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-THE Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, stationed at Washington, left that place for Edward's Ferry. Lieutenant Hamilton H. Dutton, of Mississippi, having tendered his resignation, was dismissed from the navy of the United States.

party of mechanics above alluded to. Captain -A SKIRMISH took place at Bowners, twelve Kirwan of the steamer, demanded an explana- miles from Cheat River bridge, between portion, when the "lady-man" informed him that tions of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Ohio, the he designed confiscating the steamer and going First Virginia regiments, and a company of on a privateering expedition. Finding himself rebel cavalry. The former were sent to protect overpowered, Capt. Kirwan was compelled to the polls, and the latter, mistaking their num submit, and the boat was handed over to the ber, attacked them, and were routed with the man and his crew, who took possession, and the loss of several men, among them the lieuproceeded to run the steamer to a point known tenant of the company. Several horses were as "The Cone," on the Virginia shore. Upon captured. The only loss on the Federal side is landing at that place, the steamer was boarded N. O. Smith, of the Fifteenth Regiment.-Louby a body of about 1,000 Virginia troops, when | isville Journal, July 1. the passengers were all landed, and allowed to go on their way. About one hundred and fifty of the troops were then placed on board the steamer, Captain Kirwan and fourteen of the crew being retained as prisoners. Leaving the shore the steamer was run down as far as the mouth of the Rappahannock River, where the An imposing ceremony took place this afnew Captain" hailed three large brigs which ternoon at Washington, in the President's were lying off a few miles from Fredericks- grounds on the front of the White House towburg. These vessels were immediately board-ard Virginia. The New York 12th Regiment ed, and not having a sufficient force on board to offer any resistance they were all then quietly delivered over to the party as prizes. The prizes, one of which was laden with coffee, a second with ice, and the third with coal, were run into Fredericksburg, Virginia, and delivered into the possession of the Virginians, the steamer being kept at that port, together with her captain and crew.-Baltimore American, July 2.

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-AN elaborate article respecting the constitutional power of the President of the United States to suspend the writ of habeas corpus, was published. It was prepared by Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland, in response to the opinion of Chief Justice Taney, of the Supreme Court of the United States.-(Doc. 58.)

-THE Fifteenth Regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel John McLeod Murphy, left Willet's Point, N. Y., for Washington.

Two regiments, one of Alabamians and the other of Mississippians, reached Harper's Ferry, Va., this morning, and destroyed the balance of the trestle work of the railroad bridge. They then went over to the Maryland shore, seizing all the boats they could lay their hands on, either breaking them up or taking them over the river. All the Union men of Harper's Ferry were driven out by them.-N. Y. Herald, June 30.

of Militia, with Company G United States Infantry, formed a hollow square, enclosing the fountain and a pavilion, under which were the President and Mrs. Lincoln, surrounded by the members of the Cabinet and other distinguished gentlemen. The Rev. Dr. Pyne offered a fervent prayer for the Union, law and good Government, the well-being of the nation and of its appointed rulers, and the peace which comes

with the restoration of order.

While the Marine Band was playing, the President hauled up the flag, which was slightly torn in the process. Simultaneously, cannon roared and shouts went up from the throng of civilians and lines of soldiers.

The soldiers having gone through with a leaf of the manual, cheers for the flag and the President were given heartily. Gen. Scott, with his staff and other officers, were on a portico adjoining.-N. Y. Tribune, June 30.

-DURING last night there was a skirmish between the New Jersey Zouaves and the rebels outside of Fall's Church, Va. Two of the rebels were killed, and one of the Zouaves was wounded. The dead bodies were brought to Washington this morning.-N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, June 29.

June 30.-The Ninth Regiment of Massachusetts, numbering one thousand men, under the command of Colonel Cass, arrived at Washington.-National Intelligencer, July 1.

