11 DECEMBER 1830, Page 11

FORTIFICATION OF Psnrs.—The French Government have finally decided upon placing

Paris in such a state of defence as may resist any attack of an enemy from without. To accomplish this, two modes have been propTned, upon which the opinions of the best military judges are at present divided. One assumes a chain of permanent forts, the other only a line of works to protect the troops who should be placed behind them to defend the approaches to the city. The objection. to the forts is, that if once the enemy made a lodgment in them they would serve as safe points of aggremion_upon the capital. This latter consideration ought to be conclusive in favour of the works. What most strongly recom- mends the whole project is the employment which it would afford to thousands of labourers at this most trying season of the year.—Paris 'Paper. Swat; RIVER.--A quarrel has unfortunately, taken place between the settlers and the natives at this establishment ; so that, in addition, to their other comforts, they have now the prospect of a civil war, which may last for the next dozen of years. The affray to which we albedo

. took place hi May last ; and was so serious, that the military were called

out, and seven of the natives were killed. One officer and three of the military were wounded by spears. The natives showed no signs of alarm, but, on the contrary, a great 'deal of daring and spirit. From the tops of trees the chiefs harangued their tribes. They dared the set- tlers to fight ; and one of them was so bold as to advance, and with his ....

Weddle (club) to knoek a corporal down in the ranks. _ _ . - . . .

' WasnnsaroN.—The curious in - and ay be gratified next week, when the extensive library of the late-Mr. lidnnro comes under Mr. Sotheby's hammer. The lot we allude to; is an autograph letter from Washington to the Emperor of Germany, entreating permission for La Fayette to come to this country (America), on such 'conditions and under such restrictions as your Majesty may think it expedient to pre- scribe." The letter is written- on foolscap paper; in a very legible and , somewhat large . character, with one erasure : the signature, "G. Washington," has a few flourishes, or rather dashes, Is Philadelphia, May 15, 1796. The following gunit it ; the date historical fads, and, as an instance of -the var■:',„ g PaEr“ge is curious for its patriarch Of French liberty has experienced .-st HEi fortunes which the Consideration, whether his, long imPitsonmenIt,s and the confiscation of Omit to your Majesty's his estate, and the indigence and f °..ispersiori of his family, and the pain- ul anxieties incident to all t—he :se circumstances, do riot form an assem- blage of sufferings which res. Washington's request . --- „o" mmend him to the Mediation of humanity." „, v"as not complied with ;• but five years afterwards t,le Maililis Was ';''rated, at the instance of Napoleon.