Mvpffsitcal.
Wednesday, MAY 24 1 180.
JAMES BUCHA.NA.N.-
We are glad• to hear from James Bu
chanan. We have once in a while heard
that he was writing a book 111 , i-indication
of his life; bat as yet the prospectus has
hot appeared before •the public.
,Know
. ing how sadly his administration needs to
- 1)e commended to the popular jndgment,
we have looked with interest for the fru-
Won of the promise : but it regimes not.
- Agabt we heard of him in a controversy
with Gen. Scott, in which neither did him-
self onc,ornmon credit. Scott's fidelity - was
eloudedlliy his inordinate egotism, and
Buchanan's special pleading but illy con-
cealed his perfidy to his country in a pe
riod of great ptftil. ,At another time we
- heard that he was honored with a no
-tice not to attend the funeral of a once
- devoted friend—Maj. Gen. Reynblds, who
fell a martyr to the Republic Mr. Bu
chanan endeavored 'vainly to destroy;
bat at last we hear4rom him by a letter
to the Tribune.
The Nvvr York Evening Pat in a re=
cent article on the origin of the rebellion,
Charged that the National Convention of
1856, of wifich Mr. Buchanan was the
- nominee for tie Presidency, selected the
sage of Wheatland as its candidate with
the distinct pledge given by his Nekthern
friends, throngh Judge Black of this State,
that the right of secession :•Liotild be recog-
nizedby his administration iu the event of
a Republican being ehOsetras his successor.
To this M. Buchanan }•eplies that Judge
Black was not a, member of the ,conven
tion: was not in attendance, and, did not
make' any such "infamous
_pledge," nor
did any other man. Mr. Buchanan is
right for once in his life in stating that
Judge Jeremiah S. Black made no such
speech; but Col. Samuel W. Black, of
Pittsburg. did make a speech that would
read most oddly just now; We do not
think that. he meant to give any such
pledge. He imagined that the danger of
disunion was in the North, and sealed his
conversion with his life's: blood when the
treason he was 'warming into life in Cin
cinnatti.confronted him and his country's
flag.in the field. The error of the Post
in attributing the formal pledge to Judge
Black, gives Mr. Buchanan an oppor
tunity to rush into the public journals to
get itia feeble word - in defence of his ad
ministration ; but in his haste to seize a
straWin the great current of public opin,
ion that is sweeping him to infamy, he.
evades* material point. the essence of
the charge made against him.
• We wish that Mr. Buchanan had been
as candid as he is ardent in _defining his ,
relatilons with the leading tk4itors while
he administered - . the governinent. We
should be glad' to know whether, in his
correspondence with Mason, Slidell and
others who were then .conspiring to over
' throw the government whenever they ,
should fail to have such au Executive-as
Mr. Buchanan, he did not before his elec
tion assure theta that the election of a
Republican President, or a sectional Pres
ident as he would term it. would entirely
. justify secession. He knew the - sentiments
of the Cincinnati Convention, and we en
treat Sfir. Buchanan to say whether his
friends in that convention did not there,
and thereafter in the contest declare that
the election of Mr. Fremont would not
auly result in secession, but would war
rant secession and make it justitiable iu
history? Did not Mr. Buchanan himself
so say to the South in his confidential cor
respondence ? We affirm that he did;
that he taught them then the remedy of
secession, and was compelled by the cruel
task-masters who-gave him the Presiden
cy, to violate his own faith to Col. Forney
and stain himself with the blackest ingra
titude, solely because the traitors who
• were supporting him demanded it? They
feared Col. Forney as an able and hide-
Pendent journidist. and because he Would
not serve the interests of treason, and he
was stricken dowb ae their behest, when
Mr. Buchanan was yet green with the Oa
• lands of his victory.
,But the record of his adminisdation is
. blotted with the complete vindication of
the charge. That he was the great pa
rent of treason—the man of all others who.
nonrislied it into life and colossal power,
is a . truth that impartial history must af
firm. We will not do him the injustice
to assume that he was perfidious only
.be
cause be loved to betray a Nation that
had showered its richest honors upon him ;
and it is charitable to believe that it was
so denoniinated in the bond,and he trem
blingly, hesitatingly fulfilled it. Trim - %
he at least, when he was powerless for
good, seemed to feel that-hi! owed some
fidelity to our common nationality, and the
cloang (lays of his administration gaye it
a shade of loyalty. But for this redeem
ing record—this oasis on the desert of his
treachery, he is indebted to others—not
to hiniself. Will he tell the public why
Gen: Cass,4&-his cabinet? We. affirm
that he resigned because Mr. Buchanan
declined to strengthen 'and
,defend the
forts When the old soldier and patriot of
Michigan demanded it. Gen.• Cass gave
Mr. Buchanan the alternative to discharge
his duty as the sworn Executive, or allow
him to retire, and he chose the latter.
- 11 ill he tell the public what he desired to
do when Maj. Anderson evacuated Fort
Moultre and occupied Stimter f Will he
state whether be did not insist upon or
dering him back, Mobedience to the de
- mantis of traitors, until overruled by his
cabinet and more loyal counselers from
the North ? And last but not least will
he' give to the world la ic answer to the ret
els who were in 'Washington 718 commis
sioners, to demand the fulfilment of his
plighted faith by acknowledging the right
of secessigrri It has never yet been pub.
lished. It will be the best vindication of
the truth of history ; and we call upon the
ex-President, since he has 'appealed to
the public, to let the people Who once de
- lighted' to honor' him, 1:ow just to
what extent he is charged with com
plicity in the treachery of 1860-1 by
giVing them thet4l of his answer to the
rebel commie)itoners- We affirm that it
conceded the right of secession, and de-
Died the power of the Nation to defend its
own life. That it does not now stain the
record of his administration is due broth
ers more faithful than himself. He would
have surrendered everything to treason—
the country and its holy cause would have
perished by his hand but for the bolder
and better hearts which made him totter
from his crowning perfidy to the semblance
of patriotism. Only when he saw that he
would be deserted by every loyal friend
and left to the itiless scorn of a betrayed a
people, did he ke heed to the warning
voice of the faithful members of his cabi
net. The answer thdi was finally made
to the rebel commissioners owes nothing
to• Mr. Buchanan but his forced, reluctant
sanction, and yet it is to that-document
he points in his controversy with Gen
eral Scott as a triumphant vindication
of his fidelity. Who wrote it ? We beg
Mr. Buchanan to inform us, and at the
same time to give
,the world his original
answer as prepared by himself. He can
not save his reputation—that is gone be
.yond redemption. A loyal trople - Who
have sacrificed` - their blood at treasure
unsparinglylio rescue the Nation from the
treason that he made powerful, will never
learn to -respect him while living or to re
vere his-memory when he shall have pass
ed away. But let him be truthful to his
tory. and not attempt to shield his own
memory liy robbing 'others of their just
honors. Will Mr. Buchanan explain?
