The Sun (New York) Newspaper, December 26, 1861, Page 2

THE NEW YORK SUN. THURSDAY MORNING, DEC. 26, 1861. Proposed Coast Telegraph Line. Amono our special Washington dispatches ‘Chis morning, will be found some suggestions Wn reference to a line of seacoast telegraph, connecting together the different Government stations between here and Galvercon, Texas, which merit the earnest atention of our Goverrment and the peopl. Perheps there is BO subject which more *rikingly illustrates the sptrit of the age thas that of the telegraph. The fimvention is not confined purely to commercial ‘Or busines interests, but its uses and influence for war purposes durigg the last ton years have been of incalculable value, and #0 much appre- lated in Europe as to make it almost a house- bold convenience with every emperor, king, of potentate, who bas had the mis‘ortune to go to "Ww the Russian war, scarcely did the armios of France and England touch Turkish soil ere tele~ graphic wires connected them with Paris and London, and, as they advanced to Bul-klava and Sebastopol, telegraphic wires kept pace with the progress of the troops. In Tod's, the network of telegraphic wires which speedily enclosed the disaffected district was at once tale com- every danger and at any t Letween Francs and Austria, Louis Narotnon so greatly regarded these advantages, that not alone between his capital and the seat of war was telegraphic communication preserved complete, bat evon ‘on the battlo-field, temporary lines were Laid to distant points, ana the movements of his army thus made simultaneous and effective. If this mode of communication has beon found of such vital necewity by the F Emperor in the manage: hundred thousand men, whe had s vast and well appointed six thousand aid de camp officers and messen- fers, to convey orders and intelligence to every part of the battle field, its much greater ne- cossity in oar own army operations is clear.— Our Potomac forces number tnree hundred thousand men, scattered over an area of more than twenty-three mi and our entiro force of staff officers and messengers in that quarter numbers less than eight hundred,— The seat of war, with us,em! races a continuous chain of sea posta tearly two thousand milos in extent, in addition to the vast inland opera” tions of the border st this matter of tele the whole disaffected portion of our country should at once be on closed with a cordon of wires, commencing with that of tho seacoast. If the cost of tho y be required for its at, it should be at om ion of the enemy gle succes yrainad by its use incurred, wince a single opera dofeated, or a frequeatly amounts to nore than the one di exponditure of our Government which ita con+ struction involves, The is not alos. On the restoration of peace, such « Lins will be valuable for commere’a! and business purposes and the Goverament will be enabled to sell to private companies at a price approximating, Porhaps quite nearly, to the cost of laying it down. Above all countries, this, which iv the land of its birth, the tele Greatest use, both in war aud peace. have it, forthwith, should witness ‘This gentleman, now in Fort Lafaye'te, {er treavcnable correspondence with Jeff, Davis, is @ Misrourian by birth, Ie was first promi- nontly known asa delegate to Congress from the Territery of Michigan and Wisconsin, Ar- ter Michizan was set cff asa state, he was cho: son delegate to Congress from the Territory of Wisconsis. He was noxt Clork of the Supreme Court of the same Territory, under Chief Jus. tice Dunn, and subsequently was appointed Sur- voyor General of the Territory of Iowa, a yory lucrative position. He was then elected Uni- ted States Senator from the state of Iuwa, to fill a vacancy, and was afterwards re-elected and eccupied the por of United States Sen- ator until the wiuler of 1858, when President Bucharan appointed him Minister resident at a. The Fate of Charleston. The letter of our special correspordent on board the steamer Cahawba contains a full ac- count of the successful sinking of sixteen of the stone floot, off the entrance to Charleston harbor, No rosistance to this proceeding was made, or could, in fact, be made by the rebels, who, in liou of this, indnlged themselves with 4 malicious bit of destruction, by blowing up a lighthouse near by. With those stone-laden hulks now guarding the entrance to Charleston harbor, England will experience « trifling difficulty in raising the blockade of at least one southern port, should she rashly determine to attempt such a work, If prosent appearances are to be relied upon, slowly ard surcly, the sands of that sifting fouthern shore shall gather about those sunken ulks and wall in the entrance to what was once the harbor of Charleston, Shut ont from that commercial intercourse which gaye the city its being, and with incendiary fires destrc tho fruits of past industry, her fate is all that hor worst enomy mizht dos re, Henceforth wo may be content to leave her to enjoy the bitter fruit of her own mis-begotten pride, recoulzlr g the justice which has thus vislted the heavie ¢ ‘doom upon that city, most of all responsible for the troubles that now disturb our country, ‘This now experiment in blockading thus su ‘eossfully inaugurated, we may expect to sev a like punishment visiied on other contumacious ports, Savannah will doubtless follow nex: ii turn, and, with the rival harbors on each site of her thus effectually sealed, Bowufurt may look for a future—under the inspiration of Yankow enterprise—such as few perhaps ever dream of i t v dent, Newspaper There has been some divcussion among th Aowapapors as to the reasons of the late chang. in the editorial charge of the Lyoxrsnpent, 1 arises from the fact of its ownership and flaanvial control having passed from the hauds of Lei) C. Bowxn to those of his father-in-law, Lewis Tarran, with whose name and reputation tho former editorial force were, mostly, uawillings to be