The New York herald., 1861-12-07
WASHINGTON Dec. 9, 1861,

circles respecting the increasing tendency to refer pet
special instead Of the regular committees.
The River and Harbor Defence Committee was removed
from the Military Committee Of the House 10 enable
members from the States bordering the lakes to grind
private axes Of their own, or Of their constituents,
and TO direct, II possible, millions from the pub
lie Treasury under the plea Of needed fortfca-
tions, which unnecessary tho useless
forncations erected at St. Louis by General Fremont
at such monstrous cost TO the nation. On the other
hand, however, tho Special Committee to which the
General Bankrupt law reforred in the summer and
OF which Hon Roscoe Conklin 10 chairman, viii probably
insure tho passage Of that while the regular Judiciary
Committee would have opposed it, 1t Is deemed an in
dispensabe by those best acquainted with the
commercial Of the North and is believed that
the Southern States will regard It step In the way
conciljaon by removing financial obstacles to the resto
ration Of tranquility.
CHEERING REPORTS FROM KENTUCKY.
Recent arrivals from Kentucky bring most cheer
ing intelligence Of the condition and prospects OF the
Union forces there. II is stated positively that
the rebel has much smaller force than has been
generally estimated. His army at Bowling Green is less
than twenty thousand strong, and arrangements are
already perfected which will compel him to surrender i'm.
mediatey retreat rapidly into Tennessee.
PRESIDENT BucHANAN's DEFENCE OF HIS ADAINIs-
TRATION
II is stated that James Buchanan has completed the
first volume OF his book in which he attempts to prove
that his administration the most glorious ono the
country has ever scen--not excepting the eight
years Of the administration Of George Washington He
also turns States evidence against the members Of his
Cabinet.
REVIEWS AND INSPECTIONS OF THE CAMPS.
Members Of Congress- vsiters at the capital and many
Of the residents have taken advantage Of the delightful
weather to-day attending reviews and inspecting camps
both sides Of the Potomac. General Mcclellan and
reviewed the division commanded by General Reyes,
formerly General Bncs DIVISION at Meridian Hill. The
division made splendid appearance, and performed
their evoutions with great precision. General Mcclellan
was much pleased with the condition and drill Of tho
troops number of ladies was present. including Mrs.
Mcclellan and her mother.
This afternoon General Wadsworth reviewed General
Keyes brigade, Upton Hill. Senators Pomeroy, Har
lam wilkinson other eminent persons, present
Three cheers given by the Thrteth for representa-
tive Olin, who the ground.
MILITARY VISITS TO THE PRESIDENT.
The belonging to the battery Of the New York
Nineteenth regiment visited the President to-day Speech
made to them by Secretary Seward and Assist
ant Secretary Seward which the Colonel Of the reg
mcnt responded The corps numbered one hundred and
fifty six, commanded by Captain Kennedy.
The New York Tenth Legion, Colonel Van wyck have
been indulged in visit TO tho President and to tho
public buildings. About half the Legion in by
companies yesterday aud the remainder in detach
ment to-day They shook hands with the President in
the Fast Room, each looking cold Abc squarely in
tho face. The President paid them high compliment.
The Legion has just been paid off, and they have already
sent home twenty thousand dollars
THE QUESTION OF EXCHANGING PRISONERS,
The disposition to be made Of the officers and Of the
United Army seized by the rebels in the early part
Of h contest surrendered through the reachery
commanding officers and released on parole, has been
subj cct Of serious consideration with the military auho
rites. These officers and soldiers anxious to be ex
changed released from their paroles that they
may active duty. Among them many Of tho
best trained troops in the army 1t is proposed to
place them the Northern frontier TO garrison lake
defences They will thus be engaged in active duty, al
though permitted participate in the contest with
the rebels
THE ARMY.
II is the intention Of General Mcclellan consolidate
the different companies Of each regiment Of the regular
army exgences OF the service hitherto have made II
necessary to scatter this orce that there hardly any
where whole regiment Of the old army together To effect
this consolidation number Of companies Of infantry
be TO Fort Pickens where the rest Of their reg
ments arc stationed, and other companies are to be
brought from Fort Pickens here to fill up the reg
ments to which they belong. Thus, in little while.
each Of the regiments will be all together, for
the first time since the Mexican war, and in some in
stances for the frst tmo since they organized.
APPOINTMENT OF RESIDENT AGENT AT PORT ROYAL.
Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds has been appointed Resi-
dent Agent at Port Royal under the general regua-
tions relative to securing and disposng Of the pro
pery found brought within the territory herei
after occupied by the United States in the disoya
States He has been ordered report to the Secretary
Of the Treasury.
ADAMS EXPRESS TO PORT ROYAL.
An order has been issued from the War Department
directing Adams Co. establish depot at Port Royal
s. c., for the package express business.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVES IN PRISON.
There are forty persons from and Virginia
In the county jail, arrested by constabes, the pre-
sumption that they fugitive slaves difficulty
lists in the way of their immediate discharge from the
fact that it cannot yet be ascertaned whether
they are all contrabands.
ORGANIZATION OF A STEAM FIRE ENGINE BRIGADE
bill will soon be introduced in Congress authorizing the
organization Of steam Ere engine brigade Az large
amount OF government property has recently been do
s.roysd for the want Of such organization, there
can scarcely be doubt Of the passage Of the measure
THE FELT ARMY HATS OUT OF FAVOR.
The meodramatio army hat now worn is to be dis.
carded for q more becoming article.
PERSONAL MOVEMENTS.
Governor Morton, Of Indiana, is in the city, looking
after the health and comfort OF the Indiana volunteers
Judge Huntington, OF Indiana, Commissioner Of the
General Land Oce, is here, his way Cuba for tho
beneft Of his health.
Secretary Cameron has gone to Harrisburg TO remain
until Monday Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary Scott pre-