The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-12

| troops are concentrating at Winchester to check
the advance of General McClelland's Ohio forces
at that point, who are moving on from Grafton.
Adyices received in Washington confirm the
reports that the Southern troops are suffering sc.
verely for want Of food and clothing.
1t appears, upon reliable authority, that the
defences of Richmond are very complete, and
have been in course of construction for many
months. The easiest approach to the city is by
the York river, although it is situated upon the
James river; but the latter stream is narrow and
tortuous little below, and difficult of navigation.
The York river, on the contrary, is a deep, broad
stream. On this side, then, fifteen or sixteen
heavy batteries, mounted with riaed cannon and
columbiads, have been erected at intervals down
its banks. They are said to be in perfect order,
and the guns well manned by disciplined artille.
rists Jefferson Davis has recently inspected them,
and pronounced them satisfactory. The defences
at Manassas he considers sufficient to protect
Richmond on that side.
General Beauregard has issued proclamation
from Manassas Junction to the people of that dis
trict, picturing the terrible consequences Of an
invasion by the federal army.
1t is said that the rebel troops at Aqua Creek
are in bad way for provisions since the supplies
from Baltimore have been cut off.
The Galway steamship Adriatc, at st. Johns,
N. F., brings us important news from Europe,
dated on the 9Th of June. Lord Palmerston's gov.
eminent had just commenced to have an accurate
idea of the true state of the American question,
as well as to fully comprehend the determination
and power of the Lincoln Cabinet to suppress the
Southern rebellion. As evidence of this we have
an announcement made by Lord John Russell to
Parliament, that England would prohibit prvateers
or armed vessels from taking their prizes into
British ports.
England and France had, Lord John added,
made propositions based on the Treaty of the
Paris Congress on the subject, to the authorities
in Washington; but they had not received any
reply up to the moment of his declaration.
France, adhering to her old law, will permit
privateers to remain in her ports for twenty -four
hours in order to dispose of prizes, but they can
not be sheltered longer.
The London Times affects to deprecate the tone
Of the press Of the Northern portion of the
United States, as we'll as the speeches of some Of
our newly appointed foreign ministers, as unde-
servedly severe. The "leading journaln winds
up by urging the necessity which exists for every
man or party in England to avoid giving offence
to either Of the belligerents - in America.
Our government has just received q large num-
Der of dispatches from all our foreign minister's of
highly satisfactory character, as regards the
feeling in Europe. Every State, with the excep.
feeling in Europe. Among the rest letters have
been received from Mr.. Adams, our Minister to
England, in which he gives detailed account
ofanintervew he had with Lord John Russell The
present condition Of this country fully discussed
Mr. Adams directed his remarks to the posi-
ion assumed by Lord John Russell with refe.
renee to a recognition of the rebel government
in the Southern States, and desired to have a
clearer Interpretation of his views. Lord John
Russell said he had uttered no sentiment that
he supposed could be taken as an expression
againsf the government Of the United States,
or in sympathy with any attempt tending to
overthrow that government. proposition
was made by one of the parties to put
their interview in writing but objection was made
to this, and for satisfactory reasons was not
urged. AS substitute for this, Lord John Russell
assured Mr.. Adams that he would instruct Lord
Lyons to have an interview with Mr.. Seward, and
he expressed to Mr.. Adams the earnest belief and
hope that the result would be perfectly satisfactory
to the President of the United States. The propo.
sition Of government to accept the doctrine of
privateering as laid down in the Paris Congress,
was still under Lord John Russells consideration,
and he was waiting communications from the other
tive assurances have been received that the
Southern confederacy will obtain no recognition in
any form. The Commissioners from the South are
said to have been very coldly received in every
country except England, and that their agents
found it almost impossible to make purchases of
arms or munitions anywhere.
The News.
By the Adriatic, from Galway, at st. Johns, N.
F., have telegraphic reports from Europe to the
5th of June, three days later
The steamship Great Eastern, from New York on
the 25th Of May, arrived in the Mersey on the Sd
of June.
The horse Kettledrum, unknown on the turf pre-.
viously, won the Derby stakes on the Derby Day.
Betting had been sixteen to one against him.
Napoleon had fully discussed the Roman ques-
ton, by autograph letter, with Victor Emanuel,
and it is said that the integrity Of the Papal ter
ritorv il to he guaranteed bv the great Powera