identified, and so resigued en nm 1ss This deficiency was pr ly made gol b: tho arrangement with Mr. Brncumn., Mean while Dr, Bacoy, of New Have, its tormer principal editor, takes exception to Mr. Bercit- En's announcement of an expectstion that th former editors would continue to be contribu tors under the new ownorsbip of the paper; and says ho baa the Lost possible reason for boliey ing that all of the gentlemen referred to, ceased entirely to communicate with the public through the medium of the Ixverexpent. Newspaper Coverlids. A correspondent requests that we should 4 give the poor and the soldiers a holiday pres- vent, by reminding them of the use of news: papors for bed-covering.” The suggestion is a timely one, and we sgain call attention to the recommendation made tome time since in the Bon, that our readers should save their news tokeep the cold out of their beds at t, Sheets of paper seem to combine, in #2 wapsual degree, the essentials for bed cov. ering of lightness sod warmth, and it is sur- prising what ap increass of comfort is obtained by slipping « few of them between the coverlids at night. Our correspondent bears his tenti- mony to the great benefit derived by his fan- ily from the use of this novel and cheap style of quilt, which he first aaw recommended in the Sux. From Tybee Island and Port ied by the steamers Cahawba (tlag-ship,) Eric son and Philadelphia, and the gunboats Ottawa, Pocahontas and Mohican, as a convoy. The squadron was under command of Capt. Davis, who was to superiztend the burial of three ves- sels loaded with stoves in the main ship Chan- nel cf Charleston Harbor, at the entrance to Port sels and casting them loose New York without reporting to anybody, exact locality of the main ship chanae fyuadron la artive, carion toblow up the Tight lox Royal. Arrival of the Marien. ——— 18 SHELLED FROM FORT PULASKI. _O— GEN, VIELE'S BXPEDITION ABANDONED. —_— The United States tranapert Marion, from Tybee Island, the 20th, and Port Royal, the Dist, arrived at this port, yesterday, bringing the following newa:— The day previous to leaving Tybee Island, she conveyed from Port Royal to the latter place, seven companies of the 7th Connecticut Regi- ment, Col, A. H. Terry, and a large quantity of military and commissary stores, horses, and fodder, Gen, Wright and part of his sail wei also on board. While discharging the cargo, opposite the Light House, Fort Pulaski opened a heavy fire upon the Marion, with ehot and shell, Ono of the latter burst within a very short distances of her, but without doing any damage. Gen. Stevens, whose brigade has recently been reinforced by the 76th and part of the {5th Penvaylvania Rogimenta, it is expected will ina few days mako an advance from Beau- fort, and seize n poiut on the Charleston and Savannah KR. R. n. Wright will probably bo stationed at Tybee, and assume the command. Before his arrival. there wore only 600 men of the } 16th Repiment on the island, with not a yun mounted, and liable to be attacked at any mo+ meat by the rebels in fore, Gon, Wright's Brigaclo has been for somo time past busily en- gaged on the cordcn of earthworks enclosing Hilton Head,for a distance of about three milos buck, extending from shore to shore. The works are to be defended by 100 guns, of heavy calibre, and will be impregnable against any furce that may be brought ayainst them, Tho stoanship Vanderbilt and bark Texas artived at Port Royal on the morning of the Zot inst. FROM NASSAU, N.Y —o—_— Three Ship Loads of Cotton From Charleston, paar te AN ENGLISH STEAMER WITH AMMU- NITION AND ARMS, =e ptain Bain, Late of brig From ¢ who came pane advices from Nassau or Prince of Wales, ton, Forest. City, P.,we have Tie schoon- keer from Nassau, 1th, from Charleston, with ed arrived 7th (since captured). Also eloop Noark, with rice, Steamer Label, on the &t with ¢ n. ‘The steamer Gordon, on the with cotton, Th teamer Gladi from Liverpool, with firearms and ammunition, all of which vassels were wartaly welcomed. ‘They the flag. Tt was rumored that the anthorities would net allow the tla sme in fying secomion ator to land her fire arms, 1 brig from Liverpool, with a cargo of telt, also atived. The captain came a for a pilot to assist him te run-the schooner Caleb Steteon, Robinson, and Il, Porry, Adams, from Philadel- ol, hut would schooner bh, phi. louded with |. Had not be allowed to land their cargo for war pur- poses, and were obliged to lay off tho port. On the 11h an American ste: wr arrived off She was supposed to be a gunboat ; g British colors, but report said 4 Bensill, from Havana, coming to Neseart for cotton, the bar. the Stone Fleet—The Stone Fhet off House Blown by the Rebels—The Veascly Sunk—Cutting Away the Mantas, ete. Special Correspondence of the Sun. On Board the Steamer Cabawba, Of! CHAntestos Hanron, Dee, 20,1801, On the 17th inst., sixteen of the stone fleet took their departure for Port Roy accompan- These versels wore all towed over the bar, Royal, on the 17th morning of the 18h inst., the rst. and on the squadron moved slowly on its way to Charles- on Harbor, Tho steamer Cuhawba having two essela in tow, arrived off the Harbor atd o'+ clock in the afternoon—she was followed by t he steamer Philadelphis,also towing two of the sre fleet. ‘The Philadelshia after reporting to apt. Davis, preceeded on to New York. Soom. ‘er came the Ericsson, bringing in three ves the ‘proceeled to Afver takin dings and ascertaining the , the to until morning, when the rest f the vessels under cinvas wero expected to During the night, the rebels took oc- hovae—a pi ductive of no serious jury to any but themselves, Noxt morning preved and propitious, and the white sail of the Rat hele squadron were tcan looming up ia the distazes, coming in flowly wih a moderate prescuting in the distance a han t- posing appearance, dispelled by a iy *« n ew of their old hulls, As the flevt es the Cahawba steams among them, hore ard