to represent a claBS of persons °V r sympathy as much as any class on the faco of the earth. We do not come here to spoak of emancipation. We would not enter into tho question whother the present war should be for the extirpation of slavery. The ques tion before us was not in reference to & Mill bf to be freed. Thank God, we take the hands of freed men to-night! [Applause.] Our armies have taken pos session of over 200]plaulatious in South Carolina. This avowed property, as it was called, la property no more* No more a pock ol corn per week for men who wore giving their very hearts 1 blood towards tho ftccumu* lation of wealth for others. They are now, however, still more in want. They he before you for your considera tion to-niglit. He wasbold to say that at this moment there was actual starvation among certain families of them they were not only poor, but deeply dependent and needy. Their little stock of food was gone, and ail the clothing. A portion of them had been ih&pltvsd by the military on certain works, but this, number would not txcecd 1,000 or 1,200. The residue are scattered about, sutlering severely. They have uo> tuonoy ta purchase the necessaries of life and nothing growing iu the soil, and before many weeks go by they will be actually starv ing. There never was a more- sympathetic case They are cryiug for relief— thoir very instincts seem to cast them on our care. See how these poor creatures met our fleets as they sailed up their rivers, with tlwir bun dles on thuir shoulders, and hailing the Star Spangled Danner [applause] wlucU«otherß had cast down. They had no tears of the displeasure of their masters, and in ik-fiuuce of all the threats that they were to be caught by the Yankees aud sold as slaves to Cuba, these men threw themselves !»to th* arms of our soldleru and claimed that protection which we are bound to give them. They have special aud peculiar claims ui*ou ue—tbej have confidence in us. Their pSBt sufferings and bondage deserve our. care. They are not hostile captives taken in war—they are the chii- SENATE. BILLS PRESENTED. HOUSE, BILLS INTRODUCED. THE CITY. National Hall. dren of innocent weakness. They are to be oar sal vation or our doom. What account have these Govern ment agents given of their character J Says Mr. Pierce: «1 have travelled np and down among them daily, &n 1 never heard a pro'ane word from one." The report of Mr. Pierce Is most ftffiMtto. He WAS with them If tlldif religious meetings. Their lovo of music we all know, and their interest In beautiful songs. Be could never forget tbe plaintive sound of tM negroes, ringing thuir hymns beneath the trees, when he was South, years ago. His solemn faith was that we wore entering on a periol whan we should give to those poor creatures their proper position. If the South had brought thrill ffdttt lftetildb ism, as they claimed, the North has a higher honor con ferred upon them—bringing them to freedom. We can not get rid of the connection in which we are linked with them. Their susceptibility of improvement has been well demonstrated. Mr. Pierco speaks of their great willingness to labor* and of their Industry and energy when properly instructed. The speaker felt it was a so lemn conviction of duty for him to agitate tills subject. He would now set before them means of relief. First of nil was needed bread and meat and clothing, which an* indispensable at this moment—they ore to be educated— they are tube set up as a race upon the basin of their own abilities and attainments They need olotliing at once, and are Buffering for medical aid* The speaker read a number of the reports receutly mode by Government Agents on the condition of the con trabands, and suggestions as io how their condition might be bettered. Unless some means are suggested by which they can unpport themwhrffli they are liable to become a burden on the Government, He alluded to the assoria. tion recently established in New York for tbe relief and Improvement of tbe freed blacks, and or tbe plans sug gested for their support and advancement. Auxiliary committees are asked for in other cities who will work in harmony with the New York committee. Secretary Chase has most highly approved of the association and its plftnß. Parties have already sailed for Fort Royal with about forty mate and female teacliers and superin tendents, under the auspices of the association. Go vernment has engaged to do all it can. We'caanot do a greater evil than to enter on this duty supposing that this iH a claes of persons who will always be on our hands. It, at this day, the Government would trust their fidelity, they would themselves sweep the rebellion from the land. [Loud applause.] For a while, and for tlie present, we have everything to do. May every heart |>e opejij nnd every hand be liberntj until pur great task is fiuUhfd. The speaker closed amid groat appianrte. Professor Lindsay next addressed tlio meeting. He had been recently at Port Royal, and ho could state that he was an eye-witnußS to all that had been narrated by the previous speaker. He bad accompanied his friend Mr. Fruuch to South Carolina, and had a fair opportu nity nf eoeltfi these poor people. When they landed at Beaufort ho visited a number of deserted houses, in one of which the old family portraits were still left banging, lie saw a troop of Massachusetts horsemen ride through one of their most uristocrutio streets, which reminded him of the time when, a few years .since, a person from thiß very State had 1 been ignomtoiously driven aIT Lo calise he came In behalf of those whose skins wb'p a little darker than his own. At that time the mayor of tbe city was not able to protect him. Yet the sight of the present state of affairs, with a remembrance of tho past* made the speaker feel sad. He visited the school