The New York Herald Newspaper, March 25, 1862, Page 3

“TWE BATTLE. IN THE VIRGINIA VALLEY. Additional Particulars of the Combat. The Rebels Driven Back to Strasburg. ‘The Union Loss One Hundred Killed and Two Hundred and Fifty Wounded. Two Hundred and Twenty-five of the “memy’s Dead Left on the Field. ore than One Thousand Stand of Arms Captured, _ Rees ‘Wasutxatox, March 24, 1862. A despatch from a surgeon im General Shields’ army to “Whe Burgeon General at Washington, says, in relation to ‘the battle of yesterday :—Our loss is from seventy-five to! one bundred killed, and two hundred and fifty -wounded, I have seen two hundred and twenty-five of . the enemy’s dead. A despatch from Winchester says our forces to-day pursued the rebels with extraordinary vigor and courage towards Strasburg, driving them like frightened sheep. ‘Wincuneter, March 24, 1862. }The rebels have been driven back to Strasburg. There has been very little fighting to-day. In the skirmishing ‘we had last about ten killed and wounded. ‘Mr. Luce, assistant to Captain Albert, Topographical ngineers, was taken prisoner by the rebels. We have captured more than a thousand small arms ‘Wincursrer, March 24—11 P. M. ya consequence of the forward move of our forces, the reports of killed, wounded and missing could not bo ascertained, but our loss is from eighty to one hundred killed, among whom were one colonel, and fourteen captains and licutenants. Two hundred were wounded. among whom are ten officers, The enemy had nearly ‘five hundred killed and wounded, and Jost three hundred Prisoners. Sketeh of Winchester and Vicinity. Winchester at one time was a thriving town, in Frede- rick county, Virginia, of which county it is the eapital. ‘It is Jocated at a point one hundred and fifty miles dis- tant from Richmond, in a north-northwesterly direction, and is eeventy-one miles west by north of Washington. ‘It is about twenty miles north of the Manassas Gap, and irty-two miles from Harper’s Ferry by railroad. It is distant from Gordonsville about eighty miles in an air Hine, leading due south,and about one hundred miles by the turnpike 'road via Front Royal and one of the gaps in ‘the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is eighteon miles northeast @f Strasburg, which, by rail, is sixty-one infies from ‘Manaséas Junction. There is no railroad connection gouthward between Winchester and any other of the rebel beadquarters. Thetown'is pleasantly situated in a beau-| tifa! and fertile country, which forms part of the great’ walley of Virginia. With the exception of ‘Wheeling, it tw the largest’ town of the State weet of the Blue Ridge. ‘It ts quite regularly planned, the houses are built in a compact and substantial manner, mostly of brick and stone, andare supplied with excellent water, which is ‘brought in iron pipes from a spring half a mile distant. Winchester at one time contained about twelve churches, ene academy, two banks (which hadan aggregate capital of six hundred and eighty thousand dollars), two news- paper offices and alyceum. The place is the terminus of the Winchester and Potomac Railroad, by which it was, Previous to the rebellion, connected with the Baltimore and Obio Railroad at Harper’s Ferry, and thence united ‘with all the prominent cities and towns of the Great ‘West and the ports of the East. It has a number of turnpike roads radiating from it in every direction, which attract a large amount of trade and travel to it as @commoncentre. It hada population in 1850 of about four thousand five hundred souls. The county in which it is situated has an arca of three hundred and seventy- eight square miles. The Opequan, Sleepy and Black crecks, affluents of the Potomac, rise within it and flow ima northeasterly direction. The surface is beautifully diversified by mountain scenery, and the principal ele- vation, the North Mountains, extends along the north- western border. The county, before seized upon as a point of occupation by the rebels, was reputed as one of the most wealthy and highly cultivated in the Stato. Alas! how greatly has it changed! Blue limestone rock underlies a large portion of the surface. The streams furnish abundant motive power for mills and factories. The turnpike roads through it are very good, all leading to Winchester, as before stated. The county was formed in 1738. The population at last returns was nearly six- teen thousand, of whom about two thousand three hun- dre! were slaves. The whole county has suffered severe- Jy uring the rebellion, having, with Jefferson county, Deen the scene of several engagements between the con. tending forces. The rebels have passed through it on more than one occasion, each time leaving disastrous marks of their progress. If they can be prevented from ever again entering it, trade and prosperity may once more,and that quickly, make their appearance among the residents of the place. Sketch of General Shields. Acting Major General James Shields is a native of the unty of Tyrone, in Ireland, where he was born in tho year 1810. Ho is consequently about fifty-two years of age. He first came to this country in the year 1826, being then only sixteen years of age. In 1832 he went ‘West, and settled in Kaskaskia, one of the oldest villages Of Illinois, where he devoted his energies to the study and practice of the law. He was soon after elected to the State Legislature, and in 1839 was made State Auditor. Four years later he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court, and in 1845, baving received from President Polk the appointment of Commissioner of the General Land Office, he‘removed to Washington. Upon the breaking ont of the Mexican war during the following year, the same President, with rare discrimination and appreciation of character, appointed Mr. Shields a Brigadier General of United States Volunteers. His