The New York herald., 1862-01-10
'liged to sxpsnd money to keep themselves from

opngeo 10 sxpend money to keep themselves from
starving.
The prisoners number one hundred and ninety, and
were comfortably cared for at Government Voluntary
Receiving House, near the railroad station. Dr. Trpp
or Scranton, Penn. among the arrivals The remain
der Of the party either went home after arriving in Bat
more from Old Point detained there at the govern
ment hospitals owing to their wounds breaking out
afresh.
THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR COMMITTEES.
the Joint committee appointed the 10th Of Decem
Der TO examine into the conduct Of the have ASST
duousy applied themselves to that duty. They have
been In session nearly every day snce have obtained
much valuable information. Senator Wade, the chair.
man. is 80 ndustriousy engaged that he is seldom seen
in the Senate and then only when important votes re-
quire his presence
BILL TO PUNISH FRAUD AND BRIBERY.
In The House to-day Mr.. Harris introduced bill to pre-
vent fraud in the public service and punish bribery in
certain This bill makes IL high misdemeanor,
and subject for indictment in any United States court
having criminal Jurisdiction for any to PROMISE offer
or give directly or indirectly anything to any officer or
public AGENT either before or after his election or ap
pontment TO influence his VOTE decision action in any
proceeding, or In the discharge Of any duty, or
to induce him to neglect or omit the perfor-
nance OF any duty, or to use his influence to
procure any appointment or emolument allowance,
payment The penalty fixed is fine Of not less than the
value nor more THAI three times the value Of the
thing offered or given accepted and Imprisonment in
the pententary for not less than than ten
years. and disqualification forever from holding any Office
under tho United States The penalty attaches to
the officer convicted Of receiving any such brbe and the
terms "oficer" and public agent made include
all who are performing any service for the United States
The bill also provides that any dsbursng officer agent
to make contracts purchases for the who
shall directly or indirectly accept present reward
shall forfeit his Office, and be promptly removed.
AFFAIRS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC.
There considerable ice in the Potomac but the iron
clad steamer King Philip keeps the communication open
The steamer Stepping Stones from the lower otia
past the batteries night to the agshpof the upper
fotla. Nothing had occurred down the river The
rebels thought be reservng their strength to at
tack the Pensacola when she goes to sea.
THE ARMY.
Colonel Friedman of the Cameron Dragons received
despatch to-day from Governor Dennston of Ohio tender
ing him the command Of regiment cavalry TO be a..
signed to Kentucky.
Robert J. Baeser was to-day appointed Second Lieu
tenant In Captain Motifs old battery. He was at Bull
run, where he acquitted himself galantly
First Lieutenant Stewart Of Captain Motifs battery
who severely injured time since drill to-day
reported himself for duty.
All Of Captain Motifs officers have been promoted from
the ranks The Captain is determined to admit Of no
other appointments he help it, and the men under
him, knowing this determination, work with hopeful
zeal and courage.
First Lieutenant W. G. Mitchell, Of the Forty ninth
Pennsylvania regiment has been appointed Aid
on the staff Of Brgadier General Hancock.
PAYMENT OF THE TROOPS.
All the muster rolls nearly completed and arrange
mens about perfected for paying troops the
Potomac Major Ritter to day paid OF the Forty third
New York Volunteer regiment, Colonel vinton.
ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP A HOSPITAL AT ALEXANDRIA.
An attempt was last night made to blow up the Man.
sion House in Alexandria. This formerly occupied
as hotel, but now hospital. barrel had been
creted the cellar filed with powder and projectiles,
and fuse found extending from there to tho stable
In proximity to the combusbles lucifer matches and
Chinese crackers had been pentfuly distributed. Tho
fse end at the stable had actually gnited but the act
fortunately discovered by the guard, and the pro-
gess Of the slow fire extinguished. But for this watch
funess and prompt action not only would several hun
drod lives probably have been lost other casualties
resulted.
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS FOR APPOINTMENTS IN THE
NAVY.
Applicants for situations masters In the Navy
Yard required to accompany their papers with
mendations from their last employers and must have
three years service, and not be thirty
years of age Acting masters similarly appointed,
with the exception that they must not be forty
years Of age.
MONETARY AFFAIRS.
Treasury notes four per cent discount Exchange
en- New York per cent.
THE NEW GRANADIAN MINISTER.
1t implied recent publication that General Herran
consented to act Minister Of the legitimate
OF New Granada when he made that he would
DO received the OF Mosquera This
is not correct. II well known here that Immediately
after General Herrans arrival at New York govern
ment informed that he would proceed to Washington
his former credentials, and before any opinion
that respect could have expressed by govern
ment.
SENATOR BRIGHT NOT TO BE EXPELLED.
Senate Committee the Judiciary have To the
Senator Jesse D. Bright Of Indiana the question invov
ing his loyalty having been referred to thcm.
THE PRESIDENT AT THE CAPITOL.
The President, accompanied by his private secretaries
was at the room of the Vice President in the Capitol
to-day, attending to public business.
NOT DEsERTER.
The Of Nathan Spoo Of tho Fifth Wisconsin reg
men appeared among the list OF deserters published in
the HERALD. General Hancock that Spoo Is
not deserter He subject TO attacks OF insanity,
and while suffering from OF these attacks supposed
have wandered outside Of lines and have been
captured by the enemys pickes. Aside from spoo and
another crazy soldier who now in an insane asylum
there has not deeertion from General Hancock
brigade.
THE UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
The United States Agricultural Society to-day elected
President Hubbard, Secretary Poor Treasurer French
and nearly all the old Vice Presidents The Executive
Committee reorganizcd, and consists Of Marshall r.
Wilder, Of Massachusetts, Fredk smyth, Of New Hamp
shire Isaac Newton Of Philadelphia Chas b. Cavct, Of
Maryland Legrand Byngton, Of Iowa. j. II. Sullivan Of
Ohio and NJ Meyers, Of California. President Lincon's
recommendation Of the establishment Of agricultural
and statistical department warmly commended
and ho was elected an honorary member. The suggcs.
tions Of the Presidents address debated and en-
dorsed, and large edition ordered to be printed.
The establishment Of agricultural department was
nj Tboro n al