The New York herald., 1863-04-22

I authority the information is based. The attack
was made on the 27th ult. We have news up TO
the lst inst to the effect that the French then
held the outer works at Puebla, but it does not
follow from this that they were not severely
repulsed on the s7th of March, as General Ortega
states. That the Mexicans have made a noble
stand in defence of the city of Pueba is, however,
quite manifest from all the news which we are en-
abed to give to-day.
The important case of the British steamer Peter
hoff, seized as a prize, was before the United
States District (Prixe) Court yesterday, Judge
Belts presiding. It will be recollected that the
Peterhofl has been the subject of diplomatic and
commercial correspondence, and involves some
principles of international law which may be
either easily magniied into disruption or AMIGA
bly, settled by legal jurisdiction. The govern.
ment, through its representative, United States
to hand over to her Britannia Majesty's
Consul in this city the mails which he
said were duly authenticated as coming legiti-
mately from the Post Office, London, England. to
Matamoros. Mexico. This proposition was dis
sented from by Mr.. Upton, on the part Of the
naval captors, who contended that the District
Attorney had NO power to impair the legal rights
of his clients by giving up tho mails which might
afford convincing evidence for the confscation of
the vessel and cargo valued at about $6e0 ,000),
and thereby enhance the claim Of the captors;
and that once the case was before the court
it was not in the power of the Dis
trict Attorney to withdraw it from the adjudi.
cation Of the Prize Judge. The Court was i'm
pressed with the very great Importance of the
question at issue, and was desrous that the matter
should be calmly and dispassionateIy submitted by
counsel; he would give it every consideration, as
he was unwilling to precipitate the two govern
ments into any difficulty in this matter. The case
was then postponed for few days.
The steamships Kangaroo and City of Baltimore,
from Queenstown on the 4th and 9th instant re.
| spsotively, arrived at this port early yesterday
morning, and the Hammonia, from Southampton
on the 9Th instant, reached her dock last night
The steamship Jurs, from Londonderry on the 10th
inst, arrived at Portland, Me-, yesterday morning
BY these arrivals we have very interesting news
from Europe-dve. days later than the advices Of
| the Arabia.
slight accident had occurred to the Great
Eastern, which will prevent her sailing on her ap-
| pointed day for New York.
| Messrs. Pile, Spence & Co., owners Of the
captured steamer Peterhof, had submitted copies
of all the papers connected with the clearance and
voyage Of that vessel to Earl RUSSELL at the Foreign
Office London. The Earl, In reply, states that in
his opinion there was prirna fdcia case for her
seizure He adds however :-"It Is the right of the
belgerents to capture all vessels reasonably sus-
pected Of either Of these transgressions Of inter-
national law"-either Q breach Of blockade or the
carriage Of contraband; "and, whenever any cause
Of capture is alleged, the case cannot be with.
drawn from the consideration Of the prize court Of
| the captor." The English government viii Gin
struct Lord Lyons to make an immediate represen.
tation of the circumstances to, the government at
Washington, and, II no legal ground Of capture
should be alleged then to press for the release of
the vessel and her cargo, with compensation, and
without the delay Of proceedings in the prize
| court"
| 1t was understood in London that two financial
agents ofthe government 10 Washington from
New York and the other from Boston-had placed
proposal for loan, ranging from fifty to one hun
dred millions of dollars before the houses of George
Peabody, the Messrs. Barings and others. It was
said also that these gentlemen were instructed to
dispose Of 100000 Of six per cent American
bonds, with which they are furnished. The com.
missioners in question were expected to employ
part Of the e., 900 900, whichthey instructed
positively to dispose Of, in buying up the gunboats
now building in England for the rebels, and thus
disarm Jeff Davis on the ocean.
The rebel loan had rallied from the decline, and
ranged, on the 10th inst, at from par to one per
cent premium.
The English government had made an active and
very important movement towards putting stop
to the furnishing and equipping of war vessels in
the United Kingdom for the rebel service. On the
9th of April Of the customs surveyors at Liver.
| pool seized the Alexandra, O small gunboat, re-
Gently launched from the yard of Messrs. Miller l.
Co. The officer acted on the instructions received
by Mr.. Pierce Edwards, Collector Of Customs, from
| the government, who had reason to believe that
the Alexandra was Being fitted for the service of
the Confederates. The matter will be fully inves-
tigated by the law and other officers of the crown
1t was at first said that two guns had been found on
board the Alexandra; but such was not the fact
The Alexandra il a wooden screw steamer.
A vessel called the Japan, or Virginia, supposed
to be destined for the rebel service, had got out
from the port Of Greenock, Scotland. The govern.
ment had ordered her detention; but she banled
the vigilance of tho officials.
The revolution in Poland had extended all over
the country, and embraced in ts ranks all classes
Of the people and men of every profession.
| In the Liverpool cotton market the sales for the
week footed up thirty-fve thousand bales. Prices
had declined from one.fourth to one-half Of .
penny on American during the period. On the 10th
instant the market closed quiet and unchanged.
Breadstuffs were quiet but steady and provis;ona