New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-02
INVESTIGATION OF FRAUDULENT CONTRACTS
Release of Calhoun Benham and Senator Gwin'
Special Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Dec. ], 1876

WASHINGTON, Dec. j, 1861.
THE SEIZURE OF MASON AND sLiDELL.
No fear need be felt respecting the position
of the Executive on the seizure of Mason and
SdeIl 1t will take, as the public will learn
officially tomorrow, the same ground as that
upon which the nation has settled holding that
Capt Wilkess only error was in not Selling
the Trent also.
MR.. ELY TO BE RELEASED.
The Clerk of the House received letter
from Mr.. Ely of New-York now prisoner at
Richmond, desiring that his name be put upon
the list, as he should be here to occupy his
seat this session.
THE REPORTED FIGHT AT PENSACOLA.
Further doubt is thrown upon the Pensa.
cola story, as narrated by the Rebels, by the
well-ascertained fact that at last accounts only
the Niagara and few tenders were off Pick
ems; that the former draws four feet too much
water to enable her to pass the bar, as she
was said to have done, and that the Colorado
was. when last heard from, blOckading the
South. West Pass. 1t is thought probable in
high quarters that if Colonel Brown did open
fire, it was mainly for the purpose of destroy
ing the wooden barracks in which the Rebels,
who are without tents, sheltered themselves.
INTELLIGENCE FROM RICHMOND.
A Union Spy, who left here some three
weeks ago for Richmond, arrived to-day, having
left the latter place on Wednesday last. He
brings important intelligence which he imme-
diatcly communicated 70 our Government He
SAYS the greatest excitement prevailed in Rich
mond and throughout the South, respecting the
naval and military expeditions, along the entire
Southern coast. The troops from the States
most exposed signifed their determination to
return home, and large numbers had already
started. In Richmond, few days before he
left, much difficulty was experienced in quelng
a rebeous spirit among several regiments from
Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana. They
we're restrained only by positive promises from
jeff. Davis and the Secretary of War, that a
sufficient number of troops should be dispatched
from those States to protect not only the
States. but to drive the " Internal Yankees
from Southern soil. He states that preparations
are being made to remove the Capitol from
Richmond. The Virginians, however, were in
dienant, and were threatening divers things
against their Congress. There seemed to be,
he says, q very general feeling among the
Southern people to abandon Virginia entirely,
and allow her to fall into the hands of the
Federal Government They regarded it as too
expensive to keep an army on her soil. The
Rebels hope now is, judging from what he
heard them say, merely to keep our army from
advancing into the interior from their coast
landings.
ADVANCE OF REBEL PICKETs.
Within a few days, the rebel pickets have
advanced several miles within points from which
they had retired some weeks since, and shown
disposition to attack. Vienna, heretofore en-
tirely open to the ingress of our troops, has
been visited by them by day. They retire at
night. Freedom Hill is still held by our army,
while Flint H within a mile and half Of
Fairfax Court-House, and overlooking it, is
occupied by rebels. These advances by their
pickets are generally regarded by military men
as an indication Of the retreat of portion of
the rebel army from Manassas, to conceal
which scouting parties of rebels are advanced
far within our original lines.
ARRIVAL OF MEMBERS or CONGRESS-.
Members of both houses were fOcking in
yesterday and to-day. There is no doubt of a
quorum appearing in the House and Senate,
although for the latter the old rule, requiring a
majority Of the full body, is not abrogated. The
Senators from Oregon and California Virginia,
and Mr. Powell Of Kentucky, are here. Even
Mr.. Bright, upon the probabilities of whose COM
ing bets have been made, has arrived. Mr.. Val
landigam is on hand, and will factiousy lead
the Opposition, consisting of himself and silent
Ben. Wood. Mr.. Burnett, whose tongue was so
useful last session. has transferred his traitOrOus
services from the field.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The Presidents Message, which will be tele-
graphed after the reading commences, will Gil
about four columns of The TRIBUNE. In hon
esty, ightforwardness and sngleness of pur-
pose, as well Us in brevity, it will remind the
people of the early Presidents.
THE SECRETARY or TIE NAVY.
The report Of Secretary Welles will give him
a reputation that might well console him for
the Injustice Of which be was made the mark,
till the success at Hstteras checked the abuse