TO 26th FEBRUARY.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 366, 26 April 1861, Page 2

TO 26th FEBRUARY.

(From the Sydney Morning Herald.) ■ London; Saturday, February 2nd, 1861. This week's despatch will be somewhat brief, but of much interest. The elections for the " Italian Pailiament" have resulted in a general return of members in favor of the Sardinian Government and the policy of Count Cavour, who has himself been returned for the city of Turin; and Garibaldi, with Baron Poerio, for Naples. The Mazzini party aye nowhere. The King of Naples (now so-called for a short time) has sent a flag of truce to the Sardinian fleet. The Emperor of the French has sent a letter to the King, urging him to cease resistance, and to save himself the humiliation of a capitulation. His Majesty, in reply, is supposed to have de- i clared his determination to prolong his resistance to the last. In Central Italy, the Sardinians have had several engagements with the Bourbon and Papal forces, but on Monday last the former, 2000, strong, after a severe engagement with the reactionary troops at Ganeo, evacuated the Papal territory. The attitude of Hungary is still hostile; but a circular to the Comitats assures the people that the Emperor will approach with the branch of peace, animated with the best good-will and the purest intentions, and urges them, therefore to be quiet and patient. There has been no further movement in the Schleswig-Holstein question. It is reported that Austria is about to grant a constitution to Venetia which will secure its independence. From Russia we learn that three corps d'armee have been placed on a war footing, to be ready on the Ist March to proceed to the Pruth and the frontiers of Poland. Russia has demanded from Turkey an European Conference at Constantinople on the state of the Christians in Turkey. The Porte has been called upon for a prolongation of the French occupation in Syria, but has insisted upon the fulfilment of the Paris Convention. The King of Prussia, in reply to the Address of the First Chamber of the Legislature, says:—" We must not conceal from one another that we are perhaps approaching troublesome times. In view of this probability everything depends upon the country being, through its representatives, united to me. I hops, I desire, and expect this. It is thus only that we shall be strong both at home and abroad, and be able to wait the future confidence." The Queen of Spain, is again enciente. - Count Persigny has promptly replied to his own circular which professed to give liberty to the press, by stopping the Courier dv Dimanche for an article " which is an insult to our institutions." The accounts from the United States show that the secession movement continues to make steady progress, but it is now thought that the country will be divided into three separate sections or independent confederations, namely, the Northern, the Gulf, and the border States. The programme ior the Southern Confederacy was nearly completed. The Emperor of the French will open the Legislative Session in person on Monday, with a speech,; and on ihe following day her Majesty the Queen will open Parliament, also in person. Every one is naturally looking forward to their respective speeches —more particularly that of the Emperor— —with unusual interest, for an indication of some kind regaiding future prospects. The English Volunteers are now to be all supplied with the Government rifle, free of charge, and also to a supply of ammunition for rifle practice free of charge. The long Enfield rifle is the one to be used. ■-■'< A new.lndian loan of £3,000,000 is! announced. The Government have abandoned the impost of a double income-tax on Indian paper. The Government has notified that it will not, owning to a technical inaccuracy in the wording of the contract, pay the interest about falling due on the shares of the Red Sea and India Telegraph; Company, but of course will, on the opening of Parliament rectity the error, and pay as a matter of course. ••- ■ The Court of Probate has sanctioned an establishment for the registration of the wills of living persons. ; A registration of landed property, and. its sale, is much required. , ; ■■-, Tha shipping interest connected with the port of London has had an interview with Lord John Russell to. ascertain whether Government will take any steps, respecting ." reciprocity " and •' belligerent rights," and were assurred that the subject should receive serious consideration. London, Saturday, February. 9th. The French Chambers were duly opened on Monday last by the Emperor in peison, with a speech which is as unlike that we are accustomed in this country to here fiora the throne as sunlight is to darkness. His Majesty, in brief, observed that a statement of the situation of the country would be laid before them every year, and that their address, or reply, would be allowed to express their opinions on the questions of the day in a free and unrestricted manner. He speaks favorably of the internal state of the empire, and with a view to render articles of first necessity as cheap as possible he had diminished the duties on their in> port and concluded a treaty with England; although by these measures he had lost 90 millions ol francs revenue, the budget of ways and means would be balanced without recourse to any new loana or additional taxation. He had endeavored to maintain peace with all powers; he had adopted the policy of non-intervention on the Italian c^ue^ioni permjKipg every country to be

