The New York Herald Newspaper, February 16, 1863, Page 1

THE REBEL PRIVATEERS. esting from Kingsten, Jamaica, and Belize, Honduras. | b Privateer Retribution Off ' Cape Tiburon. ' 1 tion of Captain Semmes, of the Alabama, 5 Dy the Merchants of Kingston j ines and Some Kingston Merchants Jeculating in Union Demand Notes. ) Practice by Two Kingston Merehants— ‘Ome Cowhides the Other to Obtain | Possession ef the Creembacks. 1 zmpted Wholesale Desertion of | the Alabama’s Crew. ‘Way the Alabama Escaped from Martinique. of Two Schooners with Cotton at Belize, Honduras, &., & E. A. De Bart, Captain Cummings, arrived ' + yesterday, reports:—On January 30, b Sieh, wen chased by the rebel privateer r Retribution, who fired several shot and shell at te the chaad, doing no damage. ther at the time was calm; but, 2-yoeze coming fea ran amay from er; bot hed it gomson calm dino doubt havo been taken by her boats. On y saw her board another small schooner of about hhubdred tons burthen; was an Eastern built painted black, and green bottom. On the fof the same day, previous to seeing the pri- jaw a large steamer, which we too) a Union ‘come from almost the game direction in which wa ‘2 privateer out. | Movements of the Alabama. j PmLapErruia, Fob. 15, 1863. ig Trenton, when coming auf of St. Johns, N.P., by the captain of a Hamburg bark, who ro- jpoke the privateer Alabama the same day, 28th ty miles northeast of St. Johns. The San Jacinto Ponce, Porto Rico, on the 20th ult, 0 Kingston Correspondence. 4 Kingaroy, Ja., Feb. 5, 1863. it of Raphael Semmes to Kingston—He Diposes of easury Notes Stolen from the Steamer Ariel—Sharp ice by Two Kingston Merchants—One Cowhides the |The Merchant Colthirst and the Crew of the Ala. \ de. a have no doubt heard from your regular correspond- > all the particulars about the visit of’ the pirate Alabama; but the following may not have been you, Ihave the following from @ person whom I iy on. Mr. Wolf, a Canadian, on Saturday pre- D the sailing of the Alabama, was introduced to the officers and invited to go on board with In conversation, one of them said Semmes had on 000 worth ef Treasury notes, taken from the ‘hich he wanted to soll. Wolf, having an eye to aid he would buy them, and was advised by the itenant to go and see the captain, who was at the |Kingston. Wolf returnea to the town and went hotel, where he introduced himself to Semmes 'd his business, Semmes, no doubt very glad to of the stolen notes, told Wolf he would sell for hreo per cent discount. During the conversation pithirst walked up, and evidently wanted to get 's himself. Wolf, finding this the case, on find yy were demand notes, instantly closed with Mand it was arranged that he was to fetch the lon board next day—Sunday. Wolf then left. had been gone ten miutes he returned to ask ind of money he should bring—gold or bills—as he rful, from leaving Mr. Colthirst with him, that night be some excuse made to get outof it in o the money when he went on board; and, as be de over £500 by the operation, he did not want phole for the pirate to get out of his bargain. On rm he found # gentleman who had come in as be t,and he told him that he would not get the notes, airst had told Semmes he would give more for jnd that he (Wolf) would not come back, as no knew him avd he had lost all his money bya w weeks before. Wolf went to the captain and fim about the money. He said since he had seen had left the whole matter with Mr. Colthirst. dbe bad no busin with Lim; he had bought im,and could not what Colthiret had to do matter; he eaid it Woif went to Colthirat he sell him the notes. Wolf went to Mr. C., who the notes were not for sale, as he had bought Wolf posted to Port Royal to’ see Semmes, but t. On Monday Wolf met. at the Exchange, and or an expianation. ©. retorted he had none to ‘olf instantly laid on Mr. ©. a parfect shower of and ©. ran away. I can teil you the affair reat excitement, and all agree it was well done. pt the notes will be sent on to the States for sale, ape the parties from whom they were stolen will recover them. Itis well for our merchants to hut this Colthirst is of the firm of Davison, Col- & Co., and has been very active in doing all he forward the Soothern interest. He caused ali the the Alabama to be sent on board by the police, ixty five of them refusing to ¢ on board, he used hority as a magistrate vo order the police vo ar and send them on board. I rend you a para. om