The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-30 00:00:00

constitutional restraints, by its persistent efforts to
subvert the institutions of these States and the fero-

cious war which it is waging for that :purpose, has
more than realised the worst apprehensions of the
people, and fully justified their wisdom and fore-
aivi's'at in averting, by timely separation from the
I Union, the calamities which a longer continuance in
_ _

:t would have rendered inevitable; and whereas a

portion of the people of the United States have re-

cently manifested their disapproval of the war, of
the objects for which and the manner in which it is

conducted, and their desire for its speedy termina-
tion, and several foreign Powers, notably the Go-

vernment of France, have expressed a similar de-
sire—now, therefore, the Congress of the Confede-
rate States, deeply impressed with the conviction
that it is their duty to leave no means untried to

put an end to a contest injurious to the civilised
world and disastrous to the parties engaged, believ-
ing its prolongation can only tend to embitter and
perpetuate feelings of hostili; y between States which
however politically disunited must ever be connected
by identity of language and of religion, and by
the immutable laws of geographical amity and of

mutual demand and supply, deem the present time,
when there is a momentary pause in conflict, a

suitable one to utter the words of peace. The Senate
and House of Representatives of the Confederate

States do, therefore, resolve that they will cordially
co-operate with the Executive in any measures it
may adopt, consistent with the honour, the dignity,
and independence of these States, tending to a

speedy restoration of peace with all or with any o:

the States of the Federal Union."
The resolution was referred without debate to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Adviees from New Orleans of the Bth state
that Generals Banks and Grover had started for

Baton Rouge, to superintend the attack on Port
Hudson. A Confederate Major (Padros) had been

interred at New Orleans. His faueral was attended

by 3,000 Secessionists, half of whom were women.
The advices from Vicksburg are as follows :
" Cincinnati, March 16.
" A Vicksburg despatch says theYazoo Pass expe-
dition ht s captured 26 steamboats, 18 of which were

destroyed. The gunboats have arrived above Haines'
Bluff, and would soon commence the attack. Rumours
were rife of the evacuation of Vicksburg, and it
was supposed that the greater part of the rebel
force would go to Chattanoga, and endeavour to
overwhelm General Rosecrans. Gen. M'Clernand's
troops were compelled to embark for Milliken's
Bend, 16 miles above Vicksburg, owing to high
water. Recent operations at Lake Providence and
elsewhere resulted in ,inundating more than 100
miles of Louisiana territory, destroying millions of
dollars worth of property. The guerillas were com-
pletely drowned out. A refugee from Georgia, who
arrived at Murfreesborough yesterday, reports ter-
rible destitution in Northern Alabama and Georgia.
Ellet's brigade arrived at Cain on Saturday. The
Commercial's Murfreesborough despatch says Col.
Minty returned on Saturday from a seven days' suc-
cessful scout through the enemy's country. He
dispersed several bodies of the enemy's forces, cap-
tured prisoners, waggons, and camp equipage, and
penetrated the enemy's lines at Shelbyville. A
despatch had been received in Washington from
Admiral Parker, dated before Vicksburg on the 7th
inst., stating that he had received the signal agreed
upon between him and Commander Smitb, of the
Yazoo expedition, to be fired as soon as the latter
officer entered the Yazoo river, which signal was to
be nine minute guns, and three guns afterwards in
quick succession."
Governor Cameron, of Delaware, had issued a
proclamation on the subject of " illegal arrests,"
ignoring State rights altogether, and placing the
Federal above them. The proclamation is called
forth by the passage of an Act in the Assembly to
prevent illegal arrests iv that State, and the Go-
vernor says :
" I enjoin upon the good people of this State that
they hold true allegiance to the Government of the
United States, as paramount to the State of Dela-
ware, and that they obey the constituted authorities
thereof before the Legislature of the State of Dela-
' ware, or any other human authority whatsoever."
A letter from Tybee Island, below Savannah,
• says:--

On the evening of the 9th a steamer came into
the harbour, fired two guns, and left again before
the guns of the fortification, six in number, could
be brought to bear on her. It was supposed that
she was the Alabama or the Florida or a blockade
runner."

From San Francisco, under date the 16th, we
have the following telegraphic news :
" The fast schooner Chapman, when leaving for
Mexico yesterday, was boarded by the Government
officials, and taken in charge as a privateer. About
20 Secessionists were captured on board, well armed,
and six brass Dahlgren guns, with carriages suit-
able for use on ships. Correspondence on the per-
sons of the prisoners identified them with the party
recently negotiating for the steamer Victoria for a
privateer. The prisoners were confined at Port
Alcatras. Many more arrests are likely to follow.
The schooner Chapman, seized by the officials yes-
terday, arrived lately from New York and was pur-
chased here by the Secessionists. Tho prisoners
confess that a full complement of men were to be
taken on board at a rendezvous down the coast.
They hoped to capture the steamer Oregon, en route
for Mazatlan, transfer a portion of the Chapman's
crew on board, and then use the Oregon to help to
capture the two California treasure steamers before
the alarm reached San Francisco!'
Via Havannah we have advices from Vera Cruz
to the lot inst. Gen. Forey started on the 24th ult.
from Orizaba, and was followed on the 27th by
Saligny. It was presumed that Forey would de-
mand the surrender of Puebla on the Ist instant
of General Gonzalez Ortega, who held the city
with 24,000 men. Comonfort, with 7,000, com-
manded the outer defences of Puebla, and had a
reserve of about 5,000—of the troops of Agnes-
calientes, Jalisco, &c. The French had been
lately selling their stores in Vera Cruz—bread,
wine, &c., evidently not intending to rely on con-
voys of provisions from that city to Mexico. What
could not be sold was to be re-embarked for France.
About 500 men from Egypt were landed a few days
before the leaving of the steamer. There were very
few troops left in Vera Cruz, and the guerillas were
getting bold, and daily carried off mules, &c., from
under the walls ; and, but for the fleet, fears were
entertained that the Mexicans would take possession
of the city. The favourable results expected from
the use of Egyptians in Mexico had failed in giving
the satisfaction desired. Three days after their ar-
rival there were over 100 in the hospital. Smallpox
had again become virulent in Vera Cruz. Before
leaving Orizaba Gen. Forey addressed a proclama-
tion to the inhabitants :

" Orizaba, Feb. 16.

"Inhabitants of Orizaba,—Within a few days I
shall leave this city to undertake military opera-
tions, the preparations for which, intended to secure
success, have detained me here so long a time ; but
I do not desire to leave without addressing you a
few words, which I trust you will comprehend, be-
cause they are from my heart. In the first place I
thank you for the reception which the expedition-
ary corps has met with in your city during a resi-
dence of nine months, during which time order has
never ceased to reign there, and our soldiers have
enjoyed the same security as in their own country.
If this be not owing to your sympathy (and I would
esteem myself happy if it were so), it is due at least
to a good disposition which we should always thank
you for. Ido not believe myself labouring under a
delusion when I think that the appearance and be-
haviour of our soldiers, who in all parts of the world
have been loved and esteemed even by their enemies,
must have produced the same effect upon you, who
have been witnesses of their order, their discipline,
and the sweetness of their manners; nor is it
possible that your fellow-countrymen who have seen
them at other points of the country can have failed
to recognise them as the sons of La Belle
Prance, which marches in the van of civilisa-
tion. Therefore I cherish the hope that you will
have understood the intentions of the Emperor,
whose views in sending us to Mexico
arms
theb been
just
nnsot
other, believe me, than obtaining by m
reparation of insults you are aware of, and which
negotiation could not arrange; and then to reconcile
your country with Europe, particularly with France,