What Will England Do?

The great body of the English people are far from having a distaste for war, though they may not so much fancy an increase of an already burdensome taxation.  Let me be as frank as I ever have been and tell you the truth in this matter.  The great body of the English, and still more the Irish people, are disappointed and disgusted.  They expected a war.  It is not too much to say that they wished for one.  They expected war, and prepared for it at a cost of two or three millions.  Even the Guards were sent off in hot haste to Canada.  And England, this day, is ready to seize upon any pretext which will allow her to take a belligerent position.  When Lord Palmerston went to the meeting of the Privy Council, which met to consider the Trent affair, his first remark, on laying down his hat was “I don’t know whether the English people are going to stand this American business or not, but I’m d----d if I do!”

There can be no reasonable doubt that the United States must either fight England within the next twelve months, or submit to a series of terrible humiliations.  One question will be raised after another.  The first issue will be on the doctrines of Mr. Seward’s recent dispatch.  Then will come a protest against the permanent closing and destruction of the Southern ports, as against the laws of nations and of nature. – The question of recognition of the independence of the Southern Confederacy will be one of the first brought before Parliament.  Gen. McClellan has little time to lose.  The only logic to which Europe will listen is the unanswerable argument of un fait accompli.  The South must be subjugated, or it will be recognized.  If you do not end the war, France and England will.  France to-day is more the friend of the South, and more interested in her success, than is England, even.  Sympathy with the North, strangely enough is rarer in France and Spain than here.  Further more if you make the war one for abolition, you will have a large party both in England and France.  But it is not a powerful party.  The powerful of both countries have too much sympathy with freedom. – {London Cor., N. Y. Times, Jan 15.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 8, 1862, p. 2

Atlantic Telegraph

NEW YORK, March 27. – Private advices from London of the 15th state that Mr. Field and other leading gentlemen and capitalists interested in the Atlantic Telegraph enterprise were to meet Lord Palmerston in the afternoon of the 21st inst, and that the prospect of a satisfactory termination of negotiations with the Government in regard to raising the necessary capital to secure the proposed new cable were very encouraging.  Mr. Field confidently expected to return to New York with assurances of the earnest co-operation of the British Government in the great undertaking with which he has so long and ably endeavored to bring to a successful issue.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Five Days Later From Europe

FT. DOENLSON NEWS IN ENGLAND.

How it was Received -- American Securities Higher -- Cotton Lower.

PORTLAND, March 19. – The steamship Anglo Saxon, Capt. John Graham, from Liverpool on the 6th, via Londonderry, arrived here this morning.  Her dates are five days later.

GREAT BRITAIN. – The importance of the Federal victory at Fort Donelson was generally recognized in England, causing an advance in American securities and a depression in cotton.

The London Times admits the success of the Federals and their importance, and says, “they have been gained in districts where the allegiance of the population was divided, but they have scarcely brought the Federal Government any nearer than before to a reconstruction of the Union.”

The London Morning Post hopes that both the Unionists and the secessionists will look upon the present state of affairs an affording ground for a compromise of their difficulties, and the conquest of the south is beyond the attainment of the North, on the one hand, and the complete establishment of their independence on the other, may be beyond the power of the South.

Cyrus W. Field had an interview with Earl Russell recently, in regard to connecting Europe and America by a cable from Iceland to Newfoundland.  The interview is understood to have been satisfactory and encouraging.  The annual meeting of the Atlantic Telegraph Company was to be held in London on the 19th of March, to receive the report of the Board of Directors.

Great excitement and violence attended the election of the member of Parliament for Longport, Ireland.  The military were called out and charged upon the rioters several times.  No lives were lost, but many persons were injured.

Sir Henry and Edward Mugridge, extensive iron manufactures in England, had failed.  Liabilities, £5,520,000.  It was feared their assets would turn out unsatisfactory.  The continuous fall in breadstuffs is alleged to have been the cause of their failure.

The Paris correspondents of the London newspapers give reports that many hundreds of arrests had taken place there.  All men suspected of having been chiefs of barricades in former insurrections have been imprisoned.  These measures had increased the uneasy feelings prevailing.  Bourse on the 5th flat and lower.  Rentes quoted 69 70c.

The emperor has sent a quarter of a million francs out of his own private purse to be distributed among the workmen at great industrial centers.

Brazil mails have reached England.  Buenos Ayers was quiet, and peace was expected to be fully restored by the end of February.  The probability of a war between England and America restricted operations in produce at Brazil. – Business in Coffee was limited, owing to extreme prices, which had advanced to 69½@71.

