, 1863-01-29


spcctfnlly represent
1Bt- That their boats have been taken by or
der Of the Quartcrmaster Of the United States
sirmy without any agreed compensation OF
my contract, and that tie owners are compel
I'd to man, equip and run said boats at their
own expense and risk, which risk we are una
bic to insure on account Of the nature Of the
service in which the boats are engaged, being
declared extra hazardous by the underwriters,
: I'd. That We are informed that notwIth-
standing the extra hazardous service in which
our boats are used, that In case Of any loss by
Quartermaster's Office to pay the owners for
the losses incurred while In Government ser
vice, unless a contract shall have previously
been made with some Quarter1naster.
The owucrs, therefore, ask that contracts
kbe 1uade for the use Of the boats ut an agreed
price, and that If the owners and QuartcTmas-
ters cannot agree that a Board Of Arbitration
be called in whose decision shall be binding.
The Eigners Of the petition disclaim any In
tention to embar1ass the Government, but are
an insurance for their property. And as the
government has debarred them from the privi-
lcge Of private insurance they think it Is only
fair they should have 4 Government guaran-
tce-the same us on former occasions. These
seizures were made without the slightest no.
tification or consultation aud have really in.
jured many honestly loyal men.
The U. 8. Police on Saturday arrested, at
the Olive street Hotel, Col. Cox, Of FORESTS
Sd Tennessee Cavalry. Hc was prisoner on
the steamer Hannibal, but escaped from her
at Cairo. Thence he went to Columbus, in.
tending to pass South, bnt feared recapture,
and came to St. Louis disguised % cotton
buyer. Upon his arrest be denied being the
person sought, but at length, finding denial
truif1ess, owned to the fact, and #as sent to
Gratiot street prison.
r The arrival Of tho Arkansas Post prisoners
has created great fear among Union citizens
that if the prisoners are detained in this city
that the secessionists will aid them to escape.
Aside frem this, there is no adequate accom-.
mediation in St. Louis for 4, 900 prisoners IN
addition TO those on hand now. Two rcgi-
| ments of loyal soldiers would be necessary 10
guard one Of rebels, The Nebraska Of
the steamers loaded with prisoners got
and the Alton packet, B: II. Runyan''
was sent down to take off the
prisoners The Runyan towed the Ne.
braska off the bar, and brought her above to q
safe channel. The Nebraska is probably safe
a. Arsenal 1sland this morning. These pris-
oners should be shipped to Chicago or San
dnsky, Or some other safe place Immediately.
The Amous $500 600 assessment order
which was about to be enforced when the
President interfered is again exciting attcn-
lion. 1t is well known that the President has
revoked the order Of suspension, but by re-
quest Of some Union men who doubt the
propriety of the order Gen. Curtis has kept
himself about it.. A few Union men are max.
ing themselves busy By opposing this ASSESS
ment AL Of them question It on the ground
Of expectancy majority Of Union men
those who have been Union men from the
first are In favor Of It, and have represented
the case In it's proper Light to Gen. Curtis.
Dr. McPheeters' case is another exhibition
Of weakness on the part of the Government