The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-06
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

~~~>~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~.~
WASHINGTON, May s, 1852.
THE REPORTS FROM THE ARMIES IN THE FIELD.
No further has been received At the War Depart
msnt from Fortress Monroe or Yorktown The boat for
Cherrystons had probably been delayed by the storm
which prevailed in that region.
Very little information had arrived by telegraph from
any quarter. and nothing Of unfavorablo character
PROPOSED OPENING OF THE SOUTHERN PORTS.
The details Of the conditions Of the opening Of the sevs
raj Southern ports for foreign and loyal domestic trade
have not yet been entirely arranged, but viii be COM
plsted with all possible despatch.
THE EFFECT OF THE EVENTS AT YORKTOWN
was expected that grand assault would be madc on
General Mcclellan In the Senate to-day by some Of the
Senators who were 50 industriousy vaporing around
the hotels yesterday; but no demonstration was
made. The Senators who yesterday denounced
General Mcclellan for winning splendid victory by
simple demonstration, and without the loss Of thou.
sands Of lives or Union soldiers seemed to-day TO be
somewhat mortified Ct their conduct, and inclined TO
admit that, perhaps, after ALL General Mcclellan had
actually accomplished what was expected or him-the
defeat Of tho rebel army at Yorktown.
This evening some Of the radical howlers were jubi-
liant over the rumor that General McCclans advance
had fallen into ambuscads near Williamsburg, and
been TERRIBLY cut up. Another modification in
fictsd when II was ascsrtained that there was no
ambuscade, no cutting up or forces but brilrnt
hand to hand engagement between the cavalry OF the
rebels rear guard and Of McCelans advance in which
tho latter took twenty prisoners without the loss Of
single man.
Tho clustering OF tho radicals is hushsd to-day BY tho
accommodating testimony the satisfaction Of the people
with what the Army OF the Potomac has accomplished.
and their for blood instead Of victory sticks in their
throats.
Tho administration Is fully satisfied that the road to
Richmond is opened and the rebel army Of tho East
1'''''' ''0''a nu. ,., 'tx ,-ss e q
Tho Finance Committee Of the Senate have finished
their labors upon the Tax bill, and will report back
Wednesday. 1t Is understood that very material
alterations wore made by the committee. They prefer
TO allow the responsibility Of tho bill to upon the
House where all measures Of this character origi
nate. Some changes in the rates Of taxaton made
but tho bill stands substantially it came from tho
House. The COMMITTEES do not propose to tax stocks
hand.
THE RADICALS NOT IN FAVOR OF THE UNION AZ IT
WAS.
At tho close Of tho debate in the House upon the
Pacific Railroad bill to-day Mr.. wckrc, OF Kentucky
extracted from Hon. Thaddeus Stevens the confession
that he is not in favor Of restoring the constitution and
the Union if slavery Is to BIO restored also.
WORK BEFORE THE coNFIscArIoN COMMITTEE.
Tho select committee of tho House conscation have
before them four bills and six resolutions relating to that
subject.
THE RADICALS AND THE CoNF1scATroN QUESTION.
In their debates upon the numerous conisoaton mca.
before Congress the radicals insist that slavery ia
tho cause OF the wxthat it is reality the traitor and
rebel yet they frequently speak Of the "saves Of Loyal
masters"
PUBLIC LANDS FOR AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.
Senator Wades bill in aid of colleges
vdes that the pubic lands shall be donated to the Satos
and Territories which may establish colleges teach the
Of agriculture and the mechanic arts in the pro-
portion of thirty thousand for each Senator and
representative tho funds acquired by the sale Of the
lands to be invested in government or other stocks
yielding at least I'VE per cent. Ono college at oast
must DO endowed and supported in tho State or Territory
which receives the donation provided BY this act
BILL TO SECURE PERSONAL LIBERTY TO CITIZENS.
Mr.. Garlic. Of Virginia. introduced bill In the Senate
to-day to personal liberty citizens Of the United
States II provides that arrests for dsloyaty shall be
made only upon the oath Of loyal citizen, with par
tcuar description tho act dsoyay charged against
tho party penalty Of thousand dollars, or inn.
prsonmcnt for 1--WE years. is the maximum punishment
for contravening the first section Parties arrested may
have tho privilege OF the habeas corpus which Is in no
case to be suspended.
KANSAS CLAIMS ron INDEMNITY FOR DEPREpAr1oNs.
bill introduced in the House to-day provides that all
tho claims OF the citizens Of Kansas damages suffered
by them n the border warfare OF 1855, Including
those which have been favoraby reported Congress-
shall be transferred 10 tho Court OF Claims.
4 DIsLoYAL CHURCH TO BE TURNED INTO HOS.
PITAL.
proposition ia entertained Of converting Trinity
church into al hospital for sick soldiers. This move
ment is probably in consequence OF tho openly avowcd
dsoyaty Of tho pastor and the election Of vcstry tho
majority Of which sustain him in his combinations ro
usai road tho prayers prescribed by tho Bishop In
favor Of the success OF the government.
CONGRESSIONAL EXCURSION TO YORKTOWN.
A number Of the members or tho Committees
Military Affairs OF both the Senate and
House, accompanied by General Clark, executive
Cork Of the Senate and Mr. smith, Clerk OF tho House
Military Committee. have gone to Fortress Monroe aud
the headquarters OF General Mcclellan prosecute in
qurics touching tho charges against General Smith and
other matters Of importance in tho prosecution OF tho
war; government steamer was placed at tho disposal
of the War Department The Chairman OF the senate
Military Committee was not OF the party lilo has
manifested decided preference for conducting the war
at a safe distance from any possible baltic field
PUNISHMENT OF TREASON AND SUPPRESSION OF TIE
REBELLION.
Judge Thomas, Of Massachusetts, introduced to-day an
deliberately prepared bill topunsh treason and TO aid in
supprossug tho rebellion. 1t has many details and pro.
vdcs for stringent prosecution and punishment OF
by tho infection Of increased fines and fooi,ures
while the rig,r Of the death penalty Is relaxed.
TESTING BREEcH LOADING CANNON.
bill introduced in tho House this Afternoon by judge
Watts. of New Mexico appropriatos threc thousand dor
lars for testing the range, rapid firing and accuracy
Of Holnghado Theims patent brecch loading cam on.
MILITARY APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED.
The Senate this afternoon confirmed tho nomination or
J. Napoleon Brgador General OF Volunteers
He formerly on General Frcmoni's stan, and win
now be attached TO General Hunters command Iic Is
by birth Italian His history is romantic and event
full no having boon in many OF the principal battles of
Europe for tho last Atty years, and is banshod Aus