The New York Herald Newspaper, November 26, 1862, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. Seem son eros Volume xXVuL.., easeeeersess MO, 38T AMUSENENTS THIS EVENING, ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Irving Place, [tau tan Orena— Dinowan. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Macsera. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Moxer. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway—Acc Hauvow Ere Banazy tux Basoxn—Macte JOxx. LAURA KEENE'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Bionpsrts. SEW BOWERY THEATBE, Bowery~Natap Quexs— Buvescin, BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Nicut Owzs or Fraxce Jack Cape—Picate's Lecacr. BAKNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—Comno, pore Nert, Co.orep Taoricat Fisu, &¢., at ali hours, Vio ‘Tomine, afternoon and evening. GERMAN OPERA HOUSE, 485 Broadway—Postitui0w or Loxsumeau. BRYANTS' MINSTRELS’ Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad- 3% —Eruiorian 50nGs, BURLESQUES, Dancas, &0.—Hicn ADDY CHRISTW'S OPERA HOUSE, 585 Broadway.— souos, Dances. £0.-AeRIgtOos Meee WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 51¢ Broadway.—Eraroriay Songs, Dances, £0.—-OTHELLO. ssi sore PALAGR OF MUSIC, Fo nth strect,—CAMPBELL'S MinstaeLs—Songs, Dances « BURLESQUES. HOPE CHAPEL No, 720 Broadway.—Exaisition or ‘TrmaKut's CaLivoRNta. GAIBTIES CONCERT HALL, 616 Broadway,—Drawina Roow Excertawnuents., PARISIAN CABINET OF Open daily from 10 A.M, til W WONDERS, 563 Broadway. — 0 P.M. HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, Brooklya.<Eruror:an Sones, Danous, BURLESQUES &e New York, Wednesday, November 26, 1863 THE SITUATION. No movements of any consequence have taken place in General Burnside’s army. Both bodies— the Union and the rebel forces—maintain their re- lative positions in face of each other. positively ascertained that Stonewall Jackson and Generals Echol and Earley, who were supposed to have been left in the Shenandoah Valley, are now in conjunction with Generad Lee, and that the rebel force in the Valley and around Winchester is con- fined to a few cavalry, who are making as much display of their force as possible. A rumor was prevalent yesterday that a vody of rebel cavalry made another raid into Maryland, entered Pooiesville and seized the goverument telegraph operators while in bed. The story Boes that the rebels permitted these gentlemen to tele- gtaph the fact of their capture to the government at Washington. Our news from New Orleans te-day, by the steamer Roanoke, is not without interest. Genc- ral Butler has issued an order confiscating all the Property in the territory of Louisiana west of the Mississippi, except the counties of Plaquemine and Jefferson, believing that it is held by parties disloyal to the government of the United States. Gen. Bragg’s plantation near Thibodeaux is now is posseasion of the United States, and is com- pletely* cleared out. Gen. Shepley, Military Go- vernor of Louisiana, has issued an order for the election of members of Congress from that State to the United States House of Representatives at Washington. A spirited reconnoissasce, by a body of General Foster's forces, consisting of the Third New York cavalry, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Mix, supported by artillery, was made on the Dover road, in the direction of Kinston, N. C., on the 18th. They met the enemy behind a strong fortification at Cove creek. After a severe caval- ry fight, in which both sides acted gallantly, our artillery sheiled the rebels out of their position, leaving their arms, equipments and blankets be- hind them. Our forces destroyed their barracks and then returned to Newbern. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The stcamer Roanoke, froin New Orleans on the 15th instant, touching at Havana on the 20th, has brought as a few days later intelligence frem the latter place. The news from Havana, however, is entirely destitute of importance. The Havana news- papers were still diseussing the merits of the case of the steamer Blanche, and the opinions of the American press are fally reproduced in their columns. According to the latest accounts there were thirty thousand French troops already ar. rived fn Mexico. Active hostilities wege expected to begin soon, Very little is said of the determined hostility of the Mexicans, but formefintelligence to this effect is not impugned. The h@alth of Havana was every day improving. Chiarini’s circus, the theatres and opera companies were preparing largg bills for a fine winter season. The only wish expressed in Havana is for the close of the war and the return of the prosperous times of the republic. The Board of Supervisors met yesterday ,Super- visor Purdy in the chair. An opinion was read from the Judges of the Supreme Court in re- ference to the payment of taxes levied by the