The New York Herald Newspaper, December 20, 1870, Page 3

“FRANCE, Herald Special Reports from the Loire and Versailles, Chauzy Maneuvring His Army Toward Chartres. The French Nearer to Paris Than When at Orleans. Bourbaki and Chauzy Co-ope- rating for an Advance. Prussians Retreating Before Bourbaki’s Advance. IMPOSSIBILITY OF BOMBARDING PARIS. Faidherbe Advancing. Unconditional Surrender of Paris and Complete Submission of France Demanded. Pillan Threatened by the French Fleet. OPERATIONS ON THE LOIRE. TELEGRAMS TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. The Armies Manqavring—The French Near. ing Paris—Prassian Bulletins Brench Strategy—Two Armies to be Watched—A German Dilemma—A New Route to Paris—Chauzy’s Movements— Strength and Condition ef the French. Lonpon, Dec, 19, 1870. Ihave just received the following letter from the New YorRK HERALD correspondent at Venadme, which I forward for publication. It is dated on the 14th inst, The correspendent writes:— THE ARMIES MANGUVRING. Manceuvring is the order of the day with the French army, commanded by General Chauzy, and the Germans, under the Duke of Mecklenburg and Prince Frederick Charles. As a consequence, there are more exhausting marches than hard fighting at the present writing. THE FRENCH NEARING PARIS, It will be remembered that tne Army of the Loire was created for the express purpose of relieving Paris, the necessity of doing which is kept in view im all the French operations. This army is practl- cally nearer Paris at the present moment than it ‘was when it evacaated Orleans. The vast accumu- Jation of supplies it now guards are ready to be thrown into the city at a propitious moment. PRUSSIAN BULLETINS UNTRUE. Consequently the capture of Orleans and the facility with which the Prussians found themselves masters of the left bank of the Loire operate nothing detrimental to the real objects of this army. It is necessary to say this from the presext standpoint, because the Prussian bulletins from Versailles de- clare the Army of the Loire crushed and Prince Frederick Charles occupying all of its positions, when in reality the situation Is more favorable to the French, Untrac— a FRENCH STRATEGY. ‘The fact is that the further the Prussian generals are drawn trom their lincs around Paris the weaker they necessarily become, and the more disastrous and ureparable must any defeat be at the same time if one should suddenly happen. That force which draws Prince Frederick Charles on towards Lyons is only a part of the Army of the Loire. A far more considerable part is moving constantly in the direction of Paris, while his army (that of Prince Frederick Charies) is moving farther away from the city. TWO ARMIES TO BE WATCHED. Nor need this fact surprise any person, as it is the key to the present movement hereabeuts. Alarmed by what he heard about the Army of the Loire General Von Moltke was influenced to send Prince Frederick Charles to watch an army of about one hundred thousand men. That army now remains in front of the valiant Prince, who has simply watched it. Meanwhile another French force, numbering at least 150,000 men, has slipped away, and will need watch- Ang at another place. A GERMAN DILEMMA. It is clear that the forces commanded by Prince Frederick Charles cannot watch botn bodies, and it will be decidediy unsafe to neglect elther. If the Prussians Yestow too much attention this way, the column commanded by General Bourbaki cannot fall to know of {t aad will not fatl to lose its oppor- tunity for an advance upon Pais. On the other hand, if the Prussians follow Bourbaki closely Gen- eral Chauzy’s army my find the lines of Paris before they can know of his movements, A NEW ROUTE TO PARIS. It has been constantly stated that Paris can ve relleved only by the line of the Orleans railroad. This is an error. ‘there is also a double line from Le Mans to Chartres and Paris, andit is nearer to the besieged capital by this line than by the Orleans one. Besides this there is a double line all the way from Nevers, both communicating with the line from Orleans, It remains to be seen whether the Prussian force, which must operate in the front, Covering all these lines, is strong enough to resist the pressure which the French are now bringing to Bear upon it. CHAUZY'S MOVEMENTS, ‘Thus far General Chauzy’s movements have been simple. He aims to strike Chartres m tne same manner that De Palladines struck Month ago. I do not see that it him to succeed. He has Orleans one impossible for enough to over- power the army commanded by the Duke of Meck- Jenburg on the front and completely crash the right wing of the Prussians, If the Germans under Prince Frederick Charles come to Chartres to help in re- sisting the French advance General Chu 1s troops zy can rely upon ti that General Bourbaki will make a bold ad- vance to Fontainebleau. With Bourbakl at Fontaine- bleau or Chauzy at Chartres the position of tne Prassians in front of Paris will be less secure than their leaders desire, STRENGTH AND CONDITION OF THE FRENCH FORCES, Neither of the French armies named (those com- manded by Gencrals Bourbaki and Chauzy) number Yess than one handred thousand mev, and they can Araw reinfor. craents from the other parts of France NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1870.