AMERICA.

New Zealander, Volume XXII, Issue 2485, 18 July 1865, Page 3

AMERICA.

All the American news of the month yields is interest to the latest, which, in feet, superset)* all the rest. President Davis had addressed the Confederate Senate, giving a history of the peace-neitotia'ioos, and declaring that no choice remained but to continue the contest to its final issue. Congress replied blaming Davis for want of promptitude, but authorising him to seize the specie in the banks, and they theft issued an encouraging aMress to the people t after which they adjourned sine die. About the same time, President Lincoln made a speech, in which he declared that they could now see the bottom of the enemy’s resources, and that the end was near. Tne movements of troops, without any definite or important resalt, excited, but did not satisfy, the general anxiety, and everybody felt that a great crisis was coming, although nobody coaid see clearly how it was likely to eventuate. On March 16, the Confederate General Hardee fell upon Sheridan between Fayetteville and Kaleigh, and defeated him with great loss. But the engagement was variously described, and did not appear to prevent Schofield from forming a junction with Sherman, a movement which proved of great eonsequenet afterwards.

This incidental engagement was followed ia a few daya by active operati ms before Pe eriburg. On the morning of the 25th of March, before daylight, three Confederate divisions, under General Gordon, made a sadden and determined attack on Fort Steadman, in front of Petersburg, overpowering the garriaon, capturing the fort, and turning the guns upon the Federate. A battery close by Was also captured, bat quickly retaken. The Confederates also attacked K rt Aske’.l, bat were repulsed with great loss. The Federate on either flank maintained their ground. Reinforcements arriving, they charged, drove out the Confeterates, and re-occupied Ford Steadman, capturing numbers of prisoners. Tl.e guns of thft fort were found uninjured. The second and sixth corps pushed forward, captured the Confederate entrenchments, and tamed them npoil the Confederates, who made unsuccessful efforts to retake hem. The battle lasted until I o’clock in the evening. The loss on both sides was heavy. Grant estimates that 'he slaughter of the Confederates at the point where they entered the Federal lines was 3,000 mem He captured 1,800 prisoners. The Federal loss ift killed, wounded, and missing was 9,000 men, including General M'Laughlin, who was taken prisoner. Mr. Lincoln visaed the Potomac army on Saturday, the 25th, and together with Mrs. Lincoln and a number of ladies and gentlemen, witnessed a portion of the battle on that day. He has ordered General Anderson to proceed to Cnarleston, and np>n the 14th of April hoisted upon Fort Sumter the identical flag which he hanled down four years previously, when he surrendered the fort to General Been regard. Mr. Lincoln has also ordered a' saints of 100 guns in celebration of the ceremony to be fired by each of the Confederate batteries, which assisted in the redaction of the fort, and that Mr. Henry Ward Beecher be invited to deliver an address upon the occasion General Sherman arrived at City Point front Goldsboro’ via Mcwbern, on March 27. and on the 28th participated in a conference oi war with (‘resident Lincoln and Generals Grant, Moale, Sheridan, and Ord. In the evening he set out on his return to his headquarters. Mr. ewerd had been thrown out of his carriage and sustained serious injuries. A fatal result, however, is not anticipated. THE FALL OF~RICHMOND AND PETERSBURG. Next follows the “beginning of the end.’* We give this signal catastrophe for greater clearness in a narrative form, unencumbered by detai a, which confuse rather than explain the situation.

