The New York Herald Newspaper, July 20, 1862, Page 2

2 INTERESTING DEVELOPEMENTS. Testimony Before Convressional In- Vestigziing Commitleess The Way Vessels Have Beem Purchased | and Chartered, HOW GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS ARE MADE, Ree bee ating Committee appointed’ by the Héuge wattves to examiie he gontracts for the charter and purchase of vessels for Lhe goverament, have submitted an’adiitional re from which we take the following interesting points: — aB% PURCHASE AND CHARTER OP yRSers, Inareport Lerew.ore submitted @o the Louse, the committee had ogcarion to call altention to and con ierau the unwise 2 the -ecretar: which an agent of the government was his compensation out vf the moagy pa: meat for the vessels im the slay ‘cent commission upon the pure: mittee recommended cn that oc the House of a resolution couiemnatory of the employ ment of such ‘persous, w as subsequently ehatil mously adopted, in token 0; the concurrence of the House im the report of the co: The example here set by the Navy Pogard was subsequently followed iu other b. the service; though, alter the condemnation its adoption by N Ree ame time more sible. and injurious to the publi ineres:3. partment, under the administration of its After Mr. Bushne!! had successfully practised upon Mr. Morgam, be seemed to have becorm@® a favorite with that ventleman, and either from aamiration of th ies by: which be bed 8. signally ovecreach without his even kugwing it, or from motives ¢ further exorcise 1 bimee le subseq © bave already si aed which the se ; the com- 20 prolitsble to him, the $8, whic ved transterred from ystic, eosnor and builder, while sho was Connectiout, hor yet on the toc 1 before she was Buished. The price Agreed upon, through theagenoy of Busknell, for the porehase of this veosol, was $185,000, ing so ft her for her armamens ia free of ch mated 00 n after tho puret age was mado it was further agreed Jory that he (Bushnell) would bim- 1 in the condition required for her ar- ow ex ense,wud take the $25,009, pay- $110,000, aud the vessel in that ‘eon. en eit the bands of Mallory; but itead of ing up the vessel a bis Own expens he yard of the Messrs Westervelt, in New 5, the government employ, od by them at th pense of the go) departuentas gaowner of one Lalfof the vessel, anda Dill of sae was mado out purporting~to convey the ship to the United States from Mallory and bimself as “each one-lialf «wuers.”? t # govervmant then paid Bashpell for the 1, ater had been butted up at their ow: pense —as appeared ae report of the Seeretury of the Navy and tle accom. panying documents, made at the commencement of the present sessiou—-the sum of $135,000, and. Bushell paid to Mallory, who was the real owner of the vessel, the sum of $110,000, leaving the balance of $25,000, in his hands, to be by him appropriated to.bis own use, as a re- ward for the services rendered Morgan in the purchase. TESTIMONY OF MARSHALL 0, RORMBTS IN REFERENCE TO THE STEAMERS ILLINOIS, EMPIRE CITY AND COAIZACOALCOS. Marshall U. Roberts, of New York, testified that his business bad Jed him for the last twenty years to deal a obcasinn to purchase and charter a nd wpon such pur. tft, @ great many wil- lions of do! $ are still going oa, and it is, 2 for the committes to give anything 11 mace estimate of the whole amount Of Buch expend: OUN TUCKER'S APPOLNTMENT. War Department entered upon the busi- ng these vessols, the d . Joba Tucker, of Pe Vania, 8 nort Agent of the War Depart: his own staiomen:, had, up ty that time, never ha slightest experience in the building, purchase, sale, command or sailing of a vessel. What Qualifications uitiog hun for 80 respousibie a trust were discov in him by the late Secretary, or have been Feyeajed by subs-que't experience, the commities have been unable vo ascertain. Mr. Tucker was no sooner charged with this duty than sub-agents aid agents of sub agents, or persous professing to act as such, appeared in Pailadelphia, New York, Boston and other places where ships were or sale Gr charter, each holding out that through bim ex. Clusively in the loca iy where he appeared were sales or charters to be effecied. Strangers tu the community in which they ap, eared, @ Puiladelphia wan ia Bostoa, or @ Bustou ‘wan in New York, (hey were wont to give out that, by some sort of special inds meu of thas lity Were permitted to eiloct sales and charters, provided ie same were sought through the agency thus held out to em. These men took the liberty to reimburse themselves for their services in this mission by a charge of from two and # half to live per cent upon the purchase money, or onure charter money to be thorealter earned by the vessels thus secured. One of these men ap- im Bostou on @ brief viritof a week, aa eutre ‘Stranger to te men with whom he had to deul, or the market which should govern the price, and oui of tue purchases aud charters thus secured by him, secured also to bimself (or his week’s work, according to the estimate of the men with whom he dealt, the sum of $20,000. OPERATIONS OF RUSSELL STURGIS. Quartermasier, now Brigadier Geuerai, Saxton, bav- ‘been sent ty New York to purchase und charter ves- Beis, found the advice ot some one personally acquainted with vhe quaiity, capacity and worth of the vessels he Was about to cugage ior the goverument necessary to Proper discharge of his duty, and accordingly engaged upon the recommendation of Colonel] Tompkins, of New York, ‘or chai service, Mr. Russell Sturgis, of that city, formerly one of the Pilot Commissioners. Mr. Sturgis undertovk to advise and aid him in the selection of ves- sels (or the government, and immediately, without the knowledge 0 Saxton, let his services also to those hav- ing vessvls to sell or charier, t0 aid them in inducing Saxtom to purchase or hire their vessels. In this doub.e capacity of agent for the government in buying, and (or ne owner im selfivg, Mr. Sturgis met with bo aifiiculty im nding the vesseis whose quality, capacity and price was such as to warrant his advice to the quartermaster to taxe them; and he soon came tu be considered by the owners 43 remarkably successiul i Securing q .ick suies and desirabio charters, and by the quartermaster as equally success{ul in findiug such ve seis as he could recommend to the government. Mr. Sturgis relied (or comyensation eptir-iy upon a commis- ‘Sion upon sales and carters, varying from two and a helt tw five per cent, depending 2 ai.ount upon the success with which his eflurie were aitended, in bringing to the notice of the quartermaster the good qualities of th» veussl. It need n t be added that such @ reiatiousnip was wholly incompatible with fidelity, and could not prove otherwise thun deleterious to the public service. ‘Cha:ters were enormous, and the character aad capacity of the vessels in macy instances inferior. The price usually obtaiued for charters of vessels, under those cir- cumstauces, was such, as a general rule. would pay for the vessel itself in seventy days, and be who failed to get a charter as advantageous & ‘uis was thought to have made @ poor use oi the facilities which the government itself bad adurced Lim. Jt is due to General Saxton to state that the fact that Sturgis acted im the interest of the ship owuers at the same time that he was acting as jhis couiideatial adviser was kept entirely from his kuow- As soon as t TWO STEAMSIIP CONTRACTS. One of the first purchases of Mr. lucker, of vessels for the government, aiter he became ‘General Transport Agent of the War Lepartment,’’ was the purchase of the two steamers, the Union and the Winfeld Scott, in Philadelphia, tor $100,009 each. These steamers were new, built by Neaiie & Levy, of Philadelphia, tor @ Florida ratirvad, to run as passenger boats in conuec tion with that ra.troad, in the Gulf, between Cedar Keys and New Ureans. The Winfleld Scott was at first called the Constitution. The roud became largely in debt to Marshall U. Roberts, of New York, for money advanced: aid when the war broke gut it taiicd, ‘ud he was without security, except such as he could get upon these boats, subject to the builders’ lien. ihe ‘oats were not thea Gnisbed, and Mr. Roberts aided ia completing them, with the expectation of ultimately realizing something from them, aver paying the buiide: upon bis debt agaiust the road. The boats were of pe liar and nove: construction, being of very light structure and built one part of iron aad avothe: upper part, of wood. All the work abuye the lower deck was of wood connected with iron bottoms. Engineers distrusted them. It was (bougit they would break apart where the wood and irou were joiued. ‘They were pronounced by experts totally untit for sen service. ‘The title stood in the name of Neaiile & Levy, and no other person was known at the department as heving any interest in them. Mr. RB bertafrow time to time recommended these ‘vessels to the Navy Department, and advised their pur- chase of Neatlo & Levy. The Navy Department, upon “this advice and recommendation, caused them to be ex- amined by an experienced naval constructor, and subse- quently wo be duly surveyed by a board appointed for that pur). ihe former reported them ‘uot fit to go to the Gulf,” the latter that they wore ‘entirely unit for mavai purposes.”’ Know edge of these reports was, accord: to Mr. As- @istant secretary Fox, communicated to Mr. Roberts. And Mr. Tucker admits himself that he has known of this examination. Because of these reports the Navy Department refused to purchase these boats. Subsquent- ly, and betore he was himself authorized to purchase boats, and at a time when they were not specially needed, Mr. Tucker had advised the purchase of nese boats by Genera! Meigs for the War partment. But he declined, because there was then no uecessity for their purchase. When authorized to purchase vessels, ‘fand as soon as the necessity for them arose, Mr. Tucker, with this kuowledge of the character of these vessels, nevertheless purchased them of Mr. Roberts for $100,000 these each. Mr. Roberts has given the actual cost of ‘veseols, az follows:— Lien of the builders. . Paid by Mr. Ruvorts tor a chinery to Dickenson & Sikles. Paid by bim for plans avd models. Paia by bim for superimtendiog of the vessels. . Paid by him ,or contingencies Ts would thus appear that the government two vessels $89,000 move than thetr actual cost. But a further and far more serious loss to the govern- ment was occasioned by this ili judged purchase. Those boats were immediately loaded with provisions and Stores for the truops at ort Royal, and one of them, the ‘Unio, foundered and sunk on ber first voyage; the alone was barely saved, the ship and all the stores we @ total loss. The other was sy badly damaged on ber voyage as tobe barely able to reach por, with much Joss of freight, and was there condemued by a board of Gurvey as useless. This peril of lite and logs of property ‘was the first fruit of the agency of Mr. Tucker, known to those who employed him for his important and re- spensibie trust to be totally destitute of ali knowledge, @0 say the lenst, of the business he was cailed upon Goperform. Of the same character with « tion was the purcuase for the War Departm Steamer Governor. alter sho bad been cofdemed by the Navy Vepartment og wnseaworthy. She went down on her first voyage to iort Roya but the lives of her crew, was lost. of North Carolina and were bas since made an appropr » indemaity the othices and crew for the joss they » a this ill-fated ves. wel. The commilioe suggest that thore is yet another ‘duty to perform. It is the brave men whose lives w those treacherous crafts, that (he 1 the one and betrayed the other ia such @ tru Drought wy condign punishment THR VARCNA In the course of their exainination into the pu end charter of vessels in New York, it apporrd w tb smittee, from the evidence then taken, thar te save 6% Qushnell, whose extraordinary speoniat ut rs im the sale t ken prisoners. vernment and bis co-ewn of the Stars and Stripes t ost, including six week: ice, w the House in a former repor aa ther similar speculation, wher: ence then stood, he had again realized frown the wep ‘ ireasury of the United States the sum of $25,000, witie ny equivalent, by @ resort to measures fo roprelensiv.e Os to deserve the severest coudemua toa great deal in ships, and that he had four ships in the ex- pedition which went to Port Royal—the I!!in i, the Em- pire City, the Philadelphia and’ the Coatzacouicos; they were chartered by the day, running from $1,500 a day for the Tilinois down to $1,000 a day for the Ewpire City. Mr. Roberts found them in everything. He further tes- titled thas these vessels were greatiy overlouded by the government agents, and added — ‘They were chartered by Rufas Saxton, United States Quartermaster. Tho liinois was chartered to carry 1,000 tons of freight amd 1,00@troops; the Einpire City was to curry 300 troops and 500 Philadelphia was chartered to carry 300 horses; to carry 1,200 troops. When they went to sea from Fort Monroe the Iilinois had on board 1,000 tons freight and 1,250 troops, and a clipper ship of 1,500 tons in tow. Tho Empire City had 1.050 troops, fifty officers and about 500 wns ef freight, and besiles, the decks were loaded with an immense quantity of lumber. The Ceazatcoalcoyhad 1,250 troops, her main deck was filled with commissary stores, aud there were 30,000 gallons of water in her hold. These ships were all overloaded, through igno rance or otherwise of the parties. In consequence of the Coatzacoalcos being overloaded, and being overtaken by 4 gale, sue was Vory much in jored, so that it will cost about $60,000 and four mcnths time to repair ner. She is now (January, 1862,) fa the hands of Heary Steers, of the Allaire Works, for revair. When she !eft Fortress Monroe Ler guards rested upon the top of the water. Mr. Roberts gave further evidence concerning his — to sell the Coatzacoalcos to the government, aud led:— When Mr. Chase returned to Washington I authorized @ gent!cman to make a proposition in reference to that vessel, which was to keop the Potomac open, to take ail the butteries, to keep the Potomac open for twelve Mmonths,or not Gharge the government onecent. Mr. Chase did make the p: opestijon to government, and the Presi was very much in tavorof it. Caleb Smith and Mr. Blair spoke to me about it, and said that my Proposition would be accepted. I was exceedingly anxious to do the thing, or try to doit. I was finally intormed. that the mater had been referred to the Secretary of the Navy. I then said it was of no use for me to remain here ionger, and went home and sent the ship home. Having tated in that, when the ship returned home, I went to air. Fox and demanded of him, as a government officer and as a professed friend of mine, that he sbould have @ manof competency examine that vessel. I wish- ed to satis.y him that Park was nota proper man to amine any abip. J toid him Ionly wanted a competont mau—a man of brains. He named Dupont; Leaid ne was periectly agreeable tome. I then sent for Henry Steers, an eminent shipbuilder of New York, and Mr. Fox sent for Captain Dupont. 