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NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER. "SUPPORT" Op illL ADMIN 161K AT ION Wo observe turn tUu Morning Chronicle renews ; its couiplaiut tliiit wo do not givu to tho Adminis tration, in all us d$pilrtmtntt> and id aU ite mea sures of policy, " the valut* of tliat steady, hearty, and unquestioning support which they undoubtedly deserve," aud cites a number of instances in whioh we have expressed disBcnt rather than approval. We submit to our zealous contemporary that it might better strve the cause of dignifiud discussion by addressing its*lf to uui arguments than by com puting the nuiiibur of the occasions on which we have presumed to differ from the Administiation. Especially would this course seeui to be prcpei when, as our neighbar is pleased to say, we have brought a " characteristic ability and an unusual industry" to the series of " animadversions" that form the grounds of its complaint. Until the Morning Chronicle has in some way disposed of these arguments, we must coutinue to give to the Administration the " value" of a "support" which is not "unquestioning," like that of our neighbor, (as perhaps becomes tlrj ambition of an official journal,) but a support based on our own indepen dent and candid convictions of public duty. " More pleaocd to praiie, yet not afraid to blame," we trust that, alike in the bestowal of praise and blame, wo have shown that wo had a hotter purpose than either to find the Administration always right or always wrong, and though we may have fallen far below the standard of that "un questioning" acquiescence prescribed to itself by the Chroniole as equally a duty and a pleasure, we feel well assured that some at least of the " oou sticuted authorities," consisting as they do of more than the depositaries of a single department, are able to appreciate the "value" of a "support" which has some stability for its basis, remembering, according to that fine phrase of the French, that one can lean only ou that which has some power of resistance. REPUBLICAN CLAMORS Tho earnest adjurations addressed to us by one of the two papers which sustain the Ad ministration with a constancy that never fil ters recti ve little reinforcement from other leading Republican journals. If wo took to our selves the latitude of complaint and the impor tunity of demand allowed to thojo ot the latttr which stand the highest in reputation for '?lojaliy" tod influence, we should be astonished at our in trepidity. Latterly we observe that the Republi can journals which " stand by the President" and tho " Proclamation" show the "composition and fier&i quality" of tbeir suppoit by "demanding" the removal of Mr. Secretary S*ward from the place he hold." at the head of the Cabinet and of Gen. Halleck. from the place ho holds at the head of our armies. This is the latest stylo cf "loyalty," and because wc do not join in the cry, or seek to harass the President by either the one or the other of these solicitations, we suppose we shall ba charged with iudifference to the welfare of the Republic. In order to place on record one of thcaf invocations, and to signify our disapproval of this attempt to disturb the President in the mid^t of hi* official tDgageiucnte, wc quote tho followiog from the Chicago Tribune of Monday last. Speak ing of Gen. Halleck, our contemporary says : " Nothing in hi? hands seems to proper. He failed in jj1B Western campaign?failed s'gnally aud lamentably? iust wiere a man of mora aptitude for affairs and far iess learning would have won brilliant and enduring success* In bii> dealings wth that U1RU McClellan no was unfortunate enough to encounter uislike, tut not firm enough to com jnard obedience Ilia choice of ageuts for securing the success of P"Pe <5?uld not ht'en Wt""n the command ot ttiat nriuy of tbe Pot? mao was then to Burn side, H?Ueck's obstinate prejudice ugaiust Hooker and lll ulaced pertinacity for bis competitor with tbe President were the reasoua that the leadership went where it did. We all know tbe result. The fcopelesa but desperate * dor of our men at Fredericksburg baa wTitteo it in letters that can never be effaced. We do not mean to accuse unjustly. but tbe actor. in tbtt Vicksburg tragedy justify themselves by charging tbe disaster upon Gen. Ila leek, wfcoordereJ what was done. And so disaster bis succeeded disaster, reverse baa followed reverse, until the country, exhausted of it* patieuce and weary of tbe delay, calls impatiently for a change and f?r relief. In saying what we do we only re-echo the cry that dines to us from every ousrter?get Pen Halleck out of tbe w*v and let victory step in Devoutlvbelieving thattheinstioctof tbecountry ia oot wrong, aud that all men may judge of tbe success of one or auy number ot campaigns after reaults Lave beea achieved, weoutreat the Presideut tollsteb to tbe country s cry aud show bis willingoeas to meet the popular deaaud. We assure him that in his own thorough loyalty and pitriot isro, in his desire to make an ood to the rebellion and of th" rebels, tbe country baa unlimited faith. If any blame it is for hardn ess to act when the emergency deniandirg promptnesa and decision arrive. Jf any censure it ia be muse be permits bis own tterling sense to be subordinated b? theories that bave not been proved. If any are restive it ia because he will not Judg* bis tubordinatea by the results tbatthej attain rather tbsu by tbe preteoai.<na they make Jfaoy sueer it is when tbey ask how much time will fclau?? before the President 6nd? out tb&t bi? uext in command ia Incapable of filling bia place. How much longer, all men inquire, shall we endure?bow many more campaigns like Pope's, how many reveries like that at FrMerickiburg, huw many dii^raoo# puttorotd afrer thit at Vickaburg, aball we moounter?belore a change ia re eolved upon, and a man of affairs ia put id place of the man of tbe closet? 'Old brains' ia a good sobriquet; but ' young victory' would meet the national want lar better ' On the following day our intensely Republican contemporary of Chicago pursued this topic as follows, joining Mr. Seward this time with Gen. Ilalleok in it? enumeration of " tho objects of tbe next sacrifice." It said: " The Senate la impatient, and so ia tbe country. Tbe first want* Seward'* place filled by a mau of action. J h-re baa been enough of philosophic ?l phrase making, and balu iog and of cowardice overmuch, say tbe members thereof. The country cries out aga nst Halleck with an unmimoiia voice, demanding that be, too, shall go. Tb? Pres dout is inpansive yet, aud, furious Senators ?ay. by aud by, when Meward has leisure at Auburn to taik over wib Weed tbe cauaes of hia (all, and Halleck ia sent to c.indole w itb McClellau, the agreement among aii that the President did wisely to wait will be cordial, eo lot those who, like boys under tutilage. arer that Ihey can't via t, try to make their ca?ea aa comb rtable as mty be Thry know, or ?h uld know, as well as we, that