The New York Herald Newspaper, March 12, 1862, Page 6

iene 6 ATW You ~~ TAT, m I ‘DNUST! NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON ‘BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR GERMS Ca, in evans Menage ty mail will beatthe emder. None but current in New York :, = yy apg omy? (87 per annum. a PRINTING executea with neutnesa, cheapness and de X HERALD, every Saturaay, at stxcents per annum, the European Edition: Wadneeley, Sei eae ae ‘onthe Los Tih cn wt Ith and let af each month, ateia MERALD, on | oF Pesan 1 CORRESPONDENCE, containing’ ie 2 om ast cay guarter of the ‘world: Y weed, willbe Our Foruian Sir Raoverrao to Seat aus Levens amo Pack? taken a pees Yt] _Walgscns THEATRE, No, 644 Broadway.—3cnoot ror ‘NES _ ee ae 14 = Broadway.—Tus Ma- Pes ta Sree ana. ee AMERICAN 1 MUSEUM, Broad Norr—! Wuate, éo.. ne ‘evening. Hirrororamus, at all bours,— ‘Sapac ano Ravixans, aftergoon and BRYAMPS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ sway.—Dows in ULD -¥-xy. sii HOOLBY'S MINSTRELS. Seay St tuyvesant , Inatnae, ‘No. 659 MELOBEON CONCERT HALL, 539 Broad: Danoxs, Buerasques, &c.—Covteasand ConvEsHOne CANERRANE® MUSIC HALL, 585 Broadway.—Soxas' Dancus, Burixsquxs, &c.—Ixaucueation Bali, GAIRTIES CONCERT, ROOM, 616 B — Roow Ei mM, roadway. emg QAMERICAN MUSIC “HALL, Broadway.— foorm—Vonicy Orrica—FAaur Ax Sule ae ROLE CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERT — Buarxsaces, Soxcs, Dances, peat te mrs PARISIAN CABINET OF ERS, Open daily fro 104M. GSES —— Sir HALL, 61 as Broadway.—Bua.esques TRIPLE SHEET. Now York, Wednesday, March 12, 1962. 63 Broadway.— THE SITUATION. The great stronghold at Manassas has been wholly abandoned by the rebels, and is now occu- pied by the advance corps of the Union army. The. rebels retreated on Saturday, and our troops took possession of the abandoned fortifications on Mon- day night, when Colonel Averill, with @ large body of cavalry, bivouacked in the ruins of the dis- mantled works. Everything that could be de- stroyed was burned by the retreating rebels, who, according to rumor, have fallen back en masse upon Gordonsville, at the junction of the Orange end Alexandria with the Virginia Central Rail- road. It is believed that the only point at which they can with any sort of confidence make a stand, is near the junction of the Frederick and Potomac with the Central Virginia Ratiroad, in which neighborhood the North Anna and South Anns rivers unite and form the Pamunkey river, about twenty miles directly north of Rich- mond. At this point the country is much broken, and admirably fitted for defence. It is reported that in their retreat the rebels have destroyed the railroad bridge across the north fork of the Rappa” bannock. In their haste they left behind straggling parties of soldiers, who seem very glad to be made prisoners. In their retreat they destroyed the railroad bridges and locomotives, and burned vast quanti- ties of commissary stores, but a large amount of corn and provisions have fallen into our hands. Numbers of log huts and tents were found standing at Manassas sufficient to shelter 30,000 troops. Our accounts of the advance and occupation of Manassas to-day will be found very full, and our msp of the whole theatre of war in Eastern Virgi- nis splendidly illustrates the positions of the two armies. The backward movements of the rebels from their positions in Virginia, has given rise to the rumor in the South that the seat of government is to be removed from Richmond. The North Caro- lina Standard says that the capital of the Southern confederacy is te be changed to the city of Ra- (leigh, North Carolina. In our columns to-day will be found further high- ly interesting particulars of the late naval battle at Newport's News, showing the immense power ef the Ericsson battery and her effective service B the desperat: conflict with the Merrimac. General Wool pronounces her superior to the lat- ter, which mounted eight guns, while the Monitor had only two. We also give accurate descriptions of the other two iron-clad gunboats now in course of construction for the government—the Mystic, now lying at Greenpoint, and the ganboat being built in Philadelphia. The value of these boats has been greatly enhanced by the recent services of the Monitor. Paymaster McKean Buchanan, of the Union frigate Congress, which was engaged and burned in the recent naval action, arrived at the Astor House last night direct from Fortress Monroe. The following is the numerical list of the number of souls on board the Congress at the time of the action. The regular sailors numbered 277. There was one company of Coast Guard men, numbering 88; Marines 47, officers 22; total, 434. After the frigate was destroyed and all the sur- vivors had collected on shore at Fortress Monroe, they numbered as follows:— 40 311 Twenty: alae 2 men were wounded and ninety-four killed in the