Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-08
STILL LATER

From the New York Herald of the 9Th and Phladel-
phia Inquirer Of the 4h and 5h make the following
selections:
| LETTER FROM TIE SECRETARY OF THI IREAsURr TO THE
COMMITTEE OF WAYS AND xEASS.
The following is an extract Of letter from the SEQ
rotary Of the Treasury 10 the Committee Of Ways and
Means:
"sR: have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of resolution Of the Committee OF Ways and Means,
referring to the House bill No GAG, and requesting my
opinion to the proprety and necessity OF its mme-
| date passage by the Congress.
The condition Of the Treasury certainly renders i'm
mediate action the subject Of aording provisions for
the expenditures OF the Government both eIpedent and
necessary The general provisions Of the bill submitted
to to be well adapted 10 the end proposed -
There are however, some points which may perhaps be
usefully amended.
The provision making United States notes legal ten
der has doubtless been well considered by the Commit
tee and their conclusion needs support from any OBJ
servation of mine. think il my duty however, TO say
In respec. to this provision my reflections have conduct
ed me to the same conclusions they have reached.
It is not unknown to them that have felt nor do l
wish to conceal that now feel, great aversion TO
making anything but coin legal tender in payment Of
debts II has been my anxious wish avoid the
sty Of such legislation. 1t is however, impossible In
consequence, OF the large expenditures entaed by the
war and the suspension Of the Banks to procure su
Gent coin for disbursements and il has therefore, become
sue of the United States notes. The making them
legal tender however, might still be avoided if the will
lii gness manifested by the pope e,eray, by railroad
companies and by many OF the banking institutions, -
receive and pay them as money in all transactions,
we're absolutely practically universal; but unfortunate
IL there are persons and some institutions which
refuse to receive and pay them aid whose action tends
not merely to the unnecessary depreciation Of these
notes but to establish discrimination in business against
those Who in this matter give their cordial support TO
the Government and IN faVor OF those who do not make
such discrimination.
That il possible should be prevented and provision
making legal tender in great measure, at least
prevents Il BY puDg all citizens in this respect on the
same level both Of rights and duties. The Committee,
doubtless nd the necessity Of accompanying this
ure by Liquidation necessary TO secure the highest credit
IS well as the lowest currency OF these notes. This
cury can be found, in my Judgment by proper pro.
vision for funding them in interest bearing bonds by
| WILL guarded legislative enactmenis, authorizing bank
ing associations with calculations based the bonds in
which these notes are funded and by udicious syI
tenn of adequate taxation, will not only create de.
mand for the notes. but by securing prompt payment Of
interest raise and sustain the credit oil the bonds Such
legislation will dvest legal tender clause Of the bill Of
luxurious tendencies and secure the earliest possible re-
turn 10 sound currency OF CON- and promptly collect
abls notes. beg leave to add, that vigorous military
operations and unsparng retrenchmeDts OF all unneces.
sary expenses will also contribute essentially to this de-
sirable end.
have the nohOr W NC, WAN 'e! B'oa' ieePe1 y0us'
truly,
tsigned) s. P. cHAss
Hon. T. STEVENS, Chairman.
SENATOR BRIGAT.
The count to-1ay OF the Senate, by leading senator's
gave Mr. Bright the following Senstors Bayard, Car
lie, Cowan, Harris Kennedy, Latham, Nesmitb Pearce,
Powell Salisbury, Ten Eyck, Thompson, and probably
Wilson.
Thirty-one pledged their votes to-day to vote to eI.
pel him This ia three more than enough, twenty weight
being sufficient, giving him Wilson. Tomorrow Sena
tors Dooittle and Dixon will speak 10 favor OF eI-
polling him, and Mr. Bright will himself make short
defence when Senator Sumner will close and insist upon
taking vote before adjournng.
| THE WAR IN MISSOURI.
ST.. LOUIS, Feb. 4.
Adyices form the West state that the lib Regiment
COL Stevenson, left Llmine for Lexington, on Monday
aud will hold that post during the winter They cannot
reach that place too soon Information has been re-
ceiyed that the day after that place evacuated by the
Kansas First Regiment the rebels cut down the Amer
can AIg Ga the Sunday following, the notorious Joe
Shelby, with gang Of reebooters, took possession Of
the town.
ALI the troops along the line of the Pacific Rsirosd
vest Of Jefferson City under marching orders The
Neba ka Frat Regiment is going across the country to
| Kansas
A number OF regiments are going south to join Gen
eal Davis aud Bigadier General cells brgaoe In CON-
ing down the road be forwarded TO Kentucky. Gen.
erI Pope will remain and make his headquarters at JEFF
ferson City.
ANOTHER EXPEDITION NEEDED.
lis grea, pity that our Government does not hurry
Nd the expedition for York river advance up there
would meet with but it'll, resistance, and short dis
lance beyond Yorktosn the railroad 10 Richmond could
be seized positively placing General Woods army in the
rear the Rebel army OF the Potomac, within two days
mai, - TO the Rebel capital Richmond. An expedition
IN the right bank OF the James River from Newports
Ness would be practicable. The latter river could be
easily crossed Hog Island and the Petersburg and
Norfolk Railroad sez,d aud Norfolk, cut of from COM
municaton with Richmond, would be at the mercy OF
Burnside entirely.
With the exception Of some diminishing ID the drec
ton of Pohick church and the village Of Occoquan there
nothing to report from the Army Of the Potomac.
party from the Third Michigan regiment advanced as far
as Deco guam on Monday and had slight brush with
pcket OF the rebel in which four OF the latter were
| seen 10 fall An attempt TO follow the accommodating
party OF the Michigan regiment was made as they re-
turned but the rebels did not enough TO do
| any damage.
The documents brought under the flag Of truce to
General McDowels division, turn out TO be an inuma
ton from JEFF Davis to President Lincoln that IL the
rebel bridge burners in Missouri hung according to
the orders oil General Halleck Colonies OorcoraD, Lee
and Others held hostages for the prvateesmen
in our hands, vil be hung in retaliation. Cabinet
M seng was held " erdAy 10 discuss this extraordinary
communication but the result snot dvulged II is evil
dent that the rebel leaders determined 10 make the
most of the advantage they have obtained in the pos
session Of our gallant officers.
The condition of the negroes or "contrabands," who
have been deserted by their masters and are now e
ug the refuge OF the UnOn army at Fortress Monroe s
occupying the serious attention Of Major Genl Wool -
er three thousand OF these negroes receiving
support and being employed In the several camps,
aud their number Is increasing every day. The difficulty
of taking care Of them is very great nasmuch many
| ~ than, ara composed of women and children and