Mr Ljic ln is in dead earnest; that to put down this rebellion in the quickest, oh. apont, and easiest method is the object of his life ; that be has no auibiti?m which does not accord with the bigbeit interests ol bis country; that h?'baa thin far evinced ?agacily far superior to that ol his assistants t and that, whenever the b. ap is sttried, he always comes out a top We are content to measure < ur desirea by bis motions. " But :n the mean time we warn their friends not t> be cot fideot that Seward aud Halleck ?i l keep their places If th-y bet, let the wager be la d on rem?va', because, aa sure aa th?t the war cvntinnos, they will bi.th go. The in ?t<ucta of the pe .ple are unerring, and they Inng ago marked the o?j-ct? of tl.e ne*t sacrifice. As Cameron, aa Porter, aa Buell, a? McC!cllan weflt, so will go tbe inen of whom we speak. ihe real zatiou of public expecta lion may be deferred ; but it will come." Indiana papers refer to the recent difficulty between a ?quad (4 eavalry, aent from Indjanapoli# to arrest deaeitors, and flitilens of Morgan county 1 hey deny that tbere was any oigauiZ'd resistance, but allege that the cavalry gross ly imposed upon inm eent and unoffei d.ng partiea?that they rntklesa'y destroyed the property and aeizid the horses and insulted the families o! peaceable c.tisens i'he facts will be investigated. A FOREIGN MILITARY JIT DOME NT. in ocu if tUo despatches of Mr. Motley, oiu accomplished Minieter at the Couit cf Vienna, we bud the following itftronee to the opiniou esprfci t-J (wo suppose by a luilutiry critic) 10 the pnnci* pal journal of tbe Austrian Empire iclative to the I qualities displayed by Gen. McClkllan in effect ing bis retreat from the Cbickahouuuy swamps to the James rivei after the unfortuuate repulse uf hia right wing. Mr. Motl&Y, in bin despatch to Mr. Siward, saja: " I deem worthy of your uotice u brief extract from a remarkable tene* of pupere in tbe principal journal of t bit* eaplie, in which tbe courao of our campaigns is criticized, soiuct uiee eevercly, but never uugeufcrou*ly; always writh talent, and with thorough knowledge of the aubject, topu graphically uui strategetlcally, and with a firui ditp eitioa to do justice. You will be interested to read tbe com ments of eo able a writer upou the withdrawal of our ar mies to tbe Jainea river: '"It is not to be wondered at, then, if the G> neral iu> Chief of the Aiuiy cf the Potomac w'as iu haste tjO save tbe army eutruoted to him from tbe dangers^surrouuding it, even from certain destruction ; from anooae, in fact, which required only to be drawn a liitle more olemely together iu order to suffocate the boul of t-lio Uuiou. Tbe manner in which Le acquitted himself of Ibis most difficult of all mili tary tjaks ledouutis to hia infinite honor, aud plaoes him at ouie in tbe ranks ot thorn memorable commanders whose names history treasures for posterity; men who, if they have perhaps not had tbe art to chiiiii victory to their banuers, possesstd, at any rate, the fortitude, tbe audaci ty, and the circumspection to rescue their armies from im pending ruin The American General has made a thorough Btndy of war iu the swamps of the Cbickahorui ny, anc. has made himself a complete master in that most d fticult of professions He has manifested tbe un questioned talent to save bio army, iu a manner not suffi ciently to be adnjired, out of the most desperate of situa tions. Moreau made hitutelf immortal by Li-t famous re treat from the Iller to the Khine iu the year 1796. What is due to the American Geiieral-iu-Chiei, who conducted, with a morally and physically exhausted army, through a swampy, pathless country, covered with ancient loroats, and in the face of an enemy outnumbering bim two to oue, the most classical of all retreats recorded iu military his tory without a single disaster V " OUR MULTIFORM CURRENCY. We present below sornj reliable statistics and facts re lative to our currency, which we are confideut will be found novcl*Jiud valuable, in view of the momentous ques tions and interests concerning fiuance now undergoing diecussiou in Congress and by the people. The whole uuoiber of Bauks iu the Uuited States is estimated at 1,31)0, apportioned as follows, the branches of State Ranks not being enumerated in this estimate: Maine 69 Georgia 31 New Hampshire... 51 Alabama 7 Vermont 41 Louisiana.... 11 Massachusetts 185 Oliio... 21 Rhfde Island 92 Iudiana 25 Connecticut 73 Illiuois 60 New York city 54 Kentucky 8 New York State....249 Tennessee 23 New Jersey 55 Missouri 8 Pennsylvania 81 Michigan 5 Delaware. 9 Wisconsin 122 Marylaod. 32 Iowa 7 District of Col 6 Minnesota 1 Virginia 30 Florida 2 Nor-h Carolina 12 Texas.' 1 8outh Carolina 18 Kansas 1 Every oue of these Banks has its separately engraved and printed notes, differing in form or dee gn pictoriaily, aud each Bank issues tbe various denomiuations which by usage seem to have become a rule. Our paper currency may thereto e be designated as of the denominations of oue, two, three, five, teu, twenty, fifty, oue hundred, five hundred, an J on-.- thoueaud dollars. This shows ten different denominations as tbe usual quota from tbe promiueot old Bauks in tie Eastern and Middle States. It may be ttated, however, that of the Banks of tbe West, dec. the larger denominations above named are rarely used?they seldom issue notes of denominations above fifty or one hundred dollars. In view of these facts, and to the end that we may present a fair average exhibit, let us allow sx d.ffereot forms of notes to each of these 1,395 Banks. Tbe remit of tbis simple multiplication will give the fmiuidable numbei of 8,370 r?rtw?<i of nulcs in circulation and use fr< ra these accredited Bank*. Moreover, tbe varied issue, of the " fraudulent, broken, and worthless Banks" should not be overlooked. Of tbis class?of " Retired Banks," as they are styled?854 are enumerated in the publiehtd list furnished by the " De ?crlpuve L?at" for January. 