The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-15 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, • APRIL 15, 1861.

AMERICA.

LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY.

The Canadian mail steamship Bohemian, with
advices to the 30th ult., and the Cunard steamship
Europa (extra vessel), with New York adviees to
the same date, have arrived.

The Presidetit, in answer to a resolution passed
by the United States Senate on the 25th inst.,
requesting him, if he should think it not incompa-
tible with the public interest, to communicate to
the Senate the correspondence between the War
Department and Major Anderson, on the 25th, sent
a brief message to the Senate, saying that his con-
clusion was, that at the present moment the publi-
cation of the correspondence would be inexpedient.

In the Senate on the 26th, Mr. Breckinridge
moved to take up his resolution advising the Presi-
dent to withdraw the Federal troops from the limits
of the seceded States, saying that if his motion
should prevail he would accept Mr. Clingman's sub-
stitute, which also advises the President to forbear
from attempting to collect the revenue within the
Lsame limits. An animated debate ensued, in which
Senator Wade, of Ohio, advocating the taking up
the resolution, said that he wished the whole
subject discussed, and that the &Mate should ex-
press their opinion on it. " Seven States," said
he, "have gone out of the Union, and are domi-
neered over by a usurpation. The people there
have had no voice in the Government which has
been erected, but military despotism tramples them
under foot. If they had the power they would call
upon us to vindicate their rights, and the Constitu-
tion clothes us with authority to do it." A vote
was finally taken on Mr. Breckin ridge's motion, and
resulted 19 to 10, no quorum being present. On
the 27th the Senate adjourned sine die, after agree-
ing upon all the appointments ready for them, and
being notified by the President that he had no
further communications to make. Before proceed-
ing to Executive business, Mr. Trumbull of Illinois,
offered a resolution declaring that the only way to
preserve the Union was by, enforcing the laws, and
that resistance to their enforcement, under whatever
name, was disunion; and further, declaring it the
duty of the President to hold and protect the public
property, even within the seceded States. He
asked for an immediate vote upon it, but did not
obtain it. Mr. Powell, of Kentucky, the original
mover of the resolution calling for the despatches of
Major Anderson, explained that his motive in call-
ing for them was to vindicate the character of Major
Anderson, which had been assailed unjustly. No-
thing further of interast transpired.
According to the Washington correspondence of
the Neil) York Post, orders had gone West to
confiscate all goods introduced from southern ports
without payment of the United States' duties. The
same authority says it is reported that Fort Pickens
had been reinforced during the night by several
hundred troops from Government ships. Both
these statements appear to be very doubtful.
. _

The Southern Commissioners had not received
any intimation from the Federal Administration
respecting its intended policy.
The Administration, in making its appointments,
had not 'overlooked the press, many members of
which had received important missions. Those con-
nected with the New York Tribune had been par-
ticularly fortunate.

It is stated that numerous desertions had taken
place among the troops stationed in Washington.
It was suspected that they had been induced to
join the Southern forces.

