The Van Buren press., 1861-06-05

The President and Mansfield have been simulta
neously informed of startling hostilitles on the
part Of southcrners willie attending Ellsworth
funeral.
Heavy firing was heard. dense smoke was seen
to the south ward, but the former was To
the funeral guns and the latter to camp hres The
federalsts guard is kept in the utmost vigilance
against suspense. A skirmish is reported TO have
taken place at Arlington flights. No particulars
Seven briggs west Of Alexandria were destroyed
by order Of Gov. Brnks. Maj. General
WASHINGTON. May 25.
Gen. Scott and Secretary Seward the
Long Bridge when the invaders crossed. Three
regiments of Kansas troops have been rendered to
protect north western Missouri Unonists. Capt.
Reno is at Fort Leavenworth with supplies, arms,
ammunition and equipments.
The Confederate Government is endeavoring to
obtain large quantities Of United States postage
stamps SO that it send letters northward after
assuming control of postal affairs IN the Confeder
ate States. The Post-offiee department refuses to
send stamps south.
| There are now over forty thousand troops in
Washington, and they generally we'll satisfied:
There are about four thousand soldiers around
| Baltimore besides two thousand in Fort Me eHenry
| Merchants here are receiving letters daily from
southern merchants to forward them goods and pro
duce at any price for cash, but it is impossible to
comply. The prices all commodities are un-
changed
A letter from Virginia states that there are be-
Cd
State chiefly posted at Richmond, Norfolk Harp
er's Ferry or within hail--aso stated that private
dispatches confirm the report Of large arrival Of
arms at the South from abroad These were ship
ped from Europe early In April consisting of over
22o 900 musksts and rifles and ample supplies of
power and percussion caps, and machines for ma
king the latter.
| a private company has been formed at Afexan-
dra to conyey letters north after next week all
letters destined north will lay at that city.
| Mail intercourse with points north of Nirgini q
will cease on lst June.
LOUISVILLE, May %.
Express matter from South going northward goes
unmolested. Express matter from North bound
south ward is noterntted to pass any point out de
kentucky, and Kentucky packages examined 10
see if they contain money.
| Everything for seeded States is contrabanded.
Letters appear to pass intact som letters in Con
federate flag envelopes fail in reaching their dest
nation. Use plain envelopes.
| CHAMBEESBCRG, May 20.
lis beyond doubt that 10, 900 Southerners and
800 Cherokecs threatening the Cumberland val
ley from the point of Rocks.
| New York, May 25.
The city of Alexandria is quiet The New Jer-
sey regiment fired by an ambuscade of
Southerncrs, who then retired
The southern approaches leading to Washington
are strongly fortified. Invading forces have been
Increased by an addition Of 1850 men.
The British proclamation forbids English sub
jects to join ships of war, to attempt to break
olockades which are actually effective or to carry
soldiers or dispatches material OF for either
party.
! The Baltimore correspondent of the New York
Herald says, Gen. Butler has landed 900 federal
troops at New Haven.
An officer just arrived from Washington says the
war department has received information of the
erection Of several new and formidable batteries
Norfolk.
! 1900 Confederates are between Norfolk and
Sewells point.
! 10000 men are at Richmond, and every train
| brings fresh troops.
| Two kentucky regiments have been ordered to
reinforce Nrlrinians at Point Rocks.
Gen Johnsons presence at HarPers Ferry is
confirmed.
The Minnesota has captured, off North Carolina,
the ship Tropic Bird, with British colors, bound
from Havre TO Norfolk. The Tropic Bird is OWL
ed in Richmond.
Spain has ordered six first class screw war steam
ers, IN order that she may be superior the
to the American flag.
! y gentleman writing to the New York Times
says, the Zo,raves have commenced TO avenge the
death of Ellsworth. Three Alexandrians have been
shot. The friends of jackson have fled for their
lives
The federaists have DESTROYED the railroad br;dg-
es between Frederick and Lewisburg.
The southerncrs are concentrating ffeel miles
below Alexandria.
| WASHINGTON, May 2l.
A battery of the celebrated Whitw worth
guns, II FOUNDERS with ammunition and
carriages complete, has just arrived in this
city, a present to the Government from
patriotic Americans abroad. Each one of
the guns bears the following inscription ::
:" From ioydt Americans i1s kurope to tie IT,
S. Gooernment, 1861.
FRANKroRT, KY, May 27.
| The Border States Convention met, to-
/ day. John j. Crit,enden was appointed
Chairman, and Orlando Brown, Secretai V.
Delegates from Missouri and Kentucky are
present. The Convention adjourned till to-
morrow, to await the arrival of delegates
on their way hither.
Queen Victoria's Proclamation.
| NEW YORK, May 81.
The steamship Etna has arrived. The following
is the proclamation of Queen Victoria:
| WHEREAS, we are happily at peace with all sove-
/ reign powers and States. and
Whereas, hostilities have unhappiy commenced
between the Government of the United States and
certain States styling themselves the Confederate
States of America and
/ Whereas, we being at peace with the Government
of the United States, have declared our Royal de-
termi nation to maintain strict and impartial neu
sraity In the contest between said contestng par
ties we, therefore, have thought fit, by and with
''iN VI otu iT'J Souicil 10 issue our hoyal
proclamation, and we hereby warn all our loving
subjects, and all persons whatever entitled to our
protection, that if any of them shall presume in
contempt of this proclamation and of our high dis
pleasure To do any acts in derogation of their duty
as subjects OF neutral soyere gn in said contest
ior In violation or In contravention of the law of
nations, and more especially by entering the mill
tary service of either of the contendin parties as
commissioned or commits stoned officers or sold
lers or by serving officers, sailors marines on
board any ship vessels of transport, of or
In the service of either of the contendng parties
or by engaging 10 going to any place beyond the
seas, with an intention TO enlist engage in any
such service, or by procuring attempting, to pro
cure withic Her Msjestys dominions, at home or
abroad, aiding others TO do SO, by fitting out any
ship or vessel to be employed as snip OF war or a
Priyateer, or transport by either contendng parties
or by breaking endeavoring u break any block
ade lawfully and actually established, by, or on
tehaf of either Of the said contending parties or
by carrying officers, soldiers. dispatches, arms,
military stores, materiais or any article consid
cred and deemed to be contraband of war accord
either of said contending parties. All parties SO
penalties and penal consequences by said States or
and we do hereby declare that all subjects and
persons entitled to our protection, who may mis-
conduct themselves in the premises, will do So at
their peril, and OF their own wrong, and they will
IN no wise obtain any protection from us against
any liabilities or penal consequences, but will on
the contrary, incur displeasure. Given at
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