The New York herald., 1862-12-20

| 18th inst, and Journals from North Caroms soa
| other points In the South to the l4th inst. Inc
Richmond papers claim the fight st Fredericksburg
as the greatest victory yet gained BY the rebels.
They state that the repuise Of the Yankees OK
| ceeded that Of tho old Bull run" These papers
estimate the rebel loss at two thousand Eve hun.
| dred In killed, wounded and missing. The
wounded have been taken to Richmond. They also
| acknowledge the loss Of two general officers
| killed-Generals Gregg and Cobb-whioh &C.
cords with General Lees report. They say tha'
their position back Of Fredericksburg ID impreg.
nable and that they oan remain in that position a.
long as our forces can maintain their ground on
the north side Of the river.
General Fosters expedition against Kinston,
NC, which place they say was attacked on the
l4th by large body Of 'abolitionists," when
severe battle was fought between three thousand
rebels, under General Evans and the 'invaders.'
The fight lasted from eight A. M. to one P. M,
when the rebels were compelled to retire. This
remark that the same mail which brought the
above news brought also the contents of the Post
Office at Knston entire, which was captured by
one of the HEsALp's correspondents, in company
with the agent of the Associated Press.
The Scotia, at this port brings news from Eu-
rope to the Tth ins!ant-a week later.
Mr.. Gladstone. Chancellor of the English Ex-
chequer, has written another letter on the subject
of the American war. He says he has not eek
pressed any sympathy with the South, or pass
ed any euogium onsPresident t'Davis." He says
lie is "a much better friend to the North Ameri.
cans than those who have encouraged and are en-
"couraging them to perseyere in their hopeless
and Destructive enterprise"
In reply to complaints sent to the Foreign Office
specting the destruction of British property on
board federal vessels captured by the Confederate
steamer Alabama, Earl Russell states that the
owners Of such property-not contraband Of war,
Of course must seek compensation in '.Confcde-
rate Prize Court All through his letter of reply
Earl Russell speaks Of the Alabama as 'war
vessel Of q "belligerent;' saying that if British
subjects ship articles conraband OF war federal
ships they must endure the loss resulting from
capture by the vessels Of the other beigerent.
The French government has made contracts for
the supply Of its armies in Mexico FOR a term of
two years and the inference drawn from this fact
is, that the Emperor Napoleon intends to maintain
large army in Mexico for an indefinite period Of
time.
The Paris Monitesr notices, quasi-cffcjally, the
late appearance Of French war vessels or New
Orleans, and says that the presence Of the Empe.
ror's ships gave satisfaction to the entire popula.
tion Of the city.
Queen Isabella Of Spain opened the session
Of the Cortes with q speech from the throne in
the course Of which she alluded TO the excellent
? relations maintained with the United States
| government She seemed to hope for a re.
arrangement Of the European league respecting
Mexico, but at the same time indicated that the
polies Of Spain was to gather the Spanish people
in every country Of the world under one govern.
ment
CONGRESS-.
In the Senate yesterday joint resolution to
pay Senators and members Of Congress mileage
FOR the present session. was referred 10 the Fl.
nance Committee. A resolution authorizing the
publication Of the annual Naval Register was
adopted. A resolution calling On the Secretary Of
War for information relative TO the court OF in
quiry upon the operations OF General Buell. in
Kentucky was laid over. A resolution calling for
correspondence between the State Department and
our Minister TO England concerning establishing
telegaphc communication between tho mouth of
the Amour river and san Francisco Wa a,iopted
The memorial Of the War Committee Of
New York, asking Congres, 10 authorize the issue
ofetters OF marque for tho capture Of the rebel
cruiser Alabama, was presented. 4 bill granting
pecuniary aid to Missouri FOR emancipatcd slaves
was referred to the judiciary Committee. Tie
consideration Of tic resolution providing for Il
Joint special committee on the subject OF compcn.
sating states FOR the emancipation OF ,heir slaves
was postponed. bill providing for the constrrc.
tion OF roaM aud tcegraphs il Kansas, was ia-
troduced. The resolution inquirine of the Secre-
tary OF War whether any oath had been proposed
10 citizens who have been arrested and imprisoned
that they would not sue o. bring any action against
those who arrested thcm, was briefly discussed,
but no action taken on il. The bankrupt bin was
then takenup. several verbal amendments adopted.
and tile senate adjourned.
In the House OF Representative, The Senate bill
to facilitate tic discharge Of disabled soldiers and
the inspection Of convalcscent camps and hospi.
tails, was passed. The credentials Of sIr. Flanders,
the new member from Louisiana, were presented,
aud Il motion offered that he be qualified. Mr. Val.
landigham, however, objected, and the papers
were referred 70 the Commmittco Oh Elections
!, The bill making appropriations for invalid and
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