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

‘Miary to Vienna immediately,” and Napoleon declares a equ wae agreed to, a « 4 NEW JAMES GORDON BEANETE, EDTOR AND PROPRIETOR Bi OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. | of ot the risk of the sender, Nove but bank bill current Ia Rew York taken. THE DAILY HERALD, Tunse cents per copy. THE WEXKLY HERALD, every Saturday, at Five ceata percopy, Apoual subscription price:— ‘One Copy... Volume XXIX. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, BIBLO'S GARDEN, Broaa WALLACK’S THEATRI @mant—Haxpy Axpy. NEW BOWERY THEATRE. Bowery.—Svcu Is Lirr— ANOTHER Giass—My NuscHion’s W.FR. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway.—Faanca Srr— Per or tax Pxrmcoats BARNUM'S MUSEUM, Hrosdway.—Two Gusts, Two Dwarre, Aveinos, sanrents, dc. at ail hours Ma- BULe—At 1A M., Sand /), PM Ba OF Tce. way.—Tax Ieisu Ext- WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway.—Brnioriat Dances, &C.—BOMDARDNENT OF PETKESBURG, 199 and 201 Bowery.—Varimp Erutorian Ovpiries, st! axp BrcimNG MuLANoR MEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 B — Ceniourss and Leones, from 9a. Me WUE Me T'S OPERA HO! ones Dancy Bontas New York, Brooklyn. —Ermtortaw y, August 3, 1864. THE SITUATION. General Grant bas been digging and delving to some Purpose. The mine of which the Richmond journals have ‘deen talking about in somewhat disdainfui terms for Some time past was completed in front of the Ninth corps (Burnside’s) on Friday evening, fully charged with six tons of powder, and exploded under the enemy’s breast- works, scattering the earth and the gerrison far and wide into the air, including, it is believed, sixteen guns which wore in battery, An immediate assault was made toto the gap thus created. wur artillery and musketry from the Ninth, Fifth and Eighteenth ‘corps along the whole line opened a tremendous fire, and @ desyerate engegement commenceu » which, {% is reported, three tiers of the omy’s breas‘works were taken, Latest officias news received in Washington last night affords no result of the conflict. The facts above stated are all that is positively known. Our cor- respondent with the Ninth eorps gives a most minute description of the plan and working of the mine, which was undertaken and completed by Colonel Pleas- ents, of the Forty-cighth ia regiment, composed mostly of coal, miners from the Schuyl- Kill district—men well accustomed to this kind of work. The work wag commenced on the 28th of June, and was thus exactly a month in progress. I¢ was done with ao much secresy that the other corps atound knew nothing definite about it, although, as we have knows for some time, the rebels were acquainted with the fact that General Grant was mining in some direction. We give a map in another colamn of Pe- fersburg and ite defences, and also two diagrams of the tunnel and the mine. -Prisoners taken state that the enemy were undermining our works, and that in two or three days they would have the mines under us. General Grant and General Meade witnessed the explosion and Ge assault. It is said that our troops, having to cross am open field im the charge, suffered severely. It may be some déys yet before Petersburg falls before tne successful assaults of General Grant. At Vicksburg, in June, 1863, one rebel fort was biown up, apd the enemy’s work were assauked, but line after line of strong defences were found, and would have had to be reduced {a succession, if the city had not surrendered. But an interval of nime days elapsed between the ex. plosion of the mine on the 20th of June and the capitula tion of Vicksburg. If @ like resuts should accrue at Petersburg we ought to be satisfied, The Pennsylvania raid falls into tfgnificance before this extraordinary exploit at Petersburg. Our latest Bews from Chambersburg is to the effect that General Averill came up with the enemy on Saturday at Mc(on- Dellsburg and punished them so severcty that they fetreatea towards Hancock It was reported ‘hat they had crossed the river and were elear out of the State. Rumors, however, prevailed in Baltimore last night that they were @dvancing in force on Gettysburg. When General Averill Teached Chambersburg the fire bad so fer advanced that the public buildings and other valuable property could not be saved. Our correspondent gives a pretty full uc- Count of tbe stores and dwellings consumed, amounting to all te two bundred and sixty-five. ‘The last reports from General Sherman are quite satis- factory, The enemy remains withio bis fortifications, thus leaving nothing for the assailing army to do, MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The telegraphic details of the European news by the Bremen, off Cape Race, are given in the Hunace to day, 5 summary of the advices, which dated to the 20th er | July—three days later—baving appeared in our columns yesterday morning. i The peace negotiations between Germany and Dénmart ‘were to be conducted in Vienna. It appesrs as € the King of Denmark bad not much choice {n the matter, as “Germany bas sent bim a request to seud a plenipoten- tbat Demmark cannot enter the German Confederation. ‘The Allies were still advancing on Jutland, although the “Phe rebel loan had declined two per cent im London, ing, tu part, to the realization of profits and partly to ‘ felt to