The New York Herald Newspaper, April 4, 1864, Page 4

4 NkiW YORK HERALD. JS°LES GUKDUN BENNEPR MTOR AND PROPREOR OFTiCR M. W, OORKER OF FULTON AND WAS8AU OTS. TERMS cash imadvence Money sent by mail will be #t the rig the sender, Mone but baak bills current ia New Yort takes. ‘THE DAILY HERALD, Tarsr coats por copy. ‘WK WEEKLY HERALD, every feturday, ot Five cents Per copy. Amasal subscription price: — Apy larger muraber, addressed to names of subscribers, G8 GOcate Av oxira copy wii be sent to overy club of ten. Twenty copies, to ome address, one year, $25, and aoy larger nomber at samo priea An extra copy wit! be sent to clubs of twenty. Thee rates make the WEMKLY Eiswaww the cheapest pubiicasion tn the country, ‘The Evaorsan Forex, every Wednesday, at Five cents Per copy, @4 por annum to any part of Great Britain, or 86 40 amy part of the Continent, both to inciude postage. ‘The Catavoums Evmow, on the 84, 13th and 28d of each month, at Six cents per copy, er 83 per acnum. Avvanrmmurm, of itmited number, will be inserted tm the Wammzr Haaaip, and in tbo Kuropean and California Kakious. i VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing tmport- ent vows, eeltcited from any quarter f the world; if used, ‘Will be Mberally paid for, sg-Ovm Formas Confls- FONDENTS ARB PARTIOULARLT REQUBITED TO GAL ALL Laz ‘YERS AWD PACKAGES CENT US. NO NOTIOK taken of anonymous correspondence. We do 006 return rejected communications. Voltame XXIX........... Fn AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIO, Irving Place. —Trauiax Orans— Boswur 1a Dissis. a sreccesccscoeeN@, OF MIBLO'G GABDEN, WALLACK'S TREATES, Broadway.—Rosmpars. WINTER GABDEX, Broadway.—J' Broadway.—Foo.'s Revsxaz. OLYMPIC THRATRE, Broadway.—Inisa Exccrixt— Laveming Hrexa KEW BOWBRY THEATRE, Bowery.—Fasxoa Ser— ‘TraLasi—Pappy Caney. BOWERY THEATM®, Bowery—Trocer of Leave Wo- MAN—GuOsr OF ALTUALURG—LaRnoaRD Kix, BARNUM'S MUSEUM, Broadway.—¥Youg Giants, Two Dwanrs, Avvinos, Wnat Ie Ir, 2c. a all hours, ArEKy 1a. ox Brinrt oe Beavry—At Suad 7K P.M. BRYANTE' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 412 Broad ‘way.—Ermoriaw Somes, Danone, Burtrsqvas, 20—KyK- WING THE BLOCKADE. WOOD'S MINSTREL FALL, 51¢ Broadway, —en fonas, Lancus, do—Arwicts Caxiuin sai AMERICAN THEATRE, No. 444 Beondwar.— Lars, Panroxuos, Boxtasuaa Ac.—OLn Gravir Sie BROADWAY AMPHITHEATRE, 435 ~Gea wasnie AnD Eguastuian Phurousanccse ey Ore HIPPOTHBATRON, Fourteenth street, — Os axD MowkgYs. "Afierneon and Evouing MT OMENO DOPE CHAPEL. 718 Broadway.—Srearoscorncot Mongor or Unxivamse, axp Twemry-seveats Steger Gaon NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, iS Broadway.— OP. M. Ovniownxs AnD Lacrones, from 9a. M. lili I HOES oFrne 7 Boras, Danes, Buniw avin, Tautortae WILE yovELZ York, Nouday, April 4. 186) a. ADVERTISMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY, Acvarticomen's sor the Wrovur Trrarn mist be hand ¢¢io before ten o'clock cvory Woinseiny evening. Ite ireulation among the enicrprisieg mochanics, farmers, Merchants, manufacturers and gent!emon throughout the Country is increasing very rapidly. Advertisemente ib- serted in the Wrexty Heratp will thus be seen by a large portion of the active and energetic people of the United \TUATION. ‘We have some interesting news from the Gulf Depart- font by the steamer Columbia, which arrived from New Orieans yestorday. General Banks bad paid visit to Port Hodson and Aloxandris. The fortifications at the former place have been greatly strengthened, so as te dety any attack of the rebels, should such be made. The ‘Rogro troops there are reported in excellent condition and discipline. No molestation was offered to the boate as General Banks aud staff proceeded up Red rtver aad past Fort de Russy, A skirmish occurred on the 2tst ult. be- Youd Alexandria between a brigade of Union cavatry and & body of theenemy, with @ successful result. It was Fumored that Strreveport, La., Bad fallen into the baods Of General Steele, who advanced from Little Rock, Ark. The news from the Southwest is net important, Gene- val Brayman has issued au order to prevent the shipment Of goods to the intorior of Western Kentucky, and also preventing Doats from landing at dangerous pisces on the Biver, where they may be exposed to the attacks of the eoemy. Our correspondest to British Hooduras, writing on the 1dth of March, states that the colonial authorities had re‘used a clearance to tbe rebel commissariat bark Mine- dora, which was loaded with liquor and eore, bound to some port in Texas. The Minedora came from Matamoros. But little doubt was entertained that she was first sarted fim the rebel service from Baltimore. TRe bark is com- manded by Captain MoCloud, having ® man called CoBmel Onerry as supercargo. As ste had only a provisional Pegister on entering ® British