LATER NEWS FROM AMERICA. NEW YORK DATES TO 21st JANUARY. New York, January 18.

North Otago Times, Volume 1, Issue 6, 31 March 1864, Page 6

LATER NEWS FROM AMERICA. NEW YORK DATES TO 21st JANUARY. New York, January 18.

The Richmond papers report the passage by the Rebel Congress of a bill to conscript all the men who have hitherto furnished substitutes. The " Enquirer" says that all the Virginia railroad iron is nearly worn out, and so are the men working them. The " Examinex-" says there is no prospect of any considerable crops this year in several of the fertile countries of South-western Virginia. In view of the foregoing named law, farmers have hired their field hands to manufacturing companies, or sent them to the cities and towns for employment. No corn will be raised, and but little oats or wheat, which will barely suffice for home consumption. The conscription of all the old soldiers in the rebel armies whose term will shortly expire, is urged in a memorial to the Rebel Congress by Generals Hardee, Cheatham, Breckinridge, and others. Chicago, January 20. In the letter by Secretary Seward to Minister Adams, referred to in last night's dispatch, the Secretary says that the United States does insist, and must continue to insist, that the British Government is justly responsible for the damages which peaceful and law-abiding citizens of the United States sustain by the depredations of the Alabama, that vessel having been built and fitted out in British waters. The Secretary cannot therefore instruct Minister Adams to refrain from pressing claims which he has now in his hands. In an order for the State election, General Banks says that he is fully assured that more than one-tenth of the population desire the earliest restoration of Louisiana to the Union. He declares that so much of the Constitution and laws of the State as recognise and regulate and relate to slavery, being inconsistent with the present condition of public affairs, and plainly applicable to any class now existing within the limits of Louisiana, are inoperative and void. The General also appoints a revision of the Constitution, to be held on the first Monday of May. Arrangements are to be made for early election of members of Congress.