of Dr. Peck, which had been es tablished in spite of the local laws of South Carolina. He has from 00 to 70 pupils* and they are taught by colored teachers. Dr. Peck told the pupils it was necessary tliat they should support their teachers, which was done. This shows how willing they are to take care of them selves. He also visited on the islands about twenty plan tations, which have been almost entirely despoiled. They would doup &f the amp wagon* tot ing away tbe com. Tho black men generally were in u' state of bewilderment. They have no homes, and ex. claim, “ Mats*, what are wo to do l” While It la true they are willing to be employed, yet It is also true they have nothing at which they cun work—that to, those on the plantations- Great lack of medicine) and great suf fering among the sick were fonnd* The poor slaves, being entirely deserted, when rick are totally neglected, except when treated by the army physicians. The speaker thought that if every North erner could but pass two weeks on a Southorn plantation he would sot only become an emancipationist, but an er tirpationist. He fully endorsed tho report of Mr. Pierce* Tbe negroes cant under judicious management, support themselves. The slaves he believed to be in the main a truthful, people. The number of contrabands he thought had keen under-estimated. At HUton Head, tho Government has built long rows of houses, and in one end have fitted up a school and a church. lie at tended the Sunday school and fonnd over two hundred thsre trying to loam their tollers. One old woman aLahi sixty years of ago Bald she wanted to learn to read in order that she might road her Bible before sho died. This association, in New York, has already sent out sixty missionaries, Christian men and women. They go*, from an impel rive duty. There Is one man that goes’! from my own church that tlio Breaker wwld be willing l to place in any position] This man resigns a good post, with a good salary, to go to the field which Gad hu pointed out to him. This enterprise cannot fail; it has the prajers and the Church of Christ to sustain It. We can think of no way in which we can more fully sustain ( the Government than to support an institution of this* kind. Our military men are bewildered, and do not know what to do with tho poor blacks who are flocking in on them and eating their rations up. Tho question is* now*, not what we shall do with the slave, but wbat shall we do with the nation’s unfortunate. Above all, let ns get rid of the idea that the negro is a different thing from us. lie thought the Freedman’s Association one or the grandest schemes ever entered into, and One which should elicit their interest And liberal support* It will send out from New York the Steamer freighted with hopes and expectations for these poor people. [Applause.] Upon the conclusion of the speaker, an unknown man, dresß+d in military uniform, arose from among tip* audi ence and asked tliat he might be allowed a few moments on the floor. Be announced his name as Colonel Abra ham, of the Home Guard of Minnesota. He differed slightly with the speakers of the evening, that we had only the slaves of South Carolina to look after; he thought we had those of the whole South in chftrge. He then alluded to the Northwest, its troops in tho field, Ac., and closed amid great applause The following resolutions were then read and adopted: That we have heard, with tbe liveliest In terest; the statements which have been made respecting tbe freed blacks in South Carolina and elteWhrire, whose condition we lmve been convened to consider; that we recognize the claims which, on the score of humanity, thoy have upon onr sympathies; and tbat we bold our selves ready to co-operate with the Government, and with all benevolent people, in efforts to provide for their wantp, and to promote their welter©, Resolved, That it has given ub pleasure to learn that initial steps have been taken in New York and other Northern cities to organize into activity the good will of the people on this subject, and that we have every as surance that in all just and well-considered measures that may bo Adopted to promote the end in view, the people of Philadelphia, and of tho Stite of Pennsylvania, may be counted on for beany co-operation. Resolved, That a permanent committee of sixteen be appointed, with power to add to their number, whose business it shall be to receive and forward to their pro per destination contributions in clothes and other arti cles and dshationa Intended for the benefit of the blacks; and to adopt such general measures As MAy seem to them best to carry out the object of this meet ing. i?ero7ved, That the appeal which is made to us by the present exigency addresses itself to our loyalty as citi zens as well as to our benevolence as Christian men; and that we shall be wanting in fidelity to our common country If we witholrt onr aid from the efforts which ora now making, with the sanction of the Government, to organize the newly-liberated blacks for useful labor and habits of self- subsistence, and to educate thorn for the ex ercise and enjoyment of the functions of freedom. The following was the committee appointed: Stephen Colwell. Rev. Dr. Newton, Philip P. Randolph, Ellis Yarnall, James L. Giaghom. R. W Clark, Rev. Thos. Brainerd, Rev. J. Wheaton Smith* James A. Wright, Charles Rhoades, ' Mordecai L. Dawson, J. Huntingdon Jones, Benjamin Coateß, Francis R. Cope. J. M. McKinn Tb? m§§tf.Ps th®9 adjourned. Meeting of the Board of Trade. STATISTICS OF THE PETROLEUM TRADE. A special meeting of the Board of Trade was held last evening, Mr, H, C. Hickok made an address on the sub ject i>( till Oil Tf Ado of Western Pennsylvania. He said that he had been astonished at the small number of Philadelphians who visited the oil region. In