The Sun. — London, England, 1861-11-29 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, FRIDAY, NOV. 29, 1861. We shall be, es the phrase is, agreeably disap pointed, if Messrs. LINCOLN and SEWARD are will ing and able to accede to the demand which must now be made by the British Government. Willing, we fear they will not be, because few persons, and, least of all United States officials, are willing to own themselves wrong if they be so. It is a pitch of breeding far above them frankly to confess an error. A British gentleman, if he has been betrayed by his temper or by ill-advice into a wrong against an other, could not rest till he had adequately apolo gised. Ho feels his honour involved in making the best reparation in his power. But the low class of men with whom it has been the misfortune of America to fill her highest places mistake vulgar pertinacity for honour and dignity. "Not to yield an inch"—and that not in a matter of courage, but for the impartial judgment of unpre judiced persons—is the notion of honour held by POLK and PIERCE, BUCHANAN AND LINCOLN, and by the speech-making bullies whom they have used as secretaries. We suppose there can be little doubt that the American Commander acted under direct orders from Washington, and if so, for the reason above mentioned, it is hardly to be hoped that the American PRESIDENT and his Seeretary will voluntarily undergo the penance of acting like gentlemen. But suppose them willing, will they be able ? What would the fire-eating press of America say to them ? What would the sovereign mob say ? What would become o Mr. LINCOLN'S majorities in Congress ? It is, perhaps, more than any mediocre man elected by the vast mediocrity of the United States dares do, to disown the act of any man who had in conformity with orders from Washington flouted the British flag. But one argument would enable a President to yield, and that is an overwhelming British superiority in guns. It was this which brought Mr. BUCHANAN to acknowledge the demands of our Government in the case of San Juan. his envoy found there that li p ritish men - o f- war were mas t ers o f th e s it ua ti on . ossibly when Mr. LINCOLN is aware that we have, or soon shall have, nearly a thousand guns afloat within easy reach of the Potomac, he may feel the weight et armaments if he feels little the weight of arguments; and it may be the most peaceful course for the Axaetie an l s not only to know, but to see, th at i f we few broadsides annihilat e their pleased we could by a blockade, or send all their ships crouching beneath their forts to feel very ill at ease there also. We a re not co unselling war, or even direct th reats, but when we, has%) to do with bullies, it is not amiss quietly to let them be aware that we have a life-preserver or a revolver in our pockets. The terms of the oi)inion furnished by the Law Officers of the Crown have not yet been made public, but their purport has not been concealed. If we are rightly informed, the seizure of peaceful passengers is held to be illegal ; and further, the law of nations requires that the vessel should hare been taken before a prize court and regularly dealt with, that all persons might have an opportunity of proving their position and rights. The last is, we presume, unquestioned law. It has never been heard of yet out of the range of piracy, that a commander of an armed vessel could do more than seize an unarmed ship of a neutral, acting on his owilre sponsibility for proving before an Admir a lty Courtt illus that_ttr pwas violating international emlised nation has ever authorised its A commanders to act the part of lawyers, and to decide en the application of the law of nations to indi vidual eases. We do not see, even if this legal and technical ground be adhered to, what reply the Go vernment at Washington can make. They may plead the notoriety of the errand of the Commis sioners, they may even plead that though their orders were carried out with every adjunct of rude ness that could well be invented, they yet intended to save the Trent inconvenience, by not delaying the mails on board, but they must know that this could not avail legally, and that as the Commissioners were illegally taken from under the protection of our flag, we can claim for them that they should be replaced in the position in which they were found. The other point may admit of more to be said on both sides. Messrs. SLIDELL and MASON were two unarmed pissengers, proceeding from one neutral port to another neutral port, and they were per sons belonging to the States with which we ac knowledge the North to be engaged in lawful war. But the North will not, probably, contend that they have a right to seize such persons as pri soners of war. Unless, indeed, found assisting the army, they could not, according to civilised usage, have been seized as prisoners, even if found in Charleston or Richmond. But it will be contended that they bore an official character, and one in which they might greatly aid the enemy of the captors. It is not pretended that they had military or naval skill, which it is acknowledged, if they were proceeding to the enemy's country, might be invaluable in war; it is at most alleged that they were commissioned to neutral Powers, and to Powers both of whom were in amity with the Washington Government. Mr. LINCOLN'S claim must therefore go as far as this— that he has a right to prevent the Power which we have acknowledged as a belligerent from appealing to our Government for any purpose whatever. Can such a claim be ever acknowledged? We should think, if not a new case, that international law must be against it. We are sure public policy is against it. Public policy re quires that all facilities should be afforded to belligerents of seeking the mediation of neutrals. Mediation is only possible through hearing bath sides. The Northern representative is here to state his side. Now, it is quite possible that the commissioners to two such perfectly impartial Powers as France and England might be charged with a mission of the kind suggested ; they might be authorised to express the willingness so far as the South is concerned, to accept the joint media tion of England and France. We are not even intimating that such was the fact—but it is so possible, nay, in the course of time, so likely, to be the object of a diplomatic mission to England from the South, that we should contend, in the face of any authority to the contrary, that such persons ought to be as safe in a neutral ship as they would be on British soil. The common interests of humanity require it. Probably there will be few now who will rei terate their outcries against Lord PALMERSTON for taking moderate military and naval precau tions against any abusive use the Federals might make of their armaments. If Mr. SEWARD would talk, and American naval officers act as they have done, in the face of strength in Canada, and in the American