The Bangkok Recorder.

A Semi-monthly Journal, will be issued from the printing office of the American Missionary As- sociation, at the month of the Canal, "Klawng Bang- kok Yai" about 1st and 15th of every month. It will contain much Political, Literary, Scientific, Com- mercial, and Local Intelligence, as shall render it worthy of the general patronage.

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BANGKOK MAY 1st.

We can scarcely bring ourselves to real- ize that this is the second issue of our se- cond quarter. Time flies rapidly even with the monotony of Bangkok. The encourag- ment we have received in our enterprise has surpassed our expectations, for which we re-

turn our heartfelt thanks. We are still how- ever a rebel, unacknowledged by the "pow- ers that be" in the "Fourth Estate" in Siam, and denied even the courtesy of a friendly exchange, but although ourselves opposed to rebellion, in this instance we are thank- ful to the community for granting us "bel- ligerant rights," If we have failed in any way to fulfil our promise, we are ready to make all due acknowledgment, and promise in future to try and do better.

We know that it is difficult to meet the tastes of all even in so small a community, as this. Some like short pithy articles,—- others like them long and prosy. Some like business and statistics all the time, whilst others would turn aside occasionally from business and amuse themselves with something rich and racy. Some desire to know more about the country, whilst others consider themselves sufficiently well inform- ed upon that subject. Amidst all this diversity of taste it is difficult to steer a direct course.

We are thankful however that we have as yet heard no very loud complaints. We are still ready to receive subscriptions and advertisements. The Siamese has been separated from the English and enlarged, and is also open for advertisements. Auction sales and all other advertisements will be translated, for, and inserted in the Siamese department on reasonable terms.

TUILERIES.

The first additions to the Tuileries as left by Catharine de Medicis were made in the beginning of the 17th century in the reign of Henry IV. This king erected the the two immense Pavillions which now form the terminations of the Palace, North and South. These works appear to have been only completed under the reign of his suc- cessor Louis XIII, and he was the first of the French Kings who made the Tuileries his residence. It was also in his reign that the Tuileries was for the first time enclosed within the city walls. Louis XIV made several alterations and improvements in the building. He also repaired and greatly ornamented the interiors of the Palace, having like his predecessors made it his usual residence, till that of Versailles was finished in 1702. The gallery which con- nects the Tuileries with the Louvre was mostly built in the reign of Henry IV, but he left it, like many other of his great works, in an unfinished state. The garden front of the Truileries, heavy and incongruous as it is, when analyzed by architectural taste, is unrivalled as a scene of artificial beauty. The eye ranges over broad terraces crowd- ed with a pleasure loving population, walls interspersed with flower gardens, and fountains, and shady groves, where some antique statue is encountered at every turn. From the central pavilion the prospect is uninterrupted for a distance of several miles, and is terminated by the grand arch of the Barriere de Neuilly. The Southern terrace is bounded by the quays and the river, and the northern by the splendid buildings of Rue de Rivoli from which stretch the garden is separated not by a dark wall but by a handsome open railing.

No one can fail to see that whatever the French people may have wanted in real political freedom, the out door pleasure of the people have ever been abundantly con- sulted even by their most arbitrary mon- archs. And there can be no doubt that it was this freedom of access to objects of taste, and beauty, which alone made the old regime endurable. The people in some degree participated in the pride of the monarch, and thus his splendor veiled his oppression. The respect which the French pay to the monuments of art, in which the humblest Frenchman peasant feels a pride and an individual honour, presents a humili-

ating contrast to the barbarous mutilations, which some even of those who pretend to refinement amongst Englishmen, inflict on works of taste of which they are occasion- ally permitted to have a glimpse by the pos- sessors. The reason is evident. We have, un- til late years, had so few institutions which offer such freedom of access as the gardens of the Tuileries and the superb gallery of the Louvre. The people of the lower orders have had no public property to respect, and they are therefore deficient in that branch of national education. Even the monuments of our illustrious dead are closed against them, except on the payment of contempt- able fees, and under the watch of an igno- rant exhibitor. This evil is being somewhat remedied however, within the last few years.

Till the reign of Louis XIV the gardens of the Tuileries continued to be separated from the Palace by a street, as in the time of Catharine de Medicis. About the year 1665 Louis committed the charge of entire- ly remodeling the grounds to his celebrated gardener Lenotre, and the result was its metamorphosis into the same general ap- pearance which it now presents. It has since that time however undergone many partial restorations. It had suffered con- siderable injury during some of the turbu- lent days of the revolution; but as early as the end of 1796 the government, justly proud of so magnificent an ornament of their capital, commenced the reparation of the damage it had sustained on the most liberal scale; and the works were continued for several years till the place had more than regained its ancient splendor. After the accession of Bonaparte to the supreme power additions were made to its former embellishments.

The gardens of the Tuileries and of Ver- sailles have always been accounted the chief monuments of the genius of Lenôtre, and indeed the finest specimens in the world of their peculiar style of disposition and em- bellishment. Lenôtre was born to be a court artist, or as he was called "Lejardinier des Rois." His passion for the dignified and grand, was both the inspiration in which he wrought, and the coloring prin- ciple of his ordinary thoughts and feelings. But the grandeur which he loved and ad- mired was that of the artificial rather than the natural. Still he was a sincere enthu- siast and even as courtier his heart prompt- ed the expression of his lips. Accordingly, in the spirit of courtly admiration and re- verence, Lenôtre sometimes forgot the con- ventional forms which regulate the approach to princes. Having gone on one occasion to visit Rome he was admitted by Pope In- nocent XI to the honor of a special au- dience. When about to take leave, delighted with the reception he had received, he ex- claimed in the pride and gratitude of his heart; "I care not now how soon I die I have beheld the two greatest men on earth, your Holiness and the King, my master." "Alas" replied the Pope, "there is a great difference between us—the King is a great prince renowned for many virtues—I am but a poor priest, the servant of the servants of God." (very different words from those of his present Most August Holiness) "he is young and I am old." On these words the honest Lenotre, slapping His Holiness heavily on the shoulder rejoined " My Reverend Father, you are in excellent health and will live to see all the secret college under ground." The Pope could not restrain himself but laughed aloud. On which Lenotre in his joy actually threw his arms around the neck of His Holiness and pressed him to his bosom.