there, hailing each veasel,und instruct + jog them where to anchor, and orderiog thom unberd their calls and prep Hy coc! crder, Dut r aut Bradbury, of the U, 8. steamer quebanna, who ably assists Captain Davis in his cporations, having marked the locali and selecting one of the 1 aught, «ie Teele it to be sunk on the right of the channel. Sho is towed in by the Octawn, and. baing put in her pr ; isanchored, and overy- thing ot dito the whateboat her wi, and she slowly down tor with a list to le During thy eporation, we speculate a 4 the probatalitios of au invere! with a rebel pteamer discorna! ance, is mate to molest us, or later but no fere in dings, Hi tore sinking apy more veesels wo walt for high water, The moon being very 1 bright, operations are carried on quite ell at night as ducing the day. At ten 6 vessels are to be sunk, aud auging, operations will couse Karly in the morning operations ip, ard be cartied on vigor Jy unil all the sixtecn vessels ara sunk, and the ravigation of the channel thoroughly ob versels all sunk, soon comes the mos’ ine ng part of thees novel proc cutting away of the masts, It t asi shivering ander the repeated bl the shrouds and supports all gon ping over, igo thundering an oul Marks eof tho axe, lly tip: hing over the ending up cleuds of spray and foan as they trike the water, They gradually dis 4) one at a time,two at a time, and soinetines three at a’ time, until nothing is to be n but the old hulks, just above the water, except one whose tall inass and slender spars sul remain, reserved for a grand pyotcebule display ar night, At night hor mas's and rigging ‘will be fired, and wo watch her as she slowly burns to the wa.er's © At one o'cleck toniht the Cahawba will return to Port Royal, leaving the U. 8, steanors P boptas acd Mobiein here on the blockade, to relieve the Augusta and Florida, ting the ships in subject of favoral core of that ship, and m Steamer Erriceson, which should have received the crews of the sunkon sbips and taken them to New aera t rn y and without bd Dg a ould have done, consequently vMhaker, of the Cabawh, had to reosive | St and provide for 221 souls—173 men and 48 offi« | incend: cors—a rather severe demand upon his stores; but he met the emorgency promptly and goal- natoredly. Tile abort stay aboard the Cahewbe, was ren dered very plearant to your correspondent by the courtery and kindness of Captain Baker and the officers of his ship, whieh he dosires to acknowledge here. This novel movement wili not csass here; there are many more ot the stone fleet lying at Port Royal, and you will soon hear of ane-her rat-bole stopped up. battle of Drainsville was no inconsiderable dis- aster. ‘The Virginia Legislature has adjourned te the 6th of January. ‘The Reme, (Ga.) Sovrumnsmr, sey that an made on the 16th inst,, to burn the | road bridge over Petis reek. The , however, was caught, tried end to be hang: Allthe Charleston Insurance companies, ¢: cept the E'more, heve gone into liquatation, In Richmond ‘exchange on New York is at 6 aly per Cage peg Re is hogee Le 5 | er cent., an at 35 per cent, premium, tales of Cor Aiaartte bonds of the fifteen millions | issue were being male at ninety-nine per cent. Bridge this | attempt was e The relels crossed New Market morning and burnt a house. ‘A dispatch was received at Hoad-quarters this afternoon, anncuncing that a skirmish was inj on between our troops and the rebels, but twas subsequently contradicted Tho Twew ieth New York Regiment, how- ever, wes cent out immediately, and firiag bas teen heard here since, but it is thought no fighting has taken place, FROM FREDERICK, Md. The Execution of Lanaghan, ptabishine easly Fruderick, Dre, 23.—The approval, of the Court Marshal ia the case of Lanagbaa, for murder, the order for his execution ant the date thereof was forwarled by Gen, McUleilan on Thureday, requiring Gen. Banks oniy to name Mosiaun. THE LATEST NEWS. iM WABI i TON. Important Suggestions for a Coast Telegraph Line. —— A notable tolegraph constructor (apparently C. W. Field), makes fresh suggosuns to the government which bavo proviously bon alluded to, in reference to a line of coast and (oa tele aph connecting the different government sta- tions between thia city and Galveston, the place and the he allows was distances aro given as fullows : planned and erected Ly a man from’ Baltimore, Miles, | who hus had experience in such matters. From present terminus in Delaware, The cirevmatsnces of the murder were aa fol- through Accomac and Northampton Cos. lows:—The 16h Pennsylvania was on ita way i toa point opposite Fo Monroe, 100 | from Wastington to Pleasant Hill, At Rock ring cable to Fortress Monro, 20 veral of the soldiers procured liquor and a4 Monroe and Newport New 7 | tecsme intoxicated, At Muddy Branch, Laws Ft. Monroe to Ft. Clark Fort Clark to Hilton Hi Hattoras Lulet, 152 | gaban, bing under the intl aquarrel, snd Major 0 of liquor, bad Lewis ordered bim to be Hilton Head to Tybes F to the of awagon, During the pro- ‘Tybee Inland to Kernancina, Floris, ere ott ch Lanagahan go. uatied, a dina, #1, on the Atlan king a loaded musket from one of his’ com the Lind to Cedar Koss on 4, swore he would shoot the M The 1 ulf of Mexicn, whore thare ins rheing in advance, heard of his release RR. line and telograph ostablished, 101 | and rodo to tre rear, where he mot Lanagahan From Cedar Keys to Fort Pickens, 271 | acd ordeved him to give up the gun. Lanaga- marine and coast fine from Fort Pick Lan took ain and shot Ms). Lewis through the Ship Isian Heart as he wan in the acc cf disunounting. ndent nan tour before his execution. with him, Oa my entering, he advatced with a cheerful smile upon his face, and reached cut bir menacled tight hand, Lapaphan (smilingly).