Vrtss.
INEDicE.I.4OAir,../FJABRUARt).B, 1863
Jisr•We can take no nonce of anonymous commu
nications. We do not return rejected manuscripts.
Ai' Voluntary correspondence imitated from all
parte of the world, and especially from our different
military and naval departments. When used, it
wW be paid for,. •
OPinionion Americi.
England is very much exercised about
America. It is a sad thing to see the vast
amount of sympathy and' morality wasted
'Amon this country by 'the :writers in their
• public press, the speakers at their public
'meetings, their members of Parliament,:'
' their statesmen and politicians. We are
:told that we have a great country; that we
have been happy heretofore ; that it is a
terrible thing we are not happy now. We
'are furthermore assured that the Union is a
',great institution ; that hitherto we have had
liberty and prosperity, and that in other
times we have been the terror and the
admiration of the earth. Then we aro re
minded of our present unhappy condition ;
according to them all, terribly unhappy.
'Our liberties are lost ; we are, under the
heel of the tyrant; our armies are in the .
glitch or the hospital; we are on the 'high
road to bankruptcy and ruin ; general desola-.
tion and desperation are everywhere spread
ing, and the North is little more than an
Aceldama. After this horrible picture is
painted and repainted in darker and deeper
colors, we are asked to confess that after all
- we are engaged in a futile and unprofitable
task. We are implored to stop, the war and
acknowledge the Southern Confederacy.-
We are told that we shock the sensibilities .
of nations by the shedding of blood, and
that, if we would be known throughout the
- world as Christianmen, we had better,eease
, our quarrels, surrender our cause, and per
mit the Union to separate: into insignifteant
:and antagonistic fragments.
There is an air of self-sufficiency and fell
-citation about these criticisms that irritates
and provokes the loyal American. When
mien talk 'in this way, there can be no ar
guments used to alter or convince their
.opinions. The contest on this continent to
the English mind is simply so many dollars'
:and -lives—so much money wasted and so
Teeny lives lost. They 'see nothing but
disaster, 'and bankruptcy, and death. They
do not realize theg . reitt principle that tin
,derlies and controls this war. We claim to
.
- light for liberty and constitutional existence.
'We recognize in the struggle through
- which we now pass a sublime desti-,
my. There are two elements of conteh
tion—Liberty and Slavery. Liberty is im
plied by the Union, the Constitution s
and the Republic. Slavery is
. implied by
the 'rebellion against the Republic. It
is a quarrel—and its issue must be death.
There were men who thought it might have
been compromised. They were mistaken.
'We might as well compromise light and
tinthness, day and night, truth and error,
- virtue and crime. Compromise means de
gradation. Liberty might be willing to ac
cept degradation, but its antagonist disdain's
to give the mercy it would not ask. The .
North might kneel at the feet of Mr. JEF
.FERSON DAVIS in sackcloth and ashes, and
ask his forgiveness and his friendship. It
would be spurned from his presence. Liber
ty means strength and justice and progress,
and wherever it, goes it must overspread
and predominate. It must reign in Rich
mond ; for, no matter what the issue of
this war might be, there must be strife and
contention and agitation, until the true pre-
sails and the false is overcome.
We are sorry that Englishmen cannot
see this thing 'as it is seen by us. They
eanifind ,parallels in their own history for
ill that they now see in America. We
light for our existence as a people. Is it
wonderffil that wet should do so ? It is
contrary' to human nltture and manly - pride
that, we should be willing to suffer so much,
and endure so many perils and privations,
for our country and our flag. The very
sentiment that English opinion now scorns
and despises is that which makes her re
spected and powerful. Within the memory
.of men now living, England Was compelled
to fight for her liberty and existence as we
are fighting now. NAPOLEON meant her
destruction, and she only escaped by long
years of war, suffering, depre - ciation of the
-currency, stagnation of manufactures and
commerce. Is there nothing_in-tho.
_ries to OlcOiS-I<cr — sympithy and approba
-ftiOn? 7.a.1t possible that a people still pant
' ing from Waterloo, and still blessing God
for an unexpected salvation, can find no
thing but a sneer and a scoff for freemen
'who undergo all that they have undergone
to obtain peace, freedom, • and national
integrity ?
The New York Observer.
Our New York correspondent fell into a
mistake which prevailed in New York when
he spoke of the editor of the New York
Observer, Mr. SIDNEY E. MORSE, as being
present at a meeting of Democratic poli
ticians, which assembled for the purpose of
raising money to control the New England
eiections. Mr. bIOnsE, of the Observer, was
mot present at the meeting in question, nor
•does his paper exhibit any sympathy with
:the rebellion, or its friends in the North
Since the rebellion broke out the Observer
"has given the Government a hearty, con
stant, and consistent support, laboring
.earnestly to strengthen the cause among its
readers.
The Allegheny Bonds.
We are pleased to learn that there is good
:reason to hope that the long-standing Alle
gheny county Bond question is about to be
:settled in a satisfactory and honorable man
ner. ,
Mr. Senator CONNELL, of this city, for
:anerly of Pittsburg, a gentleman supposed
-to be well acquainted with the views of all
_patties, has introduced a bill into the
:legislature, proposing to fund the accrued
interest up to January, 1863, in twenty-year
bonds bearing six per cent. interest, and
•making provision, by special taxation, to
Meet the interest and principal. Mr. CON
NELL shows that each inhabitant's propor
tion of the county debt is about fifteen dol
lars; and consequently the semi-annual in
terest to be borne by each would only
amount to forty-five cents. A .petition on
the subject appears in another column.
IRTTRR PROM "000ASIONAL."
WABHINOT9N, Fob. 17, 1863
The Senate of the United States have set
an example to the American people which
will be productive of . more decisive and
- wholesome consequences than any event,
except, probably, a great victory that would
at once extinguish the rebellion. taUnde
to the debate in that body yesterday, -and to
the passage at midnight of the great bill, as
Senator Wilson called it, "for the enrollment
of the whole people of the United States:"
'The principle upon which this compre
hensive act was framd and adopted is
that in this, the mightiest struggle for
human liberty since the creation .of the
world, nothing should exempt a calm from
hearing his full share of the burdens of the
war. Animated by this just and impartial
spirit, the Senate felt that an appeal could
be made to the masses that would at once
and forever dissipate all doubt as to the
triumph of the Federal anns, and the resto
-ration of the Union. Among the proplie
-cies of the sympathizers with Secession,
:and the confident hopes of the traitors them
selves, that molt believed was that another
great army could not be raised to fight for the
, old fiag, and that there was but one remedy
•for our troubles—the recognition of the
:Southern Confederacy. The Imminence of
- this catastrophe awakened the solicitude of
-every patriotic man; and our best intellects
lave been at work trying to discover some
system which would give an assurance to
the world that the resources of this nation
are undiminished; and that the war. for • the
Goveinment will be prosecuted without
pausecor hindrance. With a practical coin
mom seUse, thd presence :,Of:Vdcli, in our i
public councils I hail wiiii - the more delight
because it was so much needed, the reikedy
was found in the bill for the enrollnient of
the people. The common objections, that too
many classes have been exempted from the
responsibilities of the tear, were met at once
and unanimously removed—the Senators tie
ing prompt in refusing to exempt themselves.
During this great field day there was not a
harsh or party word spoken
. .by a Senator,
and not a manifestation—even on the part
of those Who have -before,' delighted to at
tack every measure of .the Government—
thOt did not seem 'to be .auggested, by a .
sire to perfect the bill, to give renewed hope . •
to thepeople, te "enc . ouroge the' A.dminiiitra 7
,' .•
Lion, to 'assure' our gallant friends in ' the
army that they are not to suffer alone, but
that every class and condition—high
,and -
low, rich and, poor—must be made to. con
.iribute in their relief, 'and ;the relief Of the
country. I confess : that that sometimes,. as I
have heard the debates in the Senate- and
the Rouse, particularly. ahe violent de
nunciations
of certain of the Democratic
un t n s s e,
and Border . State leaders, I have believed .
that..there were men even in our public
cdtmcils who desired the defeat of our army,
'and who preferred to be partisans on' the
side of Davis to being patriots on the side
of Lincoln. But yesterday's action in the
Senate haS convinced me that we have a
country still, and that there are moments,
and this was one of them, when every
thought that is not loyal is forever banish
ed, and when the genius of Freedom alone
sheds her inspiration into every Anierican
heart. Too much cannot be said' in' com
mendation of the bearing of such Deniecritic
Senators in favor of the bill, as McDougall
and Latham of California, Nesmith, and
.Harding of Oregon, Rice of Minnesota,
Henderson of Missouri, and of Border
State. men, like Hicks of Maryland, Davis
: of. Heutucky, ;Willey of Virginia, &c. An
attempt was made to exempt from the ope
rations of the bill certain non-combatant
classes, such as the Shakers and Quakers,
in accordance with the constitutions and
laws of.several of the States in which they
are relieved from military fines and duty. In
other States no such laws exist. When Senator
Harris asked that the Shakers should : not be
included in the bill, because the Constitution
.of New York relieved them, he was remind
ed on all sides that he was making an un
conscious effort in favor of the heresy of
Stateßights, and that, the Constitution being
the supreme law of the land, no citizen who
'shared the - blessings of the Government
shmild ask that he might not be called upon
to assist in its defence in this fearftil strug
gle for its life ; upon which, Senator Harris
gracefully withdrew his amendment The
bill thus provides that ()Very man capable of
bearing arms shall be enrolled, and if
not willing to do so, shall pay his
contribution to the support of those who are
enrolled, and to the expenses of the Govern
ment. The Omish, and the•Mennonists, and
the Quakers, and other peaceful classei in
Pennsylvania, conscientiously averse to
bearing arms, will not expect, while they
are . prospering under our institution,,; and .
saved from harm by the gallant men who
are fighting against .the slaveholders, to be
excepted from paying into the treasury their
full contributions, in order that . the good
work may go on. It was right, therefore,
that the Senate refused to listen to any ap
peals for others in the same situation in
other States, no matter what State con
stitutions may say on the subject. So,
too, of the proposition to pTace cer
tain clergymen, professors,
.and others in
the exempted class. This is a war not only
for our Government, but for religion, and
while praying men are needed, fighting men
are the material most required. There can
be little complaint as to the severity of this
bill among those who always have the hard
work to do, and criticisms from any other
quarter can well be disregarded. It hap-•
peiss,,fortunately,' also, that many who might
expect to-be exempted are earnest opponentg•
. of slavery, and it is: to be presumed that they
will gladly come forward, if not to shoul
der the musket, at least to pay liberally from
their generally ample resources, into the
public treasury. The exempted list is *very
lithited, and consists of Governors of States,
Judges, the only sons of poor widows, and
a few others. Of course, the class from
which soldiers are to be called is that be
tween • eighteen and forty-five ; but under
the impulse of this great measure, thonsands
between forty-fiVe and sixty _will ,gladly go
into the army, or pay others to do so for
them; or aid the Government by their labor
and their money. In short, I regard this
'bill as the best, the fairest, and most vi or:
" passe. . s
a distinguished statesman. said, "it is the
most thorough and the most mea
sure that has been 'adopted since the first
Revolutionary Congress." It will gratify
every interest in the land ; it will make the
min of money feel safer ; it will encourage
the fighting man; it will warm the
heart of the venerable patriot ; it will
reduce public expenses, by reducing the re
bellion ; it will tench foreign nations a; new
and more eloquent lesson ; it will stifle dis
content and com Plaint among our own
friends; it will deprive the sympathizers of
themes upon which to dilate ; "and it will
unite and fire the whole mass with the sen
,
timent that the Union must and shall be re-,
. stored and preserved. OCCAST9NAL.
