Cly Vrezz. IFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1863 Airir-We can take no notice of anonymous oommu micatlons. We do not return rejected manuscripts. air Voluntary correspondence solicited from all 'parte of the world, and especially from our different military and naval departments. When need; it Ivilrbe paid for. • ••• FORNEY'S WAR PRESS :For Saturday, February 14th, has Just: been issued, and is for sale at the counter of The Presi: The fol lowing are, the principal contents : ENGEMING.—Portrait of Major General Joe. Iletokee, Commander-in- : Chief of the, Army of the Potomac. ORIGINAL STEkriloom and Glare. , POETRY: Mother l'Oan' I Go 7—The Oath—To Ittnelia- . --FeJis Et Mures.' - EDITORIALS.—A. Reconstructed Union—The Affair AV= Oharlob:in—Regenerated Mexico—The Tide Turning—Case of the Jeffersonian Newspaper— The ,Pree Banking System—Admiral rifupont— League 'shunt—The Private Opinions of the Demo, °ratio Club—Neutrality of BlockAding—Reform in Bthden—Military Resources of France. OCOASIONAL.—AII. the. Letters from "Occa sional" during the past week are published In the lrar Presa • . FROM WASHINGTON—SpeciaI Despitahos to The . Press. • 'PRE DEINTOORATIO OLUR—A full Synopsis of the Proceedings, and Mr. O. O. Burr's late Speech, NEWS FROM EUROPE, AND ALL 'OUR ARMIES AND SQUADRONS. SCIENCE, LITERATURE, AND ART. AGRICULTURE. , • FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC MARKETS. WIT AND HUMOR. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. A WEEK'S SUMMARY OF NEWS. The WAR PliMB is a most desirable paper for the camp and soldier, containing, as it does, not only a choice selection of literary matter, but also a cons. plete summary of the news of the past week. Roplee ready, for mailing.oaa be-obtained at the • eowiter of the 'Picas for five cents. ' • Mediation. The elaborate despatches we print this morning "give a complete history of our di plematicirelations With. France on the ques-5 tion - of mediation. There is -no reservation or. secrecy.' • The -donntry knowis as much. as, is known At.the,,Qpinet of Washington or the bonrt :of St -James. And now that the troth lk i bifore* we can see really -, what these storierof . mediation • contain. Those who drendedWar and diploMatic complica ti4rts will see that ; the Correspondence be. tWeen the.' two nations has been marked with :'courtesy, ~candor; and. kindness. ..FranceseemS•to ,haire been' sincere in her de- See ..this War end. She 11;4 many interests - to consult, and the American war is source of suffering. She may desire to seethe- fall of this Republic, but she cer, tabaly desires cotton and tobacco. She feels that her conimere,e and agriculture arc suffer ing—and she feels the interest of a common . huuumity in. the cessation of the war and the prevalence of 'peace. We are bound to give France the credit of these kind inten tions,. more. particularly as it - enabled the Administration to give the world a noble and manly record. While we .maintained our honor, it cannot be said that we main tained it in a petulant or angry spirit. We met` France with the frankness that so well becomes a great pepple, proud in the midst of. suffering and inflexible unto the end.., • We say to France and we' say to the world, that in this war we have no other ptfrpose than to crush the rebellion. .When we accomplish this, the War is over. 'lf we fail to do this; by defeat, internal conipro mtse br external mediation, we merely pro claim a truce, and enter upon a generation veiatious,'endless, and bloody wars. We admit ourselves to be a conquered and an inferior race, and ' the future would 'be a 'war of petty• States, factions, or into rests, of traditions and . hatreds, of rival-. ries as bitter as those that existed be tween Lancaster and York, and which now exist between Bonaparte and Bourbon. It is to escape from a future like this tilt we 'persist in ending this wants it may seem hest to do. . This is the policy so eloquently : and elaborately discussed by the .Secretary of State to Mr. DAYTON, and when he shows to. that Minister, and through him,- to the 'Minister of France, that this is not the war of two nations or peoples, but the war of a Republic against an insurrection, and that the European Powers have failed to do us justice in refusing to admit this doctrine, he ends the argument and completely answers the Emperor. -We are satisfied to stand by the Secretary of State on this question. He occupies high and patriotic ground—the only ground that an America,n statesman can occupy with honor. The country will honor him for his patriotism and boldness, and the world will respect the grace, the beauty, the enthu siasm, and the polished eloquence with which he.condncted and closed the celebrated con troversy. The Passage of the Currency . In the Senate, yesterday, the bill of Mr. Senator SHERMAN, providing for free bank 7 ing, s was 'teased by a vote of 28 to 21. We are surprised that the vote was not larger, although, like all reforms, it was compelled to submit to every test, of every criticism that adverse interests could suggest. In the first place, the friends of the local banks were earnest and bitter in their opposition ' to a measure which seemed to threaten the ruin et the banking business. Investigation and inquiry dispelled this idea almost abso lutely. Others, however, thought it was unconstitutional for the Government to in terfere with the right of issuing currency, as it Was a right belonging to the States, and - would interfere with valuable prerogatives. The best answer to this was suggested by the fact, that currency is the ally of commerce,. or, to be more accurate, the life of comtherce, and if we gave commerce national privi leges, we should bestow the 'same 'Upon currency. The right to impose im port and export duties, to arrange tariffs and regulate the revenues, can only be made efficient when we grant the right to , regulate the currency. We. May even go so far as to say that the apathy or neglect of the Government in other days to exercise the right" of regulating the currency, ague,' veted the commercial disasters that we have so often endured and led to general bank rttptcy. We might also strengthen this argument by quoting the constitutional re striction- in reference to the States issuing bills of credit, and argue that if this power cannot be exercised by a State, it certainly cannot be exercised by a corporation; " but consider these arguments hardly nee:es wiry We accept this measure of the Senate as the beginning of a new reform in our cur rency. It is a step in the path of progress. The right of State banking and State cur rency perishes with other pernicious States' rights that this war is terminating. Here after the American dollar will'be the same wherever the authority of America is re spected. We shall no longer be at tho mercy of irresponsible and weak corpora tions, whose promises •to pay fall fifty per cent. in a day's ride. Paper will be placed on the same standard as gold and silver, and men will deal in the faith of the Govern ment as they now deal in the faith of one another. The Message of the Governor. If we understand the message of his Ex-. , cellency the Governor, as printed this morn ing, it is in this manner: 'The Government heretofore, in the exercise of a high and sOlemn responsibility, has seen fit to arrest and confine suspected persons, at the same , time suspending the writ of habeas corpus, mid transcending certain written laws. The effect of this action has been to engender 4liacontent and sedition, and bad men—or,. to use the Governor's homely and expressive phrase, "a .few wretches among us, false to: all our free''.and loyal traditions "—are actively plotting to betray us. These of fences, he earnestly contends, should be punished, and he asks the Legislature to pass resolutions calling upon Congress to • , enact laws defining the crime and providing for its punisl!ment.. These resolutions shall, _he suggests, earnestly request Congress. to "forthwith pass laftvs defining and punish ing offences of the class above referred to, and providing for the fair and speedy trial by • an impartial jury' of •persons charged with such offences in.the loyal artd.nadis ' tarhed States, ; io.: that tye guilty maY'justly suffer and the iniakint . be relieved." In the 'Senate, Mr. LotritT offered resolution. 4 embodying the Governor's suggestions, and they were passed to a,,Second reading. In the House, the message was ordered to be printed—yeas OG, nays .32—nany of the Democrats voting in the affirmative. We do not see preciselY what the Gover-. nor intends by his message, unless it may be to place Pennsylvania on what. we shall call conservative ground. The wisdom of his. message consists in this : He anticipates very efficient and malignant argument of • the., enemii by lioldly..e.flinning: their own ground' and defying them - to endorse the very-measure for, which they have clamored. It' admits that arbitrary arrests are wrong, and asks the sympathizers to join in punish ing legaPy what they do not desire to see punished in a summary and arbitrary man ner. -If the Governor can succeed in accom plishing this he will accomplish "a very WO,' :derful and adroit achievemen.t, , and, perhapsi, .do a great deal of good; to the country: ; For, ourselves, we prefer to wait and see. We:. . see no harm th4,ein come from the adoptlOit: of the resehtgons. At the same time, be lieving,, as.We* do, that the Government has been rightln . exercising its high and .solemn* ,responsibilitY,. We do-not see that they will . do Much to strengthen the position of Penn :sylvania among the loyal States,: 'nor to prevent her relations with the Government being misunderstood. It is a commendable 'thing that "the 0 - ,uilty,should justly. suffer and the innocent be relieved;" but we shbuld be sorry to understand the Governor as in timating tliatany innocent persori had been punished .by the . Government. It is our boast, as loyal men, that none but the dis loyal have • suffered, and none but the' 'disloyal clamored over..the suffering; and whoever asserts contrary doctrines .treads' . .tread upon dangerous and delicate ground.. New York Loyalty. The New ; York Express, which is one of those superfine loyal papers that sustain the Goverionent but do not sustain the . Administration, dbeers the hearts' of its readers in the following grateful manner: . "What hopes can have the country'? Is it a won , der, now, that the people are apprehensive, affright ed ; that 'even this ?resident may be removed by some Cromwell,. as the Rump Partiemcnt was by the old Crom well? Or, that the :Federal resources may be utterly exhaneted, and enormous taxes be fastened upon us and our posterity, generation . after generrationl Is it a wonder that gold fluctuates and vibrates by every breath from Washington'? Is it a wonder. that treasury paper goes down and down, and down'? Is it 'marvellous that there is no confidence, but little hope, and univamd gloom tin Zooking at the futureN- In the time of the Revolution, we are told that General PUTNAM, as commander of New 'York, found it difficult to restrain the "disaffected" from open outbreaks againsi the Continental Congress, and his utmost vigilance could not prevent them from send ing supplies to the ships of Admiral Howe, as they lay out in the btty. We are not aware that these people wrote for news papers, but we can very well imagine what they would have written : What hopes can have the provinces ? Is it a. wonder, now, that the colonists are apprehensive, affright ed ; that even this Continental Congress may be removed by some Cromwell, as the Rump Parliament was by the old °nom wErt. ? Or, that the colonial resources may be utterly exhausted, and enormous taxes fastened upon us and our posterity, genera tion. after generation ? Is it a wonder that our currency fluctuates and vibrates by every breath from Philadelphia ? Is it a wonder that the Continental notes go down, ' and down, and down ? Is it marvellous that there is no confidence in the army of raw recruits now shivering at Valley Forge ; but little hope in the timid WASHINGTON, who has raised his sword against our Sove reign Lord the King, and universal gloom. in looking at the future ? We trust that the editor of the Express may live to the utmost limit of human life. When his hair is gray and his form is old and bent, and he sees around him a happy And prosperous country, we will not envy the feelings with which he will read the lines we have taken from his • pen. This may be called loyalty now—but in the hereafter, when men weigh it calmly and deliberately, it will be called by another name. The Political Reaction. "Political reactions," said