ARRIVAL OF THE "AIREDALE," WITH EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1710, 25 March 1862, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE "AIREDALE," WITH EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

UP TO TO THE 27th JANUARY, 1862. The s.s. Airedale, Capt. Kennedy, from Lyttletou and Otago, arrived in this harbour yesterday afternoon, bringing intelligence of the arrival of the January Mail at Otago. and Canterbury. The Omeo brought the mail to Otago, where the Canterbury portion was transhiped on board the Airedale, and conveyed to Lytteltou. Tho ste&raship Northam, with the January European Mails, arrived at Port Phillip on the 13th inst., and sailed &) 2 p.m. the same day for Sydney. Nothing has been heard of the Bombay, which sailed from Galleon the 21st Feb. ruary, with the English December Mails. It is supposed that she has broken down, and made for the Mauritius. She is described has having been iii first-rate order when she left Galle. having recently undergone a thorough overhaul. The Bombay is intended to take the place of Salsette on the Australian Station, and the February mail will be brought by the Madras which is to supercede the Benares. Capt. Kennedy, with his usual courtesy, has favoured us wilh a Melbourne Argus of the 14th Inst., and a Home Neios of the 27th Jauuary, from which we have extracted the following important intelligence. The following is from 'the London correspondent of the ' Argus' : — - London, January 27. i So the answer has come across the turbulent Atlantic billows, and there is to be no war — at least not at present. Mr. Seaward and his col. 1 leagues at the White Hoase are not quite so , insane as we took them to be, judging by the ( maniacal ravings and tall talk against England which we have heard during the past few 1 months. The Government have dared to do a i just aud righteous deed, and happily have escaped the swift retribution which even Dr. Russell predicted would overtake them if they surrendered the immortal Wilkes's prey. The - outrage atoned for, the storm of angry passions on both sides the Atlantic is gradually subsiding. But international anxiety is by no means at an end. The Trent difficulty having been shelved, the appalling cotton question is daily assuming more alarming proportions. A feeling is strengthening in favour of raising the blockade, and opening the Southern ports. If the 1 English Government will uot actively assist, < France will probabiy do it alone. Out of this ( act will spring other complications and conflicts. The dread of these undefined evils which loom [ darkly in the future, sits heavily on the mind of England. The vast majority of the nation are averse to any interference between the bellgerents, even to obtain that staple which is essential to our social welfare,, but it is feared , that we may be dragged into war against our wishes. However, it is not well to anticipate the worst. Sufficient for the month is the evil i thereof. Let us now review the history of tbe later stages of the Anglo-American question. The note of the English Government was officially communicated to Mr. Seward on the 23rd December ; and if the demand on which it insisted, in firm but courteous terrasj was not conceded before the 30th, our ambassador, with the members of his legation, were to have left the Federal States. The Riualdohad been appointed to be in readiness to receive the embassy on board. On Weduesday, the 25th, . M. de Thouvenel's despatch was officially preseuted to M. Mercier. Two days more of auxious suspense passed away ; and at length, c on Friday afternoon, the 27A of December — . the last day but two, omitting Sunday, on which no answer whatever could be received— i tbe Cabinet gave in, the victory was won. The j Washington Government " consented to deliver to Lord Lyons the four prisoners when and where he pleased." The long aud bitter struggle with pride and passion was over, and the horrid dream of a more horrid war was suddenly dissolved. Seeing that it would have 1 been stark madness to hold out, they resolved at . the eleventh hour to put the best possible face on the matter, and restored '• the live despatches," as if they had never been sealed up „ in felons' cells. In the unleigned joy with which the news of peace has been welcomed in England, we have ■ not forgotten the services of those who have 1 contributed to that blessed result. Foremost we have cordially recognised the friendly disposition evinced throughout the whole affair by the French Emperor. If Frauce had not, in her prompt and unsolicited manner, avowed her j determination to regard, the outrage ou the _ Trent as v serious attack upon the rights of , neutrals, it is highly improbable that the Federal Cabinet would not have conceded the re- ' quirements of Englaud ; and the Emperoi's

