Newspaper Page Text
I*
THE WAR ..
of Krcu:* <rli Koth
. The Confiscation Bill hangs fire in the
Federal Congress, and it appear? that
some of the prominent Black Republican
orators are alarmed at the prospect of a
measure which may return to plague and
torment its inventors and advocates. D>
the Senate, on the 20th of Apiil, jj>r l K ‘ n '
ding question being amotion ** infertile
hill, together with all ^substitutes and
amendments, and twin on the subject,
to a select co® ,,fl ’** ee °* 8evc ”\ ., .
Mr Drowning, (Rep.) of 1)1, said if the
passage of the bill tended to crush the rebel -
lion and restore peace, c\en then lie should
hesitate- But he had a strong conviction
it would tend to exactly oppersite results.
When, in addition to tliat, lie believed its
passage would be a gross violation of the
Constitution, he could not hesitate as to
his duty, lie said his colleague complained
that the bill was misrepresented. If so it
is entirely owing to the language, which
certainly makes a sweeping confiscation.
He contended that Congress had no power
to undertake to execute any law of confis
cation. The Executive only has the pow
er to carry such a law into effect. W e
must refer to the law of nations to asertain
what property can be confiscated, and
then the Executive only can execute the
law. The laws of nations are binding on
this nation, and the obligation is expressly
acknowledgcd in the Constitution All
exigencies are fully provided for in the
law of nations much better than by any
legislation of Congress. No greater mis
take was ever made than in supposing the
Constitution in any way hampers crushing
out the rebellion by the force of strong
blows. Its passage could have no other
effect than to exasperate one side and ?om-
plicate and embarrass the other, If we
keep within the limits of the Constitution
we have no right to'pass such a bill, and
no possible advantage could result which
would equal the evils which would arise
from the violation of the great character
of our liberties, lie had labored to in
form himself what was best to be done for
the interest of the country It seemed to
him that only evil could result from any
daparture from the Constitution. "W e
must first ascertain what relation the reb
els are to sustain to us during the war.
We cannot admit them to he alien ene
mies. That would be to admit their inde
pendence and success. The rebellion
must stand in one or two relations: first
as citizens in so formidable a rebellion as
reach the dignity of civil war, in which
they must he recognized as belligerents
and public enemies while the war lasts
and deal with them accordingto the laws
of war, with the right to resume authority
over them when the rebellion is subdued;
or, second, to treat them as insurgent citi
zens, entitled to no belligerent rights, but
subject to the immediate conviction and
execution for treason as fast as captured.
We cannot do this last. It would simply
lead to the discriminate slaughter of pris
oners on both sides. All admit that we
must recognize them as belligerents, and
entitled to the rights of war while the
rebellion lass. If we recognize them ns
belligerents while the war lasts, we are
hound to deal with them precisely as we
would with a foreign nation. Could we
pass any such bill as this in regard to a
foreign nation, or could wc exeomte it if we
did pass it ? The Constitution declares
that no attainder for treason shall work
corruption of blood or forfeiture, except
during the life of the person attained.
Yet this hill attempts to do that very
thing, and to forfeit all property of reb
els of every kind forever. The prohibition
of the Constitution against forfeiture is im
perative; hut the hill assumes the mon
strous proposition that by assuming <ruilt
soldiers will kecoine. bervelesfc bhd impo, fottt-mhtr gunboat** recent* pre-
tent, and this great national struggle** I F^d. whose names ne does not know.---
national life will sink a ^graceful ! Besides these there were transports pre -
a.,d disastrous fail-*. Let us stand by j ent, viz : 1 he Star, the 1 ham.x he Ma
this Constitution our only safety ts the,,, »»c, the Alosier, the Algerine and several
our only hereoftriumph is there.__ Let us tugs, making
not fnt*n our obligations for its pro
J^Jh in the past, not blast all
just- expectation of continued protec
tion intlie future. Let us stand by
it in gratitude for the blessings it lias here
tofore secured to ns, and in the hope of the
blessings it shall hereafter dispence to the
unborn millions of our race. Let us prove
to our brethren in arms that we are hones
tly, and in good faith, co-opperating with
them to maintain the Constitution with all
its salutary restraints, and to uphold the
government of law, and resist the reign of
licentiousness and the confusion of anarchy
which will inveitable rush in upon us over
the shattered fragments of the Constitu
tion. Let us do this and this wicked and
stupendous rebellion will be subdued ;
the just and full authority of the Govern
ment restored, and the flag of our fathers,
the symbol of our greatness and glory,
will again float with the assent of all our
people, with not a spirit obliterated and
a star obscured, over every inch of territo
ry where it ever has waved.
Mr. Wade, (Rep,) of Ohio, presented
two petition from citizens of Ohio for con
fiscation.
From the Macon Telegraph.
The Crcal Rnvnl ISnltlr below New Or-
lea Kim.
Our city- was much enlivened on Satur
day evening by the arrival on the South
Western train, of our gallant young towns
man, Midshipman LeRoy 11. Washington,
of the C. S. N., who was engaged in the
desperate conflict between the Federal
fleet and our fleet and forts on the river
below New Orleans.
Midshipman Washington was on the
Confederate gunboat Jackson, and en
gaged in the light from the beginning un
til its disastrous termination. He has fa
vored us with the following brief state
ment of facts, which he holds himself re
sponsible for, and can maintain, notwith
standing the counter-statements made by
persons connected with the Navy but who
were not in the fight.
The Confederate fleet consisted of 12
gun boats, 1 iron-clad steamer and the ram
Manassas. Our fleet, or a portion of it,
had been anchored in the river near the
forts, for some weeks, and was there, out
of sight, protected by a point of timbered
land during the week’s bombardment of
the forts, which resulted in no further loss
on our side than six men killed in Fort
Jackson.
On Thursday morning, the 24th April,
at 3 1-2 o’clock, the Federal fleet steamed
up the river and opened on our gunboats
and both the forts, Jackson and >t. Phil
lip. The lire was vigorously returned by
our side, and in a very- short time became
perfectly furious, the enemy’s tleet and
our whole force being engaged. In about
one hour several of the enemy’s vessels
passed the forts—the first one in the ad
vance having our night signal flying,
which protected her from the fire of our,
boats, until she ran up close and opened
the fire herself. The battle raged with
great fury- until about 5 o’clock, when it
slackened oft', and the Jackson finding her
self alone and badly crippled, steamed off
up the river, pursued by the enemy’s
boats, receiving and returning fire as she
went. At about 7 o’clock, the pursuit
ceased, and the Jackson proceeded on to
New Orleans, where she was burnt by her
commander, in consequence of her being
so much disabled that she could not pro
ceed further up the river. The persons
known to have escaped were the officers
and men of the Jackson. What became
of the other vessels was not certainly
ill, he thinks, at least
twenty of our vessels that were present at
ihe* fight, and which Captain Renshaw,
of the Jackson, believed to have been all
lost.
