The Sun. — London, England, 1861-12-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 24, 1861. AMERICA. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY. The Cunard mail steamship Canada, Capt. Muir, has arrived with advices from Boston to the 11th, New York (by telegraph) to the 12th, and Halifax to the 13th. The Cunard steamship Africa, hence; the steam ship Bavaria, from Hamburg; the steamship Hansa, from Southampton ; and the steamer City of New York, hence, had arrived out. The steamer Europa had not arrived out when the Canada left. This vessel, which left Queenstown on the 2d inst., conveyed the important despatches of the British Government to Lord Lyons respecting the capture of the Confederate Commissioners on board the Trent. In the Senate on the 9th, Mr. Grimes presented a petition from a citizen of lowa, who has invented a " rebel mowing machine or double acting bomb," to which he wished to eel the special attention of the Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs. On the motion of Mr. Chandler, the resolution in quiring into the causes of the disasters to the Federal army at Bull's Run and Ball's Bluff was taken up. The question was on the substitute offered by Mr. Grimes, "that a committee investigate the causes of all the disasters that have happened to the Union forces." After a debate the resolution was adopted by 33 to 3. No business of importance was transacted on the 10th. It was currently reported at Washington that the Military Committee of the house favoured the treatment of privateers captured by Federal vessels as prisoners of war. In . the House of Representatives on the 9th Mr. Richardson, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported the following, which was passed : " Whereas the exchange of prisoners in the pre sent rebellion has already been practised indirectly, and as such exchange would not only increase en listments and the vigour of our army, but subserve the highest interests of humanity, and as such ex change does not involve recognition of the rebels as a Government, therefore resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, &0,, that the President of the United States be requested to inaugurate systematic measures far the exchange of prisoners in the present rebellion." On motion it was resolved that the Committee on Foreign Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of furnishing relief to the starving population of Ireland, and to report by bill or other wise. Mr. Wickliffe, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill authorising the raising of a volunteer force for the better defence of Kentucky. Mr. Lovejoy introduced the following preamble and resolution : " Whereas Major-General Halleck, of the Western Department, has issued an order prohibiting negroes from coming within the lines of our army, and ex cluding those already under the protection of our troops ; and whereas a different policy and practice prevails in other departments by the direct sanc tion of the Administration, and whereas said order is cruel and inhuman, and in the judgment of this house based upon no military necessity; therefore resolved that the President be respectfully requested to direct General Halleck to recall said order or cause it to eonform to the practice in other depart ments of the army." Mr. Cox moved to lay the resolution on the table, which was disagreed to by a vote of yeas, 63 ; nays, 68. Mr. Lansing offered a substitute, which Mr. Love joy accepted. The substitute characterises the order of Major-General Halleck as inhuman and cruel, and respectfully requests the President to direct Gen. Halleck to recall the said order and cause him (Halleck) to conform to the practice in the other departments of the army. The consideration of the subject was then postponed. On the 10th Mr. Pendleton, of Ohio, moved that the memorial of Messrs. Howard, Getchell, and Davis be referred back to the Committee on Judi ciary, with instructions declaring that Congress alone has power under the constitution to suspend the writ of habeas-corpus ; that the exercise of that power by any other department of the Government is an usurpation, and dangerous to the public liberty ; that the persons above named be delivered to the Marshal, to the end that they may be indicted, with the right of speedy trial, if there be probable cause for such a proceeding. Mr. Pendleton spoke at length on the subject, which is that of the Balti more Police Commissioners. He said if the Presi dent can suspend one provision of the constitution, he can all, and reduce the nation to the condition of slaves, by changing the theory of the Government. Any nation willing to adopt this theory is so lost to a manly sense of independence, dignity, and to a just consciousness of their courage and duty of de fending the Government, that the yoke is a fit emblem of their degradation. No one should listen to the doctrine of State necessity, the history of which is written in the wreck of public liberty. Mr. Bingham, of Ohio, replied that all his colleague had just said or could say had been fully and satisfac torily answered by the arguments of the Attorney- General, heretofore submitted. Notwithstanding the ability of his colleague, he had been unable to disguise the fact that the time contemplated by the words of the Constitution for the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus was when rebellion was try ing to shake down the pillars of the Constitution. It was no time to be splitting hairs as to whether Congress or the President should first exercise the power. On the motion of Mr. Bingham the whole subject was tabled-108 against 26. Captain Wilkes, of the San Jacinto, had made the following report to the Secretary of the Navy respecting the Trent affair : " United States' steamer San Jacinto, at Sea, Nov. 16. " Sir,—ln my despatch by Commander Taylor, I confined myself to the reports of the movements of this ship and the facts connected with the cap ture of Messrs. Mason, Slidell, Eustis, and Mac farland, as I intended to write you particularly re lativ© to the reasons which induced my action in making these prisoners. When I heard at Cien fuegos; on the south side of Cuba, of these Commis sioners having landed on the Island of Cuba, and that they were at Havannah, and would depart in the English steamer of the 7th of November, I de. termined to intercept them, and carefully examined all the authorities on international law to which I had acoess e --viz., Kent, Wheaton, Vatel, besides various decisions of Sir William Scott, and other judges of the Admiralty Court of Great Britain, which bore upon the rights of neutrals, and their responsibilities. The Governments of Great Britain, Franc e , and Spain have issued proclamations that the Confederate States were viewed, considered, and:treated as belligerents, and knowing that the ports of Great Britain, France, Spain and Holland, in the W est Indies , were open to their vessels, and that they were. admitted to all the courtesies and protection vessel s of the United States received, every aid and attention being given them, proved clearly that they a c t e d upon the view and decision and brought them within the international law of search, and under the responsibilities. I therefore felt no hesitation in boarding and searching vessels of whatever nation I fell in with, and have done so. The question arose in my mind Whether I had the right to capture the persons o f these Commissioners —whether they were ame nable to capture. There was no doubt I had th e right to capture vessels with written despatches ; they are expressly referred to in all authorities, subjecting the vessel to seizure and condemnation if the captain of the vessel had the knowledge of their being on board ; but these gentlemen were not de spatches in the literal sense, and did not seem to come under that designation, and nowhere could I find a case in point. That they were Commissioners I had ample proof from their