The New York herald., 1862-01-17

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
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INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
u.
Mr.. Trumbulrs Bill Confscating Rebel
Property and Freeing Slaves.
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Prolonged Debate on the appointment Of Mr..
Cameron as Minister to Russia.
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1evelations Relative to the Frauds
in the Army Contracts.
Important Information Respecting the
Cultivation of Cotton and Sugar
In the Free States,
&C.,
2eveIations Relative to the Frauds
in the Army Contracts.

In tne Free otateS,
&C.,
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1862.
GEN. MCCLELLAN AND THE CONGRESSIONAL WAR
COMMITTEE.
General Mcclellan continued to improve in health
HIS interview with the Committee the Conduct OF the
War yesterday mutually satisfactory. without
entering any details Of his plans he convinced the
members Of the committee that the result which all de-
srehe suppression OF the rebellion and the end Of the
war-will be attained with certainty, and even more
despatch than the most sangune inclined to be-
heve.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Mr.. Stanton will assume the duties Of the War Depart
ment on Monday next.
PLANS FOR RAISING REVENUE.
proposition has been made to the Committee OF Ways
and Means which is intended to avoid the necessity Of
imposing for the purpose Of raising
This proposition looks the raising Of Of
hundred and twenty millions of dollars yearone hun
drcd and fifteen millions excses and one hundred and
Ave millions imports, levying high war duties On
tea, cofSe, sugar, tobacco, liquors and other luxu-
ries, and allowing only thirty-6ve millions Of reve
nue. from ordinary imports II is proposed TO issue
three hundred millions Of demand notes and one thou
sand millions of six per cent bonds redeemable after
twenty years. the demand notes TO be convertible into
the bonds at pleasure 1t is also proposed that the govern
mont shall receive specie deposit and issue certif-
Gates payable any Of its depostares 1t is argued
that by this process the coin Of the country will be drawn
into the Treasury and the certificates will circulate in the
place Of specie strong array Of facts and statistics
10 presented, showing the ability Of the United States,
the twenty-five millions Of inhabitants Of the loyal
States to ras the two hundred and twenty millions
easily as the twenty-nne millions Of Inhabitants of
to three hundred and City millions Of dollars Of
The proposition meets with favor and win be considered
seriously by the committee
AFFAIRS IN TIE CAMPs.
No any interest has been received TO day
Ut any of the departments headquarters The snow
and soet have suspended drills ia the camrs, and all s
reported quiet throughout the army of the Potomac.
gHE APPOINTMENT OF Mr.. CAMERON NOT YET con-
FIRMED.
There protracted executive Of the Senate
today. 1t lasted three hours and half formidable
opposition manifest TO the confirmation Of General
Cameron Minister 10 Issa. The whole time Of the
executive session occupied with debate this sub
ject and resulted adjournment without final action
The objections made to the confirmation OF this ap
pointment chiefly on the ground Of alleged mis-
management Of the War Department and favortism in
she appointment Of military officers and the award Of
contracts for war supplies, by means of which 1t is
charged that vast amounts have unnecessarily
pended. It is believed that tIe nomination will be u
matey confirmed. After the "csson Of tho Of
opposition Senators will forego their objections but the
array against the nomination will deprive the conma
tion Of any complimentary complexion, and amount to
'cehsure Of the conduct Of the war Department
THE APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL sIcKLEs.
The nomination Of General sicxles not reached in
executive session to-day. II has yet been reported
by the committee. 1t is sad that grave doubts
tertaincd Of his confirmation. Strenuous efforts are
being made by his friends to for him. bat tire
officers OF his brigade anxious 10 have in his place
aman Of military experience, well energy and
ability.
GENERAL LANE ABOUT TO TAKE THE FIELD.
The contested election Of Frederick p Stanton
against General Lane considered Of the most in-
terosting that came before the Senate General
lanes right his confirmed by Of swcnty
four sixteen. II Is understood thas he together with
his stat viii shortly leave Washington for the purpose
Of assuming command OF his division. There perfect
harmony Of views between him and General Hunter, who
Ia in command Of the Department OF Kansas bis friends
tonight complimcnted him with a serensde
ArFAIRs ON THE LOWER POTOMAC.
On Tucsday the rebel batteries tho Potomac fred
twcntysix shots Mt oyster pungy, but did not hit it,
Yesterday fleet of similar vessels the.blockade
without being greeted with such sssiutes, and arrived
safely at Washington.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONTRACT ISvEsTse ATrxo
C0MMITTEE-TBE FRAUDS IN TKs WAR DEPART-
mFT.
The government contract investigating committee are
now engaged upon the subject OF the alleged frauds in
this vic ity They discover that horses have
been twice snd TO the government supernendcn,e and
inspectors have been bribed to certify 10
timo selling thcm TO private individuals that the
nous amounts paid by the War Department r6r trans
hoc,r
companies, so that many colopels in the West, in
removing their regiments east have received each
from q 500 to 81 900 bonus that suerssre making
$4,000 profits per month that nearly all dhe suffers
'outh d tho Potomac sell liquor, with the kncwledgoof
the officers; tina. is smagglcd in boxes NAKED eco
vornmept aud hospital stores packed in barrels and
marked beef" Major Jourdan, OF the Brooklyn Four
tcsnth regiment having been appointed eutcnsnt Colo
mel OF the Tenth legion, enatcs Representative Van
wyck who n its colonel to give much Of his time 20 the
business Of the Investigating Committee, which viii
proceed TO the examination Of the wpsng
disabled sick horscs, proposed by Representative
NcPhersops q recent resolution.
GENERAL CAMERON AND TIE ARMY CONTRACTS.
General Cameron in replying TO tho resolution Of the
Senate calling for nformat relative 10 army contracts
end payment Of troops, saysI take occasion state
Shat myself have not made single contract, for any
purpose whsfsver having always interpreted the laws Of
0snsress as contemplating that the beads Of bureaus,
who are experienced and able officers Of the regular
army, shall make all contracts for supplies for the
branches Of the service under their charge respectively
ARRIVAL OF DEsEsrsR FROM THE REBELS.
Phiadelphian, who had boon impressed into the
sebel service IN North Carolina into General Han
cocks brigade yesterday, from CentrcviIe He was on
foot and armed with Mississippi rife lie occupied
fhrse days in making his way through The enemy's
pickets, and brings important information
ExcHANGE OF PRISONERS OF WAR.
So far about one thousand prisoners each side have
ban exchanged, nearly nvs hundred Of whom were con
ncct>d with tho army Of tho Potomac The system OF
exchanges insrguratod By gcycrumept is fiy tcei
yfccatcd BY The rebel authcsilies