Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-20
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.


tves, it is evident that the Constitutional amend
ment abolishng slavery coild have passed on Fri
day last had Dumont, Of Indiana, and Blair, of West
Virginia. been in their seats. Owing to their all
sence the final vote was postponed.
ARRIVAL OF GEN. BUTLER.
Z In obedience to n summons of the Committee on
the Conduct of the War, Gen,l Butler arrived here
at noon to-day. lie Is accompanied by Mrs. and Miss
Butler, and one Of the junior officers Of his staff
General Butler visited the War and Navy Depart
menS to-day and is to appear before the Committee
tomorrow, when he will open his budget Of orders
and dispatches, and show that ne went TO Whining.
ton by order of the Lieutenant General. and that
his course is indicated by the correspondence be-
tween himself; General Grant, Admiral Porter aud
the subordinate generals ofthe expedition. a dele
CATION Of prominent citizens of Kentucky waited
upon General Butler at Wizards this evening 70
express to him their desire that he should be assign
ed 70 the command of the Department of Kentucky,
The General replied in substance, that he would 90
very cheerfuily wherever he should be ordered by
the President.
GEN. HUNTER TO COMMAND me ARMY OF THE IAaEs
1t is reported this evening, on authority regard
ed reliable that Major General David Hunter has
boon nominated to the President by Gen. Grant as
the propet commander for the Army of the James.
Grant, it is we'll known, entertans very high opin-
ion of Hunters qualities and copacitiosfor tie COM
mand of troops in the fcd and it Ia deemed polite
recently in active service, by commander of the
same politoal.faith. Grant has. always borne evil
dence that he regarded Hunters operations UP the
Shenandoah last summer as the most ably conduct
cd daring and successful ''raid our entire war.
Loss OF sIooP- of-wiR "sAY IAcISro."
The United Statos sloop-of-wm San Jacinto was
wrecked op the morning Of the lst inst, off No
Game hey on the bahama Banks No lives lost,
and most OF the stores Of the vessel were saved
The day previous IL Der wreck she had been chasing
a blockade runner, which escaped by reaching neu-
tgai waters. Darkness coming on, the San Jacinto
stood in shore with the hope that during the mig II
the blockade-runner you'd stand ont for the hole
in-theWaf
The night being very dark, aud the current un-
certain, the vessel oyeggqn her reckoning, and in
stead OF being twenty miles from Shore as VAS sup
posed by the commanding officer, she Was close on
the reef, which she struck at 1870 O'Clock A, NJ
Every effort was made 10 get her oil by running
anchors out bIt heavy gale setting m from the
eastward, frustrated all attempts, and Mt 10 O'Clock
the next day she obliged, her sides being crushed
in.
The Captain finding it impossible 10 save the ship,
turned his attention TOWARD saving the lives Of the
crew and the public property, With his boats and
tie assistance of the wreckers who had congregated
aroundthe 'sessel he mhnaged TO land them without
loss Of life, lie also succeeded in saving the guns
and most of the stores consisting OF sails, rigging
and provisions Soon after the accidental Captain
despatched smack Nassau, informing the United
States Consul of his condition.
The English Naval authorities, being informed Of
the circumstances sent steam sloop-ot-war TO the
assistance Of the San Jacnto. When the news
reached hey West the gunboat Honduras was imme-
diatey despatched to render what assistance She
could.