The New York Herald Newspaper, May 8, 1862, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1862—TRIPLE SHEET. NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICEN. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. TERMS cash in acvance. Money sent by mait will be at the wish of the sender. Nowe but Bank bills current in New York «al THE DAILY HERALD, to cents per copy. $7 per annum. . No, 126 Volume XXVII ANUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. SIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway —Tus Excaaytress. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway —Tux Itauian Wire. WALLACK'S THEATRE. 844 Broadway Love ix A rs NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.——Dee Fneis- CULIZ—Gkuk DEY ACK SHRPCAKD OLYMPIC THEATRE, 485 Broadway —Wittow Corse— Brovrins ‘RNCM'S AMERICAN WU! M, Broad: Com. Havinc Wuata, 0, at al bours—rowans oF IME rusk». afternoon and evening. CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL, 585 Broadway—Son:s, ‘Dancers, Borcusques, 4. euskal PEOPLE'S MUSIC HALL, 45 Bowery.=Soncs, Dances, Bewesques, ke. PARISIAN CABINET OF WONDE! 63 Broad: - pen caily from 10 A. M. uly PM. sa 7 TRIPLE New York, Thursday, May 8, 1862, THE SITUATION. The intelligence from the Army of the Potomac, at present the cynosure of all eyes, is of the most satisfactory character. General McClellan, in one of his bulletins, says, ‘‘Every hour proves our vic- tory more complete;”’ that more guns had been taken from the rebels, and that prisoners were constantly arriving. In his despatch to his wife, the General states that ‘‘the Quaker army” were doing well. He further asserts that he was in oc- cupation of Joe Johnston's headquarters of the previous day. He winds up his latest despatch with ‘All goes well.” The news from Fortress Monroe states that a Yumor was current there that the rebels had crossed the Chickshominy in their flight from Williamsburg, and had destroyed all the bridges in their rcar. General McClellan was still hotly pursuing them. By this mode of procedure, it would appear that the rebels intend to carry out the plans mentioned in the Richmond papers—vis., that <of making their main line of defence ‘along the banks of Ythe Chickahominy river. Mf that be so, and the rebels make a stand, there is but little doubt that Gene- val Franklin, who arrived at West Point sometime since, will attack them in the rear, and with effect. If they do not make a stand General Franklin may be able to head off the greater part of the retreating forces, and thus bag a goodly number of prisoners. Either way the prospect Sppears clear, and, inthe Army of the Potomac, “all goes well.”’ The name of a General Ricketts is mentioned asamong the killed at Williamsburg. It was natu- rally at first supposed that it was the Captain Ricketts (of the ‘Ricketts battery’’ that took such an active part in the battle of Bull run and who was wounded, taken prisoner to Richmond, and Gubsequently released on parole and exchanged), as he had recently been appointed a Brigadier General of Volunters. By reference to our Wash- ington despatches it will be seen that General J. B. Ricketts was alive and well in that city yester- day, and was about to take a command. The General Ricketts who was killed was a rebel offi- cer, doubtless belonging to some of their militia forces. The news from New Orleans is of a momentous and important character. The naval operations formed one of the most brilliant actions of the Present war., Eleven rebel gunboats were de- stroyed, two forts, one on each side of the river, the narrow channel of which they completely commanded by a heavy cross fire, captured, and the heav;-chains which barred the passage broken by our naval squadron. The contest lasted four days and five nights, and was remarkable for the endurance of the besiegers under a galling fire, But another circumstance arises from this en- gagement that is curious as well as important. The battle between the Merrimac and our fleet at Hampton Roads demonstrated the fact that wooden ships could not stand against iron-clad vessels-of- war. This, of course, revolutionized the whole of the European navy, and old country monarchs at once set about making iron vessels, cutting down iine-of-battle-ships and putting on them a powerful iron armor, &c. In fact, ‘wooden walls’ were pronounced entirely aseless. But in this fight we find that an old wooden steam frigate, the Missis- sippi, completely conquers and sinks the noted fron-clad gunboat of the rebels. What will be the result of this contest? Will the age of iron cease, and European nations again return to their old “wooden walls?” It would appear that it must be so. The universal Yankee nation has always proved a puzzle to the governments of the Eastern hemisphore, and if these contests do not make us a still greaterpuzzle we do not know what will. The action between the Verona and Webster is