own avowal, and bent on mischievous and traitorous errands against our country—to overthrow its institutions and enter into treaties and alliances with foreign States, ex pressly forbidden by the Constitution. They had been presented to the Captain-General of Cuba by her Bri tannic Majesty's Consul-General, but the Captain- General told me he had not received them in that capacity, but as distinguished gentlemen and s trangers. He then considered them as the embodi ment of desp atc hes, therasi verias and as they had openly declared eattrged with all authority from the Confederate Government to form treaties and alliances tending to the establishment of their in dependence, I became satisfied that their mission was adverse andcriminal to the Union, a- d it there fore became my duty to arrest their p c gress and capture them, if they had no passpors or papers from the Federal Government, as provided for under the law of nations—viz., That foreign Mi nisters of a belligerent on board of neutral ships are required to possess papers from the other bellige rent to permit them to pass free. Report and as sumption gave them the title of Ministers to France and England, but inasmuch as they had not been received by either of these Powers, I did not con ceive they had immunity attached to their persons, and were but escaped conspirators plotting and con niving to overthrow the Government of the United States, and they were therefore not to be considered as having any claim to the immunities attached to the character they thought it to assume. As re pects the steamer in which they embarked I ascer tained in the Havannah that she was a merchant vessel plying between Vera Cruz, the Havannah, and St. Thomas, carrying the mail by contract. The agent of the vessel, the son of the British Consul at Havannab, was well aware of the character of these persons, that they engaged their passage and did embark in the vessel; his father had visited them, and introduced them as Ministers of the Confederate States, on their way to England and France. They went in the steamer with the knowledge and con sent of the captain, who endeavoured afterwards to conceal them by refusing to exhibit the passenger list and the papers of the vessel. There can be no doubt he knew they were carrying highly im portant despatches, and were endowed with instruc tions inimical to the United States. This rendered his vessel, a neutral, a good prize; and I determined to take possession of her, and, as I mentioned in my report, send her to Key West for adjudication, where I am well satisfied she would have been condemned for carrying these persons and for resisting to be searched ; the cargo was also liable, as all the shippers were knowing to the embarcation of these live despatches and their traitorous motives and actions to the Union of the United States. I for bore to seize her, however, in consequence of my being so reduced in officers and crew, and the de rangement it would cause innocent persons, there being a large number of passengers who would have been put to great loss and inconvenience, as well as disappointment, from the interruption it would have caused them in not being able to join the steamer from St. Thomas for Europe. I, therefore, concluded to sacrifice the interests of my officers and crew in the prize, and suffered the steamer to proceed after the necessary detention to effect the transfer of these Commissioners, considering I had obtained the important end I had in view, and which affected the interests of our country and interrupted the action of that of the Confederates. I would add that the conduct of her Britannic Majesty's sub jects, both official and others, showed but little regard or obedience to her proclamation, by aiding and abetting the views and endeavouring to con ceal the persons of the Commissioners. I have pointed out sufficient reasons to show you that my action in this case was derived from a firm convic tion that it became my duty to make these parties pri soners, and to bring them to the United States. Al though in my giving up this valuable prize I have de prived the officers and crew of a well earned reward, I am assured that they are quite content to forego any advantages which might have accrued to them under the circumstances. I may add that, having assumed the responsibility, I am willing to abide the result. "I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant " CHARLES WILKES, Captain: " Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy." The following is a copy of the orders issued by Capt. Wilkes, of the San Jacinto, to Lieut. Fairfax, executive officer of that vessel, for the arrest of Messrs. Mason and Slidell : "United States steamer San Jacinto, at Sea, Nov. 8. "Sir,—You will have the second and third cut ters of this ship fully manned and armed, and be, in all respects, prepared to board the steamer Trent, now hove to under our guns. On boarding her you will demand the papers of the steamer, her clear ance from Havannah, with the list of passengers and crew. Should Mr. Mason, Mr. Slidell, Mr. Eustis, and Mr. Macfarland be on board, you will make them prisoners, and send them on board this ship immediately, and take possession of her as a prize. Ido not deem it will be necessary to use force—that the prisoners will have the good sense to avoid any necessity for using it ; but if they should, they must be made to understand that it is their own fault. They must be brought on board. All trunks, cases, packages, and bags belonging to them you will take possession of and send on board this ship. Any despatches found on the persons of the prisoners, or in possession of those on board the steamer, will be taken possession of also, examined, and retained if necessary. I have understood that the families of these gentlemen may be with them ; if so, I beg you will offer some of them, in my name, a passage in this ship to the United States; and that all the attention and comforts we can command are tendered them, and will be placed at their ser vice. In the event of their acceptance, should there be anything which the captain of the steamer can spare to increase their comforts, in the way of necessaries or stores, of which a war vessel is deficient, you will please to procure them ; the amount will be paid by the paymaster. Lieut. James A. Green will take charge of the third cutter,which accompanies you, and will assist you in these duties. I trust that all those under your command, in exe cuting this important and delicate duty, will con duct themselves with all the delicacy and kindness which becomes the character of our naval service.— I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, " CHARLES WILKES. " Lieutenant D. M. Fairfax, U.S. Navy, Executive Officer, San Jacinto." A board appointed by the Navy Department to examine into the question of iron plated frigates had sent in their report, from which the following is an extract : " Opinions differ among naval and scientific men as to the policy of adopting iron armature for ships of war. For coast and harbour defence they are un doubtedly formidable adjuncts to the fortifications on land; As cruising vessels, however, we are scep tical as to their advantages and ultimate adoption. But while other nations are endeavouring to perfect them we must not remain idle. The enormous load of iron as so much additional weight to the vessel, the great breadth of beam necessary to give her stability, the short supply of coal she will be able to stow in bunkers, the greater power required to pro pel her, and the largely increased cost of construc tion, are objections to this class of vessels as cruisers which we believe it is difficult successfully to over come. For river and harbour service we consider iron clad vessels of light draught or floating batte ries thus shielded as very important, and we feel at this moment the necessity of them on some of our rivers and inlets to enforce obedience to the laws. We, however, do not