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4 IiMioenM ‘ERROR CEASES TO BE DANGEROUS WHEN REASON IS LEFT FREE TO COMBAT IT.” Jefferson. VOLUME XVIII. ATLANTA, GA., WEDNESDAY, MAY 23,1866. NUMBER 21. ATLAHTA, GEORGIA, Wednesday, May 23, I860. The Tax on Cotton. The New York Chamber of Commerce has unanimously adopted the report of a special committee on the projiosed tax on cotton, oppos ing the tax of five cents per pound, on the ground that the competition of India and Brazil is con siderable, and that it is unwise to throw any im pediments in the way of Southern cotton pro ducers. This is wise on the part of the New York Chamber of Comercc. The report, how ever, concludes by urging that the present tax of two cents per pound be kept undisturbed. This, we think, is unwise for the very reason assigned why a tax of five per cent, per pound should not be levied upon the important staple. If it be “ unwise to throw any impediments in the way of Southern cotton producers.” why throw that impediment of a tax of two cents per pound up on them ? United State* Government Tax ou Real Estate. We have been favored, through an official source in this city, with the following important information gonnected with the collection of the Government tax on all real estate in Georgia The United States Tax Commissioners for the District of Georgia, or some one representing them, will soon visit every county in the State, and that the people of each county w ill have sixty days notice of the same, all of which time (sixty days) every owner of real estate, in each county, will have to pay in, alter notice is given, before forfeiture of property. Each individual trill not be notified at his place of abode, but the notice will be given through the papers, in or nearest the county, like the following: UNITED STATES DISTRICT TAX COMMISSION, ) Augusta, Qa., March 22, 1806. f The Tax Roll for the county of Richmond, (including the City of Augusta,) is now com- ( )leted, and all persons owning Real Estate there- n are hereby notified that the taxes due thereon must he paid within sixty days from this date, at our office, 291) Broad Street, front room, sec ond story. For non-payment of the tax, the Act of Con gress prescribes forfeiture and sale of the prop erty. Office hours—from 10 to 12. A. M., and 2 to 4, P. M. T. P. Bonn, i U. 8. Direct S. A. Pancoast, Tax Commissioners J. C. Bates. ) District of Georgia. Financial Heller for Ueorcta. The Augusta Chronicle, and Sentinel says that T. W. Chichester, Esq., of that city, who was appointed by Gov. Jenkins agent of the State of Georgia, has made a temporary loan of $400,000, in the city of New York, at a low rate of interest, which it is expected will re lieve the Governor in his financial matters, and enable him to purchase and distribute the corn authorized by the Legislature for the widows and disabled soldiers of our State. Mr. C. is now engaged fn superintending the engraving of bonds which are to he issued under authority of the Legislature. The success of Mr. Chichester in effecting this loan upon such favorable terms not only adds to his credit as a business man, but will show to the citizens of Georgia that their Stale has a deservedly high credit abroad. President Davis. A Washington letter says there is considerable speculation as to the objects of the interview be tween Secretary McCulloch and Mr. Davis at Fortress Monroe. It is thought by some that the purpose is to sound him as to whether lie would accept of banishment. There is no doubt that but many in high position profoundly lament that lie was ever captured, and they would re joice it he could “take wings and fly to the ut termost parts of the earth,” but they don’t think it quite prudent to furnish him with the wings. United State* District Court lor Deorgla. The Savannah papers announce the arrival in that city of the Hon. John Erskine, Judge of the United States District Court for Georgia. They also state that the Judge will open his first court on to-day, in that city. The older citizens of At lanta— those who had the pleasure of knowing Judge Erskine while he was, like them, a citizen of tiie place—have ever felt gratified at his ap pointment ; and they look forward to the day with many agreeable anticipations, when either his official duties, or a desire to visit his old home, shall call hint again to the “Gate City.” It was, and still is, their hope and most earnest wish, that the duties of his office will not deprive Atlanta of his citizenship, nor the social circles of our city ol the presence of his most amiable lady, and we must not forget, of his interesting little daughter.—Macon Journal <£ Messeitger. The foregoing, which appeared as an editorial notice in those columns some time ago, is “cred ited' by the Savannah Republican, from which we clip it, to the Macon Journal <fc Messenger.— The Republican committed no mistake when it did so, for the notice did appear in the columns of the Journal <£■ Messenger, without the “credit” due to this journal, thereby, as it had all the ap pearance of an editorial notice in that paper, misleading the Republican and others doubtless also, ns to the late place of Judge Erskine’s resi dence in Georgia, and this is about all tbe harm it has done, or could do. That carelessness, characteristic we regret to say of many of our exchanges, but not of our Macon cotemporary, which results in such errors is highly 7 censurable. But we have no words with which to express our contempt for a press, or presses, who make it their practice to steal the thoughts or writings of their compeers, in the vain belief that they can pass them off as their own. "The ass in tbe lion’s skin" was not more presumptuous, or vain, than they 7 appear to be when indulging in such thieving propensities. Such attempts remind us forcibly of an anecdote we read in our youth.— It is as follow* : “An old, learned, and eccentric gentleman had heard much of the learning and eloquence *if a young divine, called to take charge of a church in his neighborhood. Curiosity prompted him to go and hear the new preacher, and he took, on his arrival at church, a seat directly in front of the preacher. The text read, the preacher be gan his discourse. Soon the old gentleman re cognized passages in the discourse from books with which he was familiar. He grew indignant, and upon a similar offense being committed, much to the astonishment of the congregation, and chagrin of the preacher, he arose in his seat and exclaimed, ‘That's from Tillotson.' The preacher went on, however, and as he had to go through with his written discourse, he soon came to another passage, when the old fellow again rose and said, 'That's from Blair.' Frequent were these interruptions till vexed and chafed at his detection, the preacher losing all self-posses sion, called to the sexton to put the old gentle man out of the church, when the latter rose, say ing, 'Oh ! as that’s your own, I trill go,’ and de liberately walked out the church.”* Such is the anecdote, make the application all who would pass off for their own, that which emanates from others. Cincinnati Items.—Prof. W. Byrd Powell, died in this city yesterday. R. L. Armstrong, formerly of Chapel, Bruce A Co., of this city, was killed at Paris, Ky., Satur day, by a man named Merriwell. There were seven deaths by suicide in this city last week. A New White House. A special dispatch to the New York News, says that it is by no means impossible that Con gress will do one graceful thing before recess, and that is to direct the building of a new house for the occupancy of the President. The pre sent mansion is poorly planned and wretchedly adapted to the absolute necessities of the Execu tive, his clerks and his family 7 , while itsunliealth- iness has lieen universally admitted for many years. Committed Suicide.