The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-30 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

Advices received by our Southampton correspon-
dent, by the mail steamer Atrato, report the follow-
ing movements of her Majesty's ships of war on the
West India and Pacific stations :—The Aboukir,
80, Commander Cracroft, C.B. ; the Fawn, 17,
Commander Wrey ; and the Nimble, 5, Lieut.
Hallowes, were at Port Royal, Jamaica, on the 9th
inst. The Rosario, 11, Commander Palmer, left
Kingston for Honduras on the 7th, with and for the
mails. The Styx, 6, left Antigua for Barbadoes on
the 11th. The Cordelia, 11, Commander J. B.
Scott, was at Dominica on the 10th. Admiral Sir
James Hope, K.C.8., in the Duncan, 81, Capt. R.
Gibson, was expected at Barbadoes on the 20th. The
Shannon, 35, Capt. 0. J. Jones, arrived at Aspin-
wall on the Ist from Greytown, and she reported the
safe arrival of the steamship Golden Rule at San
Juan del Norte. The Phaeton, 39, Capt. G. L
Bowyer, was at Matamoras on the 28th December.
The Petrel, 11, Commander E. Madden, left Vera
Cruz on the 30th December for Matamoras. The
Wolverine, 21, Capt. A. F. R. de Horsey, left Ha-
vannah for Matamoras on the, Bth January. The
Leander, Commander Harvey, was at Callao on the
28th December, and the Shearwater at Islay on the
23d ; the latter vessel was to rejoin the Commodore
in a day or two. The Alert was at Valparaiso on
the 17th December. The Sutlej, flagship, with the
Admiral, was expected at Valparaiso, from Vancou-
ver's Island, about the end of December. An Ame-
rican paddle steam ram had arrived at Havannah,
and left the same day for Wilmington, to join the
squadron there. A Federal stain corvette and two
gunboats were off Brazos. The French frigate Bel-
lone, Rear-Admiral Hoy, was at Martinique on the
6th of January. The French transports Entrepre-
nante, Eure, and Rhine, and the Austrian frigate
Navarre, were at Vera Cruz.
The Rinaldo, 17 gun screw corvette, 951 tons and
200 horse-power, Commander Hon. Maurice H.
Nelson, arrived at Spithead early yesterday morn-
ing from Jamaica, last from Falmouth, having, put
into the latter port on Wednesday, the 25th just.
At flag-hoist time yesterday morning the 11,Waldo
exchanged salutes with the Victory, Cavliin F.
Scott, C. 8., A.D.C., flagship of the Port Admiral,Sir M. Seymour, G.C.B. The Rinaldo awaits orders
at Spithead.
has Thebe deathen
reported ofia j oart -
heen . RHo.r sse. AGr:arsastro. nghßto.Ao.k
place on the 18th inst. at Lucerne, Swi,
at Walcheren n
was in his 75th year. He served
i
Switzerland. H e
1809, and in Canada from May, 1811, to July, 1815.
He obtained his commission as second lieut.
Decl7
1807 ; first lieut., March 22,18019841 e capt,. Nov. 6,
1827 ; brevet major, Nov. 23, lieut.-col.,
Nov. 9, 1846; col., June 29, 1854 ; major-gen., Jan.
15, 1859. A general officer's "distinguished service"
pension of £lOO per annum is vacant by his death.
"good service" pension placed at
the disposal caPta captain's
sthe First Lord of the Admiralty by
the death of Capt. R. Harris, R.N., has been con-
ferred on Capt. M. De Courcy.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—On Saturday
there was a very good display of tulips and mignonnette at
these gardens, when the great conservatory in which the
plants were arranged was visited by many visitors and fel-
lows of the society, who were enabled to enjoy a pleasant
promenade in an atmosphere far more agreeable than that
which was to be met with out of doors.

The CHAIRMAN said that those who had for many
otifiatthteheptzapritiev-
.
toyearsrewaetrtee ihulesetd
atwhearaenonfu
tall,
eaisisreougirbelssy
had made in the estimatioof thhaedpautbtletnc,daeudditt wothae
patronage and success whichs
tmiungghtt they
heineremasiegdht nat
dividend they
heayhatdhnlNes on
received.lse, l() i
man associated with him, who had
having so enterprising a lessee, and anodtilsiplagyeedntlaen-
mamanouagnetnoifenzteaolfanthdeinthdletastt,rrye. nevTerhesruerp.r,asecaluiloititileier
matter which was also deserving of notice, inasmuch
as for years the regular drama had notbeeuwitnessed
in that theatre, the lessee had made it profitable by
restoring this temple, hitherto famed throughout
the world, to its proper and legitimate objects.
The SECRETARY then read the advertisement con-
vening the meeting,• and afterwards the following
report of the committee :
bmithtteedbatolant
clie9eloBf3s,c.. generallids
" The accounts for the last 12 months ending Dec. 31,
1864, duly audited, and the annual report of the architect,
3. ll4h assembly.e.ip
payments
.
in-
cludingaresu y
oniTnehnthe
receipts,n 11sotuamount
Dee.,to
1862, amount to £6,
£5,583 18s. 5d., leaving a balance of £1,334 ss. 3d. The
receipts comprise the sum of £4,500 from the lessees for
rent of the theatre, and a further sum of £lOO for extra
formances during the season of 1863-4. The payments cotn-
•,,, t , ,igw: it f _Cli;6l_ls.. 2cl._ fur ii,fteaTtors "rt. 414 i'llqhf•
' Atli& ' v , ,id, and £760 -Is. 5,1. f-''''''Rti2s Mul-tax(P. The
161111110

_ an- 50. to-r_
sum of £1,950 has been paid to the trustees of new renters,
and all the ordinary current expenses of the 12 mouths
have been paid up to Christmas-day, The committee refer
with pleasure to the continued success of the lessees, and
they feel assured that the general assembly will receive
with satisfaction the report of the architect upon the condi-
tion of the property."

