The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 16, 1863.

ROYAL ENGLISH
COVENT-GARDEN.
Under the Management of Miss Louisa Pyne and
Mr. W. Harrison.
THIS EVENING, for the 21st time,Balfe's new Opera,
BLANCH N; DE NEVERS : Miss Louisaa Fyne, Miss Anna
Hiles, Nfiss Emma Heywood; ss. Weiss
Harrison.
, H. Corri,
A. Cook, A. ut. Albyn, C. Lyall, J. Rouse, and W.
To conclude with the Second Act of THE DESERT
FLOWER.

Conductor, Mr. A. Mellon.
Doors open at half-past six—Commence at Seven.

TT RE ROYAL DRURY - LANE.
Managers, Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton.
TI--I
EVENING, her Majesty's Servants will perform
theT Farce of MY arIART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS:
characters by Mr. Neville, Mr. G. Weston, Mr. Warde,
lir. J. Harris ; Mrs. C. Melville, and Miss Harfleur.
Ater -which. Lord Byron's Choral Tragedy, MANFRED.
Messrs. helps, Ryder, Rayner, M"agreson, Ward, Spencer ;
Mies Ebtirne,Miss E. Atkinson, Miss Leclercq, and Mrs. E.
Falconer. Vocalists—Miss Poole, Miss latter, Miss Cicely
?Ott. Miss Hey-wood, and Mr. Swift.
Followed by BEAUTY OR THE BEAST. Principal cha-
racters by Messrs. Addison, G. F. Neville, Parrot, spencer,
and G. Weston; Mrs Edmund Falconer and Miss U. Leclerq.

TIIEATRE ROYAL HAY M ARKET.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.
T FITS EVENING, A GAME OF SPECULATION.
3,,iessrs. Chas. Mathews, Chippendale, W. Farren, Rogers„
Clark, Braid, Gordon, &e. ; Mesdames Fitzwilliam,
Griffith, &e.
Followed by THE GOLDEN FLEECE. Messrs. Charl,s
blathewi, Compton,Vireathersby,&e.; Mesdames C. Mathews,
L Keeley. Griffith, Src.
With COM. AS A CUCUMBER. Mr. C. Mathews.
And LITTLE DAISY.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAY.—Morning, sh. 57m.—Afternoon, 6h. 20m.
l'o-gox.Row.-Morning, 6h. 50m.—Afternoon, 7h. 12m.

The Weather—Sun Office, Dec. 16, 1863.

oPER A I tingT iished as Sergeant SIIEE has been excluded from
out Bench on religious grounds, we are very sorry
fav it, but we know of no such example." It would
in hardly fair, however, to imagine for one instant

th at in this evidence of religious toleration our
co entry occupies a wholely exceptional position
as aong the nations of Christendom.
While here, in England, Roman Catholics are
s till, as we have said, not unnaturally—nay, as
re would even say, are only reasonably—ex-
cluded since the period of the Reformation
from the possibility of becoming, any one of
' them, Lord High Chancellor of England, and,
Ls such, Keeper of the Conscience of the
English SOVEREIGN—what has been, more than
once, the noble, the magnificent liberality
the
Catholic France in regard to the religion of
occupant of the highest office of all in a monarchical
and constitutional Government? Why, it has been
so resplendent and conspicuous, this liberality, in
the way of religious toleration—that there, over
Catholic France, twice has a Protestant Prime
Minister held within his grasp the reins
of the Government ! M. NECKER, in the
of KING Louls XVI.,
reign immediately
anterior to the Great Revolution ! M. GUIZOT in the
reign of King Louis PHILIPPE, immediately before
the revolutionary outbreak in February ! Conceive
for a moment the tables turned ! Namely, by the
elevation even once (we will not say, as in the
two instances just particularized, upon two
separate occasions) imagine the elevation even
once of a Roman Catholic Prime Minister to
the head of the Government of Protestant England !
The
that, may
nation of any such appointment
as
may serve to realize all the more vividly
the exceeding liberality in regard to religious
toleration thus, upon two distinct and widely sepa-
rated occasions, manifested in Catholic France,
namely, when M. NECKER, towards the close of
the last century, and M. GUIZOT, towards the
middle of the present century, obtained the highest
appointment of all under the Crown—although
they were Protestants! Remembering which two
memorable historical facts, we may understand now
all the more readily that—while the appointment
of Mr. Sergeant SIIEE to the Bench, although that
learned and brilliant advocate is a Roman Catholic,
cannot but be matter for heartfelt satisfaction
amongst us; still, as affording thus on its part a
new display of religious toleration, our country
has been surpassed more than once in regard to
such evidences of liberality by the hitherto un-
paralleled magnanimity which twice led Catholic
France to place an illustrious Protestant Statesman,
now M. NECKER, now M. GUIZOT, at the head of
her Government.