The Confede ates have lost (heir capital. Richmond and Petersburg have fallen before a heavy blow designed by General Grant and in* dieted by General theridan. The issue of a conflict or series ot conflicts extending over three days wa* the route of Lee sonth of the Appomattox, un i the enforced abandonment of the great entrenched camps which the Con* federates have s > long and so desperately defended. They seem to have held on to the last, to have staked everything upon the defence of the Southside Railway, and to hav# yielded everything when they yielded at all. The great system of defence fell like an arch when the keystone has been broken away. Tha moment the Petersburg and Lynchburg Railway was captured, the great forts on the .fames were blown up, the iruucluds were destroyed, and the two cities were abandoned. General Grant has been rewarded for his perseverance | - and Mr. Lincoln, just a month after his inauguration as President for the second time, entered Richmond, which had for several hours been in possession of the colored troops nnder General Weitzel. How this great success was accomplished it is not now difficult to understand. Richmond was fed by two lines of railway and a nlank road. One railway starting from Richmond followed a course between the James and the Appomattox. This was the more secure line. At Burkesville it met a second line, wideb ran from Petersburg south of the Appomattox. From Burkesville one main line went to Lynchburg, and formerly through the mountains to Memphis on the Mississippi; the other main tins passed by the Danville and Charlotte to Augusta, and thence to the Mississippi and the Gulf of Muxieo. Farther eoath-east of the S uthside line was a plank road, which ran to Boydton, bn the south-west frontier of Virginia. Formerly Richmond was also ted by the Weldon line, and until lately by the Jimas River Canal and the Central Virginia road. Grant long ago got possession of the Weldon Una, and lately Sheridan, in bis inarch from the Shenandoah Valley, rained the James River Canal and the Central Virginia Railroad. Thai at the end of March. Richmond was dependent lor supplies and for the safety of the army upon the two railways and the pla ib road tint mentioned. Grant’s long standing and hitherto unsolved problem was to get possession of the Boydton plank road and tha Petersburg and Lynehborg, often called the Southside Railway. The nature of the country, the strength of the defences, the steadfastness of the Confederate troops, and the skill of General Lee were obstacle* not to be overcome. Bat in order to stop Sherman, it if probable that Lee detached troops to reinforce Johnston in North Carolina, and thus weakened the army in the Richmond and Petersburg line*, at the vety moment when Sheridan woe sweeping through the northern part of Eastern Virginia to reinforce Grant. Johnston was beaten by Sherman, who, os soon os he reached Goldsboro,’ hastened to confer with his chief at City Point. Thsn was the moment for Grant. Lee, apparently foreseeing that if he eonld not rain Grant he mast be beaten sooner or later, made that bold attack upon Fort Steadman, which began with a brilliant success, bat ended in a severe defeat. Grant gave him no time to recover from the effects of that blow. Hit poshed forward the same day towards the vital point, and fonr days afterwards he streng’hcned his left wing by the addition of all the troops, including the horsemen of Sheridan, that eonld bo spared from the work of defending his lineii On the 30th he was over the plank road, and Sheridan was feeling for the' right flank of Lee from Dinwiddle Court Nome, 19 miles sonth* west of Petersburg, meeting little opposition. In fact, the plan of the Federal General was to maw hia greatest force on the vital point, and while keeping the Confederates engaged in front to turn their right and roll up the tine. The fighting on the 30th and Slat March was indecisive. Sheridan seems to have been no* able to tarn the Confederate right flmk, but ua April 1 Grant reinforced him by the whole of Warren’s corps, over which in the midst of Uie fighting that followed, he assumed' the chief command. Thus strengthened he was able to sweep ap the line of the Southside Railway, overpowering everything before him. Ua th# 2nd of April the whole Federal line advanced and carried the remaining defences. During the night the Confederates retreated over the Appomattox, and General Lae, feeling that ha coaid no longer u<*d his linos, abandoned both Petersburg and Richmond. These towns wen occupied on Monday morning, April 8, by tha troops left in t a Federal lines; when tha wreck of the Confederate arm? was well on ha wav towards ihs Borkesvilla junction and Lynchburg.'

The tremendous character of the Confederate defeat becomes more clearly apparent with the fuller and later intelligence which we receive ol rite light and the pereoit. Of Lee’s eotur^i

