We have Northern dates of Saturday, the 9th inst., and make up the following summary of the intelligence which is most important:
Inroads upon leased plantations — no cotton to be raised.
A correspondent of the St. Louis
Democrat, writing from
Natchez, Miss., March 10 says:
‘
In
Concordia and Tenses parishes, in
Louisiana, the rebels have recently caused much trouble.
Nearly all the
Government plantations in that locality have received visits from marauding parties to such an extent that labor upon them has been almost entirely suspended.
The first attempt to break up the scheme for the production of cotton was made more than a month ago by the forces under
Gen. Polignac.
At that time they came up nearly to the bank of the river, and within full view of
Natchez.
Every plantation that they visited was stripped of mules and horses, necessary for carrying on work.
Since that time the same depredations have been carried on by small hands of the enemy detached for the especial purpose.
Several lessees have been captured, but in no case have they been taken to any distance.
’
They have been robbed of all valuables, and in some instances stripped of coats, hats, and boots.
In one instance a lessee was robbed of everything except his drawers and shirt, and left to make his way to town, twenty miles distant, on foot.
The rebels say they have received positive orders to break up all the plantations where there is an attempt at the production of cotton.
They will allow corn in small quantities to be produced, but will allow no extensive cultivation.
In the vicinity of
Waterproof several plantations, that were in full operation, were made the especial targets for vengeance.
That section was visited almost daily for two weeks, and each time there was found something worths of being stolen.
Every mule and horse that could be found was driven off to the
Ouachita district for the benefit of the
Confederacy.
All goods that had been purchased for issuing to the negroes were carried off. and in many cases the negroes were robbed of what had been sold to them.
The rebels expressed a lively desire to capture the horses, but they were successful in only a few instances.
The elections at the North.
The election in
Maryland (under military supervision of course) resulted in the success of the emancipation candidates to the "Constitutional Convention." The following in the election returns is the only indication of a disturbance that we see:
Frederick, April 6.--This district gives the Emancipation ticket and Convention 480 majority.
The ballot box of the Jackson district was taken possession of by the Copperheads about 2 o'clock and totally destroyed.
Detachments of
Colonel Cole's cavalry, and of the 7th Maryland regiment, have gone to arrest the parties.
Frederick, April 6, 11 P M--
Frederick county will give about 2,000 majority for the
Convention.
The following telegram, dated
St. Louis, 5th, is the latest from the
Missouri elections:
The aggregate vote is about 10,000, or about one third less than at the election last spring, when the Democrats ran two candidates.
Mr. Flesh, a Conservative, was elected
Mayor of
Jefferson City, yesterday, by 25 majority over
Wagner, Radical.
The
Metropolitan Record having been served to subscribers in this department under the name of the
Vindicator, that journal has been promptly suppressed by
Gen. Rosecrans.
In
Connecticut returns are in from all but three towns.
The footings are:
Buckingham 38,446;
Seymour 32,904.
Buckingham's majority 5,64
The Senate stands eighteen Union to three Democrats, and the
House 158 Union to 12 Democrats, thus giving the Union party two-thirds of the Legislature, which secures the amendment to the
Constitution allowing soldiers to vote.
The War in Arkansas and the Southwest.
Dispatches from
Fort Smith, Ark, state that
Gen. Steele has driven the rebels from
Arkadelphia, and was advancing on
Price's main army, in the direction of
Camden.
The following official telegram, dated,
Pine Bluff, Ark, the 31st, is published, signed by
Powell Clayton, Col Commanding:
The expedition to Mount Eiba and
Longview has just returned.
We destroyed the pontoon bridge at
Longview, burned a train of thirty-five wagons loaded with camp and garrison equipments, ammunition, Quartermaster stores, &c. Captured three hundred and twenty prisoners.
