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UY N. S. MORSE & CO. <Ls|ro:iitlc £ jsctinncl. TERMS. THK VVKJ:KL\ ( IlHOMriiK & hKVmEL lA EVERY WEDNESDAY AT FOiil imLLWI* FOK MX MO\!Hx ALWAYS IN ADVANCE. WEEKLY WIVKIUINIX; H\TK« ORDfUAKr A :>'• kkt: ,t j entb pubMahed in the Weekly wjl be ch »r#-.d twfri’y five cent.■» a line each intf'rtlori. SrEar.%r. Noticks v/i’i be charged thirty cwnU a line for each Vs -.aataew. Deaths a* •' '/utter *j. JSotp eh onr* dollar rath OiUTffAEf Not;<>, iy- for one insertion In f tihcr pally or Weekly. V ) <*'< Ototwary Police' me 5 uh \«x* \ I HU> an : Weekly nlxfv eonUj.i-r fir *. Tut: I ■ < K’.rivhji 1•» lv\:.i:iioa on our |aitiir« manifold and 1 Ticerbig. Tin* i■!.>• »v 1<»I: in tie (1 lil thlrt spring will) thinned ranks --with men who are he trtily tired of tiie cause 11.( y have espoused, ami without lieait or hope in thecon f will have no energy or and! ,po-;i:on to fi jit. TIIO uiora’f. of the Yankee army is decidedly at a low obit. Vi 1 y low of tho “nynl-u ’’ an* ic enlisting, arid v.hal sow raw recruits arc jmt in thaflnlil.aroma.il! n. from foreign immigra tion, and are not much to be feared. What :i striking contrast i pierfonti il by the condition of ||,o !«?(, ivrmli s I Ours is full of enthusiasm ami ardor; the ) ton arc re enlisting with alac rity; and there in a general feeling of confidence that will go far towards our success. The Fed eral soldiers hang back ; they hesitate to jmt themselves again in tango of our guns or where they can see the Hashing of our bayonets. The Northern people are inert and lukewarm, while the Government is .-training every nerve, and bringing on the country a monstrous debt, in order to kei'p up a show of light. Lincoln and hi* advisers knock their heads together, and .there is a now levy a sure sign of weakness; they cogitate, and some loved general is deiap Hated and another put in bis place, to “follow In the footsteps of his illu-tiiims predecessor;” iliey ruminate, and Secretory Chase proposes route scheme to the unl'ortuhato batiks bv which they are to he fleeced of (heir money In pay tho expenses of the war, .to. All the flur ry, agitation, vacillation, hesitation and trepi dation of our adversary, redounds to our ad vantage. In the pa fiance of the turf, we have tho in itlo track. In tbo vernacular of the ring, onr antagonist is much ■‘blown,’ •' and comes up heavily ty and unsteadily for tbo last round. Let us strike him powerfully, knock what little t*jnd Im has out of his body, and be lies pros trate ajd powerless for further mi-chief. Se tlously, however, all the incentives to redoub led energy on the put of oiir army and people are encouraging. Let those who stay at home, aid, by all the means in their power, the soldiers In the field. Let the bitter do tiieii duly when the hour of trial comes, and tin* banner of peace will wave over our land before the leaves are touched l>y Hie next autumnal IV oglu. flxcmiiuiiixo Skins.- -The enthusiasm with which our troop* have re onlisted for the war. The rosotiitiimS’of iho ptiihti'rs in many sections of onr country to noli tin ir produce lo consum er* at reasonable prico* Tim hreuking away of the cloud of gloom which lately o’erspivad onr land. Tho letuiV ol stragglers and absent oob to tho ranks. The awakening of the spirit of patriotism and doloriui union every where among our people. Tiie.se truly are encourag ing signs for our cause. In Federaldom. many things have happened lately which should lyiim.ilo us. Tlie growing opporition to Lincoln. The ilierouse of the ponce party. The mustering out of the Ninth Federal Army Corps. Tho general indispose tien manifested by the Federal soldiers to lc enlist . The depreciation of Lincoln’s promi. es to pay. Tho careful manner in which Lincoln's adherents treat their opponents in the Federal Congress. The dissatisfaction which has begun to show itself in ,»U sections. The reluctance with which the people enlist notwithstanding ti c groat bounties offered. The advance of tvdd in Now York. These, truly are encouraging sign* for our cause. There are pleasant notes also wafted across the ocean from Europe. A British court of jus tice refuses to ratify and endorse the eontemp tible meauno-s and cowardice of theliritiili Cabinet. Anew trial is refused in the case of the ship AlexaudV i, and that vessel will ho ic -1 eased from tho clutches of Mr. Seward’s lit i - the “so called" Karl Russell. Th6sud den advance of the t \>nf. derate loan in F.aglatul from forty to titty cents. Ihe growing dtsld e ill the French Court of Seward and his acts. These, truly are encouraging signs for onr came. LUtle affairs oftentimes foreshadow the com ing of great events, l ire little incidents which have lately transpired both at home and abroad have been of a very promising nature. I ndei their inllonee, the people have, as it were, taken fresh courage nud ltope. The desponde :ie> which pervaded our land Si giving way. The people look more cheerful. They talk more hopeful, t'n tho whole, the future smiles pro pitiously on our cause. One grand, patriotic, aud successful struggle in the coining campaign and the crisis will be passed and the victory ours. Soldiers’ Families. At this time, wlien tilt [jifti' necessaries of lifo are up at starving rates ami daily advancing, those at home should *,„y moro attention than ever, if possible, to the families o. f soldiers. Could those in the field be fully satisfied that their dear ones at heme were abundantly provided tor, and not allowed to suffer for the common necessaries o: lifo, tho efficiency of our armies would be greatly increased. The spirits of the melt ■would be more buoyant, and much more en thusiasm would hj manifested. Not only ■would this be so, but wo would have less o. desertion. Let those at home then, not dis honor themselves or tho cause by forgetting soldier's families, or allowing them to want. Thb timk roll G.vbuexi.no is now at hand, and we urge it upon all good folks to plough oi spftde (ip their gardens at once, and utter hav iug pulverized and otherwise prepared the soil, to sow all manner of seeds, taking care to have plenty of vegetables rather than a sparse crop for the supply of home wants. The products of a garden are never a drug, and they arc not only conducive to health at an .article ol food Jmt positively preventive of sickness. Ora Cause and oi k Out ntky require that ev ery man »hould do his utmost. We all have one country and one desti ly. Those who have wealth must pour it forth, those who have strong arms must use them, and those who hats both wealth aud strength must exert them. Let every man do h:s best, either as a or soldier. as a civil pffieer or a leader pf our armies, in the workshop, on the farm, V« She office, aud in the pulpit, for a mighty foe it striving to overthrow the liberties of out country and to destroy us from among the peo. pie of the earth. I ivreniua uiktora ok the fall of Vlt KSUUW. In re p use to a resolution of the House on the lib ol January, oopies of the correspond j cnee between the President and Gen. Joseph L. Johnston, together with that of the Secreta ry of War and the Adjutant and Inspector Gen . ‘*ral, during the months of May, June and July, I 1803, have been distributed among the lnem ! bers. The correspondence is quite voluminous, embracing as it does over sixty pages, and eov- j eringail the letters and telegrams which pass- • ed between the executive aud Gen. Johnston, from the time the latter was assigned to the ; command of the army in Mississippi until the 31-t of July, nearly one month after the fa'*l of Vicksburg. fn the early part of the correspondence tbo (’resident urged upon Gen. Johnston the neces sity of making an efT.rrt for the relief of the garrison in Vicksburg, anil on May 2 Lb he sent Gen. .L a dispatch in response to one from the latter, in which he expresses confidence in Gen. iVmbeiton's tenacity. Again, on the 28th of May, tiie I’resident telegraphed that he had withheld nothing from him which it was prac ticable to give; that numerical equality was not to be hoped for, and