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About Weekly constitutionalist. (Augusta, Ga.) 185?-1877 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 1866)
THE CONSTITUTIONALIST Correspondence of the Constitution almt. - New York Letter. Nrw York, Jan. 3. It has been one of the “boasts” of the Wash ington government, that “one million men" have been released from the army and navy, within a few months past, and absorbed in the aggregate of Bociety, without disturbance of any sort, such as would have inevitably attend ed similar process in other times. The boast is without just foundation, as a brief review will easily demonstrate. In the first place, the number discharged has not been so great as stated,by nearly half a million. Nearly one half the men who were paid off asd discharged had no existence except on the rolls of the pay master; the “plunder" being divided among favorite officers. The men who were discharg ed, all received several months back pay and bounties, and were returned to their own doors, so that pressing need for money did not exist among any of them. But with these circum stances in favor of public order, what has been the result f Murders, burglaries, to say noth ing of lesser crimes, prevail in all parts of the North, to the most flightful extent. The suburbs of our great cities have become almost uninhabitable except to those who are not worth plundering. There are now eleven murderers in the city prison, awaiting trial, and not more than one-third of the assassins are arrested. The murders now average one a day, in New York and vicinity, while of the bur glaries and highway robberies, there is no reckoning. Not one In ten is reported in the papers. “Have you been robbed yet?” or “Have you had your pocket picked yet ?” is now a very common salutation on the meeting of acquaintances. Things have «one so far, that it has been discovered that the conductors on one of the street railroads are in league with the pickpockets, and aid their depredations upon the unsuspecting passengers. This is not all—possibly the worst aspect of affairs is yet to be exhibited. A system of administering public affairs has been inaugurated, which re-establishes in anoth er form, the depredations of Robin Hood.— A political ruffian, instead of arming his fol lowers, rallies them to the primary meetings, is raised to power, and forthwith plunders the public in the most secure and “honorable” manner. One fact will illustrate: The late Common Council passed an ordinance to widen Ann and part of Fulton streets. The property owners will be put to an expense involving a million dollars. What for? To make the streets wide enough to run railroads through theip ? It is of this sort of robbery that one half our legislation consists. Our local tax. tion now amounts, inthelanguage of the Comp tro’ler, to the virtual confiscation of one-half the real estate, on the pretext of protecting the other half. The depredations of Robin Hood, and other great robber It feudal times, never equalled this. Returning to such opportunities, there is little ground left for boasting, that the soldiers have not plundered the lands, nor outraged the young ladles’ seminaries. The minds of your readers will naturally revert from the picture I have presented to the circumstances under which the Southern sol diers returned to their homes. Without money, destitute of all the necessaries of life, with the most agonising faols staring at them at every point,their conduct has indeed been such as befits heroes. Returning to their desolate homes, as in the tented field, they challeng e th admira tion of mankind. THE NATIONAI BANKS: Thoreisagood deal of nervousness, (which is kept out of the newspapers as mudh as pos sible,) respecting the is a of the National Banks. It is true they are secured by the de posit of Federal securities, but like the seven thirties and ten-forties, (which are much below the par of greenbacks,) they are not legal ten ders except to the government. A man may not be compelled to receive them for a debt. It seems to be the policy of the Treasury Depart ment to d'minish as rapidly as possible the volume of “ legal tendcs,” but to swell with at least equal rapidity, the volume of currency, that is not “legal leader.” Thus it is proposed to fund the compound interest legal tenders, (amounting to $172,000,000) in gold bearing bonds; and to withdiaw a hundred million •dollars in greenbacks, substituting them for an equal amount of national currency. The Tesult may be that the