The New York Herald Newspaper, March 1, 1864, Page 4

»YORK HERALD. d4MEZS GORDON BENNETR, SPOR AND PROPRIETOR OPTIOB N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU BTS. Wodume XXX ....0...ces.-csererees AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. pfihevanr OF MUSIO, Irving Place.—Itact4n Orzram rauBr. MIBLO'S GARDEN, Brosdway.—Posticvon or Lonsa- wea WALLAOE'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Pont Gown. WINTER GARDEN, ~Broadway.—Troxur or Lrave Maw. OLYMPIC THEATRE, Brosdway.—Tawing 4 Burren: mr. : NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery —Ticaer or Leave } MAw—Frenp o EpprstoNe—Pappy Canny, ; BOWERY THEAT! Bowery.—Hovss Taat Jack ~ Byuuwr—Gerr Man—| iy tux Dans. BARNUM'S MUSEUM, Broadway.—Fovx Grants, Two Dwanrs. yer Wuar Is It, +e @ ali hours. Ticker Ov Leave Max—At Sand 73 P.M Y, ‘8’ MINSTRELS, Mechenics’ Hall. 472 Broad. sex gruorcan Sonos, DaxOus, BUMLESQUES, &o—Taw ‘ ? ang 4 Burreertr, WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway, —Erar ‘Boncs, eo (éc.—AmERiCAN OrzRa, bine Gora AMERICAN THEATRE, No. Broadway. —! Pawromsmmnd, Buntzsques. aecattbore iam ‘ BROADWAY AMPHITHEATRE, 485 Broadway.—Geu- are ano Bquesikian PERroRMances, “Atteruvon and HIPPOTHEATRON, Fourteenth street.—Psnronsina anp Moxgurs, ‘Afternoon and Evening. HOPE CHAPEL, 718 Broadway.—Tax Sreacoscorri , Om Minnor or tax Uses 7 : os ‘ PERHAM’S, 585 Broadway.—S: Cer aet, Bromiway.—Stennoscorticon amp Mra- * | NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— » QOvatosiries anv Lectures, from 9 A. M. till 10 P. M. i. t \ HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, Brooklyn.—i * Bonaa, Dances, Bunixsauns, &o. specail cnet t Now York, Tucsday, March 1, 1864. THE SITUATION. | The Army of the Potomac bas made a movement, and ‘ wo can say, without any breach of confidence or good ‘ faith, or avy violation of those obligations by which, as Donest journalists, wo are bound not to embar- ass the policy of the government, that it is | @0t @ backward movement. ‘The course pursued ; by contemporary journals, which are sujposed to } Be the friends of the administration, sball not { tempt us to divuige facts which may be of service to the } @memy, and can do no possibie good to the Union cause in } @he present juncture. It is encugh to say that General Meade is reported to bave advanced in the direction of } Riobmona, with a force far superior to any which the + enemy can at present bring against him, and that intel- » ligence of a severe fight may reach us at any moment. Our correspondent at Camp Finegan, Florida, (urnts fan elaborate account of the late defeat of our for ‘Olusteo, in which five of our guos and a large number of Our dead and wounded were left in the bands of the { enemy. Our forces, though opposed by immensely supe- } @ior numbers, fought gallantly. General Finegan’s force 1 @ccupied Baldwin on the 26th February; the Union | Groops then being in retrenton acksonville. $ The reported appoiatmert of Genera JSigel to the com- { ‘Mand of the army in West | irginia, in General Keliey?s ; place, continues to excite eat deal of indignation in { Shecamps. i: Colonel Streight, Major McDonald, Captain Searce and Lieutenant Sterling, who escaped from the Libby prison, arrived at Washinston yesterday. They reached the H Yotomac after many tedious wanderings, and were taken , © board the guoboat Ella. } ‘The rank of major general in the regular army was confirmed in tho Senate yesterday in tho case of General Grant, and that of brigadiers in the regular army upon | Gonorals Meade, Thomas, Fergurson, Sherman, McPber- ; 800, Pleasanton and Warren. Pleasanton aud Warren } Meing made major generals of volunteers. ‘The Richmond papers of the 26th, contain late news ' from Charleston. One huodred and forty six shots from | @ur batteries were fired on the city within twenty-four + fours. Our troops were said to De erecting a battery on * Dion's Istana. i Despatches from Starksville, Miss.,to the 22d, report ! @hat beavy fring was going on at Pantotoc, and that forty ; Of our troops were kilied and one hundred captured. The ‘Dattlo is said to have closed by a charge from the Union cavalry, which was repuised. Despatches from Dalton to the same date say that our @roops were retreating towards Chattanooga, and ¢hat Gonoral Longstreet has withdrawn his forces to a point €* not prudent to meotion.’’ ‘The Raleigh (N.C.) Standard of the 9th of February Gays ‘that meetings in opposition to the rebel govern- ment have been held in that State, in Rutherford, Rock- {ngham, Mo re, Transylvania and Wake counties during tne month of January; that they were ali largely | attended; and that resolutions hostile to the military | despotisin of the Confederate administration were adopted “at each meeting.’ % CONGRESS. ¢ To tho Senate yesterday e bill for the protection of eigenen ‘ NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1864.—WITH SUPPLEMENT. THE LEGISLATURE. ‘The two Bouses of our Btate Legisiature reassembled yesterday, alter their eine days’ recess. Very litte business, however, was transacted, there being title more than @ quorum present ia eitber branch. A favor. abie report was made ia the Senate ov the bill autho- rizing the Krie Railway C-mpany ¢0 tocrease thelr capital stock #0 a8 to enable them to complete thou double track. A Dill for the incorperation of a Metropolitaa Market Company ip this city was given molice of tm Mo Assom- we MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. ‘There was another crowded house at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last evening, being the seventh of the Brooklyn and Long Island Sanitary Fair, Tae roceips alreaiy amount to the handsome sum of $230,000. ‘The public reception of Mr. George Thomjsoa, the great Eaglish abolitionisi, took place list oveuing at the Cooper Institute. x Major Genoral Fremont presided, and, ip introducing