The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-17 00:00:00

fore, while always keeping in view the ultimate con-
sequences of this most remarkable, and, I may say,
unprecedented struggle, I trust that the great results
which we all hope to arrive at will be eventually
reached, not perhaps immed'ately, not perhaps to-day
or to-morrow, or the next day, but ultimately, by
a steady perseverance in one course, which may
force the consent of all parties, and yet avert the
fearful consequences which he might naturally ap-
prehend. I am extremely gratified i n the assur-
ances which have been given by several gentlemen
with refpect to the state of popular feeling in Eng-
land on this subject. I have myself had occasion to
notice the fact that, although some of the exponents
of the public sentiment have apreared at times to be
exceedingly harsh upon the United States, yet that
when opportunity offered for an appeal to the people
themselves the sentiment has uniformly responded
to the policy which the United Stites Government
have enunciated. I am, therefore, encouraged to
hope that the clouds which have hitherto gathered
and at times somewhat portentously, over the ami-
cable relations of the two countries have now more
and more the appearance of vanishing from the sky.
I feel sanguine that the expression of sympathyfrom
here, which I have been lately the medium of re-
peatedly
.communicating to my countrymen, will
have the effect of clearing away many impressions
that may have been received by reading the attacks
of hostile journals, and taking them too much as
the true expression of the sentiment of the people.
I think, by understanding distinctly—which they
will now have the opportunity of doing—that the
policy of Great Britain is not retrograde on the sub-
ject of slavery, wherever it may yet exist, and that

it is true to the former pledges it so nobly gave to
the world of its devotion to the principle of human
freedom—the growing conviction of that fact will
have the effect in America of restoring those ami-
cable relations and reviving those warm sentiments
which ought to be entertained between the two
kindred :peoples at all times. Gentlemen, I shall
no longer detain you. I will just say that I shall
have pleasure in communicating tomy Government
a knowledge of the sentiments which have been ex
pressed here by you to-day.
The deputation then thanked his Excellency for
the courtesy with which he had received them, and
withdrew.

THE CHASE OF THE ALABAMA.

(From the Yew Yolk Times, Jan. 3.)

The failure of our naval vessels to capture the
Alabama before this time has caused the most er-
roneous impressions to prevail relative to the doings
of the navy department. The public has been so far
misled in this matter that it is only right to state
the facts of the case. Notwithstanding the still un-
checked success of Captain Semmes, it is beyond
contradiction that the history of the American, Eng-
lish, or French Navy furnishes no parallel for the
feats accomplished by our naval authorities in con-
nexion with the much dreaded pirate. In times of
peace we had six navy yards which were pretty
generally kept going, providing for the current
wants of the 40 men-of-war we used to have in com-
mission. When war came upon us Norfolk and Pensa-
cola were swept away, leaving onlyNewYork, Phila-
delphia, Boston, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire,
(Washington being an ordnance yard chiefly), avail.
able. And these have had to fit out a series of
squadrons in 15 months which could not be armed
elsewhere in the same time. We have pow over 60
vessels more in commission than in England,:and to
keep their wants supplied, to keep them repaired,
always relieved at the proper time, and to have ships
approaching completion as others wear out, is one
item of the daily work of the four navy yards
named. Besides doing it well time has been found
within the brief space of three months to equip a
fleet for the purpose of overhauling the Alabama,
which is now represented in every sea. In order
to estimate the extraordinary energy required to
accomplish this, it is only necessary to know that
not one vessel in 40 at Mr. Welles's command would

be worth anything for the business. The proper
ships had to be first picked out, and as they all need
great alterations, and as some of them were at the
furthest end of the blockade, time was required to
bring them home and put them in proper trim.
And now, after 12 weeks' work, the following fleet
is on the ocean, every vessel belonging to it a match
for the Alabama, save in speed, and several well
able to overhaul her.:--
Vessels. How long out. Screw or Paddle.
Chippewa
Dacotah
Juniata
liearsage Three weeks
Minnesota
Powhattan Some weeks .. Screw
Rhode Island Three weeks
Vanderbilt Five weeks Paddle

____
San Jacinto
Tuscarora
Canandaigua Some weeks..
Mohican Some weeks Screw
Fast steam frigate .. Under orders
Fast steam frigate .. Ready January 10
Fast steam gunboat.. Sails neat Wed.
...

Colorado

Ossipee Two weeks Screw
Sacrimento Under orders

As the armament or tonnage of these ships is not
given, it can convey no information to the enemy.
Some of the vessels named were not fitted out espe-
cially for the duty they are now believed to be en-
gaged in. Besides putting these craft in fighting
and chasing condition, the aforesaid four navy yards
have had to despatch the following vessels for cur-
rent blockade service, the neglect of which even the
capture of the Alabama would not atone for :

Vessels. Bate. Work done.
Alabama Purchased paddle ....Overhauled in
toto

A. Houghton ....Store ship Repaired
America Yacht America Almost rebuilt
Colorado 50-gun frigate Repaired in toto
Canandaigua Iron sloop
Dale
De Soto Paddle steamer Repaired
D Aylight .. Screw steamer Repaired
E. B. Hale Screw steamer Repaired
Florida Side-wheel steamer ..Repaired

Housatonic Screw sloop Fitted out
Iroquois Steam gunboat Thoroughly
overhauled
Lackawanna Steam frigate Finished
Massachusetts ....Troop ship,`Jransport Refitted
Midnight Bark ,.Refitted
Montgomery ......Screw steamer Repaired
Monticello .. Screw steamer Repaired
Maratanza . Screw steamer Repaired
Mahasha Paddle steamer Repaired
Monongahela ....Screw Finished
Monitor Iron-clad Overhauled
Magnolia Side-wheel steamer.... Repaired
Potomeka Screw steamer Repaired
Sagamore Screw stramer Finished
Shepherd Knapp.. Ship Repaired
Sonoma Paddlewheel Finished