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New York, Oct. 18.

New York, Oct. 18. — The Richmond Whig of the 15th says that the Petersburg Express of yesterday says that our army is calmly awaiting the advance of the enemy on the right, fully prepared to receive him when such a move is attempted, though no disposition is shown to attack our position there since the late reconnoissance, yet it is believed that the silence of the last few days is but the quiet that precedes the outbreak. It is not unlikely that an attempt will be made to flank our works, as we think the enemy is fully satisfied of the futility of all efforts to take them by assault. At the present moment, says the Express, attention is called to the north side of the James river, where a heavy engagement seems not at all unlikely. It is known that Grant has largely reinforced the force already there within the last two or three nights, and it is not improbable that when fighting commences we shall have it at both ends of the line.

The Whig, referring to the destruction of rebel property in the Shenandoah valley, says the fell work is going on, by orders of Gen. Grant, to destroy everything that will sustain life in the valley. There is one effectual way and the only one that can be used to arrest and prevent this, and every other sort of atrocity, and that is, burn one of the chief cities of the enemy, say Boston, or Philadelphia, or Cincinnati. Let its fate hang over the others as a warning of what may be done and will be done to them if the present system of war on the part of the enemy is continued. If we are asked how such a thing can be done, we answer nothing would be easier. A million of dollars would lay the proudest city of the enemy in ashes. The men to execute the work are already there. There would be no difficulty in finding here or in Canada suitable men to take charge of the enterprise and arrange details. Twenty men, with plans all preconcerted and means provided, selecting some dry, windy night, might fire Boston in an hundred places, and wrap it in flames from centre to suburbs. They might retaliate on Richmond. Let them do so if they dare. It's a game at which we can beat them. New York is worth twenty Richmonds. They have a dozen towns to our one, and in their towns is centered nearly all their wealth.

The Examiner takes to task the two southern statesmen, Stevens and Boyce, who have advocated the momentous proposition of a convention of all the states, and in a fine vein of ridicule depicts the mighty convention with the South Carolina deligates sitting check by jowl with Banks, Sumner, Everett and Beast Butler.