The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-21
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
WAShIN0fONI roU' -oI Au0o
PASSAGE or TIE CURRENCY BILL,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1856

PASSAGE or TEE CURRENCY BILL
The Bank biz was passed 70 day with promptitude
determination that indicated disposition TO start the
financial machinery Of the country quickly as possible
Secretary Chase will proceed at 10 place our financial
affairs in the best possible relations.
The passage OF the Bank bill without amendment by
the House day regarded significant Evcn during
the debate predictions made that it would be loaded
down with amendments until 1t would not be recognized
by its authors. 1t is evident however, that nctwish
standing the opposition offered by the Ways and Means
Committee, and hitherto by the House ITSELF all Of the
financial mea sures of Mr. Chase will finally be adopted
Many those who have opposed his policy have last con
cluded that it just allow the responsibility to rest
intact upon his shoulders and have agreed that his nan
cia schemes shall be passed by Congress.
The Secretary Of the Treasury is willing to accept the
responsibility. He is confident OF the of the
he has devised and expresses assurance that with
such provisions rs he suggests he will be able TO carry
the through the next year with iess detr
ment to ts credit and finances than have been oxps.
renced during the last.
The House was not closely welded to the legal
tender clause than to Its opposition to the Bank bill and
the passage of the latter without amendment is an nd
cation that the former will be abandoned The opinions OF
nauciers upon this subject have been materially chaSged
by the proceedings Of to-day.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FRANCE.
Attention has been called to the report New York
paper, which has been made the subcc! or pointed
comment that members Of the Senate Committee 70.
reign Relations have been most and emonsratye
in expressions Of friendship TO NJ Merc and to the
government he represents. On inquiry appears that
NJ Mercicrs dispatches and the relations with France
shown by dispatches have been considered
tho committee is it known that any member Of the
committee made any demonstrations to NJ Mercicr,
Of the committee attended the recent diplomatic
dinner OF Mr. Seward given since the publication OF the
Richmond despatch, whore the French Minister
honored guest but Mr. Summer, who was at that time ill.,
Obliged TO decline attending under the advice Of his
physician. There not member Of the conmitte who
does not repel all idea Of foreign mediation inerven
ton, whatever form it may take
THE REPORTED BATTLE AT PORT HUDSON.
An exploded story Of General Banks having been de-
eated near Port Hudson has been revived The govern
has received uniavorable information whatever
from that quarter
vICKsBURG AND THE MISSISSIPPI.
The secessonss here profess 10 have Information which
leads them to anticipate confidently that the siege Of
ycksburg will soon be raised account Of high water
in the vicinity and disease among troops II
probable that the next from that point will be the
capture OF vicksburg.
Persons here who practically acquainted with the
region Of the lower Mississippi express the opinion that
Generals in that quarter do not intend to do much in
the way Of cutting that vast region be
overlooked, and many channels formed that a
main current may not be created again for long period
1t is generally believed by scientific in the Southwest
that channel OF the Atchafaaya the bed
tho Father Of Waters and it is proposed to reunite
tho Mississippi with by the Tensas river which
parallel to the latter The Of Mississippi has
successfully changed in lower Louisiana, where the
soil is sandy but such is the Of the soil at
vcksburg.
INyEsTIGA ALTON OF THE CHARGES AGAINST ARMY
OFFICERS
The ten days allowed officers included in the order OF
the War department, creating military commission to
examine and report upon the charges against them
pred to-day Only about third Of the whole
have avaled themselves Of the opportunity
rsute tho charges against them. Those who have not
done so TO be summarily dismissed from
the service, unless the time should be sti
further extended It is probable that many OF them
the order, II has been published only
papers having aimited circulation and it would appear
only simple justice that extension Of the time should
be given to enable them to themselves from tie
penalty which in many Of the Is doubtless unde.
served. In many Of tho cases examined il has been
found that the charges against the parties have originated
through mistake, or from misarprehenson OF
orders on the part Of the accused The commission will
continue SESSIONS for time yet cages have
been from time 10 time referred 20 it, and OF the
require time TO procure evidence rsbut tho
charges and evidence against them There also
Der Of OF officers that havo already been dismissed
from the service who have applied to be renstaed whose
before this commission for examination and
report preliminary to 1nal action by the President
CONDITION or GENERAL max wKBEx.
raj Mnu Win Was seve w. Al Al.
tetam, here He has not yet recovered The Of his
arm
THE ALLEGED FRAUDS IN THE NEW YORK CUSTOM
HOUSE,.
Secretary Chase communicated 10 tho Senate in answer
= resolution statement Of Edward Jordan Solicitor OF
the Treasury relative to frauds in the New York Custom
House showing that frauds upon the revenue had been
committed for a. least six years past effected by making
false invoices representing different descriptions and
lower prices Of goods than werc actually import
cd and then securing the passage Of such In.
voices by various devices through the Custom
House. In some cascs q portion Of the goods
correctly nvoiced and these particular packages
examined Invoices sometimes made in fictitious
names, and sometimes the goods OF person en-.
tered IN the OF another In Instances the i'm
porter cognizant OF the fraud In others his broker
responsible alene. Entries and invoices, when com.
pieod, in some destroyed and obliierated
About have been recovered by seizures Of goods
belonging 70 parties implicated. About ono hundred
fraudulent entries by Junius Van vcchten Marceius
BELLS and b. Criggs havo been discovered The irst mas
been dismissed placed under bonds the o'ne" arc
suspended and tho District Attorney has been
70 ind Ct them Henry Calhoun, tho Deputy Couee'or,
oepsursd for want OF vigilance. Vim. A. Lcfhnswell,
ana the clerks in tho Record Bureau, are deemed
cp,nabIe and careless. He 10 conhdens snat
frauds in importation are constantly and systematically
,,o,,..a n ,ewelry laces and sks and other costly
aood, bv smuggling In various ways; In other goods
- s.,.. invoices Facts show that money In large
sn. n,vs been received BY officials for fraudulent acts
o. ooouivance and belief stated that nearly all the
escccr, are in the habitua receipt q emounens from
importers and their agents One lawyer says DO has IN
of,eeu MONTHS paid 800 70 one record CLERK. Vsn
s-.,,., admits having received g. coo per annun.
,ora c,et on salary Of 81 oOo In cgb, years sccumu.
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