schools abolished. The following are some extracts from the report. Let freemen note the progress of the rebellion: VIEWS OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. Governments are instituted for the protection of the rights of persons and property; and any system must be radically defective which does not give ample security to both. The great interests of every community may be classed under the heads of labor and capital, and it is essential to the well-being of society that the proper equilibrium should be established between these important elements. The undue predominance of either must eventually prove destructive to the social system. Capital belongs to the few-labor to the many. In those systems in which capital has the ascendency, the Government must, to some extent, partake of the character of oligarchy, whilst in those in which labor is predominant the tendency is to what Mr. John Randolph graphically described as "the despotism of king numbers." It is the office of enlightened statesmanship to secure to each its appropriate influence, but to give the absolute control to neither. NORTHERN LABOR TOO POWERFUL. The political condition of the Northern States presents a striking illustration of the evils incident to the preponderance of the element of labor. In the early periods of their history these evils were not so apparent as they have since become. Their population was sparse, and the Western Territories afforded a convenient outlet for their restless citizens; property was easily acquired, and consequently the line of demarcation between labor and capital was not strictly drawn, because the laborer of to-day might readily become the capitalist of to-morrow. But within the last twenty years a marked change has taken place in the North. Population has become dense, and the safetyvalve afforded by emigration to the Western Territories has been greatly obstructed. Wages have not kept pace with the cost of subsistence, and the difficulty of acquiring property has greatly increased. The tendency of this new condition of things has been to divide society into two distinct classes, and to array the one against the other. FREE SCHOOLS DENOUNCED. This tendency to a conflict between labor and capital has already manifested itself in many forms, comparatively harmless, it is true, but nevertheless clearly indicative of a spirit of licentiousness which must, in the end, ripen into agrarianism. It may be seen in the system of free schools, by which the children of the poor are educated at the expense of the rich; in the various forms of exemption and homestead bills; in the popular cry of "lands for the landless," and "homes for the homeless;" in Fourierism and communism; in the habitual disregard of the ordinances of religion, and of the institution of matrimony; and more distinctly in the form of abolitionism. FREE SUFFRAGE NOT TO BE PERMITTED. In the opinion of your committee no system of government can afford permanent and effectual security to life, liberty, and property, which rests on the basis of unlimited suffrage, and the election of officers of every department of the Government by the direct vote of the people. The tendency of such a system is to demoralize the masses; to encourage the habit of office-seeking; to foster corruption at the polls, and to place unworthy and incompetent men in positions of trust and responsibility. These, however, are the vital principles of the social organization of the North, and, as before stated, their bitter fruits are already in a course of rapid development. In the Southern States more conservative and rational principles still prevail. This is due mainly to the institution of slavery, which constitutes a partial restriction on the right of suffrage. In the North men of every class and condition of life are entitled to vote. In the South all who are in a condition of servitude are necessarily excluded from the exercise of political privileges, and the power of the country is wielded by the more intelligent classes, who have a permanent interest in the well-being of society. Slavery also constitutes an effectual barrier against that tendency to antagonism between labor and capital which exists in the North. There capital is the usual employer of labor, and is interested in diminishing its wages. Here capital is the owner of labor, and naturally seeks to enhance its rewards. [The above report emanates from a committee which was appointed by the Convention in May last to consider such amendments to the Constitution of Virginia as may be necessary and proper. The Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, of Augusta County, is the chairman of the committee.]