The New York herald., 1862-01-11

whole of the other Powers in Europe, and caiis Oh
the French nation not to aid England in such an
act.
CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday, Mr.. Lane, of Kansas
referring to some remarks in the HERALD in reie-
renee to the contest between himself ana Mr
Stanton, who disputes Mr.. Lanes right to sea'
in the Senate said it not true that he had sent
his resignation to the Kansas Legislature, but IL
was true that he had accepted the Brigadier Gene
ralship rendered him. The report of the Judiciary
Committee in favor of expelling Waldo P. johnson
and Trusten Polk, Senators from Missouri, who
have joined the rebels, was adopted unanimously
and the Vice President instructed to notify the
A resolution was adopted calling on the Secretary
of State for list of all the American Consuis The
bill providing that persons confined IN the Jai
of the District of Columbia prior to the last
term of the Criminal Court be set free II no
indictment be found against them, was taken up.
As the object of the bill is to berate the fugitive
slaves now in prison, Mr.. Powell moved as an
amendment to except said fugitves when, on mo-
ton of Mr. Pearce the further consideration OF the
subject was postponed, and the bill made the spe-
cial order for Tuesday next. The motion to refer
the credentials of Mr.. Stark, the newly elected
member from Oregon, whose loyalty Is questioned,
to the Judiciary Committee, was then taken up,
discussed at some length, and finally adopted by a
vote of twenty-eight to eleven. The bill organic
ing the signal department Of the army was passed.
The bill relative to the appointment of suffers and
defining their duties was taken up. Mr.. Lane, of
Kansas, offered an amendment abolishng the sut-
Ter system, as it was nuisance and an injury to
the service. Mr. Carlile moved to recommit the
bill with instructions to abolish suffers and furnish
soldiers tobacco rations; but without any action on
the motion the subject was dropped.
In the House of Representatives letter was re-
ceived from the Secretary of War, in which he
states that measures have been taken to ascertain
who is responsible for the disastrous movement
at Balls Bluff, but that it is not compatible with
the public interest to make known those measures
at the present time. The paper was referred to
the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War.
A resolution was adopted directing inquiry
whether any legislation is necessary to procure
decent burial place for those who have died at the
Alexandria Hospital and its vicinity. reso-
luton calling for information as to the number
of paymasters in the army, and how many are
necessary for the service, with view of dismiss
ing such as are incompetent or are not required,
was adopted. In Committee of the Whole, the Civil
Appropriation bill was taken up, and long dis
tusson ensued on an amendment offered by Mr.
sStevens, appropratng sl50,O0 to supply the de-
icicncy for printing Treasury notes, in which
frauds between the officials OF the Treasury
and the engravers were charged. Finally the
amendment was rejected, as was also a clause APP
propriating 500, 900 for engraving and printing
Treasury notes. The committee then rose and the
subject came before the House for action, when
Mr. Stevens asked for vote by yeas and nays on
concurring with the committee saying that if the
question should be determined in the affirmative,
selfrespect would compel the Secretary Of the
Treasury to resign his Office. Further debate en-
sued; but without taking the question the House
adjourned.
Both houses adjourned till Monday.
The public frequently get the names of the three
United States Senators Lane confounded. Joseph
Lane was one of the first representatives in the
Senate from the State Of Oregon, and his term ex-
pire,. with the last Congress- He was killed off po
litically by running the ticket with John C.
Breckenridge for Vice President, in lSC0. James
H. Lane was elected to the Senate from Kansas,
but has recently accepted brigader gencralship
in the army. Henry S. Lane is now one of the
Senators from Indiana.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The State Senate met yesterday, but, on calling
the roll, quorum not being in attendance, it aG-
journed tiil Monday evening. The Assembly held
a short session, during which some twenty bills
were introduced, and notices given Of the future
introduction of some dozen more. Among those
introduced was the New York and Brooklyn Bag
gage and Passenger Express bill, which was re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee: also one to
amend the Revised Statutes relative to contracts in
this city. The remainder were not of particular
interest. Among the bills noticed were one to regu
late the dividends Of fire insurance companies one
to amend the Fremens act of 1853 and one in rela-
tion TO an amendment Of the Revised Statutes
resolution relative TO the irregularities in the State
printing contracts was discussed and adopted. A
resolution was offered but laid over, inquirinp of
the Governor whether the volunteers enlisted in
April last have been paid and IL not whether
legislation is necessary on the subject. The As
sembly adjourned tin Monday evening.
On Thursday night light air prevailed from
south and east, which was accompanied by thick
fog, which settled over cities and bay all yes
tcrday, and at sunset became very dense. The
progress of the ferryboats was much impeded.
and the navigation of all vessels rendered very
difficult and dangerous both by fog and ice, large
quantities Of the latter being broken up by the
soft and murky weather, and drifting about.
Should this weather continue short time there is
no doubt but that the ice will disappear. As yet
we have heard of no accidents to the shipping or
about the harbor. The Sound boats bound east
were all detained in consequence of the fog.
News has been received at Cairo confirming the
reported resignation of Gen. Pillow from the rebel
army. He surrendered his commission on the Sd
instant.
The rebels report that they have over one hun
dred and fifty riHed cannon mounted on the bluffs
at Columbus, and that the boats which sustain the
chain across the river contain torpedoes which can