Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

BY N. S. MORSE & CO. TE KM S. TilK WKr.KI.I < ilil(>M< i.i: ,v 151/tSH EI» Ev KKV VI KI».SKcJ*.V V AT KOt'H IK»LL\UH Foil M V MDM Ilv ALWAYS IN ADVANCE. „ ji MEiiKi.v auvi;hiT'l%<; nWem. o*Mif.<ar A:>»J£kt:«k*xhi puLli 4ic<l in the Weekly wll Up ;h hp, ::*t Ninnas wilifae thirty cunts altneforfaU, i,. * V 0«, L«I N--.in - feity <-«■(»»>•• Uni- for one in.wrtion in ■ iHn-r W«lily V.fccie ot iruary N.mkp *.>•• I«h ,ti l-Prt. PallJ ui <t W<‘kt. -tv ■■' <*• v i*v titiorit luKT’it ■«. Hon «f.n. F. .••.im!'<•!■ I, "I UalNtma, has ad drew; a teller U> Msj. Win Nuni*, Chief of «Jt»f|. ' . • i. : the point* of inter* *st which me now attracting th- attention of t,.e country. IIU com »ica <ion i?loo long for* insertion in onr columns, hut bis rell-.-lion.t, lAing those of a patriotic and j U diciotH<-bs. -v,;, , arc .veil worthy of con- Hdcralion. We ahull mention and comment upon a fev*of the it** n • contained in liis letter. H„ begins with a prophecy ton, lung the du ration of the war. in which he differs very widely from the many seers who have uttered vatici nations on tiie same subject, lie sees no pros j,P, t of peace for nine years to come! lie .Links tln> I Hack Republican dynasty will ex ()rise svfay in the United States for another Presidential teim, and that they will prose cute the war as vigorously us their abilities will msrmit. Succeeding the Republicans will come Die war Democrats. And us they will float into power on the war sensation, they of course will be plcdgM to its continuance for four years more. When their term expires, anil after twelve years of fighting have cx -1 misted the country, the North, ho thinks, will allow the rebels to depart in peace.' VV edo lOt concur in lids gloomy prophecy, ’that.a state of hostility betwixt the two sections, mounting to nominal war, may oxi-t through ],is period, we think altogether■ prol aide. The passions which have been roused arc ro deep and unyielding, the interests involved in the niggle are of such magnitude, and especially the causes of collision are so numerous, that iiT~blflrc.lfrhid violence will continue for an iu tlellnile period. I hit that active hostilities should he maintained so long, on a scale at all approximating the present extent ol the war, is a physical impossibility. The war, as new conducted, cannot he protracted much longer. A few months at most, must produce a change. At the same time it will be prudent for the (reVernmei t and the people to deport them solves, so far as possible, as if the twelve years theory were correct. Mr. Sam ford decs not think that because our quarrel is just, and we have a light to infer that tied is on our side, that we are therefore at. liberty to re'sx oj r efforts. Wo have no right to expect His lightnings to do the work of our cannon, nor Ilis winds to waste the navies of our enemies. We have aright to trust in Him in victory or defeat, living or dying—to pray lot ills pTvt .Gu- T.-i.it- **•••*<<«>’> h|awi.the condition ot obedience to His laws; but wc must expect to light our own bdths. This we believe is sound theology. H is Certainly sound common sense. Mr. S uufoid thinks that whilst we have fought gallantly, We have not been as diligent as we should have been i t cup- negotiations for peace. Ho thinks we have been too supercilious in our intercourse with foreign powers; have evinced more tire spirit of a full grown and powerful nation than of a people struggling for indepen dence. He recommends continued lighting, Put at tiie same time that more earnest efforts lie made to negotiate with our enemies, and to procure recognition and assistance from foreign power**. The latter par! of the letter is devoted to tiie currency question Tho writer recommends two tilings, Ist. The arrest of all blockade run ning except lor army purposes, aud 2d. A tax on the money which .®ull reduce its volume at least one half. As tlm rerunning half will then be worth ns much as the whole, the plethora by bis operation will bo relieved and no one will ~e the loser. We hove no doubt lliose specula tors who have been careful to turn their Con federate money into real esta'c and other pro perty will concur ver\ cheerfully iu this recom mendation. 'l’iis Provision Qi'ksti.'X.- Wo aro glad to notice that the planters in several sections of Georgia have at lengtli aroused Iheinselves to till 1 trite condition of utfairs. Have commenced taking steps in the light, direction. Have re solved to prove by their ads that they are re idy to do their share towards bringing (lie prv* mt civil war to a successful close. Have determined to do all that can be or ought to be demanded of them. In Monroe county, the planters have mat and consulted together. At the meeting, they resolved hereafter ty furnish provisions and other articles they raise at the following rates: t'orn. $2,50 per bushel; wheat, $5,00 per bushel ; bacon, SI,OO per pound; beef, -U) cents per pound; lard, SI,OO per pound ; fodder s'.’,oo per bundled : oatsAPl.so; per bushel. At a meeting of the planters of Sumter county, it was agreed that in that section the price of corn should be SI,OO per bushel, and bacon -5 cents per pound. Wo learn that meetings have also been called in other coun ties in the State. The action of the planters in the above men tioned counties, shows the right spirit. An ex ample has been set, worthy ot being imitated throughout the entire Confederacy. The great question of the day i- the food question. There is now no doubt on that point. It remains en tirely with the producers whether or no our cause shall be crippled tor lark of sustenance for the armies, and for the people at home. Let every person who has laud raise all he cua of the articles necessary to sustain life. Let j them resolve to sell the satuc at the lowest ! possible figure. Let them da all in their power I to put down the suicidal spirit ol speculation | ill food, now altogether too prevalent, and thus ] assist consumers to supply their wants at rea sonable rates. If our planters will resolve.to take steps of this kind, and also carry out what they resolve to do. all will be well with us. If they adopt a contrary course,* we fear the scenes of turmoil and striie that will surely occur. It is of no use to shut our eyes to the real condition of affairs now existing. We. as a nation, are this day wandering as it were along the vmgeofsi frightful precipice ot ruin. One false step may plunge us over the brink. It is useless for us to tlatter ourselves in a sleep of false security. Action, prompt and decis ive action, is now demanded of every true lover of his country. We have had enough of delay and time-serving policy. We must awake to our whole duty—and do it also. Despotism and anarchy threaten to sweep over our coun try. And if the proper measures are not adopted, rapine and murder will stalk boldly through our fair load and deluge it with blood. The Dvrie- oe the Hove. —Bring back the stragglers and absent*** to the army. Place negroes in the places of white teamsters, nurses, Ac. In our determination to till up the ranks, let us not forget that we must take steps to fill up the stomachs also. One good way to present a broad front to the enemy, is to broaden the statues ol our men with a plenty of hog and hominy. What we need is skill and prudence in the development and husbanding ot our resotutes, rather than an increase of numbers. There are many evils existing in every department wldeli can and ought t> be remedied. W hat we want (o see in Congress is coldness, iWPsjKbined with energy. In tbearmy, vigilanceanil discipline, united with courage. I. rii State should also prepare to defend it -eil from future invasion, and to eo operate will, il)« Government in raising ami equipping a reserve force, to be ready in spring to meet and hurl hack the foe who