December 15.—The National War Committee of the citizens of New-York addressed an urgent memorial to Congress, asking for the passage of a law authorizing the granting of commissions to private armed vessels for the capture of the Alabama, and other cruisers, and the offer of a suitable reward for the capture.
—The General Assembly of the State of Louisiana, in accordance with a proclamation of the rebel Governor, Thomas O. Moore, met at Opelousas, “to consider and provide for the exigencies of public defence.”—The advance of General Banks’s expedition arrived at New-Orleans.— General Hovey’s expedition returned to Helena, Ark.
—General Butler having been superseded by General Banks, as commander of the Department of the Gulf, issued his farewell address to the “Soldiers of the Army of the Gulf,” and another “To the People of New-Orleans,” in which he reviewed his government since he had been appointed to the command of the department.— (Doc. 74.)
