Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-02-09
washington News.

WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-The Senate in ex-
ecutive session to-day confirmed the nomi-
nation of Isaac Stone, of Wisconsin, to be
U. s. Consul at Singapore.
| A. Mcfarland, of Portsmouth, O., so well
and favorably known as clerk in the office
of the Secretary Of State, has been appoint
ed commissioner for leasing cotton planta-
tions and taking charge of abandoned prop
erty. He is to be stationed at Vicksburg.
1t appear from official documents that the
commission of Gen. Hitchcock, of Dec. 10th,
authorized him to confer with Gen. Butler,
and designated him as an agent to procure
the exchange of soldiers and officers upon
terms not cOnvicting with the position of
the department relative to colored soldiers,
nor rsurrending men without just equivalent,
man for man, officer for officer. Subsequent
ly he was directed to exchange first those
who had been longest and to wave
for the time consideration of the question
of parole and excess of rebel prisoners in
our hands. He was allowed also to exchange
colored men in civil employment for men
in civil employment captured by our forces.
On the 25th of December, Gen. Butler
sent forward by Assistant Commissioner
Mulfordfve hundred and two prisoners from
Point Lookout, asking in exchange for
similar number, and leaving in allegiance all
oners IN our hands were well cared for, and
suggestions looking to the immediate ex
change of convalescent or disabled pris-
oners.
In communications of the same date he
asks for the exchange af Alfred Bengle, of
the sanitary commission, confined in Castle
Thunder, the whereabouts and condition of
Lieut. Mason and private John Woolem, of
Ohio regiments, and inquiries into the propo-
sition covering the cases Of the officers and
crews of the steamers Emily and Arrow,
captured by the rebels last May.
Commissioner Ould reiterates in note to
Major Mulford willingness to exchange
all prisoners, the excess on either side to be
on parole. He says this Is the provision of
the cartel, and we can accept nothing less
unles this is the distinct understanding.
No equivalent will be delivered to you for
any Confederate officers or soldiers whom
you may hereafter bring to City Point. In
the hope that such is the understanding,
have directed that a greater number than
the number of your delivery shall be sent
to you in another communication.
Gen. Hitchcock is reminded that by the
Presidents proclamation Gen. Butler is un-
der the ban of outlaw, and while his gov
eminent canpott- prescribe what agents the
United StatcsAshall employ, self respect re-
qulres the Confederate government to re-
fuse to treat with person so obnoxious
and that Gen. Buffers agency cannot there
fore he recognized or his person protected
by flag of truce.
Gen. Butler returned the note and said in
reply that no right of declaration of out
lawery by these authorities of any officer
or soldier of the United States can be adj
mitted or for moment regarded by the
Government Of thp Trnitad Statpc ne If oar-
tainly will not be by the persons upon whom
such intimidation is attempted. He informs
Robt. Ould that unless his flag of truce is
respected all further communication by flag
of truce between those authorities and ours
must cease on the 18th of January.
Butler writes again asking for an ex-
change of the lists of prisoners and of
deaths. and proposing the making up of
monthly lists.