Engaged in battle at
Mount Elba yesterday morning, Gen
Docking's division of about 1,200 men, from
Monticello, routed him and pursued him ten miles, with a loss on his side of over one hundred killed and wounded, captured a large quantity of small arms, two stands of colors, many wagons, and over three hundred horses and mules.
Our loss will not exceed fifteen in killed, wounded and missing.
By way of
St. Louis we have some further particulars of the
Red River expedition.
The main body of
Franklin's army, moving by way of the Teche region, reached
Alexandria on the 26th ult., without meeting with any any opposition.
The plantations along the line of the route were found to have been deserted by the whites and male blacks, who had sought refuge in
Texas.
It was thought that the army of
General Banks would remain for some time at
Alexandria, and the expectation was that
Shreveport would be occupied without resistance.
Defeat of the National Currency bill.
A Washington telegram furnishes the following intelligence:
‘
The total defeat of the National Bank or Currency bill by so large a vote as two thirds astonished both friends and foes, especially as so much time has been consumed in efforts to perfect it. All the amendments made in committee of the Whole on the state of the
Union, about sixty in number, were concurred in by the
House.
The Committee of Ways and Means were willing to adopt all except two, and hence
Representative Stevens offered a substitute, differing only from the amended bill in the following particulars, namely: Restoring the uniform 7 per cent. Interest and leaving it under National and not State legislation, and omitting the section which left the capital stock of the institutions to be taxed the same as the property of individuals for State and municipal purposes.
The
House emphatically non-concurred in the substitute.
This war the turning point in the controversy — the test that determined whether the bill contains the clauses obnoxious to the prominent friends of the measure should pass the
House, so it was laid upon the table on the motion of
Representative Stevens, some of his own political friends voting with those of the opposite side who were from the beginning opposed to this measure of finance.
’
The New York
World says:
‘
Much uneasiness is felt in Administration circles respecting the condition of the national finances.
Another large issue of currency is now probable, since it is felt that even with the amount now out, it is impossible to prevent gold going to 200 and upward, and one or two hundred millions more will not make matters much worse.
The Government is now spending two millions per day. Its receipts from loans, taxes, and customs, are less than one million per day. The ten-forty loan does not sell because people feel that they have already lent the
Government as much as they can without putting "too many eggs in a basket," and the national debt is now mounting up so rapidly that the most sanguine begin to admit that it can never be paid, but that the best that can be hoped for is, that it will be only partially repudiated by being funded in a Government bond hearing three per cent, interest.
’
The Battle of Gettysburg--statement by Major Gen. Meade.
The
Washington correspondent of the Boston
Advertiser says: ‘ "
Gen Meade has submitted to the
Committee on the Conduct of the
War a written statement in regard to the conduct of the
battle of Gettysburg.
In this statement he denies emphatically and explicitly that he contemplated or issued at any time during the action an order to retreat to
Taneytown or to any other point.
After his arrival at
Gettysburg he asked several corps commanders to act as his temporary chief of staff.
All preferring to remain in command of their corps, he addressed a similar request to
Gen. Butterfield, who consented.
He directed him immediately to collect all possible information relative to the roads leading to the rear.
he avers that in giving this instruction to
Gen. Butterfield he had no thought of a retreat, but merely aimed at obtaining information which any prudent General would consider necessary for an intelligent understanding of the field of action.
Gen. Butterfield on the morning of the second day drew up an order directing all trains and baggage to be sent to the rear.
This order gave the occasion for the assertion of various officers that an order to retreat had been given.
General Mende says that
Gen. Butterfield showed him the order, that he told him it would not answer, and that if it was issued it was without his authority.
This statement of
Gen. Meade is corroborated by
Gen Gibbons and other general officers and members of his staff."’
Reception of Thompson, the British Abolitionist, in Washington.
George Thompson, of
England, delivered a lecture in the hall of the
Yankee House of Representatives to a dense audience, including
Lincoln,
Chase, and many members of both branches of Congress, and not a few women.
A band of music was in attendance.