action. ‘Twenty thousand dollars in gold and Treasury notes were destroyed by the burning, together with all the stores. Paymaster Buchanan acted during the engage- @ent as superintendent of the berth deck division, pad Gid gallant service, at the particular request of shot and shell. He leaves ae city this morning for his home in Pennsylvania. We publish to-day the official report of General Curtis, of the battle and victory at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, in which the combined armies of the rebel Generals Price, McCulloch, Van Dorn and McIntosh were defeated, and McCulloch killed. In this action, as at Fort Donelson, a bayonet charge of our infantry decided the fortunes of the day. General Sigel is in pursuit of the flying rebel® ‘towards Keithsville, and the cavalry is following them in the direction of Bostom Mountains. We give an excellent map of the whole locality in another column, together with sketches of our own officers, Curtis, Asboth, Davis and Carr; and the rebel chiefs, Price, Van Dorn and McCulloch. We have received letters, dated March 6, from Nashville and Fort Donelson; but as they contain nothing important, in the present changed condition of affairs, we omit them: Col. Geary made ‘an sdvance from Leesburg on Monday as far Carter's Mills. He found the whole country devastated by the rebels; the ruins of burned granaries and grain stacks strewed the way. Visiting the acene of the. battle of Ball’s Bluff, Col. Geary caused the bleaching bones of the Union soldfers who fell in that fight to be buried, The report of the total evacution of Winchester is said to be premature, and a portion, atleast, of Jackson's rebel force is reported to be there still, Probably to cover the retreat of the main body. Commodore Dupont's official report of the cap- ture of Brunswick and Fernandina will be found moat interesting. By the North American, at Portland, we learn of the presentation to Parliament of the British offi- cial papers relative to the Union blockade of the Southern ports. Our reports show that about the 15th of February the Palmerston Cabinet—just perhaps in season—became impressed with the conviction that that measure was effective, for Ear! Russell, in a despatch to Lord Lyons, dated on that day, tells the ambassador in Washington that the fact of ships having successfully run the blockade does not prevent the blockade from being effective, and he argues that a neutral State ought to excrcise great caution with regard to a de facto blockade, and ought not to disregard it unless the power of the blockade should be abused. CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday, Mr. Sumner, on behalf of the Foreign Relations Committee, asked that they be discharged from further consideration of proposed relief to Ireland and matters connected with the Trent affair. Notice was given of a billto allow foreign vessels to carry the California mails. A resolution was introduced instructing the Naval Committee to inquire into the circumstances con- necte§ with the recent naval engagement at For- tress Monroe. A resolution was also introduced in favor of accepting from States offers of financial aid to the republic in its present struggle with traitors. The bill providing for the confiscation of the property of persons resisting the laws and au- thority of the republic was taken up, when Sena- tor Carlile, of Virginia, addressed the Senate at length in opposition to it. The bill authoriaing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase coin was passed. A report from the Conference Committee on the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Appro- priation bill was presented and agreed to. The bill to reduce the expenses of public land sales was passed. Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, offered an amendment to the Confiscation bill, which was ordered to be printed, when the Senate adjourned. In the House of Representatives, a resolution was iatroduced, and referred to the Committee of the Whole House, providing for the establishment of fogndries at Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburg, Penn” sylvania, and Poughkeepsie, New York; for an armory and arsenal at Columbus, Ohio; for a salt- petre and powder depot at Indianapolis, Indiana, and for powder mills at Trenton, New Jersey. A bill was introduced for the establishment of navy yards at our northern lake ports. A resolution was adopted to print fifty thousand copies of the Decla- ration of Independence, Washington's Farewell Address, and Jackson’s Nullification Proclamation. The bill to establish a branch mint at Denver City was reported back to the House from the Ways and Means Committee, and referred to the Com- mittee of the Whole. The regular order, the reso- lution in favor of assisting States in the emancipa- tion of slaves, in sccordance with the recommen- dation of the President’s late special Message, was taken up. Amendments were offered by different members, and a long and very interesting debate took place, a report of which will be found under the appropriate head in our paper of this morning. A vote was finally taken, and the resolution was adopted by eighty-eight yeas to thirty-one nays. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. Major General John C. Fremont’ arrived in this city from Washington on Monday evening at a late hour, in the most quiet manner, and imme- diately repaired to his rooms at the Astor House. He is accompanied by his entire family. General Fremont was waited upon yesterday by a large number of prominent republicans, including Horace Greeley, ex-Governor John A. King, Mr. Collector Barney, Mr. Andrews, Surveyor of the Port; Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, and numerous othes magnates. The occupation of Manassas’ by the Union troops imparted a buoyant feeling to Wall street yeuterday, and stocks were all higher. There was an active demand from the public for government securities and the leading railway shares. Money is easy at 67 per cent. Exchange is very dull at 1126112%. The exports for the week foot up $2,067,308, against $2,880,867 for the correspond- ing week last year. The steamship North American, from Liverpool the 37th and Londonderry the 28th ultimo, arrived at Portland yesterday morning. Her news is one day later than that by the City of Washington. Cotton was firm in Liverpool on the 28th ultimo, with an advance of one-eighth of a penny inSu- rats. There were four hundred and fifty-two thousand bales on hand. Breadstuffa were still dull and the provision market quiet. Consols rated in London, on the 28th ult., at 93% a 93% for money. The insurrection in Greece was attracting great- er attention, as it may influence or induce a new state of political affairs in Turkey. A reactionary movement was expected in Southern Italy, the re. actionists being now organizing in Trieste, Malta and Rome. The debate onthe address to the throne was continued in the French Senate. The Hammonia, from Southampton on the 26th ultimo, reached this port yesterday morning. Her news is anticipated. A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held yesterday, when large amount of rou" tine business was transacted. The subject of the bills against the county, known as the Sheriff's “term fees,” was again taken up, and, after some discussion, laid ovet for fuititt éofisideration. The report of the Committee on Annual Taxes, recommending that the amount of annual taxes assessed on Charles M. Young and others be reduc- ed, was taken up and acted on. John P. Cum- mings and James C. Willet were appointed Com- he lamented Licutenant Commanding, in passing | missioners of the Central or Macomb’s Dam Bridge bya unanimons vote of the Board, which then adjourned until Tuesday next, the 18th inst. ‘The cotton market yesterday forencon opened tame!y and with less excitement, but in the afternoon a better feoling prevailed, and the advance of the previous day Was sustained. The sales embraced about 1,400 balcs, the greater part to spinners, on the basis af 2% « 30c. for middling uplands. The flour market was heavy, and foll off Sc. per bbi., chiefly on the com- mon and medium grades. The sales were limited, and confined to the home trade. Wheat was heavy and sales limited, there being little or mo domand for export, while prices were irregular. Corn was infair demand from the home trade, with sales at 60c. a 6lc. for Western mixed, in store and delivered. Pork was heavy, but tolerably active, at easier prices. Sales of new moss were made at $13 602 $14, and of new prime At $10 623, @ $10 75. Sugars were steady, with sales of 640 bhds. and 170 boxes at full prices. Coffee was Grm, Dut without sales of moment; the stock embraced 10,898 bags Rio, and 117,720 mats and bags. Freight engagements were moderate, at rates given in another columa, - The Rebel Stronghold of Virginia Abandoned. Manassas, the rebel stronghold of Virginia, the defence of Richmond, the Confederate capi- tal, and the protecting rebel barrier, since July } last, against the advance of our army from Washington—Manassas, the scene of the most decisive victory ef the rebellion, bas become the scene*of ‘its most disastrous retreat. ‘The illustrative map én. our first page will show to the reader the gteat importance to the rebels of Manassas Junction as military posi- tion for defensive or aggressive purposes; but fully to understand its advantages, some know- ledge of the topography of the country em- braced in its defences is necessary. The hills, ravines and water courses, from the Junction to Centreville, are well adapted for a formidable system of defensive works; and, facing Washing- ton, the hills, ravines and creeks on the right, extending along the Occoquan to the Potomac, and thence