€\)i r t s s. THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1862. REMOVAL OF OUB OFFICE. The publication oilice of The Press has been removed from its old location to No. 11l South Fourth street, second door from the corner of Chestnut, (east side,) where adver tisers are requested to send their favors. "PAPER FOB THE CAMP AND FIRESIDE. FORNEY’S WAR PRESS. FORTY-EIGHT COLDMSS OF READING MATTER 1 ■A SPLENDID NUMBER FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 5. ILLUSTRATIONS.—Portrait of Colonel William 8. Murray—Thu liable of Winchester—The C’ltp'nro of Newborn, North Carolina—The Remains of Col. Slocum, Major Ballou, ami Capt. Towers, lying in Independence Hall, on the night of tho 26th nit. WAR STORY.—Frank Elwell; a story of the present SPECIAL DESPATCHES FROM THE CAPITAL.— The Alleged Rebel Atrocities—Federal Officer* Captured Harbot Defences—Belief of the Cumberland's Crew— -pjjg Advertisements —The Tax on humors —The Th od Railroads — Miscellaneous. EDITORIALS.—TUe Relative Strength or tlie Loyal and Disloyal States — Yancey’s Recommendation to barn the Cotton -The Bravery of Hie Pennsylvania Regi* meE tß—The Propo f ed Southern Confederacy —The Oc cupancy of Southern Cities—Colonel William Gray Mur ray—Tbe Foreign News. THE LETTERS OF “OCCASlONAL.”—Massachu setts and the War—The Democratic Caucus—General McClellan—The Brcckinridgere—'The Newspaper b in the Loyal States—The Government of the Seceded State*. LATEST NEWS—TIio War on the Mississippi—-From Island No 10—From Stra*lmrg—From Fortress Monroe _From Memphis— Sewtsfronfßebol Papers. CORRESPONDENCE.— Letter from London—Letter from Nasliville. MISOELLANEOHS.a-Fnll Particulars of the Battto near Winchester—The Bombardment of Island No. 10 The Tennessee River Expedition—Despatches from Flag-Cflicer Foote —The Emancipation Scheme of tho President The Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia—The Latest WnrNew&«*Gim*Cartridge Fac tory Blown up The War in Tennessee—'The Defences of New Orleans —The Miiitia of the Uulted States—Number of Rebel Troops Killed and Wounded at Fort Donelsou. WAR rOKTRY. Quail, Seceseia!—The Donble Da jert!*B_i‘ Move on, Mun"—The (’nniVierlinil—Thu An gel of the Hospital—On Board the Cumberland, March "th. 1862—1 he Dream of Jefferson Davis—Tho Stigma. WAR "WIT AND HUMOR. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL.—The Money Market—Weekly Review of Ihe Pliikidelphiii Markets. Tbrms:—Oue copy, oue year, 82; Throe copies, one year, S 5 ; Five copies, 88. Single Copies for sale at the Counter of The Press. the latest was news Our Nashville letter contains some important cor respondence between the officials of that city and Governor Johnson, who has directed, much to their distaste, that they shall take the oath of allegi&noe. The news from Port Royal and vicinity is inter esting. General Sherman intended to open fire on Port Pulaski on the Ist instant if it did not surren der. The rebels hare abandoned all of the Georgia coast and concentrated at Savannah. A fort within five miles of that city has been destroyed by one of our gunbosts Great excitement prevails in Charles ton it is thought that Pensacola has been occupied by our troops. From Norfolk, we learn that the Merrimar is only waiting for ammunition, when she will come out again. She will be accompanied by the Yori t own and Jama town, and one of Maury’s “in fernal” machines. The latest news from the rebel States will be found on our first page. All the movements of the Potomac army are known at Norfolk. Oar gun boats attacked Fort Jackson, at the mouth of tho Mississippi, on the sSt.li utt. Gen. \an Dorn and Jeff Thompson are preparing to attack New Ma drid, Missouri... We publish two interesting letters from our cor respondents with Commodore Dupont’s fleet, giving an account of the occupation of Jacksonville, Fla., by oni forces. Xhe official list of the killed and wounded at Winchester is published in our telegraphic columns. Congress Yesterday. Senate,— A letter from es-President Pierse to Secretary Seward, repelling the idea that the 'writer was a member of a secret league to over throw the Government, was read. The resolution empowering Congress to co-operate with any State for the emancipation of its slaves, by pecuniary compensation to the masters, was adopted by a vote of 32 yeas to 10 nays. House —Tbe Senate resolution authorizing the President in certain cases to, assign ttvo or more officers of the seine grade, to the same field or de partment, without regard to seniority of rank, was passed. The tax bill coming up, the stamp-duties were so amended as to exempt promissory notes or inland bills of exchange ; likewise, medicines, pre parations, perfumery, etc., intended for exporta tion. Promissory notes, checks, drafts, etc., of the sum of $5O or upwards, are charged two cents duty. Express companies’ receipts are to pay two cents singly or fire cents if there be more than one, The charge for entering goods, etc., at any custom house will not exceed one-quarter per cent, of their appraised value. I'l'mieyH'iinm Lsaiglature. Senate.— A bill for postage for the month of Maroh. amounting to $1,273.59, was reported and passed. A hill was introduced to increase the power of the city “ relative to cleansing and othor purposes.” If treet cleansing is the subject.re ferred to, it is to be hoped that the power will be increased ud infinitum. The bill to incorporate the Chester County Military Academy was passed. House.— The Wajs and Means Committee re commended anon-coneurrenoe in the Senate amend ments to the general appropriation bill. No other business of general interest was transacted. Ha HfiN fever prated more of constitutional rights than the leaders of the rebellion ; and yet no men ever evinced less remorse in rob- bing all who do not join their conspiracy of life, liberty, and property. A single word uttered by Union men in the districts where j The Bankrupt Law. the Federal authority has not been re-esta- • [For TLe Pr6Ha .] blishc-d indicating their attachment to the old ; i notice in gome of the morning papers aresolu flag—a single act of resistance to the tyran- ; y on 0 f a Bpeeial committee of our Board of Trade, nical oppression that weighs them down, { to the effect that a memorial should be prepared, jeopardizes ail their dearest interests. A ! asking Congress to appoint a commission to consider reign of terror worse than ever existed in ! the subject bankrupt law. during the recess of France overshadows them. Numberless : Congress. I presume the gentlemen of this com victims have in cold blood been cruelly i mittee are not aware thatatthe last extra session . . it. ■ of Congress suoh a commission, under the name of murdered for no other crime than ge- ... ■ . , . , .. ~ , . , 7.. a committee, was appointed to oensider the subject, nuine loyalty. Thousands of patriotic c.ti- j Bnd t « pregen t session. At the head of vens have been shamefully persecuted, i that CO m m u t ee is an able lawyer from the State of thrown into filthy prisons, or banished. Mil- i New York, (Mr. Rescue Conkling,) who has given lions of dollars’ worth of property has been ! to the subject very great attention and study, seized or destroyed, simply because its owners j That committee have had the matter in con would not stain their soulg with the guilt of j sideration now for eight months j they have pro treason. The records of the most barbarous ! «“ rea from Eur0 P® all the reparts and evidence ages would be ransacked in vain to find a I at various times laid before the British Parliament, parallel for the reckless, vindictive, and I with copies of reports of committees, and the las „ , ~,,,,, . .. , ~ . \ bankrupt bill passed by Great Britain; also, all fiendish sp.nt that has been d.splayed by the : informa i son wh ieh the jurisprudenee and ex conspirators, Kver ready to <c cavil on the ; p cr i C nco of other commercial countries—Holland, ninth part of a hair ” about every point re- France, and Spain—could furnish; they have also lating to their alleged “ rights,” they are more the pains to procure the Tory extensive regardless of the dearest rights of others than correspondence had by the late Daniel Webstar on the worst despots that ever existed. tbe subject of a bankrupt law over twenty years If there was no other object to be aceom- I «K°; copies of alltlie acts passed on the subject by pushed by this war than to punish them for ! tbe different States, and an unusual amount of in r, . ... * , „ ~ tt * r*v - 1 ot»ation-and date irom various quarters. their ill treatment of the Union men of the j Mr CoDkliDg ha 3 also taken t 0 obtain the South, the nation would be bound in honor to ; suggestions and opinions of the principal mercantile prosecute it with relentless energy. Nofo- j men and mercantile lawyers of the United States, reign Government would be permitted to in- | On the other hand the petitions and memorials laid flict a tithe of the outrages they have commit- I before Congress, urgently calling for the passage of tod upon American citizens without pro- ! a bankrupt law, as being required by the interests yoking a deadly contest, in which the last dol- i of the whole mercantile community, are signed by lar and the last man of the Republic would if I some of the principal bankers and merchants of necessary, be sacrificed in vindication of the i New York . Md of ottar c “ cial °“ t tre h B ' men , , ~ , .. who cannot for a moment be supposed to have an national honor and the nationa secunty. j ““ g thcmsel „ B of thelaw, but who The rebellion is stained by every con- ; re p reßenb> almost exclusively, the creditor interest, ceivable crime. It jeopardized the peace . A mor , industrious committee could not have of this country for no tangible and jus= Uts appointed. At the result of Iktif labors And tifiable cause. It summoned to the field \ consideration, this committee reported a bill some thousands of peaceful citizens, whose homes six weeks since; after a second reading in the will be temporarily—and, in many cases, House, it was, at their own request, recommitted forever—made desolate by the ravages of war. them, Sffld it is understood that JJwy aro now ~ . . . , about ready to TO-repnrt it, with sucb additions as It interrupted scores ot industrial pursuits. . . ? , , . , . .. . , „ .. , ~ . * . ’ their experience and study suggested as desirable, and caused, North and bouth, pecuniary For the gentlemen of our Board of Trade, then, losses, which, in the aggregate, will far out- without knowing what has been done on the subject, weigh all the enormous expenses of tlie ttfi- coolly to resolve that Congress Bhoaid no memorial test itself. It robbed tho treasuries and the ized to appoint a commission to consider the subject arsenals and seized the undefended forts of during the recess, is little better than an insult to the Government. It destroyed many fine the gentlemen who have given themselves up to the public works, bridges, towns, and plantations, fubjeot, or else It shows a very great ignorano# on and thus consumed tiie labors of years of pa- tousea „ dw , dnall w ho have tient industry. It struck a fearful bio signed the petitions to Congress, above referred to, principle of self-government, and at the f avor 0 f a bankrupt law, are Duncan Sherman A whole present and future prosperity of j <j 0 . ( jj. L. AG. Griswold, c. M. Marshall k Co., the American people, which can in no way be j Carpenter k Vermilye, Clafien, Mellon, A Co., successfully resisted except by such a com- i Ketehum, Son, A Co., Auguste Belmont A Co., rdete and overwhelming triumph of the Union ! Howland A Aspinwall, M. H. Grinnell, of New armies in the present struggle tluti, for all time | Fork; McKean, Bone & Co J. DaUett A Co., * v ~ ...