The New York Herald Newspaper, February 27, 1863, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. ] JAMBS GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICE N.Y. CONNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS, Volume XXVABM...ccossesceeeeseeee AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, SGARDLY, Broadway. —Satayerta, + GENTLEMAD. n Nit Gwrane BA r way.—Roveu Dia. n ek. ¥.—Haxnsomx Jack— aa 1UTe BOWERY PRGAL Youre Aarne GERMAN Cosceme By —Ricuxcisc—Darsier— USI. No, 485 Broadway.—Gtaxp MUSEUM, Broadway.—Mins1e 7, LIVING Hirrorotamus, &c., at ull rpoon and byeulng. AA WAY.—AMMRICANS IN | Fustatus [IL | CONGEESS. In the Senate yesterday, the President was re- | quested to communicate any correspondence which may have taken place between himself and the | Workingmen of England. President Lincoln's let- | ter to the workingmen of Manchester was pub- lished in yesterday's Hrxacp. A joint resolution to facilitate a representation of our industrial inte- rests at the exhibition at Hamburg, was reported. A resolution for a select committee to inquire into the conduct of Colonel Gilbert, who dispersed a meeting at Frankfort, Ky., recently, was laid over. Bills to carry into effect the treaty with Peru, and providing another judge for the courts of California and Oregon, were passed. A | resolution was offered having in view a limitation of the number of paymasters, quartermastera and { STRELS. Mechanies’ Hall, 472 Broad. | BRVANTS & wa).—Eriorias Somes, BUxLMSQuEs, DANCES &C-—DLack Biicapa. ware WOODS MINSTREL HALL, 614 Broadwar —Exu: ' Bosus, Dascis, &CwHAMENT. eae oy tite LAUGHING Gas anp Conckut ze tur OLD BROADWAY NENAGBRIE, Broad Aniwae—Paurownse Lasrete ey ee AN. N THEATRE, No, 444 Broadway. — Luts, Paxrouiaus, BURLESQURS, i bs AT PAKIMAN CAMINEN OF WO 1 Open daily trom oa M. rity Ne et OR PNAS ee HOOLEY'S OP! Soras, Daxens, Bu lOUSE, Brook!yn.—Ermorian New York, Fri ¥, February 27, 1863, THE SITUATION The rebels appear to be actively engaged in miaking raids on this side of the Rappahannock. It is stated by a Washington journal that on the night before last a picket guard of Union cavalry, on the Chantilly roads, out from Centreville, was Ponnced upon, and all but one man captured, bya force of a hundred rebels, after tiring two rounds. Tt is a!s0 ascertained that a number of the enemy crossed the river the saine night at Kelly’s Ford, a few miles from Rappahannock Station, threaten- ing Stafford Court House; that quite a large body of them occupy Warrenton, and that Stonewall Jackson is pushing up the valley towards Stras- burg. By an arrival from Port Royal we are putin pos- session of further information concerning the diffe- renee betwoen Generals Hunter and Foster, the leading facts of which we before published. Ge- neral Hunter has percmptorily ordered the staff of General Foster to leave his department and pro- cecd North by the first steamer; and he has also put General Stevenson, of General Foster's corps, under arrest at Hilton Head, for stating in conver- sation with his brother officers that he objected to the employment of negro troops in the govern- ment scrvice, and that he wonld as soon be beaten as cmploy them as soldiers. However, as General Foster has since gone to Washington for instruc. tions and again returned to Port Royal, it is pro- bable that the difficulty as to the commands will be all xcttled, and everything will be soon right again. ‘The news from the West is important. From Kentucky we learn that the enemy were retreat- ing from the State by way of Mount Sterling and Hazel Green, and that Colonel Kunkle, with o force of eighteen hundred men, was pursuing them. On the other hand, despatches from Cin- cinnati tell various stories of the progress of the Kentucky raid—one to the effect that Gen. Breck- inridge is advancing on Lexington with twenty thousand rebels, and that our troops were falling back upon that point. The Union transport Hetty Gilman, with forage and provisions, was captured by a band of Morgan's guerillas at a point five miles from Woodbury, on Barren river, and fears were entertained that the steamer D. B, Campbell, bound for Bowling Green, would share the same fate. The rebels were overtaken yesterday near Mt. Sterling, and were completely beaten, after a brisk fight. The capture of the ram Queen of the West is con- firmed by an arrival at Cairo. The destruction of arebel steamer hy the Indianola near Port Hnd- son is reported. A full and highly interesting de- scription of her daring run through the blockade at Vieksburg is given to-day in our correspondence from the headquarters of General Grant's army. Much suffering is said to exist at Vicksburg. and deserters from there state that unless relief soon arrives the rebels will be compelled to evacuate the nlace. A cowardly attack was made on Wednesday by arebel band upon a train of cars, filled with peo- ple, going from Louisville to Nashville, ata place named Woodburn, twelve miles below Bowling Greon. The cars were burned, and the locomotive was sent ahead in the hope that it would come into collision with an up passenger train; but owing to the state of the roads the plan failed. The schooner Wm. Stairs, which arrived at Hali- fax yesterday from Trinidad, reports that on Feb- ruary 10, in latitude 27, longitude 68, she ex- changed siguals with the Alabama. She