master of its own destinies ; he had- withdrawn his fleet from Gaeta, to avoid a further violation of'the principle of neutrality, and that "it was his firm determination not to enter on any conflict where the cause of France was not based on right and justice." I enclose the speech entire.-; - Her Majesty, in her speech, said that the foreign relations w<?re friendly and -satisfactory, and hoped that the moderation of the powers of Europe will prevent any interruption of the .general peace. She thought that the Italians ought to be left to Settle their own affairs ; hoped ithat tranquility would soon be restored in Syria; alludes to the termination of t rr»e China expedition; says that India progresses, and that New Zealand would speedily be restored to quietness, &cV; looks with great concern on the differences arisen in the United States; acknowledges she kind and cordial reception given to the Prince of Wales, and to the loyalty and attachment to her person and throne trianifested by her Canadian and North American subjects; and refers to the commercial treaty with France; that the Estimates had been framed with a due regard to economy that measures will be laid before them for the consolidation ot the criminal law, for the improvement of the liw of bankruptcy and insolvency, for rendering more easy the transfer of land &c. The amount of the Government allowance to the Bank of England for managing the National Debt has been reduced by £50,000 per annum. Sir T. Trelawhey has obtained leave to bring in a bill to abolish church rates. . In the Prussian Chambers, an amendment to the address for his Majesty's speech, declaring that it is not in the interest either of Prussia or of Germany to place obstacles in the way of the consolidation of the unity of Italy. The Governor of Gaeta has asked for anothe • armistice, in order to bury the dead caused by ihe explosion of three powder magazines. 15,000 Sardinian soldiers have passed thiougii Umbria on their way to the kingdom of Naples. The King of. Denmark, in reply to the President's speech at the close of the session, said, "Should an enemy come near us, my people will defend themselves if I call upon them to do bo." ... There is some rumor that the Grand Duchy of Baden is to be ceded to Prussia. Mertone and Roquebruno have been ceded by purchase to France, the sum paid to the Prince of Morocco being 40,000fr,5; France and Russia have addressed a note to the Porte, asserting again that the Christians are oppressed; but the Sultan refused to consent to prolong the French occupation in Syria, but at last a convention has been signed by Turkey and the great powers to extend the French occupation. It willHpjd its meeting at Paris. The excitement in Bey rout con tin ues to i ncrease. The Druses j intend to prevent the execution of; the sen--tence of persons condemned to deatß for their part in the late rhassacre.. ~.'■ The news from Americais very exciting^., the secession movement still progressing. Gorgia had declared, Louisiana is about; to accomplish the act, and, Virginia has de--clared in its favor, The South demands a free admission to a fair share of the common territory of the Union. Maryland, the border State, has dona nothing, but great excitement prevails. Washington was being fortified, for fear of an attack. The Crittenf den resolutions have been lost. Kansas has bean admitted into the Union. The American ambassador at Japan has not been allowed to land. Madame Paterson, the first wife of Jerome Buonaparte, the younger brother of Napoleon 1., has brought an action to support the validity of her marriage and the legitimacy of: her son, and great excitement prevails in Paris to hear the result, which will assuredly go against heir. ; A grand conference has been held at Manchester, to consider the state of India, chiefly in reference to the cotton supply. The north-east portion of Blenheim Palace, Oxford, has been destroyed by fire, and the collection of Titian's pictures destroyed. London, Saturday 16. An incident occurred on the opening of Parliament,, which, in itself of no importance, Js not without interest, inasmuch as that her Majesty's name must be named as connected with it> I ought therefore to have alluded to it in my previous despatch. It appears that; when the royal cortege was passing, through Derby-streei, leading froai Parliament-street into Can-? non-row, a iascar broke through the crowd and tried to thrust a gaper; into the carriage of her Majesty. The J?tirice Consort pushed back the man's hand, no doubt from apprehension of attempted violence of some kind. The man, thus frustated in" his object, instantly drew a clasp-knife three times acrosi his throat. He was at once seized. It appears that his paper was merely a petition to the Queen, asking for redress. He claims money from the Indian government, but; it is supposed to be without fbundatibri, arid a delusion on the part of the fellow, wno is considered rather insane. ; ; A movement has commenced-in Parliament, and a select committee has been appointed to take the matter into consideration; whether^ some alteration cannot: be made in the mode of conducting the'business of Parliament. ' The statute laws are to undergo a revision. ■ '■■■' ': ■ •■'■ f ' l : " ;.■■•;■ "■ ■ A bill has been brought forward to protect manufacturers from " Forged Trade .Msrks," and the penalty for forging such maiks or selling the goods bearing sucK maks will be fine and imprisonment. The bill to amend the Red Sea and India Telegraph Act has been brought forward. ■- The Chancellor of the has brought forward a bill to give new facilities for the deposit of small savings through ths