know the time ‘when the rebel armies + re op the invasion of the North.” The leading American stocks had relapsed. Consols were dull io ‘Tenddd, on the 20th of July, at 90%; a 90%. The bremen has pot reported the Liverpool cotton, Dreadstutls or provisions market, nor has ebe scut any abip news for the three days. Governor Seymour i expected to tesue a proclamation to-day calling on the people of this State to observe the ational Tast day appoloted by the President General Sendford's letter to Governor Seymour, in which be gives portions of his correspondence with the Washington authorities, shows the progress and result of | ie efforts to obtain from the War Department an exemp- con of the one bundred @ays militia from the draft, The & -retary of War and the Solicitor of the War Department vourred fo the opinion that by the strict construction be Enrolment act all of the bundred days men who cturily be in the military service of the United oe at the time they may be drafted will be exempied, t exemption shail be duly etaimed. rt. D. M, Colina and Ferris Cushing, ofcers of the stn of MeClellan Minute Men, of this city, deny ically, in letlers which they bave sent to us, the <0 w ents recently made in the S¢, Louls despatches, 2 g the Minute Men with being conpected with the ‘ ‘\gbam organization for overthrowing our national _ meat. “t. Lowl, cOrreapordent of the Cincinnatl Gasstte » concerning the great copperhead conspirasy>— s eepose of the conspiracy has produced « profound sijom among Joyal citizens !0 this State, and this has ptensified by the wel) founded rumor that within ast twenty-four bourt Colonel Sanderson, the Pre- Varabal General, has reteased the Grand Commander, ce ey Orand Commander and Grand Secretary, the @ ree bighest officials of the Order io this State. This, it & stated, was done oo condition that they would make a un Lrtaad of (he plot, which they did om Guding tugs | YORK HERALD. | Colonel anderson was in possession ef the whole secret. ‘They were released on taking the oath of allegiance an@ giving beavy bonds to appear for trial.” Very destructive fires have beeo raging in the woods of Maive for some time past. On the 20th ult. the fre, fanned by a gale, swept down upon the village of Salmon royed nearly the whole place—upwards diogs. Many sheep and cattle im tne Petersburg—Grant'’s Great Success. General Grant has suddenly thrown a flood of light on the military situation. While the copperheads and copperbead journals and de- spondent patriots believed that he was finally beaten at all points by Lee, and was sitting still at Petersburg in sheer despair as to what to do next; while the rebel papers announced triumphantly that Early would soon be in Pennsylvania, and all the horizon seemed dusky for us to the whole congregation of doubters, Grant comes forward again the real hero of the struggle in a blaze of victery, and striking down rebel resistance with an affluence of force that utterly belittles all the combina- tions of the enemy. Petersburg, and all the works near it, are possibly in Grant’s possession at the present moment, although the government had no official report of anything later than the assault on the enemy’s works, up to half-past eleven o’clock Jast night. Having pressed an earthquake into his service, in the shape of a mine, General Grant blew the enemy’s main work toward the moon on Saturday, and carried the smaller ones by the bayonet befove the enemy recovered his senses. Nothing could have been more finely ar- ranged than this whole movement. Early was in Northern Virginia frightening Maryland and Pennsylvania with so much of Lee’s army that Lee bad le‘t at Richmond and Petersburg only eight divisions. These eight divisions—per- haps fifty thousand men—had to watch the Second, Fifth, Ninth, Tenth and Eighteenth corps, advancing and manceuvring on a very long line. But the left of that long line, in front of Petersburg, was the important point, and the bulk of the eight divisions was wassed there. They were perfectly safe there, and having the advantage of well built defences, it | was certain that they could hold Grant in check, though he had five eorps. The other end of Grant's long line was away off across the Appomattox, across the peninsula of Bermuda Hundred, and across the James, so that Grant’s right reached out like.a long and ominous finger pointing the road to Rich- mond. Grant’s right at Deep’ Bottom, north of the James, was thus ten miles from his left as the bird flies; but foHowing the deviations of his line it was a great deal further. From this threatening right, thus boldly pushed out, Lee did not apprehend much danger, yet he watched it; but he watched it rather with curiosity than with interest, Suddenly he changed his mind on this point, and became convinced that he had made a mistake about it. On Friday he was certain that Grant had at that point the Tenth, Eighteenth and Second corps. He foresaw a sudden advance up the New Market road, the seizure of the Richmond defences by a bold coup de main and the fall of his eapital, while be, its chosen defender, was watching it on the other side. Under the influence of this idea he made hurried change. He left in the strong works at Petersburg three divisions, and with the other five he hurried away up to Richmond, and from Richmond down on the other