The New York Herald Newspaper, May 19, 1862, Page 8

—_ WEWS FROM THE SOUTH BY A REFUGES. Very Interesting Statement by One of the Merrimac’s Crew. His Impressment, Trials and Sufferings. Authentic Account of the Contest Between the Monitor and Merrimac, CONDITION OF AFFAIRS AT THE SOUTH, Kee Bee ae. a James Thompson, sailor by vocation, a citizen of Massachusetts, and formerly a resident of this city, ar- "tved here on Saturday night last from Norfolk, and fur- aishes us with a very interesting statement of affairs in vebeldom. He was one of the crew of the Merrimac dur- ‘ug the fight with the Monitor, having been impressed ‘ato the rebel navy, and had also been one of the crew of ‘the rebel gunboat Lady Davis during the cruisings of Wat vessel off Charleston and the coast. ‘Mr. Thompson isa very sensible man, having more ‘han the average intelligence found among seafaring men, and his statement may be fully relied on, He ays In the month of February, 1861, I shipped as 8 seaman to Doard the ship R. H. Tucker,and sailed from Bruns- wick, Maine, for Charleston, which city we reached Wter «@ short passage, and diseharged cargo. the vessel, and shipped on board Bocaster sailing from Charleston to Jacksonville, Fer. gandina,and otber Florida ports. After about seven months’ service in this trade,om our arrival back to Tharleston, I was, in company with othor sailors then in port, impressed into the rebel service and placed on board the gunboat Lady Davis, which formed one of the Tebel fleet near Port Royal previous to the capture of the two forts there by Commodore Dupont. The Lady Davis Wounted two guns (rifled thirty-two-pounders). Com- modore Tatnall was in command of our fleot, and after the triumphant success of the United S ates forces he ardered us all back, through Wabpoo cut, to Charleston. Here, ours was made the quardboat, running from Fort Bamtor ont as far as we dared go toward the blockading @quadron every night, and watching all the movements f the blockading vessels. After a few days’ service of this character I, in company with others, was detached from the Lady Davis and sent to erect batteries on the ‘Wahpoo river, at which work we were engaged about ove month. We built eleven batteries, about a quarter ~ef amile apart, each one mounting ten guns (mostly ‘thirty-two-pounders). This work having been com- pleted we were sent back to Charleston, where we remained two weeks. We were then ordered to Savannah, and were made to erect a battery of ten guns opposite Fort Jackson, which work ‘we completed in about three weeks’ time. In the wear of this battery there was also erected a work, -covering ours, mounting eleven guns. We manned the Dattery we bad built for about a month, when we were ‘sent to New Orleans, it being the intention at that time to place us in one of the Lower Mississippi fortifications; ‘Dut on account of some misunderstanding we were sent ‘Dack to Savannab, after remaining a week in the former city. When we returned 1 noticed that another battery for the defance of the city of Savannah bad been built by ‘te rebeis on the Thunderbolt road. It mounts ten guns, ‘and near it is (or was) an intrenched camp of 15,000 re: Bel troops, mostly frem Georgia and South Carolina, From Savannah we were removed, after a short time, to ‘wo intrenched camp about three miles from Charlesion, en the line of the Charleston and Augusta Railroad. ‘More we remained three weeks, and were then sent to garrison a work at Pocataligo, near Savannah, from ‘which 1 was afterwards again detached and reinstated ‘as one of the crew of the Lady Davis, lying in Chariesto Gharbor. Since the taking of Port Royal, in antictpatio, of an attack from the Union squadron, piles have been driven clear acres the meuth of the harbor, Weiween Forts Sumter and Moultrie, leaving ‘open only one paswage fer such vewuels as run the block- ‘ade, and to pass through which requires the @ navigator fuliy conversapt with the harbor. tions have beeg madeto the defensive works on Sulli- ‘van's Island, where there are, besides Fort Moultrie, ten Datieries, mounting seven guns each. The famous ‘floating battery” also lies off the isiand, but is com- paratively useless. Near FortJohnson three additional ‘Datterics have also been erected, mounting guns of smal, ealibre. There are also five gunboats, mostly old sailing evaft, stationed in the harbor (mounting small guns) ‘which have been stripped of their sails, spars and rig ging and anchored within the range of the forts, to ob- tract the passage of any Union vessels and to aid the forts in case of an attack on the city by water. From the guardboat I was again detached, after a month's service, auc sent to Wilmington, North Carolina, where St was intended to place us in a water battery, the build- ang of which was contemplated, but afterwards aban- doned. While in Wilmington I learned that Fort Cas. swell mounted in ail thirty-two pieces of ordnance, four ‘of which are 15-inch, and five 10-inch mortars. The urance is made up of 8-inch mortars aad pieces of smalj calibre, There is a rebel battery on Oak Isiaud in $b Cape Foar river, near Wilmington, but it is not of “mach account.” From Wiimington I was sent to ‘Weldon, North Carolina, by railroad. At Weldon thore 4s 3 battery mounting seven guns, and 5,000 troops arg stationed incamp. Herel was mustered into the vile battalion,” mostly composed of seamen, which was ‘mainly recruited in Savannah, and numbered in all about five hundred and fifty men. Thomas Polot, formerly of the ‘United States frigate Constitution, commanés this batta- Aion, with Jobn Grimble, formerly of the United States frigate Constellation, as First Lieutenant. With this bat talion I went to Richmond, and was placed on board the gebel gunboat Nansemond, lying off the Rocketts. The Mansemond mounts two guns, and is officered by —— ‘Wilson, Captain; John Walker, First Lieutenant, and Jas. Rotiiffe, Second Lieutenant—all Virginivns. After re- maining three days on board this boat] was selected as ‘one of the special crew of the Merrimac, and was in her, ‘working at the bow gun, during her ongagement With the ‘Monitor. ‘Three days after I became one of the Merrimac’s crew wos down James river to Hampton Roads. We prssed Cumberland and Congress frigates under a full head of steam, each of which gave us a