410 
MOOHE'S 
in the Daval service, aa likely to add to the efficiency 
of the woik, by making the rewards more frequent.. 
Also, he recommends ft rale that officers he retired 
with a sufficient allowance, ater forty live years’ ser¬ 
vice. Twenty-live acting lieutenant#, lour hundred 
and thirty-three acting masters, and two hundred and 
nine master’s mates, Lave been appointed, in order to 
have officers enough f»r the so largely increased 
navy. There have also been acting engineers and 
Bnrvoyors appointed. 
The Secretary asks Congress to foster the Naval 
School to such a degree that at least double the usual 
number of cadets may be instructed. 
Of the slavery question the Secretary pay** nothing, 
but the following, " ou the employment of fugitives,” 
will show that be propose* to protect loyal ruen, and 
arrest Insurgents, without asking il they be black or 
white. He says: 
“Itt tbc coastwise and blockading duties of the 
navy it has been not nnfrequent that fugitives from 
insurrectionary places have sought our ships for 
refuge and protection, .wd our naval commanders 
have - applied to me for instruction a* to the proper 
disposition which should lie made of such refugees. 
My answer has been that, if insurgents, they should 
be banded over to the custody of the Government; 
but if, cn the contrary, they were free from any vol¬ 
untary participation in the rebellion and Bought the 
shelter and protection of our flag, then they should 
he cared for and employed in some useful manner, 
and might be enlisted to serve on our public vessels, 
or in our navy yards, receiving wages for tbeir labor. 
If such employment could not be furnished to all by 
the navy, they might be referred to the army, and if 
no employment could be found for them in ihe public 
service, they should be allowed to proceed freely and 
peaceably, without restraint, to seek a livelihood in 
aDy loyal portion of the country. This I have con¬ 
sidered to he the whole required duty, in the premi¬ 
ses. of our naval officers. 
The naval estimates for the year ending .1 uno .’50, 
1863, amount to $44,626,666; and besides this, the 
Secretary reports a deficit of 16,630,000, needed for 
current expenses to pay for vessels purchased, and 
for necessary alterations incurred in titling them for 
naval purposes, for the purchase of additional vessels, 
and for the construction and completion of twenty 
iron-clad vessels. 
Department of Dlinsonri. 
The following general order was issued on the 
13th inst: 
Hkauquakteks Department Mo., ) 
tiT. Louis, December 12. > 
The suffering families driven from South Western 
Missouri, which have already arrived here, have been 
supplied by voluntary contributions by Unionists. 
Others are on tbeir way and will arrive in a few days. 
These must be supplied by charity from moD known 
to be hostile to the Union. The list will he prepared 
of them. All persons of this class who do not vol¬ 
untarily furnish their guests, a contribution will he 
levied on them of $10,000 in clothing, provisions and 
Quartermaster’s stores or money In lieu thereof. 
This levy will be made upon the following class of 
persons in proportion to the guiitof each individual: 
IbL Those in arms with the enemy, who have prop¬ 
erty in this city. 
2d. Those who have furnished pecuniary or other 
aid to tire enemy, or persons in the enemy’s service. 
3d. Those who have verbally, in writing, or by 
publication, given encouragement to the insurgents, 
or rebels. 
Brigadier General Curtis, Brigadier General Farrar, 
Provost Marshal, and Charles Iforg, Assessor of St. 
Louis County, will constitute the Board of Assessors 
for levying the aforementioned contributions. As 
soon as any part of this contribution has been 
assessed, the Provost Marshal will notify the parties 
assessed, their agents or representatives, stating the 
amount of provisions, clothing, quarters and money 
value thereof required of each, and jf not provided 
within the time specified in such notice, he will 
issue an execution, and sufficient property will be 
sold at public auction to satisfy the assessments, 
with costs, as there will be a penalty of 26 par cent, 
additional. If any person on whom assessment shall 
bo rondo uliull tila with tho Provost Mnruhul Gnnoral 
affidavit that he is a loyalist and true to the allegi¬ 
ance to the United States, he will be allowed one 
week to furnish evidence to the Board to vindicate 
his character, and if at the end of that time he shall 
not bo able to fully satisfy the Board of his loyalty, 
assessment shall be. increased 10 per cent., and luvy 
immediately made. Supplies so collected will be 
expended for the object designated, under the direc¬ 
tion of the Provost Marshal General, and by the 
State SanltAry Commissioner, whew money will be 
received instead of supplies. It will be expended 
for them as required. Any money not so expended 
will be turned over to the Sanitary Commissioner for 
the benefit of sick soldiers, uud any one who shall 
resist, or attempt to resist, the execution of these 
ordcrH, will he Immediately arrested and put In 
prison, and tried by a Military Commissioner. 
