New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-14

| The report OF Commander Baxter, winch n quite
extensive states that shout O'Clock on the morn
| ing of Dec. q, while cruising oil the north end Of
| North Island be saw schooner running close in
shore, Down the coast and after maneuyeing to cut
her off, finding she showed no coors be fired shot
across her bows, which, not bringing her TO- one was
fired through her bulwarks, doing her some damage,
after which, more shots were fred, which did no
execution. But during the chase size was run
aground, after which Two boats were observed TO
leave her and pull up the creek, leaving the schooner
on ire.
! Commodore Baxter dispatched several boats to her
for the purposc of subdung the flames, and reports
that, having no buckets the whole complement Of
cooking utensils such as saucepans kettles, coffee.
poe, ETC., were brought into requ.ton, and after two
houre hard labor, in throwing waier aud sprinklng
all over the burning tmbers, the fire subdued.
by this time Messrs. Clark and Coffin, who had been
sont TO ler returned, and we at once hauled up our
anchors, and attempted to tow hor out. Another
boat then came aoDgside from the bark under charge
OF Mr. Malloy, masters mate. They succeeded in
towing her Out of the creek when fire was opened
upon them with rifles f.om the main land, tie bullets
hopping ard skipping about them 20 fast that they
to tow her through The breakers She grounded,
however, and they were forced TO leave her after
kindling good fires fore and aft.
The second cutter under charge of the Provost
was detained longer than tie Others in order to get
the fire well started, ard she crossed the breakers
eight Rebels made their appearance and opened
brisk fiie upon the boat, which returned by all
the boats. None Of our men were injured. Com
mander Baxter states that il was designed next
morning to blow the schooner up after consultation
with Capt Marchant Of the United States steamer
James Adger, but Tie tide too los to allow the
freboats which sent for HAT purpose 10 enter
tue breakers, and the attempt was abau ioned. On
turning TO leave, our boats were greeted by terri
ble yeo from the Rebos the island and also with
another charge OF muskery. But no damage was
sustained. lie repors, in conclusion, that the
schooner wa ftil burning the morning Of the 26b
ul and there il no doubt but that she and nor cargo
are hopelessly ruined.
THE COSSJIAR SYSTEM.
The Secretary Of State has responded TO the letter
of Senator Fcsacudcn, Chairman Of the Committee
or Finance requerinr certain information connected
with the Consular system, and also explanations in
regard to the reasons which induced the creation Of
Offices, or the increase OF compensation The Secre-
tary says:
IL will re seen from the lie, submtiod that seven
Consular offices only have been created with sal
aries Of s 800; the COM ens.,ion IL two has been
increased from $500 per aunum 10 81 so; one from
sou TO Sl,J0Ji fiS from $1,000 to sl,oOJ
OF tbirty-thfee, the compenfg' ION hss been
changed FROM fees, with liberty 70 trade,
to salaries of ~ 800, each accompanied by restic
ton prohibiting tie consular officers from engaging
in private business II hns been found 10y experience
that the Government 10 beet scrved when tie con-
uar officer j. prohibited rol, trade and required 20
devote biz whole time to the public busiacts. la adj
diiion 20 what appears ia the tabular statements,
think it proper To remark that tie appearance OF the
insuIgent steamer Sumter. and the reports of Others
Of "A similar character fitting ont ne pfiyaecrs in
duced tie Department 10 appoint under the provi-.
ions Of tie act 81 tue ID OF August labt Com Ma
with fixed compensation, and prohibited under
bonds from engaging IN private business
or TO change tie Compensation from fees
with liberty to tIade fixed salaTy, at the principal
ports in The Wet Indies, al four ports in Mexico,
Two in Central America, three 10 Brazil, aud one IN
Venezuela. For tie protection Of our commerce IN
tre Mediterranean, v here IL /. much exposed TO
dancer salarcd cousris have been appoint I'd with
Tie slme restrictions 10 10 npasug IN bueIness, or
tie comIenf alton changed from fees, rs above, to
salary, ~ Algora, q, TWO porla On the southern
coast of Spnin Bare Iona and Ndlercia, with which I
tiere was formerly direct commercial intercourse
win the Southern States, and where IN conse-
ogence i, was believed, there was prevailing /
a., interest in favor Of the insurgents; at liz
bon a. the suggestion Of our Minis or at For
trg /: II three important points ia Italy, three IN
Fuinoe one in the Black Sea, ard two IN Turkey.
For a similar reason, two appointments have been
made al ports on the northern coat OF Sa!n; one IN
: .rwnv, where We Lad 40 Consul; two in Sweden, /
Ia, the protection Of our commerce in the l,ic; and
tbr,e I'm the CliLc-e aud Eastern foas, where our
commercial utore ~ are OF great ana Increasing ui-
tortguco II was asccittil ed soon after The esab ,
lisnnienf Of the blockade tha, attempts We're making
10 introduce aims and munitions Oi war into the
Southern porte from ports in England, by
,nioping them to ports in British provinces, the
Bihauaa Cuba, and Mexico, 10 lie tran
ahmed into small vessels, and then 10 !
cvade the blockade wherever 1t could be
beet accomplished. this induced the Department
10 appoint salmied Consuls, with tho above
mentioned restrictions ~ Bitol ind Cardiff in En-
Gland at 81. Johns \. f., Prince Edward Island,
and also to recommend salary for lie Consulate al
Pictou NOva-ScOtia. The same reason made II the
NOR, important that at the ports IN the Bith Wet
Indies our Interests should 10 guarded by loyal
American citilenf, uDtrammeled by business opera
,ops on private account. The result has thown ,he
wisdom o. the lag OF August last.
By every steamer important information is re-
ceived from oar Cousuls abfold which Il promptly
communicated 10 Che Navy Department and 20 our
Consus in the West Indies, viii view to place
Them and the officers OF tho loclafinP squadron on
their guard. Ire information thus furnished has led
"a the capture Of ye,sels loaded with una muni-
lions aud prevented 10 sOre extent, the irI oHa-
ton Of conr.,tand articles ao the insurg'nt Sales
ia the enumeration Of salared officers Ia The Med
iter,aneen omitted 10 mention Malta. Til. ishnd,
from its central position, It's military occupation, ana
H. u,e,ug of telc.gra phc communication, has becomc
a very important consular Ios. The Consul Lar re-
te.iedly. within few w,eks, reuccfed valuable
f.r,ice Since CONNIE cng ms communication tho
,iepaitmeni las received nom iHi dspa'h' AN ca
tract of which II herewith tftnsmittcG ior your M
.ub "A illustrate v hat ] nave stated