The New York Herald Newspaper, December 31, 1863, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES ‘GoRDON BENNEYT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OFFIOK X. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASBAU 5rd. TERMS cash ta advance, Money seat by nail will be ai tho rsic of (he sender, Nowe but bank bilis curreut In New York taken HERALD, Tans conts per copy, LY HERALD, every Saturday, at Five cents Auuual aubscription price. per copy. One Copy ‘Three Copies. Five Copies. ‘len Copies, Postage five couts per copy for three montba, Any larger aumber, addressed to mames of subscribers, $1 50 cack. An extra copy will be sont to every club of Twouty coptes, to one address, one year, $25, and avy larger vuinber at same price. Aa extra copy will be Gent to clubs of twenty. These rales make the WERELY ‘Heraup the cheapest publication in the country. ‘The Furorsan Epmiow, every Wednesday, at Frve cents ‘per copy, $4 per annum to any part of Great Britain, or GG to any part of the Coatinent, both to include postage. Thé Cauirorina Enmiow, on the 3d, 13th and 23d of each month, at Sx coals per copy, or $3 per annum. Apvertauanns, (9 4 limited dumber, will be inserted fn the Weaxty Haraip, aod in the European and California Editions. VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing import- ant pews, solicited from any quarter of the world; if used, will be Uberady paid for, gage Orr Formax Connesg PONUENTS ARE PARTICULARLY RMQUESTED TO SEAL ALL LET- tou. TERS AND PACKAGES BRENT 08 NO NOT do not return rejected eo We taken of anonymous correspondence. Volame XXVIII. AMUSEMENTS TIUS EVENING. KIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Suanpr Macoine—L0 AnD Our oF PLace—Harry Mas. WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broatway.—Rosepace WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Ticxer or Leave Man, OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway. —Camrica's Hvspann, KEW ROWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Devit 1x tHe Bowexy—lpwt oF THe SHAXNON—BuOwN AND SMrtit. BOWERY THEATRE, Bow TON: WISH —V AMP ANDRRING BARNUM'S MUS'M, Broadway. —Frexca Grane, Giant Gini, Gast Boy, Livurrotian Kina. &e.. at ali Bours. Ticker or Leave Man. Afternoon and Evening. —Weer or tur Wis aTREL. BRYA! MINSTRELS, Mechanica’ Hall. 472 Broad- way.—Bruvoetan S0NGs, Dances, BuuLesques, 40.—laKn- It ano Leave MAN, WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 51 Broadway. —Ermioriam €oxcs, Dances &c.—VON Ham-nugs Menacente, GEO. CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS. 585 Proadway.—Bor- arsqons, Bonga, Dances, 4c.—Hicxony Back.oc, No. 444 Broadway.—Batiers, AMERICAN THEATRI Ges OF KILLARNEY. Tantomians, Borissgoms, WAY AMPHITHRATRE, 433 Brondwav.—Gra- ~eestmlaN PRRVORMANCES. Arternoon aud fio », 18 Broadway.—Tae StraRoscorrioaN Dergerse. Piaco—Minnon ov rain Rus udvray.—Lucy Simos’ Con. ANATOMY, 618 Brondway.— \ Sano Lacivnes. trom 9a, Me UUM Ee r “HOUSE, Brookiyn.—Etmiortaw THE SITUATION. There is no news from the Army of the Potomac or from our forces before Charleston. The latest news from Western Virginia is dated yesterday. (Genera! Kelley had received informa- tion from General Sullivan that General Early, with nine thousand rebels, is between New Market and Mount Jackson. General Rosser also has seven handred rebel troops and Gencral Imboden fifteen hundred men. Great dissatisfaction is said to exist among the rebels. Deserters declare that if the President's proclamation could be distributed freely among the rebel troops thousands would at once enter our lines. They say the proclamation is kept from the men, although the officers have received it. Genera! Sullivan’s column has returned to Har- per’s Ferry, with one hundred prisoners and as General Kelley states that he has captured ia all over four hundred prisoners and a large amount of property. General Thomas despatches from Chattanooga | on Wedneaday that a rebel force, under General | many horses. Wheeler, bad captured one of our trains on the | ‘24th (bound for Knoxville) at Charleston, on the south bank of the Hiawasse; but Colonel Long | pursued the enemy and defeated him, capturing one hundred and twenty prisoners, Our news from the Southern journals to-day is, as usoal, very interesting. The Southern people who own plate in gold or silver are earnestly in- vited to send it to the treasury; but some opinions are expressed that they may be disposed to drive too hard a bargain for the bulliogy which, jt iead- mitted, their enthosiasm for she 'ca wo years ago might have induced them to g into the treasory—a grataiti offering to the cause of in- ‘The loss “of four mills, machine ahops, coal, iron and copper mines in East Ten- neaaec, is represented by the Richmond papers as dependence." more terrible than the loss of life, artillery or munitions in the battle of Chattanooga. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The passport system is reported by Marshal ‘Murray tobe working admirably. Everything of a detailed character in connection with the acimtes of vessels and the personal arrests made i4, however, kept a profound mystery, which the light of a few days, it is promised, will reveal satisfactorily. A large number of vessels cleared yesterday, but nothing occarred worthy of public notice It will be Orison Biunt, Chairman of the Volunteer Com- mittee of the Supervisors, and Judge Dean, of the Keecutive War Committee appointed at Cooper Inatitute, that the misunderstanding between the Supervisors’ Committee and General Hays, as to paying the $500 city bounty to persons now in the | who shall re-enlist, has been satisfactorily | Judge Dean puts to the committee of | ora a direct qaestion in writing, and servic the Supervis thoy answer aa direetly, The bounty will be paid to all whose term of service expires on or, before fle 4th of July next. There is no red tape in thia matter. We cail attention to the correspondence. It a believed that thus several thousand veteran volunteers will be obtained and credited to the quota of thia city The new Italian ironclad ship-of war Re d'italia, which went on shore near Long Braach, while on her trial trip, was haaled off at high water, about eleven o'clock on Tuesday night, and reached thia city about two o'clock yesterday afternoon, It is not supposed that she haa received any serious damage, Tue Board of Aldermen did not organize yes- sen by the correspondence between | NEW rORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1863. terday, for want of a quorum. It has been erro- neously stated in some papers that the new Com- mon Council boards would be organized on the Ist of January. This is not 60. Mayor Opdyke and the present members of the city government will remain in office and in power up to noon on the 4th proximo--that being the first Monday in the month. Mayor Gunther will, at twelve o'clock on that day, or soon after the new boards are sworn in, send his inaugural message to the Yommon Couneil of New York for the year 1864, The Board of Councilmen met at one o'clock yesterday, pursuant toa special call for that pur- pose. The communication from the Comptroller, recommending the transfer of $74,383 from seve- ral unexpended appropriations to accounts which have been nearly exhausted, was received from the Aldermen and concurred in. , A series of reso- lutions respecting the late Brigadier General Corcoran were also received from the Aldermen and concurred in. The other business transacted was of a rdutine nature, and the Board adjourned until to-day at twelve o'clock. The emigration from Europe continues to be very large, notwithstanding it is the depth of win- ter. The number landed here last week was 2,620, swelling the number since January 1 to 155,223, against 76,306 in the corresponding period of 1862, The balance of the commutation fund now is $30,416. The most important feature in the stock market yester- day was the continuation of the speculative movement iu Western railway sbares, and prices were again advanced from one to four per cent, The money market ruled firm, with @ prospect of a slight stringency, which will no doubt prove temporary. Gold was down one per cent, and tho market was dull. Government securities were strong, five-twenties being held at 1013, and the 7 and 3-10ths Troasury notes at 10634 a 10714. But little was done in commercial circles yesterday, and there seems to be no inchnation to do anything until after New Year’s Day. Tho rise and fall of gold exert tho usual influence in regulating prices, but do not aftoct business transactions to any extent, as there 18 mo dis- position to do anything until after accounts are squared up tothe end of the year. At the Produce Exchange a fair business was reported in most articles at about Tues- Cotton was about Freights were day's prices. Groceries wero quiet. steady. Petroleum was dull aud lower. dull; but rates were about the same. #he. Unanimous Grant, Northern men have made many sacrifices for the Union during this war. They have devoted themselves, their lives, their sons and their money to the cause of their country. Now we ask them to make one sacrifice more. It will be the last, and the most effectual and the most successful. We ask them to sacrifice their political ambition. We desire them to unite upon a single Presidential candidate. We appeal to them to secure the unanimous election of Major General Grant. We make this appeal not so much to the people as to the professional politicians. We know that the majority of the people are with us and will vote for Grant. We know, also, that alf the people will vote for Grant if the politicians will only let them alone. But it is undeniable that the politicians do control a few thousand votes’ by means of their nicely adjusted political machines; and yet we wish to have Grant unanimously elected. There- fore we. appeal io tie politicians. It must be evident to these gentlemen that if General Grant takes the political field no other candidate has -any chance of success, Any candidate who may be named, except General Grant, either has powerful and bitter enemies in one party or the other, or else he is so insignificant and unknown that we can- not afford to trust him with the helm of State during such a terrible storm as this. General Grant, on the contrary, bas no enemies, or at least be has none bold enough to avow themselves. Yet, instead of being insignificant and un- known, he is our greatest military leader and the greatest general America has produced. The inconsisiency of Lincoln has left him no real friends even in his own party, and his coarse jokes have offended all respectable people. Chase is opposed by all the good financiers in the country, by the ultra radicals, like Wendell Phillips, and by sll the conserva- tives of every shade and degree. So of every prominent man before the people, with