that time would prob- ably increase the disparity. On the same date Gen. J. telegraphed, t.iat with the reinforce ments reported coming he would have 23,000 men; that “Pemberton could be saved only by beating Grant;” that if the President oould not procure more troops lie must try with that number, but that “the odds against us will bo j very great.” In a subsequent dispatch, ho . states that his whole available force against ! Grant was 24,100 men. He asked for the ap pointment of a Major General for tin* Missis sippi, and stated bis preference for Gen. Cad mus Wilcox, and the Department responded by sending Got). French. Tblsappervs to have been the first point of difference, as Gen J. suggested to the President that his troops were hostile to officers of Northern birth, and thought that on that account Maj. Gen. French's arrival would weaken iustogd of strengthen the army. The President ip* reply §a}4 tijat Gen. | Fiein h was a eitis-n of Mississippi, and was a J wealthy planter until the Yankees robbed him, .fcc. J lie next point of difference seems to have been with reference to tho geographical limits oi Gen. Johnston’s Military Department, that officer conceiving that his transfer to Mississip pi relieved him from the command of the Con federate forces in Tennessee. President Davis stated that his order to go lo Mississippi did not diminish Gen. Johnston’s authority in Tennes see. * On tho 15th of June, General Johnston tele graphed from Jackson, Mississippi, to the Sec retary of War, that he could not advise In re gard to the points Irom which troops could be taken, having no means of knowing; that it was lor the Government to determine which it was best to yield, Tennesseo or Mississippi; that without some great blunder of tho enemy, both could not bo held. The President finally wiote a letter to Gen. Johnston, in which lie reviewed at length all tT. points of difference between them. He al ludes to the latter’s assignment to a di fined ge ographical command, by Special Order No. 275. which order described the command asin eliKliog a portion of Western North Carolina and Northern ocorgi i, the States of Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, and that portion of the tate of Louisiana east of the Mississippi. Wo make the following extract from this letter; When I learned that prejudice and malignity had so undermined tho confidence of tho troops at Vicksburg in their commander ns to threaten disaster, i deemed the circumstances such as to present tiio case iorcseeu in Special Order No. '75, that you should repair, in person, to any part of said command whenever your presence might bo for tho time necessary or desirable. \ on were therefore ordered, oil the fit i May, to “proceed at once to Mississippi and take chief command of the forces, giving to those in tho field, as far ac practicable, the encourage ment and benefit of your personal direction.” Somo details were added about reinforce ments, but not a word affecting, in the remot est degree, your authority to command your geographical district. Ou tin* -Itli Juno you telegiaphed to the Sec retary of War in response to his inquiry, say ing "mv only plan is lo relieve Vicksburg. My force is far too small for tlie purpose. Tell me it you can increase it, and how much. To which lie answered, outlie sth, “I regret ina bility to promise more troops, as wo have drained resources even to the danger of seve ral points. You know best concerning Gen. Bragg's army ; but 1 fear to withdraw more. We are too far outnumbered in Virginia to spate any.” &e., Ac. On the bth of June the Secretary was more explicit, if possible. lie said : “Do you ad vise more reinforcements fiorn Gen llragg? Von, ns commandant of tho department, have power so to order, if-you, iu view of the whole ease, so determine. On the 10th June, you answered that it was for the Government to dete iuine what depart ment could furnish the reinforcements ; that you could not know how Gen. Bragg’s wants compared with your ; and that the Government coma make the comparison. Your statements that the Government in Richmond was better able to judge of the relative necessities of the vrmies under your command than you were, itui the further statement, that you could not know how Gen. Bragg's wants compared with yours, wore considered extraordinary ; but. as t icy were accompanied by the remark that die Secretary's dispatcli had been imperfectly deciphered, no observation was made on them tilt the receipt of your telegram to the Secre tary of the 12th inst., stating “I have not con sidered myself commanding in Tennessee since assignment hero, and should not have felt authorized to take troops from that de partment. utter having been informed by the Executive that no more could bo spared." My surprise at these two statements was ex treme. You had never been ••assigned’’ to the Mississippi command. You went there under the circumstances and, orders already quoted, and no justification whatever is perceived for your abandonment of your duties as command ing General of the geographical district to which you were assigned. Orders as explicit as those under which you were sent to the west, and under which you continued to act up to the 9th May, when you were directed to repair in person to Mississippi, van only be impaired or set aside by subsequent orders equally explicit 1 and your announce ment that you had ceased to consider yoursell changed with the control of affairs in Tennes see, Uvause ordered to repair in person to Mis sissippi. both places being within theeommand io which you were assigned, was too grave to be overlooked ; and when to this was added the assertion that you should not have felt au thorized to dra.v troops from that department. (Tennessee) “ after being informed by the Ex ecutive that uo more could he spared," I was unable to account for your language, being en tirely confident that i had never given you anv such information. 1 shall now proceed to separate your two >tatements, and begin will that which relates to your " not considering” yourself command ing in Tennessee since assignment “here” —i. e., in Mississippi. When you received my telegram of the 15th os June, informing you that - the orders to go to Mississippi did not diminish your au thority iu Tennessee, both being in the coun try placed under your command in original as signment," accompanied by an inquiry about the information, said to have been derived from me. restricting your authotity to transier troops, vour answer on the 16th June, was . •■ I meant to tell the Secretary of War that I considered the order directing me to command here as limiting my authority to this depart ment, especially when that order was accom^a- AUGUSTA, GA., “WEDNESDAY HOMING, FEBRUARY 24, 1864. j nied by War Department orders transferring j troops from Tennessee to Mississippi.” i This is, in substance, a'repetitiou of the pie- I vious statement, without any reason bciuggiven for it. The fact of orders being sent to you to transfer some of the troops in your department from ont jioint to another, to which von were* proceed! ig in person, could give no possible ground Ur your “considering” that special or der No 2M was rescinded or modified. _ Your command of your geogrephical district did not make you independent of my orders as your superior officer, and when you were di r* cted by me to take troops with you so Miss issippi, your control over tbe district to which you were assigned wins in no way involved.— But the statement that troops were transferred from Tennessee to Mississippi by ordeis of the War Department, when you were directed to repair to the latter State, gives but half the fact ; for, although you were ordered to take with you three thousand good troops, you were tolil to ii place them by a greater number, then j on their way to Mississippi, nn I whom yoU were ! requested to divert to Tennessee. Tin* purpose being to hasten reinforcements to Pemberton, without weakening Bragg. This was in defer ence to your own opinion that llragg could not be safely weakened—nay.