The New York herald., 1862-12-16


party to the Blackwater On Thursday last oen''
raj Ferry made an advance towards Zuni ana en-
gagged rebel force. After some severe lighting
he captured captain and several privates. Inc
sudden swelling of the river prevented ms plans
from being fully carried out t
CONGRESS.
large amount of business was transacted by
Congress Yesterday, but we have only space for
reference to the most important proceedings.
In the Senate, Mr.. Davis, of Kentucky, offered a
resolution, which was laid on the table, declaring
that after it had become manifest that an insur-
rection against the United States was about to
break out in several Southern States, James Bu-
chanan, then President, from sympathy with the
conspirators and their reasonable projects, failed
to take the necessary and proper measures to pre-
vent it, wherefore he should receive the censure
and condemnation of the Senate and of the Ameri-
can people. resolution requesting the Presi-
nent, if not inconsistent with the public interests,
to transmit to the Senate the report and accom-
panying documents Of Hon. Rervedy johnson
as Commissioner Of the United States during
last summer at New Orleans. was adopted
Mr.. Wright, of Indiana, offered resolution,
which was also adopted, that the Committee on
the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the
expediency of providing by act of Congress that
any loyal citizen of the United States, who has
sustained damage from the troops OF the States
engaged in the present rebellion, may set off such
damages against any claim demand against
him in any action at law by any such rebcllious
States or the agents trustees of such States,
in any case where such claim or demand is for the
use or benefit of such States resolution in
structing the Committee on Foreign Relations to
inquire whether some method cannot be devised
10 manifest the sympathy of Congress with the
suffering Lancashire operatives, was ordered to
be printed. The resolution calling for information
relative to arbitrary arrests in Delaware was
taken up, and Mr.. Davis made speech, arguing
that the President had no authority, under the
constitution, to make such arrests. After an
executive session the Senate adjourned.
In the House of Representatives resolution,
declaring that in the judgment of the House there
should be no legislation changing the existing laws
providing for the payment Of interest on the pub
lie debt in coin was adopted by a vote of eighty.
one against twenty -four, and joint resolution
that the Secretary of the Treasury of the United
States be and is hereby authorized and empowered
to pay in coin any portion of the bonded public
debt maturing and falling due previous to the first
day Of January, 1864 was referred to the Com
mittee of Ways and Means. Mr.. Colfax introduced
bill to reduce the duties on paper from thirty
five down to ten per centum. 1t was referred
to the Committee Ways and Means. Mr..
Noell of Missouri, introduced a bill, which
was referred, to procure the adjustment Of
slavery in Missouri and provide compensation
to loyal owners. A resolution was adopted
instructing the Committee Of Ways and Means to
inquire into the expediency of revising the tariff,
increasing the duty on foreign goods not Of prime
necessity so that the importation Of foreign goods
shall not exceed the amount exported of American
growth and manufacture, exclusive of specie. A
resolution endorsing the Presidents emancipation
proclamation was adopted by vote OF seventy
eight against ffty-one. The Army Appropriation
bill was reported and made the special order for
Thursday. The first proposition for peace was in
troduced by Mr.. Conway, of Kansas, who offered
resolution in effect dissolving the Union, and &C
knowledgng the independence Of the Confederate
States. 1t was laid on the table-Mr. Conway
being the only one who voted in the negative. In
Committee of the Whole, Mr.. Cox, of Ohio, de-
vered speech on the topics Of the Presidents
Message and the removal OF General Mcclellan,
and at the conclusion of his remarks the House
adjourned.
MIsCELLANE0Us NEWS.
highly interesting and entertaining lecture,
illustrating the manners and customs of the Ja-
panese the nature Of their country and its various
productions. was delivered at the Stuyyesant In
sttute last evening by DR.. Mcgowan. The
audience was select and appreciative, and the lee
ture of nearly two hours duration, met with their
entire and hearty appreciation. The lecturer has
been for nearly twenty years a resident in China
and Japan, and increased the interest of his re-
marks by exhibiting specimens of the natural and
artificial productions of japan.
The Tammany Society met last evening at Tam
many Hall, and after the usual preliminary bust
ness, Captain Doyle, of the Tammany regiment.
appeared before them, with the once beautiful
flag which was presented by the society to this
regiment, when the greatest enthusiasm prevailed.
Captain Doyle, in a brief address, showed that
Old Tammany was ever loyal to the Union and,
after appropriate responses by Grand Sachem
Waterbury and others, motion was made TO de-
post il in the archives Of the society. No elec-
ton for treasurer having taken place, on account
of other important'business, the warriors adjourn
ed for The celebration of Jacksons birthday
Mr.. Booe offered preamble and resolution at
the Board Of Aldermen. last evening, containing
wholesale charges Of mismanagement. extrava-
gance. fraud and corruption against the Central
Park Commissioners, and proposing to give the
manag cement and control Of that institution into
the hands Of the Street Commissioner, for which
purpose he asks for an appropriation Of s25, 900.
A regular meeting Of the Board of Council.
men was held last evening, when large amount
OF routine business was transacted. The Board
adopted resolution that the Governor of the
state be respectfully requested to memorialixc
Congress, now in session, for increase Of TWEEN.
ty-ye per cent on the pay Of the rank and file and
line officers Of oil regiments from this city and
state now serving in the Army Of the United