Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-25
FROM WASHINGTON.
FRIDAY. Anril ls. 1s6.

embraces the concluding scene of the oman-
cipation act, which consummated the work.
President Lincoln signed the bill. and imme-
diately transmitted a message, in which he
declared his concurrence in the purpose Of the
act, and indicated mperfeotions in its details
anticipated something Of this sort, it will
be recolected but it was from my own es-
tlmation Of the act, and not from any knowl-
edge Of the Presidents views The act has
created no excitement in the city and II the
people dislike It, they have been careful to
conceal their grief suspect, however, that
there is not much grief about it. The com
pcnsation allowed by the act will be fully
equal to the market value Of the slaves eman-
cipated, and ! presume the commissioners ap-
pointed to appraise their value will award all
that the claimants are entitled to. Conside-
rable surprise has been manifested among the
Presidents friends by the nomination for
commissioners Ex-Mayor Bcrretl# heads
the list, aud be is an ultra pro-slavery man.
and was so unfortunate as to be imprisoned
some months ago, because Of reasonable
doubts to his loyalty. 1t would have been
we'll, say some men, to have taken somebody
who had never been committed to Jail; at
least it would saved explanations Unques-
tionably the President endcavored to get
he has done so. As an offset to Mr. Berrott
we have Mr.. Godloe, who, though a native Of
North Carolina. is an ultra anti-slavcry man,
and was formerly one Of the editors Of the
anti-slayery newspaper, Tie Era, p blshed
in this city by Dr. Bailey. The balance pow
CT in the commission is the Hon. Samuel f.
Ninton, formerly distinguished Member Of
Congress from Ohio, whig in politics, con-
sentative on the slavery question, and gem
tleman whose personal character is far above
rcproach On Sunday last scenes of the
greatest interest we're witnessed in the Afri-
can churches, OF which there are nearly
dozen in the city. 1t was a time Of heartfelt
Thanksgiving 10 all those churches, and in
some Of the Methodist denominations where
members Of the congregation freely express
their sentiments, the expressions used and
the things done are indescribable very ludi-
crous sometimes. yet very touching. As an
example in the church nearest to the capitol
the minister was exhorting the people to give
glory to God for deliyerance, when up Jump
ed brother and shouted, " Glory to Love-
JOY e. Mo- said the preacher " tell you
not glory to Member Of Congress. nor to
the whole Of Congress, nor the people, but
the whole Of it to God" A slave visited my
room on the day after the bill was passed,
and | sounded him on the question. Said
be Z" don't know who to thank, but thank
Congress, and all de good people, and thank
God too The colored people are joyful,
but peaceful aud respectful also. The most
intelligent Of them are taking paips-to make
the new sons Of liberty prudent in conducts.
and to show themselves worthy Of the liber-
~ which has been conferred upon them.
In the Senate the confscatiou bill still
drags. Judge Collamer has introduced a sub
slitute which is very well received by strong
men in both Houses and but for committais
in some cases, and perhaps little preference
occasionally for ones own plans. think his
bill would prevail 1t may as it is Judge
Collamer was the author Of the act Of the last
session, for con6scating property used in re-
bcllion, and know Of no man well fitted
70 extend the act to the property OF those
who have acted in the rebellion His bill
includes slaves, and really embraces substan-
TALLY the two leading plans now before the
House and so as TO obviate constitutional OBJ
Jections. The purpose underlying his scheme
is to hold out inducements to the rebels to
return 10 allegiance, while the effect Of most
of the pending plans would he to intensity
the rebellion. Thus different may be the eff .
feet Of acts which are in form quite similar
The House has been at work upon the Pa
cidc railroad bill. 1t pledges about sixty
millions Of dollars from the national treasury,
saying nothing OF millions of acres of public
lands. Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont gave the bill
a few haro thumPs, although in favor Of
good bill at the right time wbereupon Mr.
Blair of Missouri responded in a speech re-
markable for bad taste and bad temper. The
friends Of the bill we're evidently alarmed at
Mr.. Morril's suggestions.
We have had two days Of June weather,
winding off with thunder storm. This
weather has been favorable for army opera
tons at Yorktown. and to-day we have intel
lgence that Gen. Smiths division (including
the Vermont Brigade had fight last night
and repulsed the enemy. ! am sure MeClel-
lau has very hard task; but the Vermont
ers will do their share Of il, and do it well.
slater dispatches from Washington state that RI
Mayor Berret deelints the commission - I'd
~ The Burlington Times, says that Gov
Holbrook, in connection with the War De-
partment, has taken prompt measures to Sc
cure the transportation of the wounded Of
the Vermont Brigade at Yorktown, to New !,
York, where they will be cared for by the
New England Soldiers Aid Association.-
From thence they will be taken to the Marine ,
Hospital, in Burlington, which is to be i'm {