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

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 4, 1861.

AMERICA.

LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.
The Africa, which touched at Queenstown yes-
terday, arrived this morning.
The New York. _Herald publishes the following
letter from Wasinghton

"Washington, May 21.
" Our Government, it is quite understood, have
decided on their course should any foreign Power
display any disposition to truckle to the rebel States.
Any act of intervention which affords direct advan-
tage to the insurgent States, and which tends to
hamper or obstruct the action of our Government,
will lead to the most decisive measures on the part
of the Administration.• Frequent consultations
are taking place on the best means of avenging
any interference in this domestic brawl by England
or other Powers, and a complete programme, it is
rumoured, will shortly be settled upon. It appears
that more than a month ago our Government gave
notice to the Powers of Europe who took part in the
Congress of Paris in 1856, that they were willing
to accept the code they adopted at that period,
which declared privateering to be piracy. How,
then, will it be possible for England, one of the
Powers in question, to refuse to accept the unqua-
lified offer of our Government to adopt their own
code ? And how will it be possible for her, after
this, to treat the rebel States simply as belligerents,
however pliant may be the opinions of the legal
advisers of the Crown ? Is England disposed to
become the patron and partner of pirates ?—for such
her laws pronounce privateers to be. This timely
act of our Government places England in a false
and untenable position if she persists in regarding
the privateers of the South merely as belligerents.
This movement in the British Parliament is consi-
dered by the Administration merely as a party
measure, meant chiefly to embarass Lord Palmer-
ston: They feel sure that the people of England
are strangers to it. It will be gratifying to the
country to learn that our Government has received
the amplest assurances from Austria that she will
have nothing to do with the rebel States whatever ;
while Prussia has not hesitated to manifest in plain
terms her unequivocal sympathy with our country.
The Secretary of State has given notice to Mexico
and to other States that the Monroe doctrine will
be carried out with all the energy and resources of
the Government, and that nothing in the shape of
foreign intervention will be tolerated or submitted
to for a single hour. Mexico has been assured in
the most positive language that she can depend on
the active and determined support of this country
should any European Power attempt to violate her
soil. A warning has been given to Spain that if
she ventures to accept the artful proffer of St. Do-
mingo she will do so at her peril. This subject is
one of too much delicacy to treat with freedom ; but
if I may infer from the droppings of those who
are the best informed, I should say that Spain
would do well to exercise the utmost discretion in
her foolhardy attempts to extend her dominion in
this part of the world. It is certainly remakable
that the three most despotic European Govern-
ments, those of Prussia, Austria, and Russia, have
hastened to express tneir sympathy with our in-
ternal troubles, and intimate their indisposition to
give any direct or indirect aid or comfort to the
Southern rebels, while the rulers of England and
France, whose boast is a certain liberality of poli-
tical sentiment and action, are slow in assuming a
position on the side of law and justice and humanity,
against anarchy, usurpation, and barbarism. Russia
has evidently well remembered the American sym-
pathies shown to her during the Crimean war. The
Government regards with absolute certainty the
speedy termination of our domestic difficulties
should the rebel States receive no aid or comfort
from England, and they are quite resolved not to
deliberate for a single moment should England
manifest any such insane disposition, but to launch
against her the thunderbolts of a war that would
not cease till every Power in Europe was involved.
On this vital matter the President, the Secretary
of State, and all the Cabinet entertain but one
view, and are animated by the same sentiments.
They feel they can rely to any extent on the courage
and energy of the nation, which will sustain them
at every sacrifice against England and all the
world, when they see their dearest rights assailed
and their best interests rudely trampled on. It is
fortunate for the country, at this momentous crisis,
that there shoald be no division of counsels as to'
the best and safest policy both at home and abroad.
It is equally fortunate that the President and
Cabinet put so high an estimate on the sagacity
and firmness of the Secretary of State, as well as
upon his thorough knowledge of the condition and
interests of Europe, that they are content at all
times to defer to his views and support his sugges-
tions. It cannot but fill with surprise all who may
have followed the career of this able statesman to see
his usual caution and moderation suddenly converted
by the force of events into boldness and decision.
It is consoling to think that while the portfolio
of the State Department is in his hands there will
be no blunders to regret, and certainly no timidity
to deplore. Secretary Chase submitted the oath of
allegiance to the employes in his Department to-
day; 16 men refused to take it in the State Audi-
tor's-office, alone, and there were several in the
other bureaus."
On the 20th the Federal Government, by a simul-

