The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-24

THE SITUATION.
Jefferson Davis has issued q message to the rebel
Congress, which we lay before our readers to-day
In full and of which we treat elsewhere in our edi.
torial columns. As a summary Of the rebel view of
the position Of the belligerent parties since the
commencement Of the civil war, it is interesting
and contains some bold statements concerning the
condition Of the South, which will be
received with no little surprise, and will
certainly be accepted with no credence whatever.
To say that the document is replete with
Misrepresentation as to the object as well as
the conduct Of the present war, would do no in
justice to the imposition Of Mr.. Davis. He en-
deavors to present to the misguided people whom
he addresses, the fact that the South is invaded
By horde Of barbarians, who are carrying on the
war IN fashion contrary to the usages of civilized
nations. He represents the condition of the rebel
States as progressing in manufactures and other
branches Of industry In spite Of the troubles which
have overtaken them, but he is unwillngly COM
PEELED to admit that the chances of as
sistance and recognition from abread-upon
which alone their hopes of success rested
are very small II not absolutely frustrated 1t is
upon the whole q weak and wavering document,
moro indicative Of doubt and fear as to the future
than Of hope and confidence in the cause
Of which he Ii the representative. The
message ia viewed by the government in
Warrington and by all intelligent persons
there as q singular intermixture Of bombast and
falsehood and as such it will probably BIO cons
derod by every one who peruses it carefully, and
compares its loose statements with the facts dc.
veloped by the incidents Of the war from its CON-
mencement to the present time.
Among other interesting items from the South,
which we give to-day, are two extracts from
Southern journals which are strangely in conflict
Wing. which, In its comments on JEFF. Davis Mes
sage, represents the North as completely whipped,
and prepared to submit to its fate. It declares
that the North and South are two peoples from
this time forward and that the only thing which now
remains for the South is to give US sound drub-
bling and make US pay the expenses Of the war;
question with the United States government, we
have despatch from Charleston to the Richmond
Examiner, stating that popular confidence in the
efficiency Of the guns Of the rebels is entirely
shaken since the fall Of Beaufort against the
monster frigates and iron-clad gunboats Of the
government; that the "sordid souls" who inhabit
the Southern cities are flying to the interior for
safety, and it describes the panic in Savannah as
even worse than in the neighborhood of Charleston,
whole districts having become suddenly deserted
In that quarter. A comparison between the bonn
bast Of one statement and the discouraging
symptoms of the other is rather amusing.
The latest accounts from Messrs. Mason and
6liden is that the San Jacnto was entering Boston
harbor last night, and there is very little doubt
that these gentlemen are now lodged safely in Fort
Warren. The government has decided that then
shall be treated in all respects-os to close contne
UttIW ustuJuse-tshe CftUeusuSS guuty 81 We HtgieSi
crimes against the lao, unta full assurance is
received that Colonel Corcoran and the other off.
GERS noto in the hands Of the rebels shau receiye Ae
treatment due to their rank and position as pris
onsrs Of soar taken on the field Of battle, accordins
to the usdges of an ciulized nations. The govern
mont has also come to the determination to hans
every prisoner duly convicted Of piracy on tn,
high seas, no matter whether he halls from tn,
North or the South, from England or any othe,
foreign nation, and that they viii hold the prison
ers now in captivity Slidell, Mason and
Faulkner-responsibl for any barbarity which
may be practised BY the rebels upon the prisoners
Of war confined in Southern prisons. In other
words the administration is resolved to carry out
the law strictly as regards piracy, and to treat the
rebel prisoners in precisely the same manner o.
the rebels may deal with our officers captured in
battle.
The transport Constitution, with two thousand
troops Of the Maine and Connecticut regiments on
board, sailed from Cape Elizabeth, near Portland
yesterday forenoon, and proceeded southwards OF
her expedition, in fine weather.
Considerable activity prevails OF Fortress Mon
roe. Several regiments arrived there from An