THE PH,F.SS, rugasEtED DAILY (SUNDAYS SICOEPTBD,) BY JOHN W. FORNEY, Iri:GE, No. 111 SOUTH FOURTH sTREE'r TILE DAILY PRESS, Eris h:R:f CNNTS PER Weak, payable to the Ourriez. I .led to Subieribers out of the City at &tour Domaitil :•.:3 ANSON, POOR DOLLARS FOR Six MONTBs, Two Doi t sitß pOR TURES MONTHS — invariably in advance for the .;;Aie ordered. ta- Advertisements inserted at the usual rates. Six ;:barleouetttute a square. THE TRI-WEEKLY PRESS, galled to Subscribers out of the Oitv at Boca DOL• Pau ANNUM• in advance. ;, 1 1. rtss. THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1863. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, ..The Capture of Arkansas Post—Sketch of the Vltinge and Fertifications—The Plan of I n vestment — Brilliant Operations of the 1111111ary nod Naval Forces —Two Days' Fight lug And Final Surrender. MOUTH OP WHITE RIVER, Ark., January 11, 1883. PRELIMINA.RY. Aller the repulse of General Sherman's army and the assumption of the command by Gen. McOler nand, it was decided to withdraw from the Yazoo ri ser. It was at first ordered for the army to debark et Mlllihen , s Bend and go into encampment there, preparatory to the adoption of new plans for the campaign. Before the troops had been placed on i.hore, the order was changed, and the expedition started up the river as far as Montgomery Point, opposite the mouth of White river. It was an nounced that we were to " proceed on an important military enterprise," but beyond this.nothing was I;nown. It was generally suspected that we were to attempt the capture of Arkansas Post. AT OUR FIRST RENDEZVOUS. The military and naval fleet reached Montgomery Point on the morning of the Bth, and remained throughout that day quietly at rest. On the morn ing of the 9th the boats commenced the ascent of White river, the gunboats Louisville and Pittsburg taking the lead, followed by the Martnora and the transports. The latter were headed by the steamer Tigress, the flaghoat of General ItteOlernand. It iras expected that we might be annoyed by rebel hatteries on the banks of the White ; hut none were discovered; not oven a solitary guerilla made his presence manifest, though it qUite probable that many of them were in the. brushwood noting our progress. MOVING. UP THE WHITE. The transports, preceded by the gunboats, ascended the White, a nd'on reaching the cut-off pushed steadi ly forward, and were soonploughing the red waters of the Arkansas. This stream, for the last three hundred miles of its course, is exceedingly tortuous, and is full of snags and sandbars. From these cau ses our progress was necessarily slew, and it was nearly night before we arrived at Belleville, a small town on the south bank of the river, and about ten miles below Arkansas Post by the course of the stream. This place had been selected as a point of rendezvous, preparatory to the attack on the Post. The boats of one division were tied up to the south bank, while those of two other divisions of the army fastened to the north bank, about a mile above, and commenced throwing troops ashore. A FLANK MOVEMENT. Doc division had gone up the White river, without pas3lng through the cut•off, and landed on the west hank of that stream, so as to come in on the roads leading from Arkansas Post to Little hock, and thus secure the line of the rebels' retreat to the in terior of the State. With our forces thus disposed we felt certain of capturing the enemy's position. We determined to leave them no opportunities to tlee, and by cutting them off in all directions to make our success coniplete. ARKANSAS POST. This is the oldest settlement in the State of Arkan .ms. and was founded by the French in 1685. For many years it was a frontier triding.post, and was the resort of the hunters and trappers of the Arkan 3is river. and the then almost unknown Indian ter ritory. It is situated on the first high ground on the Arkansas river, and is on a bluff' about eighty feet high. Back of the , town is a sloping strip of land about half a mile in width, extending to a forest on the edge of the bottom land reaching to White.river. in a high stage of water this land is overflowed, but at present is comparatively dry. The bluff and the sloping ground are cleared, while the bottom land is for the most part covered by a dense cypress forest. A few farms and clearings were found ; but by far the larger portion has never been redeemed from its natural state. POSITION OF THE FORT The river here makes a sharp bend to the-north card, forming a complete IL The bluff strikes the outside of tae bend, and the town of Arkansas Post, containing less than five hundred inhabitants; is situated on the bluff, near the river. Just below it, in a position looking for three miles down the sweep below the bend, the rebels, more than a year ago, erected the fort which it was now our endeavor to capture. This fort was of rectangular shape, built so as to repel an attack from any quarter, and on each side mounted two heavy guns. Those looking down the river were long sixty-fours, while the re mainder were thirty-twos. On the sweep looking down the river was a finely-finished one-hundred: pounder Parrott gun, that the rebels confidently hoped 'would be able to sink any boat having the te merity to approach. FROTEOTION OF THE FORT. Around the fort is an extensive range of rifie-pits, extending along the.blutilf so as to encircle the town. &Offside of these is a long line of abattis, rendering it difficult to approach the works. In the °obstruc tion of these defences the rebels showed especial •nre. AU the roads excepting the one to Little Hock had been obstructed by felled timber, and only the ingenuity of our soldiers prevented their finding them formidable obstacles In the way of a movement. The garneon of the fort had been reported at about seven thousand strong, commanded by Brigadier OenerAl Garland. PREVIOUS ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE THE FORT. An attempt was made in October last to capture Arkansas Post, but it.dld nOt, prove a success, Gen. A. P, Hovey, with a force of 10,000 men, was sent front Helena with that object in view. The White river was ascended to near the cut-off; but the stage of water was not 4 suftledent to allow the boats to,pass through. A cavalry force was sent within,two,ml.l4 .11 the fort,: frightening the garrisolvinl6;virepara lions for decamping. lailing•to find sufficient water to proceed, Gen. lidvey returned to Helena. As in that instance-the rebels were preparing to leave, it was thought•thefwould attempt It at the present time. Gen. Illallemand accordingly made his pre parations to prevent such a movement. POINTS OF DEBA.RICATION. A littlembove the little village or landing of Belle ville, and on the opposite side of the river a road starts away from the bank, following the main course of the stream though avoiding its numberless bends, and leading directly to . the enemy's• position at Arkansas Poet. - This road in ordinary times is in line condition; but it was understood to be much obstructed now hp trees felled across it by the rebels to Impede our march. Bet such obstructions are of no great-)moment fin the way of a powerful arm3r, and, therefore, the-knowledge of their existence had no influence in deterring the general commanding from debarking the main portion of his force at this Point to move overland. One division, as previously stated, moved several miles higher up the stream, sod debarked on the-south side of the river, in order to prevent the escape in that direction of any portion of the rebel army-should the assailing force s sniceeed in dislodging them frogp their fortifidAMitions.. The transports, contathing artillery„) Were • also moved up to a point within five miles of the Post, and there unloaded, a portion on either bank, the largest Amount being put off on the north batik, whence it waseasily moved through lanes and across cultivated-fields to the road upon which the infantry were moving;•but a mile from the bank at this point. This latter place of debarkation was but about three miles from thelorteand in plain view of it. 'ADVANCING. As rapidly awthe troops and artillery were put on shore they were tutored forward to positions in't4se rear, and to:thasouth •of the enemy's position, pre.: ;lousily assigned them by General aloOlernand. ilioh division commander was supplied with a chart oldie countryovith his particular position clearly marked upon it, and he, in turn, was directed to so seder and instruct his:brigade commanders that there should be no conflict or mistakes. Thus was easily avoided install:of the difficulty that led to our disgraceful failure at Vicksburg, where less regard was paid toborder and discipline. GUNBOATS COVER TUE DEBARKATION. The debarkation of the troops and artillery, at the . ditierent points,•was covered by gunboats, and dolls' ring the debarkation, at the upper landing eeveral) homelads were sent forward to within a mile and's' hslf of the.fort, and opened a vigorouss.fire upon it to restrain any premeditated assault upon us. By I o'clock, on Saturday afternoon, the entire force had been put ashore, and had moved away to secure their positions. The men were in the high* spirits, being led by a captain in whom they had the hillestoontidence, and all animated with a firm pre sentiment of aeure and speedy victory. PLANS OP THE BATTLE General McOlernand had laid his plans to make Ide victory notonly sure, but decisive. To this end he had disposed his forces so as completely to cir cumvent the Post and prevent any egress from it In Any direction whatever. It has been previously mentioned that one division debarked on the south side of the Arkansas. This was designed to prevent any escape by crossing the river. Another division, instead of following the main force into the common rendezvous at Belleville, continued directly up the White river about twenty-tive miles, where they de barked on the west side of that stream, whence, by Pushing their way through the timbered bottom and for a distance of three miles, they would emerge into higher land and open prairie, continuing thus until they again entered the woods skirting the Red river, about three miles back of the Post. The dis tance across by this route was but ten or twelve miles; and, although no well-constructed roads ex isted, or in fact any roads, the timber was so open fled free from underbrush that but little difficulty Ira , met with in getting through. This division strucli what is called the White-river road, running nearly north and south, about two miles and a half trim the Post. • • Following this road about three-quartersof a mile, to avoid an extensive marsh or swamp lying north east of the town, they filed off , by their right flank through a piece of woods; until their right came upon the main turnpike leading up the Arkansas river to Little Rook, and took possession of a small bridge on this road, across a creek leading from the north into the Arkansas, about a mile and a half from the town, thus cutting of all -retreat from the Post in that direction. The two divisions below the Post, d that had debarked on the north tide of the river eployed into ins with their extreme right resting upon the left ( lithe division from the White river, and their left riming down nearly to the river below the town, thus completing the circuit of the enemy's position. THE GUNBOATS OPEN. A general plan of attack had been previously hgreed upon between General'AlcOlernancl and M adill Potter, in accordance with which the iron- Till gunboats moved up into close position bef e tort at 3 o'clock P. Id" and opened the ball. T he b L "ts Principally engaged were the Louisville, Pitts tOg. Ulnelnnati, and De Kalb. These kept up a pion vigorous engagement with the enemy for an hour and a half, the fort responding with great ear tettness to every shot we sent. The cannonading traa one time rand and terrible, fairly • Ring the earth totr e m ble with the vast volume el Bound. THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT. At first the enemy had diffloulty in getting their rata to bear upon our boats, owing to their eleva tion 1 ,. nod the close position which the boats had nr" tl and, for a Itime, their shot all fell far astern t olt ' oausing loud peals of derision from the jack 'l's who watched them; At the same time our guns the,ir,sre too highly elevated, and our shell passed over blutt, falling far into the rear of the rebel lines, 'NI as the result demonstrated, doing more damage FO our own forces than to those of the enemy. But, latgrees, more perfect ranges were obtained oi n sides, and the rebel missiles fell around our' ' . l "lels in uncomfortable frequency. The I t rebes dito . :peed hut four guns bearing upon us, though helP ' i n of heavy calibre,' and were handled' with'great j ii u. We thuif had the advantagt..- of ..;hem - . tr Weight .of metal, having; ere' gunseti'. Mg our boats only usell;tlwelve %Venting e t them, while, by swinging about, we collie( 7slonaly pour in a broadside with mangeiot. ~rater the few first rounds we got betteand w .t shell 'fell with great accuracy intoAhe. rebel ti " ri to. eNploding and spreading consternation and Inslon all around. Thus we soon dlsablepne of qbest pieces, a large rifled gun, knoekin coin -14°15* ntf lts mountings by a well-directed s ot from .ouls ville. Another of their guns also soon ceased ° pg. but whetr because of the loss of artillerists ,slilent to the iece does not appear. A M vessels, although ' much cut up, were readi for , theivil hour after the battle. The impeach. evlerf of armor of these vesselfl was again, fully demonstrated in this action, the missiles., rut& them on the emulates glancing oft as if. VOL. 6.