taneous movement, seized all the telegrams re-
ceived at the principal telegraph offices in the Free
States during the last year.
It was intended to establish two extensive camps
of Federal troops—one on Staten Island and the
other at Harrisburg.
General Butler has left Annapolis for Fort Mon-
roe, where hostilities were anticipated early.
The Federal steamers Thomas Freeborn and Star
had shelled one of the Confederate batteries at
Sewell's point, near Norfolk, and driven the garri-
son out. Hampton Roads was expected to be
" covered with prizes" captured by the Federal

cruisers.
Further seizures of arms had taken place at

Baltimore.
Military reccnnaissanees have been pushed from
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, inside of the Vir-
ginian lines, at two points—Sheppardstown, 10
miles above llarper's Ferry, and Williamsport, 23
miles above. At Sheppardstown there were 303
brass pieces. Pieces of artillery were stationed on
the Virginian side of the river, commanding the
approaches to the bridge, also the approaches to the
town. The troops were encamped in a dense wood
crowning the heights opposite Williamsport.
The Charleston Courier of the 17th of May re-
ports the raising of the blockade by the Niagara :
" For two days past our port has been without
the presence of the Niagara, which vessel has left
for parts unknown. She has been reported off
Savannah, in company with the brig Perry, and has
been seen off North Edisto, but at present we have
no certain information of her position. The Huntress
has also been observed near this bar, but she has also
loft. Our port is consequently without obstruction
at the moment, and yesterday we had several
arrivals from foreign ports, among them a cargo of
molasses from Cardenas, and a British brig with
pig iron and coal from Glasgow. The latter has been
taken up to return to the same port, and has been
engaged full of Sea Island cotton at the enormous
freight of 24d per lb. Such a freight has not been
given in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Pas-
sengers by the railroad last evening report hearing
some heavy firing yesterday afternoon in the direc-
tionsalut of Edisto. It was supposed that it was a
salute to
officers
ofe
tflagshiphe N Niagara
ofa rthe r bloateaddlonng fleet,
Monday
to
thettthoh
airvidteyisi
Davishn
afeConsulv das gon its wayepor here, and expected
eearLhr
rumour and incorrect. Th
A report was current that
Davis, Lieut. J. M. Pelot, paids
had aygs.
Tiethoi collision
commander woiftthheoLneadoyf
the blockading vesselsot proved
t visito
lastb be
even-
ing, ee
nr
nd
hofe rt officershec onf
Confederate
amt
ee nal
Navy,l well.wh
ing, and reports that vessel'
oinchgoaomsobmdeeednonadsistligonnea.
the command of the naval forces at thisore T.
station,
tndiaetln:
arrived in this city last evening, and has taken
rooms at the Mills House. Lieut. J. N. IVlaffit also
arrived in this city from Montgomery.
The steam-tug America had arrived at Philadel-
phia, having in tow the ship General Parkhill, of
Charleston, and taken while attempting to make
that port, on the return trip from Liverpool. The
ship made two attempts to evade the blockade and
ran into Charleston. She was ordered off twice,
and attempted to make signals to the land. She
and sent North in charge of Passed
was then seized,
on
tsburden,MidshipmanSly
and she is
and a prize crew. The ship is 555
owned by Patterson and
Stark, of Charleston,
South Carolina. The Confe-
derate steamer Calhoun had captured the barque
• Ocean Eagle.
The Southern Confederacy had eBtahlished a

blockade at Memphis, prohibiting the passage of all
upward-bound boats.
Lord Lyons had been in communication with the
British Consul at New Orleans, and the following
is an extract from a despatch dated May Bth :
" The best advice you can give British ships is to
get off as fast as possible without serious inconveni-
ence. After the effective blockade has been com-
menced they will be allowed 15 days to take their
departure, but they will not be allowed to carry out
any cargo, or part of a cargo, taken on board after
the effective blockade was actually begun. Indeed,
according to the rules of blockade, I believe they
will be liable to confiscation for attempting to go
out with a cargo shipped after the commencement
of a blockade. But the effective blockade does not
begin until the blockading squadron actually ap-
pears off the port. The President's proclamation
is only the declaration of an intention to blockade."

