Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-14
AFFAIRS IN RICHMOND.



Obligations of secrecy have been removed from
bill passed by Congress under authority of which
the Executive will proceed to inct retaliation upon
the persons of the Yankee prisoners in hands,
'in such numbers as he may deem expedient," for
the inhumsn treatment OF our prisoners Of war in
New York. The act OF Congress, which has given
the President authority for retalitiOn in such
ure and kind az may seem to him proper and just,
recites the fact, BY way of preamble, and in vndi-
cation of its objects that ''ths Government of the
United States has placed in irons, and lodged in
dungeons, citizens of the Confederate States acting
under the authority of letters OF marquee issued in
accordance with the laws of the Confederate States
by the President thereof, and have otherwise NAL
treated the same, and have seized and confined sun
dry other citizens Of the said Confederate States in
violation of all principles of humane and civilized
warfare"
We copy from the Examiner of the IIth the fol-
lowing interesting items:
CALAMITY OF PRIVATE SOLDIERS.
We do not believe that there has been the record
of single battle in the progress far of the war
that has not been adorned BY some instance Of in
dividual gallsntry the part Of private soldiers.
1t would be most just and excellent idea for the
! Government to authorize LsOme system of rewards
fer individual herosm among priVates, BY
/ means of medals, or some appropriate badge of
| hener. We know of nothing At once 80 Just and
inspiring to our brave sOdiery than some such rec
OgntiOn of gsllsutry in the ranks. In the Crimean
| war the medals and badges distributed among pri-
Yates who distinguished themselves in the field
were the most va liable eneOEragements 70 their
valour aud to-day priceless objects Of pride and
| affection in many English household. Such
| ognitions Of gallantry among the privates of our
| army in such war as we are waging, would not
| only be at once the rewards and announcements
h.rFk - ID
and emulation. deepen and intensity the patriotic
spirit OF the South by drs wing little share OF its
inspiration directly from the battle fields of in
1 dependence
! THE BANKS TREASURY PAPER.
The Mobile banks have decided TO receive Treas
ury notes in payment of debts due to them. The
| adoption of this measure, alike beneficial to the
Governments the people and the bankers themselves
cannot be too strongly urged by considerations Of
its great and mutual advantages, as well as BY ap
peals to the patriotism OF mOneyed institutions
The fact is that 60 the banks themselves the
sure is one OF lOss, If not of positive advan-
tage as the notes be exchanged tor Confederate
bonds, bearing eight per cent per annum interest.
| At Present few, if any, payments made to the
banks renewal being the practice, and the proper
| ton OF payments that would be maze to them in
Treasury notes could constitute considerable risk
| even if the paper security Of the Government was
doubtful, which 1t certainly is not more than any
| other security in the portfolios of the banks.
The advantages OF this measure on the part of the
| banks to the Government and the people would be
to put par nearly these Treasury notes; to
| give them general circulation. and to TO the
sOldiers and employees of the Government and their
families the discount which must inevitably fall up
on them in the failure of the banks to recognize and
! aid the Government.
THE PRODUCE LOAN-LARGE COTTON SUBSCRIPTIONS.
| The Treasury Department has issued circular,
under authority of the late act of Congress- setting
forth the conditions AMI prospects of the produce
80 o1n
of one hundred millions of dollars, for the purpose
| of funding the Treasury notes. and for making ex-
| changes for produce, manufactured articles and
| military stores.
So far as the loan has progressed, the cotton the
rice the tobacco, and the sugar planters have We'd
with each oLher; and in the first named staple alone
it is estmsted that the subscription several States
has from Onethird to one half of the entire
| crop
La the case of the loan previously authorized the
agricultural and manufacturing interests were not
/ in condition TO make cash subscriptions. Their
surplus capital already invested and their com
mand of resources was mainly and essentially to be
| looked for in the future resources they are now
| authorized safely 20 draw. They have now the
opportunity of contributing to the wants and sus-
tanning the credit of the Government, and of doing
so by investments, aside from their claims on the
of patriotism, as advantageous and safe as
| any other business transaction.
CLAIMS FOR PnLAsEs OF THE ENEMY
| For the information of tee people of Virginia
and Of other portions of the Confederate States,
who have suffered by the abduction of their slaves
by The enemy, or the waste or destruction of their
property by them, have been at pains 70 Rscer-
tain the mode of taking testimony of the fact aud
extent of such losses which is to be placed the
files of the State Department, for the future GispO
sition by the Government OF the claims they may
| present.
The testimony is to be taken by deposition, or by
oral proofs reduced to writing, before any of the
following officers qualified TO administer Osths, viz
any Judge of the Confederate States, or Commits
siOner of any court thereof; any Notary Public;
or, in case of their being such officers in the
county corporation where the proceedings are
instituted, then before any Justice of the PeSce
Alderman. The affidavit of the party himself of
the fact of ownership, and of loss or damage, is
under all circumstances necessary.
ORDNANCE FOR THE COAST SERVICE.
We referred on yesterday 20 the exigency of the
defence of our coast against the ravakes of the enc
my, and the Governments appreciation of it. 1t
is obvious that the present weakness of our coast
defences il due mainly to the circumstances of the
smallness of the forts have on the Atlantic and
Gulf coasts. These forts are to small for the pro-
lection of sufficient force to repel any con-
siderable expeditions Of the enemy, the ships Of
which have only to lie of and shell them at leisure.
The crest need is not so much in increasing the
garrison of these points in the equipments of the
forts and the supply Of guns of long range This is
indispensable The arming of our forts and expos
ed points with rifed cannon of sufficient Gghtness
to be transported on field carriages, WILL perhaps,
furnish the most ready and efficient means of de-
fence. With riled cannon We can hold the enemy
at bay and engage him on more than an equal foot
ing.
VIA EXPENDITURES BY THE STATES.
We learn that the Secretary of the Treasury has
notified the Governors of each of the Confederate
States to forward the claims for auditing and set
Element held by them against the Confederate Gov
eminent for advances and expenditures, made for
the and benefit Of the COnfederacy, in prepare
ton for, or in conducting the present war.
The settlement of these claims we understand,
Will be made principles of equity the rule of
decision prescribed in the set of Congress being that
all claims for advances expenditures of any kind
made by any State prior TO the passage Of the Or
dinance of Secession, shall be shown to have been
made in contemplation of the act of Secession af
forwards contaminated, and of the war that might
probably ensue.
BREAD AND FRESH PROVISIONS FOR THE ARMY.
1t is proposed by the War Department to estab-
lish bakeries at suck points may be necessary or
to make contrcts, order to supply to such of
troops in the field desire it, whenever practica-
BILE IN lieu of the usual ration of flour equiya-
lent of well baked bread. Efforts will also be |
made to the extent of theipOwer of the Department
to furnish daily ration Of fresh vegetables to all
Of our troops. These reforms in our army diet if |
theoretically effected, they likely to be, will
be considerable contribution to the sanitary in
terests and general well being of our troops in the
field.
YANKEE PRISONERS SENT SOUTH.
One hundred and fifty six Yankee prisoners, Sc