The New York Herald Newspaper, December 17, 1863, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GURDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. orriog N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU ST8. 3ag ANUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. MIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway. —Macic Joxe—Fairr Cur WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Lova Cmase. = GARDEN, Broadway.—Ticeer or Leave an. OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway.—Laoims Baware— Basr Saavinc—Yanxee Legacy, KEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Doo or Oup Brows Ceoss—Pave CLirromp—Tiges oF tux Sea. BOWERY THRATRE, Bowery.—Jack Suxrraro—Av- @esTExss— False COLORS. MUSEUM, Wav. — ARABIAN GrANT, UTIAN KING, Ac... at all ENANT OF THE TOM BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad- way.—Brutortax SoNGs, Daxous, BuuLusquas, ke —JerMEs Jur Pont. WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway. —Exuso! Gonos, Dancus, ac—VoN Hau-ouas Muxackmie GEO. CHRISTY S MINSTRELS, 685 Broadway.—Bur- masquns, Songs, Danors, &¢.—Biack Starux. AMERICAN THEATRE, No. 444 Broadway.—Baters, Partomiass, BURLESQURS, ‘wise TIGER. BROADWAY AMPHITHEATRE, 485 Broadwav.—Gru- NastiO ano Equgstaian PRuFORMANCES. BFW YORE MUSEUM OF “ANATOMY, 618 Bi — Comtosities anv Lactunys, from 9 a. M. dine HOOLET’S OPERA HOUSE, | Bi 'n. —E: Gongs, Dances, Buaixsqurs, Xe. Ainerys vate Now York, Thursday, December 17, THE SITUATION, The cavalry pickets of the Potomac army occupy Culpepper, and extend some miles beyond it. There is no change in the main body of the army. It was intensely cold, with some snow yesterday. The Russian officers visited the army and witnessed a review of the Sixth corps. The troops in Western Virginia had some skir- mishing with the rebels lately in the vicinity of Strasburg. On Monday last Colonel Wells took thirty prisoners belonging to General Ewell’s corps. Major General Buford, one of the most brilliant cavalry officers of the Army of the Potomac, died yesterday in Washington from sickness contracted during the late campaign. His loss is deeply re- gretted. The Southern news trom Charleston ap to Tues- day is telegraphed to the Richmond papers and is most interesting. Fort Sumter took fire on the 11th instant, from some unknown cause, and ten rebels were killed and thirty wounded. Heavy cannonading was kept up from our land batteries during the conflagration. No firing on the fort appears to have taken place ou the three following days; but on the 12th, 14th and 15th several shells, filled with Greek fire, were thrown into Charleston, without doing much damage. Thirteen Union prisoners, includ- ing, it is said, ‘‘the commissioned officers of the brig Perry, captured at Merrill’s Inlet,” have arrived in Charleston. This is the firat account we have of the capture of the United States brig Perry. It may be that she was driven ashore in the late gale. The troops of General Longstreet made an at- tempt to cut off and capture General Shackel- ford's command—who were in pursuit of them— at Bear Station, on the Cumberland and Morris- town Railroad, on Monday. A heavy force of the rebel cavalry moved down the left bank of the Holston river, intending to cross at Kelly's Ford and take oar forces in the rear. This attempt, however, was checked by Gen. Ferrero, who sent the brigade of Gen. Humphreys to hold the ford. The rebels fired across the river with artillery apon the brigade, but with little effect. Gen. Shackelford formed a line of battle at Bear Station, and after fighting the enemy until nightfall was driven back haifa mile. [t is evident the rebels were con- centrating all their forces in that section upon Longstreet’s command. Generals Vance, Ran- som and Vaughn had joined him before the con- flict with General Shackleford. The Richmond Whig of yesterday says, in an editorial, that the rebel cavalry advanced on the 10th above Ringgold, finding the country clear of our troops. They proceeded thence to Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, where they found nothing but the debris of the Union the position seeming to have been deserted on Saturday last. In the town of Chattanooga and below the force had The presumption was thata heavy column had gone after Longstreet, and an expedition had gone into West Tennessee to look after Forrest, who has takon advantage of the absence of Sherman's corps. We publish some interesting news concerning the Texas expedition and the state of affairs in New Orleans, which arrived by the steamer ‘Thomas A. Scott. CONGRESS. The Senate transacted but little business yeater- day. The joint resolution of thanks to General Grant and his army was adopted. A bill equaliz- ing the grade of line officers of the navy was intro- duced and referred. The bill to facilitate the act tlement of deceased soldiers’ accounts was report: ed from the Military Committee. Mr. Sumner’s resolution relative to codifying the public statutes was agreed to. In the House quite a number of interesting mat- ters were brought up, as will be seen by the report of the proceedings. Mr.+Rollin’s, of Missouri, offered a resolution somewhat like the Crittenden compromise proposition, which was laid over for debate. A resolution declaratory of the true intent and meaning of the law authorizing a sus- pension of the writ of habeas corpus was referred to the Judiciary Committee. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The steamship Champion arrived at this port yesterday evening with the mails from California, $1,380,973 in specie, consigned to New York and news from Granada, dated at Panama and Aspinwall on the 7th instant, with Inte and very interesting advices from Central America and the South Pacific Coast. The mixed commission established by the Con- vention of the 12th of January last Letween the governments of Peru and the United States, closed ite sessions in Tims on the 27th of November. The camp, visibly decreased. Hon. J. Se Mackie, one of the eommissioners, has f ¥ n, Tre commission hoard retarned if the Champior ‘eat citizens | Grant, @ Man whow common sense and patriot. and resolved nineteen claims of Amer! agatnat Peru, and four claims of the Peruvian against the United States. ‘ ‘ ; NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1863. American commissioner, is culogized%by the jour- nals of Lima. General Barrios, of San Salvador, with hia wife and secretary, had arrived in Aspinwall, om board the British frigate Sutlej, from La Union. His escape—which closes for the moment the bloody drama in Salvador—from the troopa of Carrera | and the hostile officials of Honduras and Nicara- | gua, was effected in a very remarkable and some- | what romantic manner, after he had endured sufferings and privations of the most painful de- scription. The drooping ex-ruler was taken toa brilliant ball given by Mrs, Livingstone, wife of the American Consul in La Union, to an elegant party made up of natives and the officers of the United States steamer Saginaw and the British frigate Sutlej. Leaving the ball room he assumed the uniform of | a master of the United States Navy, walked with | his gallant allied friends to the landing place, and | put off to the Saginaw and Sutlej, after passing the officers of his mortal enemy in the street. The Sutlej landed General Barrios at Aspinwall, from | which port he, with his companions, aro to sail for | New York. General Mosquera was temporarily abseat from Bogota. The country was quiet. | Troops were rapidly concentrating on the fron- | tier of Ecuador. Flores, it was thought, would soon assume the offensive. The British West India mail steamer Saladin, from Kingston, Jamaica, and Port au Prince, Hay- ti, arrived at this port yesterday morning. The news from Jamaica is interesting. A great deal of sickness prevails in the island, which has been visited by an appalling earthquake. Business is very dull. The Rev. N. Lechmere Ellis, of the Church of England, and late of South Brooklya, had arrived in safety. The Bishop of Delaware is on a visit to Kingston. By ‘the invitation of the Rev. F.S. Bradshaw, rector of St. Michael's Epis- copal church, the American Bishop preached se- veral times before large congregations. The peo- ple have taken a great fancy to him, and speak very highly of his merits aé a preacher of the Gos- pel. In reference to commercial affairs, the Mer- cantile Intelligencer of the 5th inst. says:—‘‘Since our issue of the 24th ult., for the English mail, trade, which we then reported dull, in conse- quence of very heavy rains all over the island, has somewhat revived; but beyond a rise in sugar, caused by the advance in England, and a rise in cornmeal, owing to the small stock on hand, there is absolutely nothing of importance to which we can call particular attention.” The news from Hayti is of interest, although our papers contain nothing later from the Domini- can part of the island, if we except an appeal to the people to forget all former differences, and to band together for the common defence. The Presi- dent of Hayti had given a very flattering recep- tion to Bishop Lee, of the Episcopal Church, aad the Reverends Charles H. Williamson and J. J. Holly. Protestant worship having been establish. ed inthe island, and a church erected, the mis- sionaries waited onthe President to thank him for facilities. In his reply he said that freedom of worship was a basis of the daytien constitution. Nothing new in commercial circles. Provisions are plentiful. Coffee was at $136 (Haytien) with fair salea; cocoa at $79. Our advices from La Guaira, Venezuela, are to the Ist inst. The country is reported tranquil, and produce coming from the interior to market in great abundance. Mr. Wampool, United States Consul, died at Porto Cabello om the 27th ult., much and deservedly regretted by his triends and acquaintances. By the arrivalof the British brig Ada Purvis, Captain Smith, from Migatitlan November 19, we are informed that the town of Minatitlan waa closely besieged by French guerillas. AU supplies from the interior were cut off, and the people auf- fering for want of provisions. Guarding the town were a French gunboat and a few black Egyptian troops. The Mexicans seemed very desirous of throwing off the French yoke—‘‘military despot- ism’’—and they expect, when our war is over, aid from the United States to drive out the French. The Board ef Aldermen met yesterday at one o'clock. A resolution by Alderman Mitchell, ap- propriating thirty-three thousand five hundred dollars for the purchase of Clark Mills’ colossal statue of Andrew Jackson, was laid over. A com- munication was received from City [adpector Boole, stating that the appropriation for street cleaning is entirely exhausted, and that he is now cleaning the streets under the authority of a reso- lution adopted by the Board of Health. Mr. Boole suggests that a sufficieat sum of money for keep- ing the streets clean be at once raised by the issue of bonds. The communication was referred to the Committee om Finance, and the Board adjouracd to meet again to-day at one o'clock. ‘The ship Vancover, Capt. Curtis, of Bath, Maine, which arrived at this port last evenidg, from Bris tol, England, reports that on the 12th inst., in lati- tude 40 30, longitude 69, she was chased by a threr-masted steamer (propeller.) The steamer had foretopsail, topgallantaail and a large square sail set on the foremast, and fore and aft sails on the other masts. She was painted black, and had a house on deck. She was under sail only and was about four miles distant from the Vancouver. {n the Board of Education yesterday, @ reaolu- tion, offered by Commissioner Hitchman, to have tae official proceedings of that Board published ia the New Yous Heracp, a4 that paper las a larger circulation thaa aay other in the city, waa referred to the Finance Committee. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Emigration Commissioners took place yesterday. From the report of Mr. Casserly, the Secretary of the Board, it appears that 4,175 emigrants landed last week, which makes the total number of arrivats since January yl, 151,820, against 71,5 during the corresponding period of 1862. The balance of the commutation fund now in bank is $2 The stock market was buoyant again yosterday, and prices bad an apward tendency, with large sales There was more business doing at the gold exchange, but prices did not vary materially from those obtained oo the pre- vious day. Governmont securities are without alteration, prices betog well maintained, although the sales wore limited. Money romaing oasy, aud after the banks ra. coive the two yoars interest bearing notes, a large amount of grevabacks will be let loose upon tho market, and tae rate of interest will probably drop. Tho state of afairs in business places was aot matoriatly changed. Noarly all the morchaats roport a very dul market, and the amount of commercial transsctions small. At the Produce Exchange flour aad wheat wore a sbade easier, while coru was active and @ trifle buaner Provisions were qutet, and prices were without change Groceries wore very quiet, and (ie business amall Pe trolenm waa dull, Imported morctao de was quiet, caption F were Gem, with & moderate busivess, chiaily ty Gemat Britaty Tax Nigaer w Covcanas.—It is edifyiag to witness the excitement which haa been cawed thus carly in the session on the abject of the nigger. From the heat and pasaioa e< hibited it would seem a if the destinies of the country were inseparably bound up with him What is the use of debating the point whether he can fight’ Let him fight. Why make an une about his being paid? If he can fight bas a right to be paid. All such controversios are waste of time. They belong tothe past The only question that now remains is as to how the country is to be restored to the prosperous con dition in which it atood previous to the rebel lion. This is what is st present occupying the minds of the poops, and they will solve it by | the election to the Pxccntive chaie of General | ona pales thw we all fanationl or party cow The conduct of the | sid =rattons the administratioa will be the reaffirmation and enforcement of the Monroe doctrine in Mexico. This duty will require a friendly notice of say three months’ grace to Louis Napoleon to re- move his empire, emperor, Council of Notables, army, camp followers and baggage wagons from the soil of Mexico, and his blockading ships from the waters thereof, on pain of their forcible ex- pulsion by a liberating American army of one hundred thousand men and a corresponding fleet of iron-clada from General Grant, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the Uaited Stat reinstated, would result in the quiet ev: of Mexico by Louis Napoleon, we cannot doubt, inasmuch as there would be no refuge for bis army in that country half a4 strong as Vicks- burg at Washington, under a chief tried and ap- proved as the man to meet the crisis, and in order (o secure a prompt, mostic disturbances aud foreign grievances, General Grant ia the man of the people for our next President. a4 the people's candidate, and the people will emt. The approaching Presidential election will mark a new epoch ia the history of this country. The public disappointment resulting from the incompetency of the present administration, the necessities thus arising for a new and a strong man of the Napoleonic type at the head of tho government, the dissolution of the politi- cal parties of 1860, and all the signs of the times, indicate a great and far-reaching politi- cal revolution in 1864. Nor do we think that in proposing General Grant as the man for the crisis we are mia- taken as to the drift of pblic opinion. Of all our living heroes.be stands before the couatry to-day the most successful, the most acceptable to the people, and as best entitled to the high- est recognition of their confidence and their gratitude. We accept him, therefore, as the coming man. We are strongly supported in this conolusion by President Lincoln, who, it is said, after himself, haa declared General Grant hie first choice for the succession; and because the man who has so thoroughly tanned the rebels so far is the man to tan them into sub- mission, and all the disturbing political factions of the day. Let the people bring forward and elect General Grant, and they will have a President, to begin with, free from any entangling al- liances with the scheming party managers and trading spoilamen of the country. We shall have an indep endent President, with the will and the ability to bring the war to a speody conclusion, and to re-establish the Union upon a solid foundation. In placing him at the head of affairs we may expect, too, from the straight- forward, practical and decisive character of General Grant, such measures in the way of retrenchment and reform as will lighten the burdens of the people, while securing the pub- lic oredit, the public finances, the currency and all the business interests of the country against the dangers of # general revulsion. These con- siderations, in view of a national debt of two thousand millions of dollars in 1865, will ope- rate hardly less than his