r 
402 
Gen. McClellan for the position, and in this the 
nation seemed to give an unanimous concurrence. 
The designation of Gen. McClellan, therefore, in a 
considerable, degree, was the selection of the country 
as well as the Executive, and hence there is better 
reason to hope there will be given biiu the confidence 
and cordial support, thus by fair Implication promised 
and without which he cannot with so full efficiency 
servo the country. 
It has been said that one bod General Is better than 
two good ones; and the saying is true, if taken to 
mean no more than that an army is better directed by 
a single mind, though inferior,’than by two superior 
ones at variance and cross purposes; and the same is 
true in all joint operations wherein those engaged 
cau have none hut a common end in view, and can 
differ only as to the choice of means. In a storm at 
sea, no oiie on board can wish the ship to sink; and 
yet, not nnfrequently, all go down together, because 
too many will direct, and no single min d can be 
allowed to control. 
It continues to develop that the insurrection is 
largely, if not exclusively, a war upon the first prin¬ 
ciple of popular Government the rights of the peo¬ 
ple. Conclusive evidence of this Is found in the 
most grave and maturely-considered public docu¬ 
ments, as wi ll as in the general tone of the insur¬ 
gents. In these documents we find the abridgment 
of the existing right of suffrage, and the denial 
to the people of all right to participate in the selec¬ 
tion or public officers except the legislative body, 
advocated with labored arguments, to prove that 
large control of the Government in the people is the 
source of all political evil. Monarchy itself is some¬ 
times hinted at as a possible refuge from the power of 
the people. For my present position, 1 could 
scarcely be justified, were I to omit raising a warn¬ 
ing voice against this approach of returning despot¬ 
ism. It is not needed, nor fitting here, that a gene¬ 
ral argument should bo made in favor of popular 
institutions; but there is one point with its connec¬ 
tions, not 80 hackneyed as most others, with which I 
ask a brief attention. It is the effort to place capital 
on an equal footing with, if not above, labor, in the 
structure of Government. It is assumed that labor Is 
available only in connection with capital, that nobody 
labors unless Bomebody else owning capital, some¬ 
how by the use of it, induces him to labor. This 
assumed, it is next, considered whether it is best that 
capital shall hire laborers, and thus induce them to 
work by their consent, or buy them ami drive (hem to 
it without their consent. Having proceeded so far, 
it is naturally concluded that all laborers are either 
hired laborers or what we call slaves, sud f urther, it 
is assumed that whoever is once a hired laborer, is 
fixed in that condition for life. 
Now, there is no such relation between capital and 
labor, as assumed, nor is there any such thing as a 
freeman being fixed for life in the condition of a 
hired laborer. Both of these assumptions are false, 
and all inferences from them are groundless. Labor 
is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is 
only the fruit of labor, and conld never have existed 
if labor bad not first existed. Labor is the superior 
of capital and deserves much the higher considera¬ 
tion. Capital has its rights, which ore as worthy of 
protection as any other rights; nor is it denied that 
there is, and probably ulways wiLl be, a relation 
between labor and capital producing mutual benefits. 
The error is in assuming that, the whole labor of the 
community exists in that relation. A few men own 
capital, and that few avoid labor themselves, and 
with their capital hire or buy another few to labor for 
them. 
A large majority belong to neither class, neither 
work for others nor have others work for them. In 
most of the Southern States, the majority of the 
whole people of all colors, are neither slaves nor 
masters, while in the North, a large majority are 
neither hirerrf nor hired. Men with their families,— 
wives, sons, and daughters,—work for themselves, 
on their farms, in their bouses, and in their shops, 
taking the whole product to themselves, and asking 
no favor of capital on the one hand nor of hired labor¬ 
ers, or of slaves on the other. 
It is not forgotten that a considerable number of 
persons mingle their own labor with capital, i. e,, 
they labor with thiir own hands, and also Imy or hire 
others to labor for them; hut this is only a mixed and 
not a distinct class. No principle stated is dis- 
urbed by tfie existence of this mixed class. 
