25 SEPTEMBER 1858, Page 5

furtigu nut tend:al.

frearr.—The Emperor, contrary to rumour, had not quitted Biarritz at the date of the latest advices received yesterday. Prince Napoleon, it is said, had been suddenly called thither on the eve of his departure for Algeria.

The Not/iteur takes upon itself to contradict the rumour that Algeria is to be a free port-

" Several journals have announced, for some days past, that the Govern- ment of the Emperor is contemplating the introduction of important modi- fications into the commercial retgitne of Algeria. These pretended projects, and the discussion to which they have given rise have excited some uneasi- ness in the manufacturing districts ; but in order to put a stop to the ru- mours, it is sufficient to say that the Government has never entertained the thought of making any change in the customs laws which are in force in Algeria, and determine its relations with France."

The paragraph in the Mon iteur has been followed by the publication of a letter from Prince Napoleon to Michel Chevalier, apropos of an invita- tion to call at Cette from the Council-General of the Herault, in which he saps-

" I should have been happy to have discussed with you the future which is in store for it by the development of our colony. 'fhe question of com- mercial liberty raised by the Council-General of your department is one of those which particularly excites my sympathy. Our industrial progress causes that question to make a daily advance, and ere long the revision of our customb.ouse tariffs will cease to alarm any interests."

An Imperial decree in the Mon iteur nominates Baron Gros, the French Plenipotentiary in China, to the dignity of Senator.

It is said that the Emperor of China is to have the Grand Cordon of St. Vladimir from Russia, and that of the Legion of Honour from France. This is no account of the recent treaty. Marshal Bosquet does not recover his health, and it is feared he will not be able to assume the command of his military division, in which case it will be conferred, in November next, on Marshal Randon.

A batch of Legitimists in Poitiers have been fined in sums varying from 600 to 1000 francs, and to terms of imprisonment varying from two Months to one month, for having, at Poitiers, in the course of the year 1868, by speeches publicly uttered, and by an address written and shown in Public places, attacked the rights which the Emperor holds in virtue of the constitution and the national sovereignty; and for having, together and in concert, during the year 1858, with the intention of disturbing ttie public peace, practised manceuvres or maintained intelligence either at home or abroad. Attention has been drawn to the fact that rifled cannon are now "re- gulation weapons" in the French Navy ; and that the Emperor has ordered an immense supply of rifled field-pieces for thearmy.

If any one doubted the accuracy of the report imputing matrimonial intentions to the Duke of Malakoff; his doubt may be removed by the perusal of the banns published in Paris on Sunday.

" His Excellency Aimable Jean Jacques Pelissier, Duke de Malakoff; Marshal of France, Member of the Privy Council, Vice-President of the Senate, Ambassador of his Majesty the Emperor of the French to her Ma- jesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, decorated with the military medal, &c. residing at Paris, in his hotel, Avenue des Champs Elvsees, son of the defunct Pierre Pelissier and of Catherine Chartier, his wife ; and Mademoiselle Maria Isabel Sophie Andrea Francisca de Paula Valera de la Paniega, residing at Paris, Avenue des Champs Elysees, 87, daughter of Don Jose Valera y Viana, Marquis de Paniega, landowner, and of Donna Maria de los Dolores Alcala Gallant) y Percya, Marquise de la Paniega, his wife, residing at Madrid."

i 14.—The Villafranca story has assumed very modest proportions. The Paris correspondent of the Times says- " I will merely say that there is no charter, no sale, no military establish- ment at Villafranca allowed to Russia. The old bagtaio, or hard labour prison and buildings, the convict establishment at which was broken up some months ago, is lent to the Russian Commercial Steam-packet Company, known as the Mediterranean Steam Navigation Company, as a storehouse for coal and provisions. It is lent gratuitously. The idea of paying 4,000,000f. per annum for the accommodation is monstrous and absurd. . . . As a matter of good-will and friendliness Sardinia allows Russia to have a depot of coal and ships' necessaries at Villafranca, just as the Americans have long had one at Spezzia. There is no purchase, no rental, no treaty, and the Russians may any day be bid to depart." The Turin correspondent of the Morning Post, from an " unquestion- able source," states the case as follows-

" The Russian Government was in need of some depot for coals and victualling in the Mediterranean, and made application to this Government for that purpose. In the Bay of Villafranca, near Nice, there is a galley- slave station, (Bagno,) which is now unoccupied, as the convicts have been removed to Genoa. The building is well adapted to the purpose, and the Russian Government made a proposal to purchase it. To this the answer of the Sardinian Government was in the negative. It thought proper, how- ever, to allow the gratuitous, and of course temporary, use of the building for the object above alluded to."

