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I m/j/T »i I ’ AU .!»•%! -t »> l' I'IUAK ** •> tit U- *>- CO-D iLAURfeMS ' xCt. u.NO O B»IO*. Acrs, so , oitioiAA ri ui> rut n,c s E of repke fcf,.VJ A 1 i \ £<}. Jjiut renoiuiitii in regard to the cotton Bureau iu the tiaas-Mississippi Department. Joint resoiulious ior the relief ot postmas ter* in certain cases. Joint resolution tor tbe relief of Alex. F. Kinney, (Jonie leiate States Depositary, at Staunton, Va. An act to provide for the BeUlfciu&nt of cer tain matteu of account growing out of pur chares oi property, as ai Igetd by the pure tow ers, tor the use of the government, Oy Fayue & Vo., in the totato of Texas. An act to amend the act of Feb. 7, 1863, so as to allow . coiumuation to soldiers tot the war, who have received no turiough. An act authorizing the promotion of officers and privates ior disunguislied valor and ski(l or for peculiar competency and general merit. An act to secure to sick and wouuded offi t ers the same rights and privileges, iu obtaiu taiuing leaves ol absence, as are now provider? l>y law for soldiers obtaining furloughs. * Au act authorizing hospital accommodation, ior treatment, including subsistence, to cei tain officers and goidiers resigned, retired or discharged. An act authorizing the Secretary of the Treas ury to borrow specie, to be applied to the re deruptiou and reduction oi the currency. Au act to change the mode of lining vacan cies among conimii,sinned officers oi compa nies, battalions and regiments. An act to authorize the appointment of cer tain lax officers ior the tram- Miseueippi de partment. Au act providing for the auditing and pay ment ol properly authenticated claims. Au act providing ior the auditing and pay ment ot properly authenticated claims against tbe cotton Bureau iu the trans-Mibaissippi de partment. Au act to lay additional taxes for the year 1303, tor the support of the Government. Au act for tfle relief oi bonded agricultur ists in certain cases. Au act making additional appropriations fJi the support ol the government of the Confed erate btates ol America, from January 1 to June 3U, 1805. Au act to amend an actentitled an act to es tablish and organize two bureaux in connection with the agency of tiro treasury, &c., and to provide for the more efficient organization of the agency of the treasury ior the trans-Miss issippi department, An'act tor the relief of tux payers in cer ium cases. An act to provide for paying in cotton the anuities of the Seminoie, Creek, Choctaw and Chickasaw nations of Indians Au act to authorize the Bn sident to appoint commissioners to take nroot us to expenditures made by the State of Tennessee ms ihe bene fit of the Confederacy p.eviy us to the transfer of her troops to the Coulederato states Gov ernment. Au act to amend and extend the provisions of au act entitled aa act liXing thu salaries of eertaiu civil officers in the trans-Mississippi De partment, approyed February 18ih, 1865, An act to make rules concerning captures on land. An act further to amend an act to provide an Invalid corps,' approved February 17th, 18(54, to aides de camp whose Commission by the death of their Generals, and officers who. at the reorganization of the army declined re-election on account of disability. An act to establish certain post routes there in named. An act to amend the acts to regulate the assessment and col lection of taxes in kind. An act to construe and declare more expli citly the meaning of an act to increase the compensation of the heads o! tlft several Ex ecutive Departments, and of the Assistant Secretary of War and or tW Treasury and other officeis therein nameo, approved Juno 14th, 18(54. An act regulating the compensation of gen eral officers, clerks md employees iu the.city of Petersburg. Au act making an appropriation for the construction and repair or railroads for milita ry purposes for the year 1865, An act makingan appropriation to supply a deficiency in the War Department during the fisoal period ending-December 18, 1864. An act to increase the compensation of the tax collectors and assessors in the cities of Richmond and I’eteftburg. An act to authorize the furnishing of bag ging and rope for the packing of the tithe cotton. An act to prevent improper communication of intelligence to the enemy. An act to authorize the settlement of the claims of thetState of North Carolina, for ex penses incurred iu executing the acts of Con gress, ‘ to further provide for the public de fence,” and “to organize 1 orces to serve dur ing the war.” Joint resolution expressing the sense of Congress on the subject of the late Peace Com* mission. Joint resolution respecting a census,' (de claring it impracticable to take a census.) An aot making au additional appropriation for the redemption of a temporary ioan, inoth in the year 1861, of sundry banksnn the con federate States, to supply funds to the ry. Au act to authorize the Postmaster Gener al to purchase United 'Stales postage stamps for certain purposes. Joint resolution for the relief of Stephen B. Marshall, Jr., tax collector of l’utuam coun ty, Georgia. Joint resolution for the relief of Willi .in C. Hagan. Ah act i8 relation to the impressment of slaves. (Allowing tiie Secretary War |p suspend impressments, when, iu his opinion, u will lead to escape of large numbers of slaves.) Au act requiring suit to be h; ought against persons connected with the cotton bun au and •-cotton office iu the trans-Mis;issippi Depart ment. Au act to amend an act providing for the establishment and payment of claims fora •ertain description ot property, taken or in formally impressed for the use of the army. Act for the relief ot the Exchange L ank of Virginia at Norfolk. _ Act to amend the act entitled an act to di minish the number of exempt ions aiul 6 tails. Act to establish certain p.st loutes herein named. House resolution relative to the death of Hon. Simpson H. Morgan, «..ue of its me iibers, from the state of Texas. Concurrent resolution relative to (he assign ment of General Joseph E. Johnston to the command of the a of n-unessee. Joint resolution ot thanks to General X. I>. Forrest and the officers and men of his com mand. Joint resolution construing the act of Jan uary 80, 1864, increas eg she compensation of certain officers and employees ot ihe Gov ernment. . Joint resolution of thanks to Brig Gen. John 8. R grains and the c-ffi r .s ana men un der his command tor rin-ir \ v C v--r the .oma . iJ.y of Oe- Act to require noa-conmcloned officers •od privates, neid as- of war Flbe P*«d upon their individual , . f u'--' sun ported by oath. fcU P' Joint resolution tor the . . Mechanics Institute. ' oi lli " Joint, resolution of tbsn--- x. .. ... and men of the 9th, 11 iV .-!- lV , u ’° ofil?era vOf Virginia infantry. ' 0i ' 1: umiont.-; Joint resolution tor the relief ol l, Biown. 