The accounts respecting the movements of the
Confederate troops on Virginia are vary meagre and
unreliable, but it would appear that a considerable
force was assembled at Harper's Ferry.
Ex-Secretary of 'War, Mr. Floyd, had received a
commission in the Confederate army.

The following letter from an officer on board the
Federal steamship Powhattau, dated off Pensacola,
May 16, appears to give the most authentic news
from that quarter. The writer says,—
" There is now no use in concealing the fact that
the fight here will be one of the most desperate of
the war. Our preparations are progressing rapidly,
and fully justify us in the opinion that Fort Pickens
is almost impregnable. But the gigantic strides
making by Bragg's command may well prevent us
from anticipating a quiet capture of the Navy-yard
and Barrancas, the possession of which is neces-
sary to the end of hostilities in these parts.
Now, it is on the best authority that I inform
you that the Secessionists ashore muster
10,000 available fighting men, notwithstand-
ing previous estimates. They are scattered
for miles around, and have some of the best officers
in America to regulate their movements. There
are at least six batteries that may open fire on
Pickens now concealed, and of course the exact
places in which they are situated no one of us
can find out. The skill of three United States
military and naval officers has been concentrated to
make these most powerful, and Cummings' Point
ravages on Sumter indicate what a hidden battery
may do. Let it be distinctly understood, then, that
on land at present the Secessionists number at
least five times more than the Federal troops. Take
all our available men from the ships, and you can-
not make up one-third of our enemy's strength.
There have been serious impediments, too, placed
in the water within eight days, and it is now very
doubtful whether—forts left out—ships could go
up to the yard. Then Montgomery and Warrington
are connected by the iron railway horse, and rein-
forcements may be poured in. I mention these
matters only to plainly establish one fact—namely,
we cannot take a permanent and offensive stand in
Florida with 1,500 men. Defend Pickens, hold
Rosas Island, batter down M'Rae and Barrancas,
we may; but will the American people be satisfied
with this? Let the Cabinet decide whether Fede-
ral forces are concentrated here to defend Pickens
until it shall be made of little consequence ; or to
take the Navy-yard, and make the fort impregnable
in time.

c' THURSDAY, May 16, 7 p.m.
" The evening muster of the rebel troops has just
gone on. It was certainly an imposing sight.
There cannot be less than 1,500 mounted men at-
tached to Bragg's command, and patrols of them
ride along the road, French sentry fashion, all day
and night. They evidently begin once more to
think of acting on the offensive. Ten days ago
their pluck was oozing out fast, but fresh arrivals
from Mississippi and Georgia have fired them up
again. I confess that they exhibit no signs of star-
vation, although an unusual temperance among
them proves that specie is scarce. Several pieces of
ordnance have been received from Alabama since
the 2d ; one of them is a tremendous Dahlgren,
said to have come from the Norfolk Navy-yard.
Many pieces of cannon have also been sent down
to the Navy-yard on floats ; but it is worth re-
marking that the enemy is leaving as little valu-
able material there as possible. Indeed, one of
the Mississippi men was heard to say on Friday
last, ' a horse that runs away once may ran away.
again ; and a navy-yard that falls once may fall
again ;' although this is only the remark of a com-
mon soldier, it shows a glimpse of the colour of his
party's thoughts. A private in an army ought to
be as significant as a straw in a river.

