The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-06
TIE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.


ton of the British government as indicated by the
intelligence which has just reached US, is toward
the recognition of the Southern confederacy, and
the embarrassment of the government Of the United
States in its endeavors to suppress the present i'll
surrection. By the arrival of the Australasian.
from Liverpool, yesterday, we have news
from Europe to the 26th and files of Eng
lish journals to the 25th of May. Our advices
are of an important character, as far as
regards the impression created by the war re-
ports from America in England, and the probable
attitude which the government Of that country is
likely to take towards the government at Wash
ington, and the rebel confederacy of the South.
The tone of the Palmerston organs is decidedly
favorable to the letter of marque plan of Jefferson
Davis. Indeedit is now held by high commercial and
legal authority that his commissioned privateers
may take prizes into any neutral port and keep
by his admiralty courts sitting in Charleston,
New Orleans, Mobile or Savannah This judgement,
ifequtably rendered will, it alleged be binding
on British maritime courts. The people Of Eng
land are ayerse to the privateerng business, but
Nr, Lindsay, NJ. P, who recently visited this
country in speech to his constituents at Sunder-
land, has gone far towards Undertaking them
with the idea Of the right of secession at the South
and the necessity Of maintaining the rebel cause.
This gentleman advises France and England to
step forward and proclaim the independence of
the Southern confederacy as the only means of al
laying the thirst for blood which, he says, prevails
at the North. The London Morning Post, Lord
States were de .facto independent at the moment.
Secretary Stewards despatch to Mr.. Dayton is
again criticised in very sneering manner by the
London Times, and another English journal does
not hesitate to class Mr.. Lincolns Cabinet
and the insurgent Southern concave of rebels
as the two American factions. Lord Palmerston
Canada will soon become the centre Of commerce
and emigration for the American continent. Our
compilation from the foreign files, given to-day,
in such ,.ion, is worthy of serious consider
alton, and exhibits q manifest tendency towards
an unfrendly policy to the government at
Washington, which, if carried out, may result in
giving England q severe lesson for which she is
probably not prepared.
While such are the aspects which our affairs
present abroad, there is little change to record
at the seat of war at home. No movements Of q
decisive character have taken place in the
vicinity Of Washington. A large naval force,
however, is actively preparing at the Navy
Yard, whose destination is supposed to be Aqua
Creek with the intention no doubt Of effectuall y
destroying the rebel batteries at that point which
have invited an attack from some of our vessels
within a few days past.
Major General Banks it appears is to take com
mand in the field in the direction Of Norfolk where
General Butler commands, such being the anxious
wish Of the President and Secretary of War.
From Fortress Monroe there is very little news.
The New York Naval Brigade stationed there, it
is said, is not to return home, but has been &C
cepted by the President but the command is to
other officer.
Information has been received in Washington
that twenty thousand rebels were concentrated
about Fairfax and Manassas Junction, and there
is doubt, we think, that large force is located
in that direction.
From the latest intelligence received from Har.
pers Ferry we can gather no confirmation Of the
reported evacuation of that post by the rebels just
at present, but the United States troops are con.
oentratng around there in large numbers Two
regiments OF volunteers and five companies of re.
guar cavalry were to move from Chambersburg
1ss. night Oh Ills morning as far south q Hagers
tovn, il the direction CT Harper's Ferry, thus In