1663. Such as theae have here t jfore contributed, on 1 in unaiiy inslauces still coutiibute their quota to tbis promiscuous catalogue One phase of our papor currency, engendered by th e multiform sytteua, calls for special notice aud consider etion We reter to counterfeiting. It may bo i-alel) atateJ that the art, as pursue! in tbe United States, is with out parallel, nud that, without vaunt > r hyperbole, we can ' beit the world" ou this our national specialte couutsjrfeitiue A species of lit-rature. even uuknown to the ust of the world, ha? been iuitiated amoo^ us; and no merchant or mechanic deems himself safe unless he couaulta toe " Counterfeit Detector." J base publications hare become articles of ' prime necessity," ti the profit of the puMiauer., doubtless, if not to the community; and tboy are spawued weekly, ?euii-auutbly, and monthly in ujost of our cities. We need not enlarge upon tbis topic, amsiiug a* it alwajs appear# to foreigu ob*?rver* and writers on these subject*. The absolute facts, a* detailed by tbces interested in keeping the records of counterfeits, appear monstrous and fabulous, 6ven bejond credence. Of the various kinds it is estimated that ttere are about six thouiacd. How mary of each kind must be conjcetured, as we have uo means of catechising the originators It would seem, however, us the rule, that tbe better the Banks tbe more numerous tbe counterfeit*. We cite, ia illustration, that Mas*acbu?ett* has ono hundred and eighty five Bmks " Thompson's Re ' porter," of receut date, describes counterfeits ou one huu dred and sixly-nine of these, and "Gwynne & Day's" specifies one hundr?d and seventy-four. A hko inference may be drawn from the same eu horities iu reference to the Banks of New York. Of three hundred and three Baoks enumerated in that State, it is stated that the issues cf only forty-five are uot counterfeit d. Of tbe various specie* of counterfeits, as they are called, it it ascertained that but a small part of the whole in cir. dilation is composed of bona fide " imitation*" of the gi-nuiue notes. Thos j knowu as " alterations" number highest. One cause of tbis multiplicity of altered notes is attributable to tbe similarly of titles among Barjk" jn diff tent secti' ns of the country. As, for mstauoe, we fr d twenly-?even " Union" Banks, of which seven are in tbe State of New York. A yet further aid to "altera, lions" is in tbe frequent use of tbe same devices ou noU s ot different B uk?, ?ni often of different Banks of the same naine. Nrxt in number to the " alteration*" co ne the " spu. r:ous, such as resomble in tit'e only tbe notes for wbic^i they are intended t' pass. These notes are from p ates ot broken ami "b guV Binks in m^at instance* although not unfrrqriently from tbe dtbris material of broken or ' retired" Kank-rio*e engraving establish ments. In v.ew of such a promiscuous, multiform, aud dubious circulation, w? think it will b? genpmlly admitted by tbe public and by conservative bmkers that a plan which, like that of Mr Secretary CH4SK, proposes to put an end to these evils, di-serves a favorable consideration. IRONCLADS ORDKKED TO SEA. The Nary Department has ordered the following iror dad vessels to be prepared for sea and Dent South at once: Vetttl YVhrrt. State of fwrardntw Yo'w Ready In two weeks' Ore?.p.,int ItfHfty in two weeks Haifamore ? ln-ster, I'a K?n?1v in a week k lioston Heady in a week RESTRICTIONS ON GOLD 8PECUI ATIONS. Nrw Yokk, Fhi <>.?M bill was introduced in the Le gislature to day to prevent the Banks of tbe Mlate selling specie above pir duru g the time of ?uspen*ion of apecie payments?making void all contract* for the sa'e or pur chase of sp.-rie, and prohibiting loans on vpecie, uud?r penalty of tbe forfeiture u( bank charter I FRENCIT DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCES 1 be Por.e Mtniteur of flie IC-b December coutaiua the official docuiseuts of the >car. uudor the general name of tho Lxpo.e do la oitu+Uonde 1 Empire, aud wbiob contains, besides the several summaries of the Ministers, similar to the reports of our Secretaries a selection of tbe Diploma tic Correspond uce, like tbat recently published by Mr ! StWARD. We have uot eeeu a copy of this important I docuuieut, tut find iu tbe New York Evening Post a com pilation of a portion of tbe correspondence o< ntaioed iu it, as derived frouj abstracts giveu iu tbe Pari* correspondence of several London paper*, aud particularly iu that of M. Gaillardet to the Courrier dea Ltats Unis, published iu New York. Froui these abstiacts the Pout has prepared quite an interesting accouut of tbat pirt of tbe Fieacb Empt or's " Yell \v 1) i k," us it is called, which relates to the affairs of the UuUod States. The general couducto! the French Government towarJs the United States is described io tbefollowiug paragraphs: " the year just ei.ded has unfortunately produced uo to lutiou of the crisis through which the United States are passu g. The struggle is carried oil wi'h alternations i f successes and reverses which threaten to be eternal. At the same time tbe sufferings imposed on other countri- a by the blocking up of one of the most pioductive countries iu the world are being multiplied aud aggravated. As far aj we are concerned, the distress felt by our co ton indus try is well kuown. " Tbe Emperor's Government, therefore, watched with increasing solicitude the course of tne eveuts which had already unrated itj serious atteuliiii during the past year It was especially anxious to conciliate the muinteuuice of a ft leu J y neutrality with the duty of protecting ivs own countrymen, which every day became more imp rhlive. It has not neglected any oue of the opportunities which authorized it t j explain its opinions to the Fed?ral Gov ernment on th'j dangers aud difficulties of the situation; but, while speaking wiih all sincerity, it was careful to give its observations the most friendly form, uud it is happy to May that lull justice has been dune to its sentiments at I Washington. " Alter haviug, till quite recently, confined its cwnmu n.cations with tbe Federal Government to a kind of oonti deutial exchange of ideas, circumstances induced it to be lieve that the moment was come to try a more decided step. It thought that alter two years of so disastrous a struggle the season when military operations are of tie ceesity suspended could not be suffered to pa?? without some effort t<> turn it to the advantage of peace uud com promise. " The Emperor's Government was desirous not to uct oloue. It therefore proposed to tbe Russiau and English Governments to join it, so that together they might briug about au armistice for six months between the Federal Government au<J the Confederates of tbe South. Tbe an swer of the two Courts is already known. While declar ing thut they ehared the feelings which bed led us to make the proposal, they decliued coming to the understendiug suggested. 4 " W? ceitainly regretted this determination; but we were conscious of having obeyed the dictates of bumauity and sound policy We are couviuccd that our proposal, preseuted collectively, might have contributed to prevent useless bloodshed and to basteu the moment of reconcilia tion, the conditions of which were of courte to be left en tirely to the free choice of tbe belligerenti. "'Ih*re is evidently no sufficient ground for us to re sume alone the initiative of a pr. ject which, as we thought from the first, ought t > bo undertaken with the concur rence of our allies ; but we have taken caie to let it be knowu at Washingtou that wo were quite roady, if it should be desired, to facilitate, either aloue or collectively, in auv form that might be indicated, the work of peace iu which we bad wished Greut Biitaiu aud Russia to join us." Next we come to the correspondence, which Jextecds over fourteen columns of the Moniteur, and which our rea ders, to say the least, will proucuuce extraordinary iu many respects Its two topics are Butler ond Mediation, or Me diation and Butler. A d. spatch of M. THOUVKNEI., dated March