The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-04-04 00:00:00

THE STONEWALL kith- TIM FEDERAL
FRIGATE&

The two Federal war steamers Niagara and Sacra-
mento, which are doctring the movements of the Con-
federate ram Stonewall, arrived at Lisbon just after the
Stonewall had quitted that port, and were warned by
the Portuguese authorities against sailing within 24
hours. The captains prepared to leave within the pro-
hibited time. They were fired on by the guns of the
Belem forts. The Niagara was struck on the poop, and
a seaman killed, and then the Yankees knocked under
and anchored their vessels. The commanders of the
Niagara and Sacramento state that they had no inten-
tion of sailing when fired upon by the forts, but that
they were only shifting their anchorage. It is rumoured
that diplomatic notes have been exchanged in reference
to this
.incident.

On the 23rd the Stonewall went outside the harbour,
and twice challenged the Federals, sending boats out in
view of their ships with a battle-flag hoisted on a mast..
Thousands of people assembled on the hills tear the
sea coast to witness the combat The Stonewall cruised
to and fro between Ferrol and Corunnla for more than
three and a half hours. The people cried shame on the
Federals. Afterwards Captain Page was denied permis-
sion to re-enter the harbour, and stood away to sea, It
was thought probable that the rain would return and
show fight one. snore to the Federals.
A correspondent, writing from Ferrol, Spain, March
26, says —"I; think the Stonewall must have made
either for Lisbon or Santander to re-coal. The en-
thusiasm and admiration of the people here is not to be
described in words ; nothing else is talked of; one hears
the same subject in the streets, clubs, or private houses.
The offieers here have arranged to give a splendid
banquet to the officers and crew of the Stonewall, should
she return; they will be carried through the streets in
triumph. At Corunna alm the excitement is very
great; all, even to the ladles, are loud in their praise
of the handful of men on board the Confederate. It
is intended there also to give dinners and balls to her
crew, should she put in. None of the Federals dared
venture on shore after their public disgrace: they
would most certainly have been mobbed. Even as
it was boats were rowing nesr the Niagara and
Sacramento, hooting at their officers and calling them
cowards and eon/Linos (pigs). There were, I believe,
some 8,000 persona assembled near Corunna to witness
the fight, had it taken place, and among them the
Governor General, who publicly said that should any of
the Federals come on shore and enter any of the cafes or
clubs, all Spaniards should get, up and leave the room
instantly. The Amerioan vice consul in Corunna, Mr.
Funees, has been hooted and whistled at in the publio
streets. There is also a Mr. Palmer, an American by
birth, but at present chief engineer of the Spanish
frigate Tetuan, who has got himself into bad repute by
his activity in acting as spy for the Federals since they
came here. He is hissed at and mobbed by the women
and children of the town, and ealled the Federal spy,
and is a disgrace to the Spanish navy, having used his
position and uniform as a cloak to his real character, he
having gone on board the ram when she first came and
taken observations for the use of the Federals, and since
then been continually watching and telegraphing the
movements of the Stonewall. All day yesterday
the Federal ships had steam up in Comma,
Harbour as usual, and men at the mastheads
looking out. I think they wished to leave, but were
afraid the ram might make her appearance from behind
some point or creek and surprise them. I believe they
sailed lost night, taking advantage of the darkness to
make their escape, and also to avoid the hooting of the
people. The contempt of all here is much increased
at the fact of the brag and bombast the Yankees
indulged in before the Stonewall came out, they saying
that she would hardly make a good breakfast for them..
They also said that after the fight they intended giving
a ball, eke., to the leading people of Corunna. It is
impossible to praise too highly the daring and courage
of the Stonewall and her handful of men in defying
two ships of 23 guns and 800 men he come out and fight
them, mounting but three guns and 80 men.