National Treasury and State Banks may resume specie payments very soon, and all debts become payable in gold or its equivalent, and yet these issues of the National Banks remain at an uncomfortable discount. As soon as tbe financial policy of government shall be fully inaugurated, tbe issues of the National Banks may fall to a din eount of five per cent. The difference between legal tender, and not fall legal tender, is known by one fact. Tha ten-forties, bearing five per cent, interest in gold, (or more than seven per C.nt. in currency,) sell at #3. The interest bearing legal tender, bearing but six per cent, in currency, sell at lolialoß. VHB FINIAJTB.' There are great numbers of Fenians in the city, attending upon the “ Congress ” of the Mahoney faction, and watching its operations. A single incident will tell more of the “drift ’’ of affairs than the fullest disquisitions. A leading Fenian official, a tew months since, borrowed a hundred dollars of a brother Fe nian, to meet pressing engagements. Last week, the same individaal purchased an elegant)! house at a eost of fourteen thousand dollars, and is now busy putting eostly furniture into it. This does not look much like an early opening of hostilities against England. A gen tleman who has mingled much with the assem bled Fenians, tells me that the factions are exceedingly bitter against each other, and that the British government is scarcely mentioned. KDWIN BOOTH. ' ' This gentleman, who is widely known as a most accomplished member of the theatrical profession—whose “Hamlet” is pronounced a masterpiece—appears to-night in this city. The Herald, as a part of its fight with the theatre managers, has endeavored to raise a mob against Booth because of his relatiousbip to Junius Brutus Booth. Ample preparations have been made by the police to repress the malignants, and there have been timely hints given out allrday, that the Herald may get a dose of its own medicine. Not the slightest opposition to Booth has appeared m any other quarter. BUSINWS MATTERS. • There are indications of a heavy speculative movement in cotton. The market was active to-day at 53c. Gold declined to 143§, but closed at 143|. The debt statement shows a slight increase for the month, and is otherwise disappointing to the “ bears.” It is probable that Congress will add five hundred millions to the national debt during its present session. Their schemes of publie ex enditure are one -r for their hostility to the admission of the Southern .representatives. Mon ey is asy at 6 per cent, per annum. Willoughby. Fashions of thi South During the War.— Fashion, says the Richmond Times, begins to reassert its empire in the South. During the war a man was deemed fortunate if he owned a couple of fig bushes, for then he was sure of having his family provided with a suit of prim itive clothes, as good as that worn by our first parents, if things came to the worst. Men and women did not care much what they wore, so they wore something. Nor was' the style or cut of garment much regarded, for there was a sort of carnival of old clothes. It was not un common to meet a gentleman with coat or pantaloons which looked as if they had been cut out with a broad-ax and nailed together hurriedly by a rough carpenter. The 'patterns too, were as strongly spiced with variety, as well as with the odor of great antiquity. The old swallow tail and shad-belly coat (which is thought by many to be the style worn by Noah when he harangued the antedeluvians on the probabilities of an unprecedented freshet) was exhumed and restored to general favor. Trow sers made in the good old-fashioned way, with an apron or sort of drop curtain in front, were brought to light by venerabie and respectable gentlemen, who had never been satisfied with modem innovations in dress, and for a long time battled stubbornly against them. Hats, not inaptly designated as camp-kettles, stove pipes, and bee-gums by many soldiers of Lee’s army whenever they encountered the luckless wearer and called upon him “to come out of it,” were very prevalent among sobersided ci vilians ; coon skin and skull-caps of a strange and unique model were worn in bold and utter defiance of all previous proprieties of fashion. The ladies of the South exhibited a similar spirit in yielding to the necessities of the times. The dissensions of crinoline were neglected, and our dames and damsels looked as lovely and attractive in homespuns and linseys as they had ever done in silks and satins. Bonnets of the coal-scuttle, gig top, and