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

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVE.NING, 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

not to have been committed, or will doubtless be
all set right. Time was when the unprovoked
asanit 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. He 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 bullying 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 rational 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 caee 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. The 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 is 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-

but unconditional surrender, the General promising
them their lives. It is said that they only intended

o parley so as to gain time for reinforcements, and

- - :
this rumour receives some confirmation from the

'act 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

,he part of our men was a most fortunate one, as it

saved further bloodsiled. 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
TEIOMPSON, the so called King, has addressed the
Governor, suing for peace on any terms. Sir G.
GREY refused to parley with him until General
CAXERON 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 the 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.

Mr. FITZGERALD deserves the thanks of the pub-
Lie for his able endeavours to bring before the

attention of the House the subject of the capture
of four British vessels by the Americans. In con•
sequence of the manner in which the question was
taken up by the Government, the hon. member

was obliged to withdraw his motion for the pro.

duction of the papers which related to these
cases, including the decisions of the American
Prize Courts. It is, however, very requisite that
these matters should be fully discussed, and the

public put in possession of the circumstances so
far as they have been ascertained to have taken

place. The most glaring instance of wrongdoing

and violation of international laws is in the case of
the Saxon, in which the mate, a British subject,

was shot by a Federal officer when unarmed end
unresisting. Mr. FITZGERALD very properly com-

mented strongly on this fact, and expatiated
on the great injury and injustice committed. He

said be could not " allude to this case withou

feelings of pain, amounting to indignation, be

cause thn result had been the murder of a British

subject, under the British flag, and in British

waters." All that has transpired relating to the

notice taken by her MAJESTY'S Government of
this disgraceful affair has been that they have in

timated to the Federal Government that if such a
thing really has happened they consider the Ame-
rican officer referred to ought to be put upon his
trial for murder. The general feeling of the House
was with Mr. FITZGERALD, when he declared
that such a representation was not sufficient, and
unworthy of the British Government. Well
might he assert that their language ought to be to
this effect—" We send to you the facts as they
have been proved in evidence, and if they
are correct we demand it as a right
that the officer shall be put upon his
trial, and receive the punishment due for his
offence." To this decisive language and straight-
forward exposition of policy, of caurse the ens wer
given by Ministers was lame and impotent as usual.
Nothing definite was stated at all, and the Attorney-
General remarked, that if the information in respect
to the Saxon is correct a most barbarous murder
was committed. but that he had no doubt that the
United States Government will hasten to make re-
paration for the injury. Is this the manner in
which a flagrant case of this kind should be treated P
Lord PALMERSTON, in his boastful remarks, referred
to the case of the Trent as proof that the Americans
were always ready to pay attention to our just
demands, and atone for injuries inflicted. Bat the
noble lord contrives very conveniently to forget
that the tone of our policy has materially altered of
late, and that if the English Government had con-
tented themselves with total inactivity of words and
actions, Messrs. MASON and SLIDELL would never
have been given up by their captors. The noble
lord showed his usual acuteness in putting forward
as a predecent the only instance in which his
Cabinet have shown any spirit of resistance, or dis-
played any effart at promptitude. That circum-
stance of the Trent took place at the outset of
this protracted and disastrous contest in America ;
and during all the complicated events that have
since occurred, and the many important points
for decision which have been brought before the
Government, no similar instance of energy has been
evinced to maintain our rights, protect our interests,
or vindicate our honour. In the face of all the
communications made by Mr. FITZGERALD, most
of which have already been patent to the public,
it is insulting to common sense, and a direct
abnegation of their position as defenders of
Brttish interests, for the Attorney-General to de-
clare, and for the P.,ime Minister to ratify his asser-
tion, that there is no reason to mistrust the equity
and independence of the tribunals of the United
States. Then the noble lord attempts to read a lec-
ture to those who had been presumptuous enough
to debate this subject at all by giving it as his
opinion that it is prejudicial to the good understand-
ing of the two Governments, which are on good
terms, to suggest doubts as to the perfect fairness
which characterises their proceedings. No one dis-
putes the datum laid down of the mutual under-
standing that exists between Governments, they
are too good terms for the honour of the English
name and the welfare of the English subject.
Things must have come to a pretty pass, and the
most exigent friendship can hardly wish for more
than that murder should be hushed up, supposed

LATEST INTELLIGENCE. Federal outposts at Bachelor's Creek have been
driven in by a Confederate force estimated at 15,000
LREUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] men. The Federals fell back, destroying their
camps. Simultaneously the Confederates advanced
on the south side of the 'E.-eat river, and were re-
pulsed. The Confederates were about to cut the
railroad between Newbern and Morehead city. The
Confederates captured an expedition of 80 men sent
by General Butler up the James River, and de-
stroyed an armed transport sent to rescue the
Federals.

AMERICA.
QUEENSTOWN, FEB. 15.
(Per the Canada, via Roche's Point.)
The Canada brings 74 passengers and 88,376 dols.
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.

Confederate Gen. Roddy has been driven south
of the Tennessee river with the loss of his trains.
A bill has been reported in the House of Repre-
sentatives, appropriating 529 million dollars for the
army expenses in the year ending June, 1865.
The Houses of Representatives has passed a re-
solution directing the Committee of Ways and
Means to inquire into the expediency of increas
ing the duties and taxes on foreign and domestic
articles of luxury, so as to produce an annual re-
venue of 350 millions. Also, a further resolution
restricting the Bank circulation to 300 millions, and
to issue 200 millions in bonds for the redemption of

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 South, and yet stiil
calling for such large forces.
Longstreet'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 WaS successful. The Federal retreat
into Knoxville was conducted with much loss and
confusion.

the currency.
The Senate has modified the Spirits Bill, in-
creasing the tax on whisky, after July and prior
to January next, to 70 cents—after January, to
80 cants. The duty on imported whisky after
July and prior to January is increased from 40
to 50 per cents, and after January to 60 cents.
The tax on whisky on hand is struck out, and the
additional tax of 11 cents on cotton is also struck

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

It is still asserted that the main body o
Sohnstoa's army has abandoned Dalton ; Hardee
reinforcing Mobile and the other portion rein-
forcing 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 Lae issued an order on the 22d ult., stat-
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 Camming'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 lieutenant-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 elec-
tion of State officers in Tennessee on March 5 No
disloyll persons can vote, and stringent oaths will
be exacted from voters.

The opposition press declare that the move
ments 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
tLe 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 Matamoras 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. Juarez is expected
at Matamoras.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, FEB. 2 (Evening).
(Per the Canada.)

Money easier. Gold 57,7,-, per cent. premium.
Exchange on London—Bankers' bills, 172 ; on
Paris, 3.20.
Stocks steady. New York Centrals, 132 ; Illi-
nois, 1261 ; Erie, 107 L-; 6 percent. U.S. bonds, 106.
Cotton steady. Middling upland, 821. Petro-
leum crude, 299 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 railroad 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-
-1 Mississippi department.
It is officially reported from Newbern that the