the single exception of Major General Grant. It is for this reason that we nominate Gen. Grant for the next Presidency, and urge all parties to unite in supporting bim. The poli- ticians will practically give up very littte ; for they cannot, and do not, hope to be successiul against General Grant. Their only hope now is to kill Grant off | before the election; and we most em- | phatically assure them that this is impossible. If they will calmly consider the matter they will find that they have everything to gain and nothing to lose by uniting,upon Grant. They bie if they run any man against him. They | will have everything to gain; for Grant will make a good President anda just President, and will soon end the war and give them a chance to reconstruct their shattered parties upon new issues. Besides this, we bave not the slightest objection to their all claiming Grant's election as a victory for their own fac- tions if they will only unite in electing him. General Grant is a very reticent man. He says very little and does a great deal. He is celebrated for his deeds, not for bis words. Now, we shall not ask him to speak before election. We shall rather advise him to con- tinue silent. We are content to accept him upon his past record. Tbe Chicago Tribune may call him a copperbead and Senator Wilson may call him an abolitionist if they please. We | leave such lies to ‘neutralize each other, and are satisfied to take bim as he is. We appeal to men of all the same thing. It is enough to know that General Grant has just the qnalities the coun- try needs in a President, and no one should care a pin for bis “opinion upon defunct questions of color or politics or whatnot. The war is the "| only question before the people, and General Grant is clearly right apoo that. | We have said that General Grant, if elected President, would soon end the war, His } unanimous election would end the war at once. | The rebels have relied upon our political | divisions and, alas! not witbout encourage- ment—as a great help to them in sustaining | their bogus confederacy. Even now they ex- pect the coming Presidential election to result ina Northera clvil war, and this expectation is the secret of their desperate attempt to hold out @ little while longer. We appeal to the patriotism of every Northern man to disappoint | Jeff. Davis and his followers. Let us sbow them that we love the Union better than party, and their last hope will be swept away. The rebel | leaders are shrewd, crafty men, and they base ‘their calculations upon what they bave learned in past years of the politics of the North They forget, however, that this war has effected a complete revolution in Northern politics, Let us convince them of this mistake by elect- | ing Grant unavimously. That will be the last will have nothing to lose ; for defeat is ineyita- | blow the rebellion will require, and in a moath after it will tle lifeless at our feet. When the rebellion began we too counted upon internal dissensions and divisions among the rebels; but they oon put an end to that by the unanimity with which they re-elected’ Jeff. Davis, Now, are we less devoted to the Union than the rebels are to disunion? Can we sacrifice less to loyalty than they to rebellion? Heaven for- bid! The hardest, the most decisive, the most fatal defeat which we could inflict upon the Soutbern traitors would be the unanimous election of Grant. That is the reason-why we press the subject so urgently. It is quite time that this war were over, and the shortest. way to end it is to show the rebels that we consider everything else subsidiary to it by unanimously electing a President whom the rebel leaders will ae and the misguided Southern people reape Wesiies all this, think of the effect which euch a sublime manifestation of devotion to the Union would have in Europe. There would be no danger of any foreign war for at least a century afterward. Engiand and -France would be only too glad to grant us everything we justly require. The despots and arietocrats of the:.Oid World would see that when the safety of the republic demands it every:Ame- rican is willing to give up ‘all: to his country; and when a nation fs thus united it-is ag.irre- sistible as a Macedon phalanx, and gan make its own terms with the world. Then here would no longer be any expression of foreign sympathy with the rebels. The European Powers would have quite enough to do to at- tend to their own subjects, whose latent demo- cratic feelings would be stirred to fever beat by this glorious exhibition of the majesty of a free people. That is another reason why we desire the unanimous electidén of Grant. What more powerful motives than the instant over- throw of the rebellion and the encouragemont of the democratic spirit throughout Europe could we possibly offer to patriotic Americans in order to induce them to do a noble act, which will eclipse any popular movement recorded in history, and which will be remembered so long as the world exists? Never could a nation’s immortality be purchased so cheaply. The people are already willing and anxious to accomplish it. Only the politicians obstruct the way, and we ap- peal to them to stand aside. If our appeal be successful they will deserve and receive public gratitude and ample reward. If it be unsuc- cessful we shall then know with» whom we have to deal and how to deal with them. Wo have spoken frankly and fairly, and in a most unselfish and patriotic spirit; but we do not forget—and we beg all concerned to remem- ber—that we are in a position. to dictate as well as to request, and that we have the power to sweep out of our path those who will not listen to reason, and who obstinately refuse to move. Our Vorunreer Navy.