Newspaper Page Text
ffc ~;* lW t ~r:a r«. uw»tif
•'iiid’.^a^uble.ndor^iob.pna
of the death of
Announcement m(:mber of ts e
Hon. John A. ♦;from the SUite of Tex*
«.a «**•
aounS when the .Senate adjourned.
HOUSE. „ _
'Phe death of Hon. John A. Wilcox, of Texas.
waTannouuced. and appropriate eulogies were
spoken, when the House adjourned.
1 skmate —rtn. J.
The following were referred : A bill to au
thorise the President to appoint a General for
tbe Trana-Mißßisbippi Department and LlWten^
ant General for the Provisional Army of the
Confederate States, when deemed necessary ,
memorial of ladies employed tn the Treasury
note division at Columbia, S. G., praying an in
crease ot salary. , , ... „
House resolutions of thanks to the luth
Mississippi regiment were concurred m.
lie Military Committee reported back, with
the recommendation that it pass, the hill _t.
amend an act entitled “An act to punish
drunkennees in the army,’ - placed on the calen
dar also, the bill to amend acts of April 1,
U-,2 and Sept. 23, ’62, placed on the calendar ;
also, reported hack favorably the bill to repeal
the act authorizing the President to confer tern
pomry rank and command, for s rvice with
volunteer troops on officers of the t onfederate
urmv placed on the calendar ; also, reported
hack favorably House bill to authorize the
President to establish Military Courts, plated
on the calendar.
The Spoaker laid betore the House sundry
Senate bills which were appropriately referred
The Committee on claims presented an elab
orate report, expressing their views upon va
rlous memorials referred to them for compen
nation for property lost during the war.
The claims embraced in this report are ar
ranged under the following heads ; m
r. For the property taken or destroyed by
the enemy.
11. For property destroyed by our forces, as
a military necessity, either when in the occu
pancy of the enemy, or to prevent it from fall
ing into the hands of the enemy; or for proper
ty wantonly or unnecessarily injured or de
stroyed by persons connected with the military
servico of the Confederate States.
111. For property taken by the Government
for public use, or taken and used by the Con
federate troops without the authority of the
Government.
The committee close with an allusion to a
class of Cases in which property has been pur
chased or impressed for the use of the Govern
ment and by proper authority, but where infor
mal and insufficient receipts or other vouchers
have been executed by the Government offi
cials. or in consequence of the death of the offi
cer or his removal to n distant locality it has
been impracticable for the owner of the proper
ty to obtain any receipt or voucher at all. It
is not denied that any provision? ou the part ot
Congress for the payment of such claims would
open a door to abuse, blit it is deemed better
to endeavor to tftiard against these abuses than
to subjoct the Government to the charge of
harshness and injustice avoiding, upon a
jliore technicality, the payment of what is rignt
liillyii''# to meritorious citizens. The commit
tee have f here fore prepared a general bill,
which they herewith report to the House, and
recommend tin- passage of the same. The com
mittee report back sundry claims winch fall
within the provisions of said hill, and ask to be
discharged from their further consideration, _
The hill ieported by the committee is enti
tled “An act to provide ior the auditing and
payment of certain claims against the Confed
erate States.’’
It authorizes the l’reiddent to appoint three
Commissioners in each StaiT over forty-live
years of age, and not subject to military duty,
whose duly it shall be to audit all claims
against the Government for slaves hired or im
pressed by the Confederate States, or by the
State authorities for the use of tbo Confederate
States, which, by reason of death or other
cause cannot be returned to the owner ; or if
returned, so disabled as to he unlit for use ;
also, claims for fuel which has been taken ei
ther by contract, by the proper authorities, for
the public use, or by troops while on the march
or in camp, and bliowu to have been necessary
for their support at the time ; also, claims for
the value of property impressed for the use of
the Confederate States, where the evidence of
such impressment is informal, in consequence
of the owners ot such property being unable
to produce the proper cert ideates of llmir loss
es. The bill requires the commissioners to
guard against lmponHloit. umi <■« rcr,iv re mnpwr
proof of ail claims submitted to their judg
ment. . , , .
The bill was placed on the calendar and or
dered to be printed, and the report laid on the
table and ordered to bo printed.
'i’llh' Alexandra Cask.— One of the items of
news by the last arrival from England, was
Hint the Coni'* of Exchequer has refused anew
trial in the case of the ship Alexandra and
that the vessel would be released. The Mont
gomery Advertiser give* the annexed sketch of
the whole affair:
Several months ago stejis were taken to pro
hibit the departure ot the Alexandra from
Hritish waters under the Foreign Enlistment,
net. It was averred that she was built lor a
Confederate man-of-war or privateer to destroy
Yankee oominerce. 'The case was carried into
court end the Judge before whom it was
brought afer hearing the evidence and upon
u ,-iear and impai f ; al interpretation of the stat
ute, decided that her 00:'“ t'notion and depar
ture would not be in violation i'' tiie act. Ihe
decision was to the effect that the s,; 1 "builders
of Great Britain might contract with either lc *‘
Jigerent to construct vessels ot any description,
provided they were not armed in Iti itish waters,
tt was not shown in the Alexandra case that
*he would receive her arms before she left port;
the whole evidence amounted to a suspicion
that she was intended for a Confederate war
vessel or privateer. Anew trial was asked for
of the higher court where there would be a lull
board of "judges, which court has had the case
under trial for some two months. The decision
comes to us by the late arrival and affirms that
of the Judge to whom the case was first carried.
The next tiling will be the release of the Alex
andra, with liberty to depart whenever she
pleases. The emissaries of Lincoln have la
bored hard, leaving uo stone unturned to com
pass the loss of this vessel to our cause, but all
iu vain English Judges have given another
evidence of their regard for the law, interpre
ting tt without bias or prejudice.
There is additional importance attached to
this decision iu its beariug upon the question
of die detention of the iron clad rams seised
last summer by the British Government, and
still detained. * English papers have asserted
that- if the decision of the Court of Exchequer
was in labor of the Alexandra, the same prin
ciple being involved in the case of the rams,
the latter would also under that decision, be
released. The cases are clearly of the same
character, to be decided by exposition of the
(foreign enlistment act. If the construction of
the Alexandra was not a violation, certainly
the steam iron rams cannot be shown to be.—
But the so-called Lord Bussell, anticipating the ,
insult of the trial of the Alexandra case, some
lime since intimated that Parliament would be
appealed to £*’ amend the law so as to embrace
the case of the lgms, thus clearly evincing his
entire subserviency to the Northern despotism,
and his haired of the Confederate States. We
shall look with interest for the departure of the
Alexandra, and for the effect of the late decis
ion as to the rams. Parliament is uow in ses
sion, and it wilt soon be seen whether that
Kudv will yield to the appeal for a change of
The "act so as to continue the detention of the
•jams, and endorse the strange kind of neu
trality irsanmed by l .ords Russell and Palmer
ston or the English Government.
Avkriu- s Tusvvmknt of a Minister.— The
Central Presbyterian has received the following
account of A\erill s conduct towards Rev. R. P.
Kennedy, son of Prof. Kennedy, of Jefferson
College. Penn., during his iueursion into Wes
tern Virginia:
"The Rev- R- P- Kennedy resides in the
county of Pocahontas, but preaches part of his
time in the the Western part of Highland. He
was on his way to meet his appointment there,
■when he was arrested on the 12th of December
at Hevener*. about seventeen miles west ot
McDowell. General Averill sent him to Col.
n , „,.at Monterey, with orders to keep
Jn 0 ’al ters. His horse, saddle and
saddle-bags were from htm. and he was
marched on foot the day ten miles to
McDowell. On the loth, they made a forced
march bv night back to Crab Bottom, about
twenty milt's* Here they remained till the 21st,
when another forced march was made tolir
cleviilc. where Mr. Kennedy was released
and sent home. There were two prisoners, and
the three were allowed but one blanket, and
•were not allowed to build a shelter for their
owu protection. ,
Here. then, was the case of a of
Gospel arrested while peacetully attending
,• .- v* Masters buisness. forced to march
-•nvmmh ;und, and over high mountains by day
t*. wade through swollen ino.rn
-11 L!!,,, 1 kept about twelve days, and then
irrSpi Os everything but the clothes
Mm ht S. Aud all this in the coldest
mountain wunmit of tte
jaorf intouscly cold part of this wmter, j
Hi* ■ Mr. Davis’) resolution only proposed to
in-titute a plain and frank investigation of the
measures of the administration, aud be intend
ed to continue such investigation until the Sen
ate expelled him ; and if they shoaid do that,
he had a mission as an American Senator and i
freeman born under the Constitution, which he
had imbued in his infancy and cherished in
manhood—he would go home among the peo
ple of his loved, native Kentucky, and raise
the cry of oppression, tyranny ursurpationand
revolution against the faithless men who have
charge of the Government.
