The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-01-20 00:00:00

Ifv:tign ant) Colontal Inttlligence.

FRANCE.—A story which appeared in the columns
of M. °memo's Frankfort journal, L' Europe, and
which seemed entirely of the cock-and-bull description,
receives an unexpected kind of confirmatios from
certain diplomatic document, just laid before the
French Chambers. What do our readers think of a
grave proposal made by the British Government to the
Pope to the effect that His Holleman should take op his
rraideace in Malta, and remain there under the shelter
of the Union Jack until such time es he could return to
• ineouciled Rome with full guarantees from the Italian
Government? Does this seem a likely story? Likely
at not, M. Drotran de l'Hays believes it, and Ins made
it the theme of • formal despatch, dated the 20th
'ultimo. The French 'Canter had an interview, more-
over, with the Pope's nuncio, Mgr. Chigi, on !the sub- '
ject, and expressed a hope that in the event, which of
courn he trusted might never happen, of the Pope's
becomieg compelled to leave Italy, his Holiness would
retire to France rather than to any English territory.
But the Pope, it seems, declared that he had not the
faialbest notion at retiring anywhere just then, and
thorefore declined to traipses as the batiste/Ay of
either of the Great Powers. lii. hard to believe that
• our Government maid have been serious Is making
smell a suggestion to the Pope ; but unless U. Drourn
de l'Huys has allowed himself to be most extravagantly
hoaxed, the proposal actually wee made and politely
rejected.
La France announces that the Duke of Saxe-Coburg
Gotha, who had been proposed as • candidate for the
throne of Greece, km &ahead to accept the nomination.
The same paper rye that intelligence received from
Conelantieople states that the Sultan sets as if he were
preparing foe war, and that England appears to urge
him Is that direction. The Cabinet of St. Petersburg
SWUM UM Porte of giving assistance and encourage-
mann to the Circassian', and of fomenting agitation in
Mie Caucasus sad Dashmten. The beak of France has
711iS1111 its rate of discount from 4 to 5 per cent.
AMERICk.—The Richmovid Whig contains • violen'
meld* upon England for refining to co-operate with
France for mediation in America, and says:—" England
!could have made feet friends with the South ; but that
'time has now gone by for ever "
. . .

--iiie—Confed;rate itemiser Alabama has captured, off
Nowa Paziage, the American barque Parker Cooke,
hosed to Port au Pnnoe with provisions. AN, taking
-the mug and 3no barrels on board she burnt the Parker
'Cooke. The Alabama has also captured the American
achooner Union, bound to Port Maria with a cargo he.
longing to British subjects. She was allowed to pro-
ceed on her voyage upon signing a bond.
The New Tort. Tribune states that a telegram was re-
cently dispatched to the Federal army directing to
whom the command of a brigade was to be intrusted,
and that the operator at the telegraph station declared
the person selected to be Arnjyrdkowasejcw
Deals' prop.
The Etna arrived on Tuesday. On January let
Piaaident Lincoln Maned a proclamation, confirming
that issued by him on the 22nd of September, to the
effect that from that day all negroes in the rebellious
Sta...:e were free. A great battle has been fought in
the vicinity of Nurfreesborough, Tenemee, with im-
mense slaughter on both sides. Four Federal
regiments lost half their men, and all their officers.
It is however, said that the Federal' had mic•
oeeded at length in driving the Confederates froin
their entrenchments. She left before the news
had arrived as to the Anal result of the battle. The
Federal, have made three attempts to capture Vicks-
burg, but were on each time repulsed with great
elsraghter. General Butler, who haa been superseded at
N.. 'means, has arrived at Washington. It is said
that peat honour is to be coofered on him. Guerilla
Federal Gemmel Morgan it is said has been defeated in
Kestucky.
Refemeg to the battle of Murfreesboro', the Olobe of
Thursday night says :—" The published details of the
•COl3 iti throw doubt upon the qualified success moribed
by the telegrams to the Federal arms. According to
the statements permitted to be mad* public General
Rommerana had really maintained hie pound with
diflicalty, had lost three batteries at one blow, had not
been able to prevent the Confederates from taking
ground dangerous to his right dank and line of retreat,
and, having no cavalry, bad been unable to protect his
rear. We infer that the Confederates had changed their
line from a direct to an oblique front, end that, while
by this change they still kept bold of available lines of
motet, General Reeeneranz was in the greatest danger
of lowing the road to Nashville. Of course if he suc-
ceeded in obtaining and keeping Murfreesboro'. be
would seriously impord the safety of the Cosdedorate
army. Bet the immersion left on the mind is that
General Massacres' bad been worsted in a four days'
encounter, and that be could only be saved from de-
stroctioo by the prompt arrival of strong reinforee-
silents. If he is utterly defeated the Confederates
oill be weedily masters al the whole of Tennessee and
Kenhaisky."
Manhattan, writing hose New York, January lad,
says:—' The news from the army of the Potomac is
dreadful. It is completely demoralised, and it the
rebels ke., hew helpless and riskier it is, they would
rush apes Wasbiasioa and depilate it, Seymour will
thwart Lincoln's Government by sating pp. Sta.
rights.
l" His lasseese, on the fotaJaatiary, wwillse late
detelle