hesitate to express the opinion, notwithstanding all we hear or seen written on the subject, that no ship or floating battery, how ever heavily she may be plated, can cope successfully with a properly constructed fortification of masonry. The one is fixed and immovable, and, though con structed of a material which may be shattered by shot, can be covered, if need be, by the same or much heavier armour than a floating vessel can bear, while the other is subject to disturbances by winds and waves, and to the powerful effects of tides and currents. Armoured ships or batteries may be em ployed advantageously to pass fortifications on land for ulterior object s o f attack, to to reduce temporary batte r i es on theuna From shor es b lockade, f or rivers, h and the approaches to our harb ours we know of the comparative advantages and d w ls• a a d t : vantages of ships constructed of wood over those of iron, we are clearly of opinion that no iron-clad vessel of equal displacement can be made to obtain the same speed as one not thus encumbered, because her form would bo better adapted to speed. Her form and dimension, the unyielding nature of the shield, detract materially in a heavy eea from the life, buoyancy, and spring which a ship built of s i a n i dto conflictbe b n u o t o d e fi po n s s se fo ss r e t s h . with ironclad vessels; but the speed of t he former, their crews when ss brought we take for granted, being greater than that of the latter, they can readily choose their position and keep out of harm's way entirely. Recent improve ments in the form and preparation of projectiles, and their increased capacity for destruction, have elicited a large amount of ingenuity and skill to devise means for resisting them in the construction of ships of war. As yet we know of nothing supe rior to the large and heavy spherical shot in its de. ' structive effects on vessels, whether plated or not. Rifled guns have greater range, but the conical shot does not produce the crushing effect of spherical shot. It is assumed that 44-inch plates are the heaviest armour a sea•going vessel can safely carry. These plates should be of tough iron, and rolled in large, long pieces. This thickness of armour, it is believed, will resist all projectiles now in general use at a distance of 500 yards, especially if the ship's sides are angular. Plates hammered in large masses are less fibrous and tough than when rolled. The question whether wooden backing, or any elastic substance behind the iron plating, will tend to relieve at all the frame of the ships from the crush ing effect of a heavy projectile, is not yet decided. Major Barnard says, ' To put an elastic material behind the iron is to insure its destruction.' With all deference to such creditable authority, la e may suggest that it is possible a backing of some elastic substance—soft wood, perhaps, is the best—might relieve the frame of the ship somewhat from the terrible shock of a heavy projectile, though the plate should not be fractured. With respect to a comparison between ships of iron and those of wood without plating, high authorities in England differ as to which is the best. The top of ships built of iron, we are told, wear out three bottoms, while the bottoms of those built of wood will outwear three tops. In deciding upon the relative merits of iron and wooden framed vessels, for each of which we have offers, the Board is of opinion that it would be well to try a specimen of each, as both have distin guished advocates. One strong objection to iron vessels, which so far as we know has not been over come, is the oxidation or rust in salt water, and their liability of becoming foul under water by the at tachment of sea-grass and animalcules to their bot toms. The best preventive we know of is a coating of pure zinc paint, which so long as it lasts is be lieved to be an antidote to this cause of evil. After these brief remarks on the subject generally, we proceed to notice the plans and offers referred to us for the construction of plated vessels and floating batteries. It has been suggested that the most ready mode of obtaining an iron-clad ship of war would be to contract with responsible parties in England for its complete construction, and we are assured that parties there are ready to engage in such an enterprise on terms more reasonable, perhaps, than such vessels could be built on in this country, lav ing much greater experience and facilities than we possess. Indeed, we are informed there are no mills and machinery in this country capable of rolling iron 41 inches thick, though plates might be hammered to that thickness in many of our work shops. As before observed, rolled is considered much the test, and the difficulty of rolling it increases ra pidly with the increase of thickness. It has, however, occurred to us that a difficulty might arise with the British Government in case we should under take to construct ships of war in_ that country, which might complicate their delivery, and more over we are of opinion that every people or nation who can maintain a navy should be capable of con structing it themselves. Our immediate demands seem to require first, so far as practicable, vessels invulnerable to shot, of light draught of water, to penetrate our shoal harbours, rivers, and bayous ; we therefore favour the construction of this class of vessels before going into a more perfect system of iron-clad sea-going vessels of war. We are here met with the difficulty of encumbering small vessels with armour, which from their size, they are unable to bear. We, nevertheless, recommend that contracts be made with responsible parties for the construc tion of one or more iron-clad vessels or batteries, of as light a draught of water as practicable, con sistent with their weight of armour. Meanwhile, availing of the experience thus obtained, and the improvements which we believe are yet to be made by other naval Powers in building iron-clad ships, we would advise the construction in our dockyards of one or more of those vessels upon a large and more perfect scale, when Congress shall see fit to autho rise it. The amount now appropriated is not suffi cient to build both classes of vessels to any great extent." The " stone fleet" was off Tybee Island on the Gth. General Stevens, with 1,000 men, occupied Beaufort. THE MASON-SLIDELL AFFAIR. THE PROTEST OF IRE CAPTURED COM MISSIONERS. United States' steamer San Jacinto, at sea, Nov. 9, 1861. Captain Wilkes, U.S.N., commanding the San Jacinto : Sir,—We desire to communicate to you, by this memo randum, the facts attending our arrest yesterday on board the British mail steamer Trent, by your order, and our transfer to this ship. We, the undersigned, eratarked at Havana on the 7th instant as passengers on board the Trent, Captain Moir, bound to the - Island of St. Thomas, the Trent being one of the regular mail and passenger line of the British Royal Mail Steamship Company running from Vera Cruz via Havana to St. Thomas, and thence to Southampton, Eng land. We paid our passage-money for the whole route from Havana to Southampton to the British Consul at Havana, who acts as the agent or representative of the said steam ship company—Mr. Slidell being accompanied by his family, consisting of his wife, four children, and a servant, and Mr Eustis by his wife and servants. The Trent left the port of Havana about 8 o'clock a.m. on the morning of the 7th inst., and pursued her voyage uninterruptedly until intercepted by the United States steamer San Jacinto, under your command, on the day following (the Bth inst.), in the manner now to be related : When the San Jacinto was first observed, several miles distant, the Trent was pursuing the usual course of her voyage along the old Bahama or Nicholas channel; wss about 240 miles from Havana, and in sight of the lighthouse of Poradon Grande, the San Jacinto then lying stationary, or nearly so, about the middle of the channel, and where it was some 0 miles wide, as since shown on the chart, the nationality of the ship being then unknown. When the Trent had approached near enough for her flag to be dis tinguished, it was hoisted at the peak and at the main, and so remained for a time. No flag was show by the ship San Jacinto. When the Trent had approached within a mile of the San Jacinto, still pursuing the duo course of her voyage, a shotted gun was fired from the latter ship across the course of the Trent, and the United States flag at the same time displayed at the peak. The British flag was again immediately hoisted as before, by the Trent, and so remained. 