The New York Herald Newspaper, January 11, 1864, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES Genie ines BENNRETY®, EDLTOR AND PROPRIELOR. vreut &. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. THRMS cash io advance, Money seut by mail will bo None but bank bills ourrent ta et Cho risk of (he sender Dew York taken. TSE DAILY HERALD, Taree cents per copy. THE WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturday, at Five cents Per copy. Avnual subscription price:— Ove Copy sz Torea Copies 5 Five Copies 8 ‘Ten Copies mo Postage Gye couts per copy for three months. NO NOVICE taken of anonymous correspondence. We donot return rejected communications. Votume XXKIX . AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Irving Place.—Genman OreRa— Fivetio NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Cossix Soogan. WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Rosepara, GARDEN, Broadway.—Ticker or Leave WINTER War OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway —A Bout ix a Caixa BHor—Cousis Cur ney, NEW BOWERY TH OF Tuk OLO SION” Cry atl Bowery. —Maxs prA—DoG S—HIGHWAYMAN'’s Houta, Bow Docs— TRE, Bowery (tag Woman ano Hew —SrKCrk BRIDRGROOM, BARNUM MUSEL Giant Boy, Lovirortas oF Leave Mas vite: wadwon t= FRENCA G) . Mecuauies’ Halt, 472 Broad. ANCES, KURLMSQUKS. &O—UNCLE Baw Grist WOOD'S § FoxGs, Dancns AMERICAN THEATRE, No. 44¢ Broadway, —Batvets, Fartowinns, Buncesycrs do—THe Busyaopy. | BROADWAY AMPHITHEATKE, 433 Broadwav.—Gyw. BASIC AMO Qk GAN PERFORMANCES, Afternoon and Eveniag HOPE CHAPEL TIS Rroadway.—Tue Sreeroscortican oun oF Tine Universe EW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broatway.— Cems An Lectures. trom 9 a, M. UHL P. ae HOOLEWS OPERA HOUSE, Biookiyn.—Exmoeas Dances, Beruxsqnrs, Ae. fonas, New Vork, Monda January 11, 1862, THE SITUATION. We have interesting news from General Banks’ department by the steamer Columbia, which ar- rived here yesierday, with dates from New Or- leans to the 3d inst. Information had been re- ceived there from various sources of a combined movement being contemplated on the part of the rebela. 1 was said that all the rebel troops who have been operating in Western Louisiana, on the banks of the Mississippi and other points, were gathering for Central Texas, and uniting to form one large army, to attack our new acquisitions on the coast of ‘Texas, and would probably number at least twenty thousand. Pri ations had been made to meet this rebel force as well as possible with the number of troops in the department, and it was expected th news of great interest from Texas wouid sooa be received. Our correspondents turnish the details of all the dews teanspiring in New Orleans; the ‘return and result of General Andrews’ foraging expedition to Humboldt Island from Port Hudson, to which latter place they brought back a good Christmas dinner from the larders of the enemy—which they rifled without compunction—including ducks, chickens, hogs, eggs, turkeys and two thousand bushels of corn. Interesting accounts of the state of affairs in the interio: are also given; the arrival of seven banded exchanged prisoners from Notchitoches, nd the presence of the rebel gunboats at Shreve- port. The linea of the Potomac army were marked by more than the usual Sabbath quiet yesterday. Nothing whatever occurred to disturb the monoto- ny or interfere with the religious services of the different chaplains. Philadelphia on furlough for a few days. A despatch from the headquarters of the De- partment of West Virginia states who was in command of a battalion of Maryland cavalry, in Loudon county, was attacked at four o'clock yesterday morning by Mosby, four hundred strong. ing for an hour Mosby was repulsed, hia killed and wounded, on the itield. the dead officers. Our loss is reported as two killed and eleven wounded. Among the latter are Captain Vernon, severely, and Lieutenant Rivers, slightly. General Sullivan has a force of cavalry now in Pursuit of the enemy. round and surprise the camp; but he found Major Cole ready for him. It is not thought that the enemy can accomplish anything in the Shenandoah valley just now. The river is almost impassable from floating ice, nor is it likely from the position of our forces that the febola can construct a bridge. The retirement of General Barly from that section of country is looked upon as almost certain. An officer of the rebel army (Third Arkansas fegiment),,who recently deserted to the Union at Fort Smith with's portion of his command, General Meade has gone to Major Cole, the guerilla After severe fight leaving Among found commissioned were four Mosby's plan was to sur- that General Holmes is in command of the | ‘Mississippi Department, and General Price the army in the field, which does not thirteen thousand. Of Price's Missourians baly three or four thousand remain, and but few ‘Of these were part of the armywhich he took out of Missouri. The veterans of Lexington and Pea Ridge are nearly all dead. He says that the re- ports of the Union success in Texas, and General Banks’ possession of the Rio Grande, created great Gloom emong the