W A.SI-lIN Gr 7C ON .
Special Despatches to "The Press."
WASHINGTON, February 17, 18
Good News Expected.
There Is generally a more hopeful feeling in regard
to our military and naval operations than has pre
vailed for several months past, and this arises from
the favorable accounts received from all quartets.
The weather, however, has impeded immediate ope 4.
rations.
The Department of the Pacific.
.No change in the command of the Department of
the Pacific Is contemplated. There Is the best autho-
rity for saying that Gen. SHIELDS will not be sent
thither to supersede Gen. WRIGHT..
Rev. J. P. B. Wilmer.
Rev. Dr. WiLsinit, formerly rector of St. Mark's
Protestant Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, is now
being tried by court martial here, on the charge of
being a spy, contrabandist,&o. Gen. E. A. HITCHCOCK
is president of the court. It is said that the investi
gation will be a long one, and there will be some
rich developments. The evidence against Mr. Wit,
I.ac is strong, it is said, and it will be made an im
portant test case. Some distinguished gentlemen
will be summoned to testify to the previous minds-
Meanors of the reverend gentleman.
The Missouri Militia.
The War Department, in answer to a call of the
Senate, has presented official documents showing
the cause of the excess of the Missouri local troops
above the number authorized by Congress. The
number raised was 13,000, nn excess of 3,000, Which
were ordered to be disbanded; but, on the protest of
General SenorTELD, they were allowed by General
Ilar.zzorr to be retained in the service for an emer
gency; but orders have been given for the disbanding
of four regiments, and their absorption into the
others.
Capture of Prizes.
Information 'has been received hero that the
United States steamer Reliance, Capt. McGowaN,
captured, on the Manikan river and brought to the
port of Baltimore, on the 18th inst,, the sloop Clara
and schooner North Star, While attempting to run
• the blockade, loaded With contraband goods. In
addition to the contraband goods, two colored boys,
aged about 18 years, were found handcuffed and
stored in the hold of the former vessel. They stated
that they had been forcibly put aboard the vessel,
and were to be taken to Richmond to he sold.
Naval Appropriation Bill. •
. Senator Fraivernm: to-day reported the Reuse
naval appropriation bill from the Finance Commit
tee, with an amendment providing that no contract
shall be entered into for the construction of iron tea
steamers, for which twelve millions are appropriated,
until the plan and specifications have been approved
by a board of three skillful
.naval offi
cers, • and advertisement for proposals to
build have been made according to law. The
provision forbuilding a floating dock at New
York is stricken out, and the appropriation for the
items of the sections containing it is reduced from
$1,21.3,000 to $463,000. The appropriations for the
dry dock at Norfolk of $66,000, and the Naval lit*.
pttal, MECO, are Stricken out ; also that of $17,600.
for the naval bospitarat Mound Clty, Ills. The
provision for an extra Midshipman for each . Con.
gressional district during the rebelion is omitted.
Conlumation . .
Cpptain 'HIRAM PAULDINO WIDI toaday confirmed
by the Senate as a Rear Admiral in the navyon the
retired list.
Emancipation in Western Virginia.
Wauntano, Va.; Feb
.lT.—The amendment known
fia "Willere amendment, which was inserted by
Congress in the Constitution of the new State of
Western Virginia, was unanimously ratified, to-day,
by the Constitutional Convention. It will be sub
mitted to the people 'on the 28th of March, and no
doubt existabut that, it. Will be retitled by an over
whelming vote. The.'amendment.. provides for, a
gradual emancipation, commencing on the 4th of
July next.
THE PR 88. - -PHILADELPHIA: "'lt
,D.I I .4TOD_AY, - .134311 : 13,ARY 18, 1863.
ARIUT,OF. T4E
Successful Expeditious tosti,kaLower Esp.
' • pahannook—Capture of Contrabandlets--
Rebels, Dlnlrs t and Contrabetnfts brought :
into Ifeadquarters;together frith a Rebel
Signal °inner, &e.
iixnnounivrans, AUNT OP THZ POTOMAC.
February IT, 1883.
Two expeditions have just returned with satisfac
tory results. Contraband traffic between the rebels
i n Maryland and Virginiaihsu for a long time found
its way across the Potomac, near the extremity of
the Peninsula, between the Potomac and : the Rap
pahannock; to Richmond. Parties ' were sent to
.Irreak tap these avenues of support and information;
toprevent the enter-cement of the conecrlption.
The expedition was 'just in time to prevent the en
forcement of the conscription, as it was . ordered In
the counties on the Neck from the 12th to the 17th
•
instant.
' A large quantity of provisions, a number of horses
and mules, &c.; intended for the rebels•were seized.
A large number of contrabands came in , with the ex
pedition. Ainong the captures were two•large mail
bags, several citizens engaged in smuggling, and
some rebel snifflers. Also, a signal officer, stationed
to report the movements of vessels onthePotomac.
Several vessels used in conveying supplies across
the Potomac werecaptured and destroyed: Colonel
Fairchild, of the 2d ;Wisconsin, and Coll Garvin,
were in command of the parties sent out, and Major
Diedill commanded the cavalry force. •
• THE LATEST.
HRAWSARTERS ARMY OP POTOMAC, Feb. 11—
William . Browne, of the 3d New York Independent
Battery, was shot to-day, while attempting to de
sert.
A heavy snow storm prevails, which will( render
the roads still worse, if possible, than they now
are.
Very unkind expressions are made use of through
the regiments towards the very few officers who
have overstaid the leave of absence gives in Or
der No. 8.
The Catholic chaplain of the rebel General Stu
art's command, who was captured some weeks ago,
was yesterday sent over to the enemy's lines. Gen.
Barksdale. commander of the post, declined to re
ceive him until certain formalities were instituted.
This having been accomplished, he will besent over
again tomorrow. •
DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Vessels Aground In the Passes—Marine In
tilligenet.—Navigatlon of the Mississippi
Suspended—ForcelosureofMortgagesPro
hil4ited, dte.
Naw Tonic, Feb. 17.—The steamer Creole, from
New Orleans, with dates to the Bth inst., has ar
rived. Colonel Littlejohn, of. New York, is among
her passengers.
The Creole left the steamer Illinois aground on
the bar at the Southwest Pam on the Sth.
The bark Pawnee, from Philadelphia, with guar
termaater,a stores, was ashore at the Northeast
Pass.
The transport-ships Montebello, E. W. Harley,
Herald, Riseon, George Peabody, Belle Wood, and
barks Albert and G. W. Hull, schooners Ozer and
Marine, had arrived at New Orleans; also, the
schooner Althea, from Philadelphia.
General Banks had issued a general order sus
pending the navigation of the Mississippi to vessels
engaged exclusively in private trade, except those
engaged in coastwise or foreign commerce.
Also, an order prohibiting the foreclosure of mort
gages, as against loyal citizens, from foroed sales,
except as to debts incurred subsequent to the order,
which shall have remained uncancelled for six
months.
DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTHWEST.
The Demoralization of Hindman's Army—
His Troops in Open lilutinyiThe People
of Arkansas Returning to Reason.
Sr. Loves, Feb. 17.—A letter from Gen. Davidson
from a peiron who accompanied a recent scout to
Batesville, Arkansas, says Gen. Hindman's army
is demoralized and totally deficient. Three hundred
of his troops were frozen to death during his retreat
from Van Buren. Hindman had been ordered to go
to Vicksburg, but hie meu refused. Upward of 200
deserters were concealed in brush twenty miles from
Batesville. A large majority of the people are in
favor of the occupation of the country by the United
States forces.
ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
Capture of Six Hmidred Rebels Near Fort
Donelson—Capture of Mrs. Captain Matt
"Ward—Sharp Skirmish of General Grant's
Troops with the Rebels, Near Lake Provi
dence,
Canto, Feb. ls.—Gen. Tuttle has received the fol
lowing despatch to-day from Col. Lowe:
",FORT HKIWItT, Feb. 12.—The forces of General
ilosecrans , command bare captured six hundred of
General itlorgan's men.
" We are still picking up dead and wounded in the
neighborhood of Fort Doneloon. The dead now
number more than two hundred.
" W. H. LOWE,
" Colonel Commanding."
The wife of Matt. 'Ward, travelling as Mrs. Ro
binson, was arrested at Island No. 10. Contraband
goods were found in her trunk.
A boat load of cattle floated down to the rani
Queen of the West.
Four of the rebel officers, captured by the yam
Queen of the West, arrived here on the steamer
Desoto. More arc coming.
The Latest.
CHICA6O, Peb..l7.—A special despatch from Cairo,
says that on Wednesday last a scouting party met a
body of the enemy six miles back of Lake • Provi
dence. A warm engagement ensued, in which our
beeps lost a few men. A number of the rebels were
killed, and thirty-two taken prisoners. `We also
captured ninety of their horses. •
MoRTANT SOUTHERN NEWS—HORRORS
OF THE CONSCRIPTION
Canto; Feb. 16.—The most perfect.relgn of terror
the world has ever seen is now being experletmeis•
by the unfortunate vesidents: of North: Aiabam.-
a Ptre Mi ev a r i Muy Tn 'en i a - c - tr n d a 17w 28t e te rribr a a t c a l " ng m all e conscript
men not included the Confederate act, which .
includes all from eighteen to forty years of age,
arid that recently passed takes all from forty to
sixty years of age. •
The territory has been laid off into districts of
twenty miles, and a recruiting colonel appointed for
each district. A thousand colonels have been ap
pointed to enforce the conscript and militia act in
North Alabama. There are many Union men in
that section of the State'and ; millions of property
belonging them. The etTorts to force them into the
Confederate ranks has driven hundreds of them to the
woods,where they continue to hide and suffer rather
than be taken as conscripts. This induced a
novel hunt for then,. Guerillas and 'bloodhounds
have been put upon their track, and many , a
loor victim has been smelt out in this way. Not
ong since, a young girl, carrying food to her father,
who was hiding in a cave, was attacked by one of
these bloodhounds and torn to pieces. It is esti
mated not less than one thousand Union men from
Mississippi and Alabama have made their way to
Corinth, where Gen. Dodge made all possible provi
sions for them. Gen. Dodge sent out and brought
in families of persecuted and down-trodden Union
men, and has established a sort of encampment or
home for all their fatitilies at Purdy, where they are
likely to be free from persecutions.
At Corinth, a regiment is forming of Union Ines ,
front Alabama and Mississippi. There are already-'
six full companies. Capt. J. 0. Cameron, the pro-.
cost marshal of the district of Corinth, is to be co
lonel of this regiment.
Among those who hate recently suffered perseilti•
tion are Abraham Kennedy and J. A. Mitchell, of.
Hackett and Boil settlement, Monroe. county who
have been hung by the rebels for indulginein Union
proclivities.
Dir. Hall Mark and daughter, of Lane county,
have been shot, and the latter killed. Peter Lewis,
an immediate neighbor, and suspected of Union pro-
clivities. was hunted down by bloodhounds, and
captured. The houses of J. A. Palmer, Wesley
Williams, and other Union men, were burned over
their families , heads, and the people living in the
neighborhood notified that, if they harbored them,
their own houses would be burned.
Mr. Peterson, living at the head of Bull Moun
tain, was killed.for Union sentiments. Two women,
in Itawimain county, were torn to pieces by blood
hounds.
.In addition to the foregoing, hundreds of families,
driven out of Alabama, have reached Corinth on
fobt, without food or clothing. Some of them are
men eighty yeara of age.
A rigid enforcement of the conscription act pro
bably induced a return to Memphis of many old
tens who went away under order No. 1, but who,
when called upon to tight in a 'war of their own
making, skulk away. to Memphis, and seek the pro
tection of the guns of the very men against whom
they have all along vaunted their undying hatred.
