ttt vrtss. THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1864. /fir We can take no notice of anonymous commu- Vacations. We do not return rejected manuscripts. Ai-Voluntary correspondence solicited from all - parts of the world, and especially from our different military and naval partments. When used, it will be paid for. Governor ge_dtaPs Message. We congratulate Governor SICYMOITIE his electioneering document. It is nothing more. Its whole spirit is that of a partisan, and its purpose is notoriously the destruc tion of the popularity of the Administration, Governor SEIM ouR has for three years lost no opportunity of slandering the principles of tie Government, and sowing jealousy and distrust among the people. He has his reward. He has earned the confidence of his party. " He is the only man," says the Albany Argus, "from whom, at this time, the people expect utterances of true patriot ism and wise statesmanship." All the dis loyal papers sustain HORATIO SEYMOUR, and to oppose him has become almost a test of loyalty. He has his reward. He has supplanted his friend VALEANDIGTIAM in the affections of his party, and is a ter rible rival to General IvlcCnameter. Mr. PORTER he has long since distanced. Now that his services to the enemies of his country are -- greater than ever, his reward should be increased. Governor SEY MOUR bids high for the Presidential nomi nation. We earnestly hope he will get it. There never was a more palpable attempt to make political capital than this message. .Every argument is intended to create party excitement, audit is openly avowed that the - political, military, and financial measures of the Government must be broken down. Upon the ruins of the present policy Gover nor SEYMOUR is to rebuild the Union: Of what materials and in what form we shall presently show upon the evidence of his own confession. It is enough that the Union, which Governor SEltelOten loves, is the only Union of which he can be President. We do not want to do him the least injustice, and, therefore, cannot conceal our admiration of his ambi- , tion. A Democratic politician, whose prin ciples are those of VALLANDIGHAM, whose record is that of perpetual hostility to his own Government, whose opponents are the friends of freedom, and who has to-day more admirers in the South than in the North, deserves to be admired, when he presents himself as a Presidential candidate. Magnificent must be the courage of such a man appearing before a loyal people with such a claim to their attention. We think it very likely that it will be Gov. SEYMOUR who - will have the honor of being defeated next November. Calumniate—calumniate— calumniate this should be the motto of a party which lives by slander of the Government. Gover nor SEYMOUR has translated calumny into almost every sentence of this message. To him the great curse of the country is the Government at Washington, and not the rebellion. Bear it in mind that, if one tenth of his indignation against the Govern ment had been directed against the rebel lion, its leaders would have celled him their enemy. With studied care he omits to cen sure the traitor, having, indeed, no abuse to spare for anything but the Administration. We do not break butterflies upon a wheel, or raise a storm to drown a gnat, and will therefore spare Governor SEYMOUR'S asser tion that the financial i military, and politi cal measures, adopted by the people, over throw the minciples of Government. These measures secure the permanence of the Go vernment, so a vast majority of Governor :Setratotnies countrymen have declared, and that declaration is a sufficient answer to his dogmatism. But Governor SEYMOUR not only argues against the conduct of the war, but against the war itself. He admits that it is victori ous, but holds that it is unnecessary. He admits that this is "an hour of triumph," but insists-at the same time that we are all going to destruction. The conserip s tion horrifies him, and he has actually the auda city to say that our soldiers, "if the condi tion of the country demanded these sacri fices, would, as the soldiers of the South do, readily share in the privations of their fel low-citizens." Is he, then, unaware that the condition of the country does demand sacrifices ? Why, even he may be required to sacrifice his ambition ! lie should 'know, also, that the rebel army has for two years been maintained by the sternest conscrip tion. Doubtless he does know it, and many other evils of the rebellion, but he carefully conceals his knowledge, and, indeed, speaks never of rebels, but always of "Southern soldiers" and " the South." He is opposed to emancipation, to the proclamation of par -don, to the financial system which has saved us from ruin. Finally, he is opposed to the - war, and appears to be only in favor of HORATIO SEYMOUR as the successor of ABRAHAM LINCOLN. We come now to his pretended reasons for opposing the war : " Wise statesman ship can now bring this war to a close, upon the terms solemnly avowed at the outset of the contest." "What has the Government accomplished in the territories wrested from rebellion by the valor of our armies ?",r "We can now with dignity and magnanimity proclaim to the world our - wish that States, which have long been identified with our history, should reassume their positions in the Union." These are vague assurances, and useless questions. Can Governor Sinesacers stand before the world and say that it has not always been the wish of the Government and the people that the States should re turn to the Union ? Dare he pretend that Our statesmanship has not perpetually ap pealed to the people of the South ? Can he forget that pardon is now offered to the peo ple of the south, with all dignity and mag nanimity, in the noble proclamation of the President? But more than this, is he ignorant that all our offers have been rejected by the rebel leaders ; that from Richmond has constantly come defiance of our arms, and scorn of the idea of Union ? He cannot show any proof that the Dieu -who control the rebellion are ready to give it up on any conditions ; nor can he hide the proof that they, at least, are de termined to fight on, while they have an army left. It is hypocrisy—this pretence that statesmanship could now restore peace or the basis of Union. We offer pardon to the people of the South, and it is intercept= ed by their leaders. Before we can reach the Union sentiment of the South, we must destroy the rebel armies, and that is pre cisely what the war is doing. Governor SEYMOUR'S " wise statesmanship" means nothing less than compromise with the re bel leaders. If it does not mean this, it is an empty and absurd phrase. Meaning this, it contemplates a dishonor from which every upright man will shrink. But who is Governor SEYMOUR, that he Should thus dictate to the majority of his countrymen measures which they loathe and abhor ? What has he ever done, that his sweeping censure of all the men and _measures of the Government should be regarded in the least ? We have promised to show of what materials and in what - form he would re-make the Union. In 1861, (we have the authority of a journal - that we have sometimes found mistaken, but never deliberately false, for the as •aertion,) Governor SEYMOUR met a pro- Minent citizen of New York, whose Principles he believed were like his own: - "Have you read the Confederate Consti tution ?" be asked. " No," said the gen tleman, "not particularly; I have glanced over it, but not read it attentively." " Well," replied SEYMOUR, "I have ; and iC is better than the _Federal. Then, why not accept it, and end all controversy ?" " That Confederate Constitution," says the Tri ,Zrune, in "express terms makes every Terri lOry a slave Territory, and every State a slave State," and we , add that Governor Snr-seoun's admiration of such a detestable system, and his willingness to accept it for the whole country, unfits him to hold an y office in a Union where men and States are flee. Yet, it certainly esualitles him to be the defeated candidate of a defeated and disloyal party, and by that bad eminence we trust he will be rewarded. We want repre sentative men for Presidential candidates, and whoever may stand for the Union, Governor SEYMOUR is fit to stand for its op.. ponents. British Politics in the Coming Session. The precise time when the British Parlia ment will commence its annual session does not appear to have yet been fixed. The last adjournment was to the 13th of this month, but as the important words "for the despatch of business" were omit ted, that was merely a pro forma proroga tion. The real opening of the session will probably not be earlier than Tuesday, the fourth of February. It is understood that Queen "VicTonrA, on that occasion, will re turn to public life. On the 14th of Decem ber, being the second anniversary of her husband's death, all the Royal servants were allowed to go out of mourning, and resume the usual gorgeous liveries of scarlet and gold. The Queen, during the last three months, has not confined herself to the al most utter seclusion into which she cast herself when it pleased Providence to make her a widow. The gaiety which accompa nied and resulted from the marriage of the Prince of Wales did a great deal to compen sate for the blow given to London trade by the Queen's continued seclusion. The suspen sion of Court festivities naturally involves a diminution of the splendid balls, dinners, fetes, concerts, and private theatricals, usually given by -the Aristocracy during "the London season"—a term which commences with the opening of the Parliamentary session in February, and ends early in August, just about the time when grouse-shooting commences, and the owners of landed estates, on which the game has been " preserved" from vul gar powder and shot. The luxuries and superfluities of the rich make the comforts of the poor. Costly attire, sumptuous liv ing, magnificent equipages, gorgeous enter tainments, rich jewelry, furs, velvets, silks, and laces, are only to be obtained by wealth, and the labor of the industrial classes is employed to produce them. If wealth and-rank were content with simple homespun, plain living, and simply fur nished houses, the industrial classes would seriously suffer. Indeed, the wild profu sion and reckless extravagance of a spend thrift are more beneficial to industry than the hoarding of a miser. It has become a necessity, in countries where monarchical rule prevails, assisted by a wealthy aris tocracy, that the Sovereign, to whom a very large annual salary is paid, should dis pense it with no niggard hand. Thus, Queen VICTORIA'S retirement considerably injured trade in London, and her return - to the old system will certainly serve it For every shilling spent by her during the sea son, thousands will be spent by the rich persons who constitute