The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-17 00:00:00

from Texas and Arkansas, to avoid the persecution
of the rebels, and that if the Government would
only provide them with arms the Unionists in these
two States would fight for the Constitution and the
Union.
According to letters received at Washington front
General Banks, Commander at Harper's-ferry, the
Federal army was being rapidly organised. A flag
of truce with two despatches was in at Washington
on the Ist. One despatch was for Gen. M‘Do well,
and had reference to a rumour prevalent in the
Confederate camp that some of their officers captured
at Bull's Run were to be hanged. The other de-
spatch was addressed to Gen. Scott, and the purport
of it has not transpired. It was, however, thought
that the Confederates were anxious to come to an
understanding on the subject of pickets, who were
continually being shot. `lle force at Sandy Hook
was being rapidly organised. There had been sortie
difficulty with a Pennsylvanian reginlent. A letter
of the Ist says :
" A large number were missing at the roll-call yesterday
morning, and yesterday about 300 more of them refused to
be sworn in. The men assign various reasons for refusing to
serve. Some say they have not been armed as promised by
the State authorities, and others that there has been a
scarcity of food, from the want of experience in their cow"
missariat ; but the real cause is believed to be a want aeon'
fidence in their officers, to which may be added the aspire'
tions of the subordinates for higher grades. Col. Porter, of
the Staff, at the instance, it is presumed, of the commanding
General, addressed them last night in a patriotic strain
but the disaffection apparently still exists. This is the only
known instance of any dissatisfaction in this army. The
health of the column is good."
Reports were prevalent at Washington of a group'
ing disposition in Maryland towards revolt.
On the 2d, in the presence of 20,000 soldiers and
citizens, a New Hampshire Volunteer was hung 011
the walls of Fort Ellsworth for shooting a woman.
Letters from Fortress Monroe to the 31st nit'
complain of the enervating heat, which prevented
any labour being performed.
The following queries had been put to the Con-
federate District attorney at Charleston :
" 1. Is it lawful for a citizen of the Confederate States to
purchase of our enemy State stocks or bonds of any of the
Confederate States, and demand the interest when due?
"2. Is it lawful for the same parties to purchase notes
given by merchants of the Southern confederacy to Northern
houses, and demand payment for the same ?
"3, If lawful and proper to pursue the above course,
would it not be equally legal for the small trader to buy
merchandise of the enemy ; or, in ether words, does the lavr
intend to operate in favour of the fortunate holders of capt-
tal against the humble dealers in wares and merchandiser

The response is as follows :
" The acts specified by you certainly constitute trading
with the enemy' peculiarly objectionable, because 001
afford a direct assistance to the enemy by the transmission
of money to foster the resources. And, in addition, such
conduct is highly unpatriotic, because directly injurious t°
the interests of the States and citizens of our Confederacy)
whose obligations are thus withdrawn from the eneraY°
country, where it is for the interest of such States that they
should remain, since they could not there be called upon for
payment during the war. Such operations are certainly
worse than the simple purchaso of merchandise in the
enemy's country, because they, at the same time, aid our
enemies and injure our friends."
A man named Thomas and his son had been
hung on the same tree in Missouri for hoisting the
Federal flag.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW ORLEANS, Auc• 2•
Cotton sales of the week, 2,186 bales; middling, 101 e. t°
11c. ; receipts for the week, 130 bales, against 6,030 baleS
for same time last year. Decreased receipts at this port,
362,000 bales ; ditto at all southern ports, 905,000 bales•
Stock in port, 9,800 bales. Sugar—Fair to fully fair, 41e.
to 44c. Flour—Ohio, 7 dols. 25c. to 7 dols. 50c. Ceffee--:
Sales of the week, 860 bags Rio, at 20c. to 30c. ; stock 111
port, 1,900 bags, against 3,200 bags at the same time last
year.