'When the Trent had approached, still on her course, within from two or three hundred yards of the San Jacinto, a second shotted gun was fired from your ship, again across the course of the Trent. When the Trent got within hailing distance her captain inquired what was wanted. The reply was understood to be, " Thsy would send a boat." Both vessels were then stationary, with steam shut off. A boat very soon put off from your ship, followed immediately by two other boats, with full crews, and armed with muskets and side arms. A lieutenant, in the naval uniform of the United States navy, and with side arms, boarded the Trent, and in the presence of most of the passengers, then assem bled on the upper deck, said to Captain Muir that he came with orders to demand his passenger list. The captain re fused to produce it, and formally protested against any right to visit his ship for the purpose indicated. After some conversation, imparting renewed protest on the part of the captain against the alleged object of the visit, and on , the part of the officer of the San Jacinto that ho had only to execute his orders, the latter said :—" That two gentle men, named Slidell and Mason, were known to be on board, as also two other gentlemen, naming Messrs. Eustis and McFarland, and that his orders were to take and carry them on board the San Jacinto." It should have been noted that on first addressing the captain he announced himself as a lieutenant of the United States steamer San Jacinto. The four gentlemen thus named being present, the lieutenant addressed Mr. Slidell, and afterwards Mr. Mason, repeating that his orders were to take them, together with Eustis and McFarland, and carry them on board his ship. Messrs. Slidell and Mason, in reply, protested in the pre sence of the captain of the Trent, his officers, and pas sengers, against such threatened violation of their persons and their rights, and informed the lieutenant that they would not leave the ship they were in unless compelled by the employment of actual force greater than they could resist, and Messrs. Eustis and McFarland united in expressing a like Purpose. That officer stated t hat i?Hn h fe e ofer h wrd o eca p ers e ;t d oa: h eux e w - te w ceiur o fet uld not be compelled to resort withtt o o d the employ es t e hu it in answered t hbwiyso the ed undersigned d c , e o hr m sei e g: n ect o ds c necessary tprtyahr they would submit to such a force alone. The lieutenant then wtheree te his th b e o tr at s s ta w te er r e e , e t m h e e under signedwont t goingto th e gangway, time at samethe e deck next below, followed by Captain Mcir and by the other passengers. The lieutenant returned with a party of ilia men, a portion of whom were armed with side arms, and others—appearing to be a squad of marines—having muskets and bayonets. Mr. Slidell was in his state room, immediately by and in full view. The lieutenant then said to Mr. Mason that, having his force now present, he hoped to be relieved from the necessity of calling it into actual use. That gentleman again answered that he would only submit to actual force greater than he could overcome, when the lieutenant and several of his men, by his order, took hold of him, and in a manner, and in numbars sufficient to make resistance fruitless; and Mr. Slidell joining the group at the same time, one or more of the armed party took like hold of him, and those gentlemen at once went into the boat. During this scene many of the passengers became highly exasperated and gave vent to the strongest expres sions of indignation, seeming to indicate a purpose of re sistance on their part, when a squad armed with muskets, with bayonets fixed, made sensible advance of one or two paces with their arms at a charge. It must be added here, omitted in the course of the narration, that before the party loft the upper deck, an officer of the Trent, named Williams, in the naval uniform of Great Britain, and known to the passengers as having charge of the mails and accompanying them to England, said to the lieutenant that, as the only person present representing his Govern ment, be felt called upon, in language as strong and em phatic as he could express, to denounce the whole proceed ings as a piratical act. Mr. Slidell and Mr. Mason, together with Mr. Eustis and Mr. M'Farland, against whom force in like manner had been used, were taken to the San Jacinto as soon as they entered the boat. When they reached your ship, you re ceived them near the gangway, announcing yourself as Captain Wilkes, commander of the ship, and conducted them to your cabin, which you placed at their disposal. When the undersigned came on board, they found the men at their quarters, and the guns bearing on the Trent. After some time occupied in bringing on board our baggage and effects, the San Jacinto proceeded to the northward through the Southern channel, the Trent having been detained from three to four hours. Tho foregoing is believed to bea correct narrative in sub stance of the facts and circumstances attending our arrest and transfer from the British mail steamer to the ship under your command, and which we doubt not will be corrobo rated by the lieutenant present as well as by all who wit nessed them. The incidents here given in detail may not have been witnessed by each one of the undersigned, individually, but they:were by :one or more of them. As, for the most part, they did not pass under your notice, we have deemed it proper to present them in this form before, expressing the wish, if considered incorrect in any part, the inaccu racies may be pointed out, with a respectful request that you will transmit a copy of the paper to the Government of the United States, together with your report of the trans action, to facilitate which a copy is herewith enclosed. We have the honour to be, very respectfully, your obe dient servants, JOHN SLIDELL. I J. M. MASON. GEORGE EUSTIS. J. E. M'FARLAND. REPLY OP CAPTAIN WILKES. United States Steamer San Jacinto, At Sea, Nov. 13, 1861. Gentlemen,—Your letter dated the 9th inst. was handed to me yesterday. I shall transmit it, agreeably to your re quest, to the Hon. Secretary of the Navy, with my report of the transactions to which it refers. In reply to your wish to have any inaccuracies it may contain pointed out, I deem it my duty to say the facts differ materially in respect to the time and circumstances. The facts in my possession are derived from the logbook (the official record of the ship), and from the reports, in writing, of all the officers who visited the Trent, all of which will form a part of my report.—l am, respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES. CARD OP THANKS. - - ----- - United States steamer San Jacinto, Nov. 15, 1861. Sir,—Before leaving your sbip we think it proper that we should state that since we have been on board of her we have uniformly been treated with great courtesy and atten tion.