Tax Commissioners on United States bonds held by the banks in this city, which refused to pay the amount claimed om the ground that the before mentioned bonds were specially free from taxa- tion by law. The question was brought before the Supreme Court, end a decision rendered agains; the Tax Commissioners. Supervisor Purdy said the matter was one of great importance, involv- jng thousands of dellars, and moved that it be re- ferred to the Committee on Annual Taxes, with Power to appoint eminent counsel, if necessary, with a view of bringing the case before the high- ‘est court for adjudication. This resolution was adopted, and a commanication was read from the Mayor, vetoing @ bill of expenses incurred in the construction of Harlem bridge, on the ground that Westchester county should pay her propor- tion of the debt. An opinion of the Corporation Counsel accompanies the veto. On motion of ‘Mr. Pardy the usual course was adopted with the documents, both of which were ordered to be printed in the Corporation papers. The Board ‘then adjourned to Wednesday next, at three ‘o'clock. + In the Court of Generai Sessions yesterday, Wefore City Judge MeCunn, Antonio O. Bastor, a Bpanish mulatto, from Cuba, Was convicted of Fobbery in the first degree, in stealing from ao pountrymon of his, named Fernando Estrada, on Whe ov : of the 17th of Oetober last, a gold fwateh a sin, valued at forty dollars. He was Pentenced to the City Prison for one year, Mi- Sn vel Brennan, who pleaded gailty on the 9th of ay inst (a charge of burglary, in breaking into Tt is now & pawnbsoker's shop in West Forty second street, on (le Tith of Ayeil last, and stealing seventy gol wat ‘ved at four hundred and twenty do ore 4s Mester lay sentenced to the State ib woscdot of Intermai Revenue bas di, NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1662, Troted that all yachts and sail boate which ste! |'As'the people supposed that mich arrests wore b: indi for pleasure, oF are teas end hoce ook for the purpose of pleasure excursions, are taxable. draft. in Michigan will take place on the 30th of came the quota of the State ia not filled up previous to that time. The market for beef cattle remained substan- tially the same as last week. The cattle wore mostly common, and sold slowly at from 5%. to 7c.; fair to good brought from 7)0. to 8%e., and prime cattle, which were very scarce, brought 8%c.a 9c. There were no fancy ‘‘ Thanksgiving Day” cattle on gale. Milch cows were steady at $25 a $40. a $56 per head, according to quality. Veals continue plenty, and in moderate demand at 4c. a Gc. a 6Y%e., the latter an extreme rate. Sheep and lambs continue active at full previous prices. Fanoy sheep, fatted especially for ‘Thanksgiving Day, were very active at from $7 to $10. Other kinds: varied from $2 50 to $5 a $6 50, Swine were active all through the weok, at full previous prices, and more could easily have been sold. Heavy corn fed sold at 4%c. a 5}{c., light corn fed at 4%c. a 4%e., and still fed at 4c. a 4Y%c. The total receipts were, 6,461 beeves, 62 cows, 576 veals, 9,116 sheep and lambs, and 32,671 swine, ‘The stock market was without important change yes terday. Money was worth 6 per cent on call. Gold fell to 129, ond exchange on London to 143. The exports of the week were $3,051,191. The cotton saics yesterday were very limited, and the market quite nominal for middling at 66c. The decline in gold occasioned considerable depression in breadstuffs. Flour declined 5c. a 10c.; Wheat Ic. a 2c., and corn lc., and the gules were restricted. The provision trade was moderately active, without any remarkable changes tn prices. The only saies of moment in the grocery line wore those of Rio coffee and Oolong teas, which were very firm. There was less inquiry for metals, fish, tallow and ils, with more activity in spices, Last India rice aud whiskey. A fair business was transacted in wool, tobac- co, fruit, hay and leather, at unaltered figures. The ocean freight market was less active. Phe Recent Elections Taking Effect at Washington. Those persons who have imagined. that the recent elections would fail of their legitimate “fect upon the administration have been very wreatly mistaken. One of the effects of these elections was immediate, and showed plainly 1ow deeply the blundering Cabinet of Presi- dent Lincoln had been stung by the condemna- tory verdict of the people. As human nature is constituted, it is no wonder that the first effect of these elections was to put the Cabinet into a passion, which resulted in the ridiculous removal of General McClellan. This fit of fool- ish fury over, the consequences of McClellan’s removal began to frighten the military med- dlers of the Cabinet, and they are now tremb- ling at the very sound of the wind, fearful that some accident may happen to the army, or that (he audacious Stonewall Jackson may send them his compliments in the shape of a few shells from Arlington Heights. The parties concerned now seem to fully understand that ihe people will hold them, and not General Burnside, responsible for the safety of the army and the security of the capital; and they feel, as last, the heavy weight of the awful responsi- bilities. which they have so rashly assumed. It was a very easy matter for the great geniuses ot the War.and Treasury Departments to send sieneral McClellan away from the army he had srganized, equipped and led forward to victo- sy, and with which he had twice saved Wash- ingtov. It is anything but an easy matter, however, for these geniuses to take General McClellan’s place and manage General McCile!