The New York Herald Newspaper, February 24, 1862, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 9297. NEW YORK, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1862, { THE NIAGARA AT HALIFAX, TWO DAYS LATER FROM EUROPE. British Official Papers on the American Question. England’s Anxiety at the Prospect of War. Lord Lyons to Assure Mr. Lincoln of Her “Forbearance”? and Strength. Privateering to be Abolished During the War if America Consented, Lord John Russell’s Reply to the Rebel Commissioners. The “Fortune of Arms” to Decide Queen Victoria. INUNDATIONS IN GERMANY. RUSSIAN SENTENCES ON THE POLISH PRIESTS, &., &., &e. Haupax, Feb. 22, 1862. ‘The steamship Niagara, from Liverpool February 8, at one P. M., via Queenstown 91, arrived here at nine @clock this evening. She haa forty passengers for Bos- ton, but no specie for that port. She brought £50,600 for Halifax, She passed the Arabia, bound to Liverpool, on the 9th. . The Niagara gailed at half-past four o'clock A, M. for Boston, whére che will be due to-morrow afternoon, Mr, Slidell avrived at Lodge's Hotel, Le Nore, Paria, January 29. The Prince of Wales had left England for Trieste, en voulefor the Kast. Ho travels in strict incognito, ‘The official Gazette publishes an order of the Privy Council removing the prohibition against the export of saltpetre, arms, ammunition, and all other articles lately prohibited. A despatch from Vienna, of the 8th instant, states that in the negotiations respecting the elevation of the Arch- uke Maximilian to the throne of Mexico there is 10 question of the cession of Venetia. A new Cangdian Bishopric, to be called the Bishopric ‘of Ontario, ia created, Rev. J. L. Wise is appointed iis first Bishop. Gloomy accounts are published of the British Columbia. ‘pord Belds, and were attracting considerable attention. ‘Communication is imtorrupted thronghout alwost 4), @ermoany, is consequence of inundations. ‘The new Cunard scrow steamer China bad arrived a, Liverpool. She takes her place in the live for New York March 1. Her trial trip showed great speed. ‘The Hihernian, frow Portland, arrived a¢ Liverpool on the OM. THE AMERICAN QUESTION. British State Papers on the Crisis Sub- enitted to Parliament—Voluminous Cor- midience Relative to the Nashville and Tuscarora—The Cabinet Ready to Advise the “Belligerents”—What Lord Lyons Has to Say to Mr. Lincoln—Lord John Rasseli’s Answer to the Rebel Commissioners—When aud How Kng- gland Would Give Up Privateering, & Six sets of Parliamentary papers concerning the Ame. sian ciyil war, &c., haye been laid before Parliament Notfewer than forty Official communications have passed about the Nashville and Tose In Janvary, 1861, Earl Russel! instr: ted Lord Lyons, line to give any, unless both parties apply for e The policy of the British government in 1861, ia the event of President Lincoln raising a question ‘With Great Britain, is laid down in the following terma:— | Her Majesty’s government would in the first place be very Sorbearing. They would show by their avis how Dighly they valuod the relations of peave and comity ‘With the United States, but they would take care to let the government which multiplied provocations and sought for quarrels undersiand that their forbearance sprang from @ consciouanest of strength, ond not srom Simidity or weaknese. Lord Rugsell reports the sulstauce offa conversion he had with Yancey, Rost and Mann, the delegates who waited upon Lim to urge the revognition of the coufede. vates, Hin answer to these gentlemen was, thas Fogland would observe strict meutratily. Bari Russell said:—Her Majesty cannot acknowledg: Me independence of nine Stats ewutil the fortune of ax'ms or a more peaceful mode of negoti” Mion shall have more clearly determined de respective posi- tions of the two belliges ents. ‘There is a short note, written as jate #2 December 20, which shows that even (hen the British Ministry believed in re probability of a war with the United Slates. Lord Lyone ie directed to speak with Mr. Seward on the Subject of letters of marque, aud to say that in cane of war, Great Britain is willing to abelish privateering ox detwoen the wo nations if the President will make # smnilar egresment on the part of the United Stuies, VRE