The New York Herald Newspaper, May 16, 1862, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAmuS GORDON BNAAEET, OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. TERMS cash in advance, Money sent by mail will be at the isk oj the sender. Nonetut Bank bills current in New Yorks taken.” THE DAILY fi Tp boo cents per py. $7 per annum. nb, a8 she conte par h to include postag 21st of each month, ut vix ‘ednesday, al four cents per neues, sol Therally Z aa AGN CORRESPONDENT PauricuLaRuy Requested TO SEAL ALL Letters and Pack- AGES oN Of anonymous correspondence, We do not veturn micritions, ADVE eared every day: advertisements in- sei ted Faminy Heratp, and in the California and Bwropean Editions. JOB PRINTING executed with neatnees, heapnces and des. pate Volume XXVIT. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, MIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway.—Tar Excauvrnyss, WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Tur Sreancen—Tae emo paces THEATRE, 814 Brosdway.—Tus Lapy or LAURA KEENE'S THEATRE, Broadway.<Sza oF Ick. NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Sriait Faisxo— Guxex Srr—r nice AND T EB VaTouMAN. BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.=Com. Nert—Living Wiaue, Doc Suow, tc, at all houres- Flowsus or ius Foxe, afternoon’ and'evening. BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall.473 Brond- way.—KuGuep atu, GAIRTIES MUSIC HALL, 616 Broadway.eDaawix Room Exteetatxaents, ae : PEOPLES MUSIC HALL, 45 Bowery.—Se eet Concert PY swortaa MUSIC HALL, 616 Broadway.—Soizex Mvsi- PARIGIAN CABINET OF WONDERS 563 Broadway. = Opendally trom 1a MUSE iis New York, Friday, May 16, 1862, THE SITUATION. The War Department received despatches yester- day from the armies of Gen. McClellan and Gen. Halleck, to the effect that preparations were being made in both directions for some highly important movements. Gen. McClellan has established his headquarters at Cumberland, a pleasant town on the banks of the Pamunkey river. The advance guard, under command of Gen. Stoneman, is within sight of the enemy’s position at White House. General Hunter has issued a proclamation de- claring all the slaves in Florida, Georgi and South Carolina free. It appears from recent news that the attempt to enlist negroes as. volunteers has Proved a complete failure. The emancipation of the slaves in the above States is based by General Hunter on the idea that martial law and slavery in free country are incompatible. A despatch received in Chicago yesterday from Pitteburg Landing, states that the disaffection among the rebel army is demonstrating itself in a very forcible manner. On Monday last two regi- ments from Tennessee and Kentucky made an at- tempt to come over to the Union army, and 2 posi- tive mutiny in General Beauregard’s army was the result. The advance from our lines went over in force to aid the disaffected rebel soldiers and succeeded in bringing off some sixty of them. We publish an article to-day from the Charles- ton Courier of an extraordinary and most signifi- cant character, admitting the hopelessness of the rebel cause, and acknowledging that the misfor" tanes which have befallen the rebellious States are not more than their iniquities deserve. . CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday, the Territorial Commit- tee reported back the House bill to provide a temporary government for Arizona. The same committee also reported back the bill amend- ing the act for the government of Colorado by making the Governor’s veto qualified instead of absolute, and the bill passed. The House bill pro- hibiting slavery in the Territories was also re- ported back, with an amendment which changes the language of the bill to that of the ordinance of 1787. The report of the Committee of Conference ‘On the bill authorizing # railroad from Washington to Georgetown was agreed to. A communica- tion was received from the President, recom- mending @ vote of thanks to Flag Officer Farragut and the officers and men of the fleet under his command, for gallantry in the bat- tle with the forts and gunboats on the Mississippi and in the capture of New Orleans. A resolution was offered, which lics over, inquiring of the Sec- retary of the Navy as to the number of iron-clad vessels under contract, the character of their ar- mament, and when they will be ready for service. A resolation was also offered inquiring as to the rights and obligations of the United States and Great Britain to keep armaments on the Northern lakes. The Indian Appropriation bill was dis- eussed, but no action taken onit. The death of Mr. Goidsmith F. Bailey, a member of the House of Representatives from Massachusetts, was an- nounced, the customary resolutions of respect and condolence adopted, and the Senate adjourned. In the House of Representatives, the bill for the adjudication of claims of loyal citizens for loss of property and damages done thereto by the troops of the United States during the rebellion was taken up, discussed, and the subject postponed till Mon- day week. A bill establishing a coinage depart- ment in the New York Assay Office was ordered to be printed and recommitted to the Committee on Commerce. The Senate bill authorizing the ap- pointment of medical storckeepers and hospital chaplains was passed. The report of the Confer- ence Committee on the Homestead bill waa ac- cepted. The Senate bill setting apart ten per cent of the taxes paid by colored persona in the District of Columbia for the education of colored children was passed. Also the Senate bill requir. ing voters in the District whose loyalty is ques- tioned to take the oath of allegiance. The death of Mr. Goldsmith F’. Bailey, of Massachusetts, was ennouncéd. Kulogies were delivered by Messrs, ‘Thomas, Train, Eliot and Ashley. The customary resolutions were adopted, and the House adjourned. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The steamship Great Eastern, which was to have left Milford-Haven, England, on the 6th inst., is now due at this port. Her news will be two days later than the advices of the Niagara. To-day the third hamiliation, prayer and fast day will be observed by those who acknowledge ‘thomselves the subjects and servants of Jeff. Davis. The sick aud wounded soldiers in the West are fast recovering, and already they begin to return Yo their regiments at Pittsburg Landing. The Evansville (Indiana) Journct says crowds of them are daily passing through that city for the battle The rafroad bridge over the Cumberland river, Ot Nashville, which the rebela nearly destroyed when they evacuated that city, is being repaired. Tt was one of the finest bridges in the country. ‘The Richmond Whig sa « We have tought Pie enemy on his own ground —let him now meet @e vn ours.” Notone drop of | i has yet been spilled, in this annatural war, on free soil. The Whig is getting delirious, At the meeting of the Board of Aldermen yester. day, & communication was received from the Mayor suggesting some suitable acknowledgineat to Mr. Henry B. Dawson, of Morrisania, for fur- nishing authentic information relative to the Fi- nance Department of the city from the year 1777 to 1783, or during the period of the occupancy of the city by the British forces. It was announced that an ordinance would be reported at the next meeting appropriating another half million dol- lars for the relief of the families of volunteers. The proceedings of the Board of Councilmen yesterday evening will be read with some inte- rest, as they have reference to importapt local matters which have not engaged the attention of the Board for some time. The subject in refe- rence to the appropriation fund, as well as the voting $500 for the benefit of the returned wound- ed and sick soldiers, will meet with the full appro- bation of the public, as well as every lover of the Union cause. It will also be seen that the Com- mon Council have determined to invite Rev. Mr, Brownlow to partake of their hospitalities. The Committee on Advertising and Printing of the Board of Aldermen met yesterday afternoon in the City Hall to consider the subject of the pre- sent expense and future regulation of the munici- pal advertisements. A number of communica- tions from what are termed the ‘Corporation papers” and other journals were read in reply toa circular sent out from the committee. The writers stated the circulation g each paper, with an esti- mate of what the work would be done for in future per line. Two ‘Corporation papers'’—the Express and Metropolitan Record—did not reply to the letter of the committee up to the time of its ad. journment, The Committee of the Board of Councilmen on City Railroads met yesterday, when the com- plaints which have been made against the Harlem Railroad Company, in reference to the state of their track in Centre street, were inquir- ed into, and, after some discussion, laid over for further consideration. The petition of the inhabi- tants of the upper part of the city, requiring the Hudson River Railroad Company to slacken the specd of their trains while running between Thir- tieth and Fifty-second streets, was again brought up. Several of the engineers and conductors were examined, who testified that they had never run over that distance in a less time than eight minutes. Public records had also been consulted, by which it appears that about two-thirds more people have been killed below Thirtieth street, where horse power is used, than above that point, where steam power is used. The matter was finally laid over, and made the special order of business for the next meeting of the committee, on Monday next, at two o'clock. The Joint Special Committee of the Common Council on National Affairs met in the City Hall yesterday. The resolution adopted by the Com- mon Council in September, 1856, recommending that a Post Office be established at or near the junction of Broadway and Sixth avenue, for the convenience of the inhabitants in the upper part of the city, was brought up. The committee re- ported unanimously in favor of the proposed of- fice, and recommended that it be brought under the notice of the Postmaster General at Washing- ton. A sub-committee of five was appointed to draw up an ordinance showing in what way relief can be provided for the families of volunteers now at the seat of war. The committee then adjourn- ed until Monday next at three o'clock. In the matter of Robert W. Butler and John Lee, arrested for violating the Concert Saloon act, who were brought before Recorder Hoffman on a writ of habeas corpus, his Honor decided yes- terday that the writ of habeas egrpus should be dismissed, and that the defendants should be re manded. Messrs. Brady and Byrne will bring the case before the Supreme Court, and if unsuccess- dul there, will carry it to the Court of Appeals. The Grand Jury of the General Sessions yesterday indicted Mr. Butler for @ violation of the Concert Saloon law, and, having proucred bail, he wae per- mitted to leave until the trial takes place. Gtocks wore better yesterday, with the exception of governments, which seem to have reached their limit for the present. The favorite stocks of the day are the choaper railway shares, which are supposed to represent improving roads. Money was abundant at 4a 5 per coat. Exchange was steady at 113% a 114. Gold 103:¢. The sales of cotton yesterday footed up, in smail lots, about 450 bales, closing on the basis of 27c. a 27\c. for middling uplands, chiefly at the latter figure. Some holdors asked 28c, The flour market exhibited but little change from the quotations of the previous day. Commea and medium grades were in some cases