The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-04 00:00:00

(PER EUROPA.)

NEW YORK, FEB. 17 (Evening).
The Federal commanders of the vessels blockading
Charleston have forwarded an official refutation of
General Beauregard's report that the blockade was
raised. They declare they never quitted the block-
ading line usually occupied by them, and that no
vessel of any description crossed the bar after the
Confederate rams returned to Charleston.

The Federal garrison on Roanoke Island was
anticipating an attack from the Confederates, who
had collected 100 small boats, and were concen-
trated upon the mainland.- The Federal Com-
mander had telegraphed for reinforcements.
General Hunter has assumed the command of the
forces lately arrived at Hilton Head from Beaufort,
and General Foster has returned to North Carolina.

The Governor of Virginia has addressed a letter
to President Lincoln, informing him he would nn-
flinchingly retaliate for any improper treatment of
citizens or soldiers of Virginia.
An order has been issued prohibiting the circula-
tion of newspapers among the army of the Potomac.

Some doubts are entertained of the Vicksburg
Canal being made available.

The Democratic members of the next Congress
have been invited to meet in New York on the Bth
of March.

The resolution calling a Convention at Louisville
has been defeated in the Senate of the Illinois Legis-
lature.

A resolution has been introduced in the Confede-
rate Congress to maintain the right to free naviga-
tion of the Mississippi for the citizens of the States
upon its borders or the borders of its tributaries.
The New York,World thinks that Mr. Seward has
made a great mistake in repelling the friendly
suggestions of the Emperor Napoleon, and considers
that it is the duty of the North to prepare itself for
fresh complications, which the recognition of the
South must introduce into the struggle.

The Confederate steamer Oreto is said to be
blockaded in Kingston by two Federal vessels.
The North American, Asia, and Bavarian have
arrived out.

FEBRUARY 19, Evening.

The Senate has passed a bill authorising the Pre-
sident, in all domestic and foreign wars, to issue
letters of marque. The authority conferred by the
act is limited to three years. A proposal to grant
this authority for the suppression of the rebellion
only was voted down during the discussion of the
bill.

Mr. M'Dougal, of Carolincvexpressed his opinion
that before the meeting of another Congress the
United States would be involved in a foreign war,
and he wished the country to be prepared.
The Senate has passed a Conscription Bill ren-
dering till citizens, and those who have declared
their intention to become citizens, between the ages
of 20 and 45 years, liable to perform military duty
when called out by the President. The districts
are made to correspond with the Congressional dis.
tricts, with assistants. He will perfect an en-
rolment once a year. Persons enroled are subject
for two years to be called into service, to serve for
three years or daring the war, on the same footing
with the present volunteers, advance pay and bounty
included.

The President can draught at any time with 10
days' notice to draughted men. Substitutes may
be furnished or commutation made—none exceed-
ing 300 dole. Draughted persons refusing to re-
port will be treated as deserters.

It is supposed that both the Conscription and
Letters of Marque Bills will pass the House of
Representatives by a considerable majority.
A rumour is current in Richmond of a programme
in the North-West for forming a North-Western
Confederacy.

The report that newspapers were forbidden in the
Army of the Potomac is incorrect.

The Federal turreted gunboat Indianola has inn
he Vicksburg blockade in safety.
_ _

Another Federal expedition has left New Orleans
or Bayou Teche.

The Confederate General Hindman's army in
Tennessee is said to be demoralised. Three hundred
of his troops were frozen to death in marching from
Van Buren.

Two members from Louisiana have been admitted
to seats in the House of Representatives.
The Senate of the New York Legislature has re-
jected the complimentary resolutions to General
M'Clellan.

It is denied that the Harriet Lane has escaped
Prom Galveston.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Feb. 17, Evening.
Money easy. Gold, 58Z per cent. premium.
Exchange on London—bankers' bills, 175.
Stocks very firm. New York Centrals, 118 k ;
111in0i5,.921; Erie, 76Z.

February 19, Evening.
Money easy. Gold is much excited on account
of fears entertained of French intervention. The
last price was 634, per cent. premium.
Exchange on London—bankers' bills, 180 to 181.
Stocks tending downwards. New York Central,
119 ; Illinois, 921; Erie, 768.
Cotton dull—middling upland, 90c. Flour, good
inquiry, 10c. higher. Wheat and corn, extensive
demand and 2c. higher. Provisiors and sugar
steady. Coffee quiet. Molasses very firm.