EXTRACTS FROM ENGLISH PAPERS.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 34, 25 November 1842, Page 3

EXTRACTS FROM ENGLISH PAPERS.

Prussia. —A private letter from Posen expresses serious fears for the consequences of the projected visit of the King of Prussia to St. Petersburgh. There has for some time existed a treaty between Prussia and Russia; for the reciprocal surrender of deserters from those states respectively. The term of the treaty has expired, and a proposition for the renewal of it has been made to the Prussian Government on the part of the Emperor Nicholas. “Ifit be acceded to,” say our letters, “the king will have for ever destroyed the popularity he has gained, for there are in the Prussian states at this moment no fewer than 50,000 deserters or refugees from Russian Poland. For the sake, therefore, of the king’s own popularity and welfare, as well as on the score of humanity, let us hope that liis Majesty will not commit an error so great as to renew the treaty now happily at an end.”

Narrow Escape op the British Queen. —By the British and North American royal mail steamer, Acadia, Captain Ririe, which arrived at Liverpool from Boston, on Tuesday morning last, accounts were brought over respecting his Belgian majesty’s steam-ship British Queen, which was nearly lost on her last voyage from Southampton to New York. This magnificent vessel, it will be recollected, left Southampton about the sth ult., having on beard upwards of fifty passengers, and a cargo of merchandise and specie to a large amount. She appeared to have progressed favourably on her voyage, until the seventh day, the 12th of May, when the ship encountered a heavy gale of wind from the N.N.W., when it became necessary to ease the steam to three quarters of her speed. According to the log of the chief mate this happened late in the afternoon, in lat. 49 deg. 10 D.li., long. 18 deg. 15 and course S. 31. As the night came on, the gale so increased that it was deemed prudent to alter her course, and hear down with the wind. In this condition she continued till the following day, when at about half-past 12 o’clock she shipped a tremendous sea, and so terrific was its force, that every timber apparently trembled again under its violence. The sea made a complete breach over her, carrying with it part of the bulwarks, fore-yard arm, and part of one of the paddle-boxes, and several coal bunkers that were on deck. The commander, Captain —, chief officer, and several of the crew, had a most narrow escape of being washed overboard. They were standing in the fore part of the vessel when the sea struck her, and were swept a considerable distance along the deck ; the captain was thrown nearly into the engine-room, while the rest of the crew were dashed against the hatchways and other obstacles on the deck, and they one and all were more or less injured, one seaman in particular had his skull frightfully fractured. During the remainder of the day the vessel pitched heavily, owing to there being a dead weight of upwards of 300 tons of coal in the fore and aft holds, but the stowage could not be altered until the weather abated; as it was, a great quantity of water got down the engine room. On the 14th, the following day, the gale ceased, and she was brought hack into

lier proper course, in which she continued till the 21st, when it was again altered in consequence of the ice and icebergs, some of which were of immense size and thickness. Fortunately she got clear of them, and arrived at New York in safety, on the 25th day of her passage. The conduct of the commander and officers during the dangerous portion of the voyage is stated to have been most praiseworthy. Van Diemen’s Land. —lt is the general opinion, from the secrecy with which the appointment of the new Governor of this colony is kept by Lord Stanley, that Lord Glentworth is to be the successor of Sir John Franklin. In the event of such an appointment, the community may confidently anticipate a great change in its local management. His Lordship is liberal in his views, a great encourager of the “ Arts and Sciences,” knows the constitution of his country well, is social in his habits, and fond of public amusement. He is highly polished in his manners, quick in perceptions, defcided in his orders, an eloquent speaker, and will give a superior tone to his councils; in short, he will be the first to introduce and disseminate the manners and habits of real aristocracy, and banish from our shores every

vestige of presumption, self-conceit, and lovV habits of scandal and detraction. Of his experience in political economy, wc believe little is known; but from what is known of his character, he will not he easily led away hv evil advice, nor in the most remote degree lie under petticoat government.

The Garrison of Giiuznee. —“ Ahmcdabad, April 22, 1842. Intelligence has just arrived that these poor follows have been destroyed to a man. There were about 25 officers and 700 men, sick included. The Sepoys could not hold their muskets, and the Ghazis perceiving this, closed upon and destroyed them.” —Morning Post. Chatham Islands. —In consequence of the refusal of the English Government to recognise the validity of the convention between the New Zealand Company and a German Colonisation Company, for the purchase of the Chatham Islands, the provisional Committee of the German Society has declared all the obligations entered into with it to he null and void. — Liverpool Mail. Discovery of Islands in the Pacific Ocean. —The Cape of Good Hope papers notice the discovery, by an English whaler, of several Islands in the Pacific Ocean, previously unknown. They were eight in number, of some extent, fertile, and inhabited. The appearance of the natives and the canoes, &c. was totally different from any others in that neighbourhood . — Liverpool Advertiser.