1 went on board the ship with Steers and Dupont, and they all went over ber from stem to Stern, examining every point. “Dupont told me be was perfectly astonished at the strength of the vessel; that she was the best transport ship he ever saw,and he would go report to the Navy Department. I subse queat- ly iuquired of Mr. Fox if such a report had been made to Department by Captain Dupont. He tid me it had been. | have never seen the report. That vessel was in the expedition, and was damaged to the extent of $60,000 im consequence of being overloaded, because of the iguo- France of the goverument vilicers. ARMY CaP CONTRACTS, hat manufacturer, doing business way, New York, testitied concerning ue- gotiativus with Geoerai Butler an. bis Quartermaster for the sale of six thousand army cps. The following is the materia part of his evidence:— At tue breaking out of the war I invented au improved military cap, and sent one to General Butler, who was then at Fortress Monroe, and be wore it and was pleased with it, a5 he expressed to a friend of mine who gave me the information; and at the time he came trom Hatteras \o Washington { was at Washington and met him at the Na- tiona! Hotel; spoke to him about what he had been through, and called atiention to that cap, and told him I was the inventor of it, and he told we then that he wanted a larve supply of them—about six, thousand—and that he had a Quartermaster at Lowell, that he bad great couiidenco ia; and he wanted me to come to Loweil on Saturduy of the sume woek, and there they would givo mea contract for six thousand. On the Sth October, that was Satur. day , I was sitting in Gea. Butier’s office at Lowell, ing ior him, aud there I saw Paul R. Goon muster, aud aman by the name of Mr. Mik bh, lafterward learved two be Fisher A. Hildreth, ¢ Butler's brother-in-iaw; and I showed the sampi them that 1] wok with me, and tue Quartermaster liked them; and then this Mr. iilire:h vook me into @ Duck office and wanted t» know the price of these goods, and what discount we gaye, ana if an order could be got tor aquantity of them, uf I would make any deduction in price for cash i i i Teame there to nego- tiate with JW anything about any other imnatter, 1 tod bun woult be Qfteen dollars a dozen, five per cunt J in the evening I met Generss bi bers of his staff aud fri 3 tbat Lape , aud I told him T had sbowod him my samples; wold him the same. 4 he could buy a good Jed out a bill from Beat & ashington streets, Boston, ents apice, and men. bis aoldiers,and ue barracks. I saw the bill are parties [ sell goods to, him if be was going to give t He dew wool La f bis sollier ‘ bats as those. He showed me the bat, @ black woul Le tuing was then dismissed. He told me Le wovlu see me on Monday in Boston. In the meastine, during my waiting in Lowell for Genera! butier, I made the acquaintance of Mr. Cushing, of the Grm of Cushing & Mack, tin workers and stove dealers. Mr. Cushing heard the con’ passing be- tween me and ain George; and, after Captain Ton left the room, asked me wi Twas from; and I told him; and what my business was; I tld bin in part, and he sa to me, ** Now, I want to tell Ou you have got to do this thing. You come from jew York, and do not know up here. [am making stoves and camp kettles, and swvepijes and tanks, and ail their tim und iron ware, that is wanted fur this brigade. And, said be, the quartermaster, George, decides upon what he wants, comes to my shop and selects what he wants; then I arrange the price with Mr. Hildreth, General Butler's brother-in-law. Theo i make out my bill to Hildreth, and Hildreth takes the goods and charges them to the government, at whaterer price he has a mind to. “Another thing: I heard Georgegive Cush- ing instructions how to make various articies at this time, aod Mr. Cushing took me around to bis estabjish- ment in Lowell, and showed me the articles he was mak- ing for Butier’s brigade, aod the amount of tin and iron ware be had in various stages of making. Ou Monday | went to Boston and wen: to Butler’soffice, and there I met several of his staif officers, one of whom is bis adjutant, George C. Strong, and Colonel George Shepley, of Portland, and Captain Paul R. George, and ‘one otiier person whose naine 1 do not remember, with General Butler. There I showed thom my samples, and y looked at the various samples and decided upon one | Batier tok this sample im his band and came ap to me and asked me the price. [told him $15 per dozen, five per cent off for cash in hand. Shen General Butler said, ‘*Now, the question is this, and we ‘might a8 well tak it rigbtout. Can you let us have six thousand at your price, giving my quartermaster ten per cent to divide around. 1 think those are the exact words. Iputthem down at tho time when they were fresh in my memory, and gave them to Quartermaster Vinton of this city, who gave them tw General Meigs, Quartermaster ¢ J. 1 then told Geveral Butier that he had mistaken his man and turned around and gather- ed up my sumplos and put them in my box, and told iim at the same time that I had been able to keep the mili going without resorting to anything of thet kiod, and when it could not be done without 16, it would be stopped. Upon that bis Adjituut, Strong, stepped up to General Butler aud says, “1 havo known this gentleman ever 1 was a boy; he used to be my Sabbath sehiool , and if he i# the man now that he used to be, you ‘tainly mistaken your m: And, farthermore let me say to you, if there’s any corruption here, i am counted out. He then took bis cap, put it on lis head and left the room. Then General Hutler s*epped up to me and said, “ wait a moment,” and he took nis Quarter- master, Captain Paul R, George, and went into another room: (bey were gone about three minutes. During this time Colonel Shepity said he tiked those goods, and was | bound to have his regiment have them if none of the others had them. took the sample 1 had and my address, Thon Captain Pant om this little room and took iid Gali upou me at lay place of jorge came to ine f ess, and gaid he w York and settle this matter, I packad ' iafter Thad left the room I met this he says to me, *Friewd Waipple, I aim here very little corruption in the » there is some in the vol nt of any thing of uhis kind k orge over call upon yon afterwarde? t hoar from hit after that, nor bad aptain ( Idid o w with him after that, I afterwards met rin Washington, about & month after this, ne an order (or two thousaud of these cape, at $14 cash in hand, which were del A, and he paid me. He said wuibing to me about (uo former trans action, NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JULY 20, 1862. THE NAVY, Bim—Steamor, Captain Bouteile, from Port yal, areived at Boston on the 17th inst. Caranpacua—Steaa sloop-of-war, second class—Is now ready for sea, sud wil cai! In the course of week. Caxone Vincrst—Prize schooner, captured at Nowbern by the Usited Stalés aqiadron wien anad- vance was made on thzt city—Arrived at i’hiladelphia on tho 1dth inst, in coarge of Lieutenant E. L. liaines, When captured tho schooner was loaded with quarter. masters’ and commissary» stores for the rebel army. These were removed, amd she was loaded with cotton, which had bean used as @ battery at Union Point. Conmavan—new stein gunbeat—was put inte com- mission atthe Portsmouth (N. H.) Navy Yard ou the 17th inst, Sho is a now side-wheel boat, is 235 feet long, 35feet berm, and about 1,000 tons burthen, and will draw, w henkedy for service, abéut seven feet ton inches. Her armament is very hoavy, and her engines were built at the Novelty Works. The following is a list of her officers :-— % i Worden. Hecht’ cer-Lieut is dW. Monde. ~ Master—Goorge A. Crall. ‘ aiiig Masters WD. Urann, J.-W. Stapleford, uD ‘Paymater—Geo. Lawrence, ‘Assistant Surpeon—J. Allingham. cing Out Bngineer—Altred La Point. Assistant Engineers—B. F. Beckett, P. Hendrickson, G. BR. Fuller, Eben. G. Gardher. » Master’: Mates—A. P. Bashford, G. H. Freach, J. H. bj 2.6. Brown. as aymasicr’s Clerk— —— y- Captaw’s Clerk—idmund Cummings. She carries a crew of 124 men, ‘lucluding marines. Lieutenant R, W. Meade, son of Commander Meade, of the receiving ship Nerth Carolina, her Executive Officor, is a young man of great promise, possessing all the qualifications to make him a tiorvugh.cing blue jacket. Psxopsoor—steam gunboat—was at Beaufort, N. C., July 13, coaling; sailed on the 14th for tho blockading off Wilmington. All well. Her officers are:— ieutenant Commanding—J. M. B. Clita jieutenant—F. M. Bruce. C. Vermeil rs—Thomus Patheinch, Geo. W. in: Wilkinson, Geo. W.. Hail. Master's Mates—H, D. Edwards, S. K. Juce, 8, H. Dem- mon. i‘ Cuvtma—Steam gunboat—Has undergone vory oxten. sive repairs at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Sho has received @ new boiler, and her engine has had complete overhauling, and is now ready for, ser- vice. She arrived at Poston on the 7th ult. from Key West, which place she ieft on the 20th of May. ‘This ship was put in commission, January 3, 1861, and sailed on the Sth of the same month for Key West, Sbe wag employed in blockading Tampa Bay until August 8, 1861. She afterwards proceeded to Apalag chicola, which port she blockaded until October 24, “At the latter place she cut out