breadside as ‘wo sped onward. This was about eleven o'clock on the morning of the 8th of March. After having passed ‘Shese frigates we turned round and made for the Cum Derland, striking her with our plough, and immediately paid our attentions to the Congress, which we served in @ similar manner. Previous to sinking the Congress we sailed up to within hailing dis- tance of her, when Commodore Buchanan asked ber commander be would surrender. He ‘was avswered by a short and determined negative: when Commodore Buchanan ordered our starboard bat Wry to openon her. It did so, and we then ran into her, Searing open her side with our plough most fearfully, which left her in a sinking condition. The crew of the Congress were soon up to their waists in water, but kept fighting us with most undaunted bravery, giving usa mont fearful broadside, her crow cheering most lustily ashe went down. The Minnesota was at this time ‘aground off Sewall's Point, and kept up a constant firing @t ugall the time. Having sunk these two vessels we @toamed up James river, the rebel officers being in high @ice, and came to an anchor about five miles from tne cone ofaction. Here we remained all night. On the morning of the 9th we prepared to go down again, the robel officers thinking to complete the work of destruc tion by sinking all the vessels in the Roads. When day Hight had revealed the situation of affairs, the officers of the Merrimac discovered what they at first thought was @ email tugboat, steaming towards us. We hailed her, ‘but receiving no reply, let fly at her from one of our bow guns; but she very impudently took me notice of the mes- songer we had sent and kept steaming on. Then our off. core began to be fearful of the ‘little cheesebox,” and wore fairly ‘‘trembting in their shoes” for the result of a contest with her. hey soon found out what she was. Soon ‘the litle MonRor sent as her compliments in the shape of around shot, which struck @ gup on our starboard side, {Droke it completely in two, kMed,two and wounded four @f the crew. The firing was then kept up for about three hours, the vessels being very often side by side. Aftor an hour's firing the Merrimac thought to try the virtue ~@t her plough on her antagonist, and strack her with it ‘@midships. The effect produced was very unsatisfactory ‘Go the rebels, however. The Monitor then turned on her compeer and strack her rutder, producing great Seavrsosion ex ners, but not rendering the redder un- + wi serviceable. Every time the two guns from the Monitor Were discharged, each of the two shots seemed to strike \s in nearly the same spot, bursting in the timbers of the Merrimac, loaséning the bolts of the iron plates and tim” bers, and doing us very great damage generally. It was noticeable also that her shots struck us near the water line, and caused our vessel to leak badly. Mr. Thompson also corroborates what we published ®ome time since from the Richmond Dispatch, that the iron plates om the Merrimac were welded together ip many instances by the heat aud force of the Monitor’s shot. The Merrimac’s crew, during the engagement , were made to swear that if @ large mumber of tie redals on doard were killed, they would not reveal the fact to any one en their arrival at Norfolk. Seeing that the Yide of battle was against us we were ordered to ‘*’bout ship” and put back to Norfolk. We bad not pro- coeded far when we grounded, and orders had been Glready given to scuttle the ship, when we made another and last effort to get off the shoal, and succeeded, and we made our way up to Norfolk slowly, arriving there at six P. M., with about six feet of water im the hold. The rebel steamer Patrick Henry, which bore down to the Monitor during the fight, was driven back by a shot and having steam turned on her from the Monitor's boiler. ‘She had six men scalded and twe badly wounded. After reaching Norfolk the Merrimac went into the dry dock for repairs, and for five weeks men wore working on her night and day, giving her « thorough overhauling. When destroyed she was in excellent condition, and her loss, Mr. Thompson thinks, will prove incalculable to the rebels. While these repairs were going on great fear ‘was expressed that the Monitor might come up Elizabeth iver and shell the city. If she had done so no resist” ance could or would have been offered (as the authorities and people were frightened at the very name of her), Gnd the evacuation of the batteries ant the city was already decided on in the event of her visit. Commodore Buchanan was badly wounded in the thigh, and was taken, imme- diately on our arrival, to the hospital, where, at last accounts, ho still remained. After our return Com. modore Tatnall came from Savannah to command the Merrimac when she should be in sailing and fighting trim. Shortly after the vessel was taken from the dry dock and placed in his charge he received orders to go to Hampton Roads, and, if possible, destroy the wooden ves- sels of the United States fleet lying there; but after pro- testing awhile against such order without effect, he sent in his resignation, alleging as a reason that, even should he succeed in passing Fortress Monroe and the Monitor, the ultimate destruction of the Merrimac was certain, and her loss would be attributed to his mismanagement. and his prestige as a naval officer would be gone. (?) ‘The second time the Merrimac came down into tho Roads was the day the United States frigate Seminole shelled the Sewall’s Point battery. She lay off Craney jsland within the range of and protected by the guns of that work, without daring to go within range of the Mo- nitor or Galena. At one time it was supposed that the United States iron gunboats were goimg up James river to silence the rebel batteries, and then it was the inten- tion of the Merrimac’s officers to run her out, if possible, leaving the batteries to take care of them- selves, and sink the wooden vessels of the fleet in the Roads, and ‘take the chances” of getting again within the protection of the guns at Craney Island. She lay off at anchor near Craney Island until Sunday morning (May 11), when, Norfolk having been taken possession of by the United States troops under General Wool,gwe received orders to blow her up. This was done by ap- plying a slow match to her magazine, her spar deck having been in the