The New York Herald Newspaper, May 24, 1862, Page 6

NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1862.-TRIPLE SHEET. NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. ‘OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS, A ve , F PERIMS cash in adpance. Money sent by matt will be at the ‘risk 0) the sender” “None but Han bille current in New York THE DAILY HERALD, two cents per copy. $7 per anni. THE WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturdiy, ut wt cents ner copy, or $3 per annum; the European Ed.tion every Watuesday, at star cents per er Nor anni to any part of Great Britain, 36 part or Continent, both to include portage; the mon the lst, lth and 2lst q/ each month, as si opy, or $2 TS per dium. MILY HEBALD, on Wednexlay, at four cents per range “ARY CORRESPONDENCE. containing important seize, solicited from any quarter of the worl; if used, will be Diborlly povid Jor, RG-OUR FORKIGN CONRRSPONDENTS ARS Pauncvtancy Regumsrep to Seat aL Lerrens axp Pack- v (ORS SENT US y “E taken of anonymous correspondence, We do not communtoatlons. D SEMENTS renewed every day: advertisements in- nei ted in ‘kext Henarn, Pawaiy Henatp, und in the California coud Buropean Edition " JOB PRINTING executed with neatness, heayness and dew pa WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Ross Guxconio. WALLACK’S THEATRE, 814 Broadway.—Jomn Butt, LAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, Brosdway.—Sza or Icr. NEW BOWERY THEATRE. Bowery.—Sitvator Rosa— a. B.'s Wies—Puantom | Rive—Uwscr oF INTEREST. BOWERY THEATRE, Sxies—ALoNz0 THE Buare. BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM. Broadway.—Com Exar Waatg, Dog Suvw, &c, at all hours— ok ORKINA—Dwap Suor, afternoon and evening, Bowery.—Zenvivca~Winarp's BRYANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanic Hall.—t72 Broad- way.—kucaxp Car. NIBLO’S SALOON, Broadway. La citta psi Kxciuxyto. Matinee at One 0? Clock— GATETIES CONCERT HALL, 616 Broadway.Daaw:xe Room Entertainments, NOVELTY MUSIC HALL, 616 Broadway.—Soinez Mvsi- CALE. TRIPLE SHEET. New York, Saturday, May 24, 1362, THE SITUATION. The latest news received at the War Department from General McClellan's headquarters, near Bottom’s Bridge, report preparations for aigrand attack actively going on. Our correspondence from theepeninsula, which we publish to-day, is dated at White House, Bal- timore Cross Roads, and Tunstall’s station, as late as Thursday, the 22d. The operations of the advance of General McClellan’s army at that time are accurately recounted. The portion farthest in front is now within five miles of Richmond, to which point the rebels have fallen back and show- ing but feeble resistance. The greatest consterna, ion and distress exist in Richmond. The citizens are leaving in large numbers. The rebel troops are said to be utterly dissatisfied with their leaders and quite demoralized. The men drawn from the cotton States declare that if ordered to abandon Rich- mond they will burn it down, while the soldiers delonging to Virginia protest that if Richmond is to be evacuated they will not leave the State for any point farther South. If this state of affairs be true, the army may be well said to be demo- ralized. Some gentlemen who fied from Peters- burg describe the condition of things there as fearful. They state that the sufferings of the peo- ple ere almost beyond endurance. The scarcity of provisions was so‘great that everything was seized for the army, and even the soldiers have been on half rations for s week past» with no prospect of even this supply continuing for any great length of time. ‘The work of conscription was progressing, and the roads to Richmond were thronged with un- armed men, old and young, being driven along ‘ander strongly armed guards. These gentlemen represent that no people in modern times have suffered more than the people of Virginia are now suffering, every household being in fear of an ap- proaching famine. They also state that General Beauregard arrived at Richmond on Tucsday— at least that it was so announced and understood at Petersburg on Wednesday morning. In addition to these statements, the extracts which we give to-day from the Richmond papers will throw much light on the state of things in Vir- ginia. They lay great stress on the impregnability of the fort at Drury’s Bluff and the obstructions in the James river, concluding that Richmond cannot be taken by water. The course of Jeff. Davis in proclaiming fasta and prayers is severely com- mented upon. The Richmond Examiner says, for example:—‘‘When we find the President standing in a corner telling his beads, and relying on a miracle to save the country, instead of mounting his horse and putting forth every power of the government to defeat the enemy, the effect is depressing in the extreme.” ‘The minute history of the battle of Williamsburg, following hard upon the evacuation of Yorktown, which we give in our columns to-day, with accom- panying maps and diagrams, will no doubt be pe- reused with the interest it merits, and will remain on record as an evidence of the hardest fighting and the most splendid personal valor which modern cillitary history furnishes. Out of the “nettle danger” which