4 MARCH 1854, Page 9

furtigu nut Ciluutal.

Pc.—The Emperor opened the Legislative Session of 1851, in the Hall of the Marshals, on Thursday. In the first part of the speech he delivered on the occasion, he referred to the deficient harvest of last year. Commerce not Government, alone could supply that deficiency, estimated at ten :million hectolitres. Government therefore encouraged purchases and set free the import of grain. Seven millions of hectolitres have been already imported, and the remaining three are either in bond or on their way to France. "But," continued the Emperor, " famine just averted, war is beginning." - "Last year, in my speech on the opening of the session I promised to snake every effort to maintain peace and reassure Europe. I have kept my word. To avoid a collision, I went as far as honour permitted me. Europe knows now in a manner beyond doubt, that if France draws the sword it is because she has been forced to do so. It knows that France entertains no ideas of aggrandisement; she only 'wishes to resist dangerous encroachments. Therefore, I am proud to proclaim openly that the time of conquests is past irrevocably' for it is not by extending its territorial limits that a nation can henceforth be honoured and powerful—it is by placing itself at the head of generous ideas, by making everywhere prevail the empire of right and of justice. Behold, as an example, the results of a policy without egotism and without arriare-pensee ! Behold England, our former rival, forming with us the bonds of an alliance which become from day to day more intimate, because the opinions which we defend are also those of the English people ! liermany, which the remembrance of former wars rendered still distrustful, aid which on that account has given for the last forty years perhaps too many proofs of her deference for the policy of the Cabinet of St. Petersburg, has already recovered her independence of action, and considers freely on what side her interests lie.

"Austria, above all, which could not see with indifference the events which i were n program, will enter into an alliance, and will thus attest the just and Moral character of the war Which we are undertaking.

"This, then_, is the question as it stands. Europe, engaged in domestic struggles for the last forty years—reassured, moreover, by the moderation of the Emperor Alexander in the year 1815, as well as by that of his successor up to this time—seemed to doubt the danger which menaced it from the csloisai power which, by its successive 'encroachments, : embraces the North said the centre. of Europe, and Which possesses almost exclusively two inter- nal smut, whence it is easy for its armies and its fleets to launch forth against

our civilization. ' - • "An unfounded demand at Constantinople has been sufficient to arouse Europe from her sleep. • - • • • • .• • "We have Been in the East, s a Sovereign in the midst of the most pro-

Tound Peace, did from his leis powerfulheighbournekv concessions, and, bemuse he did net obtain them, invide.tvres at that neighbour's provinces. Such -a -fact as this might to put:arms into the hands of those who revolt from injustice; but we have other reasons - forssupportingTurkeyss France has as much, and perhaps more interest than preventing the in- fluence, of Russia from :extending itself indefinitely over Constantinople; for to be supreme in Constantinople is to be supreme in the Mediterranean; and no One ef. you gentlemen, I think, will say that England alone is Atiegeiriiii*Wdoin: that sea, which washes three huudreckleagues of our

coast • • • -• ,- • • •

"Moreover, this policy does: not.. date from yesterday; for ages every na-

tional Govern i

ment n Francs has maintained.itsand L Will not desert it. Let them not, then,- come end risk as 'What are you going to do at Con- stantinople ?' We are going there with England- to defend the cause of the Sultan, and none the less to protect the rights of the Christians. We are going there to defend the freedom ofthe seas, and our just influence in the Mediterranean. We are going there withGerinany,sto aid her in preserv- ing the rank from which, it seems, they wish to degrade her to secure her frontiers!against.the-prependeranea• of a too. powerful neighbour; We are goings theta in fineswithall • those who -desire the triumph of right, ofjus-

ticessuid of-civilization. s • • • . ; •

"Iittkisselianmeonjarictm-e,, gentlemen,- as An ails these in which I shall be obligedrtosappeal my.the country, L rely arnay upon you, for I have al- ways •tonad;:insyoustho generous: sentiments wilsigh,suumate the nation. Strong, then, in this security, in the:noblenstarof our .easses in the firmness ofour'allitincessandoessfidliig alsove,allin theprotection of God; I hope soon to arrive at s a peace rehiehJiMill rut longer depend on' the power, of any one to

disturbit withsimpuniV.!' ..• • . - • • . • •

• eireirtikeithireSeml by 11..Drouyn de Limy& to all:the:French diploe inaticsakmitiliat teemptiblished:, sOblig,ed to-admittimposisibilities of • war 'with 'the Tien& %thinker states that England and,PTIMCO have contraeled"fiii alliance; 'at:4'601 they consider itrilieta be-diteeted to protect such of their jute ta ass are nsenaced-by a State of war.

