The Sun. — London, England, 1865-03-10 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THis DAT.—Morning, lh. Bm.—Afternoon, lh. 30m. To-Monnow.-Morning, lh. 50m.—Afternoon, 2h. Bm. LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1865. The resumption of the debate on the Navy Esti mates did not prove much more satisfactory to the Government than the opening discussion. Lord C. PAGET'S defence, as it may be styled, was doubtless very convincing to the noble lord himself, and to the rest of the Admiralty officials ; other members, however, were not very well satisfied with the best that could.be said for our navy, and in spite of the tone of injured innocence in which, as Sir J. PAKINGTON justly remarked, the Secretary to the Admiralty addressed the House, the public do not feel very well satisfied with the result of their out lay of fifty-seven millions. A new antagonist ap peared upon the field in the person of Sir MORTON PETO, who spoke in a courteous and moderate man ner, and who fully endorsed all that Sir JOHN PAKINGTON had said on the previous occasion, and said that, so far from overcolouring his picture, the right hon. baronet might have said much more: Sir MORTON PETO himself spoke strongly on seve ral points which Sir JOHN PAKINGTON had brought up. He said very truly that the condition of our navy had never been of more importance, and he announced his intention of moving for a return allowing the exact state of her MAJESTY'S fleet at the present time, and how long it would take to send to sea the ships that were now in ordinary when they were required to act. He had been told, he said, though he could not vouch for the accu racy of the information, that it would take four years to put engines into the vessels now lying in Portsmouth harbour. The fact is that, after all this immense outlay, the English navy will not bear the criticism of our own Parliament ; h ow , then, will it stand the searching test of practical service? The members who were most severe in their stric tures on the Admiralty proceedings were those who were best qualified to judge—Sir J. PAKINGTON, Sir JOHN HAY, Admiral WALcorr ; and no one can suppose that all these gentlemen would be in spired by prejudice or actuated by political feeling. They belong, as it happens, to different parts of the house, and Sir M. PETO, himself a Liberal, bore wit ness to the total absence of party feeling which distin guished Sir JOHN PAKDTGTON'S speech. But when argue ents are unanswerable it is easy to take re fuge in virtuous indignation. Lord C. PAGET is t e 4 € l , y with his assurances th a t th e Government nave no desire to conceal anything ; they are anxious to give the fullest possible information on every point—only, unfortunately, it is just the report that is asked for that is always most inexpedient to pro duce. This, of course, is a misfortune, not a fault, and it is of course a misfortune that the Royal Sovereign after havi ng proved, on the admission of Lord C. PAGET himself, " a great success," has dis appeared from active life, and that since it is difficult to combine the advanta ges of great speed and great tonnage, the ships we send t o catch slavers go on the average eight knots an hour, and our armour-plated vessels are advised to get int o the nearest port in a storm. As for the cupola ships, we have some important revelations. In the first place, as we have said, Lord C. PAGET admits the Royal Sovereign to be " a great success," though if any one takes the trouble to refer to former opinions of the noble lord he will find it more than implied that the success was a very partial one. In answer to the universal demand of the best judges of naval matters, Lord C. PAGET declares that the Admiralty is most anxious to build turret ships. But his explanation is not quite so plausible as usual. The Admiralty, we are told, consulted as to the best way of producing a turret ship in the greatest possible haste, and as they had a very fine vessel, the Royal Sovereign, they decided on converting her into a turret ship. But there the history, as Lord C. PAGET calls it, of the Royal Sovereign stops, and he ingeniously diverges into a discussion of the difficulties attend ing the construction of turret ships generally. Why, if there were such haste or anxiety to test the turret principle, was not the Royal Sovereign sent to sea ? Why is she "soon again to be sent into Channel to go on with her trial" instead of the trial having been completed long ago ? Why were the men allowed to volunteer into the Victoria, and why are we not told the exact number of men now on board ? and why, if the Admiralty " are delighted at the success of the turret principle," are not other ships being built on the same plan? If we can see our navy, says Lord C. PAGET, as if " the vastness of the machinery, the enormous armour-plating, and the labour ne cessary to perform these things," which he speaks of as hopeless obstacles were not indispens able parts of every iron ship. All these things are necessary for building Mr. REED'S ships, and as that gentleman has now been allowed to make several costly experiments, the Admiralty resources might as well be employed in a direction which the Admiralty officials admit to be so important. If the safety of the country depended on the production of turret ships we should find them built a little more quickly, but so long as there is no immediate call for action every improvement is postponed. Why, Messrs. LAIRD of Birkenhead, or the Thames Ship-building Company, would soon show the Government how quickly and efficiently such ships could be built if they were allowed to make the trial. In a country with such enormous resources of money, of skill, of material, it is quite preposterous for a Govern ment official to rise in his place in Parliament and say such a ship would be most useful to the country if he could see his way to getting it built ! The turret principle may be good or may be bad, but no one can tell its real value until it has had a fair sea trial, and that is just what the Ad miralty, on one pretence or another, refuse to give it. We all know what an official " very shortly" means ; but we trust that hon. members will keep the Government up to the mark, and not allow so vital a question as the efficiency of our fleet to be further trifled with. Admiral WALcoTr, in a brief but sensible speech, spoke a word of warning. He recollected, he said, that before the Crimean war there was a little cloud gathering in the East, but we disregarded it until the tempest broke over our heads. The