The New York herald., 1862-04-03


effect. A conversation with one of the officers Of
the Monitor, ELECTED q statement which we have
been in possession Of for some time. 1t was to
the effect that when the Merrimac rushed on to
the Monitor to run her down, the latter vessel had
both her guns loaded. The collision made the
Msrrimac caresn, the two guns were then
discharged at her, and it was believed
by those on the Monitor that both shots
took effect just under the iron-clad de-
fence, breaking through everything. The es-
capped contrahauds' statement would almost,
il not quite, coroborate this belief, for
they state that the last two shots of the Monitor
were represented TO be the only that seriously
under her shield at the moment she attempted to
run the Monitor down." They report also the loss
among the crew Of the Merrimac to be very heavy,
as might be expected if two one hundred and
twenty-eight pound shot did really go through the
vessel carrying all before it, and not being able to
escape from the opposite iron-clad side rebounded
of whom were, doubtless, severely injured by the
splinters.
Advices from TenerifFe to the 26th of February
state that French squadron, composed Of two
shipsofthe line and four fgates, having on board
1000 infantry and 400 cavalry, had put into that
port and left for Vera Cruz.
c0NGREss.
In the Senate yesterday, Mr.. Latham, Of Cali.
fornis, read the correspondence between the
Secretary Of State and ex-President Pierce rela.
tive to the reasonable designs Of the Knights of
the Golden Circle, and said he had been repeatedly
urged to have committee appointed to invest
gate the subject, but that he had no time to take
from his duties to his own constituents. reso
luton was adopted calling on the Secretary Of
War for information as to what fraudulent drafts
had been accepted by Floyd while at the head of
the War Department, and what amount is now out
standing bill for the relief of the owners of the
Danish bark Joergen Lorentzen was passed The
House resolution in favor Of extending pecunary
aid to States desirous Of emancipstng their slaves
was then taken up, and, after Q brief discussion
adopted by vote of thirty-two to ten. The de-
bate on the bill providing for the abolition Of
slavery in the District Of Columbia was then re-
sumed, and continued till the adjournment.
In the House of Representatives bill authoriz-
ing the sale of life annuities, and fixing the value
thereof, was introduced and referred to the Com
mittee of Ways and Means. The Senate resolution
providing that whenever military operations re-
quire the presence of two or more officers of the
IA in <ha aald do r.
President may make such assignment without re-
gard to seniority of rank, was adopted by vote
Of eightyone to forty. At the request Of the Con-
tract Committee an order was adopted that Aaron
Higgins, of Boston, be brought before the bar of
the House on the charge Of contempt, for neglect.
ing or refusing to appear, in accordance with
subpoena of the Speaker, before Q subcommittee
of the same. The remainder Of the session was
spent in Committee of the Whole on the Tax bill,
the clauses relative to stamp duties expresses and
goods entered at custom houses being under
consideration.
MIscELLANEous NEWS.
In our State Senate yesterday the bill legalizing
certain acts Of our Common Council was passed.
A bill renewing the charter Of tho New York Deaf
and Dumb Institute was introduced, and, by unan.
imous consent, read third time and passed.
Several bills Of little general interest were report
ed upon favorably. Among those so acted upon
was that extending the time for the construction
and the route Of the Buffalo and ALLIE.
ghany Railroad. The bill for the coec.
ton of taxes on lands of non-residents was
ordered to a third reading. The concur.
rent resolution approving Of the scheme of the
Presidents late special message, for cooperation
Hat % t1J;. IL
cussed at some length and finally adopted by
twenty-four yeas to three nays. In the Assembly
the bill to suppress the concert saloons occupied
considerable portion Of the session. It was con.
sidered in Committee of the Whole, and several
members spoke on the subject; but no amend
ments were adopted, nor any decisive action taken
on it, it being finally referred to the Cities Com
mttee, to perfect and report complete. The Al
bany and Susquehanna Railroad bill was debated
and ordered to third reading. The bill for a
loan of ten thousand dollars to the Peoples Col
lege was also ordered to third reading The bill
for the sale Of Quarantine was made the special
order for to-day. We have received the report
made to the Assembly on Tuesday evening by the
select committee appointed to investigate the con-
duct Of the State Military Board in the fitting out
Of volunteers for the war. An abstract of this
interesting document will be found in the despatch
Of our Albany correspondent in another column.
This day will be devoted, in the States of Ma.sa-
chusetts and Maine, in response to Executive pro-
camation. to fasting and prayer.
The following table exhibits the pay which the
patriot soldiers Of the Revolution received, COM
pared with the present compensation of those Of
the same grade in the United States Army and
also the amount that is promised by JeK. Davis
Pay IN Rsu'ln. Present pay. Re5e! pay.
Colonel. ...... ..475 rs IFS
Lieut. Colonel. co so ITO