Major General Hallkck. 
An order is also issued to suppress entirely and 
prevent any aid, assistance, or communication with 
any person or persona directly or indirectly disloyal 
or in arms against the Federal Government. The 
commerce of the Mississippi and Missouri Itivors 
has been placed under military control and surveil- 
ance, and no boat will be permitted to take freight 
or passage, or be allowed a clearance, except those 
authorized and commissioned by proper military 
authorities. All owners, officers, and employes of 
boats will be required to take a strong oath of alle¬ 
giance, and any owners or officers committing any 
act contrary to the above expressed object of 
this order will cause immediate forfeiture of the 
boat and cargo to the Federal Government, and such 
owners or officers will be subject to all penalties pre¬ 
scribed by the articles of war for giving aid to the 
enemy. 
The notorious marauder, Captain Sweeney, and 
his band of robbers, who have for some time past 
kept Glasgow, Missouri, and vicinity in terror, wore 
captured at lingers’ Mill, by a detachment of cavalry 
under Captain Morrill. Sweeney’s pickets were sur¬ 
prised and captured, and liis rebel bund, 35 in num¬ 
ber, taken without firing a gun. 
The scouting expedition of parts of Merrill’s horse 
and two companies of regular cavalry, returned to 
Sedalia on the 12th, bringing in aa prisoners 4 cap- 
taius, 2 lieutenants, and about 40 men. They also 
captured one mortar, and a large number of horses 
and wagons, and went an fur as Wavcrly. They 
report 2,000 rebels now at Lexington. Shelby’s men 
were seen and pursued several times. 
The St. Louis Democrat learns from a gentleman 
from Lexingtt n, that General Haines and Btein, with 
C ,000 rebels, were in possession of the town on Fri¬ 
day, and another large body in the vicinity. General 
Prentice is said to be on the north side of the river. 
He threw a few shells among them, and destroyed 
ono of the two ferry boats in their bands. This 
informant says that lie had heard heavy tiring in the 
direction of Lexington, indicating that, an engage¬ 
ment was progressing, also, that Gen. Davis’ brigade 
left Otterville on Friday, for Lexington. 
The.Unionitta from Lafayette County report that 
700 rebel recruits left Lexington on the 10 th, to join 
Price’s army. 
A hand of musicians, 16 in number, from the rebel 
army, were captured at Dnukbury, on Monday week. 
The son and son-in-law of Col, Magoffin, have also 
been taken. They were leaders of the foray on our 
teams near Georgetown. 
Late news from Gen. Price place him still at Osce¬ 
ola, with from 10,000 to 15,000 men, intending in a 
few days to move northward. He has 53 cannon 
and 2,600 new tenta, lately received from the South. 
His men are all well clothed and well armed. 
Persons arriving in BL Louis from the seceded 
States are hereafter ordered to report themselves at 
the office of the Provost Marshal, to register their 
nameB and subscribe to the oath of allegiance. This 
is to relieve persons who come here in good faith 
decking protection of the Government from the sus¬ 
picion which naturally attaches to all parties from 
the South, and to prevent tbeir arrest and molestation. 
Several citizens from Arkansas reached Holla, Mo., 
during the past week, and enlisted In an Aikansaa 
company under Captain Ware, late member of the 
Legislature of that Btatc. These men say there waa 
a Union society in Izzard, Fulton, Independence, 
and Learey counties, numbering 2,600 men, which 
conld have made an organized stand in two weeks 
more time, but it was betrayed by recreant members, 
and broken up and scattered. Many of these Union¬ 
ists have been arrested Bnd taken to Little ltock. 
Borne have been bung, and large numbers are now in 
the woods, trying to effect their escape from the State. 
Dcpurtincut of the Ohio. 
The Enquirer's Louisville correspondent, tinder 
date of December 14, says Gen. Johnson, with 16,000 
troops, is on the uorth bank of Green River, and 
Gen. Rosseau, several miles distant, is preparing to 
join him. Another brigade, under Gen. McCook, is 
also moving to concentrate at Mumfordsville. Gen. 