Gtb, 1662, inquires of M. Mercier whether, alter the recent success obtained by tbo Federal erms in Kentucky and Tennessee, the moment has not arrived for th? Washington Cabinet to exnmiue " if the exclu-ive metbud of coercion is, after all, tbe beat fur remedying the evil already done, and that which can be eat ily Sort seen if tbe war fje cutitiuued." All Europe will with satisfaction tee the Federal Govern ment teekn g itself the basis of some transaction des iucd to drive awny (conjurer) nil tr.uoles, and avoid furthei complications, " wbich will to o early arrive during the pre sent criMS it its prorogation would render mure heavy than ttey are already tbe eacr.fices suffered by commerce and industry in Europe. M Mti.ctKK replies to M. Tbouvenel March 31,186<J, that, according to tits instructions, he had held an inter view with Mr 8ew?rd, and was awaiting the news of tbo fate of New Orleans. The French Minister afterwards reports a conveis itiou which be bad held with itflueutisl peonage*, and who. ir? answer to Lis remark thai thpwar increased daily the bittemeis between the Noith aud the South, said : ?' We do not expect to reunite (ra tucker) the South with us agaast its will, but tfe hops that after having relieved it from the ioflueoce uf its prem-nl leaders, and baving given it a severe lesson, it will return to tbe right putb. We are resolved to c-irry on tbo test to the end, and if afterwaids the inijori y of the Utatee persist tu'a separation, tcc wUl let thtm hare it." M. Merrier be lievrs that this is the mling opinion iu the North; tbat the mass of tbo public is beginning to get tirod of the war, hut that its conservative instinct still binds it strongly to the Union,and which it hopes to see preserved by a melange of \ictorirs and concesj ons. A dec put ch, beating date April 13, tbiows a Htlc light upon the journey t.udertnktii to R cbuiond by Bsrou Mer cier, and which excited inuch atteotnuat the time. It appears thut ho undertook it at tbe suggestiuu of Mr bo ward himself wbo then believed in tbe speedy re-eslab lisbment of tbe Uui<>u, and without having previously in forme 1 the French Government of his inUsutiou. Before bis departure M Mercier came to au understanding with Lord Ljons, aud repeated to Mr. Hewsrd that the object of his journey was uot connected with the recognition of the South, but only au attempt to bring about an arrange ment Tbe Secretary charged him to state at Richmond tbat the North was actuated by uo sentimeuts of revenge, and tbat great satisfaction would be afforded to tbe inhab itants by tbe sight of tucb Seuators as tbe routi migLt couseut to seud. Of the many oouvereatious which M Morcier mentions having had at Ricbmoud with several important persouagt s, that of Mr. Benjamin deserves to be noted dowu. We quote from Mr. Mercior'e despatch i "I to!d Mr. Benjimiu (write* Mr Mercier) fhst the object of my visit w?? simply to leaiu for mjrselt tie real state of aflfitirs, aud that I ciiue to aek hia aid iu attaining it. lie replied that be would a*si*t me with the greatest Ileaaure, aud that he would be charmed if I arrived at the ruth, which, accoidiD^ to all be could gather, appeared to be little known iu the North. " I give you a summary, M le Miniatre, of what Mr. Benjamin aaid to tue, aud what I have learned from differ ent conversation* held wbil* iu Ricbmoud : ' We have (I waa told) relied too muob ou Europe aud the power of commercial iut< Mat*; bur, however that may be, you will be convluced that we are determiufd to cou^uer our inde pendence at all b .j:?rdi. On thin point the aentimenta of our people are uuaiiinoua They have already suffered much, but they will endure far more, if neces-ary, to ac compliah their object We do not disguise from ourselves that the Federals possess infinitely superior resources, and )Jie command of ttu ocean ; that they may, iu tbe long ruo, make themselves masters of our post*. But in captur I ii.k our cities they w ill find culy women, old men, aud I chldreu. Ti c whole population capable of bearing arms I will wittdraw into the interior, beyond the reach of gun boata, and, in preaence of such a resistance, the North I will be obliged to yield. We remember that, iu the war | of independence, tbe Engl sh mcmentarily held possession . of nearly all tbeciiitson tbe coaat, but succumbed, uot withrtand ng. Tbe aame result will now occur. The present situation ia exactly similar to what it waa then, I Like the En?lirh the North lights to retniu its power and ; wealth, ai.d we, like the Ameiicana, fi^htfor independence. ! Our people are to-day auimated by uumiatakeanle aenti ' meuta. Look nt the women t they aie lortmi at in urging l their Lu(bands, their suns, their brothera to take up tiruia. By their habita, our people are better prepared fur , a military life than thoae of the North, and, on equal I terms, our troops have always had the advantage. Our measures are taken to hold Richmond aa long aa possible, and if at laat we should lie forced to abandon Virginia it would Le certainly u heaty lo*? to u?, tint we should not despair. Moreover, we can, if (absolutely necessary, de fend ourselves, but the North cannot attack ua without money. On the other hand, we will not hesitate anmatant to bum our cotton and our tobacco, rather than permit them to fail into the bands of the enemy." " I have met here every important public peraonagfl, I ar d all 1-ttPe hpld the aame language and expreasod to my the same sentiments. Aiikxh these person* many are known for the mo<!oration of ther character, and for their I opposition to aece*alou at the outset of the quarrel. The ijueatiou now ariaes whether the determinations ao unani movaly expressed to mo are strong erough to resist every ' trial. I cannot attempt to decide, hut I a e many rea aona for not doubting tbeir perfect sincerity at tliia mo ment. How, otherwise, could be explained the entire | submission with which the people accept all tbe miaerics I to which ci11pmslances coudemn them T" In the following despatch, dated Jaly 2?, 1803, M. Thou ' \enel shows himself still more excited (imu) by the dura , t oh o| tbe w?.r, the afflictions of which had fur Europe just breu aggiavated by the adoption of the new tariff, which waa almoat equivalent to closing the United StatM mar ket. France has persisted in maintaining the stnc'eit 1 Neutrality; " Rut it ia iropoiable to dissimulate that no flovarumeut cau remain iuJefmitely deaf to ike ooinplaiuU arising arouud it, wbeu tLese complaints are ttjts eobo of the goo oral aou'.iiueul uf ibe c uutry." " Mow it in easy to per ceive," ?ji>8 be minister, " that the necessi'y of a aolutiou of the American conflict appaaia each day more pressing, while at tie tame time the clearest minda uf Europe teod more and more to di>ubt tbe pos?it>Uity ot a re-ettibheh meut uf tbe Union upon its former condition. ... It would be an error to suppose that an unfavorable spirit (un sentiment ptu bunveillnnt) towards tbe Federal Gov ernment at all iuduces