01 Ja£ aes L. jfent resolution for the relic* of the i representatives of John R. Caidwvil. gal Joint resolution authorizing the traus r nf fuuds iu the Quartermaster uenend's n ment. t Act concerning the emoluments and pay of the clerk of the District Court of the Confcder ate btates of America for tire Eastern District Os I irginia. to Refine Rial punish conspiracy against the Confederate Slot- Art to punish cert tin f: ;■ ,ri in the Confed erate Govennne.ii, i-... , r . lv un j em _ bezzlement of property c i t'r Government Act to increase ‘the s *\ the Judgi of ihe District Cv-ur tor t . L ( ,ieru District of Virginia lor a buii;- . :•>. Act to piovide fi.-i t-tq •< iag ihe proper ty of person* jiabie to unliuaty service, who i au and, parted or thall deport fiom the Cun federate stales without permission. Act ior toe r. 1e s ot airffi A Heioked, wit° ol ibe Hou. Jufeepn B. Heisked, a lepitseum uve lrotu the stale oi l'eunessee Act to provide lor ihe printing ordered by eilUei liusos ol Congress Aci to amend au act entitled an act proviu ing lor trie establishment and payment ol c.aimo ior a ceitam ue.-criptiou ot property, taken oi in ormauy impressed fur the use ol the army, apprevea June 14, 1564 Act to pi ovide lor the conceiting of tour per cent bonds and certificates received in payment of t .xes and other r übnc dues. Act to amend au ac>, approved August 21, Ifebl, tntit ed au act to provide for the local defence and oprciat seivtce, and an act, ap proved OotoDi i 13, IBeZ, entitled an act to au thorize the lormatiuu ol volunteer compania for local deleucc. Act making appropriations for the support of the i*uvtrmueoi oi tbe Couicderate htatos ot America, troiu January 1 to June 30, 1864. Act appropnauug 8-,000 009 ior the re demption ol mutilated treasury notes. Act to provide commissioned cifficeis of the army and navy aud marine corps with ciotL iug. Act Jo provide more effectually for carrying out certain stipulations in the treaty made with the Cherokee Nation of Indians Act amendatory of the act entitled an act to provide for the organization of the Arkansas and lied river superintendence of ludian ai fairs, to regulate trade and intercourse with the ludians therein named, and to preserve peace on the frontiers, approved April 8, 1862 Act more effectually to prevent and punisu absenteeism and desertion in the army. Act to authorize the establishment of an office of deposit in connection with the Treas ury. Act to increase the compensation of mar - shals, criers, jurors, and witnesses. Act to provide for certain claims due the State of North Carolina. Act to provide for certain claims due the State of Louisiana. Act appropriating ten thousand dollars to pay claims in the recruiting service of the Con federate States. Act to relieve agricultuisla exempted and detailed tppder the act of February, 18G4, iu certain cases. Act to provide for the more efficient trans portation of troops, supplies aud munitions of war upon the railroads, steamboats and canals in tlfe Confederate States aud to con trol telegraph lines employed by the govern ment. Act authorizing proof to be received of the ltjj-s or destruction of vouchers necessary in tne settlement of accounts. Act to establish an arsenal and foundry in the valley of Deep river in the State of North Carolina. * Act to provide for the redemption of the old issue of Inasury notes held by certain ludiau tribes. Act to amend the 18th section of an act en titled “an act to reduce the currency and £o authorize anew issue of notes and bonds. ’ ’ Act for the relief of Major Reid, of Mis souri. Act supplemental to an act to diminish the number ot exemptions and details. An act to authorize the consolidation of com panies, battalions and regiments. An act to increase the efficiency of the cav alry of the Confederate States. An act to provide officers of the army and marine corps with clothing ’ An act amendatory of the act entitled “an act to regulate trade and intertrade with 'the Indian Nations.”* An act to provide for the re-issue of bonds and certificates of indebtedness of the Confed erate States in certain cases. An act making an appropriation for the purchase of a percussion cap machine. An act to authorize the President of the Con federate States to organize in the city of Rich mond and county of Henrico a volunteer force for temporary service. An act for the relief of the officers and em ployees of the Treasury Note Bureau. An act to increase the pay and milfeage of officers traveling under orders. An act requiring suit to be brought against persons connected with the cotton bureau and cotton office in tbe trans-Misßissippi Depart ment. act to amend an act providing for the es tablishment and payment of claims for a eer tain description of property taken or inform ally impressed for the use of the army ap proved June’4, 1864. ’ 1 An act to amend am act entitled an act to diminish the number of exemptions aud de tails. An act to grant transportation to discharg ed aud disabled soldiers. ACTS AC , ORIGINATING THK SENATE. Joint resolution elative to the manufac ture ot railroad iron and to new lines of rail road. Joint reso’ution of thanks to Brig, Gen. Stand Watie. Col. Gauo, and the officers and memumier their commands. Joint resolutions exempting maple sugar from the tithe tax. Joint resolution of thanks to Jno. Lancas ter, of Eug'and, for his friendly conduct to wards the commander, officers and crew of the Alabama. Joint iesolut'on. of thanks to Capt Raphael Semtnes, of the Confederate States war steam er Al main i, and the officers and crew under his command Joint resolution of thanks to the officers and soldiers ot Gen Bushrod Jonnson’s old brigade ot Tennessee troops, and the brigade of the late Gen. Archer, composed of Tennessee anti Maryland troops now in the army of Northern Virginia. Joint resolution to ally sick and wound ed officers of the army transportation to their homes aud hospital accomodations. Joint resolution construing the act oi May 81, 1864, to provide for the appoint ment of a disbursing clerk in the War Depart ment. Au act for the relief of Mrs. Margaret A. Rice, An act to regulate, for a limited period, the compensation of the officers, clerks and em pioyees of the civil departments of the gov ernment in the city of Richmond. An act to repeal a part of the 26th section of an act approved Feb. loth, 1862, entitled an act to alter and amend an act for ihe se questration of the estates, property and et leets of alien enemies, and for the idemnity of citizens of the Confederate States and per sons aiding the same in the existing war with the United States, approvodAugust 30, 1861. Ad act to amend the third section oi an act entitled an act to organize forces to seive du ing the war, approved Februry 17, 1861. Au act to amend an act entitled an act to provide for the safe custody,. printing, publi cation and distribution ot the laws aud to provide for the appointment of an aduition nl clerk in the Deparsmeut ot Justice. An act