The New York herald., 1861-12-19

''You do soiemny that you a, snbec, oaeen
Victoria, and have never at any time, foresworn ale
glance to Great Britain, so help you God.'
The strictness Of the Consul be inferred from tho
following conversation -
CoSsui>-ro you know what you have signeds cal.
mding To the pass above mentioned,)
BRrrlsRRR--Yes, Sir.
CoNsrf-Wcl what is iH
BEirrHER--Why have sworn not to take up arms
CoSsuI-Yes and II You caught a spy, by either
the secessionist or Union army, yon may be shot
spy, without one bit OF sympathy from England
Der that, now.
Already has arisen calling for the intervention
Of The British Consul Several days ago Captain Wood of
the Kansas Rangers, while scouting expedition from
Rola, found negro chained to an wagon, prevent
released and taken to Roa. The next day man named
Whecfan, pretended Brglishman, came into the Union
camp at Ro!ia and claimed the negro his properly
lie said he was on his why 10 Den. county, and shred
pass endorsed by T. w. Soaper, English commercial
agent AT ST. Louis, certifying TO his British czenslip
il appears that onper had authority whatever u sign
such a document, and, moreover, Capt wood, OF tn
Kansas Rangers. obtained abundant testimony TO prove
that Whceian had been rank sccessionist ana
violated neutral position by di. Getty giving
all and comfort to the enemy since the rebellion com
menced, thereby forfei,ng English protection An iii
Colonel Dodge, Of the Fifth Iowa regiment, pending
which the negro himself claimed protection British
subject, and stated that he born in Canada.
On this representation the British Consul Of this city
took the matter in hand, and procured secal order IN
Saturday from General Halieck have the Ad
viduR IN question brought 70 81 Louis whore the q
ton Of British birthrigh will be investigated IL e, all
tho information possible on the subject, The Coas has
sent special messenger 10 Canada where the negro says
he born, 10 hunt up evidence and also 10 tie in
terirr Of the State, where the darley saws there
are parties who know all the facts CT his captivity.
Thus We have the consular representative Of Great
britain stretching forth his hand TO poor ignorant
negro from captivity The case is likely 70 become "a
nous. The claimant, the Wheean insists that the
negro has been owned by him great number of years
and says he was born farm within two and hay
mites Of 81 Louis. Judge Goode, the or the farm
who owned the slave at the Time Of his birth endorses
the testimony Of Wheelan. The secretary OF Consul
wilkins left fer Rolla yesterday morning armed with
the necessary papers 10 bring the dai city and
the VIII be regularly tried before the Consul on the
return ot the messengers from Canada III any event it
is doubtful whether Wheelan RECEIVERS his negro.
Twelve Of he mortar boats destined % cooperate with
the feet Of gunboats III the expedition down The
Mississippi left here early this morning for Cairo in tow
OF the steamer sam Gates. The Illinois River Packet
Company have taken the contract tow these boats 20
Cairo al eighty dollars each AS there thirty eight
Of them, the aggregate will only three thousand
and forty doas This is the smallest ever paid for
similar service on Western waters. The rest Of the
mortar feet will depart in a day or two.
The reported seizure oi the books OF hid Pratt
the extensive hardware dealers, whose transactions In
government contracts have been severely commented
upon, causes something Of sensation Tie testimony
taken before the Congressional Committee viii
show This noted hardware fm dealing IN all KINDS
Of contracts, some Of cu as foreign to their
trade as the crater 6 Vess is distant from tho moon
The exies from the Southwest arrive slowly. Many Of
them find shelter on the road between this city and
Rca, and as they broken spirits and agued
from exposure, any rest is desirable Tie provision
made for their reception is ample insure their com
fort during temporary soogrn in this city The people
oil Illinois have thrown open their houses and farms to
these unfortunate men, and deserve great credit
beBcvolence.
The river 10 remarkably at this po,nt and the ferry
boat got straight the river forced to describe
half circle, in order to avoid ugly sand bar The
weather is unusually warm for the season.