Cjjt |prjess. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1862. TIIE LATEST WAR MEWS Wo publish, this morning, further details of the late battle at Winchester. A despatch from Gene ral Shields states that his command, 7,000 strong, were attached by a force of lobels, numbering over 11,000. After a. desperate battle, the enemy were driven from the field by our forces, which, be sides hillirg 500 and wounding 1,000, captured three hundred prisoners, two cannon, n largo quan tity of arms, ammunition, Ac. Our loss was onehun dred and fifty killed and three hundred wounded. Our pickets are six miles beyond Strasburg, but Jackson ia nowhere visible. A newspaper pub lished at Strasburg states that Johnson and Jackson had concocted a plan to surprise General Banks’ oommand. and, with a greatly superior force, try to capture his army ; but the impatience of Jack sou for a fight, and his subsequent marching on Shields' division, spoiled the scheme, and brought a disaster on thoir urins which will be felt from one end of the Confederacy to tho other. Secretary Stanton has issued an order, which, while congratu lating the troops on their splendid victory, sym pathizes with General Shields in his altiiction. Our special correspondent connected with the Burnside Expedition has written us a capital let ter. descriptive of the taking of Wewbern, North Carolina. It is somewhat late, perhaps, but its graphic style (if we must use a threadbare adjec tive) will amply compensate for the remisaness of the mails. We learn from Beaufort, N. C., via Fortress Monroe, (and from our correspondent at the latter point.) that the rehol steamer Nasitvil/e , variously reported as having been captured and burnt, has in reality succeeded in running the blockade and escaping our cruisers. Two shots from the Cam bridge, however, are believed to have struck her. General Hunter, who has been ordered to take command of the military department consisting of the States of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, left New York yesterday for the scene of his operations. He was accompanied by tho following members of his staff: Brigadier General A. W. Benham, who will take the command from which Sherman has been relieved, General S. being assigned to General Halleck; Colonel J. W. Shaffer. Surgeon Joseph 11. Barnes, Major Edward Wright, Major K. M. Hough, Captain John W. Turner, Captain Edward W. Smith, Lieutenant Samuel W. .Stockton, Lieutenant Arthur M. Tlen zie. and Major Charles G. Halpinc, assistant adjutant general. Several weeks ago, Gen. Wool, on behalf of the Federal Government, and Gen. Cobb, on the part of the rebels, entered into an agreoment that all prisoners captured in battle should be exchanged. Our Government has rigidly kept its part of the bargain. but the rebels have broken theirs. Tho Federal Government has, therefore, wisely deter mined that no more prisoners now iu our hands will be released until such time as the robots are willing to execute their part of the contract. By the arrival of the Canard steamer China, at New Yotk, we have two days’ later news from Europe. The proposed amendments of the Liberal party in the French Legislature to the paragraphs relative to Amer c 'n affairs, in the address to the Emperor, had been withdrawn. The London Ttmcs still continues to think (or to profess to think) that there willjbe two, (instead of one) Re publics cn the present “ site” of our country. Congress Yesterday. SaxAih. —At the request of ex-President Pierce, Mr. Latham introduced a resolution calling for the correspondence between Secretary Seward and the cx-President relative to an organization known as the “Knights Of the Golden Circle.” The jijint resolution tendering aid to States emancipating their slaves was taken up. Mr Davis’ amendment wasf rejected, and also a new amendment proposed by Mr. Henderson, of Missouri. The bill abolishing Slavstv in the District of Columbia was resumod. Mr. Sanlsbury’s amendment to distribute tho slaves among tho Northern States was rejeoted. Hovse — The House, in Committee of the Whole, resumed the consideration of the tax-bill. Among the amendments adopted was the provision that the taxon goods, wares, merchandise, and manufac tures, pursuant to contract, under this act, shall bo paid by tho purchaser before the delivery thereof. Legislature. Senate.—The House bill reducing the capital stock of tbe Girard Dank was pfn-sed. The general appropriartvn bill was taken up in Committee of the Whole. Hovsk.—A resolution was passed providing for the appointment of a committee to take charge of the remains of Colonel Murray, Captain Gallagher, LieutenantlKeems. and others of the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment killed in the battle at ■Winchester. A message was received from the Governor announcing that he had signed a number of bills—among others, the act to reduce the rate of payment for advertising delinquent tax-payers in this city. Mr. McMakin introduced a bill to reorganize the Board of Controllers of this city. The act attaching Erie and Crawford counties to the Eastern district of the Supreme Court was passed. The victory at Winchester has had the ef fect of producing a feeling of general elation throughout the loyal States. In the midst of onr inhibition, however, an incident which we publish to-day caunot be overlooked, ahd ne ver lien-after shall be forgotten. The daunt less bravery of our troops in tho engagement we have previously alluded to. Not less brave or loy«l were the hand of Irish heroes, who, pushed forward by the rebels as a breastwork, refused to fire on our troops. The flag of their adopted laud, though long despised and insulted, was still dearer in their sight than life or fortune. ‘With an impulse of true chivalry (that should put to shame the boasted chivalry of traitors), they dare not fire on the emblem of the nation that had been to them and theirs a haven and a shelter from oppression. Its honor was still sacred, and worthy to be cherished, though death should he the recompense of their devotion. And so, one-fourth of them were left to perish on the field, and were, most probably, shot down by rebel balls. All honor to the chivalry of Erin, whose noble sons have been among the first to lend our cause their aid and sympathy, and foremost to encounter death in its defence The Proposed Soothers Cospederaos was to be founded on African slavery. The pretest of its authors for the dissolution of the Union was to increase the securities and safe guards of that institution, It was to he f orised, not like the American Republic, to preserve the liberties, and"to promote the prosperity of its citizens, but specially to enable them for ever to enslave others, and to increase and extend the area of territory over which they could spread their cherished industrial sys tem, with all its attendant horrors and evils. The mind of every just man, no matter what may be his respect for the rights of property, or his anxiety to give to slaveholders all the security they can reasonably require, can not fail to be shocked at the bare idea, that in this age of the world the purpose should he unblushingly avowed, of destroy ing the bust and freest Government ever formed, for the sake of establishing on its ruins one of the most despotic and tyrannical political organizations that ever existed. Sla very has termed an incidental feature of many nations, our own included, but nowhere else than in Seces3ia—no, not even in Dahomey— has it been treated as a fundamental basis. Almost every other imaginable tie and interest has, at different periods, led to the association •f individuals under one nationality, but never before was slavery thus worshipped and dei fied for its own sake, and thus made the cen tral and combining power, the centrifugal and centripetal force, of any people. Never before was freedom construed to mean only the unrestricted and unlimited power to en slave others, and the chief political cud of civi- Hzed men prdilaimed to be 10 hold other rices in servile bondage. Two Pennsylvania Regiments participated j Large Bale of Dry' Goods, Clothing, Stock in the late battles between Gen. Baxks divi- , 0F GooI)Sj y —xho attention of purchasers is m sion and Gen. Jackson s forces, one o them i to j e foreign and do fosiuff its gallant colonel, William Cr. Muk« I .. , , . . _ , . .. iUbiug UB gaiwiit GUU , I Uiestic dry goods, hosiery, ready-made clothing, lit. Thus, the soldiers of our State can boast i _ v . . . . . Q „„ ■ . . „ ... „ - ! large stock of dry goods, &c., embracing about 960 *f having won the battle of Dranesnlle, and i * . .j j . .a * *L fl ! pwlwgcß and lots of staple and fancy articles, to of having aided to "win two of the important ; * ° . *■ f J „ victories of the war-Newbern and Winches- be peremp ' or,ly so,d by "“W on a credlt of ter. Some of them were engaged, too, in the four months ’ commencin S this morning at Id disastrous battle of Ball’s Bluff, where treason to be continued, without intermission, ail rendered their bravery unavailing; and they day P alt of the evening, ending with the stock, arc at present, represented in every importajit (clothing to be sold in the afternoon,] by John B. division of the army east ot the Mississippi i Myers A Co.,auctioneers, Nos. 232 and 234 Market street- Ot'R readers will have read with pain, if not with surprise, the account of the disturbance in Cincinnati on Monday evening on the occa sion of a lecture by Wendell Hthllii-s. The story of the affair, as it comes by the uncer tain telegraph, is obscure. It seems, however, that Mr. Phillips, in the course of his lec ture, avowed himself a Disnnionist, and glo ried in tlie fact that his whole life had boon devoted to the cause of Disunion. There wgs a largo audience of ladies and gentlemen—one of those brilliant assemblies which tho elo quence