The New York herald., 1862-02-05

The bill providing for the construction OF TWEEN
ty iron-clad steamers for the coast deiehce
was discussed, and recommitted TO the
Committee on Naval Affairs. A bill providing aid
for a railroad and telegraph line to the Pacihc was
referred to the special committee on that supJec.
The debate on the resolution relative to the expui
sion of Mr.. Bright was then resumed, Messrs'
Browning of Illinois, Dixon, of Connectcut; DO
little, of Iowa; Wiley, Of Virginia; Davis, oil heh
lucky; Sumner, of Massachusetts, and others par
ticipating in the discussion.
In the House of Representatives, the depate On
the Treasury Note bill was continued by messrs.
Morrill,, of Vermont, and Roscoe l.. Conknhg' oi
New York, in opposition to the clause making the
government paper legal tender. Full reports OF
their remarks are given i'll the record OF the Con-
gressional proceedings in to-day's paper.
In the Senate of our State Legislature yesterday,
the first business was the resolutions in reference
to the expulsion of United States Senator Bright.
substitute for the original resolutions was finally
adopted-2l to Sin effect declaring Mr.. Bright to
be traitor, but leaving our Senators in Congress
uninstructed with regard to voting on his expul-
sion. Bills were introduced to define the powers
and duties of port captains and harbor masters OF
tut pOIt VI UcW YIN, W ShuOA0. eAS NV 49, ~
incorporation of fire insurance companies to regu-
late the sale of hay and straw in this city and
Brooklyn relative to Kings county jails and in re-
lation to closing extending and widening certain
Brooklyn streets. A favorable report was made
on the Kings county Supervisors bill for borrowing
money to build a new Court House. The annual
report of the State Normal School was presented.
The Assembly was occupied during the greater
part of the day in Committee of the Whole, over o
number of bills. Considerable business was trans
acted by the committee but nearly all of it either
of only local private character. The bill rela-
tive to agencies of foreign insurance companies
was ordered to a third reading; also the bill to
amend the General Fire Insurance Company act
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The steamship Edinburg, which sailed from Lii
verpool on the 22d and Queenstown on the 23d Of
January, is due at this port with European news
three days later than that brought by the Africa.
This makes the fifth transatlantic steamer now on
their way to American ports.
The steamship Northern Light arrived at this
port yesterday, bringing interesting intelligence
from the South Pacific, &c. From San Salvador
learn that plot to assassinate General Barrios
the President had been discovered in time to pre-
vent its being carried out. We also have informa
ton of deep laid plot for the abduction or assas-
sination of General Castillo, matured on the night
of January l; but the scheme, as in former in
stances failed in its object, from the treachery Of
some Of its authors. The design appears to have
been to induce the General to go on board the
Ucayali, steamer then lying in Chorillos harbor,
and then to take him prisoner; but for some reason
he refused to go, and the plan was then arranged
to take him or assassinate him at his residence;
but this also failed of success, as Castillo
was warned in time to escape. The Minister
Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary, Mr..
Christopher Robinson, from the United States, was
duly received by the Peruvian authorities on the
10th ult. The whole civic and military powers of
Lima were in requisition to do honor to the vete-
ran. and to evince sympathy and regard for the
honored republic which he represented. A serious
riot occurred at Aspnwall on the Gath of January,
between the police and the soldiery sent from
Panama by the Governor They got into quarrel
with the jaior, broke open the Jail and set all the
prisoners at liberty. Subsequently they went
around the town and arrested several innocent and
respectable persons opposed to the administration
in politics. Several shots were fired, and one or
two men were killed and some wounded.
Our correspondent in Belize, Honduras, writing
on the 18th of December, says:-Trade is dull.
Lumber scarce and very dear. Provisions plenti-
full and low. new tariff is to be made on the
1st of March. This settlement is to be designat
ed as colony during the present year. The I'm
migration bill will most likely be passed, in hopes
of developing the resources of the country.
The legislative committee resumed their inves.
LEGATIONS into the shoddy clothing and military
IT, Jo., % 10 IL,
las Hotel and were in session from nine O'Clock in
the morning until late last night. Between forty
and fifty witnesses have now been examined The
testimony ELECTED yesterday is said to be of the
richest character, showing absolute favoritsm on.
the part of the State Military Board in giving their
contracts to the highest bidders. Indeed it is
known that such downright swinding has been
proven that the people will be amazed when it is
made public. The immaculate Thurlow Weed
figures very conspicuously in the testimony. Some
twenty more witnesses have been subpGnaed for
tomorrow, from whom some spicy evidence is
expected. As the committee will likely leave for
Albany on Thursday, it is not probable that their
investigation will be completed this week.
beautiful specimen Of the operations of the
cred tape'' method Of doing business is exhibited
in transaction the part of some Of the govern.
ment officials with Mr.. Solomon sturgs, of Chicago
man well known for his generosity in contributing
funds in aid Of the volunteers. 1t appears that
Mr.. Sturgis was the owner of a steamtug which
was very much needed by the government on the
Mississippi river, and notice to that effect was
given him, the tug having cost originally. 81, 900
"a an additional cost Of ..:.:............ $500
She was then taken from the lake through the
Illinois canal and river and down to st.
Louis, at an expense Of of................. 500
No government agent could be found author.
lied to purchase, and Mr.. Sturgis went to
Secretary welles, by whom he was referred
TO Secretary Cameron, who turned him over
TO Quartermaster General Meigs, who
sent him to General Halleck not one of
whom Could render any satisfaction. This
roundabout movement entailed an addi.
tional expense of. f........s.............. 200
Mr. Sturgis then left for home, and shortly
after received news that his tug, after be-
ing seized and used for q time by the Pro-
vost Marshal, had been allowed to sink at
the landing; but the wharf master had