L.V.MAUTINE in an oration preceding the revolution of 1848, " are like the recoil of cannon. They are the recoil of ideas. The human mind, affrighted by the new truths which the re volutions wrought in her name have thrown out before the world, shrinks back before her own discoveries, and weakly abandons the territory she hid gained. But, gentle men, the recoil is only temporary ; other hands step forward and recharge the pacific artilleryof human thought, and new explo sions, not of ball, but of light, restore their empire to the.truths which seemed surren dered or vanquished." These words of the eloquent Frenchman, uttered at a time when France, feeling that she had been false to the teachings of the great Revolution, was on the eve of making another attempt to consummate the happy destiny of a repub lic, may be appropriately applied to the pre sent condition of political affairs fit the Northern States. The true philosophy of the present reaction, as it is called, is here contained. We fought this war on a great idea. That idea is liberty. It came to us from the past; it was embodied in our tra ditions; it gave life to the civilization of our age ; it gleamed upon our banners with a brilliant light. If this war has had any meaning or anyptirpose; they were embodied iu the idea of liberty. We did not seek It ; it was forced upon us. We accepted liberty from our fathers. It was an imperfect lega cy ;it carried burdens. We trusted to time; progress,,eivilization, justice, to the feeling of pride and humanity that lies in the hearts of all men, to do away with a hereditary sin, to redeem this legacy and ennoble our na tion. This idea was growing into life when the South drew the sword and declared war upon it. We might have attained it in the way. of peace ; but we must do it in the way of war. This idea is a political sentiment in the ' North. It is defended by the sword, and assv.iled by the sword • elsewhere ; here, we must battle by the ballot. When slavery made war upon the nation we answered it with liberty. The idea that had beeugrow ing through years,. quietly attaining strength. and, power, gradually controlling the hearts of the people, and which might have tri umphed in another generation, was hur riedly forced into the cannon and hurled upon the enemy. ..It.ivas the first ball that left-Fort tiumpter. • The proclamation 'was merely the report of . the .. .explosion—the ap parent triumph of the Democracy in the Northern States constitutes the recoil. The Cannon fills baCk, and men stand wondering ; but the shot has been fired ; the smoke rises, the burning powder . oppresses the .air, the ball is speeding its errand ; its destiny is irre vocable ; it goes *crashing, driving, over throwing, roinihilating,• and the system of shivery falls in splinters. While the smoke and noise' : 'affright the people, they cannot be expected to. form a just conclusion; nor properly appreciate her own taituriphs. Men hesitate, and for alt instant turn back. They hesitate at elections. They see taxation; and timidity, and, it may be, wickedness among their rulers: They have fondly hoped for years ; their hopes became dreams, and, with the enthusiasm of the visionarY, they saw delicious sights, and hoped to see them realized. They hoped to see liberty rise from the strife triumphant before the battle had begun. Like blind men when their eyes were first opened, the trees grew. down ward,-and the world seemed strange. They could riot realize that infighting slavery they had to fight an enemy whose strength had accumulated for centuries, and was protect,. ed by the power of the Republic. Men of ideas are not always patient men. They forget that 'the - world changes slowly, and . with reluctance, and that before the pe.opld can believe, they must be educated. There may be a reaction, and , men may turn away from the glories of the future; because they are darkened by.the 'gloom of the present.. We must not despair because .this is. - , The recoil :is only teMportny. The gloom passes away like the smoke that rises from the cannon, and obscures the Victory"; or the mist that lifts from the earth and shows the spreading landscape; or the clouds that pass into air and 'release the glowing . sunshine. If there is impatience Or anxiety in the Northern States, this is its real /meaning. We *7 reed. t they should be seen in any. way--butp§t us do kistice to die men of our own race, to our brothers and , friends. .14t us dyive away the • Mists of prejudice and apPrehension, and they will see even as we see, and they will-bless God for his goedness. When we regard the war in this aspect, we feel proud that we arc permicted to fight under a ban ner whose legend is the proudest that a free, *pie can boast . We do not believe that it can be conquered, for its defeat would be to turn hack the ages and inaugurate the reign of superstition and ignorance Such a destiny can never,be intended for us, and those who see it in the political reaction that recent events are supposed to indicate fail to tend correctly the signs of the times. The Councils. We: are very :much disgusted with our City .Counells. Altherto they have main . tabled - a -certain degree of respect ; but we arebe g inni ngto think they are as degraded as the 'Aldermen •of New York, ' beyond which no comparison can go. We have 'seen nothing, thus far, ,but disputation, an ger, injustice, insolence, and fraud. Instead of,attending'to their Idgitimate business and legislating for highways, and water, and the peace of the city, the inembers do nothing but scold 'one another in the' fiercest invec tive, : and -plot .and, counterplot to obtain control' of the departments, the police, and the city's revenue. In the meantime all in terests suffer, and the people must stand sub missive spectators, while the actors in this bear-garden go through their antics, and Make themselves ridiculous and offensive. 'When we take up the Council reports in the rimming it is impossible to anticipate the en : tertainment.they contain. It may be a per sonal controversy between Mr. CRESSWELT. land Mr. MEEsna, in which Mr. MEEsza is ' pthemptorilj reminded that his claim to be a Councilman is a fraud upon'the commti-, niiji; or a quarrel between Mr. Batorrrur and Mr. WETHERTLL, as ,to the merits of Devii3 as a presiding officer, in which 'the peled Chamber is told that Mr Raroacr ifr gave it an organization it should be proud 'of ; or a' speech from Mr. Qmw, in which he 'Ames the,Governtnent in a style that mani fests a charming - innocence of Abe rules of rhetorii and grammar, and a want of patriot ism ; or 'a demonstration from Mr. BAR GEE, who' now serves the Democratic party , as Councilman and legislator.; or an unseemly exhibition of partisanship by Mr. WiLsox 11.x.nn, who was made'Pre • sident.l?y the brute force of his party. In the Common Branch we see these scenes more frequently, until at • length we are be ginning to despair of anything but ani mosity and intrigue. There are many good ,men in Councils, but their influence is not seen. We believe, if these men were to strike hands, and determine that fraud and contention should cease, they would suc ceed., " They must unite and do so. Party politics in City Councils is unseemly, unne cessary, and degrading. -Let us *see it ended. Let all men who desire to serve the city, irrespective of party, determine that this clamor and disgrace shall end. They will succeed, and the people will honor them for their manly courage. WASITTNGTON. Special Despatches to 66 The Press.” OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS. TIE PROPOSED DIEDIATION OF NAPOLEON. Message from President Lincoln. Official Correspondence on the Subject. The Despatches of Mr. Seward, Mr. Dayton, and M. Drouyn de liMuys upon the Subject Submitted to the. Senate—The Primary Offer of Mediation Tem. , • porarily abandoned. • fie., On ! , • &e. Wasararercur, February 12, 18113. OFFICIAL COMIESFONDIrSCR SUBMITTED TO Tt EMT@ The President to-day dent to the Senate the fol lowing despatches : DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 'Feb. 12, 1663. To the President of the United Slates: The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the Senate of the 10th inst., requesting the President, if not in his judgment incompatible with the public interests, to lay.before the Senate any_ correspondence which has taken place between this Government and the Goveratrient of France, on the subject of mediation or other measures look ing to the termination of the existing civil war, has the honor to lay before the President a copy of the correspondence called for by the said resolution. Respectfully submitted, WM. H. SEWARD. MR. DAYTON .TO MR. SEWARD—EXTRACT. Pears, Nov. 18, 1862. Sin: Ilerewith I enclose to_ you the copy of a communication just made to Monsieur Drouyn de I'Huys. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WM. L. DAYTON. MR. DAYTON TO M. DROUYN DE L'IIUYS. Pints, Nov. 16, 1862. MoNsrenr. LE MINISTRE : Ina recent conversa tion had with your Excellency you asked some questions in relation to the population of the South ern States of the United States, and the Position of the several divisions of our army. This, in connec tion with a statement in your despatch of the 30th October to his Majesty's ambassador at London and at at. Petersburg, officially published, induced me to make to you this communication. Although that despatch was not addressed to me or to my Government, yet it so intimately concerns the lat ter that X am sure I shall be excused if I. refer to it in connection with the subject mater of your con- . versation. Ido this not. with a view to any, criti cism, or the expression of 'any opinions beyond those already given by me, but to correct, so much RBI can what seams 'to me •a misapprehension of I facts. do this , In the hope that, should the ques tion present itself for Consideration in the your Excellency may be induced to revise your opinions as to the strength of the parties involved In the war now existing in the United States. Your Excellency says "There has existed be tween the belligerents from the very outset of the war an equality of strength, which has been almost constantly maintained ever since, and after So much bloodshed they.are now, in this respect,_ very nearly in the same position as at first. Nothing justifies the expectation of any more decided;military opera tions at an early day.' In answer to your questions in our conference of the 11th inst., I endeavored, with the aid of a map, to point out the districts of country occupied at pre sent by the several divisions of our army. If your Excellency can, from memory, recall these questions, and compare them with the condition of things at the very outset of the war, or even as It has been within the past year, you will find cause, I am sure, for grave doubts as to the accuracy of the opinion expressed in the above extract. A little more than a year ago, the whole of the slave States south of the Potomac and Ohioasud all west of the Mississippi, thirteen Irian, were in the posiession of the insurgents, except 'only a small locality in Virginia opposite to Washington, a tract of country in the same State, to the west of the Al legheny mountains, in which there was a mixed possession; the northern parts of Kentucky, and perhaps one-half of Missouri. With these. excep tions, they held undisputed sway of the entire country of the South. They possessed at the same time the military arsenal at Harper's Fen) , and the vast naval arsenali and dock-yards at Norfolk and Pensecola. They had likewise possession of the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, which, in connection With the command of the Potomac, gave them control over the access by water to Washing ton, the capital of the nation. They have lost, during the year, the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake and the command of the Potomac, the city of Norfolk, with its arsenals and dock yards, and neighboring country, and the dock yards at Pen sacola. They have lost all Virginia west of the Alleghenies, Kentucky, and Missouri, and part of Tennessee; comprising, among other points, Nash vile, the capital, and Memphis, its commercial por on the Mississippi. They have lost every port, har bor, and fortification on the Atlantic coast or any value, those at Charleston alone excepted, from the mouth of the Chesapeake to the southern point of Florida, and thence around the Gulf coast to Pensa cola. But more than this, they have . within the year lost New Orleans, the great commercial metropolis of the South with the numerous fortifications esta blished for its defence. They have likewise lost the Mississippi, with every