waters, what would they not have dared and done had we not shown that we were not quite asleep. We repeat our confidence, however, in our Government. Lord PALMERSTON cannot dishonour his country ; unless prompt reparation be made he will, we are assured, insist upon it in a way in which it cannot be refused. Better give up our American commerce, and close our ports to every American ship, than submit to such outrages as those. _National honour is worth something to every Englishman, unless he be the editor of some " Peace at any price" penny paper. We may endure 'much from a bully, but if we think it beneath us to fight him, we can at least cut him; and, unless the Federal States make reparation, it is the least we can do. Firm ness now is, in truth, the most peaceful course. So ashamed are the North of being held in check so long by the South, so nettled is their temper, that unless we show that we do not choose to catch their side blows we shall have plenty of them. If we allow them to console themselves for Bull's Run and half a dozen defeats by taking passengers out of our steamers, we shall next hear of Mr. YANCEY being seized in the streets of London, hurried into an American vessel, and shipped off to the North. Better stop such outrages by merited chastisement at the first. The American know now that they have caught their Tartar. The despatches brought by the City of New York mention that the San Jacinto has arrived at Fort Monroe with Messrs. SLIDELL and MASON on board. Doubtless "sensation" headings and paragraphs have by this time flown all over the Northern States, though it would be injustice to suppose that there are not thousands of highly intelligent and respectable persons who, in secret, shake their heads at such news, and wish Mr. SEIVARD anywhere, so that he were incapable of such useless and dangerous doings. His welds have disgusted, no doubt, the better portion of his countrymen ; his deeds will alarm them. This portion of the inhabitants does not, however, govern in America; it must, therefore, put up with national conduct which it despises as much as we do. There is a report that a large British , steamer, laden with arms, has been captured. Of this 'no one will complain. We are all agreed that those who supply arms to either North or South must do it at the risk of capture. There is some doubt whether the Federals took possession of the town of Beaufort. They appear to have encamped on the adjacent sea island of Hilton—so at least accounts from South Carolina state. The same accounts represent the Confederates as having sent reinforcements to the town and intending to keep it, while the Federal Government, we are told on the other hand, is discussing whether or not it shall be made a port of entry. It would seem that there must be a considerable quantity of cotton at Beaufort, and that not less than 10,000 bales (4001bs. each) are already at the disposal of the Federal Go vernment. One account mentions that 2,000,000 dollars' worth had been seized. At Charles ton the spirit of resistance is very deter mined ; the black flag has been hoisted both there and at Savannah, "as an indication that quarter would be neither asked nor given." If the South hoists the black flag, however, the North seems likely at last to call out the Black men, and perhaps there maybe some connection between the two. A colonel addressing his regiment at Washington ur ges the arming of the Southern islaves against their masters. The Secretary of the War, who is present, endorses the recommendation o f the military man ! This account, if true, and if it means as much as it would seem to mean, is by far important news yet received from th e North. most important o wn to a little incredulity. Either the os the language may be ov erstated, or the Secretar y of War may have little influenc t ei r n or t en he ,— C t a a b l i k n beng Cabinet or he may be prompted to talk in er so important an instrument in the North. notrth. eciAullalthine Northern victories put together virul mportance this victory over negro-hatred in the North. It may, however, be all true, though we had thought it would. take several more defeats to whip the North vp to the only mea sure which can secure thei n complete victory. If done, however, it must no t be done by halves. The decree of the North must run through all the Southern States, that e very negro and his family who offers himself for Federal military service are from that day free men, and that, so far as the Northern army can penetrate, the South will become free won. There will be no lack of commissioners, net easy to capture, to carry the desire to every plantation; and this once effected the cause of the South will be despe rate. The North will, indeed, have one difficulty. It has lost it character with the negro. The planters can make their slaves believe almost anything of the North. It will not, however, be difficult, in a short time, to furnish visible evidence of the free dom of all who join the North; and then rapidly, indeed, would the chattels avail themselves of nature's emancipators, and run off to the Federals. Lord STANLEY'S interpretation of what is called the Conservative Reaction, already referred to by us in our impression of Saturday, is entitled to a more than merely passing consideration. That there is, in fact,—(remember this way of putting it in the words we here repeat for the simple pur pose of italicising them)—that there is, in truth, what is called A Conservative Reaction no ono will seriously be disposed to dispute. But what is actually meant by the movement thus designated, is a very different matter indeed. Of the actual nature of the change in " the spirit of the dream" of England, there may be,:doubtless there must be, a great variety of opinions. But among these opinions we question very much whether there can be found any one more closely approximating to the truth than the one which has been so very hap pily expressed by the son of the late Tory Premier, himself one of the leading members of the last Con servative Administration. While we say this, how ever, and while we speak thus of Lord STANLEY, we remember perfectly well, of course, what few will be likely to forget, that the noble lord, the member for the borough of King's Lynn, though he occupied a seat at the Cabinet Council Table of the Tories in his Ministerial capacity as one of her MAJESTY'S Secretaries of State, first of all for the Colonies and afterwards for India, was, and is, and we have very little doubt always will be, one of the most advanced and enlightened among the chiefs of the Conservative party. His sympathies, in fact, are, in all essential particulars so manifestly upon the popular side, that he partakes as a politician more of the character of a Liberal than of a Conservative. Remembering all which of Lord STANLEY it be comes peculiarly interesting to listen for a moment to his interpretation of what is called, for