money order department of the Post Office. The interest to be allowed is 2£ per cent., with a Government guarantee. A bill to amend the law relating to bankruptcy and insolvency has been brought forward. The object of which is to abolish the distinction between bankruptcy and insolvency. That all estates under £300 be taken to the County Courts—the different class of certificates to be abolished. The Commissioner to have power to refuse certificates altogether—to suspend the order of discharge, and commit the bankrupt to prison for a term not exceeding twelve months. The bill is much approved of. Parliament has voted its thanks to the Army and Navy engaged in the late operations in China. Gaeta has at last capitulated! This took place on Wednesday, and affords Victor Emmanuel the opportunity of assuming at the opening of the Italian Parliament that the King, Francis the Second, has quitted the kingdom-—who proceeds to Rome. The capitulation was not effected until the besieged had fought desperately at the guns, and would have been prolonged, but for the explosion of two gunpowder magazines. 150 men were buried in the ruins of one, and it opened a breach at the extremity of the fortifications facing.the,sea. The other totally destroyed the Transylvania Bastion, and at once led to the re,-opening of negociations for the surrender of the place. The Sardinians bo»nbarded the city by land and sea with extraordinary vigor—for days doing an immense amount of damage, and killing many. The garrison of Gaeta will remain prisoners of war until Messina and Civita del Trontohare surrendered, which, no doubt, they will do at once since the King has retired. Reactionary movements every now and then still break out in the kingdom of Naples. The empress of the French addressed a letter to the young Queen during the latter days of the bombardment of Gaeta. The Italian Parliament meets on Monday. The corps of Garibaldi are in full reorganisation in four divisions under Generals Tun, Bixio, Medici, and Cosenz. A pamphlet, entitled "France, Rome, and Italy," by.M. de Laquerreniere, is about to appear, which will afford a further and complete insight into the negotiations between France and Rome, which will place before Europe the Imperial policy. The Bonaparte Patterson marriage case is about closing. The summing up by the Public Minister on the part of the Crown, was in a very impartial manner. Mr. Cobden has proposed that Switzerland should act as mediator between the States of America, which proposition the Federal Council has declined as impracticable. There is to be a treaty of commerce between France and Switzerland. Belgium has followed the example of France, and has abolished from the Ist inBtanfc the verification of, passports on the frontier, but passports will be necessary for foreigners who intend to reside in the country. The Danish Minister of War, in reply to an address from certain students who placed their services at his command in case of war, says it is possible that an occupation of Holstein by the Federal troops would cause war with Germany, and might perhaps involve all Europe in war, which is just the gist of the matter, and it is therefore to be expected that the four other great powers of Europe will endeavor to obtain a peaceful settlement of the question of the Duchies. The health of the Empress of Austria has improved since her sojourn at Madeira. The state of things in Hungary is much the same as before. The assembly of the Comitat of Pesth has voted an address to the King (of Hungary, as the Emperor of Austria is styled), and in which occurs this passage :— " The Jloyal Rescript has destroyed the confidence which had been created by the Imperial dip'omaof October last. The law prohibits the payment of taxes until voted by the Diet. Force alone can remove the [citizens from the lawful ground they have tak<: n up. An unreserved return to constitutional life alone can save the King and the country " Tiansylvania demands-—-Execution of the laws of 1848 —a new electoral law, and the establishment of a separate Constitution and representation of Transylvania in a special Diet. The " people," it will thus be seen, in the possessions of Austria, are aware of their moral strength, and, the progress of the age for liberal constitutional government. . The Conference on the affairs of Syria is expected to meet at Paris on the 20 th, or soon after. The state of affairs in the "disunited" United States of America looks full of future trouble, but there are some indications of sunshine-r-^e Virginian Legislature having adopted a series of resolutions with a vieiv to a peaceful settlement of difficulties. She invites all the States of the Union, without exception, to send Commissioners to Washington to consider and, if possible,, agree to Borne suitable adjustment; and, at the same time, request the President to abstain in the meantime from any act ca'culated to produce a collision of the arms of the seceded States and the Federal Government—a very wise and humane resolution. The President (Buchanan) has sent a special message to Congress upon these resolutions, and while he expresses his conviction that he does not possess the requisite power to abstain from acts calculated to produce a collision, Congress alone having that power, and upon Congress, therefore, he leaves the question. He nevertheless recommends that body to abstain from passing any law likely to bung on a collision. His message was p:esented to Confess on the 28th, and on the 31st Mr. Seward presented a petition from $ew York* signed by 38 4 QOQ prisons,

