The New York herald., 1862-03-19
CON GREss.

the President to assign military officers to command
without regard to seniority was passed, with an
amendment depriving him of the power to dismiss
administration of the prize laws was passed. Mr.
Stark, of Oregon, wished to have the papers in
reference to the question of his atty referred to
the Judiciary Committee, which gave rise to some
debate, when the matter was referred to q select
committee of FIVE. A proposition was introduced
to furnish clothing and supplies to the rescued
sailors and men Of the sloop-of-war Cumberland
The bill for abolishing slavery in the District of
Columbia was then taken up, and Mr.. Hale spoke
in favor of it, when its further consideration was
postponed till to-day. The Senate then held an
executive session and afterwards adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives, the bill to in
crease the efficiency Of the medical department of
the army was taken up, and considerable discus
sion ensued 1t was finally laid over. and the
House went into Committee Of the Whole on the
Tax bill. The proceedings on this subject were
confined to discussing and amending the general
features of the bill after which the committee rose
and the House adjourned.
MIsCKLLANE0us NEWS.
There are four European steamships due at
American ports this morning. They sailed from
Great Britain in the following order on the days
named underneath, viz
steamser Dayof Sailing. From. De tinatson.
Glasgow March 8. Queenstown. Now York.
John Bell March 8. Glasgow. New York.
Anglolsaxon. Msrch I. Londonderry Portland
America. March .. Queenstown. Boston via Halifax
Should the America reach Halifax first We will
receive news one week later than that brought by
the Africa to this port. The Glasgow and Anglo
Saxon carry news four and FIVE days later than the
latest reports of the Africa.
Letters from Havana state that the brig Orion
has been seized near the coast of Africa, on sus-
picionof being implicated in the slave trade The
seizure was made by British ship-of-war.
By the brig T. B. Watson, Captain Munday, at
this port, we have news from Venezuela dated at
Puerto Cabello on the Goth of February. Our re.
port states:-Produce coming in rather slow; prices
high. Gen. Paez is at Puerto Cabello, en- route to
Maracaibo. The country is in the same state.
In the Senate of our State Legislature yesterday,
the bill authorizing the Supervisors of New York
county to raise money to build the new Court
House was passed A favorable report was made,
among others, on the bill reducing canal tolls. The
Assembly amendments to the New York Fire De-
partment Board of Appeals bill were con-
CURED in. A bill was introduced to appoint a
State Receiver General, to whom all State moneys
in county treasures shall be transferred. In the
Assembly, a report was presented from the Metro
politan Police Commissioners, in reply to resolu-
tion passed by the Legislature making some in
quiries of them as to the disposition of certain
moneys, and with regard to other subjects. The
report was ordered TO be printed. The bills TO
allow attorneys Of other States to practice in the
courts Of this, and to punish attempts to commit
crime, were ordered to be read third time; also
that altering the plan of the map of New York.
Progress was rep orted the bill legalizing GER
tain proceedings of our Common Council.
The firing in the harbor yesterday morning was
from the United States steamship Roanoke, from
Hampton Roars, saluting. She comes to this port
for repairs.
Commodore Andrew H. Foote, consists now Of
Gunboats, iron-clad OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. III
Mortar boats. Observation-Disclosures. 3s
Ammunition boats. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
The Quebec Chronicle, in an article describing
the naval engagement between the Monitor and
Merrimac, says "the whole system Of naval war
fare must now be considered fairly revoutionized.
The fate of the old fashioned navies has been fore
told; but not until Sunday, the 9th inst, was the
seal put to their death warrant and all the Eu
ropean nations will now commence the reconstruc-
tion of their nsvies."
Jesse d. Bright of Indiana, who was recently
expelled from the United States Senate, is at pre-
sent in Madison, arranging his plans to enter the
campaign for the October election.
Hon. c. II. Van Wyck returned to Washington
yesterday. He has accumulated large mass Of
information relating to the management Of the
Custom House in this city, and will, doubtless, be
ready to lay his report before the House Of Repre-
sentatives during the present session.
regular meeting of the Board Of Supervisors
was held yesterday-Elijah F. Purdy, Esq, Presi-
dent in the chair. After transacting q large
amount Of routine business, o resolution was
adopted appropriating the sum Of s3s 900 to the
Commissioners Of the new Court House. A long
debate ensued on the report Of o committee in
favor Of paying 81 900 year for room in Grand
street, for the use Of the Fourth District Civil
Court. The report was accepted and the resolution
adopted. The Board then adjourned until Tuesday
next, the 25th inst.
freshet occurred in 0nondaga creek on Sum-
day last, by which number OF buildings were in.
iured and the salt fields flooded and many Of the
vats destroyed.
s.ocsss WSfs firm yesterday, and the good news from
the West and from Ncwbern led TO an Increase Of pur
chases by the public Government skies again advanced
aquarter per cent, The money market rather more
active in consequence Of the appearance in tho market
advanced 10 ll2 at which rate, at tho close. several