FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1864. anonymou* oommu. jyfutlosi. We do not return, rqjeeted manusoripts- 49- Voluntary eorreepondence aolloited from *ll - part* of the world, and especially from our different military and naval department*. When used, it will *e paid for. A New Plan of Campaign, Strategically, the present campaign gives fail promise to prove the most interesting of the war. Perhaps, for the first time, we are to have practical and direct strategy ad ministered efficiently on a grand scale. We cannot predict, of course; but after the enter defences of the rebellion have been demolished by assault, and so much ol moral victory has been won by the armies and the Government, the time and situa tion seem more propitious for military genius to work clearly. We have broken the way to that arterial system which con tains the life of the rebellion; or, in other words, we aTe to penetrate the enemy’s in terior. One glance at the map will show the original problematic character of the rebel States, with their intricate ex tent of roads and rivers, and de fensible country. A part of the pro blem is solved, and the world is at last convinced that the rebellion can be put down, while the nation is assured that it will. We are speaking only in a military sense, not fairly allowing, perhaps, for those moTal changes in the people, which affect the results of movements and of battles sometimes quite as much as strategy. But, as a matter of military conquest, it isab3urd to specify a time lor the downfall of the re bellion, and in that sense we should pru dently regard it. If it suddenly collapses from interior causes of starvation, poverty, and discontent, so much the better; but here we have no present certainty of reckon ing, and, after all, the stem logic of war bases our only thorough reliance in our military power. Moral suasion can not take the place of bayonets, and the enemy is not weak so long as be can resist us with military ability. We may believe that our armies will move to a charm, and the rebel forces will dissolve like a dream, but this pleasant faith will not remove mountains. We must stUl fight patiently, stubbornly, watchfully, and still march, and march again. Let us con sider for a moment the topographic charac ter and strategic capacity of one single State of the Confederacy, and then remem ber that it requires time for armies to travel as well as to manoeuvre. The rebel forces will be supplied just as long as the Con federacy remains, for the whole rebellion, to all intents, exists in its army; or, at best, the rebel people are only a secondary concern—a reserve from which their army is to be recruited, fed, and clothed, and which, in the last resort, may be sacrificed, just as the camel is killed in the desert to save the traveller from dying by thirst. Minus its-colored popu lation and their overseers, the whole rebellion is in effect one army. All the white population of tbe Confederacy capable of hearing arms are under conscrip tion, willingly or unwillingly, and it is im possible to reach the rebellion except by striking at it. As an army we must make up our minds to crush it, using, by the way, our old auxiliary, the laborer, 'peasant, and supporter of the South. To acquire what we at present hold, battle after battle had to be fought against great natural and artificial resistances. What remains to be done, even if less than what we have accomplished, is no child’s play. No general will contract to put down the war in three or six months, ot any specified time, even if his every movementwere a success. We have reason to believe that the operations of the present campaign, after the experience which the country has undergone to find the solution of its great problem, will be dictated by wisdom and result in triumph; but time and patience must be allowed for the growth and harvest of plans and endeavors. We should rally again to the work as though we had a second war to finish. With such a resolution the war might break up before a campaign were fairly ended, but, at all events, we must rely upon our military power. The new campaign has begun with much promise, but its merits will doubtless exist more in decisive strategy than in battles, which are not always the best achieve ments of war. If we can secure the greater part of the Southwest with but lit tle bloodshed, a magnificent victory will be achieved. The movement which General Sheehan is making on the line of Jackson and Meridian in Mississippi, threatening the’ lines from that point at right angles toward Mobile and Selma, co-operated with by a fleet and army from the Gulf, seems about to become the best and most profitable movement of the war. Its own intrinsic importance, and the relation which it bears to the position ot General Grant, commend it highly. To show its probable value more clearly, we adopt the intelligent speculations of the Times: “The region into poeaezafon of which we shall cone by the successful issue of the operations now on foot, forms a grand stiategic triangle, whereof Meridian, mobile, otlma, are the tnree points. Its value i> threefold: first, the great facility for iater communieation it pie«em»; secondly, tne material value of the district of country of wtucti it assures us possession ; and, thfrely, the military bearing of thi*regionon the whole tneatxe of war. We can do no more than glance at these tnree points in sue* cession. “And first, of the communications, it is to be said that no region in the South is so admirably situa ted, both naturally and aitidcially, as that just in. dicated* For in the dietnot between Vicksburg, Selma, Mobile, we have no leas than two water bases— on the Mississippi ana on the Gvlfj and four lines of communication—naimty t two andtwo rivers. From Ticksbuig, we have the line of the Southern Mississippi Railroad 5 from Mobile, we have the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, together with the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers. The Tombigbee opens the State of Missis sippi up to Columbus and Aberdeen; the Ala bama opens the State of Alaoama up to Selma, Montgomery, ana be) one. Tneee points will all be h*ld and tn*oe powerfully fortified dgpOhs of supply. They Will form precisely the secondary base General Gra7,t must have in an advance into the Gulf States. The material importance of toe region arises from tfct fact that its liver bottoms form the richest oot ton cisti jet in the Somh ; and it is there, ala i, that ifce m*9B of the distribution of the slave population shows us darkest hue. u We uff arrive at the strategic bearings of the i*(.ionin its relations with the pieaent disposition of the rebel foices in The Southwest. The value of it. in this view, cannot be overestimated. First of ail, it will give us the grand secondary line of re bel communications. With the possession of Chat tanooga and Knoxville, we tapped the first of these lines, ana the coofeuioua of toe rebels themselves showhowterrib y this iiself embarrasses them. Wall, we shall now seize the only remaining line. In the next place, it must call away a considerable portion, at least, of the rebel army from Grant’s front; and en able him to advance. Supplies will soon be accumu lated to make this po»tit> e. But finally, and most important of all, it anticipates the rebelt in the posses. Sion of the only re7naining line of defence which it was pot 9iotefor the rebels to take up, when Grant should once advance from Chattanooga Military men have long r» cognized, that ii the reiwla were once turned at At lanta, the line of the Tombigbee was the only avail able position left them*'. The other line leads direct lv into a cul-de-sac, ending in FI nda it, therefore, the present movements are successful, it dutches this single position at which the rebels could have hoped to make any protracted stand.” The two generate who will operate chiefly in the present campaign have been the lead ing spirits of the war in the Southwest—we mean. Gen. Geakt and Gen. Sherman— and in these leaders we are fortunate in having full confidence. Shebman’B march to reinforce Gbant at Chattanooga, and the march he has just made to Jackson, are both highly commendable for their expedi tion and unmistakable energy. yy e s haU not be surprised if Gen. Gbant remains comparatively inactive lor some time to come as regards the army of Johnston, preferring to await the gradual ripening of his plans. A march into Georgia unsupported by the movement which Gen. Shebman mußt have time to make, would -render more obvious his difficulty of ob taining supplies, and keeping open the Ten. nessee. Gen. Sherman’s operations will be encouraged by abundant means of com munication. Should Gen. Johnston throw a part of his forces toward Selma and Mo bile to check or destroy Sherman, he ren ders victory the more easy to General Gbant, and at the beat will be in the toils of that plan which, by front aud flank, threatens to drive the whole military power 0 f the rebel Southwest into the heart of Georgia, and there crush it. What relation Gen. Gilmore’s prospective movement on Tallahassee, in Florida, t may hear to a campaign in Georgia, time may show. The war in the Southeast has not yet as sumed so much significance as the cam „\pT, progressing in the Division of the Mississippi I but we look for new_ vigor in the coining campaign m Virginia. The Army of the Potomac, reinforced sufficient ly to act its own part, cannot but have a great effect on the campaign elsewhere. Should Richmond be menaced with another large force, moving by the James river, the rebel hold on East Tennessee would soon be annulled, and the rebellion in East and West left at the mercy of a number of sure and vigorous blows. We are under no ap prehensions of a “ scatteration ” policy, but, on the contrary, earnestly believe that the war of 1864 will be full of purpose and to the point. The Free Plantations* General Banks, in a document which will have a place of interest in the archives of the war, has, for the first time, pronounced a system by which free labor is to be pro tected and governed. The military power is the basis of this government, but, arbitra ry as it must be, it could not be exerted with greater humanity, justice, and benefi cence than in the present case. In a pro clamation of some length, General Banks announces provisions for dividing the parishes of his province into school and police districts; provides for the establish ment of schools and police ; interdicts flog ging or other cruel and unusual punishment; makes the planters responsible to-military authority, which, until other tribunals are made, will try all questions between the em ployer and the employed ■ provides also for sick and disabled persons, places the sale of intoxicating liquors under restraint, and prohibits the possession of arms or danger ous weapons without authority. Ten hours in summer and nine in winter, with pay of $S for first-class hands, just treatment, good quarters, healthy rations, fuel, clothing, medical attendance, and instruction for children, wages to be deducted in case of sickness or misconduct, are fixed provisions for tfye government of labor and its compen sations. Laborers are permitted to choose their masters, but are bound to their agree ment for tbe year, under protection of the Government, and may be permitted to cul tivate land on private account to the extent of one acre, a half, or a quarter each, to be increased ior good conduct at the discretion of the employer. “ The encouragement of independent labor,” General Banks re marks wisely, “ will strengthen all the ad vantages which capital derives from labor, and enable the laborei; to take care of him self, and prepare for the time when he can render so much labor for so much money, which