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TAXATION
The oountry stands aghast, in mats astonish
ment and dismay, at the depreciation of the cur
rency, and the apparent doubt of the public
credit. The people are besoming wrath and dis
gusted that the Congress, going on to pile up
mountains of debt, has apparently ao oapacity to
dense some remedy for the depreciation, or else
no nerve to do what the vital interests of the
country require at their hands. They were as
tounded at the idea that that august body,
charged with the public safety, contents itself
with enlv making debt, and provides no means
of payment. It is perfectly to com.
moo sense persons, that while the liabilities of
their Government now exceed half a billion, and
are increasing nearly two millions every day, or
fifty millions a mouth, the Congress has actually
doae nothing towards payment, exeept to levy a
war tax of twenty.flve millions nearly two years
ago. It is trns, there are the regular custom
data, and iba export dnty of one-eighth of a cent
par per pound on cotton, but they at present
yield very little, perhaps not enough to pay for
the collecting.
Now how, in the name of all that is sensible,
can the Congress hope that outsiders, of eved our
own people, shall long continue their confidence
in the issues of Government and its credit, when
the resources of the country are not put into nse,
by taxation, to that extent at least which shall
pay interest on the debt? Will anybody long
continue to believe that onr debt will ever he
paid, when it is seen that no provision is made to
meet even the interest, exeept by the issue of
more notes? Will the Congress still delay, still
put off the evil day, till the country has entirely
lost confidence Government's issues, till
geni rifl <>“ 'be public mind, till
evesMiNfcg has sdvuoged fifty-fold, till the poor
can* longCT btiy even the plainest food, till a
CoVtcel’jpay Will not t nil bis horse, till the sol.
dier’s family is starving, till demoralization and
discontent spread from the cabiu hearthstone to
the ramp? Is that body so blind to the pressing
necessity of the day, or so fearful of its own hold
on power, that it cannot understand its duty, or,
knowing, dare not do it? Does it doubt the pa.
triotism of the property holders of the Confed
eracy, nr underrate tbetr common sense? Rhame,
shame upon them that their shrinking from duty
should force the people to believe that they are
more considerate of noeifaU't tltttion than of the
great interests of this young Republic.
We wish the Congress to understand, once for
all, that the people wll hold them to a strict ac>
countability, and will scourge them unmercifully
i l they fall in their trust. If there be weak-kneed
brethren who fear to tax the people, we would
tell them that they have greater cause to fear them
if they fail to tax. We would tell them that the
people of this country are patriotic eaough to
make sacrifices, yes, great sacrifices, for the com.
moo good, if taxation be considered a sacrifice;
and that they have hard sense enough to under
stand that when they pay their hundred dollars
in taxes their remaining five hundred dollars
will he worth more, because it will buy more than
the original six hundred. They understand, too,
and appreciate it feelingly, that if matters are to
go on ns at present, debt accumulating and noth,
ing paid, their whole hoard of money will become
worthless.
We do hope that the press will speak out, that
the people themselves in public meeting wilt
speak out, and demand of Congress that it make
.some provision for paytn its debts. Nothing
V.,,1 u oo.td 1.1 run ir lev lull iu euiml us it oua I'*
enough to pay lie lbleresi on the present debt,
and the cost of civil administration, und provide
a sinking lund of ten millions, to pay the princi
pal. The people are abundantly able to pay taxes.
In fact, what they pay as taxes, by reducing the
circulation to that extent, will appreciate the re.
mainder, or at lout prevent its continuous and
frightful depreciation. No time is to be lost. The
confidence of the people must be kept up ; and it
can only be done by satisfying them, and that
speedily, that the debt is to be paid, and that the
money ihey have ts to be made good to them.
Nothing can excuse the Congress if it fail or neg
lect so palpable and pressing a duty as the imi
position of a tax that shall yield a goodly sum.
The Capital to bb at Augusta. lt was a
notion that caused us to nominate Columbia re*
oentlv for the Confederate Capital—and no very
absurd notion neither—yet, us between Columbia
and Augusta, we have no special preference. In
fact we rather incline to think Augusta the more
suitable place in several important respects. A
writer in the Constitutionalist names Augusta
and urges many good reasons for making it the
capital, lie proposes that the States of Georgia
and South Carolina both grant to the government
four miles up and down the Savannah river, each
side, and th ree miles back, and, says he, “ it
would make by far the finest location for a superb
seal of Government in the South." We are not
sure but “Pericles" is right—indeed we almost
know he is—and, without recounting the suggest
tion of Columbia, we do honestly think Augusta
the very best spot in the Confederate States for
the purpose proposed. Let Augusta be the place
by all means, if it suits all round.
Edgtfi'Ul Advertiser.