—TRIPLE SHEET. of nearly double that number, The appearance of the; French armies is favorable. Many of the men are smal! in stature, but the majority are large, ath- letic fellows. I have seen whole companies of Gardes Mobiles which presented the appearance of comprising picked men, Ali that ls necessary 15 the getting of these men accustomed to standing fire. ‘They are raw troops now, but, a3 wasthe case In the United States during the rebellion, steadiness on the battlefield is sure to come, ° Gallantry of the French—Pruwian Repulse on the Loire=French Defeat at Bron—Ger- man Captures at Vendome. Lonpon, Dev, 19, 1870, ‘The French confronting the Duke of Mecklenburg hold thelr ground with splendid gallantry. PRUSSIAN REPULSE ON THE LOIRE. A telegram from Bordeaux, dated on the 18th inst., reports that the Prussians leaving the valley of the Oher and concentrating on the Loire, again at- tacked General Chauzy, but were repulsed. FRENCH DEFEAT AT BROU. A Versailles despatch of the 18th instant states that a@German detachment from Chartres defeated six French batallions at Brou, The loss of the latter was 100, and that of the Germans was thirty-six killed and wounded, PRUSSIAN CAPTURES AT VENDOME, A telegram from Versailles, dated yesterday (Sun- day), reports that the Tenth Prussian corps, on occu- pying Vendome, Friday, captured six guns and one muitrailieuse. On the next day General Von der Tann toox Epulzay, with 230 prisoners. Bourbaki Advascing—Prassians Retreating— The Attack on Chauzy. BORDEAUX, Dec. 19, 1870. ‘The enemy falls back as Bourbaki advances. The French troops have occupied Vierzon. THE ATTACK ON CHAUZY. The Prussians attack:d General Chauzy yester- day, but not in force, and were easily repulsea, The operations were mere skirmishes, THE BESIEGED CAPITAL. TELEGRAMS TO THE NEW YORK HERALD, German Peace Programme=The Military Situation—Impossible to Bombard Paris— The Food Sapply—The Expected Sortie— Versailles in Danger—Paris Must Fall. Lonpon, Dec. 19, 1870. The New YORK HERALD correspondent at Ver- sailles telegraphs under date of yesterday (December 18) that the German programme for the close of the war is the unconditional surrender of Paris and un- qualified submission of the French people, THE MILITARY SITUATION. The German leaders prefer attacking the French outworks on the east side of Paris or bombarding the interlor of the city. Another sortie is mo- mentarily expected from the direction of Vincennes, where the French troops are massing im great force, WHY PARIS IS NOT BOMBARDED. Another correspondent of the HaRatp telegraphs from Brussels under date of to-day as follows:—I left Versailles on the 14th inst., and from actual information received while there do not hesitate to deciare that the bombardment of Paris is impossible, not because of any sentiments of humanity restrain- ing the Germans, but simply for the reason of its tm- Possibility. The Prussians have neither the number nor the calibre of guns necessary for a successful bombardment. They have only about five hundred guns, mainly twenty-four pounders, which are in position. The advanced outworks of the French command these batteries, and can destroy them te moment they open fife and expose their situation. TWO MONTHS’ FOOD IN PARIS. The best information received by me wile at Ver- sallles represents Page as containing a supply of food suMctent to lat at <n months longer. THE EXPECTED sonTIE. It Is evident from the movements of the French and the preparations of the Germans that another great sortie is at hand, and it 1s expected to take place shortly. The nature of the ground and the great strength of the Prussian works forbid the hope of success attending the French, At the same time It must be admitted that the Prussians are short of men. VERSAILLES IN DANGER. It is stated that 200,000 fresh German troops are on their way to reinforce the besieging army; but if they even come Versailles ts likely;to be rendered un- tenable soon, The heavy guns of the French are moving forwara with their outworks and will reach the palace, which the French are resolved to destroy. PARIS MUST FALL, itis my impression that Paris must eventually fall, but it will not capitulate for three months yet, and then starvation alone will force a surrender, ‘Ag I have said before, there will be no bombardment. Deserters—The Coming Bombardment—Re- ported Troubles im the City—Provisions Plentifal—Escape of an Aid-de-Camp—French Forests to be Destroyed. Lonpon, Dec. 19, 1870, Deserters from Paris are numerons, but are all re- pulsed at Versailles. THE COMING BOMBARDMEN’. The bombardment of Paris is considered lable to begin at any moment, as the Prussian supplies and ammunition have been fully recruited. REPORTED TROUBLES IN PARIS. A telegram from Bordeaux states that some of the journals there have assertea that there have been troubles in Paris; that Gustave Flourens has been imprisoned and Blanque shot. The government pays no attention to these reports. Semi-official advices from Paris state that Paris was quiet and animated with one sentiment, that of the common defence, PROVISIONS PLENTIFUL. News has been received from Paris that provis- ions