The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-23
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
wAsHS0ros, DEC. %, 1861
THE MAsoN-sIrDEIL AFFAIR.

The city has been excited to-day by silly rumor that
the government had agreed to surrender Mason anu
slidel to Great Britain and that they were to DO gwen
IN on Tuesday next. There Is not the slightest word OF
truth in the report. No such proposition has been en-
tertanod In fact the government has determined that
tho British complication shall be secondary TO the sup
precision Of the rebellion That is the affair Of most vital
importance and nothing in foreign relations VIII be
permitted to avert from 1t the attention Of the govern
men, Lyen the settlement OF other affairs viii DO mate
| subordinate to It,
The extent OF the demands by England in connection
with the Trent affair, have not yet been made known u
j. certain, however, that they win be considered by this
government with calm elaboration; and while the prcsi
dent and Cabinet viii not under any circumstances, SUBJ
nit 70 any compromise of national honor, nor any
sacrifice Of public interest they will not lightly or neon
sderatey risk upon trivial points diplomatic Intercourse
the opening Of the blockade Of Southern ports and the
cognion OF the seeded States and delay in the suppress
sion of the rebellion and he restoration Of Tho integrity o.
the Union Everything else is OF minor Importance and
viii be made to yield to this hrat great object of the go
/ vcfnmcnt.
/ REBELS GOING TO EUROPE BY WAY or CANADA.
/ The state Department has been informed that
| route exists through Canada, by which ennis.
sariss from tho Conredcrates escape to EaI rs,
] Measures have been taken to cut on this means q
communication Parties from seeessa, if they are able
10 thcago or Detroit, ana thus get INTO
proceed by the Grand Trunk Railway to point whore
they take colonial mail route, much used by which
they reach New Brunswick, whence they 60 direct 10
HLifaS. II is comparatively easy to get into Canada
| through Illinois, Ohio CT Michigan, and once within the
British provinces the rebel travels to Europe unmoes'ed
Hereafter that route will be closely watched It has
been supposed by that J. G. Breckinr,dge went by
this route to Halifax; but that Is mistake. 10 took
| Southern route, via rornanbuco
ALL QUIET.
There is nothing new tonight in he way Of army intel,
Mgenee from any quarter II is beloved that bateswc
fought a, Bowling Green and Somerset Kentucky yes
terday, aud adyces from there anxiousiy expected
| Mono have yet been received. Affairs throughout the
lines Of army Of the Potomac reported Ivy the mil
Iy telegraph quiet to-day. The bright weather that
has pre-, allied for several weeks is followed by
! rain storm tonight.
| TIE POTOMAC BLOCKADE VESSELS ARRIVING AT
! ALEyANDRIA.
Two vessels loaded with foragefor the government
rived at Alexandria "Wednesday, and two today having
successfully the blockade. These tho pioneers OF
others arrive under contract with Colonel Ingalls, dur
| ing his recent visit North.
REBEL IsDIGNITIEs.
The rebel authorities not only treated Mrs Ricketts,,
who recently arrived here with husband from Rich
| mond, with indignity, but refused to return
| the carriage she took from Washington, in
which to convey hor wounded husband from tbs baltic
field ut Bull Run, and Of which she robbed, or, TO
make compensation for her loss they her permission
10 pass the lines from Richmond to Norfolk, but
not generous enough 10 provide for the payment OF her
! passage. This she obliged to DO herself.
| SECRETARY cHAsE's FiSANcIAL SYSTEM.
Much interest is excited By the circulation pam
plc, explanatory of Secretary Chasoa system Of finance
tho arrang and details being to show that by its
adoption, only would the Strength of tho Union be
Increased, bat the country rendered entirely independent
! Of foreign capital.
MEETING OF UNITED STATES STEAMBOAT coNNIs.
sloNEIs.
The Board Of Steamboat Commissioners now in SEES
sion here Under the act of 1882 for the better security
Of the lives Of passengers steam yesscs nine suporvs
ing inspectors and fifty local Inspectors appointed
Tho supervisors have met each year
point, and their report embraced in the report
of tho Secretary of the Treasury This year they
directed by tho Secretary to meet in Washington, and
they assembled here last Monday in expectation of
ceivns communication from the Treasury Department
bit has been yet presented In the meantime the
Board have held consultations and pared notes from
which appears tina. immense falling of in the bust
Ohio rivers the seanboa, business s almost apnib
lated Tho Ohio river boats have been cleaned out saed
painted and laid koel prepared fr inactivity
any length OF time. South OF Baltimore in the East and
Oh ST. LOUIS IN tho west there IS no occupation for United
| States steamboat inspectors. Tho four boats
| on tho Boston and Eastport and St. John
route have been purchased by government The
Commissioners find themselves unable to make a com,
parave table Of steamboat explosions in consequence Of
the revolution in business caused by the rebellion From
the imperfect data in their possession il appears how
ever that there has been marked dimnution of such
casualties since the Act Of Congress carried into effect
The Board divides itself by districts is composed as
follows:-First district, New England - Burnett Of
Boston, Second district, New York stlman Of New
| York Third district, Baltimore Muller; Fourth
district Pacific - witzig, Of St Louis Fifth district
Upper Mississippi - Stevenson, of Caena; Sixth dig
ric-Csptain Shalcross, of Louisville; Seventh DISTRICT
- Shields, Of Cincinnati; Eighth district Western Up
per Lakes - Guthrie, Of Chcsgo; Ninth district lakes
Erie, Ontario and Champlain-Captan Walker of Buf,c
All except three, Messrs. Burnett shacross and Walker
| are new appointments TO the Board.
| OSER0US DUTIES OF THE PROVOST MARSHAL IN
| GRANTING PASSES.
Few persons have any conception Of tho vast amount
OK busnoss devoved upon the Provost Marshal In refer
to granting passes within the lines Of the army
the Potomac. Two officers and six or eight clerks are
kept constantly employed in this department The thou
sands of applicants for passes cautiously received
and al who appydn good faith the purpose Of visiting
relatives in the army Of attending to lawful business
are promptly provided with them but notwithstanding
the dissatisfaction sometimes given ard the unreasonable
Indignation occasionally manifested Gen. Porter has boon
obliged to refuse neyorably 70 grant passes the sim
PIE qualification Of curiosity Simple sghtsecrs may 90
well take notice that curiosity passes viii BIO issued
I THE ADJUSTMENT OF suTLERsnIps
The efforts bcing made to abolish sutlerships In tho
army nre bringing to light many abuses not before
dreamed Of In some instances the appointment of sn
Ter has been given to whoever would agree to contribute
tie largest bonus 10 the regmenta fund which under
tho control Of the regmental officers. Out OF it is paid
portion Of the expenses OF the band the remainder
is disposed of by the officers who also appoint the st
loT Complaints have been made that this course results
in injury to the interests Of both suffers and soldiers who
are, in many cases. thus indirectly taxed pay wines
| liquors and segars for the regmentaI mess.
GEN. LANDER CoNvALEscING.
Gen. Lander is slowly recovering from his wound. Ho
was able TO drive cut today with friend, and deter
mined TO report himself tomorrow for duty but this was
! rercmptoriy forbidden by The attending surgeon.
THE "BUcKTAIL" RIFLES
Tho "Bncstaif' Rifles, so prominently men,
toned in connection with the battle Of Draines
- nsa late