The New York Herald Newspaper, November 16, 1863, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. travagance on the part of the American people, while civil war raged among us. Business was rathor quiet on Saturday, which is proverbisily adult day. In foreign merchandise, esne- citlly, there was only a moderate movement. The fluctwations in the rates of exchange and goid tend to un settle this branch of trade and keep hack orders for fresh supplies of goods. In domestic produce the specu- lative business was less rampant than noticed daring the last fow days, and prices of flour and wheat wero slight- ly olf, Corn was firm, whiskey advanced and provisions 3 THIS EVENINGS were without much chaage, Petroleam was less active ea Sud ireights dull, ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Irving Ploce.—Traciaw Overs. 2 In TrovaTone. “GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIET JAMES EDITOR AND opvick &. W. CORNSR OF FULTON AND NASSAU BTS. Votume X WATE ....... AMUSEMEN The Late Captured Blockade Runners— Curious and Important Disclosures. ‘The budget of important rebel letters and Anglo-rebel contracts which we publish this morning will be found exceedingly interesting to the political and the commercial reader. They ure some of the curiosities found among the military treasures on bourd the three or four Anglo-rebel blockade runners lately cap- tured off Wilmington, N.C. These papers the government has considered too good to with- hold from the world, and, entertaining the same idea, we cheerfully give them the benefit of the Heravp’s circulation in both hemispheres. First in order; Mr. Edwin De Leon, of South Carolina, formerly United States Consul Gene- ral in Egypt, appears with a very affectionate, but somewhat gloomy, letter from Paris to Jeff. Davis. Mr. De Leon, we guess, occupies about “M4 Bronéway.—-Bavinrs, | tue same diplomatic relation to Slidell that Harry MAx, Archbishop Hughes and Thurlow Weed occupied towards our Minister, Mr. Dayton, when they were in Paris. In other words, while Slidell attends to the confidential affairs of Jeff. Davis with Louis Napoleon, De Leon devotes himself to the outside business, as a sort of volunteer missiouary, whose field of operations extends even to Ireland. De Leon has evidently found the weak side of Davis. He is the Moses of the confederacy, and must take good care of him- self, for no Joshua has yet been discovered competent to take bis place. After this puff of the wonderful Jeff, Mr. De Leon confesses tiat he is disgusted with the herd of Confederate Pohemians professing to be engaged in Paris as his colaborers in the Southern cause, and then proceeds to anything but a cheerful opin- jon us to the prospects of any help from Louis Napoleon. Next, in a letter to Judah P. Ben- jamin, Secretary of State to avis, and an Israelite who has sold himself for ies than thirty pieces of silver, Mr. De Leon writes an in- teresting statement of his labors to put a stop to the federal recruitment busii: 4 iu Ireland, from which it appears our ar.ies have been reinforced to the extent of twenty thousand men. ‘This “cowardly crimping of recruits,” he says, is carricd on in the disguise of engagements for Northern railways, and is thus a great outrage to the Irish as well as to the Southern confederacy. But there ap- pears to be no help for it, although the priests are doing what they can to keep their people at Heavy cannonading was heard | home. yesterday morning in the vicinity of Stevensburg, |. We have next a considerable batch of letters commencing at eight o'clock, and continuing | 224 papers relating to a commercial contract about an hour. It was renewed between eleven between’ Major Caleb Huse, in “bebalf of the “ F = “O.8. A,” and one Edgar P. Stringer, of Lon- and twelve o'clock, and was heard at Bealton, 4 i f don, “Managing Director of the Mercantile twenty miles distant, as the train passed that ‘Trading Company, limited,” involving the point. It was supposed that Kilpatrick, who has shipment of five hundred tons of saltpetre to his camp at Stevensborg, had engaged a recon- | Wilmington, N.C. In this business Stringer, noitering force of the enemy. becoming a little dubious of the authority and It is definitely ascertained that General Lee | promises of Huse, excites the wrath of the haa not left for Chattanooga as was recently re- | Major, who calls the “Managing Director ” little better than a rogue and a cheat, and tells him flatly that if he does not look very sharp his saltpetre won’t save him, as his ships will be ed by the confederacy. Huse also broadly hints that the Hor. W. 8 Lindsay & Co. will bear watching. Stringer, thrown into a state of great distress, gets down on poses to wintér behind his intrenchments on the | his knees in the dirt to James M. Mason, Rapidan. of the firm of Mason & Slidell, and wants to A body of rebel gucrilias attacked and captured | know if the cotton will be forthcoming for hia saltpetre if he should send it from Bermuda to Wilmington. Stringer is devoted to his Southern s ¥ 1 confederates; he “earnestly desires to give them they were going off with their prey, Colonel Le- | t.9 saltpeire, knowing that it is much wanted;”” mort, with few of the Fourth Ohio cavalry, | pat then he wants some security for the cotton, dashed upon them, end after a sabre fight of a few | better then the threats of Major Huse. Mason minutes, completely dispersed the guerillas, after | comes to the rescue, endorses the paper of Prosdway.