St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-02-28
From Washington.

The Washington garrison is now
about 1000 strong, commanded by
Brcvct Col. Harvey Brown, Major OF
the Second Artillery, who entered
West Point from New Jersey in 1914,
and has occupied several prominent
stall appointments, besides distin-
gushing himself in the Florida and
Mexican wars. In addition to this
force, which is judiciously distributed,
and can be easily concentrated, there
is the efficient staff of the War De-
partmcnt, embracing many Of the
ablcst officers of the army, while d.
rcCting every movement, and in readi-
ness for every emergency, is Old Che
| Puitpcc ; If the metropolis is cap
turcd, there will be some hard fight
ing first, and young medical students
anxious to examine gun-shot wounds
will do well to come on when they
hear that firing has been commenced
On the 10Th the House galleries
were crowded to hear the report of Mr.
Morris on the Indian Bond swimile.
The report gives a detail of the facts
relative to the abstraction of the In
dian trust bonds. Ex-Sccretaries
Floyd and Thompson and some forty
other witnesses have been examined.
Mr.. Thompson is eXhoncratcd from any
completely, but he, as we'll as former
Secretaries Of the Interior, is censurcd
for the inefficient manner in which the
bonds have been kept. 1t was asccr-
tanned that Mr. Floyd gave acceptance
for three millions more than Russell
Il Majors ever earned. While the
contractors received all the moneys
due them, the acccptanccs were given
on the strength Of their contracts.
Mr.. Russell testified that he did not
know at first where the bonds came
from. Mr.. Byerly acted as agent for
the sale of the bonds, and Mr.. Lea as
the intermediate party between Rus
sell and Bailey. Senator Benjamin
testified to calling upon the President
a year ago for information, but the
President knew nothing about them,
or any law authorizing their issue.
lie called on Mr.. Floyd and remon-
stratcd as to the improperly of his
proceedings, but from April to Deccm-
Der the Secretary gave the acceptance,
amounting to S2,lG3,000 the last
batch being delivered on the day that
Bailey gave the last supply of bonds.
Many Of these acceptances are still
out, but arc worthless. The Committee
make no recommendations, but report
facts,
\ fracas occurred at the National
Hotel, between Kellogg, Of ILL.,, and
McdiIl, editor Of the Chicago Tribune.
MCdill was knocked down, when the
bystandcrs separated the belligcrcnts.
Mr.. lincoln's speeches are causing
uneasncss among the Southerncrs,
and scccssiOnists arc evidently at a
discount.
EX-Sccrctary Floyd, before leaving
Washington sent to his home in Nir-
ginia, rcmittanccs in specie amount
ing to $4,000.
Mr.. Dciarnctte, of Virginia, is the
member who distracted from the
House library, large number Of the
books now missing The expose in
the \. \. Times has had the effect of
bringing back large quantities of
books, that have been missing for
long time.
RcintOrccmcnts have started for
Fort TOrtugas, and other relief has
been ordered from Texas.
The returns from 20 counties in Nir-
GINA alone, show much larger vote
in favor of the Union than the entire
vote for secession in all the States
1t is clear now that the people turned
out in their might to rcbuke the petty
pcddling politicians.
From Tennessee we have reports of
still larger maioritics for the Union.
EX-Prcsidcnt Tyler expresses a con-
tident belief that under these express
sions Of the public sentiment the
Peace Congress will be able to adopt
measures which the Virginia dclcga-
ton may carry to their constituents,
and which will ultimately rescue the
seeding States.
The little kingdom of South Carroll
na is said to be much dissatisfied with
the action Of the Montgomery Con
grcss. She threatens, indeed, that if
the Congress does not authorize and
assist i'll an attack upon Fort Sumptcr,
she will withdraw. Of course, she
has a perfect right, under her own
doctrines and those of the new con,
fcderacy.
The majority report will probably
be adopted by the Peace Conference
by close vote. The proposition for
National Convention is gaining
ground.
The inaugural speech of jeff. Davis
is bitterly denounced by the Border
State men in Washington. The House
bill disseminating mail service in
South Carolina, was reported by the
Senate committee on Post Offices,
without amendment, and will un-
doubtcdly pass.
The North Carolina convention bill
hangs fire in the Legislature, and
some Of the most sanguine secession
lists are said TO have given up all hope
of inducing the people Of that State to
array themselves against the Federal
Union.
We are grievcd to hear Of the scri-
Gus illness of Gen. Wool. The nation
could lily afford to spare the services
of such man at this critical iuncture
Douglas and Pugh both oppose the
appointment Of Black for Judge of
the [. 5. Supreme Court and also the
appointment of Petit for Judge in
Kansas. 1t is thought both will be
defeated.
On the 2lst, in the Senate, Mr.. boo
little presented a petition from the
citizens of Milwaukee numerously
signed, asking Congress to stand by
the constitution and laws, and make
no compromise with treason.
Gen. Scott stated that he had intel
ligence from Charleston that For,
SumDtcr wOull he attacked on the ODD