The New York Herald Newspaper, March 4, 1862, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BE EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Couuazx BAWK. WINTER GARDEN, went NG rue Tasixs— WALLAGK'S THEATRE, No, 844 Broadway.—Love ron Love. \ GAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Tuz Ma- Ougruy; om, THx Puxr or Day. NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Unccz Tou’s Canin—Taring it On. P s nr-ounany BOWER’ THEATRE, Bowery.—Stioxwer's Nartomat Broadway.—Suppex Taovguts— cue Tom's Canin. ‘ _— YORK ATHENSUM, Broadway.—Uxcus Tom's Norr—Livi eG 0s, Bavax anv Kavanave, afvernoon and evel : hhanlea? ee aE Me Hall, 472 Broad- HOOLEY'’S MINSTRELS, Stuyvesant Institute, 7 Broadway.—Eraiorian Sons, Danoza, 40, > ie © MELODEON CONCERT HALL, 889 Broadway.—Sonos, Danoxs, Buacesqurs, ae cents ox BLacwxit's, CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL, 885 Broadway.Sonas, ‘Danoxs, BuRinsquas, £0.—0'}'Lanmigax at tan fam GAIETIES CONCERT ROOM, 616 Broadway.—Dna' ENTERTAINMENTS, Baers, Pawromuass, Pancuss be. Boow (C HALL, 444 Broadway.—Sowas, Bax- AMERICAN ‘urns, P. 40.~—Kovert Macatns. ‘ CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERT No. 45 Bowery.— ‘Bounizsques, Soncs, Dances, poh hy isan a PARISIAN CABINET OF WONDERS, Broads = Open daily from 10.4. M. tld P.M. saaracor NOVELTY MUSIC HALL, 616 Broadway. Bones, Dincrs, Ae. 616 —-BURLESQUES AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.=Com Hirrorotamus, Wuaxe, 4c., at ail - New York, Tuesday, March 4, 1862. THE SITUATION. ‘The rebel batteries on the Virginia side of the Lower Potomac make a demonstration occasionally. On Saturday night, while Gen. Sickles was review- ing his brigade, on the Maryland side, a shell ex- Ploded within a few feet of his position, and on Monday night the Cockpit Point battery threw ®everal shot and shell, with what intention or with what effect it was not known. General Shields left Washington yesterday to Sake command of the late General Lander’s brigade n the Upper Potomac. Nothing of importance thas occurred in General Banks’ division. Nearly a thousand barrels of flour, belonging to the rebels, together with a woollen factory, owned by a man Of the ominous name of Davis, well stocked with cloths, Were seized at Charlestown, by General Banks’ troops. The official report of the occupation of Nash, ‘ville was received at the Navy Department yester_ @ay from Commodore Foote, as reported to him by. Lieutenant Bryant, who landed the troops of General Nelson there without opposition. The captain of the steamer who brought the despatch ‘to Commodore Foote says that six miles below Nashville there was a battery on a high’ bluff, which had mounted fifteen guns; but several of them were thrown into the river be- fore the boat arrived. He also reports that a strong Union feeling was manifested fm and near Nashville, and that Govérnor Harris, after vainly attempting to rally the citizens and Others, left on Sunday morning for Memphis. The @unbosts are the terror of the people of Nash- wille and at points on the Cumberland, and that, Supposing the gunboats would proceed immediate- dy to Nashville, they retreated, panic stricken. + The burning of Columbus by the rebels is con- firmed by news from Cairo, which represents the appearance of a terrible conflagration there on Saturday night. There seems to be little doubt that the rebel forces have gone to Island No. 10, below the town, and are there planting batteries to command the river. Despatches from Louisville state that railroa. communication between that city and Nashville is mow perfect, except about ten miles over a creek morth of the latter city, damaged by 9 riso of water, which would be repaired to-day. Our news from Fortress Monroe is interesting. General Wool and General Cobb had another in. terview off Craney Island on Saturday last, relative toageneral exchange of prisoners. There ap- pears to have been some unexplained delay in sending down the expected released prisoners by General Huger. The steamer Express went up the James river on Friday to receive them, and again on the next day, but they did not arrive at the ap- pointed rendezvous. The“ commanding officer of the rebel steamer Jamestown stated that he had no knowledge of any prisoners being ex- pected, although the Express was sent up to on board on the strength of informa- tion by Gen. Huger. The time of their arrival is, therefore, considered uncertain in con- sequence of these two disappointments. It is not positively known whether Col. Corcoran will form one of the number when they do come. The rebel steamer Nashville, which has been lying up so long in English ports, and was so keen- ly watched by the United States steamer Tuscarora, has succeeded in getting safe across the Atlantic, and, as we learn from Norfolk, arrived at Wil- mington, N. C., on Saturday, having run the block- ade at that place. } Our news from the Southern papers, which we publish to-day, is rather important. The Lynch- burg Virginian says that the rebel forces at Cen- treville had received orders on the 26th ult. to fend all their sick to the rear and prepare for marching orders. The women and children are paid to