—Yery respectfully yours, JOHN SLIDELL, J. M. MASON, J. E. M'FARLAND, GEO. EUSTIS. Capt. Wilkes, commanding United States steamer San Jacinto. will complete fitting. Her royals were yester day got on end, and she has nearly competed rigging. Her removal from the harbour to Folly Point is considered a very unwise one, and will re sult in a loss of two or three days. The Cormorant, 4, 200 horse power, and the Race horse 4, 200 horse power, belonging to the steam reserve at Chatham, are both to be fitted for com mission, orders to that effect having been yesterday received at Chatham. No. 6 screw steam transport Mauritius, Captain 1 Cruikshank, lately purchased by Messrs. Begbie and Co., went down to Woolwich pier from Dept ford yesterday morning, for the purpose of shipping 300 tons of war stores and military clothing for America. The troops, 720 in number, will go on board at Cork, including Capt. Morris's battery of the Bth Brigade Royal Artillery. The Mauritius will ship at Woolwich about 300 tons, consisting of shot and shell, 30 snow sledges, a battery of 12 pounder Armstrong guns for the use of Capt. Morris's bat tery, 752 suits of warm military clothing, 14 non commissioned officers from the 3d Regiment (Buffs), the 14th, 60th, 61st, 53d 2 78th, and 84th Regiments of the Line, who have volunteered to join the Cana dian Militia; and 46 horses. The Mauritius em barked naval provisions at Deptford sufficient for a six weeks' voyage, and, according to her usual rate of speed, the captain expects to perform the voyage to America in 13 or 14 days. Her Majesty's ship Devastation, Commander M'Crea, commissioned at Woolwich, having em barked five Armstrong guns and materials for the Bacchante and Clio in the Pacific, left Greenhithe on Sunday on a trial of her engines, her minimum speed having been proved as 10 knots per hour, which was pronounced satisfactory. Her steering was, however, notified as bad. Shortly after the inspecting officers had left for shore, to return to Woolwich, and when the tide was at his highest flood, she became imbedded on the Maplin Sands, a little below Shoeburyness. The occurrence took place at half-past 5 on Sunday evening, After being stranded about 17 hours she was liberated, and continued her voyage to Portsmouth yesterday morning at half-past 10 a.m, No material damage was sustained. The following appointments have been made at the Admiralty :—Commander A. It. Henry, to the Stromboli, vice Commander Lord Elphinstone, su perseded at his own request; Commander J. W. Pike, to the Vigilant, commissioned; Lieuts. Bon ham W. Bas and George Henley, to the Vigilant ; John G. Morgan, master, to the Vigilant; and F. Leonard, surgeon, to the Vigilant. The following appointments will be made on the Hannibal being paid off :—Thomas Bullions, chief engineer, to the Asia, for the Hannibal ; J. Jolly, first class assistant engineer, to the Fisgard, as supernumerary; D. C. Miller, second class assistant engineer, to the Fis gard, as supernumerary ; B. Carr, second class assistant engineer, to the Indus, as supernumerary; W. T. Comerford, paymaster, to the Vigilant ; John D. Parminter, paymaster, to the Dauntless ; Alex. F. Gain, assistant paymaster, to the Victory, as su pernumerary ; Benjamin Urwich, clerk, to the Vigilant ; William F. Crosthwaite and Arthur J. C. Clarke, assistant clerks, to the Ajax ; William 0. Roy, assistant clerk, to the Wellesley; Richard Harbord, assistant clerk, to the Majestic; John T. Greet, assistant clerk, to the Russell; J. T. Hugo, assistant clerk, to the Blenheim ; and Aubery A. Fauvel, assistant clerk to the Dauntless. THE NAVY. The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, continued in Plymouth Sound up to yes terday morning. Thenew yoke for her rudder, or dered on Saturday, the 14th inst., was sent on board on Friday, the 20th. It spreads 11 feet, and weighs 10 cwt. 2 qrs. 171 b.; the arms are about 2* in. by 4to 5R in. Casualties like those which occurred to this frigate are of much more frequent occurrence now than formerly, owing, it is thought, to the great projection of the rudders of screw ships be yond the sternpost, by which they are more exposed to the violence of the sea. Naval men at Plymouth consider that the subject is entitled to serious at tention, and that a second rudder of some kind is requisite in such things. In the recent case of the Emerald it happens that loss of time is the only in convenience. It is fearful to contemplate the conse quence which might result to the frigate and her crew from a similiar casualty en a lee shore. The screw steam corvette Satellite, 21, Capt. 0. Johnson, accompanied by the gunboats Sheldrake and Spider, left Plymouth Sound on Sunday for the south-west coast of America. The screw steam frigate Orlando, 51, Capt. Scott, C. 8., in Plymouth Sound, will take out winter cloth ing for the squadron at Halifax. She will probably touch at Gibraitar. Several gunboats at Devonport are ordered to be prepared for the pennant, and others aro to be brought forward from the second to the first division of the steam reserve. The Calcutta, 84, is to be pre pared for a hospital ship. A further series of trials has just been made in Chatham dockyard for the purpose of testing speci mens of plate and angle iron from the Consett and Derwent ironworks, proposed to be used in the con struction of the iron frigate Achilles, building at Chatham. The result of the trials of the angle iron was deemed satisfactory, nearly all the specimens subjected to the hydraulic tests standing the strain of 22 tons to the square inch, with the grain, without signs of fracture. In the second series of trials with some additional specimens of iron, consisting princi pally of plate iron, the result of the several tests was not deemed so satisfactory by the dockyard offi cials, under whose superintendence they were made. ' A quantity of the largest kind of chain cable, con structed of the best iron at the establishment of Brown and Lennox, Cardiff, intended for the iron frigate Defence and the other vessels fitting for com mission at Chatham, was also subjected to a variety of tests to ascertain its strength and quality with vt ry satisfactory results. The iron masts and bowsprit for the iron steamer Defence, 22, 600 horse power, which have been forged at the Thames Ironworks Company, arrived at Chatham yesterday in the two Government lighters, and during the day preparations were made for landing them. Each mast is of great apparent strength, the weight of the lower main mast and fittings being 16 tons, that of the fore mast 15 tons, and the mizenmast 6 tons 5 cwt.; the iron bowsprit, which was landed yesterday afternoon, weighs exactly 4 tons 15 cwt. On the occasion of Rear-Admiral Sir F. W. Grey, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, and Rear-Admiral Robinson, Controller of the Navy, visiting Chatham Dockyard on Friday, they urged the completion of the Defence by the earliest possible period, and ex pressed their regret that she was not likely to be in readiness till the middle or end of January, in stead of the commencement of that month, as had been originally expected. Admiral Grey and Admi ral Robinson both signified that but comparatively little attention need be paid to the fitting up and preparation of the officers' cabins, but that the efforts of all engaged about her should be devoted to getting the vessel ready for sea. From the delay which has taken place in the completion of the Defence, Admi ralty instructions have been received directing the officials to make a special report why that vessel will not be ready for sea by the time first intended —the 2d January, and whether greater progress could be made if more hands were employed on her, Directions were yesterday received for accommo dation to be provided on board for the following large supply of solid and hollow shot and shell, and the Armstrong shot and shell, viz., 190 common, and 190 segment 100 pounder shells; 50 boxes of the segment 20 pounder shells; 125 boxes of the 12 pounder segment shells ; 360 of the naval 68 pounder shells; and 109 boxes of the 24 pounder howitzer shells. Her solid shot will consist of 600 68 pounders, 160 100 pounder conical Armstrong shot, 50 20 pounder Armstrongs, and 50 12 pounder Armstrongs. Two additional 100 pounder Arm strongs are to be supplied her in lieu of two 68 pounders. The Orion, 91, 400 horse power, line-of-battle screw steamer, has been removed from