The Conatitutionnel offers the following comments on the lease of Vil- lafranca to the Russians. It is supposed to have been inspired by the French Foreign Office, and is sufficiently Russian in its tendency to give colour to the supposition.

"The Russian flag has of late been frequently seen on shores which for- merly it visited but rarely. This is the best mode of imparting vitality to a fleet partially paralyzed by being periodically frozen up. Sailors can only be made at sea. Russian ships henceforth perform a better part than that of marine outworks to land fortifications, and they will best fit themselves

for it by constantly sailing The Russian steam navy, which before the Crimean war never showed itself beyond the limits of the Black Sea, will ere long carry its flag from port to port throughout the Mediterrtmeals Thus by preventing Russia from retaining a war fleet in the Euxine, the powers which signed the treaty of Paris have urged her to a change of system which will be far more advantageous to her. A great deal has been said in some of the English journals against the alleged cession of the port of Villa- franca. . . . . This is now reduced to an old building adjoimng the_port, which will be used by a Russian company as a provision &IDOL If an English company were here in question, this arrangement would be one of great importance. Take, for instance, Aden. Has it not, from being a mere coal depot, become in the hands of the East India Company a formid- able fortress ? Of course nothing of the sort is meditated by the Russian company. It is said that the English Government will be asked questions on the subject of Villafranca on the meeting of Parliament. The English journals take alarm at seeing Russia obtain a footing- on the shores of the Mediterranean, with the consent of Sardinia. Is not this very unjust ? And how could the English Government have prevented it ? Would it have been in a condition to protest even against a more important cession, while it retains and occupies Perim, which has not yet been ceded by the Turkish Go- vernment? It would be puerile to pretend that the Russian Government does not attribute importance to the lines of steamers it is preparing for the Medi- terranean. And the same may be said of the Austrian steamers. These are un- dertakings which will neither be abandoned at Vienna nor at St. Petersburg. They are far more needed by their governments than the lines of the ill-mea- ger:es Imperiales, which company owes its success principally to the energy and ability of its administration. While the French service is one mini* commercial, the Austrian and Russian lines are, perhaps, chiefly political. But they are also commercial, and in this light the Russian company which we are now considering has a far greater importance than as to its footing at Villafranca Until the discovery of the Cape, Genoa and Venice, chiefly trading in the Black Sea, or passing through the Isthmus of Suez, reaped the benefits of the Asiatic trade. Portugal and Holland, in their turn, became indebted to the same trade for the passing renown of their fleets. France and England struggled for India. Ever since the latter power, taking advantage of our revolutionary troubles, succeeded in assuring to herself the empire of India, she has risen to the state of wealth and poli- tical power which she now possesses. We do not mean that the establish- ment of the Odessa steamers will suffice to turn the commerce of Asia in a new direction. The commercial and maritime power of England is too great and too firmly established to be so easily shaken. But let it be borne in mind that the power of Venice too was very great, and very solidly based. It is certain that events seem combining to create a redoubtable competition with English commerce. Steam, in altering all the conditions both of naviga- tion and land transit, is opening new highways to the commerce of Asia, and these highways are not, as is the sea, under British control Should Russia, ceasing to devote her energies to war, invite the commerce and in- dustry of Europe to profit by her immense resources, that country may be- come one of the high roads of commerce between Europe and Asia The route by the Cape must ere long be given up. The reforms which the Russian government is urging forward with an enlightened activity, more particularly in the matter of the organization of lines of steamers, will greatly contribute to this result, which will be favourable to the interests of the whole world.'

It should be remarked, that the French papers have all rebuked the English journals, with more or less warmth, for the credit they attached to the first version of the story, and the jealousy of Russia they have shown. The Siecle believes that intentions are ascribed to the Cabinet of St. Petersburg which it never entertained. Its navy wanted a port at which it could obtain supplies; several of its vessels have been recently obliged to go to Brest to be careened; and it was therefore natural it should endeavour to create in the Mediterranean a deli& of provisions. Like the Journal des Debate, we consider the alarms of the English press as marked with inopportune exaggeration. The Pays says, "That if there exists in the Mediterranean an influence calculated to awaken the attention of the European powers, it is precisely that of England, and that the English press displays the worst taste in protesting against Rus- sia possessing a portion of an abandoned store scarcely large enough for a depOt of coal and provisions."

VI115118.—The question of the Regency is said to be settled. A telegraphic despatch, dated "Berlin, September 20," says-

" Yesterday, the King signed the order which definitively regulates the question of the Government. The Council of Ministers is assembled. The order of the King will not be officially published until the return of the Prince of Prussia from Hanover and -Warsaw. The Prince leaves this evening for Hanover."

