EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1727, 23 May 1862, Page 5

EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN NEWS.

[FROM OUB LONDON CORRESPONDENT.] London, 26th March, 1862. America is once more astire. The torper of many months has at length been shaken off, and Federals and Confederates alike are at the present moment showing symptoms of renewed activity. Several important engagements have been fought within the last month, and on this occasion the Confederates have had the worst of it. They have suffered great losses in Tennessee and Kentucky, and by the latest accounts in Arkansas also. In fact they have scarcely a footing any longer in Kentucky or Tennesee. They are falling back by degrees upon the Gulf States, but as yet they are far from being beaten. The principal defeat which they have suffered was in the capture of Fort Donnelson on the Cumberland River. Here they were overpowered by numbers. The Federalists brought gunboats to bear upon them from the river, and although they fought bivavelv and inflicted great loss upon their opponents, they were eventually obliged to succumb. The Federalists were at least 40,000, while the Confederates were less than half that number. The latter were accordingly surrounded on all sides, and although it was resolved at first to cut their way through the enemy, yet tipon a council of war being held by the Confederate Generals, tbey found they would lose at least three-fourths of their men in such an enterprise, and it was therefore abandoned. The fort, an entrenched one, was then surrendered, and 15,000 prisoners it is said were taken by the Federalists. There is a strong suspicion of treachery and foul play in the South. It is alleged that the Confederate Generals could have held out much longer or else could, have escaped with their men as in fact one of their number did. with some two or three thousand troops, on the night previous to the surrender. Besides the prisoners of war, a large quantity of arms, ammunition, and other stores fell into the hands of the Northern army. The. Confederate General Brukner will, it is said, be tried for high treason. Of course there were immence rejoicings in New York and throughout the North upon hearing of this " triumphant success." One would imagine that the whole of the Southern States had laid down their arms and that the great rebellion was at length "• squelched out." In fact the Northern press asserted that the war was good as over, or that it would be at least in a few weeks ; and " tall " talk and threats against England were once more the order of the day. But these p»ans of triumph did not last long. The Confederates so far from being dismayed or disheartened by this disaster seem to have gained fresh courage to renew the attack ; and in order to show you the ssp rit by yhioh they- were animated, I must here give you an extract from the Southern press. The Richmond Despatch of February 19, says, " After three days of the most desperate fighting ever witnessed on this continent, the most desperate fighting against the most tremendous odds, in which day after day the multidinous host of invaders were" driven back past their own camp ; our glorious Spartan band from their exhaustion has been borne down by a new avalanche of reinforcements piled upon the already enormous weight against which they have already struggled with complete success, and has suffered one of those misfortunes which are common to war, but which entail no dishonor on our cause, and which will only animate to the moae stern and undying resistance of every true Southern heart. Tf these bloody barbarians, whose hands are soaked to the elbows in the life blood of men defending their own homes and firesides, dream that they are now one wit nearer the subjugation of the South than when they started on their infernal mission, they prove themselves to be fools and madmen as well as savages and murderers. They have taught us a lesson we admit * * * But they have also placed between them and us a gulp that can never be crossed by their arts or arms, and an universal determination to die — if die we must — forour country — but never permit her to be subjugated by the mostmaligant, the meanest of mankind, whose name is at this very moment such a by word of scorn and reproach throughout Europe, for their combined cruelty and cowardice, that their own ambassadors cannot stand the scorn of the worla/s contempt, and are all anxious to fly back to the United States. Their success at Fort Dounelson, gained only by vast superiority of numbers will only have the effect of converting the whole population of the South — men, women, and children — into an immense army, who will resist tliem at every step, and everywhere "welcome them with bloody hands to hospitable graves. 