The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-16
THE SITUATION.


THE SITUATION.
Accounts from the Army Of the Potomac last
night tates that the reported movements of Stuarts
cavalry not regarded with any anxiety. as it is
not believed that Stuart has force enough to effect
any purpose of importance on the right of our
line.
The vexed question Of the exchange Of prisoners
which has been referred to Major General Butler,
by being invest with full and penary powers to
act according to his judgment, has at last assumed
some tangible shape. On Wednesday last Major
John E. milford, the efficient Agent of Elk.
change, was sent by General Butler to City
Point with flag Of truce, carrying with him some
highly important documents bearing on the sub.
Ject Of exchanging our prisoners. In the mean
time. the commanding general has ordered the rebel
partment to await release which he hopes to
be able TO effect
Our naval correspondence from the blockading
squadron of Wilmington contains detailed &C.
count of the chase and destruction by fire Of the
Anglo-rebel steamer Dare, by the United States
steamers Montgomery and Aries, of the coast of
South Carolina, thirteen miles northeast of
Georgetown Light. She was boarded by boats
crews from the two vessels. and, as she had
grounded in the surf, much danger and difficulty
attended the enterprise.
The Richmond papers Of the 18th report that
Onion Steamer was blown up and twenty.four
prisoners captured in Wilmington harbor, and
there is some reason to fear that it was the gun.
boat Iron Age, which was reported to be lying
ashore, under fire Of the rebel batteries on Mon
day when the supply steamer Newbern left.
C0NGREss.
In the Senate yesterday petition was present
ed from Peter Cooper and others, praying that
the Communication clause be retained in the Enrol
ment bill. Bills were introduced and referred for
an meniment Of the Homestead law and to enable
Wisconsin and Minnesota to extend their bounda-
~ line. Resolutions of inquiry relative to the
Overland Mail failures Of the last two months were
presented. The bill providing for the payment Of
all the army officers aud men who have been en-
ployed in the Missouri Department, appropriating
ever seven hundred thousand dollars for that pur.
pose, was passed. A resolution was adopted re.
questng the Secretary Of State to transmit copy
of the report presented to the recent International
Statistical Congress at Berlin by Hon. Samuel B.
Ruggles. the American delegate. The Enrol
ment bill was then taken up, and its
consideration consumed the remainder Of
the session. Amendments were agreed to
altering the amount of Communication from $500 to
$500; prohibiting enlisted men serving as substi
tutes in regiments from any other States than
those in which they originally enlisted; providing
that persons exempted by physical disability,
whose annual incomes amount to one thousand
dollars shall pay three hundred dollars into the
Internal Revenue fund, and making persons who
have resided one year in the United States, and
who have voted at any election, subject to the
draft.
In the House OF Representatives bills were re-
ported from the Committee on Commerce making
regulations to prevent collisions on water and to
regulate the admeasurement Of vessels. A report
from the District Of Columbia Committee showed
thatproper provision had been made to prevent
the spread Of smallpox, and O resolution was
adopted recommending that the city au-
liberties Of Washington and Georgetown
take measures for vaccinating the citizens at
their residences. The Committee on Commerce
were directed to inquire into the expediency of a
law to require hospital dues to be paid on Ameri.
can vessels sold in foreign ports. An amendment
20 the postal laws was reported from the Post
Office Committee permitting clothing for soldiers
to be transmitted through the mails packages not
exceeding two pounds each to pay eighteen cents,
and above that weight to be subject to the regu-
iatons Of the Postmaster General. 1t was passed.
The Senate bill providing for Second Assistant
Secretary OF War, and bill appropristing seven.
teen thousand dollars to indemnify the owners Of
the schooner Glen for Illegal seizure, passed.
Internal Revenue bill In reference to the ware.
housing Of spirits. The case Of the contested seat
OF delegate for Dakota was taken up. and, after
'sone debate. Mr.. Jayne was admitted, Mr.. Todd,
che contestant, being permitted TO bring evidence
hereafter 10 subsssstiate bis claim. The House
then adjourned 10 Monday.
THE LEGISLATURE.
The proceedings In the State Legislature yester.
day we're very interesting. In the Senate tho bin
prohibiting the enlistment OF men in this State
into regiments OF other States received favorable
notice. The Assembly resolutions proposing an
amendment 10 the constitution 40 as to secure to
citizens Of this State in the military service Of the
United States the privileges Of the elective fran
chse we're adopted unanimously. Bills were in
iroduced 10 amend the Railroad act relative to tl
fiakIng up Of trains, and for rebuilding the lock