want of some more definite phrase, the Conservative Re action. The noble member for King's Lynn, while ad dressing his constituency last week upon the actual position of things at home and abroad, in the speech already analysed in these columns, gave precedence to the questions involved in our foreign relations, and after having expressed his opinion very lucidly upon those important topics, undertook frankly enough to glance for a moment into the somewhat hazy future of our domestic legislation. Here it war — having reached this point—that Lord STANLEY at once " tackled" the little problematic difficulty we have but just now alluded to ! The definition, that is, according to the best of his ability, of the popular phrase now so often repeated. "We have all of us," he said, "heard a great deal in the last few months of what is called a Conservative reac tion," adding, " Now, the thing in rt3sl enough, but the phrase is not strictly accurate. _Reaction in this country there is not, and I believe there never will be. It is our nature to make changes slowly, but when we have made them all parties agree to abide by them. There is no measure which has passed in the last 30 years which, so far as I know and believe, any considerable party in this country would now propose to repeal ; therefore, I say, in the strict sense of the word, reaction there is none." Plain speaking, that—not a doubt of it. And rather satisfactory plain speaking too. Particu larly as it is the deliberate and volunteered expres sion of the conscientious convictions—of whom ? —of the son and heir, and the Ministerial colleague of the Tory ex-Premier, one of the principal Secre taries of State in the last Conservative Adminis tration. Reaction, then, there is none. Lord STANLEY has said it. The fact is now admitted by the Conservatives themselves—as it is de monstrable, in truth, by everybody else. " BUT"— it is again Lord STANLEY, the advanced and liberal-minded Conservative member for King's Lynn, who is speaking—" But of Con servative feeling and contentment as to that which we have, and of objection to any changes that may be proposed, there is undoubtedly more than at any time within my reco:leetion." Lord STANLEY adds at once, " I do not believe that this has anything to do with the accidents of political combinations or the working of Parliamentary parties. Indeed," his lordship goes on so far as to say, " I believe it would be precisely the same if every politician and Minister now living were swept off from the face of the earth, and if a House of Commons were returned composed entirely of new men." " But," continues the noble lord, in explanation of his meaning, while addressing himself thus to his con stituents down at Lynn, " I think the causes of this state 'of feeling are not difficult to find. We have only to look around us. The establishment of the French empire following on the popular re volution of 1848—the spectacle of France enjoying, indeed, much glory and much prosperity, but de prived of freedom—the not altogether satisfactory working of what I may call ultra popular institu tions in some of our colonies [and in America ?]— the fact that we are at this moment the only first-rate Puwer in Europe, and, indeed, in the world, which is not going through a :crisis, added to the unfortunate disunion, especially in the great manufacturing towns, between the middle and working classes, consequent on movements of trades unions—the fact that there is with both par ties a disinclination on the part of employers to an extended suffrage—these cit cumstances, taken together, are quite sufficient to explain why there should be at the present time a preponderance of moderate opinions." Yes—moderate opinions, if you will, but not Reaction. Granting this—the .Emly conclusion drawn by Lord STANLEY from any such rational and temperate view of the situation of things generally, is " that, organic changes being out of season, the very fact that they are out of season proves that the present time—as times of quiet generally are—is especially favourable fir the carrying out of administrative reforms." There spoke, in truth, one of the foremost men among our Liberal Conservatives or Conservative-Liberals —not the Reactionist, but the Reformer ! , His Excellency the Austrian Ambassador and the Countess Apponyi come to town to-day from visiting the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury at Hatfield House. The Duke and Duchess of Montrose are at Com piegne, on a visit to the Emperor and Empress of the French, Ro YAL E NGLISII OPERA, COVENT GARDEN. IL:lathe management of Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. Wm. Harrison, Sole Lessees. THIS EVENING, THE TOY MAKER. Mr. IL Haigh, G. Fyne ; Mesdames Susan Fyne and Thirlwall, Atter which, at Eight o'ciock, MARITANA. Miss Susan Pyne, Madame Guarabella ; Messrs. 11. Corr', G. Honey, E. Lassa, 1' atcy, and NV. Harrison. Conductor, Mr. ALFRED MELLON. Commence at Seven o'clock. The Box-office open from Ten to Five daily. No charge for booking, or fees to Box-keepers. staze-Manager, Mr. Leigh Murray. Acting-Manager, Mr. Edward Murray. r i EA THE•itoY AL, HAYMARKET, Lessee, Mr..l. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, the r ertormanoes will commence with THE BALANCE OF COMFORT. Alter which, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN. Lord Dun dreary, Mr. Sothern. Mr. Buckstone, Mr. Farren, Mrs. C. Young, lc. Followed by SHOCKING EVENTS. To conclude with MY HUSBAND'S GHOST. Commence at 7. OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. .1.10 Manager--Mr. Edmund Falconer. THIS EVENING, GONE TO TEXAS. Mr. Walter Lacy, Mrs. St. Henry. After which, at a quarter to Ei , ht (ISth time) the new and original Drama, entitled PE EP 0 ' DAY ; or, Savourneen Deelish. Messrs. Walter Lacy, Hermann Vezin, Charles SObv, Edmun t Falconer ; Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Miss Clara Weston. Acting Manager—Mr. F. B. Chitterton. Prices as usual. Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at 7 Box-office open daily from 1 t till 5. RO Y A l i J ess P ItallanUrS S'S A. 11THEs. ATRE.— T IIIS EVENING..TEANETTE'S WEDDING. Miss M. Her !lc: and Mr. IT. Widdicomb. After which, at Eight o'clock, Shakespelre's tragedy of OTFIELLO, with new scenery, dresses, and appointments. Othello, Mr Pechter ESP THF A'FRE-RO VAL, ADELPHI.- Solo Proprietor and Manazer, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, THE PRETTY HORSEBREAKER. 