The Express.
London, England, 1862-01-15 00:00:00

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(=Tie 712341LA1te
AMERICA.

NEW YORK, Dac. Si, EVEIIIIO.
tPer Amato, eat Quesastemt)
The excitement here in relation to the Trent
question has materially subsided. The main point,
namely, the surrender of the commissioners, being
determined on, the settlement has been received
by the people with a feeling of congratulation that
a war with England has been averted; and, although
perhaps in the Western States the surrender may
not meet with the full approbation of the public,
there is no doubt now that matters at home are
becoming so serious that the subject of a foreign
war will be dismissed from men's minds.
The financial condition of the country isbecoming
critical, and the New York journals are taking the
matter up in a serious tone, and Congress is urged
to peas direct tax bills sufficient to meet the
national expenditure. The Washington corn:Ton- I
dent of the New York World writes as follows 1

(under date Deo. 30.) :
The empasion of specie payments by the banks is 'a
matter which cameo profound uneasiness in all circles here
outside of those engaged in purely speculative ventures.
With the country full of gold, with exchanges in our favour.
with business relatively prosperous, with all the industrial
activities of the North in full operation, notwithstanding
the war, it is felt to be • serious discredit to the country
that the bank' have been forced into • premature rumen.
non of specie payments. Napoleon, it is reasoned, succeeded
in conducting the most gigantic were of modern times with-
out any such disaster occurring, although Frame when he
&stemmed the reins of power bad gone through the horrors
of an exclusively paper currency, and was, in the opinion of
England, in no position to carry on a great war. And yet,
by wise management and an opportune financial policy, Na-
poleon succeeded in conducting military operations on an
enormous scale, without adding materially to the debt of
France, and without resorting to paper money. In the
balance of exchange bad been against this country, if we
had been drained of our gold, if the energies of the nation
had been impaired by • lam sad devastating war, there
would have been some reason, so it is argued here, for this
step. But nothing except the sheerest mismanagement
could have brought this digester upon us at this
time. With every disposition on the part of the
monied men of the country to sustain the burden
of the war, Congress has failed to devise the
ways and means to conduct the financial operations of the
government succowfully. The true policy bas been re-
posedly pointed oat by Secretary Chain It was simply
taxation sufficient to pay the interest on the debt con-
fractal, establish a sinking fend, and provide for the 'cur-
rent expenses of the government. There is • bitter feeling
here at the non-action of Congas in this vital matter, of an
much importance to the nation as the 'abject of • war
with England. Had the month which has been spent in
idle discussions on irrelevant topics been devoted to the
maturing of bills looking to • heavy taxation, this evil
day would have been postponed indefinitely. The Com-
mittee of Ways and Means, it is now acknowledged,
is unfortunate in its composition. Mr. Thaddeus Stevens,
its chainraa, is an effective speaker, and is an excellent
friend of the siown•tralden African. He is poem:Mot very
&aided ens eictious reprdiog the status of the negro, and is
tolmahly well Warmed in the tariff diseensiora of twenty.
fins yens sines. But is is not pretended by any of his
friends that he understands even the alphabet of financial
sauces. It is unfortunate at this time that News. Chase
sad Reams are not personally on good terms..Yeasss.
Clues. Feeseaden, sad Morrill have been in repeated con-
sultans= en financial meat:urea. It is crisis also that the
present Cower has not developed as yet any remarkable,
if it has say ordinary, &uncial genius. It may be that
now, the extent of the mischief being understood, the
chasm yawing before UM, Congress may be able to devote
some time to this most important matter. A vigorous eye.
team of taxation, looking to the raising of two hundred mil •