SY e had fallen on evil times, indeed. We
have a great rebellion second only in impor
tance to that when Lucifer was thrown from
heaven. We have in this administration of
the Government, in all the departments men
who are sworn to support and defend the
Constitution, not for the power it confers upon
them, but for the liberties it gives the people,
recreant to their high trust, and by the abuse
of power both civil and military trying to sub
vert that Constitution and the proper liberty it
secures to the citizen ; and yet any man hav
ing the audacity to question the wisdom and
constitutionality of the policy of the adminis
tration is branded as disloyal. We have had
great men in the past; the founders of the
Government were great, wise men and patriots.
When he desired to learn ‘their principles of
Government, he went to the noble fountain of
political knowledge established by them. —
Such men as the Senator from Massach assets
only perform the base office of muddying the
fountain. He is not fit for any other work.—
On this subject Mr. Webster held that it was
tbe “undoubted right of legislators to scan the
acta of public men ’ that this right was as un
doubted as the right of breathing or walking
the earth. It is the last right that he would
abandon. He would exercise it at all hazards.
At an humble distance aud in lIL3 feeble way,
be intended to follow the great expounder of
the Constitution. The Senator from Massackus
setts seems to have installed himsell as a sort
of overseer of this laxly, and he was not sur
prised at the dictorial manner in which he bus
tled about, administering rebuke in this and
in the other House. He had persuaded him
self ihat lie is the government, and i3 particu
larly assured that he is the Senate, at least the
largest and most important part of it. But 1
don't think there is a person in or out of the
Senate who hugs such a delusion to his breast
except himself. He would read the resolution
of this learned Senator, this able man, who
distinctly understands everything in jurispru
dence, administration, and of war matters in
the field, to expel him. If the Senator had
power commensurate with his purpose, it would
have been done ; but ho thanked his stars there
werejuster, wiser, abler, more patriotic men
in the Senate and the country than the .Sena
tor. If there were not—God save the mark!
the country would soon go to ruin. How
long did the Senator sit under the treasonable
utterances of leaders in the rebellion three
years ago, at the time he was engaged in his
avocation at home. He occasionally adverted
to the debates in the senate, and read the reas
onable effusions of the band of traitors who
have organized the rebellion. He road the
avowal of Toombs that he was a rebel, and the
world never saw a letter equal to the declarae
tiou of the audacious Mason that he owed no
allegiance to the government. .So of Wigfall
and other* in their treasonable utterances. All
this was done in the presonceol the just, pure,
courageous, patriotic se lator who remained as
dumb as a fish. There was Ihe chance for tbe
display of tbe moral and physical courage of
the senator. When be read these declarations
his blood boiled in bis veins, and had lie been
present he dared nay he would not have kept
silent like the senator* from Massachusetts.—
Now the senator has a majority here, backed by
hundreds of thousands of soldiers aud officers
who hold their places at the will of the power
at the other end of the avenue, who, when
they are ordered to do the biding of that pow
er, do it or suffer incarceration, court-martial,
or death. The senator was so all sufficient,
self-sufficient, and insufficient —that he did not
consult with a single iudividua 1 . He wanted
all the glory, lie calls the proposition' for a
convention treason. lie was told the senator
boasted that he was the successor of Webstey.
Ye gods, what a succession ! The senator is
afraid it will stop tbapvar. There is where the
shoe pinches. He does not want the war to be
stopped till tbe rebels should have subm’tted
to the Constitution and laws of the United
Slates. He would not prove recreant to the
government, but would support those who were
administering it, however incompetent lie
deemed them. The grand purpose of the sen
ator was to carry on the war for the destruction
of slavery and to pervert the wav power and
an timer powers 01 me Homnmcnt to tnts end.
He asked the Senator if. the rebels in theSoutli
ern States were to offer tq come back with their
rights under the Constitution, save were it for
feits to them their rights for their rebellious
action, would he agree tint they should come
back? The Senator is silent, but his heart an
sw“ r s tbe question. There is no Senator but
what know? that he is more devoted to the de
struction of slave, 7 than to the vindicationjjof
the laws in the seceded States. He would
sweep away the Constitution and" State laws to
abolish slavery in violation of his oath as a
Senatt r ; and yet to hear him prate of loyalty
one would think that there was no loyalty in
the United States besides htg. He (Mr. Davis)
assumed that it a convention of all the States
worn called together and should resolve to do
away with tbe Government, that they bad the
right and power to do it. He was opposed, of
course, to any such exercise of power as a prac
tical thing. lie considered tids compact a po
litical partnership.
Mr. Davis said the majority of the States had
a right to meet together in convention and do
away the best government on earth. This po
htical partnership could be cancelled by the
•'onsent of the partners. I ask that the people
of an I he States go into convention to take
this cruel their hands and close the
bleeding wounds Cf ‘he nation ; reconstruct
ing it upon the principles ? { compromise and
liberty, upon which Washington an’ 1 his associ
ates acted.
It was the Senator’s intention to put him in
a state of suspension here, like Mahomet’s cof
fin, between heaven and earth. Ho was in dur
ance, and any durance the Senator would es
tablish was vile enough, in God’s name. }le
was lor tffe prosecution of the war to any hon
orable peace, but would prefer that it should
close by the peaceable submission of those in
rebellioft
Mr. Davis continued at great length to refer
to the course of Massachusetts in Shay's rebel
lion, in the war of*lßl2, in the Mexican war,
and in her resistance to the Fugitive Slave act.
He referred to a speech of the Senator from
Massachussettss during the Kansas trouble, in
whieh tfie North is called upon to »me forth
and overthrow the,slave propagandists. His
language was stronger than mine ; and yet he
has the audacity to introduce a resolution to
expel me for using language less significant and
less subversive than his In 185S the pestilent
State of Massachusetts had passed a law an
nulling the Fugitive Slave law. She was cov
ered all over with treason in ISI2. I had not
been in thii body but a few days before an an
onymous letter in relation to the Senator was
handed to me, accusing the Senator of selling a
.sutlership for one-half of the profits. He did
not believe it then, nor did he now; but the
revelations in regard to plunder are
he did not know what to believe.’’
Discovery of ax alleged Pi,ot to Liberate
the Prisoners and Assaswatk tub President—
Arrest of this Rixoi.kaders and Seizure of
Documents. —For several days past the Govern
ment has been in possession of facts that hinted,
beyond a doubt, to the existence ot a secret or
ganization of disyoyal men, laving for its ob
ject the forcible release of the Yankee prisoners
held at the Libby and on Belle.lsle, the assassi
nation of the President, and the destruction of
tiie Government buildings and workshops loca
ted here.
Captain Macctibbiu, chief of the detective corps,
was assigned the duty of penetrating the mys
teries of the case, and threading tiie details
through the labyrinths of rumor to their head
and source. That official put the matter into
the hands of two of his most experienced de
tectives, Messrs. Reese and Mitchell, who imme
diately set to work, and, on Saturday night,
they arrested, at his house, on Seventeenth
street, between Main and Franklin, a German
named A. W. Heinz, a baker, upon the charge
of being a promiueut member of the treasona
ble a: soeiatou. lie was furthermore charged
with inciting Confederate soldiers to mutiny
and the assassination of the President. The
detectives seized along with Heinz a great
number of the most important papers, inclu
ding the roll of membership of the organiza
tion and documents of such a character as to
leave no doubt of his crime, and the criminali-
ty ot others. The documents were taken pos
session of yesterday by General Winder, who
ordered Heinz to be placed iu secure quartets !
at Castle Thunder, and to allow him no com- i
munication whatever with any outside parties. 1
HeiDZ, the reputed ringleader, has always j
been looked upon as a disloyal man, and his j
associates in treason are all pretty much of his ;
own character and social standing.
It is possible that other arrests will follow, j
as the treason will be probed to its depth, no (
matter whom it afl'ects— Eichmond Examiner.
Gen. Hood has been made a Lieutenant Gen
eral, and has been ordered to the Army of Ten
nessee. j
NORTHeKV
Tu» Hoi that a paper* admit ifia defeat of ,
their forces and Iho capture of their wagon
traiu* by General Early in Western Viiginta.
A soldier at Mutton. Ind., attempted to make
a citizen take the oath a short time since, and
on his refusal shot him dead. Great excite
ment was created by the act.