All his veneration for Louis himself did not prevent him from sometimes accosting him too, in the same cordial fashion. It is to the credit of the "Grand Monarque" that he bore these freedoms with great good humor. On one occasion on his waiting on his Royal master to detail to him the different parts of his plan for the formation of the Park and Garden at Versailles, Louis, struck with admiration at the taste and genius which the artist displayed in his con- trivances, for surmounting the many difficul- ties of the nature of the ground, three times interrupted his discourse with the exclaima- tion " Lenotre, I give you for that 20,000 francs." When this munificence however was repeated for the fourth time, Lenotre stopped the King, saying—"Sire, your Majes- ty shall hear no more, I should ruin you were I to go on." Formerly access to the gardens of the Tuileries from the place Louis XV was by the Pont Tournant or draw bridge, which was constructed in 1717. Peter the Great of Russia who was in Paris at the time, used to take great delight, it is related, in watching the progress of the men em- ployed in constructing this bridge. The ditch or moat over which it afforded a passage still remains, but since the re- volution, a stone bridge has been substituted for the Pont Tournant. The old bridge is famous in the revolution of 1879. The most interesting and important associations in the History of France are connected with that wonderful series of events which effected an entire change in the destinies of nations and the general aspect of the world.

AMERICAN GENERALS.

Gen. H. W. Halleck was another of General Scott's favorites, and upon the death of Gen. Lyon in Missouri, who bid fair to be a star of the first magnitude, and the failure of Freemont, Halleck was sent to take command of that department. He did up his work well, was present in per- son at the seige of Corinth and forced Beauregard to evacuate that place without a battle.

When President Lincoln discovered that he and Secretary Stanton were not the men to direct the operations of the armies, upon the recommendation of Scott, Hal- leck was called to Washington and made General-in-chief. He soon proved however, that he was not pre-eminently qualified for the position. He carried out the old boa- constrictor plan recommended by Scott, of engirdling the rebellion and choking it to death.

His first act was to recall McClellan from the Peninsula, against which the latter pro- tested, and the correspondence between them clearly proves that if McClellan was not equal to his superior as a strategist, he certainly was far ahead of him in a literary point of view.

His second act was to place his favorite John Pope in command in Virginia, who did two remarkable things, viz, he issued to the army a most ridiculous address in which he discarded all “lines of retreat,” and in a few weeks he destroyed a fine army. When Congress revived the old rank of Lieutenant General, and conferred that honor upon Grant, Halleck was naturally cast in- to the shade, and now holds the merely ornamental title of chief of the President’s staff.

Freemont had acquired quite a reputa- tion as an explorer, and “path-finder” in the west. He was also a rabid abolitionist. He was brought forward in 1856 by the Re- publican party, then in its infancy, as a candidate for the Presidency. He was de- feated by Buchanan, although he ran a higher ticket than was generally anticipated by his friends. When the rebellion broke out he was in Europe, but he hastened home, and offered his services to the gov- ernment. His services were accepted by the government, but on account of his pre- vious influence, they at once foolishly rais- ed him to the rank of Major General in the regular army. After the death of Lyon, Freemont was sent to the department of the Missouri, where he spent a long time in making vast preparations. A personal feud existing between him and General Frank P. Blair, he was arraigned by Blair in Washington as incompetent, and was soon afterwards superseded by Halleck. He was afterwards cleared by a court martial and was soon after entrusted with another com- mand in Virginia. He was the first of our Generals who succeeded in first attacking General Stonewall Jackson which he did, but was obliged to come off second best in the engagement. His department was afterwards enlarged and the whole com- mand given to Gen. Banks. Freemont hol- ing a higher rank than Banks would not be under him and consequently retired. This ended his military career. It almost certain that he has not the comprehen- siveness necessary to constitute a successful general, but it is to be regretted that the government did not give him a better op- portunity of showing what he could do. Through hatred for Mr. Lincoln he accepted the nomination of the ultra abolition party for president in 1864, but for the sake of the country he wisely withdrew before the election

The efficiency of the army of the Potom- ac was for a time very much crippled by the constant changing of its commanders. Af- ter the removal of McClellan, Burnside was appointed to command the army. Accord- ing to reports he had refused the command once before, when the army was about to follow Lee into Maryland. Obeying the commands of his superior General Halleck, he rapidly followed Lee into Virginia, but soon met a severe reverse at Fredericksburg He lacked confidence in himself, for so large a command, and frankly acknowled- ged it. Through jealousy too, or some other motive some of his subordinates manifested a lack of confidence in him. Af- ter Fredericksburg he resiged the com- mand. His previous career in North Carolina was brilliant, and so was his sub- sequent career in East Tenessee. With a small army or a subordinate command he is doubtless a model general, but acknow- ledges his inability for a large command. The country has had few more faithful ser- vants than A. E. Burnside.

