Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-17

WASHINGTON. Jan l6-The specials 70 New
York papers contain the following:
1t is thought that Gen. Stone will be detached
from duty in this vicinity and sent to the Western
frontier.
IL is not true that Assistant Secretary Scott
will be tendefed the post OF Secretary OF War.
Some important changes will be made in the
personnel of the War Department.
Small pox and cases like camp typhoid fever
are occurring in this city and Georgetown. and
there is considerable alarm exists among the cif-
zens
Rumors are rife of the discovery of fraud com
mitted by those raising and equpping regiments.
Double rations have been drawn and other sup
plies for force on paper and not regularly re
cruted
The Committee of WAYS and Means this morn
ing agreed to postpone the 800 600 400 Treas
ury note bill for the present. and to substitute
bill which provides for the issue of Treasury GER
tificates bearing interest which will be issued 10
creditors.
The Bank Commissioners and Secretary Chase
having come TO substantial agreement, the
Committee of WAYS and Means are holding
consultation with the Secretary on the subject
The Commissioners of Patents has issued
circular in which he says the cultivation of cot.
ton in the middle portion of the free States is be-
ginning to attract general attention.
1t is, however, principle In vegetable physi-
ology. that tropical plants can not be acclmated
in the North, except by q repeated re production
of varieties by seed.
The attempt to grow sel-island cotton, such as
is brought from Hilton Head. would prove a
failure in any other portion of the free States
The only variety capable Of successful cult
Walton i'm those sections seeking its introduc-
ton is the green seed cotton, such as is now be-
ing raised extensively in Arkansas, Missouri,
Tennessee, and portions of Kentucky, and which
produces the whole fiber Seed should be OBJ
tanned from these localities
The notifications of soil and climate will in
fuence the size of the crop, the length and fine
ness of the fiber, and the product of the crop.
Efforts now making by this Department TO
procure the proper seed for distribution
The Commissioner further saws:
The result of the cultivation OF Sorgho the
past year. settles the question of its practical sue
cess and that of the difficulties presenting it
self is want of pure seed to meet this want This
division has ordered seed from France for distri-
button the ensuing spring.
The same causes which have produced deteri-
Grafton here exists there, and well grounded ap-
prehensions entertained that seed thus i'm
ported may not be free from suspicion.
On Tuesday the rebel batteries on the Poto-
mac fired twenty shots at an oyster pongey, but
did not hit it,
Yesterday feet of similar vessels ran the
blockade without being fired on, and arrived
safely at Washington.
The Government Contract Investigating Com
mttee is now engaged on the subject of the
illegal frauds in this vicinity. They discover that
| the same horses have been twice sold to Govern
ment Superintendent and Inspectors who have
been bribed to certify to horses, sometimes sell
| ing them to private individuals.
The enormous amounts paid by the War De
partment has induced strong competition among
railroad companies, so that many Colonies in the
West in moving their regiments East, have re-
ceivcd from 81 500 to 1900 bonus; that some
suffers are making $4,000 profit per month; that
nearl, all the suffers south of the Potomac sell
! liquor with the knowledge of the officers that it
is Struggled in boxes marked Government and
hospital stores, packed in barrels marked beef.
So far about 900 prisoners on each side have
been exchanged, mostly of whom were connect
ed with the army of the Potomac.
This movement, inaugurated by our Govern
ment, is fully recprocated by the rebel author
! tiles
The Senate was in executive session four hours
| to-day upon the nomination of Cameron Min
lister TO Russia The debate is represented as
earnest and spirited. No definite vote was taken