may at tempt a further advance upon our territory. Georgia is moving in tins direction, anU other States should lie wide awake to the importance of tire impending crisis. Let us all, old and young, men and women, devote all our energies, and all our resources, to the task before us. With one accord, with one heart, witlr one hope, let us forget the dis advantages. and the impediments of this mo ment, and resolve manfully to know no trou bles ; to know no difficulties ; to know no such word as fail! Then wo shall surely tiiumph over all the trials that environ us. May we not draw a lesson from the heroic reply of Na poleon to the Abbe J)u Pradt, when amid the horrors of the Russian campaign, the greot Captain entering Wilna, was congratulated by the Abbe that he had escaped so m my dangers. “Dangers,” exclaimed Napoleon, 1- I have en countered no dangers!” When thousands were falling around him everyday; when the ltus Flan cannon were thpndering on the hanks of liis army ; and the Cossacks were darting on front, and Hank, and roar, the great Emperor never lost his equanimity. Never succumbed to the disasters which menaced the destruction of Iris entire army. Never due pa Be l of woo ing back victory to tire eagles of France. Let us imitate his constancy, liis courage, his he roic conduct. Tub Way Matteus will have to he Set ii.ho. —The difficulties which now exist be tween the North and the South, will have lobe settled at some future day. The war may con tinue for months or years. . lint a ..ay of reck oning must come sooner or later. This much is certain. This fact cannot bo dodged any way. Well, how will matters be finally settled ? P»y fighting?—No! They must be settled by comprofirise. By the assembling together of cool headed, judicious men, trusting the matters to their hands, and accepting (heir de cision. It is veiy ovident that a large mass of the population of the North are heartily tired of this war. At the South, too, there are a great many who —although not a whit less de voted to our cause than at first, and not the less dotoroiim-tt It* l.»v« 4 licit lights, l Ottl'- W licit ,!’! —are ready to have matters talked up and ad justed if they possibly can be. If wo can gain what we are lighting lor without any more sac rilicc of precious lives would it not be well to do so? There certainly can bo no harm in making an effort to bring abcut such a result In such a movement we do not compromise anything. On the contrary, we shall strength en our cause both at home and abroad. If we were able to crush the North, or the North to crush us, perhaps the party sure of victory would be benefitted by protracting the .struggle. But events prove that neither party is powerful enough to conquer a peace. Every mm who takes a calm survey of the field is forced to come to the conclusion, that this mat ter must be settled by other means than the sword. A little judicious statesmanship and di plomacy will sometimes accomplish more than bullying threats and sturdy blows. Thu Duty of tub People —lt is our mani fest duty to make every available spot of land in the Confederacy produce something to sup ply the wants of the array and the people at home. Large tracts now uncultivated, if prop erly tilled and planted or sown will), good crops, would sensibly augment our amount of supplies of the necessaries of life. Those who are not in actual military service, would be aiding the cause and country greatly by atten tion to agriculture. Let us put a small army in the corn field as well as the camps the com ing Spring. Now is the time to make prepar ations for a “ vigorous prosecution” of tlio la bors of the farm and garden. We shall need all that can be raised the present year. With a bountiful supply of food for both man and beast, our soldiers will be in better trim for the struggle, and we shall all feel better and. do better. If a man has no “stomach ” for a light, it isrbecause there is nothing in his stom ach. Give him good wholesome food, and enough of it, and lie will have more strength nd elasticity of spirit for the contest. A hun gry man may perhaps do desperate things in the extremity of his famished condition, but, iu our view, it is better to feed him well, and the chances are that he will make a more effi cient soldier. Wo earnestly implore all owners and occu pants of land; a'l gardeners, who may have the smallest spot of garden to manage, pnt forth their utmost energies this Spring to raise provisions. Marshal your forces, arm them with shovel and hoe, and they will drive Gen eral Starvation and his legions from the land. Two Months Moke, and the comparative quiet that now reigns in all our borders will he rudely broken. The horrid clangor of bloody war will again resound throughout the land. An active campaign will then commence, and we shall see such stirring times as we have never betore witnessed. On the sea coast, in the interior, wherever hostile feet are treading we shall hear the clash of resounding arms A merciless foe is girding himself anew for the , suite. The issus of that strife rests with our : selves. It we are vigilant, untiring, deter mined, there will be a barrier thrown up be j fore the advancing assailant beyond which he cannot pass ; and not only that, but we shall be able to hurl his columns back in confusion and remediless disaster. We are gratitied at the spirit of activity which is beginning to be infused into our a rmiee and people. The ranks are filling up',; stragglers and absentees are re turning to take their places by their brothei s in the field; new volunteers are pressing for j ward to augment the hosts already with their ; armor on ; the three years men are re-enlisting with euthusiasm and untiring patriotism. The i signs are all encouraging for having a large and invincible army. By the time the blue bitds i come, and the spriug fairly opens, we shall op j |xrse an invincible host to the enemy. Two months more! Let us be found prepared I when the great hour of trial comes. AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY a, 1864. Individual Responsibility. —Every one of* us has a duty to perform in this momentous crisis. We cannot evade it. We cannot put it oil to a more convenient period. We cannot shift it to the shoulders of otheis. Let each one institute a rigid self-examination, and ask himself, What am I doing for my country in this perilous hour ? We'are all responsible for our acts, and by them shall we be judged hereafter. Shall we not show a fair record ? Shall we uotexhibit a patriotism, a devotion.to duty, which will make a shining pagein history? Happy will the man be of whom, when the din of war has ceased, it can be said, “He hath done what he could. lie has never let self love absorb his devotion - to his country and her cause, lie has never allowed the greed oi gain to swallow up all the nobler emotions and instincts of liis heart. He has comfuited the widow and the fatherless ; fed the Hungry, clothed the naked, soot lied the sorrowing, watched by the bedside of the sick and dying. In short, lie has never wearied in well doing.” Who among us will lie able to exhibit so glorious a record as this? It within tiie pow er of every one ; and if we duly appreciate our responsibility, and do our duty faitnfuliy, en ergetically, and continually, we shall make up a life at once beautiful, heroic, sublime. A Suggestion.— Straws show which way tiie wind blows, and also indicate the direction in which the tide runs. We mint not always judge of men .by their professions. Actions ever speak louder words. In matters of deep and vital interest, we ought to be govern ed by practical common sense—not by feelings or inclinations. It is far better to guide our movements by those of our enemies, and pay but little attention to their threats. The manner in which the Fedpral Congress is Hooded with resolut'/ms for peace, is an evi dence of the feeling which exists throughout tiie North. It shows conclusively if the peo ple of that section were allowed to speak out freely, that they would consent to let us go without fill ther molestation. The masses see that the war, if continued, will prove destruc tive to all industrial pursuits, and oppress them with an overwhelming and unbearable debt.