The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-07 00:00:00

missioners.

She experienced strong easterly winds with
heavy head sea on the passage home.

NEW YORK, DEC. 24, EVENING.
(PER EUROPA, via BOSTON AND QUEENSTOWN.)

A motion has been made in the Senate for the
production of the correspondence respecting the

Trent affair.

Several members spoke against the surrender of

the prisoners.

The New York papers agree that to avoid war
the demands of England would be acceded to.
The Senate has passed a Bill devoting 1,500,000
dols. for the construction of gunboats on the
Western waters.

It is reported that the Government has decided
to erect a naval depot and navy yard on Lake

Michigan.

Mr. Seward has written a letter excusing himself
from being present at the New England anniYersary
dinner. In this letter Mr. Seward says that any
benefit that accrues to America increases the pro-
sperity of Great Britain, and that every disaster
befalling America is sooner or later pregnant with
suffering to Great Britain.
It is generally reported that General Scott re-
turns to New York with an offer of mediation from
the Emperor of the French to settle the affair of
the Trent.

The news of the Prince Consort's death has
caused a feeling of sadness to prevail throughout
the British community in New York.
Both Houses of Congress have passed a Bill
making the duty on tea 20c., on coffee 5c., and on
sugar from 21c. to Bc., according to quality; mo-
lasses, Bc. per gallon.
The New York Bank statement shows a decrease
of specie of two and a-half millions, and a decrease
of deposits of four and a-half millions.

The Persia and the Australasian were intercepted
off Cape Race on Dec. 23.

(LATEST EY TELEGRAPH TO HALIFAX.)
NEW YORK, DEC. 26 (Evening).
To-day in the Senate Mr. Hale demanded the
correspondence with England OR the Trent ques-
tion.

Mr. Sumner objected to this demand.

Mr. Hale stated that he had heard the Cabinet
were considering the proposition to surrender Messrs.
Mason and Slidell. He said, also, that if England
had demanded the surrender of Messrs. Mason and
Slidell, the Federal Government should declare war
against England. If they were surrendered, the
Senate, said Mr. Hale, would be subject to the scorn
and indignation of the country, and the Administra-
tion would be hurled from power. Mr. Hale believed
that Napoleon would desire to wipe out the stain
of Waterloo, and that thousands of Irishmen in
Canada would join the Federal cause. Mr. Hale
concluded a violent speech against England by
urging war sooner than the surrender of Messrs.
Mason and Slidell.

Mr. Sumner urged that the consideration of the
question should be delayed until it was presented in
a practical form. He demanded whether there was
proof of arrogant demands on the part of England,
or that the Administration had not considered the
question of arbitration, and stated his belief that
the matter would be honourably and amicably ad-
justed.

Mr. Hale's motion was tabled for future discus,

sion.

It is generally believed that Lord Lyons has pre-
sented his despatches.

Nothing, however, is known respecting the de-
mands which they contain, as the Administration
preserved strict secrecy on the Trent question.
The New York press argues that America is not
desirous of war with England unless it is breed
upon the country by the latter.
The popular feeling is hostile to England, but
there is a general impression that the Trent ques-
tion will be amicably settled.
The Arago has arrived out.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, DEC. 26, EVENING.
Cotton dull. Breadstuffs quiQt. Stoc:is closed
weak—lllinois Central, 58-; Erie, 24f.
Exchange on London—Commercial bills, 110 ;
bankers' bills, 1101,

INDIA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIA.
(BY TELEGRAPH PROM ALEXANDRIA.)
CANTON, DEC. 30.
A coup d'etat has taken place at Pekin.
The members of the Cabinet have been im-