Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-13


submitted yesterday TO Congress disclosed the
important fact that our government now occu-
I pies the same position that is held in reference
TO foreign governments in the beginning of
/ the rebellion, and that though the United
States early offered to accept the Paris de-
claration in reference to prigateerng, both
England and France desired to make an ex-
ception in favor Of the JEFF. Davis confeder-
acy, 20 which the government has refused TO
yield, leaving the United States free from any
obligations to accept the Paris declaration,
while the few rebel priya'eers are nov fugi-
tives on the high seas, OF are lying idle in
Southern harbors
Tho resume Of the document shows the
following TO be our relation with foreign ma
tons England entertains, or at least express
ses no sympathy for the United States, but
rather the reverse France has not been cor
dial, but has been less offensive then Eng
land Austria has been friendly, and from
the outset has declared that she would not
recognize the rebel Confederacy.
The steamship Bavaria from southampton
Goth, has arrived She brought sixty thou
sand stand of arms for the Federal govern
ment, purchased in Belgium.
The pckcts Of Blencker's division have
been shot at for several days past, it is sup
posed by farmer named Cook, who has twice
been arrested and released by the chief Of the
staff and provided with pass.
Deserters from Bonneville state that the
rebels have 50, 600 troops at Centrevillo, and
that they did not expect an attack from us at
that point. There are only 1000 men at
Manassas.
A reconnaissance from McCalrs division
went ten miles and back. They arrested two
Colemaus, three Poole brothers, and three
rebel females, and seized grain, cattle. two
slaves, and other contraband property No
repol troops were seen.
The Herald dispatch says that deserter
states that there arc 5000 rebels on the low
er Potomac, under Gen. Holiness who arc ox-
pectng an attack from our Aotila and the
forces on the Maryland shore.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.
The general disposition among Congress
men is to pass a law making more certain and
stringent the forfeiture of rebel propeaty,
while that Of Unionists will be more surely
protected-in other words, making wider
discrimination between the two classes. 1t
is not at all probable that anything will be
done to initiate against the heretofore de-
clared object in vigorously prosecuting the
war.
Gen Smiths division went out Saturday
to the neighborhood Of Vienna and gathered
ninety four wagon loads Of forage. No enemy
was seen in any direction
Scouts sent out from Gen. Wadsworths
brigade on Friday, returned on Saturday
They report that Flnthall and also Fairfax
Court House are entirely deserted by the reb-
ell pickets. They passed through and beyond
the village of Fairfax Court House before
they met the picAets Of the enemy.
The pension office has withheld the pay
ment of pensions to a number of persons on
sufficient evidence of their disloyalty. tap
pears that some show willingness to take
the prescribed oath of allegiance and loyalty
for the purpose Of obtaining money from the
government, but who afterwards either Join
the rebels or otherwise give them aid and
comfort. As large number of the pensions
are paid after the first of October, the returns
thus far received do not afford sufficient data
from which to judge as to extent of the de-
fiction The widow of Commodore Thomas
A. p. Catesby Jones is among those who
have removed into Jefdom, and thus lost the
benefits Of her pension.
New YORK, Dec. 10.
The Times Washington dispatch says that
the republican caucus was attended by about
siders were carefully excluded.
Mr.. Pameroy of Kansas was chairman, and
Mcpherson Of Penn. Clerk
Thaddeus Stevens made long speech in
favor Of emancipation. H. denounced Gen.
Mcclellan as trying to control the legislative
and executive powers of the nation.
Mr.. Devne Of New York replied to Mr..
Stevens, saying if the object OF the caucus
was to provide a war policy. it was very i'm
proper. He said the way To end the war was by .
fghung-not by resolutions of Congress,
and closed by Offering two resolutions
Fus, Endorsing the Philadelphia and
Chicago platforms, and that this meeting re-
cognizes no right of a Congressional Couyen-
ton to add to or take away from these state
ments of principle.
Second, That we are rejoiced that all poll
teal parties are giving loyal support to the
war, and that nothing should be done by the
Republicans to create dssension or revive
party distinctions in its prosecution.
Many speeches were made, but a vote was
postponed until Wednesday night.
The Herdids dispatch says that negroe
from Cenreyille states that the rebels had a
review of $4,000 troops there few days
since, during which a panic seized them. in
consequence of a rumor that the federal troops
were marching on the place They fled from
the field, leaving their guns and ,Oag-guns, and
everything else.
FIGHT ON THE UPPER POTOMAC.
Col, Leonard, of the 18th Massachusetts,
regiment, arrived at Frederick, Md, Monday
morning, from Williamsport, with important
adyices from the Upper Potomac
On Saturday afternoon, rebel force, con-
sisting of battery of six pieces and about
400 infantry and 200 cavalry, made their APP
pearance at dam No. s, on the Virginia side
Of the river, and commenced throwing shot
and shell at the houses on the Maryland
shore, burning barn and Kidding all the
houses within range, continuing the fire UNI
Ill dusk. The only Union forces there to OPP
pose the enemy were a company of the Mass
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