—We regret to learn that Mr. E. M. Pratt, long known as being connected with the Express office, iu this city, committed suicide in Tuskegee, Ala., yesterday. No cause is assigned for the rash act. He was a quiet, un assuming gentleman, and had many friends.— The private letter, giving in the detail, says: Express Office, ) Tuskegee, Ala., May 15. )’ Mr. Ciiopp—Dear Sir: Mr. Pratt was found dead in his room at the hotel this morning, hav ing shot himself. As soon as I found it out, there was an inquest held, and pronounced the verdict as having committed suicide. His papers and baggage are in the hands of the jury. A Fearlea* Judge. We have already noticed the case of the cot ton seized at New Orleans, and the conflict of jurisdiction between General Canby 7 and Judge Darrell, and the order in the case received from President Johnson. We extract with pleasure the following remarks from the Judge’s decision adjourning the court .- “And now, as I am unable to carry out the laws as 1 deem I should, I adjourn this court un til a time when the army shall have been re moved, and I being able to imprison and punish as I judge is deserving in the premises. "The Autocrat of the Russians, with the lives and property of his subjects at his command, the Sultan of the Turkeys, with his oriental vassals, much less a Major General of a Republic like this, has not j lower such us has been sought to be enforced in this case by the military 7 . No such power was fouud even w ith the commanders of the Roman Legion. “I therefore adjourn this court until next Sat urday, when I will decide all cases pending now, when I will adjourn this court indefinitely, until such time as I may have power to enforce the laws I am placed here to expound and execute.” These are manly utterances from the bench, aud does honor to the high and just estimation the Judge entertains for the distinguished posi tion he occupies. House Passe* the Reconstruction Joint Resolution. Washington, May 7 20.—The constitutional amendment passed the House this afternoon, amid the usual scenes of interest and excitement that accompany so important an event. It not only passed without amendment and just as it came from the Reconstruction Committee, but secured a large majority over the requisite two- thirds vote. This was contrary to the anticipa tions of the most ardent friends of the amend ment. It was in fact a strict party 7 vote, with the exception of G. C. Smith of Kentucky, and Phelps, of Maryland, who voted with the Demo crats—against it. There was, however, a sharp exhibition of parliamentary tactics that should not be lost sight of. When the House was to he brought to a vote, a large number of Republicans were opposed to ordering the main question, and voted with the Democrats—against it. They did soou the ground that, if the main question was not determined ou, there would he an opportunity to strike out the third section, which disfranchises all rebels till 1870. The retention of this section was looked upon by many as being latal to the ratifi cation, uy uuy soutfiem Slate, of the amenu- ment. When a call was completed, it was man ifest that the oppouents of the third section had carried the motion, and that the main question had not been ordered. The Democrats instantly saw the opportunity to change tire result and force the Republicans to vote for or against the amendment as a whole, with the third section re tained. Thereupon Messrs. Niblack, Rogers, Kerr, and other Democrats, clianged their votes to the affirmative, which carried the motion by five majority, and forced the House to a direct vote on the main question. There was great confusion and excitement at this moment, as nearly two-thirds of the mem bers were out of their seats. The roll call was proceeded with and the Republicans met the is sue and voted solid for the amendment, with the exception of the two members already named. When the name of Mr. Raymond was reached, he answered, to ttie great surprise of the House, in the affirmative. 11 is vote was warmly ap plauded, and members rushed around and con gratulated him. The result was received with great applause on the floor and in the galleries. Air. Eldridge thereupon arose excitedly and hoped the rules would he enforced so that the “niggerheads,” as he called the spectators, could not disturb the House. He was answered by the spectators with a storm of hisses. Mr. Rogers, of New 7 Jersey 7 , thereupon arose and moved that the “freedmen” in the galleries be allowed to waive their handkerchiefs. This was received with mingled applause and hisses, and added to the confusion. Finally order was restored, and in the exuberence of its feeling the House ad journed until Monday 7 . — From the Nashville Union <fc American. Constitutional Amendment or the Recon struction Committee. It will be seen from Washington dispatches in another column, that the report ol the committee of fifteen passed the House on the 10th by 7 more than the necessary two-thirds vote. There is but little doubt that it will, also, pass the Senate.— This proposition is iu the nature of an amend ment to the Federal Constituiion. That instru ment, as it now 7 stands, requires the assent of three-fourllisof the Slates to change it by amend ment. There are thirty-six States in the Union. Consequently, it requires twenty-seven Slates to carry. Supposing that it is ratified by all the North ern States, Maryland and Alissouri, it will then require two Southern States in addition. Ten nessee will count one. Can another be had ? We think not. Seeing the difficulty thus pre sented, Mr. Stevens has advanced the theory that there are only 7 twenty-five States in the Union, and that, therefore, nineteen only are necessary for its adoption—the Southern States being count ed out. This is the boldest presentation of the issue be tween the President aud Congress that has yet been made, and we hope it will be “ fought out upon that liue,” looking to the people as the final umpire. One of the objectionable features of the pro posed amendment is the 3d section, which pro vides that until the 4th of July, 1870, all persons who voluntarily 7 adhered to the late insurrection, giving it aid and comfort, shall be excluded from the right to vote for Representatives in Congress and for electors for President and Vice President of the United States. In a recent debate upon the qnestion. Air. Blaine, ot Alaine, Conservative, called the attention of Mr. Stevens, and of the House, to this provision, stating that it appeared to him that that was a violation of good faith in reference to that large class of people in tbe South who came within the terms of the Amnesty Proclamation of President Johnson, and who were thereby 7 restored to all their civil rights.