A letter from 'Washington states that at the re-
quest of Mr. Adams, the present Assistant Secretary
of Legation at the Court of St. James will probably
be retained in his position, which he has filled most
acceptably for eight years. The new Legation will
consist of Mr. Adams, the Minister; Mr. Charles
L. Wilson, of Chicago, Secretary of Legation ; and
Mr. Benjamin Moran, Assistant Secretary.
Gen. Lamon had returned to Washington from
Fort Sumpter. He reported favourably upon the
condition of the garrison, but was fully satisfied that
reinforcements could not be introduced without a
serious collision, and that the attempt to introduce
them would be of doubtful success with the forces
at the command of the Administration. He described
the military preparations of the Southerners as of
great magnitude, and very Akilfully made.
The Methodist
_Con feretee at Philadelphia had
adopted the report of the Committee of ten on
the State of, the Church, repealing the new
chapter on slavery inserted to the Discipline at
the last Conference, leaving in future Conferences
to make their own regulations on the subiect.
The Conference also concurred in the resolutions of
the Baltimore Conference, requesting the General
Conference at its next session to repeal the chapter
on slavery, and, instead of their own, empowering
each annual Conference within the bounds of which
the institution exists, to make their own regula-
tions. They also adopted an address to the :Metho-
dists of Delaware and the Eastern Shores of
Maryland and Virginia, assuring them of the
profoundest sympathies in the present state of
disquietude and agitated condition of the country.
The Dutch brig Sirene had arrived at Boston,
with the crew of the British ship William Ham-
mond, from New Orleans for Cork, abandoned at
sea in a sinking condition.
From San Francisco we learn that the shipments
of grain to England continued large.
In the Virginia State Convention on the 28th,
Mr. Fisher moved to amend the first resolution of
the report by striking out " the people of each
State agreed to associate with the people of the
other States upon a footing of exact equality," and
inserting, "each State acceded as a State, forming,
as to itself, the other party." Rejected—yeas 14,
nays 113. The first resolution was then adopted.
The second resolution was then taken up. It reads
—that African slavery is a vital part of the social
system of the States where it exists. Mr. Wise moved
to amend by inserting after the word "exists," the
words " and of the political system of the Federal
Government." Lost—yeas 37, nays 90. The re-
solution was then adopted. According to Pensa-
cola advices of the 26th, the Federal steamer,
Brooklyn, had left Pensacola, and it was supposed
she had gone to Key West to obtain provisions.
Troops of the Confederate States continued to
arrive at Pensacola in large force, and the
number would soon reach 5,000 men concentrated
at that place. The Louisiana Convention had
adopted an ordinance, dividing Louisiana into six
Congressional districts; also an ordinance trans-
ferring public funds to the Confederate States.
An Act abolishing free banking and general charter
system was passed. Two companies of Zouaves had
left for Pensacola on active service. Mobile advices
say that troops and ammunition were constantly
moving to Pensacola. The General Assembly of
Missori, by a vote of 62 to 42, had resolved that,—

" It is inexpedient to take any steps for a National Con-
vention to propose any amendments to the Constitution, as
recommended by the State Convention."
From Havannah we have advices to the 25th.
Much excitement existed on the subject of the an-
nexation of San Domingo to Spain. It seems that
a system of Spanish emigration has been going on
at that island, the emigrants being instructed,
when the proper time arrived, to hoist the Spanish
flag and invoke the aid of Spain. This was done
on the 16th inst., much to the astonishment of the
blacks and natives there. When the news reached
Havannah the frigate Bianca was fully armed, and
with a large number of regular troops on board, was
despatched to San Domingo, sailing on the 23d.
Two screw frigates were soon to follow, with 5,000
regulars. A large naval and military force is said
to, be on its wayfrom Spain to Cuba. It was stated
that Hayti would soon share the same fate as that
of Sall Domingo; with the consent of France.

THE FRENCH IN COCHIN-CHINA.

A communication of the 27th Feb., from the
Camp of Khil-hoa, in Cochin-China, is given in the
Putrie. It says:—
" I write to you in haste, as I am worn out with
fatigue, and the heat is frightful. Ou the 23(1 the
little French and Spanish army was concentrated in
the old Chinese town of Segon, ready to attack the
Cochin-Chinese on the following day, and at day-
break we were on the move under the command of

an officer of Engineers. During the march the
forts occupied by the garrison kept up a warm fire
on the Annatuitelines. At six in the morning we
debouched on an open piece of ground—the 'Spa-
nictrds on the right, our troops on the left; and the
Artillery in the centre. TIA guns opened fire when
within 200 yards of the eny's lines. Columns of
assault had been formed in advance, and the ME-
rines were ordered to remain in reserve. At the
moment when the column was about to move for-
ward, General de Vassoigne was struck by a ball
in the left arm, and compelled to. quit the field.
The wound received by the brave General, who had
distinguished himself so much in the North of
China, appeared to excite fresh eagerness in the
column, who almost immediately gained possession
of the lines attacked. At eight o'clock we were',
masters of the positioo. We then' perceived before
us an extensive plain, bnt Vice-Admiral Charner
thought it advisable for the health of the troops
to give them some. little repose, so overpowering
was the heat. At four o'clock We again advanced
to cross the plain, and arrive!, in front of the en-
trenched camp of the Annanlites. This camp is
an immense work, with redoubts and ditches.
The night, however, overtook _us, and we were
obliged to halt at a village, intending to make an
attack at daybreak. The Spanish infantry was, as
before, posted on the right, the Artillery in the
centre, and the Marines on the left. The Foot
Chasseurs formed the reserve. At six in the morn-
ing we quitted the village, and half an hour after
were received by a warm fire, by which many of
our men were brought down. The assaulting
columns dashed forward under a shower of shot and
bullets. Col. Testart, who led one of the columns,
had his horse killed under him, and was hit by a
ball in the head. Enseign de vaisseau Leraigniere
had his hip and an arm carried away, and died to-
day. Lieut. Desroziers received a lance wound in
the face, but it is not dangerous. To mention the
names of all those who distinguished themselves by
their intrepidity would be impossible. All showed
admirable coolness and courage. The foot chasseurs
had two officers slightly wounded. Among the
marines chef de battaillon de Trentiman particu-
larly distinguished himself. It is impossible to'
form an idea of the difficulty we had to carry this
position. It is a vast rectangle 1,500 metres on each
side, with strong redoubts and accessory works. In
these two days we have had 200 men killed or
wounded; including the Spaniards. We have
buried more than 250 of the Cochin Chinese, and
we may estimate, the number of their wounded at
2,000. The dead cannot 1)% easily estimated, for
their comrades were seen rushing through the
thickest of the fire to carry them off, and their
alarm must have been very great for us to have
been allowed to find so many."