THE LATEST.
SKIRMISH NEAR. BOLIVAR, TENN.-THE
VICKSBURG CANAL
Canto, Feb. 17.—A skirmish took place on the
lath inst., near Bolivar, Tennessee, between a de
tachment of the let "United States Cavalry and a
body of rebels. Four rebels were killed, and a num
ber wounded. Five prisoners, and a number of
horses, were captured. There was no loss on our
side.
The steamer Polar Star arrived today front
'Vicksburg, having left the fleet on Wednesday.
The work on the canal, at Lake Providence and
'Yazoo Pais; was progressing.
The 14th 'Wisconsin anal 11th Illinois Regiments
were attacked near Lake Providence, on Tuesday,
by three rebel regiments. The latter were repulsed,
and a number of them taken prisoners. One report
sayis that the entire Mississippi regiment were
captured.
The steamer White Cloud, on her passage front
St. Louis to Memphis,.was searched at Island No.
10, and a rebel mail found on board.
The Finance and Conscription Bills.
Nine Yonx, Feb. 17.—A. special despatch from
Washington to the Evening Poal says the Com
mittee on Ways and Means have determined to ad
here to the three-million legal-tender clause of the
finance bill, but strike out the Senate tax on bank
notes.
The Military Committee of the House have agreed
tOtaki3 up the conscription bill from the Speaker's
table, and pass it without a reference to the com
mittee,- as usual.
Tile War in Teemessee.
• NwsnviLLE, Feb. the late skirmish with
Forrest's command, five of the enemy were killed
and live wounded and taken prisoners. None of our
men were killed or wounded.
The Pirate Alabama—More Vessels Cap-
'NEW YORK, Feb. 17 . - - Advioee from Port•au-
Prince any that it was repotted that the pirate Ala
bama had made two or three new prizes, within six
days after her departure from Kingston.
The news was received by express from Jacmel,
and it was added that two captains of American
vessels had been landed by Capt. Semmes.
Bostoribleeting of the U. S. Christian Com
mission.
BOSTON, Feb. 17.—The meeting was a great suc
cess. The Mayor, Lieutenant Governor,.clergy, and
noted men of Boston, were on the platform. 'Collec
tor Hitchcock gave a check for one thousand dollars.
The contributhins are already over $3,000.
Rise in the Western Rivers.
ST. LOUIS Feb. 17.—A slight rata fell last 'night
The Mississippi river up to lieokuk is rising, with'
sixteen feetof water at Cairo. •
The 1111*de:ri v er hi open to Peoria and swelling:
The Missouri river Is also rising, and now open
for several hundred miles.
LUVIIthCONGRESSL—Tbfit Semion.:
Wesimarroxi, February 17, MA
SENATE.
Petitions.
Messrs FOOT, DAVIS, COLLAKER, and
BOWE presented petitions la favor of a camp hos
pital and Arllbtalancr corps.
Dir. X114121(Ilep.), of New York, presented a pe
tition asking that equal privileges be granted to all
telegraph companies.
Collection of Foreign Fositage..
Mr. coLLemER, (Rep.), of Vermont, from the
Peet Office .Conamittee, reported a joint, resolution
authoriting the collectick of foreign postage in coin.
Colonization in
• The CHAIR presented aseriesof resolutions which
was adopted at it meeting , held at the Cooper Insti
tute, New York, by Eli Thayer and others, relative
to the colonization of Florida.
Engineer Corpa..
Mr. :WLLSON (Rep.), of Maaeactossette, from the
Committee on Military Affair*, reported a bill to
reorganize the Engineer Corps,
State Pay for Sofdiera.
Aleti, from the same committee, it reportadveree
to the bill to authorize contract* to be made with
the States who have advanced the pay to soldiers.
Public Amusements.
Mr. WADE (Rep.), of Ohio, from the Committee
on the District of Columbia, reported Whitt to regu
late the public. amueementa hr the city of Wash
ington.
Improper Fere.
Mr. TRUDIBULL (Rep.), of Illinne,called up the
bill to prevent agents of the Government, as well as
members of Congress and officers of the Government,
from taking any consideration. in procuring place,
office, or contracts. Passed.
Judiciary Changes.
Mr. HOWARD (Rep.); of blichirrin, called up the
bill dividing Michigan into twojndiciel districts and
regulating the time of holding the courts.
Mr. T.RUMBULL opposed thobill.
After sone discussion, the bill was postponed.
Fortifications.
Mr. FESSENDEN (Rep.), of Melee, from the
Committee on Finance, reported beck the fortifica.
lion bill without amendment. .
Edleesdlon of Colored' Prople.
Mr. WILSON (Rep.), of Maesitehusetta, intro
duced a bill to incorpora.te the inistitation for the
education of the colored youth- of the Diatrict of
Columbia. Referred to the Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Letters of Moraine and Reprisal.
Mr. GRIMES (Rep.), of lowa, called up the bill
authorizing the issue of letters of marque and re.
prim!. He briefly urged the passage of the bill for
_the issuing of letters of marque, and contended that
the propriety of establishing volunteer forces on the
• sea was the same as on the land. It might do for
the nations of the' Old World, who depend upon
large standing armies, to agree to treaties against
letters of marque, but could we of this country
afford to . forego our ancient policy I In this
respect, there were. vessels-of-war, and there
could be nil-difterence, in morality ,or policy,
whether captures were made by a 74. gun ship
or a fishing smack. He was not prepared to give
•up our ancient policy, but considered this a fa
vorable time to reaffirm our ancient doctrine of ma
ritime rights.' Though the rebels might thave no
_commerce, yet they had vessels-of-war preying on
our commerce. • He frankly avowed • that it .was .his
desire to place on record a general law on this sub
ject, and to give the President all the power neces
sary to "let slip the dogs of .war," in case of compli
cation with any Power. The people of the North
west were truly loyal, rod he believed he represented
their wishes in supporting this bill:
Mr. SUMNER (Rep.), of Massachusettai thought
the bill, instead of upholding our ancient policy,.
would only , tend to overthrow all the ancient tradi
tions of the Republic, and bring new and difficult '
embarrassments upon the nation. This was a bill to
establish privateers, whose only reward As. booty, •
against an enemy who has no commerce .and no booty
as an incentive to enterprise. If more vessels were
needed, he would have them hired and placed under
the control of the Government, but would not
send out these self-regulating cruisers. He could
see nothing bu • danger of complication with
•the great foreign Powers, who have 'solemnly de
clared against this system of privateering. This
nation has always declined to pass any general law
on this subject—always . requiring special acts of
. Congress, and therm acts specifying a limited time.
He quoted from a number of authorities against the
principle of privateering, and contended that there
waenothing to be obtained by this bill that could not
better be obtained in another way. He.would not
say that the Government should never resort to this
policy, but this was no time to adopt it.
Mr. McDOUGALL (Dem.), of California, could
see no ground for the objections of the Senator from
Massachusetts, unless as a hypothesis that he be
longed to the peaceestablishment. He saw no reason I
why in time of war our most effective force on sea
should not be used against the enemy. Re contended
that it had been the policy of the country instead of
. raising large standing armies and navies, to resort to
volunteering. On land this was our most effective
• force.. At sea our conireerce today is In danger from
private armed. 'vessel* Of the rebels. They have been
allowed by diher nations to issue letters of marque
and firma commissions, entitling them to enter fe..
reign ports;_ yet we stand questioning whether we
shall grant the power to private vessels to seize
these;verraels. If letters of marque had been granted
at the 'breaking out of the rebellion,
there would
haVebeeif running of the blockade. He especially
.wanted this bill passed, for he believed that before
Congress met again, we should be at war with a fo
reign Power, and should need all our force on sea
and land.
Mr.. COL LAMER said that one great objection to
this system was that it seemed to be a remnant of a
comparatively ancient barbarism to send out vessels
to take the private property of the enemy on the sea.
It is agreed now by the modern laws of war that the
private property of an enemy on land is not subject
to capture. Civilization has made progress in war,
and it would seem that the same ruleothould apply
on water as on land. But have we been per
mitted' to make this progress In civilization? If
,not; then we ought not to be held responsible.
Only a few years ago this nation proposed to
the othernations of the world to make a law on sea
as on land, and to exempt private property from
seizure; but These nations rcfu'sed to allow us to
make this progress. These nations, who possess
great navies, declared that this property. shall . tief
subject to seizure, only it shall be seized by their
r e a n tw i v n i: t s navies;
reat n th a i:A es country,shal not be
hi c s ,
seize this property by private Vessels. If we do, we
shall be branded as barbarous. It shall only he
seized by their great navies, and for their benefit;
but this is a principle which. will not .do, and by_
which this nation is not bound.
Mr. DIXON (Rep.), of Connecticut ., thought there
IVB3 no necessity for a measure of his kind. We
have no war with a foreign country, and the rebels
have no =amerce.' It is not necessary to abandon
a right of this kind. Shall we, in time of peace with
all foreign countries, pass a measure of this kind?
Rethought it would only be attended with evil con
sequences. Ho was not willing, without any neces
sity, to resort to this policy, which was only a kind
of legalized piracy, and which might be attended'
with unpleasant complications with foreign. Powers.
Mr. DAVIS (U.), of Kentucky, said the rebels had
only a few fast vessels, but no commerce. If these
vessels were captured it would be an cad of the nukt
• • 1 / 4 . uld not seethe_nattessits , for such armee- -
Arther further discuesion, a substitute was offered
by Mr. GRIMES, authorizing the President, in all
domestic and foreign wars, to issue letters of
marque, and make all needful regulations. It was
adopted.
Mr. SHERMAN (Rep.), of Ohio, offered an amend
ment which was also adopted, limiting the autho
rity conferred bylthe act to three years.
Mr. SUMNER offered an amendment confining
the operation of the bill to the suppression of the
rebellion. He argued that we should not put any
thing 'in the bill like a menace. When we_were
engaged in a foreign war, then would be time enough
to meet that question.
Mr. McDOUGALL asked the Sen ator,as chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Relations, if we were
not now threatened with foreign complications.
Mr. SUMNER said he had no information that
was not open to the Senate.
Mr. MCDOUGALL believed that before the Meet
ing of another Congress we should be involved in a
foreign war, and he wanted to have the country pre
pared.
The amendment of Mr. Sumner was rejected—yeas
13, nays 22.
• Mr. SUMNER offered an amendment as a substi
tute, reviving the acts of 1812 and 1813, concerning
the letters of marque, and applying them to that
portion of the United States in insurrection. Re
jected.
Mr. sum - NER offered another amendment, as a
substitute, authorizing the Secretary of the Navy
to hire any vessels needed for the national service,
putting them in charge of of icere commissioned by
the United State_,_
and giving them the character of
Rational ships. Rejected—yeas 8, nays 28:
Mr. DAY/*,
: of Kentucky,. o ff ered a substitute,
authorizing the Ptesident to pay any vessel regu
larly put into commission three times the value of
any ship or ships captured belonging to the States
now in insurrection. Rejected.
The bill was then passed.
• YEAS.
arithpay_(if. ) 'Foster ).
Arnold (IL) Grimes (R.)
Cliandier (R.) Balding (U.)
Clark (IL) Harlan (R. )
Collomer (R.) Florida (R.)
.Cowan (F,.) Hicks ( U.)
Doolittle oz. I Howe )
Feasenden (R.) Rion (R.)
Foot (R.) (Lane (R.) Mumma
•
DAYIP (U.) !Howard (R.) !Sumner (R.)
Dixon (R.) !Lane (R. ) Ind !Trumbull (It.)
lienderton (U.) !Pomeroy (R.) - [Wilson (U.) Alo
The NewTork Custonn House.