one which reminds us of the palmy days of Paul Jones, and of his engagement, while commander of the privateer Providence, with the British frigate Serapis. The Verona, crippied aud sinking, as it were in her dying struggle, administers to her opponent a final blow, of sach force that both ves- sels go down together. Further comment is un- mecessary. From General Banks’ corps we jearn that the Fifth New York cavalry, while making a recon- hhoissance towards Harrisonburg, encountered a body of Ashby’s cavairy, upon whom they charged with their sabres, and succeeded in driving them within two miles of the towa. Ten rebels were killo@ and siz taken prisoners. Our loss was small. We have intolligeace from North Carolina to the 24 inst, bY the United States steamer Haze, Cap- tails Williams, whieh arrived here yesterday from + Wewhcern. Phore is nothing particularily new from Cencral Burnside’s division. The troops wor? being permitted a reat after their continued weave operations, and their Bealth wae improving under extended sanitary arrangements. The weather was warm, but pleasant. The movement Previously inaugurated of raising a Union regi- ment in the State was meeting with flattering suc- cess, The Australasian, at this port, brings news from Europe to the 27th of April—three days later. The Chancellor of the English Exchequer, in his speech to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, reveals the fact that the Cabinet is seriously troubled at the increasing destitution of the opera- tive classes from the want of cotton, and that ministers heartily wish the American war was ended as a means of relieving the distress. Mr. Gladstone’s sympathies are, however, with the rebels. He says:—/‘ We have no faith in propa- gation of free institutions at the poiut of the bayonet; and ‘you cannot invade a nation in order to convert its institutions from bad ones into good ones; and our friends in the North have, as we think, made a great mistake-in sup- posing that they can bend all the horrors of this war to philanthropic ends.” Mr. Gladstone then pointed out how “‘grievous- ly’’ England, France, Belgium and “‘every country that has a cotten manufacture” is suffering, and concluded by praising the patience of the work people at home during such “dark’’ and ‘‘mena- cing” times. The London Times comments in its editorial columns on Mr. Lincoln’s Thanksgiving proclama- tion, the schedule of the Tax bill before Congress, the probable fate of the negroes in America, and the return of its special correspondent from the seat of war. Speaking of the Thanksgiving proclamation, the writer classes such religious papers in the follow- ing extraordinary words:—‘‘But there is a point in the President's proclamation which surpasses even the common profanity and self-deception incident to such ceremonials.”’ Exter Hall abandons the American negro “brother”? thus:—‘‘The negro has, it would seem, no friend on the continent of North America south of the possessions of Great Britain. There are, indeed, the abolitionists, who argue strongly and declaim fiercely in his behalf; and there are the planters, who, we believe, in the main, treat him with con- siderable kindness and forbearance. But the ser- vice which the abolitionist would render to the negro stops short with his emancipation.” The conclusion is, that in any event, the black man will either be enslaved, exterminated, or expelled from the United States. i “Ball Run” Russell's report of his excommuni- cation from the Army of the Potomac by Secre- tary Stanton, with his account of all his trials and tribulations incident thereto, are given in the Heratp to-day in his own words. is The original crew of the Britis ship Ethilie St. Pierre, taken from her by the James Adger, reached Liverpool in the steamship Etna, and, no doubt to their surprise, found their vessel already in that port. The news brought by the Columbia from Vera Croz and Havans is important assuring us, “as it does, of the rapid advance of the French troops on Mexico City, the open violation of the treaty of Soledad by Napoleon, the retirement of the Spanish soldiers to Cubs, and the open pro- clamation of General Almonte, of Mexico, in favor of a foreign monarchy. In fact, the Em- peror of France was in a state of actual war with President Juarez, and the first blood had been shed during a charge of the Chasseurs d’ Afrique on the cavalry of General Zaragoza, in which the latter were defeated. The causes given by the French plenipotentiaries for not fulfilling what they had agreed and stipulated are four, as follows:— First—The declaration of war on the part of the government of President Juarez. Second—The assassination of several French soidiers in the neighborhood of their camps. Third—The annoyances caused them by various guerillas, Fourth—The entire interception of all kinds of food. Sir Charles Wyke, the British Minister, was in conference with General