rebels, and also that President Lincoln's amnesty proclamation was having effect throughow their ranks, and desertions were fre- quent in consequence, Oar advices from the Bahamas are dated at Nas gau,N. P.,on the 2d of January. The foreign trade with Wilmington, N.C., by way of Nassau, was atill brisk. There were quite a number of arrivals with “assorted cargoes’ for storage, the goods being evidently destined for ultimate ship. ment to the rebels. New York forwarded seven puch cargocs. The United States steamer Sonoma in purauit of a steamer on the 29th ultimo. Wo learn from Havana that the steamer Morn- Star, which left New York on the 26thalt., Glosely pursned on the next day, near Cape ty erckel csuiser, of Ens‘ieh bulld.a NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, JANUARY WM, 1864, re - | repate. lying low in the water, carrying two masts and an unusually high smoke stack. By putting on additional steam and sdils the Morning Star outran her, however. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. By the steamship Columbia, which arrived at this port yesterday, we have highly interesting news from Mexico and St. Domingo. Our advices from Mexico represent the French a8 meeting with almost uninterrupted success in the progress of their different columns through the country, Various citics and towns had been occupied by the imperial arms, including Guanajuato and Aguascalientes, and the invaders were marching on Juarez’s capital, which they expected to occupy by Christmas. Yt was reported by the French and their partisans that Juarez himself would seek safety by fleeing to Texas. General Miramon was engaged in raising a ferce to merch on Durango, The entire State of Tamau- lipas, it was expected, would soon be in the pos- session of the imperialists. From St. Domingo we learn that the Spaniards had gained another victory over the insurgents, in front+of Puerto Plato, driving them successively from their various positions, though the number of killed and wounded is said to have been comparatively small. Reinforcements for the Spaniards were constantly arriving, and it was Supposed they would soon have safficieat force to overcome al! opposition. Rebel Movemonts in Virginta—Probable Plans of Jeff. Davis for a Spring Cam- ‘The late movements of the rebels in North- eastern and Southwestern Virginia indicate a T e plun of operations for the com- iog spring campaign, its principal feature be- | ing the establishment of a defenaive line from 's army to that of General Joe Johnston, in rthern Georgia. This defensive line will cover the railroad from Gordonsville southeastwardly to Rich- mond, and southwestwardly to Longstreet, in | the eastern corner of Kast Tennessee; and theace across the mountains to Joe Johnston’s (late Bragg’s) army in Northern Georgia com- muuications will be,maintained by the cavalry forces of Wheeler, Sam. Jones, Jobn Morgan and others. In connection with this programme, the late descent of Sam. Jones upon the. ex- posed Union detachmeat at Jonesville, in South- western Virginia (in the neighborhood of Cum- berland Gap), and the later demonstration of General in the northeast, threatening the Baltimore and Obio Railroad, are incidental, though very importaut subordinate operations. The busivess thus assigned ia part to Sam. Jones is to protect the flank of Longstreet and to secure as large a range as possible over Eust Tennessee fur foraging purposes, while the late northeru advance of General Karly as clearly indicates the purposé of General Lee to protect his flauk and to hold on to the sup- plies of the extensive and tertile Shenandoah valley. The main objects of this general programme are, first, the defence of Riebmond ia the east; and, secondly, the defence of those vital rail- road lines, the common focus of whicn is Atlanta, Georgia, and upoa tbe retention of which depends the safety of those extensive military foundries, factories and workshops of all kinds established at Atlanta and Rome. Assuming that the rebel forces between these extremes of Richmond and Rome are or will be under the suprewe command of Cienerat Lee, they may be set down as the three grand divisions of his army, holding himself the im- mediate command of the most important divi- sion in tue Nast, and Joe Johnston the division at the other end of the line, while, as the case may require, Longstreet is charged with the movable or stationary intermediate division in East Tennessee. Under this arrangement, as the opportunity may demand or invite, Long- street may move to the support of Jolnston or Lee, or either of these two may move to the relief of Longstreet, so long as they hold the great railway line between Gordonsville and *Last Tennessee and the several more easterly lines betweea Richmond and Atlanta. Considering, however, the length of the line—five or six hundred miles—the rickety condition of the railroads thus to be defended, and the irreparable inferiority of the rebel forces at botk extremes, this is not avery promising programme to Jeff. Davis, unless it may turn out to involve the abandonment of Richmond and Virginia. In tbat