have been sent away. The Norfolk and Richmond papers announce the landing of a large force of our troops at New- port News, and they predict an immediate attack on Pig Point. Jeff. Davis has placed Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the vicinity within ten miles ground, under martial law, by special proclamation. The Savannah Republican not only admits that the communication between Fort Pulaski and Sa- vannah is wholly cut off, but declares that the Unionists have erected three batteries on the river in the form of a triangle, which it is impossible for any vessels in the rebel service to pass. The Atlanta (Ga.) Commonwealth says that our troops hold Nashville, and that General Johnston, who fell back to Murfreesboro, has only one-half of hia original force there, and adds that it is doubtful whether he will make a stand Ot that point or not, but concedes that if he should not, and the Yakees move upon Co- lumbia, they can move down on the railroad to Decatur, Alabama, seize the Memphis and Charles ton Railroad, and operate at leisure against both Chattanooga and Memphis. All the leading Southern journals have comments on the late “reverses,”’ some doleful enough and some characterized by a mingled spirit of chagrin and boastfulness, The Mobile Register, for in- stance, consoles itself with the assurance that the rebels cannot expect success in every case; that the war must be one of “give and take,’ that they are engaged with an enemy “who mar. shals the most majestic military strength that modern times have witnessed.” It declares the policy of the government to be ‘“‘to keep the grand armies of Kentucky and Virginia strong, and to strengthen them, and we may probably soon hear that the farces which are popularly considered already too small at some points are being weak- ened to reinforce the grand armies,” which, it sug” gests, should be massed in such strength as to be able to give battle to the strongest armies of the enemy. This seems to be the ruling idea just in- culcated into the minds of Southern journalists by the late terrible disasters; for the Petersburg (Va.) Express agrees thoroughly with Jeff. Davis’ mes- sage to Congress “in the opinion that the government attempted in the outect to do too much—more than it had the means of doing. Our forces have been spread over too large a frontier. Results now teach us,” ssys this journal, “how greatly we have erred in this respect, and the first thing now to be done is to abandon the error, and pursue a wiser policy. We had infinitely better select a few leading points, and throw sufficiently strong forces upon them, than to distribute our army in smaller columns in a multi- tude of localities distant from one another, where they are liable to be captured in detail by the pre- cipitation upon them of overwhelming numbers of the enemy, as was the case at Fort Donelson and Roanoke Island.” The occupation of Nashville by our army is ad_ mitted by the Memphis Appeal of the 28th ultimo, which says that at noon on Thursday” “General Buell and Commodore Foote’ teok possession, and that the United States flag was hoisted upon the dome of the Capitol. The same paper says that the South is now about to act on the offensive ; that “the policy of the Fabian Davis will yield to that of the Napoleonic Beauregard. In view of these facts we can see a little morning through the dark clouds that at present environ us, which will burst forth in less than sixty days in full resplend- ent lustre.” The Norfolk Day Book predicts that no cotton or tobacco will be cultivated this year, but that the ground will be-devoted to raising food ex- clusively. A letter from Turin, of the 10th of February, speaking of the contemplated despatch of an Italian frigate—reported in the Henaup yester- day—to the Gulf of Mexico, says:—The Navy De- partment at Genoa has received orders to prepare a steam frigate for despatch to Mexico. The Italian colony there being numerous, as in Southern Ameri- ca generally, the events which are about to take place in those distant shores necessitate the presence of the flag of a nation which has so large a number of subjects to protect. The commander of this frigate has o.dera to place himself at the disposal of the allied squadron, and to act under the direc- tion of the French Admiral. CONGRESS. The Committee.of Ways and Means of the House yesterday reported the Internal Tax bill, providing revenue for the support of the government and to pay the interest on the public debt. Itisa very volu- minous document. It covers two reams of paper, and is the longest bill ever introduced into Con- gress. A brief abstract of it is published in an- other column. The bill was referred to the Com- mittee of the Whole, ordered to be printed, and made the special order for Tuesday, 11th inst. In the Senate yesterday, Mr. Wright, the succes- sor of Mr. Bright, of Indiana, was sworn, and en- tered upon his duties. The House bill requiring shipmasters ‘trading to foreign ports to take an oath of allegiance, was passed. The bills encou- raging enlistments in the regular army, and organ- izing the cavalry service, were discussed and laid aside. The bill organizing division staffs was passed. A