A Military Bank Robbery

A very adroit bank robbery was recently effected in St. Louis by a young rogue belonging to the 3rd Missouri volunteers.  It was effected in broad daylight.  Below is a protion of the statement of the young robber which shows how it was done:

OFFICE OF PROVOST MARSHAL,

ST. LOUIS, March 29, 1862.

I was born in St. Louis county; will be sixteen years old in May next.  I joined company H, Third Missouri Volunteers, in this city on the 4th inst., and went to Rolla soon afterwards. – On the 20th instant I arrived in this city from Rolla as one of an escort of prisoners of war – escort and prisoners being in charge of Colonel Shepherd, of said regiment.  On the 24th inst., I went to the office of Capt. Leighton (Provost Marshal St. Louis District,) and reported that a cavalry sabre was in possession of one Kuester, living on the Bellefontaine road, six miles from the city.  When I made this report I expected Capt. Leighton (Provost Marshal,) would give me authority to take the sabre, but I was merely informed that the matter would be properly attended to.  On the next day I went to the headquarters of the Eighth Missouri Militia, on Fifth street, near Franklin avenue; said I had been sent by the Provost Marshal to get a guard of five or six men.  The officer in charge gave me five men, and I went with them to the house of Keuster and got the sabre.  On going out I marched the guard to the terminus of the railroad at Bremen, and then took possession of an omnibus, telling the driver to take myself and the guard to the six mile house, on assuring him that the fare would be all right between him and Uncle Sam.  The driver did not object to the terms which I proposed.  After leaving Kuester’s I went to the premises of Col. McLaren and took therefrom a breach loading rifle, a musket, a shot gun, a navy revolver, and a few cartridges.  I then went to the house of John Jennings, and took from a box that I found therein about a dollar in silver.  Not finding any arms in Jennings’ house, in which I was very much disappointed, I directed him to send his wagon with myself and guard to the Six Mile House, which order he complied with.  The money which I obtained from Jennings was barely sufficient to pay the fare of the guard from the six mile house to the city.  I discharged the guard on the sidewalk in front of an eating house on Broadway, kept by on Crozier, sending it to headquarters on Fifth street under the care of one of them, whom I told to act as corporal. – The arms taken in this expedition were deposited by me for safe keeping in Crozier’s establishment.

On the next night between seven and eight o’clock, I proceeded to the headquarters of the City Guard, on Sixth street, and called for a guard of six men, and the same time presenting to Major McConnell an order purporting to have been written by Captain Leighten, Provost Marshal.  I wrote the order in an eating house on Broadway by Miller & True.  As I was quite nervous from the effects of liquor, I could not write very well, and asked Miller to write the order, but True said: “No, if you can do that it will get you and me into trouble; but Redman may write it here, and I will not say anything about it.”  I told True that I was going to get a guard and arrest the proprietors of the Broadway Bank, and that I would soon have money enough to go into partnership with him, to which he replied, “Bully for you; if you do, I will stick to you as long as life lasts.”  Both Miller and True had a pretty good idea of the adventure, although I had not given them the full particulars.  My intentions were, in case I obtained the guard, to rob the bank and arrest the proprietors that night.  Major McConnell refused to give me the guard, and I returned to Miller and True’s eating house, and stayed there that night.  Before retiring for the night, I told True to call me early in the morning, as I intended to arrest the proprietors of the above named bank, and he said he would do so.

An an early hour on Thursday morning, I went to the headquarters of the City Guard, and presented to the Lieutenant in charge another order purporting to be from Captain Leighton, for a guard of six men.  The Lieutenant said the order was not good and refused to place the guard under my charge.  I then went to Benton Barracks, and after a few judicious inquiries, learned that a German company attached to the Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteers, was stationed in Barrack No. 68; so I informed myself of the Captain’s name and went to his quarters, and told him that I had been sent to him by the Provost Marshal for a guard of six men.  He said it was strange that I had not brought a written order, but gave me the guard quite readily.  My idea was that I could get the guard more surely from a German than from an American officer and the result showed that I had reasoned correctly.  Upon getting the guard I marched them to the Broadway Bank, arrested the proprietor thereof, and sent him under guard to the Broadway Garden; after which, finding I could not unlock the safe – it having a combination lock – I went to the Garden and told him he must come down and open the safe, as I had orders to see that all his papers were thoroughly searched.  He came down to the bank with me and opened the safe, and then I sent him back to the Garden, giving directions to have him kept in close custody until further orders were received from me.  After his departure I went to the safe and helped myself to quite a large amount of money – the exact sum I do not know.  I then locked the door of the Bank and gave the key to a sentinel which I had previously stationed on the sidewalk for the purpose of keeping the crowd back, telling him to deliver it to the sergeant of the guard, and to tell the sergeant not to let any one have it except myself or a commissioned officer.  I also gave the sentinel a ten dollar bill and told him to hand it to the sergeant of the guard, and have it spent for the benefit of the guard in the way of paying for beer and food.  I had previously paid the sergeant a dollar or two to pay the fare of the guard and that of my prisoner from the Bank to the Garden.

Upon leaving the Bank I stated to the crowd in front of the door that I had seized a quantity of counterfeit Treasury notes, and was going to take them to the office of the Provost Marshal, but I immediately started in search of a man named Jerry Welch, (who had previously been introduced to me by the name of Wetzel,) whom I found on Fifth Street, near the Melodeon.  We stepped into an alley, and I told him what I had done.  He said, “Bully for you; you have carried the thing out better than I have ever heard of anything being done before.”  I then gave him part of the money which I had taken from the Bank, and told him that I had two others to divide with.  I do not know how much I gave him.  I then divided with Miller and True, but do not know what sums I gave them respectively.  My opinion is that Miller got more of the money than True did.  I kept only a comparatively small amount.  The understanding was that Miller and True were to meet me in Chicago, where I intended to go the day following the robbery.

The idea of getting money from the Broadway Bank was original with me, but I spoke of it to Welch, Miller and True, and they encouraged it.  I told Welch that I thought of bringing a charge against the proprietors of the Bank, and have it investigated by the Provost Marshal.  Pending the examination, I expected to find time and opportunity to rob the Bank.  Welch said that scheme would not work, and advised me to get a guard and arrest the banker, and have him confined in some place where there were no commissioned officers.

The Broadway Garden being the only suitable place that I knew of, I selected it as a temporary prison for the banker, and expected he would remain there in confinement at least twenty-four hours.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

The Proposed National Currency

In concert with the Secretary of the Treasury the Congressional committee of Ways and Means have prepared three measures for the regulation of the finances of the Government and country, that are already winning approval at home and admiration abroad, as wisely adapted to the emergencies of our condition.  The first of these measures is that already adopted by Congress to authorize one hundred and fifty millions of Treasury notes and five hundred millions of Government bonds to meet the extraordinary expenses of the war.  The second is the tax bill, now under discussion, to raise, with our tariff, one hundred and fifty millions a year, which will meet our ordinary expenses, pay the interest on the dept created by the first measure, and provide a sinking fund for its early repayment.  The third is a measure to provide a national currency, and this will be brought forward as soon as Congress has finished the tax and tariff system.  The best explanation and defense of this third measure we find in the speech of Mr. Hooper, the eminent merchant and financier, who represents Boston in Congress, and has become a prominent member of the Committee of Ways and Means.  His speech elucidates the whole financial scheme of the Government, and has been commended in the English journals for its comprehensive ability and large familiarity with the subjects discussed.  We extract from the part relating to the currency system, with the simple remark that we believe it foreshadows a most grateful and useful revolution in the currency of the country. –

“For nearly thirty years the country has been without a uniform paper currency.  As nearly all the business of the country is done by means of paper, specie being seldom used except in the payment of balances, the inconveniences resulting from this want have been very great.  The traveling public, remitters of small sums by mail, and the laboring classes, who often receive their pay in uncurrent funds, chiefly experience these inconveniences.  In order to relieve this want it is necessary to give to the paper currency three equal qualifications:

“First.  It must be well secured, so that the people may feel that they are sure of obtaining its value when needed.

“Secondly.  It must have a governmental endorsement or guarantee, so that the people everywhere may be able to distinguish it, and the government prove its confidence in it by taking it in payment of taxes, assessments, and other dues.

“Thirdly.  It must be guarded as far as possible, against arbitrary increase.

These requisites have all been provided for in the proposed bill.  The paper currency is to be secured by a deposit, with the government, of the United States stock, the market value which shall be equal to the amount of currency issued.  There can be no higher security known to the government, and its permanent value has heretofore been known.  The government, upon the receipt of such security, is to certify on the face of the notes for currency, that the same are ‘secured by pledge of the United States stocks,’ and is to take them in payment of all taxes, excises, and other dues excepting only for duties upon imports.  Lastly, the government cannot increase the amount of the currency, except upon the application of a bank, and the bank cannot increase it except upon the application to, and depositing security with the government.

“It has been suggested that, as far as the government alone was interested, the objects which it had to gain could be attained in an easier and less expensive manner; that the paper circulation of the country being in reality a loan from the people without interest, it would be equitable and just for the government to take this loan directly into its own hands, and furnish all the paper circulation, instead of allowing the benefit of it to private associations and individuals.  But the committee deemed it more wise to attain their proposed ends, if possible, without disturbing existing institutions, or habits, or doing anything that might injuriously affect private interests.  The currency is therefore left to the banks, they are only required to deposit security for it, and to submit to certain established rules and regulations prescribed in the bill, in order to insure conformity of management for the common benefit of the banks themselves and the public.

To many of the banks these requirements will not be difficult of performance, as they already hold stocks of the United States, which they will be at liberty to pledge.  In exchange for the restrictions imposed upon them, the banks will enjoy the benefit of a fixed and permanent interest upon they hypothecated stocks.  ‘An order of nationality,’ as Mr. Webster called it, is also imparted to their bills, enabling them to circulate wider and further than before; and what would become a constant drain upon their specie is checked by the consent of the government to receive their notes in satisfaction of its dues.

“Thus are secured all the benefits of the old United States bank without many of those objectionable features which arouse opposition.  It was affirmed that, by its favors, the government enabled that bank to monopolize the business of the country.  Here no such system of favoritism exists.  It was affirmed that, while a large portion of the property in the several states, owned by foreign stockholders, was invested in that bank and its branches, yet it was unjustly exempted from taxation.  Here every State is left at perfect liberty, so far as this law is concerned, to tax banks within its limits in whatever manner and to whatever extent it may please.  It was affirmed that frequently great inconvenience and sometimes terrible disaster resulted to the trade and commerce of different localities by the mother bank of the United States arbitrarily interfering with the management of the branches, by reducing suddenly their loans, and sometimes withdrawing large amounts of their specie, for political effect.  Here each bank transacts its own business upon its own capital, and is subject to no demands except those of its own customers and its own business.  It will be as if the Bank of the United States had been divided into many parts, and each part endowed with the life, motion, and similitude of the whole, revolving in its own orbit, managed by its own board of directors, attending to the business interests of its own locality; and yet to the bills of each will be given as wide a circulation and as fixed a value as were ever given to those of the bank of the United States in its palmist days.  It is not to be supposed that variation in the rates of exchange will entirely disappear; specie itself yields to the law of demand and supply, and fluctuates in value with the continual changes of the balance of trade.  But this currency will approach as near uniformity in its value as possible.  These institutions all originate among the people in their own localities, and are not created by the government.  The government simply authorizes the investment of capital in the load, and the use of the bonds representing the loans as a basis of a sound circulation.

“This measure, will, therefore, give to the people that which they most desire, a currency which shall not only purport to be money, but shall actually be money in a broader and more positive sense than are the notes of the Bank of England, high as they are in the estimation of the commercial world, for the reason that the depositors of the Bank of England, equally with the holders of its notes, look to the government stocks, in which its entire capital is invested as their security; while this plan of the committee proposes that stocks of a government, with fewer liabilities and paying a larger rate of interest, shall be specially pledged for the security of the notes alone.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 1

The New Demand Notes

Thirteen million dollars of the new demand notes are expected to be ready in Washington on or about the first of April, the smaller denominations being issued first.  The whole ninety millions will not be completed, probably, before the middle of May.  The National Bank Note Company, by the arrangement, prints only the $50 and $100 notes.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 1

The New Treasury Notes – What General Wool Says of the Naval Engagement

WASHINGTON, March 10., The Secretary of the Treasury has awarded the Contract for the ninety million legal tender Treasury notes engraving to the American and the National bank note companies of New York.

The following is copied from an official report of General Wool, dated Tuesday:  Nothing of importance has occurred today.  The chief Engineer of the Monitor says that three balls from that vessel passed through the Merrimac.  The Monitor suffered very little although she was truck twenty-three times.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

Special to New York Papers

(Tribune’s Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, March 10. – There was a fight at Sangster’s Station yesterday between General Kearney’s brigade and an equal number of rebel regiments.  The latter were driven back.  Several were killed on each side.  Lieut. Worden, of the Lincoln cavalry was killed.  Thirteen rebels were captured.

(Tribune’s Special.)

WASHINGTON, March 10. – The Senate War Committee to-day authorized their Chairman to report back from the House Bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase coin with Treasury notes or bonds, striking the latter clause which leaves the purchase optional with the Secretary.  And also the section on making the fifty million of Treasury notes of the old issue a legal tender.  Senator Fessenden will report the bill as amended to-morrow.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will, on Wednesday, come to a final conclusion on the case of Senator Powell.  There will be majority and minority reports.  The minority, as in the Bright case, being for expulsion.

Light cavalry have been sent in pursuit to harass and track the rebel retreat.  It is supposed to be their design to fall back first upon Fredericksburg and then upon Richmond.

Our Troops occupied Centreville and Fairfax Court House to-night.

Two companies under Maj. Hatfield were ordered yesterday morning to go to Fairfax Court House, by Far’s Cross road.  When within a mile of that place they met the enemy who retreated before them.  At 4 o’clock, last evening, they entered the Court House, followed by a full regiment.  The two companies under Major Hatfield were then ordered back to Far’s Cross roads, where they met the body of the regiment and bivouacked for the night.  At twelve o’clock, noon, to-day, Major Hatfield’s company were within sight of the village, and found that it had been evacuated in the night, the enemy leaving their tents and other property behind in great profusion.

Lieut. Alexander, of the Lincoln cavalry soon after arrived with a detachment of men and passed on as far as Cubs’ Run, three miles above Centreville, where he discovered a vast number of tents left standing.

(Post Special.)

WASHINGTON, March 11. – The President will probably sign the bill establishing the article of war to-day, prohibiting officers of the army and navy, returning fugitive slaves to their masters.

Lieut. Worden, the gallant commander of the Monitor, is here and rapidly recovering from his wound.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

Important Action of the New York Banks

From the N. Y. Times’ Money Article of Friday.

The Associated Banks of this city, in general meeting of the Presidents to-day, have recognized the United States notes as the appropriate medium for making their daily exchanges and settlements with each other through the Clearing House.  They have resolved that the United States notes should be deposited with the Government Sub-Treasury, under the recent act of Congress, on an interest of 5 per cent. per annum, the certificates of such deposits being used in the daily settlements at the Clearing House between the debtor and creditor banks.  The meeting to-day resolved to limit such deposits to $20,000,000 being four fifths of the whole sum authorized by Congress to be received by the public at large, at all the Sub-Treasuries on interest.  The present demand United States notes will at once be employed in this way; thus removing all questions as to whether or not these notes are funds current in the business of the Banks, without waiting for the substitution of the regular legal tender United States Notes, not yet prepared by the Department at Washington.  The supplemental Treasury bill now passing thro’ Congress will declare the present notes in all respects legal tender, besides reaffirming the discrimination in their favor for Custom-house payments.  It affords us pleasure to report the judicious action of the Associated Bankers to-day.  Besides securing to themselves the liberal interest of 5 per cent. on the medium of daily settlement between each other, the arrangement anticipates what must have been done under the act of Congress, on the appearance of the legal tender issue of the United States Notes.  The Association will be fortunate if they are enabled to place as much as $20,000,000 with the Sub-Treasury before a larger share than $5,000,000 is deposited by other parties.  Of course the decision to-day removed all present obstacles to the easy working of the money market.  The probability is that 6 per cent. will soon become the rule rather than the exception, on loan and stocks collateral.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

Counterfeit Treasury Notes

WASINGTON, March 1. – The first counterfeit five dollar Treasury notes made their appearance in this city yesterday.  They are an exact imitation of the genuine but can be detected by “U. S.” in the engraving that in the genuine should be left out.

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

Washington News and Gossip

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26. – The Treasury not bill as finally passed provides for the issue of one hundred and fifty millions in treasury notes – fifty millions in lieu of demand notes issued in July and to be substituted for them as fast as practicable.  These notes are to be received for all debts due 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 indicated; depositors of notes of not less than fifty dollars are to receive in exchange bonds bearing six per cent. interest 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 held at market value of coin or Treasury notes; receipts for imports are to be set apart as a special fund for the payment in coin of interests.  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 touching intended movements.

The House Committee on the Conduct of the War had a long interview with President last evening.  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 objections to them if Mr. Chase chooses to grant them.  Mr. Chase says he will grant them in all cases where Welles certifies that the shipper carries necessary supplies for the use of the army and navy.  He has sent every application to Secretary Welles, being apparently afraid of breaking the blockade.  It is now said that Chase may issue 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 officers in the east.  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 a discount of 50 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 they are too many.

The amendments of the Congressional apportionment bill passed both houses, giving one additional member to each, to Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa and Kentucky.

The Army Committee agreed to a report in favor of a national foundry east of the Alleghanies, and an 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 report within sixty days after their appointment to the Secretary of War, who shall sent 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 from Roanoke Island reached the Navy Yard to-day.  She was not fired at by the rebels although the night was clear.

Dispatches from Flag Officer McKean announce the capture of a brig and two schooners off the South-west Pass.

The amendment of Mr. Sumner is to the effect that Stark, whose case is 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 charge will put the naked question to the Senate, of its right to exclude a traitor who brings 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 being considered a precedent.

The Senate Committee on Naval Affairs agreed to report a bill reducing the salaries of the highest naval officers in twenty intermediate years to fifteen, and in the lowest ten per cent., and abolishing naval agencies and naval store keepers, and hemp and live oak agencies, the duties to be henceforth performed by regular navy officers.

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

Approval of the Treasury Note Bill

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26. – The President has approved of the United States note law and it is therefore a law.

– 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

ST. LOUIS, [April] 10 [1862].

The Republican correspondent with Gen. Curtis says, from facts learned in camp, another battle between federal and rebel army in that direction is not all that improbable, and that within a short period.

Two counterfeit establishments were overhauled here, at St. Louis, yesterday, and $1000,000 in United States Treasury notes, $10,000 on the State Bank of Indiana, together with complete sets of engraving tools, plates, presses, &c., have been captured, and the guilty parties arrested.  The bills are well executed and calculated to deceive the best judges.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 1

Special Dispatches

THE EXPEDITION FROM CAIRO WITHIN FOUR MILES OF FORT HENRY.

SHOTS EXCHANGED.

The Enemy Numbers 15,000.

A FIGHT EXPECTED TODAY.

REPORTED CAPTURE OF GEN. RAINS AND HIS REBEL FORCE.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

THE TREASURY NOTE BILL!

GENERAL SCOTT GOING TO VERA CRUZ!

Plans to Supercede Gen. McClellan!

– Published in The Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 7, 1862, p. 1

Congress - Second Session

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.

SENATE. – Mr. Carlisle presented a petition numerously signed by citizens of Boston asking Congress to leave the negro question alone and to attend to the business of the country.

The bill to define the pay and emolument of the officers of the army was taken up.

Mr. Sherman said the bill did not meet the difficulty.  A year ago we were physically weak with no public debt, now we are physically strong, but financially weak.  The total amount of the expenses for next year will probably not be less than $500,000,000.  This is a greater expense than ever was borne by any nation.  The highest expenditure of Great Britain was never $500,000,000 a year, not even in the war with Napoleon.

Mr. Sherman here quoted from the London Post, the Government organ, which said that we (the U. S. Government,) were approaching national bankruptcy.  In his judgment these propositions were needed: first, the prompt levy of a tax of not less than $150,000,000.  Second, a careful revision of the laws regulating salaries and compensations.  Third, rigid scrutiny into the disbursement of all public funds, and prompt punishment of every officer taking money or allowing others to take it for property in the service of which the Government does not receive benefit.

Mr. King presented several petitions asking 300,000 copies of the Agricultural Report be printed in the German language.

HOUSE. – Mr. Conway, of Kansas, asked leave to offer the following, to which Mr. Maynard objected, and a unanimous consent was required to introduce it:

            Resolved, That the President be requested to furnish the House, if not incompatible with public interests, with the names of all persons arrested under order of any executive officer without legal process and confined in any of the forts or other prisons of this country as prisoners of war, the names of forts or other prisons in which said persons have been and are confined respectively, the date of the several arrests, together with a full statement of the charges and evidence upon which they were arrested, also the names of all such persons who have since been discharged, the date of their several discharges and the reasons for the same.

The House then took up the Treasury Note Bill.

Mr. Thomas, of Mass., gave the reasons which would induce him to vote against the bill as it now stands.

– Published in The Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 7, 1862, p. 1

Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5. – It is still believed that Mr. Spaulding’s Treasury Note bill, with the legal tender clause included will, merely on the grounds of supposed necessity, secure a majority of both Houses.  Were the Treasury less barren of funds, the measure would be more doubtful.  Strong opposition was developed yesterday.  The committee are four to one on the question of submitting Morrill’s proposition.

Senator Simmons will soon bring forward a project for a National Savings Bank and government fiscal agency, originated by him, as an improvement upon the old United States Bank and Webster’s Exchequer plan.

A bill is maturing authorizing the President to appoint a Lieutenant General from regular or volunteer officers, designed to put somebody over Gen. McClellan.

Young naval officers complain of the delay in retiring the senior under the bill lately passed, and of the consequent delay in making promotions.

It is suspected that the frigate Richmond will carry Gen. Scott to Vera Cruz, as a semi official Commissioner to the allies and the Mexican Government.

A track has been laid across Long Bridge, thus completing the road connecting between this city and Alexandria.  Trains now pass over the bridge regularly.

It is said that the changed treatment of privateersmen is Stanton’s work, contemporaneous with the sending of Commissioners South.

Letters from Cairo say that everything connected with the flotilla is working will, and that  new spirit has been infused since the President himself took hold.

– Published in The Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 7, 1862, p. 1

Counterfeiting Rebel Treasury Notes

The Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer says:

A few days ago the Government detectives found that an ingenious Yankee was printing a large amount of rebel treasury notes, of different amounts, mostly, however, of large denominations.  They arranged a time, and made a descent upon the “Yank,” when he was surrounded with all his Confederates, papers, &c.  He seemed surprised at the appearance of the officers, but quietly went with them.  He said he was engaged in crippling the rebel treasury, and thought it very strange he should be molested, as he thought that was their weakest point.  “How is this?” asked the astonished officer.  “You see” said the Yank,” “these are better than the original article; the originals are worthless; they are unauthorized by law; so I am not counterfeiting.  I have not attempted to pass them for money, and really cannot see how I am doing wrong.”  “Ah!” said the detective, “of course you were not going to pass them, but you are going to furnish them to the enemy.”

The “Yank” then owned up that he was sending them down to flood the South, and destroy the confidence of the people, when they suddenly found the whole country flooded with a spurious issue, and their only circulation rendered worthless.  An investigation showed that he had really sent several hundred thousand dollars through the South, via Tennessee, and sold them at from thirty to fifty cents on the dollar.  The case was duly reported to Secretary Seward, the whole apparatus seized and the man allowed to go on his parole for the present.  The Secretary frankly admits that this is the toughest case he has met during the war, and he forthwith turned it over to the Secretary of War, who has not yet concluded what to do with the case.  Samples of genuine and bogus are here, and it is freely admitted that the “yank” has got up a superior article, which is very difficult to detect.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 10.

A Dispatch from Ft. Monroe says that the Merrimac did not make her appearance to-day.

Samuel. L. Casey took a seat in the House to-day, from the 1^st Kentucky district.

Tribune’s Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, March 10.

The Senate Finance Committee to-day authorized the chairman to report back the House bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase coin with Treasury notes or bonds, striking out the latter clause, which leaves the purchase optional with the Secretary; and also the section making the fifty million of Treasury notes of the old issue, a legal tender.  Senator Fessenden will report the bill as amended to-morrow.

The Senate judiciary committee will on Wednesday come to a final conclusion on the case of Senator Powell.  There will be majority and minority reports – the minority, as in the Bright case, being for expression.

Light cavalry have been sent in pursuit to harass and track the rebel retreat.  It is supposed to be their design to fall back first upon Fredericksburg and then upon Richmond.

Our troops occupied Centerville and Fairfax Court House to-night.  Two companies under Major Hatfield were ordered, yesterday morning, to go to Fairfax Court House by the Braddock road.  When within a mile of the place they met the enemy, who retreated before them.  At 5 o’clock last evening they entered the Court House, followed by a full regiment.  The two companies under Major Hatfield were then ordered back to Fairfax Cross Roads, where they met the body of the regiment and bivouacked for the night.  At 12 m. to-day Hatfield’s company were within sight of the village and found that it had been evacuated in the night, leaving tents and other property behind in large quantity.

Lieut. Alexander, of the Lincoln cavalry, arrived soon after with a detachment of men, and passed on as far as Cub’s Run, three miles above Centreville, where he discovered a vast number of tents left standing.

PORTLAND, March 11.

The North American arrived this morning.  News soon.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 2

From Fort Monroe

FORT MONROE, March 10.

The Minnesota yesterday returned to her usual station, at the entrance to the Roads.  She is again ready for action.  The Monitor came down early this a. m., and was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the various vessels in the harbor.  Gen. Wool and staff, and assistant Secretary of the navy Fox, went on board this a. m.  She was found not to be damaged in the slightest degree, and is as well prepared as ever for another conflict.  Her performance was perfectly satisfactory to hear officers and men.  They all speak of her in the highest terms of praise.

The gunboat White Hall took fire at two  o’clock this a. m., and was totally destroyed.

The British sloop of war Rinaldina arrived here this a. m.  She is from off Charleston.  No news.

The latest estimate of the number killed on the Congress is 50, including 3 officers – Lieut. Joe Smith commanding, acting master Thomas Moore, and coast pilot William Rhodes.  Capt. Wm. Smith commanded the Congress until recently transferred.  27 are reported wounded, and 40 were taken prisoners, none of them officers.

On board the Cumberland the Rev. Mr. Laerhardt, the Chaplain, was drowned and the master’s mate, Harrington, was killed; but few of the wounded escaped to the shore.  The number of killed and wounded is about 150.

In the White Hall, third assistant engineer Andrew Nesbit, Robert Waugh and Chas. P. O’Connor, seamen were killed and two or three wounded.  On the Dragon, which received a shot in her bow, two men were wounded – no officers.  The William Wheldon received a shot in her boiler, and the Rescue was damaged in her machinery.  The former was towed to Baltimore by the Adelaide.  The Minnesota lost six men killed and seventeen wounded, not including any officers, so far as known.  She is said to have received quite a number of shots.

The Roanoke received but two shots, and little damage was occasioned by them.  No casualty occurred on board except the falling of a man from aloft.

It is generally believed now that the Merrimac must have received serious damage.  The testimony of some that she was considerably tilted on one side as she went behind Sewall’s Point.

The Secretary of the Treasury has awarded the contract for the twenty million legal tender treasury notes equally to the American and the National Bank Note Companies of New York.

The following is copied from an official report of Gen. Wool dated to-day:

“Nothing of importance has occurred to-day.  The chief engineer of the Monitor says that three balls from that vessel passed through the Merrimac.  The monitor suffered very little although she was struck [twenty-three times.]

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 4.

Besides taxed articles telegraphed by the Associated press flour is taxed at 10 cents per brl.; carriage valued above $50 for one horse $1; ditto for two horses $2; carriages valued over 200, $5; over $600, $10; plate of gold 50 cents per troy ounce; plate of silver 3 cents per troy ounce; slaughtered cattle 50 cents each.  Those are not included which are for the slaughterers’ consumption.  Hogs 10 cents, sheep 5 cents – the last to be levied annually, when specified animals are slaughtered.  For soap 5 cents per pound to tallow chandlers and soap makers.  Apothecaries, photographers and other manufacturers, not specified, each $10.

Andy Johnson’s nomination as Brigadier General, was sent into the Senate and confirmed unanimously.  He leaves for Tennessee speedily.

Brevet promotions of all the officers at Pickens have been sent to the Senate.  Some are promoted one grade, and some two.

The statement that Blair procured or attempted to procure an appointment for Sigel, as Major General, as wholly untrue.

The common Council of the city of Washington passed a resolution last night remonstrating against the abolition of slavery in the District by 10 to 5.