of Mr. Phillips always attracts—and • on the announcement of these opinions a ttt mult ensued. This was quelled—the lecturer proceeded—sentiments of the same nature were again expressed—tho tumult was re newed, and this time became uncontrollable! ’l'he audience revolted against tho lecturer stones and eggs were thrown —an angry, crowd rushed at Mr. PuiLLirs with threatening £,• —a tight ensued —ladies fainted the lec turer was removed by liis friends—and the angry multitude went away. We read this with pain, but not with sur prise. Such occurrences are always to be re gretted. They are breaches of the peace, and no good can come of them. Yet we are not surprised, for in the state of public opinion now existing over the country, the avowal of Disunion sentiments by any public man can only meet with tho severest condemnation. It is the misfortune of Mr. Phillips and men of his class, that they cannot see the practical teachings of the hour. Their agitation, un pleasant at all times, is unnecessary and un pleasant now. They cannot aid the work of emancipation, for that problem has been sub mitted to the sword. When they avow Dis union sentiments, and exult over our woes as the legitimate results of their teachings, they forget that the country is now giving its trea sure and shedding its blood for the mainte nance ot the Union. They forget that in the minds of the people, there is no differ ence betwixt a Disunioiiist of the school of Mr. Phillips and a Disnnionist of the school of Mr. Yancey. In this case, however, Mr. Phillips belongs to the winning party. Mr. Yancey followed Disunion until it led him to the shores of England, an outlaw and a traitor. r. Phillips follows Disunion until he finds himself in the hands of a Cin cinnati mob- This is the reasoning of the people—and when they find themselves in the midst of a Avar for the preservation of the Union, it cannot bo wondered that they should resent and rebuke eloquent and gifted men like Mr. Phillips, who use their talents to de stroy the Union. It is unjust also to speak of Mr. Phillips as a Republican or a friend of the Republican party. It is not many months since he ap plied to Mr. Lincoln the elegant epithet of the <•" slave-hound of Illinois”—he never delivers a lecture without calling Mr. Seward a trai tor, an ingrate, ora minion of the slave power —he even'distrusts Mr. SroiXEK, and although gazetted as a statesman by the New York Tribune, invariably takes the opportunity to denounce that great newspaper for its short comings. Mr. Phillips looks upon the Re publican party with contempt—the Repub lican party has no sympathy for Mr.'Phil lips. It is impossible that there should he any affinity between them. The Re publican parfy, whatever may be thought of many of its peculiar doctrines, is committed to the maintenance of the Union. Its leaders, its men in power, its organs, its followers, are all devoted to tho preservation of tho Union. Mr. Phillips docs not desire their friendship; he is anxious to have no relationship with them whatever. It is unjust to the orator to sup pose that he is desirous of being recognized; and it is equally unjust to the Republican party to suppose that its members are at all in fluenced by his example or his opinions. Lord Russell on the Blockade. Lord Campbell Is a bachelor peer, hitherto undistinguished, except that he has inherited a brace of peerages—having succeeded his mother, Baroness Stratiieden, in May, 1800, and his father, the late Lord Chancellor, in June, 1801. He was for some years in the House of Commons, a silent member. At last, he took heart, three days after Mr. Gregory was snuffed out by Sir Roundell Palmer, the So licitor General, and challenged Earl Russell, in tlie House of Lords, for having expressed his opinion, in a letter to Lord Lyons, that our blockade of the Southern ports was suffi ciently operative, in fact and in law, and ought not to be disturbed by England. He main tained, on the authority of Mr. Eracif, British consul at Charleston, that the blockade was only nominal: said Bunch being an avowed Southern sympathizer, whose word is worth as much as Jonx M. Mason’s —and no more . lie was followed by Lord Auinoek, grand son of a once celebrated British lawyer, better known as Sir James Scarlett, than by the barony which he received when made Chief Baron of the Exchequer. The present Lord Abingeb, who succeeded to the title last year, is a military officer, who distinguished himself in the Crimea. He is new to Parliament and made his first speech, we believe, when, fol lowing Lord Caufeell, he expressed bis opmton that it would be quite unpardonable to raise the blockade under existing circumstan ces. lie sympathized with “ the gallantry” of the South, believed it would be impossible to subjugate it, and thought that perhaps the time was come when, to save bloodshed and end the war, the independence of the so-called Southern Confederation ought to take place. Earl Bvbsei.l’B reply, as Blight be expected, was an echo of Sir Round™. Palmer's speech in the Commons, on the Gregorian motion. His lore ship labors under the disadvantage of expressing himself, on important subjects, in an obscure and confused manner, as if Ms re sponsibility overcame him, and as if lie dreaded, on some future day, to have his words picked out of*Hansard, and flung in his teeth. Yet, on this occasion, his oratory was less muddy than it generally is. He defended the Presi dent’s right to declare a blockade, and de clared that whatever the deficiency in the means first employed to carry it into effect, it has gradually risen" to bo a very effectual blockade. Alluding to Consul Bunch’s report of the vast number of vessels which had ran the blockade at Charleston and 'Wilmington, | Lord Russell expressed Ills conviction that i there was great exaggeration in this, —a set j ting down Mr. Bunch as a story-teller, which ! appears prophetic of the early removal of that functionary from public employment. As to the blockade itself. Lord Russell asked if, notoriously, it had not prevented the usual j supply of cotton to Europe ? He denied that j France had ever represented to the British Cabinet that it considered the blockade inef fectual. Mention is made, in a nursery-rhyme of a certain cow, which, after yielding a large quantity of milk, almost always upset the milk maid and threw down the pail. Lord John Russell ended his speech somewhat is this manner. He gave a lesson on Emancipation, and hoped to sec the end of the war “ within three months, or perhaps less,” with a “ re newal of the old feelings between North and South,” followed by—a Constitutional Union, as before ? Oh, not so—followed by a peaceful seperatien into two States ! After talking for an hour in support of the legality of the blockade, Lord Russell, who has a knack of running his head against a stone wall, winds np with tiffs gratuitous opinion that, when Rebel lion is crushed, we should allow the traitors to secede, precisely as they purposed from the beginning ! jYflnt a pity it is that, for the most part, British statesmen arc intensely ignorant of the Constitution and laws, habits and feelings of the United States. j By the recent capture of Decatur and Tus ; cuiubia, in Alabama, two important points on | theMempliisand Charleston Railroad, wo have : gained possession of the main communication i between the Southeastern and Southwestern : States, and liras the centre of 1 the chief rebel ! line has Ihjuji pierced* leaving the army of the | West) flushed with its numerous victories, to | crush tho Rebellion in the Southwest, and Mc ; CIEILAN, BUHNSIDE, and SUEKMAS to over -1 throw the traitorous armies of the Southeast. LETTER FROM “ OCCASIONAL.” Washington, March 26,1862. I was reminded this beautiful spring morn ing, which was rendered still more exhilarating and lovely by the good news just received from the valley of the Virginia, showing liow bravely our Pennsylvania troops fought under tlie Massachusetts Major General, Banks, and tho Irish Brigadier, Shields, of the beautiful allusion of Daniel Webster to the old Bay State, in his celebrated speech in reply to Haync : Mb. President, I shall enter no encomium upon Massachusetts; she needs none. There she is. Be hold her, and judge "for yourselves. There is her history ; tho world knows it by heart. The past, at least, is secure. There is Boston and Coneord, and Lexington and Bunker Hill ; and there they will remain forever. Tho bones of her sons, falling in the great struggle for independence, now lie mingled with the soil of every State from New Eng land to Georgia, and there they will lie forever. And, sir, where American liberty raised its first voico, and where its youth was nurtured and sustained, there it still lives, in the strength of its manhood, and full of its original spirit. If discord and dis union shall wound it; if party strife and blind ambition shall hawk at and tear it; if folly and madness, if uneasiness nnder salutary and necessary restraint shall succeed in separating jt from that Union by which alone its existence is made sure, it will stand in the end by tho side of that cradle in which its infancy was rooked; it will stretch forth its arm with whatever vigor it may still retain over the friends who gather round it, and it will fall at last, if fall it must, amidst the proudest monumonts of its own glory, and on tho very spot of its origin. And what brought those noble words more directly before mo was a view of a fresh regi ment of Massachusetts troops. The gallant fellows who compose it were circulating over Capitol Hill, after such a sleep as they could catch in the cars, “ the soldier’s rest,” and the adjoining sheds and out-houses. It is noticeable and significant that the mo ment a regiment is disgorged from the cars, the first place tho soldiers look for is the Capitol of the