* that lie ought even to be reinforced at Pemberton’s expense, for you had j tisl ordered troops from Pemberton’s command to reinforce Bragg. I differed in opinion from you, and thought Vicksburg far more exposed to danger titan Bragg, and was urging forward reinforcements to that point both from Carolina and Virginia, bi fore you were directed to assume command in person in Mississippi. I find rotbing, then, either in your dispatch of the 16lb June, nor in any subsequent com munication from you, giving a justification tor your sayi ig that you “had not considered your self commanding in Tennessee since assignment here.” (i. e., in Mississippi.) Y’our dispatch ot the sth it st , is again a substantial repetition of the sane statement, without a word of rea son to justify it. You say, “I considered my assignment to the immediate command in Mis sissippi as giving me anew position, and limit ing my authority to this department.” I have character zed this as a grave error, aud, in view of all Lie (acts, cannot otherwise regard it. I mult add that a review of your corres pondence: shows a constant desire on your part, beginning early in January, that 1 should change the order, placing Tennessee and Mis sissippi in| one command, under your direction, and a constant indication on my part, w henev er 4 wrote on the subject, that, in my judgment, the public service required that the two armies should be subject to your contro'. In the cloticittsiou of this letter tho President says: j Iff ho nj inner, l>v no act, by no language, ei ther of myself or of the Secretary of War, lias your authority to draw troops from on? portion of your department to another been withdrawn, restricted, or modified. Now, that Vicksburg, lias disastrously fallen, this subject would present no pressing demand for attention, and its examination would have been postponed to a future period had not your dispatch ot the sth instant, with its persistent repetition of statements which I had informed you were erroneous, and without adducing a single fact/to su-tain them, induced me to ter minate the matter at once by a review of all the facts, ihe original mistake in your tele gram of the 12th Jain! would gladly have been overlooked, as accidental, if acknowledged when pointed out. Tiie perseverance with which they have been insisted oil has not permitted me to pass them by a;; ;*. rr.ei’O oversight, or by refraining from an answer to seem to admit the justice of the siatement. Tiie remainder of the correspondence lias re ference to the operations of our own and tbo enenjy s forces subsequent to the fall of Vicks burg. 11KLIEF OF M HUM H'M.OUtUH-U fUTIAU OF DIIIECTOItS. Richmond, Feb. 8, 18(14. A meeting of the Board of the “Association for the Relief of Maimed Soldiers,” was held tins cvon.Dig, ill the oljiec of Dr. Minnegeroile, St. Paul’s Church. Dr. C. K. Marshall, (President,) called the board to order. The following resolutions were offered by ltev. Dr. Minnegeroile, and adopted : Ist. Resolved, That general agents he ap pointed in jthe different States of this Confed eracy, to j solicit and co lect the necessary funds for this association, with power to nom inate sub {agents to canvass tho countes of their respective States. These sub-agents to receive their appointment from the Board of Directors ; no agent or sub agent being per mitted to act without such appointment, signed by the President or Vice Presidents of this Association. 2d. Ri.sot.vep, That all general agents are to make monthly reports to the Treasurer of this Association, and report to the Board of Directors at their stated meetings. 3d. li.Kspi.VKß, That all clergymen, acting under the resolution of the parent society, re questing them to present the claims of this As sociation, and receive collections from their congregations, may report to the general agent, or iransmit by draft the tuuds so received, to the Treasurer, Win. 11. Mcfarland, Richmond Virginia. On motion of Dr. J. B. McCaw, it was Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary be instructed to offer to persons willing to act as agents, suitable compensation tor their ser vices, which compensation shall be determined upon by the Bo ird of Directors. Ou motion ot Dr. J. B. McCaw, it was Resolved, That the manufacturers if artifi cial limbs throughout the Confederacy are in vited to send into tlie Board of Directors, as soon as practicable specimens of their work, with proposals, stating the number they can furnish, and itiue.and place of delivery, with cost of same. On motion of Dr. C. 801 l Gibson, it was Resolved, That Surgeons Cabell and Davis, of Charlottesville, be requested to serve, this Association as inspectors of artificial limbs, made bv Messrs, Wells & Cos., for persons au thorized by the Association to receive them, and that they be empowered to draw upon, or to endorse the draft Jof the manufacturers, on the Treasurer, for the respective amounts, after satisfactory inspection. On motion of Dr. S. T. Moore, it was Resot[ved, That disabled so diers, desirous of obtaining artificial limbs, may make appli cation to Dr. W. C. Carrington, Corresponding Secretary, and, on furnishing a statement iu writing,of their residence, regiment and com pany, With time ami place of losing their limbs, shall receive au order for such limbs as may need. On motion of Rev. Dr. Minnegerode, it was Rksollvkd, That the President be appointed a couiukutee to report, at the next meeting, a system of rules foe the government of this Board. On motion, it was Resolved, That Messrs. Jas. I). Apperson. Thomas W. McCance, An drew Johnson, and John Enders be requested to act as a committee to wait upon the citizens of Richmond, aud receive such donations as they may wish to bestow upon this enterprise, tin motion of Mr. John Euders, it was Resolved, That the Board of Directors meet montl ly, on the first Monday night of each month, iu the office of Rev. Dr. Minnegerode, St. Pa tl’s Church. On motion of Dr. Mooie, the meeting ad j journitd to meet next Monday night at 8 o’clock. C. K. Marshall, President. 0, F. Wkisigeb, Secretary. The New York Commercial states that there are 2 ),000 Southern people sojonrning in that city and its environs. Brooklyn, Hoboken and Jersey City—mostly refugees—divided into three classes, the Secessionists, the No-»idere, and the Unionists. Thomas J. Durant, formerly U. S. District Attorney for Louisiana, has joined Lincoln and become’prominent in negro meetings in New Orleans to organize an Abolition State Gov ernment —he is spoken of for Governor. A correspondent writing North from Port | Royal m relation to the confiscated land sales. ! save : •• I tear the colored man would not be | mm h beuefitted by the change ; that there is Ino chance tor any one but Government officials an 1 military officers, and a few Northern sharp ers. to become acquiantedjwitbjthel sands or to attend’ the sale ; j What toe Citizens of tub Sobt: may Ex | tect —The supporters of L'ucoin believing j I that the South is already conquerjl and in t their relentless grasp, have lately spike n out more boldly in regard to their plain and de signs. They do not now endeavor ti conceal their foul intentions as they did at first, but openly show that this war is carried on by them for the purpose of depriving the residents ol the South not only of their slavis but ol their landed property, also. The ucctUof the Federal armies has induced the Lineiln gov ernment to drop the mask with which it has heretofoie covered up its movements. The people of the South cau now read, witiiut any mistake, the fate in store for them it C; al low themselves to lie subjugated. Tlu“ ki 1 mend Dispatch remarks llins on “the “ punish ment designed for Southern traitors” by the Abolition dynasty of the North ; The lion. Win. Whiting, Solicitor of the Fed eral War Department, whose letter in favor of the entire confiscation of the property of per sons within the Confederate lines, without dis criminating as to loyalty and disloyalty, has been published, has published a work of more durable form on the “ War Powers of tbe President.” This work