Again, as has already been said, there is not of 
necessity any such thing as the free hired laborer 
being fixed for that condition for life. Many inde¬ 
pendent won, everywhere, in these States, a lew years 
back in their lives, were hired laborers. One pru¬ 
dent, penniless beggar in the world, labors for wages 
awhile, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or 
land for himself, then labors on his own account 
another while, and at length b'resa new beginner to 
help him. This is tho just, and generous, arid pros¬ 
perous system, which opens the way to all. gives 
hope to all, and consequent energy and progress 
iu the improvement of their condition to all. No 
men living are more worthy to he trusted than those 
who toil up or on from poverty, none less inclined to 
take or touch ought which they have not honestly 
earned. Let them beware of surrendering « political 
power, which they already possess, and which, if sur¬ 
rendered, will surely he used to close tho door of 
advancement against such as they, and to fix new 
disabilities and burdens upon them till all of liberty 
shall he lost. 
From the first taking of the National Census to the 
last are seventy years, and we find our population at 
the end of the period eight t imes a* great, as it was at 
the beginning. The increase of those other things 
which men deem desirable has been even greater. 
We thus have at one view what the popular principle, 
applied to Government through the machinery ol the 
Btates ami the Union, lias produced, in a given time, 
and also what, if firmly maintained, it promises for 
the future. There are already among us those who, 
if the Union be preserved, will live to see it contain 
250,000,000. The struggle of to-day is not altogether 
for to-day; it is for a vast future also. With a firm 
reliance on JTovidence, all the more firm and earnest 
for our present troubles, let ns proceed in the great 
task which events have devolved upon us. 
Auuaham Lincoln. 
Washington, December 3d, 1881. 
THE WAR’S PROGRESS. 
FACTS, SCENES, INCIDENTS, ETC. 
Drimrliitrnt of Missouri. 
Gek. Halleck has issued lengthy General Orders 
in relation to the ft tiki ra of the Department, the prtn 
cipal points of which are as follows: 
Lieut. Col. B. W. Farrar is appointed Provost Mar¬ 
shal of the Department. 
Commanding officers of District posts and corps 
are directed to arrest ami place in confinement all 
persons in arms against the United States or who 
give aid, assistance, or encouragement to the enemy. 
All property belonging to such persons which can be 
used by the array will lie taken possession of for that 
purpose, and all other property will he examined by 
a hoard of officers and sola according to army regu¬ 
lations. 
All persons found in disguise as pretended loyal 
citizens, or under other false pretenses, within our 
lines, giving information to, or communicating with, 
the enemy, will be arrested, tried, aud shot as spies. 
Persons not employed or enlisted in the service of 
the so-called Confederate States, who commit hos¬ 
tility, will not be treated as prisoners of war, hut 
punished s criminals, and be shot, or less severely 
punished, according to the rules of war. 
In consequence of large numbers of Union fami¬ 
lies and non-combatants having been plundered and 
driven from their homes in a desolate condition, and 
thousands of such persons are finding their way into 
this city, the Provost. Marshals are directed to ascer¬ 
tain the condition of persons so driven from their 
homes, and under the military law of retaliation, 
quarter them in the homes, and feed and clothe them 
at the expense of avowed secessionists, who, although 
they do not themselves rob and plunder, give aid 
and encouragement, abet, and countenance the acts 
of their fellow rebels. 
On the 4th inst. a party of exasperated citizens of 
all parties attacked a gang of returned rebels from 
Price’s army, nnder Capts. Young and Wheatley, near 
Dunksbnrg, about 20 miles west of here, killing 
seven and wounding ten of them. Among the killed 
was Capt. Young. None of the citizens were killed 
or severely wounded. Three of the wouuded rebels 
have since died. 
Advices from the Sonth to the 6th inst. say that 
McCulloch has gone into winter quarters on Pea 
Ridge, near Bentonville, Benton county, Arkansas, 
where he is patting up barracks for his troops. 
Nothing definite is known of Price’s movements. 
Gen. McBride was at Springfield with 2,000 men 
on Saturday last. 
Refagees from the South-West have been assigned 
to Gen. Halleck’s Sanitary Commission, in charge 
of the Government Hospital iu St. Louis, where libe¬ 
ral contributions of money, clothing, and provisions 
are received. The Provost Marshal has taken steps 
to furnish suitable quarters among the rebels of the 
city for ail those needing such accommodations, and 
about $600 worth of clothing, blankets, Ac., belong¬ 
ing to Camp Jackson prisoners, have been confiscated 
for their benefit. Some 000 refugees have already 
gone into Illinois, where they will endeavor to sup¬ 
port their families until they cau return to their 
homes. Large numbers continue to arrive, and the 
road between St. Louis and Itolla is thronged with 
them. 