Subsequent accounts state that the expeditionary
corps commenced its march on the 2d to dislodge
the enemy from the positions which they still
occupied at•Bienhoa and at Mytho. A fresh vic-
tory was expected. The state of Gen. de Vassoigne
did not inspire uneasiness. Admiral Charnier, com-
mander of the expeditionary forces in Cochin China,
has addressed a long report, dated Feb. 27, from
the Fort of hi-Hoa to the Minister of Marine,
giving an account of the late success. We take
from it the following passages :

" The expedition was composed of the 3d Regi-
ment of Marines; 2d Battalion of Foot Chasseurs;
10 pieces of Artillery ; a detachment of Engineers ;
and a certain number of clerks of the Intendance,
all of whom came in transports from Shanghai. To
these were united a body of 200 Spanish infantry,
detachments from the garrison of Segon, and 860
seamen, the whole forming a total of about 3,000
men. The town of Segon is on the North of an
immense delta, formed by the water which descends
from the Western 'slopes off' the mountains oteochin
China, and falls into the Cambodia. This form of
the ground gave us a great advantage, for with
our gunboats and even our frigates we could cut '
almost all the roads of the enemy, who when once '
beaten could nut escape us without great difficulty.
The plan of campaign having been decided on, I
sent Admiral Page on the 17th with the Renom-
mee, three steam corvettes, four large gunboats,
and several adviee boats to reconnoitre the river
and ascertain the defences of the enemy in that quar-
ter, At this time, smaller gunboats were stationed
so as to blockade the mouth of all the small rivers,
and thus prevent the communications of the Anna-
mites with the country. Admiral Page met very
serious obstacles placed in the river, and after they
had been well examined he was ordered to destroy
them, while at the. same time the expeditionary
corps was to attack the lines of Ki-Hoa. On the
23d all the troops were assembled in the Chinese
town, situated near the Pagoda of Cai-Mai which
formed the left extremity of our line of defence of
Segon. I went in the evening to their encampment
in order to be ready to put them in movement at
daybreak on the following day. On the 24th, at
the hour appointed, our troops debouched on the
plain, advancing towards the first fort on the right
extremity of the Annamite works, and distant about
a little more than a mile from our starting point.
They marched in a single column by a road which
had been examined beforehand, and rendered prac-
ticable by the engineers for our artillery. General
de Vassoigne commanded the troops, and Colonel
Palanca y Guttierez, the Plenipotentiary of her
Catholic Majesty, accompanied me with the officers
of my staff. The plain, which was slightly undulated,
and at the entrance covered with bushes and small
mounds, became more open as we advanced towards
the enemy's line, and soon allowed our artillery to
take up a position at about 1,100 yards from the
works. The infantry deployed in their rear by bat-
talions en masse, and were kept out of reach of the
enemy's fire until the time came for the assaulting
columns to dash forward. The artillery commenced
firing, and then advanced in batteries until they
came within 200 yards of the counterscarp. Three
columns had been formed for the assault. That
on the left was composed of two companies, pre-
ceded by the boarding parties of the vessels, who
were themselves covered by, a section of skir-
mishers; the centre consisted of a detachments of
Engineers and two companies of Foot Chasseurs,
and the right of the Spanish troops. At the ap-
pointed moment the columns advanced, and having,
under a heavy fire, crossed a palisade composed of
bamboos and two lines of pitfalls separated by
stakes, placed their scaling ladders against an
escarpment bristling with cheiaux de frise, and
other obstacles of all kinds. The enemy remained
firm until their assailants had reached the summit,
but without coming to close quarters, and when our
troops got over the parapet, they fled in all direc-
tions. It was in this first affair, which was serious,
that General de Vassoigne received a ball through
his arm just at the moment when the assaulting
columns were about to advance. As he was com-
pelled to quit the field, I took the direct command
of the troops myself. On the 25th a reconnaissance,
directed by an officer of Engineers, penetrated under
a heavy fire into the wood, which extended in front
of our left, and obtained information as to the force
and position of the principal works. The reports of
some men made prisoners the previous day, also in-
formed us that the forts before us situated at the
Western extremity of the lines of Ki-Ho were
occupied by the great Mandarins, and the reserve
of the Annamite troops. A success on this point
would therefore be decisive, and I ordered the at-
tack. The enemy's works, mostly concealed be-
hind the trees, soon opened their fire. A section
of mountain howitzers, placed on the extreme right,
first returned it, and our skirmishers continued to
advance, while the remainder of the artillery, posted
in the centre of our line, commenced from about the
distance of 1,000 yards a well directed fire, while
they kept advancing by battery at a trot. The fire
of the enemy which, was at first exceedingly heavy,
gradually slackened. The artillery, which by its
successive movements had reached to within 250
yards of the counterscarp, sent a shower of grape
on the parapets, and the columns of attack who
were ready waiting for the signal advanced with
an enthusiasm which made them triumph over the
obstacles of all kinds placed round the ramparts
and in the interior of the works. On the right the
assaulting column, formed of seamen, crossed six
lines of pitfalls separated by palisades ; seven rows
of small stakes ; two wide ditches edged with
pointed bamboos, and an escarpment covered with
chevaux de frise. This column was supported by
the fire of the section of mountain howitzers, which
, advanced to within 100 yards of the rampart. In
the centre, the Commandant of the Engineers, with
a company of Sappers and Miners, and three corn-
; panies of Marines, attacked through similar obsta-
Ova a fort the fire of which raked the POUth-western