— A majority of them would gladly stop the con- Hict if Lincoln and Seward would let them. Hence Jibe pressure they are now bringing upon these blood-thirsty demagogues through their representatives in the national councils. While we are engaged in reinforcing our ar mies in the field, and making every prepara tion for a long war and a vigorous prosecu tion of tiie same, would it not be well also to do all we can to increase this feeling at the North ? We think so. Let us show the same determined resistance to Federal rule. Let us not grow weary in the struggle we have com menced. But let us be directed in our move ments by reason. Any thing that will strength en us and weaken our foes should not be per mitted to pass by without being improved. It is tiie Interest of every Planter to raise a large crop of cereals. By so doing he is thereby enabled to ra'se more cattle, hogs and other stock. 15y having these to dispose oL-3ie ran-imt :m:y vt. the Government and purchasers generally, but can provide himself with the wherewithal to bear the heavy taxes which all will have to pay. Let every' one who has land resolve to plant as much corn as he can plow. Let all plant largely of peas, beans, small grain, ground nuts, Ac., and so vary them that they can keep all their force not engaged in plowing, in cul tivating these things, enriching the soil, clear ing out fertile spots of land, ditching, &c. There should be two great -classes in our country at this time. The lighting class and the producing class. The li.st have done and are doing their duty, ami the latter can do a noble woik by doing their duty. Blvino Yankee Recruits.— One of the noticeable phases of this war is the extraordi nary price paid by the Federal GovA-nnient for recruits to till up their ranks. The Now York papers contain long lists of advertise ments in which liberal bounties in “green backs’’ aro offered for volunteers. At the of fice of the “New York Volunteer Committee, ’’ 240 Broadway, the following peciraiu'y induce ments are offered to become a soldier; County bounty S3OO, State bounty $75, United States ■bounty to new recruits $302, addition to “vete ran soldiers,’’ sloo—total $777. A Captain of Engineer Artillery advertises for recruits as follows : “No marching, no picket duty ; big pay, $852 bounty, and $552 cash in hand.’’ Iu the‘‘Sickles Cavalry,” “veterans” are offered SBOS, reemits $l9O of which S3OO cash ’ down wiU be paid, and the rest before leaving the State. An Army and Navy Agent says he will [>ay $25 more than any other party for volun teers. The “New York State Volunteer and Substitute office,” announce “$827 bcunty— s37s paid cash in hand ; runners liberally dealt with.” These notices and others which we might copy would our space permit, give us some idea of how Lincoln gets his soldiers. Money is the magic agent which swe Is his ranks—“greenbacks”—Yankee promises to pay, which flood the land “thick as leaves in Yal lambrosa.” There is. no doubt but a large number are drawn into the net in this way. Thousands are destitute—have no visible means of support— their families are starving—they have perhaps wandered up and down the streets of New York for days and weeks in search of work, and could get none—their eyes rest on these tempting offers, or a “runner” takes them by the button-h fie; it is a choice between ulti mate starvation and present pecuniary relief. The offer is accepted and they enlist. Thousands from the old world, too, who ar rive in America penniless, among strangers, and unknowing what course to take or how to set about procuring a living, are seized upon by these land sharks, a small “bounty” paid them to keep their families from immediate starvation, and the able-bodied males are marched off to a camp of instruction to be. made into soldiers. Shipload after ship load is “taken iu and done for" iu this muuner. Such a course may answer for a time ; but the enormous iufiation of the currency must ere long end in an awful collapse. And then look out for a scene of misery, anarchy, and ruin, such as the world has never witnessed. The “good time is coming, wait a little longer.” Poisoned at a Bridal Fkast. —The Europe of Frankfort publishes an account of a strange case of poisoning at Wiesbeden, a few days back, after a wedding dioner. at which about twenty persons were present In the evening a dance was organized, when during aquadrille the bride, Mdlle. Von Puyenbrock, was taken suddenly ill Medical assistance was obtained, but unmistakeable symptoms of poisoning de claml themselves, and the young lady expired Uls supposed iroin something eaten at the dinner. Fither from the grief b r y th:s unex P ec ted calamity or from the c fleets of some unwholesome food, thebride groom dtedtwo days after in great zgony. With the exception of a few sluht cases of indisposition toe other persons escaped. What the South May Expect. —Wendell Phillips, the most notorious Abolitionist in all Yankeedom, has recently wade a speech at the Cooper Institute, New York, before a crowd of the elite of that great city. In the event of onr subjugation, it will bo seen what Phillips would have the United States Government do, and there can be no doubt, but that the U. S. Government would adopt just the policy which Phillips foreshadows. The following extracts from the speech will suffice to show its spiiit: . Tiie speaker then referred to the diffetent theories of the condition of the Southern States. He “said Sumner's theory was that the States were dead, nothing but territories; Robert Dale Owen’s theory was that they were alive and kicking, only kicking on the wrong side. There were the same differences of opinion about the monarchy in England after James It had been driven out of (he countiv. Now, he did not cave whether tiie States were dead, or dormant, or merely in a wrong condition.' He knew tiie house was vacant, and lie wanted to -clean it out thoroughly they came back again. As to Sumner's theory of tiie death of the States, he would say it had one exceeding ly bad feature. The stiongest chord in the American heart, next to tiie love of the nation, is State pride. No other Massachusetts would do for him but the ojil Massacliu-setts of En dicott. Wintbrop, Bradford and the Pilgrims. So it was with Andy Johnson in Tennessee ; so witli tiie speechless Unionists in Mississippi, lie would save tiie State life for them by any action that should enable them to crime in their own method and in their own way. But in tiie meantime he would have the C institution so shaped that they could come back only as free States. We had the power to amend tiie Qpn stitution, and it we chose could make tiie Presi dency hereditary in the family of Mr. Lincoln ; or let women vote ; or take away tiie privil eges of voting from all under fifty years of age. This is tiie hour of revolutionary con vulsion. when tiie nation, resuming her sov ereignty, should set tip barriers equal to the occasion. Tiie lion’s bloody jaws give evi dence that we have the right to shoot hint dead. But there are men among us who advise you to wait until lie pares liis own claws and pulls out his own teeth somewhere in 1900. Now to the second point in the proclamation. Mr. Lincoln sets aside the Confiscation not. He says to the shareholders, except about seven hundred you may return to your estates, and then the States may come back into thellnionon a vote of one-tenth of its people. Now every man knows that land indicats the Government.