Midshipmari Washington has thus pass
ed through two of the most terrific engage
ments, and narrowly escaped each time
unhurt. He was on the steamer ‘-Samp
son” when Commodore Tatnall’s tleet pro
visioned Fort i’uiaski, and on that occa
sion his boat, although riddled by the en
emy, succeeded in running the flic, t r the
surprise of every- body. And now he is
one of the survivors of one of the most ter
rific naval battles ever recorded. He
thinks the enemy lost at least as many
boats as we did ; say not less than fifteen
or twenty.
Federal Fonjtre**.
Wholesale Plundering of the Treasury.
We gave in Saturday's Difpalrli some account
of an exciting debate in tiie United States House
of Representatives, April ‘29tl>, on the report of
the Government Contract Investigating Commit
tee. The report of the speeches shows a whole
sale plundering of the public treasury which
will astonish many who are not familiar with the
thievish propensities of the abolition nation. We
copy it as published in the New York papers of
April 30th: . •
The House resumed the consideration of the re
port of the select Committee on Government Con
tracts.
Mr. Roscoe L. Conkling, (Rep.,) of Now York,
said he voted against raiding that committee. It
seemed none could be so honest or eminent that
it would be suitable to clothe them with the mi
heard of power asked on that occasion. It seem
ed unfit, to constitute an advisory board to super
vise questions ot integrity relating to every man
engaged in the administration of departmental af
fairs. It seemed to him a wrong commission to
take into consideration the honesty or fraud ot all
future contracts to lie entered into with any de
partment of the Government. It brought with it
grave objections, and little argument could be
lound in its favor. Experience had demonstrated
that every objection there made had been abun
dantly sustained hy the conduct ot the committee,
which had done great and irreparable injustice
both to individuals and classes. These, as v. ell as
the nation, have suffered by the declarations of
the committee. As this committee was a pioneer
experiment, and had turned out badly, they c.ou.d
dispense with it The gentleman (Dawes) had
said there was indubitable evidence of fraud well
nigh, in a single year, as much as the current ex
penditures of the Government duiing the admin
istration which the people hurled from power be
cause of its corruption. Now he (Mr. Conkling)
remarked that if any man is warranted in making
that statement, it would justify the people in re
sorting to anything but revolution to redress the
wrong. The poisoned arrows, feathered by tiie
franking privilege were shot far and wide among
the ley a States of rhe Republic. Like other re
marks and statements the gentleman (Mr. Dawes)
made, however deliberately prepared, this was
one, on mature reflection, he would be willing to
recall. The committee had proceeded on ex parte
testimony in secret. Parties never were informed
they were to be tiied, and convicted, and stigma-
office with proper dignity,
tiie purport of Ifs mission
temmeni would sustain him, ho Would save 8ii,*
000,000 more. There are $10,000,<);;(> saved by
the Commission on ordnance contracts, appointed
OU tiie evidence taken by this committee ftid on
its recommendation. Among other things, we
will save a sum ot two millions. Thus a sum of
twelve millions will be saved to the country by
the committee—as large a sum as it cost to cany
on the government o: John Quincy Adams lor
one year. Aud yet we are held up here as spend
ing the peopm’s money. Ytsaud how much have
we expended.- Twenty thousand dollars But
I will not talk about trivial expenditures for trnt-
el—That we should be met with opp siiion, with
all this obloquy, we very well understood—We
knew whose pa'hs we crossed: we knew that the
Contractors, and the thieves, and the plunderers,
who had the Treasury by the throat, would be at
our heels, and we well knew, also, who were their
sympathizers and abattors, both in this House
and out of this House. We, of course, did cot
expect their approval. They do not like the com
mittee and its labors! O’no!
No thief ever felt the halter draw
With good opinion of the law.
The member from Illinois continued in a similar
strain for some time. Alter he concluded—
Mr Holman, (Opp) of Indiana as a member of
the irelect Committee, briefly referred to the he-
ligerents in this debate, and after declaring his
coolness and dispassionateness, proceeded to vin
dicate the report, especially as to what it says about
the-transaction of Alexander Cummings of whom
he spoke as the protege of Mr. Cameron, and who
had been put forward to shield his principal As
to the purchase of horses, not one-fourth ot those
purchased in Pennsylvania and Louisville were
serviceable. There was in this no evidence of j perty, and did not concern outsiders
fidelity to public interest
Mr. Morehead, (Rep,) of Pa.,protested against | to spite his face. T
such sweeping denunciations, If any persons I judged different!
were guilty, let them he exposed, and he would
:ral citizens to prevent violence being offered to tills is very tlcsiri
he rash ambassadors of an execrated dynasty and , • • c t t
The Mayor received the Federal officers in his It tilts to till,, tight,
Capt, Bay lies stated
Inj? rain, followed by a fuHdos fttui incited ffiob. , tloti Bill j Sditift are JtlefieCfl with it, fttul
Though no violence wns offered to the officers, I others ngnln condemn it loudly, saying all
certain persons who were sospcct^ of favormg i f f H thi about it; but one
tb+ir mil cause were set upMi wit a giear ** . . . o _
fury, and very roughly handled. On srriving at , thing is certain, it answers the purpose—
the"Ciry Hall, it required the intervention ot sev j{ keeps the troops in tiie field, and at tills
eral ciuzens to p-event violence being offered to this is verv desirable.
however, is a genc-
al one, and by general wc mean, it it ex
ile had been sent by tends along tlie whole line, there will
Capt. Farragut to demand the surrender of the j oa htles8 he mourning in Georgia from
P^offi^’S Dan to Bee,-Sheba, from the fact that there
Mint, atid theCIm Hall. The Mayor teplied that , are as many us twenty to twenty three
he was not the military commander of the city. Georgia regiments in the army of the Pe-
that he had no authority to suirender it. and would n j p8U | a> Gt.d grant that the people will
not. do so, but that there was a military commander ,t?. ,i
in the city, and he would send for him, to receive he earnest at the throne of Gtace til then
and reply to the deman^ supplications in our behalf.