tbia opinion. Mo oue d? sires sepa ration, but, convinced ih-it it is inevitable, it is deniable that it shou'd bt- uiado under relatione Ibe moat favorable to ibe ulterior relatioua of the two States to wh;cb it will give birtb." Tbia despatch, in which M. Ibouveuel gave bis clearest iinpiecaious ou the it sue of the war, was met by uuotber deapatob frcm M.'Mercier, dated tbe lf>ih of the same mjutb, in which the writer " does uot tb.uk it a piece of temerity to suppose tLat the hour of peace may uot be very fur eft'," comparing the arraugementa then existing with tbore of the present year; aud be awka whether " thia id uot tbe moment wbeu Europ an mediation would be a great good, aud supported by publio opinion 7" Tbe Imperial Government, however, did believe that the auapicioua momeut ha l airived, uud ou the 18th of Sept-mber, lf6!i, M. Tbouvenel asked M. Mercier to ga ther together all tbe information he could on thia matter. Later, in a despatch dated November G, and aiuued not by Tbouveuel, but by M Drouyn de L'lluys, thia latter gives to M. Mercier a confidential copy of the communication which he had just ad J rested to Loudon aud tit. Peters burg, adding that he " had no doubt* t>s to the benefit to ? he United States of a moderately l ing armistice," (uwe trice de qutlque durU,) and " that be had at leaat the asso ciation iu our amicable efforts of tbe two great Powers which wo believe to bo towards tbe United States animat ed by feelings na friendly aa our own." Nevertheless, M. Mercier wrote onlhelOthof Novem ber that the then recent elections indicated a change of opinion, a diversity ot aspirations, but " aeemed to be definitively, and above all in their practical consequences, alt-gei her in opposition to the war to the end." M Mer cier then believes it " opportune for the French Govern ment to prepare to take some conciliatory steps, which might aid in the re establishment of peace " Eight days later?the 18th of November?be faia. on the siine sub ject, that the essential point to be attained by a mediator waB to prevent the renewal of hostilities in the spring, be cause, it a uew campaign should bo then begnn, it would be voiy difficult to arrest it, aud tho culture of cotton, te Kiuuing iu March, would be ubaudoued, to that it would be difficult to say when it would be over resumed. But on exactly the same day, November I8lh, M. Drouyn de L'Huys announced to M. Mercier the refusal of Eng land and Russia to unite in the effort made by tbe French Gjveruuieut, unknown to its miuitter at Washington, though iu conf'oimity with hie known vi-ws. M. Dtou>n de L'Huys announces that owing to the refuial of the other Powers to act iu the matter, France will also abstau, but that " we will remain in the firm belief that the offer of our united good offices would have opened a perfectly acceptable way of hastening tbe dtnou mtnt of the preaeut crisis, aud we do not abandon the hope of yet seeing others enter luto our views." Tbe labt phase of this diplomacy is a despatch addressed from Cornp &gne, November 123, 18?2, by M. Drouyn de L'Huys to Mr. Drjyton, who had forwarded him informa tion res^ eating the two belligerent parties, at tbe same time expressing ibe hope that this information would modify his opinion legarding the equilibrium of tbe retpec tive forc< 8 of the North aud the South. M de L'Huys re coguises the fact that the information is calculated to give a guod idea ofa'l the resources of the Federal Government. "But it is not the lejs true,"pays he, "that,noiwithstHid ing the inequality of cumbers and financial means, tbe con ditions of the soil aud climate seem to oppoie invincible argument* to the progress of the war." "I am pleaBed," he adds, " to render homage with yon t > the courage evinced by the Americans on b >tb sides; but even this courage, while exciting the admiration of tbe world, is iu this case only instrumental in rendeiing the more uncer tain the results ot battles, and in pi saponin# the end of this disastrous and bloody war." The Minister says that " the recepli n by England and Rueaia of the proposal of Inediatiou prevents ui fn uj fol lowing out tbe matter, but that our amicable disposition toward* the Americans remains unchanged.'1 AN IMPORTANT LINK. Wo are glad to s'-e thst Mr. Rice hag reported to the Senate, from it? Military Ct muaittoe, a bill to aid. th* con structs <>f tbe " Metropolitan Railroad," in coonectiou alw with other c >unectiog lin?? to tbe West and to the Chesapeake bay. Tb? proposed " Metropolitan" road, bo called, chartered both by tbe S ate of Maryland and by Congress, in a road by a direct lin- from Washington to the Point of R. ck?, (instead of goinj round by Baltimore or the Relay House,) tbeuce to Hagerstowu, nud theie connecting with tbe whole net work of Pennsylvania rail roads, and br Pittsburg to the great West, nnd nhirteijing the present distauce from Washing oa to the Baltimore and Ohio radrond aud llaipoi'o Ferry ueariy one-half. We have often felt surpri e that the imp >rt><nce of this 1 nk in the chan of railroad communication has act 1 tig ?itco arretted tbe ear.iest atten'ion of Cou^ress, particu larly tho Western members of the b dy, an 1 obtained for tbe work adequate uid aud t ucourageiueut. * B-sides so greatly focl.tallug travel aud mail transportation be tween tbe West aud the teat of Government, could aoy a:ithmetic:au undertake to ascertain the advantage which this short, direct, additional liue ol tranap rut on from Washington to Haiper's Ferry aud Westera Marylaud would bavo beeu to tho Guveiuuiint, t > the army, to tram, portatiou of {oldicrs, munitions, aud supplies, and to fac'lity of military operations, during t be l**t two years T Tbe saving io mere uiuuvy would have pii 1 for the road twice over, eud it m'ghtevrn bave aaved Harper's Ferry, with its lmmcote los? of life, of pritcnere, aud muni'.i? ns. The impTtauce of the road, however, is too obvious to ueed any extended comment. DRAFTED MEN IN BATTLE. We regret to see it stated, ou good authority, that tbe " drafted uieu" eugaged in tbe recent battle at Blackwater (Va ) did not belave with courage. Tbia remark applies to tbe lG7th Regiment from Pennsylvania, who ou tbia oc ca?iou failed to eu tlin tbe high reputation wbicb tbe gal laut voluuteers from tbeir State have gftifed on ao mmy ?trickeu fields. An army correspondent tbus describes the conduct of thue " diafted men" io the first batie, we be lieve, in which any poitiou of the three hundred thouiaod of tbeir class has been engiged : " The regiment* of tbe expedition were mostly new, and behaved well uni'er tbeir firft serioui fire, with the ex ception of ihe One Hundred aud Hiity-sevenih Peamylva nia, compOM d of dratted men. Wheu ordered forward wiih the rest, at six o'clock, they remaii.el lying in tbe rohd, to avoid the sbelN pnssing over them, and refused to stir. Of it. Corcoran, on bearing this, rode up to them, compauied by CwL Spear, and called for tbe Colonel. He wan dangerously wounded, and did not rrply. The Lieu tenant Colonel, Major, Adjutant, or any Captain, were suc cessively called fur, without answer. The General th^n said that if any commissioned ?tflci r was there and would advance the regiment, he should be recommended for the Colonelcy. A Lieuteuaut, uaiue unknown, then rose aud endeavored to comply, but without effect. The General then appealed to them, for the honor of Pennsylvania, when an Ora-rly Serjeant "pruig up, sayirg, 'You can draft ua, but you can't make un tight.' He was imuiediate'y struck on the l oad with the b:ck of Col. Spear's ?Wori and felled. Col. Su?*ar desin d t ? charge them with a company of ca valry, but the General thought it better to leave them as tbey Were." A GtMERAL to lit: disposed of.?Several of the news papers of the (IMy are industriously asserting that Oen Butlrr is to be sent back to tbe Depirtment of the Gulf, the Government having already repented of its Course iu removing him. Not to apeak of the altirs thus indirectly cast upon tbe course pur?ued at New Orleans by Gefi. Banks?a Generil whose administrative capacity and jndg ment have rarely heon questioned before in this quarter? these reports as to Gen But'er'a ?p?edy return imply a very he?\y accusation against the Government, which is represented ?s hating charged tbe command of a great do" partment so unadvitedly that tl e grounds of itc action will not bear a mouth's examination. It seems far more pro bable that the navy may now b* at work a second time carving out a new department for Gen. Butler. Poasibly be may yet try a match with the people of Charleston. If ao, tbe world will watch with ii terest for the issue. [ llxflon Daily Admrtistr. A Good ElAMPLK.?A French paper saf? tint at Tbourette, in the department of tbe A in, the cur6, who ;? nearly eighty yeais of age, hns always insist d. for thi Jut thirty years that the parents of every child he baptised should plaut a fruit tree of some kind or other. The result It tbat this commune, which wait formerly very unproduc tive, n >w presents the appearance of an immeuie orcbttd. THE LATE NAVAL FIGHT off CHARLESTON OFFICIAL HE POET. Tbe following report from Admiral Dupont of the attack of two Confederate iroo-cladd on the blockading squadron off Charleston waa received at tho Navy Department yeettrday morning. It con tinue the statement publiahtd ytbterday that no United States vessel waa lost during that engage menfc ! FLAO-SHIP Wabash, Fort Royal Harbor, February 'J, 18C3. Hon. UIOBON Welles, gecretary of the Navy, &.o. Sin : 1 bave the honor to report that about four o clock ou the morning of the 31st ultimo, during the obscurity ol ? thick haze, two iron-clad gunboat. came out of CharUs tuu by the main ship-chauuel, uupetceived bjrthe ?qu rou, aod commenced a raid ou the blockad.ng fleet. Moat of the latter wereol the light claaa of purchased vessels, two of the heaviest uieu-of-war (the Powhatan aud Lanao daigua) fading at this port, coaling aud repairing. The Mereedita was the first vessel attacked. Her- i Wrs and crew bad been particularly watchful during the night, to look out for iu<pected vessels, and at three o'clock A. M. .lipped cable and overhauled a troop steamer running for the channel by mi-take. She had returned to the anchorage, and Capt. Wtellwagen had gone to his room a sboit time, leaving Lieut. Commander Abbot on deck, when ote of the irou-clads suddenly sppeared. Her np orach was concealed by the haze and .mist of the atmo Lere. The vessel wa< immediately bailed and an order Jven to fire, but the iron clad being cloie aboa.d, and lay iug low in the water, no guns could be brought to bear A heavy rifle shell was fired from the enemy, wh'cb;en*r. i, g the starbi ard side tf the Merced.ta, passed throuKh her condenser and the steam d.um of her port boiler, an exploded against the port side, blowing a hole m it. exit some lour or five feet square, killing the gunner, and by the escape of steam scalding a number of the men, and rendering her motive power apparently useless^ Unable to s. e his gun., and being at the mercy of the enemy, who was lying alongside on bis starboard quarter aHI fu - thor resistance was deemed bop. lea. by Capt. Stellwag , aud be surrendered. The crew aud officers were paroled, though nothing was .aid of the ship, the executive .ffieer, Lieut. Commander Abbot, having gone on board the ene my's gunboat aud made the arrangements. The irou-clad, leaving tbe Mereedita to her fate, to sink or not, next engaged tbe Keystone State, C?d?rJLe Roy, who was also attacked by the other. 1 heir gal'antly returned; But a shell exploding in the forebobi this vessel, she was set ou fire. Commander Le Roy kept off until it was got under, when he steered again for one of tbe iron-clads, ordered full ste?m and determined to try to run ber down. The guns had born trained and depressed for a plunging tiro at the moment of collision, *2 2 ship had acquired a speed of twelve knot, when a shell or shot Irorn the enemy pa*s*d through both the eteam chests, wholly disabling ber boilers and reude.mg Teiirifleetv 11 struck 'beKe^n-St-e t?? bur,tn? brr .l?.rfr deck, but me. "f Ibem .truck the bull, being near acd below the water line. Iu tbe mean time the Augusta, Commodore Panott.the O laker C.ty. Commander Frailey; and tbe Memphis, Act Ulg Lieut. Watmough, kept up a fire upon the enemy, di verting their attention from the Keystone State whieh Was soon after taken in tow by tbe Memphis, and drawn away from tbe fire. The Augusta and Quaker City were Jth struck on their buls-lhe Memphis only in her r.g 81 The Hon.atr.nlc, Capt. Taylor, gave chase, and a shot fn.m h*r struck the pilot hous> of one of the uoo-clad., doing it, it i? thought, some dimnge, aud carrying away f ?Xbe rebel vessels then parsed to lha noithward, receiv ing the fire of our ships, and took refuge in the swash cLanuel, bobinl the *hoa h. The only casualties were on the Merced.ta and Km stone State. On the Keystone State they were very 1* About one-fourth of her crew were killed and wounded, and among the former the m-dical The sh p. Assistant Surgeon Jacob H. G,tworth. who was ?caldeJ to death wb.l-t rendering surgical wound, d men. Nine of those who died perished from the TZe ,T steam when tbe boilers and .team chimney were penetrated J and among the wounded the greater number received their injuries from the same cause. As the Mereedita was tbe only vessel which surrendered, I |?? direct.! ? court ?f inquiry W ??-??'?? ??"?lh' Stance. f tbe c?. e. .. in'o lb- term. uuder wbich the mrreoder u,?de. Tbi. wve. igetieo be. b en asked for by Capt. Stallwsgen. i received this intelligence on Saturday at three P. bv the Augusts, which ship immediately retor el to Charles ton The Merced.ta soon alter arrived, and the Keystone State in tow of the Memphis, when the latter vessel was at ouce sent back to the station. ! be James A.lger. Commander P.tt rson, wa. abo tow ed hick as she * a. coming into Bort Koysl, and ordered I, Charleston , and the P.,whst?n, through tbe commend* ble zeal Of Capt Godon, wai got ready by nine o clock P. M 1 bad the channel and box buoys lighted, when .he l'f tu wa rOe re with copies of tbe reporle of Capt. Stoll wageu, Lieut Coin. Abbot, and Cspt Lcroy. A,so^ the re ports of the casualties on board the Mereedita aud the Key Stone Sta'e. On the Merced.U there were four killed and three wounded; on tbe Keystone State twenty k.lled aud tweuty wounded Very respectfully, your obedient servaut, F. Dipont, Admiral, UNOFFICIAL ACCOUNT. It appears fiom the statement of an intelligent eye-wit ness tbat tie cause of tbe attack of the rebel rains on our iquadrou was owing to the capture by us of the Eoglish ?:eamer Princess Koyal, the captain and pilot of that ves sel having escaped asboro during Ihe darkness of the night aud communicated intelligence to Ibe enemy. The Priucess Royal eudeavored to run the blockade by way of Beach Inlet on the 29 h, but was ducotered by tbe pilot-boat Hlunt, and, ou tin* signal being given, the guuDoat Unadilla proceeded toward* her and captured the valuable pri??, which th'i IJnadillA carried to the sidri Of tbe Ilousatonio aud laid there till near daylight, when tbe thunder of heavy guns whs heard, accompanied by thurt fl mites of light As daylight broke it was discovered on board the Prin cess Royal that two rebel rams, coming from the direction of Stono inlet, were steaming t iward our fleet. One ol the rams steamed immediately towards the United States gunboat Mercedita, which was lying dose to Fort Sumter, and struck her at the water's edge, keeling her over. At tbe ?m? time she fired a shot mto her starboard boiler, which exploded it and caused the death of tlirs* persons, including the gunner, by shot and steam. The rum then hailed the Mercedita and demanded a surrender. Capt. Slellwi.gen repl ed, " we are hi * sinking condition," and at ibe same time lowered one o| bis small boats. The ram answered our hail by replying, " We are the Coufederite ram Palmetto Slate; do you surrender f" This was repeated three times, Cunt. Stellwaaen at each inquiry replying, "I am in a sinkii g condition." The rebels finally answered, "O?dd?n you to bell; if jou don't surrender we will blow you out of water; send your boat aboard." The small boat winch Capt. Stellwagen bad lowered then conveyed his Lieutenant and Executive < fficer to the side of the rebel ram. Tbe request of the i (fleer to be ad m tted abonrd tbe ram was relu?ed. Tbe Lieutenant, re peated Capt. Stollwagen's i-tateuient in the following wotds: ?'We are in a sinking condition.' I'he officer of lbe ram answered, " You cannot sink lower than the rails We cannot take you aboard. We will accept of your pa role." The Executive officer ol th? Mercedita then gave hisparolti and returned to b>s ship The Mercedita then ?'.earned off int<? a place of safety, the rebels havirg been successfully decoived as to hereon ditiou by lh* report tbat she was sinking Her small boat ?alone wai in this condition, but it was received by i ho rebel i flicers as a guarantee of th.a state ol the vesiel itself. I The Mercedita lay in shoal water, and hence lh* reply of j th? enemy that " *he could not sink lower than lor rails " The rebel ram then steamed towards the Keystone Sta'e anl sent a shot through her steam drum. This shot cre ated great havoc on board the steamer, cntiMi g the instant | death of twcnty-< no person*. Twelve were levelled by j the shot, and the r??t were scalded to death by the steam which escaped from the boilers Fifteen of the crow were aWo wourded. In Ihe mem time, while these stirtling events were oc curring on ihe si.le of one portion ol our fleet, Ihe II. 8 gunboat Housfltonic, which sheltered Ihe Princess Koyal, ; wai engaged with the other ram, and succeeded in driving her off, her gui.i being sufficiently depr. ssed to strik ? tbe ram at every shot. At half past ?x o'clock in the morning both of the rama left the'acene of action aud proceeded toward* Charleston ?ity L>uuug ibe attack tbo ?U*aujoi Princess Ixwyal succeeded iu getting out of dagger and proceeded to Port Royal. Tbo McrcediU steamed down to Fort Royal, escaping with ouly oue of tier boiler* injured, The steamer Key atone State was eutirely disabled by the attack of the rebel rams, but aUe v. jb towed dovn to Port Royal by tM steamer Mtmpbis Tbe blockading fleet extended a distauce of fifteen mile* Huti the gunboat Mercedita, with tbe Keystone State, occu pied ttie most southern point, off t :e south channel, and about five miles from Fort burnter. Th? only raining of I he blockade was that occasioned by the conceutratiou of tbe wbolo fleet at oue poiot, iu obe dience to tbe signals from the flag-ship, and by sunset the same evening nil tbe vessels had resumed their stations, Tbe light la*ted about two houra. THE CAPTURE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL. The Navy Depaitnicut has received the following cfficial report ot the oupture of the Princess Koyal, from Com. Dupout: Flagship Wabash, J'6rt Jioyul Harbor, (8. C.) January 31, 1863. Hon Gideun WtLi.ts, Secretary of the Navy. Sik : I have tbe honor to report tbe capture, on the inoiuiiig of tbe 29th iuataut, of tbe screw steamer Prin cess Royal, whilst attempting to ruu the blockade ioto Charleston. Toe fullowing are the circumstances connected with her capture: * * * After utauding iu a utile and a half, Lieutenant Com* iiMuiler Qijacketibiuh observed a steadier utauding along tbe land in the direction of Cbarleatoo. He find two shots at her, when her courae waa altered towards the bea. h, and she waa ruu u.hore. Two officers and an armed boat's Ciew were immediately sent to take posses sion. She proved to be the iron steamer (propeller; Prin-' cess Royal, last from Bermuda, four days out, and laden, an lar aa be could learn, with rilled guns, ammunition^ Hteaui-i ngiues for the irou-cladi>, aud an assorted cargo. On taking possession, it was ascertained that the captain, supercargo, pilot, ai d tome of the petty officers and a dm seug'T, had left tho ship when she struck aod escaped to the shore, which tact was substantiated by the chief mate, under supercargo aod chief epgiueer, as well as by seeing the two missing boats lyiiig on the beacb, deserted. By tbe active exertions of Actiug Master E. Van Sice, and Act.nx Ensigu R. W. Cornell, of the Uuadilla, assisted by boats' crews from the United Slates steamers Housa tonic and Augusta, and schooners Blunt and America, uided by two of the engiueers of the prize, she was got off without sustaining any injury. There not beiug sufficient coal on board of tbe Princess Royal to send her Noith, the was ordered by the senior officer to this port to obtaiu a supply. No papers peitnin ing to sbip or cargo were found on board of her at tbe lime, excepting tho shipping articles and a log-book ; bat a ter ber ui rival here, Acting Master Van Sice, of tbe Una dilla, the < fficer iu charge of the prize, discovered, acci dentally, in looking over the tide, certaiu papers which oad lodged in the feuder, in the attempt to throw tbem cveiboard. These refer priucipally to tbe caig.i, and with the papers before meutioued (which were all that were found ou board) will be forwarded to the U. S. District Judge at Philadelphia. The under supercargo Hoxley, the chief mate Sbaw, the captain's clerk, (a young man named Hacksley, whose father is taid to be interested iu the cargo,) two of theeo gineers, and several of the firemen go North in the prize. The rest of the crew will be sent by tbe first opportunity. I desire to call the attention of the Department to the fact that in this prize are two complete engiues, said to be of great p iwer, aud iuteuded for iron clads. * * k* Very respectfully, your ob -dieut servant, 8. F. Dupont, Rear Admiral, Commaudiog South Atlautic Blockading Squadron. RECRUITING NEGRO SOLDIERS. Correspondence of the New York Timet. Foktress Monroe, Feb 3,1863. An authorization having been granted by the Government to Gov. Andrew, of Massachusetts, for the enlistment of colored men aa United States t oldie ra, the latter ha* re quested Mr. C. 13. Wilder, Supoiiutendent of Contrabands for tt i* Department, to enlist such as desire it. Having obtained the occurrence of Gen Dix, aa Military Gover nor, Mr Wilder immediately held out prospect* of promo tion in the black regiment to certain commissioned and nou-commissioned officer* here, and the result is a spirited recruitment on th^ir part of able men, who will render good service. In tb'u neighborhood, including that of Nor folk. Suffolk, and Yorktown, at ka>t a battalion, and pro bably a regiment, wi 1 be raised within a fortn'ght. The men will then be tent to Washington, and endued with blue coais and red unmeotionables, as part of the Massachusetts contingent. To Mio-se colored men who do not wish a soldier1* life, and vtb > may not have desirable employment, another open ing presents i sclf. The Secretary of War ha* at last de finitely authorized Mr Wilder to appropriate vaeatd lands of rebels in thi* .department t > the ure of those colored people of bi-th sexes who may wish to use them. The lauds are not coofiscited; they are merely appropriated for the time being, ar d, should peace tpetd ly ensue, will be held only during 1I11 present year. The ocoupauts will be placed in chirge tf white superintendents. who will each have under his control M wauy laborer* as the farm may fi-id employment for. The black* will either be psid for their labor monthly, or wait Until the aale of produce remunerates ihem?srasll advances for necessities being made them when required Superintendent* will also be paid (rem the proceeds of sales. Attention will especially be given to M e cultivation of vsget b!e* for the Northern mnrket*. Free freight will ba given to this produce, on Govercment transports, to any puint where it may be sent, and in giving this privilege the War Department truite that private benevolence will furnish all other facilities Attached to each farm will be a fchonl, where children will bj taught in the day and adults at night The teachers will be iudependeut iu tbeir action of the faim superin tended. All this is intended both to relieve the Govern ment of tfce olid thousand dollars a day it now pay* for the support of contrabands in this department, and to prove, what is doubted by mauy, tbat oegroe* will work in a state of freedom. Tho remit of the expenmeut will be satisfactoiy. A SHOCKING CATASTROPHE IN RICHMOND. From Ihr, Richmond. Lraminer of January 28. Between four and five o'clock yesterday morning, while upwards of a th<>usaud Federal exchanged prisoner* were be:ng conducted from the Confederate State* prison to the Petersburg depot for transportation to City Point, the foot bridge spanning the basin at Eighth street gave wsy while tho lm^ was pa sing over it, and went down a wreck in ten ft et ol wat?r, carrying with it all u^ou the biidge, from fifty to eighty in numb-r. The utmost excitement at once ensu-d among the prl* sor ers, and tbe members of several compauie* of the C/ity battulioo, who bad them under guard, exerted themselves strenuously to rescue them, but the morning boiug dark aud cloudy their rfl'.rts were attended with but partial success. On calling the roll twpnty-seven of the prisoners were found missing, or at least not answering to their names. Two of the City bsttilion were also missing, and it is feared they have shared the fate of the prisoner* Notwithstanding the I tmentsble mithap the prisoners were sent on to Petersburg by the regular train. During the morning throngs of persons assembled on both banks of the basin aud at the bridge t<> witness the preparations for recovering the bodies from the basin. At the sugges tion of Coroner Sanxay tbe outlets wereoiened for tbe pmpoaeof drawing the water off; but tbe basiu emptied slowly, and up to f? o'clock P M. yesterday but three bo dies had been discovered, two of them Federal prisoners, and the tbird the bo ly of a Confederate soldier that had evidently been in tho water a month or more. Darkneas approaching, the further search f?r the victims was post poned until this m irnn.g, when an offi?i il investigation will be had. inE CONDITION OF IRELAND. Tbe Cork Exiuiiuer of January 17th contain* tbe follow* ing remarks on the Condition of Ireland: " To disguise tbe fact that the condition of tbe farming classes, especially those of small holdings, ia a very painful one at this moment would be idle. It i* confessedly ss bad as it has been since 1847. A succession of wretohed harvests lias so reduced their resource* a* to render them dependent upon food not the product of their own field*. What would not be the rush from Ireland to the States were tho war at an end, and were industry and enterpriaesol trade, manu acture, and commerce anion t" resume their peaceful sway 7 We, for our part, believe it would be trememlOus. If thing* go on as lh?y are?if indueeuiouti to fligh are ofTered to our pooplc?what will be tho p jpulato i of Ire land in 1871, now eight years distant? The probability is that we shull uot have more than four million* of people in the country, if we have to many." DEATH OF HORACE VKRNET. France ha? ju<t lost her groat historical painter. IIoKACB Vbrnkt died >n Pari* on the 17th of January, aged nearly seveuty-four yonrs, having been born in Paris oil the 30th of June, 1789. He was the son of C'arh Vemot, a great battle paii ter, the grandson of Joseph Vornet, the great marine painter, whose fatt.cr, Antoloe Vemet, was alao ? painter He began to paint when quite a youth, and soon showed that be inherited the talent of the family, It wonld be impossible to give any account of hi* work* with out filling several columns Hut the palace* and galleries of France owe some of their most splendid treasures to hi* genius; and the great battles of the nation are g!ori ou*ly recorded on the canvass ho haa enriched. He leave* no fam ly His only daughter was married to Paul Dele* roche, and *he died oftildTeu.?Pott.