1 ' Let the above extract, which is exceedingly mild and moderate compared with, others which I had marked from the Southern papers, suffice to show you the spirit which animates the Confederates. Indeed so far from being beaten as yet, the general impression in England is that it will be utterly impossible to eubdue them. They have resolved never to give in to the last, and though they should be forced to retire they will do so inch by inch, contesting every foot, of ground. Nay more, they have determined to burn every bale of cotton and every pound of tobacco in their hands rather than it should fall into the hands of their enemies. As it is they burn, desolate, and lay waste the whole country behind them as they retire; they tear up railroads and destroy bridges— so as to impede the progress of their pursurers. The Southeners had totally withdrawn from their entrenched position on the Potomac where they had been encamped ever since Bull's Run, and have retired to Gordonsville, which is nearer Richmond. Here, if I mistake not, they will await the attack of the Federal army under General McClellan. The latter has already made an advance and is at the present moment at Centreville. That he will soon push on towards Richmond there can be little doubt. The North is impatient and this •« young Napo- . leon " must at last show some results for months' of inactivity, and must prove to his Federal friends that his organisation of the Federal army has been to some purpose ; and this he can only accomplish by gaining a decisive victory in the open field over the main body of the Coufederate army, and by taking their capital, namely, Richmond. That lie will attempt the task seems certain — that he will succeed — its more than doubtful. But besides the victories in Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas, the Federalists have also had considerable success by sea. They have taken Roanoke Island with some 3000 prisoners, and have made a lodgement in North Carolina, by which means they hope to effect a junction eventually with the left wing of the army of the Potomac — a task far from easy — as there is an immense tract of hostile territory to be crossed without adequate means of transit, before such a result could be attained. Besides this, the expedition down the Mississippi is now en route, and the Federal navy, it is said, will soon make a dash at Charleston. Savannah, Mobile, and New Orleans. The plan of the north is to hem the " rebels'' round on all sides, and to create as many diversions as possible, in order to weaken the mam body of the Confederate army. Of course in respect of their navy the Federals have an overwhelming advantage, and the won-

dev is, that they have not already achieved | greater results on the sea board cities — for the northern navy has now attained considerable and indeed very formidable dimensions. First class vessels have been turned out of the navy yards, and completely equipped in less than 100 days. But the Confederate fleet though small has not been totally inactive. The Nashville and Sumpter have left their marks behind them upon some of the northern craft, and have themselves con- | ptantly escaped the vigilance of their pursuers, ' The latest accounts from the seat of war, which came to hand yesterday, bring news of a victory ; gained by the Confederate warship .Merrhuac i This vessel, which is iron-plated, left Norfolk on the kth inst. in company with the Yorktown and .Jamestown, an-i attacked the Federal sailing fiigates Cumberland and Congress at the month oft) anies' River. The Merrimao sustained the broadside of these two vessels at a distance of mO yards uninjured. The Merrimac then run into the Cumberland with her iron prow (something, it would seem, like two huge plough shares, about 8 feet apart) laid open the sides of her Federal opponent. She then drew off, fired a broadside into her enemy, dashed at her once more, knocked in her side completely and left her to sink. The Congress thenstruekhercolors & sui rendred. The next night the new Federal iron-plated Ericsson steamer Monitor arrived at Fort Montrose, and was attacked the following day by the Merrimac. These two vessels fought a single-handed combat for 5 hours, during which they nearly touched each other; but eventually it is said the Monitor forced a hole in the Merrimac, which soon after retired — though not beaten — 50 men were killed on board the Congress and 150 killed and wounded on board the Cumberland. This reverse cause a painful sensation at New York, and it will of course be the means of stimulating the hopes of the Confederates after their recent disasters. The accounts which have reached us for a long time from the seat of war in America have been very meagre and unsatisfactoiy. The American press is completely " gagged," and there is no liberty of speech or of writing. In fact the Government allows nothing to appear -respecting the move- , ' ments, or the achievements of the army, but what it pleases. Free discussion is at an end in the great model Republic. In his recent letter from Washington, from which he has been absent some months, Russell, the" Times" correspondent, says that a great blow has been inflicted on popular government ; and he also states his opinion that it is quite uncertain when the war will be over. President Lincoln has, however, recently made some overtures, which have caused a good deal of sensation. He has, in fact, in a special message to congress, proposed to buy up all the slaves in any state that may be willing to adhere to the Union — leaving it, however, optional with such state to retain its peculiar "institution" — if so minded. This move has been legarded as a bid for the border states. At the present moment they are nearly