Dispatches to the 7th inst. state that Gen. Pope has 
been assigned to the command of all the Federal 
forces between the Missouri and Osage rivers. This 
force constitutes the largest part of the ajrmy which 
Gen. Fremont took to Bpringfield. Busy prepara¬ 
tions are now being made for the establishment 
of winter quarters for the troops. General Price 
is still south of the Osage, and is losing more men by 
desertion and the expiration of time of service than 
he has gained by his proclamation. If he crosses the 
Osage, lively times may be expected. 
Maj. Bowen, who left Holla on the 30th ult., with 
100 cavalry, from Gen. Wyman's brigade, in search 
of the notorious marauding rebel Freeman, was at 
Salem on the 3d Just. About 3 o’clock in the morn¬ 
ing he was attacked at that place by the rebels under 
Cols. Freeman and Turner, and after a sharp fight, the 
enemy holding one part of the town and ours another, 
the rebels were driven from the place and completely 
routed, with the loss of some ten killed and thirty 
wounded, besides a great many prisoners. Among 
the latter was one Captain. Our loss will amount 
to fifteen killed and wounded. Major Bowen held 
the town. 
Gen. Halleck has issued orders stating that the 
Mayor of the city will require of all municipal offi¬ 
cers immediately to subscribe- to the outb of alle¬ 
giance prescribed by the State Convention in Octo¬ 
ber last, and has directed the Provost-Marshal to 
arrest all State officers who have failed to subscribe 
to such oaths within the time fixed by the Conven¬ 
tion, or attempted to exercise civil authority in 
violation of the ordinance. 
Department of Ohio. 
Recent arrivals from Kentucky bring most 
cheering intelligence of the condition and prospects 
there of the Union forces. It is stated positively 
that the rebel Buckner has a much smaller force than 
has been generally estimated. His army at Bowling 
Green is less than 20,000 strong, and arrangements are 
already perfected which will compel him to surrender 
immediately, or retreat rapidly into Tennessee. 
The Commercial dispatch, Frankfort, says the 
conduct of tho President in modifying Secretary 
Cameron’s report, and the great, confidence they have 
in General McClellan, Bud, and Halleck, is doing 
much to calm the fears of Union men. 
Several men who tied from Letcher and Ferry 
Counties were iu Frankfort on the 6th inst., appa¬ 
rently for protection from Williams and hia gang, 
who have invaded these counties, plundering the 
people, driving off thc-ir cattle and horses, and in 
some instances killing Union men. The report that. 
Zollicofi'cr has crossed the Cumberland is discredited 
by some persons here. General Schoeff occupies a 
hill three fourths of ft mile this side of Borucrict, 
with 5,000 men. 
Southern papers say there is great excitement at 
Nashville in regard to drafting troops. Some 10,000 
additional troops have arrived at Columbus, Ky., 
since the battle of Belmont. The rebel troops are 
rapidly concentrating there, and they declare that 
75,000 men cannot take that position. 
Specials in Memphis papers of the 2d give an 
account of ft great battle at Morristown, East Ten¬ 
nessee, between the United States array under Parson 
Browulow, and the rebels, which was fought Decem¬ 
ber 1, in which the Federal* were victorious. A 
rebel dispatch calls it the first Union victory of the 
war. Brownlow had three thousand men. The 
rebel force was not ascertained. The rout of the 
rebels was total. 
General Tresscvant has a long communication in 
the Appeal, showing the insufficiency of the rebel 
defences at and above Memphis, lie says Columbus 
once lost, the Federals would have no trouble iu 
marching directly to Memphis, and that Memphis is 
entirely defenceless and indefensible. He calls upon 
every male citizen of the State to enrol, and threatens 
all who do not with death. The rebels are sending 
cotton to Northern Alabama for safety. Coffee is 
quoted at $1.00 per pound in Memphis, and none to 
be bad. Bacon, 60 cents. Other provisions in pro¬ 
portion. 
Several letters from Somerset and Stanford, of the 
6th, have just been received. They say that the Fede¬ 
ral forces under General Schoeff have been compelled 
to retreat this side of Somerset, and that the rebels, 
18,000 strong, have crossed Cumberland River, nnd 
are marching on Somerset. Men, women, and child¬ 
ren are leaving Somerset in every possible convey¬ 
ance, and marching into Stanford. The Stanford 
people think General Schoeff should be re-enforced, 
and the Democrat editorially thinks that General 
Schoeff’s purpose in falling back on Somerset is to 
catch Zollicollbr in a trap. 
Department of tlie East. 
