The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-16 00:00:00

TEAR RtI2IIOURS AND PROBABILITIES.

In Liverpool, and no doubt in most seaports of
the kingdom, much anxiety prevails with respect
to what may be the result of the British demand
for reparation of the insult committed on our flag
by the forcible abduction of the Confederate Com-
missioners from the mail steamer Trent. In the
meantime every reasonable preparation for the
worst that can happen is being made with the
thoughtfulness and intrepidity which becomes a great
people. A notification has been made in the rooms
of the Liverpool Underwriters' Association, that
shipowners should instruct the captains of their
outward-hound ships to communicate by signal or
otherwise to any English vessel they may meet, the
information that war is probable between this coun-
try and America; and this suggestion is said to
have been greatly approved. While private asso-
ciations are thus taking precautionary suggestions,
the Government is not by any means remiss. For
some time past Liverpool has been in a state of
lively excitement in observing the preparations
made to meet the worst emergency which can wise
out of the present complication. The splendid
steamer Australasian was despatched from Liver-
pool on Friday evening, for Canada, carrying out
831 men of the Ist Battalion of the Rifle Brigade,
under charge of Col. Lord A. Russell and 27 officers.
She also took out 254 men and non-commissioned
officers of the 4th Brigade of Artillery, under the
charge of Capt. Leslie. On Saturday the Royal
Mail steamer Niagara sailed for Halifax, having on
board Major-General B,umley, together with 350
men and 20 officers of the Military Train. The Persia
also, as has been previously stated, has been taken
up and fitted as a transport, and this splendid ves-
sel has now, for the first time, had four of her boats
fitted with Clifford's patent lowering apparatus.
Her first complement of troops is to consist of 1,100
men, of whom the 16th Regiment of Foot is to
form the principal body; she will also take out 120
men of the Royal Engineers, under command of
Capt. M'Quay; Besides the troops mentioned,
each of the vessels named also takes out a large
amount of military and commissariat stores,amount-
ing, it is said, to 380 tons each. The Persia and
Australasian take out of ordnance stores 500,000
rounds of ball cartridge, besides 100,000 rounds
each for the troops. In addition to the Liverpool
steamers named; the Cleopatra, belonging to the
African --RZYaI Mail Steamship Company, has also
been tak li up by
Government, and will, it is ex-
-13"..4.,ed, have despatch in about a week. The Pacific
Steam Navigation Company's new steamer Peru
an:havesteamers e
been Will, it is understood, in about 10 days sail from
o I mrpdeerraetdr i c
for, e
Liverpool, taking with her 60 sailors and 40 marines,
asrrh
reinforcements to our squadron in the Pacific.
Imsuprevreaydoriyan
Govern-
ment, oßvearhni:
ment, and have also, it is said,
reported on. It has been currently stated that the
mail steamer America, which sailed from I
on the 7th inst., was ordered
todiverge Liverphoc
route to New York, and to call at Halifax.on her
the
present state of feeling the slightest incident is
1
cavglA at as important.