Massachusetts Weekly Spy, 1861-12-18

ments of England, France, and Spain, in re regard - gard regard to the armed intervention proposed by them in the affairs of Mexico. He deems it inexpedient at this exigency to do so. FROM PORT ROYAL. New York, Dec. 11. - By the steamer City of New York, from Port Royal, we learn that the forty-sixth New York regiment were to embark for Tybee, with a view to storming Fort Pulaski by land. A fleet was seen off Poit Royal a few days prior to the 6th, which has'doubtless since arrived at its destination, and startling intelligence may soon be expect expected - ed expected from further south. The transport City of New York, from Port Roy al 6th, has arrived. The Atlantic reached there on the 6th. Gen. Stevens with one thou thousand - sand thousand men occupied Beaufort. The gunboat Pawnee and several transports and a number of troops left Hilton Head on the 4th for Ty Tybee. - bee. Tybee. Gen. Sherman had appointed Col. No Noble - ble Noble of the seventy-ninth regiment, and Col. Suydam to superintend the picking and secur securing - ing securing of the cotton at Hilton Head and the adja adjacent - cent adjacent islands. Port Royal, Dec. 6. - The stone-fleet, numbering twenty-five or more vessels, which recently sailed from the north, has been off Tybee Island for the last two days. The ves vessels - sels vessels composing it appear to be gathering'there as though it were a place of rendezvous. Washington, Dec. 12. - Capt. Dupont, in bis communication to the navy department, partmeut, dated the 4th of December, says the apprehension of losing possession ot the Bay of St. Helena, so exceedingly valuable for a harbor, for its proximity to Charleston, and for the command it secures of large rivers supplying inter-communication with South Carolina, induced him to dispatch a second ex expedition - pedition expedition there, under Commander Drayton, with orders to hold the island until Gen. Sher Sherman - man Sherman is prepared to assume military occu; ation of it, when he will transfer the fort to his troops. The reconnoissance of commander Rogers, of Warsaw Inlet, was in order to ascertain the position and force, of the enemy's battery there, information of which the commanding general expressed bis desire to obtain before landing the troops on Tybee Island. In the necessary occupation of St. Helena Sound and Tybee Roads, and in the examination-of War Warsaw - saw Warsaw Inlet, a large number of the vessels of the squadron are engaged, which will be released and employed on blockading duty as soon as Otter and Tybee islands are held by the army. Warsaw Inlet and Sound constitute a second entrance into Savannah river, and as twenty twentyone - one twentyone feet can be carried over the bar at high water, this passage is but little inferior to Ty Tybee - bee Tybee entrance. It appears from a private letler that our guns are but ten miles from Savannah, the steeples of which are plainly visible from the decks of our ships as they ride at anchor. It seems to be understood that in addition to our occupation of Beaufort, Gen. Vielle was at once to be sent with a considerable force to occupy the most important point in the new approaches to Savannah, mid that another force will go about the same time on a similar errand in the direction of Charleston, to hold certain strategic points. LONMON TIMES BUSSELL AGAIN. Washington, Dec. 11. - Letters from Eu Europe - rope Europe say that Mr. Russell states that the ad administration - ministration administration is becoming disposed to accept some foreign mediation with a view to com compromise - promise compromise on the basis of separation. It is diffi difficult - cult difficult to conceive how Mr. Russell should have been deceived into the adoption of such an idea. Neither thd administration nor any one connected with it would ever accept medi mediation - ation mediation from any quarter or peace on any basis but complete submission to the authority of the United States government. IMPORTANT MILITARY ORMERS. Washington, Dec. 11. - Orders have been received at the adjutant general's office, from the secretary of war - first, that no more regi regiments, - ments, regiments, batteries, or independent companies, will be raised by the governors of stales, ex except - cept except upon the special requisition of the war de department. - partment. department. Those now forming in various states will be completed under direction of the governors thereof, unless it be deemed more advantageous to the service to assign the men already raised to regiments, batteries, or inde'- dependent companies, now in the field, inorder to fill up their organizations to the maximum standard prescribed by law. Second, the recruiting service in the various states for the volunteer loices already in ser service, - vice, service, and for those who may hereafter be re received, - ceived, received, is placed under the charge of general superintendents for those states, respectively, with general depots tor the collection and in instruction - struction instruction of recruits, as follows : Maine, Major J. W. T. Gardiner, U. S. A., Augusta; Vermont, Lieut. Col. Governeur Morris, Burlington ; New llampshite, Lieut. Col. Seth Eastman, first infantry, Concord; Massachusetts, Lieut. Col. 11. Day, second in infantry, - fantry, infantry, Cambridge ; Rhode Island, Capt. Wm. Silvey, first artillery, Providence ; Connecti Connecticut, - cut, Connecticut, Col., Wm. Gates, third artillery, Fort Trumbull; New York, Maj. T. Sprague, first infantry, Elmira and Albany ; New Jersey, Col. J. L. Gardiner, U. S. A., Trenton ; Penn Pennsylvania, - sylvania, Pennsylvania, Capt. R. J. Dodge, eighth infantry, Harrisburg; Delaware, Maj. H. B. Judd, U. S. A., Wilmington ; Maryland, Lieut. Col. F. O- Wyse, fourth artillery, Annapolis; Va., Maj. W. J. Norton, U. S. A., Wheeling ; Ohio, Ma Major - jor Major N. C. Mcßae, U. S. A., Camp Chase, Co Columbus'; - lumbus'; Columbus'; Kentucky, Major W. H. Slidell, fif fifteenth - teenth fifteenth infantry, Louisville; Indiana, Col. J. L. Simmonson, U. S. A., Indianapolis ; Illi Illinois, - nois, Illinois, Col. P. Morrison, eighth infantry, Springfield; Michigan, Lieut. Col. E. Backus, third infantry, Detroit; Wisconsin, Major R. S. Smith, twelfth infantry, Madison ; Minnes Minnes'sota, - 'sota, Minnes'sota, Capt. A. D. Nelson, tenth infantry, Fort Snelling; lowa, Capt. H. B. Ilendushartz, second artillery, Davenport ; Missouri, Col. B. L. E. Booneville, U. S. A., Jefferson Bar Barracks - racks Barracks ; Kansas, the commanding officer at Fort Leavenworth. The superintendents detailed will take charge of the recruiting service in the various states to which they are assigned, on the first day of January, 1862. They will take post at their general depots, which will be under their immediate command. The superintendent lor the state of New York will take post at Alba Albany. - ny. Albany. Upon the requisition of the superintend superintendents, - ents, superintendents, a suitable number of volunteer officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, will be detailed for duty in the staff departments, and as drill masters at the i espec live depots. A disbursing officer of the fund foi - collecting, drilling, and organizing volunteers, will