".Thatliplematic and co &at akehti, as well as the commandants of

the itirWal felt& 'et tech- of e 1/460-601111tritB, all' pointir .afittet globe; are therefoib AffoAl,their aid tofthosubjects and the camtnereosal the other in alt eases: istmeesthdy May be menaced by the cowmen :enemyc Xen.are, con- sequently to consider in similar cimnenstamiee :Rug* vessels and English s•ubiPtPsrstisthe Spbesesefsleus actionssast having the *cue right as French ps rate all the assistance within your attribu-

tions; and the fact to such of the naval officers of his Imperial Maj • s". ,Waition to co tate in the meaatires Which

the eirchrir'"ms I state- af • lappearsto ; you to • require The geilta and riarvalliffiee oftlier••Britanisie MajestrWillsoceive identical instructions, and thus the subjects and the commerce of both nations,will be authorized to count on the reciprocal protection of the consuls and of the aavyrif biitli*bwe'rs!" •:•••,1 s •-• sss •• 7! s . •.• • . 'The Freon& Ministry' does not undertake to specifyleforehand all the eases demanding intervention, but only to mark the character it ought to take. TO' 'seems! the •tionimon- measure- all the - effect _desirable, . "the agents hti4d Mario feel tboroughly the spirit Of that community of action which !heti suggested it to • both Cabinets:" . Prince Napoleon has addressed ii letter to the Einperor, begging that lie inaystake' part in the -expedition to Turkey. He asks for no important

• command, no distinctive 'title : "the post which In we- will' be the most honourable," he says, "will be the one that is nearestthe enemy

desire to win the high ratik which Yatir ;affection and my position have giVerisines • .: . • When • :the nation takes tiprans, soy: place, is It the midst ef the soldiers; • and I•psyty. you tosperraitsme510.join them in order to 443Port the rights tind,heisoursof France."T .1E1. _ The iamb& of thelettial• force of the French expedition to the East has • not•Iieen radials, •minanneed, but it is pitched as high as 80,000. Twelve' Getitralit, under unexperienced Marshal, will accompany the army. • The'Maraltal,it is said, is St Arnaud: -Prince Napoleon will command the reserve. The Hostiteur of Thursday publishes a eircularfrom the Minister of Marine ordering all officers of the French navy to concert with English

naval officers all measures which are intended to protect the interests the power, or the honour of the flags of the two nations, so that their forces may act as if they belonged only to one and the same nation.

The following are the principal results of an account just published by the Minister of War on the recruiting of the army in 1852. The effective

strength of the army in 1852 was, on an average, 389,560 men, officers, sergeants, corporals, and privates ' • in 1851, it was 406,532. On the 1st January 1853, after 55,943 men of the class of 1845 had been sent home, the army in active service had an effective strength of 376,101 men, namely, 304,864 at home and 71,237 in Africa. The reserve at the sanie period consisted of 126,889 men ; making the general effective strength, on the 1st January 1853, 502,990. The total number of exemptions granted to young men of the class of 1851 was 80,991, being 3254 less than in the class of 1850 ; and the exemptions granted on account of short size or infirmities were much less numerous than in former years. Out of the 311,218 young men forming the total number of the class of 1851, 105,900 could neither read nor write ; 10,787 could read only ; and 185,131 could both read and write. The number of voluntary enrolments in 1852 was 10,497, being 156 more than lin 1851. The reengagementa at the end of the term of service were 6400, being 599:more than in the pre- vious year. The number of men who availed themselves of regimental instruction in 1852 was 82,111, being 863 more than in 1851.

A report from M. Duces, Minister of Marine, appeared in the Moniteur of Sunday, informing the Emperor that his commands directing the formation of a third squadron of ships had been obeyed. This squadron will consist of ten ships of the line, fourteen frigates, and fifteen sailing or steam corvettes. M. Duces recommends the appointment of Vice-Ad- miral Parseval-Deschenes as commander-in-chief, and Rear-Admiral Penaud as second in command. It is supposed that these ships are in- tended for action in the Baltic.

The Moniteur also publishes a decree prohibiting the exportation of warlike stores and arms.

BELGIUM.—The long-standing difficulties between France and Belgium respecting their commercial relations have been overcome. A new treaty of commerce has been signed this week, by the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and M. Adolphe Barret, the French Envoy at Brussels.

