* 
stern. Just then the flag officer signalled “Get 
under waj," which we did, and giving the battery a 
lew final sfoofa, steamed out of their range. The 
.Niagara came out with us, but as she had been so 
far out during the action she escaped with a blow 
from a spent shot, which failed to go through her 
planking, and lost no men. 
The first feeling that seemed to find vent after wo 
had settled down to talk the matter over, wan the 
hope that we had retrieved ourselves from any 
stigma that might attach to the Mississippi experi¬ 
ence, or, as .1 aek says, “ we hoped we won? now off 
the black list.” One thing is certain, our crew 
fought steadily and quietly, and the only difficulty 
the officers experienced, and that only during the 
first few hours, was a desire to fire offerer than was 
deemed advisable. Of the result of the firing we 
are as yet in ignorance, other than the destruction, 
by fire, of the outbuildings or quarters attached to 
McRae, which we saw during the action, but we 
have no doubt the enemy must, have suffered severely 
from the combined fire of licet and fort. 
Saturday, Nov. 23.— This morning at about ten 
o’clock Pickens again opened fire and the Niagara 
steamed into long range of the forts, directing us to 
remain where weareuniilfurlilier orders. AsT write, 
(2P.M..) Warrington is burning,and the lire is going 
on between Pickens and our batteries. The United 
States store ship National Guard has just arrived. 
During the engagement, the Richmond alone fired 
on the first day 502 shot and shell, using Hourly 
€,000 pounds of powder. 1 tell you there was some 
noise Friday, l’iekens is all right thus far, and can 
hold out forever, if kept supplied with ammunition 
and provisions. 
The island about the fort is covered with shot and 
shell thrown from the enemy; it looks as though 
the skies had rained Jo-inch shell, and drizzled 
24-pound shot. 
Our old ship is in a very bad state; a r am hole to 
port, a 10-inch shell hole to starboard, and all the 
forward copper off from the Tortugas coral reef. 
Dow much more we can stand without going in the 
box remains to be seen, but we continue to keep our 
spirits, and are ready for duty. 
Nov. 24, 2 P. M.—Sunday—no firing cither side— 
day of rest. Pickens has one gun distnou nted, one man 
killed, one mortally wounded, one slightly wounded. 
Warrington and the entire north side of the Navy 
Yard is a mass of smoking ruins. Pickens fired mor¬ 
tars all last night at regular intervals. 
Stringent Order* from IKeFlellnu. 
Gen. McClellan lias issued a “circular” to 
commanding officers, directing that hereafter all 
deserters, prisoners, spies, contrabands, and all other 
persons whatever, coining or brought into our lines 
from Virginia, shall be taken immediately to the 
quarters of the commander of the division within 
whose, lines they may come or be brought, without, 
previous examination or communication with any 
one., except as far as may be necessary for the officer 
commanding the advance guard, to elicit informa¬ 
tion regarding his own post; that the division 
commander examine all such persons himself\ or 
delegate such duty to a proper officer of his staff, and 
allow no other person (o hold any communication 
with them; that ho then immediately send them 
with a sufficient guard to the Provost Marshal in 
Washington for further examination and safekeep¬ 
ing; and that stringent orders he given to all 
guards having such persons iu charge, not to hold 
any conversation with them. And, And her, that (he 
information elicited from such persons shall imme¬ 
diately he communicated •<» (he Major-General Com¬ 
manding, or to the Chief of his Staff; and to no 
other person whatever. 
it is further directed that a sufficient guard he 
placed around every telegraph station pertaining to 
the army, and that such guards be instructed not to 
allow any persons except the regular telegraphic 
corps, general officers, and such staff officers as may 
be authorized by their chiefs, to cuter or loiter 
around such stations within hearing of the sound of 
the telegraphic instruments. 
Department <»f Missouri. 
On the 25th nit. St. Louis was greeted by thirty- 
three car loads of rebels, the fruits of the expedition 
ot Gen. Pope. Among those who arrived were Col. 
Magoffin, brother of the Governor of Kentucky; Col. 
Robinson, who had command of the rebel force at 
Black water. and wliO was iu battles at Dug Springs, 
Wilson’s Creek, and Lexington; Col. Alexander, 
who said ho fought in all the battles; Lieut. Col. 