port, and the parties named to It wore mot known,she would not be permitied to Proceed further. MISCELLANEOUS REWS «(Eiistorieus’’ sends us a second communication, i reply @ the eriticioms of differeat army officers of his statement receatly published in the Haaatp in reference to the bat- tle of Gettysburg. He again reviews the principal inot- Gents io that important engagement, and takes up and responds to the attacks of bis critics. Ho reiterates bie Statements that General Meade intended to order a re- treat of the army on the 34 of July, and that the troops of Barnes’ division, belonging to the Fifth corps, were or- dored to and did lie down, while the brigade of General Zook passed over them. In support of these assertions «‘Historioug’’ addaces strong testimony. ‘The great Metropolitan Fair ; for the benefit of the Seni- ‘tery Commission, will open in thie city tie evening. ‘Tre parade of to-day, which ts to precede and foaygurate ‘thie gread humanitarian and patriotic enterprise, will probebly exceed anything of the Kind which has yet taken place in New York. Orders have bee issued to the commandant of the ‘Washington Navy Yard to baild immediately the ma- ehivery fore fast screw gunboat, Tua Rawr Season.—After a comparatively” dry winter, the rainy season of opring—North ‘and South, Rest and West—appeare to have set in with unusual severity. Both armies in Vir- ginla are “stack in the mud,” aad many days may elapse before they are liberated by the gun and the wind. Generally, however, they have several weeks of beautiful weather in Vir- ginia in April and the early part of May, fol. lowed bya rainy in June, and some- times extending into July—se in 1862 on the Richmond pealasals, and in 1863 on the Upper Potomac, We rely upon General Grant to pvall hicanelf of the first opening if the woathor fas @ jorword march. "NNW YORK BRRAED, MONDAY, APRIL! 1804-WHrEt’ DOUBEN SUPPLRMINT. The Overthrow of Representative Bodies oud the Usurpation ef Powor—Phe Presiden@s Sehomes and intrigues Ageinss Congress. ‘ History gives us three remarkable instances of civil contention between aa organized bedy” or assembly, that was the properly constituted ropresentative of the people, and an ambitious man, eager to grasp the supreme power. In every instance the representatives et the peo- ple have been pushed aside and their organiza- tion broken up, less by the adroit echemes of their oppenents than by their own weakness and errére, snd the distraction of private quar- rels. Cwear, Cromwell and Napoleon were each enabled to seize the government and in- stitute a despotic sway through the failure of the Roman Senate, the English Parliament aad the Revolutionary Council to do what the posi- tion that each was plaged in obviously required of it And it is now probable that we are to have a repetition of these circumstances in our own history, Ceeaar intrigued with the people against the constituted authority—the Senate. He came, aa Cato declared, “with sobriety and medita- tion, to the ruin of the republic.” But he was thought to bea man so much pleased with tri- vialities,so entirely taken up with what the Romaas considered very small matters, that no alarm was-exetted by his intrigues. “When” I see him,” said Cicero, “adjusting bis hair with so much exacteess, and scratching his head with one fluoger,I can hardly think that euch a man oan condéive so vast and fatal o design as the destruction of the Roman Commonwealth.” And thus..he. was enabled to scheme on with impunity until he had risen so high as to stand in epon rivalry for power with Pompey and the Senate. He named to the Senate the conditiens under which he would relinquish command of the forces with which he had been entrusted, and threatened if they were not complied with to march on Rome. Thereupon the Senate declared him a public enemy, and seemed satisfied with that falmina- tion. it voted a barren decree, and did no more. No effeetive action was taken to resist this public enemy; but the Senate quarrelled and lost time, until Cesar was at tho gate, and then Pompey, Senate and all abandoned the great city, and miserably ran away. qo one in Rome was equal to the crisis, aad the govern- ment of the world fell to the ambitious man almost by default Cromwell, when the Par- liament was virtually supreme, held an insig- nificant position in the Parliamentary army. Charles had struggled in vain against the as- sembly that reaily represented the nation, but had struggled so indiscreetly that Parliament was always in the right, and its power bad grown until that known as the Long Parliament bad been able to so restrict and diminish the royal power that the King was driver to war s6 the only means to preserve the vestige of his prerogative. That Parliament was essential- ly the nation, and as long as it continued to