encircled our troops for a time, General McClellan, by his timely movement in the front, literally plucked ‘the flower safety.” A day of desperate fighting reduced the strength of our men. To combat the enemy on a ground out up as that battle fleld was, cecp with mud, and strewn °with fallen trees, in the face, too, of an incessant rain storm, was almost more thah fresh troops could accomplish; but when Gen. McClellan bronght the reinforcements the fortunes of the day were speed- ily changed, and thus a conflict which threatened to prove at least a temporary repulse was con- ‘verted into a glorious victory. The report of the evacuation of Fort Wright, on the Mississippi river, appears to have been prema- ture, for at one o’clock on Wednesday morning our mortar boats opened fire upon it, and the at. tack was vigerously returned from the fort. CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday, the resolution directing the Judiciary Commitice to inquire as to what fegiaiation is necessary to protect negroes from pncons'itutional seizure was adopted. A bill re- ourts of the District of Columbia to the Judiciary Committee, and a PM for a general bankrupt law was also referred by tho pame pommttop. A pill providing that ap- pointments on the army staffs shall be sent to the Senate for confirmation was passed. The Tax bill was then taken ap, and on reading the seventy-fifth section the Senate adjourned. The session of the House of Representatives was devoted to debate on the Confiscation bills. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The French frigate Guerrere, Com. R. De Silva, fourteen days from Vera Cruz, arrived at this port yesterday. She is a screw steamer of six hundred horse power, mounts thirty-four guns, and has a crew of five hundred men. The Guerrere reports the United States frigate Potomac at Vera Cruz— all well. - The steamer North Star arrived at this port yes- terday, bringing us news from the Isthmus to the 15th inst. From the Colombian States we learn that the Provisional President, General Mosquera, has issued a decree convoking the National As- sembly to meet on the 6th of August next, at Car- thagena, instead of at Bogota. He declares that if at that time the State of Antioquia is not incor. porated into the Colombian Union it will be brought in by force, as the government can no jonger consent to be thus dismembered. An offi- cial bulletin of April 24, issued in Carthagena, confirms the report of the victory of General Pay- an over Enao, in the Cauca, and the arrest of the latter, with some three hundred and fifty men. Several destructive fires had broken out in Valpa- raiso, causing great devastation. Pera was tran- quil. The coal mines at Concepcion were in the way of being abandoned, consequent on the com- petition with English imported coal. Trade throughout the Southern republics was only gra- dually reviving. Health very good. The schooner Mary Harris, from Nassau May 14, arrived yesterday, bringing the mails. There were about thirty Confederate steamers and schooners in port, laid up, awaiting the warto close, preferring rather to remain in Nassau than run the risk of a capture, as they consider the Southern ports effectually closed to them. Accounts have been received from the French West India Islands to the 10th of April. A second levy of sailors had been made at Guadaloupe for the French fleet on the coast of Mexico, These unlooked for levies have caused great embarrass- ment to commercial operations, and much of the port business had been suspended. The accounts of the crops in both islands were satisfactory, as were also those of the health of the colony. The last accounts from Pekin announce that the government of the Emperor of China had decided on sending an embassy extraordinary to France and England, which will be placed under the di- rection of Pao-Kioung, member of the Privy Council and Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The present liabilities of the Southern bogus confederacy approximate to the following figures:— Borrowed from banks........ Sererry State aid, to be reimbursed Due bills for property seized . Due bills for property destroyed. War loans...... Treasury notes Due soldiers. . Totals... ices siceder eee secisieesi + +++ -$410,000,000 Captain Boyce, of the Tenth Ohio regiment, who has arrived at Evansville, Ind., from Huntsville, Als., states that General Mitchel has granted passes to John Bell and Jere. Clemens to visit Washington for the purpose of making arrange: ments for re-establishing peace in the Southwest. Gencral Wm. L. Rosecrans left Ev: le, Ind., on the 18h inst. for Pittsburg Landing. One hundred and fifty tons of fixed ammunition left the Indianapolis (Ind.) arscnal on the 16th inst for the neighborhood of Corinth, Miss. ‘The contributions for the sufferers by the Troy fire thus far amount to thirty-seven thousand dol- lars. i In the State of Missouri there are 24,632 persons owning 114,931 slaves—an average of little over four anda half each. Donglas county is the only one in the State in which there are no slaves. There are twenty-four counties in which the num- ber of slaves is less than one hundred each, the average being about forty-six. Recruiting for the