meantime completely saturated with oil, About five o’clock in the morning the fire reached ber magezine, and the boasted ‘terror of Hampton Roads” was shivered to atoms, The crew had in the meantime been landed at Craney Island, Commodore Jatnall, who commanded on the occasion of this visit, being so ill that we were obliged to take him ashore ina bammock. The crew of the rebel monster numoered four hundred and fifty men, fully two hundred of whom had been im- pressed, and were mostly foreigners. Some of us had, shortly befare the decision was made to destroy the vessel, camvagsed the feasibility of getting possession of her, and, after pincing the officers in irons, or, if neces- sary, ‘putting them out of the way,” hoistinga white flag and sailing for Fortress Monroe, where it was con- templated to surrender ourselves, vessel and rebel cargo to the United States authorities. The plan was abandoned, however, subsequently, for fear we should be outnumbered by the Southern rebel sailors, to whom none of us dared broach the subject. Any betrayal of the plot would, of course, have been fatal to the impressed men. Many of us have since regretted, however, that we did not attempt the matter, extremely hazardous as it was. ‘When landed at Craney Island we were massed as rank and file, and it was the intention to take us to Richmond, where we would have been distributed among the rebel regiments, and forced to fight in defence of that city. Having fully ascertained the fact that the Union troops had landed at Ocean View, and that Norfolk was again in possession of the Union government, about two hundred of us left, by aconcerted movement, on Sunday night, and made our way to Norfolk. We reached thore in duc time, were most kindly received by General Wool, who administered to each of us the oath of allegiance and gave us free passes northward. I left Norfolk city on Friday afternoon and arrived in New York on Saturday night last, beartily sick and disgusted, as may well be judged, with “affuirs in Secessia.”” Mr. Thompson states that the bridge burned by tne rebels, when they evacuated Sewall’s Point, is called In. dian Poll Bridge. It is on the road from Sewall’s Point to Norfolk; and but for the burning of it, so hard were the flying rebels pressed by the Union troops, the entire Sewall’s Point garrison, five hundred in number, would have been made prisoners. ‘The rebel commander at Sewall’s Point was Ma,or Stock- ton. The Union forces arrived at the right bank of the river in pursuit while the bridge was still in flames, tho rebels having crossed over and fired it. Not being able to cross at this point, the Union forces were compelled to make a detour of seven miles, to strike another and longer route to Norfolk, else they would have been in that city much seoner than they wero, all the rebel bat teries on the road having heen speedily evacuated. Many rumors that Mr. Thompson heard in Norfolk aro at least interesting. One was. that Beaurepara had written a letter to France, asking his friends there to pro- ‘vide with that government some means whereby himself and the principal leaders of the rebeliion couid escape from this country. Another was to the effect that the destruction of Fort Sumter was already determined on by the rebels, in case our iron gunboats should appear off that harbor. He also beard that mutiny had taken place in Beaure- gard’s army at Corinth, many of the Louisiana regiments declaring that they would go no further North; that they enlisted only to protect their own and the cotton States, and that an aggressive war in Kentueky or Tennessee they had no interest im. ‘Stonewall Jackson,” he also heard, had determined on carrying the war into Maryland, but was ot supported in that idea by his brother officers and the rebel leaders. He represents affairs in rebeldom to be in the most horrible condition. No gold or silver is in circulation atall, provisions dear and scarce, business everywhere broken up, and a general feeling of despondency has fast_ ened itself on the country. The foreign population, he says, are mostly loyal, but ferced to appear otherwise, ashe often did, in order to avert suspicion, which is generally directed towards them. Many of the Irish population (residents, not eitizons), had applied to the British consuls in Charleston, Richmond and Norfolk for protection from impressment, and had been refused it, after having been called ‘Irish Yankees.” Thousands in the rebel army, he says, would risk almest auything to getoutof it, They arefed on half rations, and of very poor quality at that, In the cities, the Stars and Stripes would be bailed by the foreign citizens with joy, and even the Southerners, who are reflecting men, are ask- ing, **What have we gained by this war?’ In Charleston the ‘secesh” beWeve that their city is doomed to totaj destruction if ever the Union forces get into it. They fear ‘a just retribution for the misery they have inaugurated and the blood they have shed, and they believe that the loyal States are more embittered against them than against any othor ctty or section of the country. ‘this fear the rebel leaders have endeavered te heighten by assuring the people of thatcity that the Union force, Once enter there they will spare meither age, sex nor con. dition of life; that all will be put to death. This has driven bundreds in Charleston into the rebel ranks for the defence of the eity—an attack upon whieh they mo- mentarily expect. At Petersburg, Va., Mr. Thompson says there are ten thousand rebel troops. Arrams at Fort Warnrey.