be simply the Parliament it was supreme. But when the time came that it was to be op- posed by a stronger man it had ceased to bo simply the Parliament, and was made up of the two factions of Presbyterians and Independents, in Parliament the Presbyterians were the stronger; but the independents prevailed in the army. So whea the Preabyterians proposed to distaad the army Cromwell marehed to Lon- don and used the Independeats to purge Par- liament of the Presbyterians. By this means he had the ramp of a Parliament im his hands— an erganization without any pelicy er purpose of its own—and under bis direction it was made to take such measures as absolutely destroyed its influence with the people and rendered it contemptible. He thenkicked it out, and ruled the country alone. Napoleon, whem the Coun- cil of Five Hundred and the Couneil of An- cients first came into existence, was a simple officer of artillery, “a little Corsican, who did not stand upon ceremony;” and in the earlier part of his career those two bodies were as much the Freneh mation as representative bodies could possibl} be. But they became weakened, contemptible and imbecile by fae- tion; and while they were so the Direotory, doubtless more with the guidance than the mere concurrence of Napoleon, so far usurped, with popular approval, the powers of the Coun- cil of Five Handred as to establish itself al- most in despotic power. Napoleon, then, under cover of authority from the Council of Ancients, overthrew the Direetory and the Council of Five Hundred at once, and became First Consul. In every instance it is the same story. Le- gislative and representative bodies, tora by weir own dissensions, lose their influence, and farnish the opportunity for their overthrow which ambitious and unscrupulous men stand ready to seize. Present appearances indicate the probability that we may have in our own history a similar contention betweén Congress and an unscrupulous Executive. We certainly do not intend any parallel between the great men we have named and Mr. Lincoln in re- spect to ability; yet nene will deny thet he can intrigue shrewdly and deeply; and in the ab- sence of a very positive line of policy on the pert of Congress that will be sufficient. He has at bis disposal over a million men, the army and navy of the United States, and money with- out limit. Congress has given bim all this and almost, plenary power to carry on war, in order that he might save the country. But he has not used his power for that purpose. He has baulked every earnest attempt of the coun- try to put down the rebellion, and he now em- ploys the strength given him to save the coun- try merely to perpetuate his power. Congress is the legitimate, properly constituted and only representative ofthe people. Elected since the President, the present Congress is the last ex- pression ef the people’s opinions, and it is against Mr. Lincoln’s re-election. It believes thet his continuanee in his present position is inconsistent with the safety of country. Mr. Lincoln knows alj this; bat he endeavors to secure his re-clection in defiance of the views end wishes of Congress. In every place where he can get together @ corrupt dozen of men, who hold places under him, or who wish to get such places, ho is at work in this way. But not one of bis conventions expresses the views of any respectable, honest or decent portion of the commanity. They are all bogus—all bub- bies. They are made up of mere imposters, who, by # bold pretence of their ewn influence, endeavor to swindle the people of their suf- frages. Such is Mr. Lincoln’s present position, and it is not possible to say how far he may go in forcing bimself upon the country as @ candi- date for another term, in violation of the popular wish, and ia the expectation of con- trolling, by the army and by his army of place- men, votes enough to insure his election. usual and proper course in these matters, it be | comes the duty ef Congrem te take the ialti- tive im deeisive action. Congress must either put down Lincoln or be put dewn by him. It’ should take a position of open opposition te his course in thie matter, and thus give the people 0 distinot rallying point ageinst him. It should denounce boldly what he has done and what he is doleg, and thus at qnce put an end to hia pretensions, aniled and de- cisively upon this point, has it yet in ite power to eave the country from the destruction with whioh Lincoln meueces it, but it has no time to lose. ‘This alty will present a scene to-day which may weil be regarded as an evidence, mot alone of patriotism, humanity and loyalty to the national cause, bus of the wonderful vitality of the metropolis, wholly without parallel. Oo great occasions New York has done great things in the of pageantry; but the iuaugu- tation of the litam Fair to-day