Doblado, of Mexico, at Puebla—the result of which General Prim wes awaiting at Vera Cruz. It was thought to bode no good to the French. CONGEESS. In the Senate yesterday, “the House bill appro- priating $30,000,000 for the support of the army for the year ending June 30, 1863, was reported by the Finance Committee, and after a brief dis- cussion as to the number of men in the army, laid aside. The House bill to provide increased reve. nue was passed. A resolution was adopted direct- ing inquiry as to what legislation is necessary with reference to the vessels seized by the rebels at New Orleans and other ports, and recaptured. Mr. Sumner offered a resolution for the expulsion of Senator Stark, of Oregon, who is charged with disloyalty, which was laid over. A bill for the re- lief of Captain Farragut, for advances made while in California, was passed. The House committee appointed to impeach Jadge Humphreys, of Ten- nessee, charged with high crimes and misdemean- ors, appeared in the Senate and stated their business; but no action was taken on the subject. A committee of conference was appointed on the bill incorporating the Washington and George- town Railroad Company. A bill regarding the number of generals in the army was debated; but no action taken. The select committee on the Confiscation bill was announced, as follows:— Messrs. Clark, of New Hampshire; Collamer, of Vermont; Harlan, of Iowa; Cowan, of Pennsyl- vania; Wilson, of Massachusetts; Sherman, of Ohio; Henderson, of Missouri, and Willey, of Vir- ginia. After an executive session the Senate ad- journed. In the House of Representatives @ bill making Port Royal, S. C., ® port of entry was passed, and Mr. Daily was confirmed in his seat as delegate from Nebreska. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The Australasian, trom Liverpool on the 26th and Queenstown the 27th ultimo, arrived at this port yesterday evening. Her news is three days later than that by the Edinburg. Consols ciosed in London, on the 26th of April, at 93% 993% for money. The weekly roturn of the Baak of England shows an increase of £428,178 in the bullion, the total treasure reach- ing £17,172,204 ($85,861,020). Money continued abundant, and the discount market was very easy. Cotton remaised frm, at unchanged rates, in Liverpool on che 26th nltimo. Five thousand bales were sold during the day. Breadstuffs were quiet, heavy and nneltered io price. Provisions remained dull, and are iooking downward. It wae reported that the Augirian Minister London had been instructed to demand from Lord Palmerston the exact meaning of his recent speech on Italian politics in Parliament, more particu- larly the portion which relates to the rule of Aus- tria in Venetia. By consent of the King of Italy, French troops had entered into the territory of Naples, and there engaged and defeated a reac- tionary brigand chief. It is said that the French Minister of Marine will order the iron-plated frigate Couronne on a transatlantic voyage, in order to settle the question if such vessels can be managed in ocean seas. The war between the Turks and Montenegrins was still in progress, the Turkish troops suffering a severe defeat, according to the latest advices, On the 20th of April the Spanish General Mes- sinas left Cadiz in her Catholic Majesty's steamer Feroal, for Porto Rico, of which island he had been appointed Governor General. Advices from St. Domingo, received by way of Cuba, state that there is likely to be some fighting in St. Domingo between the Spaniard® and Haytiens, the former claiming land as within their boundaries that has been occupied by the latter for ages undisputed. The stronger will override the weaker; but, driven to. bay, the Hay- tiens will fight. Several Spanish batteries and some soldiers have been sent from Havana to Scene of dispute. : By the Columbia, at this port from Havana, we have important news from Mexico, dated at Veta Cruz on the 23d of April. The advance of the French army on the city of Mexico was rapid, suc- cessful, and likely to be uninterrupted by any serious native opposition. General Almonte had addressed a manifesto to the people, which was regarded as an open approval of the foreign monarchy plan and anendorsement of Maximilian of Austria as a candidate for the throne. The masses of guerillas and outlaws who infest the soil applauded the proposed change and supported Almonte. On the 23d ult. the French army passed Chiquihuita the great stronghold of the Mexicans. - General Zaragoza had a very strong force in their rear: but he was obliged to abandon his position. The Spanish soldiers were pouring into Vera Cruz from the interior in a wretched condition, and al- most naked. British war vessels were taking them to Cuba; but the English officers and men grum- bled loudly at being placed in such close quarters with such ‘“‘filthy’” and unhealthy companions. The American bark D. Chapin, of Boston, was