Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-26
FROM WASHtNGrOM

\
/ The documents in the case Of Joshua X,
Giddinss. consul at Canada, involving his
arrest, have been communicated to Congress,
10 responce to resolution calling upon the
secretary ofstste for the Information. Messrs
Perkins and Stephens, counsel for Mt. Cid
dings, in communication to the attorney
general, speaks Of the arrest as an outrage
and an attempt at black mailing, the suit be-
ing for S20,000 damages for an alleged kid
mapping Of one Redpa,h, and they express
the opinion that consul general invested
with diplomatic powers should be exempt
from arrest The attorney general sends the
letter to Secretary Seward, saying that the
subject does not concern toe duties Of his Of
nee. The secretary Of state, under date Of
Nov. ? writes to Mr.. Bates, disclaiming for
the consul general any diplomatic immunity,
and referring to the third article OF the con-
vention Of 1915, which declares th,ta consul
may be punished OF remanded home for illeg-
al or improper conduct.
Mr.. Giddings details the facts Of his arrest
and states that he gave bail in $50 900, and
instructed his counsel to move to quash the
proceedings on the ground that a consul can
not be taken from the duties Of his office at
the suit Of private individual and claim ex-
territorial privileges. In subsequent letter
he states that Redpath claimed to be citizen
OF New York, that he was destitute Of means,
food and longing. and denied all knowledge
of the public statement that he had commen-
ced a suit for issuing a process to send him
from Canada. and weeping bitterly obtained
pecuniary aid from Mr.. Giddinks and a rec
ommendation to the charity Of others. The
next day Redpath filed an afi layit claiming
damages for imprisonment.
Mr.. Giddings claims that Redpath had been
importuned aud pressed to such action by the
editor of a secession paper in Montreal, and
Others in the secession interest, and that it
was understood throughout Canada as a vex-
atious proceeding, intended to be offensive to
the people of the United States.
Every soldier who dies at Armory square
hospital, Washington, is embalmed. If the
deceased has friends who can afford to pay,
$40 is charged il not no charge is made.
WAsHrNGroN, Feb. IL
The committee Of conference on the enroll
ment bill have agreed to exempt drafted men
under single call practically for one year
upon the payment Of $500. The committee
have not agreed to the amendment Of the
House bill proposing the enrolment Of per-
sons Of African descent, and the payment Of
500 by loyal owners of any slave who may
be drafted.
This evenings Star has the following The
King Philip, acting Master Frank. arrived at
the Navy Yard yesterday afternoon from the
lower Potomac. A few days ago the officer
at the camp of the rebel prisoners of war at
Poin. Lookout discovered that some of the
prisoners we're evidently making arrange
ments to escape from their quarters, had pro-
cured some lumber, with which they had
built two boats in which il was supposed they
were to embark for the Virginia shore. Fortu-
nately they were detected in their operations
before they had calked their boats. 1t APP
pears also that they had collected some 70
old muskets and lot of stones, scarce ar
ticle in that locality, and which must have
been brought some distance, which they prob
ably designed using against any persons who
should resist them 1t is thought however
that but few of the prisoners were to attempt
the escape unless indeed more boats were to
be built, as the : 40 boats discovered would
not be able TO carry more than so persons
The Posts Washington dispatch says the
Conference Committee on the enrolment bill
were to report yesterday. They retain the
clause providing for the enrolment of slaves,
but strike out the House amendment, which
repealed sections IS and l9 of the existing
law consolidating reduced regiments.
wAsH1NeroN, Feb. ls.
The Chronicle says from the activity dis
played by tho rebel forces, it is anticipated
by army officers from the front that the ensu-
ing Campaign will be opened by raid on
gigantic scale through Pennsylvania.
The consoripts with which jeff Davis is fl
ling up the southern army do not seem to be
disposed to quietly submit to the tyrany that
is forcing every man iuto the ranks to battle
whether he will or not for secession. The
rebels may fill up their army, but we trust
that disadection will continue until the trait
ors shall lay down their arms.
The Times Washington dispatch says -
There was something Of sensation to-day
Ia the Senate, caused by the statement of Mr..
Conness, relative to the imperative necessity
OF sending fleet of war steamers to the Pa
cifc coast without delay. The authorities
have positive information that rebel steamers
left Asia for that coast, and it is feared that
San Francisco will be menaced before the ma
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