A messenger was dispatched to Gen. Lovell.— ; Daily the roar of cannon is to be heard,
In the interval a number of citizens who were a ] so t [ le crash of musketry ; we are becont-
conversation with the L.b. na- ■ _T _ j- , .
the hands of scoundrels.—Thus the committee is
destroying the very interests we were trying to
build up w
Mr. Holman referred to Mr. Cameron's patron
age to the Pensylvania Central Railroad, which
was enormous, as exhibited hy the figures. The
employment of Mr. Cummings in connection with
the transportation showed that Mr. Cameron was
willing to advance the interests of his own family
at the sacrifice of the public good.
Mr. Morehead inquired if Mr. Cummings was
a member ot Mr. Cameron’s family.
Mr. Holman replied that the ll'urhl newspaper,
of which Mr. Cummings was manager, was the
most noisy in supporting Mr. Cameron’s transac
tions. On the subject of arms, Mr. Cameron had
made contracts amounting to 430,000 00, and on
which the profits would have been $5 .000,000
over and above the legitimate profits; yet Mr. Cam
eron had denied ever making a contract. Against
these abuses General Ripley had stood up like a
Roman—like a breakwater against the tide of cor
ruption. •
Mr. Morehead said, on the 2’2d of June, less
than one month before the battle of Bull Run,
General Ripley, in the belief that the arms would
not he wanted, that there could not be much of
a war, disposed ot 10,000 rifled musket), as good
as any in tiie world, to Mr. Colt, in exchange for
pistols. Mr. Camerom directed them to he brought
back at the price paid for them.
Mr. Holman asked whether the gentleman did
not know that Mr. Cameron made contracts, for
;*;;J0 000,000 worth of arms to mere stock brokers
and speculators. Inconclusion.he censured the
Secretary of the Navy in the matter of purchasing
vessels, and refered to other matters discussed in
in ilie report of the select committee.
Mr. Dawes, (Republican) of Massachueets,
trusted the House, forgetting the personalities in
duced in to-day, would return to the direct issue
tized, and hung up to fester in infamy ; and, as a j before them. It was said the exposures made by
nterva
present, got into conversation wit It tne u.o. na- , 7 ,
val officers. The Lieutenant seemed to be a cour- 1 mg ™e<l to the sound, at a distance, and
tents well behaved gentleman, who bore testimony are anxious to a man, that the fight should
with apparent earnestness to the vigor and valor - begin and be over as the suspense is most
ot the defence of our forts, and was quite comma- awful, always expecting, ever on tiie
nicative. The senior officer was more reserved, . . r i * .
point of realizing and yet never grati
fied.
Major Gene-ral Magruder sent to the
original army of the Peninsula, the other
day, his valedictory o r der, lie is now in
command of'the rig-lit wing, it was beauti-
. ful and touching, couched in terms full of
i he Mayor remarked that he ditlered 8 yuj. )a t]iy a nd interest for his late com-
nn; that the destruction was of our own pro- *. .. -. i
and did not concern outsiders. Capt. Bay- mand, and, at (he same time, it was sol
ves replied that it looked like biting off one's nose dierly and manly. 1 hough by some,
The Mayor replied that we had ; General Magruder is severely denounced,
-, T , c i but yet, every man has his enemies as
were gumy, tt-i mem oe exposeu, :mu no „u<nu i Atter awhile, Gen. Lovell arrived in front ot , , , • i _
go as tar as any one for punishing them: If such the City Hal!, and was greeted with loud cheers I well as his friends; but he is every inch a
charges continue to bo indulged honest contrac- by the crowd outside. On entering the Mayor s i gentleman and as brave and gallant as pos
ters would be driven out, aud, business fell into | office, Capt. Baylies introduced himself as second \ gjhle for man to be. He certainly- deserves
but still more 1 rge in professions of peaceful in
tents. It was difficult, however, for him to conceal
tiie bitter sectional hate of a .Massachusetts man
against a (rue Southern community. In the
course of the conversation, howevet. this officer
remarked that Capt Farragnt deeply regretted to
i see the spirit of incendiarism which prevailed in
! tiie city in the destruction of cotton and other
j tilings
with him
the U. S. squadron in front of tho j jj ie a j e p u j {banks of the people for de-
jovell replied. “I am Gen. Lovell, „ ,v , . i e i i i i„
he Confederate States, command- fending tins neck of land one whole year,
you may punish with a severity which the j known, but it was believed that they were
Constitution absolutely forbids. When
the offence is proved and ascertained,
the hill provides for the punishment abso
lutely forbidden by the Constitution with
out trial or indictment, on the sole ground
that the rebel is beyond judicial process.
His colleague ("Mr. Trumbull) said “the
hill provides forfeiture as the punishment
for crime hereafter to be committed, ivltere
the person committing the offonce cannot
be reached; and the right to confiscate the
property-of the rebel or traitor attaches
without any conviction of the offender.”
If Congress has the right to confiscate for
treason, why not for murder, larccnry, or
other offence 1 And where does Congress
get the right to do this in respect to any
offence ? Can it be possible that we have
wandered so far Lorn the political faith of
our fathers as to admit the fatal heresy
that the right to confiscate the property
of a rebel or traitor attaches without any-
conviction of the offender? To do so is
to subverse the Constitution and rend
away all limitations sought to be imposed,
and legislative despotism more eapraeious
and more fatal to the liberties of the citi
zen than attv form of government on earth.
The people all over this country have risen
in defence of the Constitution. Hill top
and valley, field and finest, mountain peak
and mountain gorge, quiet village and
bustling city, have all, as by- one common
impulse, sent forth their armed men to
swell the hosts of liberty. And their num
ber have been sadly thinned be disease
and pestilence and the strong arms of trai
tors. And my own State, glorious Illinois,
not more than others, perhaps, but equally
with any other, has furnished her fuli
share-of gallant men. and has borne her
full share of the sacrifices. The valor of
her sons lias been vindicated upon every
bloody battle field of the West. Frede-
ricktown, Belmont, Fort Henry and I)on-
elson, and Pittsburg Landing, have been
consecrated in history, and made classic
ground by their deathless deeds of hero
ism Her glorious dead lie strewn wher
ever the foe lias been met, and Iter mutila
ted living are receiving homage in every
eitv, village and neighborhood. Every
housebood has been turned into a house
hold of mourning, and every heart has
quivered under the torture. And why ,
Mr. President, all these sacrifices, all this
suffering and woe, anguish and death ?