event, with the junction of Lee's Virginia army, regulars and gueriilas, with Longstreet, and with all these forces operating together, with Joe John- ston heavily reinforced, as he doubtless will be by a sweeping conscription, they may give to General Grant abundant employment. Cut off from their confederates north of Tennessee and west of the Mississippi, we fully believe that the only remaining chance to the rebel chiefs at Richmond for an overwhelming concentra- tion of their limited forces is the abandonment of Richmond; for in relinquishing the other end of their line their already divided and dis- mantled confederacy will be at once cut in two between Chattanooga and Charleston. As it is possible, then, that the rebel leaders may be preparing for the evacuation of Rich- mond and Virginia, under the pressure of their desperate necessities, and with the hope of re- turning again after the overthrow of Grant's armies, we would urge this view of the subject upon the special attention of the government. We would especially urge during the winter such vigilant reconnoissances from the Rich- mond peninsula and from Norfolk in the direc- | tion of the Southern roads communicating with the rebel capital as will keep the government well informed of the enemy’s movements in that quarter and baffle their designs, so far as they may involve a stealthy evacuation of Vir- ginia. The rebellion can be utterly demolished by General Grant in the spring if the War Office can only contrive during the winter to keep within sight of thé'army of Lee or to hold the rebel government at Richmond. Mr. Weites’ Orven on Prives.—By the re- cent order of Mr. Welles relative to the capture Of prizes, it appears that hereafter, when a transport or supply ship takes a blockade run- ner, and when a naval vessel comes in sight, she must transfer the prize over to the latter, and also surrender all claim to the prize money. We suppose this order is intended to holster up the reputation of the navy, and to prevent the Fulton and other vessels like her from doing the good service they have hitherto done by capturing blockade runners, while the naval vessels, for want of speed, fail to do their duty. It is very probable, therefore, that this class of transport and supply ships will mind their own busiess in future, aad let the Navy Department take oard of ite ewn reputation. They have no induceffients now, either of honor Of foward. to trouble thomaslyes abqut it. The Plmaacter of the Day. Mr. Chaae’s financial career offers another iMustration of the correctness of the proverb that it is better to be born lucky than wise He baa said and done enough to damn the re- putation of any man in bis position Aud yet there are people who believe in him as the in- carnation of financial wisdom, and who are of opinion that be has had a great hand in saving the Union. They are not very numerous, it is true, and they include but few who know any thing about financial matters. The only principle which seems to have gov- erned Mr. Chase's administration of the national finances from the outset has been that of -pro- viding merely for the necessities of the hour. When, after the outbreak of the rebellion, be came to New York to find means of replenish- ing an empty treasury he obtained from our banks and moneyed men a loan of $150,000.000, ‘on the asenrance that there would be no stop page of specie payments. Whatever might be the duration of the war, there would be no difficulty in keeping this promise; for alt further aid that the government required could have been raised by loans and taxation. But on Mr Chase’s return to Wasbington his personal in- terests and those of his political partisans en- grossed much of his attention, to the excin- sion of othor considerations. The prompt crushing out of the rebellion and the main- tenance of the public credit became second- ary objects. Occupied in distributing the fat things in his gift to those who were in a posi- tion to advance bis views aa to the Pres:dency, ‘and busy with the management of our armica, whose operations were directed by him solely in reference to the extinguishment of slavery, he had no time to attend to the duties of bis official position, The consequences were jrst what were to be expected from such a course. Since his first financial visit to this city not only has the specie basis been aban- doned, but four hundred and sixty-five millions of unredeemable Treasury notes have been added to the currency, while gold has been up to a premium of 172 and the value of labor has been diminished nearly one-half. And, a8 an, inevitable reault, the rebellion, which the Secretary of the Treasury promised should be put down in ninety days, has, up to a receot period, been pros- pering, our ill success having the effect of raising the credit of the rebel con- federacy abroad and of furnishing it with the means of replenishing its wasted resources. That it has been aguin brought to a state of exhaustion, and that we ourselves have narrowly escaped it. is not due to any later inspirations of Mr. Chase or any change in his policy. We owe it to the brilliant