-NO. 146. from solid iron. One,or two of the boats received a shot through their ports • but the casualties result ing therefrom are small in,nuMber. On the Louis ville we lost twelve, liithe De Kalb seventeen, and on the Rattler two.. There was no lose either on the Lexington or Cincinnati. WITHDRAWAL OF THE GUNBOATS. We had thus silenced half of the guns working against us and had as yet received no serious damage, when signals were displayed from the flag ship to withdraw from the action.* The cause. of this early withdrawal, when every prospect favored an early success in silencing the rebel battery, did not at first appear, and much dissatisfaction and. grumbling were manifested by the crews of the vari ous boats engaged ; but it was soon known through out the squadron that it had been previously agreed between the naval and army commanders that, at a certain hour, the navy should withdraw and the land forces would make an assault. But for some unexplained reason the army did not come to time, and; although the gunboats were withdrawn at the appointed time, the army made no assault. This was probably owing to the existence of heavy ob• structions in their.line of march, which prevented them getting into position at the proper time. A CONSULTATION. Early in the following evening General IVlcOlelr nand visited the Admiral, when a long consultation ensued, at which the Plan of battle • for Sunday was agreed upon. It was also agreed upon, as a wise plan, to give the belegguered garrison as little rest as possible during the intervening night, and accord ingly the gunboats were directed to fire a shot every half hour. This desUltory firing was not designed to do any great amount of damage, and probably did not; but it unquestionably had the effect of depri ving some rebels of 'their usual night's rest, and thus unfitted them in a measure for duty on the following day. Sunday morning, at daylight, our gunboats were to resume the cannonade upon the fort; but the morning dawned with a dense fog spreading over the riter, which prevented the gun boats moving up into action until nearly nine o'clock, at which hour the attack was resumed. THE ATTACK RESUMED. . For one hour the cannonading was equal to that of the previous day. •The enemy had, during the night, replaced the gtin we had dismounted on the previous evening, and also had supplied gunners for the other gun silenced, so that their whole battery was in play. As the fog lifted the morning shone out bright and beautiful, and natureput on her most beautiful garb. The Cannonading that followed was sadly in contrast witk the clear sky and the.glad some sun. Heavy reports of artillery, and, loud shouts of excited men,: were nil the sounds to be eard, and these seemed in sad discord with the smiling ap pearance of nature. But the battle had commenced, and soon it raged with its intensest fury. The alloy on the shore had already, on their left wing, entered an extensive abattle, and were forcing their way up to the rifle pits of the enemy against a continuous volley of !musketry, while the right of our line was held in check by the allots of our own gunboats. Thus the roar of artillery was inter mingled with the din of musketry and the shouts of victorious men until the volume of inharmonious sounds became musical in its discordance. Light artillery was planted by Gen. Sherman in a com manding position to shell the rebel position from in land, which drew responses not only from field ar tillery but from the main fort, two guns of which bore directly upon our assaulting column. Thus, between nine and ten o'clock A. M., the battle be came general in every sense of the: word, and light as well as heavy artillery with musketry in profu sion, was belching forth to increase the volume of din and confusing sounds, and add to the terror and destructiveness of the action. THE GUNBOATS AND THE FORT. Up till ten o'clock the duel between the gunboats and -the fort had been wholly barren of results. About this time a shell was directed, either from the Louisville or DeKaib, though which is a point in dispute, as both vessels fired almost simul taneously, which exploded directly over and close to a hundred-pounder Parrott gun, mounted on the southern parapet of the'rebel fort, and which had given our vessels the greatest anxiety and :trouble, disabling every man engaged in working the gun. With field glasses we could plainly ‘ see that not less than seven of the poor fellows wpm literally blown to pieces, their limbs being torn alunder and their bodies severed into shapeless masses and scattered throughout their works. Nine others, either en gaged in working the gun or shading by it, were counted among the wounded, who were borne from the spot by those who rushed to their rescue, or dis covered dragging their crippled limbs over the ground to a place of refuge. Not a man was left to work the gun, and throughout the rest of the en gagement it was not again fired. THE REBEL FIRE SLACKENS. With the silencing of this immense piece, which seems to have been their main reliance, the fire of the enemy began to slacken, as if their force had become disheartened. But still their other guns were worked with some animation while all the batteries of our gunboats poured in upon them a most damaging fire. As yet not a single shot had struck any of our vessels since the action com menced, although many fell in close proximity, and our fire did not slacken in the least. We had at tained perfect ranges, and each shot we fired was becoming more and more close, until it was with the utmost hazard that they could work their guns at all. We slaughtered their gunners ; but, obsti nately, they put others in:their places. We silenced one, and finally two, of their guns ; but still the re maining two kept fearlessly at work. It was despe ration on their part,:itlidAhey manifested a determi nation to fight te thilist. • THE 'FORT ABANDONED. ily the last came. The ground became too hot for them. One of the remaining guns on the eastern parapet was abandoned, the-gunners liking in confu sion. The example was speedily followed by those on the south parapet, and the fort was silenced. Just at this juncture, signals were made by the army for us to cease firing, and our boats dropped back out of action. A FURIOUS ASSAULT BY THE ARMY. Then COmMenced a most furious assault by the land forces. Those upon the. left, comprising, as I am informed, the divisions of Generals Steele and David. „Stewartr•-•formerly. ;Verger' L.. Smith's— :'rifOssed,the enernils)ibilttls:-uhder a-hearvr fire froth .theirAliterpits, and yeltqhe rebels 'to 'Ater rout, driVing them out in the direction of the road leading to Little Rock. Here they were headed off by the division that had crossed from die White river, and a desperate engagement ensued. ' Of thjs.engagement I have but little information, as. I wastnot present to witness it, and have had no conversation with those who were. ?"'t.t LI • THE ENGAGEMT 9N THE:HIGHT. I am informed that, on emergingsfroni the fire of our forces on the le t, the Abets fo - med in tine of battle and attempted to break our right4ing, with a view of escaping; brit being repulsed, after heavy slaughter, a cessation oglostilities occurred. During . this cessation, reinforcements Were Bent round from our r jeft to the right to such an ektent that :when the ene - thy again attempted the task of breaking thraugh, which- they did at three 1":1‘1.-* they were again re, puked, -, after a very brief enelethent, 'their forriret breaking in confusion read u er demoralization: Sooerifter, tlle. rebel commander sent out a flog Of ,troge.proposing capitnlation:: , The answer returned .:wan 'that the only capitulation that could imlna de Would be one based on an• unconditional surrender. This reply wits doubtless expected, 'for afters short delay it was accepted; and at four pre became possessors of this famous position, witlieitil heavy armament, all its garrison, light artillery; small arms, camp equipage, ammunition, Stores.. Sm. Colonel I)unnington, late of the United States iesit'7, commandant of th,o - foit, requested, to surrender to the navy, and Admiral Porter .reeeived his sword: . • OPERATIONS ON TRES° IItANK. . _ The division that landed on the:s h bank of the river, near the mouth of Red. Perk; moved out on the road in the direction of the landing, oppositethe Post. From this landing is a sing le road, leading to the Wachita river, through a r nof swamps and low lands. The road from Be eville intersects it 'about four miles .trom the ,latter place, near the crossing of a smalifteek. This bridge was occupied at an early hour by a'battalion of our cavalry, which eneuuntered a small force of rebel infantry. The latteewas dislodged:After a few rounds of musketry, and fled in the direction of the fort. HOLDING- A BRIDGE. , t Therliridge being fairly in our hands, the rebel re treat in that direction was rendered hopeless.' 'The divliion formed in line of battle, and, after several hours , impatient listening to _,the cannonading, moved forward in the direction of. the river. They had advanced but a single mile before night came upon them, and they bivouacked on the field. Around them was the dense cypress forest, with its thick . s :ifeg which overhung the forest in that vicinity. . A. trong picket was thrown out, and during the night there mere constant alarms from stragglers . : front AEC fort, coming. upon our lines before they: were adrare of it, and several prisoner!' were - made in this way. One of our men was wounded by a shot from the bushes, but his wound teas not considered serious. MOVING. SUNDAT: • • In the morning they moved forptscd to wits in two miles of the river, meetirig . nd capturing small squads of the enemy . There was no engagement of importance, as the rebels had learned from the guard at the bridge of the - face-that was ready to oppose them, and did not attempt to retreat byway of the Wachita road. When the battle was over the nufn tier ofpulsoners on this side was not far from two hundred,"consisting entirely of stragglers from the fort. All of them told a pitiful tale of their garrison life and the scarcity of provisions. RESULTS OF THE BATTLE, • The results of our victory are nearly seven thon sand prisoners of war, a fortified point guarding the navigation of the Arkansas river, and shutting out its commerce from the Mississippi. We can now ascend without interruption to Little Rock, and take full possession o4,.the Arkansas capital. With . a higher stage of water in that river, we can com municate with Generals Blunt and Ilerron, and save them the transport of supplies over the long route from Bella. With hut a few more well-directed blows, the whole rebel strength in the State will be overthrown, and the power of the Government again fully restored. Artillery and ordnance stores, to an enormous extent, have come into our possession, and several thousand stand of small arms, make for us an exhibit of no mean importance. Transporta tion for the rugged roads of Arkansas has become ours, and with a new stock of commissary stores, we are ready to move in any direction by land.. The Serenade to Senator Wall. To the Editor of The Press: Sin : In reply to your editorial article, I would re speetfully say that, on the occasion of the serenade to Senator Wall, I was engaged to play six piecii, commencing with "Hail to the Chief." It was also understootithat I should conclude with themational airs. I played four. pieces, "Hail to 'the Aihief," " Anvil Chorus," 4' Camp Lafayette ' "Gipsy Polka," intentling to - play.„ti.nothey opera air; a Intirch, and the , national however, the crowd' became large and restive, and I , was requested to stop playing. This I did, but -the omission of the national airs wait altogether-a cir cumstance beyond oui, control, and: feeign to our . original intention. ". I Ohotild notAave accepted the engagement had IC pprticular rej(sl'est been made ,to play tunes offensive:tp our pegiile, or to refrain: from playing those' that belong to the nation's littitpry and glory. Very respectfully, your obd't eery% ADOLPH BIEGFELD. From Igoitevidco. Nxw Yowl, Jan. ai. - --illontevideo advises state that the recent disturbances were in consequence of a supposed conspiracy against the Government. Many persons were.arrested,'lncluding the captain of the Argentine ateatner Murray*. The general .ophlion was that the alarm would soon be over, as .there was, apparently, no cause for it. The Steamei 'Arabia at Boston. JiosToic, Jan. 21.—The Itpyal mail steamer - -Arabia will arrive up at 8 Weloek,4nd her male will be de spatched to New York in tlieretight train. The Pirate Retribution. Nisw YOirm, Jan. 21.—Advices from St. Thomas Mate that the rebel steamer Retribution was Rir merly the steam-tug Enoch Train, of Boston. - a • • Departtire, of the Africa.i; , J , - . BOSTON; Jan.' 21.—The steamer Africa,;aailed to day l yith $42,000 in speoie for Liverpool,' and s'ooo for. Halifax. • - • _ Death of Grant Thorburn. • --(1 h rt; died • t NEW Yonx Jan. 21. ran .T urn ,a o 'New' llaren te.-d y,,aged.fifilety years •.• - • . •• 1131 .• . .• c % FT p' • - • • 4frOi , .-•. • ‹.• • • \ ,1 •_. „ , ‘1 I U • , 7 4 ' oter ) • _gill • • er• „.. ;... ••• • • . . , - NI • •„. • . _ • • • .7 Imo • • - 1- I . . •-• C . • ". • • A • • •-- - • •• • .• . • . • • .