Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-29
FROM WASHINGTON AND VICINITY

fhOM w WASHINUJON AMI IIJfNii
wAsnINoroN. Aug 20.
The Tribunes Washington dispatch says
two or three weeks ago the President laid
before his cabinet proclamation of emanci-
patton abolishing slavery wherever it exists
on the first Of next December if the re-
bellion should not be crushed by that
time and asking the opinion Of his ministers
touching the propriety Of issuing H. All but
two. Sec. Smith we believe being absont, APP
prove Of il. Sec'y Seward and Postmaster
Gen. Blair, however, oppose il with all their
might, and what the result was does not ap-
pear.
II is understood that the subject came up at
more than one cabinet meeting, but the two
parties continued as at the first meeting
Messrs. Seward and Blair being the resolute
minority.
The Worids Washington dispatch says it is
openly stated by the emancipationists that
the president will is ne a proclama ion OF
freedom to all slaves by the 18th of Sep
tember
The TriJune's Washington dispatch says
that 500 convalesccnt soldiers arrived at
Washington from the Portsmouth Grove Hos
pital, r. |. yesterday, and have boen return
ed to their regiments.
A hospital is TO be established on tho Bla-
densburgh road, three miles north of Wash
ington, capable of accommodating 5000 sick
and wounded.
The Times Washington dispatch stated to-
day that the order for drafting to fill up old
regiments, would be enforced without fail by
the first of September.
The Tribupe's Washington letter says
when Generals Haleck, Burnside, Mcclellan
and their chef commanders we're there
in council at HarrisJns Landing, General
Burnside proposed to bring up his force
and make of the united force three columns
Of 35, 90 each.
Gen Burnside was supported by Sumner
and one other chief, and Gen. Mcclellan ac-
quiesed but the plan was vetoed.
At a dinner party recently, prominent
Louisanian said in the presence of Reverdy
johnson that with the latter as Governor and
Gen. Dix in the place Of Gen. Butler the peo-
pie would rally and through a convention
bring the State back into the Union. From
this private remark doubtless has risen the
rumor that such an arrangement is to be con-
sumated. IL has NO other basis.
Hon. Reverdy Johnson of Mary ylapd, has
made his report TO Government upon the
points in the administration of affairs in New
Orleans. He not long since went there to
investigate, and the President has approved
his conclusions.
Itis understood that he recommends the re-
turn to the consul of the Netherlands Of the
$780, 900 seized by Gen. Butler that the
SIG. 900 be returned to the French CONSUL
and also that a large amount of sugar be re-
linguished to the Greek British and other
foreign merchants, domcled in New Orleans,
as according 20 Mr.. Johnson, these seizures
by General Butler cannot be justified by civil
or military law.
WAsHISoroN, Aug. 81.
Yesterday Capt Atkinson Of the 50th
Ohio W tn 90 men in stockade at Bdgefeld
Junction was attacked by 1000 guerrillas.-
The repulsed them three times killing Nor
gan's Adjutant and seven private and wound
cd Is and finally after three hours fighting
drove them off.
Col. Mason, Of the list Ohio, the Same
regiment that was denounced by Gen. Sher-
man for cowardce at Shiloh, with 800 men
and two cannon, in strong entertainments at
Clarksville, surrendered without resistance
Gen. Nelson left Nashville for Louisville this
morning 1t. Col. HefFron was arrested for
violating orders.
The first payments of the postage stamp
currency will be made to-day. The notes
are in sheets perforated like stamps. They
are on the best bank note paper, Therefore
they are the more difficult to separate.
The public must be cautious in separating
them, as mutilation decreases their value in
proportion to the part OF the note missing
For some days postmasters will absorb large
share of them.
The first delivery of United States notes Of
the denomination Of ones and twos were
made to-day.
The steamer Virgini, from Fortress Mon
roe reports shat Gen. Mcclellan left there on
the 2lst with large number of his army for
Aqua Creek to reinforce Gen. Pope,