16 AUGUST 1828, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

THE Russian army is at last before Shumla. Official intelligence up to the 21st July, announces this important fact ; and it is ob- vious that the Russians will not long delay an attack on a fortress, the conquest of which will in a great measure decide the fate of European Turkey,—especially as delay would render the attack more hazardous, by giving the Turks time to strengthen their positions. Before the Russian army reached the heights opposite Shumla, there was some inconsiderable fighting, in which the Turks defended themselves well, but were driven back to their intrenchments. The siege of two other fortresses, those of Silistria and Varna, are also in progress ; and the garrison of the latter has suffered considerably in an unsuccessful sally. The Turks are said to be intrenching Constantinople, having ceased to regard their defences beyond the Balkan as impregnable.

In the Asiatic provinces of Turkey, the victorious Russians are moving forward with rapid strides. By a despatch from General Paskev itch, it appears that the strong fortress of Kars, one of the chief cities in Turkish Armenia, was carried by storm on the 15th of July, after an attack which lasted three hours. The garrison numbered eleven thousand ; of whom six thousand were made prisoners, two thousand were killed and wounded, and the re- mainder escaped to the mountains. Give the Russians credit for their own statement, and we must believe that this important ad- vantage has cost them, in killed and wounded, something fewer than three hundred men. The possession of Kars lays open the city of Erzerum, which is chiefly peopled by Armenian Chris- tians, disaffected to the Mahometan power.

Just as we went to press last Saturday, the intelligence was re- ceived that Ibrahim Pacha had professed his willingness to quit the Morea, on being furnished with the means of removing his army to Egypt. This resolution, it appears, has been adopted in consequence of direct instructions from his father, brought from Egypt to the Morea by an English brig of war. The Allied Admi- rals had soon after an interview with Ibrahim, in which he explained that his instructions embraced the evacuation of the Morea in the fullest and most unequivocal manner; and he also consented to allow his captive Greeks to go free without ransom, but he re- fused to pledge himself to the restoration of those who had already been carried to the old land of bondage. This treaty has been communicated to his lord paramount, the Sultan.

The Marquis de Rezende, the representative of Don Pedro at the Court of Vienna, and Viscount de Itabayna, his Minister in London, have formally protested against Deliguers usurpation. This is right and becoming on their part, though it will not stay the headlong career of the infatuated Prince. It is reported that Miguel intends to treat all British subjects who have favoured the Constitution in the same manner as the native Portuguese ; a pre- text for robbing our resident merchants, since his scheme of con- fiscation against the property of the Constitutionalists in Oporto appears to have failed, the people declining to purchase it. The number of civil and military persons who have gone to Spain is stated at ten thousand. But Ferdinand could not have been ex- pected to show them favour ; and they have accordingly been ordered out of the kingdom in a short space. Under these cir- cumstances, it is hoped that the Portuguese Minister in England will not refuse the passports which it is understood they have solicited for leave to go to Don Pedro's American dominions, as their return to Portugal would expose them to certain destruc- tion.

It should seem that Miguel has determined to send an expedi

tion to Madeira and the Azores ; and the British Government has recognized his blockade of the port of Funchal.

There are ominous rumours from Brazil, but probably. much exaggerated. The Bank at Rio, but recently established, and never firm, was alleged to have stopped. This is understood to be untrue, though the misconduct of persons connected with the management of the bank would lead to some confusion. The circulation for the last two years has been entirely paper.

A more serious matter for Don Pedro is the spirit of insubordi- nation displayed by the German and Irish emigrants. They went out on the footing of obtaining grants of land, and of being exclu- sively employed in the cultivation of the soil. They have been obliged to carry arms in the harassing war against the republic of Buenos Ayres ; and the flogging of one of the German soldiers was the signal for an open mutiny among the Germans, in which they were joined by the Irishmen. They have been overpowered, and sent off in small bodies to different parts of the empire. It is unfortunate that Pedro persists in waging a useless and exhausting war with the Buenos Ayreans, when he might employ his resources in a far nobler enterprise in Europe.

The excitement among the people of the Southern States of the American Union, caused by the new tariff, is rather increasing; but there is reason to surmise that much of it is got up by General Jackson's friends, to favour his elevation to the Presi- dent's chair. The tariff seems to have brought on a mercantile panic at New York : some heavy failures have taken place, and others are anticipated.

There are still some petty agitations in Canada. The people of York have resolved to petition the King and Parliament for a redress of grievances.

The nation will learn with regret, that the Duke of Clarence is no longer in office as Lord High Admiral of England. The causes which led to the resignation of the Royal Duke are but darkly conjectured. Some will have it, that he would not submit to have the patronage of the Navy interfered with by Ministers ; others, that the official habits of the Lord Admiral were too expensive for the taste of an economical Premier ; others, that in the present aspect of foreign politics, the head of the Navy should have a seat in the Cabinet, which the Royal Duke had not.

The retirement of Mr. Peel has also been one of the political on tilts, but treated with little credit.

It is still more incredible, that Lord Lyndhurst, who has male it his business to stand well with every succeeding Ministry since he became Chancellor, is also about to retire : yet such has been the latest rumour " at the West end of the town," and even in Mi- nisterial circles.

A naval officer left the Admiralty this afternoon in great haste, with despatches ; but for what destination has not transpired.