—The battalion at Fort War- ren have just been paid off. Captain eon, of Company A, is in command of the batiation. It je soon to be provided with hate of the regular army pattern. All the ee bave “yy liberty of the fort on parole, oxi the Beauregard privateersmen and Buchner and Tigh: the former are nv Le shie the guard without the company of ‘nel, battalfon i¢ generally in favor of more active Service, though the fort Will be @ ine summer residence, NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, MAY 19, 1862. Secretary Welles on the Battle of Pitts- burg Landing. Navy Depantaxyr, April 19, 1862. ‘Sm—Yours of the 11th inst., enclosing reports from Lieutenants Commanding Gwinn and Shirk, of thesteam- ers Taylor and Lexington, on the Tennessee River, giving agraphic account of the battle of Pittsburg Landing,on the 6th and 7th inst. , and tho signal assistance rendered to the army and the country by the gunboats under their command, has beon received and read with wterest. This is another evidence of the gallant and invaivable service rendered by the navy on the Western waters. Although the force was small and auxiliary to the the successful efforts of the gunboats in checking the enemy and repelling their advance are felt and acknow- ledgea by the country. You willcommunicate the thanks of the department to the officers and men of your com- mand who participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Tam, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES. Flag Officer A. H. Foors, Commanding Gunboat Flotilla &e., Cairo, I. Heaping Coals of Fire Rebels. Kay West, April 22, 1862. We, the undersigned, forming part of the officers 0 the steamship Fiorida, lately captured by an expedition from the United States bark Pursuit, under command of Aoting Master EF. Lewis, U.S. N., while at anchor in St. drews Bay, Florida, desire to return our thanks to Act- ing Master E. Lewis and John. Hamlin, and the other offi- cers under their command, for the kind and gentlemanly treatment we experienced at their hands after the Florida had fallen into their possession. We consider such treat- ment, if extended in ail similar cases, as well adapted to majority, if not all, el deluded ted the Heads of bring’back the now acting against the government of the United States to their former allegiance. ROBT. A. DAVISSON, WM. H. HAl x HENRY JONES. Sr. Joseras Bay, Fla., April 12, 186% Mr. E. Lawn, Lieutenant and Executive Oilicer of the United States Brig Parsuit:— My Dear Six—Understanding that you are placed in charge of the prize steamer Florida, on her passage hence to Philadelphia, we cannot let the opportunity pass of returning to you our warmest thanks for the Kindness and attention we have met with at your hands, and trust that it may be in our power to recipro- cate, in ever so slight a manner, the many courteous Denefits wo have received. In conclusion, we beg you to present vo Mr. Hamlin, Sailing Master, our thanks ; ery prosperity, Success, and a quick , We remain, my dear sir, your much WILLLAM PECK, JOHN H. RAYMOND. Court ‘Calendar—This Day. Svurrenx Covrt—Circuir.—Part 1—Nos. 245, 210, 1654, 1883, 2103, 2122. 2176, 173, 823, 1707, 2002, 2111, 2198, 358, 1074, “2089, 2091, 2101, 2105, 2109. —_—_—_—_—_——— FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. Sunpay, May 18, 1862. The importations of foreign goods for the week ending yesterday were in excess of those of the corresponding week of the year 1861, but con- siderably below those of the corresponding week of 1862, and the previous average at this season. At this time last year the actual outbreak of civil war had led toa general curtailment of imports. The principal articles imported last week were:— indebted brothers, Nothing further is known with regard to the tariff question, and the gravest doubts are enter- tained by merchants with regard to the action of Congress on this and the Tax bills. The Tax bill was passed over a month ago by the House, yet has not been reached in the Senate. We were promised that the House Committee of Ways and Means would report the Tariff bill a week afterthe passage of the tax measure. It has not yet made its appearance. Persons in Washing- ton are unable to realize the mischief wrought by these delays. Business of all kinds is paralyzed. No man can tell whether to buy or to sell. Gro- cers are keeping no more goods than they need for each week’s consumption. The dry goods trade is stagnant. The public are ready for any amount of taxation; but people bear with impa- tience the interminable delays of Congress in im- posing taxes on commerce and foreign products, and listen with disgust to debates on personal and theoretical matters, when the really vital subjects of the day are left in abeyance. The following are the trade tables of the port for the week and since January 1:— Irorts. incr ieee Week. 1860, 1861. 1862. asta s cscs $85,087 412,768 890,764 cana mero dise 4, 658,500 1,915,711 2,683,114 Total for the week .$5 517,587 2,328 479 3,473,878 Previously reported.s5,697,556 64,105,659 61,866,592 Since January 1.$91,215,143 66,434,138 65,340,470 Exports oF Propuce a®D MERCHANDISE. 1560. 1861. 1862. For the week.. $939,509 = 2,366.166 1,859,981 Previousiy reported . 29,' 751,504 M4, Passo 152 42,534,025 Since January 1 $30,691,103 rey 318 44,394,906 Exports oF Srecix, e...3 1861. 1862. For the week....... 918.231 Previously reported. Py sst 008 2,835,747 16,338,435 Since January 1.$14,915,867 2,835,747 17,266,666 Last Monday the banks showed a specie average of $32,239,868, which was a decrease of $2,936,960 from the week previous; a loans average of 138,948,211, which was an increase of $5,541,793 ; and a deposits a e of $115,559,206, which was an increase of $5,924,671. To-morrow the loans and deposits will probably show a conside- rable farther increase; the latter will probably exceed $119,000,000, the actual amount in bank being a million or so more. The loans have in- creased through the purchase by several banks of government stocks; the specie has declined in consequence of the exchange of gold for 7.30 notes. We presume that the specie average to be made up to-morrow will not vary much from $30,000, 000, say nearly a million less than the banks actually hold at present. The report of the Bank of Com™ merce, which we reviewed on Saturday, shows how fine a business our banks have done with the government since the war began, and furnishes another illustration of the policy of patriotism. Had our banks hung back in August last, when Mr. Chase appealed to them for fifty millions of dol- larg, they would probably now have been bank- rupt institutions, and Mr. Chase would have taken the business of banking out of their hands. As it is, the timely aid which they afforded to the gov- ernment in its hour of trouble has enabled us to borrow in the course of a year a larger sum than was ever borrowed by any other nation in the same period of time, and to preserve ourna- tional credit in so sound a condition that, after spending $500,000,000 for war purposes ina year, our6 per cent bonds are wanted at a premium; and the banks, through whose aid this marvellous financial triumph has been achieved, see their stocks at or near par, and, notwithstanding the heavy losses they have encountered through South- ern repudiation and Northern embarrasaments, are generally able to pay their usual dividends. The experience of the past year has indeed been frult- ful of benefit in many ways. We have learned, what nothing short of the events of the past twelve- month could have taught us, our complete financial independence of Europe. Before the war, the first question asked, when money was to be borrowed by government, States or railwayssin this country | was—will the Europeans snbscribe? Without British money, it was supposed that we could not get along at all. This opinion was as widely en, tertained in Europe as here. The leading financia; writer in England wrote, last June, that the gov- ernment and capitalists of England, desiring to terminate our “fratricidal and objectless war,” bad revolved to take no American loans, ‘By thus cutting off the supplies,”’ this writer added, “we shall necessarity bring the war to a close in a@ very shert period of time.” So, in our own Congress, it was actually thought ne- cessary to empower Mr. Chase to inssue sterling bonds, so little confidence had members in our own financial resources. The events of the past year will have convinced people abroad, as well as at home, that a country which possesses a boundless fertile territory, and a populatiog of over twenty millions of hard working and intelligent | people, can never lack financial resources. It is not too much to say that no nation in Europe could have borrowed as much money as the United States have borrowed since August, 1861, and could still in May, 1862, have seen the six per cent bonds of their government selling at a premium of four per cent for currency and one per cent as compared with gold. The war of 1861-2 has achieved the complete financial independence of the United States. Henceforth European money will be re- ceived here and invested for the benefit of its own. ers; but we shall never again hear it argued that this or that financial negotiation will fail because Europeans will not touch it. The money market was easy all last week. Money is freely loaned on call at 4a5 per cent on stocks, and at 3 per cent on gold and fo- reign exchange. ‘There is so little commer- cial paper afloat that it is difficult to give a quota- tion. The best names on short paper will pass at 4 per cent; and good 4286 months paper at 5 a 6, There is far more money here than the present wants of our community can absorb. The bank deposits have increased twenty-five millions within a month, and money is still pouring in. From every section of the loyal States money comes here for employ- ment. Business is stagnant, with the exception of those branches of manufacture and trade which are stimulated by the war. Of the future of the money market but one opinion is entertained in financial circles. Every one agrees that it must be easy until some time after peace is re-established, Confidence, in mercantile circles, will not be re- stored so long as the warlasts; and, after the final suppression of the rebellion, some time must ne- cessarily elapse before business resumes its ha- bitual course and the old channels of trade are re- opened. Meanwhile the accumnalation of money at the great financial centres will naturally continue, and the price of the article will naturally remain low. The government having ceased to receive deposits at four per cent, there is no reason to be- leve that money will remain at that figure. In London, where the demand is greater and the sup. ply less than here, money on call is not worth over 2 to 24% per cent. We are inclined to believe that unless the rebellion should collapse suddenly, and peace and commerce should be unexpectedly re-established, we shall have a three per cent money market here all summer, and that all securi- ties which yield a regular income will appreciate aceordingly. Foreign exchange closed yestérday at 113% a % for sterling, and 4.95 a 4.97% for francs, bankers’ bills in both instances. The supply of bills is limited, but there is little or no demand, None of the importers are ordering heavy amounts of goods from abroad. There.is no prospect of our imports becoming so heavy as to exceed our exports by an amount larger than we can afford to pay in specie without inconvenience. Gold closed yesterday at 10334 a %4 percent. The course of our specie market has stultified the cal- culations of our shrewdest bankers. It was taken for granted that gold would by this time have been worth 10 per cent premium. Experience has proved that we are destined to teach the world @ lesson of political economy in regard to the de- preciation of paper currency. There is in this country—the loyal Statesan amount of gold and silver coin falling not far short of $300,000,000 The owners of this large amount of specie are not willing to allow their property to remain idle for any length of time. They are ready to sell at three per cent premium, or to lend to the speculative sellers on the Stock Exchange; but they object to hold for a high premium. In the gold contest the bears have fairly won the day. The following table shows the course of the stock market for the ee week and month:— me. Apr. 26. May 3. wits cin 1%. U.S. 6's, agiaart beet af 9436 tee 08 1g, 56 Xo" 760 554 io sox 9 49% 52% 52 Now York Contral 82% 83 83% 8934 Reading 42% 48% «46 48 49 35% «88 88g 80 Erie preferred... 60% 61% 63% 66% 67 Michigan Central. 543, 53% 58 603, 61 MichiganSouth'n, 22% 21% 24 24% 20% South. guaranteed 45% 44% 48% «(505644 Illinois Central... 60% 68% 613 62 2 i . 