The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-12

the Indian Ocean. At one time she had twenty.
five men sick on board. She left Singapore on the
2lu Of December. and subsequently. in the Straits
| Of Malacca, burned the American ships Sonora
| and Highlander and the British ship Martaban.
| The Florida, Georgia and Rapp were ra-
pidly completing their fittings and repairs In
France John Bright, M. p, had delivered some
very strong Union and anti-slayery speeches In
| England.
| General Magruder, Of the rebel army in Texas,
is announced as having arrived at Southampton,
England, in the West India mail steamer Atrato.
The ship Dreadnought. from Liverpool for New
York. which was supposed to have been lost at
sea, was at Fayal, disabled. Her captain Qyttle)
was killed during storm.
The opposition members in the French Legisla-
ture, including M. Theirs, had denounced the ex-
petition to Mexico and recommended the with
drawai of the French troops. Macmillan was
evidently in doubt to his future action. Some
reports say he was just about to prepare to set
out for Mexico; but they were denied by the
Vienna correspondent of the London Times. 1t is
asserted that the ''Court Of Miramon' has already
entered into negotiations with France and England
and indirectly with President lincoln"
Consols closed In London on the soth of January
at 9oH . sOM for money. The bullion in the
Banks Of England and France was increasing.
The Paris Bourse was firm The Liverpool cot
ton market was irmer, but unchanged on the
3Oth ult. Breadstufs were dull but steady. Pro-
visions were steady.
COMGREss.
The Senate yesterday passed the House bill ap-
propristng $l2 900 for rebuilding the Presidents
stables, which were destroyed by fire on Wsdnes-
day night, and, after dsposing of several unimpor-
tant subjects, took up the House bill reviving the
grade Of lieutenant general of the army. the ques.
ton being on agreeing to the amendments Of the
Senate Military Committee, striking out the clause
authorizing the lieutenant general to command the
armies ofthe United States, and also the clause re-
commencing General Grant for the position.
Messrs. Trumbull. Doolittle, Richardson, Sherman
and Howe supported the original House bill, as
an act of justice to General Grant. They charac-
terized the bestowal Of the title without the COM
mand incident to it as an empty honor conferred
upon one who to-day had the homage Of the
people. Messrs. johnson, Anthony, Nesmith,
Wilson, Grimes, Lane Ind.) and others were in
favor Of the amendments. Mr.. CONFESS proposed
to amend the bill by adding, "who shall be Gene
ra-in Chief of the United States, under the drec-
ton of the President, and who shall remain in
chief command during the pleasure of the Presi-
dent" Without coming to a vote, the Senate ad-
journed.
In the House of Representatives bill appro.
priating twelve thousand dollars to rebuild the
Presidents stables, which were destroyed by fire
on Wednesday night, was passed, and bill appro.
priatng twenty thousand dollars to pay taxes on
certain government lands was referred to the Com
mittee Of the Whole. The select Committee on q
Railroad between New York and Washington was
instructed to inquire into the expediency of fur
nising additional railroad facilities for the trans
portaton of troops between the two cities. In
Committee OF the Whole the Enrolment bill was
taken up, and long debate ensued between the
border slave States members on the question of
drafting slaves and indemnifypg their owners.
Mr.. Stevens proposition to draft slaves and pay
loyal owners three hundred dollars per head was
the first point under consideration. Mr.. Davis,
Of Maryland offered as an amendment that the
Secretary of War appoint commission in each Of
the slave States represented in Congress charged
to award just compensation, not exceeding three
hundred dollars, TO each loyal owner of any slave
who may volunteer in the service of the United
States, payable out OF the Communication money
ment was adopted after unimportant verbal al
teration. During the discussion Mr. Fernando
Wood made speech, saying the rebel Congress
now debating propositions of peace, while
the federal Congress was legslating in violation
OF the constitution Mr.. Cox, OF Ohio, believed il
Mr.. Wood were sent on a mission to Richmond
peace would be restored in sixty days. Finally
the bill was reported to the House complete, and
it will probably pass today, when it will be sent
to the Senate for action on the amendments.
THE LEGISLATURE.
In the Senate yesterday the Metropolitan Police
bill, cen aiuing the names of Messrs. Acton Ber-
gen, Purdy and Jones as Commissioners, was taken
up in Committee of the Whole being the special
order. Different amendments were onered, sub
stituting other names; but all these propositions
were voted down. A spirited debate between
democrats formed part Of the proceedings, during
which Senator Fields, of this city, declared
his willingness to support the bill in
its present form. Subsequently. learning
that in the democratic caucus Of the pre-
previous evening il had been resolved TO oppose
the bill, Mr.. Fields declared his intention to OPP
pose it also and stand by his party. The Senate
Goally reported progress on the bill, and made il
the special order again for one clock TO- day. Seve-
raj bills Of no general interest were acted upon.
Notice was given Of bill for the voluntary con.
solidstion Of all the railroads in this city. An
evening session was held, which was wholly taken
up in confirmation of the discussion Of the
Governors message.
Ia the Assembly the greater part Of the day scs-
son was licd, in Committee OF the Whole,
over unmpor:aut local bills. The evening session
was spent in considering the Nj CARA Ship Canal
bi!l. Amendment were agreed to that majority
Of the directors shall he residents OF this State;
that the canal shall have capacity for vessels Of
one thousand tons. and that il shall he commenced
Vs+l,;u fun aud complrtad within fee ypars A