is the great end to be attained.” It is further advised that employers should provide for the current wants of their hands by per quisite sfor extra labor, or by appropriation of land for share cultivation, discourage monthly payments so far as it can be done without discontent, and reserve till - the full harvest the yearly wages. A free-labor bank will be established for the accumula tion of wages and savings, the bank to be connected with the United States Treasury. The transportation of negro families to other countries will hot he approved. Here we end the reading of a number of whole some and sensible provisions, which show how well General Banks has studied his subject as a soldier and a statesman. His remarks on the relation of Planter and Negro are extremely interesting: "Tie last year’s experience shows that the planter and the negro comprehend the revolution. The overseer, 'having little interest in oapital and less sympathy with labor, dislikes the trouble of thinking, and discredits the notion that anytuing new has occurred. He is a relic of the past and ad heres to its customs- Bis stubborn refusal to com prehend the condition ol things occasioned moat of the embarrassments of the past year. Where suoh iccompr then *ion is chronic, reduced wage*, dimi nished rations, and the mild punishments imposed by the army and navy will do no good.” Basing these regulations upon the as sumption that labor is a public duty and idleness is a crime, Gen. Banks further de monstrates their necessity in the following forcible paragraph: ** Successful industry is especially necessary at the present time, when large public debts and onerous taxes are imposed to maintain and protect the liberties of the people and the integrity of the Union. Ail officers, civil or military, and all classes of citizens who assist in extending the profits of labor, and increasiog the product of the soil, upon which, in the end, all national prosperity and power depends, will render to the Government a service as great as that derived Irom the terrible sacrifices of battle. It is upon such consideration only that the planter is entitled to favor. The Government has accorded to him, in a period of anarchy, a release from the disorders resulting mainly from insensate and mad resistance to sensible reforms, which can never be rejected without revolution, and toe crimi nal surrender of his interests and power to crazy politicians, who thought by metaphysical abstrac tions to circumvent the laws of God. It has re stored to him in improved, rather than impaired condition, his due privileges, at a moment when, by bis own acts, the very soil ww washed from beneath bis feet,” ct A more majestic and wise clemency human nature does not exhibit,” says Gen. Banks. In this we heartily concur. Yesterday's New York World has a beautiful little gem of an editorial, which intimates that the fundamental principle of our national system is not liberty. The writer commences by saying that the revo lutionary question was not a question of liberty, and winds up by asserting that the fundamental idea of our system is rights. This gem is a diamond in the rough ; we cannot perceive its lucidity. The fundamental idea of our system is not liberty—it is rights. The leading idea of a physician ought to be not to cure his pa tient, but to make him well. Both state ments are equally absurd in form. The writer makes a distinction, and doubtless perceives a difference. It has been a very general idea that the fundamental idea of our national system is liberty. This idea sadly needs correcting. The fundamental idea is rights. The fundamental idea of the Revolution was Government, and the fundamental idea of our Government is rights—not liberty ! It takes a little while to get out of the old grooves of prejudice— the old channels of thought. The World materially assists us here. It proves incon testably that we have been deluded all along. In time, of course, the impression that the fundamental idea of our national system is liberty, will entirely vanish, audit will be seen that that fundamental idea is not liberty, but rights ! If we ask what rights,- we thall be told by the World, pro bably, any kind of rights except the right of liberty, for we are to expressly under stand, if we understand nothing else, that the fundamental idea of our national system is not liberty. An Appeal to the Union league—The Election In New Hampshire. It is to be hoped that the following ap peal will be generously and promptly re sponded to by the members of the Union League: “ The election in the State of NewHamp. shire takes place on the Bth of March next. “ It is a very important election in this— that it is the first in the year 1864—the year of a Presidential election—and the Legisla ture now elected will choose a Senator in the place of the Bon. John P. Hale. “The election will be very close. The Copperheads are straining every nerve; and there is great danger they will prevail. “ Last year there were three candidates for Governor, and no one was elected by the people. - “ The plurality was only six hundred. “ The Legislature elected Governor Gil man. .“This year there are but two candidates, and the Copperheads claim they can and will carry the election. “ They will do so, unless every exertion is made by the Union men of New Hamp shire, and every facility afforded them. “ They need the aid of all Union men.” The Capture of the Rebel Steamer Cum- berland. Thc Navy Department has received information of the capture or the Anglo-rebel steamer Cumber land, on the fith Inst., by the United Stetei steamer De Soto. Her cargo consists largely of arms and munitions .of war, and it Is confidently stated that the vessel was Intended to become a rebel privateer. Sbe arrived at Havana late in September last, and commenced making extensive alterations. She sailed on the 3Ht of January, but was run into m»- riel by one of. our gunboats. She saUed again on the 3d lost., intending to run blookade at Mo. bfie. The DeSoto captured her alter a abate of lest than ten horns. She Is a vessel of shout too tons, and Is reported to be a fast sailer. The Abut and Navy Journal, of New York, hse added General McClellan’s Report to the list of official reporta which have already appeared in th it paper. The it port la published entire, In supple mentary sheets, uniform with the Journal, in a fora convenient for preservation, and accompanied oy an teder. The two double numbers containing the re port ate for sale by newsdealers, et twenty sect, eaeh; or will be sent by msU by the publisher, W. O. Churoh.lM Broadway, on receipt of the price— forty cents for the two nujubers. WASHINGTON. PBOCLAMATHW ST TU PBSSIDKVT. OPENING OF THE POUT OF BROWNSVItIE, TEXAS. Wabhihotox, Feb. 18,1664. By the President of the United States of America: A PROCLAMATION. Whereas, by my proclamation of the nineteenth of April, one thousand eight .hundred aad slxty-oue, the ports of the State* of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas were, for reasons therein set forth, placed under blockade; and whereas, tbe port of Browns* ville, in tbe district of Brazos Santiago, in the State of Texas, has sinoe been blookaded, but as the block ade of said port may now be safely relaxed with ad* vantage to the interests of oommeroe, now, there fore be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, Presi dent of the United States, pursuant to the authority m me vested by the fifth seotion of toe sot of Con gress, approved on the 13th day of July, 1861, entitled an sot huther to?provide for the collection of duties on imports, and for other purposes, do hereby deolare that the blockade of the said port of Brownsville •hall ao far nensfijand determine from and after this date, that commercial intercourse with theaaid port, except aa to persona, things, and information herein after specified, may from this date be carried on, subject to the laws of the United States, to the regu lations prescribed by the Secretary ol the Treasury, and until the rebellion shall have bean suppressed, to such orders as iqay be promulgated by tbe general commanding the department, or by an officer duty authorized by him aodjeommsnding at the said post. This proclamation does not authorise or alio w the shipment or conveyance of persons in, or intending to enter, the service of the insurgents, or of things or information Intended for their use or for their aid or comfort $ nor, except upon the permission of the Secretary of War, or some officer duly authorized by him, of the following prohibited articles—namely: Gannon, mortars, fire-arms, pistols, bombs, gre nades, powder, saltpetre, sulphur balls, bullets, pioks, swords, boarding caps (always excepting the quanti ty of said articles that may be necessary for the do fwee of the ship, and tho*e who compose the crew), saddles, bridles, cartridge-bag material, percussion and other caps, clothing adapted for uniforms, sail cloth of all kinds, hemp, and cordage, intoxicating drinks other than beer, and light native wines. To vessels clearing from foreign ports and des tined to the port of Brownsville, opened by this proclamation, license will be granted by the consuls of the United States, upon satisfactory evidence that the vessel so licensed will convey no persons, property, or information exypted or prohibited above, either to or from the said port, which license shall be exhibited to the oolleotor of said port im mediately cm arrival, and, if required, to any officer In charge of the bloekade, and on leaving said port, every vessel will be required to have a olearanoe from the collector of customs, according to law, showing no violations of the conditions of the license. Any violations of said Conditions will involve the forfeiture and condemnation of the ves sel and cargo, and the exclusion of all parties con cerned from any further privilege of entering, the United States during the war for any purpose what ever. In all respects, except as herein specified, the ex isting blockade remains in full force and effect as hereunto established and nor is it re* laxed by this proclamation, except In regard to the port to which this relaxation is, or has been, ex pressly applied. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, [l. s.] and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Bone at the city of Washington, this, the Ifith day of February, in the year of dur Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and of the Indepen dence of tbe United States, the sixty-eighth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. William H. Sbwaxd, Secretary of State, The Draft—Modifications of the Enrol ment Bill, The committee of conference on the enrolment bill made a report to-day agreeing upon the main features of the Senate bill, with amendments and substitu tion of a few sectiOils of the House bill. The commutation is retained at $3OO, and a com promise is made at to the effect of tne exemption thereby, whioh is limited to one year. The exemption of high officials in the Senate Oil 1 is stricken out, leaving, as the only classes exempt* those mentally or physieally unfit, and soldiers in the field or honorably discharged. If the quota is not filled in any district by one draft, another is to be made till the number shall be obtained. The lection authorizing the Secretary of War to assign drafted persons of religious scruples against bearing arms to duty in the hospitals or the care of freedmen, is reported with a proviso, confining such provision to those whose deportment is consistent with the conscientious scruples against bearing arms. - The House proviso for drafting oolored men is re tained,with the essential modification that when the slave of a loyal master is drafted and mustered into the service, thereupon suoh slave shall be free, and the master shall be paid the bounty of one huodred dollars, in place of its being paid to the master on his freeing the person. It was held by the committee that he must not be a slave a moment after his enlistment, and it is un derstood that this is the disputed point upon which a contest may be expected tomorrow. The report is signed by Messrs. Wilson, of Mas sachusetts, Nesmith, of Oregon, and Games, or lowa, on the part of the Senate;Sand Messrs. Schenck, of Ohio, and Demit* g, of Connecticut, of the House of Representatives. Mr. Kbbnan, of New York, does not ooncur in it. The two Houses have not.yet taken definite ac tion upon the report of the Committee nf Confer ence. Postal Affairs. The Post Office 'Department of Canada having, for the sake of uniformity, consented to modify the provisions of the postal arrangements between the United States and Canada of 1851, so as to establish a uniform postage for letters of ten cents, the siagle rate between Canada and all parta of the United States, it is ordered by Postmaster General Blaia that, in future, the international poatage charged upon all letter, between Canada and any part of the United stete. .ball be ten cent, tbe .ingle rate of half an ounce or under, prepayment optional, with out regard to difference ol distance or route of con veyance. Heath of a War Correspondent. Mr. Theodore Barnard, correspondent of the Associated Press in the Army of the Potomac, died today, at the headquarters, of pleuropneumonia. He was a resident of Wathington city. Executive Session of the Senate. The Senate, in exeeutlve session, to-day, con firmed the nominations of Horacr James, of Mas sachusetts, to be assistant quartermaster, with the rank of captain, and Ohari.es Hutchins, of Ore gon, to be Indian agent for the Territory of Idaho. Amendments of the Homestead law. Mr. Julian, chairman of the Committee on Pub- Uo Hands, has reported to the House a bill contain ing the following amendments of the homestead law: Section l provides that persons in the mUitary or naval service of the Uoited States, who are pre vented thereby from complying with the law, may file the affidavit required before the officer in com mand, which may be forwarded by the wife or agent of the party to the regtater of the proper 1-nd office. Section 2 provides that the homestead olalmsnt shall pay one per cent, on the cash value of the land at the time of entry, and a like sum when hie claim is finally established. Section 3 provides that any person who may be prevented by age or bodUy infirmity from going to the office of tne proper register, may file tne affi davit required before the elerk of the aouuty in which he resides, end forward it to the office of the register. Section 4 provides that the minimum price of the public lands shall be fixed by tbe General Hand Of fice, and abaU not be leaa than *1.25 per aore. Section 5 provides that persons who have taken the Initiatory steps required by the homestead law, and have been prevented by being called into the military or naval service from a full compliance with the law, may make and forward their affida vits, as required In the first seotion. Section «is unimportant, only increasing the fees of the register and receiver In cases arising under the pre-emption law of 1841. Our Relations with Nicaragua. A T.nTTnn y»OM rnKkII>KNT LIHOOttf TO rEKftIDBUT MARTINKZ—MINISTER DICKINSON’S ADDBBSS, AND THU BBSX-ONSB. Upon his arrival at the capital of Nicaragua, Mr. Dickinson, United States Minister, submitted the following letter from President Hlncoln to Sefior Dpn Tomas Martinez, Captain General, Preeident of Nicaragua, accompanying it with the remarks appended: MB. LINCOLN’S LETTER. Abraham Lincoln. President of the United States of America , to his Excellency Seller Don Tomas Martinez, Captain General , President of the Republic of Nica* Gbbat and Goor Friend : I have received the letter which you addressed to me on the Ist of Sep tember last, informing me of your elevatlou to the supreme constitutional authority of the Republic of Nicaragua by the free obotoe of it* people, and as suring me that one of your most ardent desires Is to cultivate the friendly relations established between that Republic and the United States. I congratulate your Excellency upon this mani festation of the confidence of the people of Nica ragua in your wisdom, patriotism, and statesman ship. I feel satisfied that the high trust confided to you will be discharged in a manner to subserve the best interests of that Republic. It shall be my constant endeavor so to cultivate the relations between our respective countries as to strengthen the good understanding wbloh now hap pily subsists. I pray your Excellency to accept the assurances of my most earnest wishes for your persons! happi ness, and for tbe prosperity of your country. And so. commending you to the care of tbe Al mighty, I remain your Excellency’s good friend. ABRAHAM HINUOHN. By the President, P. w. esvAiu, Acting Secretary of State. Washington, Den. 23.1863. REMARKS or MB. DICKINSON. Me. Fbbbideht : I am instructed by my Govern ment to congratulate your Exeellenoy upon your re cent olevation to the Supreme Constitutional au thority to the Republic of Nicaragua. This mani festation of tbe cant! deuce of the people In your wis dom, patriotism, and stateamanahip, Is a source of great gratification to my Government. The uojuetifieble invasion of your State was stopped in a bold and energetic manner by your consummate ikiH as a general and the valor of your soldiers. The happy and successful termination of tbe late conflict in which this state has- been en gaged, is a proof that your Exeellenoy is asbrsve in war as you are wise in council. I feel satisfied that the high trust confided to you by tbe people, will be discharged In a manner to sub serve tbe best interests of the BepubUe.and at the same time strengthen tbe bonds of friendship and In crease the mutual Interests between the two Govern menta. 'I have tb* honor to plaoe in tbe hand! or your Excellency tbe letter or Abraham ZAnooln, Freni' dent of tbe United States. MPLY OF FBBBXPBMT MAKEZNBZs Mn» Mrax&Tßa: Aware of the delioate attention of Your Government I have tbe fiem duty and purpose to correspond with dignity to the desires and expectations oi the people of the R*» Eubite ana the friendly Government who do so much onor to my feeble Proclamation of Universal Emancipation. The I Washington correspondent of the Herald writes ns follows: It is understood that on the 22d of February Mr. Hinoolk will issue a proclamation of ualveraal emancipation, Including the border States- THB FREBB.—PHIXADEI7P THE WAR IN THE SCWTHWfiST. fiPnOBS COHCERNINQ TER DIBPRIITIOR OF Alarm at Mobile and Selma. Oihoibkati, Feb. 18 —A. despatch from OliaSta nooga to tbo Gazette aaya that the iaformatlon to orived from the rebel army ia eontradlotory. Some penona deelare that Johnaton’a entire force ia around Dalton, and othera that large poruoua, In eluding the artillery at Kingaton, have gone to rein foroe liongatreet. John Morgan ia aaid to be in the violalty of Dal ton, with a eonalderable cavalry force, preparing for a raid. Gen. Watte, of Alabama, had telegraphed to the eitlzeng of Selma to prepare to receive a number of npn-combatante from Mobile, aa that olty waa aoon to be attacked by the United Statea roroee. The ateamer Denbigh waa ioat recently in attempt ing to ran the blookade from Mobile. The Mobile papera expreaa the opinion that it ia the plan of Gen. Sherman to penetrate to Gantral Alabama, thua compelling tbe evacuation of Mo bile. They alto aay, « Then ia no lndication-in the oiwa reporta that Grant ia preparing for aettue ope ration*,” New Yoke, Feb, 18.—The ateamer Oreole hat ar rived, with New Orleana advicea of the lith. She reports having pained the Havana, for New York, OS' Cape Florida. The Catawba arrived out on tbe 9-h, with 950* recruita, under command of Colonel Thomaa, of the Bth Vermont Regiment. The George Warhlngton arrived out on the 7th. Captain Stephen B. Hoyt, of St, Louie, a native of Maasaohiuette, hat been appointed aotinfunayor of New Orleana. Mr. Christian Rote Una haa deollned to run for the Governorship. The houae of David Berwick, of Attakapac, waa robbed of $3,600 by some aoldiera, who were after ward! arretted, A grand review of General Lee's Union cavalry divialon waa held near New Orleana on the 9th. computing brigades of Colonels Lucat and Dudley. The veteran let Indiana Artillery, 600 strong, left on tbe 10th for Cairo, on furlough. At New Orleana, exchange on New York at sight wat I@l if discount; gold 63@64. Cotton' firm, at 69 @76c. for ordinary to good mtddllog. Sugar and molataea unohanged; sugar 12J£@13}fo.; molatiet 64 for common to ahoioe new arop; inferior 46i. The prize sohooner Cosmopolite, taken by the gunboat Aroostook, arrived on the 7th. Shippiho.—Arrived at New Orleana 9th, ateamer Albany, New York; Ella Morae, Hilton Head. 10th. Steamer# Jeraey Biue, New York; Republic and Columbia, Philadelphia; sohooner Hannah, do. Cleared—9th. Brig Fanny Foulkea, Philadelphia 10th, Steamer Continental, New York ; bark Old Hickory, Philadelphia; brig A Hopktue, do. Nearly a mile of the level at Point Coupee recent ly fell Into the Mlctlcalppl. The levee neat Baton Rouge ia sadly outof order, and an overflow it feared with the eprlog riee of the river. Over 4,600 were regletered In New Orleans pre vious to tbe ninth, Captain Obae. R. Marsh, of the 13th Maine Regi ment, waa accidentally shot on Matagorda Island on the 21at of January, and died instantly. Admiral Farragut and the greater portion of his fleet had left New Orleana. There la no news or interest from Texas. Not even a skirmish is reported. TBE ESCAPE FROM RICHMOND. ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. @ome of Oiu? Offieeps Tracked by Bloodhounds and Keoaptured. Baltimore, Feb. 18.—The steamer from Fortress Mod roe, which reached here at an early hour yei ter day morning, brought as passengers twenty fire of the Union officers who had escaped from Libby Pri son. One remained a\ Fortress' Monroe, viz: Lieu tenant Colonel J. F. Boyd, United States Quarter* master. On the passage up from Fortress Monroe the es caped officers held a meeting, and selected one of their number, Captain J. M. Jobnßton, of the 6th Kentucky Infantry, to prepare a thorough and trust woithy account of the entire affair from its concep tion to the successful issue. t Captain Johnston waß one of the originators of the soheme, and we were informed by the party yes terday that at no time were there more than twelve persons engaged in the work, and who Were aware of the arrangement, until the day before the escape was made. The following is a statement of some of the incidents of the esoape, as derived ltom one of the escaped prisoners. On the evening of the esoape, the first man enter* ed the tunnel at B>£ o’clock, and about every five or ten minutes another one would follow. As each man would get out under the shed he would signal his brother prisoners in the cellar, by means of a rope, that all was well. Five days were oceupied in making their way to the Federal lines, and some were compelled from exhaustion to give themselves up to the Confederate cavalry who were on their track. A number of the escaped officers were caught in the city, while others were tracked and caught on the Peninsula with the aid of bloodhounds. The whole party then left this city for Washing ton, In the three o’clock train of yesterday. They purpose holding a meeting there this afternoon, at two o’clock, for the purpose of organizing Into a re gular association. They will call upon the Presi dent and other officials ; and, as they are now all free, without parole, and all apparently in good health, many of them will return to the duties of the field. The full and correct narrative of the escape will be soon published by Capt. Johnston. A number of the officers came iato our lines by way of the Chickahominy river. “ How did you cross V asked a gentleman of one of them. He re plied, “Two trees had providentially fallen over the Btream, forming a temporary bridge, over which we climbed. We got safely to the other side, and heard the bugles of alarm, but we were beyond pursuit.” The negroes, in every instance, took the officers into their cabins, giving them food, and rendering every assistance in their power. Extensive Preparations of tire Rebels along the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, Nbw Yokk, Feb. is. — The Herald hss received the following despateh from the headquarters of the Army ol West Virginia: From reports of deserters and refugees, it is evi dent that the rebels are making extensive prepara tions along the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, Gueiillat are active in the Kanawha region. The enlistment of negroes is very brisk at Uum berland. Eighteen guerillas have been captured in Webster county,including old John Husky. Lieutenant Snodgrass, of Martlnshurg, was one of the robbers of the passenger train on the Balti timore and Ohio Railroad. The Weather Is fair, hut cold. CM. BUTLER’S DEPARTMENT. Secession Sympathizers en route for the South—Arrival of Another Libby Frlso- Fobtbess Monhob, Feb. 17.