chicken-coop types, fossils of fashion, which were the pride and glory of the Elizabethan age, were drawn forth from dusty closetß, old-time bandboxes, and were conscribed and forced into service. Shoes which were regular clcd-knockers and beetle-crushers covered tender feet and well turned ankles which had been used to the finest calfskin and most delicate morocco. There was eminent good taste in all this, and we hope that the lessons of wisdom and economy incul cated by the war will not be forgotten at its conclusion. The Southern Express Company. —Wo have received a circular, from which we make the following extract: In pursuance of the original agreemen* made between the Adams Express Company and the Southern Express Company, five years ainee v by which the former transferred by sale all their property in the Southern States and their right in the in said States to the latter, the Adams Express Company will with draw on December 25tb, 1865, from such rail roads and express routes as the" operated dur ing and since tbe late war, and will transfer their business to the Southern Company. ' We fiud the above in one of our exchanges. The Southern Express Company is one of the very necessary useful institutions of the times of great convenience and benefit to tbe whole country. Long may it wave 1 The Southern Christian Advocate —This cld established and ably conducted journal comes to ns this week double its former size, having been combined with thb Mercantile Mirror. The “Advocate” and “Mirror of the Times” is published at Macon, by J. W. Burke &Cos., and edited by Dr. E. H. Myers, the ve teran and accomplished editor of the old Ad vocate. The nnmber before us contains the following notice of an old and esteemed friend. Mr. C. Canning. —lt is gratifying to us, and will doubtless be so to bis many (riendg in the South Carolina Conference and elsewhere, to be able to state that tbis gentleman, so long connected with the Advocate, again has charge of its typographical department. This assures our readers a handsome sheet. Emigration Going South —Since the war closed the indications show a large foreign em igration southward, from New York, thus : South Carolina 45; Tennessee 350 ; North Ca rolina 19 ; Missouri 3 657 ; Maryland 1.725 ; District Columbia 137; Alabama 9; Virginia 465; Texas 21; Mississippi 31; Kentucky 1,008; Georgia 13; Delaware 152; Arkansas—. This, of course, is not a great show, but it is the beginning q r the end, and does not include the whole of the last part of the year. Leavenworth, Jan. s.—The scouts in pur suit of the men who robbed Paymaster Ellis’ safe of S3O 000 the otter day, overto >k tt era in Platte county and all the monev except $5 000 was recovered. Tbe thieves, when overtaken, took hi the brush and escaped. New Professorships at Washington College. A memorial from the President of Washing ton College was laid before the Legislature yesterday, asking aid for the establishment of five new professorships at that institution. — The purposes and character of these professor ships are set forth, and the manner of making the necessary appropriation is suggested. The subject will undoubtedly meet with speedy action by both Houses, The memorial is as follows: To the Honorable the Senate and , House of Delegates of Virginia : The Board of Trustees of Washington Col lege in order to provide for the wants of the country, and to promote the liberal and prac tical education of the industiral classes, resolved at a !a‘e meeting, to extend the c > urse of scien tific institution. With this view it was determined, without neglecting the study of literature and the clas sics, to establish five additional professorships, viz: I. Practical Chemistry—Embracing the study of metallurgy, and the application of the prin ciples of chemistry to agriculture, mining, manufacturing and the mechanic arts; together with vegetable and animal physiology. 