side of the river, to confront Grant’s advance by the right. But while he was making this change Grant was also making a change. He had indeed sent a force over to Deep Bottom; but the whole movement was aruse. The force was at Deep Bottom on Friday, when Lee started to confront it; but it was withdrawn on Friday night to the position in front of Petersburg— Grant’s extreme left, On Saturday morning, then, this was the position of the forces: Lee had three divisions holding Petersburg and five divisions thirty miles away—by his line of march—at Deep Bottom. Grant had a small force at Deep Bottom and his whole army massed near Petersburg, ready td overpower Lee’s three divisions and seize the important place. But Lee’s three divisions were in well built defences, and that made even such a force formidable. Grant, however, bad made ar- rangements to nullify these defences, and did so at five o’clock on Saturday morning. He exploded a large mine at that hour, utterly destroying a portion of the defences, and moved for the storm of the remainder, under cover of the alarm and surprise. When Lee heard the explosion of Grant’s mine he wished that he had not sent Early to Pennsylvania, and in his regrets at that hour the people ef Penn- sylvania had their revenge. He would have given his right hand if he had left them alone. Never was amore complete and brilliant piece of strategy than this put to the practical test of experiment; and it is singular that | after all these desperate struggles against Lee, and in the midst of all the immense improve- mexts of modern warfare, the place fought for should finally yield to a simple stratagem, and that Lee should lose the important point in his defences “because he got frightened over a point that was not important at all. With Sherman's great battles at Atlanta, and this great victory of Grant’s, the military prospect is as cheering now as it was last suinmer, when our successes, East and West, came together in the same splendid way. Grant’s mine almost silences the noise that Early ie making in Pennsylvania. Tue Hisraxo-Pervvian Divewvity.—The Spanish government bas made @ proposal to the Peruvian authorities which may avert all danger of a war between these Powers. M. Pacheco, the Spanish Minister, in a despatch, announces that his government will give up the Chincha Islands the moment the Peruvian Cabinet disavows all complicity in the at4 tempts made against the Spanish Minister at Lima and promises to punish the persons who murdered the subjects of Spain, ts obtain satis- faction for which latter offence the islands were seized. Spain will also sené another re- presentative to Peru, and hopes thus to avoid all necessity of # conflict. M. Pacheco blames the seizure of,the Chincha Islands is a step not in accordance with the will of her Majesty of Spain, and ex; a desire that the matter may be termin amicably. Phe Peruvian authorities will deubtiess accept these over- tures ahd make fle promises required. The islands will be given up, and Spain be saved from @ war which could not havé redounded to her benefit or glory. The Peruvians ‘were fal ly roused, and would bave made a stout de- fence; infact, it may fairly be deduged ‘fat the bold attitude of Pera camsed Spain to think better of attacking that republic. Though this matter may rest here it will NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, AUGUST ‘1, 1864. of Central and South America will have learn- ed that a plot against their existence is laid, that Spain and France are the parties who have determined to subvert their govern- ments, and erect on this continent thrones which shall be filled by creatures of theirs. To prevent the ultimate execution of this plan, this great fillbustering scheme, the republics re‘erred to will doubtless band together and form an alliance offensive and de- fonste such as will insure their safety against cks of France and Spain combined. we shall have conquered peace, and a ant reconstruction of the Union, the sof Central and Southern America wi in us their natural champion. Until the ‘y must act for themselves; and, to judge {vom late appearances, they are willing and able to dothis. That Spain thinks so is evident from her present attitude towards Peru. The Present Aspect of tion. The slavery question can no longer be re- garded as apolitical issue, It will affect the result of the approaching Presidential cam- paign neither one way nor the other. Like the tariff question, the Maine law question and the Know Nothing question, it has served its pur pose and passed away. Like these questions, too, it has left matters pretty much where they were before the discussion bogan. Nobody threatens revolution now-a-days because of the tariff. The Maine law has not at all diminished the quantity of liquor consumed. The most prominent champions of Know Nothingism are now serving in the ranks of the democratic party. So we sball find, at the close of this war, that the institution of slavery will re- main intact, although thousands of slaves have been seduced into freedom. Then the Southern people will quietly decide for themselves whether or not slavery is worth retaining. To that decision we must come at last; for aboli- tion societies, anti-slavery parties and eman- cipation proclamations have only killed off Degroes without killing