Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-01-02
BY TELEGRAp H

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. a0-The Richmond Dispatch of this morning hts special dispatch from Fortolk which says the confederate steamer Sea Bird captured a federal schooner yesterday which vas being lowed to Fortress Monroe by the Federal steamer Express When the Sea Bird fired into the Express; the latter abandon cd the schooner, and the Sea Bird took the schooner in charge to Norfolk, followed by nine federal gun boats, which kept up continuous caun0nade. The Sea Bird set on ire one gun boat and disabled some. Our shore batteries peppcred the federals.
 Baltimore papers of Saturday, state that Ma son and ShdeIl are surrendered.
 NASHVILLE, Dec. BOA special to the Lou. isville Courier from Hopkinsvlle, says Col. For ests cavalry, about three hundred strong, met some federal cavalry of about the same number at Sacramento, on Green river, last Saturday. when sairmish ensued. About fifty federals were killed. wounded and taken prisoners. Our loss was Capt II. Clay Merriwether, of Louis, vile, one private killed and one wounded. The enemy fled in great confusion. 4 gentleman has arrived here who left Louisville on the 25th. He says pilots cannot be got for gunboats to go down the Mississippi in consequence of subma- rine batteries at Columbus. 1t was reported that Prentice says there will be no forward move' ment toward Green river until Lincoln5 posi-. ton on the slavery question is defined.
 RICHMOND, Dec. 30.-Congress met at F o'clock. Thomas and Burn.stt members from Kentucky, appeared qualified to take their seats. Gen. Staarts battle at Dranesvile has been or dered to be published. Other matters were dis posed of in secret session, of which inc reporter was rot informed.
 A New l orA dispatch of the 18th, says Gen. Scott did not reach New York in the Arago un- gsA,,~clav ,ob4 last Tho Nor,,lty I)ot- Pcol, Of this morning says 1t learns from gentleman from Baltimore that report prevailed there and was published in one of the papers of that city that Mason and Slidel lad been given up, bu, this report needs fuller confirmation. Only one death was caused by the federal cannon i'll tue Sunday attack on the Seabird and batteries aU SeWelrs Point and Craney island, lasting three hours. which was the death of an old rooster at SeweH's Point.
 The Washington correspondent of the Herald says the Mexican imbroglio is beginning to as suna serious aspect. The United States refuse to iOin tripar,i-e treaty, but t is proposed to pay interest on Mexican bonds held by England and France. The English and French minis 'ers say this is unsatisfactory. Their govern ,ne,,ts are determined to restore law and order to Me xico, and the securing of foreign interests tbcre. Vbe federal government IS much embar rassed ahoyt this matter. A joint committee in both bouses ,>f Congress is employed in an in> vestiration of he conduct of the war; and IS muc6 bothered. Mcclellan refuses to commu~ nicata Lis future paus of operations, but the committee is deterp.nsd 10 institute rigid ln- ouiry m0ut tho former reyerses and future move rnents-muoh trouble anticipated.
 The new tariff act has passed-it imposes dutv on teas 0t 20 cents per pound coffee ce ts, raw sugar ?, white and clarified , cents refined , cents. m1iasses 6 cents per gallon Thouvauel dspatohing to the French minister in London, says France mus: make the ease ot the Trent substantially her oFn private affair. Dizpatchs received in Richmond from Mobile say 22 federal vessels are taking troops at Ship Island.
 UEgrm~. Dac. .-La.est-Gen. Mcclellan an .ve lhietot his s.a5., are seriously il at Wash iaq.oa. Mason ar1 Silell were still at Fort " arr.n ,n inc 25.h. Jelf. Thompson returned 10 New Ms @ri3 yesterday, and made success. rul raid on CQnmsrce, capturing a quantity ot re sesal st5.c7 He didn't capture steamer as reported. Tha Yankees are alarmed about the submarine batteries above Co o'umbus