—My hour bay come, Correrpond: nt—Se, Lam sorry to hear, John. hip lelaud to Galveston, 00 The svgostions state that a telograph cable Total distance ia miles, can be bought in Ergland at all prices from $100 to $1000 per mile, that for temporary uses alight ons could bo made uso of, but the opinion of the writer, a pormanont I wish it could be otherwise, Aro you all right equal to that ordered for the New Yo k, {| here? (Placing my band on bis heart), foundland and London Telegraph Company, in Lanagbar—Dy the love of God, Lam. Tam 1K56, at_w cost of §500 per mile would be’ tho best. That cable which was succewfaily Isid in July of that yeor, acto#s the Gull of Lawrence, between Newfoundland Breton, has not fir a moment failed p rfeetly and without tho expense of as aglo cont fur repair ‘The French Government bay rosently hat a cable laid acroes the Moditerraneas, from Tous not rorry tu die now. I ow God, and not le latter prepared, h is only 6fromons state to another, aud takes but a moment. Corespcndent--Is there anything you wish to #ay to the world through the press ? naghan— But very li T committed the Lam waillin, for it. Say to for peace. Tell the scl dios to lon to Algiers, a distance of over 500 milva, and i liquor. Epray for them, as I hops the Kiglsh Goverment oae from Malta to etnies Dale in jor a Alexandria, a distance of over 10) tui 1 ing me to be present at the oxe- both are working with en'ize success. him a finel adieu. During the terview b tone, Net a ne cheerful so ile att Le spoke ina firm but subdued e or muscle ‘od, but a nes lit up his countenance, mand true relygion never ly developed than om this pand took his Tho procession LATA, eforrod & ho hearty plan pr tones «i won, Lanagaban was placed ina cov vagon with his spirituel adviser and his cotli Ho walket out with a firm at seat with but slight assistan was formed posed, who hopes thy thorize Mr. Field to proce tion of the line, 4 In referen complotion, M: made at the rate of twenty aid at the daily miles, woull require for comp lout four monthe, while the polat us could be conn within a fourth of tha time. ‘The subject iy now in the hands of a special Committee of Con coimposol of ena Ww with tho consiruc+ a to the time re. Field saya th ile y ssary for it cable cm * , Gen, Williams, to which nt is attached, was upon th van viewod tho preparatic ipheet apparent emoion, and a the: fold with an unfalceri lif No. I The the rope was ad- drop fell. noon until an heur he Assistant Provost Marshal inqui ho bad enything to say. i have notbit yt to aay. Lam re cap was drawn ov fic Justed on his neck, and th From early in’ the fo members Lik Ty to doit jus tee. Tro rw of Congross aro considlor- or the solution of the in otter to avoid the nd of supporting ctowds of slaves. in idl. | @fet the execution, and particularly at the nd to furnish the American milly with | ‘¢lemn moment, the heavens seemed waging They take the ground that the Iudian | Wat Upon the earth. A freezing wind, with grow and bail, chilld the bodies blicded the eyes of all present. Tnagaban’s baly was taken charge of by Cat hol territory west of Louisiaua and Arkansas was and almost ceded to the United States by treaty, and on . conditions. Wohout provoe violated the treaties and © levi 8 tiiends, to await the arrival of his war "on the Urited States, thus rendering treaties null | ‘lations. The countries thus reverting to the nent embraced the valleys of the Rod, | Ayjony, p arses and other rivers, and contain about ny 20,000,000 of acres of cotton lata of unsurpace. | | still aground ed fertility, capable of producing about 15,000,- 000 of bales of cotton per ann: It is proposed toapply the principle of Ben- ‘lorida armed cecupation act," and send all “coatrabands" to this territory and apprea- tice them to the settlers upom these cotton lands, leaving the question of their final dispo sition to be settled by Congress at the close of the war, All contrabands, as fist as they © into camp, to bi dei filthen eet, OO BROmRptly forwarded tance of ono or two heavy steam tu, It is said that the plantations of tho Choctaws | but their owners were unwilling to riek the w and Chickasaids alone could fuily supply tho | SH@king. ; American mille, even the frst year of tho ex. |, Tbe, New World is hard aground and frozen opening a passage to Castleton, erring thy Newton's freight to the dock. It is hoped she will then float, and be able to force her way through the ice, which is quite heavy and making very fast stoam~ ex Valtic attempted to reach her yesterday atterneon, but the ice was 80 heavy, she was compelled to return, . senger arrived here tonight to procure perimen’, Corymans Cross, over twelve miles below The Secretary of Wat has ordered for Col, city. Her situation is equally as angerous Berdan's nigude, the © Speuces’ Magazine |“ that of the Newton. Weather here very Ritie.” ‘This’ gun fires eight times without { “d+ Thermometer at zero, charging, and can be re charged, aud ready fi eight additional rounds, in almost the same ti that the ordinary musket cau be loaded o: This ritle has been tested by Col. Berdan and the Ordnareo Board, Theso expensive weapons will rot be given to any other corps, It is ua- lers‘ood that the ordet was made at General McClellan's perronal request. By careful examination it has been ascer- tained, beyond doubt, that nine-tonths of ali the sickness ii camp is caused by sleeping upon tho sround; and the neglect being suseptible of provement, pauses much dissatisfaction none the roldier ‘There has been a general observance of Christ: mas day, all secular butiaess being suspended, The street crossings wore guarded by a few mounted and foot soldiers to be ready to sup- press any disturbances, the city being visited by undreds of volunteers, Capt, Grover, of the Tenth Infantry U.S. Army, #:me time ago appointed by Vol. Bor dap, Colorel of bis first regiment of sharp shoot~ ers, has just arrived fiom New Mexico, and Christmas In Bort Boston, Dee, 2.—There was a general ension of business today, in observance of Jhristmas, ‘The weather is clear and cold, Foreign Intelligence. ; The Magara St. Johns, N, Fy Dec, Ath, via Port Hood, Dee, 20th.