®f_ui 1 John Grlgg, Drexei A Co., Jay Cooke A Co., to come, the great fact that will shine out con- j Wf J" n & E . W . dark A Co., Biiok spicuously m our history—even above the re- Der> UeCammon, A Co., A. J. Derbyshire A Co., cord of oor war of Independence; above tbe ! John £dKU , xhomaon, and many other oitfeens of mighty proofs of our past prosperity t above , kigb gtauding, of Philadelphia ct. SUUon, John the fame of ouri noblest heroes and states- j,. gattier, James C. Hall, of Cincinnati, Ao. _ men—will be that there is no such word as Se- April 1,1862. A.. B. . cession in onr vocabulary, no such mad scheme ns a dissolution of the Union possible, and that all projects for the dismemberment of this mighty nation are as visionary, impracti cable, and dangerous as the false hopes that in tlic old legends fiends excited to lure mis guided men to ruin. Thf. Southern cities whose mobs a year ago cheered tho cause of Secession until their throats grew hoarse, have other employment sow. The fair dames who denounced and af fected to despise the flag of the Union as a weak and dishonored emblem, behold its power proven and its glory sustained. Looking at the fate of Newbern, of St. Augustine, and of Nashville, the people of Savannah, Charles ton, Mew Orleans, and Mobile watch with in tense eagerness the movements of the fleets and armies that are closing around them with the resistless grasp of destiny. Each day brings its fresh alarms. Each mail dissipates some unfounded hope. Each moment teaches them that they have trusted in leaders who are as weak as they are false. Want and terror are almost universal. In vain do they plead for protection to their betrayers, The conspira tors are powerless for good. They cannot give sustenance to those they have brought to the verge of starvation ; they cannot bring hack trade and prosperity to those they have ruined. Their only counsel is—to destroy ; their only answer to the tales of woe, destitution, and misery that pierce their ears, is—you must en counter new losses and privations, and all the vestiges of your former comfort that wo left you must hum, to prevent them from falling into the possession of the Union troops, In the House of Commons. Mr. Horsfall’s motion, cm the subject of international law, as affected by the short coming of the Treaty of Paris, in 185 G, was disposed of, on the 17th March, after a debate Of two nights, by being withdrawn. The dis cussion of the question was all that was re quired. The Government resisted Mr. Hors fall’s proposition giving immunity to private property, at sea, in tifc of war. Mr. Massey, Chairman of Committees, and a semi-official as such, supported Mr. Horsfall’s views, which indeed are identical with Mr. Seward's, and so, in a long and very able speech, did Mr. BitmiiT. The Solicitor General replied, and Lord Palmerston, in a plausible speech against the proposition, used these strong words: “My opinion distinctly is, that if you give tip that power that you possess, and which all maritime States possess, and have exercised —of taking the ships, the property, and the crews of the nation with whom you may happen to bo at war, you would be crippling the right arm of our strength. You would be inflicting a blow upon our naval power, and you would be guilty pf an act of political suicide. If you allow the cargo to go free, you must allow also the men to go free.” His Lordship was reminded by Mr. Disraeli, that, on a previous occasion, he had spoken strongly in favor of the policy which hs how characterizes as suicidal. Mr. La yard, the Assyrian explorer, who now, as under-secretary for Foreign Affairs, has to represent the Government in the House of Commons, when matters in his department come tip, has made a narrative statement of the arrest of Southern rebels in Morocco, by the United States Consul at Tangier. It ap pears that one Myers, an officer of the piratical steamer Sumpter, being found by the American Consul on Moorish ground, in company with the United States ex-Consul at Cadiz, was ar rested, imprisoned, and put in irons. Mr. Hay, the British Consul, called on to interfere, by the commander of the Sumpter, declined doing 50 officially. The two captives con tinued in safe keeping for sixteen days, when they were transferred to the United States sloop Ino, which had then arrived. The Ame rican Consul, remonstrated with by the Moor jsh Government, declined parting with bis brace of rebels, and alleged that the United States treaty with Morocco gave him a right to seize the men and send them home. Finally, when he threatened to lower his flag and de clare war with Morocco, be was allowed to carry his point, and the two prisoners were transferred to another American ship, which will bring them to this country - Mr. Layakd concluded his statement by saying: “ For tho sake of justice, of humanity, of tho right of affording asylum to persons aocused of po litical otfenocs —a claim preferred by the weakest and recognized by the strongest Powers —he might be permitted to express an earnest hope that when the circumstances came to the knowledge of tho President of the United States, he would order the release of the prisoners.” It will be observed that the difficulty here is—was our Consul right, when the rebels were in liis power, in retaining them, against the re presentation of the Moorish Government, that their offence, if any, was only political ? No doubt, the United States Government will do what is legal and just in this matter. Wo would suggest that, as yet, wc have only a one sided statement, by tho British Government. Our Consul’s report may disclose circumstan ces which may give an entirely new aspect to the ease. Even as it stands, it cannot involve us in any difficulty,—except with Morocco. A letter from the United States steamer Seminole states that the Secession soldiers tfwladtlled from Skidaway Island, near Sa vannah, when our gunboats approached its shores. The souud of our shells seemed to stagger them, and they showed no disposition to stand liy their batteries. Master Steel, on landing, set the stars and stripes floating from their flag-staff, and after destroying their works, our squadron steamed back to'Warsaw Sound. j The eight wing of the Army of the Po- I tomac, under command of General Banks, ; has made another advance. It is nowin pos- I session of "Woodstock,Ya.jand has pursued the ; rebels to Edenburg—a place whose name is ; too suggestive of happiness and security to i permit it to remain longer under tbe control of j the enemy. LETTER FROM •' OCCASIONAL" ■Washington, April 2, 1862. At last the Republicans in Congress are be ginning to shape and settle their policy for the future. The speech of Hon. William Pitt Fessenden, Senator 'in Congress from the State of Maine, yesterday afternoon, on the bill to abolish slavery in the Dis trict el Columbia, was undoubtedly the key-note of tlie Republicans for the com ing campaign. It was the centre-piece of a really great debate, and was characterized by lofty independence, deep thought, and a comprehensive view of the national exigen cies. Mr. Fessenden is a thorough statesman of the Clay and Webster school—refilling much of the manner of the one, and the solid judgment of the other. He is never out of his seat. Watching all the details of legislation, from the smallest bill that relates to the Dis trict to that which contemplates a million nppropmtion, he is perhaps the most severe and just man of the Senate. Eminently fair to his adversaries, as they all admit, ho cannot be excelled either in his courtesy to them, or in fearless objections to his own party when his conscience demands their utterance. He is probably less of a partisan than any member of the Senate; and yet his whole soul is inspired with the purpose of placing the Republicans upon such a platform as will make them successful by showing them how to deserve success. He is not in the habit of mingling in political debates. As Chairman of the Finance Committee, a post always full of responsibility, and now more than ever ditlicult to fill, because of the national exigencies, be prefers rather to watch and limit the public expenditures, and to leave party harangues to others. He reads coming events in existing complications—warns his fellow-Senators against extravagance—resists every appropriation not absolutely necessary, and points to the enormous debt and heavy taxation we are accumulating, No recom mendation, no matter by whom made, whether by friend or foe, but is sub jected to the most searching analysis; and if wrong, it meets his prompt opposition. When such a man steps out of his ordinary path to talk on a measure like the abolition of slavery in tlie District of Columbia, it is only because he is reedy to threw tipen the subject new lights and new thoughts. Of all' men I have lately met, who are accepted as the ora cles of the Republicans, Mr. Fessenden is the man who has the usest contempt forgiving too much of the public time to the slavery ques tion ; and you cannot have failed to observe that he has been significantly silent in the midst of the tempest of discussion which'that inexhaustible topic has provoked for four months past. These facts render his speech of yesterday a most important demonstration. The first impression it will make upon the public mind is its manliness and moderation. He goes out of the way specially to disavow every rash and radical measure that has been attributed to the Republicans, and in his ap peal fa the Border slave States, lie makes the 'powerful point that it would be better for them to adopt the liberal tone and action of the new Senaor from Missouri, Mr. Hender son, who classes fidelity to the Government and opposition to treason among the first of our public duties. Mr. Fessenden emphati cally objects to Mr. Sumner’s bill for reducing the seceded States to Territories, as in disre gard of the avowed objects of the war, and takes ground in favor of the bill to abolish slavery in this District, running a powerful parallel between the prosperity of sterile New England, under the influence of free in stitutions, and the decay and prostration of Virginia, surrounded and oppressed by slavery. That part of the speech In defence of the President's recommendation as to emancipa tion is lull of force, while the vindication of the mission of the Republican party will go tq dispel falsehood and calumny. It is an effort which will be read with pleasure by every patriotic citizen. If the Republicans can close upon the policy foreshadowed by Mr. Fessenden, they will be the conquering party of the nation; and that, in a great degree, they will do so, is my fixed and firm belief. Republicans of extreme opinions will yield soipothing of their own theories to this great desideratum. The possession of national power and respon sibility always leads to moderation on the part of those Who have these burdens to hear; and as Mr. Fessenden is one of the men who feci this truth, he proposes frankly to act upon it. What is most inexplicable to me, however, is the conduci of many of those whose hos- tility to the traitors is, or ought to be, sin cere, in the face of such proffers as that of Mr. “Fessenden and other leading Republicans, at the head of whom is the President himself. Refusing