consequence was that we lost a large number of men, and a hundred mil lions of money. At the present moment another storm is gathering in the West, let us then be pre pared for it. If it should happily pass over our prudence will have done us no harm ; if it should break over our heads it will be too late to build ships, to train men, and to order guns. No wonder the Whigs shrink from the possibility of a war, and proclaim loudly to the world that nothing will in duce England to fight, since none can know better than themselves what inefficient guardians they have proved of the defences of the country. The Lord Chancellor last night laid upon the table of the House of Lords a bill which, as he truly observed, was one of great importance. It has for object to abolish imprisonment for debt, so far as it remains in operation. In many respects it is satisfactory that this bill should have been read a first time. His lordship was enabled to ex press a most favourable opinion of the manner in which the Act for the Amendment of the Law of Bankruptcy had worked. The result of this mea sure has been that the Queen's Bench Prison is closed ; and in the workings of this Act it has not been found that the bona fide creditors have suffered as some expected they would have done. All these things being taken into consideration, it must appear that there is every justification for the intro duction of the further change which this measure will effect ; and, indeed, it may be considered that it is the finishing stroke put to the work before commenced, and the completion of a much-needed legal reform. It is absurd to continue a system which has no object to attain, and which the general verdict of enlightened persons condemns both in theory and practice. The Lord Chancellor ob served that it was " the general opinion throughout Europe that the old practice of imprisoning a debtor merely on account of a debt not being paid was neither quite just nor expedient." In explanation of his purpose in thus bringing forward a partial measure as it were, his lordship explained that it would be probably some time before it would be practicable to introduce a Bill founded upon the Report of the Committee now sitting to inquire into the whole of the bankrupt law. It will there fore be seen that the changes therefrom ensuing will necessarily be delayed some time ; and it may be considered that great credit is due to the Lord Chancellor for endeavouring to meet the require ments of the case, and suit the convenience of those who will come under the operation of the Act before the general measure can become law. It seems singular indeed that long before this some remedial enactment of this kind should not have been intro duced, but it is a melancholy reflection that those engaged in legal pursuits think more of retaining abuses than of rectifying them, and are always up ' in arms directly any impartial observer ventures to express an opinion contrary to their customs, while they show no desire whatever to improve matters by the exercise of their own judgment or the result of their own investigations. Lord WESTBURY has displayed some boldness in coming forward to de nounce the errors of the system of the Bankruptcy Laws, and the evils that they work in many instances. It is to be hoped that the influence of his lordship will prevail to such an extent that this mea sure will become law, and that the benefits of its introduction may amply realise the expectations of those who have framed it. There are ample grounds for believing that this bill will not interfere with the views of the committee who are now considering the subject of the Bankruptcy Laws, and therefore one objection of a very important nature will be removed from the arguments of those who may ob ject to its passing. It will be a satisfaction if the present Parliament, which has been so notorious for its do-nothing qualities, should, in the last year of its existence, distinguish itself by the introduction of reforms which have been long wi3hed for, and yet hardly expected, in consequence of the antipathy too well known to exist in the matter of these changes. It is too bad that year after year should go by and no progress be made in the rectification of abuses. Lord PALMERSTON, who has not yet displayed his usual rea di ness to enter upon the discussion o f affairs this session, last night spoke pith some energy and decision in connection with our diplo matic relations with Brazil. Mr. WHITE,, having asked if the Government intended to bring i n a Bill for the repeal of the Aberdeen Act, the noble lord replied that it was certainly no their intention to do so, and for that refusal gave a very satisfactory reason :—" If the Act were repealed the slave trade between the Coast of Africa and Brazil would be resumed to any, even the most unlimited, extent." Such a statement is, indeed, conclusive, for it would be a deplorable calamity if, after all the sacrifices and exertions made by this country for the purpose of putting down the slave trade, it should be suffered again to resume its dread pro portions and .flourish in its infamous traffic. Lord PALMERSTON further explained that the Bra zilian Government would not be able to prevent the recurrence of the slave trade, no matter how good their intentions or strenuous their efforts, because circumstances would be too strong for them to con tend against. This is proved by the instance of Cuba, where the Captain-General is known to be much against the practice, and has displayed his sincere wishes to put a stop to it, but is constantly thwarted in his praiseworthy attempts by the con duct of his subordinate officers. It is difficult to realise all at once the whole bearing of a case, and one is often led to expect and desire this or that change or alteration without perceiving the conse quences that may ensue therefrom, doubtless with the best intentions. Mr. WHITE has asked if the repeal of the Aberdeen Act was to take place, so that friendly relations with Brazil may be established ; but it has been shown on compe tent authority that such a thing cannot be done without producing great evils, and defeating the very object which has been a cherished one by the people of this country for years. It is easier to make an alteration than to do away with the in jurious effects that it may produce, and it is wise of her Majesty's Minister's to hold fast by pre vious arrangements, and abide stedfastly to their present treaties, unless they see good and sufficient grounds for altering them. In questions of this kind Lord