Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-12-12

WASHINGTON NEWS.

| WASHINGTON NEWS.
Dec. 11.-Senator Bigler in order to correct a
misrepresentation, states in conversations which
have been had on the subject, that the meeting
to which he alluded in his speech on Wedncs-
day, MS having taken place in Mr. Douglas room
last year to consult OH the Toombs' Kansas bill,
was unofficial and rather a private meeting of
the committee OIL Territories and one to which
the other Senators had been invited.
The death of Hon. Andrew P Butler, of S. c.,
will be announced in the Senate on. Monday ac-
cording to the present understanding aWong the
Senators, and the death of Hon. James Bell, of
n. H., on Tuesday
At a caucus of Democratic Members of the
Senate, Which was held to-day, the Standing
Committee were agreed upon. Mr. Mason will
continue as Chairman of Conmitte on Foreign
relations; Mr.. Douglas of Committee on Terri
tories; Mr. Hunter of Committee on Finance;
Mr.. Stuart of Committee on Public Lands; MIR.
Brown of Committee of District of Columbia;
Mr. Clay to be Chairman of Committee on Com
merce, Vice Dodge; Mr. Bayard of Committee
on judiciary, Vice Butler, and Mr. Yulec of
Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, Vice
RuSk.
An effort was made at the caucus to elect
new officers of the Senate, but the proposition
was postponed The nomination of public
printer will come up in caucus to be held on
Monday next; much interest is manifested con-
cerniog their action on this subject.
Dispatches from Col johnson were received
at the War Department to-day, dated South
Pass, Oct. 18th They include several letters
| from Col. Alexander, the present Commanding
officer of the main body of the army in Utah.
lie, 1t appears questions, by the hesitation with
which he assumes them, his right to exercise
fully all the duties of Commander but johnson
thinks his authority to exercise them without
restriction is clearly granted. johnson Us
Alexander, in pursuance of the latter's design,
| had advanced to Hams Fork of Grun River,
thirty-five miles above the crossing and there
directed the movements to lie made by his own
immediate command, and the troops in his rear
to form a junction, which, from an erroneous
supposition, would be wholly impractieable.-
johnson continues: Col Smith is at this camp
with fifty men, his regiment. | overlook him
on the 10th, about twenty miles east of this and
have added my escort, fifteen dismissed dragons,
to his force. Lieut.. Smith, i'll command of
squadron Of Dragons and fifty of the 10th In
| fantry, force OF about 200 men, may be OK
pected here in three or fGUI days. He is aware
of the necessity Of promrtneSS and | am sure
will lose no time. Col. johnson notices Mac
! graw's assistance and enters into minute details
/ of the supply trains which are expected and of
the state of the weather, for the reason that the
order transmitted to Alexander may not have
been fully comprehended.
| Col johnson says in conclusion, will how
ever mention, that unless a large force is sent
here from natives of the country, protracted
war on the part of the Mornons is. inevitable.
The great distance from our source of supply
makes it impossible to operate with small force,
it in fact requires the employment of such force
to guard the numerous trains of the supplies,
leaving but small supply if any, for offensive
operations. The movement of troops from
California and Oregon and by this route would
terminate the war with the Mormons speedily
and more economically than if attempted by
insufficient means In five or six days think
we will have all the force available here for
such forward movements, by that time all the
trains will be up, they should be here sooner.
In twelve days from this time expect to join
Col. Alexander at or near Fontenelle Creek
The General may be assured that no retrograde
movement will be made by this force.
This document bears the endorsement of
Lieut.. Gen. Scott, cordially approving Col John
sons conduct as to the expedition from the Pa
cifc, he, however concludes the Col is not
aware of the difficulties which would attend it.
This part of the dispatch he now concurs in as
it is the opinion of the Commander in Chief that
johnson can be reinforced earlier and far more
effcctually from this side.
The amount of treasury subject to draft is
less than $6,0O0,00O. Receipts for the week
ending Tth, $5,50,OOO. There will be no
appointment of Commissioner Of Indian affairs,
as it is understood that Denver will resume the
office after he shall have accomplished his mis-
CiO tn Kansas