The New York Herald Newspaper, December 31, 1861, Page 6

Pea IE air NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, “DITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU ST3- TERMS cash in advance, Money sent dy matt will beatthe | sine the sender, “None but thank bitte purvent ta New York | hen THE DAILY UERALD. two centoper copy. $7 per annum, THE WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturaay, at sixcents per sop, ES per annum: the Briropean Bdition avery Wernca lay, ‘nix cents percopy; anni teeny part of ‘ ‘sa ‘ony part of Great Brita or 2 to any part of the Continent, to inel postage; the California Pilon onthe Lot Ich and Sst af each months atest Cents per coy, OF $2 TD goer anim. Volume XXV1I.. No, 363 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. NIBLO'S 6‘ ADEN, Broadway.—Prov, Herewann, WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Laxes ov Kruvanxgx— by MAGIC JOKE. ‘S WHEATRE, No, 844 Broadway.—Pravina PNE’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Li — Boninson Cuvsor. Be aug NEW BOWERY THEATRE, THK MAGH HARKEL—JOMN BOWERY THEATRE, Ctrcus. be Bowery. Harr, me Hux. ry.—SticKNnY’s Nartoxat BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—Day and Evening. —Ovorxva—Hirrorotanvs, WHALK, 4ND OTueR Cu- ‘BIOSITIRS, BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechantes' Hall, 472 Broad way. —UN Bato IN MASOHERA, HOOLE! Broadway. MINSTRELS, Stuyvesant Institut rioriay NonGa, Danensy ag. t* Nov 669 MELODEON CONCERT HAI Soni ANCES, BURLESQUES, &c. No. 539 Broadway.— NANA. CANTERBURY MUSIC HALT, 585 Broad .—Soxas, Dances, Bumirsques, do—Honn Dacmuconaert me GAIFTIES CONCERT ROOM, 616 Broadway.—Dnawn Room ENTURTALNMENTS, BALLETS, PaNTOMIMES: PAROS &O. AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, “mM Broadway.. ys Lets, Pantomimes, gfe Re Pe CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERT HALL, No. 45 Bowery.— RLRSQUES, SONGS, DANIUS, AC.— at Por PIx. NDERS, 563 Broadway.— PARISTAN CABINET OF W Open daily from 10 A. M. til 9 P, NATIONAL MUSIC HALL, Chat —) ws avxs, Sonas, Dancis, &c. ssiaaiage NOVELTY MUSIC HALL, 616 Broadway.—Buxixsquss, THE SITUATION. Ate The grand army of the Potomac remains in statu quo. The new military bridge at Georgetown is completed, and will greatly facilitate the trans- Portation of supplies to the army. We publish to-day the highly interesting official reports of Commander Drayton and Captain Davis; the former describing the expedition from Port Royal to North Edisco river, of the Vixen, Paw- mee and Seneca; and the latter giving an account in detail of the sinking of the stone fleet in Charles- ton harbor. Rumors reached here from Boston yesterday that the Cunard steamer Niagara was to leave that port for Liverpool at noon to-day by order of Lord Lyons, tsking on board Messra. Mason and Slidell, but there is no foundation for the report. Mr. Cunard, of this city, agent for the line, states that the Niagara will not leave Boston to-day, but will sail on her regular day, to-morrow, according to the usuai arrangements. . From Fortress Monroe we learn news of the at- tack by a rebc! ingboat, off Sewall’s Point, on the Union steamer Express, running from Newport WNews to Old Point, on Saturday morning, having in tow the schooner Sherwood, carrying water to the fort. The rebel vessel fired » shot across the bow of the Express, and the lattr, heing unarmed, cut the schooner adrift and started for the flagship to report the circumstancy. A nuwaber of gunboats were after some delay despite led in search of the eebel vessel, but it was too latv, as she succeeded tm escaping, and carried the schooner with her to Crancy Island. From Kentucky we learn that Humphrey Mar- shall, at the head of 6,500 rebels, is fortifying Pres- tonburg, and is expected to make an attack on Maysville. General Buell, however, has ordered a brigade, ander Colonel Garfield, to meet him; and & battle is likely soon to take place at that poiat, if Mr. Marshall carries out kis reputed designs, In the Heratp of this morning is published a list of the commanders of the Union army, with the staffy attached to each general. The list will be found interesting, especially as a rapid move- ment is likely soon to be made by the whole army. We have refrained from publishing the exact loca- tions of cach individual commander, in deference to the request of the Commander-in-Chief. + The news from the South in to-day's Henanp, collected from late Southern papers and other sources, will be found interesting and important. From the statement of two gentlemen who recent: Jy arrived at Cairo from the extreme South, we learn that the sugar and cotton planters have al- ready mortgaged their plantations, in order to raise means of subsistence for their families and Slaves. Many of the most intelligent and influen, tial of the cotton and sugar growers frankly ac- knowledge that their ruin is sealed unless the federal blockade is raised. Orleans a large and formidable organization of Union men exists, who are ripe for