island and river fortifi cation' save that, at Vicksburg, by which it was de fended. This river, which drains' the entire valley of the West, and cuts in two the slave States, from Cairo to the Gulf, and one which could float the navies of the world, which can neither be forded or bridged, must forever separate the four slave States, and their contiguous territories; on its west side from those on the east. The loss of this river was more injurious to the cause of the insurrectionists than the loss of many battles. Conscious that this would be so, it was fortified, your Excellency will remember, not only at its mouth, and below, and at New Orleans, but at every available point upwards, petit, with its many fortifications, Vicksburg alone excepted, has within the year been lost to the South. The Tennessee , and the Cumberland, great interior rivers of the West, with theirdefences and fortifies.. lions, have likewise been taken, after a hard strug gle, by the arms of the Union. In a mord, the insurgents do not now hold a foot of ground which they did not hold early in the war, while the flag of the Union has been constantly advanced, and now Moats somewhere on the soil or over the fortifica tions of every Sfrve State save one. Their armies have, in the meantime, been driven from an area of country embracing, in the aggregate, not less than one hundred thousand square miles, and occupied by a population ranging from 1,609,000 to 2,000,000 of people. But in war, equality in strength consists 'not in these things only. Permit me, therefore', to remind your Excellency, that while all the incipient efforts on the part of the South to create a navy have been defeated, , and her, vessels destroyed, the navy of the United States has within the year; grown from a very Small to a very great power, closing the ports of the South, precluding, save with our coneent, all entrance to or exit from them, unless by stealth or accident. This power, which the South has but lit tle to meet,-is alined . exclusively the growth of the year; and on our own coasts and in the, pods, bar bors,and rivers of the South, it cannot but be in the future a most efficient means of attack or • defence. There areother elements of strength which specially r re consideration—men and money. mitThe ar f the South have been large beyond example as compared with the extent of population from which they have been drawn. To raise them to their present standard the conscription law of the South :bas embraced all from the,age of eighteen to forty-five years. Their armies, like our own, waste away by the clutualtiekOf tear, and there . can .be THE PRESS. - PHILA.DELPHM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1863. little force in reserve to suriplYthe'drain.iltin ex amination of the preliminary report 01 the census of 1860, of which.' have the, power to transmit: - you a copy, will show on page 131 that the body of the population upon which the South must draw for the supply of this drain is less even than I suggested our recent conversation. ' - The aggregate free population of all,the slave States, including Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, . Kentucky, and Missouri, is only 8,789,763; but from this must.be deducted the population of those slave States in the possession of United States, where no conscription law of 'the South could probably be enforced, and likewise the free blacks of the South,. in whose hands they dare not place arms. The free population of those States, shown by the census of , 1860, is aa, followe : Delaware, 11,048; Maryland,. 699,860 • Kentucky, 930,2011; Missouri, 1,067,081 ; Ka, nawha, or Western Virginia, with Jefferson, Mai mac, 'and Northampton counties, estimated at 379,974 ; free blacks of the South to be deducted, 260,987; _making an aggregate of 3,338,12 i, which, when deducted from the aggregate free pulation of the Sbuth, leaves only 4,961,642, includin po g men, wo men, and children. The general accuracy of these figures can readily be tested by reference to pages 131, 286, 287, 238, and 289 of the ()ensue report before referred to. It is true that, to some slight extent, troops may volun tartly- go into the Southern army from the frontiers of the country not in their possession, but' these would probably be at least balanced by those with holding themselves along the coasts and thetowne and cities of the South subject to our control, and for which no allowance is made in the above colon lationa. I need not recapitulate the population of the free States and of the bonier States in our possession. The af il egate, by a reference to"he same census re- Krt, , tie seen to be within a fraction of twenty two in lions, (21,996,845.) During the last summer, in addition to the army then in the field they raised within the space of two months, principally, by voluntary enlistments, 600,000 men, and there is, yet another and still another army in the reserve; as I am instructed, to take their place in the whole; or tn part, should that, unhaippily, become necessary. In the foregoing estimate I have taken no account - of the slaves of the South as a source either of strength or weakness. As they have been used heretofore, they have certainly added strength. to their masters. They have been forced to labor with it in the tronek es, while the great mass have toiled in the field at home, thus leaving almost the whole population of the South free to fight its battles. Mnaneipation, should it occur, while it liberates the slaves, would cut oft this source of strength from. their masters. Their supplies in the rear must be kept up, or their army cannot be held together. The one is essential to the maintenance of the other. A time may soon come, therefore, when, aside from the apprehensions incident to emancipation, the slaves of the South will be to their masters a source of weakness and not of strength. Permit me, how ever; here to , add, that whoever 'may have , enter tained apprehensions of a servile war, each I do not suppose for a moment to have been contemplated by the .President in foreshadowing his policy of °Mane'. pation. The slaves of the South, scattered over vast extent of country, have no arms, and no meet. • of procurbig them. They have little intelligence no means of dissant intercommunication, and ca have no general concert of action.. They may refus to labor for their masters, and their masters canno maintain them. . The map left with your . Excellency, showinut , per" ventage of slaves in each county of the Sout , will prove this beyond a question. In certain larde sections of country along the Mississippi, more es pecially, there is about twenty-eight per cent. only of ,white population; all the rest are' &eves, pf this population the able-bodied .men are now almcsa entirely away with the army. Could attempts be made here or in other iseotiona to constrain. 11:,e ut l y ; y slaves to a forced obedience, they may resist, or I may leave their plantations, as many have elre done, and seek the friendly shelter of the. on flag. But neither principle nor policy will in e the 'United States to encourage a servile warj or prompt the slave to cut the throat of his innate or his master's family. ' • . The Government will not even permit, as-I Ave already said to yOU, its own soldiers or the 'millers of the enemy acting as guerillas, or marauder be longing to no organized force, and under no.reprlar flag, to make war or attack even an armed enemy without puniehment; still leas would it erica rage or permit 'slaves to offend against humera'y by attacks upon the feeble and helpless. That a r t iso lated case or cases of wrong may occur in theissurse of establishing a great change, if such dial" be es tablished in the social organization of the S c tth; is not improbable, but in every such case I d bt not that the arm of the Government would promptly interfere to protect and to punish. This, Mwever, is a matter incidental only to the subject any com munication. Leaving the question ofpopulatiOn' I pips for a - -ent to th e -the . .. - . A pass i... moment to the other greaenlement of itringth in war, and that is money. I have already Odd that the resources of the South in men would sin to be practically exhausted, and their resourcesSp money, , I think, must be equally so. lam instrutted, that with a floating debt of $400,000,000, represented by paper at a discount of '75 per cent., they hate neither . raised nor have they the means of raiaingt revenue equal to $lO 000,000 in any form, or for an purpose. Want and distress are already disclosing emselves in frightful forme throughout the entireiregion oc cupied by . the Insurgents. On the othet hand, the Government of the United States has, 4s I am in structed, a revenue available in the precbus metals, of more than $100,000,000, while its mint: are yield ing gold more rapidly than foreign ade with draws it from the cosntry. In this)vital mat ter of finance, therefore, there doe not seem to exist between the parties an equality of strength. So far, indeed, as I can see, uch equality has existed nowhere, except on certain battle-fields, and especially between the two great Armies in Vir ginia. Here the insurgents have athanced and ra tired. They have gained battles and jlost them. I do not mean to depreciate their gallantry. -They are yet my countrymen. Here, at least, they have shown equality of strength, but every , ,vhere else the permanent gain has been with the arms of the Union. I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your Excellency assurances of the most distinguished consideration, with which I- have the honor to be your Excellency's fiery obedient servant, AVM. L. DAYTON. MR. DAYTON TO MR. SEWARD-EXTRAOT Na 231. Pants, Nov. 25, Ma. Sin: I received last night, from M. Drouyn De L'Huys, a communication dated twenty-third inst., in answer to mine of the seventeenth inst., dated, -by mistake, the sixteenth. The communication of X. De L'Huys is of so much interest that -I send you herewith a copy of the original, and a translation. I am, sir, your obedient servant WL. L. DAYTON. His Excellency, Wm. H. SEWARD. Secretary of State. ' 616 [TRANSLATION, DEPARTMENT OP FOREMN APPAIRS, PALACE OP Com - rnnottn, Nov. 23, 1682. SIR : I have learned with lively Interest the in formation which you have been pleased to commu nicate to me upon the respective situations of the two belligerent parties in the United States. You express to me the hope that - these suggestions may modify my opinion as to the equilibrium of strength between the States of the North and those of the South, and they are certainly of a nature to make me appreciate all the resources of your Government. But it is none the less true that,' notwithstanding the inequality of numbers and of, , ,linancial means, notwithstanding local advantages' anti partial con quests, the conditions of soil and of climate seem to oppose insuperable obstacles to the. progress of the struggle, and that the equal energy of both aides tends to impress upon it a character of indelible desperation. I am prepared to render homage with you to the courage which the Americans, , upon the one side and the other, have shown thus far; but the courage, even while it excites the admiration of the world, is only calculated to render more un certain the result of the combats, and to retard the termination of the disasters of this bloody war. You know, sir, what feelings this sad s a mta w cgd i m a s pr gij o e u n nt r l ie s e ym to pa iti hy us t i o ?mli m k e r ii o c w a the inspired in the Government of the Emperor, ,in the hope of opening a way to a reconcilia tion. This step, you know, also, ought, and. could take place, in the opinion of the Emperor, only with the consent and concurrence of the two belligerent parties. At present the reception given to our pro position by the Cabinets of London and Petersburg prevents us from thinking of pursuing it further. But I can assure you, sir, that our friendly disposi tions have not changed. If some day the Americans, tired of turning' their valor against themselves, should wish to have recourse to us in order to seek in conceit the means of terminating .this conflict, they would find us always ready, be it in associating ourselves with other Powers, or be it separately, to aid them with our co-operation, and to testify by our 'good offices feelings which have not ceased to animate France in regard to them. Receive, sir, the assurances of my distinguished consideration. DROUYN DE L'H.OYS. Mr. DAYTON, Envoy Extraordinary, So. NB. SEWARD TO MR. DAYTON-EXTRAOT No. 261. . . , - DEPARTMENT OF. STATE, .• WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 1862. , Wm. L. Dayton, Esq., sv., ty. ' Sue : Your despatch 0 November 10th, No. 223, has been received only at this late day. I have now only to say that the views presented by me in my-I despatch of October 20th are the deliberate and I settled convictions of the Government, always to be expressed when, in your judgment, any expres; Mon whatever on the subject of the action of foreign' Powers shall be either necessary or expedient. In reply to a suggestion in your despatch; it is proper for me to say that neither Mr. Mercier nor any other person has had the least warrant, from any authority of the United States, for representing to his Government that the President would be dis posed to entertain any proposition in regard to the action of this Government in the conduct of our doMestic affairs from any foreign . quarter what cover. The exact contrary is the effect of all that has ever passed between all the ministers residing here and this Department. You wilijudge whether it is important to clear up this point at Paris. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. • NO. 263.-MR. SEWAiRD. TO MR. DAYTON EXTRACTS; WASHINOTON, November 20;1862. William L. Dayton, Esq., te., Slit : Your several despatches of November 12, - No. 224, November 13, No. • WA. November No. WS, have been received, I have also, by.the aid of the telegraph, the substance of the invitation which Was addressed by the Emperor of France to the Em peror of Russia, and the Queen of Great Britain, to ,loin in recommending an armistice in our civil war, together with the answer of those two sove reigns, declining that invitation. In regard to the same subject, my ' instructions will be very simple and short. An inconclusive, confe rence concerning the United States has been held between these Powers, all of whom avowthem selves as friends of the United States, and yet the United States were'carefullyexcluded from the con ference. Neither party in the conference proposed any combination to coerce the will or :control 'the policy of ithe United States. Under these circum stances the United States are not called upon to say what they would have done if the proposition of France,, which was declined by Russia and Great Britain, had been adopted and carried into etibot, nor are we called upon to discuss the propriety of the positions anti proceedings respectively of the several parties in the conference. Such a debate upon a subject which has already lost its practical character, or which, to speak more accurately, has not attained such a character, might produce irrita tion and jealousies, which the President desires to avoid. Acting on these principles, we shall ask no explanations, nor shall we in any manner comment upon explanations which shall be voluntarily made. A Government which is conducting a great nation through a civil war must deal continually with new events as they arise, not with those which have already passed into history. The United States has continually said to all Eu rope that they know that the saving of the Ameri can Union depends on the American 'people them selves, and not at all onthe policies of foreign States, severally or combined. Such States may, as they have heretofore done, prolong and agitate our unna tural and lamented strife, by exciting; or maintain ing the passion of our disloyal citizens, but they can not change our purpose to maintain the integrity of the Union or defeat its accomplishment. This Go vernment will, in all eases, reasonably warn foreign Powers of the injurious effect of any apprehended . interference on their part, and, having - done this, It will measure its means of self-defence by the mag nitude of the danger with which the eountry is threatened. Foreign nations are simply to be reminded that family quarrels are always of short duration ; that the very scandal which they bring operates as an in centive to reconciliation. Muchmore does the una voidable apprehension of foreign interference work in: that direction. The emissaries of treason who now remain. in European capitals will very soon disappear, and the whole American people will for ever afterwards be asking' who among the foreign nations were the most Just and the most forbearing to their country in its hour of trial. It is the Presi dent's policy, so to conduct our.nationar affairs that all'who have heretofore bees our friends may abide in.that relation. • If any of them shall be lost, our regret will thus be modified by the reflection that bereavement resulted from our misfortune, and out fault. . . . • . . DEPARTArrr Or, STATR, , ' • • WAsuibrorow, Bth December, 1862. , Sin: Your despittoh of Nov; 18th, No, 227, hl3 DEP.AIITMiNT OF STATE; I am, Mr, your obedient servan . • H..SEWARD MR. SEWARD TO MR.. DAYTON. EXTRACT ICO. 266. ;;" : been received.. Raving already indicated thecouree which the President has decided 'to adopt concern ing the late proceeding of . the French Government, it is- necessary for me now to review the matter which, in the absence of instruction, you have written to DI. Drouyn de PHuys. I am, air, ybur obedient servant, Whl. H. SEWARD. To Wm. L. DAYTON Egli &c., &C. No. 268.— MR. SEWARD TO MR. DAYTON, - - Diiativsinter or STATE, WA3111:i0TOlf, Dec. 11, 1862. ' Bia: Your desiatch of November 26th, No. lit, has been received, tdgether with the note which Of. l/rociya de I'll op' addressed to you on the Rid of November, •b Way of answer tbour communication to him of the hilt of that' mouth.? from my previous despatch you will •prebably•havejprorred that the President did'not expect you to Omen a . .cOrrespontience with M. Drottyli de l'ilays upon the eubjec of the proposition concerning American ttithlre.which the Emperor has recently submitted to the Emperor of Riegle and the Queen of 0 rent Britain. In somuch as yes have done so without consulting this ooveruroput, *d have thus draWn forth Prom the fin pellet 6overrpeat a frank and friendly answer. it is only proper Nit you Rhombi now inform M. Drouyn do I'lluys that his note has been submitted to the President, and that he is andided with the explanation it gives of the present policy of the Emperor in regard to the United' Slates. You atm authorised, also, to inform. M. DronYn de l'Huys that this Government . desires now no lees • sincerelf than it has always done' to retain and •fortify its traditional relations with Prance, and that every proceeding which it shall have occasion to take In the bond net of international affairs ahall mani fest dhat apir t and no other. You are authorized fur ther losay to- Dronyn de l'Humi, that this Govern remit appreci toe the assurance which the Emperor has given us of is willingness at a future time, if invited by it to rend his. good offices towards forwarding a termination f the civil war in which we are so unhap pily ensag , and that this assurance is received as a fresh demon ratio* of the same good will and cordial e, t , fintlahip to,our country upon which this Government an the American people has so constantly relied. , I am. str, your obedient servant, • i 2. WILLIAM 0 SEWARD... 1 . 4 wit L. Parrox, Eeq., etc. MR. DAYTON TO MR. SEWARD CSazaecr No. 218.3 aims, Dec. 27, 1882.-81 r Your despatch of Dec r ath, Do; MD, is received. Yon simply acknowledged toe re . der( of my despatch: of Nov. 18th, No. 227, and say that, 1 Baying already - indicated the Comae' which the President Las decided to. adopt concerning the !do. proceeding of the Frencn Government, it is un ecessary forme now ..to review the note which in the Mani ce of instruction yen (11 b aye written t . t Mr. Wetly') •le " I had supposed that that note, at. it did not to to indicate any policy, but merely to sum no briefly the successes of our army and governmental resources, in the hones of its having weight in any future deliberations of this Government, could not• fail, at least to meet the approbation of Vile Me 'pertinent. My instructions in reference to. the sib led-matter wore meet ample, and I had held verbal conference with M. Dronyn de L'fluys on the subject before. Be told me what he Lad done;.and I could answer, when, .perhaps, the Government could not. The emergency, h thought, not only justified: but required that, in view of the possible future, I should Rid verbal suggestions in writing as one nada' result, at • &invents. I have received the important communica tion of M. Drouyn de L'llnys, of November ZS' last, a copy of which accompanied my despatch No. 29L I may add also that I felt that it was bust just to myself that my countrymen, as well as the • Government, should see and know that I had not fatted, in the crisie wbich had occurred, fairly to reapresent its condition. I am, air, your obedient servant. .••. • • WA!. DAYTON. Eli Excellency WlLLitut K. SEWARD. Secretary of State. &c. NO. 288 —AIR:SEWARD TO MR. DAYTON—EXTRACT. DETARTHENT OP STATE. . • WASHINGTON, January 6th, 1663. Six: Tour despatch. of December 224, No. 246, has been submitted to the President. My recent despatch s especially No. 268, will have re lieved you, I trust, of any concern about the caution which the President thought it prudent to observe, in the first' instance, in relation to the note whioh you ad dressed •to Af. Dronyin de l'Huys, immediately after the Publication of his correspondence with the Governments of Great . Britain and Russia in relation to aproposed armistice was made. The note was Opportuns, and was Judiciously conceived, and it has produced gratifying re-' sults. . . I am, sir, Toir obedient tervant,__ W... 11: SEWARD. TO WM. L. DAT=I.V, ES Q., etc No. 255.— MR: DAYTON TO MR. SEWARD EXTRACTg. PARIS, January IS, BAB Sin: A despatch will shortly be sent by M...Drouyn de I'lluys to lit.'9lisrcier, requesting him to suggest to you, on a suttable•eccasion, the propriety of appointing, a commissioner to trent with the South far peace, and for union, if possible.. If not possible, for such terms of se paration as may,be mutually agreed upon. This communication was submitted by Mr. Aronyn, de l'Huys to the Emperor on the 9th instant, and re-. turned to him by the Emperor yesterday. The de spatch answered what is supposed would. have been the objection to a proposal for an armistice or me diation. Ist. It proposes; it save, no interference of any kind by a foreign Power. 2d. It does not require or nsk any cessation of hostilities pending the ne gotiation; but, like the negotiation far peace in Ind, be tween no and Great Britain; permit everything to pro ceed as if no efforts for settlement were being made. I am, sir. your obedient servant, W. L. DAVTOIT. • His Excellency vIILLIAM ii. SSIPAan, SPeretlity . of State, &e.. &c. M. DROITYN DR L'EIIITS TO M. MERCIER (Translation.) DEPARTMENT OF 'FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Political Division, • PARisi January 9, VOL Stn—ln favoring the purpose of assisting, by the prof fer of our good oflices, to shorten the period of those hos-' tilities which are desolating the American eontineat, we. have been guidtd beyond all by the friendship which., actuates the Government of the Emperor in regent to the United States. The little success ql our other over. hires might chill the ltitercst with whieh we follow the fluctuations of this contest, but the sentiment to which we have yielded is too sincere fer indifference to find a place la our thoughts, or that we should cease to be painfully affected while the war continues to rage.. We cannot regard without profound regret this war, worse than civil, comparable to the moat. terrible distractions of the ancient republics, and whose disasters multiply in Proportion to the resources and alor which cacti of the belligerent parties develop. The Government °Ms Majesty have therefore serionsl y examined the otflections which have been made to us, where wo have suggested the idea of a friendly mediation, and wo have. asked ourselves whether they are truly of a nature to set aside. as premature every incentive to a reconciliation; On one part has been opposed to us the repugnance of the United States to admit the intervention of foreign interference in the dispute; on the other; the hoPe, which the Bede nil Government has not abandoned, of at mining its solution by force of arms, Assuredly, sir, recourse to the good offices of one or sevelal neutral Powers contains, nothing inctimpstible with the pride so legiti mate amidst a great nation, and wars purely ititer ualitinal. are not those alone which tarnish examples of the useful character of mediation. We •flatter onr selves, besides, that in proffering to place - ourselves at the disposal of the belligerent parties; we , fa cilitate between them negotiations the basis of which we abstain from preiudging. We have manifested to the patriotism of the United. States all the coneidera