on the first days after the evacuation, nothing is yet disinctly known. Bat it was at least certain that his only route lay westward, and General Grant lost not an hoar in directing the pursuit. It seems to have been conducted in three column*. One consisting of the cavalry, with, perhaps, the sth Army Corps, under command of Sheridan, was in advance, and stru k the Danville Railway leading from Richmond to liurke-vilto Junction, near Amelia Courthouse, about 40 miles from Richmond and 12 from Burnsville. General Meade followed on a line a little to f he south commanding the 2nd and 6th Corps. Grant himself accompanied the 'eft wing, consisting of the 24th and part of the 25ih Corps, under General Ord, on the direct Burkesville road, par'Hel with the Southslde Railway, and which passes through Nottowav Court-house, about 10 miles southeast of Burkesville. But it, was not till inesd"v, ihe 4th, when these positions were reached, that any distinct information was obtained of the wherenhoms of what emained of the routed army **" the «» rening of that day Sheridan ■ent word to Meade that if he could get his column np in time, he might capture or disperse Lee’s army, then resting at Amelia Conn-house. On Welnesday, the sth. Sheridan was at Jeffersville, half-way between Amelia Court-house and Bnvkesville, thus cutting Lee oft from the junction, and preventing his adopting the route to Danville ; and the Federal general, pushing a brigade still further |o the left, captured five guns, 200 waggons, and a number of prisoners. The 2nd _ Corps joined him in the forenoon, and the 6rii iu the aftern on, and Grant himself, leaving Ord’s division, which proceeded to and captured Burkesville the saute night, moved across the country at the earnest request of his cavalry lieutenant to be present with the advance. On Thu isday, the 6th, Meade received intelligence that Lee was pointing in the direction of Farnmlle, a point on the Lynchburg Railway about eight miles west of The federal troops wore at tbi» time procee ling in a northerly direction from Burkesville, but their route was at once changed to the northwest, the 6th Corps, which had been on the the right, meantime moving along the rear to the le< t, to form the extreme left ol the line, the 2nd forming the centre, and the sth the right. The cavalry were on the continuation ot the left flank. The 2nd Corps soon became engaged wi'h the enemy, and drove him across Sailor s Creek, a stream which falls into the Appomattox river about > ight miles north of Burkesville. The 6th Corps, with Sheridan’s cavalry, came up about 4 p m., and instantly charged. The result was decisive, and six Confederate generals were captnred—Ewell, Kershaw, Button, Curse, Dehor, and Oustis Lee—and several . thousand prisoners. 14 guns, and many caissions fell into the bands ot the victors. For two miles the road was strewn with teats, baggage, cooking utensils, and ammunition. Several times the enemy appear- to have rallied, and to have attempted a stand behind entrenchments or natural obstacles, but he was successively driven from then, and only nightfall seems to have prevented bis utter dispersion or surrender.

SURRENDER OP GENERAL LEE. The American mail which reached Great Britain on the morning of the 23rd April, announced what may bo deemed the termination of the great civil war. General Lee, with his whole force, estimated at 25.000 men, surrendered to General Grant on the 9th April. The two generals had been in communication from the 7th as to the terms of surrender. Grant pointed out that nothing bnt surrender w.is left. Lee, while not agreeing with this, thought it best to stop further effusion of blood, and a ked for terms. The terms granted were generous. All officers and men were to go free on parole, not to take arms rgain until duly exchanged. The officers were to keep their aide arms and luggage, but all public property and munitions of war were to be handed over to the Federal authorities. Lee at once accepted the terms, and his army is disbanded. Secretary Stanton had ordered a salute of 200 guns to be fired from every arsenal, fort, and military headquarters in the Federal States in celebration of the event. The thanks of (be Government were telegraphed to General Grant, and salutes of gnus were fired. General Grant visited Washington and stated that General Lee had obtained permission to visit Weldon. There is no reliable news of Sherman, bnt it was reported (hat Raleigh had been evacuated the Confederates and occupied by the Ftderals. Lynchhnrg, so long the objective ejiut of Federal armies, had surrendered to a ederal scouting party. General Wilson is reported to have taken Forrest, Roddy, and their commands prisoners in Alabama. General Palmer was receiving the submission of Confederate guerillas in Kentucky. Mobile was beinc actively assailed, bat the Confederates were resisting with great vigor, and had inflicted severe loss on the besiegers. Only Mosby, the commander of the guerillas in Northern Virginia, threatened resistance. Jefferson Davis had. arrived at Danville with several members of his Cabinet. Meantime two imEjrtant notices have been issued by Piesident inroln By one he closes all the Southern Eons, save Key West, for trade . By the other, e requires that,foreign nations shall now treat Federal ships of war as if no war existed. In other words, he asks that the recognition of the Confederates as belligerents should be withdrawn. The . Virginia Legislature had called an extra session at Richmond, to consider the restoration of peace, and Mr. Lincoln is discussing the. best means of reconstruction. His Government have at once issued orders for the stoppage of recruiting and for the curtailment of military expenses. The surrender of the army of ,Northern Virginia had caused great rejoicing throughout the Federal States. The.Government employees were released from duty and paraded tbestreets. On April to they. were addressed by General Butler, who argued that after the South should ba conquered- her. military leaders ought to be hanged, her legislators deprived of the rights of citixenship. her misguided soldiers inithe rank paraded, and her blacks raised to equality with the whites in every respect. He was applauded. There were iilaminatious in Washington, Bnl. timore, and other cities. On the following •veuing. Presideut. Lincoln made a speech to the citixena of Washington; 'which he devoted almost exclusively to advocating his onerienth plan of .reconstruction, as acted upon by<Loui siana.. He considered it the best that had yet been suggested, and >. urged-that it be-adopted by all the other seceded Stater as they -desire to xetarn to .the Union. The speech had caused much disappointment, both in'the Republican •ad Democratic parties.: *• *•> - ‘i ' • ! A number .of the leadidg citixena of New Tork have addressed the President, asking him to appoint a day for. national thanksgiving. A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, who has recently made a tour of observation through the Confederate trans-Missisippi de-