lions of dollars yearly, will give • new lease of life to the
nation, and nothing but that will enable us to carry on this
was with credit to the country. Au exclusively piper
currency has already all but destroyed! the Southern stater
It will have the same effect upoo the North, if persisted in.
The following bill for abolishing Southern ports
of entry was introduced in the House of Represen-
tatives, Dec. 30, by Mr. Stevens, on leave :
1. That all laws or parts of lam cresting or establishing
porta of entry or delivery in say state in rebellion be, and
the same are hereby, repealed.,
2. Hereafter no vessel, either foreign or domestic, except
such as belong to or are employed by the government of the
United Statm, shall enter or leave any of the mid ports
unless driven there by stress of weather.
3. If any vessel shall violate or attempt to violate the
provisions of this act, the said vessel, cargo, and everything
appertaining thereto, shall be forfeited—the one-half to go
to the captors, and the other half to the United States ; and
every person is hereby authorised to mike each seizure, and
saptain or commander of the vessel shall be fined not
exceeding 500 dollars.
4. The said vessel and cargo may be seized at any plasm
at sea, or in any port, and the goods may be taken
wherever found, either on land or water.
5. The proceeds shall be divided among the captors as-
I cording to the law now regulating prim.
& The shipand cargo may be tried, as well as the deem,
in say mart of the United States into whose jarhdidiss
the ems may be taken.
7. The states now in rebellion are Virginia, North Caro-
lina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida. Tenn.
Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arks:non If say
other states should hereafter become rebellions, the Presi-
dent shall proclaim the fact, and the provisions of this
act shall then apply to such state or states.
8. The President shall have power to declare any har-
bour or harbours porta of entry, when, in his judgment, it
shall be expedient.
The New York Tribune publishes the following :
Thos true history of the Trent affair et Washington is
briefly this. At the first Cabinet meeting held after the
seizure of Slidell end Mason the President expressed himself
in favour of restoring them totals protection of the British Bag,
if it should be demanded. He said it was doubtful lf the
mune of Captain Wilkes could be justified by inter-
national law; and that, at all events, he could cot afford
to have two wars on his hands at the same
time. Attornev-General Bates echoed this opinion. He
thought the seizure unjustifiable, and was in favour of
giving up the men upon demand.
Secretary Seward was non-committal. The other mem-
bers of the pithiest disagreed with Mr. Lincoln positively,
and Secretary Chem argued forcibly and with warmth
that the course recommended by the President would
be dishonourable to the Coiled States as • nation. Thus
matters stood until the first belligerent note from England.
No feather discussions took place, nor was the question
Mak mooted in Cabinet until Christmas-day.
So despatch from Earl Russell to Lord Lyons was de-
' Wend at the State department on Saturday, as we tele-
embed the next day, and Mr. Seward immediately went to
work on his reply. Bememberingthe views of the cabinet pre-
viously expressed. Mr. Lincoln was not in haste to call them
together. One meting was adjourned to prevent proms.
Inr• dissaassi, sad another on the regular day did
WA& ;bow The first was on Christmas-day, and after
Teed Arm bad made his commonicatioe. Immediately
M. Theuveners despatch bad been delivered, Seward's
reply was read to the Council, in • session prolonged for
rave hours.
The despatch of M.Thouvenel bad convinced the opponents
id the policy of surrender, that the public) opinion of Europe
would sustain England, and it was used to secure unanimity
h that policy.
Mr. Seward's despatch, however, was subjected to much
oettionts. Many alterations and modifications were
geed. The next day a revised copy was read to the
offisennaleshioet meting—forther changes were suggested,
ma a. isepetch as a whole was not approved sad adopted
mita Friday morning.