“ Increased interest and importance,” says the President, have been given to ‘the navy by the evonts of the war; and it is the opinion. of that functionary, as it is of nearly every one-clse in the country, that this increased interest and importance of the navy will not end with the war, but will extend far into our future history, and be but one phase of our national development, every part of which has been so stimulated by this grand struggle. In order that we may hold the position that we shall be in when the war closes, a large navy is neces- sary to us—n navy at least equal in extent to that of any government that we can possibly be called upon to cope with, and a navy that shall constitute us one of the great naval, as we have hitherto been one of the great mari- time, Powers. Congress has had its attention called by the President to what it should do that we may be provided with the ships for such a navy; and attention should also be called to what must be done in order that we shall bave in it the proper officers to make it efficient. We want men with the right qualifications—with the right spirit, and especially of the right age— men that are alive in every sense. Hundreds of men of exactly the right stamp entered our navy at the commencement of the war, and are now distributed through it a3 masters’ mates, masters and lieutenants, Such men as Budd, Eaton, Nickels, Con- roy and Wm. C. Rodgers, who are of this class, and rank as lieutenants, may be numbered as among the most efficient men in the navy. Men of this class are the ones who have made the blockade effective by the capture of so many prizes. Conroy, of the Union, has been | particularly active. Nickels is the officer who | captured the Chesapeake when a dozen others were after her. Eaton, of the Circassian, cap- tured the Minnie. Wm. C, Rodgers, of the Hunts- ville, has captured numerous prizes. Budd | captured the Magnolia, and in her captured the Memphis, one of the most valuable prizes yet parties to do | | taken. And such is the record all through of | the volunteer navy. | Doubtless the officers of the navy proper have rights, and they should receive all respect; but these volunteers have rights also, that must be | respected in turn. They have sid glory upon | the navy, and it is their pride to become idonti- fied with it. Let them become so. Nearly all | of them are sailors, and many who now serve | as the subordinates of naval school nonentities have sailed with success as captains in the palmy days of our commercial marine.- These are the men whom we must class in our present | navy with Hull, Bainbridge, Perry, Decatur, } Rodgers, ‘ awgence, and even with Paul Jones; for as the beroes who first made our flag re- epected on the seas were educated in the mer- chant service, so were the men who now con- stitute our volunteer navy. Let Congress re- | member them, thea, in the reorganization of the navy; and, asa special act is necessary to place them properly in the service, let us have | such an act at once. { ‘Sri Hanrino on My Davourse.’ '—Greeley ia still harping on the slavery question, as if } the war bad not virtually settled it. We say | the war; for Presidential proclamations and Congressional acts of -emancipation have amounted and amount to nothing beyond the | lines of our armies, Thowar has'déne and ts doing the work, aad, if the administration will confine its action and its policy to the business of putting down the rebel armies, the remnants of slavery that will be left with the suppres. sion of the rebellion will not be worth any fur- ther agitation of the subject in the North.’ The great questions now demanding the public at- tention are the prosecution of the war, the next Presidency and the reatoration of the Union; and all these, and the slavery question to boot, may be safely turaed over into the baads of General Graat. \ Frvanous Prosrects Norris snp Sovra.— Ia our calculations as to the prospects of a speedy restoration of peace a good deat of stress is laid on the physical exhaustion of the South. If we bad to rely on this alone we are afraid tbat it would not bring us very near our object. Tbe South bas plenty of fighting ma- terial to keep us occupied a couple of years more. Were there not other influences to aid usin subdaing it there would be very little hope of our bringing it back within the period named That which places beyond all question its speedy submission is the irretrievably des- perate condition of its Gnances. The rebel Secretary of the Treasury bas frankly declared that unless the circulation of paper issues can be brought down from $700,000,000, at which ‘they now stand, to $200,000,000 the confederacy is gone. As Mr. Momminger knows as well aa we do that tho alternative thus put is an utter impossibility, we may accept in perfect faith hia conclusions. We do not require bim, how- ever, to aid us in forming our opinions on the Subject. We know that when the expansion of an unlimited paper currenoy -has forced up all . ‘the necessaries of life to prices which place them tieyond the reach of the great body of the people nothing-but a prompt return to sound principles of finance can prevent general