Daily Richmond Whig

Important From Europe.

Effect of

The Surrender of Mason And

Slidell

THE MASON SLIDELL SURRENDER CONSIDERED IN A CABINET COUNCIL—SATISFACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE ACT.

Halifax, Jan. 27, 1862.—The steamship Europa, Captain Anderson, from Liverpool at 3 P.M., on the 11th, and Queenstown on the 12th, arrived here at 10 o'clock last night. The wind was then, and is still, blowing a hurricane, with a heavy sea.

A Cabinet council which was summoned for the 14th had been countermanded, Mr. Seward's dispatch having been considered in a council held on the 9th.

The London Times understands that an answer will be returned expressing gratification at the disavowal of Commander Wilkes' act, accepting the satisfaction rendered, and assuming that the precedent in the Trent case will rule the case of the schooner Eugenia Smith.

As to the general discussion of the law of neutrals, the government will decline any answer until they have had an opportunity of submitting the whole note to their law officers. There are propositions in this note which are not at all admissible, and after the delivery of the prisoners these points may be properly raised and discussed.

The London Morning Post announces that a thorough understanding had been arrived at with the American Government. Not only had they given the required reparation, but in doing so Mr. Seward will have succeeded in impressing on the English Government the notion that they have not only present indemnity but also no small pledge of future security.

The London Daily News is eulogistic of the course pursued by the Washington Government, and bitterly denounces the policy of the Times and Post.

It was reported that, notwithstanding the pacific solution of the American question, warlike preparations at Woolwich have not been relaxed. The steamers Spartan and Ajax continued to take in heavy stores for Halifax and Jamaica.

No official notice had yet been given at Portsmouth respecting the discharge of hired mechanics or labourers, but it was understood that the reduction takes place in April.

MASON AND SLIDELL DESCRIBED AS "WORTHLESS BOOTY" NO ENGLISH OVATION FOR THE "FELLOW",

The London Times has a strong editorial on the reception due to Mason and Slidell; says they are about the most worthless booty it would be possible to extract from the jaws of the American lion; having been long known as blind and habitual haters and revilers of England. The Times sincerely hopes that Englishmen will not give these fellows anything in the shape of an ovation. The civility due to a foe in distress is all they can claim. England has returned them good for evil, and even now, if they can, they will be only glad to entangle her in a war with the North. England would have done just as much to rescue two negroes. Let Mason and Slidell therefore pass quietly on their way, and have their say with anybody who may wish to listen to them.

The other journals advise a similar course, and allude to Mason's strong advocacy of the Fugitive Slave Law to prejudice the public against him.

THE FEELING IN FRANCE.

The Paris correspondent of the London Morning Post asserts that the French official circles felt much satisfaction at the pacific termination of the Trent affair, while the effect on the Bourse was an immediate rise of one per cent.

The increase in bills discounted was nearly 61,000,000 francs.

THE FEELING IN PRUSSIA.

Queenstown, Jan. 12.—The Journal de St. Petersbourg publishes an article congratulating Mr. Seward upon the uprightness and intelligence of his policy, and demanding that the Trent incident may become the starting point of negotiations for the recognition by the Powers of common principles upon the question of the neutral flag. It also expects England to give the world solemn guarantees for the future by signing a convention which, by insuring universal respect for the rights of neutral powers, would contribute to the maintenance of peace and mark the progress of civilization.

THE STONE FLEET BLOCKADE.

The London Times reiterates its deprecation of the stone blockade of Charleston harbor, and says, if among all the crimes which have disgraced the history of mankind, it would be difficult to find one more atrocious than this. Even the fierce tribes of the desert will not destroy the well which gives life to the enemy.

The Times protests in the strongest terms against such proceedings, and asserts that no belligerent has the right to resort to such warfare.

THE PARIS MONITEUR ON THE STONE FLEET—FEELINGS OF PROFUND REGRET AND INDIGNATION HAS BEEN AROUSED IN ENGLAND AS WELL AS FRANCE BY THE VINDICTIVE ACT OF DESTROYING THE PORT AT CHARLESTON,

THE PRIVATEER NASHVILLE—EXCITEMENT AT SOUTHAMPTON, AND A FIGHT IN PROSPECT

Great interest has been excited relative to the movements of the Tuscarora and Nashville. At the latest dates they continued at Southampton, watching each other. The Tuscarora remained at her anchorage about a mile from the dock mouth, with her fires banked up and ready to slip her anchor and start at a moment's notice. She only required coal, water and provisions, which were being supplied her. On her arrival, Captain Craven communicated with the captain of the frigate Dauntless, expressing regret at Prince Albert's death and asking if he might fire as a tribute of respect twenty-one minute guns. He was notified that the Queen had requested that no guns be fired in the vicinity of Osborne. The compliment, therefore, although fully appreciated, could not be accepted.

The Nashville continued in dock. The government had observed the strictest neutrality towards her, and nothing whatever had been permitted to be done to her but what was absolutely necessary to make her seaworthy. Neither powder, guns or munitions of war had been put on board. During the night of the 5th three armed men from the Tuscarora were discovered reconnoitering the Nashville, and were ordered off by the dock superintendent. Fires were lighted on the Nashville on the 10th, and there was an impression she was about to sail, but she made no movements. The Tuscarora was on the alert with steam up.

It was also reported that another Federal vessel was cruising in the channel, and might be expected at Southampton.

The London Morning Herald is surprised that the government has not given orders to the authorities at Southampton to warn the Tuscarora that she must either quit port at once or wait until twenty-four hours have elapsed after the departure of the Nashville. We should not, says the Herald, have allowed the Nashville to lie in wait in the mouth of the Mersey for American packers and merchantmen; therefore we cannot, without a gross violation of our duty as neutrals, allow the Tuscarora a license we should have refused her enemy. The Herald holds out the course of the French authorities at Martinique between the Iroquois and Sumter as an example to follow.

LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE TUSCARORA.

The following are the officers of the Tuscarora:

Commander—A. M. Craven.

First Lieutenant—M. P. Jones.

Second Assistant Engineers—William A. Latimer, Jas. T. Finney.

Third Assistant Engineers—H. F. Delius, W. B. Harbersham.

Master's Mates—A. F. Miller, Robert E. Stevens, Michael Hickey, Joseph F. Stonard, D. H. Cowell.

Acting Master's Mates—William B. Arnauld. Gideon J. Conklyn.

THE PRIVATEER SUMTER

The Sumter was reported to have left Cadiz for Southampton.

Cadiz telegraph of the 10th says the American Consul had received orders to protest against the admission of the Sumter into that port. It was said that Spain would protect the prisoners brought by the Sumter.

COST OF THE BRITISH WAR MOVEMENTS.

The London Times says rumor fixes England's expense, owing to the late difficulty, at £2,000,000, but the Times expects, when all the bills are in, it will be double that sum, and the money has not been thrown away.