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GEORGIA WEEKLY OPINION THE WEEKLY OPINION. Come to Light.—Tito much talked of mysterious letter of Gen. Chant marked ‘•Private,” addressed to the President, wherein he protests against the removal of Sheridan and Stanton, will be found in the columns of the Opinion this evening. It will be seen from this corr?sj»ondence that Grant, Sheridan and Stanton understood each other. J3T* An important feature of the pro ceedings of the Convention on Wednesday and Thursday has been most probably overlooked by the genaral reader. We al lude to the attempt to get an expression in favor of Jkkfkhson La vis. On Wednesday. Mr. Edwards introduced a resolution proposing that the Convention petition for the pardon of Mr. Davis. Mr. itopgiNs,and other gentlemen of the Re publican party, favored the passage of the resolution at once. Under the rules, how ever, It,went upon the table. Yesterday, Mr. Turner—colored—endeavored to have the rules suspended, and the resolution passed, but failed. We allude to tills only for the purpose of calling the attention of those who are charging vindictiveness upon Union men to the fact that Union men—decided men-—have shown, and we believe will persist in showing, every dis position to discard the prejudices of the l>i»*t. , Correction.— In justice to Mr. Taylor Journalizing Clerk of the Omvcfition, we Would stare that the welcome extended to Gen. Pork, by Mr. Parrott, as published in the Era tills morning, was furnished him by the Assistant Secretary as a ver batim report. On the reading of the Jour nal to-day, the President disclaimed having used the language published ami recorded, saying it placed him in a ridiculous j*»sl- tion. because of the statement that lie thanked the Commanding General, without saying what lie was thanking him for. His language was, as lie could recollect, **£Jen. Pock—In the name and In behalf of the Representatives of the people of Georgia, in Convention assembled. 1 welcome you to the hall of our deliberations.*’' Tills Is quite a different thing from the report published this morning. Reporters of great acquirements should l»e more •careful. Pro and Con.—It would internal some jH-ople to know precisely how many “au thentic” statements of Gen, Grant’s polit ical status have beat made and denied hy a certain class of toadies all over the coun try. There seems sm> man so “intimate 1 with Gen. Grant but that Ids statement In reference to Ids political status may not lie “autlioratatlvely: n contradicted by a still more intimate friend. The last instances* the kind is the dental by Gen. Dknt tint Grant wrote a letter (now going the rounds) defining the platform upon wlikfti he w ould be willing to run for tlie Presi dency. Another Sensation .—Gov. IIum marcs, of Mississippi, has issued a proclamation stating that he had received communica tions from gentlemen of high official and social position, hi different portions of the State, expressing serious appresensions that combinations and conspiracies are be ing formed by the negroes to seize the ♦lands of the white inhabitants and estab lish farms. Governor IIumfiirkyh warns black people against lawlessness nnd vio lence, atnI notifies them that tlie first out break in insurrection will signalize tlie de struction of their hope* and the ruin of their race. Tiik Cotton Tax.—The Tribune'-* Wash ington special, of tlie 16th. says, tlie bill for th« repeal of tho cotton tax came up at 1 o'clock, nnd was debated during tlie re mainder of the session. It wa« strongly opposed by Mc--i-. Mom'll of Vermont and Fes-enden. and earnestly advocated by Mevrs. Gherman, Wilson. Williams and Jieverdy Johnson. 1 lie latter offered uu uiiu-ijdiiiviit, making the repeal apply to this y£uv’$ qrop in ca?c» where It is held by tlie producers Mr. Morton offered a sub stitute, reducing the tax to Ic. per pound No vote, was readied, but tlie opposition to repeal seemed much more.formidable tbau Was exjiected. HoS". A. IT. Steiiiknh and tiik IT; 8. IhSTRibt COURT.—The Chronicle and Bcn- tinel sayA the 1 statement going the rouhd* of the press to the effect that Iloh. A. II. Stephens applied for admission to practice In the United States District Court at Sa vannah. and was refused by Judge Erskine. is untrue. We state, upon authority, that Mr. Stephens made no such application. Consequently the report Is without found ation. * Important to Soutukrn Rajlrpap*.