The Express.
London, England, 1863-02-21 00:00:00

AMERICA.

(=nee Ticussam.)
NEW YORK, F. 10, Evorm.
(Per Australasian.)

Rear-Admiral Dupont officially reports from
Port Royal on the 2nd, that during a thick haze
on the morning of the 31st ult., two Confederate
iron-dads came out of Charleston and made a raid
upon the blockading squadron. .

They attacked the steamer Mercedita, rendering
her motive power useless. The captain of the Mar-
cedita then surrendered. A Federal officer went
on board the Confederate vessels to make arrange•
menu. The officers and crew of the Meroedita
were paroled, but nothing waa said about the ship.

The Confederate vessels next attacked the steamer
Keystone State, damaging her seriously. Three
Fed eral vessels came to her assistance, and she was
towed ofE Some other Federal vessels were also
damaged.

The Confederate vessels afterwards passed to the
northward, receiving the fire of the Federal fleet,
and took refuge in Swash ChanneL The Merce-
dita and Keystone State were afterwards towed to
Port Royal.

The Federal casualties amounted to 24 killed and
23 wounded.

Genera Footer's expedition has arrived at Port
Royal. It was supposed that it would leave for
Charleston immediately.

The Federal steamer Montauk has relinquished
the attack on Fort Mac Allister on the Ogechee
river. The Montauk was struck 46 times, but
sustained no material damage.
A Federal regiment of coloured volunteers has
made several expeditions from Beaufort into Georgia,
Florida, and up St. Mary's River. They had
several encounters with the Confederates and are
reported to have beau always successful.

General Hunter haa informed the Confederate
authorities of Georgia that he should hold all
prisoners in close oonfinement and answerable with
their lives for the safety of the Federal officers
captured by the Confederates until President
Davis's retaliation proclamation is withdrawn.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
Slangs at Nigi Priam in London.—(Before Land ChiefJoatice
Erle end a Special Jury.)

The plaintiff in this we, by hie declaration, warted
that he had been engaged as captain of • ship, and
before the expiration of his engagement had been diuniesed
from that employment ; and the defendant pleaded vedette
tra and in addition stated that the plaintiff was net
reedy willing to continue in the service, and that the
agreement had been mutually rescinded.
Mr. Edward James and Mr. D. Keene appeared for the
plaintiff, sod Mr. Kerslake for the defendant.
The plaintiff's we was that he was engaged by the de-
fendant's agent at Hull as captain of • weasel called the
P. O. E. end afterwards the usual cards were Wined In
which die vessel was first announced as far Natal, end
afterwards fur Rio, and both these sets of cards
contained • statement that the plaintiff was master.
A few days before the vessel sided the defendant
Updated to the plaintiff for signature a written
agreement settling the terms of employment. One of
the conditions contained in the document was, that the
defendant might dismiss the plaintiff at any time during
the voyage. The plaintiff dechned to sign this agreement,
and another person was appointed captain in his steed.
The defence was that no agreement had been come to,
and that the matter had not passed beyond the stage of
negotiation. That the written agree meet was • usual one,
and the plaintiff having refused to sign it, the defendant
had a 'perfect right to put somebody else in command of
the vessels - -

-ins—fury— found for the plaintiff, damages 60/., but leave
was reserved to the defendant to move the court upon •
question of law.

COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE.
Wore the Jodie Ordinary.)

The cross-examinaTiOnWliib;ra---.lUlia Codes was re-
sumed this morning and continued at great length. The
case is likely to occupy several days imager.

THE POLICE COURTS.
(Mu; DAY.)

SOIJTHNVARK.
_VITAMIN° • lIMUIZL OP 81111.

Marla Osborne, a carman out of plant, was charged
with stealing • barrel of bear, the property of lismn.
Courage sad Donaldson, brewers, Shad Thames, Bensioad.
~John Wright, an officer in service of the London, tatoiz,.
and South Coed Railway Company, said that
Courage and Dousldaon had extensive storm under the
arches of the London terminus of the railway. On the
previous afternoon he observed the prisoner draw up to
the entrance close by the paroebi office in a cart, and he then
took away • barrel of ale which was lying with others near
the place, and pat it into the cart. Witness did not take
any particular notice of that at the time, but about 7 o'clock
he was told of the robbery. On going up Webb-street he
met the prisoner, sad said to him, " What have you done
with that barrel of ale" He at frst denied all knowledge
lof it, but afterwards he said that he would take him to IL
They then proceeded to Chapmaa's yard, in Weston-street,
where the prisoner pointed oat the barrel of ale under an
empty van. Witness at once took him into custody.
Mr. Cheshire, one of the managerial Mears. Courage and
Donaldson's, said that his employers had extensive dorsi
under the arches of the railway at London bridge. They
were taken into the stores es feet as possible, and some bar-
rels genteelly remained on the pavement. The barrel of
ale found by the constable was the property of the firm.
Wright, the officer, here asked for a remand, as he under-
stood that the prisoner and soother man had unlawfully
posermied themselves of Mr. Connell's horse and cart, which
they carried the ale away with. Not only that, there were
other robberies of a like nature which he wasted to inquire
into.

Burnham observed that it was a very daring robbery,
sad be should not be doing his duty unless he thwoughly
investigated the aim He should therefore remand the
prisoner until Thweday salt.
Reminded ecoordiugly.