Mr. Thompson, made exteuded romarks, which, with a condensed report of the address of the distinguishad guest, will be found in another part ef to- day's paper. The Councilmen met at one o'clock yesterday, Prosi. dent Hayes in the chair. The resqlution granting the use of their Chamber during the month of March for a special term of the Supreme Court was, on motion of Mr. Gross, taken from the table and adopted. Un “motion of Mr. Brandon @ resolution was adopted granting permis sion to the managers of the Motropolitan Baattary Fair to erect @ temporary wooden structure on the aide- walk in front of: their promisca im Fourtecoth street, ear Sixth: avenue, and directing them to place a wooden sidewalk around it for the use of pedestriens, The Comimittes on Finance Tecommended that the Comptroller be authorized to Issue a0 additional $300,000 of tho Central Park Improvement Fund stock. Adopted. On motion of Mr. Webster the hour for the rogular meoting of the Board was changed from one P. M. to four P.M. Anumber of bills for ex- penses incurred by the Committee on National Afhirs of the last Board were authorized to be paid. Mr. Brandon offered a resolution directing the Croton Aqueduct De partmont to place a number of fre hydrants m the build- ing to be occupied by the managers of the Motropolitan Sanitary Fair. Adopted. Tuo Board adjourngd uutil Thursday next at four o'clock. We publish in today’s paper the report of the Commis. sioner of Publio Charities and Correction for 1663. It gives a full and interesting history of the operations of our penal and reformatory institutions, Among tho hist of places of evil doers may be found no Joss than elevou thousand grogshops, which, in their various remifica- tions, furnish the Commissioucrs with thoir (thousands of subjects upon which to bestow their charity, and to pro- tect them from falling still deeper into the abyss of crime. The statement in rolatiou to the commitment of vagrauis shows that 10,753 persons have been ent to Blackwell's Island, of whom 2.328 were males and 6,425 were females. Of this number 700 have been ‘sent up’’ for the one hundredth time and §,776 for the first timo. The aggregate number of times committed is 189,057, or twelve times for each person. Judge Bareard decided yesterday to suspend all pro- ceedings in the Husted habeas corpus case vutit the trial of the divorce suit, now pending betweon the par- ties, in which the father and motber both claim thy cus- tody of the child, is concluded. ‘A motion was made fore reforence yesterday in the case of Charles Devlin vs. the Mayor, and Judge Barvard Appointed Joho B. Haskin as referee. The piaintif sucs to recover $128,678 ou contracts for grading and regula! ing Fifty-second and Fifty-seveoth streets and New Bowery, together with filling up sunken lots in Seventy ninth and Eightioth streets, vader Street Commissioners Taylor and Furey. Tho defence set up is that there was fraud ia the contracts, and that the ciaim is vold by tho statute of limitation. Tho Mariposa Mining Company vs. Cornelius R. Gar rigon was on again: yesterday in the Supreme Court, Chambers. The coatroversy grew out of a motion on the part of the defendant 10 compel the plaintill to choose which of the two suits should be tried first. Tho argu- ment was adjourned over antil Thureday. ‘The New York Typographical Society had @ magnificent Danquet at the St. Nicholas Hotel last evening, which was conducted ina very brilliant faehion. Mr. Charles A. Alvord presided. Kx-Almshouse Governor Oliver, Mr. Bright, of Boston, and other gentlemen responded to the several toasts, The employing printers of the city were the principal agents to organizing tho affair. The London Post of toe 13th of February publishes the following in @ letter dated at Overseo,in the Danish Duchies:—Four Prussian vessels are koown to e been placed under embargo at Copenhagen, and two vessels at Aalborg, ove of which is a passeoger ship from Ham burg. The Danish iroo-clad steamer Esbero Soare bas taken a Prussian schooner into Sondorburg as a prize. ‘The higher price of gold bad a tendency to strengthen the markets; but the influence was counteracted by the inclemeocy of the weather, which readered the markets dull, and the business was remarkably light ia neariy ali articles of foreign and domestic production. The dulogs was pretty general, and but few articles were in any wise active. On ’Change the volume of trade was comparatively small. Flour was without decided change ia prices; but the market was heavy,and to effect large sales some concession would have been necessary, Wheat was one cent lower, while corn, under 4 continued speculative movement, and light stock, advanced 2c. a 3c, old Western mixed selling as high as $1 38, delivered, Rye, barley and oate were unchanged. Whiskey contioued dull. Provisions gemerally were quiet and subject to but little fuctuation. Freights were firmer, but not active. Groceries quiet. Petroleum dull and lower, overiand emigrants to the Pacific was introducea and referred to the Military Committee. Like reference was given toa resolution of the Michigan Legislature, asking for some change in the Enrolment act, A bill to empower State guardiavs of lunetics to act im that capacity in the District of Columbia was introduced and referred to the ' Judiciary Committee. Resolutions of the Kansas Logisia- | ture, making inquiries relative to the Kansas school Jands, were presented, The dill making Parkersburg, ‘Virginia, a port of eotry, was passed. Mr. Sumner, from } the Committee on Siavery and Freeamen, presented a report on the Fugitive Slave law, accompanied by a bill to repeal all iaws for the rendition of slaves. The report and bill were laid over, and ordered to be printed. A bill to continue the payment of the present volunteer Dounties to April l was reported. but after, considerable iscussion, was laid over, in order to obtain the opinion ‘Of the