first showed the federal and then the Confederate flag. A despatch from Charleston to the Savannah Republican, dated the Uth, says that three steam- ers (the Ruby, Leopard and Wagnor) from Nassau on the 9th, arrived there that morning with valua- ble cargoes; and that the steamer Douglass ran out successfully last night and took Hon. James B. Clay, of Kentucky, for Liverpool, It continues to aay that the blockade is virtually raised, as not ® run was fired at any of these vessels. A Liverpool letter of February 9, in the Man- Chester Examiner, noticing the arrival of the American food ship George Griswold at Liverpool, mentions, as showing the way in which some peo- ple reciprocate the sympathy of our transatlantic brethren, the fact that as the George Griswold was coming into port with succor for our distressed operatives, the steamer Dolphin was sailing out with a cargo of munitions of wa via Nassau, for a Confederate por &e., en route, The Varies Monifeur contains decrees confirming two nominations to the rank of Knight in the Le. OPE INSTITUTE, Broadway.—Dx, Courox's Exus | gion of Honor, made by the commander-in-chief of the expedition in Mexico. General Woll has also been promoted to the rauk of commander in tho sane Orde® commissaries of volunteers. The resolution of inquiry concerning the arrest of D. A. Mahony and others was indefinitely postponed—21 against 19. The bill to reorganize the engineer corps was dis- cussed and recommitied to the Military Committee. The bill organizing the militia was received froméhe House and the amendments ordered to be printed. A motion to take up the Bankrupt bill was agreed to by a vote of 20 against 16, and the Senate then went into executive session and confirmed several unimportant nominations. In the House ef Representatives a bill to punish frauds on the government was passed. The Senate bill for the appointment of additional generale-was passed. It provides for forty major generals end ong handred brigadier generals; also, that ao sp- NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1863. | by a fall through # grate, used as a covering for s | gress from still another view of the subject. | ment to deprive them of it by force. They will admonish the gront Powers of Ku. | On the other hand, If the rebel authorities should coal vault, aud which was imperfectly fastened. Judge Barnard has ordered 8 stay of proceedings for five days im the case of Mr. Taylor’: inandamus Sgainst Comptroller Brennan respecting the pay- ment of the Fort Gunsevoort property purchase | money. The case of Jacob Weiler, indicted in the Court of General Sessions for the murder of his wife in August last, was concluded yesterday. The jury, after being out nearly four hours, brought in verdict of guilty of murder in the second degree, the penalty for which is imprisonment for life or uot less than ten years, according to the discretion of the Court, The prisoner was remanded for sentence. A letter received in this. city from Tarragona, Spain, states that an American seaman, named David Mason, was mardered on the mole, in that place, on or about the 15th ult. The deceased is said to have @ wife and children residing in this oity. A letter from Bangkok, Siam, of the 28th of November, aanounces the death of a child of Captain and Mrs. Emery, of the American bark Algonquin, at that place, on the 27th of the same month. ‘The stock and gold markets were vory variable and ir- Fegular yesterday. At the morning board etocks wore ll lower, but in the afternoon they rallicd to the prices Of last evening. Gold sol@as low as 160}, and as high an 172, closing 17134 bid. Exchange sold at 168, Money was abundant et 6.0.7 por cont on eall. i * The demand was lesa active for breadstuffs yesterday. Prices were éc..2 100. lower: for flout, 16: -s 26, fer corn, and heavy for wheat, Perk deoliaed 123¢¢, = 280. per pointment shail be msde except forgallant-and {*bbt., with lightorssies. Lara, bacon and cut meats were meritorious service in the field. Mr. Stevens made a report on the disagreeing votes of the two houses on the bill to provide means for the support of the government. All the Points were covered, excepting the clause taxing vank notes. The report was agreed to by a vote of 71 yeas to69 nays. The Honse insisted upon its bank clause disagreement, and the subject will be referred to @ new conference committee. In Committee of the Whole the amendments to the Internal Revenue bill were considered. An amend- ment redocing the duty on paper was offered by Mr. Lovejoy, but was opposed as irretevant, and subsequently withdrawn. It was stated, however, that a bill reducing the duty on paper will be introduced at a future time. THE LEGISLATURE. In the State Senate yesterday several bills were introduced, among which was one to amend the law in relation to burglary, bringing under the head of that crime the breaking open of railroad cars, canal boats, or any place where goods are stored. A concurrent resolution was introduced urging on the general government the payment to families of deceased soldiers arrears of money due for service in the army, and also the payment to counties in the State of sums due them. The reso- lution providing that sufficient funds to pay up to the present time all the troops from this State shall be advanced from the State treasury, in the form of @ loan to the national government, was referred to the Judiciary Commitftce, with instruc- tions to report a bill to that effect. A statement of the condition of the savings banks of the State was received from the Superintendent of the Bank- ing Department. A number of local bills were under consideration, x In the Assembly the bill to enable the Croton Board to hold certain land on the upper part of the island, to facilitate the supplying of water to that part of the city, was ordered to a third read- ing, as also that for the appointment of a State Commissioner of Lunacy. Several matters not of general interest were acted upon. A considerable portion of the day's session was taken up in a dia- cussion on the Governor's message. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The Board of Aldermen held two sessions yes- terday, and transacted a great deal of business. The report of the Committee on Wharves, Piers and Slips, presented by their Chairman, Alderman Boole, isa most important document, and if properly acted upon will prove a saurce of immense future revenue to the city, as well as recovering millions of unpaid rents for the use of municipal property. Boole, of Japanese notoriety, is determined to immortalize himself in local legis- lation, and if he succeeds in turning into the city coffers funds which they have been for years defrauded of he will get the thanks of the over- burdened taxpayers. A ballot was taken for the Harbor Defence Commissioners, which resulted in the appointment of Aldermen Henry, Mitchell, Hardy, Boole and Ottiwell. Fire Marshal Baker sent in his semi-annual report, which shows that he is performing his duty well, and by his prompt- ness quelling incendiarisms in a gratifying degree. Amendments were made to the ordinance to con- tinue an additional aid of $500,000 for the families of volunteers, and it was again sent, as amended, to the Councilmen, The Board adjourned to Mon- day next, at one o'clock. A regular meeting of the Bozrd of Councilmen was held last evening. A committee of confe- rence was appointed, to confer with a similar com- mittee from the Board of Aldermen, in reference to the action to be taken on the ordinance for tie relief of the families of volunteers. The commit» tee reported in favor of receding from the amend- ments adopted at the last meeting of the Board, and the ordinance was returned to the Aldermen in its original form, to be amended by them if ne- cessary. The Harlem Railroad Company preseat- ed a petition against the removal, by the Strect Commissioner, of the turnouts they had laid down without municipal authority. Referred to the Committee on Railroads. The Board ballotted for Harbor Defence Commissioners, when the follow- ing members were elected:—Jones, Brice, Hayes, Haughtalin and Repper. The Comptroller sent in his usual fortnightly statement of the relief afford- ed to families of volunteers, from which it appears that during the fortnight ending on the 2Istin- stant, 37,000 persons were relieved, at an expense of $5,861. A resolution was adopted, directing the Comptroller to inform the Board what amount of money was paid to each of the Corporation pa- pers during the year 1862, for city and county ad- vertising. A resolution of concurrence was adopt- ed, directing the appointment, in the Bureau of the Public Administrator, of a special agent, atan annual salary of $2,000, to take charge of and set- tle the estates of deceased soldiers from this city. The Family Aid Ordinance, as amended by the Board of Aldermen, was concnrred in, and the Board adjourned until Monday evening next at four o'clock. The regular fortnightly meeting of the Commis- sioners of Charitics and Correction took place yesterday. A communication was received from Comptroller Brennan, calling the attention of the Board tothe ‘act of 1917, of the Legislature,” appropriating $10,000 snnually for the relief of destitute foreignere and strangers, and asking why this money has not been paid since 1849. The Board replied, thanking the Comptroller, and stating that the Legislature had not conformed to the act since 1849, and that no good reason ap- peared to them why the appropriation should not be regularly made. There was no further busi- ness of public interest, The number in the public institations is 6,767—-an Increase of eighteen for the week. The number admitted was 1,429, and the number discharged, transferred, and who died, was 1,411. , An injunction has been issued to restrain the Board of Aldermen from voting upon the subject of revoking the privileges granted to Commodore Vanderbilt of pier No. 1 North river in,1853. In the Su or Court a man named Dickie re- covered a v et of $1,750, damages agninat Mr. Anderson, of Lispenard streot, for ipjary sustained activeat advancing rates. Boel was quiet. There’ was } ees antmantion in groceries, whiskey and vodéero, while Ditiés, linseed of, tallow and woot were freely sought after. Cotton was very dull at 900.8 9ic. for middling. ‘The auction sale of sole leather resulted quite satisfactorily. Tho freight market was decidedly brisker and closed with more firmness. Congress and the Rebellion—President Lin ae a Temporary Dictator. The important measures which have. ly passed, and others which are now under con- sideration in the two houses of Congress, will leave no excuse for a failure on the part of the present