to amend the law in relation to the receipt of counterfeit Treasury notes Dy pub lic officers. Au act to extend the time within which holders of Treasury notes of the old issue may ‘exchange the same for notes of the new issue. Act to authorize the exchange of registered bonds, issued under the act of February 28, 1861. lor coupon bonds ot like amounts aud times for pay ment Au act to amend an act to organize forces to serve during the war. approved February 17, 1864. Aa act to extencf the provisions of an act entitled art act in relation to the receipt of counterfeit Treasury notes by public officers, approved May 1, 1863, aud the provisions ot lu:: UOt approved Febuary 17, 1564, entuied au a C t to amend the act for assessment aud collection of taxes, approved May 1, 1863. ar 7 ' J a - ct , t( ? ameiJ fi the tenth section oi the during th^ Wa r a " aCt t 0 ° rgaQiz ° forc ** t 0 serve a— 10 the issue of forage, rebate act to 1863, ns h nt3 ,’ a PP roved Match 26, ry 16, 1864. by llle act approved Februa uiatc the and amend “au act to rea tery necessity Sta ° f pr °P ert y under mm. ty thereof. 1 and ° provide for the ludemni- March 4th, 1 disentitled * &U &Ct a PP rovrtd the commanders of reserves t 0», aa lDoiize order general courts-m ar lS InTm SUte , to cuunnu. ana to revise the pi.ioc«diugs oieoui ( B martial and military , Coin ts Au act in re atmn to printing and binding in plmplnet fim me acts, resolutions and treaties adopted at e«rca session ot Googiees. Au ac. t..f uiu react ot Dtvid Moore, Daniel if ore, and Mis Mary K Alexander. An act to app. update money to pay the Mis souri State Guard. Au act to change the time of the assembling oi Congress for its next tegular session. Joint resolution providing for donations to ttia ueasary of tuo Confederate States Joint resolution of thanks to Lieut. Gen. Wads Hampton. Aa net to modify a&u amend “an act to re gulate tile destruction ot property under mili tary necessity an ‘to provideJbr the indem nity thereof. approved March 1., 1362. An act iu autnoi ize the commanders of re erves iu eaou State to order general courts itiartia: —id military courts. An u: regulating the compensation of post mastci . sptci.il agents and route agents. An ;-.t to amend an act entitled “an act for tne er-i ibiishmeat and organization of the I Confederate State* army, approved March 6th, 1861 An act to provide for the employment of free negroes au 1 slaves to work upon the for tificatn ns and to perform other labor copuect ed with .the defences of the country. An act tu reguUt the pay of lieutenants in the navy commanding batteries on shore. An act to regulate the supplies of clothing to iniu -ilipaien of the navy Au sc to increase the maximum rates of cutupc-i satiou allowed to railroad companies lor the transport aiua ot the mails of the Con ■ federate otates. Au act to provide tor the remission of the penalty for the non delivery of tithes of bacon and ie in the year 1864. Ana f, t to astabiibh ttie flag of the Confede rate states. Au act to provide funds to meet a deficien cy iu the appropriation to pay Jhe officers and employ its ot the War Department. Au act to increase the pay of non commis sioned ufficcrs, privates, aud musicians of the marine corps. An act to authorize the employment of in btiuctois for the acting midshipmen of the na vy -and regulate their pay. Anaot to au'horiza the appointment of na val constructors iu tne provisional navy and to fix their p ry. An act making an appropriation for the re-, tnovai and treciiou oi the naval rope wa'k. Au act io provide for the transfer of certain appropriations. Aa act in relation relation to the accounts to be kept at the treasury of sequestrated es tates. Au act to ameud an act entitled an act to provide lor the payment of the interest on the removal and subsistence found due the Chero kee Indians in North Carolina, approved May 1, 1863. An act to provide for tne cancelling of four per cent, bonds aud certificates received in payment ot taxes and other public dues. Au act appropriating, for the use of the Post ollice Department, certain moneys deposited by postmasters with the depositaries of the government, creted uuder the act approved Feb. 17, 1864 Au act u» provide for the appointment of u General-in-Chief of the Armies of the Confed erate States. An act to secure more effectually the pre servation aud distribution of the effects of de ceased officers .and soldiers. An act to allow missionaries in the army m tions. Au aot to increase for a limited period tbe salary ot the Vice-President. An act to authorize the appointment of ad ditional officers iu the engineer Corps. Au act to extend the jurisdiction of the State tax collector of Mississippi over East Louisiana. % ''An act to authorize the appointment of a commissary general with the rank of a briga dier genera!. Ad act to increase the number of acting mid shipmen in the navy and to prescribe the mode ol appointment. Au ai-t to amend an act “to piovide for noiding elections for representatives in the Congress of tho Confederate States from the State oi Missouri, approved January 19, 1864. An act to regulate the business ot conscrip tion Au act to increase the pay of assistant pay masters in the provisional army. Au act to authorize the Secretary of War to negot.ate with the Governors of the several States for slave labor. Au act declaring certain persons liable to duty in the reserve forces of the respective IS bites. Au act to provide for returned prisoners of war. An act to continue iu force and to extend aa act entitled “an act to increase the compen sation of the non-cum missioned officers and privates Os the army of the Confederate btates,” approved June 9, 1864. Au act to authorize the Secretary of the treasury to receive specie from the several utates of the Confederacy and use the same lor the benefit o! said States. An act to amend tho act to regulate the busi ness of conscription. . Au act to amend the law in relation to im pressments. Au act tu amend an act entitled “an act to reguiate impressments,” approved March 26, 1863, as amended by the aot approved Feb ruary .16, 1864. « A LETTER FROM It IK CHIEF COMMIg . bAllt. Office Chief Commissary, I Augusta, Ga., April 3, 1865. j Editors ComUtuttonalii t: I having breu applied to for permits to al low shipaients of lamsly supplies on railroads leading to lh * point, these permit! 1 have re fused tor tiie simple reason that 1 have no pow er to permit it thing over which 1 have no pirtiole of authority, to grant the permit wouid imply a right to ptohibit. I know of no law wnien gives to the Chief Commissary or auy of his subordinate officers any right to control the railroad transportation unless pri vate Height is being carried in preference to Government freight, and then it is a question to be settled with railroad officers, and not with private citizens ihe oniy right which 1 have*not common to every citizen is to impress when I cannot purchase at-majket rates the supplies try for the army, aud Irorn this power “family supplies” are expressly excepted. It is my a. sire that officers under me shall exercise the powers granted by iaw to enable ihem feed the army, aud at the same time careiuiiy to avoid auy interference with the rights ot the cirizans not essentially necessary to the discharge ot their duties, and clearly delegated to them by the laws of the land.