The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-11 00:00:00

ME SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVEMNG, FEBRUARY 11, 1865.

of the dispute. When he started, according to a
Washington despatch on the subject, he was con-
fident of success. The war was to end and the
Union to be restored, though what bonne bouche he
had. to offer the Confederates, in order to obtain
their consent to what was in fact a wholesale
surrender, is not easily seen. At any rate
Mr. BLAIR'S return has not fulfilled the expecta-
tions of his departure. Following the Washington
fashion of depreciating the enemy, he declares that
he found wrangling and divisions in the rebel camp,
that the leaders are so distrustful of each other that
none dare assume the responsibility of making
terms ; DAVIS watched on every side by enemies,
who at the first sign of weakness would spring for-
ward and overwhelm him ; peace men plentiful
in Richmond, but dare not avow themselves. All
this sounds very impressive, but the reader is tempted
to ask—What are they all afraid of ? If President,
leaders, and population generally are all prepared to
come to terms with the North, what hinders them
from doing so? But Mr. BLAIR says that by rea-
son of his watchful enemies, DAVIS dare offer no
terms except the recognition of Confederate Com-
missioners, or an armistice of from 30 to 90 days.
Neither of these proposals, we are informed,
could receive a moment's consideration, and so the
mission was a failure. In the North, meanwhile,
great irritation exists on the subject. The Radicals
declare that the whole scheme was a trick, and has
only resulted in benefiting the South, and it is de-
termined to introduce a resolution in the Senate
calling on the President for the production of all
the BLAIR-DAVIS correspondence. We have al-
ways expressed our conviction that the mission
would end in smoke, but the North have no cause
for surprise or anger. DAVIS and his people, not-
withstanding their pretended differences, have de-
clared from the first with singular unanimity that
the one condition by which they would stand or fall
was the independence of the Confederacy, and,
therefore, had they failed to reassert this to
Mr. BLAIR, and to make the recognition
of their commissioners a primary step to
negotiation, they would have been virtually
surrendering their cause. Nothing now remains,
says the despatch referred to, but the vigorous
prosecution of the war, and the consequent disin-
tegration of the rebel Government. The disintegra-
tion of the Washington Government is quite as
likely—perhaps more so—in spite of Mr. LINCOLN'S
stern band ; and if there is disaffection at Rich-
mond, there is certainly not much content in Wash-
ington or New York. The same account declares
that the Southerners are buoyed up by hopes of Eu-
ropean recognition, and believe from the action of
the Northern Congress towards Mexico that the
French will be provoked into recognising them.
They might go further, and anticipate a similar re-
sult from the conduct of the United States Go-
vernment towards Canada. Sir J. WALsn's re-
marks in the House of Commons last evening,
however much smoothed down by Lord PAL3IER-
STON, expressed pretty accurately the convictions of
the English public with respect to our relations
with America, and there can be no doubt that the
proceedings at Washington are watched with
anxiety and suspicion in this country. We have
no great reason to trust either their moderation or
their friendship, neither are we prepared to be too
easily satisfied with the diplomacy of our Ministers.
The experience of their Danish policy is too fresh
in our minds for that, and the popular representa-
tives had better keep a close supervision of official
proceedings, or perhaps some fine day Lord PAL-
MERSTON may walk down to the House of Commons
and- inform the members that Canada has been
invaded, but that until London is threatened it will
not be necessary to interfere.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS,

(From the Illustrated London News.)

