The New York herald., 1862-02-11

ucsnake Snoal.
Capt Dupont states -"Ths department is misinormed.
infer from letter received last night as TO the Isabel
getting into Charleston by tho main channel where the
previous fleet was sunk The obstruction there is com
pele and has not been removed by the last gales tho
water breaking The Isabel got in BY Mof
fits Channel; aud as that portion OF il included be
tween Ratesnake hoa and the shore has been blocked
up by the second stone feet the possibility Of getting
into Charleston is still more crcumscribed, the only
channels remaining being the Swash and portion OF
Mofts and have less than three vessels cover
ing them and which ride out the gales at anchor"
OPERATIONS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC.
As the Stepping Stones leaving the lower hotlla
yesterday morning, on her way upwards the Freeborn
and the Rcsolute starting reoonnoering sxpe
dton at Aqua creek. boat sent on from each
vessel and nearing the shore they perceived by
the rebels who fred several shots at them but without
effect One shot fred at the Resolute passing cos'
to her stern The boats then put back and tho steamers
returned to their anchorage This morning solitary
shot was fred from tho battery Cockpit Point towards
the Maryland Shore but 1t has not been ascertaned a.
what The Stepping Stones, while write, is on her way
to Washington, having been detailed to take General
Sickles up TO the city.
Having placed provisions and small stores on board
the vessels Of the lower hota and supplied officers and
with money, the Stepping Stones cast OF from tho
Frsoborn at Liverpool Point at three O'Clock this
morning We passed the batteries without shot being
fired at US. VIM Moody seaman and Second Captain Of
the after gun the Frceborn has been appointed Mas
ter's Mate dated February4.
On Friday morning o launch left Mattawoman creek,
with stores for the Fifth Excelsior regiment On reach
ing Stump Neck the battery Cock Pit Point opened hre
on her. This was followed up by a continuous fire from
the whole line Of batteries but though the launch kept
the middle OF the river, not shot struck her. On reach
ing Liverpool Point whore the regiment is oncamped,
they red upon from new battery opposite, but all
the shots fell short. This is the first time fire
has been opened from that spot and opinions differ to
whether there fixed battery there whether the fire
was from field pieces.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
Senator Wilson's BILL reported to day, concerning
tracts, requires that all Of them shall be executed
literally and strictly in accordance with the terms,
otherwise TO be abrogated contracts to be made only
with parties actually engaged in the business Of manu-
featuring furnishing articles OF the kind contracted
FOR ordered transfers to other parties to work will
cause the annunont Of the contracts.
OUR CLAIMS AGAINST CHINA
The convention between the United States and China
for the adjustment Of claims. will be published tomor
row. Il is eminenty satisfactory. and favorable 70 lhs
government.
MILITARY ROAD IN VIRGINIA.
A corduroy road is being built from Halls HILL Gen;
era Fitzjohn Porers headquarters, TO tho aqueduct
bridge leading to Georgetown. The present impas.
stability of the roads, account OF the deep mud
has rendered this step necessary to facilitate trans
portaton of commssary stores and the movement Of
troops Of the divisions through which the road passes
should movement be necessary.
THE STEVENS BATTERY.
Mr.. Edwin A. Sevsus OF Hoboken, has arrived this
city to lay before the Army Committee the facts
nec,ed with the Stevens floating battery lie alleges his
ability to prove their satisfaction the entire prscca
bility Of his battery for war purposes.
THE POSTMASTER AT rurLADELPHrA.
The statement teisgraphsd hence that attempts are
making to remove Postmaster walborn at Philadelphia
is untrue.
DEATH OF A SENATE CLERK. -
JohA c. Fitzpatrick for many years pay clerk OF the
United States Senate died last night after several days
illness Of pneumonia.
THEoLD AND NEW sHIrs-oF-wAR FRANKLIN
The Secretary Of the Navy in reply to an inquiry OF the
Senate. says, reference to the shipofwas Franklin
the present vessel is not the old altered repaired
but entirely one. altogether different in form aud
dimensions It does not appear the records OF the
bureau that any portion tho old vessel was used in tho
construction OF the Tho total of the ship
70 the present tme nearly $448 900. With regard 10
her completion time has been determined. The plans
Of tho machinery have just been arranged its con-
suction and erection will require not less than twelve
months. t.. .....e -a
TIE POSTAL SERVICE.
Two large and influential petitions were presented 10
DAY. in each House. asking for various assumed
greatly needed postal Affairs These petition
contain over 900 names, including those OF
the city and State OF New York. merchants nnancers
statesmen, &c.
Mr.. ALEXANDER CUMMINGS SUMMONED TO WASHING
TON.
The Secretary OF War, it Is stated, has directed
Mr.. Cummings, late OF tho Philadelphia Buriain, and
recently OF the New York World as proprietor 20
visit Washington.
CHARGES AGAINST COLONEL PICxELI.
Charges have been preferred against Colonel Picks
Thirteenth regiment New York Volunteers and court
martial is ordered, which will commence It's sttings to
Brigader General Buttsrasd is President Of
the Court.
CONDITION OF THE 'PEEsIDENr's SON.
The report in reference TO tho of the Presdeu. TO-
nigh, is, that hc is still improving is certainly ex
pected TO
THE CELEBRATION or wAsHrEGroN's BIRTHDAY
The resolutions introduced by Mr. Crittsnden to-day in
reference tho appropriate celebration OF washngons
birthday, are hailed with infinite satisfaction by the
whole people Of Washington. They see the birth.
day or the Father Of Country appropriately observed
Hom GUARDS IN TEE BORDER STATES.
The proposition 70 raise twelve months volunteers
70 serve only the border States in which they arc
raised finds little favor In the Senate and will hardly bs
allowed 70 pass.
TEK coLoHRLcY or THE WESTERN BAY STATE ssor.
NENr.
Captain N. A. NJ. Dudley, Of the Tenth United States
infantry has been granted leave by the war Department
to the coonscy Of the Western Bay State reg
ent attached to General Buffers expedition and 1. d.
scsed proceed Fortress Monroe 10 JON the regiment
he s to command. He experienced and popular on.
Ger, and will make efficient regiment Of any body Of
men he commands.
Solution Of the Flag OF Truce.
From the Washington Chronicle, Feb 81
Considerable interest has been awakened OF late in re-
gard 10 the subject matter OF the Gag OF truce rsseny
sent BY Gen. Johnst0n the commander OF the rebel srmy
Gen. McCslan. From the fact that number or CON
sustons held with The different heads or govern
ment supposed that the matter to be treated OF
was that vitality affected the question OF the war