The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-16 00:00:00

Negro Soldiers.

The Richmond Sentinel, of the 23d ult., contains
the following letter from the Confederate Com-
mander-in-Chief, embodying his views on the ques-
tion of negro soldiers :
Head-quarters C. S." Armies, Feb. 18, 1865.

Hon. E. Barksdale, House of Representatives, Richmond,
—Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 12th inst., with reference to the employ-
ment of negroes as soldiers. I think the measure not
only expedient but necessary. The enemy will cer-
tainly use them against us if he can get possession
of them, and as his present numerical superiority will
enable him to penetrate many parts of the country, I
cannot see the wisdom of the policy of holding them
to await his arrival, when we may by timely action and
judicious management use them to arrest his progress. I
do not think that our white population can supply the ne-
cessities of a long war without overtaxing its capacity and
imposing great suffering upon our people, and I believe we
should provide resources for a protracted struggle, not
merely for a battle or a campaign.

In answer to your second question, I can only say that,
in my opinion, the negroes, under proper circumstances
will make efficient soldiers. I think we could, at least, do
as well with them as the enemy, and he attaches great im-
portance to their assistance. Under good officers and good
instruction I do not see why they should not become soldiers.
They possess all the physical qualifications, and their habits
material than many armies
of obedience constitute a good foundation for discipline
They
to discipline alone. I think those who are employed should
be freed. It would be neither just nor wise, in my opinion,
of which furnish
w e reada more
in
history,pro mis promising
owed their efficiency
g which
to require them to serve as slaves. The best course to
pursue, it seems to me, would be to call for such as are
willing to come with the consent of their owners. An im-
pressment or draft would not be likely to bring out the best
class, and the use of coercion would make the measure dis-
tasteful to them and to their owners.
I have no doubt that if Congress would authorise their
reception into service, and empower the president to
call upon individuals or states for such as they are willing
to contribute, with the coudition of emancipation to all
enrolled, a sufficient number would be forthcoming to
enable us to try the experiment. If it prove successful,
most of the objections to the measure would disappear, and
if individuals still remained unwilling to send their negroes
to the army, the force of public opinion in the States would
soon bring about such legislation as would remove all ob-
stacles. I think the matter should be left as far as possible
to the people and to the States, which alone can legislate as
the necessities of this particular service may require. As
to the mode of organising them, it should be left as free
from restraint as possible. Experience will suggest the
best course, and it would be inexpedient to trammel the
subject with provisions that might, in the end, prevent the
adoption of reforms suggested by actual trial.—With great
respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. lan, General.

WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS,

On the 13th inst. she spoke the ship Mary Hardy,
outward bound.

The articles of the treaty between Spain and
Peru have been published at Lima. The bases of
arrangement do not differ from the advices sent by
last mail. The settlement met with much disap-
proval among the people, and the old angry feelings
against Spain were bitterly revived. On the sth a
party of officers and men landed at Callao from the
Spanish fleet. The Spaniards were badly treated in
the streets, and the officers having taken the train
to Lima the excitement then became formidable.

The mob was fired upon by the troops, many being
killed and wounded. Callao and Lima were three
days under martial law. A plot had since been
discovered for a revolution to overturn the present
Government. Ex-President Castilla and other in-
fluential persons were arrested.

It is reported that Admiral Pareja will insist
upon heavy damages for these outrages.
The British war vessels Leander and Shearwater
were at Callao.

From Chili the political news is unimportant.
The harvests have been very plenteous, and large
exports of wheat and flour will this season be
shipped to all parts of the world.

At Valparaiso exchange was quoted 461 d. per
dollar.

Her Majesty's ships Sutlej, Clio, and Alert were
at Valparaiso.
The Governments of Guatemala and Nicaragua
had issued decrees prohibiting intercourse, com-
merce, and relations with Costa Rica.

Honduras continued subject to revolutionary con-
vulsions, with the object of displacing President
Medina and of putting Vice-President Xatruch in
his stead. Martial law had been proclaimed. The
Congress opened in Nicaragua on Jan. 29. The
situation of the country was satisfactory. The
coffee crop at Costa Rica was good, and that of San
Salvador in advance of former years. The cotton
crop in the latter republic was abundant.
Two ships from the Clyde had arrived at Callao
with materials for constructing an iron floating dock.
Her Majesty's ship Duncan, Admiral Hope, ar-
rived at Demerara on the 15th ult., and met with
an enthusiastic reception from the inhabitants. The
drought at Demerara continued, and the young
canes suffered considerably.