111 r. J. L. Took, Mr. P. Bedford, and Miss Woolgar. After which, the new drama, entitled THE OCTOROON; or, LI Flo. IN LOUISIANA ; written by the author of "The' Colleen Bawn." Mr. George Jamison, from the Winter- Carden, New York; Miss Latimer, from the provincial thea tres ' • and Miss Denvil, from th e Ly ceum . Th e o th er prin cipal characters in the drama will be performed by Messrs. Emery, Stephenson Billinfzton, Paul Bedford, Romer, Mrs. liillington, Mrs. Marston, &c., &c. Entirely new scenery by tessrs. Dalby and Thompson. To conclude with DOMESTIC ECONOMY. Mr. Toole, oliss K. Kelly, &c. Doors oven at half-past 6—Commence at 7. Box-office open from 10 till 5. No charge for booking. NEW ROYALTY THEATRE, Dean-street, Oxford-street. Under the Direction of Mdlle. Albina di Rhona. THIS EDF:NINO, to commence with a new farce, en titled ALL IN THE DARK: Messrs. Butler, D. James, Worboys, Miss E. Wilton, &P. After which, A THUMPING LEGACY. Followed by SMACK FOR SMACK. After which, Mdlle. di Rhona will appear in CAMELIA, and Dance two National Dances. Box-office open from 11 to 4. Doors open at half-past 6—Commence at Seven. C kNTERBURY HALL CONCERTS, AND FINE ARTS GALLERY. MR. SAM COWELL at Eleven o'clock in several favou rite SonErs, inclnding " THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. " Grand Selections from STRADELL A and LA ir AVIATA, By Miss Russell, Miss_Ernst, Mr. Herbert, and Signor Tivoli. with a poWerful Chorui. The Comic department :—Mr. Sam Cowell ; Mr. Marshall, in his new song, "John Bull, you don't bamboozle me ;" Messrs. Harvey and French (the Nerves); Mr. Wood and his talented son, the best negro delineators of the day ; and Miss Harriet Coveney . Musical Director, Mr. Jonghmans. Admission—Hall, Bd. ; Stalls and Balcony, is. T HE 0 X F O R D, 6, OXFORD-STREET. EVERY EVENING. Selections from " LA CIRCASSIENNE," " Simon BOCCR- Tlegra,” and " Ernani," by Miss Russell and Miss Ernst ; Messrs. Albert (his first appearance), Morley Greville, Full Band and Chorus.—Conductor, Mr. F. Jonp;hmans.— Balfe's new ballads by Miss Russell and Madame Enders- Bohn (composed expressly for them). And Varied Comic Entertainments by Miss Harriet Coveney, Messrs. W. Ran dal:, Harvey and French (The Nerves), E. Marshall, and SAM COWELL. Hall, 6d. ; Balcony and Stalls, is ; Private Boxes, 10s. 6d. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS Day.—Morning, 11h. sm.—Afternoon, 11h. 33m, To-moßßow.-Morning, h. m.—Afternoon, 12h. 6m, 'I WEATHER.—SuN OFFICE, NOVEMBER 29, 1861. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 63—highest since noon yesterday. 41—lowest this morning and during the night. 52—this day at noon. BARomirrEß-29.82. WlND—Westerly; fresh, with dull weather. A 42. ~ .. ..,., . , cu, :,, q 4 '''./ ti, IZ 4 ' ' , '..---,"----,-- s r '' s s- . • _ , - - r-r___, , , 7.- -, r,,": , ,,, 'e , ' , -Jo ~..- , 2 , 77!.. r -4i )„ .1..: ~„,,, • 15i./g6 ii, - - -----= : - : - ;; ,,,,, •V , fi,.. - .1*`' ,4 :" .-- 4-, 1 ...,,,R , . , --..! ‘ 7 , 41... _ll - . *,,,_,,,,,.L-,1,4_, -... I, ~,..0 .e..:•L .,... , L. „.... „,, ,;, - ,-,r,, - -,,,.-Q.c t , ,,: , 1 • ,t o ' ~, V - ` `- 1 •.._,...22 2 _L___.••••: -,....--- , THE SUN LONDON, FRIDAY EVE NING, NOVE VIB R 29. 1861. THE BRITISH FORCES ON TUE NORTH AMERICAN AND WEST LYDIA STATION. Considering the present disturbed state of affairs in the United States, it will be interesting to our readers to be mado acquainted with the actual force under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.8., on the American seaboard, together with those on passage, which has been carefully compiled from official sources, and com prises the number of ships, guns, men, horse power, ton nage, and the names of the commanding officers on the North American and West India Station : Ships. Guns. Men. H.-p. Tons. Corn. officers. Nile St. George Immortalite Mersey 4O 600 1000 3733 Capt. H. Caldwell Diadem 32 485 800 2483 Capt. G. Randolph Ariadne 26 400 800 3214 Capt. Vansittart Challenger Cadmus .. 21 270 400 1466 Capt. H. Hillyar Jason 2l 270 400 1711 Capt. E. von Donop Terror Rinaldo. l7 170 200 951 Corn. W. Hewett Racer ll 120 150 679 Cora. A. Lyons Imaum .. 10 81 1776 Cdre. H. Dunlop Desperate .... 7 170 400 1038 Com. J. Ross Barracouta .. 6 170 300 1053 Corn. G. Malcolm Bulldog .. 6 170 500 1124 Com. F. Al'Killop Hydra Spiteful 6 170 280 1054 Com. W. Wilson Cygnet Landrail Nimble 6 50 80 428 Lieut. J. D'Arcy Plover Steady Nettle Onyx 2 23 20 211 gun-boat Kite Kingston .... harbour Pyramus .... 4 920 receiving -hulk Weymouth .. 6 826 receiving -hulk Despatch .... sheer-vessel Devonport.... anchor-hoy Doterel — receiving-ship Dromedary Marianne receiving-ship Medway convict-hulk Safety receiving-hulk Tenedos convict-hulk Thames -- convict-hulk Total 506 6192 8260 37569 ON PASSAGE. Conqueror 99 1070 800 3265 Capt. Sotheby Donegal 99 950 800 3245 Capt. S. Osborn Sanspareil 70 550 400 2339 Capt. G. Bowyer Phaeton 5l 340 400 2396 Capt. E. Tatham Himalaya 6 112 700 3453 Capt. J. Seecombe Medea Total 331 2317 3450 15533 The Duke of Somerset arrived at his official resi dence at the Admiralty last night from Mr. G. Tomline's seat in Norfolk, his grace having been sent for by telegraph in :order to attend the Cabinet Council to be held this afternoon. The Marquis and Marchioness de Beaumont, Count Arnsteine, and the Baron Bejera, have arrived at the Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn-street, from Paris. Mr. and Lady Margaret Beaumont have left town for Bretton Hall,' 'Wakefield, Yorkshire, in order to be present at the funeral of the late Mrs. Beaumont, which takes place to-day at Bretten church. We ( Canadian News) believe we are correct in saying that the whole of the mail in the North Briton was saved, although some portions of it were so damaged as to be almost illegible. Many of our papers testified to the length of time the mail room must have been under water before the bags were saved. AMERICAN INTERFERENCE WITH A BRITISH SILIP,—The following is important as showing the risks to which our shipping is exposed by the war in America : The ship Storm King, which arrived at Quebec on the 9th inst., reports that she was run into in the Irish Channel, soon after leaving Liverpool, by the American ship Ports mouth, bound from New York to Liverpool. The American ship mistook her for another vessel of the same name that left Liverpool for some of the ports in the Southern States, with military stores. The American declared that it was his intention to sink the vessel, which he attempted by running into her, broadside, and again at the bow. The Storm King experienced heavy weather throughout the entire passage, and arrived severely damaged. The bul warks were carried away, and part of her bow. The other vessel was slightly damaged.—Canadian News, Nov. 28. SUDDEN DEATH.—Mr. Brent, the deputy coroner for West Middlesex, held an inquest on Wednesday night at the Portman Arms, Gnat Quebec-street, touching the sudden death of a gentleman of fortune named John Mon tague Uperoft, 60 years of age, residing at 301, Marylebone Road. Mr. Norton, the deceased gentleman's medical ad viser, deposed that he was found dead in his bedroom on Saturday morning last. The cause of death was phthisis and polypus of the heart and disease of the lungs. The deceased was a man of large property, being worth at least £120,000, and a large amount of money was found in his houo. As no relatives had come forward to claim it the witness had doomed it his duty to employ a Bolicti or to seal up and take charge of the deceased's repository, and to tako such other proceedings as the law d recto& In conformity with the medical evidence, a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. EXTENSIVE CONFLAGRATION.