WASHINGTON
The Conspiracy ;Trial—Great Danner of
the Assassination of the Officers of the
Court—Discovery of a New Conspiracy—
Condition of the Prisoners—Jeff. Davis
—The Grand Review—Govt.. Vance and
Brown—Sheritiate's Cavalry.
'Correvontienee or the Franklin Itepo,iiory.
' WASHINGTON elTti, May Lost. teca
The' all absorbing topic of conversation during
the past week has been the conspiracy trial.
Every hour of the examination adds a now won
der to and reveals a new horror of the assassina
tion. The concluding testimony to be taken on
the part of the government will be more thrilling
and astounding than any yet given the public.
For 'masons known to the commission f. 7 ngagediu
the triala large portion of this evidence will be
taken with .losed doors, and not allowed publi
cation. There are yet parties to be arrested
whose guilt is as deep and damning as the pris
oners arraigned. Generally on trials for murder
there is some sympathy expressed for the crimi
nal, but in thisone there is mine whatever. The
sooner the trial is over the better. The officers
of the court are daily in danger of their lives.
They have constantly to go guarded and notwith
standing all this attempts have already been made
to take the lives of some of the •commission.
There is said to have been discovered a new con
spiracy—organized expressly for murdering the
Prominent members of the commission. There
has also been several attempts made on some ok
the witnessekforthe government.
- There has been no evidence given in this trial
More convincing and straight-forward tban that
of the colored witnesses. Not one of them has
thus far been caught-up on the &cies examination.
They have shown the facts that Spangler, the
stage carpenter,, bad a hand in the plot, and that
Dr. 3tudd not only concealed them in his house
after setting the broken bone of Booth, but actu
ally piloted him into the swamp and left him in it.
Mrs. Surratt dresses in deep mourning, with a
dark veil thrown over her face. She - scarcely
ever raises her head. She Weeps much, yet bears
up wonderfully considering the awful situation
she is placed in. She is not manacled like th 4•
other prisoners. In her cell she spends most of
her time reading her prayer book.
Harrold's mood is sort of mercurial, sometimes
he is in exuberant spirits, laughing, and hopeful,
at other times he is much depressed.
• Dr. Mudd tries to keep himself neat in appear
ance and until lately has been in pretty hood
spirit. The developments brought to light show
ing his knowledge of, and also being one of the
party is however beginning to tell on him and tie
is gradually sinking into a belief of no hope. He
spends much of his time in his cell reading relig
ious books. •
Atzerottiooks stolid and indifferent and in his
cell is very gruff' and uncommunicative.
Payne displays a cool audacity whether in his
cell or in the court room, always exhibiting a
Sort of devel-may-care recklessness. Who and
what Payne is—where he hails from has not yet
transpired. It is. do . Ubted if his real name is
Payne.
O'Laughlin conducts himself very quietly and
seems to feel his situation more deeply than any
of the other prisoners. He walks his cell much
of his time.
Arnold is theiame in hifi cell and court room,
always quiet and pleasant. The evidence against
him thus far is of such a character as to give him
a faint hope of acquittal, and that hope bears
him up.
No one can tell from . the looks of Spangler what
is uppermost iu his mind. He appears exceed
ingly light hearted and very talkative in his cell:
He has a voracious appetite, consuming all set
before him.
The trial of these conspimtors,will likely be
brought to an end the present week, There are
but few witnesses more to be examined on the
part'4f the government, but the criminals have
summoned a large number; yet what they.intend
to pioye in their favor - is beyond the surmises of
any person attending the trial.
The city is flooded with all Sorts of caricatures
of Davis in his wife's petticoats.: As fie is now at
Fortress Monroe—his magnificent entree into this
city is hourly looked r for. It is not likely that he
will be placed on trial with the present criminals
through the government has oidence against
him sufficiently strong to hang him as one of the.
murderers.
The city is crowded with strangers from all
parts coming to see the grand reviews of next
Tuesday and Wednesday. The number of sol
diers that will pass in review will not be less than
150;000 in number, certainly a sight that will
hardly ever again be witnessed it, the United
Statiq.
Gov. Vance of North Carolina and Brown of
Georgia have both bi.en consigned to rooms in
the old capital prison.
Gen. Sheridan's cavalry arrived in the city to
day and are being reviewed by Sheridan as they
pass Willard's liotel e Already several hours have
been spent in passing and still they come. s.
CAPITAL PENISIMENT
T'a tke Editar of tht Frank/in /Upsilon/
The communication, to which you generously
gave a place in your columns, was written with
out the least reference to the actors in the late
rebellion. With the momentous „question, which_
now presses heavily upon the great intellectsrof
the nation for solution, we did not dare to meddle.
Whether the attempt to take the life of this Na
tion by a bogus nationality demands greater pun-
Islmient than the total destruction of its life as an
°Tgamzed power, with everything that ministered
toidts todisease,
vitality, the article in question does not pre
ten
Ths simple question, Hasa government the
right=to inflict capital punishment on the individ
ual that commits wilful murder? , was the only
one before our mind. Our attention was drawn
to the subject by the declaration of the Tribune
franktin Bq3asitarg, iliambetsburg, Pa.