new call of the President has already commenced in the Western as well as the Eastern States. The appraisers on Colonel Sam. Colt’s estate make the whole amount of his property foot up over three millions of dollars. His property in the Western States and Texas, in England and his lead mines in South America, will probably add another million. ¥ The Chicago Tribune, second fiddle to Greeley, is very severe upon General Halleck for ordering ifs correspondent off the fidid at Corinth. It also continues its attacks upon General McClellan. Hon. James Dixon, of Connecticut, is at present the only United States Senator whose term runs to the close of the Fortieth Congress, in 1869. The fleet of Mississippi rams, consisting of fifteen vessels, has gone down the river. There is a strong movement progressing among the shopkeepers in Canada to drive the British shilling out of circulation. They have resolved to take that coin for only twenty-four cents, and they have received promises from {he banks that all that are deposited shall be sent back to England. A fire occurred in Alexandria, Missouri, on the 18th inst., which destroyed the Delta City Hotel and eight houses, stores and warehouses. On Thursday, Wm. H. Young was placed at the bar of the General Sessions charged with perjury, in having falsely sworn to material facts in a case tried in the Marine Court, where Marks Kahn and Elias Wolf were the plaintiffs and Laurens Oberly was the defendant. The jury was directed to acquit, on the ground that the action in the Marine Court had beem brought for a consideration of money, for which the articles levied upon were sold, and that the Sheriff had a right to levy on all the property of the defendant, so that it was im- material as to what testimony the accused gave on the trial. A number of witnesses were in attend- ance to show the good character of the defendant; but the case was summarily disposed of yesterday afternoon. James McCarty, jointly indicted with James Sherlan (who ran away from his bail) for picking pockets in a stage, was tried on two separate indictments, the com" plainants being Mrs. Amelia Huntingdon and Mrs, Amanda Raccy, whose pockets were picked while riding in a Broadway stage. The officer who made the arrest suspected McCarty (who was a good look ing and fashionably dressed young man) to be a pro. fessional pickpocket; but. there was not sufficient legal evidence to fasten the charges upon him. The case of Dr. Cobel, convicted at the Sessions of abortion and infanticide, was argued before the general term of the Supreme Court yesterday by Messrs. Blankman and Furlong for a new trial on several grounds stated. The District Attorney opposed the motion, and the Court reserved its de- cision, In the matter of the application of John B. Fo- garty for the disbarment of Charles Ganun and P.M. Jordan, for not paying money alleged to have been received by them in @ fiduciary ca- pacity, the general term of the Supreme Court, yesterday, decided that the affidavits put in on the part of the respondents were fully satisfactory, and contained ample explanations ef the transac- tions. On motion of counsel for the complainant, leave was given him to withdraw, and the accusa- tion against Messrs. Ganun and Jordon was an- nulled. Nineteen seamen of the American veasel Victory, charged with mutiny on the voyage from Liverpooy to New York, were committed-by Mr. Commissioner Osborn yesterday for examination. The second trial of Samuel B. Haynes, charged with dealing in the #lave trade, was yosterday postponed until September next. Several other cases were also but off for the term The event of ths day in Wall street yosterday was & Tumor of an overissuo of Indiana 5's, which led to a ¢ cline of ten per ceu! in that security, and to something like @ panic in the general market, In the afternoon it seemed to be generally understood that the matter was @ small one, and that the credit of tho State would not suffer, upon which the whole market rallied, and govern- monts elosod higher than the previous eveuing. Money was very easy, Exchango firm at 114%. Gold 10534 as. ‘The cotton market was again active and higher yes- terday, and closed stiff at an advance of full 3gc. per Ab. The sales embraced 3,000 bales, chiefly to spinners, on tho basis of 234¢. a 29c. for middling uplands, The salos of the week have comprised about 8,000 bales, closing at an advance of 1};¢. @ 2c. above the figures current within the previous week. There was a light rally in flour, and common and medium grades wero about 5c. better, while the better class of brands, and especially of Ohio, were un. changed, Owing to some concossion in freights, good to prime lots of whoat were firmer, while common qualities wore irregular and without alteration of importance in prices, whilo sales wore active. Corn was firmer and in good request, with sales of old Western mixed, in storo and delivered, at 4c, 49c. Pork was heavy and dull, with moderate sales of mess at $12 1234 # $12 37, and_ at $9 502 $9 75 for prime. Sugars were stoady, with salos of 800 bids, and 16 boxes. Coffee was unchanged. Thesaies of the Undine’s cargo, comprising 3,000 bags of Rio, were on private terms. Freights were'lower, with