—The flag-of-truoo steamer New York sailed this morning for City Point, taking up about thirty women, and.as many children, who have decided to reside at the South Curing the war. They were from Norfolk. Among the passengers were Rev. fid. fid. HenklO and family, and three rebel officers, all in charge of fidajor J. E. hdulford, .truce officer. The naval despatoh steamer Bermuda arrived this morning from the Gulf Squadron. She brings a large mail for New York. An officer, Lieutenant Hatfield, of the 631 lUi" sola Regiment, arrived here this morning from Yorktown, having escaped from the Libby prison. He says tbatthree others are at Williamsport, and will be here to-morrow. Thirty rebel prisoners of war arrived to-day from Newbern, N. O. A Rebel Comm' ssloner to Mexico Nnw Yoke, Feb. 18.—The steamer Roanoke has arrived with Havana dates of the 13th inst. Ad. vices from San Domingo City to" the 4th inßt. had been received. There was nothing new in the fighting line. The number of Blok is increasing, and the hospitals are filled. The Dominican Government has started an offi cial organ, called the Boletin OficUU. Mr. Preston, claiming the rank of major general in the Confederate army, had arrived at Havana, via Nassau. He is said to bear a commission to Mexico of great importance. He leaves for Vera Cruz on the 21st. From Key West we learn or the capture of a fleet of schooners and two ateamera—the Laura and Cumberland, the former taken by the Stars and Stripes. The steamer Huntsville arrived this morning for repairs, and will be taken on the dry-dook. SACitAMKNTOi Feb. 18.—The ship Benjaminsailed (tom this port to-day for Shangkae. The railroad from Marysville to Oroville, a dis tance of thlity milea, hss been completed. The event was formally celebrated at Oroville, on Mon day, by a parade, a public dinner, and a ball. About three thousand kegs of blasting powder have been sold within a fortnight. They brought from six to seven dollars. The sales of Eastern lsrd are very slew. Business is generally moderate, with but little variation In prtcea. Extension of the Harlem, Railroad. Albabv, Feb. 18.—In the Senate to-day notioe waa given of the introduction of a bill to authorize the Harlem Railroad Company to extend their road through certain streets in New York, in accordance with resolutions passed by the Mayor and Com monalty of New York, April 23, 1863; and farther to provide for the removal of the omnibuseafeom Broadway. Baivimokb, Feb. 18 —Flour ateady; salea of 1,000 bbls, at $7 lor Howard street. Wheat firm at *1.93 @I,S6 for Kentucky white; (178@l 80 tor Southern red. Corn aosrae at tl 14. Whisky firm, with an up weld lendei cy; 9istM for Ohio. Oofioa scarce, at lor hlo. Col. S. M. Bowman has bean relieved from duty on General Casey’s examining board, and ordered to relieve General Wm. Blrney, mustcring-ln-officer or negro troops In Maryland. General Blrney will take the field at the head of a ooloied brigada, com posed principally of troops reorulted in Mary land. JOHNSTON'S ARMY. NEW ORLEANS. WEST VIRGINIA. Hi YANA AND BAN DOMINGO. CALIFORNIA. Martlets by Telegraph. : FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 19.1884. Great Fire at Gloucester, Mass.—Seventy iive Buildings Destroyed. Gloucester, Mass., Feb. 15 —A fire broke out in Sawyer's Block at 3 o'clock this morning, and it is estimated that seventy>fivo building! have been de stroyed. It has swept Front street entirely, m both sides, and is still raging furiously. Borne eight or ten buildings have been blown up to arrest Its pro gress. The engines cannot be worked in conse quence of the cold, and the firemen are used up. Among the buildings destroyed Is tbe telegraph office. fSECOND DEBPATO® } 11 40'A. M.—The fire commenced athaJf-past three this morning, and is still raging with unabated vio lence. A stesm fire engine has arrived 1 from Salem and has commenced playing on the flames. About seventy buildings have thus far been d» •troyed, including the Gape Ann Bank, the contents of wbioh were saved. One vessel was also burned. The flames spread east and west, taking every thing in their path even down to the water's edge. The engines aie all frozen upy and it is almost im possible to work them. The streets are foil of mo vables, and tbe scene is one of indescribable confu sion. There are But 1 very few more wooden buildings left to burn, and it is confidently hoped that the flame* will be got under control before they reach the brick dwellings. No estimate has yet been made of the loss. Gloucester, Mass., Feb. 16.10 o’clock, A. M.— The flames have nearly subsided. Fifty stores were burned, together with thSoffloA of the Advertiser, the Town Clerk's office* the Mag netic Telegraph, offloes and three lawyers' offices, the Freemason’s lodge-room, and fifteen dwellings. Forty families are made houseless by the calami ty, The post-office and cuatom-houae buildings stayed tbe fire in one direction and-prevented the further p'ogress of the flames. It is difficult to estimate the loss, which oannot fall short of $4OO 000. The Haverville, Home, Hart ford, Springfield, and numerous other insurance offices are sufferers. Owing to the absence of vessels at this time, the loss of shipping was trifling. The arrival of the steam-fire engine from Salem was most opportuae. The telegraph lines are being operated from a building overlooking the ruins whioh cover half of the prinoipal street* and wharves of the town; Tbe Nova Scotia Legislature. Halifax, Feb. 18.—The proceedings of the Legls latuie, thus far, have been very unimportant. Last evening Mr. Bourlnot moved for the presentation of all documents relating to the Chesapeake oases He complained that the Confederates had been un justly shut out from tbe privilege of aliening and lupportiDg their rights, and that a speoial mes*ea» gtr who was deipatohed to Richmond had not re turned, and in the meantime the judge had delivered a final the case. The Government replied that all communication irom the Imperial authori ties were s'rictly confidential and could not be pro duced No question! were asked as to why the Chesapeake was .allowed to violate the revenue laws of several of the ports in their provinoe. The Christian Commission in New Jersey* Princeton, Feb. 18.—An enthusiastic meeting waa held here this evening on the behalf of the U. S. Christian Commission. Professor Moltvaine occupied tbe chair, and there was a full attendance of tbe students from the college and Theological Seminary. Eloquent addresses, full of devotion to the country, and tbe oause of the Commission, were delivered by Rev. S. P. Henson, Ex-Governor Pol lock, and Geo. H. Stuart, Esq., of Philada. Prince ton comes nobly to the aid of the soldier and the sailor. The Maryland Constitutional Convention. Baltimore, Feb. 18 —The City Convention to nominate a ticket for the Constitutional Convention met to-night. Resolutions endorsing the Adminis tration of President Linooln, and in favor of his re election, were unanimously agreed to. Tbe Niagara Palls Ship Canal. Albany, Feb. 18.—'The Niagara Falls Ship Canal bill has been indefinitely postponed by the Amena bly. * Fire at Cnarleston, Va. Cincinnati* Feb. 18.—A fire at Charleston, ’Va., on tbe 16th Inst., destroyed Shields’ dry goods store and the Inman Houee. The loss amounted to $25,600, on which there was but a small insurance* Tbe Pirate Alabama. New Yobk, Feb* is—The reported blockade of the Pirate Alabama, at Amoy, Id China, is strongly doubted. She could hardly have made the port of Amoy at the time she is reported *to hare arrived there. Sailing or tbe Arabia. Boston* Feb. 18.— The steamer Arabia, for Hali fax and Liverpool, sailed at 7 o’clock this morning. The gale haß now subsided. The thermometer at sunrise stood at four degrees below zero. Non-Arrival of the Africa. Ha lifax* Feb. 18, noon.—Up to this hour there are no signs of the Royal Mail Steamship Airies, now due at this port, with advices from Liverpool to the 6th test. Arrival of the Creole* NbwYobk, Feb. 18 —The steamer Creole, from New Orleans and Havana, is signaled below. D. S. Supreme Court. • Washington, Feb. 18.—In the U. S. Supreme Court, to-day, the argument in the patent hat-body case waa continued. XXXYliltll CONGRESS—Ist SESSION. Washington, Feb. 18, 1664 SENATE. Mr. MOBGAN presented a petition of citizens of Now York, praying for an equalization of all soldiers in the army, without regard to color, which was ordered to lie -on the table. Bill to Encourage Immigration. Mr. SBEBMAIy*, from the Agricultural Committee, submitted a bill, accompanied by a report, to encourage immigration. Ordered to be printed. Mr. hhenn*n’a bill appoints a Commissioner of Immi* gra tion. an officer in the Department of State, at a salary of twenty five bandied dollars, aesieted by one olerk of the first clais, and one of' the third class. He ah.