-THE Charleston Mercury published the following on the Confederate Commissioners in Europe: It is now several months since our commissioners were sent to Europe. Thus far it seems they have got no further than England. Mr. Rost, one of them, has gone over to France; but as he can have no authority to act alone, we presume that he goes rather to ascertain the views of the Emperor of the French than to make a treaty. We infer from Mr. Rost's departure from London to Paris that nothing has been accomplished in England.

-THIS morning at daybreak fourteen rebel | Third Assistants, Matthew O'Brien and Simeon scouts attacked three pickets of the Fourth W. Cuminings. She has a crew of sixty-five Pennsylvania Regiment, belonging to Company men and twenty marines." E, stationed on Shuter's Hill, Va., four miles from Alexandria, wounding Lewellan Roemer, of Blue Bell, and killing Thomas Murray, of Norristown. The pickets returned the fire, killing two rebels and wounding a third. One of the slain was a sergeant of the Letcher Guard. The rebels beat a hasty retreat. The firing having been heard by the Union troops, a detachment of Zouaves and another of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment reinforced the pickets, and followed in the trail of the rebels for some distance, finding four rifles and three revolvers, which the latter threw away in their hasty flight. One of the revolvers, very valuable, was marked with the name of John Johnson, a farmer living in that vicinity, who is a noted rebel. The Pennsylvanians behaved with great spirit and with the coolness of veterans, boldly holding their position, though wounded, in the hope of being reinforced. N. Y. Herald, July 1.

-JOHN WILLIAMS, who behaved so bravely in the skirmish at Matthias Point, carrying the American flag out of the fight in safety, though it was completely riddled with bullets as he went, was promoted to the post of Master's Mate for his gallant conduct.-N. Y. Times, July 1.

-YESTERDAY the armed steamer Sumter, "of the Confederate States Navy," ran the blockade of New Orleans, and got safely to sea. The New Orleans Picayune, in noting the fact, said: "The first vessel of our little navy, the C. S. steamer-of-war Sumter, sailed on Saturday last, on a cruise, having ran the paper blockade of the Lincoln Abolition war steamers, off the mouth of the Mississippi. She has a picked crew, and her cominander is known to be a most brave and chivalrous sailor, and he has under him a most gallant set of officers: Commander, Raphael Semmes; Lieutenants, John M. Kells, B. F. Chapman, W. E. Evans, J. M. Stribling; Paymaster, Henry Myers; Passed Assistant-Surgeon, Francis L. Galt; Lieutenant of Marines, Becket E. Howell; Midshipmen, Richard F. Armstrong, W. A. Hicks, A. G. Hudgins, J. D. Wilson; Gunner, Thomas C. Cuddy; Sail-maker, M. P. Beaufort; Engineers, First Assistant, acting as chief, Miles J. Freeman; Second Assistant, W. P. Brooks;

VOL. II-DIARY 4

Indeed, from the order in Council forbidding Confederate privateers bringing their prizes into British ports, we are only surprised that any of the Commissioners should have remained in London a day after this new order was issued. This is an act of quasi hostility, which, it appears to us, ought to have arrested a conference with the British authorities. It was well known that, whilst Great Britain has the greatest interest in the independence of the Confederate States, there is an element of antislavery fanaticism which would, in all likelihood, paralyze her counsels in our favor.

Why our commissioners have lingered so long in England, and have not gone directly to the greatest source of success, the government of France, we are at a loss to determine. By pretermitting the Emperor of the French, the British ministry have had the opportunity of obtaining, perhaps, his co-operation in the line of policy they design to pursue. By a direct communication with him, he would most probably have controlled instead of supporting the policy of England.