PALMERSTON may be considered a very good authority, and perhaps in some respects the best guide in the house, for he has had large expe rience, and his connection with the Foreign-office has. naturally familiarised him in all the various details that relate to foreign countries. We may there fore rest assured that this difficult matter will be in safe hands, and that he will not be led away by the appearance of expediency to grasp the shadow for the substance, but weigh well all the different and conflicting claims. At the same time, it is very satisfactory to find that the noble lord has informed the house that negotiations are going on through the intervention of the Portu guese Government, " with a view to the re-esta blishment of friendly relations between Great Britain and Brazil." Such an announcement can not but be acceptable in every respect, and we may be justified in the expectation that a favour able issue will attend the good offices of the me diators. , LIFEBOAT SERVICES.—..During the storms of the past year 1864 the boats of the National Lifeboat institution have saved 432 persons from different wrecks on our coasts. The Institution also expended £19,531 145. sd. in the same period on lifeboat establishments, in addition to granting £1,569 as rewards for saving 693 shipwrecked per sons by its lifeboats, and other means. The Committee of the Institution earnestly A PPEAL to the public for ASSISTANCE to enable them to meet the continued heavy demands on the Institution's 110 lifeboat establishments. Contributions are received by Messrs Willis and Co.. Retries and Co., Coutts and Co., and by all the London and country bankers ; and by the Secretary. Richard Lewis, Esq., at the Institution, 14, John-street, Adelphi. The ANNUAL GENERAL ME it.TING of this Institution will be held at the LONDON TAVERN. Bishopsgatc-street , on TUESDAY next, the tth inst., at Two o'clock pi ecisely. His Grace the Duke of ARGYLL, K.T.. in the Chair. ROYALNGLISH OPERA, COVENT GARDEN. (Opera Company. Limited.) T HIS EVENINJ, the Opera of TUE MOCK DOCTOR (the English worse by Char,es Kenny l. Principal characters by Mesdames Poole, Thirlwall, and Fanny Huddart ; M and essrs. henry Haigh, A. Cook, C. Lyall , Dusscir, Lingliam, LI. Corri Conductor,Mr. A. MELLON. After which, the Grand and highly successful Pantomime, CINDERELLA. Magnificent Scenery and gorgeous aoees• monies. Commence at Seven, THE AT R E-R OYA L, DRURY-LANE, Managers. Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, a New Farce, GOING TO THE DOGS. Atier which, CYMBRLINE. Messrs James Anderson, Walter Montgomery, H. Marston, Walter Lacy, E. Phelps ; Miss Atkinson and Miss Helen Fancit. Concluding with the Opening of the Pantomime, HOP 0' MY THUMB AND HIS EL NVEN BROTHERS; or, the Ogre of the Seven -League Boots; terminating with the Grand Transformation Scene ; Miss Lydia Thompson, &c. HEA TR E-R OYA L, HAYMARKET. _Lessee. Mr. Buckstone. T HI3 EVENING, THREE WEEKS AFTER MAR RIAGE, Mr. W. Farren ; Miss Nelly Moore, &c. To be iollowel by DAVID GARRICK. Messrs. Chippendale, Sothern, Buckatone, Rogers, Clark, Coe, Wea thera"y, &a ; Mesdames Moore, Snowdon, Fitzwilliam, After which, LORD DUNDREARY MARRIED AND DONE FOR. Messrs. Sothern, Bnckstone, Braid, Gordon, Clark, White, Coe, Weathersby, ; Mesdames Snowdon, Jrc. With PRINCESS SPRINGTIME. Mr. Compton, Miss L. Keeley. To commence at 7. NEV THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.- ewle eroortwtor anti Mana , ar, Mr. h. voster. l'lll3 EVENING, ICI ON PARLE FRANCAIS. Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Billington, Miss K. Kelly, and Mrs. Killington. By desire, at 8, THE LOVE CHASE. Wildrake (his origi nal character), Mr. B. Webster. Messrs. Billington, Ashley, Stephenson. Widow Green , 4th time), Mrs. Stirling; Con stance (4ta time', Miss Henretta Simms ; Lyuia (her tourth appearance), Miss Sophie Young. To conclude with THE AREA BELLE. Messrs. J. I. Toole, Paul Bedford, and Mrs. A. Mellon. Commence at 7. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter. THN EVENING, TWO IN THE MORNING. Messrs. Widdieomb and Emery. After which, SIMPSON AND CO. Messrs. Samuel Emery, C. Horsman, Collett ; Mesdames C. Horsman, lien rade, E. Boyce, and Elsworthy. Followed by bURS CHICKWEED. To conclude with BEAR-FACED IMPOSTORS. Doors open at Hall-past Six. The Box-office open daily from Elev,n till Five. WYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, a new Farce, by Mr. David Fisher, entitled HEART-STRINGS AND FIDDLE-STR NGS. Atter which, THE tTitEETS OF LONDON. Messrs. Vining, J. W. Ray, D. Fisher, D. Murray, J. Nelson, H. Forre,:ter. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry Marston, Miss Emma Barnett, and Miss Rainy Gwynne. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress. Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, at 7, THE WILFUL WARD. Mr. Belford ; Miss Palmer. After which, the great Comic Drama, MILKY WHITE . lifters. Craven, Stoyle, James; Miss Swanborough. To conclude w.th 'V tiE "'GRIN" BUSHES : Mr. Fenton, ; Mesdames liaynham, Simpson, Johnstone, Jr.c. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " pplied, as soon as published every Evening by W. ALEXANDER (late DROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Cavendish-street, Oxford-street. THE LAST EDITION OF " THE SUN,'' Containing the Latest SPORTING IN TELLItirIN own be bad Every Nvening of . G. It. GLEN IR, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as loon as Published containing alt the LA PEST NEWS ani SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, by IL W. HAURIS, Ne,s spaper Agent, 4, Biacktriars-roaa, London, S. t 5 g a -*\_) it It -Nv 43444 VIE SUi, LOADON,iIi;AY EVEiNING, MARCH 10. 