Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-07

ll"NV recently hppllcu 10 inc proper aulnOflLeS
here tor II supply Of contrabandS, to be taken
to the tropics and employed in agriculture.
Many of them have expressed a disposition to
emgrate; but, thus far, there is no arrange
ment to pay the expenses Of transportation
thither.
The state department had not up to yester-
day received any official response to the Sec
retarys letter declining the peace proposition
of the French government.
Six or eight hundred soldiers on furlough
came up on the boat from the army of the Po-
tomac, tonight.
1t is believed that no difficulty exists with
the administration on the subject of letters of
marque and reprisal. The Importance of the
question is well understood. When occasion
demands, there is no question that the presi
dent will exercise the power in the premises
authorized by act Of congress.
Brig Gen Welch has been ordered to re-
port for duty to Mai. Gen. Burnside, and
Gen. Pitcher to Mai. Gen. Hooker. Major
l.. Kiss and Capts. Sumner and Audenried,
aides de-camp to the late Gen. Sumner, have
been assigned to duty with Gen. Wool
According to a late army order additional
means are to be taken for the arrest and pun
ishment of deserters. All reports in such
cases are referred to Col. Fry, provost mar
shall general.
Notwithstanding the vigilance of the Poto-
mac tlotilla, much smuggling is carried on
from lower Maryland into the rebel lines. Two
of the most prominent of the offenders, re-
Gently captured, together with their goods,
were to-day brought to Washington.
Information has been received here of the
death at his residence, in Akron, Ohio, on
Saturday, of Christopher 7. Walcott, late
assistant secretary of war.
JUDGE CARTER's CHARGE.
On the opening of the new court to-day,
chief justice Carter charged the grand jury
especially in relation to the law for the pre-
vention of frauds upon the government, and
that for the punishment of treason. Inregard
to the latter he said their careful consideration
of this statute was demanded by the times and
by the place i'll which they were called upon
to aid in the administration of the constitution
and laws. This city, he said, stands on the
border line between the loyal and diSloyal
states. There are still left among us, many
who, if they are in any sense loyal,
love their country with a divided heart
There are some among us, it is feared,
who are traitors. There are others who aid
and comfort the rebellion. 1t is therefore of
the utmost importance to the whole country
that the capital of the nation should be free
of any faint of disloyalty. 1t is an important
step towards restoring the public peace and
tranquility, that all no aid and assist the en-
envy should discontinue their otfenses, or be
punished according to the law of the land.
The faithful performance of your duty i'll
making inquiry into all such offences will be
no less honorable to yourselves than important
to the country.
OUR RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are con-
sidered by those who are conversant with
them extremely delicate. The correspon-
dence between earl Russell and minister
Adams with relation to the fitting out and
sailing of the pirate Alabama, contained in
the English Blue Book, but not yet pub
lished in this country, and the correspondence
still going on touching the construction and
equipment in British waters of other plratical
craft, have been conducted on the part
of John Bull in a tone which is unfriendly,
if not menacing and provocative of war. Rus
sell plants himself on the strict letter of the
statute applicable to the case, refers our gov
eminent to that statute, and in effect refuses
to take steps to remedy the grievance COM
planned of. The matter has recently been Sc
riously discussed in the cabinet. 1t is thought
in some quarters that, with the capture of
Charleston, apprehensions on this score may
be dismissed. The ministers here of the prin-
cipal foreign powers are believed to be OF the
opinion that its capture is impossible.
NEWS FROM REBEL PAPERS.
The Richmond Examiner of Saturday, re-
ceived here to-day, contains the following
VIcKsBURG, April 2.-The enemy made a
reconnaissance up the Yazoo yesterday, and
threw few shells at Smokers Bluff. There
is nothing in sight below.
CHATTANOOGA, April 2.-The gunboats on
the Tennessee have been driven back by our
sharpshooters. The iron clads attempted to
land at Tuscumbia this morning at daylight,
and were attacked by our cavalry outposts.
Heavy cannonading ensued, but without et-
feet. Unsuccessful efforts were made to land
a party, and the iron clads backed down the
river. There have been no battles in front.
Heavy skirmishing has been going on at Nc
Minis vile.
CHARLESTON, April 2.-There are no signs
thus far of the expected attack. There has
been no landing in force on any of the islands
below, as reported. The skirmish on Sea-
brooks Island was between few independent
scouts and scouting party from Yankee
gunboat.
[Ihe dispatch from Charleston to the Rich
mOnd papers, giving an account of the landing
of our troops on Johns Island, is two days
later than this.