The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-15 00:00:00

THE SUN, LOI\DONI MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 15, 1864.

while our men who took the flag as a sign of sur-
render were over the walls [and filled the place.
Under these;circumstances there was nothing for it
but unconditional surrender, the General promising
them their lives. It is said that they only intended
to parley so as to gain time for reinforcements, and
this rumour receives soma confirmation from the
fact that, soon after the surrender, a party of 400
men, under WILLIAM THOMPSON, came up, and
seeing the state of affairs went off by the way they
had come. If such were the case, the mistake on
the part of our men was a most fortunate one, as it
saved further bloodshed. The General compli-
mented the Maories on the gallant resistance they
had made, and they, it is said, showed no signs
of depression or anxiety, feeling satisfied that their
lives were safe, and chatting freely over the events
of the war with the soldiers who had been their
antagonists so shortly before. The skill of the
Maories in handling firearms, and their ingenuity
in constructing entrenchments, raises them out of

the level of mere savages, and renders the task
of subduing them at once difficult and dangerous.
It is to be hoped that this great and decisive
triumph will bring the war near its close. The
capture of their stronghold, with 185 prisoners,
must, we should hope, convince the natives of the
fruitlessness of the struggle. According to the

latest telegrams received at Melbourne the Maori
King movement is considered at an end. WILLIAM
THOMPSON, the so called King, has addressed the
Governor, suing for peace on any terms. Sir G.
GREY refused to parley with him until General
CAMERON had hoisted the QUEEN'S flag on Nga-
ruiwakia, his headquarters, which it was reported
the General had reached when the last news left.

Matters seem therefore in a fair way for the re-
establishment of peace, but it must be peace on de-
finite terms. It will not do to have the embers of
the war left smouldering on, ready to break out
again in a year or two's time. We must have no
more murdering of settlers, no interference with
British laws. All this blood and treasure must not
have been spent without securing us from a repeti
tion of the campaign. The QUEEN'S authority
must be thoroughly established and fully recog-
nised. An inquiry should be made into the tenure
of native land, and it should be put once for all on
a clear and regular footing, in accordance of course,
as far as possible, with their laws and customs. It
would be an act of great kindness to the natives, as
well as one indispensable to the maintenance of
peaceful relations. There has no doubt been mis-
management in the earlier stages of the quarrel,
and the attempts at conciliation only made matters
worse. We shall start after this war with tha ad-
vantage of military prestige, having convinced the
Maories that we are not afraid of them. That pres-
tige should be kept up by yielding to no unwarrant-
able demands, and insisting on a fair and reasonable
administration of justice to settlers and aborigines
alike.

not to have been committed, or will doubtless be
all set right. Time was when the unprovoked
asault on a British subject, unarmed and unresist-
ing, would have been made grounds for searching
investigation, and not trifled with in this manner.
Lord PALMERSTON'S vehement attempt to make
things out to be just contrary to what they are was
a signal failure. Hu thus remarked—" We have
heard this evening the cuckoo-cry frequently urged
in this House by those who like general assertions
better than particular proofs, that the Government
are in the habit of bull) ing the weak and truckling
to the strong. I entirely deny it." Some might
be satirical enough to remark that the noble lord's
own speech was a case in point as to words without
a warranty, but he goes on to bring for-
ward his rare trophy of ministerial firm-
ness and zeal for the notional honour, the
affair of the Trent. Why should so much more
energy have been displayed in one instance than
the other. In some respects, Lord PALMERSTON
only makes his case the worse, for it looks as if the
Government, of which he is the chief, knew their
duty, but did not care to perform it. The fact is,
that all this talk about the inexpediency of discuss-
ing these questions is a very convenient excuse for
putting off the question, and averting the necessity
of awkward revelations. If Ilinisters had fulfilled
their tasks efficiently, there would have been no
need for the present debates at all. The papers
would all have been laid before Parliament in due
order, with no needless reticence, and no unworthy
shuffling. Tne proper means would have been
adopted for the protection of British interests, and
all those who infringed them would have been re-
minded of their outrage, and called to account.
Had such a policy actuated our Government, how
different would have been the state of things from
what it ie at present. General disappointment is
the prevailing sentiment with regard to our foreign
policy ; and Lord R. CECIL truly represented the
popular opinion when he said that "He did not
believe that the British people would much longer
endure the degradation to which such behaviour on
the part of the Government subjected us. This
case and that case might perhaps be overlooked, but
he was greatly mistaken if a bitter feeling of indig-
nation was not rising up and spreading every day."
This is a sad reflection to make upon the conduct of
those entrusted with the control of affairs at this
critical juncture : but the mortifying nature of the
observations does not detract from their truthful-

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

LREUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

AMERICA.
QUEENSTOWN, FEB. 15.
(Per the Canada, via RoChe's Point.)

The Canada brings 74 passengers and 88,376 dole.
She landed 114 sacks of mails and two passengers
at Queenstown, and proceeded at 9.30 a.m. for
Liverpool.

A DRAFT OF 500,000 MEN ORDERED.
NEW YORK, FEB. 2, Evening.

President Lincoln has ordered a draft of 500,000
men, to serve for three years or during the war.
The draft is to be made on the 10th of March,
crediting and deducting therefrom so many as may
have been enlisted or drafted prior to March 1, and
not heretofore credited.