the great basin at Sheerness to the harbour, to afford addi tional space for other vessels being brought forward for commission. The Galatea, 26, 800 horse power, has still a con siderable amount of work to be executed on board. Notwithstanding that her docks are swarming with mechanics and artisans, she will not be completed and ready for sea until the 17th of next month, and an intimation to that effect has been forwarded to the Admiralty. According to present ar rangements, she will be taken out of Chatham har bour to-day and removed to Folly Point, where she TILE ARMY Y. Major Cruise, Staff-officer of Pensioners at Lynn, has been appointed to a similar office at Newry, in the room of Col. Stuart, who retires. Major Cruise will be succeeded at Lynn by Major Campbell, of the Roscommon district. Several important changes are being carried out in this department of the military service, some districts being abolished, while others are enlarged. Thus, the districts of Lincoln, Cam bridge, York, Stockport, Roscommon, Monaghan, &c., are being broken up, while the Lynn district is enlarged by the addition of Huntingdon and Ely. Capt. Smith, of Cambridge, proceeds to New castle-on-Tyne, to relieve Col. Powell, who retires. Sir A. Tulloh has also retired. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. WESTERN CIRCUIT.—TAIINTON, DEC. 23. (Moro Mr. Justico Williams.) The learned jadge took his seat to-day at one o'clock. Byard Greenland, a powerful-looking labourer, 31 years of ago, was arraigned on an indictment, and on the coroner's inquisition, charging him with the wilful murder of his nephew, Uriah Greenland at Frome, on the 10th of August last. Mr. Prideaux and Mr. T. W. Saunders conducted the prosecution • and, at the request of the learned judge, Mr. Brodrick defended the prisoner. William Milgrove examined, said—l am a la bourer, living at Buckland, near Frome. I know the prisoner. On the 10th of August he was living at Buckland. I knew the deceased; Uriah Green land. He lived at Buckland. We were all three farm labourers. On Monday, the sth of August, we went to work together at Codford, Wilts, about six miles beyond Warminster. We worked there up to Saturday evening, the 10th August, when we set out on our return home. We stopped at a public-house about a mile the other side of Warminster, and had some refreshment. The prisoner had a long spring-back knife at that time. I should think the blade was between three and four inches in length, and about half an inch in breadth. It had a pointed top. On our way on we got a lift in a brewer's dray, and we came to a public-house near the Frome Station, called The Live and Let Live, where we stopped drinking for some time. The prisoner sang while we were there. We had three or four quarts of beer between seven of us. I afterwards left the house with the two Greenlands between 10 and 11 o'clock. After we had got some distance on the road we stopped. We had four scythes and four reaphooks with us. Two of the scythes were tied together on one stick, and two separate, each tied to its own stick. On each blade of the scythe there were cases cut out to prevent them from hurting. They are little sticks into which the edge of the scythe goes. The reaping-hooks were bound with straw. Whets we stopped on the road the scythes and hooks were put down flat on the road, not all in one place. Uriah Greenland said to the prisoner, " Let we put our reckoning to rights, Byard." The prisoner said he would not pay until he had eighteen pence for the gun. Uriah made no answer. The reckoning was for railway fares and a little victuals. I saw the prisoner lift his hand, and Uriah fell back on the ground. As he was falling he said " Oh, Bill, he has been and hit that knife into I." I picked up Uriah and placed him back against the bank, and said to Byard" Thee hast been and done it now." Byard said, " Bill, can you swear it ?" and I said, " Yes, I can." Uriah was about two feet from me when he fell, and the prisoner was about the same distance, or perhaps not so much. I did not see the prisoner had anything in his hand. When Uriah fell, ho fell right away from the scythes, Upon that I ran to the turnpike gate, about two hundicd yards off, for assistance. [ saw Mr. Gane, who keeps the gate, and also Mrs. Gane, and then went back to the spot where I had left Uriah and Byard Greenland, Byard was keep ing the deceased's head up against the bank when I got back. I said to him, " Run down to the gate and tell them to look sharp." He went and came back. I then ran down to the gate again, and from there to Mr. Beacham's. I then came back and met Gane at the gate, and we went to the spot where Uriah Greenland was. I found the prisoner with his hands round the deceased. Mr. Gane said Uriah was dead and that I had better get a doctor. I ran to Mr. Mallam, surgeon, and told him what had happened. He came back with me. We found the dead man alone. Deceased was about 22 or 23 years of age. I think the prisoner was his uncle. Tho deceased was not a very big man. Further evidence showed that the prisoner and the deceased had been at variance, that threats had been used, and also that the wound inflicted on the deceased could not have been caused by a scythe, but that it corresponded with the knife belonging to the prisoner. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, but recom mended the prisoner to mercy on the ground of there being no premeditation. He was sentenced to death in the usual form. THE SUPPOSED MURDER IN INVERNESS. — The Inverness Courier states that the four members of the Fer guson family who were apprehended in connexion with the unfortunate affair have been examined by Sheriff Thomson, and committed for trial. Nothing now has transpired tend ing to throw light on the tragedy. The shipments of coal to North America during last month from the various ports in the kingdom amounted to 17,909 tons, Veing en increase of 2,503 tons over the cor esponding mouth of last year, POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—Dec. 23. MANSION-HOUSE.—Eugene M'Sweaney, a ruffianly-looking fellow, was brought before Mr. Alderman Rose, who sat for the Lord Mayor, charged with the following brutal assault : Mr. Beard appeared for the complainant. It appeared that the defendant is a fish porter in Billingsgate, and last week two of his companions were committed for trial from this court, and one of them was sentenced to four years' penal servitude for stealing fish from the vans in Thames-street. The complainant, Eugene Buckley, is a driver of one of the vans belonging to M`Namara, and was the principal witness against them. On Friday evening he was in Botolph-lane, when the defen dant went up to him, and calling him a "lagging —," struck him violently in the face several times, and after that they again met in Eastcheap, when defendant again insulted him in a similar manner. The complainant's eyes were in a fearful state, and he said he had been so ill through the illusage he had received, that he had not been out of bed until that morning, when he saw the prisoner in Billings gate and gave him into custody. The prisoner, on the other hand, said that com plainant had seen him a night or two previous when he was in liquor, in the hands of policeman, and he told him of it before the foreman at Messrs. Keel ing's, and that led to a quarrel, and finally to a regular fight, in which the complainant got the worst of it. He called two or three witnesses, and endea voured to substantiate his statement ; but Mr. Alderman Rose said it was quite clear that an ill feeling existed on the part of the prisoner towards the complainant, on account of his having been a witness against his friends, and sentenced him to six weeks' imprisonment, at the same time telling him, that if he or his companions persisted in their violence towards the complainant, they would be much more severely punished. GUILDHALL.