On the 22d of January the Yankee House of
Representatives passed a bill imposing a tax of
sixty cents per gallon upon all spirits distilled
and removed for consumption or sale. Ihi
shall be upon the basis of first proof, and shah
be increased in proportion fur any greater
strength than the strength of first proof.—
It is further provided, that from and after the
passage of this act, there shall be paid on all
cotton produced or sold, and removed for con
sumption, a of two cents a pound. So we
may see that if the Yankees get hold of the cot
ton region they wi 1 make the staple bear its
full -hare of the cost of our subjugation. No
more Cincinnati whiskey at 20 cents per gallon,
nor New England rum at former nominal rates.
No great harm in that.
A letter from Batavia to a commercial house
in Boston states that when the Red Gauntlet
was destroyed by the Florida, the commander
ot the Confederate cruiser informed Capt. Luce
that he would destroy every American built
vessel, sailing under a foreign flag whose pa
pers showed that her nationality bad be, -11
changed in any colonial port since the breaking
out of the civil war. And that the nation
whose flag covered such vessel so destroyed,
must settle the matter with Die Confederate
Government.
The rabid Northern papers think the South
will have to get the Conlederate prisoners
through Butler’s agency cw not at all.
A correspondent of the New York World,
writing from Hilton Head says that the prepa
rations for a long Contemplated move by the
Federal commanders in that section is nearly
completed. He states that “an immense land
and naval force’ ’ are soon to commence opera
tions somewhere. He does not, however, strte
where the attack is to be inlde. His talk un
doubtedly is all bombast.
Under the auspices of tlie Federal Secretary
of the Treasury, and by the authority of Lin
coln, the lands purchased by the Government,
at the tax sale el' February last, on the South
Carolina coast, have been surveyed and divided
into tracts of 320 acres. Every alternate tract
has been subdivided into Lots of 20 acres, and
reserved for the occupancy of colored men.—
Here they are ent tied to settle and acquire a
pre-emption c'aim, which they can easily make
a fee simple title to a part of the soil on which
they once worked as a class.
The most important item in late Northern
papers is the plan of campaign given by an
edilor of the New York Times, and few which
he is said to be on the eve of imprisonment.—
Two attacking columns are to be thiown
against Richmond—one by way of tbeßapidan,
the other by the Peninsula. This may lie a
Yankee ruse to direct our attention from Gtn
etal Grant. But it may be tbe mode adopted
to achieve mi itary success, which is essential
to Lincoln’s election, and, at the same time, to
deprive Grant of any additional glory, which
would mako him a dangerous rival to Lincoln.
The Northern papers publish a letter front
Major White, now confined in the Libby prison,
to his father in Pennsylvania. It was taken
Nortli by bejng very surreotitiously conceded
beneath the shoulder-straps of a released offi
cer. Major White resigns his membership in
the Pennsylvania Legislature, and anew elec
tion is ordered to fill the vacancy.
The Confederate steamer Alabama lately
captured a valuable prize in'tbe shape of a
China trading ship bound to New York, with a
costly cargo.
The Yankee Cong re-s Is engaged on confis
cation and conscription bills.
A Yankee captain, named Young, of a New
York regiment, was arrested last week for forg
ing, ten years ago, land warrants to the amount
of two millions of dollars. He was recognized
by an old acquaintance.
It is said that in Port an Prince, Hayti, there
are only six married couples. The population
of the place is fifteen thousand. The moral
capacity of the African, under the high instruc
tion of the moral supervision of the Caucasian,
maybe seen in this pregnant fact- The.negroes
of the West India Islands while they were sub
jected to white masters were prosperous, hap
py and religious. But since they have been
freed they have relapsed intouiter b trbarisiu.
The white people have left them alone in their
shame. Such will be the fate of both races in
- ihe South if tbe present crusade is successful
. “I know of no grove blighting curse that God
Almighty could send on the South than to give
l’i rrtluiu Xkt lipt olovcn, 11 oitkl Amltcw lOnitig v»i’
of Tennessee.
gJA Free State Convention was recently held
in at which a delegation of colored
men were admitted to seats !
'William A. Meriweatber has been appointed
United States Marshal for Kentucky.
A hog was lately.kilied in New York State
which weighed 1,340 pounds.
The Federals have made a successful raid
through Jones, Onslow and Tyrell counties, N,
C. A large amount of property wait destroyed
by them.
The Federal correspondents say we are busy
strengthening our defences at Wilmington
Considerable damage was done to the Balti
more and Ohio Jjailroad by Confederate gueril
las during a late raid.
The Federal papers boast that five hundred
Confederate prisoners have taken Lincoln’s
oath and joined his armies, lately. The state
mpnt is undoubtedly a lie.
Two fast Federal steamers are going to be
sent to hunt up the Alabama.
The parties who captured the Federal steam
er Chesapeake, ai e being tried in Halifax for
piracy.
By order of Lincoln the execution of Ginly.
the murderer of Gen. McCook, Is postponed, ami
He will, it is thought, be pardoned.
Passes are no longer required of vessels leav
ing New York.
G- Harris, of the firm of Neill, Ilar
,.T, f, * Baltimore, has been sent South,
not to return during UiC wa * th<J P enalt y
of being tseatej as a spy.
One hundred and twenty steamers have
destroyed on the Mississippi and its tributaries
since the war comic "need
Gen. Cass is said to be sj feeble that be can
not live much longer. lie is in his eighty-first
year.
An escaped servant of President Davis is de
lighting Yankeedom with information, lie
says a turkey serves the family three days -
first roasted, then eoid,. then hashed; that Jeff
Davis has sent triends to Europe, preparatory
to living the Confederacy, &c. ; that The rebels
are about to give up, &c.
111 the Yankee Senate, on the Kith ultimo,
Messrs Bayard, of Delaware, and R chardson,
of Illinois, took the oath required by the reso
lution adopted the day previous. Subsequent
ly, Mr. Bayard resigned his seat in the Senate.
The New York Herald says there is a strong
movement in progress among the leaders of the
Republican party in that city to secure the
nomination of Gen. Fremont for the next Pres
idency.
'the New York World has a letter from
Chattanooga, in.halting that the Federal cav
alry would soon attempt a raid on Montgom
ery. Ala. This rumor is probably put afloat to
cover up other designs. Our generals should
be on the look out in all quarters.
Gen. Foster has been relieved from command
at bis own request, and Gen. Schofield takes
command of the Feilerals in East Tennessee.
Wisconsin, up to the first day of November
last, had placed in the field thirty-four regi
ments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry,
twelve batteries of light artillery, three batte
ries of heavy artillery and one company *f
sharpshooters. Os this number sixteen thou
sand nine hundred and sixty-three—nearly half
of the entire number—have been lost to tiie ser
vice by death, discharge and desertion.
. Considerable excitement prevails in Paris,
Idinois. in consequence of an anticipated attack
on the returned soldiers by the Butternuts in
that vicinity. The citizens of Paris have tele
graphed to .Terre Haute for aid.
The men w- nt into two of tiie boilers of the
Ravine Coal Company, at Pittston, Penn., to
clean them. While they were in, someone ac
cidentally turned the hot water into the boil
ers and scalded them to death.
A child was recent y baptized in Winona.
Minnesota, hearing the name of " Stonewall
Jackson." 'The Yankees do rot relish this.—
The New York times says: "This is visiting
the sins of the fathers upon the children with
a vengeance. Cannot the Copperheads he
conteut with their own infamy, without entail
ing its scrofulous mementoes upon their pos
terity
A soldier conespoudent ot the New York
Times, writing from Port Royal. South Caroli
na. alludes to the sale of confiscated lands in
that department as follows . There is no chance
for competition in sales ; as there is no chance
for any one but G nernment officials. a?d mili
tary officers, and a few Northern sharpers to
become acquainted with the lands or to attend
the sales. Consequently, a few of the best
plantations are sold for a son/, and the others
Hie bid iu by the Government."
Ir’tWs il’HUth?
Eiitewsy* from conscription m Killing <» !j*
t-ickc-r. in ' irgir.ia who iuL-ricre with their
flight.
Bishop George F. Fierce, on*- of the finest
orators th»t Georgia over pro hired, has con
sented lo stepreside from the ecclesiastical du
ties for a brief season and devote his great
powers to the trrk ot arousing his countrymen
to duly in the present crisis.
The planters of Macon county. Ga., have re
solved to sell at the following rates to the
Government Corn $2 50 per bushel; wheat
5 00 per bushel; tie:d peas—owing to great
scarcity- -0 00 per bushel; bacon 100 per
tound: beef—stall fed—so cents per pouud.—
t was further resolved, that the families of in
digent soldiers actually in the service, be fum
ed by the producers with provisions at the fol
lowing prices: Corn SI On per bushel; bacon
50 cents per pound; syrup i 00 per gallon;
and wheat $1 50 per bushel.