Buskines, with 26,000 men, was covering all the hills 
two milea back from Green River, and was proposing 
to prevent our troops from crossing the river. Gen. 
Thomas’ Divinion, on the left, wing, Is bearing down 
from the cast to getln Buskinea’ rear. Gen. Mitchell’s 
Divjaion, of the right wing, moves this morning for 
Green Run. The rebels are actively on the move, 
and an engagement is inevitable. Gen. Buell is In 
constunttelegraphic communication with our advanc¬ 
ing columns, and is employing all the rolling stock 
of the Nashville Road in forwarding supplies. All 
the brigades are prepared, and trains are running 
through to Mumfordsville. Bix new regiments passed 
through Cincinnati last week for Kentucky. 
The Cincinnati Commercial has a dispatch which 
Hays the Paymaster from London reports that Gen. 
Crittenden is at Cumberland Gap with 1,600 men and 
a large force in the vicinity. The Commercial also 
learns that Nashville, Tenn., waB in a high state of 
excitement on the Gth and tbc follow ing day, by an 
attempt being made to draft citizens into the rebel 
array. The indignation of the people waa intense. 
A mob broke out in tbc Fifth Ward, and four police¬ 
men, who attempted to quell the disturbance, were 
shot dead. The mob rushed to the Capitol to attack 
Gov. Harris, who (led to Memphis. 
Ou Saturday, the 7tb, 2,600 ruen from Louisiana 
passed through Nashville for Bowling Green, carry¬ 
ing black flags embelisbed with skulls and cross- 
boueB. They were mostly sixty days’ men, and were 
armed entirely with shot-guns. The people of Nash¬ 
ville were constantly expecting intelligence of a 
battle at Bowling Green. The rebel force at that 
point ia estimated by the papers and well-informed 
people at 26,000 men. lie-enforcements were con 
stantly going forward. The hospitals at Nashville 
were tilled with sick. The number was estimated at 
800 to 1,000 men. Tim inmates complain of a lack 
of attention, und were Buttering from a lack of food. 
The prevailing diseases were small pox and pneumo¬ 
nia. The troops from Texas, Louisiana and Missis¬ 
sippi suffered most. All the Texas Rangers were on 
the sick list, and one in a most critical condition. 
The deaths were so frequent that they supplied the 
draymon of the city with their principal business. 
On Saturday ft train of six cars, filled with sick, came 
in from Bowling Green. 
The Louisville Journal of the 12th says that all 
Indiana regiments, which have a maxium number 
of men, have been ordered into Kentucky. This 
order will throw 9,000 to 10,000 men into Kentucky 
duriug this and the coming week. 
Gen. Rosecrans arrived at Cincinnati on the 13th 
instant. 
The Postmaster at Somerset writes under date of 
the 13th that both armies are on the defensive and 
fortifying. 
A gentleman in the confidence of Gen. Schcell' 
writes that Gen. Zollicoffer is fortifying at Licking 
Creek, five miles west of Somerset 
A party of rebels in Bagdad, Ky., have been 
endeavoring to make Unionists take the oath of alle¬ 
giance to the Confederate States, and Col. Whittaker, 
on learning it, sent a squad of soldiers to arrest 
them. The rebels fired upon Col. Whittaker’s men, 
but the odds were too great, and Col. Whittaker dis¬ 
patched to Capt. Lee at, Louisville for assistance, to 
arrive this morning, immediately proceeding with 
troops to Jacksonville, where a skirmish last night 
took place. 
A courier from Jacksonville, Ky., on the 14tb, says 
when Capt. Lee arrived with re-enforcements for Col. 
Whittaker be found the house where the Secessionists 
were endeavoring to make Union men subscribe to 
the oath of allegiance entirely deserted. Capt. Lee 
then dispatched a squad of soldiers to several seces¬ 
sion residences, who found they Imd all been vacated, 
with evidences of a hasty retreat. Three Seces¬ 
sionists are reported to have been wounded at the 
skirmish yesterday at Jacksonville. Col. Whittaker 
ordered the building from where the shots were fired 
upon his men to be set on fire and destroyed, but 
Capt. I.ee, at the request of the Union men, who 
feared retaliation after the withdrawal of the Federal 
troops, got the order revoked. 
Johnson, the rebel provisional Governor Of Ken¬ 
tucky, in his message to the Legislature, says he will 
gladly resign his position when Governor Mugolfiu 
Bhall escape from his virtual imprisonment at Frank¬ 
fort. __ 
Department of Western Virginia. 