were plentiful and will last for three months, and that great confidence was felt in future sne- cesses. RSCAPE OF ONE UF TROCHU'S AIDES-DE-CAMD. A Bordeaux despatch states that an aide-de-camp to General Trochu has eseaped from Paris by bal- loon, During his passage he saw clearly the posi- tions of the investing forces, | ~ PRENCH PORESTS TO BE DESTROYED, Despatches from Versailles announce that Count | Von Bismarck has issued an order directing the destruction of the national forests of France in the districts surrounding Versailles and Paris, This order is recorded as timel, it enables the pea sants to procure fucl and assist in the military operations. GENERAL PARIS NEWS FROM TRENCH SOURCES. A Bordeaux despatch states that oficial advices to December 17 have been received from Paris. The city was calm anda the people confident. The supply OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH. TELEGRAM TQ THE NEW YORK HERALD. Amiens Evacuated=Movements of the Ger- mans~General Faidherbe to be Captured. Lowpon, Dec, 19, 1870. The Germans have evacuated Amiens. They re- tire 1 towards Clermont, but announced their inten- Uon to return soon, MOVEMENTS OF THE GERMANS. The Germans are reported to have captured Ham, in the department of Somme. Twenty thousand Germans have passed Chauny. General Faidnerbe has advanced beyona Amiens, GENERAL FAIDHERBE TO BE CAPTURED, ‘The Lille Echo ascribes the active movements of the Prussians in the north of France to an attempt to arrest the designs of and capture the French General Faidherbe, THE POLITICAL QUESTION. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Mazzinl, Gambetta’s Adviser—Basia of Pence Proposed by Neutrals. Lonpon, Dec, 19, 1870. Tt is sald that Mazzini is the adviser of Minister Gambetta, BASIS OF PEACE PROPOSED BY NEUTRALS. A special despatch to the Manchester Guardian from Berlin says:—A conference of the representa- tives of the neutral Powers has been held at the Foreign Onice here, at which the following basis for peace was agreed to:— First—Acquiescence in the annexation of Luxem- bourg to Prussia, Seco nd—The recognition of the German empire. Third—The payment by France of an indemnity to Germany of 12,000,000,000 francs, the razing of two fortresses on the German frontier and the ces- 810n of @ portion of Alsace. THE COMING PEACE CONGRESS AND THB WAR IN FRANCE. The Berlin Post, in an editorial, reports that the neutral Powers will probably suggest to the Peace Congress whieh Is about to assemble a propesition to terminate the war on the terms proposed by Ger- many, viz.:—The unconditional surrender of Paris, and the submission of the French people. MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS. TELEGRAMS TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Baden War Credit—Langres Invested—Pillau Threatened by the French Fleet—German Sarcasm. Loxpon, Dec. 19, 1870, The Baden Chamber has created a farther credit for the prosecution of the war. LANGRES INVESTED. The Germans have invested Langres with the Intention of putting a stop to the mischief done in the the neighboriood by the Francs-tireurs, PILLAU THREATENED BY THE FRENCH FLEET. A telegram from Koenigsberg, dated December 17, states that a despatch was received there that day from Pillau, announcing that the five French frigates which recently passed the Skager Rack and the Great Belt have been sighted off that port. Pillau la only twenty-flye miles from Koenigsberg, and there is consequentiy considerable alarm felt in some quarters. It is believed, however, that the preparations made to meet the enemy are ample, GERMAN SARCASM, The University of Gottingen sarcastically rebukes the Dublin University for asking joint intervention to save the literary treasures in Paris. The com- munication refers unpleasantly to the stege of Delhi and other tokens of British civilization, Good News—The Bretons Rising—Soldiers from Algerin—Promnigating Valsehoods— Public Meeting in Bordeaux. BorpEavx, Dec. 19, 1870, The reports from the forces in the Hast and North of France are good. CAPTURE OF NUITS BY THE GERMAN: The Prussians, 21,000 strong, attackea Nuits yes- terday with eleven batteries, and after a combat of five hours, in which they sustained heavy losses, oc- cupled the place, It is expected that the battle will be resumed to-day. THE ADVANCE ON HAVRE TO BE DISCONTINUED, The government here announces that the Prus- sians have as yet made no attack on Havre. There had been skirmishes at some distance from the city, but the enemy had discontinued nis advance in that direction. TAR BRETONS RISING. Brittany is greatly excited. The people are all taking up arms, and so great are the numbers of troops going forward that the roads are almost closed to public travel. KABYLES AND GARDES MOBILE PROM ALGERIA. Nearly a thousand Kabyle horsemen have been landed at Toulon, and will join the French armies. The Mobiles who went to Algeria to replace the regular troops will return to France, and a portion of the National Guard will go to Algeria. PROMULGATING FALSE NEWS. There has been some excitement here owing to the promulgation of faise news over the forged sig- nature of M. Gambetta, the purpuse being, appa- rently, to cause a reaction by the dissemination