11. Experimental Philosophy gnd Practical Mechanics—ln which shall be taught (1) ex perimental mechanics, optics, hydrostatics, acoustics, thermodynomics, on the inductive principle, and practical astronomy; and (2) drawing, architecture, mechanism, and the na ture and properties of building materials, and their application in the construction of railroads, canals, bridges, Ac. 111. App'ied Mathematics—ln which shall be taught analytical mechanics and optics, mathematical astronomy, the science of civil engineering, and the application of the.princi ples of mathematics to masonry, the construc tion of quoined and clustered arches, domes, Ac. IT. Modern Languages—ln which shall be taught the French, German, Italian and Span ish languages, and their literature. V. History and Literature—ln which shall be taught modern history, English literature, and criticism, rhetoric, elocution, philosophical grammar, and comparative philology. To secure the requisite means for this en larged and thorough course of instruction, measures were adopted by the Board to invite individual donations ; and it wes fur.ther re solved, that the President of the College should petition your honorable bodies to grant, in aid of this proposed course, an annual appropria tion of six thousand dollars, out of the income of the land fund given by the general govern ment to the State of Virginia, for the purpose of establishing colleges for the benefit of agri culture and the mechanic arts. (Act approved, 2d July, 1862 ) The object of the Board of Trustees, being so obviously conducive to the interest of the State, its fair recital is deemed sufficient to secure the favorable action of the Legislature, and as the passage of the grant by Congress is to provide the means of practical instruction for the in dustrial classes, it is belived that this can be better accomplished by distributing the fund among several institutions, accessible to the citizen* of the different parts of the Staw, than by confining the whole to one, whicu would deprive many of its benefits. Washington College, situated in the great agricultural valley of Virginia, and surrounded by a region rich in minerals and aboundingjjn water power, stands prominently among those, where a course of instruction so essential to the proper development of the resources of the State, could be most advantageously taught. A copy of the resolution of the Trustees of the College is respectfully submitted. (Signed.)- R. E. Lee, President Washington College. Lexington, Virginia, December 4, 1865. General Lee—Letter Written in 1861. The Old Guard, of New York, publishes the following letter, which shows the ground taken by General Lee in the beginning of the late civil war: Arlington, Va , April 20, 1861. General—Since rov interview with you on the 18th instant, I havo felt that I ought not longer to retain my commission in the army—l there fore tender my resignation, which I rpquest you will recommend for acceptance. It would have been presented at once bpt for the struggle it cost me to separate myself from a service to which I have devoted all tbe best years of my life snd all the ability I possessed. During the whole of the time—more than a quarter of a century—l fiave experienced noth ing but kindness from my superiors, and the moat cordial friendship from my comrades. To no one, General, have I been as much indebted as to yours°lf for uniform kindness and consid* eration, and it has always been mv ardent do sire, to merit your approbation; I shall carry to the grave tlie most grateful recollections of your kind considerations, and your name and fame shall always be dear to me. Save in defence of my native State, I desire again to draw my sword. Be pleased-to accept my most earnest wishes for tbe contin uance of your happiness and prosperity, and believe me most truly yours, B. E. Lee. Lieutenant General Winfield Scott, Com* manding United States Army. Mr. Raymond. —The debut made by Mr. Henry J. Raymond in tbe House debate of yesterday established him at once as one of the most accomplished, fertile and sel f-possess ed debater* the House had ever bad. Taking conservative ground in support of the Presi dent’s policy, be naturally drew upon himself the sharp assaults of the opponents of that pol icy, and these assaults and interruptions were carried to an extent that showed how import ant his assailants felt it to be to break him down, or at least break down his line of argu ment. That they utterly failed, and that every interruption seemed only to enable the speak er to press his argument more convincingly, is the highest proof possible of Mr. Raymond’s abilities in his new field. The speecn of Mr. Raymond was in reply to that of Mr. Tbaddeus Stevens on Monday last. The point of Mr. Raymond’s argument was, that the rebel ordinances of secession were nothing more than so many expressions of a purpose to go cut of the Union, and to break up the government which did not succeed, and that the States lately in revolt are there- , fore still in the Union. One point urged most conclusively by Mr. Raymond was, that if se cession was a success, if the Southern States were really out of the Union, and became a foreign power, as Mr. Stevens claims, then tbeir debt becomes valid, and the United States succeeds to the privilege of paying it. Washington Srar, of tbe 22d. It is stated that Daniel Drew has given two hundred and fifty thousand dollars toward the two million dollars to be raised by the Metho dists this year, aed he a’so proposes to erect a bgclogical semioary »* his country seat up the Hudson river, Which is to aost not D?