administration to put an end to the re- bellion. With the closing of the present ses- sion President Lincoln will be practically in- vested with all the powers of a dictator. The scope of his authority and discretion as Presi- dent of the United States will hardly be less than that of Louis Napoleen as Emperor of France. Our whele political system of the peace establishment, including the subordina- tion of the federal government to the will of the States and the people, will be reversed; for the States and the people will be rendered subor- dinate to the will of the federal administration. And this will be done, too, through the duly elected representatives of the States and the people in Congress assembled. This most remarkable political revolution is now within a few days of its consummation. ‘The Militia bill, which has passed, places under the control of the President, for the purposes of this war, all the militia of the United States; the Banking bill, which has passed, and the Treasury note or financial bill, which is under consideration, will invest him with an almost unlimited power over the banks, finances and currency of the country ; and that other bill which is pending before the House, providing for the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, will give him full authority over the liberties of the individual citizen. In a word, we may say that with the adjournment of this Congress, on the 4th of March, President Lincoln, for the two years remaining of his term of office, will be clothed with dictatorial powers, political, mili- tary and financial, over State and citizen, and by the aetion of Congress, and under the authority of the constitution. This organic instrument, and the laws passed in pursuance thereof, constitute the supreme lew of the land. Nor do we think it can be suc-- cessfully denied or contested that, in straining its warlike authority to the establishment at Washington of a temporary dictatorship, Con- gress, in the acts indieated, has passed the bar- riers of the constitution. The legislative power of Congress in regard to the militia, in cases of invasion or rebellion, and over the financial af- fairs of the country, and the habeas corpus, is broad and comprehensive. It is possible that with a Napoleon or a Cromwell, clothed with this provisional dictatorship, there would be an end of our republican institutions, and the be- ginning of an imperial establishment; but there is not the slightest danger of an abuse of his authority by President Lincoln for ambitious purposes. We all know that hie ambition is limited to the suppression of this rebellion; but, if it were not, we all knew that he would be utterly powerless to employ the intelligent, liberty-loving soldiers. of the Union in any movement involving the suppression of our regular Presidential election. We therefore entertain no apprehensions of evil results to the reserved rights of the States or the liberties of the people from these extra- ordinary powers with which Congress is clothing the President. On the other hand, as these laws will be passed over to the next administration, they may even then be turned to good account in the application of their pains and penalties to the abolition disorganizers of the North after the rebels of the South shall have been reduced to their proper allegiance. Meantime, accept- ing the plea of imperlous necessity, we cheer- fully consent to this transformation of our President into a temporary dictator. We cheer- fully consent, in view of the great object ef concentrating the forces and resources of the loyal States against those of the rebellion, and in the belief that this is the shortest way to the restoration of the Union. We cheerfully con- sent to surrender for the present some of the privileges, immunities, exemptions and bless- ings of peace, to push on this war, upon which depends the very life of the nation. Upon this point the patriotiem of the loyal States is surely equal to that self-sacrificing.fa- naticism which governs the people of the rebel- lious States. Those people are under the most terrible despotism ever known in modern times. They bear it, they sustain it, and they submit to conscriptions, cruelties, extortions, priva- tions, spoliations, losses and sufferings painful to contemplate, under the belief that all these things are demanded of them to seoure the independence of their Southern eonfede- tacy, and under the belief, too, that, with this object secured, they will have a better government, and a new career’ of happi- ness, security and prosperity. Are not, then, the people of the loyal States equal te the task of sustaining, in a comparatively light de- gree, the burdens of a struggle upon which not only the life of the government, but the safety of the property, the home and the’ sehold gods of every man in the country depends? The intelligent reader will need no prompting to answer this question. | But we concur in these war measures of Con rope that foreign intervantion against the Union is not to be thought of, and that they can only intervene in aupport ef the cause of the Union. Thus Louis Napoleon may, perhaps, be con- vinced that the time has arrived when, acting upon Mr. Seward’s Congressional peace propo- | altion, he may say to Jeff. Davis and his confede- ; rates: Further resistance against the federal gov- ernment is