be assigned to each depot, and will be under the direction Us the superintendent. Volunteer officers now on recruiting service will be re relieved - lieved relieved on the first of January next, and sent to join their regiments, unless directed to re report - port report to the superintendents of their respective states. After that time volunteers will be mustered for pay upon the same form ot rolls as those used for the regular army. Commanding offi officers - cers officers of volunteer regiments, numbering les* than the maximum organization fixed by law, will immediately report to the adjutant gener general's - al's general's office at Washington, the present state of their commands, in order that the governors of the several states may be called upon to fill up their respective regiments to the standard prescribed. SMOCKING MURMUR. Baltimore, Dec. 10. - This afternoon a shocking murder was committed at the camp of the second Maryland regiment stationed in the suburbs of the city. Whilst the regiment was drawn up for dress parade, a private named Charles Koons came from his tent, picked up a musket, took deliberate aim at Lieut. Wilson, fired, and killed him on the spot. It appears that some three weeks since, Lieut. Wilson shot a private named Gardiner, fair persistent insubordination after three times trying to run the pickets, killing him. Koons, who was a friend of the deceased, determined to revenge his death by taking the life of Lieut. Wilson. The lieutenant was a resident o this city, and was generally esteemed in the regiment. Great indignation is expressed in the regiment at the murder, and a disposi disposition - tion disposition was manifested to take immediate ven vengeance - geance vengeance on Koons, but he was immediately sent a prisoner to fort McHenry. REBEL NEWS. The Richmond Examiner of the 80th say* that laborers are hiring lor an immediate con construction - struction construction of a railroad from Centerville to Manassas. R. W. Barnwell and J. L. Orr have been elected by the South Carolina legislature to the rebel congress. Southern papers say that the federal force* cannot get more than one-third of the Sea Island cotton raised st the south, the value of which is only $750,000. Savannah, Dec. 5. - A party of confeder confederates - ates confederates visited Tybee Island, Wednesday, and burned the lighthouse. The federal* shelled the island, but the confederates were unhurt. Sixteen to eighteen, vessels, apparently old whalers, were in the Roads yesterday.

LATER FROM EUROPE. THE. MASON-SLIDELL AFFAIR IN ENGLAND. New York, Dec. 12. - The steamer Hansa, from Bremen and Southampton, with London dates to Nov. 28, has arrived. The seizure of Mason and Slidell aboard the Trent, was known in England, and was the chief topic. - A LETTER ABOUT THE SEIZURE. A letter detailing an account of the seizure of the traitor commissioners, states thatasbell was fired at the Trent, exploding within one hundred yards. It also states that the indig indignation - nation indignation on board the Trent was intense, and all the passengers were ready for a fight, if the captain wished ; also, that the captain of the Trent supplied stores to the San Jacinto, for the sustenance of Slidell and Mason. The despatches of the traitor commissioners es escaped - caped escaped the vigilance of the officer of the San Jacinto, and safely arrived in the La Plata, in charge of a gentleman of the party. On ar arriving - riving arriving at Southampton, the remainder of Sli Slidell - dell Slidell and Mason's families and suite went on board the Nashville, and the next day the dis dispatches - patches dispatches weie taken to London. No repairs had yet been commenced on the Nashville. INDIGNATION MEETING AT LIVERPOOL. On hearing the news the Liverpool shippers flashed oft at once. The following placard was posted on 'Change : - ON THE BRITISH FLAG! ' THE SOUTHERN COMMISSIONERS FORCIBLY TAKEN FROM A BRITISH MAIL STEAMER!! A Public Meeting will be held in the Cotton Salesroom, at three o'clock p. M." The room was crowded to excess. The chair was occupied by James Spence, Esq., who read the following resolution : - That this meeting having heard with indignation that an American federal ship of-war has forcibly taken from a British mail steamer, certain passengers who were proceeding peaceably under the shelter of the British flag, irom one neutral port to another, do earnestly call upon the government to as assert - sert assert the dignity of the British flag, bv requir requiring - ing requiring prompt reparation for this outrage." The resolution was received with great en enthusiasm. - thusiasm. enthusiasm. The resolution was advocated by the chairman, who considered that he was ex expressing - pressing expressing the feeling of the people to press on government the imperative necessity of vindi vindicating - cating vindicating the honor and dignity of the British name and flag. Mr. John Campbell considered that there was reason to doubt whether the facts related and acted on by this meeting, were in reality a breach of international law, and referred to the opinions ot the law officers of the crown, as being in some measure inclined to show that such a step, as taken with respect to the southern commissioners, was justifiable under the existing state ot international law, and urged the propriety of postponing the consid consideration - eration consideration of the subject until to-morrow. Mr. Torr sustained Mr. Campbell's views. The chairman suggested that to meet the ob objection - jection objection of Mr. Campbell, to strike out the words, "by requiring prompt reparation for this outrage," and thus amended, the resolu resolution - tion resolution passed nearly unanimously. Several merchants expressed their views after the ad adjournment, - journment, adjournment, that the meeting and its action was premature. Liverpool, Nov. 27 - Eve. - The most in intense - tense intense excitement exists here to-day, under the intelligence of tiie action of the federal steam steamer - er steamer San Jacinto in taking the southern commis commissioners, - sioners, commissioners, Messrs. Mason and Slidell, from the Bfitish mail steamer Trent. WHAT THE LONDON NEWS SAYS. The London Daily News of the Bth says in regard to the seizure of Mason and Slidell: - . remote consequences of this act we shall not attempt to predict. Enough for the present that it is one which will make it the duty of our government to insist on ample, complete and immediate satisfaction. Ite wanton folly bids ns hope that Lieut. Fairfax was acting without instructions, and that the Washington cabinet will no sooner learn what has taken place in the Bahama Channel than it will disavow the act, restore Messrs. Mason and Slidell, and tender the fullest apology. Nothing short of this reparation can be ac accepted. - cepted. accepted. Until there has been time to receive news from Washington, we feel bound to be believe - lieve believe that the seizure of passengers on board the Trent was an act as much in excess of duty as it was in violation of public law. No government should know better than the United States the lines which separate the rights of beligerents and neutrals respectively. While this war lasts we must submit to have our mercantile vessels stopped