ruin. A glance at the laat market quotations at Richmond: will: abow that the rebela have reached this culminating point. ‘With flour at $100 a barrel, corn and potatoes at $tla busbel, wheat at $15 a bushel, bacon at $8 a pound, butter at $4 to $5 a pound, coffee at from $8 to $10 a pound, eugar at from $8 26 to $8 50 a pound, and wearing apparel at cor- responding rates, it is not possible for them to carry on the struggle much longer. The old fable of Menenius Agrippa is about to receive a fresh iMustration in their case. It is the belly, rather than the sword, that will bring them to reason. But, whilst rejoicing at a state of things which promises to put a speedy end to the war, is there nothing in our own financial position to awaken disquietude? ‘The aystems pursued by Mr. Chase and Mr. Memminger are in princi- ple identical, and have relatively been attended with the same results. Owiog to the non-in- terruption of our internal lines of communi- cation and our holding possession of the sea- board, prices have not, it is true, been forced up to the same extravagant point aa in the re- volted States. But, making allowance for these and other advantages resulting from our pqsi- tion, we can see but very little difference in the practical working and consequences of the two systems. When exchange raages from fifty to seventy-five per cent, and the incomed® of all classes are. worth Jess than half what they were before the rebellion broke out, it shows that our faances have been conducted pn the-worst possible principles, and that sith- out the excuse which rebel mismanagement has had. In vain did we urge on Mr. Chase at the beginning of the war that the only way to avoid this undue inflation of prices, and to place our finances on a safe basis, was by rais- ing the money required by government by loans and taxation. He bas turned a deaf ‘ear to our advice, and has gone on inundating the country with paper money until we are rap- idly approaching the condition in which France was plunged by its assignats. It is true that he has lately avnounced his intention of re- turning to apecie-payments. He had better be quick about it, or we shall find ourselves re- duced to one or otber of the two alterna- tives—repudiation or ruin. Mr. Cospen ano tHe Loxpon Tunes.—The quarrel between Mr. Richard Cobden and the editor of the London Times, Mr. John Delane, proceeds from no mere question of distortion of sentences or wrong application of meaning, but from tbe fact that the speeches of Mr. Cob- den and Mr. Bright touched very nearly upon a matter which all England recoguizes as one of great import—nay, of great danger—so much 80 that all are loth to take up the subject. We refer to the monopoly which a few hold of the land in Great Britain. The masses have and can have no landed interest in England, from the peculiar nature of her institutions. All those who attempt to point out the dan- gers of the present system in England are at once styled, by those who have an interest in the statu quo, agrarians, Fourrierites, &., and are denounced as dangerous members of so- ciety, The Times is afraid of the rapid strides which liberal ideas. are making in England under the guidance of Messrs. Cobden and Bright, and eagerly seized upon an opportunity to fasten upon these gentlemen sentiments which it knew the wealthier and governing classes in England abhor. Mr. Cobden saw the drift of this manceuvre, and hastened to dis- avow the ideas imputed to him. He felt that an answer to the attack of the Times was a lunge in the dark, and that it wou'd fall short of the purpose he wished to attain; and bence he made a direct appeal to the personality who rules the Times, Mr. Delane. The sensitiveness of both these parties solely arises, we feel assured, from the fact of the dangerous ground they have got upon. There is evil in this question. No other would so quickly convulse all England. The middle classes are aware that they are ruled by the few who own the land, and they are eager to see this state of things change. The few are aware that when their tenure of the land is lost their power will no longer be felt, and that then a revolution will sweep over England which will leave ber a ruin. Under these cir- cumstances—under the apprehension of dan- ger—society in England avoids the discussion of a topic so fraught with unpleasant consequences. The Times saw a chance, as it thought, to damn both the men it dreads, and it made an inconsiderate attack upon them. Inconsider- ate, inasmuch as it gives to the liberal press an opportunity to discuss the very subject so much dreaded in England. The Times made use of a weapon which cits both ways, as it will find out to its cost. ‘The question as to the responsibility of news- papers is one which admits of no satisfactory debate. We do not doubt that the Timas will continue to make anonymoum attacks, spite of Mr. Cobden’s logic. Herein this gentleman bas the worst of the affair! " But under the surface will be found the real cause for the disquiet of himself and Mr. Delane Gey. Joe Jouxstoy.—It appears that Gen. Joe Johnston has been appointed to the com- mand of the remains of Bragg’s army. This is the gentleman who undertook to relieve Vicks- burg, but who waited on the Big Black not only till Vicksburg had surrendered, but until it was too late to escape # thrashing himself. ¥ Beaten from the Big Black, he made o stand at Canton; pushed out of Canton, he intrenched himsclf at Jackson, only to be driven thence into Alabama. This is the mau upon whom Jeff. Davis now depends to turn the tide of victory in Georgia ; but Gee. Grant, we dare ay, has no objections to try bim again. Tex Gowmrrres on tue Conpucr oF TOR Wanr.