21 APRIL 1849, Page 9

jioretgn ant( eoloniat.

Fmatsce.—In the National Assembly, on Monday, M. Odilon Barra in- terrupted the regular discussion to lay before the Assembly a bill giving

an extraordinary credit of 1,200,000 francs for the war expenses of the ex- peditionary corps in the Mediterranean. In a brief speech he stated, that Government had received information of an imminent crisis in the Roman dominions, to which France could not remain indifferent. "The protection of our countrymen, the necessity to maintain our legitimate influence in Italy, and the desire of contributing to obtain for the Roman popula- tions good government, founded on liberal institutions—( Murmurs on the Left)— impose upon us the duty to use the authorization you have granted as. It would be impossible for us to enter into further details, without compromising the very object we have in view. Under such circumstances, an allowance most always be made for contingencies; but we can affirm, from this moment, that our inter- vention shall be attended with efficacious guarantees, both for the interests of our country and the cause of real liberty." (Fresh murmurs on the Left.)

On the proposition of M. Barrot, a Committee of the Bureaux was nomi- nated to report on the measure. In the evening, the Committee reported favourably on the measure; and the Government pressed for a division on the first article. This was opposed with great warmth by M. Emmanuel Arago and M. Ledru-Rollin, on the ground that the explanations were vague and insufficient. But the Government persevered, and obtained a large majority. The second article was then brought on ; but M. Devine was heard to exclaim, " Abstenons nous!" and the party of the Mountain was seen to withdraw suddenly: the House was thus reduced to a number [499] just below the quorum necessary for a valid vote [000]; and the sitting was adjourned amidst great excitement.

Next day the ensemble of the Government measure was carried by 38S to 161.

Invited by the electors of Calvados to stand as a candidate for the ap- proaching Legislative Assembly, M. Guizot has issued, from his retreat at Brompton, a reply, which serves at once for an address to the constituency and a lecture to the active politicians of "France in general on their duties. The style of the composition is eminently characteristic of the author. His paramount object is to insist on the necessity for rallying round " order " and protecting it; he seems to have an eye to constitutional monarchy as the appropriate custodian of order; but meanwhile, in effect, he urges his countrymen to rally round the first strong government that offers itself, and to postpone questions of specific arrangement-

" Order," he avers, "is much more seriously attacked than is thought, and much less defended than it ought to be; attacked to its foundations, incessantly, everywhere, in the Government, in society, at the family hearth, in the secret of the heart of man, by revolutionists passionate, unbridled, indefatigable, insatiable; defended only on the surface at the last moment, on the point on which the evil breaks out, by honest men full of doubt, who know how to die that society itself may not die, but who close the eyes and go to sleep the moment it becomes not absolutely impossible to believe that society may live. That is a great deal too little ; against such perils order should have other than such victories." He regards the election of Louis Napoleon in preference to Cavaignaci as an instinctive obedience to this necessity. He casts out the Republic from the category of "serious Governments" in France within the last sixty years: " France has been convulsed or oppressed, never regularly and efficaciously governed, by the Republic." A union in support of order would be difficult; even a combined party would have much to conquer, but it is possible. The supporters of the Consulate, the Empire, the Restoration, and the Monarchy of 1830, are essentially devoted to order. Divided and reduced each to its own force, neither of those parties is able to conquer the enemies of order and to found its own government: the only hope therefore is in a serious and sincere union,—not a simulated union, nor an acceptation of names or principles which are not theirs, but a union for the specific object. "Let not the different elements of the party of order tie each other down in advance on the great questions of the future": no retrospective policy, to renew old contests; no anticipative policy, to hasten contests not now inevitable. It is an immense and fatal error, to attempt to resolve such questions at a time when their solu- tion is not an actual necessity. "And the more the questions are diffi- cult, the more important is it only to take them up at that supreme hour in Which events speak high and command prudence, under the penalty of causing folly to be very dearly paid." In a digression, M. Guizot vindicates his own administraticn, not as faultless, but as tested in its general soundness by success- " For a period of four-and-thirty years, through the trials of a continual struggle, and amidst the crisis of a revolution, France enjoyed all the blessings of a free and well-regulated society. Her activity and her prosperity were develop- ing themselves widely in every direction by a rapid and steady progress. Secu- rity reigned alike in town and country. Civilization covered the soil with its works, and filled men's minds with the hopes which it generated. Without noise without display, with peace maintained and right respected, French society be- held its consideration and its influence everywhere extended in the society of Eu- rope. All these blessings appeared full of promise for the future; when all at once—in a day, in a single hour—they disappeared, as the most blooming har- vests vanish under fire or tempest."