United States. If they get here at night, they are up bright and early next niorning to look at the outside of the massive pile. If they arrive at noon, they immediately strike for the Senate and the House, filling the galleries of both, and look ing with curious and surprised vision upon the grave legislators. I have a hundred times come upon a freshly-landed volunteer, who had only heard of this great city through the newspapers or gazetteers, and who, at his own homo, was a man of consi deration, and watched him as he stood in a deep study before the marble and printed effigies and illustrations of the heroes and the events of American history. It is a novel pleasure to them. Everything surprises and gratifies them. They meet, at the very threshold of their career, a thousand beautiful incidents to stimulate them to continue in it. Every object of a national character is but a new impulse to tho faithful and gallant per formance of a patriotic duty. The figure of Washington invokes them to go on in more than expressive attitude. He seems to talk to them from canvas and from stone. Inspiration breathes from the Tesolute lips of Jackson in the rotundo—from the figure of Jeffer son—from the form of Lafayette—from Wil liam Penn—from Benjamin Frauklin—even from the portrait of James K. Polk, whose handsome but stately widow, at Nash ville, could not omit the opportunity of insulting tho soldiers of the Republic when they came to rescue the grave of Jack son from the hands of tlie despoilers of the Union. There is something almost sublime in the manner in which our soldiers are re ceived in Washington, and in the manner in which they are here prepared for the great work before them. If it had been designed to impress them alike with the dignity of their own task and the hellish depth of the Southern treason, both these objects could not have been better effected than by impressing upon them, immediately on their arrival in Wash ington, by every conceivable process, the in estimable value of the Union and the Constitu tion, and the amazing perfidy of those who are now working to destroy both. To return to Massachusetts; Her sons are worthy of all praise. Like the other sol diers of New England, they belong to a class which have been made the objects of the ridi cule of the South for many years. They have been accused of cowardice and of fanaticism • charged with sympathy with the Abolitionists, it was a common thing to say that they would fail in the hour of trial. Independent enough to refuse to resent the insults of the slave bullies on the floor of Congress, their chivalry was misunderstood and underrated. But, when the hour of peril approached, they were among the first in the field, and from, the day that their sons were shot down in Baltimore to the present time, when their beloved Banks is leading on his victorious legions in Western "Virginia, they-have never been found wanting. Their Wood liaa been poured out on more than one fatal field. From Great Bethel, whore Winthrop fell, to Ball’s Bluff, from the Poto mac to the Neuse, from the Chesapeake to Galveston Bay, they have distinguished them selves by a conscientious and self-sacrificing spirit, which will make their names immortal in the history of these sad and stirring times. Occasional. Changed his Note! It has long been a proverbial remark among Englishmen that The Times '“runswith the hare and holds with the hound”—in other words, that it is consistent only in following public or instructions from men in office. For the last twelve months, until Pal merston and Russell finally agreed to main tain a real neutrality in American affairs, The Times hag been abusing us 4 libelling us* sneer ing at us, in all varieties oflanguage. Punch , always echoing The Timcs> lias done the same only more so. Latterly, however, Punch has been comparatively civil. The last-re ceived number containaoniy a single American allusion, to the mild effect that, as we should admire the Union Jack more than the Stars and Stripes, it would be well to “leave off fighting) make it up, and try to have a Union." The sarcasm of Punch has actually come down to (hist moderation. From Fortress Monroe - Escape of the .Nashville Baltimore) March 20.—The Old Point boat Imi arriv.'ch The steamer Louisiana* from Hatteras, had arrived, but brings no intelligence of importance. Foktukss Monroe, March 25-—The United States strnmer Cambridge arrived hero this morning from the blockade at Beaufort, N. C., which she left on Sunday evening. The rebel steamer Nashville escaped from the harbor on Tuesday night, 18th inst., having run the blockade. 4 The only United States vessfelsoff the place were the Cambridge and tbc bark GemsboJc, and other sailing The blockading veßtels had news of'the capture of Kewbern, and were on the look-out for the hut they were noi uumerous enough to prevent here** Tho Gemhck first saw the NashvillCt and immediate? ty telegraphed to the Cambridge that she was coming out; tho latter followed her and fired a number of shots with the hope of getting her into a fight, hut the superior speed of the Nashville soon put her at a safe distance. Two shots from the Cambridge are supposed to have struck tlm NathviUei The hark Glenn* which lias been blockaded in the harbor of Beaufort for some time, was Bet on fire by the rebels on Sunday, and was burning when the Cambridge left in the evening. She was supposed to have been fitted out us a privateer. The burning of this vessel was doubt less prep&rutopy to the evacuation of the place. Fort Macon hart not been blown upat the last accounts. The bark Gtmsbolc and the steamer State of Georgia wero left at the station by the Cambridge. Important News from the West. St. I*Ouir=, March 28,—The Meptibllcdn'S Cairo de spatch rays that persons who left Memphis report that Generals Beauregard, Polk, Cheatham, and Clark aro at or near Corinth, Mississippi, where it is expected a great battle will soon ft fought. The rebels at Island No. 10 havo not burned their traNsports and barges, as previously reported, but were transporting their cannon and ammunition from the Is land to t -je main land. They communicated by signal lights with their forces at Union City the night before last. Funeral of Col. Murray. Harrisburg, March 26.—The funeral of Col. William Gray Murray, who was killed at the battle near Win chester, will take place at Harrisburg on Friday morn ing, the 28th inst., at 9 o’clock. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Louisville, March 26. —The Louisville and Nashville Railroad is so far repaired that the running time between the two cities is reduced to twelve hours. Later from Ship Island. New York, March 26.—The steamer Constitution has ertived at Havana, from Ship Island, with dates to the 29th, and sailed again for Key West and Fortress Mon roe. It W M reported that HUiriftf flOfcl kftd P&9I&1 the Southwest Pass. Thanks !—We have to thank Mr. Hassan, of the Associated Press, for the Lojidon Times of March 12th. Mceivea by Hants, & day 7 fl date later than our own London files. We have repeatedly been obliged In this manner by Mr. Haesan. English Pictorials.— From W. B. Zieber, South Third street, we have advance copied of Punch* and the Illustrated ho ml on News of the b«b inst. Wo notice with regret that, to diminish postage, the supplement to the latter journal is printed on thinner paper than before. THE PRESS—PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1862. FROM WASHINGTON. Proposed Resuscitation of the THE WIRE-PULLERS IN SECRET COUNCIL- ADDITIONAL SENATE CONFIRMATIONS. Important Order of Secretory Stanton. NO MORE PRISONERS TO BE EXCHANGED. THE CONTRACT VIOLATES BY THE ENEMY. The Fort Donelson Prisoners Desire to Swear Allegiance'. A REBEL STAND AT RICHMOND IMPROBABLE. Special Despatches to “The Press.*’ The Bombardment at Island No. 10. A despatch was received to* night from Cairo, bringing tho latest intelligence from Island No. 10, from which it appear? that the main works of the enemy on tlie main land are overflowed, and, also, nearly tho whole ol tho Mississippi valley in that vicinity. This delays effective operations by our forces at present. Congratulations of the Secretary of War, The following despatch was telegraphed to General Suieldb to»day: Bnir:. Gen. Shields : Your two despatches, relating io tlie brilliant achievement of the forces under your command, have been received. While rejoicing at tbe success of your troop*, deep commiseration and sympathy are felt for those who have been victims in tbe and victorious contest with treason and rebellion. Tour wounds as well as your success prove that Lau der's bravo division ih Ptill bravely led, and that wherever its standard is displayed the rebels will be routed and pursued. To you, and to tlie officers and soldiers under your coiiiHtifid, tha department return? its thanks. Ex-President Pierce. Mr. Sen&tp/ Latham, as you will Bee by the telegraph proceedings of the Bronte* this morning offered-a resolution, at tho request of ex-President Franklin Pierce, inquiring into certain alleged newspaper changes of disloyalty against that distinguished gentleman. The resolution was unanimously adopted, Franklin Pierce is too brave, generous, and unselfish to have ever allowed Any man or party to seduce him from hia loyalty to his flag and hiß country. Mr. li.vthaii’s remarks were well-timed, expressive, and forcible. The resultwilfbe a most complete vindication of ex-President Pierce, Release of State Prisoners. The Mowing prisoners we otty-day PH parole: 0. Allen Scaxland, Jackson Boukhman, Jambs Con ner, John Burson. and George W. Gormly. Two others, B. W Jenkins and F. M. Ellis, were recom mitted for further consideration. f it is not probable that any more of the prisoners from Alexandria will be released, os those now in custody liavo refused to comply with