of news unfavorable to the French armies, Despatches of this sort, purporting to come from Havre, have ‘appeared simultaneonsly in all parts of the country. it was soon demonstrated, however, that 1t was a Prussian device, of food will last along ume. The army and peopie were eager for battle. Despatches from Gambetta had been received in Paris, dated trom the 6th to the 32th, giving tn)l detatls of recent military events, PUBLIC MEETING IN BORDEAUX. Agreat meeting was held here yesterday, which was addressed by M. Cremieux and others, The sentiment thatthe French would defend the coun- try to the lasi received a most enthusiastic endorse- ment. SPIRIT OF THE OPPOSITION PRESS. It 1s a noticeable fact that the opposition journals are more bitterly violent toward the Prossians than ever, LUXEMBOURG. Citizen Independence and Royal Ducal Oppo- sition to Prussia, Legislative Explanation of Bismarck’s Charges— Prussia Absolved from Her Neu- tral Obligations. IN THE DUCKY. Clerical and Citizen Independence. { LONDON, Dee. 18, 1870, | history, | have been lawers that were orators, philosophe von Bismarck’s circular of the Sd concludes as fol- lows:—“Prussta 18 freed from the obligations of heutrality respecting Luxembourg, and has the liberty now to enforce her claims against the Duchy for violations of neutrality.” Reyal Ducal Explanation LONDON, Dec, 19, 1870, Prince Henry, of Luxembourg, has sent Prussia an oMictal disavowal that Luxembourg neutrality had been violated by his permission. AN ENGLISA NOTE. Earl! Graaville’s Hint to Prussian Theortets. Lonpon, Dec. 18, 1870, ‘The Observer says that Earl Granville’s despatch to Count von Bismarck expresses the hope “that Prussia will abstain from the enforcement of her theories and will frame an amicable arrangement.” LAW AND JAW. The University of the City of New York and Tis Reconstructed Law School. Judge Davies’ Pow-Wow and Judge Wood- ruff's Declamation—Ex-Judge Emmet’s Rebuke of the Bench and Bar, ‘The castellated pile of butiding familiarly known asthe University of the City of New York had last evening gathered within its fold a host of expec- tant youth, mature reasoners and old men well schooled in philosophy and in science. Members of the bar and of the other professions conspicuous tor learning apd other things were noted in the throng. The iraternal feelings born of the occasion were made subservient to the prevalent idea, which was unity, progress, good f llowship and excellence; and besides this the members had im view the celebration of the day which saw a number of young gentlemen graduate im the law school with credit to themselves ana honor to the University. At eight o’clock the com- pany commenced arriving, and in half an hour there Was to be seen as curious a sight as the sardonic mind of limping Asmodeus could desire— the Nestors of the profession, mm sal the glory of baldness and white hairs; the Ciceros, gathering up their faces to a forensic frown, and the Dodsons and Foggs, tu oi smiles aud soul-tempting smoothness. TENDING BAR. The Chancellor, Mr. Howard Crosby, stood upon a square piece of otlcloth uear the stove, in the corner, and received the law-full guests in the kindest man- ner possible, and with a smile which ciosea up his eyes in a most insinuating mann After presentation to the Chancellor and other dig- nitaries of the place the guests mingied ana talked over the Various liitie cases and jous which engage the attention of jurists nowadays. An unfortunate well piuckcd client, looking in ‘on the scene, would have recotied in horror from the sight of their conf- dential lawyer laughing over tae small jokes of the opposing counsel, and Would have sought some con- genta spot to study the fable of THE CROW AND THE LITIGANT CATS. At about a quarter to nine his Honor the Mayor appeared, looking as lifelike as his picture pwhicit hung over the ident’s chair on the other side of the room, and waich bore the inscription “Of the University cass, 1544. A. Uakey Hall.” But his Honor cowld not remain, as he had a call in refer- ence to the falling-house disaster to attend im Thirty- uth street. Among {the many present were noticeable Mr. Samuel J. Tilden, James W. Gerard, Davia Dudley Field, &. ©. Benedict, Edgu ‘an Winkle, Edwards Pierrepont, General Sandiord, Jonn H. White, W. R. Martin, Judge Noah avis, R. H. Bowne, Bernard Roeiker, Judge Monell, Theodore Hilisdaie aud F. We Uestrander, &c., &c. The Chairman's gavel was now heard and the Chancellor called the meeting to order i a few ap- propriate words, and introduced the chairman of the Committee ou the Law School, Mr. Wilham Allen Butler, This gentleman tendered the thanks of the Council to tae members of the bench and bar of New York who had honored them by their presence. {It was to them they should look for encourage- ment of their undertaking, the organization of the law school as work connected with the best interests of the profession aud the State. in this they naturally looked for co-operation to these legal gentlemen who receive in their hands che largest share of the work and who receive the largest re- wards, On the adveut of the new Chancellor a sys- tem of legal education commensurate with the ne- cessities ofthe hour aud in keeping