successes of Geaeral Grant. Where should we now be but for the magnificent victories by which he has cut the rebel con- federacy in two and paralyzed its energies’ [t is to these, and not to the sficcess of Mr. Chase's plans, that we owe the faci that the paper issues of the government are not largely depreciated and gold at a higher premium than it has ever been. Generat Groot, and pot Mr. Chase. is, (ben, our financial as well as military savior, He has solved with his sword the ficulties ch the contracted views and s: am }yi- tion of the Secretary of the Treasnry readered him incapable of grasping. A new light is, bowever, breaking in on Mr. Chase’s mind as to the ruinous effects of his policy: for in his recent report be talks of the necessity of a contraction of the currency. We do not expect that he will make any effort to retrace bis steps. He has so often deceived us by falla- cious hopes that the countrz plaoes no reliance upon his aasurances. It is to the genius of that great soldier, states- man and financier, General Grant, that we look for rescue from the financial abyss into which we are being hurried. His victories will serve to maintain confidence in the future, until bis election to the Presidency places it beyond the power of the fanatics to work any further mis- chief to the national interests. How Sus Are Bee ror tam Navy.— We were in hopes that with our new fleet of double-enders we were to have a number of well built and fast vessels. As to their speed we as yet have not sufficient data to speak as fully as the subject deserves; but as to the mode of their construction we have seen enough of them to siate that, with but few exceptions, mostly those built at navy yards, they are the most miserably built vessels in the navy. Not long since it was found that a number of them needed caulking. and accordingly con- tracts were issued to have the work performed. Of course the lowest bidders obtained the job. In the first place, the vessels had not been half caulked; in fact, s0 poorly was it done that a person could run a knifeblade with ease into the seams. To make thein seaworthy they must be recaulked, and the contract stated clearly the quantity and quality of oakum and best Souther pitch to be used, and the vessels were given out, as it was supposed, to be well done. it was found by the lowest bidders that to faithfully do the work it would require nearly double the quantities of material contracted for; and, as they had taken the job at a lower figure than most honest men could do, it became necessary to do the work in a cheap manner, which was not only disgraceful to themselves, but dangerous to those who should go out in these vessels. Consequently but @ small thread of oakum was put in the seams, although the contract stated that they must be well “horsed.”” This meagre amouat of oakum was duly pitched and puttied over uatil the vessels had the appearance of being thorough- ly caulked; whereas, no sooner will the vessels get to sea and begin to work in a sea way than they will leak like sieves, and if they do not founder they will be obliged to put back in distress, and be refitted at a large cost of time and money. To say the least, such operations are downright swindles, and should be punished to the full extent of the law. The same species of swindling can be found in vessels which have from time to time been purchased by the Navy Department, numbers of which have been built with no other object than to sell them to the government. The builders of them would not dare tq offer such a class of vessels to a reapectable mercantile house; but they Know how to grease the ways of sale as well as their own launching ways, and as @ natural consequence they are pur- chased, and we have so-called copper fastened vessels, whose only copper fastening is blunt bolts, which are not worth having in a chip, and are only used to palm off a vessel to the unsophisticated. Half butlt machinery, broken screws and wheezy engines are bought and paid for at from one-thicd to que half more than their real value 4t ia to be hoped that the committee of investigation pro- posed in Congress will look iato some of these matters, and out of great darkness bring to light some of the rascality of men who claim to be Americans and fore citizens, Qaroisow AND > Te AND THE Usersy Statra.—Napoleon UL would long since have drawn out of bis Mexican schome had he not hoped that ovr civil war would so weaken us that bis encroachment on this oon- tinent would remain unresented, if only from our want of power to sustain the Monroa doc- trine. He urged England aud Spain to a joint interference between us and our rebellious aubjects in favor of the latter. He well knew flu, could he induce such a course on the part of the great Powers whose aid he solicited, his schomes in Mexico would more than likely be fraught with sucec foi both Fagland and Spain had a wholesome dread of thoroughly arousing the Americana people, and were un- willing to aid the imperial flibuater in» plan which could benefit bul The re- vorsea which our arms met with from the atupid blundeving and meddling