The sun., 1861-12-26


Alexandra TO the Chain Bridge, or from Bls-
dsnsburg TO Fairfax Court House. He would
rpsedily break down were II not for this abun-
dsnt and very thorough exercise. The labOrs
of his Office would break down the most rugged
constitution were II not for vast deal Of work
out of doors.
Not long ago q member Of Congress COM
planned somewhat bitterly that he could not OBJ
tain an interview with Gen. Mcclellan. Hear.
ing of his compl dnts the General sent for him,
ccurteously asked him to take a seat and then
opened upon him " You blame me for not ro-
oeiving every prominent man who calls upon
me. Let me give you an idea Of the work
have 10 do each day Of my life as the command
tr Of this army" lie then proceeded to unfold
70 the listener the work which he must go
through with in his Office erery dry, and while
tho NJ. c. wss astonished at the immensity Of
labor laid before him, and Vas exclaming,
"Why, General, here is work enough foi a dc
zen men I" Gen. Mcclellan reminded him that
besidts ell that ho intended TO be Eve or Elk
hours daily in the saddle The fault finding
member Of Congress went away Satisfied that
it lie not in the power d one man to do every
thing.
Gen. Mcclellan still denies that his amy
L" Of the Potomac" bss gone, or is going, into
winter quarters. That many hus have boen
built-that most Of the tents have storos in
them, To does not deny but this is all for tho
comfort of soldiers, and means nothing, one
way or the other, respecting a permanent stay
To- H.. n fdaa az
the General, doubtless, is to await calmly the
result Of movements in kentucky and down
the Mississippi. The first great battle is ex-
pccted TO occur in Kentucky. Then will speed
ly follow, Of he Kentucky alvanco ia sue ,ess-
iul } the gun boat expedition down tho Miss.
isspp ard last the advance here. Military
men Of the highest renown say tina, il isa last
policy to fight great battle near ones Capt.
tai, If IL can Just "a we'll bo fought elss hore.
Gen. Mcclellan and the Presidtnt-for they are
agrc,d-sre acting upon this principle, aud be-
fore Gen. Scott left the country, he gave his
earnest advice TO both against any m)rc So
rious fighting in the neishborhood Of Washin,
ton, uul,ss absUlu ely necessary in selidefence,
till important suCct sscs had boon gained at oh or
points.
The President is getting to be somoNha. tired
Of the policy, but the Goneralis firm. Not that
there is any dissgoem Mt between the two, for
there is none in point Of fict, except that the
President urges an advance when 1t is almost
certain Of victory. Con. Mcclellan replies,
according to my Plan, the time has not yot
como for an advance hero. When il does come
4 A -. 1 4. II l.
win great triumph If my troops act we'll"
Last nj, ,,ht WAS the coolest of the season here.
Tie roadi in tho vicinity of W tshing,on and in
Virginia are frozen up solid today, and can DO
travelled as easily rs a floor. Tho difficulty is
that any military movements predicitod on tho
frozen condition Of tho roads, might be upset in
twtLty.iour hours by a thaw. Tho "cold
terms Of this region rsroly listS but a few
days, not more than half dozen, and an army
cugulphcd in Virginia mud would bo in wo-
ful plight iLdcod.
The House Of Representatives adjourned
last night over till Thursday next. Tho Som
ate would have been glad to do tho same, but
| was unable TO 90 so for tho want of quorum
the fact il, that it is impossible to keep quo
may meet every three days so as to conform to
law, no business will bo done. The passage of
an act raising the duty on tea, sugar coffee and
molasscs, it is supposed will ldlargely to the
revenue. The Income Tax ia TO be amended
just as soon as Congress comes together after
the holidays. There are very serious objec-
tioFs to it in its present shape, and it will be
modified.
Tue foreign news today is regarded as moro
warlike, and tho war-fever RACES horo Just now.
What has got into John Bull no one here can
imagine. Something IL the matter. 1t is fear
ed that he has made up his mind to make war
uron US anyhow, aud thus seize the present op-
Portuuity to open the cotton ports. 1t would
not be surprising If such were the case, and If
so, the American people must prepare for war In
earnest Mr. Seward still laughs pleasantly
over the foreign embroglo, but says little That
little is pacific and hopeful. He tells his inti-
mate friends that there viH Be no ,odr toiM Eao-
land. Yet there is still mystery about Lord
Lyons course, and it is thought by some that he
has sent for strong squadron of armed steam
ers with which to enforce any demands he
may have to make. We shall soon see.
The Ways and Means Committee Of the House
aid the Finance Committee of the Senate are
very busy conuiving how to lay taxes and re-
gulate duties so as to produce a large income.
Some OF the beet iinanciers in the country, who
have been down here in consultation with the
Treasury Department, ard with others, say
that the best way is to raise hundred millions
outright. Not by borrowing as the Legislature
Of Maryland proposes to do, but by direct taxa.
tion, excise and import duties. II the Iowa
states will bear taxation as heavy as this, il will
be easy enough to borrow the five hundred
mill ons which will be needed for the hext lis.
cal year But the borrowing business will soon
be at end, unless means to pay the interest, as
well as to provide for tho final extinction Of the
debt, are discovered. This is the great problem
Of the day, and If properly solved tho rebellion
Will surely be vanquished. Mr.. Chase came
back Saturday, somewhat discouraged | hear,
from his visit to New York. lie now awaits,
with the people, the news from half million of
lighting men who are Offering battle to tho re-
bols. IT, before the middle Of January, deci-
siye battle should be fought in Kentucky or
here, in the vicinity OF Washington, and victory
shall perch upon the Union banners, there will
rot be the least difficulty in the world in bor-
rowing any amount Of money Immediately
thereafter. This is the hope which Nc. Chase
and good many o'her men rely upon, and
think with safety. la yctv short TINA ncva