The New York Herald Newspaper, December 8, 1870, Page 3

FRANCE. ho Capitation of Paris Expected As Within Three Weeks. Mo Further Offensive Movements by the French Possible. Trochu’s War Bulletins Claim Successes, wu More Fighting on the Loire on Tuesday. De Paladines’ Generalship to be Investigated. The Army of the Loire Two Hun- dred Thousand Strong. A Panic in Tours—Exodus of Citizens from the Place, GREAT MOVEMENT OF TROOPS FROM LILLE. Communication with Tours Kept Up by Couriers. THE BATTLES BEFORE PARIS. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Bxagacrations—Minister Washburue’s Secre- tary’s Opinions—An Early Surrender of Paris Expected—Despatch trom Prince George of Saxony—Losses of the Saxons. Loxpon, Dee. 7, 1870, ‘The losses of the Germans in the battles before Paris have been exaggerated. MINISTER WASHBURNE’S SEORETARY ON THE SITU- ATION. Minister Washburne’s Secretary writes from Paris that according to his information the Frencn have been beaten at all points but one, and the end 1s ap- parently near at hand. The capitulation of Paris within three'weeks 1s looked for. There have been no cases of starvation reportea, although provisions are searce and dear, Prominent members of the Provisional government are accused of swindling by ‘means of fraudulent contracts for arms and food. DESPATCH FROM PRINCE GEORGE OF SAXONY. Adespatch from Dresden dated the 5th instant States that the King of Saxony has received a tele- Bram from Prince George to the effect that the enemy retired the day before behind the Marne, and that fur- ther offensive movements on the partor the be- sleged were impossible, He gives the total loss of the Saxons in the late engagements as follows:— UMecers, 76; rank and file, 2,100, The cliy of Orleans Was evacuated by the French at five o’clock this Morning. REPORTS FROM 1HE CAPITAL, TELEGRAM TO THE WEW YORK HERALD. Another Balloon Mail—Cold Weather—Exere cising the T.cope—Trochu’s War Bu'le:ins— Ducrot’s Movements. . Lonpon, Dee. 7, 1870, Another balloon from Paris has lately landed in this neighborhood. It brought dates from] the be- Jeaguered city to the 4th inst. The news received previously of the favorable state of affairs in Paris is fully confirmed. GENERAL MATTERS. The carrier pigeons sent from Tours with the mes- sages of the government were arriving regularly. The cold continues intense, The river Seine was fall of floating ice, EXERCISING THE TROOPS, ‘The morate of the troops was excellent, The Mobiles and National Guards fought bravely in the sorties on the 29:h and 30th of November, The troops were actively employed in healthful exer- Gises, TROCHU’S WAR BULLETINS. General Trochu had published several war bulle- tins, giving the Parisians the latest news, He says on the 2d inst. the Prussians attacked the French positions at Villiers and Champigny, but atter a severe fight, lasting seven hours, they were com- pelled to fall back without accomplishing their Object, Subsequently whe Prussians renewed the attack at Nogent, but witn no better success, DUCKOT’S MOVEMENTS. On the night of the 3a General Ducrot bivonacked at Vincennes, Up to that time he had taken about 400 prisoners. Details of the First Soriie—Severe Fire from Mont Valerien—German Preparations to Meet the French—Shelling All Along the Lines—The Attack Upon Stains~A Demon- stration Against Bourget—Retirement of the Freach. Lonpon, Dec, 6, 1870, A correspondent at the headquarters of the Crown Prince of Saxony, at Chateau «’Ecouen the 1st, writes:-—-Prince George haa removed bis headquar- ters from Le Vert Guilant to Chelles-sui-Marne to f0-operate with the expedition of the Sixth corps. THE FIRE FROM MONT VALERIEN, Agrand effort was made yesterday and the day before, There was aheavy cannonade, but no in- fantry appeared on the northside. Very early yes. terday it was apparent there was hot work in the west, Mont Valcrein was thundering away in every direction. Fiom the emiuence overhanging Argen- teull everything was visivle; a battle was progressing south of Valarien. Closer to me the work was very warm. In the morning shells from the batteries at Nanterre and Courbevole had been crashing into Bezons and Argenteuil. A sheltered road behind the latter town is scored in many places wich deep xuts made by the shells, PREPARATIONS TO RESIST THE FRENCH. The bank on the French side was ined with their infantry, who kept up a faltering fire into the dark- ness, In anticipation of an attempt to restore the bridge at Bezons, the troops occupying thattown, Argentcul aud the intermediate posts stoou to their arma, but made no effort to reply toa fire 80 purposeless and doing so little harm, SOME SHELLING FROM THE PARIS FORTS, On the other sae of the eminence, where I stood, the batteries kept up an unremitting fire of shells, which ploughed ita summit in all directions, and the buildings which crown the eminence were Knocked about remoruelossiy, As the day NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBEK 8, 1870.