worse than useless. Accept the friendly offices of France in behalf of your sub- mission to the Union, or prepare for the conse- quences. But in every view of the subject, foreign and domestic, we are prepared to sus- tain these war measures of Congress, and to support the President even as a temporary dictator. Let us support bim, and all that we have lost may be restored ; but if we abandon him all that we have may be lost. ‘The End of the Rebellio the War— Mr. Seward’s Proposition and French Medtation. The proposition of Mr. Seward to the Emperor of the French, to put an end toour domestic war and prevent future hostilities, by admitting to their vacant seats in Congress the representa- tives of the Legislatures and ef the people of the several States now in rebellion, has as given tise to much discussion shout the propriety of |: the course of the Secretary of State, aad a great deal of speculation as to the prebabie action of the Freneh government. The propesition of Mr, Seward has heen denounged by some and Fidiouled by ether journals; but its wisdom and humanity’ will be demonstrated by the happy resulte. I¢ is contended that if Louis Na- poleon should intervene it would not be in favor of the Union, but in the interest of the rebellious States, for which he has hitherto exhibited s0 much sympathy. Now, we deny the premises » which this argument rests. There is no evi- dence that the Emperor of the French has ever shown any favor to the rebels or sympathy with their cause. The English gevernment, indeed, have stated through their organs that, he made ®@ proposition to them to recognize the independence of the Southern confedera- cy-—a proposition by declining which they lay claim to much magnanimity. But we have not yet seen any proof of the allegation, and it was probably set afloat by John Buil for the purpose of embroiling France with the United States. One fact is worth a thousand conjectures or unsupported assertions. The Emperor hes never permitted any privateers to be fitted up in French ports against the mer- chant marine of the United States. The British government has permitted the Alabama and other armed rebel vessels to be built under their very nose to war upon our commerce. It is through the connivance of the British govern- ment that the blockade is so frequently run from the port of Nassau by vessels carrying goods contraband of war. Yet we are told England is strictly neutral and France the friend of the South. ‘Lhe very reverse of this is true. France was the friend of the United States in their struggle with the tyrant George II. It was through her aid in arms, men, moncy aud ships that the war resulted at last in the triumph of the American cause. This was in the reign of a king—the unfortunate Louis XVI. But the same friendship for this country was illustrated when France was @ republic, and the victor of Marengo her First Consul. In 1803 Napoleon sold Louisi- ana to Jefferson, in bebalf of the United States, for 4 mere trifle. He did so, not enly from here- ditary friendship to the Union, but from here- ditary enmity to its baffled foe. He desired to see the American republic a counterpoise to the maritime supremacy of England; end Na- poleon IIf. would not be the nephew of his uncle, or be true to the traditions of France, if he did not desire the same thing. From the Deginning of this war British statesmen and their organs have never ceased to exult in the division of the republic, because they feared and hated it as the naval and commercial rival of England. They have openly declared that they consider the severance of the Union as an accomplished, final and fixed fact, and that this result is for the benefit of mankind in general and the British empire in particular. The chief reason they allege for refusing to join N apo- leon in friendly mediation 1s that the effort might result in reconciliation, whereas, by let- ting the belligerents fight it out, they would not only be rendered harmless to John Bull for a long time to come, but their eternal separa- tion would be secured. To accomplish this our amiable cousins are willing to sacrifice cotton for years to come, and even to risk a revolution at home. No such sentiment animates the breast of Napoleon. He desires the restoration of the Union and a speedy e. it is highly probable, therefore, that he will not only accept the proposition of Mr. Seward, but ask the other crowned heads of Europe to unite with him in supporting it. If any or all of them refuse, he will nevertheless go forward himself, and place them in a false position. He will say to Mr. Seward: “I agree to your plan, and I will lay it before the Southern con- federacy.” Of course the Secretary of State and the President, by whose authority the pro- position was made, must agree—they are bound by their own offer, which they made in good faith. If the Confederate government also agree, then an armistice will of course follow, and, the representatives from the Southern States taking their places in Congress, there will be an amnesty and oblivion of the past, es, after calm deliberation, guarantees * for the future can be adopted and inserted in the constitution. The bill prohibiting the return of the Southern representatives to their seats can have no legal efficacy. It is mot competent to members of Congress from one section of the country to disfranchise