« than half a rnilfi*n,a!ft free donation to his denomination. New Conn ter felts According to Peterson s Bmk Note Detect or, twenty-six new counterfeits have been put iu circulation wilhiu the last month. Annexed is a list of the National issues likely to find cir culation in this section: COUNTERFEIT POSTAL CURRESCT, NEW ISSUE. Fifty cent notes, nrw Issue. On the top of the bill the words “Furnished only by the As sistant Treasurer and Designated Depositaries of the United States ;” observe the two words ‘of the ’on the genuine there is a little space between them, not so on the imitations. Fifty cent note*. The engraving is good, but the gilt frame around the, head is very bad, The paper has, however, the appearance of common print paper, and is very whitish. The whole of it is a little smaller than the genuine. Six barrels on right end of Washington arc very indistinot. Twenty-five cent notes ; poorly engraved, on poor paper, and the gilt frame around th j bead don’t show any gilt Ten cent notes, very coarsely done, and the green ink very pale. NATIONAL BANKS. l’s altered to 10’s—vig. of l’s, two female figures with hands clasped, one pointing up wards. 10’s have figure of Franklin drawing electricity from the clouds, and on the baek of bill is DeSotO discovering the Mississippi.— On back of I’s is the landing of the Pilgrims, well done. 59’* altered from s’s; the s’a have vlgs. on each end, and landing ot Columbus on back.— Look out for this alteration. l’s and 2’g altered from the Bullion Bank of Washington, D. C. FRACTIONAL CORRENCT. An excellent imitation of the new issue of the fifty cent fractional currency ha* been received at the Treasury Department. It is considered the best executed counterfeit yet put in circu tion. It can, however, be easily distinguished from the original by the coloring, and in tho signature of S. D. Spinner, the “ e ” having been omitted. TREASURY NOTES. lo’s—A new issue, dated March 10, 1862 The red seal is badly executed, as is also tho border of the note, which is made up of repeti tions of the letter X. General appearance bad. A great nunber are in circulation. 50’s—United States Treasury, (greenbacks) are in circulation from an entirely new plate, said to be the best' counterfeit yet made of the government notes. So look out for them, as some few have taken them. UNITED STATES COMPOUND INTEREST NOTES. 160’s, counterfeit are in circulation. A fac simile of the genuine, but the engraving is not so fine. They are dated May 15, 1865; Letter B. The green Ink In the back of the counter feit is paler than that in the genuine. Be care ful and examine well all before taking them, as they have deceived some of onr best judges. UNITED STATES LEGAL TENDER NOTES. l’s counterfeit—largo numbers of one dollar counterfeit greenbacks are in circulation- Ex cepting a few minor-discrepancies, the spurious note is an exact facsimile of the genuine bill. The general appearance is also very good. The green ink is of a somewhat lighter shade than that used on the genuine, and some rnrts of the note look scratchy and blurred. The' figures l’s on tho green scrollwork on lower right quarter of the notes are printed in green ; in the genu ine they are white. The head of Chase is darker. Bill has a coarse appearance. s’a, imitation—the portrait on the right and the figure of Liberty on the left are rather coarse. Well calculated to deceive. s’s and 10’s raised from l’s. Portrait of Chase on upper left corner. 10’s imitation—the portrait of Lincoln on the left end is very dark, and th? eyes poor, while the toes of the female on the right end cau scarcely be seen. On the genuine they are very distinct. Look out for tbe.m. 20’s imitation poorly done, engraving coarse, and the bills looked blurred. The green ink used is lighter than tho genuine. The dies and 20’s are one-eighth of an inch larger than the genuine. 50’s, altered from 2's. In the genuine 50’s the signature of the Register ia on the left, and the Treasurer on the right end of the bill. In the altered note they are both on the right end, with two strips of lathe work between them. . 