rather firmer, while the higher qualities were irregular. The sales were toafairextent. Wheat was less buoyant in price, while the demand was steady and sales tolerably active, in part for export. Corn was rather firmer, with sales of Wostern mixed at 52c. a S3c., fn store and delivered. Pork was heavy and dull. Sales of mess were made at $12 62% and at $12 873; for heavy barrels, and at $987}; a $10 for prime. Beef and lard were firm. Sugars were steady and in good request, with sales of about 1,100 bhds. and 75 boxes at full prices. Coffee was in steady request, with sales of 1,070 bags Santes by private sale and 900 do. do. by auction—the latter at 19c. a 2414c. Freights wore firm, and engagements made to a fair extent at full rates. The Last Standpoints of the Rebellion, Richmond and Corinth—-What is Our Policy? The concentration of the rebellion at two points—Richmond~™and Corinth—leaves the federal government completely master of the situation. Nothing but impatience, or too great sensitiveness to newspaper criticism on the part of our generals, can possibly deprive it of this advantage. At both these places the rebels are being closely surrounded and their commu- nications with their sources of supply cut off On Richmond McDowell is advancing from the north, Banks from the northwest, McClellan from the southeast, Fremont from the west and Burnside from the south. Our gunboats, be- sides, command all the water approaches to the city. At Corinth the position of things is equally satisfactory. Whilst on the east Beau- regard’s force is completely hemmed in by Halleck’s main army, Pope and Mitchel are operating further south, cutting off all his rail- road communications. To the north of him General Lew. Wallace is also in movement, blocking up the avenues of escape in that direction; and due south is the force under General Butler. Between Farragut and Davis the river communications of the enemy are re- duced to a very small range, and the surrender or destruction of his few remaining gunboats is only a question of days. Situated thus at his last points of resistance, and ‘where he has staked everything on this new policy of con- centration, only two alternatives remain open to him—that of giving battle ander heavy dis- advantage, or of seeing his armies demoralized and wasted away. What is the true policy of our generals under these circumstances? There are assembled at Richmond and Corinth armies amounting in the aggregate to considerably over half a million of men. Humanity shudders at the prospect of the slaughter that must ensue from a conflict between such immense hosts. Most people will agree with us in the opinion that itis the duty of the federal commanders to spare the effusion of blood as far as is consistent with, the inte. rests entrusted to them. It should be borne in mind that the blood thus shed will not be that of men who are strangers to each other, but of former brethren, of people of the same race NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1862. and nationality. To spare ourselves the after reflections resulting from such events, wo can afford to wait a little longer. Nothing presses us to hurry on an engagement at either of the poiats at whieh the rebels have decided to make their final stand. Norfolk, Beaufort, Port Royal and New Orleans are iu our possession, Mobile is invested, and before another fortnight is over Savannah and Charleston will also be ours. We can then bid defiance, both legally and mate- rially, to any schemes of interference which the European governments may choose to engage in against us. With the fleet of iron-clad ves- sels that we shall have at our disposal, Eng- land and France will not dare to attack us. We can therefore afford to adopt the course that humanity, good policy and regard for the opinion of the world dictate. By precipitating battles at the two places named, we risk, in case of a disaster, the indefinite protraction of the war. By enclosing the Confederates within a network from which they cannot escape, and starving them into submission, we gain two ob- jects which the country weuld be gratitied to accomplish—that of sparing the further effu- sion of blood and capturing and punishing the rebel leaders. This line of policy cannot be entrusted to better hands than those of Gene- rals McClellan and Halleck. If the govern- ment consults the interests and feelings of the country it will sapport them in pursuing it. Spoils of the War—The Tribune Owns that the Herald “Is Constantly Ahead.” We have received many curious spoils from the war. Rebel flags, shinplasters, wooden guns, shots and shells, old charters and other mementoes of the rebellion have often been sent to our office. To-day, however, we present our readers with the most curious specimen of all. It isa letter from Mr. S. H. Gay, who bas been, since Dana left, the leading editor, under poor Greeley, of the Tribune, to one of his re- porters at Yorktown. One of our correspond- ents—who see everything, hear everything, kuow everything and find everything—fished this unique epistle out of a pile of rebel docu- ments, love letters, old title deeds, notebooks, &c., after the evacuation of Yorktown. Wo do not know the name of the Tribune reporter to whom it is addressed; but his notes in pencil are on the back of the original letter:— Orrick oF THE True, New Yor«, April 28, 1362 My Dxax Sim—Mr. Sinclair has gone to ye army before Yorktown to make arrangements to get us ye nows. He will probably gee you, & you will act in conjunction with him. Your sketch of yo battie-ground of ye 16th came just eight days after ye battle. Of course it waa useless, The corr: of yo Philadelphia Inquirer had sent one to that paper, which it had ba caved & pub: lished, which I had also had engraved & published. three days be(ore yours reached