Soakstkark's Shtlock.— We find in the Jewish
ecord, a journal devoted to the interests of Amen
ncan Israelites, and published in New York, a
new version ofShakeapear’s “Merchant of Venice.”
The writer, who is himself a Jew, says:
The play iB founded on fact, with this important
difference, that it was the Jew who was to forfeit
the pound of flesh if he lost the wager. The cm.
cnmstance took place not m Venice, but in Rome,
during the Pontificate of Sixtus the Filth. The
Jew lost, the noble demanded the pound of fl.'sh ;
the Jew demurred and offered money, which was
refused. Sixtus decided in favor of the noble,
with the provision that he should have but exact
ly one pound of flesh—not one grain more or less,
on pain of being hanged. The noble naturally
declined the risk ; the Pope fined both parties in
heavy sums for making such a wager. Thus old
Shylock’s memory is vindicated at last. We fear,
however, notwithstanding “the truth of history,”
that Shakspeare’s will still continue to be the true
version of the history.
Connecticut.— The Democrats of this State had
a convention, and adopted savage resolutions
against Lincoln’s Administration. The resolutions
denounce nearly gvery act of the Ruling powers
as unconstitutional—aud while denying the right
of secession, admit that a Union of force is a mis
chievous absurdity. They also impart vitality to
their resolutions by nominating for Governor,
Thomas H. Seymour—the only New England man
that we have heard of, who, from the beginning,
has been steadfast and outspoken against the Lin -
coln tyranny. Even ia the mid«t of the reign of
Terror, he quailed DJl— and proved himself worthy
of a belter nativity and a better habitation than he
possesses.
The important point is, can he be elected ? Th>
New York World impresses the convict.on th .t
he will be ; and adds that New Hampshire, uiso,
will elect a Governor of the same politics. The
elections in boih States come off early in April.
Kichnwnd if Ay.
A bill has been passed ty the Senate of Min
nesota expelling the Sioux from that State. The
House will undoubtedly concur in the measure.
CONGRESS AND THE PEEBS
We observe, in the recent proceedings of the
Confederate Senate on the exemption bill that a
proposition introduced by the great and gifted
Senator from Alabama, Mr. Yancey, to exempt
legislative and legal reporters for the newspapers,
was voted down—l 4to 10. Mr. Yancey evidently
appreciates the power and nsefnlness of the pub
lie press, but it seems a majority of the Senate do
not. His proposition is clearly correct, designed
ae it is lo give the newspapers of the country the
amplest facilities for obtaining information which
their readers desi-e, and that by instruments of
their own cboioe, and not such as they mast take.
Now if the enrollment of newspaper reporters
oould have an appreciable effect on the army’s
numerical strength, there might be some show of
reason in forcing them into the ranks. But the
truth is that tbetr whole number in the Confeder,.
aey, even if all were within the eonscript ages,
does not amount to two respectable companies.
What ill oould come of relieving one out of twen.
ty.five hundred from army servtoe, that he might
be employed in famishing the people wi b speedy
and reliable information of the acts of their eer.
vants ? What an ineffably small business is it,
then, to refuse exemption to a body, whose enrol
ment will not add one hundred—perhaps not
fifty—effective soldiers to the army.
It is late in the day, indeed, to speak of the
importance and utility of the press, though a
portion of the Congress seem to underrate it. In
the loDg dark night of despotism, which for cen
turies held the European masses subject to the
few, the Church, it Is true, kept alive the germ of
knowledge; bill for the few only—for its own ag
grandisement mainly. The invention of the art
of printing was the means which broke up aud
destroyed thv abuses ol the Church and the
State • which unfettered the mind and conscience
and will of the people, and led them from dark
ness and degradation to light und liberty and
law. It was the chief auxiliary in that groat
Reformation, which, whatever may be men’s
opinions of it in a religions vt ow, was certainly
productive of that political liberty which we now
enjoy. This great art first gave men the Bible
then books of philosophy, poetry, history, Ac.—,
then political pamphlets—then Court Journals
und finally the newspaper of this age, which is
emphatically the People’s Library. Tnis is the
only library, waich from its cost and conveni
ence, comes within the reaeh of the masses. At
a small outlay, the labor of a few days, almost
every man can place this before his family, with
the news from all quarters—the progress of the
war, the aspect es the crops, the state of the mar
kets, the news of the country, the acts and says
ings of the people’s servants.
