The New York herald., 1862-01-10
Our Baltimore Correspondence.
RAIrrnoRR Inn e 1H<

BALTIMORE, Jan. 8, 1862.
Attitude of Ms Government Towards the Southern Pri.
vateers-They are to be Regarded Prisoners of Var
and Explanation Of General Jackson's Re
cent Movements Hancock and A0rtinsburg-Deter
mndtion Of the Rebe Government to Preuen the Recon
struction Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Nes Direct from Galveston, Tras-Tne Tosun of Metanso
ras on the Rio Grand 10 the Occupancy Of The English
An English Plot Smu0ge Conon Out Of Aerican Ports
through Texas, dc.
am assured, by gentleman holding Official posi-
ton but whose relations with member OF the
Cabinet give great weight the statement that there is
ground for the belief that in short time the
will define its position in regard to the Southern pr
vaeers. II is well known that member Of the Cab
net desired the government time ago to take the
position that the Southern privateers pirates and
W uld be eated pirates, e., would be hung. But
may be well known although is the less
true the government has given its sanction
this position the consequences involves The sub
ect discussed at the last Cabinet meeting, and
IL is understood that the majority Of the mem
b RS ae in favor Of making distinction between
classes Of prisoners captured during the present
rebellion whether taken the the land and Of
treating them both prisoners OF There evi
dent disposition the part Of tho government to conduct
the vigorously possible yet on as humane prin
cnes STINT with the great object in vew-the
restoration Of Ia Uni n. At the Cabinet meeting alluded
o. OF the r'~ hers is understood to have remarked
in s"b tanc 1--WE striving to restore the Uni and
PRES rive tie constitution We all trust TO See the
Union once more restored but in order to- succeed in
a nicving this great result must fostering
wound behind TO rankle corrode for generations
No such wound has yet been inflicted on eli her
SIDE: but the hanging OF prisoners will infct such
woJnd.n This remark, and the arguments and iustra-
by whirh il accompanied is said to have pro-
duced powerful effect the minds of the other men,
bers Tho President himself is unde stood to be IN favor
placing ha prvateers In the category other
prisoners Of And it may be that the peculiar
dnion VI foreign relations will the speedy
citation OF such roicy At all events, will venture to
say that not one Of the privateers will be hung.
The movements during the last ten days OF the Con-
federae troops near Martinsb Wilamsport and Han
cock have been precisely what letters for two mouths
past have said they would The Confedcraes have
designs whatever on Maryland side of the Potomac
Their oh Is simply to prevent the reconstruction Of
that part of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad between
Harpers Ferry and Hancock. They have succeeded SO
far their design, and they will succeed until the whole
force Of Generals Banks and Stone is sent against them
If the suggestions made in the HERALD two months ago,
that the troops Of Generals Banks and Stone be
reinforce General Kelly had been acted the road by
this time would have been built and in running order
Ever since that time those troops have been kept in
less dleness at Poolesve and Frederick city the
chatting the restraint and knowing full well how much
good they m ght accomplish. The Confederaes
in such strong force the neighborhood Of Martnsburg
that In doubtful whether they be driven thence,
except after hard fought battle General Beairegard
has promised send General Jackson all the troops he
need in order to enable him TO maintain his position;
and according TO the best accounts he is able to make
geOu MS PROMISE.
A gentleman from Galveston, Texas, passed through
this city to-day his way to Washington. He stated
that notorious fact In Galveston that great guam
Of cotton had been sent through Texas during the
whole fall and up this time, TO Mexico that the most
of 1t went 10 Brownsville, the Rio Grande, and was
thence taken the river to Metamoras that much
of cotton raised In Texas, but that some OF It
Alabama Mississippi and louisiana that during the
months OF October and November large number Of Eng
shmcn to Metamoras, and is believed at Calves
that since the occupation OF Vera Cruz by the Span
ards an English naval and military force taken
uafM Mata WI n
sent of course, Of the Spanish government If these
facts should prove 70 bc true they will afford ample
for the dismissal OF Carl Shurz and Thos Corwn both of
whom have shown utter ncompetency for their respect
i've positions. II had had at the seats OF the Spanish
and Mexican governments ministers who understood the
duties Of their position government would have
been apprscd Of these transactions in time to have
vented part OF them at least II the facts alleged true,
England and France get all the cotton they want
through Mexican ports.