and destroyed the ship Fin- Jand,and drove ashore a privateer schooner which at tempted to get to sea, ‘Tho Cuyler next-proceedod to the Mississippi river, and blockaded off Pass-a-l Outre until October 18. She was on duty at Ship [sland until De- comber 9, and co-operated with the steamers New Lon- don and Massachusetts iu breaking up therebel'commu- nication on Mississippi Sound, between Mobile aud Orleans, Sho assisted im’ the capture of tho rebel steamers. Henry Lewis and ‘Anna, and a number of schooners prepared to ran the blockade. Brom the 20th of December to the 10th of January she was” off Fort Pickens, and was a peaceful spectatorof the second bombardment, her duty being to protest the camps on Santa Rosa Island from attack by the rebel troops. From January 24 to February 1 sho was off Mobile, during which time she performed tho most daring and sticcossful exploit of hor cruise. After a severe engagement with the rebel coast guard, fo which several of her men were wounded anda num, ber of shot lodged in the vessel, she captured the gchooner J. W, Wilder, loaded with coffe and medi. cines. On the 23d of January, in @ompany with the steamer Huntsville, she drove ashore, under the guns of Fort Morgan, a schooner loxded with cotton, which at- tempted to run the blockade. “ The fort and battery near it openod fre upon the Cuyler, which was returned with a Parrots gun..From February 1 to February 21 she was again“ stationed at Ship Island, and there co- operated with the New London in repelling tho rebel steamers of Commodore Hollins, and others from Mobile, which were constantly cruising in Mississippi Sound. On the 20th of February she was trausforred to the eastern division of the Guif Squadron, uncer Flag Officer MeKean, aud procecde!l to oxamiao the bays St. Joseph and St. Andrews, cruising along the coast of Florida to Key West. ‘Tie remaiuder of her eorvice was mostly in cruising of the coast of Cuba, in which she captured several prizes. On the 2th of March she took the schooner Isiac F. Baker, from New Oct loaded with cotton, and on the 3d of May she captured the schooner Jane, from Nassait, loaded with powder and lead for the rebols. Hor last exploit was to chase a rebel steamer into Babia Honda, Cuba, secesh proving a little too fast for the Cuyler, which had grown rough and rusty from long service. After leaving Key West for Boston she cruised for » week olf the Hole ia the Wall, and was dotained in Maseachusetts Pay two days by the fog. Crane—Captain Bissell—Was at Valparaiso at last ac- counts, Acting Master Derry has beon detached on ac. count of ill health, nud has gone home, via Panama. She was to have remained thero about two weeks, and then proceed north, calling at the coast ports. Hovsatoxic—Steam sloop-of-war, second class—Will bo ready to proceed to sea from the Charlesiowu Navy Yard by the Ist of August. JamEstowN—Sloop-of-war—Being fitted out at the Phi- ladelphia Navy Yard. Is ordered to be completed as soon as possible. Macyoniua—one gun, prize steamer—is to be put in comtnission to-day at this naval station to-morrow. An- nexed is a list of her officers:— Acting Volunteer Lieutenan—W. Budd. acing Masters—Charles Potter, Abraham Dolano, ye reason Surgeon—A. Shir! Acti ‘ . Shirk. 4iing Assictant Paymaster and Cierk—W. J. Caite ‘Acting Master's Mates—Havid Scusler, Otif Sanderson, Petor MeGuire, W. H. H. Eviliny “Aching Assistant Enginecre—caimund Elividge, Martin ‘Van Buren, Noah Beokloy, Robt. if. Hultis. ‘She carries a crew of seventy-eight men. Manion—Sloop-of-war—Since her returu from the Gulf blockading service, has been towed to the lower wharf (eastorn end of the Charlestown Navy Yard), for tne purpose of receiving an overhauling. Massacnvserrs—Six gun steam transpert—Arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard op the 6th inst.,and left that porton the 14th. She is bound for Key West, Fia., conveying various articles for the blockading flect, stop- ping at the intervening ports. Her dimensions are as follows:—Tonnage, 1,400; length, 237 feet; beam, 38 foet; draft, 16 feet. Shecarries a battery of six gunz. Her officer: Lieutenant Commanding—George BH. Cooper. Masters—3. C. Gray, B. Whitmore, I. McDonald. Paymaser—Johu L. Webster. Surgeon—Alexander Hutebins. Engineers—Chief, S, N. Hartwell; Assistants, A. Clapp, J. Fiten, J. Blonkensop, J. B. Saifvrd. Master’ Mata—J. H. Cox, Josoph C. Butler, Francis Waliace, D. Birddman. Caplain’s Clerk—Mason 8. Cooper. New Inovsivas—Iron-clad gunboat.—More than two- thirds of tho plating of this vessel (being built at the Philadelphia yard) is on, and a large force ef men is en- gaged in putting om the remainder. The machinery is in such @ state of forwardness that the engines were tried on the 10th inst. NuGanimTwelve guns, on the dock at the Charlestown Navy Yar to be coppered and otherwise repaired. Pact Jonss—Twelve guns, sieam gunboat, Command. er Charles Steadman—Was at Port Royal at last ac- counts, Health of crew excellent. Has seen considera. ble active service during the short time she has been in commission, baving on the 10(b insiant shelled and driven back the rebels and burned the ferryhouse on Port Royal Island, together with three other houses occupied by the robel pickets as guardhouses, aud destroying two of thelr boats. From here she proceeded to Biufton Landing, "which she also shelled. The rebels were seen herein large numbers; but a4 soon as the Paul Jones made her appearance they skedadiled. Penavix—five guns, ¢team gunboat—will probably go into commission to-norrow. She is under orders to pre- to sea immediately. Her list of officers, ag far as ported, is aa follows:— steam frigatomAt present where she js Biatekiord, Wm. C, Rosé, Samuel B. Rathbone. Master's Wm. E, Andorson, Charles Baker, Jr., Samuel F , Wm. A. Beattic. Higgenbotbam W. Warner, . Randall, Albert B. Ki Sarsnac—Sloop-of-war, Commodore Lanman—Was at Panama at last accounts; crew all well. Sonoma—Eight guns, steam gunboat—Left the Ports- mouth Navy Yard on the Aish ingt., on trial trio, The vessel proceaded to ga and stood eastward, beyond Poon letand, The course was thon changed for Thatcher's Island, off which place the vessel’s head was turned towards Portsmouth. The log showed a speed of ten aud @ half knots the bour. Aflor atrial under steam with and without csuvass, and the fring of shotted guns; the Sonoma retursed to Portsmouth, arriving alongsidg the wharf at the Navy Yard at seven P.M. Lieutenant Wyman, her commander, # 4 pative of Portsmouth, and @ son of the late Commodore Thomas W. Wyman, and iss gallant offlcer. He has been constantly engaged on important service since his return to the United States, Lieutenant Kone, the executive officer of the Sonoma, is a graadgon of Judge Kane, of Philadelphia, and a nephew of the late E. K, Kane, of Arctic celebrity. The Sonoma will at once proceed to Jamos river. Her engines were covstructed at the Novelty Works, this city, and per formed to the eutire satisfaction of the engineer in charge ‘of ther fugpections Unsomis—Eight guns, steam gunboat, Lieutenant Commanding Napoleon Coilins—Was consort to the Pau Jones inher late engagements. Crew all well. At pre- sent at Port Royal. CaanuesrowN Navy Yarp.