engagements of corn at 103d. im bulk and at 11d. in ship’s bags, with wheat in ship's bags at 113¢4., and in ship’s bags to London at 121. Rates to Havre were un- Feeney Ore CS Oe Our Northern Radichl Conspiracy Against President Lincoln and His Policy, and Its Latest Developments. We have, from time to time, in the progress of this war for the suppression of this gigantic Southern rebellion, exposed the designs and movements of our radical Northern anti-slavery faction against the conservative policy of President Lincoln for the “integrity of the Union.” We return to this subject yet again, ,in order to present to our readers a fow addi- tional facts and observations in connection with the late extraordinary, sweeping and preposterous abolition manifesto of General Hunter. The promulgation of the manifesto created a very perceptible feeling of despondency among our conservative Union men of all par- ties. Nobody could suppose that General Hunter had issued this edict without a consul- tation with other parties; but the impression very widely prevailed that he had been led astray by some malign influences at Washing- ton. Indeed, not a few intelligent men enter- tained the suspicion that the Secretary of War, Mr. Stanton, falling under the same Northern radical influences as his last unfortunate pre- decessor, had given the cue to General Hunter which resulted in this very absurd but mis- chievous “General Order, No. 11.” We are gratified, however, to be able to state that Mr. Secretary Stanton has a clear and satisfactory record upon this question, and that he heartily supported the President in his seasonable and universally acceptable revoking proclamation. But still, as it is impossible that General Hunter could have issued his sweeping aboli- tion edict without.the encouragement of some influences belonging, or supposed to belong, to “the power behind the throne,”’ the question still recurs, What were those malign in- fluences? We have reason to believe that a certain Mr. Pierce, a Boston philanthropic missionary to the contrabands at Port Royal, and special protege of Mr. Secretary Chase, has had the longest finger in this abolition pie. We suspect, in other words, that this Rey. Mr. Pierce and his colleagues among the Port Royal contrabands, presuming too largely upon the support and countenance of the Secretary of the Treasury, are the parties most immediately responsible for the daring experiment of this “General Order, No. 11.” At the same time we regret to state that the radical aboli- tion views and opinions of Mr. Chase, and the great influence in the administration which he has so well earned at the head of the Treasury Department, were very well calculated to lead General Hunter after this Jack-o’-lantern of universal emancipation. Mr. Chase is understood to be the most ultra Northern member of the Cabinet upon this sub- ject of Southern slavery. From him, it is al- leged, first came the radical revolutionary idea that our rebellious States, by their overt acts of rebellion, have committed political suicide, or Selo de se, a8 Mr. Senator Sumner designates it; in his legal phraseology. It would thus appear that the scheme which Mr. Sum- ner has urged upon the Senate for the re- duction of our revolted States to the ab- solutely subordinate condition of Territo- ries, including the abolition of slavery, with State rights and Stategboundaries, is sup- ported by a combination which not only com- mands considerable partyin both branches of Congress, but at least one of the most pow- erfal and popular of the members of Mr. Lin- coln’s administration. In this view of the subject, the firmness and consistency of President Lincoln stand out in very bold relief. The resolution which was adopted by the almost unanimous vote of both houses of Congress last summer, declaring sub- stantially that this war is waged only to put down the armed forces of this rebellion, and that, with this object achieved, the war should cease, has been steadfastly adhered to by the President. His late Secretary of War, Mr. Ca- meron, inveigled into the snares of our abolition radicals, attempted to change this conservative war policy to suit their purposes, and so Mr. Cameron was superseded. General Fremont, last autumn, under the delusion that the war had put an end to the federal constitution, led off in this radi- cal game of emancipation; but the consequences to him, instead of deterring others from the same folly, appear to have exasperated the fac- tion to which he belongs to every possible de- vice, intrigue and experiment to drag or drive the administration into their schemes. They are fighting against the restoration of: theUnion. Their political ascendency depends upon the destruction of the Union, and they know it. “Emancipation or separation” is their ultimatam, and the radical dis- organizers devoted to this destructive policy are now the most diabolical and the most dangerous of all tho traitors against whom the administration, our generals and our armies have to contend. Hence the greater our cause for congratifiation in view of the. firmness, patriotism and unfailing con- sistency and sagacity of President Lincoln, He stands before the country tried and approved, as