The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-11-27

WAsnINGruS, Nov. 20.
symptoms Of the approaching session Of Con-
grcss are apparent in the daily arrival of mem.
bers at Washington, and the increased business
crowding upon tho Departments in the prcplr-
alton Of the annual reports to bc presented to
that body. Meanwhile, the paint and scrub
bling brush are busy preparing the Capitol for
their reception, and removing the last traces of
the military occupation Of that building, which
has so worried some of tn, conscientious mem
bers Of the Southern Confectionery who were
among its former occupants.
Speculation is busy a. usual, with the con-
tents Of the Presidents Message and the proba-
bic action Of our Legislators upon the questions
of the day, hut wholly lacking the cliirvoyant
gift of insight, venture no opinion. Ono ques-
ton Of grave importance know has been much
aRitatcd Of late in the Cabinet, probably with
reference TO It's treatment in the Message. 1t is,
what shall be done with tho contrabands Sc-
veral protracted discussions have already been
devoted TO this subject, aud it is understood that
three Presidential advisers favor the "a lcal mca-
sures limited at in Secretary Cameron. Late
'pcech while the Others are strenuous advocates
Of policy similar to that which has thus far
governed the Administration. 1t Is nearly q
drawn game thus far with the Cabinet, but the
President is known to have a mind of his own
upon the subject, which will, no doubt, deter
mine him against any special modification Of tho
present policy Of the Government.
the COTTON ouErIoS.
Several interested philanthropists arc urgin.
upon the Government the importance of adopt
ing some plan for setting the negroes at Port
Royal to work securing the cotton, supposed I,
he within our reach there. One gcntlemin
who is strongly urged 10y the New York banks
desires an opportunity to establish a line o
steamers TO Port Royal TO bring away the cotton
and attend TO such other trade as may open to
tho line. Another has gone so far ne 70 provide
himself with 80, 900 worth of baggnr negro
| cloth anil shoes, for the purpose of purchasing
cotton under the anciioIo Government, which
at one time favored his plans, 70 far, rs to en-
courage him to expect CONVOY Of gunboats to
accompany his trading vessel Blt the tide has
turned, anl as a rccen. i-it of Collector Barney
to this city has seriously disturbed these little
plans for private 81 'ulation, 1t can do no hlrm
| To refer 10 the m here,
| Mr. Barley urges, with much force, that any
such quasi-as.i,tance as has been proposed. on
the part Of Government to plans for private
| speculation, wall lie productive of endless com.
| plcations aud Is, in every way, unwisc Still,
the fact remains that We have within our reach
u considerable amount Of cotton, for which all
tho world bankers, and which is in danger Of
| A.. - =
ton, such as cannot be certainly expected from
any branch Of our military service, in who's,
hands the matter is at present left. 1t woul,
seem advisable, therefore, to appoint some Oh,
whose special duty II shall he to look after tn,
matter at Port Royal and such other pla, es a,
our troops may occupy. But in its simplest
form the subject presents difficulties which lie.
mand consideration. These are now receiving
attention and We may soon expect some actor
in the premises. The President is entirely dis
posed to take care OF the cotton at Port Royal |
there Is enough there to lie worthy Of special at
tenton, but he Is inclined to be- sceptical as /,
the amount.
As an eyewitness to its existence in tn
fields about Hilton Head, was called upon +
give him the benefit Of my knowledge, which,
am soTy to say, did not 60 far to convince hr
that the cotton market had very much to ex
pect from the oponing of Port Royal 4 fur
ther extension of our conquests may place NOR
within our reach, but It is somewhat question
able whether very large quantity has yet com
within our possession, apart from what remain
In the fields ungathcred, and which will DO los
ifnot speedily provided for.
We were to have had review yesterday bac
Of the Capital, of some 10000 regulars, at
tachcd to the army Of the Potomac, but tn
weather did not promise well for such a dc
monstraton, and on this account it wa
postponed until today. This will make the thir
grand review we have hal within a week, in
Guiding the one ofGcn. Smiths division on fri
day last. five are to reason from Napoleon rul
ola grand review before a great hattie, there
surely something in the wind. The rebels VIII
generally know more Of our affairs than we
| ourselves, clearly expect n change il their Ia.
| " move to Nashville has any significance.
is 80 he hoped that their pcripatctic Capital h
al last settled for the winter.
= | N A