me. I pray you remember ye Tribune is a daily news-paper—or meant to bo—& nota historical record of past evonts. Correspondence to be of any value must be prompt, fresh, & full of facts. I know how difficult it is, under ye censor-ship to write, but there must bo facts enough of gonoral interest all about you to make adaily letter. Yours for to-morrow’s paper is ye best you have sent us—short & to ye purpose. I should tike you to write daily, if only ahalt, a quarter column, so that ye report of all you may teil bd con- Unuous. The curiosity & anxiety about Yorktown is feverish, & ye public like bag 2 ad best that is always ving something. If thereis lately nothing to write t, dcop @ line aud tell me that. Huaato {s con- sans ahead of us with Yorktown news. The battle of ye 16th we wore compelled to copy from / Yrs. very truly, . H. GaY. We commend this Jeter to the attention of the profession and the public. It is avery neat model of a scolding letter. It shows what the Tribune fellows think of themselves, each other, the Tribune and the Heraup. It an- nounces that the “ Tribune is a daily newspaper, or meant to be.” We are only sorry that its editors and proprietors do not make it what it was “ meant to be,” not transform it into a dull organ of agun manufactory.- This letter con- tains, also, an excellent resume of what a cor- respondent should write. In Mr. Gay’s opinion the Tribune correspondents do not come up to the standard, and he has been compelled to “copy from” the Herauv. He directs his re- porter, “if there is absolutely nothing to write about,to drop a line and tell him that.” This explains why the Tribune's original matter gene- rally telis the public—nothing. Finally, Mr’ Gay, the leading editor of the Tribune, say: “The Hxratv is constantly ahead of us in Yorktown news. The battle of ‘the 16th we were compelled to copy from it.” Thank you, Mr. Gay. But why not acknowledge this openly in your editorial columns, and not clandestinely in letters to your reporters? Why not admit the truth, and confess that the Hrraton is con- stantly ahead of you in everything, and that you are compelled to copy all items of interest from us? Why not be as candid about Beaure- gard’s cypher despatch as about Yorktown? Why not make a clean breast of it, and tell how often your “ special correspondence” is written up in your office from the Hexatp’s columns? Come, let the Tribune editors be honest for once, and then give up trying to make a “ daily newspaper,” or what “is mreant to be,” and confine themselves to the gun business exclu- sively. Epwix James ann tHe New York Barn.—We publish in another column this morning a ra- ther interesting correspondence relgtive to Mr. Edwin James and his admission to the bar of New York. The gist of the whole matter is that a little clique of lawyers is very auxious to expel Mr. James from the bar, to which he was honorably admitted upon the recommenda- tion of Judge Edmonds, who always consults the spirits before undertaking anything either in law or gospel, and, therefore, knows pretty well what he is about; and, to accomplish this, this clique have trumped up the old charges of the English press, that Mr. James borrowed some money’some time ago from a noble lord in England, and was unable to pay the debt thus incurred. Now, how many of the fifteen hun- dred lawyers of New York are able to pay the money they borrow? And how many more would ever repay borrowed money if they could find any one to lend it to them? The lawyers may all be respectable men. All of them are members of the bar. Some of them are members of half a dozen bars. Some of them are deacons of churches. Others deliver pious speeches at Sunday School anniversaries. Still, in spite of all these facts, there are but forty or fifty gontlemen out of these fifteen hundred lawyers to whom we would lend ten dollars, with any expectation of ever having it return- ed. We regard all this fuss about Mr. Edwin James, therefore, as much ado about nothing— @ tempest in a teapot—a mere ebullition of petty spites and jealousies. Mr. James is a very talented man and an able lawyer. He can make money here, in his profession. When he makes money enough he will doubtless pay his English debts, like any other honest lawyer. Why, then, should any impediments be placed in his way? Why should he thus-be prevented from becoming an honest man? Ovr Westerns Journats ox tue Wan--The newspapers of Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis have been all along, and still are, rendering good service to the enemy ia their premature disclosures of the plans and movements of our Western armies, and in this way have become a perfect nuisance to our Western military lead- ers. Those disobedient and reckiess Western newspapers demand a apecial edict from tho War Office. Let them have it. Debt and Taxation—A Look at the Fu- ture. Mr. Chase has recently stated that the na- tional debt arising from the present war would amount to six hundred millions of dollars by July 1862. As the expenditure will probably be continued for at least another year, inas- much as after the rebels are subdued it will be necessary to occupy the Southern States with armies in order to keep them in subjection fora time, and to restore the complete su- premacy of the federal laws, the whole debt wiil then amount to twelve or fifteen hundred millions of dollars. But, assuming that by some unforeseen circumstances, or some mia- management of the War or Navy Department, the struggle should be prolonged for another year, the debt accumulated ‘fn two years from the present time, or in three years from the be- ginning of the war, will not be less than five Uousand millions of dollars. The interest upon that amount will be from five per cent to 7.30, according to the rate and conditions of the securities. The