The New York herald., 1861-12-18

have tufned their attention to India and although
the cotton of India may be inferior to that OF Ame
RIGA, a. important company has just been formed
in England, with capital Of 100000 sterling, Tor
A company for the transportation Of Indian cotton
has also been formed and by fusion Of their rela-
tive interests the two companies, operating TO-
gethcr with common view, will, without doubt,
render eminent service to English manufactures.
CONGRESS.
In The United States Senate yesterday the House
bill for raising volunteer force for the defence
Of Kentucky was referred to the Military
Committee. Several petitions were presented TO-
cmancipating the slaves Of rebels. bill was
reported to increase the number of cadets at West
Point. resolution requesting the Commissioner
of Public Buildings to inform the Senate by what
authority portion of the Capitol had been con-
ton that the army shall not be employed IN the
surrender OF fugitive slaves was laid over. heso-
utions asking why passengers from New York TO
San Francisco were required to take out passports
and that copy of the correspondence between
Generals Scott and Patterson be furnished to the
Senate. were agreed to- Mr.. Sumner introduced
his bill in relation to the French spoliations claims.
Mr.. Lane called up the resolution respecting the
Secretary of War furnishing the Senate with copies
of tho orders for building barracks for the Kansas
troops, and in speech criticised the action Oh
the government in the conduct of the war, anfmad-
vertng severely the inactivity OF our troops and
saying that it was military necessity our army
should occupy the rebel States. Mr.. Lane con-
tended that the government should take possession
Of the slaves in order to force their masters into
submission. He was replied to by Mr. Garlic,
who said he was convinced that the govern
ncnt had made great mistake in not appoint
inc Mr.. Lane commander Of the army. tic (sir.
Carlile) contended that the war was constitu-
tional one, and the army could not be turned into
negro calchers. After few remarks from Mr..
McDougall in opposition, on motion OF Mr.. Grimes,
the resolution was laid on the table. The case OF
the Kansas contested Senator seat was taken up,
but action postponed until to-day. The Chair ap
pointed Messrs Wade, of Ohio: Chandler, OF Michi-
gan and johnson, of Tennessee, as the committee
to Investigate the general conduct OF the war.
The House resolution for an adjournment until
January was laid on the table. An executive ses-
sion was held, and the Senate adjourned.
In the House Mr.. Bingham, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported back the joint resolutions
requiring the Provost Court at Alexandria, Va, to
hold the property Of rebels until Congress take
further action on the subject The resolution then
passed. The resolutions OF Mr. Eliot, for the eman-
az or hair tbo ord
then resumed. Mr.. Harding offered some points
in opposition 10 them--that Congress has no con-
stitutiona power to pass any bills on the subject,
that the administration stands pledged against all
Interference with slavery, that legislation is for
bidden on the subject by every principle of sound
policy, and that they would inaugurato dsgraccfuI
war, involving loyal and disloyai in its horrors.
On motion Of Mr. Kellogg the resolutions, and
all others relating TO the subject in the
same special order, were referred to the
Judiciary Committee by vote of II against
81. resolution for printing fifteen thousand
copies of the report of the special committee
TO inquire into government contracts was referred
to the Committee on Printing. Mr.. Van Wyck,
Chairman OF the Investigating Committee, submit
ted resolutions against making any further pay
ments on account Of the charter Of the steamboat
Catalinc, to adjust the claim against the govern
m.nt for five thousand Hall carbines purchased by
General Fremont, and stating that the practice Of
employing parties for the performance
Of public duties, and the purchase OF supplies by
private contracts, injurious to the public ser
vice. and meet the unqualified disapprobation OF
the House. The consideration Of the report was
postponed Bills were passed snspending the APP
pointment Of assessors and collectors of the income
tax until the lst OF April next, and for the al!ot
ment Of pay certificates among volunteers. Bills
were also reported making appropriations for
pensions, and 10 pay consular and diplomatic ex.
penses for the year ending June 80, 1868.
bill was reported from the Foreign Affairs
Committee sppropriatiag one thousand dollars to
pay the owaeis Of the british ship PertIshire for
losses incurred in consequence OF detention by our
5lockadn2 leet off Mobile in June last, our naval
officers at the time acting on a misunderstanding
Of the circumstances. The bill was finally passed,
but not until after il had giyca rise 10 somewhat
lengthy aud dscursive debate. 4 bill was report
ed from the Naval Committee to authorize the Sc
cretary o! The Navy TO construct twenty iron-clad
steam gunboats at a cost of from five hundred
thousand to six hundred thousand dollars each,
which. after brief debate, laid over for fur
ther consideration, and the House adjourned.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
The Cunard mail steamship Europa reached Bos.
ton from Halifax yesterday afternoon, with the
European mails of the ID OF December Tie let.
ters and newspaper flies were duly forwarded y
New York, and Will arrive in the city for deli, -
at an early hour this morning, The screw steamer
City Of Washington, which passed Cape Race last
Sunday forenoon, will be due at this port to.mor.
fow Chursday) evening with English and French
journals OF the 4th instant. BY these arrivals we
will be put in possession of the full details of The
progress OF the war excitement prevailing in
England at the time our telegraphic reports. pub
siied last Monday morning in the HERALD. were
compiled, and thus be enabled to fo, m more ac
curate judgment as to its reality, intensity and
force. After this, our next instamcnt of news
from Europe will come by the undermined yes.
scls:-
StsGa.sr From Dan of S,;r,r, D.s.n.,:..
Nova scotah Londonderry Dec o. Portland
~ Ahofew .Glasgow. Dee T.. New YORK;
America '... Queenstown Dec :. New York
Arago.. southampton Dec IL Nav yorr