— The bill before Congress declaring forfeit ed to the United States the lands granted to (be Southern States to aid them In the construction of railroads, has been report ed by the Committee on Public Lands, and will soon be called up for action. The grants of these lands have expired, and tlie passage of tlie bill, It la alleged, will give up to homestead entry and settlement, nearly five million acrea. Qf*While Mr. Prince was addressing the Convention, yesterday, he was asked whether he favored the disfranchisement of any. “I am In favor of universal suf frage,” was tlie reply. Surely this Is com prehensive enough to embrace those who are disfranchised under the Reconstruc tion bills. £2»“The ordinance to levy a tax to defray the expenses of the Convention, as passed yesterday, will lie found In another column. This is In accordance with tlie require ment* of the Reconstruction acts. JUNE DOLLARS PER DAY. These figures should insure to the.pcopje of Georgia an early accomplishment.of tlie work the Convention Is expected to per form. They should and will Induce honest representatives to an earnest nnd speedy discharge of their duties. Under the Re construction Laws, the powers of the Con vention are well dciiued, and certainly no one can mistake them. The people will grumble, of course, at paying three dollars more per day than they did in 1865, w hen money was more plentiful than it is now; and delegates may rest assured that a ses sion prolonged unnecessarily will cause an up-rising of the overtaxed musses of the party by whom they were elected that will be heard in future elections. To frame a “Republican Constitution” need require no great amount of delibera tion. We have hundreds of precedents, reaching down from tlie formation of tlie government. BUI* of rights, franchise, educational, executive, legislative and tnx- tion provisions are to be found in the or ganic laws of all the State*. We have pre cedents enough. We only need a consoli dation of the best features of the Constltn- >1911* of all the States to insure tlie in dorsement of all, and a short time should sulllce to secure this. We have no fear whatever that the lurcc majority of the delegates desire to postpone tiieii filial action a mouieut longer than is necessary, llut there are many who have watched tlie proceedings closely who do fear that selfishness is controlling tlie ac tion of some who aspire to lead. With these the formation of a constitution lias, thus far, seemed to be a secondary matter. Yet It is the first duty assigned them, and lieyond its discharge, and die passage of an equitable relief measure for tlie people, they should not go. These were the only questions Involved in the late canvass, and tlie voters who participated in that election will never endorse action upon questions that were not presented in tlie canvass, leaders should lie cautious. The party that elected them is a fresh and vigorous party. They are new' leaders, consequent ly inexperienced. If they expect to load hereafter, they must act wisely now. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CANNOT CAR RY PERSONAL SCHEMES. They would be a crushing weight. But if a<constttu- tioti such us is required by tlie Reconstruc tion acts, and some equitable rdQcf bill, Is lircsented to the people, their verdict will be nearly unanimous. Give usfthcsc, with out delay, and all will be w©IL If these are refused, or delayed by tike •eomldera- tiun of extraneous mutters, the political lives of the men of the hour mill be short. *A word to tlie wise.” GEORGIA «TAT£ ODHVaitrUtt. JCLKVZNTU DAT. Saturday, Bee. 81,1367. Convention met at the regular hour. Prayer by Bev. Geo. Harland, delegate from the XXXVII District, Journal of yesterday rend and approved. Mr. DUNNING remarked<feat the seve ral matters referred to oomnlttecs, for want of time out of tho regular scs.fi on, had not been properly considered, ami. In order to glveitho committees time to bring the work up, he moved that the Conven tion adjourn until 10 o’clock Monday,morn ing. Motion adopted and the Convention ad journed. ff"Tlie London Times,of tho 17th, de votes a lending article to American finances. It strongly objects to the finan cial plan proposed by Secretary McCulloch as involving an offer to exchange six per ents. nnd its a violation of the axiom that local taxation should lie met by local loans.” Tlie Time* think® that the Secre tary's plans would simply substitute new ■vlls for old. Speculation’.—A New York letter to the loiistitutionaHst, referring to the Presi dential contest, says Chase and Grant will be rivals for tho Republican nomination, and adds: Tlie Democratic candidates will be Gen. Hancock, Governor Seymour and Mr. Pen dleton, with the probabilities in favor of Mr. Seymour, But cx-PresIdcnt Piereo is coming forward. Tlie prospects of Gen. Hancock are weakened by tho -unwilling ness to uomiuate a General, however wor- tlijr, whose only fame rests on bis exploits In a civil war. Mr. Pendleton's currency view* would weaken him at tho East, where tho prospects of a Democrat who has avoided committal on that subject would be much better. Governor Ceyaionr would carry New York, Connecticut and New Jersey; with Mr. Pendleton the re sult In these States would be very doubt- iul. ... , Person a l.