ffortign anb Colonial.

FRANCE.—In the Assembly, on Wednesday, M. Achille Fould brought, forward his financial scheme.. He commenced with an oratorical censure of the considerable efforts made in these latter days to modify and destroy the regime of the taxes; assaults made by turns on all' the indirect hum with the aim of displacing the general burden and throwing it on °aped and lauded property.

" These efforts," he said, " soon produced their effects; they alarmed the country, destroyed confidence, checked business, and gave a dreadful blow to public and private property. Such a line of policy cannot be ours. The newt. vernment repudiate such insensate theories." M. Fould showed that the toed amount of the deficit in the revenue is 534 millions of franca; of which 287 nil- lions apply to the year 1849. He proposed to maintain the duties on potable liquors during the year 1850; but a committee should ascertain what remedies might be applied to the admitted vices of the present mode of levying thew dit- ties. He withdrew the proposed tax upon income, hoping to meet the deficiency of sixty millions which was expected from this source by savings in other de- partments, and by an alteration in the mode of levying some of the taxes. On the war budget there would be a saving of eight millions, which would be in- creased to sixteen millions " on the speedy return of the Roman expedition,. On the navy there would be a diminution of seven millions, and in the department of the interior a saving of 2,500,000 francs. On tbe other baud, modifications in the registrationdaws would increase the revenue derived from that sonree by twenty-one millions; the alteration in the-post-office, without adding to the rate of postage, an increase of seven millions; the modification of the law relative to patents a further sum; lastly, a reduction which would be made in the budget for extraordinary public works, would ereate so large an amount of saving as would produce an equilibrium between the receipts and expenditure. lie there- fore would dispense with any loan.

M. Fould suggested that his proposals should be referred to the Fi- nancial Committee; but he was met with a proposition to refer than to a Special Committee. After heated discussion, and scenes of tumult, the Minister carried his point, by 392 to 236.

Through one of the Paris journals, M. Durant.° has contradicted the as- sertion made by the Constitritionnel, that the late Cabinet had intended to bring in a bill granting an allowance of three millions of francs a year to the President of the Republic; but admits that it had intended to come to his aid with -a speeilie sum to relieve him from his difficulties.

Applications, it is said, have been formally addressed to the French Go- vernment by those.of Austria, Russia, and Prussia collectively, to demand the concurrence of France in calling upon the Government of Switzerland to expel all political refugees from the territory of that republic.

On Monday, M. Ferdinand Barrot ascended the tribune of the Assembly and made an-official statement, that "the President of the Republic, avail- ing himself of his incontestible right'," had decided to pardon the insur- gents of June now in the Fort of Belle Isle, so far as regarded their poli- tical crime. There.are 1,200 insurgents confined its that, fort; and 700 of them come within the category of those who can take advantage of the President's measure of grace: the rementing WO are there under unexpired sentences for other crimes than those arising out of the June insurrection. The Members of the Right are said to have observed a frigid silence on hearing the announcement—they regarded it as a defiance: on the other hand, the Left, and especially the Mountain, are said to have been equally dissatisfied, because the pardon did not include all the June insurgents. Cries of dissatisfaction in this sense, were raised by some voices among the Mountain; but the Left did not go so far as to join or countenance them. The President more than once expressly promised this political amnesty; but it is said that, much to his discomfort, his successive Miuisteiearestrained him from granting it: the measure, therefore, is regarded as one of the first steps of his independent policy.

The-political trials at Versailles have been brought to a close. Their conduct during the latter days had been somewhat strange iu character. The defence was to have begun on Saturday: M. Micthel (de Borges) rose to commence it, and began to state the plan on which it would be based, "I shall endeavour," he said, "to. lay before you whet are the consequences of the violation of the Constitution„; a violation which may carry with it the right of insurrection "—At this point the advocate was stopped by the President, M. Berenger; who said that he had gieen the.ut- most latitude to the defence compatible with the institutions and the powers established by the Constitution; but when M. Miohel .aunoltheed that he meant to plead the right of insurrection, there was ant a judge or s tribunal in the country which, would net revolt against, slush a thesis. Some conversation took place between the .advocate. and the President; the President peremptorily declaring that he vinuhl not suffer the pleading lo proceed on that basis; and M. Michel in vujikurging,that the. eonetitu; Con itself is expressly eonfid:ecl to the patriotism and the _eafeskAseind 13' all citizens. M. de Royer replied, that if the Constitution bad been vio- lated, the National Assembly alone could judge in that 'behalf. At the end of M. de Roper's speech, M. Michel remarked, that thesnublic advo- cate must have been prepared for this incident, since he coultispet haveim

pravised what he bad jusesaid. Ultimately, the Court retiOd to delibe- rate; and on its return the Preeideut delivered, a judgmet}t ,which mar-