— He asked Air. Stevens for an explanation on that point. According to the published debates, Air. Ste vens replied that the pardon extinguished the crime—after pardon there was no such crime in the individual. Those who were fully pardoned did not come within the operation of the third section. Air. Blaine said he understood the gentleman from Pennsylvania to say that those who came within the terms of the proclamation of amnesty, woul not be considered as having adhered to the late insurrection. Air. Stevens assimilated their condition to that of a person convicted ol felony, and thereby rendered incompetent to testify; but who, if pardoned, and if his testimony were challenged, could produce bis pardon and thereby show his competency. Air. Blaine suggested that, if that was the pro per construction^ to be given the section, it should be so amended as that there could be no ques tion about its construction, and he should at the proper time move an amendment to that effect. We think Air. Stevens’ reasoning correct as to the effect of the pardon, but his interpretation is very different lrom the one generally given to this section. AYe hope be and his friends will stand bv it. From the Pitt-burg Commercial. The Batcher Probst. A FULL AND FRANK CONFESSION—HE ALONE MURDERED TIIE DEAHING FAMILY. We have already 7 given a brief telegraphic ac count of the confession of Anton Probst, the murderer of the Dealing family of eight persons, which, while it eased the public mind in reference to the escape ot an alleged accomplice, gave hut a slight idea of the ferocity of the lieast who made it. The Philadelphia Inquirer, of Tuesday morning, contains a photographic, and therefore complete report of the confession. From it we learn that Anton Probst is a native of Baden, aged twenty-four years, and arrived iu this coun try 7 on the 9th of Alav, 1803. The afternoon of his arrival he enlisted in the Forty-first New York Infantry 7 , served nine months, deserted and re enlisted iu the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, from wh'ch he subsequently deserted and again enlisted in the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, from which he was discharged May 28th, 1805. He worked at old jobs in New York, New Jersey 7 , Maryland aud about Philadelphia until last win ter, when he w as employed by Air. Dearm" for whom he worked three weeks. He was ordered to do some work in a field on a rainy day, which he refused to do, and said he would leave, when Air. Hearing paid him and he left. He had seen Mr. Dearing countin" a large amount of money, and he returned to Hearing's on the 2d of Feb ruary, having made up his mind, he said to get some of the money. Air. Hearing again gave him work, and now commenced HIS NEFARIOUS SCHEMES. I was watching an opportunity some time, to get hold of this money. (The prisoner kept on slowly, drawing deep breaths for a few mo ments.) I planned every 7 day to get the money, and never had a chance. I never thought of murder ing before that morning I murdered them.— I had tried no way to get this money before that. Mr. Perkins, Jr.—Probst, what did you say be fore—about eight day’s before the murder ? Probst—Yes, eight or ten clays before I had thought of that, of murdering him and the whole family 7 . Aly first plan was to kill him and get the money; I could not get the money in any other w 7 ay. I thought of killing them in the house, as they came down in the morning. I got the axe sometimes ready for them wlieu they came down, in the evening sometimes. I did not do it then ; I never could do it. I got sometimes a good chance, but my heart failed it. Dearing was home always in the evening. IIOW THE HORRIBLE MURDERS W'ERE DONE. That morning was dark, raining and cold, aud Dearing went to the city; then I made up my mind to do it that day; f calculated to kill Hear ing as he came home; I did not know whether the money was iu the house or not; I did not know whether he had it. THE KILLING OF THE BOY CORNELIUS. Ale and the hoy were working out on the bank; we went to work that morning about 74 or 8 o’clock, I guess; Mr. Dearing went up fo the city before we went out; he said he would be hack al>out one o’clock ; we went to work in the meadow, about one hundred yards from the liay- stack ; we took the horses and cart and went to work together; I took with me to kill him the axe, the big axe for cutting roots out also. We were standing under the big tree when I killed him; it was raining a little; lie sat down under the tree, and I stood above him, behind him with the axe in my hand; he sat there anil talked of something about work while I stood right behind him ; I was going to kill him, and dretv my hand hack three or four times; I hit him ou the left side of the head; he did not holler; he fell down and I gave him one or two more blows, and then cut his throat; he bled much (the prisoner stopped, looked down on the rosary, aud ran his fingers over the small heads of the rosary) on-the tree; I lifted him up and put him iu the cart; he had the strap every time round ^|m.^).^ceftD his ni> ! H> lies’ house; I was not afraid of them see ing me; I looked first; then I drove the horse up and laid him in the hay-stack, and covered him up with hay 7 ; there was a little blood on the cart; I took “a little bay 7 and wiped it off; I took some outside hay 7 and threw over him. BUTCHERY OF THE MOTHER AND LITTLE CHIL DREN. Then I went—took the axe with me to the house, and also took the horse with me; this was about 10 o’clock in the morning; I came to the house with the home aud cart, and had a lit tle wood on the cart, and put the wood clown in the yard; I left the horse and cart stand in the machine house, did not unhitch tiie horse; I went into the stable and laid the two axes and hammer in the corner, right on the left corner, near the narrow door that faces the ditch ; well then, I would go over in the house and liad a little blood on my pants; 1 took it off; then I went over in the house and the children were all in the house, anil the woman was out at the ditch for water. I took the oldest boy, John is his name, aud told him to go over in the stable and help me with something I liad to do ; he goes ; I stood inside the door, got my axe in my hand, the little axe, and then he comes in ; through the long en try first he comes, right on the corner; I knock ed him down and lie fell inside where the little blood was; he did not holler; I gave him one or two more of the same, and cut and chopped his throat; I brought him in, hauled him through the hole, and put a little hay on him; then 1 put the axe back to the same place at the door; then I came out iu the house anil told the wo man to come over, there was something the mas ter with the little horse, the colt, I could not tie it myself. I went over; she comes in two or three min utes, alone; I said nothing to her; she comes in the stable ; I stood inside and struck her on the head; she did not holler; I gave her two or three more blows, and chopped her throat; I took her on my r shoulder and hauled her in ; I had to crawl in first and then pull her in ; then I put the axe in the same place as before, at the door. Then I go over and bring the boy over there; Thomas is his name, the next oldest, I told him to come over, his mother wanted him ; he said nothing at all, and comes over right away ; he came in the same place; he walked before me; I walked behind him ; he walks right in the stable; when he comes there I killed him by 7 striking him in the same place ; nobody 7 did holler; I hit him on the head when he laid down ; I hit him once more; I do not know whether I mashed his whole scull in, I did not examine him; I brought him in the same place with his mother; then "I left the axe in the same place. THE LITTLE ONE. Then I went over to the house and took An nie ; I told her her mother wanted to see her in the stable; she did not say a word ; then I took the little baby 7 ; I took