derives its importance chiefly from the fact that its author is a high official of the Federal Government, and that his first letter on the subject has been endorsed and acted upon by that Government. The ch i' ct, end and aim of the work may be found in the following pithy and far seeing sentence : “ The circumstances which the rebellion has forced on the Government are making great and important changes, and among the most import uit of these is the salo of the lands of the absconding rebel-’, and the effect which tho guilt of treason will have upon the rights of their descendants after the rebellion shall have been suppressed and the Union restored.” Solicitor Whiting, discussing the subject and effect of “bills oi attainder,” says there are essential characteristics which distinguish them from ali oilier penal statutes. First. “They always inflict the penalty of death upon the of fender, or of outlawry, which is equivalent to death.” Second. “They are always ex postfac to laws, being passed after the crime was com mitted which they are to punish.” Third “They never allo.v the guilt or innocence of the persons attainted to be ascertained by trial, but the guilt is attributed to them by act ot Parliament.” Fourth. “They always inflict certain penalties, among which were corruption of blood and lot feiture of estate.” The essence of attainder was in corruption of blood. Mr. Whiting says : a*. •■Unless a law of Congress shall contain these four characteristics, penalty of death or out lawry, corruption of blood, and the legislative, not judicial, condemnation, embodied in a law, it is not a bill of attainder under the sense of the Constitution.” ’the Constitution provides that no bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed liy Congress; and that r.o State shall pass any bill of attainder, ex pout facto law. or law impairing the obligation of con tracts.” There is, therefore, says Mr. Whiting, •‘no power in this country to pass any bill of attainder.” He says ; “In the technical law statutes were called bills of attainder only when . tile y inflicted the penalty of death or outlawiy; while statutes which inflicted only forfeiture, lines, imprisonment, and similar punishments, were called l>ills of pains and penalties.” The United States statutes of 17DO isas follows: “If any person or persons owing allegiance to the Unitt and States of America shall levy war against them, or shall adhere to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort, within the United States or clsewheie, and shall be thereof convicted. on I'r.l)or i;, COU.t. OI Oil b..„ 'Oil - mony of two witnesses to tho said overt act. of j the treason whereof lie shall stand indicted, such person or persons shall be adjudged guilty of treason against the United States, and shall suffer death.’’ The law passed at the last session of Con gress July, 1802, to meet tlie case of the pre sent “rebellion,’’ says in section Ist : ‘ Per sons committing treason shall buffer one of two punishments ; 1. Either deatli and freedom to his slaves; or 2. Imprisonment not less than live years, line not less than ten thousand dol lavs, and freedom of slaves ; the fine to be collected out of any personal or real-estate ex cept slaves.” The second section says : ‘'ln dicating rebel'ion or engaging in it, or aiding those who do so, is punishable by imprisonment not more than ten years, line not more than ten thousand dollars, and liberation of slaves.” Section fifth makes it the duty of the Presi dent to cause the seizure of all the property real and personal, of several classes named, and apply the same to tho support of the army. First. Rebel army and navy officers. Second. GovcrnmentolKcersof Confederate State in their national capaciy. Third. Confederate State olfi cers. Fourth. United States officers turned trai tors. Fifth. Anyone holding any office agency, national, State, or municipal, under the rebel Government, &c. Sixth. Persons who own property in loyal States, iti Territ >r es, or in the District of Columbia, who shall hereafter assist, aid, or comfoit such rebel lion. faction sixth is the most important portion of tlie law. and is as follows :—“Any persons within tlie United Statesnotabove named, who are engaged iu armed rebellion, or aiding or or al>filing it, who shall not, within six ty days after proclamation by the President, cease to aid, countenance and abei said rebellion, shall be liable to have all their property, person al and rea ! , seized by (he President, whose duty it shall he to seize and use it or the proceeds thereof. All transfers <~f such property made moie than sixty days after tlie proclamation are declared null. The Presidents’.* proclamation, in accordance with and founded on the above act, issued July 25, 1862, makes it, as Mr. Whiting says :—“One of the most, important acts ever passed by the Congress of the United States.” There is to be a “ loyal” religion, or uo re ligion at all, in the subjugated territory, and the people subjugated are not to be free to worship the Almighty as tiiey please. Tho New York Examiner announces that the Sec retary of War has given full and lot null au thority to tho American Baptist Home Mission Society to take possession of every abandoned Baptist meeting house within the limits of tho insurrectionary district, and of every other Baptist edifice now in the hands of the rebels. The Examiner adds : “ This great authority was obtained through the agency of the Home Mis sion Secretary and Senator Harris, and the Home Mi-sion Board will need pre-eminent wisdom and energy, besides many men and much means, adequately to meet their new re sponsibilities. The Baptist population of the seceding States is probably larger than that of any other denomination, and hundreds of abandoned Baptist pulpits will be open to loy al Baptist ministers of the North. This is an important movement, and it is to be hoped that every rebel Baptist, (if there are any such,) as well as every abandoned Baptist meeting house, will speedily be restored to loyalty. ’ Lincoln's Claims to Re-Election. —The New York World says Lincoln is a proper candidate lor the Presidency on tho part of the Black Republicans, for the following reasons : •■l. He proclaimed as a necessity of P ar ’l action an “irrepressible conflict" between the interest of one section and the fanaticism o the others. 2. He has announced that there is no jaw 1 the United Stages bnt the will of a majori >_• 3. He writes worse English than any 1 resi dent we have ever had. _ . 4. He is as great a strategist as he is a states mah, and has distinguished himself equally m war and in jurisprudence. 5. Since Archy, the king’sjester, no man has used such an abnndance of stores, from in bioad smuttv to the diluted Joe Miller. “Bhu.ll parts so various ai.u at nothing new : He’ll shme a joker aud a ruler too. 6. He is used to all the violations ol tne Constitution that are possible to any President, and bv a frequent practiice does easily unu which may come awkwardly to any oilier mao. 7. There never has been an official so true to his party, and it will be proof of the in = ra V tude of shoddy and abolitionism if they do not re nominate him - ” It is reported that a list of fifteen Major Generals, among whom are Generals Bueb Dew Wallace. Stahl and Sigel, has been haaaed to Lincoln for dismissal from the service. Bm ne so far has declined to issue the necessary.or dtrs. Decision* under the Conscript Act.—We find in the Savannah News the decision of Judge E. J. Harden in the Distiict Court of the Confederate States for the Southern District of Georgia. November term. 1863, on the hearing of the petition of Robert Stunt, who had been enrolled as a conscript. Stunt, in bis petition for discharge claimed that he is a subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, having his domicil in Great. Futtaim and that his deten tion as a conscript by the military officer is il legal. It appears that Stunt landed in Boston in LS-37 ; that in about a year afterwards he n moved to Savannah, where be lias ever since remained, following the trade ol house carpen ter . that iu IS6I he inatrie.l a Jady s « of ».