Robinson, Major Harris, Dr. Smith, one of the 
wealthiest men and largest slaveholder in Missouri, 
who has done everything in his power to aid and 
comfort, the enemy; McKeown, Sheriff of Benton 
county, who it is said by misrepresentation gained 
admittance into one of our camps, made a diagram 
of it, a.nd left that uiglit. The rebels made the 
attack and killed 1G or 17 of our men. Dr. More, of 
Syracuse, is among the prisoners, and iriany others 
who have gained notoriety by llieir zeal and labors 
in the rebel army. Many of the prisoners wore a 
kind of uniform, and have served with Price for 
several months. They all say they have boon well 
treated by Federalists, and seem to think that they 
will be released by Price. The wagons, horses, and 
mules were turned over to the Quartermaster at 
Sedalia. Troops are again in position at Lanurie. 
In his dispatch to headquarters Gen, Pope says 
“we were absent on tilts expedition just five days. 
In this time we marched about 10 miles in a direct 
line from this place, (Ottorville,) and scoured the 
country through which wc passed for a distance of 
40 or 50 miles on each side of the route, taking 
about 1,500 prisoners, 1,000 horses and mules, 1,000 
stand of arras, 100 wagons, and quantities of stores, 
supplies, and clothing.” 
Gen. Pope has the following dispatch from Ge 
HALLECK: 
Hbadqoaktkrs Department or MiShoitri. I)oc. 20 , 1801 . 
To Oen. John Pope:— I congratulate your cor 
mand on the brilliant success of your expedition, 
hope it will bo the forerunner of still greater su 
cess. 11. W. Halleck, 
Major-General Comroand ing. 
This prompt appreciation of their labors and tl 
frank acknowledgment of their services by Goner 
Halleck has completed the happiness of officers ar 
men of this command, add they will move off wil 
alacrity when they are ordered out on another exp 
dition, and will do everything in their power i 
deserve commendation of the General commandin 
Gen. Halleck has issued the following order: 
“In virtue of authority conferred by the Preside: 
of the United States, martial law heretofore issue 
in this city will be enforced in and about all rai 
roads in the State. It is not intended by this deck 
ration to interfere with jurisdiction which is local. 
Commanders of posts and troops will be he! 
responsible for their commands being ready I 
march at a moment’s notice. Excuse for delay an 
want of preparation will not hereafter be admitted, 
General Halleck has also issued an order, in 
which he says that any one caught in the act of 
burning bridges, destroying rai I roads or telegraphs, 
will be immediately shot; and that any one accused 
of the same will be tided by a military commission, 
arid if found guilty, shall suffer death. Where 
injuries are done to railroads and telegraph lines, 
the commanding officer nearest the post will imme¬ 
diately impress into service, for repairing damages, 
the slaves of all secessionist* iu the vicinity, and, if 
necessary, the secessionists themsel vos and their prop¬ 
erty. Any pretended Union men having information 
ofintendod attempts to destroy such roads and lines, or 
other guilty parties, who do notcommunicato such in¬ 
tention to the proper authorities, and give such aid and 
assistance in punishing, will be regarded as particeps 
eriminvi, and treated accordingly. Hereafter, towns 
arid counties iu which such destruction of property 
takes place, will be made to pay (he expenses of all 
repairs, unless it can be shown that the people of 
such towns and counties could not have prevented 
it on account of the superior force of the enemy. 
The damage to the Northern Missouri Railroad, 
which called forth the foregoing order, may be 
summed up as follows:—Bridges at Sturgeon, Cen- 
(ralia, Mexico, .Jefferstown, Warrenlon, and Salt 
River; also burned a station, and perhaps twenty 
cars, from fifty to sixty culverts, large and small, 
three or four water stations, 10,000 ties, front two 
hundred to three hundred telegraph poles, five miles 
of iron destroyed, and leu miles of wire rendered 
useless. At Renick the work was directed by prac¬ 
tical railroad men, and the. right course was always 
taken to make the destruction complete. When the 
track was taken up, the rails were removed, the ties 
gathered in piles and set on fire, and the rails thrown 
across the pile, so that when the center of the rails 
became heated, the weight of the cold ends, bent 
them so as. to render them useless, in destroying 
bridges, the fires wore kindled across the corners, 
where they would the sooner throw the bridge down, 
and trueale girders, which spanned open culverts, 
were burned, as also the frame on which the water 
tanks stood usually. The houses of railroad men, 
and all Unionists in the vicinity of tlic road, were 
surrounded, and the in habitants assured that uo harm 
was intended them while they remained in doors. 
