The national Republican., 1862-04-17
From Fortress Monros.
.FOF .APPE.AR.AJVrCE OF
THE .MERRL.M.ACs
Arrival Of the French Minister.
Flies OF Truce, INTO.

FORTRESS MONROE, April 15.-The weather
to-day has been bright and beautiful, the atmoe-
plere warm and 90 little wind that The expause
Of water between Old Point and Sewsll's Point
bore scarcely ripple. On the clearing up Of
the fog st an early hour al eyes were bent In
the dlreslion Of Cfaney island, expecting to
Sc the Merrinao with her ironclad coat riding
on the waves. Nothing, however, could be
seen Of her, and she ~ not been visible since
shs moved OF 10 Norfolk on Saturday evening,
after lying all day, as II was supposed, aground
OF Craney island -.
The Dag oi truce that went up yesterday
brought down rumor that II was the inten.
tiOn Of The Merrimac 70 come out To- day and
shell the camp at Newport News. This infor-
nation was conveyed 70 one Of the men on our
boat BY hand on the rebel boat, but up 70 8
o'clock this evening II has not been verified,
though Il is highly probable that such q pur-
poee may be entertained,
The general belief here Is that the great de-
eire Of the Commander Of the Nerrimac 10 "
obtain sccess 10 the York river, and thus co.
dive back Gen. Mcclellan. For this purpose
she ID endeavoring 70 draw the Monitor up
beyond the aaistance Of other vessels aud
make desperate effort 70 dispose Of her a. q
means of getting rid Of the main obstruction In
her way. ..sa.. s...s.-..
ARRIVAL Oh riiE fREsoa MINISTER.
The French steamer Gasaendi arrived here
| this morning from Annapolis, bringing N. Ner
| oler, The French Minister. Az O'Clock be was
was ealuted BY the 0assendi, aud landed In
company with tho coIhmsnder OF that vessel
Who were received Of the wharf by delegs
ton Of the stat oi Gen. Wool. and escorted V
the fort. On reaching The fort The ,aluts wai
responded 10 from the Water battery. Ths
1 .tsn,.t h.,.,e han h<
returned to the Gassendi which Immediately
got up steam and proceeded up 10 Norfolk
She did not stop at Crsney Island, but took u
pilot from the rebel flag boat and went on up
tbe Elizabeth river 10 the hsrbor Of Norfolk,
Some speculation Ia entertained here In naval
CIRCLES AZ TO what course the French Mlnistei
and the steamer will pursue al Norfolk. viii
he salute the rebel Asq, and will the rebe
guns ,alate the French fagy
| FLAG or TRUCE.
There was flag Of truce this afternoon from
Norfolk, bringing down two ladies 10 20 North
The French steamer was going up when III,
rebcl flag came ont and took from on board o
her pilot and then steamed on 10 Norfolk.
The flag boat brings no papers or news
The herrmac was not In sight, and has evi
dsutly returned 70 the Norfolk navy-yard. tn,
hands on board the flag boat had some talk
but disclosed nothing @ to the movements o
The Merrimac. Some Of the rebels bAnteret
olr men on the subject, saying "there was n,
use 10 wasting coal !" that "sbe could com
Into the Roads whenever she choes to do 20 7
that "our vessels were afraid TO come from
under the guns Of the fort To meet her." 10.
l. FROM YORKTOWN.
| We have no special news from Yorktown
Nothing has traneplrtd except some skirmish
log, with but little advantage to either eide
The Union and Sinclair guns were each are,
10 day TO try their range. The shot from tb,
former fell short distance of Sewells Point
| A rumor was brought from Norfolk. whicl
was current there, that Gen. Buell. had beel
killed.