joint resolution authorizing the Presi- dent to appoint as many staff officers as the service requires was adopted. The Confiscation bill was taken up, and Mr. McDongall, of California, spoke in opposition to it. Before he had concluded, the Senate went into executive session. In the House of Representatlives, the Tax bi, was ordered to be printed, and made the special order for the 11th inst. The Senate bill to facili- tate the administration of the prize laws was passed. The Senate joint resolution, de- claratory of the intention of the act of July, indemnifying the loyal States for ex- penses incurred in raising troops, so as not only to apply to debts contracted before, but since the passage of the act, was adopted; also the Senate joint resolution providing for the payment of the awards of the commission for claims grow- ing out of military movemients in the Department of the"West. Mr. Holman offered a resolution de- claring that the war should not be prosecuted for any other purpose than the restoration of the authority of the constitation and the welfare of the whole people of the United States, who are permanently involved in the preservation of our present form of government, without modification or change. Mr. Lovejoy moved to lay it on the table,fand the motion was adopted—60 to 58. A resoltuion, calling on the President for information relative to the present condition of Mexico and the design of the European Powers to establish a mon- archy there, was adopted. The Committee on Foreign Affairs presented an important joint resolution on the subject of maritime rights, thanking the Emperor of the French for his kindly offices touching the Trent affair, and declaring the prersent a favoable time for adjust- ing the question of maritime rights onthe basis proposed by Mr. Marcy in 1856. The resolutions were recommitted and ordered to be printed. A resolution was adoptced directing the Seretary of the Treasury to communicate to the House the amount of the subscriptions to the National Loan, authorized by the act of the 17th of July, 1961, the amounts of money paid on such subscriptions, and the purposes to which they have been appro- priated. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The steamship Boru Capt. Trant from Southampton on the 13t y port early yesterday morning. Her news and Euro. pean files have been fully a pated by the Hi | NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1862, odious, shameful and contrary to the rights of na- tions, for a vessel, armed to the teeth, to dodge behind a cape or at the entrance of a atrait for the Purpose of sweeping like a bird of prey on merchant ships pursuing peaceful voyages. The Journal du Havre thinks that such acts cannot be permitted by the maritime Powers without danger to their own merchant service, and asks, ‘Who can with certainty say that the Sumter, in her passage from America to Europe, attracted by the hope of find ing the precious metals, may not have attacked and destroyed some English or French vessels and finished the crime by the massacre of the crews?"’ These papers, in brief, call on the European governments to cut short the career of such ves- sels as the two above mentioned, which they do not hesitate to denounce as pirates. Severe distress exists among the Coventry (England) weavers and other artisans. Lord Leigh solicits subscriptions to a fund for their relief in a letter, in which he says:—‘‘The distress is greater than any one out of the district can readily believe. Ttis estimated that twenty-five thousand persons are out ofemployment. Active efforts are being made to aid some of these to emigrate, and I should be most happy to receive subscriptions for that purpose.’’ : ‘Two men have been drowned in s diving neu while conducting submarine blasting operations in the river Clyde, Scotland. They had been working for two hours, and while under water at a depth of twenty-two feet the pipe which supplied them with air from above suddenly burst. In an instant the water rushed in with such velocity that they were carried to the top of the bell. To escape was im- possible, and in a very short space of time both of them died from suffocation and drowning. Another prize fight—a trial battle for the next championship mill—came offin England on the 11th ult. The combatants were Joe Goss, of Northamp- ton, and William Ryall, of Birmingham. The ring was pitched in @ suburban district ofLondon. The stakes were one hundred pounds sterling a side, and Goss made a deposit to subsequently fight Jem Mace, the present champion, for two hundred pounds sterling a side and the championship. Goss and Ryall fought thirty-seven rounds, at which time they were allowed seven minutes by the referee to fight or draw. They accepted the latter after being engaged, in three rings, during three hours and eighteen minutes, the last round occupying fifty minutes, with no work done. Goss had his right scapula (shoulder blade) fractured during the fight. By the arrival of the bark Mayflower, Capt. Duell, from Barbados, we are in possession of the first number of the Barbados Times, bearing date of February 4. It contains no news. In the State Senate yesterday the proceedings were not