the elite of London. It is expected that Queen VICTORIA will open Parliament in. person,—that is, that with all that state which John Ball so greatly loves in his heart of heart, even While he pretends to sneer at it, she will proceed from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords, and there read to the peers and her "faithful Commons," that very incommunicative document, known as " The Speech from the Throne," which has been prepared by her Ministers, and is really their manifesto. This document usually shadows out, however dimly, the Ministerial pro gramme for the season, and the debates upon it, in the House of Commons, this year, will probably show how strong or how weak is the Government. We could easily anticipate what the Royal Speech will say about British relations with Foreign Powers. There will scarcely be any serious debate upon the foreign policy of England, for public opinion is made up upon two points—first, that the Government does well to maintain a true neutrality in Ameri can affairs, and next, that NAroLnoic's in vitation to a general European Congress at Paris has been declined. The mass of the people of England have lately become more fully persuaded than ever that it is a monstrous anomaly to have put down slavery and yet to sympathize with Southern dealers in hu man flesh and blood, and that it was full time to put an end to the entente cor•diate with France, whereby the astute Emperor continually used England as a catspaw to get his own chestnuts out of the fire. Lord PALMERSTON is reported to have said, not long ago, that though he was the most popular man in England, lie found it extremely difficult to obtain-even a small majority in the House of Commons. There is a_ difference between being personally liked and having one's public proceedings fully endorsed by a legislative body. The majority of the electors, since PALMER STON'S accession in 1859, have gone against the Government. 'Various members of Par liament, who have been speechifying during the recess, threaten the Ministry with votes of censure and of inquiry. The latest mani festation of this character was made by Mr. LEATHAM, at Haddonfield, the orator being an independent Liberal, who had previously voted with the Palmerston party. He bit terly denounced the destruction of Kago sima, which may lead to a war with Japan, and was impolitic as well as unjust. More over, Mr. LEATHAM bitterly denounced the perfidy of the Palmerston Ministry in taking office on a distinct promise to intrOuce and carry a large measure of Parliamentary Re form, and breaking that promise, year after year. Also, expressing his opinion that the American contest must decisively and speedily end in putting down the rebellion, Mr. LEATRAM said that such success must be taken as evidence in favor of demo cratic principles—the English M. P. taking " democracy " in its wide meaning, in fact as high liberalism, whereas " republican ism " is understood, by England, to be simply antagonistic to monarchy. Mr. LEATEAM shrewdly observed that ruin and destruction have been predicted, all along, for a country which was organized to get on without prince, peer, or State-paid priests, but as "the American bubble" had not burst, American success has become an argument in favor of conferring equal political rights on the unenfranchised mil lions in Great Britain and Ireland. There fore, he argues, if perfectly liberal institu tions in America can crush such a rebellion as culminated, after long preparation, in the spring of 1861, aristocratic institutions can no longer be cited as possessing superior energy, resources, steady perseverance, and power. Xot the many of England but the few—not the people but the aristocrats re joiced in the prospect of our 'Union. being broken up. Its success was a standing wit ness of the superiority of popular and libe ral institutions. If, as Mr. BEECIEER intimates, Queen VIC TORIA herself sympathizes with the Union, hating slavery with the earnestness of a Christian woman, Lord PALMERSTOIses dif ficulty, when Parliament meets, with such men as COBDEN, BRIGHT, and LEATITAM, Will be much increased. He never can go back, now, in his endeavor to make British neutrality a fact. Our Territorial Wealth. In his last message, Mr. LINCOLN remarks that the mineral resources of Colorado, Ne vada, Idaho, New Mexico, and Arizona, are much richer than have been supposed. This remark is followed by an allusion to the immigration resources of the United States, and to the vast numbers who are awaiting on foreign shores the chance of emigrating to America. The millions of gold and silver dollars which will one day be coined from these Western mines furnish a subject of speculation to intrinsic patriotism There is abundance of natural wealth in the country if it can only be got at. The question is how to arrive at it quickly and surely. Slow and sure is a very good maxim, but fast and sure is a better. The tide of immigrati on Which i n only waiting to set in to this country, would roll over these rich lands, and wash their precious contents into the public treasury. How to fill the Rocky Mountains, the Idaho and Nebraska Territories with working men, and to do so in the most effective manner, is becoming a prominent question. ]Meanwhile, we have golden mines of pa triotism in our millions of Northern hearts, • and the keeping of the untold treasure it pours forth is placed in the hands of our President. Philadelphia Reduced to Ashes. The rebels say they are going to reduce Charleston to ashes rather than surrender it. In the meantime we are reducing Philadel phia to ashes. The ash-barrels which deco rate the sidewalks and curbstones of the city are as thick as onions on a string or pearls on a necklace. Commissions and commissioners seem to think that if con sumers take care of the coal, the ashes will take care of themselves. We under stand that the ordinance adopted by Coun cils for the better cleaning of the streets has been signed by the Mayor, and is now a law. The streets are to be cleaned under the direction of a commission appointed as f o ll ows : By Mr. Guitiono, President of Select Council—Messrs. GEORGE F. Gon- DOE , C. M. GATCHELL, MAHLON H. DICK INsON, JAMES A. FREEMAN, and 9 HOMAS STEER. By Mr. President KERR, of Com mon Council—Messrs. ALEX. T. Dmirsox, JOSEPH MEGARY, WM. S. GREGORY, JAS. GIBBONS, and JAMES J. MARTIN. The Board will have in charge the whole matter of cleaning the streets, for which purpose the city will be divided into districts, and contracts awarded for two years to the lo west bidder. Housekeepers are congratulating each other on this event. The city is in a most deplorable and shameful condition, on account of the non-removal of ashes and other refuse. We hope that this evil will be promptly attended to. The days of March are coming, and the March winds will have rare sport with thd thousands of ash barrels which flood the community, unless they are speedily removed. Of course, we all ex pect to come to dust and ashes some day ; but there is no use in being constantly re minded of it. Under the auspices of the new commission, Philadelphia may put off her sackcloth for good, we hope, and be clean again from head to foot. American Artillerists. The Richmond correspondent of the Lon don Times remarks that is surprising to " Englishmen who are resident in North America, and who , are cognizant of the strides which the Americans have made, that it has never seemed fit to the English Government to attach to each of the mighty belligerents now arrayed against each other on this continent such commissioners as it has been our (their) practice to send with a view to watching and reporting upon Eu ropean wars in which we (they) were neu tral—such, for instance, as were attached to the Austrian and French armies in the Italian war of 1859, or such as President PIERCE sent to the Crimea in 1853. In the belief of all who are most conversant with its details, never has there occurred a war so pregnant with instruction to military en gineers and artillerists as the present. It is not alone that the battles are fought with an affluence of artillery hitherto un known, that (as I have heard stated) more shells were discharged in the single battle of Gettysburg than were employed in all the battles that NeronEorf ever fought; but that in all which relates to the science of military engineering, whether in relation to sieges or battles, not only on land, but also on the margin of ocean, estuary, lake, river, and swamp, such opportunities are daily presented as in all the previous wars of the current century might be sought in vain." The strides which we Northerners have made may well excite the attention of the world. There is nothing to be surprised at in that nor to be unduly elated with. England has come to school to us in one or two things already, and will have to came again. The London Times remarks: "We do not believe that the americans are on any better track than ourselves ; on the con trary, we believe that, both in guns and ships, we have decidedly the advantage." All who believe this will have to be taken down a peg or two in their convictions. The same journal further remarks : " What renders an effective comparison almost im possible in this matter is that England and America have no common ground to stand upon." Very true. There is no common ground, for we have the ground all to ourselves. When American artillerists are behind hand in competition with England, it will be time enough for her to insinuate dis paragement of them. We grant that it is far from flattering to the national vanity of an Englishman to be told that the artillery of his country is beyond the requirements of the present age. It would be still less flattering to him:to obtain a practical demon stration of this. A Philadelphia Sanitary Commission Pair. New York city has taken her cue from Boston, Cincinnati, and Chicago, and on the twenty-eighth of next March will hold a Fair for the purpose of replenishing the resources of.the United States Sanitary Com mission. Let us have one in Philadelphia. We have not had so many fairs here that we can afford to rest on our laurels. We have worked superhumanly in - the cause of the Union and the Constitution. Let us go to work again, and strengthen the hands of the President. The way is open before us. The Sanitary Commission does as much for the soldier as the soldier does for us. Let us help the Sanitary Commission, then, and hold a monster fair. The New York Times says : " Committees representing all the various religious bodies Protestant, Catholics, Jews, Unitarians, Baptists, Me thodists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians —are already at work: Milliners, tailors, grocers, wholesale and retail, actors, bro kers, confectioners, merchants, market-men, are even now enlisted ; the manufacturers, great and small, will do their share; all the tradespeople will contribute newspapers will print advertisements, express compa nies have promised to forward all goods free of charge ; immense buildings have been offered for store-houses until an edifice, spa cious and commodious enough, shall have been selected or erected for the Fair ; and whatever energy or loyalty, or humanity, or metropolitan or national pride can ac complish in so good a cause, will be accom plished. The possibility of failure is not within the bounds of serious contemplation ; the only question will be, what each shall do to aid in the enterprise, undoubtedly des tined to confer an i•elect upon the cause, the city, and the country ?" Whenever New York has a good example to set, we are ready to follow it. Let us follow this one. Bounties to Volunteers and Veterans. We sce that the House Committee have agreed to report a bill extending the time for the paymeni - Of - four hundred dollars bounty to veterans, and the three hundred dollars to new recruits, until the first of March. This decision of the House Com mittee will affect veterans and volunteers considerably, and will be found to vigor ously augment enlisting and re-enlisting. With an army of new recruits springing up, joined to an army of veterans, our assurance will indeed be doubly sure. We have an illimitable extent of well-won fields in the past, and we have an illimitable extent of them also in the future—illimitable in the results they produce. The measures of our Government only augment these, and the knowledge that the more we do the sooner will rebellion be crushed, will reinvigorate the enthusiasm of both volunteers and veterans. Wk. YlAvle the pleasure of publishing the following extract from a late letter of the distinguished scholar, statesman, and diplo matist, Sir Join' Bowiuwo, addressed to Dr. War, BRAIISWOOD, Sir JORN 80 - WRING was formerly Minister to China and Go vernor of Hong Kong, and is at present ac credited Hawaiian Minister Plenipotentiary to London and Paris : "We all pray, with anxious solicitude, for the termination of your fearful domeatic strifes. In the propriety of our absolute abstention I think all reasonable persons agree. There are and must be great differences of opinion as to what the solution of this involved and direful question will be, but I am sure the voice of hottest England will be that prosperity may be extended, and peace be restored to the distracted soolal elements among you. There will be much erroneous judgment growing out of imperfect knowledge, and mutual misunderstanding the results of the locus stasdi of each ; but England's heart is Bound towards you, and England's true in terests are associated with your wellbeing and doing." Lam OF Galante'. GRANT.A pamphlet record of the Life and Services of Major General Grant has just been trailed by T. B. Peterson & Brothers. The publication t s oollection of plain statements of the doingaot a brave man. and the style Is cow . Vise and clear. THE PRESS.-PHILADELPTHA. THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1864. THE EX-UNITED POSTMASTER GENERAL, and now rebel Senator from Mississippi, Mr. AARON V. Bnown . , lately concluded a fierce speech in the Confederate Senate as follows : " When the spirits of all the long list of martyrs who have fallen in this war, and the untold thou sands who shall hereafter fall shall cover this Capi tol as with &cloud, and demand to know the authors of all this mischief, he, for one, at least, meant to say I did not do it ; shake not thy gory looks at rac,, This, it will be remarked, was the frenzied speech of theanurderer and usurper, MAC BETH. We may conclude that rebellion has seen its Banquo. WASHINGTOR. D. C., Jan. 6. Frauds on the Treasury—More Delia- Colonel BAKER made known, a week or more ago, to the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, the Treasurer, the Register, the Solicitor, and other officers of the Treasury Departmcnt, facte which had come to his knowledge affecting the efficient charm ter of persons connected with that Department. There facts were communicated to the Secretary of the Treasury, and he requested the Secretary of War to detail Col BAICER for service in the prose cution of further inquiries in relation the suspeate.l parties. The Secretary .of War gave the required order, and Colonel BAKER was placed, by the Scare• tary of the Treasury, under the direction of the So• licitor of the Treasury, with instructions to neglect no means and spare no effects to make a thorough and complete examination, regardless of persons. The result is the discovery of sufficient grounds for the ancet of D Gwynn, of New England, a contractor for supplying printing presses to the Treasury De partment, and who, it is alleged, had used the name of the Department for the accomplishment of die honest purposes. The Discharge .of Prisoners. Nothing seems to be publioly known of the at rangement recently effected by the Government au thorities and General BUTLRE in relation to the dis charge of prisoner', further than the fact that he has ample authority to aot in such manner as will beet secure this desirable object. Pa3 - ment of Quartermagtees Checks. Quartermaster's checks on the Treasury of the United States are paid with twentplive per cent. in money, and twentyflve per cent. in certificates. Their checks for fractions of $1 000 are paid in mco nes , . There is authority for saying that all parties in whose favor regulations have been made, but are temporarily in payment by, the want of money in the Treasury, can be paid without delay on advisinf! the Department of their wiah to receive payment in the same mode. Some remarks having appeared in the newspapers about the disarming of the steam frigate Niagara, and the statements made that the extraordinary weight of ,metal on board sank the vessel so low that she was almost useless, it is proper to say that she has been reduced one half in her battery because men are scarce, and because by this three hundred are taken from her complement. She now draws only four inches more than when she went to China, and four feet and fourteen inches leas than when she carried the Atlantic sable. She is thir teen hundred tons larger than the Minnesota class of frigates, and draws one foot more water, or three feet lees, than the Great Eastern. Sentence of a General Court Martial. A general court martial, held in the Army of the Potomac, has recently passed the following sen tences : Major E. A. ANDERSON, 9th New York Cavalry, for absence without leave, misbehavior before the enemy, and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, to be dismissed from the service of the United States. First Lieutenant ROIVERT P. PORTICR, 34 II:WW1% Cavalry, tor drunkenneme, and conduct to the pre judice of good order and military discipline, to be dismireed the service: Captain HAFISILOUCK, sth New York - Cavalry, for eeiline Government horses, to be dismieeed End for. fc 4 t all pay due him from the Government. Captain B. L. WEST, commissary of subsistence of volunteers, for disobedience of orders and con• duct to the prijudice of good order and military dia. 'Aldine, to be dismissed the service. Captain Wm. D. PAULDING, 59th New York Vo lunteers, for drunkenness on duty, etc., to be die missed from the service. Second Lieutenant LAFAYETTE CAMERON, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteers, for knowingly making a false return of the clothing of his company, to be cashiered. First Lieutenant .I"ourr GALVIN, 71st New York - Volunteers, for drunkenness on duty, etc., to be cashiered. First Lieutenant Runners R. WIRED, 104th New York Volunteers, for disobedience of orders and absence without leave, to be dismissed the service. Second Lieutenant CHARLES W. CALVIN, 14th Connecticut Volunteers, for disobedience of orders, drunkenness on ditty, quitting his guard without leave, to be cashiered, and to be forever disqualified to hold any office of trust or profit under the Go vernment of the United States. Second Lieutenant Dunn. D. BELLts, 126th New York Volunteers, for misbehavior in the face of the enemy, to be dismissed from the service, with the loss of all pay and allowance. Private JOSEPH RICHARDSON and Corporal DAVID McGAnnzi 4.911 i Pennsylvania Volunteers, Private CHRISTOPHER L. SAMPSON 6th Regiment United Slates Artillery, and Private PETZIit, CHATICAUVILT 20th Massachusetts Volunteers, having been found guilty of desertion, were sentenced to be shot to death. Thule sentences were ordered to be carried into effect on the 4th Instant. It is rumored that• Dr. LETTERMAN, MCdienl in. specter, and General Ilusr, chief of artillery, are to be relieved. General HANCOCK is now in active command of his old corps. Idaho. Several gentlemen are on their way to Washing. ton to effect a division of Idaho Territory. The deep fnowa intervening between the mines in the east and the seat of government in the west is the chief lesson assigned for the demand of separation. To attend the Legislature, the members from the east will have to make a detour of nearly a thou sand miles. The Official Acts of Surgeon General A circular calling attention to the investigation instituted into the Official acts of Surgeon General HAMMOND, and his aubsequently being despatched upon tours of inspection, claimed to be the duty of the Medical Inspector General and staff, and asking that formal proceedings be taken that the real facts may be ascertained, or that he be reinstated in his office, was yesterday circulated in Congress. The circular bears the names of President HILL and Professors PIERRE AGASSIZ and LONGFELLOW, Of IlarVald University.; Drs. VALENTINE &LOTT, WIL LARD PARKER, and JOHN WILLIAMS DRAPER, Of University of New York; Dre. J. MASON WARREN and HENRY I. ,BOWDITOH, of Boston; Dr. JAMES ANDERSON, president New York Academy of Medi cine. The enrolment bill introduced yesterday was re. ported today by the military committee of the Senate, with amendments, one of which strikes out the provision authorizing the transferral from one enrolment to another upon a change of residence. The most important change is the striking out of the commutation clam. The penalty for receiving pay for certificates of disability, or any services un der this act, is Inc/eased from $3OO to $5OO, one half to go to the informer, and the other to the United States. - Senator SUMNER offered an amendment to the enrolment act, providing that no person drafted shall be allowed to furnish a substitute, but that all substitutes shall be provided by Government. Also, that all persons paying commutation money shall pay $3OO each, in addition thereto a tax pro portionated to their incomes as follows :30 vtr $l,OOO and under $2,000, ten per cent.; over $2,000 and under $5,000, twenty per cent ; over $5,000, thirty percent. A' / further amendment will probably be introduced explaining the meaning of the act to be, that the payment of the $3OO commutation money shall apply only to that particular draft up , mi which the payment is made. Sales of Lands for Unpaid Taxes in insur— rectionary Districts. The United Staten Tax Commissioners for the Dis trict of Virginia will offer for sale at public auction, at their office, corner Prince and Washington streets, in the city of Alexandria, Va., on the 11th day of January, 1864, thirty-nine pieces of property, consisting of houses and lota in Alexandria ; seve ral farms in that vicinity, among which is the AT. lington estate, lately occupied by EOBRIVI. E. LES. On the 19th day of January, 1864, they will ottisr, at the same place, 41 houaes and lots, situated in the city of Alexandria. On the 29th day of January they will offer, at the same place, 47 houses and lota in the city of Alexandria. On the fat day of Febru ary next they will offer, at the same place. 