S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the Treasury. gress. With due economy in all branches of | respond to the liberal wisdom of their reprethe public service, the total expenditures for sentatives. all objects, military, naval, and civil, in this year of war, need not exceed the ordinary expenditures of Great Britain or France in years of peace. And is it unreasonable to hope that the auspicious result of peace may be hastened by the reflections of the citizens of the States in insurrection? That they will review their action; weigh their own welfare; consider the disposition of the people of the whole country to recognize all their constitutional rights, and to allow them their full share in the benefits of the common Government, and renew that allegiance to the Union which, in an evil hour, they have been tempted to throw off? Will they not reflect that the war, into which the Government of the Union has been constrained, is not a war for their subjugation, but a war for national existence, and that an auspicious result to the Union will benefit as largely the States in insurrection as the States which have remained loyal? However this may be, the duty of the National Government, as the constitutionally constituted agent of the people, admits of no question. The war, made necessary by insurrection and reluctantly accepted by the Government, must be prosecuted with all possible vigor until the restoration of the just authority of the Union shall insure permanent peace. The same good Providence which conducted our fathers through the difficulties and dangers which beset the formation of the Union, has graciously strengthened our hands for the work of its preservation. The crops of the year are ample. Granaries and barns are everywhere full. The capitalists of the country come cheerfully forward to sustain the credit of the Government. Already also, even in advance of this appeal, men of all occupations seek to share the honors and the advantages of the loan. Never, except because of the temporary depression caused by the rebellion and the derangement of business occasioned by it, were the people of the United States in a better condition to sustain a great contest than now. Under these favoring circumstances and for these grand objects, I shall, in pursuance of the act of Congress, cause books of subscription to be opened as speedily as practicable in the several cities and principal towns of the United States, in order that all citizens who desire to subscribe to the loan may have the opportunity of doing so. Meanwhile those who prefer that course can remit any sum which they may desire to invest in the loan to the Treasurer of the United States at Washington, or to either of the Assistant Treasurers at Boston, New York, Philadelphia, or St. Louis, or to the Depositary at Cincinnati, whose certificates will entitle the holders to Treasury notes on the terms already stated. The patriotism of the people, it is not to be doubted, will promptly Doc. 24. JEFF. THOMPSON'S PROCLAMATION. HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST MIL. DIST., M. S. G., To all whom it may concern: Whereas, Major-General John C. Fremont, commanding the minions of Abraham Lincoln, in the State of Missouri, has seen fit to declare martial law throughout the whole State, and has threatened to shoot any citizen soldier found in arms within certain limits; also to confiscate the property and free the negroes belonging to the members of the Missouri State Guards; therefore, know ye that I, M. Jeff. Thompson, Brigadier-General of the First Military District of Missouri, having not only the military authority of Brigadier-General, but certain police powers, granted by Acting Governor Thomas C. Reynolds, and confirmed afterward by Governor Jackson, do most solemnly promise that, for every member of the Missouri State Guard or soldier of our allies, the armies of the Confederate States, who shall be put to death in pursuance of the said order of General Fremont, I will hang, draw, and quarter a minion of said Abraham Lincoln. While I am anxious that this unfortunate war shall be conducted, if possible, upon the most liberal principles of civilized warfare-and every order that I have issued has been with that object-yet, if this rule is to be adopted, (and it must first be done by our enemies,) I intend to exceed General Fremont in his excesses, and will make all tories that come in my reach rue the day that a different policy was adopted by their leaders. Already mills, barns, warehouses, and other private property have been wastefully and wantonly destroyed by the enemy in this district, while we have taken nothing except articles strictly contraband or absolutely necessary. Should these things be repeated, I will retaliate tenfold, so help me God! M. JEFF. THOMPSON, Brig. Gen. Commanding. Doc. 25. THE ARCHBISHOP OF BALTIMORE. ADDRESS TO THE REVEREND CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF BALTIMORE. His Excellency, the President of the United States, having appointed the last Thursday of September as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, and recommended its religious observance, in order to obtain Divine aid, and the return of peace and prosperity, the Archbishop of Baltimore directs that the collect Pro quacumque tribulatione,* with the Litany of the Despise not, O Almighty God, Thy people who cry to Thee in affliction, but for the glory