President and Secretary of War on its expediency. ‘The dill for the equalizution of the pay of white and colored soldiers and for the equality of colored men with ‘white men in the national courts were both considered for somo time, the former being recommitied to the Mili- tary Committee, and the later being ordered to be printed. ‘The Oooference Committee on the whiskey tax reported ‘@ disagreomeat of the joint committee of the two houses. ‘ Mr. Sherman, in making the report, said that if the Benate would instruct its committee to aliow a tax of | €wenty conts per gallon on liquors on hand on the tat of Jaly tho dill would not fail, Tbe subject was made the @pecial order for to day, at one o’cleck. An executive @onsion was then held, aud, on (he opening of the coors, the Senate adjourned # Im the House of Representatives « bill to secure to per- wove io the military aod naval service homesteads out of the confiscated estates of rebels was introduced and re- ferred to the Public Lands Committee. A resolution was Offered in favor of a thirty-three per cent increase of the pay of soldiers and naval seamen. Bills were introduced to permit the payment of one-tenth of the amount of import Aauties up to July 1, 1966, in legal tender notes, and to au- thoriae a suspension until April 1, 1867, of the direct tax of twonty millions of dollars provided for in the act of August, 1961, both of which bills were referred to the ‘Ways and Means Committee, Leave was asked, but not Granted, to offer a resolution directing the Military Com mittee to inquire into the expediency of setting rebel Prisoners to work. The Committee on the Conduct of Wer wore instructed t make ® reports upon the Practioal working of the regulations for trade with the \nsurrectionary districts. The House passed the Dill providing for the issue of bonds t the amount of two bundred millions of aoliars, re- deomadie tn 001 ess than five nor more than forty years. A romolution was adopt on the Secretary of the Navy for © report of the operations of the fleet in Charies- toa harbor. A resolution tor the appointment of «com mission to troat with the rebel leaders was offered, but Feoeived only twonty two votes in ite favor, to ninety-eix Against it Resolutions were unanimously aiopted tha: tn order to effectually put down the rebellion, the caure of it must be removed, and that anything abort of a boarty support of the government io ite etforts to eubdue the reves is a crime, where the question is between loy- aity and treason. Io the vote ob these r@olutions, how. ever, the opposition members took oecasion to express dhoir dissent in opinion from the republicans as to what ‘was the cause of the rebellion. A resolution condemning the arrost and banishment of Vallandighamn was offered end received forty-seven votes in its favor to seventy six The Military Situation—T! the Potomac in M The Army of the Potomac isin motion, and in the direction of Richmond. The movement commenced last Saturday, and, asa single day's march would bring our troops to the winter en- campment of General Lee, we may anticipate, at any moment, the intelligence of a desperate battle on his part, or a precipitate retreat, to save himself and to cover the city of Richmond. In announcing this advance of General Meade we conclude that we shal! not incur the charge of “giving aid and comfort to the enemy,” inas- much as two of our city contemporaries—the special guardians of the administration and its war secrets—published the news, by or without authority, yesterday mornirg. Entertaining the opinion that this movement is well timed; that General Meade is a careful | and prudent officer; that his forces are decided- ly superior §y numbers to those of the enemy, and in excelleat fighting condition, we are con- fident of gocq \ tidings within the next twenty- tour or forty.eight hours. Lee’s army of sixty thousand jen last summer has been re- duced to jess than forty-five thousand, the transfer westward of Longstreet’s column alone being equal) to the loss of twenty-five thousand men. Nexs, on account of the scarcity of forage in Northeastern Virginia, Stuart's caval- ry forces have been scattered about over a wide extent of country in order to recruit or to exchange their worn out horses for their expected active work of the epring campaign. Under these circumstances the advantages of « forward movement Wy General Meade are apparent, and especially when we consider his great superiority over his enemy in the matter of cavairy. General Lee, bow- ever, we suspect, bas been seasonably informed of his danger to enable him to make some pre- parations to avert it; for doubtless the hurried retreat of Longstreet from East Teanessee, not for Georgia, but towards Virginia, bas been in | consequence of a requisition from Richmond. We bave urged upon the administration again | and again the advantages offered in a move- ment upon Richmond by way ef the peninsula. We never could understend that peculiar stra- | tegy of the War Office which recalled the army of MeClellan from a secure base of operations | and @ strong position within thirty miles of Richmond all the way back to Washington to take a fresh start; nor have wo ever been able to comprevend that profound fundamental error of the government that it is ab- solutely necessary that the army moving against it. Without (ransactiag aay otuor busivess, (ue | #84inst Richmond must move between tho epee us ued ebel army aud Washiagton; aor gan wo realize the necessity of persisting in the effort to over- @ome obstructions ia e certain road whea by taking apotber road we may tura them. It is well known that Richmond és sow ia e com- paratively defenceless condition. It ia believed . by intelligent refugees that force of twenty thousand men, by wey of the peniasule, could take the city without difficulty; but we fear that this route, which was rejected with McClel- lan’s recall, and which