The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-13
New York, Thursday, Decem Der i3, 1860.


The News.
In Congress yesterday the Senate took up the
bill authorizing the issue of $40 900 of treasury
notes. Amendments reducing the amount to
80 .OoO. 900, and pledging the public lands as
security for the redemption of the notes, were
adopted, and the bill was passed. The considers-
ton of the secession portion of the Presidents
Message was then resumed, and Mr.. Wigfall, of
Texas, delivered long speech on the condition Of
the country and the position Of parties. In the
House, according to agreement, propositions from
the various States, relating to the disturbed state
of the republic. were presented. Massachusetts,,
New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsyi-
vania. Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Mis-
souri, Arkansas and Wisconsin presented
plans, which were referred to the Sc
lect Committee Of Thirty three The committee
has organized and will enter upon its work to-day.
Mr.. Bonham, of South Carolina, asked to be ex-
cused from further service upon the Military Com
mittee, as he did not expect much longer to re-
main a member Of Congress. His request was
granted. Deficiency Appropriation bill was re-
ported by the Committee of Ways and Means. The
Committee on Public Lands reported bill Great
ing land Office in Daeo,ah, and providing for the
admission Of a delegate from that Territory. Mr..
Grow said he had prepared bills for organizing
Territories, including Dacotah, with provisos pro-
hibi,ing slavery which the House could strike out
If they chose. The bill was referred TO the Com
mittee Of the Whole.
Philip +. Thomas, Of Maryland. Commissioner Of
Patents, was yesterday afternoon confirmed by
the Senate as Secretary Of the Treasury in place
of Mr.. Cobb. The letter addressed to the Pres
dent by Mr.. Cobb, on the occasion Of his resg-
nation Of his office, and Mr.. Buchanan's reply
thereto. are published in another column.
A despatch from Charleston states that all the
banks of that city will shortly resume specie pay.
men,s. One of them has already done
The smallpox is raging with considerable viru.
lence at Columbia, South Carolina and ii is pro-
bablc that the State Legislature viii adjourn to
Charleston in consequence. The disease has
caused quite panic.
The steamship Kedar. Capt Little. from Liver
pool 27th ult., arrived at this port yesterday FORE
noon Her advces have been anticipated by the
Europa of Cape Race, but she brings files three
days later than previously received.
We publish this morning an important decree
from the Emperor Of France. and also some in
teresting intelligence concerning the war in China
in which IL will be seen that at the last accounts
the Allies were within six miles of Pekn, and
that the Chinese had gained some important
advantages in capturing several prominent
personages in the Allied camp, including
Lord Elgin's secretary and the CORES.
pondent Of the London Times. Two more battles
bad been fourht-one at Chang ka-wan. and
the other at Jang-chan.. Thirty thousand Tartar
cavalry are reported TO have been engaged on
both occasions. Two thousand Of them were
killed, while il is stated that only eighteen Of
the Allies were wounded. This latter statement
appears incredible. unless, indeed, the Armstrong
guns enabled the Allies to keep beyond the range
OF the enemy's FIRE.
The news from Italy Is unimporsant, but II
shows strong feeling exists in favor Of Garibaldi
and against Victor Emanuel. The French jour.
mails state that reactionary movement had broken
out sfresh. and in not less than five provinces,
with the Abruzzi at their head, so that ii became
necessary 70 proclaim state Of siege.
The steamships Philadelphia. Capt. Brown, and
De Soto, Capt johnson, from New Orleans and
Havana with dates from the latter port to the 9Th
inst, arrived here yesterday morning. The
De Soto made the run from the levee at New Or.
leans 10 the anchorage at Havana in forty-seven
hours There l. no general news Of importance
from Havana by these arrivals.
meeting was heiu IN the cooper institute last
evening, over which William Cullen Bryant pre-.
sided. for the purpose OF devising means TO supply
the wants Of the thirty thousand sufferers BY the
drought in Kansas. Rev. Messrs. Hutchinson and
Dennison and Judge wattles, residents Of that Ter.
ritory, gave detained statement Of the extent OF
the famine; series OF appropriate resolutions
were adopted. a brief address was made by
Daniel Lord, Esq., and q collection was taken up,
which viii greatly increase the relicffund.
The Coroner's investigation into the crcum-
stances attending the murder Of Mrs. Sarah
Shancks, at No. 70 East Twelfth street. on Friday
morning last, was resumed yesterday A report
OF the proceedings may be found in another
column.
The usual weekly meeting Of the Emigration
Commissioners took place yesterday afternoon,
hut no business except the routine papers came mp
for their action. The number Of emigrants landed
here during the past week was l,7l3, which brings
the total since January 70 lol,72l. The balance
with the banker TO the credit Of the Board has
fallen 70 81, ala 81.
The Fanny White win Gaze, which was sd-
iourncd by the Surrogate from Monday evening
ELL yesterday morning, was again postponed till
to-day, on account u the inability Of the propo