The New York herald., 1862-02-03
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
0UR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
~~~~>~~~~~~~>>~~-~~~~
THE PROPOSED TAX BILL.
Tho, Defences Of Our Lakes and
Rivers,
H., As., As'
WASHINGTON, Feb. ., 1867.

clusion ef the Trent affair." the impression 10 gaining
ground N political circles here that It is the purpose Of
1nsland 10 And prstext 70 engage In hoseilities
against The government while are occupied already
with gigsntic enterprise that severely taxes the
energies end resources Of TIE loyal States. II was
stated In this correspondence two weeks ago that well
informed foreign cezrespondents had unequivocaly ex
pressed The opinion that unless decisive demon
era&on of we power the government crush the
beon should be made within sixty days. there would be
great danger of movement the partef the English
OAenet recognise the independence Of the Southern
oo0fsdsracy. The recent intelligence from Europe
b construed 70 confirm this statement, and
many here, who are not Of the "on to
Richmond school," apprehsnsve that The utmost
possible expedition in the conduct Of the win not
~vert this danger.
The Secretary Of State however, does not appear TO
participate In these apprehension He expresses entire
satisfaction a the present attitude Of our foreign aArs
and y perfectly composed and serene. He regards
tAs settlement Of the Trent affair ~ the conclu
sion Of sl immediate dincultiss with England. Some
u Ne more timd Of the politicians here ex
TPs0 fears that the Secretary Of State does not
psepey appreciate The hostile intentions and unscrupa
leus purposes Of the English government but h Seward
for information Of these subjects enjoy
saDy others, and al whohavs unshaken confidence
n As sagacy pronounce this talk about the mmnenee
~ Aestsiss with England, upsn some other ground than
shas a ~ seizure ~ Macon aaA slidsl, simple wah
'stsssepAnie.
- ID unAWsseed that the TAx bill ID now being per-
sssasa in ~ details BY ths Committee Of Ways and
Means. y proposes moderate rate Of taxation upon
asss Of ths articles Of necessary consumption,
Win higher Tate> On distilled liquors and other
'sssiclss Of luxury, legaciss and probases,
-sa passengers by railroad and other con-
vsyaness. nswspapsn and tsegraphic messages. From
these sources, taksn in connection with the tariff on
imports ID esnhdsnty expected, after the most care
~ avesteaaisn. that the government will derive
annsal Ysvsass Of st least $50 900 ooo This TAI bill
wtN svste ~ United States bonds specie paying
essapiy. n committee have also considered the sub
jst Of National Banking law, which will require the
deposit a United States stock security for the bank
.nesss thAa are circulated % currency.
ruB DEYxNCRs OF 0uR LAKES AND RIVERS.
he Select Committee on the Defsnces and Fortinca-
items Of the Lakes and Rivers prepared
report They will recommend the erection Of such for
lincasions Maeknaw will make it the Gibraltar
Il really the key Of Northwestern frontier Their
report viii provide also for the establishment
Il q naval depot and national armory upon Lake
Michigan probably Chicago and that prepare
tions Immediately made for tho accumulation of the
necessary and munitions to the whole Of the
American vessels engaged the of the North
svn lakes. 1t il estimated that there in this trade
twelve hundred American vessels TO three hundred
Bytish and fifteen thousand American sailors to three
thousand British. It is represented by the commit
see that the majority Of the population Of the
royal States Of the Allegheny ountans that
the line Of lake coast exceeds the whole length
Of Atlantic coast from Passamaq TO the Florida
capss, and that commerce the lakes 10 greater
than whole foreign trade To complete the defencss
A.
west from interruption bya foreign foe will
be recommended that a military railroad shall be i'm
nsdately constructed from the mouth Of the Menomonee
river Badenoquet, Lake Michigan to Marquette
Lake SUPERIOR and that ship canal shall be built from
Chicago TO the Mississippi river II is said that these
recommendations have tho approval Of Gen. Mcclellan.
Tho report win probably be made on Tuesday.
TRH RxBEL 6RIvATEERsMEN RECOGNIZED As PRISON
ERs OF WAR.
Tho Hon. Alfred Ely, member Of Congress from New
York, late . prisoner at Richmond, had interview
with the President and Secretary Seward yesterday and
II has been determined TO place the rebel prvsteers
In New York and Philadelphia upon footing prisoners
Of war; An order has been issued removing them to
military prisons with q view 70 their exchange for
citizens Of the United States incarceratsd in tho South
This important and humane course the
part Of the government may result in the
return Of ColOnels Corcoran, Lee, Cosgswell,
woodruff, Wilcox, Rodgers. and tho other officers
held hostages for these privaeers. general
change Of al the prisoners will IL 10 believed speedily
follow The interview Of Mr.. Ely, in conjunction with
several Of his associates members Of tho House Of Repre-
ssniatives was not only interesting, bat described
Affecting.
Lieutenant Edward Connolly, Of the Sixty ninth New
York regiment prisoner Of war has arrived from Co
iumbia s. and present at tho interview with the
President and Secretary Of State He reports that the
health Of Colonel CorcenAn and the other prisoners there
s good.
THE POSITION ar GENERAL LIANT.
The President conversation yesterday with Repre-
sentative Conway OF Kansas, stated that he appointed
James H. Lane Brigadicr General with the express u-
dcrstaBpg that he was to servo under General Hunter
that General Lane frequently declared his willingness to
do so thst he he Prcsiden had and has the strongest
desire obgo General Lane appointed
large stat TO suit and crafty him. that while he hoped
and expected expedition somewhat to his kngwould
be sent forward under him. he expected 10 be dcGs by
Anicable arrangement with General Hunter He never
intended, and does not intend that shall be tude
pendent Of General Hunter, in any way offensive ar
dishonoring toim that Gs1eral Lane must receive his
orders from General Hunter, and the President will be-
glad General Kunter, acting within the range Of hls
orders and his sense Of duty TO the pubc give ssch
orders will be satisfactory TO General Lane
MIs APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE SENATE.
The Senate viii 60 into executive session 10 NOR
COW - ~ the morning hours are con.
sunsd, in order, as soon a. possible, 10 dispose
of the great NUMBER Of appointments hsfore them
Tor confirmation. More than three hundred nomination.
reported already by the Military Committee await trs
sctior Of the Ssnate.
ARRRsT OF REBEL sYNPATHIzERs.
IuforaAon has reached here that Isaiah Butler David
@. wattlcs, Matthew Hodge and Richard r. Boyle have
been arrested at North Branch Michigan the borders
Of Canada upon the charge Il destroying the mails at the
Post Once, In retaliation for the suspected act Of the
Postmaster causing the arrest Of man named Guy Hep
kins, who was member Of secret tressouabs society
called the "Knshs Of the Golden Square," Hopkins is
IN Fort lafayette, and the other prisoners at Detroit
awaiting trial.
n known here that number Of Southern secession
iss are N Canada. whose business collect money
from syDpazng frients, and 10 forward ana receive