The New York herald., 1862-04-17

Of 0 coast line. were debated in the
British House Of Commons during two nights, a.
we mentioned on Tuesday. Although the whole
matter was treated very cautiously and with
spirit by the Cabinet Minister'S it is quite evident
that the Palmerston government is excited, il
not alarmed, at the position in which the coun-
try is placed, its wooden ne-of-battle ships being
valueless--snd huge additional expense being
rendered absolutely necessary for the building Of
new iron vessels and the alteration and sheathing
of old frgates of oak. 1t is claimed that Captain
Cowper Coles, of the British Navy, originated
the plan after which the Monitor has been built.
The great military landworks, for the defence Of
Spithead, which had just been undertaken,
have been suspended at the instance of Parliament.
The French iron-plated sunboat which arrived
in the Seine from Bordeaux about year ago, has
been heightened and modified in shape; she is now
completed, and being wholly rooted in by casing
of iron plates, presents . remarkable appearance
in the water-somethipg like gigantic egg. She
hastwo very short tunnels, two engines and is pro-
PEELED BY two screws.
The Russian government is determined to save
every rouble possible in order to apply the money
for the fitting out Of an iron plated feet.
The English government had officially announced
the retirement of its military contingent from
Mexico. with the exception of q small force. which
is ordered not to take any part in or give any aid
to an advance into the interior. Spain has avowed
her intention not to ally herself with any 'recon-
dte schemes" for the subjugation of the Mexicans;
80 that the trpartite alliance may be said to be at
an end, so far as the idea of permanent invasion
is concerned France, in the absence of informa-
ton to the contrary. is now acting alone on the
soil Of the republic, and the Paris correspondent
of the London Ne,cs states that the Mexican ques-
ton, as between Napoleon and England, has
become of every ticklish" nature.
CONGRESS.
The President sent special message to both
houses Of Congress yesterday, announcing his ap
proval of the act abolshing slavery in the Dis
triot of Columbia. The President has appointed
exMayor Berret, of Washington; Hon. Samuel
F. vinton, of Ohio, and Daniel r. Goedlee, for
merly Of North Carolina, Commissioners to de-
termine the validity and value of the claims pre-
sented under the act of emancipation.
In the Senate yesterday, Mr.. Hale withdrew his
resignation of the Craftsmanship Of the Naval Com
mittee. Bills providing Territorial government for
Kanawhs (western virginia>, and for the enforce.
ent of the laws of the United States, were refer.
red. Mr.. NcDougan continued his remarks re.
specting the arrest Of General Stone, and opposed
the adoption of the motion calling on the President
for information the subject instead of the Secre
tary Of War. The Confscation bill was then taken
up, and Mr.. Powell, of Kentucky, spoke against it.
The death of Mr.. Cooper, representative of the
Seventh district Of Pennsylvania, was announced,
and the customary resolutions Of coincidence
adopted.
In the House Of Representatives, bill appro-
prjsting thirty millions of dollars to make up de-
6ciences in the appropriations for the pay of the
army was passed by q vote of one hundred and
ninety yeas to two nays-Messrs Calvert and May
both of Maryland, voting in the negative. A joint
resolution, requiring Treasury certificates to bear
date at the time the claims audited and settled
was introduced and referred. The bill organizing
the army signal corps was passed. resolution,
reported by the Judiciary Committee, declaring
that the government should not interfere with the
transmission of intelligence by telegraph when it
will not afford aid to the enemy was adopted.
The death of Mr.. Cooper, of Pennsylvania, was
announced. resolutions Of coincidence were
adopted, and the House adjourned.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The Canada, from Liverpool on the 5th and
Queenstown on the 9Th of April, reached Halifax
yesterday. Her news is two days later than that
received by the Norwegian.
The Liverpool cotton market tended upwards on
the 5th instant, but the quotations remained IN
changed. Flour was steady Provisions remained
steady, with quiet market. COnsols closed in
London on the 9Th instant at 93T "a for money.
Our advices from the continent of Europe are
not Of much importance.
The French papers very generally comment on
the recent naval conflict at Hampton Roads, be-
tween the Monitor and Merrimac, and on the COM
plete revolution which has thus been caused In ma
val warfare. They make particular reference to
the excitement caused in England by this change,
and to the assertions of the English press that
new navy must be built. The Opinion NotionoJe
hopes that these new inventions and improve
ments will make naval warfare 80 terrible as in
the end to prevent it altogether. The Courier
du Hdure thinks that if England, France and the
United States were to spend large sums of money,
and each were to be possessed Of an invulnerable
steel-clad navy, the position Of affairs would
scarcely be altered, as neither Power would be
able to make any impression upon the navy Of
the other II also argues that the cost is too
enormous ever to allow iron vessels to come into
such general use as wooden ships. All the papers,
however, concide'in the opinion that iron vessels
will henceforth dsplace all others for harbor and
coast defences.