AMERICA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 112, 4 May 1863, Page 3

AMERICA.

New York, February 20.—1 tis rumoured that the rebels had attacked the blockading fleet off Mobile, but it was not confirmed. The Brooklyn and Scioto were blockading Galveston. The Vicksburg Whig, of the 9th says the Mississippi is overflowing its banks on the Louisiana side. The town of De Soto, opposite, is nearly submerged, and it is expected the whole peninsula will soon be inundated. The Appeal of the 9th says there is now no doubt the whole force of the enemy is concentrating in front of Vicksburg. The mortar boats started down the river yesterday to a point near the fleet. Any moment may announce the commencement of the attack. The steamer George Cromwell, from New Orleans the 12th'arrived this evening. Considerable discontent existed among the troops, growing out of an unwillingness of the white soldiers to be placed on a common footing with negroes. The report was correct from Galveston that the Brooklyn was aground in eleven feet of water. The Bella had been placed in the hands of the Messrs. Hills, reporters of the Boston Journal and New York Herald. General Burnside will at once enter on his new command. lie left for New York to-night. Three days ago a secret interview is said to have taken place at a friend’s house between President Lincoln and Mods, Mercier (the French Ambassador) in which, if I am to trust my informant, questions of the gravest moment were reviewed and discussed. Notwithstanding the mystery observed in that interview, it is reported in diploma tic circles that President Lincoln denies having any share in framing the document written in reply to De I’Huys’ proposition further than to have expressed in a Cabinet Council that the time for listening to the kind suggestions of,France bad not yet arrived. New Yohk, February 21.—The Chamber of Commerce to-day adopted a strong protest against the wrong that the British Government has allowed to be inflicted on our commerce in her homo and colonial ports in the matter of the Alabama. The Chamber also adopted resolutions in favour of letters of marque against the Alabama, Florida, and other piratical vessels, and also a memorial to the Secretary of the Navy asking whether the defences of Now York Harbour are sufficient.