, 1864-02-06
Eastern News.

LhO 0IOoulOA OfCJOt oAllfON az Vi lIlduu
on Sunday night last bringing dates from
the East to the 9th Jan.
The following Walla Wallaians came pas
sengers to Portland by this steamer,
A. Ball, H. B. Lane, Chas. Russell, S.
Linkton, d. Drumheller, and Jno Creigh-
ton.
The dispatches are usually voluminous,
the news of four days covering nearly
whole page of our Portland exchanges, and
being made up mostly from "reports" and
extracts from special correspondents.
The Conscription Act continues to occupy
the attention of Congress. 1t is reported to
have passed the Senate without important
amendments. In the House the Military
Committee reduced the commutation clause
to $500, and refused to exempt Quakers or
clergymen.
The Rebel Congress has passed an act
Conscripting all men within the Confederacy
who have hitherto furnished substitutes, and
it is also said that several of the Rebel Gen
erals have sent memorial to their Congress
urging the conscription of all old soldiers in
their armies, whose terms will shortly ex-
pire
The Richmond Examiner says there is no
prospect of any considerable crop this year
in several of the fertile valleys of Virginia
No corn will be raised, and no oats or wheat,
barely enough to suffice for home consump-
ton
New York, Jan. 25.-The Herald's Wash
ington dispatch says it is understood that
California and Oregon will soon be formed
into Military Department, and that forces
there to be raised will amount to ten full
regiments. 1t is expected that a Major.
General will be sent there from the Atlantic
States
The Postmaster General has advertised
for bids to reduce the running time four
days between the Atlantic and the Pacific,
for the conveyance of the letter mail as well
as for the entire mail
Secretary Seward in letter to Minister
Adams, published in the diplomatic CORES
pondence, claims that the British Govern
ment is responsible for the depredations of
the alabama.
On the 18th the Senate confirmed Lewis
B. Gum, of California, to be Collector of
Customs for the District of Puget Sound J;
and G. James, Collector of Customs for the
District of San Francisco.
Gen. Banks has issued proclamation for
IL I
lana, on the 22d of February
In the order for a State election Gen.
Banks says: He is fully assured that more
than one-tenth of the population desire the
earliest possible restoration of Louisiana to
the Union. He declares that so much of
the Constitution and laws of the State as
recognize and regulate and relate to slavery,
being inconsistent with the present condi-
ton of public affairs, plainly inapplicable to
any class existing within the limits of
Louisiana, are imperative and void The
Gen. also appoints that revision of the
Constitution be held on the first Monday in
May for an early election of Members of
Congress
The Committee on elections have decided
against the claims of Segor, of Virginia, and
Fields of Louisiana, for seats in the House.
New York, Jan. 21.-The Herald's Army
of the Potomac correspondent says gentle
men who left Richmond Jan. 18th, report
that one or two divisions of Lees army
have gone to Longstreet who was said to be
advancing on Knoxville. 1t is believed at
Richmond that the Federals are about to
abandon Virginia, and the whole rebel force
is to be concentrated for move on Tennes-
see and Kentucky.
Gen. Blair has resigned his position in
the army.
Charles A. Dana nominated on the 21st
in executive session for Assistant Secretary
of War, under the law recently passed
New York, Jan. 22.-The Herald's Wash
ington special says that it is probable that
Gen. Schofeld has been ordered to relieve
Gen. Foster.
For the present legislation has been aban-
doned on the gold question, the Secretary of
the Treasury not deeming it expedient to
recommend further restrictions.
The estimated cost of the ship canal
around Niagara Falls is S55,000,000 In ad-
dition to this 3,500,000 will be asked for
the enlargement of the locks of the Oswego
and Erie Canals $4,000,0O0 for the canal
from st. Lawrence river via Lake Champlain
to Albany; S12,00O,00O for the enlarge
ment of the Illinois canal so that vessels of
600 tons can pass.
A question effecting the Punishment of
Vallandigham was before the Supreme
Court to-day. 1t was originally er parte.
Vallandigham being the petitioner motion
was made for writ of certiorari to the
Judge Advocate General, 1t was argued by
G. E. Pugh for, and by Judge Advocate in
opposition.
Harrisburg, (Pa) Jan. 28.-Judge Wood
wards decision as to the constitutionality of
the enrolment laws, and injunction restrain
ing Federal officers from taking drafted men
from the State, has been negatived by
full bench, only two Judges dissenting.
New York, Jan. PA dispatch to the
Post says that Secretary Chase will Fill Or
ders for 5-20's received before notice was
given that no more would be furnished
$4,000, ,005 in excess have been subscrib-