48 houses and lots in Alexandria, and aeveral large farms, from one t o R i x miles from the city. No immediate title can be acquired to theme properties, as the privilege Of ledemptiOn IS conferred by law upon loyal Per sons interested in them, who shall aubstantiatetheir claims under the act of confiscation at any time within two y ears. The Senate Finance Committee. The following named gentlemen compote the Fi nance Committee of the Senate: Memo. FESSEN. DEN, SHERMAN, HOWE, COWAN, CLAIIK, 'VAN WINKLE, And CONNESS. General Heintzelman. It is reported that Gen. kIICINTZFCIATAN ie to be given an important command immediately. Head of the Cavalry Bureau. Brig. Gen. Knarripm Gammeno ie a Captain in the sth U. S. Cavalry, of which regiment Maj. Gen. TziONLAS la Colonel. Gen. alintrAßD has been in active service at the West, and latterly in the Army of the Potomac. General Stoneman. The Star ova that Gen. STONEMAN has been or dered to report to Gen. GRANT at Knoxville, for luty in the portion of hie army in that vicinity. Gurowski's Near Diary. Count Gunowskes new book will be out in about a week. Enough IC known of ite skinning criticisms upon eminent functionaries, military and civil, to create a general desire here to see the volume. The following is the resolution, reported from the Committee on Military Attairs, by Senator.Wirs ox Resolved, That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized to extend, from the sth day of January, 1864, to the sth day of February, 1864, the time of paying, in such installments as he may deter mine, the following bounties, viz : To veterans WhO have been in the military service of the United States for nine months, and have been honorably discharged, and to those veterans in service under enlistments for three or more years, who may re enlist for three years or during the war, in the cm panies or regiments to which they belong, and who may have, at the date of such re -enlistment, less than one year to serve, 8400 each ; to other persons who may voluntarily enlist in the regular or volun teer service of the United States for the term of three years or during the war, sad who May be so• opted for such service, $3OO each. WASI-LING,TON. quests. The Frigate Niagara. The Army. Hammond. The Enrolment Bill. Senator Wilson's Resolution. THE WAR IN THE SOUTHWEST. SIGNAL STATIONS ON THE HISSISIIPPI. AFFAIRS IN GEN. KIRBY SMITH'S DEPARTMENT. THE PARTISAN LEADERS IN ARKANSAS CAIRO, Jan. 6.—Asa means of protecting cora meroe, and to render the navigation Of that stream safe, it is in contemplation by the Government to establish a line of signal stations from Cairo south, along the Mississippi river, in order to have in formation that may prevent depredakions by gee riling. By order of the Secretary of war, careful explorations have already been made between here and Memphis. These stations will each have small garrisons for defence, and to signal each other and the gunboats in ease of danger. TEXAS AND ARKANSAS CAIRO, Jan. 6.—From parties lately from Texas, we learn that the Union feeling is rapidly gaining strength throughout that State and Arkansas, a portion of which my informant passed, through. Provisions were quite abundant, consisting largely of corn, however. Kirby Smith has superseded Holmes, who has been ordered to report at Rich mond. Smith commands the entire rebel force west of the Mississippi river, with his headquarters at Camden. His force is about fifteen thousand strong. The rebels are represented as being very active in raising and equipping men, with the object of at tacking Little Hock, which they felt confident they could attack in force before its garrison was TO. Winced. Marmaduke and Price have 6,000 to 7,000 men, mostly cavalry, and were located between Arkadel phia and Little Rook. The notorious Quantrell and Cooper had about three hundred men each, and were encamped on Bayou Bartholomew, back of Lake. General Harrison was at Monroe, on the Washita river, with 1,600 effective men, who were mostly from Arkansas and Louisiana. If lie failed to hold Monroe, he would disband his forces. .M.ERYIIIS AND CAIRO o.4lno,Jan. 6.—The steamer Belle of Memphis, with Memphis dates of the 4th, hat arrived, having the bodies of live men of the 52d Illinois, frozen to death above Fort Pillow, mention of which was previously made. There is no news from below. The Bulletin reports the sales of cotton on Saturday as 374 bales. Good middling, 70 ; middling fair, 73. The shipments for the week were 1,746 bales. 369 bales arrived today, mostly for Cincinnati, but the boats cannot ascend the Ohio, that river being closed above Smithland, and heavy ice moving out at this point. The 27th Ohio veterans arrived here last evening from Nashville, en route for Cincinnati, on thirty days' furlough. The 433 and 634 Ohio and the 3d Michigan battery are also on their way. The 9th Itidiana, en route for Indianapolis, arrived this even• ing. The 35th is ice-bound at Franklin. Three bun dled and aixty-six recruits from Springfield arrived today. The weather is still very cold. FLo.kt D . DESTRUCTION OF SALT WORKS Despatches from Rear Admiral Bailey. "Brilliant Naval Success. WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.—The Navy Department to day received the following despatches : U. S. FLAG-SILIP SAN JACINTO, KEY WEST, December 28, 1863. To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy: SIR : I have the gratification of reporting a very important service performed by the blockading force in St. Andrew's Sound, under the command of Acting Master Wm. R. Brown, in destroying a very exten- sive and valuable quantity of salt works, both at Lake Ocola and in St. Andrew's Bay. The drum stances are as follows On December 2d, a boat was despatched from the balk Restless, then lying at St. Andrew's Sound, to Lake Ocola, some twenty miles to tire westward, where Acting Ensign Jos L. Russell landed with his men and marched some hive miles inland to Kent's salt works, consisting of three different es• UMW. meats', and utterly destroying them. There were six steamboat boilers at this place, cut in half lengthwise, and seven kettles, made expressly for the purpose, each holding two hundred gallons. They were in the habit of burningiout 130 bushels of salt daily. Besides destroying these boilers,a large quantity of salt was thrown into the lake. Two large flatbcats and six ox carts were demol ished, and seventeen prisoners were taken, who were paroled and released, as the boat was too small to bring them away. On the 10th of December Acting Ensign Edwin Cressy arrived at St. Andrew's Sound, from the east side of Santa Rosas Sound, with the stern wheel steamer Bloomer and her tender, the sloop Caroline, having heard of the expedition to Lake °cola, and placed his command at the disposal of Acting Blaster Brown, for more extensive opera tier s near St. Andrew's. Accordingly three officers and fortpeight men were sent from the Restless to the Bloomer, and she proceeded to West' Bay, where the rebel Government's salt works were first destroy ed, which produced 400 bushels daily. At this place there were twenty-seven buildings, twenty two large boilers, and some 200 kettles, averaging 200 gallons each, all of which were destroyed, to gether with 6,000 bushels of salt, and some store houses containing three months' provisions. The whole was estimated at half a million dollars. From this point the expedition proceeded down the bay, destroying private salt works, which lined each side fora distance of seven miles, to the number of one hundred and ninety eight different establishments, averaging two Wilms and two kettles each, together with large quantities of salt. Five hundred and seven kettles were (tug up and rendered useless, and over two hundred buildings were destroyed. together with twenty•seven wagons and dye large flatboats. The entire damage to the enemy Is estimated by Acting Master Brown at $3,000 000. Thirty.one contrabands, employed at these worke,gladly availed themselves of this opportunity to eecape, and were of great service in pointing out the places where the vessels were buried for concealment. In the meantime, while these operations were, going on, Acting aster Brown got under way in the bailie Restless, and ran up to within one hun dred yards of the 'town of St. Andrew's, which had been reported to him by deserter% as being occupied only by a military force for the last ten months, and commenced shelling the place and some soldiers, who made a speedy retreat to the woods. Selecting the we atbermost houses for a target, the town was fired by the third shell, and thirty-two houses were Soon reduced to althea, No resistance was offered to our people throughout the affair. Acting wester Brown sperms in high terms of Acting Ensign James J. Russell and Charles N. Ricks and the fortpeight men from the Restless, as also of Acting Ensign Edwin Cressy and the six men belonging to the Bloomer, for the prompt man ner in which they carried out his orders. Respectfully, THEODORUS BAILEY, Acting Rear Admiral Comm'g Eastern Squadron. UNITED STATES FLAG:-SHIP SAN JACINTO, BEY WEST, Dec. 28, 1863. Hen. Gideon Welle.s, 'Secretary of the Navy: SIR : It gives me great pleasure to call the at tention of the Departmentto a very important ser vice pelletized by the schooner Fox, a tender of the San Jacinto, under the command of Acting Master George Ashbury. The circumstances are as fol lows : On the 20th of December a steamer was discovered in the mouth of the Suannee river, apparently aehme or aground. The Fox immediately beat up towards, until within three quarters of a mile of the steamer. She grounded in eight and a half feet of Water, and opened fire upon her with the howitzers, at the same time sending an armed boat in to cap ture the steamer. An attempt was made to intimi date our people