The New York herald., 1862-04-04

a million and half of dollars for the purpose
The bill authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to
expend $50 900 in testing plans to render floating
batteries invulnerablc, was amended by reducing
the sum to $25 900 and then passed. bill giving
twelve months extra pay to the widow, child or
nearest relative of the officers and seamen of the
ships-of-war Cumberland and Congress was also
passed. Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts,, offered
resolution, which lies over insructing the Military
Committee to report what further legislation is
necessary to prevent army officers from aid
ing the return or having control over fugi-
tive slaves, and to punish them therefor.
Mr.. Davis, of Kentucky offered resolution,
declaring "that the war shall not be prosecuted in
any spirit of conquest subjugation but TO defend
the constitution and preserve the rights of the
several States unimpaired and that the United
States will prosecute the until this is secured"
This resolution was also laid over. A resolution
was adopted instructing the Military Committee to
inquire as to the expedency of restoring the armo
ry at Harper's Ferry. The bill providing for the
administration of the oath of allegiance to citizens
in foreign countries was passed. bill establish
ing Bureau of Clothing was reported by the Mill
itary Committee, and referred The bill abolshing
slavery in the District of Columbia then taken
up. The substitutes of Messrs. Clark and Dwight
were rejected. A substitute, providing for the
gradual emancipation of the slaves, with CON-
pensation to their owners, and the submis-
sion of the question to the people OF the
District alse rejected, by vote of tenyes to
twenty five nays. The original bill coming up,
Mr. Collamer, of Vermont offered an amendment
that the owners of persons held to service shall put
upon file the name and description OF the person
liberated by the bill within twenty days after
making claim for payment, or within such time
as the commissioners may limit, under the penalty
OF forfeiture Of the claim and that the clerks of the
court shall issue certificates Of manumssion to the
persons liberated. The amendment was adopted.
Mr. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, offered an amendment
appropriating 900 900 to aid in the voluntary emf
grafton Of the persons liberated by the bill and
other persons of color in the District Of Columbia
to Hayti, Liberia or other country. This was
agreed to by vote Of twenty-seven to ten and
the main question being taken, the bill passed by
a vote of twenty-nine yeas to fourteen nays. The
announcement Of the result was received with ap-
plause from the galleries.
In the House Of Representatives, the President
was requested, il in his opinion not incompatible
with the public interests, to communicate any in
formation which may be received at the Depart. |
ment Of State showing the system Of revenue or
finance now existing in any foreign country The
consideration of the Tax bill was then resumed in
Committee Of the Whole, the clauses relative to |
inland insurance, mortgages, stamp duties. the tax
on railroad passengers medicines and incomes be- |
ing under consideration. All the sections Of the |
bill have been acted on excepting the two relating
TO appropriations and allowances and drawbacks.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The Niagara, from Liverpool the 22d and
Queenstown the 23d of March, reached Halifax
yesterday evening. on her passage to Boston
Her news is ten days later than that brought by
the Jura, at Portland.
Consols closed in London on the 22d ultimo at
94h a 9iH for money. Cotton was dull, but
steady, at unchanged prices in Liverpool on March
%. Breadstufs were very dull and downward on
the same day. Provisions remained quiet.
The English government thinks IL rather deroga-
tory to the dignity of the kingdom OF Italy to be
discussing its affairs in the Parliament in London,
so a denial has been given in reply to a question
asking for information concerning the relations of
Great Britain TO the affairs of Victor Emanuel
The fortifcstion project of Lord Palmerston
both for the coast and the colonies, was defended
in the House of Commons by ministers, on the
ground of necessity.
The French Legislature has made an important |
advance in the path of free trade. The United |
States Minister in London had received a letter
from Secretary Seward, advising him TO announce
TO the British Cabinet the approval Of our govern
ment Of the project Of an Atlantic telegraph to |
Newfoundland. Lord Psmcrston's reception of |
the deputstion from the Atlantic Telegraph Com |
pany regarded as very favorable. Gsribaldi
had an enthusiastic reception in Milan. Kossuth
Klapka and General Turr had announced new
for the ibWation Of Hungary.
The steamship Northern Light, from Aspnwall
2jth ult. with nearly nine hundred thousand dol
lars in treasure from San Francisco arrived at this
port last evening.
The news from New Granada is dated at Panama
and Aspinwall on the 18th of March. The mail
from Bogota had not arrived az Panama. The
State scrip Of the Confederation of Columbia was
quite popular on the Isthmus. The question Of re.
opening the public schools was agitated. The
storehouses Of the Pacific Mail Steamship Com.
pany, situated on the Isla de Noa, in the Bay of
Panama. were destroyed by fire. The United
States ship Saransc was at Panama. a severe
storm was felt at Aspinwall on the 23d ult. and
the two next succeeding days. The vessels in the
port experienced some damage.
The news from the South Pacific il not import
ant. Chile continued in the path Of constitutional
reform and industrial development The President
was about 10 perfect arrangements for
the establishment Of line Of steamers
from Valparaiso 10 England, through the
Straits Of Magellan. The Aranco Indians had
burned their corn fields in order 70 deprive the
Chilean cavalry Of forage for their horses. The
people Of the republics were alarmed at the DE.
signs OF Spain, both in Mexico and their own re-
spective capitals Trade was improving in Val
paraso. Bolivia was Tranquil, after exploding
conspiracy against the President. The provinces
Of the Argentine Confederation we're at peace
General Canseco has taken command OF the army
Of Peru, in place of General san Roman, who has