The will of the Most Noble Henry Pelham, Duke
of Newcastle, K.G., P.C., D.C.L., of Clumber,
Notts, and of Portman-square, was proved in her
Majesty's Court of Probate by two of the execu-
tors and trustees—viz., the Right Hon. William
Ewart Gladstone and the Right Hon. George
Warren Baron de Tabley, power being reserved to
Lord Robert Clinton (the testator's brother) to
prove hereafter. The personalty was sworn under
£250,000. The will is of considerable length,
and there are six codicils. His grace has charged
his estates with liberal annuities for his younger
sons, as also for his grace's brothers, Lord Robert
and Lord Thomas Clinton, appointing his son, the
present duke, residuary legatee. To each of his
executors acting, he has left £2OO, and to his valet a
legacy of £2oo.—The will of the late Earl of Mor-
ley was proved last week in the Court of Probate,
at Exeter, by the executors, the Countess of Mor-
ley (his widow) and Mr. Augustus G. Stapleton.
The personalties are sworn under £30,000. The
whole of the large landed estates are left to the pre-
sent earl, his only son. To his wife he leaves £BOO
a year for life ; and to his only daughter, Lady Ka-
therine Parker, he leaves a legacy of £2,ooo—in
both cases, in addition to previous arrangements.
There are no other legacies.—The will of Mr. Geo.
Dodd, F.S.A., formerly M.P. for Maidstone,
late of Grosvenor-place, was proved in the Lon-
don court under £200,000. The executors and
trustees appointed are Messrs. Joseph W. Thrupp,
W. H. Bodkin, Lewis Powell, M.D., and
Alfred W. Holmes, to each of whom he has left a
legacy of £5OO, as well as an annuity of £2O each
during the period they are acting. To his wife he
has left a certain rental from a portion of his free-
hold estates for life, as also a legacy of £7,000 and
an immediate sum of £5OO, and has appointed her
residuary legatee of the real and personal estate for
life. To his son, George Ashley Dodd, he has left
his leasehold estates on his attaining the age of 23,
and to his daughter certain freeholds on her attain-
ing the age of 21. His son and daughter are also
reversionary residuary legatees. There is an annuity
of £2OO to his wife's mother, and a further legacy
to his executor, J. W. Thrupp, of £l,OOO, and lega-
cies to his servants. The following are the charitable
bequests :—To the Royal Institution, the Artists'
Benevolent Fund, St. George's Hospital, Middlesex
Hospital, and Lock Hospital, each £lOO ; Society
to Relieve Small Debtors and the Dramatic College
each £5O ; and to the Royal Humane Society
£2OO.

The will of Mr. James Haydock Hill, of Newbold
Firs, Leamington, was proved in London on the Ist
inst., and the personalty sworn under £120,000, the
trustees and executors nominated being his sons,
Mr. James and Mr. George Hill, and his son-m-
-law, Mr. F. H. G. Nicolls. The will is dated 1863
and he died on the 21st of December last. The be-
quests are confined to the members of his family.
Ile has left to each of his six daughters legacies vary-
ing from £lO,OOO to £12,000, and has made a libe-
ral provision for the daughter of his late son Henry.
The residue of his property he has divided among
his four sons, to whom some specific bequests are
likewise made.

In the will of the late Lord Manners, given last
week, the title was incorrectly described as Baron
Sutton, his lordship being the grandson of Lord
George Manners Sutton and nephew of Archbishop
Sutton.

THE BISHOP OF LONDON AND MR. BELLEw A
gentleman named Forster, who appears not to like the
readings of the Rev. J. M. Bellew, has written to the Bishop
of London (enclosing some of the rev. gentleman's adver-
tisements), inquiring whether it is with his lordship's
' sanction or approval that a minister of the Church of
England in his diocese is permitted to offend public decency
by such exhibitions. The Bishop has replied as follows :
"I have received your letter enclosing three advertisements.
They refer to a question respecting which the law has not
pointed out that a bishop has authority to interfere, and as
at present advised I deem it expedient not to take anysteps
in the matter."

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

SPAIN.

MADRID, FEB. 10.

The Noticias of to-day says :—" The Council of
State has come to a resolution upon the question
of the Encyclical, the publication of which is to be
prohibited in Spain. Those bishops, however, who
have published the Encyclical without the permis-
sion of the Government are not to be prosecuted.

MADRID, FEB. 11.

In yesterday's sitting of the Congress Senor
Posada Herreia demanded political and adminis-
trative reforms for the Antilles. He also demanded
the emancipation of the blacks in the Spanish pos-
sessions under a system of compensation, a measure
which was urgently necessary.
The Council of State has approved the publication
of the Encyclical, excepting, however, those por-
tions of it contrary to the Royal prerogative.

The Prussian Army Bill.

BERLIN, FEB. 9.

The following is the draft of the Army Bill
brought by the Government into the Chamber of
Deputies :
" We, William, by God's grace, &c., with the
assent of both Houses of Parliament, order as fol-
lows for the whole extent of our monarchy in alte-
ration and completion of the law as to the obliga-
tions for military service of Sept. 3, 1814.
" 1. The general obligation to war service in the
army and fleet is reduced from 19 to 16 years.
" 2. Those persons bound to take military ser-
vice shall belong during the first seven years of their
entire term to the standing army or war fleet re-
spectively. They shall, however, in so far as the
necessary reinforcement of the army or fleet, or
drill, do not otherwise require, be sent on furlough
during the last Jour years to their homes, instead of
the last two years, as now usual.
" This applies also to one year volunteers (see
sec. 7 law of Sept. 3, 1814), to whom also the first
year of service, as hitherto, shall be reckoned as
three years.
" 3. During the term reduced to nine years of
obligatory service in the army and navy of both
classe.s, the defensive force shall belong for the first
four years to the first class, and for the following
five years to the second class of the land and sea
services. Passage into the second class takes place,
therefore, as hitherto, usually with the commence-
ment of the 32d year of age, but release from the
land and sea services and entry into the reserve as
early as and without exception with the completed
36th year.

"4. The service relations of the land and sea
services of both classes shall be specially settled by
a separate bill, according to present requirements,
upon the basis of the following general regulations.
" 5. Owing to the existing increase of the standing
army the first class of the landwehr (militia) will in
future only be called to arms by us when very seri-
ous danger threatens the country. The orders con-
tained in sec. 8 of the law of Sept. 3, 1814, as to
the destination - and application of the landwehr,
must nevertheless remain in force. In accordance
herewith peace drill is requisite for the landwehr of
the first class. This shall take place in future :
a. For the infantry as hitherto, in special battalions
or companies, in their native districts for a term of
from two to four weeks. b. For the jagers, pioneers,
artillery, and military train simply by attachment
to corresponding troops of the line for exercise during
the same term. c. This last method of exercise shall
also be universally applied to the cavalry as soon as
the cavalry of the line is reorganised upon the ne-
cessary peace footing to be prepared for war. From
that time forth expires the hitherto existing legal
obligations of the communes to furnish the drill
horses free of charge, as well as all horses for mobi-
lising the landwehr, which shall thenceforward be
supplied from the funds of the State. Exercise for
the land and sea services of the second class shall
not take place during peace.
" 6. Persons belonging to the standing army and
war fleet on furlough at their homes, and those re-
leased from land and sea service, are not limited in
the choice of their place of abode either at home or
abroad, but must observe the regulations issued re-
lative to giving notice of their whereabouts. The
emigration of furlough-men belonging to the stand-
ing army and the fleet shall be simply governed in
future by those orders issued as to the emigration
of reserve men.

" 7. All men of the furlough class, whether be-
longing to the standing army or the fleet, or the
land and sea services, are subject to the civil tri-
bunals for criminal offences, except in the cases
stated in part 2, sec. 6, par. 1-5 inclusive of the
criminal code. Persons on furlough belonging to
the active army and fleet are not included in this
clause.

" 8. Sailors by calling are free from service in the
army during peace, who, upon entering the age
when service becomes obligatory, have served in
sea-going ships of the Prussian mercantile navy.
They are, however, bound to serve in the fleet
according to the following rules.
"9. The following classes belong to the war
fleet, which, like the standing army, is constantly
ready for war :-1. The active navy, viz., sailors in
active service, dockyard men, and marines on fur-
lough from the active navy up to their completed
27th year, or up to the completed seventh year of
service, reckoned from the date of their actual en-
trance. 2. Men bound to enter the naval service,
in the sense of the order of April 4, 1854, up to
their completed 27th year.
" 10. The active navy is composed of—a. Sailors
calling, viz., such volunteers or conscripts as have
served at least one year in sea-going ships of the
mercantile navy upon entering the serviceable age.
b. Voluntarily entered or conscript dockyard
labourers. c. Volunteers or conscripts for the
marines.

" 11. Time of service in the active navy may be
shortened by leave of absence from the marine au-
thorities for sailors by calling in proportion to their
technical preliminary training and their availability
for service in the war fleet. Shipped men of all
classes, on the other hand, whatever their time of
service, will not be discharged until after return to
Prussian ports.
" Young sailors by calling, who upon entering
the age for service have acquired the qualification
for a one year volunteer, or have passed the mates'
examination, fulfil their obligation towards the
war fleet by one year's voluntary service, without
being bound to find their own uniforms or pro-
visions. In the ratio of their qualifications they
shall be proposed and appointed where necessary as
sub-officers, deck officers, or supplementary offices
of the reserve. To these one year volunteers in
the war fleet the year shall be reckoned as three
years' service.
" 13. Sailors having to do substitute duty upon
entering the age of service, or if at that time absent
upon voyages, then upon their next return into the
King's dominions are bound to present themselves
before the substitute court to execute their service
duty. They cannot be mustered again for mer-
chantmen until they have satisfied the demands of
their military duties.
" 14. Entry or re-entry into the war fleet in time
of peace cannot be demanded from conscript (sec.
10 a) or leave of absence sailors (sec. 9, Nos. 2 and
3), who at reception of the order to join have actu-
ally taken service, on board a Prussian merchant-
man after muster according to rule, or who study at
a Prussian navigation school, or school of naval
architecture connected therewith. Such actual
entry into service on board a Prussian merchant-
man releases also from presentation at the substi-
tute periods and the muster meetings, as also from
obligation to be present at the exercise drill on board
the school ships ordered in sec 17.
" 15. For extraordinary reinforcements of the
fleet in time of peace, the leave-of-absence men and
marine reserves are first called out, and next the
sea-service men of ages varying from 20 to 27.
Upon the outbreak of war, besides the substitute
men bound to service, the leave-of-absence and re-
serve men of the fleet, and the sea-service men of
the same ages, the sea reserve and classes of sea-
service men (sec. 16) attached thereto are, if neces-
sary, called out. In peace, as in war, the necessary
reinforcement is so arranged that the first-named
categories precede the later mentioned, and the
junior classes are called upon before the senior.
" 16. The sea reserve of the first class consists :
a. Of the men as a rule discharged from the marine
reserve into the sea reserve upon completing their
27th year. b. Of the sea-service men between their
28th and 31st year. c. Of other sailors by calling,
upon whom service is obligatory, who have not
served in the fleet, and have not yet passed their
31st year.

" 17. Yearly gun-drill, lasting eight weeks,
takes place on board the shooting schoolships for
seamen belonging by any age to the war fleet and
the first class of the sea reserve who have not served
on board the fleet. Each man liable to this drill
will, as a rule, have to attend twice.
" 18. The sea reserve of the second class con-
sists of all released from the first class and of the
see-service men, aged from 32 to 36 inclusive. In

time of war it is employed, if necessary, to complete
and reinforce the navy.
" 19. All orders in opposition hereto are sus-
pended.
" 20. Our Ministers of War and of the Marine
and our Minister of the Interior are charged with
the execution of this law."

General Sherman and the Negroes.

The following order has been issued by General

Sherman :

Headquarters, Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the field, Savannah,
Ga., Jan. 16.

1. The islands from Charleston south, the aban-
doned rice fields along the rivers for 30 miles back
from the sea, and the country bordering the St.
John River, Florida, are reserved and set apart for
the settlement of the negroes now made free by the
acts of war and the proclamation of the President
of the United States.

2. At Beaufort, Hilton Head, Savannah, Fernan-
dina, St. Augustine, and Jacksonville the blacks
may remain in their chosen or accustomed voca-
tions ; but on the islands and in the settlements
hereafter to be established, no white person what-
ever, unless military officers and soldiers detailed
for duty, will be permitted to reside ; and the sole
exclusive management of affairs will be left to the
freed people themselves, subject only to the United
States military authority and the acts of Congress.
By the laws of war and orders of the President of
the United States, the negro is free, and must be
dealt with as such. He cannot be subject to con-
scription or forced military service, save by the
written orders of the highest military authority of
the department, under such regulations as the Pre-
sident or Congress may prescribe. Domestic ser-
vants, blacksmiths, carpenters: and other mechanics
will be free to select their own work and residence ;
but the young and able-bodied negroes must be en-
couraged to enlist as soldiers in the service of the
United States, to contribute their share towards main-
taining their own freedom and securingtheir rights as
citizens of the United States. Negroes so enlisted
will be organised into companies, battalions, and
regiments, under the orders of the United States
military authorities, and will be paid, fed, and
clothed according to law. The bounties paid on
enlistment may, with the consent of the recruit, go
to assist his family and settlement in procuring
agricultural implements, seed, tools, boots, clothing,
and other articles necessary for their livelihood.
3. Whenever three respectable negroes, heads of
families, shall desire to settle on land, and shall have
selected for that purpose an island or a locality
clearly defined, within the limits above designated,
the Inspector of Settlements and Plantations will
himself, or by such subordinate officers as he may
appoint, giving them a license to settle in such island
or district, and afford them such assistance as he
can to enable them to establish a peaceable agri-
cultural settlement. The three parties named will
subdivide the land, under the supervision of the
inspector, among themselves and such others as
may choose to settle near them, so that each family
shall have a plot of not more than forty acres of
tillable ground, and when it borders on some water
channel, with not more than eight hundred feet
front, in the possession of which land the military
authorities will afford them protection until such
time as they can protect themselves, or until Con-
gress shall regulate their title. The Quartermaster
may, on the requisition of the Inspector of Settle-
ments and Plantations, place at the disposal of the
Inspector one or more of the captured steamers to
ply between the settlements and one or more of the
commercial points heretofore named, in order to
afford the settlers the opportunity to supply their
necessary wants and to sell the products of their
land and labour.

4. Whenever a negro has enlisted in the military
service of the United States he may locate his family
in any one of the settlements at pleasure, and
acquire a homestead and all other rights and privi-
leges of a settler as though present in person. In
like manner negroes may settle their families and
engage on board the gunboats, or in fishing, or in
the navigation of the inland waters, without losing
any claim to land or other advantages derived from
this system. But no one, unless an actual settler as
above defined, or unless absent on Government ser-
vice, will be entitled to claim any right to land or
property in any settlement by virtue of those orders.
5. In order to carry out this system of settlement
a general officer will be detailed as Inspector of
Settlements and Plantations, whose duty it shall be
to visit the settlements, to regulate their police and
general management, and who will furnish person-
ally to each head of a family, subject to the approval
of the President of the United States, a possessory
title in writing, giving, as near as possible, the
description of boundaries, and who shall adjust all
claims or conflicts that may arise under the same,
subject to the like approval, treating such titles as
altogether possessory. The same general officer
will also be charged with the enlistment and organi-
sation of the negro recruits, and protecting their
interests while so absent from their settlements, and
will be governed by the rules and regulations pre-
scribed by the War Department for such purpose.
6. Brigadier-General R. Saxton is hereby ap-
pointed inspector of Settlements and Plantations,
and will at once enter upon the performance of his
duties. No change is intended or desired in the
settlement now on Beaufort Island, nor will any
rights to property heretofore acquired be affected
thereby.—By order of
Major-General W. T. SHERMAN.
L. M. DAYTON, Major and Assistant
Adjutant-General.

The American Blockade.

HAVANNAH, Jan. 21.

On the 14th arrived the English steamer Zephine,
Captain Smith, six days from Galveston, with 1,400
bales of cotton and 11 passengers. January 19, one
and a half days from Nassau, Confederate steamer
General Whiting, 425 tons, in ballast, to M. A. Her-
rera and Co. The English steamer Denbigh, hitherto
so successful, left this port on the 17th inst. for Gal-
veston, though she cleared for Bermuda. We had a
report from Key West yesterday that she had been
captured and carried in there a prize, and a valuable
one. 11.30 a.m.—The Yazoo has just arrived. By her
papers of the 14th inst. I see, among other items, the
Colonel Lamb (a very fast iron steamer) is reported at
Nassau, and this is false, as even while I write she is
steaming off the harbour. It is generally reported she
is to become a corsair or piratical cruiser. She car-
ries the Confederate flag at the gaff, and the Pal-
metto at the fore. I have counted 42 men, evidently
her crew. She is reported to have cannon in her hold,
and I also saw large boxes of coal on the deck, abreast
the engines, forward of the guards. There is, I think,
no doubt that she is intended for a privateer. It is
just reported to me that this vessel has 140 men on
board, cleared as passengers for Nassau. About 11
p.m., on the night of the 18th inst., the famous steamer
Harriet Lane, then called the Lavinia, was discovered
to be on fire. The flames broke out in the bows.
After considerable delay, the fire pumps from the
arsenal, the navy, and the men-of-war in port were
brought to bear upon the vessel, producing, however,
little effect. She was finally towed ashore on a shoal
and scuttled. The following vessels are in port :
Mary Virginia (Confederate), Williams ; General
Whiting (Confederate), Jones ; Lavinia (Confede-
rate). Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jan. 25.—The royal
mail steamship Alpha, from St. Thomas and Ber-
muda, has arrived here. The blockade-runner Owl
succeeded in reaching Fort Caswell the night it was
evacuated. She immediately returned to Bermuda,
arriving on the 24st, with the news of the capture of
Fort Fisher, and stopping the Maud Campbell, Old
Dominion, Florence, Deer, and Virginia, all ready
to sail. The Charlotte and Stag sailed for Wilming-
ton at the same time with the Owl, and the Rattle-
snake, Chameleon, and Snag between the 13th and
20th, and had had not since been heard of.

The exhibition of the remaining works of the late
David Roberts, R.A., comprising finished pictures, draw-
ings, and sketches in oil and water-colours, will be opened
now in a very few days at the rooms of the Architectural
Association in Conduit-street.—The Reader.

tiNvi „pit-
tint
„if

HER MAJESTY,

•
OSBORNE, Feb. 10.
The Queen took an airing yesterday rorilingl
and drove out again in the afternoon with Prinu',
Helena.
Princess Louise and Prince Leopold also dr°lB
out.

The Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Prince of Wales hunted with his harriers
near Windsor yesterday, attended by Major Tees-
dale.
The Princess Of Wales took a carriage drive, at-
tended by the Hon. Mrs. Stonor. ner
The Prince and Princess of Wales had a u'n
party in the evening. The company included ,;s
Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, his Sc
Highness the Prince of Leiningen, the Duke of S,.
Albans, the Marchioness of Ely, the Earl of D:s
Germa.ns, the Earl of Dalhousie, Earl and Countre;
Spencer, Viscount and Viscountess SydneY r;
count and Viscountess Castlerosse, Sir lient.
Howard, the Hon. Mrs. F. Stonor, Lieutensav
General and Mrs. Knollys, Colonel TYrwhi
Equerry in Waiting to his Royal Highness ,b

Duke of Cambridge, and Major ieesdale.
During dinner the band of the Grenadier Gliara.ci
under the direction of Mr. D. Godfrey, Perf°l3l3
a selection of music.

Health of Cardinal Wiseman.
at
Yesterday morning the bulletin issued stated th_
Cardinal Wiseman had had a quiet night, but wt;
in a very low state. In the afternoon the buile ,t
indicated no improvement. At 11 o'clock last nig;
the Cardinal was stated to be in the same condit:l4
Many of our leading aristocracy left their c
during the day. The telegraphic messages to 10—