The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-23
New York. Friday. May as, 1854.



THE SITUATION.
Heavy firing was heard by the troops in General
McClellan's camps on Tuesday afternoon, to the
left of Richmond, and it was supposed that our
gunboats were again engaged on the James river.
balloon reconnaissance, made by General Stone
man, discovered the whole camps of the rebels
around Richmond, principally concentrated on the
coach road leading to Bottoms Bridge. The
woods in the vicinity appeared to be occupied by
large force. Our troops ON the peninsula are in
fine health and spirits, enjoying the delightful
weather with which that locality is now blessed.
The continued violation of the proclamation of
neutrality issued by the Queen of England on the part
Of her subjects, is being manifested more strongly
every day, and will have to be accounted for At
some future time. Our news from Key West TO-
day while it shows the activity of the Gulf squad
ron, also shows the perfdy of English ship owners
and spectators. The gunboats Mercedita and
Somerset brought into Key West two British
steamers-the Bermuda and Circassian laden with
arms and munitions to the value of million and q
half Of dollars, intended to be run into some
Southern port for the services Of the rebellion.
The Bermuda had . full cargo Of arms and
munitions of war. Her manifest occupied
some four pages Of foolscap paper and
mage is surprising. Besides pistols and cutlasses
in any quantity there was q number of six and o
half and seven and half inch riaed guns, to-
gether with several complete field batteries, nearly
fifty thousands pounds of powder in barrels, be.
sides cases of cartridges, fixed ammunition and
shells. Among the papers found on board the
Bermuda was complete code Of night signals
and sailing directions for entering the harbor Of
Charleston, both by way Of Mafit's and the main
ship channel; also orders from parties in the
South for goods to be purchased for them by the
captain of the Bermuda, which goods are, no
doubt on board the vessel. BY her register she
appears to be owned by the firm Of Fraser, Tren.
home & Co., of Liverpool.
The steamer Circassian was captured by the
gunboat Somerset, Captain English, on the 4th
inst, twenty miles east of Havana, and was nom-
naly coming from Bordeaux to that pert via ST..
Thomas. She was heavily laden, and although the
exact contents Of her cargo has not been sscer-
tanned there is little doubt that she carries arms
and provisions for the rebels. In connection with
the capture of these vessels circumstance occur
red in this city which will 60 to show the extent Of
aid and comfort the rebellion is receiving from Eng
land On the arrival of the steamer Scotia at this
port On Wednesday last, while the baggage OF
the passengers was under examination by the
Custom House officials, the movements Of one OF
the passengers attracted the attention of Deputy
surveyor Brown, who, on searching him, found in
his possession certain papers and documents tend.
ing to implicate him in being engaged in the ship.
ment Of goods from q port or ports in Great
Britain to the port Of Charleston. Among the
papers found we're articles Of agreement and co.
partnership between Jorss & North, Of Leeds,
England, and certain parties in Charleston,
by the terms Of which il was agreed that
shipments of goods TO a large amount were
to be made in the British steamers Memphis
and Pacific by the said parties to the port Of
Charleston or some other port in the Confederate
States and the proceeds to be used in the pur.
chase of cotton for return cargo. BY bills Of
ladng, invoices and various memoranda also
found, there had been about one hundred and
forty five thousand dollars worth of goods shipped
on large portion Of which insurance mad beer
Effected at Loyds at about twenty per CEN
premium. BY instruction the vessels were
20 proceed direct to Charleston, IL possible
but IL unable TO elude the vigilance Of on,
.blockaking vessels of that port, they were
10 proceed to Nassau, where the supercargt
and special agent sent by the way Of New Yorl
would rendezvous, and where they were iDstructe,
10 confer freely with Messrs. Adderly q Co., al,
the agents Of Frazer, Trenholm 3 Co., OF Liver
pool, through whom they could obtain all th,
local Information necessary TO their safe guidance
n the conduct "a their business, and then Ian,
the csrgoss at that point and reship in snlalle
vessels for Charleston or other ports, by which
H., would more easily evadc our cruisers. ant
ssss I.sa The r.st on their venture By dwia0I