LATEST ENGLISH NEWS. [From the Sydney Morning Herald, Oct. 9.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 339, 1 November 1848, Page 2

LATEST ENGLISH NEWS. [From the Sydney Morning Herald, Oct. 9.]

By- the Charlotte Jane we have London papers ko the evening of the 29th of June. The news from France is most appalling. On the 23d June, exactly four months from the proclamation of the republic, there was an insurrection in Paris that was not put down until more than three thousand persons had been killed, and twice that number wounded. It appears that the opening of the ateliers, or government workshops, had the natural effect of drawing from the interior large numbers of persons who would much rather lounge about Paris in comparative idleness than work for their living at their various occupations in the interior. These, added to the working men actually belonging to Paris, made the burthen of supporting the workshops so heavy that the Go\ ernment, or Executive Commissioners, determined upon reducing the expense, and they commenced by ordering such of the men as belonged to the provinces to depart for their various districts, giving them money to pay their expenses, and orders for rations at different points. The first draft of three thousand left Paris ; but as soon as they got outside the barrier they stopped and spent their money, and then sent a deputation into Paris to demand further assistance from the Government. One of the spokesmen was a person who rendered himself conspicuous in the attack on the National Assembly on the 15th of May, and M. Marie, the minister, appointed to receive the deputation, refused to allow this person to speak, and asked the others "if they were the slaves of that man ?" and advised them not to be led into rebellion, as the Government would do all that they could. The deputation appear to have reported that they had been called slaves, upon which excitement prevailed, and shouts of " down with the Executive Commission," — " down with the Assembly," and similar cries, were commenced. These men then began to march through Paris, and were soon joined by such numbers of workmen, that they became a large body, when they retired to the Faubourg St. Antoine, and erected some barricades. The National Guard was then called out, and some skirmishing took place without any particular result. This was on the Friday. On the next day the insurrection became still more formidable ; large numbers of men joined the insurgents, and it was evident that the instigators of the movement had been long rraking preparations as there were immense quantities of txtns and ammunition secreted in various places, which were handed out as soon as the barricades were thrown up. The National Assembly met at eight o'clock on Saturday morning, all the avenues to the hall being carefully guarded by troops, barricades being erected in some of the streets to prevent any attack from the mob. After a discussion of two hoars the following decree was passed : — Art. 1. The National Assembly declares itself en permanence. Art. 2. Paris is placed in a state of siege. Art. 3. All the executive powers are delegated to General Cavaignac. In a few minutes after this decree was I passed the Government resigned, and sent , the following letter to the President : —

M. tE President, — We should have been wanting in our duties and honour had we withdrawn before a sedition and a public peril. We withdraw only before a vote of the Assembly. By surrendering into its- hands the power with which you had invested them, the members of the Executive Committee reenter the ranks of the national lepresentation, to devote themselves to the common danger and to the safety of the republic. The members of the Executive Government, Arago. Ledru Rollin. Gamier Pages. Lamartine. Marie. Pagnerre (Secretary). June 24, 1848. The whole power of the state was thus placed in the hands of General Cavaignac, who appears to have acted with great determination, and to have been well supported by the National Guards, and the soldiers of the line. The barricades were stormed with great gallantry, and both artillery a»d rockets were used against the insurgents, who on their side fought with the greatest desperation. The fighting continued the whole of Sunday and Monday, and until nearly the middle of Tuesday, before order was restored. The loss of life on both sides was great : at least three thousand were killed, and seven thousand wounded. Ten general officers were put hors de combat, four killed, and six wounded, more than fell in any one of Napoleon's battles. Among the killed was the Archbishop of Paris, who obtained permission from General Cavaignac to visit the insurgents ; he was standing on a barricade with a green bough in his hand, addressing them in a conciliatory spirit, when he received a shot in the loins, from which he died the next day. This was the state of affairs on the 28th, our latest dates from Paris. It was supposed that in order to allow the military to act with vigour, the " state of siege" which is equivalent to our " martial law," would be continued for a fortnight. The following had been circulated as the probable list of the new Ministry :—: — Cavaignac War. Beileau Foreign Affairs. Droum de l'Huys . .Under Secretary. Senard Interior. Flaudin Under Secretary. Portalis Justice. Landrin Under Secretary. Dufour ......... .Finances. Waldeck Rousseau. .Under Secretary. Betlimout Commerce. Berger Mayor of Paris. Baroche Public Works. Billault Marine Victor Hugo Public Instruction. De Falloux Under Secretary of State. A very strict regulation respecting the publication of newspapers was in force, and about twenty newspapers had been put down. In the north of Europe, a general war seemed almost certain. The proffered me- ( diation of England, between Denmark and the German States, had been rejected, and it appeared pretty certain that the Emperor of Russia was about to form an offensive alliance with Sweden and Denmark, and make an attack upon Prussia. The Austrian and Italian war was as far from being settled as ever. Had the King of Sardinia been a great general he would most probably have been crowned King of Italy, but having neglected the opportunities that offered of seizing Austrian Italy, the Austrians have had time to concentrate their forces, and are now in a condition to prolong the war. The Emperor of Austria was residing at Innspruck, and declares that he left Vienna for fear of assassination. The treaty of peace between Mexico and the United States had been ratified. The Ministry resented the affront which England received in the dismissal of her Ambassador, by declining to have any diplomatic intercourse with Spain, and Senor Isturitz, the Spanish Ambassador, and his suite, had left London. The home news is also very interesting. The Chartists were comparatively quiet, awaiting the trials of a number of their brethren who had been committed under the new Act, for felony, in open and advised speaking, tending to deprive the Queen of her Crown and dignity. Mr. Hume had brought forward his motions for extending the franchise and vote by ballot. The debate lasted three nights, and was adjourned to the 30th June. The ministry opposed the motions, which there was no doubt would be thrown out, but a large number of members would vote for them, and petitions in their favour were coming in from all parts of the country. The proposal of th^e ministry to grant a loan to the West Indies of £500,000, for the introduction of African labourers, and to ,

equalise the duties on foreign and colonial sugars in three years, was under discussion in the House of Commons; the measure was very strongly opposed by the protectionists and the anti-slavery party ; the debate had lasted two nights, and stood adjourned, and the division was likely to be a close one. If the ministry were defeated, it was understood that they would resign, and that Lord John Russell would advise the Queen to entrust Lord Stanley with the task of forming a ministry, as Sir Robert Peel was expected to vote with the Government. The Committee appointed to consider the commercial distress of 1846, more particularly with reference to the working of Sir R. Peel's Bank Act of 1844, had reported that the distress was not aggravated by that act, and that it would be inexpedient to make any change in the law with regard to banking. Sir William Molesworth gave notice of his intention to move on the 20th June, the following resolution : — That it is the opinion of this house, that the colonial expenditure of the British- Empire is excessive, and ought to be diminished ; and that with a view to accomplish this object, and to secure greater contentment and. prosperity to the colonists, they ought to be invested with larger powers for the administration of their local affairs. Upon which Mr. F. Scott gave notice that he would by way of amendment move :—: — That a select committee be appointed to consider the political and financial relations at present subsisting between this country and the colonial possessions of the British Crown, with a view to relieve the British Treasury from charge on account of colonial expenditure, and (guarding the royal prerogative, and reserving a veto on all acts repugnant to the law of England) to encourage colonisation by relieving the colonial legislatures from the control of the British Government over their legislation or over the disposal of the colonial revenues in the respective colonies. As it was only a colonial question, and not a party one, there was "no house" when the motion was called on. The unsettled state of the continent caused trade to be very dull. There had been a still further fall in the price of wool ; it was expected that a large quantity intended to be offered at the June sale would be kept back. The interest in the emigration question was increasing. At a meeting oftheMary-le-bone vestry, a petition was introduced and favourably received, praying the Government to bring in some measure to enable the poor law guardians to send youngchildren to the colonies. Dr Lang was allowed to address the vestry in favour of the measure. In unhappy Ireland the sedition- mongers were increasing, if that were possible, in virulence. The new paper called the Irish Felon had appeared, and was quite equal in atrocity to its predecessor. The Repeal Association founded by O'Connell was in its last gasp, the rent for the last three weeks in June being £13, £12, and £8. A new body called the Irish League was in course of formation, and as it was intended to adopt the "physical force" principle! Mr, John O'Connell had declined to join it, and an- [ nounced his intention of retiring to private life. The Queen was to visit Ireland on the 10th July. Her Majesty would proceed in great state, and be convoyed by Sir Charles Napier's splendid fleet.

The following letter from their Paris correspondent was published in the Times, June 26 : Friday Afternoon. " If the National Guards have not turned out with the unanimity that characterized the demonstration of the 16th of April and the evening of the 15th of May, those who did present themselves have acted with the courage and the sang froid of old troops. The Second Legion particularly distinguished themselves. I was among them immediately before they left the Rue Lepelletier and the Rue, Pinon. Never did men display more resolution 'or coolness than they did. They are said to have suffered much, but that they had few killed. I have just seen two of them carried by wounded. Among the severely wounded is M. Thayer, a Chef de Battalion, one of the richest proprietors in Paris, being the owner of the Passage dcs Panoramcs. He was the son-in law of General Bertrandj M. Avrial, a banker at Havre, was killed. "The alarm was given and the rappel beaten this morning about nine o'clock, at which moment vast anxiety prevailed throughout the metropolis. At that time I proceeded to the Hotel de Ville, near, which a nmn? her of people had gathered together in small groups. The streets in the neighbourhood of the Tuileries presented a similar appearance of anxiety. I have since traversed almost all Paris, and found the same feelings prevailing everywhere. At about the same time that I reached the Hotel de Ville the insurgents commenced throwing up barrircades at the Portes St. Denis and St., Ma-

tin, the Faubourgs of the same name, the Place de la Bastille and the Faubourg St. Antoine. At about half-past ten o'clock the conflict between them and the armed force commenced. The National Guard behaved in a most gallant manner. A body of some twenty-five men, commanded by a captain, attacked a formidable barricade at the Porte St. Martin. The people made a stout resistance, and the fighting was still going on, when the captain climbed the barricade, leaped down on the opposite side, and fought hand to hand with the insurgents. The National Guards followed their commander, and the barricade was finally carried and destroyed, but only after a hard conflict, in which many were killed and wounded. "The barricades in the Faubourg St. Martin were taken without much resistance. Some 200 of the insurgents had taken possession of the barracks in the Faubourg St. Martin, but they were soon expelled from them by troops of the line, assisted by a body of the National Guards. Some sharp fighting took place in 'the eta ground,' the Quartier St. Mery, and I am told that the slaughter was dreadful in the 12th urrondissement, in which Barbes bad been elected Colonel of the National Guard. While the fighting was going on at the Porte St. Martin, the people were busily throwing up the barricades in the neighbouring faubourgs. I was stopped, I cannot say how often, and requested to contribute towards erecting the barricades by throwing up one paving stone — a contribution which nobody could refuse making to any barricade in construction that he passed. 'Un pavf (a paving stone) Vil vous plait,' said they with infinite civility. However, as I had no time to lose, I managed to pass everywhere by telling that I was a physician going to visit patients ; and this assertion served me as a passport with the people; but it was not so easy to pass where the streets were garrisoned by the National Guard, and it was with great difficulty that I reached the Faubourg St. Antoine and the Place de la Bastile. The latter presented a very singular and exciting aspect. At the extremity of the Boulevard St. Antoine the National Guard had taken possession of a barricade which they had demolished, whilst on the other side of the Place, at the entrance of the Faubourg St. the people were very coolly completing a formidable barricade, on the top of which about twenty men stood in arms. The red flag was hoistedon every- barricade in the Faubourg St. Antoine, in which quarter I found it impossible to proceed very far. I now returned through the Rue St. Antoine. Here again I found numerous barricades, one of which I saw carried by the National Guard, without any resistance whatever from the people; When I reached the Porte St. Martin for the second time, at about two o'clock, a volley was fired in the Faubourg, and shortly after the troops and National Guards were masters of the position. A considerable body of dragoons was marched up to the Boulevard St. Martin at the time when I left, and it appeared to me that preparations were being made to attack the Faubourg St. Antoine, where the barricades are exceedingly numerous, and where the conflict must be dreadful, if they be well defended.