-TRIPLE SHEET. broke my position became too dangerous, notwith- standing its great advantages as a point of outlook. T was compelled to evacuate and retreat Into tne Jow ground beyond it, whieh was only) “‘out'of the frying pan into the fire.” If I went east shells from Labriche were tumbiing into Epernay, St. Grattan and Deut, and Montmigny, and Stains were having rough times at the hands of Fort du* Nord, Further round Digny and Le Beurget were a*tacked by Fort de V'Eest. From Margeacy I accompanied a staff oml- cer through Moptmigny, round py Garagl and Ar- nonville. Forthe first ume douriag the sicge the Fort du Nord was throwing sheila into Montmo- rency. THE FIRST SORTIE, In the forenoon there had been a sortie towards Stains, Three battalluns came over the flat against it, supported by a close sustained fire from the Fort du Nord and Lunette de Stains, The village was gar- risoned by the Second regiment of the Guard and battalions of Queen Elizabeth's regiment. The French had two battaltons of Gardes Mobiles and oné of Garde Impérialc. They came on with great resolution and tn excel- lent order, The Gorman Guards, who were waiting for them, recelyed them with a steady fire within short range. Tho Frenchmen tried a rush, but the bullets stopped them, Alter hold- ing thelr ground for a little while, and exchanging shots with the Germans, the in- evitable result, a retrograde movement, set, The French, however, deserve credit for the regular manner of the retreat, DEMONSTRATION AGAINST BOURGET. Another demonstration, In the direction of Bour- got, was made at a later hour. Dense columns of French troops appeared on the plain in front of Fort Aubersvillier, and advanced steadily towards Bourget, but they lost heart before they got nearer than the railway station, and never came within range, Bourget, already pounded with shells, was again bombarded all day, In fact, the fire of sheils fromthe forts all round the cireuit was heavy and continuous, but so wild and purposeless withal that it did little damage. Everything on the northern side has been in the nature of a feint. THE ARMY OF THE LOIRE. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Fighting Near Montargis—Strength of Pata- dine Army—The Fall of Orleans—An Or- derly Retreat—De Paladines’ Generalship to be Investigated—OMm lal Report of the Bat- tles—Gambetta Hopeful—Exodus from Tours. Tours, DEC. 6, 1870, Yesterday the right wing of the Army of the Loire had successful engagements with the Prussians near Montargis. STRENGTH AND OPERATIONS oF FORCES, General D'Aureite de Paladines retreated from Orleans with @ force believed to be 200,000 strong, He had 600 cannon. The government authorities wished him to remain at Orieans and receive the Prussian attack, but they gave way to the General's opinion that the place was untenable, ‘THE FALL OF ORLEANS, Subseqnently the General fought to the utmost; but was powerless to effect anything. At half-past eleven the Germans demanded the evacuation of the city, threatening to bombard it in case of re- fasal, The Prussians captured but few prisoners, and no ammunition, AN ORDERLY RETREAT—DE PALADINES’ a SHIP TO BE INVESTIGATED, The government js in receipt of numerous de- spatches from General D’Aurelie de Paladines, He announces that his retreat was completed in good order, He lost neither munitions nor provi- sions, There 1s much dissatisfaction with the Gene- ral for having evacuated Orleans, and in order to give him an opportun: to defend himself the Minister of War has charged three commissioners to inquire into the matter, OFFICIAL REPORTS OF THE BATTLES. Tho oMicial reports of the batues near Orleans show that the Prussians attacked eaci corps @armée separately in greater force, thus repulsing the left of the Army of the Loire and turning Orleans, so as to render the evacuation of the town necessary. DE PALADINES’ GENERAL- GAMBETTA HOPEFUL. M, Gambetta nas issued @ circular to prefects saying the situation of the army is good. Heavy reinforcements of artillery are arriving and the fore ward movement will soon be resumed, The opposi- tion are attempting the circulation of false rumors to discourage and demoralize, but their assertions may be confldentiy dented. EXODUS FROM TOURS—GAMBETTA FIRM. Agreat number of citizens have left Tours, fear- ing an attack by the Prussians, Most of the journals have aiso been removed to places of safety. The government, however, has thus far evinced no in- tention of leaving, OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Great Movement of Troops—Prussian Officers Neatly Nabbed, LILLE, Dee. 5, 1870, A great movement of troops ts in progress here, PRUSSIAN OFFICERS NABBED, Yesterday two Prussian oMcers appeared before the town of Peronne, in the Department of Somme, and demanded its surrender, They alleged that a Prassian army corps was encamped immediately in the rear of the town, They were promptly arrested and locked up, ‘The railway to Albert wil be restored at once, MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS. TELEGRAM TO THE KEW YORK HERALD. To Remain in ToursCommunication Kept Up With Couriers—Prussian Civil Rule ia France. Lonpon, Dec. 7, 1870, Thero are no signs of the French government leaving Yours, COMMUNICATION WITH TOURS KEPT UP BY COURIERS. ‘The telegraph lines connecting with Orleans gave out on Sunday, and tne lines communicating with Tours were cut by the Prussian cavalry on Monday afternoon. Communication with Tours, partly by couriers, has, however, been re-established. PRUSSIAN KULE IN FRANCE, The Prussian prefects of the department occupled by the Germans have Issued decrees that all men bes tween the ages of eighteen and forty years will be cousidered as prisoners of war, and that they will be shot ir they endeavor to escape. In spite of this decree great numbers manage to escapo to the French lines, alied by the people, where they enlist in the French ranks, | RUSSIA. > England Reassured from the War Scare. The Sultan Will Accept a Congress Conditionally. RUSSIA UNITED AND PATRIOTIC. Egypt Preparing for Eveu- tualities. ENGLAND REASSURED, TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YOAK HERALD. Tho National Alarm Subsided=Repert of Gun Contracts to America. Loxpon, Dee, 6, 1870, The feeling of insecurity caused by the demand of Russia relative to the Parts Treaty has almost en- tirely vanished, The government ha’, itis sald, given a contract for several batteries of elght guns each (mitrall- Teuses), to be made in America, THE SULTAN AND THE CON- GRESS. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Imperial Concession, ‘put No “Outside” Ques- tons. Lonvon, Dec, 6, 1870. A despatch from Constantinople announces that the Sublime Porte has signified its willingness to accept a conference for the settlement of the ques- tions raised by Russla relating to the Black Sea, provided the discussion is conflaed exclusively to this toptc. fi RUSSIAN PATRIOTISM. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD, Natlonal Subscription for the Binck Sca Fleet—The Popular Exertion Not Required. St. Pererssuna, Dec. 6, 1870, Immediately after the publication of Prince Gort- chakoif’s note to Earl Granville private subserip- tions were, as already intimated, opened here for the purpose of building a fleet to operate on the Black Sea, The Regierimgsbote (Government Messenger, official newspaper) published an editorial saying the scheme “was not necessary, as the defences Were secure and this was a time of peace.” It ts understood the subscripitons have been pro- hibited by the government, The government has in its employ anumber of American workmen engaged in manufacturing mitrailleuses, EGYPT ON THE ALERT. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. The Khedive [reparing for a Complete Arming. Lonpon, Dec. 6, 1870, it is reported by telegrams from Alexa dia that the Viceroy of Egypt will be prepared within a few days to arm 100,030 men with breech-loaders, VENEZUELA. PROGRESS OF THE BLANSO REVOLUTION, The Alliance Between Blanco and Que:ada—Ma- racaibo to be Blockaded by Cuban Steamers— The Belligerency of Cuba to bs Recog- nized—Sixty Thousand Men Killed im Ten Years of Civil War. MARACAIBO, Noy. 18, 1870, The near approach of a large body of revolution- ary forces has created a considerable stir ac this port and Guzman’s party are jubilant. It 1s thought vhat if they succeed in capturing Maracaibo their final triumph fs assured. In so far as Guzman is concerned he is leaving no stone unturned to effect his object, and he ts engaged in several in- trigues to add strength to his means, He has been for some time secretly negotiating with the Cuban leader Quesada with the view of gaining his co-operation in the blockade of Mara+ caibo, for which he offered a quid pro quo that was particularly tempting to Quesada, It is now con- sidered certain, though not yet publicly declared, that the negotiations have terminated favorably to both, Guzman isto obtain the ald he needs and Quesada and his party are to be acknowledged belligerenta by the Venezuelan republic when Guzman comes into power. The blockade of Mara- caibo will shortly take place, the Quban steamer Virgin, under the Venezuelan flag, being one of the plockading squadron, Quesada has also promised the ald of two other steamers shortly to arrive in these waters. In return the Cubans are not only to be acknuwledged belligerents, but are also to be allowea to obtain recruits and supplies from Venezuela, This alliance so strength- ens the Guzman party that a speedy termination to the war may be expected in his favor. The Virgm was at Porto Cabello painting and refitting, The fearful effects of the civil wars which have raged almost continuously may be realized from the fact that, according to statistics for the last ten years, upwards of sixty thousand persons have been killed, A lamentable state of things to contemplate in this unhappy republic. In Cucato, on the borders of Venezuela, there have lately been very severe foods, The beantiful bridge which spanned the river Cucato has been carried away, and considerable damage otherwise has been done to the coffee fields and plantations in the neighborhood, and also the riverbanks, The losses will be very heavy, but have not yet been fully ascertained, ‘A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. John W. Van Schoick, a colored man, yesterday afternoon fell from the fourth story of the bu:lding where be resided, 13 Howard street, through the rear window and down into the yard below. Kounds- man Randail, of the Fourteenth precinct, assisted by oiticer Karney, of the Twenty-fifth, carried the body tothe station house in Spring street. Dr. Fraver ‘was cailed, and pronounced the man severely in- Jjured internally, directing that he be sent to Belle- vue Hosptial, whither he was conveyed in an ambu- lance. The only witness of the accident was Peter Hudson, a carpenter, who was at work in the rear building. 