Several 1 uses of small pox have occurred at
LaGrange, Ga.
.’ike steamer Advance brought, on her recent
trip. 10,000 pairs of shoes, 12,000 blankets and
3,000 pairs of cards.
The schooner Janies Grubbs, from St Mary's,
Ga., hM arrived safely at Nassau.
Major R. C. Williams, of tbe Commissary
department in this State, has resigned his com
mission and joined a company as a private,
leaving his office to be filled by soma disabled
soldier. The citcumstance is both honorable
and rare, and for this reason, entitled to a re
cord.
The war has produced strange alienations.
Two Kentuckians, father and son, were 011 a
railroad train in Indiana lately. The father
xas a lU-ij'. i prisoner, the son was a Federal
guard on the platform ol the car. 'The old man
seeing his son, presuined-'to take more liberty
than tl:e rule allowed, amt put his bead out
side Hie door. Ili* son hastily advanced, piece
at the shoulder, with a sharp “Get back there,
you old rebel !’’-
Gen. E. M. Law has resigned, but his resig
nation lias not been accepted.
We bear that Gen. Ilood has been promoted
to a Lieutenant Generalcy, and will take com
mand in about two weeks. The corps to which
he has been assigned is understood to lie that
formerly under Gen. D. If Hill in iho army oi
Gen Joints ton. Gen. McLaws is now at Mor
ristown. ior the purpose of answering the
charges against him by Gen. Longstroet. ' Gen.
Bennmg, ot Lougsticot’s corps, is at Columbus,
Ga., on furlough.
Gen. Robertson, of Texas, Longstveet’s corps,
is at Bristol, attending a court of inquiry.
W e learn (hat the question as to the consti
tutionality ot the recent- law of Congress put
ting the principals of substitutes in the army,
will be tried in So ith Carolina soon before his
Honor Judge Magrath.
The Atlanta Intelligencer indignantly de
nies and denounces reports concerning prepar
ations, for evacuating Dalton. We hope the
Atlanta papers in their military zeal, will not
be too precise in telling what Gen. Johnston in
tends to do, or not to do.
We ave giad to hear that the Confederate
steamer Florida is once more at sea, though we
are not iuionned whether her commander, Maf
fitt, lias sufficiently recovered from his late
illness to resume His duties, it is an astonish
ing thing that the hundreds of Yankee cruis
ers on the alert h r Semitic* and Maflilt always
make out to miss them. It speaks volumes
for the skill and energy of those commanders,
that they have so lohg successfully eluded the
pursuit of the whole Yankee navy.
A woman was strangled to death and then
robbed in Charleston on Saturday night.
Tim steamer Denbigh which ran ashore in
endeavor ng to get out of Mobile harbor is not
damaged to the extent supposed. She has been
lehevotj of her cargo, ami is now afloat. T.ie
enemy’s fleet, discovering her unfortunate po
sit ion tried to vent their spite upon her, bitting
her but once in iier win eihyuee, doing her no
damage. She was defended by the gunsof Fort
Morgan, which succeeded in putting three
shots in one of the biockadeis.and driving the
rest off. Tbe enemy's ship that was struck
was sent oil’ in the direction of Pensacola, sup*
po:-ad to be disabled.
It is now thought that the wheat crop in cen
tral Alabama was n ( u damaged so much by tbe
late coid weather as was feared at first.
Col. John R. Blocker, of Tuscaloosa, recently
sent to Judge Oliver, of Greene county, A!a.,
an order on his overseers for one thousand,
bushels of corn for the indigent families of sol
diers of Greene county.
Two soldiers were put in jail at centre. Ala.,
for intriiery. A lew nights since four men went
to the j riband demanded of the-tsherift’, »SIY.
Daniel, the keys Two of them caught him
by the coat collar, presented their pistols to
ills breast and gave him two minutes to deliver
them. Mrs. Daniel became alarmed and -de
livered them ; two then went up stairs and two
remained below. Mr. D. took his stand and
as they came down, the two that remained be
low went out. and as the others passed out he
shot two or three times, killed the leader dea 1,
and wounded one of tbe prisoners. The wound
ed man got away, but was tracked over a quar
ter of a mile by his blood Tim name of :he
man that, was killed is William J. Hutton ; he
told Daniel before lie went up stairs, that he
wasihe man that broke open the Rome, Ga.,
jail a short time since.
It tiio impressed slaves who have died in
service were valued at §2.000 apiece, if would
take the sum of $3,108,000 to pay for them.
JUCHMOXII xauu
The Examiner says when the discussions in
Congress terminate the public will lie astound
ed at some extraordinary propositions which
have been made on the subject of the currency
ih its secret sessions.
The force'around Richmond are still to re
main under the command of Gen Elzey—ru-
Igors to the contraiy notwithstanding.
Accidental shooting and shooting intentional
appear to be the order of the ijay in the Con
federate Capitol.
The military authorities having got wind of
an intended uprising of the Yankee prisoners
on Belle Island, have .taken the'necessary pre-
Cau tines to prevent such an affair occurring.
The Examiner says that there is a continual
stream of C'njgnrjts noi l hwatd passing through
Richmond. SoniS of immi pay as high ns ten
thousand dollars lov a tdff l conveyance to the
Yankee lines.
Capt. 11. T. Hines, of Gen. Morgan's com
mand, is at present in Richmond on business
connected with the organization of the Gener
als command.
It is believetWn PJohmond that Meades com
mand has been reduce'! l , to twenty fiye thou
sand men. and that it will soon fall back on
Washington.
The Examiner #ays some of our public spir
ited then a year ago offered to supply the gov
ernment with a pound of bacon tor a pound of
cotton. The idea was hooted at by the Secreta
ry of War. He. however, has not done half as
well.
President Davis has signed two very impor
tant bills, passed in the secret session' of Con
gress. The first is entitled an act to impose
legula'ioas.ou foreign commerce. It prwbiMt*--
the exportation of cotton, tobacco, military
and naval stores. sugar, molasses and rice, and
forbids any vessel, vehicle, slaves or animals
engaged in loading or transporting such arti
cles, to go beyond tiie limits of the Confedera
cy. or to any Confederate port actually within
the enemy s lin-“s.- All persons concerned in
such exportation are *o ire due-td- guilty of
high misdEmea :or. unless authorized by special
permits to be given under rules prescribed by
the President. The second act prohibits the in
troduction into the Confederacy of • luxuries.”
after the first of .March. The act contains a
long list of prohibited articles, and limits the
liberty'of importation into the ports of the
Confederacy to articles of prime necessity. It
provides that the Secretary of the Treasury
shall prescribe the maximum prices at and
within which importiions of articles, part
ly or wholly cotton, wool or silk shall b'o mad"
Auv articles imported contrary to this act will
be forfeited, and the owner be required to pav
double the value thereof.
Another bill has passed the Senate iu«ociet
session to organize a bureau ol foreign sup
plies to make importations. Ac., for the Gov
ernment. The injunction of secrecy has keen
dissolved by the Senate, and the bill has been
sent to the House for its action. This new trad
ing scheme is understood to be the suggestion
ol Secretary Seddon.
Ft Rita" Blasphemy—,At a war meeiln/ i u
San Francisco, R verend Titos. Starr King, for
whom R SIOO,OOO church has been built, used
the following blasphemous language, which
well illustrates the ie’igious character of the
Puritan race :
Among the many speakers of the evening
was the Rev. Thomas Starr King, who, allu
ding to the work of the Sanitary Association of
the Pacific coast, said : "We have sent S4OO
- infold to suffering soldiers in the East
$435,000 rather, through live blessed influence
of Providence and Salmon P. Chase, and these
two were a team when harnessed together,"
LETTER PROM OLU iiiV »I,BV QS fliK
M AtKil,
-l-ECIALI JUKLsI OXUENi K tUBOMILEI BCKTISCI, ]
O'til. Ilodjc's Brigade moving—Fie iug of (hr
command —Disgra<e r ul actions of our Troops
in Noith Carolina — CreenviUe, S. C.—Prices of
the necessaries of life, etc., etc , etc.
Grebxvillk. S. C., Feb. 4.
The Brigade of cavalry which has been here
foraging for awhile has gone, en route fo»itsd. s
tination. It is *ue of the finest cavalry Brig
ades in the service, and is made up of Ken
tuckians with the exception of a company or
t-.vo from Western Virginia. Brigadier Gen.