But no one seems to know on what conditions. One report is that the Queen has withdrawn her pretensions to the Regency, and that the Prince of Prussia is to assume the title of co-Regent, but with unlimited powers, and perfectly independent in his regal capacity.

oI1auk.—The King of Holland opened the States General on the 20th. He was accompanied by the Prince of Orange, and in the opening of his speech he made a feeling allusion to the fact. His relations with foreign powers are amicable ; "nevertheless the safety of the country renders necessary the maintenance of a sufficient military force for its defence." The public revenue flourishes the commercial panic was but slightly felt ; the harvest is abundant ; and peace and prosperity reign in the colonies.

"It has always been painful to me to speak of a slave population under Dutch dominion, and I hope you will receive favourably the measures con- certed to put an end to such a condition." Various measures are to be brought in to reform the law, help the pro- gress of railways, and reduce taxes.

trt.—The first stone of a new house for the Legislative body was laid in Athens on the 27th August. Several new buildings have recently been *erected. But a new work is on hand.

"The Queen-Regent has just signed a royal decree for the reentablish- ment of the ancient Olympic games, after being discontinued for nearly 1500 years. They are to be held at Athens, in the ancient Stadium, which is still in a very perfect state of preservation, and requires very little more than a good cleaning out, and are to take place on the three first Sundays in October, every fourth year, commencing in 1859. The games are to include horse races, wrestling, throwing quoits, and other athletic sports, sing- ing, music, and dancing, besides which there is to be an exhibition of flowers, fruits, cattle, and other articles of Greek produce or manufactures. This eccentric idea was formed by a wealthy Peloponnesian named Evan- gelos Zappas, who resides at Jassy, in Moldavia, and who has liberally en- dowed the games by placing at the disposal of the Hellenic government 400 shares in the Greek 'Steam Navigation Company, besides the sum of 3000 Dutch ducats in nature. The prizes are to be awarded by a committee ap- pointed each Olympiad by the Greek Government, and will consist of gold and silver medals, and wreaths of silver leaves and flowers. The former will contain an effigy of the King, whilst on the reverse will be engraved the name of the founder Zappas,' and the date, or rather the number, of the Olympiad. The winners of the prize-medals will be entitled to wear them at the button-hole, suspended by a blue and white watered silk ribbon." It is reported Russia is now making arrangements with the Greek Go- vernment for a "coal depet" near Athens similar to that of Villa franca.

11.1155ia.—The Augsburg Gazette, on the authority of "the Polish journals" gives credit to a report that serious disturbances have broken out among the Russian peasants. The explanation is one, be it observed, favourable to the Government.

It appears that the question of emancipation does not make any progress, because a great part of the old Russian nobility desires to preserve things as they are, and will not here speak of the projected reforms. In consequence, considerable agitation has been produced among the peasants, and the nobles have sought refuge with their families in the nearest towns, with- out, however, consenting to make the least concession. They demand the protection of the government ; and the government on its part does all in its power to induce them to give up their pretensions, since it cannot re- tract the promises which it has made. The government, however, promises them all possible advantages, and even consents to transfer to them a cer- tain degree of authority in their communes. If the nobles should persist in their opposition the most painful events may be feared. In Yolhynia, Po- dolia, and Ukraiu, similar scenes, to those referred to have occurred. In the kingdom of Poland, the government desires to convert the rents paid in kind by the peasants into rents in money. But, as it proposes to have these rents modified at certain fixed epochs, its project encounters great opposi- tion."

The Emperor and Empress, accompanied by Prince Gortschakoff, were at Moscow on the 6th September.

tiriassia. —The St. Petersburg journals of the 9th announce what they call a "decisive defeat" of Schamyl in the Caucasus. According to them, on the 2d ultimo, a large detachment of his forces attacked a Russian column in the gorge of Acho, but was repulsed with considerable has; whereupon Sehamyl, with a part of his troops, resolved to make a diversion at Wladikaukas. He marched there, and found a column of Russians, under General Mischchanko. The Russian General ma- nceuvred in such a way as to entice him into the place, and then, di- viding his force into two columns, he attacked him both on the right and left, and at last routed round him with a loss of 370 men killed, cap- turing, besides 84 horses, 424 muskets, 280 swords, 4-45 pistols, and 14 tents—one of the latter Schamyrs own. It was on the 11th ultimo that this engagement took place, and it is said that the Russian loss was only 14 killed and 16 wounded.

itttth ILL—The Canada arrived at Liverpool on Saturday with

adviees from Boston to the 8th.