"that it had earnestly opposed the infliction of
the death penalty for twenty years," and we sub-
mitted-a feW arguments to the public in view of
the fact that many well meaning persons express
theit convictions that capital punishments are
wrong.
We beg leave, then, to deelinetbeing classed
and labeled with those who are engaged in "the
easy task of demanding, the fullest measure of '
vengeance" on traitors. We also protest against
the charge of mistaking "vengeance for the ad
ministration of public justice." It is true we use
the words "vengeance," "avenger," and "reven
ger," but so did Moses and Paul in their statutes
and teachings on this very subject. To use Bible
names for Bible things, can, in our humble opin
ion, be no great mistake "evenlfor intelligent
men." We disclaim the right of any man to
avenge himself, or in other words to take the law
into his own hands; but when an individual or a
coranunity avails itself of the governmental ma
chinery of magistrates, judges, juries and execu
tioners to inflict vengeance on the evil doer,
using the heaven appointed means of punishment,
or in other words, - "administering public justice."
We cannot discriminate between "a ruler or those
sent by him" being the "administrator of public
justice" and a "revenger to execute wrath upon
the evil doer." "There is no power but of God,
and the powers that be are ordained of God." If
this could be predicated of the Roman Govern
ment, how much more of our own glorious Re
public. The reference we made to the absurd
position of the Tribune in the communication,
was merely incidental, so far as the rebellion is
concerned. We regard its position on the ques
tion of capital punishment as,wholly incompatible
with its earnest efforts to sustain the prosecution
of the war. War, for any purpose whatever,
cannot. e justified, if government dare not take
human life; and if a government is not under ob
ligations to Sake the life of a murderer, how van
it, we ask, entbree its authority or its rights with
the sword, either on the battlefield min its po
lice department?
Par the Franklin Repository. "
THEORY OF THE SYSTEM
Of Ruys of Light seen-on Tycho and other Ta
conic Mountains of theilifoon.
"Tycho is 12,780 feet high ; diameter of crater
95 miles. When the Sun shines upon these re
gions at a greater incidence than 25 degrees,
more than 100 rays are seen, 900 miles
long and several miles wide, all pointing towards
the crater, but ceasing, twenty miles short of it.
These rays increase in brightness until Full Moon;
then decrease until the same angle is reached, at
which time they become invisible. A:ring of light
is also seen over each of the many craters, and of
their several diameters. No satisfactory explana
tion has mer been given."*
If these mountains, like some on our Earth,
contain liquid lava, then when the Moon is be
tween the Sim and Earth, as at New Moon, the
attraction of the Earth will counteract that of the
Sun, and the lava will be at lowfide ; but when
the Moon moves to the other side of the Earth,
approaching Full Moon, the attraction of the Sau,
instead of being neutralised, is added to that of
the Earth, and the lava will flow towards the
mountains and rise in the crater until Full Moon,
at which time it will be high tide, and the rays
are the brightest; after which-they will decrease
until the same angle is reached.
Now, as the lava would rise- in the crater. the
mass of scorim floating on its surface, hav,lng its
edges torn off in its monthly rise and full;by the
rough walls.enclosing it, there would be a ring of
burning lava 140 miles in circumference, which,
shining upon the gases above, would produce on
them a hirninous ring, the light 'from which puss•
ing between the serrated edges of the crater down
the sides of the mountain upon the gases genera
ted by the tide of hot It . tva..betieath, would form
streaks of light in all directions. Their not being
seen near the top is explained by the fact that
when rays pass from a large body of light through
a narrow opening, there will be darkness imme
ately in front of the opening, owing to interference
of light.
Or, if the upper part of the mountain should not
throw tiffany gases from the surface, in consequence
of being such a distance from the heat, no illumin
ation in that part couhrtake place. TOWERS, 4.
`.See Larduer's Hand Book of Astronomy with plate ;
also CiAmos, Vol. 4. p. 154, Ed. 1811.5. and VoL sth, pp.
L'i't to .247.
PERSONAL.
—Sheridan and most of his Generals {to at once
to Texas.
—Governor. Brown, of Georgia, has reached
Washington under arrest.
—The " line" that Jeff. Davis was going to
fight it out on—Crino-line.
Excellency President Johnson has just
had his life insured for $lO,OOO.
—Hon. Mr. Arnold,. late M. C. from Illinois, is
preparing a biography of President Lincoln.
—Secretary Seward was at the State Depart
ment on Friday, transacting diplomatic business..
—Barnum has telegraphed to Secretary Stan
ton offeting ssoo for Jefferson Davis' petticoat.
—George D. Prentice, of the LonherilleJourrud,
is lying Very sick at the St. 'Cloud Hotel, Nash
ville. '
—The reported death of Gen. Forrest, at NA-
Aiti.;,,by four of his own men, is confintipd .
by the MeMphis Argus.
—" Once more into the &reedits, my boys !" as
Jeff. said, when requested to take off his wife's
dress and put on his own.
—Maj. Gen. 0. 0. Howard has been appointed
Commissioner of the 13grean of Refugees,
men and Abandoned Lands.
—The rebel General Lee and his family. are
now living lb Richmond on government rations,
regularly served out to them.
and Milligan, the Indiana Sons of
Liberty, have been respited until the 2d of June,
'and Hervey is to be imprisoned for' lite.
—Maj. Gen. Terry has been rewarded with the
honor of a brigadierstip Tn the regular army, be.
ing the only volunteer thus distinguished.
—John C. Heenan, the bruiser, has married an
English girl, and " retired from public life," to
spend his declining years in keeping an ion.
—The Baltimore Amsrizan denies the story
about the breaking open of ex-Governor Hicks'
tomb, which bas been extensively circulated.
—We have hoard a great deal about "petticoat
government," but not until Jeff. Davis was beard
from recently did we appreciate what it meant.
—Old Zach. Taylor passed judgment upon Jeff::
Davis twenty years ago. He called him "an uttZ
principled scoundrel and hypocritical adventur:
er."
—Jeff. Davie was captured disguised as a wo
man! Jeff. was never a very good-looking man,
but it appears his wife's dress made him captiva
ting.