of the administration in the case of General bicCielian caused: Napo- leon to Lope that, after all, we were powerless, and ie no dowbt at one moment thought sert ousty of epenty advocating. Davis and bis fellow traitors, even at the risk of # ruptore with this government. But thea came toe tum alone splendid victories of | Geaerat Grant and othec officers in the West, aud Napoleon paused to await cvents. The fatl of Vicksburg, which great victory was due to the genius of Geneval Grant. totally dis- turbed all the plans of the Emperor of the french, us far as we were con- cerned, and made bi a%andon the South. Now he finds that bis position on this contineat is critical in the ex- treme. He is well aware that General Grant's last great victory at Chattanooga was a death blow to the cause of the rebellion, and that from the South he can expect no afd. He foresees that General Grant must sova con- quer a peace, and that, once freed from civil war, we sball be calted upon to turn our atten- tion to Mexico. The election of General Grant to the Pre- sidéucy would give us a man atthe head of our government who permits no juggling on the part of our adversaries. He forces them to the point without lo33 of time. No one will watch our approaching Presidential election with more interest than Napoleon. He appre- ciates that were a mere partisan clected we should have to dread civil war in the North. and that while occupied with our own troubles we sbould noi be enabled to attend to the schemes of those who have dared to intrude upon our continoat. But if we elect a Unioa man, one upon whom the choice of the people can centee, we shall be asaured of @ syeedy cessation of +he preseat wac and aa immediate | assumption of all oue cients abroad. That General Grant 19 such a person the most pre- juiced cannot deny. Tbe Emperor of the Ly ch wilt doubtless feel that his case is bopeiess, bot on this continent and in Europe, when we salt bave elected General Grant Presideat of the United States. Grant wilt drive the first naii in Napoleon's coffin. Estarwios aso Fes Pameonye Rescr1s.— The enormous progressive increase which is taking place iu European emigration to onr shores, in spite of the influences used to check it by Jove gu governments, suggests reflections as to the development it is likely to take when the war is ended and the South thrown open to iodustrial and manufacturing enterprise. The year before last the total number of immi- granis who reached this country was 60,000. Last year upwards of 120,000 arrived here. Of these latter the great majority were young, healthy and energetic, and previded with more or less means. We lay stress on this fact, be- cause it shows that this agceas of population is that which is just now most required to fill up the gaps made by the requirements of the war in our industrial population. If in the midst of a gigantic contest, with the terrors of conscription paraded betore their eyes by their own governments and journals, the young men of Kurope are attracted here in such nuinbers, what may we aot expect when the war is brought to a close and the South thrown open to foreign immigration? The old theory that cotton can only be success- fully cultivated by the blacks has been disproved by the Germans of Texas; and, if the resistance of the rebels is to be pushed to the point of rendering their planta- tions liable to confiscation, there is no doubt that vast numbers of Europeau farmers and luborers will be induced to come here by the hope of having these cotton laud’ parceled out among them. Even people of the Latin races will find their account in uniting their desti- nies to ours, thus reversing Napoleon’s idea. We should not be surprised if, in the firat five years after the termination of the war, the emi- gration from all parts of the world to the United States were to present one of the most remarkable movements of population on re- cord. During that period we shall probably add from three to four millions to our oum- bers from abroad, and these composed of the classes which contribute most to the wealth and prosperity of a country. Thus the very influences which the European governments fostered, in the hope of destroying us, will re- act fatally upon themselves, and render us stronger, more united and more powerful than ever. Tur Ooxwver 0 ov rae Brevish American Av- THORITIES.—Sinee General Gillmore demolished Fort Sumter and commenced throwing shells into Charleston from those long guns of his at ® distance of three or four miles the tone of the British authorities has undergone a favora- ble change towards this government. Some of our other neighbors also bave become more friendly and good natured. The first evidence of this was witnessed in the information con- veyed to Mr. Seward by the Canadian authori- ties of the plot to release the rebel prisoners at Johnson’s Island and invade the towns on our lake frontier. Now we perceive an equally friendly disposition evinced in Halifax in the case of the Chesapeake prisoners. The pre- siding Judge and the Advocate General have both declared the seizure of that steamer unmitigsted piracy, and pronounced in favor of her restoration to her owners. This is just as it should be. It is what we have always done by England, and if she had pursued this course from the beginning, instead of giving sid and comfort to the enemies of tho United States government, the rebellion would have ellepeed loug singe Tax Was Dersntumyr avo mae RiqaTs or Forman Minmrers.