The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-12-18
news 81 the week.

news sf the week.
| Boston. Dec. ..
Mr.. Wightman was reelected Mayor Of
Boston to-day BY e,75s votes, sgaiuss s,7st
tor r. E. S. Toby. the Republican and citizens
candidate.
New York, Dec 10.
The Times correspondent states that I" A eau.
Gus of Republicans vas attended BY about forty
members. All newspaper men. and outsiders
we're carefully excluded. Mr.. Pomeroy, of Kan.
sas was chairman, and Mcpherson, Of Pennsylva
mia. clerk. Thad. Stevens made . long speech
in favor of emancipation. He denounced Nc.
Cellan trying to control the Legislative and ex.
ecutive powers of the nation. Mr.. Devin. Of
New York, replied, saying. If the object of the
caucus vas to provide . var policy, it vas very
improper. The way to end the war was by
fighting, not BY resolutions of Congress. He
closed BY Offering two resolutions, endorsing the
Philadelphia and Chicago platforms; that this
meeting recognizes no right of . congressional
convection to add or take away from these state
ments of principles that we are rejoiced that
all political parties are giving loyal support to
the war, and nothing should be done by Repub-
licsns to create discussions Or revive party dis
tinctions in its prosecution. Many speeches we're
made. but the vote Was postponed to Wednes-
day night
Refugees represent that In W oakley, Hender.
son, Carroll Hardin, and McNairy counties,
Tennessee, the Union feeling is very strong
The inhabitants are only waiting the approach
Of the national troops to make enectual upris-
ing.
at il understood by the President that the
Legislature of Kentucky will abolish slavery, re.
imbursing loyal masters"
The Worids dispatch says: " The small pox
is getting prevalent by the carelessness of the
Surgeon General in allowing cases of this disease
to be in the same hospital with other patients.
Frankfort, Dec. 10.
Carrot Davis. nominated Senator, beat Guthrie
one vote.
Fortress Monroe, Dec. Q.
flag of truce went to Norfolk this morning,
carrying thirtytwo prisoners discharged BY the
United States on parole. A rebel flag of truce
met our boats and transferred thereto some ladies'
coming from Richmond
The following is All abridged copy Of the re-
port Of Capt Wilkes, assigning his reasons for
the arrest of Mason and Sidell:
USIrrD STATES STEAMER SAN JAcINro,
At Sea, November l6, 1861.
The Governments of Great Britain, France,
and Spain, having issued procamations that the
Confederate States were viewed, considered, and
treated as belligerents, felt no hesitation in
boarding and searching all vessels. Of whatever
nation fell in with, and have done 80. The
question arose in my mind whether had the
right to capture the persons OF the Commission
whether they were amenable to capture.
There was no doubt that had the right to cap
expressly referred to, in oil authorities subject.
ing the vessel to seizure, aud condemnation of
the Captain of the vessel, had he knowledge of
their being on board But these gentlemen we're
not dispatches Of the literal sense, and no where
could find a case in point. They had been
presented 10 the Captain General of Cuba by Her
British Majesty's Consul, but the Captain Gene.
raj told me he had not received them in that
capacity, but rs distinguished gentlemen and
strangers. then considered them As the EN-
bodiment of dispatches, and it therefore became
my duty to arrest their progress and capture
them if they had no passports or papers from the
Federal Government, as provided for under the
law Of nations, namely, that Foreign Ministers of
beligerent to pass free, as respects the vessel in
which they embarked. The agent of the vessel
the son of the British Consul at Havana
was well aware of the character Of these persone.
They went or the steamer with the knowledge
and consent of the Captain who endeavored az
forwards to conceal them by refusing to exhibit
the passenger list and the papers OF the vessel
There can be no doubt he knew they we're car
rying highly important dispatches, and we're en-.
dOwed with instructions inimical to the United
States. This rendered his vessel, though a neu.
trail, good prize. determined to take posses.
ion of the vessel, and, as mentioned in my re-
port, send her to Key West for adjudication. /
forebore to seize her, however, in consequence
Of my being 90 reduced in officers and crew, and
the arrangement it would cause innocent persons,
there being large number of passengers who
would have been put to great loss and inconven.
fence, as we'll rs disappointment, from the inter.
ruption it would have caused them in not being
able to join the steamer from St. Thomas for
Europe. therefore concluded to sacrifice the
interest of my officers and crew in the prize, and
suffer the steamer to proceed, after the neces.
sary detention to effect the transfer of these
considering had attained the
important end had in view.
(Signed) CHAS WILKES.
Washington, Dec. 10.
There are seventy fugitive slaves at the Wash
ington Navy Yard. They have al been comfort
ably provided for by Secretary Wells, and most
Of them are working for compensation of $40
4 month.
Marshall Damon reports to the Senate that the
Imprisonment of slaves in the Government Jail
in this city was in strict accordance with the
laws of the District of Columbia.
Glasgow, Dec. 10.
The notorious marauder, Capt. Sweeney, and
bis band of robbers, who have for some time
past kept this section of the country in terror,
we're captured yesterday at Rogers Mill, near
here, by detachment of cavalry under Capt
Merrill. Sweeneys pickets we're surprised and
and his whole band, IS in number,
taken without firing q gun,