tions to which it is entitled. Now. Perhaps,' still more than ever, after ouch new proof of moral force and ener gy, we are none the less ready—amid the wishes which • we form in favor of peace—to take into account alfthe susceptibilities of national feeling, and we do not atoll.question the rig. tof the. Federal Government to decline the co-operations,. ( contours ) of the great maritime powers df Europe.. But this co-operation it not only the Means by which it offers itself to the Cabinet at Wash-1 ingion to harden the dole of the war? and if It believes that it ought to repel any foreign intervention, could it: not honorably accept the idea of direct'"ponrrntilere"—: informal conferences—with the anthorib which may represent the States of the South? The Federal Govern ment does not despair ovenuow Of the giving a mere 114- tiv e Impulse to the hostilities; its have not ex hausted its resources, still less its perseverance and its' sTeadfsetnees. . . The protraction of the struggle, in a word, has not shaken its confidence in the definite success of its efforts. , But the opening of informal conferences between the bel ligerent parties does not necessarily imply the immedi ate cessation of hostities. Negotiations of peace are not always the coins qut nce of a suspension of warfare.. They precede, on the contrary. more often, the este-. blisbment of a truce. How many times have we not seen plenipotentiaries meet, exchange comutunicatiota,- agree upon all the essential provisions of treaties, re solve, in tine, the question oven of peace or war, whilst . the leaden of amnion; continued the strife and endea vored, oven to the latest moment, to modify by force of arms the conditions of peace ? To recall only one memory drawn from the history of the United States, the nego tiations which consecrated their independence were commenced long before hostilities had ceased in the New World, and the armistice wee not established until the act of Seth November, seventeen eighty-two (1782), which, under the name of provisional articles, embraced in ad vanes the principal clauses of the definite treaty of se venteen eighty-three (HS& ) Nothing. therefore, would hinder the Government of the United States, Without renouncing the advantages which it believes tt can obtain by the continuation of the war; front entering upon informal conferences with the Confederates of the South, in.case they ehonld show them selves disposed thereto. Representatives, or commission.: ers of the two parties, could assemble at suchpoint as it should be deemed proper to 'designate, and which could, for this purpose, be declared neutral. Reciprocal com plaints could be examined Into at this meeting., In place of the accusations which North and South mutually cast ripen each other at this time would be substituted an argumentative dleettlisioderthellatereSig ,divide them. They would seek out by means of well-odored and profound deliberations whether those Interests are definitely irreconcilable; whether separation is an ex treme which can no longer be avoided; or whether the memories' of a common existence,. whether the ties of any kind which have made of the 2f orth and of the South one whole and sole federative States, and have borne them on to so high a degree of prosperity, are not more powerful then can.es which have placed arms in the hands of the two populations; a negotiation the object of which would be thus determined. would not involve any of the objections named against the diplomatic interven tion of Europe, and without giving 'birth to the same hopes.' an the immediate conclusion of an armistice would exercise a happy influence on the march' of events: Why, therefore, ghoul,' not a reconciliation which respects all the rellutons of the United States, obtain the approbation of the Federal. Government? Persuaded, on our part, that it is in conferring:with thelrtrue interests, we do not , hesitate to recoituuend it. to their attention; and not having sought in the project of a mediation of tic maritime Powers of Europe any vain display of influence, we would applaud with entire freedom all susceptibilities or self-esteem In the opening of a ne,go tiation which would invite the two populations to die- CUSS, without the co- wermion of Europe, the solution of their differences. I request you, sir, to give this assu rance to the Cabinet at Washington, while commending to its wisdom counsels dictated It most sincere interest in the prosperity of the United States. Yon are more over authorized, if lifr. Seward expresses the wish, to leave with him a copy of this despatch. Accept, sir, the assurance of iny high consideration. DROUYN DE L'HUYS. To IL arriRCIER. Minister of France at Washington. NFL SEWARD TO DAYTON. DEPARTMENT OP STATE, WAaRINOTON, Feb. 6, lEB. Wlt. L. DATToN, Eaq. , ke.—Ss : The iutlmatio given in your despatch of Januaryldth; No. 2i5, that I might expect a special visit from M.Hercler, has been realised. Bo called on the 3d inst., and gave one a copy of a de spatch which he had ink th, n received from it. Drouyn do l'lluys, under the date of the 9th January. I, have token the President's instructions, and, now proced to give you his . Ideas upon the subject in question. It has been considered with seriousness,' resulting front the retied - ion that the people of France are known to be faultless sharers with the aznorleran nation in the misfor tunes and calamities of our unhappy civil war; nor do Ivo on this, any 'more than on other occasions, forget the traditional friendship of the- two countries, which we unhesitatingly believe has inspired the counsels tent 31. Dronyn l'Huys has imparted. Ho says: 'The Federal Government • does not despair, know, of giving .more active Impuloo to hoottlltles; ' nud again he remarks, "the protraction of the struggle, in a word,. has not shaken the confidence of the liederal Government in the definitive success of its efforts." There muteages i.ROM to me to do unintentional 'nit:tattoo to the language, whether confidential or public, ia which this Government hiss constantly spoken on the sinhiect of the war. It certainly' has had and avowed only one purpose—a determination to preserve the integrity of the emmtry. So far from admitting any letting of effort, or. betraying any despondency, tho Government lute, on the contrary, borne itself cheerfni ly in all vichiei tudes; with. unwavering • coutideuce in an early and complete triumph of the national came. Now, when we are in a manner invited by a friendly Power to review the twenty-one. months' history of the conflict, we find uo ()caption to abate that conflence. Through such an alternative of victories and defeats as, is the appointed incident of war, the land and navel forces of the United' States have steadily ad vanced, reclaiming front tlfe inenrgettls the ports, forts, and posts which they had.trenchersmely seized before the strife actually began„ and even before It was seri ously apprehended., So many of the States, and districts which the insurgents included in the field of their pro jected excinsive slaveholding commission have already . been re-established under th Hager the Union that they now only retain Ilse Stales of Georgia, alabluna, and Tex as, with half of Virginia, half of North Carolina, two.thirds•of South Carolina, half of Mississippi, and one-third respectively of Al kumws and Louisiana. The utetientil forces bold even this small territory in close blockade and Mega This Government, if required, does not hesitate to submit its achievements to the test of comparieon, nod it maintains' that In no part of the 'world, and in •no times. ancient. or modem, bed a-nation. when rendered all unready for combat by the enjoyment of eiglity years of' almost unbroken peace, so quickly awakened at the alarm of sedition, put forth energise so vigorous, and achieved successes an signal and effective as those which have marked the progress of this content on the part of the Union. if. Drouyn de Pliny's, I few, - ham taken other. light than the correspondence of this Government for his guidance in ascertaining its temper. and firmness. He lees probably read of divisions of sentiment among those who hold themselves forth as organs of public opinion here, and has given to them au undue im rentance. It is to he remembered that this is a tui tion of thirty . millions, civilly divided into forty -One States and Territories, which cover on expanse hardly less than Europe; that the people are purely demo cratic, exercising everywhere the utmost inseam of producesd entfrage; that a great alga necessatily vehement' ea well as profouud debate, with sharp collisions of individual, local, stud sectional interests, •sentimeute, and convictions, and' that this beat of controversy is lucre :teed by . the - intervention of speculations. interests , prejudices,- and 'passions from every, other part of the civilized world, It le, however, through such debates that the.agreement of 'the nation upon • any subject is habitually attained, its resolutions formed, audits policy established. While there has Mau much difference of popular opinion and favor concero big the Ascents who shall carry on the war, the prineildVe on which it shall be waged; and the !rime with which it 'hall be prosecuted,-lii. Dronyn nine's has only to refer to 'the statute hook of Congress and the Execu tive orslinencets; that the national. activity hes hitherto been; and yet is, as efficient as that of any other nation, wistilever its .form of Government, ever. was tinder cir-, cmestances. of equally ginve•linport- to its peace.•enfe ty,. and -'welfare. Not one • voice has been rsteed anj•where. out of the immediate. geld . of insuerea tioll; favor of' fowtlgn , ” intervention, of- me diation, of arbitratlou, or or compromise, with the relinquielenent of one acre of. the national domain, or the eurrentler of even 'one constitutional franchise. at the same time •it is reunited to the • trothd that our resources are yesetlmndunt, and our Credit Megan te to the existing esnentencY. What H. • DrOnYll de. L'Hueet•UttgeStS is that this government shall appoint commie...tonere to meet on beetled ground commie...issuers ce the: - insurgent. He suppdgea. that in the con ferences, to be thus held reciprocal 'complaints could be discussers& 'and in plate of the - 'wenn:diens which the .orth brut the„.Sontls now mutually-. cast: upon, such .other tine 'conference would be engaged with d isons. Won of the interests which divide them. He nviitmes further, that the commlssionem would seek, by m , b1.12.1 'of well ordered and profound deliberation, whether these interests aro duanitoly irreconcilable.; Whether separation is an extreme that can un longer be avoided, or whether the memories of a common existence, the flee of every kind which have made of the Mor.h and the South one whole federative State, and have borne them on to so high a degree of prosperity are not more power t han the causes which have placed antis in the hands of the two populations. TAO suggestion is not an extra orditutryone, and it may well have been thciught by the EllPeror of the French, in the earnestness of his be nevolent desire for the restoration of peace, a feasible one ;but when M. Drouyn de L'Hitynn shall come to review it in the light in which it must. necessarily be examined in this country, I think ho can hardly fell to perceive that it amounts to nothing less than a preposition that, while this Government inn engaged in supprwing an armed insurrection, with' the purpose of maintainiag the constitutional national authority, and preserving the integrity of the country, it shall enter Into diplomatic discussion with the insur gents upon the question whether that authority shall rt , t be. renounced, and whether the coun try shaft • not' be delivered over. to dieunlon, to be quickly followed by ever increasing anarchy, If it were possible , for 'lke Governmenrof the United States to compromise the•natlonal authority no fitr,as to enter into such debates., it is not easy to perceive what g nod results could be obtained by them. The commla stoners must agree la recommending either that the 'Union shall.' stand, or that it shall be voluntarily dissolved, or •else they must leave the mina ques tion unsettled, to chide at last the fintnnes of the war. The tlovernmeut has not shut out knowledge of the present temper any mere than' of.the past par- Poses of the Insurgents. There is not the least ground to suppose that the controlling actors would be per suaded at this moment, by any arguments which na tional commissioners could. offer, to forego the am bition that has impelled them to the disloyal position they are occupying. Any commuerionere who alion'd