-Oraenno, WALLACE'S THEA TIN, Brow NIBLO'S GARD: Kose ace. HR GARDEN, Brosdway.—Kataceen Mayoun: RICK Mak«reD. Hroadway.—Duce's Morio~ Wau Tuxee's No Sucit WoxD As THEATRE, NEW BOWE T x His Our, Bov ery —Mazerva— acuKk's Doox P WERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Lanty Dawsor—Four Fase Couons. UM, Prondway.—Giane Ginn, Granr NG, &C., ab all hours, Mamintru—Jo- seruinemaliernooa and Kveninz, BRYANT'S MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Felt, 472 Broad. wey.—Erutorian Songs, DaNcus, Burtesguas, ge. —Tie Ruswtn Baw, WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway. — “ Soros, Dancus, e.—Danow anv Perabo eae GEO, CURISTY'S MINSTRELS. £25 Drow iwar —Bon- 123QUES, SONGS, DaNous, Ac.--Misenis ¥Us sLoukee AMERICAN THEATRE, No, Pantomins, Brevusguys, &e. HOPE CHAPEY, 718 Broadway, —Tus Srenzoscorr:cax NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, (18 Broadway.— Cumosimes anv Lactvrss, trom yA. M."UL1O P.M, HOUSE, US, £0. HOOLEY'S Brookiyu.—Eaniorian foxes, Dancys, ovember 16, 1863, HN SITUATION. By the arrival of the steamers Cromwell, Colum- and Conti ntal from New Orleans yesterday, we have highly interesting news ef the expedition It has landed safely on the are of the Rio Gran of General Banks, Texas er experiencing some severe weather 4, and much difficulty in putting the mon ashore through the surf. The gov- ernment wor Vort Brown were destroyed by s landing, and the nsville was set on fire by the ene- my’s cavalry. the rebels, town of Bro The Union men in the town re- sisted them, anda bloody street fight ensued be- tween the two factions, while the houses were burning around them. The Fifteenth Maine regi- ment was ordered up to Brownsville to support the Unionists. Our specia! correspondent on the flagship McClellan furnishes a highly interesting account in minute detail of the progress of the ex- pedition, which will be found in another column. Everything is quiet on the Rappahannock and Rapidan. mand to-day. General Meade will roturn to his com- ported, though it is believed that a portion of his troops have been sent off, leaving po: us of two corps on the Rapidan. From rebc! sources it is learned that the enemy has little apprehension of our assaulting his position at present. Nuts are being erected, and indications are that Lee pro- a train of twenty-one wagons within ten milea of Cumberland Gap, on the }2th instant; but while killing two, wounding four aud capturing eleven | Stvinger, writes him a letter, whereupon the of them. The train was of ¢ scovereds sultpetre, with the papers, is shipped in a block- ‘The United States steam tr Arago m | ade renner or two for Wilmington, only to fall into the clutches of the “Yankees.” Mr. Stringer will next realize the fact that “a fool and his saltpetre are soon parted.” But the modus operandi of the blockade run- ners is thoroughly disclosed in the contract between tbe so-called “Confederate States” and the English firm of Charles H. Reid & Co. for the running of five steamers between Bermuda or Nassar. aud Charleston or Wilmington. This cont is most elaborately signed and sealed, including the verification by the Lord Mayor of London. And here, it strikes us, the Tord Mayor, in Iénding his name and official notion to this bargain, in order to strengthen Linding force upon the contracting parties, acted very shabbily. Whatever may be the technicalities or the letter of the law under which ho may shelter himself, he must have known that in this thing he was violating the spirit and the object of the Queen’s proclama- tion of neutrality, and making himself a party to a confessedly illegal transaction. But, if we are uot mistaken, this same Lord Mayor has been for some time “hail fellow well met” with the leading rebel emissarics in London, -—the tenor of | aad it is not for us to say that be bas received will be found | 20 equivalent for his services. We may say, however, that, in our opinion, an honest neutral, ing budge ath tne as Lord Mayor of London, before verifying this Cont Se rer ear canto tewre Sperdeat- | angio hb RISC running itera would bamebbei eS Ses | have laid the matter before his government. gO tte EN } Lientenant Dornin, of the rebel navy, writes Our Havana correspondent furnisies us come |g readable letter from Calais to Mobile on interes ee ee ee the general prospects of his cause, and throws fin aa a Garo texico, | CUb ® broad hint to Secretary Weiles in the ar Ps i. o.4 Boast that “when we have seared the Yankees had taken the field at the head of bis forces, and : some encounters with the troops of the republic | OWb of the Pacific we shall return to the At- It is possible, from this warning, had taken piace. General Comonfort had assumed | lantic.”” the position of Commander-in-Chic{ of the latter ; tuat the rebel piratical cruisers which lately forces, ;turocd up at the Cape of Good Hope The screw steamship Edinburg, botonging nay next he heard of in the Pacific Ocean, and the New York, Philadelphia and Liverpool Stuam- on the track of our California steamers. As for Ship Company's line, went ashore on the West | any assistance to the confederacy from France, Bank, inthe Lower Bay, ye wlerae y, having — ok eatenant Dorain thinks it will depend upon a ‘a ae ee ben renee en ra | a rupture between Fraace and the United States prosthaaet saen: 9 ae | on the Mexican queation, beginning with the ‘The