farrign 110 &Win!.

Smut —Preparations for the Congress are now proceeding in full vigour. The second Plenipotentiary of France will be the Prince de la

Tour Auvergne. The Marquis Antonini has returned from Naples bringing his master's consent to the proposed Italian confederation. It is stated that " in an autograph letter of the Pope to the Emperor, his Holiness declares that he is willing to be represented at the Congress, having full confidence in the loyalty and firmness of the eldest son of the Church, to whom God has intrusted the mission to protect the patrimony of St. Peter against illegal covetousness." The nomination of Count de Recliberg to the post of first Austrian Plenipotentiary has been officially communicated to the French Government. M. Des Ambrois is now officially installed as Sardinian Minister in Paris. " Although it is contrary to etiquette for a foreign Ambassador to receive the Diplomatic Corps, the officers of the Household, and Ministers of the Crown, before he has visited all the Princes of the Imperial family, Prince Metternich has been allowed to break the rule because Prince Jerome is too ill to see him. There is much ostentation about the renewal of official relations between Austria and France. As soon as she has been presented to the Empress, the Princess Metternich will hold receptions.

Prince Jerome continues in a debilitated state, but his health is, nevertheless, said to be improving.

Shoals of pamplets herald the approach of the Congress. M. do la Guerroniere has published one—" the Pope and the Congress"—of suffi- cient importance to be transferred to the Times. Another, with a similar title, comes from Count de Melon,, a disciple of M. de Fallon'. M. Granier de Cassagnac and the redoubtable Jourdain promise pamphlets, and the minnows will no doubt rival the Tritons, in quantity at least.

The Pupal Nuncio is constantly calling on the French Government to confiscate works which speak of the deplorable condition of the Roman Church, and treat of Papal abuses. The authorities accordingly have seized—" l'Examen Critique des Doctrines de in Religion Chretienne," 2 vols. 8vo. ; and " Renovation Religieuse," 1 vol. Svo., by M. P. Lar- roque, ancien reeteur de l'Academic de Lyon. The Suez Canal question has called forth much writing both in the French press and in our own. It has been stirred up again by the pro- ceedings of M. do Lesseps, and the partisans of both sides, as well as those who stand between, are striking hard blows at each other.

S has now been officially announced that Count Cavour will be the first Phuipotentiary of Sardinia in the Congress. The second will be M. Des Ambrois.

Cardinal Antouelli, it is asserted, will represent the Pope ; and ru- mour says he will embark on board a Pontifical frigate bound for France on the 28th.

The Momento, of Milan, publishes an interesting letter which Gari- has addressed to the Espdroace-

" Fino, December 19. "In one of your letters from Paris I find these words—' What lends greater probability to the projects of Russia is the reception given to Gari- baldi in order to secure the sympathies of Italy to the future Queen. The

General has allowed himself to be caught by this sort of bird-lime, &e.'This is an allusion to a story which has gone the round of the journals, to

the effect that I had been received at Nice by the august mother of the Em- peror of Russia, which is not the ease. I beg you to assure those corre- spondents that, if the Italians mean to follow my advice, they will not even accept a Prince of the family of the Sovereign who has given to the world the unique and sublime spectacle of the enfranchisement of the serfs; but that they will persist, as they have hitherto done, in refusing any other Sovereign in Italy except Victor Emmanuel—the only political combina- tion winch can establish the future of the country upon durable bases, and secure the tranquillity of Europe—and that, should it suit the interested views of any ono, by a preasure contrary to the legitimate rights of the people, to prevent the Italians from following this counsel, they should then have recourse to the million of muskets, the only antidote against such anti-national desires, and the infallible means of obtaining the aceompliah- ment of their wishes, and not being caught by bird-lime.