commission was dated July 1, 1846. He was present at the Siege of Vera Cruz, and even there was particularly noted. At the battle of Cerro Gordo he distinguished himself greatly, and was the second time naturalized a citizen of the United States by shedding his blood in defence of his adopted country’s honor. A recital of General Shield’s deeds at that battle seems more like the details of the great actions of some famed hero of romance’ than the plain narrative of the conduct of ‘one of Polk’s raw generals,” as the opposi- tion styled him when appointed. Severely wounded, he continued on the field, urging on his men, until a ball pas sing through his lungs struck him down, He wascar- ried from the battle field, and was reported so near dead that obituary notices appeared of the gallant General in nearly all the papers of the country. Even in the neighborhood of the battle ground his life was for weeks dos paired of, and the anecdote of his cure is remarkable, an it would appear improbable did the man not live among us at the present time to verify the statement. It appears that he was entirely given over by the army surgeons, when a Mexican doctor said he would live if be would let him remove the coagulated blood from the wound. Shields, as akillor cure remedy, told him to try, and a fine silk handkerchief was worked and finally drawn through the wound, removing the extravasated blood, when daylight could be seen through the ‘hole. And yet Shields to-day is abale and hearty mas, free from disease or any inconvenence from his wound, which was considered at the time a8 mortal, having been made by large copper ball, and going directly: througn bis body and lunge. For bis gallant aad meritorious conduet on this occasion he was in Auguat, 1848, brevet" eda Major General of Volunteers. Still suffering from his wounds we find him commanding a brigade in the valley of Mexico, consisting of a battalion of marines and regiments composed of New York and South Carolina volunteers, He was also in. the battle of Chepuitepec, whore, being unhorged, he fought on foot, bareheaded and in his shirt sleeves, leading his brigade, sword in hana with a bravery that bas made his name remarkable in American history. He was again wounded, and that dangerously, but with care and 9 good constitution he recovered, His brigades ery ke after performing valorous , ending in the capture of the city of Mexico, was disbanded on the 20th of July, 1848. The war being ended, General Shields laid down the sword, and assumed once more his place in civil life. He was brilliantly received on his arrival in the United States; and when he returned to the State of his choice (Illinois) he was elected to fill the position vacated by Mr. Breeze—that of Senator from that State— to represent it in the Capitol at Washington. This was im the year 1849. Owing to some technicality he was re- fused admission as a Senator, when he promptly resigned the post and was as promptly re-elected. He returned to Washington, and for six years proved himself to be as able in council as he was on the battle field. He was un- ostentatious and modest, spoke but seldom; but when he did, it was with marked effect, and sequred for him ‘anivereal attention. He represented the interests of the democratic party, and was firm in bis position. In 1855 he left the Senate, leaving at the eame time Illinois, and ‘went to settle on the lands awarded to him for his ser. vices in the army, which lands he had selected in the ‘Territory of Minnesota. When that tract became a Stato General Shields was returned to represent it in Congress as a Senator, and took his seat after its sdmission in May, 1858. General Shields having drawn the short term, he had to vacate his seat in 1859, and, not securing a re-election, he went further west into California. From his retirement he was again brought out by the present war, having been appointed by Con- Gress a Brigadier General, with a commission dating from August 19, 1861. This commission he at first refused; ‘but, deeming it his duty to stand by his adopted coun- try in her troubles, he came forth, and, after a long voyage, reached this city and the capital, where (his name, in consequence of his refusal, having been stricken from the army list) he waited some time before he ob- tained a command. The lamented death of Gen. Lander left that division without a head, and Gen. Shields was at once appointed to the command, with the rank of. Briga- dier General, his division forming part of the corps d’armee of Major General Banks. He has again brought himself before the public by his deeds, and once more our coun- try rings with the name of ‘‘General Shields.” General Shields is of good personal appearance, about five feet eight inches in stature, with dark bair and com- Plexion. His style of speaking is easy, fluent and agreea- dle. He is still, of course, a progressive democrat; but, at the same time, isa strong supporter of the govern- ment of the United States in its unity and integrity. NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. ‘Wasmxatoy, March 24, 1862. THE NEWSPAPERS AND ARMY NEWS. Certain newspapers having flagrantly persisted in the publication of military details in violation of the rules and articles ef war and the orders of the War Depart- ment, thereby endangering the safety of our armies and the success of military operations, the Secretary of War has ordered the enforcement of the penalties, and a spe- cial court marshal is to be assembled at Washington for the trial and punishment of the offenders. IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION FROM THE POSTMASTER GENERAL. Postmaster General Blair to-day issued the following notice to the postmasters of the United States:— ‘The Secretary of War now regulates the transmission of information by telegraph affecting