—National Intelligencer, Dec. 3. Doc. 181. GOV. TAYLOR'S PROCLAMATION, On Monday, the 18th of November, 1861, a provisional or temporary Government for this Commonwealth was instituted at Hatteras, Hyde County, by a convention of the people, in which more than half the counties of the State were represented by delegates and authorized proxies. Ordinances were adopted by the Convention declaring vacant all State offices the incumbents whereof have disqualified theinselves to hold them by violating their official oaths to support the Constitution of the United States, which North Carolina has solemnly accepted as the supreme law of the land; pro DOCUMENTS. nouncing void and of no effect the ordinance of | secession from the Federal Union, passed by the Convention assembled at Raleigh, May 20, 1861; continuing in full force the Constitution and laws of the State, as contained in the revised code of 1855-6, together with all subsequent acts not inconsistent with our paramount allegiance to the United States; appointing a Provisional Governor, and empowering him to fill such official vacancies and to do such acts as in his judgment might be required for the safety and good order of the State. We have attempted no revolutionary innovations; we have made no change in the organic law, or sought to overthrow or disturb any of the institutions of the State. In repudiating and resisting the wanton usurpation which has flagrantly defied the will and now crushes the liberties of the people of this Commonwealth, we act in the pursuance of a sacred duty to North Carolina, and to that great republic, our common country, which invested thein with the high dignity of American citizenship. We fulfil, moreover, an imperative obligation to God, to civilization, to freedom, and to humanity. We obey that cardinal maxim of sound government which affirms that the popular welfare is the highest law. The good and loyal men of North Carolina have been for months past without any domestic Government which they were bound to respect, and the apparent consent of a large majority of the citizens to the armed power of the revolutionists and traitors, who have unwarrantedly arrogated the governing authority of the State, has been not a voluntary and cheerful acquiescence, but a compelled and protesting submission to a military despotism. The lives of citizens and their rights of property and person have had no protection amidst the anarchy, misrule, and disorder which have prevailed throughout the Commonwealth. It had, therefore, become necessary for the most ordinary interests of society, as well as in vindication of our loyalty to the national authority, that our municipal government, suppressed and overborne as it was by reckless and irresponsible usurpers, should be revived and maintained under the protection of the banner of the Union. The temporary State Government which we have accordingly set on foot has the approval in advance of thousands of good and faithful North Carolinians, and should command the prompt and cordial adhesion of all loyal citizens of the State. Of the desperate and ill-starred fortunes of the rebellion, and of its ultimate and thorough suppression, no rational man can entertain a doubt. It has the recognition of no nation under heaven, and the world's sympathies are unanimous in its condemnation; it is everywhere regarded as not only a revolt against a most beneficent and paternal Government, but as assailing also law, order, progress, and all the great interests of mankind throughout the globe. It is an aggressive war upon popular liberty in the United States, and its claims can never be conceded short of an absolute surren der of the rights of man and a craven recanta- I therefore call upon all the good people of HATTERAS, Nov. 20, 1861. Doc. 182. CAPTURE OF THE "HARVEY BIRCH." THE VOYAGE OF THE NASHVILLE. She then encountered strong northeasterly winds and very heavy seas, but made the passage to Bermuda in three and a half days. On arriving at Bermuda she received a pilot on board, who took the vessel to the dock-yard, stating that, in consequence of her length, she could not go into St. George's. The next day Captain Pegram, not being satisfied, obtained a second pilot from the dock-yard, who took the Nashville safely round into St. George's, at which place the vessel coaled. During their stay at Bermuda the commander and officers were treated with the greatest hospitality and kindness, both by the citizens and the officers of the English army and navy stationed there, and every facility for getting stores, coals, &c., was afforded them by the inhabitants. A few days prior to the arrival at Bermuda of the Nashville the United States steamer Connecticut had called at the island for the purpose of ascertaining if the Nashville had been there. She had a crew of four hundred men, with six guns mounted. Not hearing any thing of the steamer they were in search of, they again proceeded to sea, without stating their destination. The Nashville sailed again for Bermuda on the 5th instant, and from the next day until the 17th she experienced a succession of gales from all points of the compass. Nothing of interest further transpired until the 19th, when she destroyed the United States ship Harvey Birch. CAPTAIN PEGRAM'S REPORT. He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging, and I do strictly charge all officers and others under his command to be obedient to his orders as lieutenant. And he is to observe and follow such orders and directions as from time to time he shall receive from me, the future President of the Confederate States of America, or the superior officers set over him, according to the rules and discipline of war. Given under my hand at the city of Richmond, this 20th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1861. JEFFERSON DAVIS. By the President, S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy. The following statement was taken by the Quarantine officer at Southampton, Eng., from the second mate of the Harvey Birch: STATEMENT OF JAMES STEWART, SECOND MATE OF THE HARVEY BIRCH. The following is the report of Commander Pegram: On the morning of the 19th instant at eight A. M., sighted the packet-ship Harvey Birch, of New York; immediately bore down