Washington telegraph., 1863-02-18

LATEsT.-By the mail of Monday evening
inst, from which we gather the following:
The canal opposite Vicksburg seems to be
failure. The Register learns that the water
is running in at both ends, spreading out from
the middle and filing up the swamp.
The Federal force on this side of the river is
estimated at about so or 10000. They have a
battery and large camp Just below the mouth
of the canal. They expect reinforcements be-
force making an attack, when they will pro
badly have from 80 to 100000 troops.
1t was the Queen of the West which passed
our batteries at Vicksburg on the I'd inst She
is described as large sized gunboat without
upper cabin, having iron casing chin high, and
cotton bales about her upper works to protect
sharp shooters. Our batteries fired 100 guns
At her, none of which took effect.
The enemy have cut canal from the river
to Lake Providence, with a view it is thought
of running down Ten Bayou. Skirmishing
is going on almost daily in the swamp. On
the Attn despatch was received from Capt
McKoin stating that infantry and cavalry of
the enemy had landed in force at Lake Provi-
dence and driven him back three miles. They
were enquiring of al the negroes they met
the nearest and most practicable route to Mon
roe.
The editor of the Philadelphia Evening our
nal, has been arrested as a Southern sympa-
thizer, on account of a long editorial praizing
Davis message as truthful and noble in com.
parrison with Lincoln's. The arrest has p:odu-
ced great excitement at the North. Judge
Ludlow of Philadelphia charged the grand
iurv to enquire and determine by whose order,
and by what power this arrest made. Res
olutions were introduced into the Legislature
authorizing the governor to proceed to Wash
ington and demand his release. The New.
York Herald says the country is indignant and
shocked at this arbitrary and tyranous exercise
OF power. and says the friends of the constitu-
ton will resist henceforth, all arrangements on
individual liberty and free discussion with he
vigor and determination of men thoroughly IN
earnest. Gen. Hundley has resigned Oh ac-
count of the emancipation pr exclamation.
We clip the following interesting dispatches
Charleston, Feb. "A dispatch from
Major Rhett, commanding Fort Sumter,
says that huge steamer evidently an
lIOD-Cidu, hONC III SlShb dUOuI auN
is now stationed of the barber There
are besides twelve blockaders, all keeping
up steam and on the alert. The captured
gunboat, J. 2. Smith, is now coming up
from Stone river, into the harbor
Richmond, Feb. 2.-Report of defeat
to the French army in Mexico has been
received in havana on the 18th ult
The Oyiete sailed from Havana on the
,22d ult., and the same day captured and
burned, on the coast of Matauzas, the
brig Windward, with u cargopf molasses.
On the 22d she buried the brig Cera, of
Mechias, and shortly Afterwards, two more
briggs were captured and, destroyed. On
the morning of the oath, the Ovleto was
seen steaming for the Bahamas, with
British flag flying. The 'gunboat NJ ASA
chusetts arrived at Havana after the de-
parture of the Ovieto. Three. Gonederatf
schooners, laden with letters, have recent
" arrived at Havana.