A most important order will soon be issued 
from headquarters, informing the Governors of the 
Free States that no more regiments, batteries, or 
independent companies, must be raised or received 
by them except upon the requisition of the War 
Department. The regiments, Ac., now forming, will 
be completed, unless it shall be deemed more ad¬ 
vantageous to the service to assign the men already 
raised to incomplete organizations actually in the 
field. 
General Superintendents of the volunteer recruiting 
service will be appointed for all the States, and 
recruiting in each will he directed upon the system 
pursued in the regular army. The Superintendents 
will he officers of the regular army—retired officers if 
possible — or officers of artillery not serving in the 
field. Depots for the collection and instruction of 
the troops under command of the Superintendents, 
will be established at the following places, and such 
other as shall be considered advantageous in each of 
the States:—Minnesota, Fort knelling; Iowa, Daven¬ 
port; Wisconsin, Madison; Missouri, Jefferson, or 
Benton Barracks; Michigan, Detroit: Illinois, Spring- 
field: Indiana, Indianapolis; Ohio, Columbus; Ken¬ 
tucky, Louisville; Pennsylvania, Harrisburg; New 
.Jersey, Trenton; New York, probably Elmira and 
Albany; Vermont, Montpelier; New Hampshire, Con¬ 
cord; Maine, Augusta; Massachusetts, Cambridge; 
Rhode Island, Providence; Connecticut, New Haven; 
Delaware, Wilmington; Maryland, blank. 
The enlistment papers of the volunteers will be the 
same as regulars for clothing, and will be issued to 
them at the State Depots. 
Commanders of regiments in the field wanting 
troops, will make their requisitions directly on the 
Superintendent from their respective States. 
No more cavalry will be accepted by the Govern¬ 
ment, and it is the purpose of the commanding Gene¬ 
ral to muster out of the service all cavalry recruits in 
incomplete regiments, unlcBa they will consent to 
come in as infantry. The number of the cavalry 
already amounts to between 60,000 and 70,000, much 
more than the Government can use. 
Gen. Patterson has called for a Court of Inquiry 
into his conduct of the campaign of last spring and 
summer. 
It 18 the intention of Gen. McClellan to consolidate 
the different companies of each regiment of the regu¬ 
lar army. The exigencies of the service hitherto 
have made it necessary to scatter this force, so that 
there is hardly anywhere a whole regiment of the old 
army together. To effect this consolidation a num¬ 
ber of companies of infantry are to be sent to Fort 
PickenB where the rest of their regiments are sta¬ 
tioned, and other companies are to be brought from 
Fort Pickens here to fill up the regiments to which 
they belong. Thus in a little while each of these regi¬ 
ments will be together for the first time since the 
Mexican war, and in some instances for the first time 
Bince the regiments were organized. 
A letter from Port Royal says the 79th N. Y. regi¬ 
ment made a rcconnoissance toward Charleston, 
capturing three batteries and spiking the guns, and 
returned after having approached within twenty 
miles of Charleston. A large amount of cotton was 
found ready for shipment, but the rebels were 
destroying much of it. Nearly 1,000 contrabands arc 
about the forts and others arc coming in. 
Another valuable prize arrived at the Brooklyn 
Navy Yard on the 7th, which wa4 captured after a 
three hours’ chase, on the 25th nit., by the steamer 
Penguin, while beading for Edisto Island near 
Charleston, S. C. She proved to be the schooner 
Albion, lrorn Nassau, New Providence, luden with a 
cargo worth $100,000, consisting of salt, oil, tin, fruit, 
and ulso the suspicious articles of arms, ammuni¬ 
tion, saddles and cavalry equipments, of considerable 
importance to the rebels just now. When brought to 
by the Penguin’s guns Bhe reported heraelt bound for 
New York from Nassau, with fruit and suit, but upon 
searching her the additional cargo of contraband of 
war was found on board. The officers turned out to 
be citizens of Savannah. 
The steamers Boston and Cosmopolitan sailed 
recently from Hampton Roads, and took 3,000 men 
for Port Royal. 
An officer of Gen. Burns’ brigade, who left his 
camp on the 0th inst., reports that the enemy appear 
to be withdrawing their forces, especially those near 
Monocuey. The souud of the reveille is not now 
beard, and the pickets have diminished, and appear 
afraid to show themselves. It is thought the whole 
rebel force on the upper Potomac is preparing to 
retire. 