•••••:.: . _ STATES IN REBELLION. Latest from Richmond—Part of the Rebel Army going South—Position of the Main Body Merrimac No. RI a Failure—Rebel Afal vs in Northern Mississippi—John Mitchell, the extinguished " Pat riot"—His Impressions of • the War and Confede racy. Several refugees have just arrived at Washington from Richmond, where they have been at work in the Tredegar Iron Works. Coyle and Riley are from Troy, N. Y. They left Richmond on Monday, the 12th instant, the men walking and the women and children riding in a wagon which was driven by a contrabandist, and came by the way of Mechanicaville pike, passing Hanover Court House, where they observed that the rebels had a picket, to near Port Royal, where they crossed and proceeded on their Way to the Potomac; and hailed one of the gunboats and got on board, from which they were transferred to the King Philip. On the way from Richmond they did not see any Confederate soldiers other than the picket at Hanover Court House. The week previous to their departure there was great excitement in Richmond, owing to reports that a large Federal force numbering 80,000, was on the way to Weldon, N. d, and that a large fleet of gnu boats were in the waters of North Carolina. About the same time, Anderson's division of Jackson's army, numbering about 15,000 men, passed through Richmond and went South, which fact added much to the excitement. The Merrimac is a perfect failure, being too top- heavy, and she is lying at Rocketts, with a scow on each side to keep her afloat. Several times she has been taken out in the stream with the }mows along side; but whenever it was attempted to remove the scows she careened at such a rate that they were obliged to replace them and bring her back to her , moorings. For upwards of three weeks she was tried in this manner, but, at last, tired out with at.' tempts to make her set right in the water, they have given her up, and acknowledge her a failure. At the Tredegar works they have six hundred men -at work, mainly on shot and guns, but the latter are mostly unserviceable, the metal which they are working being of inferior quality, and none other to be had. Lately several guns have been condemned on this account, and they are now binding them with wrought iron. On Friday, before they left, about. one hundred and fifty Union prisonersi were marched from the prison to the works, and arrange ments made to work them, and the following Mon day they all went to work. Fifty had previously. taken the oath to the Confederacy. The city is well fortified, at every point, and the fortifications garrisoned With but a small number of men. They have over one hundred guns in position around the city. The main body of the rebel army is said to be about midway between Fredericksburg and Richmond on the railroad. There is said to be considerable Union sentiment yet in the city. - Even Secesh is becoming sick of the war. .They, however, believe that they are to be successful, and claim that the proclamation of President Lincoln will cause many of the Union soldiers to lay. down their arms. They say that Governor Seymour ' will not allow any more troops to leave New York, and that other conservative Governors will follow the same course.. - Provisions are very scarce in the city, and there is much suffering among the poorer classes. From $4O to $6O per month is charged for common board. Flour is selling at front $22 to $26 per barrel. Mehl at $4.50 per bushel, and eggs at $1.25 per dozen. AFFAIRS IN NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI. [From the Jackson (Miss.) Appeal, Jan. 9.3 The progress of the enemy in this section of the State seems not only to have been checked, but. we have reason to believe he has fallen-back to .most of the positions he originally held on the line of the Charleston Railroad. With the exception, perhaps,. of his advance to Holly Springs—which he reoccu pied after its capture by Van Dorn—this is un doubtedly the case. On the line?e of the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad he initial° troops this side of Memphis, and our people are entirely free from his presence and outrages. We do not learn whether any steps have been taken to re-establish mail facilities to all points 'now out side the Union lines, but if not, it should be done at. once. Communication is, we learn, entirely unin terrupted.as far north as Worn Lake, and there is no reason why the people of Panola and De Soto counties should remain isolated a single day. Had it not been for the unwise act of our own friends in destroying the long bridge across the Tallahatchie, railroad trains could be run as formerly to Cold Water, without interruption, in a very few days; but the absence of this facility be overcome, and the public, who have- suffered so much, accommo dated. Will not the special agents of the Post Office Department give this matter their earnest and early attention? A PRIZE LOST. The Raymond (Miss.) Gazelle thinks a rich haul might have been made by the Abolitionists a couple of weeks since, had they had a knowledge of the facts and sufficient courage to avail themselves of the situation. That journal says : We learn verbally that on the very day they commenced their furious display in the Yazoo river, President Davis and his • staff, Gen. Johnston and his staff, Gen. S. D. Lee and his staff, and innumerable other military men of renown all dined at the house of Mr. Blake near the banks of the Yazoo, riot only within hearing of the guns of the Yankees, but also within sight of those terrible gunboats. COTTON PURCHASED BY GOVERNMENT. The total amount of cotton purchased by the Go vernment in the State of Mississippi reaches about 100,000 bales, and much more is in negotiation. Our planters 'cannot do better than offer their corps, which will be taken by the general agent, Mr. De Bow, at a fair price, and the bonds will soon be at a premium. But little of the Government cotton has yet been burnt, and none has fallen into the hands of the enemy. If there is to be any loss of this kind, however, Government is better able to pay it than the planter. What remains will reimburse the loss.— Jackson (Miss.) Appeal. ' PRICE AND HIS MISSOURIANS. Of the 10,000 gallant fellows whom Gen. Price led fromo Missouri in April and May last, not more than 2,500.v,!ere latelyleft survivors of the casualties of 'battle& enticamps•flt for service.--Selma (Ala.) Sen . find .. . . 741 . REBEL ARMY MOVING: . The Augusta Chronicle says a private letteriust received in that city states it is rumored in Virginia that our army at Fredericksburg may possibly y be sent to North Carolina. It is evident that a great por tion of Burnside's army has been sent somewhere; per haps our authorities have found out where—hence . them egig of the Virginia army. • THE'I • BEL LOSSES AT MURFREESBORO. 04.4,,i7aa - 000A, Jan. 9.—Gen. Bragg will move his headquarters from Winchester to Tullahoma. Gen. Bragg now estimates our loss at 9,000, which in cludes the wounded left at Murfreesboro. The Columbus Sun learns from private sources that in the attack made by Breckinridge's Division bn theenemy's left, at Murfreesboro, on Friday, in - which the Confederates were repulaed, 1,800 of our brave troops were killed 'during the first hour and Igitr minutes of the engagement. The Mobile Advertiser states that Withers' Divi sioh of four brigades lost 2,509, and that l3reckin ...ridge's-,Division was led into "a slaughter pen," where the loss was very heavy. • - WAR PRICES. Rio coffee sold at auction in Augusta, on Friday last, at $2.82),@2.96 it,. Eight sacks of Liverpool :salt sold in Savannah, on Saturday last, at auction, at $5O in sack.-4avannair Republican, Jan. 12. MISCELLAIS - EOf.JS. • General Lee, the officer in charge ot z the defences of Vicksburg, was, until recently, colonel of an ar tillery batty ion in the armtof General Robert E. Lee. About two months since he was promoted to hrigadier,'and assigned to duty at Vicksburg. He is a South Carolinian, and bears the reputation of being an excellent:officer. The,Starkville (ffiasisissippi) Banner states that the small-pox is prevail* to an alarming extent about four miles from that town. ; ;;;;F•k Captain .33. Cl Yanc 4 7, sonceit. the Hon. William ,L. Yancey, was one --thelf. , iflein. at the _battle of Murfreeiboto.- ;- , cßicemoisro, Jan 11.—Ainong 'the l num b arger•O „, • women and children who came -by the flag-of-pace boat was John Ross, the Indian chief. The refugees • seem impresied with the idetelhata:peace will be declared in a short time. ' ' • • THE INTERCEPTED LETTERS UPJOHN MITOHEL. .. • Among the numerous papers ititind upon Major Sanders, the rebel agenkwho attempted to run the blockade with despatches tee Mason and Slidell, was a private letter to a friend, and another intended for publication in the Dublin Nat fon. Below we give an -eirtract of the private letter, and the letter to the 0 . -drion in full. It is interesting to observe how a "Man'can abuse a peonlewhb welcomed him to their . shores when an outcast; • Writing front Ilielyfflond of his own prospects, Mitchel says: • ;r: - "Now, for myseitl am still uncertain what is to be my lot. There is a - dreadful mania of place-hunting here, and I rather thinleorioiit pee leregard me as - a new candidate for somettling goo inthegift of the Government—that le' icrliay, tha lam standing in everybody's way. Hitherto I, have asked for no . thing—but have been very well received byethe Pre aident. He at once made me aware that he knew of the services of the two boys,, whom he called my "gallant lions," and I have no great doubt that in a day or two. when certain letters arrive from James' brigadier generals, I will be , able to exert such inte rest as will cause the President to put him at least in as good a position as he was before, if not better. James has certainly earned , somethingat the hands Of this Government, and has been more than once ho norably mentioned in the reports of thegenerals corn mantllng his brigade. So that I will have no modes ty not reserve in pressing his claims. The Moores are well, but in low spirits—his business being broken up, and no military pay coming in." Mitchel introducea, by note, young Mr. Sanders to the editor of the Dublin Nation, and assures hint . that Mr.-S. will give him " much authentic informa tion on the subject of this country and govern ment." The following article, prepared for the Nation, is among the despatches : . To the Editor of the Nation: - - RICHMOND, Va., 28th Och, 1882. • -DEAR Sin : Supposing that your readers may like to read something from the Confederate States, which has not passed through a Yankee medium, I take an opportunity to send you some account of my impressions on revisiting this city after an interval of more than two years. I came to New York, of ,course, under a feigned name, and passed through -Yankee land as through an enemy's country, taking care not to be recognized ; because in that 'Case they would have tendered to me their new oath of "allegiance" to Mr. Lincoln's Government, under pretence that this Government is the Govern ment of the United States which I once knew.. Of course, I should have refused their oath, becauite to take it would be treason to the Constitution, which once was the law of that country ; and then I should have been confined in one of the vast jails which yawn for suspected persons.. -. North of the Potomac there is no law; and in tilt -yelling througlrNew Jersey, Pennsylvania, and es ' pecially Maryland,_ I often asked myself , Is this America'? or is it Poland or Venetia 1 Maryland, you are aware,is , 'properly a Southern State, and Its Rimini iv:Weldon ; to the Confederacy was only prevented by overwhelming military force, and by the dispersion of its re ar State Legislature as a riotous assemblage. only at this day by mili tary occupation, and by turning upon Baltimore .city _the guns of Fort McHenry, which was built and 'armed for the defence of that city, that the State is now retained, not in loyalty, but in sullen acquiescence. 1 know that those lito take their ideas from Yan • Tree sources may dispute this view. The. Yankees are, of course, anxious to represent Marylanthas "loyal ;' even compliment her on her loyalty—a& the queen of England occasionally compliments the- Irish 'upon theirs—and pretend that General Lee's late failure to raise all the State against its °pores.' sore is a proof of said loyalty. a 4.. But the truth is, that the nano!, and remote mountain region of the State wlitgaawas the scene of tl late. battles is .(like Wei tern Virginia) in-.. hetitted - hy 'it population not thoroughly well of-' 'N'ebtga to , Southern institutions, and the other and likrEater portion of the StateOhe ancient Maryland of 'Lord Calvert and theOatlitolic settlers, including the. great Southern eityaif Baltimore, was entire ly out off from Lee's army by the immense forces of McClellan. These good Marylanders felt themselves totally impotent, and could neither *rather - hand nor voice while 'Virginia was making her gallant efforts to liberate her sister State: .