—The steamship Niagara, from Liv- erpeol the 11th, via Queenstown the 15th,pass- ed Cape Race on Monday night, en route for Halifax and Boston, Latest News via Queenstowa. London Dec, 16,—8ir FE. Bowater,in charge of Prince Leopold, the youngest son’ of Queen Victoria, died yesterday, ut Cannes, in France, The Patiie says that it is asserted that France andthe great powers have been con- Cape Race, a sulted by Great Britain, and “Notting dednite had.y¢t transpinod concarn- | th, cHtson that the conduct of ing the front affairs The atest seater | wae # viclation of the rights of neutrals Commercial per Ningara, Liverpool, Dec. 14 —Corrox cireular reports the sal 00 bales, 1 and an adval The autho: ration circles regarding’ tho deliberations and conferrences on this most im- portant and generally admitted delicate que therefore the many “speculations oa the sul ore unfounded; and certainly there is no 194s to Ixliove, a! time, that Maso. aud Slidell he Lrokei of cotton for the wee! market las been firmer, cf \4a%g is established, we in pric ed quotatio will be surrerdered, should the demand be be Mi mace, Orleans, , AO lean: Tnformation from W.liamsport reprosout all Migd) Mobile quiet in that vicinity, Vid Uplands, estimated at 6; American, © generally quict but steady, From Fortress Monroe, Prey isions firm, Southern Items, Dec, 14.—Consels closed yeaterday pacar elias aL WBS aD for money, . tress Monroe, Dae, 2th, via Baltimore, | ‘The bullion in the atk of Englowd bus ine ith. —"The s ransport Ericsson sailed | Creuset £128,000, for New York, Havre, Dec, 12 —Cotton advanced 4a5f,, clo sing steady, Sales of the week, 3,250 Dales; t return till « high wind. Thirty tw down from Norfolk, most of them ladies and eh ow Oiloiis tres ordinaire, 1421; di fock#, 141,060 bates, [The Fastern lines, after having been down two days, resumed work to some extent last night, but weie able to forward only a brief synopsis cf the Niagara's news, The details will come to hond today via Halifax. |—Epr, bas, 1) Jren We take the following news from yesterday's papers: — A dispatch, dated Nashville, Dounces that 4.000 Federals bave crossed River, and are marching to Hopkinsville, Confederate force there is. 4 but reinforce. ksville. Our W wi} shington Correspondences » Bowling Groen, say that | Ttarss et Gew, MeCuxLtaN—Ilts Inateyse M eserals orumsed Sires m Rives ont way Lanons—Tum Army Not Goina into ix supposed that Bowling Green will be ate rpc eck an vanced upon from three sides eimultanoously Wiarkn Quantans—A Gueat BATTS with a force of 60.000 men, and that a Gecisive Kentecky Aytioirarep—Anp None ox battle will be fought there, dispatch from Savannah says, that seven ors of the ston: tleet were suuk in the p channel on Friday last icaree Legislature adjourned on the 21st instant to the 20th of January, solutions in relation to the secession of ylatd to the Southern Conf.deracy have beon mod tied by the Confederate Congress, 80 a3 to declare that no peace ought to be concluded with the ted States which does not ensure to Maryland an opportunity of for tite Poromsc—No War wir ENGLAND Tur Qvestion or Fuvance, Wasuixcrox, D.C., Dec, 25, 1861, Gen, McClellan bas been quite ill for a day or two, and the army has missed him, Few people in or out of Washington, know how much ine tense labor Gen, McClellan devotes to the anny, He is at work very early in the morn- ing, and the bour of midnight again finds him Reza on on over his maps, his writings, and his investiga. A private dispatch recived at Richmond on J tons connected with the war, From morn til Sunday, says: that the stoamor Gordon has ma A ark, and even far into the night, the Gonera 1 is buny wish hia troops. This part of the day i oon well, constantly im the eaddle, from Alexandria to the Chain Bridge, or from Bla- densborg to Fairfax Court Bouse. He would ly break down were it not for this abun~ dant and very thorough exercise, Tho labors of bis office would break down the most ragged constitution were it not for a vast deal of work out of doors, Not dong ago a member of Congress com. plained somewhat bitterly that he could not ob- tain an interview with Gen. McClellan, Hoar- ing of his complaints the General sent for bim, courteously asked him to take « seat and then opened upon him: ‘ You blame me for not re- ceiving every prominent man who calls upon me. Let mo give you an idea of the work [ have to do each day of my life as the command. er of this army.” He then proceeded to unfold to the listener the work which ho must go through with in his office every day, and while tho M. C. was astonished at the immensity of labor Inid before him, and was exclaming, “Why, General, here is work enough for » do- zen men!" Gen, McClellan reminded him that besides sll that ho intended to be five or tix hours daily in the saddle! The fault finding momber of Congress wont away satisfied that it ie not in the power of one maa to do every- thing. Gen, McClellan still denies that his army © of the Potomac” bas gone, or is going, into winter quarters, That many huts have boon built—that most of the tents have stores in them, he does not deny; but this isall for tho conifort of soldiers, and means nothing, one way or the other, respecting a permanent stay in the vicinity’ of Washington, The idea of the General, doubtless, isto await calmly the result of movements in Kentucky and down the Mississippi, The first great battle is ox- pected to occur in Kentucky, ‘Then will spoed- ily follow, (if the Kentucky advance is sucess ful,) the gun boat expedition down tho Miss issippi, and last the advance here. Military men of the highest renown say that it isa last policy to fight a great battle near one's Capi- tal, if it can just as well be fought olsewhore, Gen, McClelian and the President—for they are agrecd—are acting upon this priociple, and ba- fore Gen. Scott left the country, he gave his