on the high seas by both parties in search of contraband. Had Lieut. Fairfax confined himself to demanding Mr. Slidell's dispatches and taken them off' we must have acquiesced in his visit as one of the disagreeable occurrences incident to a voyage in the neighborhood of contending foes ; but the seizure ot presons stands on a different footing. In the eyes of Mr. Seward Messrs. Slidell and Mason are rebels. In our eyes they are simply passengers, and the Washing Washington - ton Washington government may rest assured we shali no more permit it to take its rebels out of our vessels than we should concede a similar right to Austria or Russia. Incidents like these are iiritating, but the British people have the satisfaction of know knowing - ing knowing that their affairs are under firm guidance. With the irascible Earl of Derby or the lussy Lord Malmesbury io power, we might well be concerned for the interests of peace at a time like this ; but, from the present government, we may expect courage without precipitancy, and prudence without weakness. Theircourse is tolerably clear, and it will be for the gov government - ernment government of the United Slates to determine what shall be the future retations of the two countlies. WHAT THE LONDON TIMES SAYS. The London Times is more moderate in its comments on the capture of Mason and Slidell than the London News. While denying that the federal government, on its own position that the existing war is a mere rebellion, has a right to overhaul neutral ships, the Times nevertheless admits that England herself lias established precedents which now tell against her in this matter of the Trent. But those precedents were made under circumstances very different, it asserts, from those which now occur. England was then fighting for existence, and did in those days what she would not do now, or allow others to do. In discussing the question whether Mason and Slidell were liable to capture as belligerents or contrabands on board the Trent, the Times tales that it is the opinion of very eminent jurists, that this was not the question to be ad adjudicated - judicated adjudicated by the boat's crew. The legal course would have been to take the ship itself into port for adjudication. It concludes with the expression of anopinion that Englishmen will discuss the question with calmness, and ap appeals - peals appeals to the lederal states not to provoke war by suck acts. AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT. The London Star has this statement: - "The event lias not been unanticipated. It was indeed expected to have come off on this side of the Atlantic. It is notorious that federal ships have left our own ports to watch for the mail steamer with the deliberate inten intention - tion intention of taking from tier the commissioners. The opinion of the law officers of our crown has been taken on the subject, and we are as assured - sured assured it is clearly in favor of the right assum assumed - ed assumed by the United States government." THE POUT ROVAL VICTORY. The Loudon Star of November 26:h says: - "A numerous party of.loyal Unionists met on Monday in St. James street, London, to cele celebrate - brate celebrate the victory at Port Royal. The compa company - ny company heartily approved that Gen. Scott should be entertained at a banquet in London." THE INVASION OF MEXICO. New York, Dec. 11. - The Columbia, from Havana Dec. 6, lias arrived and reports that the British steamer Clyde, Irom Tampico, met the Spanish fleet and army within 36 hours sail of Vera Cruz, with fine weather. The Mexi Mexicans - cans Mexicans were daily expecting the allied fleet. The general feeling appeared to be bailed of Spain, all feuds giving way to the sentiment ot united resistance to the common enemy,and the frequent H-.mirk was, if Spaniards came alone they would be heartily welcomed. No resistance, however, would be made at Vera Cruz or T unpico. The guns of Castle San Juan D Ulloa were being carried inland. If any Mexican symntoms are to be trusted, the most determined resistance wilf be made to this Spanish'invasion. . Some months since, the church party in the city of Mexico, anticipating the intervention of the European powers to establish a mon monarchy - archy monarchy in the country, took measures to estab establish - lish establish the nucleus of a party in the distant states. In the state of Sonora, some 500 reactionists made a stand for the purpose of revolutioniz revolutionizing - ing revolutionizing the state. A telegraphic dispatch, dated San Francisco, Dec. 9, has been received by a Mexican gentleman, saying the reactionary party in Sonora had been thoroughly beaten and dispersed bj the liberal forces, and that order under the constitutional government is completely restored. Washington, Dec. 11 - The president has declined to communicate to congress any com communications - munications communications addressed to him by the govern-

eulogies. The usual resolutions were passed and the house adjourned. Thursday, Dec. 12. SENATE. Mr. Trumbull presented a petition to re repeal - peal repeal the law which prevents Jewish divines officiating as chaplains in the army. Mr. Sumner introduced a bill to provide for the appointment of a solicitor of claims in the state department, Referred to the f ireign re relations - lations relations committee. Mr. Sumner also introduced a resolution that the committee on the judiciary be direct directed - ed directed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law tor commissioners to revise the public statutes of the United States, simplify the lan language, - guage, language, and reduce the size so they may be ac accessible - cessible accessible to all. Agreed to. Mr. Foote introduced a bill to authorize the president to fill up the corps of cadets at West Westpoint. - point. Westpoint. Referred to to the military committee. Mr. Wilson offered a resolution that the in inspector - spector inspector general, quartermaster general, and commissary general of subsistence, be direct directed - ed directed to inform the senate what articles ought to be sold by suttlers to volunteers and such as best would secure their efficiency. He said it was necessary that the soldiers now in the field should go back to their homes without being demoralized. He had infoi mation from all sources that the sutler system, as it is now, is a prolific source of demoralization and deg degradation - radation degradation to the volunteers. The evidence of medical men is that it tends to sicken the men. The sanitary commission have passed a reso resolution - lution resolution against it. In thirty-one regiments li liquor - quor liquor is sold with the consent of officers; in one hundred and thirty-seven regiments it is sold with or without the consent of officers ; and in only twenty-three regiments isitentire isitentirely - ly isitentirely excluded. This system, to-day, is robbing the men of hard-earnings which ought to go to their families at home. The sutlers have determined to make a fight on this question and he, Wilson, bad read a circular sent out to the sutlers to collect twenty-five dollars from each suttler to defeat the bill. He was told defiantly that no such measure could be pass passed. - ed. passed. The other day one company