- \an’s forces. Chase, Stanton and Company have discovered this fact already. Consequently, the effects of the recent elec- tions are new becoming every day more visible. MeClellan’s removal having been accomplished, nis astute enemies concluded that the safest course for them to take was the road to Rich- aond, which McClellan bad always advised, but from which he had been diverted by their snterference. General McClellan’s plan was to attack Richmond from the peninsula, with a co- operating force advancing by way of Frede- vicksburg. The plan now in favor at Washing- ton is to attack Richmond by way of Frede- ricksburg, with a co-opereting force advancing upon the peninsula, There is just enough origi- nality in this latter plan to justify our military Secretaries in applying for a patent for it; but they seem to forget that the circumstances have changed. since McClellan thought this idea ad- visable, and that military schemes ought to change with military circumstances. Be this as it may, however, the fact remains that the effect of the popular verdict in favor of McClellan, at the recent elections, is severely felt at Wash- ington. The order of Secretary Stanton, open- ing the doors of our Bastiles and releasing all persons not accused of being in arms against the government or of forcibly resisting the draft, is one of the results of the popular ver- dict against illegal and unconstitytiofial arrests. This order is tagdy, but it is just. The fault of the administration was in authorizing and per- mitting any such arrests under any circum- stances, There never was a time when urgent necessity called for these outrageous violations of the cot . The whims, jealousies and passions of retaries, not the welfare of the country, were the motives for these viola- tions of the liberties of American citizens. Even now we believe that the barbarian Secre- tary Stanton would have persisted in thus ex- ceeding and abusing his little brief authority had not our humane and aonscientious President prevented. This matter of unconstitutional and arbitrary arrests is not yet ended, however. The mere release of these prisoners of State does not re- store the status in quo. There are illegal and false imprisonments, tyraunioal and cruel se. verities, yet to be answered for by those who have usurped a power not granted by the con- stitution or by the laws. A few days ago a State prisoner died in confinement at the very hour that the order for his release arrived. That order did not restore his life with the liberty of his body. His case will be tried and judged by a higher tribunal than any on earth. But there are other released prisoners who will appeal to our courte of law and equity. From the arrest of Malcolm Ives—who was imprison- ed in Fort MoHenry, and denied speech or com- munication with any of his friends, by the order of Secretary Stanton, upon an acousation false on its very face, and who was finally set free because no charges had been made against him—down to the recent scandalous confine- ment of Mrs. Brins.uade—with which Superin- tendent Kennedy had nothing to do, ex- cept as the agent of Secretary Stan- ton—the career of the Secretary of War has been marked by outrages upon the inalienable rights of our citizens so gross as to entitle him to the epithet of barbarian. If Sec- rectary Stanton, and the other Cabinet mem- bers who have authorized such arrests, suppose that they will be allowed to escape with impu- nity they must be very ignorant of the temper and character of the American people. So long indispensable to the suppression of the rebel- lion, there was no great, outspoken excitement upon the subject, Now, however, moved by that madness with which the gods inspire those whoare about to be destroyed, Secretary Stan- ton actually admits, by an official order, that arbitrary arrests were uncalled for by the ne- ceasities of the republic, and releases- those prisoners whom he has hithorto represented as most dangerous and deadly enemies to our cause. From this day forth, then, neither Ex- Secretary Cameron, nor Secretary Stanton, nor Secretary Seward, nor any other aecretary who has authorizéd illogal and unconstitutional con- finements, can