5 James Moore, a lad nine years of age, who lived at 476 Water street, while playing with other boys last evening in front of No. 470 Water sireet, had both his legs broken by the fall of an tron belt wheel which was leaning against the house, He was first carried home, but afterwards couveyed to Belleyue Hospital in an ambulance, THE ANCIENT WAR CLAM CF M/S3ACHUSETTS. AvaustA, Me., Dec. 7, 1870. By. order of the Governor and Council, Matno’s Portion of the certificates of indebtedness ‘.sued by the United States in payment of the interest of Mas- sachusetts’? war claim of 1812, were transferred to the European and North Ameriean Railway Uom- any to-day, The company had previously received ‘assachusetts’ portioa—two-thirds, The value of Maine’s part 18 $226,000, NATIONAL WEALTH HANDLERS. Bank Presidents and Clerks at Association Hall—Addresses by J.C. Parsons, Rev. 8, H. Tynz, Jr» William E. Dodge and Others. Association Hall gt all times, from the splendor of its internal decorations and the uniqueness of its design, on attraction of itself, was last evening considerably enlivened by the assembling withip its Walls of about two thousand fashionably aresscd = persons, consisting for the most part of bank presidents, cashicrs and clerks—with thelr mothers, wives or sweet- hearts—who style themselves the “Bank Clerks’ Mutual Benefit Association, The hall was densely crowded ttrroughout, while the band ot the Seventy- first regiment, under the direction of D. L, Down- ing, discoursed sweet music from Verdl, Meyerbeer, Gung’, Offendach and Bosquet, gs jf the better to cheer those who were compel to stand all the evening, an: as a sort of compensation for their pa- ence aud endurance, This was the second annl- versary meeting, or musical reunion, as it was Called, of the society, the object being, as stated by 2 ©. Parsons, their president, of assembling the Clerks aud edticers of the various banks of the city together lor mutual exchange of courtesies, &e, und to learn from ther treasurer how the kociety stood, what it has done in the past aud What ib wanted inthe iuture, The soclety was Tormed, said the presideas, for the purpose of pro- viding for the widows and orphans of bank officers Whow death called away before they had made any provision for their tamiites, After reading the or+ mary statistics of ihe past year’s business he read Au eiaboraie report, sialiog that thelr object last Dight specially was to consider the objegt of the or- ganization in its fullest and best sense, but more to Beek to organize @ sort of life lusurance among the bank clerks and oiticers of tis ectly which would obviate tue dificulties that had arisen with many Who could not atiord to pay the high rate of pre- miums demanded by public insurance companies. He usked for full aud earnest co-operation of all bunk offic MAN, Mr. J. E. Williams, next intro- The Cu duced Key, 5. H. Tyng, Jr., Who made & most aiens- ing reference to the sad state of his own bank account, and likened the banking institutions of this elty to @ tree with its Hpre and bark made up of pradent and cautious presidents, cashiers and clerks, but the main stay of the institutions was the integrity, honor, swavily and joity motives of the clerks employed. Reeitting a laughable anecdote of what a missionary 811d once when people put tut tous in the plate, that the buttons were useless with- out eyes; so good wishes and well written promises Were Worthless without more solid assistance, Mr. W. E. Dupage, who had kindly lent the use of Association Hall last night, heartily concurred im the object of the organizaiton, as it benefited them- selves and families, and asa dernier vessort sug: a that a circular addressed to the merchants of ew York cty would briug one, or perhaps two hundrea thousand dollars to their permanent tund for the rel.et of widows and orphans, Dr. Smirv, an ola bank clerk, created great amusement by reciting bank reminiscences of past days, picturing st: ongiy the festive buard days, Wien directors drank so much punch that ihbey saw douvie, and ofien asked how they should get out of the babk, whether throuvh one or two doors, ‘The platform was occupied by all the leading bank- ers of the city. A vore of Wan! s to the Colarman and olicers concluded the proceedings. THE W STPORT (MASS.) HORROR. Another Confession by the Negro Boy Cuff Ho Pronounces the Petty Boy Innocent aad Declares Himself the Principal io the Crime. New BEDFORD, Mass., Dec, 7, 1579, The Westport tragedy, by which Mr, Howard Was sent to his account im such a sudden and tragic manner, continues to be the absorbing topic of conversation in this city end vicinity. It has cast a gloom over the whole community, and the youth of the murderers does not seem to cool the anger of the people or restrain them from a desire t> administer the swift and se- vere punishment characteristic of Judge Lynch. In my letter to the HERALD of yosterday the fact of the arrest of Edwin Petty, the alleged accomplice of young Cull, was recorded, He was found at the residence of his father, Potter Petty, on @ by-roa/, three-quarters of a mile north of Mr. Howard's house. Some little objection to allowing the boy to be taken was made by tie father, but the officers were firm and the boy was arrested without any trouble. He denied all knowledge of the murder, and said he had nothing to do with it. He was about fifteen years old, about the usual size for thar age, and is hot particularly bright looking, and does pot appear to have the physical aniiity or courage to commit such a deed. ‘The other colored boy, heretofore alluded to a3 Cull, 1s named. Hall, but he was known as Cuifee, forthe reason that he Jived with hig grandrach Eatpuel Culfee, During the day yesterday he retracted his previous contession, and made a second statement differing aterially from his story of Monday might, and Phily clearing the Petty boy, whom ‘he’ tirst charged as being the principal in the crime, Hai says he rose about four o'clock Tuesday mern- ing, Look his gun, and went to Howard’s house with Ube intention of robbing him, Arriving there he made an unsuccessful attempt to open the window and door with @ crowbar, but fearing to alarm the old man gave it up, intending to enter the house when Howard went to milk. He hid himseif behind the orchard wall, and the old man soon came out with his milk pall and wens to the barn. Instead of Fong to the house Hail remained behind the wajl waiting for toward to return, When the eid man returned with his milk- pail in his hand, and as he reached a@ spot between the wall and the house, Hall rested the gun on the wall and fired. The old man said, “What are you abont:’ and walked as far as the front door, when he fell backwards on the doorstep. The boy then struck him twice on the head with @ wooden wash-pounder, which he found near the house, and killed him.’ Hali gays his victim never spoke after his first exclamation, aud hardly stirred. The wa let and key were taken from his pocket, and the body was disposed of as previously described. The whole deed—waitin; for the o}d man, committing the murder and muil- lating and hiding the body—occupied about unree hours, and shortiy after seven o'clock, the boy returned home, lay down on his bed, and afterwards ate breakfast, On the way home Hall took the money, $12 60, from the wallet and threw that and the key in the bushes, Hall says he thought yesterday morning that it was wrong to charge Petty with the crime, and afier thinking over what officer Dayton told him in re- gurd to the wrong of charging an innocent boy with the murder, concluded it was best to tell the truth. He says Petty had nothing to do with it, and that his previous story, so far ag 1t concérned Pev Vy was a lie. The Dtstrict Attorney being satisfied of the truth of the latter confession Petty was ds charged and sent home, and Hail was arraigned before the Police Court on the charge of wilful murder, but the examination was postponed for week, ‘The young criminal does not appear to realize the danger ot his position, or the magnitude cf the crime which he has committed, fe was perfectly cool during the re- cital of the deed, and says he felt ashamed when he saw the body on Saturday, and was sorry that he murdered Howard, He says he knew he should tell ail about it some time, and ts glad that the mat- ter is off his mind. The boy talks well, shows con- siderable shrewdnesa, and ts by no means as Ig- norant and simple as he sometimes appears. The circumstances leading to Hall’s detection are interesting, and exemplify the power of circum- stantial evidence. On Sunday aiternoon Deputy Constables Dunham and Hitch, and officer Dayton, went tothe Head of Westport alter hearing of the murder. Their suspicions were first directed to Hall on account of a contradictory state. ment made betore the coroner's jury, andl subse- quently they were strengthened by the fact of the money in his possession. “Captain Perry arrived on the spot on Monday afternoon, with Mr. Marston, and Perry and Dayton took Halt from chool ostensibly as a guide to the scene of the Here his actions w somewhat sus- picious, he evidently avolaing looking upon the mn- tended grave, and he was ar d, and State Con- stable Dunham brought him to -his ci The other preots were soon obtained and the murderer had no alternative but a full coufesston of tie deed. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS ITEM3. Hoidrtage Leason damaged by fire o: residence, in Poughkeepsie, was ay night to the amount of $4,000. Rodenheimer, receiver of the United States Land at Springtield, Mo., was robbed on Tuesday night of w.J. on 85,000. amer Cortes has arrived at New Orleans from New ne did not touch at Key West, and heard nothing of the crew of the Martpona. Edward H. Haswell, convicted of manslaughter tn the kiting of J, B. Laflin, at Angusta, Me, was sentenced yea: terday to an imprisonment of uine years in the Stute Prison, It {s understood in Boston that the suspension of William Wright, treasurer of weveral iarge cotton corporations, re- ported 'yester iay, will be only temporary, as bis assets’ far exceed his ltabilities, A treight train on the Grand Trunk Railway broke through the bridge at Brompton Falla, Canana, on Monday, and was precipitated into the river, The fireman and oue other per- on were killed, 1. ts reported in Raleigh that within two days the Houre of Kepresentati es will adopt a resolution sending @ messenger to the oar of the Senate to demand the Impeachment of Gove ernor Holden, ‘The Republican Convention at Philadelphia nominate Joseph R. Lyndail for the State. Senate, to till the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Wait. ‘Tue election takes place on the 20th. The jury tn the case of Lloyd Britton, colored, charged with murdering Jacod Bay, a German, in Philadelphia, rendered A verdict of guilty ot ‘murder Jn’ tho first degree yesterda: afternoon. Britton stabbed Bay on the 16th November last, who died about a week aterwards, United States detectives Kelly and Hammond setzed four more cigar stores in Foughkeepsle, yesterday, and closed them up, for alleged revenue frauds, This makes six seizures within @ week. Yesterday atternoon the train from Brunswick, Me., for Bath was thrown from the track by a displaced awitch at C.ok's Corner, throwing the baggage and ove passenger car over on their side. Engineer Hammond was sightiy injured, jut DO passenger was hurty = WASHINGTON. The Work of the Army Re- tiring Board. Treasury Instructions to (ol- lectors of Customs. The Decision in the Jay Cooke Bond Case. Prospects of a Perpetual