Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-24
From WASHINGTON.

us ut'llp HEtlNeu at tue Navy I ara THIS
morning, and reports that the steamer
Yankee went up the Rappsbannock river
10 fredericksburg yesterday, having eau.
tiously passed through the sunken o5s,rnc.
tions in the channel miles below that
town. Our hotilla have captured several
rebel schoOners, one of which has IA valr.
able cargo of dry goods, medicines and sail
petre. They have also taken two small
steamers. tits further stated that the rebel
pickets nre occasionally seen on the south
side of the river. Our troops still com.
mand the possession of fredericksburg,
the residents of which are entirely free In
their business pursuits.
The bill reported from the Committee on
Military Affairs to-day authorizes and re.
quires the President to convene a Board,
to consist of two officers of the Engineer
Corps, one ordnance officer, one artillery,
two of the navy, two members selected by
reason of their scientific and special at
tainments, and an officers of the Corps OF
Engineers as secretary, whose duty be 10
examine and consider our seacoast and
lake Notifications, with especial reference
to such changes rs may be necessary or
advisable because of the introduction of
new elements of attack and defense, to ex-
anime into new devices for defence, and
struction offortifications as the Board NAV
think needful. The Board is to report to
the President for transmission to Congress
Its conclusions and results, with such sup
porting Information as may seem appro-
PIRATE. The President may, ifin his judg-
Inent the cxigencies of the country require
II, order the work recommended by the
commission to be commenced and prose-
cnted without the previous assent of Con-
gross.
The bill further provides, the amount
appropriated this session for Notifications
shall be expended under direction of the
President upon such defensive works as
shall be recommended by the commission
ers, and authorizes the President to accent
any sums of money loaned or advanced by
the several States for the construction OF
defensive works for the protection of the
States making such loans, upon such terms
MS shall be agreed upon between the proper
authorities. The board is also required to
examine and consider the proprietY of
constructing II navy yard and department
on northern lakes, of II foundry for heavy
ordnance, and also m nrmory and arsenal
of construction west of the Allegheny
mountains, and for additional arsenals of
deposit and repair, and shall be subject to
the approval of the President aud locate
the same ut such points MS shall, from pure
y military considerations, appear best for
the defence of the country.
The bill provides that there shall be nd j.
ded TO the number of cadets Mt both mill .
tary and naval academy, a number equal
to the present number allowed by existing
law in those schools, to be selected one
from each Congressional Districts and ter
ritories by the Academic board from among
such applicants as shall apply for admts-
sion, and who upon examination shall be
deemed best qualified, provided the mum.
Der added shall have all expenses betrayed
by parents and guardians, who shall be re-
quired to deposit with the Superintendent
OF the Academy at eacn year, the estimated
amount of money necessary to pay all ex-
penses for one year. The Cadets being
subject to all rules aud regulations esta6-
lished from time to time for tue govern
ment of said Academies.
No political news of importance is at
tached to the visit of the French Minister
to Richmond. III is said in quarters usu-
ally well informed on diplomatic subjects
that, although tho Southern authorities
may seek to take advantage of it, his 60
ing thither was on business in close con-
nection with tho consulates.
Undue Importance has been attached TO
the presence of ex-senator Gwin in
Richmond. 1t is believed his business is
of domestic rather than of political
character.
1t can be safely stated that the visit OF
these gentlemen to Richmond is not in tue
remotest degree connected with the U. S.
Government as has been without reason
affirmed.