The New York Herald Newspaper, December 14, 1863, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNET®, gpToR AND PROPRIETOR. Orrics NW. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. Wolume AAVIEE .........+- AMUSE THIS EVE! ENTS DENY C 2, Irving Place.—Tus Gunwan tug M. AOA Oonma NIBLOS GARDEN, Broudway.—Macio Jons—Fainr Cadte WALLACK S TUERATRE, Broadw: Rosey ace. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.-Tiexer oF Leave May OLYMPIC THRATRE, Rroadway.—Lapiss Easy Suaving—Yanxne Lxcacr. Bewsne— RY THEATRE, Bowery~Doc or Oxp DRD—JOLLY COBBLAL . Bowery.—Jack Suerrann—Mis- BOWERY THRATR or Leave. wcurox Bovgu—TicK® BARNUM’S MUSEUM, _Broadwav.—AnauiaN Grant, Gast Grrr, Guayr Box, Liu iG, AC. ab all Bou Ticket or Leave Max—' tux Tome. goon and Evening, RYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad. —KrUIOPLAN SONGS, DANCES, BULLESQURS, &¢.—J remus Port. WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway. —Ermrorias Bors, Dances, &.—Vox Ham-nvas AGRE, GLO. CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS, 585 Broadway.—Bur- ursqous, Sonus, Dan C.—BLack Statux. AMERE n No. 444 Broadway.--Bavurrs, Parroximus, Burtusquas, &e—Firz Foopiss Vorscr. BROADWAY AMPTIITHEATRE, 485 Broadway.—Gra- Nastic AND Equysitian PERYORMANCKS, HOPF CHAPEL, TIS ¥ 08 Moston OF Tus Ustven SEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway. Comosrims any Lice from yA. M. ui 10 P.M HOOLEY'S Way.—TaS SreRnoscorticay OPERA HOUSE, Bones, Dances, Buntesquns, Ac. Brooklyn. —Erarorun New York, Monday, December 14, 1863 THE SITUATION. of our correspondents with General One ‘oade’s army reports that deserters from the vels say that quite a number of the enemy’s coops are disposed to take advantage of the President’s offer of pardon. The same authority assures us that a large majority of North Carolina and border State troops are sick of the war, are most anxious to return ‘‘to their allegiance,”’ and will desert at the first opportunity, to take advan- tage of Mr. Liacoln’s proclamation. It is said that General Meade demands_a court of jinquiry into the conduct of the recent advance across the Rapidan, and the sudden retreat across that river. No doubt he is as anxious as the public are to know the precise reason for the movement, pro- gressive and retrogressive. The authorities at Washington, we presuine, can furnish the informa- tion, if they choose, and it is to be hoped that the ecart of inquiry will clacidate the matter. A despatch from General Butler, at Fortress Monroe, states that the rebel authorities at Rich- moad refuse to receive any more supplies for the Union prisoners. The reagon for this course is al- leged by the rebel goverument to be an imputation on their honor by the press and government au- thorities of the United States, that they were not delivering the goods forwarded in good faith to prisoners, and it was asserted that the officers in Libby prison, from the immense supplies they had received, could set a table from their stores on hand equal to any hotel in the United States. It was admitted that there had been some irregular- ities in the supplies at one time, but that the offi- cer who had been guilty of neglecting prisoners had been promptly removed and punished. Flying ramors of a proposed measure for peace on the part of the rebels were still rife in Wash- ington yesterday, and it was even said that Alex- ander H. Stephens had arrived at l’ortress Monroe on some such mission; but the story—which is the second or third canard of the same character already circulated—cannot be verified upon any more reliable auth y than a Washington jour- nal, as remarkable for its inaccuracy as for its love of sensation reports. ‘The last news from the captured steamer Chesa- peake is up to yesterday afternoon, and reports her as having left Shelburne on Saturday morning with an increased crew and twenty chaldrons of coal. A strange steamer was observed running about the islands in Mahone Bay, near Chester, aud it was thought that she had coal on board for ts and nine of the e arrive d in this city yes- the Chesapeake. crew of the Chesap terday morning. A full aud graphic history of her capture and subsequent movements will be The details of the af- fair, as furnished by Captain Willets, would show that the murder of Mr. Schaffer one of the most diabolical on record, and that after repeated attempts to murder all the offieers found in another column. was of the vessel, the pirates concluded to pnt them in N.B. He shows also that the perpetrators were not South- ern men, but British irons and land them near John, subjects of very dubious character, It is stated that a score of similar acts of piracy have been planned, and several vessels have narrowly escaped a fate akin to that of the Chesakeake. The pirates ’still retain the possesion of the remaining engineers and firemen, and will ng doubt do so until they can be replaced by otherg The farewell address of Gene army on resigning the command | Bragg to his nd that of Gene- ral Hardee upon assuming the same, are given in our columns to-day. They are each ex ecdingly complimentary to the other. General Bragg re- fers to the serious difficulties through which the rebel army bas passed, and General Hardee says that the past must take care of itsel{; that their object now is to “secure the future.’ MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. ‘The brig Palma, Captain Ellis, at this port yes- terday, furnishes an interesting news report from South America, dated at Rio Janicro the 24th of Jotober, Pernambuco the 7th, and Rio Grande del rte the 10th of November. The liberal party Brazil had a complete triumph at the recent tions, Its members advocate regular comma- ition by steam with New Y The Journal Brazil states that the imperial princess, the heiress of the throne, is betrothed to the Arcb- duke Louis Victor of Austria, brother of Francis I is said that Gen. *ph—her second consin »b, United States Minister in Brazil, now advo- cates in government circles the establishment of a line of steamships to New York. Rev. J, ©, Fletcher aud Mr, Heade, an American artist, had been presented to the Emperor of Brazil. Cotton fad sugar were high inthe Pernambaco market, with a scant supply of sugar. Succeeding the recent cold snap, our city and vicinity havé bééh visited by a milder temperature of the atmosphere, and rainy, foggy weather. At aboyt midaight of Saturday a strong southeast r ay wind set in; which gradoally increased, and on Sunday morning was blowing & gale, causing the fide to rise unusually high, and flooding a large number of cellara on the Kast and North rivers, doing considerable damage. No material damage to the shipping has occurred. The rear portion of the new ferry house at the South ferry, now in process of construction, was blown down, and the iron of which it is composed was broken into fragmenta. Whe Prostrate Condition of the Rewel- Hoa and the Way to End It. If, after the disastrous repulse of Bragg from Chattanooga, and the expulsion of Long- street from East Tennessee, any further evi- dence were needed to prove that the rebellion is nearly demolished, the doleful message of Jeff. Davis to his rebel Congress, and tbe opening proceedings of that dismai body, ought to be sufficient to convince the most incredu- lous Northern copperhead or Britieh aympa- thizer in his hopeless cause. The lamentations, of Jeremiah fail short of these lamentations of Davia. He begina bia message by deploring the “grave reverses” which have befallen his armies during the year. Of Bragg’s late crushing defeat he saya:—“It is believed that if the troops who yielded ‘to the assault had fought with the valor which they had displayed on previous occasions, and which was manifested in this battle on the other parts of the lines, the\enemy would have been re- pulsed with very great slaughter.” Here we have the confession that the rank and file of the rebel armies are becoming demoralized, and that they have no longer any heart to persist in their hopeless struggle. Next. the rebel ruler pleads the collapse of all his schemes and ail his hopes of foreign interven- tion, and, without stint, he scolds away at England and France for their cruel per- fidy. Next, be fairly howls over the horrid depreciation of his rebel crip, about ninety per cent below par, and says that some remedy is at once “necessary for the successful performance of the functions of the govern- ment.” In fact, the conspirators in the outset of this rebellion bad no conception of their tre- mendous undertaking, and so foreign interven- tion, King Cotton, Southera valor aad rebel scrip have all failed them against the re- morseless Lincoln, whose military forces and resources and successes still multiply as tho war goes on. But, though{Davis confesses much, he con- ceals and attempts to cover up much of the distress of bis Southern Utopia. He speaks of its ample resources, when its hopes of subsist- ence till next summer depend upon the Indian corn crop of Alabama and Georgia. Te speaks of thirteen independent States, when (he new Union State of West Virginia. carved out of old Virginia, is in successful operation, and when another portion of the Old Dominion, sufficiently large for a good sized State, is occur pied by our armies, including all the outlets of Virginia to the sea. He includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and ‘Texas in his list of thirteen States, when it is only by stealth that his represeatatives from those States can get to Richmond. He speaks of a “paper blockade,” after having confessed at Wilmington that that was the only port through which his blockade runners have any chance of ingress or escape. He speaks of the splendid condition of his armies, while in the next breath he calls for those men who have furnished substitutes, exempted men, old men, invalids and negroes. He cannot avoid the confession, however, of his inability to com- municate with the west side of the Mississippi, and so he proposes a sort of quasi independent government for that department until the river shall have rolled by. The simple truth is that such is now the dis- mantled and shattered condition of the Davis confederacy that but for the rains and mud of the wintry season in the South the whole con- cern might be utterly demolished within the next thirty days by the advance of General Grant upon Atlanta, and to those railroads which command the scanty supplies of Bragg, Beauregard and Lee. Itis probable that the programme of Davis now will be to gather up all the militia forces and conscripts be can scrape together from Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, and to put them in some strongly for- tified positions in the heart of Georgia to check the advance of Grant in the spring: and that next, concentrating the remains of Bragg’s vete- ran columns and Longstreet’s and the North Carolina reserves and all the guerillas of West- } ern Virginia in the army of Lee, another des- perate and final effort will be made to crush our Army of the Potomac. This is the last chance remaining to Davis, cad we dare say that he will adopt it. In this view it becomes the policy of the administra- tion to provide for the defence of Washington independently of the Army of the Potomac and so strengthen that army that it may be at liberty to march “on to Richmond” by way of | Gordonsville or Fredericksburg, or the penin- sula, or even by way of the Shenandoah val- ley, secure against the contingency of a recall to protect Washington or to head off another invasion of Maryland. We are glad to hear that some such policy is to be adopted. If so, we have only to demand, in behalf of the conn- try, that the administration shall uot stop at any half way measure. Loos Our vor Jerr. Davis.