Freights on London—For sugar, 21d. ; rum, 24d.
The weather at Trinidad was more favourable.
Rain had fallen, and no serious injury to the young
crop was anticipated. The weather was fine at
Grenada. The sugar crop was proceeding vigorously,
and an abundant harvest was anticipated. An
increase of 2,000 hogsheads of sugar in exeess of

last year was anticipated. Cocoa and cotton both
promise a large excess over last year's production.
Considerable shipments had taken place, and trade
was steady. The weather at Barbadoes was
favourable for the crops. Sugar making was gene-

ral throughout the island. Provisions were dear
scarce. Exchange on London, 90 days, $4BO.
Severe drought prevailed at Jamaica, and was
greatly felt by stock of every kind. Fodder and
water were scarce. Trade was more brisk. Large
operations in rum at 57d. Coffee, 535. to 545. ;
ordinary, 565. to 60s. for mountain. Sugar, 15s. ;
ordinary, 18s. ; medium, 19s. to 21s. ; fair quality.
Exchange on London, 90 days' sight, 1i per cent.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

DONCASTER SPRING MEETING.-YESTERDAY,

The Scurry Stakes (handicap) of 3 sous each, with 25 soya
added, for horses of all ages. Red-house in.

Mr. G. Fenwick's Queen Bee, 4 yrs, 7st 41b...(5. Adams 1
Mr. J. Osborne's Jig, 3 yrs, 7st 21b (Carroll 2
Mr. F. Fisher's Novice, 2 yrs, Est 21b (carried Est 41b
(J. Grimshaw) 3
Mr. Galtress's Sunnyside, aged, 7st 41b (Peale) 4
Mr. Elliott's 13randy Wine, 4 yrs, Bst 121 b (Key) 5
Betting-13 to 8 agst Jig, 2to 1 agst Novice, and 4t o 1
agst Queen Bee.

Queen Bee and Sunnyside got off together, side by side
with Novice and Jig lying next, and Brandy Wino in the
rear. At the bend Sunnyside dropped back and Jig and
Novice joined the leader, but Mr. Fisher's filly soon retirin
Queen Bee and Jig raced home together, the former having
always slightly the best of it, and winning by a neck
Novice finished three lengths behind Jig; Sunnyside an
Brandy Wine were fourth and fifth.

The Betting-room Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 50 added by
the proprietors of the Subscription Betting-rooms ; for
2-yr-olds, 7st ; and 3-yr-olds, 9st. Winners extra. Red

house in. 22 subs.
Mr. Pardoe's Qui Vive, 7st 71b (Morris 1
Lord St. Vincent's Surney, 3 yrs, Bst 61b (Boyce 2
Lord St. Vincent's Jessamine, 2 yrs, Est 111 b (Foster 3
Mr. J. Osborne's Redneck, 2 yrs, Est 111 b (Grimshaw 4
Mr. Golby's Piano, 3 yrs, Bst 111 b (Anderson 5
Mr. Cathcart's Haphazard, 2 yrs, Est 111 b (Carroll) 6
Mr. F. Fisher's Novice, 2 yrs, 6st 91b (J. Grimshaw) 7
Betting-5 to 2on Qui Vive, 4to 1 agst Surney, 100 to 8
bar two.

The favourite, with Novice and Surney, after two or three
failures, got away in front, Haphazard, Redneck, and Jessa-
mine lying next. They ran thus to the bend, where Qui
Vive increased his lead, and at the distance was challenged
by Surney, who, however, failed to get near him, and was
beaten easily by a length and a half. Jessamine was a bad
third. The rest were placed by the judge.

The Chesterfield Handicap of 100 sovs, addod to a sweep-
stakes of 5 soya each, for 3-yr-olds and upwards. One
mile. 30 subs.
Mr. Saxon's Idle Girl, 4 yrs, 7st 91b
Mr. Hodgman's Hawkshaw, 4 yrs, Est 121 b (carried 7st)
(Morris) 2
Mr. J. Osborne's Nell Digby, 4 yrs, Est Sib (Carroll) 3
Mr. Preston's Sutton, 3 yrs, sst 121 b (carried 6st 31b)
(Peale) 4
The following also ran :—Walpole, Olivia, Lyra, and
Club Queen.

Betting-7 to 4 each agst Olivia and Idle Girl, 6to 1
agst Hawkshaw, 10 to 1 agst any other.
Olivia, followed by Nell Digby, Walpole, and Club Queen,
made the running to the Red-house, where the rear rank
drew up, and Olivia, still continuing the lead, was joined at
the bend by Idle Girl and Hawkshaw. At the distance
Olivia's bolt was shot, and Idle Girl, shaking off Hawk-
shaw, woa cleverly by a length. Nell Digby a bad third.
Sutton was fourth and Olivia fifth. Club Queen and Lyra
were last.
The Great North of England Steeplechase of 10 sous sach,
5 ft, with 100 added. About three miles and a half. 44
subs.
Mr. C. Walker's Pigeon, 6 yrs, llst 71b (Owner) 1
Mr H. Melville's Princess Dagmar, aged, 10st 121 b
(Holman 2
Mr. Somers's The Rogue, lOst 51b (J. Knott 3
Captain Cooper's Cockatoo, aged, lOst (States 4
Mr. Matthews's Portland, aged,. llst (Pickett 5
The following also ran :—Rook the Gardener, Sly Fox,
Cameo, The Freshman, Weatherwise, and Foresight.
Betting--4 to 1 agst Princess Dagmar, sto 1 agst Pigeon,
6 to 1 each agst Sly Fox and the Rogue, 8 to 1 agst Cameo,
10 to 1 agst Freshman, 100 to 8 agst any other.
Weatherwise took a slight lead, which she soon resigned
in favour of the Rogue, who came on past the Stand to the
water-jump, with Princess Dagmar, Rook the Gardener,
Cockatoo, Sly Fox, Cameo, and Pigeon. Weatherwise
swerved at the water and jumped the rails, getting rid of
her jockey. and taking no further part in the race. The
Rogue continued the load over the new pasture, and Fore-
-1 sight came into the second place, with Pigeon, Rook the
Gardener, and Princess Dagmar lying up. They came into
the course and passed the Stand the second time with the
Rogue still leading, Pigeon, Rook the Gardener, and Cocka-
too in the order named, and Portland some lengths in
the rear of the last division. All got well over the water,
and in the pasture Princess Dagmar crept up, with The
Rogue still in the van. They were joined on coming into
the Course for the last time by Sly Fox, who, in company
withthe leaders we have named above, ran into the straight,
where The Rogue gave way, and Pigeon, taking the lead,
was challenged on approaching the enclosure by Princess
Dagmar, but she failed to reach Mr. Walker's horse, who
won cleverly by a length and a half. The Rogue was a
bad third.

The Don Steeplechase of 3 sovs each, with 50 added, for
hunters. Gentlemen riders. Two miles and a half over
the Steeplechase Course.
Mr. G. Walker's Patience (11 b), 6 yrs, 12st 51b
(O
Mr. R. Walker's Miss Joyce (h b), 6 yrs, 13st llb wner) 1
(9wner) 2
The following also ran :—Dr. Bowe, The Veisu,-- and
Beechnut.

Betting-5 to 4on Patience, 3to 1 agst The Beau.
A chapter of accidents. Miss Joyce led, attended by The
Beau and Patience, but the second named refused the first
fence, and Miss Joyce fell at the water jump. This left
Patience in possession of the field, and though Miss Joyce
was mounted again, she did not succeed in reaching Pa-
tience, who won by 10 lengths.

Notice has been given by the directors of the
Trinidad Petroleum Company that share certificates
will be ready for delivery on Monday next.

SOUTHAMPTON, March 16.
The Royal Mail Company's steamship Tasma-
nian, with the above mails, has arrived. She brings
76 passengers, $1,230,171 in specie, and 1,984 pack-
ages of cargo, chiefly cotton, cocoa, and indigo.
The Tasmanian left St. Thomas on March 1. She
experienced strong north-easterly winds and high
seas from the Western Islands.