to ! concede anything themselves, too many of the Border-State leaders, and too many Democrats who are anxious to he classed as ultra loyal, that their peculiar ideas shall be accepted, and that nearly everything else is revolutionary and cruel*. Has the Rebellion made slavery stronger and more sacred iff their eves ? Shall every other description of property be depreciated and destroyed by the rebels, leaving inviolable the very institution upon Which they subsist ? Are the Republicans to be ruled Cut of power, to he assailed and misrepresented, to be muzzled and threatened, when they propose to do that in the Dis trict of Columbia, the justice and policy of which have been frequently admitted by De mocrats themselves ? There should be at least as much generosity on the part of those Bor der State politicians as there is on the part of the Republican leaders, 6r the ftAtthlSJ’Will relapse into the very hands from which we are trying to rescue it. The example set by men like Fessenden must be followed by the politi cians, or they will fail before their constitu ents. One more thought occurs to me at this point viz: that since the Republicans came into power they have repeatedly shown their anxiety to take by the hand loyal Democrats and Americans; in fact, men of all parties and nationalities. Ido not speak of Mr. Lineoln’s selection of hundreds of Democrats for high positions in the army, nor to the liberal man ner in which such citizens were treated by the late Secretary of War, General Cameron, for there were, probably, military reasons lor this course. But look at Mr. Fessenden’s own State of Maine, where the Republicans joined handsandputloyalDemoeratsinto offlce- Look at Massachusetts, where at the late elec tion they did the same thing, or offered to do it. The cases of New Tork and Ohio, both Republican States, are still stronger proofs of this generosity. In Pennsylvania the Repub* licans aided to elect many Democrats. In Indiana a Republican Governor appointed a Democrat to the United States Senate. In lowa and Wisconsin the same peace-offering was tendered. Have you ever seen a regular Breckinridge Democrat responding to these exhibitions? Never! The spectacle was every where presented that the bitterest assailants of all these recognitions of loyal Democrats came from the followers of Breckinridge in 1860, and the present owners, managers, and fliers or the so-calied Democratic organization. What they are doing now is universally seen. The Congressional movement to resurrect a party against the Republicans, under the name of Democracy, is led by the well-known Mr. Val landigliam, of Ohio. He carried the call for the late caucus that looked to this object, and read the resolutions when the caucus was called. I leave the subject here, proposing to show, in another letter, how surely the Re publicans must triumph if they stand by the doctrines of the noble speech of Mr. Fessen difi. A teleoraphic despatch from Cincinnati an* Bounces that Parson Brownlow has accepted the libera] offer tendered by Mr. George W. Childs, of this city, of $lO,OOO, fop the eopyrightof the forth coining history of the adventures and sufferings of the patriotic Tennessee editor. The volume will doubtless form a deeply interesting contribution to the history of the rebellion Larce axd Important Sale op Dry Goons, Linens, Hosiery, &c.— The attention of purcha- t sets is requested to the large and desirable assort ment of foreign and domestic dry goods, housekeep ing linen goods, in great variety, ootton hosiery, stook of goods, &c.; embracing seven hundred and thirty-two lotß staple and fancy articles, including a full line of draps d’ete, of the celebrated importa tion of Mossrs. L. Maillard & Co., of New York, also, on account of underwriters, for cash, three hundred pounds Itublnaccijmaohine silk twist, to be peremptorily sold by catalogue, on four months’ credit, commencing this morning at 10 o’clock, the sale to be continued, withent intermission, all day and part of the evening, by John B. Myora A Co., auctioneers, Hob. 832 end 88* Market street. Pianos! Pianos! !—George Stock (New York) wiiMi a Plane-forte whioh his no oqnal in fulness and riohness of tone and . beauty of touch. J. 8. Gould, Beventh and Chestnut. THE PRESS.—PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, The Western Military Commission! The C( mmissioners appointed to examine into the affairs of tl e Western or EHiiSonri AXilitarj Department have mado a volumluous report, is which they state that they examined 1,200 witnesses, and baji claims presented thejn amounting to eight million of jdoUari, They re mark that they have devoted the principal part of their report to an expo rare of the abtues wnich characterized the late administration of that department, andtoHtify to the integrity which generally has been displayed by merchants} mechanics, and manufacturers, when permit ted to deal directly with the SoTarnmoht. Wide spread as has been the demoralization in official circles and among their dependants and favorites, and startling as are the frauds which have hem attempted and consum mated, a large majority of the claimants have presented themselves berore the commission unlmpeached by im putations, either on their loyalty or honor. Gen. Jackson and the Raps. It is an interesting historical fact, that when General Jackson visited the Rip Baps in nullification times, ho used to date his letters from there 1 1 Port TJntor,” and not Fort Calhoun, as before called. I Special Despatches to “ The Press.” | ADVANCE OF GEN. BACKS’ ARMY. FROM WASHINGTON. DISCHARGE OF STATE PRISOIERS. The Ex-President of the Virginia Secession Con vention takes the Oath of Allegiance, But Five Wore Sections to be Considered* NO PASSES REQUIRED TO CROSS THE POTOMAC. NO BLAME ATTACHABLE TO THE NAVY As the Secretary of the Navy has been assailed on ac count of the escape of the Nashville from Beaufort, it may he stated that on the very day of his hearing of her ruuning the blockade, be telegraphed to the naral com manding officer at Boston to send oft‘ to Boaufort, as soon as possible, the two gunboats that were reported us finished at that point, and was anwerered that they would ho ready to proceed to sea in three or four days. But it thrned out, on account of a defect in the condenser of the engine of one of the boats, and want of preparation of the other, the departure of the vessels was deferred (not withstanding the urgent directions of the Secretary) un til the 14ih, and when they arrived at Fortress Monroe the Nashville had escaped. The commanding officer at Norfolk had no vessel to send, and, unfortunately, the {fevrgictf which had been oft* Beaufort, was obliged to come into port for want of coal. An effort was made to get off in season a gunboat which was in a state of preparation At Baltimore, but in All this urgency of Secretary arose ticnlaily from the fact that he knew that Riritxdtns was to attack Beaufort, when, of course, the Nashville would seek to escape. So it appears that the Secretary made every possible effort to prevent the escape in ques tion, and all the abuse of bim on this head is uttorly without, foundation. At this moment he has not vessels commensurate to the wants of his Department, and hence his appeal to Congress to authorize the construction of so large a number of sea-going ones. The keels of fifty ought to be laid immediately. £>n the Mst of January, idd'i. the President approved an act passed by Congress, authorizing the Post Office Department to return all dead letters to their writers. The Postmaster General was of the opinion that the revenue derived from a charge of double postage on such letters would more than eijuat the expenditure caueed by an extra clerical force in the Department. Thus far the new system (which, I believe, is like the English one) works very smoothly, and all letters not reaching their instead of being burned by the cart-load, are now carefully sent to the writers, aud doutle postage collected. Of course, many invaluable letters are returned, but of their value the writer, not the Department, should be the judge. The following notice on tl»e envelope enclosing the dead letter the postmaster explains the further object of the now law i <* The enclosed letter is sent to the writer, under an act ef Congress approved January 21, 1862. If not de livered, and double postage collected, as required by this new law, it must be returned to the 1 Third Assistant Postmaster General * within one month, with the reasons for non-delivery endorsed on it, according to section 199 of Tost Office Regulations. “If retained a longer period, the postmaster wilt be held accountable for the postage, whether delivered or not. The date of receipt at the post office must be %&rk*d <*>& Ik* “The postmaster will not allow the envelope tobe opened before receiving the postage.” The Baltimore. and Ohio Railroad and its Bearing on the Union Cause in Maryland. The Friion men of Baltimore and vicinity anticipate a strengthening of their cause by the opening of the Balti more and Ohio Railroad. Certainly most people in Not thorn and Western Tirginia ar e interested in having removed the “ locks and bolts and bars’* that have de stroyed trade and Intercourse with the commercial cities for a year back. Moneyed Secessionists at Baltimore hate this aspect of things, and freely predict that trade on the road will be «56hsi&htly obstructed. Such per sons bare givon material aid to the prisoners taken at Winchester with such zest as to show that they might properly exchauge places with them. There is, perhaps, no objection to prisoners being overwhelmed with good things by traitors in our midst; but Allow, iugthis by our military authorities, is in strange con trast with the conduct of the rebels, who have fre quently shot our prisoners for looking out of windows. Brutal treatment of prisoners ought to be a subjeot of inquiry by the Senate committee who are to get facts as to rebel maltreatment of the dead, Ac Trade the Great’Civilizer* Ab our annieß progress, now-a-dayp, there ia lesaof abandonment of farms apt! houses than existed at the outset of hostilities lien of fsmt»U means, who h»79 never had much to do with politics other thail &3 tools 01 Southern aristocrats, begin to think a little for them* selves, and declinp to destroy their property to please desperate conspirators Fear of guerilla bands may <fote F fhegj for ft time from showing much cordiality towards our troops; but “.trade is a great civilzarand men who have been ioug deprived of the most common comforts of life will incline to a state of things whereby they can buy everything they want cht aft and Bell their own products at high pricesln good money. According to all known ideas of human nature, a cause that demands all the substance of men will soon be without supporters. It has been said that idle boys begin revolutions, and as to the Southern rebellion it may be truly stated that they have been efficient toots of the usurping politicians. These, with foolish women and cross-road loafers, have overpowered the common people as well as many of the richer sort. Relief for a Danish Bark Seized under the Blockade. The Senate passed » bill to- dan te the effect “ that there be paid out of the treasury, to the order of tba pro per functionary of tile Governmtnt of his Majesty the King of Denmark, the sum of one thousand eight hun dred and fifty dollars, as full compensation to the owners of the Danish bark Jurgen torciitreni or thsir legal re presentatives, for damages occasioned by reason of the wrongful sr iauro and detention of the said bark by the Sff/rnivg Light, a vessel of the United States blockading in the month of Decpaber last, and also as full CfttnpensfitiAn to the master, mate, and oiew, of the said bark, the said sum to bo distributed agreeably to the award of Moses Taylor ami 11. Dollner, to whom the claim was referred.