In conclusion, he recurs to his starting-point- "A stable government, which bears within itself securities, and which spreads around the sentiment of its stability: such is the cry which springs from these facts. It is only a stable government that can draw France from the abyss; and no government can be stable unless all the natural elements of the party of order combine to support it."

ITALY.—The capitulation offered to Genoa expired on the 11th instant: on that day the insurgents declined to renew the combat, and General della Marmora obtained unconditional possession of the whole city; the leaders of the revolt escaping to Marseilles, by the friendly aid of an Ame- rican war-steamer. An amnesty has been proclaimed to all persons ex- cept twelve of the most prominent leaders. The National Guard is dis- solved.

A reactionary movement in favour of the Grand Duke of Tuscany took place on the 1 1 th instant. Gnerazzi was placed in prison by the populace, and the Municipality proclaimed that they were bolding power on behalf of the Grand Duke.

Warlike operations against the Sicilians were resumed on the 28th March, by General Filangieti; who has already taken Catania and Syra- cuse. Catania was attacked on Good Friday, and was not taken without stubborn resistance and great loss of life: it was bombarded, and reduced to smoking ruins. An eye-witness describes the infuriate conduct of the successful Neapolitans-

" The Sicilian dead lie unburied: the Neapolitans even kick them as they pass —plunge into the midst of the nearly deserted town—rob, plunder, and destroy; and commit every pcssible atrocity on helpless innocence or decrepid old age.

"Syracuse struck, without firing a shot, as soon as the Neapolitan force hove in sight and the troops approached by land." In the Venetian Assembly, on the 2d instant, Martin announced the de- feat and abdication of Charles Albert. The representatives crowded round him, embraced him, and by acclamation decreed that "Venice shall re- sist Austria mt every cost. President Mania is invested with unlimited powers."

AUSTRIA.—The Austrian Government has placed itself in declared op- position to that of Berlin, and has defied the Frankfort Assembly, on the question of united empire. The Austrian Plenipotentiary at Berlin has presented a note containing these passages- " We cannot agree to, much less demand, the execution of the views expressed by the Prussian Cabinet in its circular despatch of the 3d instant. The National Assembly, which was solely convoked in order to complete in common with the Princes of Germany, the work of the Constitution, imposed a limit on its labours by declaring that its task was ended. . . . That Assembly, however, exceed- ing the privileges allotted to it, not only arbitrarily completed and carried out the Constitution, and promulgated it as law, but even sought, without being in pos- session of fall powers, to bestow on Germany an hereditary Emperor. . . . Not only has the National Assembly acted wrongly in this matter, it has also com- pletely left the path of law by arbitrarily declaring itself en permanence. Upon these grounds, we cannot acknowledge the validity of the decisions arrived at by the National Assembly beyond the extent of its privileges, any more than we can admit of the prosecution of its labours. For us the National .Assembly no longer exists ; and on that account, it can neither exercise any influence on ordon- mances respecting the formation of a new provisional central power, nor take any part in negotiations respecting the coming to an agreement with regard to tbe work of the Constitution—a work set down by the Assembly itself as finished." Austria therefore cannot treat at Fninkfort according to the plan proposed by Prussia, with its plenipotentiary or with any other prince ; and cannot accept the invitation to send a plenipotentiary to the negotiations proposed by Prussia. On the contrary, the Emperor "solemnly protests against all the decisions arising from such negotiations, as well as against their consequences ; and he does so with full reservation of all the claims and rights of himself, his government, and his German provinces, claims and rights based on treaties still in force."