1E65. DRURY-LANE THEATRE. The ,6 School for Scandal," cast almost as strongly as it is possible to do in these times, is to be the piece to alternate with Miss Helen Faucit's performances, and thus there will be no off nights, as it is. termed, every evening being equally provided with attrac tion, as the crowded state of the house proves. Mr. Phelps's Sir Peter Teazle is now well known, and we can only say that it mellows by repetition, and is a very fine piece of acting ; the emotional portion never having been more forcibly expressed, and the dry, sarcastic wit of the exposed husband is given with the keenest irony. Mrs. Vezin's Lady Teazle is a charming performance, full of spirit and feeling. Mr. Walter Lacy plays Charles Surface lightly and most pleasantly, giving full significance to the vivacious wit. Joseph Surface is rendered by Mr. James Anderson with much greater colloquial power than we expected ; and it is so free from stiltiness, that we only wish the same natural and effective style were carried a little more abundantly into this. gentleman's tragic . performances. The hypocrisy and the skill of the character were very cleverly displayed, and his scenes with Lady Teazle were marked with a fine artistic power. Mr. Barrett is an admirable Sir Oliver, playing it with great bonhommie and admirable discretion. • The scandalous college was represented in a lively and characteristic way by Mr. Roxby's vivacious personation of Sir Benjamin Backbite, by Mr. Bel more as Crabtree, Mrs. H. Vandenhoff as Mrs. Candour, and Miss C. Weston as Lady Sneerwell. Miss Rose Leclercq was a graceful Maria, and Mr. Fitzjames an effective Moses. The immortal comedy was indeed in every way rendered effective, and was most cordially received and enjoyed by an over flowing audience. BANK OF FRANCE. PARIS, MARCH 9. The following is the return of the Bank of France for the week ending to-day, together with the cor responding figures of the previous account : tion gone. Immediately upon the evacuation of Fort Ander son General Hoke retreated before Terry, who, advancing, found the works deserted, and pressed on Wilmington. Cox lost 26 in killed and wounded. A despatch from Gen. "Comstock says :—" Our troops entered Wilmington on the morning of the 22d inst. After the evacuation of Fort Anderson, Schofield directed Cox to follow the garrison towards Wilmington, Terry following Hoke on the east side of the river. The latter took up a new il u m na in b g l te'c'tno' but being closely send troops to the I p i r n e e ss f e o d ur by ini T le e s rr f y rom wa W s west side. The rebels made a stand behind Town Creek, but on the 20th Cox crossed the troops below them on fiat boats, attacked their rear and routed them, taking two guns and 300 prisoners. On the 21st inst. Cox pushed on to Brunswick River, oppo site Wilmington, where the bridges were on fire on March 2. I his arrival. " The rebels began burning cotton and resin in the city, and left it that night. We captured in Fort Anderson 700 prisoners and 30 guns. Citi zens state that the rebels burned 1,000 bales of cotton and 15,000 barrels of resin. The Union feeling showed itself strongly in the city. Terry followed Hoke northwards." The New York papers contain no additional The New York Herald thinks the fall of Wilming ton will ensure the safety of Sherman's advance, and facilitate operations against Richmond. Should Hardee and Bragg, concentrating in North Caro lina, be reinforced by Lee, and attempt a blow at Sherman, Wilmington will afford an easy opportu nity to reinforce the latter. The same paper further thinks it was a mistake to suppose Wilmington was without advantage to Lee after the loss of Fort Fisher, it being the source of supplies, besides drawing off a strong force from Grant. Hoke can now reinforce Lee, but Schofield can joiu Grant or Sherman with his whole command. The gunboats will be able to hold the places. With Grant, Sherman, Schofield, and Sheridan, with 200,000 effective and enthusiastic men on one side, and a miserably beaten and demoralised .mass of men, perhaps 60,000, on the other side, no one can question the result. The New York Times says the capture of Wil mington is now of incalculably greater importance than ever on account of the relations with Sher- man's advance. The Tribune thinks daily events demonstrate sufficiently that the rebels are not only in desperate straits, but are aware of it ; the Confederacy is crumbling from circumference to centre. Its rulers gather all their force at the central point. The fact of their gathering strength for one great blow shows they have no hope left should they fail. The Tribune learns from trustworthy authority that Foote, on his way from Richmond, repeatedly stated that the Confederate Senate, in secret sessions, considered the cause as virtually lost three months ago, and acknowledged that only desperate measures were left for desperate men. Lincoln has sent a letter to Porter, enclosing the resolutions of the Congress thanking him and his officers and the army for their gallantry and good conduct in the capture of Fort Fisher. On Sunday morning Sherman was advancing to wards and near Winsboro' on the railroad leading to Charlotte, 30 miles north of Columbia. Beaure gard was retreating before him towards Charlotte. Richmond papers thinks it necessary for Sher man's safety that he should continue to move with his army well massed. This prevented the Confe derates, numerically inferior, from attacking him, but they fell back in good order, keeping up a con stant and severe skirmish with Sherman's vanguard. The . Richmond Whig of Monday says, that Wheeler repulsed two charges at Aitken on the 10th, but was compelled to fall back, the enemy consisting of 10,000 cavalry and 4,000 mounted in fantry, entering Aitken at noon. Richmond papers say that Sherman enforces strict discipline, and punishes all outrages on citi zens. He has issued a retaliation order for the mal treatment of Union men. It is reported that 10 more regiments have been recruited from contra bands who joined Sherman's army in Georgia. The Petersburg Express says that Grant shows no disposition to assume the offensive, and has rather shortened than extended his line, and has withdrawn to the works on this side of Hatcher's Run. Heavy cannonading was heard at Dutch Gap on Monday, and an unusual activity was reported in Lee's army. According to deserters' reports a Con federate attack was threatened. Hill's corps was under marching orders. A considerable movement took place along the Confederate lines near Peters burg. Grant shelled the town heavily on Monday. The Herald states that the Confederates had removed their artillery from the front at Peters burg, and surmises that Lee had concluded to evacuate that town and Richmond, and fall back on Lynchburg. Cincinatti despatches say that if Lee evacuates Richmond he will fall back on Lychburg, and march through the mountains to East Tennessee or Ken tucky. It is rumoured that the Knoxville division of Lee's army had already appeared in East Tennessee last week. There was considerable excitement in Knoxville yesterday, from a report that Longstreet was ad vancing on the city. A movement of the Federals was made on Knoxville, in order, it was said, to defeat Longstreet's plans. Other Federal move ments are progressing to prevent Lee's supposed design against Tennessee. Desertions from his army are reported increasing. Lincoln's son has left for the front. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 25th, Noon. Gold, 198 f. Exchange on London, 214 ; on Paris, 2.53. Stocks steady—New York Centrals, 115 ; Illinois, 119 f ; Erie, 741; Five-twenty Bonds, 111 k. Cotton quiet—Middling Upland 83c. Flour dull. Wheat quiet. Corn steady. Provisions and Coffee dull. Sugar declining. Molasses quiet. Petroleum dull—Crude, 43 ; Refined, 67. The Southern journals announce that 500 Fede rals, from Newbern, passed through Greenville on the 18th, advancing on Tarhoro. Another force was advancing up the south side of the Neuse. It was believed that Foster's force had moved from Newbern to operate upon the Wilmington and Weldon railroad. The Federals were moving from Knoxville. It was expected they would penetrate North Carolina, and strike the railroad between Salisbury and Char lotte. The force consists of several thousand cavalry, under Averill. The Governor of North Carolina has issued a proclamation, in which he says there will be little difference of opinion in North Carolina as to the propriety of continued resistance. No fatal danger threatens except , depression of the spirit of the people, and the still more dreadful risk of internal dissension. He urges the people to lay aside party bitterness, and be reconciled for the sake of the country. If the South is determined to be free, subjugation is as distant as ever. The Newbern correspondent of the New York Herald asserts that Mr. Haines delivered a speech on the 20th , January last, in the North Carolina House of Commons, in which he fearlessly favoured the restoration of the Union, and declared Secession to be a failure. Preparations are completed at New Orleans for Granger's expedition to Mobile. General Hurlburt is expected shortly to establish the head-quarters of the Gulf Department at Mobile. Thirty vessels, mostly ironclads, are ready to leave for Mobile. The evacuation of that city is reported to have commenced in January. Most of the cotton has been removed further north, and the harbour fortifications abandoned. The only impe diments to the occupation are the torpedoes, which are being rapidly removed. The Guerillas in the Arkansas River are very active, and are reported to have burned the steamer Dane and captured an Indiana regiment. The Confederates are rumoured to be entering Kentucky from the direction of Mount Stirling. The Richmond papers announce that Rhoddy has successfully encountered the Federals in Northern Alabama, and driven them inside their fortifications. Lee reports that 38 of Moseby's men attacked the Federals 120 strong killing and wounding 25. It is reported that Hooker will shortly receive a new command. The Richmond Examiner confirms the removal of Thomas's army to Virginia. The force left under Thomas consists of mounted infantry and cavalry. His object is to open the Alabama river from its mouth to its source ; to capture Mobile, Selina, Montgomery, and Columbus ; to destroy the railroad through Central Alabama, and the Mobile and Ohio Railroad from Corinth southward. The proposition to arm 200,000 negroes passed the Confederate House of Representatives on Mon day, but was indefinitely postponed by the Senate on the following day by a majority of one. The Richmond Dispatch thinks the bill will be recon sidered and passed. A bill has been introduced in the Confederate House of Representatives for the impressment of cotton and tobacco at specie appraisement, payable in 6 per cent. bonds. The committee of the House has reported upon the resolutions, expressing an unalterable deter mination to prosecute the war. The committee invites a mass meeting of the, people to renew the vows of devotion to independence. The New York Herald states that General Sin gleton and Judge Hughes have left for Richmond with passes from Lincoln. The leading peace de mocrats think it may be another effort at peacto negotiations. The Daily News asserts that their mission is a private one. The late victories have caused Washington's birthday to be celebrated with unusual enthusiasm throughout the North. Wendell Phillips delivered an address, speaking in glowing terms of the Northern success, and arguing that the negro should have all the rights of the white man. At a meeting of the prominent citizens of New York a committee was appointed to arrange for a public expression of gratitude to the naval and military heroes, and a public celebration of the recent victories ; and also asking Lincoln to send a vessel to Charleston to convey General Anderson that he may replace the Federal flag on Sumter. A private letter from Sherman says :—" I would not subjugate the South in the sense so offensively assumed. All should obey the common law and submit to the same as we do ; no better, no worse ; our equals, not our superiors." The Kentucky legislature has rejected the consti tutional amendment for the abolition of slavery. The Judiciary Committee of the Jersey Legisla ture have reported on the bill to ratify the consti tutional amendment, with an amendment to submit it to the people's vote at the next general election. The Common Council of Jersey City have passed a resolution declaring the constitutional amendment as an untimely measure likely to delay the restora tionof peace and the union. The Wisconsin Legis lature have passed the constitutional amendment. The Judiciary Committee of the Senate have reported against the taxation of exports. Sumner's Freed Men's Bureau - Bill was defeated in the Senate, and another Conference has been appointed on the bill. The House has passed a bill providing for the prevention of military interference at elections, also a bill declaring the wives and children of coloured men entering the Federal service for ever free, and declaring married such men and women as have lived together in that character. The Senate committee have reported an amend ment of the tax bill, proposing to reduce the duty on crude petroleum from 6 to 2 cents per gallon. The Richmond Whig of Tuesday, in announcing the occupation of Charleston, says there was no cotton in the city at the time of the evacuation. This event should, therefore, inspire cheerfulness rather than gloom. Sherman can only be checked by concentrating in his front all the Confederate troops in North and South Carolina.. If not de feated, Sherman will march up the railroad to Charlotte, thence to Salisbury, Greensboro', Dan ville, and so on. The same paper estimates Sherman's force at 30,000, with a strong cavalry force. He did not detach any troops at Branchville to move