** The War in Tennessee. tetters received here from our army near Corinth say that the troops in that vicinity continue in a healthful condition, and are eager for the expected battle. A good account of them is confidently expected. Abolition by the House Committee. It is tuid< rstcod that tbo Senate bill fcr the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia has been informally considered by the Bouse Committee on the District, and will be speedily reported by them when it reaches the House. Unless the bill speedily becomes a law, it is feared that there will he no slaves ia free in iho District, as they are being carried into Maryland very rapidly. Takes the Oath of Allegiance. About ft year since, Jons Jannky, Esq., of Loudoun Whlktri fi’M a Union man president of the Virginia Convention, which subsequently passed the or. dinanco of Secession. Since tho adjournment of that Convention he has not been identified with the Secession movement, and doubtless voted against tho secession of ihe State. He hAS Volliiitwlly 00M6 forth fthd Ukftft tllA oath of allegiance. The commission to examine the cases of civilians con fined in forts and prisons on tho charge of disloyalty* have nearly finished their labors here, and will doubtless leave during tie week for Hew York, where they will remain in session for some time. It is intimated that the commission find the evidence in most every case of a very serious character, mr warranting the arrest*, which some people were disposed to deem arbitrary, hut which were evidently absolutely necessary for the Go. vernmenfs safety. ■ _ A Pardon. In the course of hiß speech, today, Senator Sherman alluded to the case of the Kev. Mr. Gordon, of Cleveland, Ohio, who ie still confined in prison on the charge of aid ing the escape of a fugitive slave. I understand that the pardon in this case has been directed to be issued by the President after an examination by tie Attorney General. A large quantity of cotton seed, which has been ob tained in Tennessee, is now at Paducah, whence it isto be distributed to the State agricultural societies of'Ohio, lidie.Bß, »nd lUiiwlr. Other Northwestern SJ&US will soon b* furnished as above. Orders have been given for getting cotton seed from North Carolina. AgenU of NoHliern rAIIPA&d MMpHlifll MB taking Steps whereby the transit of passengers, hence to New York, may be effected in eight hours. Flax Superseding Cotton. It is stated by the agent of a targe m»mif«etnriß6 Arm of Ittiode Wand that a method haa been devised whereby fax may be substituted for cotton. The Tax Bill. The House reached the one hundred and fourth section of the tax bill to-day, leaving but five addition*! Motions to be considered. These will probably be finished by Friday, and the bill submitted to the printer. A portion of the Committee on the Conductof the War, *k6 went to New York te examine General Soott, have returned from their mission, having obtained the vete ran’s evidence on various points of the early campaign. Occasional. DEAB.LETTEB SYSTEM ABOLISHED. THE TAX BILL THE ESCAPE OF THE HA9HVILLE. DEPARTMENT. • WISHLSOIOM. April 2,15&2. The Escape of the Nashville. Dead-Letter System Abolished. Discharge of State Prisoners. Uotton Seed, Transit to New York. Returned, Miscellaneous The regulation requiring permits or pftiws te t*® Potomac has this day been annulled, after having been in force nearly a year. Its abrogation causes general rejoicing, particularly among business people. The order concerning the permits is as follows : HEAnatußTEns Military Dirthiot of WisnmTOSi l W.IMIINfiTUN, April 1, 1802 ) • 1. Permits or passes to cross the Potomac, within the , limits of this command, will no longer be required of j Cl 2? 6 Oificerfl and soldiers coming from the Southern side ; of the Potomac must have parmits, aa h&i&t&fore. i 3. No restrictions upon trade on the Chesapeake and Ohxo Canal, or that portion <f Virginia within tho limits of this military district, will be maintained, ex cept as to liquor and articles contraband of war. 4. No permit will be required from the mlltary au thorities to engage In fishing in tho waters of tho ro« toroae and Oceoquan within the limits of this command. By JAg g W AD3WOBTH, Military Governor District of Colombia. Tlie President and a parly of friends left this city this morning to pay a ridi id Mount Vdfiidß. The President la in receipt of a letter from Governor AsneKW Johnson, of Tennessee. The Governor state, that the Secession sentiment is still strong in Nashville, although tho people appear more ready to lubmit to the riehtfnl authority of the Government. The Senate Sob-Finance Committee are waitinf patiently for the Hoorn to paw tho tax bill, and the, have ceased to dlMusa tho tax uneaUon until the House bill comes before the Senate# Mr. ScnnainSh, the mlhUUf ftem BMmM, I. ab»«l tO leave the United States on a vi.lt to hi. home, for several months. Skirmishing on t Woodstock, Va., April I—(Court House of Shenan doah County).—General Banks advanced from Strasburg, this morning, towards this point. approaching tbo town, Col. Ashby, with his cavalry, supported t»y a force of infantry and a battery, disputed the passage of the United States force*, but we passed onward through the town, the rebels frequently stopping and throwing shells, to which we responded with effect. Gen. Banks pursued the rebels to Edenburg, five miles south of Woodstock. Ashby’s men, in their retreat, burned two turnpike and one railroad bridge. AU the railroad bridges between here and Strasburg had been previously burned. | The only casualty that occurred an our Bide in this movement, was the killing of a private of the Twenty ninth Pennsylvania Begiment. A private of the Becond Massachusetts Begiment received a rifle ball in his belt plate, but it was harmless. Woodstock, Virginia, April 2—B o’clock A. M.—-Our guns aud musketry drove the enemy from Stoney creek, near Edenburg, this morning, at 7 o’clock. The eneny were drawn in line*of-b;ittle, within rango of our guns. They probably consisted of Ashby’s com mand, and were easily driven from their position. Our forces will build a bridge over the creek to-day. All was Quiet during the night. It is not 5 et. known if Jackson’s fo: yesterday. W-ir'msGTON, April 2.—The followi received here today: Wooustocr* Ybu April 2.— We lifti aflnventhe enemy from Straaburgto 'Woodstock, a distance of twelve miles, and then to Edenburg, seven miles beyond. He con tested the march most of the way, aid at a strong posi tion, where he contemplated making i stand, near Kden burglii quite a sharp contest occurret. He burned the bridges in his flight, except that at a narrow passage, which we were onabled to reach in time to extinguish the Jlanies. We lost but ono man, and had but one woumled. The enemy suffer* d more, but I can • not atato the extent. Col, Ashby received ft shot throuiU his cap, which ho exhibited with som) satisfaction to the people of Woodstock. Others suflerel more severely. The mea behaved admirably. During tho advance yesterday our vanguard and skirmish »rs were frequently fired upon by the rear guard ot Ji ckson s retreating force. We shelled them through tlio town, and as often as they appeared in raDge. A ter passing the bridge over Stnney Creek, they set fire to it;| but our troops ar rived in time to save it. They also burnt another pike bridge, and the railroad bridge, twi miles this side of Edenburg, Our artillerist? twiewM* tort unsuccess fully, to prevent their destruction bjy pouring into the enemy showers of shells. THE LOSS AT WINCHESTER, Official Reports of the Killed and Wounded. 6Mo—<JOjt Killed—lst Lient. W. P. Williams© Beckwith. Wounded—lst Lient Myron T. Wi acting captain* in tbe leg. Private 3 tlie leg} J. SDider, In the leg } Lewis Peter Vai»kerk, in the chest } Thon head; Leyi K. Beam, chest and luug bead '; Beneville Miller, slight, in tin in tbe baud. EIGHTH OHIO—COLONEL Killed—Serepants John S. Stmijrh and Kurt, Pri vates John Hiller, Walter Manning, S. Drake; privates jag- Martin, (mortally wounded and |eince dead;) Daniel McNeal, ditto; Corporal Bunce, (wounded in thigh, and died March 29;) A. E. Brown, wounded in Bhoulder. since dead: David Parcher, mortally wounded, since dead: Peter Shumaker, ditto.; private Samuel Beeler, left shoulder, since dead. _ . Wounded—Second Lieutenant Ai red X. Craig, flesh wound in leg; sergeants A. S. B iron, both thighs; W. D. W'etherill, shoulder; Alexander Fawder, slightly in the left hand. Corporjda Isaac Hinckley, calf of right leg; J. It. Reynolds, in tlio hand; Ira S. Biigham, in calf of left log. Privates J. A. Bonnol, neck and shoulders; J. S. Camp, shoulder flesh Wound 1 Biram Fellows, throat; John Hamilton, hips, flash wonnd; Stephen Rolf, left leg amputated; HrD.Bowker, reck; A. J. Discro; right thigh; W. Kerr, left hip; Grorge C. Flanders, flesh wornd leg; Lnmau Smith, ditto; Janies Emerson, ditto armj Francis Pearson, right side: A. Fry, both thighs; D. R. Parker, both hips: }■ Anderson, thigh; W. P- shoulder. FIBS- VIRGINIA—COL. TliuSoP.K. Killed—Sergeants Wm. Chohan, J. E. Evans! Cor jicralß Win. Monahan, Thomas H. Burley; Private Fred Sijllwagoner. j ~* r^nndeti —Coi. ill hoVurn. \Vonndi>. jel. Joseph 'invuu.-i> av.v..*., First Lieutenant John Craig, slightly in the hand ; Ser geants Wm. Gray, severely in knee; James McCarty, in left arm: Corporals Balph BuiHe, slightly In arm; William S. Tippet, slightly in shoulder: Privates Edward White, mortally ; Morton J. Crow, in leg; Charles Poalson, slightly *» hand i flPbdmas Robln- Bon, severely in neck; David jlteed, slightly in shoulder; James Simons, upper part thigh; Alexander Lockhart, in abdomen; George Goff, slightly; Henry KcCarmick, severely in arm; Samtnjl J. Martin,slightly hi breast: Walter H. Hitchcock, slightly leg and arm; George Trnax, dittoj C. J. Bawling, severely in arm; Samnel Bennett, ditto leg; David Bennett, ditto breast; Wm. Amos, slightly in head ; James Brown, severely ; Johnson McFarland, ditto. j SEVENTH OHIO—COL. CREIGHTON. Kiiled —Sergeant Major J. Webb *, Sergeants A. C. Danforth, Andrew J. Kelley; Corporal Abram C Gris wold \ Privates Ch&bUd Bk&PUJ, JdahuA OregloW, James Carroll, Alhn C. Lamb, Stephen Rice, J. G. Sackett, Reuben Barnham, Lewis Corwin.l Elias Hall, John Fraiu, Fred’k Groth, James Bisp, Frank Dentrick,Frank Lorens, Jos. Seipel, Frank Karbackpr. Wounded—Captain G. A. Osper i Sergeants Asa H. Fitcli, Ed M. Lazarus, Wm. Butzman j -Corporals Sam’l Lovett, Edw. Kelly, Wm. Saddler. Wm. K. Smith, Geo. Blondio, Benj. Gridley, Chriflt. Reissel, Geo. Deuzet, Wm. Lehr (or Leht); Privates Hampton Gardner, Feed. Hoffman, Arthur Lippius* Dan*l Claucy, Joseph Miller, Lander Campbell. William Kehl, Chas. Fagan, Duncan Beed, James Smith, Albert E. Withers, Anthony War lifter, 0. H. Worcester, W. Coburn, W. I. Walworth, S. Kelloge, John Gardner, Daniel Kingsbury, R. Wis ner, F. 31. Palmer, F. A. Warm r, Jobn Williamson, Geo. Anness, John Atwater, Fred. Bethel, Aubod Prit chard, Moaeß Owens, Edwin Thompson, Asba T witch ell, Ed. E. Tracey, A. H. Cavanah, Owen Gregory, James Hunt, Hiram MeQtiißtlu, Wm. Hi