ARREST OF AN ANGLO-CANADIAN. Iw the House of Lords, on the 71h, Far) Caginnvon gquired as to the truth of the arrest and imprisourment fa Canadian subject named Shepperd, by order of My. Seward. He commented severely on the conduct of the Cnited Mates, if the facte were correctly reported, and ‘especially on the demand that Shepperd should take the wath of allegiance to the Unifed States, as s condition of velease. Karl Russell, who was all but inaudiblo, wes understood to way (hat the main facts of the case §were correctiy reported, but as soon as Jord Lyons was informed of i, he applied to Mr. Seward, who stated that the oath of ailogianco was tendered w | Shepherd, under the belief that ho was an American, aud his release wan subsequently obtmined on the condition ‘Uuat he should not go into the Southern States. ‘The federal government claimed that, in an extraordi. shry emergency, like the present, the President must be tmyvested with extraordinary powors, extending to foreign residents as wellas American citivens. Her Majesty's government entered strong remonstrances to this, and there was no objection to produce the correspondence. Earl Carparvon said be should certainly move for the papers. le hoped the government wonld not be content with remonstrances, but would also demand compensa. tion. MR, GREGORY, M. P., ON TRE BLOCKADE, Im the House of Commons, on the 7th iust., Mr. Gregory eaid he refrained the previous evening from address, ‘mg the House while the Address to the Queen wes deing discussed, because he thought it unde sirable to introduce topics which might give wine to debate; but he felt that the blockade of the Southern porte by the federal government wae wholly ineffective, and simply blockade upon paper, Om afatore occasion he should be ina position to show the charaster of the blockade was such that, in justice to both of the boHigerent parties, it ought to receive fu’) Giscursion mt the hands of the governinent. Mr. @. P. Bentinck expressed satisfaction at ‘Mr. Gregory's announcement to bring the ques- thon Of the viookade before the House, His own opinion was that @ recognition of the paper porte ars ‘be in violation of the rules of internal ional law, and it was the duty of the countr; Seriously the position, which wetepineed. Re SUMTRR AD THE COAL MERCE ANTS, Date GiPraltar Bdvicon reeeived jw Liverpool represgus E CAPTURE OF of War in Mliddle ‘Nashville coe sais Nai Ry sie lis NW s i " hye i SN ROSLIN LAND x3 (MBER: i &l ‘the privateer Sumter as detained at Gibraltar from diffl- culty in obtajuing coal. A meeting of tho parties con- nected with the coaling business there resolved not to supply coal to the Sumter except for cash, the paper of fered m payment, x!though on good houses, being deemed cligibie. The kame advices represent the orew of the Sumter ag fine fellows, but uautical men gay the ship has noGght in her. THE LONDON TIMES AS A FINANCIER AND PROPHET. ‘The London Fines, in an editorial on American affairs, says that in the last six mouths Ameriga has contrived to spend more money ina shorter time, and 10 less pur pose, than any people who ever lived on the fave of the earth, and that js all that has “fiterally been done during this period. it progeeds to argue that the subjugation of the South and a future sm impossible, TAR PRESS ON THE SESSION OF PARLIAMENT, ‘The London regard the Queen's specob as x negative, and so far a saligfactory document. n has becon journals generally aon the w ise Blank offe th ion of Parliament opened catialy, and with no show of opposition, aud the indications were that the session would be a quiet one, The Globe, however, admits that Parliament is about divided, and that the conservatives might, if s complications, Lt inti in the even of 1, Lord Palinerston would ni and appeal to the country. OPINION ON NEUTRAL RIGHTS. M. D'Hantefeuili¢, the wel) kuown writer on internation- allaw, urges ia the Revue Contemporaine the meeting of a bring about se the forination of a league of armed neutrality to protect she commerce of nentral Powers in the event of mari- time war. France. ‘The Bank of France on the 6th reduced tts rate of dis- counts from 422 to 4 per cent. The Chamtwr of Deputies had commenced the discos. sion of the bil! for the conversion of the 43, per cent Yentes, M. Darimon strongly opposed it. ‘The Paris Constitutionnel says the rumor that Bughiah eapitalista aad contracted to Joan £4,000,000 to the French goveratment is not correct, bit s@h circumstan- tial particulars are given in the Londou papers that there in no dondt the arrangement has been made. BThe Bourse war frm; renter 71. 