—At an early hour yesterday morning a fire broke out in the premises of Messrs. Holland and Sons, cabinet makers, Ranelagh-street, Pimlico. A very short time after tLo outbreak several engines were in attendance. The flames spread with great rapidity, and the premises, consisting of a series of work shops three storeys high, GO feet long, and 30 wide, extend. ing from Ranelagh-street to Belgrave-street, were soon one mass of flame. At 2.30 the building was gutted, and valuable property to the extent of £30,C00, consisting of costly sofas, tables, and bookcases, was destroyed, nearly the whole of the furniture intended for the Grosvenor Hotel being consumed. At 4.30 the fire was got under, but up to the present time it is smouldering. The Messrs. Hol land are partly insured, but not to the full extent of their loss. The salvage of the timber-yard is considerable. At the commencement of the fire a number of valuable horses were saved. MEETING OF MINISTERS.—Viscount Palmerston received Earl Russell, the Duke of Newcastle, the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and several other members of the Cabinet, early in. the forenoon yesterday, at his Lordship's official residence in Downing-street. After the separation of the Ministers Lord Palmerston caused summonses to be issued for a Cabinet Council this afternoon at his residence in Downing-street, at 2 o'clock. Com mandcr Williams, R.N., the naval agent in charge on board the contract mail steamer Trent, on his arrival in London on Wednesday, at once proceeled to the Admiralty, and was for several hours ,occupied with the members of the Board in town. GAMBLING IN PARIS.—A somewhat singular ease was yesterday submitted to the Imperial Court on appeal from a judgment of the Civil Tzibunal. A person named V—, formerly a keeper of a tobacco-shop, claimed 12,000 f. from a M. C—, for, as he said, money lent, and in support of his demand, he produced a number of bille ac cepted by that person, and which fell due in the years 1849, 1851, 1853, 1854, and 1859, but were not paid. M. C— disputed the claim on the ground that the sum was part of one of 20,000 f., which he had lost in playing with the plaintiff at draughts, and that the money lost in gambling cannot be recovered at law. The plaintiff did not deny that he and the defendant had been for the space of 12 years in the habit of playing almost every day at draughts in the Cafe de Londres, in the Place de la Madeleine, but he alleged that they had only done so for the things which they took in the cafe, and that he had made advances to the plaintiff partly for his persdnal necessities, partly to pay the expense of lighting the cafe whop, as repeatedly happened, their play was continued until a late hour in the night. To this M. C— answered that ho was a richer man than he could not have borrowed from him, and that the latter part of the statement was not correct. The Tribunal examined numerous witnesses who were acquainted with both parties, and had seen them play, and came to the con clusion that the bills in question had been given for money lost in gambling. It therefore dismissed the action. Against this decision V— had appealed, but the Court 3 esterday confirmed the previous judgment.—Galignazzi' s Messenger. CATTLE FOR USE, AND CATTLE FOR Snow.—Eng lish graziers eagerly purchase lean, and sell at the best prices when fat, Highland and Scotch polled cattle and Welch runts. Black-faced Highland and Cheviot sheep, for half the year at least, fill the butchers' shops of London with very choice legs and loins. In Lincolnshire and the ad joining counties you may see square miles of Lincoln sheep feeding down turnips, and thus protecting what was waste from returning to its original barrenness. But it is only by exception that these favourites of the butcher appear on the champ clos of the Royal Agriculturre. tournaments. Nor folk and Suffolk have a breed of polled cattle which the dairy farmers of these counties highly esteem. There were just six specimens at Leeds, all sent ly one locally patrio tic nobleman. Sussex boasts and highy values a breed of large red long-horned ca tle, bearing the county name, which seem like an enlarged edition of Devons. Like the Devons, they are famous draught cattle, and are amongst the picturesque features of the Sussex strong clay valleys, as they slowly toil along before that inheritance from the Saxon, the huge wooden turnwrest plough. In the great metropolitan market—where, after years of toil, they come fat—they are not despised by the butcher who has io feed sailors and soldiers, for at least "they are sweet, and die well"—look well in joints, and yield goal prices and a fair share of inter nal fat. At Leeds five special prizes brought from the same herd two specimens of Susses pride—a bull and a heifer; while of the polled Angus, the ;pedal favourite of the meat-merchants of London, the prodicers of the beef that always head the price currents of Nowgete and Leaden hall carcase butchers, there was just one slecimen, bred in Aberdeenshire and fed in Forfarshire. This is the kind of cattle that will bear the bell at the forthoming Christmas Cattle Show,—.4 U the Da Roma. LATEST NEWS. THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA PER THE STEAMER CITY OF NEW YORK, Via QUEENSTOWN. NEW YORK, Nov. 15, EVENING. There is no conclusive evidence of the occupation of Beaufort by the Federals. The Charleston papers of the 12th inst. deny that the Federals have occupied the town, and state that reinforcements had been sent thither by the Confe derates, who were preparing to defend the town. Federals, however, have occupied Hilton Island, the cotton crap on which was found to have been fired by the residents before leaving. The Charleston Courier says there is little cotton stored at or near Beaufort. The New York journals state that the Federal Government has not determined whether Beaufort shall be made a port of entry. The Southern journals state that black flags have been hoisted at Charleston and Savannah as an in dication that no quarter would be given, and that none would be asked. Eighteen Federal officers, prisoners of war at Richmond, have been selected to be hanged, should the Federal Government hang the crew of the pri vateer Savannah. Confirmatory accounts have been received of bridge burning on a most extensive scale by the Union men of East Tennessee and Missouri. The Federal army has evacuated Springfield, Missouri, returning to St. Louis. It is reported that an United States war vessel has captured a large British steamer, supposed to be the