Mo Oleary, Dimiyl O’Connor, Chas. N. Lennox, Thos, B. Doran, William Birch, Henry Clemens, Richard Phillips, Jacob Nock, Wm, Rose]. OBE* HUNDRED- AND-TENTHIENNSYLYANIA— COLONEL LEWIS. Killed—Philip F. Croft* John F< rguaon. John Daw# son* Joseph Cooper, Seibrftk, Samuel Everly (woundtd m groin, siuce dead,) Corporal John Murphy (from wound). Wounded—John Hippie, in wrirt; C. T. Horn, leg; James Vftlluuce, hand; John Martir, left arm; Wm. A.. Callagan, left breast and hand} An thony Kim Jen, frac ture middlefeme; Theo. Hockey, tiiif h > ’Fbus. Mcliviune, neck; Michael Jacock, fracture left lima; Silas S. Antho ny, through left buttock; Serg. Mh. or W. Cunningham, flesh wound, ankle; private Jacob Swartz, thigh; Jacob French, hoel; David Price,thigh; SamuelKimlty, arm; Alfred Bum, scalp; corporals Oh: rles Wheatley, foot; John P.iAlhert, flesh 5 sergeants Wn P. Ramsay, right thigh; 8. ilcCune,*tle6h, leg; ord. sergeant W. Roberts, contusion, right knee: privates T. Gloster, lower jaw; John Dougherty, slight i» abdomeii; John C. Foreman, David Gardner, left great toe* D. S. jßaker, flesh, left leg; Ira Horn, calf right leg; G Slean^Mh, left arm; David Brown, flesh, Thigh , Jacob R. Hooper, ditto; John Ber» den, scalp and hip; Joseph Cooper, jTUomas KL Sloan, in throat; J. W. College, breast; W. H. Stall, hand; W. H. Kockerspergur, fracture arm. | SIXTY.SEVENTH OHIO. Killed—Cttrt&in H. G- Ford, Orderly Sergeant Wia» gins, Sergeant David Becker (f:om|wound in left lan?); Privates Albert Norris, John Fox, Nicholas Geisler, Robert Feare, Ira H. Greene, Adam Sutton, P. Galla ban, and Wm Gray. J . , Wounded—First Lieut. Sheldon Cotton, hip 5 Orderly Sergeants Geo. W. Parsons, left legb F. J. Sullivan, left arm ; Sergeant 55. Wheeler, left thigh; Corporals Menry Gibbs, lower jaw; Andrew Hartsing, left thigh; L. A. Sant*, fracture right arm: J C. Mejtzgar, flesh in face; Privates Isaac L. Bice, left leg; Jus. Smith, right side; L. P. Smith, in neck; B. Nussen Gnmart, flesh in breast and l*g; N. Callahan, near the thigh; R. F, Bell» in Doth shoulders and Brine; Isadora Haile* left side; John Gorge, right jaw; I James Robert, near the heart; Christian SchwackmanJ in nock ;J. W. Tip pin, above hip; James Murdock,] in abdomen; Wm. Dunn, shoulder ; I*. Winslow, hip joint; Charles A. Geer, fore arm; M. Master, through right lung; Gus. Hannan, lower jaw ; M. CooLham, right hip ; Henry Carrclfl, fl«k \eg l Edftiii A. Utrafe, fight WHft J Jfihh Cauley, clun; Wm. Miller, throat abd arm. The returns of the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, as sent by the wires, is believed to be correct. The Seventh and Fourteenth Indiana and Fourth Ohio official lists have not yet been received. THIRTEENTH INDIANA. Company A.—Wounded—Corpor il Longsdorf, in hip Corporal Smith, fatally, in bowels; Private Graham, se- Y?r ely, in thigh; Private George Madden, slightly in arm; Private'Jttorgani severely, in ana—s. Company B —Wounded—Private , slightly, in hand—l. Company o.—Wounde Private Bowner, slightly—2. . „ , Company B_. —Wounded—Corporal Graham, slightly in the shoulder; FriTat© Miicbetl, severely in the thigh; Private Grooms, in the arm; PriVate Bobbins, slightly in the ear; Private Somerville, sligb tly in the hand; Pri vate Hankins, slightly in the haad- -6. Company JC.—Wounded—Corporal Ruder, mortally; Sergeant King, In the hand;• Private Holmes, in the side; Private Hochßtedler, in the shoulder; Private Robinson r in the wrist; Private Sharp, intteleg; Private Bank, in the hand—7. Company F.—Wounded—Privates Witney, Cochran, and Smith—3 , .. Company G.—Wounded— Captain Sayles, in right arm: Corporal Harlow, severely In breast; Private Hamilton, severely in thigh • Priv ite Mullen* leverely in hip ; Private Cook, sevorely in knee; Prlvato Ford* Jn thigh; Parker, iu cheek; (Orporal Walker, in breast—B. _ llt Company H—Wounded—Private 1 Maloney, arm; Jfiiu- Company I—Wounded— Sergear t Gown* Mierriy ip head: privates Tyler,leg; Beach, Severely, head; Devi, head ; Hollgarth, arm. Missing—Sergeant Lange—«. Company K—Wounded —Private Worner, cheek—l. Total—4l. | The Rebel Wounded. Tlut following wounded prisonersjare in the hospital at 1 Winchester: Joseph Silvers, 27tli Va.: T. Hankins, 234 ' Vu.: Pearson, 32d Va. s H. F. Neil, 32d Va.; John ! H. Huffman, 23d Va.;H. F.SmithJ4th Va.; Jas. Myers, 1 sth Va.: D. Hubbard, 42d Va : T. |B. Carroll, Ist Va.; J. ,* jjcClure and C. Thomas, 37th Va :[ H. Fisher, 27th Va.; 1 J.AVca. Adams, 2lst Va.; Elbert Gonuett, 4th Va.; Jas. • yf. Blanks, 21st Va.; Michael McClue, Irish Brigade; John Howard, 23d Va.; John IJ. Wright, 4tb Va.; It. A. Barnett, 2d Va.: Denis M. Artey, Irish Bri gade; John Colluro, 38d Va.; 11. M. Harnesberger, 93d Ya.; W. E. Doriey, 42d Va.; P. B. Itfaguy 37th Va.; lames Rogers, Irish Baialion; W. V. Jones, 42d Virgi nia; A.M. Cornett, 37th Va,; If O.fGraue, 33d Va.; H. Hendrick, 42d Vu; John Moore, 21st Va.; Josoph Spence, 4th Va.; C. Shay, Irish Battalion; George Ship, }3d Va.: G. T. Jones, Ist Va.; Hugh Stratton, Gth Va.; Armaud Trout, 33d Ya-;| James O. Cornett; Thpophilua 0. Hawking 99d Va.' Joswph M. fitovon* 33d Va ; Wm. T. Adams; N. B. Holland, 23d Va.: Joseph McNeil, Irish Battalion; Robert Annan, 2d Va.: William A. Kilgore, 3711 i Va.; kleorge Washington; Thos. W. Spindle, 4th Va.; Wm. J. Bell; James Vance, 37tb Va.; John N. Pitman, 33d V 42d Va.: C. A. Noil,B7th Ya.* PJ 37th V*. 1 ; ft. ft- Boy , Wm. W. fc) T. S. Carrol, 21st Va.; John Met Wright, 37th Va.; Henry Bubtli Myers, 42d Va.; Peter G. Moc Dugan, 'lrish Battalion; Lieut]; 14,), Md.: Lieutenant David plocwm, l4ib Md.; Capiwln N. Holland, 27*h Va ; James M Janies W.'Blanks, 21at Va.; Wtni APRIL 3, 1862. E. W. Cormutl, 4th V».: L. A. Burnott, 24 V».; Dennti Moriurtr, Irinh Bat.; W. Bell, 4th Va.; H. F. Nell, 37th V».; Captain W. J. Wright,424 Va.; NathanBcalea, 424 Ya.; F. H. Burnett, 14th Md.; Edward White, let Va.; G. Washington, 2d Y'a.; J. C. Cornelt, 4th Va.: T, D. Brown,l4th Md. : Charlee Thomae, 37th Va.j W. W. Buclianan, 37 tb V». 5 M. Cvulltn, Ist Va. Battalion; John Mytrii, 14lh Md.; Howard Zenot, 14tli Md.; John McKnighti 7th Md.: James McQutll, 14th Md.; K. Morgao, 14th Md.; James B. Frits, 14lti Md.; G. P. Parley, 14th Md.; B. Ravis, 14th Md.; Mark Helm*; Joliuf Colbert, 334 Virginia; F. Robinson, Ist Va.; J. M. G. Barnsberger. 33d Va.; John Cochran, 13th Md j George Gardner, 14th Md. j T. Hankins, Va.; Joshua Silvers, ‘JTtli Va.; Wm. B. Cilgon, 4th Va. Several of the rebels have died here, and others cannot survive. Washington, April 2.—Our loss in tho engagements ou Iralunlny and Sunday, tbo 22d and 23d of March, was 86 killed and 424 wounded. Of the latter, fifty have since died. A portion of the wounded have boon sent away, in* eluding fifty taken away by the Surgeon Goneral of l ] <;xiiiB>-lvnnia. In the hospital at Winchester, there are at present 192 wounded. Winchksiku, April I.—Fourteen rebel victims of Sunday's battle were seen to-day at a house near New town. Six had died; the remainder were wounded. They had been deserted by their own physicians, but were cared for by ours. Subsequently two rebel soldiers paid a visit to their wounded friends, and were capture!. THE LATEST. I© Way. Woodstock, Va., April 2 —Afternoon.—The rebels, when retreating yesterday, attempted to burn a bridge oyer the creek near farrow pftßMge, but it wnsexs tingiUFihed. The magnificent railroad bridge, a hundred feet high, over the same stream, was burnt ty Jackson when re treating from Gen. Shields. A beautiful gray stallion, said by contrabands to bo Colonel Ashby’s, was shot yesterday near this town. The ball must bftve wouuded the rider in the thigh. The current report, however, that ABhby *was wounded, i 55 not credited at headquarters. Some of Ashby's scouts made their appearance early tliis mprnißg ph the high ffosted rites sn the spppsit® side of Stoney Creek, beyond Edenburg. They were fired on by Borne of the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania, when Ashby unmasked four guns, aud throw eevera shell* into our camp. The rebels subsequently retreated under the fire of our guns. During the day they frequently interfered with, our bridge builders by shelling them at long range. A foot bridge, however, has been completed, aud_our skirmish ers, and some of Andrew's sharpshooters, aro now on the other side beyond the town. Second Lieut. I’nil', and two privates of Ashley’s Ca* valry, were captured yesterday. Lieut. Duif admitted that lie was carrying despatches, but refused to divulge tbeir contents or who they wege for. An inteicepted totter of a recent date, from a rebel line officer, speaks significantly of an anticipated open rebellion in Maryland, but ibis is regarded as one of the means resorted to by the Secession leaders to dupe theie their followers into continnec resistance. ces were engaged ig despatches were The expensive railroad bridge at Edenborg was burned by Jackson yesterday. There is only one locomotive at this 4iid of the MA&AS3&3 Pdfld, And ho cars. Ashby's cavalry were reinforced to-day by two or more heavy guns, with which he practiced on us at longrange. The firing of yesterday shows tho accuracy of ourcan nouiers. In one field, where Ashby made a stand, wore counted shell within & spare of 150 feet, fifed at a miU and a half range. The Valley of Shenandoah shows great neglect of agri culture. The men, women, and children, who seem to have unlimited confidence in the Yankee troops, and hold unrestricted intercouße with them. General,Banka is here, and General Shields at Btras burg. A division post office has been established here, but the mails are irregular at present. A BEBEL BATTERY, NEAR SAVANNAH, BBILLIANT ACHIEVEMENT OF THE GUN BOATS BELOW SAVANNAH, The following extracts from a letter, received in this city, give some interesting particulars of the capture of the rebel batteries on Skidaway Island: titlflllLEV. To-day, at half-past twelve M., signal was made by the senior captain (John P. Gillis, of the Seminole), for the squadron in Warsaw lulet to get under weigh and follow the Seminole. We proceeded in line ot battle up Wilmington river very slowly, not knowing the channel very well, Captain Gillis being on board the Norwich, which drew tbo least water, until we arrived within a mile of the battery, when the Norwich fired a rifled shell iu among a party of horsemen uear it. Ihe sound seemed to stagger them, for the horsemen curvetted about in con fusion and fled. Proceeding up a little further, the Norwich let the rebels have another shell in an encampment that was near the battery, when the whole party fled, leaving the battery and the whole place deserted. Giving them seve ral more doses right in the earthworks, we cleared them out entirely, and then manned the boats, went on shore, and took formal posses ion* Captain Gillis planted the old flag upon the highest rampart himself, and Acting Master Steel ran up with a picket guard of eight or ten men, and planted the old gridiron, the glorious stars and stripes, on the rebel headquarters, amid salvos of mus ketry, at the same time carrying away the miserable worn-out Secession dish-cloth that was flying there. m. Private J^enry right, Ist lieut. and Valentine Vie'9, in Harris, in the head ] nas Schoitz, in the ; i • Alexander NnU, | leg; Allen Mason, CARROLL. The rebels left little behind them worth having bat their dinners, which were still cooking over a wood fire, Captain Gillis then ordered that the whole work should be destroyed, as we did not wish to hold it, having no soldiers with ns. The batteries were then fired in tbe in terior, and soon burst into a fine blaze, carrying every thing before it. Skidaway Fort is now among the things that' were. The rebel h0u303 and private property were humanely 'spared, but were afterwards de stroyed by the rebel soldiery. The works on Skidaway Fort were very well built, and had the enAmy remained and fought they could have ciyeji ub some trouble. It is evident that the Port Royal Eghlis stiU Tinging in their ears, or they would not be put to such &b ignominious flight every time they see a United States gunboat. The success of tbe achievement is great, and Skidaway, as well as the channel of tho Wilmington river, this side of Thunderbolt, is now in our hands. Our glorious cause is still blessed, and our arms victorious. After all the works wore completely destroyed, the squadron, consisting of the Seminole, Wyandotte, and Xfonoich, steamed back to the anchorage’in Warsaw Sound. We have a rebel prisoner on board, who says they are in i» bad ww at SaywiHsh forfßod. GeYfreer Bremi has stopped the distilling of whisky, as they want the grain for bread, which will be entirely out in July. Fort Pulaski has not yet surrendered, but must do so before long, as the batteries intended for its bombardrueut are nearly completed. severely in ttie arm Washington, April 2.