The New York herald., 1863-12-04
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
WAsmNGros, Dec. ;, 1868.

WASHINGTON, Dec. ), 1853.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The Presidents Message has yet been completed
owing his sickness 1t may certainly be stated
that this document will rst find its way to the country
over the telegraph wires, on previous occasions
THE FORTHCOMING DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.
AS the report OF tho Secretary OF the Treasury much
larger than heretofore arrangements will be made to send
copies to Of the principal cities in advance Of its
transmission Congress- and with the other reports
Of the heads of.deparments; but is not certain with
regard to that Of the Secretary OF War; The manuscript
OF all the documents for the part the hands Of
public printer The estimates OF Secretary Of the
Treasury will, usual be laid before Congress the
day OF meeting but the financial report not perhaps till
several days thereafter For some days and nights past
the Secretary OF the Treasury has been devong himself
exclusively to the preparation Of his financial report
which is not yet finished. Meantime the Ass St
ant Secretary OF the Treasury Field has been closely
occupied 10 the transaction and direction Of all other bust
OF the Office Mere visits OF ceremony have there
fore to be denied and matters comparatively trivial give
place to those OF pressing public importance.
THE NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON THROUGH RAIL-
ROAD LINE.
The railroad excursion party, tour OF inspection Of
the through route between New York and Washing
ton nauguated the opening OF the route by grand din
ner at Wizards Hotel tonight The press OF New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington. Newark, N. j., and
Wilmington Delaware, as well az many OF the Western
oties and the officers OF various raroad lines the Mayor
Of Washington and the Superintendent OF Military Rail-
roads part icipated in the festivities Mayor Wailsch
and Mr. Prescott Smith, Master OF Transportation Of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad presided at either end Of the
table, which grOaned with good things fruits aud flowers
bounteousy prepared and tastefuy arranged Tho din
succeeded by speeches from Mr. Smith, Mayor
waach Pen. Porey Poore. behalf OF the press; Colo
mel u c. McCaium; Mr. Zabriskie. OF New Jersey; Mr.
Stearns o Penpsyvana and others The opening Of tho
through from the national metropolis TO the
metropolitan city, without change OF cars was sppro
priately and festively naugurated.
CALL FOR AN OPPOSITION CAUCUS IN TaE HOUSE
ORGANIZATION.
In the Constitutional Union, this afternoon Is published
a call a meeting Of the democratic conservative and
constitutional Union members OF Congress elect FRI
day evening tho representative chamber at the Capt.
to for consultation aud for regular Saturday
evening for action in reference the Organization OF
the house next Monday.
THE GOVERNMENTAL MAPS or MEXICO.
The statement that Gen Forey tho French Minister
was furnished by the State Department with General
scotts military maps OF Mexico, or other Information
preparatory the French invasion OF that country,
erroneous. Neither General Forey the French
Minister any other person. asked for received
any such information.
THE RUSSIAN NAVAL OFFICERS IN WASHINGTON.
large number Of Russian officers visited the various
departments and military headquarters here to day,
casonng the little sensation Four vessels
OF feet lying of Alexandria, the state OF the
river not being favorable further advance OF the
feet In this direction.