Geo. B. Hodge, one of ttio most gallant officers
in the service, is in command. This Brigade
accompanied Gen. Wheeler in his raid round
Rosencruns’ army list September, and so well
pleased was this General with its behavior that
in his orders read to his soldieis, he compli
mented Hodge’s Brigade, and said that it sav
ed his corps.
The exuberant spirits of the officers and
soldiers ot thisßrigad; is gratifying, indeed :
and I might siv that onr army generally, is
bouvant and hopeful. Like Caesar's army,
while on the Plains of Pharsalia, they are con
sidering the means of gaining a victory, while
the Yankees like Pompev's soldiers, are confi
dent in their numbers, and think only of the
way and manner they shall enjoy their anticipa
ted victory. And when Ciesar and Pompey
fought, the latter with his army was defeated,
captured and de troyed, by the former, with an
army of only half the size of his opponent.—
Such it is hoped will lie the result of the spring
and summer campaign—that we may and can
destroy our enemies as Ciesar did his.
Soldiers whose hearts are bound up in the
cause of onr country, and who think and talk
only of drivng the vandals from our soil, dis
pel dispOndency from any community where
they may pass. Such has been the effect upon
the good people of Greenville—they feel a re
vival of their spirits—like fighting on and
ever.
Last week, near Ashville, North Carolina, a
cavalry company of Texas Ringers, while pas
sing through the eouutry, quarrelled witii each
other and divided. One paty went on ahead
and laid in ambush while the others came up.
then fired upon them, and killed and wounded
six or seven ( f their number, i’he Mayor of
Ashvilleaespatebed this news to the command
ant of the Post at this place. The officers of
th'S company should be attended to by the
proper authorities, and taught their duty with
severity.
Greenville is a beautiful little city, of about
three thousand inhabitants, situated at the ter
minus of the Columbia and Greenville Rail
road, about one hundred and forty miles from
Columbia. Its institutions of learning consist
of the “Firman University,” a male college
which was once in a flourishing condition —and
a Female College—both of which are under the
auspices of the Baptist persuasion. Ihe water
power through this country is very fine, fur
nished by Ready- River, which runs near the
city, on which are flouring ntills, paper mills,
cotton factories, foundries, Ac-, &c. There are
two hotels—one kept by Mr. Swandale, and
known as the Mansion House.
Corn is scarce here, and when sold brings
about seven dollars per bushel. Flour is worth
from seventy-five to eighty dollars per barrel.
No wheat for sale. Horses, best, are worth
one thousand dollars per heaji.
The good people of this section furnished this
brigade with one hundred pairs of shoes, and
sent three hundred pair to Longstreet’s men.
They are alive to the wants of our soldiers, and
their acts of kindness towards our soldiers will
never he forgotten.
I must bring this letter to a close. You shali
hear from me Irom our “new locality, ’’ in a
few days, when l will be able to give you items
of importance connected with our army in that,
region. In the meantime the good people oi
Georgia should redouble their efforts in behalf
of our soldiers, and the soldiers will renew
their vow to drive from cur soil the vandals
who are despoiling our homes.
• S :>us Likctenaxt.
FROM MISSISSIPPI.
Gen. Sherman has taken ail the boats he can
get possession of to transport troops from Mem
phis down tlie river.
All the positions on the Mississippi have been
abandoned and the troops concentrated.
The Federals have eight pontoon bridges
with them, besides those across the Big Black.
It is the impression among the citizens of
Vicksburg, that Sherman intends to collect fifty
thousand men and march on Mobile.
Jackson was evacuated by our forces on Fri
day afternoon, about six o'clock. The enemy
look possession almost immediately alter our
iib indonment of the place. Our infantry fell
back to Brandon, hut Lee remained on the
west side qf the river and will, no doubt,
maintain his position there. By this time his
force hits been sufficiently augmented to war
rant his making offensive demonstrations. The
pontoon bridge, at Jackson, was destroyed by
a few of our men under a very heavy fire from
the enemy. One man was badly wounded.
The fighting of our troops was gallant and
stubborn, when the Federals advanced on Jack
son. and they only <ro*'e way when overpower
ed by superior numbers.
It is saul that Gen. Ross drove back the
Federals on the Y'azoo, and sunk two of their
tran-ports.
The Federal forces are estimated at about for
ty thousand men, and are commanded by Gens.
Sherman, McPherson, and Hurl hurt.
Ail army is now being massed at Morton,
some thirty miles this.side of Jackson.
Some two hundred hales of Government cot
ton in Jacxson was burned, to prevent its fall
ing into the hands of t ie Federals.
The advance of the Federals was so rapid
that our troops were not able to destroy the
pontoon bridge over Pearl riyer.
Large numbers of negroes will fall into the
hands of the Yankees as they advance on the
broad base which they evidently contemplate.
Those most, interested are alone to blame.—
General Johnston was actively qt work «*n this
matter when the State Legislature interfered,
throwing such obstacles in his way as to stop
him. We hopp fhis ponsebse will cease,-and
that in case we fall hack again, everything
that can pqssibly be qf advantage to the ene
my will be brought away. The Yankees will
take them as sfirply as we leaye them.
Gen. Polk is showing an activity and shrewd
ness that f did not expect. He is everywhere.
Men from We.-t Tennessee continue to reach
Forrest’s headquarte s.
A large body of deserters and tories are com
mitting outrages in Jones conuty. Miss.
is stated that A. P. Merrill, formerly
cashier of tin! Agricultural Bank of Natchez, is
to be inaugurated Lincoln Uovernor of Mississ
* Neither Gen. French's or Gen. Loring’s div
isions took any part in the late fight near Jack
sun.
Gen. Ros 8? cavairy brigade, after destroying
some transports, met the energy noar
and fought him, live times their number, with
revolvers. It is represented as the mo6t des
perate fighting of the war. A reg.ment of ne
gro cavalry which they intercepted m a lane,
was completely slaughtered
Gen. French’s cavalry destroyed large lots
of cotton to prevent their falling info the ene
my’s ban da. „ , . T ,
The railroad between Brandon and Jackson
was uninjured by our tooops.. .
Gen. Polk’s headquarters is at Peubatmup,
tpn miles west of Morion,on theSoutheiu Bail
road. . „ .
Gur hoops have been re-mforced. I hey are
still at Morton where it was supposed they
would await the approach of the Federal force%
FROM EAST TENNESSEE.
The editor of the Lynchburg Republican
has seen a gentleman just from Longstreet s
armv and is assured by him that the condition
of things in that quarter is pf the most encour
•vring character. Our soldiers are in hop
spirits have a plenty to eat, are receiving
large q’uantites of clothing, and are annoying
and harrassing the enemy to a ruinous exfenU
Longstreet lias fed his army exclusively off of
the ent-mv and the country in which be is lo
cated. Thiajs, of itself, a most gratifying
result. _
FROM FLOlttß A.
Mr Joseph C. Taylor, Sheriff of Jefferson co.,
Fla., committed suicide Friday. He was sup
posed to be insane. ,
It is stated that the Federals have advance
through Baldwin, and camped Wednesday night
at Sanderson, a'small village, some twenty odd
miles this side, and about seventeen miles from
Lake Citv, formerly Alligator.
It is rumored that about fi? hundred of our
troops stationed at Baldin, Fla., have ppen cap
tured by the Federals.
FROM SOUTH ALABAMA.
The Federals have burnt the Methodist
church at Huntsville. They are now requir
ing the citizens of the place to take the oath
of allegiance or leave. They are also taking
posaeariou of the residences of many of the
prominent citizens of the place, turning tnein
out of doors witnout any ceremony-
There is at present about thirteen Federal
regiments in and around llnntsv iile.
The country on the North side of the Mem
phis end Charleston Railroad from Morrisville
to Huntsville, is occupied by Federal troops, .
fit Oil &URTH t AKiit, VV.
A dctuehnient ivonT u ha*etu ne„ ,1
regiment, under ihe colonel commanding. left
Norfolk lor Currituck county, Niulti.CiioYuia,
to attack and capture, it possible, setae of our
guerillas of Lieut. White's command. Failing
in this, they visited a second time ihe bouse of
Lieut. White, anti, alter abusing the f unity,
took his daughter, an accomplished young lady
of seventeen years. After having her hands
tied in front of her and the rope thrown over
her shoulders, she was driven, by a big negro,
with curses and abuse, in front of the com
mand, towards Norfolk. When within five
miles of Norfolk, they met a regiment ot New
York white infantry, who, with its colonel at
(lie head, knocked over the negro driver and
rescued Miss White from the negro guard, and
sent her to Norfolk in a carriage.