Itts late in the day to attempt to fetter this
mighty engine, to tear down this barrier, erected
by the public to defend itself against the mis
deeds, the follies, and the passions of those who
bear temporary rule. The newspaper press de
sires no privileges but such as can be granted
without detriment to the common weal, and are
requisite to enable it to discharge efficiently its
great mission. It is amenable to the laws und
the public sentiment. It claims freedom within
legitimate rules, aud it is free in these Confeder.
ate States. But it claims also the privilege of
employing the best means for its purposes, if not
incompatible with the safety of the State, and
objects to be forced to take what means it can
get. It is almost, but not quite, within the power
of Cougress to destroy the press, by confining its
conduct, even its existence, to the aged or inex
1 Ilya if tHenoi<» is of oaaentiaJ value
members of Congress—it should surely be at.
lowed the liberty of choosing its own instrn
meats, unless such choice seriously interfere with
the great oagse—the successful prosecution of the
war.
LATE AND IMPORTANT FROM MEXICO.
Frojr\ the Hew Orleans Ficatfuns.
We translate the following from our hies of Ha
vana papers received per steamer Bio Bio, which
brings dates from that city to the 12th instant,
whence we have advices from Vera Crux to the
30th nil.
The Prensa of the 6*.h inst. says :
llv tne official report from the officer in corns
mand of the Mexican forces near Tampico, we
learn of an engagement which took place on the
bar of that port between the Mexican rfnd French
forces, during the evacuation of the place by the
latter.
The Mexicans, numbering 400 infantry and
cavalry, supported by two pieces of light artil*
lery* (rifled,) made a reconuoissance on the bar of
Tampico, and after exchanging shots with the
enemy, retired m good order. On the next day,
the 21st, the same fovee returned, and placing
their pieces in position, opened a spirited fire on
a war steamer, which, with several gunboats,
was covering the embarkation of their infantry.
The steamer tried to run the battery, and in try
ing to do so she missed the channel and run
agrouud.
On the 22d she was still fast on the bar, and
deeming her detention practicable, a brisk fire
was opened ou her by the pieces from shore.—
The fleet that was lying outside came to her use
sistance, and tried by a concentrated fire to dis
lodge the Mexicans, but to no avail; the vessel
was abandoned and set on fire. Besides the loss
of a munvofowar, the French have left in the
hands of the Mexicans a schooner loaded with
ammunition, and two barks, one loaded with pro
visions and the other loaded w ith ooal. Efforts
were being made by the Mexican authorities to
save from the wreck five heavy pieces which
composed the armament of the steamer.
From the Prensa de ia Habana, of the oth, we
take the following interesting intelligence from
Mexico. The Prensa has dates from Vera Crurt{>
to the 80th nit.
The Castle of San Juau de Uiloa is crowded
with prisoners; among them are a great number
of Spamurds. The Spanish Consul, Mr. Cortes,
has protested against their imprisonment, and de
manded their trial in accordance with the decree
published on the oth of January.
The incarceration of citixens withoutjust causes
seems to be the order of the day with the French.
Don Ciriaco Marron, an industrious and honest
Spaniard, is one of the victims to this unjust
mode of proceeding. Senor Sota, Spanish Vice**
Consul, demanded his release, bat bis communi
cation on tho sabject has not been answered.
The French army began their advance on Pue*
bla on the 15th ult. It is presumed that by the
10th of February the attack will commence. ” The
advancing force is estimated at 25,000 men. The
Mexican* seem very confident of being able to re
pel the invaders.
There are 28,000 men in Puebla, and the fortifi
cations are defenden by 14,000.
Tmb Yakkbbs Above. —The latest we have
from the Yankees up the Yaxoo'rtver is that they
are making their way throagh. As yet they have
not got through Cold Water. We have informs
tion that the obstructions, if not already impassv
able, will be very shortly, os competent engineers
and hands in large numbers are at work. We
deem it advisable not to state what other prepara*
tious are being made for them, bat merely state
ter the information and encouragement of the
weak kneed that something is being done that
will deter indefinitely their proposed visit to
Yapoo City, should they succeed bv auv possi
bility in making their way into the Taile'batchie.
We hope by next week to be able to report & dis
comfiture or destrocuon of the expedition they
are sending against ns.
Zoom? City J3a*mr, 20*4 uit.
A SPECTACLE.