the man and the statesman equal to the exi- gencios of this momentous crisis, and the coun- try hereafter, as now, will recognize in him the trusty and steady pilot without whose vigi- lance and unswerving rectitude our Union and our popular institutions would have been wrecked among the rocks and breakers of this rebellion. The Erilliant Battle of Williamsburg. The battle of Williamsburg must become historical. Of all our battles it was the best contested and the hardest wgn. The opposing forees engaged were very nearly equal. In- fantry, cavalry and artillery did each its share of the work. The losses upon both sides equalled those of the Allies and Russians at the terrible battle of Alma. The whole con- test demonstrated the superiority of American -soldiers, who are officers and privates at once, over the unintelligent troops of other coun- tries. The result proved the wisdom of McCle!- lan’s long discipline of hisarmy. The severity of the conflict; the fluctuating fortunes of the day; the unrivalled bravery of our troops; the desperate valor of the rebels; the continual ar- rivals of reinforcements upon both sides; the daring charges; the determined and steady re- sistances; the skilful mancuvres and evolu- tions, and the final, irresistible dash of Han- cock’s brigade, make up a narrative matchless in its thrillixg interest, In this .morn- ing’s issue we place before our readers a full report of this brilliant battle, il- lustrated by maps and diagrams, and followed by long lists of the killed, wounded and miss- ing—the, sad evidences of the severity of the contest. As no complete record of the battle has before appeared, our report will be interest- ing asa matter of news; but it is still more valuable as a matter of history. In clear, con- cise narration, graphic and vivid description, minute accuracy of details and calm and im- partial statement, it will be found unrivalled by any report of any modern battle. On the morning of the evacuation ofYork- town, General Stoneman, with his corps of cavalry, pursued and harassed the retreating enemy. The infantry followed closely, and during a dreadful storm of rain, with no shel- ter, firesor food, our army bivouacked that night before the line of rebel intrenchments which defended Williamsburg. The next morning, at half-past seven o’clock, our forces advanced to the attack. They were located in an immense forest, beyond which was a space a mile wide, cleared by felling the trees so as to obstruct our pro- gress and give free range to the rebel artillery. This was the battle field, to which our troops approached by three converging roads. On the opposite side of this cleared space was the rebel Fort Magruder, its crest half a mile long, flanked by redoubts, and defended in front by rifle pits. The day was stormy and dismal. The rain fell in torrents, as if nature were weeping over the coming contest. The scene was set, the stage cleared, and the actors began their work. The First Massachusetts deployed in front of our lines as skirmishers. The Second New Hampshire cleared the edge of the forest of the enemy’s sharpshooters. Our artillery opened upon the rebel fort, which replied with terrific effect, but which was silenced before nine o’clock,and did not again resume until late in the afternoon. Regiment by regiment our soldiers debouched from the forest and formed in line of battle. The fusilade of mus- ketry and the roar of artillery became general, ahd the play at last fairly began. The battle was a succession of desperate charges. Our troops attacked and were at- tacked in turn. Rifle pits, redoubts and bat- teries were captured and recaptured. The enemy’s plan of battle was to turn our left flank. Our troops, under General Patterson, firmly re- ‘ sisted this endeavor, beating back the enemy, holding their ground against the enemy’s rein- forcements, and only retiring to obtain ammu- nition and retake the position they had left. On our right centre the forces of General Hooker held the enemy firmly in check, but against such odds that Gen. Hooker sent to Gen, Heintzelman for reinforcements, which were supplied from Peck’s brigade. On our ex- treme right Hancock’s brigade pushed for- ward and captured two intrenchments. Heint- zelman’s and Sumner’s corps were now joined in line of battle, and our entire front seemed a sheet of living flame, so rapid and incessant were the discharges of cannon and musketry. The rebel line was equally busy at work. Bri- gade after brigade, recalled from Johnston’s retreating army, swelled their ranks and animated their courage. The forts and re- doubts rained shot and shell, and covered the rebel advance. The rain beat heavily upon the field like a storm of hail. The branches and tops of trees, lopped off by balls, crashed down upon our soldiers. The ground was deep with mud and red with gore. The shrieks of the wounded and dying rang out terribly shrill above the thunders of artillery. Our soldiers, wearied and outnumbered, began to give ground slowly, fighting to the last, but still hoping for reinforcements and victory. Our ammunition was exhausted. The felled trees made advance or retreat equally danger. ous, and to remain was destruction. Nothing saved us from another