it on my arm ; the little girl walked alongside of me ; 1 left the baby on the first corner as you go into the stable; I left the little baby there playing in the hay; then I go in the same place where I killed the others ; she looked around like for her mother, who was in the hay (smiling); I was not warm ; she did not say any thing ; I knocked her down at the first blow, and cut her throat the same as the others; then I went back and got the little baby, and struck it on the head iu the same place; then I hauled them in the same place. Then I took the new axe and washed it off, and put it on the bench in the porch, and left the little axe in the stable, by the door on the left side; then I went over into the house; I took the horse out of the cart and put it into the stable; then I went over in tbe house, aud stayed there watching for him to come; I did not search the house then. MURDER OF MR. DEARING AND MISS DOLAN. I guess about half-past 1 o'clock, I do not know the exact time, I saw him coming, out of the window; I looked through the window and saw liim coming, and went out down stairs and saw Aliss Dolan in the carriage, and then I was worried; then I go out of the house and stay- outside until he come; when he is come with the carriage; I stepped out to tiie carriage and told him that the steer is sick over there in the stable; I told him he looks very bad, be had better see him, I would like him to go over and see him; then he comes right away, walking over there; be left tbe horse standing there; Aliss Dolan went into the house with all her clothes. Then I went to the stable, and walked behind him; I took the axe behind him in my hand; I walked behind him and hit at him right on the head with the small axe; he fell right down on his face; I turned him over and gave him one ©r two more on his head, and cut liis throat, anil chopped liis throat; he never spoke to me, or said a word; he told me was that steer hurt vety bad; he did not look so bad when I saw him; I will go right over to tbe bam and see him; then I put a .little hay over him and left him laying there; I killed him at the place where you go up to the hay mound, where the blood ‘is ou the boards. I put a little bay over him; going out, I put my axe in tli • same place, the small axe, I had the hammer there. And then Aliss Dolan called me over there in the house; I would walk around and put the horse out ol the carriage; I walked over there and said Air. Dearm" wanted to see her over in the stable; she asked me where the woman and the children are ; I told her they are all in the stable ; (smiling) that is all I talked to her; she walks right in the stable; I took tbe hammer with my left hand, and she was five or six feet inside the door; 1 hit her on the head once with the hammer, and she fell right down on her face ; I turned her round, Hit her once in the head, and took the little axe again and chopped her throat; then I went to Dearing and took the watch and pocket book from him and put them in my pock et; and then I went back to Aliss Dolan to see if she bad money; I looked into the pocket and took a pocket ’book anil put it into my pocket; after that I took Mr. Dearing’s boots off, and laid him in the sajr'ifj^-T where you found him, and put Miss D6tt.%jh* and covered them up with hay. THE ROBB HE HOUSE AFTER THE RDERS. Then I went oiftN^jB:? shut to the doors; went ovar to the house; the carriage and horse in to the stable, and took the gears oft of him; I gave the horse something to eat, oats and corn; then I shut the door apd went over to the house and put the carriage iu its place in the carriage house; this was about half-past two o’clock^ I cannot tell exactly what time; then I went into the house inside, shut the door, and fastened the door; I took my pocket book out to count the money; I took first the big pocket book out— Air. Hearing's pocket book; I found ten dollars in it in greenbacks, and two two-dollar notes, and a counterfeit tbree-doHar note; that is all the money I saw ; I took Miss Dolan’s pocket book, the little one; I opened it, and saw nothing in it but postage stamps; I«in certain there was none in it; I will not now lie. I thought they had much money (laughing); I left the watch and pocket book on the table and went up stairs; I found a pocket book of Airs. Dearing’s, that little one on the bed there, with a yellow clasp on it; it had $3 in it, in green backs, and about sixty-five cents in small change, under the bed there was a little revolver, loaded; I got down stairs; I looked all over and I can not find more; I took the revolvers down and put them among the other things; then I went up stairs and looked all over; 1 searched about but I cannot find any-other thing; I took the three shirts, and pants add vest down stairs, and after that I shaved myself with Dearing’s razor, the one in the carpet bag; then I washed mj’self and dressed myself, and put liis clothes on; then I eat something, bread aid butter. I saw the big butcher knife on the mantle piece many a time before, but I did not notice it that time, and did not_mit it there; then I eat something (bread and butter), aud went up stairs again; looked all over again, and did not find anything; I took all I could in my carpet bag down stairs; Aliss Dolau’s carpet bag, and pack ed it up, and made ready to go way with it; I staid in the evening until 6 or o’clock ; it was not very dark then; about sunset; I did not then see anybody coming through the yard; I had the doors locked, aud the window, too, in the yard; I had nothing in the house to defend inysell in case any body came. IIIS FLIGHT AND CAROUSINGS. I lelt there about 04; I went ilowd Jones’ lane to Point House road• I carried the carpet bag through the meadow; I did not go by Air. Wiles’, but across the meadow; I left the door open in the barn for the cattle to go in and get some hay, but I fed the chickens and cattle all of them before I left. Question.—By Chief E&nklin—What did you think they would do for rater ? Probst.—I thought t1c*y had water enough there outside: Point House road ; r y —.' me; .... , .a .iv' lint Iid fnllmrDil iru» • ill 1 drove him away for a time, but he followed me; none of the dogs followed me before around the bam; I went in Third Street car; then the dog did not follow me; 1 went up Third to Cal- lowhill street; I got down and walked from Callowliill alongjo New Alarket street, and then to Leckfeldt’s. I took my carpet bag there and gave it to him to save for me, and an umbrella; am certain I lelt it there. I am sure that it was Saturday night; it was not so that I was there on Sunday noon ; I treat ed him aud another fellow there, one a Dutch man, a big man; do not know liis name; they called him the beer brewer; it was not Heinrich Bael; then I went to Front street, about seven o’clock or after, anyhow eight o’clock, and stay ed there about halt an hour; then I go over to Germantown road, to Stropes’; I told him I had a pistol to sell, and told him I worked in Cam den, over there in a saw mill; I promised to bring the pistol back on Saturday, at half past ten or eleven o’clock; I went over there on Leck feldt’s ; I stayed there the whole night with that woman, and the nex't morning I went to C’lins. More’s; then to Leckfeldt’s, eat my dinner there, anil drunk lager beer; I stayed there then in the evening, and then went home with that other big woman; I was there about fifteen or twenty minutes, then I went back to Leckfeldt’s; I gave her the two dollar note; I offered to