Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-01
sEMMEs To GO TO THE OLD CAPITOL.


The War Department issued an order this morning
to the Provost Marshal to turn over to the Navy De-
partment temporarily the Old Capitol prison for the
confinement Of Raphael Semmes, of the Alabama.
The court that is intended for the trial OF Semmes
has not yet been fully appointed 1t will meet FOL
the commencement of the trial on the 18th OF Janu'
airy, 1866, and will sit in one of the rooms Of the
Navy Department Although the Old Capitol prison
has been turned over TO the Navy Department Tor
the reception of Semmes, order has been given by
that Department for placing him there.
IMMENSE FRAUDS.
Assistant Secretary Chandler, of the National
Treasury Department, has not gone home, as re-
ported, but goes South to-day, along with Henry
WatersOn. Esq of Tennessee for the purpose OF I'M
masking the Government Treasury officials now in
the South. who have been pundering the Federal
Government of cotton and other goods, amounting
TO over one hundred millions of dollars Buffers
spoons sink into insignifcance beside the great
frauds that will shortly be developed.-UHi0H.
ORDERED TO ALEXANDRIA.
Colonel LaMotte. 9th veteran regiment, Han
cocks corps has been ordered establish his head
quarters at Alexandria, thereby relieving Lieut. C..
j. Eyre, hitherto in command Of that post. One
company of the 2l4th Pennsylvania regiment has
so been ordered to Alexandria for additional guard
duty.
THE ALEXANDRIA RIOTS.
The Alexandria Journal, of the Goth, says-"A
great many OF those charged WIN DeuB euSdStu III
the riots in this city Monday last, and who were
arrested on that day and released on the following
morning are being re-arrested by orders from head
quarters at Washington. Several OF chem lett the
city Immediately on their release, and are now ut
Richmond. Warrenton, Washington and other
points We learn that application has been made
for company of cavalry to assist in securing those
in this immediate neighbOrhood.'
GOVERNMENT SALE OF MULES.
The Government sale of mules which commenced
NJ the Eastern Branch Corral on the 26th instant,
is progressing favorably. The average number sold
per day is about eighty, at prices averaging about
sI35.
TRIP OF SECRETARY SEWARD.
In consequence of the storm, the departure of Sec
rotary Seward and family on his ocean trip, in the
steamer De Soto, has been postponed.
REDUCTION OF THE ARMY.
The recent musters out of service have reduced
the strength of the army to $50 600 men. In Octo-
Der the army was 10000 strong.
MEMBERS RETURNING.
\ number of Congressman returned to Washing
ton by to-day's trains,
NEW YEARS DAY.
New Years day will be observed here as usual, in
a pretty free indulgence OF visiting among officials
and Others. Not only the Government dignitares,
from the President and Cabinet ministers to the
heads of bureaus Marshal, &c, receive on that day,
but also the Mayor of the city and other corporation
officials, as well as many prominent citizens and
other clever fellows" Such is the Washington Gus
tom VIII ch is very well for the seat of Government.
Some leading Senators and Representatives general
" receive also including the Speaker of the House,
and the politicians thus renew fratenizaton. So
many members being absent now by reason of the
recess, this kind OF visiting may be rather
dull at this time.
On Monday, at the hour of eleven A. NJ, the Pres
ident will receive the members OF the Cabinet, For
eign Minister'S Judges of the United States Supreme
Court Senators and members, Judges of the Courts
of the District OF Columbia and of the Court OF
Claims At half-past eleven officers of the Army
and Navy and Marine Corps will be admitted and
at twelve the doors will be opened to the general
public.
SOUTHERN CONGRESSMAN.