Advices of the most reliable character from
North Caiolina leave no doubt (hat the enemy
is concentrating large forces at Newborn and
Morehead City. In a few days the pnbl c may
expect the development of the crisis.
The expedition of Gen. Pickett was attended
with very good results and seems to have been
well conducted, lie has now fallen back to
wards Kinston, and the attempt'to capture New
born abandoned. The topographical situition
of the place and surroundings rendered it mis
reptible of being made almost impregnable,
and the enemy, who have had a long time to
work, have availed themselves of their advan
tages to construct the most formidable en
trenchments and fortifications. Newbern is
situated betwei n two rivers, and the appro ich
is guarded by a wide and diep ditch, flanked at
each end by a gunboat, which would, inde
pendently of the other fortifications, cause an
attempt to enter it by storm to be af tended with
immense slaughter, and, if taken, it would be
doubtful, with the naval advantages of the
enemy, whether it could be held permanently.
A gentleman from Western North Carolina
informs the Raleigh Pi ogress t hat a Federal
cavalry force was moving on Ashville, N. C.
A large body of Federals were at Frank l in.
N. 0., on the Ath. The place is silty miles from
WalhalU, S. C.
A despatch received Saturday at the War
Department from Maj. Gen. Whiting, estimate-,
by the admission of prisoners, the enemy's loss
iii (lie light at Batchelor’s creek at fi teen hun
dred men. Tlie enemy 's papers m ike much
lighter of the affair.
it is stated that the Federal raiders at Frank
lin, Macon eo., N. number irom five to se,ven
hundred. Col. Thomas' Indian battalion lias
given them batlle. The result is not yet known.
A large number oi refugees have left tb it sec
tion of tlie State.
The Raleigh Confederate gives the sequel to
an agitation meeting in Gaston county, N. C. —
Four soldiers, two of whom had lost arms in
the service of the country, advanced to the
chairman’s seal after tlie meeting had been or
ganized, and demanded to see the resolutions,
mid alter examing them they immediately tore
them to atoms, and then called for an adjourn
ment. 'J lie argument was irresistible, and amid
commotion tlie meeting adjourned.
The Fayetteville. N. C. Observer contains the
decision of Judge French in the-case of Alex
ander Williams, n one of the principals con
scripted under the Act of Congie-s. approved
January a. 1604. “ That no person shall be ex
empted' front military service by reason of Ids
having furnished a substitute.” Williams had
furnished a substitute over 4.0 years of age,
who was accepted, mustered into service for
three years or tlie war, and Williams, the prin
cipal, regularly discharged. He is now under
arrest by order of the enrolling officer of Moore
County, under the recent Act of Congress
above referred to. The petitioner insists that
tlie Act of Congress is in violation of the Con
stitution of the Confederate States, and so his
arrest is illegal. Judge French decides against
the praver of the petitioner. Holds that the
Act of Congress is not in violation of tlie Con
federate Constitution, and remands the peti
tioner to tlie custody of Captain Currie, the
enrolling officer.
Western North Carolina and a small portion
of Towns county, G.i., were lately invaded by
a column of Federal cavalry, about, fifteen
bundled in number. They came from Fast
Tennessee, and entered North Carolina through
the county of Cherokee. They were stopped
by the want of subsistence for themselves and
horses, and the frequent assaults upou them iir
their forages by the .Carolina Home Guards,
and a portion of the Indian forces of Thomas’
Legion, then scouring the mountains in quest
of bushwhackers. In their invasion and re*
treat, as usual, they pillaged indiscriminately,
and carried off with them many negroes,
horses, cuttle, food ard clothing. But the cli
max of their atrocities was the capture of two
Confederate soldiers at home upon furloughs,
whom they delivered over to tlie merciless bush
whackers oFWesfc North Carolina and Fast
Tennessee,- who immediately .shot them . 'The
names of these two soldiers were young Col
bert and Davidson.
The steamer Nullifier. from Nassau, is re
ported lost off Wilmington bar on Saturday.
F ROM Tit A ilifei-.VI IHBIJSISPPI. *
A letter from Jackson, La., dated Jan. 26.
states that Banks’ army in attempting to
cross tlie Colorado, was attacked by Mag
ruder and cut to pieces, killing and capturing
neurlyt+ie whole command, it was also stated
that the enemy had been heavily reinforced
at Baton Rouge and Port Hudson, and t iey in
tended to extend their lines to the New (Irle.ans,
Jackson and Great Northern railroads and for
age upon the country.
Advices fiom Trans Mississippi state that
Gen. Kirby Smith is still at Shreveport. The
thr m divisions of his army, under Price, Tay
lor and Magruder, are well equipped and clad,
anil are in line condition for the spring cam
paign. cur armies in that section are increas
ing, and every thingkovears a bright aspect.
Through the energy' and enterprise of Gen.
Ivirhy Smith, the town of Shreveport, La., and
Marshall, Tyler, and Houston, Texas, have be
come large manufacturing places. There are
already three powder mills in successful opera
tion, and foundries are working the Texas iron
into ammunition so- ordnance, and they will
soon commence making heavy guns. '1 he West
ern department is fast becoming self-sustain
ing-
A gentleman just from Arkansas states that
the meat Union meeting lately hel l at, Little
Rock, was composed of Yankee camp follow
ers. But few, if any of the citizens of Arkan
sas took part in it He says that instead of
the State being subdued, it is even more op
posed to an affiliation with the enemy than it
was at the beginning of the war. 'Phis is uni
versal of its southern section, where to day
every man from sixteen to seventy-five years of
age is cnrolled for service either at home or
general defence. Every raaq who can bear a
gun is ready to use it for the cause. A con
siderable part of the Slate is in possession of
the enemy, and that part of course is not in
arms against him. But this by no means im
plies acquiescence with- or a disposition to sub
mit to the invader. 'The materials of opposi
tion are only helpless, not subdued.
At Galveston everything remains quiet. Four
vessels consiitu'e the blockading fleet.
Nothing of interest comes from Matagorda.
The eqoiny have limyed a little higher up the
peninsula, there to obtain Wood and water.
At Indianola and Towderhoru, they have
been recently reinforcing ; whether tor an at
tempt on the interior in that direction, or mere
ly to secure better quarters and more fuel, te
mains to be seen. Rumors were current that
our cavalry ha 1 burned the l'oimer place, but
the reports were not generally credited.
The Yankees have made several visits to Cor
pus and offered the “loyal” citizens ra
tions- .
The Erath county Texas Rangers have again
been doing execution among the Indians re
cently'.
An expedition destined tp capture the Yan
kees at Matagorda was defeated with consider
able loss.
The renegade Jack Hamilton, the would be
Governor, was at Powderborn with Ids staff.
The Federals have made a raid to Lavaca.—
Several of the citizens improved the opportu
nity to leave for Abraham's dominions.
Gen. prige v/as at Si*ereport, on the lutk*
hut was about starting off for some unknown
point. It is intimated lie is about 10 make g
dashing raid into t’.-e Yankee lines somewhere.
Red river is rising and is now navigable lor
large boam
All the Yankee troops have been withdrawn
from New Iberia.
A gentleman just from Texas, states that it
was thought when lie left there, that Banks
was withdrawing his troops from the coast ot
Texas. He may be coming to take part in.
some of the cis-Mississippi expeditions.
The CTrrkncv Bilt.— I The Ricmond Exam
iner speaks as follows in regard to the new
currency bill, and of the doings of Congress
in regard to the matter :
-We are tyell as Hired that the Confederate
Senate has passed the currency bill in secret,
and that what is known as Oldham s plan—a
tax on the currency—is rejected The House
bill ha» been raSicaliy amended ; and we are
disposed to believe that the ground of compro
mise between the two Houses will be the con
stitution of anew currency limited to two
hundred millions of dollars, and sustained
eithey by a pledge of cotton, or a special ap
propriation of future revenues. The fact is,
Congress has got to sea again on the currency,
and iiefore the two Houses jean accommodate
their differences, it is not unlikely the session
may r-~'T "
ftIRKIUS items
l.toyd'rt Bub.age Association in Loudon pub
lishes letters from New Orleans denying that,
the Mississippi river is freely open to trade, as
vessels navigating toward the city are “ rid
dled with shot and shell.” Business in New
Orleans is represented as “entirely suspended.-'
'The Polish insurgents are displaying r- new
ed activity in the field. Kossuth had address
ed a s irrtng appeal to tlie Hungarians, and the
Austrian Government was considerably agita
ted.