Why arc there so heroically, so sublimely
met and borne 1 ’I o what end, and to
what purpose 1 I answer, to uphold, main
tain, defend and preserve’ in all its integ
rity, perfect and uninjured, in every word
and letter, whole and sound in all its parts
and provisons, in its form and in its essence,
the venerated Constitution of our fathers.
It is this inspiration which nerves the
army of the nation, and gives to the sold
ier amid all the horrors of war, Ills forti
tude and endurance. The Constitution
was assailed by rebels and traitors, and
these gallant men have come to its de
fence. While they-are doing battle for it
in the fields, let it go forth that we are
warring against it here ; that we scoff at
its principles, spurn its restraints, and
usurp any and every power which passion
and the prejudice of the hour may suggest
as necessary to accomplish a wished for
result, and the hope of the country will die,
the inspiration of the army will be gone,
he arms of our brave and true-hearted
all captured or sunk, ns there was nothing
visible in the river when the Jackson
left, except the enemy’s vessels mostly
anchored above the forts, and seven
wrecks (probably of our gunboats) burn-
iag ;
The Confederate steamers, General
Quitman and Governor Moore, fought gal
lantly, and did great damage to the ad
vance vessels of the enemy by running in
to them. They were both burnt, but it is
not known whether by- their commanders
to prevent the Federals from capturing
them, or by the enemy’s shell.
'1 he Confederate force consisted of
about 700 men in the forts, about 000 on
the gunboats, and the Chalmette Regi
ment, which was stationed on the river
about 4 miies above the forts. This was a
regiment composed mostly of foreigners,
and it is believed to have been nearly an
nihilated, a3 the Federal gunboats poured
a terrific fire upon them.
Midshipman Washington confirms the
telegram from Richmond, which states
that the Louisiana was unmanageable and
of but little service in the fight. He does
not know whether she was captured or de
stroyed.
At the tim« the Jackson left it was be
lieved that all the gnus of the forts were
sileneed and their flags shot away.
JJe states that the conduct of all parties
in the fight was heroic in the extreme—
that there was no flinching from fire or
water—that we threw hot water upon
them, and they- threw shells of liquid fire
upon us—that, so intent were our men on
the fight that they even went down firing
upon the enemy-.
He states that during Thursday night
and Friday morning the authorities at
New Orleans were busily engaged in de
stroying cotton, sugar and molassas. He
thinks the quantity of cotton burned is ex
agerated by the Magnetic Telegraph.—
Still, it was all destroyed except an in
considerable number of bales, stored about
in private places. He bestows the high
est praise on Gen. Lovell, and savs his
evacuation of New Orleans was a neces
sity dictated alike by military reasons
and humanity. Tile statement made by
Capt. Farragnt, that women atnl children
were fired on by our people when the Fed
eral boats approached the city, is entirely
groundless—that three foreigners (Sicili
ans) in Confederate uniforms did run upon
the levee and shout for Lincoln, when
they were immediately- killed by the pop
ulace.
He gives the following list of our ves
sels engaged in the fight:
The Manassas, ram, Capt. Warley.
The Louisiana, iron plated steamer,
Captain McIntosh.
The McRae, gunboat, Capt. Huger.
The Jackson, gunboat, Captain Ren-
shaw.
The Defiance, gunboat, Officer not
known.
The Resolute, gunboat, Captain Ste
phenson.
The Stonewall Jackson, gunboat, Cap
tain Phillips.
The Gen. Beauregard, gunboat, Officer
not known.
The Gen. Quitman, gunboat, Captain
Grant.
The Gov. Moore, gunboat, jDaptain
Kennon.
the committee had brought the nation into dis
grace abroad: hut. this was not the fault of the
committee". Should they have covered up the sore
or laid it open and probed it to the bottom? When
abuses ceased to he exposed then might properly
be lamented the absence of honesty and public
virtue. It should not be expected that they would
be a whitewashing committee. As a pratid in
quest, they could only bring tiie facts before the
House for their action. He rematked, with pleas
ure, that the Secretary of the Treasury had co-op
erated with the committee to the fullest extent ill
reforming abuses.
Mr. Olin defended Gen. Ripley as a man of un
tiring devotion, honesty, and patriotic zeal.
Mr. Fenton, (Rep ) of New York, in replying
to the former remarks of Mr. Stevens, said in the
investigations of the committee in New York,
Harrisburg and Washington, they did not fail to
furnish the accus.,1 parties with the evidence, or
offer them an opportunity of being heard expla
nation. lie did not accompany tiie pommittoes to
the West; and had dissented from their conclusions
as to that military department. He moved
the previous question on the pending resolution
ot the committee.
Mr. Stevens. (Rep.) of I’a., moved to lay the
whole subject on the table pending which the
House adjourned.
The Evacuation of New Orlcan*.
INTERESTIXB DETAILS OF EVENTS.
We find in tire Jackson Mississippian of the 30th
ult., the following interesting statement. We
have had no New Urleans papers of later date than
Saturday evening, and learn that no mails have
since been received from there. Where-or how the
case in point, l.e sdd tiie committee iiad privily
and clandestinely gathered evidence against Gen
eral Fremont to blast his character as a citizen
and soldier at the time he was in command ot an
array They never informed General Fremont
that he was aspersed, nor gave him tiie names of
tire witnesses against him, aud they afforded him
no opportunity for defence. What good, Mr.
Conkling asked had tiie committee done to offset
tiro harm ? lie was not aware that "ne single
fraud had been developed hy the committee which
remained unearthed at the time they pretended to
dig it up. Mr. Conkling asked the Speaker what
time remained to him.
The Speaker replied eighteen minutes.
Mr. Dawes, (Rep.) of Mass.—The time will be
extended to the gentleman. •
Mr. Wasbburue (Rep.) of Illinois.—I object to
that. Mr. Conkling—I knew that, and do you
know- how I knew it ? Because the member from
Illinois is the only man in the House surly e-
nough to interpose objections in such a case.
Mr. Washbtirne rose Ur reply, when
Mr. Conk! iug called the member to order.
Mr. Washburne (excitedly.J I call the creature
to order.
