AMERICA.

Bruce Herald, Volume II, Issue 46, 23 February 1865, Page 4

AMERICA.

The Federal Congress met at Washington on the sth Dec, and the Presidents Message was read. Subjoined is an abstract of its principle topics : — 1 No attempt at negotiation with the insurgent leader could result in any good. He would accept nothing short of the severance of the Union. His declarations are explicit. He does not attempt to deceive us ; between him and us the issue is distinct, simple, and inflexible. It is an issue which can only be decided by victory. If the Northern people yield, they are beaten. What is however true of the South is not necessarily true of the North. The rebels can have peace at any moment on laying down their arms and submitting to national authority. If questions remain they could be adjusted by legislation, con^ ferences, and votes. The door of amnesty is still open ; slavery must die. The President retracts or modifies nothing in the emancipation proclamation, nor should he return to slavery any person freed by the terms of the proclamation. The condition of foreign affairs is reasonably satisfactoiy. The political relations with Mexico have undergone no change. The San Juan Nicaragua route will soon be open. A gunboat as a lift to Liberia is recommended. The Federal pecuniary claims upon Japan are in course of settlement, the friendship of which country has been increased. Foreign merchants should see the propriety of using the open Southern ports, instead of endeavouring to pursue contraband trade with closed ports. Slave traders should be exclude&irom an asylum in the United States as if it were a new and open question. Maritime powers would not now, with the light before them, concede belligerent rights to the insurgent States. Unforseen political diffidulties have arisen in Brazilian and British ports, and on the northern boundaries of the United States, which had required a just and conciliatory spirit on the part of the United States and nations interested. After six months notice this government will feel at liberty to increase their national armament on the lakes if necessary. The emigration act will need amendments, to pi-otect emigrants trom fraud. The finances have been successfully ad* ministered. The taxes should be further increased. The public debt July 1, was one billion seven hundred and forty thousand million six hundred ond ninety thousand. Another year's war would increase it five hundred million. The debt is a national private property, and should be distributed among all the people. To secure this a limited amount of some future issue might be exempt from taxation and seizure for private debt, under certain restrictions. The national banking system .is acceptable to hankers and the people. There will soon be no banks of issue but ' government's. This will create a reliable and permanent influence in support of the national credit. The navy comprises 670 vessels, carrying 4610 guns. The men employed are 50,000. The navy captured during the year 324 vessels. The gross proceeds of prize money are over 14,000,000. The expenditures of the debt for three years and a half were 238,000,C00. The national growth has been steady. The Pacific road will be a success. The products of the mines have exceeded 100,000, 000 for the year. During the year 400.500,000 have been paid to pensioners. The war continues, and our armies have steadily advanced. The first remarkable feature is Sherman's present attempted march through three, hundred miles ot an insurgent region..

Twelve thousand citizens in Louisiana— and Arkansas have org-anised a loyal State government. Free Maryland presents the example of complete success, secure to li berty for ever. The passing- o f the measure by Congress abolishing slavery is recommended. The national resources jire inexhaustible. An attempt was made on the nkht of Nov 25 to set fire to New York in nine places simultaneously—at Barnum's Museum and eiVht principal hoteld. Little damage was dcTne Several persons had been arrested. It is supposed that Confederate, emissaries, were connected with the plot. Hotel keepers offer 20,000 dollars reward, and Major Gunther re- -. commends that the Council offer 25,000 more General Dix issued two orders, declaring all iebel emissaries spies, who, if detected shall be summarily hanged. He also demands an immediate registry of all the Southerners residing in the city, the number of whom is supposed to be 20,U00. The Florida had been run into and sunk off of Fortress Monroe. It was privately rumoured she would be ace dentally burnt. The New York ' Express ' regards it as a strange and curious affair, and thinks it will add to existing complications. The 'World' says the pretence of an accident is too transparent to deceive anybody. The 'News ' thinks she was sunk designedly, and adds that the sinking does not cancel % the duty of indemnity. The government should procure another Florida. lord Lyons let Washington for England in consequence of ill health. His household property was to be sold by auction. In the police court, at Richmond, on the 23rd November, the Hon. S. Foote, member of the House of Congress from Tennessee, ancX Mr John Mitchel were charged in a warrant sworn out upon the oalh of one William H. Fowle with being about to break the peace of the commonwealth bj- engaging in a dnel with deadly weapons, and the Hon. Wm. G. Swan, member of the House from Tennessee was charged with being the bearer of a challenge from Mr Mitchel to Mr Foote to fight a duel with deadly weapons, contrary to the laws of the commonwealth. All the parties were bound over in heavy bail to keep the peace ior 12 months. Since the date of our last issue the interest of the news has beeu divided between Hood's movements in Tennessee and Sherman's expedition into Georgia. The latter fact was for some time doubtful, but it has since been confirmed. General Sherman issued at Kingston, Georgia, on November 9, orders for his march announcing that the army (said to comprise 50,000' men, including 8000 cavalry,) would move in two wings by four roads when practicable, the right wing under Howard, om- •• posed of the loth and 17th Corps, and the left under Slocum, comprising the 14th and 20th Corps. There was to be no general train of supplies, and ammunition waggons and ambulances were to be distributed among the different regiments. Foraging parties were to be vigorously employed in all directions. The troops were forbidden to enter private dwellings, but could gather supplies and drive in stock freely. Corps commanders were instructed to destroy mills, houses, • cotton gins, and other property in districts where guerillas or bush whackers molested the army, or where bridges were burned or roads obstructed, or any other hostilities perpetrated by the inhabitants. The seizure of able bodied negroes was to be permitted, and foraging parties could appropriate freely horses and mules ; alwa3'S, however, discriminating in such seizures between the friendly and hostile inhabitants. General Slocum's orders to the left wing aniiounced to the troops that rigid discipline must be observ ed ; that they should subsist principally on the country, and would take only rations of meal for two days, of hard bread for two, and coffee and salt for ten days. Pillaging and outrages on private property were strictly forbidden. Confederate accounts, however,, represents his march through Georgia to be marked bydesolation, lie had burned, they alledge. the towns of Griffin, Hillesboro' Monticello. jonesboro', Canton, Gordon, and Griswoldsville. Some fighting had taken place between the Conlederate cavalry and the advanced guards of Sherman, in which the former declare themselves the victors. An unsuccessful attack was made upou the fortified town of Macon on November 20. On the 23rd, Sherman was said to have crossed the Oconee River. On the 26 th his cavalry was repulsed at Sanderville; and it was reported that the Confederate General Wheeler had also repulsed Kilpatrieks cavalry with heavy loss on the 20th. On December 4th, another battle took place between the Federal and Confederate "cavalry, in which the former were said to be severely beaten, and Kilpatrick was wounded. According to recent advices, ~ Sherman was south west of Milieu, heading for the coast. It is said there were troops in his front who v/oufd resolutely dispute his advance towards either Savannah oa Darien, after he had passed a certain point. His track was marked by slain soldiers, dead animals, and abandoned materials. The Fedei al prisoners report Sherman almost destitute of provisions. According to recent accounts he was between the Ogechee and Sa-i vannali rivers, moving towards Savannah. A? great battle was. hourly expected*