— While I shall endearor to avoid impressment whevever it can be avoided, it»is proper that I shodld state to the people of Georgia that there is at this time a distressing pressure upon our armks ior tne tood necessary to sustain lue, and I earnestly appeal to all good citizens to bring forward thbir surplus ami sell it to the Commissaries throughout the State.— These supplies will be paid for in certificates of indebtedness receivable for taxes. This is all that we have to pay with. W ithout food an organized army cannot be kept together-*- without an organ zed army our sountry must be overrun by the enemy and plundered by guerillas. To avoid this, self interest (ignor ing patriotism altogether) ought to induce the people to feed an army sacrificing so much for the maintenance of public liberty. My officers are instructed to collect supplies as rapidly as possible, that I may have them forwarded to the aimies of Tennessee and North Virginia.— Should of the people fail to sell their surplus voluntarily, impressmfnts will have to be made. I make no appeal beyond a plain statement of the facts, which to all good citi zens are eloquent enough. Would that they were less so. Respectfully, R. J. Moses, Major, Chief State of Georgia. On Saturday, the 4tu 01 March, the follow ing Senator® of the United States Congress, re tired fFom their seats iu that body :—Nathan iel A. Farweli, of Maine; John P. Hale, of New Hampshire; John C. Ten Eyck, of New Jersey ; luha S. Cariiie, of (the so called State of) Virginia ; Wm. A. Ricaardson, of Illinois ; Lazarus W. Powell, of Kentucky; Benjamin F. Harding, of Oregon, aud Morton S. Wilkin son, of Minnesota. TKADINfi WITH THE ENEMY THE LAIE SEIZURE Os THE STEAMER COMEI AI HA WKWS VJLL E. Why tho eteainer and Cargo were oilathed auil . .... Farr.on k rreaied. -r „. _ ... , FULL OFFICIAL GORKESPONDENCE. Hu.wk.insvh.le, March 31,-1865. - Wm. &. Barnet. Esq. Dxas Six:—l am in receipt of your note of the 29th, making inquiry of me in relation to the cirt um.-tanoes connected with the late seizure and detention ot tne steamer “(Jornet’ ’ at this place, with a cargo ot cotton designed for the Yankees. There are many erroneous impressions aud false statements through the ♦ouutry in regard to the conduct of those at this place who made tbe seizure. We have beeu denounced as a mob, aud charged with interrupting the dispatch of important public business. Our course his beeu severely criti cised, and the motives ot some of us impugned. We are entirely willing that the matter should be thoroughly ventilated by the press aud all the facts known. Whether ail others inter ested iu the transaction feel as we do, it is not our business, desire or purpose to enquire. The simple, unvarnished truth about the whole matter is, that the steamer “Cdmet” was stopped at this place, having a cargo of Cotton on board, which the parties ink rested in it avowed was intended for the enemy A por tion of the party having papers from Maj. Gen. Howell Cobb, ordering them to proceed to Sa vannah, were released. Mr. Asher Ayres, ot Macon, having no papers, was sent under ar rest to Macou to General Ccbb who avowed having given Mr. Ayres permission to put cotton on the steamer, had him released, aud ordered the release of the boat and cargo, rep rimanding me foi the course pursued by us in the matter. The conduct ot of Gen. (Jobb is the legitimate subjei tof criticism as well as that of the citizens of this count /. In order that the public may have a full un derstanding of this affair, I furnish you a copy of the correspondence between Gen. Uobb and myself upon the subject, which you are at lib erty to pubiish with this note. I am very respectfully yours, NOKM4N McDiifThe. Hawkinsville, March 22, 1865. Mqjor &en. Howell Cobb, Macon: General—l have* the honor to report that on Monday last the citizens of Hawkinsvi’le learned that Col. C. A. L Lamar Lieut. Col. Jos. S.Claghorn, Mr Lloyd Bowers and Mr. Asher Ayres had purchased over two tmndred bales of cotton, for the purpose of selling tho same to the enemy at Savannah, Ga.f and that the boat “Comet,” under commaud of Capt. O. C. Horne, was about leaving for Savannah (or for some point where a lweral -transport would meet it and receive the cotton,) with the same on board I therefore seized the cotton, aud hold the same subject to your order. I ar rested also all the parties above named; but Col. Lamar, Lieut. Col. Ciaghorn and Mr Bowers having autho ity from you to go to Savannah on import ant official business, I felt that I haduo authority to detain them. I con sequently released them, but hold Mr. Ayres, an 1 have ordered him to report to you under avrest at Maoorr Pzcase g ve me direction what disposition to make of the cot ton, by Dr. Pate. I am, Geueral, Very respactiuliy, Your obedient servant, N. McDuffie, Capt. etc. Headquarters Georgia Reserves and j Military District of Georgia, [- Maoon, March 22, 1865. ) Gapt. N. McDuffie, Dawkinsvill# : * a Captain—l have received your letter, giving an account of your stopping the steamboat which had been employed to carry Col. Lamar, with official dispatches, to SavanDah. By the same messenger, I received a letter from Col. Lamar on the same subject. I regret this in terference with an officer who was acting under my orders, and more particularly as it is likely to result, in serious injury to the public service. When informed that Col. Lamar was an officer, acting undei my orders, you had n» right to interfere with his movements. His offer to become responsible lor the return of the boat, with the cotton, was unnecessary, but exhibit ed, on his part, an earnest desire to carry out * what he knew to be important business, which admitted of no delay ; and your refusal to accept the offer is inexplicable, even admit ting your right to interfere at all with an offi cer who had orders to have every facility afforded him to expedite his trip. If, under these circumstances, officers charged with im portant dutifs are thus to be interfered with, it will be impossible to execute t h&public bu siness. It is proper that I should state that Col. La mar was fully authorized by me to take entire control of the boat 5 and further, that ft was with my permission 1 hat the cotton was put oa board by Mr. Ayres. The propriety and poli cy of my action I do not propose to discuss in this letter. 