Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-12-03
LATEST FROM THE NORTH.

tleman from Maryland for copies OF Northern
n,ners to tho eth ult We compile from them
tho following summary of foreign inteli.
gence:
yoSrIrYyNc TEE NORTHERN COAST.
Tho Northern press are timidly uncertain Of
the course which England will pursue in re.
ference to the seizure Of Messrs, Mason and
Slidell. A Washington correspondent reports
that the government has determined to put the
whole Northern coast in u state Of defence
Immediate action will, it is said, be taken, and
the Governors of the. respective States vested
with authority to construct the necessary for
ti6cationS
From Washington.
We. subjoin the following facts and farces Of
the Washington correspondent Of the Yankee
press:
1t cannot be disguised that tho cabinet is
very sorely chagrined and disappointed at the
~inaction Of Gen. Sherman. 1t was expected
that be would ut once push for the interior,
occupy Beaufort, seize the Charleston and Sa-
vannah Railroad, burn the bridges, and fortify
0lmSeli USiHeSu Lax W AlfSto HS1otS Az Sao-
INV could recover from their panic and concen-
,rstc. Instead of this he has settled down
alphabetically at Hilton Head. The regularity
with which our generals topple over as fast as
governments sets them up, is melancholy to
reflect upon.
Gen. Mcclellan recently addressed q letter
to Gen. Blenker, containing such expressions
of displcasure that the latter was compelled to
resign, which he did on the 35th inst. Fraud
and peculation, in his official position, is
charged against Blenkcr.
HOW TEE CABINET STANDS UPON raa RXANsIqA-
TON QUESTION.
Persons well informed say the Cabinet stands
four to three against freeing the slaves, md
putting arms in their hands to put down rebel.
lion.
Gen. Cameron, Secretaries Chase and Welles
favor it, and Seward, Bates, Blair and Smith
oppose it. The most bitter opposition is made
by Smith, Blair and Seward. The President
is uactrs .ood to favor it, though he has not
CONS ont yet like the Cabinet members:
1 review of the regular forces Of the Yam
keo army took place at Washington on the
s5th, on the East Of Capitol Hill. There were
1900 infantry, and 1900 cavalry, and nine
batteries of artillery, including Capt Tibball's
Aging artillery.
CHANCE IN TIE FISCAL SYSTEM OF YANkEEDoa.
"Ion," of the Baltimore SUM-" writes that
journal from Washington, on the 25.h, as fol-
flows:
A runor prevails IN commercial circles that
the Secretary of the Tressuray will recommend
in his report at the opening of Congress a con
siderable increase Of the rates of duties upon
various articles, ana especially sugar. This
has created some discomfort among importers,
who have expected a revival of the import
trade after some time. The measure is, how
ever, highly approved by the friends Of a pro-
tective tariff, and also by some financial men.
It is urged that upon the revival Of the import
trade gold must 20 out, and that this will Gre.
ate a financial panic in Now York, aud embar.
rass the operations Of the treasury during the
next spring when loans will be wanted.
1t is also urged that heavy, If not prohibi.
tive duties upon iron, ~wooiens, &c, will great
ly encourage domestic industry, and enable
the people 10 pay internal taxes, without in.
convenience. In return for protection, tho
manufacturers must pay excise duties upon
their products. This was Mr.. Guthrie's theory
when Secretary of the Treasury. The gross
product Of manufacturing industry YVES then
estimated at thirteen hundred millions, since
which time it has been increased. If the
revenue from imports be further reduced, iu-
ternai taxation must be increased, and it must
fall upon the favored interests.
1t is also rumored that the administration
will propose to Congress the adoption of a new
fiscal system, whereby the Independent irea-
sury system will be substantially abandoned
and a national paper currency, founded upon
the credit Of the Government, DO created
Treasury notes, payable to bearer, Of the de-
nomination of Eve dollars and. upwards, will
probably become a substitute for local baal
paper.
Some prominent Republican Senators favo,
q project for the establishment of a nationa
bank, as a fiscal agent Of the Government
but others would prefer a treasury bank
When this entire system shall be established
the strength of the Federal Government vii
be augmented In fact there are signs tina
the Government will become rapidly consoll
dated and centralized.
Especial Washington Dispatches 10 the New York Gerald.
TEE TREATMENT OF MEssRs MASON AND sLIDEIL-
RETAL1AToRY MEASURES or TIE GOVERNMENT.
1t is nov determined by ''tns pow=rs that
be- to order that Mason and Slidell, the chic.
of traitors, be closely confined at Fort War
rem, upon fare served only 70 criminals gull
ty of the highest offence against lay, until i
is known, from the mos: reliable source, thai
Colonel Corcoran and other officers, taker
prisoners upon different fields in honorable
battle, are treated with that respect due to
their position according to the usages of war The
world over. Besides, it is the Intention Of the
Government to hang all persons taken upon
the high seas il the act Of violating tho law Of
nations against piracy, whether such persons
belong to Massachusetts or South Carolina, to
England or the Sandwich islands; and no threat
of any kind coming from those who arc in re
bcllion against the Legitimate Government will
deter the Federal authorities from executing
! this policy 20 its fullest extent. II, in consc-
ouence of such action, the loyal citizens of the
United States who are now priaoners OF war in
| Southern dungeons receive Other treatment
| than that TO which the practices of civilization
entitle them, tbs matter Of disposing OF Con
| federate prisoners nov in the custody Of tho
United S:stes wall be- a su5jec! of the highest
concern.
| TIE INQUIRY RESPECTING TIE DESTRUCTION OF THE
NORFOLK AND PENSACOLA NAyr YARDS aEp
HAhPgR's FERRY ARSENAL.
The Senate Committee, which has been en-
gagged for several days inquiging into the facts
connected with the destruction Of the Norfolk
and Pensacola Navy Yards, aud the Arsenal at
Hsrper's Ferry, have nearly completed their
l.bors. They examined Governor Torcey at
great length in reference to the Norfolk Navy
Yard. He informed the committee that when
be left the Navy Department. on the 4!h OF
! March, there was ample means within the
reach Of the government, in the way OF ships,
some fifteen in number, 10 have afforded q pro.
lection tc that yard. The officers Of the De-
partment, in their testimony, however, deny
that there were any such vessels at the diSpo