" Lieitenant Renshaw, late of the United States
Navy, is trying to earn a name for smartness. He
has twice fooled' our men-of-war by sending up
night signals according to the rules of the regular
signal book ; but he has only shown his want of
sense by suggesting what might be a rule of the
rebels in fighting times. If he again succeed in get-
ting recognition from the fleet it will either be
because he is aimed at on the yard-arm, or on ac-
count of some impossible annihilation of ear Flag
Lieutenants. At the same time, all ship's officers
would do well to bear in mind that in Texas and
Florida, resigned officers used the private service
signals successfully. Lieutenant Renshaw is now
Commodore of four Confederate, naval vessels which
may, without exaggeration be dubbed the nautilus
war fleet. He is working hard to make the old
wrecked steamer Fulton fit for his flagship, and if
she be too rotten to suit that purpose, there is no
sound plank in her hull. The United States corvette
St. Louis, whose commander was transferred to the
Brooklyn, is reported as coming in while I write.
She has been to Key West on busin.ess':and returns
for further orders. The St. Louis and the Sabine
are giving some trouble to us. Their term of service
having expired many of the men want to go home
and be discharged. The naval law says that having
returned to the United States, sailors and marines
who have served their full period of enlistment,
must be paid off. Hence their fidgetiness, which
would amount to nothing in itself, but for another
circumstance. Brilliant, cunning. Commodore In-
graham, late from the Richmond corvette, is having
it reported throughout the British, French, and
Spanish naval vessels on this station, that the Ame-
rican Government is impressing crews for service.
He attempts to prove it by a written protest
signed by three deserters from the squadron—
one Englishman and two Baltimoreans—who are
now gunners for Bragg, The majority of the
men in both the vessels named are willing to stay
on board as long as the country wants them. Their
pay is legally one-fourth more than usual, but two
dissatisfied fellows are a greater annoyance than
ten prizefighters."
The Federal bark D. C. Pierce was sunk by the
Secessionists at Norfolk on the sth.
The Governor of Kentucky had issued a pro-
clamation in which he says :
" I hereby notify and warn all other States.
separate or united, especially the United and Con-
federate States, that I solemnly forbid any move-
soil, or occupation of any port
or move-
ment upon
authorised by invitation or permission of the mpeutuhKereenin Kentucky
for any until
any purposes whatever,
legis-
lative and executive authorities. I especially forbid
all citizens of Kentucky, whether incorporated in
the State Guard or otherwise, making any hostile
ue
ett
ityo
and the
peaceably orders of
demonstrations against any of the aforesaid sove-
reignties
to
to be
when off military duty, and refrain from all words
at home
authorities,
and acts likely to provoke a collision, and so other-
wise conduct themselves that the deplorable calamity
of invasion may be averted ; but meanwhile make
remain ub
e d
quietly
prompt and efficient preparation to assume the
paramount and supreme law of self-defence, and
strictly of self-defence alone."
Advises from Texas report that General Young
was pursuing Capt. Montgomery and the Federal
troops. The baggage and ammunition trains were
overtaken and seized, with some beeves and horses.
A private telegram from Helena, Arkansas, an-
nounces the explosion of the steamer Kentucky,
and a loss of 20 lives.

In the Honolulu advices we find it reported that
her Majesty's steamer Alert took formal possession,
for the Queen of England, of Forming's Island,
located in lat. 30 49 N., long. 159 20 W., on the
Bth of February. The flag of Great Britain was
raised amidst a salute of small arms and a 12-pound
field howitzer. The entire ship's company officiated
at the ceremony. The harbour has been termed
English Harbour," and the point on which the
settlement is situated wi.s called " English Point."
KONGKONG.—Mr. Thomas J. Callaghan (of the
Irish bar), at present chief magistrate at llongkong, has
been appointed to administer the government of Labuan
during the absence of the Governor, the llon. E. Edwards.
Mr. Callaghan has also received authority from tho Foreign-
office to act as Consul-General, in the room of Mr. St.
John. It is probable that the two offices may be united,
paying tileroby effectedt—WBcrver.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S NEW

G.ROUNDS.