off the institution, When we declare that slavery is dead, we mean that it is politically dead. That is the only practical view to take of the institution. The moral and benevolent view of it can but provoke a sad, sarcastic smile. We have learned to our sorrow that there is not much morality in murdering and maiming thousands of white men in order to free negroes, nér much benevolence in frecing negroes in order to bury them. Theoretically the freedom of the negro is a very nice thing; but practically it is only exchanging his easy fetters for bul- lets or starvation. The abolitionists have murdered thousands of ‘the black race under the plea of delivering them from bondage. It is now evident that if the abolitionists had not created the anti-slavery agitation the negroes would have had not only their freedom, but ‘ery Ques- their lives. Thirty years ago many slave- holders were in favor of emancipation; but as 800n as the matter began to be agitated the prejudices of a class overcame the good inten- tions of individuals, and all the slaveholders were banded together in defence of their Peculiar institution. Then slavery became a political power, and politicians, North aud South, began to use it to advance their per- sonal fortunes. The Northern politicians com- meaced this game, and the Southerners fol- lowed it up, and pretty mess they have made of it lately. Jeff. Davis was perfectly right when he declared to Edmund Kirke that the South was not fighting for slavery. The Southern politi- cians are merely fighting for power. They employed the slavery question to induce the Southera people to sustain them, just as they used the tariff question in Jackson’s time. With the same truth it may be said that the Northern people are not fighting for anti- slavery. Anti-slavery was the pretext used by Northern politicians to get office and to turn the Southerners out of office. If there had been no slavery they would have taken up some other question to effect the same end. If Lincoln, Greeley and the rest of the abolition- ists cared anything for the welfare of the negroes they would have avoided war; for war is destruction to the s! 3s. Their object was, not to get the slaves out of their bonds, but to get the Southern politicians out of their offices. As whigs, they tried to outbid the democrats for the Southern vote; but when they failed in this they tried to get rid of the Southern vote altogether. For thie reason Greeley and Phillips and their party were in favor of digunion, because they knew that disunion would remove two-thirds of the democratic party out of their path. They saw that democratic majorities were madesp in the Southern States, and therefore they openly encouraged those States to leave tbe Union. This is what Greeley means when he says that the rebel leaders helped to elect Lincoln; but he omits to add that he end his colleagues helped the rebel leaders to secede. It is clear, then, that the slavery question was a mere politieal pretext on the part of the North and South alike. The present struggle has never been one about slavery; it is simply a struggle for power on the rebel side and for nationality on our side. All the abolition manifestoes and emancipation proclamations issued by Lincoln are simply partisan docua- ments intended to influence the anti-slavery vote. His recent note, insisting upon the abolition of slavery as his ultimatum, was nothing more than a bid for the support of such people as Wendell Phillips, who have gone off with Fremont. If his emancipation proclamation was effectual it destroyed slavery, and why, then, does he make the abolition of slavery an ultimatum? He knows very well that he has no power over slavery. He knows that no proclamation can abolish it. He knows that the South can come back into the Union to-morrow with. slavery intact. He knows’ that he cannot tnsist upon any such ultimatum a@ that which he now announces. But he keeps on issuing ant!-slavery documents to secure the anti-slavery vote, relying upon Seward and Blair to secure him the conserva- tive republican vote. This policy, however, is but another proof. of his blindness. The issue in the coming election is not slavery or anti- slavery; but it is an issue in regard to an in- capable, corrupt and disgraceful administra- tion of the government. Grecley is wine enough to sée this, and consequently we find him giving Lincola the cold shoulder and in- triguing with rebel agents in order to have some ples with which to save his neck in case of a speedy reunion, knowing that our first act #8 a reunited people will probably be to hang the leading agitators upon both sides, as the French slew Robespierre. We conclude, then, be decided solely upon this issue:—De the people want a good President and a speedy reunion, or do they want four years more of Old Abe’s administration ? Tae VALLaNvicoaM PLor anp THe McOiar- Lan Minute Mey.