set his foot. in New York city without running the risk of being himself ar- rested and held to answer charges legally made against him. Having thus benefitted the people of the loyal States, by protecting them from petty des- potisms, we hope that the recent elections will next benefit the people of the South, by enfran- chising them from the thraldom of Jeff. Davis, and bringing them back into the Union. When Congress assembles we shall see how a thorough overhauling of the leading depariments of the government will aasist in this good work. Until then let the meddlesome military managers be extremely careful, and let our honest Presi- dent stand firm. Napoleon’s Scheme of an Allicd Media tion—The Game Definttively Blocked. The position of the three loading European Powers—England, France and Russia—on the mediation question, as disclosed in Barl Rus- sell’s reply to the proposition of the Emperor Napoleon, reminds us of the embarrassments of the parties to the famous triangular due! de- scribed by Captain Marryatt. They are 80 swayed by their fears and jealousies of each other that one dare not stir without the simul- taneous movement of the others. That this con- cert of action can never be secured must be plain to every one who has reflected on the widely different interests and motives by which they are actuated. There are three points of view from which this question of intervention is regarded in Eu- rope. The first, and perhaps the most danger- * ous to the North, the French, because it is based on the necessities of a despot who is com- pelled to be continually seeking and presenting to the minds of his people questions of absorb- ing interest in connection with his foreign policy in order to divert their attention from the grinding tyranny to which he subjects them at home. It was this that led bim to un_ dertake first the Russian, then the Italian, and lastly the Mexican war. With asimilar object he now seeks to forma coalition for the pur- pose of breaking up the Union. The aid which he would thus afford to the rebels would, how- ever, be of no permanent benefit to them. As soon as his Mexican schemes were sufficiently matured and advanced, by the enfeeblement of the North, they would find him just as ready to crush them as he is now to assist them. Of hia disposition to forcibly intervene in our affairs at an earlier stage of the war we had a proof in the statements contained in Judge Rost’s letter. It was there shown that the reason of his not hav- ing before interfered was the fear that he had begun to entertain of the rapidly growing naval power of the United States. Why he is now so eager for a joint mediation of the three govern- meats is that, in case of a permauent separation of the North and South, he may be allowed to pursue his plans in Mexico without interruption from us. If, on the contrary, there is a chance ofan amicable settlement of the existing diffi- culties, that he may find a decent pretext for backing out of that dangerous enterprise. The English view is this: England bas a stronger desire even than France to break us up, but also stronger fears of the risk attending the effort to accomplish it. Her commerce with this country is much larger than that of her neighbor; and if she depends on the South for supplies of cotton she alsy depends on the North for supplies of corn | as weil as for customers for her manutac- tures. She bas an equal dread-of ihe fast increasing naval power of the United States, and tremblingiy counte the cosi ofa war with us. She has, therefore, decided on allowing us to pursue what she calls a suicidal , course, hoping that when we have weakened and prostrated each other she will be able to step inand reap the fruits of our folly. For this reason ghe will lend no aid even to a friendly mediation. The Russian view is based on yery different motives. Although the political inslitntions of that country are diametrically opposed go tgose of the United States, she is the only real friend we have in Europe. Her interests and her progressive tendencies are in hargyony with our own, and she has always ipa an eager disyosition to conciliate our good feeling, She knows that two great leading Powars of the world are, in reality, the United States and Russia, and shg will do aothing to weaken that fellowship. Her whole course since the commencement of the negotixtions on this mediation project has m te play fast and loose with England and T'rance, so as to keep both governments in check. That she has effectually done so is shown by Earl Russeli’s last diplomatic note. The failure of this effort of Napoleon to ef- | fect a joint mediation will be of great benefit to the South. It will convince it that all chance of intervention is at an end; and it will bring about that retribution for Nuglish deuble dealing foreshadowed in the Hrna.p, and which the rebel journals seem to look forward to with complacency, for they are even now discussing the question as to what is te be done with England if the Union is restored. Further- more, this correspondence of the two cabinets | shows that we have become in their eyes what they have never before been willing to ac. - knowledge us—not merely the,leading commer- cial nation, but the great balancing power of the world. Tae Coxriscation Law.