promises to excel all previous efforts at display, both in the military and civic ceremonies attending it. Never, perhaps, did a larger number of soldiers parade in this city thaa will be seen to-day, and it is remarkable that while there are at the present time several armies, numbering in the aggregate perhaps some six or seven hundred thousand men, located at di@r- ent points throughout the oountry, yet New York clty will turn eut to-day an army of its own numbering over ten thousand troops, while the streets will no deubt show another army of civilians numbering nearly helf a million. The Metropolitan Fair is a grand conception; grand, net alone in its object, but in the mag- nificence with which it is gottem up. The wenders of the Crystal Palace pale bofore the splendor of this extraordinary exhibition. Lavishnees of expense, a liberality that knows no bounds, and a fund of charity, which is always living aad active in this community, are the characteristics of the enterprise; but “the greatest of these is charity.” Tt is almost incredible that our people, after contributing to the government since.the outbreek of the war thousands of mitlions of money and hundreds of thousands of men; after furnishing from private individual sources a hundred ‘millions for the outfit of the soldiers, showld now be able and willing te supply, through the means of fairs, abundant comfort to the soldiers who have saffered in , the cause of the country. In various quar- ters these fairs have contributed large sums to the Sanitary Commission, vary- ing from ten thousand to four hundred thousand dollars; and new the metropolis is -about to cap the climam of oharity, liberality and patriotism by an offering of per- haps a million dollars, and that, too, just three weeks after the eity of Broeklyn—which may be almost regarded as a ward of this city— hae contributed four hundred thousand dollars for the same purpose. The vast amount of wealth concentrated in Palace Garden, on Fourteenth street may be calculated from the full description gtven in eer columos. It is poured in from all quarters of the State and New Jersey, although of course our own city furnishes the largest portion of it. Eu- Pepe also will speak its sympathy for eur wound- ed soldiers by magniflognt donations of works of art and other materials. Paris, London, Bertin, Hamburg, Zarieb, Dusseldorf, will be represent- ed; and it is a fact, not without significance, that while the agents of the Southern confederacy ian Europe are baffled at all points in their ap plication for sympathy and recogaition, the people of the great Europeap oities are giving evidences of their substantia] sympathy witd the cause of the North by liberally contributing to the assistance of Northern soldiers. We regard the Metropolitan Fair, upon the whole, as one of the greatest events which bas ever takem place ja this city,'and therefore we give a large portion of our space to-day tos description of it, to which we would particu- larly direct the attention of our readers. Tus Coume Cawraicy Vincuoa—GaneesL Lee’s Pegraeerions.—Qur latest reports from “the front” of the Army of the Potomac say that the enemy are digging rifle pits on the op- posite side of the fords of the Rapidan, and are tearing up the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad. This means that Gen. Lee is prepar- ing to resist Gen. Grant at the crossings of the Rapidan, aad to cut him off from the advan- tages of a flank movement by way of Freder- icksburg. The Gordonsville or Orange road, some twenty-five or thirty miles west, is the road og or near which both armies are now encamped. Against an advance of the Union army confronting him, Lee, doubtless, has discovered that he cannot hold both roads, and therefore we give fall credit to the report that he is tearing up the Fredericksburg road as his only course of safety on that side. He will thus be enabled to conceutrate his forces for the defence of the line of the Rapidan and the Orenge road. Moreover, the rails from the Fre@ericksburg road wilt be useful in closing up the unfinished gap on the Danville road, in the interior ef North Garolina, whereby, should the seaboard road in that State be seized by our forces, Jeff. Davis will still possess a railway system of communi- cation between Richmond and Mobile by way of this tnterior Danville route. The plans of Lee, we thus infer, compre- hend—first, a Wieody resistance behind his de- fensive works on the line of the Rapidan; second, if repulsed, a retreat te the defences of Richmond, and third, if driven thence, retreat into North Carolina. We have no in- formation of his movements or his strength sufficient to justify the opinion that he contem- plates another Northern invasion. Ox the con- trary, we bave many reasons for the conclusion that be will fight the coming campaign some- what after the fashion of Napoleon's operations after bis terrible defeat at Leipsic—stubbornly and desperatly, to save his capital. The game of concentration is now too strongly organised against him to justify the rash experiment on his part of another advance to the Po- tomac, except through the broken lines of the powerful army closing around him. “ Honest OL Ape” ano raz Powmror-Omase Cmeovran 1» Conankss.