The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-02
MkWS fkUM WAShING UNs
The Presidents Message and the Reports
Of the Departments.
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Proposed Ship Canal Between Lake
Erie and Lake Michigan.
Important Order in Regard to the Observance
Of the Sabbath.
THE NAVIGATION OF THE POTOMAC,
&C., &c., &c.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 1851.
Sm PRESIDENTS MESSAGE AND DEPARTMENT RE-
PORTS.
Assuming that there will be quorum present in each
House morrow It is probable that the President
will communicate his Message before O'Clock, owing
the necessary preimnaries attending the commence
ment Of a session Of Congress.
The reports Of the Secretaries Of War the Navy and
he Interior and Of the Postmaster General will accompany
the Message That Of the Secretary Of the Treasury will
mot be sent in until Tuesday or wednesday.
As no copies of the Presidents Message have
been transmitted hence it will be teiegraphed.
PROPOSED SHIP CANAL BETWEEN LAKE ERIE AND
LAKE MICHIGAN.
Parties here representing large European and
American interests urging upon government the neces
sy OF constructing ship canal between lake Erie and
Lake Michigan. They look to the wealthy State Of New
York widen and deepen its great canal and to the
State Of Illinois enlarge its canal that vessels may
be adened according to their theory nine months Of the
year the Mississippi and discharged on the Hudson. II
that by the time the canal could be completed
should tho government at upon the project,
the productions Of the West would swell vastly beyond
their present dimensions and give to the country great
additional for exchange Of products for the
staples and manufactures Of Europe.
IMPORTANT ORDER IN REGARD TO THE OBSERVANCE
OF THE SABBATH.
The following general order first published to-day
although dated the 9th u II has been delayed in the
government printing establishment for the want Of
force in the management Of business
GEMaAL oRDERs-So. 4S.
HEADQUARTERS Army THE P0T0HAc,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 81, 1861. I
The Sunday morning company inspections prescribed
by article thirty Revised Army Regulations viii here
after be made at eight O'Clock A. NJ. Congress
having by law provided for the employment OF
chaplains for the army. it was no doubt designed,
tha audi oofUCQ
obstacles in the Of proper exercise of the functions
Of their Offices 1t therefore ordered that in future the
unless manifest military prevent. Commanding
officers win that all persons connected with their
commands, when not guard other important duty
requiring their constant attention. have opportunity
afforded them Of attending divine service
officers and soldiers diligently to attend divine service,
and attaches penalty for rrevent behavior while at the
place of worship
CAala.ns will at all times be permitted to visit the
camps quarters and hospitals within the limits Of the
commands to which they are attached TO hold free and
uninterrupted intercourse with the officers and soldiers
of duty. Chapians will in future be required
appear reviews inspections IT is believed their
time and services may be more prohtaby employed else
where
It is erjoined upon all persons connected with the
army to preserve at all times respectful department
towards chaplars and to give them hearty coopera
ton In their efforts to promote and improve the moral
condition Of the army.
BY command of Major General MCCLELLAN.
s. WILLIAMS, Assistant AdJutant General.
A RECoNNorssANCE.
reconnaissance made to-day from General Fitz
John Porers division for forage but to the hour Of
O'Clock tonight the force, which not large had
met the enemy according report at the headquar
ters Of General Mcclellan.
QUIET ALONG THE LINES.
All is quiet along the lines tonight is the report at
headquarters
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE OF TIE POTOMAC.
The Reliance to the Navy Yard late this
Ham thosa half
past this morning all the rebel batteries Ship
ping Point opened fire wood laden schooner. About
forty rounds fred but only took effect cutting
away the jib hayards, which brought the jib
down by the run. The wind fair at the
time, but the tide being on the ebb was
against the schooner. The disaster to the
jb did prevent her from continuing her course
She passed the batteries without further damage and
has arrived safely at Washington The batteries the
Maryland shore replied to those Of the rebels and brisk
cannonade was kept up on both sides. Several Of the
enemy's shells observed TO burst about half mile
over the Maryland shore. During the cannonade the
Reliance went down part Of the way ascertain what
the rebels firing at, but before she came within
RANGE the firing had ceased. The Of the schooner
has not been ascertained.
The Jacob Bell, Lieutenant McCrea commanding, left
the Navy Yard this morning and went down the river to
Join the fotiila The Bell damaged weeks ago
by collision with the Island Belle. She has been
thoroughly repaired and refted The Yankee is rap idly
progressing in her rcft.
LETTER FROM GEORGE D. PRENTICE.
letter has been received here from George D. Prem
tice, ESQ., dated New York; November 26, 1861, stating
thai he had nothing TO do with the article in the Louis
VILE Journal, censurng the speech made by Secretary
Cameron the dinner party lately given by Colonel For
ney honor Of Mr. Prentice The entire article in the
Journal Misrepresentation Of the speech, sent by
person without the knowledge Of Mr.. Prentice Sec
reary Camerons opinions upon the subject the same
those expressed his instructions Generals Butler
and Sherman and IL is understood tina. they will be
iterated in his annual report TO the President
DIFFICULTY OF TRANSPORTING HEAVY GUNS.
The Ordnance Department Of the Navy finds considera
bic difficulty getting transportation for the heavy guns
from point to point and among other agents who have
declined to assist the government this matter are j.
IN. Briggs Of the Swift Sure line.
THE PRIvATEER SUMTER.
The latest Official intelligence concerning the where
sbouts Of the prvateer Sumter is from the Consul at
paramaribo in letter dated october IL He had been
informed that she island about thirty
miles to the wndward Of Curacos and the cruising
about in their boats
ARMY MOVEMENTS.
The headquarters Of the Third regiment Of artillery
are ordered to Fort Trumbull, Connecticut. Colonel
Yates takes command Of the regiment.
First Lieutenant Lawrence Kip, Adutant OF the fegi
ment has been offered the position Of Chief Aid dcCamp
20 General Sumner. Lieutenant Kip has just returned
ON California where he served with distinction on the
staff Of General Keyes in the Indian wars and Afterwards
with Reynolds formerly Bragg's) battery.
The headquarters Of the Fourth artillery are ordered
to Fort Washington, Colonel Merchant commanding.
Lieutenant Ives Typographical Engineer, recently on
duty in California has sent in his resignation from that
place. and left the coast.
Doctor Herndon who arrived from California ten days
Aso has also rendered his resignation to the
II THE VAN WICK INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE. "
The Van wyck Committee have terminated their sit
slngs, making cumbersome printed volume large
the Sherman Naval Committee report but OF much less
importance and interest. In fact the committee have
Asen sort Of summer and fall pleasure excursion
Me country producing little nothing Of value and per-
haps it would be we'll enough 10 append sequel to tho
report bslOre Congress act tccptanmg the trayel