partment, report* ike effectiveniilitary force at 59,000 disciplined troops, plentifully supplied with provisions, clothing, arms, and ammunition. General Kirby Smith' is in chief command. !■ A correspondent supplies the following description of the occupation- of Petersburg on April 3' Wii'-n Ely’s brigade entered the city daylight had nut jet dawned. Seeing that the rebels would not fight, and hat but a scattered few remained in front of them, wbea the outskirts of the town were reached the firi g ceased, and the troops made a dash in and captnred the most of the small skirmish lint that-had been falling back he loro them. They then had undisputed possession of the city, and at half-past four o’clock Colonel Kly so reported it to General WiUcox. Atthath nr the present writer rode in. The streets a» first seemed deserted, bat the cheers of the excited soldiers, as they starched through the town,‘ soon brought out •warms oi negroes, men, women; and children, who manifested their gladness by every conceivable demonstrations Aprons, handkerchiefs,

sheets, tablsoloths, < were waved by theve overjoyed people, either •'as tokens of - amity and •obmisaioD, or id welcome ; rit was hard To * determine' which.' oThoy bowed and scraped/ danced, shouted-,' and sung hymns, swung their bats and turbans, laughed and cried, and acted altogether very much like people eraajrwitb joy. “ Brass the good Jesus, de Yankees bah gome.” “ Tank de Lord yon’s all here.” ** Breas the lmrd-,twe’s been looking for yon des many days.?*' “ Glad-to see yon all, we like you a heap better’ll-we does de rebels.” These and many similar expressions met os on all hands, while the friendly salutations and |?estiogß wen so numerous that we wearied of