We hear of scarcely any pillage or any other out- 
rago beyond the destruction of the road and tele¬ 
graph line. The damage to the road cannot fall 
short of $300,000. On Sunday week the station 
house at Jacksonville was also burned, together 
with four or five ears. Repairs progress rapidly at 
Warrontem. The bridge is repaired, and the culverts 
between that point and Jtmesburgh, and the track 
at that place will he to-morrow, if the men are not 
interrupted. Repairs of the telegraph keep pace 
with those of the road. 
Ten bridge burners have already been shot, and 
fifty are in close confinement, to lie summarily dealt 
with under Hal leek’s stringent orders. 
In accordance with orders from General Halleck, 
the Provost. Marshal General directs that the slaves 
now eonfined in the county jail at St. Louis, and 
advertised tinder State statute, be released from 
prison and placed under control of the Chief Quar¬ 
termaster of this Department for labor til! further 
orders; said slaves being the property of rebels, and 
having been used for insurrectionary purposes. 
A prisoner who escaped from the rebel camp at 
Tlummansville Saturday week, reports that, when 
the news that Pope’s cavalry had driven in Raines’ 
pickets at Johnstown was received by Price's army, 
the greatest consternation pervaded the rebel camp. 
Cavalry, artillery, infantry, and some ragged, un¬ 
armed recruits were mixed up in dreadful confusion, 
and many hours elapsed before anything like order 
was restored. The retreat of the whole army com¬ 
menced as soon afterwards as possible, and so fear¬ 
ful were they ot pursuit that they burned bridges 
and floored every obstruction in the way of then- 
fancied pursuit. Even the celebrated bridge built 
by Fremont across the Osage at Warsaw was not 
spared by the dying rebels. One regiment was left, 
on the Osage, as rear guard, and several small 
bodies are scattered through the counties about 
Warrensburgb, collecting supplies, A cavalry force 
has las’ll out in pursuit of them, but our horses are 
bo worn and weary by other long parade inarches, 
that there is little prospect of capturing these rebel 
bands. The last report from Price is, that lie passed 
through Springfield cn route to Arkansas, and it is 
pretty certain that lie will not attempt to return this 
winter. 
Price says that bis retrograde movement, was in 
obedience to orders from the President of the Con¬ 
federate States, but his men generally believe that it 
was in consequence of General Pope’s advance, and 
Price’s fear that a force would be thrown forward to 
cut off supplies southward, and another force ad¬ 
vanced in front; in which event his supplies would 
have been exhausted in a few daye, and he would 
have been obliged to abandon his commanding posi¬ 
tion at Osceola. Whatever the motive, it is certain 
that the move was a disadvantageous one for Price; 
for many of liismon who for months have been expect¬ 
ing to march upon and drive the Federate from the 
State, will bo disgusted and will refuse to follow 
him out of Missouri. 
The cavalry which Gen. Pope sent to Lexington, 
has returned to Ottorville. In addition to the two 
ferry boats and a rebel foundry which they burned, 
and a rebel officer and a private captured previously 
reported, they killed the notorious Ark. Robinson 
and drove away a band of rebels from the country 
for miles on either end of the route. They report 
the county quit of rebels. 
On the 28th ult Gen. Prentiss, with 450 troops, 
encountered and dispersed a body of rebels 900 
strong under Col. Dorsey at Mount Zion, Boone 
county, killing and wounding 15(1 of them, and cap¬ 
turing 25 prisoners. 95 horses, and 105 guns. Our 
loss is 3 killed and 11 wounded. 
The following may be given as a resume of mili¬ 
tary operations for the past, two weeks in this De¬ 
partment: 
During the past fourteen days the Union army 
has captured over 2,500 rebels, including about 70 
commissioned officers, 1,200 horses and mules, 1,100 
sfattd of arms, 2 tuns of powder, 100 wagons, an im¬ 
mense amount of commissary stores aud camp 
equipage, a large foundry at Lexington, used by the 
rebels for casting cannon, shot, and shell. Most of 
the rebel craft on the Missouri river, including ferry 
boats, have been destroyed or captured. A pretty 
clear sweep has been made of the whole country 
between the Missouri ami Osage rivers, and Price 
cut off from all supplies and recruits from North 
Missouri, is in full retreat for Arkansas with his 
whole army. Our loss in accomplishing these im¬ 
portant results did not exceed 100 killed and 
wounded. These are the fruits of the brilliant 
strategical combinations of llalleck, which have 
been so ably executed by Pope, Prentiss, and 
McKean, and Cote. Jeff C. Davis of Fort Sumter 
fame, and Fred. Steele, of the 11th regular infantry, 
and the brave officers and soldiers, both regulai-s 
and volunteers. 