give her the watch, the silver one; she would not take that watch; she told me she would take a re volver if I had one, I told her I had none; 1 stayed at Leckfeldt’s Sunday night, Alonilay night, Tuesday night and AVednesilay night; then 1 slept down on the wharf, on Brown street wharf; there are plenty of boats there, I slept in one of them ; then I got out in the morn ing, about six o’clock, and sold the watch on Thursday morning to Mr. Algener, he gave me four dollars; then I went back to Lecktelilt’s anil paid him three dollars and sixty cents; then I had about forty cents left; I took my dinner there, and, in the evening, my supper. About half-past seven o’clock I went away with Heinrich, and walked about two squares with him; then I told him that I would go back to Leckfeldt’s; then I walked out Alarket street; I wanted to go into the country; I wanted to go right through the whole country (smiling;) I felt bad; I bad seen an amount of it in the papers; I looked into them every day; I seen it first on the morning I was arrested; that was tbe first time; I was then in Leckfeldt’s; it was in a Ger man paper; I had a talk about it there ; he talk ed tbe whole time about it, Leckfeldt, and every body who come in there; the police came in there inquiring about that; they were talking with Leckfeldt; this day I stayed there; I ex pected to be arrested. ! I did not see the officers doing anything when went by them, near 1 Alarket street bridge; I heard them talking, and heard them say that is the man ; and then I tvalked; I walked pretty sharp (laughing,) and when he came behind me (smiling) 1 could not do anything; he asked me, right on the bridge, I do not know exactly wbat; he told me I was a Dutchman; I told him no, I was a Frenchman (laughing and playing with tbe beads of the rosary;) be told me to come back with him ; I could do nothing with him; I could not do anything more, nor I would not have done anything then, if I could have done anythin"; I did not care whether I was caught or not; I had no money (laughing;) I leel not right; I was sorry for what I had done. After I killed the first boy I did not care if a hundred were there; if a hundred had gone there I would have killed them all without caring; I do not know why I felt that way; I had no feel ing against the family, only I wanted the money; they always treated me well. THE MURDERER’S FEARS. I feel better since I Lave told tbe truth about this thing; I feel relieved i I was afraid to say it at first—afraid of being lynched, afraid of the crowd, and that the police force could not keep them off; I am satisfied I had a fair trial and the witnesses testified to the truth, except Leckfeldt, showing I went and stayed there only one night, when I stayed every night. Chief Franklin—Well, Probst, how could Leckfeldt remember exactly, when he may have had a hundred boarders coming and going ? p ro bst—He knew nothing about this case; I opened the carpet bag there and showed my pis tol ; I sold the other watch in Second street, near Poplar. Chief Franklin—I searched for four squares around there and could not find it. Probst—I am sure of that; I got two dollars for it; I sold it to a man behind the counter; one of the hands was broken off; I got nothing else but what was found ; everything was there but that watch and umbrella; I took tbe boots eft Air. Dearing’s feet after be was killed, before killed AIL'S 3 Dolan ; but I did not put them on until after I killed Aliss Dolan ; I took them off because I guessed he had something in his boots, some jnoney; I put on his boots and took oft my own shoes I had on and left them there; None of these people said a word or hollowed when I killed them ; I do not now whether one of the boys threw up bis hand; I guess Mrs. Dearing got her baud chopped; none of them said anything; neither the baby; I did not wish to leave the baby because I was afraid it would cry or make a big noise; I was in a hurry when I killed the baby anil did not look, and that was the reason I cut it in the shoulder. I was in the fight at James’ Landing before I left the army; I lost my thumb with my own gun; I was out on picket several hours, and I was sleepy; after a while I stumbled, and some how while ray hand was partly over the muzzle, the gun exploded aud my thumb was shot off. Special Pardons and Property Selsnr-e In the South. THE PRESIDENT’S ANSWER TO TIIF. CALL 1 INFORMATION. The President sent a message to the House of Representatives in answer to a resolution request ing the names of persons worth more than $20,- OO0 to whom special pardons have been issued, and a statement of the amount of property which has been seized as belonging to the ene mies of tbe Government, or as aboudoneil prop erty, and returned to those who claimed to be the original owners. Accompanying the message is a communica tion from the Secretaiy of State, who reports to the President that of the seven thousand one hundred and ninety-seven cases of pardons passed upon them bv the Attorney-General, there still remains in the State Department seven hun dred and seven cases which, not yet having been finally disposed of, have been stricken from the accompanying list. The Attorney-General, in aj communication to the President, says it does not appear fiom the records of his office how much property, real, personal and mixed, has been Seized and forfeited to the United States, under the Act of 1862, as enemies property - ; nor do they show any property taken from offi cers of the United States and returned to the enemies of the Government; nor is there any thing in that office in regard to abandoned prop erty. The list of pardons granted under the Amnes ty Proclamation of the President under the thirteenth exception is as follows: Georgia, 1,228; North Carolina, 482; Texas, 269; New Alexico, 1; Alississippi, 765; Louisiana, 142; Alabama, 1,361; South Carolina, 638; Arkansas, 41; Alis souri, 10; Kentucky, 12; Florida, 38; West Vir ginia, 48. A communicat ion from the Secretary of the Treasury says, as to how much property, real, personal and mixed, has been seized as forfeited to the United States has been returned to those who claimed to be the original owners, there is no in formation in the Department on the subject as understood from the general and vague terms of the resolution. It is presumed the act alluded to is that of July 17,1862, the execution of which, as he understands, was committed by the Pres ident to the Attorney-General, and so far as he is advised, the Treasury Department has not uu- taken in any case the enforcement of its several provisions, or to release any property held as forfeited under them, so far as the Department is]concerneil/The abandoned or confiscable lands heretofore held by it were turned over, under the Secretary’s circular letter of June 27 last, to the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Aban doned Lands, in accordance with the provisions of the act of Congress approved Alarcli 1865, and Executive orders on the subject, and that no IreeilJ men occupying any of said lands have been displaced by any action of the Department at the request or for the benefit of returning rebels. The Secretary of War, in his communication to the President, encloses several reports, among them, one from the Adjutant General’s office, saying there are no records therein pertaining to the restoration of property as defined in the reso lution of inquiry. Quartermaster General Aleigs says the railroads captured and held as a milita ry necessity