" Jam your devoted, " G. Gsurharsan", The Tuscan Monitors of the 10th contains the following-

" In a circular to the Prefects and Governor of Leghorn, dated from Florence, the 8th of December, M. B. Ricaaoli, President of the Council of Ministers, and Minister of the Interior, gives an account of the steps he had been induced to take on the question of the regency. In substance the fol- lowing are the arrangements that have been adopted :- " The present Government of Tuscany and the Transapennine Govern- ment will continue to be what they are now, with entire freedom of action for maintaining order and obtaining national union under the sceptre of the King Victor Emmanuel.

" Besides the two Governments, • Commendatore Buoncompagni, who, in taking the title of Governor-General of the League of the Italian Central States, will serve as a direct link between these States and the King elect, will give a uniform direction to military affairs, and will see to the execution of all the collective acts that the two Governments shall believe it their duty to do for the common weaL "He then recommends them to tell the people under their administration that he is satisfied with bringing back from Turin their Ring's greeting to the Tuscans, as also the most honourable declarations of esteem and affection for all. Whoever has not seen this magnanimous King devoting his whole life and all his thoughts to Italy does not know what a grand idea is per- sonified in the highest expression of military and civil power loyally placed at the service of a great cause.

" I should like,' he adds, to repeat with the same fascination that they had on his august lips, the recommendation made by him to persevere in order and concord, more necessary now than ever, as likewise his protes- tations that he would watch anxiously over our interests, consatntly defend them, and maintain the rights we have conferred on him at the Con- gress. All the world knows that the word of the King has never been given in vain:

" I wish now that the consolation and confidence with which I was filled upon leaving the King should be transmitted to the entire country, to which I make it my duty to communicate every possible communication respecting the affairs of the State. In presence of the Congress about to assemble, to maintain concord and the firmness of our resolutions is the most sacred duty of every citizen. The Government will act resolutely and un- hesitatingly ; let others do the same, and all will go on well?".

Intelligence from Naples informs us that during the night between the 12th and 13th December, numerous arrests, including several eminent persons, were made. The persons arrested are accused of having clan- destinely printed journals, and of having supported a subscription in be- half of General Garibaldi, several documents concerning which have been seized. The police were searching for the distributors of the photogra- phic portraits of Agesilas Milano. The Sardinian Consul had been momentarily arrested by mistake, but was set at liberty.

The Patric publishes an interesting letter from Venice, dated De- cember 14—

" This city is a desert, and the distress is frightful. Last night, in the most frequented street in Venice, the Ferezzia, two ladies were attacked and robbed of their money and jewels. It is heartrending to consider that while brigandage has entirely ceased in Romagna, the population here, so quiet and so moral, is forced to crime by excess of misery. Row can Europe see such a spectacle and not be touched by it ? The orchestra and singers of the Venice Theatre have presented a petition to the holders of boxes, telling them of their extreme distress, caused by its being resolved not to open the theatre this winter. The proprietors of the theatre assem- bled to consider the matter, and decided that each one should pay half of the amount usually given when the theatre was cpen, and that this money should go to pay the salaries of the poor people, but that the theatre should remain closed. This generous resolution has met with hearty approbation in this city, and has elhmtually circumvented the authorities, who wished to see the theatre open. The Communal Council is convoked for the day after tomorrow to select three persons, of whom the Emperor must choose one, for Podesta of Venice. The previous meeting effected nothing, and people think that there will be the same result on the present occasion."

garritrit.—A demonstration "in favour of the Italian people" took place in Stockholm on the 17th. The Diet has unanimously resolved in present an address to the King requesting his Majesty to defend at the Congress the right of the Italian people to decide their own affairs.

1E55ft—II is said that the French Government has expressed a wish that Prince Gortachakoff should represent Russia in the Congress ; and from Paris it is reported that the Prince will arrive there early in January. The journals of St. Petersburg publish news from the Caucasus, an- nouncing that the people of Abadzekhe, numbering 100,000 men, with their chief, Mahomed Amine, have declared their submission, Other tribes are also preparing to submit themselves to Russia. The Czar has raised General B.rriatinski to the rank of Marshal.

stall;rr1glb.—It is stated that the Powers who are to form the Congress have replied to a Swiss memorandum, desiring that the Italian Confederation should guarantee the neutrality of Savoy. by hinting that Swiss envoys may sit in Congress when the question is debated.

