Edward Everett to Charles Francis Adams, October 29, 1861

BosTON, 29 October, 1861.

MY DEAR MR. ADAMS, – I had much pleasure in receiving yours of the 5th of October by the last steamer. The fair prospect, to which you allude, as produced by the prosperous turn of things here, is a little clouded by the news, which this steamer will carry to you of another reverse to our arms near Leesburg. It seems to have been a sad blundering piece of business. There is a general willingness to lay the blame on poor Colonel Baker. Les morts, aussi bien que les absens, ont toujours tort. The great naval expedition has sailed from Fortress Monroe. Its success, if it fully succeeds, will be all important, — and its failure proportionately disastrous. Mr. de Stoeckel sat half an hour with me today. He talked in the sense of Prince Gortschakoff's letter; but rather gloomily of our cause. He distrusts the ability of McClellan to handle the large army under his command, and thinks General Scott, tho’ his faculties are unimpaired, pretty nearly “used up”; – I am sorry to use that cant phrase of the noble old chief. Stoeckel says that France and England have intimated to our Government, that the domestic interests of their subjects absolutely require, that the supply of cotton should not be much longer obstructed, and that if the present state of things continues, they shall be compelled, with great reluctance, to take measures for the relief of their subjects, who, according to Stoeckel, will otherwise starve or rebel; and of course the latter. He says he knows these intimations have been made. I read to Stoeckel a part of your letter, — not of course that which you wrote in confidence. He said, a propos of the European Complications, that Prince Gortschakoff wrote him that they were numerous and grave; that Russia could not prevent their existence, but thus far had been able to prevent their leading to war; and that as this season had passed without a rupture, and Winter was at hand, Peace was sure to be preserved, at least till next year. Baron Brunnow writes to Stoeckel, that John Bull affects to weep from sympathy, when brother Jonathan cries with the tooth-ache, but chuckles in his sleeve, as poor Jonathan's teeth, with which he is accustomed to bite so hard, are pulled out by his own doctors. Mr. Seward has requested me to come to Washington to confer on some public business (he does not say what) and I shall start on Wednesday. . . .

EDWARD EVERETT.

SOURCE: Massachusetts Historical Society, Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Volume 45: October 1911 – June 1912, November 1911 Meeting, p. 78-9

John M. Forbes to Nassau W. Senior, December 20, 1861

Boston, 20 December, 1861.

Nothing from you lately. You will be glad to hear that our people here are within the control of the government in regard to the difficulty with England, and unless the demands are made in such a spirit and manner as to make it seem that war is intended sooner or later, we can tide over the present trouble. If our government or people are made to feel that the Trent affair is merely a pretext, and that after making disagreeable concessions there, we shall only be called upon the sooner to "eat dirt" in some other case, we shall of course fight at first, coûte qu’il coûte.

This I do not anticipate, but I hope you statesmen will look ahead beyond the immediate horizon and try to treat this case so that it shall not further embitter the feelings of the two nations, and thus lay the foundations of a future war, whether of tariffs or cannon!

It will be unfortunate, for instance, if you make stringent demands for reparation of a wrong which to our common people, and to the common sense of the world, will in so large a matter between nations look like a technical or legal quibble.

You cannot convince our people that you are justified in humiliating us in this our extremity upon the ground that our frigate exercised an admitted right in a wrong manner, the wrong growing out of a generous motive toward your ship or your nation.

I know it is an important principle that no naval officer should take the office of a judge, and I shall be glad to see our officers and yours put upon their responsibility to conform, in manner and in substance both, to the Law of Nations, — but you ought not to push the legal advantage, if you have one, too far, where the substantial equity will seem to be with us! If you do, it will be considered like striking us while we are down, and will be remembered and resented long after this generation has passed away.

One cannot yet fairly judge how far our government and people may be pushed in the way of concession. If we do give way much beyond what seems to us fair, you may put it down to our inveterate earnestness to whip our domestic enemy.

I hope and believe we shall get over this near danger of collision with you, but I want to see the future guarded too.

If, for instance, you propose to leave the whole question to arbitration of parties as nearly disinterested as the case admits of, I think it will be received as an earnest of a better state of feeling. The king of Italy and the Czar, though opposed to republican institutions, would, I think, be accepted as fair referees, of course after proper argument being heard from your jurists and ours.

On the other hand, to insist upon your own interpretation of the international law, or upon referring it solely to Louis Napoleon, will, even if we concede it, leave a sting that will rankle for half a century! It will confirm all our worst fears that your rulers are ready to catch at any pretext, and risk any amount of suffering to your own people if they can only thus make sure of the failure of republican institutions. The prevailing opinion is that such is the disposition of your government, and I daily hear men of property and of general worldly prudence advocate the necessity of absolute resistance to any demand for concession. They reason that it would break down the spirit of our people and create internal divisions to a degree that is worse than foreign war! Their policy would be to let the foreign demands intensify our efforts against the rebels, and the moment it is ascertained that actual war will result, let loose the blacks, cut the dikes which confine the Mississippi, and deluge New Orleans and the whole of the flat country on its banks; an easy task!

A spark may thus ignite all the elements of war, while public opinion is so nearly balanced that it is only to-day that one can speak for! To-day peace is probable — to-morrow it may be impossible.

SOURCE: Sarah Forbes Hughes, Letters and Recollections of John Murray Forbes, Volume 1, p. 260-3

John M. Forbes to Nassau W. Senior, September 30, 1861

Naushon Island, September 30,1861.

Dear Mr. Senior, — Your note from the Chateau de Tocqueville reached me a few days since. It must have been a most agreeable reunion there.

We here feel more and more each day the miracle of M. de Tocqueville's prophetic vision of our history. It seems almost like clairvoyance! Our Channing's prevoyance of the results of our Texas land thefts is almost as strange. Such men of genius may well be called seers.