One man, said to have been a mail carrier across the Potomac, declared himself a friend to slavery in the District and in every State of the Union, and was willing to wear the brand on his forehead.

The water was all let out of the Ohio and Chesapeake canals on Sunday night, between Georgetown and the Chain bridge, used heretofore for the transportation of provisions to the troops.  The canals will henceforth, be guarded.

Andy Johnson accepts the military governorship of Tennessee, whither he will soon go.

The first five million of new Treasury notes will be issued to pay Quatermaster General’s debts.  With the next issue western and southwestern troops will be paid.

The House military committee is considering the proposition for a National Cemetery, by which three hundred acres will be apportioned among several States.

Gen. Blenker was before the Senate Military committee to-day.

Robt. O. Kirk, late Lieut. Governor of Ohio, has been nominated Minister to the Argentine Confederacy.

Secretary Chase sent the excise bill to the committee of ways and means too late for use in this dispatch.  It makes taxes much heavier, in some cases fifty per cent., than the bill before reported.

Ex-Congressman Abram Wakeman, was nominated Postmaster of New York City to-day.

Thos. Merritt is appointed general superintendent of gunboat Construction.

In the West twenty new gunboats are to be built.

Mr. Cowan made a pettifogging speech against Trumbull’s confiscation bill to-day.  He was fittingly congratulated by Messrs. Powell, Saulsbury and Wickliffe.  Mr. Morrill has the floor to-morrow.

Five or six members are absent from the Washington Common Council, otherwise they would give about a tie vote on the abolition question.

WASHINGTON, March 4.

The following dispatch was received to-night from the correspondent of the Associated Press:

Gen. Banks’ forces occupied Martinsburg yesterday, without opposition, and the pickets continue to bring prisoners; although few in number, they are of much importance.

Among those taken, last night, was the Rev. T. J. McVeigh, chaplain of the 2^nd Va. Infantry.  He was captured by company K, Michigan cavalry, near Berryville.

Intelligence from Winchester leads to the belief that Jackson is there in full force, and has completed his preparations to oppose our approach.  Three miles east of that place the same authority says, the enemy is well provisioned, supplied and clothed.

Gen. McClellan issued a general order, announcing with deep regret, to the army of the Potomac, the death of Brig. Gen. Lander.  He pays a high compliment to his public services, intelligence and courage.

Gen. McClellan to-day issued a general order, dismissing Col. Kerrigan from the service, for the various offenses of which he was convicted by Court Martial.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, March 3.

HOUSE. – Mr. Dawes, from committee on elections, made a report on the petition of S. Ferguson Beach asking to be admitted to a seat as Representative from the 7^th congressional district of Virginia.  The committee append to it a resolution that Mr. Beach is not entitled to a seat.  The subject was laid over.

Mr. Stevens, from the committee on ways and means, reported a bill providing internal revenue for the support of the government and to pay the interest on the public debt.  Referred to the committee of the whole, and made the special order one week from next Tuesday.

Mr. Stevens said as considerable impatience had been expressed by the public at the delay in reporting the bill, he desired to say that the committee on ways and means did not obtain possession of the estimates and facts to enable them to judge now much revenue was necessary until the first week in January. – The committee then had before them all that were passed ten days ago, being earlier than usual in the session.  The committee were also engaged some time on the currency, including the treasury note bill.  The tax subject was referred to a special committee, which worked as assiduously as possible during every hour they were not engaged in the House.  He believed they had worked more hours every day since that time than any laborer in the U. S.  When the sub-committee completed its labors the entire committee of ways and means had gone over the bill carefully, article by article, until they unanimously adopted it. – He did not ask any commendation for the committee, but desired that when the subject came to be considered and reviewed, benevolent indulgence may be extended to them.  He desired the extra copies of the bill ordered to be printed to be distributed for the consideration of the people who are to sustain the burdens, and that they may have the benefit of their suggestions.

Mr. Sedgwick offered a resolution which was adopted, requesting the president, if not incompatible with the public interest, to furnish copies of the correspondence relative to the present condition of Mexico and the allied powers in invading Mexico to establish a monarchy.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 1

Counterfeit Treasury Notes

NEW YORK, March 1.

Counterfeit five dollar treasury notes made their appearance in this city yesterday.  They are excellent imitations of the genuine, but they can be detected.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 3, 1862, p. 1