NOrntr11.—The Spaniards, although at the date of the latest advices were still firmly entrenched on the heights in front of Ceuta, had made some slight advances in the direction of Tetuan. In order to reach this place they will have to open a road through .a densely wooded country, intervening between their position and the arid plain which lies beyond the forest towards Tetuan. To protect the engineers and working parties, Prim had led the reserve to some distance from the camp. The Moors had attacked him so vigorously, that O'Donnell was compelled to hold all his forces in hand, and to send General Ros de Olano to hold the right of the road. The danger for the Spanish army will be when it quits the high wooded bills, and forms upon the plain. Then the mettle of the Moorish horse will be tested. The Moors fight well, but without system, and with inferior weapons. They refuse quarter. The worst enemies of the Spaniards, however, are not the Moors. They are a crowded encampment, short supplies, rain, wind, and the constant de- mand for vigilance. At present they have done nothing but hold their ground ; but 40,000 men cannot be left to rot idly on a bleak African hill- side. They must attempt something.

It may be remarked that little reliance can be placed on bulletins, Gibraltar " shaves," and Moorish accounts. Thus we know nothing ac- curately of the losses on either side,—nothing but the broads facts, that the Spaniards are in Africa, and that they keep the Moors at bay. Atttlientio statements represent the losses of the Spaniards as very con- siderable, and describe the Moors as most desperate antagonists. The Spaniards have lost 1000 men in twenty days of irregular fighting, and have 200 sick entering the hospitals per diem, the majority cholera cases.

trman 4. —The Austrian Empire is still in a critical condition. "A collision is imminent between the aristocracy and middle classes.", The finances are so deplorably out of order, that it is reported that " in the last Cabinet Council, presided over by the Emperor, it was resolved that in the next budget a reduction of 38,000,000 florins shall be made in the expenses of the War Department; " and that " Austria is about to pro- ceed to a complete disarmament." Yet what would Austria be without a powerful army ?

The report of the approaching abdication of the Emperor is now denied on what looks like authority. Throughout Germany a strong liberal feeling prevails, said to he more serious than the rising in 1848. There will be a struggle about the con- stitution of Hesse. Prussia and Austria are again in opposition, and it is thought Austria will carry her views in the Diet, while Prussia will be supported in the country. The Wurzburg Conference has elaborated a plan for a reform of the Federal Constitution, and has presented it to the Federal Diet. It is a poor affair. Their proposals are these- " 1. The publication of the proceedings of the Federal Diet. " 2. A common civil and enminal legislation. " 3. A common law of domicile.

"4. A revision of the Federal military constitution, by increasing the Federal forces organically and not numerically ; and, "5. The fortification of the coasts of the North and Baltic Seas."

