The Express.
London, England, 1861-06-10 00:00:00

AMERICA.

The British and North American Royal Mail
steamship Europa, Anderson commander, arrived in the
Mersey yesterday afternoon, with the mails from Boston to
the 29th, Halifax to the 30th, and telegraphic advice+ from
New York yid Halifax to the evening of the 30th ult. She
brought 187 passengers, including 109 soldiers.
The steamships America and Etna hence, and New York
from Southampton, had arrived out.
The papers by the Europa express the deepest chagrin at
the policy of England and France. The New York Tribune
threatens England with • stoppage of all cotton exports to
Liverpool ; and of France it says :—"This wilful ignoring of
the lofty claims of the American government—this indifferent
choosing between Christ and Barabbsa—will not strengthen
the regard we are accustomed to entertain for the people
and the government of France. It might even appear ad-
visable to withdraw the exequatur of all the French consuls
in the seceding states. Our business in this deplorable con-
test is to prove we have a government—a proof that seemu
to be as much needed at Patin sat New Orleans."
It would appear that an advance on Harper's Ferry was
contemplated by the Federal troop. At Alexandria the
troops were engaged in constructing strong defensive works,
and the 69th Regiment, on Arlington Heights, had thrown
up an earthwork one mile long and seven feet high. A con.
Womble quantity of arms and ammunition had been die.
covered concealed in Alexandria. The pickets there were
fired upon on the night of the 24th, but no deluge was
done. An alarm, however, was given, and the troops slept
on their arms the remainder of the night. Martial law
bad been declared in Alexandria and its vicinity. Additional
troops were almost hourly palming over from Washington
into Virginia, and the force there was estimated at MOM
It is stated that thelgovernment had determined to order
20000 more troops to rendezvous at Washington. At For.
true Monroe there were reported to be 6,000 Federal
trocps under Major-General Butler. He had made a reaen-
mimeo@ between the James and York rivers, as far as
some of the Confederate pickets. Three slaves, the
property of Colonel Mallory, bad been brought in by
• picket.guard. They represented that they were about to
be sent South, and hence sought protection. Major Carry
came in with a flag of truce, and claimed their rendition
under the Fugitive Slave Law, but was informed by General
Butler, that, under the peculiar circumstances, he consi-
dered the fugitives contraband of war, and had set them to
work inside the fortress. Colonel Mallory was politely
informed that so soon as he should visit the fortress and
take a solemn oath to obey the laws of the United States,
his property would promptly be restored. Another party
came in with • flag of truce, but with no better success.
Five transports, with 2,500 troops. convoyed by the
Harriet Lau, went up Hampton Roads towards James
River, and took posession of Newport Point and entrenched
themselves. The position is important, as it commands the
mouth of the James River, about six miles from Hampton.
The last transport was fired at by the Sewall's Point rifled
cannon, but the range was too great to be effective.
A bloodless skirmish, which took place between • roving
body of Confederates and the Federal pickets, created
immense alarm in Washington, and • signal of three guns
was fired, which immediately put all the troops in the
district under arms, and • large body was throws scram the
Potomac into Virginia, ready to take part in any duty
which might be required. The rapidity and certainty with
which these Ridden movements were accomplished are re-
presented to have been absolutely astonishing. Infantry,
artillery, and cavalry were in arms and across the Long
Bridge, proceeding in the direction of the supposed dan-
ger, in the shortest possible time. It was soon smertained
that the alarm was • false one, and the greater portion of
the troops returned spin to Washington. The Sixtrninth
New York Regiment, however, which occupies Arlington
Heights, which was being fortified, were under arms all
night, in anticipation of an attack from • body of Con-
federates at Culpepper Court-house.
Information has been received that over 2,030 Ohio troops
from Camp Dennison had taken possession of the North-
Western Virginia Railroad, from Parkersburg to Grafton,
distance eighty miles, and proceeded in the latter direction.
A large number of Ohio troops crossed the river three miles
from Wheeling, for the some destination.
Mast of the people coming from Alexandria, at Washing-
ton, brought away mementos of the place. The oil-cloth OP
the ball where Ellsworth fell has been cut up and divided.
Os some pieces the blood was as thick as a knife-blade.
Pitess of the stein, covered with his blood, were also cut off
and brought away. The burial of Col. Illawoeth took place
at Mechanicsville, his native place, with the most solemn
and impressive ceremonies. On its way through Albany,
the body laid is state a short time at the Capitol, to which
it had been escorted with funeral honours by the civil au-
thorities and the military of the city.
A regiment of Federal troops had landed at Acquid
()reek, Virginia, without opposition.
_ _