If the general public do not form a correct con-
clusion respecting the tame and vacillating conduct
of Earl RUSSELL, it will be from no lack of oppor-
tunities of judging thereof. It is surprising to
notice haw many different reports and accounts
appear relating to the transactions that have
taken place between this country and the United
States Government. All concur in one testimony
that our Foreign Secretary has not comported
himself with befitting dignity, and exhibited
the proper spirit which should distinguish the
representative of a great Power. The case of the
Margaret and Jessie is a disgraceful one, and no
one who is qualified to judge from having studied
the actions of Earl RUSSELL from the commence-
ment of the American contest will hesitate to affirm
that, had the circumstances been different, the result
would have been otherwise. There is no doubt that
the Confederates would have come under a very
different law, and been compelled to make good the
claim of their opponents to the uttermost farthing.
This is not the way to settle affairs, and the day of
account must come, but no after censure or general
indignation can atone altogether for the injury
inflicted on the name and fame of our country in
regard to other nations. It is really quite
distressing to peruse one incident after another,
which all tend to demonstrate that for a party
purpose the honour of England is to be sacrificed,
and her very rights invaded. The decision of Earl
RUSSELL in answer to Captain WILSON is not only
an injustice to the Confederates, but an indignity
to Englishmen. It was a positive violation of esta-
blished custom to attack the ship when "within the
maritime territorial jurisdiction of her MAJESTY,"
it was a direct insult to our authority, and yet all
this is to be passed over because the Ministers find
it convenient so to do. It needed but a word from
Earl RUSSELL, and the Government of the United
States would have been compelled to make
the required restitution, and to perform
the act of justice which every right-judg-
ing and reasonable person would have desired
to see them do, but that word was not spoken.
Instead, we hear plenty of platitudes, high-sound-
ing phrases, and empty expressions. The Govern.
ment of her MAJESTY " are taking such steps as
they deem to be required for the honour and dignity
of this country." This is rather astounding intel-
ligence; and it must be admitted that the charge
which has been preferred against the noble lord for
his obstinacy in adhering to old notions in home
affairs, does not apply to his management of foreign
transactions. In this line he has certainly disco-
vered a novel mode of carrying on business. It
would have been very puzzling to the politicians of
the old regime to be told that the best way of
upholding the authority and vindicating the hon-
our of their country was to permit the grossest
insults to pass by unnoticed, aed to allow an arro-
gant Government to send out official bullies to spoil
our commerce, capture our vessels, and affront our
countrymen. This is zeal without profit, and forms
an exhibition of progress without much purpose. It
is really surprising that men of experience can con-
descend to such unworthy ends to gain a purpose.
The greatest gain in the way of power and influ-
enee soon comes to an end, short-lived are its days,
I brief its reputation • but not so with the cha-
racterof that statesman who consults his country's
honour,
and not his own advantage. Whether in
or out of
fame is
an emee,en
and shiftin his respect is sure, and his honoured
during heritage amid the transitory
g „
1:i ndours on the changing scene of
public life. 1
lo are
to be regretted that such
y r
seldom now cherished by our
public as pirationa
t
men. They dothemselvesJar
great wrong, and
_
making time-serving pu;es
on their country, by
their object, and all
future considerations yield to
present motives of
When Parliament
asembles the chief
u expediency.
discussion at first must be this deplorable
subject
state of affairs between the Araerlean Government
and our own ; are we to have a neutrality that is
nod
neutrality, that is capable of being shirt
changed in all directions to suit the convenieed and
changednce of
the moment. Every question that is referred to
ttrbitration stretches or shrinks till it is rendered
conformable to the fancy of the decider. There is
no immutable and irreversible law laid down to
whose dictates ail must conform, and whose impar-
tiality all must acknowledge, Whiln glaring in-
consistencies are rife, and most incongruous regu-
lations abound, it is idle to expect that men will
tamely submit to have their interests sacrificed and
their rights violated. It is long since the authority
of England was so set at nought as it has been since
the commencement of the civil war in America, and
yet we hear on all sides the partisans of the Govern-
ment are claiming credit for their skilful arrange-
, meats in this trying crisis, and at this important