The speaker demanded tiie preservation of or
der.
Mr. Conkling—The member from Illinois un
derstands the rules of this House is not the place
for personal altercation, lie knows the proper
place for that is outside these walls.
Mr. Washburne, (excitedly—Yes. sir, and I am
ready for it.
Mr. Conkling.—No individual in this House
better knows than the member from Illinois that
I stand by what I say until convinced that I am
in error; and, therefore, there is no necessity for
any interruption here. Mr. Conkling, in the j subjoined account was obtained the Mississippian Army of the Peninsula, Right Wing. 1
lot state: l 4 on.u icon r
in command of
! city. Genera! Lovell
, of the army of the
ing ibis department.” Tire officers then shook
hands, and Capt Bavlies stated his mission to de
mand the surrender of the city- and the elevation
of the U. S flag ovrr the Custom House, Mint
and Post Office—adding that he was instructed by
Capt. Farragnt to state he came to protect private
property and personal rights, and especially not
to inter.erc with the negro property.
Gen. Lovell replied that he would not surren
der ihe city, nor allow it to he surrendered ; that
he was overpowered on the water by theirsuperior
squadron, but he intended to light them on land
as long as he could muster a soldier: that he had
marched all his armed men out of the city; that
he had evacuated it; and if they desired to shell
the town destroying women and children, they
could do so. That it was to avoid this he had
marched his troops beyond the city limits, but
tliat a large., number even of the women of the
city had begged him to remain and defend the city
even against shelling. He did not think he
would be justified in doing so. He would, there
fore, retire and leave the city authorities to pursue
what course they should think proper. * Capt
Baylies said that no such purpose was entertained
by Capt. Farragut. reiterating the expression of
his ref ret at the destruction of cotton. General
Lovell interrupted hint by saying that it was done
by Iris authority. Capt. Baylies said that he iiad
no doubt that Gen Lovell iiad done his duty, and
they were doing theirs. It was then concluded
that Capt. Baylies and the other officers would
return to their ships, and the Mayor would call the
Council, and lay before it the demand of Capt
Farragut The officers requested to be protected
in their return to their ships, and Gen. Lovell di
rected Col Love!! and Major James to accompany
them. The officers accordingly proceeded to the
front of the City Hail, wli re they took a cab alio
proceeded to the wharf During tho interview an
immense and excited crowd of people had congre
gated about the City Hall, who alternately hur
rahed fur Jeff. Davis, for Gen. Lovell, and most
vigorously groaned for “Lincoln aud his squad
ron.”
To calm this multitude Pierre Soule addressed
them in aidvv eloquent and effective words, coun
seling moderation, self-possession, fortitude and
confidence in their cause, declaring that tiie honor
of the Government and city was in safe hands,
and that Gen. Lovell’s answer to the demand to
surrender was worthy the commander of a brave
people.
Gen. Lovell, on appearing on tho steps, was
also loudly cheered. He addressed the multitude
in a short speech^ declaring his purpose not to
surrender the city, but to retire with his army and
tight the Liucolnites, whom they could always
whip on land. He briefly sketched his course in
the preparation of the defense of the city. Jiad
done all he could do with the means at his dispo
sal. That he came here six months too late, and<
it was beyond his resources to contend success
fully against tiie enemy’s power on water.
He advised the citizens to bear themselves man
fully, never to stoop or submit to the Lincoln do
mination, and to wait with patient fortitude for the
deliverance from bondage which must soon come
to them. Tiie Genera! then mounted his horse
and, accompanied by his staff, rode to the Jackson
Railroad, where he took tiie last car having already
sent his army ahead of him.
Front the Augusta Constitutionalist.
I.rlter from Yorktown.
course of his remarks, said he regarded the corn
mittee as one of those ornaments too expensive J
does not state:
Yesterday New Orleans was subjected to the
under the circumstances to be indulged; and in | most terrible humiliation and degradation which
this connection humorously commented on the al- have ever fallen upon a brave and true people
lowance to the committee by their own order of ! After a valiant defence by our forts below the city
twenty cents a mile for traveling and two dollars j
a day, besides other necessary ex; enses. He was |
unaware that any other committee had thus pro- j
vided for themselves. It this committee have j
been engaged in assailing men and blackening !
their characters, it was proper to know how much .
it cost. As a fine point was being put on tilings, !
it behooved them all to know whether any persons
round the board had been getting anything they
ought not to have. A little mileage was a dan
gerous thing ; like liquor, if it was tasted too
much, the habit gets fastened.
Mr. Washburne, in reply, said it was the “ttn-
kindest cut of all” when the chairman (Mr. Ste
vens) of the Committee of Ways and Means, the
leader of the House, and holding the purse strings
of the nation, recentlyrose in the House and attack
ed the committee in their absence, charging that
they had committed more frauds than they had
detected. The committee, had been notified tliat
they should feel blighting sarcasm and blistering
invective au<3 to Oajr they bad listened to what
might be called a pitiful imitation from tbe ex
traordinary member (Conkling) from New York,
w ho bad attacked the committee for the benefit of
thieves, contractors and plunderers who had for
two weeks been holding high carnival in antici
pation that the committee wore to be destroyed.
It would have been but fair to give the committee
notice of the contemplated annihilation, that they
might be prepared to die with decency. Why did
not the member from New l’ork make bis charges
like a man, and not like a skulking coward?—
after exhausting all our resources and skill—
the greater resources on water of the enemy ena
bled them to pass our exterior fortifications with
their large fleet, and they approached the city with
a squadron of fifteen of their largest vessels, all
steamships, gunboats and mortar vessels. There
was a large force of land troops in the city; but
of what avail were they against the ships and gun
boats of the enemy? . At the moment ^t was an
nounced that the ships had passed tho forts, it be
came evident to all reflecting persons that the city
was defenceless. Steps were then taken to render
it a barren conquest. By order of tho Governor
and military authorities all the Government muni
tions aud stores were sent away. Such material
of war as could not be removed was destroyed.
Orders were also issued ' to destroy ail the cotton
in this city. This was done. The troops under
the command of Gen. Lovell were marched to the
interior lines of the city—a few miles below, these
lines would have been forrfiidable against anatmy
advancing by land, but the batteries near tho riv
er were quite weak and ineffective against the
ships—especially in the present stage of the river
—the high surface of the water enabling them
completely to command the surrounding country.