—Mr. Secretary Welles, to save what little reputation he has, ought to be more active than ever in keeping watch on the harbor of Wil- miugton, a8 it is exceedingly probable that one of the most interesting of the blockade runners, in the person of Mr. Jefferson Davis, may be trying to get out of that port before long. It is the only one open now, and, as all safe means of exit are cut off on the Texas frontier, it is quite likely that he will attempt to make Wil- mington his point of departure when he is clear- ing ont, as be soon must be. If he will not take our advice—so often and #o generously offered—and go with his bag and baggage and co-rebels to Mexico, it would, perhaps, do to let him slip out of Wilmington, and off to Eng- land, like Louis Philippe did from Boulogae-- disguised in a blouse, with light blue cotton umbrella under his arm Sevatorn Foors on THe Rawrags.--Senator Foote has been making another rumpus in the rebel Congress at Richmond. This time he pitches unmercifully into Jef. Davis. It was always his habit while in the United States Senate to be pitching into somebody and mak- ing things as disagreeable and undignified as possible, He never was a man of much weight either in Washington or in Richmond; but bis late tirade may do something towards opening the eyes of the benighted people of the South to the true state of alfairs. [ty but the begin. uing of the ead. NEW, YORK. HERALD, , MONDAY, . DECEMBMR. 14, 1863. The Opening of Cong eas—Stentficant Movements. Very little bas been done yet in Congress, but enough bo indicate the drift of the political tides and currents in reference to the next Presidency. First, in the election of the Speaker of tho House, we find that, while Mr. Colfax secured more than the republicaa vote, the democratic opposition elements were stattered about upon several individuala. Next, the complimentary resolution to General Grant was, in the Houso, passed unanimously; but in the Senate, in order, as they say, that the pubject may be do- liberately cousidered, it is lpid, for the preseut, upon the table. i Now, why was it that Mr. Colfax waa elected by more than the atrength of the republican party? Because be is stronger than his party. He is a popular man, and a moderate man, Hence he received alarger vote than any hidebound radical of one idea could poa- sibly command. He representa, not the repub- lican party-—which was defeated in tho Stata elections of 1862—but the Union party, which has been ao decidedly successful in the eleo- tiona of 1863. The republican party, ia fact, having finished its businoss, haa gone into liquidation; and the new Union party, of which Mr. Colfax, aa Speaker, is the first importaat official result, is but a temporary organization for purposes which are already substantially accomplished. gi ‘The scattering votes of the scattering domo- crats for Spoaker show that their party is soat- tered to the winds. The efforts made to revive the parfy in 1862 might have been successful but for the impudent and brainless inter- ference of the copperheads. Admitted to rule the roast, the Northern democracy, by these copperheads, have been as effectually do molished as the Southern democracy. And 80 now we find Sunset Cox, Fernando and Ben Wood, Booby Brooks and all the other would- be leaders of the democratic party drifting abont without a party, and without any policy of cohesion among themselves. In the next place, the unanimous vote of the House in favor of the resolution for a medal and a lieutenant general’s commission to Gene- ral Grant indicates the dawning power of mili- tary success, military eolat aad the army. There was not a copperhead or @ peace man who bad the temerity to say no to this resolu- tion, This is but the beginning. By-and-by we shall have some larger manifestations of the power of military glory and availability. if the Sachems of Tammany Halt are begin- ning to talk about General Grant, it is because they shrewdly gueas that the party which secures him as its candidate will walk over the Presidential course. The copperheads, too, inatructed by the late elections, have stopped their senseless clamors for peace, and are casting about for a strong man to lift them out of the mire. Hence there: was not @ voice raised in the House against this Grant resolu- tion. But why was the subject laid over in the Sonate? Because there may be several Presi~ dential aspirants, or because, as we know, there are some very active Presideatial pipe- layors, in that body. They, perhaps, want to find out first something more than they know of General Grant’s ideas and inclinations as a politician. Thus in the Senate, as woll as in the House, we have some disclosures of the recognized strength of military popmarity as