The New York Herald Newspaper, January 29, 1862, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS, Volume XXVII... roe AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIO, Irving place.—IvaLiaw Orzna~ arma, i NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway.—Mxkey Wives or Wixv- oa. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway —Naiap Quaen—Toopixs. WALLACK’S THEATRE, No. 844 Broadway.—Loxpox AssU sane, LAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Our Aueni- an Cousin. NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Biacksuity or AoTWERP—W1Ce, TAK NEWsnOY—JaCyuRS STROP. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Sticunrr’s Natioxat ‘Cumcus. Asiernguu and Evening. BARNUM’S AMERICAN MUSEUM. Bi ol EUM. Broadway.—Day a Bvening.—Onvwva—] us, WHALE, AND OTHXxR ‘miosrriEs. } BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Brosd- ‘way.—Wuo Stavce Bitty Patterson. HOOLEY'S MINSTRELS, Stuyvesant Institute, No. 659 ‘Broadway.—Ermioriay Songs, Dances. ac. aN "_MELODEON CONCERT HALL. No. 589 Broadway.— Soncs, Dances, Buatxsques, &c.—Houipay in ireLan v. | CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL, 585 Broadway. Dancrs, Bonixseves, &c.—Ma: » : naa GATETIES CONCERT ROOM, 616 Brosdway.—Drat ‘Room Exrenrarnaents, BALLets, Pawtominus, Famcesy 46. \ AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, 414 Brondway.—Sonas, Bat- ‘Uers, PANTOMIMES, &0.—PORTRAIT /’AINTRR. } crvstaL PALACE CONCERT HALL, No. 45 Bowery.— Se Soxcs, Dangms, &¢.—O'FLanaGan at THe Fain ~ PARISIAN CABINE® OF WONDE! 563 Broad) — “Open daily from 10 4. M. tillg). M. a ip ai NOVELTY Bones. Daxo New ¥. lr .—Sonas, LM, THK MiGHT OWL, Music HALL, 616 Broadway.—Bua.esqves THE SATUATION. ‘The official report of General Burnside, is: refe- iy {o the progress of and disaster to the expe- ition under his command, and which was brought fro Washington by a special messenger, Mr. Shel- Non, has reached us, and is published in this day's Meravo. It appears, from that and Mr. Sheldon’s ‘statement, that although a number of vessels jgrounded and struck on the bar, only two were dost, the others having been gotten off without iserious damage. Only one transport was lost— wiz: the New York—and it appears that all wn board were saved. Her cargo, unfortu- mately, was lost, and although valuable, ‘vas not worth half so much as that destroy- ed in the rebel privateer Calhoun. A gun- pboat, or rather floating battery of two guns, was staved in by the anchor and sank in shallow ‘water; but as her cargo was all saved, her loss is mot very material and can be soon replaced. The thealth of the troops is excellent, and confidence is ‘expressed by them in their leader, who is reported ‘working night and day. It is expected that an ad- ‘vance will shortly be made, as everything will soon She ready for that purpose. ‘The steamer New York, reported lost on Hatte- tras bar, is not the City of New York, as stated in ‘the evening papers, for that vessel is now on its rway to this port from England, via Halifax—at east it was so reported in the same papers a few (days since. The New York is not “a new ship,” mor was she “ built by Laird & McGregor, of Glas- gow, for the Liverpool, New York and Philadelphia Steamship Company.” She was not “of iron, 2,560 tous barthen, three hunered n~ il fifty feet Yong, fifty feet in breadth, and ti ...,-seven feet six inches deep,” for if she had been the govern- tment would ‘certainly have been very foolish to ‘have parchased her for the Burnside expedition rwhich some of the evening papers reported was bound for Pamlico Sound, via Hatteras Inlct, be; ‘cause no vessel drawing that depth of water could possibly have passed over the bar in the finest wea- ther. She was not “ divided with six water-tight wompartments, nor strengthened with steel braces.” Bhe did not make “her trial trip on the 2d of Oc- Rober last,” nor was she afterwards ‘‘purchased for the Burnside expedition.’ What she really was, nd all about her, can be found in our news columns, in company with descriptions of the other vessels, and lists and sketches of the officers of the troops supposed to be on board. , During yesterday afternoon it was posted on ‘several of the bulletins around the city that the uews of the disaster had been suppressed by order ©f the government. Such, however, was not the case. The real facts were that, the general ac count received over the wires being somewhat ex- aggerated, the government requested that its pub- lication might be suspended unti) the official report, which was then in active preparation and ordered to be immediately published Bhould have an opportunity to reach the public side by eide with the exaggerated statement, thus giving the friends of the troops on the expedition the opportunity to judge of the truth of both or either, and also to save them from ‘ny unnecessary alarm. The troops are all saved pwith the exception of Colonel Allen and Surgeon Weller, of the Ninth New Jersey Volunteers, who were drowned, with the mate of the Ann E. Thomp- son, in consequence of their leaving that vessel in a small boat during the storm, the boat being cap- sized by the rough sea. The brave fellows lost their lives in a worthy attempt to reach the ship of the officer in command, for the purpose of obtain- fing water for their distressed companions. 