The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-13

rros-rhe Tribune would have its readers be
iieye that the report on the subject of the Con
gressionai Committee on The Condact OF the
War relieves President Lincoln, and relieves
General Gilmore. and throws the whole re-
sponsibi'ity OF NE late disastrous Florida expe.
dition upon the unfortunate General Seymour.
But what are the faots ia the case, On the
representations Of General Gilmore he was
authorized by General Halleck, in September
last, to undertake an expedition into Florida;
but was required, meantime, to hold securely
the position already gained before Charleston"
On the 18th OF January General Gilmore asked
permission to establish. in view Of an easy
advance. certain depot in Florida, and for
authority in relation to certain garrisons Of
colored troops.
What next On the 22d Of January General
Haileck wrote to General Gilmore that '.the
Secretary Of War has left the whole matter
entirely to your judgment and discretion"
but as for himself General Halleck disap-
proved Of these side expeditions; for, even
il successful. he commended, sthey merely
absorb our troops ia garrison to occupy tn
places captured and have little or no influence
on the progress of the war" This was the
proper view of the subject; but General Gill
more, in reply, urged that this Florida occupa-
ton "would afford an outlet for cotton. lumber
and other products. prev ent the rebels obtain
ing great supplies of beef &C., and would
"iuaugurate measures for the speedy restora-
ton of Florida to her allegiance"
This project Of restoration was news to Gen.
Halleck; but from what quarter did General
Gilmore get this idea? The Presidents letter
of January Is to Genera! Gilmore furnishes
the answer In that letter the President says.
u understand an effort is being made by some
worthy gentlemen (they were unworthy cotton
spectators. no doubt to reconstruct legal
State government in Florida. Florida is in
your department, and as il is not unlikely you
may be there in person, have given Mr.. Hay
commission Of major, and sent him to you
with some blank books and other blanks, and
also my general wishes on the subject" Mr..
Lincoln, in fact, was completely carried away
with this idea of reconstruction for he further
says in this letter, IL wish the thing done in
the most speedy way possible Che wanted
Florida, we guess, to be restored in time to
vote in the Baltimore Convention) $50 that
when done it lie within the range of the late
proclamation on the subject"
OF course General Gilmore proceeded at
once to carry out the Presidents wishes, and 10
the same view it is not to be wondered at that
General Seymour permitted his zeal to outrun
his discretion. The President wanted Florida
restored "in the most speedy way possible;;'
and General Seymour doubtless concluded that
the speediest way was forthwith to whip the
rebels out Of the State. He tried it, and sig
nally failed; but the responsibility in this mat
ter, we contend, belongs to President Lincoln.
1t was his enterprise, and such pet project
with him. too. that he kept it a secret from
General Halleck. for fear that he would spoil
it. That letter Of January Is, aud the other
letters referred to on this subject, fix the re-
sponsibiity upon the President. This Florida
.tiasco is one more added to his budget of mill
tary blunders. by official proofs.
FREE SPNEcH.-All the republican papers IN
against the project of Speaker Colfax to expel
a member Of the House for words spoken in
debate. Speaker Colfax and his supporters
have committed a blunder.
GoLD MINING ON DrT.-It is whispered that
Colorado Jewe:t, who has been very busy all
over the world for months past getting up
mining companies, has got control Of the
World. aud turned it entirely into o vehicle for
putting up humbug mining enterprises
The WORLD uphods the omnibus extortion
lists, the butter spectators, aud also the mining
bubbles Of the day.