Mr. LATHAM (lfem.), of California, offered a
resolution; which was adopted, requesting the Secre
tary of the Treasury to inform the Senate what steps
have been taken by him to. investigate the fraudu
lent transactions in the custom house at New York,
referred to in his last annual report; and if any com
munications have been made thereon by the Solidi
tor of the Treasury or . any officer of the custom
house, to communicate the same to the Senate.
Naval Appropriation Bal.
Mr. FESSENDEN (Rep.), of hlalne, from the
Committee on Finance, reported back the naval ap
propriation bill.
NCNV States.
Mr. RABBIS (Rep.) introduced a bill to guarati
ty to certain Matee a republican form of govern.
meat.
Pensions.
Mr. FOSTER (Rep.), of Connecticut, called up
the bill to facilitate proof for the allowance of pea
alone. Passed. •
Judicial Syatesn
Also, the bill to give greater efficiency to the judicial
system of the United States. Peeved.
The Senate then went into executive session; after
which it adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
On motion of Mr. PENDLE'rON (Derr.), of Ohio,
it was resolved that the Committee on Military
Affairs be instructed to inquire into the efficiency of
the medical department of the army under General
Grant, and to report'what measures of legislation,
if any, are necessary to secure the utmost possible
skill and attendance in the care of sick and wounded
soldiers. •
Indian Annuities.
Mr. EDWARDS (Rep.), of New Hampshire, from
the Committee on Indian Affairs reported a bill
providing for crediting to every Indian tribe the
funds held for it in trust, and now invested in bonds
and other securities, and giving authority for the
sale of said bonds and securities, and for the pay
ment of the proceeds into the Treasury of the United
States, and also for the payment of interest at five
per centum on the credit of any tribe entered as
aforesaid:. The whole amount of funds to be dis
posed of as above is about three millions..
United States Courts.
Mr. PORTER (Rap.), of Indiana, reported a bill,
which was passed, to change the time forholding the
Circuit and District Courts in Indiana.
Judge Peabody.
Mr. WICKLIFFE (Dem.) • of .Kentucky, naked
leave to offer a preamble setting forth that a man
named Peabody, of New York, held the office of
oivil judge in New Orleans, and concluding with a re
solution instructing the Committee on the Judiciary
to inquire and report what are hid powers and duties,
whether prescribed by law or by the President; and
whether, the Commander-imehief of the army and
navy has the power thus to appoint civil judges.
Dlr. BLAKE (Rep.) I object to the reception of
the resolution.
Indian Appropriation BM.
The Indian appropriation bill was passed
The Louisiana. Delegates.
The "House resumed the conaideration of the
LOIIiBiRDe election Clne.
Ni. CRISFIELD (U.), of Maryland, argued to
show that the law et the State of Louisiana was
violated, as to the time of voting and the rights of
voters.
Mr. HAHN, one of the claimants for the seaV
maintained that the principle which underlies the
Republic was a representation on this floor. He
alluded to the remark made here by a gentleman
'who merely understood that New Orleans was-a '
hotbed of Secession. So far from this, he proceeded :
-to show to the contrary, and that in December last'
eight thousand good and loyal citizens boldly; man
fully, and patriotically, against the threats of Seces.
sionista; came to the polls, and sent- two Repro.;
.sentativca to4our Congress. He referred to the!
-facts to:show that the secession of . Louisiana was al
usurpation on the part of Benjamin, Slidell, and'
other leading spirits, and the people never would be
..unit by it.' They would cling to . the Union until
11 hope Is gone, and until there is an absolute re.
usal to have them in the Union. '
Mr. VOORRNES (Dem.), of Indiana, inquired
'ether there' were public meetings held in the first
d Second districts-
Mt. RAHN replied aMrmatively, adding that
T o
1 t 4 assembled passed resolutions calling on the
military Governor to issue a proclamation of else.
tioni .
Mr. WRIGHT (Dem.), of. Pennsylvania, wished
to know how many loyal men had been furnished to
the army.
14. HAH& replied that, when Gen. Butler's army
camp to• New Orleans, it was much diminished,
but t tilled up the v./tem:cies by two thousands en
listMenti. Besides this, there were formed .two"
Louisiana regiments of loyal soldiers, making font.'
thoumod men ,in a short space of time. In this hit'
did hatinclude three thousand colored soldiers. He .
said the loyal people of the two districts now sought
to b represented, andrecognize and approve of Goo. ,
She, ors act. After replying to the several object
Alen urged against his admisakin he said he stood
by the Union because it was the most perfect the
wit of man ever desired. • The people of his district
were'Willing to make any sacrifice to remain as a
part ef -the Union. In conchtslon, he made an
earnest and patriotjc appeal for the admission of
himself and colleague, showing the important con
scquenOes which museresult from having Louisiana
once=pre represented. ..
Mr. BANVES (Rep.), of Massachusetts, argued in
favor cif the report of the Committee on Elections,
trikingOeground that the local laws of a country
remain in force while the territory is held by the:
title of the tionquereri and that the appointment of
a military governor, from circumstances, becomes s
necessity. The committee • had looked through It
the laws to tee whether there is behind them that
which gives them vitality. When the utterance of
the voice of the people is secured, it is no matter
whether it be in one form or another. The attempt
of the iron grasp upon elections has signally failed.
Thcreeolutions reported by the Committee on
Elections declared that Benjamin F. Flanders and
Mielmel Hahn are entitled to their seats—the former
from time First and the latter from the Second dia.
Mete Louisiana.
id , YEAMAN (Dem:), of Kentucky, offered a
subs tote, as follows :
R ved, That . the proclamation issued by George
}ep
S. S4epley, styling hl
Military Governor of
Louielana, on the 14th of November, appointing an
electitn • for Wednesday, the 3d ,of December, 1862,
forlligiresentativea of the First and Second districts
Of L ou isiana, was null and void, without authority
of lath, dad imparts no validity to the election of
Benjamin F. Flanders.
Resoltied, That the election of. Benjamin -F. Flan
dere appearing to have been . free and unconstrained,
and in,aCcordance with. the laws of Louisiana, ex
dept — as to the day of their election and not
by theltrovernor of that , State, the action of the
electors Is ratified and contirmed, and Mr. Flanders
is entitled to a seat in this House.
itleo,• a similar resolution as to Michael Hahn.
The substitute was 'rejected—yeas 11, nays Sid.
The• Howie then adopted the resolutions of the
Committee, declaring Messrs. Flanders and Hahn
entttied.to their seats—yeas 92, nays 44.
f.
Aldrich' (R) Gooch (R.)
AlleP (R.) Goodwin (R.)
Arnold (R.) Granger( R.)
Babbitt (IL) ()rider (U.)
RAI))'(D.) Gurley (R.)
13axt4r (R.) • Haight (D. )
VA. • Hall (
Blake (R.) • t. Harrison (U.)
Brown (U.) Vi. Hillman (D.)
BulfintonAlt.) HooPer (R.)
Calvert (U.) Hutchins (R.)
Campltell(R.) ~-.! (IL) Hick
Ca " Y (11 * ) -"nogg (R. )Ills.
Chamberlain (pt.) Kerrigan (D.)
Clements (B.) Lehman (D. )
Cotten (R.) Loomis (R.)
cravens (1).) Low )
Cotter (IL) Mel udoe(R.)
Dawes (IL) McKean (R) •
Delano (R.) McKnight (RP)
Delaplaine (D.) . iMarvdon (k)
Dann (R.) Maynard (U.)
Edwards (R.) Mansici• (U.)
'MY (R.) Mitchell(R.)
Penton (R.). Moorhen) (R.)
Petisenden Y. A.D. Morrill .(R.) Pt.
(Rep.) Nixon (R. )
Pessenden.S.C.(R) Noell (R.)
Fish- r (R.) • Olin (R.) •
Pi ndint (R.) Phelps (R.) CaL
Frank (It.) Pike (R.) . •
NAYS.
Allen (D.) Ohio Julian (It.)
Ancona (D.) Kelley (R.) .
Ashley (Ii) ••• Knapp (D.)
Beeman (R.) Lansing (D.) .
Biddle (D.) ' Law (D.)
Bingham (R.) McPherson (R.)
Conkling P.A. (R.) May (D.)
Conkling R. (R 3 Morris (D.)
Conway (R.) Noble (D.)
Cox (D.) Norton (D.)
Crisfield (U.) Pugin (D-) •
Davis (R.) Odell (D.)
Eliot (R.) Pendleton (D.)
Harding (D.) Porter (R.)
Johnson (D.) Robinson (D.)
Mr. Hahn was sworn 11 as a member. Mr. Plan
dert(was not present.
The case of Lewis Meß.en2le, claiming an election
as Representative from Virginia, Was taken up.
Mr. DA.w.r.,5 (Rep.) explained that the election
was without authority of law and that the loyal
voters were atibrded no opportunity to vote.
Mr. McKENZIE briefly advocated his claim;
when the question was taken on the resolution de
claring-that he was not entitled tQ a neat, it wee
adopted.
The House then proceeded to the consideration of
the Senate's amendments to the bill to provide ways
for the support of the Government.-
All the amendments were - adopted.
The House then adjourned.
The Bill for Enrolling and' Calling. Out
the National Forces, and fbr Other Pur
poses. •
-
Whereas, There now exists in the United States en
insurrection and rebellion against the authority
thereof, and it is, under the Constitution of the
United States, the duty of the Government to sup
press insurrection and. rebellion, to 'guarantee to
each State a republican-forin of government, and
to preserve the public tranquillity ; and whereas for
these high purposes a military force is indispensa
ble, to raise arid support which all persons ought' •
willingly to contribute; and whereas no service can
be more praiseworthy and honorable than that
• which is rendered for the maintenance of the Con-'
stitution and•Union,_and the coneeopent preserve
tion of free government :
. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repretenla.
dyes of the tinned States of America in Congress assent
bled, That all able-bodied male eitizeneof the United
States, and persons of foreign birth who shall have
declared on oath their intention to become citizens
under and in pursuance of the laws thereof, between
the ages of twenty and forty. tive years, except as
hereinafter excepted, are hereby declared to consti
tute the national forces, and shall be liable to per-'
form military duty in the service of. the United
States when called out by the President for that
purpose.
Sxc. 2. And be it further enacted, That the fol
lowing persons be, and they arc hereby, ex
cepted and exempt from the provisions of this act,
and shall not be liable to military duty under
the
and - shall
wit : such as are rejected ashy
sically or mentally unfit for the service; also, first,
the Via_a President of the - United States, the judges
.of the various courts of the United States, the
beads of the various executive departments of the
Governmeht;-entreurvecovvrnorre-es—si.e.-.......erai
states ;• and second, the only son liable to military
- duty ota widow dependent upon his labor for sup
port ; third, the only son of aged or infirm parent or
parents dependent upon his labor for support; fourth,
where there are two or more sons of aged or infirm
parents subject to draft, the father, or * he be dead,
the mother may elect which son shall be exempt; fifth,
the only brother of children not twelve years old,
having neither father nor mother, dependent upon
his labor for support; sixth, the father of -mother
less children under • :twelve years of • age, de
pendent upon his labor for support; seventh, where
there are a father and sons in the same family and
household, and two of than are in the military ser
vice of the United States as non-commissioned offi
cers, inusicians or privates, the residue of such fami
ly and household, not, exceeding two, shall be ex
empt and no persone • but such as are herein ex
cepted shall be exempt: Premiered; however., That no
persoa who has been convicted of any felony shall
be enrolled or permitted to serve in said forces.
Sae. 3. And be it further enacted, That the national
forces of the United States, not now in the military
semi* enrolled under this act, shall be divided into
two creme, the first of which shall comprise all per
sons sithiecr to do military duty, between the ages of
twenty and this ty-fiveyears, and all unmarried per
sons subject to do military duty above the age of
thirtylive, and under the age of forty-five ; the se
cond elan shall comprise all other persons subject to
do military duty, and they shall net, in any district,
be called into the service of the United States until
those of the first class shall have been called.