insurrection against rebel rule when they shall have been satis- Bed that the Union army isin a condition to sus- tain them. \The late military review in New Orleans, about which the rebel papers give such Blowing accounts, in reality had the appearance of a very large mob. The men were totally with- out discipline, and about one-third of them even Bithout arms. In the city of New CONGRESS. Both houses of Congress were in session yester- fey, but transacted little business of importance. {b the Senate a number of petitions praying for the emancipation of the slaves under the war power were presented. A communication was Feceived from the Secretary of War, stating that it Js incompatible with the public interest to furnish the correspondence which has passed between General Scott and General Patterson, relative to the conduct of the war. Mr. Davis, of Kentucky, Introduced a bill declaring «o persons enemies, and for sacrificing their projersy for the benetit of loyal citizens. In the House of Representative, yy, Spaulding, bf the Committee on Ways and Mean, introduced a bill authorizing the issue of Treasury votes, pay- ble on dermand. It was referred to the Cony, ee on Ways and Means. A bill was intro fepealing certain laws creating ports of entry. \ ponsideration was postponed till the second Mon. yin Feyruary. Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania \n offering this bill, alluded to the settlement pa affair, saying the conduct of Franc: tter was impertinent, as she was not 1 to tervene inthe Aificnty, Br, Pottor offered re- Valutions oplling op the Seordtartol vow J het. NEW YORK HE and the Secretary of the Interior to furnish the select commitiee appointed to inquire into tho alleged disloyalty of government employes with certain information, in orderto make their report. He stated that there were Sve hundred clerks in the public employ who are disloyal to the govern- ment. The resolutions were objected to, and therefore were not acted on. Both honses adjourned till Thursday next. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. We give in our columns this morning:— First--A complete chronological list of the im- portant events that have transpired in this country during the past year, which, particularly those re- tating to the rebellion, will no doubt be referred to With unusual interest. Second—A record of all the conflagrations that lave occurred, where property was consumed at each of a value estimated at twenty thousand dol- lars and upwards, and in addition a comparative table of the amount of property consumed at such fires in the loyal and seceded States respectively; a table estimating tho damages in dollars by the ruthless destruction by rebels of the productions of plantations and farms, burning of bridges, build- ings, &c., together with the aggregate value of all property thus destroyed during the year 1861. Thivd—A table of the railroad accidents which have ocenrred during the year, with the number of persons killed and injured. Fourth —A like table of the steamboat accidents on the rivers and inland waters of the United States. % Fifth—The number of persons whose lives have been lost in burning buildings. Sixth—An interesting table of the passages of the California steamers, showing the amount of trea- sure brought from San Francisco to this port dur- ing the year, with the number of days occupied in making each trip. Seventh—An imperfect list of the names of the Revolutionary patriots who have died during the last twelve months. This list is necessarily imper- fect, arising from the fact that no announcements of the deaths of the heroes who have died in the seceded States have reached us. Eighth—A list of the names of the old folks who have died who had attained the age of a century and upwards. ‘These records are especially valuable and sug- gestive.» No history equal to these events is to be found in the annals of the world. In another year we shall give the history thereof, and then man- kind will look back with wonder and astonish- ment on the power and resources of the great republic. ‘The Toronto Leader, a secession journal, printed for the benefit of the rebels, contends that clos- ing the Southern ports by sunken vessels loaded with stone can be viewed only in the light ofa “paper blockade.” The Board of Aldermen met last evening. A cormmunication was received from Mr. A. Y. Stout, President of the Shoe and Leather Bank, the Com. missioner appointed for carrying out the soldters’ allotment system, stating that he was unable to re- port as required by the Board. The paper was ordered to be printed, and a resolution was adopt- ed extending the time. Mr. Stout was directed to report to the Board the amount of expenses like- ly to be incurred in carrying out the provisions of the resolution under which he was appointed to the 1st or March, 1862, and anthorizing him to act as Conuuissioner in the mean time. According to the Comptrotler’s statement the balance in the City ‘Tréasurer’s handa on the 21st inst. amounted to 366 073. ‘There was