Kuropean mails brought by ian | treaty between Jeif. Davis aud Louis Napoleon. to Quebec reached this city y: r, | Hut bere De Leon shows that our Secretary of bringing our files, dated to the £ Or tober, , State is not disposed to trouble himself about ‘The news has been anticipated by the telegray Mexico until he has settled with South report of the Asia, from Halifax, Carolina. Rev. Mr. Junkin yesterday morning delivered @ | Without durthor remarks, for the present, we discourse at ri ‘anal street Presbyterian church, | turn over tise rebel letters, contracts, &c., to nt ott Nath asa tout forty persons. on | the render, He will discover from them some- Charleston, brings news to the Nothing of an important character curred there for of For! ter still contioues, although with less vigor than a week ago. y decrease the garrizon from day to day by some five o some days past. The bombardy Sum- The shelis from our mortars grad or six of the defenders being killed or wounded, The rebel buttcries at firing on light dra’ t pliment was returned by Cap’ jonville have been on with a few shells from the Commodore McDonough, which incontinently dispersed a very pleasant party of ladies and gentlemen who were enjoying them: | j) selves at & musical tea party. H The United States transport Ded Buck, from Newbera via Fortress Monroe, arrived here yes- ferday afternoon. She brought from the latter place Brigadicr General Fitzhugh Lee, of the rebel service, as prisoner, in charge of Captain Watson, of the Third Pennsylvania artillery. The correspondence of the rebel agents in Europe, picked up during the capture of the block- ade runners off Wilmington, which we have before re’ in our colamns to-day. It comprises a very rred t aal a we before the subject of ‘National Levity in time of Na- tional AifiictionIncompatible with Good Morals | ting of the miserable shifts and expedients of and Good Taste." The discourse was short, and | Davis and his confederate managers for foreign principally aimed at the tate Russian ball. The | *ympathy and assistance, and much to confirm reverend gentleman stigmatized that event as an | the general conviction that the rebellion, at GeUbiHon of the axoatens folly, bad taste and ex: | home and abroad, ia jn the throes of disgolutiqn. NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1863. We have no doubt’ that this intercepted corres- | tention or ignorance. We incline to the latter | Station, were fired ag by our pickets, when they made a pondence will be turned to a good account by the government; while it is altogether pre- beble that Mr. Stringer, on learmag the issue of his saltpetre negotiations with the ter- rible Major Huse, will drop this mysterious adventurer, and maee hia next shipment of saltpetre to some other destination than Wil- mington or Charleston, or any otuer Southern port, from North Carolina to Texas. Rebel Checkmates—Fatiure of the Lake Erie Plot, The rebels are having about these times various causes of sore discouragement. Hvery- thing they undertake seems to rest!) diaas- trously. ‘Their sacrifices at the battle of Chickamauga have proved a useless waste of life and war material. Lee’s prettily designed movement of closing the fall campaign in Vir- ginia by menacing Washington has been skil- fully met by a counter movement, which bas Richmond for its point of attack. The conduct of the British government in seizing upon the iron-plated rams which Mr. Laird was putling the Gnishing touches to, for the use of the rebel confederacy, has provoked a howl of exccration all over Secessia, from Dan to Beer- sheba, and has led to the expulsion of the English Consul from Richmond. The astute Napoleon has turned his back upon Slidell, and put his foot down upon any attempt to get. rebel corsairs built in one of bis ports. The business of blockade running has reeently turned out unfortunate to those making the venture—eome half-dozen vessels having been captured by our cruisers off Wilmington, N. C., within the last week. And, finally, the expedition seton foot in Canada designed to liberate the two thousand rebel of- ficers who are now prisoners of war on Jobknson’s Island, in the bay of Sandusky, Lake Erie, has proved an utter abortion, for which we may, in part, thank the Canadian authorities, who exposed the matter to our government through the intermediary of Lord Lyons. It is @ very curious circumstance, in connec- tion with this Lake Erie plot, that the existence of such a plan was made known to us by a Western correspondent more than s year ago. The thing appeared so feasible that we caused the iaformation which we then received to be brought to the notice of the government, and we are inclined to believe that measures were taken at the time to frustrate the attempt. The blockade runner Robert E. Lee, which carried to Halifax the rebel officers who under- took to work out this scheme, has been rather unfortunate. She arrived at Halifax on the 14th of October, having escaped from our cruisers off Wilmington after a sharp chase, in which one shell passed through her forward part, injuring three of her crew. She was reported os having on board several naval officers, who were represented as being on their way to England for the pur- pose of bringing out some vessels build- ing there. She also bad a cargo of cotton and tobacco which she discharged there, and which was to supply funds to defray the ex- penses of the expedition which has so signally failed. But on her way back to Wilmington, baving on board very important correspondence from Europe, she fell into the hands of our cruisers, and is now a prize. So also is the Cor- nubia. These two vessels were not mere private blockade runners. They belonged to the rebel government. Thus, one by one, all the moves made ia this desperate game of rebellion, are defeated; and the very best thing that Jeff. Davis can do now is, after sur- veying the board, and seeing the certathty of defeat, to give up the game, take his troops, and march off to Mexic. Tue New Catz ror Voicntexrs.