pareedt
aton
p questionut
be calmly discussed, and a thisintve
juncture. It is high time thatthter
the world, and find it difficult to relieve our sullied
upon it, or else we shall lose caste before the eyes of
reputation. It is worthy of notice that France re-
ceives very different treatment at the hands of the
Federal authorities ; and why is this, but because it
is well known that her ruler and her people will
not pass over an affront. The sooner our policy in
this direction is changed in its tactics, and remo-
delled in accordance with the spirit of the brave
days of old, and not after the fashion of peace-
mongers, the better will it be for the interests of
the country and the satisfaction of all true patriots.
It is bad enough to make mistakes at home, but
the errors that are committed in regard to our deal
ings with foreign States are doubly to be regretted,
and their coneequences are most serious in every
resrect, as they complicate events and inflict
injuries on important interests.

The news from New Zealand, brought by the
newly arrived mail, is not altogether what we
could wish, although it is very much what might
have been expected. Our troops are feeling the
difficulty of contending with an enemy who fights
in a manner totally different from their own, and
the guerilla system of warfare which the Maories
carry on is very hareseing and troublesome to deal
with. The natives appear and disappear, they send
out wandering parties who destroy property, drive
off cattle, and shoot down any wayfarers. The out-
lying settlers, too, are almost certain victims to
these bands, who, when pursued, fall back upon
their wilds and generally elude detention. They
have all the quickness and facility of savage
tribes, and act on the principle common to un-
civilised nations, that all is fair in war, and that
to kill an unarmed man, or even child, that crosses
their path is part of the ordinary-duties of belliger-
ents. Added, however, to the various features of
the wild life of the woods, the Maories possess,
to an inconvenient degree, many of the resources of
modern warfare. They.know the use of fire arms,
and are tolerably expert with them ; they have a
good idea of intrenching themselves, and have
taken up a strongly fortified position at Mere-mere,
a place which is almost impregnable from the
wastes and morasses which surround it. Their re-
sources, too, are endless. Being short of ammunition,
they set their ingenious brains to work to provide
substitutes for bullets and caps. In place of the
former they substitute a number of little boys'
marbles, bought from them in the streets.
Their substitute for percussion caps is more curi-
ous, and shows that they have no lack of inven-
tion. They procured a quantity of eyelet holes
and wax matches, and out of the two compounded
caps by thrusting the head of the match into the
eyelet hole. Still these contrivances, even with
the aid of our spent balls, which are carefully
picked up, must come to an end at last, and
should they be compelled to abandon the use of
fire arms, their power to injure us will be very
much restricted. We have too good reason, at
present, to lament their expertness with fire arms
which has cost us many valuable lives. Mr.
ARMITAGE, a police magistrate, and one or two
other Europeans, were accompanying 14 or 15
friendly natives, who were escorting some stores of
provisions up to Camerontown in canoes. The
party, it seems, was suddenly fired upon from a
thick bush, which concealed a large body of natives.
Mr. ARMITAGE and the other Europeans were shot
simultaneously ; two of the natives with them were
killed, and all the stores together, with four canoes,
passed into the hands of the Maories. Elated by
this triumph they subsequently proceeded to set fire
to a pah of the friendly natives at Cameron-town.
On this a body of 60 men were despatched from the
town. They met a large party of natives, and a
sharp struggle ensued, ending, unfortunately, be.
sides casualties among the men, in one of our officers
being kilied and the other severely wounded•
Their place was, however, promptly supplied by one
of the non-commissioned officers, who took the lead
of the party, and succeeded in extricating them from
a very awkward and dangerous position. It will
be seen from these accounts how difficult and un-
certain is the work which our troops are called on
to perform, and how a decisive success is hard to
gain. The natives shrink from open fight, bat
take refuge in ambuscades and surprises, and the
other resources of bush fighting. General CAMERON
has therefore wisely determined to meet them on
their own ground, and has organised a flying
column, consisting of men who have some expe •
rience in the bush. Their office is to scour the
bush in detachments, and destroy marauding parties
of the enemy. Should this scheme prove success-
ful other flying columns will be established, and it
is to be hoped that this project will alter the most
troublesome and dangerous feature of the war. The
bravest men and best soldiers are no match for an
enemy behind a tree. Another important addition
to the defences of the settlers has been made in the
shape of a steam gunboat, built in Sydney for use
on the Waikato, or New Zealand rivers. She is
140 feet long and 20 broad, while her depth is only
8 feet. It is calculated that, laden with stores and
300 men, she will only draw 31 feat of water. it is
manifest that she will be of great service in pene-
trating the creeks,&c., in which the natives may hope
to conceal their canoes. She has two iron turrets,
eight feet high and twelve in diameter, pierced with
loopholes for rifles, and ports for Armstrongs. Be-
sides these means of attack she has perforated pipes
along her side from which jets of boiling water can
be poured upon her assailants. The Maories with
all their ingenuity will hardly match this enemy,
and we may hope she 'will do good service in check-
ing their operations on the river. No effort has
been spared by the Now Zealand Government to
obtain a good supply of mon, and their call has
been promptly responded to by her Australian
neighbour. The latest news bring us rumours of a
fight at Mere-Mere, the native stronghold, of which
the assault is not kncwn, but whatever its conse-
quences we fear the natives will long give us cause
to regret our having allowed them to obtain such
advantages from a mistaken notion of conciliation.