Vice President Hamlin introduced the lecturer, who at the commencement of his remarks emphatically denied and challenged proof that he had ever said that the dissolution of the
Union must be constantly kept in view; on the contrary, he had always been its steadfast friend.
His expression, "thank God, the hour of compromise is past," was enthusiastically applauded and cheered, as was also his allusion to what he characterized "the handful of man stealers at
Richmond, calling themselves the Confederate Government, who promised themselves ultimate success and the full recognition of their principles throughout the civilized world."
The wish and prayer of every philanthropist, be said, was: "God speed the
North who were with the
President and against the serpents — Copperheads — and all whom they would banish from the land." This and the mention of the name of old
John Brown were greatly applauded.
He quoted from
President Lincoln's speeches, delivered six years ago, saying that he would not exchange these sentiments for all that had been written by
Edward Burke.
After the close of the lecture,
Thompson received the congratulations of a large number of distinguished gentlemen, among whom was noticed particularly
Senator Johnson, of
Maryland.
Lincoln Association in Maryland.
The Baltimore
Gazette has the following notice, about the meeting of the
Lincoln Association of that State.
It met in
Baltimore the night of the election.
That day 9,125 votes had been cast form Convention to free the slaves, and only 76 cast against it:
‘
The Hon. Thos. Swann, who had been previously elected
President by the other associations, presided.
Mr. Swann addressed the body at some length, in which he stated that there was a strong and influential party in the country who were advocating the claims of
General Fremont for the Presidency, but his was only a blind to cover the aspirations of another candidate whose name would be brought before the
Convention at a late period Referring to
Gov. Chase, be urged upon his hearers the necessity of a vigorous campaign to ensure the re-election of
Mr. Lincoln, whom he desired to occupy the Presidential chair for another term.
Mr. Swann then gave his views upon the emancipation question, and expressed himself in favor of the emancipation of all slaves, not only in this State, but throughout the whole country.
The meeting was quite enthusiastic, and the speech of the
President elicited much cheering.
A letter was received from
Hon John P
Kennedy declining the nomination of
Vice-President, but declaring in favor of the re-election of
Mr. Lincoln.
’
Life under Federal rule in New Orleans — white people taxed for the support of negro schools — a "Tribune" correspondent Comes to grief.
Just now the most important topic of conversation in the country, as well as in the city of
New Orleans, is the late order of
Gen. Banks providing for the education of negro children, and the furnishing of a library for adults.
This order imposes a tax on every owner of real or personal property, residing in each school district, for the support of the schools one year; and it also provides for a library to be furnished at a cost of two dollars and a half for each adult negro in the district, where such adult may happen to reside.
A letter to the New York
Express, from the
Crescent City, says:
‘
When this educational order was published, I made inquiries and ascertained that across the river, in view almost of
Gen. Banks's headquarters, are full two thousand children who have no had the benefits of schools for a year.
The parents of the children are too poor to send them to a pay school, and thus the rising generation of that quarter of the world at least are rapidly acquiring habits of vagrancy and vice painful to think on. I have learned that the school tax has always been levied with the greatest punctuality, but the funds have all been absorbed in the support of provost marshals and other Government officials.
And now these people who see their children growing up without the benefits of education, find them selves compelled to support schools for the benefit of a set of idle, vicious vagrants now crowded in their midst.
’
This new state of things will be severely felt by numbers of people who own very small places, which were once cultivated by a few negroes, and upon which they once managed to live very comfortably.
When the negroes of these little places left, or were forced away, the owners were per featly helpless, especially as in almost every instance all moveable property and stock was carried off by the decamping crowd.
These people, thus stripped, have never been able to do more than make a bare support for their families, assisted greatly, in many cases, by their more fortunate neighbors, who happened to have a bank account.
I have now the records of over a hundred families in the different parishes, who were once in very easy circumstances, and who now live on their desolated little farms, without furniture in their houses, and not so much of animal life around them as one chicken.
