The New York herald., 1863-02-22

There Is no news to-day from the Army Of the
Potomac. From the South we have an interesting
commentary upon the diplomatic correspondence
o; NJ. 0rouyn dc Lhuys and Mr.. Seward in the
Richmond papers. The plans of the French Min.
ister or mediation and peace are pretty roughly
handled; in fact, they are rather uncvilly de.
clincd the emperor himself is somewhat snubbed,
and NJ. Stewards letter to the French Minister is
described the submity of insolence. The
Southern confedcracy, we are told, needs no CON-
ms'ioaers 20 settle the difficulty, either of French
or aay other suggestion; the commissioners al
ready exist in the persons of Generals Lee, Reau.
regard, Longstreet, Jackson and Joe Johnston
The Richmond Enquirer says that the Union
forces OF General jeff c. Davis were encountered
and dispersed by the rebel General Forrest at
Franisln on the 18th inst
Captain Hutchinson, of schooner Olive Hay.
ward. arrived yesterday morning from Curacao,
reports that on the 10th instant, when in latitude
70, longitude GA Al, he saw the rebel prvateer
Rerihution, which chased his vessel for three
houg., but being to windward of the Retribution,
he escaped by outsailing her.
citer from an officer of schooner Miranda, of
Neg Haven, after giving account of the recent
deprcdations Of the Alabama, states that the
Alabama arrived in St. Domingo on the 2sth
u'tnao, at six P. NJ, and left the following morn
ing steering for the Mona Passage. The Miranda
sailed the following morning for Mayaguez, and
arrived safely in Porto Rico, after being in the
Passage two days.
special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce
was held yesterday. There was large attend.
ance. The depredations of the Alabama we're the
principal subject of discussion Memorials were
adopted calling on Congress to pass the bill EN-.
powcring the President to Issue letters OF marque
aud reprsal, on the issuance Of which authority
the Chamber has before it the propriety of fitting
out volunteer vessels to capture the Alabama
aud other rebel cruisers. Resolutions were also
adopted calling on the government to occupy, by
an armed force, the Texan borders contiguous to
Mexico, through which latter country an mportan,
conraband trade is carried for the relief Of the
rebels. Also resolutions in favor Of the construc
tion By the government Of an oceanic and coas,
line OF telegraph from Galveston to Fortress Mon
roe and Washington. A full report OF the proceed
ings will he found in another column.
EUROPEAN NEWS.
The Canada, at Halifax. teegraphs news from
Europe to the 9Th inst, a week later.
The session OF the British Parliament was opene,
on the 9th inst by speech from the throne
Qaeen Victoria says she has "abstained from tax
ing any step with view to induce a cessation o
tne conflict between the contendng parties OF tn
Eorth American States, because il has not yc
seemed 10 her that any such overtures could b,
attended with q probability Of success" Her Ma
iesiy lamcnts the continued existence OF the con
fct and IT. effects on the cotton manufactures a
England. but says that she derives cousola,io,
from the iaet that the distress i abatnu and 30,
renewal Of employment i beginning Ia tai,
place ip manufacturing districts
During tte debate on the address, reply II
the speech, IL 0lc Hpusc OF Lords. Earl pcriy ~
pressed his approval Of the course Of the tahinei