of very great interest. A concurrent resolution wae introduced, and laid over, adopting on the part of the Legislature the proposed amend- ments to the constitution to prohibit the sale of in- toxicating beverages. The bill amending the Brooklyn charter relative to the Fire Department was passed. The bill for the protection of deer and other game was ordered to its third reading. In the Assembly the Annual Appropriation bill ‘was reported, and referred to a second Committee of the Whole. Among its appropriations are $40,000 for the hospitals of the State. The bill to improve the Central Park was passed; also that for the election by the Legislature of exami- ners of the accounts of the Canal and Banking Departments. Among the bills reported upon favor- ably were those to regulate the fees of the New York Register of Deeds, and to amend the Brooklyn charter. A bill was introduced for the abolition of | the office of State Superintendent of Public In- struction, and devolving the duties on the Secreta- ry of State; also bills to regulate the primary elec- tions and nominating conventions in this city, to extend the terms of officers of the district and police courts, and for railroads in Twenty-third, Thirty-fourth, Canal and other streets in this city. Among the bills noticed for future introduction were one to give our Supervisors the appointment of attendants at the Marine Court and Courts of General and Special Sessions, one to amend the New York District Court act, and one toamend the law of landlord and tenant for this city. The Cities Committee of the Assembly have appointed to- morrow for hearing arguments on the proposed amendment of our city charter. Nelson J. Waterbury, Esq., was last evening in- stalled as Grand Sachem of the Tammany Society. The ceremony came off in the Council Chamber of the Old Wigwam, and after the conclusion of its solemnities, Mr. Waterbury addressed his brethren at some length, thanking them for the high honor conferred, and indulging in some patriotic remarks onthe present war for the preservation of the Union. Anexcellent supper concluded the even- ing’s enjoyments. The Board of Aldermen did not meet last even. ing. There is a call for Thursday, at five o’clock. The Board of Councilmen met last evening and transacted considerable routine business. A reso- lution was adopted giving permission to the North- eastern Dispensary to occupy the building con- structed for a Child’s Hospital for the period of three months. The Comptroller sent in a commu- nication submitting a statement of the disburse- ments made of the fund for the relief of the fami- lies of volunteers during the month of February, the aggregate amount being $131,700. The Comp- troller also sent in a* report of the financial condi- tion of the treasury up to February 28, from which it appeared that $2,525,147 49 is now in the treasu- ry. Resolutions were adopted directing the Street Commissioner to have hose carriages Nos. 10 and 40 rebuilt. The March term of the General Sessions was commenced yesterday, Judge McCunn presiding, when the Grand Jury was empanelled and briefly charged by the City Judge upon the usual topics. His Honor, however, stated a significant fact, that the calendar of criminal cases is smaller at the present time than it has been at any period for the last ten years. On application of Mr. James T. Brady, the argument on the motion to quash the indictment against James B. Taylor was set down for next Saturday. Patrick Kane, a youth, was tried for entering the premises of T. J. Fielding, No. 264 Tenth avenue, on the 26th of December. The jury rendered @ verdict of burglary in the third degree, and the prisoner was remanded for sentence. The cotton market was firmer yesterday, especially in the latter part of the day. The sales embraced 6008 800 Dales, closing on the basis of 24c. for middling up- lands, though early in the forenoon some lots wore re- ported at }ge. les. The market closed with more tone and a better look. Flour was steady, while transactions were moderate and mostly to the home trade, Wheat was without animation and sales moderate; prime qualitics were scarce and common grades neglected. Corn was unebanged, while sales wore moderate at 60c. a 62c. for Western mixed. Pork was unchanged; fair sales wero made at $14 3734 #14 60 for new mess, andat $10 750 $11 for new prime. @ Speculative movement in whis. key continued, with sales of 1,000 bbls. at 28¢. a 300., closing at 20c.a 30e, Sugars were steady, with sales of 360 0400 bhds. Coffee was firm, with sales of 2,000 bags Rio at 21}se. Freight engagements wore mode- rate, and rates for most articles were unchanged. Satan Repvxino Six.—Honest old Greeley has published his tenth call upon George D. Morgan to refund the seventy or ninety thous. and dollars he pocketed from government com- missiows. Honosty, like charity, should begin at home, and we hope that poor Greeley will immediately tell what has become of that fifty or sixty thousand dollars Irish Relief Fund, of which he took charge as one of the committee “Eyiesieet Harn contain some severe re- {and guardians; and who received that one flections on the recent exploits of the privateors | thousand dollar draft Greeley held for Matteson Sumter and Nashville, ail of which are fully en- | and the Des Moines Improvement grant. What Area by the Journal dea Jehate oy gay itig | ‘8 sauce for the goose is gauge for the gander. Premature Movements for the Next Presi- | = Mrrrrary GOVERNOR FOR TENNESSEE.