in favor of the adoption of a resolution for an adjustment on the plan proposed by Virginia. In the course of his speech, which produced a great sensation, hints were dropped from which the inference was gathered that Mr. Lincoln's administration had resolved to adopt a coercive policy. Altogether, therefore, it may be inferred that the excitement in America is cooling down, and that there will be a peaceful settlement of the internal affairs of the thirty-four or thirty-six States of the Union. The accounts from Sierra Leone announce that the King of Dahomy had held the " Grand Custom," in remembrance of the late king, of being rowed in a boat in the blood of human sacrifices. About2ooo,some reports'say more than 7000 persons, were barbaously slain for the purpose, eye witnesses say that the blood swept like a flood into a large reservoir. This is dreadful, but her Majesty's Government instructed Consul Foote to " treat " with the the King for the abolition of the inhuman sacrifice. A deputation from the African Aid Society has waited upon Lords Palmerston and John Russell, urging that a subsidy be given to the King, as compensation for the abolition of slave hunting, which, of course,, will put a stop to such barbarous and horrible customs. A commission of inquiry proves that the provisions, bread and beef, is the best that | can be obtained—even better than that served to the troops in Chatham garrison. There has been a terrific gale on Saturday and part ot Sunday last, and some hundreds of vessels have been wrecked— say, upwards of .200, stranded or wrecked in the space of six or eight hours, chiefly in the coasting trade. At Hartlepool alone fortysix vessels were wrecked in the presence of 1500 peoole, who were unable to render assistance. The storm was fearful. At Whitby, fourteen; at Kingstown, sixteen, &c, &c. M. Mires, the great French capitalist, financier, and speculator, has been arrested by order of the Government. The news came over to-day by telegram, and has caused a great sensation. The Greek interest will, it is feaied; suffer. London, Saturday, February 23rd. There has been little of much public interest in the debates of Parliament this week. The great feature is the defeat of Government, on the motion of Mr. Hubbard, for a select committee to enquire into the present mode of assessing and collecting the income-tax, with the object of rendering it more equitable. The Chancellor of the Exchequer opposed it sharply, but was defeated by 131 to 127Continental and American politics are the great subject of discussion at this moment. A crisis of some kind or other, both in Europe and the United S;ates, is felt to be near at hand. The "Italian" Parliament was duly opened on Monday last, by Victor Emmanuel in person.' His speech on the occasion is one to which all eyes have been directed of cou se. He observed that with with the fall of Gaeta Italy is now almost entirely free and united. After alluding to the debt of • gratitude due to France and England, he called upon the Government to furnish means to complete warlike preparations by land and sea, and indirectly, alluding to Venetia, observed that his voice was once raised in boldness, but it was as wise to wait at the right time as to dare at the right time; that, though he had risked his life for Italy no one had. the right to risk the existence and the destinies of a nation. The Government has presented to the Senate a project of law granting the title of " King of Italy " to Victor Emmanuel and, : his successors, which Was received with loud cheers. The ex-Kifig Francis, in leaving Gaeta, addressed an earnest farewell to the troops, who were deeply affected. He has arrived at Rome, with his suit.. His Majesty the Emperor of the French -has offered him and his family the Chateau of.Pau, if they accept a residence in France. It is believed that Munich will be their restingplace. . . ,