the Watchman regarding the Alabama, So ‘our people are not all secesh jal e., tion of Raphacl Semmes at Kings- ton, Ja jem. (From the Jamaica Watchman, Jan. 29. } urday last, between twelve and one o'clock, the relat part of Kingston was vitriolated by the pre- the sbaggy-haired Captain Semmes, of the Con steamer Alabama, who had tho audacity to in- ) merchants of this city to meet him at the Com Exchange, as he intended to specehify on the hich led to the disorganization of tue Northera and States. This lover of slavery stood on a table nded by © number of so-called merchants, who itt ays would be recognized as \itte Peddlingtons, all er ears to hear, if they could understand, the | nt narrative of this piratical commander. In tho | jof his speech this man said that before the poke out in America the slaves were a con. | people throughout the Union; they were ed, fed, clothed, and in every respect buiter pr than any other of thelr claks on the face of t He explained the causes. which loa to the present | ance, and told his hearers that they, the southern re fighting for the protection of their nish free trade in ts integrity, and to invite ever of the earth to participate in the rich flelds which je opened for the commerce of the world. He | Pathe community for the kindness they had shown be landed ov a portion of Britain's soil i the delivery of this slave hunter's speech he wns ally cheered by the Spanish Town baboon, a. O, -, and the Kingston Tony Lampkin, H. F. Gollhirst if whore ancestors were liberated from slavery igh government in 183%. 1 wo consider that we are indebted to British phi. | for the bleesings of liberty, and that as colored » gan epeak and write freely the sentiments of our | that but a few years ago the iron hand of siavery ed Heavily on us, and that in our very presence follow beings dragged and flogged from place to before our faces, and that many of our prrente under the crushing syatem of Fl y, how cay wra@ the statementot the piratical Captain Semmes, nee to the comtort of nearly Ave millions of our ho are eppressed vy the { ir complexion? Yet egroe mulattoes in Kington, ignorant as to (! ge of freedom which they enjoy, with means l(t ly Grandeo Molly, or Nen-nen, the Maccon?al—by noe, pleased this capain of a piratical ah. bY | ling him during bie gammon to the two muainto ory F. Colthirst, a striping taken by an ola tile firm, and brought into notice frotn nothing bat | secreted in the umanity—the other, the ugliest son of the ugliest faa that was ever seen—A. C. Sinclairathrough | i ry man who was foremost in taking thin sh Semmes, to make an effort to dupe, if he coal, 1%, is w descendant of the negro race, aod with all | mulattoes as we find them, for many a colored man forgets the pit from which he was dug. Our Mey West Correspondence. 5 ; . Kay West, Jan. 24, 1862. ‘he San Jacinto and Alabama in the Harbor of Fort Royal, Martinique—Public Opinion Frequently Wrong— What re ‘Phe Conduct of Captain Rockendorff—What Others Could Have Done Unden Similar Circumstances—The Officers of Our Navy, dc., dc. During the stay of the United States steamer San Ja- cinto at this port I was enabled to obtain many interest- ing particulars from her officers regarding the escape of the Alabama from Fort Royal, island of Martinique, and it js but a simple act of justice to Captain Rockendorff and those under his command that a fair and impartial state- ment of the affair shouid be laid before the public. ‘The public at large are too much in the habit of con- demning unbeard an officer of the army or navy who fails to accomplish impossibilities. In regard to naval ‘Operations they look upon the ocean as a mere pond, and imagine that one of our cruisers, fairly at sea, is able to observe from the masthead, if not from deck, every other vessel on its surface. They also think that a United ‘States vessel of war meeting a rebel steamer 1 a neutral port should at once destroy her, or, if not, so blockade the port that her dying jibboom should be over one side of the channel way while her spanker boom is over the other, thus preventing ingress as well as egress. To illustrate the difficulties that the steamer San Jacinto had to encounter, I send herewith a sketch of the harbor of port Royal, showing where the Alabama was anchored when the San Jacinto made her appearance, and tho course sho pursu King (cape, and also tho Position the jactnto was compelled to take by