with the require- ments of the profession had been imaugurated. He therelore asked Co-operation, not in rivalry, but in friendship. A selected corps of professurs haa been engaged, and they had endeavored not only to secure those simply stored with judicial learning, but those who Lave had the benefit of practice at bench ayigbar. Mr, Butler then paid a tribute to the new professor. Mr. Henry E. Davis, the head of the department; E. Delafleld Smith, who will matruct on the jaw of evidence; D. R. Jaques, who will direct the studies; George H, More, whe will lecture gg pistorical subjects in relation to law, and H # a PRECIOUS STONK in the person of Charies F., of that tik. The new law library donated by an alumnus of the Univer- sity for the use of the students, and A MOOT CoUKT, where the judge In charge will preside, and without the disagreeable results so oiten felt by real chents- (Laughuer.) JUDGE HENRY E. DAVIES was now called on to address the meeting, and In the course of along speech described the various at- tempts to form a legal Cniversity in London, and dwelt on the irequent incompetence of English bar- risters brought out under the old régime there. The desirableness of producipg and fostering a school of law here stich as those of France and Germany was evident to all, and concluded that the’ city of New York offered the best flela for that purpose of ull the les of the Continent. ‘The peculiar advantages which a student has here of acquiring a knowledze of his profession and wit- nessing the practical workings of the machinery of the courts are obvious, and not attainable at any other piace. it will be the unceasing effort of those connected with the law faculty ef this stitution to ald the students who may here seck professional instruction in the attainment of that full and accurate knowledge which alone can lead to further usefulness and eminence, And although they may not have all the advantages kindred associations hold out, yet with mdustry and ites. te it can- not be doubted that their acquisitions will be credit- able to themselves, honorable to this University and “worthy of all who take an in'erest in the ECR the profession.’? a ‘The bench was now responded to by aS JUDGE WoopRUFF, Who, in the course of an eloquent address, said he was happy to tender the congratulations of the fra- ternity to the gentlemen of the Council and all those who, with large hearts and open hands, had con- tributed tewards advancing their interests under the new impulse given to the Law School by the present Council, He was glad of the promise of in- creased efficiency, and thought it would be indelt- cate and intrusive to suggest now anything in the mode of instruction which sheuld pe pursued with pupils, yet there is one brancn of it to which he would advert, He would say that instruc- tors will have imperfectiy§ fulfilled their duty of perfecting thelr pupils in a knowledge of the law if they have not imparted to them a love of the law, With tratn for its instrumentality and FOR ITS END JUSTICE, {Applause and eo) Without this the profession becomes a trade, for the right service of which we have no fone ma and against the abuse of which we have little remedy. It has been sald that the state of the law in any nation marks its progress, and a disesteem thereof marks its decline and fall. The study of law must be one of love for reason, truth and justice, otherwise the law wil! become pewer- less, with none to respect and none to enforce it. We must look to the youag men for the remedy, Go on, then, professors and gentiemen of the law classes; teach Your pupils more than precepts—the love of truth and justice. (Applause.) JUDGE JAMES EMMET spoke for the bar, and regreitea that the ol perience of Charles O’Conor had not, as he ed, preceded him tn his t of replying for the bar of New York. could oniy, said, pursue the line of the illustrious Judge who had just ceased speaking. He recalled a scene from English where Lord Holingbroke —“There historiaus; Were have been Bacons and Clarendon: The Bishop of Luxembourg, on t he part of the in- habitants, thanks the King of Holland for «his cheering language, denouncing the transfer of the Duehy to Prussia.” The people of Luxembo vote almost unani- monsly in favor of tie independence of the Duchy. Legislators in Council—A Mission William. BRU S, Dee. 19, 1870. An informal ineeting of the Luxembourg deputies | haying been held to consider the complamts of Count von Bismarck, and especially those regard- | ing M. Cussy, the French Consul, and the shel- { ter aiforded French soldiers, Herr Fohr, repre- | sentative of the Duchy at Berlin, was sent to Ver- | sales to explain the facts to the King of Prussia. to King PRUSSIL'S POSITION. Count Bismarck Defines the N and Duty. BERLIN, 18, 1870, The Kreuz Zeitung, of this city, says that Count nal Right ‘there Will be none azy move till true ambition pr vails over avarice, aid till men find leisure and ei couragement to prepare ti es for the exercise of this profession by climbing up to the vinta ground of science instead of groveling all their hives below in a mean but painfil 4 THE ARTS OF C But the chicane of the trade to-day steps. ontside tie ground of legal quipbies and subtieties, and now it ineaus the secret approach to te 1, and a | series of wrong doings and double dealings’ which | tend to make the law the oppressor of the weak | and leads to one system of gigantic fraud. There are charges made against the purity of the bench | and the am not here to arraign; | but..