on several oconsions ince hes vainly offered an easy presage into the rebel capital, will atild be discarded, te- cause it was the route of McClellan. We batt be satisfied, neverticless, if the Army of the Potomac, while keeping guard over Washing- ton, shall accomplish the great object of the dislodgment of the enemy from Richmond, or the cooping up of Lee's army behind ite in- trenchments. The advance of our army from Chattanooga has been arrested for the present. The cavalry columns of Generals Smith and Grierson, we regret to say, have been driven back from Northern Mississippi into Tennessee, and this repulee creates come anxiety as to the aafoty of Genoral Sherman, either at Selma, in Alabsind, or advancing in that direction ‘from Central Mississippi. President Lincote’s political Flo- rida expedition has resulted im a disastrous and shocking failure, and Admiral Farragut bas a tough picce of work before him at Mobile. But a great auccess by the Army of tho Poto- mac, from the general demoraligation of tho enemy, will speedily open the way to a suc- cession of victories around the whole tine of the rebellion. This is the success whioh we anticipate from General Meade's present ad- vance, and we know that the Army of the Po- tomac is competent in every respect and re- solved at any sacrifice to win it. Tae Barsanis or tax War.—That the coun- try is fast ruoning into a state of barbarism wo have every day evidence in the work of retalia- tion as practised by the different communders. ‘The latest case has occurred in North Carolina. The rebel General Pickett hangs a negro for shooting a rebel colonel. The Union General Peck awaits confirmation of the report before he proceeds to hang in retaliation a white rebel prisoner, The rebel genoral responds by de- claring that he shall hang every negro he can catch shooting his officers or men, and for every rebel Peck hangs Pickett will bang ten Yan- kees. Pickett commenced the business by hang ing some tweoty or thirty loyal North Carolini- ans, charged with desertion from the rebel ranks; and now, we suppose, the work of hang- ing will be commenced in earnest by the two commanders. fu old times the war ory was, “Hang out your banners;”’ but fn these modern days, in this horrible modera rebellion, the ory is, “Hang up your men;” and it seems that one section of the country is likely to grow as much hemp as the other. This is a most sad and shocking spectacle. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives have beea immolated upon this bloody altar of retaliation, and no good hds been gained for either aide. Is there no way for humanity to step in and stop these useless, brutal aod revolting butcheries? Ovp Ape’s Last Campatan—Tos Froriwa Disasrer.—As the facts of the recent battle at Olustee, in Florida, become better known, we see no reason why we should be any better satisfled with its result. Five thousand men, it appears, were marched fifty miles into a coun- try occupied by the enemy, and were precipi- tated upon a force of double their numbers whom they fought fer three hours, and u compelled toretreat by heavy loases. At firstall this was made to appear a blunder of that class of which we had so many at the commencement of the war. Somebody had run against a bat- tery, as Schenck did, we were told. Our men had fallen into aa ambuscade. But there was no ambuscade at all, and no surprise, in the ordinary sense. So far waa it from an ambus- cade that our men drove the enemy’s skirmish- ers for miles, and the general in command must bave known from every appearance that there was a force of the enemy in hia front; for General Seymour. a soldier of the Mexican war, and promoted for gallantry at Gaines’ Mill, must be sufficiently familiar with the ap- Ppearances tbat indicate the presence of an ene- my. His only surprise was, perhaps, to find that the enemy had ten or fifteen thousand men present, when he had been assured that their number was much less. Nor is it probable that there is any more truth in the story that Gen. Seymour acted without orders than there was in the ambuscade story. This last invention of the administration journals—that General Sey- mour went out to hunt up a fight on his own account—is evidently put forward to screen the President and his private secretary, who are the recognized originators and managers of this whole movement. But this ill-judged attempt to screen Old Abe at the expense of a gallant soldier only deepens the popular conviction that the President and his secretary are the only ones to blame in the business. They start- ed the expedition and furnished the information upon which the arrangements for it were made, and we do not doubt that they gave for this fatal march orders so positive as to preclude the exerolse of a soldier's discretion. Old Abe's latest joke is that he is “well built for getting out through small places;” but this attempted sacrifice of Seymour will, we fancy, be found too small a loophole even for him. Ovr War Burvens.—The keepers of first class ho tels in this city have announced that after the Ist of March their prices will be in- creased to three dollars and fifty cents per day. Time was when two dollars per day was considered a round price for board at such houses as the Astor. But it is not with hotels alone that prices are advancing. Everything is going up, everything is in- flated by the enormous expansion of the currency, and, while the rich become richer by their vast speculations in such times, the poor become poorer by the distressing ad- vance,in all the articles they are obliged to consume. So much for the mismanagement of the war by the President and the financial blandering of his Secretary of the Treasury. Tae Wartskey Tax.