attgarn.—The agitation in the kingdom of Hungary increases. Detailed reports of the meetings of Protestants occupy a large space in the journals. The vast majority have already rejected the patent. The number of Protestants in Hungary is 3,048,141, of. whom 2,684,033 have, by means of their representatives, petitioned the Emperor to sus- pend patent of the 1st of September ; 39,610 Hungarian. Protestants (principally slaves) have voted an address of thanks to the Emperor for his patent, and the other 324,493 have not yet given expression to their sentiments. The meetings are conducted with great decorum, and no threats, no prosecutions, no arrests, have been able to arrest the move- ment. Every opportunity is seized that will afford the means of making a political demonstration, and opportunities are made when they do not exist. For instance, a letter from Pesth says- " We have just had in this city a proof of the terror which the Austrian authorities feel at the movement which is taking place in Hungary, and of the zeal with which all classes and all creeds are supporting that movement. You are aware that some time back the Austrian authorities refused, from fear of a popular anti-Austrian demonstration, to allow the remains of the great Hungarian dramatist, Kisfaludy, to be removed from the old to the new cemetery, in order to be interred in a tomb worthy of his fame. As this refusal excited general indignation, the authorities put forth as an ex- cuse for their conduct that one of the standing regulations of the Govern- ment is that the remains of a deceased person shall never be removed ex- cept on the express demand of his family. These cunning authorities knew that the-only surviving member of Kisfkludy's family is an officer in the Austrian army, and they calculated that he would not care to incur the dis- pleasure of his superiors by demanding the removal. But, lo! this very officer, thinking that the duty of every Hungarian at this moment is to sympathize with his countrymen, and to disregard the vengeance with which the Viennese people may visit him for so doing, formally requested permission to have the remains taken from one cemetery to the other ! The .Austrian authorities were at first stricken with dismay ; but their usual cunning soon prompted them what to do. They gave their consent to the removal, and appointed the ceremony to take place on the 14th. But in the dead of the night preceding they themselves had the mortal remains of the dramatist removed ; and when, at the appointed time, the friends and admirers of the deceased assembled, they were shown the empty tomb, and told to go away. No sooner was this mean trick known in the city—and the news of it spread like wildfire—than a multitude of people of all ranks immediately flocked to the new cemetery, and literally buried the new tomb of the dramatist beneath flowers. A vast crowd also hurried to the Catholic Cathedral, and there had a solemn masa celebrated for the repose of the soul of the deceased."

The sequel is painful. The Roman Catholics returning from the mass joined a Protestant meeting. Suddenly troops were hurled upon them ; they were charged without warning, and many were knocked down. The mob was dispersed, and many were arrested. Take an instance of a different kind- " A. society of Hungarian ladies intends to present fifty-two arm-chairs to the National Museum at Pesth. On each of these chairs, which are to be placed in the state room of the Museum, will be embroidered the arms of a Hungarian county. It may be observed that there are forty-nine counties and three separate districts,—Jazygien and Great and Little Cumaniem—in Hungary. Some of the ladies residing in Transylvania intend to imitate the example of their Hungarian sisters, and consequently the Museum at Klausenburg will soon be in possession of a set of chairs with the arms of the eight Transylvanian counties and of one Hungarian and five Szeklcr districts embroidered on them. Until now the Protestants in the eleven Saxon districts of Transylvania have displayed no inclination to make com- mon cause with the Hungariana, but they, are tolerably sure to do so if complete self-government in religious matters is not secured to them."

The Transylvanians, in fact, have refused to assist the Austrians in modi- fying the municipal laws, alleging that only the Diet has the power to alter the said laws. The Vienna Correspondent of the Times writes-

" In as far as the projected reforms are concerned, the Government ap- pears to be completely. paralyzed. Every Austrian statesman seems to feel that it is necessary to do something for the nation, but unfortunately none of them know how to take the matter inhand. The Cabinet, feeling itself unequal to the task of reorganizing the empire, occupies itself with matters of inferior moment, such as press ordinances, &c. It is evident that the Government is at a loss how to proceed in Hungary, but the merest tyro in politics plainly sees what ought to be done. Let a reasonable share of liberty be granted to all the Austrian nationalities, and they will cease to sympathize with the Hungarians, and to consider them the champions of political freedom. Government employee say that the Germans, Bebe- Dlia118, Croats, &c., feel no sympathy for the Hungarians; but they deceive themselves, as they entirely forget that during the last nine years very much has been taken from, and nothing given to, the inhabitants of the empire. During the years 1843 and 1849 there a was very large black- yellow ' party in this city, but it would now be difficult to find 16,000 men on whom Government could depend in the day of need. In fact, the inju- dicious measures of the SiEWeiieiiberPlach Cabinet and of its sue- &leers, have sadly blunted the feelings of loyalty and patriotism in the Viennese." Jesuitical T uitical policy of Count Leo Thun is still at work. The Ultra- montanista have projected a new organ, intended to foment a schism between the Protestants and Roman Catholics, but the powerful Roman Catholic Association of St. Stephen have significantly protested against the scheme. The Croats are with the Hungarians.