They manage to subsist by cultivating a few vegetables, and through the liberality of those more fortunate than themselves.
These people will be called upon to support schools and libraries, for negroes who are employed on the large confiscated plantations under Government protection.
And how is it with the negroes?
When
Gen. Banks's order regulating free negro labor was first published, there was a universal stampede towards the city and various towns, for the negroes were determined not to bind themselves to one person for a year's service.
They were forced back into plantations worked by the agents of the
Government, and are kept to their work by the strong arm of the military; but on other plantations worked by men on their own hook, the desertions went on at a tremendous rate.
In a majority of instances the children were left behind to be educated according to
Gen. Banks's orders.
The women come to the city to enter upon lives of vice, crowded together by the dozens into single rooms, without regard to sex, and the men come to perfect themselves in the art of stealing and house breaking.
General Reynolds, who takes command of the defence of New Orleans in the absence of
Gen. Banks, has issued a very stringent order in regard to vagrant negroes, but these regulations, however beneficent, are never enforced.
This move of
General Beaks is, no doubt, intended to propitiate the radicals of the
North, with a view to the coming Presidential contest.
The surest Indication of the presence of the
Confederates in any quarter is the stampede of the negroes from plantations, particularly Government ones.
By the numbers of these people now flocking to the city, the
Confederates must be pretty actively at work in the Latouche country, and quite a large number is said to have made a flying call on some planters this side of Berwick's Bay.
They have also appeared in sufficient strength to do their work on the left bank of the river, between
Donaldsonville and New Orleans.
They make a clean sweep of everything, and are particularly partial to mules and other live stock, especially if found on plantations leased to Northern men. A correspondent of the
Tribune from this department was working a very fine plantation, amply stocked and supplied with all the requisites for turning out an immense fortune; but in a few short hours he was left as desolate and bare as was its former owner, for lot he was visited with a few chosen "graybacks," and not the least article of value escaped their avenging hands.
The name of the unfortunate correspondent is Nathaniel Page.
From
Texas we hear of nothing but evacuation by the troops and complaints and grumbling from the Unionists, who dare not stay behind when the
Federal power is withdrawn.
From
Indianola the complaints are very loud.
It seems that a large number of Germans at that place committed themselves to the protection of the
Union army, and when the army moved they were bound to take all the Germans along.
At some places very small negro garrisons have been left to look after Uncle Sam's interests.
The small pox is said to be making sad havoc with the soldiers at
Brownsville.
That town and surrounding country is ravaged by this disease almost every year, and often, throughout the whole year.
It is peculiarly virulent, and vaccination does not always secure a person from its attacks.
The negro troops are being taken away from points on the river, and are sent off to
Red river to help along the great cotton expedition.
One day this week a military guard took possession of all the public offices in the city, in the name of the
United States, and for the use of
Governor Hann.
An election will be held next Monday, the 28th instant, to elect delegates to a Constitutional Convention.
The fleet with the Red river expedition.
The Cairo
News publishes the following list of vessels, said to comprise
Admiral Porter's
Red river fleet:
Fort Harman, 7 guns;
Cricket, 8 guns;
Lafayette, 9 guns;
Neosho, 3 guns;
Ozark, 2 guns;
Eastport, 9 guns,
Choctaw, 8 guns;
Osage, 3 guns;
Chillicothe, 4 guns;
Louisville, 14 guns; Carondeter, 14 guns;
Benton, 18 guns;
Pittsburg, 14 guns;
Gazelle, 8 guns;
Mound City, 14 guns;
General Price, 4 guns;
Lexington, 8 guns; , 3 guns; Black Hawk, 13 guns — in all 160 guns.
Of these the
Osage and
Ozark are turreted vessels, and the
Lafayette,
Eastport,
Choctaw,
Chillicothe,
Benton, Caroadelet,
Louisville,
Pittsburg,
Mound City and
Essex are iron-clads.