on Charles ton. The Richmond papers infer that Sherman is con summating a plan to sever Lee's communications, finally combining his forces with Grant, and compel the evacuation of Richmond, or capture it by over whelming numbers. This course is pregnant with peril, and would expose Sherman's army to absolute destruction in case of failure, while Sherman will be be met and checked in such a position that the check will be defeat and destruction. The Examiner thinks that the comprehensive plans of the Federals for the capture of Richmond will fail. The capital, it considers, is safe if all do their duty, and Congress gives Lee the negroes asked for. Richmond is in no greater danger now than it was the last or previous spring. The steamer Will-o'-the-Wisp has run ashore and been destroyed at Galveston. The Confede derates saved a large portion of the cargo. The steamer Wren has unsuccessfully attempted to run out of Galveston. The schooners Annie Sophia and Pet have been cut out of Galveston by the Federals. The New York Tribune looks to Lincoln's inau gural for indirect overtures going far to dissolve what remains of the rebellion. It urges that assur ances should be expressed of magnanimity and kind treatment for the Southern people. The nation needs peace, not vengeance, and a return to heart felt loyalty, not to slaughter. The New York Herald concludes from the tone of the French press, and the proceedings in the British Parliament, that neither England nor France pur pose intervening in American officers. Washington despatches prove conclusively that the cession of Sonora to France is untrue, and indi cate that the relations between France and the United States will remained undisturbed. Captain Beales was hung to-day. it is reported that the appointment of Secretary to the Treasury has been tendered to Mr. 111‘Cul loch, and his name will be sent to Congress in a few days. The subscriptions to the 7-30 loan amount to nine millions and a half since the last report. The payment of the interest of the 10-44 bonds due in March will put over $3,000,000 in gold on the market. An order has been issued for the extradition of the Prussian Ferdinand Voightman. CANADA. MONTREAL, FEB. 24. The trial of the St. Alban's raiders is not yei concluded, on account of the illness of the judge. MEXICO. NEW YORK, FEB. 25. Advices received here from Mexico announce that Juarez has issued an address to the Mexicans from Chihuahua, Jan. Ist, in which he says :—" Faith ful to my duty and my conscience, I will devote all my energy to the national defence with the support and co-operation of the Mexicans, and will main tain the Mexican flag." Juarez further denounces the Emperor Maxi milian as a usurper, and an instrument to enlave a free people. Houston papers publish a correspondence between the Confederate Colonel Pyron and General Lopez, commanding the Imperial troops on the Rio Grande. Pyron informs Lopez that the Confederate Govern ment desires to cherish amicable relations with the Mexican Government. Lopez replies, confessing sympathy for the Southern cause. " Being placed in command by the Emperor Maximilian, the sons of the Confederacy," he says, " may rely upon full security for their persons and interests, and upon hospitality. The organisation of raids against the Confederates will not be permitted. The Houston papers further state that Matamoras had ceased to be a free port. RUSSIA AND POLAND. ST. PETERSBURG, MARCH 10. All the St. Petersburg papers of to-day deny the assertion that Russia had recently negotiated with France, England, and Austria, in reference to the incorporation of Poland with Russia. DZBTOR. March 9. - fr. c. fr. c. Capital of the Bank.... 182,600,000 182,500,000 Profits in addition to capital (Art. 8, Law, June 9, 1857) 7,025,949 37 7,019,191 80 Reserve of the Bank and its branches 22,105,750 14 22,105,750 14 Re Pe serve in landed pro -4,000,000 4,000,000 rtY Notes in circulation . Banknotes to order and receipts payable at sight 5,752,618 65 5,522,556 55 Treasury account cur rent creditor Current accounts, Paris 139,925,576 96 130,244,590 62 Do. branch banks Dividends payable 1,738,455 75 1,911,401 75 Discounts and sundry interests _ 6,716,824 76 6,157,779 80 Rediscounted the last six months 2,789,444 05 2,789,444 05 Sundries Total CREDITOR. March 9. March 2. Cash in hand and in fr. c. fr. c. Branch banks Commercial bills over due Commercial bills dis- counted, not yet due 269,407,467 28 269,112,232 74 Do. branch banks 274,960,453 300,700,342 Advances on deposit of bullion' 15,648,131 55 14,252,831 55 Do. branch banks 3,110,400 3,209,300 Do. on French Public Securities 13,638,100 13,979,500 Do. by branch banks 8,104,600 8,171,100 Do. on railway shares and debentures D. branch banks 16,846,900 16,531,300 Do. on Credit Fencier Bonds Do. branches Do. to the State (Con vention, June 10, 1857) 60,000,000 60,000,000 Government Stock re serve 12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14 Do. disposable Rentes Inamobalisees (Law, June 2, 1857) 100,000,000 100,000,000 Hotel and furniture of the Bank and landed property branches Expenses of manage ment 646,054 64 617,705 31 Sundries Total 1,269,110,561 92 1,264,350,146 52 (Signed) The Senator Governor of the Bank of France, ROULAND. COPYIIOLD AND TITHE COMMISSION.—The annual reeportstioo: int o the ne 05p,y5h710etfs Commissioners rtah necyhi sereportm e haventsthat and been they commutationsp have res ie now n n t f e u d l4 . In completed r 1,078 in clerical manors , 385 in collegiate, and 4,108 in lay manors. Of the consideration £ 853 , 853 was paid the rent charges amount to £6,778, and the land to 1,388 acres. In relation to tithes, the Commissioners report that -in 12,228 districts the tithes have been commuted by con firmed agreements or compulsory awards. At the close of the year 1864 the Commissioners had confirmed 14,679 dis trict mergers of tithes or rent-charges. FALSE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.—It appears from a Parliamentary return, issued yesterday, that dur ing the year ended 25th March last, 999 persons were con victed in the metropolitan police district of using or having in their possession false weights anti measures or balances. The greatest number of convictions occurred in the city of Westminster. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (RELTTER'S TELEGRAM.) li- AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE ETNA. (Via Crookhaven.) The Inman Company's steamship Etna, from New York, on the 25th ult., arrived in Queens town at 10.15 a.m. to-day (10th inst.), with $13,075 in specie, the mails, and 105 passengers. She landed 17 passengers, and proceeded for Liverpool at 10.25 a.m. The following are the heads of the news brought by the Etna : NEW YORK, FEB. 25 (Noon). Wilmington has been captured by the Federals. General Hake is retreating northward, pursued by General Terry. Sherman was near Winsboro', 30 miles north of Columbia, on the 19th inst. Beauregard is retreat ing before him. Nothing is known of Sherman's subsequent move ments, the Southern papers being prohibited from publishing military intelligence. Mr. Fessenden has anticipated the payment of the March coupons of the 10.40 bonds. Gold 1981. NEW YORK, FEB. 25 (Morning). The capture of Wilmington, on the morning of the 22d inst. (Washington's birthday) was officially announced yesterday. A large number of prisoners were taken. A despatch from Admiral Porter, dated the 19th inst., gives the following particulars of the evacua tion of Fort Anderson. Schofield, with 8,000 men, advanced on the 17th from Smithville, four vessels of the fleet simulta neously attacking and enfilading the works. The wind and tide prevented more vessels from partici pating in the engagement. Fort Anderson was briskly quieted down. Next morning Porter advanced the Colser and Nantauk leading, and 15 vessels following. Heavy fire was maintained in silencing the enemies bat teries by three p.m. Porter, however, continued the fire until dark, and also through the night, an d in the meantime Schofield was working in the rear, but the Confederates left before he had surrounded them, taking away five or six light guns, and every thing else that was valuable. At daybreak our troops hoisted the flag upon the ramparts, and the Monitors ceased firing. Ten heavy guns, and a quantity of ammunition, were found in the fort. Our loss is three killed and five wounded. Schofield reports on the 19th his success against Fort Anderson, and the adjacent works on both sides of the river, while the fleet maintained a heavy fire upon the fort. Schofield says—" I pressed the enemy on both sides of the river, and sent Cox 16 miles round the river to the enemy's right. Cox proceeded along the narrow defile between the two swamps, and completely burned the enemy's posi tion. The enemy discovering the movement aban doned the works, and retreated to Wilmington. The guns captured are uninjured. Fifty prisoners were taken. The loss was small on either side. The Federal troops are pursuing, and the fleet is ascending the river." Fort Anderson, and the collateral works, are very strong, and almost inaccessible, on account of the swamps. A small force could have held the works till the supplies were exhausted. The Confederate shot made no impression on the Monitors, although but a third of a mile from the Fort. The Federal fire was well directed, preventing the Confederates from aiming properly. The Southern face of the fort was badly disfigured. A sham Monitor, con structed of canvas, was sent up the river with the tide to explode torpedoes; It floated past the fort, and is supposed to have hastened its evacuation, the Confederates believing the water communica- details. PORTUGAL. LTSBON, MARCH 9. The sitting of the Cortes are very tumultuous, the new Ministry meeting with great opposition. The first sod has been turned of a new branch of the Southern Railway between Beja and Faro. FRANCE. DEATH OF THE DUO DE MORNY. PARIS, MARCH 10. The Due de Morny died this morning at 8 o'clock. In the Senate to-day the general discussion on the Address commenced. The Marquis de Boissy expressed a wish that the Ministers should be responsible for the policy of the Government. He deplored the insertion in the Moniteur of M. Duruy's report, which he charac terised as socialist. He pointed out the deplorable •onduct pursued, by England, which was still the asylum of assassins, ready to attempt the life of the Emperor and continued, "I do not believe that the Convention of September will ever be carried out. It is necessary that the Pope should remain in Rome, for if France is Bonapartist much more is she Catholic." Marshal Magnan animadverted in energetic lang uage on the assertion of the Marquis de Boissy, that on the day of the Emperor's death France would fall into a state of anarchy. Such expressions were much to be regretted. When this event oc curred the Sepate, the Corps Legislatif, the army, and the country would proclaim the Prince imperial, and France would be saved. The Marquis de Boissy then continued. lie con demned the French intervention in Mexico, bu t strongly expressed a wish that the war between the Fed'erals and Confederates might be carried on to the complete ruin of both belligerents, rather than tha t the French army in Mexico should be made prison ell4 , by the conclusion of peace. (Loud expressions 0.1 disapprobation.) The Marquis de Boissy hoped, 10, conclusion, that the Emperor and his dynasty would long continue to reign. M. Chaix d'Est-Ange asked what the Marquis dde Boissy understood by the expression that he - wish! to see a Parliamentary Government re-established in the country. He (M. Chaix d'Est-Ange) did 11° wish to see the country governed by the Chanabero• He regretted the impious wishes respectingAraerie!'' and condemned the expressions of M. de Bois/ 111 reference to England. The debate will be continued to-morrow. BOURSE, March 9.—The market is quiet, wlt'• out any material change in quotations. Threes', for the Account, are now at the closing prices; the preceding day, 67fr. 80c. Mobilier hav e yell ' and are somewhat lower. In Railway Shares t many transactions have taken place, and P c t have undergone but little alteration. The mar k ? was very heavy towards the close, with a decline ill prices. The following are the last quotations 41 per Cents 94 75 Italian Loan ........• 64 , 95 Do. end month — Do. end m0nth...... o'2 3 per Cents. 67 50 Ditto Threes .....••• Do. end month 67 65 New Mexican ...... 5" Credit Mobilier 867 50 Do. end month 895 Bank Shares 3550 Credit Foncier 1280 Roman 73 Russian ............... 81 --- Austrian ............ A 4 5 0 --.. Sp an i s h Threes ... ,,. Home Debt ........• Deferred ............ •... ~... RAILWAYS. Acct. Cash. 921 2° Orleans :: : 10 95 1- 0 50 Northern Lyons and Mediterranean Southern 577 50 ... 0 1013 947 7 5 5 0 '—• Western 542 50 ... 540 25 Eastern Sardinian 303 75 .. a v " '5 Austrian Lombard 547 50 ... ' 3 ' os -- North of Spain 3OO 360 Saragossa Ditto to Barcelona 31 66 05 170 crurt s"W" 0111110 HER MAJESTY. The Queen,. attended by the Duchess of —Tor, burghe, drove out this morning. Their Royai. Highnesses Princess Selena 3113 Princess Louise rode in the Home Park. A t The Queen held a Council -day, which v i ` - ', lno , tended by Earl Granville, the Earl of Cla rel ' and Earl Russell. 