— In Eng and thirty thousand families own the land ;itis an oligarcliy. Every Massachussetts fanner owns his house, and Jeff. Davis, mulii plied bya million, could make ltnotliing but a Deinoctvcy. Now, confiscate the land of the South, and jmt it in the hands of the at (pops, ami the white men who have fought for it, and you may goto steep with your parchment; all will be well. Yuu don’t m-ike a Government as you would a clapboard house, but you plant them as youdoan oak. l’lant a hundred thou.-Slnd negro farmers in the South and a hundred thousand white soldiers by their side, and you may risk the South. Jeff. Da\ is and all. William the Nor man, to secure his conquest, divided England among his nobles, and they hold it to this day. 2he North has conquered the South ; let her divide i'among her nobles, black and while, and ice aie safe. Every Uniou man of the South, says—. givens, tlie hated, hunted, all-hut hanged Un ionists of the State, the power in this State, and we can safely come back ; keep it from us, or divide it between us and others, and we must bo either exiles or be hung. Now, Mr. Lincoln in his proclamation, gives to the slaveholders, under the new guise of land owners, the power in the State. Now this experiment has been tried gud found wanting—in 1834 the British Government emancipated tiio slaves of Jamai ca, leaving iii-„ngon,ents to be made for them, to Mr. Lincoln '"euphemistically says ill his proclamation. Yet, again and again lor seven years the British Government bad to in terfere to protect those she bad made free from the slaveholders turned into land owners. Mr. Lincoln proposes to try this very plan again. People say he is a very prudent man. Far mers in the South owning their own land, and two hundred thousand negroes with muskets in their right hand's, and the Union will be restor ed. But Mr. Lincoln’s, proclamation gives no h ing of that. It frees the slave, but ignores (lie negro. If tli it is the level of his mind he can not be trusted. It embroils our nature, Clip pies our resources, doubles the chance of. for eign intervention, and prolong the war thirty years, llow can vve pay the interest on $3,030,- 000,000 except that half of the Union is re constructed with industry ? Give me the ne gro means. They never had seen Jibcrty ex cept standing upon the pedestal of an acre; they know that the duision of classes in the South is not between black and white, but the landed and the landless. The division is be tween tho oligarchy who owill he State and Hie people raiTge below in one common herd, black and white, and a negro has never learned of power except as associated with land. But two hundred thousand ! This uatiou lias robbed four millions and their ancestors for seventy yeais. We might once have been oontented to have clutched them, poor, homeless and naked, from the jaw.4%f the lion. But we ground that lion to powder, and to the slave belongs the land he lias redeemed front nature. This na tion owes to tile negro not.merely freedom, but land and education. It is a debt which will disgrace us before the world if we do not pay it. And this is the first longing of the negro ; his instincts are better than our laws. He knows what land means. Bind cnee is a very worthy virtue, except when exercised at other people’s expense. Now, the man who pro poses to give up the fruits ‘of tliii war for such a miserableshaiifas that, either does not un derstand his epoch, or is not equal to it. Wo have laid 250,000 sons of this nation in the grave ; we have mortgaged the industry of the future for $3,000,000,000. Now, for this let, the Government give practical, common, sense protection to the men it has set fr.ee. lam to be the fool of no legal terms ; I am the slave of uo lawyer's precedents; on Ids own soil, and I will treble the cotton crop.iu two years. Why this blunder of a Government docs not know what Democracy is. At l’ort Royal there is one who bought eight plantations for $3,000, and put $12,000 in machinery upon them—2o,- 000 in all ; and he takes every man that Sax ton and lltnrer do not want, and every old woman and child and sick person, and put them to weffk. To-day he has $140,000 worth ol cotton, and the savings of his laborers, $2,000, are in Saxton's bauds to buy them laud. Now spread Port Royal, that normal over the South ; make that Yankee the President, and in one twelvemonth you will have peace, and in another a Union that will defy the world. The New Military Bill. —The editor of the Savannah Republican, writing liorn Richmond, Jap. 19, gives the following as the probable provisions of the new military bill, they not having yet leen made public. The bill passed the Senate on Saturday, Jan. 16th, and is now before the House. The correspondent says: » It is understood that the hill extends the con scription age to all able bodied eit'zens nnder fifty-five years of age and over eighteen; those over forty-five to bo employed in home duties, such a? the Quartermaster and Commissary de partments, enrolling officers, provost guards for towns and cities, guards for railroad lines an i bridges, and such like employments, those now engaged in the* to be transferred to active du ty in the field, together with all persons enrol led under forty-five years of age. The exemp tion list is enlarged upon that originally report ed to the Senate by the Committee. It em braces ministers of religion in charge of regu lar congr gations, physicians thirty-five years of age and over, who have been seven years in regular practice, teachers of established schools of twenty scholars, one editor to each newspaper published prior tojthe 16th of April. 1862, together with such journeymen printers as he will swear are absolutely necessary for keeping up his journal (book keepers, mail j clerks, reporters, engineers and pressmen are j not included in the bill as it stands); one shoe : maker to every three hundred inhabitants, to i be over forty-five years of age and selected by the county courts. These are all the special exemptions, though a discretion is vested in the President and Secretary of War to detail such persons as may be required by the abso lute necessities of the community. The bill will likely pass the House without any materi al change. Fvnkiiaj, Obsequies or Archbishop Hughes -Tkstimontus ok llkm'ii r ■ to the head. —Tiie j obsequies of Archbishop Hughes, in New York. ! on the Sill insl.. were the randest ever witness led on this continent. 0. the two days pse ceding the burial the body was laid in stale un cofilntid in St, Patrick's Cathedral, during which time not less than 100,000 persons viewed it. The Nanv York Times, describing the scene of 1 the dying in state, says : In the centre aisle, -n.v.: the altar, is the ca ! talalque, a platform coveted with black doth aud crape, surmounted bv a canopy of black and white cloth, (he whole illuminated by six wax tapers. Upon this tiie body is laid, being as yet uneofiined. The corpse is dressed in the robes of office worn by deceased in life. The under garment is the dalmatique—a long, white robe of lawn; over this th ■ cope ami stole of ted velvet, embroidered with gold and silver. On liis head is placed (he mitre of gold, red velvet and white satin; upon his wrists are the meniples of velvet, emluoide-ed in gold. By the side ' > bodv at the right, is placed tie F - -’.den iho :onth - left a mas sive golden cross, and on hi* breast is Hie pec toral cross of stiver. At ins feet aie two beau tiful crosses, made of miming pine auil white aponicas. The lace of the deceased appears as calm and lifelike ns if enjoying the repose of sleep, instead of death. In approaching the corpse many of the visi tors knelt and said a short prayer ; others more ardent in their devotion, strove to touch some portions of the body or vestments ; oth ers kissed the drapery or the catafalque, or ev en tried to kiss the cross or clothing of the late and beloved Bishop. Many had tittle crosses of wood or brass or silver, that they sought to consecrate by bringing in 'contact with some of the surroundings of the revered remains. The funeral ceremonies are thus described in tiie New York Herald : The Cathedral, completely draped with black ami white cloth, arranged in the most tasteful niannci, covering the organ loft, the pillars the space between the windows and llte greater portion of the alter. Crosses and wreathes, of white flowers, emblems of parity, eternity and of the Catholic faith, were appropriately plac ed around tiie sides of the cburcu and in the altar. In tiie centre aisle was a magnificent catafalque, draped witli black cloth, bordered by fringe of silver bullion, the curtains of black cloth, lined-wilh with white merino, loop ed up with sil'-ev. the whole surmounted by waving plumes and a black cross studded with silver. The armorial bearings of the Arch bis hop were displayed at one end of Ihe catafal que. The b.,i!