in a regi regiment - ment regiment was paid $2300 and over SHOO went to the suttler. Mr. Harris was glad the subject had been brought before the senate. He was satisfied that this was a most crying evil. He believed' the whole system should be promptly abol ished. The resolution was then agreed to. Mr. Wilson reported back from the milita military - ry military committee the bill relative to courts martial in the army, which was considered and passed. Mr. Johnson of Tennessee moved that so much of the president's message as refers to a railroad to western Kentucky and Tennessee be referred to a select committee. The motion was agreed to. HOUSE. Mr. Blair of Missouri, rising to a question of privilege, caused to be read the following extract, as further explanatory of remarks which he made yesterday on Mr. Lovejoy's resolution, having in view the revocation of a part of Gen. Halleck's general order relative to fugitive slaves. The resolution, it has al already - ready already been stated, was laid on the table : Headquarters Department of Missou Missouri. - Hon. - ri. - Hon. Missouri. - Hon. F. P. Biair, Washington: - My Dear Colonel - Yours of the 4th inst. is just receiv received. - ed. received. Order No. 3 was in my mind clearly a military necessity. Unauthorized persons, black or white, free or slaves, must be kept out Qf our camps, unless*- we are willing to publish to the enemy everything we do or in intend - tend intend to do. It is a military and not a political order. lam ready to carry out any lawful instruc instructions - tions instructions in regard to fugitive slaves which my superiors may give me, and to enforce any laws which congress may pass, but I cannot make law, and will not violate it. You know my private opinion on the policy of conficat conficating - ing conficating the slaves, property of rebels in arms. If congress shall pass it you may be certain I shall enforce it. Perhaps my policy as to the treatment of rebels and their property is as well set out in Order No. 13, issued the day before your letter was written, as I could now describe it. Yours, truly, 11. W. Halleck. Mr. Blair of Mo., from the committee on military affairs, reported a bill authorizing the raising ot a volunteer force for the better defence of Kentucky. It proposes to raise a volunteer force of twenty thousand men for twelve months, to be employed within the lim limits - its limits of the state, under such regulations as the Kentucky military board may prescribe. The further consideration of the bill was then postponed until Monday, and the house proceeded to the consideration of the special order, namely, the various propositions involv involving - ing involving the question of emancipating the persons held as slaves by rebels. Adjourned till Monday. FROM WaSHISOTOX. Washington, Dee. ll. - The president oc occupied - cupied occupied a seat beside Vice President Hamlin, to-day, during the delivery of She eulogies consequent on the death of Senator Baker. Visits of the president to either house of con congress - gress congress are of rare occurrence. This is the first instance of the kind certainly within the past quarter of a century. The select committee appointed by the speaker of the house on that branch of the president's message relating to the defence of the northern lakes and rivers cohsists of Messrs. Arnold of Illinois, Ashby of Ohio, Noel of Missouri, Aldrich of Minnesota, Bab Babbitt - bitt Babbitt of Pennsylvania, Spaulding of New York, 'Granger of Michigan, Wheeler of New York, and Potter ot Wisconsin. The quartermaster's department has asked coflgress for an appropriation of $1,000,000, in addition to the $1,100,000 voted at the former session, to meet expenses incurred tor the arm armed - ed armed flotilla on the western waters-. Last night there was an alarm along the lines across the Potomac, and seven divisions' slept on their arms. Wm. W. Pattison, a Marylander who es escaped - caped escaped from the rebel lines, has arrived, under charge of Col. Blaisdell, from Gen. Hooker's division, and has informed the government of the disposition of thousands ot Marylanders who are now in the rebel army on the other side of the Potomac, to return to their homes and allegiance. It is currently said the military committee of the bouse favor the treatment of privateers captured by our vessels as prisoners of war. The republican members of congress held an adjourned caucus at the capitol to-night.. Senator Clark of New Hampshire was chair man, and Mr. Campbell of Pennsylvania, sec secretary. - retary. secretary. There was an interchange of views, continuing over two hours. About sixty gen gentlemen - tlemen gentlemen were present. Finally, the pending resolution of Representative Bingham was unanimously adopted. It provides tor the con confiscation - fiscation confiscation of all property of rebels in arms, and all who aid and abet them, and the uncondi unconditional - tional unconditional emancipation of their slaves. Washington, Dec. 12. - The principal witness to-day in the trial of Col. Kerrigan was Robert McMoran, a sergeant of Kerri Kerrigan's - gan's Kerrigan's regiment, who testified to the'desertioir of Patrick Goffrey on the 24th of July, and to his return on the 4th of Sepu mber, and that he wns reinstated in his position by order of Col. Kerrigan without a trial. Formal complaint was made to to-day to the war department by Gov. Andrew ot Massachu Massachusetts - setts Massachusetts against Gen. Stone, it is alleged, for com compelling - pelling compelling troops from that state to assist in the restoration of fugitive slaves. ISTERESTING FROM EGYUT. Washington, Dec. 12. - Wm. S. Thayer, consul general at Alexandria, writes to the de department - partment department of State that the ruler of Egypt will not allow the "confederate flag in bis har harbors, - bors, harbors, and that Americans shall have the same chance to get cotton in Egypt that is allowed to the English. The letter says : - A significant piece of news here is the re receipt - ceipt receipt of intelligence that a squadron had been seift by the authorities at Washington to open the southern ports. It caused cotton to fall on one day from 25 dollars to 21 dollars a cantar, 25 dollars a cantar is the highest price ever known in Egypt. Prior to this time the high highest - est highest figure was 23 dollars, the result of the Uri mean war. The price now is irom 18 to I'J dollars the canlar. THE NORTH CAROLINA UNIONISTS. Washington, Dec. 11 - A letter from a citizen in the western part of North Carolina, to a friend in Washington, has passed the reb rebel - el rebel lines, and was to-night placed in the hands of Gen. McClellan. It brings the clearest confirmation yet received that there is a large and determined organization of the Unionists in North Carolina. They are putting them themselves - selves themselves in communication with the Unionists in East Tennessee, and await only the dawn of hope for a general rising. They expect a re reinforcement - inforcement reinforcement of Brownlow by national forces, and will accept that movement as the signal fortheir own action. FROM KENTUCKY. Frankfort, Dec. 10. - Garrett Davis was elected U. Sr senator for the remainder of John C. Breckinridge's term, to day, by a vote of 84 to 12.

-XXX VII th COXGKESS-First Session. Washington, Dec. 10. SENATE. Messrs. Fessenden and Sumner presented petitions for the emancipation of slaves under the War power. Mr. Wilson introduced a joint resolution to provide for the payment of the commissioners appointed to investigate the claims in the west western - ern western military department. Referred to the committee on finance. Mr. Harlan introduced a bill to authorize the president to acquire territory for the set settlement - tlement settlement of tree persons of African descent. Referred to the committee on public lands. Mr. Wilson introduced a bill for the reor reorganization - ganization reorganization of the medical department of the army. Referred to the committee on military affairs. Mr. Harris introduced a bill relative to the sale of spirituous liquors in the District of Columbia. The bill is designed to render more operative the bill passed last summer, and provides for trial by any justice of the peace. Referred to the committee cn the judi judiciary. - ciary. judiciary. Mr. Chandler announced the death of Mr. Bingham, late senator from Michigan. HOUSE. Qn motion iff Roscoe the attor attorney - ney attorney general was requested to report his views as to the means of obtaining a retrocession of that part of Virginia formerly belonging to the District of Columbia. Mr. Potter, from the committee on public lands, reported a bill providing homesteads for actual settlers, and providing bounties for soldiers, in lieu of public lands. He explained that the homestead feature of the bill was heretofore passed, but there is an addition, that all soldiers, marines, and seamen shall be entitled to the provisions of this act. It also confers a bounty of S3O on the three months' volunteers. The bill was postponed to the 18tb inst. The house concurred in the resolution from the senate for a joint committee to inquire into Ilie conduct of the present war, with power to semi for persons and papers. Mr. Pendleton moved that the memorial of Howard, Getchell, & Davis, be referred back to the committee on the judiciary, with instructions declaring that congress alone has power under the constitution to suspend tiie writ of habeas corpus ; that the exercise of that power by any other department of gov eminent is usurpation, and dangerous to pub public - lic public liberty ; that the persons above named be delivered to the marshal, to the end that they may be indicted, wiih the right of a speedy trial, if there be probable cause ior such pro proceeding. - ceeding. proceeding. Washington, Dec. 11. SENATE. Mr. Simmons presented a petition for the emancipation of the slaves of reliels w ithout compensation, loyal men to be compensated. Mr. Wilson ottered a resolution that the military committee be instructed to inquire what reduction may be made in the expenses of the army. Agreed to. Mr. Harris presented a memorial from the New York Chamber of Commerce, relating to the establishment of mail steamers from. San Francisco to China. Referred. Mr. Chandler ottered a resolution instruct instructing - ing instructing the military committee to inquire into the expediency of appointing a joint committee ot the two houses, with power to retire any improper officers in the army and navy. Agreed to. Mr. Morrill offered a joint resolution con confiscating - fiscating confiscating rebel property. Mr. Wilson introduced a bill to increase the number of cadets at West I'oint. Referred to the military committee. Mr. Nesmith announced the death of Ed Edward - ward Edward Dickinson Baker, paying a brief tribute to his bravery and worth, and offered the usual resolutions. Messrs. McDougal, Browning, Cowan, Dixon, and Latham, paid tributes to the patriotism, eloquence, worth, and true greatness of the late senator and soldier. Adjourned. HOUSE. Mr. McKnight, from the committee on for foreign - eign foreign .i flairs, reported a resolution, which was adopted, that all resolutions, &c., pertaining to the recognition of the independence of Hayti and Liberia, be referred to that commit committee. - tee. committee. A resolution passed, instructing the commit committee - tee committee on public lands to report what railroad companies have received donations of lands on condition of transporting troops and muni munitions - tions munitions ot war free, and whether the government has an unqualified right of such transporta transportation. - tion. transportation. Mr. Lovejoy offered a resolution instruct instructing - ing instructing the committee to report a bill establishing diplomatic relations between Hayti and the United States. Mr. Vallandigham remarked - "We want no nigger ambassadors here." A debate aris arising, - ing, arising, the resolution was laid over. Mr. Blair offered a resolution declaring it just to recognize the eminent and patriotic services ol the late Gen. Lyon, and tendering the thanks ot congress to the brave officers and soldiers under him, who sustained the honor of our flag and achieved a victory at Springfield, Missouri; and, in order to com commemorate - memorate commemorate the event, each regiment shall bear on its colors the word in letters ot gold, and these resolutions shall be read at the head of the different regiments of the army. He believed government had taken no notice at all of the death of Lyon, and hence the propriety of the passage of these resolu resolutions. - tions. resolutions. He knew him well. There never lived one who eared more for his country and less for himself. Mr. Edwards moved that the last part of the resolution be stricken out, believing, as we are to have a war of long continuation, we should not be too lavish at the outset in estab establishing - lishing establishing precedents, as the neglect to notice similar occurrences hereafter may result in embarrassment. Mr. Colfax opposed the amendment Of Mr Edwards, which was rejected, and the resolu resolution - tion resolution adopted. Mr. Lovejoy's resolution was then taken up and re-considered. Mr. Stevens said if the passage of this resolution is to have good effect, especially in the west, the sooner it is passed the better. The allegation of Gen. Halleck that fugitive slaves give information to the enemy is too bad a pretence to justify him. The return of fugitives was intended by McClellan, and followed by Kelly, Dix and others. All these cases are a disgrace to the profession of arms. If such return has been made by the orders of the commanding generals, they should have the epaulettes stripptd from their shoulders; if by higher authority, then God forgive them, they know not what they do. Mr. Lovejoy expressed tiie honest convic conviction - tion conviction that such orders were issued'by com commanding - manding commanding generals with >ut authority from the president. He was satisfied of this fact, while the president does not remove or cashier them, as he (Lovejoy) did not believe they had the power tor any such inhuman or shameful measures. -- Mr. Blair said Gen. Halleck had informed him he bad no idea of doing anything contra contrary - ry contrary to the law of the last congress and the poli policy - cy policy or the government. . It was gross injustice to Gen. Halleck to state that be had ordered the return of f ugitive slaves to disloyal masters. - Mr. Lovejoy said the testimony of every general in the field is, that slaves are true, loy loyal, - al, loyal, and faithful, and said they were tiie most reliable scouts we have. Mr. Blair said Gen. Halleck's simple ob object - ject object was to exclude -from camp such persons as could convey information to the enemy. Gen. Halleck had stated that slaves came into ramp at Cairo to sell fruit, and returning to Kentucky and southern Missouri, fell into the hands of rebels who obtained information of them. Mr. Fouke said the officers regarded Gen. Halleck's order as most wise and salutary. The allusion to the fidelity ot those slaves was untrue. The army.was misled on the 7lh of November by slaves. His own regiment was thus led into an ambuscade. Let the res olution pass and recruiting in Illinois will cea-e. The army will stand by the order of Gen. Halleck. Mr. Blair said Gen. Halleck intended to use slaves to the advantage of the government, and if it would weaken the enemy he would take them sway from him, but be did not in intend - tend intend to have them inside his lines. On motion of Mr. Vallandigham, the resolu resolution - tion resolution recognizing the independence ot Hayti came up, and Mr. Cox offered an amendment, that the foreign committee inquire into the expediency of doing so, instead of the direct instructions to report a bill for that purpose. He said, instead of bringing up so frequently the pestiferous nigger, the country expects congress to give a little time to more impor important - tant important subjects. The amendment was agreed to and the res resolution - olution resolution adopted. A message came from the senate, announc announcing - ing announcing the death of Senator Baiter, and Messrs. Shiel, Phelps, Sargent, Dunlap, Colfax, Rich Richardson, - ardson, Richardson, Kelley, and Riddle, severally delivered

There is a lesson in the official count of the votes for governor at our late election, for the republican party managers, who refused to make the union movement that the people hungered and prayed for. The idea of these managers was that the democratic party had gone to pieces, and that the great mass of its patriotic voters would naturally and inevitably fall into the support of the republican ticket, without being led thereto by a union move movement. - ment. movement. They thought to get their votes, while they kept the offices and the political honor all to themselves. But the figures show that the democratic vote is better preserved, and larger in proportion to last year's, than the republi republican. - can. republican. Gov. Andrew had last year 104,527 - this year but 65,261. Last year, the demo democratic - cratic democratic vote for governor was 41,191 - this year it is 31,264. Last year, the republican vote was more than thrice and a halt the democrat democratic - ic democratic vote - now it is but a trifle over twice the latter. Last year Gov. /Andrew's majority was 39,445; now it is but 33,201. Thus the selfish conduct of the republican managers has reaped its just harvest ; and instead of forcing the democracy into dissolution, they havedriv havedriven - en havedriven them into compactness and given them new strength. And thus, while Gov Andrew had earned and was entitled to are-election by not only a greatly increased majority, but a pigetieal unanimity - while such a re-election was tendered him by the people - the narrow, grasping selfishness of his party friends cheat cheated - ed cheated him out of it, and most unfairly presented him before the country as a less populai man than lie was when first elected. - Spring field Republican. If these representations should be taken as correct the "lesson" would be very different from that wlikih the Springfield Republican draws from them. The democratic party steadily refused to have anything to do with that "union" at the polls of which the Republi. can talked so much. Their state committee issued a party call. Their state convention adopted patty resolutions and nominated a party ticket, and this policy was adhered to throughout. According to the Springfield Re Republican - publican Republican they gained strength and compact compactness. - ness. compactness. The republican state committee issued a union call, and some of the leaders made an earnest attempt to have the party disband in the name of "union." The Republican says the party lias lost strength. Surely the lesson that comes necessarily from such a statement of the facts is not at all in favor of that imprac impracticable - ticable impracticable "union" policy in favor concerning which the Republican held so much discourse. But our Springfield friend does not state the case correctly. It is really a misrepresent misrepresentation - ation misrepresentation of the state of the case to take the vote at the presidential election as an illustration of the ordinary voting of parties in this state. At the presidential election, in 1856, the re republican - publican republican vote was even larger than in I 860; but this style of voting was not maintained at the following state elections. Let us take the vote of 1859, the year previous to that quoted by the Republican. In the election of that year the vote stood - Banks (republican), 58,780; Butler (democrat) 35,334; Briggs, 14,365. In 1861 the republicans have cast 6481 more votes and the democrats 4070 less than in 1859. Do these figures show any such "lesson" as the Republican would fain draw from its own statement ot the case? In 1858 the vote stood as follows : - Banks 68,790 ; Beach 38,298; Lawrence 12,084. Members of congress were elected that year, and this made the vote larger than it otherwise would have been. 'Die difference in the relative strength of parties was not much changed. The truth is there has been no great change in the relative strength of parties in this state > nor has there been among the people any such hungering and thirsting after a union of par ties at the polls, as the Republican supposes, either here or any where. There lias been a disposition to get rid of party bitterness, but the attempt to force a union of parties which circumstances made impossible, has been con confined - fined confined to a portion of the "republican leaders.'' It has failed wherever it has been tried, and in some cases the supporters of the administra administration - tion administration have lost ground by it, as in Ohio, for example. It was an ill-considered attempt to manage a matter which should be left to time and circumstances, influenced in some cases, probably, with a motive that was not very frankly declared. For the rest we are constrained to say, the Springfield Republican should not be capable of speaking so unjustly of the republican party The astonishing hallucination that moves it to say there was among the people a "hungering and thirsting" after a union of parties at the polls, and that Gov. Andrew was "tendered" a re-election "by not only' a greatly increased majority, but a practical unanimity," cannot be reasoned with; but its charges of "narrow, grasping selfishness" made against those whose common sense was not paralyzed by a similar hallucination, cairy the joke quite too far.