alarge amount of routine business transacted inthe Board of Councilmen last even- ing. ‘Tne Corporation Counsel, in reply to a reso- lution oi iuquiry relative to the validity of the in- junction prohibiting them from acting upon the Fort Gansevoort property sale, stated that, as the matter was to be argued to-day, it was not necessary that he should pro- nounce upon the regularity of the proceedings. A copy of an injunction served upon the Common Council last year, prohibiting them from passing the New York and Yonkers Railroad grant, was served last evening, » rumor having been afloat that an attempt would be made to pass the measure at this time. A communication wasreceived” from A. V. Stout, the Commissioner of the Sol- diers’ Allotment Fund. A small swindie was per- petrated before the Board adjourned, in the adop- tion of a resolution giving $50 each to the em- ployes of the Board, for what is called “extra service,’’ for which they get a regular salary. A most interesting trial of Gen. James’ rifled cannon and projecti#es took place last week at Sag Harbor, L, I., before Col. Hudson, one of General McClellan’s staff, who came from Washington to witness it. The firing was continued for three days, and was highly satisfactory in every respect, Col. Hudson expressing his gratification at the result. Some splendid li long range and ricochet shots were made, details of which will be found else- where. The telegraph from San Francisco announces the sailing from that port on the 2lst inst. of the steamer Sonora, with $1,170,000 in treasure, of which sum $270,000 was for England, According to the City Inspector's report, there were 259 deaths in the city during the past week— a decrease of 70 as compared with the mortality of the week previous, and 3 more than occurred during the corresponding week lastyear. The recapitula- tion table gives 5 deaths of alcoholism, 4 of diseases of the bones, joints, & in and nerves, 4 of the generative or; vessels, 132 of the lungs, threat, &c.; 2of old age, 46 of diseases of the skin and eruptive tevers, 7 premature births, 38 of diseases of the stomach, bowels and other digestive orga ‘5 of uncertsi seat and general fevers, 3 of diseases of the uriuary organs, and 13 from violent causes. There were 23) natives of the United States, 12 of England, $0 of Iveland, 21 of Germany, 4 of Scotland, and the balance of various foreign countries. The cotton market was firmer yesterday, while the sales embraced about 400 bales, in small lots, closing on the basis of a 8TXe., chiefly at about 87c. for mid- dling uplands. The steamer Fdingburg brought over 200 bales from Liverpool, the freight on which was about throe cents por pound, should importation reach here ut the same rates of freight, and in the face of higher rates of exchange, the margin for « prospective profit may be in some degree curtailod. The flour market was Grmer, with rathor more doing, while it was from 5c. te 10c. per bbl. higher. Wheat was co firmly held as to check sales, which were moderate, while prices closed at an advance of Ic. # 2c. per bushel. Corn was Ic. a 2c. higher, with moderato sales at 650. 2 66c. for shipping lots of Western mixod. Sugars were quiet but firm, with sales of 150 a 200 hhds. Cubss. Coffee was quiet but firm. Freight: were firmer, with moderate engagements. L.L. D. Russert as AN Ezexie..—In a recent otter to the London T'imes, the Bull run noto- riety of that journal edifies its readers by say- ing:— AsT write, there isa rumor that Messrs, Slidell and Mason aro to be surrendered. If it be true, this govern- ment is broken up. among the lower orders of the people, and they ar hing except their own politics and pi with prido and vanity, that any hon- is, even in this hour of extremity, would prove futai to iis authors, It would certainly render them so unpopular Chat it would damage them in the con- duvet of this civil war, “My young friend,” said a German professor of natural history to his pupil, “tell me what animal this is!’ “Herr Professor,” replied the clear-headed juvenile, “it is a spide pred, admirably answered,” dagogue, “but it is not exactly a spider, swapping turtl L.L. D. Russell is as accurate in Lis prognostications ich student; but it is mo matter; we \ 2 ‘and him now, and; until Barnum Carciie Mi WO wre pexfevely will te vote Lim ay Waokiel, | NY EE There is so much violence of spirit £0 urned The Trent Settlement—American Doc- trines, American Honor, Our Popular Institutions and Independent Press Pally Vindteatea. In the scttlement of the Trent question upon the basis of England’s ultimatum, Mr, Seward, in bis masterly exposition of the law of nations upon belligerent and neutral rights, bas not only sustained the honor of the United States, but has fully committed the British government tothe very ground which we have occupied since the adoption of our federal constitution, and upon which, some fifty years ago, we de- clared and made war upon England, as the only remaining alternative against her domineering and intolerable belligerent