The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-03-12
BY TELEGRAPH
Congressional

the ouice OF ConHnnhulnp ueneral OF the
Army and Navy. The Military Committee
Of the House Inns reported n bill authori
zng the Commanding Generals to destroy
cotton, tobacco, and other produce and pro-
perty liable TO fall into the hands Of the
Federal forces. Compensation to the own.
ers is to be provided by subsequent legi-la.
tion. The bill will undoubtedly become
law at au early day.
RICHMOND. March 5.-Both branches Of
Congress were to-day occupied in discuss
ing the bill authorizing the Commanding
Generals 10 destroy cotton, tobacco, etc,
liable TO fall into the hands Of the enemy.
The House of Representatives adjourned
after having refused to pass the clause pro
viding for compensation to the owners Of
the produce destroyed. The opinion is
gaining strength here that there will be no
change in the Cabinet
RICHMOND, March 7th.-A bill was intro
duced in the House TO day to purge the
military service Of all ignorant and nefii
cient officers
Mf Foote presented bill authorizing
the Secretary Of the Treasury to purchase
as far as practicable, all cotton and tobacco,
paying one-four,h Of its ralue in Confcde
rate note, and the balance in twenty years
bonds, bearing m interest Of eight per cent
II also provides that all cotton and tobacco
heretofore burnt shall be paid in bonds OF
eight per cent.
Another bill wns introduced authorizing
an export duty of several cents pee pound
on all cotton grown the present year. and
simp'ur dates, OF blank cents, on Tobacco,
bnt the duties TO cease at :he raising of the
blockade.
Also bill Of all Cotton and Tobacco.
unless in exchange for war munitions, iron.
clad steamers, and other articles essential
in war, providing that it shall not include
Cotton and Tobacco previously purchased
by foreign States. now :heir actual owner.
Senate unimpor'nnt, except the confirmn.
ton Of c. S. Wnder, of Maryland rs Brig
adler General
Congress has pas.ed n bill regulating the
destruction Of property under military ne.
cessity. The first section authorizes mill
tary authorities to destroy all cotton and
tnbncco military or naval stores. or other
property, which may n,d the enemy. The
second section provides that property de-.
stroyed by owners or military, if testimony
Of such destruction bs made conformablv
TO law, shall be paid for out Of the proceeds
Il manner hereafter 10 be provL.d for.
A project is on foot, and is favorably con.
sidered in prominent quarters. for the Gov.
ernment to take all cotton that may be sub
scribed TO the Produce Loan, at nine cents
per pound. md ns much more as may be
subscribed on the same terms for Govern
ment Bonds, and send an agent immediate.
ly to Europe TO negotiate for its sale on
the naked basis OF n treaty with NAPOLEON
II is believed that IL million Of bales of
cotton can De offered to the French com.
mercinl interest, at u fair price, TO b. deiv.
cred in this country, France will open the
present inefficient blockade and take pos.
session Of the property.
IL is further proposed that our Minister
10 France shall be instructed to propose n
treaty TO the Emperor (On the condition Of
his opening the blockade), to grant, for
limited timc, favorable discriminate tons in
commercial relations as against England
oh md
about making treaties with US.
From the West.
MEMPHIS, March 3.-I.a,s advIces from
Nashville represent that there are only three
Union flags flying there. The invaders are
said to be surprised and chsgrined on ac-
count OF the want Of sympathy towards
the Yankee cause exhibited by the people
Of the city. On Thursday night. Captain
Morgan. the dHshing partizar. with his Ken
tucky cavalry, captured ninety Of the enc
nv, while engaged in outpost duty. The
Federal pickets, which have now bcen
thrown out rs far down rs franklin, twen-
ty miles South Of Nashville, are either kill
ed or captured every night. A skirmi.h
took place at Savannah, near Eastport, on
Friday, 10 which eighteen Of the enemy
tfrom the sunboats) were killed. We lost
four killed.
Gen. Sydney Johnson is falling back
within convenient supporting distance Of
the Memphis ard Charleston railroad.
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