Presidential capital. But we shall bave some movements before long which will remove all doubts upon the subject. The parties and the politicians of the day are all adrift; but they will soon begin to take their places Boasts anp Pervormances,—-In his late re- port Secretary Welles takes great credit to him- self for what the navy has accomplished under his administration. Wherever they have had the opportunity and the means our gallant officers and sailors have undoubtedly done all that could be expected of them. But itis just because the Department has made a blundering use of the enormous resources placed at its dis- posal that all this self-laudation becomes neces- sary. Our uavy, we are (old, aumbers at prea- ent five hundred and eighly-eight vessels, mounting four thousaad four bandred and forty-three guas. And yet, with this im- mense force, we are unable to capture the three or four rebel privateers which. have inflicted such vast injury on our commerce. That much has beea done that had better been left undoae by the Department is no consola- tion for its omissions, Out of the large addi- tions that have beea made to our navy since the war began more than one-third will not be | permanently serviceable a3 part of its regular organization Had the money expended on them for the benefit of contractors and creatures of the goverameat been spent on vossels of the requisite speed to capture the rebel pri- vate we should not only have saved a large amount of money, but added to the navy aclass of vessels that are urgently required. Secretary Welles is compelled to admit this fact in the remarks which he makes about the necessity of our building vessels of greater speed. It is only now that he wakes up to a consciousuess ot the shortcomings of the Department in this regard, although for the Jast two years the Hearn has been constantly drumming them in his ears. Had he acted oa the pressing recommendations made to him there would not be now a rebel privateer left on the ocean. Itis too bad that the country should have to pay thus heavily for his obstinate dis- regard of the advice tendered bim; but, as he has at last got his eyes open, it is to be hoped that he will act promptly on his newly ao- quired convictions Jere. Davis on THR Neoro.—In his lato Mes- eage, Jeff. Davis, while complaining of the cruelty exercised by some of the Union geuve- rals, takes occasion to refer to the negroes who have fallen into the hands of our armies. He says that from the treatmeat they receive the most fearful diseases and mortality exist among them in the camps where they are crowded, and, being accustomed to the atten- tion of thoir masters, they are unable to take care of themselves. “By the Northern mea,” he says, “on whose deeprooted prejudices no kindly restraining induence is exercised, they (the slaves) are treated with aversion and ne- glect.” He has no doubt, be continues, that the African race in the South, which bas in- creased in number sixfold since their importa- tion into the British colonies, will be reduced one-Lalf by the measures adopted ia the Union army Tue War vo Carca tae Biockage Rowwera— It isa romarkable fact that while ao many blockade raners have been captured recently wory fow oF (hem were Laken by 4 regular war vessel employed for that purpose They all be- came the prey of swift transport and supply steamers plying on their regular trips along the coast. One of the moat valuable prizes yot taken was tho Minna, which waa caplured by the Circassian on ber last regular voyage. These facta ought to suggeat to tho Navy Do- partment the necessity of employing such fast sailing steamers aa may be in commission to run up and down the coast constantly, keeping a complete line of them from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Fortress Monroe. By adopting thia measure the escape of rebel vessels run- ning into or out of Wilmington would probably be almost impossible Posrso Lanps.--Thore ia nothing which at- tests more conclusively the steady progress of the country, in spite of the obstacles opposed to it by the war, than the result of the opera- tions of the Land Office for the last fiscal year. The amount disposed of exceeds that of the previous year by 1,583,776 acres—tho total amount gold being 2,966,698, a4 against 1,377,922. During the Girat quarter of the pres- ent fiscal year tho quantity disposed of was 874,850 acres, which exhibits another targe increase We are glad to sea that government eoutem- plates imposing a tax apon the aet profits of the gold and silver mines of the United States, aga meaas of augmenting the resources of the government. This is a measure which we have frequently urged aa offering a solution of the embarrassments which will by aud by stare us in the face from our present enormous paper issues. Let the principle of a tax equivalent to a royalty upon these mines be once estab- lished, and the mineral resources of the country can soon be made to wipe out the heavy respon- sibilities brought upon the government by the war There is another thing that should not be lost sight of in this general overhauling of our expenditures and resources, and that is the put- ting a stop to all free gifts to States or indi- viduals of the public lands. With tho enormous burthens that will press upon our shoulders for tho"next two generations, we cannot afford to be generous of the national property. Not a dollar of it should be allowed to be diverted from its logitimate objects—that of helping to equalize the government