*ll col lect information of the roil, climate, mineral resources, agricultural products: rate* of w*ges. prices of labor, mt-ans of cimmunicaiion and-the wants of the indus trial inteie-ts 01 the Uniied States, for dissemina tion through* nt Europe, in concise and popular form; the cost of printing, which shall not exceed twenty thousand dollars in one year. Corres pondence with Consuls is required, who shall famish minlfebts of emigrants tab ins passage to the United Mates. An emigrant office 1b to he established at Hew Tork. undfr the charge of a Superintendent, with a salary of two thousand dollars, who shall procure and regulate the transportation of emigrants. Officers are forbidden to accept fees or become interested inlands fo; saie to emigrants The President is authorized to arpoint asoiher Superintendent in Hew Orleans. Thi* being the day set apart for tbe consideration Of the District of Columbia business, it was ordered that the Mayors ot Georgetown and Washington bs admitted to thf floor. Numerous bills relating exclusively to the District were, on motion of Mr. Grime**, called up and' pasted; among them a bill f*>r the education of youths outside ol the limits of Washington and Georgetown Mr WILSON, by bnanimoua consent, presented the report of the Committee of Conference on the enrolment Mr. BENDRirKS moved that the report be printed. Mr. GKIME4 thought this an unusual course. Mr. WILSON had not heard of such a precedent bafore on a conference report The aves end hays were demanded on a motion to print, and resulted ayes 11, nays 2d Tbe Clerk suspended the reading of the report, on a motion of Mr. WItKINSONto reconsider the vote by which the motion to print had been rejected The mo tion was carried, and the consideration «f the subject was postponed until to iaoiTow, when the report wiir be printed. The Senate again resumed the consideration of District of Columbia business. Naval Enlistments* Mr, CONNEBS-lntroduced the following joint resolu tions : , * Be it resolved, Ac., First, That the Provost Marshal General be asd is lereby directed to enl*st such per sons as may desire to enter into the naval service of the United States, under directions as in iy be given by the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy, which enlistments shall be credited to the appropriate cietricts; provided, nevertheless, that inasmuch as per sons enlisted imbe naval service receive prize mooay, persons so tnHstlag ah all not be entitled to receive any bounty upon their enlistment. Second. That the President of the United States may, whenever in his judgment the public aervice requires, authorize and direct the transfer of persons who have b*en employed in service, and are now enlisted in regi ments lor land service- from snch rights to tue naval service, upon »u*h terms and according to such rules and regulations as he may prescribe. Provided, never theless, that the number of transfers from any company or regiment shall not be so great as to reduce such com pany cr regiment below tbe minimum strength required by tbe regulations of tbe zni>it*ry serv es; and,provided further, that inch stud as may have been paid to per* sons so transferred as bounty for ealMicg into the mill tsry service, shall be transferred from the reonutinc fund of the navel service to the credit oLthe proper ap propriation for tbe land service, " On motion of Mr- GRIMES, the following amendment was added : Be it further resolved That there shall be paid to each enlisted or ordinary teaman here After en listed into fcse naval service,an advance of three montbs’ pay 88 a bounty, to be refanded to the Treasury from any* prize money to which such enlisted man may be tattled. The joint resolution as amended wa% adopted. Mr. C( NN Efes explained that thaie jo’nt resolutions give discretionary p wer to the President to transfer teamen enlisted in the army to the navy to make up ertwsfor ships of war to be sent to the Pacific coast The Navy Department are ready to send vhips to the Pacific coast for its protection, but by reason of the great bounties paid to soldiers, tbe Navy cannot ret sailors. This is to meet this difficulty, audio enable the Government to send such a fleet to the Pacific as will five it ample protection against any attack The Senate, on motion of Mr. L ANB, of Indiana, went Into executive session, and shortly afterwards ad journed. HOUSE 07 REPRESENTATIVES. The Houre passed a bill providing that the Govern ment shell obtain possession of property at Rook Island, Illinois, from the private owners thereof, for the pur pose of electing an arsenal, as heretofore provided by BOUTWBLL, of Massachusetts, from tbe Commit tee on the Judiciary, reported a bill, which was passed, riving authority to the guardians or committees having charge of lunatics in the several (Hates, or in foreign countries, to aet within tbe Dli trict of Columbia. Payment of Contracts. Mr. CLAY, ofKentucky, introduced a bill, which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, providing that when a special or express coptrac: has been made since the first of January, 1861, or shall herea'ter bn made, upon the depOßit or loan of told, for tbe payment of ench loan or deposit In gold, nothing shall be a legal tender f*>r tbe discharge of auoh contract, or of any judg ment rendered thereon* but gold* any law to tbe contra ry notwithstanding. Mr f-ARf IELD, of Ohio, introduced a bill, which was referred to tbe Committee on Military Affairs, to organ ize a regiment of veteran volunteer engineers. Proposed Sole of Gold from ike Treasury. Mr. FERNANDO WOOD, of New York, called atten tion to the pec salty of some immediate disposition of the joint resolution, sought to be reported yesterday, authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to sell the surplus gold on hand at his pleasure- The mere propo sition has unsettled the market of New York; it has oerauged the basis of commercial transaction*; it h&s deranged exchange, and the value of comnaodiMeti and he had been appealed to by leading bankars to endeavor to have some disposition made of the subject. There being no objection* , Mr HOoFER, from the Committee of Ways asd Means, reported tbe jolt t resolution authorizing the Secretary «>f the Tieamiy.from time to time,to sell.at his discretion, the gold in the Treasury over and above the amount which,in his o dnion. may be necessary to pay the lnr-e -reft or the public debt, -nd Tor other purposes. Mr. HOOPER, of Massachusetts, explained the resolu tion, and said, on Saturday last, as he understood. the amount of gold on hand waß eighteen millions nine hundred thousand d liars, and of this sum eighteen millions two hundred thousand are In. the Bab-Treasu’-y In New York The estimates from now till the first of 1 July will increase ibis amount from sixteen to eightceu millions, making at the latter period thirty seven mil lions. The requirements for gold from' now Mil the first of July to-mdke payment of interest on the pabuc debt, will be less than twenty four millions, ■howto* an excess of from eleven to thirteen mtllloni. which may he disposed of. The gentleman f-om Ohio (Mr. Cox) bad a> led what would be the effect of giving the proposed authority to the Secretary of the, Treasury This was rather difficult to a newer, and he should refer to two effect* or thin go by war of illustration. Tu * gcntl*man might remember that tbe other day refeieoc ) was made to a letter from Mr.. Lamar, in which he a i vises hie rebel friends to get up-the price of cold utlio 1 rue way of attacking our Government. He (Mr. Hoop* •i) thought the efleet of this resolution would be rather to discourage the plane of these gentlemen who are de posed to follow Lamar’s suggestion, as it would be m* possible for them to effect their object when the Secret a ry exercUes the authority now sought to be sonferredioa him. Mr PftNDLBTON differed from his colleagues on the CommiUM of Ways and Means. The passage of the ia- Bolutlon ironic be very unfortunate. The beqretary of the Treasury now has the power to buy sold when ne cessary* while this resolution proposed tq give him power to sell, thus giving him power ta control tne monfy market whenever he thinks Procter. Beside* the amount-of gold waa so comparatively small tUit it wmld afford out little, if any, relief to the Govern mjfr MAI LOST, oMffi, oonnnitt»» W4R«M’. lcaalrad whether anybodr know what waa thstaitre of thebeorouuv ot the Treasury thl; "abject. Tha seer* !.nh.RMmaaiiloßte4 neither with th. a.mmitte* nor OoDgre*. Sunhe propriety of conferring this additional IW Mr r Pßß^bß*rsir d 'ies«mln*. eald he would not on . . H.HcakA nower to s stogie head of a Dwirt* pater* frf th* SecrelftTY, but he roPfISMI De WDttCd SOT tTnst Bsi officer with the Pfriw **d^2i£thi thus giving him to OJJporftofor to wlsa or^dep*e*»*ae ma'k-tin that particular WiiMn fc *? < * e * t f *s,?£ SSawr there is to be raid as interest on amount or gold than wa now have on hand. now proposed waa a transaction in wbi<-h no man Won.d eDRUgf* whexmanaaed his own private afftir*. • Mr. BKOOKK of. hew York, showed that onr i?MFw}f largely exceed our exports, the former makins extensive dranns upon the spool- of the country We had oe ioae soestrarasant, owing to the superabundance of money, that agriculturists have almost ceased to labon while nearly ever}body Is attempting to epsoolate ana ere decertiug their farms and overpopulating- oar cities. We should not by mch an expedient as is now pro posed ent loose from onr anchor, the basis of the cre dit of the Government, and throw all onr gold upon tbe marl *t in ord*r t» bay paper. He repeated, toe enrae of country is over Importation and luxuries each as -like, satin*, and cashmere*: and if gold would rise high enough to stop importation; itwoud bsihe greatest blessing of which we could bare any con cepti« n. He argued that the public faith Is solemnly pledged to d*vota the receipt* of gold to the payment of the hifoi-eet on the public debt; here was the law of 1832. If th»re was a Fnrp us of specie in the Treasury, let the Secretary if bew'il, auMo pate with it the payment oHbe jnt*re»t falling due la Julynex r . The President ha* tbe sword, a- d th ough the Secretary of the Trea sury the purse, end he therefore stands forth the tm renonatton of despotism If he cboores to exercise it, tbeSeor*t«ry bas t e manufacture and sttioa of thousands of mt-lions of paper He believed the Secretary nn honest and u< right man. hut never in his wt ole pnbuc life bad be seen an officer surnaad-d with xnort thieve* and robber*. He oouldnatneadozm wboff standing was MKh that neither the Republicans or Democrats would tru-t them with their private *f ft’rn ana now th* proposition is to give the Secretary of the Treasury absolute pow*>-r over the money market of the country. Let os hold fast to the specie basis. Hr SrEBSItS, of New Tors, maintained that the House Itself, with great unanimity, should have origi nated the bill requesting and directing the Secretary of th* Treamr* t'» u*-e the gold accumulating ia the Trea sury beyond its requirements, and nut have waited for tbe hecretaty to intimate a wish for it He said that the Government was hoarding gold from necessity, became there w«s no legal way of parting with it. and gold we* becoming dally more searo-t: in fact, soaciree that the large tram-fictions caused by tne custom-., by ehe export demand, by cunfcincts maturing In Wail street, on the Stock ixchatge. throagh sterling exchange trans* action*, the Kold, room ana tnffle at the hotels, tending to enhane-' )t* value and cousequeatiy the valas of tbe necessaries of life: and thai it waa simply a ques tion as to whether the Government should cominae to occupy this position, orwheti_er thsy should re empow ered to sell at the market price ail that it did not require f«*r tbe indicated by the law* He ba ttered that the Secretary of tbe Pr«a*tiry would tme the power wi h wisdom; that all his efforts looked in that direct! m, aud that the House cad no g iod reason to doubt that he wuUid continaa to manage nis department lo the same way. Be regarde* the question os purely one of interest to al-classes of the community and the nptps-irles of the nation, not in any way political, and hp should govern his vote accordingly. Mr. GARFIELD, of Ohio, made an estimate as to the receipts ipto thaTgeasury at the rale or four hundred thousand d- liar* a day, saying that in July next twen ty-three millions and a hair are to he paid an cola, and that Tifca every dollar which theGoverment wasp e4g*»d to pay on the fbet of thit mo jth. There woald remain a surplus, on the basis of the preheat receipts, greatly exceeding tbe estimates There w -aid remain ia the Tiefenry <>n the first of July«flfty ai d a half ld. and there was no law to enaole the Treasu y to di*p> so of this sum He said great wars are not con dncied with void* but wi r h Mr B« >PTW fc.LL said tbe first security of public credit is faith, and that all pabl'c officers should o* held to a rigid responsibility By taxation and judicious legisla tion they hud provided f-r the payment of interest on the'public a*bt. and cesignatii g the m-dium ia which, it should be paid. They usd guaranteed by legislation BasoTioned by public opinion hat the it ter*st •■hoold be paid nspecie They were told tliuy were to