Guneral Wool held a counsel with his officers at 
Fortress Monroe, and they unanimously came to the 
conclusion that a demonstration ought to be made 
upon Richmond from that point, Gen. W. is there¬ 
fore anxious that the government should give him 
the requisite number of men and meanB for that pur¬ 
pose. The subject is before the government. 
Tho steamer S. It. Spaulding arrived at the Fortress 
on the 7th from ILftttcras Inlet, nnd brings intelli¬ 
gence of a naval engagement between the U, S. gun¬ 
boats Stars and Stripes, Underwriter, Putnam and 
Ceres, and two rebel gunboats. Between twenty and 
thirty shot and shell were fired on each side, without 
doing any damage. Several shots came close to the 
Spaulding from the rebel boats, to which Capt. Howe 
replied with his guns. By this steamer we also learn 
that on tho 2d inst. a furious gale prevailed at the 
inlet, but tbe fortifications remained uninjured by 
the tide, which was not as high as that of the pre 
vious month. The troops wer$ all in goad health. 
Col. Leonard, of the Massachusetts 13th, arrived in 
Frederick, Md., on the !)th inst.., from Williamsport, 
with important advices from the Upper Potomac. 
On Saturday afternoon ft rebel force consisting of » 
battery of six pieces, 400 infantry and 200 cavalry, 
made their appearance at Dam No. 5, on the Virginia 
side, and commenced throwing shell aud shot at the 
Dam and houses on the Maryland shore, burning 
barns and all the houses within range, continuing 
their fire until dusk. The only Unionists there were 
a companyof the Massachusetts 13th, und an unarmed 
Illinois regiment. As the Massachusetts company 
was armed with smooth bores, their fire was not 
effective at that distance. Early on Sunday morning 
they resumed their fire, and emboldened by tho 
slight resistance on Saturday, came down to the very 
brink of the river. During the night Col. Leonard 
dispatched a canal boat from Williamsport, and ano¬ 
ther company of his regiment, armed with Enfield 
rifles, as skirmishers along the Maryland shore. 
On the renewal of the attack, the riflemen opened 
fire from their concealments, arid in a short time the 
rebel artillery were compelled to abandon the battery 
in hot haste, the infantry and cavalry leaving the 
ground at the same time. The loss of the rebels is 
believed to be about 15 or 20 killed, and others 
wounded. For want of sufficient infantry force and 
a battery to protect our movements, Colonel Leonard 
was compelled to let the rebel gnus remain iu posi¬ 
tion, and after nightfall the rebels came and took 
them off. The rebel battery consisted of three Parrot 
10-pounders, one 12-pounder, carrying Sawyer shells, 
and two smooth bore 6-pounders. 
This forenoon the rebels were in considerable 
force, and kept up a scattering fire with rifles upon 
our men whenever visible. One Union soldier was 
severely wounded. 
AlTnirs in Washington. 
The Indian Bureau has received information that 
Gen. Hunter, by its direction, was holding a council 
at Leavenworth, with representatives from Southern 
tribes, inclndiug those from the Creeks, Cberokees 
and Choctaws, in relation to the disturbances caused 
by tbe present rebellion. The instructions sent thi¬ 
ther by the committee of Indian affairs, contemplates 
their return to their own people, with strong assur¬ 
ances of the friendship of the United States Govern¬ 
ment. 
The general disposition exhibited among Congress¬ 
men is to pass a law making more certain aud strin¬ 
gent the forfeiture of rebel property, while that of 
Unionists will be more surely protected; in other 
wordB, making a wider discrimination between tbe 
two classes. It is not at all probable that anything 
will he done to militate against the heretofore 
declared object of vigorously prosecuting the war. 
It is understood by financial people that the forth¬ 
coming report of the Secretary of the Treasury will 
present the banking systems, and the Government 
policy in respect to them, in a light that will fasten 
the attention of the country upon it. The claim of 
the Government to supply the Circulating medium of 
all kinds will be presented impressirely, on tbe 
ground of both principle and expediency, and on 
constitutional rights and financial necessity. 
An army order just issued by the Secretary of War 
directs that all officers o.nd enlisted men of the vol¬ 
unteer service, now prisoners in the hands of the 
enemy, or reported as missing In action, or who may 
hereafter be taken prisoners, or reported missing in 
action, be transferred to the skeleton regiments, to 
be formed by the Governors of tbe respective States, 
and to consist entirely of such missing officers and 
men. The vacancies thus occasioned in the regi¬ 
ment will be filled by the Governors of the several 
Btates to which the regiment belongs. 