—President Lincoln has issued bis instructions under which Attor- ney General Bates will shortly iseue specific instructions to United States attorneys and marshals, for carrying into effect the provisions of the act of Congress, entitled “An act to eup- press insurrection, puvixh treason and rebel- lion, seize and confiscate the property of rebels and for other purposes.” We shall very soon, therefore, know, from ihe tests of practical ox- periments, the value of this confiscation act, in view of the euds proposed. Jie President has, doubtless, bad very good reusons for delaying, the enforcement of this act so long; bust the rebels and traitors concerned gannot complain that in enforcing it now they have not been allowed a soficient margin of time fer veturn- ing to the protection of the Union, streit “Mike Might Men for Ce id poration Counsel." The great battle of the State campaign is fairly over and the smoke has ‘cleared away, | Now comes the skirmishing and picket fighting of local politics. Before Tammany and Mozart had fully decided upon their nominations the quarrel in their ranks was most bitter and in- teuse, The Boole and Genet imbroglio troubled and interfered with ell the politicians. After a hard contest, however, Boole succeeded in pro- curing the Tammany nomination for Comptrol- ler; and, having thus vindicated his reputation as a tactician, fulfilled his word to his friends and completely annihilated his foes, be gracefully withdrew to his shipyard, like Cincinnatus to his farm, and thus restored order and quiet to the party. Brennan tor Comptroller and Deve- lin for Corporation Counsel are now the regular democratic candidates, endorsed by both.Mo- zart and Tammany. Against them the repub- licans have, uominated Robert T, Haws fur Compiroller, but have as yet no nominee for Corporation Counsel. The votersof this city onght to remember the fact that the coming election is merely local in its ctfects, and has no benring whatever upon national politics. No party issue is involved in it, and no voter should allow himself to be controlled by party discipline in regard to this matter. The in- terests of this city, not the interoats of any po. litical party, will be greatly affected by the result of the election. If: we have an honest, competent, efficient. Comptroller, every tax- payer will be benefitted. If, on the other hand: we have a dishonest, corrupt or ineflicient offi- cial in charge of our finan every citizen suffers. The great question is, then, who are the right men for these local offices? We be. lieve that Robert 'f. Haws is the t man for Comptrotler and John &. Develin the best man for Corporation Counsel, and we hope that they will be elected. Mr. Develin has as yet no op- position, and we trust that the republ 3 will vote for him unanimously. No one can deay his integrity, his high standing and bis fitness for the position, amd it is generally conceded that his election is certain. Mr. vs is op- posed by Mat. Brennan; but there can be no comparison betweon the capabilities of these two candidates, Mr. Haws hus filled the office of Comptroller for the past four years to the satis- faction of a vast majority of cur citisens. An.ong our city officials he has been remarkable for his knowledge of and-attention to his business, as well as for his honesty and integrity. We think, therefore, that he is iairiy entitled to a re-elec- tion, and every man interested in the welfare of this metropolis should vote for Haws and Develin. As for Mat. Brennan, there is very litile io be said. Scarcely anything is known of him out- side of a small, political, wire pulling clique, and what is known does not recommend him as a proper person to be entrusted with the finances of the city. For a long while past Brennan has been intimately connected with those Imots and rings of City Hall harpies who ave notoriously corrupt, and are not confined in our State prisons as yet. This companionship is decidedly no recommendation for a candidate for the Comptrollership, since it is bnt fair to infer that if Boole and Company have worked with and nominated Brennan, Boole ; and Company will control Brennan, if they can elect him; and the city has had quite enough of the operations of Boole’s gang and Genet’s gang, and the other gangs, whose object is to empty the city treasury and fll their owa pockets. Our objections to Brennan are, therefore, that no one knows anything about his capacity, and that he keeps very bad company. If the democrats are wise they will grop bi l_gdopt the combination dere Haws cat Bereta Then poither the | ultra organs of the democracy or of the republi- | cans can claim a partisan victory at this elec- | tion, and we shall have two good. honest, eapable-and reliable men in our city govern- ment. Haws and Develin, then, are the right | Te Eevecr or vm War on Tar Norta— | Iuwense INcreasé in ovr Exporrs.—It appears somewhai sirange to a European on landing in this city to see so litile that betokens war, Beyoud the few men in uniform, and an ocea- sional regiment of soldiers passing forward to } the seat of war, he discovers nothing indicative | of the great rebellion raging within our borders: | which, by its immensity and wickedness, is still threatening our very existence as a natiog, His limited knowledge of the geogtaphy of our conntry, and his inability to realize its im- mense extent, led him to suppose that he would find the entire people of the North in arms; but, instead, he finds our citizens at their customary employment, our merchants actively engaged in their usual trade, and many branches of business more floifishing than they haye been for many years. Tnstaad of a falling off in our commerce, as is usual with countries at war, he discovers | with surprise that our exports are greater than | were ever before known in the history of our city, reaching the enormous amount ef fourteen | millions of dollars per month; and that, notwith. standing the high tariff, our imports are cor- respondingly large. At no time in the past, even when cotton was believed to be king, haye our exports reached these almost fabulous | figures; and at no time in our country’s his- tory has the fact been so satisfactory and so clearly demonstrated that King Cotton has been deposed and that King Corn reigns in his stead, For the past elght months the immense and apparently inexhaustible granaries of the West have been steadily pouring their golden trea- smtre Into our city reservoirs, from which ves- sels of our own and other nations have ‘been as steadily bearing it to the hungry abroad. The wants of Great Britain and Continental Europe have been lMberally supplied, and still the products of the harvests of last year are scarcely exhausted. More than two millions of bushels of grain and eighty thousand barrels of flour have been shipped in one week from this port to Europe alone, and correspondingly large shipmente have continued for months, with no perceptible diminution of our surplas, nor any considerable rise or fiuctuation in home pricee. These facts may weil astonish our fransat- lantic visitors, for we can scarcely realize them ourselves, and still less the wonderful resources of a country that can call into the field a mil- lion of volunteer soldiers, subsist them, and yet be able to supply all Europe with the staff of life. Notwithstanding the protest of John Bull against our interference with trade to his eolo- nial dependencies, and the complaint that such interference has amounted @lmost to prohibi- tion, we do not feel its lova, and we think that we make a fuir show of legitimate trade with all other parts of the world. On the whole wa are eran a business during the past year, ‘The Death of Mandarin Ward. *. Among the important items of news received from Europe yeatorday was a brief telegraphic announcement of the death of Mandarin Ward, who was killed at Rungpoo, China, while de. fending that city against an attack of the rebels, This eveat will probably change the future o¢ the Chinese empire; and is a new and remark. able illustration of the slenderness of that thread upon which hang the destinies of na- tions. Suppose that a cannon ball had not nded the career of Charles the Twelfth just as he was beginning to carry out the gigantic military schemes which he had conceived, and how vastly different would have been the sub- sequent history of Europe? Suppose that the great Napoleon, who disorganized and recon- structed almost every government on the Euro- pean continent, and who moved the world rapidly by the force of his tremendous genius, had been shot while crossing the bridge of Lodi, and the imagination is lost in conjectures: in regard to the results of this nitsfortune. In Mandarin Ward China loses a general with all the: military enthusiasm of Charles the Twelfth an the revolutionary power of Napoleon the First Ward was, indeed, the Napoleon of the Eaat Unless some rare acciéent shall supply bs place, the future historian will record that tae regeneration of China, ence successfully begun, was delayed for another contury by a ball ora sabre stroke. What Mandarin Ward could have accomplished may be judged by what he had already done- Landing in China agpthe mate of a coasting schooner, with half» dozen dollars in his pock- et,and afew great ideas in his head, young Ward had fought his way up to high honors and a world-wide celebrity in a country the most exclusive and impracticable in the world. At the time of his arrival in China the rebels had been gaining repeated victories over the imperial troops, and bad captured town after town without encountering any effectual re- sistance. Young Ward was by nature a soldier, andhad received a military education under Waiker, in Nicaragua. With true American spirit, he felt indignant that the Chinese rebels should gain triumph so easily, and determined to take a hand in the contest. It was impos- sible, however, to join the imperial army in any capacity which would enable him to develop his talents, and consequently he resolved ta aid the Chinese upon strictly mercantile principles— the only mode of dealing with outside barba- rians which the Celestials could comprehend and appreciate. At that time the rebels held the strong town of Soonkong, from which they threatened the important city of Shanghae. Ward offered, therefore, to retake Soonkong and relieve Shanghae, by contract, for so much cash down. ‘This novel offer was accepted by the imperial government, and Ward immediately set to work to raiso and equip an army, mingling Chinamen and foreigners in the ranks and placing competent foreign officers in command. In, a few weeks this composite, cosmopolitan army was roady to take the field; Soonkong was soon restored to the imperial government and Ward regived bis money. a $ “Thus having introduced himself to the Chinese, Ward soon showed that he had other objects in view besides the Sccumulation of a fortune. The Emperor bestowed upon him the rank of general, and gave hima commission to raise whatever armies and retake whatever towns he might choose, at his own price and upon his own terms. This was in fact equiva- lent to the supreme command of the imperial forces. But, besides this, the Emperor made Ward a mandarin; and, having taken to himself a Yiny-footed, almond-eyed Chinese wife, the young American now became & naturalized Chinaman. The English and French admirals on that station, who had at first intrigued against Ward, and denounced him asa seces- sionist and a filibuster, were soon won over to his cause, and afforded him every assistance in their power. When led by proper officers the Chinese were found to fight quite as Well as the English sailors and French ma- rines, who battled side by side with them at Soonkong. This fact established, Ward labored earnestly to increase and drill his army, and, relying upon his ability to convert the Ce- lestials into sailors as well as soldiers, he or- dered gunboats to be built for the Chinese go. yernment both in this country and in England. Only those De a appreciate the Chinese chardter can fully ratand the immense reforms inaugurated by ihe coitmingling of natives and foreigners in the imperial armies, and by the introduction of modern inventions in the art of war in the place of the barbarous usages of the undivilized Celestials. With such an army as Ward had, and with such a navy as he soon would have had—both of his own creation, under his own pontrol and commanded by officers of his own rage and attached to him by every possible interest—there were no in- superable obstacles in the way of his ambition, and no one would have been surprised to hear at any time that Ward had usurped the imperial throne and established a Yankee dynasty in China, just as Napoleon, beginning at the siege of Toulon, like Ward at the siege of Soonkong, advanced step by step until by @ coup d'etat he superseded the Bourbons and established the Corsican dynasty in France. With such a ruler China would have been a live nation, reclaimed to civilization and doing its proper share in the great work of the world. As it is, the battle of has ended all these plans by the death of Ward, and it is now doubtful whether China will again relapse for a time into ite former isolated barbarism, or whether one of Ward’s oficers will adopt and complete his eebemes Pur Ur Your Liguts.—-We'understand there is @ municipal law compelling all hackney coaghes to put up lights at night. We would call the attention of the police to the fact that this regulation is neglected, and that many of these vehicles never have lights. Dangerous collisions are the consequence. In cases of pri- vate carriages,.there is no law, we believe, to compel the owners to carry lights; but there ought to be. There is as much necessity for it asin the case of public carriages. In France those matters are better regulated in the large cities. We might with advantage borrow a leaf out of the book even of a despotic government, At all events, till the laws are improved, let us carry out even those that we have, aud let the hacks, st least, bo compelled by the Mayor, who controls them, to put up their lamps. The pub- lie safety demands it. Collisions have recently taken place from neglect of this necessary pre. cautfon. Let the Mayor see that the municipal law fs order of General McNeil, of the United States A:tmy;” that General Holmes, under a flag of tra: 2, will inquire into the fal&s, and that if they should prove to be as reported, he will demaad of the commanding federal officer im that dep'sttment the surrender of McNeil; “ andy if this dea 404 is not complied with, you will inform sat Commanding officer that you are ordered to ex ecute the first ten United States officers who mm ‘Y be captured and fall into your hawds.”” Wo have notices 4 that Jeff. Davis is quick'to rt of federal 4, and to demand satisfacth ™ in connection bd this business:is to imprea * bis deluded followers and the outside world wi ™ the idea thas this | var, on tho part of the Unite “ Binips, is conguof- td in @ spirit of barbariem ' Which oan only he restrained by his threats of . * farful retribu: tion. But if this sort of punishm. an: foe ‘emma age lives, taken in violation of the law .* 404 usages of civilized warfare, were applied te ” the armed forces of Davis, it would require not. “om, bem hundred, but thousands of rebels. as ea, “ning: ‘crifice for the unarmed and hon-com, * men, to say nothing of the women and obila, "3 why have fallen martyrs to rebel mobs, guer, * Jas md murderers. The testimony of Union © refugey upon this subject since the outbreak of the reb&ion is overwhelming, and much of it will be ebblished in the history of these times, in spite of \ the efforts of Davis to cover it up with his ‘@mpery charges against officers of the Union a, Iv regard to”\» case of General MoNeil, we are confident \, at if “ten Confederate citizens of Missour®* worg executed under his orders: they we spies and convicted assassina, liable to death, Ser the laas.of wan. We presume, however, tha hen the facts: are known it will appear that th. rile autocrat, Jeff. Davis, has been expendiny. wrath in this matter upon @ silly Western ney aver fabrica- tion. Tue Campaicn i Viremta—t, yWepers Perriexep.—The rebel organs of yong are considerably perplexed with tl dve- ments of General Burnside. They, 8, i¢ 4g: their wish that he should advance upon. mond across the country from Fredericksb\,,. ' but that his delay on the opposite side “y the river is open to suspicion—that he hay such @ mass of transports behind him in the Potonrac that he may, pethaps, intend to use them m® carrying off the bulk of his army up the James or York river or to Norfolk, fora south side movement upoh Richmond, while amusing Lee with a small detachment in front of Frederickaburg. We leave it to time to settle all doubts upon the subject; but we entertain the opinion that, Providence permitting, it ig the intention of General Burnside to eat his Christmas dinner in Richmend, and that he has the will, the skill, the men, the ways and means, amply sufficient to overcome all ob- structions in his line of march. Let him push forward; for while Jeff. Davia in Richmond Louis Napoleon will cont to dream and to Skog tapi rvention, and to keep up the hopes of rebels of foreign as. sistance. Corron vs. Corn.—England is not yet ready to undertake the office of a mediator in our do- mestic affairs. She wants Southern cotton, but ehe cannot dispense with Northern corn. She desires to resume the manufacture of cotton goods in order to feed her suffering people con- cerned; but Richard Cobden has hinted that while a quarrel with the United States would not secure any seasonable supplies of Southern cotton it would cut off some vey supples of Northern corn, and provisions desoriptions, and that the costs of one year of intervention would support all the population of England’s cotton manufacturing districts for ten years, The simple truth is that the British Cabinet and the ruling British atistocracy be- lieve a great deni more in the poter pf the military forces and resources of the United States than they are willing to confess, and are, therefore, not ready to take the chances, with Louis Napoleon, of “mediation,” as he is pleased to call it, but of war, as Mr. Secretary Seward has defined it. Southern cotton is a great thing; but Northern corn iz something, and Canada is fot tar off. % ae Masih “q TROVATORE'’ AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIO, BROOKLYN. Grau seems to bid deflanes to the elements. Jn spite of tha rain of last evening a large and most fashionable audience filled \pe Brooklyn Academy of Mu: sic to enjoy tho performanice of {& favorite opera, sung by attists known to be great fayorites in New York. From the smaller size of the house the Qpers seemed even more effective than at our own Academpagf Music. Querrabel- 40°s voice was heard to: more advantage, ‘Its great cultt- vation was pleasingly evident, while wo hay @ never seeu this artist act with more spirit. She was ived if F i ; gE pe Hi dl i i af le Eg : abt i 4 Ha eis is £ Bagitsh opera, and w and New Site Mr, Theodore Thomas.