retaining them. The present writer being the first mounted man in town was looked upon as ume high -military dignitary, and received more than his share of these hospitable demonatrations. One old negro woman nwisted on kissing my hand, while any number of mothers presented their babies for a diaiingoished touch. It was somewhat embarrassing, as well as a little annoying, to be compelled to explain at every street comer, that I was no very great personage after all. Entering at the upper end of the main street of the town, I farced my way along a most beantifnl avenue, lined at first with elegant dwellings, and lower down with blocks of stores that wonl I not look mean in Broatway, to the Richmond ra.l oad depot, on the river at the lower end ot the street. Turning to the right on Water-street, and going one block, 1 entered a street leading to the aver, across which at this point were a waggon and passenger bridge, and the principal railioai britlge The latter had been thorough! destroyed. Its abutments had been blown , down with powder, and the superstructure burned. The w -oden passenger bridge, mown as the lower bridge, had evidently been the last used by the rebels, and was bat just fired. Presuming upon my recognised authority as an officer of high degree, I sent the negroes off after the engines, snd very soon had a firstclass brigade improvised and at work extinguishing the flames. Transferring my authority to a white man, who represented himself to be a fireman, and seemed willing to work, I left the scene to make other observations. Just below this pint was another railroad bridge—a tenporary affair, built by the military authorities for our own accommodation ; bnt as the track across it communicates with all the railroads centring in Petersburg, it is an important structure for us. This bridge the rebels had forgotten or neglected to destroy. It was just as good as ever it was. Most of the railroad property in the city was destroyed. The depots were not fired, but the rolling-stock that could not be gov away was burned. How much destruction this entailed in the lin tied time allotted me I could not ascertain. From many citizens in the town I learned that the dense columns of smoko that have hung over the city since yesterday morning wore caused by the destruction of the tobacco here. It is estimated that 5,000 hhds. of the weed have been consumed- There are still large quantities remaining uninjured. I was told that there was immense stores of all kinds of provisions for the army in the city. These were stored in buildings in the heart of the city, the destruction of which would have entailed the probable total destruction of the town, so that on 'he protest of the citizens they were left unconsmne hj I had much curiosity to see the effect of the numerous shellings to which the town had been subjected, and so rode through that portion of the city most exposed It was certainly wonderful that so little damage had been , done: Nearly every other building in some locality had been struck ; but with the exception of now and then a chimney knocked down, or a bole through the building that a few dollars would repair, the injuries were scarcely perceptible. I found the people living in the exposed localities, and was told they had been there throughout th ■ siege. But few people either had been killed by the cannonading in the town Some sad cases were cited, but they numbered in all less than a score. By 6 o’clock the town was quite awake and alive. Troops were pouring in from all di rections, shouting, singing, and cheering, but otherwise preserving the most orderly and commendable bearing. There was no straggling, no pillaging, no destruction of property, or intrusion of private residences. Guards were stationed thickly >n all directions, with imperative orders to keep the soldiers ont of all buildings, public or private, and protect all property from destruction The citi ens were showing themselves in large numbers upon the doorsteps, In the doors, and at the windows of the houses, indicating that few if any had run away, while most of them manifested in the expression of their faces a gladness at our arrival. Whenever I conversed with any of them, I found the first thought to be tor something to eat. They seemed to be starved out; while there was plenty of food for the army it had bei n care'ully hoarded, and the resident population was left to shift for themselves as best they could. Doubtless it was on this account more than any other that they were so plensed| to see us, and so ready to abandon the cause. On the main business streets there wa every appearance of thrift. Though the store 8 were not generally opened at so early an hou r in the morning, I noticed here and there, where the shutters were down, considerable stocks of goods, while all the business portion of the town had a commercial look. General Lee was in Petersburg up to last night, superintending the withdrawal ot his troops, but was careful not to say in what direction he was going. When asked by some citizens if they had better go to Richmond, he told them.that would dono go d, as Richmond was also being evacuated. He acknowledged his inability to hold Virginia any longer, and seemed very much depressed. The funeral of General A. P. Hill, whose death had just occurred, was attended with military honors just previous to the evacuation, General Lee and other distinguished officers being present. He was buried in the City Cemetery on the iay of his death, the circumstances not permitting the retention of his remains longer. All the vessels in the river here, and some on the ways, said to have been intended for gunboats or rams, were destroyed before the evacnation. At a very early hour this morning, just before our troops advanced on the city, we were startled by several distinct explosions, so violent as fairly to shake the ground. These explosions were supposed to be in Petersburg, but I have just learned that they were caused by the blowing up of the rebel vessels in the James, below Richmond. Everything, therefore, is destroyed, even to the rebellion. La us •Deo. The end is near at hand, lam off for City Point, and mnst close hastily.

THE PBDERALS IN RICHMOND. The New York .papers publish long letters from special correspondents, at Richmond, giving all the details of the occupation of the city, and a description of the,aspect of affairs under the new rule. . The correspondent of the New York Timet states that after the defeat of the rebel army, on Sunday, April 2, Genera’ Lee. sent a despatch to. the War-office in Richmond, stating that Grant had driven him one mile and a half, anfl that he had suffered severely ; that he bad taken a.position which he could not bold, and requested chat the city should, be evacuated at 12 o’clock, midnight. While in Richmond, General Grant was an object of great interest to the inhabitants, who crowded around to get a sight of him. A Union newspaper, called Grant’s Petersburg Progress, was issued, on Monday evening, April 3, the same day that the Federal forces took possession of the place. The correspondent of the Tribune writes as follows from Richmond; — Ere this the readers of the Tribune will have become aware of the fact that Richmond bis fallen. It was surrendered to our troops by the mayor of the city at 8 o’clock on Monday morning, the 3rd of April. The 2nd brigade of die 3rd division of. the 24th Corps, commanded by General hipley, led the advauce upon the town, M ijor-General Weitzel and his staff heading the column. Upon entering the suburbs of the city, General Weitzel sent a small detachment of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry, under the command of Major Stevens, to meet the mayor of the city, from whom General Weitzel received the keys of the public buildings. The army of the James then marched triumphantly into the rebel capital, having met with no opposition whatever. After leaving onr works in front of the rebel entrenchments our army was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the populace, who have thus far behaved in a. becoming manner, and have shown us every respect. The colored population were excessively jubilant, and danced for very joy at the sight of their sable brethren in arms, the 25th Corps, who fol owed close upon the heels of General Ripley’s brigade of .the ,24th Corps, in the entree of the Union forces into Richmond.