Department of Ohio. 
A dispatch, dated Nashville, December 22, an¬ 
nounces that 9,000 Federate have crossed Green 
river, and are marching to Hopkinsville. The Con¬ 
federate force there is 3.500, but re-enforcemente are 
on their way from Clarksville. Passengers from 
Bowling Green say that 1,700 Federate crossed 
Green river on the 2Gth ult. It ik supposed that 
Bowling Green will be advanced upon from three 
sides simultaneously, with a force of 10,000 men, 
and. that a decisive battle will be fought there. Pas¬ 
sengers have arrived at Louisville from below, and 
report everything quiet. They confirm the recent 
rumor of the rebels tearing up the railroad track 
between Green river and Bowling Green. The 
rebote engaged at the late Mutnfimlville tight wore 
three skeleton, uot full, regiments, numbering iu 
the aggregate 1,400 men. The Federal force was 
570, and was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Von Trebus, 
and not, Von Weber, as reported. The forces of 
General Scheepff still remain in sUUu quo, and no 
immediate engagement is ex peeled. 
A dispatch to the Cincinnati Commercial, from 
Frankfort, Ky., euys the following members have 
been expelled from the Kentucky House of Assem¬ 
bly for aiding the rebellion: John M. Elliott, Daniel 
Matkewson, A. R. Boone, G. H. Silvertooth, G. R. 
Morrill, G. W. Ewing, J. C. Gilbert, J. A. King. In 
the Kentucky Senate a committee has recommended 
the expulsion of J. M. Johnson for the same cause. 
The expedition from General Schoeptf’s camp on 
the 18th ult., went within two miles of Gen. Zolli- 
coffer’s camp and returned. The movement was 
only a tbeler to find their locality and view the 
ground. 
A dispatch dated Nashville, December 25, says 
that Col. Crittenden, with 12,000 men, was within 
forty miles of Hopkinsville, aud would advance 
u! on that place at three points. The Southern 
Rights citizens there are sending their families aud 
stock to the South. 
Department of the East, 
The Secretary of War has directed that no jiore 
horses be bought until all now belonging to the 
Government are m active service, Quartermaster 
Meigs having been especially charged to call the 
attention of all Quartermasters of the regular and 
volunteer army to the subject. 
The AVur Department lias issued an order that no 
additional cavalry regiments be organized. Those 
that have uot been mustered into the service will 
necessarily lie transferred to some other arm of the 
military service. 
Acting Assistant Paymasters appointed by the 
Navy Department have been required to file bonds; 
u n teas they file bonds and report for duty, their 
appointment will be revoked. 
According to the general army order just issued, 
the Subsistence Department will purchase at cost 
prices all sound articles of subsistence saved by the 
troops or employes by economical management of 
the rations. This regulation is intended to im¬ 
prove the savings from bakeries and in hospitals 
as well as all the other savings from army rations. 
General Sumner's injuries are more serious than 
was at first supposed. His spine suffered so severe 
a shock from his fall that it. is thought doubtful 
whether he will over again be able to mount bis 
horse, tie has been relieved at his own request 
from the command of division, which lor the present 
is assigned to General Hointzelman. who retains his 
own division also. 
A deserter from Oentreville, who came within our 
linos on the 24th ult., says that recently portions of 
several regiments were moved thence forward to 
Fairfax. Oentreville he calls impregnable, adding 
that it is to be defended by not far from 100,000 
troops. The whole army had been for more than 
three weeks In almost daily expectat ion of an attack 
by General McOIellan, but after waiting so long in 
vain had settled into the conviction that there would 
be no advance this winter, and were making prepar¬ 
ations to go into winter quarters. The 37,000 rebels 
on the Lower Potomac are also, according to 
deserters, building log lints and making themselves 
comfortable, in expectation that they will not be 
disturbed by General McClellan before spring. 