FROM THE TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT. Camp Hicks, Annapolis, I Dec. 8, 1861. J ' Editor Spy .- - Sitting alone in my canvas home, this evening, I don't know as I Can betkr improve the time until "taps" than by writing a few lines to you. Matters in and about our camp remain as monotonous as usual - now. When we arc <o leave here is quite uncertain, although the quartermaster informed us yesterday that he had received orders to have things ready to move on board the transports a week from to-monow. This would seem to indicate that'om stay here will be short. The older to be ready at that time is by no means proof positive that we shall go then, but rather that if the vessels, &c., are ready we may be ready also. My opinion is, from all I can learn, that we will remain here at least two weeks longer. Where we are to land is as great a mystery to us as to you, in tact, we have not the slightest idea what point we are to make further than this, "South somewhere." But you can assure yourself that wherever a landing is attempted we shall land, or else the fleet will be sunk, for the character ot our commanding officers is well known, and it is often remarked - "they know no such word as 'fail.' " We have, since we tame here, been visited by many distinguished military gentlemen, and have received from them much praise for our proficiency in drill and neatness in camp. Our regiment, particularly, stands high, as you can judge from the fact that it has been placed in the highest position of honor that can be given to any regiment which is to compose the division - that position is the right of General Foster's brigade, which brigade is the right of the division. Well may Worcester county be proud of the twenty-fifth. General Foster's brigade is to be composed of the Massachusetts twenty fifth, twenty-third and twenty-seventh, and the Connecticut tenth. The remaining brigades (probably three) have not as yet been arranged, but probably will be in the course of a few days. The weather for the few past days has been fine, and to day has seemed more like a day in May, rather than December. We receive the Spy regularly - generally the day after its pub publication - when - lication - when publication - when you will notice a squad gather around the camp fire at evening, while some member of it reads the Worcester news. Dec. 9. - Rumor has it, this morning, that we have received imperative orders to sail on Saturday of this week, and the boys seem highly elated with the news. The first call is now sounding for brigade drill, at which the regiments to compose the first brigade will for the first time drill together. Gen. Burnside arrived last evening, for the purpose, I under understand, - stand, understand, of taking command ot bis division. D. M. G. M. Sneaking into Notice. - lt seems that Mr. Yancey was not, after all. the guest of the Fishmongers of London at that celebrated dinner where lie indulged himself in a misrep misrepresentation - resentation misrepresentation of the dispute in this country. Some malicious American has exposed the fact that the would be African slave trader was pres present - ent present by private invitation of a friend only, who had a ticket to spate, and knew nobody more in want ot a good dinner than the rebel agent. The newspapers^ too, remark that "the ap applause - plause applause which greeted his address was dashed by a tumult of disapproval, suppressed in the reports." SO poor Mr. Yancey has come down off the rather high horse on which he bad surreptitiously perched himself. - New York Evening Post. Temperance in the Army. - A little inci incident - dent incident occurred in the senate on Thursday last which is wortlij of note. Mr. Grimes, in re viewing the finding of the court of inquiry in the ease of Col. Miles, intimated that he could put no trust in any public man addicted to in intemperance. - temperance. intemperance. This sentiment called down such a round of applause from the galleries that the vice president bad promptly to rebuke it. There were present a: the time quite a num number - ber number of our braye volunteers, from whom this outburst of feeling spontaneously proceeded. We learn there are a number of temperance societies in the various regiments, while there are whole regiments that refuse to touch a drop of ardent spirits, and hence it was that this re remark - mark remark was so signally responded to. - National Intelligencer.