Congress. WasuInaton, Dec, 7, 1870, ‘The Army Retiring Board. The order assigning officers of the army, as well as the order retiring certain other army officers, will net be issued until the end of the present month, The Retiring Board, now in session in this city, have a large number of officers yet to examine, and it will not be possible for them to complete the auty assigned them within the time specified by Congress—viz., the 1st of January next, It is highly probable that Congress will accede to the suggestion of the Secretary of War, and extend the work of the Retiring Board until tne 1st of July, 1871, Unless this ts done tt 13 contended that a number of meri- torious officers are in danger of being unjustly dis- coniinued from the service, ‘There have as yet been but two retirements by the President as @ consequeuce of recommendation from the Board, of which General Hancock 13 presi- dent—one a leutenant tn the Second artillery and the other a first lieutenant in the Thirteenth tn- fantry. Some officers have resigned against whom allegations of untitness had been filed, while others bave prepared testimony with which to combat the charges brought against them, ‘the Importation of Wines and Spirits. The secretary of the Treasury has issued the fol- lowing circular vo Collectors of custom: relative to the capacity of packages and vessels in which wines and spirituous liquors may be imported after the 8ist inst.:— To COLLEJTORS OF CusTOMS:— Y ur atteation is culled to the fourth and sixrh Pepitos of section twenty-one of “An act to reduce uternal taxes and for other purpeses,” approved July 14, 1870. Tae fourth proviso, so tar as 1 relates to the importation of wines and spirituous liquors. in bottles, reads us follows:— And provided further, that wines, brandy and other apiritu: ous Hytiors imported 1a bottie shall be packed in packages containing not less than one dozen botiles in each packaxe. The sixth proviso refers to the importation of spirituous liquors in casks, and 1s as tollows;— Provided, that any brandy or other spirituous Nquot porced In casks of loss capacity than fuurtecn gallons ve forfeited to the United states, An importation of the liquors described in pack- ages containing less than one dozen hotties cannot be admitied vo entry and mast be treated as @ Lor- feiture under section three of the act of July 18, 1860, An lmportauion ef such liquors in cusks of less capacity than fourteen gailous is express. y pro- hibited under penalty of forfeiture. You will, there- fore, regard the third previso of section one of an act to protect the revesue and for other purposes, approved July 28, 1565, and repealed, so far as it re- lates to the importation of spirituous liquors in packaxes of botwes or in casks, irom and alter the Slst day of December, 1870, The Decision in the Jay Cooke Bond Case, The principal topic of conversation among Trea- sury oflicials to-day was the verdict rendered yester- day in New York making the bankers reiponsiole for the counterfelt seven-thirty bonds purchased of them by the government in 1867. The matter has been under considration for a long time, and it was thought by some that the government would be compelled to jose the eighty thousand excianged for these spurious bonds, Until there was a probability of establishing their identicy and ¢xing them upon the parties from whom they were al- leged to have been received no one believed but that the government would be the loser, The result of the trial, however, puts quite a different aspect on the case, and the fact that the bonds in question were pronounced genuine by the former Superin- tendent of the Bureau of Engraving and Prinung gives additional importance: to the verdict of the jury, which estabilshes the testimony of experts, who pronounced them counterfeits wheu first discovered. It isnot known wiether Jay Cooke & Co. wiil ap- peal their case or abide the verdict that has just been rendered, The Solicitor of tne Treasury holds that the govecnment has no right to recognize counterfelt notes in its business transactions, that in redeeming its bonds and notes it can only redeem what it has lawfully issued, On the other hand, the government has redecmed the counterfeit legal tenders and placed the sum to the account of profit amd loss on the books of the United States Treasurer. According to the verdict the question arises whether the government cannot require parties from whom counterteit notes are re- ceived for redemption, and which are not detectea untii after the amount has been paid over, to make good the loss thus occasioned, m- ball Batler’s Amnesty. General Butler will make an attempt to-morrow to call up his General Amnesty bill, reported from the Reconstruction Committee at the last session. The bill exempts ail who participated ta the late re- bellion from the penalties of disfranchisement except persons who before the rebellion were ofMicers of the army or navy of the United States and members of Congress. Butler thinks he can get enough strength in the House co pass the bill at the present session. He will be supported by the democrats and some of the repuviicans, especially those from the Southern States, Business in the House—The Fravking Pri- vilege. Jn the House to-day there ‘was but little busiazess of interest, most of the time being spent in con- sidering the bill reported from the Committee on Post OMlces and Post Roads for the codification of the postal laws, Among the amendments reported by the committee 1s one