The New York herald., 1864-02-22
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

Inc publication yesterday. by the Constitutional Urtor
OF the circular Of the Chase National Executive Commit
Geo. sgned By Senator Pomeroy chairman has created
. profound sensation In political circles. For several
weeks has been known favored few that such
organization existed but neither its existence nor char
scicr WAS suspected by those not In the secret until this
publication The bold and unequivocai position OF hos
eiy to Dir, Lincoln, and preference for Mr. Chase as
saned IN this circular have been the subject OF much
comment. The fact is known that this document has
been extensively circulated among prominent
I'D all the States and the high political reputation or the
men oy whom h was originated gives TO it unusual
importance tesves evidence that very large aunber
OF the leaders Of tho republican party strongly endorse
the arguments OF tho ssAip sgainst re ciectou Of
Mr. Lincoln, and tina, the <adioais intend 70 concentrate
an available force upon Mr. Chase their candidate for
tho Presidency.
THE GOVERNMENT MAR L0Asts ETC.
A&lssties has been called 70 tho manifestations
of saguiary incrcasiAs osaaAssos ths government
.pressstsa by ths regular Ascrcass in the vases
81 which pubic foans have boon negotiated since
tho ocWmcnccmsHt OF che war The last loan
negotiated BY Mr.. Buchanan. by the issue Of two
year bonds negotiated At twelve per cent, all OF
which debt principal and interest," has since been paid In
coin. Tho 0rst loan effected by Mr. Chase readily
taken at and three enths per cent Tho next tho
6vc twontcs grccdy sought after at six per cont
The teu.forty bonds TO be next issued viii bear in
terest Of only vc per cont and IL subsequent loan
should bo needed the Secretary Of the Treasury intends
to offer only four por cent interest on it.
THE REBELS PREPARING FOR OFFENSIVE MOVEMENTS
prominent citizen OF Virginia. reconty arrived here
from Richmond states that tho rebels preparing for
offensive movements carly IN the spring An effort will
be made TO drive the Army OF the Potomac back upon
Washington by demonstrations along the Blue Ridge and n
possible 10 force battle upon the Gainesville and Bull
fields The authorities at Richmond demand this Of
General Ice in order 10 avert the despondency and dsn
tegraton that throughout the South in
OF any further retreat upon Rchmondbeleving an un
successful attempt for the capture OF Washington prefer
able 20 disaster whc acting on tho defensive.
WORK SUSPENDED ON THE REBEL IRON.CLADs
From information in possession of the Navy Depart
mont 1t appears that the rebels have almost entirely
suspended work upon tbeir iron.cads Three are COM
peed at Charleston and two in process Of construc
tion there Tho scarcity OF material however, will de-
lay their completion oral months. There is but
ron-clad in the James rvor-the Richmond Two
are nearly completed. but their guns have been
removed to tho Notifications Of Charleston. No
hopes entetainsd by the rcbes OF making their
clads available at either Of these points. and very little
attention is given them by the rebel government
THE REsEL CAVALRY SUFFERING FOR FORAGE.
Rebel dessrtcrs sta that Fitzhugh Lees cavalry has
been disbandcd until tho 18th Of March. consequence
OF scarcity OF forage and that the rebel cavalry corps
being scattered throughout tho country the OF
Lees army for the purpose or procuring forage until
spring shall afford sucent grass for the sustenance Of
the animals.
THE REORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY OF THE 70
TOMhO.' ~
Genera, Meade was In Washington yesterday consult
ing with tho President relative 70 tho proposed reorgan
or the Army Of tho Potomac ne returned to day
by special train to ths hcadeuaftsrs Of tho army. Tho
trip from Warrington 70 Brandy Station made In Two
hours and three minutes
THE SCARCITY OF sEAxxa IN rHu nAvY AND THE
~. REMEDY,
There the present time fourtccn vesscs all
ready sea- with all thcr stores and officers board,
but detained for the want Of men
The Congressional delegation from California called upon
Secretary Weies icw days s,nce to an additional
naval force could not be soH to tho Pacific coast
there 10 great necessity. for Increase Of the
| force. They werc Informed that tho watcrec
then lying at the Washington Navy Yard and ell ready
for and had been for time under for tho
Pacific; but she was short hundred and could
notleave in consequence Upon this Mr. Conness intro
duced his joint resolution authorizing transfer
from tho military to the naval service for the special
object OF enabling vessels TO be sent to the Pacific Tho
resolution has passed both with provso that
such transfer should not be from regiments below the
minimum number. which, under the construction OF the
Secretary Of War, virtually nulHes It. and he will
consent that man shall be transferred BY an amend.
meut to the enrolment Law both ordinary sea-
be transferred under regulations prescribed
by tho President and undcr the pressing necessity which
exists for recruits in the naval service he will doubt
at once prescribe such regulations
The Departments have been compelled TO retain in ser
vice for months after their time has expired sailors who
entitled to and should justice received their
discharge but the exgcnces OF the service have been
such that could not be given them. During al this
time the Department becn receipt OF hundreds OF
applications from seameu who have got into the military
SERVICE and who desired be transferred tue navy
but heretofore this could not 90 dcus Tbs depleted
ranks q fo bus jackets will now probably bs speedily
oiled up. and the elcieacy Of the navy very much in
creased thereby.
DKATH or K-RErRssxsrArfvE B0uLraSy, or LOUIS.
Ex Representative Bouiigny, OF louisiana, died here
yesterday He serniy refused TO follow the example Of
his colleagues and the other secession mcmbers IN with
drawing from the House during the Thirty Congress-
aud served the full term for which he elected
ARRIVAL OF GcyRRNMEST FORAGE.
The steamers Portland and Kingston. towing twelve
government barges loaded with forage for safety OF
which apprehensons entertained arrived here
last night The Portland cut channel through ice
six inches In thickness from Maryland Point the wharf
In this city.
IMPORTANT CIRCULAR FROM THE UNITED STATES AT
TOBSEY GENERALS 0YFicE-RKsToRATIoN OF The |
PROPERTY or REPENrANr REBELS, ETC.
The following circular has been made public
WASHINGTON. Feb. al, 1854.
SR-Many persons against whom criminal indictments
against whose property proceedings under the Cons.
cation laws pending in the courts OF the United
states growing out OF the participation OF such persons
10 the existing rebellion have In rood faith taken the
prescribed by the proclamation OF the President OF the
8tn OF December 1s63 and have therefore entitled them
selves 10 the full pardon and restoration OF ali rights Of
property, except slaves and where the rights OF
third parties have interviewed, which that proclamation
offers and secures The Presidents pardon OF person
guilty OF acts Of rebellion will OF relieve that per-
son from the penalties incurred by his crime
indictment pending against him therefor the production
oil the pardon signed by the President OF satisfactory
evidence that he has complied with the conditions on
which the pardon is offered he be not Of the class