of Thy name be ap * Saints, and the prayer for the authorities, be has designated the last Thursday in September recited on that day in all the parochial churches (the 26th inst.) as a day of "humiliation, prayof this diocese, at the hour which the respec-er, and fasting, for all the people of the nation." tive clergy in charge shall appoint. In order to He earnestly recommmends that the day be obestablish uniformity in the public offices of the served in all families and churches with religChurch, he also directs that the last-mentioned ious solemnity, and with a deep sense of our prayer-which was framed by John Carroll, sins as a nation, of our sore distress and danger the venerated founder of the American hierar- in this hour of trial, and of our intimate dechy, and was prescribed in the first Synod of pendence upon the Divine care and protection. Baltimore, held in the year 1791-to be recited At no period in our history could such an on all Sundays at the parochial Mass, and which observance be more proper. Our greatest sin is entirely irrespective of all political and per- is forgetfulness of God—our greatest peril presonal considerations, shall be henceforward read sumptuous trust in our own wisdom and might. on each Sunday, as has been hitherto generally Institutious, in which we exulted with impious practised, in all parochial churches, without ad- confidence, are in jeopardy; a Union, which dition, diminution, or change. we boasted that nothing could destroy, totters to its fall; material resources, with which we thought to defy the world, take to themselves wings and fly away. Our reliance on the God of Nations and of Battles needs to be revived and strengthened; and where can this be done, but at the footstool of the Divine Mercy? Let us, then, brethren, hasten to the throne of the Heavenly Grace in our closets, in our families, By order of the Most Reverend, the Arch- Doc. 26. -Catholic Mirror. BISHOP POTTER'S ADDRESS TO THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS OF THE and in the sanctuary, and implore of God that DIOCESE OF PENNSYLVANIA. MY DEAR BRETHREN: The President of the United States, moved by his own sense of duty, and by the request of both Houses of Congress, peased, and relieve those who are in tribulation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God for ever. Amen. We pray Thee, O Almighty and Eternal God! who through Jesus Christ, hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue, with unchanging faith, in the confession of Thy name. We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop N. N., the Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N. N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the way of salvation. We pray Thee, O God of night, wisdom, and justice! through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, with Thy holy spirit of counsel and fortitude, the President of these United States; that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people, over whom he presides: by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all their proceedings and laws, framed for our rule and government; so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal We pray for His Excellency, the Governor of this State, for the Members of Assembly, for all Judges, Magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability. liberty. We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow-citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal. Finally, we pray Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us, with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relations, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation; and par He do not forget or forsake us in this our sin, mind. And on this day, set apart by the highbut that He bring us to repentance and a better est civil authority, let us assemble in our respective places of worship and pour out our hearts before the Lord. On this diocese it is peculiarly incumbent at this time to mourn and to supplicate for Heavenly grace. One who was over you in the Lord-who had won your affection and respect -who had gone in and out before you, bearing his office so meekly, so unselfishly, so diligently who, with open hand and sympathizing heart, had ministered, with almost prodigal generosity, to the needy among clergy and laity-who was ever about his Master's business-this, your beloved Assistant Bishop, has been suddenly stricken from his work, and translated to the rest of God's people. He mourned, with all a Christian's and all a patriot's heart, over the calamities and distractions of our land. His prayers went up, unceasingly, that it might win back the lost blessings of peace and Union, and, above all, that it might be baptized in the spirit of true humility and faith. He has been taken away in the midst of his vigor and usefulness, and when we had looked for long years of beneficent and faithful activity. We have need, then, as a diocese, to prostrate ourselves before the Divine Majesty, and to implore its guidance and help in this hour of our bereavement. And shall we not offer some testimonial of affection to his memory, and of zeal for the work to which his heart and hands were given? ticularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors, who by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship, and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. Te these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. He died on the banks of the beautiful Allegheny, | when on his way to the population which has been attracted to the shores of that river in the counties of Butler, Venango, and Warren. The teeming multitudes which have gathered there of late, and who are almost without spiritual privilege, deeply moved and attracted him, and nothing would have delighted him more than to have raised, had God given him the means, a church among them at his own expense. I propose, then, that the people of this diocese undertake this work as a memorial of his worth, and of their affectionate veneration for his character. Let a church be erected on the banks of the Allegheny, somewhere between Kittanning and Warren, or at the latter place, as shall be hereafter determined upon mature consideration, to stand forever as the Bishop Bowman Memorial Church, and let this pious work be that of all the congregations throughout this diocese. Especially would I commend it to those of our number who, during the past three years, have received at his hands the rite of Confirmation. I propose, further, that we begin this work of taking up offerings for it on the fast day herein recognized, viz.: the 26th day of September, and that on that occasion, in every congregation, opportunity be given to the people to contribute, as God hath blessed them, to testify at once their devotion to the God of their fathers their respect for the memory of one of His honored servants, and their desire to extend to those who need it, the Gospel of His grace. Contributions can be sent to John Welsh, Esq., Treasurer of the Episcopal Fund. ALONZO POTTER, PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 2, 1861. SPECIAL SERVICE FOR THE NATIONAL FAST. CAPTURE OF THE "H. MIDDLETON." A CORRESPONDENT of the Philadelphia Ledger gives the following account of the capture:— UNITED STATES SHIP VANDALIA, OFF CHARLESTON, S. C., Aug. 23, 1861. MESSRS. EDITORS: I forward you a few lines, to inform you of the capture of another prize by us yesterday. While lying at the entrance of the northern channel of the harbor, a sail was reported by the lookout at the masthead off our lee bow, about ten miles distant, steering southeast. All sail was immediately made for it, and after an exciting chase of about eight hours' duration, we succeeded in getting within gun-shot of her, when she hoisted the English ensign, but did not heave to until we fired a 32-pounder at her, which brought her around. When within hailing distance, her captain hauled down the colors and defiantly raised the secession flag. We immediately boarded her and took possession, and placed the rebel ensign under the Star-Spangled Banner. She proved to be the schooner II. Middleton, Barkley, master, bound to Liverpool. She had run out of Charleston during the night, and is loaded with turpentine and merchandise. Most of the latter, however, being the deck load, had to be thrown overboard during the Morning Prayer.-Instead of the Venite, the chase. The captain had also disposed of his 130th Psalm. Proper Psalms, 51st and 77th. First Lesson, Isaiah 58th. Second Lesson, St. Luke 12th, from 22d verse. The Greater Litany, with the Special Prayers already set forth. The Epistle, Gospel, &c., for Ash Wednesday, with the following Collect: "O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy, receive the humble petitions, which, with one heart and one mouth, throughout this land are now offered unto Thee; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of Thy great mercy loose us. Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder the restoration of Godly union and concord; that, as there is but One Body, and One Spirit, and One Hope of our Calling, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of us all; so we may once again be made to be of one papers in the same manner, and impudently informed us that he only regretted that he had not time to have thrown the whole cargo away before we overhauled him. Most of the papers, however, we found floating on the water; and we obtained from these sufficient evidence to learn that, after disposing of his cargo, he intended fitting out his vessel as a privateer, a letter being found ordering him to destroy, in case of capture, a letter of marque. The vessel and cargo are estimated to be worth about twenty-six thousand dollars. Her crew consists of six men, and a man claiming to be a passenger. They were all transferred to our ship and interrogated separately, and from them we learned a good deal of useful information. They stated that they had been compelled to ship to avoid starvation. From one of them, quite an intelligent Englishman, I learned that two pirates escaped from Charleston last week, during a storm, which is very probable, as the weather was thick and foggy. One was a steamer, called the Gordon, the army. The other, or regular store-houses, appeared in the background, and were occupied in a like manner, and filled to a similar extent. Various steamers, from Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and elsewhere, were unloading Government property at the wharves. The utmost activity appeared to prevail among those thus at work. Government wagons crowded the piers. Government property and persons on Government business were constantly being transported across the river in great numbers by means of a flat boat attached to a rope connected with either shore. four hundred tons burden, and formerly ran be- | flour, hominy, oats, and other necessaries for tween Charleston and St. John's River, Florida; she carries two fore and aft pivot guns, and has the reputation of being a fast sailer; the other is a schooner of one hundred tons, called the Dixie, carrying one gun anidships. We regret the escape of these vessels very much; we do every thing in our power to render this blockade effective, but our efforts are fruitless without the aid of light-draught gunboats, which can run into shoal water; and until Government sends such vessels here, small craft can run the blockade with impunity. I also learned, from the above-named Englishman, that the principal Northern newspapers are received regularly in Charleston, and the people are nearly as well posted in our affairs as ourselves; he believes that these papers are obtained through the Adams Express Company. This kind of business should be prevented, it being most detrimental to our cause. Government should attend to it. The Seminole captured a small schooner last week; she sailed for Philadelphia, with her prize in tow, on the 19th inst. The Roanoke, flagofficer Pendergrast, is the only one here now besides our ship. We have had no communication with Savannab lately, and therefore I cannot forward you any news from that place. Yours, &c., VANDALIA. Doc. 28. A VOYAGE DOWN THE POTOMAC. ON BOARD U. S. TRANSPORT ALBANY. POTOMAC RIVER, Friday, August 30, 1861. TO-DAY, at seven o'clock P. M., we left our moorings at Georgetown and proceeded slowly down the Potomac River to Alexandria, where it had previously been determined we were to lie at anchor till the succeeding daylight. This course was adopted in consequence of many of the various guides along the river having been destroyed by the secessionists, thereby rendering the navigation of the river extremely difficult at the present tine. The scene generally, at the time of starting, was one beautiful to behold. On the left was Georgetown, with its multitudinous antique-like red brick houses, bent in the form of an arch, over nature's high hills; on the right Arlington Heights, capped with what, at that distance, seemed snow-white tents, cottage-houses, mansions, forts, fortifications of earth, leafy trees, and the vernal sod, and uniting these two beautiful pictures were the arches and beam-work of the bridge-like aqueduct. From this spray and water descended in greater or less streams, creating a broad foam; and which, in consequence of the reflection of the sun's rays on it, did not look unlike a cataract of liquid silver uniting with a monster glass of ice-cream. When abreast of the Western Wharves, we had a fine view of the seventeen new storehouses built by the Government. These were almost all filled to their utmost capacity with As we proceeded down the river to Alexandria, the tents on the Virginia side appeared as an unbroken chain of white canvas, and so close together and extending to such a depth inland, that the uninitiated, who had never seen a cotton-field, would have thought the Mother of States had been turned in the wrong direction, as the minds of a large portion of her inhabitants are at the present time. During the night, and while lying at anchor off Alexandria, we were boarded by one of the Government harbor police boats, and compelled to answer a variety of questions as to who we were, what we were, and the like. So strict are they at this point, that the steamer Jersey Blue, of New York, was boarded in the middle of the night, and her captain compelled to show his "right of way," or Government pass. In accordance with a military order, all the yawlboats are taken from sailing vessels the moment they arrange to lie at or near the Alexandria wharves, in order to prevent all illegitimate. communication with the shore. The boats are always returned when the vessels from which they are taken are about to sail. Saturday, August 31. At daybreak we again got under way and proceeded down the Potomac. At Hunting Creek, just below Alexandria, we passed the United States brig Perry lying at anchor. As we sped on our course her ports seemed alive with men, curiously gazing toward the "departing stranger.' When some fifteen miles from Washington we had a fine view of Fort Washington, with its vigilant sentinels, massive walls, and frowning battlements. The channel hereabouts is between eight and nine fathoms deep. It was nearly daylight when we came in sight of Mount Vernon. By the captain's orders the steamer was kept in shore as near as was deemed either safe or convenient. Mount Vernon! It looked as beautiful and as calm as a child in sleep on the bosom of its mother. Nothing appeared in the least disturbed. The tomb, mansion, trees, every thing betokened tranquillity. As seen from the water, the place looked none the less the Eden of every true American's heart. At White House Point there is a high bluff, which looks suspicious as regards the erection of a small battery on the top of it. While some aver there is a battery in the neighborhood, others oppose any such idea. Certain it is the place looks suspicious, in that it seems as though the sand toward the top had been arranged to seem a continuation of the upper portion of the bluff. About twenty-five miles from Washington, and in the vicinity of Crane Island, the river is very broad and extremely shallow. Notwithstanding this, the channel is deep, and capable of floating the heaviest