The New York herald., 1862-02-02

Caiis INC uoupie-uyeu uaitor 8eulAoAn"n W ~~~
highest tone of honor and the most rigid and Ak
emplary virtues. What psrversion of language!
The Richmond Dispatch feels sensible that the
federal tactics is to destroy the leading lines Of
rebel railroad communication.
In regard to the federal naval and military ex
peditons on the coast, the Dispatch says:-"we
confess to have lost all apprehension of serious
danger or harm from the naval expeditions of the
enemy. In their history, so far, they have proved
unwieldy inefficient and frightfally costly to the
federal exchequer. They have afflicted little COM
parative damage upon us; and in military point
of view, have turned out to be the most wretched
abortions."
special despatch from Savannah to the Nor
folk Day Book, dated the 30th ult., says that on
the day previous rebel fleet went down to look
after and strengthen the Instructions in the river
and that they were unmolested by the Union ves-
sells. Seventeen of our ships were said to be in
Warsaw Sound on that day, and heavy firing was
heard in that direction. The Savannah Republican
publishes letter from cambridge, dated January
27, which reports fight at James Island, near
Apalachicola in which sixty Union troops were
killed and thirty.fve taken prisoners, and claiming
a great victory for the rebels. No particulars,
however, are given.
From Europe we learn that the Edinburg
Scotsman of the l4th of January makes state
ment which, if true, is most important. Our con-
temporary learns from 'good sources" that the
Emperor Napoleonis is pushing with much eager
vernment should join him in recognizing the
Southern confederacy, and disregardng the
blockade; that the subject is likely to be
mooted in the French Chambers in such
manner "ss viii bring the question into at
least critical position, and in all probability give
much offence to the Americans that there exists
in London ian active and growing party, including
many NJ. P.'s," whose aim is an immediate recog-
milton Of the Southern confederacy; and that the
"south, acting through its London agents, is at
least willing to have it understood, that, in consi
deration Of immediate recognition and the disre-
gard of the paper blockade it would engage for
these three things-a treaty of free trade the pro-
hbtion of all import of slaves, and the freedom of
all blacks born hereafter"
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
In the Senate Of our State Legislature yes..iun
among the petitions presented was one for the
passage Of the Metropolitan Health bill. Favora-
BILE reports were made by the committees on the
bills to enable wives to effect insurance on the
lives Of their husbands, and to amend the act con-
cernng liabilities Of husbands and wives. The
resolutions the national taxes adopted by the
Assembly on Friday were received in the Senate,
and laid on the table with the order to be printed
Notice was given Of q bill to compel insurance
companies to make speedy settlements with their
creditors. The New York Homeopathic Medical
Society bill was introduced; also bill amending
the act regulating the apportionment of money
among the school district Libraries. The bill
relating to the agencies Of foreign insurance CON-
panies doing business in this State was passed. The
resolutions Of instruction to Senators in Con-
gress to vote for the expulsion of Mr.. Bright
again taken up and discussed to the hour Of ad-
journment, no vote being taken ON them. In the
.
the invention Of q Marine and submarine battery
for New York Bay. Favorable reports were made
on the bills amending the Central Park act max
ing appropriations for the canals, and to amend
the law relative to unauthorized banking. Bills
were introduced to prohibit the fencing in of
wharves in New York harboi; in relation to the
health Of this city: to permit loans under $3.50 to
be negotiated al more than the present legal nte-
rest; to authorize portions of the Battery to be
leased for Staten Island ferry slips; to bring per-
sona property into the taxation list, and to regu
late the duties Of hsrbor masters. Notice was
given that the resolutions for amendment Of the
constitution TO prohibit the sale of ntoxicat
ing liquors AS a beverage will be called up on
Monday.
The committee appointed by the State Legisla.
ture to inquire into the subject Of the shoddy uni
forms furnished to our volunteers by the Brooks
contract held meeting yesterday at the ST. Nj
cholas Hotel The committee, which is composed
of five members, organized by choosing the Hon.
Z. McMullen as Chairman. The session was exceed.
ingly protracted and members ofthe press strictly
excluded. No report of the proceedings can there
fore be published; but il is understood some rich
developements have been made. The committee
is composed Of the following gentlemen:-Messr
McMulen, Hazleton, Wheeler, Wells and Provost.
Over sixty witnesses have been subpenaed, and II
il probable the investigation will last for several
days.
The word insurgents" as used by Earl RUSSELL
in his despatch to Lord Lyons, and applied to the
rebel ambassadors, Messrs. Mason and Slidell, and
their secretaries, is thus defined by wsbster:-
"Insurgent-A person who rises in opposition to
civil or political authority; one who openly or ac
lively resists the execution of laws" Precisely
the same definition is given by the English
photographers.
Tire levy Of fifteen thousand dollars upon the
cessionists Of Marion county, Missouri, made by
Gen. Haeck, to repair the railroad bridges which
were destroyed by the rebels, is now being col.
lected. The levy has caused q great number to
suddenly change from Jef. Davisites to Abe
Linconites.