Site. 4. And be it further enacted, That for greater
convenience in enrolling, calling out, and
organizing the national forces, and -for the
arrest of deserters and spies of the ene
my, the United States shall be • divided into
districts, of which the District of Columbia shall
constitute one, each Territory of the United States
shall constitute one or more, as the President shall
direct, and each Congressional district of the reepee
tive S tates , as fixed by a law of th e State next pre
ceding 'the enrolment, shall constitute One : Pea
...aided, That in States which have not by their laws
been divided into two or more Congressional dig
tricte, the President of the United States shall di
vide the same into so many enrolment districts as '
he may deem fit and convenient.
Sxc. 5. And be it further enacted, That for each of
'mid districts there shall be appointed by the Presi
dent a provost marshal, with the rank, pay, and
emoluments of a captain of cavalry, or an officer of
said rank shall be detailed by the President, who
Shall be under the direction and subject to the or
s of a provost marshal general, appointed or de
tailed by the President of the United States, whose
office shall be at the seat of Government, forming a
eeparate but eau of the War Department, and whose
rank, pay, and emoluments shall be those of a colo
nel 'of cavalry. •
SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That it shall be
the duty of the provost marshal genera], with the
approval of the Secretary of War, to make rules
and regulations for the government of his sub
ordinates; furnish . them with the names.
and residences of all deserters •from the army,
or • any of the land forces in' . the service of the.
United States, 'including the' militia, when re
ported to him by the commanding officers ; to com
municate to them all orders of the President in re
fer ence to calling out the national forces ; to furnish
proper . blanks and instructions for enrolling and
drafting ; to file and preserve copies of all enrolment'
lists ; to require stated reports of all proceedings on'
the part of his subordinates; to audit all accounts'
connected with the 'service under his direction, and
to perform such other 'duties as the President may
prescribe in carrying out the provisions of this act.•
Sxc. 1: And be it further enacted, That it shall be'
the duty of the provost marshals to arrest-all de
serters, whether regulars, volunteers, militiamen, or
persons called into the service under this or any
other act of Congress, wherever.they may be found,'
and to send them to the nearest militarycommander .
or military.poit ; to inquire into and report to the
provost marshal geheral all treasonable practical ; to
detect, seize, and confine spies of the enemy ; to obey
all lawful orders and regulations of the provost mar
, ehaleekneral, and such as may.be prescribed by law;
concerning the enrolment and calling into service of
the national forces.
Site. S. And be it further enacted, That in each of
said districts there shall be a board of enrolment, to
be composed of the .provost marshal, as president,•
and two other persons, to be nirpointed,by the Pre--
sident of the United States, one of whom shall be a
licensed and practising physician and surgeon. -'
Site. 0. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty of the said board to divide . the district into
•
sub-districts of convenient size, if they shall deem it
necessary, not exceeding two, without the direction
of the Secretary otWe r, and to appoint, on or before
the tenth day of March next, and in each alternate
year thereafter, an enrolling officer for each sub
district,-and to furnish him with proper blanks and
instructions; and he shall immediately , proceed to
enroll all persons subject to military duty, noting
their respective places of residence, ages on the first
day of July following, and their occupation, and
shall' on or before the first day of April, report the
same to the board of enrolment, to be consolidated
into one list, a copy of which shall be transmitted to
the provost marshal general on or before the first
day of Nay succeeding the enrolment. .
Sxc. 10. And be it ftniher enacted, That the enrol
ment of each class shall be made separately, and shall
only embrace those whose ages shall be, pa the Alit
day of July thereafter, between twenty' and forty
five years ./
Sy.C.'ll. And be it farther enacted, That all persons
thus enrolled shall be subject, for two yehrs after the
first day of July succeeding the enrolment, to be
called into the military service of the United States,
and to continue in service for three years, or during
the war; and when called into service shall be placed
on the same footing, in all respects, as volunteers
. for three years, or during the war, including advance
pay and bounty> as now provided by law.
tstroo. 12. And be it further. enacted, That whenever
it may be necessary to call out the national forces
- for military service, the President is hereby author
ized to assign. to each district the number of men to
be furnished by said district ; and thereupon the en
rolling board shall, under the direction of the Presi.
dent, makes draft of the required number, and fifty
per cent, in addition, and shall make an exact and
complete roll of the names of s the persons so drawn
ace of the order in which theywerealrawn, so that
the first irawn may stand drat upon the said roll,
and the second may stand second, and soon ;and the
perans so drawn shall be notified of the samewithin
ten days thereafter, by a written or printed notice,
'-to be served personally or by leaving a copy at their
last place of residence, requiring them to appear at
a designated rendezvous to report for duty. In as
signing to the dietricts the number of men to be
furnished therefrom, the President shall take fato
. culaideration the number of volunteers and militia
Lathafa (D. )
hlnDounall (D.)
Morrill (It )
Nesmith (D.)
Rioc (D.)
Sherman (R.)
Tnrple (D.)
Wade (R. ) •
Wilson (R.) Maas
Inveigled by and from the several States in which
slid districts are situated, and the period of tneir
service, since the commencement of therebellton,iind
*Mall so make said assignment as to equalize the
numbers among the districts of the seversl States;
considering and allowing for. the numbers already
furnished es aforesaid, and the time of their ser
vice.
Sxo. 13. And be itliather enacted, That any person
drafted, and notified to appear as aforesaid, may, on
or before the day fixed for his appearance, furnish
an acceptable substitute to take his place in the
draft} or he may pay to such person as the Secre
tary of War may authorize to receive it, such sum
not exceeding threehundied dollars; ut the Secre
taty may determine, for the procuration of ouch
aubstituto; and thereupon such person, so furnish
ing the substituteor paying -the money, shall be dis
charged from further liability under that draft. And
any person fairing to report, after due service of no
lice, as herein prescribed, without furnishing a sub
istitute or pitying the : requilred sum therefor, shall he
.deemed a deserter, and shall be arrested by the pro-
Vogt marshal., and seat to the nearest military post
' for.trlal by court martial ; unless, upon proper show
ing that he is not liable to do military duty, the
board of enrolment shall relieve hint from the draft.
Sim. 14. And tlcg furfher enacted; That all drafted
persons shall, on arriving at the rendezvous, be
carefully Inspected by the surgeon of the board, who
shall truly report to the board the physical condition
of each one; and all persona drafted and claiming
exemption from military duty on account of dis
ability, or any other eause,,sholl present their claims
to be exempted to the board, whose decision shall
be final. . •
•
See. , ls. And be ft further enacted, That any surgeon
charged with the duty of such Inspection, who shall
receive from any person , whomsoever any money
or other.valeable thing, or agree directly or inde
really to receive the same to his own or another's
use for making an imperfect tospectioe or a false or
incorrect report, .or who shall wilfully neglect to
make a faithful inspection and true report,' nhiili be
tried by a court martial, and, en conviction thereof,
be punished by line not exceeding fide hundred col
tannin less than two hundred. and be imprisoned at
the discretion of the court, and be cashiered and die
missed from the service, • .••
Sac. 16. And be it farther eveseici , That as soon as
the required number of able-bodied men liable to do
military duty shall •be obtained from the list of
those' drafted, the remainder shall He 'd Ise ha rved ;
and all drafted persons, reporting at the place of ren
dezvous, shall be•allowed travelling pay from their
places of residence; and all persons discharged at the
place of rendezvous shall be allowed traveling pay
to their places of residence ; and all expenses con
nected with the enrolment and draft, including aub
sistence while at. the rendezvous, shall be paid from
the appropriation for enrolling,,ard drafting, under
such regulations as the President of the United
States shall prescribe ; and all expenses connected
with the arrest and return of deserters to their regi
ments, or such other duties its the provost Marshals
shall be called upon to perform, shall be paid • from
tire appropriation for arresting deserters, under such
regulations as the President of the United States
shall prescribe Provided, The provost marshals
shall in no case receive commutation for transporta
tion or for fuel and quarters, but only for forage,
when not furnished by the Government, together
with actual expenses of postage, stationery, and
clerk hire authorized by the provost marshal
general.
.Sno. 17. And be it further enacted, That any person
enrolled andArafted•accortling to the provisions of
this act who shall furnish an acceptable substitute,
shelf thereupon receive from the board of enrolment
a certificate of discharge from , such draft, which
shall exempt him from military duty during the
time for which he was drafted, and such substitute
shall be entitled, to the same pay and allowances
provided by law as if he had been originally - drafted
into the service of the United States.
Sac. 18. And be it further enacted, That such of the
volunteers and militia now in the service of the
Milled States as may re-enlist to serve ono year
unless sooner discharged, ,after the expiration of
theirpresent terni of service, shall be entitled to a
bounty of fifty dollars, one-half of which to be paid
upon such reenliatment, and the balance at the ex
piration of the term of reenlistment; and such as
may re-enlist to serve for two years, unless sooner
discharged, after the expiration of their present
term rot en l istment, shall receive,
Upon such reen
listment, twentrflve dollars of the one hundred dol
lars bounty for enlistment, provided by the fifth
section of the act approved twenty-second of July,
eighteen hundred and • sixty-one, entitled, "An eat
to.authorize the employment 'of. volunteers to aid in
enforcing the laws, and protecting public property."
5n0..16. And be it further enacted, That whenever a
regiment of volunteers of the same arm, from the
same State, is reduced to one-half of the maximum
number prescribed by law, the President may direct
the consolidation of the companies of such regiment:
Provided,. That no company so formed shall exceed
' the maximum number prescribed by law. When
such consolidation is made, the regimental officers
shall be reduced in proportion to the reduction in the
number of companies.
See. 20. And be it further enacted, That whenever a
regiment is reduced below the minimum number al
lowed by law, no officers shall be appointed in such
regiment beyond those necessary for the command of
such reduced number.
Pomeroy (R.)
Price ( 0.)
Rice (R.) 31an
Rice (R.) Me.
Riddle (R.)
Rollins (W)N. H.
Sodgwick (R.)
Seem' (U. )
Shanks (R.)
Sheffield (I). )
Sli el Inharzor (II.)
Smith (R.)
Spaulding (IL) ..
Stratton (R.)
Thomos i r /Rasa.
Thomas U.) Rd.
Trath ( • ) •
Trowbridge (R.)
Van Wyck (B.) •'
Verree.(g. )
Walker (II.)
Wallace (R.)
Webst (U.l'
Wheeler (D.)
Whaley (D.)
White (R;), lad. ,
Wickliffe (D.)
Windom (Rj
Worcester (R.)
Wright (D. ) •
Yemen (D.)
Sergeant (R.)
Sherman (R.)
Shlel (D.)
Sloan (R.)
Stevens (R.)
htileß (D. )
Trimble (11)
Vallandigham(D)
Van Horn (R.)
'Voorhees (D. )
Wadsworth
White. (D.) Ohio.
Wilson (R.)
Woodruff (R.)
