The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-25 00:00:00

Miscellaneous American News.

The new steamship Mississippi, of the United
States Mail Line, arrived at Falmouth on the
16th inst., after a rough passage of unremitting
north-east gales. As she left New York on the 2(1,
the run was made against an unusual dead-ahead
storm in fourteen days. The following is the specie
on board for France :—Raphael, Berend, and Co.,
Paris, $256,`‘83 ; J. A. Haude and Co., Havre,
$226,200.—T0ta1, $482,483.
The Atlantic cable informs us that the Virginia
Senate has offered to co-operate with General Scho-
field, in command of the Virginian district, under
the bill for the military government of the South.
Although last week it was announced that this bill
was in operation in the State of Louisiana, it now
appears that the Senate of that State has made an
appropriation to test the constitutionality of the
Military Bill. It was telegraphed from New York,
March 17, that the Upper House of Congress had
passed a supplement to the Reconstruction Bill,
directing the commanders of the military districts in
the South to take measures for completing the regis-
tration of the voters by September next, and then
to cause an election to be made in each State. The
majority of the electors thus registered are to decide
whether a convention should be held in order to
form a constitution to be submitted to the people
and to Congress. This supplement passed the House
of Representatives, but it was expected that the
President would veto it, in which case the mea-
sure was sure to be passed over his veto. The
Legislative Council of British Columbia has passed
a vote in favour of admission to the Colonial Con-
federation. The Congress House of Representa-
tives passed a resolution instructing the Committee
on Foreign Affairs to inquire why the Alabama
claims have not been paid, and what ought to be
done to secure their payment.
A Senatorial Caucus has pronounced in favour
of Congress remaining in session until the Presi-
dent has appointed the commanders of the Southern
districts and then adjourning until November. A
joint resolution of the same body has been referred
to the Judiciary Committee to amend the Constitu-
tion, and so prevent any State from prohibiting
voting or office holding on account of colour.
The Maine Legislature . has passed a resolution
protesting against the establishment of a kingdom
of Canada, and has asked the national Govern-
ment to interpose, by a friendly remonstrance,
against the proposed confederation.

A resolution expressing sympathy with Ireland in
the pending struggle for constitutional liberty has
been referred by Congress to the Committee of
Foreign Affairs.
At a recent municipal election the negroes
claimed to vote, under the Reconstruction Bill. The
authorities received the votes separately, but refused
to count them. The negroes intend to refer the
matter to the courts.

A letter from Secretary Seward has been pub-
lished officially, offering the mediation of the
United States between Spain and the Republics of
Peru, Chili, Bolivia, and Ecuador, proposing a con-
ference of Plenipotentiaries of these countries to
meet at Washington on the Ist of April next ; the
President to designate the presiding officer, and in
case of disagreement to indicate some state 0
sovereign to act as umpire ; and an armistice to
be declared as soon as the belligerents agree to the
conference.

The Fenians appear to have again become active
and threatening on the Canadian frontier. It was
stated in New York on the 15th instant that several
detachments of British troops bad been sent to the
frontier, a raid being apprehended. On the 18th
the New York Herald asserted that Mr. Johnson, in
reply to a Fenian delegation who waited upon him
to ask for belligerent rights for the Fenians, said he
would give the question the most serious considera-
tion, such as was necessary to decide a matter of
so great importance. On the 20th the New York
journals reported that a strong Federal detachment
has been sent to Oswego to guard the frontier
against Fenian movements. This message, which
was sent at noon, was denied five hours after.
Las
litaas a bad month for railway earn.
ings both in E
nd and in the United States. The
.t
January
n g
lines were for days blocked with snow or cleared at
great expense, and the weather was so cold that few
travelled, except under urgent necessity. The gross
earnings of the Pennsylvania Railroad were, not-
withstanding, for that month, $1,040,456, against
January, 1866, $1)170,957. The expenses for
January, 1866, amounted to $1,066,957, while for
last January the sum was reduced to $886,685.
Thus the net earnings of the company show an in-
crease for the first month of this year of $50,726,
the total sum being for January, 1866, $103,014,
and for January, 1867, $153,770.
The New York Times, quoting a despatch, of
January 13, from Yokohama, received via San
Francisco, states that a most disastrous conflagra-
tion had occurred at Yeddo, far worse than that at
Yokohama, and laying in ashes the most prominent
business and commercial part of the city.
The Pacific steam mail-ship Colorado has re-
turned to San Francisco, bringing news from Japan
to February 27th, and dates from China to the
17th ult. The Mikado of Japan had lately died,
and business was dull, more especially in cottons.
Teas were nominally lower ; the best were sold at
from 31c. to 41c. ; sterling exchange, 52d. The
British steamers Scylla, Basilisk, Argus, and the
Foam were at Yokohama. The Japanese embassy
to Washington are among the passengers, and the
cargo includes 270 chests of tea. The American
Minister at Peking was in high favour with the Im-
perial Court. The Chinese Government resisted
all efforts to obtain authority for the construction
of a railroad through Mongolia. The French were
about to make a short road from Shanghai to Lei-
chow. The Russian fleet was to sail for the Medi-
terranean. Piece goods were firm at Hong Kong.
Canadian postmasters have received their instruc-
tions, as regards the new postal route from Canada,
to Australia, and New Zealand, via Isthmus of
Panama. By this route the American line is used to
Panama, and the- British line thence to Australia.
There is a considerable saving of time as compared
with the old route by England. The Canada mails
to the West Indies will go by the American lines
from New York. These are important improve-
ments.

The Canadian Parliament is summoned to meet
on the 6th of April next, but not for the despatch
of business.

It is positively asserted that President Johnson
means to nominate a woman to a consulship in
Great Britain, and submit the appointment to
the Senate.

The Hon. Reverdy Johnson spoke on the Recon-
struction Bill in thelast Congress. He said—" I have
from the firstbeen ready to agree to any proposition
which I believed would result in bringing the
Southern States back, however much I may be
opposed to the conditions that might be expected of
them." From this time to the close a perfect still-
ness reigned in the Chamber. " If," continued the
" had my own way I would at once re-
ceiveS toenatrh,em
inthis
Chamber, with a heart full of
conviction that they would be true to their duty, to
the country, and that they would promote its perma-
nent interest. But I have not my own way. lam
obliged, therefore, to acquiesce in the decision of the
majority of Congress, ,however erroneous or unjust
I may believe that decision to be, provided I believe
that it will end in a comparatively short time in
restoring the Southern States to the brotherhood of
States. I am unwilling that this Congress shall
adjourn without the adoption of some measure
that holds out a hope, however distant, that this
may be the result of our deliberations ; and, be-
lieving that this will be done by the adoption of the
measure as it now stands before you, I shall give it