The Van Buren press., 1868-01-03
FROM WASHINGTON.

/ The question Will be carried 10 the Su-
preme Court. Congress will have to re
assemble forthwith and repreSs BuStecd.
General Howard, of the Freedmen 5
Bureau, complains of being greatly an
moved by the Oaths eXacted of Southern
negroes by the Loyal Leagues in South
I Carolina. The freedmen bind themselves
! by an oath never to reveal any thing that
occurs in their meetings, under penalty
Of having their heads cut off. The ope-
rations of the Bureau are mnch embar
rassed by these oaths.
Official information shows that the
South Carolina Convention is composed
Of sixty.three negroes and thirty-four
whites. In several districts the delegates
are all blacks.
WASHINGTON, Dec %.
The case of ex-Secretary Stanton prac-
tically has ended. Several Senator'S who
/ hitherto were disposed to sustain him in
his quarrel with the President, have turn
cd against him since the Presidents cX-
. pose of his duplicity. The eX-Secretary
! has fallen so low none will do him revcr-
ence Hehas not friend on earth. lie
arrived here TO day,
Grants letter to the President about
Stanton is severely criticised, the style,
grammar and even its orthography being
absolutely appalling.
President Johnson declares he is not
candidate for re- election, but he will, to
the extent of his ability, oppose the Radi
Gals, and will use whatever power he pos
sesses to prevent minority ofthe people
North, aided by bogus negro governments
in the South from usurping the Govern
ment of the country on the 4th of MaEch,
1869.
New ORLEANS, Dec, %.
The special committee to confer with
General Hancock concerning the pay
ment Of the Commissioners of Elections
reported an agreeable and satisfactory in
terVieW.
A bill was introduced by Judge Cooley
repeating the ordinance issuing 100000
in bonds to defray the expenses of the
convention.
Mr.. Jones, of New Orleans, obtained a
postponement until three p m, promis
ing that the first installment of $4,000
would then be deposited by the capitalist
according to agreement; an afternoon
session was consequently held at half
past three
Upon the Convention reassembling,
Judge Cooley presented a certificate from
the State Treasurer that no funds had yet
been deposited to the Conventions cred
it. This disclosed at once the rottenness
of the whole scheme, and no better pros
pect Of funds than fortnight since.
A violent debate ensued, lasting till
long after dark. Numerous needy dele
gates, disappointed in their hopes Of i'm
mediate payment, were turbulent and un-
ruly. Many Conservatives retired in dis
gust, the President resigning his chair to
violent colored delegate French, a
colored man Of education, boldly de
nounced the bond scheme as an infamous
swindle. Mr.. Blackburn, the originator,
credited its defeat to rebel Vaccinations.
Judge Cooley avowed his untiring
agency in upsetting the scheme, and
gloried in it. 1t being suddenly discov
cred that there was no quorum present,
the Convention adjourned until to-mor
row. This failure to obtain funds may
breed trouble, as smothered rage among
the extremists is evident, They refused
to adjourn over the holidays.
The terrible oath administered to ne
groes by the Loyal League reported or
ganized by Stanton, Forney and Holt,
compelling commission of the blackest
ann revolving crimes, has been brought
to the immediate attention ofGrant.
Infantry has been sent to the points
most eminently threatened by henegroes
COLUMBUS, O., Dec. %.
The city is much excited over the kill
ing of c. S. Hamilton, member Of Con
gress from the Marysvillc District, near
that place, by his son, who is now raw
ing maniac. Hamilton had just returned
| from Washington, and went with his son
this Sunday morning to view matters
over the farm, when the latter set upon
his father and killed him. The paricide
then went to the house to kill the rest
of the family, and wounded Il younger
| brother before he was secured.
MEMPHIS, Dec. SO.
General Ord, of the Fourth Military
! District, has ordered Colonel Gillem to
proceed to Washington, to present to the
President and Secretary ofWar the stary-
ing condition Of the freedmen, and the
necessity for provision being made by
the Government to feed the armed ne
oroes, in order to avert war of races in
such sections as are without food.
The steamer Little Rock struck snag
near Clarendon on White river, on Sat
urday and sunk. She had two hundred
barrels Of lime on deck, which set the
boat on fire. The boat and cargo were
consumed, and are u total loss The
Little Rock was valued at $4,000. She
was owned in st. Louis. This was her
second trip in the White river trade
! w ASIIINGTON, Dec. "a.