A skirmish took place on the 23d ult., at New¬ 
market. Bridge. Two companies of the 10th N. Y. 
Regiment at Newport News, sent, out at 9 o'clock, 
were attacked by the rebel cavalry and infantry. 
Colonel Max Webber’s regiment was ordered to 
re-enforee them and went to tlieix aid. Also Col. 
Wardrop’s regiment While near the bridge the 
two companies found themselves surrounded by 
rebel cavalry and infantry numbering 700 men, but 
succeeded iu cutting their way out with slight injury. 
Six of them wore slightly wounded. Ten of the 
enemy are known to have been killed aud a num¬ 
ber wounded. Seven dead bodies were found this 
morning. Ouc was that of an officer, and was taken 
to Newport News. He wore buttons lettered A. M. 
M., perhaps the Alabama Minute Men. 
Di-s. Leon and Marcy reached Washington on the 
25th, having come on expressly from New York city 
to attend General McClellan and his Chief of Staff, 
who have been confined to their beds for several 
daye. They report that both are getling on well, 
aud that General McClellan will be iu his saddle by 
Monday. 
Dispatches from Commander Ridgely, cruizing off 
the coast of Texas, have been received, from which 
it appeal’s that early in December he captured the 
English schooner Victoria, of 72 tons, from Point 
Isabella, with a clearance from the rebel authorities, 
having run the blockade. The vessel was sent to 
Key West. Seven of those on board look the oath 
of allegiance, and six were detained as enemies of 
the United States. The schooner Eugenia, on the 
9th, was also overhauled, but was permitted to 
depart, no contraband articles being found on board. 
The persons of two rebel agents were, however, 
secured, namely Thomas L. Rodgers, of Texas, and 
Mr. Soachry, ol New Orleans. The papers found 
clearly implicate them as rebel agents, seeking to 
make their way to Mexico, (lienee to olhor parts. 
A flag of truce took an immense quantity of cloth¬ 
ing to Norfolk on the 25lb ult., destined for the 
Federal prteoncis at Richmond, New Orleans, and 
elsewhere. 
The steamer Empire City from Beaufort 24th, 
Port Royal 25th, arrived at New York on the 20th 
ult. The course out of Port Royal via South 
East Channel, which has been buoyed, has not 
less than thirty foot of water. The 7'Jth regiment 
made a rcconnoisance fifteen miles from Beaufort, 
capturing six rebels. Our troops are still building 
in trench men is on Tyboe Island, while Fort Pulaski 
kept up a continual lire on them without doing any 
damage. 
A rebel boat came down the Warsaw channel on 
the 23d, from Savannah, reconnoitering, to see if the 
way was clear for the English steamer Fingal to got 
out with a cargo of cotton. Tie boat was chased 
by a gun boat, the former running ashore, the crow 
escaping to the woods, except two, who were put 
on board the Wabash. The Captains, officers, and 
crews of sixteen of the Stone Fleet, are passengers 
on the Empire City, from the boats which were sunk. 
The steamship Baltic arrived at New York on the 
2Gth from Fort Pickens, where she landed the 75th 
New York regiment, sailed thence ou the 19th, and 
from Key West the 22d. She left at Pickens the 
frigate Niagara, and the gun boat Wissahickon. 
She left on the 17th for Ship Island. The Richmond 
left Key Weston the 21st tor New York, to repair 
her machinery. Matters at Fort Pickens were 
unchanged. Deserters report great distress and 
discontent prriong the rebel forces. The gun boat 
Iroquois has the Sumter blockaded in Cicnfuegos. 
The gun boat Flambeau was blockading the port 
of Nassau. 
intention of the Government, of the United States 
unnecessarily to force into discussion between the 
two Governments a question of so gnu o a character, 
and with regard to which the whole British nation 
would be sure to entertain such unanimity of feeling. 
Her Majesty’s Government, therefore, tmst that, 
when the matter shall have been brought under the 
consideration of the Government of the United 
Suites, that Government will, ot its own accord, 
offer to the British Government such redress as alone 
could satisfy the British nation, namely: 
7 be liberation of the four gentlemen and their 
delivery to your Lordship, in order that they may 
again be placed under British protection, and a 
suitable apology for the aggression which has been 
committed. 