military achievements in bebalf of General Grant, as the popular leader under whom wo may confidently move for a new and improved order of things at Washington. But it is not alone in reference to our do- mestic affairs that such a mau as General Grant for our next President is eminently desirable. We shall want just such a man to bring about & prompt and satisfactory settlement of certain important matters connected with our foreign relations. We allude particularly to certain outstanding balances, resulting from this war, against England and France. Our commerco on the Atlantic Ocean has auffered from the depredations of Anglo-rebei piratical cruisers to the extent of twenty millions of dollars. A requisition upon England for indemnity to this amount from Gen. Grant, aa President of tho re- United States, would, upon a six weeks’ notice, result ia the payment of the bill. Fogland would understand this requisition from Grant to mean the production of the money or the loss of the Canadas and tho adjoining pro- vinces, and the dialodgmont of all those rebel traders who might still be fourishing at Nassau. A hundred thousand veteran volunteers, upon a very short notice, would be ready at the call of President Grant to ropay tho hospitalities of the Blue Noses of Halifax, or to try if the walls of Quebec are afronger than the \watls of Sumter. The next international duty devolving upon That this friendly notice , fully ation We conclude, therefore, that in order to do- motish the corrupt political parties of the coua- try, to seeure an independent administration lie exigencies of complete and conclusive settlement of our do- Let bim bs brought forward (triumphantly elect bim Gop Srecunation.—-Senatoe Jim Lane has distinguished himself by many extraordinary logislative fights; but the measure be bas just introduced to put down speculation tn gold is the most remarkable that be has aa yet attempt- od No man whose brains are not all wool, and curled wool at that, can fail to see that gold ia like every other article of merchandise, and that no measure (bat oan bo devised can exclude it from the operation of the natural laws that govern trade Were the prohibitory penalties sought to be inflicted of Draconian severity they would oo more effect the object aimed at thao will the easily evaded provisions of this bill. We would recommend Senator Lane to atick to what ho understands. People may listen to him on the subject of the nigger— knowing hia intimate acquaintance with it—in all ita odoriferous phasos, but they have no re- spect for bis opinion in Gosacial or commercial matters. If, instead of dabbling with things entirely beyood bis capacity, he were to raise the colored brigade be has been so long pro- mising the goveroment, and assist the great tanner to tan the hides of the rebela, he would be doing the country some practical service, aod cafaing binsell a pag or two in its estima baa Dedevwtacr or one Press it ia really pitiable to see the Tritwne, Times, World and other toading journals of this city wasting time, apace, ink and paper in twaddling over Tal- Teck's ceport and ‘he irrepressible negro and Seif, Davia’ last moxge, and otber stale topics, whea the great, (he absorbing, the comprehen- vive, the important question, “Who shall be the vext Presideat’ is now open for disoussion and fa engrossing all truly patriotic minds. Kverything ie included in this grand question. War, peace, reconstruction, the finances, all bang upon the central idea of the next Presi- dency; for the next President will decide upon them all a4 00" a4 we decide upon the next President Lot th: other journals atop twid- their thumbs about nothing, and como out boldly for General Geant Generat MoCierian’s Rerone.—The House of Representatives, on motion of Mr. Cox, bas adopted a resolution calling for the “Report made by Major General George B. McClellan, concerning the organization and operations of the Army of the Potomac, while under his command, and of all army operations while he was Genoral-in-Chief.” This is right, aa that report must contain a vast amount of in- formation calculated to enlighten the people wonderfully upon the wisdom of their rulers, and right also as a measure of simple justice to a gallant soldier. General McClellan's report, when made public, will exhibit to the fullest extent the incapacity, injustice and vindiotive- ness of the radical politicians at Washington, in and out of the War Department, who now makeja triumph of the obscurity into which'they have driven the senior officer of the United States Army. MoClellan’s career at the com- mencement of this war was one full of promise. He had been the fellow soldier in Mexico of such men as Grant, with whom he had attained equal distinction in that war. He gave us our first victory in this war, and he organized the army that has fought our hardest battles. Tad he been dealt honestly by in the command of that army it would have achieved ere this all that its most sanguine friends could have de sired from it, and would have had to-day the most brilliant history of any army that ever received the fiery baptism of battle. But, thwarted at every step by the jealousies and contemptible fears of the politicians, with Mr. Lincoln at their head, every opportunity was lost, and doubtless the report will tell us exactly how. Let us have it at once then. From the blighting influence that has crushed the honorable aspirations of McClellan and of Rosecrans General Grant is safe. He has risen to a distinction that they cannot reach to, and holds a position in the popular mind that they cannot shake; otherwise he would but add one more to the many victims of this radical Jug- gernaut. And he doubtless understands this so well that we may expect from him, as one of the earliest acts of his Presidential career, the resto- ration of McClellan and Rosecrans to their pro- per positions and honors in the army. Tae Frery-sine Biocxurans wy Coxcress.