-if these charges are true there | 1s stich a decay at the root of oar government that sooner or later tt must fall. If Whey are false the 1a- with which they are heard is also a | We know that our credit abroad hag | been injured, and at home the judiciary bas fallen into a byword. — Whe: there js an un- just Jawyer there must be an — unjust juige to approach) = and —s theres must an unjust client to encourage it, Growing ava- rice 18 the cause of tt all, aud itis to the young men particularly, such as come to the profession with academicai traming, combined with a strong public opinion, to whom we must look for a After some remarks by other gentlemen the com- Pany retired to a light ‘supper of coftee and cakes, end then Went Bbeme in the rite WASHINGTON. IMPORTANT JUDICIAL DECISIONS. Forced Sales of Property in Military Possession Illegal. The Army Defaleations at Fortress Monroe, | | | MORE BLUNDERS OF THE TARIFF ACT. Monthly Report of the Commis- sioner of Agriculture. j | monn | Fenian Raid on the White House. WASHINGTON, Dec, 19, 1870. Important Judicial Docisions—Rights of Ab- sent Rebel Parties to Suits Susiaived. In the Supreme Court of the District to-day, sitting | in General Term, Judge McArthur delivered the | opinion of the Court in the case of Duff and Benja- | min Green vs, Columbus Alexander, tnvolving the | validity of the purchase of the Old Capito! property, | used during the war and known as the Old Capitol | Prison, The suit was entered some time sinee to set aside the sale made to Mr, Alexander, who has converted the building into residences, and to pe! mit the plaintiff to redeem the property, which was sold under deed of trust while the govern- ment held the building in possession. The Court directed that the sale be set aside and the plaintiff allowed to redeem, and that an account of debt, improvements, &c., be taken. The Court held that, as at the time of the sale the property was | held and used as a military prison and guarded by soldiers, free ingress and egress being probibitea, such sale could not be an open sale as required by law, and on this ground aione the Ceurt would have been compelled to set the rule aside ; but there was another ground—Congress, the Executive and the Supreme Court, all have held that the war of the rebellion was a public war. Such wars suspended the ordinary relations between debtor and creditor, and In the recent case of Dean vs, Wilson the Supreme Court of the United States decided that the sale under mortgage of the estate of a person who was absent within the lines of the insurgent States did not extinguish the right to re- deem, For these reasons the Court directed the sale to be set aside. Judge Wyile announced that, while he concurred with the judgment of the Court, he did so forthe grounds first mentioned by the opinion, and not for the second reason assigned. At the same session of the court the case of Camp- bell vs. Popular Life Insurance Company was also decided. In this case the plaintiff! was the benei- cary of the policy of insurance, a provision of which forfelted the premium if the party insured died by reason of intemperance, and submit‘ed the question of the cause of death to be peremptorily decided by the surgeon in chief of the company. Evidence of the decision of the chief surgeon was, on the trial below, excluded by Chief Justice Carter, on the ground that the clause of the con- tract which submitted the cause of death to the Judgment of an agent of one of the parties to the contract was void for reasons of public policy, Judge Wylie pronounced the opinion of the Court, reversing the decision of the Chief Justice. He said that as a party toa suit he could himself submit the case to the arbitration of an agent of one of the par- ties, and if he could so submit it at one time he could contract to submit it at another. The White House Besieged by Fenians. Seine people are curious to Know what Ben Butler and the Fenians are figuring for, in consequence of a protracted interview which some or the leading chiefs, ied on by the belligerent Ben, had with the President tis morning. Several prominent Fentans have been here for some days waiting for a favora- ble opportunity to besiege the White House, and Taeanwhile they have been in consultation with certain republican politicians, including Senator Cameron, Zach, Chandler and especially Ben Butler, who seems to have assumed the rdle of a new Fenian leader, This morning he headed a de- putation, conelsting of J. W. Fitzgerald, of @in- ciunatl, ex-member of the Ohio Legislature and President of the Cincinnatt Common Councti; A. L. Morrison, member elect of the Illinois Legislature from Chicago; John F. Scanlan, of Chicago and Captain M. Boland, of Louisville, who are leading members of the new Fenian or- ganization, known as the United Irishmen, and who proceeded to the White House, where Ben Butler introduced them to the President. The cordiality