be appointed by those• actors, or through their dictation or influence must enter the conference imbued with. the spirit and Pledged to the personal fortunes of the insurgent chiefs. The loyal people in !he insurrectionary States would be unheard., and any offer of peace by this Go vernment on the condition of the maintenance of the Union must necessarily be rejected. On the other hand, as I have already intimated, this Govern ment has not the leant thought of rellequialling the trust which basbeen confided to it by the nation. under tho meet solemn of -all politicol Banetionot: anti if it bad any kiaoh thought, it would have still abundant reason to:know that a Aware procured at the coot of dissolution. would be immedintelY, universally, and indignantly rejected by the American people. It is a great mistake that European statesmen make, if they !suppose this people-demoralized. Whatever, iu case of an• in.snrrection, the people nf, France or Great Britain,' or Switzerland, or of the Netherlands, would do to save their national existence—no matter how the strife might be regarded by or affect fore) nations—just HO much, and certainly no less, the people gn of the United States will do-ft necessary, to save for the common benefit the region which is bounded by. the Pacific and Atlantic coasts,• and by. the shores. of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Mexico. together with the free and common navigation of the Rio - , Grande, • Missouri.. Arkansas, Mississippi, St. - . Lawrence, Hudson , Delaware, Potomac, and other. National highways by Which this land, which is to, them as at once a land of inheritance and a land or promise, is opened' and watered. Even if the silents. of the. American. people now exercising their power should, through fear or faction, fall below this height of the national virtue,: they would be speedily, yet constitutionally replaced. by others of Berner cha-. lacier and patriotism.. I mnet be allowed to say, also,. that M. Drouyn de L'lltrys artn, in his description of the parties to the present conflict. We nave here, in a polhtcal sense, no North and South,. no Northern and Southern States. We bare an Insurrectionary party, which is located upon -end chiefly adjacent to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. and we have on the other hand a loyal people. who constitute not onlyliorthera States, but also Eeastern,. Middle. Western, and Southern! Mates. I have onmany occasions heretofore submit.ed to the French Government the President's views and' interests!, and the ideas..more effective for the time than even intern etc which lie ut the bottom of the determina tion of the American Government and people to maintain. the Fedcral..llniorr. • • • The President has done the same thing in his messages • and other publiecteclatationst I refrain, therefore, from reviewing that argument in connection with the ex isting • questiont Mr. Dronyn de l'Huys ' draws to Ids aid, the. confereuces which took place between the . colonies anti Great Britain in our Revolutionary way. He will allow mo to answers that action the crisis of a nation must accord with its necessities, and therefore can' be seldom compared to precedents. Great Britain, when entering on that•negritiation, had manifestly come to entertain doubts of.her ultimate sue . efts, and it is certain that the councils of tbe, Colo ' Ides could. not fail to tako new courage, if not toi gain other advantages, when the parent. State com promised so far as to treat' of pence on the terms of • conceding, their independence. It is true. Indeed, that peace nausticorne at some day, and that conferences must attend, if they are not allowed to precede, the pacifica tion. There Is. however, a better form for such con ferences than the one which M. Dronyn de rti nym.sug guts. The latter would be palpably in derogation of the Constitution of the United States, and would:oar ry no weight, because destitute of the Pander' ne cessary to bind either 'loyal or dislos;al portions of •the* people. On the other hand, the Congress of the United States furnishes a constitutional forum ter debates between the alienalea parties. Senators and. Representatives from the loyal portion of the people are there already, fully empowered to con fer, and seats are also vacant, and Inviting Senators and . Representatives of the discontented party who may be eonstitntionally sent there from the States iarolved in the insurrection. bloreover, the conferences which can thus be held in Congress have this great advert tege over any that could be organized upon the plan of M..Drouyn de l'Huys, via.: That the Congress, if it wore thought wise, could call a National Convention to adopt its recommendattons, and give them' all the so lemnity and binding force of organic law. ' Such con ferences between the alienated parties may be said to •have already begun-• Maryland, Virginia, Ken tucky, Tennessee, and Missouri, States which are claimed by the insurgents,, are already represent ed in Congress, and submitting with perfect free dom, and in a proper spirit, their advice upon the course best calculated to bring about, in, the shortest time, a firm,lasting and honorable peace. Representatives haveiieea sent, also, fl•nm Letilsians, and others are understood to be coining from Ar kansas. • There is a preponderating argument in favor of the Congressional tuna of conference over . that which is - suggested .by MI Dronyn do L'Efnys, viz;—that which an accession to the latter would bring the Government into a con currence with 'the insurgents in disregarding and setting aside an important part of the Constitution of the United States, and so 'would be of pernicious ex ample, the Congresslonaliconference, on the contrary, preserves and glvea new strength to that sacred Instru ment, which must continue through future ages the sheet-anchor of the Republic. You will be at liberty to read this despatch to M. Dronyn and to give him a cony if he shall desire it. .To the end thritiyon may be informed of the whole ease, I transmit a copy of M. Dronyn de l'Hays' despatch. • • • I em, sir, your obedient servant, WM. H. SEWARD, DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA. . Exchange of Prisoners—Release of Sutlers, Clerks, dse. —Rebel Reports from the Lower Misaisslppl—Pennsylvania Soldier FORTRESS MONROE, Feb. 11.—In reply to a de mind made for the release of the United States army officers, Colonel Ludlow, United States com• missioner for the exchange of prisoner; has re ceived information from Mr. Ould, rebel commis sioner, that all the :United States offictirs captured' before the loth of December, 1862, the date of Jeff Davis , proclamation , could be immediately re leased. • All the sutlers, clerks, and United States Govern ment employees, confined in Richmond, have just been released, and have arrived here in the steam- boat New York. . The Lynchburg Daily Republican contains the fol lowing:. MoBILE, Feb. 4.—The latest reliable Information from Memphis represents that seven . gunboats had passed down. The river is rising, and now is within four feet of high-water mark. Artillery has been placed at all the stations on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Private Frank Broomfield, of the 11th Pennsyl vania Cavalry, was shot at Great Bridge, near Deep, creek, last night. The shot is supposed to have been fired by a rebel mail carrier. The steamboat Canonleos arrived at Fortress Nemroe to-day, from New York, en route to Hilton Heed. She came in out of the storm. ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND. The Anderson Cavalry . Returns to Duty— Letter from Gen. Roseerans to Governor Curtin—Col. Palmer at Nashville: ItAItRISIIIIP.O, Feb. 12.—Governor Curtin has re ceived the most gratifying intelligence from Gen. liosecrans with regard to the Anderson Cavalry. All the members have returned to duty, and the work of reorgAnization is to be at once commenced. liColonel Palmer has arrived at Nashville and is exerting a good influence. General Roseerans adds that the regiment con tains material to perform deeds that will wipe out the stain of the refusal to join their comrades in battle, and exceed the highest expectations. and hopes of its many friends. The Weehawken—General Foster's Expe- NEW YOER, Fel). 12.—Adviees by the Arago state that the Monitor steamer Weehawken, would be obliged to repair a broken shaft at Hilton Head, re quiring some three weeks. General Foster's forces were encamped at Bay Point, and it was reported that he had come North for reinforcements. No attack had been made on Charleston as late as midnight of Monday, when the Arago passed through the blockading fleet off there. The Alabama—A Report of her Capture. New Tone, Feb. I2.—A letter from Baltimore, dated yesterday, says Oapt. Thompson, of the bark Agnes, reports that he spoke, on the 3d inst., in lat. 33, long. '72.45, the brig Darien, bound. to Portland, the captain of which informed hiin that the Alabama had been eaptOred. A note to the letter says "this looks like a canard." The Hamburg bark Maria Sophia, from Cardiff, reports on the 2d Inst., in lat. 26.29, long. 67.40, was bearded by a boat from a steam-vessel of wax; the officer examined her pipers. The description of the vessel answers that of the Alabama. Another Intended Rebel Pirate. NEW Yonx, Feb. 12.—& letter from Liverpool stays that the steamer Geoigiana had sailed thence for Nassau; and, it was believed that she was in tended for a pirate, as she had guns, ports, Ste. Stonewall Jackson hi Command. NEW YORE, Feb. 12.—A letter from Falmouth says that Stonewall Jackson is In command at Fredericksburg, General Lee having gone towards Charleston. Democritie'Caueus--.New Jersey Leglsla- TRY:STOW, N. J., Feb. 12.—The Democratic caucus broke up at a late hour last night. The object was to discuss the resolutions in regard.to the war and the state of national affairs. Messrs. HoHunan and English, of Bergen, advocated the peace resolutions of the former. offered in the Senate two weeks ago.' Messrs. Vanatta, of Morris; Randolph, of Hud son ; amt others, opposed them. The debate was spirited. The resolutions of Mr. Randolph, introduced in fills Senate last week, were adopted as a basis for action or policy of the Demo cratic majority. The whole subject will be ventilated in both houses probably next week. The Republican members will agree upon their basic, - and will attempt to get it adopted. Nova Scotia Legislature: HALIFAX,' Feb. 12.—The Nova Scotia Legislature opened to-day. • The Governor's speech is lengthy. It expresses gratitude that While the neighboring States are impoverished by civil war and • Europe threatened with destitdtion, peace reigns. capitatis increasing, and the industrious have employment. He congratulates the country for healthy commerce,' bountiful harvests, successful fishery, expanding coal trade, fair resulttrof gold mining, &c., and an increasing revenue. Canadian Parliament. MONTRICAL. Feb. 'O.—Parliament met at Quebec to-day. The Hon. Alexander Campbell, of Kingston, Was unanimously elected Speaker or the Legislative Council. The Governor's speech will be delivered to•mor row. Missouri Legliluture. . JEYFELSON CITY, Feb. 12.--Thejolnt session for the election of a United States Senator tuljourned yesterday till the 12th orNovember next. The 30th and last ballot stood Phelps 47, Wingate 31, Brown 29, Breckinridge 2S, scattering• 6. Necessary to a choice, /1. Illinois Legislature—Peace 'Resolutions Passed. . Sruncornn.b, 111., Feb. 12.—peace resolutions were passed lathe House today—yess 52, nays': Departire of Massachusetts Cavalry. BOSTON, . Feb. 12.--The trot battalion of the Maaatichusetts . Cavalry left to-day by rail for Balti more, en route for Fortress Monroe. They number three. hundred and fifty, including the Onlifornin hundred. They . are commanded by. Major_ Oaspar Orownin shields. • XXXVIIth • CONGRESS—Third Session, WASHINGTON, February 12, 1563 SENATE'. Credentials. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the credentials of Hon. Wm. Sprague, elected Tutted States Senator from the State of Rhode Island for Mx years from the 9th of March next. • - • Duty on Paper. Mr. VTILMOT (Rep.), of Pennsylvania, presented the joint resolution of the Legislature of Pennsyl vania requesting its Senators to vote for the repeal of the duty on printing paper. Petitions. Mr. GRIMES (Rep.) of lowa, presented the pe titionps. of wounded soldiers asking for an ambulance co Mr. FESSENDEN (Rep.), of Maine, also pre. 