Fingal, laden with arms, at Key West. Colonel Cochrane, in addressing his regiment at Washington, urged the arming of the Southern slaves against their masters. The Secretary of War was present on the occa sion, and is reported to have fully endorsed Colonel Cochrane's speech. A despatch from Fortress Monroe reports the arrival of the United States steam sloop of war San Jacinto, from the coast of Africa, with Messrs. Slidell and Mason on board. The reported battle at Pikeville, Kentucky, was very much exaggerated. There were no killed, and the number of wounded and prisoners is reduced to 80 and 50 respectively. The report of the capture of the Sumter has not been confirmed. The New York Herald of the above date publishes various Southern accounts of the battle at Beau fort, all of which coincide in admitting the disaster which has befallen the Southern arms in that quarter. The Southern papers also confirm the fact that a large amount of cotton must neeessarily fall into the hands of the Federal army. The census returns show that the Beaufort district contains 12,672 bales of ginned cotton, of 4001 b. per bale. Of this amount probably 10,000 bales are now at the disposal of the Federal Government. The Charleston Mercury says there is no doubt that the Union army would cap ture a large amount of cotton in the vicinity of Port Royal, and that Beaufort itself contains an mmense quantity of that staple. That the Union Government intends to maintain Port Royal as a permanent station, is evident from the fact that orders were despatched to Now York yesterday for the preparation of a large quantity of lumber for the construction of buildings for a naval depot there, intended for the manufacture of machinery, and orders also to despatch at once a number of store ships to be permanently stationed at Beaufort. The Chief of Police of Baltimore arrived in Washington yesterday. and stated to the SerretarY of War that news had been received there, by the boat from Fortress Monroe, to the effect that Gen. Sherman had seized 2,000,000 dols. worth of cotton at Beaufort, and that the loyal citizens in that vicinity were soliciting arms to protect themselves against the despotism of the Confederates. It is said that the Secretary of the Treasury in tends immediately to appoint a collector for the port of Beaufort. Governor Pickens, of South Carolina, has issued a message to the Legislature of that state, in which, the II erald says, he admits that South Carolina is discontented with the Southern Government, and alludes to the intense suffering of the Confederate troops. Among the rumours contained in the Southern papers is one that Colonel Corcoran, of the New York 69th, together with three captains and 18 lieutenants, captured at Bull's Run, have been selected from the prisoners at Castle Pinkney to be hung, in case the crew of the privateer Savannah, lately on trial in New York, were consigned to death. Everything remains in stutu quo in the army of the Potomac. From St. Louis it is stated that Gen. M'Kin stry, one of General Fremont's subordinate officers, was arrested on his arrival in that city, it is ru moured, upon some charge of pecuniary malfeasance. The Unionists in Tennessee have been doing terrible damage to the railroads, over which the Confederates might effect the transportation of their troops. The splendid bridge north of Nashville has been burned. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE; NEW YORK, Nov. 15, EVENING. Money easy. Exchange firm, and advancing. Bankers' bills, 108 1081. Stocks declining. New York Central, 80Z; Erie, 341; Illinois, &I!. Cotton dull; middling upland, 24/c. Flour in good demand for export. Wheat firm, and advancing. Corn flat. Provisions quiet. Coffee in demand ; sugar heavy ; molasses dull. ARRIVAL OF THE JURA. LONDONDERRY, THURSDAY EVENING. The Canadian steamer Jura, which sailed from Quebec on the 16th, has arrived. She landed all the mails, except those for Liverpool, and proceeded. Her news is generally anticipated by the arrival of the City of New York, at Queenstown. As it was thick, with a heavy snowstorm, when the Jura was off Father Point, the despatch boat did not come off; and when off Cape Race it blew a gale of wind, which prevented her from getting despatches there. QUEBEC, Nov. 16. The provincial tug steamer Napoleon 111. has arrived in port from Mingan, where she had been despatched on Monday last for the purpose of ren dering assistance, to the shipwrecked passengers of the North Briton. On her arrival, a special meet ing of the Cabinet was held, and Captain Grange was called before the meeting, and examined as to the cause of the accident. Nothing further was elicited, however, than what is already known. The captain of the Napoleon 111. reports having spoke three schooners in Mingau harbour laden with a portion of the cargo from the wreck: LIVERPOOL, Nov. 29. The Jura has arrived here. The telegram from Boston states that the col lector at that port had received instructions from Washington to stop the export of saltpetre and gunpowder. Colonel Cochrane's speech, urging the arming of the negroes, was most violent in tone. TURIN, Nov, 28 (Evening.) A bill for the temporary occupation of the con vents by the military was brought forward to-day in the Senate. Urgency was demanded for the passing of this bill, as it will shortly be necessary to provide lodg ing for 93,000 recruits. Baron Iticasoli stated in the Senate that the rela tions between Italy and France continue to be of the most cordial nature. He said also that the accounts of brigandage in the Neapolitan provinces were exaggerated, that the number of brigands in the Basilicata does not exceed 250, and that a rein forcement of 2,000 carabineers would shortly be despatched into that province. PARIS, Nov. 28. Tha supplementary election in the department of Aube has resulted in the return of the Government candidate by a large majority. The Paris evening papers publish "under reserve" a despatch from St. Domingo, dated November 9, announcing that General Santana, who surren dered St. Domingo to Spain, had issued a pronun ciamento against the Spanish Government. The case of the Ami de la Religion was heard to-day. The editor was fined 500 f. He immediately gave notice of appeal against this judgment. TURIN, Nov. 28. All the journals approve the recall of Baron Tecco from Madrid. The Armonia to-day publishes protests from the Bishops of Umbria and the Southern Provinces against the last circular of the Minister of Justice. Signor Ratazzi will take part in the discussion of the Roman and Neapolitan questions in the Cham ber of Deputies. NAPLES, Nov. 28. Brigandage is increasing in the province of Ba silicata, and the brigands are now concentrating their forces for a great effort. Some brigand chiefs, bearers of important papers, have been shot. BERNE, Nov. 28. France has afforded satisfactory explanations to the Government of the Canton of Geneva in refer ence to the late violation of Swiss territory near Geneva by French gendarmes. An early settlement of the Villa la Grand affair is likewise expected. 