40¢. Loxnom, Feb. 9, 1862. The French Chamber of Deputies has passed the bil; converting the renter. They else firm ‘The Moniteur mays that the vill for the conv the revtes will be presented to the Senate to-morrow. ‘The iuteress on Trewsuryebilis is Axed at 3 and 3), per tent, according to the time of their falling d defended and M. Picard opposed the bill for the conversion OF thoreutes, The diacassion will be resumed to-day The Moniteur says the English journals announce that the French government js negotiating at London for loan of four million ponds. This assertion is ve ‘Doni, Feb. 9, 1862. Tue Kalia pudsiahe Interior exhorting prefect to prevent, by the exercise of legitimate inthiences, popular mavifestations like those recently raade in arma and other towns ‘Tenis, Ped. 8, 1 $62. The Official Garette, reylying to the rumors that th® government encouraged the manifestations against the temporal power at Rome, that it had deoreed the recalj of Marzini, and, by means of secret encouragement, was preparing ® clandestine expedition, declares that the government will net depart from the laws of an upright and loyal policy, and will endeavor to seize every oppor. tunity which presents itself of assuring man ample ang fruitful monney the desires of the nation, ‘Tho Cortes was discussing the treaty with Mexico. Martine de ja Rosa was dangerously ill, His life wa® doapaired of. M. Moa was rummoned from Paris t0 take bis place as President of the Chamber of Deputies. Mapain, Feb. 1=P. M. Senor Martinez de ia Rose is dead. Poland. Advices from Warsaw announce that judgment has been pronounced by court martial on the Catholic priests imprisoned in the citadel, Feur canons were condemned to transportation to Siberia, and one to imprisonment in the fortress. Corennacmn, Feb. 9, 1862. ‘The government has obtained an important victory ag the ministerial project for the modification of tbe quorum im the Rigarsed was adopted yostorday bya rity after # protracted disevesion. ve A Turkish equadron, ander Osmar Pasha, bad defi Con. stantinople for the Adriatic, laden with munitions of war \ \/ ‘The London Herot! (opposition) has searcely @ remark to | evial programme, and says it is difficult lo per congress (0 settle (he rights of belligerents at sea, and | Yesterday evening, in the Corps Legiviatif, M. Vintry | circular from the Minister of the | TH VERWONSFURNA AMINE TON India. Bombay papers to January 13 represent the product of the last cotton crop as pouring into Bombay from the various cotton distriete. Commercial hiteNigence, THE LONDON MONRY MARKET. The funds were firmer on the 7th instant, apd advanced 2d. notwithstanding the unfayotable bank returns, and oes engy appearance of the money market. Por clioice bills 237 8 224 was generally demanded, the impression being that the loan to the French government will canse the rates for money to rule higher. Tt wae reported that about £2,000,000 would be re. od to Paria during Februery-—the first instalment on ised & large demand for money at the Loxnow, Feb. 7, 1862. Console closed at 927, 2.93. The woekls WS a decrease of £324,000. ve firmer; salos of Mlinolg Central Erie Railrosd shares 2B)¢ 2°20. LIVERPOOL COTTON MAIWKRT. ‘The week's cotton market was received per Bobemian. VOOL BREADSTUPF MAKKET, pag a downward ten- | aBLs., whito corn ds. a 87. LIVERPPOOL PROVISION MARKET, ‘The provision market stl rules downward. Me Bigland, & Co, report:—Beef still declining. heavy, 4 ined Qe. 6d. Bacon quiet. Lard very dull af 43s. 6. « 458, Dallow fat LIVERPOOL, PRODUCE MARK Ashes dull at 38s, ote aud pearle. Sugar quiet ata decline of fd. Cole y ie quiet and steady. Linseed heavy at a dee} E !—Salés small | wt £34 a £36, Oil—Transactions light. Rosin dull at Qe. 3d. a 13 rita of Larpentine nominel. LONDON MARKET. Messrs. Baring ro) port Iron steady, buteasior, Sugar firm Tea—The market is steady for common Congo dul. Spirise tur- pentine steady at 46s. Od. Tallow quiet and a Sperm oil £8968, Cod oll dull, and declined 108, #ted cakes firmer. THR LATEST MARKETS. Lavenrdor, Feb. 9, 1862. yules, in- elnding " rs, the market closing firmer atv notations, Bread- stuffs closed dull, Provixjofie inactive. Ay. Lin- Loxon, Feb. 9, 1862. Console closed on Saturday at 997, a 9944 for money. American Securitics.—Sales of Miinoid Central, 44% 43 discount. HAVRE COTTON MAI . Sales of cotton for the week, 5,600 bales; tyes ordi- naire, 1.598%; has, 1.2f. The Gar gc in quiet afd irreg:t- lar, The stock im port amobuts Tis0b0 bal aa THE CAPTURE OF CLARKSVILLE. The Union Troops Occupy the Village— Whe Rebels Heat a Hasty Hetreat— Sketch of Clark: le und Its Defences The Val of the Camberland R Map of the Surrounding Country=The Rebels Nearly Surrounded The official report of Commodore Foote, ef the United Staton Navy, published yesterday, gives us the decisive information that Clark js in the possemion of the Union for On the appearance of the gunboats the citizens, being wiarined lest the village should be bem- Darded, at least two thirds of them fed from the spot Commodore Foote, however, had an interview with the Mayor and the Hon. Cave Johnson, and expressed his views and intentions of not injnring the property or per- sons of avy who would at once return to thoir allegiance; and, al the reqness of those gentiemen, issned « prociama- | Hon assuring all peaceably disposed persons that they inay safely resume their business ayooations, providing that they gave pall military stores and equipments in their possession or under their change. The suthorities were held responsible for the fulfwent of the latter portion of the proclamation. The officers of the gunboat flat found, during their voyage from Fort Donelson to Clarksville, that a Union sentiment prevailed along the river, and that white flag® were flying in every direction, doubtless raized from the terror the rebele felt in rolatiou’to the gunboats. ‘The rede! troops when they left Clarksville retreated in the direction of Nashville, destroying before they lef* the railroad bridge aeross the Red r: and setting fire to the splendid railroad bridge across the Cumberland, Later advices, however, state that the latter was but little damaged, The citizens of Clarksville remonstrated ‘against this wilful destruction of property, which, as they had evacuated the place, could not apparently have been a military necessity, ae tho road does not lead t Nash- ville but their ,romonstrances were all in vain. They also set fire to the iron rolling mili belonging to the Hos, John Bell, which hed been for some. time previously amed by the rebsis as military works, ‘A large quantity of cobs) stores were captured at the same time by the Union forces when they oceupied the village, This, without doubt, shows that the rebele re- treated in great haste, che capture of such places as Forte Donelson and and Henry giving them but little confidence in their defences at Clarkavilie, All the forts fications on either side of the Rea river were destroyed and taken possession of by the Union treops. Russell ville, on the railroad leading from Bowling Green te Clarkeville, bas aleo beep taken possension ef by our forces. ERETOR OF CLARKSVILLE, Clarkey De wap thriving port yillago in Tennessee, return of the ‘GLARK Tennessee PRICE TWO CENTS. BVI “Flag Officer Threatened. | yn command of the pos If so thoy very hastily ler and the capital of Montgomery county. It is located on the right or north side of the Cnmberland river, at the point where the Red river empties itaelf into the former Stream, 18 is situated at about fifty miles to the north- west of Nashville, the capitalof the State. In its pros- perons days it hada population of between three and five thousand persons, and had considerable trade. ‘There were ai one time two good banks establiahed in the place, and four or five newspaper offices. On the whole, previous to the breaking out of the rebellion, it ga’ great promise of being a rising place, but at the prese Lime it appears to have greatly retrograded, DEFENCES, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL. In the neighborhood of Olarkbyilie, aud for sume dis” tance farther op the river, are a namber of bluls, some of which are precipitous and difieul: of access. There have beem male use of for phe purpose of fortification, and extensive aug formidable rebel works have bean in the course of construction there for two oF three months, especially along the Red river. A large pumber of heavy guns were ropurtod to hgve heey abipped to thir point, for the purpose, so it waa Said got panienting the raiiroad vridge and the commonication With the capital of t State. It wa! reported that teh thousand men le vowling on two or three wesks since to reinforce this point, and further that General Hardeo haa been When they found the Union forces were on the road to that place. Tho rgilrgad from Loujaville via Bowling Green avd Rus ie parses through the village, and it crosses the Onmberiabd at this point by # valuable bridge. What troops may regently have been at (hese two last named places were dotbtleas sent for- ward to Clarkaville. As Bowling Green, Russelivilie aud Clarksville are now in the hands of the Union troops) a road is Dow open to Nashville, by which it is mot at all eval Grapt’s column, had taken mllitary possession of Clarksville. The following is the composition of bis ata — COMMANDER OF THIRD DIVIBI Acting Major Genera!—Hrig. Geo. Cuae, V. Sinem, of Pennsylvania. Acting Adjuti tog States Arm: hist i rgctor—H. #, Hewitt, M. D., volunteers. i tects. got General—Oapt. 7.6. Newsham, Uni Qnariermaster-QUnpt. Geo. A, Piorce, volun- ision Seerralgeaty Cert dobn 8. Gox. Chief of Koginétra—Capt. Rziba, Nineteenth iofautry, United States Army, Chief of Orduange-—Capt. J. A. Newstadter. Captain of Engileers—tfmre Radrivb. ‘Aiede-Carup-—l.iewt. Jae. P. Froth, Fleventh Indiana Voluntecrs. ‘Phe forve we do vot think it politic to pobiish at pre. went. sources of information. poipte in the vieinity of Nashyi now in the hands of the U point of starting, «ud Fork Henry on the went, and going down to Nasbvilie vn the south, aud Gallatin on the east, ‘The proximity of Clarkaville aud Fort Donel fou jg apparent at a glange, and the water communica- tion between both those points and Nashville clearly laid down, The railroads from Bowling Green vie Franklin on the east and Ruseeilvilie and Hadenviile Junction on the west ig also shown, Both these lines join at Lonis- Me, taking Rugaotlvilles troops, a8 Hts “northorp ville Junction, sometimes called Edgefield Junction, only “ton miles north of Nashville, and rolnmus by both roads will doubtless unite at this point, and-march to that city, But the water communication i# more valuable ina military and maval point of view. Commodore Foote reports that he inteuded to proceed ap the Cumberland, Wo therefore reproduce oar aketoh of that river, THE CUMBERLAND RIVER. ‘The Cumberland river, one of the largest aiinents of the Ohio, is very circuitous in ite foure Tt rises in the Cumberland Mountaina of Kentucky, near the southeast. ern portion of the State, aud, flowing westward and southward, past Somerset amd Mill Spring, the recount seone of the defeat and death of Zollmofier, enters Tennonsee between Jackron and Overton counties. After meking an extensive circuit through Middle Tennessee, passing in ite course Carthage and the city of Nash. ville, it turns towarda the vorthweat, and again enters Kentucky, about ten miles to the east of the Tennesses river, Between Nashville aud this point it passes Clarks” ville and Dover, Iie eourse, aiter entering the State of Kentueky, i nearly paraiiel with that of the Tennessee viver unth it enters the Ohio #} Smithiae@. The whole length of tho river i¢ estimated at abonteix bandred miles. On carefully studying our map, it will at once be seen bow our forees are crowding the revels. They will have to make way for them, fer they ere going rovthward with Steady strides and with sure foothold, and those who oppose them must take the consequences. Leorors sy Dr, Banoun.—-Dr. Barber is to give a lecture at the Mercantile Library Lecture Room this evening at ight o'clock. The eubject is the “Downfall of Nationa;”? moral, political and sogial causes; effects on the progres ive condition of mankind. Foote NGFIELD ‘entikely our troops may march upon the rebels at that | at Clarksville--- FOUNTAIN READ, phan om SOUTH/ TUNNEL 9 General Grant's Official Report of the Captare of Fort Donelson. Branquartmrs ARMY IN TRE Freiy, Fort Dosnrsox, Feb. 26, 1862. } Gen. 6: W. Coivom, Chief of Staff, Department of Mis- souri Cexenar—-T am pleased to announce to you the un- conditional surrender, this morning, of Fort Donelson, with twelvé to fifteen thousand prisoners, at least forty pieces of artillery, and a large amount of stores, horses, muleg, and other public property. I jeft Fort Henry on the 12th iust., with « force of about 15,000 men, divided into two divisions, under the command of Geborals McClernand and Smith, Six regi- miepts were sent around by water the day before, con- yoyed by a gouboat,or, rather, started one day later than one of the gunboats, and with instructions not to paws it. ‘The troops made the march In good order, the head of the colnmn arriving within two miles of the fort at twelve o'clock M. At this point the enemy’s pickets wore mot apd driven in. ‘The fortifications of the enemy were from this point gradnalJy approached aud surromnded, with occasional skirmiahing on the Hind. ‘the following day, owing to the non-arrival of the gunboat and reinforcements sent by water, no attack was made; but the investment w: extended on the flanks of the enemy, and drawn closer to his works, with skirmishing all da’ the 13th the gunboats and reinforces f the 14th a gallant attack was made by Flag Of upon the enemy's works with his flewt. The engagement lasted probably one hour and a half, and bid fair to result favorably to the canga of the Union, when two unincky shots digabled two of the armored gunboate, #0 that they x ied Wack by the current. The retaining two were very much disabled also, having received a number heavy shots bout the pilot house and other parts of After these mishaps 1 conclude: to make the investment of Port Donelson as perfect as possible, ‘and partially fortify and await repairs to gunboats, ‘This plan was frustrated, however, by the enemy making « Inoet vigorous attack upon our right wing, commanded by General J. A. MoClernand, with « portion of the force y wore repelled, J hours, in which ‘The officers, and particularly Held nit of proportion, I have not means officers, sualered | yet of determining our Joss eton approximately, but it cannot short of 1,200 killed, wounded and initer, 1 waderstand, through two haudred and fifty were taken ‘atain enough of the enemy to ex- were immediately shipped off fall oF se and not left for ‘About the close of the action the ammunition in the cartridge boxes gaye out, Which, with the loss of many of tie field officers, produced great confusion in the ranke. Seeing that did not take advantage of this fact, Lordered a charge upon the le't—enemy’s right— with the division under C.F. Smith, which wae ‘most brilliantly exeonted surance of viclory. ‘The Ab the charge by Gen, Smitb was cofhyeouced, by the divisions under Gen- | frais MoClernand ahd Wallace, which, notwithstanding tho hours gf expoe heavy tire in the fore partfut y further re- pleie victory wou in the ‘bing. This morning, at @ very Gen, 8. B. Buckner ‘& massage to our camp under a $n of utnce, propestadtie armiatiee, &e. A vopy of the correepondence which ensued is hevewith accompanied. Tconnot mention individuals who specially distingnis! of themselves, but leave that to division and brigad officers, whose reports will forwarded as — 8 re- visi midst of danger, atl were always ready to execute all orders, no matier what she expogyre to themselves. At the hour the attack was made on Cencrat MeCler- having recdived ® noto gallantry and services. For full details and reports, and particulars, reference is made to tho raporte of the engineer, medical director anda comman f brigades and divisions, to follew, Tam, General, very ie gt 4 our obediemt ser- vant, U.S, GRANT, Brigadier Geweral, The Navy tion for thi ‘The United States steam sloop-of-war Ban Jacinto wil) de put in commission at tho Boston Navy Yard about the 26th inet, The following je # List of the officers of this ship in= Win, Ronckendorff. Pe TewenantR Chandler, Lieutrnant—Beatty P, Sraith, Second rgeon—John A, Lockwood. x te Thomas C. Masten, on Engincere-Mortimor Kellogg. Assistants eo. 1, Slocum. ‘Acting Masters—Henry J, Coop, Sumner Withington aad D.G. MeRitehie, Lieutenants of Marines—L. J. Dawson and Robert Kidd. ‘Second Assistant Enginecrs~-H. ©. Moliyaine, George W. Hai and Henry 8. Davide. Third Assistant any army Wells, Henry W. scott, Edward Lincoln and Nathan P. Towne. Acting Masters’ Mates—Thomas Smith J.D, Weod, A. Hi. Fuller and 1, 0. Howland. ‘Paymaster’s Clero=Phitip T. Re “Captain's Clerk—W. 1D. Waike * Gunner—C, A, Ley 200. Bealtwain—Jobn Hariey, Cagpenter—W. F. 1. Sailmaker—b. Bo Wakeran joache, eT eee INTERESTING FROM THE SOUTH.: MEETING OF THE REBEL CONGRESS. Official Reports of the First and Second Days’ Proceedings. Speech of Speaker Bocock, of the House. CANVASS OF THE ELECTORAL VOTES. Jeff. Davis and A. H. Stephens Receives all the Votes. The Release of the Union Prisoners | at the South, / &e., &e., &e. We havo received another interesting collection of late | papers,among which are the Norfolk Day Book, Feb. 20; | Riclunond Dispatch, Feb. 18, 19, and 20, and the Rich- mond Baquirer of Feb. 19 and 20, From these papers we take the following items of late Southern news. | i THE NEW REBEL CONGRESS. SENATE. vinst DAY. Rieamonn, Feb, 16, 1862. The Senate convened at noon, The Vice President elect of the Confederate States, Hon. A, H. Stephens, in in the chair, ‘Tue Vice President, under the authority of the consti- tution, formally opened the session of the Senete. He called the attention of Senators to the published acts passed by the Provisional Congress, and caused the tem- porary clerk to read the last clause of the permanent | conatitution ; also the act of the Provisional Congrees put- peration the permanent government of the Con- iates, and the act suppl to the name. | _ The roll being called, the following tors answered | to their names:— Arkansas—Messrs. Mitchel) and Johnson. Fivvida—Messra, Maxwe!) and Baker. Georgia—Mr. Hill. Kentucky—Mr. Simms. Lowisiana—Mr. Sparrow Missisaiypi—Mr, Brown. Missouri—Messrs. Clark an.. Peyton. North Carolina—Messrs. Davis and Dorteh. South Cavolina—Messrs. Barnwell and Orr. Tennessee—Measrs. Haynes and Henry. Texas_-Mr Oldham. Virginia—Messrs. Hunter and Preston. Nineteen Senators being present (a quorum), the oath to support the constitution was then administered. The Senators taking the oath in parties of four at a time ‘The Vice Presipent announced that the first business before the Senate was the election of a President of the ‘Senate pro tem. Mr. Davis, of North Carolina, moved that the Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, be unanimously chosen Presi- dent of the Senate pro tem. Carried. Mr. Hunter was conducted to the chair by Messrs, ill of Georgia, Johnson of Arkansas, and Simms of Ken- tucky, and the Vice President retired. Mr. Howren said that all his thanks were due for this high honor, and the best he could ise in return was, thi ae oa Strive to discharge his duties with energy a partiality order. ‘On the sixth ballot, James 1. Nash, of South Caro- Mina, having a majority of all the votes cast, was declared: the Secretary of the Senate, aud came forward and was Sipapeen ir, Onn, of South Carolina, moved that the temporary Secretary of the Senate be sent to the House of Repre- sentatives, with the information that the Senate was or- ganized. Carried On motion of Mr. Orr, the Senate proceeded to the election of a Doorkeeper. ‘Two ballots were had, the last resulting in the election of Mr. James Page, of North Carolina. During the balloting Mr. Wigfall, the Senator from Texas, appeared in his seat and subsequently took the owt. ‘On motion of Mr. One the daily hour for the meeting of the Senate was fixed at twelve o'clock M. The Senate then adjourned. fe HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Procisely at twelve M. the members of the House ot Representatives were called to order by Hon. Howell Cobb, o ‘gia, President of the late Provfaional Gon- |” Ferventand appropriate prayer was offered by Rev. | James A. Tuncan. | “the presiding officer then caused to be read an aot of | the Provisional Congress, whereby St was made his duty to preside at the organization of the House of Representa- | tives of the permanent Congress, In