4 Sketches of Col. Allen and Surgeon Weller are published in this day's Henan, and will be found wery interesting. They have not fallen in battle: put they perished in a noble cause, and are quite gs worthy of honor. In the House of Representatives yesterday, the pill to issue United States notes, &c., was taken mp, it being the special order of the day. Mr. Bpaulding, while explaining the bill, said that the Secretary of the Treasury has acted in strict con- formity with the law, and borrowed money at the pate authorised by act of Congress. He has bor- fowed one hundred millions of dollars at seven and three-tenths per cent, and issued six per cent bonds for fifty millions, for which he hae received not quite forty-live millions. The Secretary of the Treasury fia) acted in good faith, and should be sustained. *This was & war measare—one of necensity, not of who ‘The public debt on the 15th of January Ywas ‘vee handred and sixty millions seven han- @red sixty-four thousand dollars. Up to next Bul will be six handred and fifty millions; and wet or continnes until July, 1863, the es- fipatco debt will be twelve hundred millions of “a welading the floating debt. He argued that Muccy (Le constitution the power of taxation on real 4 has lately returned to Virginia from Europe. says that the general expectations entertained by the rebels when he left the South last summer, to NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1882; and personal property was unlimited, and it is this Property which will form the basis of the notes Proposed to be issued. With ample taxation these will be the very best medium, because the whole property of the country will be held for their redemption. He argued in favor of the con- stitutional power to issue demand notes, and make thema legal tender in the payment of debts. Tn conelusion he said that he had an abiding faith in the determination of the people to maintain the government. An early and successful advance of the army was of the utmost importance, and the passage of this bill was needed to sustain the financial credit of the country, to prevent foreign intervention and to vindicate the invincibility of our forces, who are anxious to be led on to victory. From the Upper Potomac we learn that Dam No. 5 has given way under the pressure of the waters at those points where the rebels had weak- ened it. Other damages have taken place above, and at Dam No. 4, and between Dam No. 6 and Hancock, a further break has taken place. The canal has thus been rendered useless for the pre- sent, and the repair of the damages will take several days to accomplish, and are estimated to cost between twelve and fifteen thousand doHars. From Cairo via Chicago the tidings are very im- portant. It is reported that the rebel chieftain Jeff. Thompson has been captured, and that three Tennessee regiwenta have been intercepted on their march to Sykestown. Seven of the bridge burners in Missouri have been sentenced to be shot, and the sentence has been approved of by General Halleck. From rebel sources intelligence has reached us of the chasing of the rebel privateer Calhoun, while on her way from Havana to Charleston, by one of our fleet, and the news goes on further to state that the rebels abandoned and burned her to prevent her falling into our hands. The Calhoun was a side-wheel steamer of 1,058 tons burthen’ and was built in this city in 1851. She was 175 feet in length, 27 feet in breadth and 11 feet deep. She was formerly engaged in the trade between this city and Southern ports, and was one of the vessels seized by the rebela at the commencement of the rebellion and trans. formed into a vessel-of-war. She was considered as a moderately good vessel, and bore the flag of the notorious Captain Hollins during his memora- ble attack upon the blockading fleet off New Or- leans. Her armament consisted of one twenty- four pounder and two eighteen pounder Dahigren guns. From the same sources it was reported that after the retreat (query, rout) from Somerset, the rebels rallied at Monticello, where they intended to make a firm stand. Instead of this being the case, Mon- ticello is now in the possession of the Union troops under General Schoepff. Where General Critten- den (the rebel) has gone to, or where his forces ere, no one can yet tell; but if they are to be found anywhere, General Carter's Union Tennes- seeans will do it. An important change has tuken place among the chiefs of the rebel army. General Beauregard has been transferred to Columbus, Ky., and Gene- ral Gustavus W. Smith (well knowa in New York) is to take charge of the army of the Potomac. General Beauregard is to act under General A. Sydney Johnston, who could not make any impres- sion on the forces under General Reynolds at Cheat Mountain, and who is not at all likely to be more successfal against General Buell. regard is now placed opposite General Halleck, General Bean- who is ably assisted in this particular locality by General Grant. The news of the capture of Cedar Keys by our forces has been more than confirmed by the inte!