'MORN, Nov. 28. It is asserted that a telegram from St. Peters burg has been received at Warsaw, announcing that the Marquis Wielopolski bad tendered his re signation, and that it had been accepted by the Emperor. LISBON, Nov. 28. The report, current here to-day, that the Duke of Saldanha was dead, is unfounded. The Duke's health has slightly improved. CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 23. Fuad Pasha will return to Constantinople imme diately. Riza Pasha remains at Smyrna. An issue of new small kaimes will take place without delay. Excellent relations prevail between the English and French Embassies. BOMBAY, Nov. 12. (By telegraph direct from Alexandria.) Lord Canning is about to extend the system of permanent settlement to the North-West Pro vinces. Disturbances have taken place at Nortgong (?): [The above telegram ;eft Alexandria at 5 p.m. on the 26th instant, and arrived in London at 10.32 a.m. on the 29th inst.] ENGLAND AND AMERICA. La Patrie says that " it has been informed, from a private source, that Rear. Admiral Milne (Sir Alexander Milne, K.C..13.), Commander-in-Chief on the North American and West Indies Station, had, on hearing of the outrage committed on the Trent, sent three steam-frigates to the Island of Cuba to escort, until new orders, the steamer which plies between the Havannah and St. Thomas's." "It appears," says La Patric," that information has been received at Washington by the American Government that important personages of the Southern States were continually taking that route, and that the expedition of the San Jacinto would be renewed. To prevent such a repetition Admiral Milne sent the frigates in question. La Patrie, commenting upon this affair, in an article signed by M. Cucheval de Clarigny, says : " The pretext that MM. Mason and Slidell were seized as ' contraband of war' could only be admitted if the Envoys of the South had wished to make use of the Trent to intro duce arms or ammunition into America; but they were, on the contrary, leaving America for Europe, and there were no arms on board the steamer. The emissaries or agents of a Government have never been regarded as contrabrand of war.' Consequently, there has been a manifest violation of the English flag, and it is to be feared that it was ordered by the Cabinet at Washington in its desire to seize, at all risks, the despatches of which the Envoys of the South were the Ix arers. " Under any circumstances, the British Government can not dispense with exacting as a reparation the dismissal of the officers of the San Jacinto, the liberation of the passen gers taken from the Trent, and an indemnity for them. Will the Cabinet at Washington be able to make all these concessions in face of the state of irritation in which the press of the North keeps the population against England ? It is, therefore, to be feared that complications of the most serious nature may arise between England and the United States, and we perfectly understand the impression the news produced on the London Stock Exchange. Reinforcements for Canada were already in formation, and they have been ordered by the English Government to sail forthwith." The Constitutionnel says : "The arrest of an English mail steamer by an American yes el of war is so serious a fact, that we may be justified in believing that the officer who committed the act did so upon his own responsibility, or that, it he was obeying in structions from the Cabinet of Washington, the latter had not sufficiently weighed the consequences. " In either case we hope that the American Government will make a reparation and satisfy the claims of England. We count upon it doing so in its own interests, which have always served as a guide to its policy. " In fact, it is impossible that the Americans should not understand how irregular is the arrest of MM. Slidell and Mason on board the Trent ; how contrary it is to the law . of nations; and how prejudicial the consequences of this act would be to themselves. "It would be the consecration of the right of search,' against which they have always protested, and which was one of the chief causes of the war they themselves waged with England in 1S 12—a right of search exercised not only on commercial vessels but on ships of war, for the mail steamers are Royal vessels, having on board a lieutenant of the Royal Navy, and their officers wear tko uniform of the British Navy. 66 By declaring contraband of war simple passengers with or without a diplomatic mission the Americans strike a mortal blow against the privileges of neutral States, which it is to their interest more than any one else to see re spected." The Opinion Publique says : " We perfectly understand the deep sensation this event has cau3ed in London ; for, if the French flag had received such an insult, the whole country would have risen as one man to demand striking satisfaction. We have, in fact, always proclaimed respect for a neutral flag and the national dignity would invincibly make us exact from others the same respect we should pay to them. We must, however, admit that the question is not quite so simple as regards England. Great Britain has always been opposed to the rights of neutrals ; and if in 1856 she made a concession from her old principles, it was solely because she found an ample compensation in the abolition of letters of marque. England, as regards neutrals, is fully bound towards U 9 and all the rowers that adhered to the convention of the 15th of April, 1856. But the United States were not of the number. The Washington Cabinet refused to admit the new maxims proclaimed by the Pari;i Congress, because the Western Governments would not go the whole length in the path of commercial liberty by decreeing the complete emancipation of trading vessels in time of war. " It results from this double situation that England and the United States have remained, in their reciprocal rela tions, under the empire of the ancient maritime law." The Journal des Debats reserves its opinion until it has studied the question more maturely. FRANCE. BOURSE, Nov. 28.—The market during the early part of the day was firm in spite of Steck being again offered, and prices, which had at first slightly' given way, again rallied. Within the last half hour they have again receded, Threes being now at 69£ 90c. Three o'Clock.—S took has become more freely offered in consequence of the affair between Eng land and America, and prices have further declined. The following are the last quotations :- 4t per per Cents 95 90 Credit Fonder l2OO Do. end month.... 96 —1 Belgian 4-} — 3 per Cents Do. end month 69 45 ' Roman Bank Shares 2975 Austrian - Credit Mobilier.. , . 751 25 Spanish Threes 4O Do. Account 752 50 , Home Debt - RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans 1337 50 .. 