—There is some hope after all that the whiskey jobbers in and out of Congress will not have it all their own way in regard to the tax on whiskey {a atore. The Conference Committee bas voted to ask the Senate and House to instruct them to recom- mend a tax of twenty-five cents per gallon on whiskey on hand, and to raise the sliding scale to eighty cents on whiskey made after July 1, and one hundred cents after January 1, 1865. This will bring the tax something near the recommendations of the Convention of United States Assessors, held in Cleveland last De- cember. Congress might go atjjl furtjer, and adopt another suggestion of ¢he came Coaven- tion—this ia, to make it a penal offence to adul- terate quore with poisonous substances. But thie twenty-five cent tax om the article on hand is better thee eothing; and it is not improbable that that would not bave been obtained had it aot been for the foar of Old Abe’s veto on the whole bill. The Gay Keuson in the Metropolis. New York is grandiy vindicating her claim to being the metropolis of the New World. Never before was this city 60 gay, 60 animated, @o crowded, #0 prosperous. Lent, with its éombre hue, has failed to dim tho bright lustre of our fashionable circles. If our elite must not dance during the interval which the Church claims as @ period for sober thought and abae- gation, they can and do crowd our Opera House, concert rooms and theatres. Receptions aro now all the rage, and each day may be ecen crowds of carriages in the fashionable avenues’ and streets, filled with ladies in most clegant totlettes. At the Academy of Music the display of eatina, laces and jewels seems but to havo | increased, -When Maretzek chooses to give way to popular prejudice, end allows his artists to ding’ Faust or Lone, the crowds. which | Gil thie “house aré resplendent.“ New York aever before witnessed so much fashion, auch vich displays of dress.and beauty. Then our concert rooms are liberally patronived. The claims of eminent artists are now recognized by society with a fervor which proves that the public taste for art is on the increase. We are now in the enjoyment of an addi- tional source of amusement. The Ritchings Eng- lish Opera troupe have commenced a eeries of their popalar performances at Niblo’s Garden and, to judge from the crowded state of the house on their opening night, will bave their ehare of the public patronage. Our managers are bewildered by their extraordinary: success. Mr. Wallack has actually retreatedto Phila- delphia, that in that suburban place ho may be reminded of old timos; that ho may enjoy a rest and tranquillity euch as was once to be met with in New York. As things are at present, the veteran feels how useless it is for him to plot and plan for the public amusement. All he bas to dois to open his doors, play anything — Rosedale, for instance—and turn away crowds every night. Just eo at the Winter Garden, where the Florences have grown gray playing the ‘ticket of Leave Man. We might «9 oa citing twenty other places of amusement equally prosperous. The hotels in all parts of the city benefit by the universal prosperity, and are overerowded. Boarding bouses are filled to repletion, while hosts of families are upon the verge of despera- tion from fear that on the Lst of May they will be turned homeless into the streets, There are no houses for rent and but few forsale. Our great restaurants are nightly filled with guests. Grand dinners are the order of the day... Delmonico’s magnificent rooms are re- dolent witb flowers &nd the fumes of rich wives. The Maison Doree has its share of patronage. A stranger must wonder where all the money that is needed to defray this immeuse expendi- ture for pleasure comes from. We are not pre- pared to answer au juste; but Chase knows. In this whirlpool of dissipation and pleasure the masses are carried along un- resistingly. The more wise sbake their beads and hoard their greenbacka, or rather change them into something more sub- stantial; but their dismay or fears cannot stem the popular current. “Apres nous le deluge’ is the almost universal thought. A crash may, doubtless must, come ere long; but until it does New York will continue to be the gayest, most britliant of oities, attracting vast crowds from the smaller and more insignificant places, such as Boston, Philadelphia. Baltimore, &c. One beautiful and prosperous city—we refer to Portland—seems to have been deserted by her most eminent citizens. We see them all here. We merely cite this as an instance of what New York is becoming in the estimation of the people of the North. Tue Porsviv ov THE ALABAMA.—Two Eng- lish mercantile houses, that have lost largely by the depredations of the Alabama, are, it is said, about to send out @ fast and powerful ship to ‘assist in her capture. Naturally enough, it has been suspected that this is only another rebel dodge intended to increase the number of the rebel cruisers now afloat. Since the Emperor of China and the Bey of Tunis have proved to be fellows of no account, it is not improbable that the Southern agents in England may be ready to avail themselves of the virtuons indignation that John Bull now begins to feel against that awful Alabama, and thus carry a cruiser to sea on that tide of popular sentiment which is now rising in our favor. Once before a ship was fitted out in England, under the most fa- vorable auspices, to cruise against pirates. Her commander was a New Yorker, named Captain Kidd, and when he got to sea he proved to be the worst pirate of all. Probably we may have @ repetition of that history in the present case. But we suppose our interests are quite safe; for it cgn hardly be possible that Mr. Adams will fail to scrutinize very closely the whole history of this ship. If she is not all right he can stop her, as he has stopped others; if she is all right be will merely sit still, and we sup- pose there will be no affidavits. The British government, as we all know, bas no power in the absence of affidavits. Affidavits are the power bebind the throne, and in front of the throne, and, all around the