SIIIIiit.—When Sir Henry Storks opened the Ionian Assembly on the 10th, some of the members stayed away for the purpose of protesting against his appearance in the House. This is a curious fact. The pro- testers were only twelve out of forty. The speech contained a list of many measures, for improving the revenue, the civil and judicial admin- istration, the post-office, and other matters. Signor Dandolo intends to bring in twenty-four bills proposing to reduce all salaries, postpone pay- ment of interest on all debts, and take away the salaries from the mem- bers of the Senate, Assembly, and Municipal Council.

8113E811 rinrigatitirs.—The National Assembly of Moldavia,

after having received a message from Prince Couza, was dissolved on the 18th.

7. I it tif 'Si 1.5.—Adviees from North America to the 14th have been received.

Both Houses of Congress assembled at Washington on the 6th of December, but as the House of Representatives had not succeeded in organizing when the Africa sailed, the President's message had not been' sent in.

The Senate was opened with the usual formalities, and at the first opportunity Mr. Mason, of Virginia, offered a resolution providing for the appointment of a Select Committee to make a full and searching in- vestigation into all the circumstances connected with the Harper's Ferry outbreak, and also to report what legislation is necessary for the future preservation of the peace of the country and the safety of the public pro- perty. Mr. Trumbull said that he should move to extend the inquiry so as to include an investigation of the circumstances connected with the seizure of the arsenal at Franklin, Missouri, during the Kansas " border ruffian" war. On the following day Mr. Mason's resolution was debated but without result.

In the House of Representatives, immediately after the roll was called, an attempt was made to elect a Speaker. A ballot was taken, and the result showed that sixteen candidates, embracing all the various shades of party politics, had been voted for without effecting a choice, which requires a clear majority of the votes cast. Mr. Beeock, the nominee of the democrats, received 86 votes ; Mr. Sherman, republican, 66 ; Mr. Grow, republican, 48 ; Mr. Botler, an "American" (know-nothing) democrat, 14 ; and others smaller votes. After the ballot, Mr. Grow withdrew his name, but no second effort had taken place. Mr. Clark, of Missouri, offered a resolution declaring in effect that no member of Con- gress who has given his approval of a work called " Helper's Impending Crisis " (which bears upon the Harper's Ferry affair), or who has recom- mended it, is fit to be Speaker. The Newyork Herald says, that "three- fourths of the republican members have recommended this handbook of insurrection." On the 6th the action of the House was confined to a debate upon this proposition.

Mr. Wise, Governor of Virginia, had issued a message to the Legisla- ture of that State. In this document he speaks of one entire section of the country as being maddened with hatred of the masters of African slaves. -Unless the numerical majority cease to violate confederate faith, and cease to disturb our peace, he says " we must take up arms." The issue is too essential to be compromised any more. Mr. Wise defends his conduct in calling out the whole military force of the state on the ground that he feared an attempt on the part of border states to rescue Brown. But he says "there is no danger from our slaves or coloured people. The slaves have refused to take arms." He invites the State to organize and arm, and have "no more temporizing with the constitution —no more compromises." One of his statements is that "this predatory war has its seat in the British provinces, which furnish asylums for our fugitives and send them and their hired outlaws upon as from depOts in the bordering states." The Democrats and Rowdies of New York have gained a great tri- umph in the election of Mr. Fernando Wood to the office of Mayor.

The President's Message had not been sent to Congress on the 13th. Anti-Brown meetings had been held at Boston, Mr. Everett in the chair.

It is stated that this proposition has been submitted by General Scott to Governor Douglas for the joint occupation of the island of San Juan-

" Without prejudice to the claim of either nation to the sovereignty Of the entire island of San Juan, now in dispute, it is proposed that each shall

occupy a separate portion of the same by a detachment of infantry, riflemen, or marines, not exceeding 100 men, with their appropriate arms, only for the, equal protection of their respective countrymen on the said island in their persons and property, and to repel any descent on the part of hostile Indians."