The Paris correspondent of the New York
Daily News has started a story that the Fmpcr
or of the French is about to lenew his oiler of
mediation in our civil war, and that lie has
been moved to that proceeding by the iulluciiee
of a committee of French manufacturers, rep
resenting houses in Lyons, tit. Ftienne, Mul
house, IIo;i bats aud Strasburg.
An English paper, speaking of the possible
appearance of a Russian loan in the London
market, says its financial speculators “ would
lend money to cut the throat of Poland with
out tlie least compunction.”
A striking instance of the popularity of
the Polish cause in Paris was afforded a few
days ago at the school of France. One of the
professors, in a lecture on “La Soldidariie des
Nations/’ spoke iu praise of Poland, and was
loudly applauded. A well dressed, gentleman
like mail, however, began to hiss. It was a
bold step. He was saluted as “Villain Russe,"
and taken by two scholars and turned out oi
the school.
A pair of shears, weighing twenty four tons,
has beeu built at Birmingham, England, for the
Russian Government, to be used iu a large iron
works in the. neighborhood of St. Petersburg
It has a power of pressure equal to- i,OOO tons,
and c -n cut to pieces a bar of cold iron half a
foot squate. The blades are of cast steel, and
theyuie operated on by hydrostatic presume.
These shears ure said to possess doublj the
jiower of any set heretofore constructed.
The remains of a gigantic animal of the
bear species lias been dug out of a land slip
near Talbot, in New South Wales. The anni
lnal when alive, must have been four feet in
length, lour and a half feet high, and most
probably weighed over a ton.
Adelina Patti is now turning the heads of the
Parisians, after driving the denizens of Madrid
out of their wits. The Queen presented her
with a magnificent medallion enriched with
sapphires and diamonds.
The proposition for anew French loan had
met with a extraordinary success, the bids ex
ceeding the required amount thirteen times,
amounting to $1 JO,000,(100. *
The London Times congratulates the coun
try upon its escape from the threatened trou
bles in India and Japan, and skys it is almost
certain that at neither place will there be any
war.
Forty-eight citizens of Warsaw request the
Governor to Intercede witii tlie Czar for his ac
ceptance ot an address expressing the loyalty
of the Warsaw citizens.
A project for Ihe better regulation of Roum
nia will be submitted to the Powers who signed
the treaty of Paris.
The demand for discount in London is heavy.
Consols iiOAiffOJ for .money.
’Tlie Confederate loan is at 42a4-l. French
Rentes at Havre 66f. COc.
'Three hundred thousand pounds sterling in
specie have been sent by the Bank of England
to Fiance.
Empress Eugenie lias insured her life foi;
two million of francs for the benefit of the
Princz imperial.
.The investigation into the circumstances of
tlie fitting out and departure from Sheerness of
tlie rebel privateer Rappahannock, late 11. M
S. gull vessel Victor, had terminated. It was
ascertained that certain officials at Sheemess
dockyard had been guilty of a gross neglect of
duty,'and at the same time committed an mi
warrantable violation of tlie neutrality laws,
and tlie Government has decided on prosecut
ing the principal offender. A warrant was
therefore issued for the apprehension of Wil
liam Rumble, principal engineer and inspec
tor of machinery alloat. The accused was ap
prehended, but liberated by tlie Rochester bench
on heavy hail. No proceedings had yet been
ordered against any one of the other officials,
nor against the Government pilot who piloted
tlie Rappahannock from the Nore.
'The Right Honorable F. Peel, one of. tlie un
der secretaries of tlie treasury, had been ad
dressing his constituents at Bury-Lancashire,
and referred at length to the American war.—
He pointed out the magnitude of tlie .under
taking, the burdens tlie North was imposing on
itself, and the necessity for England’s neutral -
jty. Adverting lo tho AK-x-imiia case, lie satll
the policy of the Government would be to do as
it would be done by, and he hoped when the
war was over both sides would acknowledge
that England's conduct had been eminently
fair.
It is announced that the steamer Germania,
from Southampton, on the 14th, for New York,
took out several heavy siege guns of large ea
fibre from the Low Moor Iron Works. It is
presumed for Federal Uses.
In tho Liverpool Police Court, on the 15th
January, three persons named Joi.es, Highat,
and Wilding, engaged in the ship chandlery
business, were summoned to appear.and ans
wer a clung? of attempting to enlist men to
serve in the sea service of the Confederates.—
Tlie defendant Highat, was the only one who
attended, ’i he prosecution concluded on be
half of the Government. 'The counsel for de
fendants denonnced tliis case as one of tho most
trumpery ever got up, and condemned, in se
ven- terms, tlie sepionage pursued in England
by the American Government. The defendant
was held over to answer in his own recogniz
ance for £3OO, and two Sureties of £250 each.
Some of tiie English papers having denounc
ed tiie amity shown by the United States to the
French Government in regard to the exporta
tion of tobacco from Richmond, it is serni-0 1 -
ficiully stated the British Government made an
express request that the concession should be
granted.
The Courier des Etats Unis says by Imperial
decree of the 2Uth, cotton is admitted free into
French ports, if imported direct from the
country where it is produced in ships carrying
the French (lag. The duties horetofote levied
will have to he paid on cotton imported under
a foreign flag.
The last news from’ Europe represents the
gallant Confederate States steamer Alabama
as on tlye other side of the world, carrying con
sternation among the Federal merchantmen,
and illuminating the seas with conflagration-!.
Th*. scenes of her operations are the Straits
of Sund i and the tranquil waters adjacent.—
The Straits Times, commenting on the ad
vantages of that locality as a cruising ground,
says that a great many United States vessels,
with unusually valuable cargoes, sail through
these Straits, to a’nd from China, Java and
the Archipelago: “ Another advantage obtain
ed by lie Coufeoerate vessels by cruising in
these parts, is the constant fine weather, aDd
the consequent greater effectiveness of steam
power, as well as the immense number ot ports
to which they may by turns resort for repairs
and outfits.’’ The United State# steamer Wy
oming is in the viciply, ;;ea;phing for tho Ala
bama. Both steamers passed tliropgh the
Straits on the . same day, not more than twen
ty-five miles apart. The Wyoming, however,
has nothing like the speed of the Alabama.
’the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson President
of die Board of Trade, delivered a remarkable
address to his constituents at Ashton-under-
Lyne on the 2qth hit., upon American Affair*,
iu which he denied that the rebel ion was an ad
vantage to Eugland, as had been stated iu some
qiiaitem ; hut be intimates that the transfer of
the siiipping interest from Anserjca to j'ritiah
vessels, in consequence of the fear of prifa
teeers, has much to do with the inctoaseof
trade of British shipping iu ports of the United
Kingdom—to the auoupt ol fourteen million
tons against seven million tons of foreign ves
sels. lie was very demonstrativeuppptjm fur
nishing of vessels byiieutrals to nations at war,
and pointed out the danger that might accrue
if the practice was indulged iu. He vyas posi
tive in the expression of neutrality on the part
of tire English Cabinet,
A Loral. N euro.— Dr. Bi 'f. Marshall, of Qen.
Morgan’s command, has furnished the ytlanta
Intelligencer with the following facts in relation
to a negro who accompanied his master in the
Ohio raid: .
Robin has been with Dr. Marshall since the
beginning of the wai, in all the battles in which
ho has been engaged, doing his duty faithfully
and cheerfully in the capacity in which he serv
ed. In Gen. Morgan’s raid into Ohio, Robin,
who accompanied his master, was captured by
'the enemy at the same time with the greater
portion of the command.
He was regarded by the Yankees as a fit and
proper subject for the exercise of their humani
tarian schemes, and views of equality. Dr.
Marshall was forbidden to hold any inteicourse
with him' and Robin was presented with sn
invitation to enlist in the Yankee army to fight
against the people of the South. The invitation
he spurned and when offerd his liberty on con
dition of his taking tup ‘’path qf allpgDpce,”
his reply was: “I will never disgrace my family
by such an oath.” The consequence was he
was incarcerated in a dungeon, wnich failing to
produce the desired effeoc, he. was taken to
Camp Douglas, where he is now kept, having
suffered imprisonment seven month* rather
than take the oath of allegiance to the Yankee
Government.
Brigadier T*-- y,-^ ( -. ~. . .
«« *"• Gbicl- amauga, is safely
tWrv inTi y Me3a,, '° 1 5 8 Minister Pffnipoten
tiaiy to that court. He sailed early in Janu
nX T-r t a, r He was formerly
mmihti to.bpam under Buchanan. He is in
w„i tl> '?“ ke ;l Heaty with Maximilian,
. "P ou the mutual recognition of the two
governments, wiih commercial clauses, grant
ing teciprocnl privileges of trade -and com
merce. A recognition by .Maximilian will be
tantamount to a recognition by France,
i s fiends will be gratified to
team taut he has been confirmed by the Senate
~ J’ 1 noble deeds having stood like a
wailot lira between him and his slanderous
enemies.