--It appears that Secretary Stanton bas been committing a blunder, and one which is catoulated to stir up bitter feeling amoug the entire corps diplomatique in Wash- ington and elsewhere. It will be remembered that about a fortuight since the steamship George Cromwell, bound hence for New Orleans, was overhauled by commaad of the War Department just prior to her departure, and all articles contraband of war, auch a8 rifles, re- volvers, bowie knives, &c., found among the baggage of passeagers were taken possession of by the United States Marshal, in the name of the goverament. Among the baggage 60 searched was that of the Mavoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from San’ Salva- | dor to tho government®f the United States, Dr. Henry Segur, who waa on his way home. [! seoms that not only was the war materiel found in the Doctor's possession seized by the United States Marshal, but the person of the Minister biinself was also seized and taken to hort Lafayette, where, we believe, be now is Itt is tated that the warlike impiements captured were really not in- tended for the use of the rebels, as the War Department supposed, but for. the use. of ‘the tiberal canse in San Salvador, the Presi- deut of that repubtic (Barrios) being aow in this city, and vouching for the truthfulness of this view of the case. There is always more | or leas ceremony ia the reception of a foreign minister by the government, and also in his departure from the country. If the govern- ment does not approve of the person sent as the representative of a foreign government his exequatur is denied, or, if he be appraved for a time, and his presence subsequently becomes offensive, he is politely informed that his pass- ports await bim, and that his presence as a foreign representative near this government will be no longer tolerated. Dr. Segur, it ap- pears, received no notice of this kind. The corps diplomatique hold that he was entitled to all the prerogatives and immunities guaranteed to foreign ambassadors, and, 60 far as his de- tention, arrest and imprisonment are con- cerned, the act of the War Department in causing them is deemed an outrage to the representative of a foreign State. Certoes Logic ww THe Senate.—On the re- solution of Mr. Hale, the other day, calling for au investigation into the affaira of the Navy Department, severat Senators opposed it, and used the curious logic that the measure would cast some reflections upon the management of the department and on the course of the ad- ministration and Honest Abe. This argument | ia almost tantamount to an admission that there is something wrong somewhere. Surely, if there be, Honest Abe Liacola would be the lest wan to refuse or object to an iovestigation. It is the duty of the government to investigate all frauds in the public service. whether they may lie at the doors of members of their own party or vot. The logic of the dissenting Senators is thus very bad, if not very suspicious Tue Recent Anteses mw New York, Wasu- TNGTON AND aWHERE.—The recent arrests in the New York Custom House. in the depart- ments at Washington and elsewhere of certain financial agents of the government look very bad for tue management of Mr. Chase, and will do him considerable damage in public estimation. If it is the duty of the head of a rent to keep a strict surveillance over in times of peace, how much more imperative is that duty in time of war. These arrests only prove, however, what we have before said, that in attending to the business of the War Departinent Mr. Chase has been neglect- ing his own. We see now the truth of that re- mark and the deplorable result of the Secre- tary’s course. The bead of a department is vir- tually responsible for the shortcomings of his subordinates, and it is his businesa to see that frauds and malfeasance in office do not occur. If they do, as in these late cases, the people of course hold the chief of the department to a strict accountability. Mr. Chase has one year more of office to run, and he onght to use his time in making his department straight. Let him leave the War Department and the generals alone, and give his attention to the finances of the country, with which he is entrusted. Then he will stand better in the opinion of the people as a public officer. Wave 3 rae Navy Doixa?