—Dr. Blackburn, who shipped infected clothing
from Bermuda; was arrested in Montreal on a
warrant from Toronto, for a breach of the neu
trality la*s.
,=Major General Haßeck, by order of the Sec
retary of War, has offered a reward 0f.42.5,000
for the arrest of William Smith, rebel Governor
of Virginia.
,
—The officers of the gunboat Florida, whicti_
touched at Pensacola, Fla., on the 29th ult., on
her voyage from New Orleans to New York, con
traidat the rumor that Mallory, the Secretary of
the rebel navy, bad surrendered himself to Capt.
Gibson, of the frigate Potomac; •
--John Bell is not dead,•as reported. Having
expressed his desire to return to his home and
take the oath of allegiance, Gov. Brovrolow has'
requested him to do so.
—Ex-Gov. John Reynolds, of Illinois, died at
Belleville, in that State; on the sth inst. Hewes
a native of Montgomery county, Pm, and was fur
seven years in Congress.
—President Johnson will occupy the late resi
dence of Gen. HaZeck, on Georgetown Heights,
during June, July and August, or until the White
Howie is overhauled and painte4.
—Gen. Fremont has puichased the elegant
mansion of Gen. James Watson Webb, on the
plank road, three miles below Sing Sing, and in
tends to make it his permanent residence.
is said that ex-Governor Wise chafes — a
good deal and even foams at the mouth, because
his house is used by old John Brown's daughter
as a school-house for teaching little niggers.
—Hinton R. Helper, author of the "Impenditig
Crisis," has returned to big home in North Caro
lina. from which he was banished by order of
Hon. Edward Stanley, the Military Governer.
--General Johnston is said to be at Charlotte,
C. He made applicatian to the United States
authoritibe permitted to go tci.Canada, but
was refused. He now intends going to Florida.
—Mrs. Extra Billy Smith is accused of appro
priating to her private use the spoons and other
silver belonging in the gubernatorial mansion at
Richmond and the property of the State of Vir
ginia.
—Judge Divis, of the United States Supreme
Court in Illinois, has been appointed administra
tor of the estate of the late Abraham Lincoln.
Judge Davis lalts an old personal friend of the
deeenSed.
-- , -When Jeff. Davis wus captured he luny" be
said to hate embodied all that remained of the
once arrogant Southern Confederacy. He was
the body-politic, and his uife's dress formed the
outskirts.
—There is a report that Gen. Early died in
Lynchburg last week. His friends however, be,
here the report premature, though he at last ac
counts, was lying ill of rheu . matiam which had at
tacked the -
Henry-A. Wise Row claims to have been a
strenuous Union man, and only took up arms
when forced to do so by the North to protect
Southern rights. This certainly caps the climax
of retie] impudence.
—Carroll, the man who procured the canoe is
which the . assassin Booth crossed the Potomac
ricer in his flight from Washington, was arrested
at Delphos, Ohio, on Tuesdity, by Maj. Burns, a
government detective.
. _
—.4 a mass meetilg held at Shreveport, La.,
CoL Flourney, of Te ' as, pronounced a panegyric
on Booth the assas in, whom he compared to
Brutus, the slayer o , Cmsar, ausl pr dicted for
him ,A high and enduring fame.
—An order has ben issued directing_ Major-
General Banks to re rt to the Adjutanttleneral
at Washington. Th sis said to have been done
on the report of J. Brady, of New York, who
went down to New 9cleans to reconnoitre.
—The famous Belle Boyd has come to grief in
England. She has been turned' penniless out of
her hotel, and the landlord retained her baggage
as setarity for his bill. She has also parted with
all her jewelry, and is in a state of great destitu
tion.
—Lieutenant General Grant has removed Gen.
N. J. T. Dana, from - the command of the Depart
ment of the Mississippi, and arpointed as his suc
cessor Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, lately the
commander of the Fifth Corps Army of the Po
tomac.
—The rapidity with which' President Johnson
dispatches public business is remarked by all Wilo
visit the Executive office. He takes hold of every
routine matter in the order in which it comes up,
and finishes it at the moment, with the aid of but
two' lerks.
—Col Breckinridge, Assistant rebel Secretary
°
of War, arrived at Annapolis on a transport from
Fernandina, Flm, together with nearly forty other
officers who were captured by or surrendered to
oar forces in that vicinity. John C Breckin
ritßenjtunin,Trenholm, and Extra Billy Smith
a skulking in that vicinity.
—Ex•Senator and Rebel Congressman Henry
S. Foote has been in New York, until recently on
parole. " On reporting himself to General Dix last
week he was shown an order from the War "De
partment that he should either, stand trial for
treason or quit the comitry,at once. He chose to
go, And departed for Canada. '
—The present wife of the arch traitor, Jett
Davis, who has been captured -with him, is his
second wife, the daughter of Gen. Taylor having
died many yearn since. Mrs. Davis' maiden name
was Verina Howell. She is mid to be a grand
daughter of Gov. Howell, of New Jersey. , She is
still a young woman, with a family, we believe of
four children.
—Brig. Gen. Seward, son of Sepretary• Seward,
has tendered the:resignation of his comthission.
It has been accepted, to take effect on the Ist of
June. The Secretary of War, in a letter accept
ing the resignation, compliments him very highly
and expresses his regret that personal considera
tions should necessitate his retirement from the
military service.
4 —Dick Turner, an officer of Libby prison dar
ing rebel rule in Richniond, notorious for his in
human treatment, and who has been undergoing
punishment in that place since the evacuation of
the rebercapital, contrived to escape therefrom
on Thursday night week. He had not been cap
tured nt•the latest accounts.
—Gen. W. H. F. Lee is at White House, Va.,
cultivating his estate and living meantime in some
what pastoral style. All his buildings having been
burned while the armies were in the neighbor
hood, he Nis put up tents, and himself and the
negroes he has hired are living in them. Lee, it
is said, every day can be seen, following the plow,
delving, digging, sowing, planting.
