The New York herald., 1869-02-17
nae the object 1cf which Is used, under such reeu-
lattons as the Postmaster General shall prescribe.
Pranaaed R4ducrIon af the Army.

reduction OF the army ana the consolidation OF sew
eral bureaus OF the War Department. meets with
much opposition from some Of the old army oTicers,
as well as from the heads OF the In the War
Department which it Is proposed 10 consolidate.
The feeling IN the House. however, Is so strong In
favor OF reduction OF the army that the Military
Committee. which was at first opposed TO II. has
been forced by the pressure to turn deaf ear 10 the
army officers and TO give their support 10 the pro-
posed amendment. 1t will hardly go through the
House in Its present shape because those who are In
favor OF reducing the army do not think II makes
reduction Of ofcers prop0tionate to the number OF
men which It is proposed 70 muster out. Such men
as Logan, who seem to have spite against the
regular army, favor Buffers amendment which h
much more sweeping than that reported by the
Military Committee.
Movements Of General .sNernan.
Lieutenant General Sherman, who Is now In New
Orleans, where he has been M several days on leave
OF absence, recruiting his health is expected TO
arrive here about the latter part Of next week,
and will probably remain here during the ceremo-
MES of inauguration.
The Pardon Of DR.. Mudd.
The warrant Of pardon for DR.. Mudd was issued
from the White House today The wife Of DR.. Mudd
came on from Baltimore and received 1t herself. II
is her intention to despatch messenger Immediately
to the Dry Tortugas, with whom the doctor IN ex-
pected to return. The pardon is quite lengthy
document, recting the Indictment against the pri-
soner and the finding andRntence Of the military
commission.
Bridges Over the Ohio River.
The Senate Committee or Post Onices and Post
Roads had meeting to-day and heard an argument
from Mr.. tGarrett, President OF the Baltimore land
Ohio Railroad, against the bill restricting bridges
thrown across the Ohio river to span Of not less
than 400 feet He stated hat the railroad with
which he was connected has now In process Of con-
truction two bridges over the Ohio-one at Parkers
burg. West Virginia, and the other at Bellair-and
both have thus far cost half million Of dollars. The
widest span either OF them atains is only 800 feet,
but the passage OF this bill would necessitate going
over the work again and involve considerable ex-
pense. Mr.. M0orhead, member OF the House, OF
Pennsylvania spoke In favor Of the bill, and con-
tended that the extensive coal interests from Penn
sylvania had paramount claim in seeing that no
obstruction nterfered with the reenavigaton OF the
ONO river. Rivers made before railroads, and
1t every inch essential that they should be left
to flow unfettered to keep any other kind Of high
way clear that commefce makes use OF. The span
Of 800 feet IL was asserted interfered with the TOW
OF a fleet Of coal barges six or seven abreast Sew
eral gentlemen from Pennsylvania supported Mr..
Moorhead's argument, but nnal action was post
poned. -At-
Movement for the Relief OF American Citi-
zcns in British Prisons.
paper, Of which the following is copy, has been
signed by forty Senators and one hundred and eight
Representatives,
To ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United
States
The undersigned respectfully request your Excel
lency to give the bearer hereof, raul Bagley, mis-
sonary, such moral support or letter to our Minister
at the Court of ST. james as may enable him favor
ably TO present TO the British government such peti
tion as he may desire in behalf Of our fellow citizens
there held as prisoners.
This was delivered into the hands OF Secretary
Seward on the 18th inst. He today read to Mr.. Bag
ley letter which he would forward to Minister
Johnson on the subject. Mr.. Bagley expects to
leave New York tomorrow, taking the original doc.
ument with hlm to England
Health Of the Cape Verde Islands.
The Vice Consul OF the United States OF Santiago
Cape Verde under date OF December 81 last reports
as follows:-
Il beg to inform you tnat the island of Bravo is
clear from yellow fever pace the 9th INST and this
Island since the 25tn iiist.
Indian Treaties Ratified.
The senate in executive session to-day ratified
several Indian treaties negotiated at Fort Laramie
by Generals sherman, Harvey Terry and Augur
with the representatives OF bands OF Sioux, Sho-
shones and Bannocks who had been at war with
the United states. These bands OF Indians to be
located on reservations north or Nebraska and west
OF the Missouri river, in accordance with the policy
OF the Peace Commission.
shrcwd Method OF Evading the Tariff Laws.
One OF the shrewdest lodges yet invented for
evading the payment OF duty on imported goods has
Just been reported 10 the Treasury A Boston hotel
Keeper wishing to furnish his hotel with the very
best OF furniture at the cheapest possible cost
to Paris short time since, rented house, bought
about s60,00O worth OF furniture and took 1t into
the house. portion Of the furniture, such bed
ding, towels carpets, &C., were made up In the
house by workmen employed ior the purpose. an
onlcer OF the customs In New York city, who
happened TO be In Paris at that umc was
invited by the hotel proprietor to become
his guest, to which he consented, thereby
saving all expenses OF board, lodging &c. In
few days after The customs ofcer left; the furniture
was shipped for New York; and, 1t is alleg ID, was
admitted free Of duty the proper evidence having
been submitted showing that the goods personal
effects which had been In use before shipment.
Once landed in New York, the furniture was forth
with carried to Boston, and the cnterprsing Yankee
had achieved success.
Nominations Confirmed.
The senate confirmed the nominations OF Calvin J.
Cowles, assayer OF the branch mint at Charlotte N
c.; James H. Huckeberry, attorney for the Western
district OF Arkansas; Henry d. Hall, Of Maine and
David b. Hodgson, OF New York, TO be captains In
the revenue service.
Senatorial Inauguration Committee.
The President OF the Senate has appointed as
committee to make arrangements for the naugura-
tion OF General Grant President Senators Yates,
OF Illinois, Cragin, New Hampshire, and McCreery,
OF Kentucky.
Contribution 10 the Conscience Fund.
Treasurer Spinner yesterday received contribu-
ton OF slAo to the Conscience fund from Bridgeport
KY. the sender OF which acknowledged that It was
due the government.
Mint Coinage of 1865.
The report of the commissioners recently appoint
ed by the President to make the annual trial OF gold
and silver coins reserved at the mint and Its
branches during the year 1868, consisting Of Pro-
fessor Henry Of the District OF Columbia; Professor
TORY, New York; O. Walker, G. II. Derby. Massachu-
sets; w. p. Blake California; J. X. McClintock. b.