—We have received a perfect flood of letters from individuals connected with the organization of Minute Men in this city denying in toto all connection with the Northwestern conspiracy. We publish two ef these letters in another column as samples of the large number that we have received, which give the denial as well as the real object and purposes of these organizations in such explicit terms as to leave no room for any person, however much of a political partisan he may be, to even for a moment imagine that there is the remotest connection, in any manner, shape or form, with the Vuallandigham plot. Oce of these letters comes from a secre- tary of one of “the McClellan Minute Men or- ganizations;” the other is signed by the son of ex-Attorney General Cushing, secretary of the organization calling themselves simply “the Minute Men.” ‘These letters both declare the principles of their organizations as being open and above board, and no secret, The letter trom the McClellan Minute Man is sufficieatly pungent to speak for itself. That there is a plot against the government in the Northwest, originating with Vallan- digham and his associates, is ceftain, and that there are among the Wood peace faction in this State some desperate and unprincipled charac- ters who are connected with it is also probable; but that it has any strength beyond that im this State is exceedingly doubtful. That the agents of Mr. Lincoln in the Mississippi valley who have been en- gaged in exposing the Vallandigham con- spiracy would be glad in some way to con- nect the McClellan organization with this move- ment is apparent to everybody. The popu- larity of that gallant general, and the enthu- slasm which greets the bare mention of his name in all sections, bas alarmed the shoddy Lincoln politicians and caused them to fairly shake in their boots. They fear that their days of corrupt speculations, of thieving con- tracts and plundering from the public crib are negr their end unless they can in some way damage the Presidential chances of “ Little, Mac.” In that is the whole secret, of the at- tempt to fasten odium upon the Minu' “Men of this and other localities. We bave frequently stated that the ultra Vallandigham and Wood peace men were allies of the administration. The exposures which we have published in the last few days fully confirm our assertions. That it is the desire and wish of these ultra peace copperheads to get control of the Chicago Convention and nomt- nate some person of the Thomas H. Seymour and Vailandigham stripe, so as to insure McClellan’s defeat and the re-election of Mr. Lincoln, needs no further evidence than the joint efforts of the ultra peace at any terms conspirators. and the shoddy organs and poli- ticians to kill him off. But with all their efforts that patriotic officer, representing, as he does, the true sentiments of the conservative people of the North, rises higher and higher in public estimation, and increases in popu- larity with every attempt that is made to run him down. DepaTes oF THE Reset Concress—A Nice Position ror ConoressionaL Reporrers.—A person in our establishment received yester- day, by mail from Richmond, a letter request- ing him to engage three reporters possessed of the requisite qualifications, to. proceed to the vebel capital, in the course of the fall, to be en- gazed in the official reporting of the rebel Senate. The engagement is represented as @ lucrative and permanent one, and, conse- quently, none but gentlemen of the highest abilities need apply. The following extract from the letter is worthy of consideration: ‘The salary will be shout four thousand dollars and the employment permanent, The average time wolch toe body wil! be in session will not exceed four or five months annually. Thoy will find very little difficulty in getting Dore by way of * * * or of * * *. This is a ta- vorable opportunity for permanent and profitable employ- ment for‘three good reporters; and | would request you, as a particular favor, to employ only such as you know to be perfectly competent. What do our peace negotiators and our mili- tary authorities say to this? Is the rebel Con- gress at Richmond to be a “permanent” in- stitution? The two eccentric characters who, in the recent peace congress at the great cataract, represented Colorado and the Tribune and that other no less eccentric gentleman who deals in documents addressed “To all whom it may concern” may possibly entertain no objection te that nice little arrangement; but we are rather inclined to think that “ Uncon- ditional Surrender Grant” will interfere and spoil the whole programme before the Ides of November, when the rebel Congress expects to be again in session. That military eccentricity has been celebrating the close of July by blowing up the Petersburg fortifications, and tuere is uo saying what similar tricks he may not be indulging in around Richmond in a week or two. On the other hand, his able an- tagonist, Lee, is said to be speculating on the chances of securing the Capitol at Washing- ton for the next session of the rebel Congress. In either event—and the former is most likely to happen—Richmond will not have the honor of ontettaining the rebel legislators next win- ter. The “lucrative and permanent” positions referred to will, therefore, we opine, have few applicants. If there be any we shall rofer them, with our compliments, to Lieutenaat General Grant. Tur Usion Leaovers 1x Councrt.—The State Executive Committee of the Union League or- ganization of this State is to meet at Saratoga Springs on Wednesday next, the 3d day of August, at nine o’clock A. M. In order that their actions may go before the local councils with fll authority, they have called a meeting of the State Council,to assemble at the same Placejand same day at twelve o’clock. ‘Th dodge is so plain and palpable that it need| not deceive any one. The Executive Committees will get together at nine A. M., ‘and ¢nring the three hours which will elapse ,befors.the State Council assembles théy, will mark out the work and decide every poiut to be railed, and all the State Council will have to do is to ratify their actions. The whole conceta is modelled after the principles and mode of operations usual in the Albany lobby. A few of the leaders of the lobby will got wgether in a private room and decide what the Legislature must do with this and that bill, and then disperse for the purpose of informing the members what they must do, and {¢ is done, So itis with these Union League gentiemen. The Executive Committee is the regularly atithor ized lobby for the concern. We recently gave the that the slavery question has passed out of | public some iden of what this organization was have had one verouanent reyult, The rooublicg} yolitios, and that the approaghigg election will oe 4s doing aud bow it waa cue bw the ghogddy specu: lators, contrectors and officeholders. claim, it is true, that they are loyal; but it is the loyaity that plunders the government, fleeces the soldiers ead has furnished numerous inmates of Fort Lafayette and other'govern- ment bastiles during the last few months. Now that we have given the Vallandigham plot @ complete airing, with all its oaths, addresses and schemes, we intend shortly to farnish our readers with the oaths, grips aud passwords of the Unton League, the real secret political organization of the times, and the most danger- ous of all. Tue Present Poase op THe Danisa Ques- T10N.—We hear from reliable sources that the negotiations which have taken place between the King of Denmark and the Prussian goverao- ment originated as follows:—The Berlin Cabi- net caused it to be announced to the Emperor Napoleon that the German allies, or at any rate Prussia, were disposed to make peace with Denmark, and accord such conditions as that Power could accept, provided England were in no manner connected with the affair; Denmark to treat directly with Prussia, and England’s in- terference not be allowed; France, or rather the Emperor Napoleon, to assume, according to the desire of Prussia, the role of Denmark’s friend. wets These overtures were made known to the Cabinet at Copenhagen by Napoleon, and King Christian at once despatched his brother, the Count of Glucksbourg, who proposed an armis- tice, and the consequent settlement of the affair at Paris, under the counsel of Napoleon, to whom the plenipotentiaries of both Denmark and the Allies are to appeal in case of disagreement. It is not yet known what conclusion the German Allies may come to in this phase of the Danish question, but hopes are entertained that the war may thus be terminated. Such a result would of course increase the prestige of Nupoleon, who will have successfully terminated the war, England having utterly failed to do a0. Oxp Asx Purmxe Hs Foor Down.—The following note is very spicy. It seems that Mr. Charles Gibson, Solicitor of the United States in the Court of Claims at St. Louis, wrote a very strong letter to the President, re- signing bis position on account of Old Abe's broken pledges and the radical planks of the Baltimore platform. This is the reply:— Exscutivs Mansion, Waseunaron, July 25, 1664. S.C. Waciing , Esq.:— Sin—Accordiug to the request contained ta your note, I have placed Mr, Gt "a letter of resigoation im the hands of the President. . read the letter, and says that be accepts the resign@tion, as he will be glad to do any other whicb may be tendered. as this is, for the pur- pose of taking an attitude of hostility against him. He sare he was not aware that be was 80 much indebted to Gibaon for having accepted the officé at first, not re- bering that he ever pressed him to do so, or that he it otherwise than, as usual, upon a request made in Dohaif of Mr. Gibson, ‘He thanks Mr. Gibson for bis xo knowledgment that he has been treated with al kindness and consideration, and he says he knows of but two small drawbacks upon Mr. Gibson's right to still re- @eive such treatment, one of which is he never could learn of his giving much attention to the duties of Gibsons’ to‘stab’ him "1 aan, vory tely, Your Ghedleut servant, * ‘SO Bay. Now, is all Old Abe’s spunk to be wasted upon resigning officebolders? Has he nothing to say to stupid officials, like Welles, or mis- chievous blunderers, like Stanton? It seems that he can be a little plucky when he pleases, and when the object of his wrath is some small potato solicitor. Now we want to see him empty his vials upon the heads of those whose folly is putting the whole country in “‘an attitude of hostility against him,” and who are “stabbing him” more cruelly then s thousand Gibsons ever could. Excovuragina.