—On the lati inst., a detachment of Kilpat
rick's Cavalry, under command of a staff officer,
Captain Hayes, proceeded to Buncombe county,
N. C.. and arrested Governor Vance, at the house
of his father-in-law. It is understood that Vance
was arrested in accordance with orders received
from Washington, and that he will - be taken to
the last named place and tried for treason.
—The Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, ex-genator of
old Jeff. Davis' Confederacy, as well as of the U.
States, and one of the rebel commissioners in the
Hampton Roads peace conference of last winter,
was.last week arrested by the Union military au
thorities, while dining at the house Of a friend in
Essex county, (Va.,) near his own residence.
—General Wilson, whose late exploits with the
cavalry under his command are among the most
brilliant episodes of the war, not over twenty
five years of age, very young looking, about five
feet eight inches in height, light hair and eyes,
and rather boyish in manner. This latter pecu
liarity, however, does not detract from his merits
as a soldier. He has the reputation of good judg
ment in the deposition of troops and the man
agement of isolated expeditions. His present
rank in the regular army is captain in the corps
of engineers, dating from May 7, 1863. It was
part of Wilson's command, it will be recollected,
which captured Jeff. Davis.
—John H. Reagan, lately caught in bad com
pany, and who has for some time past been an
nounced to the world by partial friends as the
rebel Postmaster General, is a native of Sevier
county. Tennessee, where he was born on the Bth
of - October, 1818. He is consequently, in his
forty-seventh yeat. He is &lawyer by profession,
and has occupied many civic and military Arsi
sinus in Texas, to-which State he emigrated many
year's since In - 1852 he was appointed Judge of
the District Court of Texas, and in 1857 he was.
elected a member of the Thirty-fifth Congress.
and was chosen to sit on several committees. He
has filled since 1661 the position of P General.
SE3LOARY, OF WAR :NEWS
- 7 1
--Nearly all the prisoners confined in Fort
Deniware have asked permission to take thebath
of allegiance.
—Gen. Gideon J. Pillow has been captured
near - Selma. He was kept from going to his
home through fear of guerrillas.
—The cavalry corps of Generals Stoneman and
Wilson have been ordered to Tennessee. Stone=,
man is in North Carolina. - Wilson is at Saran.
nab.
—Two rebel rains and thirteeniateamerehave
been captured in the'Tombigbee riv, Alabama.
They were taken there after the evacuation of
Mobile. -
—A St. Louis dispatch states that the 'steamer
Martin Wall was recently robbed of $lB.OOO in
money and $20,000 worth of goods by guerillas.
at Main's Landing.
—lt is reported that a detachment of cav
alry is in Pursuit of Governor Magrath, of South
Carolina, who was last heard from when about
leaving Spartansburg.
.—An official order has been itsueetthat the
now assembling around Washington shall be
reviewed near that city on Tuesday and Wednes
day, the 2.3 d and '24th instants.
—Camp Morton, at Indianapolis, .is being rap
idly depopulated, nearly all the prisoners confined
there basing expressed a desire to take'tho oath
of alleOnce and return'to their former homes.
—The Sixth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. Wright,
is still at bituville, Virginia, but it is expected
that the greater e part of it will shortly return to
he north, as soon as order shall have been fully
restored in that vicinity.
—According to an order of the War Depart
ment, the Adjutant General has been directed to
commence mustering honorably out of service all
general, field and staff officers who are unemploy
ed, or µ•hose service is. no longer needed.
- —The number of Johnston's army which were
paroleditt Greenshopugh has been swelled by
the addition' , of a large portion of Wheeler's
command, and others received by 3fUjorMalcott
at Charlotte, N. C., and now amounts, to 37,971.
Among these are 41 general officers.
—Twenty-eight Major Generals took part in
the grand' review at 'Washington yesterday and
to-day. The Fourteenth, Fifteenth Seventeenth
and Twentieth corps of Sherman's armyi had ar
rived at the Capitol. The soldiers will be paid
oft and discharged within two weeks.
—lt is reported that Gen. Wilson's cavalry ex
pedition which arrived at Savannah on April 28,
destrOyed in Alabama and Georgia over Eve hun
dred million dollars worth .of property. Wilson
lost five hundred men, and captured two hundred
cannon and six thousand prisoners.
—lt is said that the rebel Governor .Magrath,
of South Carolina, and Wade Hampton, the reb
el cavalry chief, were both at Columbia, the cap
ital of that State, on the 10th inst., engaged in
conscripting all the males they could lay their
hands on, for a continuation of the war on their
own account. -
—Gen. Dodge, commanding in*Sfissouri, has
consented to receive the surrenderOf bushwhack
ers on the following terms: "The rebels to lay
down their arms, surrender all plunder in their
haadi, and sh,il a parole to leave the State, never
to return without the President's permission."
A. large number of rebels are coming in and ac
cepting these terms. -
—Major Hammond, an Assistant Paymaster in
the United States Army, informs the New Bed
ford Mercury, that in the warehouse of Hann B.
Co., Richmond, was discovered a lot of blankets,
from five hundred to one thousand, marked "U.
5.," which, it was confessed, were stolen from
our men imetsoned there, not one of whom, da
ring last winter, hod a blanket.
-LGens. Grant and Meade have both testified
befbre the Committee on the Conduct of the War
that their relations with Mr Stanton, as Secreta
ry of War, have constantly been of the most friend
ly- character, and that neither of them have had
cause to complain of the . Secretary's conduct to.
ward them - or (in the case of Gen. Grant) of any
interference in their plans of campaign.
—The people of Houston and Springfield, Tex
as, have held meetings and determined to contin
ue the rebellion, notwithstanding the capitulation
of, Lee. Magruder had reviewed the troops at
Galveston.: A Federal attack on the Texan coast
was momentarily expected. - They may succeed
in prolonging the war, but they will only bring
additional punishment and sufferings upon them
selves,
—Secretary Stanton publishes a communica
tion, from 'Gen.. Canby, stating that the pirate
Stonewall left Havana on the 11th inst., ostensi
bly for Galveston: and that our commanders on
the had been warned of the fact. The
Stonewall is commanded by Capt. Maffit, late of
pirrite Owl, which had arrived at Havanna from
Gal'veston on the 9th inst. The United States
steamer Poishattan left Key West on learning of
the whereabout of the Stonewall.