earnest advice to both against any more se rious fighting in the neighborhood of Washing ton, unlees absuluely necessary in self-defence, till important succc aves had boon gained at other pointa, ‘The President is getting to be somowhat tired of the policy, but the Gonoralis firm, Not that dissgreem:nt betweon the two, for in point of fact, except that the President urges an advance when it is almost certain of victory. Gon. MeCiollan replies, ording tomy plan, the time has not yot come an advance here, When it does come I shall strike a blow that will tell, and shall win a great triumph if my troops act well,”’ Last nijcht was the coldest of the season here. The roads in tho vicinity of Washington and in Virginia are frozen up solid today, and can bo travelled ag easily asa iloor, Tho difficulty is that any military movements predicated on tho frozen condition of the roads, might be upset in twenty-four hours by a thaw, Tho “cold terns” of this region rary lasts but a fow (ays, not more than half'a dozen, and an army gulphed in Virginia mud would be ina wo ful plight indeed, The House of Reprosontatives adjourned Last night over till Thursday next. Tho Sen- have been glad todo the same, but jv to doso fur the want of a quorum ‘The fact is, that it is impossible to keep a quo- rum during the holidays, and though Congress may meet every three days so as to conform to law, no Lusiness will Le done, The parsage of an uct raising (he duty on tea, sugar, coffee and molasees, it is eupposed will aldglargely to the revenue. The Income Tax is to be amended just 48 soon as Congress comes together after the holidays, Thero are very tcrious objece tions to it in its present shape, and it will be modified, Too foreign news today is regarded as moro warlike, and tho war-fever rages hore just now. What has got into John Bull no one here can imagine, Something isthe matter, It is fear- ed that he has made up his mind to make war upon us anyhow, and thus seize the present op- portunity to open the cotton ports. It would not be surprising if such were the case, and if 80, the American people must prepare for war in earnest. Mr, Soward still laughs pleasantly over the foreign embroglio, but says little, That little is pacific and hopeful. He tells his inti- mate friends that there will be no war with Eng land, Yet there is still a mystery about Lord Lyon's course, and it is thought by some that he has sent for a strong squadron of armed steam- ers with which to enforce any demands ho may have to make, We shall soon see. The Ways and Means Committee of the House aud the Fivance Committee of the Senate are very bury contyiving how to lay taxes and re- gulate duties so as to produce a large income, Some of the best financiers in the country, who have been down here in consultation with the Treasury Department, and with others, say that the best way is to raise a hundred millions outright. Not by borrowing as the Legislature of Maryland proposes to do, but by direct taxa- tion, excise and import duties. If the loya states will bear taxation as heavy as this, it will be easy enough to borrow the five pundred mill ons which will be needed for the ext tis. cal year, But the borrowing business will soon be at end, unless means to pay the interest, as well a8 to provide for tho final extinction of the debt, are discovered, This is the great problem of the day, and if properly solved the rebel will surely be vanquished, Mr, Chase came back Saturday, somewhat discouraged, I hear, from his visitto New York. He now awaits, with the people, the news from half a million of fighting men who are offering battle to the re- bals, If, before the middle of January, a deci+ sive battle should be fought in Kentucky cr here, in the vicinity of Washington, and victory shall perch upon the Union banners, there will not be the least difficulty in the world in bor- rowing any amount of money immediately thereafter, ‘This is the hope which Mr. Chase and a pood many o’her men rely upon, and I think with safety, Ta a very short tine news must come of battles in the West—of sangul- nary struggles such as will make the heart acho, and yet will, perhaps, at the same time, make it leap with joy. The Kentucky member the qui rive constantly for important news from home, It is a geod sign that they are all 60 confident of suceers the momen’ the Uaion army moves onw Tho continued non-receipt of nows disappoints the War Department, who have been expecting intelligence of a great and decisive battle, It was expected before this, but something has happened to break in upon the *plan” which was ayrecd upon between G. rals Buell and McClellan, Gen, Seost is expected here tomorrow, I will endeavor to keep watch oa his: movements fur you, and, if possible, to give you the objest of his mission home, The House Committee on Elections is in something of a quandary respecting the claims of Dr, Segur, who comes from the Fortress Movroe district of Virgi or professes to do so, The Committee and House have just kicked over the hopes of the inevitable Foster, of North Carosina, who proposed to be elected 1 the House are on from Fort Hatteras, The question to be settle | ng in East Brooklyn,” &, Those places which by the, Committee is a yery important gn ! afternoon, and literally crowded in the evening. wore said during the forenoon, whether twenty Union men in « congressional district are entitled to a ae ar ne in Con- grem, provided the balance voters are rebels, or are #0 intimidated that they dare not vote for any but representatives to the rebel Congress. It,is a very important question, and will be most carefully considered and settled on princip‘es of justice and equity. Quin. ee Military and Naval. The United States schooners M. W. Smith, H. K. Smith, Mott Bedell and Francis Satterly, lying at the Government dock, foot of Murray stoeet, are now loading stores for Lo- cust Point. They wili carry on an average about two