Latest Northern news.
the effect of the English news.
the North Affects Indifference.
General Intelligence.
From the New York Herald, of the 17th inst., we make the following condensation of news: ‘ The Herald pretends that the Federal Administration will not attach much importance to the denunciations of the British press, nor will it accept the statement of the decision of the British Cabinet as a just exposition of the policy of Her Majesty's Government. It relies upon the sober second thought of the statesmen of England. After a full examination of the situation of affairs, the Herald admits a belligerent aspect, but says that however much John Bull may bluster and try to bluff the Cabinet at Washington, he cannot afford to fight. The confiscation of debts and loss of Canada will make England pay the expenses of the war.
The Washington correspondent of the Herald says that the Cabinet was in session several hours on Tuesday, discussing the difficulty with England. It was decided that, whatever demands the British Government might make of the United States, the Confederate Commissioners should never be surrendered. This is a fixed fact.
The Bank Convention assembled in New York on the 16th inst., and decided not to suspend specie payment. The Herald says, however, that the decision was not final. One bank has already suspended, and it is thought others will soon follow.
A telegraphic dispatch from Port Royal to the New York Herald says that three thousand negroes from South Carolina have sought protection at the hands of the Federal forces, and that they have already picked two millions pounds of cotton for the U. States Government.
An article in the same paper says that Gen. Butler is landing at Ship Island, and that the Federal coll is surely crushing out the Southern rebellion.
The English brig Mary Morton reports that the privateer Sumter and the Federal gun-boat Iroquois had a severe engagement, and one of them is now at Martinique for repairs. This is doubted.
The latest commercial reports quote Federal 6's at 88, and 5's at 80; Erie shares at 47; Virginia 6's 46. Cotton 40 cents per pound.--Coffee 20 cents. Mess pork $12.50. Bacon 7 cents. Lard 8 cents.
’ From the New York Times, of the 17th instant, and other papers, we make up the following summary:
‘ The news from England has created great excitement at the North; and its effect there was very unsettling on the markets. Exchange on London went up to 110½ to 111 per cent., which presupposes an immediate suspension of payments at bank in specie, (or in other words, as we have just learned from another source, the Northern banks have suspended specie payment.) The consequence on the stock market was a general fall of about three per cent., and a depreciation in several instances of 5 a 6 per cent. Federal securities fell 2 per cent.; Missouri's, 3 per per cent. Cotton has gone up; sales of middlings 40 cents, and a lot of good middlings 42 cents.
’
The news from Europe.
Questions are generally asked, what will be the result of the controversy, rather than the expression of individual opinion upon the subject. As to the Administration, there is reason to believe that neither the President nor any member of the Cabinet will be diverted in the least degree from their present course of conducting the war.
The Wall street panic is telegraphed here to-day, and excites much amusement in Administration circles. The falling of stocks in Wall street on newspaper reports of Cabinet Councils in London is considered rather a matter of speculation than of wisdom. It is thought that stocks will rise to-morrow in New York. The Administration is understood to be expecting possibly a war with the Navajos, but it has not began to think a war possible with either England or France.
No ultimatum from England.
The rumors of a messenger arriving posthaste, with dispatches for Lord Lyons, are false. No ultimatum from the English Government in regard to Slidell and Mason is expected at the beginning of diplomatic correspondence on the subject.
The European news — how it is received in Canada and in the United States. In Canada.
Toronto, Monday, Dec. 16.--The English news causes intense excitement, and the action of the Home Government is strongly approved.
In the United States.
‘ "The foreign news caused a feverish and excited stock market to-day, with a downward tendency, particularly in 'fancies,' Reading declining one per cent. The better classes of securities sympathize with this downward movement, but in the absence of transactions, prices are entirely nominal.--The best bids for State loans are one per cent, below Saturday's prices. In monetary circles there is much distrust, and capitalists are holding off until the bluster and excitement subsides."