two years he bad only seen two persons from this city at the oil wells. Nearly nil the oil is being got out by parties from other first refiner, baring been ,tarte4 hr - company from Pontiac, Michigan. He believed the sup ply of oil to be as inexhaustible as the supply of coal. The oil field on Oil creek is about nine miles square. All the wells here are fountain wells, lie had seen with in a few days 160 barrels in vats, 16,000 barrels at a sta tion on the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, ob 4 22*999 barrels at Oil Gity, awaiting transportation. The weekly product is now 76,000 barrels, and there f might bo twenty wells sunk where there is now one.. The wells might be made to furnish 200,000 barrels aJ week. The flow of oil seems to be on the increase. Thii . famous Br&wley well required eleven months to complete it On the day it reached the depth of &E 3 feet it yielded I 1 35 barrels of oil, glbco HeptoßU? lsit It has yfolJad 43,000 barrels. Tho Empire well gives 8,000 barrels per diem. It is believed that the deeper the welts are Bunk the greater will be the production of oil—that is, up to 1,600 leet. ** . . • The Birman oil field, in India, contains 490 wells, and Uai * folded 400,C00 annually from time ImmsmortaL This field covers a space of five miles by three. It is very difficult to make a barrel that will hold this oil. He had seen it draan through the head of a good barrel at the rate of a gallon an hour by the heat of the nun. Jn the sammer season the flowing wells are closed up, the operators being mostly farmeft, A&d the demand for oil being smaller than in winter. Nearly four mil lion feet of lumber havo been used on Oil Creak Brace the business commenced for buildings, derrick*, Ac. The amount of capital invested has been nearly two mil lions of dollars in two years. Nearly alt the oil findH its way to New York, by way of Buf falo, though the distance to Philadelphia is less, mn when going by way of Pittsburg. Tho speaker said ha believed the present pipe bill before onr Legislature was a snake gotten up by some New York speculators. Thoy - propose to convey the oil, by a pipe, from Oil creek to Kittanning, forty miles, but the real object is believed to be to secure the whole oil trade for New York city- The Senator who had introduced the bill had no know ledge of if, l/tit had Mißfrivttl 11 from some parties unknown to him in Philadelphia. , The demand for this oil has been so great in New York, that the Camp-makere have been unable to supply the demand. At the pm out time crude Petroleum Is worth 40 cents a gallon in Liverpool, and is worth 1 cent a gallon at the wells. A letter from our Consul at Aut- YifTP BWS !!■»s the oil I. coming into uw in France. Thu eitimatcs for this year wro ow,ooo bids for th* PiUßburg-wfinfrries, and 100,000 bbls. Tor a Trench coin- Pfl There are refineries springing up all over the country. Twelve are now open in Erie, twelve in Venango county, one in Cleveland, and several in Pittsburg. Mr, Hickok declared that the term coal oil was a mis nomer. He did not bollovo there wu any connottiou between this oil atid coni. No coal can be round any where in tho vicinity of Oil creek. In England or Scot land there is no natural deposit of oil from the cannel cool. It Ib believed that the deposits of oil ore much older than the coal deposit*. ..... , Mr. John Alexander, a large operator in tne oil region, ninilu a few remarks comboratlng the nlfttMta! 9? Mr - Hickok. no resides at Eighth and Walnut streets, aud will furnish any information on the subject. Death of a Union Prisoner.—ln formation lion boon received in till, city of tho death or Corporal W. Humphreys, of Co C, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, whisk Midi tlus on tha lllh nit. at TusaalooOi Alai,Hina. Ho \v«B a Phihulolphlatl and much esteemed , by a large circle of friends who mourn hie loss. Hi.-, j family was joyfully anticipating hie arrival with tha rest I of the exchanged prisoners, when the sad intelligence < was communicated to them by a prisoner who waa a com pinion in captivity. New Methodist Church.— A part of the membership of Union M, E. Church have with drawn from that congregation, and organized the Arch street Methodist Church. They ratet at the- northeast corner, of Broad uud Arch streets. Borne of the most influential Methodists in tewu head this movement. Fatal Accident.— A deaf and dumb man, named Charles Hugg, while walking on the Tren ton Railroad, above Tacony, yesterday morning, was run over by the cars aud killed. He was taken to Bris tol, where an Inquest was held. He resided in Deal street, Eighteenth ward. Fires —Last evening about half past seven o’clock a trifling fire occurred at No. 11l Onas street, below New Market, Eloventh ward, a dwelling oc cupied by Michael Barns. The foundry of Isaac Sheppard & Co.* at Hartal afreet and Girard avenue, also took fire last evening in the cupola and was slightly damaged. A Southern Minister.— Last evening the Rev. Hr. Wilson, of Beaufort. 3. C., preached in the l*»rtirtsliwth in Xhlrtwntt! b ?!f, w Wilson is a sound Union man—* rare thtarfor a Carolinian. lie will preach at tlie same plaoe next Sun day evening. A SrLKNDin Trophy. —Colonel Kurtz, of tho Twenty-third Massachusetts Regiment, hag for irarded to the Massachusetts Gwranent a splendid fiag taken from a Georgia regiment at Roanoke Island. It is made of heavy pongee silk, with the three longitudinal strlpos, red, white, and red, and a blue field in the upper corner, bearing on one side in gilt the motto, “ Li berty or death,” surrounded by eleven stars, and upon the opposite side the initials “ S. G.” enclosed in a wreath of oak leaves. One of tho Dartmoor prisoners, Mr. Benja min Marshall, is stilll iving, in a halo old age, at Troy, New York,