Rutland Weekly Herald

A Rebel Fleet In The Pacific,-Six Rebel steamers were some time ago fitted out in England for the Chinese government, but on reaching their destination, the vessels were not delivered, as they were larger than the Chinese government desired, but were sold at auction to Jeff. Davis-officers, crews and all. It is thought this fleet may be destined to attack San Francisco, or lie in wait for the California steamers in the Pacific, as the few vessels in the East Indian waters will hardly hold out temptations for them to remain in that vicinity. Such in substance is the statement of the London Correspondent of the New York Tribune. But the Boston Journal regards it as unfounded, having lately seen a letter from an English resident in China, who says : ' The fleet has been sent back to England to be sold. Had it not been for the exertions of Mr. Burlingame,it would have been disbanded and sold here at the risk of their being taken for pirates by the agents of the confederates, of whom there are many in China.' The Springfield Republican very properly remarks :

'If the confederate government has already become possessed of these vessels it is not very pleasant to learn, as we do from Washington, that it will take at least four years for the government to get afloat its sea-going iron-clad vessels, four in number, and that the total cost of them will be twice as much as our whole naval expenses in peaceful times. The vessels proposed to be built will be from 5000 to 7500 tons burden, and their draught of water so great as to prevent their entering New York harbor except under the most favorable circumstances.'