The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-02-05

tefkciAL piafAfcu TO TER RICHMOND DtsP ATc1
NORFOLK. VA. Feb. 4.-Ths nag Of truce
boat to day bring g news from Washington
OF yesterday, stating that il b 40 been decided
by the Federal Government to consider all
captured Confederate privatsersmen a. pris-
oners OF war. and as such to be exchanE ed
for the hostages in our custody. general
exchange OF all prisoners will probably be
negotiated by the Federal Government.
(sKcoxp prsrArcs.1
NoRroIk, Feb. 4.--Northern papers, dated
Feb. I'd, have been received here.
Considerable anxiety existed in Washing.
.on on Sunday, in relation to the supposed
hostile attitude of England. and the proba.
oility OF a war growing out Of the Tren,
difficulty but it is said that seward regards
the restoration OF friendly rela tons between
his Govern ment and that OF Britain anal
and complete.
The bad weather and horrible condition OF
tho TO ads are causes ascribed to bringing
about the late inaction OF the army Of the
Potomac and other forces of the US
Seward publishes a letter explaining his
reasons for permitting British troops to pass
through Maine. He says they were allowed
to do so from considerations Of humanity.
The bark Trinity left Boston on Sunday last
for Fortress Monroe, with $50 rank aud file
and eleven officers, prisoners from Fort War.
rem, to BE- exchanged. and returned to their
homes in the South.
Several companies OF Lincoln Missouri
soldiers having exhibited a muunous spirit.
were disarmed, by order OF Gen. Halleck.
and sent to Cairo, to work on the fortifica
tons.
Late letters frornx0 uebec state that the
Can adams are con tenn plating and disoussinp
the annexation OF Maine to the British
American possessions. Tho New York Her.
aid Gays that this will greatly accelera t. the
work Of terrifying Portland and OTTER
points. a.
There are 1900 British troops now in the
Provinces.
News from Vera Cruz to the 9Th January.
states that the Spanish, French, and English
hags were displayed In different parts OF the
city. Business was almost entirely suspen.
ded. Large numbers OF Spaniards were
leaving.
The British steamer John Bell arrived at
New York on Sunday from Liverpool. with
l,645 ba,es OF cotton. The Herald says
great fears are expressed that, unless the
Federal armies advance and obtain a series
of decisive victories within sixty or nine "
days. the European Governments will break
up the blockade, which would lead to dou
bic war of the greatest mag nitude.
In view Of the threatening aspect of af.
fairs in Europe, the Northern papers ad wise
the Governors of the different States to call
out quarter million Of men for home de.
fence.
1t is asserted that the proposed mission of
Bishop Ames and Hamilton Fish TO the
Son.h is one Of pure charity, and in no way
connected with politics.
Cotton at New York is unsettled at &c.
Excha Il &c on London is llsf.
The Government has experienced great
disappoin TN ent at the unfltness of the ves.
sells lately purchased to swell tho fleet of
Burnside's great failure The fact is attract
ing great attentto among the people, and
loud complaints are heard. The Herald says,
this Burnside matter must be sifted. 1t 10
confident there is rottenn ness somewhere else
than in the old hulks sent down to crush the
South.
The great war tax bill is being perfected
in its details.
The French fr:gate Fortune has arrived
In Hampton Roads. and reports NO fleet in
the Roads.
The New York Journal Of Commerce says that
the exciting foreign news gives room for
grave solicitude for the future. The tone of
the French ne WIS is more unfavorable to the
United States than that from England
Another grand Federal expedition is nt-
ting out at Characterization unknown.
The Federal war.ehip Vermont will bs
soon ordered to the Port Royal station, as
store shi p and hospital.
The English steamer Calcutta arrived al
st. Johns on the Slst January. with troops
for Canada.
The London Herald says that victory fol
the South is certain. It holds up gloomy
pic 'ure OF the future for the North.
The English journals declare that many
letters are received in that country, from
highly respectable Northern parties, pray.
Ing for foreign interven ton on the score OF
humanity.
A division OF New England troops EN-.
barked on the I'd inst. from Fortress Mon
Zoe, for Ship Island. The corvette Hart.
ord and twenty-three gun-boats will soon
sail South. Their destination, 1t is supposed,
will be Mobile. Commodore Farragut is in
command. A great number of cannon are
being rifed at Fortress Monroe and sent