The following is a summary of the news taken out by the Glasgow:  There was no news of the City of Baltimore when the Glasgow left Liverpool.  She was a week overdue.

Mr. Layard stated in the House of Commons, in reply to enquiries, that an officer of the Sumter named Myers, accompanied by a Mr. Tompkins, of Cadiz, had landed at Tangiers from a French merchant vessel, and were arrested by the United States Consul, who requested the assistance of the Moorish troops for this purpose, but he (Layard) was not aware that any pressure had been put on the Moorish Government.  Myers and Thompson have since been released.

Lord Palmerston, in response to enquiries, said the Government originally intended sending a much larger force to Canada than that dispatched, and it was only in consequence of representations from the Colonial authorities that the number was reduced.  He believed the promptitutde, vigor, and power displayed by the Government had tended greatly to a peaceful solution of the difficulty with America.  The total number of the British army is 227,000, and of these over 24,000 are in the American possessions.  The House of Commons has adopted a resolution declaring that the colonies exercising the right of self-government ought to undertake the responsibility of providing for their own internal security.  Mr. Halliburton protested against the resolution as ill-timed.

The steamer Bermuda left Liverpool on the 1st inst. for Bermuda.  She had a large general cargo, including a considerable quantity of merchandise under the designation of hardware.  It is believed her cargo was destined for the Southern ports.

It was stated that Mr. Peabody had offered if the funds collected for the Prince Albert memorial should be devoted to a charitable institution, to give £100,000 towards it, or failing in this, that he had determined to spend the sum in building houses for the working classes of London.  Mr. Peabody quits England for a time with a fortune of £60,000 per annum.

It is reported that Smith O’Brein had challenged Sir Robert Peel, offering to meet him in France or Belgium.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

Later from Europe

PORTLAND, Me., Feb. 20. – The Bohemian from Liverpool 6^th, via Londonderry 7^th, arrived here this morning with one day latter news.

The Canada from Boston, arrived at Liverpool on the 5^th inst.

Both houses of Parliament had voted unanimously on an address to the queen in response to speech.

The Opposition approved the course of the Government in the Trent affair.

Lord Derby thought that the Federal Government had assented with a very bad grace to the demands of the British Government.

Lord Palmerston said the distress in the manufacturing districts of England, from the blockade of the Southern ports, would not justify the interference of the Government, and that they would continue in their neutral course.

The Bank of France has reduced its rate of discount to 4 per cent.

The product of the last cotton crop of India was pouring into Bombay.

The iron clad frigate Warrior, on her passage to Lisbon, labored badly.  Her decks and cabins were flooded, and in 9 cases out of 10, she would not mind her helm.

The Times’ city article says that the funds opened on the 6^th inst., at the decline of more than ½, but were firmer towards the close.

PARIS, [Feb.] 7. – The Moniteur of this morning says that Gen. Prime will not take supreme command of the allied forces in Mexico, but that each General will preserve the integrity of his own command.

The Federal gunboat Tuscarora left Cowes at 9 o’clock a. m. on the 6^th inst., and proceeded westward.  The Nashville had 40 hours start of her.  The engineer of the Nashville told the pilot who took her out, that it was agreed by all on board that she should never be captured.  That he had all the valves of the engines so arranged that she could be blown up in a moment, and that if the capture of the Nashville was ever heard of, a violent explosion would accompany it.

Private telegrams from China quote tea at Foo Choo as higher.  Silks were also higher. – Holders of manufactured goods held them at firm prices.

Singapore was in possession of the rebels.

(By Telegraph to Londonderry.)

Liverpool Cotton Market – Brokers’ circulars report sales of the week 28,000 bales, including 3,500 to speculators and exporters.  Market dull, with partial decline of ½.  Sales Friday 5,000 bales, including 5,000 to speculators and exporters, market closing quiet and unchanged.  On Saturday Orleans fair 14¼, do middling 12 7/8; Mobile fair 13½ do middling 12½.  Total stock in port 550,000 bales, including 205,000 American.

Breadstuffs market generally quiet and steady, except for corn, which has a downward tendency.

Consols closed at 92½@92 7/8 for money.

The weekly returns of the Bank of England shows a decrease in bullion of 334,000£.

American securities quiet and steady.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

Napoleon, probably suffering an infliction of . . .

