The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-05 00:00:00

AMERICA.

(Per the City of Washington.)
NEW YORK, FEB. 20,
The only news from the army of the Potomac is
the reported capture of 28 of Mosby's men at Pied-
mont, by some of Gregg's cavalry.
Rebel deserters say that General Lee is making
great exertions to increase the strength and effi-
ciency of his army, with a view of advancing
against General Meade as soon as the condition of
the roads will permit.
Some accounts represent that General Lee's force
has been greatly diminished by reinforcements sent
to Longstreet, but the prevailing opinion in mili.
terry circles is that his force is as formidable as
ever.

It is rumoured that the rebels are concentrating
in *Western Virginia for the purpose of a raid into
Ohio, by crossing the Ohio river near the Guyan-
dotte•road. Gurillas are very active in the Kane-
hire region, and the rebels are very busy along the
line of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.
A telegram from Cumberland Gap states that on
the 12th Longstreet's heaquarters were at Morris-
town, and that his army was encamped, under
marching orders, at Strawberry Plains.
Later adviees report that Longstreet is in retreat
beyond French Broad River to avoid a movement
of greatly superior Federal forces, Railroad com-
munication between Nashville and Knoxsville is
nearly complete, and the bridge at London will be
completed within a fow days.
A Chattanooga despatch, dated Feb. 19, states
that General Joe Johnston had concentrated his
forces at Dalton, and advanced his picket line to
Ringgoid. It was believed that he would soon
attack Chattanooga under the impression that the
Federal force there bad been greatly depleted to
reinf9rceKnozville. Johnston is, however, reported
to be too fearful of being attacked to send rein-
forcements to General Polk. General Steadman
has assumed command at Chattanooga. Troops
were coming in rapidly from Nashville. Recent
reports that General Thomas was abuut to assume
the offensive are contradicted.
An exchange of two officers and 26 privates was
effected with the rebels near Chickamauga on the
17th.

It is reported that Governor Brown, of Georgia,
has ordered all citizens with their property to move
to the east side of the Chattahoochie river, on pain
of having their property confiscated.

General Sherman's troops have destroyed the
bridges of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, thereby
securing communication between. General Polk's
force. At last accounts General Sherman advanced
beyond :Meriden, and was between Polk's forces
and Montgomery. Mobile papers report a severe
fight at Enterprise, Mississippi, with unknown
result. The prevailing opinion in Mobile was that
General Sherman intended to penetrate to central
Alabama, and thus navel the evacuation of
Mobile. It is said that non-combatants have been
ordered to leave the city.
The Mobile News says that Polk has been out,

generated by Sherman.
Advices from New Orleans to the 9th Kist; have

been received. On the Bth, the rebel General Dick
Tayler (son of President Zichary Taylor) attacked
the Federal troops opposite Natchez, and was re-

pulsed with considerable loss and driven six miles.
He renewed the attack the next morning, and was
again repulsed. His force numbered 3,000.
General Grover had scoured the country with his
cavalry in the neighbourhood of Madisonville,
across Lake Ponchartrain, and broken up a great
number of rebel conscript camps, besides making
extensive captures of horses and cattle.

An official despatch from Gen. Gillmore, dated
Baldwin, Florida, Feb. 9, states that the Florida
expedition had proved a success. One hundred
prisoners and eight pieces of artillery were taken,
and the rebels had offered no serious resistance.

Rebel property to the value of a million and a ha

dollars had been destroyed. The rebels in tha

portion of the State around Jacksonville are re-
ported to be suffering greatly for food. The Fede-
ral troops were pushing on through the State.
The New York World asserts that the Florida
expedition has for its intention a military occupa-

tion of the State, in order to secure its electors
votes for Mr. Lincoln in the approaching Presi.

dential election.

Advises from North Carolina to the 13th inst.,
state that Gen. Peck was vigorously strengthening
the defences of Newbern, in anticipation of an

attack from the rebel General Pickett.

The President has proclaimed the blockade of
Brownsville, Texas, to be raised, and the port open

to commerce.
In the Federal Senate, a bill providing for the
occupation of abandoned rebel estates, and for the
employment of emancipated negroes, was referred
to the Committee on Slavery.
Mr. Sherman presented a bill to encourage emi-
gration, which was refused.
Mr. Cosus, of California, called attention to the
imperative necessity of sending a fleet of war ves-
sels to the Pacific immediately, as the Government
had received positi've information that a number of
rebel steamers have left Asia to operate on the
California coast, and possibly to attack San Fran-
cisco.

Resolutions to amend the Constitution, so as to
abolish slavery throughout the United States, were
offered by Senators Sherman, of Ohio, and Brown,
of Missouri, and referred to the Committee on
Slavery.

Winter Davis proposed that the Government
should employ negroes in the army only as team-
sters, servants, or labourers. He declared that the
Federal employment of negro troops had greatly
strengthened the rebellion.

In the House of Representatives a bill was passed
to investigate the New York customhouse frauds.
A resolution authorising the transfer of sailors
from the Army to the Navy service was adopted.
A resolution to print ten thousand copies of
General M'Clellan's report was adopted.

The Committee of Ways and Means reported
back the bill authorising the Secretary of the Trea-
sury to sell the surplus gold, with a recommenda-
tion that it bo not passed, and no further actio❑
taken.

ROSSINI'S NEW MASS.—Rumour has declared
for some time past that Signor Roasini was on the
point of producing a new sacred piece of dimensions fit to
be compared with those of the " Stabat :" it is now stated
that the work in question is a Mass for four voices, solos
and chorus, the first performance of which is destined—so
reads the paragraph—to assist in a house-warming for a
private gentleman : " pour 'lnauguration du nouvel hotel
quo le Comte Pillet-Will a fait construire, rue Moncey."
The solo singers are to be the sisters Marchisio, Gardoni,
and Agnesi, the chorus being composed of the pupils of the
Conservatoire. The promised festivities on tho occasion of
the composer's birthday were put off on account of the
illness of Maiame Rossini. The municipality of Lugo, th,,
town where his youth was spent, have sent tho "immor-
tal composer" an address, in which the glory of the musi-
cian, the "living phcenix" of his country, and the rege-
neration of United Italy, are celebrated in a strain of
thoroughly transalpine rhapsody,—
he Reader.
THEPosT•oFFlCE.—_jtisrumoured in City circle,,
that upon the retirement of Sir Rowland Hill from the
Secretaryship of tho Post-office, the managefnent of that
department will be reorganised,
and a board will be consti-
tuted, the chairmanship of which will in all probability be
offered to Mr. Cobden. It is even possible that Sir Row-
land Hill himself may have an honorary seat at such a
board,

I~ ~

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, March 4.
Her Serene Highness Princess Hohenlohe left the
Castle this morning for the Continent.

Her Royal Highness Princess Helena, attended
by the Hon. Horatia Stopford, accompanied the
princess to the station.

Major-General Seymour attended the princess to
Folkstono.

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Helms/
walked and drove in the grounds.

The Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Prince of Wales rode on ;.,orseback yesterday
morning, attended by Lieut.-Colonel Keppel.
Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales tonic
a carriage drive in the afternoon, attended by the
Countess de Grey.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchao
d'Aumale visited the Prince and Princess of U' ales
at Nlarborough House.

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales had a dinner party in the evening. The
company consisted of her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Cambridge, her Serene Highness the
Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Princess
Mary, the Duke and Duchess of noxburghe, the
Marquis of Hartington, the Earl and Countess of
Derby, the Earl and Countess of Derby, the Earl
and Countess of Clarendon, the Earl and Countess
of Fife, the Countess de Grey, the Earl of Sefton,
Earl Granvide, Viscount and Viscountess Castle-
rosse, Lady Caroline Cast, Lady in Waiting on the
Duchess of Mecklenbut ; Captain Ellis,
Equerry in Waiting on the Duchess of Cambridge;
Lieut.-General Knollys, Lieut.-Colonel Keppel, and
Mr. Fisher.

