The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 16, 1862,

THE ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL
TELEGRAPH COMPANY.

(Incorporated 1816.)
NOTICE IS TIEREBY GITEN, That the Directors of this
Company have made a fourth call of Five Pounds rer Share
on the new Shares issued, in accordance with the resolutinn
of the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Bth October,
18:r7, such call being payable on tli 2,tn day of February,
ISC2. Interest at the rat of £5 per cent. per annum will be
charged on all calls remaining unpaid after that date.

AMERICA.

The following are extracts from letters and papers
brought by the steamer America :
NEW YORK, DEC. 31.
The excitement here in relation to the Trent

question has materially subsided—the main point,
namely, the surrender of the commissioners, being
determined on. The settlement has been received
by the people with a feeling of congratulation that
a war with England has been averted ; and although
perhaps in the Western States the surrender may
not meet with the full approbation of the public,
there is no doubt now that matters at home are
becoming so serious that the subject of a foreign
war will be dismissed from men's minds.
The financial condition of the country is becom-
ing critical, and the New York journals are taking
the matter up in a serious tone, and Congress is
urged to pass direct tax bills sufficient to meet the
national expenditure.
The suspension of specie payments is thus edi-
torially noticed by the New York Herald:—
" Yesterday the banks of New York suspended specie
payment with some 25,000,000 dollars of gold on hand.
Only a few days ago they had 40 millions, and it is pro-
bable if the suspension had been deferred a little longer,
_ _ _

the last dollar would have been drained from their vaults.
The silent panic among the depositors which thus prompts
them to withdraw their deposits has been brought about
by the infamous conduct of members of Congress, who
since the opening of the session at the beginning of this
month, have done nothing in the direction of a provision
for the financial necessities of the country in its hour of
need, with the exception of a tax upon tea and coffee, which
will but slightly increase the revenue. Their whole time
bas been squandered in miserable squabbles about the
everlasting nigger, who has monopolised the attention of
the Senate and House of Representatives for so many
years, to the exclusion of the real business of the nation.
And now, with a war on our hands costing, it is estimated,
about three millions per day, the Treasury will be without
_ -

a dollar by the middle of January. By that time the loans
of 150,000,000 dollars made to the Government by the mer-
chants and the banks will have been expended, and no
means whatever provided for a further supply of the indis-
pensable sinews of war."

of the charges against Brigadier-General IBenham, has
ordered the release of the latter from arrest, and he is to be
ordered at once to duty."
The New York 2inzes of Dec. 30 gives the fol-
lowing account of affairs at Beaufort :—" The steam-
transport Empire City, from Beaufort on the 24th,
and Hilton Head bn the 25th inst., arrived at this
port yesterday morning. Her advices are interest-
ing, and in some respects important. No demon-
stration of any kind had been made by the rebels
against our troops, the stories to that effect in the
rebel papers being pure inventions. On the other
hand, our troops are making rapid advances into
the:States, making their position secure as they go,
and scouting parties are daily pushed in every di-
rection---one proceeding from Port Royal Island
almost within sight of Savannah. A portion of
the 79th Regiment had made a reconnaissance 15
miles from Beaufort, and taken six rebel prisoners.
These reconnaissances and scouts had established
the fact that the rebels are able to concentrate, in a
short time, upon any given point, from 15,000 to
25,000 men. Another important gunboat recon-
naissance had been made, which had been pushed
within 15 miles of Charleston, at a town called

Rockwell. Here a force of 400 rebels was found,
which fled in a panic when an inferior force of our
men was landed.

It is stated that the reconnaissance of the Federal
pickets made from the centre of the army of the
Potomac had established the fact that the pickets
of the Confederates had beenyithdrawn two or three
miles back from their former positions, and it
was inferred that the Confederates were going into
winter quarters.

The following bill for abolishing Southern ports
of entry was introduced in the House of Represen-
tatives, Dec. 30, by Mr. Stevens on leave :
" 1. That all laws or parts of laws creating or establish-
y ing in rebellion be,
pt
hoertssaonif ceanrter,yhoerredbeyl ha'ebroyl i sinh eadn.

