From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.

The Treasury note bill as finally passed, provides for the issuing of $150,000,000 in Treasury notes, and $50,000,000 in lieu of the demand notes issued in July, and to be substituted for them as fast as practicable.  These notes are to be receivable for all debts due to and from the United States except duties on imports, which shall be paid in coin, or demand notes heretofore authorized to be received and by law receivable in payment of public dues, and interest upon bonds and notes, which shall be paid in coin.

The notes are to be lawful money and legal tender for all purposes, except as above stated.  Depositors of notes not less than $50 are to receive in exchange bonds bearing six per cent. interest, and redeemable after five years, and payable after twenty years.  Five hundred millions of such bonds may be issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, and sold at market value for coin or treasury notes.  Receipts on imports are to be set apart as a fund for payment in coin of interest.  The other provisions are formal.

The Secretary of War’s late order is intended to apply only to war news, of a nature affording aid and comfort to the enemy, as couching intended movements.

The House committee on the conduct of the war, had a long interview with the President last night.  I learn from a member of the committee, that its members have been unanimous in all things since its organization.

The Navy and Treasury Departments have not hitherto pulled together on the question of giving permits to trade to Port Royal and Hatteras.  Mr. Welles tells Mr. Chase that he has no objection to them, if Mr. Chase chooses to grant them.  The latter says he will grant them in all cases where Mr. Welles certifies that the shipper carries necessary supplies for the use of the army and navy.  He has sent every application to Sec. Welles, being apparently afraid of breaking the blockade.  It is said that Sec. Chase issues numerous permits to trade on the coast, as well as on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, countersigned by the surveyors of customs in the West and by special officer on the coast.  Applicants will be required to give bonds as security for their fidelity.

It is said that Gen. Sherman’s soldiers have been induced to sell their pay at discount of fifty cents on the dollar, by representations that treasury notes never would be redeemed.

The additional paymasters will probably be dropped from the rolls, the Paymaster General agreeing with the military committee that there are too many.

The amendment to the congressional apportionment bill passed both Houses; giving additional members each to Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Kentucky.

The armory committee agreed to a report in favor of a National Amory east of the Alleghanies, and armory, foundry and manufacturing arsenal west of the Alleghanies, the sites of all to be fixed by five commissioners appointed by the President, who shall send the result, together with the estimates of cost, to Congress.  These works are intended to be at different points.

Mrs. Lincoln and her youngest son, who have been quite unwell, are improving.

The steamer Baltimore, direct form Roanoke Island, reached the navy yard to-day.  She was not fired on, although the night was clear.

Dispatches from Flag-officer McKein announce the capture of a brig and two schooners, off the Southwest Pass.

The amendment of Mr. Sumner, to the effect that Stark, whose case in now pending in the Senate, being charged by affidavits with disloyalty, is not entitled to his seat until an investigation of the truth of the charges, will put the naked question to the Senate of its right to exclude a traitor, who bears credentials from the Governor of his State and is ready to take his seat.  There is an opinion that Stark will be admitted, although several Republicans protested against their votes being considered a precedent.

The Senate committee on naval affairs agreed to report a bill, reducing the salaries of the highest naval officers 20, intermediate grades 15, and in the lowest 10 per cent., and abolishing naval agencies and store keepers, and hemp and live oak agencies, these duties to be henceforth performed by regular navy officers.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.

Herald’s Correspondence.

The roads on both sides of the Potomac were getting into good condition rapidly, until a rain storm set in this evening, which has again rendered tem almost impassable for loaded teams.

A report that Gen. Sickles was shot at in his camp to-day is quite current this evening.  It is disbelieved.

Special to the Tribune.

A vote will probably be reached in the case of Benj. Stark, applicant for the seat of a Senator from Oregon, to-morrow or next day.  The first question will be upon the amendment of Sen. Sumner, which in effect, declares that Stark is charged by affidavits and otherwise, with disloyalty, and is not entitled to his seat until the truth of these charges shall have been investigated.  Should this amendment be voted down, Mr. Stark will be admitted to his seat.  Should it be adopted, a fair question upon the sufficiency of the evidence of disloyalty will remain.  The vote upon Mr. Sumner’s amendment will be a close one, but there is reason to fear that it will be defeated.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.

The following is a copy of the bill, as passed, authorizing the issue of certificates of indebtedness to public creditors:

Be it enacted, etc., That the Secretary of the Treasury be and hereby is ordered to cause to be issued to any public creditor, who may be desirous to receive the same, upon requisition of the head of the proper Department, in satisfaction of audited and settled demands against the U. S. certificates for the whole amount due or parts thereof.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 1

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

New York, February 26, [1862]

Com. Stringham is to be presented on Thursday evening with an elegant sword by a committee of the citizens at Brooklyn.

U. S. treasury notes are at 30 per cent. premium at Richmond.

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

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, February 20.

SENATE. – The Senate passed the army appropriation bill for 1862 and then went into executive session.

Mr. Wilkinson offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Lazarus W. Powell, after several States had severed themselves from the Union, on the 20th of June last, attended a large Southern States Convention as was the President thereof, where resolutions were passed approving of the neutrality of Kentucky and denouncing the war, and also attended another Convention on the 10th of September, where more resolutions were passed of the same import and said Powell had given all the aid and comfort he could from the position he occupied; therefore,

Resolved, That said Lazarus W. Powell will be expelled from the Senate.  Referred to Judiciary committee.

On motion of Mr. Grimes, the bill to establish a national armory at Rock Island was taken up.

Mr. Howe moved its reference to the military committee.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., had no desire to have it referred to that committee.  He was not sure the Government needed another armory at this time, but it did need a foundry for making cannon, &c.

HOUSE. – The House took up the report from the committee of the whole on the Senates amendment to the Treasury note bill.

Mr. Hooper briefly expressed his views.  He said the object was to furnish a substantial and uniform currency, and to approve the distinction proposed to be made in favor of the holders of the stock, by paying the interest in coin.

Mr. Stevens said he had a melancholy foreboding that they were about to consummate a cunningly devised scheme which will carry great injury throughout the country.  At the [insistence] of the brokers the Senate has been persuaded to mangle and destroy what had cost the House months to digest, consider and pass.  The bill has been so defaced that its very fathers fail to recognize it.  Instead of being a beneficial, invigorating measure, affording a uniform and equal currency for all, it possesses positively great mischief.  It now has all the bad qualities which have been attributed to it, without a single good feature in its amended form.  It creates two classes of currency – one for banks and brokers, and another for the people.  It discriminates between different classes, takes away the legal tender clause, and the Government will be in the clutches of the harpies.

All the amendments to the Treasury note bill were acted on.  The amendment making the interest on the notes payable in coin was agreed to.  The amendment pledging the lands, duties, and proceeds of rebel property to the redemption of the interest and principal of the debt was rejected.  The bill goes back to the Senate again.

The Post office appropriation bill was up in the committee of the whole.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1

Legislative Summary

Yesterday Mr. Hatch introduced a bill Providing for the erection of an Arsenal for the safe keeping of State Arms. It is a measure so evidently demanded that no opposition to it is anticipated. Mr. Angle introduced an important Bill providing that certified copies of all decrees and judgments in the U. S. District Court for this District shall be kept on file in the Recorder’s offices of the several counties. Mr. Jennings introduced two bills: one in relation to the levy of executions; the other authorizing the stockholders of the State Bank or any of the Branches to file information in cases of failure on the part of the Bank to comply with the provisions of the law. The Committee of Ways and Means reported favorably on Mr. Trumbull’s bill. Mr. Boardman’s Bill postponing the taking effect of the Acts passed at the last session of the Board of Education until the 10th of May next, was passed. At 11 o’clock, the special order being the Treasury and State Bank Note Bill, there was a sharp struggle to postpone it one week, but it failed. At 2 o’clock Mr. Dixon’s Bill being the special order, it was postponed, and the Senate spent most of the afternoon discussing a motion to strike the State Bank Note section of the other bill. The discussion was spirited and able on both sides, but the motion was lost. Some amendments were adopted, which will be found in our report, and the bill passed its third reading.

In the House, Mr. Dorr introduced a bill for resuming the lands granted to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad, which was referred to the railroad committee. Most of the morning was spent in amending the bill authorizing counties to resume their outstanding warrants. Various amendments were adopted and the bill was re-committed. – Des Moines Register, 13th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, February 15, 1862, p 1

Demand Notes

The bill for the emission of $100,000,000 of treasury notes making them legal tender passed the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 37 to 7. It goes back to the House of action on some amendments, but will be a law very soon – perhaps this week.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, February 15, 1862, p 1

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, February 12.

SENATE. – Mr. Sherman objected to amendment of the treasury note bill, providing for deposit, as it would tend to prevent exchange into bonds, and do great harm.

Mr. King, moved to reduce the percentage to one per cent. Rejected.

The amendment providing for a deposit at five per cent was rejected.

The amendment setting apart the proceeds of the public lands, confiscated property and duties on imports, for the interest of the debt in bonds and notes, and for a sinking fund, was adopted.

Several other verbal amendments of the committee were adopted.

Mr. Fessenden moved to amend the first section, so as to make the bonds redeemable at pleasure in five years instead of twenty, and payable in twenty years.

Mr. Sherman Opposed the amendment as tending to depreciate [the] character of the bonds.

Mr. Fessenden said the amendment was to prevent paying to high interest for a long number of years.

Mr. Chandler said there was no time since the first of November that the war could not be closed in sixty days. Only one obstacle stood in the way for four months, which Congress could remove to-morrow. He believed the order “forward” would be given and the war closed by the first day of May.

A messages was received from the House, saying that it disagreed with the Senate’s amendment to the civil and miscellaneous appropriation bill.

The Treasury note bill was taken up. The question was on Mr. Fessenden’s amendment, to make the bonds redeemable after five years or at the pleasure of the U. S. which amendment was withdrawn.

Mr. Collamer moved to strike out that portion of the bill which makes the notes a legal tender for private debts.

Mr. Wilson apposed the amendment. He considered it unjust to place all this money in the hands of the soldiers and employees of the Government, forcing them to take it, and then not to protect it after it was in their hands.


HOUSE. – The House proceeded to the consideration of the joint resolution, reported by Mr. Holman from the committee on government contracts, authorizing the Secretary of War to pay the Hannibal and St. Joe and Pacific railroad companies for the transportation of troops and munitions of war, but at rates not greater than those required from private individuals. Congress, in granting lands to these roads, reserved the right to transmit troops, &c., free of charge. Without waiving this principle, it is proposed to compensate them on the ground that their ability has been greatly impaired by the rebellion, destruction of their bridges, &c.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 1

The Secretary of the Treasury estimates . . .

. . . that the expenses of the war up to the 1st July next will not exceed six hundred million dollars, and re recommends to Congress the issuing of twenty five million dollars in treasury notes in denominations under fives.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 1

Secretary Fessenden gives notice . . .

. . . of the readiness of the Treasury Department to redeem on presentation, by payment in lawful money, or by conversion into bonds as authorized by law, the three year Treasury notes, bearing interest at the rate of seven and three-tenths per centum, issued under the act of July 17th, 1861. Interest will cease on all such Treasury notes if not so presented after three months from this date, at which time, under the law, the right of conversion ceases.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Friday, December 30, 1864