“Tell it not in Gath, publish itoot in the streets
of Askelon.” But it is a great fe», standing ou*
palpably before all the world, defined to go down
by the pen of the historian to th remotest ages,
that in the nineteenth century, te universal Yan
kee nation, wiib its boasted twnty millions o»
free whiten, in a contest with si. millions of its
own color, has not only acknowledged itself
beaten, and powerless of itself t- win victory, bat
has actually called upon ihe Afr:an for help, ah
the last and the only means wbreby it can tare
“the best Government in the vorld,” and the
greatest 1
What a miserable, piteous, ignominious spec
tacle is thus presented, nnblushugly and withou 1
eoßScr usness of shame and df; r adation, to the
view of all mankind. Lincoln nd all his hosts
call on the aegro for help, or all s lost. Wendell
Phillips, the blasphemous wrttcb, proclaims it
aloud that the great temple of Yankee freedom
and glory has no hope but in Gol and the negro—
that Ethiopian, who can no mowchange his na*
ture and his capacity than his ;kin. Verily, has
the proud, vainglorious rate fillen—it has not
only reached that lowest deep t» which there is
no lower depth, bat it ostentaiioisly makes procla
mation of the fact. It wallowsin the mire of its
own degradation, and that witbdelight, perfectly
insensible that it is degradd. How can the
United states Government ever expect to hold up
i»s head again among the grea' and respectable
nations of the earth, braggart aid bully as it is,
after thus descending so low? low cnn it hope to
be treated with respect or forbearance by the lead
ing powers; its nighty resources of
Inea and money, and they too p»ured out without
stint, with its fleets aud its gins and ns iron,
clads, it has proved unable, in tv > ye .rs, to crush
that handful of divided rebels, whom it as-j?> <i
the wor.d it would restore to hen allegiance in
three months, ana against whon, in its despair*
jng it not Malls aloud “help me, Samoo, or
I sink I” **
It would seem that if there were true men m
ihe North, they would rise agunst such loath
some degradation, und prefer athcr to be mas
tered by the Southron, thau owe their salvation
to the hereditary and constitutional slave. No t
only should they show their ibhorrence of the
idea of being thus saved, but their conviction
that it is an impossibility. Not only is this call
for help ignominious and ga ling, but it is an
ignominy wholly gratuitous. It is ignoble enough,
in all conscience, to be forced t> call to the Afri
can for aid, but doubly so wien done wlih the
conviction that the aid, if rendered, can avail
nothing. If twenty millions of Caucasians, back
ed with all their resources, and with five centu
ries of the tradition of liberty and manhood, can
not conquer the South, bow will a haudfull of
traditional and natural bondsmen furnish aid suf
ficient to accomplish the Herculean task? The
tree blacks at the North—a degiaded and besot
ted caste—who can be got into the service, will
prove a disgrace to even a Yankee army, the
fruitful source of strife and demoralization in
camp, and of,panic and flight oq the field The
slaves at home c inm t be reached, aud therefore
cannot be armed and organized. But if.armed
they would turn upon the hypocrites and not upon
their masters, their best and truest friends; sor #
if they attempted that, they would be given up
to indiscriminate butchery, as they know. If u
majority of the Northern/ people respect them*
selves und wish to preserve the respect of man
kind, they should fall upon these cowardly fan
atic* at once, refuse to m their de-
I ueg'i'o, VP Cal! upon {txr . >ho
THE LONDON TIMES ON LATE BATTLES
If haru lighting, continued thiougu sev.-ral
days, with a heavy lots ia killed and wuuudel,
constitutes a great battle, the eng .g. m<*n;a be
tween Murfreesboro’ and Nashville way rank
atuoug the chief military events of the American
war. li decided success is required to give such
a conflict historical importance, that element is
wanting to the actions in which the rival armies
were engaged during the last days of ;lie old
and the first of the new. But something has
been gained. The determination with which the
Federal troops continued to advance and attack,
after their serious repulse .on the 2tJlh of Decem
ber, speaks well lor their qualities as soldiers.—
• * We should inter that the Federal
troops in Teunessee are composed of belter men
than the regiments recruited from the great Eas
tern cities. They seem to have displayed more of
the “real grit” of the Western American thau has
been displayed m the campaigns m Virgiuia.—
Eye-witnesses have described the conduct of
some Federal divisions at Frederieksburg in terms
uot flattering to the military qualities of a large
portion of the great Army of the Potomac
Nothing of the same kind appears in the ac
counts of the late actions in Tennessee * *
And it is possible, though the details are too im
perfect to warrant a decided opinion, hat the
Confederates were uot led with the military skill
of Lee or Jackson. Certainly the attach made by
the Federate was not the pateut blimd r that
Burnside made at Fredericksburg, uor were the
Confederate positions una-saiiable. After the
five days of conflict they were abandoned, the
Southerners fighting to the last, and retiring un -
broken, with, apparently, inferior loss, still able
to carry off the prisoners and artillery they had
captured. And they repeated the operation 01
retiring so quietly that they could not be pressed
in their retreat. Oa the evening of the third of
January, General Rosencraez expected a renewal
of the battle ou the following day for the posses
sion of Murfreesboro’; but during the night the
Confederates quitted the portion, and their re
treat was not known to the Federal Commander
till 7 o’clock in the morning of the 4th. Tnns the
Southern army must hnte gained ten hours,
which would have baifled any pursuit, even had
the Federate been in a condition to pursue.
It would be a compensation for the terrible
losses the Federal acc mnts admit, if they brought
us any nearer improbable termination of the cun -
flic;. This is the decided success all these battles
fail to secure. The details even of a Federal ad*
vantage only strengthen a conviction of the hope*
lessness of the war iu such a territory. A few
miles of ground are all that can be won or lost.