—Oporations at’ this naval station are as active as ever. Themen employed in the ropewalk have plenty of work,and tho factory is turn- ing out hunareds of tous of riggingand cordage for new vessels weekly. Immense quantities are shipped to naval stations. Theship carpenters and caulke:s are all employed in repairing the vessels now at the yard. There is no new work going on, and the shiphouses are entirely deserted. A number of hands are still em- ployed in builaing gun carriages. A number of guns are being received from Alger’s foufary. South Boston, and some big Parrotts from New York. Improvements will commence im fitting up andeularging the yard atthe west end as soon as the government negotiates for the wharf on Water stroct, wiich will be done probably in a few days. Strangers who want to visit the yard are greatly disappointed on their arrival at the gate by the enfercomont of the new rules of no admittance. Wil- liam H. Hawes, of Chelsea, has received an appointment as acting master’s mato in the naval service, Ronavex—four guns, bark —was taken to the dock opposite shiphouse No, 2, ai the Brooklyf Navy Yara, yesterday, to raceive some repairs, Wanssa—forty-eight guns, steam frigate—arrived at the Philadelphia station on tho 15th inst. to receive re- pairs. She is a screw frigate of 3,200 tons burthen, mounting forty guns; was built at Philadelphia in 1855 Previous to the blockade of ihe Soutnern ports she was lying in ordivary at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, but was then immediately Otted out, aud has been aoing active service over since, having been in commission since the 16th of May, 1861, doing blockade service until tne 14th of the foliowing October, since when she has been tho flagship of Commodore Dupont, who, with his staf— namely, Acting Master S. W. Preston, Acting Flag Lieu. tenant Alexander McKinley, private secretary—left her off Charleston bar, July 11, 1862. Hor armament is twenty-cight eleven-inch Dablgren-guns, one ten-inch Dahlgren, one eighty-pound rifled Dahlgren, one thirty- pound Parrot, fourteen eight-inch shell guns and three beat howitzers. The crew include about 650 meu and marines. Tho following are the officers:— Commander 6. R. P. Rodgers. Lieuinan's—Thomas G. Corbin, John Irwia. Poynaster—Joha 8. Canninghan Acting Liewenant—Jobao sa Acting Volunteer Lieusenant—Wi}liam H. West. Captain cf Marines—Jamos Lewis. First Liewenant of Marines—il. B, Lowry. ‘Acting Masiers—T. Stites, John H. Rowland, J. P. Ro- bertson, Assistant Surgeons—E. M. Stein, J. H. Mears. Enyineers—R. W. McCleery, Chief; T. J. Lovering, ‘Thomas A. Stephens, Second Assistants; Philip R. Voor- hees, Willlam C. Wi'iiamsoa, H. Missimer, H. H. Molo- ney, Third Assistan's. Acting Midshipm-a—Jas. Wallace, M. L,Johngon, Fre- derick Pearson, P. W. Lowry. Captain's Clerk—L. B. Blydenburg. Paymasier's Cork—Fredorick B. Didier. Boatswain—Jjazper Coglan. Gunner—Thomas Siewart. Carpenter—Charles Bordman. Sailmaker—Wiiliam N. Muutt. ie Masters” Mates—William A. Duer, William F. jorton, - Chaplain—George W. Durrance. ; Lovexe—prize schooner—arrived at Boston on the 18th instant, in charge of Acting Master J. H. Harris, Isthe British prize that was seized by the gunboat Albatross, Sr. Lawgence—Fifty guns—sailing frigate, Capt. H. ¥- Purviauce—Was at Key West on tho 7th; crew all welt. Say Jacnto—Phirteen guns, steam sloop of war—Com, mandepLardner—was at Key West on the 9th inst; all The Yelverton Case—The Decision Against Mrs. Yelverton. COURT OF SESSION, OUTER HOUSE, JULY 3. Before Lord Ardmillan. To-day, inthe case of Yeiverton vs-Yelvorton, Tord Ardmillan gave judgment in favor of Major Yétverton, ‘aflirming that there bad been no Scotch marriage. Lord Arcumiilan, one of ths Seotch judges, yesterday issued his interlocutor im this celebrated case. There ere two actions of doclarator—the first, at the instance of Major Yelverton, to have ‘doclared that Theresa Longworth was not his wife, and that she‘‘ought to be put to perpetual silency’’ as re- gard such # claim, and, besides, be found liable ta £50 of es ior advancing it; and the second, at the instance of Theresa Longworth or Yelyer- ton, to Lave tt deciared that she was the wife of Major Yeiverton. The lady sought to prove two marriages: — First, a Scotch marrage constituted, and second, an irish marriage, on the 16th of August, 1457, within the chapel o* Kilbroney, ia the parish of Rostrevor, by Bernard Mooney, the Roman Cacholic priest of that parish. The Scotch marriage was sought to be established by facts and circamstances tending to the conclusiva, by inter. ence, that there was a coutract of marriage entered into by the parties in Scotland, or acted on by them in that country ag @ completed contract,and by other facts und Gircunstances bearing directly upon the acknow jedgment of wmiarriage itself. Major Yelverton did not deny the irish ceremony, but asserted that i was gone through merely’ to relieve her con- science, aud pot to bind him; and that he was not bound by it, as it was pull under 19 George I. cap. 13, he having been, or professed himself to be, a Protestant withia a year of the ai marriage service. He dia not deny cohabitation, but said that they cohavited as Mau ant mistress, and not as man and wile. In his plead- ing, the gist of his defence is thus stated:—“The pur- suer, On leaving Kdinburgh, went to England or Wales; and while there, she, with reference to the intercourse which had passed between them, and which she iotended should be resumed, apd on pretence of scruples which si _ or pmarnyycegy rroeeengy @ suggestion which she made tothe defender on vious Occa- sivns that some form might be gone through which would satisfy her conscience, and would leave him per- fectly free. This subject was referred to in a letter dated 10th July, 1807, in which she wrote:—‘Perhaps you would preter mooting me in the old cathedral, at Manchester, where my forefathers lie, to our other project. You are un » and hay ing to say or do; my purpose is and would be ignored by mor- tai creature. If safety 1s your object, what I suggest is merely the samo as being’ present at mass making you a Catholic.’ This prope Was not entertained by the cofeut but, vevertheless, the pursuer, in August, 1857, hearing that he was on a visit to Ireland, went there, on her own suggestion. for the purpose of meeting him and renewing the intimacy between thom. The de- fender found her at Waterford after ber arrival. The pursuer and the deiender, on leaving Waterford, travel- ded tosether ia various parts of Irelaud, and in course of their journey she once more revived the proposal above mentioned; and the defender, in couse- queuce, upon her urgent persuasion, aud for the purpuse of satisfying the scruples which she professed to entertain, and on the renewed assurance and mutual understanding that he was to coutinue free, ap- peared with her before a Roman Catholic priest at Rostrevor, that a form of the nature described, in which she alove was interested, might be gone through. ‘There were no witnesses present. There was no marriage service or ceremony. There was no From first to laat the connection between the pursuer and the dotendor was illicit. The pursuer denied that thore was intercourse betweem them until” after the Irish marriage, and said that after the private Scotch ceremony, she had conscientious doubts as to whether it was a marriage at all or not, aud was resoly- od, before matters proceeded turther, to be married ac cording to the rites of her own, the Roman Catholic chareh; and that she insisted for a Roman Catholic mar riage, though she consented that it should be kept quiet from his friends aud the world in general, and that it was @ marriage of this kind which had been agreed on that she proposed should be solemnized in Manchester Cathedral, and which was ultimately solemnized at Rost- revor. The following is the formal judgment of Lord Ardmil- Jan:—‘In the action of deciarator of marriage, at the in stance of Maria Theresa Longworth jor, against the Houorable Major William Cuarles Yelverton, defender, Finds that the said pursuer has not instructed that she is the wife of the said defender: thereiore assoilzies the defender, Major Yelverton, from the couclusions of the at of deci r of marriage, and decerns. In the action of declarator of freeduin and putting t silence, at the instance of the Houorable Major William Charles Yelverton. Maria Theresa Long. worth, decerns and declares against the said defender, Maria ‘Theresa Long. worth, conform to the conclusions of the said action of doclarator of frecdom and putting to silence, Finds the said Major William Charies Yelverton entitied to expenses in both the se wo actions, and in the conjoined actions.” In the ‘note’? explaining the grounds upon which uis judgment is placed, the learned Judge says:—“This judgment has been reached after much anxiety, and not without sympathy for the sad fete of tho pursuor; but with @ clear conviction that it is according to the truth of the case. For the conduct of the