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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 August 1861, Page 6 (Supplement)

declared herself a member of the southern Confederacy. Tennessee offered President Davis 10,000 men. Kentucky blankly refused to comply with Mr. Lincoln’s requisition, as also did Missouri. Arkansas openly went over to the south. Delaware, after remaining doubtful for a short time, agreed to stand by the Union. But in Maryland, or at least in Baltimore, the Secessionists were for a while all powerful. The Massachusetts regiment was the first to move, and on the 19ih April arrived at Baltimore. Here, on its passage through the city, it was attacked by the mob with brickbats, stones, and revolvers. The regiment seems to have behaved patiently, but was at last compelled to fire, and in the seufllo several persons were killed on each side. The mob then preceded to destroy the bridges between Baltimore and Washington over which reiuforcemenes were to pass to Washington. Tho rails,were also taken up. On the same day the Virginians made an attempt te seize Harper’s Perry, the Pedcral arsenal, and Norfolk, the Federal navy yard. At Harper’s Ferry the commandant, finding himself defenceless, piled up powder and straw in the buildings and fired them, destroying 15,000 stand of arms, and large quantities of ■stores. His small force was pursued by the citizens, but retreated in safety to Pennsylvania with the loss of only two men. The Virginians also made an attack on Norfolk, sinking three boats in front of the Navy yard, which contains the Merrimac, a splendid steam frigate, and five sloops of war.

In the south, President Davis had meanwhile answered the proclamation by another, granting letters of marque to southern privateers, which again called forth a resolution from Mr. Lincoln, that all southern privateers captured should be treated as pirates. A loan of 15 million dollars was subscribed in the south, and the southern leaders threatened an attack on Washington. So far our news went, down to the 241 h of April; but intelligence three days later banished all doubts as to the safety of Washington. Communication was restored between tho Federal capital and and the North, and President Lincoln’s preparations were so formidable as to induce the Southerners to pause before attempting an onward movement. 40,000 volunteers had been enlisted in the North for three years, in addition to 75,000 enrolled without reference to time, and the regulars raised to 25,000 men. Lists had been opened for 18,000 sailors, and the States were voting new forces every day. Vermont, for example, asked for a regiment, raises five, and expresses her determination to raise her force to 20,000 men. Tho troops Irom New Vork, in Washington, or on the march,

amount to 11,000 and the forces are thus distributed : —Of the troops that hare been called out thus far, 18 000 are already in Washington, 2,000 are at Annapolis, 3,000 are between Havre do Grace and Annapolis, 4,000 are on their way through Maryland from Pennsylvania, and 2,000 who left Hew York on the 29th of April are at sea. The 18,000 men in New York include the district Militia, some marines, and about 10,000 volunteers. The road through Annapolis is to be held by t roops and Baltimore coerced into conceding a right of way. This resolve clears the road between the North and Washington, and allows the enthusiasm of the free states full scope. Up to our latest advices (dated the 11th of May) the enthusiasm of the Northern States had shown no abatement. The gifts in money amounted to 811,000,000. Perhaps .the most striking illustration of the enthusiasm prevalent is the fact that the Quakers of Pennsylvania have suspended their peace rules, and permitted their sons to join in the war for liberty. The information about the fleet is exceedingly imperfect, but the President is collecting transports and has already secured 50 vessels of all sizes. The ports of North Carolina and Virginia have been blockaded, it is said effectually, but there are great doubts on this point. A powerful squadron has already been despatched to the American coast to protect British rights. Wc have referred above to the attitude assumed by Maryland and Virginia immediately' after the fall of F ort ‘Sumpter. The extraordinary energy winch has since been displayed by the Federal Government and the resolute determination which it manifests to wage war to tho knife against the Secessionists has now created a reaction in Maryland, and it seems possible that the State, rather than become the theatre of the war, will consent to stand by the Union. As to Virginia, it is in danger of being dismembered. The Eastern portion remains hostile to the Federal government, but the Western portion is friendly to it. The first movements in the war may be shortly looked for, though they will he limited to the occupation of Harper’s Ferry and one or two other places on tire "Virginian frontier. A more important matter is, however, still to bo mentioned. It can scarcely be anticipated that the campaign can begin in earnest for some months, and it has been expected that tne volunteers who marched to Washington must he replaced by regidar troops. This, it is now declared, will bo the case. Though there may be desultory fighting in the inter val, yet the real invasion of the Confederate States is not to take place till the fall of the year, when it is to be executed by a standing army' of 100,000 men. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. We Live received advices from New York to the 10th May. that is, live days later than those to which wc have referred in a previous column. They contain news of considerable importance. The blockade of the Virginia waters was reported to be complete. A precautionary notice had been issued for all vessels to leave those waters within 15 days. Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans were to he blockaded within a week. The Maryland Legislature, after having voted adherence to the Union, had adopted a resolution condemning the war, and discountenancing the interference of the Federal troops. General Butler, with 2,000 Federal troops, had taken possession of Baltimore without resistance, and had proclaimed martialTaw. The subscriptions of the States, cities, and individuals in the North in aid of the war, amounted to 23,000,000 dollars.