average will be about six per cent, which is nearly double the rate of in- terest upon the English debt. The interest upon the American debt would thus amount to $120,000,000. The interest on the English war debt on the Slat of March, 1860, was £24,371,376, or one hundred and twenty- one millions of dollars, the debt itself being £742,936,087, or upwards of three thousand seven hundred millions of dollars. Thus then the interest of our war debt in three years will have amounted to about the same as the Eng- lish debt in three centuries, and we can do as much fighting in one year as John Bull can in a hundred years. Why are we able to raise such armies and to sustain so vasta debt in so brief a space of time? It is because our country is the greatest in the world, with its resources fresh and un- touched, and because we are an energetic peo- ple, who go ahead alike in war or peace, and conduct all our affairs on a grand scale com- mensurate with the vastness of the country. It would break England or any other nation in the world to keep such an army in the field. England will never pay the principal of her debt. She virtually repudiates a portion of it by lowering the rate of interest from time to time. Not so with the American people. They will pay an average of six per cent interest for their debt till it is com- pletely redeemed by « sinking fund. The financial effect of these conditions of the debt on prices and property hereafter, will be in the course of a few years to depress to a certain extent all descriptions of real or personal property, but to raise the value of government stocks very rapidly after peace is certain. There will be a great but gradual revolution or reduction in all values of real estate, railroads and bank stocks, but a certain rise in United States government stocks. The taxes about to be imposed by Congress, amounting to ten per cent on the annual value of all the products of land and labor, equal to $200,000,- 000 per annum, will cause these changes and perturbations in value hereafter. Let com- merce and trade prepare for an entire new state of things. This enormous war debt has been originated by the rascality of the politicians at the North and at the South; and now it is unnecessarily and vastly increased by the wholesale plunder- ing of the same class of men. The jobberies the abolition newspapers alone are equal to amillion of dollars, of which the gan contracts of the Tribune will foot up halfa million. It fs increased also needlessly and enormously by the mismanagement of the departments at Washington, for which an account will have to be rendered in the future. Who will have to pay the priacipal and the interest of the debt? The industrious people They will have to pay it in immense taxation, which will absorb ten per cent of the whole annual produce of the country; in other words, for every dollar earned by either a rich or @ poor man he will have to pay ten cents, and for every hundred doHars ten dollars. Then will be the time and oppor- tunity for new parties to spring up and to supersede the old factions forever. It is uscless, therefore, to be now attempting to save the re- publican party from destruction, or to revamp the shattered democratic party. Both parties are equally corrupt, and both have brought the civil war upon the country for which the people will be so heavily mulcted. A day of reckoning is at hand, and the corrupt poli- ticians of all parties will be swept away like chaff before the whirlwind, or prairie grass be- fore the devouring flame. Their crimes are rapidly accumulating. Their cup’ of guilt will soon overflow, and then will condign punish- ment fall swift as lightning upon the heads of those who, in addition to all their other enorml- ties, are now calumniating the magnificent army and brilliant generals who are winning victory after victory over rebellion, and shed- ding their blood like rain to save the country from the misfortunes which have been brought upon it by the misdeeds of these very poli- tcians during she lst tlrty youre Suovine Ir Orr.-—“ Confederate” paper mo- ney is becoming a drug in the Southern mar- ket, and holders are beginning to “shove it off” in every possible way. In Norfolk they are selling “ Confederate” bills as relics of the rebellion; in Richmond they are “ shoving them off” for corporation shinplasters ; in Memphis, at ten cents on the dollar, for lands, jewelry, silverware, &c., and in New Orleans General Butler has allowed the people every possible chance to “shove off” this Confederate trash, till otherwise ordered. Let them “shove it offy? for, as the newsboys would say, all hold- ers “will be stuck” with the shoving off of Davis & Co. from Richmond. A New Bott rrom tus Warn Orrice—Secre- tary Stanton’s bulletin against any news to the newspapers of the impending battle at Corinth until it shall have been reported at the War Department. Our republican journals are ‘king wry faces about it. We don’t com- plain. Secretary Stanton may think that news, like wine, improves by age, and wo must in- dulge him in his experiments. We can assure him, however, that the Henrarp will still keep ahead of its contemporaries with the news, whatever system of transmission he may adopt— telegraphs, railways, steamboats, pigeons, cou- ters, ponies or post coaches. So let the honora- ble Secretary go on with bis experiments. We are ready for any tyial, frem a balloon to an army wagon. ee, cterks 4°? 