—There are now five bundred vessels in the navy, yet we do not hear of their doing anything. Their move- ments seem to be curbed at Washington. In the beginning of the war we had an occasional achievement which gave some credit to the navy by such men as Farragut, Dupont, and Porter; but now we hear nothing of its accom- plisbments. Surely, with five hundred ships the navy oughtto have some record. We ought to get materials for a paragraph now and then, at all evens INTERESTING FROM WASHINGTON. Wasmxorow, Jam, 10, 1964. ARRANGEMENTS OV THE PRESIDENT FOR CARRYING OUT THR AMNESTY PROCLAMATION. ‘Tho Presigent is engaged in inaugurating measures to carry out the terms of his amnesty proclamation and se- cure the speedy organization of goveraments in the seceded State: that are to any cousiderable »<tent oceu- pied by the Union forces. THE OPPOSITION MEMBERS ON SPROIE PAYMBNTS AND TAR AMNESTY PROCLAMATION. ‘The democratic and conservative memberr of Congress met on Saturday evening in the Capitol, with Hon. John L, Dawson, of Pennsylvania, in the chair, and unani- mously adopted the following important resolution, of. fered by Hon. James Brooks, of New York:— Whereas , gold or silver. is paid to our ministers, con. suls and commissioners ting the @ation io countries, and gold and stiver are received Ly the peo. terest oO on their investments tn debt ; the Resolved, ‘That sb officers, soldfors and sailors in the army and navy should be pala im gold and silver or their "Festve, Sat ton Conia of this meoting be in- racted to prepare amendments to the Army and Navy Ait to this effect. Tho following résolution, from @ committee appointed to conault upon the political matters likely tocome before Congress, was also adopted :-— Resolved, That tho President's pdm mn of the ‘6th of Docember, 1863, is unwise, 11 it, revolu- tionary aud unconstitutional, and is, » disap. proved, VISIT OF GENBRAL MEADS TO PHILADELPATA. General Mende passed throagh the city this afternoon for Philadolphia on a abort toaye of absence to viait his samily. MILITARY NOMINATIONS BY THB PRESIDENT. Among the military nominations sent in to the Senate, Wath eae - Gonoral Ulymsen 8, Grant, United Stator Volan- aad bs fa hs United Staten Army, "aera Re cro Feber naa laa oe Captain Quincy A to be Brigadier 1862, for distinguished skill, ability and dis yed 10 tho reduction of Fort Pulaski, Savanuak harbor, joorgia. 70 BE MAJOR OBYRRALS OF VOLUNTRERA Brigadier General John Newton, United States Volun- teers, from March 30, 1863. Brigadt jor General Gouverneur H. Warren, United dates Voluntoors, from May 3, 1863. Brigadier Genoral Audrew A. Humphreys, United States Volunteers, from July 8, 1863. Sixty Ove nominations of brigadier generals of youn teers have been made, among whoyy are the following — Colonel C. G. Harker, of tbe Sixty-fith Oblo, from Beptomber 20, 1863. votonel Jobn F. Miller, Twonty mutt Indiana, from January 5, 1864. Golowe ¢. C. Andrews, Third Mivnesota, from January 5,1 Peon Guitar Kaommerting, Ninth Ohio} from January 6, 1864. agnlone! Cyrus Bussey, Thira lowa, from January 6, moe Fuller, Twenty-sevonth- Ohio, from January 5, 1864 enol Regis Le Trobrinnd, Fifty-fth New York, from January 5, 1364 ‘rhese latter comprise ail of the new appointments, of which atx are (rom the Western armies avd one--Colone! D> Trobri1nd-—from : the army of the Potomac. COL. UNDERWOOD APPOINTED BRIGADIBER GENERAL. Cotonel Underwood, of tho Thirty-third Massachusetts Volunteers, who waa severely wounded at the battle of Lookout Mountain, ew ia critical condition at Mush- villa, 6 has been highly complimented by General Hooker. Sevator Wilsop interested bimsolt to havo bim - Appointed brigadier general, aud to-day the commissiea was forwarded, c DISAPPOLNTMENT OF ASPIRANTS FOR PROMOTION EN GBN. BANKS’ DEPARTMENT. No little disappointment is manifested here by officers from Gen. Bauks’ department at the omission on the part of the President to make any vew domivations io that army. Sanguine expectations were entertained thate ‘number of appointments of brigadiers for gallantry at Port Hudson would be made; but, all influences having failed, disappointed applicants aro {preparing to roturn South, some, it i understood, with the view of resigning. EFVEOTS OF THE SEVERE WEATHER IN THR ARMY. Av nousual amount of suffering (rom cold has been ex- periercead in (ho army during the past week, several having been frozen to death, and a great number having lost limbs. CAPTURE OF TAR BLOCKADE RUNNER MARSHALL J. SMITE. ‘Tho Navy Department bas been advised of tho capture of tho rebel scboouer Marsball J. Smith, by the guaboas Kounebec. She was discovered about eighteen miles east of Mobile Point, at night. Discovering tho Kenuobeo, she changed her course and hauled to land. A sboll was fired, and the vessel was approached and boarded. she was from Mobile, bound to Havana with a cargo of two hundred and aixty bales of cotton fand some turpentine Hor manifest aud other papers were thrown overtioard. THE WASHINGTON SANITARY CQMMISBION PADR. ‘The preparations for the great National Sanitary Pair to be held bere being evergetically preased forward. Vatuable contributions have already been sent in. Among the rest Tiffany & Co.,of New York, havo forwarded « maguidcout box of goods, anda liberal contribution has been recoived trom Lord & Taylor, of New York. A large temporary builaing is being erected on the equare corner of Penusyivania svenue aud Seventh sirest, ta which to hold the fatr,an@ the indications are that it will be a complete success, aud compare favorably