1 have released Mr. Ayiea from arrest, and direct that any other parties, who may be held in arrest on this account, be also released and the the steamboat be released and allow ed to go to Buzzard Roost, and to be returned, with the cargo, to the custody of the owners and agents. I am, Captain, very respectfully, Howell Cobb, Major General, Hawkinsvilue, Ga,, March 25, 1865. Major Qtnerul Harwell Oobb. General — l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22d inst, by Dr. Pate, in relation to my seizure of the steam er Comet, with a cargo of cotton designed for traffic with the enemy, and have released the boat, officers and cotton, to go up the river to Buzzard Roost, Capt. Horne, the commander, having pledged mu his honor not to carry Ilia boat below with a load of cotton for the Ya n kees. I deem it but justice to myself and my fel low citizess. who acted with mo in this matlier that the facts should be laid before you. tbjat you, and the Government, and the coun try may understand that we were not te violate law, hut to sustain the laws -of the State of Georgia, aad the Confederate States; that, as friends of our country, we were essaying to nip in the bud an illegal truf fle with our enemies—one which, if permitted to go on, will render utterly worthless onr currency, stimulate a desire, already suffi ciently strong, for greenbacks aud gold, ren der dissatisfied the firm and steadfast 0/ our people, and demoralize the whole country. When it was made apparent that Col * La mar was acting under your orders, and hi charge of official business, no farther effort was made to detain him, and he was offered the boat to take him to Doctortovvq. on condi tion that it should not take a cargo of cotton to*sell to the Yam ees. He declined to ac cede to this proposition, and went on to Sa vannah in his private conveyance, a mode of traveling certainly less expensive to the Gov ernment, and very nearly as expeditious.— Col. Lamar had no written orders from yon, which were produced, authorizing hJm to take a boat load of cotton to the enem y ; and if he had, no law is known to us in this section of the country empowering you to grant him or any one else such author ty. He stated that he had verbal orders from you to take with him sufficient cotton to pa/the expen ses of the trip when wnhin the enemy’s lines, whereas, there were over two hundred balus on board the boat, with still more tb be put on ; and it was well understood that part «if the cotton at least belonged to other parties* than Gel. Lamar,* as the agent of the Govern ment. . When the detention aud seizuie of tb e boat and caigo were made, propositions weie made to one or more citizens ot this county, that they should put cotton on board for traffio with the enemy, and use their influence to have the boat released. Mr. Asher Ayres did not claim the cotton on board the boat, nor did he say that he had permission from you to carry it down tu the Yankees If he bad so stated, without written indubitable evidence to have sustained his assertion, I gh< uld have disbelieved him, and regarded his statement a slander and calumny on your character. It was incredible to me, I until iu your let'er to urn von distinctly say, that it was bv your permission he placed ihe cotton on board ihe steatnei when you could but have known if was intended ior the one - Col. Lamar's party was comp sed of gentUmen woil known as speculators and ruuoers. wliog-ve the whole affair, by their connection with it. mom ot la-., col oring of a sin Utly whitewashed effort to trade wi h the enemy for private advantage, th m to negotiate with them tor the public good.— Taking all this into considerafioa, with ibe iacc that no concealment was made, but an open avowal that the cotton was designed ior the enemy, I assumed the responsibility of the seizure ; and you wiil permit me to say, gene ral, with protou'id respect tor vou personally and officially, I still think the course pursued emintutiy proper, and fully justified by all the circumstances of«the ca«e, The true men of this section aro determined ibat the Ocinuigee River shall not be used lor an illegal tiaffio with the enemies of our coun try; and they care very little whether the effort is made by high officials or the lowest characters of the land. We wish to do light, to abide by and enforce our iaws, to sustain our Government and its nans,*; and if wrong in our conception ot our rights arid obligations in the premises, to be corrected. You will greatly oblige us by letting me know— -Ist. Is not tho trade in cotton or other ar ticles with the Yankees u palpable violation of .law? 2d. If so, is it not the duty of all good citi zens to prevent, it, if possible? 3d, To prevent it, is ic not their dutv to seize and detain sti mboats, their commanders and cargoes, when engaged iu this business, and all persons conueotssd with aud engaged in it? 4th. Is there any law giving you or any other Major General the power to grant per mits to engage in such traffic? We are anxious to be correctly informed 011 these points; tor unless convinced that we are wrong, overruled by the judicary, or overpow ered by superior force ot arms, we ate de termined To pievent this traffic on tills .iver. Permit me in conclusion, General, to say, the record you have made iu* this war is a bright and honorable one.- Your conuection with this affidr is your first objectionable posi tion. It is injuring you seriously, and through you, the cause you represent. In your letter to me, you, at that time, de cline to discuss tbe propriety ot your coureo I hope for your own good name’s sake, you will find time to clear up this matter in a man ner that will be satisfactory to the public and vindicatory of yourself.- I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, N. McDuffie. >loitU OP S Hifi ‘tvOMKT” CASE. We have pub ished in our olumns, eones respondence number one in the of the “Comet.” Those whose acts were Drought„to light in the matter, it seems to us, go the worst of the case. In order to dispel suspi cious thoughts in the putilio mind, another letter his been wiitien Wa think a great many more yet will have to be written before the people can be made to believe that there were not parties besides the sGuvemm-nt inter ested in the salo of the cotton., and that .some of tbe proceeds would not have louud their way mto private pockets instead of into the Government funds. As the tacts deve op themselves, wo m;y comment furtuer on the transaction. Yie wing matters in the light we already have, things look mighty queer to say the least. This is the opinion 01 ail we have heard remark any thing abtmt. the affair. Here is the ". ontarnation of the “correspond ence,’’ or “clearing up” letter—intended probably as a cooler to quiet the public mind. With it we publish the introductory letter of Capt. McDuffie : GERKRAL Cobb’s REPLY TO CAPT. MCDUFFIE. I Hawkinsville, Ga,, April 1, 186.5. Wm. 11. Barnes, Esq. : 1)e ut Sir — l enclose to you a letter accom panying this from Maj. G*m. Cobb to uiyse f, and hope in justice to ts and stinguished author, you will give immediate publication It came to hand too late to be sent with the pie vtoiis portions of the corrspomience between him aud myself in relat .ori lo the "Comet’ ’ al fair, which were forwarded to you on yester day. The letter of Gen. Cobb seems to me to give an entire, though somewhat ungracious, sup port to the course pursued by the citizens of Pulaski county iu seizing the steamer, upon the real points at issue, iiis argument as to the policy and power of the Government to trade in cotton for necessary supplies and war materials I agree to. The question oa which this case turns, ia entirely different, uame'y, the legal right of private parties to trade cot ton to the enemy, and the legality of the "ex-» press authority’’ of a Major General to grant such parties permits to engage in such traffic ; and the right and duty of good cit'ser.s to ea deavor to prevent a violation of the law on this or any other point. Upon this question the General, if we uuaerstauu imu, agrees with us. I join him in the “regret” that he 'was*in adverteudy led into the commission ol an error, (and who does not sometimes do wrong?) and assure him aud our Government, that whenever it becomes the wish aud policy of the Government to use the Ocmulgee River ior trade tor the supplies it needs, tuat the men It-ho stepped the steamer “Comet’’ when ihe gaily carrying cotton for private parties, will - cheerfully assist iu that, as tliey have every enterprise of our authorities • ">e.e the begin ning of the war. * Your readers are invited to consider how “freely and* frankly” ami clearly Gen. Cobb answers the four questions, plainly, but re spectfully put to him in my tetter, to which his is a response. Permit nfe iu conclusion,, to call the attention of those having sufficient interest in it to read the correspondence, to the frequent use in his letter of *the phrase, “The Policy of the Government,” or some of similar signification, as if it meant the same Ihing as the law of the land. On thU seems to turn his whole effort at the palliation of his eougge. Observance of this makes his posi tion,"when aitemtiimg to excuse himself, dis close its own weakness, and will force Lhu eouviction upon every unpreju4iced mind that a straight* forward and snupie admission of the indefensibility of his course, and ac knowledgment of his unintentional error, in stead of the labored and strained effort at semi—justification, disclosing a very apparent and unhappy consciousness of the predica ment he is in, would hawe been both more in genuous and more graceful. Very respentuily, eto., Norman McDuffie. Maoon, March 30, 1865. Capt. N. McDuffie, Hawlcinsuilk, Ga.: Captain-I reply to your letter', notwith standing the objectionable character of a por tion of it. I shall no* discuss or inquire into the charges you make, that tne owners of the cotton on board the steamer Ht_ught to purchase the consent of yourself and associates or the boat to pass by, offering ihe privilege of put ting some of their cotton on board; nor the charge made oa the other hand by Mr. Ayres that iyich consent could have been obtained it such permission had been granted, when ap - plied-ior. I confine myselt to . uch inarter? as are necessary to be uncListood in view of the public iircro&t It may become decs* ’dry props? thft* I cotton should be ’sent down the Ocmuigee river. And lam not oniy willing, but desi rous tntf.t you<fchott!d know my opinions upon Subject, as it may become my official duty to enforce them. 1 am decidedly of the opinion that it is the true policy or tne Government to exchange cotton with the enemy or anybody else, wkeaevdV we can obtain in exchange tor the ootten such things as our Government or p opie need more than we want cotton. I save fi r months urged this policy on our Gov eruim. t, aud have tue gratification ot knowing that our nave goidiers i® tue field have indebted to it for many of the necessaries and comiorta witii which they have been lurmshed. I cannot be too emphatic in my announcement of my well known views on this subject. It Lincoln himself wou,’d exchange arms, aru ma nition. clothing, sbpmb meat, salt, medicines, aud many other articles too tedious to mention, for tbe cotton o' our Government and people, T avow, without hesitation, I would make the exchai ge with them. Whilst tnese are my deckled opinions upon the question oftbe true policy in such matters, it is a question for the (tension of the Governmeut ; aud whatever that decision mav be, it is the duty ol all ofli ciats and.good citizens to abide by. I, there fore, hold that all trading with the enemy in violation of the policy aud rule adopted by the Government is *wron.r, and that it is the duty of good citizens to prevent it aa they would Ihe violation of any other law or policy of the Government. Tne injury and demoralization which results f om trading with the enemy is limited, in my judgment, to the cases in which it is done iu violation of the law of the land and again-t the established policy of the Governmeut Alt of this is avoided when it is conducted under the proper authority aud with proper restiictious. t h :\e thus given you, in response to your request, freely and frankly, my views on this subject I will add a single word in refer ence tu the case which has led to this corres pondence—as tho only vindication I seek of my conduct, in any matter, is that the facta may be known: When Col. Lamar was ordered to Savannah with a dag of truce, the route by the Oernul geo River was selected as the most certain and expeiitious. Neither Col. Lamar not any of his party contemplated, at the time, the tak iug of cotton along. After the arrangement was completed, Mr. Ayres, the agent of the boat, asked my permission to take some cot ton down, to be exchanged for salt and other necessaries. Kaowing that the Government had permitted such things to be done at other points, and entertaining the views I have ex pressed above, I consented, with the under standing that the boat was not to be delayed an hour on account of it, either going or re iiu’niug. The same authority was subsequent ly given to Col. Lamar; and the authority to take some Government cotton, to defiay ex penses, was also given to him. This short, statement is a history of the case up to the time Col. Lamar left Macou. In redacting more lully* upon the subject, l regretted, and so said to various persons, with whom I conversed, previous to your in terior nee, that 1 had given the permission to •Mr. Ayres, because it would have the appear ance ot counteuaucinir the practice if trading with the enemy without proper authority.