shalled in elaborate succession a. lumber of constitutioui if$11Peats against the fundamental positions of Hi. Michel. The pith, p dhp.);e1.11ta" title was.contaiued in an assertions that notes- of the. °lames Gon; stitotion authorize the mode of oasistance,hy mews Qf which a.„fi*.tion the people, tumultuously convoked, on the public square, „should claim the supreme power of iudging constitutional questions, and executing itself its judgenentrAin& thht the expositlort of that doctrine. in the sanetneq, _set ft were, under the, protection of justice, would prove, con- the intentions as well as the duties of the advocates ea with the defeenle, iteseandal, a penal act, and a public danger. president then Called bii M. Michel to proceed with the defence. M. ri eleolinede Mid he was successively followed by seven other advocates the accused. 1M. Thourel began to open the same line of defence by inverse process, in reciting what the defenders had been forbidden to cad; but he was abruptly stopped by the President; and then he declined goon. Ten other advocates equally declined to proceed. The President jonrned the Court, and said he would nominate new advocates for the fence on Monday. All the prisoners—" We will not have them." The caner Garabon—" It is not defenders we want, but a free defence or no- ,e The other prisoners--" Yes, yea; free or nothing." The Court rose 'Diego o'clock, in the midst of great agitation. Os Monday, the Court met the persistence of the prisoners' counsel: a prisoners refused the assistance of the new advocates; and the advocates themselves, on the ground of that refusal, declined attempt anything in their behalf. The President without hesita- on charged the Jury. At about two o'clock, the Jury retired to consider eir verdict, and remained in deliberation all night: at a quarter past seven ale morning, the ringing of their bell announced that their verdict was need on, and the Judges assembled. The foreman read the Jury's deci- ea en "eighty-eight questions which had been submitted to them." They tetted eleven; on the question of conspiracy to destroy or change the overnment and excite civil war four were convicted; on the question of tempt to destroy the Government and to excite to civil war, nine; on all he charges, seven. The prisoners acquitted were brought into court and set at liberty. The ther prisoners were then brought in; and the President called on them for ny objections to the delivery of sentence, or reasons for mitigating the Mence. The advocates officially named left the matter to the Court. he prisoners merely rose as each was called, and reseated themselves with- al speaking. When the name of Lebon was called, he rose with great ex- itement, and said—

'You want roe to speak on the application of the punishment; but I do not ink that during the trial I have made any attempt to extenuate the charges alive ma Your enemies are in your hands; strike them severely, in order that orne The President—" Accused, do not aggravate your position. Sit down; I forbid ou to speak." The aceueed Paya—" I have nothing to say. I did not plead on the merits, ud consequently the truth is not known to you. I take advantage of this oppor- unity to declare, that in refusing to defend myself I acted on no suggestion, but f my own free will." Maigne exclaimed, that any punishment would be pleasing which would render estireoey to the right of the people, and serve as a protest which would protect he honour of France, their beloved mother. "It is for you to see to what point on will descend in the path of iniquity, in -which a prevaricating Govern- eat—" President—" Prisoner, hold your tongue." Maigne sat down without completing the sentence. Lamaziere—" I hope that the thirty-six men who are opposite us—" President—" Be silent: I will not allow you to speak in that manner." Lamaeere continued to speak, in spite of the injunction of the President; and he gendarmes were compelled to make him sit down by force. Deville—" Men like me always accept a condemnation. Their life and their liberty are always at the service of their country; they are always ready to sa- Mem them for her. They do not demand the price of their devotedness.' Fraboulet said, with great emphasis—" History will know the truth of this matter. Viva la Republique Democratique et Soeiale I" The Court then retired to deliberate. After about an hour it returned, and delivered its judgment, condemning seventeen prisoners to transporta- tion for life, three to five years' imprisonment; all to pay the expenses of the prosecution jointly and severally. On hearing their sentence, all the prisoners rose and cried, "Vice la Republique Demoeratique et Sociale!" Lamaziere exclaimed, in a trembling voice, as he retired, "As for the judges, may the infamy sit lightly on them." On leaving the court, they all made a farewell sign of adieu to their friends.

BELGIUM.—King Leopold opened the Chambers in person on the lath. His speech made prominent mention of the "very abundant" harvest,—a blessing which had rendered provisions cheap, and increased the agricul- tural exports: and his Majesty announced bills for the improvement of the system of public education at the expense of the state; for the amendment of the penal code; for the further organization of savings-banks, country banks of credit, (without mortgage) and funds for aged operatives; with other internal improvements.

BORNHO.—Singapore papers, extending to the 4th September, contain the semi-official account of the expedition under Sir James Brooke against the Serebas and Sakarran Dyaks. Those tribes were attacked on their own shores. The Nemesis steamer was driven over the Sakarran boats, and then backed by reversed paddle-wheels till she was again in the midst of

them; Congteve rockets, grape-shot, , were then used with such effect that 1,600 were slaughtered; and private advices state that this is an under-estimate of the numbers killed. The British loss was two killed and six wounded! , It will be recollected by the readers of Sir James Brooke's Journals, edited by Captain Mundy, that the Sakarran and Se- rebus tribes are described as insignificantly armed with spears and grass sbields,—timid, peaceable, and faithful to their agreements. In an account given by the Morning Plat of the opening of a new church at Sarawak, the Reverend Mr. lePleougall is reported to have alluded to the affair with the Sakarrans. and to have expressed a hope that the " war excitement" was over: he does not at all use the words" pirates" or " piracy " in connexion with the Sakarrans.