—Two men, named Poulton and Hill, were placed at the bar, before Alterman Humphery, charged with the following assault upon James Galloway, a compositor. William Brinkman, living at 6, Dove-court, Leather-lane, said—l was !passing along Skinner street about a quarter to 12 o'clock on Saturday night, when I saw three men running across the road. I looked after them, and saw Hill strike a man in the road several times, and I heard Poulton say, " Give it him, Jack ; hit him --- hard." Whereupon Hill struck him another blow and knocked him down. He was unable to get up again, and he was ultimately put into a cab and taken to the hospital. Alderman Humphery—Where is the man who was assaulted ? Sergeant Oram, 23—He is in the hospital, sir, in a very dangerous condition. Alderman Humphery—Do you know the cause of the prisoner's assaulting him ? Poulton—lt was because he insulted my wife by taking indecent liberties with her, and Hill. who is her brother, took it up. The man had been turned out of a public-house previously by the landlord. Alderman Humphery—lt is a very serious case, as the man may die, and you will then both be charged with wilful murder. I shall remand you till Friday. Poulton—Will you accept bail, sir ? Alderman Humphery—Certainly not, until the man is out of danger. Remanded accordingly. CLERKENWELL MURDEROUS ASSAULT ON THE POLICE.—IMPRI SONMENT WITHOUT A FlNE.—Mary Roache and Michael Hendry were charged before Mr. D'Eyn court with being drunk and assaulting the police at St. Pancras. Police-constable Winterborn, 136 E, said he took the prisoners into custody for being drunk and dis orderly. The male prisoner struck him on the mouth, knocked him down and kicked him on the shins. Ha got hold of the constable by the stock, and had it not been for the strap breaking, the constable would have been strangled. The constable's back, neck, mouth, and legs were black and sore from the effects of the prisoner's violence. He (the constable) was so injured that he is rendered unfit for duty. Police-constable Coldry, 157 E, said the prisoner kicked him several times in the chest. The woman was making a great disturbance. Police-constable O'Donnell, 78 E, said the prisoner severely kicked him, and also bit him in the hand. The prisoner denied the charge, and said that the police first assaulted them. Inspector Pearce, E division, said that the male prisoner was a very bad character, and had been frequently in custody for assaults on the police. Mr. D'Eyncourt sentenced the male prisoner to three months' hard labour, and the woman to pay a fine of 10s., or in default 10 days' imprisonment. COMMITTAL FOR FRAUD.—Edward Keen, aged 28, a potman, was charged with obtaining £lO from Mr. Warwick, and £2 from Mr. Connell, under the following circumstances : The prisoner was in the employ of Mr. Grist, the landlord of the Jolly Gardeners publie,house, Coburg-street, St. Pancras. Last Thursday the pri soner was discharged, and immediately afterwards he went to the above parties, and stating that he was sent by Mr. Grist for some change, obtained the above sums of money and absconded. The matter was placed in the hands of police-constable Cook, 198 S, who apprehended the prisoner at Cirencester. When the prisoner was told the charge, he sal " I thought if any one came for me it would be you" (meaning Cook). The prisoner denied that he represented that he came from Mr. Grist. Mr. D'Eyncourt fully committed the prisoner for trial. MARYLEBONE.—VIOLENT AND UNPROVOKED ASSAULT UPON A SOLDIER.—TWO young fellows, named Thomas Coglan, 30, Castle-street, Fitzroy square, and Nicholas Pferr, a German, both piano forte makers, were charged with the following un provoked assault upon George Asprey, a private in the Royal Horse Guards Blue, stationed at the Regent's Park. From the evidence adduced it appeared that pro secutor was proceeding through Cumberland-mar ket, about twelve on the previous night, in company with another young man and a female, and he was pushed against by one of the prisoners. He was turning round to expostulate when one of them kicked him behind. Fferr then struck him in the eye ; but prosecutor could not say whether it was with an instrument or with a large massive ring which he had on his finger; but whatever it was it cut his eye, which bled very much. (Prosecutor's left eye was cut, and both much blackened.) Two of the prisoners' companions then seized him behind and held him whilst the others struck him about his head and body. His regimental jacket was also torn. He managed to get away, and got into a little shop for protection, when the prisoners were taken to the station-house. Mr. Yardley fined the prisoners 40s. each, or 14 days, but gave them the option to retire and arrange it with the soldier. They returned shortly after, having compensated the soldier, when the magistrate discharged them. LAMBETH.—THE ATTEMPTED MURDER IN LAMBETIL—Arthur Win. Castell, the young man who has been in prison since Thursday week, on a charge of committing a murderous assault on his wife, Ann Castell, was again placed at the bar be fore Mr. Elliott for farther examination. It will be recollected that on that day (yesterday) week, so dangerous was the state of the injured woman that Mr. Elliott deemed it necessary to pro ceed to Guy's Hospital and take what was considered at the time her dying declaration. The poor creature was in a frightful state from a violent attack of erysipelas, and her recovery was considered by the medical officers in attendance upon her almost a matter of impossibility; but, fortunately for the prisoner, her malady has taken a favourable turn, and yesterday, on the case being called on, Mr. Inspector Constable handed to the Bench a certifi cate, of which the following is a copy : " Ann Castell, an in-patient of this hospital, is daily getting better.—T. M'CANN, House Surgeon. " Guy's Hospital, Dec. 23." On reading the'above, Mr. Elliott remanded the prisoner for a week, but consented to accept bail for his appearance, himself in £5O and two sureties in £25 each. BURGLARS ON THE LOOK-OUT.—Thomas Morris and Henry Smith, both of whom refu sed t h eir ad dress, were charged with being found at largo with housebreaking implements in their possession. From the evidence of Sergeant Barrett, 16 L, and Constable Morton, 63 L, it appeared that on Saturday evening, after dusk, they observed the pri soner Smith go up to a door in Kennington-lane, give a single knock, and try to open the door, but the key being in the lock in the inside he could not succeed, and walked away. They then appre hended both, and found on them a jemmy,a number of skeleton keys, and other housebreaking imple ments. The prisoners were remanded. SOUTHWARK.--PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS. —Win. Yates, a young fellow who was described on the charge sheet as a hawker, was brought be fore Mr. Burcham, charged with stealing two geese and two ducks, the property of Wm. Weare, Ebenezer Meades, 488 A, said that about 2 o'clock on Sunday morning he was on duty in Prospect -road Bermondsey, when he met the prisoner carrying something bulky in a horse's nose-bag. He stoppea him and asked him what he had got, when he re plied that it was only some corn for his horses in the Borough-market, Witness saw some feathers I peeping out,, and told him he did not think it wan ' corn so he must examine the contents of the bag. then di scov ered two fat geese and two fat ducks warm. Their necks had recently been cut, and b: ood was flowing from them. Prisoner then said it " a mat, had given them to him to cwaar s i : y al a l s rZ' at ,' George-street; Witness took him SuL into custody, h , and afterwards found from whence they tolen. W m , a saddler, carrying on business in Po r s e p h e i c s t . oa He d, aw ße. rmondsey, said the ducks and geese lni dl vbeeae r been them safe on Saturday night, and missed day morning. They were fat, wre-rs2ost! and dieil oth prisonerpleaded g uilty. Mr. Burcham sentenced him to three months' hard labour E, t Wandswort;i• A LUCKY E SCAPE.