— Fernando Wood persuaded fifty-eight other blockheads, whom he calls democrats, to vote with him in favor of opening peace negotia- tions with the rebel government. To nego- tiate with. that government is to recognize the confederacy, and will authorize ali foreign nations to recognize it. Negotiation is there- fore the simplest and easiest way io accomplish disunion. Offering such silly peace resolutions is also the simplest and easiest way to use up the remains of the democratic party, a3 com- pletely as the tories were used up in 1785 and the federal party in 1842. Fernando Wood and his brother Ben are probably aware of this fact, and are acting with malice aforethought. Ian 1862 we took this democratic party and called it conservative, and nursed it, and cod- died it, and gave it a few ideas—it could aot take many—and a great variety of stimulants, and finally carried it triumphantly through the Central States elections. Then Fernando Wood and brother Ben (with ail his novels about him), and the twin Seymours, thought that they knew a little bit more than anybody else in the world, and so they took the party aud crammed it so full of peace that it burst into fragments, and isnow almost entirely demolished. Fer- nando has determined to destroy even these few remaining fragments, and that is the mean- ing of his peace resolutions. thing about it is that Stebbins and other Con- gressmen from this city and State should be such nincompoopa as to follow the lead of such a New York ward politician as Fernando Wood The singular Geveeat Geant a Gueav Max.—We publish in another column brief extracts, which will bear reading, from the two leading republican newspapers, the Times and Tribune, in regard to General Grant. justly proclaim that Grant is a great general and a great man. for the people to get together and make this great man our next thought that General McClellan or General Rosecrans would occupy this position: but the distinguished talents of McClellan and Rose- craps developed too early in the war, and the politicians had time to kill them off. The poli- ticians would kill off Grant, also, if they oaly bad the time. Fortunately, it is too late now. We defy the Washington clique to attempt it. movementin that direction would be regarded by the people as persecution, and would raise a blazgof indignation which nothing could quell. But, as we have said, there is no longer any danger of that. long awaited, so anxiously expected. stands upon the heights of Chattanooga, be- neath the sun whose glories be has eclipsed by his more glorious victories, and the whole country looks up to him ‘as the great genius who is to end this war, restore the Union and save us all from the dangers which the end of the war may bring upon us Both of these journals very It only vemains, therefore, President. We once Any Grant is the coming man, 40 He Senatoa Hats Ait Riowt.—We perceive by a note published elsewhere that Senator Hale is at hia old post of chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs in the Senate. We are also glad to see that he is all right, and that he is not going to tolerate any corcuption in the Navy Department, but rather is determined to watch over the expenditure for the navy, 90 a3 to stop the enormous leaks which seem to be as great in the treasury of that department as io the old vessel bought for the public service. In o few days this Navy bureas will be raked fore and aft, and the country will then be satistied that it is time for old Gideon to go by the board. There must be a strong iavesti- gating committee appointed to clean ont the whole establishment TUS ORRMAN OPaRa. ‘Dor Trowchuts ' ts cortaiiy one of be mon attractive performances of the German Opers troupe ; but thore cer (atnty seems 8 disiaclination om the part of ‘ue pubtic to patronico the deserving oiferts of Mr Anachat, The bouss was 4 Very poor one. Those present bad an oppor. tunity to enjoy theytiae piaying of the orchestra, whith, wndor the capadie direction of Mr Anschutz, te a7 efficiont a could be dewired by the most exacting The artivts gawg and 60.94 Whole roles most satisfactorily Madame Friederic! wae expecially ploasing last evening, eo Dg with more than ayual entrown, aad was much Appts fod. Hor voice «fresh and pare, This arte bas gained In public catimation since her debut here, aa was evinces Ly the flattering recovtion she mot with inst evening Herr Habeaano we bays before noted % « great favor ite with the public [fe was yory successful lavt evening. Taking into consideration the merit of the Anschutz pay ‘we can only account Cor their lack of success from we that oor public will patroutes aothing (gat is vot — Italian Opera ia and Gorman Opera by one Ansomete will produce Geened's «*'Paust."* oubtions bo © 07d bones on thin WAR GAZETTE. OFFlotac, Gamal ogpsa—s0. 