-In Baltimore.l spent a meek before any opportunity I occurred for running the blockade- upoN,the lower Potomac: I stayed in the houti4ofleavorthy Irish citizen, and met with the principal Irish•*:tesidents of that place. To my great comfort, found that the Irish in Baltimore, both high and low (eNcept few Orange men), are intensely Southern, and long • for nothing so much as the day when they may driVe the LincoWtes out of the city. fortiver.'iThe regime - I:4lllr.,Lincoln indeed, is humiliating inougti. The city swam with 'lietectives,'WWwstolvAnd •lliteal • •• - PHILAD EL P A_, THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1863. about hall doors, by night and day, to see who goes in or out, and in whose houses I the girls sing "My Maryland." When Con federate prisoners are marched into some pri son within the town, the men of Baltimore must not address them, nor exhibit the smallest mark of sympathy, under penalty of instant Incarce ration - but the ladies, on such occasions , don their . richesedresses, line the streets where the poor, rag ged, glorious fellows pass, hold aggregate =clings round the prison, and provoke the Yankee officers past bearing, so that the guard has sometimes been ordered to charge bayonets upon the fair insurgent's. Even women. however, are not allowed to wear the wrong colors—a matter which is decided by the taste' of the police. Not in Warsawynor in Venice, are female ornaments more strictly prescribed than in Baltimore; and, while I was there, young ladles. were stopped in the street by policemen because they wore a ribbon of red, white, and red, and marched' oft'to the station house. A child was carried irothe= street by a nurse, and the bows of ribbon upon the:: little one's shoulders did not please econstable Who passed that way. Both nurse and child were carried off bathe police office. . From Baltimore I proceeded through the " south; ern counties" of Maryland, a rich tobacco country,- inhabited by a most worthy class of planters,(most of them Catholics ), and all, to a man, warm in the: cause of the Confederacy ; Wit their district is-sur- - rounded on threesides by the sea, and is therefore at the mercy of thegunbocts. :An the'other sideit ad joins the District of Columbia, and-is held in awe by. the huge army there. No part of all the. South not in Virginia, not in South Carolina; is' More 'entirely' Southern in principle and interest than these south ern counties ; but as the' Noith strain every nerve to hold the command of the Chesapeake Bay, - it must .crush out. and exterminate these original' Marylanders. They are doomed; thee:lens of Errs and Tyrawley were never more inexorably' predes tined to utter destruction, . and themethod ef.pro vedure is *this wise: .they are bullied and tormented. by constant patroling of cavalry through the country, .• who insult them daily, and car oft' their slaves;' force before their eyes, - either by or by false promises. Then the very week that I spent. in those counties, the -Washington Govern ment undertook to enroll and .draft those planters, so as to compel them eitherto puton.the deteeted• uniform of Lincoln, and arm their -hands rtgaitiati„. their own people and their own kindred—for - tire: flower of their youth is already 'in the Southern' armies—or else abandon their families and their . property, fly into Virginia, . and: take . arms there. , selves for the "rebels.” This. is the consummation. the Lincoln Government desires :•once in.the rebel lion,- those planters are to be robbed of all their pro-' petty by the Washington "confiscation act," and their place is to, be supplied with enterprising Yeti-. kees. It.is hard _to conceive,. With 'witnessing . it, the agony , of mind of these - high-spirited gentlemen,' •. helplessly awaiting their doom at the hands of a fee • they have ever despised so much; looking.cut upen4 I their broad fields on which they will never raiee. I another crop, and on their children who are never to inherit the lands that have been in their family"' for two centuries. My friend, Mr. G—, in whose house I spent a-few:days; walking with me, came : suddenly upon his ,two 'children sitting on a fende, with their negro nurse, and. all .three were singing, "My Maryland P'; The poor fellow's eyes filled up. If they can do no better for the present, these . Marylanders of the southern counties can, at least,, help and forward LConfederritis who desire to break the blockade and clear the 'Yankee lines : and this they do most zealously. Their-horses, 'carriages, negroes, boats, •are at the service •of any good. Southern man ; and, in short, by their aid and fur therance, a party of ten of us, including two officers of the• Confederate service, ran across the river (more, than two miles wide) close by four gunboats, and• under'the bows of a Yankee revenue cruiser. , morning in old Virginia, 'and on our way to the now famous city of Richmond. We immediately 'found' ourselves among the Confederate -pickets ; and looked with keen curiosity at the first that came in view; two horsemen, one well mounted, the other. not, partly in uniform, the bits,ltirrups,and scab bards rusty, and in the hand of each, instead Of a carbine, a double-barrelled shot-gun. Near the shore• we hired a mule wagon to carry us onyand Shortly. after starting we met some more horsemen, accom panied by an officer who was . very well mounted, and with equipments not elegant, but rough and ready. He stopped us to trek if webroughr anr news. ". . . . . . . Richmond I find •viry 'little changed. Yankee. accounts had prepared me to see the inhabitants, generally, barefooted and underfed. - • But I never saw better dressed people in the streets, nor a great er chow of ladies. All tell- nie there was not the slightest apparent panic In 'We toWn, even- during. the desperate seven days , fight; and it, is refreshing to .hear -men, women, and children, speak with such sovereign scorn of the Yankees. • The city . is, • of course, thronged with strangers, and not even in: Paris do you see so many empty sleeves, nor hear the clatter of so many wooden legs. All, however.- are cheery and resolute. Apparently, they do` not know yet that " the backbone of the rebellion is • broken," ite Mr. Seward4issures us and do not seem,' to have the least apprehension that . they will be I forced back into the " Union." They have given up, ' I think,.all' hope in foreign "intervention," and though they still demand recognition as an' ,inde pendent Power, (which they area ) seem fully con scious that not even this right will be 'accorded to them till they shall have thrashed the Yankees in a few more campaigns. , There are, as I learn, about 40,000 Irishmen-in the Southern army; but. they are distributed, as they, ought to be, through all regiments and arms of the: service, and have never been formed into an Irish brigade. They do not„ pretend to fight this Ameri-; can quarrel as Irishmen; nor do they desecrate ,the name nor prostitute the flag of Ireland at for the Northern Irish, who seem to have got them selves persuaded that the enfranchisement of Ireland is somehow to result from the subjugation.of the 't South, and that the repeal of the Union in Europe ; depends on the enforcement of another Union in . America, our friends here do not well understand the • process of ' reasoning which leads to that conclusion; nor do I. - They call those Northern Irish, as well as all the other Northern forces, by the , one z geribral name = Yankees; and. , indlgnantly protest that t green bunting under . -hrikes • have chosen to march to the invasion and *subju- - &bon 'of the - S,nuth, is .not.the:bartner of Ireland • at all—merely one..of the :Yankee. insignia. In •all this I agree with theta:entirely. Nobody has the right to unfurl the colornef Ireland in a war of in-' region and plunder and , coercion. These Irish at the South have never ;pretended to mix up their • native country in thikeitruggfe ; they indislge in no fiA Fontenoyism ; they unt no Sunbursts ;they dis play on their banner‘ne Round Towers, Wolf Dogs, or Crownlesa .Rarris";*but go ahead quite • siniply, under the stars and bars of their adopted country, to defend their own homes and hearths from' a host of greedy invaders. If they should be ever -over powered and defeated, Ireland, at least, will not be dishonored in Meta persons: But they have no thought of being defeated ; and I will sum up my impressions by declaring my con viction that this Confederacy can never be con quered. JOHN MITOHEL. THE SOUTHERN.. COAST. A Severe, Storm Preliatling FORTRESS MoNnon, Jan 20.—A heavy storm of wind has been raging here all day, from thenorth east. Quite a fleet of schooners lay at anchor be low the fort till the storm became so severe that they could endure it no longer. -- At one o'clock they weighed anchor, and in one hour's time about seventy-five schooners passed the guard-boat up the Roads for a better harbor. The Thomas A. Morgan, which has been running between here and Yorktown, was hauled off to-day for slight repairs. The steamboat Swan takes her place to-day. The propeller Karnak has returned to Hampton Roads. MEXICO. • . . . continued Activity to Resist the French— GA•sind Celebration at Puebla—Position . iiinEfoiriliitioio of the French Forces. Werg*.iintelligence from the City of Mexico, by , - way Of •Dec ember last. - - . el.capulco, to the 21st . Ac cording to these accounts, published. in the semi monthly Review of the capital, there hae been no . movement whatever upon . the: fortifications of Puebla. The French still occupied their position at Palmar, some thirty miles "from Pitebla... The Governor of Tlaxcala had left for Puebla, with a body of troops, to join the -Mexican forces there. On the 9th of December the - Mexicans cele brated the defeat of the Spaniards at Ayacucho in - 1824 with great eclat. The Mexican Congress had passed 'in act to treat all French prisoners as the }stench ;shall treat • Mexicans. -•• General ,Negrete had issued a patriotic appeal 'to the army to stand by the unity and indepen 'deuce of Mexico. • • - ... It beed ordered to punigh all priests guilty of insubordinaljlonly fine and imprisonment. - General Cz.Artastasio Parrodilas been appointed bommande.r 1-the 2d Division of, the Central Army. There w "%great celebration at Puebla on the aik presentatio •of medals to the troop?. The following gives an idel . of the medals : -- . • This recognized nation conced es .to its br a ve sons who defended the Andependerke of : tb:ei,r country against the traitors, kept tlfe.Osiog alf4 protepted . the city.of Puebla, a medal of .honoirlorAtheAeeds of the 4th and the defence of thanstircif May:lB62. Both medals shall be round, of twenty-flve milli meters- diameter and two in thickness, and shall bear on the obverse this inscription: surroundedby • evergreens : "The Mexican Republic to - her brave sons:'' 'Onltlie reverse shall be : " By defeating the traitors . on the 4th of May they.'effectually con tributed to the triumph won in Puebla against the French army on the Gih of May, 1862." The inscrip tieing on the reverse shall be surrounded by laurels. • ' The most fictive preparations were in progress at Puebla. New works of defence were being thrown up everywhere, and the commander-in-chief was 'unceasing in his activity, visiting all the camps and preparing the army for the coming struggle. • .ln all the large towns the ladies were enthusiasti cally forming themselves into societies for collecting money, clothing, lint and bandages for the hospitals which are being established. The French continue at' Sin Augustin del Palma and San Andres Chalchicomula, where they have fortified themselves. They. are in want of mule 3 and trains, and, according to the Mexicans, are afraid of attacking Puebla. The forces of General )3s zaine had arrived at Jalapa, but, says the He raldo, "they have not begun to fulfil the command of Napoleon—Faitcs bier el vile. Forey thinks a great deal before acting." • •7 'Marriage of the Prince of Wales: #0 0 " • Her Majesty having commanded that'the nujitialat of his Royal Highness the Prince of. Wales and the Princess Alexandra of Denmark shall be celebrated with great .magniflcence, preparations have been commenced recently by the employees of the Lord Chamberlain's department at Windsor _Caudle' with that view. A number of extra handsliave been engaged, and the work, both in the State apartments and other parts of the Castle, is Wa king rapid progress under the superintendence of Mr. W. Seabrook, her Majesty's inspector, assisted by Messrs. Miles, Bentley, &c. The State apart - mute:are being furnished with -the superb hangings zwhich were used during the visit of the Emperor-and Empress of the French in 1866, and the /.use room is undergoing a complete. change. Th le of the furniture, picture-frames, mould .4sig,iutd the panel frames, are being richly regilt, while the walls are being hung with costly Italian silk, six feet in width, bearing the initials " V. R.," encircled with a wreath and ornamented with a crown, the silk being similar to that used in the hangings of the King's Council Chamber, better known as the Queen's Drawing-Room. • Thiarroom contains several beautiful landscapes by'Znecarelli, three . of: them being Scripture pieces, one re prefentint ." Jacob watering his flock," while the other two, which are very large, and occupy the whole of .the west wall, represent "Isaac's .Meet.. ing," awl the " Finding of Moses." it is expected that this will be need as a drawing room bk-the King of Hanover, while other portions of the-State apartments will be appropriated to the use. of the Crown Prince and Princess of. Prussia. In other parts of the Castle suiteauf apartments. are being fitted up with much care and taste', especially these whichwill 'be occupied by their Royal }Ugh/leases the Princess and Prince Chriatiari other members of the . Bathe- royal fOritily,.who will be present at the celebration of the royal weddi s tig. —London Star, Jan. 3d. -ELEGANT S TAIRCASE.---A magnificently lit‘: Carrara marble, stairca se ; -which. is to,.coatuotfless ;Than 150,0P0. franca; ia being prepared tifYli)gitiniez• . I ,lttie to be,nt IS:pieces to Baron Bltfadbil'Ot4,' 'Void. on, ihw' bOse'reaidenee it la to 'bel - arded';' 7.