The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-29 00:00:00

NEW ORLEANS.

The following is an extract from a New Orleans
letter dated July 24 :
" An Italian ship, the Carioca, is advertised for Liverpool
and Havre, anticipating a freikht, but I do not think she
will obtain one of cotton very soon, although the river is
nominally open. An immense amount of it has been and
will be destroyed by fire, and it is reported to be very un-
safe to go anywhere, even a mile from the river, into the
interior. I have received no late tidings from -, as he
is, I presume, fighting =der General Johnston, who en-
countered Grant's forces lately. near Jackson, and repulsed
him handsomely. It is thought, however, he is only trying
to cover the removal of his stores, &c., to Meridian. . .

The river navigation between here and Port Hudson is
anything but safe. When least suspected the Confederates
pop out on the river bank, and deliver a dose from their
light batteries, quickly and easily moved from point to
Point. This, again, draws down the vengeance of the
Yankees on the unoffending planters, and the valorous and
magnanimous Farragut sends up gun boats to poar in
broadsides on the neighbouring settlements. Last week a
gun boat sent a tremendous volley of shells and round shot
into Governor Roman's dwelling house and out-houses,
Two of these terrible missiles went through the main build-
ing, on the gallery of which the old governor and his wife
composedly stood, never moving an inch during the perpe-
tration of this barbarous act. Seven shots altogether
struck the premises, smashing up the beautiful conserva-
tories and hot-house mentioned by Russell in his diary.
They also bestowed a shell on E. J. Forstall's planta-
tion house. In the Latourche district the Yankees met
with a sound thrashing at the hands of General Moreton,
who commands a respectable force there. The scene of
action was not very far from Donaldsonville. It seems
to me as if the opening of the Mississippi river by the
Federals is likely to prove of as much practical value as the
discovery of the North-• West Passage—entirely nominal.
Of the fate of Natchez we can gather nothing reliable.
It is known that Colonel A. L. Bingaman, immediately on
learning the fall of Vicksburg, gathered together his
negroes, and in company with three or four more planters
set out on his way to Texas, and had proceeded a good
distance on his road when the Federals coming down to
Natchez, and being apprised of the movement, sent a
cavalry force after them, captured and brought them back,
turned all:the negroes loose, stripped the plantation of the
parties of everything, and imprisoned Mr. Bingamen. The
several splendid mansion's of Frank Surget, Alfred Davis,
Mrs. Stanton, and others have been taken possession of.
Plundering must have commenced already, for I saw a
favourite and very valuable horse belonging to Alfred
Davis a few days ago being driven in a buggy through
Carondelet-street, which I recognised, having sat behind
him frequently the winter before last when I was at Natchez.
Mr.-- subsequently told me that he had made inquiries,
and had ascertained that the Yankees had brought this
horse down on the first boat which came through to the
city, Some intelligent contrabands have spread all sorts of
reports of the pillaging of Natchez, and the shooting of one
or two citizens, but I cannot consider them altogether re-
liable or trustworthy statements. An immense number of
negroes have been conscripted by General Banks, and me
now undergoing drill at the camps above the city. I learnt
from Mr,-- that they pounced down on Mr. Minor
Kenner's a day or two ago, and notwithstanding the
clamour and opposition on the part of the negro men, who
sincerely wished to remain on the plantation with their
families, the Yankee officers forced them off, and
no redress could be had. Mr.-- tells me that
from his place (Ashton) 145 negroes were enticed
away; the Abolition general had them placed in some
salt warehouses at Algiers, where from neglect and
starvation 52 of them perished—viz., 22 adults and 30 chil-
dren. The Lower Cotton press (levee) is filled with negroes,
and some white soldiers; four of these capacious yards are
crammed with them; and the odour arising from such a con-
gregation of human beings is sickening at a distance of two
squares off; one cannot approach them. Yesterday a whole
waggon-load of coffins went into the press, and the mortality
is very great among these unhappy wretches.
" I have made diligent inquiry to-day about affairs at
Natchez, as a boat arrived last evening which stopped there,
but nothing can be elicited from those on board. The gene

ral commanding this department, N. P. Banks, will give no
passes up the river to any one, and it is perfectly impossible
to communicate with our Mississippi friends. I infer from
the reluctance evinced by the authorities to permit travel in
that neighbourhood that the successful conqueror, General

Grant, wishes no interference, and to remain in undisturbed
possession of his prey, so that he may be enabled to carry
carry out his system of pillage thoroughly and completely.
Numetous applications have been made, and the British
consul has solicited permits to visit that section, with the
view of afli,rding her Majesty's subjects au opportunity of

looking after their interests, but all to no purposo.
" The city treasurer gives notice that 500,000 dols. more
corporation notes will be emitted shortly. Already we have
an abundant supply of 5 dols. and 10 dols. bills of the city

put into circulation to represent the unpaid taxes of the last
two years. Louisiana State Bank, Orleans, and Mechanics

are nearly at.a par with green-backs; Bank of Louisiana
about 40 per cent. discount. No cotton here. Negroes in
your yard tranquil."

MARKETS—This Day.

COVENT GARDEN.

Our market continues to be well supplied with fruit and
vegetables. The trade, generally speaking, is slow, at the
annexed quotations.

FRUIT.

s. d. 8. d.
Pine apples 5 0 to 7 0
Colonial do., each 1 0 to 3 0
Grapes,per lb 3 0 to 6 0
Foreign do 1 6 to 2 6
Melons ....
Nectarines, per dz 3 0 to 6 0
Apples, per ht-sv. 1 3 to 2 6
Pears, per do
Oranges, per 100 0 0 to 0 0
Lemons, per 100 0 0 to 0 0
Gooseberries hf sve3 6 to 4 6
Strawberries pr pt 0 8 to 1 0

e. d. s d
Raspberries,prpt 0 4to 0 6
Cherries, per lb. 0 3to 0 6
Foreign ditto, puno oto 0 0
Filberts, per lb .. 0 9to 1 0
Walnuts, per 100 0 oto 0 0
Cobnuts, per lb .. 0 oto 0 0
Almonds, per bus 0 oto 0 0
Figs, per doz. .... 5 oto 6 6
Peaches.... ...... 6 0 to 10 0
Currants, per Lair 1 6to 6 0
Plums, per Rio... 3 6to 4 0
Greengages, pr do. 5 oto 6 0