39% War Darantuany, Apsoranr Qevena’s ne} Wastunarow, Doc. 0, 1863. Commaadors of departments are authorized to graat Curtoughs to enlisted men ia the general hospitals within the limits of their command, upon tho approval of the Medical directors or chief medical officer, the aumbor allowed to be absent at oue time to be limited to five per cont, aud the period not to exceed thirty days, and to be graduated according to tho distance of the applicant (rom his home, the good conduct of the applicant to be made the rule of the medical officers in recommending the furloughs. By order of the SECRETARY OF WAR. E. D, Townsawo, Assistant Adjutant Goueral. GENERAL ORDERS—wO. 392. War Daragtugnt, ApsuraNT Ganwras'n oa} Wasuinarom, Dec. 9, 1363. I. The Quartermaster General of the army will report to tho Paymaster Gonoral the name of evory officer who in hia department has received, or shall hereafter re- ceive, public money or military supplies and (ail to take up and account for the same, and render proper returns therefor, or who has hired and employed, or shall horo- iter hire or employ, persons and articles in the pablic service and fail to make out and transmit reports there: for, as required by tho army regulations; and the Pay- master Geaeral upon the receipt of such notification wil! Give directions to the officers of his corps to make uo payments to the delinquent officers until such dolinqueata shall have rendered the prescribed reports and returos, of which the Paymaster General shall be promptty ad- vised by the Quartermaster General. I. When officers give or issue certified accounts for Purchases made or services rendorod in the Quartermas- ter's Department, they will immediately gend an abatract of them to the principal officer of the department in which thoy are serving, and to the Quartermaster Gea- oral at Washington, Any officer fafling to forward these abstracts will have his pay stepped until he sends them. By order of the SECRETARY OF WAR. E. D. Townagwo, Assistant Adjutant Genorat. GENERAL NEWS. Wasainaton, Dec. 16, (863. HAPPY KPFRCT OF GEN. BUTLBR'S ORDER NO. 46. Toformation has been recsived bere that the Order No, 46 of Gonoral Butlor, recently issued, bas worked woa- ders in reclaiming to their allegiance tothe governmeat sympathizers with rebellion in that department. [ta Operation began ia the city of Norfolk on Saturday last, when a number of hitherto noted opponents of the gov ernment voluntarily came in and wok the oath of alto giance. On Moaday the number of applicants for certia- cates of loyalty were so great that thoy could hardly be accommodated, and it was recommended to the Provost Marshal that he should place himself on the top of the Custom House, and cali upon all the citizens to noid up thoir hands at once and take the oath of allegiance. Tho tn- stitution by Gen. Butler of a civil fund to be applied to the renovation of the city of Norfolk, by supplying gas, pro- viding a civil police and steam fire department, repairing wharves, bridges and streets, aad making other improve- ments, is winning the coafideuce of evoa the moat rabid Opponents of the government, and effecting @ total change of popular opinioa in that department. FINANCIAL MATTBRS. Since the middle of October last the National Bank Note Company have printed for the government oeariy eighty-flve milliona of legat tender aotes. Sixty-five mil. tions have been received and paid out to the army, oavy and contract creditors of the govecument. The remaining twenty millions are being printed at the rate of one mi! lion per day, and a8 $900 a8 received aad rogistered aro sent to the Assistant Treasurer at New York to moot drafts on that office. When the whole shail bave been paid out the pon-interest bearing Treasury notes, adaed to tho outstauding postal and fractional currency , will make over tive hundred millions of dolfars. Wifty miliioas of the eighty five millions just issued is the reserved fund authorized by last Congress to meet temporary deposits aud vow pald out. In bis annual report Mr. Chase recom- meads the removal of the restriction upon the temporary deposits, aod that authority be conferred upon him to is aue logai teader notes to the extent of one-half of auch deposits. If these should reach two buadred millions, be would thus be authortzed to issue ome hundred miliwos additioaal legal tenders to moet the same, al! of which would be added to the currovcy of the country. Ae also asks g repeal of the restriction of oational bank aote cur- rency to three hundred millions. If thia request should vo granted, and it probably will be, and the present out- standing legal tenders should not be withdrawn from cit cu-ation, the curreacy of the country will soon exceed ane thousand millions. It is dot and cannot be expected chat even the anaunciation of a conclusion of peace would vory materially reduce this volume of curreacy until the resumption of specie payments THE ANTI-GOLD AND SILVER SPECULATION BILL. An offort will be made to pass ia the Senate, before the holidays, the bil of Geaeral Lang, of Kanges, 00 coatrict speculative traific ta gold, silver aud exchange. [t was not introduced without consultation with other ggatie. men occupying bizh publig positions THK PEACE RUMORS. ‘Tue efforts on the part of the stock jobbers io New Yor’ to manufacture the peace commissioner item of news ia a subject of much merriment here, It has been ascertained that this canard originated in a series of despatches pro cured to be sent from Washington to a nutaber of brokers in New York. These weresigned with the cabalistic fot ters, J. HEL” immediately an inquiry was tnatituted as to the identity of this “J. H. HL,’ and a0 responsible person could be discovered to answer the description Wail street, however, caught the dodge, and every ews paper ropresentative in Washington was immediately tlooded with despatches from New York, Brooklyn, Wi! liamsburg, Jersey City and other places in the unme diate vicinity of New York, roiterating the fact that letters had beea exhibited aad positive intelligence re ceived showing that commissioners, either (rom the rebe! goverument at Richmoad or from some of the rebel States, were on their way hither with propositions of peace. Someofthe oewspaper people ewaliowed the bait; bat the Hera. correspondents preferred to ascer tain the (acts, although a dozen personal communications of the (acts bad been made to them,and as