GERMANY.—The intentions of the German Powers are developed with events. It is said that a treaty of adhesion between them and England and France has actually been signed,—to this effect: Austria and Prussia will maintain strict neutrality, but a neutrality to the advantage of the Western Powers ; Austria will occupy the provinces that will be pointed out to her, and establish an army of observation on the frontiers against the Russians; but she will avoid coming into immediate collision with them as long as possible. A telegraphic despatch from Vienna states that Austria was about to enter Servia and Bosnia with 25,000 men.

The Austrian Government have issued a decree transferring the whole of the State paper-money, now in circulation at a forced course, to the Royal Austrian National Bank ; where, by degrees, it will be converted into bank-notes. The administration of the State guarantees the Bank for the caper-money, agrees to pay all necessary expenses attending its conversion, and to hand over at least ten millions of florins yearly until the debt be completely discharged. The Bank takes as security an order on the Customs. The State will energetically assist the Bank direction in providing the Bank with means for effecting a corresponding increase in its capital stock, in order that it may be able to fulfil its obligations and resume cash payments. This measure has been well received.

TIIBXEL—By the last accounts, the armies on the Danube were still in position facing each other at various points ; and nothing beyond skirmishes along the Danube has occurred. General Schilders, an able man, has given the Turks some trouble at Oltenitza and Giurgevo with his batteries. It is estimated that the Russians have 119,150 men and 304 guns in Moldo-Wallachia. The first line stretches from Galata to Kalafat, the second from Bucharest to Krajowa. An attack at Giurgevo is still expected. That General Schilders is busy there, may be guessed from the fact that the Tarim recently made a sudden attack upon the Russians, in order to discover the position. Omar Pasha has broken through the rule which excludes ChristianS from commands in the Turkish army. He has appointed two French- - alien, Mercier an Dupuy, to be Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel of cavalry.,. Mr, O'Reilly, an Irishman, formerly in the Sardinian service, is promoted to the command of two squadrons of cavalry.

, The steamers of the combined fleets continue to scour the Black Bea, and escort troops and stores to Asia.

With respect to the insurrection in Albania there are contradictory accounts ; but these that appear to be the most authentic represent it as confined to Lower Albania, and weakly supported.' Janina had not fallen. The most glowing accounts come from Athens, where the excite- ment has been considerable, and the danger of an outbreak apparently great. Turkish troops are on the march against the insurgents, and war- aliips have been directed to Prosesa and Athens. The treaty between England, France, and Turkey, has been signed, it is reported, but not on authority, though the fact is probable.

13,ussu.s.ssBoth the Ambassadors of the Western Powers have left St. Petersburg. A story is current, and is repeated with some authority, which places the conduct of General Castelbajac in an equivocal light.' A.5 soon as it was known that Baron Brunnow and M. Kisseleff had failed to obtain a satisfying reply respecting the entry of the fleets into the Black Sea, Sir Hamilton Seymour was told that his passports were ready for him. No suctcommunicatMn was made to General Castelbajac ; but he ex- pressed a desire to be treated in every way like Sir Hamilton Seymour. Notwithstanding this, the Emperor Nicholas desired to see General Castelbajac • and at the farewell interview which ensued, the Emperor bestowed the order of St. Alexander Newsky on the General.

The St. Petersburg Tourtust of the 24th contains the following as the substance of the answer sent by the Czar to the Emperor Napoleon- " If his Imperial Majesty extends his hand to me as I extend mine, tall ready to forget the mortification I have experienced, harsh though it be. "Then, but then only, can I discuss the subject treated of in his letter, and may perhaps arrive at an understanding. Let the French fleet prevent the Turks from transporting reinforcements to the theatre of war ; and let the Turks send me a plenipotentiary to negotiate, whom I will receive as be- fits his character.

"The conditions already made known to the Conference at Vienna are the sole base on which I will consent to treat." There have been two remarkable funerals in Paris this week,—that of the famous Abbe Lamennais, and Admiral Roussin. Lemennaie died on Monday,: firm to the opinions which he held during his latter years, and refusing to receive any consolation from the priests. He was buried, by his own direction, not only without pomp, but in the meanest fashion. His coffin and its equipments were those of a pauper. His body was buried, also by his own direction, without being taken to a church. The authorities prevented any great assemblage by constantly dispersing the people—some say with violence. Admiral Rousain was borne to his grave in Pere la Chaise, escorted by ten battalions of infantry, two squadrons of Paris guards, a squadron of chasseurs, and a battery. Both these funerals took place on the same day—Wednesday.