—Mary Taylor and Catherine Green, fashionably dressed woolen, were brought up for final examination, charged with frequenting the terminus of the South-Eastern Railway at London bridge, for the purpose of committing a felony. Scannell, 177 M, a detective officer specially em ployed by the railway company, said that on Mon day -nigh t, the 16th, he saw the prisoners on the South-Eaa tern platform, just as the mail train was getting ready to start. He saw that they were very busy amon,?, the ladies, and he watched them. Taylor lifteol up a lady's dress, but whether she stole anything or not he could not say, as the train left. They vemaintd. loitering about from one station to the other,. and suspecting them to be railway thieves he took them into custody. Mr. Burt. T hom asked if he actually saw either of their hands lea ve a lady's pocket. He replied th ,, ' t he did not. Mr. W. Edwin, who appeared for the pri s on ers , contended that then" was no evidence for a convic tion, as they were not seen to do anything improper, neither were they knot& vn as thieves. He therefore asked for their discharge. Scannell informed his worship that he had in quired ab nit them since the last examination, but could not ascertain whether they had been convicted. They were howeve.r known as associates with rail way thieves. Mr. Burcham telt . ' the prisoners he had no doubt in his own mind wh at they were doing at the rail way terminus, but th ere was not sufficient evidence to convict them. H.e therefore discharged them,. with a caution that, should they be brought before him again on a similar .charge they would not get • off so easily. The prisoners, who seen:led rather surprised at the decision, hastily left the court. THE BRUTAL MURDER NEAR CARLISLE. CARLISLE, MONDAY. A man named William Charlton, an engine driver on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, was apprehended on Sunday night by the police, on the charge of murdering the old woman, Jane Emmer son, at Durran-hill crossing of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, and then robbing her house. On the morning after the murder the prisoner had to , go to Newcastle in charge of a mineral train at 4.30 a.m. According to the rules of the company he went to the engine-shed about an hour before that time to prepare his engine. He soon left, However, telling the fire-lighter that he was going for his breakfast—a very unusual thing to do. When he was away his mate, the stoker, came and oiled the engine. The prisoner, on returning, told his =ate, not that he had been for his breakfast, but that he had been for a knife. They started with their train in about half an hour, and when ap proaehiog the s.,:ene of the murder, about a mile from Carlisle, Charlton directed the attention of the stoker to A nursery garden on the opposite side of line from where the dead body of the murdered woman wag lying, and as they were going through the gates and past the cottage he ordered the stoker to plg m ore coke on the fire—a most unusual and needless thing so early on the journey. The stoker thus did not observe anything peculiar about the gates or the cottage as he passed through. They arrived at Newcastle about 10 o'clock, and and on being told kv the driver of the neat train from Carlisle that a murder had been committed, and asked what he halal seen, Charlton said he had seen a light in the cotta, ge, and he appealed to the stoker. The stoker, hole-ever, remembered that he had been firing at the time they passed. Charlton afterwards said he might be mistaken about the light. He also made other ; conflicting statements, and has appeared latterly to, be in a despondent state. Upon one occasion he di rected the attentio n of the stoker to a man working -e,ith a pickaxe on the sloping banks of the railway When there was really no such man there. The polio 0 are in pos session of other evidence against the prisoner which they do not wish to be divulged at present, as they expect it will lead to a conviction. FOREIGN MAIL PACKET LIST. MAILS DUE. Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton. Jan. 18. via Marseilles Jan. 12. Brazil and Cape Verde, by British packet. Jan. 4. Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena. Jan. 1. China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton. Jan. 2. via Marseilles Dec.! 27. Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton .... • Dec. 26. India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Jan. 2. via Marseilles Dec. 27. India (Bombay), via Southampton Dec. 26. via Marseilles Jan. 4. Lisbon Dec. 21. Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Dec. 26. via Marseilles Dec. 27. Newfoundland .. Dec. 25. Oporto and Vigo . Dee. 21. U. S. and British N. America, ty Brit. packet ....Dec. 25. by U.S. packet.... by Canadian packet. Dec. 25. W.C. of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe.... .. Jan. 10. Bahamas, via New York ' , ...Jan. 16. Mexico , ...Dec. 30. All parts of West Indies, including Chili, Peru, 1 Dec. 30. California,and British Columbia.. A memorial to Lord Palmerston and Earl Russell urging that the American question be referred to arbitra tion, is now in course of signature in Dublin. Colonel Shadwell, who is well known in Man chester, bas been appointed Quartermaster-General in New Brunswick. A letter from Turin has the following :—" The Committee of Genoa (Mazsinian) has been reor ganised, and has taken the name of " Italian Li beral Society." The following is its programme 1. The subscriptions to be continued, as well as the protests, by meetings and demonstrations against the French occupation of Rome; 2. To advocate the arming of the nation, national rifle matches, and the military organisation of the people; 3. 'l'o demand that the law shall recognise all Italians as aitizens,because there cannot be Italian emigrants in Italy ; 4. To protest against the arbitrary and unconstitutional acts of the Government ; 5. To insist upon the reform of the electoral law in order to introduce universal suffrage into poli tical and administrative elections. 6. To appoint a commission to establish a connection between the various patriotic committees and associations. The committee, composed of five deputies, is to present its report within a month." BIRTHS. CAIRNS.—On the 21st inst.,. at 79, Eaton-place, Lady Cairns, of a son. KAVANAGII.—On the 16th Oct., at Fyzabad, Oude, the wife of T. Henry Kavanagh, V.C., Assistant-Commis sioner, of a son. VALLA.xcY.—On the 16th inst., at Bedhampton, the wife of Major G. P. Vallency, of a son. MARRIAGES. ILDERTON—ROBINS.—On the 21st inst., at St. Mary Ab. bot's, Kensington, Henryl). Merton, solicitor, of 12, Fen _ Navy.ohurch -street, to Harriet Mary, fourth daughter of the late Thomas L. Robins, Esi:, of Oxford, Captain Royal TURNER—DOERTNG.—On the 19th inst., at Walton-on- Thames, Francis Charles Turner, Captain 39th Regt., son of the late Major General Turner, C. 8., Bombay Cavalry, to Emma Graciosa, second daughter of Edward Doming, Esq,, The Hurst, Walton-on-Thames. DEATHS. BAGSHAW.—On the 20th inst., at Norwood, John Bagshaw, Esq., late of Cliff House, Dovercourt, Essex, formerly M.P. for Harwich, aged 78. BENYON.—On the 20th inst., at Slines Oaks, near Croydon Edmund B. Benyon, Esq., J.P., aged 66. CLARIDGE.—On the 23d inst., at 2, Regent-place, E., Mrs. Claridge, aged 85. Durr.—On the 21st inst., at Braemorriston, near Elgin N. 8., Mrs. Frances_Du, relict of Admiral Duff, R.N., - , of Drummuir, aged 74. MooßmAN.—On the 19th inst., at Haslar Hospital, James B. Moorman, Esq., Paymaster R.N,, late of her Majes ty's ship Queen, aged 39. . _ PARNELL.—On the 16th inst., at Malta, George Parnell, midshipman of H.M.S. Agamemnon, fourth son of the Hon. Henry Parnell, aged 17. LONDON : Printed and Publiahed by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at TnE SUN Office, No. 112,Straf d, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the County of Middlesex, Tuesday, December 24, 1861,