have been returned t^ the companies lantic States under orders of the War Depart ment, all on condition of re-organizing and elect ing loyal Boards of Directors, and giving bonds satisfactory to the government that they would, within a reasonable time, pay a fair valuation for the Government property turned over to said companies aud sold to them on credit. Major General Delafield, Chief of Engineer Department., says that the Department has caus ed no property to he seized under the act of 1862 as enemy’s property, and none has been taken from the officers of the corps of Engineers and returned to the enemies of the government who claimed to be the original owners. The Depart ment has, however, taken possession ol large tracts of lauds and fixtures in both rebel and loyal States, as a military necessity, and occupied the same with temporary works, which, ceasing to be needed for offensive or defensive purposes, have been dismantled, and the moveable parts sold on account of the United States, except in cases where the loyal owners agree to receive the usual buildings as a dischaige of all claims on their part against the United States for use, dam age, &c., in which case their property was re turned to them on this understanding. The Chief of Ordnance says the records ot the office show only one case where captured pro perty received by the Department has been re turned to any one. This was machinery cap tured at Alacon, Georgia, which has been returu- to the former owners on the application of Brig. General J. D. Webster, recommended by Lieu tenant General Grant. General Howard, of the Freedmen’s Bureau, gives a list of the property seized under the act of July 17,1863, and subsequently restored to former owners. The greater portion of the pro- - perty of this character is situated in Virginia, and was formerly set apart for the use of refugees aud freedment liy a circular. It became appa rent, however, that much of it had been impro perly seized, and to avoid injustice, action under the circular was temporarily suspended. Part of this property had been merely libelled. Against part of the proceedings had reached a decree of condemnation and sale. Very little, however, was actually sold. Ou September 12,1864, cir cular No. 15, series of 1865, was issued to govern the action of the Bureau respecting property.-— This circular originally drafted by the Commis sioner, was submitted to the President, who ma terially amended it, and it was promulgated as received from him. With respect to property seized under the act of July 17, 1862, this circu lar declares that it shall be regarded as confisca ted only after an actual sale has taken place, and direct * Assistant Commissioners of the Bureau to restore it when it appears satisfactorily that it has not been confiscated. Such property has, there fore, been restored upon proof that proceedings against it had been dismissed iD the United States Courts. The records of tbe office do not show whether parties to whom such property has been restored were connected with the army of the so-calied Confederate States, or whether they gave aid or comfort to the rebellion. General Howard says the estate of William Aiken, in South Carolina, was restored by order of Major-General Sickles, commanding tbe Department. Three estates were surrendered for the reason they were not actually abandoned. Of the remainder, some were given because veiy lew freedmen were resi dent upon them, and those could be more ad vantageously located elsewhere. The others were restored alter mutual satisfactory agree ments had been entered into between the freed- men and their former owners. All of these pieces of property were embraced in General Sherman’s Field Order No 15, and the authority for the action taken by the Bureau in respect to them was derived from the instruc tions of the President, contained in General Or ders No. 145, from the War Department, bear ing date of October 9, 1865. The property held under the act of July, 1862, and the abandoned property actually allotted to resident freedmen, comprised but a small portion of the entire amount which the Bureau has held in its posses sion. Iu August, 1865, an application was re ceived from B. B. Lake, of Tennessee, a former soldier of the rebel army, who bad received a special pardon. His property was clearly aban doned, and bis application was not granted. An appeal was made to the President, and on the 17th of August was received at the Bureau with the following endorsement: Executive Office, August 16,1865. Respectfully returned to the Freedmen’s Bu reau. R- Fox. The records of this office show that B. B. Lake was specially pardoned by the President on the 27th ult., anil was thereby restored to all rights of property except as to slaves. Notwithstand ing this, it is understood the possession of his properly is withheld from him. I have, there fore, to’direct that Gen. Fisk, Assistant Commis sioner at Nashville, Tenn., be instructed by tbe Chief Commissioner of the Bureau of Freedmen, er, Ac., and that the same be immediately re turned to Mr. Lake. The same action will be liad in all similar cases. Andrew Johnson, President of the United States. In compil ing with these definite instructions, the Bureau has been compelled to part with the greater portion of the property once under its control, except in the very few cases where prop erty has lieen actually sold under-the Act of Ju ly 19,1862; and in that port ion of South Caroli na and Georgia embraced in the provisions of Gen. Sherman’s Field Order No 15, its tenure of proper!} 7 has been too uncertain to justify allott- ruents to freedmen. In addition to the property seized under the Act of 1862, and abandoned property allotted to freedmen, 400,000 acres of abandoned lands, not allotted to freedmen, have been restored to former owners. Recapitubition.—Property seized under the Act of July, 1S62, and restored by *tlie Bureau 15,452 acres; abandoned property allotted to freedmen, and restored by the Bureau, 14,652 acres; abandoned property not allotted to freed men, restored by the Bureau, 400,000 acres. Total, 430,103 acres. [From the Cincinnati Commercial.) Itemuraknble Snlclde. the rebel sfy. Sterling King, known throughout the war as a rebel spy and bearer of dispatches, with the rank of Colonel, was horn in England in 1834, anil while yet a hoy, came with his parents to this country, and found a permanent home near Richmond, Virginia. lie received a very good collegiate education, studied law and practiced in Richmond, Virginia. Upon the inauguration of the rebellion, he was among the very first to enlist, as a private under Stonewall Jackson. Badly wounded in an engagement in the first year, and distinguished for reckless courage, he was soon promoted to a Colonelcy and detailed to act as a spy, under orders from the rebel ex ecutive. In this capacity he traveled all through the North, managing, as he brought experience to the aid of natural abilities, to work success fully in procuring passes, passing the lines and procuring information useful to the rebel cause. He made trips through all the Northern and Eastern Cities, to Cuba, Canada and even to Eu rope. He several times had business in this city, and one time occupied a small office near the Soldier’s Home, on Third Street, where, under the guise of claim agent, lie occupied himself during several weeks, in collecting from the in mates of the Home statistics as to tiie strength and location of all the regiments represented by them. He was fully acquainted with all the business of the rebel mail service, and was at one time employed in selecting men and routes for that business. A couple of years since lie was cap tured here, and imprisoned as a spy. Proposi tions were made to release him, in the event that lie would give information that would lead to the arrest of certain rebel agents in this vicinity; but be stubbornly refused, stating that he intended to make his escape with his hands, and the promise he made good by working his way out one night, and passing the guard, despite a bayonet thrust in the thigh. TIIE nORSE THIEF. Having4kus given the main points in King’s history as a rebel colonel and spy, we come now to his operations as a horse thief. Pretending to the honor and punctillio ot a gentleman of the first-class of chivalry, while in the rebel service, in which lie continued until the war closed, he nevertheless turneiLa professional thief, upon be ing again thrown upon his own resources. Com ing to this city about three months since, lie planned and successlully executed, thefts of val uable horses and vehicles from three livery sta bles, Fay’s, Bigler’s, and Hierman’s. lie would make himself familiar with the proprietors—one after the other—hire and return a few times—talk of purchasing a fine horse, and when ready for the theft, hire the most valuable “ tnrn^qj, j^'of the stable as i£ to go a few miles oui Bowline ig* Green, or Louisvil had Air Dearing’s boots on, pantaloons, shirt and Ac., to relinquish possession of the property of necktie when I was arrested. 1 Air. Lake, held by him as Assistant Commission- harness, to sell it. On the 12th of March last, lie was recognized as a horse thief, in the Louisville Hotel, at Louis ville, immediately arrested and placed in jail to await the necessary requisition from Governor Cox. Then it was that he invented the lie as to the assassination of President Lincoln, declaring that he was the assassin, and that John Wilkes Booth had nothing further to do with it than to hold his (King’s) horse while he entered the thea tre, fired the pistol shot, made his escape and re mounted. His object in telling this story was to induce the authorities to take him to Washington, where lie would he liberated, and so escape both charges. THE SUICIDE. Failing iu this, and being reduced to the ex treme ot despondency and mortification at the position to which he had degraded himself, he resolved to put an end to his wretched and ap parently unendurable existence. At about eleven o’clock one night, when all save himself in the jail were in bed, he cut an artery of the left arm, and allowed the blood to gusli out unimpeded. The loss of blood produced sickness of the stom ach and violent vomiting, which awakened a fel low-prisoner, who was sleeping in the same cell. This man gave the alarm, and assistance came in time to save the file that the would-be suicide had sought to thus cast off. But the resolution to die was not to be thus conquered. Sterling King was a man of inflexi ble will. He ceased entirely to cat of anything that would feed the fire of fife, which soon began to wane; and then, day by day, grew more and more feeble. In forty days the man tasted but five times of food, and all that lie ate in that en tire time did not amount to one full dinner for a hungry man. Rapidly liis flesh began to disap pear, and the bones of limbs that could be easily spanned with the hand grew horribly prominent. He ceased to walk or stand; he only reclined, breathed and refused to eat. They told him that the requisition from the Governor of Ohio would reach him at a certain time. He wanted to die —notin the jail of Louisville, but out somewhere where be could breathe the pure air and see na ture once more. And so this living skeleton cooly calculated the length of time lie had yet to five, and finding that if he did not cat he would die too soon, lie took some soup, bread and pre serves—five times as already mentioned. Day before yesterday, Detective Lary Ilazen, of this city, reached his prison, produced the re quisition, took King up as thongh lie were a child, and conveyed him to the carriage, and thence to a berth on the mail-boat. He then en deavored to induce him to eat; and said King, in a voice scarcely audible, “Air. Hazen, if you will promise me to make such an arrangement as will enable me to compromise this matter by paying for the property, I will commence eating to-day.” Air. Hazen could not promise this, and the dying man shook his head and refused the food. He calculated that he had three days to five, which would enable him to reach Cincinnati and settle up his little affairs; but, at about two o’clock of yesterday morning, a little after the boat reached the landing here, the death-rattle sounded in his throat, and the detective found him dead. The jury called by Coroner Carey, yesterday, rendered a verdict of suicide by starvation. We understand that deceased has triends in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Horrible State of Affairs in East Ten nessee.—A gentleman writing to us from Bristol, East Tennessee, under date of the 9th inst., gives a woful account of the state of affairs in that locality and tiie country adjacent We make the following extract: “Every room and house in our town is filled to overflowing with refugees from Tennessee; not rebles, but Union men, who have independence enough to oppose the Radical misrule. They are ordered by the Un ion League of Tennessee to leave or submit to the punishment which that league is pleased to in flict upon them, which, in many instances, is death. Such men, for example, as James Dead- erick, a well known lawyer of Jonesboro, and asraiglit out Union man; Air. York, aud even Mr3. Beard. I merely select these names from scores of others, as you may know them. You may have heard that some few weeks since, the editor of the Knoxville Whig visited upper East Tennessee, since which visit a new impetus has been given to the powers that be. We hear and lielieve that the editor ot the Jonesboro Union Flag is forming leagues in every neighborhood, and at every cross road throughout the whole country—a tool of Brownlow.” We take the above extract from one of many lettera giving the status of affairs in that untortu nate locality, all of which is confirmed by the effusions of the journal in*question. The extract speaks for itself, and shows on whom rests the responsibility of the general discord and distrac tion of that portion of the State.