The New York herald., 1862-02-01

tion of slavery; and, except in the case of Dele
ware, the slave States would al go to one side'
while the free States went to the other.
serious accident occurred in Richmond on the
27th ult, by the explosion of government
laboratory, which was attended with iatalresults.
With reference to the operations of our stone
feet, the Charleston Courier says:-"On the 10Th
inst the weather having moderated, some OF the
steamers of the Lincoln feet towed to position
on or near the Rattesnake Shoal several OF their
old hulks, which were soon afterwards sunk. They
continued this work up to yesterday evening, when
they had placed five of their wrecks on the bottom
and had four Others ready, which were no doubt
filled with water on the 26th."
The steamship Cahawba, which arrived at this
port day before yesterday from Port Royal, towed
two of the second stone fleet from the lat
ter place to Charleston bar, where she ar
rived on the 25th ult., as stated in the
Charleston Courier. A heavy gale springing up
from the northeast, and the weather being thick
and squally, the sinking of the hulks was delayed
until the following day. On the 26th, those in
charge of the stone hulks commenced dismasting
and sinking them in Mofet's channel, so as to form
a more perfect blockade. Some time was spent in
sounding out the channel, which was done by the
gunboat Pocahontas, and boats manned by the
navy. The steamers Cahawba and Marion CON-
menced towing the vessels to their respective
places but the steamers, finding that they drew
too much water, were compelled to anchor them
near the Rattle Snake shoals. Up to the time that
the Cahawba left, they had sunk six out of the
fourteen, and were to sink the remainder that
night.
The Africa brings very important intelligence,
dated on the 10Th instant (wo days later) relative
to the new phase in which the rulers of England
and France were then disposed to consider the
American war question, with view to founding
basis for a common line of policy towards this
country while engaged in the suppression of the
Southern rebellion.
The Mason and Sdell case having come to an
end, the " Allies now vehemently object to the
stone feet blockade Of Charleston harbor, and
hint that in consequence of this act the entire
blockade of the Southern ports is likely to be i'm
pugned by the great Powers of Europe, with
view to its annihilation.
Further than this England has openly broached
the idea of an Anglo-French Intervention " in
our adairs, having for its object the "pacifca-
ton of the federal and Confederate States of
North America" In support of this the London
Obseruer-a government organ-at the latest mo-
ment cites the precedent set in the case of the in
reference Of England France and Russia in order
to put an end to the war between Greece and
Turkey in 1927. The writer ominously reminds US
that the refusal of Turkey to accede to the propo
sitions Of the neutrals brought on the battle of
Navarino, in which the Turkish feet was destroyed.
It is alleged that the rebels of the South will glad.
y accept of this intervention and it is left as we
interpret it, to be inferred that the recusant sec.
ton of North America will be regarded as the
Turkey of the present day. The tone of all the
English journals points to speedy objection to
the blockade an attempt at direct European in
tervention on this continent, and recognition of
the independence of the South by France and
England.
One of our Paris correspondents reiterates his
opinion that Napoleon will take the lead in this
matter, and judging from the articles in the Paris
Monite,u with reference to the blockade, and the
compliments paid to the Emperor by the London
papers for his action on the American question,
we entertain the opinion that his Imperial Majes-
ty's mind nclines in favor of the rebel cause.
Liverpool still continued to be placarded with
papers calling on the people not to accord any
public reception to Mason and Sdell. The pre-.
sence of Slidel was anxisusy looked for in Paris,
while the London Herald, the organ of the opposi-
tion, attempts defence of the public character
and conduct of both the ENJOYS, in order to
render them acceptable to the people of the two
countries.
England is progressing with her preparations for
an immense naval and military display in South
America. Twelve hundred tons of shell and shot
were shipped at woowich, on the 18th inst. for
Canada and number of transports were lying off
in order to take like freight on board. Orders
had been given for the manufacture of two mil
lions Of Mimic bullets weekly at woolwich, to
90 on until countermanded. Admiral Sir r.
Dacres, in the frigate Edgar, is to join Admiral
Milne at Halifax.
The British government has removed the pro.
hibition Of the export of saltpetre.
The financial policy of Secretary Chase Is again
assailed in the most vehement manner by the lead.
ng London journals.
CONGRESS-.
In the Senate yesterday, petition in favor Of o