The New York herald., 1864-02-21

not de.mU ch towards lifting tup again.
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
+ wAsnIseros Fob 70. 1854
MR.. IaRooLN'S 8 LAsT-ruR PRECEDENT ON rae PREs.-
DENCY.
sMy opinion az who will be next Preslient" " SAID
Mr. Liscon, many days ego. "is very much the
opino~ that Pat had about the handsome funeral You
Pat standing.opposto the House Spring.
field witha short back pine hts mouth and his hands
deeply buried in his empty breeches pockets"
Ias who's funeral is that passing@ inquired Old
Mlsr, wine seemed Impressed witha belief that Irish,
man.must kaow everything.
Paize ysv honor" replied Pat. removing his pipe for
moment st isn't mesef say sartis but 70 ahe
best my,bslief the funeral belongs gntleaa
lady that's in the oelaa"
"Now. its very much the sauae" contauued lar Lin
csln "abost the Doxt Presidency. CAN'T for
fsn whe will be tho ceepies ohocs
my bess It will be ths,surOessful csadiaatsS''
:. MRS. LIHcoLNs RscEerIoS.
Mrs. bocoans reception to-day unusually briaat
Tho of tho army ey Distinguished generals
oxceedsA that o sDv sevieas t,m0- a. ts Kxecusivs
mausioa.. 80. ~
INvxsrroAr1ox or AEhz,GxD FRADOs IN sAyA% CON.
4 TRACTS.
The Senate sscct Comnittos Naval Csatrapts,
been engaged for several days i'm investigating alleged
rarAs in contracts at Boston, Macs The developments
areaad be interesting and imSicate Navy Agent
At THAT port having been coausion with
tractors. WHO. by Of the facilities afprct them
have been euabe0ta realize largo pros con
<Acts, whlic other cootractors similarly
, favored have experienced conssdcpabse ieas In
sllng tAe'r contracts. Tho investigation has taken
. Singular tsss. and parties who wore Ioudes,
in denancatisa OF the aepartmsn4 pSese 10 bs il
the rsx andto have obtained lions share OF the spos
Tho eeent system OF giving out naval contracts csaA
isshedby law, is bad. and tho coamiitcc viii pro.
baby recossmcnd cssire change tAe law regulating
such oonsacts 80 THAI the aud tho honest
cs0EacsOss may longer - subject TO tho swinoes
which. under the present sysson. unavodsb,e BY
any restrictions safeguards which the ,ower of
tAS department TO throw around Is.
PRoPERrY RESTORED TO RsPENrAnr RauRLs.
circular letter to District Attorneys been issued
from tho Attorney Generals ofce setting forth that
many persons against whom criminal Indictments or
against whose property proceedings under the ooasca
ton laws are pending in the OF United States
growing out OF their participation the existing rebel
lion have good faith taken the prescr bed by tho
Presidents proclamation OF December last and have
therefore entitled themselves the full pardon and re
soraton Of oil rights OF property except to slaves and
whore rights OF third parties have INTERVIEWED which
Snat prociaatoh oofs and secures The PRESIDENT has
accordingly directed instructions to be issued to tho Dis
trct Attorney to discontinue such proceedings when Il ia
satisfactorily shown the oath OF allegiance has boen taken
good faith. ft necessary that decd Of pardon
signed by tho President shall be produced as the Pre-
scn would find II impossible TO sign many papers.
.THE rR0SCLAD FLEEr IN CHARLESTON HAnBOR.
II Is understood that the which have delayed the
operations Of the ronclad feet Charleston to be
made tho subec; Of by Congress an early
date.
= TIE CASE OF 0ENERAL HAMMOND.
In consequence or the sudden illness OF General Harney
the. Hammond martial has suspended It's labors
The prosecution II expected would conclude in about
four days.
CELEBRATION OF wAsHEGTONs BIRTHDAY
Arrangements have been made for general observ.
OF the 22d In Washington. Both houses OF Congress
and the Supreme Court have adjourned m Tuesday and
oil the departments 70 be closed throughout the day
THE POTOMAC CLOSED By ICE.
The Potomac Is closed by ce and navigation has been
entirely suspended except n narrow channel between
this city and Alexandria, kept open by the government
ioe boats The ice Is Eve inches in thickness
CAPTURE OF BLOCKADE RUNNERS AND A REBEL MAIL.
Eleven blockade runners captured on the Lower po,o
mac. with large amount OF valuable goods and an i'm
portaut rebel mail, were consigned TO the Old Capitol
to-day.
ARRIVAL or A DELEGATION PROM MAssaCBUsETrs
Ex Governor washburne, General Tyler Mayor Lincoln
and other prominent politicians OF arrived
hero last night for the purpose or engineering through
Congress an appropriation bill for the benefit Of Massechu
sstts harbors.