—It is given out that the Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War is to be re-eatablished. We think tbat a dozen special committees of investigation into the different branches of the business of the war might be profitably tried. G ua, then, a fair commit- tee on the subsistence contracts and the trioke of the contractors in furnishing flour, corn, beef, pork, beans, molasses, &.; a committee on shoddy; @ committee on the army borse dealers and horse jockeys; a odm- mittee on the doings in the naval service in the purchase of transports, &.; @ committee of inquiry into the alleged incompetency of the Raginecr-in-Chief of the navy; @ committee on the wastages of military. stores ‘by our armics, aad especially in moving from one canip te an- ether, and ao on. ‘eee mpon these and other subjects would doubtless ferret out a vast amount of profligacy, reckless exttavagance and corruption, and open tho road for much useful legistation in the way of retrenchments and reforms. Has Sena- tor Wilson, the head man in Congress on the conduct of the war, any objection to such a system of spocific investigations? We hope not. Tar Importance or Tux Commo PREsmENTIAL Exxcrion.—The Presidential lection of 1864 will be immeasurably more important and will iavolve larger and more momentous issues than any other election since the formation of the government. It may result in a restoration or reconstruction of the Union under the conatitu- tion; it may result in @ reconstruction of the constitution itself; it may result in a new gevernment. The crisis is full of promise; but it is alao full of doubt and danger, and astrong, capable, reliable and resolute man was never more needed by the country than he will be as our next President. Give them such a candi- date, and the people will care nothing for party platforms, or party principles, or any such obsolete rubbish. Hence our advocacy of General Grant as the people’s candidate for the next Presidency. The case is very simple, and our position, like our candidate, is very strong. Tovcaina Borrom.—The treasury notes of Jeff. Davis are now a drug in Richmond, at the valuation of five cents on the dolar, or twenty dollars in Jeff.’s rebel scrip for a dollar in gold. Musical. ITALIAN OPERA. ‘Tho public turned oat en masse to enloy 4 Task pe- | formance of Mgretesk's very brief but sory brillant | @eason, Gur Academy of Music was crowded list might overflowing by a most fashionable audiences play of (otlettes \was unusually fine, Th som & determination to make thé most .cf t $ ity to enjoy Italian opera for some wee<s 10 como. appearance of tho house was cortaiu 7 and the audience seemed deposed to tron! the ary with moro than unawl wernt. So much has been gy.'4 about th: last night, Faust, that wo mood no! «vou Great morits, but simply rofor to the a! vurable pertorm- ance of tho artists. Miss Kellogg bas, in the vole of Marguerito, an unusual opportunity tu dispiay to the greatest advantage the careful tratoing of hor very Awoet vaice. Sho acta the part with groat effect, nd certainly tooks tho very tdeal pf the German maiden io tho garden aaene Miss Kellog) very guccesstiUy,and was mueb goer Io “ack, thronghout the opors she received the most unequivocal Proofs of the aynreciation of her efforts by the large audience assem tio ou this cecanion, ‘We thiok that! cncr Maszolent appears bad og shen vantage im the vole of Faus! 20h time he is heard He displaye eres: intelligence iu modulating bis voice to the masic, wh'ca 19 not so well adapted to eg large and syeccone oirie, Recre te sees penny as be docs sldiety . We ‘Certeinty doue “this artist Seanes a mut bday actor we bave ever seen. Fle was moch evéning,and merited fully the favor shown ta ty by i ‘@ Signor Biachi bas woo groat praise as Mephistopheles. Tt isa role mirabiy adapted to thie artist’s powers, an he does full justice to it. Ibis rare that a basso has so flexible and sdmirably cultivated a voice. The serenade sung by him in the fourth act was epiendidly rendered, $8 eeeretansCe og mene Oe eee lles opera gained much by the substitution of r ja. io tbe role of Valentine. ‘Tho choruser were immensely suecessful, especially the grand soldier's chorus sung by the ‘Arion Society, the members of which, evidently appreciating that art is universal, bad kindly volunteered to appear last night. ‘They were encored amid a storm of appinuse. The muse en mene wae really ot while the orchestra pinyed with great ensemble. ‘The performance was an un- doubted euccess, and brilliantly closed the too short season of Italian opera. We shall sea no more of the Maretzek troupe, we regrot to say. nati! next February. The ia- terval will soem long to the Aabttues of the Academy. On the 4th of January Maretzek opens in Boston, THE GERMAN OPERA. Tho manager of the German opera troupe announces a performancs on New Year's night at the Academy of Music. Faust will be the opera sung. Mr. Anschuty ad- vortiaes that the Arion Society will assist in the chorus. ‘The Germans ewmmence another season next Monday at the Academy of blusic. GRAND CONCERT. it Mise Lacy Pimons grand concert will take place, The progenmmo is varied and attractive. Signors Stefani, Morelli and Murio wi!l assist on this occasion. ‘The concert will be given at Niblo’s Salooa. bob oppor capers whiea wars $ To ni City Inteliigence. Tan Tratiwonia 10 Mayor © orxe.