salient of the part attacked by the sailor's. On the
left, a column of Marines assailed a similar salient.
The energy of the conflict is sufficient to give an
idea of the importance of the positions attacked ;
the defenders behind the parapets endeavoured to
push away the scaling ladders with their lances and
halberds, while at the same time a warm fire of mus-
ketry was kept up through the loop-holes and em-
brasures. It became necessary to support the assault-
ing columns, and I reinforced that on the right by
fresh companies of sailors and by the Spanish
troops, who under their brave officers displayed the
most brilliant courage. Two companies of Chas-
seurs were sent on the left, and at length the French
flag was planted on the first entrenchments. The
enemy, however, had not yet ceased resistance, but
in spite of the murderous fire which was kept up
from some of the inner works, the courage of the
attacking party was not checked. A postern which
led into the interior of the Mandarin fort was
broken down by blows from a hatchet, whilst the
centre column, which had gained possession of an
adjoining work, poured down a complete shower of
balls on the enemy. The left column which had
entered the same fort by another place secured the
victory. The enemy fled in all directions, leaving
behind them a number of killed. In these two
affairs of the 24th and 25th February the resistance
made by the Annamites was most obstinate, and
they only yielded their,ground to the persevering
courage of our troops. Our loss has therefore been
severe, and amounts to 225 men put hors de combat,
of whom 12 killed. Officers, soldiers, and sailors
performed their duty in the most, gallant manner.
The Spanish troops rivalled ours in courage during
these two days.-4 am, 81e,,

" CITAIINER."

A postscript adds the following intelligence:—
" While these operations were going on under the
direction of Vice-Admiral Charner, Rear-Admiral
Page ascended the river of Segon, with eight ves-
sels, attacked and destroyed the defences of Yeu-
Lok, dispersed the Annamites on that point, and
made himself complete master of the river, and thus
operated in the rear of the enemy, a very useful
diversion at the moment of the principal attack on
his lines."