— Whilst I teit, that what 1 permitted, would not, iu point of fact, be a violation of the Government’s policy, as it would have that appearance, and I have no express authority to grant it,-I regretted that it had beeu given. When, therefore, it was reported to me, that Col. Lamar had proceded to Savannah by private conveyance, and it was no longer ne cessary for the boat to go on that business, I declined to give authority for the beat to make the trip. From this statement you will understand why it wa3 that I took no further action in tbe matter, when informed that tho boat baa been stopped. I am, Captain, Very respectfully yours, etc. Howell Cobb, Major General. MORE IK REG -H» Tu tHIS “COMET" CASE STATEMENT FROM THE OTHER SIDE. * LETTER FROM CoL. LAMAR. Mu. Editor : In your issue of Tuesday morning, you published a communication from Captain Norinan McDuffie, which professes to give "the circumstances connected with the seizure and detention of the steamer “Comet” at this place (Hawkinsville,) with a car o of cotton designed for the Yankees, As there are uiauy misrepresentations of fact in said com munication, I beg a place in your columns, to give a statement of facts as they occurred. i was ordered by Maj. Gen. Cobb to pro ceed with flag of truce to Savannah, tq nego tiate for the exchange of prisoners. I was instructed lo take the steamer “Comet” at Hawkinsville, and proceed to Doctortown, and there get an escort of cavalry and go overland to Savannah. I. was instructed by Gen. Cobb, to permit Mr. Asher Ayres to take down two hundred bales of cotton, he having agreed to exchange the same for bacon, salt and iron foi the use of the Government. I was authorized to put such number of bales on board 8s I deemed necessary, to defray expenses to and trom .Savannah, of self aud escort. When the steamer arrived at Hawkinsville on Monday night, she commenced to take on bum and the cotton necessary to complete her complement of uales. About 11 o’clock that nignt 1 was awaked by my servant, who stated that Capt. McDuffie desired to see me. Capt. McDuffie entered, accompanied by Captain Mitchell, the enrolling officer for tnat oounty. Capt. McDuffie said, Capt Mitcheli had con troi of all tue transportation on the river, and desired to know by what authority I was act ing. I expressed my willingness to show my authority, and was in the act of taking the pa per onto! my satchel, when my attention was attracted to a number of boisterous citizens who had entered my apartment. I then told Capt. McDuffie thut I declined to Capt. Mucheii’s demand, backed as it was by a mob. They ail then withdrew, and as I tiubsequeiiriy ascertained, went to the boat and took possession of her. Capt. McDuffie afterwards turned to explain his position ; said he was my friend; that he had nothing to do with the.mob ; that he was at home asieep, when oalled upon by Capt. miichuil to accompany him-to my apartment, etc I then exhibited my papers to him, and he expressed himself perfectly satisfied. He farther stated that he was anxious to get some cotton through, and had been a long time try ing to make some arrangements to that end; that he would like veiy much to ship ten or twenty bales on the boat. I replied I had no authority to grant any such permit. He said he thought alt opposition would be withdrawn on the part of the citizens; and that he would advise my leaving early in the morning Wnen I went to the boat at about 6 o’clock, I found all the guards had been removed. I ornered steam to be raised. About the time I was leaving, Citpt. McDuffie came on board and said I would be bushwhacked if I attempted to go without satisfying the people, and begged me to accompany him up town for that pur pose. lat first declined, but subsequently yielded, he assuring me that I would have no difficuliy ; that he would aid me in every way. At.the first grocery he came to, he put his head-in the half closed door-, and in a whisper loud enough to be heard by myself and others, said. "Bos, get your guns, steam is up.” I then told him of hi3 duplicity, in the pres - ance-of his crew. He ordered them to the boat, I returned aud ordered Capt Horne to cast off and proceed down the riv**r, but he de clined, savi g he had pledged his word not to go until McDuffie withdrew all opposition, and that, he was tearful the mob would burn his nutH* and other property. About tbi» t ; iD6 number of citizens camo to m-* and begged I would remain quietly on board ana tu.y would go and arrange matters with McDuffie and others. About nuon, they returned, and said alt had been arranged,' and I was iu the act of leave.g. when McDuffie appeared, with his company, having he said changed his mind, and swore the boat should not leave He subsequently sent Captain Mitchell to arrest Col. Claghorn and Mr. Bowers. I told Capt. M I should re sist any attempt to arrest, aud he retired. I then, with tny party, went to the hotel to spend the n ght, determining to start the next morning by private conveyance, lor Savannah. Vv hue awaiting at the Ferry the next morn ing, Capt. McDuffie, with his company, ap - preached me, and told me he had come to ar iest ore, Col. Claghorn and Mr. Bojrem. He rrzß accompanied by Col. Goode. I told him I wou.d act be arrested, nor should he arrest eithe, A the two gentlemen named ; that I would repel force with force. This brought about a parley. Col. Goode, upon looking at the papers I had, advised him to abandon any further action, which advice he followed, and I proceeded on my "way. Capt McDuffie says when it was made ap parent that I was acting under orders from Gen Cobb, no effort was made to detain me, and I was told I could take the boat and pro eeeo. to Doct inown on condition that I would not take the cotton to sell to the Yankees. — The reverse of this is the truth. He knew from the first inception of his interference that I was acting under orders. Instead of offer ing the boat to me upon the terms above stated, I made that proposition to him in writing, pledging myself- that every bale should be returned when the boat bwao baok j that if it wen-pi »w? to uigeharge the cot ton Vm’vi. u-< ■: .bis time, I would do so ; but ■ ■ a s-age of tile river, it was iw potsi'.. snl it stun: of forty-eight hours, ami thu mist-ion i " is on was one ot such im portune.. 