the conditions required. The Exchange of Prisoners Stopped. The Secretary of War issued an order yesterday, stop ping tbe release or parole of tbe prisoners taken at Fort DontlßOQi It is known that an agreement for tbe ex change of prisoners was made some weeks ago, under the direction of the Secretary of War, by General Wool, with General Cobb, by which all of our prisoners were to be delivered on the next day, tinder a flag of trace, at Craucy Island. A boat was sent to receive them, but no prisosers were brought from Norfolk. The same was repeated for two days without success. Explanations were demanded by Generai Wool, but none.furnished. Pending tbit breach of faith by tho rebels, all releases or exchanges will be refused by tbe (government. The Fort Donelson Prisoners Want to Swear Allegiance. Information has been received by the Government that the prisoners taken at Fort Donelson, Ac., generally ex press a willingness to take.the oatli of allegiance if they can bo liberated upon parole. A Stand at Richmond Improbable. Many military men are now expressing the opinion that Ihe rebels will not make a stand at Biclimond. Loss of Life at Sea. The intelligence of the loss, with all on board, of several fishing vessels of Hew England, pxcitea .melfta? choly thoughts concerning that class of plain, simple minded people, of whom so many fathers and sons are annually the subjects of “ Ocean's ravage.” The cod fisheries on the Banks are the nurseries of our brave seamen that have drawn a wall of fire and iron around maritime Bebeldom. New England may not have ex ceeded her quota of volunteers, as have some other States, but Bhe has supplied thousands upon thousands of seamen, who, in all the days of their lives, may be said to have “played with perils.” Executive Session of tlie Senate. The Senate, today, in executive session, confirmed the nomination of Colonel Gokuen Granger, of the Second Regiment of Michigan Cavalry, to ba a brigadier genera), and Noah L. Jeffries to be an assistant adjutant gene ral in the volunteer service. ' The following nominations were also confirmed : Henry Vr*. Bbbd, of lowa, to be agent for the Indi&rxi of the upper Missouri. Joseph Ryxo, to be surveyor of the customs for the district of Perth Amboy. Jess* B. McSlath, of Ohio, to be consul of the United Stales At Tangiersi Edward L. Bangly, to be collector of customs for the district of Cherrystone, in the State of Virginia. Jonas A. Hcghston, of New York, to be marshal of the Consular Court of the United States at Shanghae. James L. Peoraw, of jNow Jersey, to be consul of the United States at Guyaquii. \Vm It. Evans, of Ohio, to be consul of the United States at Maranharo. Edward IX. Perkins, of Pennsylvania, consul at Santa John Evans, of Illinois, to be Governor of the Terri tory of Colorado. The Miseries of Correspondents. The correspondents of the newspapers are every.where —on the Potomac, the Neuse, the Ohio, the Cumberland, the Chesapeake, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Alle gheny, the SußLtuohaima, the Mobile, and on all the other riverfi, lojal and disloyal, aa well as in or near our Fin land seas,” gulfs, and oceans, with eager ears, hungry eyes, and ravenous pons j but they dare not write. What this small army of steul- pen drivers know would set the woild ablaze j wliat they do not know* is not'frorth know ings Imagine their miseries! When this congealed in telligence melts and goes forth what a flood and freshet we shall have ! Printers and publishers, prepare! A Democratic Conference was held last night, con tinuing in session until A l&t£ k£UP, Th& call was signed by Alt, exceptingfour or five, of the members of Congress who were elected as Democrats. Bepreseniative Corning presided, and Representatives pKNULETON and Shill acted as secretaries. An injunc tion WftB placed upon all present not to revoalthe pro ceedings. It is, however, ascertained from private con versations to-day, that the proceedings of the confer ence were principally confined to the consideration of the resolutions reported from a committee of which Mr. Vai.landigham, of Ohio, was chairman, declaring in subttaoce that the restoration of the Union and mainte nance of tho Constitution, require that tho organisation and principles of the Pe®9f the United States should be hilly and faithfully adhered to, audln* vitlng all citizens without distinctions of sections ot* party to c- operate with the democracy in supporting the Constitution and restoring the old Union, A committee of one Horn each State repieaented by Democrats, either in the Senate or House, was appointed to report at a future conference. The names of the mem bers are not yet known. It is understood that several members frun the Border slave States were present and participated in the proceedings. The entire number at the meeting was about Terty. The proceedings are re* presented as having been harmonious. The Public Lands in Nevada. Frequent applications are made as to the disposal of the public lands in Nevada j but as the land districts have not yet been organic S 6f iUIiilS can now* bo located. There seems to be no doubt that those who at present occupy lands there will he secured in their locations by future legislation. The Recent Purchase of Transport The House of Bepresentatives having addressed an in quiry to the Secretary of War, he responded to-day, by enclosing a letter from Assistant Secretary of War John Tucker, in which the latter says that “a very large transportation by water beii'g required by Major General MuClellan, the quartermaster detailed Captain If, 0. Hodges, assistant quartermaster, to this duty, aod I was requested to assist him. All parties who had offered suitable vessels in answer to tho advertisement for trans ports were requested to meet us without further resort to fho newspapers. It was made as public as possible that the Government was In want of such transportation, and desired to deal directly with the owners. A very Urge number were chartered by direct negotiation with the owners, while some made their application through ship*biokers. A decided preference was given to tho former. Captain Hodgbs and myself received only cur regular compensation as assistant quartermaster aud assistant Secretary of War respectively. No other per sons have been acting under the authority or by the di rection and permission of Capt. llobgbs or myself to ef fect such charters, and consequently no compensation has been or is to ho paid for such aorvicos, and no parson, acting directly or indirectly for the Government, has charged the persons from whom such vessels were char tered any percentage on*the amount of the charter or any other compensation.” The YAH Wyck Investigating committee. Tbe members of the Van Wyck Investigating Com mittee have all returned, aud Colonel Van Wtck has joined his regiment. Military Affairs. The promotions made by the Secretary of War for g&ll&ht i&yvicee at the battles of Fort Denelson and Mill Spring, having been confirmed by the Senato, the commissions have been signed by the Secretary, and will soon reach those thus honored The official report from Pea Ridge has not yet been received, nor list that concerning the recent action near Winchester. General Davies, of New York, has been assigned to duty in General Halleck’s department. General Hunter is on bis way to take command of his department of the South. The late Secretary of War, General C a heron, arrived last evening \vlih his family, and has taken quarters at Willards; Ho will Icortaioly lonre for UU Russian inia sion the first or second vreek in April, and is receiving his credenti-ls and instructions. During to-day many have called upon him, and when he visited the Senate he was warmly greeted. The kindness of General Cameron, vbile he was Secretary of War* to men of all parties) and his liberality in conferring commissions ia the ormy upon many of those who represented the loyal Democracy of the free States, are remembered with gratitude. All, or nearly all, the men ho has thus dis trogn' i »bed havo proved their fidelity to their country, Democratic Party. DISLOYALTY IS THE PULPIT Washington, March 26, 1862. Win Department. > Washington, March 26,1802. J Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. The Democratic Party. Hon. Simon Cameron. either l>y undaunted courage in the field, whenever they have had a chance to show it, or by efficiency and in tegrity in the line of their duties. It is believed that Mr. Fritchkttb, of Pennsylvania, will be General Cameron’s secretary of legation. The Tax Bill The amendments thus far roiide to tho tax bill are not decisive, but merely the action of the Committoe of the Whole on the state of the Union, tbe House having finally to act upon thorn. It is believed that Congress will, in conformity with the bill proposed by the Secre tary of the Treasury, increase tho tux on tobacco, whisky, end other luxuries. Tbe hasty clause taxiug the stock of whisky now in the hands of dealers will pro bably be teccnwdercd, as it iB deemed by many promi nent gentlemen to be ex post factn y and hs, with this dehae cut, lUc WU will be more accaptablc. A Statistical Bureau. The Secretary of the Interior has under consideration a plan for organizing a Statistical Bureau, like that ex isting in European countries, which annually reports the state of every sort of production, Ac. Pennsylvania Post Offices. ESTABLISHMENTS. Niles Valley, Tioga county, Fa.—Jerome B. Niles, postmaster. Bod. Mr. Glow’s district.—John’s Branch, Bedford county, Ta.