virtue of the saine } authority he appoint K protew William F. Gor. don, Esq. of Virginia. The roll o(mombere was then called by States, aud these taken in alpbabetical order. The following mem- bers were found to be present: — Alabamea—Messrs, Dargan, Chilton, on, 1 a —Messis. Batson, Royston, Garland, Haniy. esere, Dorkins, Hilton, vyia—Siosers, Kenan, Holt, A. R. Wright, Gartrell, ¢, Trippe, Lewis, Strickland, Keniucky—Me 1achen, Crockett, Read, Rwing, B. W. Bruce, Moore, Breckinridge, Elliott. ‘Louiiana—Messrs. Kenner, Villere, Perkins, Conrad, Marshall, Dupre. Mississippi—Mosare. SicRae, Clapp, Davis, Welkb, Sin- gleton. Barksdale. J Mevtrs. Bell, Vest, Conrow, Cook, Freeman, Pugh, Curry, | Harrie. ‘North Carclina—Messrs. Bridges, Kenan, McDowell, ‘Ashe, Mclean, Lander, Gaither, Davidson. ‘South CarolindMozsrs. Boyce, Miles, Bonham, Mo- m, Farrow, nessee—~Mesers. Currin, Foote, Menes, Jones, Swan, Gardenby er, Heiskill. Messrs. Wilcox, Graham, Herbert, Wright, —Meesrs. Chambliss, Lyons, Pryor, Booook nde, Dejarnetic, Wm. Sinith, Boteler, Stapler, Preston, Jenkins, Johnson, Russell. owing members failed to answer to their Alabama—Mezare. Smith and Foster. Geovgia—Messrs. Hartridge and Monnertynn, Sr lt ‘Crisman, Burnett, M. Brace. “Mississippi—Mr. Chambers, Missouri-—Ms. Hyer. North Carolina—Messrs, Smith and Arringt South Caroling—Mr. Ayer. Tenncssea—Messrseatkins and Gentry. | Virgiasia—Me . Garnet, Holoombe and } Total event egity seve. ‘Total absent, ¢' ‘The presiding r announced that # q wes present, avd then proceeded to administer to mem. | vers the oath of office, Wor this Purpose they were caked by States, the members from “State having following oath administered to them:—‘‘You and each of you do solemnly swear that you will support the constitution , the Confederate States of America—so he!p you God.” ‘The presiding =, ee that the election of Speaker was next in ore Mr Hi, 8. Foota, of Tenn ‘Thomas 8. Virginia, for shat office. He paids high ribute lificationa. to bis q Mr. Bocock was elected without opposition. Mr, Boouck, on taking the » Bouse as follows: a Gunsixmen oF Taw Hover oy Representa J retorn x TV — sincere thanks the honor yon have done me to presidé over your deliberations under our permanent con- that it will be my one to you m: ne in solecting ing this the fret Congress nand’s commami Twas absent i titution, And I desire to sa} oe at aon preqnerting Wen veee ope eee aety great aim, in discharging the Quties of this ae wo “My persom ar nel? , D, Webster, Chief of Staff; | Conduct myself as to show to you and to the world that Colonel J. Riggin, Jr., Vo! } | your confidence hag not been ai ogether, m co ling, Acting Adjutant Gent may be ek Say ve & re ine W. & Hillyer, Aids, aud L tion, 80 Tmaf'be able, to maintain the dignity fon, chet Engin preseve the decorum of this ;, toadminster iw rules x with firmness and courtesy, and to conduct tte business with the strictest impartiality, united with @ sincere desire to seo our such shape 8 will best tend to secure the maintain the honor, and advance the welfare of this entire confederacy—if this could success] aw sure T might expect to succeed. But other qualifications Gre requisite, about which it is not for me to i in anything { may fall short, I trust that the same kind partiality which has called me te the posielon, will irom the mantle of charity over defects, w z ‘4 ‘Hind co-operation in every time of trial, that + which my deficiences ire. ous uber which yor have made thie election is a happy augury of the ap will 5 is fope ‘aud united By Sermon un) Inuniur of discontent and Danish personal grief, Here Iet us bore! is * ce wnes circumstances may ward; seeki for the sake raitication, but “i ing eather to yield every’ " fe public good—n Neotel Vy ual one Fre # infl at some of You, thouid ww restive thder the enforcements rules which you may make for your own ie would be a matter neither of ‘surprise nor Set on But he will prove himeelf either © weak ora map who, on reflection, fails to call back his way wardepirit and mibjeot it to restraint. Bubursejon v0 0m: necessary ited authority is the tog! doy EET —4 mite ant elf control ie he ef lesson of individual jo the light of passing ovonte we cap menpure De ’