le fti^nds, gv£i< aiixious td teiiu lipon UjipaaMßC"es y- in bis faror, are not backward in reminding us :o that we owe the pacific solution of the difficulty Is to his seasonable co-operation. d THE RELEASE OF MASON AND SLIDDELL ANB 0 DEPARTURE OF THE RINALDO. n The departure of the Southern Commissioners • from Fort Warren, on the Ist inst., is thus re* - ferred to by the Boston Traveller:— "lt was r conducted as quietly as possible. The garrison 1 with the exception of the guards on duty, were kept from the side of the fort where the prisoners quarters are, and there were but few persons upon the wharf when they embarked. The other political prisoners, as they bade them good bye, congratulated them on their release. Mr. Mason went off in good humour. Indeed, he has recently been in good spirits, and has borne his imprisonment with the air of a philosopher. Mr. Sliddell was somewhat sulky, and not at all pleased in going in such an unostentatious man. ner, and in such a vessel. He evidently thought a steamer would come here especially for them. Part of this ill nature may be owing to his health which has not been good for some weeks, keeping him pretty close to his room, although he has not caUed for medical aid. The tug Starlight, with the four rebels, reached Prince-town a little before five p.m., and immediately proceeded to the English sloop of war Rtnaldo, and transferred her passengers. Commander Hud- ■ son, who was in charge of the' arrangements, went with them on board the English war vessel and remained on board forabout fifteen minutes, when he returned to the tug. . At about six p.m. -, the Riualdo got under weight, and proceeded oa her voyage. In about two hours afterwards, - {F violent-gale commenced, and blew almost alt night at Princetown, but, as the wind was off' shore, probably the safety of the vessel was not endangered. During the stay of the Rinaldo at Princetown no communication was allowed with the shore, nor was any boat allowed to come alongside." THE BIONE BLOCKADE, AND HUMOURED RECOGNITION ON THE SOUTH. I couple these two subjects together,, because they are likely to be intimately related as cause and effect. The destruction of Charleston harbour by the sinking of a fleet of whale ships laden with stones, which appears to be a fait accompli, and the shout of glee with which 'this deed of Vandalism has been greeted by the ' Federal press, has horrified and incensed European peoples. There is a loud outcry in many quarters to interpose and pat a stop to such a barbaric ferocity and vindictiveness. This closing of the great outlets of a continent, not only against the commerce of the world, but against imperilled and disabled ships seekingfor refuge, is pronounced an offence against humanity at large. Earl Russell has unavailingly remonstrated with the Federal Government against the perpetration of the crime. He intimates that such a proceeding is regarded vindictive, and as conveying the impression that the re establishment of the Union is considered hopeless. It is feared that other harbours will shortly iindergo a similar fate, and in case this diabolical process of ruining an enemy's country should not be swift enough,, a bill has been introduced into Congress for the abolition of all the disloyal Southern ports, as ports of entry. Verily, by their vengeful temper and reckless cruelty, the Federals are fast alienating the respect and forbearauce of the entire civili. zed world. The feeling of France is perhaps stronger, and is assuming a more definite shape than in England. THE ATTITUDE OP CANADA. If any compensation for the anxieties and sacrifices occasioned by Yankee insolence were required, we find it in| the noble manner in which the population of British North America have met this perilous crisis iv their history. Canada during the last month has exhibited a spectacle of unity, heroic promptitude, reliant strength, and of loyalty and devotion to the Crown, which have filled Europe with admiration and the Federals with cbnsteration. Anotherof the Northern bubbles has burst another dream of " manifest destiny" has been rudely dissipated. So far from yearning for annexation to the Great Republic, the Canadians — Irish, French, Catholics, and all — turnwith loathing from the vaunted advantages of democracy, and tellthe wonderful Yankees that they are perfectly satisfied with their own institutions, and will resist to the death any.invasiou of their soil. They have unanimously resolved to be neither annexed nor conquered. SUSPENSION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS BY THE NEW YORK BANKS. This long anticipated war measure was resolved upon at the close of December; in other and plainer words, the United States are iusolvent At the meeting of the New York Banks, at which the act of suspension was decided on, a resolution was adopted to decline subscribing for the third £10,000,000 loan. It appears that of the £24,000,000 already adva need, the public had "only taken £7,700,000. A floatiug debt of more than £20,000,000 had to be provided for by the Government, and there are enormous arrears besides due to contractors and others, who were becoming clamorous for payment. Out of this financial mess the Gonernment is to be delivered by an unlimited manufacture aud issue of paper. The immediate effect will piobably be to impart a transient appearance of prosperity. American securities have already advanced. But all this is cruelly fallacious, and will onlj serve to decoy the nation more swiftly to ruin. THE CONTINENTAL OUTBBEAK. New Year's Day, which of late has been a season of European expectation, passed off very quietly, and leaves no sinister omens to create anxiety The replies of the Emperor of the ~ French to the various bodies who presented theii congratulations, were without special significance. To the Senate he threw out hints of the necessity of "perfectir.g the constitution," and, by reminding the clergy that they must render to God that which is God's, and to Casar the things which are Cossars, conveyed a rebuke of ecclesiastical agitation. This response, coupled with the violent language of the Pope on the reception of tue Papal officers, on his fete day, would seem to imply that the days of his secular power are numbered. The comparison of the Emperor to Absalom, the confident boast that the Papal Government would recover all it has lost, and the reiteration of the resolution to render nothing, show pretty clearly the relations between the Tuileries and the Vatican, The last attempt at au arrangement with the obstinate Father is one which proposes to substitute Italian soldiers for the Pontificial troops in the Papal territory. By this measure, brigandage would be put down at the fountain head, and the Pope would be relieved of a heavy tax to support his brayos. The efforts to insure the expulsion of Francis ll. ■ from Rome have failed. Pius IX. was resolved to maintain intact the asylum for unfortu nate princes. The Emperor of Russia has consented to the re-establishment of a Papal Nuncio at St, Petersburg, iv which concession the Holy Father saw signs of others in favor of the Polish nation, He has interceded with the ,: Czar for the liberation of the piiest confined in .

the citadei of Warsaw, and the recall of those sent to Siberia. The Italian and Austrian governments are still facing one another in a very threatening manner. The Austrian cabinet complains to the Powers that the attitude of " Piedmont', is a permanent menace, and requests that Victor Emmanuel be required to disarm. In reply Baron Ricisoli complains, through the French Government, that the military demonstrations in Venetia are a provocation to Italy, and indicate a design of invasion. 'Ihe Emperor of j the French is supposed to b;:ck ihe Italians. It is said that Austria is tired of expenditure and eager for action; that the Pope has been promised assistance in return for his aid in Gallieia ; that " stores are being accumulated in the Quadrilateral ;" tbit Garibaldi is summoning his followers around him ; that, in short, a new outbreak of war may be expected in the sprinp-. These are all rumours, half of them, merely expressions of excited feeling. The Vienna 'Press,' an official organ, gives prominence to the following:—" We learn that Austria will propose at Paris the disavowal by France of the aggressive policy of Piedmont, oh the basis of the treaties of Villafranca and Zurich." We are informed that the Austrian Cabiuet has resolved not to force the Hungarians to accept the constitution of February 'last but to be satisfied if they agree to the diploma of October 1860. This resolution is said to have been taken in consequence of a declaration of the Chancellor for Hungary, to the effect that he would not remain iv office unless concessions were made by the Government. The Polish journals of Gallieia and of the Grand Ducby of Posen publish a long list of condemnations, in which the names of priests and nobles are seen by the side of those of artisans. Advices received from Athens to the 28th ult., state that a violent shock of earthquake had occurred along the northern coast of the Peloponessus. Athens was uninjured, but New and Old Coiinth JEgina, and Patras had been damaged. The chambers at Athens had voted a sum of 10,000 drachms to relieve the sufferers by this catastrophe. On the afternoon of January 10, a violent shock of earthquake, accompanied with a rumbling noise resembling thunder, was felt in Saxon Voigtland, in the distiict of Erxegebirge. The shock extended as far as Leipsic. At home, the most noteworthy event is the occurrence of a most appalling tragedy at Hartley Colliery, near North Shields, which has sent a shudder of horror through the country. Upwards of 200 beings have been entombed alive by a sudden crash and falling in of the machinery over the shaft. For seven days and nights relays of excited men wrought like giants to extricate them, but wrought in vain. For two days sounds were heard to issue from the dreadful sepulchre, as if the prisoners were working to effect their rescue, but afterwards all was still. At last an entrance is made : and what an appalling sight meets the gaze ! A heap of dead bodies ; families lying in groups ; children in the arms of their fathers ; brothers with brothers. In most instances, the deadly miasma had saved them from the sharper tortures of hunger. Their agony is over, but the agouy elsewhere is but begun. - During all these seven days, in mute and tearless suspense, a crowd of wives and children had clung round the pit's mouth waiting for a sound, a word that would biing them hope. All is despair now. Parliamentary interference, to prevent the possibility of such awful sacrifices of life, will assuredly be invoked. The Houses are to be opened on the 7th of February.