In tiie condition of affairs it was quite obvious
that the enemy’s fleet would meet with no serious
obstacle in passing up the river Accordingly.it
was announced at an early hour that they were
coming. Their vessels c.une up slowly, as if feel
ing their way— the Hartford, the flagship of Gen-
Lee’s Farm, April 30th, ISG2. /
Dear Editor : In an old, dilapidated
colonial house, minus windows, doors,
floors—in fact everything to render a
house comfortable—in an upper room, sits
your humble correspondent, upon this
damp disagreeable day. In every direc
tion, though unbidden, through the many
open crevices, comes the wind, and judg
ing from the smoke it causes to issue from
the iireplace, it bids detiance to the fire.
The furniture of the room is soon descri
bed— -a few articles of wearing apparel are
hung upon the wall, a cot, forming at the
same time a comfortable bed and a seat, a
tin pan, and why, really, that is all!
1 had no idea my possessions were so few.
Still, I am comfortable in comparison with
the poor soldiers who are lying out upon
the cold ground without so much as even a
tent to shelter them. If it rains, 1 am sure of
not having more than 20 drops of water in
my face, and about as many more upon
my body, which is, as you will admit, bet-
j ter than being thoroughly drenched with
the rain ; and what though my limbs are
asleep whilst I am writing, and the opera
tion has to be performed upon my knees;
why, it is much better than not writing at
I all. There is one consolation, the printer
oral Farragut, leading. Then followed the Brook-
fhe gentleman from New York has'attempted to lyn. the Richmond, and nine other ships, big and may have composition upon the bad Wl’i-
hold us up here as costing the Government more : little. As these ships approached the batterief, ■ till"*, and, from that fact, pay more atten
tion we have saved to it. Hehas gone about, j about six or s-ven miles below the city, our artil- ’ r J
figuring up the expenses of the committee, and j lerists opeued upon them from both sides of the
sneaked iuto the Clerk's office to ascertain how
much each member had Been paid. That mem-
bei said that no committee before ever took any
thing for traveling expenses. It he (Mr. Conk-
ling) knew anything, ho must know that his state
ment was false; for never was a committee char
ged with a duty hy the House but that committee
was always paid ; and if there is a man be/e who
complains of what has been paid, or what was
paid to each of my colleagues, let him stand up
arid say so. When our fellow-members of Congress
were pursuing their avocations and several pro
fessions at home with their families, this commit
tee had given up everything in order to discharge
the duties with which they were entrnsted. and
now a clamor is hv the member from New
York this committee discharged Lot m,
say, 'hat it tiie House believes (lie vhar^cs which
have been made, the House will be unjust to it
self, and unjust to (lie country, unless before it ad
journs to-night it shall disband the committee,
and place upon their front the brand of dishonesty.
If we have failed to discharge our duty, if we are
amenable to the charges brought against us, I call
upon every member here to vote that the commit-
toe be disbanded. The House cannot get out it,
and I hope they will not postpone it; that they
will say, there is no rule for such a course, but
that they will "vote at once to discharge us. I am
sure the committee will gratefully accept it—ac
cept it, too, conscious of what they have done —
They will accept it as a tribute to their fidelity,
which has led them to bo attacked by the member
from New York, and by every plunderer, and by
every thief, and by every robber, who has broken
into the Treasury. While we were thus employ
ed, the member from New York was besieging the
Treasury and the office of the Quartermaster of
the War Department, in order to get contracts for
one of his constituents. He, sir, is a pretty man
to come here and lecture this committee. He to
inquire into the expenses of the committee. *n re
lation to what it has saved, and what it has ex
pended ! Sir, the history of this Western Depart
ment will show that In St. Louis alone wo havo
saved the Government two millions of dollars by
our investigation; and, sir, in connection with
these army contracts—one of which the gentle
man from New Y’ork sought to obtain—we ivere
t»ld by Mr. Holt that if Congress and the Gov-
river, but as tho guns were only 24’s, they pro-
tio:>, and not make rne guilty of the ab
surd mistakes which I saw in a previous
dueed but little effect. The ships replied with ■ letter. 1 cannot recall them now, not
several broadsides, which showed that they com
pletely commanded our batteries. The batteries,
though manned hy unpracticed gunners, kept up
the fire for some time, but with uo effect, and un
der such discouraging circumstances as to render
it an obvious policy to withdraw the gunners and
the troops; the batteries were accordingly aban
doned, and the troojrs were marched to the Jack
having the paper before me, but one 1 re
member, and will allude to it: I am made
to say, in giving an account of the fight at
Dam No. 1, of there being “a United
States stand of colors in the middle.” In
the what ? the Middle States ? .0, no ; in
and fooling the Yankee Generals ns to
make them suppose his forces were double
the number they were. He is a strictly
temperate man, not having taken liquor
since the battle of Bethel. In this par
ticular he should-be imitated by a grea*
many whoso loudly condemn him.
We are ever on the alert for news, and
will record events as they occur.
OCCASIONAL.
Proclamation—By the President.
To the People of the Confederate States of
America :
An enemy, waging war in a manner
violative of the usages of civilized nations,
has invaded our country. With presump
tuous reliance on superior numbers, he has
declared his purpose to reduce us to sub
mission. We struggle to preserve our
birthrights of constitutional freemen.—-
Our trust is in the justice of our cause and
the protection of our God. Recent disasters
has spread gloom over the laud and sorrow
sits at the hearth stones of our countrymen;
but a people concious of rectitude and
faithful relying on their Father in Heaven,
may be east down, but cannot be dismay
ed. They may mourn the loss of the mar
tyrs whose lives have been s,aerified in
their defence, hut they receive this dispen
sation of Divine Providence with-humble
snbmision and reverent faith. And now
that our hostsare again going forth to bat
tle, and loving hearts at home are filled
with anxious solicitude for their safety, it
is meet that the whole people should turn
imploringly to their Almighty Father and
beseech His all powerfull protection.
To this end. therefore, I, Jefferson
Davis, President of the Confederate States
of America, do issue this proclamation, in
viting all the people to unite at their sev
eral places of worship, on Friday, the 16th
day of the present month of May, in hum
ble supplication to Almighty God that He
will vouehafe His blessings on our belov
ed country ; that He will strengthen and
protect our armies ; that He will watch
ever and preserve our people from the evil
machinations of our enemies; and that He
will in this our good time, restore to us
the blessings of peace and security under
His sheltering care.