The Lord Chancellor was conspicuous by his absence
from a cabinet council on Saturday.
Mr. 13Sea. M.P., is about to give £12,000 for a church
at Burton-upon-Trent.
Prinoe Felix of Hohenlohe, is cited by the Berlin
tribunal to appear and answer actions for debt. His
four chateaux have been seized.
A solemn requiem for the repose of the soul of his
Eminence the late Cardinal Wiaeman was performed on
Wednesday morning at the Royal Bavarian Chapel,
London. The rouge was that of Mozart.
JERKED BIEF.—Dr. Letheby says that he has care-
fully examined the dried beef being brought from Mouth
America, and finds that all the fat it omitting is rancid;
the lean portions he considers perfectly wholesome as
human food.
THE PRINCE OF WALES.—The Daily Telegraph
says it can assert with oonfidenoe that Government
has no intention to apply to Parliament during the
present session for an increase in the allowance to the
Prince of Wales.
Ins YELVERTON MARRIAGE CASIL—LI the House of
Lords the appeal of Mrs. Longwortb or Yelverton
against the recent judgment of the Scotch Court of
Session was lodged at the sitting on Monday.
THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND has, it is said, carried
his fire pursuits to the extent of having telegraphic
wires communicating with all the fire-engine stations
in London carried into his bed-room. Whenever the
firemen are called, a telegram is sent off to the duke,
who sleeps with his professional costume ready to
hand.
MEETING OF SOVEREIGNS AT LTONS.—It is under-
stood that one of the objects of the Emperor Napoleon
in visiting Lyons, as he intends to do about the third
week of April, is to hold a conference with King Victor
Emmanuel and the Empress of Russia.. The presence
of the Empress is less confidently anticipated, but it is
stated there is no doubt the King of Italy will be there.
Pall Mall Gazette.
ILLNESS OF MR. Connsw. —The Star says Mr.
Cobden is suffering from a severe attack or bronchial
asthma. Since the attack experienced on his visit to
Rochdale in November, he 13.3 been almost entirely
confined to his house at Midhurst ; but being anxious
to take part in the debate on the Canadian fortifies-
tione, he came to London on Tuesday, and experienced
a very severe relapse. A favourable change took place
on Saturday ;and Sunday, but at present he is not
permitted to see even his most intimate friends.
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE FRENCH ADDRESS. —lt is
expected that upwards of • hundred members will 'peek
on the address. Au amendment. is to be proposed by
eighteen members, among whom are MM. Andelarre,
Ancel, De Grouchy, and Janvier, asking that a
guarantee may be given for the territorial power of the
Holy See as the only condition of its independence.
Another amendment is that of H. Veanoe and his
friends, who will propose that the power of fathers over
their children should be extended, especially as regards
legacies. —Pall Mall Gazette.
UNENVIABLE POPULANITT.—BrsdIey, who had been
imprisoned two years, and tried three times for the
murder of Adam Grierson, and who was let out of
Lifford jail on Wednesday, is now the most popular
man in Donegal. He arrived on Thursday at Letter-
kenny, the principal town of the county, accompanied
by his priest and his solicitor. At the house of the
latter young Bradley was welcomed and congratulated
by his numerous friends and admirers. After the
" levee" tar barrels were lighted in front of the house,
around which a vast crowd assembled, triumphantly
cheering and shouting till a late hour at night.
THE GEESE AND THE SPARROWS.—The thirteenth
anniversary of the Sparrow Club, Rudgwick, was cele-
brated with • dinner at the Cricketers' Inn, on Tuesday.
On reference to the books it was ascertained that 5,313
birds' heads had been sent in by the members during
the year, 1,363 being contributed by Mr. W. Wooberry,
to whom was awarded the first prize. Mr. W. Bolting,
with 912, claimed second honours. —Sussex Express.
REPRESENTATION OP WISTMINSTER.—Captaio Gros-
venor addressed a meeting of Westminster electors in
the Temperance Hall, Broadway, on Monday evening.
He devoted a good deal of his speech to replying to
remarks made in reference to him by Mr. Beal. Ante
capital punishment, he thought he was in favour of its
abolition. Be would not support the repeal of the
game laws. A resolution approving of his candidature
was proposed, and an amendment declaring him to be
unfit to represent the constituency. The latter was
declared to be oarried.
DREADFUL FIRE AT PLTMOUTH.—FOUR LIVES LOST.