" MASON AND SLIDELL TO SAIL IN THE AMERICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 537, 15 March 1862, Page 4

" MASON AND SLIDELL TO SAIL IN THE AMERICA.

" Mason and Slidell will probably sail for England in the America. " The steamship Niagara, from Liverpool, arrived off' Cape Kace on Monday. " The Paris ' Patrie ' says it is asserted that France and the (treat Powers have beea censured (consulted ?) by Great Britain, and have expressed the opinion that the conduct of Captain Wilkes was a violation of international and neutral laws." No comments on these announcements appear in the journals from which we take them.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

QUEENSCLIFF, Wednesday. San Francisco, Jan 10.— Private despatches received last evening telegraphed horn New York to Sacramento, and from the latter point forwarded by steamer, state that exchange on London had gone up to 114J, or 5$ per cent, above par. Information was also received, in the same manner , that the recent high tariff rates placed on sugar,' tea, and coffee were not intended to affect those articles already in bond. The loan rate now most prevalent is 2fc per cent., though very choice paper is done at 2 per cent, Sight exchange on New York continues at 4- per cent, premium. Gold bars arc in small supply, but not yet quotable above 825. The market to-morrow will probably open at 830. In the grain market to-day there was but moderate action ; all sorts, however, show firmness, but the present requirement is for consumption only. There was another clearance today for Australasia— The Albrecht Oswald was got got off for Melbourne, taking 1,966 sacks barley, and 13,200 sacks oats, the whole valued at 15,160 dollars. St. Louis, Jan. 8, 11 p.m.— On the 6th Colonel Dunning, at the head of a Federal regiment, met a force of 2,000 rebels in Blue Gap, Virginia, about 70 miles east of Rommey. Colonel "Dunning immediately attacked the rebels, and, after a short engagement, completely routed them.' The Federals captured a number'of p/ isonors, and all the cannons, waggons, and camp equipments, &c, in possession of their foes. The rebels retreated in disorder towards Hancock, on the Potomac. The rebel loss in killed was fifteen ; none of the Federal troops were killed. Preparations arc making for a movement of Federal forces from Cairo on Nashville, Tennessee. The news transmitted by telegraph is not important, and is evidently the carefully-garnered result of an industrious reporter. The most noticeable feature is the preparations made by the rebels to repel the reported advance of the great Mississippi flotilla at Columbus. Chains had been stretched across the river, and other and extensive preparations had been ' made to defend that very important point from | the anticipated attack of the United States forces. There has been a second great flood. The same paper has the following " Later.from Europe " :—: — "Halifax, Jan. 4. "The steamer Magdalene, with dates from Southampton to Saturday, Dec. 21, arrived at this port on Friday night, Jan. 3. . " She had 1,000 "troops for Canada. " The general news was anticipated. " It was reported in the Stock Exchange that the legal authorities at AVashingtm had pronounced against the capture of Mason and Slidell, and that they were on their way to England. " Statements from the Paris Pa trie of, the number of French war vessels off New York attraoted attention, and the news was regarded with much satisrautiou on the London 'Change. " There is no news as yet of the stt-a'rnship 'Parana,' with UOO troops, but all apprehensions in regard to her safety liavo subsided, froni the fact that she did not leave Southampton till the 20th December, " Halifax, Jan. 6. "The Bohemian, from Liverpool, December 26th, has arrived. , " Owii.g to advices from America being unfavorably construed in London, funds were drooping in consequence. " English Papers were still discussing the Trent affair, in a hopeful view that the rebel commissioners will bo given up, and war bo thus avoided. " It was reported in Paris thttt the Orleans Princes were to return to Europe forthwith. ' " France was about to send reinforcements to the squadron off Mexico ; also to the squadron off the north-eastern coast of America. " Madrid correspondence says Spain is to send seven thousand men to Mexico."