hundred and fifty tons each, The United States stoam transport Curlew, lying at Pior 9, North River, is also loading for Locust Point, her cargo consists of provisions, gun carriages and military clothing. She will sail today. Lieut. Col, Horace Brunsy Sargent and Mr. L. W. Kuight, Quartermaster of the Ist Mas sachusetts Cavalry regiment, arrived here yes- terday morniug, and made arrangements with Col. Pronk E. Howe for putting the first bat- tallion of this regiment, under command of 8 Greeley Curtis, through this city today. This command numbers over 400 mon and horses, and was to leave Boston yeaterday,at 1 o'clock, by the Providence route, via New Havon. Tho battalion will reach 29th at. and ith Avenue about 8 o'\lock this morning, and, without any formal reception, will take the boat to Jorsey City, and thence proceed to Annapolis, CITY NEWS. ONRISTMAS HOW IT Was CELEBRATED, The fostival of Christmas was duly observed yesterday by a cessation from business generally, and the necessary quantum of religion, foating, ‘and amusement which yo to make up a first clase boliday. The decorations of the principal churches wo published yesterday, and beyond the decorations there is little to say of the churches at Christmas more than at other times, Of course they were all well attended. Tae places of amusement wore also well fillod in the There were a few drunken rows during day, which wore speedily quelled by the polic ‘The most serious one occurred in Hudson Av nue, near Flest st.,where a man named Patric Fitzpatrick, a’ter stoning some boys, attomptdt- to whip a policeman who tried to restore orde Mo was, however, eventually brought dow sll with «club, and was picked up ina senselot® condition and conveyed to the 4th Precinct at! tion house, where he soon afver recovered, medical treatment. With these few exceptions, the day passed o in orderly, pleasant manner, ] TN WILLIAMSDO ROK, If appearances are a correct criterion, Chri @ mas, in Williamsburgh, was really and tru! merry one. The stores wore all closed, AR * during most of the day the streets were thron, with a merry, happy crowd, dressed im holiday attire, Services wore held in Catholic and E:piscopal churches, and were we attended. At the church of St. Peter and S@ Pavl, the ceremonies were of a grand and int pressive character. Several target companice: to East New York, paraded tte strecta, and, accompanied by bands of music, ar tracted much attention. But the most fostirt/’ feature of the day, perhaps, was the form») opening of the skating pond of the Unic Skating Association, It presented a gay at brilliant appearance, and, during tho day, wr! ited by several thousand ladies and geatl IN JERSHY CITY. ' Several of the churches wore opened yeate day forenoon for Divine service, and were wi. attended, ! The South Seventh street Mission Sabba School bad a celobration in the forenoon, which thero wero addresses, singing and spew ing, &e, At the clove, the children were ea: presented with a paper bag filled with cake candies, nuts and other good things, The childron belonging to the Union Inde trial School were supplied with an abundan of laxurier, which were donated by benevole citizens tor the occa-ion, Tho inmates of the Alms House, through ) hirdnies of the Common Council Committe bad a chango ef diet, and fared sumptuourly 3 poultry, puddings, and other luxuries, whi they devoured and duly appreciated. A fair and fostival was opened at Metropog tan Hall for the benefit of the Catholic Orpl, Asylum, and was well patronized. It will e. tinue open until Saturday evening. The anniversary of the Hedding M. K. charg At the church of St. Bridyet's, cornor of Av- enue Band Kighth strect, three masses were he last a grand f Mase arranged by Me. Powor, organist of the church, An excellent choir, composed of memlore of the New York Liodorkranz, assiat- ed in the services. Rev. Fathor Moonoy offi ciated, and preached a sermon on the duty of Christiana and the virtue of charity, and a cole lection was taken up for the benefit of the Cath- oiie Orphan Asylum, The New York Harmonic y formed Handel's Messiah at Irving Hall, last evoning, ‘The magnificant oratcrio was woll produced,and quite a large autienco was nt. A plentiful feast was spread for the bos of the News Boys’ Home, at their rooms, No, 128 Fulton street, on Christmas Diy, The Super. intendant, if empowered by tho contributions of the friends of these homeless and destita'e ada, | took place last eve preapeataarvae. will provide gifts of goat warm clothing for J consisted of dialogucs, recitations and sing thom on New Year's Da “Loko Lincoln, on Bergen Hill, was. thro ‘Tux afternoon and eveni Hermann the unparalleled pre Niblo’s Garden, have been densely crowded since his re-opening, in this city, Is now in- trocuces several new tricks, wonderful as any of thoce over which so many have uttered ejacla- tions of astonishment, and even the old ones have hed a new dress put upon them, rendering them attractive as ever, Mons, Hermann’s bro- ther now occupies the place of Mad’e. Hermann in the second: sight performance and is very suc- consful Indeed. performances of otidigitator, at open to the putlic for the first time yosterds and although the ice was not ia aa good cone tion as was desired, several hundred gpa were upon the ico during the day. To the ox ning 1 was biuliantly Ligh ed and was throng by skater Tire funeral of Samuel McCreery, one of t veterans of 1512, took place yesterday from ) residence, S81 Tenth avenue, Tho remainé members of the rapidly diminishing little be. of aged patriots attended and paid the last & tribute cf’ respect to their former comrade, At his perfirmancs yosterlay alterncon, | Tux: corner stone of the new Court Housa, the noted conjuror performed a rather | the Park, will be laid with appropriate cere unusual feat, at the outsct, Finding a bal’| nics this’ afternoon, at 244 o'clock, Me: tcore of youngsters at the entrance