—The following despatches were received at the Navy Department to-day: Flag Snip Wabash, Off Port Royal, March 27,18G2, Sir : On being boarded this afternoon, while entering Pert Royal harbor, by Commander GQlis r or the Semi nole, I had the eatiefaction to hear that the formidable batteries on Skidaway and Green Islauds had been aban doned by the rebels, the guns having Ken withdrawn in order to be placed nearer Savannah. The abandonment of these batteries gives us complete control of Washaw and Ossiban Sounds and tho mouths of Vernon and Wilmington rivers, which form important approaches tofhat city. I enclose the report of Commander Gillis. and also mrmorarjda of information given by contrabands, which may be of some interest to the Department. Very respectfully, your obedient servaut, S: F. DUFONTi Flag-Officer Commanding the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. To Hon. Giokox Welles, Secretary of the Navy. Siu: In obedience to your order, dated the 2d instant, we proceeded from Cumberland Bound to Washington Sound, Georgia, to blockade as directed. Having watted for some days for the weather to settle and the wind to lull, we this afternoon felt our way with the load up the narrow channel of Wilmington river to the battery on Bkidawny Island, accompanied by the Nor wj'cft, Lieutenant Commanding J. M. Duncan, and the Wyandotte* Lieuienant Commanding W. D. Wluting. I sent our launch with a howitzer aud ctew, undercharge of Master McNair and Acting Master Steel, alongside the JVorwichj and went on board of her. She, being the tliortest vessel and of tiie lightest draught, was eent ahead. After firing a shell or two at some horsemen near the house on the Jett of the picket guard at the fort as we ap proached, 1 proceeded in the gig with Paymaster Sands to the shore, followed by the laußcb* and found the bat tery—a strong bastfoned work for ten guoß, with bomb proofs, trenches, etc. The enemy had abandoned it, leaving imitations of guns, covered with canvas, lu po sition. Other boats from the vessels coming ashore, we destroyed the works, boats, lifters, *tc., of the enemy, and; having hoisted the Union flag over the fort and the house, with a red cupola, we returned on board our re spective vessels. „. _ I learn that the Confederates 1 battery on Green Island is abandoned. Several houses in sight are burning this morning, the red cupola house included. I send to Port Royal a prisoner, taken in the marshes by tlio Release. His statement accompanies this. I am, sir, respectfully, etc., JOHN P. GILLIS, Commanding. To Flag-Officer S. F. Bcrosr. The following statement is derived from London Mid dleton, a contraband, picked up this afternoon by the Norwich and sent on board this ship, viz: His master was William P. Fallen, of Savannah. He left that city on the 22d instant (SatnrdnyL coming by way of While Bluff and Greer Island to Raccoon Keys, from whence he expected to reach a "saw-mill,” which it was said we had on Wassa Island, with three thousand troops . , . All provisions are scarce at Savannah, end very dear, particularly bacon, rum, liquors, and “ auch like.** Fresh beef is more plentiful, but costs 25 to 00 cents for what used to sell at 6, 8010 cents per pound. Eggs were selling at 50 cents per dozen. Chickens $1.50 a pair. Tea scarce. Coffee was selling at 5t.5001.75 per pound. They we “ yery b*U off” for mm asd liwrft *ad “ ?!- most have to give them up*” and a supply of these, with bacon, they had expected from the West, somewhere, where the Fedorals now hold possession. Folks ore going and coming. Some who had left the eity are returning, and they are sending *•' the negroes and cotton 1 ’ iiUand, RJld •» BttTiM «# ft* ?*?** m £“ e ;j t ? Mac u l '. T L* ia threaten to burn the city if they should bo unable to hold it, and are in daily expectation of an attack. ■ They hod given up the idea of defending the Savannah river by means of «torpedoes,” because one of the principal men who was sinking them got drowned while down in a diving bell. _ _ . . He knew* of no raft near Fort Jackson, near which Tatnall is, on board the tfaoannah, late the Everglade. When he was last near Thunderbolt, some time since, they had eight guns mounted. There is a battery, num ber of guns unkuown, at Costar’s Bluff. They said that they were mounting guns at the old fort above Fort Jackson, below the gas house, and near first ferry wharf, but he knows little of thia part of the river* having been a fisherman around about White Bluff and Green Inland, but more recently employed in waiting on the soldiers. .... . • A All the approaches to the city, not nuly the main but aleo the by-roads, are being fortified, and “they toW him” that they hint 100.000 men. Green and Shiddaway islands are abandoned, except by a few cavalry. „ The guns from Green Island wqre taken to fortify "Bewley, 1 * and those from Skiduaway to “-Montgome ry,” » part of Bewley, but about threo-q,uarter* of a miln snrnnitpi Until wen mi thn Wyminffhing rivnr* wiiich iuua from Bacctun Key s up, making Urutm Island , the first land to the northeast going up, and thence ran • iting up to Bewley, Montgomery, and White Bluff. They expect us to cross Skiddawty Island, and have gUDH autl piekda at the two Lridgfl*, ♦« cut them away, mu) fioht our forces on their arrival* The first bridge » i reckoned to bo five miles across from tho Cupola nous* (last niglrt binned by the rebels), near the Skiduaway (abundoiuil) battery. Respectfully, Ac., JOHN P. GILLIS, Commanding. Bowman, alightly; Re-Election oi Gov. Sprague. Ppovidkxck, April 2.—Gov. Sprague, and alUbf pre sent incumbents of the State offices, wore re-elected to day without opposition. In the General Assembly, the Democrats and Constitutional Union parly have a m»• writer- rf w. Latest from Fortress Moaroe— All Quiet. Washington, April 2— Midnight.—At 3 o’olocfc this afternoon all was quiet at Fortress Monroe. )“b: ; mnuc Amusements. jnchanan y 0 Thoma*} j Mr. Mark Hassler is to be the recipient of * compu blure, 87th Vft.; John j me ntary concert in this city, prior to his departure for jara, 42u \a.s James » {maiit* jfnhY'aardnw! ; To-night the »roceede of the Panorama ol India. at the mi, 14th Md.; Paul®. ! Aeeembly Building* wiU he devoted to the rehet of the 1. ikjit, i4thiu.i i aamHit- u*JictioaOirtfidse*«•»»- tcVeli, Irish Battalion: , tainment Is a good one, aoddetervci p&tronag* UQMI UM |T. Adams, 21»t Va * account of it* Intrinsic merits only. TAKEN AND DESTROYED. ysiTSD States gTE.i,MEr, gSMIRBfcS, ( Warsaw Sound, March 2 0, 1862. ) OFFICIAL REPORTS. U. S. Steamer Seminole, March 25, Abreast Skidawly jjatteky, WiLmiNGTON lilVKtt, CrBOUGIA. THE STOBY OF A CONTRABAND. U. fi, Steamer SEMimn, Wassa Bwiw, Gfiu £ March 25, 1562. $ mm MGBK-MI SESSION. LETTER FROH EX-PRESIDENT PIERCE. HE DENIES MEMBERSHIP WITH ANY SECRET LEAGUE. The Voluntary Emancipation Act Passed in the Senate. ASSIGNMENT OF MILITARY COMMANDS. ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO THE TAX BILL. PROMISSORY NOTES, CHECKS, Ac , OF LESS THAN 950, EXEMPTED FROM TAX. Medicine*' Perfumery, Cosmetics, dec.'for Exportation, Exempted. Washington, April 2,1362. SENATE. The SfcrH Lfagiif to Overthrow the Govern* Mr. LATHAM (Dem.), of California, said that on tho 26th ult. ho offered a resolution calling for certain cor respondence between the Secretary of State and cx-Pre eident Pierce. He said- the correspondence was now iu the Senate, with the exception of one letter. He real the letter us follows: Concord, n. n., Jan. 7,180*2, Dkar Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the re ception of your letter of the 30th nit. It could ha'dly have surprised yon to leam th&t I failed to discover in your official note a desire to render me a service. You will exonße mo if I regard even tho suggestion from a source no eminent, that I am a «rnembee &f a secret league, the object of which is to overthrow this Govern ment, n as rather too grave to have been sent off with so little consideration as tbe rebuke to a delinquent clerk of tbe department would infer. The writer of the anonymous letter, it seems, was de tected Pubur.juently, and avowed its authorship; ami yet 1 am not advised whether ho disavows its roforonea to me, op whether there was an attempt to inculpate me in the disclosure. These were the only facts mate rial for me to know. I suppose lam lert to infer the latter, because, though my name does not appear in the rxtract to which my attention haß been called, you still state that the aspersion on my fair fame and loyalty came from your hands I think you will, on reflection, see that the whole ground on which the allegation was made should have been placed in my hands. It was not the manner of your official note, nor any form of your address that awakened the deep sense of wrong on my part. Ihese arc not worthy of serious notice. The Eubetance Ib what I intended, aa courteously as I could, lint very distinctly, to repel.' Very respectfully, your obedient servant. To Hon. W. 11. Skward. Mr. LATHAM said be had repeatedly urged the Se nate to appoint a committee to investigate this question of tho Knights of tbe Golden Circle, as it was said hy many l&IlA IKS HIAPA of (ill brain, and many good citizens were unjustly aspersed; but lie had no time to take from the duties to his own constituents to investi gate tbe matter himself. Floyd's Drafts on the Treasury. Hr. TEN EYCK (Rep ), of New Jersey, offered a f£§oliif:on Ih&t tbe Secretary of War inform tbe Senate what drafts had been made hy the War Department and receipted by Floyd, what for, ami what amount is now outstanding. Adopted. Relief of a Danish Hark. On motion of Mr. SUMNER (Rep.) } of Massachu setts, the bill for tbo relief of the Danish bark Jorgen L&rentzen was taken up and passed The Emancipation Measure. On motion of Mr. TRUMBULL (Rep.), of Illinois, the resolution from the House, to co operate with the States in aid of emancipation, was taken up. The Interests ©i the District Require Email* cipotiou. Mr. BHEBMAN (Rep.), of Ohio, said that he had heretofore said nothing on these questions relating to slavery. In regard to the abolition of slavery in the