Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-02-03

The Secretary of State on Friday df
rected the relense from Fort LafaYettt
OF all prisoners taken from on board rehsl
armed vessels, which order has been nm.
doubleday executed.
It IS true, az has been stated, that Gen,
Wool, under Instructions, asked Gen. Hu.
ger whether, If Smith, the pirate, were de-
EVered to him ut Norfolk, Col. Corcoran
would be restored to liberty and sent
North. The answer in the negative was
I on tue ground of the difference in rank as
to the prisoners
The reunion at Secretary Stewards resi-
| dence, on Friday embraced the largest at
tendance OF members of the Diplomatic
Corps and their families. that has beeH
witnessed at any similar assemblaVe for a
year past. Society is cheerful, waiting
only for Congress to establish financial
system for the Government, and for sun
shine to dry up the roads for military pur-
poses.
Hon. Alfred Ely, 81. G. from New York,
and late prisoner at Richmond, had an in
tervieW with the President and Secretary
Seward yesterday, and it has been deer
mined 10 place the rebel privnteers now in
New York and Philadelphia, upon a foot.
ing of prisoners of war. An order has
been issued, removing them TO military
prisons, with a view to their exchange for
citizens of the United States incarcerated
in the South. This important and humane
course on the part of the Government.
may result in the return of Colonies Cor
coraR, Lee, Coggswell, Woodruff, Wilcox,
Hodges, and the other officers now held as
hostages for these privateers.
general exchange ofaIl prisoners will.
1t Is believed, speedily follow tho interview
OF Mr. Ely, IN conjunction with several of
ms associate members of the House of
was not only interesting
but is described as affecting.
Lieut.. Edward Connolly, Of the Goth n.
Y regiment, and prisoner of war, has ar
rived from Columbia, S. c., aud was pres
ent Mt the interview with President and
Secretary of State. lie reports that tue
health of Col. Corcornn and the other
prisoners there was good.
1t is understood that the tax bill is now
being perfected in its details by the Com
mtttee on Ways and Means. It proposes n
moderate rate of taxation upon most of the
articles of necessity and consumption, with
higher rates on distilled liqnors and other
articles of luxury. On lcgacies and pro-
bates, on passengers by railroae aud other
conVeyances, on newspapers and telegraph.
nc messages from these sources, taken in
connection with the tariff on imports, It
IS confidently expected after the most care.
tul Investigation, thnt the Government will
desire an annual revenue of at least one
hundred and fifty millions of dollars. This
tax bill will give TO the United States
bonds sure specie paying security.
The committee has also considered the
subject of national banking law, which
will require the deposits of United States
stock As security fnr fI,. h0DI ,,,to,z ~,
are circulated MS currency. The President
10 conversation yesterday, With representa-
tive Conway of Kansas, stated that he ap.
psintcd James II. Lane, BrigaGicr General
with express understanding that he has to
serve under Gen. Hunter, and that General
Lane had frequently declared his willing
ness to do so.