throne. Without affidavits the custom house officers will be as lifeless a lampposts, the cannon on the British men-of-war will be the merest Quakers, and the cruiser will go to sea and catch the While the Legislature has been engaged for so longa period in set- tling the matter of the Police Commissioners, the two Boards here decided an important question in a conciliatory way, and without much loss of time, by the appointment of some four hundred and fifty poll clerks for the election on the 8th instant, to decide whether soldiers shall have the right to vote. This saves the appointment of two sets of clerks, and the indescribable confusion conse- quent thereupon. Messrs. Acton and Ber- gen, of the old Board, and Messrs. Mo- Murray, Bosworth and Lewis, of the new Board, took counsel together, and, agreeing upon @ list satisfactory to both Boards, they have each issued commissions to the same parties. This is all right, and tho Assembly would do well to settle the question by adopt- ing the list of Comrissioners as it stood at the time of taking their recess, which contains the names of four of those above mentioned; for, notwithstanding the prudence and forbearance chown by both Boards, the poljce force in he- coming Gemorafized, 0 much so that the interests of all concerned wit! compel @ epeedy appeal to the courts in the absence of legislative action. As it stands now, with the two Boards, one claiming authority de facto and the other de jure, the force is virtually without ahead; and rogues and villains of all kinds take this condition of things to be aa immunity for orime, and the criminal calendar is conse- quently enormously extended. fae War ro Assist Disastev Sotpmes.—We bave received several communications suggest- ing that disabled discharged soldiers who are not competent for re-enlistment, and are there- fore out of employment, should be engaged, as far as possible, on our clty railroad lines, as conductors or car drivers, and on the ferries, whenever vacancies occur. It would be but just and fair to afford thom this opportunity of | obtaining a living; and in gratitude for the ser- vices they have rendered the country they are entitled to this consideration from corporations -tike our. city railroads and ferry companies, which draw their income from the people, upon | ‘whom the maintenance of these disabled eol- diers must ultimately fall. (NEWS FROM THE STATE CAPITAL. Ronssembling of the Leg’ the Recess—The Excitement Ovor the Recent Withdrawat of Tammany from the Btate Convention—Roviv of che Steamboat Oata' ¢ Kmbrogtto—Br. Hackett in Albany, dc. Auvany, Fob. 29, 1864. Thoro was barely a quorum iv either House of the Legislature this evening, and but short sessions wore hold. Tho bill authorizing the Erto Railroad (o increase it stock, for the purpose of completing @ double track, was reported favorably by (bo commiltes, Tho New York county tax levy was introduced in tho Assombl y, and goveral other bills of no great importance were in- troduced and aoticod ‘The action of Tammany, by withdrawing from tho ro- eont Democratic State Convention, has caused considera ‘ble exchement among the politicians, The most encour- aging statements are received (rom different parts of the State. The Union democracy in all parts of the State appear to be ripe for auother convention, and urge that Tammany halt raise the war banner aud sail forth, also, that they are roady to rally to iis support. at tho Cataline steamboat alfair is not dead videon, one of tho partuers 1p the pur- or with Weed, Matteson & Co., claims that, although the vessel was chartored for ten thousand nth during the war, which was paid for i although the insurance for upwards of twenty thousand bas beca collectod, bo has received ‘no portion of it,and mas taken the preliminary step to bring tho matter dio the courts for an account and ad- yadication, The complaint is being drawn up, and will to- morrow be Aled, a8 tho first stop in bringing a settiomont. The compiatnt seta forth tho price that the vessel was purchased for cighteen ¢housand doll who were the partios 40 tho druusaction, and the toterests of each; also the conditions of tho barter tosurance, an well aa all other mattors connected with that singular and myste rious affair. Thus it is that murder will out. Hackett, Prosident Liocoin’s favorite, appoared Ia this city to-night as Falstaff. Arrival of Cotonc! Stretght and Other Escaped Officers in Washingtog. Wasuinaron, Feb, 29, 1864. Coiwel A.D, Streight, Filty-first Ladiana; Major B. B, McDonald, Ono Huudrod @ud Firet Ohio; Captain W. W- Scearce, Fifty-first Indiaan, end Lioutenant Joba Sterling’ ‘Thirteooth indiana, who were ameng the prisoners o¢ capedd4rom Richmond oa the 9th inst., are at Witiard’s, haviog arrived today from the Lower Potomac, whore thoy were picked up by our gauboats. ‘This party bas travelled togothor ever since teaviog Richmond, hiding in the daytimo and stealing through forentsand awamps at night. They remained concealed in Richmondseveral days after their escape from Castie ‘Thunder, and nally started out ia a portheasterly direc- tion. Boats were found iv somo of tho rivers, and in others ratte were constructed, upon which the passage across was fected. Thoy were closely pur- sued by eavairy, militia, nogroes aud dogs, but owing to the marshy charactor of the region through which thoy passed the dogs wore uvablo to trail them. Upoa several occasions thoy nar- rowly escaped capture. A aegro was the only one who ‘ever gave information concerning thoir hiding place. Upon arriving at the Potomac they found a number of robel soldiers picketing the river. Those were avoided for afew days, aod, making thoir way up through the country, the refugoes wore (akeu up by the ganvoat Elle yosterday. ‘Tbo more interesting dotalle of their experience is withheld for the benefit of these who have not reached our lines, The statements recently mado, to