8 Lord Lyons and Sir Edward Vaughan AVMaIII were sworn of her Majesty's most honourable ro Council. pile ° Lord Granville and Lord Russell had an' . " - of the Queen.. Mr. Helps attended as clerk of the Counc il ' we re Lord Talbot de Malahide and Sir W. 1 1 ° ste the Lord and Groom in Waiting. The Prince and Princess of Virale°' 14,,, t of The Prince of Wales gave Mr. Weigall the m— a series of sittings for his portrait yes t e rday". so t. His Royal Highness, attended by Liellten.ag, Colonel Keppel, rode on horseback in the olorPL. and went in the afternoon to the House of L°Tbio Mr. Desanges had the honour of a sitting f° Portrait of the Princess of Wales. serMiesr* R. P.ofar S architectural Wales. Al e i p t i e e e r t s ur h al ad d tlLe ourwhinongstoofthseub;ioceg:f THE COURT.—Her Majesty, according r C as tle latest arrangements, is expected to leave Wilidee,ii on Monday or Tuesday next, and proceed to 13 11 "c:ijor Palace. Her Majesty will, it is understood, rernsi,,else r don till Wednesday, and will then return to "- Castle. ais'e The Prince and Princess of Wales will b : of ball this evening at Marlborough House, in ce lebil l fi ' ° ,ge. the second anniversary of their royal highnesses' 111,3 of Their ad RoyalPrincess esHs Mary ig dined hnesses the Duchess ° I f bridge verness last evening at Ken sington party had the honour to meet their royal hig hness ' i with Palace, the o t D where uch e s es a & 0:l ieiic were attended by Baron Luhe and Miss Taylor. ac e THE EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA.—After the h B e r „ t o f sion to Dresden for her brother's marriage rellet Austria caught a severe cold, which at present n fi co ro t Majesty to her apartments. is s tea THE KING OF THE • BELGIANS.—It Brussels that the King of the Belgians, w ho has -otell recovered from his recent indisposition, will iw ni : ft or proceed to Berlin, and thence probably to Irietl3-,;010 expected that his Majesty will be absent fr om at least a fortnight. A to tool The Earl Grosvenor, M.P., has returno - * ri ocl from visiting the Duchess (Eleanor) of No rtbniebe Alnwick Castle. A to The Earl and Countess Percy returner ‘T altite on Thursday evening from visiting the Du ke of '° The u ot h e berland and Lady Louisa Percy at Torquay' earl left yesterday to visit the Duchess (Eleanor) ° umberland at Alnwick House, Northumberland. clinnef The Earl and Countess Russell had 0 3 1 01ifo r party yesterday evening at their residence i° Get : ic i ; place. There were present—His Excellency Ba r t sps°l o his Excellency Count Vitzthum, his Excellency Minister and Madame Comyn, the Baron and 33 ;" a 1 .1 .4 Baude, the Countess (Dowager) of Westmorl rl ann, j,o de Grey, Viscount and Viscountess AlnheeYd: Houghton, Lady Hislop, Hon. Charles o°'W 6r 0 Evelyn Ashley, Mr. Butler Johstone, eze. - t.O „tf Lord and Lady Cremorne are exp ecw ,, c in Curzon-street this evening from DartreY lie,u,,recove' Monaghan, Ireland. Lady Cremorne has nesa Ar A from her recent illness. A a het Last night Lady Egerton of Tattoo assembly this season at the family mansion in square. id por big 00 1 The Right Hon. the Seaker -will u liamentary full-dress levees o p n Weduesd* J"G a CO ° 29, on Wednesday, April 5, at 10 p.m. - Lady Emily Peel returned to town I — -e _Ac a . Drayton Manor, near Tamworth. Lady Sarah Lindsay was not present a t 1 ; „ °4 0 .0 Mrs. Disraeli's dinner party on Wednes da y nigilt" in consequence of a family affliction. i - d 13 14 11°1 0 8 ' The Right Hon. the Speaker will ho l dA We djl mentary levees on Wednesday, March 29, an day, April 5, at 10 o'clock p.m. Full dress. El -- iso• THE PRINCE OF WALES AND P'-Ceell no r SERVANTS.—The following circular 1 10 ,, v " g iborv o to the tradesmen of the Prince of Wales :--- prie c or of House, Pall-mall, Feb. 11.—Gentlemen, -S of trod t i Wales having understood that a pract ice Prey:o anaesivol t men offering to servants a per - c entage °J a t das tas° on es , their bills, and concluding that ever/ tr a tice ha lend his co-operation in putting down a P rae d - s ,-.at in itself, and equally prejudicial to the inter e " y ou B ee ployer and himself, has desired me to infer ° . d o evoi o reti has directed me to discharge from his s ervl i n c o yieg ho vant who may receive, and to cease P 'r o r W" t go, bis W tradesman who may pay, such a per- een- a o f make a present of any kind in consideratio t a 0010 0., Highness's custom.—l am, your 0134i° iCf. KNOLLYS." s°l tA t , A NEW BRANCH OF THE Vv, OL — haP tw t Within the past month or so Go-vernra, It w as O e c e ie tae S o an " Engineerand Railway Staff Cor ps' on tisl s t O e efficient railway transit would b e very e of the l ' e o f , 0 in case of invasion. With this idea, sonl ot e oa gere ois t among the civil engineers and raiIIVI L Y taf f , to il 6 ce oSa' d o i country have been selected to form a 6 w ile , , Government with suggestions an d advice 1,113103e' Sr The following is the list of gentlemen PiietitepOpticlae,, Gazette who have received commission S as 'vacua Fob nels :—The civil engineers are—Gorge. Joll a OVA John Hawkshaw, John Robinson ge . l t ` i T heras fo n Charles Hutton Gregory, Joseph Cub"' ' G e ore ios v4 t , Harrison, George Willoughby ger nans t iory l3° A . e o Stephenson, Charles Vignoles, are Willis Charles Manby. The railway rannag e , rs e c o rne hil port, William Cawkwell, Seymour Chu"' l arier ao!/, 0 to cle o Eborall, James Stewart Forbes, Jaw e , s , Scott' lY tt , ac t 0 , Hawkins, Robert Moseley, and Archibalt, ev otea at ipg C stand that Colonel M‘Murdo has bee nr o alea l , 0 colonel, and Mr. Bidder, the celebrate Gazette. gineer, is the commandant. —West M iss° P IT lig DE T AT tlit ° , 4 0 FRIGHTFUL RAILWAY ACCID i;o d ronee' sic>i t it the seven o'clock up train was e d . 0 ,0, 0 0, a poor fe'; co t to P i to pie c t vi the Lower Erith Crossing Mills was run over by it and coraplete..4o,oo,od ill hi d arms and legs being severed, his liem a rs tua t he w ii 6 g lit fro 0 and his bowels protruding. It aPP e t a tte tr ain es , iit as act of closing the up gate when. over forty ijia; smashing the gate and throwinginre c oral ) . .0 0 0 ~4 f t O r where he was standing at the time. t c o fa t o- tro cut to pieces may be supposed fr °ru , ar t of his torn in ribbons, and the front , r cleanly cut from tho back. ) 4 4 ' b N ~~0