•*..1-*ia : that’ in -C'v i rlugfafid its his home and of his intention (o return ; that in 1862,' lie liud his affidavit, under the law of Georgia, that he tvas, and intended to continue an alien, tic. lie made three several attempts to leave the country, hut failed in each. Tho War Department in General orders No. 82, datidNovember, 1862, says: “Foreigners not doiveiled in the Confederate States are not lia bh to enrollment. Domicil in the Confederate Stitos consists in residence with intention per myiently to remain in those States, and to nlatulon domicil elsewhere.” The case turned oi the meaning of the word “domicil’’—the petitioner contending that his domicil was in Etgland. The Judge gave as the best defmi tim of the word, “a residence at a particular phee, with intention to remain there for an urlimited time.” We quote from the decision : In Stunt’s case, I believe it likely lie made at hast one honest effort to return to England. I an doubtful whether at that time, March, 1801, lm domicil was here or in England. 1 incline to think it was here. His object in coining hire is presum. and to have been to better his l’or ttne. No satisfactory proof appears, to show that he was not doing well here. Soon after hit first attempt to leave, the troubles, which before bad been threatening, resulted in open war ; but, for some time afterwards, there was nc’diffienlly in his getting a passport to return, though the Northern States to Europe. HL wiiit ot means has been relied ou ; but this argument operates both ways. If he came line to make money, the object was not, of ne ce-sity, a temporary one. In the before men tioned case of Bruce v. Bruce, Lord Thurlow said : “ A Brjtir.li man settles as a merchant abroad —be enjoys tiie privileges of the place —ife may mean to return when lie lias made hi* fortune ; but if he die in the interval, will it to maintained that he had its domicil at homo?” Judging him by all nis declarations and all his acts happening before it was his in terest to make and do them, for the purpose of avoiding service in the army, where is the proof of intention to return by a definite time ? If there was no definite time fixed, or no tem porary business detaining him, then, according to the definition o; domicil, be was domiciled here, it L said he had money due him, which ho could not collect; but this, I understand, was after the war ; and it is a contingency to which residence in auy place would have sub ject’d him. 11 does not appear that he invested motley here, nor does it appear that he had any to invest. It was a risk which ho must have foreseen when lie came ; and I cannot re gard his want ot means as that sort of con straint which ought to have prevented domicil attaching to him here. The Judge fuitlier remarks : So iul 1 tl.l*. *!'.•■ *. .ion ot tits in winch *- the most’ signuisant in | the case. It is one of the tests of domicil. It is true, if his domicil hud then been iu England, tiie marriage would have transferred Die dom icil of the wile to tbo same place. But, in a rase of doubt, lnartiage is one of the indicia by wh ch to fix t‘ e husband’s intention to remain where lie marries, it would lie hard to visit upon an undoiniciled pmson, unable to get away, (lie inconvenience of celibacy, and to say be must not marry, on pain of losing nis nation ality of origin; but it cannot oi cape observa tion, that, in so important a relation as marri age, Mr. Stout rinds evidence of an understand ing between himself and his wife soon after the’ marriage, mil none before it, that she was to go with him to England. If he had intended, before the nuptials, to return to England, he ought to have told her so; and if he did so tell her, wiiy is the evidence of it not to bo had ? It was said, again, that the refusal of Stunt to exercise political rights here raised a pre sumption that lie never intended to become a eitiy.cn. Admit it. and what ilocs that prove in regard to domicil in the sense in which I have been considering it? The question is where is his home? —not where Ids paranumut allegiance may he due. If a war were to arise between this country and Great Britain, 1 suppose he would be p rmitled to return at once to the country from which he has never thrown off allegiance in its highest sense; but choosing to make his home here, he is, for tbe purpose of obedience to onr laws, treated as a citizen of the Confederate States. Again, it was said that the existence of war threw obstacles in tlie way of Stunt’s intended departure ; and it was argued that this imped iment of the war ought not to he visited upon him ; and it was further argued that this state of war was calculated to prevent thcprocuie incut of evidence which might otherwise have been had. These tilings may all he true ; and ret, there is a counter consideration ol no little weight, which is this : Stunt’s first attempt to vet away was alter the secession of Georgia and some others of the seceding Sttaes. If his de s:re to get away hdd no respect to threatened troubles in the country, still, tho events which soon alter followed wore well calculated to warn a prudent alien residing hero lo excersise great caution in respect not only to the fixing of his true position iu the Confederacy, hut to the evidence by which that position might bo shown. Stunt’s marriage under the circumstances was not a measure of that sort, it heflid not con template a domicil here. The country in which he was and now is, needed tlie services of all persons resident in it. That country owed them protection, and in return claimed their obedience. The difficulty of rendering protec tion increased with the increasing ferocity of the struggle. That was the time, when a for eigner contracting marriage here, and carrying on his usual pur suits, should have given such evidence of his true status towards the Confed erate States as to leave no doubt of his posi tion. Ido not pretend that the case is free man difficulty ; but tho result of my investiga tion is that the petitioner must be remanded. Murder by the Y ankees. —A correspondent of the Wilmington Journal follow ing particulars of the hanging of a citizen of Chowan country by the Yankees: Some time last year the Yankees went to Dr. Leavy’s house and carried off all his negroes and liis provissions. This year, with the help of his children, he managed to raise a sufficient crop for the maintenance of himself and family. About five or six weeks ago, the Buffalos being on a raid in Chowan, went to tho Dr.'s house and demanded his com. He refused to give his consent for them to take it, and so they told Him they would break down the door and take it any how. Whereupon, the Doctor being a li-tie excited with passion, told them that he would shoot the first man that at tempted to en ter bis barn. Being a little intimidated by the Doctor's spirited manner, iliey went off without going into his barn. Shortly, however, they catne back again, accompanied by au armed body of United States marines, whom they had seen down to one of the gunboats and brought with them, probably as a show of wore ituthori ty, or it may be they thotght to iutiw'.date the Doctor in their turn. At any rate, he was no inoteuidafed in the least, and when they at tempted to go into his barn he, very unwisely, let his passion get the masteyy, and fired at them, i did not learn whether the shot took effect. Immediately upon discharging his gun, h; was seized and hanged with a rope which they had brought for the purpose, in all proba bility suspecting from w hat they knew ot his character, that he would prove as good as his word, and wishing for an opportunity to hany him. The worst feature of tne whole case w as, that they hung him in front of his own door, and in the presence of his family. They have endeavored to keep this affair very secret, for what cause 1 am not aware, for they can mur i der our citizens with impunity at any liras.