'tented a Petition for an ambulance corps. Mr. HICKS (U.), of Maryland, presented the petition of the citizens of Suffolk, N. If., asking that the Constitution be amended so as to recognize our dependence on the Great Ruler of the Universe, whose name is not mentioned in that instrument. Also asking that every State paper and law shall have the words "God prosper and blow theirepub lie" attached to it. Mr. HARRIS (Rep.), of New York, presented the petition of Horace H. Day, asking to be authorized to construct a ship-canal around the Falls of Nia gara. Mr. SUMNER (Rep.), of Massachusetts, pre sented the petition of Jacob Baldwin,. of Pennsyl vania, stating that disloyal newspapers were circu lated among the army, and *eking Ocuigress tmenect m law to prohibit the circulation of such papers. Asshrtont Collector of Castorns. Mr. TEN EYCK (Rep.), of New Jersey, froth the Committee on Gammerce, reported a bill to provide for an assistant collector of customs, to reside at Jersey City. Passed. Courts for the rilLatilot of Columbia. Air. HARRIS, of New York, from the Judiciary Committee, reported back the bill to reorganize the courts of the District of Columbia, with a substitute. Increase of General Officers. Mr. BING (Rep.), of New York, called up the• bill to increase the number of major and brigadier general a. Mr. FESSEIc DEN (Rep.), of Maine, moved to amend so as to limit the increase to twenty majors and fifty brigadier generals. He thought there was no necessity for so. large an increase. The trouble has been, that any one could get a recommendation for office. He thought if there were fewer officers there would be lees leave of absence to come to• Washington to seek for promotion. The old road to military honor, service in the field, seems to be' abandoned, and a new road found, through papers signed by those who know nothing of the military 'tenuity. • National Currency. The morning hour having expired, the national. currency bill was taken up and passed: YEAS Harlan (R.) Pomeroy - (R.). Harris (R.) Sitermun (R„) Howard ( R,) Ten Eloic. (H.) Howe (R.) Wade (R..) Lane (R.) Kansas Wilkinson (R.) Morrill (R.) Wilmot (R.): Nesmith (D.) Wilson (R.) Mass. Anthony (11) Arnold (U.. Chandler (C.) Clark (R. Doolittle R.) Feyaenden (H.) goster Harding (b.) NAYS. Henderson (U.) Rice (D Hicks (U.) Rici ardeon (D.). Kennedy (U.) Saulablary(D.) King (R.) Trumbull (R.) . Latham (D.). ' Tunis (D.) • McDougall (D.) Wall (D.) Powell (D.) . ' Wilson (U.) Mo. Transaucipl.tioxi. igarlile (U.) Col (313 Cowan ) Davift (U:1 Dixon (R.) Foot (RI Crimes (R.) The bill to aid the State of Missouri in emancipa tion was then taken up. Mr. SAULSBURY (Dem.), of Delaware, pro- eeeded to address the Senate in opposition to the bill. Ho thought this was not the proper time-for such measures, but the difficulties of the country seem to have been taken advantage of to .secure emancipation. He contended at some length- that there was no authority in the Constitution for-any appropriation of money for such purposes. 117W11,8 a proposal to the States to surrender their rights, and other States in this way ; might be bribed to.sur render rights to the General Government, and; thus destroy our present form of government and make a centralized despotism.He believed the whole con duct of this-war to have been most unwise- and un constitutional. Confiscation bills, arbitrary arrests, and emancipation schemes had broken up_thounity of the people which before was for the Union and the Constitution ' and had raised much fear-and dis sension in many States. Mr. SUMNI:R (Rep.), of Massachusetts, moved to amend so as to reduce the amount paid, for each slave emancipated from three hundred dollars to two hundred dollars. He said he felt humbled , * think the Senate WAS considering the valueof a human being. Mr. TRUMBULL (Rep.) said that the appro priation was for the State of Missouri, and if Mis souri should emancipate without paying a dollar to • tbe owners she would still be entitled to. the money. Mr. SUMNER contended that at the present time slaves have no saleable value, and referred to the report of the emancipation commissioners in the District of Columbia. The amendment was adopted : YEAS. Ring (R.)l %Inner (R.) Lane (R.), Ind. • Yrninbnli (R.) Lane (R. ). Kansas Wade (R. ) :Pomeroy (K.) Wilkinson (R ) Ries (D.) Wilmot (R. ) [Sherman (R.) Wilson (R), Mass earlile (U.) Clark (R.) CoUltmer (It) FeAsenden (R.) Chimes (R.) Harlan (R.) Bowe (R.) HATS. Harris (H.) Henderson (U.) Hie cs (U. ) Eioward (N.) Latham (D.) McDougall. (D.) Anthony (U.) Arnold (U.) Cowan (R.) Dixon (R.) . Doolittle (R. ) Footer (R.) Mr. SUMNER then moved to strike out the word, "gradual," so as to make the emancipation "Im mediate." Rejected : YEAS. Grimes (R.) Snmner (R.) (Pomeroy (R.) Wade (IL, Lane (R. ), Kamm Wilson (R.), Maas Pomeroy (R.) NAYS. Anthony . (U.) Henderson (U.) • Powell (D.) Arnold (U.) • flicks (U.) .. Rice (D.) Chandler (R.) Reward (R.) Richardson (D.) Clark 2 Bowe (R.) Sherman(it ) CarMe ) Collamer (R.) Cowan (R.) Fessenden ) I Latham (R.) ... iTrlpbul I (R.) Davis (11) Dixon (R.) Ilialc7niniilD.) I isi . iirifn;in( it: ) Foster k Wilmoti Neemffk CD.) M=M Mr. SUMNER proceeded to address the Senate. He was willing to give money for immediateetilallCi pation, but not one cent for delayed emancipa tion. • This measure could be defended on no other ground than as a war measure ; and, as a war mea sure, it must be prompt. It was proper that emanci pation should commence in Missouri, where, by the remissness of Congress, it. was allowed to enter, the people forgetting that there was any compromise to be made with God. Whatever is given for immedi ate emancipation is a blow struck at the rebellion; whatever is given to prospective emancipation Is a gratuity and tribute to slavery. The substitute reported by the Judiciary Com mittee was then adopted—yeas 27, nays to. The bill was then passed : Anthorty_(ll) Arnold (R.) Chandler (R.) Clark (R.) Collamer (R.) Doolittle (R.) Foot (R.) Foster.(X.) Harlan (M.) Harris (R.) Henderson (U.) Howard (R.) Howe (N.). .King (.R.) Lane (R._) Ka11564 ..Morril (R ) -NAYS. Cartile ) Hennedy (U.) Cowan (R.) Lane (R: ) lnd. Davis (U.) Latham (D.) Pessendon (R.) McDougall (D.) Grimes (R.) Nesmith (L.) Harding (1).) . • Powell (D.) Absent—Messrs. Bayard, Dix, Rice,'Sherrnae, and Willey. Mr. RIMS (U.), of Maryland, stated that he was paired with Mr. Wiley. lie should have voted in the negative, and Mr. Wiley in the af fi rmative. Mr. RICHARDSON (Dam.), of Illinois, stated that if Mr. Rice had been present, he would have voted against the bill. Frauds on the Revenue: Mr. PESSENDEN, (Rep.), called up the bill to prevent and punish fraud against the revenue. Foreign Mediation. 1 A message was received from the President in re sponse to a resolution of the Senate, transmitting a report of the Secretary of State, with correspond ence and paper. concerning the mediation or arbi tration of the French Government. Ordered to be printed. Negro Troops in the French Service. Mr. MORRILL (Rep.), of Maine, offered a reso lution requesting the President to communicate to the Senate any information he may have relative to the negroes employedby the French army in Mexi co. Adopted. At half past four the Senate took a recess till half past six o'clock. EVENING SESSION. Frauds on the Revenue. * The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill to prevent and punish frauds on the revenue. Seve ral amendments were idopted, and the bill passed. - Courts in Wisconsin. • Mr. DOOLITTLE (Rep.), of Wisconsin, called up the bill to fix the time of holding courts in Wiscon-* sin and lowa. Passed. New States and Territories. • Mr. LANE (Rep.), of Mumma, introduced bills for the admission of Nevada, Nebraska, and Colorado, as new States. Also, a bill to provide for a tempo rary government for the Territory of Montana. Re ferred to the Committee on Territories. Increase of General Oflicers.l Mr. WILSON (Rep.), of Massachusetts, called up the bill to increase the number of major and briga dier generals. The question being on an amend ment to limit • the increase to Z 3 major and 50 brtadiem .uj era Els, r. o (U.), of Virginia, thought theit was no occasion for an increase of generale. There were many generals doing nothing, and a great many regiments were thinned out so that it did not need so many generals. Ile moved to lay the bill on the . table. • Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts; claimed that there were not generals enough confirmed to pro perly otticer the Army of the Potomac. Mr. WALL (Dem.), of New Jersey, asked how manygenerals were out of service and drawing pay. Mr. WILSON said there were five major gene rals—McClellan, Fremont, McDowell, Buell, and Clay. There were twenty-seven confirmed and forty-eight sent for confirmation. There were some brigadier generals out of service, but not a great many. The discussion was continued by Measrs. Grimes, Richardson, and Wilson. The motion to lay on the table was withdrawn, and Mr. Fessenden's motion, limiting the increase to twenty major and fifty brigadier generals, was adopted—yeas 24, nays 13. , Mr. RICHARDSON (Dem.) thought it would be necessary to create a system of brevet promotions for gallant services on the field, thus driving these officers to the field to seek for rank and honor there. Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, said it had been a serious question whether they had the power to give brevet rank to officers of the volunteers. Mr. OARLILE (Union), of Virginia, wanted to know if it could not be done under the war power? Mr. WILSON (Rep.), of Massachusetts, said that power was pretty extensive, but it was doubt ful if the President could confer brevet rank on offi cers appointed by the Governors of States. Mr. RICHARDSON (Dein.), of Illinois, said it was only giving honor to men for gallant conduct in the tleld, and he saw no reason why Congress could not do it. Mr. COWAN (Rep.), of Pennsylvania, said. Ms President could appoint a lieutenant appointed by a Governor as a brigadier, if he chooses, Mr. TRUMBULL (Rep.),rof Illinois, offered An amendment, that beyond the number authorized by this act and the laws herein referred to, no general shall be appointed- in any branch of the public service. The bill was then passed—yeas 22 nays 14. The Senate went into executive seWon, and sub sequently adjourned, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. A New Territory - . The House proceeded to the consideration of the bill reported from the Committee on Territories to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Montany contiguous to the State of Oregon and Territory of Washington. Mr. COX (Dem.), of Ohio, moved to strike out the followinf p r oviso: That. whereas, slavery is pro hibited n the said territory by act of Congress of June 19th, 1662, nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize or permit its existence therein. Disagreed to—yeas 39, nays 96. The bill was passed—yeas 86, nays 40. Indian Depredations. ' • The House concurred in the Senate's amendments to the bill for the relief of citizens of Minnesota, for the - Indian depredations. Duty on Paper. . • . . Dlr. FRANK (Rep.), of New York, presented the resolutions of the Assembly of New York, recom mending a reduction of duties upon imported print ing paper, and the resolutions of the same body in favor of a general bankrupt law. Indemnification of the President. The House took up the Senate's amendments to the House, bill to indemnify the President and others for arrests under the suspension of the privi lege of the writ of babea!oorptur. , A disposition was manifested to take a vote 01 the amendment without debate, When Mr. VOORHEES ( Dem.), of Indiana s , moved to adjourn. The motion was determined in the negative by the yeas and nays. Mr. VALLANDIOHAM (Dem.), of Ohio, moved. a call of the House. Mr. VOORHEES said that if the consideration of the subject was postponed till Tuesday, as sug gested by Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, for the pur pose of allowing a reasonable debate, all this trouble will cease. In this there was a general concurrence Naval Appropriation Bill. The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the etate of the 'Union on, the naval sp• rlropriation bill. , No further amendments were made. . The bill was then laid aside, to be reported to the House. The fortification bill was then taken up. Mr. COX (Dtm.), of Ohio, wanted to know why eight hundred thousand dollars were appropriated for Maine, and none for the great Northwestl Mr. OLIN (Rep.), of New York, said the Rouse had recently defeated a measure for the latter, by which gunboats might pass from the Misaissipii to the Northern lakes. Naval armament, and not forts, was the ro mode for its protection. Nr..l" • (Rep.), of Maine, said that if Mr. Cos beat his head against the softest part of New