. . . diabetes or perhaps indigestion, has snubbed Queen Victoria, and to balance the account, Lord Palmerston has given Napoleon a pretty smart knock on the knuckles.  It happened this wise –

Acting under instructions of course, Lord Cowley, British Minister at Paris, had an audience with Napoleon, in which he intimated that, if his Imperial Majesty had any purpose of visiting London during the Great Exhibition, Queen Victoria desired to place Buckingham Palace at his disposal, though she could not even for him, deviate from her resolve not to receive strangers during her first year of widowhood.  In the matter of this communication surely all was friendly and well meaning.  Perhaps Lord Cowley’s manner made it less pleasant.  At any rate the on dit is that Napoleon, having heard Lord Cowley out, curtly answered that he did not intend visiting London, and, with a short bow, turned on his heel and stalked out of the room, leaving the poor wretch of an Ambassador very much astonished and considerably incensed.  Next day the Moniteur had a paragraph stating, rather contemptuously, that there was no foundation for the report that the Emperor intended to honor London with his presence.  This was the cause, the story runs, of Palmerston’s making such a decided speech, just before Parliament adjourned, in favor of the whole of Italy, the popedom included, being under the scepter of Victor Emmanuel.  Napoleon alone has stood in the way, since the war of 1859, of this unity of Italy being affected – Palmerston, if this be true, has cleverly paid off Napoleon’s want of manners.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1

The Atlantic Telegraph Cable Enterprise

NEW YORK, March 27.

Private advices from London, of the 14^th, state that Mr. Field, with other leading gentlemen, and capitalists interested in the Atlantic Telegraph Cable Enterprise, were to meet Lord Palmerston at noon on the 21^st inst., and that the prospect of satisfactory termination of negotiations with the Government, in regard to necessary capital to secure the proposed new cable, were very encouraging.  Mr. Field confidently hoped to return to New York with assurances of the earnest co-operation of the British Government, in the great undertaking which he has so long and ably endeavored to bring to a successful issue.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 28, 1862, p. 1

Additional Foreign News

NEW YORK, March 5.

In reply to a question on Italian affairs Lord Palmerston said he believed that there was a strong desire that Rome be the capital of Italy, and that the Pope’s temporal power should cease.

In Canada the regiments are to be raised to the full strength of 1027 men.

Glass, Elliott & Co. in a letter to Cyrus W. Field, say that they would not be willing to manufacture and lay the Atlantic Telegraph Cable and assume the entire risk, as they believe it too great for one firm, but are so confident of satisfactory results that they are willing to contract for work and stake a large sum on its successful laying and working.  They state that they will make a definite offer in a few days.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 7, 1862, p. 1

Later from Europe

PORTLAND, Feb. 20.

The Bohemian, from Liverpool 6th via Londonderry 7th, arrived here this morning, with one day later news.

The Canada, from Boston, arrived at Liverpool on the 5th inst.

Both houses of Parliament had voted unanimously an address to the Queen in response to her speech.  The opposition approved of the course of the Government in the Trent affair.

Lord Derby thought the Federal Government had assented with very bad grace to the demands of the British Government.

Lord Palmerston said the distress in the manufacturing districts in England from the blockade of the Southern ports, would not justify the interference of the Government, and that they would continue in their neutral course.

The Bank of France has reduced its rates of discount to 4 per cent.

The product of the cotton crop of India was pouring into Bombay.

The iron clad frigate, Warrior, on her passage to Lisbon, labored badly.  Her decks and cabins were flooded and in nine cases out of ten she would not mind her helm.

The London Times city article says, that the funds opened on the 6th, at a decline of more than one-eighth, but gained firmness toward the close.

PARIS, 7. – The Moniteur of this morning says, that Gen. Prim will not take supreme command of the allied forces in Mexico, but that each Gen. will preserve the integrity of his own command.

The Federal gunboat, Tuscarora, left Cowes about 9 o’clock on the morning of the 6th inst., and proceeded Westward.

The Nashville had forty hours start of her.  The engineer of the Nashville told the pilot who took her out that it was agreed by all on board, that she should never be captured; that she had all the valves of the engine arranged so that she could be blown up sky high in a moment, and that if the capture of the Nashville was ever heard of, a violent explosion would accompany it.

Private telegrams from China quote tea at Foochou as higher.  Silks were also higher.  Holders of manufactured goods held them at firm prices.

Singapore was in possession of the rebels.

Advices from Manila say that all tobacco there is to be sent to Spain.