The idea is held out from quarter always hopeful
and sanguine (says the correspondent OF the Balt-
more Sua) that the Southern members of Congress
elect will be admitted TO their seats after the holt
days. 1t will be some time after still most OF the
States NAV be represented before the close of the
session. provided the members can subscribe to the
test oath There is no probability that this will be
repealed or even modified, as regards members OF
Congress- attorneys, at this session. 1t seems
to be the purpose Of the majority to require that the
of the States lately in rebellion shall
be chosen from among those citizens who were not
in any way, identified with the rebellion
THE UNITED STATES AND ChlLlAN Arr ANS
Mr. Seward, in reply to letter from number of
New York merchants on the Chiliau-Spanish diff
guilty soliciting the friendly Intervention of the
United States Government to mitigate the ruinous
losses likely 10 occur to our commerce by this
trouble, says that the good Offices of the United
States have already been rendered to that effect and
are still continued not without hopes Of satisfactory
results.
SECRETARY SEWARD GOING TO THE WEST INDIES.
NTs II
Seward, and his son Frederick and his wife, leave
here to-day in steamer for the West Indies. He
goes first to Santa Cruz and will be absent three or
four weeks His object is mainly relaxation and the
more complete restoration of his health. Mr.. Hun
ter will be acting Secretary during his absence. As
usual rumOr has this afternoon attributed all sorts
of objects to the trip, even TO the landing of the
honorable Secretary upon Mexican soil in search of
Juarez and his government, but it positively has no
other object than the one stated.
THE RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WITH
MEXICO.
The Washington correspondent of the New York
Times writes.
The correspondence of our Government with
France in regard to Mexican affairs, will be sent in
to Congress as soon as that body resumes its session.
Unless | am misnformed. it will not answer the an
teipations which have led to the offering of some of
the resolutions that have passed in Congress- mas
much il will show that our Government has ut no
time had any purpose or thought of abandoning the
Monroe doctrine. On the contrary, it has pursued
the course which seemed most likely to secure the
practical establishment of that policy, and at the
same time save the country the expense of another
war The whole matter will now be handed over to
Congress for its action, and if that body sees fit TO
insist upon a more hasty solution of the problem,
even at the cost of no obstacle will be placed in
ts way. The whole responsibility will be placed on
its shoulders.
GEN. sCoFIELD NOT REPRESENTING THE GOVERNMENT.
General Scofeld is abroad on a leave of absence,
and is not known here to be in any way represent
alive of the Executive department of this govern,
ment hence his presence in Paris is not entitled to
the political significance attributed to it by writers
at that capital.
DISH0NORABLY DISCHARGED.
The commanding officer at Fort Whipple, Virginia,
has been ordered by the Secretary of War to release
and discharge from service without pay or allow
ances thrty-two soldiers convicted by general courts
martial of various offences.
MALTREArMENr OF UNION PRISONERS.
The trial of Gee for the maltreatment of Union
prisoners. which was begun at Raleigh, has been re-
moved to Salisbury, y. c. 4. d. Richardson and
j. Fl. Browne, correspondents OF the New York
Tribune, and W. +. Davis, correspondent of the
Cincinnati Gazette, who were twenty months in
rebel prisons, have been summoned by the govern
ment as witnesses for the prosecution.
CASE OF JEFF DAVIS.
Chief Justice Chase, in conversation on Thursday,
remarked that whenever he found the case of the Uni
ted States against JEDI Davis on the docket he should
proceed TO try ii, but that under circumstances
will he try it in Virginia while the State is occupied
by the miltary.-NcIc York Tribune.
THE IMPORTATION OF CATTLE PROHIBITED.
In accOrdance with the recent Act of Congress pass
ed with a view TO the prevention of foreign diseases
among cattle in the United States, the Secretary OF
the Treasury has issued circular to customs officers
and agents of the government in foreign countries
calling their attention To the fact that the law is in
existence and that the importation of cattle sheep
and goats horses mules and swine, is entirely pro-
hibited. Collectors and customs officers will there
fore give no permits to land these animals, under
any preteXt whatever; and requested 10 explain
the object o'this act and regulation TO all persons
Concerned. The penalty for violation of the law is
fine of $780, and to be disabled for years from
holding any office under the United States Govern
ment
NO-PARTNERSHIP.-T II E undersigned
u have this day formed co-partnershiP under the