the effect that Colonel Streight had arrived at Fortress Monroe, wore inveuted for the purpoge of inducing the rebels to rolax their exertions for bis recapture. The party was twoive days in making tho trip, and, with the exception of fatigue incident to such an undertaking, are tn ro markably good bealth DESPATCH FROM COMMANDER POXHALI. A. PARKER. The Navy Department bas received the following re porti— Uneren Sratea Sreamsarr Eta, Wasninuton, Fob. 20, 1964. Sin—I havo the honor to inform the Department that { arrived here to day with Colonel A. 1. Streight, First Indiana Volunteers; Major B. B. McDovald. One Hundred aud First Ohio Volunteers; Captain W. W Scoarce, Fitty- first Indiava Volunteers, and First Lieutenant Jobin Stor ling, Thirtieth Indiana Volunteers, wo mace their escape from Libby prison, Richmond, on the 9th instant, and reached Biacieston’s Island, on the Potomac river, where Tfound them yesterday, I'am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FOXHALL A. PARKER, ‘Commander commanding the otomac flotilla. Hon. Grogon Wxtina, Secretary of the Navy, Washing- ton, D.C SAFETY OF LIRUTRNANT 6CUDAMORE. A lotter from the Army of the Potomac informs ‘us that First L eutonant Scudamore, one of the officers who escaped from Libby prison with Colonel Streight and party, came iuto our lines Iast night, haying been on the way nineteen days. He had intended to proceed by way of Gordonsville towards the Obio river, thinking bis chances of getting away in that direction better than by tho peninsula, as he felt certain of being captured had he gone the Iatter way, After travelling twenty-five miles bis knees failed him, and fbe was forced to lie in a mud- hole, a8 he terms it, for nine days, A nogro took care of him and became his companion, and he resumed bis journey, At avother time he was obliged to lie concealed for three days. He finally reached the Rapldan on Satur. day night, and crossed, passing withit few paces of the rebel pickets. Lieutenant Scudamore says he saw no troops near Ricbmond, nor did he find any adult white male inbab- itants on his route through the country. He met only women, children and negroes. He represents Lee's army an protty strong; but no signs of activity were visibie. He was captured near Romo, Ga., and had been ten months in the Libby prison. ITALIAN OPRRA. Verdi's Trovatore proves attractive at all times when sung by such artistaas the Maretzek troupe. Although the public seem to have gone Faust mad, still a large and most fashionable audience filled the Academy of Music laat evening to hear Mme. Medor!, Mile, Sulzer, Mazzolen! aad Bellini in Verdi's masterpiece From the commence- ment of the porformance untt! the fall of the curtain on the last aot the greatest success attended the efforts of these artists, who wore most deservedly applauded, They wero ail in fine voice, and we noticed that en unusual nomber of encores were demanied by the well pleased audience, To-night Faust will be repeated, The house will of course be jammed. ENGLISH OPERA. The Richings Opera troupe mado thoir first appearance this eoason at Nibio’s Garden last evoning in the Postil- fon of Lonjumeau, The house was filied by @ most ap- preciative audience and the performance was moderately successful. Miss Caroline Richings sang and acted the { Madeleine with her usual spirit. We wore not favora. we — with Mr. Hill, the tenor of this trou Hie voles OY fo means powerful oF aympathotic, Reguin did not appoar a to great advantag secondary role of Bijou. lo acted nicely, bi and will a ver, ‘btleae be more successful in some more im: portant part. The music Of this most pleasant of comic operas must ever please; but we would really recommend to the management more ensemdie in the choruses. GRAND CONCERT AT IRVING HALL. On Aaturday evening voxt a grand testimonial concert qwill take piace at Irving Hall. This interesting event is gotten up by the friends of Mr. 1.. F. Harrison ag @ token of their recognition of his liboral and generous encourage: mont of native artists, who evor find jo hima friend, A crowded audience wit! be present at this concert, which Includes the boat talent among onr artiattc cirolos Mr. Gottachalk givos a grand concert at Niblo’n Salooa on Wodueaday evening, assiated by Mmos, D'Avart, Va tia, Buvetone and Mr. Carto Patti Roport in the Senate of the Conference Committee on the Whiskey Tax. The Committee on the Conduct of the War to Report on Trade with the Insurrectionary Districts. Passngo by the House of the Amendatory $200,000,000 Loan Bill. Cali on the Secretary of the Navy for & Report of Operations ir Charleston Harbor, ae, be &, Wasaiwatom, Feb. 20, 1664. PASSAGE OF THR LOAN BILL. ‘Tho Loan biit passed wituout much opposition 0-day, thaving boon ‘reported back by Mr. Davis, (rom the ’ Commitiee of Ways and Moans, with two uiimportant amendments. This bill authorizes only eleven miltieds Of dollars of the new loan, tho two hundred milliovs of Avo forties provided for being only a transfor of @ por- tion of the ten-forty foan authorized by tho tast Con- gross. THS GOLD BILL. Tho Gold bill was not called up to-day in the House, at was oxpeoted, the call of States for resolutions mot hav- tog boen completed whon the House adjourned, It cam now be taken up out of its regular Order this week only by unanimous consent. It may, howover, be reashod om the calendar if ¢he Emauoipation Bureau bill should be isposed of to-morrow or next day. PLAN FOR REQUOING THE GOLD BURPLUS. Mr, Wilsoa, of Iowa, introduced a bill to reduce the surplus of gold ta the Treasury, by providing that one. tenth of the revenue aow required to be paid in coin may be paid in tegal tonder motes. This was referred to the Committee of Ways wud Means. It is important that this mutter should be disposed of at an early day, as ite pendonoy unsetties and disturbs business; operations. THE WHISKEY TAX. The Conference Committee on he Internal Revenue bill did not report their disagreemont to the House w-day, but will do 60 to-morrow morning. The report was, however, mado in the Seuate, and the Committee asked for instructions to report a bill taxing stocks of whiskey on hand twonty cents per gallon, and making tho tax eighty conte per gallon after July 1, 1864, aod one dollar aftor January 1, 1865. It was made the special order for ‘Tuesday, and will no doubt occupy the attoution of bot houses for some time during to-morrow. The whiskey men do not appear to gain much streogth by the agita- tion and dolay of the question. THE PRESIDENT AND THE DEPARTMENT ADVERTISING. It is aid that the Prosident has notified the War and Navy Departments aot to give out advertising except te euch papers as he shall indicate. If this should be trae, it ta a new uso of Exooutive patronage to control a nomt- nation. THE REGULATIONS REGARDING TRADE’ WITH THO SEOEDED STATES. Mr. Btevons having failed to obtain a suspension of the rulos te enable bim to introduce a resolution directing tho Committes oa the Conduct of the War to toquire inte tho practical operation of trade regulations to regard te trade with the secedod States, issued by the Secretary fe the Treasury, and approved by the President, and into the conduct of the military and other officers charged with executing them, and whether eny favoritism or partianty had been shown by auch officers, it was eubsequently renewed by General Garfield, of Onio, under the call of States for resolutions, and, after considerable opposition, was adopted by a majority of thirty-three. ‘The opposition was not from any objection to the investigation being had, but from a desire that @ special committee should be raised for that parpose, with Frank Blair, or eome one else not in the interest of Mr. Chase, as its chairman. It was put torough, however, under the previous question THE ATTACK OP THB IRON-CLADS ON PORT SUMTER. Tue ontire official history of the attack of the frou-clade upon Fort Sumter last April is at length to be given te the public, the House haying to-day, upoo motioa of F. P, Blair, Jr., called for the entire correspondence between the Navy Departmeot and Admiral Dupont, the orders, reports, &c., previous and subsequent to that affair, ‘This was demanded as an act of justice to the de partment, the House baving previously called for Ad~ miral Dupoat’s letters and reports. Mr. Blair stated that the department had no objection, but, tm fac! was anxious that tbe completo correspondes ebould be puptished, as Dupont’s friends had made ¥ lout and persistent attacks upon the department for action with reference to him, This correspondence ¥ it is claimed, not only exonerate the department f1 b/ame, but show that it was only after long waiting Tepeated remonstrance against the inactivity which fleet under his command was subjected to that it decided to supersede him in the command and ad¢ ‘ new line of operations. THE DRarT. 3 We bave authority for saying that there imo truth im the statement telegraphed to the Philadelphia papers ve the effect that Provost Marshal General Fry would to day issue an order postponing the draft until the Ist of April. PREMATURE ANNOUNCBMENT OF GENERAL GRANT'S APPOINTMENT AS LIEUTENANT GENRRAL. ‘The bill reviving the grade of lieutenant generat wag signed by the presiding officer of each house of Congress to-day, {t hag yet to be presented to tho Prosident for his approval before it becomes a law. Therefore the aa- nouncement that Gratt had been appointed to that office was promature. FULL LENGTH PORTRAIT OF GENERAL GRANT. The full length portrait of Gen. Grant, painted by Joka Antrobius, of Chicago, now on exhibition at the Capitol, has elicited muck o¢ endation, particularly from those = *' who are familiar with the General. The likeness is sate to be perfect, and the picture challenges the admiration of artists. It represents the hero Genoral standing upoa & prominence, with a broken cannon by his side, Look out Mountain and Missionary Ridge in the background, and preparing with a field glaes to observe the operations of the army. It is a splendid picture. IMPORTANT ARMY NOMINATIONS GONFIBMED BY THB SENATE. The Senate to-day in executive session confirmed the nomination of Major General Ulysses 8. Grant, of the volunteers, as major general in the rogular army, with ' his commission dating from July 4, 1863, to Mil an origt- pal vacancy. ‘The following wore confirmed as brigadier gonerals ia the regular army: — Major General George G. Mende, of volunteers; commis- sion dating from July 3, 1863, vice Sumner, deceased . Major General William T. Sherman, of voluntecrs, dat- ing from July 4, 1868, to fill an original vacancy. Major General James B. MePb' , Of volunteors, dat- ing from August, 1863, vice Harkey, retired. Major General George H. Thorgas, of the Volunteors, dating from October, 1863, vice A \, Petired. Brigadior General Alfred Pi ton and Brigadier General Gouverneur R. Warren tave been confirmed as major generals of volunteers, 1863, and the latter from May 3, 1 ‘The Senate also confirmed the, following additional nominations to-day :— wi rus Riell, Rugene W. Watson abd Jost Pierson, to be Lk Tnitonante, ‘and Lane Se to be second lieutenant in the revent » Francis H. Ruggles, of Kentucky, Consul at Kingston, w*Gharies H, Loobr, of Pennay!vania, Consul at Porto ) bello. of Ohio, Consul at Bayon former from June 22, Gillam tren, of Penney tvaaia, Oonsul ay . ‘ot Mi i | at Trinidad. wi El FA ovr Consul at Carraray bc H, Hough, of Idaho, United States Attorney fort ‘Also aa Collectors of luternal Revenue—Nimrod D. Kie~ easter, Third district, Virgtiia; John 8, Nixon, Fourt® district, Kentuoky; Rael tevagh, Tennessee; William Ba; Whittaker, Louisiana. Surveyors of Lioutonants 1, ©. Moore aod | §. Hoover, oe oem, to ve. aide do-camnp tor General Logan, witth ta res ronamiag v0 he ansiatant adjutant generate, wit