General Robert Wilson, President of the Missouri 
State Convention, arrived in Washington on the 6th 
inst. He says the Federal troops still occupy Seda- 
lia, Holla and Tipton. So far from Gen. McCulloch 
surrounding Gen. Kigel, at Scdalia, the latter would 
be rejoiced to get within reach of him. Gen. S. is 
now in command in place of Gen. Sherman, whose 
disorders have removed him, perhaps permanently, 
from his command. Gen. Wilson says the loyal citi¬ 
zens of Missouri have perfect confidence in Gen. 
Halleck. 
The following important order, directed to the 
Commander-In-Chief, has been sent forth by the Sec¬ 
retary of State: 
To Major-General George li. McClellan: — Gene¬ 
ral: I am directed by the President to call your 
attention to the following subject: 
Persons claimed to be held to service or labor 
under the laws of the State of Virginia, and actually 
employed in hostile service against the Government 
of the United States, frequently escape from the lines 
of the enemy’s forces, and are received within the 
lines of the army of the Potomac. This Department 
understands that such persons coming into the city 
of Washington, are afterwards liable to be arrested 
by tbe City Police, upon the presumption arising 
from color, that they are fugitives from service or 
labor. By tbe 4th section of tho act of CotigresS, 
approved A ugast 61b, 1861, entitled “An act to con¬ 
fiscate property used for Insurrectionary purposes,” 
such hostile employment ismude a full and sufficient 
answer to any claim to service or labor. Persons 
thus employed and escaping, sre received Into mili¬ 
tary protection of tbe United States, and their arreBt 
as fugitives from labor or service should be imme¬ 
diately followed by tbe arrest of parlies making the 
seizure. 
Copies of this command will be sent to the Mayor 
of the city of Washington, and to the Marshal of the 
District of Columbia, that any collision between the 
military and civil authorities may be avoided, 
l am, General, your very obedient servant, 
Wm. II. Sbwauii. 
The Secretary of the Treasury lias just issued the 
following general regulations in relation to securing 
and disposing of property found or brought within 
territory now or which may be hereafter occupied 
by the U. S. Army in disloyal States: 
Treasury Department, > 
November 30, 1861. S 
Tn order to give security and proper disposition of 
the productions of soil and other property found 
within tbe limits of States or parts of States declared 
to be iu insurrection against tlie United Btates, and 
now occupied or to be occupied by troops under 
authority of the Union, the following regulations are 
established: 
There shall be appointed by tbe Secretary of the 
Treasury, with the approbation of the President, 
agents to reside at such ports or places as are, or 
may be occupied by forces of tbe United States, 
whose duties it shall be to secure and prepare for the 
market, cotton and such other productions as may 
lie found or brought within the lines of the army, or 
under the control of tho United States authorities. 
To enable such agents to fulfill the duties devolved 
upon them, the military and naval authorities, under 
proper instructions, will render such military pro¬ 
tection and aid as may be required to carry out the 
intentions of this Department. Persons held to ser¬ 
vice for life, under State laws, and who may be 
found within such limits, may be employed by tho 
agent*, who w ill prepare lists embracing the names, 
sex, and condition of such persons, and, as near as 
may be, their respective ages, together with the 
name of any person claiming their services, which 
list shall be in triplicate—one for the military com¬ 
mand, one for the files of tlie agent, and one to be 
immediately forwarded to the Secretary of the Treas¬ 
ury. Any person so listed will he organized for sys- I 
tcmatizcfi labor, in securing and preparing for mar¬ 
ket, cotton, rice, and other productions found in tlie 
territory brought under Federal control. 
Pay rolls will be prepared, and a strict account of 
the labor dally performed by each person entered 
thereon, for which proper compensation shall be 
allowed and paid to laborers. The amount of such 
compensation will be fixed in proportion to tho ser¬ 
vice rendered by the agents and approved by the 
military commandant, and by the Secretary of the 
Treasury. 
An inventory of all horses, mules, and other stock, 
vehicles of transportation, and other property, will 
ha carefully made, and a copy transmitted to tbe 
Secretary ol the Treasury, signed by such agent. 
A record of all products taken possessiori of will 
be made, and those of each plantation kept distinct. 
When prepared for shipment, the packages from the 
several plantations will be plainly marked, and the 
number, so as to be easily distinguished. An account 
of all provisions, of whatsoever Character, found on 
such plantations, will be taken, aud such provisions 
will be used so far as may be necessary for the suste¬ 
nance of laborers thereon. 