—When the Pomeroy- Chase circular was first published it was de- nounced by the Lincolnites as a forgery, and when acknowledged by the parties concerned 48 a genuine document, it was pronounced a very wicked and ungrateful thing. We noxt expected that the friends of “Honest Old Abe” ia Comgress would take the bide off Sonator Pomeroy and his committes mon, aa conapira- Hinge the President thus goes aplde from the | tors againgt tho administration aad the har: . stpled Minister of the Mr. Chase, im 0 roundabout woy, wes induced to withdraw from the Presidential equobble for the time being; but the Pomerey- Chase circaler remains unanswered in Con- gress. Does not this ge to chow that among the republicans, ia both houses, “Old Abe” has falloa below part The Rebel Fiasce tn Com- federacy Ignored by the Twe Eim- perors. . In another portion of this journal we publi a letter from ourepecial London correspondent, to which we call partioular attention. The in- formation conthined@ia this document Is exolu- ely, aad may be relied upon. Stidell, the self- at the Court of France, has made it a matter of great effort to sooure for Davis the géed will of the future Emperor of Mexico, Prince Maximiliaa. To the furtherance of this scheme he sent a confl- dentiat agent te Miramar, the seat of the Prince, pear Trieste, to arrange ea interview immedi ately upon the arrival of the Austrian Prinee at Parie. It ie enld thet Maximilian expressed his willingness to meet Slidell, whioh simple fact, no doubt, was made the foundation fer all those rumors of recognition which were rife some months back. The rebels caw in this con- sont on the part of the Prince more, much more, than was intended, and, allowing their desires te master their convictions, indulged in the highent hopes. Maximilian arfived at tbe Tuileries, and at once Blidell demanded the promised interview. The Prince, having had time to reflect upon the matter, deemed it more fitting that he should ask the advice of his host, the Emperor Napoleon, and the latter, wise to favor the South at a period when he foresees the end of the rebellien, objected to any interview between the Eavoy and his guest, the Prince. It was intimated, in the most polite manner, ef course, to Slidell that the future Emperor could not grant hyn an audience. Incensed at this, the rebe) made a stupid blunder in writing, and no doubt, with all due forms, he demanded the interview. This brought the subject before .Napoleon’s Council,and the whole matter of relations with this country was discussed, and it was settled -| that Maximilian should send a formal note to the rebel commissioner, informing bim that it was out of the question to enter into any diplo- being far too matic or personal relations with him. A more decided rebuff was seldom given. and the hopes of the rebels ia Europe have sunk accordingly. There are two sides to this question of recog- nition, one of which deeply affects this govern- ment. Maximilian is to accept the imperial crown at Miramar—so it is now asserted by those well informed—and he will then send a formal notification of the fact to all govera- ments with whom he wishes to enter into rela- tions. The United States will be among the number, and the new Emperor will demand that his minister be received at Washington and our Tepresentative be sent to Mexico. The rebel government will receive no such cotnmunica- tion, being thus most glaringly ignored. Davis and his compeers will understand that this is the aotion of France, and they will thus be forced to resign their last hope of foreign re- cognition. What steps our government will take in this matter must, of course, remain a matter of conjecture; but that the rebels have nothing te hope for in Europe is now a cer- winty. That they counted upon the support and recognition of Maximilian is proved by the fact thet already Davis bad accredited Mr. Preston as his minister to the future Emperor. de will find his disappointment all the harder ‘o bear from the fact of his over confidence in this matter. Tas Proposep Resonus mw tas Pong Souoot. Srsreu.