, 1862-04-12

AO " H8hS &k1t q x "4es
The Rebel Situation at Yorktown,
NO IMMEDIATE RESULTS EXPECTED,
Senator Wilson's Fugitive Slave Law.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.1

WASHINGTON, April II, 1862.
Mr. Wilson's fugitive slave Law provides for
the issuance by the District Judges or Com
n1issionefs Of the United States Circuit Court,
upon petition verified by the oath of the
legged fugitive, for his examination by the
Judges or Commissioners, OF for the return Of
the warrant In place apart and in presence
only Of his counsel. If the fugitive, after be-
I ,g cautioned or informed Of the provisions Of
this act, whereby he has right to trial by jury
and freedom from risk, shall plead guilty. then
the Marshal is to convey him to the bounda-
des Of the district and safely deliver him to
the petitioner. But if the pies Is t'not gull
IT," the alleged fugitive may act upon the
defense Of Law OF fact under Indictment at
Common Law, and shall be tried within forty
days, by jury. As in cases Of other fndict-
ments, judgments may be reversed, If affirmed
In Circuit Courts upon J. writ Of error. Be-
fore the issuance Of any order for tue surren-
der, the claimant must establish his loyalty,
past and present. The Marshal fs required to
accept bond with sufficient sureties for the
value, in the State whence the fugitive escaped,
kVA LIZ VI t4lE A4E51l4fk} 1V4A LAQ1t
to time. The Commissioners fec is twenty
five dollars.
The Washington and Alexandria Railroad
VILE soh for 81, 500 ut Alexandra, yesterday,
subject to liens and judgments to the amount
Of $2e50, 600. It is the end of long eontro-
yersy growing out Of incompetency and bad
management in the old corporation
Persons from Fortress Monroe, this
morning, say the Merrimac is expect
ed to make IN attack the frat fair
day. When she appeared of CraneY Island,
where she is now lying, I'LL points along the
shore within sight we're crowded with Nor
folk people, foot, horse and carriages, as If
awaiting the spectacle Of q naval combat.
There was fog and gale there, and has been
ever since, until to-day. No apprehension is
felt respecting her by those best informed
The rebel position at Yorktown is very
strong. There is semicirc1e of batteries e1-
tending from the York to the James Rivers,
with q swamp In front flooded By damming
two creeks. Immediate success is not to be
looked for. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston took
command of the rebels Oh Tuesday.
Assistant Secretary Fox, Senator Grimes
and Representative Sedgwick arrived from
Fort Monroe today.
General 10 Johnston is now In full COM
mand at Yorktown, and the rebel General
Lee is not belived to be there. But thirty Of
our men had been killed In the siege up to
last night Baltimore rebels are 3ubi1ant, be-
| ing assured Of our defeat. It is thought by
some that the Merrimac will remain at Croly
Island, standing menace to our shipping and
! to prevent cooperation with the land forces in
an attaeke on Norfolk. Norfolk papers Of Mon
day announced that Beauregard would that day
| capture Grants army; of whom he had then
| taken eight batteries. The news was received at
| Yorktown on Wednesday and greeted With
shouts.
Every rebel gun on the Yorktown fortifca.
tions is under cover, for fear Of the Berdan
sharp-shooters.
| The House, By 92to 80, passed, at 6o'clock
this evening, the District Of Columbia eman.
| eipation bill. There were three Democratic
yeas. Several Democrats were absent. Mr.
Crittcnden made IN unexpectedly bitter
speech against the bill, and against all eonds
cation. Several speeches had been prepared
on our side, but none were made.
The President signed the emancipation reso
tons to-day.
The Senate passed bill repealing the Law
disqualifying negroes from carrying malls
without debate.
The President sent into the Senate to-day
treaty with Great Britain, for the more effect
ual suppression Of the slave trade, negotiated
3,e 2auard and T Ivcna an tho ea1a anFh ~ A r. ~