defender there can be no excuse, But ho was not the seeker, the seducer or the betrayer of the pursuor. ‘The story of the pursuer—her charms, her talent, her misfortiine—even tho intense and persevering devoted. ness of the passion by which she was impelled—must excite interest, pity and sympathy. But she was no mere girl, no simpleton, uo ‘stranger to the ways of the world, po v {ious arts. Sho was not deceived. She fell with her own consent. We are informed that Mrs. Theresa Yelverton has de- termined to appeal to the luner Houge of the Court of ‘Session against this judgment, pto w Commencement of Mount St. Vincent Fe- male Acedomy- DISTRIBUTION OF PREMIUM>— EXHIBITION OF THB PUPILS, BN ‘The annual commencement uf the Female Academy of Mount St. Vinceat took place ou ‘Thursilay before a large and highly appreciative auditory. The institute is situat- ed at Forrest Hill, on the bank of the Hudson river, about thirteen miles from New York; aud a more eligible and healthy locality could not well be selected for an estab lishment of the sort. With regard to the scenery, it could not be more romantic; the air is invigorating and the generalappearance of the place inspiring in every Particular. Mount St. Vincent Academy is under the especial superintendence of the Sisters of Charity of Now York; and this alone speaks volumes for tho manner in which everything in coa- nection with tho institute is conducted. When wo look upon the absointe forvetful of self ren dering up Of ail worldly ideas met chardetert: Fea the lives of ths Sisters of Charity, we cannot help appre- clating the works in which (hey are engaged, and ui heavenly seutiment which actuutes the every mov ment of Seclusion, The exeriions of the Sisters of Charl- ty in alleviating the painful condition of our wounded soldiers 11 the present war have sent a thrill of graticude bearts of the Northera peuple, and this fact jent an additional interest to the ,commencoment exercises which took place yesterday. ‘The large study hall in which the exercises took place was crowded to excess by tho friends aad relatives of the children, who evinced quite au interest in the proceed- ings. The greater part of the audienoe, however, was composed of ladies from various parts of the country, and it wiil not be tasppropriate to add that those ropra- sentatives of the fair sex possessed the nairete and beauty which loud.so much tnterest to exercises of this sort. It was impoasibie to obtam entrance to the hall, eo great was the rush of crinoline, which. created au el factual biockade for the time being. In the absence of Archbishop Hughes, Very Rev. Father Starrs, V. G. presided upon the occasion. On the platform,an: Other ecclesiastical representatives of the oman Catho- lic church, were the foliowing:—Rev. Father Felix H. Farrellvy, of Rondout; jew. John Quinn, of Piermont; Rev. Mr. Maguire, of Yonkers; Rev. Mr. McCarthy, of New York; Key. Mr. Mu'laue, of Brooklyn; Rev. Mr. Callaghan and Rev. Mr. Boyce, of New York, and several othors. Distinguished laymen were also present, ‘tho exercises commenced at about half-past eleven o'clock. In the front part of the room were ranged, upon rising seats, the pupils of the acrdemy, attired in suow white costumes, emblematic of the purity of sen- timent which reigned within tho walls of the academy. In front of the platiorm were placed two pianos and two harps, which discoursed the musical part of the pro- gramine during the exercises, ‘The following is the pro- gramme followed on the occastot Granie Marche. Fischof Pianos—Misses xan, Columb, Waldron, C sey, FE. MeAvoy, See y, MeMahon, Walsh, C.’Me- Avoy, M. A. Firrell, Rivera, Grand Chorus, Masquerade bail...........00..04..Verdl Coronaiton. Le Cor Des Alpes.. ..Oberthur Harps—Misses Driscoll and Gernou. Piano—Miss Gauton, ‘Trio (vocal), Nebucodonosor, Verd; siissos Murphy, Adele Polka Brilliant Piancs—Mfisses M. Reilly, Jrean, Amelia Kelly, Vought, Sweeny:, C. Reilly. Duett (vocal)............Linda,. ++ Donizetti ‘Misses McAvoy and I. De River: Grand Quartette—Les Contrasies Moscheles Piauos—Misses Gauton, Kent, Drisesli, Roux. Solo (vooal).......... vee++-Mereadante Adaresa........ -Miss Driscoll Overture—Martha Von Flotow Harps—Misses Gernon and y Pianos—Misses Olwell, M.T. Farrell, Graat, Burke, Beech- am, Brugviere, Hennessy, Murphy: ‘The Seasons—Misses Pearl, Murphy , Casey, Sadlier, Mf. A. Farreli, McAvoy. Solo (vocal).....ceseee0. Atti! Verdi ‘Miss Farrell The Martyr........+ La Fille du Regiment fo ++ eeees se Oberthur ‘Harps—Misses Driscoll and ‘Gernoa. Piano—Miss Kent. Rondo finale (vocal)... Aniias ‘Miss Ade! Miss De Rivera. seees + Maretzele Valedictory. I Lombardi So Ses .. Beyer Piangs—Misses J. Kent, ODonohie, Doiag, Wall, Ken- neagh, Adele, Gerncn, Olwel It is but just, im ertticising the exhibition, to say that the young ladies of the academy aequitted es 1 all respects worthy of the institution with which the are connected, and of tho care which has beon bestow: upon them by the worthy Sisters. diss Redington and Miss Grant were awarded-the two gold medals ior do- auestic eoonvmy and general proficiency. Tne following Werventiticd to the First CRowNS SRNI0R CrxcLe—Miss A. Grant, New York; Miss M.E, Redington, Maine; Miss L, Ganton, New York; Miss M. Grimes, biontrea); Miss 31. Kent, New York. Seconn Crowns. SeNion CrxcLe—Miss Hennessy, Provi dence; Miss Liriscoll, New Yor! B Brookiya; Miss A..Beektaan , home, N.Y. , Miss ‘A Casey, New York; 31 yy; diss R. N. Mahon, New York; Miss C, McAvoy, Miss Kate McAvoy, Brooklyn; Miss M.'Parrell, Fayetiovilio; Muss M. Crean, Miss C. King, Miss J. Hunt, New York. The Mises Kempston—chiltren’ between the ages of eight and ten years—are worthy of especial mentiva for their geueral proticioncy exhibited: during tho exercises. About three o'clock tho exercises closed, when the large assemblage broke up, much pleted with what they had witnessed. Mueh’ credit is due the: worthy ‘Sisters of Chariiy for the manner in which they conduct the Mount St. Viacost Academy. United States Cireuit Coart. Before Judge Shipman, TRIAL FOR MURDER ON THE HIGH 8FAS, SULY 17.—The United Siatesvs. Ferdinando Lumarchi— Indicted for murder on the high seas of Frank Vincent, on the 7th day of July, 1831, ou bourd the American Blondol, by stabbing bim with a knife. The prisouer is light built youug man, about twenty-two years of age, rathor below the imedium stature and is a subject of the Emperor of Austria, and by the desire of the Consul oF that governmeut, Mr. Eawiu James appeared for his defence. E. DP, Sa.ith, United States District Attorney, and Mr. Andrews fur tue prosecution. A jury was called and sworn without objection from either counsel. District Attorney Smith opened the case by reading ‘the section of the statute, called the Crimes act of 1790, which inflicts the punishment of death for murder on the high seas and for manslaughter, imprisonment not exceeding three years, and a fine not exceeding $1,000. ‘The counsel briefly reiated the facts which he ex- pected to prove, on which it wouid be for the jury to say what crime had been committed by che prisoner. John J. Currier, of Newburyport, proved that he was part owner of the ship Blondel, and that the other owners were American citizeus. Thomas reeck,@ native of Hamburg, aged twenty- five, testified thas he was one of the crew of the Blonde: shipped in Baltimore in February, 1861; went to Kotter- dam and thence to Sutherland, England; thence in May, 1861, to ; Witness knew of no difligulty be- tween prisover and deceased beiore the stabbing on the 6th of July; witness, prisoner and deceased were all sit: ting on the forecastle; the latter was mending his clothes, prisoner was cutting out @ sbip with bis kniie aud witness was cutting tobacco: it was about four P. M.; witneas and ano:Ler sailor were talking about singing, when prisoner (Cook) said to deceased. you are the best singer;? Frank replied, ting rather saucy, as you are chummuning with the second mato; but you had better abut up, for I'll take no cheek from you,’’ prisoner repiied, ‘1 said nothing but that you are a good that deceased siood up