Dia • trict, it was not of much practical account as to the amount of tbe slaves. He was cagdji}|y informed thftt there were fifteen thousand free blacks here, and only about fifteen hundred slaves left. But there were patent reasons why slavery should be abolishei here now It maybe the only opportunity, and there is nodoubt that Congress has ample power to do this. Besides, tho most of the slaveholders here are disloyal men. It Is the duty bf CftBSVMS tft les iklaty ffl* Gift best I RtuPaitS of tbe District, and that Uto get here maiulv free labor. He believed that if Maryland and Virginia adopt this system of emanci pation their resources will be largely increased, aud he knew there was a large number of .Marylanders now in clined to try the experiment. The poople of his State did not like negroes, and did not disguise their dislike; but this District was a very paradise of free negroes. He was in favor of gradual rather than immediate emancipa tion, but was opposed to submitting tbe question to the people of the District. He contended that in every bill tending [.toward emancipation wo should also provide for th& Ab6iAA 6f AdttlgP&Hon, allowing And aiding the negro to seek true freedom elsewhere. Iu reply to the Senator from Kentucky, he said the Ropuhlicen party had always acted on the defensive, and had never taken any aggressive measure against slavery. Mr. DAVIS said be intended to refer to tbe Abolition party and not tha RapukHc&B party. Mr. 81IEBMAN said that it was usual for the enemies of the party to make no distinction between Republican ism and Abolitionism. If, for instance, the Senator from Massachusetts introduced a series of resolutions iu regard to the condition of the States, the whole Republican party ismmeiliMfly tenvusrcl »9 rsswnsiblfi for thorn, thou ?li they are the mero emanation of a single Individual, who is far in advance of any political party. The Meeting to Reorganize the “Democra tic 1 * Party. Mr. SHERMAN said the conduct of the Government had been eminently lenient. He referred to the casein Columbus, Ohio, where slaves were held by pttaanera from Fort Donelson, the same as if they wore in Tenues- Bee. He referred to the meeting to reorganise the De mocratic party, at which tbe Senator from Virginia if said to have been present. * Mr. CARLILE. If my friemd will allow me, so far as 1 bid am wnswtlvn wltli that meeting, I will readily explain, 1 signed the paper riere at my desk. It was handed to me by some one, and I signed it without look ing further than to see that the object was for some gen tlemen to meet at the room of a member of Congress, at a hotel in tltis city, for tho purpose of conference, I went there. No action looking to a party organization' aa a pai ty, was had, so far as my knowledge extends, There was a free interchange of opinions among the gentlemen who were there, and I was glad, so far as I could ascertain, that the determination was to support the Administration in all proper efforts to suppress rebellion and maintain the VsusliSniism end rfstm ltn> Vniun, If there was any thing concluded upon, I think that was the conclusion at which the conference arrived. Resolutions had been prepared, as, when I went in, I understood they were in course of preparation; hut I know of no resolution be ing adopted and sent forth from that meeting to the coun try. Ido not think it justly chargeable with being an effort to reorganize party movements in opposition to the constitutional efforts now being made to restore the Union. Mr. LATHAM (D.), of California, said he was a*so there, and it was nothing like a party organization. Mr. SHERMAN contended that it was time the Re publican party had a definite policy, and it must have one if It would stand. It must stand by all its pUdgss to the people and Slates. He was also in favor of the resolution in accordance with the President’s message. Ic did not : interfere in any way with the rights of the States. If he was a member from a slave State he would raise the ban ner of emancipation, and never lower it until it was se cured, as a mere matter of interest and pecuniary benefit to tbe State ; but there was a higher reason, that slavery was a wrong. That was the opinion all over the civilized world. He was bound by bis constitutional obligations not to attempt to aid the {states to emancipate till they ask for it, aud then he w ts willing to do it to tbo last dollar. He thought it was the diity of the Republican fcAtfcy t£ £6 agMiint All unconsti tutional and unnecessary measures. He was astonished at the resolutions of the Senator from Massachusetts. He could see no distinction between them and the doc trines of Jeff Davis, for the resolutions of the Senator substantially acknowledge the right of States to secede— a doctrine which wag utterly subversive of the Govern* merit. He [Mr. Sherman] would adopt the policy of con fiscation of property to apply to all the leaders of this rebellion, with an amnesty to the great masses. Mr. GRIMES (Rep.), of lowa, wanted to know if he understood the Senator to say that slaves wire now re tained for the use of the prisoners at Columbus, and transported aud fed at the Government expense. Mr. SHERMAN (Rep ) said he did so state, and di rected the clerk to read a part of the report of the com mittee of the Ohio Legislature, stating that the rebel officers sent there on parole by General Haileck, came to the city wearing their side-arms and registering their DRiDfig at the butt Is an colonels, Aon nf the C. Si Ai They went to tho theatre and also to the halls of tbe Legislature, where they were invited to Beats within the bar, all the while expressing their rebel sentiments. Tho Resolution Adopted. The question was then taken on the passage of tho resolution; and it vim 32* nays 10*»as fob lows: YEAS. Grimes (Rep.) Sherman (Rep.) Hale(Bep ) Sutnuer (Rep.) Harlan { Rep.) Ten E)*ck (Rep.) Henderson (U.) Thomson (Dem.) Howard (Rep.) Tmmbnll (Rep.) Howe (Rep.) Wade (Rep.) King ( Rep.) Wilkinson ( Rep.) Lane (Bep.), Ind. Wiiley (C.) )Kansas Wilmot (Rep.) Morrill (Bep.) Wilson ( 1( ), Mass. Pomeroy (Rop.) Anthony (Rep.) Browning (Hep.) Chandler (Rep.) Clark (Rep.) Coilatner (Rep.) Davis (Union) Dixon (Rep.) Doolittle (Rep.) Fessenden (itep.) Foot (Rep.) Foster (Rep.) NAYS. [Nesmith (Dem.) IStarke (Dem.) Powell (Dem.) ) Wilson (U.), Mo. jSanlsbury (Dem.) j Wright (Union.) Bayard (Dem.) t Carlile (Union.) 1 Kennedy (Union.)| Latham (Dom.) The District Slavery Question. The bill for the abolition of alavery in tho District of Columbia was tat en up. The Right of Property in Slaves* Mr DAYIS (Vuion)* of Kentucky aaid he wanked to know if the owner had any right to property iu his clave, and if Congreßß had the right to take the real estate of tho people of the District, and, if so, what differ ence there was in slaves and real estate 1 Mr. MORRILL (Rep.), of Maine, said fie did not hold that the owner owned his slave by the same tenure as the AWfiM of & Ii&MA Such idea waa abhorrent to mans Mr. CLARK (Rep.), of Rhode Island, said he denied entirely the right of property iu man. Itwnsmthing but a municipal relation. Mr. DAVIS asked whether Congress could take reall estate, und whwt dilTerence there was in that property and slave f Mr. CLARK said Congress had not the right to take property, but as h* had denied the right of property in man, be thought he had answered the question Mr. PAYIB proceeded to speak against Hie bill; son tending that slavery was universal and national law, aud was general, while abolition was local. He quoted from the decision in the caae of the Antelopes showing that alavery was umverenl. . Mr. COLLAMFR (Rep ), of Vermont, saidit was not BO i it never was HHIYSTPSIi R»“ *!PW enforced by rcib of tho nation, iuid If It was a general national law, it never could have been modified by a single nation. Mr. DAVIB concluded by contending that slaves were l>ke other property, and the Government had no right to take them away. Hu said that ail sorts of fanatical schemes were originated in Massachusetts. We have in Hits country tho Abolition party, llks tho Mountain party of tbe French revolution, who are marching to their object over the ruins of tho Constitution. There was no noxious ism but what had its origin in Massa chusetts. Abolitionists were worse enemies to the couutry than Jeff Davis, because thoy ca-ry out their schemes in secret. ' Mr. MORRILL (Rep.) avid there wn no oonttiMt tlonal queetton involved hi this Question. Slavery never exited in the District except by thejaw of Marylftna, continued by the.actof Congress or 1801, and Congress was perfectly competent to repeal that act. MrTDAVIS claimed that slavery existed prior to, and independent of, that act' thatilio nroperty m amvep waa the same ns that in horses, and that, according to tpp Constitution, thu property of citizens could Mr. MORRILL said such notions were not held to-day by civilized nations. Man has the right of property in thing*, but not wtt anil >tt > rf Wli It biMutr nrnrnnfdrki Mn w TL q Of! (i »)t 5f MH suuti, moved to adjjurn, but the motion was with drawn at the request of „ „ , . ... Mr. McDOUGALL (Dem.)i of Califiow»ia,who said ho. bad a few remarks to make. He felt some embarrass ment from circumstance* connected- with his health,. which generally culmiuatetl about this hour? but n it >T*Q tho wish « f the Senate he would proceed, lie spoke against ti e bill a* inexpedient and inopportune.- After speaking for some time, h» ,'?av6 way for a motion to adjourn, which was agreed to. Tbs Senate then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Sale of Life Annuities. Hr DIYEN, (Rep.), of New York, lutroluped a bill, which was referred to tbe Committee on Ways ana Mmfi, aiillivH&iL'S 9f fo r ~for A nA fixing the value thereof. ‘‘Assignment of ('owmauds by Ih* Presidebt* The Houbo. took, up the Seuftte renoVi.tion, whan ev»r military operations require the presence 1 of two or more officers ot Ux« eame grade in the. aasip field da partroant, tha President nifty makp 899 R Wt Mstgsuwnt without regard to seniority or rank. 4 Mr. WASIIBURNE (Rep.), of XUinoia, said that the resolution might be right, but, if wrong, U ought not to be passed. He trusted that its consideration would be postponed till to-morrow. Tho re&alntlon Involved very gprloni coniMiuenceai , v Mr. WIGKMFFE OM, of Kentucky, did not see what prftolical good could ftriao from Hie bf auch a resolution. He, at present, could think of only Cwj generals upon whom it could operate. Tbe conferring of such power on the President might lead to a disturb ance of the relations now existing in the army. They were assuming too much to the way of legislation in re gard to that branch of tho public service. To supersede % general officer might be equivalent to forcing him to re -BJ£fi. Mr. OLTN (Rep.), of New York, explained the reso lution. He said : Suppose theru were three brigadier or major generals, their commissions dated on successive days. The President may assign either of them to the command, without regard to the date of their commis sions or fifniorltfr ft to f&clilt&o tbo management of our forces In the various departments or in tho field. Messrs. BTDDLE (Dem.), of Pennsylvania, and COX (Dem.), of Ohio, severally pointed out the ambiguity in the roeolutloß, tho latter suggesting that it be recommit trill unit prepniifil important mllitarr ch»ng(W. Mr. KC.SCWK COSKIiING (Rep.), of Mew Tork, ergned that if this resolution was necefsary, tbe House had not bet n informed of suificient reason for