> us tfio deceased, placed in ail Uncovered coffin of rosewood, lined with white sitiu. the head tlevated upon cushions of pur ple silk. The remains were dressed in tiie Archepisco pal robes ami insignia of office worn in life.— His feet were clad in purple stockings, with shoes of purple velvet, add gloves niton lus hands of the same color. He wore upon his finger tiie same ring with which lie was conse crated. i-lioitly before 10 o’clock, tiie Mayor and Common Council, in a body, entered the church proceeded by the Sergenni-at Amis, with liis staff of office, bearing the emblems of mourn ing, and took the seats prepared for them in the body of the church Tiie ceremonies com menced with a preparatory chant. The Do functoium intoned by'Rev. Father Maglin and chanted by the priests. Following this were tiie Matins, Lands, and Office for the Dead, in toned by Rev. Dr. Cummings. Then came the Grand Mass of Requiem, cel. ebratod by Bishop Tiinon, of Buffalo, assisted by very Rev. Father Stans, V. U., and Rev. Fathers Quinn and''Fronton, Deacon and Sub- Deacon— Rev. Farther McNerimv officiating as Master of Coremqnim. The Cathedral during the celch-ation if this mass was hushed and still, aud hundreds who witnessed the solemn spectacle for the first time, and who were per haps of another faith, gave fixed attention to the impressive service. The presence of the great dead, the sombre mourning in which the ilmrch was decked, tiie licli dresses of tlip officiating Bishops, the long rows of priests jn white surplices, the dim light of consecrated tapers, tii i volutnnes of incense ascendipi from the altar, and the rich tones of the organ swelling from door to ceil ing, rendered the ceremonial one not soon to be forgotten. At the conclusion of this discourse the cere monies of last Absolution were performed, all the Bishops present taking part, each in turn intoning tiie offices aud passing around the body sprinkling upon the holy water and swinging over it the censors filled with burning iiisense. 'the remains were borne to Hie vault near the door by six priests of the diocese,preceded by Ihe Bishop anil followed by the family and relatives of the deceased, the priest chanting tiie Benedictus. The concluding prayers at the vault Were lead by Bishop Timon, and the body was aga* sprinkled with holy water and incensed and lowered to its last resting place. The Archb shop was buried on tiie 26th an niversary of liis consecration as Bishop ; bo died on the day of his patron saint, St. John, and it is singular that lie had oiten expressed a wisli to die on that day. Tiie courts all ad journed yesterday out of respect to liis memo ry,.aud the flags on the public buildings were displayed at half mast. All the public offices were closed, aud very rnuiy stores iu different sections of the city. The New French Circui.au on the Con gress.—Tlie Paris Monteur publishes the text of the New French circular on the Congress. It has been addressed to the heads of all the diplomatic missions of France in Europe. The document bears dale, Paris Dec 8. Annexed is the translation : Sir : —The sovereigns have replied to the Emperor’s letter, and in tin* r replies all have rendered homage to that bold initi itive which, laying bare the dangers of the situation, pro posed the most politic and tlie most loyal means for averting them. As you know, the majority of the Courts ad hered without re-orve to the [imposition of Frappe ; others accompanied their adhesion ?ith certain restrictions, in requesting the rench Cabinet to draw up beforehand the pro gramme of the future deliberations. The German Sovereigns, p rsoniilly favorable to the idea of the Congress subordinated their action to the collective resolution of their confeder ates. The reply of tlie Germanic Diet has not yet reached us. —One - power alone, England has refused. Under these circumstances we have to ex press our regiet *o the British Cabinet, rin thanks to the Sovereigns who have uncondit ionally accepted, and give an explanation to those who have asked for information. The French Government did notconsider it self authorized to confine within a programme the high, jurisdiction of Europe ; it was far from the thoughts of the Emperor to set himself up as an arbitrator. To enumerate the dan gers which threaten the’peace ot the world is superfluous ; those dangers are evident. It appertained only to the Powers assembled in Congress to decide upon the question to be dis cussed, and those to beghsmissed. The declaration of I lie Emperor, dated on the sth of NovewbeivadmiUed of two hypoth esises, a unanimous or a partial acceptance. In the first the public mind would have been greatly appeased, and even if all diffi culties had not been settled, a better under standing would have been established between the sovereigns. Daily relations, in which all would have been able to exchange their ideas and express their desires or fears, would have silenced many susceptibilities, ended many misunderstandings, and dispelled many preju dices. The probable result of these negotia t;ons would have been a salutary and honor able compromise. France, which had nothing to ask for herself, in the event of a general Congress, would have made common cause with all the enligh tened Governments in order to induce recon ciliation. extinguish rancors, and claim those indispensable ameliorations which prevent revolutions and war. Was this a Utopia ? Recent events prove the contrary, and justify sooner than we thought the Emperor’s provisions. The King of Den mark dies : passions are inflamed, the peoples grow excited, and the GoveiUmcnts undecided balance between the letter of treaties and the national sentiment of their country, A Con- VOL. LXXVIII. —NEW SERIES VOL. XXVIIL 5. gross might alone reconcile the duties of tiie sovereigns, bound by conventions, and the le gitimate aspirations ol the people. The refusal of England lias unfortunately rendered impossible the first result that we had licrfied for from tiie appeal made by the Empe ror to Europe. There now remains tiie second hypoti esi*. the limited Congress. Its realiza tion dt pends upon tiie will of tiie sovereigns. After the refusal of the British Cabinet we might consider our duty aceojpp’ished, and. henceforth, in the events which pjay '-on ly take into account our own particular'iut* r est. But we prefer to recognize the favorable dispositions which have been displayed towards us, ami to remind the sovereigns who have associated themselves with our intentions, that we are ready to enter I rankly with them up on the path ol a common und- rstanding A coincidence of views and of action among the principal powers of the continent who un derstand as we do. the dangers of the present and the necessities of tiie