—No public institution should command more earnest and intelligent con- sideration at the hands of Logislators than the system of public e@ucation; and, now that the Legislature has taken hold of the subject, we hope it will not be allowed to drop until some decided reforms be introduced in the system now prevailing in New York. Whether insuf ficient safeguards were thrown around the sys- tem when first established, or whether abuses tow existing have crept in in spite of the bar- riers interposed at the start, it is nevertheless true that alarming evils bave insinuated them- selves into the institution, and that, as at pre- tent administered, it is fast becoming a byword and reproach to citizens claiming civilization sad enlightenment. The bill submitted to the Legislature by Mr. Benedict. proposing edaca- tonal reforms, may do well evough as a start+ ing point; but it is not itself free from objec- tions which the experience of the past few years bas shown constitute some of the most glaring imperfections of the entire system. Mr, Benedict's bill commits the grave error, to start with, of still adbering, in « modified form, it is true, to the abeminable mode now in vogue of electing some portipn of the Board of Education and School Committees by corrup! bargains and trading among unprinclpled ward politicians, The great majority of our taxpay- ing and most respectable citizens mand that this whole system of allowing po- litioians to barter away the future moral worth and intellectual strength of the rising gene- ration shal! be completely abandoned. They de- de- mand that ‘he purity of the fountain of education shall be tomtaminated in no degree whatever by admixture with the dirty waters of politics; and this object they believe cannot be at- tained if politics are allowed to be incorpora- ted in any shape with the business of selecting the heads of our educational system. Mr. Benedict should have cut this ulcer entirely from the system, if he wished » healthy body to be ereated from the present corrupt one. Mr, B.’s bil is again objectionable, for the reason that it looks to a sort of mixed commission—a sort of half-and-half, or water and gruel, beard of politieal fossils—who shall also be indirectly at the mercy of party bucksters. These half- and-half commissions sometimes do well—some- times very badly—as, for instance, in the case of our Board of Supervisors. The publio’s ex- perience of that body goos to prove that these mixed oommissions are calculated to breed what arefcalled truck and dicker “rings,” and that petty favoritism and gross corruptions are in consequence festered to an alarming degree, This, we fear, would be the oase if Mr. Bone- dict's plan of selecting a board of education and trustees shonld succeed. A much better plan would be to leave the nominating power ot @ board of education tn the hands of the Governor of the State, with such regulations as would make it conform to partiouler localities, and with confirmatory authority vested in the Togisisture, This would be getting the quee- tion out of tho hands of the low ward politi- clans, @! aag eae, pad vor likely open tho of the party; but nothing of the sort was beat doer to the obtaining of the reforms aow > urgently demanded la our publle schoo! Tux Commmoriove Bunorsm comes off to-day. ‘The canvass on the republican cide was closed lest Gaturdey aight ot Hartford ia 0 public mectiag, at which Senator Wilson ead General Garfield were the principal speakers, ead with every assurance of a great victory. It will be @ matter of genere! astonishment should the reeult be a viotory for the demoorete, with their unfortunate copperhead peace affiliations, But whatever may be the result in Coaneotioat, the shaping of partice for the Presideatial contest wilt depend upen the results of the military campaign that fs about to open. A republican victory meantime im Connecticut, except as @nother public adjunct im faver of the war aad against a copperhead peace, will amount te lit- tie or nothing: Wasemraron, April 8, 1006 @MMBAL MEADE AND THE BATTLE OF GeTrresuRe. General Meade, ta a written statement furniened the ‘War Committee, asserts that be mever issued aa order to retreat on the 24 of July from Gettysburg, as alleged by General Butterfield, and mever heard of euch being letonce uatil told of it by General Gibbon, bet o the contrary, when General Sickles became engaged, the Fifth corps was ordered up te his support, with the view Of holding the position tothe last, Ho also states that the oaly grounds General Butterfield had for writing an order to retreat were the direetions tesued to him, aa chief | of etaff, to examine the country through whieh the army bad moved, with the view of expeditiously moving back to another strong position in onee any enforessen disaster should render such a step mooessary- Gen. Meade Positively asserts that he never at any time entertained fort moment a probability of ‘& retregrade movement, or gave General Butterfield any reason for writing the order he did. This testimony is corroborated in every respect by Generals Hancock, Warreo, Gibbom aud