Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-25
BY TELEGRAPH.
For --latest Dispatches see Second Page.


WASHINGTON, May 23.-The government
has taken preliminary measures for restoring
judicial proct edings i'll the eastern district Of
Louisiana, by the appointment of Edward ii.
Durrell TO be Judge OF the L. S. circuit court,
Rufus Wafles, attorney, and James Graham,
marshal.
The present condition of the Andrew Hall
fugitive slave case, alluded to yesterday finds
the fugitive in the hands of the military au-
thoritles, who refused this morning to deliver
HIM to the civil authorities OH a new warrant
issued by the commissioners under the fug-
tive slave act, the latter having been appointed
to that office to-day by the supreme court for
the District of Columbia Thus the case re-
mains undecided, the civil and military au-
thorites again being in direct conflict.
New YORK, May 23.-The Posts Washing
ton letter states that Gen. Butler will go west
and take command of new military depart
ment, to consist of the free states west OF the
Alleghanies, and that his chief business will
be the enforcement ofthe conscripton act. 1t
is also rumored that Gen. Burnside has asked
to be relieved from his present command.
These rumors may be 4nere conjectures, but
it is pretty certain that Gen Butlor will have
command within few days.
Mr.. Stanton has given assurances within a
day or two Of his purpose to protect the ne
gro soldiers in the service Of the United States
at all hazards. He will hold white rebels as
hostages for the safe delivery of loyal negro
soldiers who may fall into the hands of the
enemy. If negro soldier is hung by JEFF.
Davis, white rebel soldier will instantly be
executed. An announcement to that effect
will soon be made. 1t is said that Mr.. Stan
ton is sanguine of raising colored army two
hundred thousand strong before the year
closes.
1t is understood that Gen. Hooker IS not
lying idle for nothing. The country will hear
from him again sooner than is expected, and
the enemy will probably have enough to do on
the south side of the Rappahannock during
the month of June.
WASHINGTON, May 24.-Only one contract
has been made and carried out by the govern
ment for the transportation of free persons of
color beyond the limits of the United States,
and this was at the rate Of fifty dollars each
for five hundred of them in families to the
island of Avash in st. Domingo. Various
applications have been made for such sup
plies to be employed as labOrers in the West
India Islands, but the government declines to
make any more such contracts for the pres
ent under the authority vested in the presi
dent.
The navy department has received lnforma-
ton that admiral Porter has been cooperating
with Gen. Grant in the siege of Vicksburg.
His fleet was cannonading the city and its
works by night, while Grants army assaied
them by day, thus giving the rebels within
the town and the intrenchments not mo-
ment's relaxation from the perils of their sit
uatIon. The same department has also re-
ceived information that admiral Farragut's
fleet has been actively engagedin bombarding
Port Hudson.
WASHINGTON, May 24.-The navy depart
ment received dispatch from Newport News