The New York herald., 1862-04-03

which the allegation is repeated should a. simple act OF
not the manner % q A'y your % oincal note, as YOU YOU
seem To suppose any form Of address, which awak
ened on my part deep sense Of wrong. These what.
ever they may have been, were not worthy Of
notice. Tho substance was what intended az cour.
teousIy could but very distinctly. to rspel am,
very respectfully your 0Oedisns servant, s.D
Hon. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary Of State. Washington,
Senator Latham suggested that committee should be
appointed ferret out the Knights Of the Golden Circle
there being doubt whether organization has
existed. This would afford nns field for some enter
prising Senator'S.
Tho following orders and appointments have bsen
made at the Navy Department.
Com. j. r. NJ Mullany has been ordered to report a.
Philadelphia, for the command Of tho United States
steamer Bienville.
Acting Assistant Paymaster z. p Heberton has been
ordered to report to Commodore Paudins for duty
Marshall E. Simmons, of Marion Mass appointed Act.
ing Assistant Surgeon and ordered report to Commo
dore Pauding.
John H. Platt, Of New York, and Lathrop Baksr. Of
South Yarmouth, Mass. appointed Acting Masters, and
ordered to the navy yard New for instruction in
gunnsry.
Sylvanus Nicksrson, Of South Yarmouth, Mass. and
Charles W. Pratt, Of Nashua n H., appointed Acting
Masters and ordered Boston for instruction in gun
merry.
Lieutenant J. p. Hall has been ordered to report to
Flag Officer Foots.
W. Il. Molthrop, OF Portland, Oregon, has been ap-
pointed Acting Master, and ordered report to Flag
Officer Charles n. Boil for duty in the Pacific squadron
Anthony Smaley, Of South Harwich, Mass; Albert "
Keith, Of warrentown, Ohio Charles R. wilkins of g.
sm Mass; Thomas ChatAeld OF Catuitport, Mass ap.
pointed Acting Masters and ordered 10 the New York
Navy Yard.
Lieutenant W. McGsnnesle ordered to report to Flag
Ofacer Foote
RESIGNATION OF COLONEL VAN ALIEN.
Colonel j. H. Van Allen has resigned the coIonelcy Of
the Third Now York cavalry which has already won dis
tinction undor the nsms Of the Van Allen Cavalry To-
day very complimentary letter was addressed by ell
the commissioned officers Of the regiment to Lieutenant
Colonel s. H. Mix urging him to accept tho colonslcy
He raised the regiment, and has labored hard since
nrst organized to render complete and efficient
Aided by Major John Mix formsry Of tho Second United
States cavalry he has succeeded In making equal to
any regular cavalry evor in the service.
PROMOTION OF CoLoNEL RoDxAN.
The nomination Of Colonel Rodman. Of the Fourth
Rhode Island regiment Brigadisr General account
Of the gallant conduct Of that regiment at the battle Of
Newborn has elected much comment in the Senate Com
ittss on Military AAirs. It is stated with much en-
due to Col. j. J. Mccarthy, by whom it was raised
and brought to its present state OF efficiency BY his
energy industry and complete familiarity with the re-
qurements Of drill and discipline madc Of tho
best regiments the SERVICE and although refused the
command by the State authorities the COMMITTEES are Of
opinion that the credit Of its performance should be
awarded to him.
VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT TO MOUNT VERNON.
The President, accompanied by a party Of personal
friends visited Mount Vernon by steamer to-day The
order dispensing with passes for citizens Is to restore
matters far possible in this section Of country to
the condition In which thoy existed the
mont OF the war.
THE PROMOTION OF COLONEL DEvENs.
Colonel Devens OF the Massachusetts, Fifteenth who
has been nominated for Brgsdier General is the favorts
OF tho Massachusetts, delegation who say that hs
this nomination in the baptism Of fire at Balls Bluff
GENERAL sIcxLEs STILL IN COMMAND.
General Sckes Is still In command Of his brigade He
has never been notified officially that no rcjscted It
s probable that he will retain the command,
will afford him opportunity to raise himself above oil
enmty
THE STEVENS FLOATING BATTERY.
In answer the resolution Of tho Senate the Secretary
OF tho Navy has sent 10 that body letter transmitting
copies Of correspondence between Edwin A. Stevens,
executor Of Robert L. Stevens and the Navy Department
In reference tho construction Of the steam naval bat
tory contracted TO be built BY Robert L. Stevens. Ii
stated that the payments on the work amounted in the
aggregate - Ave hundred thousand dollars Among the
documents IL letter from A. stevens dated December
1855, to J. G. DobbIn, then Secretary Of the Navy
announcing the death Of his brother. and
stating that, on account q bis familiarity with
his brothers Affairs, and his participation
In the experiments which led 10 the contract with the
government, he ehesrfuy gives bis services for the
compilation Of the work, for the dssnt prosecution
which he expresses great anxiety Letters shIs esc,
70 Hon. Isaac fsuosy Secretary Of Navy under the last
ADMINISTRATION, and also to the present Secretary
the Navy, are included In this correspondence
The letter TO Mr. Toucsy asks that sum, appropriated
BY Congress It's previous session. Of eighty thou
sand dollars be paid him for work 70 bs done and ma
sras 10 b hereafter delivered the sasastion Of the
inspecting oncsr. which reply made that the do
partment has power under the TO pay the
balance OF The Stipulated for the construction Of the
stevens war steamer until II is completed and
accepted BY the government letter from Mr. steven,
TO Mr. wsss under date Of October IT, 1884, suggests
that he bs allowed to prepare at the expense Of the
vsrnmsnt target the cost not exceed fifteen hun
drsd OF two thousand dollars, which shall represent
section Of the vessel ana shall test s cspaby Of resist
ing shot and SHE'LL the experiments to bs made before the
Board Of Examiners appointed by the Secretary for ths
purpose. The Secretary replies that, "no appro-
pristion having been granted BY Congress, II
10 impossible for the Departments 10 authorize
the expenditure suggested, but the Board con.
slider 10 necessary the department viii recommend
Congress refund any expense not exceeding two thou
sand dollars, incurred 10 accomplish the wishes OF the
board. The corrsspcrdsnce exhibits the abd.
Ing confidence Of Mr.. Stevens In the sxeslsncs
OF the battery, and the willingness Of the
IA c0mplation
ever authorised by Congress. II 10 apparent,
ALSO that during this delay the original invention the
csssity for which has been 40 sgnay demonstrated In
the recent experiments In Norfolk hsrber has been
tnusy improved BY practical and scientific amend
msnts, until has attained as near perfection az
floating iron clad battery can attain.
BULL Run RUSSELL IN TROUBLE.
LID. Russell, Of the London Tmes with his horse,
and carriage was elected from the chartered sse.s,