on the chest and took hold of prisoner’s collar, at the same time, the latter having his knive in his hand, stood ap and cut deceased in thoabdomen. Tho witness explained by referonce to his ownperson the locatityof the wound. ‘To the Judge—Saw but one blow; but the knife ay to have been turned round in the wound before it was withdrawn; some oue took the knife out of the prisoner's hand, aad he walked out of tue forecastie; deceased nover said a word; witness said le jooked very pale and took hold of him by the arm; the mate came along asked whose blood it wasr Fravk said, “It is mine, #ir,'” the mate took him aft; wiiness got the deceasul just outside the forecasile door, when Le dropped down and to jon; he began to # in his own language, and the mato said if he wanted to swear he must do it im English; prisoner said man is notdead, I must kill bim. [‘the knife wag pro- duced and identified by witness.) I took boid o: the pri- soner’s hand, because he appeared as if he was going to strike or cut with it again. By Mr. Jamee—Prisover said on board that he was born in Trieste; he shipped at Rotterdam, and brought the knife with him, and always used it for’all bis work; ‘Vincent said be was born in Frauce, but was brought to the States when a small boy; before tho trouble in the foreeastio there was some singing outside, which gave rive to the talk about which was the best singer; Vincent hs middie aged man, and, much more powerful than @ prisoner. @ Vid not that man take this boy by the hair of bis bead? A. It is possible Le might, but I did not notice. Q. Did he not take the boy by the hair of his head and kick him in the face? A. I cannot tel, although | know he might have dono it. Several other questions were put to the witness, but his answers did not materially afiect the facts as given in the evidence in chiof. The defeuce will only go for a mitivation of the sentence trom ‘ieath to imprisuament. Atter a summing up from Mr. Edwin James and from the United states District Attorney, the Judge char; against the prisoner and in favor of a verdict of guilty. Tho jury rotired at twenty minutes to three, and at ten minutes to four came into court with a verdict of guilty. Mr. James gave notice of his intention to move for a new trial on the law and the facts. The prisoner was much ailested at the result. JvLy 18.—In reply to the United States District Attor- ney, Judge Shipman said that circumstances which be was not at lHverty to make public would prevent the Court from taking up any other ease for trial this term. Counsel for some prisoners charged with forgery urged ther trial, bat the Judge said there was @ public neces sity for the postponement. With respect to the verdict of the previous evening in the murder case, the had requested the attendance of the jurors this morning, and be was happy to aco them in their seate. Tho jury had jouod the prisoner guilty of murder, but recommended him to mercy. ‘The jurors muat be aware that there was no alternative with (1@Court-—the privon- ey must be sentenced to death. If the jurors desired the recommendation to be sent to the Prosident of the United States then the Court, at a proper time, would be happy to second the recommendation of the jury. The Court ciated all the difiicultios which the jury must nily app: bave encountered in Anding a yordict of guilty, and thereby discrimiuating the nice shades of ‘distinction beqween the crimes Of Munier and mausipyguver, kor this reason tho Court wil! be ready to assist in for this young mau a commutation of the i, believing the verdict of the jury to be unqualidediy cree @itable to tiem, ‘The District Attorney expressed bis willingness to alg any eiforts fur @ commutation of the senieuce. ‘The jurors then signed a potition to Prosident Linoolm or a commutation, aud the Court adjourned sine die. THE UPROAR ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE. Interesting Letter from Gen. McClellan. HesDQUaRTERS, ARMY OF THE POLOMAO, Cam» Lincouy, Va. , June 23, 1862. Sm—On the 7th inst. I received @ telegram from you, acopy of which 1 bere insert:— “ 7 ete " 771230 P.M. i ent complaints are mh e variout qrnabes respecting the tection estonia! to the rebet General Lee's property, called the White House, instead of as a Lospital for’ the gave of wounded soldiers. Is presented thai they have ‘> purchase a glass of water for thirsty and suffering soldiers. Ir seems ne oF our auifering soldiers require rty should be devoted to thelr use, rather ham Tor rebel oficers by whose oui ry hope you will give an order to that ef EDWIN BM. STANTON, Secretary of War. ‘To this I replied on the same day, as follows:— we appanmens agen or Lye ‘oroMac, June 7, 1962. ‘on. btanzON, Secretary of ' Your despatch of helf-past tweive P. M. today received, and I must confess that its contents have not only struck ne with astouishment, bul have given me much in, The care of our sick and wounded has taxed the unremitied energies: of the Whole medical corps in thin army, ug well 48 opcupied. seat share of Yny-atten‘ton. fron its important duties, d T feel conscioun that everything has been done for thete comiort that human efforis could accomplish. The White House of the rebel General Lee, referred to, is a small frame building of six rootns, worth probably fifteen hundred dol lars, and the Medical’ Director states that {t would nobac- cominodate more tian thirty patients, Ho has tents, whi re the patients are for.abld; and be bas, therefore, never conceived it necessary to call for the use of the house a6 & hospital, As to the story about the thirsty, wounded , suffer- ing soldiers having to buy a glass of water, tts only foundation provably origiuated in the fact that some civilian, who was too indo! ro for the water hiuself, may have paid a negro for bringing it to him. ‘The following extract from a tespatch just recetved from. Colonel Rofus Tngulla, the Chief Quartérmaster in charge ai White House, wiil give you some lignt upon this subjects and perhaps sadéfy you as to the motives of the individuals who make the urgent compia nts in question — “Noone here Las ever nad cause to suffer tor water, un- less he was too drank or sick to drink it, We kave water in unnecessary avundance. ‘fhe aprings are nuiwerous, the water is very finé, an! no probivition has ever been phiced on the free and’ unilinited use of it, ‘The author of this P port to the contrary must be a simpleton or a maligous nave?” 1 ON ‘Dave fatien. T have given special directions te protect the property of the White House from any unnecessary injury or desiruc- tion, because It was once the proper y of General Washtag- ton,'and I cannot believe tbat you will regard Lis as @ cattse forrevuse oF censure. L protect no houses azainst use wien they afe needed for sek or wannded ‘oldies, Per= sons who endeavor to impose upon you unsounded reports as those alluued to to thisarmy, but to the cause ti GEO, E, MCCLELLAN, Dlajor Gem In answer to which I received the following:-— Wasmnaron, June 8, 1862. Major General McCiast.a::— Ay despatch to you ju relajion to the White Houso was to Inform you that r presentations were mace lire concerning the matter by persons wito profess to speak fom perso! knowledge, and also by letters, in or | migit be directed to ii, all gro moved, if any exist. Tau gint that your explanation will euable’me to corrcet dsrepresqutaiion. Neither you nor T cau hope to cor ch stories, butso far as it is in ay eb alt power I shall labor to d EDWL STANTON, Secretary of War. Lremained under the impression that the matter wi disposed of to your entire satisfaction, unui I received @ communication from the Assistant Secretary of Var, un- der date of the 16: inst., onclosing a copy of @ comumiu- nication from the Surgeon General vo the War Depart- ment, bearing your cadorsement, recommending that & should make the order therein requested. I insert copies ‘of bovh, that the subject may be better understood: — Was Derantuxnr, Wasnincton City, D. C., June 16, 1302, Sin—The Secretary of War dirvety ine to forward to the enclosed copy of # communivauion of this date, just re- ceived from the Surgeon Genoral, requesting that “White House grounds’? may be turned over to the medioad authorities for hosp.tel purposes, with, the recor! Which the Secrstary has endorsed thereon, and to call your carly ewention to the same. Very respectt ally your ob . 