is nothing in this letter which I shall dread to see in history, it is, perhaps, better, for the present, that its existence should not become public. I therefore have to request that you will regard it as contiYour obedient servant,

dential.

A. LINCOLN. It is not known that any propositions were made either by the Federal Government or that at Richmond relative to peace, or a suspension of hostilities, or an amnesty, other than the proclamation of the President, accompanying his message to Congress, in December (for which see PUBLIC DOCUMENTS). This amnesty was subsequently explained by the President as not intended to embrace persons held as prisoners of war.

Several conventions assembled during the year, distinct from the local State conventions, and designed to consider subjects of national

interest.

The earliest in date was a convention of Colored People, which convened at Poughkeepsie, New York, about June 15th. J. W. C. Pennington was chosen president of the convention. A lengthy address and resolutions were adopted-among the latter were the following: Resolved, That more effective remedies ought now to be thoroughly tried, in the shape of warm lead and cold steel, duly administered by 200,000 black doctors, more or less under the direction of Surgeon General John Charles Fremont, or such other person, fit for the office, as might be selected.

Resolved, That we, the colored citizens of this State, are loyal and true to the Government; that our for tunes rise or fall with it; that we are ready, anxious, and willing to demonstrate that truth and loyalty on the field of battle, or wherever else we can aid in restoring the nation to its integrity and prosperity; that we firmly and confidently rely on the Government for the protection and treatment due to civilized men, and believe that we shall receive it.

On the 23d of August a convention of War Democrats was convened at Indianapolis, Ind. Gen. Nathan Kimball was chosen president. A series of resolutions was adopted, of which the following were among the most distinctive: That the Democratic principles heretofore avowed, to which we stand pledged, imperatively demand of us to repudiate the doctrines of secession and all sympathy with them, and to give our unqualified support to our country and its constituted authorities in the great trial of war, until the last vestige of the present rebellion is suppressed and destroyed.

That the conspiracy to break up the Union of Democratic States, and to establish aristocracies was deliberately planned and executed by those who broke up and purposely defeated the Democratic party. We have no apologies to offer for the acts of the traitors

who declared that the "election of Mr. Lincoln would

be a good cause for secession, disunion, and revolution," and we denounce all organizations that oppose or fail with their whole strength to support the war and crush out the rebellion, as anti-Democratic, fanatic, and treasonable.

Subsequently, on November 24th, a conference of War Democrats was held at Chicago. Representatives were present from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. A declaration of principles was adopted, and measures taken looking to a national organization. The platform declared unequivocally in favor of the Union, denied that the Constitu

tion afforded any pretext for secession, providing, on the contrary, a peaceful remedy for every grievance that may occur in any part of the country; denounced the rebellion, and called upon the Administration to employ all the power of the nation for its suppression; affirmed continued devotion to the Monroe doctrine of non-intervention in the affairs of this continent by European nations; applauded the valor and unselfish patriotism of the soldiers: declared in favor of the colonization of the blacks freed by the war at the earliest practicable period; and protested against the incorporation of the negro contingent upon the peace establishment of the Federal army, holding that the disbandment of that contingent, upon the conclusion of hostilities, was "demanded by every consideration of wise and provident statesmanship."

The meeting recommended the War Democrats of the several States to meet in nations! convention on the first Wednesday in May. 1864, for the purpose of taking such action as appeared best respecting the nomination of s President and vice-President.

On the 19th of August, a conference or convention of conservative Union men assembled in Rochester, composed of persons invited to meet "for the purpose of consultation and taking such action as may be deemed most effective to unite the conservative elements of the country in the approaching presidential campaign." Representatives were present from sevenl States, including Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Wisconsin. A series of resolutions were adopted, of which the following were the most distinctive:

Resolved, That this meeting favors an association of conservative Union men for the next presidential cumpaign; and that we invite the union and cooperation et all who are opposed to the election to any office in de gift of the people of any person in political connection or sympathizing with secession, abolitionism, or fausticism of any kind; that our abiding purpose in brief, is: The suppression of the rebellion, the maintenanc of the Union, adherence to the Constitution, fidelity : the Government, the enforcement of the laws, and opposition to foreign intervention.

Resolved, That the rights of property, whether is lands, personalty, or slaves in the States, is exc¤sively within the authority and jurisdiction of th; States respectively; and the owners of all or either of these three classes of property cannot be deprived of it by the Government of the United States, the President, or any military or civil officer thereof except f public use and just compensation, or for crimes e mitted of which they shall be convicted according to the mode and form of trial prescribed by the Cor stitution.

A committee was appointed, with authority to call a National Convention for the nomin.tion of a President, and make all necessary arrangements. Under the auspices of this conmittee a convention was held on December 4th, in Cincinnati, of persons invited thus:

For the purpose of consultation, and taking sneh retion as may be deemed most effective to scene the nomination and election of conservative men in the be composed of Old Line Whigs, War Democrats, con approaching presidential campaign. The meeting vial servative men, without regard to former party predi

lections-friends of Jackson, Webster, Clay, and Crittenden, who desire to preserve the Union and the Constitution unimpaired-who are willing to take their stand upon the Kentucky platform, opposed alike to secession and abolition fanaticism-who believe that the war should be carried on till those in armed revolt are compelled to obey the Constitution and the laws of Congress, and who hold that the State Governments suspended by the revolt should be restored under their State Constitutions respectively.

At this meeting the following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That this convention of consultation adopts and reaffirms the Kentucky platform of 1863 (see page 563), and suggests to the conservative Union national committee the name of George B. McClellan for the next presidency, and recommends to the said committee to take such action in regard to the nomination of candidates for President and Vice-President as they may deem expedient.

A more considerable meeting of this committee was held in Philadelphia, on December 24th, at which the following, among other resolutions, were adopted:

Resolved, That this committee recommend to the people of the United States, General George B. McClelfan as a candidate for the presidency, and Governor William B. Campbell, of Tennessee, as a candidate for the vice-presidency.

Resolved, That as a basis of Union this committee recommends the Kentucky platform, embodying the twofold idea of the support of the Government in its contest with the rebellion, and of opposition to all efforts to substitute the dogmas of radicalism for the principles of the Constitution.

Late in the year a convention of Germans was held at Cleveland, Ohio. An address and resolutions were adopted in which the members of the convention declared themselves to be independent of parties. They said:

VERMONT. The number of troops sent into the army from this State up to Jan. 1864, was 18,224. The Vermont regiments have suffered greatly during the war, having been in active service in various portions of the South, and, at the above date, 7,884 were all that remained in the service, of whom only 6,150 were on duty. The quota assigned to Vermont under the conscription act of 1863, was 4,715, of which number only 948 had entered the service or furnished substitutes, and 1,833 paid the commutation.

The annual State election caused some excitement. The Democratic State Convention met at Montpelier on the 26th of June, and nominated for governor Hon. T. P. Redfield; lieut.-governor. E. A. Chapin; treasurer, R. McK. Ormsby. They adopted resolutions declaring that the liberties of the people are endangered by the Administration in establishing martial law in States where the Government is unobstructed, and committing tyrannical acts on loyal and unoffending citizens. The "platform" was similar to the one adopted by the Democratic State Convention of Ohio. An additional resolution thanked Gov. Seymour of

We have not convened for the purpose of presidentmaking, nor are we to arrogate to ourselves to forestall in this question our fellow-citizens. Nevertheless, we deem it proper to take advantage of our meeting, for the expression of our sympathies and antipathies. Therefore, we declare, that the confidence and sympathy of the German radicals will be ensured only by a decided and well-tried representation of a progressive and, as early as possible, a radical policy, and that we should consider it as incompatible with our principles, to support any representative of that so-called conservative policy which exposes the republic to disrepute and jeopardy at home and abroad.

The substance of the resolutions adopted is expressed as follows:

Integrity of the Union, and subordination of the several States under the sovereignty of the people of the United States.

Unconditional suppression of the rebellion. Abolition of slavery in the entire territory of the United States in the shortest way.

Declaration of Independence.
Revision of the Constitution in the spirit of the

Treatment of the reconquered rebel States as territories for the purpose of reconstruction.

Cession of the confiscated lands in the spirit of the homestead bill, as well as donation of portions of the land to the defenders of the country, of whatever color, and to the liberated slaves.

Realization of the Monroe doctrine.

Alliance with European revolution against foreign intervention.

Protection of the freedom of the press and speech against military usurpation.

Establishment of a national military system similar to the Swiss system-universal obligation for military service. Support of such candidates for public offices as stand nearest to the principles laid down in this platform. (See FINANCES of the UNITED STATES, ARMY, NAVY, CONGRESS, U. S., PRISONERS, COMMERCE, &c., &c.)

New York, for his letter to the Vallandigham meeting at Albany. The Union State Convention met at Burlington on the 8th of July, and nominated for governor, John G. Smith; lieut.governor, Paul Dillingham; treasurer, John R. Page. Resolutions were adopted pledging the men and means of Vermont to aid in putting down the rebellion; approving of the lawful and necessary use of the martial and civil powers of the Government for that object, and declaring that Northern traitors deserve greater reproach than Southern rebels. The Union ticket was elected by a large majority. The vote for governor stood as follows: Smith, 29,613; Redfield, 11,962; majority for Smith, 17,651. The agricultural interests of the State prospered during the year.

VERNET, EMILE JEAN HORACE, commonly known as Horace Vernet, a French painter, born in Paris, June 30th, 1789, died Jan. 17th, 1863. He was a member of a family well known in the history of French art, and at an early age manifested an unusual taste and facility for painting. While yet a boy he was compelled to use his pencil for his own support, and when about 17 years of age competed un

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successfully for the grand prize of the Academy of Fine Arts. Subsequently he was drafted into the army, and after two years' service was married, and commenced his artistic career. Ife had previously followed the classical manner of David, but finding it entirely inadequate to portray modern subjects with truthfulness or effect, he broke away from the conventionalisms of the predominant school and determined to make nature alone his guide. His experience of a soldier's life now proved of considerable service to him, and with happy tact he prepared to minister to the national love of military glory by painting the battles in which France had been victorious and the striking incidents or episodes of the wars of the republic and the empire. The first piece which brought him into notice was his " Capture of a Redoubt," followed within a few years by "The Dog of the Regiment," "The Trumpeters," "Halt of French Soldiers," "Battle of Tolo83," Massacre of the Mamelukes," "Barrier of Clichy," "Battle of Jeinmapes," "Battle of Valmy," "Soldier of Waterloo," The last Cartridge," ," "Death of Poniatowski," &c., which for dramatic vigor and life-like detail soon gained a high position among contemporary works of their class, although the sticklers for the old style found much to condemn in them. In 1822 his works were denied admission into the annual exhibition of the Louvre on account of their "seditious" tendency; whereupon he transformed his studio into an exhibition room, and presented to the public a numerous collection of his own works. In spite of this petty persecution he fared well under the Bourbons, and was made an officer of the Legion of Honor, 1825, and a member of the Institute, 1826. In 1828 he was appointed director of the French academy in Rome, where he remained 10 years, executing in that interval a number of works somewhat different in subject and treatment from his previous efforts, and of which his " Judith and Holofernes," "School of Raphael," "Confession of the Dying Brigand," and "Pope Pius VIII. carried into St. Peter's," may be taken as examples. Louis Philippe, who proved a warm friend of Vernet, commissioned him to paint for the Constantine Hall of the palace at Versailles a series of large pictures, illustrating the triumphs of the French arms in Algeria, conspicuous among which are several episodes in the siege of Constantine, "The Capture of the Smala," "The Battle of Isly," and "The Capture of Bougiah," which are perhaps the largest and finest pictures of their class ever painted. While engaged upon these works he made sevcral visits to Algeria and the Holy Land, for the purpose of studying costumes, physiognomy and scenery, and was thus led to attempt numerous subsequent works illustrating oriental life and history. Prominent among these were a series of biblical subjects in which the characters are habited in the Arabian costume of the present day, as "Rebecca at the Well,"

"Hagar driven out by Abraham," and "The Good Samaritan." Other well known eastern subjects were his "Lion Hunt," "Council of Arabs," and "Arab Mother Rescuing her Child from a Lion." To the series of French battle pieces already mentioned must be added his battles of Jena, Friedland, Wagram. Arcola and Fontenoy, "The Bombardmen: of San Juan d'Ulloa," "The Attack on the Citadel of Antwerp," "The Fleet forcing the Entrance of the Tagus," and "The Capture of Rome by Gen. Oudinot." During the latter part of his life he was said to be engaged upon works illustrating the recent campaigns in Italy and the Crimea. He also painted many excellent portraits, including those of Napoleon I. and III., and Louis Philippe.

He declined a peerage from Louis Philippe, and it is honorable to his artistic self-respect that he refused, at the request of that monarch, to falsify history by representing Louis XIV. leading the assault at Valenciennes. In conse quence their friendly relations were for a time suspended, and Vernet repaired to St. Petersburg, where he received flattering attentions from the Czar. Subsequently he became reconciled with the king. He was decorated with the chief orders of continental Europe, and at his death stood at the head of Lis profession in France.

VIRGINIA. That portion of the State which recognizes the Confederate Government, has been so completely occupied by the armies and by that Government, that the details of the army operations and of the Corfederate States engross nearly all subjects of interest. The entire military force of the State was absorbed by the Confederate conscription. The State bank circulation entirely disappeared, and the State treasury notes were fandel. The debt of the State is $34,399,680. This sam includes interest on the debt which has been uncalled for, and is due to the United States and her citizens, viz., $2,730,921; also the sum borrowed to aid in the war, and which is by agreement to be returned by the Confederate Government, viz., $8,500,000. Deducting the debt due to the literary fund, and the balance is $20,506,097. To offset this, the State holds bank and other stocks, from which can be realized sufficient to provide for all excepting $943,947. An election for governor took place during the year. William Smith was chosen.

VIRGINIA, EAST. A loyal State goernment for East Virginia was organized during the year by the election of a legislature and the following State officers: gov ernor, Francis H. Pierpont; lieut.-governor. L. P. C. Cowper; secretary of State, L. A. Hagars; treasurer, G. T. Smith: auditor, L. W. Webb; adjutant-general, F. E. Foster; attorneygeneral, T. R. Bowden. The loyal eastern coties of the State participated in the election. Alexandria was selected as the temporary cap ital. In his message to the Legislature, Gov. Pierpont spoke of slavery as doomed, and rec

ommended the calling of a convention to alter the State constitution so as to abolish slavery forever. In December the Legislature passed an act directing that a convention should be held at Alexandria on the 13th of February, 1864, to amend the constitution and prohibit slavery in the counties of Accomac, Northampton, Princess Ann, Elizabeth City, and York, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. None but loyal citizens who had not assisted the rebels since January 1st, 1863, were allowed to vote, and any one whose vote might be challenged was required to take an oath to support the constitution, and to declare that he had not in any way given aid and comfort to the enemy. In December, J. C. McLeod (a native Virginian) was elected to Congress from the 37th district.

VIRGINIA, WEST. The constitutional convention of West Virginia met during the month of February, and, among other important acts, adopted a resolution asking Congress to make an appropriation to aid West Virginia in emancipating her slaves.

On the 26th of March an election was held at which the "Willey amendment" was almost unanimously ratified. The effect of this amendment was to strike out from the constitution the clause excluding free negroes from the State, and to insert in place thereof certain provisions relative to freeing the slaves.

On the 20th of April the President issued a proclamation declaring that the State had

complied with the required conditions. An election of State officers was held in May, and the following unconditional Union candidates were chosen by a vote of 30,000, without opposition: governor, Arthur I. Boreman; secretary of State, J. E. Boyers; treasurer, Campbell Tarr; auditor, Samuel Crane; attorney-general, A. B. Caldwell; judges of court of appeals, Ralph L. Berkshire, William A. Harrison, James H. Brown.

The inauguration of the new State took place at Wheeling (the capital), on the 20th of June, with imposing ceremonies. The retiring governor (Pierpont) briefly addressed the citizens, urging them not to forsake the national flag, and introduced the governor elect, whom he pronounced "true as steel." Gov. Boreman made a short speech, in which he said that the only terms of peace were that the rebels should lay down their arms and submit to the regularly constituted authority of the United States. The General Assembly organized on the same day. In his inaugural message to the Legislature Gov. Boreman recommended the immediate passage of laws to effectually extirpate slavery from the State, and that no man should be per-. mitted to vote or hold office until he had taken the oath of allegiance. The Legislature elected W. T. Willey, of Morgantown, and P. G. Van Winkle, of Parkersburg, U. S. senators.

West Virginia was called upon for 10,000 militia during the war. She had already put 20,000 troops into the field.

WASIUM.-Supposed New Metal. Bahr claims to have discovered in a mineral from Ronsholm, an island near Stockholm, a new metal which, in honor of the royal family of Wasa, he proposes to name Wasium. The mineral itself has been termed Wasite; the supposed new metal was also found in Norwegian orthite, and in gadolinite from Ytterby. From the first named of these, about 1 per cent. of the supposed oxide of wasium was obtained, in form of a brownish sandy powder, of density 3.726. Bahr regards as especially characteristic of the new oxide that, upon being treated with strong nitric acid and evaporated, it assumes a gelatinous consistency.

Prof. J. Nickles, however, declares (Comptes Rendus, Ivii. 1740), that the supposed wasium of Bahr is nothing more than yttrium blended with a little of its congener didymium, or perhaps terbium. He cites the fact that Klaproth's nitrate of yttria furnishes, on evaporation of its watery solution, the same gelatinous precipitate which Bahr insists on as characteristic of the new metallic oxide.

WHATELY, RICHARD, D. D., Lord Archbishop of London, born in Cavendish Square, London, February 1st, 1787, died in Dublin, Ireland, October 8th, 1863. He was the fourth son of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Whately, preben

dary of Bristol. He was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, then the great school of speculative philosophy, and ranked among the most eminent scholars in that celebrated college. Ho received the degree of B. A. in 1808, and of M. A. in 1812. In 1810, he obtained the prize for his English essay, "What are the Arts in the Cultivation of which the Ancients were less successful than the Moderns?" In 1811, he was elected Fellow of Oriel, then considered the highest honor in Oxford, except the provostship of the same college. The Fellows of Oriel were, at this period, and for many years later, men of the highest intellectual rank in Great Britain. J. H. Newman, E. B. Pusey, Bishops Miant, Copleston, Wilberforce, Hampden, and others, beside Whately, were among the number. In 1822, Mr. Whately was Bampton Lecturer, taking for his subject "The Use and Abuse of Party Feeling in Matters of Religion," and the same year he was presented to the rectory of Halesworth, Suffolk. In 1825, Lord Grenville, chancellor of Oxford, recalled him to the university as Principal of St. Alban's Hall, on which occasion he took the degree of B. D. and D. D. In 1830, he was elected Professor of Political Economy in the University. In 1831, on the death of Archbishop Magee, Earl Grey appointed Dr.

er.