—We find demcy—Mr. Seward Defines His Posi- ton. The seasonable, sensible and eminently pa- triotic letter of Mr. Seward on the Presiden- tial succession, which we publish to-day, will command the unqualified admiration of every intelligent and dispassionate reader. The letter in question was written in reply to a communication from an officer of a politi- cal club in Philadelphia, the purpose of which was the nomination of Mr. Seward as a candi- date for the next Presidency. He avails him- self of the good will of this club to say that “I consider the proceeding as one altogether unwise” at this crisis, because “it is o parti. san movement, and, worst of all, a partisan movement of personal character;” that, what- ever may have been his previous inclinations, he renounced all ambition in the face of this Southern rebellion, and “came into the ex- ecutive government to aid in saving the con- stitution and the integrity of the country, or to perish with them.” This course he felt to be imperative, in order, as he says, “that the coun- sels that I might give to the President in such a crisis should not only be, but be recognized as being, disinterested, loyal and patriotic.” “The country is to be saved or lost” before we can properly think of the next Presidential elec- tion; and, as under no conditions would he con- sent “to be President of a division of the repub- lic,” Mr. Seward cheerfully gives up his “aspira- tions for rule in the whole republic, as a con- tribution to the efforts necessary to maintain it in its integrity.” Accordingly he advises his Philadelphia correspondent, “that I not only ask, but peremptorily require, my friends, in whose behalf you have written to me, to drop my name henceforth and forever from among those to whom they look as possible candidates for national distinctions and preferments.” Thus Mr.Seward defines his position. It is clear, consistent, conclusive and admirable, in view of the weighty reasons assigned for his resolution. He simply sacrifices all his ambi- tious aspirations for national preferments upon the altar of his country. He makes himself a shining example of individual abnegation, in order that Presidential politics and parties, and intrigues and cliques and cross purposes, may not embarrass the unity of the. administration, nor divert the minds of our loyal people from the great and paramount work of putting an end to this wicked rebellion. Weare confident, too, that every other member of Mr. Lincoln’s Cabinet wishes to be understood as endorsing this letter of Mr. Seward, and that the President himself has no ambitious desire or thought beyond that of delivering over to his successor on the 4th of March, 1865, the Union in its territorial and constitutional integrity. There are, however, some precedents in our national history justifying the presumption that “Honest Abe Lincoln” may not be permitted to pursue his own inclinations in regard to this matter of the succession. Taken, without any effort on his part, and some- what by surprise, from the ranks of the people in 1860, he has given his countrymen to under- stand that one term of the Presidency will be honor and glory enough for him, especially if this one term shall be signalized by the full re- storation of the Union. But itis in this view of the subject that the country may call upon him fora second instalment of his administrative services. George Washington, having fought through to a successful issue the war of the Revolution, would have gladly returned to the repose and retirement of Mount Vernon; but the American people decreed it otherwise. They believed that the man who, under all the straits and trials of his peculiar and desperate situation, had secured the independence of his country, was the man of all men first to be in- vested with the administration of its regular in- dependent government. Thus, yielding to the will of the people, Washington became our first President, hoping that with the expiration of one term he would be permitted to retire. But the people re-elected him, and they would again have re-elected him had he not positively interposed his claims to exemption from further service. Thenceforward, excepting the struggle be- tween Jefferson and Burr in the House of Re- presentatives, and the war of 1812, the country, the government and the Presidency went on smoothly enough down to that exciting recon- struction of parties which resulted in the elec- tion of General Jackson to the White House in 1828. He came in professedly, and no doubt sincerely, for one term only; but during that one term his masterly treatment of a nullifica- tion rebellion in South Carolina, and his popu- lar position upon the great financial question of that day, rallied the conservative elements of the country around the Old Hero of the Union, and triumphantly re-elected him. Jack- son was the last of our eight-years Presidents, simply because his