The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-29 00:00:00

AMERICA.

The Canadian screw steamer Norwegian, Capt.
:11.Master, from Quebec on the 16th inst., arrived
at Liverpool about two o'clock yesterday afternoon.
By her we receive New York journals of the 14th,
Boston and Portland of the 15th, and Quebec of
the 16th inst.
The Washington Star of the 13th says it has rea-
son to believe there is no truth in the story that
General Halleck intends to take the field in person
in the next movement of the army of the Potomac.
The Secretary of War has directed that while the
army of the Potomac remains in its present position
no passes shall be granted to persons to visit it with
the view of obtaining the bodies of deceased friends.
A Washington telegram of the 14th May says
it is stated positively in diplomatic circles that the
entente cordial° is perfect between Mr. Seward and
the British and French Ministers, and that Secre-
tary Chase received official adviees from the Hon.
Robert J. Walker to the effect that he would pro-
bably negotiate within a week 1G0,000,000 dollars
on satisfactory terms, interest payable in London.
The New York tribune of the 14th has direct
advices from the army of the Potomac to the 12th.
All reports of movements since Hooker crossed to
the north side of the Rappahannock are unfounded.
The army occupied its old camps. The troops were
in good spirits. There was some disappointment
among the ranks at the retreat, though no demo-
ralisation. Stoneman's raid had been overrated.
The Richmond and Fredericksburg road was so little
damaged that it was repaired in 24 hours. The
Federal losses exceed it is said 17,000 men, while
Gen. Lee is said to admit the loss of 18,000.
Gen. Lee has detained all nurses and surgeons
who accompanied ambulance trains across the river
and placed guns in position at the U.S. Ford and
Bank's Ford, from which it is supposed he intended

.o assume the offensive, and cross the river to attack

the Federal forces. It is alleged that Gen. Hooker
ordered a portion of the army across the river, but
that the plan was disproved by Gen. Halleck, who
countermanded the movement.

A special despatch from Washington to the
New York 71mes says that the President has re.
ceived from the headquarters of the army of the
Potomac an original letter of Jefferson Davis, ad-
dressed to one of his colonels, in which the writer
speaks despondingly of affairs in the south-west
and the Rappahannock. The letter was found in a
Confederate camp at Fredericksburg, and is dated
May 2.
A short time ago a number of slaves belonging to
John Minors Botts came within the Federal lines at
Union Mills. Mr. Botts requested the commander of
the post to return them, as he was a loyal man. The
commander telegraphed to Gen. Heintzelman to
know what to do. Col. Lathrop, of the general's
staff, replied that they were free the moment they
entered the Federal lines, and could not be sent
back to slavery.

Tho advices as to the movements of General
Grant's forces in the south-west are conflicting and
obscure. A Cairo despatch of May 14 says—
Our troops, all the way from Memphis to Young's
Point, are moving to reinforce Gen. Grant. Judge
Killogg, who left Grant's headquarters on Sunday
last, says the report of a fight at Clinton, Missis-
,t,ippi, is untrue. Gen. Grant will endeavour to cut
the railroad between Vicksburg and Jackson, and a
battle is expected in the vicinity of the Black River
Bridge. Grant's advance was reported to be 15
miles from Edward's Station, which was 18 miles
east of Vicksburg. Grant had not got possession of
any part of the railroad between Vicksburg and
Jackson. Ten negro regiments had been formed,
and it was thought 10 more would be raised.
From Southern sources Vicksburg advices are to
the oth instant. The Federals were then landing
troops at Young's Point, destined, it was supposed,
to reinforce Grant. The Federals were represented
as "using their spades" on the other side of Big
Black River. Their cavalry was reported to be
about Cayuga.
General Banks had published an order in New
Orleans, requiring all registered enemies by the Ist
of May to take the oath of allegiance or prepare to
leave the Federal lines by that date. The oath will,
it is said, subject all who take it to the conscription.

An act had passed the Confederate Congress,
establishing that the flag be as follows :—The field
to be white, length double the width, with the
union now used as the battle flag to be a square of
two-thirds of the width of the flag, having the
ground red, thereon a broad stripe of blue bordered
with white and emblazoned with mullets or five
pointed stars, corresponding to the number of the
Confederate States.

CANADA.
The dissolution of the Provincial Parliament took
place on the 12th inst. The Governor-General
made the following speech upon the occasion :
" Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Coun-
cil, Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly,—The
course of events has shown that it is not possible to
conduct in a satisfactory manner the public busi-
ness of the province under the existing conditions
of the legislative body. Within the last year two
successive administrations have failed to secure the
confidence of the Legislative Assembly. I have
therefore determined to prorogue this Parliament
with a view to its immediate dissolution, in order
that I may ascertain in the most constitutional
manner the sense of the people upon the present
state of public affairs. The pressing importance of
various questions connected with the trade and in-
dustry of the province, and with its internal im-
provement and defence, demands that no time shall
be lost in convening a new Parliament.

"In bidding you farewell I desire to express my
earnest prayer that the constituencies of this pro-
vince may be guided by an all•wise Providence to
the selection of representatives whose judgment,
forbearance, and patriotism may enable them to co-
operate with me in my efforts to maintain the
honour of our Sovereign, and to promote the pro-
sperity and happiness of the people of Canada."

Electioneering had actively commenced through.
out Canada. Nothing certain was known as to the
new Ministry. The displacement of the Postmaster-
General was considered certain, Mr. Mowat being
his successor. The latest reports were that the
following gentlemen would comprise the new Cabi-
net :—For Lower Canada : Dorion, Tessier, Le
Tellier, Huet, Holton, Bureau. For Upper Canada :
Macdonald, Blair, M‘Dougall, Mowat, Howland,
Wallbridge.
The Quebec Morning Chronicle says that the re-
constructed Ministry, as far as known, is likely to
be more averse than the last to any means calcu-
lated to preserve the provincial nationality, to per-
petuate the British connexion.

THE LONDON AND PROVINCIAL TTJRKTSII
BATH COMPANY.—The half-yearly meeting of this
company took place on Saturday last, the 23d inst., at the
Hammam, Jermyn• street, when the report of the Board of
Directors was unanimously adopted, and a dividend was
declared upon all the paid•up capital at the rate of £6 per
cent. per annum.

FATAL DUEL.—A fatal duel took place three
days ego botwen two privates of the 7th Lancers,
named Juilart and Cribier, quartered at Haguenau
Rhin). They fought with sabres in the riding school in
presence of the fencing master and other witnesses, when
Cribier received a wound in the region of the heart, which
caused instant death.—acdignani.

Tourt ,t 1
tr I gat
i 4,

HER, MAJESTY.

BALMORAL, May 27.
The Queen, accompanied by Princess Helena,
and attended by the Duchess of At hole, drove out
yesterday, and honoured Mr. Farquharson, of In-
vercauld, by a visit.
Princess Louise went out riding.