The Federate held Nashville before these actions,
and that they hold it still, after synch days of
bloodshed, is all that can be said. That tne pos
session of the capital of Tennessee did not give
the North full command of the State sh -ws the
contest to be of the kind that arms cannot decide
or settle. We doubt If the capture of Richmond
i*self would give the North more of the Siate of
Virginia than|an encampment in it. The loss of
New Orleans did not produce the submission of
Louisiana. We fear the blood spilt in these res
•ent operations is only added to the deluge that
has already been shed in rain.
The prospects of peace are not improved by the
sacrifice, and those of humanity are rendered
worse than ever, if one of the details reported
cau be believed. Ills stated that ‘'all Lbe negroes
captured by the Confederates were framediately
shot.” We hope this is false, and we think it
must be so. The slaves m the Federal lines are j
employed only as servants and team drivers, and !
even when it was proposed to arm and organize
them as soldiers, the proclamation of the South*,
ern President expressly exempted them from the
penalty with which the white officers of such reg
iments were threatened. The black private sol- j
dier was to be considered an irresp msible agent.
The officers were to be shot lor enrolling and I
commanding him, but the worst the “contraband” j
had to expect was a relapse m o servitude—that
is, a ebange of masters with much the same work
to do.
For a still lower reason it is improbable that
negro prisoners would he massaared. They are
worth to< muo i iu m-re n.oney t> be « » uselessly
“expended*” One of the A riean r.tce is a tar more
valuable capture than an Irish or Geitnun recruit,
lie brings, in hard cash, tro . £2OO to £250, ana
bis market pi ice, it nothing else, would be ms
protection against ihe cold airi-cuy of being shot
on the tieid. We trust the rumor will be officially
contradicted. Fortunately for the negro, air. Lin
coln’s decree of abolition is illogical enough to
give him security. Under the Federal flag be is a
slave, with all the imn.umt.es of the servile condo*
in ib • conflict and shot as a iree mau by the other
the position of the negro id this war for Lis liber
ation has become miserable indeed. But he bus
really been forced b**tw # eu the incensed points of
the 'mighty opposites,” and bis standing ground
is not without peril. * * * *
If the Federal navy is successful on the inlan I
wateis, the advantage will have oeen balanced bv
a easaalty at sea, which must excite more than
usual interest, both in France and England. The
iron-clad battery, the Monitor, went down off C »pe
Uatteras, in a gale of wind, it may also be said,
with al. bands on board, only part ot her crew
having been rescued by the paddle steamer that
accompanied he*, she narrowly escaped the same
fate in her southward voyage to idnmpton Kuans,
where her opportune arrival was Worth a whole
fleet—und saved one. Does Europe gain an ex
perience in the loss of this first of the iroo»clad
in niters* it is evident she sans from the
weight of her iron plating It mede her invulner
ab e in her fight wah the Merrimap ; but caused
her loss when disabled in the open ocea :.
’1 he seas that washed jver her deck found their
way down her open found ; she was soon water*
jd aud ?auk. in this case the newest ap ti*»
cauou of the oldest expedient of defense has pro
duced something like u repetition of a disaster
wed known i.i ancent w&rlare. Iu certain cii -
cumstances the weight ot ms armor was fat. I t*>
the horseman who could duly sword and spear,
ihe iroa haiienes that can tight in smooth water
wi>h >ut risk, are iu lunrmieut peril a< sea, «-v .n
with no enemy but the wind and waves. Tfi •
first two vessels of ihe i a*- i ve noth perished,
and bo p ing n uis y The Merrauac was e'e
s’royed ptrp *sciy, to escap .• capture The M ui*
tor has disappeared in u sea itiu« would n-u lia' e
been ta’al to a vessel lens formidable. Yet bo h
did remarkable seiv.ee iu a gieat war, und have
left ibeir names in oneoi* the most important
chapters in naval history.
The loss of ibe Monitor has excited enough at
! tention occasion an tJlcial inquiry into the
cause q! the d.-asier; aiiu as s -m« of me ciuw
escaped, it may b no stole to a.o-rtuin whdher
any neglect contributed lo .t But in the account
oi the wr*-ck as it stands there seems ni thing in
explicable. She was not buoyant enough to live
in a sea not excessively high, but such us m iy be
expected on any coast at any season of ttie year.
We were taught oue more valuable lesson bv the
Monitor, and we must accept the evidences of de
fects as well as the proofs of advun'ugcs. Iu the
last American intelligence there are items enough
showing political military und fluauctdl dif
ficulties of no ordinary magnitude ; yet w* doubt
if any of thorn wifi attract as much notice as the
loss of the Monitor.