NEW TOM, JAL S.

Mows. Mason and Slidell and their secretaries
embarked on the let instant, at Providence Town,
on board the British steamer Rinaldo, for England.
Their departure caused scarcely any excitement.
The comments of the New York press on the
subject are unimportant.
The uneasy feeling in the public mind in regard
to the relations with England still continue. The

,xaiLk
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.ANTIA:

bejttre. nt tone of thelinglish pram and
warlike ,pesparationa have caused
impression to gain ground that England dill
shortly make the subject of the blockade, or the
fact of vessels being sank in Southern harbours,
a pretext for war kith America.
The Senate has agreed to Mr. Sumner's reso-
lution, asking the President to transmit to the
Senate all the correspondence which has taken
place since the Paris Congress in relation to
neutral and belligerent right& upon the ocean.
It is reported that a strong effort will be made
to repeal the Canadian reciprocity act.
_ _

Geireral M'Clellan'e health has much improved.
A Federal steamer has been despatched to the
coast of Europe for the protection of American
commerce. Others are expected to leave shortly.

The New York Chamber of Commerce has re-
monstrated against the instructions of the Secretary
of the Treasury regarding the immediate action of
the new tariff.

LATRfft BY TELEGRAPH TO PORTLAND.

NEW YORK, Jar. 4.
The New York Tribune states that Mews. Mason
and Slidell will only proceed to Halifax in the
British steamer Rinaldo, and that from Halifax
they will proceed to Europe in the next Cunard
steamer.

The New York press generally consider that
there will be no American interference in Mexican
affairs, unless a permanent Spanish occupation
should be attempted. _ _

The financial Plans of the Federal Government
attract much attention. The press continue to
urge heavy taxation as the only legitimate means
of relief. _ .

Active measures continue to be taken in
Canada for the formation of effective volunteer
corps.
The New York press is again speculating on an
early advance of the Federal army.
The Confederates in Kentucky have destroyed a
large portion of the railway between Louisville and
Nashville.
The Charleston Mercury states that a large Federal
force had landed on North Edisto, and seised the
railway station and some war vessels.
It is reported at Ship Island that Fort Pickens
opened fire on Pensacola on the Ist inst. The re-
sult is unknown.
A destructive fire has taken place at Richmond.
The steamer Asia has arrived out.
The Bohemian passed Cape Race on the 3rd.
The Persia will sail from Halifax for Liverpool
on the 6th inst.
COILIOMCIAL DITELLIGENCS.

NEW YORK, JAI. 4.
Exchange : Bankers' bMs, 113 ; gold, 2 par cent.
premium. Stocks firm and active. New York
Central, 80. Illinois 62. Erie, 321. Cotton
quiet, but firm. BreListuffs and corn steady.
LONDONDERRY, JAL 15.
The Canadian screwateamee Nova Scotian,
which arrived here this morning from Portland,
brought 40,000 dole. in specie.

THE SPANISH EXPEDITION TO MEXICO.
NEW YOWL, JAN. 3, Avrianoon.
(per Nova Boot* via Portland sad Londonderry.)
The Spanish steamer Francis Asia arrived at
Havannah on the 28th ult. She reports that the
Spanish expedition arrived at Vera Crux on the
Bth, and that the Governor of that city bad 24
hours to decide if he would abandon it. The
Governor replied that he bad instructions to aban-
don the city as soon as he perceived that he could
not resist the force brought against it, and then
II with the troops withdrew to the interi or.
4 On the 17th the Spanish troops disembarked, and
' hoisted the Spanish flag on the fortress of San
Juan Olio& and in the principal squares of Vera
Cruz. One hundred guns were found in San Juan
Mos.
The Diario Marina says that the municipal
authorities and the people of Vera Grim received
4the Spaniards with shouts of welcome.
The Governor, before evacuating the city, issued
a proclamation forbidding all communication with
or supplies being given to the Spaniards, and de-
claring that all Mexicans who failed to take up
arms in defence of Mexico, or who remained in
the Spanish army, would be treated as traitors.
The Spanish Commander, Gossett, on binding,
Wad a stirring address to the troops, in which he
rem " Your mission has only now commenoed. It
will only be finished when all Spain can say
these are the troop* who have avenged in
Mexico the insults offered to the Spanish flag
I and have again won the affection of those who
in other days were our brothers."
Commander Garnett also issued a proclamation
to the inhabitants, which says :—" The Spanish
troops come with no mission of conquest. They
come solely to demand satisfaction for non-fulfil-
ment of treaties and for violence committed against
Spaniards, and to obtain guarantees against the
repetition of similar outrages. Peaceful inhabitants
will receive protection, but disturbers of order will
be tried by a military commission."
Commander Claseett urges the inhabitants to re-
turn to their occupations ; and gays be is confident
that the greatest satisfaction to the Spanish army,
after having fulfilled the minion of the Queen, will
be to return to Spain with the certainty of having
merited the affection of the Mexicans.
The frigates Guerria, Ardenti, Mamma, and
Astrio arrived at Havannah on the 27th ult., under
the command of Admiral Is Gravibre.
General Prim arrived at Havannah on the 23rd,
and was received with intense enthusiasm. The
city was illuminated and the streets festooned with
flags.
The British steamer Spiteful arrived at Havannah
on the 27th, with despatches for Commodore Dun-
lop. It is rumoured that these despatches have
reference to the American imbroglio.