order of the Governor of Martinique. It must be taken into consideration that the mouth of the harbor at Fort Royal is six miles iu width and deep water on all parts of it. If the San JaGin¥6 had attempted to run into or attack tne Alabama, war with France would Lave been the inevi- table result. Napoleon would have been delighted at the opportunity thus afforded. Captain Rockendorff cruised off the harbor on the limit ordered wy the Governor, and used every precaution, by stationing picket boats to give the alarm, to prevent the Alabama’s cacape, if possible, ‘When the signal was given and the San Jacinto started to chase iu the direction indicated, she might bave been successful had she possessed the necessary ©) in over- taking the Alabama; but it must be known that the San Jaciato, under the most favorable circumetances, with smooth water and plenty of steam, can only obtain a speed of ten and a balf knots, while at the same time the Alabama would be going fourteen, An attack upon the Alabama in the harbor of Fort Royal by the San Jacinto would have drawn upon the latter vessel the fire of two very heavy fortifications— Fort Nigri and Fort St. Louis--besides creating war with And it is doubtful if such an attack would have been snccessiul; for the 200 had steam up, and could have slipped her chaio and started ahead before our ship could have accomplished her object. We are, I know, given to recalling and dismissin; officers upon the suspicion of having violated internation: Jaw, as in the case of Captain Hunter, of the slontgomery ; and at the same time the public demand that an officer shall be dismissed if he does mot, when the opportunity offers, violate the law of nations, What are our officers to do under the circumstances? They are between two fires, and, no matter what course they pursue, bring them- selves either under the displeasure of the government or the people. It is unfair and unjust to blame the officers of the navy for affairs of this kind. Give them the material to work with—vessels with equal speed of the enemy—and what can be will be accomplished. The blame should be at. tached to those who have furnished such abortions to the navy as have been purchased and built since the war commenced, and not to the officers who command them. I contend that Captain Rockendorff did al! that man could do under the clreumstances, and I believe that any one understanding the affair will say the same, ‘the Alabama took advantage of a dark night and ber great speed to escape, and Captain Rockendorff, or captain any body else, with a half dozen San Jacintos, could not have prevented it. Put the smartest man in all creation on dark night in the centre of Broadway opposite the Astor House, extinguish every light in the neighborhood, and demand that he shall prevent another man, equally smart, from passing him and esexping up the Bowery, and see how often he can accomplish it. A boy may be sta tioned on each curbstone, with a Roman candle, to give signal as the man to be pirsuet passes him: but with this precaution oven nine hundred and ninety-nine times in a thousand the pursuer wi!) be disappointed, Such i# the case of the San Jacinto aud Alabama in the harbor of Fort Royal The officers of the navy of the United States are as brave and energetic men as can be found anywhere. They are heart and soul in the work betore them; tmy shrink at no difficulty or danger; they are willing to encounter apy amount of peril aud hardship, and only ask that the tools they Lave to work with may be equal to those of the enemy. ‘They also ask their countrymen not w be too hasty in forming an opinion, but to wait patiently and hear both sides before saying who is right and who is wrong. Give our officers such ships as the Alabama and | Oreto are for speed, aud a rebel vessel canuot and will not exist upon the surface of the ocean. Oar Belize Correspondence. Buuize, Honptnar 12, 1863. Arrival of Rebel Schooners with Cargors of Cotton—They Run the Blockade at Movile, dc. ‘Two rebel schooners—the Pelican, with eighty-two bales of cotton, and Break 0’ Day, with one tundred and forty two bales of cotton—arrived on the 23d and 25th Decem ber The latter reports being chased by two crulsers. They run out ina dark night. They report the steamer Oreto in Mobile, ready for sea, ‘ Dr. Chas. A. Leas, United States Commercial Agent, has arrived, and been well received by the government and the mercantile