Ameetee.--The Niagara steam-ship has brought New York papers ex- tending to the 3I51 October, a week later than the last arrivals; but they °Main no interesting news. Much gossip bad been provoked by the re- call and disgrace of the Russian Minister, M. Bodisco. M. Bodisco had made a large fortune, and had Americanized himself by marrying a beau- tiful young woman of Georgetown. Not long since, he and his nephew were recalled to St. Petersburg, on the assurance of promotion to both: Re soon as they arrived, M. Bodisco was sent to Siberia, and his nephew to Prison; and the only alleged cause is, that the Emperor suspected that so good an American could not but be a bad Russian, and that M. &disco% interests would taint hiadiplomacy. _ CANADA.—Ily the Niagara MailAteanter; afe,011,14S WIG ktitighl from Montreal to the 27th, and Toronto to the 24th October. The Governmental departments were already en route for the official new capital, Toronto. It is stated that the meeting of' the Executive Coun- cil, at which it was resolved to make Toronto the seat of' government, was held at Drummondville, a village near Niagara. Only six Ministers are understood to have been present; and of these two voted for Toronto, two for Kingston, and two for Montreal, and Lord Elgin decided by his casting- vote in favour of Toronto. He is reported to have assigned as his reason, that Lady Elgin had expressed a determination never to enter Montreal, after the unmanly treatment she herself as well as her husband had ex- perienced there. There is also a report that Lord Elgin had written to Commissary-General Felder, to withhold the Government advertisements from the (Tory) Montreal Courier and Montreal Herald, on account of their Annexationist principles, but that the Commissary had refused to obey.

Annexation did slot appear to be making much progress. An attempt to get up an Annexation meeting at Quebec had not been successful. The partisans of the movement calculated upon an increase of adherents in consequence of the selection of Toronto for the seat of government, In Kingston, Hamilton, and Bytown, each of which had laid claim to that honour.

The British American League had been called together, to meet at Toronto on the 1st November, to take into consideration matters of im- portance. The plan proposed to be pursued by the League was as follows. Every branch of the League, in all the constituencies in Canada, is to agi- tate in its respective location, so as to induce its representative in the Pro- vincial Parliament to vote for the introduction of a bill to authorize the as- sembling of the people of Canada, by means of delegates, in convention, for the purpose of' determining on what changes in the constitution are neoese nary; and having done so, a measure in accordance with their views is to be brought into Parliament, and, when carried, sent home for consideration to England. It is for this purpose that the convention of delegates of ths British American League was to meet. A union of the North American Provinces will also be considered.

Lord Elgin was still at Drummondville, leading a retired and domestic life, WEsT INDIES—News from Jamaica, later by twelve days than thee brought by the last West India mail, has arrived by the American route. The accounts are meagre, but it would seem that "a split has occurred in- the Retrenchment party," leading to their temporary defeat. The bill for reenacting the Import-duties, which had been three weeks in abeyance, was read a third time in the House of Assembly, and passed, on the 19th. October. It received the Governor's assent on the afternoon of the 20th,, and is consequently the law of the land. It contains a clause giving re- trospective effect to the act, and ordaining that the dues shall be levied on all goods landed since the 5th October. Some alterations have been made- in the tariff: the duty on pork has been raised from 16s. to 20s. per bar- rel; manufactured tobacco is subjected to a somewhat higher rate than it formerly bore, while the duty on the unmanufactured article is reduced. The ad valorem duty on dry goods has been raised on almost every article of import. Rye-flour, salt, refined sugar, and unmanufactured tobacco, are the only exceptions to this increase.

Haerri.—The new Emperor of Hayti, Faustin the First, has resolved to support his throne by creating an aristocracy. He has accordingly created six Princes, and sixty Dukes, Marquises, and Barons. The creation of a new Duke with the title of Trou-Bonbon, has excited much hilarity in the island. The constitution granted by the Emperor consists of upwards of 200 clauses; the most remarkable feature in it is the hatred displayed towards the Whites-

" No White man, whatever be his nation," says one of the clauses, "can be al- lowed to remain on the Hayden territory as a master or proprietor, and cannot ac- quire the quality of Heytian." Another clause declares every African, and Indian, and their descendants, qualified to become Haytians. The other clauses enact that Heyti and the adjacent islands dependent thereon shall form the territory of the empire one and indivisable; they guarantee liberty; allow freedom of worship, but declare that the Catholic clergy shall be specially paid and protected; they allow liberty of the press, of instruction, and trial by jury in criminal matter!. There are to be two Assemblies; a permanent Senate, nominated by the Emperor; and a Chamber of Representatives elected for five years, but not sitting for more than four months in the year. The Senators and Representatiees are to-„receive a monthly indemnity of 200 gourdes (the gourd° is about 5f. We.) The Em- peror is declared inviolable; the imperial dignity is hereditary in the direct line, but to the exclusion of women; a territorial property is to be provided for the Crown, consisting of estates in cultivation, and the Emperor is besides to receive 150,000 gourdes a year and the Empress 50,000.—French Papers.