The New York herald., 1862-04-12

peaILnS arms, including tne poruor o'''eS-no"
partially redeemed-is only one million; therefore
it is simply impossible that an active force OF over
seven hundred thousand could, under any circum-
stances, be brought into the field Our cores
pondent puts the whole available force
of the rebel States at four hundred and
sixty-fve thousand men, and it is pos
when we consider that the rebel government has
resorted to drafting and forcible impressments.
At all events the number of men now concentrated
for the defence of Yorktown, according to our
reports from that vicinity, shows that the rebels
have an immense force in Virginia; fact which
completely demolishes the malicious statements OF
the abolition. anti Union journals Of this city, that
the enemy had no formidable force in Virginia, and
that nearly all their troops had been withdrawn
from that State.
The Asia at this port brings two days later news
from Europe.
So far as the advices relate to American affairs
they are not of great Importance. The full re-
ports of The battle between the Merrimac and
Monitor, in Hampton Roads, had impressed the
Cabinet, naval officers and scientific men Of Eng
land deeply-much more, perhaps, than they
choose to acknowledge at present-as to the i'm
portance of the revolution effected in naval war
fare by the combat between these iron armored
vessels. 1t is fully acknowledged that wooden
ships henceorth useless for purposes of engage
msnts at sea. 1t is claimed that the United States
North or South-has not yet produced any iron
vessel able to cope with those already turned out
by England, as it is alleged that both the Monitor
and Merrmac are only fit for harbor operations.
The Parliament Of Great Britain is advised, how.
ever, to be liberal in its appropriations for the ex
tension Of her iron-cad feet.
Bull Run" Russell, in one Of his closing letters
to the London Times, endeavors, in his usual STYLE
to disparage the conduct of the recent advance of
General McClellan's army from the Potomac. He
asserts that when the cavalry was twenty miles
from Washington the men had to turn back to that
city in order to find hay for their horses.
An article in the Opinion Rationale of Paris
Prince Napoleon's organ-shows that serious diff
ferences are likely to arise betweenthe Bonapartes
and Bourbons of Spain, relative to the management
of the march Of invasion and the ultimate designs
of the Allies in Mexico. Prince Napoeon's paper
proclaims openly that the Spanish reports from
Vera Cruz, with the language Of the Spanish gov
ernment founded thereon, are insulting to the En-
peror and his family, as we'll as to France and her
army.
In the Senate yesterday, Mr.. Wilson, of Massa.
chusetts, introduced bill amending the Fugitive
Slave law The bill removing all disabilities for
color in carrying the mails, was passed by vote
Of twenty y-four 10 eleven. The debate on the bill
confscatug rebel property was then resumed and
continued till the adjournment
In the House, the bill aboshing slavery in the
District Of Columbia was passed by a vote of
ninety three to thrty.nine. The bill has now
passed both houses by two-thirds vote.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The ASIA from Liverpool the 10Th and Queens
town the both of March, reached this port yester.
day evening. Her news is two days later than that
brought by the Hibernan TO Portland.
Consols closed in London on the Goth of March at
93H e3ss for money. The Liverpool cotton
market was firm, at unchanged prices. on the Goth
Of March. The latest news from America had no
perceptble influence on the trade. Breadstufs
were dull. Provisions remained quiet and steady.
Mr.. Cyrus W. Field returned to New York in the
Asia. He must entertain sanguine hopes of an
esrly and successful completion of the Atlantic
Telegraph project ia consequence of the warm
encouragement given TO its promoters by the
government officers men of science and capitalists
in England. The Lord Mayor Of London was ad-
vised to call meeting in order to offer the thanks
Of the city to Mr.. George Peabody, for his dona
ton to its poor. The Bank Of France had
reduced its rate Of discount. The tour Of
Garibaldi in the chief cities and principal
districts Of Italy was producing a most seri'
GUS agitation. The name Of Victor Emanuel
was rarely mentioned during the revolutionary ora
tons and Garbaldi forgot to propose the toast of
the King's health at the public dinner in Milan. Ger
many was considerably excited by the reactionary
movement Of Prussia in The federation. The insur-
rec.ion in Greece still troubled the throne very
much. The Prince Of Wales had gone from Jana
for the Holy Land.
large amount Of business was transacted in
both branches of our State Legislature yesterday
la the Senate a number Of bills were passed,
among which were those providing for the pay.
ment Of the national defence bonds issued by this
city and the Annual Appropriation bill. Favorable
reports we're made on the bills to license ballast
lighters in this port; 10 reorganze the State mill.
tia: to incorporate an association in this city for
the maintenance and education of volunteers chill.
dren and for the completion of the Chensngo
Canal Tho ConyresSioual Aunortionment hill vas
reported complete and ordered 10 a third reading.
A bill to increase the duty on salt was reported.
TheMetropo,an Health bill was debated, and after.
wards referred 70 the Committee on Internal
Affairs IN the Assembly the bill altering the
plan Of New York city was passed A favorable
report was made on the bill 10 amend our city
Il