Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-26
From WnNhimglOu,

WASHINGTON, April 25.-A special to the Post
says:
1t is reported here that the rebels at Norfolk,
fearing attack upon that city, have obstructed
the channel of Elizabeth river with vessels which
are to be sunk on the approach of our gunboats
Reverdy Johnson has written letter in which
he attempts to prove the unconstitutonality of
the act passed by Congress for the abolition of
slavery in the District of Columbia.
The Newbern Progress of the 18th says ten
DAYS before Burnside captured Newborn some 700
men assembled in Arundel county, west of Ra-
leigh, and hoisted the stars and stripes. A force
was sent from Newbern to reduce them, and
about twelve were killed.
1t is reported that ninety rebel cavalry
captured at Newport, including Colonel.
The New York Chamber of Commerce has
adopted a memorial to Congress proposing the
raising of two hundred and fifty million dollars
by taxation as follows: From all sales of goods
and merchandise and other property at retail and
wholesale tax OF one per cent, yielding your
memoralists believe. the annual sum of Sll5,-
600, 900; from the tariff the of fifty million
from an excise or tax on cotton of cents per
10 twenty four million; from an excise or tax
tobacco of % cents per 10 thirty million;
from an excise or tax on whisky aud other LIQUORS
of - cents per gallon t~ enty- five million; from
an excise or tax on malt liquors of cents per
gallon eight million; from direct tax on real
and personal property twelve million; total, two
hundred and sixty four million.
Com. Foote, owing to the wound received in
the battle of Fort Henry. has asked TO be relieved
from the command of the Western fleet, but the
Department hestates. IL is understood that
the Department has ordered Capt. G. III. Davis 10
repair to the squadron a. his second in command,
thus relieving him of much physical labor of his
responsible position.
In addition to what has heretofore been stated
in contradiction of the false statements of the
Richmond papers, there is good authority for
stating that Count Mercier, the French Minister,
had no official communication whatever with the
Southern authorities.
The report that Lord Lyons has gone to Rich
mond or is going is as untrue as the recent I'M
founded rumors of changes in the Cabinet.
The Navy Department is quietly though eff
GENTLY at work increasing the means of the ma
tional defense
The Atlanta Iron Works and Harrison LVring.
of Boston, have been awarded contracts for build
ing iron clad vessels under the recent law.
The Senate to-day in Executive session con
hrmed the nomination of George Cadwallader OF
Penns vania, and George II. Thomas of Nir-
GINA. as Major Generals. and Col. A. II. Terry
OF Connecticut, NJ S. Hascall. of Indiana, Maj.
H. W Vessels. OF the 9th infantry. Col J W
Geary and L. F. Ross of Indiana, as Bngadier
Generals.
The Senate, il ia said. rejected Nathan Reeve
as Assistant Quartermaster, and the following as
Brigacier Generals: J Ohm Cochrane H. II Lock
wood, c. F. Clark and Charles Dana
John Trumbull. of Tennessee was confirmed
as United States Attorney for the middle district
OF that State
The President 20 day recommended Daniel f
Sckles TO be a Brigadier General The proepeci
OF has confirmation il favorable