Hooker who had been most clamorous against Burnside for incompetency, was next elevated to the command. He manoeu- vered around during the winter and upon the opening of the spring campaign met the rebels at Chancelorville. The only benefit to the government resulting from that bat- tle was the killing of General Stonewall Jackson, than whom, Gen. Lee said, he would rather have lost a regiment. After allowing Lee to run around him and invade Maryland and Pennsylvania, Hooker saw that he had the confidence neither of the army nor the people and he resigned. He is undoubtedly a fighter, and as a division commander has probably no superior in the army. He however is somewhat of a braggodocio, and has not the calibre for a large command. He was afterwards sent to Chatanooga under Grant where he did excellent service. His driving the re- bels from Lookout Mountain is one of the most daring affairs of the war. When Mc- Pherson was killed Howard was raised to the command of the army of Tennessee at which Hooker seemed to be displeased and resigned his command. He is now in com- mand at Cincinnati, which is virtually being laid upon the shelf.

After Hooker resigned Gen. George G. Meade who was in command of one of the divisions of the army was promoted to the command. Four days after his appoint-

ment he met Lee's victorious and invading army at Gettysburg, and after three days hard fighting gained a signal victory. Meade has few superiors any where as a field commander, and is still in command of the army of the Potomac, but by the constant presence of Grant he is thrown somewhat into the shade.

CHIENG MAI TRIP

Lampoon is the last city before reaching Chieng-Mai. We called soon after our ar- rival on the Palat, who made known our arrival to the Governor and procured an interview for us. He received us very cordially with all of his P'ayas and officers as low before him as if he were King of Siam, or sovereign of all the Indies. He is, by the way, a man of as much stamina of character about him, as any that I have met among the Eastern officials. He is about the ordinary height with prominent features. There is an air of authority about him that seems to be natural, without rendering him haughty or ridiculous.

We were put through the ordinary rout- ine of questions as to our errand to Chieng- Mai, as well as all about the outside coun- try. We had before asked the Palat, as a special favor, to assist us in getting off the next morning. To him it seemed simply impossible to hunt up the elephants and make the necessary preparations. Before leaving the Governor's we made the same request, supported by the argument that one of our number was suffering under a little indisposition, which rendered it desire- able that we should hasten to our journey's end. He told us yes, that he would be happy to have us spend several days there, but if we urged it there would be no dif- ficulty, and spoke to P'aya Sanam to have all in readiness. He began to hesitate a little that the time was short to hunt up the elephants. "Why not" said the Gover- nor with an air of authority that left no room for reply, "how many elephants have you of your own?" "Seven" was the reply, "Well then they only need four, have them off punctually in the morning without fail." There was no appeal, and he left immedi- ately to make preparation.

Lampoon is smaller in size than Lakawn having a population estimated at about ten thousand. Its walls are circular instead of square; we walked round them before breakfast. I think the whole circuit can- not be more than two and a half or three miles. We paid a hurried visit to the market also, the first regular one that we had met after leaving Bangkok. Our men thought it was fine to get to a market town again. That, with a short visit to wat Hluang, was about all that we could do in, stop at this city. Its tall spire shaped not unlike wat Chaang at Bangkok, presen-

ted a find appearance as it glistened in the sun at a distance. It is a very fine wat, though, as is often the case, the workman- ship does not bear close inspection.

After breakfast our elephants were in readiness, and we were off in fine spirits on our last day's ride to the Laos capital. For the rest of the journey, and also for a detailed description of the place itself, I must refer to the published account of "a visit to Xiengmai, the principal city of the Laos, or Shan states—By Sir Robert H. Schomburgh. &c. &c." which most of your Bangkok readers have doubtless seen. I did not see it till after our return, but have found it substantially correct.

Our road in the morning was through one of the largest and finest rice fields I ever saw. It is several miles across it, extending in some places nearly as far as the eye can reach. The people were then all engaged in gathering in a bountiful harvest. Our road lay most of the way a- long the Ping fork, as the prefix quaa implies, and along a large canal dug for the purpose of irrigating the plain.

The walls of Chieng Mai did not appear till near sunset, and we had still to cross a wide plain of rice fields, so that it was near- ly dark when we arrived at the royal sala. It was to late for our arrival to be known that night; but before breakfast in the morning we were visited by one or two of the head men of the city, to ascertain who we were, and what our errand was, and to invite us to visit Chow Rat-bokee, who was left in supreme command while the prince was on a visit to Bangkok.

As we met two other messengers on our way, we hardly knew whether to be flat- tered at the honor paid us, or alarmed at their suspicions. But whatever fears we might have had were allayed by the kind reception given us. We had met some of the head men before, and the prince him- self at Bangkok, which served for an in- troduction, and the announcement that we were missionaries, was a guarantee even in that distant province that our mission was a peaceful one. Our reception and whole treatment while there was about all that we could have asked. It was probably better than it would have been, had not the diffi- culty mentioned in the narrative referred to above, compelled some of those in authority there, to make a visit to Bangkok which caused them considerable trouble.

Chow Rat-bokee was absent in the coun- try most of the time while we were there, so that we saw but little of him afterwards. But there seemed to be a general determina- tion that no difficulty should be allowed to grow out of our visit. The princes' head-wife sent a man every morning to see if all our wants were supplied, and his daughter with a large train of attendants made us a call, in the mother's name, bring- ing us presents of various kinds, and P'aya Sa-yám who was intrusted with seeing our wants supplied was very attentive.

No hindrance whatever was placed in our visiting the city or talking to the peo- ple. Owing to some little sickness, occa- sioned by our long trip and change of water, we could not avail ourselves as fully of this privilege as we desired.

For regularity of plan and neatness of the streets, and good order and respectful behavior of the people, I have seen no place in Siam that can compare with it, while its aqueduct supplying the whole city with water at their doors, brought from a mountain two or three miles distant, might indicate even a higher degree of civilization than it can claim.