future, would have a great influence upon future events, and pre vent alliances or resolutions from being left to chance. v* When a general* Congress was in question, the emperor cuffd not, without changing the part he had traced out for himself, draw tip a' programme, or concert with some of the Bow ers; in order to submit afterwards to tiie others a plan prepared beforehand, and commence thus with a negotiation distinct front the de liberations in which he had decided to present himself without preconceived ideas, and free from social engagements. But as this re union cannot now becdlne complete, it will not have the arbitrary authority belonging to a European Congress. We feel, therefore, tlmt before meeting, the sovereigns should instruct their foreign ministers to agree upon the ques tions to be discussed, in order ihat the Congress may have more chance of leading to a practical result. You are therefore authorized to explain, as above, the intentions' of the Emperor to the Court at which you are accredited, and to leave a copy of this dispatch with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Receive, sir, the assurance of my high consideration. - Ditouvx de L'Huys. A Contras r.—-The Cincinnati Enquirer draws a contrast between tiie Lincoln Govern ment and the Government of European tyrants. Facts show that Hie former is the most despot ic. The people of the United Stales to-day, en joy fewer liberties, than do the subjects of ru lers of tiie old world. ' They have permitted their rights to be taken from them gradually— one by ono—until they have but few privileges left. Until their boasted freedom is .but an empty sound —nothing move. Here are some plain truths as plated, by tiie Enquirer : On October 30, 1836, Louis Napoleon made liis appearance at Strasburg, and attempted to precipitate a revolution in France, and solar succeeded as to procure several thousand fol lowers from tiie French army, among whom were several officers of rank, who followed him to open revolt. But Hie revolutionists were overpowered, and Napoleon and all of liis prom inent followers captured and incarcerated in the prisons of Paris. History says of the impe rial and tyrannical government of Louis Phil lippe, “that tiie government was exceedingly exasperated, and desired to try tiie prisoners by court martial, but the law on this point was formal, and some of tiie prisoners not military; and these persons not only exempted* them so'ves from ail accountability to military juris diction, but gave their afccomplices the light of appealing for trial before a civil tribunal. Ev ery measure was resorted to, to Convict them, but without infringing upon the rights of the defendants.” The result was the banishment of Louis Napoleon and tiie acquittal of liis ad herents. Louis Phillippc dared not violate a formal law 1 , even in a ease of actual revolt, t>y men too, entrusted with commissions to com mand his arfliy, at a time, too, when revolution was rendering liis sceptre precarious every where. He dared not then so far violate a for mal law as to try any of the accused before a military tribunal. But Abraham Lincoln, in free America, dare try a civilian by court martial, and deny him every eonstitut.ouifl right. God-given, consti tutional rights, much less formal laws, are no barriers to his usurpotio is. The civil tribunal of Paris, with commissioned officers found in oben rebellion and revolt Indore it, upon trial, in a constitutional way, when contrasted with the mock, insignificant, partisan, illiterate tri bunal of Cincinnati of 1803, furnishes a specta cle libelous, humiliating and shameful to us. The prisoners of France, found iiiFopen re bellion, and they, too, commissioned officers, of the army, were protected by the laws of France, but the laws of the United Stat< s, un der Republican rule, afford no protection to the citizen who has committed no crime known to the laws of God or man. llov much longer shall these things be? Retribution is slow but cure. There was a hell for Judas, and now those who have betrayed pride, usurped pow ers, and a nation’s wealth purloin and, having committed the sin nearest akin to*his, are but (it companions for one that was false to God himself. Yankee Atrocitks In N. Carolina —Their own Confessions. —We publish below, from the N, Y. Daily News, an account of General late raid through the counties of Currituck, Cam den and Pasquotank, N. C. It will be found that our accounts of his infamous proceedings, bad as they were, were considerably under drawn, and told but half the truth. We invite the attenion of the reader to this account. — The Norfolk correspondent of the News unites thus —the letter is dated Norfolk, Va., Dec. 25: In this vicinity there is a Reign of Terror. — Gen. Wild see.ms to be independent of General Barnes, who, we believe, it he had the power, would deal kindly and gently with us, and re - ports only to Gen. Butler. He has visited, the surrounding country with fire and sword, liter ally so, and far beyond the Federal lines de vastated whole provinces; and threatens that this is only the beginning of that vengeance which' he purposes to call down upon tl.e heads of defenceless women and children. In the county of I’asquotank, North Carolina, forty miles from Norfolk, he liung Daniel Bright at his own liotiVe. because it was believ ed he was attached to an organized, c irnmis sioned guerrilla company. He seized more than one hundred thousand dollars’ worth of personal property in the adjoining counties; stripped the farmers of every living thing, and brought it away, leaving hundreds of inhabi tants without a pound of meat or a peck of meal. Many of these people, to my knowledge, were loyal, and had-beonso for months; suffer ing for their loyalty, persecution from their own people. They had certificates of protection from the former commandants at this post, and no man questioned their good faith. Negroes were permitted to curse and abuse defenceless ladies, to strip them of their jew elry ami clothing, and offer them indignities which would offend decency to repeat. A small Confederate force captured two of his negroes in a skirmish, and for this he outraged all (be laws of civilized war. He arrested two ladies of high character, permitted a brutal negro sol diery to tie them hand and foot, and kept them in this condition for two days and nights; brought them to Norfolk, and now keeps them confined in a close room. These ho holds as hostages for the return of his negroes. He visite 1 the farm of Mr. Gregory, an old man of seventy odd ye trs of age, who, I feel cer tain, never took any part in this war —set fire to his dwelling and outfiouses of immense val ue, and burned them to the ground: stripped him of all his personal estate, and brought-hiin a prisoner to Norfolk. He, also, is held as a hostage. lam ready to exclaim, with Madam Roland, “Oh ! Liberty, how 'many crimes have been committed in thy name!” You will ask who is Gen. Wild? I answer, God knows! Whence or where he came, or what his lineage, the future must disclose. His history is faintly written here in atrocities, that make the blood run cold, Whatever else he purposes is not for me to say'. The Baltimore American siys that by treaty arrangements with the Federal Government, French war vessels will he permitted to ascend the James river for the purpose of removing the French tobacco stored at Richmond, which "•is purchased previous to the breaking out of the rebellion. Was auy so purchased? Opinions of the Exgusjj Press. —Late for eign dates give us tiie annexed views of tiie Eng'ish press on the existing state of affairs in this country; T iie London Globe takes a favorably view of the prospects of the Confederates. The London Times reminds those who antici pate an early breakdown of The Confederate cause, that conquest in the lWfi- mWt*be mn;- etaffieiUjy military occupation. .President 17m* Vtjjrr proposes, on republican yrim-ipleSpU* vest the government of each Seceded State tit.one tenth of tiie population who will swear allegi ance to him and obedience to his acts of Con gress and proclamation. TlnSe men will be no more able to maintain themselves than were* the tt-k f tyrants'll Athens without tiie aid of the 1 >v> lemonian garrison. They will form a detested oligarchy like tiie Normans in Saxon England, only that they will rule ovhr men braver and more warlike thail themselves.