the conduct of the war, in order to prevent. the communication of such in- formation to the rebels. Ht is also thought necessary by the Secretary to put reétrictions on the publication of facts of this character, however derived, and the aid of this Department is required for this purpose. You will therefore notify publishers not to publish any fact which bas been excluded from the telegraph, and that a disre- gard of this order will subject the paper to be excluded from the mails. : : THE NEWS FROM BEAUFORT. Colonel Segar, representative elect from the Accomac district, arrived here this ‘méaping, confirming the intel- ligenice of the destruction of the privateer Nazhville and Fort Macon by the rebels. uM rt FOUR HUNDRED ARMY APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED, ‘The Senate to-day confirmed about four hundred army appointments, principally of minor ranks. Among them, jn the Adjutant General’s Department, were R. J. Wag- goner, of Kentucky, and Jefferson H. Nones, of Delaware, as Assistant Adjutant Generals, with rank of Captain; John A. Doyle, of Pennsylvania, as Commissary of Sub_ sistence in the volunteer service. § Also the follow ing:— John C. Vaughan, of Pennsylvania, Military Storekeeper and 0. A. Judson, of Pennsylvania, Brigade Surgeon. ‘The only two Brigadier Generals of Volunteers confirmed, are Wm. R. Strong and Colonel Mablon D. Manson, of In- diana. THE RELEASE OF COLONEL CORCORAN. The House of Representatives is beginning to ask the cause of the delay in restoring Colonel Corcoran to free- dom and his friends, Mr. Blake, of Ohio, introduced a resolution to-day requesting the Secretary of War to stop all exchanges of other prisoners until Colonel Corco- ran shall have been exchanged. SLAVERY SECTIONAL AND FREEDOM NATIONAL. ‘The following is Mr. Arnold’s bill, from the Committee on Territories , to render freedom national;— To the end that freedom may be and remain forever the fundamental law of the land in all places whatsoever, 80 far as it lies in the Fs ers or depends upon the action of the government of the United States to make it so. Therefore be it evacted:— Section 1. That slavery and involuntary servitude in all cases whatsoever (other than in the punishment of crime of which the party shall have been duly convicted) shall henceforth cease, and be prohibited forever in the following places, viz:— 1. In all the Territories of the United States now ex- isting or hereafter to be formed or acquired in any way. 2. Fa Slapeecss pracnnnes ote be purchased by the United States, with the consent of the Legislatures of the several States, for the erection of forts, magazines, arse- nals, dockyards and other needful buildings. 3. In all veseels on the high seas and on all national ee beyond the oer and een ag pres each several s from wi or to whic! said sbesie may being 4. In all places whatsoever whore the national govern- —_ is supreme or has exclusive jurisdiction and power. Section 2. And be it further enacted, That any person now held or attem; tobe held horeafter as @ slave in any ofthe re named is hereby declared to be and right to freedom hereby declared may be the several States in behalf of the party or his or her posterity, after any lapse of time, upon the principle that a party once is always free. THE CASE OF CAPTAIN PALMER, OF THE IROQUOIS. It will be remembered that Captain James 8. Palmer, of the United States gunboat Iroquois, was charged with negligence sometime since, on account of his permitting the rebel steamer Sumter to slip through his fingers from the port of Martinique, while the Irequois was hovering around that port on the lookout for the pirate. Captain Palmer returned home and solicited an investiga- tion into the circumstances attending the case. ‘This was granted him by the Secretary of the Navy, and after a full examination Captain Palmer has had the satisfaction of notonly being entirely exculpated from the charge of negligence but is accredited with having exercised due diligence on the occasion. It is ascertained that he could not well have acted ctherwise than he did. Captain Palmer has been restored to duty, and will, we under- stand, leave immediately for the West Indies to resume command of the Iroquois. TESTING PLANS FOR INVULNERABLE snips, Mr. Rice, of Massachusetts, from the Naval Committee in the House, asks for an appropriation of fifty thousand dollars to enable the Navy Department to test various plans for rendering armed ships invulnerable. Assistant Secretary Fox will doubtless make good use of the appro- priation. THE WASHINGTON AND ALEXANDRIA FERRY, The steamer Star to-aay commenced her regu ar hourly trips between Washington and Alex. andria for the convenience of officers and sol- diers passing between the two cities, the old line not being able to aceommodate at all times even the civihans, The Star has been chartered by the govorn- ment for some time, and vader the new regime will very much facilitate travel to and from Virginia, EXYENSION OF THE WASHINGTON AND ALEXANDRIA RAILROAD. ‘The Orange and Alexandria Railroad will in a fow days ‘be in complete order as far as Manaseas. The Bull run bridge, it is believed, wilt be completed by Wednesday, when we shall have communication between Baltimore ‘and the Valley of Virginia, via the Junction and Manassas Gap, without ohange of ears—a convenience for years hoped for but never before realized. THE D’EPENEUIL ZOUAVES, ‘The D’Epeneuil Zouaves, who returned from the Burn. side expedition several weeks since, have been mustorod out of the service and sent to their respective homos. To- day those quartered here, numbering about throe bun. dred , were paid off and dispatched by the evening train to New York. THE PROVOST MARSHAL OF ALEXANDRIA, This morning Captain GriMfith, Provest Marshal of Alexandria, was relieved from duty in that