all in the hands of the Federalists, but it will be no easy matter to keep them, and the President thinks that if compensation is offered to the slave holders they will declare for the Union. The project has been favourably received by Congress, and has, it is said, passed the House of Representatives by a large majority. The opinion in England, however, is that this scheme will not succeed. The Southern States are so attached to slavery, with which they identify their prosperity, and their means of producing wealth, that they will not take the bait offered to them by tiie north — they will not suffer themselves to be " bribed," or " bought out." Besides which, it is doubtful whether the North would be willing to pay such a large sum in the way of purchase money for such a useless " article,'' when it came to the scratch. The border states alone arc said to contain 1,011,478 slaves, according to the census of iB6O, and estimating their value at only iUoO a piece, we have a sum in round numbers of sterling, a sum not easily raised under existing circumstances in the United States. The war question has been discussed with much greater temperance and moderation in England ever since the Trent affair lias been amicably adjusted, and the bitter tone of the American press towards Great Britain has also become somewhat mitigated. At the same time, our sympathies on the whole are in favor of the South. Whether it be owing to this circumstance or not, I can't say, but the United States have withdrawn from all participation in the forthcoming international exhibition. That is to say, the American Government will have nothing to do with it officially, though some few individuals may possibly send their goods to the " World's Fair." „. I must here observe that great fears are entertained that the Exhibition, will not be quite ready by the first of May. At the present moment, everything is in a very backward state— more esspecially as regards English exhibitors— all of whose arrangements are sadly behind hand. Our continental friends are in advance of us in sending in their goods, and in making the necessary preparations ; and for onc<s they seem to have the advantage of us in punctuality — a rare virtue with them. Besides this it is now ascertained that the Prince of Wales will not have returned from his eastern tour in time for the opening — another adverse feature in the case, for of course Her Majesty, after her recent bereavement, could not appear in' public on such an occasion. It is said that some continental sovereign will be invited to do the honours, and rumour says that the Emperor Napoleon will be invited to come over to do the work of inauguration. My own impression is that he will not be asked, and that if asked, he would decline. Trade still continues very dull. Heaviness is still the characteristic feature of the markets little demand— few buyers. There have been a few brisk spurts during the month, and the wool market was rather active for a short time, but it has agaiu delined. Holders, however, are firm, and all things considered the only wonder is that prices are so well maintained. Matters might have been much worse. They certainly will not mend till the civil wsr in America is over. France is suffering much more than ourselves. Manufacturers com. plain loudly of the treaty of commerce with this country— which they say has been highly in jurious to their interests. In fact, they want, protection, and tbey allege that we do noc take their wares and products in the same ratio in which they are taking ours. Undoubtedly, this treaty has been of great advantage to us at the present commercial crisis, but at the same time, 1 fully believe that the benefits are mutual, and that the complaints of the French are accordingly unfounded. Their principal customers were the Americans, who are now so ground down, and so oppressed with taxes, that they can no longer afford to buy the expensive " articles de luxe," with which the French formerly supplied them. This is the whole secret of the distress which now prevails in the manufacturing districts of France, and would certainly cause a involution were it not for the vigilance with which the Government controls every movement on the part of tho working classes in that country. The last mail brought us " some of the thoughts of the Governor sir George Grey, towards the Maories at this time. Up to the present moment, I have not noticed any discussion in ihe press of this country, respecting the " thoughts" in question. But if I might venture to express my own opinion upon the subject, they seem of an eminently practical character, expressed with wonderful simplicity and tact ; no vindictive threats — no revenge — no " words that burn and exasperate—no haughty defiance — no covert animosity — no vce viclis flourishes, denouncing, extermination. On the contrary, the Governor, eschewing all sensational measures to meet the cries of the war-party, seems to have approached his old Maori friends in the spirit of a father who wishes to teach and bring back his truant children, rather than chastise them with the scourge. To praise such a document, or it mght be called, a " paternal manifesto," would not only be superfluous, but almost impertinent. . It speaks for itself. It ad.