I am sorry that you still class me with the crowd who always seek to forget their own sins in abusing their neighbors. The fact is, all my prepossessions were in favor of England, and I had watched with the greatest satisfaction the subsidence of the old animosities, growing out of the two wars, and the growth of that good fooling which ought to animate the two nations who are, or might be, the bulwark of free institutions against the despotisms of the Old World.

When we cast off the nightmare despotism, which had so long ruled us, the slave oligarchy, which sympathized with Russia because of serfdom, and dismissed your minister to show their homage to the Czar, and which refused you a limited right of search, because it favored the slave trade; in fine, when at last we placed ourselves right on the question of slavery, which has always been a reproach from you to us, I thought the entente cordiale was complete. I did not look for material aid nor want it, but only such forbearance of countenance towards our Sepoys" as would help to discourage them, and would bring our two nations still more into harmony.

Perhaps I feel the disappointment more bitterly than the mob does, because my hope and prejudices were strongly for a warm English alliance— now, I fear, deferred another twenty years. Your "Times " I expected nothing better from than we have had in its cold sneers at the breaking of our bubble of democracy, but from your ministry I did look for something better than a proclamation of strict neutrality, putting us upon precisely the same footing with our “Sepoys,” forbidding either party to bring prizes into your ports, prohibiting your subjects aiding either; and this, too, issued just as our new minister was arriving, thus giving him no opportunity to confer upon mutual interests; for I contend that it is our mutual interests that have been endangered, not ours alone.

I beg your Sepoys’ pardon for naming them with ours. They at least had foreign conquerors, and a hated religion to conspire against, and yet we watched your Indian battles with a brother's eye, and canonized your Havelocks, Hodsons, and other martyrs, as if they had been our own. Even our press, loose as it is, uttered no sound of exultation at what seemed at one time to be the downfall of your Indian empire.

Had your Sepoys brought a prize into our California ports, we should have known only the British owner, and restored her. Once more I beg your Sepoys' pardon. They were not guilty of the deep crime against their nationality and the principles of government which marks our more barbarous rebels!

One word about the Morrill tariff. It is a labored, clumsy production, and it will fall by its own weight. Some of its blunders have been partially corrected; but you mistake the intention of those who passed it, or at least of the majority of them.

Its aim was to substitute the steadiness of specific duties for the vibrating, cheating system of ad valorem. Certain high duties were doubtless smuggled in under guise of specifics, and the extreme difficulty of so framing our specific duties that our poorer classes shall not pay the same duties, per yard or per pound, on their cheap cloth or tea, will probably cause a repeal of the tariff. Yet I think British experience and opinion favor the principle of specific rather than ad valorem duties. One tends to cheat the people who buy the poorest qualities, the other tends to enormous frauds against government and profits by false swearing, and encourages the use of poor, showy goods, as against the more substantial ones which come in under specifics.

You are a little more encouraging as to results than you were, but I still think you do not properly appreciate the fact that we are not fighting to subjugate the South, but to put down a small class who have conspired against the people, and who are a thousand times worse enemies of the mass of the people at the South than the North.

The only pinch is our finances. Cannot you help us upon the text of the cutting within, if you find that sound? Our moneyed men continue to take their tone very much from England, and confident views of financial success coming from your side have great weight. . . .

Very truly yours,

J. M. Forbes.

SOURCE: Sarah Forbes Hughes, Letters and Recollections of John Murray Forbes, Volume 1, p. 247-50

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, December 16, 1863

Headquarters Army Of Potomac

December 16, '63

Yesterday we had one of the funniest exhibitions that the Army has been favored with in a long while. The peaceful dolce far niente of the forenoon was suddenly broken by a telegraph, announcing a Russian invasion — nothing less than a legion of Muscovite naval officers pouring down, to the number of twenty-four, in a special train, on our devoted heads! And they were to come in a couple of hours! Would they pass the night? if so, where put them, in a camp where two or three guests make a crowd? Would they be fed? Even this was a problem, unless we ordered the Commissary to open a dozen boxes of the best stearine candles. However, General Meade at once orders the 6th Corps to parade, and gets hold of all the ambulances of the Staff, which are forthwith sent to the depot, after the serene Bears. And soon the vehicles returned, with flat caps hanging out of all the openings. Then the thing was to put them on horseback, as soon as possible, for it grew late in the day, already. You have heard of “Jack on horseback,” and this was a most striking instance. Each one sat on his McClellan saddle, as if double-reefing a topsail in a gale of wind. Their pantaloons got up, and their flat caps shook over their ears; and they kept nearly tumbling off on one side and hoisting themselves up again by means of the pommel. Meanwhile they were very merry and kept up a running fire of French, English and Russian. The extraordinary cavalcade having reached a hill, near the ground, there was found an ambulance, which had brought such as did not wish to ride, including the Captain, Bootekoff, who was the head feller. He, however, was persuaded to mount my mare, while I remained in the carriage. Thereupon the other carriage company were fired with a desire also to mount. So a proper number of troopers were ordered to get down, and the Russians were boosted into their saddles, and the procession moved off; but suddenly —

A horseman darted from the crowd

Like lightning from a summer cloud.

It was a Muscovite, who had discovered that the pommel was a great thing to hold on to, and who had grasped the same, to the neglect of the rein; whereupon the steed, missing his usual dragoon, started at a wild gallop! Off flew the flat cap and away went the horse and rider, with a Staff officer in full chase! Example is contagious, and, in two minutes, the country was dotted with Russians, on the wings of the wind, and vainly pursuing officers and orderlies. Some tumbled off, some were caught and brought back; and one chief engineer was discovered, after dark, in the woods, and in the unpleasant vicinity of the enemy's picket line. However, the most of them were at last got up and viewed the troops from their uncertain positions. After which they were filled up with large quantities of meat and drink and so sent in a happy frame of mind to Washington. The Captain was a very intelligent man; but most of the rest had no character or manliness in their faces, and two or three of them seemed to me almost full-blooded Jews. . . .

SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness to Appomattox, p. 61-3

William H. Seward to Abraham Lincoln, April 1, 1861

SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE PRESIDENT’S CONSIDERATION.

April 1, 1861.

1. We are at the end of a month‘s Administration, and yet without a policy either domestic or foreign.

2. This, however, is not culpable, and it has even been unavoidable. The presence of the Senate, with the need to meet applications for patronage, have prevented attention to other and more grave matters.

3. But further delay to adopt and prosecute our policies, for both domestic and foreign affairs, would not only bring scandal on the Administration, but danger upon the country.

4. To do this we must dismiss the applicants for office. But how? I suggest that we make the local appointments forthwith, leaving foreign or general ones for ulterior and occasional action.

5. The policy at home. I am aware that my views are singular, and, perhaps, not sufficiently explained. My system is built on this idea, as a ruling one, namely: that we must change the question, before the public, from one upon Slavery, or about Slavery, for a question upon Union or Disunion. In other words, from what would be regarded as a party question to one of Patriotism or Union.

The occupation or evacuation of Fort Sumter, although not, in fact, a slavery or party question, is so regarded. Witness the temper manifested by the Republicans in the free States, and even by Union men in the South. I would, therefore, terminate it, as a safe means of changing the issue. I deem it fortunate that the last Administration created the necessity.

For the rest, I would simultaneously defend all the forts in the Gulf, and have the Navy recalled from foreign stations, to be prepared for a blockade. Put the island of Key West under martial law.

This will raise distinctly the question of Union or Disunion. I would maintain every fort and possession in the South.

FOR FOREIGN NATIONS.

I would demand explanations from Spain and France categorically, at once. I would seek explanation from Great Britain and Russia, and send agents into Canada, Mexico, and Central America, to reuse a vigorous continental spirit of independence on this continent against European intervention, and if satisfactory explanations are not received from Spain and France, would convene Congress, and declare war against them.

But whatever policy we adopt, there must be an energetic prosecution of it. For this purpose, it must be somebody's business to pursue and direct it, incessantly.

Either the President must do it himself, and be all the while active in it, or devolve it on some member of his Cabinet. Once adopted, debates on it must end, and all agree, and abide. It is not my especial province; but I neither seek to evade, nor assume responsibility.

SOURCE: Frederick W. Seward, Seward at Washington, as Senator and Secretary of State, p. 535

Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, January 11, 1862 - Private

Private

Executive Mansion,

Washington, Jan. 11, 1862.

Dear Sir:

Though I have said nothing hitherto in response to your wish, expressed long since, to resign your seat in the cabinet, I have not been unmindful of it. I have been only unwilling to consent to a change at a time, and under circumstances which might give occasion to misconstruction, and unable, till now to see how such misconstruction could be avoided.

But the desire of Mr. Clay to return home and to offer his services to his country in the field enables me now to gratify your wish, and at the same time evince my personal regard for you, and my confidence in your ability, patriotism, and fidelity to public trust.

I therefore tender to your acceptance, if you still desire to resign your present position, the post of Minister to Russia. Should you accept it, you will bear with you the assurance of my undiminished confidence, of my affectionate esteem, and of my sure expectation that, near the great sovereign [sic] whose personal and hereditary friendship for the United States, so much endears him to Americans, you will be able to render services to your country, not less important than those you could render at home.

Very sincerely your friend

A. LINCOLN

SOURCE: Roy P. Basler, Editor, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 5, p. 96-7; A copy of this letter can be found in the Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress.

Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, January 11, 1862

Executive Mansion,

Washington, January 11, 1862.

Hon. Simon Cameron,

Secretary of War,

My dear Sir:

As you have, more than once, expressed a desire for a change of position, I can now gratify you, consistently with my view of the public interest. I therefore propose nominating you to the Senate, next Monday, as minister to Russia.

Very sincerely

Your friend

A. LINCOLN.

SOURCE: Roy P. Basler, Editor, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 5, p. 96; A copy of this letter can be found in the Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress.

Foreign News

HALIFAX, Jan. 26. – The Europa from Liverpool 11th, Queenstown 12th, arrived last night.

A Cadiz telegram says the American Consul has received orders to protest against the admission of the Sumter.

It was said Spain would protect the prisoners brought by the Sumter.

RUSSIA. – It is reported that Russia has sent an embarrassing ultimatum to Rome that if the Pope don’t condemn the conduct of the Polish Clergy Russia will recognize the Kingdom of Italy.

CHINA. – A new regency has been established at [Peam] under the 2d Empresses.

FRANCE. – The pacific termination of the Trent affair caused a rise in the Bourse of 1 per cent.

The Moniteur says the feeling of profound regret and indignation has been aroused in England and France by the vindictive act of destroying the port of Charleston.  Rentes firm – 68f 60s.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 4

Later From Europe

Arrival of the Anglo Saxon.

PORTLAND, MAINE, Jan. 30. – The Anglo Saxon from Liverpool, 16th, via Queenstown, 17th, arrived here this morning.  Her dates are five days later.

The steamship Teutonia, from New York, arrived at Southampton on the 12th, with the steamship America, from New York, and the Novascotian arrived at Liverpool on the 14th.  The Edinburg, from New York arrived at Liverpool on the 15th.

The news by the Anglo Saxon is unimportant.

It was rumored that the rebel steamer Nashville had been sold to English ship owners.  The Tuscarora continued to blockade her.

Corn, easy, market closed steady, with an upward tendency for wheat.  Provisions, quiet.

Consols, for money, 93¼.