- ligence just received from the South. We publish in to-day’s Hera.p another interest- ing selection of news from Southeru papers, the most interesting partof which isa letter written tothe Richmond Enquirer, trom a gentleman who He the effect that manufac ting interests of Eng land and France would force them to a speedy re- cognition of the Southern confederacy has turned out to be a great error. He was the bearer of messages from commercial men in the South to English merchants in reference to opening a trade with the South irregardless of the federal block- When he told the latter of one hundred per cent profits they said:—Give us ten per cent, or ade. oven five, with no risk, and we are your men.’’ The rebel fallacy in reference to speedy recog- nition and interference with the blockade wa, prominently apperent in England. The rebel agonts in Europe had been tampering with English editors, in order to force public opinion to an acknowledgement of the necessity for a rebel confederacy. Sixteen thousand square feet have been secured inthe agricultural department of the Great Inter- tional Exhibition in London this year. The cor- respondent of the Enquirer says ‘he was obliged to secure the allotment of space in his own indivi- dual name, but it was done for and in behalf of the confederacy.” CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday, petition was present- ed from citizens of Illinois, asking Congress not to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and to expel members who ere in favor of such an act; also, that Jobn C. Fremont may be deprived of his title of General, and that his frauds in the Western Military Department be exposed. A petition from New York merchants, in favor of restoring the warehousing system, was also presented. The Secretary of the Treasary was requested to report whether any legislation is necessary to enable the government to take charge of and place under cultivation the lands in South Carolina now held by the United States, and also what legislation is necessary to provide for the negroes in those localities, and to furnish them with employment. Mr. Wilson reported a bill from the Military Committee to define the pay and equalize the emoluments of certain officers of the army and for other purposes, The bill reduces the expenditures on account ofthe army fifteen millions of dollars. It provides for a deduction of ten per cent from the pay of all persons in the employ of the government. So far as regards the pay of the soldiers and sailors, the proposed reduc. tion of their compensation is unwise as well as un. just. A bill to provide for the revision and con: solidation of the statates of the United States was referred to the appropriate committee. The bill authorizing the President to take possession of certain railroads and telegraph lines was taken up, and after an animated discussion passed by a vote of 23 against 12. The House of Representatives went into Com- mittee of the Whole, and the special order, being the bill to authorize the issue of United States de- mand notes, and for the redemption or funding thereof, and for the funding of the floating debt of the United States, was taken up. Mr. Spaulding, of the Committee of Ways and Means, explained its provisions. A full report of his speech on this important subject is given in our Congressional proceedings. Mr. Stevens stated that he should offer an amendment to the bill, to make the semi-annual interest payable in coin. The fur- ther consideration of the subject was then post- poned until to-day. A bill establishing a uni- form system of bankruptcy was introduced, and referred to the special committee on that subject: Mr. Potter made a report on the subject of disloyal government employes, and its consideration was postponed for two weeks. The House then took up the bill making appropriations for the executive, legislative and judicial expenses of the govern- ment, and several amendments. Adjourned. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. In the State Senate yesterday, the resolution for the appointment of three commissioners to draft a general tax bill, with the view of rendering the operations of national and State taxes equa! and feir upon all interests, was debated, and after- wards jaid on the table and ordered to be printed. The Senate passed the annual Canal Appropriation bill, and the bill to amend the law relative to un. authorized banking. The bill amending the Brook- lyn Common School law was ordered to a third reading. Favorable reports were made on the bil! amending the General Manufactory law, and on that amending the Revised Statutes so as to effect judgments in cases of ejectment. Bills were intro- duced to amend the Divorce law; to prevent and punish fraud in the use of false stamps and trade marks, and in relation to sales by the Commission- ers of the United States Loan Fund. A report was sent in by the Canal Auditor, giving a statement of the canal awards and the amounts paid. In the As- sembly the Governor’s annual message was taken up, and the various topics referred to the appropriate committees. A discussion took place over the refe- rence of that portion of the mers.ge relating to the Metropolitan Police, and it was finally sent to the Cities Committee. The following bills were ordered to a third reading:—-To amend the Annual Appropriation law in reference to lands sold for taxes; to authorize the Kings county Supervisors to raise money for the support of volunteers’ fami- lies; in relation to warrants issued against default- ing county collectors, and to amend the charter of the Republic Fire Insurance Company. The reso- lations in regard to finance and the national taxes were again discussed at considerable length, and finally laid over as the special order fee to-morrow (Thursday) evening. The steamship City of New York, from Liver- pool and Queenstown via Halifax, wae fully due last night, and may have arrived before thie reaches the eye of the reader. She will leave, on her re- turn to Queenstown and Liverpool, on Saturday next. The Southern confederacy have ordered that al) free negroes who do not volunteer shall be im- pressed into tho public service, and a Petersburg, Va., peper congratulates itself that nearly all the free megroca in that vicinity have volunteered. They have Hobson’s choice, to go willingly or be forced. From the report of the head of the rebel “* pass- port office,” it appears that the aggregate amount of contributions from the rebel States to the confe- derate army in Virginia during the last three months was $1,515,898. There are now at Annapolis six regiments of m- fantry and three of cavalry, and more troops are expected within a few days. Another expedition ig talked of. The New Orleans Picayune was once the only daily paper in the United States, besides the Heracp, that ever found it necessary, from a press of advertisements, to publish a quadruple sheet. Itnow apparently finds great difficulty in pro- ducing a little dirty looking single sheet, with a few old standing quack doctors’ advertisemonte to fill up its columns. Secession did it. A meeting is to be held in Bostou to press the goverament to make further efforts to secure the release of Colonel Corcoran, who is now contined in a cell in the prison at Columbia, 8. C. ‘The navy yard difficultics at Philadelphia appear to have been settled for the present. There are over one thousand five hundred workmen now em- ployed there. Neerly all the railroads in New York and the Fastern States are blocked up with snow, and the progress of the trains has been greatly re- tarded in consequence. The trial of Samuel H. Merritt, charged with shooting John Swain, the secessionist, was brought to a close yesterday in the General Sessions. Judge McCunn charged the jury in the afternoon. There was no prospect of their agreeing upon a verdict at a late hour last evening. ‘The market for cotton exhibited more firmness, with au improved demand from spinuers. The sales embr: ed about 700 bales, closing on the basis of 32c. a for middling uplands, and at 3c. a 3d. for strict mid- ding uplands. Fiour was in some better roquest, though sales were moderate, and extra State was rather better. Wheat was again inactive, while prices were casior. Corn was heavy, snd sales limited, at 62c: for good mixed in store, and at 66c. for good mixed delivered. Pork was sustained, and sales fair at $12 8734 @ $15 for new mess, $12.a $12 25 for old do., $1275 for Western, and $13 25 a $13 50 for city prime mess, and at $5 26 a $9 75 for old prime, and at $9 25 a $9 50 for new do. Sugars were steady, with sales of 613 hhds., 768 boxes and 1,300 bags. Coffee was quiet, but irmiy hold. The stock embraced 64,602 bags of Rio, and a total of 94,062 of all kinds. Froight engagements were moderate, and rates without change of moment. Important News from the Burnside Ex- pedition. Our great suspense is at an end. We have the encouraging news at last that the bulk of the Burnside expedition had effected a lodgment in Pamlico Sound, after buffeting and struggling with a succession of the fiercest wintry storms of stormy Cape Hatteras. The expedition, how- ever, though not defeated, nor very seriously crippled by the adverse winds and waves, and the treacherous quicksands and shifting bars of the North Carolina coast, has still suffered in the loss of several valuable veseels. In the stranding of the steamer New York, with its stores of gunpowder, bombs and rifles, our loss is estimated at two hundred thousand dol- lars. With this and the various other vessels which were wrecked or driven ashore, our total loss in ships, horses, powder, arms, shot, shell, munitions and provisions will probably not falj short of half a million of money. But these expensive casualties are only asa drop in the bucket compared with the wonder- ful escape of the fleet from total destruction, or aruinous dispersion along the whole Atlantic seaboard, or compared with the remarkable preservation from a watery grave of the sol- diers and sailors of the expedi‘ion, even of the ships and boats that were jost, with » fow un- | fortunate exceptions. We are thus sausied that the ships of the equadron, en masse and in | gol detail, were mmagsed with great skill and ability by our gallant sailors, and that, after having thus proved more than a match for the elements, we may expect @ good report of the movements of the expedition against the rebels of North Carolina. At the same time the de- tention of the fleet outside of Hatteras by the terrific storms of the last two weeks has very much embarrassed the rebels as to the where- abouts and destination of Burnside; so that, in their defensive preparations at various other points, it is probable that at the real points of attack they will be found weaker than they were at the sailing of Burnside from Fortress Monroe. The Port Royal expedition, in the same way as this one, suffered some losses, and was de- tained off the coast near its destination by storms until the absence of any news from it began to excite very serious apprehensions. But it weathered the winds and waves, and accomplished its work very handsomely. So it will be with this Burnside expedition. Having entered the sheltered inland waters of North Carolina, it has nothing more to fear from the dreadful storms of Hatteras, and will soon be ready for active operations, with an over- whelming weight of artillery, against the Caro- lina strongholds and arteries of this doomed rebellion. Burnside, like Dupont, is confident of the success of his expedition, and so is the government, and so are we, because his means are fally adapted to accomplish the objects of his enterprise. The rebel armies of the South are in 2 state of great alarm. They begin to have some idea of the terrible plans and combinations of General McClellan. The suffering and despoiled people of the South are becoming weary of the exhaust- ing despotism of Davis, with its conscriptions and forced contributions, and the desperate straits to which it has driven them in conse- quence of “Lincoln’s blockade.” The only thing which prevents the utier demoralization and dispersion of the rebel armies is the genera! belief in the South, fostered by our abolition agitators, that our government is aiming at nothing less than s war of conquest, spoliation, confiscation and negro emancipation. If Presi- dent Lincoln were to seize upon half a dozen of such of our abolition disorganizers as Owen Lovejoy, the Rev..Dr. Cheever, Lloyd Garrison, and that “horrible monster, Greeley,” as de- scribed by the loyal Senator Davis, of Kentucky, and were to clap them into Fort Lafayette or Fort Warren, we verily believe that the moral effect of this proceeding in the South would be equal to an overwhelming victory over tie main rebel army of the Potomac. Considering the time which had elapsed with- out any detinite tidings from this Burnside ex- pedition, and the numerous tempestuous days and nights of this long interval of doubt and conjecture, the news we have received affords usa great relief from our apprehensions of a crushing disaster. The bulk of the expedition is now secure against the chances of the ele- ments, and will soon munifest its strength in its movements upon the enemy. Prorosxy Repccrion or ‘tHe Pay of THE Axay anp Navy.—The most atrocious proposi- tion yet presented to Congress is that which is designed to reduce the pay of our army and navy. The pay seems small enough already, when we consider the amount of toil, hardship and danger of health, limb and life which our soldiers and sailors are compelled to undergo, or when we remember that our army and navy are doing the real work of saving and preserving the Union. How much smaller does it appear, then, when contrasted with the salaries of those politicians who would cut down the money of a soldier or a sailor, but who are themselves paid largely to do nothing, and rob the public trea- sury into the bargain. If there is any houesty or sincerity in this desire for retrenchment, let us see the politicians begin by cutting down their own salaries, and. stopping the Fremont, Cummings and Morgan leaks in the Treasury. Let the pay of the soldier and sailor alone until they begin thus; er, in other words, let it alone altogether. Rampant TREASON—Browsson AND GREFLBY.— The fraternization between these eccentric in- dividuals is one of the signs of the times. Brownson, in an anti-slavery lecture at Boston, proclaims that “the old Union is irrevocably gone,” and Greeley “respectfully and altogether agrees with Dr. Brownson.”’ This is treason of the rankest kind. It is aid and comfort to the enemy. The sentiments are atrocious, and both the traitors ought to be arrested. The old Union is not gone. It is for the old Union, and no new Union, that our troops are fighting, and neither Greeley nor Brownson nor any human power can induce them to fight otherwise. We want no new Union. We want the old. To fight for the old is loyalty. To fight for the new is treason. Those who propose to subvert the old Union are guilty of the highest crime known to the law. Those who say “the old Union is gone” are allies and accomplices of the Southern traitors, and ought to be looked after, Hatx’s Rerorr.—The report of Senator Hale about the Navy Department is the best he has ever made, and does him infinite credit, His manly exposure of corruption atones for a mul- titude of political sins. We always knew he was a wit; but the last thing be has said is the cleanest thing of all. He recommends Mr. Morgan to refund the $70,000 he has netted out of the contracts for sound and rotten ships. This supposes an amazing amount of moral stamina. We hope Mr. Morgen will come up to the standard. But the logie of Senator Hale’s point is, that if Morgan should disgonge $70,000, Secretary Welles should certainly re- sign. There is no escaping from the concAusion. Sitiy Newspapers Aout Gotp.—Scyme of the id journals who were crying ‘gold, gold, are now coming round to o'4r views, that credit is as good as gold, and a0 fait that io pay the interest of the proposed War stock in specie is sufficient to keep up the rational credit. and to prevent the new issues declining much he low pat. | ‘The Proposed Tax Upom Newspapers. Corton rzom ta8 Sovrs.—It is an interesting ‘The proposition te include newspapers among the numerous objects which will have to contri- bute their quots to the revenue henceforth to be derived from taxation has excited a good deal of controversy both in and outside the press. Some journals grumble at the proposal, from a misapprehension of the effect which it will have upon their interests, whilst there are amongst the general public many who are averse to the enhancement, slight though it may be, of the price of an article so necessary to their daily comfort. Granted the principle that all taxes to be equitable must be uniform, there need be Mo reason on the part of well conducted and respectable journals to apprehend the effect of taxation on their property. If there is any sub- stantial foundation [for their existence in the public wants, it will not be impaired by the small addition made to the price of their issues by the tax. Should, on the contrary, their cir- culation be a forced one, and not due to any healthy or legitimate influence, it will undoubt- edly curtail it. And it is precisely in this very fact that the advocates of a uniform stamp duty find the strongest argument in its favor. The old ery of the injustice and inexpedi- ency of imposing taxes upon knowledge has, like many other modern shibboleths, been qualified by the results of practical experience. In England, previous to the abolition of the stamp duty, nothing could be more decorous than the tone of its press. The most exciting questions were discussed with a calmness and propriety that the rest of the world admired, without being able to imitate. With the re- moval of the stamp duty a change became im- mediately observable. The old established journals, such as the London Times, had to make preparations to meet the keen competi- tion to which they were about to be subjected by the penny papers. Instead of the cultivated intellects and ripe experience which they bad been previously able to employ, they were compelled to resort to the services of writers of a lower grade of capacity. But the deterio- ration did not stop here. The penny papers, met, as they were, by a reduction of prite on the part of their older rivals, had to find some other means of forcing their circalation. This they endeavored to do by giving a sensa- tional character to their sheets, and by excel- ling each other in violence and scurrility. It was in that way that the Telegraph, the organ of Jeff. Davis, made its enormous circulation, Since its success became so decided the London Times, the Herald, the Chronicle and the Post have been running a race with it in exaggera- tion of views and language. A more general and amusing truckling to the supposed taste of the masses has rarely if ever been witnessed. When the rebellion broke out in this country it was immediately seized upon as a sensational theme to influence and excite the public mind. Of the unprincipled and scandalous use that was made of it we need not remind our readers. It is suflicient to say that no press ever disgraced itself by sach an open disregard of common honesty and decency. We are persuaded that if the stamp duty upon newspapers had been still in operation the tone of the English press towards this country would have been very different. In the first place, the class of writers who would have been at its head would have been inaccessible to Southern gold and Southern convivialities, and in the next there would have been no necessity for creating and keeping alive fictitious excitements for sensational purposes. It is to this point that we should like to see the press of this country brought. A moderate tax of say a querter or half a cent on each copy would go far to improve and elevate its character, by in- troducing into it a higher class of writers, and weeding it of the demoralizing influences which, in the shape of spiritualist, womans’ rights, free love and abolitionist publications, now degrade it. This can only, we repeat, be done by a uni- form tax; for none ether can accomplish the double object of effecting these reforms and o, securing sufficient revenue to render it an on! ject worthy of the attention of governmeny iinanciers. The benefits resulting to the majority of readers from the change that will be thus brought about will, we are satisfied, reconcile them to the slight addition that it will make to the cosi of their newspapers. Sreaxer Rayrmonn’s New Lossy.