Given under my hand, and the seal of
the Confederate States at Richmond, on
the 3d day of May, A. D. 1862.
Jefferson Davis.
■■ #
The Confiscation Bill
1 he following Confiscation Bill passed
the Lincoln House of* Representatives,
April 24th, by a vote of 62 against 4S.—
We observe that all the reported votes
upon these measurs are extraordinarily
light.
CONFISCATION OF THE PROPRIETY’ OF
REBELS.
The house aggread to Mr. Binjimin’s
substitute, which is as follows.
Be it enacted, &c, That if any person or
persons within any State or Territory of
the United States shall wilfully, after the
taking effect of this act, engage in armed
rebellion against the government of the
United States, or shall wi Ifully aid or
abate such rebellion, all the propriety,
moneys, stocks, credits and effects of such
person or persons are hereby declared
lawful subjects of prize and capture
tiie
WFgire the tollewbigsketch of ,h 9 remurks cf
Mr. OollRtnor, of Y etmdnt, in the l* * Senate
on the 84th of April. Ike debate * commences
with a spur from Ms. Powell, of Kentncky who
went with his eyes open, into his present asso
ciations, and now complains of his bill of
fare:
The special order—tbe bill to confiscate the
properly ot tbe rebels aud tree their slaves-cam i
up.
Mr. Collamer, of Vermont, spoke at length ta
king the grouuii that free institutions were on
trial, and that the question was, whether tbe ff ov
eminent could be sustained without resort to the
despotic appliances of stronger foims of gov
ern i ent. If we could not the system was
a failure—which we was not prepared toacknowl
edge. He dwelt upon tbe supposed ri.riits deri
ved from the fact df the existing tvar. '"l’lausible
Ksttiismiglitseem.be thought it unwarrantable
to derive such rights from our present condition
1 bough other nations might recognize them as be-
hgerents, he did not see how we could, or any at
tempt be made to legislate against them as bellig
erents and enemies, with any propriety and con
sistency
He did not believe we could legislate ourselves
out of the war any more than we could legislate
ourselves into a milleninm. It is true, legislation
might be ueccessary fora restoration of the Union
The machinery ot State Government was again to
be put in operation, or their condition would not
be restored as before.
Mr. C. held that they had two branches of du
ty in connection with the war—first to put down
armed resistence by force of arms, and then to
bring back the rebellious States to loyalty. Sneh
a bill as this was not calculated to effect the lat
ter. The people ipjl;F-wJt fin were sub
ject to the influences of the circumstances by
whic.i they were surrounded as were other peo
ple. A ile facto Government had been set up bv a
certain class among them, and now they had to be
protected and rescued from its power. That was
the duty of the Government, and not the attem|)-
ting of wholesale confiscations, involving whole
communities.
He cited the provisions of the Constitution, de
claring that no one shall be deprived of his prop
el ty except by process of law, &c. That was a
prohibition against Congress itself—and was put
in the Constitution especially ?o prevent our do
ing such a thing when we might want to do it.
A good deal of hocus-pocus wasdisplaycd in talk
ing about proceedings in reni in this connection.
The Constitution, if a man is guilty of treason
says that it is a crime, and you may punish him
in person. That’s all. It provides nothing about
his property, which is the proceeding in rein. But
tins bill proposes first to punish him in one way
and then in the other, which the provisions of
the Constitution are intended to guard against.
He denied that it was the proper rule to do
whatever ycu have the physical means to do. and
declared that it made very little difference what
department of the government all these usurpa
tions go to. If Congress assumes to control the
army, conduct the war, and send its committees
out iuto the field to inspect the acts of our gener
als, ha did not see that it was my better than tlm
act of the British Parliament in the days of Crom
well. It was a tyranny and a usurpation.
lie discussed the idea so freely expressed of
conquering tho rbbellious States, repudiating it as
unsound. We had conquered Teunessee, it is
said, but did we pretend to own anything there -
the capital of the State, the State Institutions,
6, c ? No Therefore we had only done the du
ty of affording protection. He discussed also the
military power, and as confiscation was claimed as
a “military necessity,” it of course belonged to
that department. It was for the President and
his officers to determine in special instances, as
they carried on the war.
Mr. C next treated of the punishment of rebel
lious persons. As to the hanging 100,00(1 men,or
anything like it, nothing was more absurd thin
to think of it. He hoped that no one desired or
hoped for sneh a thing. Exemplary punishment,
however, could be visited upon certain individ
uals. But this could only be done when we had
the power to do it. What we want is some law to
put power in the hands of the President to in
duce those people to come back to their allegiance
after we have taken possession sufficiently of tho
country.
Mr. Saulsbury of Delaware, said that whilst he
might approve some of the provisions in the sub
stitute bills, as they, as well as the original, all
embraced features of freeing slaves, he should vote
against them all.
Mr. King of New York proposed to amend the
amendment by making it apply to all who had
rebelled against the government.
Mr. Carlile,' of Virginia, said he hoped some test
of the Senate would now be made. He had more
hopes of the restoration of the Union since lie had
heared tho wise and temperate remarks of the
gentleman from \ ermont.
Mr. Sherman thought Mr. King's amendment
worse thau Ihe original bill, affecting not only ev
ery man, but the women and children of the sece
ded States.
Mr. Trumbull briefly defended the principles of
the original bill, as taking only the property of
those whose persons couid not be reached; but
would be content with Mr. Shermau’s proposition,
if the Senate would prefer it.
Mr. King’s amendment was then rejected—yeas
7, nays 22.
The question reenrred on Mr. Sherman's amend
ment, and it was adopted—yeas 'dC, nays 11
The Condition of Memphis.
The Western correspondent of the
Charleston Courier gives the following
description of the condition of Memphis,
Tennessee:
The occupation of New Orleans, of
course, opens the mouth of the Mississippi,
and Federal gunboats have already star
ted up the river in chase of one of our es
caping steamers. They are looked for
in the vicinity of Jlemphis within four
days—a contigency which your correspon
dent will sagaciously anticipate by "peg
ging out.” A majority of the residents
of the, city will remain and take their
chances under Federal dominion. Those
most closely identified with the Southern
cause, have already gone, and by the end
of this week that sterling paper, the Meni-
wherever found, for the indemnity of the j p ],; s Appeal, and its hive of workers, will
United States against the expenses of I j la ve followed in the wake. The Avalan-
suppressing such rebellion ; and it ts here— c } le w j]j continue its publication in Mem
by made the duty of the United States to
cause all such propriety, wherever found
to be served, to the end that the same may
be confiscated and condemed, as hereinaf
ter provided, for the use of the United
States.