with which Grant greeted Butler was particuiarly noticed, inclining the Fenians to the opinion that having Butler on their side they would also have the President. They are disposed to regard the object of their visit as a secret. Fitzgerald is the President oi the United Irishmen’s organization, which, it is said has over 150,000 members, They are strong | protectionists, and tke tariff was one of the subjects talked about. The Alabama claims and the fishery question were also touched up ich might have been expected from a deputation composed of | Buuer and his Fenian friends. Grewing out of tis interview there 1s @ rump; among the Irishmen that Secretary Fish is to retire from the Cabinet very soon, and that he is to be succeeded by Ben Butler, This idea delights the Fenians, who are also pleased at fie prospect of General Schenck going as Miu ister to England. It ls whispered that a more vig- orous foreign policy, espectaliy with reference to England, may be instituted, for the purpose of attracting the Irish vote to the republican side in the next Presidential election. The Defalcation at Fortress Monroe. ‘The investigations in the Engieer aepartment at Fortress Monroe have resulted in some strange dis- closures whieh would have been made months ago had tt not been that the father-in-law of the defaulter | 18a prominent general. It is even whispered that this father-in-law winked at the fraudulent prac- tices; but this part of the story is probably | false. The guilty party has peen regarded as a | “good fellow” among a certain class, not for his | virtues, but for the government property that could j be got out of him. He came near detection some months ago, when he was accased to his face by a | negro laborer of robbing the government, but some. how the charge was speedily hushed ap. Now the | whole story of his defalcation 18 known to the uf- | thorities and the eriginal papers proving his guilt are in the hands of the Colonel at the head of the department. The confederates or recipients of the | stolen goods are to be treated with great severtty, | Only a few have been caught as yet. One of them, | a storekeeper, is said to have received several hun- dred dollars. Another, @ surgeon in the army, at present in California, 1s charged with receiving goods to the amount of seventy-five dollirs, and | there are others implicated whose wanes nave not yet transpired. It seems that the principal in ts case has mede it his business to detrand the government at every opportunity, He and his principal confederate have kept government jaborers a8 private servants for months ata time. About six months ago a letter sent to the head Quartermaster exposing the | whole swindle and impheating these men by name, were notified of the charge, which they inme- ly denied, and pretended to make great exer- tions to obtain the name of the writer of the letter. They accordingly addressed letter to him placed it in the Post OMice, but emectually prevented its taking by spreading abroad a statement that it | Was intended as a catch to get the owner in trouble, | Among the swindles perpetrated was the manu- facture of a carriage at government expense, which was entered in the books as “repaired wheelbar- rows.” Itis stated that the chief defauiter has av- { seconded and ts now safe out of the country. Wiule on this subject 1 may say that ramors are afeat that something ts wrong i the commissary depariinent at Fort Monroe, a certain clerks are | ment of ¢ | Indicated by the therasmmeter ay FEDORA to have received pReMiEr: BeRmMNR the delauler of the agin Grpertioe Oem Truth there is im te reper | came aa, ee giwe for what it t worth. The 1AF19 08 Ho wtem Phemmmot linn of Chae Ter ane. TUE Kissian Minkater teatiey Cotten pet hen itim Boutwell to preweet tee cue at ee Russia hemp. My, Ce ee tweuty-tve dotiar 5 kh NM, whit ke eo | Make the law, and, oF Te OY Sooke tae eee Uri? fate comid net be emawtre eee provision made ih the Gow Geret fet toReee Qollars per ton wow tor tumyrmi fe cee, however, wan that Cumgree ew duce Ube rare frame Harty deta oo Maemnpatwe date lars per tou, 0 & tect atheodly @ ote8 Wo ue Cem despatche: tha’ the ars Tattt aot & bell of Omi, ANd (hat 00m agents Ere RANINNPRNT kee Pe am Vest REX yoo. in prem rete Cl Cer Cee omnmete re eed aot er on ream of tee now law, Theis of Revd Senn) cue of the Mooten rates Fashion and Cborer— The Pans Covet Pere ThE Charny hell gee cy Ol Mey MeN, ste cluding the w orrm “Rees of (ke heme Tor the Velie ol tae Poor tema ie: Commit at eee j Masontc Tempe, The cenme ete Semen Reet on, | A he dist ghed President — eet wee ce ee dent, Generel Shersan, © nt tee aang ters 1 Aduptral Walker am) Ge gomatone aidime, Speaker Diaine, SORA INN? Skewers, Sym, Dern, (hoo! Warmer, Bepremr Meerros tuniun, 5.8. Cox, Pinct, of Vingimiey Mager Ramamy, emma Horace Porter ond @ile, Genera! Vi out amd wee, General Haboock, Colonel Lee, Ow amamter af te duldiers Home, aie amd dungineee, Cine Giew ton, Colenel Andrew Reed end wily, ity tieOep ead eitte, Asintint Postinaste: aad Gomnret 6 tem amd wate, ‘The Case ot Perey Cette of teow Grin, Hon. Liouel A, Medion, @ Lent oma, amd Cetin D. W. Voortics of Intinea, eteeriney | for Prony Pam. ler Ln the proeecution, qgqatnet