Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-01-03
GENERAL NEWS.

GENERAL NEWS.
The preparations for Gen. Burnsides Ma
val Expedition are rapidly being completed,
and il will probably soon sail, There are
now at Annapolis IA steamers, propeller 4
ships, 3 barks, brig, IL schooners, float
ing batteries, besides little despatch steam
tugs-in ALL Al vessels. Gen. Burnside and
stall have also taken possession of the
Picket, handsome little propeller of 400
tons and have made it the llag-ship of the
transport fleet. The preparations are all on
the most extensive scale, aud the expedition
is strong enough to strike as hard blow us
Com Dupont did at Port Royal
The Banks of New York suspended spe.
Gle payments on Wednesday and their ex-
ample was followed by the banks of Phla.
delphia, Boston and other places. The specie
fund OF the New York banks decreased near
seven millions OF dollars last week. and
amounted on Saturday to about twenty-five
millions.
Adyices from New Mexico contradict the
reported massacre Of twenty men by the
Indians The legislature has petitioned
congress for an appropriation of land for
Indian reservations, and that the territory
may he relieved of the tax recently imposed.
The law for the protection of slave proper
ty has been repealed by an almost unani-
nous vote
In Kentucky a slight skirmish has taken
taken place in Adair county; five rebels
were killed, but no Union men. Humphrey
Marshall, with $500 men, is lortifying Pres.
tonburg. Gen. Buell. has sent brigade,
under Col. Garfield, against him. Wrts of
attachment have been issued against the
property of Buckner, Preston, CrutchGeld
and other prominent rebels.
An anomaly in the social life of Washing.
ton, and in the etiquette established by Pre-
sidential precedent, is the fact that the
President dined at Secretary Cameron's or
Tuesday evening. The dinner, given in
honor Of Gov. Curtin, was attended by Sec
retaries Chase, Blair and Seward; Senators
Chandler, Wade and sumner; Sneaker
Grow, Adjt.-GeH. Thomas, and Gen. Mccall.
The Presidents entry was informal, and
after the other guests were seated.
The steamtug Starlight left Fort Warren
al L o'clock on New Years day. with the
traitors Mason and Slidell, and their secre.
taries, for Provineetown, where they will be
transferred to the British war steamer ri.
nnldo now lvin1 tbara
Private letters received in Washington
state that the sea voyages have had a very
favorable effect upon Gen. Scott's health.
lie does not intend soon 10 visit Wash
inglon.
Gen. Mcclellan is said to be quite in with
typhoid fever
a vast eoneonrse- WAS present at the Pre-
sideTTs leyee, on Wednesday, The menu
hers of the Supreme Court, the foreign min
listers, including Lord Lyons and Mr.. Mer-
cicr with their ladies, the officers of the
army and navy, headed by Gen. Mcdowell,
anl civilians ia great nunheis were present
lha run,op published few days ago 10
The effect that JEFF Davis had appointed
Aessrs. Breckenridge and Hunter ministers
to the Court oF ST. James and St. Cloud is
PROBABLY true. The Halifax (N 81 Express
of December 18th says that MIR. Breckin.
ridge srrived in that place about week
before, and that he sailed on the 18th in the
Canard steamer Canada for England.
some dissatisfaction appears 10 be max.
ing its way into the southern press on ac-
count of the unpromising condition Of re.
bel affairs. The Augusta Ga, Constitu-
'ionalst and the New Orleans True Delta
are out in full cry against the management
of jeff. Davis & Co., whom they charge with
perulation, mistaken policy, selhshness and
want Of yigor.