for the abolition of the ranking privilege. As a substitute for that law, tr is proposed that @ certain amount of money shall be appropriated every year to pay the postage ex- penses of the several executive departments, and the Senators and members, This does not meet with general favor, especially in the Senate, where the feeling seems to be in favor of a total abolition of the franking privilege, or else of aliowing it to Temain as it is at present, A Hitch in the Business ot Congress, There seems to be a difference of opinion between the House and the Senate concerning the inaugura- uUon of the public business, There ts in existence a joint rule to the effect that no bills from the House of Keprescntatives shall be taxen up for considera. ton in the Senate within six days after the opening of @ second session of Congress, The presiding officer of the Senate construes this literally, and henco no House bilis will be taken up until next week. The Speaker of the Senate does not put this construction upon the rule, Return of Stolen Bonds, Eight thousand five hundred dollars of the $20,c09 im legal tenders abstracted from the division of Issues in the United States Treasurer's Onice on the 11th of June last have been turned over to Treasurer Spinner by the President of the Stuyvesant Bank, New York, at which bank they were detected oa being offered for deposit. The loss of these nc will be remembered, was extensively adve throughout the country, and the caution notice of General Spinner had the effect of checking thelr general circulation. The notes received will, after a schedule has been taken of them, be sealed up and placed in the vaultor the ‘Treasurer as 80 much cash on hand, but not for cir- culation, Itis understood that the balance of the amount stolen will be pald over to the government by the accused parties, who will be glad enough to escape with such a settlement, The Quality and Material of Sealskin Cloak. ings. For some time past @ discussion has been going on between importers of goods with reference to the nature of the material of which sealskin cloaking and other similar goods are manufactured. The merchants have claimed that they were manata tared of half calf hair and half cotton, while on the 8 other hand cus‘oms offiolals and the Trca@iury De partment have claimed that there was Wo»! used in their fabrication, The matter has at last been Onally Gisposed of by the Secretary of the Treasury adhering to the belief that wool is used and not cotton, and that such goods must be rate] and classed under the head of imported woollen goods, uccording to the act of March 2, 1867, Ad such goods are now in great demand Jobbera will undoubtedly take advaptage of the Instructions went to collectors to assess at ihe new rate and put up the price of the imitation accordingly. Tue Possibility of a Perpetual Congress. The House Judiciary Committee at the last ses sion agreed to report the bill to repeal the act of January 22, 1867, which provides that the Fortieth and each succeeding Congress should meet at noon on the 4th of March immediately after the adjourn, ment of the preceding Congress, This determinae tion of the committee will be reconsidered, very probably, and it may be agreed to let the act of January, 1807, stand, $0 that the next Congress will meet Immediately at the close of the present one- Probable Re: of tho Senate. It is probable that the Senate will adjoura over tos morrow untll Monday, Tho Presidont’s Movemouts. ‘The President has been tnvited to attend the fale now velng held in Baltimore, and has promised ta attend on Friday, provided the pressure of business would admit, New Regulations for Paymasters. The Acting Fourth Auditor nas tssuod additionaY regulations in regard to allotments for the governs ment of naval paymasters, which have been ap. proved by the Second Comptrolier and will go inta effect on the Ist of January. They are en oined to comply strictly with the new regulations tn every particular in order to save thomselves from pecu- nlary loss in the event of a short checkage on an allotment, Logan Opposing Pleasanton, General Logan visited the White House yesterday and protested agulnst the appointment of General Pleasanton as Commissioner of Internal Revenue, It appears that General Pleasanton was a candidate for the position of Commander-in-Ohief of the Grand Army of the Republic last year, to which positton his competitor, General Logan, was electeJe It ts understood that Logan informed the Presiden€ that Pleasantoa had no claims, either personaily of politically, that would entitle him to receive tha, appointment of Commissioner of In:ernal Revenues Pleasanton, however, has many friends, It t# believed that the appointment wilt be finaly awarded either to him or to Mr. Douglas, who ts at present acting Commissioner. Commerce and Navigation Returns. The Secretary of State, in transmitting to Cone gress his report on the commercial relations of the United States and foreign countries, says the ma- jority of the returas contain no information regards ing the commerce between foreign nations and very limited statements concerning tbat between tha United States and other couutrios, since they are, for the most part, conflaed to cargoes of vessels carrying the national flag. Henee, scarcely any information relating to forelgu commerce is fur- nished by which & comparison may be insti tuted, and mo account Istaken of the large part of American merchandiso whieh, m the present degeneracy of our mercantile