2n8wor the inquiries of Congressmen anf ‘others tou. "8 ® great variety ofaubjects. Information ie constantly , 8'V88 Concerning persons who have boos Jong lost to the ‘"Owledge of near relatives and friends. vue y ®W YORK custom Hous, ‘The House Comm, 'tt¢e on Commerce has reported a bill to facilitate tho collea, "0" Of customs in New York and establishing the office o” Solicitor of Customs, the cousis deration of which is post, ‘ned. COINAGE AT THE N&\” YORK ASSAY OrFicr. Mr. Ward's bill and repore,+ from the Committee om Commeres, in reference to coim'ge at the Assay Office at New York, will meet with desperate opposition from Pennsylvania members, In order $0 bavecomérol of tha bill, and insure action upon it, Mr. Ward desirew! it to be recommitted to the Committee on Commerce after it hag been printed. 4 strong but unsuccessful eilort has beem made to get the Dill out of the hands of the Comntitte® on Commerce, and to have it etowed away in the Comanit- tee of Ways and Moans. It remains now under the cone trol of the committee by which it was originated, ang may be brought up whenever there is a chance for immediate action. HARBOR AND SEA COAST DEFENCES, The report of Mr. Blair, from the House Military Com+ mittee on Permanent Fortifications and Sea Coast De- fonces, is exhaustive of the subject. It is one of the ‘most interesting documents ever laid before Congress. It comprises a complete history of all the defences of the country, and the various systems that have from timeto timo been adopted. Appended to the report is thorevieed report of tho Board of Engincers on defences of the seaboard, made by Barnard and Totten, in 1826; the message of the Prosident, with roports of the Séeretariow of War and Navy, on the subject of defences, made im 1836; the report of the Secretary of War, on asystem of national defence, made in 1840, which also includes & memorial of Goneral Gaines upon military discipline and defences; a report of General Hoary W. Hallock, thew Lieutengnt of Engineers, upon means of national de- fence; and a report of the Secretary of War om the subject of fortifications, made in 1851, with accompanying documents. These reports are the ablost treatises upon the subject over written, and many of thom are very scaree, This volume will be one of the most valuab!e compilations ever given to the public. In the bill accompanying tho report the committee provide for tho organization of a board, to institute @ perfoct system of permanent national defences, VOTE OF THANKS TO THE CAPTORS OF NEW ORLEANS. The President has recommended to Congress tho pas- sage of a vote of thanks to Captain Farragut, and also to thirty other officers, by name, for their gallantry and ser- vices in the capture of forts Jackson and St. Philip aud the city of New Orleans, and the destruction of various rams and gunbecats, NAVAL APPOINTMENTS. Tho Navy Department has appointed the following as Acting Masters’ Matcs:—Benj. F. Ritter, Philadelphia; John L, Robins, Hampton Roads; James Hoggaud, Joba L, Staples, Washington, and Frederick F. Baurey, Boston, FRAUDS IN THE PAY OF MILEAGE OF CONGRESSMEN, ‘Tho investigations of the House Committee on mileage of members has developed the fact that a number of the choicest of the patriots have extravagant ideas of the distance necessary to be travelled from their homes. to roach Washingtop. For the first time in many years the committee have undertaken to estimate the real distance travelled. A saving of fifty thousand dollars in this iteu: is the consequence, The committee will, probably, be- fore the close of the session, bring in a bili reducing the rate of mileage allowed, and making it conformable to the increased fa-ilities for locomotion. THE WASHINGTON AND GEORGETOWN RAILROAD. There has been an immense lobby, including the Tribune people, touching the City Railway bill, which passed to- day. Thesmall lobbyites, that have been wriggling alt winter to get certain names into the bill.as corporators, are foiled, bat it is anticipated that the big operators. from Northern cities will] secure all the stock. The bil provides that the stock shall aji be subscribod for in ive days, and twenty-five per cent be paid in cash, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Tho desire is geuerally expressed that the person who shall be appoinoed by the President to be chief of the new Bureau of Agriculture, shail be an educated man, and one who thoroughly comprehends the theory and practice of agriculture. News from the West Indics. MOVEMENTS OF THE BRITISH FLEET—WAB SHIPS YOR NEW ORLEANS, [From the Bermuda Royal Gazette, April 29.} Her Majesty's ship Liffey, hence at Nassau, N. P.,o@ the 29th |, and left next day on ber way to Havana, Mobile and New Orleans. She was spoken with on the Sth by Her Majesty's ship Mx. Sucrwrary Weutes vor Norvors.—The President, the Secretary of War and the Secre- tary of the Treasury having returned from Nor- folk and reported the Merrimac out of the way, old Mr, Secretary Welles, of the Navy Depart- ment, is going down. No danger now. We presume that, after the fashion of the Roman Emperor, who returned from the sauvage island of Britain with the spoils of some sea shells picked up on the coast, Mr. Welles will return from Norfolk with « shipload of shell fish from Governor Wise’s “oyster fundum.” Let him send us a barrel, care of Mr. Morgan, and we will pay the commission, and, if the oysters are good, we will give the ancient Secretary a first rate notice as a good judge of oysters. —— NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. OFFICIAL. WAR GAZETTE. ORDER OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT RELACIVE TO PASSES—OPFICIAL WAR BULLETIN, War Derarrxenr, “Wasuincron City, D, C., May 14, 1862, Ke is.ordored that all applications for passes to visit Fortress Monroe, Norfo!k, Yorktown, or other places on tho waters of the Chesapeake, bo Loreafter made to Major General John A. Dix, of Baltimore. e EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War, GENERAL NEwS. ‘Wasuinaton, May 15, 1862. REPORTS FROM GENERAL M‘CLELLAN AND GENERAL HALLECK. Tho whole community here hag been painfully oxcited to-day by rumors of the defeat of