The market which is a very large one is as neat and as orderly as any to be found in any country. It is open in the morning till about nine o'clock, and before day break you could hear the stir of preparation for it. The bridge near which our sala was situated, poured forth a constant stream of both buyers and sellers, all wending their way with eager steps towards it. Our first morning there, we almost involuntarily fell into the crowd to see where such a mass of people were going. It led us within the city walls and soon the market appeared. It is kept entirely by women, who seat them- selves on the ground, with vegetables, and fruit, and Laos confectionaries, deposited on one of natures simple stalls, in the form of a large plantain leaf or in little baskets made by themselves, before them. While not trading, they work away on their embroid- ery which is used for their clothing and pillows, and matresses. They use but few words in buying and selling, very unlike the Siamese, who expect to fall one fourth, or one half from the price they ask. It seemed strange to us to see salt used as the currency or circulating medium of the market. So seldom is money used that we found that the owners of the articles, often had no idea of the price of their own goods in money, while they could readily answer if they were asked how they would laak, it, or how much salt they would take for it. This arises from its distance from Bangkok, and the rapids in the river, rend- ering the importance of such a heavy, and essential article as salt very expensive. The next greatest want in the estimation of the Siamese is fish. Though pork and fowls should be ever so abundant and cheap, they cannot understand how there can be good living without fish.

What strikes one as most novel, and peculiarly Laos too in this part of Asia, is the immense number of elephants and droves of oxen referred to in a former letter. Besides the oxen we see hundreds of ele- phants daily, in droves from two to thirty or forty. When the prince goes off, he is accompanied by a train of two or three hundred. The thorough manner in which they go to work to break in the young ones is remarkable. They afford about as good a specimen of the rigid school of family discipline as could be found. I have seen the feet tied in pairs and the body suspen- ded by two large ropes to a beam above, so that his feet just touches the ground, while the poor animal was most unmercifully speared and pounded, till he was covered with blood and scars. He is then let down and if he is not thoroughly subdued, he is returned to his place and the process re- peated. But when his lesson is once learn- ed it is learned well, and he becomes as submissive as he is intelligent. One might almost suppose that the people are put through a similar process of training, for they are certainly very civil. The laws are very rigid as theft is a capital crime. But while the people respected their prince they did not speak of him as tyrannical. Any de- tailed account of the dress and manners and customs of the people, would be an old stale subject, which no one would care to have repeated. But the scenery on the river thence to Ra-haáng on our return route, was entirely new to foreigners, and almost un- surpassed for beauty, with a short notice of which some other time, I will close.

LETTERS FROM GEN. LEE.

The following letters from Gen. Lee, written soon after the outbreak of the Rebel- lion, have just been made public:—-

General:—-Since my interview with you on the 18th inst, I have felt that I ought not longer to retain my commission in the army. I, therefore, tender my resignation, which I request you will recommend for acceptance. It would have been presented at once, but for the struggle it has cost me to separate myself from a service to which I have devoted all the best years of my life and all the ability I possessed.

During the whole of that time-—more than a quarter of a century—-I have exper- ienced nothing but kindness from my super- iors, and the most cordial friendship from my comrades. To no one, General, have I been as much indebted as to yourself for uniform kindness and consideration, and it has always been my ardent desire to merit your approbation. I shall carry to the grave the most grateful recollections of your kind consideration, and your name and fame will always be dear to me.

Save in defence of my native State, I never desire again to draw my sword. Be pleased to accept my most earnest wishes for the continuance of your happiness and prosperity, and believe me, most truly yours,

Lieut.-Gen. Winfield Scott, Commanding United States Army.

A copy of the foregoing letter was in- closed in the following letter to a sister of the General's, Miss A. M.:—

My Dear sister:—I am grieved at my inability to see you. * * * I have been waiting "for a more convenient season," which has brought to many before me, deep and lasting regret, Now we are in a state of war which will yield to nothing. The whole South is in a state of revolution, in- to which Virginia, after a long struggle, has been drawn, and though I recognize no necessity for this state of things, and would have forborne, and pleaded to the end for redress of grievances, real or sup- posed, yet in my own person I had to meet the question, whether I should take part against my native State. With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have, therefore, re- signed my commission in the army, and, save in defence of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword.

I know you will blame me, but you must think as kindly of me as you can, and be- lieve that I have endeavored to do what I thought right. To show you the feeling and struggle it has cost me, I send a copy of my letter to Gen. Scott, which accom- panied my letter of resignation. I have no time for more. * * * May God guard and protect you and yours, and shower upon you every blessing, is the prayer of your devoted brother,

A NEW TREATY.

Between the King of Siam, and the Emperor of the French, translated from a Siamese copy.

An agreement to articles of a Treaty made by Chow-Phya-Sri-Sooriwongs, Prime Minister, in the name of Prabat Somdet Pra Chow King of Siam on the one part, and Monsieur Aubaret Consul of the French, Officer of the Legion of Honor &c,-—in the name of H. I. M. Napoleon Emperor of the French on the other part.

The Siamese government on the one part, and the French government on the other part, do hereby mutually agree and determine, how the Cambodian affair touch- ing the Treaty with the French, which was made on the 27th July of the 8th moon, Siamese civil era, corresponding with the Christian era 11th August, 1863, shall be arranged and settled.

From this time forward the two govern- ments aforesaid, are mutually agreed to re- scind that which causes trouble and embar-

rassment in the working of the existing Treaty of amity, and friendship between the two parties. Hence the two governments do hereby agree and settle upon the adop- tion of the seven following articles:

ARTICLE I. Prabat-Somdet-Pra-Chow King of Siam, consents to make public the agreement of the Emperor of the French for the protection of the kingdom of Cam- bodia.

ARTICLE II. The Treaty which the gov- ernment of Siam made with the government of Cambodia, in the month of December 1863 cannot [henceforth] be used, and must be accounted vain and nugatory. As re- gards the Siamese, they shall not be allow- ed to put into force any article of that Treaty whatsoever.