by mounting a piece of stovepipe on a chair, to represent a forecastle gun, and a log of wood on a camp stool for a stern gun, but this de vice of the enemy failed in its object, and Acting En sign Marceline* Jackson boarded the steamer, from which evelybcdy had made their mime to the shore. She proved to be a aide wheel steamer, painted lead color, with black smotreetack, two masts, and a walking•beam engine. Neither cargo, personal effects, imperil, nor anything to indicate her name, were found on board, but from the description, she is supposed to have been the Little Lila, formerly the Nan Nan, and before that the Flushing. The water was found to be rapidly running into the ecgine room. None of our people were competent to stop the leak or work the engine. The channel was exceedingly intricate and narrow, and night was rapidly coming on. Under these circumstances, Acting Ensign Jackson set fire to the emote' agree ably to orders from Acting Master Ashbury, and, in returning to the Fox, pulled up ell the stakes, by which the channel was marked out; for about 13. miles. Again, on December 24th, a vessel was discovered by the Fox standing in for the Suannee river, and, after a chase of two hours, and the tiring of several shells. she was hove to ; being ordered by Mr. Ash bury to set d a boat on board, the stranger put hie helm up, with the evident intention of running the Fox down, and came down upon the starboard quar ter, carrying away the boat davits, but doing little other damage, as the Fox was immediately kept away. While hie vessel was paying oft; Mr. Ash bury. directed a rifle-shot to be flied for the purpose of lebmidation, but &heavy sea was running at the time ard the bullet took effect on the captain of the strange vessel, who was at the wheel, passing through his leg, but without touching an artery. The of Del was then boarded, and proved to be the Biitisb schooner Edwin, from Havana, bound to the Suannte river, with a cargo of lead and salt, and was accordingly seized as a prize. In &tuition to these achievement/1, I would remind the Department that the Fox was one of the three tenders ~which assisted the Honduras in capturing the Bri , ish steamer Mail. _ _ _ Respectfully, THEODORUS BAILEY, Aerie g Rear Admiral commanding East Gulf Blockading Squadron. On the 14th December, the U. S. bark Roebuck captured a small sloop boat, containing two men, sixteen bags of salt, and .one box of notions off In- dian river, Florida. The master atated that he was from Greenturtle Key, and bound Tor Dixie. On the 17th December the mime vessel captured at the same place the British schooner Ringdove, twenty-three tone burden, of and from Newman, with a crew of live men. Her cargo consisted of ore hundred and ninety bags of salt, three bags of coffee, two hall chests of tea, and three barrels of whisky. When lint discovered, she attempted to escape, but on being fired on ran aground on the bar. Both prizes were sent to Key West for adjudication, California and the Sandwich Islands. SAN FRANCISCZ), Jan. 4.—Sailed, bark Lizzie for Ilong Kong, with $145,000 in treasure. Sandwich Island dates to the 12th of December have been received. King Kamehamha the Fourth died on the loth November, aged 29 years, leaving no children. Prince Lot, his eldest brother, suc ceeds to thethrone. He has requested the Minister of State to continue to preeide over that depart ment until his pleasure be further made known. No change in the public policy is anticipated. Sax FRANCISCO, Jan. 5 —Sailed, ship Logan, for Callao ; ship Hatchee, for Liverpool. The duties collected at the San Francisco custom house have been $4,690,000. The Union Convention of Nevada have nom nated John B. Winters for Congress, and Miles N• Mitchell for Governor. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6.—Sail ed—Ship eelestia Empire, for Callao. It is currently reported that Dr. Warren, late State Controller, is a defaulter to the State to a large amount. The Legislature has appointed a committee for an investigation of his accounts. Chattanooga. CINCINNATI, Jan. 6.—A despatch from Chatta nooga says that the weather has been etinging cold for the feet three day'. Two soldiere froze to death, at Bridgeport, Ala., on the soth ult. The soldiers are re.enliating rapidly. The rebel lines are 36 miles from Chattanooga. Cincinnati. CINCINNATI, Jan. 6.—Two persona were hum% and thirty-two wounded, in a collision on the Cin cinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad yesterday. The trains were running at the rate of thirty miles an hour when the accident occurred. Both trains were badly wrecked. • GraypHemingray, & Bros.'s glass establishment, No. 16 Columbia street, was_ deitroyed by lire last, night. The receipts of the•Sanitery Fair are estimated PA kir.oozroo. FORTRESS MONROE. FM:TREES MONROE, Sen. 6.—List of vessels pass ed by the guard ship Young Rover, last evening,lnto Hampton Roads: Schooner J. F. Huge*, Capt. Drvis, from George town to New York; schooner Angeline Smith, Captain Harman, from Baltimore to New York ; schooner Olivelip. Booth, Capt. Longatreet, from Baltimore to New York. Steamer Keotucket, Capt. Hiner, from New York to Washington; steamer Pearl, Capt. Lank, from New York to Bal timore. The Norfolk Old Dominion of January 4th Nays : Capt. * Lee, of the Harbor Police, was committed to prison in Norfolk, on Saturday laat, with John D. Ward, Lewis Reardon, C. W. lieher, and Norman Bell, charged with attempting to run the blockade. The a learner &dmiral Dupont, Capt Wood, ar rived from Alexandria yesterday, (4th,) and sailed at noon to-day for New York. The steamer Western Metropolis, which came here for repairs the 24 Met, sailed for New Orleans this afternoon. NORTH CAROLINA. Capture of Ittbel Cannon FORTRESS Blorruo; Jan. 6.—The steamer Guide, from Newbern, N. 0., yesterday, has just arrived here. Assistant Inspector General Sterling is among her passengers. Intelligence reached Newborn yesterday that the expedition under Colonel I.4lcCheeney, of the let North Carolina Regiment, which left Newborn on the 30th ult. for Greenville, met the enemy, on Thursday night, near Washington. Both parties were surprised. Lieutenant Adams charged on and routed the enemy, killing a lieutenant and live men, who were aVoielt on the field, and captured ton men, one cannon endfeeinton, with the horses, of Stera's battery. Our ion was, Lieutenant Adama killed, and five men wounded, St. Louis. Sm. Louie, Ten. 6.—By the official vote or the November election, Bates, the leading Conservative candidate for Supreme Court, has 681. majority. The weather is very cold, the mercury ranging from 5° below to 16° above zero. About afoot foot of snow is on the ground, and the sleighing is splendid. Laden wagons cross the river on the ice. There are no indications of a speedy break up. The weather has been intensely cold throughout the State, and many persona and a large amount of stook have been frozen to death. The trains are now running regularly. New Hampshire Republican Convention. CONCOUD, Jan. 6.—The Republican State Con vention today adopted a series of resolutions sus taining the Administration ; urging a vigorous prosecution of the war-; expressing confidence in the integrity and financial fidelity of Secretary Chase, and recognizing patriots and traitors as the only two parties. The following was also adopted : Resolved, That Abraham Lincoln, by the exercise, during, the dangerous crisis in the nation's history, of unequalled sagacity and statesmanship ; of a moderation and prudence which experience has shown to be the highest wisdom ; by his spotless integrity of personal character, above reproach and above suspicion, and by his slowly-formed yet un altered oetermineetion that the triumph of the Con stitution and the Union over secession and treason shall be the final triumph of liberty throughout the nation, has received aad revealed the abiding con- Udmurt, of the people to an extent never awarded to any other public man since Washington; that the best interests of the country demand that com plete destruction of the rebellion, of the restoration of peace, pftsperity, and the Union, should be achieved under his administration of the Govern ment; and that we, therefore, declare Abraham Lin-' coin to be the people's choice for reelection to the Presidency in 1864. This resolution was carried with thunders of applause, the delegates rising to their feet, and waving their hate with the wildest enthusiasm. Gov. Bramlette and Rebel Sympathizers. CINCINNATI, Jan. 6 —Governor Bramiette, of Kentucky, has issued a proclamation ordering the military commandants, where loyal citizens are taken on' by guerillas, to arrest at least five rebel Byinpatlaizerif who live is the vicinity where the outrage is committed. The Chesapeake Piracy. ST. Jenne,lN.B., Jan. 6.—ln the Chesapeake ease tc-day, the evidence of Daniel Henderson, the second mate of the steamer, occupied the whole day. He identified the prisoners. No new features were elicited. PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE. HARRISBURG, Jan. 6 SENATE. The Senate was called to order at 11 o'clock A. X. by Speaker Penney. Tlaejournal of yesterday was read. Acts /..r.posma. Mr. JOHNSON read in place angst prescribing the time of voting for certain amendments to the Oonatitation. Mr. STEIN raised a point of order that the Senate wax not organized, and no business could be transacted. The SPEAKER said that this point of order had been decided yesterday. Mr. STEIN appealed, but the Speaker refused to entertain the appeal. Mr. CONNELL. offered an act relative to the pay. ment of Mounties in Pennsylvania, (authorizing the Governor to borrow money and pay $lOO bounty.) Mr. CLYMER raised a point of order that no bill could be introduced until the leave of the Senate was first obtained. -- Tho SPEAKER sustained this point of order, and a vote being taken, the senate refused to grant leave—ayes 16, nays 16. L=l Mr. LOWRY offered a resolution the the Senate wouid not take advantage of the patriotic action of Col. White, or of his forced absence. On prOceeding to a consideration of the resolution the ayes were 16, nays 16. Not agreed to. Mr. CONNELL offered a resolution that as the Senate has repeatedly refused to change its Speaker, it now proceed to ordinary business. The Senate refused to consider—ayes 16, nays 16. Mr. LOWRY offered a resolution returning thanks to Gen. U. S. Grant. 