—Nashville Union db American. _ Because a man is a Representative in Congress, it doesn’t follow that he is a representative man. The hate Dr. U. L. Seago. We copy from the St. Louis (Mo.) Democrat the following particulars of the unfortunate end of a most estimable gentleman, well known here, and respected by all who knew him. We regret, iu common with the community generally, the sad fate of Dr. Seago, and sympathize with his relatives : About a week ago Dr. li. L. Seago, assistant editor of the Atlanta Era, arrived in this city, and took a room in the fifth story of the Southern Hotel. lie appeared quite melancholy, and had but little to say to any one about the hotel. Ou Thursday bills were sent to the office from an apothecary tor one ounce of morphine and three prescriptions composed of morphine and chloro form. The last seen of him was on Friday night. At two o’clock yesterday (Sunday) liis room was entered through the transom, anil his dead body- found lying on the bed. Coroner O’Reilly was summoned, and an inquest was held. Several letters written by the deceased a short time be fore his death were found on the table, showing that lie had taken his owu fife. No money was found among his effects, nor had lie deposited any at the office of the hotel. He was about thirty years of age. The following are copies of the letters, written in pencil, the last being al most illegible : TO A. K. SEAGO, OF ATLANTA. Southern Hotel, St. Louis, May 10, 1SG6. Dear Uncle: Sorrow, too deep for utter ance, has overwhelmed my soul. God bless you, dear Aimt Melissa, and the children. Poverty has ever beeu my lot, but I have endeavored to alleviate its distresses as much as possible. Alay God, in His mercy, bless and protect you ever. I am not afraid to die. Hoping God mav bless you, good-bye. I). L. Seago. To A. K. Seago, Atlanta, Georgia. The next letter is addressed TO COL. J. S. PRATnEH. Southern Hotel, St. Louis, May 10, 1800. Col. J. S. Prather, Editor of the Era: I have tried to serve you faithfully and well; but misfortune has overtaken me, and I seek a rest from all my sorrow. Remember not to speak evil of the dead. I know you will do what is right to set my memory before the world as it deserves. To you I look as my guardian iu this matter. Hard services, and the many rebuffs which this cold world gives, have ruined me. God bless you! The loss of all 1 had, with the gloomy prospect ahead, could be endured; but the thought that men are menu enough to mis represent me and rob me of that which I have honestly made, is too much for my sensitive soul to survive. If you write my history, let it be truth—but be kind. The Era has had my best wishes and services; I now can only offer progress. This resolution I have taken is a necessity to prevent that mental distraction which is fast coining over me. Again, God bless you and prosper you ever.— The great hereafter lias no terrors for me. I am not afraid to die. Shed no tears of sorrow lor me, but place a single rose on my grave, and when you, in the hour of gloom, feel that life is a burthen, only let my memory be held in quiet sadness, as of one too sensitive to brook the as perities of this world. May God in His mercy save my soul, and bless you all, is my final prayer. B. L. Seago. The next letter has no address, and is as fol lows: Southern Hotel, St. Louis, May 10, 1866. Misfortune has ever been my lot in fife, and the culmination in the loss of that which was not my own is unendurable. I love my friends still, and pray that God will bless them. I have lived to see the uncertainty aud deceit of all earthly things. No faithful friend is with me now, and I go to the Great Giver of all. My soul, O God, receive unto Thyself. Good-bye to all! Louis. The fourth letter is TO THS^riiaaLORa OF t.ie southern totel- plcase send my body home to Atlanta. Ga. Let the Massons bury me. God bless all my brethren. I have tried to fulfill my mission in fife, and now that my mind is exhausted, and my heart sick of fife, I believe it well for me to go home. I am not atraiil to die. God have mercy on my soul 1 Louis. The fifth paper has no date and no superscrip tion. It ft as follows: TIIE SUICIDE’S LAST MOMENTS. This is my fourth and last dose. I am getting quite sleepy, anil soon will he gone. Welcome, O death ! To live is to suffer unutterably; to die is to be at rest. Much I could write, hut brevity must be the style now. I only desire to he remembered kindly. Let those who love me love my memory. If 1 have wronged any man, let him forgive, as lie would wish to be forgiven. But one word for her who alone has wen my love. She who had evidence of my love five years ago still reigns alone in my heart. Day before yesterday I sent her a few lines, which, when she receives, she will recognize, though there is no signature to them. Alay God bless her and deal with her ten derly. Let no wave of sorrow ever cross her breast; no misfortune ever cast its blighting shadow upon her soul! I am too sleepy to write well, and can only say, Good-bye. Oh, shall we never meet? While our hope and bliss are young * but no more. Alas! alas! shall I meet her no more? Her name is Defia t and I desire this to be sent to her through my uncle, H. R. Seago. Good-bye to all. Alay God in liis mercy bless all who have ever loved me. I am now getting very sleepy, but oh, sweet is the death that re) ieyes the soul from the anguish, the griefs of this fife, which is but a few days and full of trouble. The proprietor of the hotel will be kind enough to telegraph to my uncle, Air. A. K. Seago, At lanta, Ga., immediately on the discovery of my suicide to-morrow morning. Accept my thanks for your kiudness while at your hotel. I desire to be buried by the Masons, and in the cemetery at Atlanta, Georgia. I have tried to five nobly and die nobly. To correct any impression that might be made, I state that this is no strong causing my griefs, and I call again the proprietors to be ready. God bless all. Good-bye. Louis. Death ofEx-Gov. Alien. The last mail from Vera Cruz brings the melan choly intelligence of the death of the above dis tinguished citizen of the South. The New Or leans Picayune says of him ; The lamented deceased was a respected planter in Louisiana when the Confederate war broke out, and immediately entered the service as Colo nel of the 4th Regiment of volunteers, and, ris ing to the rank of brigadier general, proved himself a brave and gallant officer. Supsequent- ly disabled by a severe wound, he was, on the expiration of Gov. Moore’s term, elected Gover nor of Louisiana, and held that high office when the war closed. He was then at Shreveport, where, learning that he was among the excepted from amnesty, he crossed Texas and Northern Alexico by way of Monterey, to the city, and en gaged in the publication of the Mexican Times newspaper, in which he was very successful. Re cently his old wound broke out afresh, and he would have sought medical advice in Paris but he was unable to make the journey. Gov. Allen was a man of enthusiastic tem perament and generous spirit, and possessed a mind well cultivated and stored with polite learn ing. His death, so far away from home and friends, is a sad one, but his memory will ever be cherished by the people of Louisiana, whom he served devotedly. His administrationrof the highest office in her gift was able, earnest aud faithful. We presume his remains will be brought home for burial in the land and under the guar dianship of the people lie loved so well. ♦- A Remarkable Relic.—A gentleman in the environs of Paris has, in a collection of curiosi ties which he greatly values, a relic of high in terest to Americans. The article is a small box, brought to France by Lalayettc, a present from a lady of Philadelphia. The four sides of the box are made of black walnut, from the tree which once stood in the yard in front of Inde pendence Hall. The cover is composed of four pieces. One is made from an oak, cut down when the first house was built on the site of Phil adelphia ; another, a bit ot the wood of a bridge built across tbe Savannah in 1683; the third, a part of the celebrated elm tree under which Penn signed his treaty with the Indians; anil the fourth goes back still lartlier. It is stated to be a piece of mahogany from the habitation built anil occupied by Christopher Columbus in 1494. It is to lie hoped that there will be accompany ing documents to prove the authenticity of the alleged statements, when the owner wants to make his fortune by disposing of this valuable box.