The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-21

]
line Of the Rappahannock may be safely antici-
pated. 1,
1t continues to state that if General Lees force
Is not sufficiently numerous to prevent the com-
pletion OF Hookers man9uvre, 1t Is supposed that
no course remains but to fall back upon some
| point nearer Richmond, and give the enemy battle
at greater distance from his base.
BY the arrival of the Norwegian at Portland
yesterday we have news from Europe up to the
9th inst. The American question was on the tapis
still in the House of Lords. Lord stratheden I. mo-
tice in favor Of the recognition of the South when
ever France is ready to concur in the movement
had not been brought forward. The London Times
strongly condemns the motion, deprecates discus
sion the subject, and urges continued strict
trality.
In the House of Commons Mr.. Laird asked II
the government was informed Of ships preparing
for the Confederates in England similar to the Ala
bama, and Mr.. Layard said that the attention of
the government had been called to more than one
vessel Of the kind, but no evidence has been yet
furnished to enable the government to interfere.
He said, however, that strict orders have been
given for Ill suspected vessels to bs closely
watched.
London and presented him with an address, signed
by more than Is 500 citizens Of Birmingham, SYM
pathizng with the anti-slavery policy Of President
Lincoln.
1t is stated by lie Nord that Mr.. slidell had On
interview with N. Drouyn de Lhuys, in the course
Of which mention was made of Mr.. Stewards recent
despatch. Mr.. slide is said not to have concealed
his surprise that Mr.. Seward could think that the
seeding States were willing to send representa-.
tives to the Washington Congress.
The same journal says that the rebel govern.
mont has just contracted ct Paris . lean for
&c, 900 900 francs.
1t was also reported that the rebel loan Of
f3oo, 900 will be at once raised % eight per cent
stock ct seventy-seven.
THE LEGIsLATURE.
In the State Senate yesterday, the Committee
on Finance made q report on the burning Of the
Quarantine buildings on Staten Island, recon.
mending that the States claim against Richmond
county be settled for Sat- 900. Majority and mi.
nority reports were presented from the Committee
on Salt-the former against increasing the duty,
the latter for an increase from one cent to two
cents per bushel. A number Of petitions for and
remonstrances against the Broadway Railroad
were presented. The presiding officer was direct.
ed to appoint grinding committee. The bill to
permit soldiers in the army to vote was referred
to . select committee. The bill to encourage
volunteering and re-enlistment in the army was
amended so a. to give new recruits seventy five
dollars bounty and those re-enlisting one hundred
and fifty dollars, and had progress reported on it.
In the Assembly . large amount Of business was
transacted. Presentations were made Of petit.
tions for the regulation Of the Staten Island fer
ries, the protection Of shipowners, and for the
Broadway Railroad, and Of circumstances against
the latter. The resolutions for the appointment
Of special committee to investigate the subject
Of arbitrary arrests in this State came up ~ the
special order, and were lost by vote Of ftyve in
the affirmative to ffty-six in the negative. The
resolution for investigation Of the sale Of the
Fort Gansevoort property to this city adopted,
after being amended so AZ to have the investiga.
ton be made by the Secretary Of State, Comp
troer and Attorney General. A large number Of
bills were reported upon from the committees, the
greater number Of which, however, were only Of
local interest. The bill incorporating tho Soldiers
Rest received favorable report. That to allow
soldiers IN the field to vote by proxy was reported
for the consideration Of the House. The Assem-
bly, Public Defence Committee, in company with
the Adutsnt General and Inspector General of the
state, will on Monday next visit the Notifications
in our harbor, with a view to ascertaining what
legislation is necessary to insure its complete de-
fence. The bill making an appropriation for
survey Of the Hudson river for the purpose of fa.
cilitating the improvement Of its navigation was
passed
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
By the arrival Of the Norwegian at Portland
yesterday, we have news from Europe to the 9Th
inst, five days later than previous advices.
Several indecisve skrmishes had occurred in
Poland, but on the whole the accounts from that
country are favorable to the insurgents. II was
runored that Russia prepared to grant an
amnesty and reforms; and the report that the
kingdom of Poland was to DO reconstructed as 1t
existed in 1880, with the Grand Duke Constantine
| as sovereign, had been revived In Paris.
Serfdom expired In Russia on the Sd inst. The
event was celebrated in all the churches, and
complete tranquility prevailed.
II was stated that General Forcy had asked for
renforoements for the French army in Mexico,
and that the application could not be granted.
The ministerial crisis in Spain had terminated,
and the passport system had been abandoned.
In London the demand for money was active
consols for money, 1924. At Liverpool cotton
had declined one penny per pound on some de-
scriptions. while brcadstu1s and provisions were
quiet.
The brig Princess Royal, Captain Newbold, at