successors, if not cut off by death, were cut off with one term, because they were small potato and intriguing politicians like Van Buren, or compromise party candidates like Polk, or miserable pretenders, plotting for are-election, like poor Pierce, or weak, vain, deluded, foolish, credulous, vacillating and tremulous old men like Buchanan. But the Presidential legacy left to Mr. Lin- coln, through the efforts of poor Pierce and Buchanan, would have been enough to make even Old Hickory turn pale in contemplation of the task before him. It was not exaggerated by Mr. Lincoln when he compared it with the task assumed by Washington in 1776. It is not needed here to recapitulate the peculiar respon- sibilities devolving upon Mr. Lincoln, in order to save a country divided against itself; nor the dangers, shoals and breakers which he has avoided, between the secession rebels of the South and our abolition disunionists of the North; nor is it necessary to show that his con- sistent and conservative Union policy promises to be crowned with the most glorious results; for all these things are beyond dispute. The point we are aiming at is this: that, in bringing the Union safely out of the terrible ordeal of this great rebellion, Mr. Lincoln, against his own wishes and expectations, may be required to serve another term. The Union party, repre- sented by and supporting his administration, will be all powerful in 1864, North and South and the voice of that party will be supreme, Abraham Lincoln, therefore, cannot be over- looked in our estimates of the succession. He is the prominent figure in the foreground of the picture. Let us first, however, finish up this rebellion and restore the Union, before we pro- ceed to peer into the mysteries of the next Presidency. The people in good time will sin- gle out the man best entitled to that distinc- | tion. We only submit that no man at the pre- sent day appears to us more likely to receive it than “Honest Abe Lincola,’ the President has appointed Andrew Johnson, United States Senator for Tennessee, Military Governor for that State during the interval that must elapse between the crushing of rebellion and the perfect restoration of law and order, when, of coure, the State will return to its normal condition. This is what we long since recommended. In the case of Tennessee, Mr. Lincoln has very properly appointed Andrew Johnson, a true Union man, tried in the fire, and brave as @ lion, to fill the post of Provisional Governor. When subjection to the laws is ac- complished and the people can freely vote, then @ new Legislature, a new Governor, new mem- bers of the House of Representatives and two United States Senators, who will no doubt take their places in this very Congress, will be elected. Thus State by State will the whole of the deluded Southern people be restored to the Priceless blessings of the Union. Sournern Caryary.—At all the recent bat- tlesthe rebels have run away and left their chivalry behind them. They ran away at Beaufort, tried to run away at Roanoke, scam- pered at Fort Henry, stole off under the thiev- ing Floyd at Fort Donelson, beat retreat from Nashville, and are now running from Columbus, by the last accounts. We should not be at all surprised if they took to their heels from Mur- freesboro, Savannah, Manassas and Richmond before long. The confederacy is evidently run- ning itself into the ground. Waat Saati Be Dove witn THE Reset Leap. =Rs?—The question is being discussed as to how the federal government should treat such pri- soners as Gen. Buckner—men who to the crime of treason add others of the blackest and foul- est character. It isnot to be pretended for a moment that such deep-dyed criminals should be treated as mere prisoners of war or regard" ed as entitled to their exchange. It would be monstrous to place them on a level with the poor wretches whom they have made their dupes. Their own estimate of the justice that should be meted out to them is very different from this. “I shall see you again, shortly, General,” said one of Buckner’s visiters on quitting him on Saturday last. “Aye, per” haps on the gallows,” gruffly replied tha worthy. It is the same belief that is no doubt sustaining the superhuman efforts that are being made by the other Confederate leaders to pre" vent the immediate collapse of the rebellion: They are conscious of the immense crime which they have committed against humanity, and of the terrible reparation they will have to make for it. No man who has had « prominent share in dragging the people of the South into this wicked rebellion should be’exchanged or libe- rated until a competent tribunal shall have de- cided. on the extent of his criminality. For such infamous traitors and thieves as Floyd and Cobb, should they ever fall into our hands, a halter is the only fit punishment. “Greerey’s Per Generat.—Poor old, silly Greeley announces that General Fremont is to have an important command by and by. If he does we presume the government will allow him two or three millions of dollars with which to buy condemned muskets, spavined horses and shoddy blankets, and give him the right to issue just what proclamations he likes, and build fortifications at every place where no enemy can possibly come. True State OF THE AMERICAN QuESTION.