The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-10 00:00:00

N°. 22,716.

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 10, 1865

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a strike by the men, that would be a lock-out by the masters.
There are others who ask why at the instant of victory—say
rather at the climax of starvation—for the North Stafford-
shire men had got down to is. sd. each per week, so great
did the co-operative sympathy show itself—tho masters
should give way ? But surely noblesse oblige—the stronger
should give way to the weak—the richer to the poorer—
just as those, who have to care for children, disregarding
their little pi-Alliances, go on to conduct them to their good,
unheeding small offences. " Respect the Emperor,"
cried his jealous suite, when on a narrow hill-path in St.
Helena the great exile was confronted by a porter carry-
ing a large trunk. "Respect tho burden," said the Em-
peror, stepping aside to let the man pass more readily.
It is with this feeling of regard for the burden that the
masters have been actuated in their recent conduct.
We trust the forbearance will be appreciated and not over-
tasked. For ourselves, we persist in our original proposi-
tion—the deadliest enemies of the men in this district are
their unions; with these there is only ono way to deal.
Thoroughly sift their accounts and diminish their funds by
every fair and legal means. By the first it will become known
how shamefully they have been mismanaged; by the second
their funds, their power of mischief, will be destroyed.
Take away the money and there will be no paid orators, no
spouting, no travelling from district to district to beat up
commotion. There is an insect in pond waters which has
two heads, with one of which it stirs up a perpetual agita-
tion, to create bubbles that it sucks in with the other, and
so: gets its living on perpetual whirl and worry. This is the
delegate. Now, the whole machinery of a benefit club,
from which, as a point, the unions first started, and on the
original basis of which their power is constituted actually,
is supplied at the present moment with greater advantages
and at a cheaper rate, only with one exception, by the Go-
vernment in the Post-office deposit banks and the new life
assurance and provision for old age, both by weekly pay-
ments. Here we have the burial club and the provident
fund. In their sick fund alone have the unions an ad-
vantage. Let there be a subscription for a guarantee fund
to this purpose, and lot " Gladstone Clubs" be opened
offering provision for life and death and health, based on
Government security for the two former and a guarantee
fund for the latter. By this means the ground will be en-
' tirely cut away on which the union funds are built up.
We shall have much pleasure in assisting and advising to-
wards the wholesome end. The men are going in ; the
delay until Monday evening, in some instances, entirely
arising from the fact of there not being time to get the fur-
naces ready for the puddlers so as to make wages for them
for the Saturday; hence they prefer to make a clear week by
commencing on Monday. It may serve as an instance of the
little faith to be placed in the honesty and directness of the
executives of these unions to mention that great efforts were
made by the Gateshead Union to prevent peace in North
Staffordshire. Amemorial—said to have been signed by the
nortorioue Kane, on behalf the body over which he is
president—was presented on Thursday night to a meeting of
the Brierley Union. In this precious document it was sug-
gestedtshoupupgohrtththeye
d'
North Staffordshire strike, considered themselves as quite
,werepltehdagtetdhtue menthe onfotrthheenruortmah ofst masters
sngulaot to n
free to give every assistance to lthe South Staffordshire
men if they would consent to turn the lock-out into a strike,
and help to aid in carrying the North Staffordshire proposi-
tion. The Brierly men, however, had experienced quite
enough, and voted to resume work, but postponed doing so
until Monday evening.