along the heights of that river to Aquia creek, protect that flank for a distance of fifty miles below Washington. The hills, mountains and precipitous banks of the Upper Potomac, om the Virginia side, for sixty miles above Washington, enabled the enemy, in the occupation of two or three commanding points, to secure their left flank up to Harper's Ferry, while the railway from the heart of that great valley, across the mountains, to Manassas June- tion, gave this great camp an abundant subsist- ence and the means of cheap and rapid trans- portation. AM! this immense military line was held and stoutly contested by the rebels down to about the first of the present month. There they stood at Centreville, menacing Washington, and inviting an attack, for weeks and months, by their blockading Potomac batteries, while General McClellan was patiently collecting, arranging and training his forces and matur- ing his plans. Now, while the rebel Con- gress at Richmond are discussing various measures of “permanent” legislation, appa- rently with the conscious security which pre- vails in the Congress. at Washington, the news comes to us that this vast rebel Army of the Potomac, from its distant extremities to: its great central fortified camp, has been hurriedly broken up and is in full retreat upon. Rich- mond. This is equivalent to the abandonment of Virginia by the rebels without risking a great end decisive battle. They bave no other place within the limite-of the State where they can make the stand which they could have made at Manassas. We-presume that that flying army has been reduced, by sickness, expiring enlist- ments and desertions, and by detachments drawn off to other quarters, to considerably tess than one hundred thousand men. We presume that the federal army in pursuit will considera bly exceed hundred thousand men, and thet its most serious impediments on its way to Richmond will be broken bridges and obstruct- ed roads. This evacuation of Manassas 19 wistually the end of the rebellion in Virginia and the resto- ration of that State to the Union. With the close pursuit of the retreating rebel army which will doubtless follow, we may now reasonably count upon the fimal collapse of the vagrant government of Jeff. Davis before the Ist of May, and the reopening of the whole South and its great commercial staples to the markets of the world. Sympatay or Frayck wire tax Unirep States.—By reference to the curious debate in the French Senate, which we publish to-day, it will be seen that the historical and traditional sympathy of the French nation with the United States is still fresh in the heart of the nation. The hostility to any alliance with England {s manifest, and an alliance with the United States is openly advocated. THe Marquis de Boissy suggests that the money spent by France in the war in the Crimea and the war in Italy would be sufficient to carry her standards to London. For his part he did not fear the English. France could easily conquer them if she did not give them time to form a new coalition against her; and the wisest policy of France was to culti- vate her ancient friendship with America, “a nation whose alliance would always be a pre- cious advantage to her.” For “ the humiliation of the United States would give England the supremacy of the seas;” and that, argues the French Senator, can never be permitted by France. In this debate England is a “ Power enduring everything for the sake of money, and only haughty to the weak”—a Power which, in the case of the United States, dares not venture on « line of policy which is not that of France. Can anything be more insulting to proud Al- bion? A terrible war between France and England is only a question of time, and in that day France will need our friendship. It would seem that it is to the friendship of France the American republic is indebted for its exemp- tion from British hostilities. During our na- tional troubles, “ France,” says Mr. Billault, the French Minister, “ France will never forget the bonds of kindness which unite her to the United States.” Let France be assured that this senti- ment is reciprocated by the American govern- ment and meets with a cordial response in the hearts of the American people, Le MARU IZ, 1802.