amoy more despatches from people in aad about your city whom thoy did not know wore sontto them. The whole affair was ao adroitly planned ‘‘soll;'' but the gentiomen eo aged in it are recommended t travamit vouchers for cospectabilily when they ogxt attempt to gol! the Hom a.o. PROCREDINGS OF CONORERS. ‘Toe proceedings of the Senate to-day wore of aa uaim- portaut character. Adjournment followed soon after the reading of the journal. The failure on the part of the Senate (0 concur tn the House resolution to adjoura on Friday till the 6th of January is doubtless owing to the fact that thers are cow several important bills which require immediate attation. These are now in the bands of the committess, which it is believed will a0 be able to report before Friday or Monday. it not improbable that che bilis will be passed earty oct week, sod Congress will thea be onabied to adjourn till the apaeified time ” ‘The proceedings of the Mouse to-day wore geaorally ualateresting, the only excitement having been on the resolution of Mr. Rollins, of Missouri, substantially the same as the famous Crittenden resolution. It lise over for debate, the House having refused to order the pre viow question THE ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS FOR TAB HOLT Dara. Tho Senate having refused to concur with the House in the resolution to adjourn from Fridry next to Jaguary 6, the mombors are somewhat troubled in regard to the chagocen of eating their Uhristmas dingecs gt home. Another resotution was adopted to adjourn (rom Wed- ‘Deaday next to January 6, upon which the Senate will act to morrow. Some sarpriso ts expressed at the action of the Senate, a4 that body has heretofore bova very liberal tm the matter of adjournmonta AMENDMENTS TO THR SYSOLMBNT ACT Senator Wilson's amendment to the Conscription 6.1! exempta =the = following = persona —Huch a8 are mentally or phystoally anit for the servis the Vico Prosident of the United States; the judge of the various courte of the Unite Sates, the heads of the various oxooutive departments of tae United States, the Governors of th® several States, tho ooly fon liable to military duty Of 8 widow, wholly depend ent on his labor for support, the only gon of ao agod or infirm paromt or pareate, wholly dependent on hin tabor for support, and in case there are aeeoral sone al) Grafted suck parent or garonte may olact nh fon abadl bo exompt, the ef! y brother of orphan ohiidrou under Wwoive years of€, wholly dependent on his labors for aapger, WURTE EMeng vey ere! suas two Bayo been vice, tho roaidue shall be exempt, any person convicted Of {eloay. The separation of the onroliment in classes te abolished. A person earolied, moving another locality, may bavo hia oame taken (rom Che ist and placed epem tho onrollmout in the place of his residence. ‘Auy porees, @arolled who shall procure an acceptable substitute alan be exomps. Miltary Affairs, with ameadmenta, reduces the proposed bounty for oulistment of veterans to Lifteen doilarg, aud of others ¢o ten dollars, aud iaciudes those oaly who are ‘Qot cow tm the service. BSVERDY JOMNSON'S LATA SPEKOM ON BLAVERE AND BMANOIP4 TION, | Toe foliowing important passage having been accidont~ ally onaitted in yesterday's Seuate report, it is now CT plied, in the remarks of Hon. Revordy Johnsoa, of Maryland, aa follows: — It might be admitied, be thought, that in the on the constitution slaves are property in those States where thoy are go beld; but they are persons also, Rep- resentation in Congress is based on the fact that choy aro persons. Though slaves, they are mon. They owe gianoe by birth, and though the Supreme Court bas decid. od that, under the clause juriadicuon of thas court, they @re not citizens, in relation to other clauses of the constitution it may be far diferent. They bave the ection of the porenseeens tog certain oxtent at aad why should they not contribute to its dofe Property they may be taken for the public use ow peasation to their owners being . As to the pensation, some complaints had been made, and perhaps, aa the Senator thought, in regard to the manmer iu which the law bad been exocuted by some of the agoute ot the government. This, however, abould not indus the Senator to lift hia voice in the Sonate or his arm out Of it to weaken or embarrass ane gececaens in its of- forts to suppress the rebellion. When the authority: the rnment is restored to ita full extent, then inquiry might and would be mado into all such matters. Ag to the Slave himself, compensation divested the owner of all Ria rights, aud conveyed thom to the public. He (Mr. Jvbnsoa) had never doubted that the employment of @e slave in the military service of the yp facto emancipated him It would be disgraceful, the om- ployment of colored men to defend ita existence, that | Ag rere should permit them to returo to slavery. thanked God they never could be re-custaved, gave bim pleasure © remember that when be for: iad the bonor of occupying a seat on this floor, in 1647, bo declared, in a debate upon to subject of slavery, that (t waa wrong as 4 aysiem, morally and politically, aaa eapeoially economically, Slavery waa indoleosibie. The povple of this country were capidly becoming wiser om this aubjoct NEWSPAPER APPOINTMENTS. At tia dession of Congresa the vewapaper correapoag- gots to Washington, except those of the Hara, who have asked for nothing, have beea vory fortunate 4a no curing appointments aa clerks of committees and other lucrative positions 1a the gift of tae Senate and House. Nearly ali of thom have thus been provided for. It ts evi. deat that our national legislators appreciate the power and iaflueace of the press. ARRIVAL OF GENERAL SOHOFIBLD. Gea. Schofield arrived here to-day, and had aa