Year: 1862

WASHINGTON, April l, 1852.


ACTION OF THE HOUSE ON THE TAX BILL.


The House spent Of the session to-day in consider
ing the Tax bill, which is pushed vigorously by the
Committee OF Ways and Means. Many members have
but little relish for this important work, and the House
dwndles rapidly below quorum. call OF the House
was made this afternoon, and all sorts of
were made by members for sbsentng themselves
One called out by his wife, another "by
the telee raph," another by important personal
business another "was excessively hungry" &c. Mr.
Stevens is obliged to crack the parliamentary whip
vigorously the team to keep them in the traces.
Pending the section taxing spirits, the following
finally adopted substitute for the section reported by
the Committee of Ways and Means On spirits mixed
with other liquors materials, prepared in any
20 be sold whskey, brandy gn wne or by any other
name otherwise provided fifty cents per gallon,
the basis Of the first proof and in proportion for any
greater strength than the strength Of proof Mr.
Edwards moved rs amendment the following


That this tax shall assessed such spirits held
any person or persons for sale at the time this act
shall take effect


This amendment lost, establishing, it is thought,
the final Of the House to taxing article not
manufactured at the time the act shall take effect


ISSUE OF TREASURY CERTIFICATES.


About and half millions Of six per cent certif-





thousand dollars. The checks and now in
amount to about ten millions v
FHB ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA.


Some Of the radical portion Of Congress begin mani
fest little uneasiness the inordnate haste with
which the project Of aboshng slavery in the District OF
Columbia has been pressed 1t evident that will mot
produce the emancipation Of single negro except
worthless the owners would be glad get Of
but the simple agitation OF the subject has already had
very deleterious influence upon the free negro popu
Iaton and instgaed insupportable nsoIence among
them which forces itself upon the attention Of many
first carried away with the idea Of aboishng
very in the federal capital rapidly becoming appa-
rent that the prosecution Of this scheme will only
make the city Of Washington the rendezvous the most
worthless class OF population but will be regarded by the
whole country evidence Of consciousness the
part Of the that the they possess
will be swept from their grasp, TO be
resumed.


The speech OF Senator Wright this afternoon produced
marked effect upon the Senate and the audience pre-
sent. The earnest and eloquent manner in which he
snunciated the duty Of Congress- to legslato solely
with view to put down the rebellion, without stopping
Tor moment to discuss matters OF inferior importance
made deep impression. His statement that the
excitement had eliminated and would subside and his
prophesy that by year conservatism will the
country, made the radicals vince.


QwHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH THE cONTRABANpsg
The disposal Of the thousands Of that have
locked within the lines of the Union army at various
points troubling the wsest Of the aboonists Con
gross. They find they have purchased elephant
Nearly all the Western States have or egs
atvs provisions excluding free negroes from residence
within their limits New England is regarded as the
Dnly available refuge for the contrabands 1t proposed
colonze them in Massachusetts, where they can
be taught variety OF industrial pursuits warm and
comfortable workshops aud reduce the Of labor to
he manufacturers. These contrabands cannot remain
with safety where they Their permanent sup
port by the government is not contemplated and the
only place open FOR their reception is New England al
though the majority OF these here the idea Of
working for a living, and when asked work answer
that they did not here 70 work, but 10 avoid it,
U-PREsIpENr PIERCE AND THE xNIoHTs OF THE


GOLDEN CIRCLE.


II appears from Official correspondence that towards
the close OF last year letter written by Dr. Hopkins
into possession Of the state Department II was
therein stated that organization had been formed by
which the members Of the Knights Of the Golden Circle
TO rush into the army and service Of the federal
government and thus gain influence and position
Tyng their reasonable schemes; and further that
exPresdent Pierce was among te prominent members.





President Pierce enclosing extract from it, saying
" Your name is connected with secret league the
object OF which Ia TO overthrow the government
Any information on the subject will be accept.
able" Mr.. Pierce, in reply, expresses his
prise that even seeming credence should have been
given to the charge appeals to his general
complete refutaton OF the slands and remarks that
never belonged any league society
ton further objects TO the form OF the Secre
tary Seward In reply. explains that this was written by
william Hunter, Chief Clerk Of the Department. explains
the under which he signed it regrets that
IL gave offence, and offers an apology.


DECISIONS OF THE COMMISSION RELATIvE TO STATE


PRISONERS.


The commission relative to the State prisoners closed
its abors here to-day. Its decisions are


Mansfield waworth shall he released on condition that
he goes Immediately 10 Saratoga county his paterna
residence, remain there, and report Hon Ruben H.
waworth until otherwise permitted Dy the Secretary ,f
War In the meantime he Is permitted 10 write let
ters to the States in nsurrection.


Rudolph Watkins, son of a clerk in the Navy Depart
ent to be released upon taking the oath of allegiance
Mrs. Augusta Heath Morris, Mrs Rose o. ~ Greenhow
and Mrs. NJ. Baxley are TO be conveyed beyond the
lines and TO give thor paroles return north OF
the Potomac until permitted by the Secretary Of War
IT Dangerfeld and WIN. II. Mcknight, Of the Alex.
andria Relief Association, TO be released upon their
parole Of honor render aid comfort TO the enemy
The commission has adjourned, to meet in Baltimore
tomorrow and on Monday proceed to Fort lafayette.


TRAVEL TO VIRGINIA UNRESTRICTED.


From and after this date permits passes TO the
Potomac within the lines Of the federal army will not be
required Of citizens. officers and soldiers will be re-
qulred exhibit passes from the Virginia side
TO this side Of the river as usual.


REMOVAL or RESTRICTIONS UroN TRADE IN VIRGINIA.
The restrictions have been from the fisheries
along the Potomac and from the upon Chesa-
pcako and Ohio Canal that with the opening Of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad the canal TO Cumberland,