• XXXllltit CONGRESS—Third Sessiois WASHINGTON, January 21, 1863 SENATE. • Mr. Wall's Credentials. Mr„ TEN RYOK (Rep.). of New Jersey, presented the credentials of lion. James W. Wall,. elected U, S. Senator from the State of New Jersey to fill the unexpired term of the late John R. Thomson. • Mr. Wall appeared, and-took the oath of office. . internal Revenue. • •, A communication was received from the Secretary of the Interior transmitting the report of the Com missioner of Internal Revenue.- Referred to the Committee on Finance. , Credimtials. Mr. WILSON (Rep.); of Massachusetts, presented themedentials of Ron. Charles Sumner, re-elected .United States Senator from the State of Massa ,ehimettit fcir six years front the 4th of March next. 'r. SUMNER (Rep.); presented a memorial from the nterelianta'Of Boston, asking for a drawback on gunpowder made fronrimported saltpetre, when the same is =ported. • • The Weak, Commix. . • . Mr. ANTHONY (Rep.)„of4llhode Island, from? the Committee on Printing, reported a reso lution ` to provide for the : printiogpf the_eighth census. Adopted. • Na• - y Line .o.llicerii. Mr.- HALE (Rep.),.of New - Hampshire, from the Oommittee on Naval Affairs, reported back the bill 4 hc.itinend the act - establishing the grade of line offi cers in the navy, with an;amendment. Engineers'sand Ordiknute. Mr. WILSON (Rep.),,orMassachusetts, from the Military Committee , reported.back the bill , to pro mote the efficiency of the Engineer Corps and Ord nance Department. COu'rt of Claims. The bill 'for the, reorganiiatien of the Court of Claims was taken up, the question being odthe mo tion of Mr. Feder, of Connectiout; - to lay the bill on the table , which was rejected—yeas 18, nevi 20. The question then recurred on Mr. Grimes , (Iowa) ',motion to insert a substitute, repealing the original act establishing the court. Rejected—yeas 11, nays 26. Mr.-HALE (Rep.), of New Hampshire, contended 'Antal this bill was passed it would open the way for thousands of claims. He proposed, if he could get the opportunity, to offer an amendment that no --money shbfild be drawn from the treasury on the judgitients from the Court of Claims until all debts arising from . the war had been settled. It was only yesterday that he was called - on by five soldiers of a 'ew Hampshire regiment, who had been in all_ the hattles on the Potomac,•frem the first Bull Run to the late affair at Fredericksburg, and had not received a dollar of Government money for the first 'six months. They,had heard Congress was at last arousing itself to the necessity of ming these starving soldiers twho had left their families and come to defend the capital and country. This law 1011 open the doors of the treasury.to a vast horde ' of speculator sand private' claimants, who seem to have imbibed the ideathat the treasury is their pri vate property; and 'a-law opening the treasury is like the laws of the Medea and Persians, never to be repealed. • . . The discussion was continued at some length by Messrs. Slierman;; of °his"). Bayard, of Delaware; and DoolittlqW of isconsin ' . • • Mr. TEUREIULLIRep.), of Illinois, claimed that the idea so oftedrefeated here that this bill . was in some way to open the treasury, was en entire mis take. No 'money can be drawn from the treasury under the bill, except by an appropriation' made • by Congress the same mirth which-el her appropri ations are Made. There was no. attempt to open the treasury to fiveludges, and the bill will show • ;this If the SenatortiOsiill examine it. "its . object is to protect the Government'and save the treasury, and relieve Congress from a-burden. Mr. WILSON (Rep.), of Maasachusetts, said, in reply to' a remark of the Senator from New Hamp shire (Mr. Hale), that Congress was in no way re sponsible - for - :the nouLpayment of soldiers, and he wanted the country t andthearmy to understand this. Congress hid given the Secretary of the Treasury power to sell the Rinds of the Government, and had passed a len , requiring that soldiers should be paid every two tenths. 'Yet the bonds hail not been sold for some cause or'other. The Government had asked for no special leglidation, and professed to be preparing a way to pay 'the army ; yet the army were not paid and great complaints were being made. On the 20th of December the -House of Re presentatives passed a resolution for the prompt payment of the army and navy, and the Finance Committee of the Senate amended it, so as to make an appropriation of fifty millions, while the House appropriated one hundred millions. And now from the public press of the country, and, he was sorry to say, from the Executive branch of the Government, the idea has gone'forth that Congress has not pro vided means to•pay the Rimy, and 'haif not done its duty. There never was an hour when the Govern ment did not have full .authority from Congress to provide means topay the army. He did not choose to take- this responsibility, and he disowned it for the Senate and House of Ptepresentatives. • Mr. HOWARD (Rep.), of Michigan, wanted rea sons for the non-payment of of the army stated in plain English, so that the saddle might be put on the right horse.' , • • Mr. WILSON (Rep.), of Massachusetts; said we were obliged, during .ImA-summer and autumn, to raise a large body of .troops, and agreed to pay $25 • bounty, and expeditions were sent away, and had to .bp paid in advance. ' • • • • , The rule required that/ the troops should be paid • every two months, and the Government professed to .be providing means to pay the army, yet the pap , -ments for September and • October were not made. :He supposed that these large drafts on the Treasury , bad exh- listed the funds. The Secretary had sent ' no request for additional means, but had sent a great financial scheme, which it would take months to carry into execution; but Congress, without wait ing for any official readmit; promptly passed an act to provide for the paymentorjhe withers. •" - Mr. HOWARD said he supposed, then, that the 'trite reason *as -these payments were delayed in ,order, to allow Congress to pass -upon thia 'megniff ient.achemeasf the Secretary of the Treasury. '.U.SSENDEN (Rep.), of. Maine, thought ,there *As a great deal of unnecessary noise about. -'.the matter. The trouble hail arisen mainly from the peculiar circumstances of the case. After the ad journment of Congrees the President found it neces-• „fiery to call out 300000 more troops, giving large -sums in bounties.-.urge expeditions were sent to a • distance, and the expenses had to tie paid. - The -:trouble seemed to be that those men were not paid first who had waited the longest. , The - Secretary of the Treasury has only the means arising from therevenue of the Government, and to issue treasury notes, which power was limited. Con, gress had also passed an act. giving the Secretary the power to sell the Government bonds at the best prfeehe could-get, as he (Mr. Feasenden) understood rt ;•but the Secretary had construed the addiffermit lyouid, of course, acted upon his own construction. Wily, then, impute blame 'to anybody 1 Certainly .Congress was not in any way to blame.' They bad .protiptly,;and without fyly:request from the Execu tive,branch of the Government, made an appropria . tion to provide for the laymentof the army. No legislative hody had acted more promptly. Mr. HALE (Rep.), of NeW Hampshire, offered an amendment that no money shall be paid out of the treasury, • under judgment of the Court of Claims, until after the anpropriation shall be estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury. Adopted. Mr. FESSF.N"DEN moved to amend so that the judgments of the court shall not be final. Rejected ---Teas 16, nays 23. Mr. -FOSTER (Rep.), of Connecticut, moved to strike out the provision for two additional judges. Agreed to—yeas 21, nays 1Z • The bill was thenassedyeas 23; nays 15. -Mr. HALE ( Rep.), of New Hampshire offered a 'resolution declaring that Cornelius Vandelblit, Corn rninlore Van Brunt, and Charles S. Haswell, who .-fitted out . : the transports of the Banks expedition, are guilty of negligence in the discharge of the duty. Assigned to them, and that the commission extorted by P. J. Southard. "was in express 'violation of the agreement made Whim, and should be at once re-• funded to the Government. Laid over., ' The Senate then nd.l94rned; ROUSE. OP REPRESENTATIVES: ' Mr . .Areisrleveees Seat.* -The House yesteiday - passed a resolutiortileclaring ! , William Vandeveer, of lowa, not entitled to a seat, - - 'owing to his having accepted a military'commission. Mr. 'Maynard, of Tenneasee,: had raised the point .:that such action on the part of the House 'being In 'lke character of an expulsion, required, tinder the Constitution; a vote of two-thirds. The Speaker • - Overruled the-point, from which decision Mr. May- : nerd appealedt - Mr. COX (Dem.), moved- to lay the appeal on the. 'table. • This was e&re_ed to—yeas 82, nays 36. • . Nr. WASHBURNE moved a reconsideration of ' ''. the vote by which the resolUtion was . passed. . • . ' Mr. COX moved that the motion •be laid upon the, ..table. -Disagreed to—yeas 60, nays 73. .. • - - The question then recurred on the motion of. Mr. ' s Washburne when . , 1 -' Mr. STEVENS (Rep.), of Pennsylvania moved'a -,postponement of the motion till August next. Dia. : •,isgreed to---yeas &tenors-106. .. ,-. • .., ~ T . ..., The question was then taken on-the reconsidera :Aden of the vote by which the 'resolution . was ' adopted. The vote was reconsidered—yeas '7O, ~nay_a 64- - . ~ : . . . Mr. DANES (Rep.), of Massachusetts, said this :Was a question of construction of the Constitution, and the law of the land. He ..did -not stand here to -leeture any gentleman differing from him. He. ac corded to,'oth'ers the right he claimed for himself. He contended that a gentleman - in accepting a military position vacates his seat in.this hall. He said there was a disposition to treat this as a question of no sort of moment, and of so little concern that gentle men cannot bring themselves to 'vote uperr it when .the resolution 19 fairly presented. Theyare not . : willing to take the responsibility of ,voting on a measure founded 'on the Constitution and laws 'of the land: 'ale reminded the House that they - were setting- precedents to control the House by .a power which would. render the members here .literally slaves: It was their-right to sit here with out on overshadowing power over them, and with -out 'reiognizirig the right of . the Executive to enter -this . chamber - and interfere with their duty as legis lators. He protestO. against.saying that we are yet' at the foot of the Wecutive. We are, he remarked, clothed with poWeilt by the Ocinstitution itself, to protect ourselves against such encroachments which are precludedffy - the form of Government which we are endeavoring to; - . e. Our fathers wisely threw eiround.us th - t? 4, eit of the Constitution. If me are not prelpared.„p Pio - ct ourselves beneath. its ample folds taill.'4hrow !Kay our rights under it, it i ti does not makermicii d 'Terence. If we at once cease playing thelinocrite 11 indulging in cant, we shall cease singinaostips to the Constitution when we• could no longeEenjoy its-blessings. Mtn COLFAX (Rep.), of Indiana, inquired whether the . gentleman included all who vote contrary to himself as among those who. hypocritically cant about the Conittitution and being subject to the EX-. -ecntive.,. •rt . , - - . - Mr. DAWES explained that he' had expressly stated that it was the duty of every man. who did not believe as to the soundness of the resolution to vote against-it. He had heard no one question the Sound ness pf ihe propbaition. :4 - -,M.r. KELLOGG (Rep.), of Illinois, said the gen tleman from Massachusetts had thought proper to. . lecture those Who differ froni,lim. It was enough for him (Mr. Kellogg) to , take care of his own vote. Btit:when the Oaten:me' undertook to-put others.on the - record in an unfavorable position, as desiring to give the matter the go-by rather than vote upon It, he wanted it allto' to go. upon. the record that, from, his inveatigation, he did -not believe that the fact of holding a military of from the• Gove rn or of a State was incompatible with holding a seat hero. He 'would moterith this view when this question . Mr. DAWES'Atxplained that he complained that pomp gentlemen had attempted to..avoid.the passage - of the resoliition;',While they expressed no.question. as to the soundness of the principles upon which it was- founded.' Otheri had- placed- themselves. in a position where the - Exeeutive could: take them out of this hall: He wbo accepts a Milltaryconuniludon makes his own election as to whether hd sluill wen.' py : a seat in the Mouse, for " a 199.73,CaM1.Qt.5C1T0 two. masters. He must cleave to the.one.and, pant . com panywith the ether." •- , *, ' - - - • .hIr.:WASIABORNE (Rep.), of Illinola, replied , to What he "characterized as a - lecture from ; Mr. Dawes. His position was consistent. - Yesterday. he . . desired that the 'gentleman shoigek yield: to. a poetpprieinent• of the question till' tho •third.Taesday. in February: He desired thett.apd new to meetthe quespon.falrly. He could • not forget that the Vote, bythe decision of the Chairy expelled. from-the House a neighbor. at home and Wrieighliof who sat in hie. immediate viz •einity. He could not but . ..readlect . that the same blow aimed at- Mr. VandeVeer struck seven other members of this House. -He believed that there was no great and pressing- neceaaily which de mantled a hasty vote. He desired time - , to con sider this great ocinstitutional question. Tito!: gentleman from Massachusetta„. however, ti'..ui lectured certain gentlemen, aarletutrged.them . neith , a desire to shirk theiiiiiity. ''ffedid not know 'where t histriend3ot the - right tojeeltireAttem t ' ..r,erecog •.. ~.. ...... nized the right of no