" 2. Hereafter no vessel, either foreign or domestic, ex-
cept such as belong to or are employed. by the Government
of the United States, shall enter or leave any of said ports
unless driven there by stress of Weather,

" 3. If any vessel shall violate or attempt to violate the
provisions of this act, the said vessel, cargo, and everything
appertaining thereto, shall be forfeited, the one half to go
to the captors and the other half to the United States; and
every person is hereby authorised to make such seizure,
and the captain or commander of the said vessel shall be
fined not exceeding 500 dole.

the goods may be taken
4.may be seized at any
place,
wherever found, either on land or water.
aTth
se e
ab a iodr vine s saenly apnodr
port
aarngdo

" 5. The proceeds shall bo divided among the captors
according to the law now regulating ;
pr.zes.
" 6. The ship and cargo may be tried, as well as the
officers, in any court of the United States into whose juris-
diction the same may be taken,

" 7. The States now in rebellion are Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida,
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, ac d Arkansas,
If any other States should hereafter become rebellious, the
ycl atiomsutchhe fsatcatt,eanord th e provisions of the
States.
Power to declare any har-
aPcrtessihdaelnitthshenallapprpol
bo‘u‘
in his judgment, it
shall be expedient."
r 8 .0
rThhaer
harbours
ruerssi dpecnrti
ports
shallof e
nhtarvye,
when,

The Court of Inquiry in the case of Colonel
Miles, charged with being intoxicated at the battle
co
hf
aßr
gu
el 1..
Anotherßun, hadffi
ohonourablycer,w
h acquitted him of the o
was mistaken for
Colonel Miles, was open to the charge of being
intoxicated on the day in question,

The total amount expended by the Washington
Goveriment in the purchase of fire-arms since the
beginning of the rebellion is 22,000,000 dollars.
Nearly 300,000 stand were purchased in Europe.
When the America sailed reports were current
of a general engagement near Paducah, Kentucky,
resulting in the success of the Confederates, but as
the telegram by the Nova Scotian does not confirm
the report, they are presumed to have been un-
founded.

The committee appointed to consider the expe-
diency of completing the Long-delayed " Steven's
Iron Battery" at New York, had made a report
unfavourable to its completion.
The commercial intelligence by the America is
superseded by that received per Nova Scotian via
Lon donderry.

Prince de Joinville, Count do Paris, and Duke
de Chartres arrived in New York, Dec. 29.

CANADA.

(From the Special Correspondent of the Times.)

MONTREAL, DEC. 30.

Though the conclusion come to by the United
States' Government on the affair of the Trent has
removed the apprehension of immediate hostilities,
the prevailing impression throughout Canada is

that the result would have been different if the
consequences of a rupture with Great Britain at this

juncture had not been so apparent as to have im-
pressed even the mind of Mr. Seward with the most
serious concern.

Though the course pursued by the British Go-
vernment and Lord Lyons has been as courteous
and conciliating as it was possible for the convey-
ance of so firm a demand to be, yet there can be no
doubt that the proceeding will rankle in the minds
of the American people, and that when they feel

themselves more able to enter on a war with Great
Britain a cause of quarrel will not be wanting.
It is to be hoped, however, that as regards one
element which the American Secretary was wont
to believe would favourably affect the fortunes of
war—namely, the sympathy of Canada with the
United States—ho has now seen his self-delusion.
If the American Government have not been
utterly unobservant of events, the attitude which

the North American colonies and especially Canada
has assumed must hereafter weigh far more against,
than ever it did in favour of, a rupture. From
Halifax to Lake Superior more than 3,000,000 of
people have given no uncertain indication of the
determined resistance with which they will meet
the invasion of their soil, and of the loyal and de-
voted support they will offer to the Crown. There
is no longing for American institutions—there is
no indifference among the colonists whether they
are transferred from a monarchical to a repub-

lican government or not ; but there is a deep-
rooted resolve to stand by the Throne and
fortunes of England, and to transmit to their
posterity the heritage of constitutional liberty which
they now enjoy. The British American colonists
had no more special interests in the events that led
to the misunderstanding between England and the
United states than any other British subject in
the remotest quarter of the globe. They had, how-
ever, far more at stake on the issue, for they knew
that Canada would be the battle-ground, and that
war, with all its horrors, would be at the thresholds
of their homes. Yet, the resolution of the British
Government to maintain the national honour was
received throughout the land with a hearty and
unqualified response. There was no boasting or
mere evanescent enthusiasm, but there was no
craven apprehension of the consequeness to them-
selves. All began to prepare with a firm and
cheerful resolution for the alternative if the insult
was not atoned for.

The population of Canada is far from homoge-
neous, but in this instance the descendants of
France vied in friendly rivalry with their fellow-
colonists of British origin. I perceive that both in
the United States and in Ireland the hope has been
expressed—if the assertion has not been actually
made—that the Irish in Canada would not rally in
support of the Crown, but would rather cast ,in
their lots with the enemies of England. I am
happy to be able to give the most unqualified con-
tradiction to any such statement. Irishmen who
have on other subjects entertained such discordant
opinions as even to affect their personal intercourse
with each other were to be seen in hearty and ear-
nest co-operation devising measures for the defence
of the country. At all the meetings which they
have held separately, and at all in which they have
parti3ipated, men of every creed and politi-
cal party have sunk their former differences, and are
united in the firm resolution to defend the soil

against invasion to the last. I should not have
alluded to this—for, as I have already said, no dis-
tinctions of origin affect the loyal unanimity of the
people—but for the sake of removing any misap-
prehension that may have arisen abroad from igno-
rance of the state of feeling here.
There are few countries more exposed to hostile
attack than Canada is from the United States, but
there are also few in which an enemy would run
greater risks from unsuccessful attack. A reference
to the map will show that for nearly 1,500 miles
there is no other barrier than narrow waters,
easily navigated, or a line which in many places
exists only in name. A successful landing in force
at certain places 'right be possible, but let an enemy
attempt to advance to the interior, or to obtain pos-
session of any commanding point which would bring
him any nearer a subjugation of the country, with
these same waters, for months impassable from the
ice, in the rear, with a hardy, resolute, and united
population round him, and the end is not difficult
to foresee.

Canada, in case of emergency, could bring into the
field upwards of 200,000 militia, inured to the hard-
ships of a northern climate, and admirably adapted
for purposes of defence. During the last fortnight
men have been forming themselves into volunteer
companies and battalions in every city and parish
in the province, and are engaged in drilling, while
the Government is preparing a proper scheme of
systematic organisation. It is to be hoped that the
authorities will profit by the spirit of the people
which the presence of danger has evoked to place
the militia on such a footing of efficiency as that
hereafter they can be brought out on any emer-
gency. A moderate proficiency in drill and in the
use of arms would be acquired in a few weeks by
men of the stamp and intelligence that are every-
where to be seen here.
There is a marked contrast between the men in
Canada and the corresponding class in the United
States. Here vaunting and the mere glitter of
playing at soldiers are avoided; fancy dresses for
display are discountenanced; the Government re-
cognise only the uniforms of the British army; and
there is a most sensible disposition prevailing among

the volunteers to forego everything in the way of
electing their officers which might interfere with
the efficiency of the force in the field. Indeed, every
other consideration is made subservient to this.
The men in every district, from Sarnia to Quebec,
act as if they were engaged in a serious and solemn
business; not in a mere gaudy pastime. Submis-
sion to discipline and the dignity of obedience are
both understood and practised here, and the enemy
that attempts the subjugation of Canada undertakes
a work for which greater resources and military
power are needed than this continent has yet seen
displayed.
It cannot be denied that the determination evinced
by Great Britain to put forth the whole strength of
the empire and the succour which has been so
promptly despatched from England have had an en-
couraging effect on the population. The news that
steamships had sailed with arms and military sup-
plies, that a judicious selection of officers acquainted
with the country had been despatched to train the
Militia and carry out an organised system of defence,
had a most cheering influence on the public mind.

It ought not to be concealed that the situation was
a most critical one. With no access at this season
by rail or water to the ocean, except through an
enemy's country, with a small force of regular troops,
and with a scanty supply of arms and ammunition
for a Militia force proportionate to the defence of
such a frontier if hostilities had suddenly broken
out, the enemy might have obtained most important
advantages, and done irreparable mischief. It is
felt in the province that, if Canada is to be pre-
served a means of access to the ocean through British
territory in winter, either by way of Halifax or St.
John's, must be provided. The colonies offer to bear
one-half the interest on the necessary capital, and
ask Great Britain to assume the other. Unless this
road is built, an Imperial force, capable, in conjunc-
tion with the Militia, of resisting an attack for at
least five months during winter, must be constantly
quartered in the country. The past lesson is in-
structive. The Canadians profess themselves quite
ready to contribute any fair share for such a work
of defence, but they say that they have already gone
to the full measure that prudence justifies in aid of
their internal communications.

The Persia succeeded in getting up as far as Bic,
a point about 150 miles below Quebec, on the 27th
inst. The present season has been unusually open
and mild, and during ordinary weather a ship could
not have ascended the St. Lawrence so far. Snow-
storms come on with remarkable suddenness in
these lower regions, and ice will form and collect in
a few hours sufficient to prevent all communication
with the shore, if not seriously to endanger the
safety of the ship. The case of the Persia was an
illustration of this. The ice came down on Satur-
day at Bic, when she was engaged in landing
the 16th Regiment ; several of her boats were
crushed, and she was obliged to slip her anchors
and run for sea, carrying with her the remainder of
the regiment, the heavy baggage, &c., and leaving
behind a considerable number of her own crew. She
would probably make for Halifax, and thence go
to St. John's, New Brunswick, from which the force
will be forwarded up the St. John's Valley, via
.Frederickton and Grand Falls to Riviere du Loup
on the St. Lawrence, whence there is communica-
tion by rail direct to Montreal. The Australasian
(with the 2d Battalion, 20th Regiment, and a batta-
lion of the Rifle Brigade, as is supposed) attempted
an ascent of the St. Lawrence, but was driven back
by the ice. She is probably already at St. John's,
and the troops may be looked for here in 10 days.
The first division of the 16th Regiment arrived yes-
terday afternoon, having come through direct from
Riviere du Loup in 18 hours.
The Governor-General, Lord Monek, and Sir F.
Williams have been untiring in their exertions to
meet the emergency—the former has commended
himself to the community by his frank and cordial
manner, and gained a reputation for affability and
readiness of access on business connected with the
public service. The commander of the forces has
recently made a tour of inspection, and has taken
measures for erecting earthworks at various points
of the frontier where danger is most to be appre-
hended.

The Americans have not been behindhand in this,
nor indeed in works of a much more permanent
character. Fort Montgomery, at Rouse's Point,
near the northern end of Lake Champlain, is a
position of the most formidable kind. It is built of
solid masonry on a spit of land stretching to the
middle of a narrow channel in the lake, and when
a small embankment of earth is removed will be
surrounded entirely by water. It is not yet altoge-
ther completed, but has recently been garrisoned by
a body of Texan Rangers. The gl'ound on which this
fort is built and several other paints, the strategic
importance of which is now appEzent, are stated to
have been originally within British territory, but a
claim to them having been made by the United States,
negotiations for defining the bound ary were opened,
which resulted in their being given up to the Ame-
ricans. It is to be hoped that -when future events
permit a rectification of the fro ntier these positions,
which are a standing menace to Canada, may be
again restored to the territory from which they
were severed. Montreal will, of course, be the
centre of operations. Thiere are greater facilities
for obtaining supplies and quartering troops here
and for distributing them to the various points of
the province where their pre/ ience may be required.
To reach Quebec at present from the south shore
by rail the St. Lawrence has to be crossed by the
hazardous and difficult process of canoeing. The
river is filled with masses .of floating ice, and un-
less the ice bridge forms, this state of things must
continue till navigation opera in the spring. The
other route is on the north shore, but sledges are
the only means of con- myance. The military autho-
rities have rented ae•ferat large baddinge and col-