The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-24 00:00:00

AAIERICA.

NEW YORK, JAN. 11.
(Pox Bocussia, via Southampton.)
A despatch, dated Halifax, J•il3 Wary 9th, says:—
The steamship Parana, which had beet. falsely re-
ported lost, was at Sydney to-du), and will be at
Halifax to-morrow. The steamship Cleopatra, w ith
troops from England, arrived at Halifax, January 9.
The following is from the Netc York 'limes of
January 11 :
A despatch from Cairo announces that the great
sippi expedition was to leave on Thursday, but was delayed
in consequence of a dense fog upon the river ; esterday,
however, the fog rased, and at last advices the expedition
was expected to start immediately. The steamers and
gunboats were ready, and the troops and stores all on
board, and a part of the forces had already proceeded to
some point down the river. We may look for stirring
news from the West in a day or two. A despatch from
New Orleans, received by way of Cairo, reaffirms the state-
ment that Biloxi, on the mainland of the Mississippi, his
been taken possession of by our troops at Ship Island. It
appears that a rebel force was stationed there,
which was captured, together with the cannon. The
despatch intimates that the place is to be held perma-
nently by the national forces. A report reaches us from
Romney that the rebel General Jackson, who recently
disappeared from the vicinity of Hancock, has made his
appearance before that town with the intention of attack-
ing General Kelley's command. No fears aro entertained
as to the result. By the arrival of the steam transport
Oriental, we have advices from Port Royal to the morning
of the Gth January. Nothing of special importance had
occurred since the sailing of the Vanderbilt. Gen. Stevens
still held his position at Port Royal Ferry, without serious
interference, from the enemy, and was waiting for rein-
forcements to enable him to advance further on the main-
land, probably to attack the rebel batteries at the railroad.
A slight skirmish took place on the sth, in which seven of
the enemy were captured and marched to Beaufort, where
they were provided with safe quarters and plenty to eat.
General Sherman's force had received reinforcements,
numbering 3.500 men, and was making preparations for
more serious operations. Three thousand of his troops had
been sent to Tybee Island, where work on the entrench-
ments still continued. Port Pulaski continued to expend
shot and shell in the vain attempt to delay operations.
Only one man, however, has yet been struck. Two
schooners, of heavy tonnage, were loading at Hilton Head,
with Sea Island cotton, and were expected to sail soon for
this port. Our correspondents give; a more detailed nar-
rative of the recent battle at Port Royal Ferry, from which
it will be seen that the affair was one of considerable mag-
nitude, and even more disastrous to the enemy than at first
supposed.
The Government sale of Sea Island cotton, confis-
cated by the National forces in South Carolina, was
made yesterday. There were in all 73 bales sold,
weighing about 25,7001b5. The prices paid varied
from 631 cents. for the ginned, down to 18 cents.
for the unginned. The total proceeds of the sale were
14,231 dols. 12c. Col. Jennison is still operating in,
his peculiar style in Johnson county, Miesouri. A
part of his regiment recently visited Holden, and
made a descent upon the neighbourhood where the
Government waggons were burned a short time ago.
The houses of the most prominent rebels engaged in.
that affair were burned, among them that of Vard
Cockerell, the Methodist preacher, and Tomkina
Bradley, a Methodist class reader. Cockerell has
led to Price's camp. The St. Louis Republican re-
views Gen. Hunter's course since he has taken com-
mand in Kansas with much severity, charging him.
with having sanctioned the outrages perpetrated
by Col. Jennison in Jackson and Cass counties,
where 70 farm houses, some of them the homes of
Union men, have been destroyed.
A despatch, dated St. John's, N.F., Jan. 10, says
the excitement at Carbonnear is intense and increas-
ing. Several stores were broken into last night and
arms and ammunition extracted. Reinforcements
are still arriving.

It is doubtful if the military will be able to prevent
a collision much longer. The Osprey leaves Halifax
to day with the Bth battery of Royal Artillery.
Gen, Sigel has resigned his command in Missouri,
and a mass indignation meeting of German citizens
has been called in New York to protest against the
treatment Gen. Sigel has received at the hands of
the Federal war authorities.

The New York Tribune says Austria has sent a
courteous but decided protest against the capture
of Mason and Slidell, declaring that the act is not
in accordance with international law.

A leading banker in Washington, named Smith-
son, has been arrested on a charge of corresponding
with the rebels.

The response to the resolution of the House of
Representatives, calling upon the Secretary of War
for further information, that officer says that mea-
sures have been taken to ascertain who is responsi-
ble for the Ball's Bluff affair, but that it is not
compatible with the public interest to make them
known at this time.

The Tribune says the Committee of Ways and
Means have resolved to impose a tax upon railroad
passengers of ie. per mile. The same journal
says :

The necessity of issuing 150,000,000 dols. of Treasury
notes a legal tender in payment of all debts, public and
private, presses upon the Government. The exercise of its
highest prerogative must be brought into requisition to save
the war and save the republic. The wise and equitable
scheme prepared carefully by the committee, has been pro-
nounced constitutional by two very pa;ustaking members
of it. Thaddeus Stevens and Mr. Spaulding, and the Attor-
ney-General has, in a written opinion, pronounced it to be
lawful. Of its necessity there can be no question.
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS.
In the Senate on the 9th the house resolution relating to
landed coffee, tea, and sugar was passed. The correspon-
dence relating to the Trent affair was then taken up, and
Mr. Sumner delivered his expectel speech on the subject.
He took the ground that Capt. Wilkes was not legally jus-
tified in searching the Trent and taking from her the rebel
ambassadors, though in making the seizure the gallant
captain was actuated by the purest and most patriotic mo-
tives, and acted in strict accordance with British precedents
and with international law, as expounded by the highest
British authorities. Mr. Sumner contended that the uniform
policy of the United States, as well as the States of Conti-
nental Europe, has been opposed to the pretensions of tho
British Government, and has maintained a liberal inter-
pretation of the rights of neutrals ; and that in many solemn
treaties and many most important and authoritative State
Papers from the foundation of the republic to the present
time, the American Government has committed itself fully
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with the greatest ability and thoroughness by the most
eminent American statesmen, including Jeffersola, Maddi-
son, Munro, and other presidents, and the whole record of
American diplomacy is luminous with arguments against
such acts as that of Capt. Wilkes. Mr. Sumner proceeded to
show that Americans had protested again and again that a

naval captain had no right to constitnie himself a judge on
the (lack of a neutral ship, and take from her at his pleasure

and discretion what he might think to be contraband. lie

was bound, if he suspected her of carrying contraband, to
carry her into port, and have the question decided by a
competent court. No court in this country, recognising the
lawn at i o
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mouldng-es t ahbal
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led aw position
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ttouhrieshl held
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In
held
authorities,t and by British law
books, had violated the American principles of the right of
search ; while the British Government, on the other hand,
had, by demanding the surrender of Slidell end Mason,
stultified its own history, renounced its own principles, and
virtually acknowledged the justice of the position so long
maintained by the United States. This was a political at.d
diplomatic triumph of the highest value, for which the
United States were deeply indebtbd to the daring and pa-
triotic act of Captain Wilkes, and the enlightened states-
manship of Mr. Seward. The speech was heard with the
greatest attention. The French Minister, M. Mercier, and
many of the diplomatic corps were present on the occasion.
The proceedings in Congress, Jan. 10, were unimportant.

SOUrHAMPTON.

The Hamburg and American Company's steam-
ship Borussia, Captain Trautman, from New York,
on the 10th;at 2 p.m., arrived off Cowes at 1 23 a.m.

The Borussia brings 46 passengers for Hamburg,
and 40 for Havre ; she has on freight 133,400 dola
for England,and 250,338 dols for Havre. During her

vopage she spoke the following ships :—Steamer
Etna, bound for Liverpool; she left on the same day
as the Borussia,and was with the Borussia until the
15th at 3 p.m. On the 18th passed an English
steamer at 10 a.m., with four mrsts, a black funnel
with one white rim round, supposed to be the Glas-
gow, in lat. 49 10, long: 32 50, steeri h
sng
team wester
f rily.
On the 19th, at 9 a.m., saw an Engli
gate in lat 49 32, long. 25 50, steering N.W., bound
s-
west.

PORTLAND, Jan. 11.
(Per Norwegian via Londonderry.)
A despatch received here announces that Mr.
Seward has telegraphed permission for the British
troops, en route for Canada, to land here and pass
gtu)ffs heavy, through Maine to their destination.
.—Cotton l and heavy.
Jdal.sel.l (EBvreenadins
COMMERCIAL.
London bankers' bills, 1141. Gold 4vY:Exchange on
buoyant. New York Central, 831
MiNdringYZlKan
premium, dull. Sto(k
z ; Illinois, 63 ; Erie, 36k