with those which have recently been held iz other cities fm aid of this great national work, THE WASHINGTON AND ALRXANDRIA RAILROAD. It is reported that the Balthmore and Ohio Railron@ Company are negotiating for the purchase-ef the Washing. ton aud Alexandria Railroad, with a view 00 an extension of their road South whenever the state-of the country will admit of the resumption of railroad communication with that section of the country. Mi. CLARK, OF THE ‘PREASURY DEPARTMENT, NOT SUSPENDED. The statoment that 6. M. Clark, tho chief of the Note Bureau, ia tbe Treasury Department, bad beou suspeoded from duty, is totally without foundation, and there te authority for this denial, There will probably be a vigor ous examination a9 to the motives-of the author of this report COMMISSIONBR OF THE COURT OF CLATMS. J. B. Freeman, of Philadelphia, has been appointed Commissioner of the Court of Claims for the District of Cotumbia N@W COTTON FIELDS. Tho Commissioner of Agriculture-bas rocsived, througa the Btate Department, from C. F. Winslow, Eaq., United States Consul, at Palta, Peru, eleven: specimens of culti- vated and wild cotton grown in the-Chiva- valley. Some Of the specimens are very fino and: valuable Ina communication t» the Secretary of State, acoom- panyiug these specimens, Mr. Winslow emtes that the influence of the internat troubles of ‘this countey has ox- teaded to Peru, in commercial and agricultural respects. ‘The necessities created by the almost total suspension of supplies of cottom from the United States-bave stimulated its production io the inter-tropical pegious of Poru. Gotton was cultivated by the anctent [odiaa population that flourished under the Incas for their common use, but was wholly neglected by the Spanish.invaders aud ran to wasts; but the climate and poil being particularly adapted to its growth, it bas covtinged to-flourtah as a wild plant Rich piaotations bave been laid out im tho valley of tne Chiva—a river bottoms, averaging more than two miles ta width and extending from. the bay tothe Andes The cultivation has been very successful,and a quantity of the cotton is belwg exported to England. The success of the initial experiments mado by Moasrs. Gariand and Duvall bave oncouraged tho - institu tion Of similar enterprises, with Peruvtan capt- tal, in all the valleys that skirt the Andes favorable to its cultivation, Tue production of the staple ia this region is likely to become important and excvedingly remunerative to those engaged init The greatest obstacle to be overcome:tn rendering it availa ble is the difficulty in the interior regions of transporting it to the coast, the only meavs of transportation availa. bis being oa the backs of mutes, who oan carry only from three to four hundred pounds ai a-load. ‘Tho Egyptian aud Soa jsiand cotton grows in ail this rogiou with an improved finenesa and lengtn of staple, and the. wild cotton, by cultivation and mixing, is be coming much improved in quality and of greater value, The Fgyptian eéttom plant, when once staried, grows tbriltily, audyin four monthe begins to yield. The native cotton yields in eight months. Bolte Open every successive day, so that picking ou large plaa- tationa will be continuous Isbor. 10 is said that there are two soasons to the yield of the wiid cotton, and that the trees, which sometimes grow to the height of twenty to twenty five feet, continue to thrive for ten yoars. The caltivated cotton of foreign varieties seems to differ from this habit of periodicity and wofeids a contiauous aad un- interrupted harvest, and becomes perennial NEW GARDEN 3KEDS. The Commissioner of Agriculture bas advices of @. large invoice of superior garden seeds on the way from. Engiand. Thoy will be pub im packages and ready for distribution at an early day, Members of Congress wil) receive their supplies of seeds from the Agricultural Do- partment much. earlier this year than usual, which will enable them to make distributions to their sonatituonts. {a better season for use. SPOLIATION OF PUBLIC TIMBRR Tho Commissioner of the Goveral Laxd Ofico baa despatched to the propor oMeers at Yanckton, Dokotab Territory, peremptory instructions with a.view to.arrest. spoliation of public timber by seizure of the same.and the punishment of trespassers. Masical. THE GERMAN OrER4. To-night Boothoven’s Fidelio will bo-sung by the artiste of the German Upera troupe, at the Academy of Music, for the benefit of Mme. Johannsen. Tho feature of the evening's performance will be the debut of Herr for. mans, a basso, who hag a well established European repu- tation. The Londoo journals speak in towms of praise of this artist, whose aid was much needed by the Gorman artists bere. We are assured that Herr Hermans sings in English and |salian as well as German opera. SNGLISA OPRRA. On Wednosday evening BM. Gabriel Harrison's English Opera troupe will sing Balfe’s Bohemian Girl at Nibio’« Saloon, Those/rtists have appesrod in this oporn at the Park theatre, gotta with very great succes. Cal ey Pm Ys. Loy ison, who yao i ie tara e Xow ork Amvocatd iste mpeg ‘ca rae ene stor ead puting hi ered any,