community. ‘Trade dull Tho schooner Break 0’ bay has been a most successful blockade runner. Yancey was passenger on board of ber from Havana to Mobile on bis return from Europe to the rebel States. IMPORTANT FROM ROANOKE ISLAND. Contemplated Rebel Raid on the Union Garrison—How it Is To Be Accomplis! ed—The Force of the Rebels—More Troops Wanted to Guard the Post—Ubject of the Proposed Movement—Activity of Capt. Porter, &e. OUR ROANOKE CORRRSPONDENCE. ROANOKE Istawp, Feb. 7, 1963. Information has just been communicated to Capt. Por ter, commanding at thia post, and by him forwarded to Gen, Foster, of a plan by which the rebels on the main shore are svon to make a raid upon the garrison on this island. The rebels across the channel are supposed to num ber about eignt hundred men, and it is also reported that they have over one hundred and twenty-five smali boats wes and bayous of Tyrrel and Hyde enterprise. The rebels seem to be aware of our weakness here, and unless more help is sent us in the way of troops, together with a gunboat, there ts Rothing w binder them from making us ao easy prey, They do not intend to bola the island, bat only to destroy tho government property stored here, and rake down the contrabands accumulated, of which there are about } four hundred, and shen skedaddle, So well authevticated is the report that Capt. Porter has placed bie entire com. mand on guard,and a small steamer is kept constantly cruising between the island and the main bore, You beod not be surprised to boar uf the comtemplated raid et any moment. OUR FORTRESS MONROK CORRESPONDENCE. Fortnias Moxnow, Fob. 12, 1869. The News from Roanoke Istani— Danger of the Garrivon. Parties arriving here from Roanoke isiind as inte aa February 9, state that there is strong evidence of an at. tempt of the rebels 10 attack sudden! gorrison on that ‘land. 4, and capture the Tho rebel preparations are ex tinsive, and a large fleet of small boats are said to be in readnagsé t0 make "he attack. The garrison on the island have been AOd a4 At” engaged jn making great prepara tiona for thd fefence of the post »which they iavend to hold to the last W YORK H NEW YORK,.MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1863, THE ALABAMA'S ESCAPE FROM MARTINIQUE. The Harbor of Fort Royal, Martinique, Showing the Manner in which the Privateer Alabama Escaped the Blockade of the United States Steamer San Jacinto. INTERESTING FROM MEXICO. ONE WEEK LATER FROM THE CAPITAL. The French Army Not Prepared to Move on Puebla. Extensive Fortification of the Heights of the City. CONTINUED SUCCESSES OF THE MBXICANS, Severe Skirmishes and Defeat of the French. Enthusiasm of the Puebla Gar- rison. EXTENSIVE CAPTURE OF FRENCH MULES THE HEALTH OF COMONFORT, ae, a&e., ae. We are in possession of files of papers from the elty of Mexico to the 11th of January, being one week later than our previous advices from the capital. We also have intelligence from other parts of the republic of recent date — (Translated from the Heraldo of the city of Mexico of January 11 tor the New Youx Henan } We yesterday received the following telegraphic des- Receiven in Mexico at 1 P.M. patch — To Tum Mimmeren oF Wan— It is Dow eleven o'clock in the morning, and up to this moment no news has been received of the movement of the enemy from Quecholac and Teeamachaleo, The tn vaders, who wAte at Perove, are moving towards Tepeya hnaico. We expect further intelligence in a few hours which I will forward to you. ORTEGA. Our correspondent at Puebla dated the 0th ipet.:.— The enemy coutinues in his former positions. wo learned that « battalion of French troops, suppe by a strong force of cavalry, advance ard Acatzingo, but finding that that place was oceupied by our force they fell back upon their own lines. They will doubtless return to make another reconnoissance when they have finished repairing the churches. In a lotter from a trustworthy person see it at that Forey has applied to his government for a reinforc ment of twelve thousand men of the Imperial Guard Poenta, Jan. 10, 1863, sends us the following, ‘The French can in the meantime also depend on the alli aace of the yellow fever, which ls making havoc among them at Vera Crux. ‘To-day eight hundred mules recently captured from the eoomy were ar nto thie camp. A portion of ther po bo gent 10 Mexico aud the rest retained her for the wwe of thearmy. Tho men who captured them will be paid their value The