Genoral Hallick, at Coriuth. Upon careful investigation it is ascertained that there ia no foundation whatevor for the report. The news received at the War Department to-day, dated yesterday, from the armica of Generals McCidlian and Halleck, indicate that preparations are going on, but no movement or engagement of importance bad taken place. The slow and sura movements of Generals Halleck and McClellan convinco experienced military men here that those Generals believe that the rovels are in great strength immediately in their front. As General McClelian is reported to be at Cumberland it would seem that he may make a detour towards Rich- mond, iustead of marching through the swampy region bordering the Chickahominy on the main route. Cum- borland is above White House, on the Pamunkoy river, and the latter place has already boon reached by our gunboats. The river is believed to be navigable for transports for a considerable distance up. Circumstances that have recently transpired, and in- formation that has been accurately ascertained, have vindicated the position maintained by General McClellan iv regard to the march upon Richmond, and convinced the Cabinet that he was better posted, and had moro wisdom in the matter, than all the political Generals who were clamoring for his ramoval, and importunate for a rapid and heedless movement of our army towards Rich- mond. ABKIVAL OF RELEASED AND REBEL PRISONERS AND SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS. In addition to the steamers Hero and Kent, which brought hither the released Union prisoners last night, the Keanebec has arrived with upwards of 450 wounded rebels from Williamsburg. These men are for the greater part slightty wounded, and are attended by rebol sur- geons and nurses. A strict guard is kept over this boat; no visitors are porruitted, The steamor State of Maine also arrived with about 330, the J.P. Warner with 400, and the Fim City with 450sick anf wounded from various Union regiments ‘They are veing removed to the various hospitals to-day. THE SICK SOLDIERS. > ‘Yoo sick who arrived to-day in the Elm City, undor chargo of the sauitary commission, are receiving every attention, and prompt provision has been made for their reception into the bospitais here, The passage was made witn comfort. There have arrived within the last two days about 1,400 of our sick from the South, and others are soon expected. THY TAX BILIa ‘rhe impreseina is gaining ground that Mr. Simmons’ schedule of a tax bill will be substitutea by the Senate for the House bill. It is stated that although the Finance Committee agreed to report tho House Tax bill, &@ majority of the committee ia opposed to | Molpomene on et way tre aa a Ke tft it, Mr. Simmons’ bill preserves the machinery | Nogsau, N. P., on the 8th instant, on a cruise, in cvnse- of the House bill, but proposes to raise two hun- dred aud sixty-six millions of revenue, one hundred to be raised from duties on inports, one hundred from a tax of one-half of ope per cent on allsales, and the balance from @ tax on spirits, malt liquors, playing cards, tobac- co, oils and licenses. ‘These aro the only articles specifi- cally taxed. It i generally believed that this programme for a revenue will prevail. TRE CONSERVATIVES AND THE RADICALS. ‘The conservative members of Congress have had by no means an easy time this session. They are kept con- stantly betwoen Scylla and Charybidis—democracy on the one band and radical abotitionism on the other, Poii- tical association with either of them wouid frustrate the patriotic purposes of the conservatives. To avoid the appearance of attempting to organize a distinct political party, the introduction of resolutions, under the auspices of the recent caucus, has been for the present aban- doned. The majority of the conservatives are unwilling to cast themselves into the arms of the democracy, opened invitingly to them, and thus consolidate the re- publican party and reproduce precisely the state of affeirs which culminated in the present rebellion. ‘The radical abolitionists are, however, exerting their utmost ivgennity to effect this result. Their continual agitation of obnoxious anti-slavery schemes is intended to prevent @ coalition of the Chicago platform republicans with the conservative men of other parties. For the present, however, it is believed that enough of there- pubdlicans proper are pledged to oppose the radical mea- sures of the abolition faction to check their contemplated mischievous legisiation. The conservatives are anxious to hurry through whatever measures are really neces- sary for tho maintenance of the government, and a vigor- ous prosecution of the war for the Union, and then ad- journ ; but the radicals are determined, if possible, to prevent an adjournment, and to keep up sectional agita- tion, and even to protract the war for this purpose. They regard with manifest dissatisfaction the rapid progress recently made by the Union armies, It may be reason- ably expected that, unless sternly rebuked by the voice of the people, some of these patriots will be found openly obstructing the conclusion of civil war, unless it should be perverted to suit their fanatical purposes: All conservative men here are shocked at tho sweeping mensures of confiscation proposed by the radicals. They provide substantially for the abolition of slavery, be- cause slaveholders, for the most part, are considered as rebels by these bills. There are a quarter of a million of slaveholdors and a quarter of @ million of other property holders in the South that would be made beggars by the execution of this programme. It is pretended that this wholesale confiscation is for the purpose of com- ponsating for the expenses of the war; but none will dare to go into the Africanized South among an infuriated peopie to purchase