Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-03
FROM WASHINGTON.

WAsHGNGToN, Dec rs.
Prominent members of Congress are con-
sidering new proposition for the solution Of
the contraband question, in order to avoid the
expenses Of supporting crowds Of slaves in
idleuess and TO furnish the American mills
Win vs.-..,s. iney tdhc Snv Etvs.s.A si.s-s tl.,
Indian Territory, west of Louisiana and Ar
kansas. was ceded 90 the United States by a
treaty, and on certain conditions. Without
provocati1n they have violated the treaties
and levied war on the United States, thus
rendering the treaties null and p1id. The
countries thus revorting to thc government
embraced the valles Of the Red, Arkansas
and other rivers, and contained about 20 000-
600 OF acres of cotton lands Of unsurpassed
fertility, capable Of producing about 5000
Oo0 bales OF cotton per annum. 1t Is pro-
posed to apply the principle Of Burton's
Florida Armed Occupation Act, and send
all contrahands to this territory, and APP
prentice them TO the settlers upon those
cotton lands, leaving the question OF their f.
nal disposition to be settled by Congress at
the close Of the var, All conuabands, as
fast as they come in, to be promptly forward
ed thither.
The Secretary Of War has ordered, for Col
BerJans brigade, Spence's magazine rifles
This gun fires eight times without charging,
AN can be re-charged and ready for eight ad-
ditional rounds in almost the same time that
the ordinary musket can be loaded once.
WAsnINGroN, Dee 90.
The flag offices Of the Pacific Squadron
writing from Panama December 18th says
all remains quiet at Panama and throughout
the lsthmus
Dispatches from commander Ridgely cruis-
ing oil the coast of Texas, have also been re-
ceved FROM which it appears that early IN
December he captured the English schooner
Fictoria, Of y tons, from Point Isabella
with a clearance from the rebel authorl-
ties having run the blockade the vessel
was sent to Key West. Seven of those on
board took the oath of allegiance, and siS
were detained as enemies of the United States
Information received to-day from Gen. Me
Calls division, is to the effect that early this
morning our pickets extending towards
Drainesville were driven in at the latter place
The rebel forces, it is believed, have beei
largely reinforced, hence increased watchful
ness on the part of our troops has becom
necessary.
The Secretary Of War has directed that n
more horses be bought, until all now be
longing TO the Government are in active ser
vice. Quartermaster Gen. Meigs, havin
been especially charged to carry this orde
into effect, the attention of all Quartermas
ters of the Regular and Nolateer army
called to the subject
The War Department has issued an orde
that no additional Cavalry Regiments be OF
Ranized. Those that have not been mustere
into service, will necessarily be transferred t
some other arm Of the military s ryice. Ih
Acting Assistant Paymasters recently al
, pointed by the Navy Department, will be II
terested to learn that unless they file the
bonds aud report for duty Immediately, the
appointments will be revoked.
Tonight fire broke out in the govern
ment stables near the Observatory. The
contained over 600 horses, between so az
: 200 of which persisted, OF train OF lC
Q horses belonging to Massachusetts reg
i ment, only II were saved. Some Of Il
i animals were SO shockingly burnt that it vi
9 Judged humane to shoot them in order to r
h lieve them from their suffering. 1t is su
posed the fire resulted from carelessness.
e quickly we're the flames communicated to Il
n various stacks filed with hay that the hors
IT in the stables were nearly all at the same tin
d suffocated. The scene was sickening and c
fensive.
/. This large loss affords an additional arg
Of ment for the employment OF steam hre
e. gines.
v. The President has nominated to the Seno
in Charles II. Foster Of North Carolina to
Marshall for that district.