New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-26

of the Rebels on the coast, anu tDtl' We '"s ." o
West Indies; and should the Nashville, the sumter,
or any other pratical craft appear in those waters
it would be at once known here. Bot IL canpot oe
necessary for me TO refer to individual instances 70
ilust,ate the advantages of the Government az oil
times of such a means Of communication, ana espe-
cially during the existence of the war for the sup
preston of the present WI ked rebellion, as It's In
TORRANCE is too obvious TO require IT,
A single message may be Of more value TO the
Government than the entire cost of the line proposed
With much respect remain ycSI Gpsd iy seys
To c.r 0xo b. MCCLELLAN, Commander.in Chief United
State: Army. Washington DC.
p 8 As bearing upon the Question as to the time
required to make and lay cable as have sug-
eested, I would state that the Atlantic Cable
was manufactured at the rate Of about twenty miles
per oay and was laid across the Atantic-a distance
of about 800 statute milesin less than seven days
from the time we commenced in mid ocean.
Possessing such line, the Government would be
saved the expense of dispatch boats TO convey H.
telieence; and when peace is restored, with shof'
branches extending from the main hoe TO- New
Orleans Mobile, Savannah, Charleston, and otner
principal Southern ports, it would be very valuable
for commercial purposes, and could undoubtedly DC
disposed of for large sum, should Government 'heh
be willing to allow il to pass into other hands.
Maior-(ieperal Mcclellan indOrses this letter as
follows:
az most fully concur in the importance OF the
submarine telegraph proposed by Mr. Field and
earnestly urge that his plan may be adopted, ana ne
be authorized to have the plan carried INTO exc
cution
Very Se'p'''''iGyko B. MCCLELLAN
MsjorGenersi Commanding U. ;. ArmS
Hon. SIMON CAxKkoS. Secretary OF War
On Monday, by motion oil MIR. o'mmohs, a IONS
mit,ee of three was directed to be appointed by the
Chair to inquire into the expediency and pracica-
biity of connecting some of our military and naval
stations on the coast by of Submarine cables,
and to report to the Senate by bill or otherwise.
The yice.President has appointed MIR. Simmons, OF
the Committee on Fbance, Mr.. Sherman. OF the
Committee on Naval Affairs, and Mr.. Latham OF The
Committee on Military Affairs. OF the said Commit
tees one of them is from the East or Atlantic coast
another from the centre, the third from the Paeihc
coast. The Committee is regarded as ore OF the best
that could be appointed.
THE CONTRABAND QUESTION.
Prominent Members of Congress are considering a
new proposition for the solution OF the Conraoand
question in order TO avoid the expense OF supporting
crowds Of slaves in idleness, ard TO furnish the
American mills with cotton. They take the ground
that the Indian territory west Of Louisiana and
Arkansas was ceded TO the United States by treaty,
snd on certain conditions. Without provocatiou they
have violated the treaties, aud "evied war" the
United States, thus rendering the treaties null and
void. The cou 1try thus revertng to the Govern
ment embraces the valleys OF the Red, Arkansas,
and other rivers, and contains about 2OOOO,OOO OF
acres Of cotton land of unsurpassed fertility, capa-
te of producing about GEO. 900 bales Of cotton per
annum.
1t is proposed to apply the principle of Benton''
Florida Armed Occupation act and send all con-
trabands to this territory, and apprentice them to
the settlers upon these cotton lands leaving the quet-
ton Of their final disposition TO be settled by Con-
gregg at the cIose of the war. All contrabands, as
fast az they come into camp, to be Pronp.y 'e'-
warded tbtter.
The country is approached from ST. Louis, through
Springfield, distance Of 300 Diles. The remSincer
Of the railroad from Rolla, through Springfield to
Fort Smith, can be completed in twelve months. IL
is said that the Limitations Of the Chocaws and
Chick saws alone could fully supply the American
mills even the fret year Of the experiment.
The Secretary Of War has ordered for Col. Ber-
dams Brigade the Spencer magazine rife. This gun
fires eight times without charging, and can be re-
charged and ready for eight additional rounds IN a.
most the same time that tie ordinary mnshet can be
loaded once. In appearance it is not unlike the
Sharp rifle. There is not the lcast leakage of gaf,
al all the parts work freely neither CAPS nor primers
are required the decorating powder being IN medal
cartridge with the powder and ball. Tbs rifle has
been tested by Col. Berdan and tie Ordnance Board
These expensive weapons will not be given to any
other corps. 1t is understood that the order wac
made at Gen. McClellans personal request.
By careful examination it has been ascertained
beyond doubt that nne-tentbs Of ali the sickness in
camp is caused by sleeping upon the ground and
the neglect being susceptible Of improvemenf, causes
much dissatisfaction among the soldiers.
OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS.
There has been general observance Of Christmas
day. all secular business being suspended. Thestreet-
crossings were guarded by few mounted aud foot
soldiers to be ready TO suppress any disturbance the
city being visited 10y hundreds Of volunteers, some of
whom were arrested by the Provost Guard for being
absent from their camps without leave. All the
drinking saloons are closed tonight which may
count for the prevalent good order.
ARRIVAL OF CAPTAIN GROVER.
CAPT. Grover of the 10th Infantry U. s. Army,
come time ago appointed by Col. Berdan Colonel of
his let Regiment Of Sharpshooters, has just arrived
from New Mexico and will report at once for duty.
THE TRENT AFFAIR.
Nothing definite has yet transpred concerning the
Trent affair. The stIictest secrecy is observed in
Administration circles regarding the deliberations and
conference. on this most important and generally
admitted delicate question: therefore tie many
speculatons on the subject unfounded, and GER
tany there is no reason to believe at this tine that
Mason and Sdell will be Surrendered, should the
demand be made.
GIN. SCOTS RETURN.