ARTICLE III. The Emperor of the French is willing that the kingdom of Cam- bodia shall have Sovereign power within itself, being Independent of, and unan- nexed to any other power. Consequently the Emperor of the French doth hereby engage that he will not take any part of the kingdom of Cambodia and annex it to his possessions in Cochin China.

ARTICLE IV. The boundary lines of the Provinces of Battambong, Nak'awn- Siam - ap, together with the Laos provinces belonging to Siam, bordering on the king- dom of Cambodia, the French agree shall remain as they are at the present time sup- posed to be fixed. The Cambodians shall not cross over and commit trespass in any of these provinces of the Siamese, nor shall the Siamese go over and commit trespass within the borders of the Cambodians.

As to the boundary lines between Siam and Cambodia, the Siamese and Cambo- dian governments, shall each send her offic- ers to survey and mark the lines anew, as they are at the present time understood to be fixed. And there shall be men appointed by the French government to go and wit- ness such surveys.

ARTICLE V. The kingdom of Cambo- dia must remain a Sovereign and Indepen- dent State unannexed to any other. She shall be a kingdom between the French on the one hand, and the Siamese on the oth- er. But in consequence of an old cus- tom now existing, the king of Cambo- dia shall continue to send his ambassador to pay his respects [from time to time] to the king of Siam, and he shall also send such ambassadors to pay his respects [oc- casionally] to the Emperor of the French. This shall be considered simply as a becom- ing respect paid to said governments, and not at all with any evil intent or influence against the Independence and Sovereignty of Cambodia. Should the king of Cambo- dia send presents to the king of Siam, as he has been accustomed to do and the Siamese and the Cambodians continue to have intimate and friendly intercourse, this the French government will not forbid.

ARTICLE VI. The king of Cambodia having been accustomed to reside [at times] in Siam, the French government will not interfere with the continuance of that cus- tom. And on the other hand if the king of Cambodia shall wish to go and reside [a while] in France, the Siamese govern- ment will interpose no obstacle to it.

ARTICLE. VII. The French government agree to require the Cambodians to observe every one of the above articles, and has caused them to be written in the Siamese and the French languages—both copies be- ing of the same tenor and date.

This Treaty was signed and sealed, both the Siamese and the French copies, at Bang- kok on Friday the 5th month and 4th day of the waning moon corresponding with April 14th 1865.

AMERICA

Military operations have resumed their former prominence in the news from the Federal States, and the whole interest turns upon strategic movements, reconnaissance, reinforcements, and expected battles. Dur- ing the 10 days preceding the 8th of Feb. the armies under Sherman and Grant had received important accessions of strength from those of the West, especially from that under Thomas. General Grant’s army appears to be no longer mud-bound, for a forward movement against Lee’s right was announced. On the morning of the 5th of February the 5th corps, preceded by Gregg’s cavalry moved towards Reams Station, encountering cavalry on the road, who retreated before the Federal advance. At noon they reached Rownty Creek, over which they constructed a bridge. The 3rd Pennsylvanian cavalry were then sent out to make a connection with the 2nd corps, two divisions of which had gone out on the Vaughn Road as far as Hatcher’s Run, to demonstrate in that direction. On reach- They advanced a mile across the Run, driving the Confederate pickets before them. Here the Federals erected a strong line of breastworks, making their position perfectly secure, and the connection be- tween both corps was afterwards formed. The second division of the 2nd corps, be- fore reaching Hatcher’s Run, turned to the right, and advancing in a north-westerly direction, found the enemy in a strong position in the vicinity. The Federals having thrown up a line of breastworks, the Confederates made several charges, and attempted to break through them, but were repulsed. The Federals captured a large commissariat train. Their loss was about 100 men. On the following morning, the 6th, the third division of the 5th corps ad- vanced along the road leading from Duncan-

road towards Boydton Plank Road, driving the Confederates from their breastworks at Dabney's Mills. In the afternoon the Con- federates made a determined attack along the whole line, expecting to break through or cut off the third division. Simultaneous- ly they made an attack in front, and part of the third division, being cut off from communication, gave way and retreated in disorder to the breastworks erected by the 2nd corps. Part of the third division of the 6th corps, which had just crossed Hat- cher's Run, and become demoralized, were rallied, and assisted in driving the enemy back. The Federals, during the retreat, abandoned two artillery waggons. Shortly afterwards the Confederates attacked the left of the 2nd corps near Armstrong House, on Duncan Road, but were repulsed with loss. The Federals lost on Sunday and Monday, the 5th and 6th, 1180 men. On Tuesday, the 7th, they occupied the ground lost on the previous day. Grant's permenent lines extended from what was formerly the extreme left at Fort Cummings, or Squir- rel Level-road, to across Hatcher's Run, at Armstrong Mills.

General Lee's report states that on Sun- day, the 5th, the Federals moved a strong force to Hatcher's Run, Part of his infantry crossed and proceeded to Cattail Creek, and the cavalry to Dinwiddie Courthouse, where they encountered the Confederate cavalry and retired. In the afternoon Hall's and Gordou's troops demonstrated against the Federals on the left of Hatcher's Run, near Armstrong Mills, but finding them entrenched, withdrew during the night. The force which advanced beyond the Creek was reported recrossing. On Mon- day morning, the 6th, Pegram's division moved to the right bank of the Creek to reconnoitre, when it was vigorously attack- ed by the Federals. The battle was ob- stinately contested for several hours; but Pegram being killed, and Colonel Hofman wounded, some confusion occurred, and the division was pressed back to its original position. Van's division was ordered to support Pegram's, and charged the Federals, forcing them back, but was in turn compel- led to retire. Mahoney's division then arrived, and drove the Federals rapidly to their defences at Hatcher's Run. The Con- federate loss is small, and the enemy's loss is not supposed to be great.

Sheridan's cavalry had defeated a detach- ment of Confederate cavalry at Moorfield, Virginia, capturing 20 prisoners, including Major Harry Gilmer.

Nothing direct had been received from General Sherman down to the 11th of Feb. The progress of his movements into the interior of South Carolina was furnished by Confederate telegrams. They state that on the 1st of February the advance of what was supposed to be a heavy force of Federal troops reached Whippy Swamp, a point within 30 miles of Branchville, where the Confederate cavalry were driven in. A column of Sherman’s cavalry was said to be moving rapidly on the Augusta roal, upon some unknown point. The Confeder- ates were confident Sherman was moving on Branchville. Heavy skirmishing within 20 to 30 miles of Charleston is reported, and it was said that the Federals came up to Young’s Island in barges on the 1st of February. landed, drove in the pickets, and fired a number of buildings on the plantations. Three steamers were reported off White’s Point, on the Combabee River, on the same day, with troops, who were making attempts to land. A report pre vailed at Richmond that Sherman had effect ed a lodgement on the railroad between Branchville and Augusta. The only thing confirmatory of this report was that the telegraphic communication with Augusta was interrupted. There were also rumours that Branchville had been flanked and cap tured, growing out of the receipt of news by the War Department that the Confeder- ate advance guard under M'Law had fallen back within 30 miles of Branchville through fear of being enveloped by the Federal’s advance. Augusta papers report two corps of Sherman’s army to be on the Georgia side of the Savannah River.

General Beauregard had assumed the command of the forces at Augusta, where be declared that be would fight to the bitter end, and if he failed he could pay his passage to a foreign country,

Hood’s army is said to be at St. John. One of his army corps is reported to have left for South Carolina. A large Confeder- ate force is reported on the Arkansas side of the Mississippi, near Mound City, per paring to cross into Tennessee.

Important intelligence, of the dates of the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th Feb., has been brought by the mail steamer Africa, which arrived at Queenstown this morning at 2.30. She brought 68 passengers and £7981 in specie. She had been detained one day off Halifax by a fog.

Sherman has crossed the Whippy Swamp, towards the South Carolina railroad, and, after a successful engagement, seized Mc bride’s Bridge, and crossed the north fork of the Saltkehatchie, the cavalry at the same time occupying Blackville and the stations between Branchville and Augusta. A move- ment beyond Branchville was repulsed by Slocum, who was within four miles of miles of Branchville, which was invested on [tril] west and north. Sherman is subsequent- ly slated to have flanked Branchville, and cut off all railroad communication. He had also landed in part of his force on James' River, two miles south-west of Charleston, The Confederals General Hardee reports on the 13th February that the Federals had driven in his pickets on James' Island, but that he had afterwards re-established his position. It appears, however, by subse- quent advices, that the Confederates had retreated, and it was reported that Branch- ville had been evacuated.

There are rather contradicting accounts re- specting Charleston; but it appears proba- ble that the Federals had completely isolat- ed that city, and severed the last line of communication between Virginia and the South.

Grant still holds his position, and has ad- ded three miles in his line of works. In the late engagement the Confederates lost 500, and the Federals from 1500. Grant has visited Washington and held conferen- ces with the President and Secretary of War, in reference, it is believed, to import- ant military movements.

Lee was removing his artillery to the north side of the James' in front of the Federal works. The 'Herald' concludes therefrom that Lee is preparing to evacuate Richmond.

The reported evacuation of Mobile is confirmed.

A movement has been made on Wilming- ton. The Confederates were driven into the main works, and the Federals, pressing forward, captured the rifle pits. The Fed- erals lost 70 men and captured 100 prison- ers.

Peace resolutions had been introduced into the Federal House of Representatives, but were defeated by a majority of 73 a- gainst 43. Mr. Fessenden has proposed a loan of 600,000,000 of dollars. On the 1st of February the public debt was 2,153,000,- 000 dollars, and the interest 93,130,000. The question of a general export duty is being agitated in Congress.

The 'Herald' asserts that the Confed- erate Commissioners proposed to Mr. Lin- coln at the late conference the union of the Northern and Southern armies for the en- forcement of the Monroe doctrine.

A resolution has been introduced in the Confederate House of Representatives di- recting the President to accept from slave- owners the services of negroes during the war to perform military service. Nothing in this act shall authorise any change in the relation of slaves to their owners as property, except by the consent of the States where they reside, or by the laws of those States. The House refused to reject or postpone the consideration of the bill and indefinitely reffered it to a select committee of one member from each State.

TELEGRAM.

London, March, 18, 6:18 p.m.—Cotton irregular, market closes one farthing lower.

Gen.Sherman's position uncertain.

It is reported that Gen.Sheridan has cap- tured Charlottesville.

Early's Brigade have been made prison- ers.

Lincoln's speech makes peace appear dis- tant.

London, March, 22nd.–-Federal Govern- ment are shipping to England the Cotton captured at Savannah.

Confederate Senate have passed Negro Inlistment Bill.

Gen. Early's defeat confirmed.

Twelve hundred prisoners captured.

Confederates are deserting in Companies.

Cotton twelve and three-eights. Market gloomy.

MEXICO.

The Havana correspondent of the New York Associated Press denies the statement that Mexico had ceded any territory to France, and that Senator Gwinn had been appointed Viceroy. Gwinn had been unsuccessful in pressing his claims in Mex- ico, and was en route for Europe, in order to urge them there.

The New York journals publish advices from Mexico to January 20, according to which the French were concentrating upon Oajaca.

Many towns were said to be throwing off the imperial yoke.

Further advices from Mexico explain the stout stand made at Oajaca by the native troops from the fact that this natural fort- ress is the birthplace of Juarez, and the stronghold of his personal partisans. It will tax all the agility of the Zouaves, it is said, to scale the crags and ford the ravines that fence it on every side. Military re- ports represent the new Austrian and even Belgian contingents as utterly unfit for the sort of warfare that awaits them in this wilderness. The troops are stately, solid in their ranks, and tolerably serviceable on level ground, but worthless for the work of voltigeurs and smart skirmishers. They have neither the endurance nor the activity of the wiry, swift-footed French.

Advices from Mexico to the 29th of January report that General Bazaine had been defeated several times in the province of Oaxier.—Juarez was said to be in So- nora. The New York Tribune says, private letters from Mexico state that the Liberals are rising in the parts from which the French had withdrawn. Diaz is as- serted to have 12,000 men, and the entire Liberal party numbered 60,000 men.

Semi-official advices from Sonora an- nounce that a large force of Imperialist's under Vega had invaded that province. The Mexican General Patori started, at- tacked, and defeated Vega at Elfurts, cap turing his artillery and many prisoners, including Vega himself, who was shot as a traitor.

ITEMS.

Some six weeks since, we expressed the hope, excited by a pretty well grounded rumour, that the late visit of His Majesty, the Supreme king of Siam to the Province of Nak'awn-chei-see would result in the construction of a large canal and carriage road from this city to Ta-cheen river. We are now happy to inform our readers that that great internal Improvement has certain ly been determined upon by His Majesty's government, and will, it is believed, be ex- pected with creditable despatch.

The most western terminus of the canal, we are informed, is to be in the immediate vicinity of the Steam Sugar Mill of Poh- Yim & Co now occupied by "The Borneo Company Limited" on Ta-ch'een river. The situation of this mill is said to be a- bout twenty miles from the mouth of the river and very nearly west of Bangkok. Starting from that point, it is to take a bee- line towards the tall spires of Temple Aroon-rot or Wat Chaang, which joins the palace of H. R. H. Krom Hluang Wongsa on the north. The canal will not come to the Temple, but meeting the old channel of Menam Chow-Phya at Bang-Chak it will there stop and deliver all its charge to the Creek Bangkok-Yai, which empties into the Menam at the upper Fort. The carri- age road is to be made on one of the banks of the canal; and from Bang-Chak where the new canal is to stop, it is to continue its straight forward course toward the spires above mentioned.

Messrs S. Bateman and Captain C. Achune together with an officer from the Lord Mayor of the city, have been duly appointed to survey the route of the canal. They made their first essay about a month since; but finding the air too smoky to see the goal to which they are to steer from Ta-cheen river, they postponed the survey until a fall of rain shall dispel the haziness.

The distance from the Steam Sugar Mill to Bang-Chak is said to be only 516 sens—- to 12¾ miles, and from Bang-Chak to Tem- ple Aroon-rat only 160 sens—4 miles. This Canal and road when completed will indeed be a great improvement. It will shorten the distance from that great Sugar District to Bangkok more than 30 miles. It will open a large tract of the richest prairie land to easy access and lucrative culture, in the growth of rice and sugar cane, which tract has hitherto been almost an entire waste from the want of water privileges. It will create very many of the most eligible agricultural and horticultural estates. It will insure all the cane and paddy fields, on its right and left, against serious damages in times of drought by bringing water always at hand from which they can be irrigated. The road on the bank of the Canal will make a charming way for pony rides and drives, of which the citizens of Bangkok living on the western side of the river, are entirely deprived, and find it hard to bear patiently when they see their fellow citizens on the Eastern side enjoying daily their galloping steeds.

Not only for the pleasure of the comparatively few, who could afford to ride and drive on this new Road, but much more for the general welfare of all classes, is it to be fervently hoped, that the Siamese Government will make a short work of completing this great public good.

Being the only "Bangkok Recorder" we have to inform our readers that the Siamese government have again been sadly disap- pointed in regard to fond hopes placed up- on White Elephants. The new Creature of just the right complexion, which was supposed to have been effectually surrounded in the forests of Panat'aneek has prov- en to be an apparition or an hoax, and it is quite possible a combination of both.

At about 10 P. M. of the 25th inst the house of Capt. Roberts was burglar- iously entered by a Chinaman, who on be- ing discovered by the inmates, attempted to kill both Capt. Roberts and a China wo- man living in the house. Both received very severe and dangerous wounds, and are now in a precarious state. Through the kindness of Mr. Blake, Dr. Campbell was promptly sent for, who most probably saved the lives of both. The villian must have received at least one wound from Capt. Robert's sword-stick, for next morning fresh blood was traced by the police for several hundred yards. We sincerely hope the mark he carries with him may lead to his discovery, he deserves to be made a public example.

On Monday night a thief got on board the Siamese barque "Fortune," and stole a Chronometer (No. 2275 made by Frods- am, ) valued at one hundred and twenty ticals, a spy-glass and several yards of new cloth from the cabin. The Capt, on being awoke by the barking of his dog, saw a Chinaman throw something over the ship's tafrail and then jump after it. The thief must have wrapped the Chronometer in the cloth, and then made a small line (which is missing also) fast to it, the other end might be fastened to his waist thus leaving both hands clear for swimming. He swam so fast that before Capt. Luis could man a boat he was lost sight of.

Police Cases.

FRANCE.

It is stated that extensive reductions are to be made in what may be called the ef- fective strength of the army. This is to be accomplished by increasing the reserve to 400,000 in the course of the present year, which will reduce the number of men act- ually under arms to about 340,000. A great saving will thus be effected, as the reserve receive pay only for the two months during which they are out for training. It is further said that the reason why this ar- rangement was not stated in the imperial speech was, that it was understood that it would produce more effect if announced in the Chamber of Deputies in the course of the debate on the budget, and might prove serviceable in shutting the mouths of the Opposition.

