The New York herald., 1863-02-07
THE SITUATION.

There is nothing further of Importance from
Charleston to-day later than our former despatch
es. The Army of the Potomac is still quiescent
The roads, after the late storm, are in sad con-
dition, rendering all movements impossible.
By an arrival at Suffolk from Richmond We learn
that the new Merrimac is now lying between seven
and eight miles below Richmond. It is pierced
for two guns on each side, and win carry one for
ward and aft. The vessel is pronounced by many
q failure, while thcre are others who are confident
Of its success. Two other iron-c -clads are in pro-
cess of construction there. The rebels are throw.
ing up earthworks in every direction for the de-
fence of the rebel capital.
propeller which arrived at Norfolk from New.
bern yesterday, via tie canal and inland route
reports two government schooners ashore on
Hatteras shoals, one loaded with cattle, and one
with coal, and that feet of one hundred and
twenty vessels had sailed, and oil bound South.
A portion of General Magruder's rebel feet off
Pass, and the United States ship Morning Light on
the 2lst ult. We publish the official account of
the affair by Major Watkins, commanding, together
with map of the Pass.
1t was rumored in Louisville that Morgan's rebel
forces contemplated raid on lie exington, and that
the bankers and merchants there were packing
up their money and valuables ready for fight.
1t was also said that our troops had got posses
sion Of Shelbyville.
The brig Wilhelmins, Captain Welsh, at St..
Thomas on the 18th Of January, reports that she
spoke the rebel privateer Alabama on the 18th of
that month, about four hundred miles southeast of
Bermuda. The Alabama attacked and destroyed
the United States steamer Hatteras on the llth
ultmo, and must have steamed to the latitude de-
scribed by the wilhelmina during the four ensuing
days.
Advices from Dominica, West Indies, Of the 10th
of January, state that the United States steamer
San Jacinto had called there to inquire after the
Alab ANA.
The report relative to the capture of the pri-
vateer Florida was not confirmed BY the latest in
telligence from Havana.
The steamship Roanoke. from New Orleans 2Sth
and Havana 3ls ut, arrived at this port last even
ing. By her we received later accounts from
Mexico; but they not of particular importance,
except in SO far as they confirm the intelligence
previously received Of the evacuation Of Tampico
and Jalapa There are also reports Of the sally Of
the Puebla garrison and the rout Of the French.
Two Mexicans, who had been convicted of poison
ing by q French court martial were executed at
Vera Cruz, in the form prescribed by French mill.
tary authority. There ia no other news Of i'm
portanos.
The British war ship vesuvius at Bermuda on
the 27th Of January, reported that the French
army had been defeated in an attack on Puebla,
Mexico, and had lost three thousand men.
The British steam sloop- Of war styx, Commander
Havana and New Orleans.
CONGRESS.
In the Senate yesterday, resolution instructing
the Finance Committee 10 inquire into the expe.
diency OF repeating the duty on paper was adopt.
ed resolution calling for Capt. Mullan's report
and maps relative to the military road from waa
Wala to Fort Benton was adopted. A bin 10 pre.
vent and punish frauds on the revenue and nro.
siding ior the more speedy and certain collection
pf claims IN isvor oil the United States. was intro.
ducsd. Several private bills were considered A
motion to postpone all prior order. ana ,alo =,
The Bankrupt bill was disagreed to-l4 agains, o.
h report from the conference commi,,c, on ,ho
Deficiency Appropriation bill was adopted. Aoo,
khe transaction Of some unlmportant bus,nes, a.
executive session was held, and the Senate aa
lourned.
In the House of Representatives, the Senate
SaNsalwsnt II tAs gastQase AppyoRIistiQa bill