The New York herald., 1864-02-19
GEN ERAL NEWS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IS, 1864.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1864.
THE ARMY or THE POTOMAC.
b stated that there will be change IN the com.
snd Of the Army Of the Potomac. n s understood that
General Meade will retain the position for the next
eaen There report based excellent authority,
that General Grant had recommended General W. s.
anish Tor the command OF that army but this
ssndalion will probably remain in allegiance.
ANTICIPATED DESCENT OF REBEL cRuIsERs ON TIE
COAST OF CALIFORNIA.
Something Of sensation occasoned in the Senate
to-day by the statements made by Mr. CONFESS relative
- the imperative necessity Of sending feet OF war
steamers the Pacific coast without delay The autho
rites have positive information 10 the effect that rebel
steamers left that coast aud fears
tsraincd that great injury may not only be done our
sommer the Pacific but that s,n Francisco may be
Bepaced before our navy afford the requisite pro.
secticn.
THE PROPOSED SALE OF GOVERNMENT GOLD.
The bill reported by the Committee OF Ways and
Means granting authority 70 the Secretary OF the Treas
ury sell surplus gold In the Treasury At his discre
ou occupied the attention Of the House three
soday. Opinions seem TO be very much divided with
regard the advisabty Of the measure, the principal
sppoeon coming from the democratic side Of the House,
Mr. Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,, having been the only
sspublcan who spoke against IL. Fernando Wood en-
sraced opportunity preach his usual peace sermon
snd as well as several other members predicted the
meet disastrous results the adoption Of this policy
most likely that when the committee report back
70 morrow they instructed 70 DO II viii pass
Tho passage " such BILL without the actual release Of
. dollar Of from the Treasury, is expected 10
largely reduce the premium on gold Mr.. Chase will
sh~n have his power ~ any time, should rule too
high 20 throw sufcent gold the market 10 break u
down.
rBR ExRoLxKNr BILL.
Tbe Committee OF Conference on the Enrolment bill
ssde report to-day agresing upon tbs features o
Ne Senate bill, with amendments and the
u few sections Of the House bill The oomnusaa,on
d three hundYcd dollars 10 retained ana ocmpromes
made limiting the exemption thereby 70 one wear
ebe exempton Of high ofhciah IN the Senate biz n
stricken out, leaving the only classes exempt tho
senaly and physically unnt, and soldiers In The neld OF
sosorabIy discharged. II the quota be NOT n1sl
n any disix,ct by one drar, another 10 Il
section authorizing The Secretary Of War 70 assign drast
persons with rslgious scruples against bearing arms
hospital dnty, taking Of freedmen reported
wjth proviso confirming such provision those whose
department consistent with their conscientious scru
giles against bearing Tho House provision for th
drsfng or oolored 10 retained with the essenta
modification that When tho slave OF a loyal uaser
drafted and mustered into tho service thereupo,
rch Save shall be free and the shall be Paid tb
bounty OF &o0 IN the place Of ts beng paid 10 tno mas
lsr on bis freeing tbe person II he'd by toe com
a.ee ,bat he must no, be slave q moment after enlist
ns u understood that ihs s ihe drpu,oc pomt upct