About daylight on the morning of. the surrender onr forces were formed in line of battle in front of onr works confronting Richmond, and wer* then moved np by General WeitzeL A few stray shots were fired by the retreating rebels injuring no one. Beyond this no opposition was off'rcd to us, and our troops filled into the rebel works, and up the Osborne and Newmarket road to the city, in inspection of the rebel works disclosed the fact ot their haring left in great baste. Many of their quarters were left without « thing being taken

out of them. Pistols, revolvers, carbines, and arms of every description were found in profusion, clothing of every description was in abundance, and in some of the officers’ quarters were found their private correspondence, diaries, &c. While stragglers were pillaging the deserted camps our army continued its march towards the city. The enemy had planted torpedoes in from of Fort Gilmore, and so thickly that it was found necessary to march the column in single file through the fort. They had attached to every torpedo a stick with a piece of red webbing tied to it, to mark the locality of 'he infernal machines. This precaution they had observed for the safety of their own man. General Weitzel had some days previously been inform* d of the fact of their having planted the torpedoes, and how they were marked. A couple of hours more brought us into the heart of the rebel city. The sight of the burning buildings was truly sovrowfu'. That part of the city along the river front, known as the main business part, was one vast sheet ot flame What wtth the roaring, and dashing, and clashing, burning, and tumbling buildings, the shouts of our soldiers muring up the main streets to the Capitol, the music oi'Union bands playing the “ Star Spangled Banner,” lh.- shouts o' wo'come and the excitement of the people wus a scene of grandeur and magnificence never to be effaced from memory. The thought of entering the city of Kichmond, that city seemingly the objective point of a four years’ war. I in such a style, without a struggle, after many hard fought battles to possess it, in which thousands of our brave heroes have been slain, was calculated to thrill the hearts of all id the column. General Weitzel immediately estab1i si led his head-quarters in :he state Capitol, in tho hall lately occupied by the Virginia House of Delegates, and immediately instituted measures to restore order to he town, as all was a Babel of confusion.

The rebel roar guard, a small body of cavalry, retreated i i the direction of Lynchburg, only a tew minutes before our advance entered the town. The main body of the enemy commenced to retreat about 10 o'clock the preceding Sunday evening. Their destination was believed to have been Lynchburg. Jefferson Davis remained in the city till dark, Sunday night, April 2, having, however, sent his family to Charlotte, N.C., some time daring the preceding week. The inhabitants generally were not informed of the contemplated evacuation until they saw the Confederate troops passing through the town from the east. Then the truth flashed upon them that they were to be left to the mercy of the Yankees. A number of these fearftil that their past misdeeds would not recommend them to the clemency of the Federal Status Government, hastily left their all to share the fate and fortunes of the rebel army, an array so shattered that it can hardly be dignified by that name. The damage done by the fire was very great. The finest portions of Main stieet and the street below, fronting the river, have been laid waste by the devouring element. The Libby Prison still stands, surrounded on all sides by a heap of burning ruins. Within its loathsome walls are now confined what rebel soldiers were secured in the capture of Richmond. Castle Thunder also remains uninjured, a monument of its former heinousness. lam informed that the conflagration was occasioned by the rebels firing a number of the Confederate storehouses, containing tobacco and other stores, which they were unable m remove before the evacuation of the city, owing to the confusion existing in all quarters.

[FROM THE MELBOURNE CORRESPONDENT OF THE “ HERALD,” JUNE 27.] Presiden: Lincoln’s death caused a general mourning throughout the country ; tho city of New York was literally draped in black. Booth, the assassin, obtained admission by stating that he was a bearer of despatches from General Grant. Mr. Lincoln was quite insensible from the time tho wound wus inflicted until his death. Vice-President Johnston was sworn in by Chief Justice Chase. The Treasurer, the At-torney-General, a id other members were present, Johnson, whose conduct and appearance presented a marked contrast to that in his previous inauguration, said ; —“ The duties of office are at present mine, and I will perform them ; the consequences are with God. I am deeply impressed with the solemnities of the occasion and the responsibilities of the office which devolves upon me. I shall lean upon you. I feel I shall need your support ”