’ Detroit, Mich., Monday, Dec. 16.--The European news creates a deep feeling, and the probabilities of a war with England are freely discussed. There is a general desire for our Government to place itself right as regards the law, when it will be sustained at every sacrifice.
Cleveland, Ohio, Monday, Dec. 16.--The news from England has produced a decided sensation in this section. The general sentiment is that our Government must maintain is rights and dignity, regardless of English bluster.
Baltimore, Monday, Dec. 16.--The effect of the English news in Baltimore has been to call forth a warm Union sympathy with the position of the President, while the rebels are rejoicing at the prospect of the aid of England to overthrow the Union. Nearly all the Irish in Baltimore have been Secessionists, but they are now rallying for the Union against England.
Pittsburg, Pa., Monday, Dec. 16.--The English news was received here with general astonishment and profound indignation at the tone of the English press, and the alleged policy of the British Government. There is only one sentiment here, that the honor of our country must be maintained, and no concession made to British bluster.
Cincinnati, Monday, Dec. 16.--The English news produced a profound sensation in commercial and financial circles, and the impression seems general that there is danger of a war with Great Britain; but while all admit that if Capt. Wilkes did wrong in the Trent affair, due apology should be made; but if right, no humiliating concession ought to be entertained for a moment to England or any other Power.
The news greatly unsettled the markets, and produced a temporary cessation of business, so that there was little done in any department.
Hartford, Dec. 16.--The European news caused great excitement in this city for a time, but the unanimous feeling was that England's demands for Mason and Slidell could not be listened to for a moment. The sober second thought is that our Government should be firm but conciliatory, but if the alternative is to give up the Commissioners or fight, then fight.
Buffalo, Monday, Dec. 16.--The English news received here last night caused considerable excitement on the street. The prevailing opinion is that we have nothing to fear from a war with England. The Express says: ‘"But we speak from and for a point terribly exposed to the horrors of war, we earnestly entreat our Government to sacrifice not one jot of its dignity in this period of trial. Whatever sacrifice may be thrown upon us, all will be borne more patiently than the mortification of national disgrace."’
Chicago, Monday, Dec. 16.--The news from England by the Europa creates a profound sensation in political circles. It is not credited that Her Majesty's Government has determined to demand the release of the rebel emissaries, Mason and Slidell. If, however, such be the case, the feeling seems to be that the Government shall be sustained in its efforts to sustain the national honor and national integrity. The Tribune and Times will suggest the propriety of submitting the questions of arbitration to some impartial neutral Power.
Milwaukie, Dec. 16th.--There seems to be but one feeling here as regards the English news — that is, the hope that the Administration, if right, will maintain the position taken with firmness, let the issues be what they may. No one is frightened but the wheat buyers.
The press on the news from England.
from the Baltimore Sun, of the 17th.
The press, of course, freely comment on the news from England, in relation to the Slidell-Mason excitement.
The N. Y. Times, Rep. speaking of the decision of the legal officers of the British Crown, remarks: ‘ It reduces the offence of Capt. Wilkes very materially. It admits his right to visit and search the ship, but insists that he should have taken her into a prize court for adjudication. We are by no means sure that our Government will not concur at once in this opinion. Indeed the only official utterance we have yet had on the subject leans decidedly in that direction.
The Secretary of the Navy, while commending in the warmest terms the spirit and patriotism evinced by Capt. Wilkes, complains that he did not take the Trent herself into a neutral port, and only forebore to censure him for this omission in view of the peculiar circumstances of the case. Neither the President nor any other member of his Cabinet has expressed any opinion on the subject.
The Times does not anticipate any serious trouble. The N. Y. World, Rep., is also of the opinion that a war is not very probable.
’ The Philadelphia Ledger is disposed to take a serious view of the subject, and remarks:
‘ Whatever may be the intentions of England it is evident that her attitude is of the most horrible character, and we should, therefore, instantly prepare for the worst. Every ship-yard in the country should be put instantly at work building vessels-of-war. They will be useful for home service if they are not needed for a foreign war. Our lake and river defences should be at once seen to, and active measures taken to put them into the best possible condition. If Great Britain refuses to sell us saltpetre and arms, we should prohibit the exportation to England of breadstuffs, which she will more need than we do her war material.
’ The New York Tribune says:
‘ In this emergency we do not presume to say what the Government should or should not do. Whatever course it may adopt will be determined by mature and careful consideration of all the rights and duties of the case.--Meanwhile, the first and most pressing of our duties is to finish the rebellion and the blockade at once, by employing the promptest and most efficient means.
President Lincoln wisely forebore any allusion to the arrest in his message to Congress. The Government is, as yet, uncommitted with reference to it.
Lord Lyons will probably in his first communication merely recite the facts, and make a demand for suitable reparation. Our Government will have first committed itself to the position it intends to take in Secretary Seward's reply, which will, no doubt, be well weighed and couched in guarded language. The result will very likely be a long diplomatic correspondence, by which the English Government may seek to keep the question open with a view to peace or war, according as its interests may seem to dictate in the future progress of our civil war.
’ The Philadelpaia Inquirer says:
‘ Notwithstanding all this bluster of the newspapers, we do not believe there is any more purpose on the part of the English Government to rush headlong into a war with the United States than there is on our part to provoke a war with England. A conflict between two such powers is no holiday diversion to be engaged in without reflection.
’
The New York Herald's Estimate of the British naval force.
In view of a probable collision between England and the United States, the New York Herald, of the 16th inst., thus sums up the number of naval vessels which Great Britain can bring to bear immediately against the Federal Government:Estimates had been published to show the great naval force which England can immediately bring to operate against us, should hostilities actually take place. In this connection it is interesting to exhibit the strength of her fleets in the waters of North American and the West Indies, the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, as their united force will, no doubt, operate against us in the event of war. With this view we publish the following statement of the British North American and West India fleet:
Recapitulation of the British naval force.
| Designation of fleet. | Vessel. | Guns. | Men. |
| N. American and W. I. | 30 | 714 | 8,075 |
| Gulf of Mexico | 4 | 319 | 2,210 |
| Pacific | 20 | 427 | 4,160 |
| Grand total | 54 | 1,860 | 14,445 |
Congressional proceedings.
Mr. Ten Eyck, of N. Y., offered a resolution against radicalism in any sense, which was laid over.
The Committee on Military Affairs, on motion of Mr. Hale, of New Hampshire, was instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing a uniform manner in which to deal with the slaves of the rebels.
The Committee on the Judiciary were instructed to prepare a law to prevent the aiders and abetters of treason from bringing suits for the collection of debts in the United States Courts.
Mr. Wilkinson, of Minnesota, offered a preamble and resolution for the expulsion of Senator Bright, of Indiana.
Mr. Bright made a brief speech, denying the truth of the charges brought against him, and the subject was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
In the house, the difficulty between Messrs. Conway, of Kansas, and Fouke, of Illinois, commenced on Thursday last, in reference to the battle of Belmont, was renewed, and terminated in a direct quarrel, which is likely to lead to a duel.
A bill was passed which strikes from the pension roll the names of all persons who have taken up arms against the Government, or in any manner aided the rebellion.
Mr. Granger, of Michigan, introduced a bill requiring that all principals, agents, or attorneys, in cases brought before any Department, or any Federal Court, shall take the oath of allegiance before being heard, and also that the oath shall be administered to all jurors in the Federal Courts, and all contractors with the Government. It is an important bill, and will undoubtedly pass. The same gentleman introduced a bill appropriating $100,000 for the relief of Union prisoners in the South.
Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio, (Opp.,) introduced the following preamble and resolution:
‘ Whereas, The Secretary of the Navy has reported to this House that Captain Charles Wilkes, in command of the San Jacinto, an armed public vessel of the United States, did on the 8th of November, 1861, on the high seas, intercept the Trent, a British mail steamer, and forcibly remove therefrom Jas. M. Mason and John Slidell, disloyal citizens, leading conspirators, rebel enemies, and dangerous men, who, with their suites, were on their way to Europe to promote the cause of the insurrection, claiming to be Ambassadors from the seceded Confederate States; and
Whereas, The Secretary of the Navy has further reported to this House that the prompt and decisive action of Capt. Wilkes on this occasion, merited and received the emphatic approval of the Department, and, moreover, in a public letter, has thanked Capt. Wilkes for the act, and
Whereas, This House, on the first day of the session, did propose to tender the thanks of Congress to Capt. Wilkes for his brave, adrott, and patriotic conduct, in the arrest of the traitors James M. Mason and John Slidell, and
Whereas, further, on the same day, this House did request the President to confine the said Jas. M. Mason and John Slidell in the cells of convicted felons, until certain military officers of the United States, captured and held by the so-called Confederate States, should be treated as prisoners of war: Therefore, be it
Resolved, As the sense of this House, it is the duty of the President to now firmly maintain the stand thus taken, approving and adopting the act of Capt. Wilkes, in spite of any menace or demand of the British Government, and that this House pledges its full support to him in upholding now the honor and vindicating the courage of the Government and people of the United States against a foreign Power.
Mr. Vallandigham moved the previous question. They had heard the first growl of the British Lion. It remained to be seen who would cower.
Mr. Fenton, of New York, (Rep.,) hoped that the resolutions would be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Vallandigham remarked that a former resolution, approbatory of Captain Wilkes, was passed without being so referred. He (Vallandigham) had offered this resolution in good faith, and would stand by it.
The House then refused to second the demand for the previous question.
Mr. Fenton again moved that the preamble and resolution be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The motion was agreed to, by yeas nays 16.
’
Dispatches from the Commander of the Iroquois.
The Washington telegraphic correspondent of the New York Times, under date of the 16th inst., says:‘ The Navy Department has received dispatches from Captain Palmer, command the steamer Iroquois, in which he minutely relates his movements in order to capture the pirate Sumter.
The Government at Martinique, be says refused to give the Sumter coal, but allowed her to come to St. Pierro, where she obtained a supply from English merchants. The Sumter had been received with courtesy at the seat of Government, and Capt. Palmer discovered, to use his own language, that ‘"this farce of non-recognition of the Confederate flag by France and England, is played out."’ He had a correspondence with the Governor, the result of which was be was referred to a paragraph of Wheaton's International Law, to the effect that no belligerent could depart from port until twenty-four hours after another had left. The Sumter was at that time in port, and the Iroquois obliged to anchor one marine league from shore.
The majority of the citizens of Port Royal were in favor of the Sumter, and therefore anxious for her escape. Being French, they sympathized with Louisiana, to which State they thought the Sumter belonged. Throughout his proceedings Captain Palmer was apprehensive and fearful that the sumter would escape him, and wished she were anywhere else than under the French protection, as the authorities were throwing every obstacle in his way.
The Governor, however, repudiated everything unlike friendliness in reply to Captain Palmer's complaint. Owing to the distance from shore which the Iroquois was obliged to occupy, and the fact that the bay is fifteen miles wide, and for the reasons above stated, the Sumter succeeded in escaping. The Iroquois followed her, but found no vessel visible on the background of the sky.
’
The Commander of the Iroquois to be held Responsible for the escape of the Sumter.
It is understood here that the Captain of the United States gun-boat Iroquois will be brought to rigid account for not capturing the privateer Sumter at Martinique. His extraordinary regard for Capt. Semmes, of the Sumter, because the latter was his school mate, and had once been his superior officer is looked upon as a display of affection and respect of such exalted and unusual character as to require investigation.
Gen. Buell's division — Movements of Union and Confederate forces, &C.
Gen. Buell is in constant telegraphic communication with our advancing columns, and is employing all the rolling stock of the Louisville and Nashville road in forwarding troops and supplies.
All the bridges are repaired and trains are running through to Mumfordsville. Six new Ohio regiments will pass through Cincinnati this week for Kentucky.
The Postmaster at Somerset writes under date of the 13th, that both armies are on the defensive, and fortifying.
A gentleman, in the confidence of General Schoepff, writes (same date) that Gen. Zollicoffer is fortifying at Fishing Creek, five miles west of Somerset.
Dr. John Jackson, without provocation, shot and severely wounded a Minnesota soldier, who went to his house, near Springfield, to buy hay. Jackson was arrested, taken to Lebanon, and probably tried by military law. He was a Douglas elector of the Ashland district, and a brother of him who shot Ellsworth.
Vague rumors are afloat of a fight at Mumfordsville, between General McCook's division and the enemy, but they are not credited.
Paris, Ky., Dec. 14.--Abe Spears and Dani, Helber, two most prominent Secessionists of this county, were killed about 5 o'clock this morning. Helber shot a soldier through the head, killing him, when one of the soldiers' comrades killed both Helber and Spears. The fracas originated by a man named Rodgers attempting to get out of town with contraband goods, and letters for the Southern States. Rodgers was captured and is now in jail. The letters found on him are in possession of the authorities. An attack on the town by the rebels is momentarily expected. Reinforcements have been sent for. At this hour (8 P. M.) all is quiet.
Louisville, Ky., Dec. 14. --Last Thursday Company I, of the Ohio 15th regiment, were attacked by a company of dismounted rebels, who fired one volley at them. The Unionists replied with two volleys, wounding several of the rebels, when they retired, carrying off their wounded. None of the Unionists were hurt.
News from Western Virginia--proceedings of the Convention.
The Convention was yesterday discussing a section relating to treason against the State.
Mr. Van Winkle, of Wood, raised an issue that there could be no such thing as treason against a State. One clause makes it treason to write, speak, print, publish, or circulate anything to uphold invasion or insurrection, during a continuance of the same. This clause will probably be excluded.
Mr. Battell, of Ohio, introduced a petition prohibiting the importation of slaves, making it the duty of the Legislature to regulate in a humans manner the family relations of slaves, and providing that, after a certain date, involuntary servitude, except for the crime within the new State, shall cease. It was referred to a committee.
A discussion on this subject will probably begin some time next week.
Important from Missouri--the Confederates at Lexington — reported engagement.
Gen. Prentiss, it is said, was on the north side of the river, with 3,000 Federal troops, and had thrown a few shell into the rebel camp and destroyed one of the two ferry-boats in their hands.
This informant says he heard heavy firing after leaving Lexington on Friday, indicating that an engagement was progressing between our forces and the rebels, also, that General Davis's brigade of Federal troops left Otterville on Friday for Lexington. These statements need confirmation.
The rebel Captain Sweeny and 63 other rebel prisoners reached here last night.
The last instalment of the Camp Jackson prisoners were sent to Cairo last night, to be forwarded to Columbus.
Sedalia, Mo., Dec. 14.-- Parties from the West arrived here, report that 3,000 rebel troops, under General Stein, passed a point fifteen miles from Warrensburg on the 11th, evidently for the purpose of escorting some 600 or 800 rebel recruits, with their baggage, provision, &c., from Lexington to Price's army.
From Washington — a British officer's Services offered, &C.
The Washington correspondent of the New York Times, under date of the 16th inst., telegraphs the following items:‘ Col. Stein back, of the British army, has arrived in the city, and has offered his services to the Government.
Much uneasiness is felt in relation to the fate of Col. Corcoran and his fellow-prisoners in Charleston jail, which is thought to have been consumed in the configuration there.
Senator Wilson, chairman of the Senate Military Committee, will to-morrow bring in a bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, in accordance with the resolution offered by him a few days ago and referred to the committee. The bill has been drawn with great care, and provides for the appointment of commissioners to ascertain the value of the slaves, and the payment of the amounts thus fixed to loyal owners.
Chief Justice Thomas Swims, of this city, died at four o'clock this afternoon, aged 84 years. He has been remarkable for his strict integrity, in public and private life, and for his active and effectual support of every good work.
’