Game oe the came Cie lector Of Custom: a) New Gotents a UneniE aM Pie QUEST the sate nent Coat Une arreme: seat wale Cage tain Long, late Lhetre: Acwrmey of Leommtmaam, trait now decease’, we it ae = the em should be ew Cr ae ed has never for s moe CO & Chongine at [ailing to appear Wace reqUtEd, Gant hat ke Hl eo 50 a8 5000 @s he whall ey atte, fr tee teem ieee dangerously 11) in this erty Gor © ee 18 NOW though! to he bmp wowing Meeting of the Board of Semmes © Metdiier Dime A meeting of the Hear @f Hager of tee mee tlonal asylums for Gixabied OURO T ceemne wee held this evening af tae of ¢ of fe Sergece Grae. ral. ‘There were preseet BF Rater, preteen General J. 1H. Martundsie, @f Sew York: Genera Thomas Osborne, omer Predertes Smythe, of New Hampeere: i & & Woneme, of Wisconsin; ¢ 5 Cer, of Seemeng Judge Hagh Beat “ wee, oft ky B unckel, of Ghis, sooner " =e was protracted unth after (af 48 eee, see Board adjourning aot eee oeiag, when ae 18 expected the busine Bele Hee Wit he com pleted. The secretary Wii #OhUHh (te emmRt re POTt, ZIVID siatiatler of the GpREAiN af Che aaplienm during the past year, aed Seley) he Geteeee homes to be in the G08" Gren qe:k wut han ame exception, Under cactieet Geagten, The eee asylum at Fortress Meare ©5) s feey tee occupancy NCXt Feraary, Whee it & peepee to transier thence the eoG0e) Senate of tee asylum at Dayton, Otte ce Hitoeies, We is also intended that the GoW Aq hall Se ame the home for such Me oe Ge ee a ee ALY Way affected with pulamOmNNty Gee upteemN, ‘The Committee on Military Ali «f Ge Gem @ 18 understood, are remy 6 sue Hef Peper at Rew examination into the ataite of Ger Gerhem, emer At the last session of Congete, Get Ey. Paemewartm desires to be heard Before thy CoRR tee Sepertn, Agr Which It ts ivverred (hat the Gkann ation dane met susta:n the chang s wade oy Paenewerta, Femme all that could be SH0CCE! (ke senumm a the Board being strictly pelvass, © we bemewnt thaw the accounts of the aepimte Rawe Hee ® kept Stub mex curacy and tavie the AO OO MO Bn. ewe MAY De deemed of saiMeiwul tampuH «how Ow Mew guile lic Will be made Keown Gear. oy Mle demu ‘The San Premetee + | elieen wieie There 1s no fountavon @ tet Ge (ar Celera rumor Lhat Coliector Peete, 4 S86 |Yaneeen & ae be superseded ty ee inate burn, late Minkter t Pa. Bir Want burn hiMNscif, WHO 1 ROW HANS, eo NIRY Che comme, Mr. Phelps appears to stant MEM he (he contidemee Of The AATAINIKrAtOn a a ANTE Sed eee em. cer, He dino 18 bere, by Ger Gt ley RixmoetiONe, mem CelVINg AElAled instructions FeRkrOt om Mee een. Ings of lis offce eneer the OO Geet sem seg into operation. He retorts te ie pee when «dew days. importaut Tresseey (teraan The Secretary of the Treary Hi keene ae sue an important etrewher concerning bis ¥i ting forth What inust © done Gy Gees kame fe amet themselves of the bepetity of (at pen) em at Ge kaw relative to goods in bead Ge Uae De ef dameaey meat, Nom mntions by the Mires deme. ‘The President to-day sont tht (ite ring semume tions to the Senate Andrew J. Simmons, te te Fon tee Rika ete and other neighboring Whee fore, te ie Surveyor of Customs at Sewheoreer) Mees | ume Dodge, to be Colieter of Chetan at Mass.; W. 7. Warning, te Of camer at Revenne for New Mexsa: Sea b. Berl, te te de sessor of Internal kevenee tor te ee rth denen ad ‘Texas. Postmasters—Hh. S_ Pwriee Pe eeent, w Te Mrs, Mary Bernard, West Pom 5). A.» ale, Port Jervis, S.A © vive, t, John Bale, Staptetan S. 5 wet =, straw, N. V.; W. A Burtend, ‘ i L. 8. Wicks, Sherwood, fee 78M Nenination Centirmer The Senate this afternoon comtirmey Rete © @, Jewell, of Missivsipgt, as Coment at (ee ten (een, ‘The Wine Manetecerer!’ Tew, The decision of (he (tte Lew Rerees as a the right Of meneteteners of See ce comme their business under (he ret @f (ee beaters ame posed Will not be mad St Caen) Peaemenem risouburg, V | BAMIINES The OMCe Of (oURIMROmE ORE WHR te | Mumediately after tae Getta | Interual Revennr Commiatone Pheasemnen, Commissioner Pee etee antiwet Ge WF emttagtaon to-day, and after ® viet fee Teenie Mame: paced @ short ime at (he Ler Pewener elite, Ii ts Understood the! be © h) Get mem me lee gti Of Nis DEW OMCe wnt after Ue ReMeRRE The Penrs) ivania Malice! @ emered, \ letter received bev tay OF & Pe mae gu. ernment offctal, com & wel keeww | mmnomtay POULICIAN, stale: thal ol Week See meee emt Rem for Pennstivania no! te ep ota a sr Cabinet Uf the be we > he ORI ton ene whe did not coun part at Eee Me ge liean «treagih he tae an aie © Ame tnge eae stateluent already uma that ammege le? true Stee of the administration there WH sae the stgihenee cause for dvs " Pe ae, Chict Justioe of the Comme er Ohetnen, Ex Senator Draie ioGk thet Gan @f offew mat om. Lopon bis duties as OR Dastion of the Comme of Cains (his moroing. He Wee Witwinced te ae Var Uy the senior Jusge Lari, St be delve, few remarks, asking (hat Ge G0 tones Seen | eXcuse him for any BmpOrOCC Oe lk me Amal become better ax rt “Shen oF ome ow Ws gg tm Redaction o tee hem. one involving The House Committers oo Mieiaey tutatne -concurred ta the 1 wR aang tthe the Ist of Jankary Guth tae iE Sey Sue reduction of the army, THC WCAT#ER VGRTRABer ‘The following recerd We sem ee immer ee yemperature parison with