Washington was placed under martial law, and General Scott was confident of a successful defence in case of attack. In a secret session on the 7th May, Virginia was admitted into the Southern Confederacy, The Union movement is, however, spending in Virginia. Western Virginia has called a convention to set up a separate Free State and join the Union. The Governors of Ohio and Pennsylvania have undertaken to protect the Unionists in Western Virginia. Kentucky still remains neutral, hut her efforts to induce Indiana to follow the same policy have failed. Missouri, though Southern as a State, has raised four regiments for the government, and her capital has been seized by Federal troops. Preparations are announced to retake Harper’s Ferry, Fort Monroe, and Norfolk, and to drive the Virginian Secessionists from a point they have occupied on the Maryland bank of the Potomac. President Lincoln .continues the enlistment of volunteers for three years, and a large majority of the volunteer corps have accepted the terms. It is calculated that an army of 100,000 men, engaged for that term, will he ready in August, though they cannot move into the South until November. Up to that time the climate would be more dangerous than the enemy ; the “ cold weather” in the Carolinas, as in India, being the season for campaigns. Thirty thousand more volunteers are ready organised in New York, Pennsylvania, and New England, and the telegraph reports the Western levies at a quarter of a million. It is probable that the turn-out is very general, hut that number must be an exaggeration. Advices from Virginia report that the Virginian troops had rendered their position at Harper’s Ferry impregnable. Batteries of heavy guns had been mounted. Their batteries on James and York rivers were also of a very formidable character. The whole number of Confederate troops in Virginia was estimated at 30,111. The Nashville Banner announces that a vessel had reached New Orleans from Europe with 250,000 stand of arms for the Confederate States.

President Lincoln had issued a proclamation directing the commander of the forces of the United States ou the Florida coast to permit no person to exercise any office or authority upon the islands of Key West, the Tortugas, and Santa Rosa, which may be inconsistent with the laws and constitution of the United States, authorising him at the same time, if he should find it necessary, to suspend there the writ of habeas corpus, and to remove from the vicinity of the United States fortresses all dangerous or suspected parties.

The remains of Washington have been removed from Mount Vernon by the Virginians. The Federal government lias notified to the foreign Powers that-it will cease to bold intercourse with any foreign Power which recognises any commissioners from the rebel States.

LONDON WOOL EEPORT,—MAY, 1861. Notwithstanding the extreme quietude in our market since the March sales, and the general cmm plaints from the manufacturing districts of the dulness of trade, the attendance of buyers, both home and foreign has been a full average, and prices opened fully equal to the closing rates of the last sales, except on faulty parcels, which were a trifle in favor of buyers. It is an exceedingly gratifying feature in our trade that complications abroad seem to influence but slightly the general course of woollen productions, and that when so important a market as America may for the present be considered closed to our productions, yet that the raw material should continue to find ready buyers at rates which may be considered high. No doubt the large operations of continental buyers has most materially supported our market, for is is quite evident from the general tone of our home buyer's operations, that a general concession in price must have been submitted to before they would have taken the large number of 62,000 bales, with the prospect of some 80,000 bales being submitted 6 weeks after the close of the present series of sales. L T p to the present date about 33,000 bales have passed the hammer, the whole having been sold, (with a few trifling exceptions,) merchants wishing to meet the market rather than hold, so that it is generally expected, in the absence of any disturbing political causes, present rates will be maintained. With the advices each mail of American affairs assuming a more serious aspect, it is difficult to form any correct opinion ns to what effect it may produce on our market ; the general feelin" of our own buyers is decidedly caution, hence many of the mills arc running short time, determined if possible to keep down accumulation of stocks. .Flax is quieter, and to sell lower prices must be taken. 66 bales New Zealand ex. Hound, sold sound, £l9 10s.; first class damaged, £l9 17s. 6d. and second, £l7 "(> ton.

London, May 4,1861. Since our last the announcement has been made of a loan of 11150,000 for New Zealand. The fol- I lowing is the official notice : “ The undersigned agents appointed by the Go--'' vernor of the above colony, in virtue of "the New Zealand Loan Act, 1860, passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand to raise a loan of £150,000 for the public service of that colony,

hereby give notice, that they will be prepared to receive up to Monday, the-20th May instant, at 2 o'clock precisely, at the office of the Union 13ank of Australia, 38, Old Broad Street, London, sealed tenders in writing of parties who may forward _the same addressed, ‘ Tenders for New Zealand Jjuau,' or attend in person therewith. Such tenders will then be opened in the presence of all so attending and read publicly, and the purchasers be forewith declared, provided the price be not under the minimum to be contained in a sealed paper to be laid on the table. The debentures of £IOO each with coupons attached, will be dated the Ist of July next, and bear interest from that day at 6 p centum p annum, for 30 years, both principal and interest being payable at the Union Bank of Australia, London.

Payment for the amount that may be allotted will be required as follows ; £lO p centum on the purchaser being declared. £2O “ on or before the 20th July next, £2O “ on or before the 20th Aug. next, £25 “ on or before the 20th Sept, next, and the balance on or before the 21st of October next.

Signed] James J. Cummins. John Morrison.

On May 20th the number of tenders sent in to the Union Bank of Australia, up to 2 o’clock' was 48, representing £BI,OOO. Of this amount only £18,400 was tendered for at and above the sealed minimum, which proved to be £lO4 15s. This amount was accordingly accepted, and the balance ot the Loan—£l3l,6oo —remain open at the above mentioned minimum. We believe that a portion of the balance has since been taken at the minimum fixed. In the tenders lodged at 2 o’clock there was a very wide variation in the prices offered. Some of the accepted bids were at £lO2 10s., and £lO3, and one at £lOl, whilst of those that were rejected there were many at a par (including two °f £IO,OOO cadi.) others ranging down as low as £B7 10s. How it could be imagined that a colonial 6 p cent, bond could be obtained at such a price is difficult to understand. There seems to have been a great want of precision in the biddings, as if the persons who made them had no very clear notion of the value cf the article under negotiation.