—Tho Constitutionalist, of tlie 84th, says: The Hon. A. ll Stephens prised through Augusta yesterday, en roofs to New York. 1 .... The report of a correspondent, that be failed In an application to “practice before Jjfiga Ersklno, is untrue, for tho tost of reasons, that nosucb application was made. His relations with the aforesaid Jurfgo arc of a cordial nature. Program of Cmimk.—A man named Meadows, residing in South Nashville, was arraigned before the authorities of that cltv. on tho 19th Inst, charged with viola ting tho person of his ncice. He was com mitted to Jail on default of bond for $2,- 000. k T m Mrs. 8am. Houston.—The wife of Gen. Sum. Houston, of Texas, died of yellow fever at Independence, In that State, on the 0th instant. The other Mrs. Houston, in Mid. lie Tennessee, died several years since. Comm 11 nicn(ion from G«u, Uraiit. i comparatively so, to all classes of citizens, I nnd two arthritis ol tho Constitution. The rur. «*» «,—«,• Tin: . ' 0 W p l ^»?ou'&MX -— 1 .able of protecting ILclf. or until I “ U “ us ® umU,, « adeglanco to tho United His Protest Against the Removal or Stanton and Sheridan—lbs Letter Marked “Prisate.” j Tiio Speaker laid brfore tlie House, on j the 17th instant, a communication from | General Grant, enclosing the papers in ac- J cordanco with a resolution pissed on the SOtli tilt., calling fur the correspondence with the President on the subject of the re moval of Secretary Stanton and General Sheridan and General Sickles; also, any uirreapondcnce or orders in Ills otllce allow ing tho condition of tlie Fifth Military District prior to the passage of the Mili tary Reconstruction bill, and any recom mendations that he may have made there on, and what step*. If any, were taken by civil authority in reference to such recom mendation; also, all correspondence in reference to the dlllieulties In Baltimore, touching tlie police commissioners, and other matters prior to the election of 1866. ahd In reference to a proposed mission of the General of the armies to Mexico In 1866. The correspondence covered about two hundred pages of foolscap, and was accom panied with a large number of report.- from subordinate officers oii duty in the Fifth Military District, showing tliecondi- tion ot uff iiis in that section. Nearly all rids cpiresplendence lias been pubH-bed, Imt among the nidst important paper*, is the letter of General Grant to the Presi dent marked “private.” and a letter from General Shurfdnn to General Gruntr in re gard to matters in his district while in command. Tlie communication did not include the papers In the case of the re moval of General Sickles, but it Is expect ed that a supplementary communication in regard to the matter will be sent to tlie House within a few days. W*j present below the letter marked ‘ pri vate,” and some further extracts: [PRIVATK.] “Headquarter* Armies ok tiik U. S.j V* ashing rox, D. C M Aug. 1, 1867. $ His Excellency, A. Johnson, President of the United Mates: Sir—1 take the liberty of addressing you privately on tlie siibjcet of the conversa tion we had this morning, feeling as I do the great danger to the welfare of tlie •country, should you carry out the designs then expressed. First, on the subject of tlie displacement of the Secretary of War. His removal cannot be effected against bis will, without the consent of the Senate. It Is but a short time since tlie United States Senate was in session, and why not then have asked for Ids removal. If it was desir ed. It certainly was the Intention of the legislative branch of the Government to place the Cabinet Ministers beyond tlie power of Executive removal, and it is pret ty well understood that, so fur as Cabinet Ministers are effected by tho tenure of of the state Is returned to Its 9 'tall relation* 1 States Government paramount to that due with the Union. the State Government. Referred. T "°'.