1 was willing touiAke any concession to pieveut deiay. [ tarther invited him, if he had any doubts ot my sincerity, to send a committee down with me, to se« that inyebli ' gations were complited with—all of which he positively declined. lie says in his communications, that Mr. Ashei Ay re did not claim ihe cotton, nor did tie a ; eeu i:uK he had Gun. Cobb’s psnnissioo to t-ade tho cotton down. 1 posititely assert that Mr Ayres did, time and again, memicu both facts to him. Mr. Ayres proposed in rot ditiou to my proposition, to give a bond of $500,000, coiiiiii ioued that every bale of cot.on hlioui i return iu the boat. If Capt. McDclli* means to Lsiuuate that 1 offered him the op poiiuuity to ship coiton, he simply asserts a falsehood. I felt confident at the time, that a proposition ut t..af kind Irom me would re move ail objections ; indeed, I was so inform ed by his friends. Mr Ayres being approached iu like maii«er, to and his friends that no more cotton could go on board, but that he wou and loan him ten or twenty bales ot his cotton it Lu would yield tho point. Capt. McDuffiw dm agree to tins, aud sent him word to that efftci, which w*as the occasion ot our raising steam, a* before referred to ; but he subsequently changed bis mind when i.e found some oi tee citiziym lrotu he country had come iu and op posed it. lie iUeusbtcaine again very patriot ic, and swoie She boat should never leav#until the couou was £ll ken off. Iu conclusion, 1 would advise tho gentleman who wroie ihe communication for Captain McDuffie, to be certain of bill tacts iu the fu ture, aud not itiy upon statements which! have shown to be groundless. Very respectfully, etc., * C. A. L. Lamar. »■ liu.Vi ALABAMA, THE CAPTURE OF SELMA. The Columbus Sun of April 5, contaiusa let ter iroin Moutgouieiy dated, Aptil 3: Selma was taken on Sunday afternoon about dusk. There had been some lighting at Plati tersville, on the Alabama and Tennessee raii n ad, twenty-two miles from Selma on Satur day. It is said that Gen. Adams, with Gen. Buford’s brigade, attacked with two thousand men a column of 6090 Yankees, and was badly whipped. There w»is alsy a fight between For reet and this, same column near Selma on Subday. Our left, commanded by Gen. Red dy, was turned and the enemy fore id our meu back to wauls Demopolis and occupied Selma. Gen. Forrest is said to have fought, most brilliantly, and to have been wounded three times -so slightly, however, as not to leave the field, where he is yet. It is stated that the General shot one of his assailants, amt nearly sevc ed the head irom the shoulders ot another by a stroke of h s swuid. Hid own waueds are sabre cuts across the arm and fore • head. No losses given, gis fho force of the enemy that occupied Selma is estimated at from 7,000 r» 9,000 men, fol lowed .by atioilu-r ioica of 11,000. They are mounted infantry. I boiiove the estimate id entirely too high On the Alabama and Florid t railroad there la nothing doing The enemy have retired from Pollard and Blakely. On Saturday it was reported bv scouts-that Geq. Maury had gotten into the rear ol the enemy by moving on tho stage road from BUtkeiy to Pensacola. Firing was heard at Tensas on the SOlh and musketry on the 3lst. is known of tbe loss at Selma. Sev eral boats were there, and many stores may have been removed -It is not thought many of our men were captured or that they are de - moralized. The press telegrams tell the sit uation at Mobile. We are now cut, off from that point by river, railroad and telegraph. The enemy also commands the Alabama river at Montgomery Hdi near Claiborne. No boats have been captured thus far. . Stores—Government and State—are being rapidly removed from Montgomery. The whiskey shops within a region of ton miles in and around Montgomery have been closed by older of Gov. Watts. The Appeal goes to Macon, the Advertiser to Eufftiila, and the Mail to Columbus. Both the Mail and Advertiser wnl issue quarter sheets until compelled to depart. The Appeal breaks up entirely—an office has been secured in Ma con . This journal has skedaddled so much that their early departure > H significant. , You in Columdus had better look out for a raid. The enemy may attempt a visit. It is not at all improbable that he may try to cut the Montgomery and West Point railroad to prevent the evacuation of Montgomery. The general impre-sian is that be will first take Mobile before undertaking other movements. Brig Gun .Buford is in command here. Gen. Withers being, at last accounts, at Meridian to take care of his family. The forces here can make a stiff fight. I anticipate no immediate danger to the city, though, as a matter of pre uaution, the stores sh >uid bo removed. The banks have already scut away their effects. Gentlemen who left Selma early Monday morning, report that the Yankees are prepar ing to cross the river. The general impression is that they will march on Montgomery; though they mav intend to attack Spanish Fort in the rear. Their force is an army corps mounted and not a mere raid. In Seim a it is understood that all the cotton was burned, and- that but little government property, of which mere ware millions, was saved. The liebei got away—the other papers went up. Geti Forrest telegraphed Guv. Watts Mon - day afternoon, that he was on the Montgome of the river, un-i if any assistance was afforded, lie would wi,;p the JTankees—that Montgomery must be defended. All hands are < going to work to effect this end. It is spe- * cialiy pleasing to tho Governor and many citizens who wish to strike au honest blow for their homes. Details have been made to burn the cotton, if the placephould be captured. Much has been removed, but many persons, mostly Jews, un der pretence of bearing it away, have hidden it in private houses. It is to be burned, no matter where found, and no matter what hou sen are consumed. '1 he orders are imperative aud will be obeyed. The Mail has a report that n small squad of Yankees were nine milcs ’trom Greenville late Saturday aft. rnoon. It mav be so, but it is regarded as ot no moment. Late arrivals say the Yankees got drunk and burned nearly the whole of Selma. Large quanitios of liquor were in the city, hence the result. Iu the baltle befor® Selma all of Forrest's men did not take a part, as they had not arrived. Roddy's men, who had been driven back the previous day, were not present. Gen. Forrest estimated the enemy’s force at 11,000 infantry ours, cavalry and miliiia, not halt that. On Sunday afternoon when the assault was first made, the musketry firing is represented to have been heavy and steady for the space of nearly an hour; but suddenly the enemy made a desperate charge on our left, west of Selma, where the line was weakest,and throw ing a tew shells am mg the horse- holders, who stampeded, our foiceß retreated in considera ble confusioft on Selma. Gens. Forrest, Ad ams and Roddy cut their way out in this direc tion with some difficulty Gen. Taylor had left.for Dsmopolis previously the same even ing. Gen. Adams and staff are now in Montgom eiy, Gea. Adams being the ranking officer ia command. The loss of the Selma fight is attributed to a disgraceful stampede. Chaim or’e men behav ed badly, A column of 10,000 is said to be advancing from Montevallo to cut the At. and W. P. Rail road. The Sun of the sth in its remarks on the sit uation says : The train from Montgomery did not arrive until 8 o’clock last night its detention, as we learn, having been caused by the numerous trains lunning out of Montgomery loaded with GovernmeuUstores, we presume, and property of those who anticipate that that city will be visited by .he enemy. The train last night brought many refugees from'Selina and Montgomery, principally wo mi mm gn”-*—- Ther Montgomery post office has sent off their letter mails to this city, where they arrived last night. -