Scarcely a month has elapsed since we noticed in
detail the progress of the works connected with the
exquisitely beautiful new gardens of this society at
Kensington. Even at that time it had been fixed
that the formal opening•should take place on the
sth of this month, though it required no ordinary
amount of credulity, or at least confidence in the
activity of the Council and skill of the contractor,
to believe that it could be brought to even a tole-
rable state of completion by August. The un-
usual rainfall of last summer, the almost unpre-
cedented severity of the -winter, followed almost
immediately by the strike of the masons and
bricklayers, for a time upset all calculations
as to progress, and, as we have said,
even as recently as a month ago the opening fete
fixed for to-morrow seemed all but impossible. Yet,
in spite of every difficulty, the Council have perse-
vered to the last, and the result of their determina-
tion is shown in the completion of such an immense
amount of work in the last three or four weeks as
literally appears almost incredible. At the be-
ginning of last month the site of the now almost
completed gardens was a mere mass of excavations.
The mounds for the beautiful terraces were in some
cases only just being raised. The very bricklayers
and stonemasons were up to yesterday at work in
the arcades. A few weeks ago, and only two or
three columns marked the spot where a perfect con-
servatory now stands—long, wide, and lofty enough
to be almost designated a little Crystal Palace.
Even the excavations for the reservoirs were hardly
begun ; the lawns were not tufted, the ornamental
parterres unattempted, the paths still ungravelled,
and, in fact, scarcely marked; and the shrubberies,
which are now formed of thousands of rhododen-
drons in every variety of bloom, were then mere
heaps of planking, and covered with the debris of
building materials of all kinds. Since that time,
then, as we have said, such an amount of work has
been accomplished that the result seems almost
magical. Not that the gardens are by any means
finished, or even nearly complete, in all their ex-
quisite details. The centre reservoir has merely
been bricked round, and therefore only holds enough
water to mark its future purpose. Only two of the
trout :streams on the eastern side have been com-
pleted. None of the niches for statuary have been
filled, and only a few of the handsome stone and
marble vases with which the piers of all the terrace
balustrades will be surmounted are yet placed. The
band-houses, too, are not begun ; the stone steps of
the terraces will be represented to-morrow by
wooden substitutes, and of the beautifully de-
signed balustrade which is hereafter to sur-
mount almost the whole length of lofty
arcade, only a few feet have been put in
position as a specimen of what the general effect
will ultimately be., The recesses for busts will
not yet be filled ; no fountains will play, and
the great cascade which is to fall into the
chief reservoir will not be finished for a couple of
months or so. In addition to all this, also, much has
to be done towards completing the ultimate colour
decorations of the arcades, and above all in carving
their massive stone capitals and basements, only
one of each of which is now cut to show what the
whole will be when finished. It is perhaps not too
much to say that next year's spring will be on be-
fore all this is effected, and before the garden, quite
recovered from the severe winter and the effects of
this year's transplanting, will bloom in all its splen-
dour. Yet, notwithstanding all these drawbacks,
the grounds already look like a miniature fairyland,
and as the visitor's eye ranges over the superb
diversity of lawns and shrubberies, parterres, and
terraces, he will not unnaturally think, when such
effects are produced from little more than half-
finished ground, the coup d'eil which they must
present when complete will be something unequalled
in the history of terraced gardens. It is almost
impossible to overpraise the simple, exquisite beauty
of this arrangement—the taste and skill with which
the most elegant examples of garden architecture
are introduced, and the effective grouping of the
different kinds of plants, interspersed with vases and
statuary. The parterres, with their winding and
involved paths, inlaid with various kinds of coloured
stone, broken fine, are now all finished, and their
effect is charming, and for once surpasses the expec-
tations formed from the pictorial design on paper.
The great conservatory is also entirely finished, with
its outer verandah facing the south. The whole
interior of this beautiful building is painted with
light, cool, neutral colours, which will harmonise
well with the plants it is to contain, and also with
the light and slender proportions of the structure
itself. The background of this, with its double arcade
and gallery above, is one of the gems of the garden.
On double banks in this conservatory, and along the
wall-side of the semi-circular arcade which extends
from both ends down into the gardens, will be ar-
ranged the flower show of to-morrow. On the suc-
cess of this display we need scarcely add that the
Horticultural Society have spared no trouble; and we
are told that the exhibition, both for the number,
excellence, and variety of the specimens, will be
the finest that has been seen for many years. In
stove and greenhouse plants, plants of variegated
foliage, orchids, and fruit, the show will be un-
usually excellent. In order to give the best oppor-
tunity of seeing this collection, the gardens are to
be opened to the public at one o'clock. The Prince
Consort, who is to formally open the gardens, with
the other members of the Royal family, will not
arrive till half-past 4. The Royal party will be
received by a procession, formed by the Vice-Presi-
dents and Council of the society, the Royal Com-
missioners for 1851, and the members of the Fine
Arts and Works Committee, &c. Preceded by
these noblemen and gentlemen, his Royal Highness
and party will traverse the main avenues of the
gardens to the front of the conservatory, where the
address from the society will be read and the reply
delivered. In a little parterre on the east side of
the terrace beneath the conservatory the Prince
will plant. a Wellingtonia gigantea, given by
Messrs. Veitch and Sons, and at the conclusion of a
prayer by the Bishop of London the gardens will
be formally declared to be opened. After this
slight ceremony, the Royal party will examine at
their leisure the various classes of the flower show,
both in the conservatory and under the arcades, and
after partaking of refreshments, again traverse
the grounds, quitting them finally at six o'clock.
During the remainder of this year, with the excel).
tion of the days devoted to rose, dahlia, chrysan-
themum, and general fruit and flower shows, the
gardens will only be open to the public on Satur-
days. On the other days only the Fellows of the
society will be admitted; but as these have also
the privilege of passing: in two friends, the attend-
ance is likely always to be fully as numerous as is
consistent with the due progress of the works that
have yet to be completed. Next year, during the
time of the Exhibition, they will be open nearly
every day in the week, at charges in proportion to
the high or low charges to the Exhibition itself.
A great number of tickets have already been sold
for the opening fete of to-morrow, and if the
weatheris only moderately propitious, a most bril-
liant assemblage is anticipated.