upon her; when near enough, hailed her, having unlimbered guns and cleared decks for action. Then spoke the vessel and ordered the captain to haul down his colors and bring his papers on board. The Stars and Stripes immediately went down slowly, and Captain Nelson and his crew came on board the Nashville. Captain Pegram then informed him that he demanded an unconditional surrender, but all private effects would be respected. The crew were then brought on board, and with the exception of Captain Nelson, his two mates, and a passenger, were placed in irons. The captain and mates were allowed to retain their revolvers, but put upon parole. A few provisions were then brought on board, and the Harvey Birch committed to flames. Before the Nashville left her the three masts were seen to fall, and the entire vessel enveloped in a burning mass. Captain Pegram states that the burning of the ship and hauling down of her flag was the most painful act of his life, having for a period of thirty-two years fought and served under the United States flag. The crew of the burnt ship describe the officers of the Nashville as young and inexperienced, and their disgust is beyond expression at being taken by such a set of "brats of boys," as they describe them. To use the expression of one of them, he said, "By —, if only half a dozen of us had been loose, we would have cowhided the whole of the lot over the stern, clean." A good joke is told of the captain of the Nashville, who, it appears, belonged to the American navy for thirty years before Half-past Six P. M.-I saw the masts go over he joined the secessionists. In relating the the side. The Nashville then proceeded to capture of the ship to a gentleman at South-Southampton to land the crew of the Harvey ampton, he observed that he felt bound to treat Birch. JAMES STEWART, Second Officer. the captain and officers with every attention and kindness, that he invited them daily to his own table, and behaved with true hospitality and courtesy; "but," said he, "my mortification was great when I sent them on shore to find that they did not acknowledge my kindness by even expressing their thanks." -London Times. Captain Pegram held the following commis sion under the "Confederate" seal: The President of the Confederate States of America, To all who shall see these presents, greeting: Know ye that, reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of Robert B. Pegram, I do appoint him a lieutenant in the navy of the Confederate States, to rank as such from the 10th day of June, A. D. 1861. On Tuesday morning, at nine A. M., about forty miles off Cape Clear, the steamer Nashville came alongside the Harvey Birch, Capt. Nelson, from Havre, in ballast, bound to New York. He ordered us to haul our flag down, the United States color, and the captain to come on board. The captain went on board, and remained about fifteen minutes. He then returned to his ship, and gave James Stewart, second officer of the ship, orders to tell the crew to pack their things up, and bring them to the gangway, (bags only.) with the exception of the officers, who were allowed to bring their chests. Eleven A. M.-The crew left their ship and went on board the Nashville. The lieutenant of the Nashville, with his crew, went on board the Harvey Birch, and set her on fire. PROTEST OF CAPTAIN NELSON. The following is the protest of Captain W. H. Nelson, master of the Harvey Birch: I, William Henry Nelson, of the city of New York, in the United States of America, Master Mariner, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly swear that I sailed from the said city of New York, on the 20th day of September last, as master of, and in, the ship Harvey Birch, of New York, a ship owned and registered in New York, in conformity with the laws of the United States, bound for the port of Havre de Grace, in France, with a cargo consisting of wheat. About the 9th day of October I arrived at Havre, and having discharged the cargo of my ship and ballasted her, I sailed in her again for the port of New York, on the 16th day of November, first having received the register, crew list, DOCUMENTS. articles, and all papers belonging to the ship in | When all this had been accomplished, the crew left the ship by order of the second lieutenant, I being last on board, leaving the second lieutenant and his boat's crew in charge of the ship. After arriving on board the steamer we saw that the Harvey Birch was in flames, and the second lieutenant returned on board the steamer with his boat, which was secured, but the ship's quarter boats, which had been used in communicating, were cast adrift. Captain Pegram now said, Now, as it is all over, we will give her a gun," or words to that effect, and a gun was discharged at the ship, but without apparently hitting her. The steamer then was put on an easterly course, the crew of the ship having been previously put in irons. I, with my officers, was summoned to the captain's cabin, and there signed, at the request of the captain, a document stating that we would not take up arms against them while in their custody; he having said that I and my officers should have our liberty on board when we had signed it. I was frequently told that an oath The chronometer and barometer belonging to the Harvey Birch, were taken by Captain Pegram, who refuses to deliver them up. The Harvey Birch was a ship six years old, and of 1,482 tons register. Before we lost sight of the ship her masts had gone over