Bull run at this critical moment but the splendid discipline of our troops, whom General McClellan had prepared for such crises, and to whom he had promised certain victories. At last gallant Kearney’s brigade came to Heintzelman’s assistance. They, as well as tho whole line, were fatigued and dispirited, how- ever. Heintzelman saw this, and dashed up and down the field like a madman, collecting scattered musicians from the regimental bands, In a moment the triumphant notes of the “Star Spangled Banner” drowned all shrieks and groans. The effect was magical. Our wounded men joined in tremendous cheers. The rebels faltered before the national an- them of the country they had disgraced. Kearney, seeing his opportunity, threw his troops into action. General Berry’s brigade charged, cheering, and drove the enemy before them. The rebels pressed on our centre, but were held in check by Captain Smith’s artil- lery, charged in the flank and rear by Colo- nels Ward and Reilly, and utterly routed and silenced. On the right the enemy still pushed forward, having abandoned our left and centre; but General Peck retired, fighting. Just then General Hancock’s brigade fell back for sup- port, followed by @ rebel North Carolina regi- ment, crying “Bull ran!” “Ball’s bluff!” Tho enemy was but forty yards distant. Our troops halted and prepared for an advance. General Hancock rode along the line and shouted, in eavalier style, “Gentlemen, charge!” Like a gleam of lightning the Union bayonets flashed down the slope of the hill. The rebels broke ranks and fled. General McClellan, dashed up with reinforcements, cheering the whole line onward. The victory was won. Our wearied troops slept upon the battle field. The noxt day Williamsburg was occupied and Richmond threatened. The record of such a battle docs equal honor to the soldiers who fought it, the ofizers who led them, and the country which cau produce such oficers and meg, Serious Military Riot in ‘Washington. In another column we publish a telegraphic despatch from which it will be seen that, under the leadership of General Wadsworth, a dis- graceful military riot—even to the breaking of jail’ and the rescue of a prisoner—has taken place in the city of Washington, the capital of the nation, In the very presence of the assem- bled Congress the majesty of the law has been insulted and the dignity of the republic set at naught by orders of General Wadsworth, who, because he wears epaulet:, imagines he may play the despot and do what he pleases with impunity. The facta of the case are briefly these:—A negro woman had been arrested as a fugitive slave in Washington on Thursday, by due pro- cess of law, and confined in jail to abide the result. This woman, it seems, was one of seve- ral fugitives who had followed the Seventy- sixth New York regiment from Prince George’s county, Maryland, and belonged to loyal own- era, who were present to identify them. Atthe time of the arrest by the deputy mar- shals a riot took place, in consequence of the interference of some members of this regiment, and which ought to have been prevented by the colonel and other officers. The deputy marshals, however, succeeded in securing two of the fugitives—one of them being a woman—and conveyed them to prison. On the same evening a messenger presented himself at the jail, bearing an order from Gene- ral Wadsworth, Military Governor, for the sur- render of the woman. The ‘jailor declined to obey, in the absence of the Marshal, and soon a lieutenant came with a military guard, arrest- ing the jailor, the Deputy Marshal, Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Bradley, the counsel of the Marshal, who was present, giving legal advice. The keys of the jail were taken forcible possession of, the negro woman was carried away, and a military guard placed over the prison. When Marshal Lamon arrived and found the prison ig mili- tary occupation, he applied to the Supemihten- dent of Police, who sent a force to the jail which disarmed the sentries one by one, and placed them in custody, whereupon the Marshal took possession of the prison. Mr. Bradley, who wasstill there, was released; but the jailor and deputy jeilor had been taken to the guard- house, and the military refused to release them upon the demand of the Marshal. Thus the case stands—the civil officers are in the custody of the Military Governor, General Wadsworth, and the military, who acted under his orders, are in the custody of Marshal Lamon, the high- est civil officer in the District of Columbia. The merits of the case will soon be tested; for it is understood that General Wadsworth will be arrested for forcibly rescuing a prisoner out of the hands of the civil authorities. It is very clear that Wadsworth is completely in the wrong, and he would have been far bet- ter employed in helping General McClellan to whip the enemy at Richmond, instead of creating riots in Washington and helping to de- fraud the loyal citizens of Maryland of their property. It is an axiom of our laws, and indeed of the laws of all free countries, that the civil power is supreme over the military, unless where martial law is proclaimed by the chief magistrate. Even if martial law did ex- ist at the time in the