The Lexington is one of the three wooden boats which were put in commission on the
Mississippi.
The
Ouachita and Black Hawk are formidable wooden vessels, partially plated; the balance are denominated iron clads.
The Autocrat, Maine, Battle,
Diana, and hospital boot
Woolford, of the marine brigade, accompany the expedition; also fifteen transports.
Reward Wants more emigrants.
Secretary Seward had addressed a letter to
Mr. Washburne,
Chairman of the House Select Committee on Emigration, recommending the passage of a law to encourage emigration.
He proposes to advance to indigent emigrants sufficient money to cover the expense of ocean transit, and sends to the committee the draft of a bill to carry out the plan.
The bill provides for the appointment of a Commissioner of Emigration, with three clerks, and pledges the labor of the emigrant for the repayment of the loan.
It also authorizes a reduction of the tonnage duties upon emigrant ships, and requires but one year for the naturalization of emigrants.
This bill will be reported to the
House by
Mr. Grinnell, of
Iowa.
Miscellaneous.
In the U. S. Senate, on Thursday,
Reverdy Johnson, of
Maryland, cut loose from all pro slavery associations by a declaration of strongest until slavery sentiments.
He spoke in favor of immediate and universal emancipation, and advocated the proposed amendment to the
Constitution for ever prohibiting slavery in the
United States.--Union
Senators crowded around him with hearty congratulations when he closed, when the Copperheads only scowled.
The proceedings of a court-martial sentencing
Edward Sanders, a resident of
Warrenton, Va., to be marched through that town to the lane of the "Rogues' March," wearing a placard inscribed, "I am the man that sold whiskey to the soldiers," have been disapproved on the ground that, being a civilian, a court martial had no right to try him.
A telegraphic dispatch from
Cincinnati says that
Gen. Pierce, who was blamed for the disaster at Big Bethel, denounces the statement of
Parton in his life of
Gen. Bulter about that affair.
Gen. Pierce says that the battle was lost through the blunders of
Gen. Butler.
Artificial limbs are now made of vulcanized
India rubber.
As they are hollow, all the machinery is contained within, and is not label to be deranged or broken.
They are, it is said, much more readily made, and lighter than those made of wood or iron.
The House Committee on Public Lands will report a bill next Saturday setting apart all confiscated lands throughout the
South, to come under the homestead law, that they may be secured to the soldiers of the
Yankee army who will become actual settlers.
Senator Anthony introduced a bill Wednesday providing for the retiring of
Justices of the Supreme Court, or District
Judges of the
United States, at their own request, after having reached the age of seventy years.
The number of emigrants arriving last week at New York promises to exceed all precedent.
On Monday, 1,044 landed at Castle Garden; on Tuesday, 1,793, making in the two days a total of 2,84
Sieges, in the
Valley of Virginia, is represented as "working like a Trojan," though the rebels have as yet made no demonstration upon him.
The U. S Supreme Court has fixed on the 1st proximo for its adjournment.
Chief Justice Taney is again on the beach.
Over $3,000,000 has been subscribed to build another international bridge over the
Niagara river, at
Buffalo, N Y.
The white waiters at the
Burnett House,
Cincinnati, having "struck," their places have been supplied by negroes
The Senate has adopted the joint resolution proposing an amendment to the
Constitution prohibiting slavery — yeas 37, nays 6.
A Parrot gun, which had been discharged nearly 5,000 times, finally burst at
Cummings's Point.
The workmen at the gas works in
Baltimore have struck for $15 a week.
Before the war they got $7.
Maj
Gen Pleasanton has arrived and reported to
Gen Rosecrans in
Ohio.
The
Winthrop House and Face Masons' Hall, in
Boston, were destroyed by fire last week.
Caroline M. Kirkland, an authoress of some note, died in New York on the 6th inst.
It is reported at
Memphis that
Gen. Forrest is preparing to attack that city.
The closing quotation of gold in New York, on the 8th, was 169½