2. WOLCOLT, servani id Assistant Secretary of War. Major, Gencral Guo. B. McOrettan, Commandiig Army of e Potomac. Suncor Genxrat's Orrice, Wasmixctoy Ciry, D. C., June 16, 13 S8m—It has been represented to me by respons men that the Waite House and the enclosed grou: dapied for hospital purposes, ‘The Wa or used by ‘at present, ix very bad; tha: on toe White House grounils, on the contrary, is excelent. Tae lucation 13, nore- Over, an admirable one fora hospital cami 1 have.’ tuere- fore, respeerfully to request that the house and groands may be turned over ty tae medical autnoritica I au, wir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. A. HAMMOND, Surgeon Goneral. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Se-rctary of War, ‘A true copy from the origival on file in this department, BP. WOLCOTT, A-sistant Secretary of War, Was Daraxtaxnt, June 16, 1562, On the recaipt of the foregoing I ordered the chief medical officer of this army to proceed at once to White ‘House and make a thorough investigation of the whole matter, aud I here insert a copy of his report:— Heapgvanteas Anuy or tur Potomac, Meprcat Dinector's Orrice, June Es 4862. i Gewrnat—I have the honor to repurt tual, in dordienee to your instructions, L proc.eded to White Houre on Kiiday Alternoon (20th) ‘anid returned yesterday. I cailed upom Colones ingails, aud, in coupany’ with bin, examined the house known as the Whize ALvuse, as well ‘as the outbuild- ings, grounds and spring. Tué house is two stories in height, with two small rooms on each floor, With a very h end on the lower tor, a cellar under th mal The four rooms in the main buliding eau each accommodate five paticntx; ove of the wings can ac-ommodate three or perbaps four patients; the other is a surt oc pantry, ®od has on one side tue open- jug for the stairway .o descend into the ce: unit forany other purpos: than a dispensary ‘Tae collar ss dack, damp und foul, aud, my opinion, should of itsel forbid the occipation of the ‘house as a Lowplual, ‘The greatest number of slek which the house can accomme- dae is, tien, twenty-iour, leaving no room for the nurses. ‘The outduila.ngs are entirely uuilt for hospital purpose uunds cousist of a luwn, shaded vy locust trees, and ugirden. The lawn aifords room tor about twentye hosp tal tents. ‘The ki/ehen garden is of loose soll, parts ot at rather low, and in wet weather would be muduy and uncomfortable; by ditebing it uot be drained, ‘The spriog is at the foot of the bank near the dalry house, ‘The water 18 good, similar to that of the other «prings (nat bay en prepared for the use ai the men. The supply o1 water tm ihe spring within the crounde is very seanty. The hospi:at steward © by had abaudoved it because Le found 1 required two hours and a hall to dita barre: uf water, Tle spring is inaccessible (0 wagons, It has always been at the service of the hospital, Tenclose the or er of Co.one! In- to that elect. “If this h ured tor how Mich sualtnous und that your attoution js of complaint Fe " niiefent for the whole esta % id necessivate organization of @ senarate adnunistration—surceons, cooks, stewards, &e.—an expenditure of personnel that we cannot very well afford, We have now one bundred and se= veuty hospital tents pitched on the plantation, well arranged: and well policed, the camp weil drained, tue admini.¢ratiom tenta, the cooking apparatus and tue sutsistence te traily located and convenient tor ail parties. Thircy- tents are on the gronnd and are being pitched us the foree at Our disposal wht alow, Sixty-five of these tenis have plank tloors. he remaining thirty-live of the firs: one huudmd received would have been ored {f the lomber hand. The delay in ing this, however, has develope ‘an iusporiant and interesting fact: the mortality in the tloor- ed tent bas been very sensfbly greater than in those with- out doors. I have directed the wirgcon fa eharge to prepare tables showing the comparative ratio of deaths in the (we classes of tents for any information, If Inmber Is te ceived I will suspend the flooring of the remaining tentenn- til these tables can Le examined and the question se: at rest. I must remark that, although the whole of ue tents occu: Pied were in good’ police and an air of com(ort pervadin them, still those without floors were decidedly sup: rior im these respects to the others, In rriation to the reiative ad- vantages of hospital tents and buildings tor hospital pure poses, I think that, among those at all familar with the Sinai teat Ve Tous tate Suet ae cl y st. Very respectful ‘our ol jt serv CHARLES 8. Para ER, LER, Bul yn and Medical Direcior, Army of the Gen. HB. Manor, Chief of Stat T also insert a communication on this subject this day received from Dr. E. P. Vollum, Medical Inspector, who, upon the 17th inst., received an order from the Surgeon General to proceed to ‘White House and other necessary points, and organize a system for the more efficient con- duet of the transportation of the sick aud wounded of the Army of the Potomac to general hospitals.”” Heapquanrans, Auuy or Tux Potomad, June 862, 1 requested, T will state my opinion of the amcant of sccommedsuua of tbe Wille House, Virgtal for the sick and wounded, and what I know of the supply water t! for hospital purposes. The White House wilh hold about twenty-five beds, with scarcely room enough for oe F tore, mber of ‘nurses iat number, apoth; sively crow steward would have to quarter outside. The spring in front of the White House, near the water's edge, hus @ tow of water, but not enough for the sick Dr. Watson’ care, near that place; im consequence of which he sank some casks ha by, Samii: jt . enough water of good quailty, a obedient servant, te EDI P. VOLLUM, Medical Inspector United Btates Army. ier General 8S. Wintiams, Adjutant General Army of the Potomac, ‘The only order ever by me in regard to this property was that on the 16th of May. I directed that the house and yard should not be occupied by our troops. I did this because of the ‘hic! premises with the carlier life of him whom we call the Father of his Country; and this order, with the reasom py » Was at onee telegraphed to yourself in these words — n precaution fo secure from injury thi hawe, 9" Wastiugion passed’ the fret port, OC hie married lite, I neither occupy it myself nor thers to ocoupy it, or the grounds in immediate vicinity. ‘Tho rest of the property, covering several thonsana acres, with all the other buildings, have beon te use Py this army. 1 believe that the only complaint made jn reference to the order given by me is the asser- tion that the premises should have been used for hospital purposes. I have never received any suggestion any medical officer or from any other source in this riny, that such use was desirable, and on this point I jer you to the report of tho medical director aud the statement of the medical inspector, It appears that there is a spring within or near the onclogure, of which my first knowledge was derived after receipt of your telegram of the 7th instant. As to the character of this spring, and the general facilities for obtaining water at tho White House, [refer you to the statements of Colonel Ingalls, the Medical Director and Medical I tor, hereiubotore inserted. it of ‘That the officer in charge there may, however, be pro. tected agains’ misrepresentation, I hore insert « copy of ‘&@ written order issued by him on the 2ist of May on this very gubject:— Orrick oF Quartermaster, Warre House, Va., May 21, 1862, sentinels around the White’ House wilt wagons used for hospital purposes ta v 88 at all Umes to the water within. de enclosure, bine iy RUFUS LNGALL: Lieutenant Caionel, Atddte-Camp and Quarternumer United Staces Arioy, It is seareely necessary for me to say that where springs vollaare in tho vicinity of large bodies of troo;s, com manders often find it necessary (0 viacs cuards over