—A general order has been issued from the War
Department as follows: All the forces of the en
emy east of the Mississippi river having been du
ly surrendered by their proper commanding offi
cers to the armies of the - United States, under
agreement of parole and disbandonment, and
there being now no authorized troops east of the
Mississippi river, it is ordered: That from and
after the let day of June, 1565, any and all' per
,sons foiled w arms agahrt the United States, who
may commit acts of hostility against it east'of the
Mississippi river, will be regarded.ris guerillas.
and punished with death. The strict enforce
ment and execution of this order is especially en
joined upon the commanding officers of all Uni
ted States forces within -the territorial limits to
which it applies.
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE
—Charles W. Butts, of Norfolk,-Ca„ is a Un
ion candidate for Congress. -
The municipal election in San Francisco
took place on the 17th. The Union ticket was
chosen—the Democrati not voting.
—Judge Usher, of Indiana, retired from the
position of Secretary of the interior, on Monday
week and ex-Senator Harlan, of lowa, took po
sition of the office.
—The Union men of Crawford county have
elected E. 11. Chase Senatorial 'Delegate and S
Newton Pettis and J. C. Sturtevant Representa
tive Delegates to the State Convention.
—Hon. E. W. Gantt, of Arkansas, has written
a letter to Hon. W. D. Kelly, of Philadelphia, in
which he advocates the extension of the right of
suffrage to negroes.
—A Correspondent, writing to the Pittsburg
Gazette, urges the name of Hon. Thos. Williams,
now member in Congress from the XXIII Digr
triet, for the position of U. S. Senator, in place of
Hon. Edgar Cowan.
—A delegation of twenty citizens of North
Carolina, invited by President Jotelson to confer
on the subject of reconstruction, have arrived in
Washington. They report the greatest deatitre"
Lion prevailing in the State.'' : -
—The Norristowri Hew ld recommended Mor
ton McMichael as the next Union candidate for
Goretnor. Mr. M. is one of the best men in the
State, but lt is yea entirely too early toitgitate the
question. Let us all enjoy a little respite.
—The friends of the Hon. W. H. Smith, of
Bedoivel,Raindolph county Alabama, are endeay.
oring to have hO.made Governor of that State.
He was an original Un on man, and was ebliged
to leave the Stalte for Union sentiments.
---,The Demog i ratic C unty emiiiirittee of Frank
lin county met on the 13th inst., and appointed
B. Y. Hainsherl, Esq., f the rajtey Spirit, Sena
torial delegate,land Ce . J. B. Qrrellppresentri
-1
tive Delegate t the d i tming State Convention.
—The Den: emey of Allegheny county have
"elected Win. nnett, Senatorial, and Jas. Black
more, John A. Strain, Thomas -Farley, Charles
Bryson, John J. Mitchell, Philip Stevenson and
John P. Helsel, Representative delegates to the
State Convention.
—The Democrats of Dauphin county have cho
sen Maj. John Brady and Dr. D. C. Keller as
their representative delegates and Jacob Ebersole
as senatorial delegate to • the •Democratic - State
Convention. They are instructed to support
Hon. Isaac Sleeker, Auditor General, and Hon.
James P. Barr, Surveyor General, for renomina
tion. for the positions they respectively hold.
—lt is generally reported at Washington that
Mr. Seward proposes voluntarily soon to leave
the Department of- State, satisfied with the ho
nors,and reputation he has acquired, and that fie
will be succeeded by Mr. Adams, whose departure
fur the United States has actually been recently
announced in the Liverpool papers. that case
Mr. Stunner is spoken of as the probable suree
sor of Mr. Adams.
—Major Hurry White, once elected State Sen
ator from Indiana comity, Fa., but who Was com
pelled to resign on account of his being au unwill
ing guest of Jett: Davis, in Richmond, is again a
candidate for the nomination of State Senator in
the Indiana District. Being now out of the" mil
bu•y service, should he be nominated and elected,
there is every probability he would be able to
take his seat.
—The New York Tribune sapf.that Mr. Lin
coln, upon the receipt of Alexander H. Stephen's
first great Union speech in'Georgia near the elose
of IS6O, wrote him from Springfield a letter,
wherein he offered him—nay, pressed upon him
choice of 'all the positions Fithin the Presi
dent's gift. Mr. Stephens, when the received this
letter, had resolved to "go
,with his State," and
so declined the trustful proffer: John A. Gilmer',
of North Carolinn, wan also offered a seat in the
Cabinet, and declined it. Similar proffers to
otlii.r Bell-Everett Unionists of the South meeting
with a like result, Mr. Lincoln was obliged to
make up his Cabinet entirely from men who had
voted for him.
- -Gov. F. H. Pierpont, of Virginia, has issued
an uddress to.tbe voters of the First, Second and
Seventh Congressional districts of that State, on
the subject of elections. The fourth Thursday in
May is the regular election day; but, as the dis
triets above named are not yet thoroughly organ
ized, nu elections con beheld. By - the laws of
Virginia the Executive . is empowered to call spec
ial. -elections to fill vacancies. Gov. Pierpont
therefore advises no polls to be .opened for mem
bers of Congress, either in the counties already
organized or in those unorganized, assuring the
people that as soon as the county officers in the
unorganized portions are elected he will order a
special' election for the above named districts.
when there will be. a fair opportunity to 'choose
representatives. -
DAVIS' FLIGHT.
A correspondent of the New York Herald, wri
ting from Chester, S. C., gives th'e following par
ticulars of the flight of Jeff. Davis: •
It will be remembered that Davis issued a pro-
clamation at Danville, on his arrival there. That
proclamation was written by Benjamin, on a
rough, dusty table, m the gloomy composing room
of a country printing office. The table on which
it was •penned is now used by Mr. Hannan to
write his correspondence on to your paper.
Mrs. Davis proceeded her husband until he
crossed the North Carolina line, when she rejoin
ed him.