capacity by Captain Briggs of the Ninety-pinth Now York Volunteers, THE BATTLE IN THE VIRGINIA VALLEY. RNA AA AN The Locality of the Battle Ground Between Gen. Shields and the Rebels---Sketch of Winchester and Vicinity~-Sketch of Gen. Shields, &e. WATERS ~SON CONGRESSIONAL VOTE OF THANKS TO GEN. BURNSIDE. The House to-day voted very heartily as well 98 ‘unanimously their thanks to General Burnside and Com- modore Rowan for the gallant service performed by them at Newbern. RETURN OF THE CONTRACT INVESTIGATING COM- ‘MITTEE. Mr. Blair, Postmaster General, Representatives Wash- burne, Holman, Dawes and Fenton, of the Government Contract Investigating Committee, bave returned to ‘Washington after an absence of three weeks in the West and Northwest. THE KANSAS INDIANS. Among the bills introduced in the Senate to-day was one by Mr. Pomeroy to consolidate all the Indians on the Western borders into one nation, dividing the land into convenient farms, encouraging them in the cultivation of the soil,and additionally providing for their material prosperity. CONGRESSMAN FRANK GONB HOME. Hon, Augustus Frank, of New York, has been called home by illness in his family. \ CONGRESSMAN. ELY AT BIS POST. Hon. Alfred Ely has sufficiently recovered from bis il- ness to resume his seat, EMBALMING THE DEAD. Permits‘bave been granted for one surgeon to each division of the army to embalm the bodies of the dead. They are to be attached to the medical staff as assistant surgeons. The process of embalming ‘has been brought to great perfection here of late, and the practice is be- coming very extensive. 7 PLEDGING THE PUBLIC LANDS FOR THE PUBLIC DEBT. Mr. Wickliffe, of Kentucky, introduced the following resolution to-day :— ‘That the public lands, surv. and unsurveyed, and the net proceeds arising from the sales thereof are here- by pledged and set apart as a fund to pay the interest and principal of the public debt. THE NEW ANTI-SLAVERY PROPOSITION OF THE COM- MITTEE ON TERRITORIRS, Mr. Asbley, of the Territorial Committee, in attempt- ing to force his anti-slavery proposition upon the House this afternoon lost ground, and his abolition friends are deploring his rash conduct. Tho scene between Mr. Olin and Mr. Ashley, before the latter subsided, was some- what exciting. HARBOR DEFENCES, FLOATING RATTERIES, ETC. A rivalry jealousy, or a disagreement of some sort, has sprung up between the parties interested respectively in harbor fortifications, floating batteries and iron-clad gun- boats. It is to be hoped that any such disagreement will not be allowed to delay the action of Congress and the government in providing barbor and coast defences. THE REMAINS OF THE DEAD RHODE ISLANDERS. The remains of Colonel Slocum, Major Ballou and Captain Tower, will not, it now appears, be sent hence until Friday evening. They will be under an escort of the Second Rhode Island regiment, reaching Provdience on Sunday morning, where they will bereceived by the military of that State, together with Masonic lodges. OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS. Several mempers of Committee of C the two Deer = j ae ae rd center horn evening, in conference upon our commercial relations with foreign Powers, and invited Mr. J.D. Andrews to give them his views upon the operations of tbe Recipro- city Treaty with Canada and the British provinces. Sec- retary Chase, Hon. Reverdy Johnson, and ether distin- guished gentlemen from various portions af the country, were present, and evinced deep interest in the remarks of Mr. Andrews in vindicotion of reciprocal free trade, fortified, as they were, by official statistics. A succinct history of our commercial relations with Great Britain, and the negotiations of the several treaties with that Power, from the War of Independence down to the con- clusion of the Reeiprocity Treaty, in 1864, was given, and the fact demonstrated that the latter had resulted in J4tger sales of our domestic manufactures than all our other treaties combined. We had expended millions to secure the trade of China and Japan, and what was it? All buy and no sell. We are annually duying millions from Cuba, Mexico and Brazil, while England furnishes them with manu- factured goods through her ocean steam communication, and we ship California gold to England to pay for our sugar and coffee. Congress will grumble about the Reci- procity treaty, and talk of repealing it, but will not vote a single dollar to open up new markets for our manufae- tures. We have been furnishing hundreds of millions of manufactures to the South, in exchange for cotton, sugar, rice 2n@ tobacco, which market was now temporarily closed, and still Congress indifferently sees European Powers seizing upon Mexico, and still further appropri- ating her markets. Mr. Andrews closed his address, after giving the figures showing the progress of our trade with all the countries referred to, with @ powerful appeal to the statesmen present -to devote aportion of their attention to the material interests of the eountry. The people were wil- ling to be taxed, but they could not fong stand taxation unless they could obtain markets for the fruits of thei™ labors, Our policy should be, then, the liberalization of our trade relations,on the basis of reciprocity with France, Spain and all the countries on this continent, instead of the abrogatiod of the only successful commer. cial treaty we have ever made. ‘THE SANITARY COMMISSION, ‘The Sanitary Commission adjourned on Saturday to visit the old Capito) prison. NAMES OF DISCHARGED PRISONERS, To-day the following pamed prisoners were discharged on giving their parole:—Richara Goleman, James Potter, George G. Coleman, and Josiah E. Bailey. Also John B. Farr and James W. Farr, on taking the oath of allegiances A number were also discharged on giving their parole not to take up arms against the