Sao. 21. And be it further enacted, That so much of
the fifth section of the act approved 17th July, 1862,
entitled "An act to amend an act calling forth the
militia to execute tho laws of the Union," Sm., as
requires the approval of the President to carry into
execution the sentence of a court-martial, be, and
the; same is hereby, repealed, as far as relates car
rying into execution the sentence of :illy court-mar
bat against any person convicted as a spy or de
serter, or of mutiny or murder; and hereafter sen
tences in punishment of these offences may be car
ried into execution upon ,the approval of the com
manding general in thelleld:' - •
SEc. 22. And be it further made, That courts mar
tint shall have power to sentence officers who shall
absent themselves from their commands without
leave to be reduced to the ranks to serve three years
or during the war . . • •
SEC. 23. Alld be it further Mailed, That the clothes;
-arms, military outfits, and accoutrements furnished
.by the United States to any soldier shall not be sold,
harterecl, exchanged, pledged, loaned, or given away
And no person not a soldier, or duly authorized
officer of the United States, who has possession of
any such clothes, arms, military outfits, or accoutre
'l:dents furnished . al aforesaid, and which.have been
the subjects of any such' sale,' barter, exchange,
pledge, loan, or gift, shall have' any right, title, or
erest therein • but the same may:be. seized and
, taken wherever 'found lly any officer cf the United
States, civil:.pr milieu, and shall thereupon: be
delivered to any quartermaster, or other- officer Au
thorized to receive the same; and the possession
of any such clothes, arms, military outfits, or accou
trements by any person not a soldier or officer of
the United States shall be prima facie evidence of
such a sale, barter, exchange, pledge, loan, or gift as
aforesaid.
Sze. 24. And be it further enacted, That every person
not subject to therules and articles of war who shall
procure or entice, or attempt to procure or entice, a
soldier in the service of the United States to desert;
or who shall harbor, conceal, or give employment to •
a deserter, or carry him away, or aid In carrying
him away, knowing him to be such; or who shall
purchase from any soldier his arms, equipments,
ammunition, uniform, clothing, or any part thereof ;
and any captain or commanding officer of any ship
or vessel, or any superintendent or conductor of any
railroad, or any other public conveyance, carrying
away any torah soldier as one of his crew or other
wise, knowing him to have deserted, or shall-refuse
te deliver him up to the orders of his commanding--c`ffloAel%
discretion of any court having - cognizance of the
same, in any sum, not exceeding five hundred dol
lars, and he shall be imprisoned not exceeding two
years nor less than six months. 2
Sze. 26. And be it further enacted, That if any per
son shall resist any draft of men enrolled under this
act .into the service of the United States, or shall
counsel or aid any person to resist any such draft,
or shall assault or obstruct any officer in making
such draft, or in the performance of any service in
relation thereto or shall counsel any person tans
eanit or obstruct, any' such officer, or shall counsel
any drafted men not to appear at the place of ren
dezvous, or wilfully dissuade them from the per—
formance of military duty, as required by law, such
person shall be subject to summary arrest by the
provost marshal, and kept in confinement until the
draft is completed, after which he shall be delivered
to the civil authorities, and upon conviction thereof,
be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred
dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding two
years, or by both of said punishments.
SEC. 26. And be it pother. enacted., That, imme
diately after the passage of this act, the President
shall issue his proclamation declaring that all
soldiers now absent from their regiments without
leave may return within a time specified to such
place or places as he may indicate in hie proclama
tion, and be restored to their respective regiments
without punishment, except the forfeiture of their
pay and allowances during their absence; and all
deserters who shill not return within the time so
specified by the President shall, upon being arrested,
be' punished as the law provides.
SEC. 27. And be it further enacted. That depoaitions
of witnesses residing beyond the limits of the State,
Territory, or district in which military courts shall
be ordered to sit may be taken in cases not capital
by either party and read in evidence, provided the:
same shall be taken upon reasonable notice to the
opposite party, and duly authenticated.
Sxo. 28. And be itfurther enacted, That the judge
advocate shall have power to appoint a reporter
',
whose duty it shall be to record the proceedings of
and testimony taken before military courts, .instead
of the judge advocate ;And such reporter may take
down such proceedings and testimony in the first in
stance in shorthand. The reporter shall be sworn
or affirmed faithfully to perform his duty before en
tering upon it. • .
SEC. 29. And be it further enacted, That the court
shall, for reasonable cause, grant a continuance to*•;
either party for such time and as often as shall ap
pear to bejust : Provided, That If the prisoner be in
close confinement, the trial shall not be delayed for
a period longer thansixty days. '
Smc. ao. And be if further enacted, That in time of
war. insurrection, or rebellion,
murder, assault sad
battery with an intent to kill, manslaughter, may
hem, wounding by shooting or stabbing with an in
tent to commit murder, robbery, arson, burglary,
rape, assault and , battery with an intent to commit
rape, and larceny, shall be punishable by the sen
tence of a general court-martial or military com
mission when committed by persons who are in the
military service of the United States and subject to
the articles of war; and the punishments for such
offences shall never be less than those inflicted by
the laws of the State, Territory, or district in which
they may have been committed.
Sue, 3i. And be it further enacted, That any officer
absent from duty withleave, except for sickness or
wounds, shall, during his absence, receive half, of
the pay and allowances prescribed by law, and no
more • and any officer absent without leave shall, in
.addition to *the penalties prescribed by law or a
court martial, forfeit all pay or allowances during
such absence.
SEC. 32. And be it further enacted, That the com-
Menders of regiments and of batteries in the field
are hereby authorized and empowered to grant fur
loughs for a period not exceeding thirty. days at any
one time to five per centum of the non-commissioned
officers and privates, for good conduct in the line of
Sze. 33. And be it further enacted, That ;the Presi
-dent of the 'United States is hereby authorized and
empowered, during the Present rebellion,. to call
forth the national forces by draft in the manner pro
vided fin. by , this sot.
• Sxc. 34.• And be it further enacted, That all persons
drafted under the provisions of this act shall be as
signed by the.• President to military duty in such
corps, regiments, or other branches of the service as
the exigencies of the service may require.
Sze. 35. And. be it further enacted,. That hereafter
details to special service shall only be made with the
consent of the commanding officer of forces in the
field ; and enlisted men, now or hereafter detailed to
special service, shall not receive any extra pay for
such services beyond that allowed to other:enlisted
men.
Snc. 3G. And be it fur ther enacted, That general or
ders of the War Department, numbered-one hundred.
and fifty-four and one hundred and sixty•two, in re-.
ference to enlistments from the volunteers into the
regular Iserpice, be, and the same ate hereby, re
scinded; and hereafter, no such enlistments shall be
allowed. • ' • '
. Sao. 37. And be it further enacted, That the grades
created in the cavalry forces of the United States by
section eleven of the act approved seventeenth
July, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and for
which no rate of compensation has been provided,
shall be paid as follows—to wit: Regimental com
missary the same as regimental quartermaster;
chief trumpeter the same as chief bugler ; •saddier
sergeant the same as regimental commissary ser
geant; company commissary sergeant the same as
company quartermaster's sergeant : Provided, That
the grade of supernumerary second lieutenant and
two teamsters for each company, and one chief far-
rier and blacksmith for each regiment, as allowed
by said section of that act, be, and they are hereby,
abolished.; and each cavalry company may have two
trumpeters, to be lettd as , buglers ; and • each regi
ment shall have one veterinary surgeon,with the
rank of a regimental sergeant major, hose com
pensation shall be seventy-live dollars per month.
HALIFAX, Fob. sere* steamer Edwin
Hawkins, with a cargo of cotton, twenty-one days
from Matamoros (ao reported), bound to Liverpool,
put into Halifax to-day short of coals.
New York Legislature—The McClellan
Resolutions Rejected by the Senate.
ALBAzor, N. Y., Feb. M.—The reielutionslnviting
Gen. McClellan to visit the State capital, which
were previously passed by the Assembly, were tabled
to-day in the Senate 6,y a strict party vote.
Dort tq N. H., Feb. 17.—The past .oftlee here was
broken into last might •andiall the letters and pro.
perty of value stolen.
A Cotton Steamer at Halifax.
Pot•t4ifiliee• Robbery.
Bill to Provide Wail; and Memo for the
Support of iho Goiernment.
W.asninovorr, Feb. it —The following la th e bill
to Provide ways and means for the support of the
GOvernment, as passed by the Rouse yesterday :
The House having non-concurred in several im
portant amendments, the bill will be returned to
the senate :
AN ACT to provide 'Wra' and MCRUK for the support of
the Government.
Bs it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa
(tees of the United Stales of-America in Congress as
sembled:
TE at the Secretary of the Treaaury be. and be is hereby,
authorized to berrow, from time to time, on the credit of
the Wnitedlitstes. a sum not exceeding three hundred
mallone of dollars, for the cornet fiscal year,' nd
MI: hundred millions for the next ilsesi yerw ; and to
issue therefor coupon or ;egistered bonds, payable at the
Pleasure of Gin Government af er such periods as maybe
fixed by the Secretary. notlese than ten nor more than
foto years from date, in coin, and of each denutaina
ttons; not. less than fifty dollar t, an ho rnaAldeem expe
dient, bearing intere4 at a rate not exeeing 'six per
contain per annum. payable On bonds not exceQing' one
hundred dollars annually. and on allother bonds, semi
annual Ir. n coin; and he may, in his diecretion.d boom of
such. hoods at any time, upon such terms as homey
deem most advisable. for lawful money of the United
Stifles, or for any of the certificates of indebtedness or
deposit that may at any time be unpaid, or ler any of the
troutury notes heretofore issued, or winch may be issued
'under theprovisionti of this not. And all the bonds and
treasury notes,. or United t tstes notes , issued under the
provisions of th is act, shell Impxempt from taxation by
or under State or municipal authority: Provided, That,
them shall be outstanding of bonds. treasury notes, and
United Slates notes, al any time, betted under the Provi
sions of this act, no greeter amount, altogether, than the
sum of nine hundred millions of a otters.
•
Sac. 2. Arsd 'be 12 further enacted, That the Secre
tary of the Treasury be. and is hereby, authorized to
issue, on the credit of the United States, four hundred
millions of 'dollars of treasury notes, payable at the
pleisuro of the United Staten at any time three years
from dittef. heaving. interest at a rwe novexceeding nix
per centunt per annum, which' interest, on all. notes for a
tem amount than one hundred dollars, shall be payable
at the maturity there'd:and on all notes for one hundred
dollen and upwards at times exrressed on their (toe.
And the interest on all of said notes, and on certificates
oflndebtedtmes and deposits hereafter Issued, shall be
pled in lawful money. Said notes shall be of such de
nem nations as the Secretary may deem expeatent.
not 'tea than ten della. s each; and such notes shall
be - receivable far internal duties, and all debts and
demende due to the United Sheen, except duties on
imports; and the bolder of any such notes shall
have the right. at env time before or a ft er toey become
'due, and no sier such rules as shall be prescribed by
•tee Secretary of the Treasury, to exchange the same,
with the accrued interest thereon, at the treasury of
office the United States, or at the oce of any assistant
treasurer or dementory designated for the purpose, for
an equal amount of legal-tender notes ; but nothing
In this section shall be construed to Authorize
any additional issue of legal-tender notes; and
each treasury notes may be used by the Secreta
of tbeTreasnry. at their par 'mine. in the paytnent of
the 'meth' creditors of the United States, who may be
willhigto nceive the'same, and shall be received at
their par.value in payment for any. bonds that may he
hereafter negotiated by.the Secretary of the. Treaaury
(10) (who shall also allow. in any such negotiations, aari
pay in coin any interest which may have accumulated
thereon ;) and any interest accrued do said notes shall
be competed in such recetpts and payments added to the
ter value thereof.. And the Secretary of the Treh . sury
may from time to time, as the exigencies of th e public
service may require, and in lieu of any treasury notes
received in payment, or otherwise redeemed, and can
celled or destroyed, issue an equal amount of other
treasury notes.
