The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-15 00:00:00

AMERICA.

By the Cunard steamer Cuba we have direct advices
from New York up to the 4th inst.
Assistant-Secretary Chandler and the Hon. Harvey
Wutterson, of Tennessee, had been sent on a special mis-
sion among the treasury cotton agents in the Southern
States, to investigate the numerous charges of fraud and
corruption among them.

The Governor of the State of Georgia telegraphs Mr.
Secretary Seward as follows :
"Milledgeville, Georgia, Dec. 22.

"Sir,-1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your telegram of the 19th inst., together with a communi-
cation to his Excellency James Johnson, Provisional Go-
vernor of Georgia. Be pleased to tender to his Excellency
the President my grateful return for the recognition of the
official position in which the people of Georgia have placed
me, and assure him of my fixed purpose to observe and
obey as well the constitution of the United States as the
constitution of the State of Georgia. Express to him my
thanks for the offered co-operation of the Government of
the United States in effecting the earliest restoration and
permanent prosperity of the State. Upon this co-opera-
tion our people build up earnest hopes of a speedy return
to their suspended relations with the other States of the
Union.--I have, &c.,
"CHARLES J. JENKINS, Governor of Georgia."

A Washington despatch of the 2d inst. says :

"It has been erroneously stated that the French and
United States Governments have arrived at an under-
standing with regard to Mexican affairs. It is known,
however, that Maximilian has not met his pecuniary en-
gagements with Napoleon for keeping the French troops
in Mexico, and that the French Emperor is not willing to
support a military force at his own expense. It is a
subject of comment to-day that at the President's recep-
tion yesterday none of the diplomatic corps recognised or
spoke to the Mexican Minister. They evidently do not
acknowledge him as the representative of any Government.
Senor Romero was cordially received by President John-
son, but only remained a few minutes in the reception-
room, leaving some time before the departure of the other
Ministers."

The Government had submitted to Congress copies o:

the correspondence which has taken place in regard to the
alleged re-establishment of slavery in Mexico.' Tho allega-

tionis made in a letter from M. Romero, the representa-
tive of the Juarez Government, to Mr. Seward, dated the
sth October. This letter details the action of the Govern-
ment of the Emperor Maximilian, at the instigation of the
Emperor Napoleon, and charges that the design is to at-
tract to Mexico the disaffected citizens from the late Con-
federate States, and to tho employment of forced
labour.

The following is the correspondence that ensued be-
tween Secretary Seward and the United States Minister
at Paris:—

" Washington, Nov. 2, 1865.

"Sir,—The condition of the emancipated slaves, or
freedmen, within the United States is at this moment
very probably a subject of deep interest. Tho establish-
ment of the perfect equality of men of the African race
with men of other races throughout the whole continent
is a principle which the United States may hereafter be
expected to cultivate with constancy and assiduity. Cer-
tain decrees bearing on the subject of immigration, which
are understood to have boon promulgated by authorities
acting in Mexico, in opposition to the Republic, have
arrested the attention of this Government. The law
officer of the Government has submitted to this de-
partment an opinion that, if those decrees were
carried into execution, they would inevitably ope-
rate to reduce into a condition of peon slavery
working men of the African race, and, of course,
such of the freedmen before mentioned as, with or with-
out their intelligent consent, might be brought within the
jurisdiction of Mexico. If European opinion can be re-
garded as established in reference to any one political
question, it is settled that African slavery in any form
ought henceforth to cease throughout the world. Wo do
not doubt that the Emperor of France cordially and fully
concurs, as we do, in this humane sentiment. I have,
therefore to request you to place a copy of the opinion of
the Attorney-General (herewith enclosed) in the hands of
M. Drouyn de l'Huys, and ask that the attention of the
French Government may be directed to the question,
which the Attorney-General has discussed with ability,
and with an anxious desire to arrive at just conclusions.—
I am, sir, yours, &c., " W. H. SEWARD."
" Paris, Nov. 22, 1865.

" Sir,—Recalling the conversation which I had the hon-
our to hold with your Excellency on the 17th ult., in rela-
tion to the alleged levy of Egyptian troops for involuntary
service in Mexico, and the representations I then made in
regard to the natural unwillingness of my Government and
country people to see slavery in any form replanted either
within our territory or on our borders, I beg to invite your
Excellency's attention to certain recent decrees bearing
upon the subject of emigration to Mexico, purporting to
emanate from authorities acting in opposition to that re-
public. In the opinion of the law officer of my Government,
these decrees, if enforced, would inevitably reduce to the
condition of peon slavery working men of the African
race, and, of course, such of the freedmen of the United
States as may have already been or hereafter may be
seduced to go there, without a full and intelligent compre-
hension of their liabilities. That your Excellency may
understand the grounds for this conclusion, I am in-
structed to transmit to your Excellency a copy of the
Attorney-Gene?al's opinion, which will bo found en-
closed, and to invite the attention of the Imperial Go-
vernment to the questions therein discussed. In com-
plying with these instructions of the Government, I avail
myself of the language of the despatch containing
them to say that, if European opinion can be regarded as
established in reference to any one political question, it is
settled that African slavery, in any form, ought henceforth
to cease throughout the world.' We do not doubt that the
Emperor of France cordially and fully concurs, as we do,
in this humane sentiment. I pray your Excellency to
accept assurances of the distinguished consideration with
which I have the honour to be, your Excellency's very
obedient and very humble servant,

_
" JOHN BIGELOW.
" His Excellency M. Drouyn de Lhuys, Minister
of Foreign Affairs."

Tho New York Legislature met on the 3d instant, at
Albany. The Governor, in his message, congratulates the
Legislature on the return of honourable peace, and ear-
nestly urges the claims of maimed and disabled soldiers of
New York for permanent relief from the General and State
Governments. The Comptroller's report shows a deficiency
of $1,179,000. Receipts of the fiscal year ending Sept. 30
are $16,273,000 ; payments, $16,183,000. Funded debt of
the State, $6,05C,954, $228,000 having been redeemed
during the year. Total debt, $25,475,539. In 1860 it was
$33,612,975. The superintendent of the Bank Department
reports 109 banks conducting business under the State
laws, and that 193 have retired from the old system during
the year, nearly all of which aro converted into national
banks. The amount of outstanding circulation• is about
$27,000,000. He speaks favourably of the national bank-
ing system. He concludes with an exhortation for cordial
co-operation in the support of just rights of all citizens of
the Union, from which the only element of weakness and
danger has been removed. "We should entertain no feel-
ing of bitterness or unkindness toward our misguided coun-
trymen, but be animated by general forbearance. The end
of the war is an occasion of heartfelt joy and gratitude
that the protecting hand which upholds the heavens has
been our constant support."

The statement of the Associated Banks exhibits some
very important fluctuations in favour of a continuance of
ease in money. The deposits show au increase of $6,021,091,