District of Columbia, the act of General Wadsworth would have been a riotous proceeding, a highhanded outrage; for martial law only suspends the civil law so far as is necessary to the safety of the army and the success of military operations, and can only be employed for the arrest of dangerous and suspicious persons within the lines of the army. There are no military operations going on at Washington, and the acts perpetrated by order of General Wadsworth might have been done with the same legality in the city of New York. ° The ownership of the negro is purely 8 ques- tion of the civil law, and to be decided by the civil courts. It is a question of property, with which General Wadsworth has nothing te do; and he might as lawfully senfl troops to take a watch out of a man’s pocket in the city of Washington, or send them into Maryland to take a piano out of any citizen’s parlor. In fact, if he is justified in this unprecedented act, he may with impunity go into the Capitol to- day and shoot down any’member of Congress, put a guard over the rest, or disperse the whole body, or he may enter into the White House by force and cut the President’s throat. Unlike European countries, martial law in the United States is limited and restricted by the constitution, and, so far from sus- pending it, is a part of that instrument. Even a citizen arrested under martial law cannot be tried under it. The constitution provides that he must be tried by the civil law. Only those in the naval or military service, or persons arrested as spies of the enemy within military lines, can be tried by courts martial. But in the present case martial law was not in operation, and therefore there is not even the color of an excuse for the wanton despot- ism practised by General Wadsworth. He is a flagrant violator of the constitution and the laws, and an example ought to be made of him. We trust he will be immediately removed by the President, and that his prompt dismissal from the army will be a warning to all other would-be despots, who, like Fremont, dare to tell us there is now no constitu- tion. If there be not constitution, by what right does the President.hold his office or Con- gress pass laws binding on the States, or the officers of the army hold their commissions? It 8 to maintain the constitution this war is waged, and other men, as well as General Hun- ter, ought to be made to feel that we have a constitution which cannot be superseded by any military fie‘s, which regulates even martial and military | and says to all petty tyrants, “Thus far shai, .ou go, and no farther.” Givixa Ain to THe Evemy.—The abolition organs are doing their utmost to prevent the enlistment of the fifty thousand additional volunteers required to fill up. the ranks of the army thinned by sickness and death. They want blacks enlisted instead of white men, thus dragging down the Anglo-Saxon race to the level of the negro. In opposing the en- listment of the volunteers they are trae to their antecedents, their principlea and their aspirations. They are aiding aud asaist- Ing the rebel chieftains, and thus helping to establish ultimate separation between the North and the Soath, the plot in which thay have been impticated with the Southern secessionists from the beginning. Both alike desire the dissolution of the Union, never to be reunited. If Jef& Davis & Co. are traitors to the government founded by Washington and his compatriots, so até the editors of the abolition organs, who are laboring for the same ead aud playing into the hands of the euemy, . aitiiasin Taz Lonpon Tutes’ American Conausro¥oe eNtT.—The successor of Bull Run Russell as core respondent from the United States for the London Times has commenced his scribblings about American affairs. In his letter dated in this city, and published in the London Times of the 7th inst., he has touched upon rebel generals, messages, President Lincoln’s Cabinet, the ope- rations of McClellan, the Merrimac, the Monitor, the blockade, and the arrest of Cameron on the complaint of Pierce Butler. On the latter he dons the prophetic mantle of LL.D. Russell, and attempts to tell what will become of Seward and other members of the Cabinet. Le the next paragraph he has something to say about the emancipation of slaves in the District of Columbia, and closes with an allusion to the disposal of the Southern States after their cap- ture. His whole letter is a silly, stupid and weak affair. The only idea in it is that which he obtains from the discussion of the project originated by Secretary Chase, and advocated by Senator Sumner and other abolitionists, to bring the seceded States back into the Union as Territories. From this discussion he comes to the conclusion that the Southern States have committed suicide, and that the “great republis of which Washington and his compeers were the founders” has collapsed. In this he has shown his utter ignorance of American affairs and the American people, and, if his mind is not too obtuse, he will have an opportunity to grow wiser as he grows older. Altogether his letters are so tame and stu- pid that they are entirely void of interest; and we regret that Secretary Stanton interfered with Bull Run Russell and sent him out of the country, thus depriving us of the amusement that his statements of his adven- tures, hasty stampedes, sudden flights, Bull run exploits, imaginary descriptions of battles, details of events, stock speculations, and gloomy prophecies that were never fulfilled, furnished us. Now that the successor of Bull Run Russell has appeared in our midst, we can see what we have lost by Secretary Stan- ton’s interference, and we no longer expect to find anything either amusing or interesting in the columns of the Thunderer from “our owm correspondent” in America. Generat Honrer’s Emancipation ProciaMas tiox.—The Journal of Commerce has made the announcement that the negro proclamation of General Hunter was prepared in New York, and sent to General Hunter, intimating that it originated with Collector Barney and his as- sociates in the Custom House. This is a blun- der on the part of the Aminadab Sleek editore of the Journal of Commerce; but, then, that is no new thing; for they are all the time com- mitting blunders gbout something. Blunders are the goneral rule in that quarter. Collectoz Barney is not the author of General Hun- ter’s proclamation. He has all that he can attend to to look after the affairs of the Cus tom House, without preparing official docu- ments for our generals. We apprehend"that, when the facts are known, it will be found that Mr. Pierce, Secretary Chase’s agent at Port Royal, is the man who has stirred up thie muss, and that he originated that famous proclamation, and prevailed upon General Hunter to issue it. Mr. Pierce is the confiden- tial agent that Mr. Chase sent to Port Royal to take charge of the contrabands;, and, since Secretary Chase was the originator of the project of having all the Southern States brought back as Territories, which Senatos Sumner and others advocated in the Senate, no doubt but that Mr. Pierce took this course to assist the programme of his masters at Washington. Mercier’s Vistr to Tue Reet Caprran Str a4 Mystery iv Evonanp.—In a debate in the House of Commons on the relations of Englané and France with the United States, it is worthy of remark, that while Mr. Disraeli asserts that the most serious differences and misunderstand- ings exist between Lord Lyons and M. Mer- cier at Washington about American affairs, Lord Palmerston, on the contrary, represents them as billing and cooing like a pair of turtle doves. The object of Mercier’s visit to Rich- mond is evidently still a mystery to the British Cabinet and Parliament, and Louis Napoleon and his agents have succeeded in mystifying British diplomacy and drawing the wool over the eyes of even so astute a statesman as Lord Palmerston. Time will soon develop the plot, as it has done in the case of Mexico, Rownine tae Biockape at an Exp.—Of alt the Southern ports, only those of Charleston and Galveston are now in possession of the rebels, and even those will soon be in the hands of the Union forces. Blockading, there- fore, is now at an end, and the business of running the blockade is used up. Two of a fleet of steamers intended to run into Charles- ton with arms and ammunition have just beer captured, and the same fate awaits the rest it they will venture upon the same perilous er- rand. By our naval successes in capturing the ports of the rebels, one or two hundred ships will soon be liberated to operate upon Charleston, which will inevitably fall. Then we will have an immense fleet to dispose of the naval forces of any foreign Power which may cross our path or interfere with our manifest destiny. Toe Two Great Troveres or Byoranp axp France.—According to Lord Palmerston and Mr. Disraeli, in a recent discussion in the British Parliament, there are two great trou- bles which sorely afflict England and France; and these are the Pope andthe Yankee. We wish simply to give notice to the two Powor® that they may bestow as much of their solici- tude as they please upon the Holy Father. But let themr confine their attentions to his Holiness. The Yankee is able to take eare of himself, and. jf they will not let him alone ft is more than probabld he will take care of them also. THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR. The Evacuation of Fort Wright en& Pensacela—Movements of the Armies Throughout the Country, d&e., dic. ‘Tho Wenxry Henatn for the present week, reacy this morning at ten o'clock, will contain jnteresting accounte of the Evacuation of Fort Wright and Pensacota by the Robels; Tho latest news from the Army of Gen. McCIel-~ lan, with details of ite Advance on the Redet Capital; ‘The atest despatches from tho different Divisions of the Union Army throughout the country, and from the Cap- urod Towns anil Cities at tho South; and all naws of in- torost of the woek fn regard to the War for the Suppres- sion of the Rebellion; The latest news from Europe, and reports of all intorosting matters of the week. ‘Terms.—Throo Dollars per year. Singlo copics six cents. Watracn’s Traatee—Me. Buakr’s Benevrr.—Thia vote. ran actor takes a benofit at this establishment to-night, whon Colman’s fine old comedy, “John Bull,’ will be ros vivod. ‘The onat is & poworfnl ons, and ite actraotivencas, combined with Mr. Blake's persogal Qepularity, canneg fail to crowd the house