Sunday, November 27, 2011

November 27.—The following is a list of rebel vessels captured by the Federal flotilla in Mississippi Sound, since the 21st of November: Steamer Anna, loaded with spirits turpentine, rosin, and cane-bottom chairs; schooner Olive, loaded with lumber originally intended for Ship Island, but at this time destined for Fort Pike; steamer Lewis, loaded with sugar and molasses; schooner J. H. View, loaded with spirits turpentine and tar.—N. Y. Evening Post, Dec. 17.

—At Liverpool, England, soon after noon today, a private telegram was received announcing the boarding of the Trent by a Federal vessel of war, and the forcible removal of the Southern Commissioners. The intelligence spread with wonderful rapidity, and occasioned great excitement among all classes. On ‘Change the utmost indignation was expressed, and in a very brief space of time the following placard was posted:

“Outrage On The British Flag.—The Southern Commissioners Forcibly Removed From A British Mail Steamer.

“A public meeting will be held in the Cotton Sales-room at three o’clock.”

In compliance with the preceding announcement a meeting was held in the Cotton Salesroom at three o’clock, which was crowded to excess by nearly all the gentlemen frequenting the Exchange. The meeting was quite as remarkable for enthusiasm as numbers. After several gentlemen had been requested to preside, the chair was occupied by Mr. James Spence, and on taking the chair he proceeded to read the subjoined resolution:

“That this meeting, having heard with indignation that an American Federal ship-of-war has forcibly taken from a British mail steamer certain passengers, who were proceeding peaceably under the shelter of our flag from one neutral port to another, do earnestly call upon, the Government to assert the dignity of the British flag by requiring prompt reparation for this outrage.”

On hearing this resolution read, the meeting expressed in the most unmistakable manner the feeling by which it was pervaded in favor of the views included in it. When silence had been in some measure restored, the chairman remarked that, when the news of the outrage reached this town, the feeling created was one of surprise, mingled with indignation. He remarked that we had all heard of the sacred dignity of the American flag. That dignity, he proceeded to say, was a means by which the persons engaged in the nefarious slave trade could at once protect themselves by hoisting the American flag, which fully enabled them to resist any attempt to search such vessel. He trusted it would not be allowed that men prosecuting so nefarious a trade should be protected, and that men peacefully proceeding on their own affairs, under the protection of our flag, might be forcibly taken out of our ships. (Cheers.) On the contrary, he believed that the people of this country would not by any means permit such an outrage. (Cheers.) He said, in having agreed to take the chair on this occasion, he did so without reluctance or regret, as he felt deeply that he only expressed the feeling, not merely of the meeting, but of the community in general, when he said it was the duty of the people to press on the Government the imperative necessity of vindicating the honor and dignity of the British name and flag. (Loud and continued cheering.)

Mr. H. C. Chapman, as a mere matter of form, moved that the resolution be adopted.

Mr. A. Forwood said he felt much pleasure in seconding the adoption of a resolution which must find an echo in every English besom.

Mr. John Campbell, while fully concurring in the propriety of preventing any outrage from being offered to the British flag—a sentiment which was universally acknowledged throughout the kingdom—said he felt assured that there was no Englishman, Irishman, or Scotchman who would not at once, and promptly, resent any insult offered to our flag. (Cheers.) While feeling this in the strongest manner and to the fullest extent, he considered that there still remained some reason to doubt whether the facts related, and acted on by calling this meeting, were in reality a breach of international law. (Cries of “No, no!”) He referred at some length to the opinions of the law officers of the Crown, as being in some measure inclined to show that such a step as that taken with respect to the Southern Commissioners was justifiable under the existing state of international law. In conclusion, he proposed a direct negative to the resolution. As, however, he was not desirous of doing any thing which would create a spirit of dissension, he was willing to adopt any middle course which could be suggested, and urged the propriety of postponing the consideration of the subject till the next day.

The chairman suggested that, to meet the objection thrown out by Mr. Campbell, it would be sufficient to strike out of the resolution the words, “by requiring prompt reparation for this outrage.”

Mr. Campbell said he could not concur in the suggestion of the chairman, and must decline to do so.

Mr. Torr expressed his concurrence in the views put forward by Mr. Campbell, and in doing so met with frequent interruption. He argued that the present meeting was hastily convened, and had in its proceedings already prejudged the case, with the merits of which the meeting was unacquainted. He insisted that there was no reason to believe that the responsible ministers of the crown would allow an insult to be offered to the British flag. (Loud cheers.) He urged the advantage of proceeding calmly in considering a case such as the present, which, if prematurely urged to extremity, might result in involving this country in a war. (Great interruption.) He contended that to urge on the Government a particular line of conduct in respect to the proceedings now under consideration, was impolitic and unjust. He would not, and no Englishman would, advocate putting up with insult; but in the present case let him ask, what had the Americans done? [Mr. Chapman: They fired a shot across the bows of the mail steamer to bring her to, and as she did not stop for that, they fired a shell at her, which burst close by her. (Tremendous cheering.)]

Mr. Torr proceeded to say that there was every reason to avoid coming to a hasty resolution, and, in thanking the meeting for the patience with which they had heard him—(loud and ironical cheers)—he again urged on these present to consider the matter calmly and dispassionately, and not to be carried away by the impulse of feeling in a case which required mature judgment and calm deliberation. A letter had been shown to him by a Southern gentleman, in which it was stated as a positive fact that the law officers of the Crown had, in anticipation, expressed a decided opinion in favor of the legality of a proceeding similar to that which had just taken place in regard to the Trent by the San Jacinto.

Mr. J. Turner next attempted to address the meeting to the same effect as had been done by Mr. Torr and Mr. Campbell, but the feeling of these present was so decidedly opposed to that view that he was forced to desist.

The resolution, as proposed to be amended by the chairman, was then put to the meeting, and carried by a tremendous majority, and amid the most deafening and enthusiastic cheers. For the negative, only a few hands were held up.

At the conclusion of the meeting, which was at four o’clock, a number of the merchants on ‘Change expressed privately their conviction that the meeting and its proceedings had been premature.—London Times, Nov. 28.

—A reconnoitring party of the Lincoln Cavalry, under command of Captain Boyd, advanced to within a thousand yards of Fairfax Court House, Va., where they had a sharp skirmish with a portion of the rebel scouts, cavalry, and infantry. No one was killed on the National side, but one of the enemy was brought down from his saddle. Captain Boyd says that a small force of infantry, supported by a battery and a company of cavalry, could easily take and hold Fairfax Court House at the present time.—(Doc. 196.)

—This day the plantation of John Raven Mathews, situated on Bear Island, near the mouth of Ashepoo River, S. C., was visited by the Lincolnites. On their approach, the proprietor, with noble patriotism, set fire to his entire crop, and was about placing the match to his residence when a detachment of “Confederate” cavalry arrived, and he spared the house for the troops to quarter in. Mr. Mathews is a most extensive rice and cotton planter, and has made a splendid crop this year. Mr. Edward Baynard, of Edisto Island, likewise burned his whole crop of cotton, as well as his residence, and the other buildings upon his plantation. Such noble sacrifices to the cause of the South deserve the highest praise.—Charleston Mercury, November 29.

—The full organization of the Western Virginia Convention, in session at Wheeling, was effected, and the work of forming a State Constitution was assigned to a committee. There appears to be no opposition to the idea of forming a new State. A gradual emancipation act will be passed by the convention.

—Henry R. Jackson was appointed a major-general, and Wm. H. T. Walker a brigadier-general in the Georgia army.—Richmond Dispatch, November 28.

—The Seventy-seventh regiment N. Y. S. V., the Bemis Heights battalion, left Saratoga for the seat of war.—N. Y. Herald, November 30.

—General McClellan issued orders from the head-quarters of the army of the Potomac, at Washington, D. C., directing the Sunday morning services to be commenced at eleven o’clock, and all officers and soldiers off duty, to attend divine service. The orders give the freedom of camps, quarters, and hospitals to chaplains, who are also released from attending reviews or inspections.—(Doc. 197.)

—The U. S. Government authorities assumed command of the entire commerce of the Mississippi River below St. Louis, Mo. None but Government boats will hereafter be employed, but freight and passengers will be conveyed at current rates as heretofore. All boats entering these waters will report at the first military post, and stop, to proceed under military orders at the discretion of the military commander. Freight and baggage will be subjected to careful inspection. The oath will be administered to all the employees and passengers, and the plans of landing and departure will conform as near as possible to the custom of trade, but all commission and storage business must be transacted with openly avowed Union men. The purpose of this measure is to check communication with the enemy and prevent the conveyance of contraband goods.—(Doc. 198.)

—To-day six scouts of Capt. Gregory’s company, sent out from Lieut.-Col. Anthony’s command, on the Old Lexington roads, Mo., were fired upon by about fifty rebels at the crossing of the Little Blue, from the rocks and bushes. One of the scouts was wounded; two missing. The three returning met some fifteen rebels on Little Blue bridge, with shot guns. The scouts then turned, took another road, and arrived safely in camp. Lieut. Hedgeman sent out twenty men, and found the rebels near the same place, drove them into the brush, and captured twenty horses and mules.—Cincinnati Gazette.

—Gen. De Saussure’s plan of defence for Charleston, S. C., in case of attack by the Northern troops, found among other papers in Fort Walker, at Port Royal, is this day published.— (Doc. 200.)

—An interesting correspondence passed between the Presbyterian Synod of New York and New Jersey, and Secretary Seward. The Synod, at a late session, in view of the critical condition of the country, passed a series of resolutions, pledging the influence of its members in behalf of the Government. They also took occasion, while disclaiming any intention of offering suggestions in regard to slavery, to express their full belief that it lies at the foundation of all the present difficulty, and to deprecate its existence.—(Doc. 199.)

—On the 25th inst. a reconnoissance from Port Royal, S. C., was made by Commander Drayton, of the U. S. steamer Pawnee, who ascended the Coosaw River, S. C., finding two deserted forts, of which he took possession. Yesterday morning he returned, and to-day ascended the Ashepoo River, took possession of an abandoned redoubt, and continued up the river as far as Hutchinson Island. The expedition then returned and examined Hunting Island, on the coast, but found no marks of fortifications.—(Doc. 201.)