From Norfolk.
[our own Correspondent.] Norfolk, Jan. 20th.
It is now more than a week since the Burnside expedition sailed from Hampton Roads, and as yet nothing has been heard from it either North or South.
The anxiety in the North regarding its safety is by no means inconsiderable, and words feebly express the depth of hope the people have in its safety and success.
Up to this time the newspapers have been speaking of its destination as if it were generally known, and out of twenty or twenty-five of the leading papers which I have observed, there are but one or two but positively assert it is destined for operations on the Carolina coast.
Indeed, the very character of the vessels would imply as much; for it is too well known to need repetition that a majority of them are small, entirely unseaworthy, and not fit for a voyage of any length.
The day of its sailing a storm arose which has continued to rage furiously up to this time, with but a day or two of even passable weather.
Sometimes it has been very severe.
When the French frigate now in Hampton Roads was beyond the capes she encountered a storm that forced her to stand out to sea again and in which she lost her boats, and suffered other wise from its effects.
Judging from this we have reason to suppose that Burnside's fleet has been scattered, it not destroyed, and that is the reason of its non-appearance on our coast.
The Providence Journal, whose editor, Henry B. Anthony, is a Senator from Rhode Island, says that now the expedition has sailed, and has had time to reach the point for which it sailed, there is no reason why one should not guess its destination, and then goes on to say, that it is intended to enter Pamlico or Albemarle Sounds, through which so large a portion of the coast of North Carolina can be reached.
It also says, ‘"the nature of the flotilla is such, as we all know, that it would not be safe to send it around Cape Hatteras, exposed, as it would be, to the heavy gales which prevail there during the winter months,"’ All the New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore journals concur in this opinion, and, as I said in a letter some days ago, I am inclined to believe that the original destination was to operate in the creeks and inlets on the coast of North Carolina.
A rumor prevailed here yesterday that the vessels had been seen at Hatteras Inlet, seemingly preparing to enter the Sound, but this was contradicted by a dispatch, which said there were no vessels, beyond the usual number, in sight upon the coast.
If not broken up by the furious storm, it seems hardly probable many more days can pass without hearing something from this last and desperate attempt on the part of the Yankees to make money in the armada business
Saturday evening a flag of truce was seen coming from Fortress Monroe toward Craney Island which kept on her course until stopped by a gun from the Island to warn her that the limits had been passed.
The steamer cast anchor near the buoy by Sewell's Point, and was communicated with by the barge from the Island.
The following passengers were received, and brought to the city by the steamer liarmony:
Lieut. John R. F. Tatnall, of Savannah, Georgia.
Lieut. G. W. Grimes, of the Morris Guards.
Lieut. J. G. Moore, of the Hartford Light Infantry.
Lieut. N. H. Hughes, of the North Carolina Defenders.
Lieut. T. H. Allen, of the Ordnance.
Le Marquis De Montaigne, Captain De Vaisseau, Commandant in Chief la Division Navale de Terre-Neuse.
Captain De St. Phalle.
Lieut. De Rergaradec.
The three last are officers from the French frigate Pomona, which is now lying in Hampton Roads.
They will proceed to Richmond this morning, and thence South, to communicate with the French Consuls there.
The arrival of these gentlemen so soon after those who left a few days ago, has given rise to considerable speculation as to the particular object in view.
One thing, however, we can safely believe — that Napoleon is a wake to the interests of France in maintaining friendly relations with the south, and that he will, when the proper time comes, join hands with the new Confederacy.
I have just finished reading ‘"Blackwood's Magazine"’ for December. Two articles in it--‘"A Month with the Rebels"’--and another on ‘"Both Sides of the American Question."’--These articles show a strong bias in favor of the South, and one of them, the former, goes so far as to ridicule the Yankees, and give praise to the Confederates.--The writer says he has taken the pains to notice particularly the Yankee papers and finds that according to their own account 1,200,000 rebels have been killed.
It is remarkable what a vast change has come over the opinions of the English people within the past eight or ten months. These articles in Blackwood.
Dion Boucicault's letter on the Octoroon, Hiram Fuller's speech, and other things of a similar character, furnish a striking commentary on the change in popular feeling on the abstract question of American slavery.
Ten months more and Exeter Hall will have gone the way of the numerous socialistic halls, and free- love phalansteries that have been organized in times past.
Wonder how long it will be before African slave labor will again be resorted to in British Jamaica?
From the Northern papers received at the Day Book office we glean some items of interest.
The Tribune, of the 17th, says Messrs. Mason and Slidell arrived at Bermuda on the 9th, and at St. Thomas on the 10th.
This sets at rest all the Herald's sardonic speculations as to their being at the bottom of the sea. They were to proceed immediately on their journey.
Mr. Simon Cameron was confirmed Minister to Russia on the 17th, but his nomination met with considerable opposition, and was the cause of considerable argument.
The vote stood 47 in favor and 14 against the appointment.
So Cameron goes to Russia.
Chas Henry Foster, the renegade Yankee, who has been trying to get a seat in Congress from North Carolina, and failing in that, Marshal of Hatteras, was not as fortunate as Simon — the man of speculation and war — for his appointment was rejected.
What can he possibly try for next?
The Fair for the benefit of the 50th Virginia regiment closed Saturday night, and was, I believe, quite a success.
The Hall was very tastefully arranged, with two tables on each side, and a P. O. at one end. The tables, which were loaded with good things or fancy articles, contributed by the ladies of Norfolk, were trimmed beautifully, and each had arches, festoons, or garlands of evergreen over them, forming delightful little alcoves for the display of nice goods the young ladies sold so beautifully.
I have not yet heard the amount of money realized.
The storm which has raged so long has now cleared away, and we have warm and delightful weather, quite like a May morning.
Bohemian. 