—The glorious news which we publish this morning from General Grant’s army should incite the Governors of Maryland and Pennsylvania to increased efforts to, push forwhrd the militia against the invaders of their soil, that the commander of the gallaut Army of the Potomac may not in any way be diverted from his movements against Rich- mond by the operations of the raiders this side of the Potomac. Fine Arts. Mr. W. HL. Powell, baving completed bis picture, **Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie,” has been invited by the Board of Directors of Redwood Library (R. J.), one of the most distinguished literary institutions in the United States, to afford the citizens of Newport, the home of Perry, ap opportunity of seeing this fine work of art. The Representative Hall, in the State House, Newport, bas been tendered to Mr. Powell for the exhibition of the Painting, and it is likely the invitation of the Rhode Islanders will be accepted by the artist. Constant Mayer, ‘the artist who painfed that most Deautiful composition known to the poblic as *‘Consoln tion,’ a wounded soldier and a sister of charity, bas just completed, with the betp of Mr. Carl Hecker, a striking Portrait of little Miss Agatha Yeaton, who, although only three years of age, is a skilled horwewoman, if we may apply this term to so young a person. The painting Tepresents the little gir! and her pony, and the fidelity of doth portraits is remarkable, These are the work of Mr. Mayer's pencil, the landscape being painted by Mr. Hecker. The palntiug as now finished reflects great credit upon both artists. Vernert has not left town as yet, being busily engaged in finishing up a number of portraits which had accumu- Jated ou bis hands. He bae badso much to do in this way that he has not beon able teg undertake any large picture since he completed bis Rio Janeiro, This fine picture is shortly to be sent to Philadelphia for exhibition. Avgero bas finished the decoration, in fresco, of the Chapel of the Convent of the Sacred Hest, and is now Preparing drawings for the embellishment of the Chapel of the Jeruits in Boston. ‘The Manchester Guardian of the 15th July contains the following from ite Loudon correspondent :—If amy of your art loving readers visiting Loudom wish to see a really foteresting canvass, though it bas no sensational story connected with it, they should ask leave to inspect the Picture of the “Daughter of Herodias receiving the head of Jobn the Baptist,” the property of Mr. Kellogg, an American portrait painter long resident im Italy.” This Pictuse is vow im the studio of Bir Coutts Lindsay,at No.6 Cromeell place, opposite the Great Exbibition Building. It is maintained to be the origimal work of Leonardo da Vinci, from which Luini eopted the repeti- tfon wow in the Tribune at Florence. It bears the paint- or’s name, and the date 1494, and came from the once famous Marcabalden G. -~, near Zurich, belonging to Count Bentzel Sternee, \.08e rich contents were dis- persed. with singularly little notes, not many years ago. ‘Unquestionably Mr. Kellogg’s préture is a most besutifal example of Lombard ease! painting, and it has many points of minute and exquisite Gish, oapecially in the decorative parte of the painting, as tnechasing on the vase and the pattern of the dress of Salome, which are ‘wanting in the Florence version. There is at proseat on exhibition in Washington & Palnting, the sudject of whieh is of mational interest. The East Room of the Executive Mansion is crowded Gaily by persons who rush to examine this really fine Work of art, The title of thie picture is ‘* President Lincoln's Emancipation Prociatsation before the Cabinet,” ‘s name is Mr, Franci B. Carpenter, The paint- ing js jarge—oine feet io beight by fourteen feet etx inches fm length. fts orapositiog ie artistic, The Prest- dent occupies the central pasition, holding is one band the proclamation he id represented a having Just read. ‘The resembiance is striking, The same may be suid of all those who figure in thie painting, Life etadiee were given to the‘artiat, who bas succeeded ta rendering ad- mirable representations of the prominent ogres: 4 are his canvass, Mr, Stanton and Mr, + he aha right hand of the President; Secretary Wolls is soated on tis left; Mr. Blair and Mr. Caleb By Smith stand near Mr. Welles. Hesides these shere are Mr, Seward and Mr. Rates. The figure of for is the ke} of the See noe eae soon beret thas the success of thie mention Whe ateation of the public 49 is, SHERMAN. Wasumaron, July 31, 1806 Information from General Sherman’s army represents affairs to be in the highest degree satisfactory. Our movements for the past few days or s0 have met with me opposition from the enemy; but they crouch behind their fortifications—thus evidently showing they are afraid of the artillery of Gea. Sherman, Rebel Troops Near Knoxvitie. {from the Abingdon (rebel) Virginian. Our troops are now picketing as low down ia as Rogersville, aud perhaps still lower down; and it is said there are bo Y¢ troops this side of New Market. The whole force at Knoxville is said to be three 1 oul abe low to Diazing away at Knoxville, advocating the election of and Andy, MISSISSIPP] RIVER NEWS. Guerilla Attacks om the Steamer Clara Bell. Carmo, July 30, 1864. New Orleans papers of the 284 inst, have been received, ‘They contain no news. ‘There was fair inquiry for cotton, but holders declined to sell; quotations nominal at $} 65 for low middling, General markets were unchanged. ‘The steamer Clara Bell was fired fate at Carrotitom Landing on the 24th by a rebel battery. Three shete penetrated her hull below the water lice and wounded - seven persons, The steamer thea ran on far ahead an@ had pearly repaired ber damages, when ehe was agate attacked, the ‘battery having been moved