LIVERPOOL, Feb. 7. – Breadstuffs generally quiet and steady, except for corn, which has a downward tendency.  Consols closed at 92 1-4 a 92 7-8.  The weekly returns of the Bank of England show a decrease in the bullion of £334,000.  American securities quiet and stead.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1

Arrival of the Asia

NEW YORK, Feb. 15.

The Asia from Liverpool, on the first, via Queenstown on the second inst.; has arrived.  Her dates are one day later.

LATEST VIA QUEENSTOWN.

MADRID, Feb. 2.

The Sumter is still at Gibralter [sic].

Don Almonte, Mexican Minister, has arrived at Trieste, and has been received by the Arch Duke Maximilian.

The Austrian Gazette mentions the re-appointment of the Arch-Duke Maximilian as commodore of the Austrian Navy, and contradicts the report representing the scheme to place him on the throne of Mexico.

PARIS, 2d. – The Independence Belge asserts that the Southern Commissioners have informed the English government that in return for the recognition of the Southern Confederacy they would establish most absolute free trade for fifty years, abolish the external slave traffic, and emancipate all the blacks born after the recognition.  These offers, however, will not tetermine Lord Palmerston to abandon the policy of neutrality.

LONDON, 2d. – The proposition of Mr. Gregory for a recognition of the South will be discussed soon after the opening of Parliament.  An interesting and excited debate and rejection of the proposal is expected.

LIVERPOOL, 1^st. – Breadstuffs quiet and steady.  Provisions quiet.

LONDON, 1^st. – Consols 29 7-8a93 for money.  I. O. shares 42 1-2a43; discount Erie 39a39 1-2.

PARIS, 1^st. – Rentes 711. 5c.

BOMBAY, 13^th. – The exportation of salt petre from India, except to British ports is prohibited.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 17, 1862, p. 1

Later From Europe

NEW YORK, May 7. – The steamer Australian from Liverpool on the morning of the 26th and Queenstown 27th ult., arrived here this afternoon.

The news is quite meagre.

The steamer [Tubahlan] had left Liverpool for Nassau with a very heavy cargo of arms and ammunition, doubtless destined for the South.

The London Times gives a report that the Austrian government had demanded explanation relative to Palmerston’s late speech on Italy, so far as regards to the retention of the Vienetia.

The times has a sarcastic editorial on Lincoln’s proclamation for a day of thanksgiving, and think it quite premature, as the affairs at the time were most critical and battles were impending; it was the meaning of that part of the proclamation which refers to the deliverance from foreign invasion and intervention; it thinks it cannot be for justice in the Mason and Slidell affair.

It is proposed to consolidate the public debt of France in one uniform security of three per cents.

Bourse heavy and declining 70f 35c.

Garribaldi has renounced is intention of going to southern Italy.

It is reported that Victor Emanuel will remain some time in Naples and thence go to Rome.

The French and Italian troops had come to an arrangement for the suppression of reactionary movements on the Papal frontiers, and were acting in concert.

A Shanghai dispatch of March 15th, says it is rumored that the rebels intended to attack Foo Choo.

Liverpool, April 26. – W., N. & Co., report flour at a reduction of 6d per bbl; sales at 26 @31. Wheat, very dull, and to effect sales 1@ 2d additional to prices would have to be made; red western 10 s 6d@11s 6d; white 11s 9d@12s 6d; common inactive and 6d@9d lower; mixed 27s 9d. Beef quiet, and buyers decline to buy. Port easier – quotations nominal. Bacon, moderate to steady rates. Lard ranging 41s up to 48s for fine. Butter rather lower for secondary qualities. Brokers circulars report coffee dull.

London market. – Bange Bros. report Breadstuffs quiet to steady. Sugar inactive and barely supported. Tea, fair. Coffee, buoyant. Tallow, firmer.


{Latest – Liverpool, Saturday evening}

The Times has an editorial on the American struggle. It sees nothing for the negroes but slavery extension or expulsion.

A weekly journal is to appear in London next week, advocating the cause of the rebels.

The Literary Gazette is defunct after an existence of forty five years.

There has been a battle between the Turks and insurgents in Allzan; the Turks lost 400 men and four cannon.

Breadstuffs quiet and heavy, but without alternation in rates. Provisions dull and drooping.

London, Saturday. – Consols for money 93 [illegible fraction] @93 7/8 . [illegible] C. shares 48½ @ 48.

The Paris Patrie learns that two English frigates leave on the 26th for Bermuda with ordnance and ammunition.

The Patrie asserts that England is about to concentrate troops and war material at Bermuda.