revenue and expendi- ture and to liquidate the public debt. Of course this doca not apply to the proposed changes in the Indian reservations, which jus tice as well as policy requires to be carried out in @ broad and liberal spirit. THE PEACE RUMORS. ‘Reported Arrival of Alexander FL Ste- phens at Fortress Monroe. Another Statemont Respecting q Peace Commissioners, ¢ be, MO, ae. Waamnaton, Deo. 15, 1663. ‘Ths Chromic -dag publishos 4 rumor, which, though {t ta unable to verify, believes tho truth by ao moans im- Probable, to the effect that Aloxandor H. Stephens and ve others had como down to Fortress Monroe undor a @ flag of truce, with proposals of peace; that they aaked to bo received ia their ofc iat capacity aa Commissionors from the Southora confederacy, that their request was fofuned, but they were informod they would be listened only a4 private citizens from Southorn States. Inquiry was mado (hia morning ia a quarter whore such a fact, if Mtexisted, would probaviy bo kaown, but oothiog was obtained confirmatory of the rumor. ff any Commis sioner, or persons acting by authority of tho rebel gov ernment, mado a visit t Vortrosa Monroe, it was upoa Another subject. namely—the exchange of prtsouora, which, fr certaiw reasons, & more probabio than the rumor (9 which reference is made Dor Special Wa ngton Despa Wasawarom, Doc. 13, 1306 Very litte credence har been givea bere to the ceport that commissioners were on their way to Wasbingtoa with proposals of peace from the rebel authorities, nor Ibs it occasioned any great dogroe of conjecture in the minds of those who veliove it, so far ax the resuits of auch @a effort are concerned. No commissioners or Proposals from the civil suthorities at Richmood can bo received hore, as such a step would be equivalent to tho recognition of tho rebel government. Whenover any aimilar propositioa may be made by the miliary leaders, Our authoritias may rece.ve them but oove cao bo allowed to cater onr fines untess emanating from robols in arms. This bas beea the policy 6 ada tration since the outbreak of the war, and thore foundation for the Beles thal avy dopar' ure will be made frou it Tt has been suggoeted tbat depytatioas from any of the Btates, a6 such, proffering torme of aubnievion or recon struction, might be received, as (he goverament could with propricty deal with S who are woary of the war. tf, for instanes, North Carolioa should see fh to make propositions t abandon the coafederacy and ro. enter tho Union, there is aothiog mM the constitution or past polioy of the goverament to prevent tue reception of their commissioners under a dag Of truce The Reported Commissioncws from North Carolina. 10 THE KOTOR OF TH ARRALD A report was in circnatoa yesterday ia Washingtoa and this city that peace Commissioners were on their way from the rebel government to Woshingtoa, to treat with Prosideat Lincoln and Congress Such [ oan assure you is Bol the fact But the fact is that North Carolina has appointed commissiooers, who tro now probably on their way to Wavhington. Our gov- eromout caa treat with States, but not with the so-called Confederate governiment. There i# a wide diffrence be- tween the rebel government aod the Siates in thor individual capacity—the latier bave always been recoy nized, the former oever If the North Carolina commissioaers are well received by Prosidont Lincoin and Congress, commissioners from other Southern States will follow ta rapid succession, aad a Rational convention will be proposed to aetile all questions North and South. Thus you 490, peace and the Uaton will be restored. ‘This te no idle OF fancy Chougbdt of the writer, but is from one whe knows, aad who has just come from the South UNION, Death of a Telegraph Operator. At a special meeting of (he members of the National Tolegraphic Union, tn Now York city, held on Sanday, Deoembor 13, for the purpose of taking proper action ‘with reference to the demise of Leprelotte Sweet, a mem- bor of that association, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted — Whereas, an allwise Providence has removed from among out midst our esteemed and dearly beloved friead and oo laborer, Mr. Lepreiette Sweet, for many years an attache of the American Telegraph (foe in th city—a Yr man of more than ordinary ability, pomseasing bigh Zocial qualities ana & Sweetness Of disposition that en deared him © all with whom be was associated and whereas, words can but inadequately ex the sorrow which wo, his fellow |, feel on thie gad oocasion ; and while bumbiy bowing to the dictates of Him who dooth al! th: well, we would piace on record ev: dence of the senge of the lose wo have sustained and, a6 Q slight mark of respect to the memory of (he lamented deceased, it is Reaoived, That jn the death of Laprojette Sweet American aph Company bas lost a fatbfu! valued servant, his fellow operators a dear! frignd, and the profession one of its brightest orn Resolved, That oor heartfelt sympathios are ¢ are herebf tendered to (be grief strickon relatives of the docoased, in thie, the hour of their affiction Resolved, That we, (he members of the Notional fol egraphic Union in tbe Now York district, iu token of respect fur odr fate brother member, will woar Me cus tomary badge of mourping for the oneoiag thirty days Resdtyed, That a copy of there resolutoas bo Eranimt ted to the OF the dovonsod. Resolved, That ® copy of the proceeduags Of Las ma tng be published ia ths daly papers of Now York How too, amp Lawrengs, Mao INTERESTING FROM WASHINGTON, Wastararom, Dec. 