A special dispatch from Cheat Mountain to the 
Cincinnati Commercial says, on the 13th inst., one of 
the hardest and best fought baltles of the war wa 3 
fought at- Alleghany Camp, Pocahontas county, Va., 
between Gen. R. U. Milroy, commanding the Union 
troops, and Gen. Johnson of Georgia, coimnandini; 
the rebels, numbering 2,000. The fight lasted from 
daylight till 3 I’. M. The Uniou loss was about 3 u, 
and the rebel loss over 200 , including a Major aid 
many other officers, and 30 prisoners. Gen. Johnstn 
was shot in the mouth, but not fatally. Tho I-th 
Georgia regiment suffered the most. 
Gen. Milroy’s force numbered 1,800 men from the 
9th and 13th Indiana, and the 25th and S2d Ohio and 
the 2d Virginia. The 9th Indiana regiment feught 
bravely to the last. After driving the enemy into 
their barracks no less than than five times, our orces 
retired in good order. The rebels act fire tc their 
camp and retreated to Staunton. Gen. Milroy has 
driven the last rebel army out of Western Virginia. 
The telegraph this (Tuesday) morning, gives ua the 
following additional particulars; 
Tho Union troops came in sight of the enemy 
drawn up in line of battle in front of their mtrenoh- 
inents, charged upon them and drove them back. A 
hot fire was kept up during the afternoon on both 
sides, and several brilliant charges were made by our 
men. Gen. Milroy withdrew bis forceB at nightfall, 
intending to renew the attack in the morning. Dur¬ 
ing the night, however, the rebels silently left their 
camp, burning everything they could not carry with 
them. Ourloxs ia 20 killed and 30 wounded, while 
the enemy’s loss is 150, including a field officer. I5y 
this action lhe front of Gen. Reynolds is cleared of 
the enemy, there being no organized rebel force 
within 40 miles of our advanced posts. 
A detachment sent out from Phillippi on Saturday, 
returned last night with 10 rebel guerillas, including 
the notorious Jake Kurn. 
t - 
Department of the East. 
A i.ktteh from a citizen in the western part of 
North Carolina, to a friend in Washington, has passed 
the rebel lines," and waa to-night placed in the hands 
of Gen. McCkdlan. it brings the clearest confirma¬ 
tion yet received that there is a large and determined 
organization ef Unionists in that Btate. They are 
putting themselves in communication with the 
Unionists of Hast Tennessee, and await only the 
dawn of hope for a general uprising. They expect a 
re-enforcement of Browulow by the National forcea, 
and will accept that movement as the signal for their 
own action. 
The first execution in the army of the Potomac 
since tho commencement of the rebellion, occurred 
on the 13th, at which time W. H. JohnBton, private 
in the Lincoln cavalry, waa shot According to 
report, his offense was desertion; supposing himself 
to be in the presence of a party of the enemy, he 
expressed joy that he had made his escape. The 
officer then in command had a private conversation 
with him, when he freely and anxiously gave such 
information as would have been of great importance 
to tbe rebels. When his revelations had been con¬ 
cluded he was arrested, and much to his surprise 
discovered his mistake, and was brought back to his 
own camp a prisoner. 
Capt. Dupont, in his communication to the Navy 
Department, dated Dec. 4th, says the apprehension of 
losing possession of the bay of St. Helena, so exceed¬ 
ingly valuable for its proximity to Charleston, and for 
the command it secures of large rivers supplying 
interior communication with South Carolina, induced 
him to dispatch a second expedition there, under 
Commander Drayton, with orders to hold the island 
until Gen. Bherman is prepared to secure military 
occupation of it, and transfer the post to his troops. 
A reconnoissauce to ascertain the position and force 
of the enemy’s battery there,— information which 
tho commanding general expressed his desire to 
obtain before landing troops ou Tybec Island, was 
performed by Commander Rogers, of Warsaw Inlet. 
In the neccBsury occupation of St. Helena Bound and 
Tybcc roads, and in examination of Warsaw Inlet, a 
large number of the vessels of tho squadron ure 
engaged, which will be released and employed in 
blockading duty as soon as Otter and Tybce islands 
are held by the army. Warsaw Inlet and Bound con¬ 
stitute the second entrance to the Savannah river, 
and twenty-one feet can be carried over the bur ut 
high water. This passage ia at a little distance from 
Ty bee entrance. 
Letters received at the Navy Yard, state that on 
the 6 th inst. Commander Rogers left Tybee Roads 
before daylight, with the steamers Ottawa, Beneea 
and Pembina, arid crossed the bar of Warsaw Bound 
at half tide. The United States forces approached 
the fort on Warsaw Island within a mile, and sent 
Lieut. Barnes with a flag of truoc, who found it 
entirely deserted. Tbe fort consisted of one inclosed 
octagon work, with platforms for eight guns on. the 
water faces. Tho guns had been removed and plat 
forms cut to pieces, and a magazine blown np. 
Commander Rogers states that everything had the 
appearance of being recently deserted. 
The letter also states that from tbe mouth of the 
Wilmington river they observed a battery bearing 
upon them northwest by west, half west, distant 
three miles. It is on the river and about three miles 
distant, just above a house which is ono of the Coast 
Survey’s points for trying triaugulation, and is about 
ten miles from Savannah. They counted five guns, 
apparently of large calibre, on the face of the bat¬ 
tery toward them. They conld only see one gun on 
tho other face, hut there may have been more. They 
were near enough to see tho men on tho ramparts, 
and to see the glistening of their bayonets. 
Commodore Rogers states that a battery on Little 
Tybce Island would bo of no use whatever, although 
there may have been a signal man placed thereon. 
Tho southern part of it is a commanding point for 
observation. The highest point reached by Commo¬ 
dore Rogers was about eight miles from Warsaw, 
being about ten miles from Savannah, and three or 
four miles from Thunderbolt on one side and Mont¬ 
gomery on the other. 
Gen. Stevens, with 1,000 rneD, had occupied Beau¬ 
fort. Gen. Sherman bad appointed Col. Noble, of 
the 7Oth regiment, and Col. Sullivan, to superintend 
tbe picking and securing of the cotton at Hilton 
Head and the adjacent islands. The health of the 
troops was good. No fighting had occurred. 
Letters from Key West of tho 5th inBt., give Pensa¬ 
cola dates of the 2Gth nlL It appears that rebel 
steamers have been plying between the navy yard 
atid town, constantly carrying guns, munitions, Ac. 
Col. Brown notified Bragg that he should fire on 
them, to which Bragg replied, “ Fire away!” 
On the morning of the 22<1 two steamers again 
appeared. CoL Brown disabled oue. A general 
cannonading then took place between Pickens and 
Fort Barrancas, the Niagara and Richmond opening 
on McRae and several water batteries. The engage¬ 
ment lasted nearly two whole days. McRae was 
silenced, and also the water batteries in reach of the 
Richmond’s guns. No person was injured aboard the 
Niagara. James Cook was killed on the Richmond. 
Both vessels were slightly damaged in their upper 
works. Pickens had not even a sand bag displaced 
by the Barrancas’ fire. On the 24th, while removing 
fuse from a shell, it exploded, killing five men and 
wounding many others. Col. Brown says he has 
Barrancas completely at his mercy, and is awaiting 
re-cnforcements to sally forth, when he shall take 
them. 
Another letter states that one of Wilson’s Zouavc-s 
was killed aud oue wounded, on the 22d. About two 
hundred guns were fired on tbe second day. At 3 
P. M, on the 23d, Warrington was set on tire by our 
guns, and that place and tho navy yard destroyed. 
The steamer Times was disabled by the first shot 
The rebel fire slackened on tbe second day. 
Two companies of Wilson's Zouaves have charge 
of the batteries near the fort, two companies assist 
in the fort, and tho remainder of the regiment have 
to work on the trenches, and repel a midnight 
attack. The heaviest rebel guns are near the light¬ 
house, and the best mortars on both sides uf the hos¬ 
pitals. The range of our artillery is splendid. 
A note dated the 24tb, Btates that Colonel Brown 
prohibited firing unless the rebels first opened it, 
the day being Babbath. One of our guns bursted 
yesterday. The rebels have evidently suffered much. 
Affairs in Washington. 
Ocr Government has replied to the invitation of 
England, France and Spain, to take part in the 
expedition against Mexico, declining to have any¬ 
thing to do with it. 
The President has declined to communicate to 
Congress any communications from the Governments 
of England, France or Spain addressed to him in 
regard to the armed intervention proposed by them 
in tbe affairs of Mexico. He deems it inexpedient 
to do so at present. 
The Quartermaster’s Department has asked Con¬ 
gress for an appropriation of $ 1 , 000 , 000 , in addition 
to $ 1 , 000,000 already granted, owing to the expenses 
incurred for the armed flotilla on the Western waters. 
The President occupied a seat by the side of Vice- 
President Hamlin on the 11th inst, upon the deliv¬ 
ering of the eulogies on the death of Senator Baker. 
Visits of the President to either House of Congress 
are of rare occurrence. ThiB ia the first instance of 
the kind during the past quarter of a century. 
The regular troops surrendered to the rebels in 
New Mexico by Major Lyndc, and released on parole, 
consisting of one company of the 3d cavalry and 
five companies of the 7th infantry, arc to he stationed 
on the Northern frontier, and will probably garrison 
the post,* of Detroit, Fort Niagara, Fort Ontario, 
Sackett’B Harbor and Ronse’s Point. The duties 
required of them are such as they can perform with¬ 
out violating their paroles. The posts mentioned 
have not been occupied by troops for several years. 
Col. C. A. Waite, of the 1st infantry, is assigned to 
the command of a district embracing the above 
named posts. 
Orders have been received at the Adjutant-Gen¬ 
eral's office from the Secretary of War, that no more 
regiments, batteries or independent companies will 
be raised by the Governors of States, except by 
special requisition of the War Department. Those 
now forming in the different States, will be com¬ 
pleted tinder the direction of tho Governors thereof, 
nnlesa it he deemed more advantageous to the service 
to assign men already raised to regiments, batteries 
or independent companies now in the field, in order 
to fill up their organizations to the maximum stand¬ 
ard prescribed by law. 
Recruiting service In various States for volunteer 
forces already in service and for those th^t rnay 
hereafter be received. Is placed under charge of 
general superintendents, respectively, with general 
depots for collection and Instruction of recruits. 
Superintendents detailed will take charge of the 
recruiting service in tho various Btates to which 
they are assigned, on the 1st day of January, 1862. 
They will take post at the general depots, which will 
he nnder their immediate command. Upon the 
requisition of Superintendents, a suitable number of 
volunteer officers, non-commissioned officers and 
privates will be detailed for duty in the staff depart¬ 
ment and as drill masters at tho respective depots. 
A disbursing officer of funds for collecting, drilling 
and organizing volunteers, will be assigned to each 
department, who will be under the direction of a 
Superintendent. Volunteer officers now on recruit¬ 
ing service, will be relieved on tho 1st of January 
next, and sent to join their regiments, unless directed 
to report to tho Superintendent of tbeir respective 
BtaU>u. xft«r tin.* 4i«na volunteers will be mustered 
for pay upon the same form of rolls as those used for 
the regular army. Commanding ofliccrB of volunteer 
regiments numbering less than the maximum organ¬ 
ization fixed by law, will immediately report, to tho 
Adjutant-General’s office at Washington, the present 
state of their commands, in order that the Govern¬ 
ors of the several States may be called upon to Dll 
up their respective regiments to the standard pre¬ 
scribed. 
A dispatch to the N. Y. 7 \ibune says Senator 
Sumner read to Secretary Cameron a warm arid 
indignant letter from Gov. Andrew, remonstrating 
against the employment of Massachusetts men in the 
disgraceful business of slave catching, as had been 
done on tho upper Potomac. Secretary Cameron 
promptly referred the letter to Gen. Stone, with the 
emphatic request that lie would see to it that tke 
men of color who entered the camps nnder bis com¬ 
mand, were treated literally in tho spirit of the 
orders concerning fugitives from slavery, which the 
Secretary of War had already given to the Com¬ 
manding Generals. 
Letters from Europe say that Mr. Russell states 
that the Administration is becoming disposed to 
accept some foreign mediation, with a view to com¬ 
promise and separation. It ia difficult to conceive 
how Mr. Russell should have been deceived in the 
adoption of such an idea. Neither the Administra¬ 
tion nor any one connected with it, would ever 
accept mediators from any quarter, or ptace on any 
basis but complete surrender to the authority of the 
United Btates. 