THE ERRATU.II.—About the middle of our first
Leading Article yesterday Midhurst was inadvertently
mentioned instead of Rochdale.

THE CRAWLEY SPARROW CLIII3.—The number of
members having become greatly reduced, only 16 the
other day sat down to dinner; and the winner of the first
prize could only vouch for 700 heads, a number that, in
past years, would stand no chance of a prize at all. So
the Crawley Sparrow Club has been declared defunct.

THE DIAMOND EXCIIANGE.—Very affable was
Mr. Marks, arswering all my questions in the
readiest manner. No ! he didn't consider it a full morn-
ing ; you see, the great diamond sale at Amsterdam was on
just now, and many of his frequenters were away at it.
Had any peat bargains been made that morning? Well,
there had been a set of diamonds brought in, which were
sold about ten o'clock for seventeen hundred pounds, and,
which up to the present time (it was now about twelve),
had been resold in the room nine times, and each time at a
Pthr°rilt‘ borne men had made two pounds profit, some
sold ' one as much as thirteen pounds---but each had re •
_ll,,i,spiamonds at a profit. " That's the vay vith our
musPtiht • said
Mr.
Marks ; " anything for a deal! Ye
tion--- havere-thaaidpeoatulhneaangthcLi:athdeeatlhveemme
day,
t for was
waasleemtlye
p•roflt. Latht veek had a thouthand Poundth. tranthac-
profit ? Fifty
Thrill, there vos profit;? No! Theven and thicpeth I
Loek here now" (pulling a hand-
ful of various coin, perha
eut:of his left hand
trotisera
Ps four Pounds fifteen in value,
" that'th vot I've
made on ray little tranatietioln°thekett
mitthion money, I- call
• 21_.c_ a mornin I Com-
' "n3'B " g
ties year
.Rovnd,'!.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
(Per the America.)

NEW YORK, DEC. 5 (Morning).
General Meade has abandoned the campaign,
and retreated to the north of the Rapidan.
Bragg has been superseded by Hardee, who is
preparing to assume the offensive.
Longstreet has been repulsed in an attack on
Knoxville.

President Lincoln's illness is said to be more
serious than was at first reported, his malady
having been small-pox.
Thirteen steamers ran the "Wilmington blockade
on the 19th ult.

The Confederates have made a reconnaissance
across the Rapidan, but have been driven back.

The Washington Star, an official organ, declares
that was a military failure. It
isrumoured that General Sedgwick will supersede
Meade's campaign
Meade.

Cumberland Gap despatches to the 3d inst. re-
port fighting to have taken placo at Walkersford,
two miles from the Gap, between Forster and
Longstreet's cavalry, The former, in attempting to
cross the Clinch river, were repulsed, with the loss
of 50 men, but captured four guns.

General Brg has been superseded by General
Hardee, who
to, resume the offensive
a: preparing
against Grant.
The Conservative. Union National Committee, at
a meeting held in Cincinnati, nominated. General
ellan for the next Presidency.

NEW YORK, DEC. 4 (Evening).
(Per the America.)

General Meade finding Lee's position on Mine
Run Valley too strong for assault, retreated on
Tuesday to the Rapidan. It is supposed that Meade
will go into winter quarters near Washington.
The publication of Grant's movements has been
forbidden.

General Joe Johnston has reinforced Bragg near
Dolton. The reported capture of 5,000 of Wheeler's
cavalry was untrue.

Longstreet assaulted Fort Saunders at Knoxville
on the 29th November, and was repulsed with con-
siderable loss. All was quiet at Knoxville on the
30th ult. Longstreet had been reinforced by two
divisions under Bushrod and Johnson. Foster had
reached Cumberland Gap.
Washington despatches state that Foster would
be able to inflict some damage on the rear of Long-
street, who was retreating into Virginia.

It
was expected that Sherman would reach
Knoxville on the 3d.
Despatches have been received from Charleston
to the Ist inst. Gilmore is throwing 20 shells per
diem into Charleston. The shelling of Fort Sumter
has been discontinued.

Meade's casualties during the late campaign are
estimated at a thousand men.

Southern accounts of this campaign represent
that in Friday's fight one Confederate division
drove French's corps several miles. On Thursday
Mostyn burnt Meade's headquarters, near Cul-
pepper. On Friday General Rosser made a raid in
Meade's rear, capturing some ammunition waggons
and horses.

Further details from Chattanooga report that
Hooker, previously to evacuating Ringold, fought a
battle on the 27th, in which two Ohio regiments suf-
fered severely. It is rumoured that Breckenridge
was killed. Bragg's report from Chickamauga,
dated November 25, says :—" After several success-
ful assaults on our lines, the enemy carried our left
centre about four o'clock today. The whole left
soon gave way in considerable disorder. The right
maintained its ground, repelling every attack."
Southern papers urge Braggs removal. They do
not doubt his patriotism, but people have no coufi-
dence in his ability.

The Confederates are reported to be stretched
along Little Missouri river preparing to attack
Fort Smith or Little Rock.

General Banks announces the occupation of
Brownsville, and says three revolutions have oc-
curred in Matamoras. The first was adverse to
the interests of Mexico and the United States.
Everything, however, is now as favourable as could
be desired.

The continual attacks on
thesteamers navigatingkeepup
the Mississippi.
Cnfeder

Strong abolition resolutions have been introduced
in the Missouri Legislature.

Senator Toombs has delivered an address to the
Georgia Legislation on the Southern situation. He
said there was cause for great anxiety but none
for despondency. He denounced the course the
Government took in carrying out the conscription,
and obtaining supplies.

The Russian fleet has arrived below Washington.
A large
eeeting has been held at New York to
raise volunteers. President Lincoln's illness con-
tinues. The America (Canadian steamer), Hibernia,
and Scotia have arrived out.

.-_._..-

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, DEC. 4.

Gold has fluctuated since Wednesday between
49 and 531, closing to-day at the latter quotation.
Money tight. Exchange on London, 167, 168 ;
Paris, 3.321. Stocks improving—New York Cen-
tral 1334, Illinois 118, Erie 106, Six per Cent.
United States Bonds 1071. Cotton very firm—
Midland Upland 79e. Flour steady. Wheat ad-
vancing. CJrn declining. Provisions good inquiry
Coffee quiet. Sugar very firm. Molasses quiet.
Petroleum very firm—Crude 26 to 27, refined 43
to 44.

NEW YORK, DEC. 5 (Morning).
Gold sli. Petroleum market excited, and prices
have advanced considerably—Croce 32c., re-
filled 40c.

THE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN QUESTION.
COPENHAGEN, DEC. 16.

Lord 'Vodehouse had an audience of the Presi-
dent of the Council of Ministers yesterday, and will
probably be received by the King to-day.
The Danish representative at the Federal Diet
has received orders to quit Frankfort as soon as the
Federal troops enter Holstein.

Numerous addresses have been received here
from Lauenburg, signed by the Mayor in the
name of the inhabitants, which declare that there
scarcely exists a country where the inhabitants live
better than in Lauenburg, under the Danish rule,
and that they do not wish to be withdrawn front
beneath the King's sceptre.
THE PRINCIPALITIES.

BUCHAREST, DEC. 16.

The draft of the address submitted to the Cham-
ber having been unfavourably received by the mem-
bers, the committee have withdrawn their original
draft and submitted another.

TUE SUEZ CANAL.

PARIS, DEC. 16.

The Moniteur of this morning publishes a despatch
frora Suez, dated yesterday, stating that the fresh-
weler canal is completed. 'The water was at three
:4eilotnetres distance from Suez. inhabitants of

the town had offered their congratulation to M. de

Lesseps inviting him to be present in Suez on the
day of the inauguration.
Their Majesties will return to Paris from Com-
piegne on Saturday.