15, 1855. Tae COWORs OC KEPERENOS TO THR REMOVAL OF OUNBKAL MBADE. ‘Th9r0 is ood reason Lo believe that Loe siatomont that tha Prosidont had deciled to romove Coneral Meade from bis command ia at trast promature, uo deg#ion having been made in bis cage aa yat. |: 5 reported that a court Of inquiry iv (o be bold, at which all the fica ta cogacd the recent movement wil be brought Out, aod upoo tho regult of that court the future alates, wok ouly oF Genoral Meade, but of gavoral of Lis @ibordinatas coum muading , will dapead THE CONGREASIONAT, OOMMITTRES Sivce the adjourumen\ of Congress oa Thursday last, the loading members of both Hovses Maye been busily engaged in arranging the Standing Committers It is ua dorstood to-night that thoy Lava been geuerally agraed upoa, aud that thoy wii! be avuonsced in the Seaate aad House to-morrow Tue aub-committes who were appointed bo arrange the Bouate committess, have, after a good deal of discussion aud labor, completed their task, It is reportod (hat the chairmanships of the Senate committess wilt generally romaiu aa they were last session; but many Changes Lave bovo made of their personnel. Strong efforts wore mado to change some of the chalrmauships bold by tho Now England Sevators, on account of their alloged preponder- @nce in such important positions; but it is genersily understood that they were finally allowed to romain as before, There was a severe struggle to Oust Sevator Hate, of Now Hampshire, from the chairmauship of the Navat Commitioo, ou account of alleged diferences be tweea him aad Secretary Wolles; but, on his assurance that ho would aot throw any obstructions in the way of the Navy Departmoat, he was allowed to remain. The following are aome Of the mmportant committoas ia the Senate, a3 roported to-night, aud it is believed tuat they aro correctly atated:— Foragn Relations—Sonatora Sumnar, Foster, Doolittle, Harris, Davis, Johnson und McDouga’ Navat Aforrs—Sonators Hale, Grimes, Ramaay, W Harding, Anthony and Hicka. Post Ofice—Senators Collamer, Dison, Heudergen, Coa- eas, Ramsay, Bowden and Buckalew Finance—Senators Fessenden, Shermau, Howe, Cowan, Clark, Conness avd Van Winkio. ‘Tho following ta beliaved lo be tho composition of the Committoo of Ways and Moaas ia the House:—Messrs. Thaddous Stevens, Hooper, Morrill, Stobbins, Fenton, febenck and Boutwell. There ts @ roport in circulation that Boutwail, tate Commissioner of Taternal Revenue, is to bo chatrmaa of this comiittes; but it is aot considered probable that Stevens wil! be dispiaced. It is ols understood that Mr. Kelley, of Penaaytvaaia, will be chairman of the Naval Committee; Dawes, of Massachusetts, of the Committes oo biections; Wash buras, of Liiaois, of the Committeo on Commerce; Ashley, of Odio, of the Committee on Territories; Henry Winter Davis, of Maryland, of the Committee oa Foreiga Afaira, and Alley, of the Post Office Committes. Mr. Scheack ia to be chairman of the Committee on Military Alairs. CONDITION OF THK PRESIDENT'S BRALTH. ‘The Presideut was oot as woll yesterday, aud was obliged to keep bis room. He is mucia better to-day, and able to attend to prblic busiacas. THE RUSSIAN BANQUST TO THE MEMBERS OP CONGRESS. Yoaterday, at the banquet to the members of Congress and ladies on board the Russian frigate, after the moat subasaatial portion of the eatertaiament was over, Speakor Coifax addressed tho company, saying the Russian Minister wisbed to make a remark, following wich a salute would be fired Crom one of the vessels of the foot. Raron Stosoket, Aling his giaas, said — ley, ths United States. Myseif, the Admirat, and ali the officers of tho fleot thank for the hospitatity with which we have beea treated while ta your couatry. This Coast was deaok amidst great appiauss, Halo aa our tater Speaker Colfax egaiu called the company to order, and deitvered the following speech »— Apsaeat— After the toast givea im benor of our great country by that gontioman who 80 worthily represents your mpertal masterrat the capital,and after the salute. joat fired, it devolves upon me to make a fow words of e . The Representatives of the Congress of Amer- «ca, feceiving your very kind invitation, have as- « to thank you, under the entwined fags Sf ie aod rica, and tok of = your ie | hospitality. kay youthat, singe the jell SO gtrogg oi which this country i@ eugaged for its cxise- ence, tho heart of every American is warmed towards ail thoae who geud wolcome words of frieadaiip aud rey pathy ¢o the repudlic founded by Washington; and w! across the broad Atlantic came the cheering words of sympathy, ta the hour of triat, from the fzar ef all tho Russias, hearts warmed a4 never betore towards ali the people in (uat distant land. Your coua- try i@ great, aad our coumtry—distracted aa it is today, but with tho glad guashine of vietory broaking through the clouds—is also great. Yours ia in throe eontinents—Kurope, Agia aud America, Ours 1 In one, bet spanning the eatire cootinent from Oceas to opeRo. On the one side, (rom our Atlantic coaat, our Commerce, with ils white winged @aila, apeoda oa. ward to your porla on the Kast. On the other side, oa (he lacie slope, Our great Hatin is 80 61088 to yours we can Almont roalize the greeting of grasped hands, And thea two great countries almost encircle the giebo, thank you for the cordial welcome given bere, and in ro- sponse f gu R the United States. May fee frigadainp between them be as porpetval as the ara!’ A NEW THRORY IN REPEABNOR TO THE REBEL JOHN MORGAN'S ESCATR From information ¥ received bere, Uhore is 9 welieve Chat the rebel Genera! Morgan has not im Canvda, bot was secreted in Columbus, and now probably ou his way Chrougu Keatucky and Tea nessee to tke South loubless some party haa patmed bimself of upya the Canadian public am the redoubtable Morgaa, for the p.rpoae of Carowing our authorities on the wroag sceot, ant thereby enabling the gueritia thief to return to the coufederacy without attempting the havardous experiment of ruowing the blockade. REBEL, SYMPATHIZERS DEAERTING THE SINKING FOR TONKS OF SPCRSETA. Within the last week # oumber of individuals have #uddealy appeared (a Washington who weat South at the outbreak of the war, and who are oow returning to their homes. diagusted with the rebel rate 4 desirous of be coming law abiding citizens. TUK RACORTED DEATH OF GENKRAL COMONFORT. Tue report of Geners! Comonfort's death is oot cred. ited at the Mexican Legation but, should it prove true, it will be a torribie blow to the national cause, aa Gea. Uomentort was one of the bravest chieftains Mexicags over (ought wader Movements of the Rebets Price amd Mar- madake. endeavoring to waits bis forces with Price, who was said to be crosy ing the Red river into Texas Price's force was much reduced aod aumbered joss than ve thouwand, A large Cnien force was pursuing tm, The rebels are much dishearteapd. Governor Vates Cutonao, Dec. L2, 194%. The filinois Supreme Court, by @ decision rendered to- day, have sustained Governor Yates’ action in prorogoe- tng the Legisiatare last or, Judges Walker and Breors bolding that the proclamation issued by the Gov. eraor and acquesond in by the General Assembly at the time, Lorminated its sewson Oa the 10th of June, rous Attack on Provost Marshals. Camo, TL, Dec. 13, 1843. ‘The rebel steamer Platte Valley tae passed, with 904 bales of cotton for St. Louts. Two deputy provost marshals of this city arrested two deserters of the Oae Hundred and Niath [ilinois regiment near Dougoia yestorday, when the deserters attacked their captors, killed one outright, beat the other til! be was insensibie, and then escanet Movements of European Steamers, ARRIVAL OF THE CANADA AT BOSTON. Rowrox, Dec The steamehip Osoada, from Liverpool, bas arrived hore, Hor matl# and tho newspaper bag of the press wore forwarded by to-night's traia,and will be due at Now York early Monday morning THB DAMASCUS AT PORTLAND Poariamn, Ma, Dec. 18, 1888. ‘The steamship Damarcas, Captain Browa, from Liver- pool Sith, arrived at (his port at two o'clock this morn. tng. Her advices are anticipated by those of the steam- ship Canada Bank Robbery in Newark. Nawsnn, N. J., Doo. 13. 1363, Toe First National Baok wae to-day the seene of the conient bi y ever known in these parts. The bank situated road street, near the canal, in the second story of the building. At noon the community was aroused by @ great exptosion, which shook the bailding: The indications are that the bu had beon thore ‘The pince was thoroughly rifled. A large safe waa great distance from the building blown up. evidently made a catculation as to der used. The @afe was destroyed Ig aarrowly cacaped. obta the large amount of three doliars, tho entire contengs of ths ato) No trage of the roguce hae pot beqm dis. ower T givo you the Coast of the bappinoss and prosparity of ™ ' MEADE’S ARMY. Working of President Lincoln's Am- * nesty Proclamation. The Rebel Soldiers in Large Nom bers Reported Ready to Accept the Offer, CONDITION OF AFFAIRS AT CULPEPPER, General Meade Requests a Court of tngniry + — Relative to the Becent Movement Across the Bapidan, &., &e., Mr, N. Davidson's Despatch ‘ Cutraren Court Hous, Va., Deo, 14, 1368. Desertors from the rebdel lines state that large numbers of soldiers wil! take advantage of the amnosty offered i the Preaideat's proclamation a5 00a as they cas boceme acquaintod with its provisions. Rebet offioara wit doubt- (esa wae Cvory endoavor to proveat ite circulation among tho troops, aad 60 also will the reve! government, to pre * voot the kaowiedge of ita propositioas roaching the poo ple. Indeod, it ia avorred tbat their soldier would have come over to us ia bodies long since ‘they could have boon satialod that they would not nave , beou at once impressed into tho Union service, Thay have been assured by thoir officers that such would be tho cortaia (ato of everf dosorter that should fall inte our banda. No doubt a large majority of tho North Oars~ lina and border Stato troops ta the robe! service are heartily sick of the war and dosirous of returning to their allegiance. Such will embrace the earliest opportumiie to degort and avail (homselyes of the terms - tha ere ciamation. . THR OAVALRT SHRVIOR WEAR OULPEPPRR. Wo bavo very little excitement hore now. Tho tows ‘and tho country between this aad the Rapidaa are e008 pied by the Firat and Third diviaions of cavalry, Brign- div General Merritt commands at this point, and Gensral Puster at Slavensburg. Captain Georgo A. Gordon, of i: Second regular cavalry, ia Provost Marshal, and Cap- taja D. 3. Gordon, of tho samo regimont, is captaut of tha guard. &. AIPAIRS Ar OOLPROVAR, K All the maie citizens are regiatored, and required tore port at the Provost Marshal’a office ouce each day. Some, few bave taken the oath of allegiance, Asa goneral thing, ~ however, they much prefor not to do it. Most of tho faam\- lea loft here aro destitute of sugar, coffee, candies, goap, and pork. Fiour and graia are also very scarce with (hom. ‘They como almost daily to our commissarios