'e Senate refused to consider—eyes 16, nays 16 NINTH BALLOT FOB SPHAELBH. Clymer Penney TNNTR BALLOT Olym er 16 Penney 1,6 Proposition to Facilitate Organization Mr. CLYMER. said that it was evident no ar rangement could be reached in this manner. He was, therefore, in order to facilitate the business, willing, for himself and friends, to propose that the opposite party khould have the first choice of officers in the gift of the Senate, the Democrats the second, and so on alternately. Mr. NICHOLS called for the eleventh ballot. BLEVICNTH BALLOT • • Clymer la Penney 16 Mr. CLYMER said that the responsibility of net effecting an organization rested with the opposite party. There was every reason to believe that Col. White bad resigned and was no longer an officer. This was stated in at least three papers controlled by the friends of Col. White. If this was true, it was the neglect of those whose duty it was to have provided a new member by election, to which the difficulty must be attributed. Mr. LOWRY did not know of any such resigna tion, and looked to the Speaker for information. The SPEAKER denied any such knowledge; Mr. LOWRY said that a rebel major, named Jones, who was in our possession, had gone, on his parole, to Richmond to get himself exchanged for" Colonel White. He was utterly - unsuccessful, how ever, for the rebel authorities told him he was not equal to White, for he had no vote. Mr. hIcCANDLESS said that he and his friends would remain until doomsday, rather than yield any of the rights with which they had been entrusted by the people. Colonel White's Absence Mr. TURRELL stated, on the highest authority, that efforts were made by the Secretary of War, soon after the election,to have White exchanged, but Ould, the rebel agent of exchange, put his hand to his nose, and said. sllrcastically, that he knew how much they wanted White at Harrisburg." Mb TURRELIA referred to the SeinatorlardlM culty of 1855, when the Republican:, although ha ving a Clear majority, yielded in courtesy to the Op position, and gave them a share of the officers. Mr. CI.YAIER said that, in that case, the Repub licans had held out until the last moment. A general diacuesion Lie to the particulars of the trouble In 1855 ensued. Mr. CHAMPNEYS, in extended remarks, con tended that the Speaker of the Senate lived perpetu ally, otherwise the very purpose of the Constitution would be destroyed. Messrs. WALLACE and LOWEY also spoke, the latter declaring that some of the Democratic Sena tons had sworn to support the Constitution and laws of this State under protest. [Laughter.] Mr. FLEMING considered that the organization of the Senate was complete, and that there was no• thing for the Union members to do but to proceed with the regular business, and throw the regional. bility of its obstruction upon the Democrats where it belonged. Mr. NICHOLS moved to adjourn. Not agreed to-- y eas 16, nays 16, Mr. KINX/X moved tb proceed to a twelfth. bal lot. Not agreed —toayee 16, nays 16. " Mr. CONNELL moved to adjourn until te-mor• row morning, at 11 o'clock. Agreed to. Adjourned. • HOUSE. 3r3 J. C. Brown Elected Clerk, The House was called to order at eleven o'clock by the Speaker, and a prayer was offered by the Bev. G. Walker Jackson. Nondealions for chief clerk were then made • Mr. AIoIfRJRTRIE nominated A. W. Benedict. Mr. JACKSON, of Sullivan, nominated Jacob Ziegler. A vote being taken resulted as follows: Benedict, duty-two votes. Zeigler, forty.six votes. Mr. Benedict was then declared elected and took the oath of office. Nominations for assistant clerk were then made : James C. Brown and R. Milton Spear, being the nominees, • • - Mr. Brown received lifty-two votes, And Bir. Spear torts, six votes. Tar. Blown was then declared elected, and took the oath of office. Ofii4eers Chosen. Mr. J. P. Ahern and J. Subers were then nomi nated for se; geant at. arms ; J. T. MoJunken and S. Leiber, for,doorkeeper ; J. 0. Sturdevant and J. R. Tern plin, for messenger; and It. W. Stewart and J. P. Houston, for postmaster. Kr. Ahern received forty five votes, and Kr. Subers tifty.two ; Mr. Bla- Junken tifty.two, and Mr. Leiber forty•one votes ; Mr. Sturdevant fifty one votes, and Mr. Ten:tuna totty.two ; Mr. Stewart fifty.two votes, and Mr. Houston forty ! three. Messrs. Subers, Mejunken, Sturdevant, and Ste wart, were declared elected, and took the oath of office. Mr. SMITH, of Philadelphia, offered a resolution establishing the number of officers of the several departments of the House at the same as last year, which was adopted. Mr. ALLEMAN moved that the Speaker of the House -invite the clergy of Harrisburg to open the daily EPSEiCira with prayer. Agreed to. Mr. OLMSTEAD moved that the Speaker he au thorized to increase the number of members of such committees as he may see proper, provided the num ber does not exceed fifteen. Mr. SMITH, of Philadelphia ' read in place an act to pay the retiring officers of the Legislature for ten days , services and mileage, and moved to sus- pend the rules and proceed to its consideration. The bill was then road twice, and passed finally. Bills Presented. Mr. SMITH, of Cheater, an act to provide for the payment ef bounty to volunteers. A n act to validate the interest of the trust money of N. Y. Foster. • An act relating to the borough of West Cheater. An act withireference to the coroner of Guenter. county. Mr. BENTON, of Dffelfean, read in place a supple ment to an act entitled, " An act to incorporate the. Lafayette Railroad Company." Mr. 13INGTIAM, of Allegheny, a supplement to an act entitled, "An sot relating to Allegheny county." Mr. JACKSON, of n act for the pay. ment of Chauncey Grezle Sullivan ,' for the collection of, alma. Mr. WATSON, of Philadelphia, an act incorpo rating the Coastwise Steamship Company. Mr. FOSTER, of Philadelphia, asked leave of ab sence for hia colleague. Mr. Smith, for a few days, in consequence of a death in his family, which wee granted. ACjourned until to-morrovr i at ti o'clock. XXXVIiIth CONGRESS-Ist SESSION. WASHINGTON. JAIL 6, 1861. SENATE. Petitions Presented. Mr. WILSON, of Masimehusetts, presented a pad tition from the Friends of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, asking for exemption from military duties. Also, a petition from Susan W. Hatch, of Mary land, praying for compensation for the slaves o caned by her, which had been taken by the military, for h which pay was disallowed on account of her um!. band. The petition was referred to the Committee on Mr. MORGAN, of New York, presented a peti tion from the 'Society of Friends, praying for ex einption from the draft. Committee on the Pacific Railroad. On the motion of Mr. ANTHONY, of Rhode DMA, the Senate proceeded to an election of the Select. Committee on the Pacific! Railroad. He nominated the following committee : Messrs. Howard. chairman ; Collamer, Harlan, Johnson, Trumbull, Sherman, Morgan, Conness, and Brown, of Missouri, were elected. • The Steamer Niagara. mr. MORRILL , offered thofollOwlng Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to inform the Senate whether the steamer Nittgere, chartered by the Quartermaster's Department in 1E62, and reported ifby a oommittee of the Senate to be untit tor service has since been purchased by th Government, and so, by whew, and at what pikes and whether any chum is made for the original char ter. and if so, what; and particularly What is the situation of the claim. The resolution was adopted. Alleged Military Hindrance of Elections. The bill of Mr. Powell, of Kentucky, being under consideration, Mx. GRIMES, of lowa, supported his motion to refer to the Military Committee, as it referred to the officers in their military capacity. If the men inter fered with the elections as private individuate they became amenable to the lawa of the States where they commit the offences. They may act in obe ditete to the mandates of superior military autho rity. Mr. POWELL insisted that the Judiciary was the proper commit ee to which to refer. It was to protect the freedom of the elective franchise, and proposed penalties upon persons engaged in the public service who shall in any way interfere with the i tate elections. These cases should be tried be. fore the civil tribunals. The bill would accomplish this. In the British courts all offences of this kind are tried. Mr. GRIMES thought the effect of the bill would be to disqualify any officer who obeyed the order of big superior front holding any military or civil office. Mr. POWELL said their superior officer would be liable to the punishment. If the general.in.ahtef were to give the order, he would be punished. Uniere we have freedom of elections, we will not have a flee government. Mr. DAVIS, of Kentucky, said the bill of his col league proposed to prevent the action of the soldier from being brought into contact with the freedom of suffrage at the polls, and declares that were a certain line of conduct is adopted by the soldiers against the freedom of suffrage, these acts ahalt con stitute a penal offence, to be tried not by martial law, if there is such a law, which he denied, but by a'civil tribunal. It was proper that the subject should go to the Judiciary Committee. The motion to refer to the Judiciary Committee wee rejected. Mr. POWELL, of Kentucky, moved to recon sider. Mr.. LANE, of Indiana, voted for the reference to the Judiciary Committee, but not for the reasons of the Senator from Kentucky. He denie&hat there had been any interference with the treedom of elections. The Delaware Election. Mr. SAULSBURY, of Delaware, said that he had seen the armed soldiery of the pourers that be at the polls, and by positive interference drive dozens of voters away. This in my . own State, no longer than last November. The majority of the voters of Dela ware at the late election were not allowed to cast their votes because they Cid not approve of this Ad ministration. Has there ever been any attempt by that State to violate any law of this Government, to give any encouragement, by act or deed, to Mose in revolt against it I He defied arty Senator to show where Delaware had attempted to tear down the fabric of this glorious Union; and yet the party in power, finding that they could not send representa tives of their own choice to the other branch, allow a military man to publish an order that no citizen should vote unless he should take an oath such as he prescribes." The near of military operational on a railroad car makes his will the supreme law of voting, and says that you shall not vote U 11168.3 you become subjects of his will—the hero of the blood. stained field of Vienna. He sends his military forces to every election poll in the State instructed, beforehand, what they must do. and a sovereign State becomes a plaything in the hands of a military officer who has never distinguished himself in the service of his country. Gen. Schencles Course Defended. Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, was opposed to any action, because he was in favor of what the Government had done and was doing. There were traitors In Delaware as hostile as any in the State of South Carolina. Their Legislature passed reso lutions that had. the odor of moral treason about them. He justified all that the Government had done. and he hoped they would continue until the course of the rebellion- was subdued. He thought the Government would be false and reckless to the country if it allows a traitor to vote unless he takes the oath. He defended General Schenck in his comae in Maryland and Delaware. He had con ducted his department in such a manner as to whittle approbation of the country, and yet he and General Burnside, and other generals, are denounced here for their timely efforts in arresting the machinations of traitors. This was an act to qualify voters. He was willing to take the oath whenever and where ever asked, from sunrise to sunset. He did not think there was any reason to have the oath ad ministered in Massachusetts, but if the time should come, he wag willing that the commander of that military department should require the voters to take the oath of allegiance previously to voting. There wse no danger to the liberty of the country to arise from taking the oath. Gentlemen may in troduce resolutions that were an insult to the loyal ty of the country and the Senate, but the loyal masses are fully awake to the true nature of the policy of the Government. Mr. POWELL did not admit that the President was the Government. He asked as a matter of cour tesy that his bill should go where it had a fair chance. . Mr. LANE, of Indiana, asked if the President, under the Constitution, had not as much power in South Carolina as in Massachusetts or Ohiol and why'? • Mr. POWELL thought not, because that State was in rebellion. He thought he should have, if he had not:, Mr. LANE. of Indiana, • thought the President had full authority to suppress the rebellion, and it was his duty to see that in the tainted districts dig. loyal men should not be permitted to vote. He sanctioned the orders of General Schenck, and others of like character, though he would preserve the purity of the btliot-box under all circumstances. On motion of Mr. GRIMES, the bill was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. The Senate received the House bill, extending the time for giving bounties to volunteer; which passed its second mann& Atljeurned. ROUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. KELLEY, of Pennsylvania asked to be and was excused from terving as a member of the special ccramittee on the bankrupt law, for the reason that his other public dutles.engrossed all his time. Unlit end between Washington and New The SPEAKER announced that the pending busi ness was the consideration of Mr. Brand's resolu tion, offered yesterday, for the appointment of a se lect committee of nine members, to inquire Into the expediency of conetrocting a railroad between Washington and New York, for postal purposes. • No quorum voting, there was a call of the House, and nu members answered to their names. 1' ~ . • 1 ahem. if ary Regulation in the District. Mr. BRANDEGEE, of Connecticut, offered a reso lution that the Committee fur the District of Co lumbia be instructed to cell the attention of the municipal or other authorities to the extension and prevalence of the smalt•pox tu the District of Co. tumble., and urge the necessity of suitable sanitary regulations, and some compulsory system of vacatna• hen, to prevent the further spread of this terrible scourge of mankind. Mr. COX, of Ohio, thought that the appeal to the municipal authorities here would be ineffectual. T,tie resolution was adopted. . ... Unifos mity of Elections. Mr. DAWES, of Massachusetts, from the Com , mince on Elections, reported a bill fixing a uniform time for holding the election for Representatives in Congress, and for enabling soldiers to vote for said officers. Ordered to be printed and recommitted. Mr. DAWES, on behalf of the Committee on Elections, and Mr. STEVENS, of Pennsylvania, on behalf of the Committee of Ways and Means, ob tained permission for these two committees to sit during the undone of the Rouse, The Bounty Question. Mr. FARNSWORTH, of Illinois, from the Com mittee on Military Affairs, reported &joint resolu tion, that the bounties hereafter paid under the regu lations and orders of the War Department to men enlisted in the regular or volunteer forces, for three year. or during the war, shall continue to be paid from the sth of January, 1864, until the let of M.arati next, anything in the act approved December 231, 1863, to the contrary notwithstanding. This resolu tion to be in force from and after its passage. Mr. FARNSWORTH stated that the object of ex tending the bounties to the let of Marsh, instead of the let of February, was to enable the fact of the passage of the resolution to reach distant points. The extension was gushed both by the President and Secretary of War. Mr. COX inquired whether any general policy had been adopted reaorting to volunteering rather than a draft. Mr. FARNSWORTH. was not aware that any ae. tion had been taken upon that subject. In reply to a question asked by Mr. Cox, of Ohio, Mr. Farns worth said that the bounty paid to veterans is $lOO, and to new recruits $3OO, uy instalments. Mr. STEVENS asked whether the resolution in cluded colored soldiers. Mr. FARNSWORTH - replied that it merely con tinued the old bounties. Mr. STEVENS hoped the committee would take action as to colored soldiers. Mr. COX inquired whether he was to understand that there never was a law for the payment of boun ties.' Mr. FARNSWORTH replied that he was not member of the last Congress ; the gentlemen from Ohio was, and therefore was better posted than him self. Mr. STEVENS 'aid that when Congress passed the enrolment law they provided for $3OO commuta tion, and expressly authorized the amount derived from that source to be paid for the procuration of substitutes. • The Draft Mr. COX said/it seemed to be unusual legislation to brim; in a bill of this character based simply on the proclamation of the War 0111ce. They did not know what these proclamations were, and whether they included their, red, or white men. Such pro clamations were issued every day. He thought the resolu,lion ought to De more specific. His object was to wipe out the conscription. Mr. GARFIELD, of Ohio, understood that the President suggested the extension of the bounties to the first of February. He was anxious to secure the re enlistment of veteran volunteers, who should have liberal bounties, but if all others were in cluded in the provision it would swamp the coun try. If the armies were to be tilled entirely by vo lunteering, then the conscription law was a deal letter. Mr. FARNSWORTH did not agree with the gen. tlem an from Ohio that hie resolution would, in its operation, swamp the country. Mr. BROOKS, of New York, spoke against the btu/led passage of bills through the noble without affording time for examination prior to the holidays. Within ten days they had voted at the rate of two millions a day—voted blindly in the absence of esti matte from the proper department. He repeated that there should be a free and ample discussion. The resolution was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading by a vote of yeas 112, nays I—Mr. Gar field. It was then passed unanimously. Mr. MORRILL, of Vermont, made an ineffectual motion to limit the extension of bounties to the 6th of FO , funtY, in order to induce speedy enlistments. Mr. ELIOT, of Massachusetts, Introduced a bill making certain rules and regulations to prevent collision:, on the water. Referred to the Commit tee on Commerce. Al Hall for Statuary. On motion of XIr.IVIORRILL, of Vermont, the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds were instructed to examine and report as to thew/we. diem* , of setting apart the old Hall of Representa tive. as A hail for statuaty. The object is to invite the several States to provide statues of marble or bronze, not exceeding two for each State, of re nowned citizens, to be there placed. A Scientific Board. On the motion of Mr. swEtEr, of Maine, a retie. lotion was adopted, instructing the Illmmittee on Naval Affairs to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the President to appoint a scientific board, whose duty it shall be to make thorough ex aminations of the construction of steam vessels as compared with those of E urope and in the commer cial marine, etc. On the motion of Mr. WOODBRIDGE, of Ver mont, the Committee on Military A.itairs was in attuott.tl to it quire into the expediency of ineindlng in the (Aran now Ordered by the President the tt ; volunteered for the nine months service, and et a by bill or otherwise. Distribution of Prize Money , . ." Mr. B L AINE, of Blaine, offered a preamble tirtg forth 071trens. the prolonged delay attending the e, ll button of prize money la working Radom injury Create. distrust in the faith of the GOVernn. therefore, be it Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy cot. nicate to the House, as promptly as may be r easons for delay, in order that it may b e remb by additional legislation, if needs be. The resolution was adopted. The House then proceeded to consider th e Office appropriation bill in the fJoniatittee of, Whole on the state of the TJnion. Railroads criticised Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinols,,hought committee would hesitate to appropriate any to pay the railroad companies between Ne w , end Washington for services in carrying the which they had not performed. The comatp t tine between New York and Washington, ti, lineal and commercial metropolis of the countr; now become so intolerable that it ought not 1; to be submitted to. There was neither rep!, nor certainty in either the transmission of mac . . passengers, and the monopolies controlling bad become so powerful as to defy all efforts ,t form, and he trusted that the existing state of would tend to speedy removal of the capital the isolated and unhospitable country in Whie: was DOW located, to a more central and ['IR locality. The present capital wee now ancQr. , only by a single.traek railroad, and the ['lib companies were known only by their extort and impositions, both upon the travelling and the Government. The railroad between New York and Washic cannot periorm the business which the country' mends. The Army of the Potomac resulting quiet, an I . likely so to continue, unless a greati Western p ral, whom he hoped would soon be made a lie, ant general, should be placed in control. there would be no danger from the rebels or weather. So far- as this capital was concerned was glad that a select committee had been nom* on the U g t b xj j e n c . t e O n f a a f e railroad e ttwhear they NewwYcz charge-their duty without fear, favor, or effete:. The Government had already paid enough to t,, ; a single track railroad harvest' the two cities. railroad companies were perfeelly lawless, az• gentleman or New York had told him Stilt charged the Government four times the :es, they required from individuals. Proposed