The New York herald., 1863-10-19
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

rEACEFUL ASPECT OF OUR RELATIONS WITH ENG
LAND.
Now tha, the relations between the United States and
Great Britain have assumed peaceful aspect, and
likely 10 become additionally friendly, gente-
connected with governmental affairs express tho
hope that the citizens Of country will endeavor 70
strengthen rather than weaken the amicabe feelings OF
'he two nations.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FRANCE.
However relations with France may be regarded by
the public, there reason To fear that any Of the
pending questions will lead to disagreeabe results
THE RUSSIAN FLEET TO VISIT WASHINGTON.
positively asserted that the Russian fleet VIII ex'
tend lis visit Washington. Tho reception here will
doubtless. be cordial.
COLONEL BAKERS CAVALRY GONE TO THE FRONT.
Colonel l. c. Bakers battalion Of cavalry has gone 10
the front, but the Colonel being required as witness
here to morrow unable to accompany It,
TREAsoNABLE LETTER FROM JAMES N. MASON.
Tho following is a copy Of letter from James n.
Mason TO JEFF Davis and found among the intercept
ed correspondence Ac the latter plainly shows the
treasoabe purposes OF the writer at the time OF its date
SELMA, NEAR WINCHESTER, Va sept. &c. 1856.
MY pK,R SIR Il have etter from Wise, Of the 27th,
ina South Carolina and Louisiana have already agreed TO
the rendezvous at Raleigh, and others w-ths In your
requested you exchange with Virginia on fair terms
difference, percrssisn for flint muskets don't know
cases, bst, il it can be done, even by liberal con-
struction, hope you will accede. Was there not an ap
INC ass session TOT noa aps rsas"~
sror extending such facilities TO tho statcsY Virginia.
pro ably sorc arms than the other Southern ssates
10 comnil,es in South Carolina gave it as my iudg
alnent, ia tao event Of frenonts election tne soath
should pause, but proceed at once TO "mmedilte
absolute and eternal separation" So ! am candidate
Wise says bis accounts from Phiadepha arc cheering
for Old Back in pennsylvania hope they be not de-
Iusive. Vate Il salire J. NJ MASoN.
Colonel DAVIS.
SCARCITY OF sEAMEN.
The Navy Department is good deal embarrassed IN its
opera, ous the lack OF to man the large and
coustany Increasing vessels rendered absolutely
necessary from the present position OF Affairs.
On Saturday rcqulsiton for reinforcement OF sea-
men was received from the Western Gulf squadron which
the department was enable to 1ll Instructions have
consequently forwarded enlist conrabands as the
department unable to 1T out vessels now waiting crews
from the scarcity OF seamen
The Sabine has been laid up and her crow transferred
TO the steam gate Niagara the want Of to
kocp both vessels ahoat Even with this the Niagara has
not crew sufficient TO go TO sea with on cruise, and Is
engaged in recruiting seamen TO enable her to go
into active service Until her Is completed seamen
can enlist specially FOR the Niagara wherc they win
service aud prize money without doubt.
THE PRIZE CASES.
. country were great as now. The navy has
earned Of prize money already since
the war began. The przs heretofore arising
being adjuicatod very rapidly. Within the last two
weeks tho decisions have been rendered in forty six
coscs tho Prize Court at Washington, thrtydve at
Koy West and number at New York and Philadelphia,
making total number OF decided and decisions
forwarded to the Navy Department within that timo
over Que hundred involving amount OF mil
NO
trbutiou as the necessary Office work can be
required by the regulations In such cases. which Is
being expedited as rapidly as possible
In alone the prize steamer Columbia, csptured
by the Santiago dc Cuba the prze money, which will be
ready for distribution In about two weeks amounts to
one hundred and thirty six thousand dollars and tho
share OF each ordinary will be $2l5 As; seaman
s27o e5, landsman, 1854 CT, AMI fireman, $481 80.
estimated that the amount OF prize money accruing
to each who has served for two years past
beard the Santiago do Cuba will anout to two thou
sand dollars.
Tho rapid and increase OF the navy since the
commencement Of the rebellion neoossi.
4 sated tho employment Of force many times larger
than was ever before required, while tho &C
tivity or commerce has also created . large
demand for sailors; and 10 addition TO ths many sea-
men have induced by tho large bsuntiss paid to
otter military service OF tho country, from which
thoy cannot OF course be taken for the naval service
even should they DESIRE In fact the Secretary OF the
Navy IL iu receipt OF largo number Of applications
from who have enlisted In tho military service
and who desire TO be transferred 10 the naval SERVICE
but for obvious this Is mpracticabe. II seamen
could be obtained the powerful and fast vessels
now ready for sea- Is believed that the rebel British
pirates might be captured or driven from tho ocean
RESIGNATION AND ARRIVAL OF GENERAL KING.
Brisader Geaeral Rufus King arrived here this after
AG. A~~~ 49,
been duty for weeks past It understood that
be hls resigned his commission, and Is TO 60 out in
short time Minister TO Rome. which appointment he
received before the breaking out OF the rebellion and
signed TO take part in its suppression.
APPOINTMENT or COLONEL BEARDsLEY AS ASSISTANT
ADJUrASr GENERAL.
Colonel Beardslcy, OF the twenty fourth New York
Volunteers, has been appointed Assistant Adutant Gene
raj on stat Of General Meade rank Of cap.
tain in tho regular army. The Cooncs reg Ia
oat OF service, Its term OF enlistment expiring May
last.
MOVEMENTS OF TELEGRAPH sUrERrsTEyDgyIs.
The American Telegraph Company and Peoples line arc
represented here BY NJ 5. Roberts, bridal tour; w.
a. lewis and A. A. Lovctt who has promoted from
government censor OF press telcsrams 10 supcrinen-
dent OF the Peoples line.
THE THEATRICAL BENEFIT FOR THE SANITARY CON-
MISSION
large sum Of money realized last evening at
Growers theatre for th, relief OF sick and disabled SOL
ccrs the proceeds Of the whole house being given for
tina obIec. by Manascr wallack Miss Cusbman, r. L.
Davcnport and Mr. walack volunteered their services
aod the performance OF Macbeth was witnessed By the
President the Secretaries OF and the Treasury the
Briirh Minister and ohsr distinguished persons Miss
cuuan has for pas. been The guss, Of Secretary
Seward
WHEAT FRoM RUSSIA.
Tho Agricultural Department has recently received a
quantity OF Anauika wheat from Odcssa large
quantity very ne red bearded Mediterranean wheat
from Nice, In Italy This whsat win be rcady for dstr
button 10 asrcuurs,s, IN small quantities. In few
days Avariciy o handsome samples OF seeds have also
been received from the Royal Agricultural soccty Of
Russia.
RISE IN THE POTOMAC.
The rise In ths Potomac from the recent rains has pre
vented the crossing Of Lees army 70 the Maryland s.dc
sd occasionei corresponding change 10 tho military
movemenls on both shss.
A QUIET sAnpArU.