It is leported. says the Richmond Examiner,
tuat, tor some time past, the House of Repre
ss ataivos lias been considering, in secret ses
sion, a bill to suspend the'/mb a,,' corpus : and it
is bcbeveit by a portion ot the public that the
bill aas been passed in this branch of Congress,
.-•with certain reservations.”
it aas leaked out that in secret-session both
Houses oi the \ iiginiu Legislature memorialised
the. Confederate authorities to recognize Beast
Butler as hliteral commissioner, and thus allow
the exchange of prisoners to be resumed under
the cartel.
A retort prevails that ihe House or Repre
sentatives in SCI il l session has taken decided
action on the resolutions introduced a few days
ago by Mr. \\ right of Georgia, but what this
• was, whether to approve th.-ni and (bus startle
the country by and by, or to expel Mr. Wright
for leaving offered them, rumor dots liot say.
Richmond letter writers state that Gen. Lee’s
army is making preparations for a move in
some direction,
. h is understood that the Virginia Legisla
ture, in secret session is i-i-wbc to devise soma
plan by which negotiatio s for the cxihtinge.of
prisoneis may be resumed.
The Richmond correspondent of tho Charles
ton Mercury says that the public think Horde's
sentence to seventeen years in the penitentialy
was. on the whole, jusl, and reflecting men
believe that the verdict will have a fine ett'eot
a'frond, where the reputation of the South has
too long rested on the b .sis of the bowie-knife
and revolver.
The -House of Delegates of Virginia have
passed a bill appropriating the sum of $1,000,-
000 for tlie relief of dm families of soldiets
within the line* of the enemy.
The Adjutant General has found it necessary
to publish a general order forbiding (he im
pressment of supplies oi provisions in transit:!.
to arsenals, armories and ordnance dtpots, un
der tlie ordeis of the commandingcllkers of tht>
same. It appears that the mania of impress
ment has gouii to such an extent llmt even the
Government lias to protect it sell against the
violence of its ow n officers.
FROM MEXICO.
Twenty-six thousand French troops have
landed in Yen Cm/, to reinforce the Imperial
ists.
A large force are marching on Salt Luis.—
Juarez is fleeing before (hem. Ho sought a
remge iu Monterey. Gov. Yid uini proposed
to permit citizen Juarez to remain there, but
he would not recognize President Juarez.
Matters at Laredo were quiet at latist dates.
The Yankee force at Brownsville is estimated
at 6,000 to 7,000. Gen. Old has taken com
mand there, who issued orders upon his arrival
for tlie entire force to be ready to march in
three days. The bad weather prevented ids
moving however. Brownsville is fortified by a
circle of redoubts, extending from the eouvent
to the garrison inclosing tlie city. They are as
yet incomplete, aud not furnished with guns.
Point Isabel ami Brazos Santiago are also for
tifieil. The funner with very heavy guns.
Tho Federals am enlisting Mexicans, who
they claim to lie loyal citizens of the United
States. ’They have about a thousand of them.
It is reported that they are dissatisfied with
their officers who are Americans.
It is reported that ihe Mexicans and a por
tion of tlie regular troops will be leit to occu
py Brownsville while the balance ot tlie force
will march to the Nueces. T hey have obtained
about eighty horses on this sMe and about 208(1
horses and mules liom the stock in Uaineron
county. They seized all the steamers in tho
Rio Grande but tlie “Alamo,” which is still
running from Miitnmoras to" ihe mouth.
The United Blahs consul of Maliinioras has
announced in any future difficulty, or in case
of an attack on that city by an outside force,
tho United Blabs troops would take possession
of the city to preserve order.
borne reports state (lie French had arrived
at Han Luis Potosi, and taken possession,
wlt’ch caused the family of Juarez to ilv to
MOillerey.
Another resolution has tv, aired at Miitnm*-
las. Ruiz took charge of tho city on the 3st
of January, lie was to resign the next day,
and the names oi three per sous were to be pre
sented to the Supreme Government, out of
whom to solo t a Governor. None of lliem
were to lie persona who had taken part in tho
pending questions. .Col. Rojas is said to
command the tloops which are to march against
the French at 'Tampico, with Gorlinas as sec
ond in command. Ail acts of Serna, including
the forced loan, are approved ot by Gen. Ruiz,
The Tex in Hanoi k. — Just before Ihe battle
of Murfreesboro, Col. Harrison, of the Texan
cavalry, held a council of war with his captains.
II H made a speech, in winch he detailed many
of their daringaeliievmenU, and closed by say
ing that there was still one feat which they
had never executed. They had beaten ten
times their own numbers; they had charged in
fantry and cavalry, and always with success;
"but, gentlemen,’’ said Gol Harrison, “you
have never captured a batloiy, and this must ho’
done before you return to your homes.” Tho
several captains said, “All ‘right, we ll have a
Yankee battery before the sun coes down.’’
Within jjeu minutes, Gen. Wharton’s com!
maud, of which ifanison’s regiment was ft
part, was ordered to attack the enemy’s right
wing. The charge was terrific, and the Fedor
als sun irsed, lied from the field, Not far
away, there was a battery of six guns, support
ed by a Federal brigade. The’Texans diverged
from their comse , and very scon held five of
♦he guns, and under a terrible lire from the
Federal infniitiy, were moving them off the
field. Three Texans reshed t> the sixth piece,
and soon disposed of the gunneis with their re
peaters. One of them drove the horses attach
ed to the twelve-pounder, while the other two
cured for the caisosn, which was nearest the
Yankee column. In the haste fwitn which they
sought to (!'■ re off; the caisson was up sot. As
sistance camand before the advancing Feder
al* reached them, the Texans were rap
idly moving away with their prize. A violin
had fallen from the ammunition chest of the
oyer-turned caisson, which a Texan seized, and
with it, mounting the caison, was la.rne from
the field facing the Federals. With great cool
ness lie piayed Dixie, while Millie, halls whistled
a refrain about his ears. He never missed a
note till lie leaped from the ammunition [chest
withiu our lilies, 'i inning to Harrison, whoso,
speech be had overheard, nu said. “I reckon,’
Colonel we can go home now. We’ve done all
that you said, a jnortal soldier could do,and
teherefore f was bent ou having that last gnu.’*
Ri-ttfiAN Adanhon ment of Rolan p Recommend
ep.—'The Invalids Russe. of Sit. Peteishprg,
publishes a remarkable article horn the pen of-
M. Jiilferdinp. Either the libelty of the Rus
sian ptess must be complete, or thm article be
tokens some change of policy in governmental
circles. The Russian journal first examines
the situation of uifaii-u and the mission of
Kuassiii in Roland. “We have,” it says, “five
months of winter before us, and eyery one
knows how critical such a delay is for the King
dom of Roland. It ought to smuco to enufile
us tocaiiHolidate ouriulein that . ountiy. ii„t
il" Roland remain until the spring in the stale
of an unsubdued province, Western Europe
may come to dispute with us for its possession
although is very certain that after the struggle
it, woifid be a corpse, and not a living nation,
which would remain in tiie conqueror’# bauds.”
The Russian w riter then asks if it i- really an
advantage to Russia to keep this kingdom of
Roland, which requires the constant employ
ment of force. He says that every Russian
Who is the friend of Ifls country would rejoice
to see the moment, when they could honorably
renounce the possession oi Poland. “We un
derstand,” he adds, “.hat such a determination
would he a shameful retrogression in the pres
ence of insuiiection within and the pressure
without, hut we impatiently wait for the time
when events and political corn! inations will
permit us to abandon honorably and without
any constraint, a country which detests us,
and which declares it wishes n ver to he recon
ciled to us. It would be much better for Russia
to abandon a province winch brings it noproht
than to have it an infuriated enemy, and to
pass for tyrants and executioners in the eyesmf
the whole world. The posses sion ol Roland
places Russia in the falsest position ns a slave
power. With what happiness should we retire
from it, and what liberty of act on would re
suit from this for our national policy,”-
A correspondent of the New York Tribune
gays that Genoial Halleck. iu conversation with
prominent public men, has expressed his belief
that tffe last grand and desperate effort will be
made in tire ensuing spring by tho rebels to
transfer the real fighting to Northern roil. It
wftß difficult to determiuo whether tboir new
campaign wi 1 be due north into Pennsylvania
or across Kentucky into Ohio, using Long,
stpet a pieaept position as a base of operations.