Menlo - esti of the Capital. Mr. STEVENS, of Pennsylvania, did not le to what part of the bill the gentleman's plied. A great deal of what the gentleman was no doubt correct. He did not rise to de.. the railroads, but he certainly was in favor ol railroad capitalists should make, so long en ; did not ask for appropriations or bounties. Rr not know whether the railroads were much at r" with only a single track to facilitate trade beta the two points. Railroads have no right to en polite business, unless they do it fairly; dill, was not quite prepared to denounce the agement. of those roads, because he did know the facts. The weather had had le,. thing to do with obstructive railroad but that was no reason why other tali .cannot be made. Tne gentleman from lan had thrown out the remark that the capital CO be removed. Now, would it not-be better, in of this, to suspend the building of a new rota bad no doubt that the best place for the seat government was in the valley of the Illtesisse, and where the water would take more good lir, than any other anti still be wholesome. [ferughl.. No doubt that in the West there are the ens' and tallest soldiers in the world, but he did not the exact bearing of this on the bill under Gerald' tfon. As to a lieutenant general, he would v. against cleating any mote. We already have r in retiracy. Mr. WASHBURNE. Are you certain of that Mr. STEVENS. I am not certain of anythlng . the world. Mr. WASIITIURNE, of Illinois said t If - look at the law, you will see there is no lleuter;. general. The law was revised for the purple allowing the brevet title of lieutenant general to bestowed upoh the bravest general of the war. Mr. STEVENS, of Pennsylvania, said: I es that the title of lieutenant general is only by bier This carried pay and emoluments, but no comae to the present lieutenant general—namely, Scott Mr. PRUYN, of New York, expressed his prise that Mr. Washburn had made a genera: tack on the railroad system, as the gentleman se from a State that had profited more than any other it. Illinois was cover( dpvitti a network of rail e." Capitalists in the Northern and Middle States 4 sent tbitber tens end scores of millions to adee its progress and increase its power. The gentlerr.3 too, said that the railroads had made an atom?+ rob the Government. Mr. WASHBURNE explained that he said cot of the companies. Mr. TRUYN, resuming, remarked that they w- Boon come down to a very small number. e.e s. tured to say that in no part of the world have grea efforta been made to meet the demands of the en than in the United States. He protested &gat: the wholesale denunciation of railroad corporeo because in the view of the gentleman a few of 11 , had attempted to swindle the Government. Mr. WASHBURNE said he would like to hs permission to reply. Mr. STEVENS thought that this irregular debt had gone tar enough. Mr. BROOKS, of New York, offered a proviso the effect that nothing appropriated in this brass be applied to the railroad in Illinois until a spec committee shall be appointed to ascertain how at failures of the malls have taken place from the to lh December, 1863, to :fanuary sth, 1864. He said the . tention and delay of railroad travel between Wm ington and New York, was owing to the burning the bridge at Gray's Ferry, and the freezing up the Susquehanna. Be had seen in the newspart that the frost and snow had produced Wailer; mutts in other quarters. There had been no mai Hone in Illinois between the two periods stated, a: be bad just as much right to insist on a special co: mittee to investigate this, as others had to orde: special committee to investigate the failures tween New York and Washington. Mr. BROOKS withdrew his proposition. The bill was then passed. The State of the Vision. The House then went into a Committee of t Whole on the state of the Union, the Prenide❑ message being under consideration. Mr. ARNOLD, of Illinois, spoke of the destruct! of slavery as being necessary to the restoration national unity, and the salvation of the count He gave a history of the aggression of slave since the organization of the Government; scribed the struggle of freedom and slavery the ballot•box resultingin the triumph at n: i dom, and the election ction of President Lincoln. See -C. appealed to the sword, and brought upon country this bloody war and all its evils. P. vious to this, slavery ruled the nation ; it held purse and the sword—a knight at the White how a despot in the Senate, a bully and a tyrant ere: where. It had revolutionized the Governme: Ater impeaching slavery as the cause of every e from which the country is suffering, he demand the judgment of Congress and the people whether shalt longer live. Peace in attainable only with: destruction. „ Down with slavery, the trail.' should be the motto of every loyal citizen. Ii; shall slavery be destroyed? First. In the Bon Staten, by the ectiOn. Or the States the: selves carrying out immediate emancipsti• Secondly, in all the territory in reboil!. slavery having been substantially by the emancipation proclamation, extend, c. firm, and carry out that to All the rebel teiritv• Thirdly. Amend the Constitution by prohibiting establishment or existence of slavery through the nation. Mr. Arnold spoke of the President, his late T clamation, and services, saying that he would ' ll in history as the restorer of the Union and email( pator of his country. Time' had already trineica% the wisdom of his policy. His emancipation p:. clamation has secured to us victory at lions 'i friends abroad. The devil has no bribe big en:4 to tempt Abrahem Lincoln. He in a diamond in rough—a radical whose aim is to do tho greater possible good with the least possible harm, it. his great mission to carry out the regeneration his country by the death of American slavery. LE • him finish the job. Aejourned. NEW THE OBSEQUIES OF ARCHBISHOP ITUGH-:•1 ==! [Frcm,the Timex. Jxn. 6.] The remains of Archbishop Hughes were laid state yesterday at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Dues; the entire day, from 6 in the morning until the doe:. were closed at 8 o'clock in the evening, the streeu and avenues leading to the Cathedral were throew. with pilgrims to the shrine of His Grace the L, Archbishop of New York. On entering the chum the visitors were required to pass up the centre MO passing the corpse,thence around in front of the sitar and so out by the side aisle. In the centre stSt near the altar, is the catafalque, a platform severe with black cloth and crape, surmounted by a caco.i of block and white cloth, the whole Mumma - tee six wax tapers. Upon tins the body is lafa, heluaka" yet, uneofftned. The corpse is dressed in the re" of office worn by deceased in life. The under garment is the dalmatique—a isu white robe of lawn ; over this the cope aad red velvet, embroidered with gold and silver. P. his head is placed the mitre of gold, red velvet, 33: white satin ; upon his wrists are the maniplcz velvet, embroidered in gold. By the side of tire body, at the right, is placed the golden crozier c v: the lett, a massive golden cross, and on his brrest the pectoral cross of silver. At his feet are br autiful crosses, made of running pine and w'et' japonicas. The face of the deceased arl l c so calm and life-like as if enjoying the repose sleep, instead of death. In approaching the corpse many of the vilit" knelt and said a short prayer ; others, more artier in their deVOtiOn i Clove to tulleh some roitiN the body or vestments ; other, kissed the drape! of the catafalque, or even tried to kiss the c^' s° clothing of the late and beloved Bishop. %lai , o• little crosses of wood or brass or silver, that the sought to consecrate by bringing In contact v.. 1: some of the surroundings of the revered remsi9 l . The body will be exposed again to-day, and funeral will take place to-morrow morning at :°: o'clock, at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It is eetian' by those officiating at the Church that upward * 20,C00 came to view the remains yesterday, And , expected that many more will go to day. PETT•RENTHTO AT BR. BEECHER'S MY Last evening there was a large attendance th' Plymouth Church, Brooklyn (Rev. Henry W' Beecher's), of thole who were anxious to seance att firm, during the coming year. Mr. N. 0. officiated as auctioneer—the same gentleman wto, acted upon similar occasions for many yeas Wu , Precisely at 7 o'clock Mr. Beeeher appeared OW platform, and in a few words stetted the object of flg . gathering and the terms of sale. He said each V, had a fixed valuation, and that the choice of 0 , 4 the house would be offered, without reservation L 6 previous occupants, to the highest bidder. Inr,Pillsbury then commenced the sale, and tinned the same up to fly o'clock without 10101131 1 r Sion. The tales this year amount to over flag last year the proceeds were only about $23,00 0 . ing an inmate of about $9,000. There Ware ve:l many persons present who did not obtain go', owing to the high premium at which the Berne V'', sold. Evez y pew, all the aisle itha,ira, and ova temporary seats which have recently been ei in the rear portion of the church, were disposed `'r; a remarkably highpriee. The highest premium !a was $2OO, by Dir. Horace Oloflin, the next S15:01 was $lBO, at which price several were sold. THE CONTRABAND TRADE. Another; ramification of the contraband trade r ; resulted in the arrest of a Mr. Smalley, said to been emp loyed in the debenture room of the house. Smalley never was in the debenture in n ,'A , or, if he was, Was not recognized as an emPlol or known as such. - The reckless manner In charges are made against the revenue WWI: creating no little ill-feeling. Periodically, some one is suspended for having aided con": s- ','" e l traders ; and in no instance yet have the eu 4 l l e been substantiated. As a consequence, whi . le suspension has been published to all, the vial fines much less publicity, and the stigma where it was placed. That there has been co-n..1 1 , e somewhere no one denies ; but somehow specific. woodchuck is not unearthed." Boston. Bosmote, Jan. S.—The examination of Gaye Bailey, on the 'charge preferred by Count Joanne of of being implicated in the Malden Bangroot!" and murder, ended to day in the honorable seciutt t '. of the T accused. wo hundred and twenty recruits, for t.. 0 regiments, passed through this city to•Cci Army of the Potomac. Ma. W. R. DEMPSTIM •;e• —This well-known - tish * vocalist, who has taken some of the bes t Tennyion's poetry mid "wedded it to imno rti . music , ' of Ms own composing, will visit this airy give a farewell entertainment before returcioll' Scotland. • LARGE!. SALB VALVATILB REAL ESTATE. STOCKS, &c., on Tuesday next, 12th instant, m Thc maser, Sons' advertisement. cuetioa head. I M pblet catiogrna on Saturday.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers