The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-25

ALlA Sill ~ ALTON.
The negotiations between Lord Lyons and Mr..
Seward on the Mason and Slidell question are pro-
gressing amcably. The most friendly spirit was
manifested in their interviews yesterday. Lord
Lyons has received instructions later than those
brought by Capt. Seymour. The whole affair, with
all its complications, will have to be argued slowly
and carefully, but the position OF the Cabinet is
6rm.
Arms and ammunition continue to arrive here
from Europe. The Teutonia, which reached this
port yesterday from Hamburg. brought over rs ,OOC
stand of arms for the government, principally
rifles the largest portion OF which came from Aus
tris. The Hansa, Of the Bremen line, brings about
The same number, shipped in great measure from
England and France. Besides these arms, the
teamer Damascus is now discharging large
quantity Of lead from Liverpool, amounting to
about l4O,0 900 pounds, and about 5000 stand of
arms. Within the past four or five months not less
than 100000 stand Of arms have come to US from
Europe. This will give us all the arms we require
for the prosecution of the war, of which our army
stood so much in need heretofore.
The coming operation of the new tariff created
quite stir among the importers of tea, coffee and
sugar yesterday. There was quite q rush at the
Custom House to enter and pay duties upon these
articles, before the law comes into force
The Sea Island cotton from Port Royal continues
to arrive. The brig Ellen P. Stewart brought 900
bales of it into Philadelphia yesterday-the pro.
perry Of the government. It is . fine article and
in good condition.
The skirmish at Newport News on the 22d was
brisk affair, considering that the Twentieth New
York regiment, engaged on our side, had only two
companies in tho field. and were suddenly sur.
rounded at Newmarket Bridge by force Of 700
rebel cavalry and infantry, but succeeded in cut
ting their way through them without losing
man. Six Of the Twentieth however,
were slightly wounded. Ten Of the enemy
are known to have been killed, and number
wounded. Seven dead bodies were found yesterday
morning; one was that Of an officer, and was taken
"A.
n. M."-pcrhaps the Alabama Minute Men. It is
reported that whole company Of negroes was
engaged, and two Of our men are known to have
been shot BY them. General Mansfield and Acting
Brigadier General Weber highly complimented the
troops engaged for their GOODNESS and bravery.
Our dispatches from General Banks army at
willie rv;ya eor,o mora Ho%o,
of the late unaccomplished advance of the rebels
towards the river at that point, and the subsequent
movements Of the Union troops.
From Missouri we learn that the command sent
to Lexington by Genersl Pope burned two ferry
boats and foundry at that place, and took two
captains, one lieutenant, four men and several
horses. thousand Of the rebel prisoners cap
tured by General Pope near Clinton on wednes-
day last arrived in st. Louis yesterday.
Dispatches from Chicago give us some extracts
from the Southern papers. The Memphis appeal
says that the city Of Richmond has fallen into the
most deplorable state Of violence and demoraliza.
ton, shootngs and stabbnss being Of daily occur.
renee. The condition Of the city is said to be "A
bad as ever either Baltimore or Naples was. The
APoeai further states the course Of tho abolition
lists in Congress is giving great satisfaction in the
South. They consider that the legislation intro.
duccd by these gentlemen will win more victories
for tAe rebel cause than bsyonsts or bullets.
Tho Indians near Fort Smith are said to be ia.
sorting th0 rebela in Largo hodies and co,,;.
over to the Union army. An immense force o,
shsm are now concentrated within mile or two o