In a despatch to Schmerling, the Austrian Plenipotentiary at Frankfort, the same language is held, with an additional statement. "Our gracious Sovereign likewise resolved, never to place, on any terms, under a foreign legislative assembly, the legislative power constitutionally exercised by him in common with the representative corps of Austria." The Austrian Deputies at Frankfort are summoned to gait an Assembly which has "entered on an illegal course." The military position of the Imperial arms in Hungary is decidedly changing for the worse; though nothing but the vaguest notion can be

gained from the accounts- It is. certain that the Imperial forces we driven back into Pesth, on the 11th instant; and his said that the Ma- gyars have since entered their capitaL Waitzen is in their possession, and they are within short marches of relieving Comorn.

I/ans.—The Bombay mail of the 17th March arrived in London on Tuesday, and brought full details of the battle of Goojerat, gained by Lord Gough's army over the Sikh and Affghan army on the 21st February. The great apparent disparity of the armies gave the brief account which

arrived by last mail the interest of a victory gained under probable vicissi- tude, and by bold and skilful handling of the lesser force. The enemy's army is reckoned at 60,000 men, while ours numbered only 25,000 men; but it seems that the victory was from first to last due to the scientific precision and cool handling of " that splendid arm the artillery "; in which our superiority over the enemy was more marked than our inferiority in men. The British brought 100 guns into the field, many of the heaviest calibre ; the Sikhs had but 59 brass pieces of comparatively light metal. The Sikh chief was strongly posted between two river-courses, which protected his flanks and yet allowed him good mancenvering space to retire either on the East or West side of the town of Goojerat, which afforded shelter and protection to his rear. The fight began at seven in the morn- ing. Our heavy artillery cannonaded his centre for three hours before his well-served guns were silenced: about noon our infantry was ordered for- ward, and its way was cleared so effectually by field-artillery which played in advance of it, that one regiment had not to fire a single shot till it had passed to the West of the town of Goojerat and regained its communications with that part of the army which passed to the Eastward of the town. Repeated efforts were made by the enemy to use his immensely superior force of caeralry; but always without success, from the destructive intervention of our every- where present field-artillery. The conduct of our own cavalry is highly spoken of : the Fourteenth Dragoons redeemed its bays. Captain Unett and his squadron of the Third Light Dragoons, renowned for their charge through the Sikh infantry at Chilleanwallah, is again distinguished by special praise. By four o'clock the enemy had been driven from every post, and was in general retreat: the field-artillery and cavalry improved their advantage, and converted his retreat into a total rout and flight. He was pursued with great slaughter for a distance of some fifteen miles. Next morning, an adequate force took up the direct pursuit, and detach- ments were sent off to the points whereby retreat would be most effectually cut off. The result has been, that fifty-three of the fifty-nine guns brought by Shore Singh into action are now in our own camp, and the whole of his immense store of ammunition and his camp equipage is in our hands: his force is annihilated as a hostile army, and he himself and his father have escaped to the Salt Range hills, with only a dispirited remnant of not more than 8,000 men, chiefly cavalry, and some half-dozen light guns. Goojerat was taken in the course of the fight; Jailum and Rhotas, on the right bank of the Jailum river, are in the possession of Sir Walter Gilbert's pursuing force; and Sir Henry Lawrence has come in from Shore Singh's camp with offers of full surrender on almost unconditional terms. The war is considered so far finished that staff officers are getting leave to return to their appointments on special service. A more significant fact still, perhaps, is that Gholab Singh's force under Colonel Steinbach has commenced actively assisting our movements towards the recapture of Attock and the expulsion of the Affghans from Peshawar.

A son of Dost Mahomed Khan was present at the battle, in personal command of 1,500 Affghan horse: it is rumoured that he was killed.

This complete success has been obtained at a cost small in comparison with that sustained in Lord Gough's previous battle; our loss is stated to be about 100 killed, and 900 wounded.

List of European Officers Killed and Wiunda

Killed—Captain J. Anderson, 4m troop 3d brigade Horse Artillery; 2d Lieu- tenant E. W. Day, Lot company 1st battalion Foot Artillery; Lieutenant A. Lloyd, 14th Dragoons ; Lieutenant R. Cox, 8th Native Infantry ; and Lieutenant E. E Sprot, 2d- European Light Infantry.

