The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-04

sheep brought over g. Swine have been active
and full prices realized. Corn fed have brough
sc. $50, and still fed 4,<c. SC. The Offering
have sold as fast as they have arrived. The tota
receipts were 4.64O beeves, l04 COWS, 34s vesls
6,sO5 sheep and lambs, and 81, 040 swine.
The stock market opened lower and fevcrish but closed
strong and buoyant yesterday people generally feeling
satisfied that legal tender issues are inevitable
Money easier and the brokers got all they wanted
Gold fell as low 163 then rallied sold al 1885, and
| closed 1857 bid. Bills closed at IUkaI72
The cotton market was dull and quite irregular yester
day. There was decidedly less activity broadstu,s
with decline in -four Of 60 zoe, wheat &c., and corn
L. There was aso less doing groceries and provisions
Mess pork shade cheaper. whiskey was heavy ut
| 600. 62kc. The demand active for fruit, wool
Manila hemp, metals and tobacco moderate for most
other articles without any other remarkable alterations.
The freight market was steady, but quiet
Startling News from CharIeston-An-
other Galveston Affair.
We have some unexpected and rather start
ling intelligence from Charleston for the enter
tainment Of our readers this morning. We de-
rive the news from late number Of the Rich
mond Dispatch, end the substance of il Is, that
on Saturday morning last the improvised
rebel fleet of Charleston consisting of two little
patched up iron-clads and three small attending
steamboats,, made q sortie upon our block
aiding squadron, sunk two Of the ships,
set on fire and crippled several others,
and cleared the roadstead of every vestige Of a
blockade. We refer the reader to the details
ia our news columns.
But there is another feature in this Disgrace
ful affair which is suggestive of more serious
mischief to follow. We allude to the procla-
nation by Gen. Beauregard and Capt. Ingrahanl,
commander OF the petty rebel attacking squad
ron, declaring the blockade of Charleston
raised and the port legally open to foreign
trade, which proclamation is seconded by the
foreign censuls accredited to Charleston in
their proceedings TO the same effect. A similar
prou.acidntientoiwas issued by General Magru-
der after his successful cutting up and disper-
ctoh VI Jul plOcHbsiAr hCpt An onAVCotuu
Bog We are moi aware that there is any
thing III the recognized international law
upon the subject which puts an end to block
ade thus temporarily raised by successful
sortie: but there may be some special under
standing in the matter between the govern
ment Of JEFF. Davis and the governments Of
England and France. Al all events, from the
rejoicings Of the rebels at Charleston,
it is evident that they attach much
greater importance TO this successful
raid OF their contemplate fleet than
the mere sinking OF federal ship or two and
the dispersion OF the remainder Of our squad
ron for one short day would warrant. We
shall probably be enlightened upon this ques-
ton in the course of The day from Washington.
But this melancholy affair at Charles
ton superadded TO the late Galveston dis
aster, aud the Merrmac affair in Hamp.
ton Roads, and the escape Of the
Nashville from Beaufort, and Of the Oreto
from Mobile, ought to be sufficient to satisfy
President Lincoln that old Nh. Wclles is not
the man Tor the Navy Department at this
crisis. Had any one Of our new iron-clads
been on the ground those two rebel gunboats
from Charleston might have been destroyed or
captured but ii seems that Mr.. Secretary
Wclles, in this ease, rs at Norfolk, agains:
the Mcrrinac relied upou his wooden ships,
aud was incrednlous concerning the reports
snoat Of rebel ironclads in preparation
for disastrous surprise 60 our wooden block
| adsrs. A Secretary who thus refuses to be
taught, or il incapable Of profting from the les
sons OF = costly experience repeated over ana
| over again should no longer be retained ut the
head OF the Navy Department, after snch evi-
dence of his incapacity a that winch is fur
, nished in this shameful surprise defeat and dis
! person Of our blockadnc squadron al Charles
ton.
Y But iHI El'Si aiHhN'd III lttit-Ciiu-
| and gllnboais awaiting good weather for their
! departure from, Beaufort, y. g., may shortly
| administer blow TO the rebels which
will amply atone for these late dsas-
| tens at Galveston and Charleston. We
| cannot. however. understand the necessity Of
/ the policy, meantime. Of leaving Charleston 20
! be guarded by squadron OF wooden ships
! with the knowledge before the Navy Depart
| ment that the rebels in that quarter were
watching their opportunity, with two or three
! iron cads. 10 repeat the sortie " the Mcrrimac
| The country must have some satisfactory ey.
+, planaton OF this business, or is will be wise on
! the part Of President Lincoln to relieve Mr.