The Express.
London, England, 1863-12-22 00:00:00

AMERICA.

MESSAGE OF MR. DAVIS.

QUEENSTOWN, Mc. 21.

The Inman steamer City of New York bas arrived
here. She left New York at nooa on the 12th
inst., and has made the voyage in 8 days 19 hours,
being the fastest passage yet made by a screw
steamer. She brings the United States mails,
146 passengers, and 1,097,893 dole., and 2,000 i.
in specie.

(Per the City of Now York.)
NEW YORK, Dec. 11. Emma.

A short summary of Mr. Davis's message, de.
livered to the Confederate Congress on the 7th, has
been received here.

Mr. Davis speaks despondingly of the loss of
Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and many other points.
There has been no improvement in foreign rela-
tions since last January's message. On the con.
trary, there is a greater divergence in the conduct
of European nations, assuming a positively un-
friendly character. The marked partiality of
England iu favour of the Federals is strongly
evinced in their decisions regarding the blockade, as
well as in their marked difference of conduct on
the subject of the purchase of supplies by both
belligerents. This difference has been conspicuous
since the commencement of the war. Prompt and
efficacious remedy for the present condition of the
currency is necessary to secure the full performance
of the operations of government. Mr. Davis re-
commeuds taxation. The currency must be promptly
reduced, to prevent the present inflated prices
reaching more extravagant rates.

Mr. Davis recommends the abolition of the sub-
stitute system and the modification of the exemp-
tion law, so that the army may be largely increased
as rapidly as possible. He regrets the suspension
of the exchange of prisoners, and that communica-
tion with the trans-Mississippi districts is so greatly
obstructed. He says :—" The enemy refuse pro-
posals for the only peace possible between us. The
only hope for peace now is in the vigour of our re-
sistance."
Advices from Charleston to the Bth state that the
Federals have ceased firing on Fort Sumter, and
are altering their batteries, entrenching Fort Gregg
to the eastward. One monitor has timber around
her to protect her from torpedoes.
Southern despatches state that General Long-
street has raised the siege of Knoxville in conse-
quence of reinforcements reaching General Burn-
side. Longstreet fell hack to Morristown, where
he would probably make a stand. He lost 600 men
at Knoxville.

Southern despatches from Dalton to the Bth inst.
state that the Federal cavalry had been driven a
mile beyond Ringold. Some despatches assert that
the Federals have been routed At Sollersville, Ken-
tucky, with a loss of numerous prisoners, and that
the Confederates have made a raid on the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad near Pocahontas, captur-
ing 400 and killing 300 Federals.
The Senate of Georgia has ordered the enrol-
ment of all citizens over fifteen years of age for the
defence of the State.

The people of Tazewell, Tennessee, are deter-
mined to sell corn at 1 dol. per bushel, and were
freely furnishing the government with one-tenth of
their crepe.
President Lincoln has pardoned General Gaunt,
of Arkansas, and returned him his property, ex-
cept the negroes, under his new amnesty pro-
clamation.
General Banks has returned to New Orleans.

The plot to seize the Chesapeake was matured at
St. John's, New Brunswick. Her cargo consisted
of fat for a Southern port, it being intended to run
her into Wilmington.
Captain Pooker, formerly of the privateer Retri-
bution, went on board the Chesapeake at St. John's
to take command of her.

President Lincoln's health is improving.
The Etna and Bremen have arrived out, and the
Canada has reached Halifax.