6 er 60 TR 54 64 41% 43% 46 12335 «120% 12934 35% 3615 43K 48 105% MT” 115 \fe.4.115% The stock market was active all last week with- out important changes in prices, United States sixes (coupons) at one ‘time touched 106, and 7.30 notes were freely sold at the same rate; but at the advance the supply was in excess of the demand, and the price speedily declined. The banks can supply the demand at these prices to almost any extent, and as they only gave 91 for the sixes they would be foolish not to do so. The 7.30 notes will rise still higher, not only because they bear 1.30 percent per annum more interest, but because they are a more negotiable security than the bonds: we look to see them in demand at 110. The fives are worth 944% @ 95—quite as much as they should command at present. By and by they will stand at a premium ; but it is not desirable that the natural course of events should be anticipated. Among the speculative stocks the most active has been Pacific Mail, which has fluctuated from 119, dividend on, to 108, dividend off, and finally closed yesterday at 116. The recent advance is under. stood to have been caused by an impression that an extra dividend was about to be declared. We have the best reasons for knowing that nothing of the kind is in contemplation. The Pacific Mail Company is doing an excellent business and laying up a large surplus. [t has the priceless advantage at present of being on good terms with Commodore Vanderbilt, who is really the arbiter of the steam- boat business between New York and California. But, at the same time, it must not be forgotten that it enjoys no monopoly of the ocean; that the Com- modore may, at any moment, break loose from his present connections, and oppose the company, as he has done once or twice before; that the large profits of the concern during the past year or two will naturally tempt people to attempt the estab- lishment of rival lines; that an effort is said to be in progress for the reopening of the Nicaragua route; and that, in view of these contingencies, a wise discretion would rather lead the Pacific Mail Company to pass a regular dividend, in order to increase ite available surplus, than to distribute, by way of extra dividend, what cash it may have on hand, If everything remains bright and serene, Pacific Mail would be cheap at 150; but if the British should place five or six first clase steamships on the line, it would be dear at 75. If Commodore Vanderbilt should break off his alli- ance with the company, it would be monstrously expensive property at 50. Among the railway stocks the most active have been Brie, Toledo, Galena, Rock Island, Hudson and Iilinois Central, Of these the most promising, in the opinion of the old jobbers of the board, are the two last mention. ed—Hnudson and Illinois Central. Hudson River has always been a favorite witha large clase of New York operators, from the reason that itis known and appreciated here; that confidence is generally reposed in its President, Mr. Samuol Sloan, and that, as the butt end of an enormous network of railways on the one hand, and, on the other, in one sense, & continuation of our city roads, it enjoys a business which has increased and must steadily increase from year to year. The leading owner of the stock is in Europe. and it has had no one to look out for it here or it would have sold at 60 ere this. Illinois Central is very tempt- ing to gambling operators, from the fact that the opening of the Mississippi to trade may at any time revolutionize its prospects. If the river is fairly opened and cereal food begins to go down, while cotton and sugar begin to go up, people will scrambje for it in Wal) street at 80090, But for the war it would now have been selling at a pre- | pasa Baltimore in 1888, = stow! it at Char! at ‘ 1156 tons, built at Thomason ta mium. It is one of those roads which are neces- al ple Counce, pes a i fort in 1866, on termewe sary, and which, however dark their prospects “ oateare. may occasionally seem, cannot fail to become lu- used p Wila Ranger, 2044 tons, built aon hag boon sold ta, crative property unless the prosperity of the North hip Marathon, built at Bowdoinham in 1848, bas « west proves a myth. Galena, Rock Island and pec sold in Loudon fon for £2000, cas an has adem Toledo are improving on theirearnings. ll three are earning fair dividends, and will yield at pre- sent prices from 10 to 15 per cent to purchasers on the investment. We have received the following statement of the Pacific Mail sagaeantg? Company, May, 1862:— Assets. Cash on wand, loans and invesiments.......-- $2,004,717 29,970 tons coal on hand and in transitu, om which there has been pai 370,443 Ton steamers, valued at.. $1,433,961 Faxeeaee on steamer now Heo. Suu LDING at Putcapeirania—Jobn W ard. foot of Reed street PSyhmy two of thom lane ateainahips an One of ‘ainships is fur the Roston’ ips tons. and imuel larger than any now in uss OD will be rea winch fm Aavout two Weeks. the be for the Philadelphia and cea *steoaasht Company, and will be ready to launch about the Ist of July she is 1550 ‘A first claas steamtug for Mr 8 ako upon the Hiosks; ‘she will be 100 feet long, and 1s for ser vice iladelphia, O. urameprors See port arrivals abo Arr at Honolulu } Marci 18, ship Reindeer, 1125 bis (40 wha this season; bu bons voyage, 100 5p 00 titom board 7 soe are ken, dice Prerry, hence March } via Bermuda» Bey Trai 25 40, ion i a vekelt, Burgess, neuce for San Franetsco, Maj * $3, lon Ships Luin tiaeh Trask, hence Dec2S for Ausiraia, Jan (2 8, lon 84 10 W, ‘di 10 se th rom Catcuite Jan 26 for Havans (or Southern » joast), Jan . lon Yolnnt, Bray, from Calcutta Jan 9 for Bremen, Feb: 278 K. Tualte, Fringe, s from Raugoon Jan 18 for Falmoui }. lat 32.8, lon 33 Kae he (Fees rom Mosman ee 8 fer Fal res 13 —— 1,491,974 Gar Store ships, iron boats and scows Real estate Machinery Gutfits and supplies in and in transitu.... Stock in North Atlant att -9 steamers Atiantic and Bultic) lances due from agents and purse! Capital stock.........+ Sundry unsettled account t and loss surplus from last qua’r..$42,7: Profit and loss, net earnings (inclusive ‘of charter of steamer Constitution to Ship W salngion, My He. fre ‘N, lon Serre blue’ Wa 34S, lon 83 “Bark ate 27 N, lon 3 25 W. ‘White, fro vy, Liverpool April 2 for Cab oe el snip Poa apt ih at hone white marrver, Lo Dee 18 for rhanghae, Jan $l, vat 21 62 8. lon S408 vets brag te United ‘States government) for the Boxsay, April 2—In port shipenl Bosphorms, quarter ending April 30, 1862.......,487,686 Bac . es itvienernee 8 ‘Bae erst P | fecttra adaid of the Sem, Bignwood i TOtA...s+eeererees i yuitire, Gil ata, Ualon eon leraga, Sts Sughton, NYork; tb, rk. pe ote April 17—Sld schr Weather Glee Small, Cura- bs, ark Wheatland, tn, dh dtstréss; Yperzer oP and for. New York ‘Two “input 3 Loitixa Bliss, Long, from Cubs for Fal: Sc ans LA rr re ry 4 in , Cummuinger, do; Throe ‘Brothers, Fenton, 2th, ote , Frost, Svar: Fane P. M.S. 8, Co., May 1, 1862. Orrics oF Pacuic Man, ‘Sreamsur Co, , New York, May 13, 1862. From the’ above surplus of $520,202 the Boar Directors have this day directed tha! be charged to profit and loss for depres steamers now in service; also that a dividend of five per cent on the capital stock be declared payable, on and after the 23d inst.; and that the balance of $130,292 1 be carried tocredit of next quarter’s account. ALLAN McLANE, President. Berxupa, mene oO tot oe KUARACHER, Aprils Kiaston, Ja, ee port rebel with cotton, arr same day. _bavenroot, May SOU, the port, ships Frank Mek Tobey, ‘hiladelphia; Sout thampton, Austin, from Lp So rsd 4th, H Von Gagern, Martens, NYork; Robert Otis, Boston, In'the river outward bound Sth, Isal Howes, for Cal- gutta; Invincible, Hepburn; Manhattan, Dizon, abd, Reso- yoctnan, N NYorks Southerner, Cuajman, Nassau pee ‘Any jon (8), for Qu ay 55 for Bostén 17th: City of Baltimore (+), for NYork 7 va (8), for do I ; Thomas Jett 16th; City of Bosse, Sears. for do 15th; an To ata * Blakes fo rae tage ae h Secor, miah Tuompson, Blake, for do sth; Hanna! for do ‘with despatch; Sarnak, Rowlands, for ico Ballard, and Shateinuc, Oxnard, for do with Mew Buss CITY COMMERCIAL REPORT. Sarurpay, May 17—6 P. M. Asues.—The market was unchanged, while small sales of pots were making at $5 6234; pearls were in light supply and quotations nominal. Breapsrovrs.—Flour—The market was heavy and rooping, and, including the sales before and after the news, it exhibited a falling off of 5c. to 10c. per bbl- ‘Tho sales were tolerably active at the decline, aud footed up about 17,000 bbis., closing within the following range 5 Arg of quotations: ‘Jot Clark: Leto for Baltimore Sek Mallie. icalf, Showman, for Matas May 5; Racer, ship, Sapartine Etats, $440 @ 455 | 1767 tons, built at'Boston in 1852, and solver Moses, ship, Extra Stave 465 a 475 So fang, uit a Batt Me, iu 1838, both for sale 440 a 465 | Mansuinuxs, May 1—In = bark Jeannie, Pletcher, for 462 a 625 New Yor Sistine, 465 8 625 | ,MoxmvipEo, March 20—In port chip Erie, Preble, from 5 Liverpool. unc’ ‘rks Yolant hth, dos Tebeoca. 500 @ 560 | fer er tinganeiros Margarctta late Pyrinont), Oliver, for 570 w 675 | NewYork few days; brig Peres ler, uno, 615 = 725] | Maxscume, May 4-In port schre Edw foe | 300 a 410] for NYork 6 gr Newton, Rodman, kk Be une 280 a 315 | 4th, brig Peacock, Carroll, Philadelph IRAGOAN! aay as, 1 brig Morte Wright, Poston, In por —Canadian flour was lower and in fair demand, with ‘bark Helen se Hershel, sales of 1,200 bbis., closing within the range of the above quotations, Southern flour was in fair demand and prices without change of moment: the sales embraced about 800 a 900 bbis., closing on the basis of our figures, Rye flour was steady and in fair demand at the above Tange of quotations, Corn meal was firm at the above prices, with sales of 400 bbls. Jersey and Brandywine: sales of Margh’s caloric wore made at $3 20. Wheat was heavy and lower, attributable to increased receipts and the unfavorable foreign news. The sales at the concession were active, and footed up 125,000 bushels, at $1 13a $1 14 for red Siate, $1 20 for amber Michigan, $1 12 $115 for red Wesiern, $1 12 for handsome Iowa club, $1 03a $1 10 for weer club, $1 02a $1 07 for Chi- cago 5) , and $1 a $1 03 for soft club. Corn was beavy and lower, with some less activity; the sales em- braced about 38,000 bushels at Sc. a 1 34c. for Western mixed, in store, and at 62)¢c.° delivered, with some lots reported at 58c.—a ‘figure not obtainable at the close, Rye was easier, with sales of 4,500 bushels at 76c.a77c. Barley was quiet and quotations were nomi- nal. Barley malt was active and in good demand; s1l of 6,000 bushels were reported at $1. Wats were rather firmer and in rather beiter request, with sales of Cana- ool and Western at SSc. a 40c., and at 4lc. a 420. for tate. Corres.—The market was firmer and more active. The sales embraced 800 bags Rio on private terms, but said to have been made at full prices; and 1,500 do. choice quality were sold at 22c, Cortox.—ihe market was steady and unchanged. The sales embraced about 350 bales (the business as usual being slack on Saturday), closing On the basis of 273<c. 4 28c. for middling uplands, Freicuts.—To Liverpool 203000 bushels of wheat were engaged in bulk at 9d., and 16,000 do. wheat at 934d., in ships’ bags,’ and 13,000 do. corn were engaged at 8%d., and 4,200 bbls. flour were taken at 2s. 9d. a 3s. "Bacon was at 203., and tard at 82s. 6d.,asked. To London 12,000 busheis of wheat were engaged ‘at 124, in bulk. Flour was at 3s. 3d. ‘To Glasgow 50 tons of lard were engaged at 32s. 6d., and 15 tons of tallow at 20s. A bark was taken to load for Cork and orders—whoat at 11d. in bul ates to Havre were steady and unchanged. market was steady, with a fair demand with sales for shipment at 65c. and for Port Spain, April 30— from Philadelphia, tor lente: 08 few from NYork, tor St Thomas 9 days; schr Ponca Ma: 3<T2 port bark Ellen Morrison, from “ONCE, n Mo rara arr Avril 29, to load for New York: ras ing fod arr 28th, ‘for NYork ang, Forest Bias Wind: for Bostoo igi, sehr Ede Hart, for NYork detphia few day ons Stamian is, May 2 2—In port schr Helen F, Sa Is'and to load 3, N Bronx NF, Apna d2— Arr Erotege York; Mogul 25th, pain st ter, Doucalls dot May 1; brig’ Bt Vinesnt Ganige, 0) wear Orion, Tol, 0). aro, CaM: ona A Hastings, Chapman, NYork. jachrs Looe Wenonah. Buaists, Rermud ‘ork. irene (Dute! 8 New Bediord: Fredonia: Lord, ard, Eltzabethport; Biv Nickerson, York: Velma, Turner, Croweil, NYork, xu ‘wind si wt ie 4 E, berks 1 rence, Towland, i Leland, Lysander, Gan Bai = Kennedy, Eastern State, Kirrel August: ubd from the ship Regalus: bark Telegraph; brys Pleo, aud Bird of the ‘ave. ljth A M—Arr ships Mars, 0 Orr, Amsterdam; Harriot Erv- ing, Manning, Talcanuano, ‘Lebanon, Giles, Cadiz; urig Chimboraza, Warren, Darden schrs Lacon, Baker, Bo- naire; Martha Writhington, Thatcher, Christopher Loeser, | Snow, and Jonas ae Inman, Philade puis; Thomas Ellis, Kelley, and Rhode [siand, Kelley, NYork. Tel he ed brig Coquette. Signal 1 snip and 1 bark. ip vira Owen, Alexande. barks Stamboul, Man- , Cape Town, © @ ai irre dou Sak Cour, rtau Prince Ke. 9 nny Dexte Ellen, Co’son, at ‘Shenan ‘oun, "Nas! iy sind SW, barks Stam tamboul, Azor, trom beiow lastnight, nptln, or. Wi 3 Lav Beat, Henledtipn foot NYork. "a son, Nickerson, NYork. eAngor, M Cr a ech William Penn, Phillips, Key es vi hitistoL, hay 15-\id schr Tsane P Hazard, Wilson, New INE, May 12—Arr schr Fair Dealer, Philadelphia, EAST GREENWICH, Mav 16—Sld from Apponaug, shy Proneehs pedi. Calus (or NYors). FALL RIVER, May 15 S11 schra Minecya Jefferson, and Ellen Barnes, isri acornet to load ‘or Philadelphia, GLOUCESTER, May 15 Arr schrs Nelson Wells, res NYork; HW We lings Wells, Canis = Te ant cl city use at 76 Provisions. —Pork—The market was heavy and droop- ing. Heavy arrivals tended to depress prices. ‘The sules ewbraced about 800 a 900 bbls. at $12 50 for mess and $9 75 a $9 8745 for prime, chiefly at the inside figure. A small lot of ‘heavy mess was sold at (extra) $12 75. Beef was less buoyant and active. The sales embraced about 250 bbls. ut $12 50a$13 for plain mess, and at $14 26 a $15 fur extra do.; the later figure was an | Vas, But er, Bath for Fortress Bourse. outside quotation. Cnt meats wore without change of | Elizabeth, Chase, and NW! moment. Sales of 420 packages were made at de. a 43/¢. | CRERAPURT, May Was for shoulders avd Se. a 53%c. (or hams. Lard wassteady, | (4°4* Pte ty icly Rie with sales of 750 packages at 740. a 83<c., and choice at Sie. State white butter was heavy apd lower, with sales at 12c. a 14c., while good choice new yellow was selling at 15c.alic. Now State cheese was quoted at 1340. & 8340. for good to prime; old was scarce and firm; no Ohio of morwent was in the market. Rior—Suios of a few hundred bags of East Indian wero meade on private terms. Svaars were firm and active, with . specalat Movement in the t The sales embraced 3,163 hhds. chiefly Cubas, at 670. a 8c., including both refining and grades, wand 160 boxes at 3c. &8ige. ‘Waruray.—sales of 700 bbls. ware tande at 22)4¢. a 23¢. for State, and 28c. a 233¢¢. for Western. ESTA SHIPPING NEWS. nnn MYSTIC. May 1e—sid stoop Apoll NEWBURYPORT, Le} Arr ‘Une fg fork. we schra Kvelyn, aga er, Sharon, Thurlow, and H Grant, Janvrin, Palle ii NEWPORT, May 15—Arr schrs Jos P Srnit dence for. Blizabetoport L Crocker Feeney, Faumton for NYork; M E Pearson, Hoigdon, Freetown ‘Return- i Im consequence of head wind, schr Jas ‘Bliss, Hated, for }6th—No arrivals this morning. Wind 8, light, with thick Fnauvr LI, May 10~Arr schr E Haight, Beebe, Delaware CWEILADERPHIA, i ey ea us peporter, Mion, Car- denas; schrs George Switt ‘Satins Chats, Crowell Boson: Bawin speed) Bysion; L a. Banca wer, Miller, "itary he: ‘Ha ot Rated 1D. Cli st Lyn ut son Maude pa Lancaste Liverpoo p Talend; Carioca, Ui i unninghar, Say aa ie Pernambuco; bri ALMANAC FOR NEW YoRK—=ta18 - muck, Jol wear | NOrlean; PM a Wenig Wheaton Port of New roca May 1s, 1862, ie Miller, “or gy Hw stk reer French gunboat see op nder Le Cardinat, Ha. tent sorta — PORTLAND, May 16—Arr schr Ji ¥ caries "Gi bar Gan reece ts oberace at PoRRNOU, mi ear schrs J P Pharo, Cranmer, Phtlade y, Merrill, NYork- DROVIDERGE: Nay locate steamer. W ween nes Onceae Manat wards Ll Hal NYore. “Cli ehr Auita D Sid sears L Audenriea, Poll, and Lisonis, Stanley, Elisabeth (York, Delphine, Rises, Beacgnnes to obs Island, Remingiou, New ‘ar, of Liverpool, B), Acti days Was captured att tao Se CA turpen' . rable opportunity to run the bi for Liver Gazelle (of New Hi Shy Rhodes, Mayaguez, Mey 4, Balled ‘a oor ras ow York. and sche Carroll, or Phiinuel Beem SR ee peg yA 5 Rico Yor New York, and was in company 9 éaye with ‘win fg Arabella, Lindsley, Aspinwall, 26 days, with mdse, to | for. ig’ Atlantic (of New Haven), in, April 2 enmora M +t schrs Lady Lake, White, ‘eet H Tro’ ‘apr rae wee + a Onward, Leland, and Hemors| amor, Wiecveth lack, bo tga, yg wo Y Barbados Jat 29 49, ion ons ‘ith: sehr unter, of PET Pe fore reported), dismasted eas FRANCISCO, M a eet a Leckie, Hong t joseph Peabody, W iuney, Sunshine, Ryder, inn dart et Pat harbadostehe bad bern dinmasted Dees. | ¥ Them’ at Harbados; she if alornast ry ~s ‘he creat POINT, May 15814 schr Mary B Pearson, . when 2 days out from Halifax for New. York 2 with sugar de, to 8 nist, 38, lon 72 poke brig Ket iy Garver era ar Pgs Portiand for Matanens: dt. i Sarah es Mis, 7448, whaling schr Union, from Boston, cru ing, 24 days out, no oil, “fone ginia ie Brookhaven), Hawkins, Ponce, May urges & Co, Join inst, lat ed jon Et in » Carver. 10 days, from Portiand for Me. Jon 6810, sehr Gen Knox, from Arroyo in company with brig Resolute, for ‘York, hy td et (of Harwich), Snow, Port Maria, ‘Rel ir E Smith ( te iel now, M: Ja, May 2, MISCELLANEOUS, MPORTANT TO COAL DEALERS | que ‘Soak, TADE CONCESEOAERD. ov N’ a The subse iver, being in constant communication with all and tmporters of coal in this ¢ \ xhibit at hie cites avomplete Hen's of ali reign and domest REME-prruntNors, enti n & Oo. Rohr ‘k, Beaston, Port Royal, 6 av with cotton, to N L McCready & Co, ehro 1t Yan Name, Van, Kame, Baltimore,2 daya, Sebr Wate Bae , Tre} Sehr Kate Gai Wilton Prenton, NJ. lizabethport for Boston. 8, ie. liga the lowest market prees tn re, and contracts tor large quantities ies in the country and elsewhere will find thisa very convenient and reliable medium for obtaining their suppite ‘onl, and are respectfully tnvited call personally oF corn n mena OL Any aire, obtained for frelahtty war rrhen re- omy titien to nult pu Behr Raite sintih: Worded, Bridgeport. fr Sallie dinith, Worden, ‘Rehr Moonlight, Tuttle, Greenport, rt Behr Kossuth, Burne, Rondout for Boston, ne, Gibbs, Providence, 2 dave. jerald (U 8 transport), Rogers, Fortress Monroe, game: Best tan, vag a ha tn Sa eaiS * ork. On the 13t1 rer Yr and4é with topmset’ aotls resect esr | ee pina dato, eee ie ma i be) or ork George jew aaa Pi A ip per, ten Mark pipe act = ry BROTHER'S NEW TORK in whole, ball barley ‘malt a street, beiween Be gan Re At 268 Gi 23 reah Rist Bene if Ley Da iB oF Gren 6 Pinckney, from Charleston, ate ene Gen Ou and two brigh' unknown. a t sunset 8, with fog. , Miscellancou: im Pivot Fisn, from Rese for ™" ont aes Reston on sosount of tna niches of Capt Unece: Git proceed incharge of Capt Andrew 8 4 Senn Yansor of Marw Bush, hence with ont stores, wae ashore at Hoaioke Teland on ihe fo partioniars, yen ach ‘The Bhip List says: —We notice sales of Al}s bark Kate, 297 Bes mitts