~ no haeh dnl TAI haa : SHEET. The Moral of Our Reoant Disasters in Hampton Roavis. The excitement created in this community aud along the coast by the exploiteof the iron- clad monster Merrimac has exceeded anything that has been witnessed since the commence- ment of the war. ‘The greatest indignation is felt and expressed at the want of energy which has been exhibited by the Navy Department in reference to this vessel. Although it has been for months in possession of all the facts regard- ing her, although warned by the public journals of the imminency of the raid that she has just committed, and.although it had received a suff+ cient lesson in the success that had attended the efforts of the iron ram Manassas to scatter our blockading squadron at the mouth of the Mis- sissippi, it made no preparation whatever to meet the danger. Shipowners and commercial men generally naturally feel alarmed at the further losses to which another sortie on the part of the rebel sea monster might subject them, and they demand. that such changes shall be made in the'personnel of the Navy Executive as will infuse into it something of the foresight and energy that have been exhibited in the War Department since Mr. Stanton was placed at its head. They say, and say justly, that it is use- less to make heavy sacrifices for the support of the government in the suppression of the rebel- lion if the fruits of their bard earnings are to be sacrificed-in addition : by the-retention of ineom- petent or indolent officials in positions of such importance and responsibility. But it is not on the President and Cabinet alone that ‘the lesson that we have just received will, we. trust, impress itself. Congress inust not lose a minute in passing the appropriation for the construetion of the fifteen additional gunboats, which has hung fire in the Senate. It has been said that the measure has not been sufficiently discussed. No stronger arguments can be offered in its favor than those furnished by the guns of the Merrimac. They tell our legislators, in tones not to be misupderstood, that too much time has been expended over this and other measures of @ similar character. This squeamishness about the expenditure of a few millions, when the safety of our navy and commerce are at stake, is misplaced and ridicu- lous. The ravages caused by the unchecked career of a devouring monster like the Merri- mac would, in one week, have cost the country double the amount of the appropriation now asked for. Congress must not, however, stop here. It will have to enter upon a course of expendi- ture, in connection with our navy, in which these fifteen millions will form but an insignifi- cant item. The whole character and. organiza- tion of the latter have got to be changed. Whilst all the other navies of the world are undergoing a complete transformation ours cannot stand still. Henceforth not a single wooden war vessel must be built. We are, in. deed, entering upon an age of iron—iron in ships, iron in forts, iron in harbor defences, iron in everything that moves or floats. Not aday, not an hour should be-lost in preparing for this great change. It will be seen by the debate in the English Parliament, published elsewhere, that we have not been suffi- ciently alive toits urgency. England has at pro sent fifteen iron vessels of war on the stocks, France fourteen, Spain five, and the United States only two, one of which is in service; of the other, now nearly ready, we give a description in another column. Twenty additional ones have been ordered, and fifteen more are under con- sideration by Congress. These must be imme- diately passed upon, and measures taken to construct such a number of floating batteries, on the Ericsson model, as will render our ports completely impregnable. The money hereto- fore proposed to be expended on forts and earthworks for our harber and lake defences can be much more profitably spent in this way. There is, we repeat, nota minute to be lost. It appears, by a statement just laid be- fore the House of Commons, that in the naval year just ensuing England will have in the American waters a fleet of eighty large war vessels. It may safely be assumed that France and Spain will have halfas many mose. The purposes for which these immense squadrons are to be maintained in these latitudes are not as yet very clearly defined. That they will bring usin collision with the three govern- ments is more than probable. We cannot tamely look on and see the central and south- ern portions of this continent carved out into petty monarchies to form appanages for the cadets of royal houses, to the utter neutraliza- tion of the policy which this country has maintained since the time of Monroe. It therefore becomes the duty of Congress at once to prepare for the eventualities to which such provocations on the part of the European governments will inevitably expose us. With a sufficient number of iron gunboats, and float- ing batteries of the size and model of the Monitor, we might bid defiance to the com- bined navies of the three Powers. Their large fron frigates—such as the Warrior and La Gloire—would have no chance in our harbors and rivers against assailants of such light draught, so easily mancuvred and so impenc- trable to the heaviest ehot as the Ericsson battery. Our recent experiences of the qualities and powers of endurance of these iron vessels will prove of inestimable value to us. They show that the disparity that has hitherto existed in "point of strength between our navy and that of England may be easily remedied. For pur- poses of defence # few months’ preparation, and the exercise of a little patriotism and energy on the part of Congress, will accomplish all that is necessary to ensure the safety and impregnability of our seaboard cities. Tue Navat Heros or tux War.