to purchaas these articios, Thoy muat first obtain an order * General Merritt, and bo ip roduced to the painful altorna- tive of socing poor women and children, who have besm — roared in luxury, auffer, i aot actually starve, or give | them aa order for food The best of order is proserved ia town. Private) property @ woll guatded and is ordered to to. lafeingsmouts of this order by soldiers are severcty punished. {aaw two mon tied up toa troe at Gonerat Merritt's headquarters for tearing boards off tho buildings, to burn or to make floors to their teats. Our soldiens have « very bad habit of despoiling good unoceepiel buildings for euch purposes. Those buildings.are within | our infantry tincs, an@ should bs protectes by the comm- - maudaat of the corps. yey | J ‘TON RROMIT ADYANCD OF MBADR’S ARatY. F + Lata sutiorized by Brigadier Goseral: Prince; com~ maoding (hS Bécdnd givision of the Théed corps, to any, that the atatemonts that that Corps leatits way-or go upon the wrong -road on ite Way Jacobs’ Forry: to Robertson's tavern, when tie Aimy crossed Che | Rapiden, are utterly without foundation. General” Prince had the advancs, with orders to | Mt every weh of the way and report to his command! officer. Ho did 80, bolding ail the forks of the roads their direction and safety, or the presence of the, were ascertained, and tho cesults were communicaed to Geverai French. Any delays or other mishaps to the Third corps on that day caa be traced to other sources whan any obscurity of their whereabouts, 4 QOURT OF INQTIRT ASKED FOR. [ toara to-day that Genorai Merde has asked a couter _ inquiry int» the condvct of tho recent forward movemens ‘across the Rapidan and rotura, Pending this inquiry tae cormmand of the army wil! devolve by seniority upon thas abio officer and brave soldier, Major General John Bedg- ‘Wick, unless the Executive names some other gaaoral for the purpose, which I not likely, nmlese a permanent Change io the commaad is determined upou, A FLAG OF TRUS. Gonoral Merritt oa Wednesday last éetailed Captate Keogh, of the Second rogulars, of tho division staff, te Proceed with a flag of truce to the enemy's lines, acer Rapidan Station, covering deapatchos from Genera) Hat teck. The Captain was met by General Andorsos, of the rebel service, formerly of the Second United States dra- go008, who received the despatches, receipting for them, ‘The usual civilitios were exchanged, and the flag returnea. counrt Mammat. There have been two courts martial in session here for some days. The Orat, for the trial of Captain Switese and some deserters, waa composed as follows — gut H.C. Whelan, Sixth Peuusylvania cavairy, Prest- it ain A. R. Arnold, Fiftm United States Cavairy. T. F. Rodenbrough, Second United States Captain R. F. Clary, Jr, Second Cnited States cavalry, Captain FTE Leth, Fifth United States cavalry. Captain B Lockwood, Sixth Pennayivania cavairy. Lieutenant J.P Ash, Fifth Caited States cavalry. Lieutevant E. P. Bertrand, Bixth Peunsyivania cavaley, Aid-do-Camp, Judge advocate, ‘The second for the trial of Major E. A. Andersoa, Nint® New York cavairy, upon the charge of cowardice, ia ram- ning away fram the battle of Brandy Station, aod eve otber matters a8 may come before it. It is composed of the following detail:— Lieutenant Oolone! Augestus Pruya, Fourth New York covairy, President Major Reuben Rewholdt, Seveateenth Poansytvaaia, Major 8. B. Third Virginia cavatry. Captain T. W. Third Todiana eavairy. ia Wm. L nes, Sixth New York cavatey. Captain A. L. Ford, Fighth New York cavalry. Lieutenant 0.8. Wood, Fourth New York cavalry. Lientonaot Alonzo W. Chamberlain, Niooteouth New York '¥, Judge Advocate. o THR FATAL STABBING AFPRAY IN THR SURTE WARD INQUEST BY OORONER WILDESY—VERDION oF TAR JURY Coroner Widey heid aa inquest yesterday onthe bedy of Jobo Kane, an Irishman, about thirty yours of age, who waa killed by a negro asmod Harkless Little om Saturday last Samuol Bromberg, & boy fourteen years of age, was the Girst witness called. He tostified to soning the de. coased ip tho yard of prisoner's house about one o'clock oo Saturday, he was drunk and wanted to Aight; prisoner Was inside the house and deceased went in and squared of at bum did not hear bim say anything, prisoner said be did not want to fight, when deceased wont out got two brickbats, which he fired through the window; decaased then weat away for about teo minutes, and coming back took two more brickbate aod fired through the window. the prisoner then came out took the koife iy large pointed carving knife, with @ white horn handle) and struck deceased with It in the side deceased said, “Ob, | am struck,’ and fell down on hia face, and the prisoner ran into the hou Michael Bulli boy ten yoars of age, was and corroborated the testimony of Rrombers. Hostor Rogers testified that she bad lived prisover and bis wife for about four months; deceased come into the yard about one o'clock celia ‘i 2353 ie Pee day. and go into the house next to the prisoner: he apparently made a muss, as she an officer, he came into prisoner's aod hia wife i 2 Deard honse and i iit me a of b——a t ot at work aes Monee fetes oh Fo mess, and if would not leave He Geseased up from the chair on which be i ‘hi it enth precinct, testified ; Teroser oboet eight o'clock om j 1, while be was eodeavoring to cross the anteation. sated to was given to the jury, conned omnes bath Saower {to the usual questions, prisoner said Grty-ata yoars of ago, waa bora \ ow Jarse7, ao fitted the dont ia yall dafon-e “3