The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-19
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NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
THE MASON AND SLIDELL AFFAIR.
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The Effect Of the Recent European News
on the President and Secretary Seward.
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INTERVENING CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
Adoption Of Mr.. Summers Resolution Prohibit
ing The Surrender Of Slaves by the Army.
The House Scheme Of Coniiscation
and Colonization.
Passage Of a Bill for the Payment Of
Gen. FremOnt's Forces.
The Homestead Bill Again
Killed On,
Sc, &C.. &c.

FaE sLfDeti AND MASON AFFAIR AND THE NEWS
FROM EUROPE.
Al eleven o'clock tonight neither the President nor
Secretary Seward had received any dispatches from Eng
sand Tho messengers reported to be the way from
Boston did no. arrive report reached here this after
noon that railroad accident between Boston and New
York detained them If that So they may be here in
che morning,
Very excitement exists here in regard 10 the Ma
son and sl,a AFFAIR Tho President and Secretary of
State less disturbed about that question than many
Others home They believe it will DO settled
Tue President is AS full of his mi.th tonight as
ever. and the Secretary Of State puts his
Havana with the same gay and festive
air as whea he toured through tho West
At half pat nine O'Clock the President, with mis- Pr
yats sacret,ry Mr. Hay, walked over to Mr. Stewards
and after l.ation there, he and Mr. Seward walked
70 tho residence Of Gen. Mcclellan, and remained there
until midnight, discussing the rebellion
1t faci the government is not alarmed about
the Mason All sidell embroglio From the numerous
aespatohcs M have been received here to-day there is
tho coua,ry ttat the government may be induced by
some diplomacy give the traitors up. IN order dis
pei this rseling, l will venture to
Chat hay, he highest authority for saying that
Che possibility Of aer surrender ader any circumstances
fees no ,sp eei The President is drm and mnovabIe
pa this point.
The English newspaper sensation sent to tho country In
advance OF arrival OF any official dispatches either
FROM Minister the receipt of any communication by
governmeu from Lord Lyons, is considered OF very
little bore. The government have too much
Sheir hands be disturbed by such Influences. If it
should turn out that likely have another tilt
with Great Britain, it is quite likely that France
may onsr ntercede in behalf of England. In
that eycnt Russia will intercedc IN behalf 0,
Che Uni,ed sa'es. II France, the Napoconic Waterloo
France accepted BY England Russia viii be accepted
by the Uulisl states, The Empcrors of these great en-
pres can dess tho question while we are closing up the
rebellion llsy win eventually disagree of "A
mediate, vii 10 called in probably tho King Of Italy.
who will not decide the matter satisfactorily to both
parties, aud may result. BY that time shall
have army spiIing for fight and il will then be a
question whether shall not prefer to take hand in
rather than % remain at peace with pcope'who have
attempted 10 take advantage of our misfortunes
Despac'cs received here todaysate that the rebels in
The South Wild with excitement over the news rccey
ed by the Europa, indicating that England has assumed
hostile towards the United sta'es They regard
u us evidence Of the intention of the quondan mis-
tress Of tho to take up their quarrel open their
- they have done from the beginning
DEPARTURES or SECRETARY CHASE ron NEW YORK,
Secretary Chase left here yesterday afternoon for
New York in consequence Of despatch received by him
about half an hor before the starting OF The last train
The demand Cor his preschcc was at consultation Of
bank officers ia relation to the financial afai Of the
government. rho Secretary commenced only last week
drawing upon the last fifty million subscription TO the
national lean and has yet drawn oyor ten per cent
pr the amount
TIM CONVERSATION OF REBEL PROPERTY AND THE
COLONIZATION or SLAVES.
Tho Houso Committee on Military Affairs have before
chem report and bill the conGscation property Of
rebels, and employment and colonization slaves made
by the CHAIRMAN Colonel F. p Blair based upon the Presi
dents Message. It declares null and void all sales
all
interest tlcrsn &C. II provides for the appointment Of
Commissioner COR the States at stated places who have
power to take summary action all of coaascation
that oil persons owing service to the rebels being taken
1y the Un'e States forces coming end claiming their
protection sha, he declared forever fe u also en-
powers the President to acquire by pure, lands in
South or Central America the islands Of the Gulf
for Their colonization, &c, giving to each forty
acres and 70 each head of family eighty acres
and protection by tho United States government
also thu, such persons shall DO, under proper and
humane supervision employed and apprenticed on
abe conscaei estates Of rebels, proe account kept
Of their labor and the money paid the United
States government in trust for them for their future
Transportation and for their subsistence The mcantimo
also the h o apprenticeship for those over
yeas OF age i've years those under twcnty.one years
until the agn Of twenty-five.
II il tho intention Of the committee, If possible TO 20
10 the H-tsc With a bill upon which the members arc
unanimous. This saves minority report aud will
naturally produce moral effect upon the House that will
tsnd 10 carry the bill through without successful oppo
clifton.
aEsEeAn PHELPS PROCLAMATION DENOUNCED.
A good deal Of indignation is expressed that
General Phelps, who a Vermont Colonel in
the three mouths service, and Stationed at Fortress
Monroe soni have far forgotten his military duties
~ to issue political proclamation after landing upon
Ship Island ia the Gulf Of Mexico to the loyal citizens O.;
ehe Southwest The officers Of the government, both civil
ead miiTy-pro.slavery and anti-savery, democrats
and observation-disclosures the act the unwiss
snd foolish act that has yet been proclaimed by any
military officer.
GENERAL M'cLELLAN's MOVEMENTS.
General Mcclellan dashed over to the Virginia side Of
the Potomac today without waiting for either staff off,
Gers or escort He passed over tho Aqueduct bridge,
fnd was quickly followed by the officers Of tho staff who
were TO attend him, among whom Colonel Swetzer,
Yhe Count dc Paris and rfe Due Dc Ghartres
General Mcclellan spent several hoursbs ar,ornoor IN
General portcrs division. The visit being at the time
oss Of the brgades were going through their daily dr,
hs was received with the usual military honors whis
q Miners Hill splendid photograph picture was taken