The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-09


THE SITUATION.
Nothing of Importance occurred yesterday in
the army of the Potomac. The scouts from
General Wadsworth's brigade, which have been
Flint Hill and Fairfax Court House are entirely
abandoned by the rebels.
The government, it is said, is contemplating q
general exchange Of prisoners with the rebels, in
order to release the officers and soldiers of the
Union army from the miseries which they are suf
fering in their Southern prisons. Such a measure
will bring consolation to many Northern freside
We give to-day some further details of the pro-
before reported at Martinique. 1t appears that
she had captured two American vessels-the briggs
Joseph Parks and Daniel neutrality-suspicious.
the latter vessel by fire and taking her crew to
Port Royal, Martinique. We have before men,
toned the fact that the United States gunboat
Iroquois had started in pursuit of the privateer.
Our news to-day comes from the British schooner
Emeline, which arrived here yesterday from Port
Royal, where she left the Sumter taking in coal
General Banks has taken up his winter quarters
at Frederick, Md. He was received there with
great apparent enthusiasm by the inhabitants, and
located himself in the residence of Colonel Bradley
). johnson, OF the rebel army. There are no
signs of the rebels between Harper's Ferry and
Point Of Rocks, where Colonel Geary's command
in keeping a vigilant lookout for them.
, The effect Of the Presidents Message, and his
tive to the disposition of the slaves in the South.
Is said to have been very marked in kentucky. II
has given confidence and strength to the Union
men-a fact which is indicative of a like result all
over the South if the administration confne them
selves to preserving the integrity of the Union and
maintaining the constitution and the laws as the
object of the war in spite of the factous opposi-
ton of the abotionist traitors, who are urging
them to a different course
The Africa, at this port yesterday, brought i'm
portant advces concerning the as ect of Anne.
rican affairs in Europe on the oath ultmo. Our
news columns contain full details of the arrival of
the rebel steamer Nashville Commander Pcgram,
at southampton, England, on the DIST of Novem.
Der, as well as the announcement of the fact that
she was duly received by the authorities as war
vessel commissioned for special service by a bel
hgerent Power. Captain Pegram himself pub
ished the particulars of the overhauling and de-
stfuction of the ship Harvey Birch, near the
mouth of the British channel exhibited his
commission from Jefferson Davis and gave
up the captain and crew of the Harvey
Birch Immediately to the charge of the
United States Consul in Southampton Such of the
crew OF the Harvey Birch as refused to make a
declaration not to attempt any violence on board
the Nashville were put in irons by Captain Pc
gram Captain Nelson, the commander of the
Harvey Birch, had published protest in the
English papers against the acts of the rebel
officers. Mr.. Peyton, rebel Commissioner to
Europe, and his wife, were landed from the Nash
vile, and had with Captains Pegram and Nelson
gone to London-the first named parties to COM
municatc with MIR. Yanccy, and Captain Mel
son to see Mr.. Adams. The affair produced
intense excitement in the commercial, fnan.
cial and political circles OF England bu. the
impression seemed to be general in favor of shell.
terng the Nashville for reft and supplies just as
the Union vessel James Adger had been treated a
fow days previously. Rumors were afloat that the
Adger had gone out with the intention of forciblv
taking Messrs. Mason and Slidell from the pr;,;oh
mail steamer, even in English port and tho
Edinburgh Scotsman reliable journal assort.
that The law officers of England had dec ;dod
that United States officials had perfect and lera,
right to seize mail steamer knowingly convo,;,a
such contrabands, even in the larbors IF croo,
Britain. The case would, it was thought. be ;,lo,
into the courts for argument. II was nIso sto,oa
that British Admiralty Council, which wac A.
tended by the leading members of the Cab;ne, hoa
been held on the subject.
The steamship Arago, with General Scott On
board, reached Southampton from New York on
the 23d utimo, in the afternoon--a fact which of
dismisscs at all the runors of her can.
tnre by the rebels.