Just before Davis reached Greensboro he was
almost surrounded by a detachment of Stoneman's
cavalry, who easily have caught him had,
they known who he was. After leaving Danville,
Davis intended going immediately and directly
fur South. On arriving at Johnston's headquar
ters, and hearing of the terms of the convention
between Sherman and Johnston, and hoping that
he would be allowed to leave the country, he al
tered his mind, and remained at Charlotte. It
was frequently remarked that it was dangerous
for him to do so; but he invariably replied that
he had too many friends, and -knew the country
-too well, to be caught by any of the forces of the
Yankee army. -
Jeff. Davis remained at Charlotte - until 12 o'-
clock on the day that the armistice expired. At
11 o'clock on that day his horse, a handsome,
bloudAi bay, was brought to the door of the pri
vate house in whit' he was stopping. At 12, hav
ing learned that the terms of the aforesaid, con
vention were rejected, he mounted his horge, and,
accompanied by numerous friends and officials,
rode of.' At the same time two thousand caval
ry; under Major-General Dibbrell, moved off with
him, acting in the capacity of an escort.
That night Davis reached the vicinity of Lex
ington, where he encamped. The next 'homing
he took breakfast with James Madison Leach,
ex-member of the United States, Congress, and
one of the body who styled.themselves Confeder
ate States Congress. Mr. Leach was reported to
be strongly in in ilivor of re-union.
In passing through Lexington, Davis was intro
duced by Judge Yreernan, of Mississippi, who
was traveling with Men, to Dr. Duscnbury, a na
tive of the place, The Doctor invited Davis to•
take a drink of apple brandy, and ,be did so. A
brief conversation ensued. •
The Doctor remarked:—'
cause is lost."
Davis replied, f' Our cause may be lost, but the
principle for which we are contending will pre
sent itself at another time, in another shape."
He meant that the' e would yet be a conflict be
tween the great agricultural interest of the South
And the manufacturing and commercial interests
of the North and Northwest.
The conversa+ion continuing, Dr. Dusenbury
again obgerved:—
" The manes of the people of the South were
not prepared for !eLf•governrnent."
To that he replied by`aayingt—" Unfortunately
it watz so."
During the whole conversation Davis looked
careworn, fatigued, and dispirited. He com
plained of suffering severely from neuralgia.
Mr. Davis' Private Secretary tale friend that
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars would cov
er all the specie they had with them. '
When Davis reached Lexington he sent two
despatches, in cypher, to Winnsboro, S. C. It is
reported that one of the despatches was intended
to be got to Kirby Smith, ordering him not to sur
render. The other related to arrangements for
the escape id Davis and party from the coast of
Florida. Mr. Davis mid that it Kirby Smith
would hold out they could carry on the year for a
long time yet; that they would be reinforced by
most of the officers and men who escaped.unpa
roled from Lee's and Johnston's armies; that
they could form an alliance offensive and defers•
sire with Maximilian, and, perhaps, besides sus.
taining themselves in Texas; be able to soon roll
back the tide of War to this side of the Mississippi
again and the lines of Virginia. Davis spoke as
though he was confident of reaching Kirby Smith's
headquarters in a short time.
.At Charlotte they were joined by Basil Duke,
Ferguson and Vaughn, with their brigades, whieb
iucreased the escort to the magnificent proportion
of 5,000 men.
Atter the new comers had mingled with the
others they soon learned the condition of things,
and they had their surmises. 'Like a pack of
hungry wolves they were suddenly reminded that
the Government was slightly indebted to them,
end as the treasure was near at hand the idea of
presenting their bills suggested itself to them.
The men would congregate in groups, and their
low mutterings boded uo good to the Government.
Jeff. found it necessary to redouble los efforts to
conciliate, but his elliquence waif wasted' now.
The men *Ted. their marching orders- and fol
lowed Jeff. into South Carolina to Abbeville,
where they again halted, very much fatigued and
demoralized.
On the Bth things began to assume a new des
perate feature, and Jeff found it politic to inspire
his brave boys with something more substantial
than words. The treasure was opened, and the
division of Gen. Debrell, with the brigades of
Duke, Ferguson and Vaughn, were formed in
line, and the soldie - rs vere paid off Some of the
men drew $3O, some $2B, and others $2O: They
were paid in gold and silver, the coin being chief
ly. Mexican dollars, with few U4ited States; but
few of them received gold.
In the evening, Duke sent his Adjutant Gener-
al. Capt. Davis, to notify all his men whit wished
to go west of the Mississippi River, to report at
11 o'clock on the following day. At the appoin
ted time all the men reported, but Duke- refined
to take those who were without 4irms., and taking
only those who were armed, and left the others
to shift for themselves.
They heaped tunes on Duke, and with heavy
hearts went to Washoe, Ga., where they surren
dered themselves to Gen. Wilson, together with
the brigades of Ferguson and Vaughn.
The command of - Gen. Debrell escorted Jeff'.
Davis to Vienna Valley, on the west bank of the
Savannah river,
about twenty miles from Wash
ington, when the grand dissolution took place on
the 9th. .
At this point Benjamin, Breckinridge, Burnett
and several others took a last farewell of Jeff. Da
vis and his family. • At the hour named, Jeff. Da
vis and suite crossed the river, and the other par -`Y
tion of the government galloped off to Washing
ton, their pocket handkerchiefs in mourning. The
command was apprised of the fact that they were>
now left to follow the bent of their own Melina
ions. Benjamin and Breekinridge, with their
friends, no doubt reached the west bank of the
Mississippi.
- A Richmond correspondent writes: A remi
niscence of last winter is brough' to mind by the
capture of the arch traitor. I was told that
there was then and had been for some time a very
light-draught and swift steamer lying high up is
one of the small estuaries of the Southern coast
of Georgia, where none of our gunboats couid
reach her, by reason of the shallowness of the
water., She was heavily artned_fdr a ship of her
small size, and was protected from the land by
intantq and cavalry stationed in themeighkor
hood. During all the time she was known ta be
lying there, she was kept constantly victualled,
watered, and coaled for a short voyage; stillshe
never went anywhere and never gave any sign of
-au intention of taking any sort of cargo on Ward.
