The New York herald., 1863-12-21
THE SITUATION.

THE SITUATION.
There is change reported in the Army of the
Potomac. We have nothing later from Charles
ton. The news from the Southwest is entirely
without Importance.
We have some highly interesting intelligence
from New Orleans by the Morning Star, with
dates to the 18th. The rebel guerlas on the
Mississippi attacked the steamer Won Phul
while on her voyage from New Orleans to St.
Louis, heavily laden with salt, sugar and other
merchandise, in the vicinity of Bayou Sara, killing
her captain and wounding others on board. She
was taken under convoy by the gunboat Neosho
at Magazine Bend, four miles above, and was
again met by the same battery of the rebels,
which had been run across the peninsula. Here
two or three men of her crew and passengers
were wounded-among the latter one Of the
HERALD correspondents, Mr.. Knox. The boat
was completely riddled with shot, The steamer
Atlantic. from Natchez, coming along at the time,
took the Won Phul in tow and conveyed her up to
the mouth of Red river.
The rebels made an attack upon our forces at
Natchez on the 9Th instant, but were repulsed.
The Star also brings intelligence of the capture
by pirates of the schooner J. L. Gerety, from
Matamoros bound to New York, when only two
days out. The crew were seized and sent ashore
in small boat to Sisal. The pirates, six in mum.
ber, passed as passengers-just as the despera-
does on the Chesapeake did-and thus effected
their purpose. The schooner was loaded with
cotton, and belonged to Francis Gerety, of this
city.
1t will be seen by reference to another column
that General Burnside arrived in this city yester.
day and made 80 sensation" He declined to see
visitors generally, but shook the members Of the
press CORDIALLY by the hands,"
We give full details to-day of the proceedings Of
the Assessors Convention at Cleveland, Ohio.
The object Of these officials appears to bo to
equalHe and arrange the taxes on certain articles
which come under their jurisdiction in the colec.
ton of the internal revenue, which purpose they
conceive can be best achieved by their combined
wisdom in general assembly convened. They
have made some really important sugges.
tions to Congress on the regulation Of
taxes upon various articles of manufacture
They looked q little into the question of
an increase Of their own saleries, induged in o
"game dinner" at the Hotel D'Anger, where they
met passed q vote of thanks to the hospitablc
landlord. participated in fervent prayer, offered
mp by the chaplain, and adjourned sine die; not,
however. without accomplishing q good deal to-
wards the fair equalization of taxes, and throwing
much light upon the system whereby they are to
be collected under the Internal Revenue law.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
The Morning Star brings important news from
Mexico and st. Domingo, with advices from Ha.
vana to the 18th of December.
From Mexico we learn that General Comonfort
was murdered by his own countrymen, and that
the new Franco Macmillan regency was virtually
dissolved by the action ofthe Archbishop ofMcxico
city. The Archbishop insisted the restoration of
the church property which had been conhscated
and distributed by Juarez. This was refused; so
his Grace not only retired from the royal council.
Mexicsn-who opposed him, from General Bazans
and General Almonte down to the drummer boys
OF the lberatng" army. The cathedral
doors being closed against the parties,
General Ncgre surrounded the building with three
thousand French soldiers, and. planting his cannon
at the door, demanded admission within q certain
time. The Archbishop admitted the pious belligc.
rents, oficiated at mass. and gave them the Epsco
pal benedoton. General Doblado, Governor Of
Guansjuato, had declared for Juarcz. Guadala.
jara was besieged by the Mexican imperialist
forces. Generals Meji,i, Berthier and Bazaine had
advanced the Franco Mexican army 70 important
positions. Governor vidaurri was hostile TO
Jusrez
The latest reports from St. Domingo, by way
OF Havana, rspresent the Spanish troops as
making stes dy advance towards the heart OF the
6nsurrcction and likely to subdue II.
Havana was agtated by row at the Tacon
thcatre. A schooner. laden with cotton, arrived
at HavSna from Mobile on the 18th instant.
The svock market ruled lowe again on Saturday and tho
irprocn popular that the bears are bringing on, their
batteries 10 reduce prices There very little doing a,
tne gold exchange and prices were down 70 lsl Money
wm again In active demand Saturday, but lenders do
pot dare 70 put up the rate OF interest for rs class paper
the fsce Of the prospective Increase In tho volume Of
currency by the introduction OF Interest bearing notes
Government stocks nrmly held but the transactions
voro light
Thsre was very little change In the markets on sa,ur
dA The absence Of radical changes gold rendered the
marke' quiet for most commodities. bu, holders were
". Mses e,'sse. EEss'as' MT Esa . p2agnv