The first Austrian iron plated frigate launched will be in commission in June. Three others are building.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3

FOREIGN NEWS

HALIFAX, April 16. – The Canada from Liverpool on the evening of the 5th, and Queenstown both arrived at this port this forenoon.

The French Continental, as well as the English press, discuss the great importance of the experience gained by the engagement between the Merrimac and Monitor. It is generally ad [sic] admitted that maritime warfare has undergone a change, and that the Monitor is a solution of the question between wooden vessels and iron ones.

MADRID, April 6 – It is officially declared that the Spanish Government has most resolutely determined not to attempt to infringe on the sovereignty and independence of the Mexicans.

The Great Eastern is advertised to leave Milford for Ney York on the 6th of May.

In the House of Commons, on the 3d inst., Mr. Fitzgerald gave notice that he would soon call attention to our relations with Mexico.

Mr. Gladstone had made his financial report, and, in the course of his speech, adverted to the great drawbacks from the American crisis, which had turned out worse than was anticipated. The cotton crisis was a most serious feature to England. A blockade had of course been expected, but it proved more injurious and extended over a greater line of coast than had been anticipated, and its effect had been nearly to double the price of cotton. The loss in American trade was great; the exports having from nearly twenty-two million pounds in 1860 decreased to only five million in 1861. Trade with America, according to recent returns, was, however improving.

Mr. Layard said that the Government had received official information that a convention had been entered into between commissioners of the Allied Powers and the Government of Mexico, and it was time that the British forces had been withdrawn from Mexico, except a small force of men; that it was not the intention of the Government that they should take any part in the expedition into the interior, and they would all be brought home except about 100 who would be left there for the performance of ordinary duties. Her Majesty’s Government did not approve of all the articles of the Convention. The approved of it generally.

Mr. Osborn moved a resolution that it is expedient to suspend the construction of the proposed forts and Ship Head till the value of iron rolled gunboats for defence shall have been fully considered. He referred to the exploits of the Merrimac and Monitor, and claimed that the invention of the principle of the Monitor belonged to Capt. Coles, whose plans were long since submitted to the Admiralty and reported favorably on and then shelved.

Lord Palmerston advocated the great importance of the invention and rejoiced that it was not formed in party spirit. The question had occupied the earnest attention of the Government. He did not deny that the action between the Monitor and Merrimac had taught the lesson. But since it had done that in one direction, it had also given a warning in another, as showing what they could not do as well as what they could do. He pointed out the drawbacks of the Monitor, and what England was doing with iron ships, and said that tenders had been sent out for the construction of a ship of Capt. Cole’s principle. He questioned the expediency of entirely neglecting fortifications, and favored both forts and floating batteries.

Preparations had commenced for cutting down the Royal Sovereign, on of the finest ships in the English Navy, from a 131 screw three-decker to a 12 gun ship on Capt. Cole’s plan. The Bulwark, 9 guns, was also to be converted into an iron plated ship.

The Army and Navy Gazette observes that there is more than the usual element of uncertainty about the issue of the civil war in America, owing to the ignorance of the real capacity of the South to resist and the North to move. The Federals will have to prove, by getting to Richmond, that they have a quartermaster General’s Department, a good Commissariat and military trains.

FRANCE. – Gen Genin’s return from Rome was regarded as almost certain.

THE VERY LATEST

The Paris correspondent of the London Daily News says the difference between England and France in Mexican affairs is very ticklish. The ship Yorktown, regular packet from London to New York, has been captured on her voyage as a Confederate privateer.

COMMERCIAL

Breadstuff’s Market generally quiet and steady, except for Flour, which is still declining. Various circulars report downward and decline of 6d@1s. Range 24s@29s. Wheat quiet and steady. Read Southern 11s 4d@11s 6d; White Western 11s; Whit Southern 12s@12s 6d. – Corn Quiet. Mixed 27s 6d@28s; White 33s@34s 6d.

Provisions generally quiet and steady.

Wakefield & Co, and others, report Beef steady; Pork firm; Bacon easier; Lard heavy and declined 2d.

{Latest via Queenstown}

Breadstuffs – Flour steady. Wheat quiet and easier. Corn inactive. Provisions closing quiet and steady.

London, Saturday Evening. – Consols closed at 93 7/8@94 for money.

American Securities – the latest sales were, L. C. 43½@43¾ discount; Erie 34@34½.

Paris, Saturday Evening. The Bourse closed firm. Rentes 70f.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862