i dresses itself to the good sense, the aympatiues, j j aud the instincts of all men, and it will be strafe if it docs not go home to tho hearts of t.ie Maori people. | In calling attention to the Report of the Select Committee on uolouial .Military Expenditure, .\lr. Mills zDoved in the House of Gommous on iheith. inst., " That this House, while fuilly recognising the claims of all portions of tne British Empire to Imperial aid in tneir protection against perils a.ismy from imperial policy) is of opinion ciiufc the Colonies exeieising mo rigut of self-govern-ment, ought to uudertako the mam responsibility oi providing for riieir own internal om.ii 1 ana au cuiity." lv treating this resolution, tlie yiso u» his argument was tnut if Colonists were unable to protect themselves, they were unfit ibr suitgovernment — that, in fact it was not only wrong, but criminal to give them suon a rigut : aad chat the acceptance of self-government implied a ooiiipaec o:i the part ot tiie colonists^ to protect and defend themselves. Colonists must bo told that they would receive certain aid from home, and no more ; they would then be thrown upon their own resources, an d would not involve themselves in ■was with the natives. He stated that about :lneeyeare since a member of the New Zealand legislator, moved a resolution of a precisely similar import and that it was carried by a majority of 3V) to tl. Mr. Buxton, who seconded the resolution, threw the blame of colonial wars upon the executive, and said that if colonists had had their own way, they would have arranged matters satisfactorily. Mr, Baxter moved as an amendment the following words by way of supplement,— " That such colonies ought to assist in their own internal defence." Mr. Fortescue, on the part of the Government, assented to the resolution — even as amended by Mr. Baxter — since it only enlarged, and properly enlarged the scope thereof. This policy, he aaid, would not weaken, but strengthen the colonies ; it would augment their means of defence, and h e hoped that such a resolution of the House of Commons would impress this truth upon the minds of the colonists. The employment of the Queen's troops in internal disorders of the Colonies was highly objectionable— though there ware some exceptionable cases which, did not come within the general condemnation. The motion was strongly opposed by sir J. Ferguson and Mr. Huliburton, but was eventually agreeu to as amended. _ On the 13th of March, on the motion ibr going into committee of supply, Air. Adderly asiceu the Under Secretary of State for the colonies what was the nature of the new plan of administration proposed by the Governor of New Zealand, aud whether the Imperial Government would be free from responsibility lor the scheme, and from the military and civil expenditure involved in its adoption, and whether the present number of troops in that colony was about to be reduced. He condemned the scheme of air George orey, and said it was more creditable to the Governor's ingenuity, than promising for the peace of the colony. The division and mapping out of land would he alleged be a fruitful source of war in time to come. The cost now borne by the Imperial Government on account of that colony was .fc-yGu.OOO but when they added to that stores transport service, aud naval establishments, the total cost would not be less than i'i,sou,oUu a year Mr. Fortescue in reply defended the policy of maintaining a large body of troops in New Zealand for the present. It was still an infant colony aud needed protection more than other colonies did. This was the policy which England had adopted towards her colonies for many generations and under which the colony of New Zealand had sprung into existence. As yet he could not supply much information with respect to Sir George Grey's plans, because as yet they had been but imperfectly communicated to the Government, but so far as they w ere known he approved them. At the same time the Government hat not committed itself to any responsibility in the matter, and the plan had, there was every reason to believe been planned in conjunction with the New Zealand Ministry. He win afraid that for some years to come the mother country would have to endure the burden of protecting the colonies from the formiderable dangers .vliich surround them, and therefore the number of troops could not be diminished at present. The natives must be taught that it was out of feeling for their interests and not through fear of their arms that the work of reform had been set on foot. Mr. .hoebuck in one of his peculiarly crabbed and paradoxical speeches condemned our whole policy in New Zealand from the outset. The colonization of New Zealand began in injustice. What right had Englishmen in New Zealand at all ? They took the land and then with a sort sanctimonious hypocrisy, they told the natives they would do them the least possible injury — they would only first take their land which was their life. He con demned -he missionaries with the rest, and said that the day Englishmen put their foot on the shores of New Zealand the death warrant of the aboriginees was signed, and the present expenditure were the fruit of our hypocrisy. if the colonists were left to themselves and were not troubled with humane sentiments from home, matters, would soon be settled. They would openly take possession of the whole colony. And then the sooner the native population faded away the better. These were cruel words but they recognized the results of English policy in New Zealand. Mich is a summary of the two principle debates on colonial matters which have taken place this session. As regards the domestic news of the present month there are not many topics that deserve special notice. The Mouse of Parliament is jogging quietly along in the beaten paths of legislation occupied with useful measures which are unproductive of any public excitement. The Bill for legalizing marriage with a deceased wifes sister was lately thrown out of the Lower House by a majority of 32— proving at least that disconsolate widowers are less in love with their sisters-in-law than they were last session, or that their is some faint hope of their being able to suit themselves elsewhere. A new Lunacy Bill has been introduced into Parliament by the Lord Chancellor the object of which is to take the question of lunacy out of the hands of the "faculty" and of "experts" and to determine the question of a man's sanity by a jury of ordinary men. This is a most useful measure, and one which was loudly called for. The "Revised Code" to wit the Education Scheme to which I referred in my last has excited more discussion than any other topic of the season. The Government are meeting with the most strenuous and even pugnacious resistance on the subject not only from school masters and managers and others concerned but from the Bishops and clergy and from a large number of influential members in both Houses. A debate took place on the question last nigh tin the Commons on the motion of Mr. Wai pole, and the discussion has been adjourned until Thursday next — j. <?. to-morrow. The Budget will be introduced on the 3rd of April next. It now turns out, as it would seem, that the expenditure incurred in the dispatch of troops to Canada in Decemberlast, was something vi der a million, instead of being two or three has had been supposed— So I presume we shall have no addition to our income tax — as apprehended The Thames is at length about to bo embanked from Westminster Bridge to Black friara only and for the present only on the northern bank. A new street will then be formed in continuation from Blackfriars Bridge to the Mansion Mouse, which will relieve the traffic of Cheapside, Fleet Street, and the Strand. Tho coa) dues will be devoted to this purpose. The Lord Chancellor Westbury has lately been getting himself into hot water in the House of Lords, and he has received such a severe lesson— I might call it a castigation — from Lord Derby, that he will not be likely to forget it for many a long day to come. The Lord Chancellor, is and always has been, a man of very violent and overbearing temper — with an overwhelming idea of his own pretensions and a supercilious contempt

I for others. There peculiarities were manifested | at the bar towards his juniors, whom h« snubed whenever he could, and even men of his own standing did not escape his haughty and high handed arrogance. However he has found a man to check-mate him at last in the "Rupert of Debate" — the EarlofDorby. The occasion when this. It appears that when the Lord Chancellor was Attorney-General last year, he neglected in drawing the Bankruptcy Bill, to make such provision in that Bill,- as should enable the officers and clerks of the old Court to be transferred per sui tern to the New Court, and to receive their salaries and emoluments as they had formerly done— though this object waa supposed to be .effected by the new Act, and was intended originally bo to be. At all events, the officers were not transferred, and did not receive their salaries, and wore therefore subjected to great hardships. Last week. Lord Chelmsford, formerly Sir JF. Thesiger, took up the cause of the clerks in the Upper House and called the Lord Chancellor to account in somewhat severe terms for this neglect or oversight on his part. " The noble and learned Lord Chancellor), must therefore, either have neglected his duty in not making himself acquaintted with that information or he must have made the statement he had referred to in partial oblivion of thefacts." Lord Westbury replied in very unmeasured terms, characterising the attack as being " malignant, 1 ' and "malicious," and more to the same purpose. Lord Derby told him that they were unaccustomed to such language in that House ; and after administering a severe rebuff, he finished his " lecture " by saying : — " I will not pursue any further the irritating topics which have been introduced into this debate, further than to assure the noble Lord, without the slightest envy or ill-will, that if he desires not to excite unpleasant feelings in this House, he must not make use of language which appears to intimate his belief that he is infinitely the superior of all whom he is addressing, nor attribute to the members of this House motives of a dishonorable character." So much then for the amenities of the Upper House. "Spirit-rapping" has created quite a sensation within the last month in England. The subject has been taken up and discussed by the Times and by all the leading journals, in fact, it has been the " fashionable " topic of the day, for it has b«en exclusively encouraged and patronised by the aristocracy and West end circles. An A merican spiritualist, named Forster, has lately appeared in London. He has taken up his quarters near Bryanstone-square, and his house is beset at all times of the day by carriages. He charges a guinea for admission to his " seances," and he professes to hold communication with departed •Spirits, whom he gets to answer any questions that may be asked by friends or others who are alivo. Of course the whole matter is looked upon by sensible men and by the press as a piece of impudent jugglery, effected by legerdemain. Still this "impostor" thrives, and fills his pockets at the expense of his " fashionable " but overcredulous audience. Such are the amusements of educated people in the nineteenth century. The sum of £42,000 has been already raised for the Albert Memorial, but this sum is said to be insufficient. The Queen has expressed her wish that this Memorial should be in the form of an Monolithic Obelisk, to be erected in Hyde Park, on the site of the Exhibition of 1851. The great question now is. where a single stone of sufficient size, (rod granite) is to be found, and when found how it is to be transported to London. Nothing has been determined on the subject. A long letter from British Columbia appears in the Times of yesterday. It must be peculiarly interesting to " Digging " readers. It furnishes a long and detailed account of the gold mining operations on the Fraser river. This river itself, which has its source in the Rocky Mountains, is stated, as well, as its tributaries (59 of which are known) to be auriferous throughout its whole course of several hundred miles, along its banks are terraces, or " benches " rising in parallel lines one above the other, and formed of alluvial deposit, and from all of which gold is said to have been produced in considerable quantities. If I mistake not, this will prove a much greater attraction to speculative British diggers, than even tho Gold Fields of Otago— which as yet have not produced any great sensation in England. The results average 3 dollars to 20 dollars a day per man — but food and clothing are proportionately high at present. The well-known American " Merchant Prince," Mr. Peabody, of London, has just announced that he has handed over the munificent sum of £150,000 to trustees, to be applied as they shall think best for ameliorating tho condition and dwellings of the London poor —with the sole condition that there shall be nothing of a sectarian or party character in the mode of its application. This announcement appears in the Times of this day. The public have not yet had time to express their surprise or their gratitude for this princely gift, and coming at such a time from an " American citizen," with whose country we were lately on the brink of war, the act must be regarded with peculiar satisfaction. My paper is full, and I have no time at present for foreign politics, which must stand over for another occasion. P. S.— Half-past Six. The latest Telegraips from America state that the Confederates retired in a panic from their late position on the Potomac, and that they are now about 20 miles North of Richmond. The Telegram has just arrived stating that the Australian Mail Steamer broke down in the Indian Ocean, and had to put into Mauritius for repairs. Of course it will be three weeks late.