Sec.• 1 And be ft further enacted, That the Secretary
of the Treasury, be, and he Is hereby authorized, If re
quirsd by the exigencies of the public service. fur the
payment of the army
. and navy, and other creditors of
the Government, to issue on the credit of the United
States the sum of three hundred millions of dollars of
United Staten notes, including the amount of such notes
heretofore authorized by the joint resolution approved
January neventeen,eighteen hundred and sixty-three, in
such form as he may deem expedient, nut bearing
leterust, payable to bearer, and of such denomnina
hens, not loan than one dollar, as he may prescribe,
Which notes so issued shall be lawful money, and a
legal tender in payment of all debts, public and pri
vate, within the United States, 'except for duties on
Imports and interest - on the public debt; end any of the
said notes, when !returned to the treasUry, may be re
issued from time to time, as the exigencies of the
public service may require. And in lieu of any of said
notes, or any other. United States noteCreturned to the
treaaury,and cancelled or destroyed, there may be issued
equal amounts of United States notes, snob as are autho
rized by Ma act. And so much of the act to authorize
the issue of United States notes, and, for other pur
poses, approved February twenty-five, eighteen hen
dred and sixty-two, and of the act to authorize an ad
ditional issue of United States notes, and for other put
posse, approved July eleven, eighteen hundred and,
sixty-two, as restricts the negotiation of.bonds to mar
ket value, is hereby repealed. And the holden of
United Slates notes, issued under and by virtue of said
acts, shall prevent the tame: for the purpose of ex
changing the name for bonds, as therein provided, on or
before the first day of July, eighteen hundred and sixty
three, and thereafter the right so to exchange the name
shall cease and determine.
SEC. 4. dad be it further enacted, That in lien of pos
tage and revenue a tamps for fractional , currency, and of
fractional notes, commonly called postage currency,
issued or to be issued, the Secretary of.' he Treasury may
issue fractional notes of like amounts in such form as he
may deem expedient, and may provide for the engrav
ing, preparation, and issue thereof in the Treasury De
partment building. And all etmh notes loaned shall be
exchangeable by the treasurer, assistant treasurers, and
cesignated depositaries for postage and revenue stamps.
for United States notes in sums not less:than three dol
lars, and shall be receivable for postage and revenue
stamps, and also in pa went of any dues to the United
States less than five dollars, except duties on imports,
soul shall be redeemed on presentation at the Treasury
of the United States in such sums and under sucti rage
tie= as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescriloe:
Presided, That the w hole amount of fractional currency•
issued, including postage and revenue stamps issued as
corn ncy, shall not exceed fifty millions of dollert‘, • • 7
Sao. a And be it further enacted, That the Secretary
Of the Treasury is . hereby authorized to receive deposit&
of gold coin and bullion with 'the) treasurer or any as.
Blatant treasurer of the United. States, in sums of not less
than twenty dollars. and, to issue oertificates therefor in
denominations of net jets than twenty dollars each, cor
responding With Me denominations of the United Stated
n° l 4l, -The coin and bullion deposited or representing
the eert fiestes of deposit shall be retained in the trea
sury for the pay ment of the same on demand. And eel.;
Mattes representing coin in the treasury may be issued
in payment of interest on the public debt, which certifi
cates, together with those issued for coin and bullion de
posited, shalinot at any time exceed twenty per canton's
beyond the amount Of 'coin and bullion in the treasury,
and the certificates for coin or bullion in the treasury
shall be received; at par, in payment for duties on im
ports.
Sgc. B. And be it further 4naeted. That the 'Coupon or
registered bonds, treasury notes and United States notes
authorized by this act shall he in snch form as the Se
cretary of the Treasury may direct, and shall have print
ed. upon them such statements, showiest' the amount of
accrued or accruing interest, the character °Ulm notes,
and the penalties or punishment for altering or conn
lerfeiting them; ne the Secretary of the Treasury may
prescribe, and shall bear the written or engraved
signatures of- tlnas.Treasnrec.of the United States
and the Register of the Treasury, and also, as evidence
of lawful issue, the imprint of a copy of the seal of the
Treasury Department, which imprint shall be made, un
der thi direction of the Secretary, after the said Dotes or
bonds shall be received from the engravers, and before
they *relearn d ; or said notes and bonda shall be signed by
- the Treasurer of I he United States, or for the Treasurer by
such persons as may be specially appointed by the Secre
tary of the Treasury for that purpose,- and shall ba coun
tersigned by the Register of the Treasury, or for the Re
gister by inch persons as the Secretary of the Treasury
may specially appoint for that purpose. And all the pro
visions of the act entitled "An act to authorize the issue
- of treasury notes," approved the twenty-third day of
December, eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, no far
as they can be applied to thin act, are re-enacted
not inconsistent therewith, are hereby revived.
Sac. 7. And be U further enacted, That on and after
the first day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty
three, the coupons on all bonds and treasury notes of
the United States heretofore issued, and which may be
issued under and by virtue of this act, shall, at any
lime 'within thirty days before they become respectively
due, and at any time after they become due, be recei
ve b ig for customsteerelary oftbs,.M. l llrall prescribe.
SEe.-st..‘AndUf . urther enacted That all banks, as
. sodalities, corporation s, or individuals laming notes
or bills for circulation as currency, shall be subject
to and pay a ditty of one tier centum each half 'year
front and after April first, eighteen hundred and
sixty-three, upon the average amount of, circulation
of notes or bills as currency issued beyond the amount
hereinafter named, that is to say, banks, associations,
corporations, or individuals having a capital of not over
one hundred thousand dollars, ninety per content
thereof ; over one hundred thousand' and not over two
hundred thousand dollars, eighty per centum thereof ;
over two hundred thousand an,t not over three hun
dred thousand dollars, seventy per centum thereof ;
over three hundred thousand and nut 'over five
hundred thousand dollars, sixty per module thereof ;
over live hundred thousand and not over one
million of dollars, fifty per centum thereof ; over one
million, anti nut over one million and a half of dollars,
forty Per mentum thereof; over one million and a half
and not over two millions of dollars,. thirty per couture
thereof; over two millions of dollars, twenty-five per
centum thereof. lu the case of basics with branches,
the duty herein provided for shall be imposed upon the
circulation 'tribe notes or bine of such branches several
ly, and not upon the astgregate circulation of all; and the.
amount of the capital of each branch shall be con
tedered to be the amount allotted to or used by such
branch. '
Aud all banks, associaPons, corporations, and indi
viduals Issuing or reissuing no:es er bills for circu
lation as currency after April first, eighteen hun
dred and sixty-three, in stuns representing any frac
tional part ofa dollar, shall be subject to and pay a duty
of live per centuip each half year thereafter upon the
amount 4OP:4th fractional notes or bills so %sued.
: itt or rittlird ~.° 1" 1 / b g, P lll ./ / a ,
_ 214 • P•O2XVI •
within thirty days after the firstuay owner, eighteen
hundred and sixty-three, and each six mouths there
after, to the Comsnisaloner of Internal Revenue, which
admit contain a true and faithful account of the amount
of duties accrued, or which should accrue, on the full
amount of the fractional note circulation, and on the
average amount of all other circulation for - the aix .
months next preceding as aforesaid, during the time'
when such duties remain unaccounted for. And there
shall be annexed to every such list or return a de
claration under oath or affirmation, to be made in form
and manner so shall bo pres titled by the Commissioner
of Internal-Revenue, of the Presideut, or, some other
proper officer of and bank, association, corporation or in
dividual I espectively, that the sem. contains a true and
faithful account of the duties which have accrued, or
hich should accrue,ard not accounted fort and for any
default in the delivery of such list or return, with
such declaration annexed, the bank, association, cotvo
ration, er individual making such default, shall forfeit,
as a penalty, the stns of live hundred dollars. And such
bunk, association, corporation, or individual
'open rendering the list or:return as aforesaid, pay to
the Commistionor of Internal Revenue the amount of
the duties due on such• list or return, and in• default
thereof shall forfeit, es a penalty, the sum of five hundred
dollars; and in case of-neglect or refusal to make Such
list or return WI aforesaid, or to pay the duties as afore
said, for the space of thirty days after the time when
said .list should have hemmed° or rendered. or when
said duties shall nave become due and payable, the as
sesement and collection shall be made according to the
general provisions prescribad in au act entitled "An act
to provide inter mini revenue to support the Government
and to pay interest on the public debt," approved July
I, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.
Sac. O. And be it further enacted. That the provisions
of the act entitled "An act to provide for the bettor or
ganization of the trmsury, and for the collection, safe
keeping, transfer, and disbursement' of the public
revenues," approved August 'sixth, eighteen hundred
and forty-six, be, and the same are hereby, so far
modified as to. authorize the Secretary- of „the Trois
,ury, at his discretion, to allow any money obtained
front !nuns or internal revenue to be deposited in sol
vent banks, to the credit of the Treasurer of the United
States, upon depositing, by said banks, with the Trea
surer, an amount of Unite,' States bonds or treaanry
antes not less than.auch deposits, respectively, as secu
rity for the payment thereof; and from. time to time the
Secretary of the Treasury may use such deposits, by
draft or check, to pay any of the creditors of the Govern
ment, or for transfer to the treasury or authorized de
positories.
Fgr. 10. And be it further enacted, That in order to
prevent and punish counterfeiting and fraudulent altera.
tines of the bonds, notes and fractional currency teethe-;
rized to be issued by this act. all the provisions of the
sixth and seventh section,' of the act, entitled "An ad
to authorize the issue of United States note-', and for the
redemption or funding thernof, and for funding the
floating debt of the United' States," approved February
twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred and sixq , :twe. shall,
so for as applicable, apply to the bonds, notes, and
fractional currency hereby anthorized to , be issued,
in like manner as if ,the said sixth and seventh sec
tions were t ereby adopted as additional sectious of this
act. and the provisions and peualtlas of said sixth and
seventh sieetlons shall extend. andapply to all per
sons who •sball imitnte, counterfeinfietake, or sell any
paper such .as that nerd, or provided to be used, for
the fractional notes proparsd,- or to be prepared, in the
Treasury-Department building, anti to all officials of the
Treasury Department engaged in engraving anti prepa
ring the bohtle, notes. and fractional c ursney hereby
authorized to be issued, and to all official and unofficial
persons in any manner employed under the pAisions of
Ibis aut. And the sum of six hundred thousand dollars
is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriflted. to enable the. Secretary of
the Treasury to carry this act into client.
Public Entertainments.
.T.llB CONCEUT OF TRU DURANCI
very fair audience last evening attended Concert
Ball, for the purpose of witnessing the debut of
Misses E. F., and N. Duranci. The programme
pi esented was good. The intermission (not stated
in the programme) after each and every piece was
wearying to the audience, rind prolonged the enter
tainment unnecessarily. The debutantes were natu
rally a little - nervous, and evinced this, to some ex
extent, in voice and manner. . They • all poa
seas good voices—Miss N. Duranci probably
created the most favorable impression. The "Drink
ing Song," from " Luerezia Borgia," as delivered
by her, obtained the first encore.. The execution was
delicate and spirited.' ' "Angels ever bright and
fair," sung by Miss E. Duranci, was rendered with
sweetness, but with scarcely satisfactory expression.
The Scene and Aria, " Prendi, per mei sel libero,"
by Bliss F. Duranci, was excellently given. It de
served an encore equally as well as any of the other
pieces, but "did not receive one. The "Shadow
Song," from "Dinorah," was a somewhat bold
attempt. The audience did not' regret, however,
that the attempt was made. It has been worse
sung—and better. Mr. G. Greith, who assisted as
pianist, was not unacceptable. The concert, though
by no means a brilliant affair, was a success. The
ladles are good singers, and, with sedulous enitiva
y Om! of their art and science, will for many seasons
he : even more welcome . than' they' were upon the
Calibioll of last evening.
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
Haßkleauao, - February 17, 1881,
SENATE.
The Senate was called to order at 11 o'clock by
the Speaker.
Petitions.