Mr. MARSH NELSON, the architect, read the fol-
lowing report :

" My Lords and Gentlomen,—ln addition to the ordinary
affairs of the theatre, the following works have been done
during the past year, namely, the reconstruction of a por-
tion of the Main Northern Longitudinal Sewer, which had
given way; the rebuilding of the property-rooms,chimney
stacks, and the fence walls on the southern side next
Vinegar-yard. Two houses on the estate, Nos. 16 and 17,

Marquis-Court, have been thoroughly repaired, and the
ground landlord (the Duke of Bedford) has converted the
two houses into three, and effected other permanent im-
provements, at his own cost. The result will be an increase
of rental to the proprietors for the remaining term of the
lease. By direction of the sub-committee, I prepared in
March last valuations of the theatre and properties, and
gave evidence at an appeal before the Property-tax Com-
missioners. A reduction of £B4B was obtainedin the amount
of the assessment, and a proportionate annual saving will
thus be effected. The monthly report from the firemen
shows that the fire-cocks and apparatus throughout the
theatre for the prevention and extinction of fire are in good
working order, and I have the satisfaction to state that the
lessee (Mr. Falconer) has faithfully carried out the instruc-
tions of the sub-committee, referred to in my last report as
having been highly approved by the inspectors of theatres of
the Lord Chamberlain's department, in removing all barriers
and keeping open all doors of exit communicating with the
various fire-proof corridors and staircases, and in guarding
all exposed lights, both before and behind the curtain.
These precautions, especially the latter one, add to the
security of the property, as well as to the safety of the public.

On the motion of Mr. RAWLINSON, the report
was agreed to.
Mr. BURTON moved that the report be adopted.

Mr. ROBINS seconded the motion.

Mr. SHARPE said before the chairman put the mo-
tion he wished to make a few remarks. He wanted to
know if he was right when he said that two quarters'
ground rent were owing to the Duke of Bedford?

The CHAIRMAN said it was paid up to Midsummer.
Mr. SHARPE said it appeared that they had in
hand a balance of £1,334 ss. 3d., and, such being
the case, he begged to repeat what he said at the
last annual meeting, and to express his opinion that
they ought to get out of debt when they had the
means. As they had a sufficient sum in hand, he
thought they ought to pay off the two quarters'
ground rent they were in arrear to the Duke of Bed-
ford, and so get out of debt, and especially as they
would then have in hand a sum sufficient 'to meet
the ordinary requirements of the committee. Ho
moved that the two quarters' rent in arrear be paid
to the Duke of Bedford.

Mr. PYEFINCH seconded the motion. He had ex-
pressed the same opinion at their last meeting, and
he was surprised that the suggestion had not been
acted upon by the committee. At a subsequent meet-
ing of the renters, who were only interested in the
finances of the theatre, there was a unanimous feeling
that this debt should be paid off. As the committee
had a sufficient sum in hand for the purpose, he was
surprised that they had not done so.
The CHAIRMAN said it would be better that he
should give some little explanation of the matter,
as it might save some misconception and discussion.
It was true that at the last meeting the hon;
gentleman moved a resolution almost similar to
the one he then offered to the meeting. At the
meeting of the new renters a resolution was passed,
and the committee stated that they would, as far as
their views were sound, endeavour to carry them,
and to some extent they had carried them out. Any.
suggestion from the new renters would always be
received with courtesy, and as far as was consistent
with the protection of all the interests concerned
they would endeavour to carry it out. 1n1863 they
paid four quarters' rent, and in the last year, fall-
ing in with the suggestion to which he had referred
and having a large balance in hand, they paid five
quarters' rent instead of four, and thus brought
down their arrears to a lower amount than was ever
known in the memory of anyone in that room. In-
stead, therefore, of being admonished for not having
done more, they expected to have received credit for
their prudence. Supposing their balance at their
bankers should be reduced by the amount suggested,
and any serious calamity should occur, how would
they be placed ? They would have to pay the rent,
tqau er se
d, fitroe
bber i gnaladde
e, bme soi
nd
teshlpyayaniudenqtawrtehircihy,waerendrei-f
anything were to occur to interrupt the prosperity
of the lessees, and they had no money to go on, the
hon. gentleman would not like to be called upon to
put his hand in his pocket to meet the current ex-
penses. Although they had paid the Duke of Bed-
ford five quarters' rent, they had made also an addi-
tion to his income of the renters, for it was treble
over what it was ten years ago. Things were pro-
gressing, and their prosperity was most unaccount-
able, for property which a short time ago was of the
value of £B,OOO at a sale by auction was_ now worth
from £50,000 to £60,000. The increased sum of
money Which had been paid
to the Duke of Bedford
was a proof of the earnestness and independent zeal.
and anxiety of the committee, but they must exer-
cise some discretion. Any suggestion offered, as far
as prudence would allow, would be adopted and
followed up, and as they had done in the
past so
in the future.
they would do
Mr. SHARPE said the chairman had made .
a cap-
tai speech, but it was only a piece of special plead-
ingafter all. He contended that
they had the
means of getting out of debt they ought to do so.
There was no complaint that their
regularly paid, and as they had the rent was not
ting out of debt to their _ _ means of get-
to do so. ground landlord they ought
The CHAIRMAN said the facts were not as the hon.
gentleman had stated. If they
Bedford they had an outstandingley paid the Duke of
.debt of £270 to
pay for the repairs of the dila'd ation of two houses,
and they would then not
hand at their bankers have
to carry ou e.nough money in
if the lessee was
not to pay his rent.
Lord W. LENNO X was about offering some obser-
vations, when the ch • airmail ruled that he was out of
order.
The motion was then put, and negatived by a
large majority, and the report was received and
adopted.
The six members of the committee who went out
of office by rotation—viz., Mr. Holmes, Lord Wm.
Lennox, Mr. H. Wilson, Mr. O'Dowd, ‘fr. Arabin,
and Mr. Bond Cabbell—were then re-elected.
The following gentlemen were re-elected as the
sub-committee :—Mr. Joseph Arden, Mr. B. B.
Cabbell, Sir W. De Bathe, Mr. T. Rawlinson, and
Mr. T. Waring.
Mr. Crombie was re-elected auditor, and thanks
were voted to the auditors for their services.
A vote of thanks to the chairman and to Mr.
Falconer, the lessee, closed the
proceedings.

