New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-01-26
Special Dispatch TO The N. y. Tribune.
WAsHEGroS Wednesday, Jan. %. 1855.
THE CALIFORNIA MAILS.

THE CALIFORNIA MAILS.
Since the suspension Of the overland mail and
the conveniently gotten up Indian War" by which
the contractors will probably be enabled to draw their
pay without doing the work. the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company, in connection with D. g. Aliens line between
New.York and Aspinwal, have made propositions to
Congress carry the Pacific letter mails as formerly.
HANCocK's CORPS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
TIE disability which Hancoek's Corps has la
bored under Pennsylvania having been removed BY
its Legislature, officers can be appointed from that
State and applications for commissions are being con-
sidered by the War Department.
TIE FIRE IN THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE.
The fire in the Smithsonian Institute had prob
ably been smodering for days in the loft the west end
Of the main building. The pipe Of store had been
placed in fue in the south wall aud there joist
running directly this fue. But four five pictures
were saved from this Gallery. "The Dying Gladiator"
"a copy by John Gott) utterly ruined. crushed TO
pieces end burned lime Tho books and records in
,h Regents ROOM over the south door Of tie building.
including the effects Of the founder Of the building,
james Snithson, consisting of silver plate the library
OF Bishop Johns Of Virginia and the Beaufort South
Carolina library. placed in the Institution By the
Governor for safe keeping, were totally destroyed.
The saroophagus brought from Syria by Commodore
Elliot for President Jackson was damaged. The large
collection presented the Institute By Dr. Robert Hare
Of Philadelphia, mostly destroyed. Some that was
got broken and many of the pieces are missing
In the Offices the north front entrance with but
little exception all the correspondence OF The Institution
and large number OF back reports burned. The
east wing wasI not in the least injured although the
staircase leading from the Professors apartments to the
apparatus room several times in flames. The lec-
tore room is Quilted completely. The towers on the
north front appear be cracked and of the walls
aSe warped The library in the east end uniniured
akd much OF the apparatus having been stored below
also saved There was no Insurance. on the building
or effects.
GEN. MEADE.
The rum0rs Of Gen. Meade being relieved
from the command Of the Army OF the Potomac are de-
MED By him. He is said to have In his pocket copy Of
q letter from Gen. Grant indorsng him one of tho
abest commanders in this war. and In al respects
thorough soldier He says that the Senate may reject
his nomination If it fit that lie ana bis Children
can stand on this letter for ever.
BANKRUPT BILL.
The Bankrupt Bill was reported back to the
Senate TO- day with amendpents. Mr.. Jencks II Rhode
Island the ramer of the bill has been consulted in
gard to them and approves them One only that which
ignores the homestead laws Of West passed when tho
West was head and ears in debt may be objected IL.
excepting this the bill will slide through both icuse1
TOBACCO TAX.
The WAYS and Means to-day substantially
determined not to tax tobacco in the leaf