Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-01-26
Domestic Nrms.

400 W aver DAittNg utAWttu inc anu huAktIh
Streets was destroyed by FIRE last night
Loss, about half million dollars. The
building contained cotton, hemp rags, sugar
and iron, owned by VARIOUS parties, and was
doubtless insured.
WAss1NoroN, Jan. %,
President Johnson was yesterday made an
honorary member Of the Foundry Methodist
Church in this city.
There is, or soon will be, an ample force
on the Rio Grsnde frontier to insure the neu-
trality Of the United States. News from
that quarter is getting to be quite interesting
and important, and if the Liberals should
continue to be able to keep in the field, il
will be difficult to prevent complications.
It is especially feared that the brutality Of
the lmperialists, in shooting down the Libe-
rails, when taken prisoners, will excite the
heartest indignation Of our troops in that
part Of Texas.
Claims to very large amount are coming
in from loyal persons in the Southern States
for damages for losses by the revages Of war
but Congress will probably reject them. If
paid, they would largely increase the national
debt.
Southern papers, finding that Congress is
not disposed to admit their Congressional
delegates at present, are getting quite indg-
nant
Accounts from the freedmen Of the South
are Of the most satiiactory character. They
are, in most cases, working diligently, while
awaiting the action Of Congress 10 their be-
half
Financial matters must soon command the
earnest attention Of Congress Al present
members, in committee and out Of committee,
are earnestly discussing the best course to be
pursued. 1t will be some weeks, however,
before matters take such shape as to make
them proper for discussion.
The question of equaiizing the counties,
involving a half thousand million, must first
be settled.
NEw YoRK, Jan %
special Washington dispatch says the
French Minister made demand upon the
State Department for information relative to
the recent capture Of Bagdad by Yankee filh-
busters. Up to last night no official inlorma-
tion relative thereto had been received at the
Department, consequently NJ. Determination
could not be gtathed.
Instructions were transmitted to Gen. Sher-
dian Immediately on receipt of the intelli-
gence OF the affair, requiring him to make
thorough investigation, and punish the Of
tenders.
Another Washington dispatch says it is
stated on good authority that orders have
been sent by the War Department to our mill
tary commanders on the Rio Grande to stop
all interference with the affairs on the Next
can side, and to stop all fhbustering expedi-
tions.
Washington special dispatch says infor-
nation has been received that on Dec. 9,
Juarez fled from Chihuahua with 25 men,
previously levying $4,000 on the town.
The lmperaists entered the place without re-
sstance.
Toronto correspondent states that the
reason for the postponement Of the meeting
Of Parliament until May next, is the fear of
Fenan engagement during the winter.
The Provincial Fenians, though in favor of
O'Mahony, are not opposed to an invasion
by Sweeney during the winter.
San Francisco letter says Gen. Ogazon
was to leave at the beginning Of the month
for Granddaughter, the capital of his State, hav-
ing authority and means to raise there force
to take the field against the lmperialists.
NEW York, Jan. 30.
The failure Of the Columbian Marine Insu-
rance Company, one of the oldest of the Joint
stock marins insurance companies Of this city,
is announced. Its liabilities are estimated at
Sc 600, 600, but Mr.. Phelps, agent of the
company, says the assets will be sufficient to
meet all these and leave handsome surplus.
1t was found necessary to close up the con-
Germ in consequence Of recent very heavy
losses; its payments on account of the An
go-rebel piratical expeditions alone. it is
sAid-aggre eating over 100000.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %.
In his speech on the Freedmen's Bureau
bill yesterday, Mr. Wilson reviewed and
boldly defended the ant-slavery legislation
OF the past four years, giving all to under
stand that It was hereafter to be the policy OF
the country that all men are equal.
Mr. Cowan, Of Pennsy lvania. responded to
Mr.. Wilson, giving the latter an opportunity,
which he did not neglect, OF showing up the
policy Of that's gentleman, and his position in
former years
The Chronicle says the defeat of Senator
Cowan's amendment to the freedmens BILL
limiting it's operations to the late rebel states
was Affected by a statement that recently re-
turned soldiers were prosecuted in Maryland
and also by the influence upon the Senate Of
the speech of Senator Wilson.
The vote on the amendment ia considered
an indication Of the passage Of the freedmen's
bill by very large majority.
The action of certain leading rebels at the
South and their followers, in prosecuting
Union men, and proposing to elect all the
officers and master-spirits of the rebellion to
office, is beinning to attract attention here.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. %.
new party has sprung up in Mexico,
called the Ortega faction T; the leaders of which
hold commissions from Oriega, and refuse to
recognize Crawford. Cortinas, it is said, be-
longs to this party.
Col Lawrence Kip, of Gen. Sheridan's
staff, who has been investigating the Bagdad
affair, returned on Sunday.
Paymaster Pierce had arrived at Brszos,
with funds to pay all the troops in the Rio
Grande district
A large number Of colored troops were
being mustered out.
Orders had been received for the muster
OFT of nearly all General Clarks command
on the Rio Grande.
About four companies Of black troops were
doing provost duty at Bagdad, at the solicit
taton of American citizens, and no one could
leave the town without a pass from head
quarters OF the U. s. forces In Bagdad