LONDON, MONDAY, JAN. 30, 1865.

According to the intelligence just received by the
Asia, Fort Fisher is now in the hands of the }We-
rals, having been bombarded by PORTER for 54
hours, with the loss to the assaulters of 1,000 men,
and of 300 additional by the explosion of a magazine
the day after they were inside the fort. It is further
stated_ that the Confederates have evacuated and
(atnes(tiroty. ed Fort Smith on the south of New Inlet,
onthe same day (the 16th) PORTER'S
light draught gunboats entered the Inlet, and
anchored. in Cape Fear
river. This a sudden and
somewhat unlocked-fortpieece of news, and if it is
substantially correct h
_
Federals will be in
cestacies, though Wilmington
is not yet theirs.
It is singular that the
only six days before, Etna, which left
should have told
its so little about. this great
Certainly, if the Fort he. expedition.
actually captured,
BUT-
LER'S assertions of its impregnability cannot go
very far towards his defence. His friends' it
said, have succeeded in obtaining an official inquiry
into the conduct of the first Wilmington
expedition •
and BUTLER'S official report has been published,
in which he gives the blame to Admiral PORTER.—
ttc fashion—declaring that if he had been
ready at the proper time the weather would have
been fine

WEITZEL agrees that an assault would
have been butchery ;* and BUTLER declares, in his
farewell order to the army, that he is removed from
the command became he would not uselessly sacrifice

There seems little to envy in the lot of those
who have to do with Prussian affairs. Notwith-

standing all the parade that has been made, there is

nothing but vanity and vexation of spirit experi-
enced by those who have in reality to cope with
existing circumstances, and to decide upon what
plan shall be followed at this critical juncture. Now
that the opinion of the' Chambers has called general
attention to matters that otherwise might have
been kept discreetly in the background, and perhaps
never have emerged from the shade, it must be
apparent to all observers that there is something
very wrong in the state of things. The Finance
Committee have indeed had an awkward task
before theia, but they seem to all intents and
purposes to have discharged their onerous
duties with zeal and ability. There are few
things more perplexing than to undertake an in-
vidious affair of this kind in a country circumstanced
as Prussia now is, for what between seeking to per-
form their duties in a creditable manner, and
knowing the extreme probability that exists of no
attention being paid to their suggestions at head-
quarters, it might baffle the most astute to settle
what justice should demand, and what wisdom
prompts to let alone. It will be seen that the
juste milieu have been chosen with great skill or
caution in the requirements made by the Committee,
and it is to be hoped that they will find their efforts
so far crowned with success as: being the best
adapted, and the most fitted for the emergency
that has arisen. In their report to the Chamber
of the general nature of the Budget, it is
proposed to take into consideration the grounds
that exist for the complaints of the people respecting
the " excessive nature of taxation," and also to re-
flect upon the best means of putting a period to the
grievance. It is a wise resolve which determines
the Committee to make no decided " proposition"
about the military budget, but to confine them-
selves to the expression of their opinion how the pub-
lic revenue should be expended. An important sug-
gestion is mentioned, which proposes to question
the Ministry as to the particulars of the expenses of
the Danish war, and how far it effected the sums at
the disposal of the Government previously to its
breaking out. An awkward inquiry is added,
namely, to note particularly whether any sums
have been taken from the Treasury, and to
what account. This, if carried out, will be a re-
,.
solutioi4 considerable importance, and well calcu-
lated to_dixest the people of Prussia of the glamour
which apparently has bewitched them in respect to
Danish affairs in general. It will now be a matter
of grave inquiry as to whether the war was worth
its cost, and whether they have not been squander-
ing any treasures that are easier to lose than to
gain, and still more difficult to recover if once spent
unwisely. The Ministry, to judge from their recent
acts, are not likely to accede to this guarded re-
quest, but will most probably incur fresh obloquy
by their dogged style and obstinate silence. It is
evident that some deep mystery is at the bottom
of this great outlay for the Danish affair, and
as yet there has been no decided effort
made on the part of the authorities to elucidate the
obscure in their policy
cal turn of affairs" and to shadow forth, however
faintly, the outlines of their efforts. This is a criti-
in Berlin, which now engages the
wise and the skilled in
an object of exciting indteerelibsetrtaoti o
manyn ; a
tnod w i
at t
cwh i be
hl
ow
Herr VON BIS3IARK will vi,ctricate himself from his

very awkward position. He is not very likely at any
rate to share the fame of him who will go down to
posterity as 4; the pilot who weathered the storm,"
for he has failed most egregiously in all he has
undertaken ; that is to say, there is no profit for the
Prussians to rejoice in it, and they are threatened
with doubts and diffculties that are doubly heavy to
bear, since the necessity for their occurrence is now
a generally acknowledged fact.