man to lecture them for a diffe . ranee of opinion on a constitutional question. The gentleman had spoken of a mysterious influence as controlling members to .Vote against their convic tions. Where was the man who had voted. against his convictionsl If such a man was here, he was Unworthy , of the high place of honor he held. What did his friend mean by the "influence of the Exesu tivel" What had the Executive to do with it 1 Where was the man who had gone to tlfe White House to consult the Executive as to his action here 7 He felt authorized to deny that any member had thus consulted the Executive. Mr. DAWES explained that his argument was that the Executive held the House in his power, if members could, while holding military commissions, claim seats in the House. Mr. WASHBURNE said that Mr.Vandereer had his -commission under the seal of the Governor of, lowa, and not from the Executive of the United States. Let the country look on as much as they - - please: I vote, he said, according to ray convictions of right. If the country does not agree with-me, it is their misfortune. [Laughter) - Mr. COLFAX (Rep.), of Indiana, said that it was immaterial to him whether the resolution be post poned till the ad of March, or be decided now. He - 7would vote against the resolution, and on this he claimed to be . sustained by a majority of the Com- Inittee on Elections themselves. He proceeded to show that, a resolution directing an inquiry as to whether certain gentlemen• holding military com missions were entitled to - seats here, was offered by Mr.. Vallandigham, in July last. This resolution was 'laid on the table and the Committee on Elec i - : tions. were not even. instructed to inquire into the subject. He controverted the position of Mr. • Dawes, and did not believe the Executive had spoken to atiolitary.member, and doubted whether-the Exe cutive even .knew that -the House had - discus- sed the matter. Therefore; the charge of mysterious influences overshado*ing the House. to vote against their convictions, was a chimera of the brain. . Mr. WILSON (Rep.), of lowa, said his colleague • (Mr. Irandeveer) was appointed colonel 'by the Go vernor of the State, and thus commissioned. He commanded a militia regiment in the service of the United States. Mr: McPHERSON (Rep.), of Pennsylvania, said his own former position in the army was of'a vo lunteer character. He did - not design to shrink from any duty, and considered the remarks of Mr. Dawes as to the overshadowing influence of the Executive to be merely suppositious in their character. He believed there was an incompatibility in holding a military' commission while claiming a seat. In the House. The only question with hid was whether, having served part of the time in the field and part in the. House, Colonel Vandeveer for feited his seat here'? Mr. CRITTENDEN (Union), of Kentucky, said that for the ;want of other excitement r gentlemen had gone out 'of their way to suppose themselves lectured by the gentleman from -Massachusetts. ' He sustained the position of the gentleman. • Mr. WILSON, replying to.M.r..Dawes said he'did yesterday. question the soundness of his positions and now maintained that under the circumstances 'of this case the Constitution did not apply to such cases as that of Colonel Vandeveer. • Mr. OLIN (Rep.), of New York, suggested that this subject be deferred to some fixed day, and then brought before the House in a way by which they may be.enabled to vote intelligently upon it, and also consider the more important question whether they will decide it by a mere majority, or a vote of two-thirds. The• House then voted to postpone the resolution till the ad orMarch next, resulting in yeas 78, nays 69. Agreed .to. . . On motion of Mr. STEVENS (Rep.), of Pennsyl vania, the House concurred in all the Senate amend ments to the Military Academy bill. • State'Orthe The House then went 'into. Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, for the purpose of genererdebate. • • Mr. HARDING (U.), of Kentucky, said that the President's emancipation dprociamation had united the South. as hehad predicted, as one man, and pars, lyzed the efforts of the loyal 'men so as to leave but little hope of a restoration of the ' Union. The Presi dent had, finally yielded his former position to the .influence of persistent radicals. . The proclamation was a war on the Constitution. It was nothing but khold and absolute assumption of .despotic power, which would wrest from'the people the tight of self govern ment. No State .could be safe with such a power sus pended' over it. No stronger disunion document was ever issued in this country. Those who sanc tion it are ready to yield their liberty, and confess themselves . slaves. He spoke about arbitrary - ar rests, etc., and said that any man in the Executive office, who usurps power under the, miserable, de testable 'subterfuge of "military ecessity," de serves to be' called a tyrant. The Abolition creed - was short,_but full of honor and blood.. Secession ists furnished the fire,- and the Abolitionists the fuel to 'kindle the conflagration now sweeping through the land. Withdraw the fuel, and the fire - of Secession will soon burn out. He had no hope of reunion under the present radical pelicy. The 'Democratic party of the North and South would crush out both Secessionists and Abolitionists r and snatch the Government from ruin. • • Mr: WILSON read the Crittenden resolutions, heretofore adopted by the. House, deciaring.that the present deplorable war was caused by the disunion- iets — of the South. For now the gentleman from Kentuelcy voted; tint the same gentleman de dares that the war was brought about by Abolition ists. He (Mr. Wilson) accepted the declaration as expressed by the gentleman under his oath,.while he repudiated - the sentiment of the speech. The committee then rose, and the House adjourned. PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE. HARRISBURG, Jan. 21, 1863 SENATE.. The Senate met at 11 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by BevAkir. Robinson, of Harrisburg. Petitions. Meson. STEM' and MOTT each presented peti tions from . Lehigh county, for the passage of a law to prevent the Lehigh. Navigation Company from building dams above Mauch Chunk, and empower ing it to build a railroad in lieu thereof. - Mr. STEIN piesented petitions from Northamp ton county,• for power to levy a special tax to reim burse those who have advanced money to pay boun ties to volunteers. Mr. REILLY, a petition for the recharter of the Farmers' Bank of-Schuylkill county. Mr. ROBINSON, a remonstrance from a maiority of The stockholders of the Mifflin County - Bank against the proposed change iri its charter. - ' Reports of. Committeei. The following bills were reported favorably : To extend the charter of the York County Mutual Insurance Company • the supplement to the Howard Sunday-School Building Association; the bill re quiring the Quakake Railroad Company to fence their road in Rush township, Schuylkill county. Bills Intioduced. Mr. RIDOWAY, a to incorporate the Corn Thcchange Association, of Philadelphia. Mr. DONOVAN, a bill to repeal the charter of the Navy Yard, Broad-street, and Fairmount Pis senger Railway Company. Mr..BTEYN a bill directing the recovery of the priricipat andlnterest due the Commonwealth from persons holding lands by locations and office titles. Bilis Considered: The bill relative to foreign attachments and at tachments in 'exeCution, which. authorizes the at tachment of money in tie hands of municipal cor porations, came up in order on third reacting, and,. after discussionywas postponed., . • . The bill to Incorporate the Corn Exchange Aim.' elation of Philadelphia as called up by Ur. RIDG WAY, and passed finally.. The bill dividing Mill Creek township,•in son county, came up in order on third reading,And;, gave rise to a long discussion. The-Speaker ruled; it out of order, under the fifthjoint rble prohibiting. legislation where the courts have power. • : On motion of Mr. CONNELL, the bill for the re-. lief of the stockholders of the Frankford Lyceum was; 'Considered and passed finally. On motion of Mr. NICHOLS, the bill for the ex•cc tension of Bedford street, in the 'city of Philadel- . ; phis, was considered and passeck - to third reading,l and postponed. Adjourned. . HOUSE . The lloulieVaa &died twordei by Speaker CTESS NA atit A. Pt.' 117 [Pay of the SOl4l:eiv: • The SPEAKER presented a communication from a member of the Pennsylvania Reserve, Corps, com plaining that the most of them have not received • their pay for about seven months, and iietting" forth the sufferings of their families and those•who are cumbent upon them for their support; Bilis Passed• ' An act to pay commissioners for opening of Green street was, on motion, considered and passed finally. , An act for the opening of Jackson:street, Second Ward, was also considered'and passed. , Approval of the Governor. The Committee on Federal Relations reported, as amended, Senate bill, approving:of 'the Governor's efforts ,to bring wounded Pennsylvanians into this State. , The Alleged Senatorial Corruptions. • OD motion of Mr. PERSHING, two -additional _members were• added to the committee to Investigate .the late alleged Senatorial corruptions. NEIDIAN, a supplement to. an. act. o. ineor -porate the Bethlehem Railroad. ' • ' Mr. SMITH, of Philadelphia, an act extending the time for the payment of the enrollment taxon the act incorporating the Philadelphia-, and. New Jersey Perry Company. : Dlr. BARGER, a. supplement to in act incorpo rating the _Philadelphia, Germantown, and; Norris town-Railroad. Mr. McGEE,' an act to repeal' an, act of 2d , April, -1846, requiring moneys and. asset& not-at interest - to be tatted :: , ' - . - •:'" Report from tite.Auditor crenerol. A report iirai received. from the *.u.ditor•Gmneral inTeference to a loan for'arming- the Stafe. ~The re, port sets forth that all the bonds,,to the. - amowit .of $3,000,000; ivere subscribed- for and : taken,: atrpar., None have pet been redeemed The Election of State Treasurer.. Mr. FOSTER introduced, the following.resolutionf • Whereat, It is of vital importance.to,the•perpetui t3r of our. free institutions and; to the citizens of 'Pennsylvania that the electoral: franchise be pre , served inviolate; and • Whereas,..lf has been extensively repor_t4 an and be lieved by many, that unlawfuleaus wereemployed to prOcure the election ofaState Treasurer on Mon day last ; and , Whereas, It is - due , hi. those on. whom suspicion may rest, - as also, to. the- citizens of this Come:ion monwealth, that this siabject bei nvestigated; there fore Resolved,. That ft committee of five.be appointed to examine the facts in, the ease, with authority to send for . persons and papers, and that- they report to this House., The resolution Ivan adopted. Adjourned From BOston. BosroN, Jan. 21..—A detachment of the Maine 7th" Regiment were escorted through the city to-day by. the Boston Light Infantry, 'Under-Major Oharles Rogers. The. Maine veterans rr _received aentlitie astic welcome: They will reach New - York iii the morning.- • Governor. .ztdrew to-day recommended the Le gislature, to take measures to secure the prompt payment or the -IVlassaChusetts soldiers, especially those having families dependent upfn them ibr sup port, and suggests that tie , Legislature authorize, the State Treasurer to borrow money 'from tree banks to. advasee:to the soldiers. 'lesson Charles Scudder, a ivell-kturiirri, merchant; Of this city, - died-to-day. From• C*Lifornia4 •PSAII• F.R . ANOISVOi ;JAM -billots for; Senator were taken last night. The.last - vote re sulted as follows.: .. • „ . S - • • ••• 361Conneits:::.. 25 Sergeant 8111171009 a. 6 . . .. The "indketiona now. art) that .none of the candi dates now promirent befsamthe Legislature will be elected, and. a search• in Weedy being made for. a eompromise,eandidates e. ' • The ateam6t► Golden Age`aailed to-day for Panama, with tltteenrpaissengers and1i,a36,660 in.treasure for !lug/gna t : funk $354,000 for New. York_ The • Gale44: 7 New York. YOtiii-Tafil2L - =il:+ery.heary gale is blow ing to night . damage : hai Yetbeenkreported -to the ihipiiiiig:•'Thel - •Noewich and. othei_Sound' boats left ekt Afie 4 ustml steamerrthetiNeW,O..4eina to4l4ibut she has fveolinyly anchored beton?: • • THREE CENTS. NATIONAL FINANCES. Wiest official Report of the Commissioner of Internal 'lt alterrne — The'Operattons of the Revenue An are Entirely Sueeessful-Es .timated Aggregate Revenue for the Filmed Year ending fist June next $18,000,000- New Regulot ions Iffecessary ter Govern the- USe of Stamps, Stse. • TI3I:ABt 33 0 EFA415 - TrE.V.r, . OFFICE OF INTERNAL .12EV1351:E, Jan, 13, 18Ri, • Sin : 1- have the honor to , submit the - following, statement concerning the organization of thifroffice, and the present condition of its•business, It is pot in my power to furnish the facts - contemplated in the 33d section of the Excise Law; nor will the' facts therein required deaerveconakleration until one year . of experience, at least, from the first of September, 1862; I entered upon my duties, as Commissioner of In ternal Revenue, on the 17th day of July last, and;. although the organization of the office ie now near ly accomplished, the returns of assessors-and collect ors are not yet so general and complete in their character as to enable me to furnish statistics of im portance as the basis of an estimate of the . revenue. to be derived from specific subjects of taxation. The' States not in actual rebellion have been divided into collection districts, corresponding in number, gene sally, to the Representatives to which they will be severally entitled in the 38th Congress. An assessor and collector have been appointed in each. The' whole number of districts is 183, including two , ins Virginia not filled by appointment of assessors and collectors. The assessors and collectors have been required to. make returns of the number of deputy collectors and' assistant assessors, and the residence of each. Col lectors have also been required to state the amount of the penal sum of the bond given by each deputy. The whole number of deputy collectors thus sip- , pointed is 898; the number of assistant assessors is 2,ssBmaking an aggregate of collectors, deputy col lectors, assessors, and assistant assessors of 3,814. There are also 60 male clerks and 8 female clerks who have been appointed in the Treasury Depart ment, and assigned for duty in this office. The whole number of persons employed in assessing and col lecting the revenue is, therefore , . 