The Portland daily press., 1863-08-15
BY TELEGRAP II.
ToTHE
Portland Daily Press.
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, Aug. IA.
A Diplomatic party set out this evening ON
an excursion among the lakes and rivers of
New York. The party consists as we under
stand, OF Secretary OF State; Baron Geratt,
Minister of Prussia; Mr.. Malina, Minister OF
Nieagagua; Mr.. Tassara, of Spain; Lord
Lyons. British Minister: Baron Stoeckal, Rus
sian Minister; NJ. Mercier, French Midister;
Count Piper, Swedish Minister; and several
attaches OF different legations. The first place
they viii stop at Is Sharon Springs.
w. A. Shannon, agent Of the Treasury De
partment, who went TO England several months
ago has returned 10 Washington. ii mission
was entirely successful. He succeeded in the
conviction Of the two coanterieiters Of U. 5.
notes at the York Assizes. One party swore
that over $4,000 In ten dollar bills had been
printed and the plate DESTROYED. II Is believed
this h the only attempt which has been made
10 alter such paper In England. The speci-
mems brought here are only tolerably well
executed aud could easily be detected In this
country by the poor quality OF the ink and the
rudely engraved ikeres OF President Lincoln.
Justice Mailer received Mr.. Shannon IN a re-
markabls friendly manner, providing him with
special seat In Court and eomplinented him
on his testimony.
Lieut. Commander English, in a communI-
cation 10 the Navy Department dated July -,
states that under Instructions from Rear Adj
miral Bailey he assumed command Of The
biockading squadron off the eastern coast OF
Florida. lie despatched am expedition up
Mosquito Inlet, which captured sloop loaded
with cotton and a schooner which was unladen.
A large quantity OF cotton on shore was burn
ed and several vessels destroyed, one OF which
had her cargo In and was about to sail A
force was landed which destroyed all the
houses that had been occupied by troops. On
landing the party was fired upon by few
stragglers. The conduct OF all connected with
the expedition was most praiseworthy. No Que
was injured. The boats secured the extensive
lagoon as far up as blockade runner could go.
The Navy Department has heard nothing of
battle of the coast of Maine between a gun
boat aud pirate except what the newspapers
contain.
The Postmaster General has ordered that
all mails for places on the Mississippi river
between Cairo and New Orleans be sent via
Cairo. Letters, &c, from Atlantic ports will
continue by sea unless otherwise directed by
the writer.
Information has been received from the
army of the Potomac, that early this forenoon,
body of rebel partizans came upon our sig
nal party on Water Mountain, three miles
north of Warrenton. and captured three sig
nal officers and some small telescopes. All
the officers subsequently effected their escape.
A large telescope used by this party was con-
veyed from the station, aud therefore did not
fall into the hands Of the rebels.
Gen. Meade is on brief visit to Washing
ton.
Capt. Henry Page, Quartermaster at Head
Quarters, is the recipient of magnificent
sword, gold and silver mounted, costing about
$780,, as a testimonial from the employees
under him while at Juba Dam, near Aqua
Creek.
Maj. Gen. Warren took temporary COM
mand of tht I'd army corps to-day.