have a gar plus of so*d but he did not concur in the statement of the gei>tlem*& from Ohio (Hr. Garfield ) If toep-opo sltloi now pending should not be accepted, he . move an aoienlzoent authorising tbe Secretary of tne to hnticipate the paymectof the Jaly interest from time to time, atthevaie of six per cent, in gold, and thus redeeming the conpons The true way to re :ipv<- the Treasurs of surplus coin was to pay itoat in this way. Mr FERNANDO WOOD* of N*w York,deprecated the character of that species of legislation and executive act'on which resorted to these temporary expedients While h«. did not propose to disco-s the immediate qoestlos hef re the Hou«e in any factious or srbit catidor compelled him to say that the fnnda ms-ntal error was In the financial aysteaisdopt-.d by the Adm nlscratl n It was bared on an utterly false prin ciple; it was neither new n< r safe. It had been tried by other countries, and frequently by enterprising Wall ettcet financier, and in every casa had ledtolihere gultr. namely, mln, bankruptcy, and repudiation, lhtre was no mystery iu this queftion It was eicaoly Whttberan inaividaal or a government could sustain itself lung by relying upon borrowing and not up n legitimate soarct s of revenue- He appealed to the re p- e « ativet of the Government to bring forward some proposition which W-»ttld enaole ns to p*sa throngh the pr*bFSt terrible ordeal without bankrnptcy and rain. TbeimmiEeit danger of a collapse in the public credit should admonish them that bt mathematical csleula tlon another three years and we may nave tea. or this war will end in nov- Jonly the collapse of the Treasarv, hut in the prostration of all tie national interests of the people Mr. KASSON, of lowa* wonld so far depart from the questloD &b to aay, that if the gentleman who had just tskin his stat, and his friends, would endeavor te unite the North in solid phalanx to tuples* the rebellion by force of arms, the soldiers, for whom those gentleman profess to n mpathize* would soon be permitted to return to their homes as to the pending resolution it did not propose to sell the amoi-nt of gold on hand, bat only the surplus not needed for payment of interest on the public d* bt. >t only appropriated the surplus beyond the waste of the lt. did not, therefore, touch or come in conflict with ihe pub ic faith.. No gentleman could say tbat the Secretary of the Treasury ever vio lated his public obligations. It was trae, it gives the Secretary >hp diecretion to sell, but-this was absolutely nf ceesary to render the measure effective. Mr. ELDjtIDGE, of Wisconsin, asked whether the Se cretary hbs not already disposed of gold as proposed in this resolution. He understood the Secretary has here tofore thrown gold on the market Mr KAssSOhTasked Mr. Eldridse to give his authority. Be did not believe U was true. Mr. DAYIS* of New 1 ork. said the Secretary told him not one doJUr bad been disposed of contrary to law. ~Mr. ALLY, of Massachusetts, was understood to make a similar statement. Mr ELDKIDGE thought he had given .the authority for nis statement—Mr. Hooper, of Massachusetts. Mr. HOOPJ3K replied that if the gentleman got such an Impression from him he'ttisunderstooa him. Mr. EiSSjR concluded bis remarks and said lie re garded the passage of the resolution as necessary to en able the tecretary to check geld- speculations. Mr DUMONT, of Indiana* said he was in favor of the restoration of, the Government at all events. Tne wav ;o pat an end to the war was by the bavonetand naked tword. Another way was to concede all the rebels ask, and to say they were right and the Northern psoplo wroeg Another way was to now fall back on the specie basis in the payment of onr debts and obliga tions; that would end the war. But his opposition to t> la resolution was on a different ground He had n ■ disposition to qnarrel with the Government It did not come into power by th* aid of his vote: bat to qnarrel with the Government was to help to paralyze it He was rp oeed to the resolution because it would involve a violation of public faith ft would turn the Treasury department into a great broker’* shop. He offered an amendment, in the form of & proviso, that the Secretary of the Treasury shall not sell any gold under this act without the advice and consent of the other executive departments of the Government, and that the operation of this act s hall coaeeat the expiration of the yeir. Mr. COX, of Ohlo, modified aa amendment which he offered at an early sttge of the proceedings so as to read, “ Provided, that before any such salq shall take place at least five days* public notice shall be given of the time end piece for receiving bids; and provided further, that the Secretary of tne Treasure may. if he deems it for the im erest of the Treasury,withdraw from the mar ket the gold offered at any time before a hid is act dally accepted.” Mt COX said he learned .that t 15.000.000 more were required to pav the interest on the public debt than would be received from customs, If the gold was scud it would have to he bought back again- Mr STEVENS said ho did not expect the discussion wo*- Id last all day. He found that the merchants of New york did not desire relief, and that according to their representative, they would rather be ground between the upper and th« nether millstone*, Important amend menu* had been offered, which miglit be proper to incor porate in this resolution in some shape and therefore he moved to recommit the resolution, with leave to report to-morrow, which was agreed to. The House then passed a bill appropriating $20,000 to pay taxes on Government lands in the West, Mr ODELL, from the Military Committee- reported a joint resolution, e planatory of certain acts of Con gress. Be said many petitions had been sent hither from several of the States, and under instruction of the Military Committee he had reported the resolution. Under the acts referred t» the President had called oat the m.lttia fir nine months-a latge portion had re ceived the $25 bounty, and the resolution simply de sired that others may also receive that amount It was aa act of justice to the soldiers. The joint resolution was pasted. The House resumed the consideration of the hill to es t&blieh a bureau for freedmen’s affairs. Mr. COLE, of California, spoke in favor of the meas ure, and of the employment of negro soldiers, thus strengthening the national army to crash the rebellion. Without further proceedings, the House, at half past four o’c.ock, adjourned. PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE. Harrisburg, February 18,1861 SENATE. The Senate was called to ordei at 11 o’clock by Senator TDKEELL, who was depu ed by the Speaker to act for tbe.day Mr. k t NSEY moved that when the Senate adjourn it adjourn to meet on Monday evening at eight o’clock. Agreed to. ' Mr. JOHNSON presented a petition of citizens of Fair field township, Lycoming county, praying for the pas sage of a law authorizing them to lew a tax to pay bounties to volunteers. Mr. KINSEY moved that the Senate do now adjourn* Agreed to. The House was called to order at 11 o’clock A. H., by Mr. SMI 7 B t of Cheater, speaker pro tem The clerk proceeded to read the journal of Wednesday, in w hich the following passage occurred: “Mr. Hoover placid on file the fo 110 wing statement of hie reasonx for voting against the bill (authorizing tne Lehigh Navigation to construct a railroad fro ox Easton toManch Chunk), viz : 1 have always been op posed to the passage of any bill in behalf of which I had rea-on to believe corrupt influences used; and believing that such vnflwnces have been used to se cure the passage of this bill, I therefore vote ' nay. * ** The reading of journal havieg ne»n comp.e^d. The SPEAKER pro tem. said: ** On the journal as read this morning, there appears a statement of reasons given by the gentleman from Montgomery (Mr Hoover) for his vote In the opinion of the speaker these reasons refl< ct upon the House, and'are, therefore, not properly in order a* entered on the journal, and, consequently, they will not remain there. ’’ Mr, LA BaR asked leave to make a statement Leave was gixen. whereupon he declared that one of the do cuments which he had prepared to send to his constitu ents by m*>il hed been tampered with and a playing card parted on the back thereof, with the evident design or Intuiting not only the sender (Mr La Bax) but the constituent to whom it was addressed. The mau who had committed the act was a knave, a coward, and a pci-nndrel.and there -as reasoito believe that he wae a member on the fl-ior of the House. a number of petitions were presented, among them tho following! • Si!' immiv “’"’l® 11 , 1 ”* f’ 1 ’ ran ox Soaday Mr. QUIGLEY, one of like import. M.eere. WiTT ana SMI-m. of Philadelphia, two f galnt-t the Tuning of city cars on Sunday. Mr El NIER offered the following petition: The undersigned citizens of Pennsylvania respectfully request your honorable bodies to appoint a committee of investigation to inquire into,and report to the present or next Legislature upon, thefoliowln* points, viz : 1. Whether somei or til of the railroad corporations chartered by the state charge the citizens of this State more for the tranf portation of both passengers and mer chandise, in proportion to the dlsiance travelled, than tbey charge to the citizens of other Stages. 2. Whether Any of said corporations assume the power of discriminating between Individuals, carrying for same Without chargw.vhajglng some a high and others a 1»w rate, and if so, tne effort of eucn a course upon the busi- ? ee»°f such of our citizens who are not favored by low s ’ J iff s tid corporations grant free passes over their railroads to citizens of this 3tate, who are not connected with the road, and the names,-occupation, # Bon ? J w * lo have accepted such passes. A any of said corporations, their officers, or any other on behalf uf said corporations, have at any time lnfln>incsd, or attempted to influence, legisla tion in onr Stately any means ir A ID S 1 i or !f have been informed that in the State of Rhode lelstd some such facte as above indicated were found by a LegleLtive committee to exist In regard to ibeir railroad*, and It was allege* that to accomplish their purposes th*y, by such means, controlled the bnsineFs of a large portl- n.of tbe citizens along the Une ro ?