AMERICA.

West Coast Times, Issue 214, 26 May 1866, Page 3

AMERICA.

1 ' (Condensed from the Home News,) ]

The , Freedinan's Bureau Bill having' been vetoed by the President on the 1 ground of its placing the Southern gates in effect under martial law in centravertion of the Constitution voted by thirty to eighteen to carry the Senate Bill over the veto. But the motion lapsed as not being supported by a twothirds majority. Much excitement had been occasioned by an oration delivered on the birth day of the late President Lincoln in the House, of Representatives by Mr Bancroft, in \vbich, he inveighed in unmeasured terms against the policy promised by England towards the United States, aud drew a most disparaging comparison betweenthe characters of Lincoln and Lord Palmerston Mr. .Bancroft also referred in strong language to the affairs of Mexico and ex.claimed amidst great cheering, " The Republic of Mexico must rise again." Tho newspaper reports say: — Mr. Bancroft's remarks upon foreign governments iv his oration upon the late Mr Lincoln's birthday have caused much indignation among the diplomatic corps. The Austrian minister has protested officially to Mr. Seward» against Mr. Bancroft's statement that the Emperor Maximilian was an Austrian adventurer. Mr. Seward refused to Accept the protest on the ground that Atistria had declared she would remain foreign, to all Mexican matters. This theory the Austrian Minister refused to acceptance it confounded the person of it member of the Austrian imperial family posjUqp, ant} hjjj exepf-

ldnCy perflisteql in prptesting against tlie impropriety of ,Mr. Baricroft'fl remark^ Sir Frederick Bruce refused an invitation to a dinner at which Mr. Bancroft was to be'present. THK FENIANS. A c'dmmdriicatio'n, datfi'd March 2, states: — t , The news of the suspension of {lie Habeas Corpus Act in Ireland has caused intense sensation in Fenian circles, and meetings have heen called throughout the country to determine their course of action. Upon receipt of the intelligence O/Mnbony* immediately issued a circula from the military department, urging the people to bo prepared for immediate action, and look out for secret orders. Tlie Roberts faction Have also held a meeting. A large Fenian demonstration will take place at Jones' Wood, New York, on Siindays March 4, to express sympathy with the prisoners in Ireland, atid denotince the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act. Another meeting will be held at the Cooper Institute, New York, on March 9. It is rumoured that on March lV (St; Patrick's day) an attack will bo made upon some important points in Canada and New Brunswick, and that for this purpose Fenians are now collecting quietly in localities from whence they oan reddily move for concentration. Money is said to be' abundant,, and arms also. But ajl this is n4ere rumour,' Although great excitement is produced thereby. A later despatch says : — It is reported that Fenian representatives are in Washington, pressing their claims upon the United States government for the recognition of Ireland as a belligerent Power. They claim that tho nullification of, all . constitutional law by the establishment of martial law in Ireland entitles the Irish forces to the rights of belligerents. Sir Frederick Bruce is said to have protested against any such application bejng entertained. A Fenian mass meeting, attended it is estimated, by 100,000 persons, was held on Sunday March 4, under Mahony's auspicies, at Jones Wood, New York. The speakers urgently appealed for subscriptions to the Donds, for the sale of which booths were erected on the ground. Mahony announced that fighting had commenced in Ireland, and abked for sufficient funds to enable an expedition to leave America for Ireland in six weeks. Capt. M'Cafferty, an envoy from Stephens, declared that in Ireland the Fenians had ready for battle a disciplined army of 300,000 men ; all they required was arms. The meeting passed resolutions, that as American citizens they had assembled to express sympathy with, and were determined to bestow material aid upon, a people desiring to be free. The huspensioh of the Habeas Corpus Act waa an acknowledgement that Ireland was in a state of war, and therefore, entitled by all the rules of civilised warfare to belligerent rights ; tho meeting, therefore, called upon their government at Washington, without delay, to acknowledge Ireland as a belligerent. The meeting resolved that all funds should bo immediately remitted to John Mitchel, Paris. Great enthusiasm prevailed, and 25,000 dollars of bonds were sold.