government’of the United States unless regularly @xehanged according to the roles of war. The following were remanded for farther consideration:—John T. Day, Chas. W. Coleman. THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. FIRS? SESSION, Wasnivetox, March 24, 1862. HRW JPRSRY, PENNSYLVANIA ANT DELAWARE. Mr, Ten Kyox, (rop.) of N. J., presented p joint reso. # THR DEFENCES OF lution from the Legislature of New Jersey, asking Con- gress to tako immediate action for the defences of the coast of New Jersoy, Pennsylvania and Delaware, and resolving that the sovoral States loan funds for the pur- pose. Referred. THE. TAX ON MARUFACTURRS AND TOBACCO. Mr. Wimor, (rep.) of Pa,, presented, # memorial from the Board of Trade of Philadelphia, asking a reduction of the schedule taxes on manufactures. Referred. ‘Mr. PowEi, (opp.) of Ky., presented resolutions from the Legislature of Kentucky, relating to the tax on to- Dacco, asking that it be reduced. “Referred. PUNISHMENT OF TRAITORS. Mr. Snermax, (rop.) of Ohio, presented resolutions from the Legislature of Ubio, against any proposition for @ settlement of the rebellion except an unconditional sur- render and condign punishment of the traitors. Re- ferred. ‘Mr. Monrmt ‘of Me ted resolutions from ir. 5 je. nt the Legialaturs of hdaine. endorsing. tbe mininatasiob and in favor ef the confiscation of the property of rebels. Referred, THR KANSAS, INDIANS. Mr. Rousnoy, (rep.) of Kansas, introduced abill for the removal and consolidation of the Indian tribes. TRE ENGINEER CORPS, Mr. Wirson, (rep.) of Mass,, introduced a bill. to pro- mote the efficiency of the corps of engineers. ‘THR EMANCIPATION QUESTION. On moticn of Mr. Tremauiz, (rep.) of Ill., the joint rosolution in regard to affording aid to the States in favor of emancipation was taken up. Mr. Sacisscry, (opp.) of Del., eaid that this was a ‘most extraordinary resolution in its purposes and in the source from whence it came. It was mischievous in its tendency, and he was not sure that it was at all patriotic in design. It was ignoring all the principles hitherto of the ty in power, and it was an in- terference with the subject of slavery in the States. It was an attempt to raise a controversy in those States. None of the slaveholding States asked aid. and he be- lieved that the President had had this thing in contem- tats for some time. The Legislature of his State (De- ware) had been in session lately, and a printed Dill had found its way there cong Dela- ware nine hundred thousand dollars for emancipation of her slaves, and the Legislature rejected it. The object of this bill is simply to renew and inten- sify the agitation of the slavery question in the border States, and to raise an abolition party there. He would like some member of the Judiciary Committee to show him avy authority in the constitution for thus applying money to the States. This Dill ts e view of the Soverament pune into the wholesale negro-trading business. Thd! State of Delawaro will never acceptof this bill; but the true Union people of that State will go before the people upon it, and there will not a vestige of the republican party be left there. This resolution promises to throw us into a political cam- a never to be performed. ir. Davis (Union) of Ky., offered an amendment as a substitute for the resolution:— Resolved, That although the subject of slavery in the States is exclusively within the jurisdiction and cognizance ‘of the government and people of the States, and cannot be interfered with, directly or indirectly, by the government of the United States, yet when any of these States or people may determine to emancipate their slaves, the United States shall pay a reasonable price for the slaves so emancipated, ‘and the cost of colonizing them in some other country. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Pending the consideration of the resolution the morn- ing hour expired and the bill for the abolition of slavery tn the Distriet of Columbia was taken up. ‘The question was upon the amendment offered by Mr. Doolittle to the amendment of Mr. Davis, for coloniza- tion , viz:—That only such persons ehall be colonized as A & CoBt not exoced- igang *"Meseré. Monnm and Kine explained that they should vote inst the amendment, because they preferred the Dill as it was. ‘The question was then taken on Mr, Davis’ amendment to colonize the negroes, with the following result:— yi lessrs. Anthony, Browning, Collamer, Cowan, Da- gba Fethn Hi Meee a, e iy Trumbull, Wilson of Missourl, Wri gota Grimes Hale, Howard, Kennedy, King. McDougal Seth Starks gamer Wade Wilkinsox, Wilust, Wilsos of us ‘This being a tie vote, the Vice President voted in the a “ig ir. Davis proceeded to speak against the bill. Ho contended that slaves were property, and recognized as such by the Supreme Court. He quoted from the deci Pye ae of — om re oe no right to emancipate a slave anywhere, o! a State or in the District of Columbia, | He referred to the early history country, w very xi nearly all over the country, and said that slavery was clearly and certainly recognized in the constitution, tho in mild phrase. Slavery wasat one time recog- ny by the wi civilized world, and hence it is not true that slavery is local and freedom universal, but the opposite was the fact. Slavery was the normal condition of the United States, and the abrogation of slavery was the exception. Mr. Morriit, (rep.) of Me., asked whether the Senator contended that the existence of slavery or its legality was recognized in the constitution? Mr. Davis said it was synonymous, If it recognized its existence, it recognized apey: Mr. dake (A (rep.) of jigan, asked if treason was ce was iY and if the general government transgresses these limits and infringes on the rights reserved to the States, it is as much @ wrong-cioer aa the Confederates