traitor Marquez bad arrived at Perote, conducting a large train ef provisions for the French, Ho was accom panied by seme French soidicrs. General Aureliano vera sends this information © the General-in-Chief of the army of the Kast. The Boletin Oficial of Puevia publishes the following — Axozoc, Jan. 6, 1863.) Racerven IN PURELA At 636 O'CWCR. § To Grxmna, Oareca:— General Antouio Carbajal informs me andor thie date, ag follows:—I proceeded to-day to Acatzingo with a foros of horsemen, and rent « party forward to seize a quan tty of dour, lard and palt, which was eonceaied thors, About this time I observed that firiog was golug on in the direction of Banta Maria between (in advance of the fourth squadron of Zacatecas, with (he troopa (French) | vocupying Tyoamachalco. I immediately advanced on. | hundred inen to the assistance of our troupe, and M6 seom= that all the forces of Tecamachalco are moving on Acat | zing?, You shall be duly adviecd of what occurs RL M. LARA Amun, Jan 6, 1868 ) Recrwen is venus, 648 P.M j PMRAT. Cerne a To His Rxcmuavey The following 18 a later deqguich refeering to the same | | facts: — I have just received the folowing detpatch from Gens | ral J.C. Aramberti t Pk ou to 9G Hy telegraph | “Plow ra ‘he Commander Chie thas the unemny, | | who bas jeer Pying Tecumachatey hea mars a 9 j ment we I went forward 16 t vat @orun ob ih omen A] land py nlser cho ¢o wie to eopntermury ih! | THE LAND SURROUNDING THE «+ ARBOR 18 FRAN Sip TO 1500 FEET HGN colar pomamentes Sime penis sobine meat a later ar enemy is entering Acatzingo." po . FDEP. TRAVES!. ‘The offleiad gazette of Pueblacf the 9th of January, saye:— The enemy is moving with his accustomed slowness, and our troops are every day beg | him losses and bora m of considorable importanco, which they achieve with their characteristic zeal and activity. Our forces are all coucéntrated ta positions where their services can be readily made available. Military move. mente are continually in progress, and the incessant drill of eur soldiers, the mounting of heavy guns, the daily vi sits of the Commander-in- Chief to the quarters, works, foundries, &c., all tell us plainly that we are now near to the day of battle, All the fortifications are already near- ly complete, and according to some information which we havey new cnea aro being thrown up at Amalucan and Tepoxuchitl In every respect Puebla now presents the spectacle ef a magnificently fortified city, having a most imposing aspect, which gives the greatest confidence to its defenders, The Bolein Oficial, of Puebla, published the following proclamation of the Freneh, with the introductory re marks preceding it-— We call attention to the document which we publish today,and which, by order of the French Commander in-Chief, was addrinwd to the Mexicans at Huatuxco by @ captain of artillery. It is curious to see how those who have infringed every right, and who respect no guaran. tee, pretend Wo give Us lessons on morality, and how the highwaymen who abuse the generosity of the Mexican people talk to us of robberies, and offer to make peace between us, just as if we were at war with ot but themeclvee. It ls suffictent to read the document to be convinced of the hypocrisy and eifrontery which havo dictated it Mmrarany Commaxy of tit Cexree ov Hearexco, } HAvatexco, Dec. 13,1862. f Isnantraxts ov Heatoxco— The Genera! in Chief hae sent us among you to show you what ie the Freneh nation, which has undertaken the task of pucifying and regenerating your unfortunate coun try. We think we have proved to you, by the behavior of our troops and the way In which we have conducted ourselves, that we do not come as encinier at surprise we found that all your authorities to flight at the bare intelligence of our d we think It right to call upon you to have chosen another government to ve yon, and it is your body politic, and not the French, + have revels ites. Our mi ended, and it remains witlyou t prev wergotia action, the return of of plunder which has #0 long desolate ui are powerless for the discharge duty Used their best efforts to relive you from the anarchy by which y toresta Lave so cruelly sufferec For the General in-Chief and by hie orders A. COLLETMEYGI Captain of Artillery and Aid p. i" Two Mexican traitors, Jimenes Mendizabal and his com Maver H. Nava, Bocretary panion Torrescano, were captured at the rancho of Tot in the jurisdiction of Huejotzingo, on the night of the Tth of Janusry. They were engaged in a conspiracy againat the government, io which a priest amd some other persons also ity ated The two first named were imme diately brought t « court martial, found gnilty and sea tenced to death They were shot at San Martia on the morning of the Kth, the next day after their capture The Semanario de la Campana aunoances that devertors from the French army are gradually coming into the Mexican camps, where they are teceived with great kind ness and all their wants attended to. The Holein Oficial comtaing no important news Crom Jalapa. It gays that the latest accounts re at every hing as quiet at that point as an enemy xpectod 10 be in a fore gn country. Whenever the French abtetnpt ) move out r camp" W make explorations wme nerally carried back to Jalapa in the ahape of a a rider OF & Companion left dead on the 1, adda the Moletin, that the French have at thie potut by a’ battery of rived ear y have had to ship back to France thousand ick men, mostly suffering f 4, will be loft in the vod for the gebes dag being inthe ne whole garrison mon have recently been tiethed pronent a fine it. The Mexicun went of wh fr like | agai 7th ult ation w; Freneh sjaadron bad pot arrived at Acapul i they would get there by the 6h font y we y Gnewey at Tecrmachsleo, whence Baciny Ys AcabeL Their sores at this (two Wonsand infantry, dity cavalry, four urtecn wagons, They carry & ‘buy nothing In the town, lest o wtwened. Thin, eays the Herakto, how F lea be French have he “x b the j : ‘ “ 4 by row ve bend a their wkirts an whisk ne be alwayron t “nae x ‘ ‘ oarrog —*, RALD. Givision of fe army commanded Berrioeabal arrived as Pucbia in great style ou the event ing of January, General Liave, with his divi- Ser’ division canoe ia. wi fcfpounding und banner: came in, wi musi and fying, the enthusiasm of the city was intense. * Heralde, of Mexico, of the Sth of January, says: — Wo were yesterday assured that General Comonfort has tceralag to tee opinion’ of his mecval attendants he inion’ 6 medical ati ta he borane toleave Mr even revious day. to leave his room in about cight days, aud it is thet he will be able to resume active duty in the e The Garibaldi, of San Luis Potosi, takes the following extracts from a letter dated Santa Barbara, Tampico, the 2oth of December last:— Our forces havo obtained two triumphs, which, al. though small, have caused the invader,to understand that ico and its government have defenders who are will ing cheerfully to sacrifice their existence for the preserva. tion of their independence and nationality. On the 2ist inst., a column of French’ infantry, threo hundred strong, advanced on the road to Salinas,twhere they were attacked by General Capistran and Colonel Fernandes Garcia with an equal force of cavalry; and al- though there was some disorder among our soldiers, in Consequence of the want’ of precautionary mea sures, we remajued masters of the field. The retreated, and carried off their dead and wounded. These are estimated at from twenty-five to thirty. Un our side we lost three men killed and two wounded. of our horses was also killed. Op the road to Puebla Viejo theo was @ far more serious fight between the forecs garrisoning Payon aud the French. After a bloody contest the French retreated with great loss, leaving a piece of n in our hands. ‘The result of the action of Capi was the abandon- ment of Altamira by the enemy. They, however, on leaving, carried off Don Antonio Gonzales, whom they surprised while sleeping in his bed. Our cavalry at once moved upon and occupied Altamira, Our infantry is at Chocoy. This ig what has occurred and the deeds of our little army. Courage and determination! Let us do everything in our power to increase our forces. Let us be a united people, and we will for Mexico, All honor to the people of Mexico, and shame to the enemies of the peace of America, are maby other items concerning the French campaign in our files, but none of any importance. THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. gain a lasting and glorious triumph The Order Permitting Voluntcers to En- stence Stores to Be Sold to Citizens in Actual Want—The Destraction of Philips House, &c., &c. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMac, Feb. 15, 1863. BXTRACTS FROM GENERAL ORDERS NO. 10. ‘The General Commanding has been informed that Gene- ral Orders from the War Department authorizing enlist ments of volunteers into the regular service have been Fescinded. Sabsistence stores may be sold and issued to citizens residing within the limits of the army by the commis- saries of subsistence, under the following restrio- tions :—First—A certificate, under oath, of the purchaser that he is without the means of subsistence, and that he ig unable to austain life without being permitted to make such purchases, this cortificate to be approved by the corps commander to whom application ia made, who may thereon direct the gales. Such sales shall not at one time exceed the quantity necessary to sustain the applicant and the members of his family five days. Second—Issues to destitute citizens may be made under the same restriction, upon returns approved by the Pro- vost Marshal General of the Army of the Potomac. The parties in all cases will be required to take the oath of allegiance before sales or issues are made to them. Captains Benjamin C. Berry and allen M. Seymour, Seound regiment New York cavalry, having deserted their regiment while on the march to meet the enemy, January 22,1563, and having left this army without proper authority and continued absent up to the present time, are din- honorably dismissed from the military service of the United States, subject to the approval of the President. By cominand of Major General HOOKER. 8. Wintiame, Adjntant General. ‘The Phitiipa House was destroyed by fire yesterday, It was the fivest dwelling in this section of the State, having been up to a recent date upon the Downing College plan.” The fire was of accidental origin, having caught from a defective flue. Tho mansion was located on a boau- tifal elevation, overlooking Fredericksburg and the sur- rounding country, and had been oscupied by sevoral Union generals as their headquarters, including General Sumner, General Stoneman had just occupied it temporarily, pending the preparations to convert it into «hospital, ‘The costly furniture was saved and placed in the Lacy House on the bank of the Rappahan nock, where such as is appropriate will be applied for hospital necessities. The owner ts a banker in Freder icksburg. The destruction of ahis property, although purely accidental, is greatly regretted by all. In consequence of recent publications injurious to the Union canse, measures have been taken to arrest and punish correspondents who have been guilty of making such developments, and plans are to be adopted which will prevent their future ocewrrence. Many violations of law and regulations regarding eut lers’ goods, &c., having been brought to the notice of the General Commanding, a new course has been adopted by the Provost Marshal General, to detect and punish all who are engaged in illicit trade within the Ines of this army The traffic in contraband articles is not confined w regu larly appointed sutlers, only a portion of whom are be: Heved to have been guilty of these violations, but by many others not having pormits to trade in the lines of tho ormy. Large seizures of contraband goods have been made and distributed for hoepital uses. The offenders hereafter will be summarily punished. Another rain set in this afternoon, and still continues Wasuixatow, Feb. 15, 1463, From information received from t Army of the Poto mac, it appears the rebels are throwing up browstworks and rifle pits north of Fredericksburg. It must not be in ferred trot the abse f interesting nows from the Rappahannock that the in a condition of ti 7 Tho abolition of tho grand divisions has thrown many | } weighty matters upon the Commanding ¢ staff, and the v without regard to hours, in matters pertaining to the d cipline and consolidation of the army nents are redulo arious depa News from Siget’s ¢ OUR STAFFORD CORRE! Srarvony Covkt Hoven, Va., Feb, 11, 1863. Couma Windham's Bapedition—Sirolling Parties of Re bele—The Koade—Leaves fe Tho recounoissance under Colonel Wyndbarn plished all that 1 was designed to do, vir —To ascertain what rebel forces, if any, were on oar right flank. The formation gained ia, that tere is force on this side of the Rappanannock, exat of the Ball Ran Mountains Th forces that have been hov our lines have been composes, to a consideral) f Alnence accom, ' fow eavalr ng about extent, guerlilas and detached rebel soldiers at he fur lougha, who combine with citizens to accomplinh a oor tain object and again disband, before we have time t porsne them, Tho eaptare Conger near Catlett's station, bas br prineipa rendervoun of there parties an portant ald, guide and commissary, in the person of Calvin nat imparsable again. There ot of the ariny very ow nerupies a concer ition Ws ereelient ern are getting lenves of ts General are kept atiuna. Furlorghs t ab tha rate of two Wo overy of whiskey, seined from ent mu, wore t Medion! Director Ham 4) purpoke whatever Rebeiiions Clergyman in Trouble—A S-cosh Commantty Snttbbed, A Bastimonn, Feb, 1b, 1845 Rome Union people having placed the nackwal dag over the Svuthe #t church in Midd tthe M Saver, ¢ Hh Daabreli, who ts a necornionint came Wo the h thi morning and tore it down, for whieh he we sind and Ws now in ountody The * ming wt the Now Arsombiy Peome, were onwl yeet there woday be . a sk otleret ual Bag w be s th bu ' y : ’ tay by PRICE THREE CENTS IMPORTANT FROM EUROPE. Arrival of the Asia with Three Days Later News. NAPOLEON'S MEDIATION OFFER. What His Alternative May Be ia Case of Refusal. PROBABLE RECOGNITION OF THE SOUTH. OPINIONS OF TIE IMPERIAL JOURNALS. JEFF. DAVIS’ MESSAGE IN ENGLAND. Significant Article in the English Ministerial Organ. Mr. Slidell Opposed to a Congress. NEGOTIATION OF REBEL COTTON BONDS. THE REVOLUTION IN POLAND. THE GREEK THRONE, ae, &., ae. Tho steamship Asia, Captain Shannon, from Liverpee? at eight o'clock on the morning of the Bist ult., and from Queenstown on the ev: “ing of the Ist inst., arrived at this port yesterday (Sunday) morning. Her uews is three days later than the report of the Fina. % The New York correspondent of the London ‘imes, writing on the 15th January, picturos tho crisis then ox- isting ag the severest experienced since the outbreak of the war, and be anticipated curious developments within afew days. At a meoting of the distreaned operatives at Blackburn an address was agopted to the New York Relief Commit teo and to the inhabitants of the United States generally, returning thanks for the sympathy that has been shown them, but pointing out that the benevolent ebject in view could be more effectually accomplished by affording to distressed operatives free or assisted passages to romo part of tho United States where employment could be af forded them. ‘The Marquis Lousdown is dead. A Madrid telegram says the Spanish Cabinet does not lutend to recognize the Kingdom of Italy at present. The Brazilian mail bas reached Lisbon, Rio JInveiro, Reports of Jannary 9 quote coffee at 7/000 a 7/200. The sbipmenta were 50,200 bay#; etock, 9,000 bage. The «tock of cotton at Habia is 150,000 bags. Cotton was quoted at 17} 600 & 184000 at Pernambuco. ‘The City of Washington reached Liverpool at half past eight o’clock on the evening of the 29th ult. The New York arrived at Southampton also on the evening of the 20th ult, ‘The Nova Scotian arrived off Londonderry on the fore. noon of the 30th ult, Our Paris Correspondence, Panm, Jan 30, 1665, The Mediation Despatch 10 M. Mercier in Washington Pub- lished in the Momiteur—Tne Emperor Suyposnt to be Pledged to Recowition of &¢ Pail-He May Perhaps Ava the Rebels—Comments of the Imperial Prese—Trowps for Mexico—Why the Emperor Praised the Freedom of King land—An American Inventor-—Grand Secesston Ball, fo. At jength the oracle has apoken. In ite inmueof Wed hesday morning the Moniteur publiahed the despatch from M. Drouyn de Liuys to M. Mercier which eft hare on the 10th of January. In spite of ite apparent fairness, and its adminsion of the contingency of @ restoration of the Union, it is more than ever believed here now that the Emperor is committed to the South, and that the failure of thie attempt, if it failw, will be followed by the veerynition of the ‘comfederacy,”’ always tn the interest of ‘humanity’! and cotton If it partially succeeds, and our gov Dt accepts the propo Bition #0 far ax the appointment of commissioners ie com corned, and if there ¢ | settlement, then hin M | that he | wil atill recognize th re fail Wo arrive at any pomed, will ¢ sider and has exhansted bie efforts and bis patience confederacy, and perhaps aid that « denp from M, Merever Ambassador states his f that oor is now ready tw reovive s @ pro been made, and the hopeful on the kubject ing the pubdlicatio The ch waa received & neut Morn porn ing (ollow offeial journal, the ur Th ite ianue of t Minister rm in Dee Ly of ' iP t . apy thing Whe | fa Nation (on ad organ of the Renperor) Tin desperale war wh A . + . 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