—'t ts understood that Mayor Opdyke doos ni desire to y demon stration in his hon of D8 vacation of the civic obi 8 ane sod th shall take piace, potwit! ren uy opposition. Among the movers in ¢ rare Compucler Rreaman and City Lognector Te Pxsrciranon tion are preparing to co. Ure: arsary of Prest- dent Livcola’e proclamation — emsueiy tion on Nuw Year's day. The affair is to be quite extonstve, from present appearances. 19) Owe Hoynrmp Dortars sent to bis Honor the Mayor was sent by bim to the President of tho ‘Board of Public Charities and Correctiona,”’ as requested by the donor, and duly acknowledged by Mr. Draper Tux New avo Oto Year—Tauwiry Comes.—The following programme wilt be performed on Trinity Church belis by James E, Aylife,on the departure of the Old Year and beginning of the New. The chimes will commence at a quarter to twolve, December 31, ae eek Fantasia, composed by G. F. Bristow for Trinity vow colored popala Hau Columbia My Lodging is on the Cold Ground. 5.—Evening Bells. 6.—Chriatmas, Carol—The Christmas Tree. 7.—Colum ia the Gem of the Ocean. 801d Dog Tray 9 —Yankee Doodie 10,—Home, Sweet Home. Twportast to Socorena’ Fasiicma.—Tho “ Christian Al- lianee”* of this city, through & number of patriotic and denovolent companies and individuals. will apread a New Year table at me Cbapel, 720 Broadway, on New Year's day, from 10 A to 10P.M, to which the families of our volunteers ‘are invited, A committee of ladies and will receive and entertaio all who may cail, ‘nteer choir will sing some choruses, duets, quartettes, &c Lavwen —Youterday the new aod spleodii steamship Cotopaxi waa launched from the yard of ©. & R. Poillon, foot of Bridge street, Brooklyn. She is one hundred and ninety four foot long; beam, thirty-three fect six inches; A system of epecial commit- F The ais. | | beveste®: depth of bold, seventeen foot six inches, aod one thous. aod and thirty-one tons, This vessel is woll built, and is & crodit to ber builders, and in many respects is like the Grand Gulf, built by them for the Navy Department. “Prine Cases. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. Before Hon. Judge Dac, 39—A libel was filed this by the United States District Attorney, E. Deladeid Smith, against the English bark Saxon, captured October 30, 1868, in the barbor of rp Poquina, on the West Coast of Africa, by the United States steamer Vanderbilt, while taxing on board of ber tho cargo of the Amorican bark Conrad, ‘Uhen tying on the beach of that barbor. Decrees of condomaation were entered against tho Prize schooner GH. Smoot sad the prize steamer Wilsou. ‘Thord was uo defoows, wews: FROM WASHINGTON. — Wasuraros, Dee. 30, 1863. TUR 198UB OF LEGAL TENDER NOTE. Tt ig mot belioved that Secretary Chase will issue more legal tender notes, though it is stated that both commit- tees of Congress have oxpreased the opinion that it would have to bo done. It is understood that yosterday his intention was to call for a loan, (MPORTANT SBORET COMMUNICATION REBBLS. ‘This morning K. C. Claybrook, of the Ninth Virginia rebel cavalry, was granted an audionce with tho Prest- dent, for the purpose of maxing aa important commual- cation of a secret character. DAPORTANT ORDEE OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT RELA- TIVE TO PRIZES. ‘The following tmportant order bas boen promulgated by tho Secretary of the Navy:— Navy Duranrumyr, Dec. 21, 1863. GRYPRAL ORDER—NO. 26. ‘The sixth section of the act for the better government of the Navy of the United States, approved July 17, 1863. erat “That any armed vessel in the service of thé rrr oe) gga 1 make & capture, or aestet ie circumstances which would ea- rom THE eatablishod for tho coverameet of the pe nd any violation of sucha laws ahd rogalati will Tender their officers and crows liable, 4n the aame manner as in tho naval service, to 8 forfeiture of be paid undor the dires- that hereafter, whonover a vossol is within ‘aight or distunco of a United States vessel, tho senior aavy Present shall be responsible for the safe keep! prize while present, and shall detail the prize master and crow, and adopt the necessary moasures to prevent the commission of any trrogularitics or violations of law, and ue will ee sora t the department the circumstance Leng On ST SEON WELLS, Secretary of Navy. ‘THE RE-ENLISTMENT OF NEW YORK TROOPS. Col. J. Frederick Pierson and Capt. J, A. Scrymser, whu have beon delegated by the committeg appointed at the great war meoting at the Cooper Institute, on the 34 in- stant, to proceed to tho Army of the Potomac to induces the New York voluutoors to ro-enlist as veteran volun- teers, arrived bere this afternoon. They have bad ip- terviews with tho Becrotary of War and Gen. Moado, who bi Given them every facility for the perform. ance of thelr duties, and they leave for the army to-morrow morning. They will place before the New York oldiers the great inducements offered to them to re-cnllst previous to the 6th of January, as by 60 doing thoy will receive aot only the large bounty paid by the government, together with fur- foughs for thirty days, but will in addition receive the local bounties paid by the towns and counties from which they originally enlisted, which in most of them amount to three hundred dollars, and in Waghington