the side, and she was burnt to the water's edge. W. H. NELSON. Sworn before me in the consulate of the United States at London this 22d day of November, 1861. Captain Nelson stated that Commander Pegram endeavored to compel himself and crew to take the oath of allegiance and not to take up arms against the Southern States. This was denied by Commander Pegram and officers, who stated that the only document that Captain Nelson and officers were requested to sign was one of which the following is a copy: CONFEDERATE STATES STEAMER NASHVILLE, W. H. NELSON, Master. The remainder of the crew, not having signed the above document, were placed in irons until their arrival at Southampton. -London Times, Nov. 23. Doc. 183. DEFENCE OF CHARLESTON, S. C. PROCLAMATION OF THE MAYOR. MAYOR'S OFFICE, November 22, 1861. I, Charles Macbeth, Mayor of the city of Charleston, do hereby most earnestly appeal to the citizens of this city to come forward and assist the military and civil authorities in putting Charleston in a proper state of defence. A large number of laborers are wanted, and called for, on the works now progressing around the city; and surely there is a sufficient number of unemployed laborers to supply the demand. Proper arrangements will be made for the superintendence and subsistence of all laborers that may be tendered, and I confidently hope that every citizen of the city will, without further appeal, come forward promptly and report at the City Hall the number of laborers he can contribute. any A correspondent of the Philadelphia Enquirer gives the following particulars of the attack upon the rebel camp at Warwick by the gunboats Cambridge and Hertzel. An intelligent deserter from the Tenth Georgia regiment reached Newport News on the morning of Friday last, and was taken to headquarters at Fortress Monroe, where, upon being interrogated, he made known the location of a number of important rebel camps on the right bank of the James River. Acting upon this information, an expedition, consisting of two gunboats, was prepared on Friday, in readiness to proceed at nightfall to the junction of the James and Warwick rivers, about five and one-half miles above Newport News. The Cambridge led the way and steamed without interruption until reaching the point designated, where the white tents of the enemy could be plainly discerned on a low wooded triangular piece of land. This was near midnight. Almost before the rebel pickets could give the alarm, the gunboats were in position, and had opened fire upon the camps, the guns following each other in rapid succession. No effectual resistance was made by the enemy, and the discharges were continued for over an hour, at which time the camps appeared nearly deserted. The darkness of the night and the want of sufficient men prevented a landing being effected. Indeed, this was not the object of the expedition, the sole aim being to destroy the camps by an efficient cannonade, and this was successfully accomplished. It is believed that the loss of life on the part of the rebels was heavy, owing to the suddenness of the attack, and their comparatively defenceless state. After the exploit the gunboats returned to Newport News and anchored in the stream, the result being communicated to Gen. Wool and Commodore Goldsborough. The rebel deserter alluded to was about twenty years of age. He managed to elude the vigilance of the outer rebel pickets, and followed the sandy shore of James River, from the camp which he was deserting to Newport News, where he was met by five men of one of the Massachusetts regiments, and taken in charge. He desired to return to his parents in Boston. He was a sailor by profession, and at the time of the blockade was attached to a Massachusetts vessel at Savannah. Owing to the blockade, she was unable to get to sea, and the lad found himself without employment. He finally visited Augusta, Georgia, and being entirely destitute of money, and attracted by the placards covering the walls of the city, promising eleven dollars per month to those who would enlist, he became a member of the Tenth Georgia regiment, Col. Cummins. The regiment was armed principally with smooth-bore muskets. It was composed of sailors and the laboring men of Augusta, and after its organization was located at many different points without seeing active service, until finally, about two months ago, it left Richmond and came down the James River to a place known as Young's Mills, in Warwick County, Va., on the banks of Deep Creek. Here a camp was formed, and in this same neighborhood were, and still are (except those scattered by the gunboats) the following regiments: Tenth Georgia, Col. Cummins; Second Louisiana, Col. Farnaw; Fifteenth Virginia, Second Florida, Tenth Louisiana, Sixth Georgia, Louisiana Zonaves, five hundred cavalry, one battery of eight pieces. The Second Louisiana regiment had the most exposed position, the camp being on the point of land at the confluence of the Warwick and James rivers and Deep Creek. It was this regiment which sustained the fire of the gunboats, as already stated. On the point they have thrown up an earthwork, and procured two howitzers for its defence. They have also brought a number of old canal boats down from Richmond, and sunk them across the entrance to Warwick River, a stream one mile in width at its mouth. The Tenth Georgia camp adjoins that of the Second Louisiana, being further up the shore of Warwick River. Adjoining these, and still |