Dlr. SMITH, iss . titione.signed by 321 i citizens of
Montgomery county in favor of legalizing the act
of the county commissioners appropriating sump
for bounty purposes.
Also, remonstrances, signed by 415 citizens of the
Same county, against legalizing said act.
Dlr. KIN . EY, a petition from Bucks county
for the recharter of the Farmers' Bank.
Mr. STEIN, a petition for the recharter of the
Allentown Bask..
Mr. REILLY;ei remonstrance from Philadelphia
against . a passenger railway on Twelfth am) Frank
lin streets. •
Also, petitions for the. rechartes of the Miners'
Bank and the Farmers' Bank, of Schuylkill
county. . .
ILIESTAND, a petition from the president
and managers of the Lancaster Rome for Friend
less Children, asking for an appropriation.
Mr. GLATZ, a petition from 119 eitizena of York
county for a law to prevent negroes and mulattoes
from entering this State with the view to acquire a
residence.
Also, a petition from 203 citizens of Columbia.
Lancaster county, of similar import.
Mr. WALLACE, a petition from Blair county for
a law paying bounties out of the State treasury.
Also, a. petition from 300 citizens of Clearfield
county for a law preventing negroes and naaattoes
from entering the State.
Statistical Ma.p.
Mr. REILLY, from the select committee appoint
ed to confer with the Auditor Geheral with ref*.
rence to the publication of a railroad and pietistical
map, submitted a report, which was read.
On leave given, Mr. REILLY introducedjoint re
eolutione for the purchase of 6,oooconies of Shaller'e
Railroaa and Statistical Map of Pennsylvania, pro
vided that the eoet of the same shall not exceed 25
cents per copy. Adopted.
• • Bills Introduced.
Mr. KINSEY, a bill to incorporate the Lexington
Fire Insurance Company of Bucks and Montgomery
Counties.
111 r. ROBINSON, joint resolutiona relative to the
powers of the General and State Governments.
BIM Considered.
On mution of Mr. TURRELL, the bill to erect
parts of Luzerne county into a new county, to be
called Lackawanna, was considered and passed
finally, as it came from the House.
On motion . of Mr. HOLLY, the bill authorizing
the Schuylkill Valley Railroad Company to extend
their road from the town of Tuscarora so as to con
nect with the -Little Schuylkill Railroad at or near
the town of Tamaqua, was considered and passed
finally.
On motion of Mr. CONNELL, the supplement to
the Delaware County Railroad Company, empower..
.ing it to use Forty-second street to connect with the
Citizens' Passenger Railway, was considered and.
passed finally.
On motion of Mr. ROBINSON, the bill legalizing
'.thepayment 'of bounties to volunteers , and au
thorizing the levying of a tax for the payment of the
same, was taken up on third reading.
Mr. SMITH moved to amend by excepting Mont
gomery county from the provisions of this act. Not
agreed to—yeas 13, nays 16.
Mr. BOUND obtained the unanimous consent of
the Senate to insert a proviso that no volunteer or
drafted man in actual service shall be required to
pay taxes, now assessed or hereafter assessed, pur
suant to the provisions of this act.
The bill passed finallyy
On motion of Mr. KINSEY, the bill to incorpo
rate the'Richlandtown -Turnpike Road COloPittlY of
Bucks county was taken up and passed finally.
On.motion of Mr. SMITH, the bill to authorize
the Willow Grove and Germantown Plank Road
Company to issue preferred stock was considered
and passed finally.
' Several local and *unimportant bills were passed,
when the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House was called to order at 11)34 o'clock by
Speaker Cessna.
The private calendar war the order of the day,
and the House proceeded to the reading of about
fifty private hills. This occupied nearly the whole
of the morning seaaion.
Objected Bills
The following were objected to, this action post.
• ning them for one week :
A supplement to the act incorporating the Phibs
, elphia and Delaware River Railway.
An act exempting the Philadelphia City Institute
.m taxation. .
An act authorizing the Lehigh Coal and Naviga
tion Company to extend their railroad from White
Haven to Mauch Chuok..,
An act relative to the 'extinguiahment of ground
renta in the city of Philadelphia.
Taxing the New 'York wad Erie Railroad.
Mr. TRIMMER introduced a bill imposing a tax
upon thecapital stock of the New York and Erie
Railroad, :and authorizing the counties through
which the road passes to levy a local tax. It is
claimed that the taxes paid by the company are not
equal to thoaeof othernorporations in Pennsylvania.
School of Design.
Mr. SMITH, of Philadelphia, presented a peti
tion representing that the working -women of this
State have suffered from a want of suitable em
ployments and praying that the Legislature appro
priate ;$30:000 to aid the Philadelphia School of De
sign for :VlTomen.nlt appears that 99 scholars are now
receiving tuition,
Payment of Wages by Store Orders. •
Numbers of petitions have been presented for the
passage of a law to prevent the payment of wages
to laborers in store orders. One from Wayne county
was signed by 400 citizens; one from Lycoming
county by 200.
Final Consideration of Private Calendar.
The bills upon the private calendar having been
read at length, came up for final consideration.
An act to prevent the forcible and fraudulent
crossing of bridges without payment of toll was inde
finitely postponed. An sot relating to ground rents
in the city of Reading was postponed for the present.
A supplement to an act entitled " An act to incor
porate the Pennilylvania — Explorfog and Mining
C 0.," approved the 13th of May, 1850, was passed
also, an act to incorporate thelVashoe Silver Mining
Co., of Washoe ; an act relative to the Orphans'
Horne, and asylum for the aged and infirm of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church; a supplement to an
act incorporating the Northern Iron 00., were also
passed finally.
Then adjourned until 3, P.M.
ANTERNOON SESSION.
The House, at the session of this afternoon, passed
the following bills :
An act to incorporate the Tivoli Steam Fire Hose
Compaly in the city of Philadelphia.
An act to incorporate the North Philadelphia As
sociation of Baptist Churches.
An act relating to constables' fees upon tavern
licenses in the city of Philadelphia.
The following bills were postponed:
Supplement to an act to incorporate the New
Castle and Beaver Valley Railroad Company.
An act authorizing the Harmony Fire Company of
Philadelphia to dispose of their right, title, and in
terest in the Fire Association of said city.
An act for macadiunitim a portion of Broad street
, • s-uncloplite.
be House then adjourned.
Board of Revenue Commissioners.
HARRISIIITIIG, Fcb. 17, 1863.
The Board of Revenue Commissioners met this
morning in the Supreme Court room, and was called
to order by Hon. Henry D. Moore, who was sworn
as President by Judge Pearson of Dauphin county.o
Twelve members only answered to their names.
E. W. Carport; of Chester, was nominated [or clerk.
John W. Brown, of Harrisburg, was also nomi
nated. Mr. Capron was defeated by a vote of 15
noes to 9 ayes, (iv:billions' members having arrived.)
Mr. Brown was then elected chief clerk. George
Fisher, of Harrisburg, was chosen assistant, as well
as Mr. GoodJand, Mr. Jno, Piatt was elected set.
geant.abarms. Mr. Wagner, doorkeeper, and a
number of messengers.
The following are the delegates to the present
boardo
District. • , . District.
1. Alex. Cumminp. 14. A. H. Echard.
2. Jacob B. Chudy. 16. Wm. B. Waddell.
3. David Lowry. 16. 0. A. Rom.
4. Will. C. Ely. 17. Thos. Pommy.
6. Thos. J. Blgham. . 18. AL Parke.
S. Jos. Brown. 19. H. A. Picking.
7. 11. Applebaugh. 20. Chas. Crudicunst.
'l3:. Wm. H. Case. 21. N. Nice.
9. Abraham Dossier. 22. M.ll. Dryer.
10. John Fernald. - 23. 3. Hagenraan.
11. Oleo , P, gteele. 24. Samuel Calvin.
," AG . Relater, . ,25. John P. Hoover.
13. M. M. Mott. `..1. M. Miller.
Mr. Brigham submitted a resolution for the
appointment of a committee to consult with the
Committee of Ways and Means of the House and
the Finance Committee of the Senate, in reference
to a revision of the revenue laws. The resolution
was adopted. Adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Revenue Board reassembled at three o'clock.
Financial reports were received from all the corm.
ties except Armstrong, Bedford, Greene, Fulton,
Huntingdon, Juniata, and Lycoming.
A committee was appointed to examine these re
turns.
Mr. Cummings offered a resolution, providing
That if the county commissioner fail to make •re.
turns the valuation of such county shall be increased
ten per cent.
The Board then adjourned.
THE NYTITA_L LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF
NEW Yonx.—The benefits of life insurance are so .
apparent, that it is unnecessary any longer to argue
the question. They are witnessed in our midst eve
ry day, and the rule now is that every prudent man,
who looks to the welfare of his family, avails him
self of them. ' Among the safest and moat reliable
companies in this country, is the Mutual Life In
surance Company of New York—the twentieth an
nual report'of which Will be found in another co
lumn of to-day's paper. In every respect this state
ment Is perhaps unparalleled by any similar institu
tion. The gross assets of the company on the Ist of
February—invested in the most reliable securities—
amounted to $9,996,119 79, showing an increase in
the year of $1,078, 399 83. The receipts from into.
rest on the company's investments amounted to
052,642—this item of profit alone exceeding the
whole amount paid on claims from the death of per
insured, by $138,426. The • whole statement
shows most excellent management on the part of
the Board of Trtistees in New York, and we need
not say that the list . of Philadelphia references in
cludes some of our very best citizens. F. Batch
fold Starr, Esq., is the agent of the company in this
city, to whom all applications for insurance should
be made.
FZZULISH PICTOIIIALS.—From S. C. Upham, 403
Chestnut street, we bare the Illustrated London News
01 January 31, with n supplement, and litueraled
Noes of the World of the same date, with a supple
ment portrait, on steel. These pictorials have ele
vnted wood engraving in England to a high place
among the Fine Arts. .
Gull ATTENTION hue been called to the
condition of the inmates of the Eastern Lunatic
Asylum of Virginia, located at Williamsburg, near
Yorktown. These unfortunates are now dependent
upon our Government for support. Food and medi
cal attendance, Bush as are provided for the army,
are supplied to them ; and we believe clothing has
also been furnished them by Government. But
there are many things not provided which seem in
dispensable to their health and comfort, anAphigh,
in et nsequence of the desolated conditiopnZ. of the
county in which the asylum is situatellriti'd the
destitution of the inhabitants thereof, are no longer
supplied. Such, for example, as sago, arrow root,
and tapioca; soda and water crackers; barley, gela
tin, preserved meats and soups, butter and pickles,
tobacco, scissors, needles, hooks and eyes, small but
tons, tuck combs, muslin for caps, and articles gene
rally suitable for women's wear. The institution
contains two hundred and thirty inmates—the sexes
being about equally represented. Oontributions in
any of the above-mentioned articles, or in money,
can be left at the office of Raiguel, Moore, & Co.,
No. '46 Walnut street, whence they will be for
warded to a reliable person—an officer of the army—
at Yorktown Va., who will see that they are faith
fully and judiciously distributed among the inmates
of the asylum.
ONE or THOSE WHO Fouarrr.—The name
of L. W. Ball, of Company B, Anderson Cavalry,
has through some mistake been omitted from ,the
roll of honor. Young Hall was one of thoiewho
went bravely into the fight; and through exposure
in the battle, is now ; confined at the hospital in
Nashville.' "
GRAVE LEGAL QUESTION.—A Cleveland
lawyer has started thegrave question whether, in
case children ,should be born to Mr. and Mrs. Tom
Thumb, they can legally inherit property from their
parents, because of the Latin maxim de infnimis non
ermitur lex;. which:being interpreted, means tha‘tha
"law takes no notice oilman things."