The New York herald., 1862-02-28
THE SITUATION.

Nothing of an important character reaches u
from the national capital or the army of the Poto-
mac. report that jefferson Davis has made
overtures' to the government for o compromise
obtains much credence in Washington, and it is
said that the rebel leader asks for convention Of
all the States, in which the difficulties between the
South and government shall be finally adjusted,
including fresh guarantees for the protection of the
Southern institution Of slavery. This is only one
among many sensation reports now floating about
Washington, and has probably no foundation in
fact.
The enactment of the Treasury Note bill has
the Treasury Department, and Mr.. Chase is kept
constantly occupied in Fastening the printing and
signing Of the notes, to supply the increasing
demand.
The President issued an order yesterday creating
General John A. Dix and Hon. Edwards Pierre
pont of New York, a special commission to exa-
mine the cases of State prisoners. now in custody,
and determine whether it is most consonant with
public safety that they shall be liberated or SEN
to civil tribunals for trial.
Our intelligence to-day from the North Carolina
expedition is of considerable importance. De-
spatches were received at the Navy Department
yesterday from Commodore Goldsborough, stating
that our forces in possession of the seaboard
Railroad, and had destroyed the bridges across the
Blackwater and Nottaway rivers, thus cutting of
all communication between the seacoast and Nor
folk and Richmond. The Commodore also furnish.
es detailed reports of the visits Of boats to the
Currituck Canal, Elizabeth City and Edenton, to
gcther with list Of the rebel vessels destroyed by
our vessels since the feet reached Hatteras, making
seven vessels in all, six of which were well armed
gunboats.
The army of General -lIalleck is pushing on its
victories in Arkansas. An Official despatch from
that General. received yesterday by General
Mcclellan, announces that Fayetteville, Arkan-
sas "a town on White river, log miles northwest OF
Little Rock), was captured by General Curtis; that
the rebels fed in great confusion across the Boston
Mountains. They burnt a portion Of the town
before they retired besides perpetrating act Of
cowardly vandalism, which it is almost diff
cult to believe, had it not been too fatally veri-
fed. The dastardy rebels left quantity Of poi.
soncd meat behind them, which unhappily was
partaken Of by our troops, and resulted in poison
ing forty officers and men of the Fifth Missouri
cavalry, among them one or two valuable COM
msnding officers. Such deeds entitle the perpe
traitors to no mercy.
The evacuation Of Columbus remains as yet I'M.
confirmed officially. The mysterious conference
between the rebel officers, under flag Of truce.
and Commodore Foote and General Culum, on
board the Commodore's flag boat, of Columbus,
which we before announced, Ia more particularly
referred to in our columns to-day. The conference
lasted for two hours and half, but it was cons
dered Of 80 much importance that strict secrecy
was enjoined upon all those present until Genera
Haeck, and possibly the Commander in Chief, car
be consulted. Certain it is that after tn,
rebel officers returned to their truce boa
Commodore Foote signslized the Unior
feet to return down the river. The gene
raj belief in the West is, that a proposition
to evacuste Columbus in order to save 1t from
destruction, constituted the mission Of the flag o
truce. A Cairo despatch, however, states thai
dull, heavy fring-like rumbling explosion-wa.
heard on Wednesday in the direction Of Columbus
and II was supposed that the rebels might be
blowing up their intrenchments.
Irisadier General Mitchell has issued an order