—The London Observer publishes under the above caption a letter from Thurlow Weed, to which we give insertion elsewhere. It takes for text the inquiry with which the writer says he is fre- quently met:—“Why should not the North per- mit the South to secede, instead of engaging in a civil war?”—and proceeds to trace the history of the slavery question for the last thirty years, showing that during the whole of that period rebellion had been steadily maturing its prepa- rations for the blow which has since been struck. The wicked and utterly causeless character of the movement, and the moderation and forbearance of the North up to the last moment, are also placed in strong contrast. All this would have done good a couple of months since. As it is, it is forestalled by the diplomatic correspondence of Mr. Seward, which has entirely exhausted the subject. Tne Taytor Inpictwent.—We have received a statement from the friends of Mr. James B- Taylor in reply to the articles published on Sunday. In justice to that gentleman we give their statement. We always act in accordance with the proverb, audi alteram partem. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. An article crept into your columns on Sunday which must have escaped your supervision, and is calculated to do Mr. James B. Taylor great injustice. If your attention had been called to it we feel sure you would not havo allowed any apparent imputation upon his character or integrity to have appeared , nor any remarks that might be construed as prejudging tho indictment, any seeming adop tion of the strictures (whieh appear to be very violent and partisan) in the article copied from the Police Gazette. If the fact of an indictment having beon found on the ex rte oath of a single individual—especially where the facts allegod have been unqualitiedly denied by an oath cutitled to at loast oqual respect and 'eredenco—is allowed to prejudice the public mind before trial, then every man’s character may be in the hands of his enemy. In the Clou will case, spoken of in your article, wo be- lieve that the courts have sustained the position of Mr. Taylor, taken on behalf of his wife,one of the heirs of Mrs. Cleu, saving the Hyde Park property to the sisters and brothers of the deceased. In the West Washington market caso, Mr. Taylor was shrewd enough to purchase the title of the State to that roperty, which the city had noglected to obtain; and we Rerlevelittio or no doubt tas evor been entertained that the title was clearly in the State, having been repeatedly recognized by the city and tho courts. Exorisu Versvs Amertcan Dirtomacy.—The English journals profess to sneer at what they call the inferior ability displayed by American statesmen. The occupation which Mr. Soward’s diplomatic correspondence is giving them does not, however, bear out this depreciatory con- clusion. They are carping at and quarrelling with it ina manner which proves that there is more in it than they can easily digest or dispose of. They will learn to place a juster estimate on it when they find it suggesting to leading European minds pressing grounds for the recon- struction of the principles which at present regulate the international relations of the world. Let them note well this fact, thata limit was set to England’s arrogant pretensions at sea from the moment Mr. Seward took pen in hand to argue the Trent question. Cowutpine ano Apvertisina.—Poor Greeley isa queer fish, and must'have a tremendous erack in his empty head. The Tribune has run down so much that he had to advertise, in Saturday’s Hrrarp, that it was still issued; and | this time be paid the full price—not half price— for the advertisoment. He was so angry at having to pay ug twelve cents a line, however’ that he immediatly published an article in the Zribune asking some one to give him a cow- hidingeAs he tgought that thedest means to gain notoriety. We Lope he may find a customer to \ atiaty him. NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. The Internal Tax Bill Reported by the Ways and Meaxs Committee. A List of Some of the A.*ticles Taxed. Important Joint Resolutions on the Subject of Maritime Rights, Call for Information Respecting the Designs of the Allies in Mexico, &e., &. ‘Wasumaton, March $, 1662. ABSTRACT OF THE TAX BILL. ‘The following is an abstract of the Tax bill reported It provides for the appointment by the President of a Commissioner of Internal Revenue, with « salary of five ‘thousand dollars perannum, his office to be in the Trea- sury > With a suitable number of clerks. ‘The country is to be divided, as the President may di- rect, into convenient collection districts, with an Assessor and Collector appointed by the President for each dis- trict, who shall have power to appoint such deputies as may be needed. ‘The bill covers two reams of paper. It contains one hundred and five sections, and is one of the largest of any kind ever bofore prepared, and on which months of time &., Amouut of Tax. Articles Cs. Mis. Spirituous liquors, per gal... Ale and beer, per bbl. Stem or leaf tobacco, per ib. ‘When manufactured, additional per ib ‘Segars, per Ib., according to value.... Lard, linseed oil, burning fluid, per gal.., Flour, per bbl... All other manufactures, per cent, ad vi Railroad Lime ay per mile of travel. Do. a jon Soles. ae ee ‘Steamboat passengers, per ame Omnibuses, ferry boats and horse railroads, Fen cent on gross receipts from lvertisements, per cent on annual rece} eSS1 S51 lace Lol oSkmal | a Saa8Saael & ‘Wholesale 2 Retail liquor dealers Retail dealers in goo PELEEEEE CUEUUETEEEE ehoot tb tect titi Ss SBSSVSBS LISI THSEL TELLGLLt pian B8SaSSUsss ‘alieys, ‘Wholesale pedlers, Coal oil distilleries .. Onall over $600, excepting income from,dt- vidends, w! taxed savings institutions, per con! ‘tum. ~ All salarics of officers ‘in the civil, military Mom- and naval service, also Seators and contum .....