Whately to the Archiepiscopal See of Dublin, and in 1846, on the death of Dr. Charles Lindsay, he succeeded to the bishopric of Kildare also, that see having been united with Dublin, by the Church Temporalities Act. He was also Visitor of Trinity College, Dublin; Prebendary ex officio of Cullen in St. Patrick's Cathedral; Vice-President of the Royal Irish Academy, and Chancellor of the Order of St. Patrick. For more than twenty years he was one of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland, and during that period he bent all his energies to its advancement and defence. He endowed the Professorship of Political Economy in the Dublin University; not from his abundant wealth, but by the exercise of a strict economy in his personal and family expenditure. The archbishop was a voluminous writThe published productions of his pen, many of them pamphlets, and local or occasional in character, are more than a hundred in number; but he has also written many books which will live. The following list comprises the most important of his published works: "The Christian's Duty with respect to the Established Government and the Laws," London, 1821; "Historic Doubts relative to Napoleon Bonaparte," Oxford, 1821; "The Bampton Lectures for 1822, on the Use and Abuse of Party Feeling in Religion," 1822; "Essay on some of the Peculiarities of the Christian Religion," 1825; "Elements of Logic," 1826; “Elements of Rhetoric," 1828; "Essays on some of the Difficulties in the Writings of St. Paul," &c., 1828; "Errors of Romanism," 1830; "Introductory Lectures to Political Economy," 1831; "Essay on the Omission of Creeds, Liturgies, &c., in the New Testament," 1831; "Thoughts on Secondary Punishment," Dublin, 1832; "Sermons on Various Subjects,” Oxford, 1835; “Essays on some of the Dangers of Christian Faith which may arise from the Teaching or Conduct of its Professors," 1839; "The Kingdom of Christ Delineated," 1841; "Thoughts on the proposed Evangelical Alliance," 1846; "Introductory Lectures on the Study of St. Paul's Epistles,' 1849; “English Synonymes," 1851; manuals for the national schools on "Money Matters," on "Reasoning," on the "Evidences of Christianity," and on the "British Constitution," published between 1840 and 1852; "Thoughts on the New Dogma of the Church of Rome,"

YANCEY, WILLIAM LOWNDES, an American politician, born in Columbia, S. C., in 1815, died near Montgomery, Ala., July 28th, 1863. Early in life he removed to Alabama, and represented that State in the 28th and 29th Congresses. He subsequently became known as a prominent leader of the extreme Southern States' Rights party. In 1858 he advocated the organization of Committees of Safety" in the South, and in 1859 urged the calling of a convention by

1855; "Scripture Revelations as to Good and Evil Angels," 1855; “Scripture Revelations as to a Future State," 1856; "Bacon's Essays, with Notes," 1856.

WISCONSIN. In June a correspondence took place between Governor Salomon, of Wisconsin, and Gen. Pope, commanding the Department of the Northwest, in reference to the exercise of military authority in enforcing the conscription. The governor, learning that requests had been made to supply State arms to the assistant provost-marshal, expressed the belief that the people were willing to obey the law, and the civil authorities to execute it. In his reply Gen. Pope says that he will employ military force only after every resource of the civil authority has been used without success. He uses the following language:

I have been satisfied from the beginning that in nearly every case the conscription law can be executed by the civil authorities alone, through the people acting the discretion intrusted to me by the Government, is under their direction in the legal and usual forms. in to the employment of military force for the execution of this law within this military department, I bare steadily declined to permit the use of any troops under other legitimate means had been tried without success, my command, unless I could be convinced that all Already, in one or two cases, I have found that sṛplcation for military aid had been made without Lecessity, the enrolment under the law having been completed thoroughly by the willing aid of the civil authorities.

fling case of opposition or resistance to the laws, is The habit of resorting to military force in every tri becoming so common as to excite in the winds of jur dicious men very serious alarm. Such a practice cotirely supplants the civil authorities, sets aside time honored means for the enforcement of the laws in tas country, destroys in the citizen that feeling of personal interest in their execution, through which alone we have maintained popular government, and prepares the public mind for complete abdication of civil rule. It is impossible to believe that citizens of this country, except under the immediate influence of excitement can be willing to trust the enforcement of civil law to military force, and thus to surrender the very highest privilege and duty of American citizens.

The Legislature gave an earnest support to the war, and appropriated $350,000 to organize and bring into active service the militia, "to repel invasion, suppress insurrection and defend the State in time of war.”

The vote for governor at the fall election stood as follows: Lewis (Republican), 79,959; Palmer (Democrat), 55,218; majority for Lewis, 24,711. The number of troops sent to the army by Wisconsin up to Nov. 1st, 1863, was 42,585.

the State of Alabama, in the event of the ele tion of the Republican candidate for President in 1860. In Jan., 1861, he reported the secessivă ordinance in the Alabama Convention, and in the succeeding March went to Europe to urge upon foreign powers the recognition of the Cofederate States. Early in 1862 he took his seat in the rebel Congress as one of the scnsters from Alabama, and until near the close of s life was actively engaged with legislative duths