Latest-from the North.
reported General engagement in Kentucky.
the effect of Lincoln's message in England.
&c., &c., &c.
[special Dispatch to the Richmond Dispatch.]
Norfolk, January 3.
--Northern papers to the 2d inst., have been received at the office of the Norfolk Day Book.
The New York Herald, of the 2d of January, says that there are rumors in that city that a serious engagement is going on in Southern Kentucky.
Nothing authentic, however, has been received.
The people of Arkansas, it is reported, have refused to allow Gen. Price to enter that State with the Missouri troops, and will only permit those belonging to the Confederate service to come among them.
It is said that there are no Confederate troops now in Missouri.
Gen. McClellan has had a relapse.
His disease is typhoid fever, and his recovery is doubtful.
Lincoln's message has been received in England.
There is great surprise at the absence of all allusion to the Trent affair.
The London Times characterizes the message as a tissue of concealments.
A practical suspension of the Banks at the North has taken place.
There is a general squabble going on among them relative to an agreement of equalization.
The Herald says the list of failures last year in the Northern States numbered six thousand. Their indebtedness reached the sum of one hundred and eighty millions of dollars.
Stocks are steady.
Exchange is held at $1.1; U. S. 85; Erie 33; Hudson river 39.--Cotton 33.
Coffee firm.
Provisions dull.
F. 