ravy, is carried in foreign vessels. Por the purpose of correcting this deflctency it 1s contemplate | to Issue additional instructions to Consular officers, require ing them to forward to the State Department state. meuts of commerce owing the description, amount’ and value of the imports and exports of each port, as well a8 the several countries whence the mer. chandise arrives or whither it is sent, The returug of natvgation ana commerce contain but limited in+ formation, being contined to merchandise carret in vessels properly belun,ing to the Uuited States. Postal Servi © Appropriation. ‘The Postmaster General has sent # letter to the House of Representatives asking for an appropria« tion of $25,436,608 for the service ending June 39, 1872, The receipts from postage and the standing appropriations for the free mail service are estl- nated at $21,647,315, leaving to be appropriated out of the Treasury $3,969,883 Lo make the receipts equal to the esttimated expenditures and the furtiier sum of $725,000 of special appropriations for steamship service, The New Gold Notes, The gold notes for the new uattonal gold banks will not be ready before the 1st of January ne The only banks organized as yet under this provi- sion of the Banking act are the Kidder National Gold Bank of Boston and the First Nuttonal Gold Kank of San Fracneiso, The New York applicants have not yet fully complied wiih the prejminary requirements, so thatit is not known when a gold bank will be established in that city. Distttlers? Bonds, An important decision in respect of bends givey to the government under tie internal revenue law was delivered in the Supreme Court yesterday, im the case of the United Sates versus Modson. Tha suit was on a distiller’s bond, which, Instead of con- to the form set out in the stetute, provided generatly that the ob!igor would conform to all pres+ entand future laws in respect of distilling, and which, it was cont snded, was votd, a8 not complying With the statute. The court, reversing tie Jadgment of the court below, hold that as the bond was volunta. rily entere! into by the defendants tor a suMciens consideration, and contains nothing in itself tilegal, it is valid and binding, although not im the form or condition that the statute prescribes, This render valid a number of similar bonds which bave been in sult in diferent parts of the country, and which many Circuit Judges have deciared to be void. Mr. Justice Swayne delivered the opinion of the cou:t+ ‘ The Asintic Cables, Senator Conk ing introducer a bill to-day to factlte tate telegraphic communication between America, Europe and Asia. A bill of a similar character wag introduced in th» House of Representatives yesters day. These measures are akin t) Cyrus W. Fields? bill of last session for a telegraph cable from San Francisco to Japan and China. They all point ta government subsiies, and on this account will meet with considerable opposition, New Regulation for th: Marine Hospitals, The new regulattons for the government of the Marine hospitals service have been completed and Will be issued as s00n as the catalogue of bianks re« quired is finisted. Tne government printer has this work well under way, and by the last of the month the new system Will be in practical operation. KARL BLIND ON THE EASViR: Q ESTIOY, In an article on the Eastern question, entitled “4 Critical Moment,” which bas appeared in the Neue Freie Presse, Kari Bitnd makes some remarka which deserve attention. After acknowledging that England’s voice has been on tie side of Germany. during the last few mouths, though her neutrality has, as regards the export of arms, left much to be desired, Karl Blind says:— England has not done in this that which, In great Ineasure, may be considered her own iuterest, and which, moreover, Would haye been asa cleat proof of {rlendship for Germany, Are we, (hen, om that account, todo tue Kassians, in anew Bastern question, a favor lor Which Germany would herself have to suffer inthe end; A thongni lke this Not arise tn the head of a thinsing poilticlay, ‘Tha | policy of petty revenge, of self-injury ty the | ment of wounded feelings, 1 bo poilcy | Germany does not mean to grow Les po: sively in the sand of tue Uckermark she m | care’not to allow the overgrown Muscovite empira | oace more to assume a domueeriag posittoa ta tha Ortent, Germany his invercs:3 as muca on the Danube as on the Rhwe and the kloe, by the Adriatic, and thereby in tue Mediter= ranean, as well a3 tu the Nota Sea and the Baluc. Pansiavism, whose pr ctor Ruswa ia, has to be opposed by Germau count of the Czech an concave } To cover Turkey un ti that empire can be reformed Ina sense of Liberty advantageous te Kurope against Russian encroachinents, to preserv Hungary frou v it enly on ace own territoryy the Panslavio embrace, that 1s Germany's natural polcy. Rather thin open & Way for jussia to Constantinople, it would be ‘for German interest to restore Polish independence, All | these 38 are out othe) «same tima those ingand, of Europe, and we may | well say of freedom e. ‘This we will re y 3, Af all Germany stands toe gether 11 this question the Russian cluad, which if will tuts moment is oily a3 big ag a man’s hi soon dssulve. But if we bexitate, the resistance o the French will be protouged, for they will hopa that mn consequence of the Kussian demands versal European complication wilt arise, course of which they think England woutd pecuilur intricacy of the situauon, grad: drawn to the side of France.