Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-24


both official and Others showed but little regard or obe-
dence to her proclamation, by aiding and abetng the
views and endeavoring to conceal the persons of the
commissioners
bave pointed out sufficient reasons to show you that
nv action In this case derived from firm convic-
ton that Il became my duty 10 make hese parties pri-
souers and to bring them to the United States.
Although, In my giving up this valuable prize have
deprived the officers and crew OF well earned Iewa'd
am assured they quite content to orego any advan-
taees which might have accrued to them under the cir
cumstances. ,
may add that having assumed the responsibility,
am willing to abide the result
I am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
CHAS. WILKES, Capt
Hon. GIDEON WILLIS,
Secretary of the Navy.
EXPERIMENTS WITH MILITARY BRIDGES.
The New York 18th regiment engineer corps threw
pontooa bridge 800 feet long the Eastern Branch
OF the Potomac, above the Navy Yard, on Saturday
sternoon aud crossed 1t successfully with men, horees,
and heavy wagons number Of the floats or pom.
looms we're then rlied by the soldiers using SHOW
els a. paddles. The corps also experimental with the
ne ying bridge Of ropes which has been improved so
that men cross Il With great facility. Many ladies'
crossed and returned without danger, over ravine
four hundred feet vide aud fifty feet deep. Mrs. Wses
wife of the Secretary of the Navy Commodore Smith,
| and Col. Muligan we're among the spectators.
When the bridge experiments lnished the regi.
ment vas formed in line, aud Col hugan was intro
duced to them. He addressed them in oongratulatory
speech, which was enthusiastically received.
tvashingson Correspondence Of the New York Timesl
| WASHINGTON, Dec. Is.
Er-senstor win and his companions have been finally
enlarged by order OF Secretary Seward, their parole
Of honor not 20 into disloyal State, or In any way
aid and abet the rebellion Dr. Gwin some time ago sold
his property in California and invested the proceeds In
Mississippi where Ii ia his intention ultimately to reside.
NJ Inc
msnt because that act would lead to the confscston OF
/ his estate In rebe.dom.
Austin E. Smith-son of Extra Billy OF Virginia
was arrested some months ago and sent TO Fort LII
yet,e on his arrival from California Is still In durance.
he has an important law suit pending In California In.
volsing every dollar ha Is worth Garth Recently be
asked permission Of the Government to 60 to California
under guard parole that he may be present at the
trial Of his Secretary Seward very properly ard
peremptory refused to discharge him on any other cen
diion than that be should take the oath Of allegiance
| which he declines to DO.
Tho steamship Champion, from Aspin wall, with specie
from California to the amount OF s9790O0 arrived here
Yesterday She reports that when in lat 30 deg 80 mn
org 70 deg che was chased for hour by propeller,
supposed to be priyateer which finally hoisted the
English colors but the propeller did not succeed in
oVertaking the treasure ship-N. Y. Times.
THE NEGRO QUESTION.
The Washington Republican Of yesterday says:
The Star mas LOT mubserSu CouraBo 10 hVOw US
real hostility to the abolition Of slavery in this District
but contents itself With slurs The Inelgencer is, OF
course silent. Il is always with reluctance that that
paper ever slludes to any subject modern than
Noahs ark.
From the New York Tinea
There has been considerable disappointment felt that the
landing Of our troops on the Of North and South
Carolina has not produced I'll diversion OF the Conede
rate troops before Washington which anticipated
The expected rush homewsrd Of the Carolina Conede-
rates to.defend their States has not taken place
and conse queny, Mcclellan has strong IN enemy In
his front now fight he had before landed twenty
/ thousand men ct Hatteras and Port Royal.
THE SURRENDERED REGULARS
The regular troops surrendered to the Conederates in
New Mexico by Major Lynde and released on parole,
consisting Of company Of the laird Cavalry aud five
companies Of the Seventh Infantry, are to be stationed
on tho Northern frontier, and will probably garrison
the posts of Detroit Fort Niagara Fort 0aaro, Sick
e.ts's Harbor and Rouscs Point The duties required
OF them arc such they perform without viola
ting their paroles The posts mentioned have not been
occupied by troops for several years past and much
out OF repair Colonel G. A. Waite, Of the r.t Infsn.
try assigned to the command Of district embracing
the aboye-named posts.
TIE AFFAIR OF TIE sUNPTER HOW SHE
CANE TO ESCAPE FROM THE IRoQUoIs LET
TIERS FROM CAPTAIN PALMER AND OTHER
OFFICERS
The reports that have thus far reached us coucerning
the escape Of the psivater Sumter from the United
States steam Iroquos Involved the very
sure of Captain Palmer whose failure se re her
tsinly stands in need Of explanation. Simple justice,
however demands that he should not be condemned
heard. he has been known from the beginning Of this
rebellion of the staunchest and most loyal de-
tenders Of the flag Of the country and has by his per
sonal remonstrances prevented OF his brother Off
GERS Of the navy from throwing up their commissions
and joining the South BE IL well knwn in New York,
where he has many family connections and friends.
The following extracts from private letters received
in New York from Captain Palmer hmself-one Of them
being written afer the Samter's escape.
Sr PIERRE, MARTINIQUE, November ls i am almost
worn With heat and watching. have at last 60.
hold Of the SUMTER or rather am now blockading her
of this port
We came upon her suddenly whilst cosing in this har
Dor. You may imagine the excitement produced among
the French crooks.
For two days and nights kept cruising around her,
within musket shot, when the Governor requested no
longer compromise the neutrality Of the French waters
but to lake my position outside their jurisdiction tbe
marine league assured by law otherwise TO
Az this qrirsd Of the bsigerept parties 10 wait
until tweniyfour hours after the others departure,
chose the alternative Of bockadng her outsde and here
am when she may any night escape, under the shadow
Of the high land and not perceive IL WHEREAS she can
always observe position being opened to seward
The Sumter looks verJ WELL and she Is by no means In
the dsorgauizsd condition in which she has been atery
represented. The Consul informs she has one hum
dred andtwenty men, and she has officers than
have.
Il is reported she has said she hiss long been hoping
to meet the Iroquo but this ship ought to knock her To
pieces In ten minutes
What fear ia that she will escape night as the
bay Is fifteen miles vide at lis mouth and il is impossible
to block ,ds with single ship The inhabitants shore
are all in her favor the only ones for the nggers
who have some crude notions that 6ghiog in their
cause
Upon my frat arrival denounced her TO the Goyerni
or and requested him to order her GU, Of his port but
he informed that the generosity Of his MASTER the
Emperor had accorded beigerenI rights to the South
ern States and also afforded them the hospitality Of his
ports and invited to parake Of the privileges
AYTER ESCAPE.
- IRoouors Or ST. PnRRE, Tuesday, November -
Here have bsen for the las. eight days bockadng the
Sim,er, which lies quietly at her wharf surrounded by
French sympathzsrs. The Governor officers Of the forts
ard vessels Of In the bay although protesting most
friendly relations with me, are all ia her favor The