—Unless a change is effected in the present system of re- cruiting in this State, it is certain that we shall fall largely bebind in the quota required from us under the Vresident’s last call. Even the little State of New Jersey is running abead of us, owing to its superior recruiting organiza- tion. "It is easy enough to see how this is. Recruits who offer themselves daily at our offices almost invariably put this, to them, im- portant question, “How much bounty do you pay in hand?” To this there is but one answer: “We can pay you nothing now, but you will get ten dollars as soon as you arrive in camp, and as soon as the company is mustered in the balance.” The reply of the recruit naturally is, “Oh, well, I will just step over to New Jersey; there I shall get enough to send home to my family, which will keep them all right until I get my regular pay.” The next day he isto be seen, happy and contented, perambn- lating the streeis of New Jersey in Uncle Sam’s uniform. This state of things must not be suffered to continue. The time is rapidly passing away which brings us to the limit fixed by the Pre- sident’s proclamation for voluntary recruiting. If Governor Seymour and our city authorities had bestirred themselves properly before the last draft went into operation we should :bave escaped all the suffering and anxiety which it entailed. Notwithstanding they have fair time to raise all the men wanted before the 5th of January, their supineness threatens to again subject us to a repetition of the same troubles. An end must be put to this. There is no reason why this city or State should fall bebind any other in prompt obedience to the calls of the government. We have always held that the recruit is entitled to receive the fall amount of bounty for which he enlists im- mediately after he enters the service. The government has in the penalties inflicted for desertion ample means of punishing a breach of faith on bis part. It is but just that his family shall benefit at once by the inducement that takes him from them, and not be exposed to the delays interposed by red tapeism or official mismanagement. But if there were no other reason than the fact that other States are taking our men from us by the superiority of the bounties which they offer, it should be sufficient to make us change our present system of re- cruiting. We trust that the State authorities and the Board of Supervisors will proceed at once to have thisdone. If they lose any furtber time a heavy responsibility will rest upon their shoulders. Frexcu Warcurunsess or Our Mrtany Opsrations.—The strictures which we published yesterday from the Paris Moniteur on the oam- paign in Tennessee disclose the fact that Louis Napoleon has a military correspondent among us specially detafled to watch and eriticise the plans of our generals. We should find no fault with this if be performed his duty und ingly. His letter, however, though written with a certain offhand techaical smartness, is Cull of maisatatomenty, either arising from ja- H coselusion, jaasmucb as, like Bull Run Russell, , he takes care to pen hia criticisms at a sale dis- | | lance from the scene of operations, Swizune ov Biockape Ruxners av Win wiG- | won.—-Within the last week or so we have cap- | tured no less than five rebel blockade runners olf Wilmington, North Carolina. This is doing good gervice, and shows that Mr. Secretary Welles bas taken our advice by employing light draught vessela for this purpose—titile craft, which run into the shallow waters of the harber, as a dog runs into a rabbit burrow, and drive the lurking blockade runners out to sea, there to be “gobbled up” by the heavier war vessels. Wilmington is the only rebel port now open for contraband vessels. This fact Jeff. Davis has recently admitted. Every other port is shut, and it only remains now for the govern- ment to close up that harbor, by a vigorous blockade and the use of light draught gunboats, in order to bring North Carolioa into the Union instanter. The only remaining inducement to the people of the old North State to refuse alle- giance to the United States government, and stand by Jeff. Davis, is the fact that their pria- cipalport is the only entrepot for goods to supply the entire South, and their com- morcial interests naturally stimulate them to cling to the confederacy. Shut up Wiiming- ton, destroy the commerce of the State, and North Carolina will fall unresistingly into the embraces of Uncle Sam. Deap Heaps anp Tnkarres.—We perceive that one of our theatrical managers has just declared his intention to abolish the “dead head” system altogether. He has been hum- bugging the public for several years, but this time he has given them a good and substantial thing. The “dead head” system ought to be abandoned universally, and if other managers will follow the example referred to they will find that the cause of the drama, as well as their own interests, will be very much benefited by it. The gress, as well as other parties, should be included in the exclusion from free seats. Admitting members of the press to the thea- tres indiscriminately is only a cheap method of getting puffs in the newspapers. Managers should act on the same principle as the butcher, the baker or the tailor, and make people pay for what they get. Rinse tae Yaxkees.—The Bermuda Advo- eate, of the 28th ult. says:—“The Confederate steamship R. E. Lee coaled from an Americar vessel at Halifax. The two vessels had their respective flags flying. It was a ourious sight, and must have riled the Yankees not a little. So says a Halifax paper.” Since this was writ- ten, the Yankees have been “riled” to a atill greater extent; for they have captured the R. E. Lee, and now have her safe in port. Lee Stil on the Rapidan, and His Troops Preparing Winter Quarters. A Portion of His Army Supposed to » Have Bee! it South. Cannonading Heard in the Direction of Stevensburge Skirmishing Between the Cavalry Pickets, ac, ke. Mr. Frank G. Chapman's Despatch. Wasmrncton, Nov. 15, 1863. A despatch just received from Alexandria states that the traing are off the track, and that the road is interrupt. ea this side of Warrenton Junction. The cause of the interruption ia unknown ; but it is feared that Mosby has had @ band in it, as the break is in the immediate vicinity of his lute stamping ground. No other news from the front. we. Our Washington Despa Wasiuncrox, Nov. 15, 1863. GENFRAL MEADE'S INTENDED DEPARTCRE FOR THE TRONT. Major General Meade teaves Washington tor the front to-morrow morning. Affairs remain quiet in that region, our cavalry picket- ing beyond Culpepper, and occasionally skirmishing with the enemy. LEK'S WhFREAROUTS AND INTENTIONS, Lee bas not left for Chatanooga as was recently re- Ported, though it is believed that a portion of his troops bave been sent off, leaving portions of two corps on the Rapidan, From rebel sources it is learoed that the enemy has | Hiltle or no apprehension of our assaulting bie position, and with winter approaching, feels secure in his present quarters. Huts are being erected, and inslications are that Lee proposes to winter behind his intrench:nents on tho Rapidan, VALSE REPORT OF A GURRILLA RAID, The city has been tilled to-day with rumors of a guerilla raid npon the railroed bridge at Rappahannock station. No sneb occurrence, however, bas transpired, the report been caused by some of our officers riding down the river in gray oats, accompanied by a few cavairymen, and stampeding the workmen. The track is rapidly approaching completion, and supplies will be de- livered by rail at Culpepper in two or threo days. THB NEW YORK SIXTY-NIYTM, CORCORAN’S LEGION. Arrangements are being made for a grand celebration of the anniversary of the musteringgin of the Sixty-ninth New York regiment, Corcoran’s First Legion, at Fairfax Court House, on the 17th inst, General Meagher is to do- liver ao address upon the occasion. The Preas Despatch. Wasninaros, Nov. 15, 1863. ‘The train which reached here at ten o'clock to night from the Army of the Potomac brought information of some cannonading in the vicinity of Stevensburg this morning, commencing at eight o'clock, and continuing about an hour. ‘The firing was renewed between eleven and twelve o'clock, and was heard at Bealton, twenty miles distant, as the train passed that point. No facts are known; but it was supposed that Kil- patrick, who has his camp at Stevensburg, had engaged & reconnoitering force of the enemy. Eisowbero ali waa quiet when the train at ten o'clock left the army. Although it rained incessantly throughout Iast night, the ground bas pot been rendered unit for military move- ments. Rapranannoce Staion, Nov. 15, 1863. Last evening a party of the enemy's cavalry crossed the Rapidan in front of Kilpatrick's line, at Morton's Ford, | attacked our pickets, capturing some six or eight of them, ‘and retreatod across the river again. This morning the affair was reported to General Custer, | who was temporarily in command of the division, when ho immediately ordered a regiment of cavalry and Pen- Bington’s battery of three inch rifled guns down to the rear, and drove the rebels back from the ford, notwith- standing the enemy had brass twelve-pounders. This was done in the midst of a heavy rain storm. No serious casualties on our side are reported to Major | General Pleasanton. | Ali ie quiet now—threo P. M. | pis | Mr. N, Davidson's Despatch. | | Mr. Wm. Young's Despatch, Anuy oF tam l'oromac, Nov. 15, 1863. Last night our pickets near Catlett's station exchanged shots with Guerilias there, and this evening about nine o'clock three mounted men, who oudeavored to press + Shoapalren acogs ihe [ines at Doygronas, nose Reirtas & precipitate retreat, A goods were fount by the First New Jersey cayairy last, Week 6 folod ia the cellar of a house at Warrenton. Tne, * 1 to be worth ten thonsand dujlars, aad At *S Suppesed wers a part of Mosby's plunder, Ao caging ran off the day aoar Waree topicht, aud the road will te apoire: ved til This morning there wan #na'2e) tempest, a ran, but tHe roads are til) pred, All tho Now Jeraey regimente if army aro sending home recruiting officers A large tot of eutie fon Junction rnin nore ARRIVAL OF THE CODMIMGIA, NEWS FROM MEXICO AND ST, DOMINSO. The Campaiga Against Juarez Opened by General Bozaine. \ Comonfort in Command of the Mexicans. Progress of the War in St. Domingo. - & DPfodern Traveiier’s Sketch of the Dominicans, he, Bee kee By the arrival at tis port inst evening of the atoainship Columia, from New Orieang ou the 7th and Havana on the 10ch iast., we have additional pews of interest from Mexico and St. Domingo, which wilt be found in the sub- Joined lover of our Havana correspondent, Our Havana Correspondence. Havana, Noy. 10, 1863 Departure of the Imperial Army from Mexico City—News- paper Figures of Speech~A Leller from Maximilian to General Almonte-—March of the Spaniards to St. Cristo- bal—Sietch of tie Town, Historical and Otherwise—Kepe rience of a Modern Traveller in St. Domingo—Local Ia- vana News, fe. We have far less news than usual from Mexico, thanks to the guerillas, who have robbed the mails from the capital and other places in the interior. from the few details, however, that we haye been favored with, the moat important are that the French army is at length ja motion, commanded by General Bazaine, who takes the field iu person, and that General Comonfort takes com- mand of the Juarist forces, his headquarters at present being between Queretaro and San Juan. The advance of tbe imperial army—as we may as well call it—composed whoily, or very noarly 80, of Mexicans, under the notorious Mejia, drove a portion of ihe Juarist army before thom at Actopan, but presently fell back on Pachuka, the Juarists again occupying the former place. Fights have also occurred at Atotontice el Grande, Tasco and Iguala, where the famous plan of Iguaia was con- cocted, and at the bridge of Campuzano, at all of which places the Juarista claim to havo guined signal advan- tages. But in these encounters, the forces on both sides being Mexicans, who may be considered a match for each other, their result is not 60 interesting as when they measure strongth with tho renowned soldiers of France. This. they will have to do before vory long, if thoy have not already dono go, ag is highly probable. The campaiga, then, may be considered fairly opened, and the world, more particularly the American world, will turn with increased attention to a gtruggie, the end of which it is extremely difficult to perceive. A paper called The Foreign Question (La Cuestion Evrangera), published in San Luis Potozion the 20th of last month, paints the Juarist situation in tho brightest colors; speaks of frequent desertions of Mexicans from the Franco-Moxican ranks, giving this (act asa proof of the unpopularity of the imperial s he ne; dwe!ls on the patriotic efforts made by the distant inhabitants of Upper California and Campeche in gifts of money to the govern- ‘tment for war purposes and the relicf of exiles; and, in short, has ‘been published with tho very cvident design of trying to make it appear that the Mexican nation is enthusiastic for war and united in opposing the intervention, When such paisa are taken to make this euthusiasm appear the statemont is at once rendered suspicious, while if the thing did exist it would show itself in acts which there would be no mistaking. [ question much if the desertion of Mexican soldiors trom ove or the otber side proves anything but the woll known character of that peopie, proverbially untrustworthy and fickie, I once before remarked that the achievement of Mexican independence, as the struggle for the matnie nance of the republican form of goverunicnt now goiug ou io that country is called, can not be left to Mexican hand It ts not by Mexicans that the French can be drivon away, ‘There ts # porpetual attempt made to make the world be- lieve that the Mexicans are what they are not, ‘This is folly , for wisdom is never born of deceit, and it is deceit of the most unmitigated form to tal about the “blaze of en- thasiasm" for the cause of Juarez, aud sisalar stuf, which finds its way trom California into the Now York papers. The ido« of a biaze of enthusiaam in Mexico for either side of the question is amusing. California hews makes the army of Juarez twenty-seven thousand. Others put it at ten to twelve thousand. Which is right? Do you know why I think the Mexicans in the interventionist ranks desert, as I bave no doubt they do’ Because they can maraud more easily. They prefer the army which moet nearly resembles an assemblage of highwaymen, The govern- ment at Washington bas decided not to interfere. Then the establishment of the empire is a fixed fact; for the ouly thing which could prevent it was North American cannon, If Maximilian comes over be will bring with him, eatly stowed away in his carpet bag, all the need- ful guarantees aud the recognition of his em- pire by nearly all the Powers of Kurope— all except one, Say what you please, he will be pretty safe then, wnd will not be got rid of quite socasily. Trae, an assassin’s bullet may eimplify the question and plunge Mexico back into “independence,” barberism aod bloody feuds, the bandit will once more enjoy his constitutioral right to cut throats and rob oa the highway, enabied by the blessings of freedom to take his ueigubor's property, and life if ueed be; in short, to live like @ gentleman, scorning honest toil, as did his father before nim. 1 think it amounts to this: that somebody must aunex Mexico of take sare of her in some way, to prevent ber becoming the eternal piague spot of America, Whose duty js it? During the absence of the imperial army from the capital that city and Tacubaya are to be properly for- tifled, #0 a8 to protect the small garrison that will remain The offorts being made by Juarez to contiaue the war are described by the papers in the Froucd interest as ex- tromely injadicious. We know from bis own organs that he is disposed to be very severe towards those who in any way countenance the imperial scheme. Those who take any office or employment are ipso fucto deprived of property and their rights a ¢itizens, and declared for ever ineapable of holding any office, The public fuac. tioharies im the places occupred by the enemy are forbid. | dep to remain unter any pretext. &e. T know those measures, oF similar ones, are customary tn all countries where war, particularly civil war,exwts. but they aro nevertheless unwise opinions you caunot change a mau’s opinion by ¥ you on'y strengthen his animosity and excite wll his enerrios to work you, 00 the very commonest principle of eel{.defence, jettor from Prince Maximilian, the rectpient read to a large , composed of SoTe of the capital The writer ex- we the hope that circumstaners may permit bim to | have the pleasure of taking possesion of the Mexicwn throne, Ae. , &e.—expression’ which, itis said, were rap turovely received by the Indies and gentlemen present. | 1am sorry vot to have it in my power togive you & of the letter, which has nos yet (ound its way bere. hkely the papers which contain it, if It bas been 1 are among those which bave (allen into the bands of the queriilas. ' Archbishop Labastita, lately returned (rom Europe, took his seat on (he Istb ult., as one of the triunsviri of the imperial regency. Tho Fresch steamer Milan arrived day before yes- terday from Vera Cruz, but brought no news, St. buMINUO ¥EW. ‘Thong we have iaselligence up to a week ago, there iy Nothing of importance to so Chat sh you received {rom ine by the last steamor—povuin, Short, but aa infinity of details concersing the march of General La Gaudara from the city of St Domingo to the lute town of San Criatodal, a8 if it had been @ most heroic ua- dertaking, resulting in the capture of an important city, instead of being a march of ouly twelve miles, more or Joss, coding with the occupation, without resistance mero village. On its way the Spanish celurin was lested @ little, and did some tritting skirmishing, but reachol San Cristobal casity ‘on the third day. Twelve miles is the distance from this latter place to the folgor ia order ta weotr tho wolghworing srustry. Tt ap: longer, scour the no! ing country. Peep Way He fgsee Ciera: (BON Mectes, Troe Ube : Almente haa received a a And bis wile and ef opposite bavi of which tho guerillas fred ou the troar who tnmediately . vs lopped in Pimb apt the chin, \ dee did Wien he inched bis boat, @2 Dich wns pine etres wide, put Uf nest modern towns of § Father Valverde and Moreau year 1730 9 wilopo, or curacy, W place catied Ingenios, so calli susie plantations which ab 6h , between va bY which ovee of the cistriet bhi boi dre years have roll by the fainous roumt My the sparking Nigupd dant ore populati sureb, did, tive hundred » {4k oF about th d became ut crowned ita sammy ove the tevel of the sca. The to UW! the popalatt eghteen thout dis one of the pr grew, Teached the high tgure of mere th: ‘The land is viet and well watered, ‘# trou whieb the lux eggs, chickens and places Likewise patronize Sam Cristobal for ube Chings it furmi-hes; these yarious customers, though: ing just og good facilities, preierring to occupy Une, selves With other purguite, she nature of which the acu reader may gues ‘obacco and sugar cane are k the stay io produ: ¢ of a good quality iB al, Faiced, but only jeleot quantities to sup the domostic wants o the San Cristobalense The chicke ke ut dD turkeys eat up the amall Of corn aunually procneet, and which is really not for them, to “ving Of the shure allotted to horses, which ty smu). These animate acarce, and, W solu ‘wor'h feeding, 80 poor diminutive are iney. lierved cattig and hogs abo but sheep and goats ere en ienown, Krom this skewh. wi ca is faithfol apd most © being derived trou reliable auciest avd moda authorities sud resources of San Cristo! hood I have said is rich; it is 80 rick that it is capable producing enormously with very little labor. Thue it d Rot produce @ hundred, nay, a thousand, fold und wmomican culture is sufficiently evident, That ristobal affords a very fair semple or nicam iudustry ts unquestionable, In fact, Domingo generally naturo has Bi ovst off tne artifices, own way. Nature feeds aud clothes him in ret r Obliges me to admit that his board and el vory Little. Happy bond of fraternity. Hi tappy, happy Wt A gentieman who has very recently been travellingy is experience as fullows:— | , With the exception! the capital, tb ouse of masonry. The citles are groupa | it of undressed timber, with no better or ov} stion than the naked earth affords. Seventy | form ® city; three or four a town and one the hope of the weary | veller, who has ed ten leagues to fi these ‘buts. lives a man, seldom wh, almost always Ulack, often mulatto, mated with a worm] 809 culled) ef color analogous to bis own; torn, tatters] Jangutd, barefooted or in slippers, in @ dress which st, is usually of white muslin, dirty which age thoy adopt rag which conceals a very st portion of the body, the rest being left in statu quo. use of combs 1s 80 little known that the hair of the man is undistinguishable from the @isped covering, the skull of tho ne; In_ the neither games cogs goatee buts a oe lates; there aro no chairs, stools, Lee tet " peas; neither Kind; nothing neither bread, meat, nor dried inhabitant silver, por ‘money of a hammock, | w! wrapped in ‘bis sloth, nig indigence and fi Amachete—a rude and primitive kind of sabre, wh the woulthicst hang attached bya string to what have veen ouce pantaloons, the poorer tying it round naked hips—three plantains, and a couple of pa (old republicun money, worth about a cent), comp) his household furniture. But that mav who, when he wears a shirt, lights) Pipe with a little strip of it, which he tears off; that who cats nothing but plantains from year’s end to ye oud, und lives ina hut inferior to that of a ge D doy, rejects your copper money because it is boavy common, gives you his band when he is amiable, or 4 not reply to your salute if he is a good Dominican,’y on a white dipaca evat and a pair of pateut leather ga! (picked 1 in tho purlieus of Madrid), to calion you nak to forve you a8 a guide, the hire of the beast ‘a donkey—being put a: half an ounce ($8 50) per day, In other respects he is a very respectable man, usually one wie or more, and with as little ro us need be thoy live in their Siegeating dirt and edness. Very jittle can be said in praise of their do tic Lebits, or the most upedifying scenes are of freqy occurrence. Ivis rather a pity that the writer did not eay Dnt he fie s#id enough to give us an idea of Domtn! society, Civilization aud progress, These are the pe the Spaniards are trying to conquer, Judge for you bow much glory they will acquire how much lustre Q war will shed upoa their arms. Havana weather has become quite wintry. Ye and today « strong northerly wind prevailed, and clovhing is quite a Decessity, We are avxiously loo rumora are pretty t h conige of days ago we had an exhibition of an in tioa for putting out fires, which was witnessed by Captain General aud @ large crowd of citizens and BI Gers. It was not a success. Inventors of this kind to forget that it is not simply the putting out of f that is required, so much as to vender a heated mags mediately cold, which I think is ax impossibility. You may remember the romuptic story | told you time siuce of a young bride baving been shot at the a! while the marriage ceremony was being perform fam bappy to say that the young lady bas recovered, been restored the bosom of bor family and the a) of her young husband. The Eagle and Koauoke have arrived. Exchange on New York is quoted this morn thirty-four per ceat discount. NEWS FROM THE SOUTHWES Terrible Steamboat Dis«ster—Burnin the Steamer Sunnyside—About Thi Lives Lost—Destruction of Over T teen Handred Bales of Cotton—Ope tions of the Mississippi Marine i “ade—More Rebel Cor:espondence tercepted—Letters fom Jem, Davis, Caino, Nov. 14, 15 The Memphis ulletin of the 12th gives an accoug the operations of the Marine Brigade of the Missisa| which at present is uader the command of Col. Curr: Three revel dave recently been captured first was exclusively (rom Texas bovind to Richmond contained vaiuable information, The last was frou & mond and contained very important letters, One of the latter, from Jeff, Davia, in reply to parties, asking bis opinion as to the propriety and ef dievey of empowering bands to desiroy steamboatr “ho S008 no Objection to the plan, and coostrues a tho rebel Congress to authorize the for motion of baru such purposes.” The brigade has been quite active iatel, the enemy at a respectiul distance from the A party is now in pursuit of Ylontgow. who recently burut the steambost Allen Ooi nearly complete success. Colonel Curry bas captured almost a miliion and in Confederate money, and fifty prisoners, during the month. The brigade pays its own way, cuts its wood and forages on its own account im the country. . General John A. Ellet, who hee been North some past, will resame command of the brigade, under ¢ stances which angur the best possible resulte, The eteamer Glasgow from Memphis om the 12th brings painful intelligence of the burning of the st Sunnyside about five o'clock yesterday morning, opy tand No. 16, twenty © x miles below New Madrid. had a large passenger lint and a heavy freight on b Among the iaiter were tiirteen hundred and eight; of cotton, which with the boat was totally destro: ‘The boat caught fire from sparks from the chi which ignited the cotton. She was rua ashore engines wore kept working to bold her to the baok, exit from the buat being insu‘eient many of her py gers were obliged to jump overboard, several of were drowned. ‘The scoue is described ax most terrible. OF tnt fomaie paseengors ovly four escaped, and of eight dren six were lost, About thirty passengers in ai} drowned or burned. Among tbe id, of Memphis, t bar of Major Boswell, an army surg known; Mr Bareo and her daughter of Detrolt; M George Cox Cresaweil tn; to Major Elion, ‘ Dooks and the money 0 board. wore he sarvivers bere, most of ~~ of Hebet Reicerstn ern Virgians Dat rune, Nov, 15, A doapateh to Genoral Sehonck Trom General Lockwood, dated Drummontown, Eastern Shoes, November 15, reports that & email party of rebel landed on tho Cherapeake bere yesterday, but they eould got fato the interior they were mot tured by the const guard. “‘hey belong to ihe gang notorious Captain Beall, of the rebel nary, A second despatch says, that one of our coasting fell in with CaptaingBoe,! and captured him, with — of (be commissiyged aftcers arge Capt