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One of the Japanese swords recovered.--It is well recollected that, whilst the Japanese Embassy was stopping at the Gilmore House, two of their swords were stolen. Colonel Kane offered a reward for their recovery, and the police made a diligent search for them, but were unable to find them. A few days since Deputy Marshal McPhail, acting upon some information imparted to him, sent a posse of officers to the house of a citizen, which was searched in the hope of finding the weapons, but it was unsuccessful. Receiving additional information, however, he sent for a young man who was said to have one of the swords in his possession. The party appeared [65] and afterward produced the sword which was taken from the well-remembered Tommy. It seems that a member of the Maryland Guard was in company with Tommy on the night of the arrival of the Embassy, and, after both had drank to excess, he carried off the weapons. There is no doubt that the sword recovered is one that was stolen; and if there be any curious to know the name of the party who committed the theft, they can apply at the Marshal's office. The young man is now enlisted in the Confederate ranks. The sword will be returned to Japan through the State Department. There is a great desire felt for the return of the other, and it is hoped that it will be returned forthwith.--Baltimore American, Dec. 6.

Yankee ingenuity.--We have seen a curious and ingenious specimen of handiwork, executed by William Henry Baldwin, Jr., a prisoner of war, who was wounded in the battle of Manassas. It is a pipe, made of mahogany, and richly carved with imitations of leaves and flowers, while the mouth-piece and mountings are wrought of beef-bones, polished like ivory. The only instruments used in this extraordinary specimen of carving were old steel pens, which the prisoner managed to pick up. He has presented it to Dr. Higinbotham, surgeon of the post, as a token of gratitude for kindness shown him during a long period of suffering.--Richmond Dispatch, Nov. 28.

Buchanan no more.--A town named Buchanan, in La Crosse County, Wis., recently petitioned to have its name changed to Washington, on account of the disgrace attached to the name of Buchanan, and their petition was unanimously granted.--Cincinnati Gazette, Dec. 11.

A Yankee proposition.--Messrs. Ellis, Britton, and Eaton, of Springfield, Vt., make the following proposition to the Administration:

1. If they will confiscate the estates of rebels near Port Royal, to the extent of ten thousand acres, we will lease the land from them, and take five thousand contrabands as apprentices to work it, on the following terms:

1. To the Government we will give, for the use of the land, one-fourth part of each crop, or its market value in specie.

2. To the negroes we will give three months attendance at school each year for all those over five and under thirty years of age, with good teachers and a sufficient supply of books, both for school and “for reading during their leisure hours,” and will provide them with comfortable dwellings, food, clothing, furniture, and care during sickness, for them-selves and families, and at the expiration of their apprenticeship will give them each a new suit of clothes and twenty-five dollars in money. The term of apprenticeship to be ten years for all those over fifteen years of age, and until twenty-two years of age for all those under fifteen.

The Government shall guaranty us protection against armed bodies of rebels, and lease the land for a term of ten years, and we will give good and sufficient sureties for the faithful performance of our part of the contract.

the New Orleans floating battery.--We do not affect much knowledge of things nautical, and confess to a full-developed skepticism regarding all extraordinary invention by way of destructive experiment-nevertheless we think we are safe in averring that if the floating battery now moored at our levee be only half as good as Capt. James O'Hara and his command, Company 2, Pelican Guards, in the fighting line, Commander Hollins will have no reason to be ashamed of its performance. Speaking of naval operations reminds us of the disappearance from that arm of Capt. Higgins, and his translation to some other service, where his versatile talents are no doubt in active requisition. He is the kind of blue jacket we want about this river — the sailor man who, in conjunction with the ever-ready Colonel J. K. Duncan, will give the Yankee boys a belly full of hard knocks should they try the Port Royal operations about the mouth of Old Muddy. The Pelican lads are, too, the kind of stuff such leaders as their own captain and those we have named will be worthy and proud of. Hurrah for the floating battery!--N. O. True Delta, Nov. 17.

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