frem being workmen themselves, had in a few years grown
to be millionaires. Let the men be true to themselves and
their order, and they would soon obtain a much fairer remu-
neration than they were now being paid. A court of arbitra-
tion would be one of the means to this end. Hefelt satisfied
that by it, if they should not succeed in getting back the
ls. which was last taken off them, they Would certainly got
half of it. (Cheers.) He would pledge his honour, yea, his
soul, that before such a tribunal facts could bo adduced that
would for ever destroy the scale of remuneration originally
laid down by Mr. G. B. Thortioycroft. (Cheers.) While,
therefore, he did not say, "Stand out till you can get the
15.," ho did say, " Don't go in till you have got a court of
arbitration." (Cheers.)
A third PUDDLER felt pleasure in supporting the motion,
not because be wished to see the ironworkers of Wolver-
hampton out of employment, and their wives and children
wanting bread, but because he wanted to feel sure there
was a certainty of their obtaining that employment and
that bread in the future. That, however, would not be un-
less they availed themselves of the present opportunity of
securing a court of arbitration and a code of rules for guid-
ance in the future. (Hear, hear.) If such a court should be
obtained, one of the greatest blessings that had ever hap-
pened to the forgemen of Wolverhampton would ensue.
(Hear, hear.) And if they obtained it for Wolverhampton,
it might be made applicable to the whole of South Stafford-
shire. Because, therefore, of the greater good, he advocated
the lesser evil of remaining from work for a time. The
time had gone by when the men were afraid of speaking
even to the managers. There were now men in their body
who could meet and in an intelligible manner advocate the
cause of their follows with their masters. (Hear, hear.)
Their parents had submitted to sacrifices to give them an
education, and it would be a shame if they were not now
able to converse with their employers. If, however, as was
stated, the men were insufficiently educated to reason with
their masters, the latter would have tho advantage in the
discussions which would take place at the laying down of
the rules. But ho had no fear on this point. (Hear.) The
day was gone by when a puddler would work for 7s. or 7s
6d. a ton. (Hear, hear.) If they had a court of arbitration
he was sure that no sensible being would allow them to
work at less than 10s. a ton. (Cheers.)
The resolution was then put and carried by acclamation.
It had been understood that Mr. Samuel Griffiths was ready
to address the meeting in explanation of the resolutions
Which he proposed at the open-air meeting at Bilston, and
which the Wolverhampton puddlers had condemned. When
the meeting assembled they determined to invite Mr
Griffiths to speak after disposal of the business of the day.
A messenger was now sent to another part of the inn at
which the meeting was being held, and he returned with
Mr. GRIFFITHS, who was cheered on entering the room,
He denied that he was moved in proposing the resolutions
by any other motive than that of benevolence towards the
great number of persons who were suffering by the lock
out.

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The Labour Dispute in the Iron Trade.

WoLvEuttmerros, Saturday.
To-day a meeting of considerable importance, in con-
nexion with the present dispute in the, iron trade of Staf-
fordshire, was held in this town. Before the lock-out was
withdrawn, the Wolverhampton puddlers determined that,
whatever might be the decision of the masters at their
recent meeting, they would not resume work until they had
held the meeting of to-day. The meeting was attended by
about 130 puddlers, all unionists, and it lasted nearly three
hours.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business, mid that on
that day five weeks a gloom overhung them, because of the
commencement of the lock-out, but the cloud was now dis-
persed and sunshine was overhead and around. The termi-
nation of the lock-out found, the men more united than
ever, but this couldanot be said of the masters ; and he hoped
that all such counsels as those upon which the lock-out was
based would ever meet with similar failure. (Cheers.) But
as the men were to meet their masters again face to face, he
trusted that all bad feelings would be annihilated—that
from their mind' and hearts all bad thoughts and feelings
would be driven into oblivion for ever. (Hear, hear.) Men
must move with the times, and no longer indulge those
thoughts and feelings, nor use those expressions relative to
their employers which were occasionally heard, but which
when they were indulged in were a serious reflection
upon not only the individual, but also the order to which
he belonged. (Hear.) The ironworkers must show them-
selves respectable men, and by their temperate words and
conduct exhibit their growth in intelligence and education.
(Cheers.) He now invited free expression of sentiment.
A PUDDLER said that the present time was a crisis in
their history. The masters locked them out because they
could not believe them ; and now that they found they
could not subdue them, they wished to extract from them
the promise which when they first made it they refused to
accept. The masters had, however, lost their opportunity.
They declined to take the pledge which their men gave,
and now, the men claimed to be absolved from that pledge.
(Cheers.) Their masters had shown a want of confidence
in them. He should now, therefore, desire to have matters
placed upon so sure -a basis for the future that henceforth
neither master nor man could have occasion to be led into
so serious a step as a strike or a lockout as the result of an
uncertainty in respect of the principles and regulations by
which both ought to be guided. (Cheers.) He held in his
hand a code of rules which had just been adopted between
the master builders of Wolverhampton and the joiners of
that town at a court of arbitration presided over by Mr.
Rupert Kettle, the Judge of the County court of Worcester,
Dudley, and Droitwich. By the adoption of those rules the
joiners had secured an increase of wages, their masters had
had certain rights secured to them, the necessity for future
strikes in that branch of trade no longer existed, and both
sides were not only satisfied, but were even gratified. Such
a happy result in reference to the ironworkers of Wolver-
hampton was, he thought, not unlikely to follow the present
disastrous dispute between their masters and themselves.
(Cheers.) Why should not a code of rules be drawn up be-
tween the ironworkers and their masters, with a competent
umpire presiding, which should have the force of law in all
future disputes, and by the terms of which all ordinary
questions between them might be solved? (Cheers.)
Hitherto the contents had been decided, not by the great
principles of right and wrong, but by an appeal to mere
brute force, in which the stronger won the battle. So
unintellectual and so debasing a course ought no longer to
be practised—(hear)—and he for one was not prepared to
return to work until a repetition of such a state of things
was improbable in respect of the future relations of the
ironmasters and ironworkers of Wolverhampton. (Hear.)
The puddler ought no longer to be compelled, when he
wanted any right conceded to him to have to "put on his
clothes." (Hear, hear.) If the joiners of Wolverhampton
and their masters could lay down their rules for preventing
such proceedings in their trade he thought the ironworkers
could do the same in reference to their calling. (A voice—
"So do I.") Further, he thought the ironworkers were
just now in that position by virtue of which they could re-
quire that their masters should consent to a court of arbi-
tration for the settlement of all future disputes. (Cheers.)
And, as Lord Lichfield had made himself so useful and had
shown so great interest in trying by arbitration to bring
about a settlement of the. dispute in the northern portion of
that county, might they not reasonably hope that the Lord
Lieu tenant would afford his good offices in furtherance of
the establishment of a permanent court of arbitration ?
He did not want to go to work until he knew what
would be the conditions of labour to which he should be
subjected in the future. (Renewed cheers.) He wanted
something binding—a sot of rules which could be enforced
in a court of justice. (Cheers.) When disputes arose now-
a-days if the men had the power they forced the masters to
yield ; but if their masters were most powerful then they
forced the men to yield. Away with such a state of things
for the future ! Henceforth the appeal should be "to the
law and to the testimony." (Cheers.) He should like to
propose that "the ironworkers of Wolverhampton do not
return to work
,until our masters understand what we re-
quire, and we understand how are masters intend to act."
(Loud cheers.) It was to him a great source of gratification
that the men had been firm to their principles—that all
through the struggle they had not shown the "white fea-
ther"—and that at the end of a five weeks' lock-out they
were found more than ever united, and with a determina-
tion unpreceientedly strong to abide by their union.
(Cheers.) He begged to move that they should not return
to work until their masters had consented to a court of ar-
bitration for the settlement of all disputes in the future.
(Cheers.)

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At the conclusion of his speech a motion was adopted
unanimously expressing the satisfaction of the meeting
with Mr.' Griffiths' explanation.
Mr. GRIFFITHS, in another speech, said he was glad that
they had determined to have a court of arbitration, but ho
was sorry that they had resolved not to resume work until
the court was established, for a delay of several weeks
would be sure to ensue. He would respectfully suggest
that they should go to work while the arrangements for
establishing a court were being continued. (Cheers.)
The former speakers consented, and the mover of the re-
solution said, although the masters would not take their
word, yet they would take their masters' word. If their
masters would give them a pledge that a court of arbitra-
tion should be established, they would go to work at once
upon the faith of that promise.
Some considerable discussion then arose as to the moans
to be used to obtain that promise.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that as Lord Lichfield had
stood their friend hitherto, he would doubtless be ready
to continue his aid in the service of peace. His lordship's
position also, as lord-lieutenant of the county, would give
his services great weight. He begged to suggest to the
meeting that they should confer with the lord-lieutenant
upon this point.
The speakers and Mr. Griffiths conferred together, and
Mr. GRIFFITHS said that as time was urgent, and as Lord
Lichfield was not in the town, he would suggest that a de-
putation should be appointed from that meeting to wait
upon the Mayor of 'Wolverhampton to solicit him to accom-
pany them to the different masters, if possible, that afternoon.
The deputation was appointed, and the proceedings were
adjourned until Monday and Tuesday next. If the promise
of the ironmasters which the men required had by that time
been obtained, then it was agreed that work should be re-
sumed ; but if the masters declined to give the promise,then
the original resolution would- remain in force, and the men
remain out until a court of arbitration had been established.
The proceedings terminated with votes of thanks, passed
amid repeated cheering, to Mr. Griffiths and the press.

(From Rylamb' Iron Trade Circular.)

The Iron Trado.—ln the market held on the day after the
" lock-out" was withdrawn—just as on that of the day,
previous—there was not any hurry in buying either pigs
or manufactured iron ; nor was there, indeed, any greater
excitement exhibited in demand at the termination than at
the commencement of what has been everywhere regarded
as the most important crisis that has happened in the iron
trade. The men may yet have to learn the hard lesson that
it is one thing for the masters to open their works and an-
other to keep them going. This is just the trying point of the
employer who too often has to keep his works going solely
from consideration for his workmen, hoping, sometimes
against hope, for a rally in prices. How the co-operative sys-
tem so much spoken of just now would carry on under similar
circumstances has yet to be tested. We heard many parties in
our market stating that they had just sufficient orders for a
week or so, and others complaining that they had none at all at
their works—not an order to begin with. It is plain that
there was no need for haste in. closing the strike or lock-
out as far as the order-books were concerned, so that this
may be taken as a proof of the goodwill of the masters to-
wards their workmen and their wish to relieve the men

from the painful and distressing condition of the last month.
The South Staffordshire masters have not for one instant
flinched from the course adopted in the original resolu-
tion. The north of England masters anticipated a suc-
cessful result from Lord Lichfield's mediation at Stoke,
and having, just at the same period of time, brought their
men to a concession and driven the union of the district
to the humiliation of signing a document repudiating all
aid to the North Staffordshire strike, which they origi-
nally had fomented, came to an arrangement to reopen
their works on the presumption that a similar course would
have been carried out in North and South Staffordshire.
That it was not so, and that the movement of the northern
masters was mistaken by the men and misrepresented by
the unions as one in their favour, is well known. But in
the meantime the question had assumed a new phase ; the
lock-out had sufficiently demonstrated how the power of
unions could be made more injurious to the men than the
masters, so as to render future strikes less probable, and
probably almost impossible, since even the executives would
pause before periling the total cutting off of their supplies
at one blow, and the men would be less inclined to face
general disaster, with the certainty of an universal poverty.
Thencefortha continuance of the lock-out would have been
useless cruelty; and an obdurate obstinacy of pride on the
part of the South Staffordshire masters. There remained,
however, a difficulty in the solution, from which it was
only in the power of the North Staffordshire masters to re-
lease them. The common "sense view of the question, sug-
gested in our last, was therefore adopted. The North Staf-
fordshire masters determined to deal with their own men
on the laissez faire principle. They left them to do as they
liked, and to find employment elsewhere, while, for their
own part, they released the South Staffordshire masters
from the mutual obligation. Upon this the South Stafford-
shire masters, having in the interim received a voluntary
declaration from the executives of the Brierly-hill Union,
that the North Staffordshire men would not be supported,
either directly or indirectly, passed, at Wolverhampton on
Wednesday, the resolution embodied in the following notice,
which was printed and posted at the different works :
"At a meeting of the iron trade of South Staffordshire,
held at Wolverhampton on Wednesday, the sth of April,
1865, it was resolved :

Another PUDDLER said he rose with great pleasure to
second the motion. (Hear, hear.) They wore living in an
ago of reform and progress, and if they were to keep pace
with the times they must bo "up and doing." Their
masters had pledged themselves to support tho North
Staffordshire masters. If the masters of South Stafford-
shire pledged themselves to support the masters of the
north of the county to keep them (tho North Staf-
fordshire masters) up, was it not fair that the South
Staffordshire men should pledge themselves to support the
men who, in North Staffordshire, were trying to keep them
(the men of South Staffordshire) up ? (Enthusiastic cheer-
ing.) The Wolverhampton puddlers had shown how much
they appreciated such views, for while men had gone to
work in some other districts he appealed to the meeting to
say if any puddling furnaces had been started in the Wol-
verhampton district ? (No.) On these grounds, then, he
seconded the motion. If the North Staffordshire men
should have to go in on masters' terms, there was every
probability that if work was resumed in South Staffordshire
without some understanding being come to, such as that
suggested in the motion, there would soon be another strike.
(Hear.) Ho saw it stated that if it had not been for the
lock-out tho price of iron would by this time have been
reduced. If the trade should not improve before another
quarter, and prices should be declared down, he supposed
that a notice would be given for the reduction of wages.
That notice, however, ho was quite sure would be resisted
(hear, hear)--and there would be another turn-out with all
its painful consequences. The lock-out was the best thing
that had ever occurred in England for the puddlers.
(Cheers.) It had greatly strengthened and it would tend
to extend and to perpetuate their union. Such a result it
had been shown had attended all such proceedings in refe-
rence to other trades in times past. After the opposition
to which they had been subjected the Amalgamated Engi-
th they
Engi-
neers had bolted round the world with their union.
(Cheers.) And if the ironworkers could not got a court of
y Would have only to shako
have branches of their union in every
phands
sfht otiwithohunel,d wtthwoherehl then
ironworkersen he
of France and Belgium, and
whore iron was produced. (Cheers.) He
could not understand how it was that the continental iron-
masters could produce iron at so much lower a price than
it was sold in England, unless it was that they were satisfied
with much less profit than would content the English iron-
masters. (Cheers.) The speaker then proceededto combat
some statements that ho said had been made by Messrs.
Knight and Udall, of North Staffordshire, to the effect that
puddling was not more laborious now than in years gone
by, and that it was not an unhealthy occupation. He con-
tended that it was now more than ever laborious, and ad-
duced as a proof of its unhealthiness that throughout the
whole of South Staffordshire not 100 puddlers could be
found who were still following their occupation and were
above 50 years of ago. He and another of his fellows would
to meet Messrs. Knight upon any public platform upon these
two points. (Cheers.) If, then, the occupation of the pud-
dler prematurely disabled him, ought he not to be remune-
rated while he could work with that rate of Wages which
would enable bins to live during his disablement in a state
of comparative comfort ? (Cheers.) What, however, was
ho now receiving ? Not the wages which, as given by the
gentlemen he had named, formed the exception, but,taking
the average of the last several years, were only a net £1 ss.
a week. (Cheers.) The men did not expect the masters to
employ their capital without deriving profit, and a good
profit too ; but they did say that the puddlers ought not to
be kept on such low wages when their masters wore amass-

"That the ironmasters of North Staffordshire have, by
their trade resolutions of April 3, 1865, released this district
from the undertaking entered into with the men on the 16th
of February, 1865, and believing the assurance given by the
men of South Staffordshire that they disapprove the con-
duct of the North Staffordshire men, and that they will not
assist them, directly or indirectly, during the continuance
of the present strike, it is hereby resolved that the works
in the South of Stafford be reopened this sth day of April,
1865.

" Wolverhampton, April 5.'
"Pursuant to the above resolution, those works aro now
declared open. u
Thus has ended the "great lock-out f" Such a result has,
of course, been met with the outcry that if this—the statu
quo ante, the more return to "as you were"—be all that has
been achieved, what was the use of the hard knocks and
bruises mutually given and received? That it has been sow-
ing the wind to reap the whirlwind; and that a mutual dis-
affectionletween masters and man can bo the only conse-
quence. The article from the Times funishes a sufficient
reply to such objections. The whole movement has been
what in:military language has been termed a reconnaissance,
by which a demonstration is made in force by the one
party, to test the means of resistance of the other, and dis-
cover their points of defence and attack. In this instance it
has been found that the unions by themselves are powerless,
and that any aid to them from the outside will not be suffi-
cient, and need not be taken into consideration. At the same
time it became apparent that the remedy is worse than the
disease, anti that U anything could In more cligtreouig than

ing such immense fortunes as they saw were being aCCU-
ululated. Why, ton wasters had been named tolaimlTl4o,

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" Art. 26 leaves open the accession to the treaty
of other States which may subsequently. enter the
Zollverein.

" Lastly, Art. 27 provides that the exchange of
the ratifications shall not take place at Berlin within
six months of ter the signature of the treaty."

AMERICA.

(I is Crookhaven.)

QUEENSTOWN, APRIL 9.
The Royal Mail steamship Africa arrived at 9.20
p.m., with 90 passengers and plo in specie. She
landed 123 sacks of mails and three passengers, and
proceeded at 9.35 p.m. All well.
NEW YORK, MARCH 28 (Evening).
It is officially announced that before daylight on
the 25th, three Confederate divisions under General
Gordon made a sudden and determined attack on
Fort Steadman, in front of Petersburg, overpower-
ing the garrison, capturing the fort, and turning the
guns upon the Federals. A battery close by was
also captured, but quickly re-taken. The Confe-
derates also attacked Fort Askell, but were repulsed
with great loss. The Federals on either flank main-
tained their ground. Reinforcements arriving,
they charged, drove out the Confederates, and re-
occupied Fort Steadman, capturing numbers of
prisoners. The guns of the fort were found un-
injured.

The second and sixth corps pushed forward, cap-
tured the Confederate entrenchments, and turned
them upon the Confederates, who made unsuccess-
ful efforts to retake them. The battle lasted until
eight o'clock in the evening.
The loss on both sides was heavy. Grant esti-
mates that the slaughter of the Confederates at the
point where they entered the Federal lines was
3,000 men. He captured 1,800 prisoners. The
Federal loss in killed, wounded, and missing was
2,000 men, including General M'Laughlin, who
was taken prisoner.
Despatches from General Sherman to the 22d inst.
state that he had had severe fighting since leaving
Fayetteville, with very heavy loss to the enemy in
killed and wounded. He had captured over 2,000
prisoners. His loss since leaving Savannah amounted
to 2,500 men, many of whom were only slightly
wounded. The army will now rest.
General Schofield announces his occupation of
Goldsboro' on the 21st. He met with slight opposi-
tion. General Terry would probably reach Golds-
boro' the same night. According to unofficial de-
spatches, a portion of Sherman's forces from
Fayetteville flanked and overpowered the Confede-
rates at Mount Olive on the 21st. The Confederates
retreated in confusion towards Smithfield.
The FederaLs claim that the engagement at Averys-
boro' on the 16th was a victory for Sherman, and
that after a temporary repulse at Bentonville on the
19th, they drove back Johnston, who retreated on
the 20th across the Neuse River.

Sheridan's whole force crossed the James Riier at
Deep,Bottom on the 26th to join Grant.
The movement against Mobile commenced on the
17th, the Federals moving towards Secours, and also
from Barrancas, had occupied Pescaguala.
The Confederate Secretary of the Treasury has
proposed to hypothecate to the banks and capitalists
50,000 bales of Government cotton at 20 cents.
the pound, with the privilege of exportation, as se-
curity for a loan of 3,000,000 dots in specie.
The Federals have destroyed the privateer
schooner Anna Dale, in Malagorda Bay.
The Confederate steamer Owl, Captain Maffitt,
has cleared from Havana for Matamoras. It is be-
lieved she is going to Galveston to be fitted out as
a privateer.

Robert J. Walker has written a letter, denying
that he was visiting Canada to promote the annexa-
tion of that country to the United States.
The America and Virginia have arrived out.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, March 28 (Evening).
Gold, 153 E Exchange on London, 169 i. Paris,
3.53. Stocks declining. New York Central, 901 ;
Illinois, 961. Erie, 520. 5-20 Bonds, 105 i.

NEW YORK, March 30 (Evening).
General Lee's report of the attack on Fort Stead-
man states that he captured 9 guns, 8 mortars, and
500 prisoners, amongst whom were a brigadier-
general and a number of officers. He swept the
Federal lines from left to right for a distance of
500 yards. Two efforts to recover the captured
works were handsomely repulsed, but, finding that
the enclosed works in the rear could only be taken
at a great sacrifice, the troops were withdrawn to
their original position. As it was impossible, how-
ever, to remove the guns, they were disabled. Lee
says his loss was not heavy. The troops behaved
very well.
The entrenchments captured by Grant consisted
of an advanced Confederate picquet line, which he
still holds. The Confederates unsuccessfully
attempted to reoccupy the line on the 27th.
Northern correspondents state that Lee's troops
fight with undiminished enthusiasm.
Northern accounts of the battle at Bentonville
state that on the 19th two Federal divisions were
driven back two miles, losing three guns. The Fe-
derals were reinforced on the 20th, and on the 21st
drove the Confederates through Smithfield, in the
direction of Raleigh, capturing 10 guns and from
5,000 to 7,000 prisoners.

Southern accounts of the fighting on. the 20th
and 21st state that it consisted of heavy skirmishing
in which the Federal attacks were repulsed. John-
ston brought off all the wounded. On the 20th,
Sherman's, Schofield's, and Terry's armies were at
Goldsboro' refitting.
The Richmond Sentinel declares that Sherman has
been forced to take up a fortified position, and was
acting on the defensive. Johnston's army was full
of enthusiasm.

Sherman arrived at City Point on Monday, and
held a council of war there with Lincoln, Grant,
and Sheridan.

It is reported that a movement by Grant's army
commenced immediately afterwards.
Lincoln's visit to City Point has caused the
revival of peace rumours, it being asserted that
Lee, convinced of his inability to hold Richmond,
had renewed his request for a military peace con-
ference.

General Dix has prohibited all travellers except
emigrants from entering the United States by sea
without passports.
The old issue of 7-30's has been fully subscribed
for. The new issue will commence immediately.
Sherman issued an order, dated 22d, near Ben-
tonville, stating that the concentrated armies of the
enemy had, on the 21st, been beaten on their chosen
ground, and were fleeing in disorder, leaving their
dead and wounded, and burning the bridges in their
retreat. On the same day Schofield occupied
Goldsboro'. The campaign has resulted in a glori-
ous success.

The steamers Asia, City of Manchester, and
Damascus have arrived out.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, March 30, Evening.
Money abundant. Gold, 1511. Exchange on
London, 1651; on Paris, 3.311. Stocks tending
downwards. New York Centrals, 831. Illinois,
911. Erie, 45. 5.20 Bonds, 1051. Cotton dull.
Middling Upland, 48. Flour and wheat declining.
Corn dull. Provisions heavy. Coffee quiet. Sugar
steady ; molasses slightly firmer. Petroleum quiet;
crude, 331 ; refined, 53.
NEW YORK, March 30, 10 P.M.

The Government is said to be enacavouring to
check any decline in gold below 1501 fearing it
would interrupt the_ sale of their securities. The
last quotation to-day is 1511. Exchange on Lon-
don, 1651. New York Central, 84g. Illinois, 918
Erie, 461. 5.20 Bonds, 1051.
NEW YORK, March 31, 1 A.M.
It is semi-officially denied that Leo has demanded
a peace conference.
No confirmation has yet been received of the
reported movement of Grant's army.