The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-04
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, May 8, 1861.

THE NATIONAL TAX BILL.
The Senate Finance Committee making such slow
progress in their tnkering upon the Tax BILL that Il will
/ probably be reported without material amendment.
Upon some Of the most important alterations proposed
the committee in the absence Of of its members. is
at a dead lock, and consequently the amendments
fail. An effort will be made In the Senate to sub
sttute almost totally different scheme OF raising
revenue. The objection principally urged against the
House bill il, that 1t embraces too many subjects Of
taxation and renders the collection Of the tax infinitely
more complicated than is necessary general desire
Is manifested for the smplGcaton of the system, and
consequent reduction OF the number Of gatherers
CURED to execute it.
VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT AND MRS. LINCOLN TO THE
NAVY YARD.
The President and Mrs. Lincoln visited the Navy Yard
this afternoon to witness interesting trials Of
breechoadng cannon invented and patented by parties
In Cincinnati large number or ladies and gentlemen,
including several members Congress-, present
The first discharge OF the piece interrupted Of the
Presidents stories, after which the experiments pro-
ceeded in satisfactory manner At the first trial three
shots fred rapidly that tho rst struck the water
just as the last one left the gum
GENERAL ABERcRoMpIE REMOVED FROM COMMAND
At wARREkToN JUNCTION.
General Absrcrombis lately In command Of the troops
at Warrsnton Junction. has bssn ordered 10 report
Some persons here surprised at the change but tho
truth that bitter complaints have been made by the
officers and soldiers stationed at Warrenton Junction
against General Abercrombie, that he has regarded the
protection Of the secessionists In that neighbor-
hood more than the comfort and health OF his
troops 1t s alleged that, while soldiers with.
out fresh provisions, and living scant
tions, in . swampy, unhealthy locality, they
were made to guard rebel property, instead Of con-
Ascating articles necessary for their comfort and
health rebel cavalry captain, whom they captured in
his bed with his uniform lying by his side, his
sion being in his coat pocket released These things
may have caused General Abcrcrombe to be sent TO
Fortress Monroe, where there is Retiring Board
LETTER FROM GENERAL W. r. SMITH TO MR.. NOR
RILL. N. c., RELATIVE TO THE CHARGE OF In
TOxICATION.
Tho following letter, from General W. F. Smith, the
commander Of the troops the fight at Lees Mills.
Yorktown, the 10th ultimo, read by Mr.. Morrill,,
OF Vermont in the House OF Representatives Friday
last during his remarks explanatory Of the origin Of tho
charge Of ntoxcaton alleged against the General:
readers will bear in mind that General Smith has been
proven guitless Of tho charge by unimpeachable wit
nessos Of his conduct during the fight alluded too:
CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN Va, April 80, 1862.
Hon. JUSTIN c. MORRILL,
SIR-You have IT. in your place in the nouse OF
Representatives to utter foul SANDER against You
have offered TO tho country evidence in support OF
L 1
can learn, taken no public steps to collect testi
mOny 10 substantiate your charges, and the
%no Colleagues hs~s TO
from you open and frank apology. il my time
to speak, and here face 10 face with bravo foe turn
back TO YOU assassin, and tell you you prove
your charge against me or make your retracton pup
lie as the libel and am certain that throughout the
| to compel VIM. r. SMITH,
Commanding division in the Army Of the Potomac.
Tho Emancipation Commissioners holding
regular sessops and receiving petitions for compeasa
lion for cmancipassd slaves Tho Commissioners have
prepared form OF tho statement required under oath
rom zach claimant and viii proceed to examine tho wit
nesscs substantiatc each Claim in regular
When the evidence in all tho complete tho ap-
praisenens will 10 made and reported the Secretary
| Of the Treasury for payment
Thus far, within days. applications have been
ed for compensation for fortywo Of the slaves
mtod In tho District OF Columbia under the Emancpa.
| tion act.
our BRIdADIBR GENERALS.
The latest count shows that there now ono hun
drcd and sixty brigadcr generals that twenty
| six in addition await Senatorial action.
favorable report has boon mado on the denomination
Of Daniel <. sices and ters to be doub,
| that no will soon be confirmed.
The bill proposing to limit tho number Of brgadier
generals 10 hundred and Of major generals twenty
| six, In all probability VIII become q law.
NAVAL ORDERS AND APPOINTMENTS.
Tho Navy Department has made tho following appoint.
| ments:-
James seam,n, Acting Third Assistant Engineer OF
| United States steamship Dragon, at Hampton Roads,
Commander John A. wnsow ordered to report to Flag
| Oricer Foots for duty.
o. J. Bissel, Michigan, appointed Acting Assistant
Surgeon ordered to report to Commodore Pauldng for
duty.
Acting Master Isaac Warren, detached from the Flag
ordered to United states steamship Fort Henry.
Acting Master d. r. Mosman, detached from tho Fort
Henry, ordered to United States steamship Flag.
Masters Mte C. J. Hubbeli, of Jonesv ile Wis., has
deserted, after having drawn two months advance pay
| THE CITY OFFICIALS TAKING THE OATH OF ALLIE
GLANCE.
The oath Of allegiance is being administered TO oil the
officers and employees Of the city government OF WASH
ngton Thus far have declined this OF loyalty
THE NEW SECRETARY OF THE FRENCH LEGATION.
vcompto Jules Treihard has arrived here, assume
the position Of First Secretary Of the French legation
in the place OF Monsieur Louis dc Georoy who has
bcen appointed by the Emperor Napoleon Minister to
| Greece.
CONSULAR REcoGSITIoNs.
The President has recognized J. c. Kondrup as Vice
Consul for Denmark in and for tho District of Coumb
and \. s. Sayres Vice Consul OF Denmark for penpsy
vania, at Philadelphia.
| NO TOBACCO TO BIZ RAISED THIS SEASON ny THE
REBELS.
According TO reliable Information from Richmond tho
planters have determined to raise no tobacco this sea.
son, and the military had seized this stock on hand TO
prevent its falling into the hands OF tho federal army
| SMALL CROPS IN MARYLAND.
The farmers Of Maryland will raise but crops this
scason. The weather has been unravorabc for following
and early seeding and the state OF as make Thorn un.
certain what to do Most Of them have sufficient employ.
mont, however, in looking for thor runaway negroes
FOREIGN ADvEYTURER UNMAsKED.
Count Sweintz Grain, is the name OF an adyenturer
| who came to this country several weeks since
| bearing letters supporting to have been written
| by a general who served under the Archduks
| MACMILLAN, recommending him to Baron Huse.
manu. Austrian Minister, and desiring him 10