Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-12-20
AFFAIRS En- AND ABOUT WASha'
EEEEnR.

WASHINGTON, December lot is rumored
that n prominent member OF Banks sian nus us
appeared with important papers.
Ii is understood by the President that the Leg
islature of Kentucky viii abolish slavery relm-
bursting loyal masters.
The U0Tid'S dispatch says the smallpox IS get
| ting prevalent, by the carelesslcss of the surveyor
general in allowing cases of this disease to be IN
the same hospital with other patients.
The HeraifS dispatch says that u negro from
Centeryille states that the rebels had a review OF
! $4,000 troops there Il few days since, duilhg
| which a panic seized them, consequent upon a
rumor that the Federals were marching on the
place, leaving wagons and everything else.
In compliance with orders from home, Sir Fen
wick Williams, commander of tina British forces
in Canada. now numbering about 10000 men,
has recalled all the absent officers, has brought
his troops under his Immediate supervision, ana
is bringing them to a high state of efficiency.
Fernando Wood has interposed in behalf Of
Col. Kerrigan, for whom he asks a speedy trial
Kerrigan will be brought before a court martial
this week.
j.. V. Fowler, the New York post office de-
faulter, is carrying on the tobacco mandatory
at Topic, Mexico. He is said to be making
money.
At a dinner given by the Pmssian minister re-
Gently, the Prince de JOinville and the Orleans
princes were seated above Gen. Mcclellan, upon
whose staff the latter are. 1t was a noteworthy
piece of snobbishneSS.
A 6I-pound shell was thrown yesterday from
the Lower Potomac rebel battery within a few feet
of where the 1st Massachusetts regiment was drill
ing, but failed to explode.
Thirty-onc slave women aud children were
brought up from the Sickles brigade yesterday,
taken from the rebel plantations near Matthias
Point. The slave men taken at the same time
are employed by Sickles as laborers.
Nh. Etheridge, clerk OF the House OF Repre-
sentatives, received letters from Tennessee last
night, stating that the rebel leaders there had be-
gun the impressment Of minor men into the
! rebel army, and that hundreds OF loyal citizens
were flying into Kentucky.
There are seventy fugitive slaves at the Wash
ing navy yard. They have all been comfortably
provided by Secretary Welles, and most OF them
are working for $40 a month.
Marshal Lamon reports to the Senate that the
Imprisonment Of slaves in the government jail OF
this city was in strict accordance with the laws
Of the District Of Columbia.
The question Of the exchange Of prisoners
seems to be fairly settled. The New York exec
utiye committee had several lengthy and inter
esting interviews with the President, General
Mcclellan, and Senators and members of the
! House, all of whom favor it. The interview OF
the committee with Gen. Mcclellan was especi-
ally gratifying. lie spoke OF the subject briefly
but warmly, and from bis conversation, had evil
IDENTIFY given the subject much study.
The military committees in both houses have
reported fayorably on the subject, and a joint
resolution, which passed the House, requesting
the President to make an exchange, will pass the
| Senate tomorrow.
An exchange has been practically going on.
Thirty prisoners were sent from here yesterday
to Fortress Monroe, and a large number have
been released from Fort Warren.
WASHINGTON, December ll-TheTe was an
alarm along the lines last night and the enemy
was supposed to be approaching in force. All
night seven divisions Of the grand army were
under arms. The alarm proved to be false, and
at noon to-day all was quiet.
The President has declined to communicate to
Congress any communications addressed by the
governments Of England, France aud Spain. in
regard to the armed Intervention proposed bythem
in the affairs of Mexico. He deems that it is
inexpedicnt at this time to do SO.
The tatement that General Mcclellan had in
terfered with Secretary Cameron's report is false.
European letters state that Russell writes
that the administration is becoming disposed to
accept foreign mediation, with a view to com
promise ON the basis Of separation.