3,882. The number of assessors and collectors apPmeted does not corse- Ispond With the number of districts, as there are 'se veral vacancies existing. I have not the means, at the present time, of esti mating., with confidence, the amount of revenue which will be derived under the excise law of July 1, - 1862. During the last month, I have caused a careful investigation to be instituted into the seve sal sources 'of revenue, and an estimate to be made ' of the amount which May be derived fro& each source. AcCording to this estimate, there will be received from all 'sources, except stamp duties, during .the current fiscal yeas ending the 30th of June next, the sum of $61,717,79 1 3. I estimate that the . receipts from stamp 'duties, during the same period, will amount to the sum of $15,000,000, making an agg_ te r gate.revenue of $76,777,799. This result has been'. reached by the most careful inquiry that could be in stituted into the amount of the various kinds' of manufactures, the revenue to be'derived from each, and by a like easeful inquiry into all the , other Sources of income. This estimate is less by about eight millions of dollars than the general estimates which I had the honor to submit to you early in the month of December last. I have only to say, that in the more careful investigation which has recently been made, the revenue from each source has been estimated below, rather than above, what may rea sonably be anticipated. It may be assumed, further; that without material changes in the business of the country,.the revenue from the same sources, for the fiscal year 1863-4, will not be less than $150,000,900. Before proceeding to estimate the expenses of as. • sessing and collecting the revenue I desire to ex press the opinion that an increase in the pay of assessors is very important, if not absolutely neces sary. In ninny of the cities and populous districts, the services of competent persons have been secured and retained, only by the assurance that such a recommendation would be made to Congress. It is of importance to the Government that the assessor should ben man of intelligent business capacity and unfaltering integrity. The. compensation pro vided by law is not adequate for.the services of men who possess these qualifications. In many cases . - the expense of procuring a suitable office for the transaction of public business, and the proper fur nishing of the same, has consumed the entire com pensation which the assessor is entitled to receive. It seems to me that an allowance by the day, or by the year, is preferable to compensation by commis 'alone. If provision were made to a reasonable amount for office rent, an allowance of five dollars per day for the time employed, withotit regard to the nature of the service performed, might be an adequate cbmpensation for assessors in much the larger portion of the country. It would, however, I think, be necessary, if such should be the general rule, that the Secretary of the Treasury should be authorized to allow additional compensation to as sessors in portions of the country where the ex penses of living are larger; which compensation . • should not in any case amount 'to more than thirty five hundred dollars per annum. Itinay be deemed expedient to provide that the salary of assessors in districts which yield a revenue of $400,000, or less, shall be fixed at $1,500 per annum ; and that in districts where the annual re ceipts exceed the sum of $400,000, the assessor shall • be entitled to receive 1-5 of one per cent. on the ex-. cess over $400,000, in addition to his fixed salary; provided, that in no case shall such commissions and salary exceed the sum •of thisty•five hundred dollars per annum. In this connection it may be proper to suggest, also, that the Government should furnish to each collector, and to- each assessor,- a suitable safe for the preservation of the books and moneys belongieg to the Government. "Assuming that some additional eompensation will be allowed to assessors, I have made the following estimate of the) annual expenses-of collecting the revenue, viz : For expenses of assessing the taxes, the sum of ten thousand deniers in each collection district, or a total of $1,830,000..F0r the oollectionof the taxe.ssiMeach district ; s the sum of eight thousand dollars, or $1,464,000 in all. For-stationery, seventy thousand dollass.r , For advertising by assessors and • collectors, tlitity ss— thousand dollars. For eateries of Commissioner !end clerks in the office of Internal Revenue, one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. For blankliookrand : advertising, ten thousand dol lars. For printspg,stamps, eighty-five thousand dol len. Fos stamp agency at Philadelphia, seven thou-' sand and five hundred dollars. Total, three million six hundred and sixteen thousand five hundred dol lars. The only remaining item of expenditure is that of printing. .Of this I make no estimates. . These estimates of receipts and expenditures sfinw that the cost of assessing and collecting the taxes, under the present system, will be 2 41-100 per centiam ; and I have .the strongest confidence that, in the States now acknowledging the authority of the Constitution, the expense can never exceed 3 ,per -cent . When the authority of the Government is se-established in the rebellious States, the ex penses' will be' increased without a proportionate .increase in receipts. The returns received show that the expenses of collecting taxes in the Territo ries are altogether disproportionate to the income; indeed, the income will basely meet the cost of col . lection. •It may be deemed wise economy to limit the operation of the tax law : to the-States. This re lief would encourage immigration, and ultimately increase the revenues of the country. . When. .I entered upon the duties of the office, the' subject which first engaged my attention, was the . preparation of revenue stamps. By .the provisions of the - law, it was necessary that • each stamp should indicate 'upon its face the. nature of the paperor instrument to which it was -to be aPplied.This requisition involved the pre , potation of a huge number of engravings and dies, . which- should be dissimilar in design or in appear-- • since. As the time was limited for so great an un dertaking, and, in case an attempt should be made to procure stamps of various designs, the risk. of failure, in some instances at least, would be great,. --it was:thought advisable that the leading feature in-each should be the same. Upon consultation,. and with your approval, the head. of Washington, . after Stuart's painting, was adopted. Proposals, a, - copy of which is herewith transmitted, were issued. ':on-the 26th day•of July, 1862. On the 6th day of August,, the bids were opened in the presence of, the • - hidden, and the contract was awarded to Messrs.. .Butler 31. Carpenter, of Philadelphia, at the price of thirteen cents-per thousand, deliverable in Philadel -phis, or thirteen ande, half cents per .thousand, liverable in Washington; their- bid being much more advantageous to the Government than any other. . During the months of. October, Novembersand. a portion of December lest, the supply of stamps, both in amount and kind, was inadequate, and the office was unable to meet the demand made upon it. Con sequentlys-Many orders remained unanswered, in whole orin pan, for a long period:of time.. In.some cases complaints were made, but I. am. not aware that any neglect could justly have been attribute tlesinder the circumstances that existed, either to the contractors or to,thia office. At the present time, the supply of stamps, of every kind, is equal to. any probable demand that can be made. The arrange ments- of this office are: such, that stamps will be forwarded from Philadelphia within three days after 'the receipt of the orders. The system of checks, and guards adopted is such' as justifies the belief that losses to the -Government cannot occur, either-in connection With the receipt otmoneys or. the distri bution of stamps. ' It is but simple justice to say that-the-contractors bave.displayed great energy and a- good. degree , of taste in the prosecution of the work.aasdithe prepare -lions of the engravings. Had thelawbeenso framed originally that a stamp of a given s denontination. could have been used for its value urion_any , instrus ment, without regard to its kind, the work , of. pre paring the stamps would have been, much dimins ished, and the public would have been supplied at an earlier date. • The supplemental act of the 25th day of December last permits the use of - stamps without regard to the nature of the instrument to which they t are applied. - It will; however, be advisable to retain the existing distinctive characteristics, inasmuch as Persons engaged in particular pursuits, sushi as, life or fin insurance, for. example, will prefer, stamps specially designed for-their use. As the diesere•ert. graved and plaWe are prepared, these- stamps-can now be furnished at lessicost thanwould.be incurred in the preparation 'of new stamps of. as general character. • Numerous applications have been made. for the establishment of stampagencies-in different portions of the country. These apidications have been uni -formly declined, not only in obedience to the plain provisions of the law, butalso from. a. firnsconvietiosi that :it would be unwise in the• Government to en courage the establishment of, such. agencies. The law authorizes . the allowance of a, commission to thOSti who purchase stamps in sumts, of not leas thant fifty dollars., Under thiesalithOrity, the fol lowing Commissions are allowed s. On,p•Sinhases.o4 $5O 2or mere,. per centton. • . .6‘ 1 00• cc • • 3 It " I, sog it. 5, - u. It ii.belleved.that these rates-will scsedist private -enterprise the,t, stanapa l will, be furnished for sale in evesy.aection of- the country. if, however, the com mm,slim now alloweO by lam should ; prove Made (Nate to seesira this. result, itwould; be wiser to in dame the commission thitato. appoint agents for the sale oS stamps., In the latter ease the number of agents.must battery, large s stamps must be delis. vered on. credit I, and, eneu bo wl s with sureties, were given fez - ultimate payment, the loosest, would be id es, and the probable. loss of interest: : would not ; be was than two.per cent on the ague gate Wes. Under the present arrangement stamps, are •bot delivered in any case except upon, the. receipt of the money. At the close of bushiesa each 'day the Government is able to avail, itself, of such sums as have been received; while, if . [damps were deposited in small amounts, email:Oita; l arge number of persona indifferent sectioaami. the. country, -no 'reliance could be placed upon, the ceipts from 'this source of revenue. It is sls6mot to be csverlooked that, by the present plan, ouesystenf ofsaceount, in connection with the sale of stamps, la 'very simple and safe ; but, should depositaries be estabfished over the whole country, the. bustwalsof 'this office would be largely increased, and ; somplis , sated: If agents are appointed, the- numbeiehould ' be limited to mein each State of those mast distant from the seat of Government. 1 1 / 4 :1 • stamps, should be sold upon the•termeldloptedlerS t 1 .4-*4 l /O'doo , of States at the Office of Internal Ikeyentissand,the cciniliesisation to the agent . slitaild, im paid froM the appropriations for the supportotihis offine,- . . • -.1 • I suggest, as an important alteration needed In the stamp act, that, whenever an, instrument requiring a stamp is - executedsin a lorelgn otonntry,:the.stamp may be affixed and cemeelled by, any -party within the United States entrusted with 'thesousbAy . of such instrument. , • .. It may be expedient to so alter. the. law :tiat ifie stamps required upon .bonds, 'secured by mortgage, 'shall correspoind,in amount 'le - the .stamps required tmon proinissoit notes. - • In the idteliaishatlon of the duties of thitefflee, I have felt the necessity of a solicitor or le-gal,advmes. Its tiddition to the labor of organizing a' er s tem .wbich.sheuld atones embrace thesassestaMesit: and • 011ectiop Of , taieis,aProper accountabilitsstiponthe part ofiluitteisstin and collectors, and - the Administra tion of : the - central office, I have_ been-under theee• sesaity i constantly; of interpreting and explainin g THE WAR PRESS. (PUBLISHED WE LL) VIZ WAS Pane will be cent to subscribers by mall (per aunt= in advance) at 112.(10. live .. •• ‘. 0.00 Ten " " .. 17.00 Twenty COPIEI4" 173.00 Larger Clubs than Twauty wilt lie charged at tha i same rate. 81.60 per copy. 17e mono must always aceempant; the order, arta i.lln. no Instance can these terms he deetatedfrom, as thee afford very tittle more than the cost of ail Paper. inr - Postmasters are requested to act as Agents fee i a l‘irit Wes PRESS. 