The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-22


THE SITUATION.
Tho condition Of the Army Of the Potomac ap
pSars to be one Of perfect insction. enlivened BY
the ordinary enjoymenfs which characterize
camp in which no fear Of the approach Of an enc
NJ distsrbs the fcstivity. The officers, who are
qoartered comfortably iu winter huts. It appears
aavc their wives with them, to make the huts
moro comfortable. Other officers entertain theil
fricads ct plentiful dinners. where eloquent
words ere spoken and eloquent music ID
discsursed BY military bands. The Masonic por
ten Of The army hold their lodge meetings accord
ing to Masonic rule and the pickets on both sides
preserve polite and accommodating neutrality
To disturb this pleasant state of affairs, however,
the rebel guerillas make an occasional demonstra.
ton. For instance, they made a night foray on
Colonel sweitzer's brigade, Of the Fifth army
corps. woanding six Of the men, but leaving eight
OF their own party dead on the field, for they me,
warmer reception than they expected.
feeling antagonistic to the rebel govern.
ment and military despotsm in North Carolina is
growing stronger and stronger every day, if
we can judge from the tone of the Raleigh
press. "a exempIiAed in the columns of the
Standard. which. declares that il the civil law is
TO be trsmpled under foot by the suspension Of the
writ Of habeas corpus, and il the rights of
the States are TO be ignored and swept
away by the common government the
people Of North Carolina will take their own af-
fairs into their own hands. and will proceed in
convention assembled to indicate their liberties
End their privileges. 1t further declares that the
people win not submit to military despotism
nor TO the destruction of their rights, personal
and civil. in this or any other war. The people
Of North Carolina thus regard the civil rights Of
the citizen as sacred. IS above and beyond the
control OF any military power. no matter by whom
exercised.
Cereal Schofeld has been ordered to relieve
General Foster, in command Of the Department of
en- Ohio. the latter efacer not being sufficiently
recover d from his wounds to continue his duties.
yesterday.
Tho blockade Of Wilmington, which is now un-
der the charge of Admiral Lee. is progressing
well. Our correspondence from that point will
show how eaectually the business is being carried
out there.
We give to-day another batch Of extracts from
NJ. Ssward's diplomatic correspondence. which
boar principally upon the action OF the rebe
pirates. and the complaint Of the British authori
ties In the cases Of the destruction of the jacob
bell by the Florida and the numerous dclin
auencics Of the famous Alabama.
coNGREss.
Tn the Senate yesterday, the bill to promote en-
iistmeats was taken up, but its consideration post
sooed til to-day, at the suggestion Of Mr.. Grimes
wing to its providing no bounty for colored sol
diers. Mr. Davis resolution calling for the cor
rcspondence with the rebel authorities in refer
ence to the exchange Of prisoners was taken up
but, without being disposed OF, was also post
poned. The report Of Mr.. Newton, Commissions
OF Agriculture, in reference to the proposed IA,
on leaf tobacco, and adverse TO the measure, wa
presented, and referred TO the Finance Commit
tee. The consideration OF the oath required to b,
taken BY Senators to support the government VI
then resumed, and Mr.. Revcrdy Johnson, 0
Maryland, spoke at length in opposition 10 t.. II
was replied to hy Mr.. Howard, OF Michigan. Mr.
Foot, Of Vermont, also spoke against insistin
upon IN administration Of the oath 70 Senators
after which the amendment Of Mr.. Powell We
roiNeted nv % nays TO IL yeas when the aubjec
IVES postponed, and the Senate adjourned unit
MosAay next.
In ths House Of Representatives . new stsndin
cennittes. TO be entitled the Committee on
Uniferm System Of Coinage, Weights and Measures
vas ssthorised The discussion Of the joint resolr
ton smemdatory Of che Connscatien oct was coutil
nod from the previous day; but, without receiving
FINAL disposition. the matter was laid over. Tn
House then. In Committee Of the Whole. took u
the bill 70 increase the isternal fevenss, IN
snendasory Of the present Internal nevsans sc'
ths debate on which consumed the greater part I
The session. becoming at times somewhat bite
AnA personaL Bone few amendments wer
agreed 70, when the bill, az amended, was repor,
Cd 70 The House. and " aud substitute whic
Mr.. Stevens intends 70 offer for II were ordered q
b printed. without further proceedings. tn
House adjourned until to-day.
TIE LEGIsLAruRE.
In the Senate yesterday bills were reror,c
fsvorsbly to amend the charter OF the Brookly
Psre Department and to IegaIize the action Of u
fupervisors Of this CITY ~ Using boun,. and ri
funds.. Notices were gi,gs Of bills 70 authors
the Erie Railroad Company 70 increase Their cal