bench, previous to which Frank Blair is to be appointed senator in place of Trusten Polki whose chances ot expu'sion are very fair. It is further assumed that Hon. Edward Bates will retire from the cabinet, and that his man mantle - tle mantle as attorney general will fall upon Samuel T. Glover, Esq., one of the luminaries of the St. Louis bar. Col. John B. Henderson of Western Missouri is mentioned for senator in place ot Waldo P. Johnson, who has not taken his seat, and is in sympathy with the rebels. The fig bi al PeiiKacola. A letter from an officer of the steamer Rich Richmond, - mond, Richmond, giving some account of the fight at Pensacola, has been received at the Merchants' Exchange, Boston. We copy the more impor important - tant important portions ot it: - U. S. Steamship Richmond, I Off Fort Pickens, Nov. 22, 1861. ) On the 22d November, at 10 15 a. m., three guns roared from Fort Pickens at the steamer Time, that had just entered the navy yard dock from Pensacola. At the same instant we manned the capstan bars, and up came our anchor. Scarcely a minute after'the first shot came from our side,, w hen "Barrancas," the light house battery, and "Mcßae," replied, and at it they went, pell mell. In a very short ?'time, the Niagara and Richmond, now under command of Capt. Ellison, gained their posi positions - tions positions on the western flank ot Fort Mcßae, and opened fire. The Richmond, drawing but six teen feet, was enabled to go in shore nearly a hat mile nearer than the Niagara, and with kedges out and springs on our cables we got our batteries to bear finely. The firing on both sides was at first neces necessarily' - sarily' necessarily' wild, but we shortly obtained the range of Mcßae, and dropped shells over and on all sides of the walls. Until 3p. tn. the batteries near Mcßae did not trouble us much, but about that time they succeeded in bringing two rifled guns to bear on us and instituted a series of experiments which speedily culminated in a shell hitting us abaft the main chains about lour and a half leet under vrater, and a second shot killed the captain of gun No. 3. We were sig signalled - nalled signalled to get underway. The Niagara was not injured. Saturday, Nov. 23. - This morning about 10 o'clock Pickens again opened tire, and the Ni Niagara - agara Niagara steamed into long range of the forts, di directing - recting directing us to remain where we are until furth further - er further orders. As I write (2 r. m.) Warrington is burning, and the tire is going ;,n between Pickens and the batteries. The United Stales storeship National Guard lias just arrived. During the engagement the Richmond aldne fired on the first day 562 shot and shell, using nearly 6000 pounds of powder. 1 tell you old boy there was some noise Friday. Pickens is all right thus far, and can hold out forever if kept supplied with ammunition and provisions. The island about the fort is covered with shot ane shell thrown from the enemy ; it looks as though the skies had rained 10 inch shell, and drizzled 42 pound shot. November, 24, 1861. - Sunday - no firing on either side - day ot rest. Pickens has one gun dismounted, one man killed, one mortally wounded, one slightly wounded. Warrington and the entire north side of the navy yard is a mass of smoking ruins. Pickens tired mor mortars - tars mortars all night at regular intervals. The following comes in a despatch sent from New York: - New York, Dec. 12. - A letter from Key West states that their Pensacola dates are of tiie 26th ult. It appears that a rebel steamer has been fly ing between the navy yard and the tow n constantly, carrying guns, munitions, &c Col- Brown notified Bragg that hethould tire on them, to which Bragg replied, "Fire away." Ou the morning of the 22d. two steamers appeared, and Col. Brown disabled one, and the other disappeared. General can cannonading - nonading cannonading then look place between fort Pickens and fort Barrancas. The Niagara and Rich Richmond - mond Richmond opened on tort Mcßae and several water batieries, the engagement lasting marly two whole days. Fort Mcßae was silenced, and also the batteries in reach of the Richmond's guns. Fort Pickens had not even a sand bag displaced by tort Barrancas' fire. Col. Brown says he has fort Barrancas completely at his mercy, and is awaiting reinforcements to hold the forts w hen lie shall take them.

Floating Batteries. - The report of the naval commission, appointed some months ago to consider the expediency of constructing iron-clad steamships or steam batteries, has been submitted to congress, and immediate measures are to be taken for strengthening the naval service in this respect. The commis commissioners - sioners commissioners are not sanguine that the bat eries will be useful as cruising vessels, on account of the enormous load of iron they will have to carry, the great breadth of beam necessary to give them stability, the short supply of coal they would be able to stow away in bunkers, the greater power required to propel them, and the largely-increased cost of construction. But for coast and harbor defense they may be used as formidable adjuncts to fortifications on land. Of nineteen plans and specifications submitted to them, they recommend three to the consideration of the government: - 1. Of y Ericsson of New York, a floating battery, shot and shell proof, wi h guaranty and forfeiture in case of failure in any of the properties and points of the vessel as pro proposed - posed proposed : Price, 5275,000; time, 100 days; length of vessel, 172 feet; breadth of beam, 41 feet; depth of hold, 11^ feet; draft of wa water, - ter, water, 10 feet; displacement, 1255 tons; speed per hour, 9 statute miles. 2. Of Merrick & Son, Philadelphia, a vessel of wood and iron combined, practicable for heavy armor. Price, 8780,000; time, nine months, length of vessel, 220 feet; breadth of beam, 00 feet; depth of hold, 23 feet ; draft of water, 13 feet; displacement, 3296 tons; speed per hour, 9J knots. 3 C. S. Bushnell & Co , New Haven, an iron-clad vessel, on the rail and plate principle and to obtain high speed. Price, 8235,250; time, 4 months; length of vessel, 180 feet; breadth ol beam, - feet; depth of hold, 12j draft of water, 10 feet; displacement, - tons ; speed per hour. Congress, at the extra session, appropriated $1,500,000 for the construction of such vessels. The commissioners advise that a portion o' the residue of the appropriation be devoted to supplying armor for river service on the Poto Potomac, - mac, Potomac, and that SIO,OOO be set apart for experi* menting on iron plates of different kinds. Town Houses. - The legitimate use of town houses has been judicially settled, for the first time, we believe, by the supreme court of Massachusetts. The case was as follows : In 1844 Daniel French of Quincy, gave to the town a lot of land, on the express condition that it should be used as a site for a town house, and for nothing else. The town ac accepted - cepted accepted the gift with the condition, and erected a fine building of granite, larger than was needed for present town purposes, in anticipa anticipation - tion anticipation of their future growth. The town has rented such portions of the edifice as it had no present use for, the hall for lectures, enter entertainments, - tainments, entertainments, and dances, and the smaller rooms to traders. The widow of the grantor held this to be a breach of the contract, and brought a suit to recover the land. The court ruled that the words "town house" might lawfully include a building fitted for all the business w hich a town is authorized to transact, and which needed a building; us, for instance, a place for town meetings, rooms for town offi officers, - cers, officers, a police office, a town library, a school, a hospital, an aims house, or a market. While a town had no authority to erect a building fur the purpose of renting it to private parties, it might temporarily rent, its surplus rooms, which were provided in view of prospective wants. Judgement was given for the town. The Indian Summer. - Several full-blown "ladies delights" were gathered in the gardens of Bath, Me., on the 9th of December. Per haps they thought they could take advantage of the desolation of the season, in the spirit of the March violet, which Mrs. Browning once heard soliloquizing: - "And shall I wait, said she, Till time for roses be; For the moss rose, and the musk rose, Maiden blush, and royal dusk rose, What glory then for me In such a companie?" The lilac buslies and apple trees among the vallies of the Green Mountains have also been putting out their silly buds for advertisements, as if they thought the prolonged Indian sum summer - mer summer was intended for their benefit.