In the regions beyond sea, the intelligence, like that of
the Continent, discusses the progress of great movements rather than tells of startling achievements. The reverses sustained in Bur- mah,—by General Steele, driven 'back in the attempt to storm a stockade at Sitang, and by Commodore Lambert, in an attack on a river pirate with a small gun-boat expedition,—may be set against the brilliant taking of the Aeng Pass, which was supposed to be impregnable, by Captain Nuthall. At the Cape they are discus- sing probable hostilities against Kreili ; and in Australia they are finding gold.
The new fact is General Pierce's first formal appearance as Pre- sident of the United States on taking his inaugural oath, with a speech which, judged by American standards, is remarkable for 'Succinctness, plainness, and moderation of language. But it is ex- actly the speech which might have been anticipated from the ante- cedents of General Pierce,—a man of great self-possession, of con- ciliatory manners, of long-standing practice as a lawyer and statesman, and a soldier still in the prime of life. Maintenance of the Union, discountenancing of Anti-Slavery agitation against the Compromise, the Monroe doctrine, expansion of the Union, and "acquisition" of "territory not within our jurisdiction" by not irregular means, are the salient points of his speech. His Ministry appears to be selected less for distinguished position in the Demo- cratic party than for close political association with himself. He has managed everything in his first official arrangements very quietly, decisively, and neatly, coming before the public in a state of finished preparation ; and the popularity of Pierce is an article in the faith of the day.
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