CONFEDERATE CONGRE36.
SENATE.
Thursday, Feb. xt>. 1383
The Senate met at 12 o’clock, and was culled to
order by Mr. Hunter, of Virginia, and opened
with prayer by li--.v. Dr. Moore, of the Presby
! ieriau Church.
j The further consideration of th»- bill to *rgan z *
j the Supreme Court of the Co'itedeuite Slates was
' postponed until the 27th .nstutn, ou motion of Mr.
! C ark, of Mo.
| il 'Uhe bill to authorizi aad regulate impress
| merits of private property lor the u«e ot the arm v
! aud other military purposes was read.
I Mr. lliyues, f Lena, m ived to substitute the
' Senate impressment h »! for the Hous<? oiil.
I To this amendment Mr Hunter, of V ••, moved
an umendinen?, to a rise out the 8 i section and
■ insert an amendment which he oIT.-red, and
| winch,
I On motion of Mr. Vaneev, vas ordered to be
! pruned.
1 t'hfV l i* ,v^Jum ot Mr. Vatic*y, the turlhe.r c.onside
j morrow. " X " ‘‘uiU to.
O » motion of Mr. Serum .of La., the Senate
resolved itself into secret sessiou.
HOUSE OF REPRESEN I'ATIVES.
| The House met at 12 o’clock, and was called to
I order btr the Speaker.
The Speaier laid before the House s c'< mma
moatioalrouithePr side.it, iransumiirg a re
| spouse Ironi the Postmaster General to House res*
muiiun in relation to the mans^emi-atof telegraph
hoes within the Cm ederacy. R-ferred to Com
mine# on Post Offices and P. at Roads.
The Speaker also presea *d Senate b it to in
crease the pav of Acting Midshipmen in ihe
vy. Refened to the Naval Committee.
Mr. 11. W 3race, ot ivv., m veu to suspend the
rules, with a vii w to take up for immediate con
sideration the bill providing for the tian-terof
soldiers, which hid passed the H use, but upon
winch there w** a m »Uon to reconsider. On the
| motion to suspend ih« tules the ayes aud noes
1 were ca'led for aud r*saited—ayes 51. uoes ly.
j So the rules were suspended aud the bili was
k* u up.
The question recurred upoi the motion of Mr.
Ralls, of Ala., to reconsider the vole bv which the
bill was passed by ibe House. Theresolution
rejected by a vole of ayes 05, ooes 41.
Mr. Mites, of S. C., moved that i he Senate bill
defining who shall be exempt from military ser
vice in the armies of tUe C n e ierate States be
pr med, which was agreed o, aud ;he bill was ie
terred to tne Commit ee oh Military Affairs.
Mr. H. W Bruce, of Ky., ca-iled up (he resolu*
ti«»n submitted by him several days ago to rescind
tbe tule limiting speeches io thirty minutes . a any
one question, *.od addressed ihe H u>e briefly io
support of the resolution.
Tne question being called ..ad susta n u oa tue
ado itou ot the resolution,
Mr. Jones, of I’ -ua., - i i«d t: e ayesjand noes,
which were ordeted, and resulted, aytS 38, n -es
4S. So ibe resolution was nor agreed to.
Mr. Miles, of Sou h Carolina, from the <.'(iun
mitt-e on Military A flairs reported b-.:C< the two
jo n> resolutions referted to that com nittee ten
der ng .he thanks oi Congress to Gen Braxton
Bragg aud the officers and men oi his comm md,
t.*r ga hint services in front of Murfreesboro', aud
moved that these resolutions be laid on 'he tab'**
wah a vi ew to submit a substitute ir >m the coni *
miiße Fhe substitute ot thec •niruit'ee was re
ported by the Clerk
Mi*. Foote, ot T. an., said that when this sub’ •
was introduced in the House, a f C w day** h
announced tbit be s . 'id perhaps have som thi* g
to sav upon uw- n one up *o cons der.trion.
lie proceeded t.- ;eu t the position he had oc
cupied. but he na reified to say »but he had
received such ttfo-u atioD as would lead him
support the res«> utions.
ile then raw: the following from General Jos.
E Jobnsion:
Hbado’us, Chattanooga, t
_ VT 28, 1863. f
General Orders, No. 4.
G n. Johnston has great satisfaction in ex
pressing io thi command h:a sense of ihe high
services and admirable conduct of toe Army of
Tennessee, especially in the recent operations
near Murlreftsboro*. In those operations that pa
tri' tic army, contending with areaily superior
numbers, by it* own eourage, and the skill of its
Generals, inflicted upon the enemy a loss almost
eqaai to its own number, besides capturing 33
cannon and 1,000 wag. ns-an expbut unparalle ed
in modern battles. For ns hero c fortitude in eon
duriug fatigue, privation, aud exposure, and
bravery m battle, be can. with confidence, promise
to it the thanks of the Government and gratitude
of the country.
