The New York herald., 1864-02-20

| was said, would leave all the danger anu k'oiy
of intervention to England. II was hinted tns'
neither Russia nor France would support Engiand's
policy on the troubled question.
| Queen Victoria makes no alusion to American
affairs, except the indirect one expressed In
hope that cotton will flow into England from many
new sources. The London Times is Of opinion
that Mr.. Seward does not seriously intend to claim
indemnity for the Union losses sustained by the
| ravages Of the Alabama.
The Alabama was lying in ffty miles south Of
Rangoon. India, on the 9th of January-very
positive proof that she was not blockaded al
Annoy, China, on the I'd of the month. She was
watching for American vessels engaged in the
rice and other Eastern trades.
Consos closed in London on the lth inst at 80
901s for money. The Liverpool cotton market
was irregular on the Sd, and closed quiet, with
prices unchanged, on the 4th instant. Breadstufia
were firm, with rates unchanged. Provisions
were quiet and steady.
CONGRESS.
In the SeDste yesterday bill providing for the
occupation of abandoned estates in insurrecton-
ary districts, and for the employment Of negroes
set free by the Presidents proclamation, was re.
ferred to the Committee on Slavery and Freedmen.
The report Of the Conference Committee on the
Enrolment bill was called up, q long debate en-.
sued, and the bill was finally passed by vote OF
twenty-six against sixteen. The Senate then ad-
ourned till Tuesday.
In the House Of Representatives q resolution
was adopted authorizing the committee charged
with the investigation Of the New York Custom
House affairs to take testimony in New York.
A bill providing for the occupation of aban.
doned plantations in the South, and for
taking care of negroes set tree by the
Presidents proclamation, was appropriate
ly referred. The resolution authorizing the
transfer of seamen in the army to the naval
service was adopted The House then agreed to
order the printing of ten thousand additional
copies Of General McClelIan's report. Mr..
Stevens, chairman Of the Committee Of Ways and
Means, reported back the bill authorizing the sale
OF the surplus gold in the Treasury, with recon-
mendaton that it do not pass; but no action was
taken on the subject. The Conference Commit.
tess report on the Enrolment bill was presented,
and agreed to by a vote of seventy-one against
twenty three. All the private bills on the calen
dar except one appropriating ten thousand dollars
for houses burned in Virginia, were passed, and
THE LEGISLATURE.
In the State Senate yesterday resolution was
adopted authorizing the State Comptroller to Dor.
row additional money to pay the State bounty to
volunteers, in anticipation of further and more de-
cisive legislative action on the subject. Severa
bills were passed Few Of them, however, were
of general interest. Among them was the one in
cooperating the National Club of this city, for the
promotion OF literature and the arts. The bill to
legalize the Common Council grant to the Harlem
Railroad Company to lay aud operate railroad in
Broadway and other streets was among those in
troduced. motion to lay it on the table was de-
feated by vote Of eight to twelve, and il was
given in charge of the Railroad Committee. A
bill was also introduced relative to fees for
searches in the New York County Clerks office.
The Committee en- Charitable Societies were in
structed to investigate certain charges relative to
the care and condition of the State pupils in the
Blind Asylum. The Senate, in accordance with
the joint resolution adopted few days ago, ad
journed to the goth inst.
In the Assembly the bill amendatory of the
General Bounty act was passed Bills were in
ming from Chambers street to South ferry the fare
in our city government relative to our police |
courts, and to authorize the appointment by our |
Mayor of commission whose duty it shall be to |
investigate the charges of fraud against city off,
cials. In case the proof is sufficient, the bill gives
the Mayor the power Of removal. Favorable
reports were made from committees on the
Grand street and South Ferries Railroad bill and
on the bill to authorize the Belt Railroad Com
pany to change their route on the North river side
from one street to another for short distance.
Notices were given Of bills to abolish the district
courts Of this city, for railroad Grand street.
and to incorporate the Home for Disabled
Soldiers. A large amount Of other business Of
less Importance was transacted, and the Assembly
adjourned for the recess which continues till Mon
day, the 29th inst
Up to last evening thirty bills had been passed
in both houses of the Legislature and placed in
Governor Seymour's hands. OF these the Cover.
nor had signed fifteen.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
By the arrival of the new steamer Havana we
have received our usual files of Spanish ncwspa-
pers and correspondence from the Island of Cuba
to the 18th inst. There was nothing Of particular
Importance transpirng on the island up TO the day
the steamer left. The carnival was over, and the
righteous churchgoers were settling down to peni-
tence Sin sackcloth and ashes" during the stern
days Of Lent. There is no news from Mexico or
ST. Domingo worth more than passing mention.
The Re dItalia, built by Mr.. w. II. Webb, Of
this city, for the royal Italian navy, returned to
her anchorage of the Battery last evening having
been absent since Wednesday on trial trip with
view to test her speed. She ran under an
average pressure Of twenty pounds Of steam, max.
ing for,yseven revolutions of the screw, at the
rate Of twelve and three-quarter knots per hour.
She is over six thousand tons. and such speed Is
unequalled by any ron-clad ahoat The ship and
her engines, which were built at the Novelty Iron
Works, are considered perfect and unqualified
success, and are pronounced so by the commission
Of Italian officers now in this country, rs well as
by our own peonle.