now are. He said the dominant part; themeelvos before the election of President and by tion of Congress, not to interfere with slavery in the States, but measures of thiskind were violative . ‘This was onlyan entering wedge in an attack on and to = = hitesmever Jive together in slave, such @ state of society to the death, and consider who attempted itas the greatest enemies have. He said there had originated at the N “Mor. monism,”’ “free love,’ and @ sort of ‘“etherial’’ religion preached by Parker and Emerson, and ail sorts of mis- ; ig! upon the people of this District? or are the peopie of the District like rats in an exhausted i experimented by He was no friend of abstract, and if urate a Rye. tem of | emancipation which it would take about one hundred years to accomplish, so as to produce 0 bad eflects. Alter an executive session the Senate adjourned, House of Representatives, Wasmxetor, March 24, 1862. ‘THe CASE OF MR. SOAR Mr, Bua, (Union) of Va., presented the ourtificate of 4 J 4 i 0 ¥ Wit i MARCH 25, 1862,—TRIPLE SHEET. a election of Joseph 8. Segar ag representative from the First district of that State. Mr, Brxanam, (rep.) of Ohio, said that no election in exactform of law could have been held om the day stated, namely, the 15th inst. The election was extem. porized. He moved to refer the paper to the Committee on Elections. ‘No quorum voting, there was a call of the House. Ex- cuses were heard for absentees from which it appeared the following named are sick:—Messrs. Bailey, of Masca chusetts; Conway , Ely, Cooper, Knapp and May. ‘The papers in the Segar case were referred to the Com- mittee on Elections. ‘THE GOLD MINES OF THE WEST. Mr. Dayw, (rep.) of Ind., offered resolution, which was adopted, instructing the Ways and Means Committee to inquire into the expediency of organizing a large force of miners, with the necessary machinery, to proceed to the gold mines of West and work the same for the Denefit of the government, as a means of defraying the expenses of the war. ARMY PAYMASTRRS. Mr. Houmas, (opp.) of Ind., offered a resolution, which was adopted , requesting the Secretary of War to inform the House why he has not responded to the resolution of December last calling for # list of the paymasters and ad- ditional paymasters , and that he now be directed to fur- ve same, and to what extent they can be dispensed with, COLONEL CORCORAN, Mr. Ancona, (opp.) of Pa., introduced a reselution re- questing the Secretary of War to ihform the House of the cause ot ny of the protracted delay in the release of Col. Corcoran, prisoner of war since July, and that the Secre- tary be directed and requested to stop’ all exchanges of prisoners until Col. Corcoran is released. Debate rising, the resolution lies over. ‘THE PUBLIC DET. Mr. Wickiarre (Union) of Ky., introduced a bill to pro- vide funds in’part to pay the interest and principal on the public debt. THANKS TO LIRUTYNANT MORRIE. Mr. Rosoox Conkuiné, (rep. of N. Y., introduced a joint resolution tendering thanks of Congress to Liout. Morris for his gallant services on board the Cum- berland, in conflict with the rebel frigate Merrimac. 7 THE SLAVERY QUESTION. Mr. ARNOLD, (rep.) of Ill., introduced a bill to render freedom national and slavery sectional. THANKS TO THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF THE BURNSIDE RXPRDITION. Mr. Cox, (opp.) of Ohio, introduced a resolution tender- ing the thanks of Congress to General Burnside and Com- mander Rowan, and the officers and men under them, for the skill with which they carried out the minute instruc- tions of the General commanding the army (General Mc Clollan) in the recent decisive victory. All of the above were referred to appropriate committees. INVULNERABLE FLOATING BATTERIES, Mr. Rice, (rep.) of Mass., submitted a resolution, which was referred, authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to expend asum not exceeding $50,000 for the purpose of testing the plans for rendering ships and floating batte- ries mvulnerable. ORGANIZATION OF ARIZONA—TAE WITMOT PROVISO TO BE AP- PLIED TO ALL TERRITORIES. Mr. Asuter, (rep.) of Ohio, from the Committee on Territories, re} @ dill to provide a temporary go- vornment for Arizona. One of the sections prohibits slavery therein, as well as in all the Territories now or- ganized. Mr. Aspiey said if any gentleman desired to discuss the measure, he would be satisfied with its postponement to aday certain. If this was not agreed to he desired to put the bill on its passage now. Mr. Wickurre, (Union) of Ky., remarked if he under- stood the facts, the Texan rebels were forcing the there to flee elsewhere for safety. Tow could go- vernment under these circumstances be organized? Why attempt it when civil officers could not proceed thither? Mr. Asner replied as far as the committee is advised there are no enemies in Arizona, except Indians; no orf Cox, Copp.) sf Ohio, would vote for postponing the . Cox, (Opp. 1» woul Postponing t! pein the bill indefinitely. It contait the famous Wilmot proviso, which had occasioned so much trouble in the country. This was not the time to re- agitate that subject. ‘Mr. AsBLey replied, that is the mere opinion of my col Mr. }, (Union) of Ky.