AMERICA.

Bruce Herald, Volume II, Issue 46, 23 February 1865, Page 5

AMERICA.

The Federal Senate has pnssed a bill authorising- employment of revenue cutters on the Canadian lakes. The House of Representatives has adopted a resolution giving; England six months' notice of the termination of the Reciprocity Treaty. The Confederates are endeavoring- to smuggle regiments into Canada, to attack the Federal frontier of the Northern States. New York, Dec. 14, Evening-. The expenses necessary for the current year, including- the interest on the public debt, amounting- to one billion four hundred million dollars. The revenue, &c, from all sources reduces this to four hundred and eighty-two million dollars. The public dfbt on July the Ist, 1865, is estimated to be two billion two hundred and twenty-three million dollars. Mr Fressenden, the secretary of the Treasury, is opposed to foreign loans. As long* as the people support the war by loans ho will not issue any more legal tender no'.es. Mr Lincoln's Presidential aessag-e is approved by both sides in Congress. 0 He declares' negotiations with the South as useless, the latter not being- satisfied with any terms but the severance oftha Union, which the North will never grant (but the Southerners can obtain peace a/ once by laying- down their arms. i He recommends Congress to patfs a law abolishing- slavery for ever throughout America. j He dwells on the satisfactory relations of the North with all, foreign |jbwers ; but speaks disparagingly of Mexico. The navy comprises 670 vessels, which during- the year have captured 324 vessels. It is stated that the Federal debt amounted, on the Ist of July last, to 1,740 million dollars. The emancipation legislation of Maryland and Louisiana, and the action of Maryland in forming a royal state Government, is mentioned with approbation. Such is the substance of Mr Lincoln's message. The allusion to Mexico in the message has given great umbrage to the French Government, and is expected to hasten the recognition of the South. Since last February, 120,000 men have been called out by drafts, to fill up the quotas necessary from the lack of volunteers. The interest of the American war news centres in Sherman and his army. After encountering many difficulties, he is reported to be rapidly approaching the sea coast to attack Savannah. In a cavalry engagement his troops were defeated. Prisoners report him te be short of provisions. The Confederates are massing forces to oppose his advance. The Savannah fortifications are in splendid order. Beauf egard commands. It is reported that Sherman's inarch on Savannah is only a feint, his real object being to reach the sea without delay, to cross the river into South Carolina, and form a junction with the force sent eastward from Port Royal to assist him.. The Southerners consider that the in*,

ericr of Georgia hns seen the last of the i invasion, n? In' quitting Georgia, the Federals so weaken their grasp of East Tennessee that they will probably lose the whole state, thus throwing' away the fruits of the two years' campaign in the south-west. Hood has cut off all communication with Nashville by land and sea. The city is short of supplies. The Confederates have re-occupied Attlanta. Grant had received reinforcements. He was reconnoitering the Confederates under Lee. He is confident, and fully pre- ; pared. Much excitement prevails in the cities and towns on the northern frontier, owing to the Confederates in Canada avowing their intention to enter and set fire to them. An attempt to set fire to NewYork in nine places simultaneously — at Barmim's Museum and eight of the principal hotels— did not succeed. Several people have been arrested, and General Dix has issued an order for summarily hanging Southerners if detected. The Confederate Congress has rejected the Washington propositions for peace. Mr Chase has been appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court. Gold, 234. Exchange, 2oG.