Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-18
TELEGRAMS, &c.

Advices from New Orleans TO the 18th inst.
state that General Scott had arrived in that
city, and was received with q salute. A bill
has been introcubed in the Legislature, pro-
yiding twenty thousand dollars for disabled
Federal and Confederate soldiers. An old and
esteemed citizen Of New Orleans, who returned
from Matamoros few days ago, and who was
intimate with French officers, say war between
France Is fully anticipated by them; IL is ex-
pected to commence on the Rio Grande, and
the plan of the campaign is already marked
out, which anticipates a sudden crossing Of the
United States forces over the Rio Grande on
pontoons. They are to abandon Matamoros
and the Rio Grande and fall back oa Monterey
which istto be held as a strategic key. These
all the means which the United States forces
have at their disposal here and in Texas for an
advance into Mexico.
An ice gorge on the Mississippi river, below
ST. Louis, gave way Saturday afternoon, when
the ice swept past with tremendous power
sinking or seriously damaging a dozen steam
ers and number of barges, involving loss OF
about S300,0OO. The following is a partial list
of the steamers sunk: The Geneva, valued at
s25,OOO the Rosetta, OOO the Calypso, s35, ,OOo
the Highlander, heavily laden, valued at
$4,000; the cargo valued at s25,OOO-both fully
insured; the Omada, s45.OO0; the Admiral,
value not ascertalned. Besides these steamers,
which are a total loss, there are half dozen
others badly injured II is not improbable that
additional boats may be sunk when the ice
above the city moves down.
A caucus of the Virginia Legislature was
held Saturday night, and the Committee on
Courts of Justice was directed to report a bill
admitting negro testimony in the courts, and to
amend the code, abolishing penalties on free
negroes especially. In the Senate a resolution
was introduced expressing regret and disap-
pointment at the non admission of the Nir-
ginia representatives TO seats in the National
Councils, and invoking their reception as pre-
liminary to the full and free restoration of this
State TO the Union. Several Senators having
expressed their objection 10 the resolution, 1t
was withdrawn.
The Legislature of Tennessee having refused
to allow negro testimony TO be taken in the
courts of that State, General Fiske, Superin-
tendent of the Freedmen's Bureau of thar dis
trict, under special orders from the War De-
partment, has issued an order which demands
that all cases in which negro testimony is in
yolved, and which have heretofore been dis
posed Of by municipal authority, shall be
brought before the court OF adjudication.
Reports from Ottawa state that the recip-
ocity question is engaging the earnest attention
of the Canadian Government, and that, after
the Christmas holidays, deputation will pro-
ceed to Washington 10 continue negotiations
Hon. Thomas Egan has been appointed a COM
missioner 10 inquire into the means of exten-
ding direct trade with British America and
countries on the Mediterranean.
At the latest adyices nom Jamaica the num-
Der Of negroes executed is estimated at from
two to four thousand, and the land is said TO
be offensive with corpses.
A large fire broke out in Chicago Saturday
morning, destroying property 10 the amount of
about SS00C0.
William Carbitt and Patrick Fleming were
hung for murder, in Chicago, last Friday.