A despatch from Cardinal Antonelli re- lative to the letters of Mgr. Chigi had ar- rived at the Foreign-office, and its contents have given every satisfaction that the gov- ernment had a right to expect. The For- eign Minister is said to have informed the Italian government that the period of two years preceding the evacuation of Rome by the French troops will be calculated from the 6th of February last, that being the day on which King Victor Emmanuel left Turin for Florence.

The committees who are to be entrusted with the drawing up of the address in re- ply to the emperor's speech have been elect- ed by the Senate and the Corps Legis- latif. It is observed that in the former body the anti-clerical element greatly pre- dominates.

The leading members of the legislative Opposition continue to hold meetings. M M. Murie, Berryer, Thiers, Jules Simon, Favre, Pelletan, Picard, Garnier Pages, and others are to draw up the amendments to the address. It appears to be the gen- eral resolution not to make foreign affairs so prominent a theme of discussion this year as in former sessions Something will no doubt be said about Italy and about Mexico, but it does not seem probable that there will be any organised opposition, founded on France's relations with either country. Home affairs will principally oc- cupy attention. The state of education a- mong the poor, and the laws which restrict public meetings and the free expression of opinion, will form subjects for animated discussion. There is said to be a split a- mongst the Opposition party, owing to M. Ollivier having presumed to take an in- dependent view and form a party for him- self. The debate on the address is to come on on March 13.

Several of the Paris journals notice the incompleteness of the intelligence contain- ed in the livre jaune. Instead of contain- ing a fair selection of the various despat- ches on the important foreign questions of the last year, the volume is confined ex- clusively to the despatches of M. Drouyn de Lhuys, ignoring entirely the despat- ches received from the French ambas- sadors at foreign courts. All that can be learned from the book, it is said, is that France is on bad terms with the Pope and is casting a wistful eye on Tunis.

The Archbishop of Paris, one of the two thorough-paced Bonapartists having a seat on the episcopal bench, has issued a pas- toral on the subject of the Encyclical let- ter, which has been read from the pulpit of every church in Paris It is extremely long The archbishop endeavours to make out that the Encyclical means nothing at all, and praises the Pope as the friend of progress, civilization, and so forth. He al- so undertakes the defence of the concordat, so violently attacked by some of his right reverend brethren. The whole gist of the document is decidedly anti-Papal. A triumphal reception to the Bishop of Nis- mes, on his return from Rome to his diocese, had been prepared, but was pro- hibited by the government, who invited the bishop to keep quiet—an invitation which the bishop meekly accepted.

THE DUCHIES.

The Prussian Government has informed the Austrian cabinet of the nature of its claims to the Duchies, but they have not yet been published. It is understood that in the discussions which have recently taken place on this question two opposite views were expressed in the Prussian cab- inet. To day, February 27, an assembly of delegates from the political associations of Schleswig and Holstein will take place at Rendsburg to express their wishes in reference to the future relations between the Duchies and Prussia. The Prussian party is said to be making great efforts to procure the passing of resolutions in favour of annexation to Prussia.

Two of the Prussian officers of the Crown have gone to Copenhagen, to in- stitute researches in the Danish archives in reference to the right of succession to the Duchies. The royal commission have already informed M. von Bismarck that they will not grant the whole of the rights to one pretender only, and that they will be compelled to admit that the claims of the Duke of Augustenburg entitle him to one-third part of the succession. A com- promise between Prussia and the duke will therefore become unavoidable. Should Prussia decide upon the complete annex- ation of both Duchies, a fair indemnity should be allowed to the Duke of Augsten- burg. If, on the other hand, Prussia should determine upon to relinquishing the sovereign- ity of the Duchies to the duke, it is understood that she will not do so without retaining the sovereignty over certain territorial points.

ITALY.

King Victor Emmanuel left Florence for Bologna on Feb 22. The National Guard lined the streets through which his majesty passed. The king proceeded on the follow- ing day to Turin, where he was received by the municipal junta and deputations from working men’s societies. Great en- thusiasm was manifested. His majesty subsequently passed in review the National Guard, by whom he was loudly cheered.

A petition has been presented to the Senate, signed by 11,000 inhabitants of Turin, relative to the events of September last. The consideration of this petition was declared urgent by the Senate.

The Turin papers deny that the two years preceding the evacuation of Rome by the French troops are to be calculated from the day of the king’s departure for Florence. The ‘Opinione’ refers to the agreement dated the 3rd of October last, according to which the period is to be reckoned from the date of the decree for the transfer of the capital. The decree was sanctioned by the king on the 11th of December.

Another notorious brigand has been captured in Italy. General Pallavicini has approached the celebrated Totaro, to- gether with ten men of his band. He is described as a tall man, stern and gloomy- looking, rather than of ferocious aspect, 37 years old, and of great cunning and resource.

Tan Kim Ching, Siamese Consul at Singapore, will remain in Bangkok, till the departure of the next mail, per Chow Phya.

DEATH.

Died at his residence Santa Cruz, April 19th ult Mr. Robert Hunter, secretary of His Excellency the Prime Minister.

An Irishman lost his hat in a well, and was let down in a bucket to recover it ; the well being ex- tremely deep, his courage failed him before he reach- ed the water. In vain did he call to those above him ; they lent a deaf ear to all he said, till at last quite in despair, he bellowed out, "Be St. Patrick, if you don't draw me up, sure I'd let go the rope!"

Arrivals

April 16th Viscount Canning, 311 Tons, Siam. Steamer, Shannon Commander, Hong Kong. Consignee Poh Chin Soo.

April 22nd Chow Phya, 353 Tons Siam. Steamer, Orton Commander, Saigon. Con- signee, Poh Yim.

Departures

April 18th Shooting Star, 400 Tons, Siam. Ship, Berhun Commander, for Hong Kong,