The KING'S reply to the Address of the Upper
House is characterised by his usual style, and he
does not enunciate any fresh principles as to what
will guide the policy of the CROWN in the compli-
cations that are likely to arise. His heart is re-
joiced to find that gratitude is experienced for the
exertions of the Government, and he goes on to
remark again in the unsuitable manner of which he
is so fond concerning the religious motives that in-
fluence him and his people. It seems almost pro-
fanity to hear him talk of the " fear of GOD" being
the paramount principle at work among them. This
feeling, he says, has animated his soldiers, and in-
duced the people to make sacrifices to the army. It
seems strange, indeed, to hear of such an explanation
as this when we reflect upon the manner in which
the Prussian troops waged war, and the very unne-
cessary misery that they occasioned to the inhabi-
tants of the provinces they entered. Vhen we hear
a Royal personage thus endeavouring to make poli-
tical capital out of the so-called piety and irre-
proachable conduct of those who have been the
objects of universal opprobrium on account of their
enormities and excesses, it speaks but ill for the
cause he is endeavouring to uphold either in merit
or consistency. The KING, of course, touches upon
the important subject of his disputes with the
Chambers, or, as he emphatically terms it, " the
conflict between my Government and the re-
presentatives of the country should be brought
to an end." He seems struck at his own mag-
nanimity in having made advances to the
representatives. It has not been very apparent
to general observers in what they have consisted.
We heard an intimation that the King desired that
all altercation should cease, but not a whisper was
breathed as to any concessions that were to be
made to effect this most desirable conclusion. At
no time could the Sovereign do less than make
such a declaration, whether he intended to be in-
strumental or not in removing the difficulties that
lay in the way of agreement. The effect of his
MAJEsTv's grandiloquent assertions is entirely:spoiled
by the fact that during the sittings of the Chamber
the Ministry have done all they could to make it
generally understood that the King will not yield
one iota of his plans to the desires or coun-
sels of the Representative Assembly. It is this
which makes it seem almost a mockery for
both sides to go on in this fashion, and making
speeches that have no foundation in facts or validity
in expression, and the other vainly endeavouring to
better the interests of the country to whom they are
responsible, and advocate the cause which is dear
to them, as men of integrity and politicians of judg-
ment. How long Europe is to witness this shilly-
shallying with the principles of a free Constitution,
and this desecration of the liberties of a people,
cannot as yet be accurately defined. The page of
the future is shrouded in mystery ; bet, most likely,
it will not be long before some striking change
occurs which will scatter to the winds this carefully
built-up code of administration, and make manifest
to the innovators of freedom how mistaken and mis-
chievous has been the course they have pursued.

Floating Telegraph Sta 4 ion and Light Ship

Company.

TO THE EDITOR OF TAE SUN,

Sir,—ln reply to " Our Connected with Shipping," I beg
to say the directors of this company have not abandoned
their plan of placing a light and store-ship connected with
the shore, by means of a submarine cable, to the south-
west of Scilly ; in fact, a provisional contract for the neces-
sary ships for that station has just been entered into. We
are, however, still requiring some additional assistance
before the station can be established. Had the ships been
there during the last six weeks much property and many
valuable lives would no doubt have been saved by our
tender and lifeboats, and large profits realised to our share-
holders.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
M. BRAI.P., Secretary.
21, Gresham-street, Old Jewry, Jan 28.

TIIE KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER.—On Saturday
Sir C. G. Young, Garter Principal King of Arms,
with his assistants, was occupied in placing the arms and
banner of the Marquis of Lansdowne in the choir of the
Chapel Royal of St. George, Windsor Castle. The position
occupied by the arms of the newly created knight of the
most noble Order of the Garter is next the carved stone-
work of the royal closet. The trophy consists of a helmet,
surmounted by a guilt beehive, a blue silk scarf embroi
dered with silver thread, and sword, above the whole of
which is the banner richly emblazoned. The number of
knights is restricted to 25, exclusive of the Sovereign, the
princes of the blood royal, and foreign princes. The Duke
of Newcastle's arms and banner have not yet been re-
moved. Earl Spencer's arms will shortly be placed in the
chapel.
Mu. SALA ON THE NEGRO.--I believe that for
thousands of years unavailing efforts have been
made to civilise the black natives of Africa, and those
efforts—missionary enterprise and the republic of Liberia
notwithstanding—will continue to be unavailing. * * I
believe that he is naturally inferior to the white man in
mental organisation ; that his defects and his vices are not
to be eradicated by education ; that he will always (in the
aggregate,.of course there are individual exceptions) be
lazy, indolent, and slovenly, good-natured and kind-
hearted, but subject to inexplicable fits of caprice, sulki-
ness, obstinacy, and perversity ; willing and obedient only
when he fears the eye or the hand of his master. * * I
believe that he must always have a "boss" or a master or a
guide of some sort over him, with power to punish him
I when he misbehaves himself; and I believe that in default
of this master, guide, or " boss," he will go to the Devil, as
he has gone in Hayti, as he will go in Ciboria, as he would
go in Jamaica were not the magistrates too strong for
him, and as he has been going in his own country, Africa,
for I don't know how many thousand years.—Sala's
American Diary.