By command of Gen. j hnsh>n.
. I{ - >S- Kwill, A A. G.
The question then reinir-, d u[> , n >ae -rgrois
ment oi the resolutions, atd the ayes and ones
being ordered, were taUen with the lollowmg re.
suit—ayes 78, noes i -Messrs. Lyons of Tu .aog
Read of Ky. The resolutions were the- agreed
Oa motion ot Mr. Kenner, of La., the House
then went into secret session on the currency
bill.
fc Ri Day, Feb. 27, 18*r-3.
The Senate was called to order at 12 o do. k M ,
by Mr. Hunter, of V*„ and opened with prayer by
Lev. Dr. Sehou, of Nashville.
Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported back the bill to increase the erff*
ciency of the Confederate h*avv aruliery, with an
amendment, byway of a substitute f.ir-the bill,
which latter proride3 that ifae let SoV.h Carolina
intan try shall be hereafter known as the 2d regu
lar cwuth Carolina artillery, and do duty as such,
haring the same organization that they now hare,
and shall be increas«d to twelve companies. Laid
on the table.
The S*U4te proceeded to consider the bill pro
viding for the impressment of private property
foi public use, the question being on the adop
tion of an amendment offered br Mr. Hunter to
one offered by >lr. Havnea. Mr. Hunter with,
drew his amendment, and the further eonsidera
lion of the Will aßd Mr. Haynes’ amendment was
then postponed.
.The Seuate next took up the bill to organise the
Supreme Court of the Confederate States, Mr.
Clay’s amendment, repealing the 45th and 46th
sections of the Jadiciarv Act ot the Provisional
Congress, being the pending question
Mr. Wigfall who was entitled to the floor, said
he would rather the Senate would postpone the
consideration of the bill, and take up the bul for
the organization of engineer troops and the bill
(reported from *he Military Committee) putting
the hospitals under military coutrol, which he
th u«,ht would conduce to the com tort of the sick
soldiers.
Th# Supreme Court b it could be considered
anytime within the next month. It was post-*
pooed. •
The bill to provide and organize engineer troops
to h :ve during th i war, was th.-u ta*en up an A
passed.
Tue Senate went iuio secret. session.
HOUSK OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The Hou err-et at 12 '’clock. Prayer by the
Rev. Mr. Human, *-• f tie Methodist Episfcopai
Cuureh.
L ave of absence was granted to M ssrs. Can*
; tner, of North Ciroliua, and Lingletm, ofA!;s%
aissippi, ou arc u it of stc-n-ss in thef faini'ie.*.
Messrs. Hodge and Breckinridge, of Kentucky,
wire permitted to record their votes against tue
t ngr ssment of the resolut.ua ot thunk-* :o Gen.
Bragg, pa>sed yesterday, they hiviug voted ua.
the alii mat; ve for the purpose ot movieig a re**
consideration.
Mr. Foote, of Tennessee,.made a personal ex*»
planatioa* fie had been reported in/one of the
daily papers us having commended the eiiraor'
d nary skill ot Gen. Bragg without qualification,
iie had said na. he n**v«*r doubted G«?n. Brawg’s
skill as a disciplinarian, but he did doubt hi* ca
pacity to command a large army. H< vo ed for
tne resolution ot thanks because be knew that the
army aud the officers generally well deserved this
evideuc** ot our respect and gratitude, ana he
voted to include Gen. Bragg solely upon the offi
cial recommendation of Gea. Jot. E Johnston.
Mr. Cbrisman, ot Kentucky, also made a per
*( lIHI eipUu iiioo. He wished it known, especial
iv by the Kentuckians in the Army ot Tennessee,
that the course of Gen. Bragg in the Tennessee
and Keniuvky campaign!' met with h’S cordial ap
proval.
Mr. Mechen, of Kentucky, said he did not vote
upon tb“ engr«un*m**nt ot ’he resolutions, and
n *\v askrd the privilege ot recording his vote
aga nst th m. Ooj ctioa was made.
Mr. Farrww, of South Carolina, moved that
wiien the House ad journ to-day it adjourn to meet
on Monday next. Lost - yeas 24, navs 45
Mr. Vest, of Mo., moved a recons deration of the
vote bv which the bill to provide tor the arrest of
soldiers absent fr m their command without leave,
was ia;d upon the table.
Mr. tjrar rell, of Georgia, called f>r the order of
the div, and the House took up the bill entitled
‘An aci to -»td Committees ot Congress 10 the
investigation ot matters referred to them. and to
punish talse swearing before suid Committees."
The bill was vari nidv amended and passed.