—Thomas M Richey, postmaster. Hon. Mr. McPherson’s district, located between Hope well and Bloody Run. AITOISTMEKTS John W, Tilnoy, postmaster, Black Bird, New Castle county, Delaware, vice John Ferguson, resigned. Albert G. Thomas, postmaster, WhltehaliviUe, Bucks county, Pa., vice A. G. Hendricks, resigned. Jacob Bixler, postmaster, Kerrßvillo, Cumberland county, Pa., vice Charles Harvey, resigned. ■ Mrs. Mary C. French, postmaster, Middlo Spring, Cumberland connty, Pa , vicoSamnel B. Bieh!, resigned- David Trexler, postmaster, Shamokin Dam, Snyder county, Pa., vice John Good, resigned. Joseph Kemp, postmaster, JTostoria, Blair county, Pa., vice A.M. Myers, resigned. Disloyalty in the Fulpit. On Sunday, some of tho clergy here omitted to read thanksgiving for Federal victories, although the lesson of tho morning enjoins the purging out of ail rebels, etc. Serious church divisions, if not defections, bid fair to arise from the attachment which certain clergymen and lay brethren have for treasou and traitors. Those men are placing themselves out of the pale of citizenship. Being alien* In heart to the country, they ought to have only such rights as public policy dictates in such case?. That is to say, they may hold property, hut should have no right to vote or serve on juries, otc. The disloyal of Border-State cities are generally of the aristocratic class of upper tendom. Their spacious mansions, “ with all the conveniences,” would make most excellent hospitals for tlia soldiers of the Union armies. The Capitol Extension. Iheartliat General Mates is not averse to the transfer of the change of the Capitol extension from tho War De partment. lie considers that tlie main work is done. DESPATCH FROM GEN. SHIELDS. THE FIGHT NEAR WINCHESTER. OUR LOSS, 150 KILLED AND 300 WOUNDED. REBEL LOSS, 500 KILLED AND 1,000 WOUNDED. March 20.—Tho following despatch from General Shields to Senator Rico, dated Win chester, to-day, was refd in the Senate this afternoon : uOn the morning of the 23d, my command, 7.000 to 8,000 strong, was attacked near this place by Jackson, with eleven regiments of infantry, the Irish battalion, about 1500 cavalryi atd 28 pieces of artillery. After a severe fight, the enemy were put lu complete rout, leaving behind two pieces of cannon, four caissons, and a largo number of small arms, bcßideß about three hundred prisoners. Our losb is one hundred and fifty killed, end three hundred wounded. The enemy’s los3 is five hun dred killed and one thousand wounded.” Winchester, March 26, F. M.—We expect to obtain a list of the killed and wounded on both aides to-night. Capt. A. H. Brown, of the Fourth Ohio, has been ap pointed deputy provoßt marßhul. A committee of citizens, in conjunction with the Mayor and pfOYOSt marshal, have buried all the rebel dead which have been brought to town. Eighty-five wore buried on the battle-field, and 123 on the roadside, be tween here and Strasburg. Two hundred and thirty-five prisoners have been sent to Baltimore. Others are on the way here. A newspaper from Sirasbuig states that General John son was to hare joined Jackson at Strasburg, but subse quently sent him word that he could not join him till Monday night. Their combined forces would have amounted to from 25,000 to 30,000. The rebels were endeavoring to keep General Banka from moving to another point, but Jackson, being falsely informed that our troops had nearly all left Winchester, hazarded his fatal advance alone. Thousands of persons are visiting the battle-ground and bringing off mementoes of the terrible fight. Our picketß Are six miles beyond Strasburg. Jackson was not in sight. All the fences, trees, and ground along the Toute show the terrible effect of our artillery on tlie retreating enemy. Gen. Shields’ arm has been reset. His condition is now comfortable, and he will probably be able to resume ac tive duties in two weeks. IMITAfiT FROM FORTRESS HOME. The Merrimac Repaired and Coming Out. PREPARATIONS TO MEET HER. ESCAPE OF THE NASHVILLE. TOUT MACON STILL IN POSSESSION OF THE BEBELS. [Special correspondence of the Baltimore American.] Fortkbss Monhoe, March 25.—We have a clear, bright sunshine to-day, which is quito reviving after a siege of storm and cloud. The Merrimac Again. Two contrabands were picked np at daylight this morning, in an open boat, and carried on board the Minnesota. They were both quite intelligent, and had been at work in the navy yard. They state that the Menrimac , or the as she is now called, came back to Norfolk from her conflict witn the Monitor leaking badly, and with six feet of water in her. As she came up in front of Norfolk six steamers were tow ing her, and it was feared at first that sbe would go down before extra pumps could be rigged on board of ber to relieve her from the water. Her fires were ex tinguished by the water shortly after hauling off from the Monitor* which was tho reason tho smaller vessels took her in tow. These contrabands also positively assert not only the death or Commodore Buchanan, who had charge of her when she aunhtbe CKmfrrfofftfefigbßrfit the hnt also the lieutenant, who was in command of her on Sunday when she had the enceuuter with the Monitor, was killed, along with seven seanon, and quite a number were wounded- They are positive m their assertions as to the death and burial of both Buchanan and the lieu* tthaiit, bill whether it was Lieut. A. C. Jonea or Lieut. Minor is not known. They also state that the Merrimac, haTing been fully repaired, was brought out of the dsy dock on Monday mornms, and that her crow was. $n board, ready for action.' Several new guns had also-been placed on board of her, of heavier metal than those she before had. The rebel steamers Same&totwt and I’wftfoiw they represent to have been greatly BtrensUieneil and fully repaired, ready to accompany the Merrimac. The flag of the latter, with the pennant, was flying when they left. Th? !™??esBionhere is that it Is Lieutenant Miner, her second officer, who is dead, and not Commodore Ap C'atesby Jones, aa the negroes represent. How She Will be Received The Monitor stands out in the Roads this side of Sewell’s Point, with steam up ready for action at any moment. She looks as calm and serene as if nothing de pended on her, and her gallant commander Jeffers and officers are anxious for the moment to arrive when her powers will be again tested. They are confident of entire Bftfety ag if pn land, and will follow the Merrimac np on her way to Norfolk if she should attempt 10 retreat. As to other arrangements that have been made by the Government to meet the iromclad monster, it would not be proper for me to speak, but that thev are deemed ample and sufficient no one here for a moment doubts. The greatest confidence is felt as to the result, and a warm time 1b anticipated. Whilst on board the JlQnttor to-day, I bad the plea sure of witnessing the revolving of the tower. It moved as smoothly and rapidly as if floating in oil* aud moving an it does on a pivot, no hard blows can derange its movements. She is in fine condition, and ready for action at a moment’s warning. Tho pilot-house is made to rift from ft? deck in the form of a cone, and will check the force of the balls, and cast them off without damage. Miscellaneous Matters. Among the most interested of spectators bore to-day was the Priuce de Joinvillo. lfe stood upon the wharf for several hours viewing the movements of the military and the array of shipping in the harbor. in the Boadr, almost alongside lbs Miililw, Has the Trench war steamer. Her commander aud officers were spectators of tho previous great naval engagement, and from the advanced position she has now taken, it is evi dent that the officers on hoard are anxious to have a good view of the anticipated coming conflict She lies a mile and a half further up the Boadsthan any of our naval VOBSi-IS. The Enylißh ship Hinaldo is also- here, bat sue re mains in the background. Neither of the combatants having any love for her or the Government she repre sents, a closer position might be one of danger. The French steamer Catinet arrive i to-day and drop ped anchor in tlio Roads. There In a rumor here that VorJitewn,« a hie portion of it, lias been burnt. A heavy lire was visi ble in that direction on Sunday night, which was thought to be something more than the burning of brush. There was also a heavy fire to-day in the neighbor hood of New Market bridge. It seemed to be quite ex tensive, and heavy volumes of smoke rose for several hours* It Wftfi hoyofid the Federal lines, and the charac ter of the lira could not be ascertained. Tlic “Nashville” Escaped. The steamer Cambridge arrived here to day from the blockado ot Beaufort, N. C« She denies the correctness of the statement that the rebels had blown np Fort Macon and burned the steamer tfashville- On the contrary, 6ha states that ou Thursday night last tho steamer loaded with a valuable cargo of cotton and naval stores* ran the blockade aud made her way out to B6 The Gemsboclt and Cambridge constituted the blockade, and the night being dark aud her lights extinguished, she was fairly abreast of the Cambridge before she was discovered. A rapid fire was opened upon her, bnt her superior speed enabled her to eecapA, Aud riin oiik id S the rumor that the aaskvilh had been burned. Fort ftlttuou aud Beau? fort still remained in possession of the.rebels up to baa day night, A Cannonading Duel. The Sawyer gnu at the Rip Baps made some capital shots at Sewell’s J'oint this mottling. One of its ehoUs, filial with a pew liquid firs, exploded in tho midst ot their parade ground, and, it is believed, did considerable damage. It came down immediately ahead of the flag staff. Several oth»r shots were fired, the shots lodging In the woods and making considerable smoke and fire. The men were afterwards observed extinguishing the flhHlPß* ■ : ; Kor several days a gang of men had been observed working on a one-gun battery facing tho Rip Raps, ana this morning, whilst the lawyer gun waß operattug. they succeeded in getting their gun mounted. This was the cannon that has heretofore been able to command the Channel from Sewell’s Point, and it was to-day brought