The New York herald., 1864-12-13


Of small force Of Union troops on tho south side OF
James river. between Drury's Bluff and the Hewlett
House. Is now admitted by the rebel papers; but they
say thas the number Of men few to be Of any ac
count.
One Of our St. Louis correspondents gives US very
interesting history invasionary expedition OF
the rebel General Price Missouri and Of bis subse
quen hasty back into Arkansas. One division OF
his army appears, mutined after their return %
the latter State because, they said, they had been
deceived aud had not received the plunder promised
them. His force instead Of being increased BY the
Invasion as he anticipated was dwindled down from
| twenty thousand to twelve thousand armed men, He
lost eleven cannons, and his cavalry animals and trans
were nearly used up when be again reached Arkansas
In every respect his expedition was one OF the compesest
failures OF the war.
New Orleans advces of the 5th inst have reached u.s.
Il is said that Captain semmes, who arrived at Aata
moros soms time ago, and proceeded thence to Rioh.
mond ordered 10 the latter place to be tried
for tho loss Of the Alabama The steamer Ike Davis,
which seized over mouth since, on her voyage
from Texan port, bound for New Orleans BY rebel
pirate passengers after the OF the Chesapeake
and Roanoke and taken 10 Mataoros had been sold for
over thirty five thousand dollars in gold. The steamer
Orzaba from New Orleans Matamoros. had also been
seized by the rebels Sold Considerable energy has
recently been infused into operations at the various
military posts aang the Mississippi river above New Or
| leans, and affairs are said TO be assuming new and
/ andR Rcdr ivera M "
| both very high.
We give this morning, as usual compilation OF very
interesting extracts rsoe newspapers 10 the rebel
Senate the 9Th ns the resolutions in reference TO
the seizure Of the pirate Florida by the Wachuseit were
ad dopted. The rebel papers the recent Mes
sage OF President Lincoln think it is commonplace
| aud feeble.
CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday petition was presented from
the Western Assocated Press, asking for reduction Of
tho duty on imported paper. 1t was referred to the
Finance Committee petition from Major General God
frey wetze hundred and seventy other officers OF
the army presented asking increase Of to the
OF twenty dollars per month and an increase OF
the Communication price OF ratons from thirty TO hfty
cents and ,liown, sixe d,lars per month The SUBJ
i
House 10 resolution authorizing the enlargement Of
the N,sy Department bundng was reported. A
resoution us~. ua-...~. innuirv Into the proprlsU Of
ievyiag an additional tax OF per cent all sales
OF real and per ona property. merchandise. produce
gold and silver coin and Stocks also additional tax Of
twenty five per cent the receipts Of raro
steamboats, and ferries; also to prohibit tho organization
OF any banks except 10 place OF state banks; ais,
the redemption OF outstanding interest bearing legal
tender notes. and ssun 10 their stead notes 0f
than fifty dollars, boring 365 per cent interest, be
made legal tenders for their face, with Interest al ded
referred to the Finance Committee Mr.. Davis Of
Kentucky. presented series OF resolutions proposng
various amendments to the Goa .tulon with vie " TO
peacs and the reconstruction Of the Union. Reso.
| lutions providing for the employment OF apron.
tices board merchant ships. and for licensing
vessels trading the Atlantic and Cuff coasts were
referred TO the Com mmittee on Commerce, also
bill regulating the measurement OF the tonnage of ships
and prescribing the rate OF charges for the bill
to extend the time Tor completing certain land grants
railroads in Minnesota referred Committee
Public Lands tho resolution calling for the report OF
the court martial on the conduct Of General Paine, at
Paducah, Kentucky, was referred to the Military Com
mittee. In executive Session the nomination OF Mr..
Speed as Attorney General WAS confirmed.
ln the House OF Representatives. the bill establishing
uniform bankrupt law was taken up aud passed without
debate, by twenty majority. II is believed that the
Senate will also this bill during the present session.
The consideration OF the question OF the duty cigars
postponed TIL thursday next long debate eusued
the report Of the committee appointed 10 select site
for navy yard and depot for rouciad ships OF The
minority In favor OF League Island, At Philadelphia
while tho majority recommend New London. No decision
was arrived at. resolution 10 favor OF bridging the
Hudson rivs- at Albany, and making said bridge
military and post route, was referred to the Post oce
Committee
NIscELLANEOUs NEWS
We have nes OF the Royal 81 ndard, Of Turks Island
90 the 25.h November. The papers contain news,
If except the movements in the salt ma-ke matter
primary impc throughout the world Sub oined
is paragrapu from the Standard Of the latest date
Some OF propretors being anxious dispose OF
portion Of their CROP and fearing further decline OF
price 10 tho American market, have sold
goes at price below our last quotaonsnfeen cents;
but tue quantity sold il, we understand, smal and
doubt the Improvement in prics in New York will tend TO
make the price here n m al former quotations Much OF
the salt hand exposed to the weather, and what
with loss BY rain and three or four cargoes
shipped each week tho quantity hand tho end OF
next March will be very small Flactuation In price,
without reasonable cause, apt TO njure our trade,
and propetors should endeavor TO avoid much ps
sibe undue variation 10 price any unsteadiness
which is likely to deceive foreign customers"
The Board OF Aldermen met yesterday afternoon, Pre-
dent Henry 10 the chair and disposed Of large batch
Of papers the Board Of Councimen. message
received from Mayor Guntbsr vetoing grant for the
erection Of stand Peck slip Tho Mayor says that in
his Judgment the erection OF such slips In
the lower part OF the city creates great 10
the public, and should be discontinued. resolution In
creasng the salaries Of all the employees Of the city gov
ernment twenty hve per cent said increase
In force until the resumption OF specie payment
| fered by Alderman Ryers and adopted. The usual
charitable donations passed, and large amount OF
ordinary routine business disposed Of after which the
Board adjourned until four O'Clock this afternoon