General Scott added in his note that any addition or modification sug- gested by Governor Douglas would meet with respectful consideration. Lieutenant-Colonel Lay returned with the following reply-

" Memorandum.—His Excellency Governor Douglas authorizes me to say, having yet no time to consider Rho proposition offered by i Lieutenant- General Scott, or to consult with his official advisers here, he s at a glance satisfied that no obstacle exists to a completely amicable and satisfactory adjustment continuing throughout the period of diplomatic discussion re- specting the title of the island of San Juan, either upon the plan suggested by General Scott, or some other that may be mutually agreed to after ad- visement."

A copy of this memorandum was retained by Governor Douglas, after being read and approved by him, and signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Lay, Elsewhere we have described the execution of Captain Brown. Here we give from an American paper some extracts relating to his last inter- view with his wife. It took place on the lat of December. The pair were strictly watched by the military and civil authorities. " On first meeting they kissed and affectionately embraced, and Mrs. Brown shed a few tears, but immediately checked her feelings. They stood embraced, and she sobbing, for nearly five minutes, and he was apparently unable to speak. The prisoner only gave way for a moment, and was soon calm and collected, and remained firm throughout the interview. At the close they shook hands, but did not embrace, and as they parted he said,

God bless you and the children.' Mrs. Brown replied, ' God have mercy on you,' and continued calm until-she left the room, when she remained in tears a few moments, and then prepared to depart.

" The interview took place in the parlour of Captain Avis, and the pri- soner was free from manacles of any kind. They sat side by side on a sofa, and after discuasing family matters proceeded to business. He stated that he desired his property to pass entirely into her possession, and appeared to place full confidence in her ability to manage it properly for the benefit of his younger children. He requested her to remain at North Elba, New York, on her farm, where she now resides, and which belongs to her. He desired that his younger children should be educated, and if she could not obtain facilities for their education at home to have them sent to a boarding school.

" He then gave directions, and dictated to Sheriff Campbell a will, which directed that all his property Should go to his wife, with the exception of a few presents and bequests which be, made. To one of his sons he gave a double spy-glass, and to another a watch, while a third was directed to take a tombstone or monument that marks the grave of his father at North Elba, and have his name, age, and the manner of his death, together with the cause for which he had suffered, cut upon it. He directs that it shall re- main at North Elba as long as his family resides there. To each of his children he bequeathed the sum of 50 dollars, and to each of his daughters a Bible, to cost 5 dollars, to bo purchased out of money coming to him from his father's estate. He also directed that a Bible, to cost 3 dollars, shall be presented to each of his grandchildren, and that 50 dollars each be paid to three persons whom he named, if they can be found, and if not to their legal representatives. The subject of the death of his two sons was spoken of, and Mrs. Brown remarked that she had made some effort while at Harper's Ferry for the re- covery of their bodies, to which object, she said, Colonel Barbour bad kindly consented to give his assistance. Captain Brown remarked that he would also like the remains of the two Thompsons removed, if they could be found; but suggested that it would be best to take his body, with the bodies of his four sons, and get a pile of pine logs, and burn them altogether ; that it would be much better and less expensive to thus gather up all their ashes together and take them to their final resting plaee. Sheriff Campbell told him that this would not be permitted within the State, and Mrs. Brown ob- jected to the proposition altogether. " The prisoner said, that he contemplated his death with composure and calmness. It would undoubtedly be pleasant to live longer ; but, as it was the will of God he should close his career, he was content. It was doubt- less best that he should be legally murdered for the good of the cause, and he was prepared to submit to his fate without a murmur. Mrs. Brown becoming depressed at these remarks, he bid her cheer up, telling her that his spirit would soon be with her again, and that they would be reunited in Heaven.

" With regard to his execution, he said that he desired no religious ceremonies, either in the gaol or on the scaffold, from ministers who con- sent or approve of the enslavement of their fellow. creatures, —that he would prefer rather to be accompanied to the scaffold by a dozen slave children and goad old slave mother, with their appeal to God for blessings on his soul, than all the eloquence of the whole clergy of the commonwealth combined."

The body of Brown after execution was sent under escort to his wife at Albany.