““.If! «u*«coiui. .f these States would l»c a warning to all. d. If necessary, could be extended to id's. U. 8. Grant, General.” GEORGIA STATE CO.WE.M’IOV. twelfth day. Monday, December 23,1867. Convention met pursuant to adjourn ment; prayer by the Rev. Mr. Traywlck; journal read. On motion of Mr. AKERMAN, the rule fixing the hour of adjournment at 2 o’clock m. was suspended for to-day. and upon his motion tlie Convention took recess un til 3 o'clock this evening. fico bill, it was Intended specially to pro tect tlie Secretary of War, In whom the couhtiy fek great confidence. The mean ing of the law may be explained away by an astute lawyer, but common sense and the view of the loyal people will give It the effect intended ty Its framers. Second, on tlie eutfject of the removal of the very able commander of the 5th military dis trict, let-mo ask you to consider tho effect |f The Purls Pa trie Indignantly denies that there Is any truth in tho report, which lias been current, that the French Govern ment has sent an Envoy to Mexico. its frialc,and feared by those who wou5d still be enemies of tho Government. It fell to the lot of but fow men to do as much against an armed enemy as General Sheri dan did daring the rebellion, and it Is with in tho sebpe of tlie ability of but few in this or any other country to do what lie lias done. Ills civil administration has given equal satisfaction. Helios hod diffi culties to-contend with which no other dis trict commander lus encountered. Almost If not quite, from tlie day ho was appointed district commander to tho present time the press has given cut that lie was to be removed, that tho Administration was dis satisfied with him. «So. “This has emboldened the opponents to the laws of Congress within Ills command to oppose him In every way in their powi nnd has rendered necessary uieasur which otherwise might never have been required. •• I11 ronMfisJon. allow mo to say, an. friend d< siring peace and quiet, tlie wel fare ul* the wholeoountry. North and .South, that it L in my opinion more Ilian the loyal people of the. country (1 mean those who s ippnrlotl the Government during the grout ivl»eUionj will quietly Mibmlt to, to see the va ry man. of all oijn rn. in. .whom they have expressed confidence removed. 1 would not have taken the liberty of ud- d fussing the Executive of the United States thus but for tho conversation on tlie sub ject alluded to in tkU letter, and from a sense of duty, feel lag that I know I uui right In tills matter. With great respect, “ lourwborilent servant, “ (J. 8. Grant, General Among the puiiers Is a letter to -General Grant from Major Gen. Sheridan, dated New Of leans, January 35,1857. In relation to matters In Texas, and partlcnlarty re ferring to the condition of Union men and freed moo In different parts uf the State, which he says is truly Horrible. He says the Government is denounced, AvoJmen are shot, and Union men are persecuted, if they have the temerity to express their opinions, etc. This letter General Grant, under date u TIcad«f Quarters Army of tho United Statoc, January 80, lkW,** endorses as fol- forwarded, to the Secrcta- i ehtlon U Invited to that _ ion of the within communication which refers to the condition of Union men and freedmen la Texas, and to Che powerlouness of the military In the pre sent state of affairs to afford them protec tion. Even the moral effect of the presence of troopa la passing sway, and a few days ago a squad of soldiers on duty was fired on by citizens In Brownsville. In mr opin ion tlie great number of murders or Union men and freed men in Texas, not only an a rule unpunished, bat uninvestigated, con stitute practically a state of insurrection: nnd, believing it to be the province and duty of every good government to afford *—■— to tftj 11^ liberty and prep- TELEGRAPIIIC INTELLIGENCE# From the New York Press Association. Congressional. Washington, Dec. 20.—Senate.—A pe tition from citizens of Ohio was presented, asking an Increase of currency, nnd was referred to the Finance Committee. A memorial was presented, signed by forty Presidents and Professors of Colleges, wking the abolition of the fas on Plillo- ophical Apparatus, and referred to the Finance Committee. Local business ensued, when the cotton tax was resumed. Wllle nnd Wells ex pressed their views, when, without reach ing the House bill amending tlie Recon struction acts, to make a majority of votes ratify the constitutions, the Senate went into Executive session and adjourned. House.—The bill forfeiting lands granted Southern railroads came up. Mr. Julian maintained that none except tho New Or leans nnd Opelousas railroad had complied with the terms of grant. This matter was finally postponed to second Tuesday in January. The Reconstruction Committee was nl lowed a clerk and tlie House went into committee of tlie whole. Tlie House adjourned. ilfUccllancoiiw Tlie veto of tho bill striking “white” from the District ordinances, didn’t come In. There U some difference of opinion, but the presumption is that tills amounts to a pocket veto. There was a full Cabinet meeting to day. A count to-day indicates that the repeal of the cotton tax, had the vote been taken, would have failed by two votes. An ulti mate modification of the tax Is probable, but It will hardly apply to this year's crop. Ethan Allen was nominated as collector of the Teche, Louisiana, District. A paragraph Is current that Gen. Han cock was on the commission which hung Mrs. Surratt, bnt it Is untrue. Gen. Han cock, at that time, was commandant of the Department of Washington, but had noth ing to do with the Military Cotnmision, and opposed her execution Casserly, the Democratic caucus candi date for Senator from California, is a promi nent lawyer, formerly of New York. John Mitchell declines the Presidency of Fenlani3m. Internal Revenue receipts to-day $326,- 000. Another Fire In Vicksburg# New Orleans, Dec. 20.