The Border States Convention assembled at Frankfort on
the 27th. Mr. Wickliffe's resolution was adopted, for the
appointment of a committee to consider the subject for
which the convention WM called, and also Mr. Critten•
den's original amendment, proposed in the Senate of the
United States, with such amendments WI will secure the
slave states just and equal rights under the constitution.
Full delegations were arriving from Kentucky and Missouri,
but from no other states.

In accordance with the discretion vested in the Pasteur
ter-General by Congress at its last session, he bad deter-
mined to discontinue the mail service in the states of Vir-
gin* North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, •nd Texas, from
and after the 31st ult. Western Virginia WWI excepted
from the provisions of the order, and the letters for that
locality would be sent to Wheeling for proper distributioa.
All other letter directed to seceded states would be de.
posited in the dead-letter °Moe at Washington. Tennessee
wee not included in the list of states given above—ber
se-
cession not being regarded as complete.
Among the mires brought into New York since the
sailing of the last mail were the barque Pioneer, from Liver.
pool, bound to Norfolk, with (as reported) a cargo of salt;
and the schemers Raxall and Creenehaw, with cargoes of
tobacco. Preliminary proceedings only had been com-
menced. The Quaker City had towed into Baltimore as a
prim the barque Winifred, of Richmond, from Rio Janeiro,
laden with coffee.

A brig, the Elisha, Doane, arrived at Boston from Sattello
River, Georgetown, had reported having been e.iptured by
a Confederate privateer schooner, and taken to Brunswick.
She was, however, released by order of Governor Brown,
for soma reason not stated. The captain also reported that
the schooner flume had been seized and confiscated as a
Prim

_
From the Confederate camp at Harper's Ferry a report
coulee that they had thrown a large mass of ruck across
the railroad and into the canal, at Point of Rocks, ten
miles from Harper's Ferry. No freight titans were running.
The Confederates were using the track between the Point
of Rocks and Harper's Ferry, to transport troops and
munitions.

The latest advices from Williamsport, Virginia, state that
the Confederate camp there had been reinforced with men
and artillery. The camp was guarded with gr,at care, and
much mystery prevailed about the movements of the
forces.

The Pensacola correspondent of the Motile kirerfiser
rye Lord Lyons had written to the British consul at Penn-
cola, recognising the blockade in the name of the British
government, and warning English vessels of its effect.
General Pillow had called upon the Tennessee contingent
of the Confederate forces to rendezvous at Jackson, M.eldi.
moo leaving for immediate service. Jackson in a great rail-
road centre, and one of the roads leads direct from that place
to Columbus, Kentucky, which is only twenty miles below
Cairo. This order was doubting issued with a view to
making an immediate demonstration upon Cairo, but the
proclamation of Governor M tiofn, of Kentucky, fcrbidding
the passage of troops across the state, which has nines boss
issued, has probably interfered somewhat with General
Pillow's plans, and rendered necessary some other mode of
procedure.
The voting returns from Western Virginia exhibit lloioll
majorities.

From California it is reported that the union feeling n's
very strong throughout the state, and that volunteer ,00l•
penile were forming for the Federal service.

BY TELEGRAPH, VIA HALIFAX.
NEW AWE, )13y 30, r.v.

New Orleans now blockaded. The Ohio Federal troops
had taken possessions of Grafton, Western Virginia. Lis
bodice of Pennsylvania troops are moving toward■ Harpdg
Ferry. Reinforcements for Monroe continue to leave New
York.

Cotton dull, at 13ic to 14e. Breadstuff' declining. Can
higher. Provisions dull. Sterling exchange, 105 i to 10 •
Stocks quiet. Erie, Z 2 ; Illinois, U 9 ; New York, 72!.