The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-18

Few rerk. rhursday. February IS. 1864
THE SITUATION.
II is understood BY common report in Washing
ton that Mr.. Lincoln will issue proclamation Of
universal emancipation Of slavcs-including the
border 6tates-on Monday next, the 22d of Feb
ruary. the birthday Of Washington.
A rumor was prevalent in General Kelley's De.
partment yesterday that the rebels contemplated
another raid "a la John Morgan) into Ohio, at
0uyandotte and Barboursville. The story comes
from q rebel refugee.
Reports from Tennessee state that assertions
from Longstreet's army are still very numerous.
Longstreet's headquarters at last accounts were
at Morrstown.
According to information received at San Fran
cisco by the bark Rogers from Kanagawa, Japan,
on the 9Th Of January, the rebel privateer Alabama
was then in the port of Annoy China, closely watch
ed by the United States vessels Wyoming and
jamestown. The story is confirmed by letter
to the firm OF McCondray & Co., San Francisco,
forwarded on the bark Rogers, by respectable
mercantile house in Kanagawa-walsh, Hull a Co.
When the Rogers left the Tycoon's palace at
Jeddo had been burned. II was set on fire on
Christmas day. Another fire destroyed a large
portion Of the town on the lst Of January. Nearly
all the town Of Hakodadi was burned by incen-
diary fres in October last.
Interesting details Of the escape of Union Off.
GERS from the Libby prison, showing all the diff
culties and trials through which they passed in
their daring but successful attempt are given in
eur columns to-day. II took them fifty-one days to
cut the tunnel through which they reached the air
outside Of the line Of guards. and thus relieved
from captivity. they scattered over the country in
small parties until they met the protection Of the
soldiers Of the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry,
which was the 6rst body Of Union troops they fell
in with
The rebel prisoners at Point Lookout, Md, made
~ attempt to escape few days ago. but signally
failed.
The United States steamship Mcclellan, which
arrived here yesterday from Key West, brings
news Of the capture Of British blockade runner,
the Cumberland, by the steamer De Soto. The
Cumberland had valuable cargo, consisting Of
guupowder. Enfield rifles and uniforms, boots and
80 forth, for the rebels, valued in all at about
10000 pounds sterling. She came from Havana
direct, but her cargo was most probably put on
board on the other side of the Atlantic.
c0NGREss.s
In the Senate yesterday, Mr.. Brown, Of Mis-.
sonri, offered q joint resolution proposing the
sbolition and prohibition Of slavery throughout
the land. II was referred TO the Select Committee
on Freedmen and Slavery. Mr.. Sumner offered
amendments to the constitution, as . substitute
for Aoae reported by the Judiciary Committee
few DAYS ago, and asked that they be made the
special order for Monday next. These amend
merits prohibit slavery in the United States, pro-
vide that representation and direct taxes shall
BE- spportioned among the States according to
their numbers, and annul the clause relating
10 the rendition Of fugitive slaves to their mas.
ters. The Judiciary Committee reported back
adversely the House resolution explanatory Of the
Conhscation act, and also adversely upon Mr. Sum-
ners bill relating TO said act A bill donating
lands for the support and education Of orphans of
soldiers aud sailors was referred to the Commit.
tee on Public Lands. A resolution authorizing
the printngo4 five thousand copies Of General
McClellsn's report was adopted. Several unm-
portant subjects were disposed Of, and after an
executive session the Senate adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives the Committee
Of Ways and Means asked leave TO introduce a
resolution authorizing the Secretary Of the Trsa.
sury 20 SELL from time u time, whatever gold coin
there may be in his custody not required to pay
the interest on the public debt, &c. The balance
OF gold Ia tho treasury beyond the wants Of the
government Is eight or ten millions Of dollars
Objections were made by the opposition, and the
resolution, therefore, was laid over. The House
being unable to agree with the Scnats's sliding
scsse tax On whiskey, the subject was referred tc
. committee Of conference. The Senste's
resoiutios Of thanks TO General Thomas
and hs army, for their gallant conduct at the bat
10 Of Chickamsugs, was taken up. General Gar
dcd moved 10 include the name Of General Rose.
Grams 10 the resolution and proceeded to eulogize
that ,odicer Ia eloquent terms. The resolution was
finally referred to the Military Committee. A
Joint resolution Of thanks 10 the brave soldiers
who have re-enlisted in the army was adopted
uasoimously. Several windy speeches on slavery
and the war were delivered, and the House
THE LEGIsLArURE
large amount Of business was transacted in
both houses Of the Legislature yesterday, and the
msspwres reoeivinx attention were very hume.