The New York herald., 1862-01-21

cordial reception at the hands of Napoleon the
Third and that the Prince Imperial was brought
forth in order to receive the blessing of his Grace
Of New York.
Count Bernstein, Prussian Minister for Foreign
Affairs, has addressed circular to the Kings Am
bassador at Washington, wherein he expresses
the apprehension entertained by the Berlin go
vernment that the Legitimate interests of neutral
States" would be ''injuriously affected" by the
Union blockade, as well as the unfortunate" JUS
tification of this apprehension by the carrying
away" of Mason and Slidell from the Trent. After
reproducing the leading features of the case, the
Minister observes His Majesty the King, ami
mated by the sincerest wishes for the well being of
the United States of North America, has desired
me to advocate the cause of peace with President
Lincoln, through you, in the most emphatic man
ner." Mr.. Seward has returned fitting and dig
nified reply to the Prussian Minister, the sub
stance of which will be found in our Washington
news to-day.
CONGRESS-.
In the Senate yesterday, petition was presented
asking for the continuance Of the Coast Survey;
also protest from citizens of New York against
the appointment of Solicitor of Customs for that
city. Bills in regard to the pay of naval officers,
providing for the appointment for one year OF ad.
.ional Secretaries of War to repeal the act except
ing witnesses examined before Congressional COM
mittees from examination in a court of justice,
authorizing payment for the property occupied by
United States troops and to promote the admins
tration of justice, were introduced and referred.
Resolutions offered providing for an overland
daily mail between Utah and Oregon, and to
authorize certain naval officers to accept presents
from the Japanese government. The bill amenda-
tory of the articles of war; imposing the penalty
of death upon spies and those forcing safeguards,
were discussed and laid over till to-day. The Consul
lar and Diplomatic Appropriation bill was taken up,
several amendments from the Finance Committee
adopted, and the bill passed. communication
from the government of Prussia, relative to the
Trent affair, sustaining the English view Of the
case, was received from the President and re-
ferred The report of the Judiciary Committee,
that no sufficient cause exists for the expulsion OF
Mr. Bright, Senator from Indiana, was taken up
and debated, but the Senate adjourned without
taking action on the subject.
In the House of Representatives a memorial
from the mechanics and laborers of the Brooklyn
Navy Yard was presented. William A. Hail.
member from the Third district of Missouri was
qualified and took his seat. resolution from the
Committee on Elections that Joseph Segar is not
entitled to represent the First district of Virginia.
was laid over. bill authorizing the Secretary of
the Treasury to settle with the States for supplies
furnished their troops, was referred. resolution
was adopted, that as Alabama has treasonably
entered into the rebellion the Committee on Public
Lands inquire into the expediency of confiscating
certain lands selected by that State under the law
of Congress- and that the same be applied t. the use
of seminary now in operation in that Territory.
The Judiciary Committee were instructed to in
quire whether further legislation is necessary to
secure to the relatives Of volunteers killed or
died, the bounty provided by the actof July last.
bill discharging from service on the LIST OF
March all volunteer regimental bands, was re-
ferred. The Secretary of War was directed to
furnish the names of those who distinguished
themselves in the battle of Dranesville. bill to
establish territorial governments in the revolted
States was referred. Mr.. Allen, of Ohis, offered
q resolution, that in the judgment Of this House
no part of the appropriation now or here
after made, nor of taxes now or hereafter to
be laid by Congress, shall be used in applied to
the prosecution of the for the emancipation Of
slaves in the slayeholding States of the Union Mr.
Blake, of Ohio, moved to lay this on the table.
Carried, 81 against 81. Mr. Holman, from the
~xaA
luton directing the Sergeant at Arms to bring be-
fore the bar of the house Henry Hickey. for an
alleged contempt Of its authority in not appearing
before them as witness at the time they held
meeting in Cincinnati. The resolution was adopt
ed. Mr.. Washburne, from the same committee,
reported bill for the payment of the expenses of
the committee, appropriating ten thousand dollars
therefor. The bill was passed. On motion of Mr..
Lovejoy q resolution was adopted instructing the
Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency
of reporting bill making void all sales transfers
and disposition of property of every kind by per-
sons engaged in insurrection against the United
States. On motion of Mr.. Blair, of Missouri, the
Committee on Ways and Means were instructed to
inquire into the expediency of levying stamp tax
on the notes of banks and other corporations cir
culating money. A bill to establish additional
judicial district in New York was referred. The
Legislative, Executive and Judicial Appropriation
bill was taken up, and debate on the rebellion
and the SLAVERY. question ensued, which continued
till the adjournment.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
To show that there is no probability Of any
speedy recognition by England of the South we
in position to state that the three batteries of
artillery which had been originally intended for
British North America, and landed by the Arabia
at Halifax, numbering nearly four hundred men.
will be despatched to Bermuda in the West Indies,
as soon as the necessary means of transportation
can be arranged.
A telegraphic despatch from San Francisco pub
lished in another column, gives additional particu
lars of the disastrous food which has recently pre-
vailed in the valley of the Sacramento. At Sacra-
mento Citv the water was from two TO eleven feet