The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-13 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1863.

As plain a question as man could well ask was
asked last evening in the House of Commons by
Mr, HENNESSY. To this plain question, however,
the hon. and learned member found it utterly
impossible to obtain anything at all bearing the
faintest resemblance to a plain answer from her
Majesty's Government. Mr. HENNESSY'S inquiry
related to what is called Brigandage in Italy.
Certain glaring discrepancies, in regard to that
same vexed question of Italian Brigandage—dis-
crepancies observable in the correspondence re-
lating to it carried on some few months back by
Mr. ODo RUSSELL and General MONTEBELLO—
have long been matter of notoriety. Yet, notorious
though these discrepancies were from the moment
when that correspondence closed, they had come to
be almost as much forgotten as the exposure of
some miserable little political canard, or still more
of the all-believing gobemouche who had been
so over zealous in endeavouring to promul-
gate it —when, a few nights back, the
Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs recalled
the whole affair to the recollection of Parliament
by referring to a despatch, by quoting from a de-
spatch, received at the Foreign Office from that same
Mr. ODo RUSSELL. Now it was simply in relation
to this despatch, so quoted, so referred to Mr.
LAYARD, the Under Secretary of State, only the
other evening—it was purely in regard to
that despatch that Mr. HENNESSY last night
put his exceedingly plain question to the
noble lord at the head of the Government.
Whether—this is the pith and marrow of
the query, put with all courtesy, and yet at the
same time with all possible distinctness, by the hon.
and learned gentleman to the Prime Minister,
overnight, in the House of Commons—Whether has
that despatch, so referred to, been communicated to
the French Government ? Certainly the inquiry
thus put by Mr. HENNESSY to Lord PALMER-
STON, was legitimate enough and was compre-
hensible enough. Here was an official despatch
received at the Foreign-office—referred to, quoted
in the House of Commons by the representative
there of that department, that is by the Under-Se-
cretary of State ! It was a despatch going directly
counter to the statements put forth, distinctly and
categorically, by the French Commander-in-Chief
at Rome in an earlier and very well-known corre-
spondence—a correspondence the end of which was
to leave Mr. ODo RUSSELL entirely in the wrong,
and General DE MONTEBELLO entirely in the right.
Had this recent despatch—all of a sudden telling
quite another story—been communicated to
the French Imperial Government by her
Britannic MAJESTY'S Government ? It was a de-
spatch of sufficient importance to be referred to by
the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
in the British House of Commons. Having been
so referred to, by Mr. LAYARD, in that great assem-
bly, had it been previously, or simultaneously, or
subsequently communicated to the French Imperial
Government ? Such—to put it as plainly as possibly
can be—was the inquiry addressed last evening in
the House of Commons to Lord PALMERSTON by
Mr. HENNESSY.

Now, what is the tone, what is the mood, in which
this manly Statesman, this bold and poptear
Minister that we are all so proud of, rose to reply ?
Why, to begin with, Lord PALMERSTON actually
rises, immediately upon the putting to him of this
very simple inquiry, Lord PALMERSTON actually
rises in a spirit of petulance. " I cannot
see any object," he says quite fretfully, and really
more in the tone of Punch's Mr. NAGGLETON than
of England's Lord PALMERSTON, "I cannot see any
object in bringing into discussion what Mr. ODO
RUSSELL said and what General MONTEBELLO said,
except it is to establish bad relations between Mr.
ODo RUSSELL and the French officers at Rome."
Was ever objection more glaringly out of place,
or more simply ridiculous ? "What Mr. ODo
RUSSELL said and what General MONTEBELLO
said"—Mr. LAYARD has brought into discussion,
namely, by referring, only the other evening, to the
former gentleman's despatch. Upon Mr. LA-YARD,
and not upon Mr. HENNESSY, let Lord PALMER-
STON turn with this unwonted petulance. What
was sufficiently important to be quoted in the
House of Commons—must surely have been suffi
ciently important also to lay upon the table of that
House, as thought Lord JOHN MANNERS!—and to
transmit in courtesy to the French Imperial
Government, as thought Mr. HENNESSY! Namely,
this mysterious despatch recenry received at
the Foreign office from Mr. ODO RUSSELL. In his
former despatch Mr. ODO RUSSELL was declared
afterwards to have been avowedly in the wrong—
he himself acknowledged as much. Now he
declares himself—in this quoted but otherwise
unrevealed despatch—to be as distinctly in the
right. May he not here again turn out to
have been mistaken ? The doubt that it may
be so, rises to mind all the more naturally,
almost inevitably, from the feet of this mystical de-
-5P ata being only referred to, instead of being at
once frankly printed, laid upon the table of the
and
House of Commons manfully communicated to
the EmperorNAPOLEON'S Government. Far from
doing anything of which kind, however, Lord

PALMERSTON actually condescends to hint and in-
sinuate statements similar to those previously put
forth by Mr. ODo RUSSELL, and afterwards re-
tracted by him.
It is hardly conceivable how a great States-
man like Lord PALMERSTON could permit
himself (he the Prime Minister of England !)
to utter words of mere shadowy hint and insinua-
tion like those we have italicised in the following
fragment excerpted from his speech last evening in
answer to Mr.HENNESSY. "If anything of the kind
has passed since [he is referring to these supposititious
red-legged Brigands]—and 1 am afraid it has—
[not a word of proof does he utter !]—it only shows
that the agents whom General MONTEBELLO has
employed have not been as watchful as he had ex-
pected they would be. But this I say, that at the
present time Rome being governed by a French gar-
rison, and the POPE being only a puppet in their
hands, it rests with the French garrison to prevent
these transactions, to prevent the committee which
I believe is sitting—if lam asked on what autho-
rity I make that statement, I can say that from in-
formation I believe it [! ! !]—to prevent that com-
mittee from continuing the organised system of
sending bands, either armed before they set
out, or armed after they get there, to commit
outrages in the Italian territory. We have
been told [!]—on information which I hope is
not correct [!!!]—that a great expedition is contem-
plated to take place during this month of May."
Was there ever before an indictment so raised
against a Foreign Government by a Prime Minister
of England ! " If" so and so has passed !—" And
I am afraid it has I "—" If I am asked upon what
authority I make this statement, I can only say that
from information I believe it "—" We have been
told" this, that, and the other !—Upon whose
authority ? —Well, "on information " that,
for the sake of the credit of the Go-
vernment we are thus darkly aspersing by these
kind of stabs in the back, in the way of sinister im-
putation upon imputation—" on information" that,
for the sake of the credit of the Government we are
thus stabbing in the back and in the dark, we hope
is not correct ! Blows like these are unworthy of
falling from the hand of Lord PALMERSTON. So
administered, they are discreditable to the reputa-
tion of the English Government.

In the House of Commons last evening Mr.
SEYMOUR brought forward a motion of some im-
portance, which, although producing no immedi-
ately practical effect, is yet likely to be useful by
opening a discussion on matters too little regarded.
It is not surprising that the debate should have
arrived at no decided conclusion, when we remem-
ber that the' head of the department attacked has
always been famous for his obstructive qualities,
from the days when our witty friend Punch repre-
sented the state coach at a standstill from the im-
pediments offered to its progress by the wood pave-
ments. According to the Indian Secretary's own
showing, however, we have been doing him grevons
injustice, and it will doubtless be highly satisfac-
tory to all concerned in the development of Indian
resources and the resuscitation of our cotton trade,
to learn that Sir CHARLES WOOD has always given
every encouragement to British settlers in that
country, and has endeavoured by every means in
his power to promote the cultivation of cotton.
Those who remember his speech at Halifax in the
recess will hear these declarations with some
astonishment, but the right hon. baronet is not
the first orator who has found that the same
discourses will not do for the platform, and
the green benches. Mr. SE'YMOITR'S motion was to
the effect that " the occupation of waste lands in
India by settlers, and the redemption of a portion
of the land tax of India, were desirable objects
especially with a view to the present state of the
cotton industry in this country ; and that it was ex-
pedient that her MAJESTY'S Government show d
take further steps to carry it out." In support of
it, the hon, gentleman made an able speech setting
forward clearly the evils of the land tax, and show-
ing the wide tracts of fertile land which are wait-
ing the hand of the cultivator. After commenting
on the prominent position assumed by this tax in
the finances of India, a position wi.icn it could only
have acquired in a primitive and uncultivated
country, Mr. SEYMOUR declared that it now ex-
ceeded the limit allowed by Hindoo laws; it dried
up the other sources of revenue, checked improve.
ments, and necessitated an enormous expenditure
upon public works. He further showed that the
revenue would not he likely to suffer by a change.
citing results of a comparison between Madras and
Bengal, which proved that in proportion to the
decrease in the land tax was the produce of other
taxes. The hon. member also enlarged upon the
beneficial effects of enabling the people to buy their
own land—a plan which has long since been sug-
gested by men of ability and experience as the means
best qualified to secure their contentment and prospe-
rity. The property now hidden or buried would be
cheerfully brought forward, the prospect of compa-
rative independence for their families would check
the terrible crime of infanticide now so common, and
would open the way to civilisation and national
progress. With regnrd to the second branch of his
subject, one which at this moment concerns England
as nearly as India, Mr. SEYMOUR had much to say.
After paying that testimony to the able statesman-
ship of Lord STANLEY which all friends of India
are so willing to accord, he quoted the opinions of
many eminent authorities in support of his views.

"The Secretary of State," he said, "would perhaps, tell
him there were no waste lands in India. A glance at the
map of India, with its vast unsurveyed and unexplored
regions, would prove the contrary. Mr. Temple, the Chief
Commissioner of the Central Provinces, and his subordi-
nate officers, bore testimony that such lands existed in
abundance. Much of this land was most suitable for the
European settler, because it gradually rose in height as it
receded from the coast, until it came upon a vast plateau,
edged by the Godavery, which had its source in Bombay,
and flowed across to the Gulf of Bengal. Mr. TEMPLE
spoke of one district alone of this country as extending
25,000 square miles, Mr. LAING was of opinion that
overone-third of India was waste. Besides the 25,000 square
miles above alluded to, there were other tracts of surpassing
fertility, the cultivation of which had been neglected. In
the Terai, at the foot of the Himalayas, there were 400 or
500 miles of the richest land in all India, and bearing traces
of ancient cultivation. No doubt it was insalubrious, but
its fertility was very remarkable. A gentleman who applied
to the India Board on the subject of irrigation works in
Scinde, and who went to the country to make his calcu-
lations, estimated that 20,000,000 acres in Scinde might be
irrigated at ls. per acre if proper works were erected. In
the Punjaub, also, he calculated that there were 47,000,000
acres, only 14,000,000 of which were assessed. He thought
he had said en ugh to show that there was quite a sufficient
extent of waste land in India to afford a field to any num-
ber of European settlers who might go to that country."
Mr. SEYMOUR placed
in very strong con-
trast the system followed at the India Office
i
by its late head and by its present chief. Lord
STANLEY had given every facility to the purchase
of land by Europeans, and had specially declared it
was most important that the question of price should
be so regulated that a person in London might know
how much he should have to pay for his land on
his arrival. We do not wonder that Mr. SEYMOUR
expressed a doubt as to whether such information
were readily given at the India Office to intending
settlers. Another very serious evil in the present
method is, that every piece of land must be set up to
auction, whereas Lord CANNING
provided very
sensibly that there should only be an auction when

there were several applicants. According to the
system pursued, a man may select a piece of land
after much labour and consideration, and then see
it taken from him by a speculator who has been
waiting to profit by his superior knowledge or en-
terprise. It is not surprising that whereas, under
Lord CANNING'S rule, thousands of acres were ap-
plied for, under Sir :C. k.WOOD'S improvements
there has not been a single application. Lord
STANLEY spoke on this point with his usual fair-
ness and good sense. He said that one great objec-
tion to the auction system was the necessary survey,
which practically limited the sales, and postponed
the sale of waste lands almost indefinitely. " It,"
said the noble lord, "in a certain district there were
European settlers, and water communication or
railway communication opened or in process of
being opened, the auction principle might be fairly
worked ; but this would not apply to one-tenth of
these lands; and with regard to the other nine-
tenths, notwithstanding the disadvantages which
certainly attended such a plan, he thought it would,
on the whole, be better that the first bidder should
have them at a fixed low price. No doubt the first
comer would then have an advantage ; but, after
all, he was the pioneer, he was the discoverer, and
this advantage should hardly be grudged him." It
is a very great mistake to suppose that the only
profit the Government gains from industrious and
enterprising settlers is the money they pay for
their land. Such a narrow and shortsighted policy
brings its own punishment—it cramps the energies
of our capitalists and workers, it retards the cul-
tivation of the couatry and lets trade stagnate
for want of free development. The fetters with
which we have weighted India are heavy enough
to make us wonder that the country is in no worse
condition. Mr. SEYMOUR referred to a case where
a tract of land of 16,000 acres was lying idle, but
was refused to some gentlemen of commercial stand-
ing in this country, owing to the express inter-
ference of the Indian Government, A gentleman
Laving pointed out the vast tracts of country lying
idle and ownErless in the valleys of the Godavery
and other rivers, proposed certain rules and an up-
set price, which would, he thought, bring over
British settlers. According to Mr. SEYMOUR
these rules were disallowed, and higher prices and
more restrictive conditions enforced. Had these
wide and fertile lands been opened to English en-
terprise and capital a few years back, we might
now see a thriving population occupied in their cul-
tivation, and our idle mills and silent machinery
might not be witnessing the desolation of Lanca •
shire. We refer the reader to the Indian Secretary's
own speech for the arguments by which he endea-
voured to prove himself in the right. But the im-
portance he evidently attaches to the price received
for the land forbids us to hope for much extension
of his views. An enlightened and liberal policy is
certainly not to be expected from him, and until
we see some more competent statesman put at the
head of affairs, the fortunes of our finest colony
must languish and suffer.

Nothing could be more inopportune than the con•
duct of M. BISMARK at present. For some time
past he has conducted himself in the most extra-
ordinary manner, and violated all the principles
of the constitution, but his last exploit is enough
to astonish any one. For some reason best known
to himself he has taken dire offence against the
Chamber, and now threatens to withhold the light
of his countenance altogether from the deputies.
We are informed that at the sitting of the Cham-
ber of Deputies the other day the President read
letter signed by the Ministers, stating that so
long as the House supports the assumption made
by the President of a right to limit the Ministers'
freedom of speech, the members of the Cabinet
should no longer be present at the sittings of the
Chamber. This is almost as strange a proceeding
as ever took place in a constitutional country, and
the Ministers are quite determined to carry out their
threat to the fullest extent. Hence we hear
that when the committee which is appointed to
decide the rights of the disputed point summoned
before them the Ministers, Herr von BISMARK de-
dined for himself and his colleagues to appear before
the Assembly. It might not have been convenient
to answer some of the queries that would have been
but, bat at the same time what an affront to put on
a body of representatives, and what an insult to the
principles of constitutional representation. The
demand of the Ministers is simply this, that they
require a declaration " that the House has no dis-
ciplinary authority over the members of their body."
Allowing for the sake of argument that this conces-
sion is mace, what becomes of free discussion, and
where is the benefit of the Chambers sitting at all ?
The chief advantage that is gained from a fair field
and free discussion is that the general enunciation
of popular views should control and direct the par-
ticular aims and contracted tendencies that any
class of men are apt to fall into, and especially those
who are exposed to the temptations of power, and
placed in the dangerous position of authority.
Now if the members of the Assembly must speak
with bated breath, and refrain from making any re.
marks that may prove unwelcome to the Mini-
sters, whose actions they are there to criticise,
and whose measures they must analyse sad dis-
cuss to decide and discover if they are likely
to prove beneficial or detrimental to the
interests of the country. What avail is it that they
came there at all ; it would be a mockery and a de-
lusion, it would be a farce to call it legislation, they
would be stultifying themselves and feeling the
mortifying conviction that they were dishonouring
their country and disappointing the hopes and ex-
pectations of those who sent them to that high tri-
bunal to do their best in the light of day and before
the face of men, without fear or reproach, to watch
over the interests, and vindicate the rights, of that
country among whose sons they were proud to en-
rol themselves. It would appear, indeed, that the
divine right claimed by the Sovereign has been im-
parted to his Ministers, who seem resolved hence-
forth to give no man an account of their steward-
ship, but to follow the dictates of their own con-
venience, and snit the caprices of their mistaken
master. We have all heard of the admirable de-
scription of the dangers of coming too much in
contact with "vice"--

" That seen too oft, familiar with its face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace."

This will apply to the close alliance and constant
communications that have of late taken place be-
tween Russia and Prussia. M. BISMARK has
fought for the convention that doomed unhappy
Polish exiles to destruction with a zeal and energy
worthy of a better cause, and now he seems determined
to mould the constitution and enforce the habits
of his own country, according to the similitude of
the land, whose worst features and most revolting
attributes he has so laboured to foster and encou-
rage. This last intelligence will fall like a thunder-
bolt on all true friends of Prussia. Whether it be
the nature of the country, who blush for their own
lawgivers, or the neighbouring States, or those who
look from afar on a struggle whose issue is near to
this
sad
d
their hearts, since it concerns the glorious and uni-
versal question of liberty, which makes the whole
world kin,
decadence,
allmen
aalike
wiltd co
agreencur in i
rmourningtheir
r burning
indignation at such tyrannical assumption and
unworthy conduct. But the sympathy of other

States will not remedy the evil that is engendered
at home, and such an affront as this calls for instant
redress. If M. BIsMARK persists in his extraordi-
nary demand, let the Chambers reply with a firm
refusal; let them be bold and firm, and while they
abstain from spreading more confusion where dis-
order is already rife, let the cause of their coun
try's independence be the paramount object of their
exertions, and to raise up again their trampled
rights the aim of their unflagging efforts. The
present emergency calls for action ; and if the KING
and his Ministers see a determined line of action
they may be persuaded to withdraw from the false
position that they have taken up, and be wise in
time, as many of their predecessors before them
have had to immolate their own peculiar ideas be-
fore the shrine of a nation's liberties. This crisis
in the affairs of Prussia will be eagerly watched
and minutely criticised; its issue must soon be
known. Let it not be said that the members of
the Chamber were waverers at their post, or de-
serters from their standard; they are put there to
maintain the rights of their fellow-subjects, and they
must do so with spirit, energy, and unflinching
fortitude, if they wish to have any longer Et country
that is worth defending, or compatriots who possess
any liberties that deserve the name.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(RETJTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
(Per Jura.)

NEW YORK, MAY 1, (Morning).

General Hooker's whole army is moving. A por-
tion of the army crossed the Rappahannock at
Kelly's Ford, above Fredericksburg, on Monday
last, and captured the Confederate pickets. Gen.
Hooker sent out skirmishers, but found no enemy.
Since that time the remainder of the army has bet n
crossing at three other fords above and below
Fredericksburg, and it is supposed that the whole
army is now across the Rappahannock. The Con-
federates are reported to have been everywhere
surprised, and to have offered no serious resistance
to the passage of the army at any point. The
Federals have captured from 300 to 500 prisoners.

Prisoners state that Stonewall Jackson commands
the right wing of the Confederate army.
General Banks has seized the Opelousas Railroad
and communicated with Admit al Farragut above
Port Hudson. During his expedition to Opelousas
General Banks is reported to have captured large
amounts of stores, cotton, and ammunition, with
numerous prisoners, who are said to be arriving
at New Orleans at the rate of 500 a day.
The Confederates in Tennessee have advanced to
Beech Grove, nine hours' march from Murfrees-
boro', but it is not supposed they will risk an
attack on Murfreesboro', which is strongly for
tified.

No confirmation of the shooting of General Bragg
by Breckenridge has been received.
After a severe engagement, in which they lost
100 men, the Federals have driven the Confederates
out of Tuscumbia, Alabama, whence the latter had
been making troublesome raids iu the vicinity of
of the Tennessee River.

One regiment of Confederate General Marma.
duke's forces in Missouri is reported to have been
surprised by the Federals three miles west of Jack-
son, and the entire regiment, with horses and camp
equipage, captured.

The Federals were still pursuing the main body
of General Marmaduke's army, which had attacked
Cape Girardegu, and was retreating with consider-
able captured booty. General Marmaduke's object
in dividing his forces appears to have been mainly
to obtain supplies.
General Price is said to be at Little Rock, Ar-
kansas, with 8,000 troops, preparing for the cam-
paign in Missouri.
The Confederate Secretary of War has visited
Charleston, and expressed himself satisfied with the
arrangements.

The New York Herald says that General Hooker's
declarations befcre the War Committee attributing
the failures of Burnside and M'Clellan to incapacity,
place him in an extraordinary position of respon-
sibility, and he has now no alternative before him
but death or victory—death in the field or death to
his military reputation. He has voluntarily set
himself up as superior to IVl'Clellan and Burnside,
and he must make good his pretensions or sink
into irretrievable disgrace.

The New York Times hopes that if General
Hooker fails the nation has acquired sense enough
to dismiss him to obscurity without wrangling for
half a year.

The story that a telegraphic cable had been dis-
covered by which information was conveyed across
the Rappahannock from the Federal to the Confe-
derate camp has proved a canard.

The Richmond Inquirer of the 20th, says there
is some reason to believe that General Hooker is
changing his base of operations from Fredericks-
burg to the peninsula, and would not be surprised
if the Federals were found ascending York River.
Skirmishing along the Upper Rappahannock will
not alter his purpose, as this may be undertaken to
ascertain the presence of the Confederate army, as
well as to make General Lee believe that a real ad-
vance from Fredericksburg is intended, but the
Inquirer thinks General Hooker cherishes an idea
that by leaving a strong corps well fortified at
Fredericksburg, and moving his army to White
House, he will compel Lee to fall back to Rich-
mond.

The Mobile Register says that Fort Pemberton
is now the key of the MiEsissippi Valley, and
should be held at all hszards. It is said to be a
line of breastworks composed of cotton bales and
mud, running across from the Yazoo to the Talla-
hatchie rivers. The light rests upon the Talla-
hatchie and the left upon the Yazoo, the distance
across in a straight line not exceeding 250 yards.
General Loring, a very skilful officer, commands at
Fort Pemberton.

The San Francisco correspondent of the New
York Herald says

" Much is spoken about conspiracies to take Cali-
fornia out of the Union. The natives of Southern
States are spoken of as active parties in this affair ;
but Northern men, feeling the weight of heavy
taxation, are the men who secretly harbour the
project of a Pacific Republic. It California ever
throws off the Federal control, it will be the work
of Northern men, who will refuse to pay crushing
taxation or to regard the conscription laws. A
significant fact is, that the Federal War Depart.
ment assumes the duty of defending California,
thus postponing the bill before the California 141
gisldture, which, if passed, would have put into the
hands of the people arms and olaer munitions of
war.

"The Federal Government has purchased a large
fleet of steamships at San Francisco for the coast
and harbour service, which are to be immediately
fitted out for active service.
" The authorities have warned large dealers in
arms and ammunition not to sell cannon without
first informing them."
Secretary Chase has left New York for Boston,
and will afterwards visit the Western cities. It is

stated he will not offer a foreign loan, and that the
alleged departure of agents for Europe for this pur-
pose is unfounded.
The Polish Committee of New York has issued an
appeal to the American people for aid. The New
York _Herald urges the people not to contribute, as
Russia is the only country showing sympathy with
the North, and such proceedings would be certain
to destroy the cordial relations existing between
the two countries.

The property of Doctor Boyle in Washington,
valued at 50,000 dollars, is to be sold under the
Confiscation Act. Doctor Boyle is Provost-Mar-
shal in the Southern States.

The Mexican Minister has left Washington for
Mexico. The legation will be closed during his

absence.

Judge Connor, of Toronto, is dead.
Several regiments from the seat of war have ar.
rived at New Yolk, and have received an enthu
siastic welcome from the populace.

The steamers Alice and Nita arrived from Mobile
on the 19th April, and several other small craft
have arrived from the South, all with cotton.
Four Confederate schooners left Havana for Ma-
tamoras on the 20th April.
The barque Lysander, which has arrived at Bos-
ton, reports that on the 10th, while standing in
towards Colorado Reef, she saw a burning vessel,
supposed to be a privateer. Upon the 12th she
was overhauled by a privateer schooner, and ordered
to send a boat alongside, but the captain of the
Lysander refused, and ordered the crew to arm
themselves. The privateer, seeing an armed crew,
tacked the ship and left. This was in long. 83 45
deg., lat 23 18 deg.

NEW YORK, MAY 1, Evening.

The Federal army at Millikens Bend, above Vicks-
burg, received orders on the 24th ult. to march with

six days' rations.

Four Federal transports which attempted to pass
Vicksburg on the 23d were sunk, and two others
badly damaged.

Some Confederate rams were expected to come
down the L3ZOO to attack General Grant's position
at Carthals, above Vicksburg.

A man in Ohio has been sentenced to four
months' hard labour for expressing publicly his
sympathy with the Secessionists.

The Richmond Despatch says that there is a sys-
tem of communication between tha blockading fleet
off Charleston and the blockaded runners, which
bring in American goods or carry out cotton. This
is certain, from the fact that the only vessels cap-
tured are those freighted with stores for the Confe-
derate Government.

The City of Manchester has arrived out.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE

NEW YORK, MAY 1 (Evening).

Money abundant. Gold 501 prem. Exchange
166 to 166/. Stocks buoyant. New York Cen-
trals, 116: ; Illinois, 911 ; Erie, 845; Five per CAA.
United States Bonds, 96 ; Six per Cent. do., 1051.
Cotton dull. Flour 10c. lower. Wheat inactive.
Corn quiet. Provisions quiet. Coffee dull. Sugar
and molasses good inquiry.
NEW YORK, MAY 2, Afternoon.
There is a large Confederate force at Morgantown,
Western Virginia, on the Pennsylvania State line of
railway. They have repulsed Colonel Mulligan at
Fairmount, and destroyed the Baltimore and Ohio
bridges at Fairmount and Cheat River.

General CArter, with 5,000 men, crossed the
Cumberland River below Somerset, Kentucky, and
after a severe fight drove the Confederates out of

the town.

Th 3 Federals are making an active movement on
the Mubile Ohio Railroad, to break up Southern
railroad communication in Mississippi.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, MAY 2, AFTERNOON.

Money easy. Gold, 498 premium. Exchange,
166. Stocks dull. New York Central, 116-i ;
Illinois, 941 ; Erie, 84i ; Six per Ceut. United
States Bonds, 106.

The Jura takes out 9,000 dols. in specie.

MEXICO.

NEW YORK, MAY 2 (Morning.)

The New York journals state that Mexican news
received via San Francisco, says that the French
were driven out of Puebla on the 7th April. These
advises, however, are not credited.

Intelligence reeeived here from Vera Cruz, April
16, by way of H tvanna, states that, at that date,
the taking of Puebla was not known in Vera
Cruz. The battle was said to be becoming bloody,
and losses of consequence had occurred to Loth
parties.

PRUSSIA.
THE PRUSSIAN CHAMBER.
BERLIN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 13.

Ttie Committee for the Regulation of Business
has proposed to the House not to consent to the
demand expressed in the Ministerial letter of the
11th instant.

The party of progress has brought in the former
address of Htrr Virchow respecting the political
situation of the country. The Centre, upon the
other hand, wishes to await the settlement of the
dispute upon the question of competence.

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, MAY 13.

An Imperial decree has been published to-diy
stating that in order to throw into oblivion the re-
menihrance of the events which took place in
Transylvania in 1844, 1848, 1849, 1851, and 1853,
his Imperial Majesty is pleased to relieve those who
have passed their term of imprisonment for high
treason from any legal consequences of such im
prisonment.