other commanders cognizant of the facts, THR LIQUOR ORDER CHARGES AGAINST GENSRAL BLAIR, Thespecial committee on the charges against General Frank P, Blair have bad four of the staff officers who sign @4 the celebrated liquor order before them, and they watiGed that the word ‘each’! after the different items ta forgery, and that the order, as given, was for only one Uheusand dollars worth of liquors, instead of nearly nine thousand dollars worth, which was parchased under it. Thie completely exoncrates General Blair from the barge made against him, ENLISTMENTS IN INSURRBCTIONARY DIS¢RIOTS TO FILL THE QUOTAS OF LOYAL STATES, Joba Jay, D. Van Nostrand, George C. Ward, E. C, Cow* din aad George W. Blunt bave arrived here ag a commit- |, ee of the Union League Club of New York to urge the passage by the Senate of the Honse bill providing for the voluntary enlistment of any persons, résidents of the in- surrectionary States, into the regiments of othor States. ‘THY DECISION IN THE QUICKSILVER MINE CASE. It is understood that the Judges of the Supreme Court have decided the Quicksitver Mining Company case favor of the company; but it Is not expected thet the opinion ean be writtea out in time for ks delivery in court to-morrow, {% may consequently nos be announced officialty till the Monday following. THR ADMIRAL WILKES COUR® MARTIAL, In tho Wilkes Court Martial yesterday Onptain R. H. Wyman testified to the inefficiency of the Wachusett, which be commanded, and the slow speed of the Sonoma end Tioga, hor consorts in the fleet, and also to the unceasing efforts of Admiral WHkes, day and night, to discover and take the rebel pirates in the waters of the Gulf. Commander Edward Nichols, of the United States steamor Alabama, was oxamined in referenge to the details of bis cruise after the rebel Alabama, both alone and in company with the Vanderbilt. The defence also offered in evidence the endorsement of che Presidemt of the United States on: the back of the letter of tee Secretary of the Navy to Admiral Wilkes, revoking bis commission and placing him as captain on the retired Mat. The Prea!- dent said that he was Willing to do cuythiag to his power, cousistes# with the rules of the Navy Deport. ment, toarrange the dificulties betvern it aad the Ad. mural. Tue reply of the Zecretary of the Navy, dated the 10th of Maron, 1864, in answer to a request of toe accused for @ copy of the procee tings ef the Courtef In- quiry.of December last, was alsa presented by tne de- fence. GOVBENMEN?T CONTT-ACTOSS ASKING FOR AN AD- VANCE OF COMPENSATION, A very strony delegation of tran workers and engine ‘Dud! ders Ip (he eg ploy ment of the government are here to eek an iceroese of price cpon their vartous contracts, the fulfilment of which ig rendered doubtful on account of the great and@ unexpected advance in the cost of labor wod wscecisis. CAPTURE OF A PRIZE. ‘The Navy Bepersment bas received information from Liesteoant Char! 8. Brown, commanding the United Mate steam-r Virginia, Of San Luis Puss, Texas, of the captors f the schooner Sylphide, from Tampico, eaten- sty bound to Mavaca. Her flag was swallow-tail ahape, with black, white ond b'sek bare hortrontally. When seen ede was far from the position whict she should have been In if resiy Downe to Hevans, and there is no doubt of her intentico to violate the bhcaade, Her cargo con. sisted of salt, b%4'n,, coffee, sogara ic bundles, fat and bar iron and pereucviou cape, ABOLITION OF CAPt?e”, PUNISHMENT. It has been discovered thas Corgress, in passmg the Dill, abort time since, transferring the jail from the United States marsha) to the jailor, bas unwittingly abolished capital punishment in the District. The unbe- coming haste of a fow leading spirits who rushed this bill through Congress for the gratification of personal ani- mosity towards Marshal Lamon is now being appreciated, nd our authorities are urging upon disinterested mem- bers the necessity of immediate legisiztion upon the |, subject. RESIGNATION OP CAPTAIN LYTTLE. Captem Lyttle, of the staff of Provost Marshal General Patrick, bas resigned. The Captain has been in most of the engagements of the Army of the Potomac, and during tbe last eighteen months had charge of all rebel prisoners, pumbering over twenty thousand, together with all prisoners from our own ranks under arrest for crime, desertion, kc. Nooffeer has been entrusted with more ‘emportant duties or discharged them with greater satis faction to the Commanding General. Captain Leslie, ‘Thirty-A(th, York State Militia, succceds the Captain at headquarters. THE CASB OF QUARTERMASTER FITCH. ‘The hndings of the court martial tn the case of Captain Fitch, Assistant Quartermaster at Brandy Station, have been disapproved. Captain Fitch ordered ap, some time Bince, em immense number of cars, {t was charged unne- cessarily, and the court acqaitted him. General Meade disapproved the decision m an odor severely censuring the officer, and directing bim to be assigned toduty where bis blinders may prove less detrimental to the service, This officer isthe one who last spring fled at ‘the bead of bis wagon train from Winchester to Harris- burg and Philedelpais, alarming the country with the report that the whole rebel army was at his heels. TRIAL OP MILITARY Another court martial, of which Abercrombie i president, bas been convened for the trial of military offences. REBEL PRIBONSRS RELBAGED. Twonty-five rebel prisoners wore telensed from the Ola Capitol prison on Saturday, took the oath, and went North, — United States Sapreme Court. ‘Wasmmaron, Apel 3, 1864, The fot cauun with be Seance tn cs teprotee Court of the United during the preset weelt:— —' 1, va. ict nase aes eT Ps Estudio, No. 175—Manael Roder! vo. The United States, from bay oe fexeotitriz, plainti Mei Avion 8. Wailagd, Crom the Circus. Court & Chartes 8, D.C. iPr sane R, Dermott, executelx, plaintit in error, ‘ve. ab Jones. Btates ot al. ve. Conplin ot No. 178—The United | Edgar Conpi ba Ne Lacing D. Godfrey, plaintit’ in error, vs. Charles T. Hames. Prasaw Ormea—Foust wae given at tho matiace oo Baverday, and Robert the Devil ts to be given this even- tog at the Acndemy of Music, with Motor! and Brignoti tn the cast, The fomansa asive dinare, which was sung by Marseluni on Gaturday tn the garden soene of tee (eird a6h of Prast, wae © perfect gem aad sung With OF aus (a bale 00d \y Aamnen a Visit of Goa. Banks to Port Bedsce : ead Alonandrta. Giirmish pd Captare of Twenty-five Rood Otfic are and 80 Privates, Lod bon ae ‘fee menmer Cotemeta, Cnptem Rarten, arrived of ety re on wee Im 1. Reger tae Moe Tork Guat Arey Agua repeste the: Bul (ow Rasdred aod torn vot once are to hemp os) of (eeety tree New Yort renmente [6 te Ce poeted Lal Ube ‘re Meta areuncas will be enctiyy Gleated te Ube Uses! eiuacal One + aout Croedy, of bis otal, left New Orienas on Tucstay ‘Red river aed Ajomedrin oa ibe steamer Biene Reet upon the a « course up river was oe seis Tari from the , and arrived et Alexanania cleven e KO HOSTILE REDSIA“PATIAATION AND OME OPVICERE OH TUS STRAW WE. Not agua was fred ates during tho from New and bo armed wes seen. brought quite a lange number of officers. igadior Dwight aod Lioutenant Payee, bie hy of the Kightseatb Now afte aes. Tie Sree cee tone ele camp to Banks, s flean ta is that Strovoport bas been taken by ‘ye 4 ral Steele, who was to advavce (rem Little Rowk, keansss. ‘The steamer Luminesy went dowa this morning © some iveaty Gye rebel cavalry Ofcere, Who wor? tared beyond Alexwcria, together with four prea artilery 2od twe buadred aid forty privates, taken i Map Cavalry Gkirmied reecrod to above, LIT OF A. OFF CORRE Captate J, Buistard, Lieutonamt Qurmeoucas, 1 A. C, Buissard, Lieutenant Poa), Liouienamt Ovioeet Adjutant Sims, Captain Prudhomme, Léowveuast wipe al Trade Mcstrictions {a Kentackhy. Sr. Lov, Aprils, 1006 | As large quantities of supplies have bees reseatiy taken into Western Kestucky, thus taviting tscurstons, probably shipped for that purpose, General Braymen, a Cairo, bas issued orders suspending, permits for goods between Paducah and Memphis, steamers landing goods om the Kentuckyjehere tween Cairo and Paducah, beiwees cab and Memphis, No, 10 and Fort Pillow, unless by order of the military ferries, trading boats, skim®, &c.,are mot to to cross the river between Cairo and Memphis, from Padueah and Columbus are 2g to rus military purposes, General Brayman bas also ordered, for Protection of the public property, the expulsion sons baving no visible means of support from the district, who mag be traitors, spies, &. H t cae ‘Phe Recent Illinois Disturbances, Marroow, Ill., April 2, 1066 All is quiet. The prisoners were sent.to SpringtelA thin afternoon. No further trouble is apprehended. News from California and Oregon. San FRramcisoo, April 3, 1066. Money tw tightening: rate firm at two per cent per month. Atlantic currency exchange at the rate of 60 0 68 promiam for gold in New York. Coin bills, 6 96 pre mium. Telegrapbit transfers, 7 premiam. Sterling en- ‘changed. ‘The weather is showery, and the sppronensions for their employers that, after she Ist of May, their wages must be advanced from four to five dollars per day. Twe bundred and twenty-five blacksmiths, iron moulding 006 pattern makers, empleyed in the foundries, demand feuy dollare and fifty cents, instead of four dollars per ¢ay. Fonrams Mpwnon, April 8, 1906. ‘The steamer Fairhaven, from New York for Alemum Cojonet wi po ppemnaanes Captata D. 5. youre a at a Sixty -0 how reports eight noy men for duty, Py Nt gp tT the caoed tn the afin has geen wach arduown and ervioe ainoe 1861) He wan sevornig Ap Lis and Outre, _