The news of the fall of Gaeta produced a great sensation at Rome, and a popular demonstration at once took place, with illuminations, &c. The public mind is so greatly agitated that it is thought the Papal Government cannot resist the national

movement.

The pamphlet " France, Rome, and Italy," by M. de la Guerronniere, has been copied into all the French papers. It gives a history of-the personal endeavors of the Emperor to induce his Holiness the Pope to adopt such a form of as would reconciliate him to the people-—shows from state documents the efforts to make the Pope respected at home and abroad, but that the Pope has tuned a deaf ear to all enteaties, and that, his Government has preferred to submit to revolution, loss of territory, and the scandal of riot being able to govern without foreign bayonets, rather than listen, to the advice of France; respect public opinion in Europe, and promote the real interests of religion by making its head revered as the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic faith.

The Syrian Conference was opened .at Paris on Tuesday, and adjourned for eight days. After a warm discussion it was decided that the French occupation should be extended for two or three months, to be referred to the respective Governments of the different Plenipotentiaries.

Ihe state of affairs in Hungary is recoming serious, and seveal districts' are about to be declared in a state of siege. The Judicial Conference of Pesth haa demanded tli3 immediate re-establishment of the Hungarian laws. The Municipality of Buda has resolved to exclude all ' nonHungarian residents from the exercise of electoral rights. The serfs in Russia ere, on the 3rd of March, to be emancipated j the number