The London Globe announces that the Washington Cabinet had given orders for the release of the two Americans taken from the English schooner Eugenie and the steamer Santiago de Cuba.

But little business was doing at Loyd’s [sic] in war risks.  There was continued activity in all the departments at the Portsmouth dock yard.

It was stated that the Tuscarora’s movement in leaving her moorings on the 13th inst., was to prevent the Nashville from getting under way for 24 hours.  It was understood that the Tuscarora’s orders were never to leave sight of the Nashville, to blockade her in Southampton, and if she should leave, to chase her as long as she is at sea.  In addition to the Frigate Dauntless, the war steamer Argus, had been placed at the mouth of the Southampton docks, to watch the movements of the two vessels.

The London Times says that mercantile letters from New York represent that the cry for promoting insurrection among the slaves was gaining force, and looking at the threatened horrors, whispers were at length heard of a wish that for the sake of humanity European intervention might be fount practicable.

Additional correspondence had been published in regard to the Trent affair, including Lord John Russell’s reply to Mr. Seward’s dispatch, dated January 11th.  It expresses much satisfaction at the conclusion arrived at by the Washington Government, which it considers most favorable to the maintenance of most friendly relations.  The English Government, however, differs from Mr. Seward in some of his conclusions, and as it may lead to a better understanding on several points of international law.  Lord John Russell proposes in a few days to write another dispatch on the subject.  In the mean time he says that it is desirable that the commanders of United States cruisers shall be instructed not to repeat acts for which the British Government will have to ask redress, and which the United States government can not undertake to justify.  Lord Lyons is thanked for his discretion.

Mason and Slidell had been expected by the America, and a good deal of interest was felt as to the reception they would get at Liverpool. – Various expedients were adopted to secure anything but a flattering one.

There has been no reply to the strictures on the stone blockade of Charleston.

The extra workmen at the dock yards will be discharged at the end of the financial year.

The Shipping Gazette says that war of further diplomatic strife is certain between England and America.

Liverpool Breadstuffs. – W. N. & Co. and others, report flour dull and declined 6d@1s, wheat declined 1d@2d – red 11s@12s 4d, white western 12s 6d@12s 9d, white southern 12s 9d@13s 3d.  Corn easier, mixed 31s@31s 6d.

(Latest via Londonderry.)

Liverpool, 17. – Flour steady, wheat active with an upward tendency, corn quiet but steady, provisions ditto.

LONDON, Jan, 17. – Consols for money 93¼.  I. C. shares 42 7/8 @ 43 1/8 disc., Erie shares 28 N. Y. C. 71@73.

The Times predicts a speedy collapse in America under the suspension of specie payment. – It also published extracts from Mr. Russell’s diary to the 3d of January.  He says it requires an augmentory faith to believe there will be any success in subjugating the South, for the army of the North will be stricken down for the want of means.  The troops sent to points along the coast are suffering from sickness.  The pretense of there being Union men at the South is fast vanishing.  Mr. Russell sees an extraordinary lack of ordinary political common sense in American Journals.

Capt. Symmes of the Confederate States Navy, and commander of the Sumter has addressed a letter to the Times defending his ship against the insinuations of the Secretary of the Federal Navy who in his official report describes the Sumter as a piratical rover.

Paris Bourse steady.  Rentes quoted 69f 20c.

The French journals generally compliment the Washington Cabinet for their action in the Trent affair.

PRUSSIA. – The King of Prussia, in his speech at the opening of the Chambers rejoiced at the happy issue of the Anglo American difficulties.

SPAIN. – The privateer Sumter continued at the port of Cadiz.

London Money Market. – Consols experienced a further decline of ½ per cent.  Money very easy.

The publication of the correspondence in relation to the Trent affair, has lead to some very bitter strictures on the dispatch of Mr. Seward, particularly as regards that part of it where it is announced that the prisoners, Mason & Slidell would have been retained had the interests of the Union required it.

The London Times doubts whether any nation ever committed a blunder so palpable and so enormous.

The London Morning Post says it is clear that the law of the stronger is the only law ruling in the United States.

The London Herald says that the last four lines of Mr. Seward’s dispatch is the only part of it that can be accepted as an answer to British Demands.

(Very Latest per Anglo Saxon.  Telegraphed to Londonderry.)

Liverpool, Jan. 17. – Notwithstanding the rumored sale of the Nashville she continued to fly the Confederate flag.  No sale has been registered at the Admiralty.

Berlin, Jan. 17. – It is reported that England has no objection to examine the question of guarantee for the rights of neutrals by diplomatic correspondence, but would be opposed to a Congress on the question.

Several members of Parliament had been addressing their constituents.  America was the main topic.  Mr. Gladiator made a speech at Leith.  He was very friendly towards America, and hoped the concession of the American Government would be conceived in a most generous spirit and irritation not to be increased by minute criticism.  He thought the North had undertaken a task which would prove too much for them.

Mr. Gilpin, of Northampton, declared that the lack of sympathy with the North was because the North had not identified themselves with the first principles of the Constitution, which declares all men are born free and equal.  But he believed the question had now become Slavery or Freedom.  He called on Englishmen to hesitate before they directly or indirectly sanctioned a premature and unnecessary acknowledgment of the South.

Lord Henry at the same meeting uttered similar sentiments.

Mr. Peeresford took rather opposite ground, he believed that if the Southern Confederacy established its independence it would lead to an amelioration of the condition of the slave.

The frigate Mirror was expected at Plymouth in a day or two on her way to the North American Station.

ITALY. – The Pope in announcing to the Cardinals that Russia had consented to the re-establishment of the Papal Nuncio at St. Petersburg, said he hoped this fresh concession on the part of the Emperor would be the signal for others in favor of the unfortunate Polish nation.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

What They Think Of McClellan In Russia

At a complimentary dinner given to the officers of the 7th New Hampshire Regiment at the Metropolitan Hotel in New York, the other day, Major Roland, in response to a sentiment in honor of the commanding Chief, General McClellan, stated:

That during a visit to Russia, some time since, he was told by General Totleben, the renowned Engineer of the Crimean war, that he (Gen. T.) thought there were at least two great soldiers in the United States.  One was General Scott, whom he knew well by fame and warlike acts, and the other through his military works, and that was Captain McClellan. [Loud cheers.]  General Totleben predicted that if ever the United States should become involved in war, Captain McClellan would distinguish himself.  [Three cheers and a tiger for General McClellan.]

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 1

Special to New York Papers

(Herald’s Special.)

WASHINGTON, March 24. – The party which left here on Tuesday to look for the remains of Colonel Slocum, Maj. [Ballou] and Capt. Tower of the 2d Rhode Island Regiment, killed at Bull Run, returned this morning bringing their remains.  The party was composed of Governor Sprague, Col. Arnold, Mr. Walter Coleman, his secretary, Lieut. Col. Sailges, Capt. Dennison and Surgeon Grady of the Rhode Island Cavalry, accompanied by two of the Rhode Island Volunteers who had been taken prisoners at Bull Run and had noted the place were officers were buried.  The party arrived Friday at Dudley’s Church.  Col. Slocum and Maj. [Ballou] were buried in the yard of [a] building nearby which was used as a hospital on the day of battle.  This building had been destroyed by the rebels, but the graves were found.  After they had commenced to dig a negro girl inquired if they were digging for the body of Col. Slocum and stated that about six weeks after the battle some soldiers of a Georgia regiment had dug it up, cut off the head and buried the body at the side of the run close by, and taken the coffin away to bury a dead negro.  Her story was corroborated by a white boy and man who lived in the same neighborhood.  On repairing to the spot indicated there was found a pile of ashes and which were pronounced by the Surgeon to be human corpses, which were buried in a box and Major [Ballou] in a coffin.  Upon opening the graves the box was recognized by Mr. Richardson who was present at the interment, and the remains in it were identified as Col. Slocum’s.  Upon opening the other grave it was found to be empty, showing that the body dug up and burned by the Georgia barbarians was that of Maj. [Ballou], as only the two have been interred in that yard.

(Tribune’s Dispatch.)

It is rumored that Green Clay will be transferred from the Secretaryship of Legation at St. Petersburg to that at Turin, the present incumbent, Mr. Fry, having declined on account of ill health.

Dr. John Evans of Chicago has been nominated and confirmed as Governor of Colorado territory, vice Gov. Milliu.  Stephen S. Hardin, of Indiana was on Friday nominated Governor of Utah, vice Geo. Dawson, rejected.

Small squads of rebel horsemen are scouring the country within five miles of Manassas impressing all able bodied men left, robbing the farmers for the hundredth time and destroying what they can’t carry away.

The Saturday’s work of the Ways and Means Committee on demands of delegations for the modification of the tax bill was to put a 3 percent ad valorem charge upon paper of every description; to adopt the schedule on leather substantially as they were presented to the Committee by Mr. Alley, a tanner, and a member of the House; to fix the rate on hoop skirts, umbrellas and parasols at f per cent ad valorem; ready made clothing at 3 per cent ad valorem; to leave salt is in the bill; and later long discussion to let the tax as first reported on tobacco and all its manufactures stand unaltered.  The tax on billiard dabbles was reduced half – to ten dollars a year.  On rock oil petroleum and coal oils the only change was of phraseology so that the refining and produce from distillation shall not be charged for brokers.  The committee took off the tenth of one per cent on their stock sales. Thinking that through their use of powers of attorney, transfer stamps and other assessable incidents of their business they would get taxed enough.  Flour was not disposed of.  The desire to tax of course exists.  The only difficulty in fixing the rate has been presented by the Canadian reciprocity treaty.  The belief has at least obtained in the Committee that flour can be taxed by branding the barrels and taxing the sales without violating the stipulations of that treaty.  The charge on the gross receipts of horse railroads was reduced one half.  It was decided not to tax coal at all, because it enters in the business of nearly the whole nation.  During the discussion on this bill the work on the tariff progressed.  Reference is continually had to it and when an article is taxed for income revenue at the same time an equivalent custom duty is placed on the tax list.  This principle will be adhered to throughout.

The Times’ Washington correspondence says the Commission of State Prisons will, to-morrow, take up the case of the celebrated Mrs. Grenshaw [sic], who will probably be transferred from a state prison to a Lunatic Asylum.

Gen. Montengrey [sic] has been transferred from his post as Military Governor of Alexandria, and placed in a like command at Annapolis.

Painful rumors have been afloat for two days, affecting a prominent officer in the civil department of the Government.  We are promised the denouement this week.

It is not true that the steamer Vanderbilt has been purchased by the Government to be altered to an iron clad vessel.  She is merely chartered for a short time as transport.

The commanding officer at Fort Craig writes to the Government that he has not a doubt of being able to hold the post.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

The Rebels have not sued for Peace

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27. – Mr. Cameron has not received his definite instructions yet is not contemplating an immediate departure to Russia.  No Secretary of the Legation has been appointed.  Green Clay still retains the place though now serving in Gen. Buell’s army.

Neither Jeff. Davis nor others have made any overtures to the Government concerning terms of submission or compromise.  The flag some time ago sent by Gen. Johnson to McClellan and also Howell Cobb’s interview with Gen. Wool, related solely to exchanging prisoners.  The above facts are derived from the best sources of information.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

Trouble Brewing in Europe

If all the ages of the times do not fail, there is a crisis approaching in European affairs, that will require the whole attention of the transatlantic powers, and which will probably leave us at leisure to settle our own difficulties in our own way.  The financial embarrassments of all the European nations, with, perhaps, the exception of England, are among the least threatening of the dangers which are imminent.  In Russia, the Serfs are dissatisfied with the law which makes them free, because it makes them pay for their freedom, and the nobility are sour because the Serfs have been freed at all.  And the much abused inhabitants of Poland and Finland are ever on the alert to take advantage of every pre-occupation of the Government to strike another blow to their independence.  In Germany also there are evidences of coming trouble.  Hungary is awaiting the march of events in Italy, and the moment Garibaldi attempts his long cherished enterprise of wresting Venitia from the dominion of Austria, Hungary will rise en masse to throw off the same yoke.  Secret societies exist in every town, and secret agents are traveling over the country, warning the inhabitants to be ready for the emergency.  A similar state of things is noticeable in the Turkish Provinces of Montenegro and Herzegovina, which are giving the Sultan much trouble.  The recent assertion of Prussia, too, that she considers “the German Confederation as an international and not a federal part of Prussia,” has irritated Austria and thrown the little German principalities into an interesting flutter of excitement, presaging trouble in that quarter.

But the Italian question is the most dangerous and complicated of the whole, and is daily growing more difficult of solution.  Garibaldi has just written a letter intimating that he intends to commence operations for the recovery of Venitia early in the spring, and Austria is taking active measures to resist the attack.  The Bourbons are adding new fuel to the flame of the Neapolitan rebellion, and fresh hostilities are momentarily expected in Naples and Sicily.  The Pope continues to hold on doggedly to his temporal power in spite of the warning of France, and the recent and numerous exhibitions of popular feelings on the subject in the Italian cities, shows that he is daily becoming more unpopular.  If Napoleon should withdraw his forces from Rome, as he threatens to do, the Pope is in a fair way to lose not only his temporal but his spiritual authority as well.  Verily, coming events in Europe cast their shadows before.  At this late day we hardly need the repeated assertions of neutrality in our affairs on the part of England and France.  Matters at home promise to furnish abundant scope for the exercise of all the diplomatic skill of the European nations, if indeed a general appeal to arms is not necessary.  The scales which hold the “balance of power,” never at an exact equipoise, now seem more likely to be put of equilibrium than ever before.  It will require time to get things right again, and meanwhile our little difficulties will be settled up.  In view of the troubles abroad, and the signs of returning peace at home, there is no good reason why we should be further haunted by the ghost of “European intervention.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 2

Burning and Destroying

Some talk is had upon the street corners as to the policy best to be pursued in case the enemy advance upon the city and the country, and seem likely to capture the city.  The Federal forces are yet a great distance from us, and we hope and believe they will never be able to reach here.  Certainly they will not if the whole people arouse in their might and present a solid breast against the invaders.  The movement in progress here aims to stir up the people to this universal resistance, and it seems probably that it will be successful.

The talk upon the corners is not always remarkably sensible.  Men who spend their time in dilating their lungs at such places are very often not the most wise, calm and brave sort of characters.  They are apt to talk large and act small.  They often cloak over a craven heart under stout words.  Often, too, their counsels spring from panic stricken hearts, though they wear the color and take the shape of being the offspring of courage and patriotism.

Certainly we prefer to follow the advice or commands of our chosen and lawful leaders as to the best modes of conducting the war.  It is the business, and duty, and right of the military chiefs to plan and direct the proper measures in the exigency.  If they say fight, we say fight; if they say retreat, we acquiesce, however painful it may be, if they say tear up the railroads, so say we; if they say burn the bridges, burn them, if they order the country to be laid waist, execute the order; if they command the city to be laid to ashes, lay the city in ashes and plow up its foundations, and sow salt over them.  It is the right of the military chiefs to give such orders and cause them to be executed.  The law of the land, the civil law read out of books and administered by the courts, holds them blameless for such orders and acts.

But street corner orators, and groggery-alley haunters, and whisky-inflamed patriots, and panic-struck cravens are not intrusted with any such right or authority; nor are even the most sensible and excellent of private citizens.  If they venture to usurp or perpetrate any of these acts, the law has a name for them, and the statute book provides for their treatment.  Felons is the name, and the act is arson, a crime which is punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than five nor more than twenty-one years.  Arson is the willful burning of any house or out-house, in the country, or the setting fire to or burning of any house or building in any city or town.  Private persons are not allowed to do these acts, no matter how laudable they may think their purpose.  Nor can a man excuse himself from the consequences of the crime, even though he sets on fire his own buildings, if by so doing he jeopards the building of another.  And besides, the criminal offense such person makes himself liable in a civil action for the value of any building of another which he cause to be burned by the setting on fire his own house.

Obviously, it may be very wise and altogether right to burn a town upon which an enemy is advancing; but quite as plainly is it, that it will never do to allow any person who chooses to do these things.  It is not a power entrusted to any and everybody.  It is not certain that any and everybody is wise, and prudent, and patriotic.  Any and everybody may claim to be so; but any and everybody’s talk is not a very safe ground on which to trust a power of this kind.

Acts of this extreme character may become a military necessity.  Such was the case of Moscow, famed in the history of Napoleon.  Moscow is in the heart of the Russian Empire.  It stands on North latitude in the 56th parallel, the same as the central region of Labrador in North America.  Of course this is an extreme winter climate, though Moscow is not as cold as the same latitude on the eastern slope of this continent.  Besides, Moscow was some seven hundred miles from the western frontier of Russia, the nearest point to a country friendly to Napoleon.  In that day, the year 1812, there were no railroads or steamers, or in that region of Russia any rivers, for the easy or speedy transportation of any army.  So that Napoleon, to get from Moscow out of Russia to a friendly country, had a line of about 700 miles over which his army must march on feet, and an average of 18 or 20 miles per day, in case he was forced to retreat.  Over so long a line, and during mid-winter, and through a hostile country, such retreat would inevitably be fatal.  The Russian soldiers were inured to the climate. – The French army were of many nations, most of them of countries having mild climates, and were unable to bear the rigor of the Russian climate.  Hence, the policy of the Russians was to force Napoleon to retreat during the winter.  This could be done by depriving the French army of shelter and food.

To burn Moscow and desolate the country around, accomplished both – left the French without food and without shelter.  Count Rastopchin was the Governor of Moscow, and Kutusoff was the General-in-Chief of the Russian army.  The battle of Borodino was fought and lost by Kutusoff, seventy miles west of Moscow.  As he retreated before the French, he devastated the country for several miles on each side of the line of his march; and upon approaching the city moved several divisions of his army through it, and, at the point of the bayonet, drove the citizens out of the walls, and far off into the country.

Napoleon entered the city on the 16th of September.  The day after his entrance, the city was set on fire in several places by felons, that Rastopochin had turned out of prison for the purpose; and seven-eights of the houses laid in ashes.  Three hundred thousand Russians were driven from the city, of whom one hundred thousand perished in the fields, of starvation, freezing and disease – men, women, children – old and young, male and female.

About the middle of October, Napoleon took up the line of retreat.  He could find nothing to eat, nor any shelter for his soldiers.  Very soon the rigors of winter set in.  Of that grand army of 500,000 men which entered Russia on the first of July, a wretched fragment of 40,000 men crossed the frontier upon the retreat out, about the middle of December.

The Russian policy was wise and effective.  It was so because Napoleon was seven hundred miles distant from the nearest friendly point – because his army could not live in tents – because he could not procure food at that distance from the country friendly to him – and because the Russian army though inferior in regular warfare, was greatly superior in numbers and was able to surround him in Moscow, and to cut off all attempts of foraging parties into the country around.  Such were reasons and such the policy of burning Moscow. – {Memphis Avalanche.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 1

Soldiers' Pay

The Russian soldier receives annually only thirty-six dollars per year as pay, and his rations consist solely of black bread. – The soldier in the French army receives fifty-six cents a month.  The pay of our soldiers is twenty times greater.  The estimate in the French budget for 1860 was $64, 687,500 for an army on a war footing of 762,766 men, and in addition, a reserve militia, on a peace footing of 415,746 men.  It costs the United States nearly three times as much to maintain a soldier as it does the British Government; and it must be remembered that the British Government can get money at three per cent interest, while it cost us six percent or more.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 1

Washington News and Gossip

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27. – The Republican intimates that there is truth to the story that Jeff Davis has made overtures for a compromise. – It is said he asks for a Convention of all the States, to definitely adjust all questions at issue, and requires new guarantees for Slavery.

Mrs. Lincoln is ill to-day.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., will to-morrow introduce in the Senate a joint resolution to extend aid to Maryland and Delaware, in order that they may abolish slavery.

Mr. Cameron received his final instructions to-day as Minister to Russia.  Edward H. House has been appointed his Secretary of Legation.

It is doubtful whether the bill for the reduction of pay to Naval officers will pass.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3

Washington News

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25. – The only amendment made to the United States Note bill, by the committee of Conference at their second meeting to-day, is of an unimportant character, namely, to receive the fifty millions of demand notes heretofore authorized in payment of duties on imported goods while apart from these, such duties are to be paid in coin.

The president has approved the Fortification bill.  It is therefore a law.

Both houses yesterday agreed to the report of the committee of conference on the Treasury Note bill.  It retains the provision that the notes be redeemable in five years or payable in twenty years at the pleasure of the Government.  It also makes duties on imports payable in coin, and pledges it to the payment of the interest on the notes and bonds.  It strikes out the pledges of public lands.

The communication from the Russian Government on the subject of the Trent affair, was communicated to the Senate to-day.  It was characterized by the strongest feelings of friendship for the United States.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3

Secession Compliment to our Navy

The Richmond Dispatch of the 22d of February pays the flowing extraordinary compliment to the Federal Navy.  We quote:

“There is no disaster of the present war which it is so difficult to bear with any degree of patience or philosophy as the almost uniform success of the enemy’s gunboats over our land batteries.  It is a thing absolutely unprecedented in its extent in the history of warfare.  In nine cases of every ten which have ever occurred before, land fortifications have driven off vessels as often as they attacked them.  In the Russian war the immense steam navies of England and France were beaten by the Russian fortifications in almost every encounter.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 22, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.

The Navy Department to-day received the following:

CAIRO, February 24.

To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:

Lieutenant Commanding Gwynn, with the gunboat Tyler, has just arrived from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, and reports the Union sentiment in south Tennessee and North Alabama to be very strong.  I shall send him back to-day, and he will call for a regiment at Fort Henry to accompany the gunboat, which will aid the loyal people of those States to raise Union forces within their borders.

Signed,

A. H. FOOTE,

Flag-Officer Commanding.

The President has approved the fortification bill.  It is therefore a law.

Both Houses yesterday agreed to the report of the committee of conference on the Treasury note bill.  It retains the provision that notes to be redeemable in five years, or payable in 20 years, at the pleasure of the government.  It also makes duties on imports payable in coin and pledges it to the payment of interest on the notes and bonds.  It strikes out the pledges of public lands.

The communication of the Russian government on the subject of the Trent affair, was communicated to the Senate to-day.  It was characterized by the strongest feelings of friendship for the United States.

Special to Tribune.

Several days have passed since a gun has been fired from the rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac, although numerous vessels have sailed by them.  Although the rebel cannon seem to be in their places, it is doubted whethe[r] they be not blackened logs, and whether the gunners have not left the banks of the Potomac.

Two Whitworth guns reached Gen. Hooker’s division yesterday, and will be used to ascertain the truth of the case.

World’s Dispatch.

The indications in the Senate to-day are clearly in favor of the immediate passage of Senator Trumbull’s confiscation bill, with an amendment forfeiting all slaves of rebels.  Senator Powell will deliver a speech to-morrow against the bill, and take occasion to explain his present position as a Senator, it being intimated that his views are inconsistent with his holding his seat at the present time.

The House judiciary committee are nearly agreed on confiscation, but may possibly await the action of the Senate.

The tremendous gale, that commenced so furiously on Monday, has dried up the mud, and prepared a solid ground for our soldiers to march over.  Already a wonderful change has taken place, and the soldiers are becoming confident that they are to move at last.

Times’ Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.

Gen. McClellan received a dispatch, an hour since, from the west, confirming the report that Nashville, Tenn., is taken by Gen. Buell’s army, and stating that the rebels have fallen back to Murphysville, about 30 miles south of Nashville.

The judgment of the Court Martial in the case of Col. Jas. Kerrigan, has been approved by Maj. Gen. McClellan, and a general order issued, carrying it into effect. – The court did not find Kerrigan guilty of treason, but of inefficiency and conduct unbecoming an officer of his military duty, and manifested in the disorganized and disgraceful condition of his regiment.  Kerrigan was adjudged to be dismissed from the service.

Much excitement has been occasioned by the discovery that the bill introduced by Mr. Wade, from the conduct of the war committee, and passed some time since, authorizing the President to take possession of railroads, also authorized him to extend railroads by construction.  It appears, that since the passage of this bill, a contract has been made by the War Department to build a railroad, 180 miles long, from Lebanon, Ky., to Knoxville, Tenn.  To-day the House repealed that portion of the bill almost unanimously, and there is talk of a motion to discharge the conduct of the war committee from further action.

It is understood that a resolution has been adopted in executive session of the Senate, calling for information relative to the alleged improper acts of Gen. Blenker.

Gen. Sturgis’ confirmation is hung up by the Senate.

The forces on the Potomac will not be paid until the paymasters are through with those battling for the Union in the West and on the seaboard.

Gen. Fremont was not at Saturday’s ceremony in the House, because the invitation did not rich him till yesterday.

Col. Lee, from Richmond, brought to this Government a communication from Howell Cobb, relating ostensibly to an exchange of prisoners, but probably to other matters, also.

Mr. Trumbull’s speech on the confiscation bill to-day, was very strong, and had a marked effect; taking the ground, among other things that the rebels, and not the loyal men, ought to pay the expenses of this war.  The bill will have a decided majority in the Senate.

News from Leavenworth has rendered tolerably certain Gen. Lane’s return to the Senate.

The Mexican treaty resolutions, &c., were defeated in executive session of the Senate.  Ayes 8, nays 28.  This carries the rejection of Gen. Scott as additional minister to Mexico.

Mr. Blair’s bill, from the House military committee, for an engineer brigade, is believed to have connection with the Danville and Knoxville Railroad, and also with the recent appointment of Amasa Stone, the great railroad contractor of Cleveland, as Brigadier General.

WASHIGNTON, Feb. 26.

Pre President has approved the United States note law, and it is therefore a law.

Special to Post.

WASHIGTON, Feb. 26.

New mail routes are to be speedily opened in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The senate bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to issue certificates of indebtedness to government creditors whose accounts have been audited, will probably pass the House.

The following notice to the public has just been published:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.

The undersigned, on behalf of the commissioners appointed by the President to represent the interests of such American citizens as might desire to appear at the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, to be held in the city of London during the present year, submit the following statements:

The Congress of the United States, after due consideration, has declined to adopt any measures to further a national representation of our works of industry, invention and art, at the aforementioned exhibition.  The authority of the Commissioners has, therefore occurred.  They have advised the Commissioners appointed by the British Government that there will be no general participation on the part of the people of this country on the occasion; but they have thought it not improper, at the same time, to recommend to the consideration of the royal commissioners such works of industry and art as have received the authentication of the commission and may to a limited extent be presented for exhibition through individual exertions.

Signed,

WM. H. SEWARD.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.

The railroad operations of the War Department require that there should be a just and efficient system of railroad transport, that would secure to the Government energetic action with a fair tariff of charges.  The Secretary of War, believing that he may safely appeal to the practical experience of the officers of the railroad companies and their patriotic feelings for aid in devising such a system, invites the chief officers of the respective railroad companies of the loyal States to meet and confer with him on this subject at Washington on Thursday, the 20th day of February, 1862.  Hon. Erastus Corning and N. L. Wilson, now in this city are requested to act as a committee of arrangements.

Signed,

EDWIN M. STANTON.

Secretary of War.

Tribune Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.

Senator Latham will to-morrow introduce a bill for the survey of a telegraph line from San Francisco to the northwest coast overland, via Behring’s Straights and Asiatic Russia to the mouth of the Amoor river as proposed by McDonald Collins.

The military committee asks for an appropriation of $100,000 and two small vessels, in order to make the preliminary survey.  The enterprise will be under the direction of the President, and other nations will be invited to participate in it.

A board of officers convened to investigate the quality of clothing furnished by contractors, have discovered that at least one third now on hand is entirely worthless.  The facts being reported to the Secretary of War he ordered that payments to the contractors be at once suspended.

Gen. Segwick [sic], a Brigadier-General in General Heintzleman’s division, has been assigned to the command of Gen. Stone’s division.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.

Chief justice Tanney [sic] this morning delivered the opinion in the case of Gordon, the slave trader, denying the motion made by Judge Dean for a writ of probation to prevent his execution, on the ground of a want of power in the Court to review proceedings in criminal cases to restrain the action of a ministerial officer.  The application was based on alleged irregularity in the New York Circuit Court.  Application will be made to the President in behalf of Gordon, on the same grounds.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 1