The New York herald., 1862-03-15

this exception, the great weight Of evidence fur
nished by the communications of other British
officers serving off the rebel cost is in favor of the
excellent manner in which it was enforced.
Mr.. Masons latest letter to Earl Russell, which
is given elsewhere, proves to what lengths
the rebel agents went in order to i'm
pugn the blockade in the eyes of the English
Cabinet; but Earl Russel's despatch to Lord
Lyons, also published, has settled the matter
fully and fairly in favor of the action of the Union
Executive. Lord Lyons report to Earl Russell on
the subject of the cessation of the system of
''stone blockades" is also very satisfactory.
In the House of Lords Earl Russell, in reply to
Lord Carnarvon, stated that the replies of the
British Cabinet to foreign ministers in London, on
the subject of the blockade, were always given
in the spirit of his letter to Lord Lyons. The high
tory party of Great Britain under the lead of the
Earl of Derby, was greatly enraged at Lord
Palmerstons policy on this question.
In the House Of Commons, Lord Palmerston, re-
plying to Mr.. wyld, said that at the present mo-
ment the United States did not maintain as many
guns on the coast of Africa they were required
to do by'treaty; but this was occasioned by the
exigencies of the war in which they were engaged
He expressed his conviction that the federal 60
vernment was anxious to cooperate effectiyely
with England in the suppression Of the slave trade
and as proof of its feeling in the matter he
alluded to the case Of Captain Gordon, then
under sentence of death in New York for engaging
in the traffic.
The rebel Commissioners in Paris are repre-
sented as working with all their might to obtain
from the French government formal or even in
were greatly dispirited at the reception which M.
Thouvenel gave Mr.. Slidell. The home agitation
existing in Paris had caused the Emperor to be
less communicative with England, and it is said
that the idea of intervention in America is post
| poned completely for the time being in conse.
quence.
L
| Sumter who was arrested at Tangiers.
The Liverpool Mercury contains curious state
ment concerning the affairs of Mexico. The writer
says that, according to letter from Madrid, Gen.
Prim has written dispatches to O'Donnell, COM
planning of his false position in that country. He
says that he undertook the command on the ex-
press understanding that the command in chief
Of the allied expedition should devolve upon
him. He asks to be recalled. Admiral Rubal-
caba, the commandant of the Spanish naval
forces, had withdrawn and thrown up his
command in disgust; and General Gasset also in
sisted upon being replaced. These two officers
are allied to General Serrano, the Governor of
Cuba; hence, as is alleged, their anmosty against
General Prim. Marshal Serrano's indignation
knows no bounds. He writes to say that unless
his successor be at once appointed he shall return
and leave Cuba to shift for itself. The govern
ment in Madrid acceeded to his demand by the ap-
pointment of General Dulce to the post of Gov.
ernor of Cuba, thus giving Prim another ground of
complaint, for that lucrative post had been held
| out to him.
| CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday, the resolution reported
| by the Committee on Naval Affairs, giving power
to the Secretary of the Navy to settle the accounts
of contractors who have failed to fulfil their en-
gagements, was passed. resolution was pro-
posed, but objected to. to give the President sd.
ditional power in the control of military affairs,
and bill to provide for the construction Of ad
ditonal iron-cad gunboats, and for the completion
of the Stevens battery, was introduced and re-
ferred. bill favoring the confscation of the
property of rebels was also introduced and refer.
red. The bill for the settlement Of certain Louis-
ana land claims was passed. Several private bills
| were passed. Bills were introduced and referred
| giving the President control of the gunboat ap-
preparations, and for the regulation Of the army
corps, and then the resolution in favor
of expeng Senator Powell was taken up,
| when Mr.. Powell addressed the Senate at
length in his own defence, replying to the
remarks made by his colleague, Senator Davis, on
the preceding day. A long debate ensued, and the
resolution defeated, by eleven yeas to twenty.
| eight nays, when the Senate adjourned.
ID tne mouse Oh Representatives, the senate
resolution of thanks to Commodore Foote and his
command was passed by . unanimous vote. The
resolution Of thanks to Lieut.. Worden, of the
Monitor, was referred TO the Naval Committee.
The Pacific Railroad bill was reported to the
House, and made the special order for Tuesday
next. The bill authorizing additional clerks in the
office of the Boston Sub-Treasurer was passed.
The Tax bill was taken up, and an amendment per.
mitting States to assume their separate quotas was
rejected; but no final action was reached, and the
| House adjourned.
Both houses adjourned over TO Monday.
NIsCELLANEous NEWS.
The Africa, from Liverpool on the lst and
Queenstown on the I'd Of March, reached this port
| yesterday morning. Her news is two days later
than that received by the City of Washinrtan