December 30.—The Richmond Examiner of this date has the following on “Yankee worship”: We had thought that we were incapable of being taken by surprise by any new act of indulgence or deference toward Yankees by a government that entreats them here to enjoy the fats of offices and contracts, or by a public which has not forgotten its old standard of “society,” as measured in the amount of court and dirty toadyism they might be permitted to pay to Northern notabilities. But we were mistaken. We are intensely and altogether surprised at the latest event of Yankee impatience and Richmond servility. We are surprised to learn that a certain Yankee, Dr. King, from Newport, Rhode Island, has been permitted to come here to see a sick son, a prisoner. We are surprised to learn that the doctor, his lady, and son, are occupying very select rooms at the Arlington House. We are surprised to learn that these persons are called upon by the would-be elite (a very feeble would-be,” though, we suppose) of Richmond, and that women of Virginia, making such social pretence, have been flocking to see the Yankee family circle and to perform daily the debasing work of paying the greatest civilities to the enemies of our country and State. If Mrs. Lincoln was only holding court at the Spotswood, in her celebrated green silk and Illinois witchery, we have no doubt that there are creatures in Richmond who would bend their necks for the social honor of licking a little dust in her presence.”
—The third battalion of the First Massachusetts Cavalry, under Major John H. Edson, an old army officer, numbering four hundred and twenty horses and men, arrived at New York this morning.
—The Confederate Secretary of the Treasury, in his correspondence with the Tennessee delegation in Congress, stated the inability of the Confederate Government to settle the sums expended byTennessee in behalf of the war.
—In the rebel Congress at Richmond, Va., Messrs. Thomas and Burnett, of Kentucky, appeared, qualified, and took their seats.—General Stuart’s report of the battle of Dranesville was ordered to be printed.—Richmond Dispatch, Dec. 31.
—A Cutter, under command of Acting-Master Alick Allen, and a gig, under command of Acting-Master Henry L. Sturges, were sent from the U. S. steamer Mount Vernon, to-night, to destroy a lightship used by the rebels off Wilmington, N. C. The expedition found the vessel deserted, though pierced with guns, and almost prepared for harbor defence. She was burnt to the water’s edge by the National troops, who escaped the fire opened on them by a rebel fort.—(Doc. 243.)