We, of course, do not know the means used by our government to conciliate the prompt acknowledgment of our independence by France and England, but it is clear, if we expected them to depart from that policy which the laws of nations strictly required, we must offer them inducements of industry. Our separation from the North, and our lower tariff, certainly gave them the prospect of great commercial advantages, from our independence; but the tariff might be changed-it might be made low from motives of present policy, and we might, after that policy is accomplished, in our independence have renewed higher duties. Το

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opinion that the selection is highly judicious, and the auspicious event has even been assigned and one which will give great satisfaction. a place this side of Christmas. General Polk received a thorough military education at the West Point Academy, which

"We have no idea, however, of giving up the contest without, at least, one grand exhibition

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present to these great States alluring assur- | he entered, from North Carolina, in 1823. He ances of present commercial advantages, it ap- graduated with honor and entered the United pears to us our commissioners ought to have States service, his first commission as second proposed a low maximum of duties, to extend | lieutenant of artillery bearing date July 1, 1827. over many years yet to come.

It is absurd to suppose that either France or Great Britain will run the risk of disagreeable, if not hostile complications with the United States, without the security of clear advantages to be obtained. When we have fairly fought out our independence, of course all foreign nations will acknowledge us; but to take us by the hand when we are weak and want their aid, and when our position is surrounded with doubts-in their opinion, at least-as to our future success, we must offer such inducements, strongly appealing to their interests, as will indemnify them for all risk in taking us in their embraces by friendly commercial treaties.

Have our commissioners been empowered to offer to France and England a treaty guaranteeing for a number of years low duties on their manufactured commodities imported into the Confederate States? We fear not; for if they had been empowered to make such treaties, we are satisfied that they might have returned home with their mission completely successful, and the war on our frontier, on the part of the United States, reduced to a weak absurdity.

"He did not remain long in the army, however, but resigned in December of the same year, and embarked in another and different field of usefulness. General Polk will bring to the discharge of the duties of his position, a mature judgment, ripe scholarship, unusual activity of mind and body, great firmness and decision of character, a chivalric bearing, and the presence and mien of a thorough soldier. Though not a stickler for mere etiquette of the camp, he is a rigid disciplinarian, and, withal, the very man to win the confidence, and command the respect of his soldiers."

-A CORRESPONDENT of the Charleston (S. C.) Courier, writing from Richmond, Va., says:"There are few points of a war character which, just at this time, can appropriately form the subject of a letter. All eyes, however, are directed towards Manassas, and it is not improbable that by the time these lines reach your readers, the telegraph will have preceded me with the details of a great battle. The northern despatches all indicate the gradual approach of the two armies, the strengthening of outposts and various other movements which fore-LEONIDAS POLK, better known as Bishop run hostilities. The southern press, on the Polk, of Louisiana, having received the appoint- contrary, are discreetly silent, and all we know ment of Major-General in the rebel service, as-is what we see ourselves, or hear from those sumed the command of his division. His head- who have seen for us; but the two sources of quarters were at Memphis, Tenn., in the neigh-intelligence concur in the fact that unless the borhood of which the troops comprising his command had their rendezvous. "This is the first instance," says the Memphis Appeal, "in the country's history of the appointment of a high-church dignitary to a position of so much responsibility in the military service, and will, therefore, as a matter of course, evoke criticism among the old fogies of the red-tape school. But apart from the fact that the acceptance of this appointment was urged upon Gen. Polk with great earnestness by the President, the general-in-chief of the army, and other military officers of distinction who are well acquainted with his qualifications, there is much in the character and history of the appointee which inclines to the opinion that the selection is highly judicious, and one which will give great satisfaction. General Polk received a thorough military education at the West Point Academy, which

good Lord creates a mlern Babel at Manassas and Alexandria, or drops down between the armies a veil of Cimmerian darkness, nature, personal gravitation, and animal magnetism will as certainly conspire to produce a collision as the multiplication table tells the truth.

"There are some yet, however, who affect to believe that we shall have a peace before we have a fight. The reaction so long predicted at the North having begun, the circulating petitions of merchants, bankers, clergymen, and other citizens of New York, which are pressing their peaceful influences upon Abraham Lincoln, are also operating here. The question is already being discussed in its various bearings, and the auspicious event has even been assigned a place this side of Christmas.

"We have no idea, however, of giving up the contest without, at least, one grand exhibition

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