Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-25
FROM WASHlNGTONAN VICINITY.

The following message was sent to Con-
gress Wednesday by the President:
Fci0p Citiseis Of tie Senate and
House Of Representatives
The act entitled An act for the reease Of certain
persons held service or labor In the District Of Column
biA, has this day been approved and signed have
never doubted the Constitutional authority Of Congress
TO abolish slavery in this District, and have de-
sired 70 the National Capital freed hon this insttu-
ton in some satisfactory way Hence there has
been In my mind any question upon the subject except
the one ofexpedisncy arising in view Of the
II there be matters within and about this which
might have taken course shape more satisfactory to
my judgment do not attempt 20 specify them / am
grauhed that the two principles OF pensation and
colonization are both recognized and practically applied
in the act
In the matter Of compensation IL is provided that
claims may be presented within ninety days from the
passage Of the act but not thereafter and there Is
saving for minors, decrept insane abscnt persons
presume this j. an omission by oversight, and
recommend that be supplied bF amendatory sup
plementary act. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
The President also nominated to the Senate
James p Barrett. ez Mayor Of Washington,
Hon. Samuel f. Vinton, Of Ohio, and Daniel
r. Goodlow, formerly Of North Carolina.
Commissioners under the act for the aboli-
tiou Of slavery in tho District Of Columbia,
whose duty i is 70 invustiestg and determine
the validity and value Of the claims presented.
Ii appears By an official report to the Sec
retary of War that the large guns for the bat
teries against Fort Pulaski we're hauled by
the men, with their own hands, through a
deep swamp, that being the only mode by
which theT could be transported and placed
in position.
The report that Col. Candy had surrender
ed Fort Craig and his entire force in untrue.
Later advices have been received, and are to
the effect that Col. Candy has obtained sue
cess over the enemy, and is now in pursuit.
The tariff bill is promised speedily from the
ways and means committee. Intercepted
letters from Fredercksburgh state that the
rebel forces at and near that place number
nearly 10000 men. They are in constant
motion.
The TribWne's Washington dispatch says
Commodore Vanderbilt has made Mr.. Lin
cola present of his steamer Vanderbilt, now
lying at Hampton Roads, and has offered to
sell his next best steamer to the government
iron clad-at price to be fixed by its own
apprizers.
A number of carpenters at the navy yard
are engaged in getting out the framework for
an experimental iron-clad battery. which has
been designed by constructor Hook, at the in
stance of Capt. Daniel Green. When finish
ed, its qualities will be fully tested by heavy
guns in the battery on the wharf.
The Heraid's Washington dispatch says
that Cabinet changes are soon expected.
1t is reported that the press censorship 10
to be abolished by Congress.
1t is asserted that if Gen. Stone is allowed
trial it will be proved that there was no
ground for the summary proceedings in his
cause, but that his arrest was caused exclusive
ly by Senator Sumner, and it is attributable
solely to his animosity towards the General
on account of letter Of the latter in reply
to Mr.. Summers assault upon him.
The Fortress Monroe correspondent OF the
Herald states that deserters from the rebels
report that whole Irish brigade refused to
do duty in the army at Yorktown, and were
disarmed by order of JEFF Davis and sent to
he rear.