—We pub- lish to-day Commodore Dupont’s interesting report of the capture of Brunswick. These re- ports, together with the glorious exploits of Commodore Foote and Lieut. Worden, and the thrilling account of the heroism of the gallant officers and seamen of the Cumberland, who al- lowed her to go down with her colors flying rather than surrender, prove that the valor which has ever distinguished that arm of the service has not degenerated, but, on the con- trary, shines forth with more brilliant lustre than ever in this hour of the nation’s trial. Nothing, perbaps, in history excels the courage of the heroes of the Cumberland, who stood to their guns till the water ran into the portholes, and,as they sank in the waves, shouted “No surrender !” Our Minrtany Herors—The glorious tri- umphs of Curtis, Sigel and their armies in the West reflect a glory upon American arms of which the nation ought to feel proud. These are the kind of men the people will hereafter delight to hones: Reduction of ; Tasation—Imporsant Com- munication from the Comptvoller. We published yesterday morning a com- munication from the City Comptroller, pro- posing a plan for the reduction of the city taxes for the eurreut year—not by re" ducing the expenditures, but by distributing ‘the payment of debts which are due in the present year over a longer period, which would be a great relief to real estate, which is now to be so severely burthened by the tax for thewar, at a time when real estate is depreciated, and the rents of warehouses, stores and dwellings must be reduced, from the inability of the oc- cupants to pay the former high rates. The | taxation on the eity is fearful—amounting to twelve millions of dollars, as:much as was we- ceasary not very long ago to support the fede- ral government. Some easement of the prea sure is absolutely necessary. The Common Council has made‘itself respon- sible for two millions of dollars for the Union Defence Fund and the’ families of volunteers, as foilows:— Union Defence Fund, payable Ist of May, Volunteers’ Famil lst of July, 1 Volunteers Family Fund, Ist of February; 1863. * Of the first item $63,800 haye hoch ae ‘The remainder is due. ‘It is Proposed to post- |" j ‘pone the: payment by the, issue. of new bonds, redeemable November 1, 1864; while it is re- commended that the Volunteers’ Family Fund, No. 1, be paid, both interest and principal, by taxes: to'be-raised “in the present year; and the Volunteers’ Family. Fund, No. 2, by-taxes te be raised in the year 1863. It is expected that the State or general government will reimburse the city to the extent at least of the million Defence Fund. It ia, therefore, deemed advisable to postpone the payment of that item till 1864. Most of our city readers are aware that there | are two sinking funds for the city debt—one for the payment of the interest, which is raised by taxation, and the other for the pay- ment of the principal, by the appropriation of epecifio revenue from the Croton water. i will be seen, from the tabular statement of the Comptroller, that, in addition to the revenue set apart and-specifically pledged for the redemption of that portion of the city debt payable from the Sinking Fund, the Cor- poration has voluntarily contributed several years, in advance of the maturity of any part of the-debt, the sum of $4,582,205. The capital of the Sinking Fund for the redemption of the city debt, on the 3ist of December, 1861, amounted to $6,256,945. This amount, with the annual interest thereon and the ordinary reve- nues of the fund, being ample to extinguish the debt long before it becomes due, the Comptrol- ler recommends that application be made to the Legislature for the adoption of a law authoriz- ing the: Corporation to transfer the surplus revenues to “the general fund,” and to deduct from the estimates of the general expenditure to the same amount. It will be observed that this proposition does not touch the revenues of the Sinking Fund, except so far as they are surplus, and therefore does not violate the public faith im any way, or do aught to depreciate the city se- curities, which have always stood so high in the confidence of the people. The object of the measure; in view of the war taxes and the pre- sent inability of real estate to pay, is to. spread the burthen over the future. What the Comp- troller proposes is very good. But he does not go far enough. His plan does not go-to. the re- duction of the expenditure. By the abolition of sinecures, by the reduction of the appzopria- tions twenty-five per cent, and by doubling the revenues, a8 might easily be done, the taxation of the-city could be reduced to one-half the present figure. It has nearly quadrupled in the last decade. It ought to be reduced by atleast four or five millions during the present year. AvomazrR Japanese Ewmpassy.—The long talked: of Japanese Embassy to the gov. ernments of Europe is now on board a Bri- tish vessel of war on its way to England, where it may be shortly expected to arrive. The ice of their exclusiveness having been broken, the Japanese about two years ago sent an embassy to this country, from which they carried back numerous presents and specimens of our manu- factures. We provided vessels for-their trans- port, and entertained them hospitably, but so far we have had mo return for our trouble and expense in the way of an increase of our trade with the sunny empire. Having been to America they are now going to Europe, where mere curiosity will doubtless secure |gor them a cordial reception, although the | mystery which formerly lent a charm’ to the subject of Japan and its people has been of late years so far dispelled that it may be said to no longer exist. The interest will be almost purely commercial with which the Eng- lish will regard these dusky inhabitants of the far Orient when they land on British soil. Their shaven pates and stick-of-black-sealing- wax-looking coil of hair, their strange costumes and impassive appearance, may attract the eye of the observer; but they are features with which the public have already been made fully familiar through books and newspapers. Whether British expectations of the commercial results of the embassy will ever be realized, we have only our own experience to assist us in forming an opinion; but with the lapse of time it is not impossible that a moderately large trade may spring up between Japan and the Western nations. Tax Pitots or Our War'Vesseis.—Here is a class of men deserving of the notice of the government and of the gratitude of the people. They stand up bravely in the pilot houses, which are marks to be shot at by rebel cannon, and, without the aid of the excitement of wield- ing ® weapon or commanding either soldiers or sailors, quietly aad calmly face death for their country. They ate true heroes, equal to any in the army end navy, and superior to the majority in either. They are worthy of all honor and renown. Toe Sraeets aNo THE Cieanino Contract.— The season of hard frost and driving snow hav- ing passed, it is time that the contractor for street cleaning should cart away the hillocks of snow and accumulated refuse that impede the public, traffic in the side streets. He should also remove as much as possible of the slush which @eluges portions of our thoroughfares, and Commence a general spring brushing and cleaning of the whole city. Now is the time to 0 it, and if he neglects his duty we hope the city will neglect to pay his little bill when he next presents it. We want the street cleaning contract to be something more than a mogkery. Tox Evrecr or tas Reouyr News mw Bo- rové.—The British journals have been complain- ing of the uninteresting character of the recent news from this country. Therewas too much ap- parent inaetion for them to find texts for their Jeading articles, and our files by the last steam- er disclosed the singular absence of a single leader on American affairs in any of the London journals, Having written articles about the lack of incident in the American news, they finally sabsided into utter silence. But we think that if they have not been aroused from their repose by the intelligence of the capture of Fort Donelson, the oeeupation of Nashville and other Union triumphs, they will at least be awakened to unusual activity by the events of the last few days. That dramatic sea fight in Hampton Roads ought te, and doubtless will, afford them unlimited scope'for the exereise of their peeuliar.genius. It isa subject teoming with suggestiveness, amd they may speculate upon the eonsequences, present and fetere, of the exploits of the Monitor and Merrimac odin fnitum. ‘They will have’ ample material for elaboration and prognostication im our naval achievements along the Southern coast, and they. } can read and reflect upon our total defeat of the ‘Tebel army under Price; McCulloch, Van: Dore amd MeIntosh, after three days!’ hard fighting, _ But what will most’ rivet’ public -attention, exert.a great: moral influence in’ Europe; be the announcement that the rekels ‘have tetréated from’ Manassas, which, together with Centreville and the neighborhood, are now in possession of the Union troops, There will be PI journalists, without any danger of their feeling ‘that ennui which gave rise to their recent lamea- tation that there was nothing to write about. Tae Paciric Atrrrupe or Great Brrrame.—> That England is anxious to see this war over ag soon as possible there is every indication, and the pacific attitude which she has assumedsince the settlement of the affair of the Trent is expres sive of a general revulsion of feeling in ome favor. Every mail tends to reassure us om the subject of foreign intervention. We learnby the North American that ina Jetter to Ler@ Lyons, dated as recently as the 15th of Februa- ry, Earl Russell said that the fact of ships hav- ing successfully run the blockade does not pre- vent the blockade being effective, and he argued that neutral States ought to exercise great ¢aa- tion with regard to a de facto blockade, and ought not to disregard it unless the power of the blockade should be abused. This is emi nently satisfactory, and we are glad to see that the British government takes such fair and sem sible views of our affairs. THE WAR I IN Tk THE SOUTHWEST. The Whereabouts « of Humphrey Mar- shall—Burning of Rebel Army Stores, Lousvitie, March 11,1848. Humphrey Marshall is at Glassville, eight miles from the Kentucky line, near Poundrig Gap. He first attempt ed to conciliate the people of that region, but since bie defeat he has become irritable and overbearing. Tennessee advices say the citizens of Shelbyville, Beds ford county, burned on Sunday night s large quantity of confederate stores to prevont their falling into the hands of the rebel troops under A. Sydney Johnston, who were in full retreat from Murfreesboro. Cmrcago, March 11, 1862. A special despatch to the Tribune from Cairo says thas the bridges of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad arere- paired and trains run regularly from Bird’s Point to Sikestown. General Strong was placed in command of Calrete- day. Authentic news received at headquarters to-day etates that the rebels aro strongly fortifying island No. 10. The gunboats and mortar boats are in readiness to transport troops. ‘The Hiawatha arrived this afternoon, ladon with Towa troops, tho destination of which is the Tennessee viver, From New Madrid. Cutcaco, March 11, 1968. A special to the Times from Caire says that a messenger arrived at Bird’s Point to-night from New Madrid, Me. A portion of General Pope's column is at Point Pionsaat, tem miles below. This will prevent any transporte from coming up the river. Terrible Naval Engagement near Fortress Mea- roe—The Rebel Fleet Disabled and Drives Back—Map of the Scene of Conflict—The Re- treat of the Rebels from Manassas, Leesburg and Occoquan—The Rebel Price Again De- feated—Important Intelligence from Mexioe and Cuba, &. ‘The Cunard mail steamship Arabia, Captain Stone, wild Weave this port to-dayffor Liverpool. ‘The mails for Europe will close in this city at half-past Bine o’olock to-morrow merning. ‘The Evrorgan Enron ov ras Heratp will be reaag this morning at half-past eight o'clock, and will com, tain full and authentic accounts of the Attack of the irom plated Rebel steam ram Merrimac, assisted by two othep steamers, on the Union Vessels off Newport's News, an@ of the Terrible Fight between them and the Ericesm iron-plated gunboat Monitor, in which the Rebel: were driven back disabled, illustrated with a Map of the Scene of Conflict; The Rebel Price again Defeated in Arkansas, with heavy loss; The Latest News in regard te the Movements of the Union and Rebel forces throughcut the country; AB Account of the Occupation of Leesburg, Va., by the Union Troops, and the Abandonment of their Works at Manassas, Occoquan and other Places en the Potomac by the Rebels; Late and interestng accoents of the situation of Affairs in Mexico, and all the imgertant news of the week. Single copies, in wrappers, ready for mailing, six coats. Sampeon Low, Son & 0o., No. 47 Ludgate Hill, Londes,, England,will receive advertisements and subscription for the Hmnaip. ANOTHER REBEL GIBRALTAR. ‘The Tennessee Rebel Stand Point—Map af Ghat. tanooga and Its Surroundings—The Great Na-, val Engagement Off Newport's Nows-—-Retraag of the Rebels from Their Intrenchmenta om the Potomac—Price Again Defested—The Lat. ost News, &c., he. ‘The Famy Henatp, ready this (Wednesday) morning, will contain 8 Map of the new Rebel Gibsalar in Tonnes. 00, with # Description of Chattanooga and ita Surrowad, ings, the Natural Strength of the Place, ita Value in @ Strategic Point of View, and its Railroad and Water Com. munication. It will also give @ full and graphic report, from our own correspondent, of the Great Naval Engage. mont off Newport's News, Va., between the Union Gan. boat Monitor and the Rebal Floot; Retreat of the Rebel from Manassas, Leesburg and their Batteries on the Po tomac; Aecount of the Total Defeat of the Rebel Generals Price, McCulloch, Van Dorn and McIntosh, with Qreng Loss, in Arkansas; the Capture of Brunswick, Ga, an@ Fernandina, Fla., by the Fleet of Com. Dupont, and alt the cheering Union news of the week; Important Intell. gence from the South; the Latest News from Europe, ama much other interesting reading. ‘TormasXwo doin por year. Single coptes fyyr conte.