—Is the bill up now on its ‘Tus Semaxer—It is. Mr. MaLLory—I enter my protest against It. ‘Mr. AsmL&¥ moved the ‘question on the aye aT ~ Cuavaxs, (Opp.) of Ind., moved to lay it on the Negatived—49 against 76. The — refused to order the main question by 54 ‘On motion of Mr. Warsume, (rep.) of N. Y., the fur- ther consideration of the bill was postponed till next Monday. THE TAX: BILL. The consideration of the Tux bill was resumed in Com- mittee of the Whole on the State of the Union, Mr. Colfax in the chair. ‘Among other amendments agreed to are the follow- sce to have till the Ist of Decomber next to as- ‘sume the payment of her portion of the tax. Brewers, manufacturing less than five hundred barrels per aunum, to pay twenty-five dollars license. Brokers to pay fifty dollars, the same as commercial —— Land warrant brokers to pay twenty-five 8. ‘The committee rose and the House adjourned. POPULAR OUTBREAK IN CINCINNATI. ‘Wendell Phillips Driven From a Lecture Room by the People—General Uprising Against the Abolition Disunionist. Cincinnati, March 24, 1862. Wendell Phillips attempted to lecture at the Opera House to-night. He commenced by avowing himself an abolitionist and disunionist. Persons in the galleries then bissed, yelled, and threw eggs and stones at him, some hitting him. The hissing was kept up some time. Finally he made himself heard, and proceeded until something again objectionable was said, and again eggs were thrown, hitting him. He persevered and a third time was heard, and a third time stoned and egged, x ‘The crowd now moved down stairs crying, “Put him out,” “Tar and feather him,” and giving groans for tho “pigger, Wendell Phillips.” They proceeded down tho middle aisle towards the stage, and were met by Phillips’ friends. Here a fight ensued amidst the greatest confu- sion, ladies screaming and crying, jumping on chairs and falling in all directions. During the fight Phillips was taken. og. the stage by bis friends. The audience then moved out. It is now ten o'clock, and the streets in the vicinity of the Opera House are crowded with excited people. They are unable to find Phillips. No one was seriously hurt as we ean learn, previvus Soldiers. Barrmorr, Md., March 24, 1862. Point boat to-day are four deserters from the rebel army, named Van Dork ‘Townsend, Josiah Morris, William Wilson and Mark Trafton Barker, all citizens of the Eastern States, who were made prisoners by tho rebels last May, at Cedar Keys, Florida, where they had gone in the schoonerStag, to load with timber, which was confiscated by tho rebels. The schooner loaded with’ cotton, but she was subsequently burned to escape @ Union crusier. Com- pelled by necessity, they (the four men) enlisted in the Second Florida regiment last July. The regiment was ordered to Richmond, where they arrived the day after the battle of Bull run. ‘They were finally sent to Yorktown, where they have They state that Magruder’s force around Yorktown is composed of about a dozen regiments, and that he has ‘fifteen are mounted near Yorktown. tions three m iles below, at Wyoming creek. bays od last few weeks the force has been engaged in buil casemates, but not of a very formidable character. ‘The Iron-Clad Steamer Merrimac. [From the New Orleans Picayune.) Since the Merrimac, or the Virginia, has been the means of gaining such a glorious heey the following from the mond correspondence of Crescent will be read with interest:— As it is almost certain that the Merrimac will either | ity~ pounders. stern throw a one hun- dred-pound solid shet, or a one hundred and twenty- these guns have three ports, which guns. She has furnaces for heating Her crew consists of ten Heutenants and three hundred and fifty picked men, and among- them are the best thirty-three feet long. her, and the second in command is Catesby Jones—both men of the highest order of cou . Buchanan has confidence in ber, and says he is glory or a grave in her; Jones is lees confident, but says she is as good a place todie inas a mancould have. The objection to her, and it ig @ serious one, ia the fact that she is entirely dypondent on ber machinery; if that gots out of order sho becomes a mere log in the water, But if that holds cout, itis fair to expect that she will do some damage to tho two Yankee frigates now lying off Newport's News before this week ends. Let wa not be too sanguine, but hope for the best. She may help to belp us out of our reat difficulty, Interesting Statement of Escaped Rebel Among the passengers who arrived here by the Old 3 OUR HARBOR DEFENCES. OF A SPECIAL COMMISSION, &e., &o. Board of Aldermen. i This Board met last evening—President Henry in the chair. Alderinan Brapy called from the table the communic \- tion from Mayor Opdyke, nominating William Boyce as Inspector of Vessels, in place of Andrew Sheehan. Tho matter was then referred, on motion of Alderman Gener, to the Committee on Wharves, Piers and Slips. ‘TUK HARBOR DEFENCES, The report was received from the special committee op Harbor Defences, in favor of adopting the resolution , and Sppropriating the sum of $500,000 for the tmproyement of the defences of the harbor of New York,and recommend- ing that some of our prominent citizens be appointed members of the commission. In connection with the same subject the Mayor sent in the following communication :— Mayor's Orrics, New Youx, March 24, 1862. To re HoNoRsBLe Tux BoakD or Couxcituxn:— 2 ‘Gentixmmx—Recent events have demonstrated the in- sulliciency of the means hitnérto relied on tor harbor de- fence, The slight injury which the Monitor and Merrimac infilcted th ir ‘hea niteciog Tagen oo eS ehelisnte estounter tr Hana shows that ows the most substantial fortitica best existing ar- nents, are utterly unreliable asa nivans of preventing the chad stewinshipa. ingress 0 sy Pius startling tact anviat present itself to me and every individual in thy dextee Charged with the duty of NOMINATION &e., The government of the United special pro- vince itis to provide for the defences of all the seaports of the Union, appreciates the ,and is prepared to dois weit itceangt pope ‘with the tituge which ut it cannot be expected to act ¢ promp wi the conjunciure, demands, when all its ebergiea are concen trated in the prosecution of a 'gantic war. Itis true that a part of the means seguisite to Uis-end is the construction of frou ships, and this uty the government is not neglecting, ‘But in an emergency like the. present, when, tucks just