++.... soe — 1005 — And stamp duties on all kinds of i and commercial papers, all patent medicines, telegraphic messages, and all expresses... THE TAX ON SALARIES OF GOVERNMENT OFFICERS. ‘The bill introduced by Mr. Van Wyck, to tax the sala- ries of government officers, requires that all fees and per- quisites of office shall be paid into the Treasury under oath. It taxes all salaries as follows:—Ono thourand dol- lars and upwards, five per eent; two thousand and up- wards, ten per cent; three thousand and upwards, fifteen per cent; five thousand and upwards, twenty per cont; sevon thousand five hundred dollars and upwards, twenty- five per cent; and ten thousand dollars and upwards, thirty por cent. It isthe same bill introduced by Mr- ‘Van Wyck at the extra session of Congress last sumorer. AFFAIRS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC. On Saturday, while Gen. Sickles was reviewing hig brigade, a shell from the rebel battery on the Virginia side of the Potomac exploded within a few feet of his po- sition. No surprise was manifested by either the Gene- ralof his men. The review proceeded as if nothing had occurred. Last night about nine o’clock the rebels fired several shot and shell from the Cockpit Point battery, at what object or with what effect was not ascertained. About midnight last night a large brick house, on the Virginia side, a short distance above Quantico, was burned. Another house inthe vicinity is said to have beon burned. It is presumed to have been the deliberate work of the rebels, destroying the property of men having Union proclivities. DEPARTURE OF GENERAL SHIELDS. - General Shields left hore this afternoon to assame com_ mand of the brigade lately commanded by Gencrat Lander. THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILEOAD. Tho Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is being rapidly re_ Dduilt, and will soon be inrunning order. About forty miles of iron and cross ties have been carried off by th® rebels. RENCONTRE BETWEEN EX-SECRETARY CAMERON AND CONGRESSMAN VAN WYCK. ‘The investigations of the Congressional committees appear to rankle like thorns in the sides of some of the great mon of the nation. Last night an altercation oc curred at Willard’s Hotel between tho late Secretary of ‘War, General Camoron, and Mr. Van Wyek, Chairman of the Congressional Committee. The late Secretary was hot and choleric, and wanted a pretext to whip the Chairman of the committe; but the latter was cool, and declined politely, but firmly, to accord that favor to his very urgent assailant, who was obliged reluctantly to subside without a fight over the grievances inflicted by the committee. THE ARMY. ‘Tho Senate to-day confirmed the nomination of George W. Morgan, of Ohio, as Brigadior General of Volunteers. It is understood that Colonel F. P. Blair had an inter- viow with the President to-day on the subject of. the ap- pointmont of Gonoral Sigo! as Majer General, the result of which was the determination of the President to send in the namo of General Sige! to the Senate s4 once for confirmation. THE RECOGNITION OF LIBERIA AND BAYT! ‘The nowspaper statement that the House Committee of Foreign Affairs have decided to repert agninst (he recognition of Liberia and Hayti is umatwe, ‘the com. mittee have taken no action whatever om the subject. RULED AND STAMTED ENVELOPES FOR SOLDIERS. Memorials are being extensively signed by soldiers, for presentation to the Postmasteg-General, asking thas somo measures be adopted by wiaieh they can procure the patent ruled stampod envel’spos at the samo rates charged at tho post offices. ‘Ahoy say that priviloged vendors in the camps take arrantage of thoir partiality for this description of enveloges and domand extortion- ato priees out OCKAN POSTAL SERVICE. ‘A bill will be report from the Committee on lo roign Relations in tho Fonate, providing that ol! steam ors and sailing vessels, belonging to citizens of the United States, and bound f,6m any port in the United States to any foreign port, pall, before clearance at the Custom House, receive seh mails az the Post Office Departmont shall cause to ‘oo placed on hoard, and shall doliver the samo to the proper aathorities at such port on arrive thera; and 889 corspensation for the service, they shaly ‘ba entitled to reyeive the usual ocean postage on such mails; provided that this act shall be applicable only (9 { vorsels ha po contract for carrying the malin, &