, 1862-12-13

opinion that 20 $50 men left for the defense !
Of Washington would suffice.
Gen. Reyes also testified that he had known
Mcdowell intimately since ls44, aud knew |
him to abstain totally from the 1sc of iutoSi-
eating liquor.
SECOND DISPATCH.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune-]
WAsmS6ToS, December Il, 1s6s-
Nothing Of any interest transpfrcd in Con
gress to-day. Tie House was not in session,
and the Senate adjourned after sitting an
hour OF two with bare quorum, and transact
ing some unimportant business
1fr. Fcsscnden's speech yesterday on ar
rests continues to be talked Of as a great ef-
fort, not unworthy Of the best days Of the
American Senate. His argument that the
President was not s'corzs to obey the Consti-
tuition, but simply to preserve, protect and
defend it, attracts special attention, and is
regarded as unanswefahle.
Cassius N. Clay is back again in Porterss
court martial. To-day, Heintzeln,an testified
as to the ability OF inability Of Porter to obey
Pore's order. His evidence went somewhat,
though but slightly, to relieve Porter.
Attorney General Bates regards the admis-
sion Of West Virginia as unconstitutional.
His opinion, it is thought, will have considera-
BILE iniluense in preventing the President from
signing the bill.
THIRD DISPATCH.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.l
Nasu1SGToS, Dec. t2-Midnight.
Combinations Of Northwestern ulen are
forming 10 urge upon the President the neces-
slty Of appointing Republican as Secretary
Smiths =or, a decided opposition being
organized to Holt's appointment on the
score of lis not beinga Republican Derel-
opments Of yesterday and to-day. puts ncw
phase On the contest, and naturally ailninishcs
Hollis hitherto fair prospect.
The Committee Of Ways and Means today
agreed on the appropriation bil}s-one for
| The army, one for West Point, and the third
fertilization bill. The army appropriations
for the next year are agreed upon for seven
| hundred and forty one millions There are un-
usually large appropriations for fortifcations
New York, Maine and Florida.
| Same member: Of the Committee on the
| conduct Of the War, do not hesitate to say
that the testimony given by prominent wit
nesscs before this committee, directly col,-
f1iets with McClc1ian's evidence before nc
Doweil's court It is probable that some Of
this testimony will be introduced tn rebut
Mcclellan.
Mrs. Caleb B. Smith is receiving numerous
subscriptions for the Christmas dinner fo.
| the soldiers in the hospitals in Washington
Overs1 Goo dollars WAS received to-day Til,
| State Of Indiana: through Col. Dennis. make
large additional Subscriptions The anaoun
is not Jet announced.
WASHINGTON, Dec 12.-Oficial Information
| just communicated warrants the assertion tl1l
flc French government lE1s no idea Of prose
. cutting any further their propositions for i'll
ar1istice or mediation.
No propositions Of any kind, in any form
| from any iIsurrtct;onary quarter, have beel
received by President Lincoln or any Of III
Cabinet.
No discrimination in regard to tile pres
was made or known at the State Department
in regard to foreign correspondence 4 REIN
edy will doubtless be applied to prevent fur
thcr complaints.
; Much has recently been said about the ir
/ / vention Of First Assistant Engineer Whitaker
| for firing guns under water. i dozen person
have brought similar plans to the attention {
| tile Navy Department. It is no new inyel
! ton or secret, having been successfuliyapplie
| BY Fulton ard Others. No practical iupo
t:tnce seems to be attached to the subject.
NEW YORK, Dee 12-Tnc New York Z su,!;
Washington special says:
: It is positively affirmed that Gov. Ha1nilto
! of Texas sailed with Banks expedition.
The Senate Post Office Committee has ut
thorixe{I its chairman to report III favur Of til
+ proposition Of sounding for Il telegraph lii
:, from San Francisco to the Amoor River.