AMERICA.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 83, 16 December 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

AMERICA.

• 'Nkw Yoek, Oct. 13. The elections for members of Congress, upon •which ' the result of the Presidential election depends, commenced on the 12fch inst. in Ohio and Indiana. The Republicans carried the state elections by large majorities. The Democratic party gained largely in Pennsylvania ; but the soldiers' vote was awaited to decide the election. The voting in Maryland indicates the probable adoption of an Anti-slavery Constitution. It is reported that Captain Semmes has left England to take command of another Confederate - steamer. Rendezvous unknown. The Confederate cruiser Florida lately captured several Federal merchant ships. The news from the seat of war is very conflicting. After a fortnight of inaction, General Grant massed a heavy force on the Weldon railroad, a few miles south of Petersburg, and there entrenched himself. ' On the 29th and 30fch September, most sanguinary engagements took place, with varied success. - ' On* October Ist, reconnoitring parties got within a few hundred yards of the inner lines of the entrenchments' defending -Richmond. General Grant has since visited Washington, but on his • return' made ho further progress in the direction of Petersburg and Richmond. The Federal General Sheridan has retreated to Strasborg, 'devastating the country as he retired by destroying immense supplies of food for man, and fodder for cattle. The Confederates aro still operating in Sherman's rear ; they have recaptured Rome, and destroyed severaTmiles of railway between Atlanta '" and Chatanooga. Thirty .thousand Confederates, under General Price, have irivad'ed Missouri, intending to cap-, ture Jefferson city and establish a state Govern-' agent. - ' ■ , ' ' '- ' *h' -

Ulie ' federal Government has endeavored to treat singly with, each. Southern State, -in order to Mng about peace. Governor Browno, of G-eorgia, positively declined to abandon tho other states. Ho admits that tho South may bo overrun, i but it can never be held except on terms involving tho financial and politioal overthrow of the republic 5 and ho suggests the transfer . of tho setfclomenfc of the issues from the battle-field to tho ballot-box, leaving caoh sovereign state to determine for herself what should be her future connections, and who her allies. Should this not 1 no done, he"" expects that the war would last until 1 both sides are exhausted, and overwhelmed with 5 debt and taxation, and finally degenerate into a 5 guerilla strife. President Davis, although admiting late reverses, declares that the spirit of the Confederacy in unbroken. It waa announced at sfaw York, on- the 80th. September, tihatfcho public debt amounted to one L billion nine hundred and sixty million dollars in sdol. 280. per cent, gold interest bearing bonds. ; Panic prevailed at Chicago. A largo bank failure has taken place there. It is confidently predicted that Lincoln would gain the election by a large majority. The price of gold in New York is 104 per cent. • premium. Money easier. Cotton dull. "Wheat, provisions, and sugar in good in- . qufry-