Sec. 2 - And be itfather enacted,.That all
property so captured or seized shall be
condemned in the District Courts of the
United States, and that the proceedings of
condemnation shall be in rein, and shall be
instituted and prosecuted in the name of
the United States, or the District Court
for the District of Columbia, within any
district in which the same may be seized
or situated, or into which the same may
be taken, and the proceedings first institu
ted, and which proceedings shall conform
as nfearly as may be to proceedings in prize
son Railroad. In the meantime the hostile squad- j the middle of the creek, between the Con- j cases, or to cases of forfeiture arising nn-
j federate forces and the Federals. derthe revenue laws ; and in all cases the
j The other day I was in the trenches, property so seized and condemned, wheth-
and permit me to say, the warm reception : er real or personal, shall be sold pursuant
: I received was anythingbutgratifying. tosuchrulesastheSccretaryoftheTreas-
It was impossible to raise your head above
I the Dreasi~itlmnt hearing the pecu
liarly unpleasant whiz of the bullets from
I Yankee sharpshooters across the creek, if
you could have witnessed the close prox-
ron steamed up the river. A terrible aud melan
choly spectacle was presented to the victorious
ships. The whole levee, Ipr miles, was wrapped
in smoke, from the burning cotton and gun carri
ages, which the authorities had orderid to bo con
sumed. In the river were hnlla of burning
ships, the debris ot our fleet and of the merchant
vessel? anil st-eninorB which contained cotton.
The squadron proceeded up the river, the great
multitude clustered on the levee, looking on with
disgust and horror at the dismal spectacle. As
they passed, a few shots were tired by some of tbe
soldiers, but without orders. The ships did not
reply, but proceeded slowly along our levee. A
feeble cheer was raised on board one of the ships,
which was responded to by something like a cheer
from a few persons in the crowd. The cheers,
whether intended as such or not, drew upon the
parties who were suspected, of giving them some
dozen or so of pistol shots, by which several per
sons were wounded. The squadron being advan
ced the foiemostship, as far as the Fourth Dis
trict, came to an anchor—the ships to the number
of thirteen having taken up positions in front of
the city so as to command the several streets Af
ter remaining in this position fora half hour, a
boat came ashore with two officers one Capt. Bay-
lies, second in command of the squadron, Capt.
Farragut. being flag officer, and a lieutenant.—
These officers were greeted on touching the shore,
with the most uproarious huzzas for “Jeff. Davis
and the South,” aud with the most threatening
demonstrations. They had neglected to bring n
flrg of truce, and it was proof of the good sense
of even an infuriated multitude tliat they were al
lowed to land. They, however, proceeded under
the protection of some gentlemen, who undertook
to conduct them to the Mayor’s office, in a dreuch-
Government.
ury may precribe, and the proceeds deposi
ted in the Treasury of theUuited Staths
for the sole use of the United States.
Sec. 3. And be it fn/thcr enacted. That
the Attorney General or any District At-
imity with which they came to ns, yon torney of the United States, of any district
would credit them in fact, of being sharp- in which the said property or effects may
shooters. It will not uo to say that the ; at the time be, or into which the same
Yankees do not know itow to shoot; wheth-i may be taken, shall institute which the
er they have learned it recently or not, I proceedings of condemnation as hereinbe-
do not pretend to say; all I know, and fore provided.
that from experience, is, t hat those in our
neighborhood shoot remarkably well, and.
Going to Meet the Vandals.—We take
I may add, unpleasantly so. It amuses the following extract from a letter receiv*ed
one very much to read of the inaccuracies last evening from Dalton, dated the 1st,
in the Yankee correspondents. One wri- inst:
ting to the New York Herald, from Gen- ! “The excitement here with regard to
eral McClellen's headquarters, says— the appearance of the Yankees at Bridge-
W e can distinctly hear the rebels cheer- port is lively. Capt. Jackson’s company
ing upon the arrival of every train of cars of States troops, hut recently arrived at
bringing fresh accessions of troops.” Any home for reorganization, -will leave to
one knowing the Peninsula is very much night lor Chattanooga, as a volunteer
amused at such flagrant falsehoods. corps. They are assured that arms will
Onr scouts, the other day, captured a be furnished them on their arival.—Ex.
Yankee Colonel and another officer. j
lean hardly give you the true accounts Gen. Banks and his wife arrived at Ship Is-
of the feeling in regard to the Conscrip- 1 * Iul 0,1 the 2< * ult -> in the transport Mississip-
phis. Confederate .money is refused here
in dozens of places, and for small articles it
is impossible to make use of this class
of funds.—Tennesse money is at a premi
um of from 16 to 20 per cent. At Nash
ville it is selling at the same rate Some
of the merchants have closed their stores
rather than sell their goods for Confed
erate money which they cannot use, and
wherever it is accepted, the surplus cash
is being invested in real estate, jewelry,
plates and diamonds. Sugar has risen
two cents anti a half. Those who will
remain in Memphis are generally the finan
cial grey beards, whose property and pe
cuniary interest are at stake, and they
have been the first on the black list at the
approach of danger to sound the alarm,
produce panifc, and discredit the treasnsy
note of the Confederacy.
A large portion of the so called “Home
Guard,” are among those who will tender
their respects to Federal soldiery. 1‘ 10
ladies, as ever, are true as steel, together
Yvith hundreds of brave men who cannot
leave; but. besides these, the fighting
population being largely represented i»
the field, few can he singled out with whom
the Almighty Dollar is not of vastly n ’” re
consequence than the interests otthe t- 011
federacy.
Commodere Farragut•—The Noif"'k
Day Book gives the following notice ot
the Federal officers now before New
leans.
This man, Farragut, wc understand. wa *
born in Tennessee, and has lived in tis
ty for a long time, where be owned
tr “ =
L y- When he left here, on the break*?
out of hostilities, he assured his )(J
mate friends that nothing on earth S J' t
ever induce him to raise his sworu ‘V
the South; that he was about ‘° lave f m
to go to California in order to keep ^
jorning either side in tlf e invade
here we find him among the first t ^
one of our Southern cities, ani
insolent demand for its surrender