The New York herald., 1861-10-17

The rebel batteries on the Potomac although
silent for some time, are evidently in full com
mand of the river, and are well manned all along
The banks, from Aqua Creek to Cccoquan creek
The government has received positive information
that there are from thirty TO forty thousand rebels
located within that distance, the main body being
stationed at Evansport or Shipping Point, by
which name 1t is generally known. Yesterday,
while the Pawnee and Mount Vernon were
going down the river. they were fred
on from the batteries at Shipping Point,
and battery farther down joined in.
The object of maintaining these batteries is IN
troops upon Fredericksburg. which the enemy con-
siders very weak point
The State Department has issued an important
e cular, whibh we publish to-day, to Governor
Ebrgan and the other Governors of the loyal States
o rdering on the seacoast and the lakes, urging
u on them the necessity of putting the ports and
harbors in a state of defence, and garrisoned by
the local militia, in view Of the Efforts being made
by the rebel government TO obtain MD and
comfort from foreign nations. Ii is to be
hoped that this suggestion viii lie carried out. At
The commencement of the rebellion we strenuously
advocated this measure in the colums Of tie HEI-
AID The recent escape Of the steamer Nashville
from Charleston, with Messrs. Slidell and Mason on
board, rebel Ambassa ,ors 10 London and Paris,
shows the necessity Of viglant guar
dianshp Of all ports. The Nashville got
of in spite OF our blockade on Friday last, but
nre glad to be able to state that the government
has promptly taken measures to intercept her, and
bring back the rebel ministers. For this purpose
three swift gunboats-the Connecticut, Alabama
and Augusta-startcd from this harbor yesterday,
and will doubtless overhaul the Nashville before
many days have elapsed.
BY the Arabia, at Halifax, We have important
news from Europe to the 9th instant. Dir. Lindsay,
who represents Sunderland in the English Parlia-
ment, and who lately made tour of observation
for commercial purposes in the United States in
speech to his constituents advocated the propriciy
Of England and France just now recognizing the
Southern coufederacy. 1t is a carious fact that
In that English seapor. TIE project of Queen
Victoria attempting such measure was received
with good many lisses although we are told thu,
the cheers prevailed. Mr.. Lindsay lie, out the fac,
that his mind was influenced almost solely by the
desire Of gain and abolition fanaticism. for he
wound up by stating that cotton could not be had
from any other country for long time, and that
the North American States were not "sincereiy
anxious to abolish slavery.
Spain had announced her intention of sending
force to Mexico Immediately, to act indepen-
IDENTIFY against that country, 'as her interest
and dignity may require" She will not refuse
the assistance of the other Powers, il rendered
and The London Post again says that England
Will cooperate with her when the healthy sea-
Hon sets in in the Gulf ports.
1here were forty thousand workmen idle in
Lyons, aud the French government had opened
public workshops there. The advance in tho
prize OF bread in Paris had produced very
Berfous agitation in that city. Seditious placards
were posted up, and some arrests had heer
made. Napoleon had held Cabinet Connect
which lasted over four hours, when the cra;,
Rnd bread questions were discussed.