—Another fire at Vicksburg at midnight last night destroy ed 857,000 worth of property. Insured for $35,000. This Is three incendiary fires In that city in three successive nights. Another Order Revoked# * Special Orders No. 214. tinted yesterday revoke portions of spoeeial orders No. li»l and 192, issued by General Mower, remov ing the Judge uf the Fourth District Court, and tlie Clerks of the 3d, 4th and 6th Dis trict Courts nml the 3d Justice of tho Peace; ^tnte Tax Collector ot the Hand 4th Dis trict*; Superintendent of Public Educa tion and Secretary of State, and appoint ing others In their places. Those are the removals which were sus pended oh orders from Washington. Gen. Hancock’s order states that the evi dence submitted does not sustain the alle gations contained In said orders for their removal. Paragraph tour of the samo order con firms portions of Gen. Mower’s orders, 173 aml l76, removing the Coroner nnd the third Justice of the Peace, but makes new appointments to those offices. The order states that the charge of malfeasance in of fice agalnpt tlie latter officers Is not sus tained. The patties named aa proposing to take tho bonds Issued by the Convention, hav ing denied aUconnection with them, Judge Coolby Introduced * resolution repealing Blackburn's ordinance authorising the Is- Sue of three hundred thousand dollars in bonds, which was referred. It Is stated that member* of (he Convention offered their warrants to broker* for dlsoount, but could get no takers at any price, Vtrglsslw Csarsailsa, Richmond, Dec. 20.—In the Convention a resolution was Introduced asking Con grass to retain all volunteer officers now In the Freedmen’* Bureau in tho service of Virginia till the State Is reconstructed.— After a debate, in which it was generally agreed that the bureau had proved Itself a beneficial Institution, but bad some bad men In It who ought to be mustered out. Tho resolution was defeated. Ayes 23; nays 49. A rc'Otihitlnn was adopted yesterday regucstlng ChngrcsM to pass a law ordorl protection , „ , erty of its citizens, I would recommend the declaration of martial law in Texan to «H p U ’ It land* #u!d bv the United Mat. secure these ends. Tlie necessity for gov- ernlng any portion of our territory by : * r *' ,l bd.-r pr<»« «•<* ui the Court: martial luw Is to Iw deplored. It resorted to surveyed and sold In tracts of 1 to. It should lie Iiinitial in Its authority, more than one hundred nor less than l; and should leave oil local autiioi itii civil tribunals free and unobstructed until they prove their inefficiency or uiiwfilin id forbidding the sale of * to perform their dntle.. “ Martial law. would give f than one each of such tracts to one Indiv- ' ual or corporation. rlty, or, The Commltte reported a bill of rights ^ hn been Hleet a half Inch thick over the streets to-daj'. No business doing. Tlie Freedman's Bureau Issued three thousand rations from Soup Houses, to tho destitute white and colored, to-day. Mobile, Doc. 10.—Tlie trial of Mayor Ilorton, General Pope’s appointee, for vio lation of tho civil rights bill, in the case of Charles Archie Johnson, negro, was con cluded to-day. This trial was occasioned by the Illegal banishment of said Johnson from the city. The case was fully and ably argued before Judge Bustccd, of the United States District Court. Being a precedent case, It provoked considerable discussion and Interest among tho people. It Is re garded os a fair test of the protection af forded by the bill, and resulted in a ver dict of guilty, rendered a few moments af ter the Jury retired. TI10 sentence will be promulgated at 12 o’clock to-morrow. Savannah, Dec. 20.—Tliere was a large conservative meeting last nlgliti endorsing tlie action of the Macon convention. One of the resolutions Is as follows: Resolved 3d, That our object Is to maintain intact tlie Constitution of our fathers and tlie rights of the States thereunder. Foreign. Havana, Dec. 20.