This order includes the 300,000 men called for in
October last, and is in effect an additional call for
200,000 men.

The Republican journals support President Lin-
coln's order; but the opposition press attack the
Administration for continually declaring the weak-
ness and exhaustion of the Soath, and yet stiil
calling for such large forces.

Lougstreet's late movements appear to have
been made with the remote object of investing
Knoxville, but principally to gain possession of
the fertile valley of French Broad River, from
whence the Federals obtained supplies and forage.
In this he wi,s successful, The Federal retreat
into Knoxville was conducted with much loss and
confusion.

Southern despatches from Longstreet's command
to the 27th ult. state that the Federals had evacu-
ated Taze well, retreating towards Cumberland
Gap. The Confederates afterwards occupied the
town.

It is still asserted that the main body of
Johnstoa's army has abandoned Dalton ; Hardee
reinforcing Mobile and the other portion rein-

brcing Longstreet.

Since the weather has moderated the Confede-
rates have resumed operations in Western Vir-
ginia. They have occupied Petersburg and Bur•
lington, the Federals evacuating those places.

The Confederate General Rosser, after four hours
fighting, captured on the 30th a Federal train of
80 waggons, guarded by 800 men, en route for
Petersburg. _

General Lee issued an order on the 22d ult., star

ing that the temporary reduction of rations was
caused by circumstances beyond the control of those
charged with the support of the army, but it was
hoped this would be of short duration. The army
had proved that the country could require no
sacrifice too great for its patriotism.
Admiral Farragut's fleet arrived at New Orleans
on the 20th and 21st. General Banks and Admiral
Farragut are said to be perfecting arrangements to
attack Mobile.

Advices from Charleston to the 28th state that
the shelling of the city continued. Fort Sumter
fired five shots on that day against the Federal
positions on Cumming's Point. The harbour ob-
structions are said not to be materially injured.
The Post declares it has trustworthy information
that General Gilmore will shortly come North.
Several of his best regiments have been sent from
Charleston, and others would shortly follow.
General Grant was entertained on the 30th at a
public dinner at St. Louis.
The tone of the Southern press is very cheerful.

The Richmond Sentinel says there is a great gene-
ral revival in the spirits and confidence of the people
relative to the war. The army is in the best spirits ;
and the welcome news comes from Tennessee and
Virginia that the troops are volunteering by bri-
gades and regiments to re-enlist for the war.
General Banks has issued orders that, for sani-
tary reasons, the labourers on plantations will not
be allowed to leave.

The World considers this as substituting serfdom

for slavery.
General Banks has declared that all plantations
in Louisiana not under cultivation by February,
will be considered abandoned States, and taken pos-
session of by Government.
The House of Representatives has passed a bill
reviving the rank of lientenant-general, and recom-
mending its bestowal upon General Grant.
Southern journals state that the Federal Govern-
ment insist upon Butler's recognition, as a sine qua
non, for the exchange of prisoners.
The Governor of Tennessee has ordered the eke-

tion of State officers in Tennessee on March 5 No
disloyal persons can vote, and stringent oaths will
be exacted from voters.

The opposition press declare that the move
meats made by the Administration for reconstruc-
tion in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee are
not bona fide efforts for the. restoration of the
Union, but are made with the view of carrying
the Presidential election, as all voters taking the
Abolition oaths will ♦ote the Republican ticket.
The Solicitor to the War Department has de-
cided that foreigners enlisted as substitutes for
drafted men are not entitled to be discharged for
the service by reason of alienage.
The steamor Vesta has been run ashore and
burnt, off Wilmington.
Advices from Matamoros to the 13th state that
another revolution has again placed Cortinas in
power. During the revolutionary movement the
Federal commander at Brownsville sent three re
giments across the river. One regiment passed
the night opposite the American Consul's house,
and the following morning escorted the Consul to
Brownsville, bringing away 2,000,000 dollars be-
longing to American subjects. Suarez is expected
at Matamoros.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, FEB. 2 (Evening).
(Per the Canada.)

Money easier. Gold 57Z per cent, premium.
Exchange on London—Bankers' bills, 172 ; on
Paris, 3.20,
Stocks steady. New York Centrals, 132 ;
Illi-
nois, 1261- ; Erie, 107 i; 6 per cent. U.S. bonds, 106.
Cotton steady. Middling upland, 82i. Petro-
leum crude, '209 to 30 ; Refined, 45 to 47.

NEW YORK, FEB. 4 (MORNING).
(Per the Canada by telegraph to Halifax).
The Federals have re-occupied Burlington,
Western Virginia, driving the Confederates south-
ward.
The Confederates have made a raid along the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, burning the bridges
across the Potomac at the north branch of Patter-

son's Creek.
The Federals drove them off, and pursued them
with cavalry, and the r.tilroad is again in working

order.
The Confederates have burnt the steamer Levi,
running between Gallipoli, Ohio, and Charleston,
Western Virginia, capturing General Scammon,
who was on board. •
600 Confederate cavalry are threatening an
attack on Natchez, Mississippi.
Two brigades of Louisiana and Texas troops are
marching to Mississippi River to temporarily
blockade it, and get the army from the last trans-
Mississippi departnient.

It is officially reported from Newbern that the