around the point, facing the Rip Baps. . _ After several shots had been fired at the OUS gun was fired in return at the Rip Raps, tho ball falling Bhort about fifty yards. It was a good line shot, but her calibre was Dot sufficient to reach the Rip Yours* Ac. mm immshw an ALLEGED DISCOVERY OF A CCBIOIS DOUIfIEITT. THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE. THEIR CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT. voiitNTAtt V EMaS'ci patio k KB. SALISBURY'S AMENDMENT BEJECTED. W asßivaios, March 20,1862. SENATE. [Patent Office Report in German. Hr. KING (Hep.), of New York, presented a memorial asking that 6,000 copies of the reports of the Patent Office be printed in German. Petitions, etc. Mr HOWK (Hup.), of Wisconsin, presented tlio peti tion of citizens of New York asking the passage of the bankrupt law. Also, & petition asking for the continuance of the li bel ty of the pi ess in this country. Interred. Alleged Conspiracy A«ntiist the Government. Hr. LATHABi. I havo a resolution that I shall offer, and 1 Leg the indulgence of the Senate while I mate a brief preliminary itatermnt, as I shall ask tor its imme diate ccnsidciation. Tu the Uoßton Journal, of Satur day evening, March 22,11162, appeared the following ar ticle: Tubasoxablk Putt IN' Mu'incAS' Tho Detroit Tribune publishes a curious document revealing an at tempt in that State, lust fall, to organize u league for tho purpose of overthrowing the Federal Government. This object is plainly avowed in a secret circular, which de clares the purpo c of the movement to be *■ lo rise and unite, if necessary, with the A — {army) of the S— (South), overrun the N — (North) like a hurricane, #wrepipff the 4 — {Administration) into eternity, or a$ least driving them into complete and unconditional suo. mission.* The document is dated October 5, 1841, and says tho league is doiDg a noble work in Mary land, and among the soldiers of Fortress Monroe, and that President P——, (President Pierce,) in hi. passage, Ims drawn many brave arid influential men to the league. The Tribune says the original of the document is nowin.the State Department at Washington, and that it It-d to the arrest aud imprisonment of several persons in Fort Lafaj file. It was discovered that seerc-t organizations existed in many towns in Michigan, and in numerous places in Canada West. 1 * J'l.w morning, I receiyed tho following letter from OS- President Pierce: Coscoup, N. H„ March 24,1862, Mv Dkar Sir: I enclose a short article from the Saturday evening edition of tho Boston Journal, (March 22,) the snbstanceof which, it is quite probable, you may have seen before. Having originated in Michi gan, null been reproduced in Boston, it oau hardly be doubted that it has already securer, a wide circulation. 'j ho subject is not new to me. It was tho occasion of a corrtsponrienco between tho Secretary of State aud myself as early as December last. I thought it reason able to suppose, at the close of that correspondence, that the matter would cease to attract notice. This expectation act having been reoltacd, knA Dio of fensive charge alleged to be based upon a document, the original of which “is now in the State Department at Washington,” having been revived and extensively pub lished, will you do mo the lavor to introduce in tho Seuate a resolution calling for tho correspondence to which I have, referred I It will strike you, I am sure, bothnpon public auil personal grounds, that such imputations should nut lie permitted thus to circulate unchallenged, especially when an answer to them, at least so far as I am concerned, has been for months upon tho files of the first Department of the Government. I am truly, your friend, &c.» FRANKLIN PIERCE. ITon. Milton S. Latham, U, 3, Senate, Washington, D. C. Mr. President. I shall offer the resolution iu my hand, and I trmt the Senate will permit it* considera tion now, for I (hern it notning more than proper, not only to this distinguished individual, but to the coun try, that tbe truth in relation to this charge should be known, and If a malignant and base calumny, that it should be branded as such: Resolved, That the Secretary of State bo requested to transmit to this body copies of any correspondence which may have taken place between-lion. William H. Seward. Secretary of State, and Hon. Franklin Pierco, es-Prosi dent of the United States, having reference to a supposed figaliifet the Government, ftftd Oil otli6i* pApofi relating to tho same. Mr. CHANDLER (Rep.), of Michigan, said he knew there was such a letter. The writer of it was Dr. Hop kins. There was Ruch an organization, aud it was very wide-spread. At the commencement of the war, the Knights of the Golden Circle thought they would be very patriotic, and go into tbe army, and to his certain knowl edge a largo number of the worst traitors were in tbe "United States army, aud they are there now. Mr. HOWARD (Hep.), of Michigan, said he knew there was such a letter in existence, ns ho had seen it. Do suggested that tho Senator framo his resolution so as to include that letter. Mr. LATHAM said he only wanted to find out whether any man who had been a President of the United States was engaged in such conspiracy or not- He amended the resolution so asto include all the other papers. The resolution was then adopted. Aid for Emancipation. On motion of Mr. TRUMBULL (Rep.), the joint resolu tion offering sin to tho States in case of their euiancipar tion of the slaveß was taken up the question beiug ou the substitute offered by Mr. Davis for iheir colonization. Mr. BROWNING (Bep.). of Illinois, read a despatch from Geneial Shields concerning the light on Sunday. Mr. McDOUGALL (D.). of California, opposed the pro visions of tbe resolution as beyond tue power of .Con gress, and a mply creating a cause of discussion iu Con gress. Mr. POWELL (D ), of Kentucky, thought the resolu tion was simply a pill of arsenic, sugar-coated, and in tended to inaugurate the agination of slavery iu the slave Staten, which will tend to ihe injury of the States. He thought that when the President sent this resolution to Congress, he violated all bis pledges of non-interference. Evc-h If emancipation did ta*o place, he did not be’iere tbe Northern Senators would ever Vote il suitable £6ft pensation. If he was a Northern man, he would not vote to pay for the negroes. Mr. LATHAM (Dein), of California, believed that the mo‘ives which originated the resolntt m wero pure and honest, for ho had seen nothing in tho Prudent to make him believe anything else But he could not vote for tbe abstract proposition pledging his State to pay bucli lerpe amounts. Mr. MORRILL (Rep ). of Maine, did not seehow any body conlrl find anything offensive in this simple message of the President We were in the midst of a rebellion, of which slavery was the immediate cause, and the Presi dent dimply asks whether or not it will be wise to con sider some plan for the ultimate extinction of slavery in the Sbiati-a which desire il. He did not see how this could be offensive to any man, unices he places slavery above the Constitution of the country and everything. Mr. Davis 1 Amendment Rejected. Mr. Davis’ amendment was disagreed to—yeas 4, vi/. Messrs. Davis, Henderson, Powell, Wilson of Missouri uays3L A Proposed Amendment. Mr. HENDERSON (U.), of Missouri, offered an amendment providing that nothing contained in the reso lution shall be construed to imply a wil‘iugnes3 on tho part of Congress that any State shall withdraw its alle giauce; but it is hereby declared to bo the intention of tl e Government to prosecute the war until the Constitu tion is restored in every State. Rejected. On motion of Mr. HENOE RSt) N, tbo further conside ration of the reaoluti- n was postponed till to-morrow. Gen. Burnside ami Com* Rowan* Mr. ANTHONY (Rep.), of Rhode Island, offered a resolution that the thanks of Congress be given to Gen. Burnside and lws officers and men. Also, a resolution ot thanks to Commander S. C. Ro wan. Referred. Agricultural Depot, Mr. BRIGHT (U ). of Indiana, introduced a bill to establish an agricultural depot. Referred. Slavery in the District* Tho bill to abolish slavery in the District or Columbia was taken up. Expediency vs. Justice* Mr. WILKINSON (Rep ), of Minnesota, said he was willing to conform his action to the principles of justice. The bill had been opposed on the grounds of expe diency, but. believing &S h& did, that feltLV&tty WAA thd great sin of this country, he could not place expe diency in the scale againßt justice. We rofase to do right for fear of consequences He be’ieved with the Hero of New Orleans, that it is always safe to do right, and he should allow no false motives of expe diFEcir to interfere. Wnon tbe rebellion commenced we ya re tnrrouuded here by slaveholders and traitors in this District, who were daily plotting tho disruption of the Government, and there was no security until the freemen of the North came ip the rescue. This was a slaveholder’s rebellion, and the District was under the influence of those slaveholders. The Senator from Vir ginia, (Mr. Willey), the other day, said he spoke as a Border-State man, and spoke the sentiments of the loyal men of Virginia, and begged Senators t) pause to con sider the position they occupied How many of the loyal men of Virginia or Maryland came to the defence of the Capitol ? Not one. Mr. WILLKY (17.) said that there was a good reason. Theirs was the first territory whi;h was invaded by the advert ary, and they had to defend ihelr wives and chil dren. Western Virginia, with two hundred and soveutr tliomapd population, part of whom are rebels, has now nine thousand men in the field. Mr. WILKINSON said that was very good; but, if Northern men had not goue there, the Senator would not have dated to return there. Mr, that vag a fact, and he wißhed bore to express the deepest obligation to the nobio men who came to their rescud. Mr. WILKINSON then referred to the attack on the Massachusetts troops in Baltimore, and contended that Baltimore was never loyal until the guns cf Fort Mc- Henry were turned toward the city, and Maryland was only-kept 111 the Union by the power of the Government. The Senate* Virginia. [Mr. Willey] seemed to een- Bure Northern Senators for their course on this bill. [Qe lead fiom Mr. Willey’s speech.] He [Mr. Wilkinson] grew impatient when censured by men from tbe Border Spates, who would never have been here but for the valor of Nor them men. Mr. 0A1tT.11.13 {U.)saidhe was not m the habit ot cen- Btiriiur, but be bela bis goat here by an good a tenuro as tho Senator front Minnesota. Mr. WILKINSON said he knew how much of the State the Senator represented. If it was not for tho North, there would not bavo been a foot of soil in Vir ginia on which he could stand. . Mr. WILLEY said there would at least have been a gM&U potion of the soil under which her Senator* could lie. He again expressed bis thanks to the noble men of the North who came to their rescue. Mr. WILKINSON said he did not donht that the Sena tor’s feelings were correct; but, in his speech, he said we were rendering aid aud comfort to the enemy. Ho read an account of the massacre of the Union troops at Uuy tudoUf, Yff ias showing the inhumanity of slavery. He then referred'to'the speeches of Messrs. Kenuodriwm Davis, as showing the violent hatred to the free speech and free reuliineuts of the North, and the tending to ex cite the people of the South against th« Nortn. Mr. SnuUlmry’s Amendment Rejected. The Question was then taken on Mr. S&uUbQry’s nmeDdmenti offered yesterday, te SiilrH l *}?® si*'' ol among the Northern Matos, Ac, wlnoli was atsagreed to —yeas none, uaya 35—Mr. Saulstmry voting in the no gative. Another Amendment Offered. Mr. POMEUO Y (Hep.), of Kansas, offered an amond ment* that the commissioner* make a juat and equitable settlement of the accounts between tbe waster ami hi* so-called staves, allowing the matter ail reasonable ex* senses for supplies and clothing to the sla7es upon disa bility, and to allow the slave* for all their services aud labor performed, &c. ... The bill was then postponed, and the Senate went into executive session. Adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Vindication of tUe Government Contract Com- niittce. Mr. DAWKS (Hep ), of Massachusetts, roso to a privileged question on behalf of the Government Con tract Committee. He referred to the pauiphlot _ issued by Altxandtr Cummlug", who charged the committed with having altered and falsified the record aud testimony furnished by them wilfully and perversely, for the pur pose of creating a sensation in the House aud country. arid convicting him of charges which the committee know were false. Mr. Dawes examined the statements of Mr. Cummings, and vindicated the integrity of the commit tfljir. BTEYENS (Hop.), of Pennsylvania, brioliy ex posed what he characterized as a fallacy of the commit tee Their report, he said, went forth to damn a mane reputation, founded on the falsification, whoever did it, of Mr Cummings’ note, which, a 4 printed, makes it ap pear that he had retained in his bauds one humireu »u* !my liu.mmud .InlU™, «l« Ihs Bills llSOlf allOWOil tllflt he ne. tr hiwl a dellar in his UauilH. Resolution of Inquiry —Exposure of our Troops. Mr. FENTON (Jtep ), of Now York, asked, bnt failed to obtain, leave to introduce »instmciiua ttia Committee on tlio Conduct of tlie vjor to .oqutreiuto the causa of tho exposure or lame hudies of onr troops, be longinj to the army or the Potomac, consisting of roj - incuts, brigades, etc., in w.n» 'UjtancM rf whole 41- vi.ions, who have boon deprived of shelter for days nod weeks, 1* consequence of having their orders to marcb countermanded, and it.cn being »guiu mfenil U BWCU aud again countermanded, while they were eft without adequate food, and repwt who la responsible for tins needless exposure Mid suffering of our troops. The Tax-Bill The Horse then went into Committee ef Hl ? wb °** “J the eWe ef tl.e Union, and resumed tho consideration 01 the tax-bill. Amendment* Adopted. Among other amendments adopted was ft proviso, that the tsv ou goods, wares, merchandise, awl manwfartat^ih pursuant to contract, under this act* ahall bo paid by ihe purchaser before tbe delivery thereof. Several sections of the bill wore acted upon, when the committee rose Testing Ships and Floating Batteries. Mr BIGS (Rep.), of Massachusetts, from tho Naval Con.roittee, reported a joint resolution, appropriating fifty thousand dollars, to enable the [Secretary of tl»e Navy lo test the plans and materials for rendering shipe and floating batteries invulnerable. The House then adjourned. FEMSYLVAJVIA legislature, Harbisburo, March 20,1602, SENATE Tho Senate was called to order at eleven o’clock, Prayer by Bev. Mr. Marta. Petition. Messrs. CONNKLL and DONOVAN presented peti tions from Philadelphia for the passage of tho bill to prohibit the fraudulent mm of castings. Mr KETCH A6l presented a petition from Luzemo coiTbty of Like Import, ami Mr. BUUGUTifiK hvo remonatrimcea from Dobwwn county against the passage of said bill. Me»»rs. Cljmer, Molt. Benson, Johnson, Bound, Craw ford, Rrmghter, Meredith, Imbrie, Penney, and Lnrnt bcrtKon, each presented remonstrances against the pas sage of the supplement to the Philadelphia and Delaware Bivor Rail ioiul Company. Reports of Committees* Mr. FULLER (Banks), as committed, tho bill from the House *o reduce the capital stock of the Girard Bank. Mr. McCLURE (Railroads), aH committed, tho sup plement to tho Catasauqna and Fogolsvillo Railroad Company. Mr. NinilULS(saiiie),ascommltted } tho bill rclativo to the Tioga Railroad Company, Mr. KETCH AM (same), as committed, tho supplement to the North Philadelphia Plank Road Company, repeal ing tbe several supplements granting railway privileges. Bills Introduced Mr. CONNELL, a supplement to tho act of 1780, in corporating the city of Philadelphia, relative to city 6Vd!h4b£*H. Mr. SMITIJ, of Philadelphia, a bill to incorporate tho Armory Company of the Gray Reserves. Mr. KETCiI.VM, a bill relativo to foreign insurance agencies. Bills Considered, &c* On motion of Sir, OONfifiJdtt the bill fr9!7) tll9 H')'W to reduce the capital stock ot the Girard Bank was taken up and pftbsed—yeas IS, nays 7. On motion of Mr. DONOVAN, tho bill rclativo to gas companies was taken up on third roadiug, and after be ing amended so as to apply only to the city of Philadol pfaltt w« cu'mies ef jtiwkni Nortlmmptoiii mrl Erie. whs passed finally. The Senate ilien proceeded in Committee of tho Whole to tbe consideration of the general appropriation bill, ii which some progress was made, when, at tho hoar of one, the Senate adjourned until three o’clock this after noon. AFTERNOON SESSION. The Senate reassembled at three o’clock. Bills Passed* An act incorporating tho Easton and Iron Hill Rail rood Company was passed. Tho general appropriation bill was passed in Com mittee of the Whole. Among the appropriations wm $7,G00 to the Pennsylvania Stato Insane Asylum, located at Hariitburg. The Senate then adjourned. HOUSE* The Honeemet at 10 A. M., Hon. John Rowe, Speaker, in the chair. Resolutions. Mr. BANKS read (be following: U7. THOMPSON, an act to change the name of the Good Intent Boso Company, No. 2, or rinladoiphu. Passed. Mr. McMAKIN, an act to reorganize the Board of Control of the Public Schools of the First School district Of Pemnylvaiiia. Mr. McMiNUS, an act to refill p&ftl&lia ftf the nets of April 7, 1845, to repeal that portion of the act relating to the vacating of Seventeenth street from Fran cis Btreet to Hidse rood. Mr. GREENBANK, an act relating to official bonds in the city of Philadelphia. Mr. DUFFIELD, au act to incorporate tho Armory Company of tho Gray Bcservea. Reports oi Committees. Mr. WINDLE, negatively, a supplement to an act en titled as act for the bale of the Main Line of the Public VTorVs, approved Hay 16, 1557. Mr. DUFFIELO; favorably* a further uncplnment to incorporate the city of Philadelphia, relating to tuaes soro of the First ward. Mr. CBATUAM, favorably, a fiuiher supplements tho several acts heretofore passed, relating to the Union Canal CYinpany. . . Mr. BOIXEAU, negatively, an act to erect an mae latdent school district in Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county. Mr. AIIBOI, favorably, an act relating to savings Mr. STKANG, favorably, an act lo enable Robert LintYay, or the city of Philadelphia, trustee, to sell cer tain real ea’ate. Mr. PEKSEIINCT, negatively, a supplement to an act for thesnle of the main bne of the public works. Public Bill- All act to attach tho counting of Erie and Crawford to the Eastern district of the Supreme Court. Passsod. >’ Q te-57 yeas, 39 na>-s. Atone o’clock the Hounotook a recess till 3 o’clock. AFTERNOON SESSiONr The House vm again called to ordtr afrfl o’eleek. Tlie Mil providing for the election of field and company officers for the Pennsylvania Reserve corps was post poned Bills Passed* A joint resolution relutivo to the t»* bill now pondlns la Oißettss u&a ausaed. a supplement to the several acta for the sale ol nnlocateil lands. • i, * Also, an act to authorize and empower tue present Governor to commute the penalty oi death to a specific term of imprisonment, in certain cases. The House then adjourn td. From Havana and Mexico. New York, March 26.—The steamship Columbia f from Havana on the 22J, arrived at this port this even ing. bringing advices from Vera Cruz to the 14th. Tire Kuglieh tro jps-tJepartirns from Mexico had arrived at Havana, and sailed for Bermuda on the ISthi A Urge number of them were on the elck list. - The Mexican barracks, situated eight miles from Ori zaba* were blown up accidentally, and 1,300 dead bodies had been exhumed from the ruins. , 0 .. The French division of troops left Orizaba on the otn for Tehuacan. „ „ , , A battalion of French chasseurs bad arrived, and a bnltni on oi Spunish ok**** Ff»m Havana on tho 2»(b For Vera Uruz. It was reported at Havana that the schooner Wide Awake was captured while trying to run the blockade, and that Yuncey, disguised as a sailor, was caught, and is now a prisoner iu Fort Jefferson, at Key West. [This is probably a repetition of the old rumor, which n&i dissipated by later advieoi from Key West 1 Honduras dates to the 22d uli. state that the army will uphold Castellanos. A sevoro galobad prevailed at Ha vana. The bark Major Ifortm was lost wear Sagua on the 14lh, but her cargo lias been saved. £he was insured in Boston. . w , Tho schooner Mira, from Mayaguez for Halifax, has been lofit at era. No rebel vessola have reached Havana Blue* the last dates, and only three small schooners of Secessia wero in port. Produce Transportation from the West. Cincinnati. March 26.— The shipments of all kind* of produce from ibe Weal have befeu «i© MdttAWl WitUill ttlO past few days that neither of the tines which are now open, viz: the two New York Hues, the lleatral, and the Grand Trunk, or Canada, U workut up ,o OurV?eatSu roads are In a like condition, andowuers of produce will haTO no further complain for tbeweniof IWiMtes to ship freiahu eastward front auy point in the West- Sailing of the Africa- Niw York. March 28.—Tho ah'amor Africa sailedJor Liverpool at noun, with sevouly-three piwseiigers. She takes S208,0fl« in specie. Marine. York, March 28 Arrived—ship from Liverpool; bark Tangite, from London. The Coast Survey and the Pe&a- WAKE RIVER.—Some time ago tho city military au thorities ordered a rocotiuoisaatico of the Dvbtwaro rivor »ml adjacent parts of tho Chesapeake bay atul the iiu«-ham>a. Tho survey was made, commencing at Dau phin on the Sußtiuehnmm, anil concluding i*t Delaware Oily. From lliu latter place to Pluludolphia a thorough TeconDoisance was made by detachments of the U>ftst Survey, tinder command 1 of Mr. Davidson, of Keostog ton, and the roporls of the same have been for warded to AVastamgton. Mr Davidson's party de voted most of their attention to- those parts of tho rival’ between New Cflfllle and Ptua? Tfeff d? Vfck >f*J the fact of lato and important changes in the chaunoi or the river, particulaitv In the neighborhood of Pea Patch island, and designated Reedy Point and ElainWo’ Point ns sites for foittticatfcvM. The completeness of the sur vey may be inferred from the fact that the party moved Burnt) hundreds of milveiu the court?© of ir examin** Ik.i.a. Thft river was sounded at intervals of thirty second?* Much of thoevidenceluruUhodliy the Coast Sur vey party was made available at the lute meeting of the Governors and Legislatures of the Staten of N'*vr Jersey. Delaware, and Peuiwj Irani u. LATER FROM EUROPE. ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER CHINA# Nmv Yong, MAveh 20.—ThsCuuard steamship China, from Liverpool, arrived at this port this afternoon, with Liverpool advices, via Southampton, to tho 16th Inst. The steamship liohemia arrived out on thel4tb, The Kangaroo arrived at Queenstown on tbe evening of the 13th, and reached Liverpool on the evening of the 14th insU 2'k* proposed amendments of thg PiMl? l£ French Legislature to tho paragraphs relative to Ameri can affairs, in the address to tho Emperor, had been withdrawn. On Saturday, the Paris Boursn was dull; Rentes were quoted at UOf. 76c. Tho proeeediutfßof the British Parliament wero of but slight importance. Mr. Milner Gibson, In reply to Ah Inquiry, Stated that no information had been received by tho Government as to tho practical increase of duties on imports with tbe United EtattM, consequent upon such duties being mado payable in specie. Luring Die debate on the mail subsidies, Mr. Barter showed Hie losses of the eyst&a, &nd Juiw>&&tdd & induc tion of the flnbsidiog, os tno contracts fall la. lie opposed any new contract fur America, and favored open compe tition and Dm discontinuance of subsidies. Mr. Reel admitted the truth of what was said, and felatf d that as tho contracts fall In, avoir care should be taken to redttco the suhsldits. Tho vote of .£905 1 ()Q9 sterling was agreed to. The Morning Herald thinks it a pity that the Unito4 States docß not nmko use of the first auspicious occasion presented by the recent succeesoH for concluding » peace. Tho United States, it says, have It now In their power to retire from the desperate strife with something like honor. The I?axbj hcivs urgnwi that by simply refilling any sort or participation in tho slavery question) the United States Government will practically doom slavery to ex tinction. The Times speculates on difficulties of a settlement, and points out tho public debt, the tariff, tlm taxation, and sla*e-laws« otc., as rocks ahead, wlieu it looks for a day which is to giro two friendly Unions to the world, The'French’ Corps Leglsiatiff continued the debate on the aodress. The paragraph (relating to Mexico was adopted after some opposition. The amendment of the five liberal members to the pa ragraph relative to America had been withdrawn, on the ground that a part of it was rendered unnecessary by tbe decision and declarations of the Government in favor of neutrality. Franco was reported to have urgently called on Spain to at once put an end to the misiinderstaoding between the Spanish ami French commanders at Vera Cruz. It Is asserted that tho Greek itumrrocUou is gaining giound. The Government had called eancl men to complete tho army* GREAT BRITAIN. The parliamentary proceeding* on the 13th, in both Houses, wore devoid of interest to American readers. Iu the Home of Commons on tho 14tb, Sir G. Bowyer put some Inquiries as to sundry outrages, &o.,in Italy; io winch Lord Pnhm reon replied iliac ho knew nothing on the subject, and .advised Sir G. Bowyer to receivo with caution any statements from Italy a* to the supposed in teiitlun of the Italian Government. Mr. Layard, in reply to inquiries, said Baron Ricasoli had given assurances that no further co elon of territory to Fiance would be made by Italy. Religious porsi'cu* t.ons in Spein were debated and denounced by' nureral speakers. On th o vote of .C9D5,000 for tho Post Office packet ser vice, Mr. Baxter contended that the vote was susceptible of reduction, although he admitted that most of the tines could not have been established, aud Berne of them, with the competition, carried on, without subsidies; hut the present system was carried too far, and ho there fore ut-gMI tho Government to reducuthuvoteastheedn t. acts fell In. There wad uow a teas of £350,000 a year, of which £200,000 was on tho Royal mail lino to tho West Indies, aud £70,000 on tho C'utmrd contract; hut he believed that by an amalgamation of routes and opou competition, the Government would ho able to savo or groully rodnee these imlimiliCß. In Uwcanoof Diu Auunioan mails, they ought to be landed at Irish ports, as Ihe nearest, and, in a few years, this would be of greater service to that coun try than a new subsidised contract; whilst iu a very short time there would be a daily post to and from Ame rica. He was animated with no hostile fccliigs to that counlry, but he odYocated the discontinuance of the sys tem of subsidies, and b« was Mir? tho result would bo u greatdevedopmeut of tho commercial marine. Mr. Feel said that tho vote entailed a great burden, but a considerable portion of tho monoy wa« not a dead lops. The strictly foreign aud colonial service was i £820,000, but the *cean postage yielded £400,000, leav ing a loss of from .£3f»0,000 to £4OO-000; and they must re£o!teatthti gvt&t luuieettj whieU (U‘|u>ml6d on tho raoid and safe transmission of postal communications. He assured ilie committee that, ns the contracts fell in, every caro would be taken to reduce the subsidies, and ho fully concurred in tho views of the honorable member. Alter some conversation the vote wan agreed to. The Daily A'eitr, in an editorial on the slavery ques tion, says; i: If rUvery cohtlahHy h&W sMI, 1$ Ml©geofc due, ilLilllUllS. . Tlie Times" Farris correspondent states that the Mini ster of Foreign Affairs, during an interview with the members of the diplomatic corps, assured them that there wa9 uothing serious in tho movements or manifestations which have lately occurred among the students iu Paris. It Is said that tho minister has written to the same effect to ilie French »&cma a* jorelgn porje. The aichbiahop of Beanes had issued an address to thecletgy of his diocese, containing a very warm de fence of the Pope’s temporal power. In the Corps Lecislatif on the 14th, the debate on the address was confined to the financial question. Opposi tion was shown to the imposition of now taxes. • The llilicfldnipfjt Of tht. five liljoral members to the pa ragraph on the subject of America had been with drawn, on the ground that part of it was rendered unne coseary b> the decisive doelaratlois of thu Government in favor ot neutrality. The French Minister of Foreign A flairs had addressed & very urgent despatch to the Cabinet of Madrid, de m&udiug that it should at ouce nut au eu. 1 shed, as uuiieuu&sary, tlio fiimucinl euulllbnum having been restored. . . , , _ The Bombay Cotton market was unchanged. Piece goods were more active. Irelghts hail declined os. pec ton. Exchange unaltered. LONDON MONEY MABKEI.— The funds, on the 14th, were firm and hisb® r — Ouusols ™ r y streng * 3 i fAv mniifli r ; uml Ou?j CD7a for account) The Discuuut umrhtt continued easy, although rather morn demand had boon, apparent. The weekly returns of the Bank of England shew an increase in the bullion o£ X'Js!S>,22!Sntlw total bold being Broßy * 0o. T uuote Bar silver at &a 3»id; Dollars,6b * c d; Kagle*, . '?WUrrut V¥lU.Mn* al-H: what ccunc to ndojt.