The New York herald., 1863-03-16
HfNs FROM WASBiGaroN.


1nere no doubt that tho rebels will soon evacuate
Vicksburg IL they have not already done Our forces
have succeeded in destroying important bridge, cut
ting of another Of their communications and they will
probably retire from vicksburg to jackson, where they
are strongly fortified This would leave Port Hudson
posed to an attack from the Upper Mississippi notla
which would render tho fall Of that fort certain and give
the control OF the river to the Unionists.
GENERAL srAHEL COMMANDING ALL THE CAVALRY m
FRONT OF WASHINGTON.
Major General Stahe has been placed Of the
ontire force Of cavalry In front Of Washington This will
prevent the capture Of any brgader generals by
aESERxf BURNSIDE WAITING ORDERS.
General Burnside is still here waiting ana instructions
in reference to tho asd important command to which
he has been assigned.
MOVEMENTS or GENERAL BUTLER.
General Butler ID expested here duriag the current
week. The assignins him the position Of Pro-
vost Marshal General were entirely unauthorized.
THE APPOINTMENT or GovERNMENT AGENTS TO COZ.
LECr ABANDONED PROPERTY, ETC., IN INsURREC-
TIoNARY DISTRICTS.
The act TO provide for the collection abandoned pro-
pery and for the prevention OF frauds in nsurrectionary
districts within the United States, signed by the
President on the 18th inst There appears to be
question In reference 10 the consttutionay OF the late
signature to this BILL and IL is therefore published In
provides for the appointment Of agents by
the Secretary Of the Treasury, through whose hands
must pass all the Southern staples carried to kct
through the Union lnes The act Is regarded OF
great Importance, and although unsatisfactory in many
of its provisions to tho President and Secretary Of the
Treasury has been approved only order 60 give to the
Secretary OF The Treasury, instead OF TO thousand and
naval and military officers tho control OF the expor
taton Of Southern products.
THE COMPETITION or FoREiGS VESSELS FOR TRAFFIC
IN AMERICAN WATERS.
Parties in interest making exeriions TO
induce the Secretary OF the Treasury recedc from his
recent foreign vessels may compete for the
traffic between San Francisco aud New York; but the
decision caused by consideration Of the law
aud will be reversed It Is undestood that under it
line Of Eng sh steam proreers will be placed upon
OF the transit routes
THE CuAReEs AGAINST ME. HOLLOWAY, ComMIs-
SiONER or PATENTS
brief synopsis has been given Of the report Of the
Select Commtco Of the late House OF Representatives
the charges preferred against Mr. Holloway, Commis
sioner of Patents, by Mr. Botts, it is just say that
the publication Of the report accompanied by state
from Mr Holloway in response to tho injurious re-
nectcns upon his official conduct. AS to tho expendi
tures he says that period Of unparalleled depression,
the purpose OF preserving the efficiency and the
existence of tic oce he encsoached upon the surplus
fund provided for precisely such an emergency" He
proceeds to show "that sch enoroachmont was in
conformity well established precedents and that,
notwithstanding tho increased expenditure required by
Congress, important reduction of the expenses was
made from the previous year"
As to improper and unauthorized expenditures for
printing refers TO Official proceedings OF Congress
that the whole subject which is the foundation
tho present charge "was deliberately acted upon after
full discussion and explanation by three comittecs Of
Congress and By both Houses and his 'actoa solemy
endorsed and alsroved"
In relation 10 the third charge he says "eveh there
IL large number Of temporary clerks employed. there
tbirtyons vacancies in the permanent desks"
As TO the fourth charge he says "the salaries OF the
Commissioner Chief Clerk and Examiners in Chief were
changed, because they fixed by law and there
was grado with lower compensation TO which they
could be reduced and still legally perform the duties
| pertaining 10 their Offices"
In relation 70 other charges, the Commissioner says
'sit is but fair claim (from his showns) that in
the contingent expenses proper OF 1861 thero was re
ductor of nearly $50 900 from those OF tho previous
year, Tho charge that "he expenses OF the Office were
increased by making ftcen classes 10 the Office
instead Of eleven, the former number the
shows ais an instance OF the papsbe ignorance gross
pcrverson exhibited in rsation to the affairs the
oince.n
The Commissioner proceeds answer other charges 10
order, and ia the OF his statement says he has
asked for appropriation for the Patent 0cc The
Inmates for repairs aud constructions in the Patent
0ce building which have not years been paid for ont
OF the Patent Office fund.
at also charged that ladies' have been employed
By this Office copysts who secessiouiss The only
evidence submitted sustain this charge the fact that
their husbands have gone TO the South, and that
one OF the ladies went there to sea hG hus.
done They appointed without any reference
t. thor political opinions sympathes and simply from
their destitute and ntcesstous situation. No OF dis
loyalty the Part Of either of them has boen ever
brought to my (he Comrnissioners) notice do be.
ieyc they were guilty any act prejudcii the
government -
In concason the Commissioner says he has deemed Il
incumbent upon him to reply oniy charges affecting
his Official conduct "As the Commissioner represents all
the official conduct Of the Office, the corruption imputed
to tho head every limb and .mber OF the body II
public confidence In the Office shaken doubts arise as 10
the validity Of every patent Issued and every decision
made under suspected administration and the vaidc of
Millions OF property 10 impaired May not, then gen.
tlemcn Of the ccmmittoc-K, In your Judgment, shall
have cleared myself from the aspcrsons upon my Official
conductdemand from you such decided vindIcatlon as
shall restore the public confidence In this Office which
cannot but fear has been shaken by bels 90 assduousy
circulated and will give toths country leas the assu
rance OF honest purposes In ts beadsD
THE MILITARY COMMISSION STILL N SESSION.
The military commission, Of which Brigadier General
Ricketts, is president, for examining charges brought
against army officers and reviewing cMes Of officers
dismissed from the service who desire reinstatement k
st in session In this city They have already examined
large number Of cases II no new business Is submit
ted to them they win probably conclude Aer abors this
w init efadu uho -
diatey to prevent their summary dismissal from the
service
the INTERNAL REvEyrr suAElu.
Mr. Lewis, the Commisscner Of Internal Revenue, is
expected to take charge Of that bureau Tuesday next,
lie comes to this important Office with high character
for ability and experience. Since the retirement Of
Governor Boutwell, the duties Of this Office have been
performed by Mr. Estee the Assistant Commissioner who
Is more familiar than any other with the complications