Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-19
Grlrgrapbit 9lrDs.
FROM New York .

From New YORK.
New YoEK, May IA special to the Times
from Washington saws;
Gen. Hunters proclamation excites scarcely
any interest in Washington, no one attaching
aly Importance as to its efficacy to produce the
end designated. Martial law is only enforced by
martial power, and Hunter has no force at his
command adequate to enforce this proclamation.
His declaring freedom to all the slaves IN three
States. when be has no power to free single one
outside of his camp. is regarded in Washington
as act of qualification highly discredtable to
any one holding the rank Of General supposed to
have ordinary intelligence.
If the military power is Withdrawn from Hun
ter's department before his proclamation is exc
cuted throughout those States, it is conceded that
the civil power will not complete or countenance
what martial law proclaimed bat did not practi-
cally execute.
The Presidents policy 10 supposed to be au-
shOritatively settled by his action in Fremont's
case, in which all his Cabinet cOncurred. Ere
mont freed by proclamation the slaves of all
men engaged in the rebellion. Hunters procla-
nation frees the slaves of all men in three
States, whether they have engaged in rebellion
or not. furnishing lOyalists as well traitors and
all because he has declared martial law where he
has confessedly no ability to execute il. 1t is
understood that Gen. Hunter took no specific in
structiOns from the President in regard to the
management Of matters in his department but
was left. as all other military commanders have
been, to his own discretion in his attempt to re
establish the Constitution and laws in the revoted
States
1t Is said the President will be waited on this
evening by gentleman to ascertain under what
authority Gen. Hunter is acting.
A special dispatch to the Tribune says:
Gen. Hunters proclamation, it can be positively
stated, was issued without the authority or know
ledge Of the President whom it took entirely by
surprise. What will be done with il is question
yet to be settled. There was no cabinet meeting
to-day, and it is not probable that any determine
ton will be definitely made until three members
Of the Cabinet, Secretaries Seward and Wee:
and Attorney General Bates, who still Al
Fortress Monroe. return, which will not be Gil
Monday.
The Senate Committee on Public Lands hav,
unanimously reported back Senator Wade's bill
donating thirty thousand acres for each Senator
and Representative TO every State which pro
vides college for the benefit of agriculture an'
mechanical arts.
The House Naval Committee have authorized
the chairman, Mr.. Sedgwick, 70 report the Sen
ate bill recognizing he Navy Department.
creates three additional bureaus.
The committee have also authorized Mr. Sedg
wick 70 report the bill recognizing the Dsya
service, which was some time since prepared by
subcommittee of both houses. IL provides 70
ten grades, running IRON a cadet to the rear ad
mral
A letter from Cumberland. Virginia, OF tn
18th, says:
An attempt was made this afternoon, by th
rebels on our ielt. 10 capture some OF our wag
ons. hundreds Of which line the shores betweeI
here and Brickhouse Point cannot learn tina
they have succeeded.
During the time the rebels made the attack OF
our wagon train. Gen. Mcclellan, accompanie'
: by his staff, was making reconnaissance, AM
e'me in sight Of the rebel cavalry before be wa
aware Of his proximity. By dint of hard riding
he escaped. and took command Of what force Their
was at hand, and dispersed the rebels
Il il reported here tonight that two rebel reci
ments have been cut of in their retreat bv III
burning Of Bottom Bridge by our forces. If th;
be true, they are. in Che language Of the ogre
my meat"
The Hcrald's eispatch SAYS:
The Hunter proclamation has presented an an
aroidable issue which it is believed will result \
the bresking up OF the Cabines
The President has not only expressed diss.ti.
faction but indignation.