AMERICA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XII, Issue 609, 2 April 1864, Page 3

AMERICA.

The latest advices, to the 13th January, are more interesting in political than military affairs. The Confederates made aggressive movements in the Shenandoah Valley, and achieved successes. They also threatened Petersburg and Winchester. At Chattanooga affairs remain quiet. General Jde Johnstone is reorganising his army, thirty-five miles from thence. The Confederate General, Longstreet, still holds his well-chosen position in East Tennessee. THe siege of Charleston is still in progress. Twenty shells were thrown into the town dn January 7th. Several Confederate ironclads are nearly ready in the harbour, and intend attacking the Federal fleet. An expedition is being organised hi New Orleans destined for Mobile. In Central Texas the Confederates have fldncen; trated 20,000 men to attack Banks' expedition^ A resolution has passed tile Federal Senate 1 to call out 1,000,000 volunteers for 90 days, to be commanded by General Grant. The House of Representatives passed a resolution by 88 votes to 21, declaring that any proposition for negotiation with the Confederates should be rojected without hesitation.

By a resolution in the Senate the Federal Government desire to terminate the Reciprocity Treaty with the British Government. The Federal Government strongly condemns th 6 French occupation of Mexico. Mr. Lincoln is nominated for tile Presidency by both branches of the Legislature; The states' of Maine, Illinois, and Indiana, also adVocate his 5 nomination. Signal stations occupied by small Federal garni sons, are established along the Mississippi, for the 1 protection of the navigation. The Confederate leaders have determined upon a desperate concentrated [effort to regain possession 1 tjf Tennessee and Kentucky, even if they sacrifice the coast to do so. The Confederates have gone into winter quarters in Tennessee. General inaction pervades on each side, but both Governments are determined to carry on war with increasing vigour. GolJ hi New York, 52J per cent, premium. FRANCE. Political interest is now divided in Paris between the revival of Parliamentary Opposition and the Italian conspiracy against the Emperor Napoleon's life. The French Government has sustained 1 ifrree more severe defeats, which greatly annoy tho Emperor. M. de Persigny advises Napoleon to declare Paris hostile to his dynasty, and assume by a cdufl de etat the right of nominating all its representatives. In reply to the addresses of the diplomatic corps, the Emperor said, •• Notwithstanding the difficulties in different parts of Europe, I am convinced they will be removed by the conciliatory spirit of the different Sovereigns and that peace will be maintained." Archduke Maximilian has not definitely S&flepted the Mexican Throne. Admiral Bamelm is dead. DENMARK. The great event in Europe is the Danish Duchies question. The German Powers seized possession of Holstein, and demanded that of Schleswig, with a threat of force if not complied with. War between Germany add Denmark seems inevitable, to be soon followed by a gerfe'ral European war. There is in consequence, great uneasiness': Pririce Frederick .Augusteriburg" is proclaimed Duke of Schleswig-Holstein. i " Russia claims Gottorp, a portion of Holstein. Dissension exists among the German Powers ori this question. The attitude of Austria and Prussia towards Denmark excites much comment in England and France: Prussia. ; January 25. The Prussian vanguard marched into Kiel yesterday morning, and removed the German flag, 1 and placed the Prussian colours on the guard-house, ano} demanded withdrawal of Duke .Frederick's 1 citizen guard: The Duke complied with the demand: The Prussian Chamber of Depnties passed a vote declaring the vote of the Upper House null and void. In the Jfterntftin 1 tne Diet was again dissolved by the Emperor. t The Austrian Chamber of Deputies passed a resolution, notwithstanding the' energetic opposition of Ministers,- .that the measures taken by the Government in reference' fo" Schleswig are not in canfofmify with the 1 interests of Austria, nor calcu- , lated to insure general peace in Europe, and i declines any responsibility for consequences attending the steps the Government have taken. Fifty thousand Austrian and Prussian forces were' collected on, the. Eider. About February 9th the passage of the river will be attempted. Should the remonstrance of France' and England fail, a war, involving all the great States of Europe will be the inevitable'.^oosecfuence. RUSSIA. I All HihdS of pfraMehta anti military prepara-' tions are now going" on throughout Russia. Bodies of troops are advancing towards the Black Sea. At St. Petersburgh; Moscow,- and 'Odessa a generalconviction prevails that war will break out in the' spring, and extend to the East. POLAND. The insurrection continues; Sanguinary engagements stil occur. The Poles are mostly victorious, but the" insurrection is dying out lor wont of foreign assistance. ITALY. Garibaldi has resigned his seat in the Italian Parliament; nine members of the Left followed his example: , , r The attempt id enforce conscription in Italy was the cause of this movement. Garibaldi's party dWred Victor Emmanuel should be declared Dictator, and that Italian troops 1 should first rescue Venetia and then seize Rome. SPAIN. The Ministry has resigned in consequence of an* adverse vote on a bill for constitutional reform. A new Ministry has been formed. The Senate declared January 6th that Gibraltar belonged to' Spain, and regretted she had not long since claimed it. CHINA. The contest between the Imperials and Talping? is going on with varying success. The latter appear to be losing ground ; they are hard pressed at Nankiu and Hongchow, but defeated the Imperialists at China Kong and Neir Soochow. At Japan the intimidation of native traders continues without any effort on the part of the Government of Yeddo to prevent it. An Embassy has been dispatched to Europe in the vain hope of inducing Government to consent to the closing of the Yokohama to foreign trade. INDIA. Calcutta, 11th February. Horse market throughout India, much over J stocked. Casualties.— The barque Great Britain, from London to New Zealand, was totally lost at St. lago.