Mr. Miles, S trh Can :iua, from the Commits
ec on Mil a y .11. rs to wiwin was re erred a
hit! for the ac* ept uce or troops iron. Missouri aud
K'-utuokv t• >tr *H.rui ; ' f!«? • l - s lhu.ii tbi o«j
-r- —, spurted toe same back with a rec irameni
datum tbtt it oe laid upon tb-» table, and that the
C 'maiutee be discharged Irom ns further con
sideration.
Her.ding which, on moti> n of Mr. Kenner, the
House went int» s *oret session.
OPERATIONS IN ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI
HcADq’fi.s 4th Div., Ist Corps, T. Vi D. f )
Batesrille, Atk., Jan. 13, iSGS. j
I Colonel; In obedience to instructions from
| M j*r General Hindman,! no trehed from Lewis
burg, Ark., December 31, 1862, va Yelnlie. Ark.,
tos'r.ke the emmy in “rear and slink," with 1,600
meu under 3belby. and 27 o men under McDonald.
Be ore marching I telegraped o Litut. General
Holmes if it w *uld not oe best to move up the
troops under Cotor.el White, to co«operate in the
movement, to which he consented, aud the order
was given, (’done. Porter, with 600 men, moved
forward for this purpose.
En rou'e in the Boston mountains, Shelby at
tacked sixty lories and deserters, killed twelve
and captured twentysseven McDonald surprised,
captured and opined Fort Lawrence, on Beaver
Creek, Mo; of us garrison, killed ten, captured
seveuteeu and routed the rest—about 250 cap**
t«red 2i*o horses, BWO stand of aims, 10 wagons
aud » quantity ot quartermaster and commissary
* tort a.
She.br ciptnred and burnt the Fort at Ozirk
Th- garrison fled vVY.h Shelby and McDonald,
I attacked Spr.ngtield Missouri, and arer eight
h *urs hard tinhung, driving the Yankees be lore
me and into their strong holds, 1 cap ured one
I l ’**® of artillery, (a « x pounder) h st >ck.ide iort,
a;d a large part o; the town, winch the Yauicees
bunt a.4 they retired. At d «rx the ’figuring
! ‘ cased. 7he Federal force there was 4,2tw My
j loss was 2o Ed ed and 80 vrouuded. ihe Tanked
j los* w * mu ngr a*er. I did no deem it tits' to
I renew the atiack, and the nex day m *rch-d toward
j K 'a lb-- F -let ala scattered and fled before me.
; ' burn the tort* at Sind Springs and Marshfield,
j After passing ttm-ugh Ma-h&eld, I lorxued a
j junction with P r: r .--bohitd burnt the funs at
j tiur svtile : ,nd H t ewood.
| Ali the for s hti r i w<-re well built works, g*n
| erailv large “ b uck »i >rises," win. sv.ckade i*nd
j d earthworks around, so strong, ha» «*oe hun«
i d ed brave m n, " ~ii armed, couid defy a thou
' saud lut.mtry .*r cavalry
| After jriintug Por -r, ! m-irchetl south east r!y,
I » aking my »*y toward Arkansas. Ai Hirr-ville
: l met, ; onght, aud drove in the direction of Lebi
i non, I 6* *j i-:untrv i'.nd 500 cavalry, und.r
Mo-nill. ih • bat ie ff .s e’esperate. Mv hss w s
15 ilied and 7<> won; d d ; <-t the former wan the
brave McD ' ia i, Lt. Col Weimer, Mafir K-'itiey,
and otho. *ve officers aud men. ihe Federal
!o s was .ilso heavy. The euemy sent ip. a to
bu-y 'he r dea l. At tb s place I captured a ciis
?**n wit • auimuni iou, a number ot small arms,
an.i about 150 great oa.s, wmch the Ynokees left
as they ran off.
I con inued my march and reached here to-day,
wi i tu-*n.*rrow mmning commence crossing
White river at this place and twelve miles below.
Both in n and horses are worn out aud need
rest.
I w:li forward a detailed report of the expedt*
tion at the ear iest moment.
Respect fu I Iv.
J. S. MARHADUkI,
Brigadier General Commanding.
To Col. R. C Newt m, Chief ol Staff, first corps
T. AI. Army.
From Pollard—A Brush.—As the down train
passed P i liar a Thursday, passer.g-rs learned that
intelligence hud just beea received there of a co.-
I'8» »u l>e»we--u *ae Confederate scouts aud the
Yankee 'r-ops at Pensacola. The piace of the
alleged skirmish or fight was Gonzales, which, we
leatn. s about sixteen miles fr<m
General C«oiv, ihe new Commander of the Post,
«a-i a: Pollard, and bad made the necessarv dis
positions oi account of the news. There were
no particulars as to the nature of the b. ush
Mobil s RtquUr*