lost on the shoals off Vera Cruz during a terrific norther on the 19th or 20th of April. All hands are reported by our correspondent as saved. Our Havana correspondent, writing on the 3d inst., reports the news of the shedding of the first blood in the Mexican war. A party of Zaragoza's cavalry, having attempted to resist the French ad- vance, were charged by a few of the Chasseurs d’Afrique, who routed them with loss, capturing twenty prisoners. The French commander says that Juarez declared the war, and that the assassi- nation of many French soldiers justifies him in continuing it. EJ Siglio, of Mexico city, says that General Prim, by retiring from Mexico, has saved Spain from grave complications with the United States. The French also attacked and routed some troops placed along the roadside by General Zara- goza to protect the route of the Condesa de Rens. This was, ho doubt, owing to a mistake; but it has all tended to rouse the Moxican hatred. On the 19th three thousand reinforcements for Zaragoza arrived, and on the 21st six thousand came froin Puebla. The Surveyor of the Port having been informed that a secessionist was on board the steamer Co- lumbia, from Havena, in company with his Depu- ties, Brown and Isaacs, repaired on board yester- day, and after strict examination, discovered an infantry officer's sword in the possession of the porter of the ship. They also disovered an elegant silk sash with tassels. Mr. Brown took from the person of Mr. Hammond, a passenger, @ belt plate marked . §. A.” on the outer surface and “H." on the interior. The passenger gave his name as John William Hammond, of Monticello, Sullivan county, N. Y. He wae, in company with a fellow passenger who was on intimate terms with him, delivered to de- tective Keefe, of the Police Department, who con- veyed them to headquarters, where they are now confined. The sword is of elegant manufacture, but has no name upon it. In another part of to-day’s paper may be found reports of the anniversary proceedings of the New York Anti-Slavery Society, the American Tract Society and the Boston American Tract Society. We have on hand reports of the pro- ceedings of the American Home Missionary So- ciety, the Ladies’ Union Relief Committee, the American Female Guardian Sosiety, the Univer- salist Sunday School Anniversary and the Asso- ciated Alumni of the New York Theological Semi- nary, but owing to the press of. more important matter are compelled to,hold them over. In regard to mutilated Treasury notes, the As sistant Seoretary of the Treasury says that when @ note has been torn and repaired, with all its parts presented, it remains genuine; but when any portion of it is gone, it must be returned to the ‘Treasury of the United States, where an amount proportional to the missing part will be retained, and the remainder,remitted. Inthe United States District Court yesterday, the prize case of the schooner Stephen Hart was on. Portions of the cargo—consisting of Enfield rifles, amounting in value te the sum of $175,000— have been taken by the Navy and War departments for their own use. Mr. S. L. Woodford now ap- plied on behalf of the government for an order of sale as to the balance of the cargo. The Court granted the application. The final hearing of the cause will take place in a few days. The market for beef cattle yesterday was sub- stantially the same as last week. The supply was fair, the quality pretty good, and, with a steady, faiv demand, both from the butchers and govern. ment agents, full previous prices were obtained, while in some cases a trifling improvement was re- alized. We quote from 6%%c. to 8i4c. a 9c.—ave- rage price about Sc. Milch cows and veal calves remain dull, flat and unprofitable. Sheep and lambs have sold all the way from $3 to $4a $5 a %. Swine sold at 3%. a 3Y%c. for heavy corn fed, 2%c. a 3c. for light corn fed, and Bie. a 3%e. for still fed. The total receipts were, 4,118 beeves, 116 cows, 966 veals, 5,674 sheep and lambs, and 9,984 swine. At the opening of business yesterday, the stock mar. ket was disposed to droop in consequence of the von- struction placed upon General McClellan’s despatch in the morning papers. A large number of persons hastened to realize profits. Bat in the course of the morning the account of the victary at Williamsburg changed the cur- rent ef public feeling, andthe market recovered tone, and closed strong at about yesterday's best prices. Money was abundant at4a5, Exchange closed weak at 11334 2114; gold, 102% bid. The Sub-Treasurer bas received $6,000,000 of gold in exchange for 7.30 notes, and will exchange no more. The cotton market was quiet yesterday, and sales con- fined to about 160 baies, in small jets, chiefly om the Dasis of 2tc., while some smal lets were reported at ‘Zi 34c., the asking price ef the larger class of holders, closing, however, in a measure nominal at those quote- tions, aud with little disposition of