RETURN OF GERMANS FROM AMERICA.—The
Hamburg journals of the 26th May state that in the last
steamer which arrived in that port from New York were
364 Germans, who had returned home from America, and
they announced that they would shortly be followed by a
considerable number of their countrymen. The reason why
these people returned was to avoid being obliged to take
military service. They add that business is dull in the
United States, and that the manufacturers are doing
nothing.
[ADVERTISEMENT.]—It is with pleasure we notice the
increase of cures without medicine by Du Barry's delicious
Revalenta Arabica. We quote the following :—Cure No.
52,087—Field Marshal Duke of Pluskow, of a gastric in-
flammation of the stomach. Cure No. 51,614—8ar0n de
Polentz, Prefect of Langcnau, of many years' horrible suf-
fering of the nerves and an obstinate constipation. Cure
No. 48,721—General Baron de Zaluskowski, of many years
fearful disorders of the digestive function. Cure No. 71,
of dyspepsia—The right honourable the Lord Stuart
de Decies. Cure No. 42,116—Major Edie of enlarge-
ment of the liver and total prostration of strength.
Avoid Pills and Medicines : they invariably aggravate and
perpetuate diseases ; their annoyance, disappointment,
and expense may be avoided by using Du Barry's Food
which, at a few ponce per day, saves 50 times its cost in
other remedies, removing effectually, without purging,
constipation, indigestion (dyspepsia) nervous, bilious and
liver complaints and • all their consequences. Certificate
No. 36,418. We find it the safest remedy. Andrew Um
MD., F.R.S., Dr Harvey, Dr. Wurzer, Dr. Shorland, Dr.
Campell. Let invalids avoid the fearful dangers of spu-
rious and injurious imitations offered under a variety of
false pretences. Nevill's imitations are prohibited by the
high Court of Chancery under a penalty of £5,000 against
Alfred Hooper Nevill and his agents ; and the pretences
that Nevill has a patent for Arabica Food and that Du
Barry's are connected with such patent are utterly false.
No canister is genuine without the name Barry Du Barry
and Co., 77, Regent-street, in full, ontheseal and wrapper.
Shopkeepers who attempt imposition in one article must
expect to be distrusted in all others. Packed in tins llb.
2s. 9d.; 21b. ; 51b. lls.; 121 b: 225. ; 241 b. 40s. The
121 b. and 241 b. canisters aro sent carriage free on receipt_
of Post-office order by Barry Du Barry and Co., 77.,.R,
gent-street, London; Fortnum Mason, and Co.; ADDIG,
60, Graceehurch-street ; 4, Cheapside ; 63 and. 150, Ox-
bard-street ; 330 and 451, Strand; 49 and 60, Thshopsgate-
street ; Batty, 16, Finsbury Pavement; Phillips and Ca
tea-dealers.; Petty, Wood, and Co., King Williau.atreet
City; at 127 liolborti; and all grworri