— These murders at eof frequent aco irrence, . VOL. LXXVIII. —NEW SERIES VCL. XXVIII. O. if Restrictions upon Foreign Commerce. —The Cougress of tiie Confederate Slates has passed, in secret session, and the I’resident approved, a series of measures regulating the foreign commerce of the Confederate States, The in junction of secrecy having been removed from the several acts, we are enabled this morning to ptesent a synopsis of their several provis ions : An Act to Prohibit the Importation of Luxuries, or of Articles no! Necessaries or of Common . Use. 1. That from ntul after the Ist March next it shall not he lawful to import into the Confed erate States any brandy, wines or other spirits, or any other article specified in schedule A ol , the "Tariff Act,” app- oved May 21st, IStilua. nv article enumerated In schedule 1! of said act, oxc pt: All tilings for medicinal purposes; camphor, refined; pickles; molasses; spices of all kinds; toilet soaps; sugar; syrup; trimmings of gold and silver, or imitations thereof, intend ed for uniforms of officers in military service or naval service. The prominent articles of commerce rendered contraband by the foregoing sections are as fol lows : Anchovies, sardines, and all other fish pre served in oil. Brandy, wines or other spirits. Confection ery, comfits, preserved fruits, and cordials of every description. Glass, cut. Manufactures of fine wood. .Se ga rs, snuff, and all other manufactures of to bacco. All dried or preserved fruits. Argentine, al ahata or German silver, manufactured or un manufactured. Cosmetics, perfumes, etc., (not used for med icinal purposes.) Bracelets, curls, etc., com posed of hair, or of which hair is a component, brooms and brushes of all kinds. Canes and sticks. Tickles and sauces of all kinds. Card eases, pocket books, and all simi lar articles. Compositions of glass. Feathers and flowers—artificial or ornamental. Fans and fire screens. Manufactures of gold, piatina, or silver not otherwise provided for. Manufactures of pa per mache. Plated and gilt ware of all kinds. Playing cards. Prepared vegetables, etc., in cans or otherwise. The 2d section prohibits the importation of various articles enumerated in schedule C of said act, viz: Beer, ale and porter; all manu factures of lur, except caps and hats; carpets, carpeting, hearth rugs; carriages and parts of carriages; cider aud other beverages not con taining alcohol; clocks and parts of clocks; cotton laces, colton insortings, cotton trim mings, or laces of thread or other material; dolls aud toys of all kinds; fireworks; furni ture, eabiuet and household; glass, colored, stained or painted; matting of all sorts; jet and jewelry, or imitations thereof; marble pa per hangings; paving and roofing tiles and bricks; fire bricks; thread lacings and insert ing; velvets of ail kinds. Among the articles of iuxun’es, etc., in sched ule C, not declared contraband, arc Bologna sausages; chocolate; delaines; fish, fiesli, smoked, salted, dried, or pickled; ginger, in all styles; green turtle; honey; maccaroni; vermacelli, gelatine and jellies; manufactures of silk, wool, cotton and flax, not otherwise provided for; musical instruments; mustard; olives; parasols and umbrellas. Tiie 2d section prohibits tiie importation of various articles enumerated on schedule D and E. viz : Goats’ hair, or mohair, unmanufactur ed ; bannanas, coacoanuts, plantains and oran ges, cabinets of coins, etc ; diamonds and other precious stones, and imitations there if set or not set in gold or silver, or other metal ; engravings, raiait**, and rce.is, paintings and statuary, tobacco and sugars. The 4th section provides that none of tho manufactures of metal designed as either household or personal ornaments, shall bo ad mitted, and in order to confine importations to articles of necessity and of common use, the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe the maximum prices at which and within which importations ot goods, manufactured wholly or partially ot cottou, flax, wool, or of silk, and designed for wearing apparel, and not herein prohibited, may he made, and beyond which importations thereof shall not be made ; pro vided, that nothing herein contained shall he construed to prohibit any importation for the use or account of tlie Confederate Stales, or either of them ; and provided further, that this act shall not apply to any article or articles which have been or shall be shipped, without knowledge of the passage of the act before the Ist of March next, but which shall arrive in a Confederate port after that date. The sth sec tion provides for the forfeiture of double the value of all articles imported contrary to the meaning ot this act, after Ist March next , also tlie forfeiture of tlie vessel, boat, raft or car riage, and all m tides on board the same belong ing" to the owner of such prohibited|articles. The Gth section provides the penalties for the omission in the manifest or entry of any of said articles on board of any vessel or carriage arriving in the Confederate States. The 7th, Bili and Dili sections presetibe the duties of custom house officers; the penalties f.u' concealing or buying contraband articles ; and the additional oaths to be taken liy mas ters or persons having command of any vessel arriving at a Confederate port. The lilth section provides the mode of recov ering penalties and forfeitures. Tlie 11th section declares that the act shall expire on the jjay of the ratification of a treaty of peace with the United States. An Act to Impose Regulations upon the Foreign Commerce of the Confederate States, and to Pro vide for the Public Defence. The Ist section of the act prohibits the expor tation of cotton, tobacco, military and naval stoves, sugar, molasses and rice from the Con federate States, and from all places in tlie oc cupation of their troops, except under such re gulations as shall he made by tho President of the Confederate States. The 2d section provides that if any person shall put on hoard of any ve.-sel, or vehicle, or collect, for conveyance beyond the Confederate States, or into the enemy’s lines, any of the said articles, they with tlie vessel or vehicle, with the slaves and animats employed for the purpose of aiding therein, shall he forfeited, and tho offending party, aiders and abettors, shall on conviction, be deemed guilty of a high misdeameanor. and punishable by such fine and imprisonment as the court may impose. The 3d section makes it lawful to put any of said articles on any vessel or veh-cle for trans portation tis aforesaid, if a permit he previous ly obtained from an officer of the Confederate States authorized to grant tlie same. The 4th section provides for the enforcement of the provisions of the foregoing sections. The otli section authorizes the President to impose conditions to the destination and sale of articles allowed to be exported, or seized un der this act, and the investment of the proceeds in military or other supplies for tho public ser vice. It also prescribes the mode of redress of any person aggrieved by the execution of tiie law; and provides that the Confederate States, or either of them, may export any of the arti cles herein enumerated, on their own account. The sixth section confers exclusive jurisdic tion upon the district courts of the Confederate States of all suits or actions that may arise un der this act. The 7th section authorizes the President, or such officers as he in ay designate, to employ any portion of the military or naval forces of the Confederacy, or of the militia, to enforce the provisions of tho act. The Bth section provides that this act shall expire on the day of the ratification of a trea ty of peace with the United States. A Stirring Appeal —Gen. Beauregard has issued to the soldiers in his department tho an nexed Stirling appeal: Soldiers of the Department of South Caro lina. Georgia and Florida:—The term of ser vice of some of you is about to expire. You must have observed from the newspapers ot your country that your brothers iu arms of the veteran aimies of Northern Virginia and of Tennessee have ie enlisted, as was expected of such men, by entire companies, battalions, reg iments and