The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-04 00:00:00

lIIE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

The following is a copy of the letter laid before
the House of Commons by Lord John Russell last

evening :

" Foreign-office, June 1, 1861.

" My Lords,—Her Majesty's Government are, as you arc
aware, desirous of observing the strictest neutrality in the
contest which appears to be imminent between the United
States and the so-styled Confederate States of North
America; and, with the view more effectually to carry
out this principle, they propose to interdict the armed
ships, and also the privateers of both parties, from car-
tying prizes made by them into the ports, harbours, road-
steads, or waters of the United Kingdom, or of any of
her Majesty's colonies or possessions abroad.
" I have accordingly to acquaint your lordships that the
Queen has been pleased to direct that orders is conformity
with the principles above stated should forthwith be ad-
dressed to all proper authorities in the United Kingdom,
and to her Majcsty:s naval and other authorities in all
quarters beyond the United Kingdom, for their guidance
in the ctscumstanees. "I have, Sec.,

"J. RUSSELL.
" The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty."
Similar letters have been addressed to the Secre-
taries of State for India, War, and the Colonies.

ARRIVAL OF TILE GREAT EASTERN

LIVERPOOL, MONDAY NIGHT.

The Great Eastern, which left New York
on the morning of the 25th ult., arrived off the bar
about nine o'clock p.m.

She brings 240 passengers. Her highest rate of
speed was 350 knots in the 24 hours. She was
stopped two days ago by the Fulton, but failed to
communicate. She will run into the Mersey about
10 o'clock a.m.

Further reinforcements had been sent to Fort
Monroe from Washington. Major-General Butler
had reviewed the troops there.
The Confederate Congress was to meet at Mont-
gomery on the 20th of July.

An attack on Fort Pickens was imminent.
North Carolina had definitely seceded.
Owing to a false light having been exhibited the
British ship Albion had been Wrecked near Cape
Henry.

The Northern troops had occupied Alexandria,
with the loss of Colonel Elsworth, who was shot on
the stairs of an hotel by the landlord, who was
afterwards stabbed to death.

Exchange at New York, 1051 to 106.
Stocks had declined, owing to the advices from
Virginia.

Cotton quiet ; middling upland, 13e. to 13Lc.
Flour easier. Wheat unsettled.

THE BLOOR ADING FORCE OF THE
UNITED STATES.

Not one private armed vessel will be employed
for any such purpose, with the exception, perhaps,
of a few yachts that are used in the waters near
Washington, and the services of which will be
dispensed with as soon as we shall have de-
veloped our naval resources. There will be small
occasion for the employment of craft of that kind.
By the Ist of June we shall have in the blockading
fleet the steam-frigates Niagara, Wabash, Min-
nesota, Roanoke, Colorada, Mississippi, and Pow-
hatan ; and the steam-sloops Brooklyn, Mohawk,
Pocahontas, Crusader, and Pawnee. There will
also be 17 steam-gunboats employed, without
counting those that shall arrive from distant
cruising grounds. Some of these latter vessels
have already sailed, as have about half the
larger ships. Then we have a dozen excellent sail-
ing vessels, including frigates, brigs, and sloops,
and all regular naval craft, and not brought into
the navy from the merchant service. There are
the frigates St. Lawrence, Sabine, and Santee ; the
sloops Jamestown, St. Louis, Savannah, Mace-
ionian, Cumberland, Vincennes, Mexican, Dale,
Preble, and Vandalia ; and the brigs Perry and.
Bainbridge. Then we have the whole revenue
fleet that is employed in ordinary times, and which
is an experienced, trained service, and ought to be
a very efficient arm in the work to which it must
hereafter be devoted. By the Ist of July the block-
ading force will not be less than 60 sail, -without
counting the revenue cutters, and new vessels will
be in course of constuction. The line of coast to be
blockaded extends to 2,500 miles, but Inuch of this
long line will not require to be watched, as there
are no ports on it, and no means of carrying on
trade from it. We are strong enough to shut up
every port of the South if not to watch all its coast ;
and if your Government should not think 60 vessels
a sufficient force we will soon make it 100 sail.--
Letter from Awerica. .