door, he transformed them inside with such magic as re- sulted not a lite to their gratification, if not to their astonishment, THY SKATERS’ CARNIVAL, There were very fow yenuine lovers of the art of skating who remained dozing in bid till a late hour yesterday morning. At a very early hour the conductors of the various city cars had to commence the customary piling of bipeds, An exceedingly large number of young men and boys, and in many casos elderly mon, were seen in groups “with pendant skates on elbows hung,” wending their ways {com various directions towards their favorite places of resort. Many, not aware of the state of the Central Park pond, worked their way there through the Vitiny air, to be informed that there was no skating on the pond, consequently the finely frozen ponds in the neighborhood of Sixtieth, and Sixty-second stroets and Fourth and Fifth avenues,swarmed with pleasure teckors Others found amusement on the Sylvan Creek, at 109th street, on only a portion of which, however, ‘was the ice of a suflicient thickness to warrant much weight being allowed on it. Some of the more yentureaome would curvet and whic around the yielding edges, but the largor num. ber showed more good sense, and contented themselves with pliin enjoymont and little show. Wood, Hon. T. W, Clerke and and W, R. Ste art, Loq., will deliver addresses, Fires, Inquests, Accidents, &e, suddonly the sai night, at hor residence, ) Tenth Avent The body of Edward Thompsot the 15th Regiment N. Y. Volunt McLeed Murphy, who died from injuries ac lentally received, a few days ago, in Bal more, was brought to this city taken to the residence of hi Seventh Avenue, Deceased, against the corner of a railroad force as to fracture his ekull, on furlough, and was returning to his regi when he met with the accident, a The body of an unknown man, about 35 yet found yesterday ia’ the dock fa thet., and taken to tho Bell Af dead-houso, Deceased wes dressed ina bl#* pilot cloth “overcoa ‘ pants, &. No marks of i and the body had been but a day or two in t wat ' The bedy of an unknown man was fo drowned yesterday,in the cellar of a new bal jog in West 82d at., next door to the cornerg, Jay st. The coroners were notified in this, 0, well asin the cases mentioned above, and “4 hold inquests upon them today. f Further News, see Third a Tie New Hourpay Farry Prece ar Bay NeM's Museum, attracted delighted imme / crowds yesterday, nud xs it is to be produced 1 muon aud evening, It will do the mame agabn’ + vy. IN BROOKLYN. This festival was observed in the usual man- ner, All places of business were closed, and in the mornirg every church was open and well attended, In many the Sunday Schcol chil- dren gathered, and after singing and short ad- dresses, were furnished with presents, All the churches and Sunday schools were decorated with evergreens, At the Sands street Metho dist church the Thirteenth Annual Missionary Festival was celebrated by the Sanday school. Tho attendance was large. Mr. Robert M. Lockwood presided, and Hon. M. F, Oulell, who is the chief Superintendent, was present and took an active part in the proceedings, Tho Society is ded into classes, each of which is known by a distinctive name, such as ‘Suns f Links,” Each class collects a fand Lyons’ Maoyetic Insect Pownrr, The original and genuine article, will extermip®» Roaches, Ante, and all vermin, Free from LYONS’ MAGNETIC PILLS Are sure death to Bats and Mice, Bold by all Dr#h gists everywhere. D, 8. BARNES, Proprietor, | Park Row, and 424 Broadway. MEROUS v arti for dreasing a ousting, preserving, end ey Ladies, try it. Bold by all Devel, « 4 beautifying, « storing the hair, wists, Wicox & Ginn BEWING MACHIN 603 BROADWayY, “ Bury Bees,” &c, during the year for the missionary cause, and there is considerable rivalry as to which can ac- cumulate (he largest sum to be deposited in the tris tic mertaiament ty general fund on Christmas. Several missiona- riesin Asia, and among the Ladians, are support- ed by this juvenile society ; and another, who was prevent, Rey, Mr, Baldwin, is proparing to deport for China to engage in missionary labors. The exercises wore commenced with an Invocae tlon ard the Christmas Anthem, when each class was called by the President, and the sum collected during the your was announced, Tue entire amount was over one tho’ hundred dulars, Addresses ward solos « the ve " D 7; tokets 1 : An Ajtourned Mev te Bx ior Hours, on Thursda to tuke final ection in refere aiid brigade, By order of ISAAC we Or iT ‘at Room WO, 2 nd throe mide wor Rey. Alfred Cookman, Rey. Mr, Baldwin, and Messrs, Lockwood and Qloll, » which the sceiety took postersion of the school-room adjoipirg, where an ample table was spread for their accommodation, All seemed gratitied with © termination of the proceedings, and return- ed home with pleasing countenances, Christmas entertainments were given to the Sabbath echools connected with nearly all the cburehes, and to the children in different charit- able institutions in the city, Those fond of outdoor sporte, who looked for ward to a mild day ard fine skating, were somo what disappointed, The ice was strong enough to bear on some of the small ponds in the outer Wards, and many were iuduced to undertake » journey of several miles in consequence of pla- cards on the city cars announcing ‘Good skat- eer , Diamond Ledge, No. 140, 1, 0. of 0. F; Thy members of this Lodge are requested vo a. at vheir Lodge room, cor Grand and Contre ata, Thursday, Doo, ¥6thy a¥ 12 o'clock M, to attend 4 ral of our late Worthy brother, ALEX AN TROTTER, Membere of the Order are ee og iy Vited to attend. R. 'T, WELSH, N, G. ASL 8 26 21th MELITARW NOTICES. Int Regiment N. ¥, Chamours, HON, JOUN COCHRANE, Colonel. f euiliitment. "Fach mnan will recelre $100 bounty at the expl tion of bis term of corvice, +" Qoruer Firat Avenue and lath out. D, W. ore covered with @ thin coating of ice were © dell Sdactl04 oruiting Officer A