As long ago as early in last February the,exis
tome of this craft was knoWn. The general im
pression among those cognizant of her existence
was that she, was being reserved by Jell Davis to
assist him in gaining neutral ground in case of any
sudden emergency requiring him to leave the coun
try, nud the impression was undoubtedly correct.
The dire tion of his flight proven that he was en
deavoring to reach the Southern Atlantic coast
rather than the trans-Mississippi, ti thing he would
hardly do unless he had already provided the means
of transit to one of the West - ludia Islands- Fort
urately he was caught ; but as Irwinsville is only
about one hundred miles from the Georgia coast
at the month of the Satilla river, the probabilities
are that in three days more he'would have been
beyond the reach of the law he has outraged.
Arrival of Jeff Davis at Fort Monroe.
A. H. STEPHENS WITH THE PARTY.
C. C. Clay, Booth's Accomplice, Caught
The Areh•Traitor to be Confined in Fortress lonroe.
FORTRESS MONROE, May 19.—Jefferson Da
vis, late of the so-culled Southern Confederacy,
with his family, staff offiters,&c., captured by a
portion of General Wilson's command, together
with Alexander H. Stephens, C. C. Clay, Col.
Wm. Reagan, Gen. Wheeler, the Rebel raider,
and fifteen or sixteen other Officers, arrived here
to-day at 12 o'clock, from Hilton Head, S. C., on
board the steamer Win, P. Clyde.
At this writing, such is the strict secrecy observ
ed not only as to the presence et the prisoners,
but also as to their future morel:nib/a, that it is
impossible to form even an opinion regarding the
intentions of the Gevernment. The steamer Clyde.
still remains away out more than three miles from
here, seaugly anchored, and Colonel Pritchard
is probably the only one who has as yet...come
ashore from her.
About a week since Colonel Brewerton, of the
Engineer Corps, received orders by telegraph,
from Major-tieneml Barnard, to immediately
have-vacated a row of casemates inside the fort
for the accommodation of prisoners ofState. The
work on the casemates transforming them into
cells, for which they are admiably adapted was at
once commenced.
FORTRESS MoNUOV., May 'At —Since writing
the despatch of _yesterday, it has been definitely
ascertained that Jeff. Davis and party are still on
board the steamer Win. P. Clyde, anchored in
Hampton Roads. After tacking in and out of the
harbor for more-than three hours," the Clyde fin
ally came to anchor iu the Roads at 5 P. M. yes
terday; and since then has been awaiting instruc
tions from Washington. As soon as the Clyde
arrived yesterday, a telegram was sent to Major-
General Hulleck at Richmond, announcing the
arrival of the prisoners ; but for Roam reason
Gen. Halleck did not receive the -despatch until
late in the evening, when it was found to be too
dark to attempt the passage of the obstructions
in the James River, and consequently General
Halleck only reached here at 12 o'clock to-slay.
It is presumed that the delay occasioned in mak
ing•a disposal of the - cidevant Rebel President and
others, was through a deference to the opinion of
Maj. Gen. Halleck as commander of the depart- -
meat.
- The work upon the casemates inside the fort,
transferring them into cells, duly ironed 'and sub
stantially secured, for the accommodation of the
prisoners, is progressing 'very rapidly towards
completion. All last night the heavy clang of the
blacksmith's hammer, mingled with the noise of
the carpenter's tools and the clear, sharp ring of
the bricklayer's trowel, was heard, and everything
betokened the active 'movements of the men en
gaged in the work, and that in a few days at
furthest they would be in readineis kir the recep
tion of the prisoners.
Only $B,OOO in specie have as yet been disco
vered among Jeff.'s effects, but several boxes are
not yet examined. On the person of Reagan
were seized papers showing that a large amount
of specie had been shipped for London.
Colonel Pritchard, of the Fourth Michigan Ca
valry, with a guard of eighty men, accompany the
prisoners.
Governor Vance, of North Carolina, arrived
here last evening from Newbern, N. C., via. Nor
folk. Virginia, under a guard. He is now in the
fortress, and will doubtless meet the fate - destined
for the prisoners in the steamer Clyde.
"fir. Davis, our
Special Correspondence of the New York Herald.
The ruse perpetrated by Jeff. Davis to get
away from the guard throws entirely into the
shade anything of the sort on record. When the
guard went to the tent occupied by defunct rap
alty, they were met by Mrs. - Davis en dishabille,
with
. "Please, gentlemen, don't disturb 'the privacy
of ladies before they have time to dress." -
"All right, madam," said the corporal, "we will
wait till you have on your duds."
Presently there appeared at the tent door an
ostensible old lady, with a bucket on her arm, es
corted by Mrs Davis and her sister. -
"Please let my old mother go to the spring for
some water to wash in !" said Mrs. Jeff., in a
pleading tone.
"It strikes me your mother wears very big
boots," said the giard, as he hoisted theold lady's
dress with his sabre, and - discovered a pair of
number thirteen calNkins.
" And whiskers, too," said the sergeant, as he
pulled the hood from her face; and lo! Jeff. Da
vis, in all his littleness, stood before them.
A " Spencer" was immediately pointed at his
ear, and he was marched back to the tent and
laced in durance vile. " How are the mighty
tallen !" The great leader of the Confederacy
trying to escape the clutches of justice in his
wife's petticoats!
One more incident is all that time and space
will permit me to mention. The soldier immedp
ately went to searching Davis, to see wilnlikaitt
ables he could find on his person, and besfilis au
amount of specie found a fine silver-mounted re•
volver,,a present from a London manufacturing
company. While he was searching, private see
retary Harrison came up, and in a very indignant
tone, said : '
"Ana you ashamed to treat our Pruittent 4n r
"President—hell," said the soldier. "What's
he President of ?"
OLD Eves MADE New.—A pamphlet directing
how to speedily restore dgbt and give up speCtschw, with
out aid of doctor or medicine, Sent by mail, rho. oti re
eel pt of 10 cents. Address, E. B. Fool% WA.
fetd.6to 1190 Broadway, New York.
May 24, 1865.
AMUSING MCIDENTS