New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-30
DECISION AGAINST THEIR VALIDITY.
THE TREATY WITH MEXICO.
REPORTS FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
Operations on the Lower mississippi.

The question OF the validity OF inc acceptances 10y
Floyd of tho drafts Of Russell, Majors Il Waddel
having been referred by the Secretary Of War to the
Attorney General that officer has delivered an elab
crate opinion against their validity holding, among
other things, that the acceptance OF drafts OF con-
tractor by the Secretary of War in advance OF the
earning Of the money against which the drafts are
drawn, is unauthorized by law; that such drafts SC
acc pied are not mercantile bills Of exchange, and
that the Of such paper were bound TO look
to the authority Of the Secretary of War to make the
acceptsDces, and that officer having no such author
ity, the Government is not legally bound to lift those
drafts. This statement does not cover all the points
considered by the Attorney General in his opinion,
which will be published in few days.
THE ATTACK on TIE REBELS NEAR CHARLES
TON.
We are assured upon authority not to be gansayed,
that Gen. Benbam, in attacking the Rebels 81 Seces.
sionve. not only disobeyed the positive orders OF
Gen. Hunter but acted contrary to the ADVICE 81 al
he General officers. One Of them does not hesitate
to characterize the affair wanton butchery The
popular impression that James leland, where Gen.
Hunters troops are encamped is unhealthy local
ity Il uufounded Semi-oicia letters received by the
cay SO.
TIE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SMITHSONIAN
INSTITUTION AND MIR. BROWNL0W.
Tie r7nouncement Of an address by Parson
Brownlow at the Smithsonian Institution on Mon.
day evening in aid of the Ladies Relief Asso-
citation, having been published before an oppor-
tunty had been afforded to those having the mat
ter in charge to see Professor Henry, the Superin-
tendent of the building that gentleman on saturday
morning called upon Mr.. Brownlow, and demanded
by whose authority the use Of the Hall bad been
granted him. The facts having been stated by the
Psrson. Prof Henry then mIudenty inquired if he
was influenced in the delivery of this lecture by
the same party who had engaged the services OF
Wendell Phillips, DIR. Cheever, and others OF
La, stamp last winter. intiinstug that if such
was the case the doors Of tic Smithsonian should not
If be could help it, he opened to him. Parson u.
calmly replied that he no party man, and on this
occsson had only consented NJ the solicitation OF a
number Of ladies to speak il behalf Of the sick and
disabled soldiers in and around W@sngton. lie
added, however, that the political associations, OF
complexion Of those who asked him would not nj
any time deter hi-, from accepting iryiiatiol %
speak in jDs, and holy cause.
TIE OFFICERS UNDER THE TAX ELL.
Before the Senate can adjourn, it will be obliged
10 pass npon the President, nominations to tie nu-
nerous Offices created By the Tax BILL they being
original appointments and not vacancies, which
alone can be filled daring the recess. The bill has
no, yet been laid before the Presiden, for his sigma
ture. Congress will therefore be unable to get away
30 soon Us many eager politicians desire.
THE GROWING UNION SENTIMENT IN NORTH
CAROLINA.
Flag Officer Goldstorough has forwarded to the
Navy Department several interesting reports from
the otfcnrs commanding in North Carolina waters
Com. Rowan writes from OF Plymouth that meet.
ing of the country people was held on board his YES
EEL the Philadelphia, on the 10Th inst, and adjourned
to tie Cusiom-House, where Col. Hawkins and
Capt Rowan told them that the Government wa
prepared to AID them in throwing of Rebel tyranny
and to put arms into their hands if they would or
ganize into companies for the purpose of defending
themselves. Twenty-Five signed their names, enc
enough more were expected at the next meeting, on
the 10Th, to form company TO constitute nucleu.
around which Union men can rally under tie protec
ton Of the gunboats.
Complaints having been made that Messrs. Linsey
Phelps and Spruel, residents on the Scuppernong
had threatened vengeance on all Union men whc
should take up arms, they were arrested by Capt
Rowan and sent TO Roanoke Island. OF this ste,
Gen. Burnside was informed, aud the matter wa,
referred to Gov. Stany. Capt. Rowan also say,
that he had satisfactory interview with the author
tiles at Edenton, and apprised one DIR. Hawkins, q
large planter who had threatened the Union PEG
pie, that if he did not keep quiet be would be ar
rested, whereupon Hawkins left for parts unknown
Lieut.. Cobun commanding the Huuchback
gives less gratifying accounts of the condition Of
affairs on the Backwaier. lie secured 100 fathom.
of chain cable which had been used TO obs,ruct the
channel at the battery near the mouth of the Black
water, and removed ono of three scbooners Oh
| strucing the river tire. mice above. At Franklin
~ mile, further up, he found two schooners and the
steamer Sing sunk near the railroad depot. The
railroad bridge WIS destroyed there, aud il WAS re
ported that another crossing the Nottoway and the
country bridge across the Backwater. hai also been
destroyed.
! Vie authorities Of Franklin had fed and tie con.
versa,ion Of the few people who remained indicated
there were no Union men there wels no Union men
there. Lieut.. Feisser captured the mouth o
the passquotank Il tense and other lighthouse ap
puriauces belonging 10 Ito Haueras and Body lslanc
Lights.
| OPERATIONS ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI.
An oihcer who has just returned IRON Nlcksburg
writing from Baton Rouge on the lith inst, say
that one of our gunboas, in coming down the iiye
few days before, was fired into and not LITTLE
damaged.
"The whole river" he adds, :" is lined with bat