4 'c if' To the getter-up of a Club of tea or twenty, 3,11 lop) , of the Paper will be given. i nromegtra __ _ the law. The decisions have been very nunte the questions submitted should hive received nd ve a dtl. .l e individual attention and best judg. inert of a ,skillful and experienced lawyer. The ' necessity for the services of such person will not be less hereafter. Prom the nature of things, , controversies 1. 11 / 1 arise between parties as- Seated and the (It.yrernment, and in all such cases, instructions and at.yice of a legal character should be given to assessors collectors. It is also to be anticipated that in .*lnnierous cases* taxes will Ire paid under protet; au, t ts , will be commenced against collectors and some pr,Tigioll should . be' made for furnishing these officials With legal advice* and as- Matinee. It will likewise ix-necessary for collectors' to institute legal procceu'isgs against delinquents , under, and violations of the l-aw. Thus far,•the law has not only not been resitled, but these' (Altera have been accepted and welct - Mailand - rite' etrperi enee of the country justifies the statement that the measure, in plan and detail, ' , was - framed' With a high degree of wisdom. In many ttiffing• particu lars the law will require amendzdents ; but in - this communication I desire to call attention - to those defects only which I deem most important "in 'ciao racier. It became necessary„ fiery early, 'establislS a' rule or teat by which 'to decide, in r. giVen cape,- whether a particular article or product was; or was. not, a manufacture under the law; and - -conse quently. subject to, or exempt from, taxation. As the law itselfwas framed with direct reAtfence to manufactures, and the sale of manufactured goods, I Saw no way open for the satisfactory settlement of such questions except to appeal to the =ages of business men. Hence, I have decided that any article made by hand or machinery, and known to commerce as an article of traffic, and not exempt Under the law, must be regarded as a manufacture, and subject to taxation as such. It was, of course, well understood by Congress that many mant:fac tures, which are complete in themselves, and artistes well known to commerce, are yet the materials out of which other manufactures are produced. It must also have been understood by Congress that, under any possible construction of the law, the same artt ides or materials would be taxed two or more timely in different manufactures. By the express pro visions of the law, raw cotton was subject to a tax of half a cent per pouud; and cotton goods manu factured were subject generally to a tax of three per-cent, ad valorem. Leather is subject to a spe cific tax, and all manufactures of leather are also subject to a three-per-cent. ad valorem tax. • By the construction which I have been called ne cessarily to give to the law some articles are taxed three and even four times. In most cases the several taxes are levied upon articles which are consumed chiefly or altogether within the limits of the United States ; and if the tax be uniform upon all producers and manufacturers, the only effect is to increase the cost of the articles to the consumer. .I am not aware .that the tax will be so great in any case as to materially diminish consumption. It is not; however, to be overlooked tint this subject of taxation tends to aggregate business in the hands of men who are able to carry on the processes of manu facturing an article in all its stages. It would be manifestly unjust to allow an indivi dual to manufacture leather, and from the leather manufacture shoes, paying. a duty only on the last product. The law provides that whenever a manu facture is removed for consumption, the manufac turer is liable to pay the tax on the article so re moved. Under this. provision of law I should feel bound to hold that a manufacturer of leather and of shoes would be liable to taxation. upon the leather whenever it was removed for consumption or menu fabtures. • • The legality of such a- ruling is not free from doubt,. and I, therefore,. respectfully suggest such an alteration of the law as-to provide that whenever 'a manufacturer shall use, or shall remove for con sumption or use, any artioles, goods, wares, or mer chandise, which if removed for sale would be liable to taxation as manufapturest,. he shalt be assessed 'Upon the saleable value of thearticles, goods, wares, or merchandise, so used, or so removed for consump tion or use. In the absence of legislation upon this point, and of authority under .the law for ruling List indicated, it would be impossible that the exist g divisions and subdivisions of labor in mechanical and manufacturing pursuits should longer continue. A change in this particular would not only be die • estrous to a large number of mechanics and. manu facturers, but would essentially and perniciously affect the prosperity of the country. The uncer tainty existing in the public mind upon this point, has already affected business- unfavorably, and if suffered longer to exist will. be likely. to produce formidable opposition to the whole revenue system. I cannot, therefore, too strongly urgetheimportance of legislation upon this subject. There are a limited number- of , articles-which are plainly manufactures, but which, as manufactures, are but slightly increased in.value over the value of the material used. I would, therefore, respectfully suggest that wherever the value of a manufactured article - does not exceed the value of the - material of which it is composed by more than five percent. of the value of such material, the manufacturer should be exempt from , taxation. It so often happens in cities-• and large-toivns that persons in. business remove from one place to an other, that I feel compelled: to-suggest, respectfully-, such an alteration of thelaw as-will allow &licensee 'to enjoy a license, granted for a particular business in a specified place, at any other place to-which he may remove. The law itself does not furnish st , rule or test of universal application, by which a-wholesale dealer can be distinguished from .a retail dealer. I-respect fully suggest, in addition to• the teat already pro vidvl, that no persona whose sales-are less than twenty thousand dollars per annum shall be regard ed as a wholesale dealer. It may also be-expedient to divide wholesale dealers in two or more classes as Been sees, according to the-annual amount of-business. It.has happened, in many cases, that illegal assess ments have been made; and, in seine instances, the money so assessed has been paid to collectors anddc posited in the Treasury. t Other" - alinfiar instances will arise. It seems to me that authority should be given either to the Secretary of- the Treasury or to the Commissioner of Internalßevenue to refund the money when E 0 paid or to mese proper allowances to collectors , when l ists containing such assessments have been returned, and the collectors have - been charged with the whole amount thereof. The experience of the office • has • suggested many modifications of the law' which promise to be bene ficial to the Government or oonvenient to the public; but their, importance is-not such as to justify even an enumeration. Information on these several , topics can be pre sented more satisfactorily in.en informal manner, either to yourself or to the Committee of Ways ami Means, as may seem to you expedient. I desire, in this my first communication upon the general affairs of tins office to signify my sense of personal obligation to you ' for the generous confi dence with which you have honored and aided me in the discharge of my duties.. . I am, with highest respect, your obedient servant, GEO. S. BOUTWELL, • . . Commissioner Internal Revenue. To Hon. S. P. Masi.; Secretary of the Tkeasury. A Russian► Noble. .Among the last heard of oddities attracted to Paris by various motives, is said to be a Russian Prince of great wealth, his fortune being estimated at the respectable figure of $650,000 a year. • A Paris cor respondent of a Canada paper says, he spends much of his time travelling, and hAving a passion for wild beasts, curies an extensive menagerie around with him'. This nobleman, who hasextensive estates in the Ural' Mountains, containing an emerald mine, and producing the finest malachite in existence, has spent immense sums in the purchase of-wild beasts, and has succeeded in forming a very formidable col lection, including a lion, twotigers, several panthers, a pair of hyena; various monkeys, all. excessively noisy, and other " horrors" too numerous to men tion. The Prince, on arriving here, took•possession of the suite of rooms that'had been previously en gaged for him ; and as he delights in poking up his Iremendous pets and setting -them itllriutring toge •ther, previous to feeding them, the dismay of the • successive layers of tenants who-filled thereat of the - house. from garret to cellar, may easily be con ceived. . The frightful news of the establishment of a mena gerie of bona fide wild beasts in a private dwelling foon circulated throughout the neighborhood, throw ing all the inhabitants into-spasms of. terror. Cbm plaints poured in upon the , police author! ties. ) .arul the guardians of tne public peace "transported themselves" to the prince's lodgings without debaY, satisfied themselves that the animals were really • there, informed him that the harboring of these-dan gerous and noisy pets was-against the law, and ordered him to get rid of them. The prince; on his side, set forth the impossibility of• his- givingiv collection which he had 'formed at so •greata cost, and on which he had set so high •-a value ; -and en treated, as he was only passing through Paris, en route for Livonia, where he has an immensedomain, with.a chateau, and plenty of accommodatioinfOrbis beasts, to be allowed to keep thempofibrisig- to.buy out all the other tenants on terms that would; in demnify them for the loss and cod of .the removal, and to take such precautions as the police authori ties should dictate, againstall danger of the escape of the animals. As the house stands alone, and possesses-adarge internal court round which the cages of the animals can be conveniently ranged, the difficulty was thus got rid . of. The other tenants have -quittedl the building, taking.with them goods and chattels, and a handsome indemnity paid down at once by the .6ceen tricitussitua. The latter has rented the entire-house, and is so much pleased with an arrangement which leaves him free to give the range of the:pretaises to his roaring darlings, that he has-determined.to re main here through the winter. PERSONIL. Mr. T. B. Aldrich assumes tliislyeek; the. edi• torship of the New York Illustrated Neres. —At lost accounts Paul Pdorphy was in Paris, but would make no matches at:thane-. Resolutions of respectte the memory, of,Elisha Whittlesey, late of the Treasury. Department, have been entered upon thejournal of the Supreme• (kiwi of Ohio. On the 31st of Desemberrideutenant- Colonel Gareache 17R8 killed at litunfreesboro r ands on the 29th of December Major.. Garesche. was. killed at Vicksburg. Thus at different points, nearly a thou. sand miles apart, the two „brothers . have bat their lives within;two days Of each other. - • News _has been received: , that Capt. Alfred C. Price, of the 4th: Alabama: Regiment, who was wounded.in the battle of , Gaines, itllll,.Va:, died in Richmond on the '7th of .Tuly, last. Hetwas a son o Joe. IF,. l;sq., of Talbot county, hid., and only 24 years . of age.. —._The.Goveirnor of "Stith', in his.nzpual message, " is.sorry to say. that- hes t erceives among that peo ple. little. szmpathy with the Unita& States." He condemns polygamy, and warns the Inhabitants. against its continuance., Captain St. Clair. Morton,jor distinguished:. gallantiy at liTurfreesboro, has been made a brigs & dier general. by President Lincoln.. La.martilie hag sold his "Memoirs from I3eliond the Grave"' for forty thousand dollars. This.is dying to some PurPOse. • --The lon. T. L. Hendricks, just elected Ifidted States Senator, from Indiana, for six yearlywaif a 3lepresentatiins in.Congrests. from Indiana from l&M to 185, In Use- hater yearhe.was appoiMeii missioner of the. er,eneral Land Office,' hit Rresiden4 Pierce-an office he held loader Mr. Bueianan. • —John Slidell. KreceiTed,” on New tearN.day l .in. Paris, and was called .on a good dtial . by persona,of Secesb Generailtreckleridge bad (.4te.of his ears talon off at the battle of Ptfurfreesbc6. I s t allot:Alin, pre, served in souse. The Gen Ar ea i ussv i ke d j us t as common thieves are in E.a. - di crA cow:a t r i a& Count Gurowekl has : p e e n , indicted by the grand JIM of theDictrint of c>oiunlbla and county 4 1 'iValdi- Ington for a libel on WT. Hunter, chief olerk of the State Department.;/ Marshal Lemon arrested bitn, and he is held t :finilto answer. ' " =The Pope:4 lls "too unwell to officiate at thi Christmas fi;,itivities in Rouse. It is said that his change rsitem Is seriously affected by any sudden the witither, and the cauterization in.his leg;Pridlices a feverish excitement. Magna& s return to - his.island home in Oat. '',.'•`rerts" is Made the.subject Oflelaboritte • dezeiriptioit ;by thfcceriesixeidents of ,the English papers. life :Utter was lefreted. from the frigate Sardinia 'to tioat, 'and thence removed to the shore. ' The clerks in the, different departientlf of the Michigan State Admirtistration have iireie4ttd tiro Governor Blair a silver tea service. costing ssoo4ita a token of their regard.