>r‘« a ’ l A! l l a *L the D ower to destroy some and build up others, teat they, by sueb means, became the •dispeusets of corrupting and mercenary favors to be gratefully repaid by influencing public opinion or by services in tbe legislative halls; that thev- were thus able uk m #££^ l n*l* Bt> # l A! ll * aTn ?Your midst and to pay it by the pillage of those whom i; jn employed to overawe and subjugate end they farther expressed the fear that their Stale wonM. If the evil was not cor rseted. be >ubmgated, body and soul, to the iron will of lawlsee and rapacious corporations. Your memo rialists are of the opinion, that it la nigh time that we. too, should inquire Into the matter, and If it be foand that we are, in onr 4tate. in a similar danger, that we apply the remedy In. duetime Mr ETNIER moved to refer the petition to a special committee of five. A discufision «*»anpd as to> tbe propriety of the course, and itwasnropoßad to refer the whole matter to the Com mittee of Tice and Immorality. The whole euhject waa finally posiponed Indefinitely, on motion of Mr. HOF BIN l, ol Philadelphia. Yaidous reports of committees were received. Bills Introduced, Several bounty bills, affecting certain townships west °f *he Alleghenies, werelntroducedaad passed* Mr. COQHKAH, an act for the consolidation of Penn ey Jvania loans . v * x ” Htt Adjourned until o’clock this evening EVENING SESSION. • The Hon* ojrvfMmbled at 7>i wnstderajfion of a P resolution of* fered by Mr-. Kelly. on Thursday last aathorlziDg the leJeot committee to which is referred matters relaMng to allesed losses arising from rebel raidain 1862 and lwS3, to report as part of their bill, a clause requiring patties making claims to give satisfactory proofs or their “K» quMllpn was on a an-atlml. offisrad b* Mr. WELLd, wnicn instructs the oomiulttee to report a pro* vision ti>at. Whenever oomp alnt oha.ll h* mad» by a citizen of the State, supported by affidauH made to tha ' board of WBRRi«alo»*rB, aiahit the lotdicj of aay 'claimant for damages, ihe said board aball ex-mine Into the loyalty of tbe elaiinant % and report the Mots to tue committee, and, if they are satisfied of the disloyalty of tbe parties, thop shall reieet tbe claims DiscuaMoh' ensued, which was participated In by M**rrs. Barger. Kelly, Smith of Cheater, Smith of Phi- I ladeipbiA HdothttS, idjouraed, HifßßlSßtffcff* tfpeolal CorrwnxmdenM of TUa Proa’- J _ HabbiBbitb*>i Feb. 17, is®*- I wrote you the other day oonoemlng the retolu tion which prohibiti any payment being made to disloyal persona for property deitroynd in the raid* into this State. Tbie wae introduced, little expect ing to create any debate. Wo one upon the Union side suspected it ol being a political queetion. Yet it hae aasumed that chape, the Democratic mem bers generally being opposed to the resolution. The resolution simply discriminates between loyal per sona and those wBo have given aid and comfort to the enemy. The Btmooratic side, with a few ex ceptions, set upon the hypothesis that there are no disloyal person! in Ids State. During the debate, a gentleman from one of the border countlee renamed lhat, in bis opinion, there was net a disloyal man in his county. This sll maybe true. If it is, why oppose the reso lution 1 Besause they say that they are not wUUng tbafthe imputation shall go forth that the rebslMon has any friends in this Commonwealth. But reso lutions cannot take away the truth j and whether this Is passed or rejeoted, it will always remain a fact that traitors have lived in thle State who were not half as honorable as those that defended the* bastard Confederacy at the bayonet's points To mo It seems that their position la a dangerous one. Del ua see how it might result praotloally. Suppose the citizens of a- certain losality should invite an In vasion, and when the rebels were once at their homei they should turn their goods and ohattles over to them? Suppose they not only gave up their property without any opposition, but give the enemy information as to tbe places where the proper of Union men waasecreted. Does any sane man believe that suoh persons should he paid by tbe State 1 Yet, If thlsresolu. tion is rejeoted, a person might turn his property over to agents of Jeff Davis, and bring in hid bill against tbe State for tbe ume. They object to compelling a man to establish hit loyalty,.because it is reversing the old common-let? dcotrine, that a man is presumed to be inuoaent until he is proven guilty. A truly loyal man has no fears upon this point. His record Is clear, and his neighbors can easily tell where he has stood in these second days In which men’s souls are tried. F. Frazer Smith has offered an amendment! which will remove every objection, and plaeeita opponents squaiely upon the record. It is- to be hoped that when they take “the sober second thought ll they will withdraw their objection* It would be. a sad spectacle to see a great party voting to pay out of the publio treasury for the destruction of property, which might have been incited and brought on by the wicktd acts or the owners themselves. One of your Select Oouncilmen, Frederick O. Brightly, cannot be in very good, odor at home, if we are to judge from the number of petitions which have been presented by your members, asking Legislature to pass a law removing him from office. It is a novel thing for a Legislature to remove a local officer. Q,ukbt. Has the Legislature that power? The House is now passing a great many loaal bounty bills. They are coming in from every por tion of the State. Nearly all of the oounties are paying local bounties, many of them as high as $3OO. Recruits are daily arriving in large numbers, and most of the counties confidently hope to escape the draft entirely. The people, in every portion of the State, are responding nobly. They are ready and willing to pour out their money without stint, and, after answering all the. calls that have been made for soldiers, we find thousands of brave men now leaving the comforts and endearments of home, for the purpose of defending and upholding the flag of their country. Sinoe the commencement of the war, no call of the President has been responded to more promptly. The people only desire to know how much Is required of them, how much the (Govern* ment needs to conquer an honorable peace, and they are ready to give it all it requires. There may have been hours when the great heart of the country despaired of the Republic—when it seemed as though treason had taken possession of every department of the Government, and that the Union was upon the point of crumbling to pieces' like a rope of sand. But, thank Heaven, those days have passed forever. That this great country will maintain itself, there is now no sort of ques tion. Every omen is propitious. Sinoe the begin ning of the war, the Union cause has never ap peared so flattering. The loyal States now have only to present an undivided front to the enemy, sustain the Government, and a peace will be ob tained which will be permanent and lasting. Public Entertainments, Tbs German Opera. —The performance of “ Bon Giovanna,” this evening, will receive so much benefit from the Lepordloot Mr. Herrmanns that we shall welcome it with new interest. Perhaps no opera was ever composed in which the incapa city of a single performer injured the general effect so muoh as in 14 Bon . Giovanni. 11 No voice is slighted, especially in the concerted music—as, for instance, the sextett, which, with five true artists, may be mined by the sixth incapable. Even Ma* setto , a subordinate rtfe, has often a principal re sponsibility. We cannot say as much for the modern Italian sohool. Given a good tenor, so prano, and baritone, in the finale to the seoond act of “La Traviata,” and it makes comparatively little difference how wretched are the others. We are sorry for one or two deficiencies In the cast to-night; but if we osnnot have perfection we shall have superiority. Upon the orchestra, which Mr. An schutz has created, we can justly depend. Ma dame Johann sen’s Donna Anna Is one of her chief successes, and is beyond question euog and acted with a true artistic spirit and Intelligence. From Bablemann we shall receive a fine Don Of tavio. This delightful tenor is becoming more of rf favorite as he becomes better known. Madame Frederic! will be very acceptable as Donna Elvira, Steinecke will sing the Don, and Mademoiselle Cv nlisa will no doubt do all in her power to give the charming music of Zerlina charmingly. Upon the whole we have reason to expect a good performance of a great work, and often as “Don Giovanna” has teen sung in the Academy, we have never had any thing better than good. Mr. Murdoch's Readings.—The eeoond of Mr. Murdoch’s course of readings took place last ere ning. The programme included selectiona from the 28th and 29th ebaptetiof Job; tcene between Henry VIII and Cardinal Wooi.ey; Whittier’. “Barbara Frietcbie;” Boker’s “Standard* Bearer;’ 1 ijid ebanan Bead’s “Brushwood;’’ extracts from 2d Kings; Byron's “Beatructlon of Senecharib Scott’. “ Toastthe speech of Marc Antony over the dead body of Ccetar, in the Capitol, and Bayard Taylor’a “Scott and the Veteran.” The Muaical Fund Hall was well filled. The delivery of “ Bar bara Frietehle” and the 11 Standard* Hearer l3 was listened to with an Interest whose enthusiasm now and then exceeded all bounds, and overflowed in lengthened applause. To-morrow evening Is the last of Mr. Murdooh’o course, and embraces a well assorted selection, to which his voice will give the eloquence ol new meaning. TBB SABKGBRBUND (jRAIfD ANNUAL BALL, at the National Guard’s Hall, on Monday night, will have the rare Interest of an operatio performance. The “ Incognita,” a comic opera by Kippler, will be sung by the members of the, society, under the direction of Mr. Carl Gnertner, and the ticket that admita one to listen entitles him also to dance till morning. Siqkob Blitz, at his Temple of Wonders, is at tracting good houses, notwithstanding the severity of the weather. Indeed, it is the right place to get warm, even when the thermometer is below zero, for the Kittle Wonder is so full of life and humor, and so mysterjously inexplicable in his perform ances, that he oauses you to forget the cold or any thing else of an unpleasant nature. Hemember the m&tinde to-morrow afternoon! FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. THE MONEY MARKET. February 18,1861 The varionb-sided and many-hued attacks on the new Rational Banks seem to have yery little effect on those who contemplate entering the hanking arena. The au thority of the committee appointed hy the Associated Banks of New York city to investigate the question of new currency, and pronounce on its legality and adaptability to the wants of the community, has become a “ dead letter,” and their reiorc is everywhere pro nonneed a weak effort to pervert and destroy the fond a* mental principles of the soundest system of hanking that has yet been known in this country. Imagination* blinded and goaded by the films and kicks of a sordid interest, betrays the would-be-solid intentions of the cc mmii tee; for it seduces them into extravagant and ab surd'argumeiLts; orooks and deforme the natural quietude of their temper, and finally forsakes them, leaving a wretched tissue of improbable facta to lead them from their obscurity; any one who reads this report cannot but see the real motive which prompted it. Fearful of the coming system, lest it might Wield a power outside of their knowledge, they could only assail it. This they have done, and so Imperfectly, that their pamphlet re mains a mere record of folly. Of course, it was not igno rance. The gentleman who wrote the pamphlet knew better, and we can only forgive him on the grounds that his interest would suffer by a great innovation. For the preetnt we dlemlas this subject, but shall allude to it frequently. Abuse has had a sufficient day* and it is growing tiresome. The demand for Government securities is undlzainleh ed. The five-twenties are freely taken at 107>£. Roney is very easy, and borrowers are exultant. Gold weak* and fluctuating between 169}£©&- The *tock market was dull, and prices at the close show a slight deoline generally. Mining and oil com panies are stall favorites. Fulton sold steadily at Green Mountain at IX- Middle *fc 12; Mandan declined to 6X; Hazleton Goal sold at €8; 011 Greek declined to 19>£; Union Canal sold at 4, sixes at 31. Navigation pre ferred at 8924, Lehigh at 60)£; Ridge-avenue Passenger sold at 21, Tenth and Eleventh a*sl. Arch-street at 3i}<* Green and Coates at 44, Race and Vine at 19. Reading dosed X. lower; Philadelphia and Erie rose X* Pennsylvania 2, Mlnehlll 34, Long. Island 2, North Pennsylvania X; Norristown sold at 69&, Beaver Meadow at 79* Catawiseaat 24. The market was better toward the close. Jay Cooke & Co. quote Government Securities* Ac.* as follows i dnltedStates sixes. 1861..♦*+*,. tT ~iiQir©nix U. s>. 7 3-1QN0te5,Aug..,,..»,.. OCl«.«., I|G Mill G. S. Certificates of Indebtedness iG3>£®ioSX V- S-new Caitificatea of Indepieaneee.— 99X Qaartermasters’ Vouchers.. ogufin 99 Gold*-**.. ... 168>^®U9tf Five-twenty bond* fu11...,. 106>$<&i07)6 Deliveries of 6-20 bonds.being made to January 12th* inclusive. Drevel A Co. quote United StfttOß Bonds, 1881 a »**»110X&111 * • • • New Certificates of Indebt’a*.. 