The question of the exchange of prisoners seems 
to be fairly settled. The New York Executive Com¬ 
mittee have bad several lengthy and interesting 
interviews with the President, Gen. McClellan, and 
Senators and members of the Honse, all of whom 
favor it. The committee’s interview with General 
McClellan -was especially gratifying. He spoke of 
tbe subject briefly, but warmly, and from his conver¬ 
sation has evidently given the subject much study, 
as ho seemed to grasp its salient points with great 
clearness. The Military Committee of both Houses 
have reported favorably on the subject. The joint 
resolutiuu which has passed the llouBe, requesting 
the President to make an exchange, will pass the 
Senate. In point of fact, au exchange has been 
practically going on, thirty prisoners having been 
sent from Washington on the 10th inst. to Fortress 
Monroe, while large numbers have been likewise 
released from Fort Warren. 
Benator Bamner intends pressing to a confirmation 
the measures which he introduced ten years ago, for 
a classification and modification of the statutes of 
the United States, and which has now been recom¬ 
mended by the President. Congress has, since the 
organization of the Government, enacted more than 
5,000 acta and joint resolutions, which fill more than 
6,000 closely printed pages, and are scattered through 
many volumes. A bill for tbe purpose mentioned 
has been introduced in the House. 
It is probable that Senator Polk, of Miaaouri, will 
be expelled from the Senate. The evidence of his 
complicity with the rebels is reported to be conclu¬ 
sive, and the Senate is determined to purge itself of 
all traitorous members. 
The Navy Department wants proposals for furnish¬ 
ing, fitting and securing to vessels of war, iron 
plates of three inches in thickness and fifteen and a 
half feet in length, to have planed edges and coun¬ 
tersunk holes, to he bent to the shape of the vessel 
from stem to stern, and fastened to tho timbers with 
conical headed bolts of half au inch in diameter. It 
is understood that the Department designs to thus 
clothe vessels of war with tbe least possible delay. 
The Navy Department has received dispatches from 
Capt. Palmer, commanding the steamer Iroquois, in 
which he minutely relates his movements in order to * 
capture the privateer Bnmter. The Government at 
Martinique, be says, refused to give the Sumter coal, 
but allowed her to come to 3t Pierre, where she 
obtained a supply from English merchants. The 
Sumter had been received with conrtesy at the seat 
of government and Capt. Palmer discovered, to use 
hia own language, that this farce of non-recognition 
of the Confederate fiag by France ami F.ngland, is 
played out. He had a correspondence with the 
Governor, the resnlt of which was, he was referred 
to a paragraph of Wheaton’s International Law, ts 
tbe effect that one belligerent conld not depart from 
port until twenty-four hours after another had left. 
The Sumter was at that time In port, and the Iroquois 
one marine league from shore. A majority of the 
citizens of Port Royal were in favor of the Sumter, 
and therefore were anxious for her escape. Being 
French, they sympathized with Louisiana, to which 
State they thought the Sumter belonged. Through¬ 
out the proceedings Capt. Palmer was apprehensive 
that the Sumter would escape, and wished she was 
anywhere else but under French protection, as the 
authorities were throwing every obstacle in his way. 
The Government, however, repudiated any unfriend¬ 
liness in reply to Capt. Palmer’s complaint. Owing 
to the distance from the shore which the Troquois 
was obliged to occupy, from the fact that tbe bay is 
fifteen miles wide, and for the reasons above stated, 
the Sumter succeeded in escaping. The Iroquois 
followed her, but found she was not visible over the 
background of the sky. 
The following is an abridged copy of the report of 
Capt. Wilkes to the Navy Department, assigning bis 
reasons for the arrest of Messrs. Mason and Slidell: 
United States Steamer Sax Jacinto, ) 
At Sen, November 10,1861. ] 
The Government of Great Britain, France and 
Spain having lasned proclamations that tke Confed¬ 
erate States were viewed, considered and treated aa 
belligerents, 1 felt no hesitation in boarding and 
searching all vessels of whatever nation I fell in 
with, ana have done so. 
The question arose in my mind whether T had the 
right to capture, the persons of the Commissioners,— 
whether they were amenable to capture. There was 
no doubt I had the right to capture vessels with 
written dispatches. They are expressly referred to 
In all authorities, subjecting the vessel to seizure 
and confiscation, if the captain of the vessel had a 
knowledge of their being on board. But these gen¬ 
tlemen were not dispatches in tho literal sense, and 
no where could I find a case in point. They had 
been presented to the Captain-General of Cuba by 
Her British Majesty's Consul-General, but the Cap¬ 
tain General told me he had not received them in 
that capacity, but as distinguished gentlemen and 
strangers, i then considered them aa the embodi¬ 
ment of dispatches, and it therefore became my dnty 
to arrest their progress, and capture them if they 
had no passports or papers from the Federal Govern¬ 
ment, as provided for under tbe law of nations,— 
namely, that foreign ministers of a belligerent, on 
board of neutral ships, are required to possess papers 
from tbc other belligerent to permit them to pass free. 