—Speaker Raymond made a long oration in the Assembly the other day, in which he first fully demon- strated that the lobby was a thieving, knavish jnstitution, and then proposed to legalize it upon a new plan, resembling that in vogue at the English Parliament. The honorable Speaker even weut go far as to have a special committee appointed to examine into the propriety of adopting his suggestions. This, we think, ex- ceeds in cool impudence anything which the “Little Villain” of the Times has before achiev- ed. As tothe principle of legalizing the lob- by, it is evident that legal highway robbery or legal bribery and corruption would be just as sensible. As to Spoaker Raymond’s plan, it has proven in England to be enormously pro- ductive of legislative rascality. The revela tions made by the affair of the English “Railroad King” some years ago prove this; and, indeed, it is perfectly patent, from the more recent records of English criminal cases, that the pariiamentary system of legalized lobbying surrounds all banking aud railway grants with a perfect network of swindles. No, Mr. Speaker Raymond, reformation in the Legislature must begin, like charity, at home. Make your mem. bers honest, and you need care for. no lobby in- fluences. Tus [xcenpiary Apnoritiontsts ty Counem..— Like Macbeth’s witches, the incendiary aboli- tionists of Massachusetts have been keeping their infernal cauldron boiling at their anaual con” vention, held recently in Boston; and the New York Times, the organ of quack deetors and Spesker Raymond, prints all their perilous atuff. The substance of the meeting may be suramed up in Wendel Phillips’ remark that “slavery wes dead, and it’s of little conse- quence whether one or twe Unions see its death.” That is abolitionism in a antshell, and adds one-more to the already abundant proofs that abolitionism and secessionisin are identica, in their contempt of the Union. The one fanati_ cism aids and assists the other. How long, sball it be before Sovthera and Northern rebels are treated alike? The Times, edited by the,Speaker ofthe New York Assembly, not only publishes this abolition drose—having, fortunately, no in. formation of army movements to divulge for the more direct benett of the rebels — and calls it “instructive a ignificant.” So in one sense it is; for it shows how the Ziraes, having become a disgrace to journalism fy jis filthy medical nts, cau OW wink still lower by its oisonigm. fact in connection with the Port Royal expedi- tion that its successes included the capture of @ million dollars’ worth of Sea Island cotton, the greater part of which hus already arrived at the North. Now, it is very evident that while the expeditions to Hatterae Inlet and Port Royal, and those under Burnside and Butler, and all other such expeditions that may be despatched, are part of a grand system or- ganized to crush the rebellion, they will be of the greatest service in enabling us to obtain supplies of cotton, by which not only will they contribute materially towards defraying the ex- penses of the war, but place us ina position to keep the markets of England and Franceso well supplied with that indispensable fibre that neither country will have sufficient provocation or excuse to try the experiment of breaking the blockade. There is no doubt that all along the coast and for many miles inland, from North Carolina to Matamoros, a hundred millions of dollars’ worth of cotton might be captured easily, and expe- ditions should be rapidly fitted out with this view. There is every prospect of these expe- ditions doing more to uproot the rebellion than our armies on the Potomac and in the West; and there is this grest advantage belonging to them, that, while restoring the Union flag over an ex- tensive belt of cotton country and so meintaining the prestige of the United States abroad, their commercial results will be such as we cannot overrate in importance. Both politically and financially, therefore, these expeditions promise to be of the highest value. A New Operatic Sgason.—This evening tho combined forces of Grau and Maretzek begin a new operatic campaign at the Academy of Music. According to the present prospectus, New York and Brooklyn are to be blessed with the performances of this combined troupe on alternate nights for two weeks. Gottschalk, the great pianist, is held as a dort of reserve force, and, altogether, the coalition is a very strong one. There is no occasion to introduce Max Maretzek to the New York public; but, in response to the numerous inquiries of “ Who i# Grau?” we rejoice to be able to state that, after prolonged study and acute investigation, we have discovered that Grau is the person whe devised the Prince of Wales Opera in Phila. delpbia. In consequence of his connection with that affair Grau did not dare show himself during the Trent excitement, except in such out of the way places as Brooklyn, where-he defeated the Rev. Henry Ward Beeoher in sin- gle combat upon the momentous question whether the Brooklyn Academy was a churob: or an opera house. The artists engaged are all excellent, and the sale of tickets here has already been so great that we risk nothing in predicting a fashionable and successful season. Consistency oF THE TriBuns.