The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-04

The News.
The accounts from Washington this morning are
of an important character. The Cabinet were in
session yesterday and Gen. Scott participated in
their deliberations. The War and Navy Depart
mens were unusually active, and Secretary
Cameron and the President held frequent private
consultations. 1t seems clear that the admins
tration have resolved upon some extraordinary
step but in what direction and for what end, are
as yet involved in mystery.
The corps Of sappers and miners have been or
dered from Washington to New York, and it is
said their ultimate destination is Fort Pickens. 1t
is stated, however, that Fort Pickens is not in
want Of mel.
1t will be seen by our Washington dispatches
that blockade Of the Mississippi is threatened
The President, however, cannot order a blockade
or attempt to collect the revenue on shipboard
without the authority Of Congress. Nevertheless
the steam frigate Minnesota, the steam sloop
Powhatan and the brig Perry have been ordered
to the Belize, while sealed orders have been sent
to the Cumberland, Pocahontas and Dolphin
The Minnesota is steam frigate of 5000
tons, carrying 40 guns. She was built
in 1885, and has been lying in ordinary in
Boston. The Perry is brig, carrying guns and
$50 tons burthen; she is fitting out at the Brook
Iyn Navy Yard. The Powhatan is first class
steam soop, of 2,4l5 tons; she carries IL guns,
and is at present attached to the Home squadron.
She is also preparing for sea at the Brooklyn
Navy Yard. The sloop-ofwar Cumberland
ia the hagship of the Home squad
ron, and has been doing duty at Vera Cruz.
She is LIPS tons burthen, and carries "a guns
;u ri ate m u Sha
was purchased by the government in 1855, and
has been attached to the Home squadron. She
carries guns, and is 694 tons burthen. She is
at Norfolk, The brig Dolphin is also at Norfolk,
where she is lying in ordinary. Like the Perry.
she is of light draught, being but ga tons; she
carries guns.
The Secretary of the Treasury yesterday de-
cided to accept no bids for the IS 900 900 loan
below "a. The amount taken, therefore, reached
q triAe over $4,000, 900. Parties offered to sub.
scribe for the balance Of the IS 100000 at frac-
ton over 81, but the Secretary has concluded not
to accept the offer, but to advertise anew for
proposals. The notice will it is said be published
forthwith.
The steamship America. from Liverpool 23d. via
Queenstown oath ult., arrived at Halifax yes
terdsy morning. She brings four days later
European intelligence, thirty three passengers
and upwards of $3.50 900 in speeie-making, with
previous receipts total of s24 ,O96 900 received
since December.
The prominent feature in the news by this
arrival is the commercial intelligence. The
Bank of England reduced its rates on the
goth from eight to seven per cent, and
on the 2lst the Bank Of France reduced
its rate from six to FIVE per cent The London
money market was dull, and American securities
generally remained rs previously quoted. The
latest advices from America had caused an ad.
vance in cotton Of one-quarter to three-eghths of
penny, the market closing active on the 23d.
The sales in Liverpool for the week ending the
23d ult. were 900 bales. BreadstufS were
without change.
In the House OF Lords on the 22d ult Lord
wodebouse said that he believed that the States
OF Holsten would reject the propositions Of Den
mark, but that war was not likely to take place
before August.
The Papal question continues to engross the
attention of the French Corps LegisIatif. In the
debate on the 22d ultimo M. Billault said that the
French government would neither sacrifice the
Pope to the unity Of Italy nor the unity of Italy to
the Pope, the aim Of France being to reconcile the
two interests.
The steamship Northern Light arrived at this
port yesterday forenoon from AspinwaIl with
the passengers, mails and $996,44 in treasure,
which left San Francisco the 18th ult., together
with news from New Granada and Central and
South America. The advices from California have
been anticipated by the overland expresses.
The election for State officers and members of
Congress In Rhode Island took place yesterday,
and resulted in the complete overthrow Of the re-
pubiicans. The opposition gain two members Of
Congress.
The news from Central and South America IL
unimportant, and that from New Granada is
equally So The little we have from the latter
country Is evidently from governmental source,
since IL greatly dsparages the forces Of Mosquera
and reuresents Ospina as on the eve Of complete
triumph. At latest dates the Congress was in
session at Bogota.
The new discoveries Of gold mines in the south.
ern part Of Chile are attracting considerable atten'
ton. At present the great difficulty In the way OF
working them is the hostility Of the Arancanian
Indians TO all strangers.
Hon. ]. Cotton Smith United States Minister to
Bolivia, has been recalled.
curious correspondence between Moreno,
Provisional President Of Ecuador, and Senior
Triente, Charge d'Affsirs at Lima, said TO have
been intercepted by General Franco, has been
published by the Panama Herdid, In which the
former advocates q union Of the South American
REPUBLICS to the empire Of France as the only
way 10 save civilization In those countries AND
nrevent them becoming completely barbarian.
TIE government Of Honduras has released
Colonel Rudler, Of flbuster notorety, and til,