The Royal Christening.
According to the invitations :ssued by the Lord
Chamberlain of her Majesty's Household, the
Cabinet Ministers and the great officers of State are
to assemble at Buckingham Palace at one o'clock
onThursday next to be present at the baptism of the
infant son of the Prince and Princess of Waled.
Her Majesty, the King of the Belgians, his Royal
Highness the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of
Cambridge and Princess Mary, and the Urand
Duchess of Mecklenburg•Stretlitz, will be present.
In consequence of the unsettled state of domestic
affairs in Denmark, in all probability the Rue°
of that country and her daughter will be unable to
be present on the occasion.

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and PrineesS
of Wales propose honouring the Theatre Royal St. James'l
with their presence this evening.
The E zrl of Sefton will entertain a large circle of
friends at Croxteth-park during the approaching Liverpool
race meeting.

The name of the Earl of Zetland was omitted
from the list of the company at the Levee on Thursday.
The Countess Russell had a select evening partf
last night at the family mansion in Chesham-place. The
majority of the Foreign Ministers and some of the leading
nobility in town were present.
Louisa Countess of Seafield and Master Lennon
Massey have left the Queen's Hotel, Upper Norwood, for
Bray, Ireland.
Colonel and Mrs. Plunkett Burton have arrived
at their residence in Grosvenor-square.

THE POSITION" OF DENMARK.

COPENHAGEN, Feb. 29.
The Dagbladet of tc-day publishes the following
article :—lf the question were only how to secure
the territorial integrity of the Danish monarchy,
without reference to the manner in which circunr
stances may shape themselves within its boundaries,
our prospects at this moment might be regarded aS
especially favourable. Our bitterest enemies declare
that they will joyfully agree to a solution which
will preserve the monarchy, provided only the
independence and unity of the Duchies, and their,
Intimate connection under all circumstances with
Germany are recognised and secured." They are
willing immediately to sign peace, "if German
right and German custenas in the Duchies of
Schleswig-Holstein are permanently established.
Our friends appear inclined to agree to such Si
arrangement; for they desire peace above every'
thing, and care far legs whether the Danish people
preserves its rights and guards its national existence
than that a colleetion of countries, bearing the name
of the Danish monarchy, should be found upon the
map of Europe.
In such a kingdom King Christian IX. might
sway the sceptre from the Elbe to the Skager, might
appoint and dismiss officials, review his troops, dig'
tribute distinctions, raise his civil list, place his
royal sign .manual to all important documents--itl
short, bs in possession of all the external attributes
of a Sovereign ; but his Ministers would sit et
Frankfort and in Berlin, and he would be unable to
exercise any real act of government without having
first received the approbation of Denmark's deadly
foes. A people called Danes would live under this
monarchy, but it would not possess a trace of inde'
pendent life. After having sacrificed its brethren
in Schleswig to the Moloch of Germanism, it would
strive in vain to secure to the rest a national exit'
tence, and every effort of freedom of action would
be shipwrecked upon the contract by which it
stamped itself the slave of German interests and
German policy.
This is the future held in store for us by the
foreigner. The salvation of the Danish mona NV
and the ruin of the Danish people, this is the e
Lion for which frienis and enemies at this moment
join hands, and it is England who has placed h
self at the head of this precious combination. E:ir
land's present Ministers have conciliated Germa 331
with overbearing insults, and empty demonstratii
at every stage of her quarrel with Denmark; but
whenever Germany went forward, England went
back ; and when the cup was finally full, who °
German troops advanced into Jutland, the EngliJih
Government discovered that the time had arrivo3o
to make a compact with the great German Powell:
It is true that we possess as yet only an impede c'
knowledge of what has taken place; but thus muo°
is clear, that the Danish people is threatened by lan'
pending peril, by peril greater perhaps than who°
the Schieswig-Holstein party first hoisted the ag
of revolt, with all Germany at its back.
After minutely describing the present feeling of
the Governments of Europe in regard to the Dart'
German question, the course circumstances have
taken in Germany, and the possible eventualities
which may cause the intervention of other Power:
" before Denmark has received her death-wound,
Dagbladet continues

These and similar possibilties may occur eta
bring us sudden help; but the Danish people moat
first, and above all, seek safety in its own exertiot et
by continuing the struggle against Germany will!
all the means at its command. If Denmark's fall
is unavoidable, it must at any rate coat the eneVY
dear, and secure the nation an honorable place id
nistory. Diplomacy must not be permitted to
erase with a lew strokes of the pen one of the oldebrt
and, until recently, one of the most honoured kinir
doses from th© map of Enrope.
Now, as in 1848, the Danish nation is assemblea
round a common banner bearing the words
"Danmark to the Eider, and independence of Gcr‘
many !" No rower, however great its influence
and strength, will dare haul down this flag so lovl
as we keep it flying. For it we will fight, for 1
we will being every sacrifice; but not for the main'
tenance of a State bearing the name of Denmark
but in reality existing only as a German depor
dency, and upon such conditions as Germany re 4
think proper t 3 prescribe.

-
TILE TEMPERANCE CAUSE AT OXFORD.—A dery
tation from the National Temperance League visited OS"
ford on Thursday last, and held a conference in the Couneifl;
chamber, attended by 91 undergraduates and sever 0
professors, under the presidency of one of the proctors. 1.11,
meeting resolved to forma society to be called a The tT°l;
versity of Oxford Temperance Association." A pubil
meeting was subsequently held in the Corn Exclaar'="es
which was densely crowded, about 2,500 persons being eud
sent.

The directors of the Continental Bank Corpora-
tion have made arrangements for opening in April
nest a branch in Paris, under the management of
M. Gustave Couturier, senior partner of the firm of
Messrs. Gustave Couturier and Co., bankers, and
have also msde a call of £5 per share, payable on
the 25th inst.

The National Provincial Marine Insurance Com-
pany (Limited) have issued their prospectus. With
a proposed ultimate capital of £1,000,000 in shares
of £25 each, confining themselves to a first issue of
£20,000 of the capital stock, £1 paid on application,
and £1 10s. per share on the allotment. The direc-
tors expect that not more than £5 per share will
be called up. The speciality of this company is to
provide for many of the large shipping towns of the
kingdom those advantages of marine insurance
which are offered so freely in London, and they
ground their prospect of success on the vast increase
of shipping entering and leaving the various pro-
vincial ports, added to the great amount of business
which many of the influential gentlemen on the
directory can at once bring into the corporation.
The company propose to make London their head-
quarters, and establish branch offices in Liverpool,
Bristcl, Hull, &c., in fact, in all the seaports of the
kingdom.

The colonial wool sales commenced on Thursday,
and the fallowing is from H. P. Hughes and Son's
circular :—The first series of sales for the present
year commenced with a gaol attendance of buyers.
The catalogue was rather irregular, and prices may
be considered about equal to the average of last
sales. The quantities arrived are :—New Soath
Wales and Queensland, 9,570; Victoria, 10,780;
Tasmania, 396; South Australia, 11,063; New
Zealand, 1,080. Total Australasian, 32,889. Cape
of Good Hope, 16,341. Total colonial, 49,230.

Two O'CLOCK.

The Funds, which closed very buoyantly ;;;er-
day afternoon, have farther improved to the extent
of 4 per cent., in consequence of purchases, induced
by a much better feeling with regard to money and
politics. Console are 91-1- for money and the
Bth inst. The New Threes are 894 ; the Reduced,
89a ; Indian 5 per Cents.. 1041 1; do. 6 per Cent.
Enfaced Paper, 1044 106; and the Bonds, Bs. die.
In the Foreign Market there is a decidedly firmer
tone, and business is a little firmer. Turkish 6 per
Cents., 1862, are 69 ; do. Consolides, 50:- d ;
Mexican have been 44: a ; and are now 43k 440
Greek are 224 23 ; Spanish Passive, 34 ; do.
Certificates, 131 141.; Portuguese, 481 4 ; and the
Confederate Loan, 46 48.
Business in the Railway Share Market has been
moderately active, Great Western having improved
£1 155.; Lancashire and Yorkshire, and London
and Blackwell, 10s.; and Great Northern, ss. ;
Great Northern A Stock, however, has declined
10s. ; North Western, and North Eastern (Ber-
wick), 10s.; and London and Brighton, 15s.

In the Foreign and Colonial undertakings there
is no material variation.

Bank and Miscellaneous shares exhibit little
change of importance. Credit Mobilier Shares are
quoted 21 prem.; Queensland Sheep, Ito 11
prem.; and Thames Iron Shipbuilding Company,
2i to 21 prem.

BRITISH FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
GOYERNMENT FUNDS.
3 per Cent. Consols
Ditto Account, March 5 914 it
3 per Cent. Reduced
New 3 per Cent
Annuities, 30 yrs, expire bth Jan., 1880 —
Ditto for 30 yrs, expire sth April, 1885 l4l
Ditto 3 per Cent.. 1859
Exchequer Bills, £l,OOO, 24 & 3 per Cent. 5 dig
Ditto £5OO
Bank England Stk, 4i per Ct., last hf.-yr 23Bi 9 71

INDIAN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
India Stock, 10} per Cent., April 1874....
Ditto Account • •
__ _

Ditto 5 per Cent. July, 1570
Ditto Account....
Ditto 4 per Cent., Oct, 1888 —
Ditto Enlaced Paper, 4 per Cent ..
Ditto 5 per Cent., Jan. 1872 .. 1041 6
Ditto 61 per Cent., May, 1879 —
Ditto Bonds LI,OOU —
Ditto under £1,000..
FOREIGN FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent —
Ditto 1859
Brazilian 5 per Cent
Ditto, 1839 and 1859

Ditto'4l per Cent., 1852-58-60
Ditto 1863 B7j
Ditto Scrip, £55 paid
Buenos Ayres 6 per Cent —
Ditto Account
Ditto 2 per Cent.
Ditto Account
Ditto Deferred —
Cbilian 6 per Cent ... --
Ditto 4} pet Cent.
Colombian 6 Scrip £BO pd
Danish 3 per Cent., 1825
Equador New Consolidated, 1 per Cent —
Egyptian 7 per Cent lOO
Ditto, Second Issue
Greek 5 per Cent., 1824-5, ex-Coupons —
Ditto Account
..._.

Ditto Coupons —
Ditto Account —
Guatemala 5 per Cent.
Italian 5 per Cent.(Maremmana Railway)
Mexican 3 per Cent
Ditto Account 4ll i i 4 a 1
Moorish Imperial 5 per Cent
Now Granada
New 21 per Cent. Jan. 1894
Peruvian 41 per Cent ..
Ditto Account
Ditto 3 per Cent.
Ditto 41 por Cent., 1862
Ditto Account B6/ i 6 1
Ditto 11 per Cent
Piedmontese, 5 per Cent., Ex. 25f —
~oDitto Scrip (1863) £42 Bs. 3c1.. paid — pm
I.- rtuguese 3 per Cent., 1853
Onto Account —
Ditto 3 per Cent., 1856 '7 '9, '6O, 62,'3
Ditto Account
RlAFtjan 5 per Cent., 1822, £ St
Ditto 41 per Cent 1850 9O
Ditto 5
Sard,,v__ per Cent, 1862
~ tan o per Cent
-L'itto Account
Spanish
Ditto 3Ac per Cent
count
Ditto Zferred 524
Ditto
ecoevrip_
pia° pavn:Le ............. *
Sp li)ni Ditto
ACce4ert.4 'O' ft .... ****************** *********** 351
not funded Ditto Account,,....
Turkish 6 per Cent. . igii ---
Ditto Account.
Ditto 6 per Cent. 1858 -
oit
to Accourito.L..B
......... ....
6it Ditto £lOO B
Ditto 6 per Cent. 1862
Ditto Account ...........
Ditto, £lOO Bonds
hitt° Guaranteed, •4 per Cent.
Venezuela 3 per Cent.
•
Ditto Account .....................
Ditto 6 per Cent., 1862
Ditto Account
Dividends on the above payable in Load nn,
Italian, 5 per Cent., 1861, Ex. 25 francs
Ditto Account 664
Peruvian Dollar Bonds, 41 per Ct. Ex. 4s.
TWO O 'CLOCK.
Consols Money
Ditto Account ..