is 20,000,000. His Majesty .the' Emperor presided at a meeting of the Council of the Empire on the 9th°instant, and the discussion lasted seven hours and a half, and took a prominent part. The American advices are now of great interest. The Peace Congress met at Washington on the 4th, ex-President Tyler in the chair, with closed doors. Texas has seceded. North' Carolina will go with the other slave States. The Government of Louisiana had seized the Mint and Customhouse at New Orleans. The President (Buchanan) had refused the demand of South Carolina to surrender Fort Sumter. The leading New York bankers, &c. had announced that unless a compromise were effected no incoming administration would have anything to expect from capitalists in upholding the financial credit of the Government, which is in want at this moment of 8,000,000 dollars—the deficiency in the Ways and Means—to meet very pressing engagements. Congress is being inundated with petitions in favor of the Crittenden resolutions. The Governor of Massachussetts had notified to the military to hold themselves ready" to march at a moment's notice to the assistance of the Federal Government, in case of an attack upon Washington, which* he was led to believe,, might be expected soon to occur. In one way and another the aspect of things in America looks critical, but I think prudent counsel will prevail, and a compromise will avert a civil war. The time is near at hand when Lincoln will assume office, and give perhaps, it is to be feared, a new direction to affairs. Everything now depends upon his moderation. The question is, how will he act? One false or hasty step —nay, one harsh imprudent word, may in an instant set all the United Stales in a blaze. * In the matter of the Anderson extradition case, the Canadian Courts had issued a writ of habeas corpus ; and precedence had been given to the Canadian over the English writ. The Canadians cannot bear the interference of the English Courts, and the Toronto Leader has fierce articles upon the subject, declaring it to be an outrage on a free people that can never be submitted to. The Marez Government has completely assumed the administration of affairs throughout Mexico, and have expelled the Spanish ambassador, the Pope's nuncio, the Minister of Ecuador, and the Charge d'Affairs of Guatemala, for their interference and connivance with the Government of Miramon. The Spanish fleet of Cuba had been ordered to Vera Cruz. The great case of Bonaparte Paterson has been terminated b} T a nonsuit, on the ground that the question was conclusively settled by the emperor's family council in 1860. The Paterson family are expected to appeal. M. Mires, the great French capitalist, supended paymeut on Tuesday. As a matter of course, the Government have ordered the governor of the Bank of France to administer to his effects and to investigate his affairs, pending which all payments on Mires' account are suspended. Persons of high standing in the Court are implicated in Mires' • proceedings. The accusation against him includes1 fraud, forgery, and embezzlement. The: Viscomte de Richemont, collector of taxes in Paris, has committed suicide in connection with the affair. The liabilities of the firm are vaguely reported to be from £12,000,000 to £24,000,000. Great agitation has prevailed all the week here in the Greek trade, who holders of a large amount of paper of Mires. It has been rumored that a, .well*- i known house in London., "the Corner,", holds a heavy mass.of this paper, and asan; index to the uneasiness prevalent for a short time-, there were some heavy claims made upon them (or a return oX-deposits on" call. Matters have been explained, and fear is now entertained about them; but it is thought there may be some failures among the Greeks, although.nothing-like'to ■ the extent it has been feared. The money market is very light at 8 per cent. There is very little discount acoom-: modation granted. Money is getting locked up in town and country, but as the bank returns are this week very favorable, there is a much quieter feeling in comjhercial and monetary circles; There has been another destructive hurricane this week, Kent and Surrey have suffered severely by the destruction of property, and the north. w : ing of the Crystal Palace has been Mown down, the iron snapping like glass, and the flagstones^ flying about like . bits of paper.° The beautiful spire of Chichester Cathedral was blown down, with its central tower and supporting arches; trees torn up by the .roots in all directions; and on' the coast a-' large number more vessels have been wrecked. } ' " London, Tuesday, February 26th. There are fresh advices from America,, the important feature of which is the completion of the organisation of the Southern' confederacy by the. congress of , Montgomery, .under the title of the 'Confederated States of America.' A Provisional Government, to last for one year, has been adopted, also the old Constitution of the United States, with some modifications. The new Government takes under its charge the question and difficulties existing between the states oi the Confederacy and the United States, relative to the forts, arsenals, and other public establishments, consequently there will be no collision by the secession-; ists at any of the points threatened, until a formal declaration of war is made by the Southern Congress, unless the Federal Gove ntnent lakes the initiative. This looks indeed peaceful; but siill what .will-Mr. Lincoln do on assuming the head of the Federal administration. •He has commenced his journey towards the capital, gashing q.i, and was everywhere received

with welcome. In a speech delivered at Indianopolis he says, very injudiciously, that he intends retaking the ports, &c, although he disclaims any intention of sending armies down for the subjugation of the seceding states. Austria at last recognises the march of progress. A telegram to-day, dated Vienna yesterday, says that the Empress had just signed a decree for constituional government—an Upper and a Lower Diet—with powers of legislation. The constitution of Hungary remain intact. The bill passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand for constituting a Council to advise the Governor on all questions relating to the natives is now under the consideration of the colonial office, but nothing decisive as yet has been arrived at, and the present mail will not take out any opinion of the Government in favor of or against the bill, but the decision of the colonial office will be communicated ,at the earliest opportunity to the government and council of New Zealand.

The Government has sent out positive orders to the Governor of Canada that he is not to surrender Andeison to the American government until he had received positive orders from the home government to do 50... In the news in to-day from Canada, Anderson Had been brought up under the suit of habeas corpus, and the proceedings were expected to last several days. There is to be a dinner on Wednesday, the 27th instant, at the Albion, Aldersgatestreet, of the old ;colonists of South Australia, now in England, and of friends connected with the province, when the testimonial of the colonists to Mr. John Ridley will be presented. The English and Australian Copper Company has declared a dividend of ss. per share.

. The Australian Agricultural Company a dividend of £1 per share.