county to five hundred dollaré per mad. It is believed that by bringimg these inducements prominently before the sol- diers a very large proportion of them will re-enliat, and thus reduce the quota required to be obtained by draft, do away with the necessity of a draft at all. RaStV An OF GENERAL MEADE. ofeer ing of the COMMUNICATION WITH THE ARMY OF THR POTOMAQ, I, haa boen ordered that Dut one passenger train eball © Waskington dally for the Army of the Po- (oinac--namely, ata quarter before ten in the forencom. Older trains aro eclustvely for freight, Satlers cam ac- ~ } Maeir goods j provided thelr passes have been signed the previous day, ‘% CHIBF COMMISSARY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. Captain Thomas Wilson, C. 3. A., has been appointed Chief Commissary of tho Army of the Potomac, in piace af A. F. Clark, who has been rolieved and ordored to repors. as New York. Hoe is the gon of Joseph L. Wilson, chief clerk of the Land Office. HEALTH OF POSTMASTER GENERAL BLAIR. Postmaster General Biair has 80 far recovered from bie recont indisposition as to be able to resume his duties to- day. ' vi ‘THE PRESIDENT’S NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION. Arrangements are being made for the anoual New Year's reception by the President of the officers of the Departments and Army aad Navy. The ceremonies will commence at twelve o'clock noon on New Year's day, all officers appearing in full uniform. From the large number of this class in the city there tg reason to believe that the display of gold iace and epea- lottes will be unprecedented. Tne President will receive the army and savy officers in the following order:—The officers of the aavy and marine corps will assomble at the Navy Department io undress uniform, and proceed to the executive mansion in a body. The officers of the army will asgembla at the War Department in full uniform, af &@ quarter-past eleven, and also cail’in a body. RETURN OF SECRETARY SEWARD. Secretary Seward returned to-night ia a special car from New York. THE HEALTH OF CHIEF JUSTICE TANRY. Chief Justice Taney is thought to be somewhat better this morning. ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONFISCATION ACT. Forty decrees of condemnation of rebel property seized under the Confiscation act havo been issued here. It te reported that the property of the basker Smithson, re- cently rentenced to the Albany Penitentiary, is to be con- tiscated. . SALE OP CONPISCATED PATENT RIGHTS. ‘The interest of Gamewell & Co., of South Carolina, ta eleven patent rightsfor fire alarm and police telegraphs, were sold to-day by the United States Marsball, under the Confiscation act, to Messrs. Kennard & Co., of Boston, Fire Alarm Telegraph Constructora, THE PUBLICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT REPORTS. The pressure upon the government printing office is so Groat that the publication of the department reports te still delayed. A portion of them will be ready for de- livery early next week. | GENERAL M’CLELLAN'S REPORT. Op account of the enormous amount of work to be pre- viousiy done, Geueral McClellan’s report cannot be issued for several weeks yet, as there are to be twenty maps en- graved for it. SUPPLIES FOR THE GULF @QUADEON. The Navy Department Will, on the 5th of Jandary, des- pateh the supply steamer Bermuda from Philadelphia to jhe Gulf Squadron, aod on the 9th the supply steamer sachusetts to the South Atlantic Squadron THR CASE OF ACTING ENSIGN HENRY WALTERS. A petition ts 'n circulation, signed by tho officers of the Potomac flotilia and the Navy Yard here, asking thas Henry Walters, late acting onsign commanding the gua- boat Reliauco, that was captured by the rebels in July fast, in the Rappahannock, be reinstated. He was dis- missed from the service by the department, and it te stated that on the occasion Walters fought desperately, BUSINRSS OF THE GENERAL LAND OFPICH. Thirteou towuship plote of surveys have just reached the Genera! Land Office, embracing a region of country im the northern part of Kansas, selected south of the Repub tiean fork, and along the projected route of the Pacifie Railroad, and comprising about a hundrea thousand acres, A cage baa been brought before the General Land Office whore a party entered parcel of land under the Home- siead law, and thereupoo cut one hundred thousand feet of timber therein and sold the same. The cutting and eelling ia held to be illegal, and the timber liable to seizure by the United States authorities. The time fixed by the act granting lands to the séveral States for the endowment of mechanical aud agricultural colleges expires July 8, 1364. As somo of the States have not yot accepted the grant, and somo of them cannot now do so before that date, it ie proposed that Congress extend the time to enable them to avail themsolves of its provisions, and this will pro~ badly be dono. The States in rebellion are excluded from: the benefits of the law. The General Land Offce is stilt engaged in issuing tho scrip to such States as have sige uided their scoeptance of the graat. THE ARMORY SQUARB HOSPITAL. The Armory Square hospital of this city has hoem croated a post hospital, thereby making it © permancas tostitation, to remain after the war ENLARORMENT OF CONTRABAND QUARTERS. Fifty additional buildings are to be erected at the traband colony on the Arlington estate, for the ase of large number of gegroes to be concentrated there nent wanib.