New-York tribune., 1868-01-18
PRICE FOUR CENTS.

ficatons issued in May, 1857
Speaker Colfax gave his first reception of the
season this evening. II was attended by nearly al
the celebrities of Washington. Pope Ord, Sheridan
and Stanton were there.
Ex-Gov. Flanders of Louisiana arrived here to-day
from NewOrleans.
Gen. Howard. Commissioner of the Freedmens
Bureau was ON the floor Of the House this afternoon
in consultation with Mr.. Eliot of Massachusetts
Chairman of Committee on Freedmen's Affairs
Reports were received at the headquarters OF the
Freedmens Bureau to-day from Gen. Sewali, Assist
ant inspector General dated JAM 6, in which besayt
that from Holly Spring-the date of his last report
he proceeded to New Orleans which place he left or
the Sd inst. thence via Baton Rouge to Vicksburg-
stopping at various points whore destitution wa'
represented to be the greatest 1t is true he writes
that an unsettled state Of affairs exist and at present
it is almost impossible TO determine what the resnli
will be. At present there is great amount OF desti
tuition but no starvation. The planters are without
much means, and 1t is reported that comparatively
few plantations will be working the ensuing year
this is So of course the freedmen will not readily find
employment. and must be assisted. Gen. SewaI does
not think as much cotton will be planted as formerly
but that attention Will be PAID 10 the chtiVa-
tion of corn and other cereals; But very lew con,
tracts are yet being made with the freedmen, ana
by far the largest part OF them are en,pioyed AZ
well-informed and apparently trustworthy persons
that there is an organized and fixed determination
on the part of the planters TO force the negroes 10
work at lower rate of wages and, if possible, TO
cure his labor for the same amount OF compensation
given him when in slavery and that tor TINS purpose
the refusal TO contract and threatened Abandonment
of all agricultural pursuits Is made. lie could not
find any evidence of such an organized plan OF con.
cert of action; but the evident desire manifested
by the farmers of these States to compel
the negroes to work. were It only Tor MS
part of the means of subsistence, points
in that direction He expresses the opinion
al - ha for fhq
issue limited amount of ratons in the river conn
ties in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Tho
most destitute districts of Louisiana are the parishes
of Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, Arcenon, Madison,
Carroll, and Concordia. There Is not much present
prospective destituton reported back from either
of the rivers The condition of affairs exists
Mississippi and Arkansas In the interior there 10
little cause for apprehension of suffering. Cen
Sewall reports that many OF the agents that were
sent to Mississippi worthless and suggests that
if any to be sent to be careful in selecting
them. Jt is reported that the agent at Lake ProNi
dence, La. has absconded with $500 belonging 10
freedmen and Others and deposited III his hands IN
the adjudication of the crops. Gen. Sewa reports IN
conclusion that he thinks there never was tiine
when the Bureau was more needed than 1t now II.
aud more faithful execution of the Bureau law was
demanded for the protection of the freed people
Egbert II. Grandin was yesterday confirmed by the
Senate as United States Attorney for the Southern
District of NewYork in place of Mr. Martin, removed
The latter it will be recoected, is the man who re
Gently shot Judge Busteed.
The Committee on Ways and Means Of the House
adopted this morning. in committee, the following
resolution TO guide the Committee in the amendments
in the Internal Revenue laws:
Resolrd As the sense OF the Committee. that sltoOoo
shall be considered as necessary be obtained
from internal taxes; and that the shall far
practicable, be collected from FIRST: Distilled splb
trers OF tobacco Third Stamps Fourth: Special taxes
Fifth Incomes. Sixth: Dividends. Seventh Luxnres
and amusements. Eighth Banks and Railroads. Ninth
Legacles
the lowest possible sum TO be collected from the lnds
trial pursuits relieving that class Of interests entirely
Following are the receipts from Customs at the
ports below named from Jan. TO Jan. II inclusive;
Boston, $S29,S6S NewY York, S2S'6 600; Philadelphia,
slOS9ls; Baltimore, :l57 7els; Newi0rleans tIom
Dec to Dec. IA, s26O,O9s. Total, s3,SSs,So4.
Gen. Howard to-day addressed circular 10 the
agents of the Aid Society. and the officers and agents
of the Freedmens Bureau and TO the pastors of the
colored peoples churches in the District of Columbia
saying: 1t is reported TO that numbers of people
living in and around the District OF Columbia are at
present coming TO this city and to Georgetown, and
that Others who have been procured homes North
and West are TO some extent. spending what they
have earned on their return to Washington.
The destituion in this city is already considerable
and increasing. you are all well aware, on account
of the large number of employees that have
been discharged by different branches OF
the Government, together with the. suspen-
reasons of the severity of the weather and from other
causes. Please all tho influence You can exert TO
check this immigration and urge upon every able
bodied man and woman, ont of employment, the ne
cessity of seeking homes In other places, Advise
those who are needy to apply TO the employment
agents in different parts OF the city for assistance to
procure places.
The following telegram. dated San Francisco, Jan.
l6 was received here to-day:
To Hon. WILLIAM II. SEWARD: Assay on gold ore from
Alaska $4,000 per tun. Details By letter.
W. T. BiLLoU.
The followng-named gentlemen have to-day been
designated by the President as Commissioners for
the Annual Assay at the Mint of the United States
in Philadelphia the tenth day of February next:
The Hon. Samuel B. Ruggles, New-York; Prof. Jo-
seph Henry, Washington, d. c.; Prof. John Torrey,
n. Y; the Hon. j. =. Putnam Boston the Hon. J. X.
Cen. John Hewston' ir'. San Francisco. ,Iobn J.
Knox. Treasury Department, and Franklin Peale.
esq. Philadelphia