Full details of the outrageous proceedings on Staten Island have ar- rived. It appears that the Staten Islanders have long been hostile to the Quarantine establishment, and have once before tried to destroy it. Recently the insurgents have received support from a declaration of the local board of health against the place, and the refusal of the Sheriff of Richmond to take measures for the prevention of an outrage openly threatened gave them impunity. A mob, headed by and composed of " wealthy and respectable" persons carried the buildings by storm on the 7th, and set them on fire. They removed the sick, some suffering from small-pox and some from yellow fever, and strewed them about on the wass around the place. Dr. Bisse], in his official report declares that during the whole time the sick "were half suffocated and roasted,

and the nurses and others had to throw water over them every three minutes, to keep them from burning to death !" When Dr. Bissel remon- strated with the rioters they knocked him down. All the buildings were destroyed in the conflagration. At midnight the mob in broadcloth turned Dr. Thompson and his wife out of his house 'and burned that to the ground. When all was over, the authorities sent a detachment of infantry and two guns, to guard the ground while a temporary qua. rantine was rebuilt. Mr. John A. King, Governor of the State of New York, issued a strong proclamation denouncing the proceedings as "crimes of the highest infamy," calling upon the inhabitants of the island to 'bring the criminals to punishment, and declaring the county of Richmond in a state of insurrection.

In Utah, an interesting case had been before Judge Echels for three days, on a writ of habeas corpus, brought on behalf of an Englishman named Polydore, to recover the custody of his daughter, who was earned to Utah by her mother, and was then in the family of one of the Mor- mon elders. The girl was delivered up to the United States Marshal, to be returned to her father.

I1 11$ .—Much light is thrown on the causes of the deplorable state of things in Canton by translations of some Chinese documents published in the Hongkong journals. One of these official proclamations directs the making out of lists in every village of all Chinese in the service of the barbarians in any capacity. For what purpose ? That their rela- tions may give them notice to return, and that if they do not return within a given period the said relations may be seized and punished, Those who return secretly are toThe punished in their persons and to lose their property. Those who screen them are to have their goods eon_ fiscated—the temple of the village taking one half, the village the other. No Chinese is to pilot a barbarian ship, or trade with barbarians. The consequence was that the Chinese were fast leaving Hongkong.

"The power which such proclamation exercises over the minds of Chinese is astonishing. A foreigner would think them nothing but vapour—empty Bound, signifying nothing. You put such a question as this to your ser- vant. I learn that many Chinese are leaving the colony in obedience to the commands of the Mandarins—are you not afraid to stay?' ' No, just now, my no fear—all that house man belong Hang-shan—my belong Hang-shang. Hang-shang Mandarin no taukee strong yet. - That Mandarin belong Nam-huy, Schuu-tak, Pun-yo—he taukee worry strong, and that man must go. Suppose Hang-shaiag Mandarin taukee strong, my must go too."

The following tariff of rewards has been published by the authority of the Imperial Commissioner of Kwangtung. "1. Whoever catches an English or French rebel chief will receive a re- ward of 55000.

"2. Whoever cuts off the head of a rebel barbarian will receive a reward of $50.

"3. Whoever catches a rebel barbarian alive will receive a reward of $100.

"4. Whoever catches a traitor, will, on producing satisfactory evidence, receive a reward of $20.

"5. Whoever can manage to burn or take a large war steamer will re- ceive a reward of 610,000. "6. Whoever can manage to burn or take a shallow water steamer will receive $2000, and be recommended for further reward."

The braves of Kwangtung denounce the "red-haired foreign dogs" as "a nation of thieves." The "highly praised subjects of the Em- peror" will not submit to the foreign dogs.

"We have ascertained that there are only two or three thousand English and French dogs in the city, but our numbers are thousands and thousands and if every one of us carry but a sword to kill every Foreigner that we meet, we shall soon kill them all. If any one trade or supply provisions to the foreign dogs, we shall arrest and punish him according to the village regu- lations. All those who are in the employ of the foreign dogs must leave their employment in one month, and after one month, if they still stay with the foreign dogs, and do not return to their native villages, the elders of the villages will hand over their families to the authorities to be punished, as

if they were the red-head rebels The Americans, Spaniards' and other foreign nations are on good terms with ours. The stoppage of trade is solely caused by the English and French dogs, and complaints must be made against them alone and not us."

The so-called "gentry of Kwangtung" have also issued an edict de- nouncing as traitors all who prevent the braves from exterminating the barbarians—the accomplishment of which feat, they say, might be ex- pected every day.

&aft tif Suet MU.—Governor Sir George Grey departed from Cape Town on the 27th July to mediate between the Boers and Basuto& He was escorted out of the town by the local troops, horse and foot.

Intelligence has come to hand by a later mail of the arrival of Sir George Grey at Beaufort, and his departure thence on the 5th for Graaf Reinet. He was well received by the people all along his route.