ANGLO-FRENCH POLITENESS.—M. Eugene Rim-
mel, author and perfumer, in the midst of a shower
of compliments, sweet as his sweetest essence, tells us, in
a highly-scented note, that his book was written wholly
and truly by himself, Latin quotations included. " You
are not probably aware," says the scented note, " that I
was born and brought up in France, where the poorest
tradesman's son receives a classical education." We accept
the inference ; and in return for M. Rimmel's politeness,
beg to offer him, as an original author on the matters per-
taining to his elegant business, the assurance of our dis-
tinguished consideration.
A ROYAL COMIC ARTIST.—Dom Fernando of
Portugal, the father of the reigning King, has just
sent to the Society of Aquafortistes, of Paris, a proof etch-
ing exhibiting great ability. It represents a funeral ora-
tion pronounced by a cat over a deceased brother ; around
the bier is a crowd of other eats expressing their grief in
various ways ; some wipe their eyes, some look upwards
with resignation, while others seem transfixed by despair,
but all stifle their sobs and listen to the orator, who is
seated with intense gravity on a tub. The subject is a
strange one to select for the purpose, but the execution of
the work proves Dom Fernando to be a true artist, possess-
ing much comic verve.
'IRE POET LAUREATE is a candidate for election
into the Royal Society. His name was among those read
T
lIIIEALYT-OTRAT_IRThE
eAasnSocnulaAlTmloeNetinFOgßof RtZPsEassALoIcNiG.
in at the meeting of the Society on Thursday last.
THEation was held on Thursday ; the President, Mr. E. Cayley,
of Wydale-hall, in the chair. The report and accounts
were satisfactory, and them is a good balance in hand. The
President was unanimously re-elected, and also the other
officers. A deputation was appointed to attend the antici-
pated large meeting of the Central Repeal Association, at
the London Tavern, on the-Bth of February. Mr. Fielding,
of Todmorden, offered £2O if 19 others would subscribe a
like amount each towards a fund for holding meetings in
the manufacturing districts ; and Mr. Lett, of Scampston,
offered £5 if 500 tenant-farmers would do the same, to
secure the efficient working of the association. Several
members subscribed to both funds. Speeches urging a speedy
and total repeal of the Malt-tax were made.

REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF GAS.—The Corn-
mercial Gas Company, Stepney, have issued a notice to
their customers that from and after the 31st March next
the price of gas will be reduced from 4,5. 541. to U. per
1,099 cubic feet.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM;)

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE ASIA.

The Royal Mail steamship Asia, from Boston on
the 18th and Halifax on the 20th inst., arrived at
Queenstown at 2.30 a.m. to-day (Jan. 30). She
brings 88 passengers, and P 13,510 in specie. She
landed 83 sacks of mails and four passengers, and
proceeded at 3 a.m., all well.

NEW YORK, JAN. 17 (Evening).
( Via Roche's Point.)

The House of Representatives has concurred in
the resolution of the Senate to give notice for the
termination of the Reciprocity Treaty.

The United States frigate San Jacinto has been
wrecked.

Mr. Edward Everett is dead.

It is officially announced that Fort Fisher, below
Wilmington, was carried by assault, on the 15th
inst., by Ames' division, with a brigade of the 4th
Army Corps, aided by a battalion of marines and
seamen, all under the command of General Terry.
The assault was preceded by a heavy bombardment
by the fleet, and was made at 3 o'clock in the
afternoon, the whole fort being captured by 10
p.m. The Federals oceupy all the works south
of Fort Fisher. The garrison, estimated at
2,500, including General Wheling and Colonel
Lamb, was captured on the extreme end of the
Peninsula. Seventy-two guns were also captured.
The Federal loss was 500 men.

Mr. Blair has returned to Washington from
Richmond.
The Richmond Examiner asserts that President
Davis, at an interview with Mr. Blair, delivered to
him a letter for President Lincoln, declaring his
willingness to receive peace commissioners, or to
send peace commissioners to Washington.

The New York limes states that Mr. Blair has
had an interview with President Lincoln touching
Davis's propositions regarding peace commissioners.
Northern and Southern journals place no confi-
fidence in the result of the Blair movement. The
New York Times says the Government seeks peace
through war only. A Richmond despatch says the
South would spurn Blair's proposal. The South
will never return to the Union.

The Committee of Ways and Means have re-
ported on the bill authorising the Secretary of the
Treasury to continue the seven-thirty loan for the
balance of about $200,000,000 of the $400,000,000
authorised by the Act of June, 1864.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Money easy. Gold, 215. Exchange on London,
239 - ; on Paris, 284 2134. Stocks tending down-
wards. New York Centrals, 116 ; Illinois, 124 ;
Erie, 79k 5 20 ; bonds, 109 i.
The Governor of Missouri has proclaimed Mis-
souri a free state.

The Canadian Government has refused to issue
British passports to naturalized Canadians.

NEW YORK, JAN. 19, 6 p.m.
Rumours are current that Mr. Blair will return
to Richmond with a Government representative.
Gold, after declining to 208, closed to-day at
2091.

NEW YORK, J. 19 (Evening).

The Federals captured Fort Fisher on the 15th
inst. The gunboats afterwards proceeded up the
Cape Fear River. On the 16th the Confederates
blew up Fort Smith on the south side of New
Inlet.

Sherman has moved towards BranchTille.
Mr. Blair has returned to Washington fron
Richmond.

The Richmond papers assert that President Davis
has consented to receive or send peace commis-

sioners.
Mr. Stanton announces that General Sherman has
transferred two corps under Howard to Beaufort.
They moved upon the line of the Charleston and
Savannah Railroad to Pocataligo, and occupied a
position across the railroad covering the approaches
eastward of the latter place.
The Confederates have abandoned the works in
the vicinity of Pocataglio.
The Federal loss in assaulting Fort Fisher is now
estimated at 900 men, including many officers.
Hoke's division, 5,000 strong, is at Wilmington.
Lees army is said to be short of supplies.
It is rumoured that the railroad between Danville
and Greensboro has been destroyed by heavy rains.
President Lincoln has approved of the resolution
of Congress to terminate the reciprocity treaty.
Retaliation resolutions has been introduced into
the Senate for the treatment of prisoners in the
South.

The Senate have ratified the notice to be given to
England for the termination of the treaty limiting
the naval force on the lakes. .
Sherman has - informed a private citizen that
Georgia must be governed by military laws. To
talk of reconstruction is useless. Georgia is still in
the Union. When the people shall quit the rebel-
lion and send members to Congress Georgia will
resume her Union functions and advantages.
It is stated that Sherman will move on Branch-
ville next week.

Extreme activity prevails on General Grant's left,
and early movements are expected.
Mobile papers announce that 4,000 Federals oc-
cupy an unassailable position at Franklin Mills on
the Dog River.
General Butler has arrived at Washington to
testify before the Congressional Committee concern-
ing the failure of the first Wilmington expedition.
The Richmond Enquirer asserts that Lee urges a
conscription of the negroes, afterwards emancipat-
ing them and their families.
The Richmond Sentinel says that he has objected
to an enlargement of his command, on the ground
that he finds it impossible to command all the
Confederate armies as well as the army before
Richmond.

Davis, however, seeks Lee's advice on all impor.

taut movements.
Resolutions have been introduced into the Vir-
ginia Legislature to make peace through State
action, but they were defeated by an almost unani-
mous vote.

A resolution has been introduced into the Fede-
ral House of Representatives, recommending Lin-
coln to send or receive peace commissioners, or
secure the cessation of hostilities and the union :of
the States. The resolution was defeated by 34
to 51.

Southern official reports state that Senator Foote
when arrested avowed he was proceeding to Wash-

ington to negociate peace.

The Richmond Examiner urges the burning of all
cotton and tobacco not needed by the Government.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Money easy. Gold, 2101. Exchange on Lon-
don, 234 ; do. on Paris, 210 215. Stocks depressed :
New York Centrals, 1114 ; Illinois, 1191 ; Erie,
73i ; Five:Twenty Bonds, 109 k. The military in-
telligence depresses gold and stocks. Cotton de-
pressed : Middling Upland, 100. Flour and
wheat declining ; corn depressed. Provisions de-
clining : coffee steady; ougar good
_inquiry

molasses quiet. Petroleum, no sales ; crude, 51;
refined, 70.

(PER THE TELEGRAPHIC NEWS ASSOCIATION.)
(Per Asia vid Roche's Point.)
NEW YORK, JAN. 17.
The Federals occupy all the works south of Fort
Fisher. , The latter fort was only conquered after
desperate fighting with severe loss. The garrison
falling back to the extreme point of the peninsula
was followed and captured. Many of the guns in
the fort were injured by the terrible fire of the navy.
The accounts respecting guns captured vary from
40 to 72. Salutes are firing everywhere in honour
of the triumph. It is not supposed Wilmington
can be immediately captured, but the port for
blockade running is sealed, though not wholly.
Butler was testifying at Washington on his failure
when news of the capture was received.
It is rumoured that Grant's army is moving, hav-
ing been largely reinforced by Thomas.
General Sherman has destroyed railway connec-
tion with Hood.

Troops are concentrating at New Allans for a
heavy.assault on Mobile.
Four thousand Federals are at Franklin Mills, on

Dog River.
Hood is at Corinth, with the same line of defence
that Sydney Johnstone had in 1862.
Mr. Blair's visit and return calls forth much
speculation, but it is generally conceded that, poli-
tically, it was fruitless. The Virginia House of
Delegates rejected peace resolutions by a vote of
101 against 2. The Federal House has also rejected
peace propositions. It is rumoured that the Con-
federate Congress has peace proposals before it in

secret session.
The Federal House concurred in the Senate's
amendment to the Reciprocity joint resolution.
The Senate adopted a resolution of inquiry into
the repeal of the 10th article of the Ashburton
treaty, which, the Times says, is the first step
towards its abrogation. It says President Lin-
coln favours the step.
The House committee on elections decided to
admit only the New Orleans members.
The Tribune asserts that the Government does
not insist on the unconditional surrender of the
South as a preliminary to peace.
The Examiner urges the destruction of all cotton
and tobacco not needed for Government purposes.
The Sentinel says Gen. Lee has declined to extend
his command beyond the month of Cape Fear River.
The General not only favoured arming the Blacks,
but their freedom and the freedom of their families.
Several Confederate bombproofs along the James
River were destroyed by the late freshet.
General Hunter is reported appointed to the com-
mand of Butler's army. Butler is reported largely
behind in his financial accounts with the Govern-

nient.
General Canby has issued stringent rules against
contraband trade.
The Confederates destroyed the gunboats Rattler
and Veranso.
The frigate San Jacinto was wrecked on the
Bahamas.
President Davis has sent a communication to the
House respecting Mr. Foote's arrest. The arrest
was not officially authorised.
The extradition of the St. Alban's raiders is now
regarded as probable.
The Federals are about to evacuate Fort Gibson.
The Confederate ram on the Roanoke River is
nearly finished.
Drafting has been ordered in Louisiana, Missis-
sippi, and Arkansas.

(Via Halifax anfl. Roche's Point.)

/NEW YORK, JAR. 18.
Richmond papers or nfirm the capture of Fort
Fisher, which the Whigays is an unfortunate rather
than disastrous event. The capture cuts off but one
channel into Cape Fear River, as Fort Caswell,
commanding another entrance, remains on the south
side, heavily manned and armed. There are also
other works which guard the approaches to Wil-
mington.

It is doubtful whether battery Lamb, which do-
minates Fort Fisher, has been captured or not.
Admiral Porter says the army and navy lost
heavily during the bombardment, which continued

three days.
Unofficial despatches estimate the Federal loss at
900, while private despatches place it far higher.
The Confederates lost 500 killed. The approaches
to the fort were strewn with dead.

The Marines suffered terribly from the fire of
artillery and musketry at short range.
The magazine exploded after the capture, killing
and wounding 200 Federais—Lieuts. Preston and
Porter among the slain. Colonels Pennybacker and
Bell, who took part in the assault, are dangerously
wounded.

The Talahassie and Chickamauga participated
in the fight.
The Federals regard the storming of Fort Fisher
the most brilliant victory of the war.
The Tribune admits the victory does not stop
blockade running with Wilmington, as 15 miles of
the river is strongly fortified.

T. H. Clint, director of Quebec Bank, has

been suspended.
The World's correspondent learns that Charleston
will be evacuated and the Confederate works

blown up.

The land attack upon Fort Fisher was led by

General Terry.
Thomas has sent part of the fifteenth and seven-
teenth army corps to reinforce Sherman. The latter
has withdrawn from before Hardeeville.

It is rumoured that Grant's headquarters will be
changed to Washington.
Breckenbridge, it is reported, is appointed Secre-
tary of War in place of Seddon.

Pierre Soulle is in Mexico on a mission from the
Confederate States.

Mr. Foote has been discharged.
Fry, the composer, is dead, also Mr. Edward
Everett. •

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, JAN. 18.

Stocks depressed-5-20's, 109 i ; Erie, 781 ex div. ;
Illinois Central, 1231 ; New York Central, 115 ;
Sterling, 91 ; Cotton, 102. Coffee declined Ic. ;
indigo firm; iron dull ; Scotch pig $6O ; lead un-
settled ; linseed oil firm ; petroleum, 92 (? 72) ;
salt firm ; saltpetre dull ; sugar firm ; tobacco
active. Freights improving owing to reduced supply
of tonnage.

NEW YORK, J. 19 (Evening).
The remaining works near Wilmington have no,
been assaulted.

General Sherman has occupied Poctaglio (?)
with all its approaches, and threatens Branchville.
Hopes are entertained at Richmond that Fort Fisher
may be retaken by an attack in rear.

A Federal force has left Decatur for Mont.

gomery.
The Richmond papers state that President Davis
has informed Mr. Blair that he is ready to receive
or send properly accredited commissioners to
negotiate.

President Lincoln has signed the Act repealing
the Reciprocity Treaty with Canada.
Four blockade-runners have reached B avannah.
The British barque, John Bull, with A cargo of

cotton, has been totally wrecked off the Rio

Grande.

A Montreal produce-dealer is reported to have
'ailed for three-quarters of a million.

COMMERCIAL.

Gold, 208. Stocks declining heavily, with gene-
ral panic. Five-Twenties, 109 ; Reading, 107 ;
Illinois, 1191 ; New York Central, 111. Cotton, 98.

MEXICO.
VERA CRUZ, DEC. 31.
The first detachment of Austrian troops arrived

here to-day.
Count Thun has also arrived.

FRANCE,

The Prince Imperial on Friday gave at the Pa-
lace of the Tuileries the fete which has been spoken
of to a deputation of the pupils of the colleges of
Paris and Versailles. Twelve pupils were invited
from each college, selected from among the most
deserving of the 7th class, the studies of which the
Prince himself is this year following under M. Mon-
nier, his preceptor. The guests arrived at the Tui-
leries at one, conducted by the heads of the respec-
tive colleges. One of the pupils delivered a com-
plimentary address to his Imperial Highness, and
two others recited a dialogue written for the occa-
sion. The Empress during the day did not cease to
manifest the most gracious kindness to the young
guests. The Princess Clotilda and the Princess
Mathilde, who were present, were likewise most
gracious. In reply to a toast in honour of the
Prince proposed by one of the guests,. his Imperial
Highness replied in a firm and sympathetic voice,
" I drink to my young comrades, the children of
France." Previously to the banquet M. Robin
gave a performance in natural magic and sleight of
hand for the amusement of the youthful party.
BOURSE, Jan. 28.—The upward movement ma-
nifested yesterday has continued to-day, and the
market has been very animated. For the Account,
Threes opened at 67f. 20c„ and are now at 67f.
25c. Mobilier are also higher, and are now quoted
at 971 f. 25c. The Railway Share Market has par-
ticipated in the movement, and quotations have
generally improved. The market closed as follows :
4 per Cents 95 70

Do. end month

Italian Loan 65 25
Do. e.nd month 65 15
Ditto Threes —
New Mexican
Russian —
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Home ,D ebt
Deferred

3 per Cents. 67 10
Do. end month 67 15
Credit Mobilier 967 50
Do. end month 967 50
Bank Shares 3540
Credit Fonder 1280
Roman 73

RAILV

WAYS.

Orleans

Cash. Acct.
920
_920

Northern lOOB 75 ... 1010
Lyons and Mediterranean 945 ... 943 75

Southern 585 ... 581 25
Western 537 50 540
Eastern 513 75 513 75
Sardinian 3OB 75 ... 306 25
Austrian
Lombard 540 ... 543 75
North of Spain 353 75 348 75
Saragossa 412 50 410
Ditto to' Bare*lona 175 175

West Indian, Mexican, and Pacific Mails.

SOUTHAMPTON, Jan. 29.

The Royal Mail Company's steamer Atrato, Capt.
Jellico, with the above mails, arrived this morning.
She brings 80 passengers, on freight specie value
1,038,057, and the following cargo : 112 serons
cochineal, 1,313 serons indigo, 796 cases cigars, 134
bales tobacco, 12 casks coffee, 4 bales sarsaparilla,
30 casks ginger, 4 bales hats, 2 cases shell, 10 boxes
planes, 534 bales bark, 17 bales rubber, 81 bags
cocoa, 8 bales cotton, and 76 packages sundries.
Dates by this arrival are Vera Cruz, 2d; Havana,
9th ; Santa Martha, Ist ; Carthagena, 2d ; Colon,
Gth ; Jamaica, 9th ; Jacmel, 10th ; Porto Rico,
13th ; Demerara, 7th; Tobago, 7th ; Trinidad,
7th ; Barbadoes, 10th; Grenada, 10th; St. Vin-
cent, 10th ; St. Lucia, 10th ; Martinique, Guada-
loupe, Dominique, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, and
St. Kitts, 11th; Tortola, 12th; and St. Thomas, 14th
inst.

The Atrato experienced during the last five days
of her passage strong homl winds and heavy sea.

Her Majesty's ship Styx left Antigua for Barba-
does on the 11th inst. ; the Cordelia was at Domi-
nica on the 10th ; Admiral Sir. James Hope was ex-
pected at Barbadoes on the 20th ; the French frigate
Before was at Martinique ; her Majesty's ship
Shannon was at Colon on the 6th ; the Aboukir,
Falcon, and Nimble were at Jamaica ; the Rosario
left Kingston on the 7th for Honduras; the Phaeton
was at Matamoras on Dec. 28 ; the Petrel left Vera
Cruz on the 30th for Matamoras ; a Federal steam
corvette and two gunboats were off Boazas ; the
French transports Entreprenato, Euve, and Rhine,
and the Navarre, Austrian frigate, were at Vera Cruz;
the Wolverine left Havana for Matamoras on the Bth
inst. The American paddle-steam ram arrived at
Havana, and left the same day for Wilmington, to
join the squadron there.
Her Britannic Majesty's steamer Sutlej was to sail
from Esquimault, Vancouver, on the arrival at that
port of the Tribune.
The French screw-transport Rhone was at Tam-
pico waiting for specie by the Conducta, which the
imperial authorities would not allow to be shipped
on board the Royal Mail Company's steamer Solent,
for which vessel it was intended. The merchants
remonstrated, and protested against such proceed-
ings on the part of the authorities. A correspondent
writing from Tampico, says :—" The French seem
anxious to create a trade with Mexico, and they evi-
dently are not backward in adopting strong mea-
sures to accomplish it."
The weather at Barbadoes continued fine ; the
harvest promised to be a good one ; the canes every-
where were thriving, and the crop of sugar was ex-
pected to reach 50,000 hhds. Shipments for 1864
were 36,108 hhds. sugar, 16,000 puns. molasses,
against 42,000 hhds. sugar and. 15,000 puns. mo-
lasses of the previous year. Sugar-making was
expected to commence about the latter end of
February. Cotton-growing continued to occupy
considerable attention ; the harvest is calculated to
realise $300,000 return to the proprietors. Emi-
gration had subsided amongst the labouring classes.
The health of the island continued good. Exchange
on London per £lOO, buying, 90 days, 480 ; 60
days, 481; 30 days, 482 ; selling, 485, 488, and 491
dollars.
•At Grenada preparations were making for the
crop ; the increase in sugar was expected to reach
from 1,000 to 3,000 hogsheads in excess of last year.
The cotton pick had commenced, and favourable
results were looked for. Cocoa gathering and dry-
ing was retarded in consequence of showery weather
in the mountains. The state of the public finances
was satisfactory, all debts being paid up to the end
of 1864, with a balance in hand of £4,365 4s. 4d.
for the service of the current year. With the ex-
ception of a few American whalers the harbour was
bare of shipping. Exchange at the Colonial Bank
for selling 90 days' drafts, $4BO ; 60 days, $482;
and 30 days' $485.

The Address of the House of Lords, in answer to
the Queen's Speech, will be moved by the Duke of Cleve-
land, and seconded by the Earl of Charlemont.
NEW WEST➢IINSTER BRIDGE.—New Westminster
Bridge has now an approach which agrees with its width
of road and footways. Bridge-street, Westminster, has
been widened, and forms a continued line of road from the
bridgo to Storey's-gate. The removal of the block of
houses which stood between Bridge-street and Palace-yard
afforded ample space for so desirable an improvement. The
new roadway has a rise of about two feet, where it connects
the bridge, from the level of the old road in Parliament-
street, which greatly adds to its general appearance.
Judging from the present appearance of the works a day or
two will suffice to throw the whole width of the road open
to the public.
Mr. Massey, M.P. for the borough of Salford,
and now Chairman of Committees in the House Of Com-
mons, will succeed to the seat in the General Council of
India, about to be vacated by Sir Charles Trevelyan, who
retires from India on the ground of ill health. The talents
of Mr. Massey have been tested and proved as Under-
Secretary in the Home Department and as Chairman of
Ways and Means, whilst his acquirements as a lawyer and
historical writer are well known to public fame. His
freedom from any prejudices on local parties in India will
prove an advantage in the changes that are evidently de-
manded in the administration of Eastern affairs. Mr.
Massey will be raised to the dignity of Privy Councillor
bolero his departure ler calcutta.-08orver.