vessels, excepting Great Easterns, but not their "followers." A short distance below we found a large number of fishermen in their crafts at work, apparently totally regardless of the "pomp and circumstance" of war around them. Below this again, on the Maryland side, the bluffs are so high that if batteries were erected on them and heavy guns mounted, they could be made to cover an immense distance of the Virginia territory opposite. At Indian Head Point, which is twenty-five miles from Alexandria, it is said the rebels have erected batteries and mounted heavy guns. Certain it is, nothing of the kind can be seen, even with the aid of a powerful glass. All vessels, in passing this and other suspicious points, give the Virginia shore as wide a berth as practicable. If there are batteries on the hills in this locality, it would be almost impossible to discover them, from the fact that the hills are thickly wooded, and hence serve as masks in a natural way. When thirty-five miles from Washington we passed a portion of the Potomac flotilla of the United States Government, being the steamers Penguin and Stillman Witt. These steamers were said to be lying here in order to watch all movements on the Virginia shore, it having been ascertained that the rebels intended erecting batteries in this neighborhood. Should these assertions prove true, these vessels would immediately open fire, and attempt by every available means to prevent such erections. On the Maryland side the hills are low, while on the other (Virginia) they are high and receding, and have the appearance of ridges. Alongside of the Penguin was moored a long-boat, with a gun in it, ready to be used at short notice. Both vessels appeared to have on board an unusually large crew, by the number of sailors who appeared to be in the rigging, at the ports, and elsewhere. Several trading vessels were in the vicinity of the steamers. Near eight o'clock we came in sight of Acquia Creek, which is forty-five miles from Washington. In approaching this place, the Virginia shore, which rises slightly perpendicularly, resembles somewhat a continuous line of batteries, broken here and there by patches of woods. We kept well off toward the Maryland shore, and soon came up with the United States steamers Jacob Bell, Freeborn, and Pocahontas. These were riding at anchor, ont of reach of the enemy's guns, or about five miles from the uppermost point of the creek. At a short disVOL III.-Doc. 13 tance from the steamers two long-boats, with guns in their bows, were at anchor. By the aid of our glasses we got a fine view of the batteries, but at a distance of five miles off. The main battery has an apparent frontage of two hundred yards, is not masked, but, on the contrary, in plain view to those on the water. In such a bold position is it located, that we could even trace out the guns, yet not plain enough to count them or obtain particulars. A short distance two new batteries were also in plain view. On the uppermost one-which is situated on the top of a hill resembling a sugarloaf, with a very large piece knocked out of one side-men were descried at work with shovels digging, or doing something like it. The lowest of the two new batteries is also located on a high hill, and in a very commanding position. It is partially covered by a thick wood. Numerous flag-poles were discernible, apparently with no flags flying. When we got in full view of the creek, the rebel steamer Page was seen lying at anchor, a short distance up stream. It is said this vessel, which originally served as a ferry-boat to convey passengers between Washington and the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad, is now lined with railroad iron, fitted out with twelve guns, and a crew of eighty men. It was the property of the railroad mentioned above. Near it a Virginia pungy was anchored. A short distance from the Page was a black scow, used for the transportation of rebel troops. Abreast of Acquia Creek, and on the Maryland side of the channel, a vessel's masts were to be seen protruding above the water. We did not learn the cause of the sinking of this vessel. We had scarcely got full abreast of the main battery, still at a distance of five miles off, when every body on board our vessel was somewhat surprised to hear the report of a rebel gun. On turning our glasses toward the battery, nothing was observable but the smoke created by the discharge. This shot crossed our bow in such close proximity, that we detected its presence by a whizzing noise. From this peculiarity it was judged to have been a rifled-shot. No notice was taken of this, except that Capt. Chadsey gave orders to have the vessel kept right on its course, regardless of any thing that might happen. Subsequently another shot was fired; this one falling short a little less than one-third the distance between the battery and the steamer. During the whole time of passing these batteries, the greatest curiosity and excitement prevailed on board the steamer; and many were the necks stretched and eyes strained to catch a glimpse of every thing in general. If any of the vessels in the Government employ as transports should happen to get too near the Virginia shore, a warning gun would be fired from our gunboats; and if this did not have the desired effect of causing the vessels to lie off shore, it is more than probable a more forcible method would be used. At Potomac Creek, two miles from Acquia |