another section, and keep the seats of ite representatives vacant, or fill them with bogus members not elected according to law. Congress canaot change the constitution. Nor will the Executive give any aid in carrying out so revolutionary measure. The emancipation proclamation, moreover, will fall to the ground, as so much ‘waste paper, and the confiscation acts will share the same fate. The judiciary—one of the three co-ordinate branches of the government, and that to which is specially assigned the duty of expounding the coastitution—will pronounce all such laws null and void, The Emperor of France, on his part, will insist on the fulfilment of the treaty by which Louisiana was sold to | our government. One of the conditions was, | that the municipal rights of the French citizens then inhabiting that territory should be strictly preserved. Among those rights was that of holding negro slaves; and it belongs to those people and their descendants to forego that right if they think proper; but it is not law- fully in the vower of the general govern. decline to accept the offer made to them through the Emperor of the French, they would be put completely in the wrong, aud the Southern people, who are thoroughly sick of the war, would be very likely to rise against them and’ bring back their States by a counter revolution, to say nothing of the probability of Napoleon compelling the Richmond Cabinet to succumb, by sending his legions now im Mexico across the Texaa frontier, by aiding the Union arms te crush the rebollien by land and by sea, and by enlisting in the interests of peace and the | eause of humanity the whole civilized world. We ahall therefore look forward with great interest to the raply of Napoleon, and hope that not only will it be favorable, but that his diplomatic negotiations may be completed in time to permit the President to call for the Fourth of July an extra session of Congress, to tepresent every State, South and North, East and West, and thus to solve the problem of a permanent peace, and what George Washington declared to be the first essential to the very ex- istence of the States as an independent Power, “their indissoluble Union under one federal head.” The Spectre er M the jam Brightening Miggerheads. After Brutus and Cassius and the other con- posed of Crsar’s body; but his spirit would not down at their bidding. An unwelcome visitor at every feast, a grim sdmonition st every coun- oil, an awful warning in the camp near Sardis, came Cesar’s memory and Cwesar’s ghost, with the prediction, “Thou shalt see me at Philippi.” So the spectre of General McClellan haunts the niggerbeads. They shriek with rage and fear in the balls of Congress at the bare men- tion of his name. They lose no opportunity of villifying and slandering him in their treason- able papers. Just as Brutus, in the dead of night, saw Cesar stalk terribly before him, so Mephistopheles Stevens was appalled by thespectre of McClellan during the debate upon the Conscription bill on Tuesday last. Hence the production of the letter from General Seott, on file in the War Department, in which the veteran complains of certain “irregularities” in the conduct of General McClellan in neglecting to report directly to him instead of to the Pre- sident or the Secretary of War. This letter has greatly rejoiced the siggerheads; but we doubt that it will at all injure the gallant General whom they have so consistently assailed. Mephistopheles Stevens has shown himself no friend of General Scott in exhuming this letter. It was the trick of a base political partisan, blinded by malice and careless of consequences. The letter, it will be observed, was read by Mr. Stevens without the least explanation of the peculiar circumstances under which the “irregularities” complained of occurred. If those circumstances were fully known General Mc- Clellan’s conduet would vindicate itself. Sec- retary Stanton, who is aware of the reasons why McClellan did not always report to General Scott, has added another to his many mean- nesses by allowing that letter to be produced without the appropriate commentary. In his desire to injure McClellan he has again exposed his own contemptible, petty spite to public re- probation. Suppose that General McClelian bad, at that time, positive orders from the Pre- sident and the Secretary of War to report to them, and not to General Scott, how would the case stand thén’? Secretary Stanton knows whether or not such orders were issued; and, if they were, he has been guilty of the most de- spicable connivance with falsehood in allowing Stevens to produce General Scott's letter with- out explaining the circumstances under whieh McClellan acted. We know that at that pe- riod General Scott was extremely obnoxious to the Secretary of War; that the President and the Secretary both considered the veteran too old and ill for further service; that they wished to remove him, but “let I dare not wait upon I would;” that soon afterwards his resignation was accepted and McClellan appointed in bis place; that for some months prior to this ac- ceptance of Scott's resignation McClellan was virtually regarded and treated as the Com mander-in-Chief by the President, the Secretary of War and all their friends and favorites. These facts were openly talked about in Wash- ington, and are embalmed not only in the correspondence