its passage, Nobody doubled that tbe President could select either of two officers whose commissions wero dated on the same day. Hn did not bplievn that Gnn. Fremont or any other gentleman was concerned in thisquestioni Mr. BLATR (Rep ), of Missouri, in explanation, said that tho President cannot assign an inf r!or offlenr to a command over bis superior officer; but the President, as Commander-in* Chief, can transmit his own orders to any officer. Mr. STEVENS (Bep.), of Pennsylvania, did not bo* ltav* that thin waa n»&&s u&ry. lift thopsd t* lay it on the table. Disagreed to. The resolution was then passed—yeas 81, nays 40. Charge of Contempt, On motion of Mr. DAWES (Rep ), of Massachusetts, of tbe Government Contract Committee, it was ordered that Aaron Biggins, of Boston, be brouikt before tbe bar of Hie flotire on ihe choree of conirmpfc, for neglect ing or refusing to appear in accordance with the subpu*- uaof the Speaker, before u Htib-committee of the same. The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, on the tax bill—Mr. Colfax, of Indiana, in the chair. Bridge and Canal Companies. FRANKLIN PIERCE Tbe Tax Bill. An amendment was offered, but rejected, to tAx bridge and canal companies three per centum of their divi dends. Mr. STEVENS requested the committee to pass over the flections concerning tho income duty, in order to al low further time to agree upon tho propor words to be used; Borne difficulties existing in this respect. Stump Duties. The stamp Unties were next considered. Among the amendments, was the exemption of promissory notes or inland bills of exchange from taxalioD. Medicine*, prs luiratlonp, compoflitlotie. purfumerr. nnd coametlca, af« exempted from stamps and duties when intended for ex* portation, of which proper security must be given. Promissory Notes, Checks, Orders, Ace* The eccoml clause of BcliHilub* B was amended so as to read, “Promissory notes, bank checks, drafts, and orders for the payment of any sum drawn upon anp bank, (r?39l company, or any person or persons, companies or corpo rations, at sight or on demand, (except bank checks, drafts, or orders under 850,) shall be charged two cents duty.” Express Companies* Receipts—Entry Duties. Tbe flans© in regard to expresses was supplanted by the fAllnu’ieg snlistitute • “Fm> Mteiftl ifiSßSd hf any express company or oarrior for a single box, bale, package, or bundle two cants, and for any number more than one five cents.” The charge for entry of goods, wares, or merchandise, at any custom house, either for consumption or warehousing, was amended so as to rrndi “ Where the yelne doen not e.iceeil ffilOOi 36 centa i when above 5100, md not more than 3000,00 cento; above f5OO, $l. The committee rose and tho House adjourned. PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE, Habrisbu*G, April 2,1W2. SENATE The Senate was called to order at 11 o'clock by tbs Speaken Prayer by Rev. Mr. Cattell, ef Hariisburg, The Speaker laid before the Senate the annual state-- ment of the Delaware Coal Company. Also, the fourteenth annual report of the directors of Girard College. Petitions. Mr. CONNELL, the petition of several hundred citi zens of Philadelphia for the repeal of the law giving tho Ridge Avenue Turnpike Comrany power to charge tolls on funerals. Mr. NIOIIOLfI. a remonstrance against the supplement to the Fifth and Sixth Streets Railway. Mr; O'LYMEJii a romoiiNtrunoo agoinit the North Philadelphia Plank*road supplement. Messrs. REILLY and BOUND each presented peti tions in favor of restricting the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, and other corporations, with reference to mining privileges, Ml*. BERMIX, ffnPft the OohimUtee on Accounts, re ported the following bill for poetago during the month of March* which was passer] Letters 5eut........ 11 received...., Documents sent...., » received Bills Introduced. Mr.C ONNFLL, a bill to vacate part of Sixty-second street. In the Twenty fourth.ward, PhiladfJpbjft j £ bill id Increase the power of the city, relative to clean* aitig and othor purposes. Mr. NICHOLS, a bill to equalize the rate of taxation and chargee on railroads and canals. Mr. CLYMEB, a bill eropoweringthe Conrt of Quarter Sessions of Berk 9 county to divide the wards of Reading into election nrooinoti Mr. NIOHOLS, a bill to consolidate the laws appli cable to tbe Guardians of the Poor of Philadelphia. Bills Considered. Ac* The Senate resolved to bold sessions this eveulug and to-morrow evening, and to adjourn from Friday at one o’clock until Monday afternoon. Tbfe Mtifendmenis of the Senate to the general appro priation hill tvfifo Insisted updh, and a committee of Con ference appointed. On motion of Mr. LAWRENCE, tho bill from the House supplementary to the school law wan taken up, pasted Committee of the Whole, and was ordered to be jeprinted. On motion of Mr. KETGIIAM* the bill relative to costs of prosecuting forfeited recognizances waa con sidered and negatived. Mr. CONNELL, on leave given, read in place a bill authorizing the opening of Leib street, Philadelphia. The supplement to the act of 1841. relative to the sale of stocks on time, was taken up on third reading'and psssed finally. . , On m >tion of Mr. SERRTLL, the Senate resumed the consideration of the bill to incorporate the Pennsylvania State Military Academy »t West Cheater, vrhieh w« pauedi after being amended to the Chealer«coiwty Mill* tary Academy. Adjourned. AFTERNOON SESSION The Senate reassembled at three o’clock. Mr. CONNBLL introduced a bill to decrease the width of Fifth street, above York, lu Philadelphia. A supplement to the act authorizing the Bwotyer Of Taxes to collect mercantile taxes was taken np. The supplement requires that the receiver shall give security in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, and pro vides that be shall make payments weekly to the City Treasury. The bill was passed. Tbe Senate then adjourned until evening EVENING SESSION. The Senate was again called to order at seven o’clock. The bill to incorporate the Armory Company of the Gray Reserves was passed. A motion was made to reconsider the vote upon ths wt ißWpmtfng Hi? JjWlivWphift find Eastern Trfißi portatlon Company. The bill was defeated several days ago. The motion te reconsider was not agreed to, HOUSE. The House was called to order at ten o’clock by the greater. . « The Annual Report- of the Directors of Girard College was presented. , t The Committee of Ways and Means recommended that the House non*concur in the Senate amendments to the general appropriation lull. Lnlior and Capital* The House proceeded to the consideration of a bill for the belter securing of the wages of labor in Schuylkill C °llfe act allows mechanics and laborers to diatraln, wlseu claim exceeds 526. A jnibfltitute was offered by Mr. P.VOh T t requiring the payment of Balaiios and wage* in advance of.ail ovner claim*, in cases of assignment, and permitting employees to distrain when payment has been neglected or refused for three da* s. • • , Ad animated debate sprung up on the subject or capi tal and labor. The substitute of Mr, Byon, after being euhjected to ntimeram amendments, was passed finally: A proposition was made to hold evening sessions on Wednesday and Friday evonings, and an amendment was offered that tho act for the repeal of the Suubnry amt Erie bill of 1501 be considered on those evenings, upon th* completion of the private calendar. Mr. AKHSTJiOIiG twoke in cppnnitisrn t, lliis, The previous question* which cuts off aU debate, ww called, but the Speaker declared that it waa not sus tained by twelve members, and the hour of one harsog arrived, the House Adjourned uetil 3 P. H. AFTERNOON SESSION* The Howse reassembled at three o'clock. A resolution providing for an eveuing eesston to-day r and one on Friday, for the consideration of the private calendar, and an afternoon session on Friday for public bills, was passed. Among the public bills to hs considered p R F|jday r jgibe one re|atiye to the Sunhitry and Erie Railroad. Report* rf Committees. The various committees then reported numerous bill*. The following wore reported with a favorable recom mendation : , An act fer the relief of the Northern Liberty Odd Fel lows* Hali Association. ft An act relative to recording the ordinances of the city of Philadelphia. An Act relating to the bonds of George Kegee, late sheriff of Philadelphia. An act taxing foreign bank* doing business in PmiA a*Am?wlein«nt to the act incorporating the North Pmb ■rlvania Bailroad Compan,. Bills liitinihtCPit. Mr. CASKILI. introduced a bUI relative to tho Chil dreu’s Homo of l-hilodelphi*. Mr. JOSTirilSi ft Mil relfttlng In the tors «f 1-V-T. , Mr. PIOOBBi » hill antliurralnfr Hie Railroad Company to extend their track to the- mouth or Beaver river. .... . u „ Mr. QUTGLRY, a bill for the better protection or tho police and fire* alarm telegraph, Mr. GTIFKNBANIC, nbilt authoriimfl tUftoateof oer« tain real estate. „ v Mr. ABBOT, a supplement to the act incorporating the West Philadelphia Insurance Company. Mr. LICHTEN WALLNKR, abill for the protection of white labor aguinat negroes. , . Mr. 15U1MMHI.D, i. bIU *4HK«. MglatMtlOll Bt M negroes and tho prevention of Others ffOfll coming iltw tiie State. The Apportionment Bill. The bill- for the apportionment of the- State too Uon urcßßionitl ilistriotP m thMl tftHSft Hft W d »'W I ? *• bate ensued. . ... * Without any final action, the House adjourned until * o’clock in the evening. EVENING SESSION. At seven o’clock the House'woe again called to order. BUR Phahhl. Tho private calendar was taken up. and the ftOowin^ to authorize Robert Lindsay, of Philadelphia, to change a certain tmst estatehold by him. Au act to incorporate the Dime*Savings Iswfcitnte, of Ah act Bupelemewtapy to Iks act relative- to.tho dolma of Thofl. Worley. ~ , _ . Joint resolution relative to claim of Sanuioj D. Broblt, former supervisor of the North Branch Cmk*. An act renulrlng townships and boroughs in Chester county to pay road damage inth«irr»HH>ecti' r ® township* An act\or the opening of EvimgaN&t stroet, Third wan!, Philadelphia. . , . ... . .. A further sjupplement to the several acts relating to the Union Canal Company of I’eunßylvaniA- A supplement »•> »» ert creating t«o. additional aa*M^ iUHt fur tlu« First ward nf MiilftilwpWtt* An act- to authorize the controller ftufi commissioner Mlegheny county to compromise with the holders, ot bonds of said county. Issued in payment or subscrlpt-pW to the capital stock of certain railroad companies. An act relating to proceeding* lu equity. An act rMMire to the Orptoitt* Home ftnuAiMiUin fur the Atfvtl and Infirm of llw Tsrangt‘lical Lr4h®ran act authorizing Francis D. Mower, truntee under the will of Francis Deal, to* convey certain re&l'Miate an | V The hittrtlfttive to the North ? lank was than considered. From Ilatteraft Inlet. Nxw York. AnrU2- —The steamer Star of toe-Soyth* from Hattoras Inlet, with dates to tho 3l«rt vM.t .has rived. She left tko steamers A iiUdr*. M&Hifc, fc&d ifc riißi'tmr-einv. There was no news. The steamers Ericsson, Pulton* and Star Souths a iirona r e l’nforce«.nt for o*u. Uuro.lij. The Eighth Oenftecticut and Sixth Khode lalaad rei* nicnnw.r. within fourmaeaof Beanjort. . .. Th« iown of Goldshorangh him tw«n atraaslr wni'? B< lt is reported that Kort Macon win aooa he etonnwt. Sailise or (he America. mm, 'April 8-The imsrfcc foTty-eigbt iapspugvrv* rpr Tavcrpoot, and .5115 20 2 4$ 1,160 00 5 93 51,273 69
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers