THE WEEK ABROAD.
AMERICA.—The American news received this week, which comes down to the 12th March, is of unusual importance. On the morning of the 10th March, it was announced that the Confederates had abandoned Manassas, and fallen back with their whole force. The order was immediately given to advance, and the whole Federal army moved out of the lines in splendid order, an army of nearly 200,000 men, with 250 pieces of artillery. The intelligence was found to be cor- rect, the Confederates having apparently retreated in haste, stores, powder, and corn falling into their enemies' hands. It is supposed that they intend to attack General Burnside, who is near Norfolk with only 15,040 men, and who may be overwhelmed before rein- forcements can reach him. It is not known whether the Confederates will halt north of Richmond, or whether Richmond is fortified, but the country en route is deserted, the bridges are broken down, and all provisions are carried off. So complete is the denudation of the country, that McClellan's cavalry has already had to retire towards Washington in order to obtain forage. The moral effect of the movement is, however, immense, as it releases the capital, and carries the war into the enemy's territory. An event still greater in its consequences has occurred upon the sea-coast. It has long been known that the Confederates were plating the Merrimac, a 40-gun frigate sank in Norfolk harbour when that important post was deserted at the commencement of the war. Recently, it has been given out that the Merrimac was over-weighted, bat on March 9th she steamed out of Norfolk, supported by the Jamestown and Yorktown paddle-wheel steamers, plated. The "sides, bows, and stern of the Merrimac are covered with sloping iron plates, extending about two feet below the water-line, and meet- ing above like the roof of a thatched house." At her bows, on the water-line, she has two iron ploughb used as a kind of beak, and she has 12 guns, ten of them 11-inch Dahlgrens, and two at stern and bow heavier still, probably Blakesley guns. These latter work in elliptical portholes. She was commanded by Captain Buchanan, a nephew of the late President, and his object appears to have been to attack the squadron blockading Hampton Roads, consisting of the Congress, a 50-gun frigate, of 1867 tons, the Cumberland, a sloop of 24 grins and 1726 tons, the Minnesota, 40-gun steam frigate, and other vessels which did not enter into the battle. The Merrimac first attacked the Congress and Cumber- land, which fired on her, but without effect. After receiving the broadside, the Merrimac charged the Cumberland, knocking a -large hole in her side, and she began to fill. The Merrimac then retreated, fired a broadside, and again charged, the second blow rendering her enemy utterly useless. She began to sink, and the Merrimac turned to the Congress, into which her consorts had meanwhile been firing. The Congress was riddled with balls, and had no regular crew, and see- ing the hopelessness of resistance, struck. The Minnesota approached to render assistance, but, fortunately for herself, ran aground, and was left to herself, the Merrimac remaining all night about a mile off. Next day the Merrimac renewed the attack, and would an- doubtedly have destroyed the whole squadron, when, fortunately for the Federalists, the Monitor, which had arrived during the night, interfered. This vessel is a steam battery, constructed by Captain Ericsson, the well-known mechanist. Her tonnage is nowhere given, but she is about one-sixth the size of the Merrimac (say 320 tons). "Her construction is complicated and ingenious—one vessel inside another. The sides of the vessel are formed of plate iron, half an inch thick, outside of which is white oak twenty-six inches thick, outside of this again is rolled iron armour five inches thick. The
deck is supported by heavy braced oak beams, upon which is laid planking seven inches thick, covered with rolled plate iron one inch thick, and on this a turret, one of Captain Coles's cupolas. The turret consists of a rolled plate-iron skeleton one inch thick, to which are rivetted two thicknesses, of one inch each, of rolled iron plates. Outside of this again are six plates of rolled iron, all firmly bolted together with nuts inside, so that if a plate is started it can be at once tightened again. The top is covered with a bomb-proof roof perforated with holes. The lower part of the gun carriages con- sists of solid wrought-iron beams. These are planed perfectly true, and are placed parallel in the turret, both of the guns pointing in the same direction. The ports through the side of the turret are only large enough to permit the muzzle of the gun to be thrust through." The only entrance into the vessel is through the turret, which it is nearly impossible to scale, and she therefore presents the smallest possible mark to an enemy. In the morning, when the Merrimac recommenced the attack, she encountered this vessel, commanded by Lieutenant Worden, and the fight was maintained for three hours. During much of this time the vessels were not a hun- dred yards apart, but the heavy metal appeared to make no im- pression on either side. The Minnesota, which joined in the fray, fired also 100-pound solid shot, hut they rebounded from the Mer- rimac without damage. The Merrimac made one charge at the Monitor, and struck her full on the side, but only careened her a little. In this position the vessels exchanged shots, but the Monitor was uninjured, while the Merrimac is supposed to have been pierced. She, at all events, retreated to Norfolk. Not one man was killed or 'wounded on the Monitor, though Lieutenant Worden, in command, had his eyes injured by some cement from the pilot-house driven into his eyes. The Merrimac is believed to have lost 17 men, a shot having entered her port-holes. The Monitor was also boarded, but the boarders finding no entrance into the vessel, nothing, in fact, but sheets of solid iron, and no men visible, retired. The news of the engagement created the greatest excitement throughout the States, as, had the Monitor not been ready, the Merrimac might have entered New York, or destroyed the entire blockading squadron. The Congress has ordered a number of similar boats.
The House of Representatives has adopted the resolution proposed by the President offering to compensate States which emancipate their slaves, by a vote of 88 to 31. The policy of the President appears to be approved by the Republicans, but there is distrust among the Democrats, though the position of parties is scarcely defined. There is no further news of political importance, but the Hon. Carl Schurz, an emigrant, but an Envoy, has made a speech which is perhaps 'unique among specimens of American oratory, and the argument of which may be thus condensed. The South once conquered, three courses are open to the majority, to readmit the South as of old, which would be to invite a renewal of the struggle, to hold it as conquered territory, which must destroy a Government based on the free con- sent of its people, or to readout the Union purified of its temptation to further rebellion. The only plan for this end is to extirpate slavery, by confiscating all slaves, and then setting them free. These opinions were received in New York with bursts of enthusiastic applause.
FRANCE.—M. Auguste Scheurer, a chemist of Thaw; in the de- partment of the This-Rhin, has been accused of exciting hatred and contempt of the Emperor's Government by distributing the "Lion of the Latin Quarter," and publishing the same without the printer's name. The Court acquitted him of exciting hatred and contempt, but found him guilty of the legal charge, and sentenced him to im- prisonment for three months and a fine of CI. The address of the Legislative Body was presented to the Emperor on the 23rd March, and his Majesty replied that the vote cm the address had re-established confidence, though he considered "too much emotion had been dis- played at the simple announcement of certain financial measures." He doubted not, however, that the committee on the budget and the Council of State would bring about "a solution in conformity with the wishes of the Chamber and the general interests." Finally, he assured them that "he had no desire to separate himself from a Chamber whose enlightenment and patriotism afford to the country all the guarantees it can desire." The remark about the wishes of the Chamber refers, it is believed, to the extreme unpopularity of the tax on salt, his Majesty remarking, in answer to private remonstrivaces, that he was not bigoted to any special impost, and that the Chamber, provided it found the money, might consult its own ideas as to the mode. It is said that the Emperor is displeased with the freedom of the recent discussiou, and there has been some talk of a change of Ministers and of new elections; the former rumour is denied by the Itaailevr, the latter by the Emperor himself.
It is said that a bitter feeling exists in Paris against the Spa- niards, who are accused of arrogance in the Mexican expedition of libelling tim French army, and of negotiating for their separate ad- vantage. The root of bitterness seems to be the determiustion of the Emperor to reorganize Mexico, which the Spaniards wish to frus- trate by an early arrangement with the Mexican Government. The French Admiral, M. de la Graviere, had it appears, orders to march on the capital as rapidly as possible, but has not obeyed them. In Cochin China, too, there are difficulties. It is said that the expedi- tion in that quarter is excessively expensive, the country yielding at present no revenue. The medical report on the expedition, if it is ever pnblished, will be a remarkable paper, the French suffering in the Delta as we used to suffer in Bengal and Lower Burmah,
A list of the French iron-clad frigates has been published, and comprises 4 frigates of 34 guus, and a corvette of 14 guns. These are all ready, and there are besides 10 iron-cased frigates of 38 gams, and 6 iron corvettes of 14 guns to be ready within eight months. These vessels are exclusive of Le .Plongeur, an iron steam ram, and 60 iron-cased gunboats.
ITALY.—Several reports of intended changes in the Ministry have been received during the week, but they are all rumours of little im- portance. Ratazzi has induced Parliament to pass an extra budget, no details of which have been received—by 233 to 20 votes, after a debate, in which S. Marche eulogized France, and attacked England, and the Premier said it was necessary to keep in alliance with both powers, but if they should quarrel Italy would take "the course dictated by her interests and principles," which seems probable. He has apparently come to terms with Garibaldi, who demanded, as of old, the recognition of the volunteer army. This has been granted, and the army of the South is to be absorbed, the officers' commissions dating from their admission. Garibaldi is travelling through the North, organising rifle companies, and received everywhere with enthusiasm, especially at Milan. He proceeds to Naples, where brigandage has once more revived, and where incessant petty riots occur in the capital. His presence will, it is thought, excite a fever of
enthusiasm. He has issued an address to the priesthood, adjuring them to adhere to the National cause, and pray for the "damnation to hell of the Vatican." Blood is, it is said, flowing freely in Naples, where bands of 80 and 100 mounted men, paid and blessed by Rome, scour the country, and place all the peaceable inhabitants in terror. The troops seem unable to pursue them, and there is already a rumour—incorrect, we believe—of the reeal of La Mar- more. The Emperor of Austria is still in Italy, and on the 19th March reviewed 18,000 men at Vicenza, making a warlike speech to the officers and decorated soldiers, which was received with cheers. Garibaldi, in a speech to the Rifle Association at Milan, also urged haste in their arrangements, lest a whim of the Emperor should urge the Austrians across the Mincio before they were ready.
PRI:USU.—M. von der Hey& has issued a circular to the pro- vincial presidents, in which be affirms that the Government "stands upon the ground of the constitution, and that it "does full justice to the rights of the representatives of the land," but that the great- ness and welfare of Prussia are based upon the strength of the crowu, which must not be diminished in favour of so-called Parliamentary Government. All functionaries are therefore required to oppose the Liberal party, to apply the electoral laws with the utmost nicety, and to afford the Government their zealous support. The same Minister has moreover, by a decree, lowered the rate of interest from Four and a Half to Four per cent. The discontented of course re- ceive money, but in Prussia, where investments are few, the reduction is in itself unpopular, and it besides required Parliamentary sanction. He will, it is said, also propose taxes on tobacco, stamps, and com- pass:, all imposts Parliament will resist. The feeling of the people as yet is decidedly with the old majority, though the Royal authority may tell more heavily in country districts than Liberals are apt to believe.
Ga.eacz.—The little revolt in Syra, an offshoot of that of Nauplia, has been put down. It was headed by Lieutenant Leonyakos and other officers of the army, who, with 30 men, and a number of islanders, took possession of Spa and the neighbouring island of Thermals. The merchants of Spa favoured them, and the Navigation Company placed two steamers at their disposal. The Government, however, sent two companies of soldiers, who encountered the insurgents on the island of Thermio, and killed Leouyakos and most of his followers. The bodies of the slain were taken to Spa and shown to the inhabitants. It will be noticed, that although this account is unfriendly, all classes are said to have sympathized in the move- ment.
Barrisa CoLuilma.—The Times correspondent in British Column. his reports that the gold fields of that colony extend through the whole length of the Fraser River and its principal branch, together about 1000 miles. The whole of this territory is well supplied with water, and the richer diggings are most productive. One company of five men dug 91,0001. out of a hole 80 by 25 feet within two months. Wages in the mines rise to two pounds a day, and the ultimate miiiiinum for labour, below which no white man will work, is 12 shillings a day. Order is strictly maintained, and a mall who cuts a ditch to supply water to the miners, can levy his rent in secu- rity.
Previous page
