Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-01-23

Pacific, negotiations for which are in progress
will result in the actual construction OF rail-
road before very long, from St. Paul to Fort
Garry. Steps will be taken to continue the
line across to the Pacific coast. He also re-
ports that the construction Of telegraph
line across Siberia to the mouth of the AMOR
river, is in active progress. His information
is derived from the director of telegraph OF
Russia.
New York, Jan. 2.-Havana advices, per
Epeuing Star, include Mexica dates to Dec.
goth. Dobolado is reported to have given in
his adhesion to the French, after the occupa-
ton of Morelia.
Cane Race Jan. 2.-The City Of Bahi-
more from Liverpool, Dec. 3d. has arrived.
The London Times intimates Arch Duke
Macmillan will not accept the Mexican
throne and that Napoleon will have to cast
about for some one else.
King and Heenan appeared before mags.
trate for breaking the peace and were bound
over to appear Mt the Quarter Sessions.
The Navy Department has official infor-
nation of the capture Of the Mexican schooner
Baton del Nilm0 on the Sd of December, ten
miles east of Padre Island, on the Texas
coast. 1t had neither papers nor log book.
1t was loaded with coffee, sugar, percussion
caps, etc.
BY recent decision of the Commissioner
General of the Land Office, the homestead
settler has not complete legal right, but
merely an inceptive title liable to b. defeated.
for nom performance of the conditions. He
can therefore only use timbtr for fencing,
building and repairs, under the bounty of
Congress. He is permitted TO acquire a
homestead in the public domain for agricul-
tural purposes, on condition of cultivation
and settlement for five years. Until this
condition is satisfied he cannot commit waste
by telling timber for market, as it reverts to
the United States on his failure to comply
with the law. As to any supposed purchase
by party from tho homestead settler, no
right can attach to sale. The settler has
no power to sell, and hence the timber cut by
him is liable to seizure.
NeW York, Jan. A very important
seizure Of confederate bonds and treasury
notes, to the amonnt of 81 100000 was made
in this city by United States Marshal Murry
and detectives. A large quantity Of plates,
dies and machinery were seized. The parties
were arrested.
Cairo, Jan. 5.-A delegation of prominent
citizens of Arkansas arrived last night en-
route for Washington to arrange for that
State to resume its position in the Union.
They say that three-fourths of the whole popu-
lation favor it.
The Mississippi river at this point is frozen
clear across. Memphis steamers report the
thermometer 10 degrees below zorro OH the
morning of tho LIST. 1t was lG degrees beloy
zero the same morning here. A number Of
persons have been found frozen to death
below Cairo. On New Years Eve 10 negro
soldiers persisted on Island No. 10; three
privates OF the SGD Illinois regiment were
frozen to death six miles below Fort Pillow.
The Tribune vouches for the genuine
ness Of the following letter, which intimatcs
that the city of Charleston is mined with
powder:
Charleston, Dee. 0.-DEAR Cousin Fred
has consented to let me come to Macon.
You may expect me in few days. The
other day Yankee shell exploded just
around the corner from our house, tearing
the building to pieces and setting two others
on fire; nobody was injured. don't believe
there are 200 ladies in town able to get away.
Most families have gone to Dorchester, Sum-
mcrville, and even to WATERFORD. and every
house in these places is crowded. The ma
jority Of our people have left the furniture in
their houses. expecting to return to them
soon, but of course, they know, if the Yam
KEGS take the city, their houses, furniture,
and all, will be destroyed. Bcaurcgard
caused information to reach all. that if he
finds it impossible to hold the city, he will
leave it mass of ruins. No one will COM
plain of this, as they know the barbarians
are sworn to destroy every vestigc Of the Sc
cession nest if they can take it. If they
should enter the city you will hear of the
greatest earthquake ever caused by human
agency. 1t will be a consolation to you to
know that should the vandals ever get here
they will never be able to reach Macon.
Beauregard is confident they could never get
ten miles beyond the city in any direction,
and equally confident they can never reach it,
1t is mournful to 60 through the streets and
see them entirely deserted, with the excep-
ton, now and then, Of one Of our colorcd
people or squalid Irish women.
The New York Hevaids correspondent
says;
Naval operations in West Florida continue
active and successful. The extensive salt
works of the rebels were destroyed at St. An
drew bay, and st. Andrew city leveled to the
ground by the crews Of the steamers Boomer
and Realizes. The salt works were valued at
$S,0OO.OOO.
Warrington, Jan. 5.-The President sent
a message to-day. recommending that the
joint resolution, approved December Esd,
prohibiting. after 5th January, the payment
Of bounties to volunteers, as now practiced
by the War Department, to the extent of