pretensions upon the high seas. The grand result of that war was the triumph of “free trade and sailors’ rights”—that is, of neutral rights upon the ocean; but still, down to a very recent period, the British government attempted again and again, although in a miti- gated form, the exercise upon us of its imperial right of search. Our readers will remember, however, that during the late administration of Mr. Buchanan certain British vesseis-of-war—the Styx and Buzzard among them--while engaged in cruising for African slavers off the Island of Cuba, brought to, visited and searched a num. ber of our merchant ships; that such an out- burst of public indignation in this country was produced by these offences, and that such a de- cisive attitude of remonstrance was assumed by our government, as to threaten another war with England upon this question; but that the difficulty was quietly settled by the recall of those offending British cruisers and by the prompt and complete suspension of their annoyances to our inoffensive traders. The American ground of neutral rights, to which this submission of England was thus secured only three years ago, is substantially the ground covered by the resti- tution of Mason end Slidell. Thus, as Mr. Seward intimates, that which we have for ovet half a century demanded that all nations, and especially England, should do unto us, we cheerfully consent, in this affair of the Trent, to accord to her and to them. We only yield the question of equity as a belligerent to the ques- tion of law. We maintain our old postition, and we bring England to the fullest recognition of it that could be made. Against the maritime despotism of Great Bri- tain, we are sure France and all the other States of the European continent, after having been our advocates und our allies for the better part of a century, will rejoice that the settle- men! of this unforeseen affair of the Trent has resulted in reversing the attitude of England from that of a Gictatorial belligerent to that of an innocent neutral, content to share and share alike the common highways of the sea. Under this view wo feel aesured that this Trent. settle- ment puts an end to the pretexta, quibbles and eubterfuges of English statesmen for their sym- pathies with Jeff. Davis and bis Southern insur- rectionary confederates, ond will hold the British government henceforward, under the public opinion of Europe, to the obligations of an honest neutrality. But upon another point or two we have, in the surrender of Mason and Slidell, no small Most of the lead- ing journals of England, political and literary, and their satellites and echoes, for some months past, have been particularly vicious and vindic- tive iu their shallow denunciations of the peo- reasons for congratulation. ple of our loyal States, of our popular institu- tions, and of our independent newspaper press. They have pronounced our Union an exploded bubble—our institutions the loose workman. ship of sansculotles—the mass of our people a howling mob, dictating our public opinion and frightening our government into the most dan- gerous excesses, reckless of consequences. Of course, with our government, institutions and public opinion thus portrayed, our independent <a has also been newspaper pr igned in Kng- land as the obedient instrument of a senseless mob, intent only upon its. base revenges against royalties and aristocracies, and especially those of Great Britain. Now, against o]1 these foul misrepresentations, the settlement of this Trent affair amply vindi- cates our government, our people aud our in- All the facts and the circum- dependent pr stances, the pomp and the parade attending the reception of Mason and Slidell at Havana, by British as well as Spanish officials, contributed to make the acceptance of these traitors as pas- sengers on board the Trent extremely aggravat- ing and offensive to our loyal people. According- ly, they hailed the act of Captain Wilkes with un- disguised satisfaction and exultation. But when these rebel emissaries are delivered back to Eng- land there are no symptoms of a savage mob rising to overthrow President Lincoln and his Cabinet. On the contrary, there is a prompt’ generous and universal approval by our loyal people of the adjustment adopted. Our public opinion supports the Cabinet, and simply be- cause our people are intelligent, liberal, com- prebensive and just in their views of public affairs. Mr. Seward to-day stands far h}eher in the public estimation of our loyal States than ever he has stood heretofore, because of his clear, sagacious and staiesmanlike defence of our national antecedents and principles in his surrender of Mason and Slidell, and because of the advantages of an honest neutrality on the part of England; which it is believed we shall now secure. Next, with regard to our independent news paper press, as representing only the voice of a reckless, irresponsible, but dominant Ameri- can mob. ‘The intelligent reader is aware that echoing tho ridiculous calumnies of our New Yark abolitign contemporaries, some of thelead:- ing political journals of England have been re- presenting this paper as ventilating nothing but the incoherent jargon of the mob, Against all such silly but malignant inventions we refer the reader to the extracts from our own columns which we publish to-d»\ It will thus be seen that, if we have no « 8 beyond those of an ignorant mob, we divining the vi and purposes of our govern- ment. Our Washington despatch of May 21 pretty distinctly foreshadows Mr. Seward’s let- ter of Nov. 30 to Mr. Adams on the question of England’s recognition of the Jeff. Davis govern- ment; wud our leading article of December a1 covers the ground of the Trent settlement of a week later almost as neatly as if we had been closeted with our Secretary of State. The solution, however, is very simple. Let it suffice for the present that this journal, in carefully watching the drift of public events, and in faithfully reflecting an enlightened pub- lie opinion, stands before the world to-day as an example vindicating the solid and well earn- ed reputation of an independent American press, the justice, wisdom and moderation of a sound and stable republican government, the strength and elasticity of our popular institutions, and the cool sagacity of an intelligent people, who comprehend the duties of this crisis to them- selves and their posterity. » a wonderful power of Financial Position of Congress. Yesterday the banks of New York suspended specie payment, with some twenty-five millions of gold on hand. Only a few days ago they had forty millions, and it is probable, if the suspension had been deferred a little longer, the last dollar would have been drained from their vanits. We learn by telegraph that the Boston and Philadelphia banks have followed suit. Te silent panic among the depositors which thus prompts them to withdraw their de- posits has been brought about by the infamous conduct of members of Congress, who, since the opening of the session at the beginning of this month, have done nothing in the direction of a provision for the financial necessities of the country in its hour of need, with the excep- tion of a tax upon tea and coffee, which will but slightly increase the revenue. Their whole time has been squandered in miserable squab- bles about the everlasting nigger, who has monopolized the attention of the Senate and House of Representatives for so many years, to the exclusion of the real business of the na. tion. And now, with a war oa our hands, costing, it is estimated, about three millions per day, the Treasury will be without a dollar by the middle of Junuary. By that time the loans of one hundred and fifty millions made to the government by the merchants and the banks will have been expended, and no means what- ever provided for a further supply of the indis- pensable sinews of war. By the magnanimity of the President, and the masterly diplomatic skill of the Secretary of State, the angry threats of the English govern- ment and its press are hushed, and their violent denunciations will recoil upon themselves, Henceforth nothing remains to distract the at- tention of the administration or divide its encr- gies and resources. Its whole power by land and sea will be occupied in the suppression of the insurrection for the next two or three months. To accomplish this great purpose money is wanted. How is it to be raised? Hitherto the government has obtained funds by heavy loans from the banks and = merchants. by the popular 7:30 loun and by the issue of demand notes. But loans of this kind cannot last always, and a more comprehensive system is demanded by the crisis. Some loans mnst and will be still ob- tained; but what is most required is a currency consisting of Treasury notes bearing a small interest, and to be funded at a certain time hereafter, at the option either of the holder or the government. These financial operations must be based upon direct taxation. We are twenty-five millions of popnlation, including the Joyal States and paris ofthe disaffec are rich in all the sources of material w and are as able to bear taxalion as any people on the face of the globe. Let all kinds of pro- taxed, reat and personal h income, ineluding that of Newspapers, according to their circulation and advertising patronage. In addition to the ordinary revenue, which, under the present commercial circumstances of the country. will not amount to more than forty mitlions for ensuing year, it will be necessary to raise by a direct tax some cighty or nincty millions to support the loans and Treasury notes. Now, thi what ought to lay gaged the talents anc ntion of members of Congress during the last month, instead of wasting thei precigus time, by right and by day, upon frnit- less discussions about the negro-—a question with which they have uothing whatever io do. As they have so long neglected the interests of twenty-five millions of white men of the North for the sake of three or fonr millions of Sonth- ern niggers, who need vot the sympathy and desive not the legislation of Congress, it is high time for them to redeem their error by the prompt adoption of judicious and comprehen" sive measures of finance, such as the exigencies of the country and the voice of patriotism im- peratively demand. InvorMation WANTED FROM THE JosEERS AND Friexps or Jossers—Will any one explain to the public the course that has been pur- sued by the World, the Flesh and the Devil of the press—the World, the Tribune and the Times—with respect to the report of the Van Wyck Committee? No more important docu- ment has been issued by Congress, during the present session; yet neither of these journals has seen fit to publish it. Two of them have made no allusion to it whatever, and the third, the Tribune, has simply denounced the corrup- tions it indicates, in generalibus, without ad- verting to any vital details. The monstrou frauds exposed in Missouri, under the auspices of Fremont, and his abolition allies are not spoken of by it at all. Why this silence? beg our contemporaries, usually rather inclined to be blatant, not to be reserved on this im- portant occasion. They will be received, if necessary, as State’s evidence. Verhaps they know eve more than the members of the com- mittee did, and are reticent in giving infor- mation which would expose more clearly the late abolition conspiracy against the edminisirativn, aud cspecially aguage bas wea- guy, We | RALD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1861—TRIPLE SHEET. Canada Playing at Soldier. Provinces always imitate in miniature the doings of the kingdoms to which they belong. When grown men have the war fever children wear fancy caps, beat tiny drums, snap pop- guns, blow penny trumpets and wear military stripes sewed to their trowsers. England be- came aggravated towards this country because a couple of rebel refugees were recaptured by Captain Wilkes, and forthwith Canada became aggravated also. The English press blustered, and the Canadian press blustered. The English navy was busily refitted, and the Canadian scows were armed. The English prohibited the export of saltpetre, and the Canadians seized, at Montreal, a few pounds of gunpowder. The English hastened off regulars, and the Cana- dians called out their militia. The English held large public meetings, and the Canadians held little public meetings. England exclaimed “Let us whip the United States and defend Canada.” Canada cried ont “Let us whip the United States and save England.” That is the way Canada began to play soldier. The manner in which Canada went to work at the art military is very curious and very funny. It becomes all the more curious and amusing when it is regarded in the light of the news we have published of the complete and peacefal adjnatment of the difficulty which created alk this provincial furor. One journal demands that Canada shall be surrounded with a belt of fortifieations, “ mounted with cannon of home manufacture, and manned by the local fire companies”—as if a gun were a squirt, Another declares that “the cry of war rings through the land,” and adds “let it ring,” unconscious that it plagiarizes from Dan Bry- ant, who, in reply to the assertion ‘“an- gels now are og the wing,” emphatically rejoins “let ’em wing!” The Toronto Leader has an “observer” who sees Northern companies drilling on Canadian soil; calls the proceeding “flagrant,” and declares that “the times are too ticklish to allow of false delicacy,” with an eye, obviously, to the immediate and indelicate exter- mination of the Northerners aforesaid. Another journal halloos for the “sedentary militia.” The term “sedentary” is a very happy one, convey- ing, as it does, the idea of a lot of fellows who pay their military fines, are corpulent, short- winded and not musculasly developed, and who are totally unfitted to run far after an enemy, however able they might be to run away from him, The Canadians call these sedentary chaps to their “posts,” and there need be no fear of the “posts” being deserted, now that peace is certain, and no hostile Americans are to be marched across the frontier. Another journal valiantly announces that “the whole male population of this province will fight; but it prudent!y refrains from stating on which side they will fight, and calms down to the statement that “comparatively few, however, are willing to enlist” at present. The same paper adopis the Chinese fashion of frightening the enemy, by this line of argument. First, “an American volunteer is, above all things, afraid of a British regular;” second, “if we adopt the regular uniform, then the Canadian militiamen will be undistin- guisbable, in the field, from the Bri- tish regulars,” and, therefore, “the Ameri- can volunteers” will fear the ‘(Canadian militia- men,” just as they fear the “ British regulars.” Bravo! But why not carry the idea farther, and stuff the “ regutar” uniform with straw, to frighten our volunteers? If one goes into the scarecrow business it should be pyrsued in all its branches. Besides, another journal states that the militia officers are “ unfitted for com- mand,” and “neither intellectually nor phy- sically qualified to engage in warfare.” The scarecrow brigade would just suit such officers, And then, in the words of the Globe, “Canada has a press which will carry the fame of their deeds to the farthest ends of the earth.” The idea of a Canadian newspaper being read at all is ridiculous enough; but when we are as- sured that “the farthest ends of the earth”— the blubberers of Greenjand and the Hottentots of Africa—peruse the daily issues of the Pro- vineial Teapot, the force of fancy can no far- ther go. How silly, ashamed and foolish the proviu- cials must feel, now that the whole matter is settled, without even ihe name of Canada being mentioned in the diplomatic correspondence. How qill they dare to look an American in the face again? Jnserupulous,” * vindictive” and “sangninary” are ihe epithets with which they have deluged us. What in the world will they do now thai they find us laughing at their play- ing at soldier, and even the British lion in- dulging in « broad grin at their expense? Erxongcovs ENGLISH Orrxions Resvectixe Sec- nerary Skwarp.—Eyer since the elevation of the Hen. Win. H. Seward io the office of Secre- tury of State, the most prodigious efforts have been mide to the impression, in England, that he is biti ninical to that country, and Dent npon plunging the United States into war for the sake of gr ing his animosiis. Now this mischievous and false representation of Mr. Seward's character and feelings bas been whol- ly the work of uliva abolitionists, jealous of his position and bent upon undermining his influ- ence, Senator Sumner’s malignant envy of the Secreiary of State is well known. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, bis word is supposed to have weight, and he bas employed it diligently to foster the erroneous ideas that have lately prevailed in Great Bri- tain. He is in continual correspondence with abolitionists on the other side of the Atlantic, through whom it has been easy for him to de- lude the English public, and destroy the cha- racter for impartiality, of the statesman who presides over our diplomatic relations with other nations. That Senator Sumner and his factions abolitionist allies have strained every nerve to procure Mr. Seward’s overthrow, is be- yond @ question ; that he has insidiously and untuirly misrepresented Mr. Seward’s policy and motives to influential statesmen at the Court of London, we have the best of reasons for be- lieving. The refutation has, however, gone forth to the world of every word that the de- tractors of the Secretary of State could say against him. The admirable manner in which every future difticulty was forestalled, in the letter of November 30 to Mr. Adams ; the pacific aud conciliatory exposition of the Mason and Slidell affair in his letter to Lord Lyons; and his vindication of the traditional principles of A an maritime policy, while gracefully yielding to the technically just demands of Earl Russell, will raise him to a pinnacle of fame throughout ibe world, and reduce to silence hose who have hitherto conspired ogainst him: One of the least of the triumphs of Mr. Seward’s correspondence will be that it wil! convince Mr. Thurlow Weed that his officious, defence of his eee and patron was cqually silly aud pnge- 4 The English Hero of the Trent Affair, It is, indeed, very fortunate that each of the Parties concerned in the Trent affair shoold have a hero to praise and honor. The Ameri- cans have Capt. Wilkes, from whom no settle ment of the questions of international law and no surrender of the rebel Commissioners cam take the credit of having done a good deed» sensibly, quickly and patriotically, although circumstances and an unappreciated courtesy prevented his doing it thoroughly and effecta- ally, The rebels have a heroine in the person of Miss Slidell, who slapped a lieutenant in the face, resisted the bayonet charge of a file of marines and screamed when she saw her be- loved parent sticking half out of the ship’s port- hole, like a columbiad or a sawfish. But, moat illustrious of all, the English party have Com- mander Williams, letter carrier to her Britis Majesty the Queen, exponent of internationat law and general remonstrator and protector of indignant females in distress, Captain Wilkes, the American hero, has been dinnered and feted, as is the custom now-a-daye with all popular men.. He has also made speeches; and, though we are generally regard- ed as a voluble and oratorical nation, it is only fair to say that Captain Wilkes’ speeches’ have been very brief, extremely modest and not at all egotistical. Miss Slidel! bas not yet had the privilege of speaking her mind, except, per. haps, through her brazen trumpet, the gallant Commander Williams; but we have not yet re- linquished the hope that she may be Induced either to deliver an oration from the balcony of her hotel, or else to write a private letter to some friend of hers in Dixie for publication im the columns of the Richmond Enquirer. Com- mander Williams, the British hero, however, has had an opportunity to vent himself in words, and the report of the dinner which was given him and the speech he made there appeared in yes- terday’s Hexstp, and was, by long odds, the most amusing and ridiculous account with which the public has been favored in some time. It seems that about fifty gentlemen of the English army and navy became envious of the rising popularity of Williams, and deter- mined to let him speak himself into universe contempt. A dinner was therefore concocted at the Royal Western Yacht Clubhouse, at Mill bray, Plymouth, and Williams was seduced into attending the same. The old stagers of the army aad navy were in ecstacies when Williams ap- peared ; and, as soon as the health of their “gallant and worthy guest” had been drunks with ironical honors, they set Williams upom his pins, and immediately began to chaff, badger and befool the illustrious commander after the most approved English fashion. Williams began by speaking of himself as “a national matter,” and incidentally alluded to “the mantle of ap- probation which had. been flung around his shoulders.” This tickled the jolly old sea and war dogs mightily, and any subsequent refer~ encgp. to “the mantle”—and such references were frequent—were hailed with roars of laugh- ter, which the ‘noble Williams translated into encouragement, and the decorous reporter marked as “applause.” So Williams, the laughter having temporarily subsi- ded, continued :—* Which compliment, gen- tlemen, was never looked after by me.” This started the diners off again, and in the pa- roxysm of mirth they shouted “Good boy!” and “We believe you, Williams! ” Then Wil- liams proceeded to reply to the New York pa- pers and to Punch, and to tell about the arrest of the rebel Commissioners, becoming every moment more ridiculons as he attempted to be more impressive. “Twas a sitting,” says Williams, “with a pipe in my movil, a reading the hessays and re- views.” Here the company cheered enthusias- tically for Williams’ pipe, which was not the pipe of peace. “ The first thing tbat occurred to me,” says Williams, “which I was not « thinking of the thing at all, was that if a fugi- tive slave put his foot upon a free State he was free.” This felicitous introduction of the im- evitable nigger and the complimentary compa- rison of Mason and Slidell to fugitive slaves, were too much for the company, and one old commodore was carried out in a fit of apoplexy jnduced by excessive laughter. “The Ameri- cans have applied (o me,” says Williams, “ the hexpression of a gasconader.”’ At this all the company cried “Shame,” and one old colonel shouted pityingly, “You don’t mean to say they have dared to do that, Williams?” Them» still unconscious of being the butt of the party, Williams told how be shook hands with Liea- tenant Fairfax, how he saw the San Jacinto at si. Thomas, “which he didn’t remember whether it was the morning of the 16th or the morning of the 17th;”. how he went to Vera Cruz; how the Hampshire Advertiser abused him; how he was proud to carry ber Majesty's letters; how he had talked with the great Palmerston; how he was proud to introduce to them his “orphan nephew:” how he could not afford the expense of commanding a ship, and many other matters just as pertinent to the affair, in all of which he was encouraged by the derisive cheers and tremendous laughter of the harmonious com- pany. And then Williams told about Miss Slidell, and declared that she did slap Fairfax in the face, “ not with that vulgarity of gesture which bad been attributed to her,” but “with her arms around her father’s neck and in her agony”—as if Miss Slidell had acted like a cat ina fit. “y should be glad,” says Williams, “to have Misa Slidell’s little knuckles strike me in the face, which I should have been proud to wear the marks forever.” Williams’ tender susceptibili- ties were too much for the company, and another case of apoplexy occurred. Then Williams told how Miss Slidell screamed, not because of the marines, but because her father made a rush and stuck himself half out of a porthole win- dow, “which I hardly thought,” says Williams, «would admit the circumference of his waist, it was so small.” More laughter ensued, and Wil liams, highly elated, told how he dined with Mrs, and Miss Slidell, and called strangers “damned infernal liars” in their presence; and how, when, the marines charged, he put his body between Miss Slidell and the bayonets, an@ shouted, “Back, you @amned cowardly poltroons.” ‘These specimens of Williams’ style of conversation and evidences of his. high breed- ing and politeness quite disgusted the compar ny, and, amid cries of “Oh! oh,t” and ironical cheers and laughter, Williaxas concluded hia absurd, ridiculous sad fooligh barangue, with a parting allusion fo “the mantle of approba- tion.” We are very sorry for Williams. Ho is nota young man, and the British government, which has theoked Aim for his “gallant conduct,” should bawe protected bim ium the eavious chat “of the “Afty gentlemen of the army,