—Advices from Chill and Poru of late date, state that tlie Su preme Court Judges in Bogota were sus pected of complicity in tho Marqueras treason, but tlie Senate acquitted them. Prado, President of Peru, had gained another victory over tlie Rebels. An insurrection took place In tlie Capital of Yucatan on the 10th instant, occasioned by the same ex-Imperialists who managed to arouse the people and garrison to rise against tho local authorities. Tlie affair was a bloodless one, although Governor Cesscda bad to take flight. The Rebels proclaimed that they obeyed Juarez. They made noisy demonstrations in front of the American Consulate. Nenteucc of mayor Horton. Mobile, Dec. 21.—Mayor Horton was sentenced by Judge Bustccd to-day. The Judge said: “Mr. Horton, by a jury of your peers, acquaintances, and townsmen, se lected by yourselves from tlie entire panel, you have been tried upon nn Indictment of the Grand Jury and found guilty of the offeuse laid to your charge, it now becomes my duty to pronouuce sentence of the law upon your conviction. The indictment contains two counts, one for an occurrence tlie 8tU of August, and tlie other the 11th. 1807. Each of these occurrences embrace the offense of forcibly sending citizen tax payers of the State into exile. The Gov ernment might hare additional counts, embracing other charges against you, for a violation of the civil rights statute, but the indictment is framed upon theso two. On this conviction you might be sent to the State prison for two years, and fined two thousand dollars, at tho discretion of this Court. Its discretion upon this be half must be exercised In view of its re sponsibilities to God and man. I am of opinion that the ends of public justice nnd the rights of citizens have been vindicated In your conviction, and that to Imprison you would not add Its moral effects, the sentence of Court is, that you pay a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars, in a short time after adjournment.” Mayor Horton paid the fine nnd was discharged from custody. Railroad Accident. Boston,Dec 22.—A passenger train from South Bridge for Boston, on the, Eric ami Hartford road, was thrown oft* of the track yesterday by a broken rail. One ear was turned over. Several passengers were badly bruid, butse none seriously Injured. Orders have been received at the navy yard discharging 30 per cent, of the me chanics. Judicial Convention. Nashville, Dee. 23.—The Radical .Tudl- lal Convention met here yesterday. It wnsoi eofthe most stormy political conven tions ever held in Tennessee. Nearly two tliousahd negroes were present, and the Convention, after adjourning from tho Court Home to the Capitol, broke up In confusion without nominating an Attor ney General. The following nominations were made: For Chacellor, H. H. Harrison; Criminal Court Judge, John H. Smith; Circuit Court Judge, Eugene Corry. A Memorial to Coagroee. Wilmington, N. C., Dec. 22.—A memo rial Is In circulation among the cotton fac tors here, praying Congress, In view of the prostrate condition ot the planting Inter est, to make an appropriation to assist the factors In making advances to planters, ■olasiro of Dlstltlorloa# Philadelphia, Dec. 22.—Four large dis tilleries were seized yesterday on the ehargt of defrauding the Government by false revenue returns. Foreign. Paris, Dec. 22.—The Army Bill was In troduced Into the corps legislatin'. Grassier defended it, not as a preparation for early war, for It reduced the present effective force, but for future contingencies. Rouher declared the bill dftl not Indicate wur, but ns intended ns a permanent measure. The London Observer says recent pre cautions of the Government was taken with full knowledge of Fenian plan®. Jeddo and 0.<aha in Japan will bo opened to commence Jan. 19th. Havana, Doe. 2!,—Cnptiln General Ser- mdi, arrived at the entrance of the l.ar- Courta. | bor. \Vjvi:xgivs. Per. 23.—A number of per on who went South at the beginning ot the war.and \\hr>*e property in this city was confiscated, have entered suits for the of tho same. Eminent counsel place in January next. Win. Smithson, formerly banker in this city, who was con victed on charge of sending Information South and sentenced to the Albany Peni tentiary, but afterwards pardoned, has en tered suit against ox-Seeretary Stanton for fifty thousand dollars damages for false im prisonment. Memphis, Dec. 23.—General Orel has is sued general orders sending 31 r. Gillein, Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmcn's Bureau, to Washington to represent the starving condition of the freedmen in por tions of his Sub-District. Ho also declares in another order that freedmen shall work the Incoming year or bo arrested as. va grants, If work can possibly be had. Markets# New York, Dec. 23.—Excliango 10,’L 3Ioncv 6 jior cent. Gold 133)£. Flour quiet and stcadv. Wheat quiet and firm. Corn a shade better. Rye firm. Oats higher. Pork dull; mess 22.80. Lard steady. Cot ton quiet at 15‘gC for uplands. Freights dull. London, Dec. 23.