The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-22
our WASHINGTON LETTER.

ARLINGTON, August Il, 1861.
The town is dull to day. 'What news?" ia
the question everywhere, and everywhere the an
swer is Nothing" For we are enjoying an inter
val OF abstinence from the fury of rumor, as well as
OF ierocity and fanaticsm. Gen. Mcclellan is not
prepared to attack, and from the other army at
tscks are not invited. What the policy may be on
this side or that, speculation cannot solve, and
NOR does not pretend to know.
The principles of the last act of Congress, pro-
vidlng Tor the summary coniscation of all descrip
lions OF property" employed in the service Of re-
belhon, have their practical operation in Fairfax
county. To-day have seen a letter from two la
dies ('of Southern procvities,'') all their lives
residing in tina county, to two other ladies' yerv
loyal, who live in Washington and the question Is
asked: Can nothing be done? Can no influence
be brought to bear by the Government to nut
a stop to the forciblc abduction of slaves from
Fairfax county? Nightly, it is asserted in
these letters, negro and women are
dragged oil screaming; and | know now of two
faithful old house servants, attached by MANY
simple tie of tenderness, to a Fairfax family who
are wandering helplessy in Washington, induced
to "run away by Federal soldiers who rlied them
with stories of the desperation of their masters and
their Intention to post them in the front of the first
battle. These poor negroes have already learned
the truth, and i'll vain endeavOred to return to their
dear old homes, but they cannot pass without ga
| pass, and that is not allowable in the existing
complication of ''mitary necessities"
| The trial of the New York 10Th (Hghlarders)
| begins tomorrow Mr.. Il. Gillette, of Washing
ton, has been appointed Judge-Advocate, and coun-
sci have been named for the mutineers
| The health of the camps is generally good-the
wounded are doing well, and the sick list diminish
| ing.
There were two reviews to-daY-one of McCalPs
| command at Tennay town, and another at the
Chain Bridge. All the members of the Cabinet
| were present, and General Mcclellan, in person
was Master of Ceremonies.
General Mansfield mas not yet been completely
relieved. is highly probable that he will be as.
! signed new command under General Mcclellan
who has requested him to wait for further advices
There are people here (highly loyal people, toe, J
who are i'll natured enough to pretend that General
Mcclellan is in a fair way to be spoiled, and who
indulge in envious sneers at his antecedents, with
Alterations of pity for General Scott-as if it were
| crime to be young and ambitious.
| We have not done mutinying yet. Some thirty
or forty of US, Of the New York DIST, were takeI
to the Navy Yard last night, and we shall all b.
spirited away to the Dry Tortugas, (observe tht
cruelty Of sending us to dry place. to hang up d.
fiddle and de bow and take down de shpbbel and &,
hoe.
The UnGer1criter leaves tomorrow for the Poto
mac fleet. Her armament is heavy-S inch gun
and rited 80-pounders.
This afternoon General Porter and Colonel Ke,
have been engrossed in the examination of charge
| against the various secessionists whose arrest
have from time to time come under your notice
| Among others, from Maryland and Virginia who's
"treason" will be explored, are Flowers, Minor ant
| Burt, FPFCIAr