9&X 4< Old Certificates of Indebt’s*.... .103- •• “ 7-80 Botes lOtfKQlU •Quartermasters’ Vouchers 9834© 99 Orders for Certificates of Indebtedness. >i©i h. G01d....**. * ***- 169 ©IS9K sterling Exchange...*. 1743*®1741£ United (datesS-2&Bonds .106%®1173 Quotations at gold at the Philadelphia Gold Sxshaue. 84 South Third street, second story ; fo’c&oek a, Umh....,,,•.mh..*,im«.U01i :: g * gg —v „4* ,*• P. M Market .iron*. The Fourth * atlonal Bask waa oriasized on Tn...d» la.tbrih.el.cUon of William P. Bunn, upn.ld.at and Samuel J. M.oMnilan oaohler. It will oommesee Sovimth alK> currency*. JgM K American Gold-**---*-—..♦•••♦•.•.ugas t* Tennessee Sixer*-. SP 6 n 1 1 l-aaifle Ball -I— — ffl!*, f£x u ■ Brie Referred —— Jmk 3 Hadnoa Blyer.—-Kg -g Michigan Central—-...-*- X Michigan Sonth»rn g? , ,«jl? r . n Michigan Soothers guarantied®-*. J® IMno's Central Berfp~~ "fft - * l> £o«k Island.... „ if Prairie Dn Chlen. ... W* ccFfi a Terre Haute 2? *' & Northwestern. .*>>4 fit*. * Cumberland. - *£*£ E** oblc»*o aud Alton. 88 S2l? Toledo and Wabash S9t£ 0079 . Alter tbe Be.rd tbere waa anga« f * on Wpw Turk Central »nd BH«; Kiw 146>i@148>{, Harlem at Uffli® H 6, Beading at USX AIM- Phllada. Stock Kiel [Reported by & & hlaymabb BEFORE 700 Fa Cent Coal ft Oil . uo, - 6X ICO do b 5 6g 300 do bSftin 6 X ao do eg MO H Penna R 1)10 SBX 100 do bOftlnW* 00 do*-' ooeli SOX ISO do S6X 200 Coii ter Mining 4 ICOM&nd'Q’ Minina-... oil SCO Green Mountain---- 7X FIFKT mo D S 6ve jr. op.--.ip7_ 7(0 do-..-* MJk SOO do 107 X SCO d0...-----rea 107 2CO City 6s OTtr 1870.-102 3(0 do tocg SCO donew.... 11*11 SO Man ft Meehe Bk.. 58* 200 M T ft M1d....b30 12 ICO do 1* . 1100 Fulton Coal 100 do 2% 200 Grn Mountain- - - - 7X SO Scbupl 1 av p>f.... *>}» go do-.-v bio wx 75C0 Union Cdi 65...... SO t«0 do bOO 31 «(0 do •■US' , ,2S,a 1(00 Cam ft Am 6» ’83..1WX GO Fennaß.i b3O 7(X 34 Lit Fcbuyl R ,60 GOO Reading 6e '43-----10SK 100 A Pennaß—.-cash S6x 100 do 706 N Peon R 50r1p.... 9J 10 Elmira R--^f Kl 27 Penna E >§ as::::::::::::::: 5^ 10 d 0.... Tig 2000 P«»»»«* :: BECOMU 60 Tooth » BloTOOth. 61 100 Wjon.lng Valley.. 7BM 100 UinehiU K so do.«•»♦*••■•••••• w S«6Poona K..... lots. 70X 2000 Poona K lot mort .110J4 369 Echoyl Bay 6» ’7l. 81 1000 d 0..... TO. Ml 300 Oil Crook 60 Ridge-ayenue t6o* 21 60 do 2 ; /s 3(0 Phua A Erie B eBO 38# 100 do ca>h 38% *»•“ 29Penn& B • • 70# ICO F01t0nC0a1........ 7# 6000 Fhilada * Brle6s.*loft# lOOPfcil&ErteU -bSO 38# 8 Hazleton C0a1..e6. 68 100Catawl8sapref,.b6. 44# 200 do bff 44# 100 do 30dys.-44# 100 do. .con SOdya. 44% 60Arch*btreet....bl6. 34% ICO Hay Com. ’B2 92, 40 do. MM 6# CLOSING PRICI Bid Anktd. D sea'Bl.—.—..llo 0 8 7*Bo N0te5....11l 111# Phil* 6s. 102 102# Do new..'- 106# 106# Fenna6s 94# 94# 3e*d S ex. div—•« 62 62# Do bds’7o 106 Do bdi ’B6 cony. *. Do 65’80’43 ~ •* Penn* R.—7o# 71 Do Ist m 6s-...110 111 Do 2dm 6a. ...108 .* Little Sehuvl R. -. 50 60# Morris C’l consol. 69 .70 Do prfd 134 137 flchuyl Nay Stock 27 28 Do prfd.-*-.- 59# 89# Do fe ’B2. 91# 92 Elmira B 36 38 Do prfd.—.—*. 62 64 Do 7a *73.. —* 107# ■ • h lslandß-.--. *• Lehlfh Nay —. 60# 60* Do aexlp 60 60# FRANK. The demand for Flonr la limited* both for export and home use; the market is dull at former ratee;sa!eseom* prise about 1,900 bbls; at $7 for good extra; s7@7 60 for common to good extra family, including 1,000 bbla City Mills extra on private terms. The retailers and bakers are buying in a email way at $6@6.60 for superfine, $9 75 @7 for extra. (7.2£@8 for extra family* and $3 00 up to slobbl for fancy brands, aa to quality Bye Flour Is s. Uing in a small way at $6 26@6 6018 bbL There is no chHsge to notice in Cora Meal, and very little doing. GRAIN. —Wh*at is held firmly, bat the demand is me* derate. About 6, SCO bus sold at for reds, and prime lota at 168 c. White is selling at from 180@!95c'ct bus, as to quality, bye is selling, in a small wav, afc 130 c #bn Corn in firmly held, with sales of about 7Aotf. bus at lll@ll2c 18 bu. mostly at the latter rate for prime lots in store Oats sre offered freely at 86c 9 bn. with sales of 3,000 bus at this figure. BARK.—Quercitron is in steady demand at $37 H ton for Ift bo. 1. - COTTON.—The market is dull* and prices are rather lower; small tales of Middlings are making at frost SG@Bl c ib, cs sh. Manufacturers only purchase to sap ply their immediate wants GROCERIES.-Coffee ib firm at former rates- There {3 not much doing in Sugar, hut prices are firm; 275 hhda New Orleans sold at 13#@15#c 18 lb. Molasae* is also firm; 300 bhdsSj rup sold -at 40@41c, and 116 bbls New Orlean a at 70c 18 n ailon. fehbPS.—Timothy is selling at from $3 5Q(&3 62 bus. About4,ooo bus Flaxseed sold to go out of the market at #3.50 99-bn* Cloypr continues call; small sales are making at $8 50@8 77 64 lbs. the latter for primd. PETROLEUM. —There is more demand, aid the mar ket is better; small sales of crude are making at 28@ S»#c, 1.30 j barrels refined in bond sold at 45(3U6#c, and free m from f10(3)55c 18 gallon, according to quality. FISH. —Coofifeb are firmly held, and seUiog at 117.25 $ qtl. Mackerel are in good demand at full prices; sales from store are making at fti6.6o@lB 18 barrel for No. 1, sJC@i3for No 2, and |7.so®H\6ofor No. 3. continue scarce; good Western, are selling at 62@6-fc $ lb cash. / PROVISIONS ttocks of all kinds continue very light, bnt the market Is firm. Mess Pork is selling at s2:@>3 bbl, with sales of 200 bbls country at the for mer rate. Bacon is yery scarce. Dressed Hogs ar* sell in gat from s@jo the ICO tbs. City-packed Hess Beef is eelllng in a small way at *15@1718 bbl. A sale of Pickled Hams was made at iB@l3#c. and saltdoatll#ciHb. Lard is firm, and selling at l4c for tierces, and Ls@Ls#c •P lb for kegs. Butter is without change; Pennsylvania ie selling at from 20030 c Ifi lb for common to prime. WBlcKY.—There is more doing, and tbe market Is firmer; about 400 bbls sold at for Pennsylvania and Onto, and SOc % gallon for drndn. The following are the receipt* of floor, and Grain at this port to day Flour.. Wheat Corn. Oats. The following are tome imported into tUi port for 18* 1664 : FOR CONS' Antimony, eases 10 $647 Blch’gpow, cks 60 846 Blankets* bales 6 941 Blwool.7arn.do 5 626 Bi car Soda, kgs 250 677 Brandy* doz bot 1 10 Books, case. 1 100 Coffee,bags 24 34S C’oi’n and mix’d braid, cases.. 6 2,666 Col Cottons,do. 19 6 764 Cot’ns & Worst. cases 8 2,606 Cot'nas Linenv, colored, cases. 6 614 CoUon.bales.,,. 2 66 Cordial, doz bot 2 6 Cal.Plas,bbls..l 806 2,220 Deer skins,bbls 20 1,628 Karth’nware.cts 60S 12,776 Mas web.caie.. 1 726 Guano, tons..*. 400 4,041 Gr.clai &si&rch. sacks .. 60 77 Grease, casks.. 2 74 Ginghams,eases 6 1,742 Garden seed,sks 6 101 Gold, pkg 1 616 Gr. platter, bbls 300 Ship knee5......1,491 Laths..... 6.200 Pickets 13,200- 1,109 , , Blankets, blB .27 #4,169 Molames, hide...BBB Brimstone can... 640 1,997 •• 'teg 92 Brandy, piss ~.,90 3.077 “ 2122.101 Corks, bales .19 734 Sugar, hhds 165 Cocoa, ban 5...... 47 865 " tea 11 11,531 Canary seed, bn. .100 654 Shelled Almonds, Hemp seed, bags. .60 228 boxes 300 964 Linen, eases 3 9U9 Walnnu, bags, ..117 711 The following me some of the principal arttoles exported from this port to foreign ports for the week enairg February 18, 1864: IBBLAKD. Petroleum, refined, sale .180,065 376,810 Petroleum, crude, calls BBITISH p] Flour, bbla, TTBBT 1 Beef, toll 07 $519 Bread, bble.... 265 991 Candles 1b.... 7.000 960 Cheese, 1b5....10.333 1.602 Hams, Iba 9,486 1,19!) lad. meabbbls 100 075 Bread, bblr.... 100 s%o| Petroleum, re fined, galls.. 2,000 1,2»| VBNBZi Butter, Jba 5.301 91.411 Cheese. Ibs 1.116 167 Fish. pUkled, bbls 6 54 Bams, tbs 1,561 248 lard, lbs 43,896 7,013 cm Beef, bbl* 61 976*) Bn ter. lbs 1,260 291 Bans. n>: 9 675 1,»6 Iron dhlls its. 15.100 79 i Lard, ft 51,909 9,291 Pork, bb15..... 29 454 „ , PORTO Bread, bbls..*.. 60 9x73 Batter, lb 3 1 Randier, tbs... 6.0(10 1,066 ilbeere, Ibe. ...,1 (89 161 Heme, toe 1,474 MI lad. meal, bbla FO 636 Iron aatls, Iba-. 1,000 6* Lard, lbs 4.289 638 Mew York Market*, February 18 4»hks are flrrrnat *8 8?«. tor cots, and *lO for maria F-SssssaMMsi teJSaiEXpKr »o’s , , il “ bB,tor d,m^ £&%.“ f " BTO « 8 “ BoBbbia d atM < 7nS7 > r* t ' •“* a * Kmt ! #7 OC@S.66 tor good to ebo'oeeifj o ® 7 f °r common, and •&ZSS&Z " mn ‘ “* WW for tU ran** of In* bbls at tll(@a Smoi *Brand!?iV 1I ® dw !f l 1 “ ,M °* *° Jersey. ,0T Bran 4rwln«, aud»36@S.Bo tor *ld»" 6T to ,t " iT ’ *W> •*!*. or 1,400, baa State at IlK®’®* 11 ta qn, •*• wMil “lea- of 4100 bnebeto. at i£lT^V^* lo^V^M«tat n «aM> for Ouuk , Penna.* ud yellow Jersey **A WkeBUJ? 18 S e£o&’ft» prime,a* * i atk,r KTOBCfc* ar« «I»Jr£lff!Jiit*t and Arm. Spirit* TniPintlne, «2 9f®S; &!£. 930&35; and T*£*U©l 4 ’ Nrw TorklCetton Uarkri-Feb. 18. -gg^agg.ssswrasaa: sss hsage lklMira W t tn, PallaielpAl* JBxohang*.J 58*<£&* *wf—JjJr.«« 330 NT * Mid Coal Fid M 100 d 0...- fi. IS ICO do * •••• J* 400 do--*- *blorK 103 Read B*«« •••/, ®|S| 100 do JaP 900 do 22**231 100 do -.2dy»fi»* BOARD. . _ 26 Gatatf S ' 200 do Pref..<*h 4J I aro do. “Sk ITO do Pl.jf s ; id L Island «..••»» « , 200 do 60 d((t«l,MMm*M* f* 100 do.*** S9i|» ko do EJJfgy : 100 do : HW do *bSO|S | 1000 Race * Vine R.csh lj 100 Grn A Coates. -bS* 44 vo Oil Creek—*..... 14 200 do*»« SCO _do .—CAP 14 1000 N Penna fii* wC 60 Lehigh BcrLpfig# 10 lHth and IJth-StR 100 Reading R* .bfiAlnt EJT ICO Arch-fit it...«*...•• « S BeayMeadoW*•*••* T»*f 2000 Wyoming CnlOs.bS M BOARDS. CO M Penn*R*«..b39. 86# 100 Onion aanal* 4 SO Beaver Mead'sewn 7S U d0r.... **.79 M Schuyl Nar pref.Stf# BOARD _ ino Lehigh Nav <4# 2000 (Jieytia new 106# 2000 City 6s oyer 18,0 ..102# 600 City 6s 10# 20 8c anyl Nat pref. . 39# 2000 160 6# iO Aren street R. —.24 60 do b2O 34# 20000 Beading B6s miitlOS# 100 Cat aw R pref M* a. 4# 9 First National Bt 115 17 Norristown Rsdwn 69% 8 Girard 8a H k*...... 45# BOARDS. 100 Nay C0m*......... 6# 100 do 6# ICO do bfi 6« .100 d0*.... f# 100 do 9< 100 do * 5# 100 North Penna blO. 86% 100 do 3«« 60 do 36# 156 do. ..•—«••♦•*« *. 36# 10Uandan.1. 6& !B—STEADY. * Bid Atk‘* JTPennaß. aa« S6# Do 6s- 99 9»>i CatawlssaßGon. 24 25 Do prfd -43% 44 Phila AErleß... 88# 89 Becond-st B. —♦« 81 Fifth-stK 61 Tenth-st R..*««— 60 60# Thirteenth-st 2. 89# 39# Beventeenth*st R .. Bprnce*stß. 10# 16 Chestnnt-st R... 61 W Phila R.. —* 71 73 Arch-st R—.— 33# 84 Race-stß 19 29 Green-st R 48# 44 Girard College R 36# SI Lombard A South 17# Ridge-ay R.***- 20# Snsq Canal. M Mid Coal PleldA .. Big Mountain... Green Mountain. FaltonCoaV Philadelphia Marheta. FannnaKT IS -Brenlng. '♦»••• ►«»! mu 1,600 bble, •-»..».»-* 6,120 boa. bn*. 4,900 bns • of the principal artiolea ■ the week ending February SUMPTION* Iron.bdls. > •••**2,962 *• bare....*.3.682 “, sheets 1,244-12,501 Jap nd trays* cs 2 253 Linens, case.... 1 34? Med.extracts.es 2 425 Molasses, hhda. 383 „ “ tcs... 40-10, m Michinery. cs.. 54 3.823 Nit soda,bags..l,ooo 7.115 Oats.bns... 9 641 5,390 Old silver, pkg. i no Phos.soda,cks.. 5 231 Pom. stone.es.. 41 99 Soda ash, cka... 421 13,195 Senna bales.... 22 423 Sheathing felt, sheets.... 4,000 265 Suiarsweetmtg, waxfruit, Sic,, b0xe5......... 2 Id (alt, a quantity 593 Sherry wine, do zen bottles.-.. 1 3 Shell boxes 12 6 Sugar, hhde...* 400 tes * 33-12,657 Tin plates, bxs. 1,128 7,163 turtle shell, bx 1 31 Window class.. 1,179 Worst, yarn, ble 1 840 • 37.899*18,907 10VIN0B9. tart. 1b5...... 4,ia *6lO awL baah "" 80 1M Sljook yy, Vinegar; galla 760 1M Flour, bble..,. 1.J90 10,417 BRAZIL* Bran, btuhs... 400 $O4l |Flour, bbls..,. 3.095 27,981 < UHL A* Petroleum, refined. aJoSlv.v”.;;;; 1 ’® 1 «•« , Wour * fcs.rt... 1.800 10,133 BA. Potatoes.both.. 48 $4O Beans, bush.... m ,«m Mioo^e. 90 Jig Vinegar. sraUe..i aai w Sfl Tallow, 1b5....%41s 3.SM i* IHGOw Petroleum, refiurd, _