Eng land, it would do his head more harm than the spot in which it came in contact. Mr. SAMUEL C. FESSENDEN (Rep), of Maine, said New England could take care of herself, either in or out of the Union. if it was the object of Mr. Cox and his friands to leave New England "out in the cold," they should leave her some means of de fence. Mr. ARNOLD (Rep.), of Illinois, briefly advo cated the most suitable means of protecting the lakes. An amendment was made appropriating $200,004• for the fortifications of Waanington. The committee then rose and the House , passed the fortification bill. Adjourned. NEGROES FIGHTING IN THE REBEL ARMIES. The following letter haa'juet been published " WASHINGTON, D. 0., Feb. 2, 1863. gglion. William Whiling, Solicitor of the War Depart ment: DEalt Sin: While at Yorktown, ken after its evacuation by the rebels, I was informed that during the siege the guns in thosefortiflcations were man ned and served by negroes, who were recognized as soldiers in the rebel army.. "A few days subsequently, at West Point, the day after the fight at that place, 'I was informed by some xf our officers and men, engaged in that fight, that duringthe engagement ourforces encountered a fnll company of negroes, armed and equipped, serving is the rebel army; that said negro soldiers drove 'a por tion of our force into a swamp and deliberately cut the throats of our officers and men, and that our troops caught one of these negroes with a commis- Rion in his pocket for a lieutenancy in the rebil army, signed by Jeff Davis. " At Mechanicsville, a frill regiment of blacks was seen under drill, view of our lines, for several. days. " The above facts were well known and oftea spoken of. All this, if true, shows conclusively that there does not seem to. be any nice question with Davis as to the equality of blacks, such at least as is now raised in Congress by his friends on the same question. Yours truly, "THOS. W. BEARDSLEE." NEW ORDER FOR REGULATING THE GA THERING OF FORAGE. A new order has just been issued by (3enerat Hooker, which furnishes conclusive evidence that he means to obtain from the enemy all the supplies he may need for the sustenance of his army. The following is the text of the order : HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF Tun POTOMAC, CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, Ta., Feb. 6, 1863. :All orders for exemption from further levies of forage for the use of this army, issued previous to this date, are hereby revoked, and will be taken up. A copy of this order will be furnished to all par. ties having such orders. Safeguards for persons, and all property not need ed to maintain troops, will be religiously regarded. Levies will not be made of any other article& than forage and fresh beef, and in no case to be made, except is accordance with the provisions of General Orders No. 161, Army of the Potomac, Au gust 9, 1862. Plundering and pillage will under no circumstances be permitted. Officers will be held responsible for the prevention thereof in their re spective command'. The allowance of forage and subsistence exempt from levies, which must not be seized, will be mix months' supply from this date, for the owners and their families, including their employees, at the rate of one bushel and a half per month for each person. "By command of Major General Hooker JOSEPH DICKINSON, Assistant Adjutant General. FREDERICKSBURG AFTER THE RATTLE. The Richmond correspondent of the London Times writes another letter, under date of December al-V., in which he describes the appearance of Fredericks burg after the battle, and alludes to the feeling in Richmond at the end of December. We copy a single paragraph "In Richmond the opinion seems to be universal that, undeterred by all the warnings of the past, the Federals will peftevere in this hopeless Struggle, If only with the hopes that, before they are compelled to desist, they may inflict a good deal more anguish and suffering upon their foe. Earnest and impas sioned appeals are being addressed by the Richmond journals to the people , eo begging them not to be too much elated by grzat victory, but to prepare for many and weary months of warfare before their in dependence is secured. They are reminded that the Christmas of 1861 was passed in universal exultation. by reason of the news just received of the Trent aftkir, and in confident anticipation that they should shortly have England for an ally. These hopes were blasted; the darkest months of the Confederacy were March and April of 1862. They are cautioned against despising their enemy and holding him too cheap, and witnessing a repetition in 1883 of the darkest moments of CAPTURE CFA SLATER. Morrill (A. ) • Richardson (D.) 'Yen Eyck (R.) Wall (D.) Wilson (U ), Mo Commodore Wilkes lately captured the steamer Noc Daque, a slaver, on the coast of Yucatan. The - vessel had landed 1,300 slaves near Clenfuegos,.and was then sold to parties in Havana, though in the name of a "Mobile merchant." Mr. Helm, the Con• federate agent at Havens, gave herpapers,lcc. and she was to go to the Isle hiujeres , on, the coast of Yucatan. Wilkes went in pursuit of her and found _ her there. On his approach the Confederate flag was raised, but seeing the stars and stripes the Eng lish was substituted, and then again the Mexican flag was hoisted. Of course Wilkes claimed her as a slaver and a rebel vessel. The authorities, think ing they also had a claim on her, finally delivered the vessel over to Wilkes, to'be sent to 'a port in the United States for adjudication; where it is to be decided whether the Mexicans have any claim or not; and what proportion. : Virigt;n(U.). Mo. GENERAL RETNTZELDIAWS'STAFF HEADQUARTERS HDTDSTODS OP WASHINOTOY, December 6,1862. Pomeroy (R. ) Sumner (R.) Trumbull (R.) Wade (R.) Wilkinson (R.) Wllmbt (R.) Mass Wilson (R.) Mass GEREF.AL ORDERS NO. IL I. Pursuant to instruction from tne Commanding' General, the District of the Defences of Washing ton, south of the Potomac, will be discontinued. All the reports and returns now required will be forwarded to these headquarters. ' 2. The following, named officers will be transferred to these headquarters, for duty, in addition to the present staff, and will be obeyed and respected ac cordingly : Lieutenant Colonel Solon }I. Lathrop, assistant inspector general. Lieutenant ColonelPias M. Greene, chief query termaster. Richardson (D.) Saulsbury (D. ) Ten Eyck (R.) Tnrpie, (D.) Wilson ((.T.)Mo on, Hale, (Kick), Captain Joshua Norton, Assistant quarter master. Lieutenant Colonel Samuel McKelvy, Commis sary of Subsistence. Major Leavitt Hunt, Ail-de-Camp. Captain Granville E. Johnson, Aid-de-Camp. Captain Henry Norton, Aid-de•Camp. Captain E. C. Sturges, Commander of Ambulance Corps. Lieutenant E. P. Deacon, Volunteer Aid. 111. Brigadier General „T. J. Abercrombie may transfer his headquarters to the Arlington House. By command of Major General Heintzelman. CARROLL H. POTTER, Assistant Adjutant General. A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY. On the day before yesterday Col. Wyndham re turned from his last trip of discovery. With a con siderable cavalry force he scoured the country from Fairfax to Salem and the Blue Ridge at Manassas Gap, east as far as Snicker's 'Gap, and back to Fair fax Court Rouge, via Leesburg. On this occasion be found no traces of rebe a in arms anywhere in his trip. DENMARK AND TILE UNITED STATES.— On the Ist of January the American minister at Co penhagen; Mr. Wood, presented to the King of Den mark a pair of Colt's revolvers, the gift of the President of the United States to his Majesty. On delivering the same, after the usual felicitations, Mr. Wood is reported to have said that the revolvers were an American invention, of American ma terial and manufacture, and that if his Majesty should ever have occasion to use them in defence of his kingdom and the rights and privileges of his people (now among the freest in Europe), he would find them as true as the material of which they were made, and as unerring as justice and right. He Anther said that, though they were now en gaged in a war to resist an unprovoked rebellion and to defend the Constitution, the mission of the United States was peace with all the world ; that whatever might be the wishes of her people for the liberty and happiness of other peoples and nations, the policy of the Government was never to be en gaged in any but a defensive war ; never to interfere with other nations, and never to ,e interfered with ; and when this war was ended, Europe would see their soldiers quietly disbanding and resuming their former peaceful pursuits ; that thepresent war was an attempt on the part of the Confederates to esta blish a slave-eligarchy, and to perpetuate an insti tution to which all civilization and, all Christianity were opposed, and its instigators had not only desolated their own homes and plunged the whole country in mourning, but they were starving thousands of operatives on this side of the At lantic; and yet, notwithstanding this, by the false representations of their emissaries in 'Europe, all of whom had once sworn to support the CoruttitU tion, and not a few of whom had held office under the Government, while laborine to destroy it, they were trying to embroil some of the European Go. vernments, by inducing them (if they could) to in tervene in the attairs of the United States ; he would only say that all active foreign interventions would intensity the miseries already caused by this war, and indefinitely prolong them; that he luta assu rances that the Government of the United States would, sooner or later, put down this rebellion and abolish slavery, the cause of it, thus securing lasting peace : but: whether the war should be speedily ter minated or not, he was confident that nothing would occur on the part of the Federal Government to dia.' turb the friendly relations which had so long existed between the Government of the United States and his Majesty's Government. His Majesty, in reply, after requesting Mr. Wood to convey his salutations grid his thanks to the Presi dent for his beautiful present, and after compliment ing the American people upon those qualities which had placed them so high, alike in the industries of p eace an d in war, expressed his sorrow that their development and prosperity should be arrested by a civil war—that he had followed the events of this great struggle with a sad interest, while continually nourishing the firm hope that the wisdom of the United States Government would succeed in putting an end to this deplorable rupture in a manner saffus factory, to the whole world.: lie expressed his .sin cere wishes that the new year would bring with it this solution, and these wishes were much the more ardent, as they were inspired by the sentiments of friendship that had ever existed between Denmark and the United States. SLAVERY AND THE BIBLE.—At the annual meeting of the Niftional Bible Society of Scotland, held at Edinburgh on the 20th ult., the Duke of Ar gvle presided, and made a speech on the subject of Bible circulation and interpretation. Arguing that the Bible cannot be safely trusted to the interpreta tion of any existing church, but must be left to the individual conscience, he instancedthe recent decla ration of the Episcopal Church of the Southern States of America, that negro slavery is a system on which they ought to plant their national life, and that abolition is a crime, as showing how little churches of any kind can be, entrusted with the au thoritative interpretation of the Scriptures. "I really believe," said his grace, "that it would be very diflicult indeed to exaggerate the evil and the mis chief of such enunciations of opinion as this, coming from any Christian Church. lire must remember that the light of Christianity has spread • beyond itself. There are thousands of men in the United States who have a keen sense of the moral iniquity of .the slave system, and whose opinions and views on what they call humanity and natural justice are views' which are really .founded, although they know it' not, on the principles which Christianity.. has Mid down, on the precepts which Chrlatlani • has made known, and on the spirit which Chris, - iv has spread even over the. world that lies beyond if. What opinion are those men likely to have of the Bible, unless they Ft to it for their own instruc tion, when they see its appointed' guardians an nouncing that to doubt the divine .institution of negro slavery, withall its social injustice and iniqui ty, is an infidel opinion in the view of a great Olutir flan Qhuroh I Coast Defences. THE REBELLION. GENERAL ORDERS No. 8
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers