The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-10 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TaEGRAM.)

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE PERUVIAN.'
NEW YORK, DEC. 30, Evening.
(Via Greencastle.)
General Butler has abandoned the grand attack
upon Fort Fisher, Wilmington. The bombardment

by the fleet continues.
Mr. Fessenden has announced his intention to
withdraw the $lO 40 loan after January 10.
Admiral Porter reports that his whole fleet bom-
barded Fort Fisher, Wilmington, on Saturday, hav-

ing previously exploded a large powder ship under
the walls of the fort, the shock doing no damage.
In one hour the fire of Fort Fisher was silenced,
two magazines exploded, and the fort fired in seve-
ral places. The bombardment continued until
dark. On the afternoon of Sunday about 3,000

troops under Weitzel landed under fire of the fleet,
some entering the outworks and capturing a flag.
Weitzel captured two batteries, and advanced
within 50 yards of the Fort. Finding an assault
impracticable, however, he re-embarked his troops
the same evening. About 1,000 remained ashore
on Monday, being unable to re-embark on account
of the surf.

On Sunday night Gen. Butler informed Admira'
Porter that the assault of Fort Fisher was imprac•

ticable, the Fort being substantially uninjured
as a defensive work by the navy fire, and that no-

thing but a regular siege would reduce the fort.
Butler has re-embarked his troops, and resolved to
return to Fort Monroe as soon as the transports are
ready.
Admiral Porter informed General Butler that the
fleet could keep the Confederates inside the fort
from showing their heads until the assaulting
column was within twenty yards of the works. He
thought the capture of the fort by assault, if
attempted, would have been easier than was sup-
posed. The Admiral considers the 100 lb. Parrot
guns unfit for the service. Six of them exploded,
killing and wounding 45 men. The Monitors be-
haved very well during the heavy gale which was
prevalent. Admiral Porter will continue the bom-
bardment of Fort Fisher.
Savannah advices to the 26th report that an effort
was being made to intercept Hardee's retreat before
he could reach the Broad river.

Hood's infantry is reported to have crossed the

Tennessee on pontoons plaCed above. reach of the
Federal gunboats. Prisoners state that Hood had
110 cannon.
General Lee reports that Lomax had repulsed
Tarbert two miles from Gordonsville.

General Mosby is dangerously wounded.
Burbridge reports that during the raid in Western
Virginia he defeated Vaughan, Duke, and Brecken-
ridge in several encounters, capturing numerous
guns. He destroyed all the lead works and salt
works at Saltville.
Breckenridge reports that the damage done to the
salt works can be easily repaired.
The Confederates have driven back the Federals
raiding in the neighbourhood of Moville.
The Southern press strongly urge the appoint-

ment of General Lee as commander-in-chief. Pre-
sident Davis has announced that the Confederate
Government assumes the responsibility, and will
answer for the acts of the persons engaged in the
attempt to capture the steamer Michigan, on Lake
Erie.

The steamer North America, from New Orleans
for New York, has been wrecked. 200 soldiers on
board were drowned.
The Australasian and. Saxonia have arrived out.
NEW YORK, DEC. 31 (Morning.)
Lee is said to be preparing an offensive move-
ment.

Nashville despatches assert that Hood has no.
crossed the Tennessee. A doubtful report is cur.
rent that the remnant o his army has been cap•
tured.

General Butler has returned to Fort Monroe.
His troops are also returning.
A large expedition under General Granger landed
at Pascagoula, Louisiana, on the 15th, and is push-
irg rapidly towards Mobile.
In reply to the demand of the Brazilian Minister
for explanations and reparation for the seizing of
the Florida, Mr. Seward states that the President
would disavow and express his regret on account of
the proeeeding at Bahia. Captain Collins would
be suspended and tried by court-martial.
NEW YOBIC, DEC. 30 (Evening.)
Money easy. Gold, 227. Exchange on London
—2491 ; Paris, 2.84 to 2.134. Stocks depressed.
New York Centrals, 1121 ; Illinois, 1251 ; Erie,
84+ ; 5.20 Bonds, 109 ; Cotton, 115.

THE WEST AFRICAN MAILS.
LIVERPOOL, Jan. 10.
The West African mail steamer Armenian has
arrived.

FRANCE.
M. FOULD'S FINANCIAL REPORT.
PARIS, JAN. 10,

Her dates are—Benin, Dec. 7 ; Fernando Po,
Nov. 27 ; Old Calabar, Dec. 2 ; Brass River, 4th ;
New Calabar, 6th ; Bonny, 7th ; Lago, 10th ;
Accra, 11th ; Cape Coast Castle, 14th ; Cape
Palmas, 16th ; Sierra Leone, 21st ; Bathurst, 25th ;
Teneriffe, 31 ; and Madeira, Jan. 2. She brings
1,300 oz. of gold dust, $9,029, 1,900 francs, 2,472
sovereigns, and upwards of 1,000 bales.
Trade on the coast generally was brisk.
One thousand five hundred slaves in irons at
Whydah, and ready for shipment, were being
watched by a British cruiser. The steamer St.
Patrick, with convicts, put into Fernando Po with
her machinery damaged.
Dr. Baikie died at Sierra Leone on the 10th of
November.

The following is a summary of M. Fould's report
to the Emperor on the financial state of the
country :

" The year 1863 will leave a deficit less by 15
millions of francs than had been anticipated. The
revenue and expenditure of the year 1864 will pro-
bably be balanced. In 1865 the military expenses
will be reduced by 21 millions, and the naval ex-
penses by 23 millions.
" The sum of 18 millions, derived from the sur-
plus of the resources of -1865, will be carried for-
ward to the budget of 1866. This sum," M. Fould
says, " may be sensibly increased if; as may be hoped,
the extraordinary. expenses for the military and
naval services which still figure in the anticipatory
budget of 1865 to the extent of 65 millions,
gradually diminish and at last disappear.
" These happy results are due to the confidence
inspired by the Government and to the peaCeful
sentiments with which Europe knows your Majesty
is animated."

The report of MM. Behic and Fould on the in-
quiry in reference to the Bank of France has been
published, accompanied by a decree ordering a com-
mission of audit for the expenses of management
and the purchase of bullion during 1863.

Another decree has been issued in reference to
the alienation of the land in Algeria now belonging
to the. State, but which it is intended to allot for the
purposes of colonisation.
BOURSE, Jan. 9.—The market has been buoyant,
PA the business 4:10110 1484 been at an improvement