1338 75 Northern New ditto 917 50 .. Lyons and Mediterranean 1025 .. 1026 25 Geneva 315 .. Southern Western Eastern Sardinian 347 50 .. 350 Austrian Low bazd .. .... 521 25 .. 522 50 THE RIGHT TO SEIZE PASSENGERS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—Is not the latest precedent of right of search for robels that of the Hungarian Costa (or Kosta), who escaped from Austrian pursuit on board an American ship at Smyrna ? Did not Austria withdraw her Minister from Washington, and did not the American Secretary of State flatly and peremptorily deny the claim to take rebels or men of any nationality out of an American ship at all ?—Yours, &c., H. K. E. City,Nov. 28. EFFECT OF THE INSULT 70 THE BRITISH FLAG ON THE MONEY MARKET. The excitement in the City was considerably allayed yesterday so far as regards the apprehen sion that the American news might be held to necessitate an instantaneous resort to hostile mea sures ; but, in proportion as the natural feeling of mere irritation subsides, the moral indignation whieh results from a calm review of all the offen sive features of the case becomes more strong. The universal impression, however, seems to be that, in their present unhappy position in the eyes of the worli, the United States' Government can scarcely command themselves so as to regulate their course by the light of law, reason, or courtesy, and that, although this opens a wide field of danger, it should also stimulate all other nations to the exer cise of the utmost forbearance . . While, therefore, it is plain from every symptom of public feeling that no British Cabinet could now sustain itself that would allow on any point whatever a directly illegal insult to be offered to the nation, the desire is unanimous that—with this exception—the Wash ington statesmen should even to the utmost extreme verge of technicality be allowed free scope, and that even on points where there is but a small doubt in their favour that doubt should be con ceded to them. It is, of course, seen that if they have determined to endeavour to hide the spectacle of their internal condition by a foreign war, no caution on our part can prevent that consummation ; but the duty which every Englishman owes for the honour of his country to take care that the history of the calamity shall show no confusion as to its origin is already universally recognised, and this duty is rendered less trying by the distress of the United States being such as to enable us to submit to much without the fear of our motive being mis interpreted. At the same time, alf hou t sb. Tho men. canme community are prepared in every way to defer to the opinions of the law officers of the Crown whenever these shall be made public, they remain at present totally unable to conceive that peaceable foreign passengers can be classed as contraband, and removed by force from our vessels without any judgment of a Prize Court, and that the mode of this procedure may consist in the firing of round shot and shells. At Lloyd's yesterday there was less excitement, but 20s. war risk was paid for vessels from Nov York. Outward-bound British ships to China were charged 10s. war risk, and to Australia 15s. ; but there was generally little disposition shown to do business for long voyages.— Times' City Article. THE ACCIDENT AT _EDINBURGH. On Wednesday three additional bodies were re covered from the ruins, making the number of per sons ascertained to be dead 32. The first of the three was taken out in the forenoon, and proved to be the body of Agnes Gardner, an unmarried woman, aged 50, who maintained herself by uphols tery needle work, and who lived alone in an apart ment in the third flat. The other two were recovered at 10 o'clock at night, end were the bodies of John and William M'Donald, young boys, whose parents, sisters, and brother had escaped by flight. No further attempts were made on Wednesday to take down the remainder of the eastern gable. In the course of the excavation a large portion of the middle wall of the building was found lying athwart and bent over. This wall ran parallel with the front and back walls, but was not carried into the gables, and consequently stood unsupported by the other walls; and a portion of it had been removed some years ago in the shop floor, in order to open out the shop from front to back, as much being left as to form pillars to sup port the weight above, These pillars were dis■ covered to have slightly yielded on Saturday, and an examination was made, but the opinion was given that there was no danger. The excavations, it was expected, would last for at least another day and night, for the cellarage and a portion of the street floor remained to be cleared. It was found that the building had given way to its very founda tion—that until these were laid bare there could be no certainty that all the bodies had been recovered. A strange fact elicited is, that a large number of beds have been turned over in the fall of the house, the bodies having been generally found below, and not above the mattresses. It would seem as if the deflection of the middle wall had, in loosening and dropping the rafters at one end, opened a chasm into which the contents of the different floors were hurled. A great many of the funerals took place on Wednesday, and created a painful interest. The occupants of another old building in High Calton have been warned out since the accident. On Wed nesday evening a large audience assembled to hear a lecture from Dr. Begg, on the necessity of pro viding new houses for the working classes. MEETING FOR TILE ABOLITION OF CIIURCII' RATEs.—OR Wednesday evening a well-attended meeting of the inhabitants of the parish of St. George-the-Martyr, Holborn, was held at the School-rooms, Fisher-street, to decide upon the course to be taken for the abolition of church rates in the parish. The chair was taken by Mr. W. Hanson. Mr. Hutchinson moved the following resolu tion :—" That an association be formed for the purpose of considering and taking the necessary steps to abolish church rates in the parish of St. George-the-Martyr, Hol born, the same to consist of voluntary contributors." Mr. E. H. Burton, in seconding Iho resolution, said that tho question at issue was a very important one ; it embraced all classes, from the mightiest down to the most humble. In rural districts, where there was only one church, it was not so hard upon the inhabitants, but in a mighty city lik London, containing a population of something like three milliono, embracing every sect of religion, it certainly was most unjust that the Dissenters should be taxed to keep up the Church. The resolution having been adopted it was also resolved that a thorough canvass should be made of the entire parish to meet the expense in carrying out their object. A committee was accordingly formed, and, after some further discussion, a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings,