The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-16 00:00:00

been elected United States Senator for New York.

Money tighter, Gold 55 per cent. premium. Exchange
on London, Bankers' bills 171. Stooks dull, New York
Centrals, 118 k ; Illinni. 01; Erie, 721. Cotton
Very firm, middling upland 89c.

Highly Important from Charleston.

NEW YORK, FEB. 4, MORNING.

The Richmond papers oontain Charleston despatches,
stating that two Confederate iron-clad gunboats, accom-
panied by three steamers, went out from Charleston at one
o'clock on the morning of the 31st ult., and attacked the
blockading squadron.
The engagement commenced at four o'clock.

The Confederate gunboats sunk the Federal gunboat
Mercedita, carrying 11 guns, and another Federal gunboat
whose name is unknown. They disabled the Federal
steamer Quaker City, but she escaped with the loss of one
wheel.

The Confederates also set four Federal vessels on fire.
The blockading fleet consisted of 13 vessels, with two
first-class frigates.

The Confederate gunboats returned to Charleston, where
they were received with immense enthusiasm.

Confederate Commander Ingraham officially reported
that the blockading fleet had gone out of sight.
General Beauregard then issued a proclamation that the
Confederate fleet had attacked the blockading squadron off
Charleston, and sunk, dispersed, or driven off, and out of
sight for the time, the entire hostile fleet. He, therefore,
formally declared that the blockade of Charleston by the
United States was raised by the superior force of the Con-
federates from and after Jan. 31.

General Beauregard further placed steamers at the dis
posal of the foreign Consuls to see for themselves that no
blockade existed; and, according to the Richmond papers,
the British Consul went on board the steamer Petrel five
miles beyond the usual achorage of the blockaders, but
could see nothing of them with glasses.
The Richmond papers state that the Foreign Consuls
have held a meeting at Charleston, and were unanimously
of opinion that the blockade had been legally raised.
Late on the evening of the 31st ult. four vessels of the
blockading squadron re-appeared, and on Feb. 1, tweaty
blockading vessels were off Charleston bar.

NEW YORK, FEB. 5, EVENING.

The Richmond paper asserts that the Confederate Secre-
tary of Sate has notifiel to the British and French Con-
suls that he has received official information of the opening
of the Charleston blockade.

The ichmond Despatch says :—" It is understood that
.)fficial notification having been given of the opening of the
ockade, it cannot be renewed by the Federals until 60
days' previous notice has been given to the neutral Govern •
ments." The same journal, does not think that Earl Rua'
sell will insist on any notification if the Federals restore
the blockade without notice, as Earl Russell has yielded to
all claims of the Federal Government on international
questions.

The Northern papers consider the Southern accounts of
the Charleston affair exaggerated. prepared specially for
Enropean circulation.
The New York World thinks there is no proof, because
no vessels were in sight for several hours on a very foggy
day, that the blockade was raised for a single instant.
The New York Herald has no apprehension that the
Confederates can establish legal grounds for what they
claim.
The New York Tribune says :_" If it be true that the
blockading fleet was driven off, or its operations disturbed
for a single day, the Federal Government should at ones
notify to the world the resumption of the blockade."
The New York Times, discussing the same subject, con-
siders the validity of the present blockade in no elOr
affected.
The Federal steamer New Ironsides was off Charleston
on the 3d inst.
General Forster's expedition from Beaufort is suPP°6ed
to number 70,000 men, and to be destined for an attack on
Charleston.
The Confederates have attacked Fort Donnelsont an
d
have captured one battery, which was_afterwards retaken'
by the Federals.
The Confederates are reported to have been repulsed W 1
considerable loss.
General Grant has arrived at Vicksburg. The work (11
the canal progresses.
TLe Confederates have planted a battery comma
theln lower end of the canal.
the Senate the resolutions denouncing Fren°4