The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-06-04
Washington Correspondence

WASHINGTON, May %.
4pprehensions are expressed for Gen.
McClelan's army, not only on account of
the large army that is concentrated against
him at Richmond, but for the considerable
rebel force said to be in his rear, in, the
direction of fredericksburg. As they
hare railroad facilities, it is suggested
that they could easily move large body
of men, on the eve of battle, and fall
upon our army in the rear. By cutting
down bridges, &c, behind them, they
could retard for a time any advance of
Gen. Mcdowell to thwart their object.
These appreheasions are. however, entire.
~ unnecessary Gen., Mcclellan has
compact aud thoroughly disciplined army
Of brave men and good officers. II has
been created By his. own exertioRs. He
can handle it as easily as q good colonel
ran manHaEre regiment and he will
push it on VIGOROUSLY through twice or
three times the same number of demoral-
ized;S although, perhaps. desperate rebel
troops. Whatever sppreheasions may be
entertaiaedr here or, elsewhere as TO the re-
suit, neither Gen. Mcclellan, nor his ar.
my.$ncr the administration, participate in
&iBem, s &seeEassf he. s9iseH ase =. a7a
"A bill for general Bankrupt was pre-.
fented in the Senate, to-day. by Senator
Foster, of Connecticut. 1t was referred
70 shs Committee on the Judiciary, aud
will be printed in few days Itisclaim-
ed by the friends of the measure here
thatthisswill meet with general approval.
Il embodies both the voluntary and in-
voluntary systems, lis Invested as far as
ysssibIe of useless detail. and. while Ill
wiIl'release the thousands of honest bat
unfortunate debtors who are wiling to
give mp their property for the payment Of
their just- debts, will also compel the dis
honest debtors, on the proper application
OF his creditors, to apply his property to
the payment of his Indebtedness. 1t is
fhonght to be within the power of the
friends of the bill to .secnre its passage
st this session of Congress.
Another bill to indirectly abolish slave
y ia Maryland and Virginia. and fill this
District with negroes, was Introduced by
Senator Wilmot. It makes it tie duty
Of United States officers TO summon such
witnesses, slaves included, as fugitives
may declare on oath to be material TO
disprove allegation Of claimants. 1t also
requires the taking of the following oath:
. do solemnly swear Tor affirm, as the
ease may be that Twill support and de,
klnFc md ,e
the United States .against all enemies,
whether domestic or foreign; that / will
bear true and faithful allegiance to the
same, any ordinance. restriction or law Of
any State Convention, Legislature, or OF.
der, or organization, secret or otherwise,
to the contrary Notwithstanding; that l
do this with full determination, pledge
and purpose, without any mental reserva-
tion or evasion whatever; and especially
that I have not, By word or deed. or in
any manner whatever. given conntenance,
aid, comfort or encouragement, to the
present rebellion, or to those who have
been or are now engaged In the consi ir
ICY against the government; and that /
have always been loyal and true to the
government Of the United States. So
helpeme GodsR
ThA bill provides penalty of 6ne and
ipprisopment for perjury ln taking the
oatblJi II II Ji8 II .4
Il has been, sscertained from an au,
nlisntic source that the expenditures ,oI
the Goysrnmeptgfrom April, 1861, to the
present time have not averaged 81 l,0o9,-
900 per day. This may be considered a
.Esfntatiops of the exaggerated reports up
On the subject.
2 sEThsfe are signs this evening of q dis
position TO accept the theory Of the early
pdft Of yesterday, to the end that the
rebels will leave Richmond as they did
yorktown, and that McCIellan's impend-
ink victory will be q bloodless one. The
proximity Of the great armies for nearly
5 week without skirmishing, goes to
strepgthsn the opinion. Many think such
vast bodies Of men could not SO long
me iyofded. Z collision if both meant to
fsht. Those, however who momeatarily