brigades, proudly retaining the organization intact under which they have won renown. Will the men who have defended Forts Sumter and Moultrie, aud Battery Wag ner, fait to follow these examples of soldierly patriotism ? Gen. Fester has issued an order prohibiting the distillation of grain in Kentucky. FltOM MISSISisIFPI. I The Seirna Dispatch of Thursday gives the 1 annexed news: Passengers by cars report the advance guard I of the enemy to have been on Wednesday with in thirty miles of Meridian, aud that our foiees were preparing to evacuate that place, ihe baegage of troops, subsistence etc., were being rapidly removed in the direction ot Demopolis. There are exciting statements in relation to a simultaneous advance of the enemy on Mo bile, by Gen. Banks, which we believe to be without foundation. The Mobile Advertiser of Thursday remarks thus : The more we reflect upon it tie* less we are disposed to bclb ui* T.uti’ General Sherman Is marching from Mo.’ton upon this city, aud we should not be surprised to learn that having cleared his front of Confedeiates by the ruse. he lias turned his face eastward and pounced upon Meridian. It is at least one hundred and sixty miles from Morton to Mobile. It he comes in a straight line he must open new rotuls for a large part of the way. ,The country is des titute of supplies, and he must haul all his sub sistence. To do this would require a train of 3,000 wagons—one heavy ram would stop his artillery and baggage trains. If lie should succeed in getting here, and plant himself in front of our fortifications, what is he to live on? lie cannot be supplied from a base 200 miles distant. When we hear that the enemy has established a base on the coast tend opened a water communication for his sup pliers, wo shall begin to think that Gen. Sher man is serious in the enormous Hank movement he is now supposed to be making. At present .we do not credit it. Tho enemy’s force is ascertained to consist of thirty thousand iufantiy, twelve thousand cavalry and two pieces of artillery. Its desti nation is, undoubtedly. Moßilc, while a part, may, it not checked, attempt to break up our railroad communication, which, if successful, will aid them materially in their advance ou that city. The Yankees are committing all sorts of atrocities—sparing neither age, nor sex, nor condition. They have nearly destroyed Jack son by fire. Every house on State street Ins been given to the torch, leaving, indeed of the whole, only the State House and the City Hall, which they preserved they said, for their own uses. It was also so at Brandon and Clinton, both of which towns are said to be iu ruins. Other infamous outrages have also been com mittod by them. It is evident that they in tend to leave nothitiS but a track of ruins he- hind them. Some of the Federal prisoners captured front the enemy have on their hats the profane mot to, “Mobile or Hell.” No reports confirm the statement that the enemy were east of Morton station, on the Southern road. The report that a large number of Missis sippi troops have deserted their colors is said to he without foundation. Gen. Lee is harrassing the enemy. He de stroyed one train of forty wagons, near Deca tur, killing the mules and drivets. Our loss was six. His brigades are becoming encum bered with prisoneis. We learn that the enemy l as moved out a column, thirty thousand strong, east of Pearl river. Indeed we have a good reason for be lieving that they have advanced some thirty or .forty miles from Pearl river on the line of the Southern road. Our infantry force is retiring in perteot order in the direction of Meridian. — Our cavalry is in the rear of the enemy. We un derstand that the enemy are now supplied with only thirty days rations. So far all work well. There was a repott in the citv last night, which came by the train from the West, that Gen. Polk had had a severe fight with Slier man’s troops and defeated them badly. We know Hot iiow much reliance should be placed in the report, bill are of opinion, from circum stances, that lighting iias been going on for tiie last two days. An order was received here yesterday to ptepare hospital accommodations for three hundred wounded. This proves that there lias been lighting. We hear also that Gen. Forrest, with ali his available force had gone in the direction of Memphis, having ascertained that all of the white troops had been withdrawn from the place to strengthen Sherman in his movements on Meridian. This comes to us in sucli a shape that we cannot doubt it. The editor of the Mobile advertiser says, that when tho enemy has established a base on the coast and opened a water communica tion lot* his supplies, we shall begin to think Gen. Sherman is serious in the enormous flank movement he is now supposed to be making on Mobile. The large amount of rolling stock on the railroads north of Jackson is again endaDgeri <1 by the Federal movements and success in Mis sissippi. The military authorities at Mobile are col lecting a large supply of provisions to subsist upon in case of a siege by tlie enemy. The fate of Vicksburg is remembered. All the ordnance and other stores at Merid ian are being moved to Demopolis. Such pub lic property as could not probably bo removed was made ready to lie destroyed at any mo ment. All the railroad slock above Meridian was taken South. A gentleman who was with i’oik's command when it fell back from Morton, and left Merid ian on Feb. 11th, brings us sorrowful intelli gence of the ravages committed by Sherman in ids inarch through Mississippi. He is carrying out the threat, in las late Memphis speech, that lie would make the people feel his power.—— Raymond, Clinton, ail of Jackson except the public buildings, Brandon, and even the little village of Morton, were given over to the flames. On the route, many dwellings and all the outbuildings and fanning utensils were de stroyed. He desires to make the people de pendent, with a view to make submission to the military government ho proposes to establish a necessity. The archives of the Stale Government of Mississippi have been removed from Macon and Columbus to Selma, Ala. It is thought by gentlemen who reached this city last night, that the Federal forces were at or near Meridian. FROM I’iTiCit EAST TK.WKSSKK. It B impossible for tlie two armies to remain much longer inactive. ® The Federal army, under the immediate command of Gen. Cox, of Western Virginia no toriety, is massed beiow Knoxville, aud num bers about forty thousand men. The Federals in and around Knoxville have generally been on half rations. They bring their supplies from Chattanooga, by steamer to Loudon 1 and thence by rail to Knoxville. A Federal force is stationed at Loudon and a small outpost kept up at Sweetwater to cover forage and pillaging parties. The Federals are building a bridge across the Holstein river at Knoxville and are forti fying the heights east of the river. These heights command the city and its principal de fences, and were occupied in part Ly Longstreet in his siege, last fall. The Federal savages of the small pox it is said caused the Federals to change their po setion at Knoxville. Our advance is still near Knoxville and our troops in a position to maintain it. The whole of East Tennessee, South of French Broad, and West and south of Knox ville, has been pillaged, plundered and laid waste. The utmost efforts on the part of Cox’s quartermaster and commissary agents could not now glean enough of bread or meat to supply his army for ten days. There was never a moie unprincipled set of robbers in possession of any country than those who now hold Knoxville. The ward robes of ladies, their jewelry, household fur niture, stock, grain, everything, is taken, not for tiie use of the army, but for private gain. Even infants are robbed of their clothing, and the ai tides borne off to be sold for the benefit of the plunderers. Ladies have been violated, and, iu number less instances, old and infirm men have been ebjMown in their o\yn ySrds, for the crime ol hamig sons in our army. A disease called by our Physicians, Spiro meningetis has appeared among the negroes in some parts of Abbeville District, S. C. It proves to be very unmanageable, and iu nearly every instance fatal. There are several cases of small pox in Greenville, Merriwether County. It also exists in LaGrange and Columbus. ro* federate STATES COXURKSi SENATE—FF.B. 10. The House bill to increase the compensation of certain officers of the Treasury passed; a)*, with amendments, House bill for the relief of tax payers in certain cases, passed; to promote t iie efficiency of the cavalry ol the Provisional Army, Xe., passed. HOUSE. 