estates. It is proposed, also, to arm the negroes, and in effect make them superior to the million of whites, who are to be deprived of their property. Of course, under such circumstances, there will be no cotton or other orops, nor any demand for Northern manufactures from the South. jo quence of several vessels which had arrived there having reported that they bad been fired at in the neighbor! of Abaco and the Berry Islands, by vessels not carrying any colors. The inhabitants of the Babamas ik it would be better for the federal ships-of war, for they presume that the vessels alluded to arc United Stator vessels, if they gave more attention to the blockade ¢ their own ports, particularly of those of South Carolina than extend it to the since December last - sixty vesvels had arrived at Nassau from that coast—five of the number had come in, laden with cotton, within the week ending the 9th instant. ‘We understand that Admiral Milne and family will cm Dark on board the flag ship Nile on Monday next.and proceed to Murray’s Anchorage, and leave for Halifax ‘soon after the arrival of the mail due here on the fullow- ing day. Tho Admiral will be accompanied by the ma- ity of the ships-of-war now here. M.S. Donegal will leave for Eugland about Tuesuay |. screw corvette Jason (21), Captain Von Donop, from Vera Cruz, arrived here on Tuesday last. In con- sequence of the Jason having had somo cases of yellow fever on board she was ordered by the Admiral to pro- ceed to Halifax, for which place she lett on Wednesday. H.M. screw steam gunvessel Nimble, Lieutenant ~ D'Arcy, arrived on Wednesday morning from Halifax. Same day H. M. steamor Petrol (11), Commander G. W. Wats n, from Plymouth. A. M. screw steamship Sans Pareil (70), Captain Bow- year, left om Thursday for Kugland. 8he took home the 1, Commander Wilson, same day mat battalion brought from Moxico, — a Spi for Jama H. M. paddle wheel steamer Hydra (6), Commander Hasitod ets last evening tor Halifax. Wattack’s Tanatrs.—The production of Bulwer's cele- brated comedy of ‘‘Money’’ at this house last evening wana perfect success. The acting of all engaged in the various parts of the play was perfect, and the new dresses and scenery—which to good acting is what con- diments are toa fine dish—were really superb, Lester Wallack ably sustained the character of Alfred Evelyn, and Mrs. Hoey’s portrait of Clara Douglass was rendered with her usual skill, although she was painfully troubled with a racking cough which she vainly attempted en_ tirely to suppress. Blako’s Benjamin Stout was wel) acted,and Charles Fisher’s Graves could not ersily be surpassed, Mark Smith’s Sir Joba Vesey might have been better if less labored; and the character of the daughter of the poor but avaricious baronet was cleverly personified by Mrs. Sloan, Miss Fanny Morant played the artful widow to perfection, and the character of the fop, Sir Frederick Blount, was not injured by being in the hands of Mr. Floyd. The rest of the charactors were properly distributed ; and to say that the piece was alto. gether finely played is superfiuous, when wo consider that it was produced at Wallack’s. The reverse would simply be an impossibility under the present manage- ment and with their well seleeted company. ‘The house was attended bya fashionable audience, who appeared to jate all the fine points of the author's cencep- tion, To-night Bulwor's ‘‘Lady of Lyons’ will be per- formed, and to-morrow “Money” is announced to be ro- Mr. Gorrscnarx’s Last Concent-—The last of the scries of concerts for which Mr. Gottschalk is engaged to Mr. Grau for the present season is announced for Tuesday next at Niblo’s, All the artists of the Opera troupe wild ‘assist upon this occasion. PassrimiaraTion.—Mr. Herrmaun returned to New York on Wednesday last from s long and most suocess(ul tour. ‘The only soiress that he intonds giving hore untik the fall are one for a Catholic charity and another in aid of the Sanitary Commission. a Sovnnes Faancaisms.—Tho closing performance of these agreeable entertainments takes place this evening * Niblo’s Saloon. The pieces will be seJobin ot Nanette, oe “Soutien mot dane Youll” and‘‘La Corde Sensible,” elk rious of Strategy. Ideas a Onren oe Goephis Avaienety May 7.) oe ‘Wo learn from an officer, lately rots Virgo ee Rca tt at ana Paty rie let utc mg those jeft behind. £0 we may expect 1s ofa pattlo at or near Yorktown, before hows to federal dominatian. ———————— Payment of Awards of Canal Ay ' 6 Auditor of the Canal Department is no Aod ‘awards made by the Canal with (nterest to tho Ist instadhy: awards cease to bear inter EMANCIPATION IN FLORIDA. * Several Florida refugees, who are here, are said to be preparing, under the instructions of Mr. Sumner, a memo- rial to Congrese, setting fortn a statement that a ty df the people of Florida are in favor of emancipation of the slaves. EDUCATION OF THE CONTRABANDS. Tho Northern abolitionists are sending primers and catechisme here to aid in edueating the horde of contra- bands that is accumalhting in this Distriet. Experience ‘8 Port Royal showed that the iron spevtacied old women made mischief, while compulsory labor by smart over seers could alone make things tolerable. s WHAT THE REPUBLICANS SAY OR SENATOR LANE. Senator Lane, of Kansas, bas been under a cload with everybody since his Kansas ‘‘skedaddle.” Republicans freely say that, after so much blowing about fighting, hi retirement was utterly disgraceful. ‘The Kansas military district being again revived, he has an opportunitysio partially rocovar his lost prestige. ‘THE REGISTAATION OF NAMES OF HRADS OF FAILING, A resotuzion of Congress requires that theyChief of the Consus Bureau shall keep a register of tno heads of (miles cf (he coun ty, The vast (ual ofp ormation at hand in (hat bureau requires @ lag, Yermanent force of