Any deficiencies of subsistence will be supplied by 
the U. S, Commissary, upon tbe requisition of the 
agent, to whom they will be ohurged, and for which 
he will account. Cotton and other articles, when 
prepared, shall be shipped to New York. All ship¬ 
ments shall be consigned to agents at New York, 
unless otherwise specially directed by the Secretary 
of the Treasury, and a carefully detailed account will 
be given by the agents of all supplies furnished by 
the Government, and all expenditures made. Each 
agent will transmit a weekly report of his proceed¬ 
ings to the Secretary of the treasury, and render his 
aeeonntsin duplicates monthly for settlement. 
All requisitions, bills of lading and invoices will 
be countersigned by the military commandant, or 
such Officer as ho may designate for the purpose* 
Each agent will so transact his business and keep his 
accounts that as little injury as possible may accrue 
to private citizens who may maintain, or within a 
reasonable time resume the character of loyal citi¬ 
zens to the United States. 
The President avows his purpose to adhere to a 
cautious and prudent policy in relation to foreign 
affairs. There need be no apprehension of any 
occurrence of hostilities between the United States 
and Great Britain; for unless the British government 
conld seek a pretext for war, there is no ground for 
creating serious difficulties. 
The Government feels no anxiety on this subject, 
believing that a temperate policy will allay excited 
feelings, nnd tend to cement the friendly relations 
which have hitherto existed between the tv\ o coun¬ 
tries. 
Secretary Welles has addressed the following com¬ 
plimentary letter to Captain Wilkes: 
Navy Department, November 3ft, 1861. 
Captain Charles M Hikes, Commanding United States 
Steamship San Jacinto, Boston — I congratulate you 
on your safe arrival, aud especially do I congratulate 
you on tbe great public service you have rendered in 
the capture of the Rebel emissaries, Messrs. Mason 
and Slidell have been conspicuous In the conspiracy 
©EC. 14. m 
to dissolve the Union, a:-.d it is well known that 
when seized by you they were on a mission hostile 
to the Government and the country. Y r onr conduct 
in seizing these public enemies was marked by Intel¬ 
ligence, ability, decision and firmness, and has the 
emphatic approval of this Department. It is not 
necessary that I should, in this communication, 
which is int--nded to be one of congratulation to 
yourself, officets and crew, express an opinion on 
the course pursued in Omitting to capture the vessel 
which had these public enemies on board, further 
than to say that the forbearance exercised in this 
instance must not be permitted to constitute a pre¬ 
cedent hereafter for infractions of neutral obligations. 
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
Gideon Welles. 
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
Senate. — On motion of Mr. Clark, it was resolved 
that the Marshal of the District of Columbia be 
directed to report immediately to the Senate the 
names of all persons now confined in jail in the city 
of Washington, with the causes of their commit¬ 
ment, names of magistrates by whom committed, 
length of their imprisonment, and names of the 
persona who made the first arrest. 
On motion of Mr. Wilson, it was resolved that the 
laws now in force within the District of Columbia, 
relating to tlie Arrest of fugitives from service or 
labor, together with all other laws concerning per¬ 
sons of color, within the District of Columbia, he 
referred to lire committee on the District of Colum¬ 
bia, and that committee be from then instructed to 
consider the expediency of abolishing slavery in the 
District of Columbia, with compensation to the loyal 
holders of slaves. 
Mr. Chandler introduced a resolution to expel Mr. 
Breckinridge. 
Mr. Powell took ground against it, as Mr. Breckin¬ 
ridge had already resigned, he could not be expelled. 
Mr. Trumbull insisted that he should be expelled, 
and offered a substitute for Mr. Chandler’s resolution, 
as follows: 
Whereas, John C. Breckinridge, a member of this 
body, has joined the enemies of his country, and is 
now’ in arms against the government he has sworn to 
support, therefore 
Resolved, That the traitor Breckinridge be expelled. 
Mr. Chandler accepted the substitute, and the reso¬ 
lution as thus amended was unanimously adopted. 
Yeas 36; nays 0. 
The standing committees are the same as last ses¬ 
sion, with tbe exception of the following changes: 
On Foreign Relations—Mr. Harris in place of Mr. 
Breckinridge. 
Oh Military Affairs—Mr. Nesmith in place of Mr. 
Baker. 
On Public Lands—Mr. Carlisle in place of Mr. 
Bingham. 
On Indian Affairs—Mr. Clark in place of Mr. Foot. 