Wounded—Major G. Farquharson 8th Native Infantry, dangerously; Major

J. K. M‘Causland, 70th Native Infantry, severely; Captain and Brevet Major Sir R. C. Shakespeare, 1st company 4th battalion Foot Artillery; Captains J. H. Goddard and A. Scudamore, 14th Dragoons, the former severely, the latter dan- gerously; Captain R. M. Best, 10th Foot, slightly; Captain T. W. H. Jamieson, 52d Native Infantry, severely; Captain A. Boyd, 2d European Light Infantry, slightly; Brevet Captain C. S. Edwards 70th Native Infantry, slightly. Lieu- tenants H. J. Stemma, 5th Light Cavalry, severely; G. Jeffrey, 32d Foot, slightly; T. C. Darnell, 51st Native Infantry, severely; W. H. Lowther and G. R. Smith, 52d Native Infantry,severely; A. Elderton, 2d European Light Infantry, sligh ; and A. Fytche, 70th Native Infantry, slightly. Second Lieutenant B. M. Hutch inson, Engineers very severely—leg amputated. Ensigns A. D. Toogood, D. A. Sandford, and d. G. S. Matheson, 2d European Light Infantry, slightly; F. J. Gaily, 31st Native Infantry, slightly; R. C.-Whiting and C. Murray, 70th Native Infantry, slightly; and Provost Marshal Budd, severely.

There is no general news of interest by this mail.

UNITED STATES.—The Canada mail steam-ship arrived at Liverpool o Thursday morning, with papers from New York to the 4th instant. The President is stated te be maintaining his ground stoutly against the office- seekers, and to be making but very few changes. The rivers and lakes were thoroughly opened to navigation, and an immense activity of traffic was already manifested. The accounts from California are of the usual stamp. A new city called Bruccia had been founded on the Sacramento, thirty miles from San Francisco; and a provisional government had been organized in public meeting. Among the resolutions passed, was one to oppose the introduction of" slavery in every shape and form."

Cartana.—Accounts from Montreal come down to the 3d instant. The disturbances which had occurred at Montreal had been repeated in a more serious form at Toronto: on the 22d of March. Effigies of Messrs. Bald- win, Blake, and Mackenzie, were carried by an immense mob, and at last burnt opposite Mr. Baldwin's house. The house of Mr. M'Intosh, where Mr. Mackenzie was staying, was assailed with stones; and the police were attacked on their appearance to protect it. Special constables were en- rolled and the military were called out, and thus order was restored. The latest papers do not mention further disturbances.

On the 3d instant, the Governor had not yet signified his assent to the Indemnity Bill.

The Canadian press continues to hold the language of excitement which we lately illustrated. The Toronto Patriot says, that if the Gover- nor reserve his assent, and send the bill to England, "the Ministry must resign "; but "if he should sanction it, and it become the law of the lands

what then? Why, to hazard a prophetic reply on so fearful a question, I fRould say, a Convention at Kingston."

The Montreal Courier backs up the spirit displayed at a monster meet- ing held there "never to submit to pay rebels "; exclaiming—" Let the parliament pass the bill, let the Governor sanction it if he pleases; but while there is axe and rifle on the frontier, and Saxon hands to wield them, these losses will not be paid."

The journals of the United States comment on these events, and on the tone of the Canadian press; foreseeing " troubles " and a speedy raising of the Republican flag. The Boston Herald professes to have received dis- closures concerning a contemplated revolution in and invasion of the Ca- nadas by Irish Patriots, which has been for some time past agitated, as well in the -United States as in the neighbouring provinces of the British king- dom. It says that many of the officers of the volunteers, who served in the United States army in Mexico, are disciplining and arming a large body of men for this purpose. They are employed by a committee of a Canada Association. "A large portion of the funds collected during the Repeal agitations in this country, which, owing to the failure of the Irish in their contemplated insurrec- tion, was never sent to Ireland, is now in the hands of the committee, and, to- gether with contributions which are frequently made by those who first projected the movement and those who have since joined it, constitute the means employed in carrying out this plan of operations."