— Even when IhesNorth has surrendered her lib erty and beggared her finances. Hie will not lie able, permanently, to hold her immense coun tries and keep their hostile population on the terms. • • The Times adds: “Though we conceived it to 1 e quite possible that, overborne b} - perpet ually recruited numbers and immense resources, the South may become unable to retain large armies in the field, yet, between that and sub jugation, ftiere is an interval which we do not expect to see filled iqrP On Lincoln's message, tiie English press com ments as follows: Tiie London Times looks on Lincoln’s mes sage as warlike, and says the effect of the wnole document, amnesty included, resembles that of tiie last battle. The offer of peace is on terms that cannot be accepted. The whole question still depends on the fortune of war. It may be gratifying to the North to b s formally assured that the Government is strong and successful enough to offer an amnesty. But it is evident that Mr. Lincoln anticipates no pacific result; nor does tiie Secretary of the Treasury, who looks forward still to two years’ war expendi tures. Commercial circles in New York appear to share his misgivings, the premium on gold having risen under liis message. The Morning Post thinks Lincoln must be “joking,” and says he should have remember ed that a Confederate army was encamped wiih in a hundred miles of Washington before lie ventured to dictate such terms of amnesty. The Morning Herald ridicules the proclama tion and denounces the vindictive spirit of the proffered amnesty, which it says offers nothing which could be withheld if the last Southern town had been taken and the last Southern reg iment cut to pieces. The real object is to es tablish a pseudo State government wherever secure foothold can be found. The Latest Depredations uy the Alabama. —The Liverpool Telegraph of Dec. loth con tains the following particulars of the latest de predations by the Alabama : Aft'ir several months of uncertainty regard ing the whereabouts of the noted Confederate cruiser Alabama, a despatch which was receiv ed yesterday by tlßs overland mail, via Alex andria, reports her having bqen seen off the is land of Java on the 16th of November, aud adds that she destroyed tiie noted American clipper Winged Racer—one of the most cele brated of the New York and Saufranciseo tra ders—and the Araamla; off Java Head., The nows received is meagre, and does not give any details, but the position in which tiie Alabama was on tho above date renders her presence of considerable importance to Feder al vessels in East India waters ; and Captain Semmes’ well known character for destroying the commerce of ihe Northern States is sulfi dent to cause uneaiSness to thoso American shipowners who have ships iu the Sou them lat itudes. Tl > A *- ’ <- J built in the United States in 1557. She was lxmud from Manilla for Falmouth, with a car go of sugar, &c. The Winged Racer was 1.800 tout, and was a'so from Manilla bound for New York, laden with East India produce. Both ships belonged to Federal owners. The Confederate steamers Georgia, Rappa hannock and Florida are reported to lie cruisj ing in tiie Atlantic Ocean, north of the Equa tor ; the cruiser Tuscalsosa was atlastaooounts off tho Cape of Good Hope ; and one not here tofore mentioned, the privateer Relief, a sail- I ing vessel, was spoken on the lltli of Septem ber, in lat. 23 deg. 24 min. South, and long. 40 deg. 47 min. East. Tho Federal cruiser Vanderbilt.' reported in search of the Alabama, 'was at last accounts cruising between the Cape o! Good Hope and Mauritius, while the Alabama had been shift ing the scene of operations to tiie China waters. The Federal cruiser Kearsage, seven guns, from Brest, where she had been looking after the Rappahanfftck, at Calais, was at the end of last week off Plymouth Sound, aud stated to be in want of coal. Having visited tiie American Consul at Plymouth, she took her departure iu the Westward direction. The Mexican Question. —Tho Pafis corres pondent of the London Times writing from that city un lor date of Dec. 21, speaks thus of the osition of the Mexican question : The departure of the Archduke Maximilian to bake possession of the crovvu awarded iiitn by the notables of Mexico, is not so near, nor so certain, as jvas supposed a month or tw r o ago. Indeed, from all I can hear, it is very doubtful whether he has not almost made up his mind to decline the honor. Among tlie other conditions which he considered indispensable to his accep tance of it was the recognition by the Washing ton Government of the Mexican monarchy. The proposal was formally made by the French Government to President Lincoln's Cabinet, though it had been previously informed that no such scheme could be entertained, as the Amer ican Republic would never tolerate, much less recognize, a monarchy established at their very door. I have reason to know that tiiis assurance was subsequently confirmed iu a dispatch from Washlbgton, which was communicated in due course to the imperial Government. Now, as the Emperor has not yet recognized the South ern Confederacy, and as the Federal States re fuse to recognize an Empire in Mexico, the guaranties of its independence and integrity, on which the Archduke’s consent depended, fall to the ground. I cannot say whether the idea of forming a trans-Atlantic monarchy is abandon ed or not; but I believe that we now think of casting about for some other person to put at the head of affairs. Doblado has been spoken of, not, perhaps, as Emperor, but as President of the Republic, with w'hat success remains to be seen. Spain lias not lost all hope of seeing one of her royal stock on the Mexican throne. There is a rumor of a betrothal between the Queen s daughter and some Bourbon I’rince, to whom it would be offered as soon as France shall have completely pacified the couniry, and swept off the adventurers and brigands who infest it. The Emperor Napoleon is not in the habit of yielding to obstacles wliieh may be overcome, and, having already done so much for Mexico, lie will not easily relinquish the completion of the task lie Ims undertaken. However the Arch duke may decide, he cannot abandon if until some Government be consolidated. The Currency Bill. —The Richmond Exam iner of Jan. 23, speaks thus of the passage of the currency hill, and its supposed provisions: The Currency hill passed the House of Repre sentatives. in secret spssion, last Satuiday. It was considered by the Senate on Wednesday, and referred to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee still have the bill before them, and on Thursday were excused from at tending the i ession of the Senate, that their time might be devoted to this important mea sure. The hill, it is said, proposes to reduce the redundant currency by compulsory funding and heavy taxation. Treasury notes now out standing are to be fundable, lor the first month after the passage of the act, in six per cen . bonds; the second month after in five per cen - and so on: and all those not funded before the first day of next December, shall no longer fundable, but shall be rep and declared of no value. It is reported that in the m >tter of taxation the bill cuts deep, the tax on the v alue of all personal property being ten per cent. V Its