The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-19 00:00:00

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The royal mail steam-ship Asia, from Boston on
the 7th instant, and Halifax on the 9th, arrived at
Queenstown at 4.30 a.m. yesterday with 64 passen•
gers and 30,816 dols. in species She landed 79 sacks
of mails, and two passengers, and proceeded at 5
a.m. All well. The Asia experienced four days'
strong easterly winds during her passage.

(Per the. Asia via Crookhaven.)
NEW YORK, DEC. 6, Evening.

Congress assembled at Washington yesterday,
President Lincoln's message says an attempt to
negotiate with Davis would not result, in any good,
He would only accept disunion, which the North
will not grant. The Southern people can have
peace by laying down their arms and submitting
to the national authority. lie retracts nothing here-
tofore said on slavery, and will not modify the
emancipation proclamation, The North will cease
the war whenever it shall have ceased on the part
of those who began it. He recommends the passing
of a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery
throughout the United States. President Lincoln
says the North could continue the war indefinitely
as far as providing men is concerned. Her material
and resources are more abundant than ever. The
national resources are inexhaustible, and believed
to be inexhaustible.

In consequence of the depredations committed on
the Canadian frontier, notice has been given to
Great Britain that, after the expiration of six
months, the United States must hold themselves
at liberty to increase their naval armament upon
lakes, if necessary.
Unforeseen political difficulties have arisen in
British and Brazilian ports and the Northern boun-
dary of the United States, which will continue to
require the practice of constant vigilance and a
just conciliatory spirit on the part of the United
States and the nations concerned.
Mexico continues to be the theatre of civil war.
Oar political relations with that country have un-
dergone no change. The United States have main-
tained a neutrality between the belligerents.

President Lincoln recommends Congress to pro•
vide that a limited amount of some future issue of
public, securities might be held by bona fide pur,-
cilasers free from taxation and seizure for debt.

The public debt on the let of July last was
1,700,000,000 dole. The customs receipts during
the year amount to 102,000,000 dols., the internal
revenue to 109,000,000 dole., and the proceeds of
loans to 623,000,000 dole. The aggregate expenses
of the year amounted to 865,000,000 dols.

FURTHER DETAILS,
NEW YORK, DEC. 6.

Referring to the recognition of the Confederates
as belligerents, President Lincoln says ;—" It is
possible that if it were a new and open question,
,the maritime powers, with the light they now
enjoy, would not concede the privileges of naval
belligerents to the insurgents in the United States,
destitute as they are, and always have been, equally
of ships, ports, and harbours. Disloyal emissaries
have been neither less assiduous nor more successful
during last year than they were before that tima
in their eff )rts, under that privilege, to embroil our
country in foreign wars. The desire and determi-
nation of the maritime States to defeat that design
are believed to be as sincere es, and cannot be more
earnest than, our own.''

Referring to the war Mr Lincoln says :—" Since
our last annual meeting all the important lines and
positions then occupied by our forces have been
maintained, and cur armies have steadily advanced,
liberating the regions left in their tear, so that
Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of other
States have produced reasonably fair crops. The
most remarkable feature in the military operations
of the year is Sherman's attemp`ed march of 300
miles directly through the insurgent region. The
result not yet being known, conjecture in regard to
it shall not be indulged.'

Alluding to the State organisation, Mr Lincoln
says :—" Maryland presents an example of corn
plate success. She is secure to liberty and the
Union for the future. The genius of the rebellion
will no more claim her. Like another foul spirit
it has been driven out. It may seek to tear her,
but it will do no more."

On the growth of the country during the war
he says:—" While it is melancholy to reflect that
the war has filled so many graves and carried
sorrow to so many hearths, it is some relief to know
that, compared with the surviving, the fallen have
been so few, While corps, and divisions, and brie
gades, and regiments have foamed and fought, and
dwindled and gone out of existence, a great ma•
jority of men who composed them are still living,
and the material resources of the country are now
more complete and abundant than ever. The
national resources are unexhanated, and are be-
lieved to be inexhaustible. The public purpose is
to reestablish and maintain the national authority
which is unchanged, and believed to be unchange-
able. Between the Southerners and ourselves the
issue is distinct, simple, and inflexible. It is an
issue which can only be tried by war and decided by
victory. If we yield we are beaten. If the Southern
people fail their President, he is beaten. Either
way it 'would be victory and defeat following war.
What is true of him who heats the insurgents' cause
is not necessarily true of those who follow him.
Although he cannot reeaccept the Union, they can.
Some, we know, already desire peace and re-union.
They can at any moment have peace simply by lay-
ing down their arms and submitting to the
national authority under the constitution. After
so much the Government could not, if it would
maintain war against them. The loyal people
would not sustain or allow it. If questions should
remain, we would adjust them by peaceful mea-
sures of legislation, conference courts, and votes.
The executive power itself would be greatly dimie
niched by the cessation of the war. The actual
way of pardon and remissions of forfeiture, how-
ever, would still be within the executive control.
A year ago a general pardon and an amnesty were
offered upon specified terms, to all except certain
designated classes. It was at the same tiara made
known that the excepted classes were within the
c4templation of special clemency. During the
year many availed themselves of the general pro-
visions, and many others would do so only that
signs of bad faith in some led to such precautionary
measures as render a practical process less easy and
tees certain. During the same time also special par-
dons have been granted to individuals of the excepted
classes, and no voluntary action
has been denied.
Thus practically the door has been open to all.
It Li open, but a time may come, and ',roe
bably will come,w hen the public duty shall demand
that it he cloecd, and that in lieu thereof more rig.
GTOII3 measures than heretofore be adopted."

NEW YORK, DEC. G (Evening),
Breckenridge had retreated towards Virginia be-
fore Barbridge, who had reached Bean station.

Southern papers contain a report that the Federals
had retired from Cumberland Gap to Knoxville,
Sherman baying ordered East Tennessee to be dP•
vastated and abandoned.

Gen. Rosser reports that at New Creek, on the
Biltirnore and Ohio R ►ilroad, ha captured 8 guns

800 prisoners, and a large quantity of cattle, besides
destroying 200 waggons,
The Confederate Congress has passed a re solution
denouncing the seizure of the Florida, and declaring
that Brazil i■ bound to enforce tle restoration of
the vessel. Commissioners have been appointed to
confer with Brazil.

Thomas has concentrated his forces within Nash-
ville. Hood has captured a blockhouse four miles
from Nashville on the Chattanooga road, where he
was erecting breastworks within half-a-mile of those
of the Federals around the city.
Deserters report that Gen. Lee has published an
order claiming a Confederate victory at Franklin.
Southern papers think that Hood will not attack
Nashville, but penetrate Kentucky.or East Ten-
nessee.

Louisville despatches assert that Lord Lyons is
preparing to leave for England, on account of his
health.

The Southern press ridicules the idea of South.
erners attempting to fire the city of New York.
The steamer North Stafford has been disabled off
Port Royal,
Federal transports from Savannah on the 30th
report that Sherman had occupied Millen; his ad.
vanced guard was within six miles of Savannah.
Southern papers do not confirm this.

The _Richmond Examiner of the 31 says, that the
report that Sherman had reached Millen is incor-
rect; the Federals were whipped, and their column
of relief completely beaten. If Sherman gets
through, which is doubtful, he will do so with the
loss of half his army.
Southern papers report that Wheeler had re-
pulsed Kilpatrick's cavalry with heavy loss on the
29th ult„ driving them toward Millen. On the
26th ult. the Federal cavalry were also repulsed at
Sandeville, and a small force unsuccessfully attacked
Macon on the 20th.

The Savannah Republican of the 30th reports
that Sherman Was still on the railroad beyond
Millen.

A Federal column left Port Royal on the 29th to
co-operate with him. Federal accounts represent
that they captured Pocelaligo Bridge, between
Savannah and Charleston. Southern accounts re.
present
.the Federals there as having been badly
whipped at Grahamsville, South Carolina, and
driven five miles, leaving their dead and wounded
behind, but the Federals still threatened Coosahat■
chie and another point on the railroad.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, DEC. 6 (Evening).
Gold, 2341. Exchange on London, 255 ; Paris,
2.81 to 2.131. Stocks slightly firmer. New York
Centrals, 1204 ; Illinois, 1291; Erie, 911; 5-20
Bends, 109.

NEW YORK, DEC. 7 (Morning).

The report of the Secretary of the Treasury says
that the expenses to be provided for during the
current year, including the interest of the public
debt, amount to 1,400,000,000 dols. The customs,
internal revenue, and the miscellaneous sources, are
estimated to produce 780,000,000 dots.; leaving a
balance of 620,000,000 dols. to be provided for.
Further measures reduce this increase of the public
debt during the current year to 482,000,000 dols.

It is estimated that the public debt on July 1,
1865, will be 2,223,000,000 dole. The expenditure
in the next fiscal year is estimated at 1,168,000,000
dols,, and the receipts at 396,000,000 dole. The
balance in the treasury is 350,000,000 dols., leaving
422,000,000 dole. to be provided for by loans.
Mr Fessenden is opposed to the negotiation of a
foreign loan, and will not resort to a further issue
of legal tender totes as long as the people support
the war by loans. The amount of interest payable

in gold by the Government is 56,000,000
dols. If the SUM required for the expenses
of the present fiscal year is raised upon gold
interest bearing bones, and the customs receipts do
not exceed the estimate of the first quarter, recourse
must be had for gold to some other sources of supply.
He thinks the Government shou'd rely upon secu-
rities bearing interest in currency convertible into
bonds with interest payable in gold.
NEW YORK, DEC. 8.
No military operations of importance are reported
from the army of the Potomac.

Confederate batteries maintain slow practice
against Dutch Gap Canal. This is supposed to be
for the purpose of getting effective range in anti.
cipation of an attempt being made by monitors to
pass up the river so soon as the canal is completed.
The Confederates represent the recent raids at
New Creek as an important success.

General Early reports that a force of his cavalry
under General Rosser surprised and captured Fort
Kelly, at New Creek, on the 28th ult. Rosser
afterwards captured Piedmont, and destroyed a
large amount of Federal stores, and all the Govern-
ment buildings. The prisoners and artillery were
all brought off, besides 1,015 horses and 1,000 head
of cattle. Rosser's entire loss was only five men.
The news from East Tennessee is conflicting.
Federal accounts represent that Gen. Burbridge,
when he evacuated Cumberland Gap, advanced
against Breckenridge, who was retiring towards
Western Virginia. Confederate accounts claim
that Breckenridge is master of the situation, and
that the Federals were retreating to Knoxville.
General Stephen Lee, in an order issued to his
troops, congratulates them on their victory over
the Federala at Franklin on the 30th ult., and com-
pliments them on their bravery and devotion: He
promises them that if they fight with equal valour
in future, Nashville, with its immeuse stores, will
soon be in their possession.

Later estimates of the casualties at Franklin
state the Federal loss at 1,500 men, and that of the
Confederates at from 3,000 to 5,000.
The .Richmond Xnquirer of Dec. 3 ridicules
the idea of the Confederate authorities having
had anything to do with the recent incendiary
attempts in New York. 'lt denounces the incen-
diaries as cowardly sneaks, who having deserted
their country are not above each work, and hopes
that General Dix will hang every one of them.
NEW YORK, DEC. 8 (Evening).
General Sherman's army has passed Millen, aiid
it is reported that his objective point is Darien.
Hood has been repulsed with the loss of six guns
in attacking a blockhouse near Murfreesboro. His
headquarters are six miles from Nashville.

The report of the Secretary of tho Treasury
(? Navy) admits the possibili►,y of completely block-
ading Wilmington.
Mr Chase has been appointed Chief Justice.
The steamer Bremen has returned to New York
disabled.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, DEC, 8 (Evening).

Money easy. Gold, 239 a. Exchange on Lon-
don, 2632. Exchange on Paris, 2,81 to 2.13 g.
Stocks slightly firmer. New York Centrals, 122 ;
Illinois, 1301 ; Erie, 941 ; 5.20 Bonds, 1081. Cot-
ton steady ; middling upland, 130. Flour slightly
firmer. Wheat good inquiry. Corn dull. Coffee
steady.
Sugar good inquiry. Molasses steady.
Petroleum--Crude, 49 ; refined, 71.

Sir R. Alcock has not been recalled, but has been
ordered to come home on leave of absence, in order to confer
with her Majesty's Government on the state 0 affairs in
Japan.