The New York herald., 1862-02-08

fore be expected in day or two. The NoriolS
Day Book of the 9Th says that the steamer Ar
row, which arrived at Norfolk from Roanoke
Island, with dates of "Wednesday morning, reports
that Commodore w. F. Lynch, with fleet oi
rebel gunboats, is awaiting the arrival OF the
Union vessels, but that none Of his boats nave
ventured into Pamlico Sound for the past two
weeks. The Day Book further announces that
General Wise is lying very sick at Nag's Head,
and says that it would have been well for the
country (the South) if he had been appointed to
the command several months ago. 1t hopes,
however, that sit is not yet too late!"
Letters received in Augusta Ca, from Savan-
nah on Tuesday, state that heavy firing was heard
on Monday in the direction of New river, on the
South Carolina side of the city which lasted over
four hours. Information reached Augusta the
same day by person who stated that he heard
from rebel officer in Savannah that the batteries
on New river had been attacked by some Union
gunboats, one of which had been destroyed. The
was of Red Bluff, and that the enemy had destroy
ed several houses in that vicinity.
The arrival of the >As-o<vas SayannsA&A this
port from Pert Royal yesterday may throw some
light on this reported attack. The Savannah left
on the 30th ut.. and she reports that formidable
expedition including all the light draught vessels
several gunboats and large land force had sailed
from Port Royal for the South on the 26th. Their
destination WAS not stated, but it is highly proba.
BILE that it is this portion of Commodore Dupont's
expedition which Is operating at New river and
Red Blur
General Beauregard arrived in Nashville on the
Sd inst.
The War Department received information yes.
terdey that the rebels had evacuated Romney
Western Virginia, and that General Lander now
occupied it with our troops. This is another good
strategic point gained.
1t will be seen by our extracts from the South
ern papers that the rebel leaders are devoting
much attention to the subject of new railroads
JEFF Davis recommended to Congress in secret
session the completion of the Mississippi and Ala
bama road, so as to connect Selma, Alabama, with
Merdien, in Mississippi and Congress proposed
to appropriate $500 for that purpose. The
New Orleans Picayune also notices the fact that
the road from Mobile to New Orleans, via Jackson
and Meridien, has been complete, and remarks that
it is most opportune, as "the Yankees" have pos
session of the Sound, and may destroy the coast
line at any moment. million of dollars, it is
said, has been estimated by Mr.. Davis to construct
railroad between Danville, Va, and Greensboro,
N. c., as matter of military necessity.
We are informed that letter has been received
at Albany by Senator from Thurlow Weed,
dated in Paris, January 81, stating that the En-
peror Napoleon would announce to the Corps
Legis,at1, on the 9th ult., his intention to in
terfere with the affairs of this country While this
is not very definite, yet we may find
some possible ground for the rumor in q fact
which we give to-day from rebel sources at Nor.
folk. 1t appears that gentleman claiming to be
a French citizen, resident in Wilmington, N. c.,
has just arrived at Norfolk from Fortress Monroe,
under flag Of truce. This person, NJ De Behan,
the report says, "was arrested last summer at the
North and confined in Fort Lafayette. Through
the interference of the French Minister he was re-
leased but he was refused permission to return to
No than arDI;ad fnr q NO aspor< r,o
to Europe, and obtained it; but Mr.. Seward en-
dorsed on it, IT is understood N. De Behan is not
to enter into any of the insurrectionary States
He went to Paris and had an interview with the
Emperor Napoleon, and showed him Mr.. Sew
ards endorsement on his passport. The Emperor
promptly replied that he should be allowed to re-
turn to his place Of business The French Minister
of Foreign Affairs prepared the necessary papers
for the French Minister at Washington, and Mr..
De Babian returned to the I cd States. He
called on Mr.. Seward for passport to enable him
to return to Wilmington, but he was refused it.
On the next day the French Minister called on Mr..
Seward, exhibited some documents, and asked for
passport for Mr.. De Babian to return to Will
mington, and Mr.. Seward very cheerfuIly granted
it..
This story may probably have some connection
with Mr.. Weeds statement.
The papers to hand from the East Indies can.
vass the prospect of war between England and
the United States with great anxiety, more par
ticularly with reference to the influence of such a
contest on the infant cotton trade of that country
The Bombay Times Of Indio Of the 9th of Decem-
Der says:-"The news that war was imminent with
America for the seizure of the Southern Commits.
sioners reached us by telegraph via Gale on Mon
day last (the 23d), and, as might have been ex.
pected, has paralyzed the Bombay cotton mar.
ket. We are looking with great anxiety for the
advices of the next mail or two. Should war
break out between the countries the American