dealers to operate, The flour market was heavy and lower, while sales wore moderate, closing at an average declino, especially for common and medium grades, of full 6c. per bbl; wheat was heavy and sales limited; corn was algo dull and rather cheaper, with sales of Westers mixed in store at Sic. a 56¢., and at 57c. delivered. Pork was steady, with some better demand for future delivery, with sales of mess on the spot at $13, and for delivery in June at the same figure; prime was at $10 a $10 25. Su were firm for most grades, with enles of 600 bhds. at full prices. Tho public tea sale drew a good company; but prices dragged, and con- siderable portion of the catalogue was withdrawn ; the prices obtained, however, wore considered fair, com- pared with cufrent prices in the trade, Coffee was quiet, Froights were frm, with @ fair amount of eogagemouts, The Great Victory at Williamsburg— “On to Richmond!” This is the most important victory of the war. It was fought with fifty thousand of the enemy, led by their best general. For the first time it opens the way to Richmond, the capital of Virginia, and capital of the rebel con- federacy, where the victorious Union chieftain will very soon plant the Stars and Stripes. He is deliberate and careful in preparation; but, once he is ready, then he moves with great rapidity. It was so in Rich Mountain, and it will be the same now in his march to Richmond. All that impedes him is the state of the roads and the difficulty of getting up food; for, though he says he will have to fight other battles be- fore getting to Richmond, it is not likely they will cause him any greater delay than the. en- gagement at Williamsburg. In hisdespatch, which. we published yester- day morning, dated ten o’clock on Monday evening, General McClellan was not aware of the extent of his vistory;.om the contrary, he ‘calculated that the enemy would make stand on Tuesday morning, as “he learned from the prisoners taken that the rebels intended dis- | puting every step to Richmond,” and as he “ found General Joe Johnston in front of him in strong force—probably greater a good deal than his own.” But though his “entire force was considerably inferior to that of the rebels, who would fight well, he would do all he could with the force at his disposal,” and he would “run the risk of at least holding them in check there while he resumed the original plan”—namely, to send a force up York river to West Point to head them off. But General Hancock’s brilliant bayonet charge upon Early’s brigade had already won the day, un- known to the Union troops; for while General McClellan was writing his despatch the enemy was evacuating his works under the cover of the night. Accordingly, next morning, in another despatch, which we publish to-day, the Commanding General announces “the oc- cupation of Williamsburg as the result of the hard fought action of yesterday.” The effect of Hancock’s engagement on the previous afternoon was to turn the left of the enemy’s line of works, and, being strongly reinforced, to cause the rebels to abandon their entire position during: the night, leaving all their sick, their-wounded— more than a thousand—together with three hun- dred uninjured prisoners, and s loss in killed very heavy. The enemy's loss, especially in officers, is great. General Ricketts was among the slain. Hancock’s success was gained with a loss of not over twenty killed and wounded, though the loss in Hooker’s division, on the left, was heavy; for there the severest part of the fighting took place. Thus was the victory most decisive; and every hour, as General McClellan remarks, proves it more complete. Cavalry were sent in pursuit, and more prisoners were constantly arriving. Five captured cannon had been recaptured, and a whole division had been thrown in the rear of Williamsburg. Great as this victory of McClellan’s is, it would have been far greater and accomplished at an earlier day had he been aided as he ought to have been by the War and Navy depart- ments. The result proves him a good general. He modestly said, “I will do all I can with the force at my disposal;” but he had already with that force achieved the victory; for it had caused the rebels to retreat, though he knew it not. By his splendid strategy in Rich Moun- tain he routed and dispersed the rebels in a series of brilliant and rapid achievements. By his strategy he compelled the evacuation of the enemy’s stronghold at Manassas without the loss ofa man. By a combination of skilful engineering and strategy he forced the enemy to abandon his immense fortifications at York- town without waiting for the assault. And now, by his tactics in the field and the valor and discipline of the fine army he had trained, he has driven the rebels from their second line, at Williamsburg, which he describes as “very extensive and exceedingly strong, both in res- pect to position and the works themselves.” This wipes out the disaster of Bull run, and it vindicates the sagacity and talents of McClel- lan against the persistent and systematic abuse poured upon his head by the abolition journals and demagogues throughout the land. Had he listened to the “On to Richmond” fanatical cla- mors last fall he would have prematurely wrecked the materials of as fine an army as ever trod the earth, and he would have been much farther from Richmond to-day. Now there will be a friendly race between him: McDowell and Banks, to see who will get there | first. All three will probably arrive about the same time, as they are all about equally distant from the goal. The enemy have fled; and, if they were un- willing or unable to make a stand behind such fortifications, where else in Virginia do they expect to make a better fight? Thus reasoned Magruder; but he was overruled by Davis, Johnston and the other generals. Yet they will have to fight McClellan, McDowell and Banks, on the banks of the Chickahominy, or be surrounded by the overwhelming nambers of three armies, like Napoleon by the allied armies in his last campaigns, or like the Poles by the Russians in the revolutionary war of 1830. There is great rejoicing throughout the length and breadth of the loyal States. But there is one dark speck on the sun of Williams- burg. In the midst of his victory the General who won it, and the President who appointed and sustains him, are assailed by the seditious harangues of Wendell Phillips at the anniver- saries in this city, and by the abolition journals who echo his atrocious and sanguinary senti- ments. With satanic intent they are laboring day and night to create divisions in the army, to set the generals at variance with each other and with the government. Why do they pur- sue this reckless course? They see that the Union is about to be restored as it was—the good old Union, with the constitution devised by the wisdom of i. n° is and heroes of 1776—and they are grown desperate as she bears robbed of their whelps, because their occupa- tion will be soon gone, and they will be as effectually crushed by the weight of public opinion as will be the rebels by the weight of McClellan’s conservative battalions. In the meantime, let them beware of trifling too far with the temper of the public at such a mo- ment as this. If they do not putsome restraint upon their disloyal conduct, which has assumed the form of outrageous indecency, they may be suddenly visited by some terrible popular con- vulsion, from whose fury it will be impossible to save thom. Louis Napoleon's Mexican Policy. ‘The-policy of the’-French Emperor in regard to Mexico is receiving a variety of interpreta- tions, We have seen none which have correctly sounded the motives of this crusade against the political rights and independence of a distant people. The movement is one of the necessities of the false position in which the Emperor finds him- self. Setting out upon the double idea that he is the representative of the revolution and at tho same time the defender of public order and religion, he constantly finds himself em- barrassed by conflict of principles so incom- patible. Thus in Italy he set the revolutionary ball in motion, and kept it going until he found that it was carrying him into collision with the hierarchy and clergy of France. He then abruptly withdrew from the war, leaving the Italians to work out alone their political regene- ration, and circumscribing, in regard to Rome, the extent of its accomplishment. From the day on which he concluded peace with Austria his conduct in regard to the Roman question be- came equivocal and shuffling. The language of his organs would at one time create the im- pression that he was about to leave the Pope to settle his difficulties the best way he could with his own subjects; and at another the expecta- tions thus raised were disappointed by the -re- commendation of some plan for the accommoda- tion of interests which he knew to be irrecon- cileable, thus clearly showing that nothing was ‘farther from his thoughts than the withdrawal | of his troops from Rome. The truth of thé matter is that Napoleon stands in mortal dread of clerical influence. Although well aware‘ that the separation of the Pope’s temporal and spiritual attributes, and hisredue- tion to his original status of » simple bishop, are daily acquiring advocates among the infe- rior clergy, the feeling has not developed itself sufficiently to induce him to run the risk of having an ecclesiastical war waged upon him for an invasion of the Holy Father's preroga- tives. We saw to what a torrent of invective he was exposed a little while ago by the in- cumbents of the principal episcopates in con- nection with this question. The attacks thus made caused him great uneasiness, and have, there is no doubt, influenced his policy in re gard to Mexico. The connection between the two questions may not seem very apparent; but the plans of such aruleras Napoleon are not to he judged of by the usual estimate of human actions. He is sagacious and farseeing, though of course liable at times to err in his political calcula- tions. In undertaking to impose a monarehical system upon Mexico, he seeks to accomplish two objects, always keeping in view his double mission as the representative of progressive ideas and the defender of public order and religion. By placing the Archduke Maximilian on the throne of that country he hopes to be able to obtain from Austria the quiet cession of Venetia to Italy, and by restoring the ascendency of the clerical party in the new kingdom he expects to obtain the more ready assent of the French clergy to his plans for the settlement of the Roman question. Of course the success of this programme is contingent upon the view that our government will take of it. It would certainly never have been undertaken if the Emperor had not thought us powerless to prevent it. England and Spain, who were drawn into the scheme by a similar conviction, have abruptly withdrawn from it on finding that the authority of the federal government is about being restored over the revolied States. They have both large colonial interests at stake on this continent, and wisely conclude that it would be unsafe to risk them on this Mexican venture. The French Emperor is not trammelled by this consideration, and thinks that he can securely persevere in it in defiance of the dangers which a restored Union has in prospect for him. He has not stopped to caleulate the cost of a war carried on with a country like this, at a distance of more than three thousand miles, and with armies more powerful than he can ever bring into the field. If his people are suffering from the absence of their usual supplies of cotton and tobacco now, what will be their distress when, to the continued deprivation of those staples, there will be superadded the sufferings resulting from a war expenditure to which those of the Crimea and Italy would be mere bagatelles? It is hardly conceivable that when once convinced that the rebellion is aboutbeing brought to a close the Emperor will persist in such folly. If he does it is not straining a simile to predict that he will find a second Mos- cow in Mexico. Stivett axp NaPot‘ox.—The correspondent of the London Advertiser writes that “the Em- peror Napoleon had assured Mr. SlideH that if the struggle in the States did not terminate in six months his government, with that of England, would feel bound to inter- fere.” This is altogether improbable. Slidell has been tabooed by the Frenth Court, and has be- come too insignificant ® personage to receive communications from the Emperor. The story is evidently neither more nor less than another ruse and invention of the secessionists to prop up a little longer their dying cause, and to give some eclai to Slidell! and his gang. A slight analysis of the pretended communication will show that i¢ is a mere secession trick and falsehood, and that Napoleon would not have committed himself so much as to utter what is here put in his moath. The virtual moaning and gist of the communication is as follows :— “Keep up your spirits, do not yield, only manage to carry on the struggle six months longer, and then I will interfere, with England, on your behalf.” The thing is conceived im the spirit and hopes of the rebels, and no doubt was first brought forth at the dinner table over a bottle of wine, when the Advertiser's cor- mespondent, inflamed with zeal for the rebel host, his wine and his cause, swallowed the canard from Slidell, together with his wine, and despatched the wonderful secret to London. We may expect all sorts of lies and falschoods from such sources, and it may be well to know their value. The Departure of Minister Cameron and His Defence Before the Harrisburg Ban- quet. In another column will be found the remark- able, straightforward and plainly spoken speech of ex-Secretary Cameron, delivered at & banquet in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, given by his friends and presided over by the Mayor of that city, on the eve of Cameron’s departure for his new field of labors at St. Petersburg, which will well repay perusal at thistime. Mr. Cameron presided over the War-Department at Washington during the most trying and critical hour of our’ government. At 10 previous time since the close of the Revolutionary War has the chief of that department had one thousandth part of the responsi- bility that rested upon him during the memorable year of 1861. One portion of the country wildly rushing to arms in their mad career to destroy the government that had pro. tected them, with traitors, conspirators and jobbers swarming around him, the government robbed of all its war material, and the country, long accustomed to peace, destitute of the ma- terial to equip an army, he was called upom to arm and equip an army to defend the national capital and to suppress the unholy rebellion. His taak was no ordinary one, and in discharging his duties, whether justly or not, he has brought upon his head general censure and the adoption of a condemnatory resolution by the lower house of Congress. His speech, given elsewhere, in reply to the Congressional resolution, is rich and spicy, and the best de- fence that any public official has made of his course, completely placing in the background the lachrymose plea of the Secretary of the Navy. Having made his defence, he yesterday set sail for Europe, and will proceed directly to St. Petersburg and settle his affairs at the court of the Czar. There he will leave Bayard Tay- lor to look after the duties of the minister, and then proceed overland to the Crimea and ex- amine the famous battle field at Sebastopol; from there he will cross over to Jerusalem and pay his homage to the Holy Sepulchre; thence to the Great Desert and around to the Red Sea, to view the field where Moses manceuvred his army and carried on his war operations. ‘Having satiated his observations in that field, ho will visit the Eternal City, and, like numerous other pilgrims, obtain an abso- lution for all his sins, not excepting those which the Investigating Committee and Congress have laid at his door. With his skirts and conscience thus relieved, he will proceed to Naples, then across to the island of Sicily, and around to the Archipelago, stopping at Pass Thermopyle to view the spot where Leonidas, with his famous three hundred Spartans, stood; thence to. Constantinople and Turkey, to make a thorough examination of the harem, aad from there to the mouth of the Danube. He will then pass up the Danube and view the wonders of that stream, stopping a short time at Vienna to advise the Austrian monareh how to raise an army, and from there cross over to Prussia and pay his respects to the crowned head of that nation. Remaining there until he has recovered from the fatigues of his journey, he will make a detour through the German States, cross over the Alps and view their natural beauties. With his mind thus invigorated, he will hasten to Paris to teach the Emperor how to manage his finances. Spending a year and a halfin thus examining the Old World, he will return to his native State just in time to, be returned to the United States Senate, where he will be in a position to settle all the old scores with the Investigating Committee of the present Congress. In the meantime his speech at the Harre- burg banquet, in defence of his official acts as Secretary of War, will be working out its in- tended missionhere. In this remarkable speech he has placed on record his reply to the charges made against him, spiced with an inside history of the members of the Investigating Committee who have arraigned him quite novel and inter- esting. He commenced with the outbreak of the rebellion, the condition of the War De- partment at the time the President issued his proclamation for the first troops, giving a concise history of the circumstances connected with the appointment of con- fiding Cummings, along down to the rise and progress of the Investigating Committee: and the motives that controlled the individual members, a8 well as those members of Congres who were so loud in their censure, adding a decidedly racy chapter to the developments connected with the war. He has shown that the individual members of the committee each had their private axes to grind, and came down upon him because he would not turn the grind- stone and put through their jobs—a de- cidedly interesting state of affairs, to say the least—and, taken in connection with the developments of the Congressional Investigating Committee and the debates in Congress, it exhibits a deplorable picture of the rottenness and jobbery of the republican Congress and their desperate efforts to use their position to plundez the government and nation in its hour of peril. With all these grand exposures before them, the public will have abundance of material to work upon when their time arrives to record their opinion of the Congressional jobbers and plunderers at the ballot box. They will take good care that none of these jobbers and plunderers are returned, but will send in their places those men who have exhibited integrity, ability, skill and valor in meeting the enemy face to face and crushing out with their skill and bravery this wicked and unholy rebellion. Then they will look for men of integrity to take the place of those Congressional jobbers who now disgrace the capital. The investiga- tions of the last Congress laid before the world facts proving the democratic Congress and ad- ministration reeking with corruption and job- bery to an extent that fairly appalled the public; but this Congress bas not had to wait fov ite eucceasor to convictit. The facts and figures have been laid bare by their own and Secretary Cameron's exposures, Wa hava