On Pensions—Mr. Willey in place of Mr. Bingham. 
On Territories—Messrs. Pomeroy and Carlisle in 
place of Baker and Breckinridge. 
The committee on enrolled bill3 will consist of 
Messrs. Browning, Willey and Salisbury. 
On motion of Mr. Chandler, (Rep., Mich.,) the res¬ 
olutions inquiring into the cause of the disaster at 
Bull Run and Ball's Bluff, were taken up. 
Question was on substitute offered by Mr. Grimes, 
that the Committee investigate the causes of all dis¬ 
asters that have happened to Union forces. 
Mr. OrimeB proposed to amend the substitute so as 
to appoint a joint committee of three of tbe Senate 
and four of the House, to inquire into the conduct of 
tbe present war. 
Tbe resolution was agreed to — yeas 33, nays 3,— 
Carlisle, Latham and Rice. 
Adjourned. 
House.— Itoscoe A. Conklin submitted the follow¬ 
ing, which was adopted: 
Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested, 
if not incompatible with the public interest, to report 
to this House whether any, aud if any, what measures 
have been takeu to ascertain who is responsible for 
the disastrous movements of our troops at P.all’s Bluff. 
On motion of Mr. McPherson, it was resolved that 
the Secretary of War be requested to furnish to this 
House copies of all contracts made by the Quarter- 
Master's Department for feeding disabled horses dar¬ 
ing the winter; to state terms of those contracts, 
names of contractors, and the number of horses 
going out, and whether those contracts were made 
upon public notice. 
Mr, Dunn (Rep., Ind.,) offered the following: 
11 ’hereas, Henry C. Burnett, member of this nouse 
from Kentucky, is in open rebellion against the 
United States, therefore, 
Resolved, That said Henry C. Burnett be and he m 
hereby expelled from this House, and the GovCriWJ 
of Kentucky be notified of bis expulsion. 
Resolved, That the Sergeant at-Arms be directed 
not to pay Burnett's salary which has accrued since 
the close of the Extra Session. Adopted. 
On motion of Mr. Vullandingham, a resolution was 
adopted requesting the President to communicate to 
the House, if not incompatible with the public inter¬ 
ests, copies of any communications addressed to the 
Executive by the Governments of England, Spain, and 
France in regard to the armed intervention proposed 
by them in the affairs of Mexico, and any other infor¬ 
mation he may have to communicate. 
Mr. Hntchius introduced joint resolutions concern¬ 
ing our rebellion, the consideration whereof was 
postponed. 
Also the following: 
Whereas, It has been represented that there are 
confined in the Government Jail forty-five prisoners 
who are not charged with Crime, but are represented 
as being Slaves, the Committee for the District of 
Columbia be instructed to inquire into tbe truth of 
said report, and by what authority they were con¬ 
fined, who are the reputed owners, and what legisla¬ 
tion, if any, is necessary to relieve them from 
imprisonment, and to prevent persons from being 
similarly imprisoned hereafter, aud to report by bill 
or otherwise. Adopted. 
Mr. Pendleton introduced a resolution, which was 
adopted, instructing the Committee on Military 
Affairs to report what change, if any, is necessary in 
the mode of paymeut of soldiers who are held as 
prisoners of war. 
Mr. Dunn offered a resolution instructing the Com¬ 
mittee on Foreigu Affairs to inquire into the practi¬ 
cability and expediency of procuring tbe rights and 
privileges of settlement and citizenship of any part 
of this continent or the adjacent islands sonth of the 
United States boundaries, for the habitation of per¬ 
sons of African descent, when lliey may choose to 
emigrate there from the United Btates for the forma¬ 
tion of independent colonies, to be protected from 
foreign molestation. Adopted. 
Mr. Richardson, from the Committee on Military 
Affairs, reported the following, which was passed: 
Whereas, The exchange of prisoners in the present 
rebellion has already been practiced indirectly, and 
as such exchange will not only increase enlistments 
and the vigor of our army, but subserve the highest 
interests of humanity, and as such an exchange does 
not involve recognition of the rebels as a govern¬ 
ment, therefore, 
Resolved, By tlie Senate and House of Representa¬ 
tives, that the President of tbe United Btates be 
requested to inaugurate systematic measures for the 
exchange of prisoners iu the present rebellion. 
On motioD, it was resolved that the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs be instructed to inquire into the 
expediency of furnishing relief to the starving popu¬ 
lation of Ireland, and to report by bill or otherwise. 
! 
