The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-06 00:00:00

- Tin StYN, LONDON; THIMSDAY NOVSIWBRR a, 1865.

if it means anything—that the Constitution is #o
be amended to suit the fancies of people who think I
they can improve it. If you open this Pandora-
box, when will the evils end ? The Constitution
fall of compromises, adjusted by our fathers. If
you begin to undo, when will you stop ? Read the
Constitution yourself, and see what would be the
result if all the questions settled there are to be
opened again for adjustment. God knows that I
want to serve my country. I count my life as
) nothing if I could serve the nation. Have we less
interest than you Radicals have in the country ?
We, who governed this nation for 80 years, raising
it to the highest pinnacle of prosperity, do not pre-
tend to be better than you or wiser than you.
But we are not disposed to make rash experiments
—to deviate from the ways of the past, on which
the nation has marched on to its renown. I im-
plore you, before you listen to the teachings of men
who ask you to throw away this Constitution, that
you will think how many good things it guarantees
to you—among them the supremacy of the judiciary
over the Legislature. Look at these questions
for yourselves. You have more interest in the
Constitution than the whole South put together.
The speaker then referred to the higher law-men of
the South. They would have the bayonet and the
bullet. We must therefore settle with them by the
bayonet and the bullet. (Applause.) They elected
to finish the dispute in blood, and the sword must
be the arbiter. In our strong right arm it must
strike true blows for the country and the flag. I
would that my voice could be heard through the
Southern States. I would say—mistake not the
triumphs of the Conservatives at the North. We
battled for the real rights of the South years ago.
But that was because we loved the Constitution.
Therefore it is that we tell the South that this great
Conservative party will rebuild the shattered
columns of the Constitution, and from its summit
shall wave the nation's flag, with every stripe and
every star upon it. In conclusion, he said that he
would never consent to a dismemberment of the
Union as long as he had a voice to speak or a hand
to raise in behalf of the glorious Union."
The Hon. John Van Buren spoke as follows :
" The Democratic party demanded a vigorous
prosecution of the war. Let the army march forward
and take Richmond. That is a natural resting-place.
It is not necessary to conquer any man in the South.
To take Richmond will be to defeat the South. If
there are people who want to advance beyond that
let them go. For one, I should want to stop there
for a while. Let the Abolitionists go on if they
choose. I would say, ' Gallant Greeley, advance !'
(Laughter.) Forward the black brigade !' (Con-
tinued laughter.) Penetrate the country to South
Carolina, and stay there.' (Roars of laughter.) He
thought that a convention coming together now—
the South and North having learnt that each is a
Power worthy of its steel—would decide to live
under the Constitution as it is—or let us define
exactly what it is, and then let us agree that it shall
require a unanimous consent of all the States to
make any alteration on the subject of slavery. Ho
believed that the border States would adhere to the
19 free States. We should then have more than
double the number of States which entered upon the
war of the Revolution. It is possible that the cotton
raising States might stay out and set up a one-
horse republic. He depicted the hard time that
they would have of it. One week's calm reflection
would show any Southern citizen that its existence
depended on keeping with the North. If the ques-
tion was whether the war should be carried on by
arming the slaves—he for one would say No ! And
he believed that, in such a contingency, it would be
the duty of foreign nations to interfere, to prevent
such an outrage on humanity. (Cheers.) But, first,
last, and always, he was for his country, and against
her enemies. He reiterated his statement that the
present Republican Government was the worst Go-
vernment on the face of the earth, and expressed
his readiness to go to Fort Lafayette for that opi-
nion."

From the Potomac we have the following ad-
vices :

" Headquarters, Army of the Potomac,
Thursday, Oct. 23.

"Yesterday Captain Duncan made a reconnais-
sance to Hedgesville with two squadrons of the 4th
Pennsylvania Cavalry,numbering 140 men. Hedges-
ville is seven miles north-west of Martinsburg, and
one mile from North Mountain, on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad. Capt. Duncan drove the rebel
pickets into the town, and then charged the main
body of the rebels, taking 19 prisoners, including
three officers. They all belonged to the 10th Vir-
ginia Cavalry, except a lieutenant from the 2d
South Carolina Regiment. None of Capt. Duncan's
men were hurt. Refugees state that the rebels left
Martinsburg on Tuesday. It is believed that a per-
tion of them went to Williamsport and a part to
Shepherdstown. The destruction of the property
belonging to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad has
within the past few days been made complete.
While Gen. M'Clellan is compelled to keep his army
scattered along the river for a distance of 30 miles,
it is evidently impossible for him to move on the
rebels in force, Should he attempt to mass his army
for this purpose, the rebels would cross again into
Maryland above, and be back again to Virginia by
the time he reached them. So soon, however, as we
have a heavy rainstorm, sufficient to add two or
three feet to the depth of the current, no doubt the
commanders of both armies will show their heads,
The recommendation of Governor Letcher to destroy
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad has, as far as I
can learn, been carried out to the full extent from
Harper's ferry to a distance of 10 or 12 milts beyond
Martinsburg. One entire track has been broken
up between Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg, and
carried off towards Winchester, beyond Martins-
burg."

" On the Potomac, opposite Shepherdstown,
Oct. 24.

" Rumour has it that the rebel Generals Jack-
son's, Longstreet's, and Hill's divisions are massed
between Martinsburg and the tiver. Already our
picket force has been doubled. The 2d District of
Columbia Regiment, Col. Alexander, left to-day for
Washington, as the terms of their enlistment do not
compel them to come out of the district of Columbia.
They have availed themselves of their prerogative,
and left this section of the army to complete the
period of their enlistment at home. Since leaving
Washington the regiment has been attached to
Gen. Griffin's brigade, and the men have performed
their duties with soldierly alacrity and cheerfulness.
An unexploded shell, one of the relics of the Antie-
tam fight, burst to-day in the 18th Massachusetts
camp. The explosion resulted from the shell com-
ing in contact with a camp fire, but, fortunately,
did no injury. Gen. Morell returned to day from
Washington and assumed command of his division.
Quite a number of the 2d New York Militia took
French leave of their regiment last evening, with a
view to join the regulars. They fell into the cus-
tody of the Provost Guard at Sharpsburg, and will
be sent back to their regiment this morning."

" Bolivar Oct. .
1° Contrabands from Stonewall Heights, Jackson's 24com-
mand report that after the utter destruction of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad west of Martinsburg
the entire rebel army commenced falling back yes-
terday morning, and that rebel officers believe
Lee's intention to be to winter near Gordonsville.
This reported falling back is corroborated by un-
usually strong picketing in our front yesterday and
toca
oar videttes unperceived and dashed into
a Squad of rebel cavalry
to-day. This This morning
our infantry pickets, who were driven back, with
considerable firing on both sides. We had no
casualties."

,g Pleasant Valley, Oct. 24.
---__
" Orders have been issued in Burnside's command
to issue no more new clothing than the men can
carry comfortably on forced marches. It is reported
here that Hooker rejoins the army on Monday, '
The following general instructions from Secre-
tary Welles to the officers of our blockading squad-
rons clearly show that if the circumstances of the
Montgomery Blanche case are as represented the
Gyreeon:sev,sdeerlirenr: t_ nmiaent will repudiate Captain Hunter's ac-
tion:—
" Navy Department, Aug. 18.
Sao me
mattersrecen recent
pertainingoccurrenc .e s
Lien
thethe capturehlee kede o f,
necessary that there shoe Id be a recapitu-
-14/iQ4 of the me. Umiak= heretofa re from time to

time given, and also of the restrictions and precau-
tions to be observed by our squadrons and cruisers.
It is essential in the remarkable contest now waging,
that we should exercise great forbearance, with
great firmness,-and manifest to the -world that it is
the intention of our Government, while asserting
and maintaining our own rights, to respect and
scrupulously regard the rights of others. It is in
this view that the following instructions are ex-
plicitly given

"1. That you will exercise constant vigilance
to prevent supplies of arms, munitions, and con-
traband of war front being conveyed to the insur-.
gents; but that under no circumstances will you
seize any vessel within the waters of a friendly
nation.

"2. That, while diligently exercising the right
of visitation on all suspected vessels, you are in no
case authorised to chase and fire at a foreign vessel
without showing your colours and giving her the
customary preliminary notice of a desire to speak
and visit her.

"3. That when that visit is made, the vessel is
not then to be seized without a search carefully
made, so far as to render it reasonable to believe
that she is engaged in carrying contraband of war
for or to the insurgents, and to their ports directly,
or indirectly by transhipment, or otherwise violat-
ing the blockade; and that if after visitation and
search it shall appear to your satisfaction that she
is in good faith and without contraband, actually
bound and passing from one friendly or so-called
neutral port to another, and not bound or proceed-
ing to or from a port in the possession of the insur-
gents, then she cannot be lawfully seized.
"4. That to avoid difficulty and error in relation
to papers which strictly belong to the captured
vessel, and mails that are carried, or parcels under
official seals, you will, in the words of the law, pre-
serve all the papers and writings found OR board,
and transmit the whole of the originals, unmuti-
lated, to the judge of the district to which such prize
is ordered to proceed.' But official seals, or locks, or
fastenings of foreign authorities are in no case, nor
on any pretent, to be broken, or parcels covered by
them read by any naval authorities ; but all bags or
other things covering such parcels, and duly sealed
or fastened by foreign authorities, will be, in the
discretion of the United States officer to whom
they may come, delivered to the Consul, com-
manding naval officer, or Legation of the foreign
Government, to be opened, upon the understanding
that whatever is contraband or important as evi-
dence concerning the character of a captured vessel
will be remitted to the Prize Court or to the Secre-
tary of State at Washington, or such sealed bags or
parcels may be at once forwarded to this Depart-
ment, to the end that the proper authorities of the
foreign Government may receive the same without
delay.

" You are specially informed that the fact that a
suspicious vessel has been indicated to you as cruis-
ing in any limit which has been prescribed by the
Department does not in any way authorise you to
depart from the practice of the ruses of visitation,
search, and capture prescribed by the law of na-
tions.—Very respectfully,
" GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy."

Richmond papers reported the presence there of
John Mitchell, two of whose sons were in the Con-
federate army.
On the 7th ult. a Federal steamer blew up at New
Orleans, and 12 persons lost their lives.
Key West advices of the 15th ult. state that
Admiral Dupont was about to attack Mobile and
Charleston. The mortar fleet at Pensacola had re-
ceived sailing orders.
On the 19th ult. a Federal cruiser captured the
British schooner Adelaide near Wilmington. The
captured vessel got aground, and was destroyed.

711 E COLLISION ON THR NORTH-
EASTERN RAILWAY,

An inquest, touching the death of Hannah Dick-
inson, single woman, who was killed on the Rich-
mond branch of the North-Eastern Railway on
Monday, was held at the Moulton station, the scene
of the accident, on Tuesday, before I. S. Walton,
Esq., coroner. The principle officers of the North-
Eastern— amongst 'whom were Mr. A. Christison,
general traffic manager ; Mr. Fletcher, divisional
traffic manager; Mr. John Bell, divisional locomo-
tive superintendent; Mr. Monkman, passenger
superintendent, and others—were in attendance.
Mr. Richardson, solicitor, York, watched the case
on behalf of the company.

Thomas Harding, driver of the passenger train,
who was pitched off his engine, and was conse-
quently very lame, and James Hewson, guard of the
passenger train, stated the facts of the collision.
George Moor, the station master, and William
Wood, the porter, at Catterick station, deposed that
whereas the cattle train ought not to have moved
from that station until the consent of the former
had been obtained, it was moved contrary to his
express orders, during his absence, either by the
driver or the guard, immediately after the passen-
ger train had passed the station.
Mr. Christison said the station master at Scorton
(who, as subsequently appeared, gave the signal of
" All right" to the driver of the cattle train) should
have had his signal turned against the train until
the passenger train had been gone at least 5 minutes,
which was not the case.

The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter
against John Dixon, the driver of the cattle train,
Robert Atkinson, the guard, and Mr. Brown, the
station master at Scorton, who were thereupon com-
mitted for trial at the assizes.

hitherto possessed solely by the Board of Trade,
was new vested in the court before which inquiries
like the present were held.

Henry William Sieball, the chief offiecir of the
Lima, was then (9.1;e(1, and stated that the course
steered on the night preceding and morning of the
wreck was that laid down by the master.
Captain Peacock, who had commanded on the
same coast from 1840 to 1846, was also called and
examined as to the courses steered by him during
that period, and at the conclusion of his evidence it
was announced that the inquiry would be adjourned
until Saturday.

LA TV INTELLIGENCE.—Nov. 5.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.

(Sittings inßanco, at Westminster, before Lord
Chief Justice Cockburn, Mr. Justice Wightman,
Mr. Justice Blackburn, and Mr. Justice Mellor.)
THOMAS N. GENERAL SHIRLEY-BREACH OF PRO-

proved that in 1845 Mr. Lock complained that Mr.
Reeves, Lord Ashburton's agent, was going to turn
him out of possession of the land, sayin 0. it was
hard, because M. Beadon had said he should have
the land for life. He asked Mr. Milton to intercede
for him, which he did, and afterwards told Lock
that he was not too late to make terms. Mr. Milton
subsequently saw Lock, who told him that he had
given up a portion of the land upon the terms that
he should have the remainder, with the house, for
his life, and that of his wife. In accordance with
this statement Lock did, in fact, give up a portion
of the land. The learned counsel submitted that no
conversation of this kind could bar the plaintiff's
statutable title.
T,ie Lord Chief Justice said the learned counsel
was very earnest about the supposed wrongs of his
client, who, however, seemed to belong to a class
whicn a certain learned judge used to term " land
stealers." (A laugh.)
Sir F. Slade—The predecessors of all landlords
must have been land stealers.
The Lord Chief Justice—All he meant to observe
was, that the learned counsel seemed to think that
it was a very meritorious thing to tOce six acres of
land when nobody was looking. (Laughter.)
Sir F. Slade—His client had made a bog grow
corn, and that was at all events beneficial to the
public.
Mr. Williams—The real question was whether
a new tenancy at will was created in 1845.
Rule granted.