inter. view with the President. It Is understood that he conser bere at the request of ths President to explain his courne io Missouri, It 1s generally believed that he ts to be ro lieved of the command of that department. OONETRMATION OF TUK REBEL REFUSAL TO ReOREVE MOR PROVISIONS FOR OUR PRISONSRS. ‘The Star baa the following :—Laat evoning the Ohief of the Bureau of Exchange aod Prisoners, Major Gemoral Batchoock, received from Brigadive General Moredda a copy of a latter addressed tu bim on tho 11th tastant, by Robert Quid, the rebel Commiasionsr of Exchange, &0., anoounciag the determination of the cobel War Depart. LE & E moat hereafter to receive oo more provisions from the North for our prisouera fa thor haoda =We boar from Fortress Monroe aay ‘he Wliegss parsiatent ‘-villification aod abuse” wita refor- ace to tho manner in which tao robe! authorities hare carried out thotr pledges upon the aubjectas the roasen why tuey break up the arrangoment, and promiaes /bow aver, to deliver faithfully all tho supplies in question that had beea roceired up to tho time the fetter was writiea, aud adda that Mereafter our prisoners im teeter fuands will be rationed procisoly as thoy ration thole soldiers ia the Bold. Without doubt the allegation of * vilicatiou aud misrop- reseatatioa’’ put forward as the reason for declining horeaftor to recaiva auch supplies ia4.a more aubterfuge, tho real reasoa being the prossure of the joalousy of the people of Richmoad of tho fact that through the care aad liberality of our government and their friends at home tho Uaion prisoners in their banda were said to be living votter than aay (amily could live in the revel capital, TUR Navy. Tae guoboat Itasca, which arrived at the Navy Yard n (riday last, baying been repaired, loft thia morning for her station 0a the West coast biockading squadros, The Sassacus, whose whoclbouss was broken in oo tae Potomac receatiy iv a collnoa, ts being rapidly repaired and will soon be ready for sea. The gunboat Eutaw arrived thia moraing from Phita- delpbia. On her trip she proved berself one of our fastens guoboats, aad 1 1s said that she will bo immediately nomt ou ao important mission. NAVAL PROMOTIONS. Toa Prosi teat has nomloated to the Seaate Commander Porter, to bea roar admiral, and Wiest Euginoor John I. Laoag, to be @ chief engineer im ths navy. NAVAL ORDERA. Captas JC Grayson, of the marine corps, baa boom ordered \ command (ue marino guardof tho United Staves steam sloop Brooklyn Licuseoaat Wallace, United States marine oorps, bas ‘ted for duty at the Navy Yard tn this city. Ligatenant Fagan bas been detached from Company 9, Marine Gastalloa aad ordered to the fagship Wabaah, = DISMISSED. Secoad Liguteaaat &. B, Sturgeun, of the Gaited Staten Mariad corps, haa been tried by a naval goneral court nartial in session at New Orleans, for “absence withows loaves and drunkeaness,” and seateaced to be dismissed the sarvicg of the Dnited States, to date from December Ths proceadings bave bean approved MOSBY'S GUBRILLA OPRRATIONS Night before iast Mosby, with a gang of about numoty’ guoriflas, made a descent ypon the picket tines outaide the defences gouth of the Potomac, but without offecting sy s9rious damage. Our cavalry wore sent in pursuit. Aa abgurd cumor is circulating today throughout the city (aat Mosby was tn towo youterday afternoon, and the military authorities bave been oa a sharp jookowt far the guerilla, but without success. TEE REBRLS ON THR LOWER POTOMAC. [t wreported at the Nevy Yard that the rebois a fow Jays since Opened with feild pieces oa our gunboate ia | tno mouth of the Rappabannock, aod that tho steamers, © after Cring @ few shot in rotura, hauled of into the | Potomac VISCTORS TO THA RUSSIAN FLEET > Youterday Commodore Harwood, commanding the & Wasningtoa Navy Yard. accompanied by sevoral Visited the Russia deat, where bo was received with ag | propriate bouors. ~ THE WAGRS OF TOR NAVY YARD WORKMEN Owlng to the recent dissatisfaction of the employes of | tus Navy Yard, in rotation to their wagon. the Hecrotary of the Navy has ordered ths appointment of a boar@.- of officers, whose duty it shall be to ascertain the ety of the other departments upon the subject He has algp dicooted the commandaat of the yard to adopt the same regulations S@NT TO PORT Lararerts. < Captain JH. Tylor aod Major WH Naley wore name, w Fort Lafayette last evening. by order of the Secrotany , of War S10K MICHIGAN SOLDIBRA SENT HOME, | Aa order has been issued by the Secretary of granting thirty days leave to al! Michigan soldiers in bospitala aad coavaleacest camp who are able touge home. A large oumbor loft to day, . PARDON OF ONS OF THR CALIFORNIA Prmarmd, || Since the arrest of the ao called Chapman pirates, i convicto! in Saa Fragcisco, (requent applications have. beea made (or the pardon o ous of thom, Alfred Rubergy. by Joba Bright, the well known English friend of A om, with the agseat of Senator Conness and J of Cauxforma The President bas fually cousented to doa Rubety, who is en Kngiiah aubyjeot, TAIRTY-RIGUTH CONGRESS. RAT GRARLOY D ae aemate Wamuaaron, Deo. 16, 1668, se aroreriow — We Wane, (Pap) of ORiO, Presented ® memorial fram, ‘adios, avking the passage of an act for the omanot of all persons of African deacent. Rofarrod to the Com. mittee oa. PORMEPTINO CLARO an ROM FEE ORE Tt Me Sancmorr, (opp) of D8, preseated a § rial (rom @ clergyman of Deiaware, asking ox: from Ube drafty some Mr. SaGiaunay remarked What the pastor who to the dution of bia Boiy ciamem of pence and to men Cught to be exom—s from A } Poiuical parsons sboeld be piags@ ia tne frout rank made to fat, i the war is ower, The memoMm of Me Waitary Coramictee oa) very WAS ralerred Wo tp " Waa, (04 oF mn, NN 8 eel 4 te