By the arrival of the
Asia at New York, on the 15th, we have the following
European news:
‘
Paris, Feb. 2.--The
Independence Beige asserts that "the
Southern Commissioners have informed the
English Government that in return for a recognition of the Southern Confederacy they would establish most absolute free trade for 50 years; abolish the external slave traffic, and emancipate all the blacks born after the recognition."--These offers, however, will — not determine Lord Palmerston to abandon his policy of neutrality.
London, Feb. 2--The proposition of
Mr. Gregory, for the recognition of the
South, will be discussed soon after the opening of the British Parliament.
An interesting and exciting debate, and the rejection of the proposals, is expected.
Bombay, Jan. 13.--The exportation of saltpetre from
India, except to British ports, has been prohibited.
A latter from Earl Russell to the
Admiralty, prohibiting the use of British ports to either of the
American belligerents, is published.
The
Port of Nassau and other ports where vessels are driven in by stress of weather, provisions may supplied, but only such quantity of course as may be sufficient to take the vessel to the nearest port in their own country; no second supply is to be allowed to the same vessel in the same port within a period of three months. It is presumed that will stop the proceedings of the
Tuscarora and
Nashville at
Southampton.
It is rumored that, under a pressure from American shipmaster at
Marseilles, the
American Consul, at that port, had sent a request for the
Tuscarora to go to the Mediterranean for protection of American-vessels against the
Sumter, which continued at
Gibraltar at the latest dates.
There is no confirmation of her reported naval engagement with another vessel.
It is believed that the rebel steamer
Nashville has been ordered to quit
Southampton.
At the annual meeting of the
Manchester Chamber of Commerce the
American question claimed great attention.
Strict neutrality as the policy of
England was generally and strongly urged.
A proposition that the
Chamber should open a conference with the New York Chamber of Commerce in the interests' of peace, met with approval.
’
Respect the blockade.
Mr. Barnes, member of Parliament for
Bolton, in addressing his constituents, protested on commercial and political grounds against the breaking of the
American blockade, and strongly urged that the surest way of permanently benefiting the cotton trade was to turn every attention towards the development of the resources of
India.
The Privateer Sumter.
The
Paris correspondent of the
London Herald says:‘ "Letters from
Marseilles state that the utmost consternation prevails among the American shipmasters in that harbor, ever since the presence of the
Sumter in the Mediterranean has been ascertained.
I hear an attempt has been made to induce the
French Government to grant a convoy, and that the
American Consul is said to have written to the captain of the
Tuscarora, requesting him to take his ship to the Mediterranean as soon as possible."’
What the Merchants say.
At the annual meeting of the
Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the
American question — more particularly as it affects the supply of cotton — was debated at length, and a policy of strict neutrality on the part of
England was very generally urged by the speakers.
A proposition that the
Chamber should open a conference with the New York Chamber of Commerce, with a view to seeing how far the influence of the commercial world could be brought to bear upon, and put an end to the melancholy strife, was brought forward and approved of.
The comments of the
French press on the
Emperor's speech are generally favorable — Of the
American portion of the speech, the
Sickle says:
‘
"Contrary to what several journals endeavor to accredit, the
Emperor declares himself very clearly in favor of neutrality in the
American dispute.
So long as the rights of neutrals shall be respected,
France will remain a spectators of that civil war, which we trust will finish by an approaching victory of the
North over the revolted
South.
We have expressed too often our hopes in favor of the
Northern States of
America to render it necessary to return at present to that question."
’
The
Opinion Nationale, after quoting the
Emperor's words relative to
America, says:
‘
"This significant phrase, of which we are most happy to take note, shows that the intervention talked of by certain French journals is a mere chimera, and fully justifies the system of neutrality which we have always advocated."
’
