The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-21

The general european news summary py INC Va
NADIA is unimportant.
By the arrival of the brig A. B. Cook, Capt
Perkins, at this port, from Bathurst, west coast Of
Africa, July 8, we learn there had been large
fire at Yannejah, on the river Gambia, one of the
principal points for the collection of ground nuts
Prices had risen very much in consequence. Capt
Perkins reports" On Sunday night, August II at
midnight, saw a ship on fire, bearing N N. W. of
us. Kept off for her, the wind at the time being
very light. At daylight she was about nine miles
off. She appeared to be an American ship of
about 1000 tons. Her spars were gone, and she
seemed to be completely burnt out. At eight
A. NJ, when we were about four miles of, she sunk,
in latitude thirty degrees, longitude sixty degrees,
ten minutes. The weather was very clear, but saw
no boats nor any signs of the fate of the crew.
Sailed for the place where she sank, and picked up
royalmast and yard, with half the sail attached
By the arrival of the Santiago de Cuba, we have
dates from Havana to the 14th, st. Domingo the
3d. Vera Cruz the LIST inst and the City of Mexico to
July 80. There is nothing important from Havana
or st. Domingo, but the news from Mexico is as
bad as can be. Murder, rapine and desolation
reign with full sway. To make bad worse, while
the distracted government is doing all in its power
against its ferocious enemies at home, the French
and English Ministers have taken umbrage at the
two years stay lava measure of absolute necee-
sity-and have suspended diplomatic relations with
Juarez. Hon. Mr.. Corwin, United States Minister,
has very sensibly refraned from joining with those
personages In their unreasonable conduct. The
news in full we give elsewhere.
News from st. Domingo is to the Sd inst. On
that day the Governor General Of Cuba arrived in
the Bay Of SANTANA. He was received with the
usual ceremonies. and the peoplesare represented
to have manifested "the greatest demonstrations
of joy" The health Of the troops at SANTANA was
not good. Gen. Santana was sick, but not seriously
Everything was quiet. The frigste Berenguela,
corvette Aazarredo and two transports were in the
bay. His Excellency the Captain General left for
the capital the same evening.
Foreign ship owners and importers have mani
Tested much anxiety recently regarding the inter-
probation Of the third section of the late Tariff act
and opinions differ regarding the legitimate con-
struction to be put upon it. They contend that al
though the ten per cent is imposed as additional
duty on goods under certain circumstances, and
not as tonnage dues, it nevertheless indirectly
operates as tax on foreign shipping and discrimi-
mates to that extent in favor of American vessels,
which if levied directly would contravene existing
treaties with France, England and other Powers.
The section of the act referred to is in the follow
ing Words
Sec 8. And be It fuufher enacted, That all articles
goods wares and merchandise imported from beyond the
Cape OF Good Hope in foreign vessels not entitled by
cproca treaties to be exempt from discriminating ddtes
tonnage and other charges and all other articles goods
wares and merchandise not imported direct from the
place Of their growth production, in foreign vessels
entitled by reciprocal treaties to be exempt from dis
eliminating duties tonnage and other charges shall be
subject pay In addition to the duties imposed by this
act ten centum ad vaorem Provided That this rule
shall not apply to goods, wares and merchandise i'm
ported from beyond the Cape of Good Hope In American
vessels.
Importers and foreign ship agents and owners
have made application to the Collector of the port
for his opinion in regard to the legitimate
construction of the law, who, however, ex-
pressed himself as unable at present to
give decision. 1t is said that the Secretary of
the Treasury has been appealed to, and that an
answer from him is expected to reach here in
few days. The subject is deemed to be one of
much Importance, both to American and foreign
ship owners. Should it prove adverse to the lat
ter, it WILL it is sad seriously affect the interests
of foreign steamers and other vessels running to
ports of the United States and much dissatis
faction. Parties interested were very anxious to
have received an answer from government yester-
day. in time to have sent it out by the Canada from
Boston.
A special call for meeting of the Board of
Aldermen has been issued for this "wednesday
evening, at five o'clock.
A comparison of the aggregate number of killed,
wounded and prisoners on both sides since the
commencement of the present troubles, in all the
battles and skirmishes which have taken place,
show more favorably for the North than is gene.
rally supposed. In looking over the accounts of
the various battles that have occurred we find the
whole number Of killed, wounded and prisoners
reported as follow, with the exception of the loss
sustained by the rebels at the recent engagement
in Missouri. Of which we have no account, and we
give the number the same as our own, although
there is no doubt it was much greater:-
Union Loss. Rebel Loss
Killed. Observation-Disclosures. 1853 1872
Wounded ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ,844 3,l29
Prisoners. INSTRUMENTATION. 1,216 1,A2
Total. Observation-Disclosures. 1928 5,5O3
1t is reported that a council of war was recently
held in Fortress Monroe at which plan was pro-
posed and adopted to destroy the city Of Norfolk
II was shown that the place could be fred at two
hundred dif1aranf nointa which vyou1d yopdor <fo