50’s imitation. They are iro well done that all the hanks refuse them. 100’s imitated. Upper left, spread eaglo sit ting on a rock. The general appearance of the bill is good. The wings of the eagle are c .nrse and the clouding streaky. The imprint of the American Bank Note Company at, the top is larger than on the genuiho. On the right end of the back of tho 100 in the circles are invert ed thus: "100” In the genuine the 100 io the circles on the left end read thus : “100” : in the counterfeit they are thus: “100.” The paper is also heavier. Order from Gen. Howard. —The following order has been issued by Gen. Howard : War Department; 1 Bureau of Ref’s, Fr’n and Ab’d Lands, j- Washington, December 22, 1865. ) Circular No 22. The attention of the Assistant Commissioners is called to the report of the Lieutenant Gon« eral, dated December 18, 1865. The mort thorough inspection will at once bo made, and the evils complained of corrected. No order from tbe War Department makes the Bureau “ independent of the military establishment,” and agents should be furnished wiih complete instructions, according to orders and circulars issued from this branch of tbe War Department. Any agent or officer who presumes to act con trary to such instructions, will be forthwith removed or reported to tbe Department Com mander for trial by court martial. Tn all matters of a military character the officers and agents with n the military depart ment are under the direction of the Department Commander, in the same manner as an officer of Engineers building a fort in the same depart ment, who reports directly to the Chief En gineer. Every Assistant Commissioner will constantly seek co operation with the Department Com*, mander, ana must.keep him furnished with all information in his possession. His formal ap proval must be secured, when possible, to all orders and circulars issued by the Assistant Commissioners. 'O. O. Howard, Maj. Gen., Commissionef. Counterfeit SSO Greenbacks —We were yesterday shown the most perfect of the fifty dollar counterfeit greenback notes that we have yet met with. Tt is excellent in the engraving the paper, the printing, and indeed, in fts whole appearance, it is well calculated to deceive any but tho moat perfect of the experts in such matters. The only mnrkV) which we can ven ture to and reel public attention as a caution, is that of tbe button mark on the lapel of thecovt on tbe figure of Hamilton in tho body of the bill. Tn the genuine bills the buttons are rather indistinct, but. in the counterfeit but 'He i3 to be eeen.— PhPadtlph'a Ltd'jer. - From the Richmond Examiner. Scene—At the Threshold of (he United States House of Representatives. DRAMATIS PERSON.®-—MR. M'PIIERSON, CLERK OF THE HOUSE, AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF VIS. GIN LA. “Good morrow, Mr. McPherstfn.” “Give you good morrow, sweet gents. What business have ye here?” "We be divers poor gentlemen of Virginia, and we have come hither to ontreat entrance at your chamber door." “On what grounds do you seek admis sion ?’’ ‘ "In verity, we be loyal men and true, we have ta’en one oath, and the other will we gladly gulp." “Odso ! Yo be in quest of dollars, a thousand three times told, I ween.” “Nay, but we will gulp the oath, and we' be tired of standing in the cold without, and of eating peanuts withal.” “Marry come upl your sorrows touch my heart. But ye are Virginians, and methinka your loyalty is somewhat doubtful,” “Say not so, fair, sir, for we will gulp the oath. Nay, be entreated, and let us in, for we are a’cold, and our wallets are empty.” “But stay, ye claim t 6 represent the people of Virginia?” “By cock and pye, we do.” “Ye took no part in the rebellion ?” "Not a tittle." “When your land was invaded, what did ye ?” “Good sooth! wo stayed at home.” ‘ When yoqr houses were burnt, your cattle and negroes stolen and your fields laid waste; what did ye then ?” “We fled to a safer place and kept out of the army.” “When your brothers and your'sons were shot down for defending a cause they deemed righteous ; what then did yet” “Zonnda! we stood by with folded arms.’’ “When your mothers wore insulted, your wives and daughters scoffed at, and your sis* ters imprisohed, felt ye no sympathy for them?” "Not one particle. Nay, start not back in horror, for we are willing to swear it on the Holy Evangelist." “Aye 1 for the sake of three thousand ducats per annum, some men will take any oath. Vir ginians, I trow, are not so base. But when all arms bearing men were conscripted, with what magic and by what arts withal did ye escape •Description ?” “Gad zooks I we bad amassed great store of of Confederate scrip, aod deftly did we use it. Moreover, many of us held numerous African men in bondage, and thereby gained exemp tion.” “Certes, ’twas a cunning dodge. So, then, ye loved the Union ?" jfThat we did, good sir.” “Ye fought for the Union ?’’ “Not overmuch, save in our devout prayeis, which daily and nightly ascended unto God, our Father, for the success of the Union arms." “So, so. Being pious men, and ever ready to goto yonr last account, yet, neverthelespfye were not willing to peril life for the blessed Union ?” “ Nay, be not wroth with us, Mr. McPher son, but be entreated, and let ns in, for we will gulp the oath.” “ Verily, if ye did not fight for the Union, Je surely wrote for it”’ “ Noble Master McPherson, we did not write, neither did we speak lor the Union, for we were afeard.” “ Afeard of what?” “ We pray you, question not so closely." “I demand an answer. Say, of what were ye afraid?” “Softly, softly, gracious, generous sir.- And it please you, we were afeard of onr pro perty. But we will gulp the oath—oh, how glibly.” "It appears by your own showing, that ye perilled neither life, limb nor property for the rebellion. Yet ye come hither to represent the rebels. Also, it appears that ye perilled neither life, limb nor property for the Union. Yet ye claim to love the Union. Faugh I Get ye gone, sirrahs I Avaunt.” “ Nay, precious Master McPherson, but We will pulp the And the door was shut. Three Remarkable Widows.— A New York correspondent writes as follows: Rounding the Fifth Avenue Hotel corner, a few days ago, I met, just at the Broadway crossing of Fifth Avenue, the tall, handsome and stately widow of John J. Crittenden. She was looking In splendid health, was magnificently dressed, and attracted the atUntion of many who did not know her by her personal appearance. Mrs. Crittenden is still a well preserved woman. She had hardly disappeared down Broadway, before I was surprised to see another distinguish ed lady pass in tho oppoiite direction, going up Fifth Avenue. She was not so well preserved nor so young, but still a noticenbly lady. She was once the wife of Daniel Webster. As this lady went up Fifth Avenue, a no less distin guished lady passed down in her car riage. Mrs. General Philip Keainby that was, a magnificent woman in respect to appearance, with runch natural beauty and a good deal more that was artificial. Gen. Kearney, it will be remem bered, left two widow"—each of whom was desig nated in hi* will as his wife. This wts his second wife, formerly a Miss'Maxwell, daughter of a for mer collector of this port, and a distinguished merchant. The first Mrs. Kearney was Ml** Diana Cuthbcrt Bullitt, of Louisville, Kentucky, sister of the present collector of the port of New Or leans, and an estimable lady. While she was still living, Kearney saw and admired Miss Maxwell, and she admired him. The two went to Europe together, and, after being gone about a year, during wh'ch a suit for divorce from the first Mrs. Kearney was prosecuted, and obtained by some means, when they returned and were mar ried. When Kearsey was killed, his estate was left to his second wife, with a provision of SBO,OOO to Mrs-Kearney, nee Bullitt, and the same sum to each of her children. Mrs. Kearney, nee Max well, ia Jiving here in fine style. She Is said to be very charitable, and takes great interest in the weffire of soldiers and their families. She is a beautiful woman still, and much courted and ad mired. Applications fob the Restoration of thr Steamer Planter, Captured During the War. —The Commissioner of the Freedmen’g Bu reau has received a letter from S. P. Brown ( Treasury Agent at Charleston, South Carolina, enc’osing an application from John Ferguson; claiming the steamer “Planter, ” which was run out of Charleston harbor some time in the month of May, 1862, by the begro Robert ‘Small. Mr. Ferguson states that the vessel was seized by the Confederate authorities, and at the time of capture, was under their control- He claims possession on the ground that the President’s amnesty proclamation provides for the restoration of private property taken rfariDg the war, after the terms of said proclamation have been complied with, which he cl ims to have done. The vessel was repaired some time ago by the Quartermaster’s Department at an expense of $40,000, and is now being used by the Frecdmen’a Bureau.