1 lie Speaker submitted a communication from the President, covering another from tiie Sec eretury of War, in response to tesoiulion of the 12th of January, relating to the passport sys tem and citizens traveling, out of the lines of the army. The Speaker submitted anoth.-r cr. .uiunie*- tlnn from tin: I’lesnienl with nnoi! from IT'*. Secretary of \V ar, r. q.onrthig to a resolution of tiie 12lli uit., showing that the records of the War Department give no authority for the rais ing ot battalions, &e., of persons iiable to con scription, save in districts where tiie operation of the law has been suspended. i lie Speaker submitted another communica tion with the Report of the operations of Gen. John S. Williams, in Tennessee; and another responding to a resolution of the 15th uit., in . relation to the prohibition by Gen’s Sam. Joueß and Iniboden of the transportation of supplies from their military districts to Richmond. The several Executive communications were ordered to be printed. Tho Committee on Elections, reported a bill to provide for filling vacancies in Congress from the State of Arkansas. The bill was considered and passed. A bill was reported to authorize the publi cation of a digest of the laws of the Confed erate Stales—discussed till the House went in to secret session. At the night session of the House on Wed nesday the Committee of Ways and Means, re ported back the appropriat on bill for the fiscal year, ending June 30th, 1864, with the amend ments of the Senate, which were concurred in. Some additional amendments were made by the House. SENATE—FEB. 11. The Military Committee, reported back, with the recommendation that it pass, House joint resolution declaratory of the meaning of the act allowing hospital accommodation to sick and wounded officers. The resolution de elated that subsistence is included under the terms, “hospitals accommodations. The reso lution was agreed to. The same committee, reported back favoura bly the bill to amend an act entitled “An act to provide and organize Engineer troops to serve during the war. The bill was placed on tbe calendar. The same committee, reported back adver sely the bill to preserve tbe efficiency ano or ganization of the old tire companies. The same committee reported back with tho recommendation that it do not pass, the bill to abolish the office of third lieutenant in the ar my. Resolutions of thanks to re-enlisting troopa were passed. HOUSE—FEB. 11. Resolutions of thanks to various brigades, reghneuts, Ac,, who have re-enlisted for tho war, were passed, also, thanks to Gens. For rest and Stuart and men for gallantry ia tho service. A letter was read frr m a lady in Macon, Ga., who sends by express a piece of silver to Mr. Memmingcr to be coined into money to help to strengthen the currency. Senate bill to promote, efficiency of the cav alry of the provisional army, &c., referred; hill to authorize the publication of a digest of the laws of the Confederate States, amended and passed ; to provide and organize a general staff for the armies in the field, amended and passed; to provide for tee payment of horsea t illed captured, lost or disabled in the Confed erate service, passed. A motion was entered to reconsider the vote by which the House concurred iu the last amendment of the Senate to tlie prosent ap propriation bill. The House took up the bill reported from the special committee, to authorize the impress ment of meat for tlie use ot the army, under ceitain cirri urn. lances. The bill was debated and passed. [A synopsis of this bill has beeu given by telegraph.] The Speaker laid before the House a commu nication from the President, transmitting ail estimate from the Secretary of the Treasury, of the additional nun needed for the support of the Government, and recommending an appro priation of the amount. Referred to the Coin in'Ueo on Ways and Means. Also, a communication from the President in response to a resolution of tlie House, adopted on the "Ist of December, transmitting a com munication from the Secretary of War con cerning tlie corrospor dence with General Whit ing. relative to the defences of Wilmington.—■ Withdrawn, to be presented iu secret session. The Senate joint resolutions of thanks to certain Virginia troops re-enlisting for tfio war were taken up and passed. Senate amendments to House bill to estab lish certain post routes were concurred in. The House refused to agree to the Senate amendments to House bill to increase the com pensation of certain officers in tho Treasury Depavtinen t. Senate amendments to House bill for tho re lief of tax payers i:i certain cases wore con curred in. A resolution was offered to authorize tha printing of one bundled thousand copies of tho President’s address, of the (fill February, 1854, to the soldiers of the army, under the direction of tlie Secretary of War. Agreed to. A resolution was introduced calling on tho President for a copy of tlie report of General Pemberton, relating to the siege, defence and fall of Vicksburg. Agreed to. On motion the House went into secret ses sion. On Wednesday the House passed the follow ing bills : Senate bill relating to tlie allowances to officers of the navy of theConfoderateStates under certain circumstances; bill to provide for the increased price of rations for sick and wounded soldiers iu hospitals, also! joint reso lutions declaring the meaning of tlie act al lowing hospital accommodations to officers. SENATE—I-’kß. 12. The Military Committee reported a bill to provide (or the retiring officers of the army.—■ It authorizes the President, upon the recom mendation of any General commanding a de partment or array, to discharge from service any officer of the Confederate States army, or of the provisional army, who has no assigned commaui or duty, or who is incompetent or in efficient, or who may be absent from his com mand or duty without leave. The 2d section declares that the provisions of the Ist section shall not be held lo apply to officers who have become disabled by wounds or disease con tracted in the line of duty, but the 1 resident may retire such officers upon full pay during the war, or may assign them to such post or other duty as they may be able to perform. The bill passed. The “Appropriation Bill ’ having been re turned from tho House with amendments to tho amendments proposed by the Senate, tho bill was taken up and referred to the Commit tee on Finance. The House bill to increase the compensation of certain officers of the Treasury was returned from the House, with a notification of the dis agreement of that body to the Senate amend ment . The Senate insisted upon its amendment. The amendments of the House to the Senate bill to provide a general staff' for armies in tho field, were read and concurred in. The House bill to authorize the purchase and publication of a digest of the laws of the Con federate States, was considered and passed. The llou3e joint resolution of thanks to tha Virginia troops at Diewry’a Bluff, for re enlist ing for the war, was considered and unani mously agreed to. Similar resolutions of thanks tojbe 28th and 13th regiments of Nor.h Carolina troops; 3d Georgia regiment; 22nd Virginia regiment; Hart’s Battery, Hampton's Legion, south Car olina Volunteers; 16th {Mississippi, regiment, 40th and 55th regiments of Tennessee \ olun teers, at Mobile, were severally considered and unanimously agreed to. i fW fiolonei J. B. Gordon, of Alabama, llrcly confirmed as Brigadier General to com- Jnaud Lawton’S brigade, was not, on or boffir*