The New York herald., 1862-12-02

THE STU ATION.
The reports from the headquarters of General
Burnside indicate no movement of importance as
having transpired yesterday. Skirmishes and re.
connossances are, Of course Of daily occurrence
That of General Stahl from General Sipel's corps
in the direction of Smokers Ferry. is but one ex-
ample OF the activity of our troops particularly
the cavalry arm Of the service-in expeditions of
this kind. The information which he obtained re-
lstiye to the position of the enemy was all i'm.
portant. while the valor displayed by his troops
was worthy Of every commendaton.
The Presidents Message to Congress. which we
give to-day, is not perhaps as explicit upon the
Subject Of the war, its issues and It's prospects, as
the public probably expected Upon all the de.
tails of national troubles which are involved
in the war question, however the Message is
elaborate sometimes forcible, and throughout
consistent with the previously expressed views Of
the President on the matter of slavery and
emancipation.
We have had a fight in the Southwest. The
isSbels experienced severe defeat at Cone Hill,
9kansas, as we learn from the official dispatches
- General Curtis, dated from st. Louis and
Springfield, Missouri. on the goth. That General
Blunt. with Eve thousand Union troops, attacked
and routed eight thousand rebels under General
Marmaduke on the goth instant. Sixty rebels
were killed in the engagement, and the balance
were driven some twelve miles. General Blunt
telegraphs that the rebels will not probably ven
ture north of the Boston Mountains again this
winter; and as they have consumed all the sub.
sstence in the valley of the Arkansas they must
soon retreat into Texas.
The Hibernian, of Cape Race, forwards news
from Europe TO the 2lst ult. five days later.
Notices posted at Lloyds, London report q
rumor that another Anglo-rebel steamer had left
Liverpool to prey on the commerce Of the Uuited
States on the ocean, and that third one lin
cluding the Alabama) was about 20 follow soon
report to the effect that Secretary Seward
had addressed the British government in tone of
displeasure, on the subject of aid alleged to have
been given to the Alabama, caused some uneasi-
The London Times says that Mr.. Seward may
have taken that position in the desperate hope,
Of finding a cause of external quarrel at any
cost, in order to avert impending events at home.
The London Times ridicules the political tilt be-
tween Csssus NJ. Clay and George F. Train, at the
Academy Of Music in its usual style.
CONGRESS-.
The second session Of the Thirty-seventh Con.
grsss was opened at noon yesterday. Prayers
were delivered by the Chaplains of both houses.
After the usual preliminaries, the Presidents
Message was received and read. The document is
printed in to-day's paper, together with an alb.
strsct Of the Postmaster Generals report and the
report Of the General Land Office.
In the Senate Messrs. Richard T. Fields, Benja.
min Z. Harding and Samuel Green Arnold, new
Senators respectively from New Jersey, Oregon
and Rhode Island, were qualified, and took their
seats. Twelve o'clock was fixed upon as the hour
Of daily meeting. and the Senate adjourned.
In the House the Naval Committee were nstruc.
ted to inquire and report as to theeheapest. most
expeditions and reliable mode of placing vessels
of war on Lake Ontario and establishing water
communication with the other lakes, with view
TO the protection Of the Northern frontier in cases
OF emergency. Mr.. yalIandigham, Of Chic offered
. resolution, which was adopted, instructing the
Judiciary Committee to inquire and report by
what authority Of the constitution or the laws, IL
any. the Postmaster General undertakes to decide
what newspapers may and what may not be trans.
United through the mails. Mr.. Cox, Of Ohio, Of
Tered preamble and resolution setting forth the
Tact Of the Illegal arrest and confinement of per.
sons In military prisons and camps, and declaring
thst "the House Of Representatives do hereby
oondemh oil such arrests and practices as unwar.
eaptsd by the constitution andlaws Of the United
Bates, % usurpation Of power never given IN bv
- pespls 70 their rulers. aud Do hereby demand