—Consols*92j^. Bonds 72*. Liverpool, Dcc.’.23.—Cotton quiet; sales 10.000 bale*. Breadstuff's unchanged. JUDOE ERBKINE*AND OEN. TOOMBS. SLANDER REFUTED. A statement made by some Bohemian connected with a Louisville paper, in re gard to what purported to have been an interview between Judge, Euskixk and Gen. Toombs, lias been industriously olr- ulated by the press. This statement bore the marks of falsehood so plainly’ upon its face, that few persons paid any attention to it. All understood the motive by which it was prompted, and the object to be ac complished by It. The following which appeared lit the cio Era, of Sunday, effectually vindicates Judzre Ejiskink touching tills ridiculous story; and in iusticc to all concerned we lvc it the benefit of our circulation. Jus tice to Gen. Toombs demands that those papers which have so industriously circu lated the falsehood should now give place to the letter of Judge Dougherty : Atlanta, December 21,1867. Editor New Era—Dear Sir: I shall be obliged It you will publish the copy of a letter to Judge Erskine, which I now here with enclose. It Is nn act of Justice to tlie Judge, and perhaps to myself, also, that the incorrect statement of what occurred at an interview between Judge Erskine and Gen. Toombs, should be contradicted. Yours very respectfully, W. Dougherty. Milledgkvillk, Dec. 15,1867. Hon. John Erskine, Atlanta, (fa^ Dear Sir:—On my way to this place, my attention was directed to what purported to be an account of an Interview between yourself nnd Hon. Robert Toombs, In Sa vannah, and In your room, during the ses sion of the Circuit Court of the United States for that District, furnished bv a cor respondent of a paper In Louisville, Ky M anil copied Into some of the papers of this State. It occurs to me that Justice both to you and myselfi require that some notice should be taken of the article referred to, and the impressions ft is calculated to make should lie corrected. It Is not true that I was Invited by Gen eral Toombs to accompany him to your room, nor U It true that I did so. I hesi tate not to say that there is not the slight est foundation for tlie statement nor any I iortion ot It. 1 was in your room, ns you mow. on your invitation, when General Toombs entered; nnd I declare to you that I had no more Idea or intimation of his coming, than I have that he will appear before me whilst lam writing this. If/ fact, I have no remembrance of meeting with Gen. Toombs previously on that day —certain I am that 1 had no conversation with him on that subject nor any other. Tlie correspondent Isas unfortunate in stating what occurred during the inter view’ as lie has been in detailing what pi - ceded it. llis account of neither is true. It U much to lie regretted that those u undertake to give information to the pi; - lie are not better informed themselves 1 io not think that you believe me eapa- \ >f lining what i- ascribed to me in the i**i- - d to. I dio km ell will not. erf’ll! \v. 1), -d and a bearing to take Relief,—Tlie ordinance, passed by Un constitutional Convention during the iii>: kVsession, suspending the collection of debts under legal process, lias had its olVeet upon 'tho trade of Atlanta. Busi ness, which was before drooping, Is now almost entirely suspended. Tills was not contemplated by the Convention; aud in as much as the ordinance was designed to be temporary only, we hope It will soon give place to some equitable and legal pro vision of a permanent nature. It Is the uncertainty, the state of expectancy, crea ted by this temporary arrangement, which has demoralized trade. There should be something definite, something permanent, tu order to Insure confidence and restore business. We hope, therefore, now that the offices have all been disposed of, the committees formed, and the work of the Convention all becu cut out, that It will address Itself to the legitimate work before it; and that among its first acte will be an ordinance relieving public nuxtety on this sensitive and all important subject of rc- llef. _ Tiir Democratic Candidate for Pre sident.—Tlie Washington correspondent of the Boston Post says that General Han cock Is rapidly growing In Democratic fa vor, “nnd would stand some chance for the Presidential nomination, were It not for Ids record on the trial of the conspirators. Tho members of that military court, of which Gen. Hancock wna one, can never iitilvo the memory of a sentence which nmiemned to death nn innocent woman.* Fast.—A little Democratic paper in Middle Tennessee ‘•hoist*” the names of Andrew John-on mid Gen. Han cock for Pro.-Ulent and Vice-President tar Virgin!* iYjH»rt* four hundred and sixty .five eases in bankruptcy, and the ap plications come tn faster than ever.