of ovr newspapers, but in the diaries of Count Gurowski and Bull Run Russell, both of whom were then admitted to the confidences of our highest officials. What is more natural, therefore, than that the Rresident and his War Secretary should have privately directed McClellan to deal with them, and not with General Scett? On the 4th of October, 1861, when General Scott wrote that letter, he thus describes his condition:—“I am unable to ride in the saddle or walk, by reason of dropsy in my feet and legs, and paralysis in the small of the back.” More than this, he had not yet recovered from the chagrin and mortification caused by the defeat of our army at Bulli ran—the first battle about which General Scott ever eonsulted the politicians, and the first he ever lost. The veteran General instinctively felt that he was being unjustly assailed by the very abolition clique which had previously urged him “onward to Richmond,” and although he did not, per- haps, fully understand the intrigues against him, he knew that his removal was strenuously demanded. We can readily appreciate the spirit in which the old hero regarded the appa- rent “neglects” of subordinate generals during this period. Even unintentional slights pain the recipient deeply when circumstances indi- tate that his power is waning. This letter, tuen, was like @ spoonful of that “hasty plate of soup” which scalded the General jut before his Mexican campaign. It was writ- ten not asa grave charge of insubordination aganst General McClellan, but because the veteran's amour propre was wounded by the in- difference of McClellan’s superiors, and be- cause he thought he saw in McClellan’s “ne- glects’ a hint of a desire to get rid of the war- worn aldier. We can readily excuse General Scott for writing such a letter under such cir- cumstanies; but there is no excuse for the meannest of Stanton and Stevens in making the letter public, It is of ® piece, however, with the usual treatment of McClellan by the nigger- heads. They could not win him to their dis- graceful sclemes, and 0 they determined to ruin him. We do not believe that they greauly congratulate themselves upon their success. In vain did they vitbhold reinforcements and sup- plies at the hou; of his greatest need. General McClellan did aot die before Ricbmond. In vain did they heap insult and contunely upon UcCietlga at Algrandria, The untzjotic Gone- ral did not'retire from the army, but effered &» fight as a common soldier. In vain did they et- tempt to succeed without him. When Lee crossed into Maryland the niggerheads felt on their knees to the man they had persecuted, and begged him to save Washington. In vain did they dismiss bim from his command after that glorious day at Antietam, when he once more rescued his chief persecutors from cap- ture by the rebels. They met their Philippi at Fredericksburg. General McClellan is now the most popular general in the country, and may bo President, if he desires it, in isé4. The niggerheads know this, and hate him eccord- ingly. This new attack upon him, like all @re- vious slanders, will only increase his popu, larity. We call upon General Scott to eet the matter right. He is an old soidier, and will net see another soldier suffer because of @ m econ- ception and misconstruction of this letter to the War Department. Let him explain this letter, as Stanton or Stevens should have done. He is now well informed, doubtless, in regard te the intrigues then in progress against him, and can clear McClellan’s reputation as a faithful and obedient soldier. 2f his rheumatism will ‘aot permit General Scott to write the few words necessary for this purpose, we will send hia one of our phonggtapbic: reporters, will soon be ii ahiethier. or ia General Scott. : At ons ‘Tue Poor Greeiuy Funp.- isconte be- nevolence in thie world after all. The most needy—though the least deserving—object of charity is not overlooked. Little children pity poor Greeley. In addition to the one cent with which a boy started the Greeley fund, we have received the subscription referred to in the fol- lowing clever letter:— TO THE EDITOR OF THE RERALD. Rocuwares, ) N. ¥., Feb. 22, 1668. that » little In your paper of yesterduy you announce boy Had sent poor Greeloy’’'a nickel cent, body knows he is an object of charity, and ag oa. siderable of this world’s goods, I send ‘ poor Greeley”’ two cents in postage currency, or rather I send bim a five cent note, which, as pa says, is worth only about two cents ta gold sinco the Tritune and other aboiitionista have ddaned the idea of restoring the Union and are “going on the nigger. You must not rablish my name: for pa takes the Damar ‘Hxgraup, and would be sure to ace it, and then I should get a “licking” for spending money on 6o miscrab!e an as ‘poor Greeley."” CHARLEY RAY. We hope that Charley's “pa” will reserve his “lickings” until after the war, and then catch poor Greeley and “lick” him soundly and heartily. The poor Greeley fund now amounts to three cents in nickel, or one nickel cent and one five cent postage note. Poor Greeley may obtain this amount by applying at this office, with a clean face and the proper credentials. Naronzon Sexpixa Pruests to Taxas.—We see by the latest advices that a number of French priests and women belonging to reli- gious orders are en route for Texas. Texas, we presume, means Mexico. It is evident the Bm- peror intends using all means in his power te: bring the Mexican expedition to a fortunate is- sue, and that with a view to this accemplish- ment he is following out as nearly as he can the example we set for him in our Mexican cam- paign. It will be remembered that President Polk wished to send to Mexico, with General. Scott, Archbishop Hughes, who was to use his influence in Mexico aa the vicar of Christ. Ne- poleon, who has obtained all the details of our movements in that country, is following out our programme as nearly as he can, which is a great compliment, as all are aware that imitation fs the most sincere flatte: THE PRIVATEER ALABAMA. Haurvar, N. 8., Feb. 96, 1868. ‘The schooner Wm. Stairs, from Trinidad, bas arcived here. She makes the following report:— On February 10, in latitude 27, longitude 68, exchanged ‘signals with the Alabama. She first showed the federal and then the Confederate flag. The Monster Iron-Clads. Hosoxan, Feb. 24, 1868. Hon. Groeox Waxes, Secretary of the Navy :— Sm--I see Sy the public press that the government ie shout toconscruct several large sea-going iron-clad shipa— of-war, These vessels are intended, as I understand, to be about the same length and size as the Stevens Battery; and one of them now under contrat with Mr. Webb, off Now York, it is said, will cost $4,000.000. . 1 [propose to relieve the government of all risk as to the | success of at least one of these versels by obligating my- self to complete the Stevens Battery, and deliver her, rendy for service, on the following terme, viz.:— 1. That «be shall be impevetradie to the most erie tive migsile fired from the most powerful gun (with ordivary service charge) now used in our own or in aay European naval service, to be tried upon ber at short range—say 220 yards. 2. That she shall have greater speed than any other iron-clad war eteamer in the world. 3. That she shall be more manageable and more quickly turned and man@uvred thau ‘any other large armed sem going steamer. 4. That she shail Lave av armament capable of throw- ing a broadside at least equal to that of any ship now afloat 6. ‘That she shall be delivered to the government com- plete and ready for service within nine months from the time the order is given for the sum of $1,508,000; but ae payments wil be required until she shall be ready for de- i provided, however, that the performance by me of these conditions ts not to rest upon theoretical fons, but (if desired) sball be brought to practical tes the test of ber sea going qualities to De a voyage to Charleston bar and back to New York harbor, ‘The condition# attached to this offer, if fulfilled, would make the ship the must powerful and efficient war steams- er jo the wor'd, at a cost to the goveroment far less tham that of tne Warrior or La Gloire, or than that of any other Ship of the same sive and quality. She could also be com- pleted in less than half the time it would require to build anew ship. If she should prove a failure, the whole les fulls upoo me, and not upon the government. Ur Twill transfer the vessel to the government as she now stunds—having her hull, boilers, engines and me- chinery nearly all complete—for her cost to me (say 250,000), provided sbe is then Onisbed by then on my geueral plan, | estimate she would then cost the govern- ment {n all $1 000,000. This arrangement would give the government the benefis of the $500,000 heretofore Scpenaed by them on the and which was relinquished vy the action of the jast As will be seen from the last offer, 1 to mot pam pose to make any profit outof the goversment, but @~- sire the completion of the vessel for the national and to protect the reputation of my brother aud from the discredit of any failure, that she may becom- pleted on our plans, that we may not be held y ne. Sa ee trees portance (o ihe gov erases P.S.—If ime Li .. 0 move the vessel could be coders grt less time, but a course at eB i. com Wasuincton, Feb. 26, 1968. ‘The proposition of Mr. Stevens has been rejected by Secretary Welles. It has, however, been placed before the naval committees of Congress, and it is probable thas directions will be given to the Secretary of the Navy te accept a proposition in every way so generous and bene- ficial to the public service. Immense Union Mass Convention at In- Aianapolis, Ina. Ispiawapouis, Jan. 26, 1863. The Union Mass Convention to-day was the largest ever held bere. There were over 80,000 persons present, The proceedings opened with prayer by Bishop Atos. Gov- ernor James A. Wright, of Indisna, presided. There was speaking from three atands, Governor Jonoson, of Ten- nessee; Hon. Sam. Galloway, and Rev. B. F. Carey wore paatien’ san pene reaffirming devotion to the federal Union and a hearty support to the goverament in a vigorous prosecution of the war until the rebellion is crushed oat; depresating all trucking armistices and jug giing conventions with traitors in arms as ‘‘weak fnvea- tions of the enemy,” that eannot be entertained « single momont by loyal man, endorsing every measure that the , adopted for the suppression of the rebel. ES eee that the loyal poople of Indisoa will aover au bantt to the withdrawal of « from the Onion, or the Capmngtv> of @ Nee lymrcaigen cqphedgracy to whom he Bh metee porting certain army details te. ‘Tioitenent reittn OBA Atel en Pie peTitainay' oes ote 4 he, m a a