Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-24
THE WAR IN vIRetNls
An Engagement at sewaii's feint'
QUIZ nArrER1Es vIcEonIous.
TIE OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
From the Charleston Mercury.

| ptct4xoND May 20.-The batteries erected by the
Southern troops at Sewalls Point eight miles from
Norfolk, were fred into Saturday and Sunday by
the e s. Steamer Monticello. On Sunday the bat
teres returned the fire with great effect completely
disabling the steamer. The crew of the Monticello
being unable to manage their vessel, made signals
of Distress which were seen at Fortress Monroe.
Steam tug boats were immediately sent to her re-
lief and haul d the Monticello out of reach of our
guns.
The attack was kept up several hours, at several
points which were near Norfolk About fifty shots
wsre fired sni kept up until dark our side. One
man only was wounded among our troops.
Heavy guns were taken to this point last night.
Large bodies of troops at various points are in
readiness to march at moments notice.
lt IS believed that an attack On Richmond is con-
templated, and that large bodies of Federal troops
will move from Old Point and Western Virginia
simultaneously, burning the bridges, &c.
1t is believed that the stack on Sewall's Point
was retaliation for firing the steamtug Yankee.
a schooner has passed the blockade. All is quiet
just now, but stirring times are expected to-day.
Colonel Cherry, OF Virginia. has arrived safely
at Harper's Ferry, with heavy guns for the
defence of that point. The positions of our troops
there, 1 learn from the best authority, are i'm
pregnable.
RICHMOND. May 20, 6 p. m-The United States
vessels on the Potomac carry their flags at halt
mast.
The United States steamers Monticello snd
Minnesota renewed the bombardment of Sewalls
Point day.
ALEXANDRIA. May pa mysterious failure of the
Bank of Albany, n Y has taken place, no one
seeming to know the cause Adam Van Allen has
been appointed Receiver The Superintendent of
the Banking Department states that the notes of the
Bank are entirely secure. more than sufficient
securities being in the Department to redeem
every dollar in circulation promptly. The entire
capital of the Bank is gone, but from the present
condition of the books, it is impossible to decide
where
The cause of the smash is said TO be the heavy
failures among the creditors of the Bank
In the Presbyterian General Assembly (Old
School) the Rev. Dr. Spring offered resolution ap-
pointing special committee to inquire into the ex
pediency of making some expression of devotion TO
the Union, and their loyalty to the Government 1t
was laid on the table by ayes l23, nays lO4
motion TO take up the resolution caused an eX-
citing debate. and is yet undecided.
Riots are threatened in Chicago, unless laborers
are paid In other than wildcat money, and crisis
seems to be arising in the Northwest.
The southern Pr,vateers.- Lord John Rus.
sell to Recognize the Rebel Letters of
Ma one
From the Boston Evening Transcript, May ls.
The foreign papers received this morning by the
steamer Paraua give more complete report than
that sent by telegraph of the debate Parliament
on American affairs. Lord John Russell is reported
to have said: As to the letters of marque, there
was precedent in the case of Greece when it sep
srated from Turkey. The right Of that country to
issue letters of marque was allowed, and the law
officers of the crown, who had been consulted, had
declared that such right would belong to the
Southern Confederacy.
This is a very important statement, but it may
only mean that Great Britain ill not, like the United
States, regard the southern privateers pirates.
Pirates being the enemies of all civilized powers,
every nation is bound actively assist in their de-
struction. Great Britain declines to take this
ground; yet she may none the less refuse to allow
her ports tobe used by Southern priyateers and her
courts to adjudicate prizes. Meanwhile the Lon
don Times says that there letters of marque in
London.
From the Dublin News, Nay.
1t is now quite certain that in this quarrel despite
all that has been said and written about slavery,
England sides with the Confederate States. She
does So indeed. compelled by the strongest motives
of self-interest. Her cotton manufactures cannot
flourish or even exist, without the usual supplies
of raw material from the South. The North has
just adopted protectionst tariff very unfavorable
to English interests, and in resisting the enforce
ment and extension of this prohibtOry tariff, the
South is virtually fighting England battle. Still
more, the jealousy of the United States mara
time power, fixed principle of British statesman
ship; and We may be certain that the news OF the
blow just inflicted on a navy which, in some re-
spects, formidable to England, has given salts
faction not loud, but deep, TO the great bu of Eng
lishmeu 1t is so easy to bring about collision,
safe and advantageous for England to pick quar-
rel with the Government of the United States that
shall not be surprised to find her Majesty Gov
eminent assuming position with regard to this
civil broil which may easily lead to war. That
they will allow the cotton supply to be cut off by
the blockade of the Southern ports, is hardly to be
expected.
Doubtful questions OF right easily and prompt
ly settled when there is no doubt about the ques-
ton of force. The burning of the GOsport dock
yard has for the moment, placed the United States
navy at Engiands mercy, and if, on this occasion
England is considered a rival and foe, must
be nearer the millennium than is popularity suppos.
posed. This has been announced TO the House of
Commons by Lord John Russell in words which
point strongly in the direction of rupture be-
tween England and the United States. Lord John
declared that the British Government could not re-
cognize the blockade proclaimed of the Southern
ports unless it were made effective but that they
did recognize the legality of the letters of marque
issued by President Davis. Now. the Washington
Government threatens treat the holders of these
lett OF marque pirates, and IN ess the spirit
of Yankeeland has sunk very low, they will probably
show fight also the blockade question. It is evident
that Lord John knew more bout this matter than
he chose to communicate to the House and the pub
lic And it is also evident that no more favorable
occasion than thd present is likely TO offer for strk
ing blow att one of the few maritime rivals Eng
land has cause to dread.