provisions will notbe divulged aatil final ly ruled upon by the concurrence of the Senate turd the approval of the Executive. The Military Despotism of tub The Chicago Times refers thus to the proceed ings of the Federal Congress in regard to the military despotism which now exists at the North: Mr. Edgerton, of Indiana, is much compli mented by the conservative members of Con gress of both Houses, for the noble tone, as well as comprehensiveness and point ol' liis res olutions. Those resolutions arraign the Presi ded, as he deserves, lor liis bad taith nnd’for the violation of his inaugural oath; throw in his teeth the various solemn promises which he lias disregarded; and denounce tiie whole mili tary policy of the Administration in fitting terms. • Tiie resolutions, of course, were voted tiie fact that they received sixty tliree votes in the House of Representatives caused a very uneasy feeling to pervade tho radical side of the House. The resolution of Mr. Harrington, of Indi ana, offered on tiie same day, in relation to the habeas corpus and tiie usurpations of the Pres ident. are similar in tone and spirit, and are commendable. They iqet,-of course, with tho same fate. * * CO\FKOi:il VTK status foagiiess. senate .ian. 20. The following were referred : A bill to or ganize bodies for the capture and destruction of the enemy’s property, by land or sea, and to provide compensation therefor; io establish the. office of ensign in the army of Hie Confed erate States. A re.-olution was adopted that the President of the Confederate States be requested to in form tiie Senate at what time the chief tax col lector for tiie State of Louisiana was appointed, and in what part of tiie State he has entreed upon the discharge of liis duties. The Finance Committee, reported the follow ing, whieli was agreed to: “Resolved, That tiie Secretary of tiie Trea sury be requested to communicate_jto tiie Sen ate, Ist. The aggregate amount of the fundoit debt of the Confederate States on the Ist of January, 1864, exclusive of call certificates. 2d. Trie aggregate amount of call certificate:? outstanding on the Ist of January, 1864. 3d. The aggregate amount of non-interest bearing Treasury notes, exclusive of those le low the denomination of live dollars, outstand ing on the Ist of January, 1864. 4th. Tiie aggregate amount of interest bear ing Treasury notes outstanding .on the Ist of January, 1864. sth. The aggregate amount of Treasury notes below the denomination of five dollars, out standing on tiie Ist of January. 1864. The same'eommitteo reported a bill to ex tend the provisions of an act in relation to tho receipt of countcrii it Treasury notes by public; officers, which was read and passed. The Senate resolved into secret session. house. Tiie House resumed the consideration of tho Senate bill to change the time of the meeting of the next Congress. After much discussion the amendment of the Judiciary Committee to the Senate bill, proposing to fix April instead of May as Hie lime of meeting, was adopted— yeas 42, nays 40. The bill was then read a third time and passed. A motion wus made to reconsider ihe vote by which tiie bill was passed, but the House went into secret session before disposing of Ihe mo tion. senate—jan. 21. The Judiciary Committee, to whom was re ferred the bill to privide tor the payment of certain claims iu tho State of Mississippi, re ported back the same with amendments, mak ing the provisions of the bill applicable to all the States. The hill was placed upon tho cal endar. to.&gsaiariea in the State of Virginia, was taken up and pass ed. The bill to regulate tho salaries of the Judges of the District Courts of the Confederate States was taken up. It allows the uniform salary of $5,000 per annum dining the war, instead of the highest compensationnllowed to the Judges of the Supreme Courts of the several States, an was provided by law. It.was moved to strike out $5,000 and insert s4,ooo—motion lost and further consideration postponed indefinitely. Several other bills were introduced and on motion postponed till to-morrow. The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the President’s message relating; to the Qurtermaster General’s Office, returned a lengthy report, 't he Committee conclude their report as follows : The Committee believe that A. R. Lawton is not Quartermaster General, nor legally exercis ing the office, and that every dollar which has been drawn from the Treasury for the use of the Quartermaster General’s Department since the 10th day of August last lias been issued without authority and in violation of law.—■ They recommend tho adoption of the accompa nying resolutions ; 1, That in the opinion of the Senate, A. C. Myers is now Quartermaster General of tha Confederate Statc3 Army, and is by law author ized and required to discharge tho duties there of. 2. That A. R. Lawton is not authorized by law to discharge the duties of said office. A bill was introduced and referred entitled a bill (o provide for the organization of a bu reau of polytechnics for the examination, ex periment and application of warlike inven tions. I HOUSE. The Senate’s amendments to the House bill to provide fora Treasury Department for tha Trans-Mississippi district, were taken up and adopted. Thfe Senate’s amendments to the bill grant ing a special copy-right to Hardee and Goet zel, for Hardee’s Infantry and Rifle Tactics, were considered, and, together with the bill, referred to the Committee on Patents. The following were introduced and referred: A joint* resolution of thanks to Gen. Beaure gard and the officers and men under his corn mind, for their gallant defence of Charleston; a.bill authorizing the consolidation of com panies, battalions and regiments; amendatory of the act to levy taxes; Senate bill amenda tory of the act authorizing the organization of a volunteer navy. A resolution was adopted transferring the re port of the Committee upon the memorial of Cen. Tochman, made last session, to the calen dar of this session; also, a resolution request ing the President to communicate to thelloivsn all reports of Gen. Beauregard relating to the defence of Charleston which have not been published. A resolution was adopted instructing tha Committee on the Judiciary to report whether any legislation is necessary to authorize tha Secretary of the Treasury to pay for cotton sub scribed to the cotton loan, and destroyed by order of the military authorities before it was delivered under the terms andconditions of the loan; and, if not, that they inquire iuto tha expediency of reporting a bill authorizing such payment. The following resolutions were adopted : Resolved, That pending the suspension of the exchange of prisoners oi war, it is the duty of Congress to give expression to their sympa thy for the brave citizen soldiers who have, by the fortune of war, been consigned to a foreign prison, and that every effort made by the President to alleviate their condition and supply their necessities will meet the cordial concurrence of Congress. Resolved, That until the enemy sent to renew the exchange of pris< the cartel, the Congress will cheer all necessary appropriations for su wants of our fellow citizens now in an of the enemy. Resolved, That in the opinion < ' -J< - it is advisable to endeavor to mak( agree ment with the enemy for permitti U ‘ soners on each side to be attended number of their own surgeons, to 1 "•» permitted under rules to he esti take charge of the health and con prisoners, and also to act as com prisoners wtth power to receive an among the prisoners all contribuiii their friends, of articles of food, c medicine. Resolved. That the President be requested to communicate to Congi ent state of the questions pending two governments relative to the - prisoners. A resolution was adopted that lb iuforin the House what, jf any h