—This highly moral journal assails- Mr. Morgan for corrup- tion in thousands of dollars, in the matter of! the purchase of ships for the navy. Why does it not only screen, but actively defend, the cor ruption in Missouri, amounting to millions of dollars? The Daty on Tea. IMPORTANT DECISION OF SECRETARY CHASE. ‘An important decision has just beon rendered by Secre- tary Chase, which will set at rest the hopes of those im- Porters of tea who hoped toobtain possession of their merchandise on shipboard before the passage of the Tari# act of December, om payment of the rate of duty lovied by the August act. The following is the correspeudenos on the subject:-— LETTER YROM G. W. BENSON. Wasmwoton, Jan. 22, 1862. ‘To the Hon. Satwon P. Caase, Secretary of the Treasury :— Sm—I have tho honor to request to be informed whether teas on shipboard prior to December 24, 1861, and after August 5, 1861, are dutiable under the act of December 24,1861. Yery respectfully, your mogt obedient servant: @. W. BENSON. SECRETARY CHASR’S REPLY. ‘Traasony Dararrunvr, Jan. 24, 1862. Sin—I am in receipt of your letter of the 224 instant, “requesting to be informed whether teas on shipboard prior to December 24, 1861, are dutiable under the act o! December 24, 1861. The act of December 24, 1861, increasing the dutics on tea coffee and sugar, makes no exception in favor of mer: chandise subject to duty under the act of. August 5, 1861. ‘and on shipboard, bound to the United States, prior te the act of December; consequently all teas shipped after the passage of the act of August 5, are liable, on impor. tation, to duty, at the rate of twenty cents per pound, lam, very respectfully, S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the Treasury. G. W. Burxeoy, Esq. , No. 39 South street, New York. The following is a copy of the letter from Secretary Chase to Collector Barney. It has been procured om application at the Department in order to correct an erroneous statement, recently published :-— LETTER PROM SECRETARY CHASE TO COLLECTOR BARNEY. ‘Treasury Derantueyt, Jan. 17, 1863. Sin—I have under consideration an appeal from your alleged decision that certain teas imported from Canton per bark Penguin by Messrs. A. A. Low & Brothers are dutiable under the acts of December 24, 1961, the appellants claiming that roid teas are entitied to entry froe of duty under tis provisions of the sixth section of the act of August 4, 1861. The tweaty- third section of the act of March 2, 1861, exempts from duty tea, when imported direct from the country of pro duction in Américan vessels, or in foreign vessels entitied to the came privileges as Amorican vessels. ‘The fifth section of fhe act of August 6, 1161, provides that all goods, wares and merchandise actualiy on ship. board, and bound to the United States at the date of the passage of this act, shall be subject to pay such duties ag are provided by law bofore and at tho time of the pas: ‘sage of this act. ‘Thus tea on shipboard, and bound to the United States on the Sth of August Inst, was entitled to entry on tm- portation free of duty undor the act of August 5, 1861. The act of December 24, 1861, provides thai from and after the date of the passage of thie act, in lieu of the duties heretofore imposed by law on articles hereinafter mentioned, tuere shall be cojiected and paid the following duties and rates of duty, that is to say —Firot, on all toas, twenty cents ner pound, and the question # now pressnted whether tea cn shipboard on the 6th of August last, and bound to the United States from the country of produotion, in a vessel cf the United States, is entitled to the privilege accorded by the fifth section of the act of August 5, 1861, and entitled to entry free of duty. If tae terms “in liew of the-duties hereto- fore imposed’? had been omitted from the act of Decem* ber 2, all teaa imported, without exception, would have been liable to the duties imposed by it. The insertion of these terms seems to indicate the inten- tion on the part of Congress to leave free the tea and coffee mage free by the fifth section of the act of August 5, 1861, and thus avoid a discrimination between shipments already received and admitted Crom near, ang shipments from remote localities, also on shipboard on the Sth of Angust last, but not yet arrived. I am of the opiuion, therefore, the merchandise in question will be entitled, to freeentry, if it shall be shown to your satis- faction that tae teas in this ease wore actually on ship. board and bound to the United States from the country of growth or production on or before the passage of the act of August 6, 1861. Tam, very respectfully, 8. P. CHASE, Secretary of the Treasury, Hina Banner, Esq. Collector, &e., New York. Acabexy oF Mrsro.—Overa.—This evening the season ‘will be inaugurated by the appearance of Miss Kellogg (first time) fn tho role of Lady Henrietta, in Flotow's Deautifal Opera of “Martha.” Theoccasion will dort additional interest from the risimption of the conduc tor's baton, aftor a long absonce and various mishaps by flood and Aeld, by our old favorite, Marotzok. From the in towtions ths far there is every prospect of @ crowded, and brilliant houge.