There can be no doubt he know they were carrying 
highly important dispatches, and were endowed with 
instructions inimical to the United States. This 
rendered his vessel a good prize, and I determined 
to keep possession of her, as I mentioned in 1117 
report, und send her to Key West for adjudication. 
Ab respects tho steamer in which they embarked, 
the agent of the vessel, who is the son of the British 
Consul at Havana, wbb well aware of the character 
of these persons. They went in the steamer with 
tbe knowledge and consent of the Captain, who 
endeavored afterwards to conceal them, byrefusing 
to exhibit the passenger list and the papers of tho 
vessel. I forbore to seize her, however, in conse¬ 
quence of my being so reduced in officers and crew, 
and the derangement It would cause innocent per¬ 
sons, there being a large number of passengCra who 
would be put to great loss aud inconvenience, as 
well as disappointment, from the interruption it 
would cause them in not being able to go in the 
steamer from BL Thomas for Europe. 
I therefore concluded to sacrifice the interests of 
my officers and crew in the prize, and suffer the 
steamer to proceed, after the necessary detention to 
effect the transfer of these Commissioner*, consider¬ 
ing I had obtained the important end I had in view. 
Charles Wilkes. 
The latest news from England has occasioned no 
marked excitement among public men. The indig¬ 
nation of the British press having been anticipated, 
we observe no expressions of surprise at the pending 
disputes between the United Btates and England. 
Heretofore the angry public voice has subsided to 
await diplomatic formalities; so will it be again. 
The particular claims of the British Government, 
growing out of tho removal of Slidell und Mason 
from the Trent, have yet to be presented, and when 
brought forward will become a matter for discussion 
between the two powers. It ia not unreasonable to 
assume that our Government will have equal advan¬ 
tage and skill jn the discussion, w’hen the British 
Government Ehall have made formal demand for the 
restoration of the rebel ministers. When the time 
arrives for such response, we will show that, although 
wc are engaged with insurgents, there is still integ¬ 
rity in the Government to furnish Bueb a reply as 
will not be at variance with our heretofore amply 
sustained character of national independence. The 
diplomatic corps seem to be more concerned in the 
important question at issue, than our own civil 
functionaries. Questions are generally asked wbut 
will be the result of the controversy, rather than the 
expression of individual opiuion upon the subject 
As for the Administration, there is reason to believe 
that neither the President, nor any one of the Cabi¬ 
net, will be diverted in the least degree from their 
present purpose of conducting the war. 
Franklin Chase, the United States Consul at Tam¬ 
pico, informs the Secretary of State that the city ia 
thronged with loyal United Btates fugitives from 
Texas, in great distress, some of whom he has re¬ 
lieved aa fur as private means would allow. As 
Congress makes no provision for the relief of desti¬ 
tute citizens in foreign countries, unless seamen, 
the cases of fugitives mentioned by Mr. Chase appeal 
to the sympathies of the charitable at home. 
FOREIGN NEWS. 
England and Eranct on the Jrreet of .Vatou 
and Slidell. 
The Iloyal Mai! Steamship Europa, from Liver¬ 
pool on the 30th uIL, arrived at Halifax on the 15th 
inst. NewB of the stoppage of the British steamer 
Trent, with the rebel emissaries Mason and Slidell, 
and their removal to the U. S. vessel Ban Jacinto, 
had been received, causing intense excitement We 
give the views of the English and French press on 
the subject: 
The Observer (Ministerial journal) states that a spe¬ 
cial messenger by the Europa conveys the demand of 
tbe British Government to Lord Lyons, insisting 
upon an apology uud a restoration to the protection 
of the British flag of the Rebel Commissioners. The 
Observer adds:—“There was no reason why Mason 
and Slidell Bhould not he restored to the quarter¬ 
deck of a British man-of-war before New York, Balti¬ 
more or Washington. Nearly all the London weekly 
papers treat the question of the San Jacinto in the 
same energetic spirit aa the daily papers.” 
The Timet remarks:—" The position of the Federal 