Should these terms not. be offered by Mr. Seward, 
you will propose them to him. You are at liberty 
to read fhiR dispatch to the Secretary of State, an'd 
if he shall desire if, you will give him a copy of it, 
I ain, &c., Russell, 
To Lord Lyons, IC C. B., dr. 
The telegraph informs ns that the settlement of 
the Trent affair affords much gratification to all con¬ 
servative.and Union-loving men, whatever may 
have been their previous opinions on the subject 
They regard the adjustment as removing a serious 
AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON. 
The exciting topic of the week has been the cor- 
impedimont of hostilities against the insurgents, and 
as depriving the enemy of the strength which they 
would have derived from a war between the United 
respond once between our Government and that of 
Great Britain relative to the seizure of Mason and 
Slidell, and the result thereof, viz,, the liberation 
of the Southern emissaries. We give the opening 
portions of this Correspondence, the length of Secre¬ 
tary Sew a all’s reply, (together with a desire of our 
own to give it in a correct form,) proclndingits pub¬ 
lication till our next issue. Mr. Seward, it will be 
seen, anticipated the action of England, by the fol¬ 
lowing letter to Minister Adams, at the Court of St. 
J ames: 
MIL SEWAUI) TO MR. ADAMS EXTRACT. 
No. 136. Department os State, ) 
Washington, November so, lsei. > 
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., dtc.: 
Sir:— Your confidential note of the 15th of 
November, not marked as a dispatch, has been sub¬ 
mitted to Inc President, and 1 hasten to reply to it 
in time for the Wednesday mail. 
No Minister ever spoke or acted more wisely in a 
crisis which excited deep public solicitude, than yon 
did on (lie occasion of the Lord .Mayor’s dinner. 
We are impressed very favorably by Lord Palmers¬ 
ton's conversation with yon. Yon spoke the simple 
foot when you told him That the life of this insurrec¬ 
tion is sustained by its hopes of recognition m Great 
Britain and France. It would perish in ninety days 
if those hopes should cease. I have never for a 
moment believed that such a recognition could take 
place without producing immediate war between 
tlie United Stales and all recognizing powers. I 
have not supposed it possible that the British Gov¬ 
ernment could fail to see this, and at. the same time 
1 have sincerely believed the British Government 
must., in its inmost heart, be as averse to such a war 
as 1 know this Government is. 
I arn sure that this Government has carefully 
avoided any cause of offence or irritation to Great 
Britain. Unlit seemed to me that the British Gov¬ 
ernment had been inattentive to the currents that 
seemed to lie bringing the two countries into colli¬ 
sion. ‘ * ' i infer from Lord Palmerston’s 
remarks that the British Government, is now awake 
to the importance of averting possible conflict, and 
disposed to confer and act with earnestness to that 
end. If so, we are disposed to meet them in the 
same spirit, us a nation chiefly of British lineage, 
sentiments and sympathies, a civilized and humane 
nation, a Christian people. 
Since that conversation was held. Captain W ilkes, 
in Hu* steamer San Jacinto, lias boarded a British 
Colonial steamer, and taken from her deck two 
insurgents, who wore proceeding to Europe on an 
errand of treason against their own country. This 
is a new incident, unknown to, and linforseen, at 
least in its circumstances, by Lord Palmerston. It 
is to be met and disposed of by the two Govern¬ 
ments, if possible, in the spirit to which ( have 
adverted. Lord Lyons has prudently refrained from 
opening the subject to me, and is, f presume, wait¬ 
ing instructions from home. 
We have done nothing on the subjectAo anticipate 
the discussion, and we have uot furnished you with 
any explanations. We adhere to that course now, 
because we think it more prudent that the ground 
taken by the British Government should be first, 
made known to us hero, and that the discussion, if 
there must, be one, shall be had hero. It. is proper, 
however, that you should know one fact in the case 
without indicating that we attach importance to it, 
namely, that in Che capture of Messrs. Mason and 
Slide)! on board a British vessel. Captain Wilkes, 
having acted without, any instructions from the Gov¬ 
ernment, the subject is therefore free from the 
embarrassment winch might have resulted if the act 
had been specially directed by us. 
1 trust (bat the British Government will consider 
the subject in a friendly temper, and it may expect 
the best disposition on the part of (bis Government 
Although this is a confidential note, 1 shall not 
object to your reading it to Earl Russell and Lord 
Palmerston, if you deem it expedient 
1 am, Sir, your obedient servant, 
William il. Seward. 
KARL RC88KI.1. TO LORD LYONS. 
Kouuiun OrstCK, November 30,1861. 
My Lord : — Intelligence of a very grave nature 
has reached Her Majesty’s Government This intel¬ 
ligence was conveyed officially to the knowledge of 
the admiralty by Commander Williams, agent lor 
mails on board the contract steamer ’front 
It appears from the letter of Commander Wil¬ 
liams, dated Royal Mail Contract Packet Trent, at 
sea, November 9th,” that the Trent left, Havana on 
the 7th instant, with Her Majesty’s mails for Eng¬ 
land, having on board numerous passengers. Com¬ 
mander W illiams states Unit shortly after noon on 
the 8th. a steamer having the appearance of a man- 
of-war, but not showing colors, was observed ahead. 
On nearing her, at 1:15 P. M-, she tired a round shot 
from her pitot gun across the Trent, and showed 
American colors. While the Trent was approaching 
her slowly, the American vessel discharged a shell 
across the bows of the Trent, exploding half a cable’s 
length ahead of her. The Trent then slopped, and 
ait officer with a large armed guard or marines 
boarded her. 
The officer demanded a list of the passengers, and 
compliance with this demand being refused, the 
officer Raid ho had orders to arrest Messrs. Mason, 
Slidell, McFttrlane and Eustis, aud that he had sure 
iutonnution of their being passengers iu the Trent. 
While some parley was going on upon this matter, 
Mr. Slidell stepped forward and told the American 
officer that the four persons he had named were then 
Standing before him. The commander of the Trent 
and Commander Williams protested against the act 
of taking by force out of the Trent those four pas¬ 
sengers, then under the protection of the British 
Hag. But the Ban Juointo was at that time only two 
hundred yards from the Trent, her ship's company 
at quarters, her ports open and tampions out. 
Resistance was therefore out of the question, and 
the four gentlemen above-named were forcibly taken 
out of the ship. A further demand was made, that 
the commander oflhc Trent should proceed on board 
the Bun Jacinto, but he said lie would not go. unless 
forcibly compelled likewise, and this demand was 
not. insisted upon. 
It, thus appeal's that, certain individuals have been 
forcibly taken from on board of a British vessel, the 
ship of a neutral power, while such vessel was pur¬ 
suing a lawful and innocent voyage, an act of vio¬ 
lence" which was an affront to the British Hag and a 
violation of international law. Her Majesty's Gov- 
ornmont having in mind the friendly relations which 
have long subsisted between Great Britain and the 
United Slates, are willing to believe that the United 
States naval officer who committed this aggression 
was not acting in compliance with any authority 
from bis Government, or that if'lm conceived him¬ 
self to be so authorized, he greatly misunderstood 
the instructions which he had received. For the 
Government ot' the United States must, be fully 
aware that the British Government could not. allow 
such an affront to the national honor to pass without 
full reparation, and Her Majesty's Government are 
unwilling to believe that it could be the deliberate 
States and England, and possibly France. There 
is a generally expressed acquiescence in the course 
of the Government; while the dispatches of Secre¬ 
tory Seward are viewed in the light of the highest 
statesmanlike ability. 
General Scott arrived in the A rngo, and imme¬ 
diately transmitted dispatches to Washington, but 
their contents are yet unknown. 
Minister Corwin has made no treaty with Mexico, 
and the Time's special states that Miramon was on 
his way from New York to Mexico, to gather up the 
fragments of the old Church Party, and establish a 
provisional government, with Miramon at its head, 
and subsequently to erect a Spanish monarchy. 
Hon. Alfred Ely, Representative from Rochester, 
N. Y., who has been a prisoner at Richmond since the 
battle of Bull Run, is now in Washington, and 
brings a list of 2.700 prisoners. He says there is 
no doubt of an extended and deep Union feeling in 
Richmond, and if the National army were within 
ten miles of Richmond, our old flag would be hung 
out of hundreds of windows there, but at present 
there is a perfect reign of terror. 
Prominent members of Congress are considering 
a new proposition for the solution ol the contraband 
question, in order to avoid the expense of support¬ 
ing crowds of slaves in idleness, and to furnish the 
American mills with cotton. They take the ground 
that the Indian territory west of Louisiana and 
Arkansas was ceded to the United States by treaty, 
and on certain conditions. Without provocation, 
they have violated the treaties and levied wa» on 
the United States, thus rendering the treaties null 
and void. The countries thus reverting to the Gov¬ 
ernment embrace the valleys of the Red, Arkansas, 
and Other rivers, and contain about 20,000,000 acres 
of cotton land of unsurpassed fertility, capable of 
producing about 15,000,000 bales of cotton per 
annum. It is proposed 1o apply the principle of 
Benton’s Florida Armed Occupation act, and send 
all contrabands to this territory, as apprentices to the 
settlers on those cotton lands, leaving the question of 
their final disposition to be settled by Congress at 
the close of the war. All contrabands, as fast as 
they come into camp, to he promptly forwarded 
thither. The country is approached from St Louis 
through Springfield, a distance of three hundred 
miles. The remainder of the railroad from Rolla, 
through Springfield to Fort Smith, cun be completed 
in twelve months. It is said that the plantations of 
the Choctaws and OhickasawB alone could fully sup¬ 
ply the American mills, even the first, year of their 
experiment. 
Official documents show that the Coolie trade still 
continues in the face of all remonstrance and pro¬ 
priety, and among other things stated to the Govern¬ 
ment, our Consul at Bolivia writes, that a Spanish 
vessel had loaded at a celebrated private haunt, and 
it is more than suspected that they trade with 
pirates for victims. The British Government admits 
that Coolies are kidnapped, and subjected to great 
oppression and misery; but they propose a general 
Scheme ffir amelioration, in order that the African 
slave trade may be suppressed by the substitution of 
Coolies, arguing that a supply of such Asiatics 
would fully meet the demand lor labor in countries 
where negroes are now profitably employed. 
In this connection it may be stated that our Con¬ 
sul at Bolivia has been the means of eliciting impor¬ 
tant facts on the subject of the Coolie trade. Official 
documents having been transmitted to the House in 
compliance with liis recommendation, aud the bill 
heretofore reported by him, and suppressed so far as 
American vessels are concerned, will be pressed on 
its final passage by Congress. 
Letters received here from Havana state that two 
rebel steamers, the Theodora and Isabelle, the for¬ 
mer the vessel which carried Mason and Slidell from 
Charleston; were some days ago at Nassau, coaling 
by permission of Her Majesty’s consul, at the gov¬ 
ernment yard. The same letter states further that 
our vessels wore not permitted to coal from our own 
ships at that point. Inquiry has been instituted at 
the proper quarters to know whether such is really 
the fact 
FOREIGN NEWS. 
Great Britain'.— The death of Prince Albert, 
husband of Queen Victoria, and the chances ot' a 
war with the United States, have divided attention. 
IBs Royal Highness expired at noon of Sunday, the 
15th instant, of gastric lever. His illness was not 
considered dangerous until Friday, before his 
decease. By reference to our Washington dis¬ 
patches it will be seen that the war question has 
been arranged. 
Franck.— The monthly statement of the Bank of 
France shows an increase of cash on hand of nearly 
40,000,000 francs. 
Austria.— It is stated that during the Emperor’s 
stay at Vienna, he ordered all political, prisoners to 
he set at liberty. 
Prussia. —Movements continue for the establish¬ 
ment of a Prussian Navy. It is reported that a loan 
of $10,000,000 is being negotiated for the Prussian 
fleet 
Italy.— The irruption of Mount Vesuvius con¬ 
tinued. Houses were falling in Terre del Greco, 
and Ulloga was in immediate danger ol destruction 
by lava. All communication between places in the 
vicinity of tliu mountain was interrupted. Earth¬ 
quakes were frequent in the Bay of Naples, and the 
sea had recoded fifty metres. 
Commkkciai. Inthm.iorkck. — Liverpool, Dec. 14. — llread- 
ttujfx. —Wakefield, Nash & Co report Hour quiet but steady, 
nt 308(16348. Wheat ntciidy; Red Western and Red Southern 
10s@il6s, White Western and Southern IZs@13sSd. 
cinder. Sales yellow and muted 83s3d. 
Pramiwo.— Beef tinn aud active. Pork steady. Lard 
inactive at 47 e@52b. 