up the river. This time four shells struck the boat set ting her on fire, and she burned to the water's edge. All om board escaped except one wounded man, who is supposed to have perished in the flames, A tin-clad boat was sent to protect the Ciara Bell, and com- meuced to drive the rebéls away. The ironclad Lowe ville was thea sent to the scene of coaflict, but before ene reached the place the battery had been removed towards Columbia, The steamer Leviathan, with the Pauline Carrol ta tow, after dark passed the battery above them without moles- tation. The rebel force in that vicinity is said to consist of four bundred Texan cavalry, with four pieces of artillery. The Leviathan found eight steamboats seuth of White river, afraid to venture up the stream, ‘The bodies of Colonel Crooks and other officers killed ta tae late Aight, twelve miles from Helena, were brought ap on the Leviathan, Thirty-seven privates are reported te have boen killed in the same fight, and we lost one of omr caissons, The enemy numbered fifteen huvdred, white our force did not reach a third of that number, NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. Wasttdvon, July 31, 1666. EFFORTS OF REPUBLICAN! ‘HAVE GEWRRAR M'OLRLLAN RESTORED TO OOMMAND. ‘A very strong effort is making-Og fepublican politicians to induce the adminiat to gle General MoCielian the command of the defenges-of Wastittgton, as urged by the Hexatp, They say that bis appotutment is demanded by expediency; that ff he oan rally au army of a hoodred thovsaed or a hundred and. fifty thousand men for the defence of Washington, and to operate on Lee's flank, the advantage done to the chase will compensate for the sacrifice of personal feeling towards him, while, as they believe, he should fail to secure any considerable support from the people, it will dispose at once and forever of bis claims as a loader, either miliary er Political, Hen. Hetry J. Raymond arrived bere this morning, it ts understood for the purpese of urging this Matter upon the President, APPOINTMENT OF A MEW REGISTRAR OF THB ‘TREASURY. Mr. J. P. Colby, of Montpelier, Vt, bas been appotated Rogistrar of the Treseury, vice L, E. Chittenden, re aigved. THE BEAT IN WASHINGTON. ‘The weather here has been intensely warm for the past two days, The thermometer ninety-five degrees & the shade. The Barning of Govermer Leteher’s House. From inquiries made in quarters likely to be well in- formed, we'are enrbled to state that Governor Leteher tells ‘‘the truth” about the burning of his house, but does Bot tell ‘the whole truth.” On General Hunter's arrival 1p Lexiogtom there was no more disposition to injure Me. Latcher’s house than any of the other ton thousand houses Protected, on the march up the Shenandoah valley. But—and this ie the material point which the Governor in bis letter omits—two days after the Union forces bad arrived “im Lexington a prociamation was found in Governor Letcher’s own handwriting, aa@ dated three days previously, calling on the inhabitants to arise en masse and “bushwhack”’ the vandal invaders. Now, bushwhacking 1s a practice not recognized by the taws of war, and bushwhackers are hung wheeever canght within the Union lines. On this point Genorals Grant, Rosecrans, Halleck, Dr. Lieber, and all our other military authorities are agreed. Governor Letcher im- mediately after writing his proclamation abeconded, an@ his house was then ordered te be burned, as is the ani- versal custom with ;the houses ‘of .all bushwhacking assassins. This is -‘the whow truth” about the matter, and is commended te the attention of all whe have read Governor Letcher’s card. Until the rebels cam prove that the Governor of Maryland issued a similar proclamation, the so-called “retaliatory” burning of iis house will be properly amenable to those consures of Darbarism g0 freely lavished on Geo, Hunter’s act. The fact is, that but three private houses were de- stroyed by Gen. Hunter during his whole raid, and thes his troops extinguished many confiagrations raised by Organize bushwhacking, and two houses, one near Wood. stock and one near Harrisonburg, from which actual Dushwhacking took place, guerilias firing on the advance guard of the national army from the windows. So fer ‘was Hunter’s army from inflicting injury on private Property, that the inhabitants of every town it passed throagh testified that they received lees injury from the passage of our troops than from the similar passage of ili z i 4 Ls i and gunstock factories were also den in com- sir ot cloa ot smoke by fay ad plano rg “abil "he see Sp to liyeah lt 4 i ft and ir injuries ingimasiy Con BS miitary by the iat je) pee, and: orators ate Ro fares the ht Tus dle. ‘ed trees, All their sixty H 98. sons bea Pprey gl “- ‘expedition; and thereto trabieland falee whine about ‘"injeton to pera proper: a editor, who uperfirous sriapatky, tale moa aud officers of any Went eration’ eT with the irginia regiment aa to tho ‘gentleness and mod fami! with ‘which they and Cig . frees r of private bad answers bg atrouities almost the powor of the tm ton to realize, and would only dor at the admirable discipftine (greatly due to Generals Crook, Sullivan and Averitt) which prevented men so outraged from baying made « fail tbe robo! homes they came agrose, of secesstonists which had been quietly passed, and even °