de- veloped have produced a feeling of, Insecurity in every mari- time city, it is incumbent on all, whether in public or private station, to join thelr efforts with those of the government ia Providing against the unexpected danger, and expecta ly ite Entertaining these views and anticipating the nec Septem wr last, invl menis in pertecting @ system of seacoast detencer, and more recently it,has indicated its desire that communities und individuais should also co-operate. ce with this invitation Governor Morgan. pre~ ject to the Legislature of this State, ly to its favorable consideration. ‘app priation Was accordingly introduced, which is now under Uiscussion, and which, itis hoped, will receive favorable ac- tin before the e of the present session, Meanwhile the Chamber ot Commerce of this city, responding to the known desire of the War Department, bias ken up the subject, and mate wf appeal te the Uberulity of the banks, fusurance companies, aiid capitals: Of this city’ for a subscription of $50.UU0, to be expended im Providing additional safeguarda for our ha Tt will be thus seen that the attention of the federal govern- ment, the State government and ths Chamber ut Commerce lndinéeted to the question 0. securing the commercial metr.~ a to be apprehended from iron or mail~ It in the adoption and exe. early eans of defence, Should this ex don not be readized it will then be incumbent on 1s, specially charged with the duty of guarding the interests an safety of this city, 19 take prompt measures for providing the 4 0 dihis, \owever, will require the preliminary action of the Btate government, asthe thirty-third section of the city charter expressty forbids the Cominon Council from borrow- {ng money on the credit of the Corporation, exscpt in anti cipa ‘the revenue of the year in which such. ican shall gape! pee authorized RB her act of the in case of great jpsiich. danger to the: spublie safety, we would be jr in acting without waiting for this authority, But, in my Judgement, that emergency, dors not now ea Inediate dan, nded isit from ‘and this, in the opinion of the highest authorities, isa lersfear, as it is believed that the Navy vided aniple means for destro : to come ou ‘that not reach this harbor, as her construction is auch as to inga~ pagitate her for ocean navigation. & $ f¢ the adoption of ik memorial to the Logiatures earnestly appeal fos for the immediate passage of measures for the perma- Prderelo sereod all other, Te fe cleanly the Pro- Heron ahr avers ae entetaee oney It qapend under that authori wilt a Yghould the ‘ture, however, decide of such measures, I woul: tion it be asked to confer, such au! on, the, government the city by the pussage of a ‘in character bere} submitted for the Raa tg GEORGE OPDYRE, Mayer Alderman Booux moved that the ordinance laid ovor ‘at the last meeting of the Board, appropriating $500,000 for harbor defences, be adopted, and that the Commission for carrying out the ordinance be appointed. . Alderman Darron contended that if the ordinance adopted it would be in direct violation of the charter- He said there was no fear to be entertained, and that the only apprehension was from the Merrimac. Yet he knew that the proper provisions made by the, ment of the United ee sufficient to Tooter any fears of the ap) ¢ Merrimac unne: Miatiod for, He thought that ‘before they iolaled the charter for the Burpose of proteating (Oe harbor of New York, they should apply to the Legislature. He oped that the ordinance appended to the Mayor’s message ‘Would be adopted. Alderman Boo.e was sorry to see in the Mayor’s message statement that the Merrimac was unseaworthy aud w- capable of reaching the harbor of New York even if gho got out of Nortolk. He was confident that the opinion that the Merrimac could not go to sea was erro- neous. From the measurement of the vessel he was sure that the Merrimac could reach New York, and would prove a most unpleasant visitor hero. The report was accepted. Alderman BooLk moved that the blank be filled up by naming a commission of seven (five citizens and two members of this Board) as a Committee of Defence for the Harbor of the City of New York. Alderman Boous moved that fill up the blank and elect the a the Board proceed to Commission by ballot. Votes. ied. “routine Dusiness Se iw after that the regular meetings to be on and ‘Thursdays. Maile for Port Royal. ‘The steamer Atlantic, Captain Eldridge, leaves foot of Canal street, at three o’clock P. M. on Tuesday, the 25th jnstant. She takes out mails for the naval forces under Commodore Dupont and the land forces at Port Royal, 8, C., Fernandina, Fla., &c., closing at two P. M. The Frigate Vermont. Bostox, March 24, 1862, Lieutenant Spicer, who went out as the representative of the Navy Department, on board the steamer Saxon, im search of the Vermont, has returned. He reports that the Vermont will undoubtedly make for Port Royal, and that not the slightest fears need be entertained for her ultimate safety, as she inns tight as any vessel afoat,, and bas got provisions sufficient for more than a year, with water facilities unbounded. He further Yeporte that all on board aro in good spirits. The Prisoners Captured at Pea Ridge. Sr. Loum, March 24, 1862. ‘Tho train from Rolla last night and forty-eight a ofteern be» 8 ; : droldeirat arrival of the ‘taken. by General curtis’ forees at the battle of Pea Ridge. Capture of Guerillas in Missourt. ‘The tollowing ts a copy of @ despatch to the Secretary of War:— Sr. Lovie, March 24, 1862. A detachment of the First Iowa cavairy, sent out from Jefferson City by Gen. Potter against a guerilla band, hada ekitmish with the enemy, killing two, one, taking seventy-f 'aevet, and over twenty horses, forty-eight Reus, powder, aad o quanti of aring were also captured. Our loss was 1 wounded. Hi. W. HALLECK, Major General,