On the last and gayest day of the carnival, the Emperor and Empress, without escort, passed slowly up and down the Boulevards in an open carriage.

The deputation of the three "Friends," who went to St. Petersburg and presented an address to the Emperor Nicholas, have published an ac- count of their proceedings, and a statement purporting to be the answer of the Emperor to their appeal. The Emperor represented that Russia received the blessings of Christianity from the Greek Empire, and the ties which have united the two countries have subsisted for nine hundred years. When Russia shook off the yoke of the Tartars and the Greek empire fell under the sway of the Turks, she still showed great interest in the welfare of her coreligionists in Turkey ; and when she was strong enough to dictate terms of peace, articles in their favour were inserted in the treaties.

"I have myself acted as my predecessors had donej and the treaty of Adrianople in 1829 was as explicit as the former ones in this respect. Turkey, on her part, recognized this right of religious interference; and ful- filled her engagements until within the last year or two, when, for the first time, she gave me reason to complain. I will not now advert to the parties who were her principal instigators on that occasion. Suffice it to say that it became my duty to interfere, and to claim from Turkey the fulfilment of her engagements. My representations were pressing, but friendly ; and I hare every reason to believe that matters would soon have been settled if Turkey had not been induced by other parties to believe that I had ulterior objects in view—that I was aiming at conquest, aggrandizement, and the ruin of Turkey. I have solemnly disclaimed, and do now as solemnly dis- claim, every such motive I do not desire war; I abhor it as sin- cerely as you do ; and am ready to forget the past, if only the opportunity be afforded me."

Professing great esteem for England, and a sincere affection for Queen Victoria, the Emperor laments that his prudent foresight has been con- strued into an ambitious desire of conquest : this has deeply wounded his feelings and afflicted his heart.

"I cannot understand what cause of complaint your nation has against Russia. I am anxious to avoid war by all possible means. I will not at- tack, and shall only act in self-defence. I cannot be indifferent to what concerns the honour of my country. I have a duty to perform as a sove- reign. As a Christian 1 am ready to comply with the precepts of religion. On the present occasion my great duty is to attend to the interests and hon- our of my country."

Seem—There has been a military pronunciamento in Spain. On the morning of the 20th, the regiment of Cordova headed by its commandant Brigadier de Here, seized the castle of Aljideria, at Saragosa, and occu- pied the bridge over the Ebro. The Captain-General immediately put himself at the head of the rest of I he garrison, dispersed the civilians who had gathered in the streets, and defeated the rebels, killing Be Here. The origin and objects of this movement are by no means clear. But it is surmised that General Concha was somehow connected with it, and that its aim was the fusion of the Spanish and Portuguese crowns. The consequence has been serious. By a circular from the War Minister, General Biases, the whole of Spain has been placed under martial law.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.—The usual monthly mail from the Cape has arrived this week ; the advices reaching to the 21st January.

The elections of members for the Council of the Cape Parliament had commenced on the 9th, and would continue until near the end of the month ; the suffrages of the inhabitants having to be collected from nearly two hundred polling-places. There were twenty-five candidates for the fifteen seats.

General Cathcart was still engaged in settling the affairs on the fron- tier: there had been not the slightest disturbance of tranquillity. The Orange River people have sent Dr. Frazer and the Reverend A. Murray to England to urge Government not to abandon the Sovereignty. Meanwhile, Sir George Clerk continued to urge on the inhabitants the necessity of preparing to manage their own affairs ; repeating that the abandonment was inevitable.

Prcetorius is succeeded by Mr. C. Potgeiter as President of the "South African Republic," the new name for the Trans-Vaal settlement.

INDIA AND CEINA.—The overland mail arrived on Tuesday, with ad- -vices from Hongkong to the 11th and Bombay to the 28th January.

The rumours from Bokbara and Khiva point to an alliance between the Khans of those districts with the Emperor of Russia and Dost Ma- homed. According to the stories current at Cabul, this quadruple alliance was on the point of settlement, but had not been actually settled. The latest intelligence received by the Bombay Government from Persia was very peaceable, but the steamer sent to Bushire had not returned to Bombay. The only intelligence from Bin-mall is, that on the 4th January Lord Dalhousie arrived at Rangoon from Prome. He had erected brick pillars as the boundary of our territory beyond Meaday.

From China some intelligence, definite, though not perhaps of the most authentic kind, has arrived respecting the progress of the insurgents. According to files of the Pekin Gazette, which extend down to the 17th November, the insurgents who carried Nankin by a coup de main were a division of the main army, which in its march from Kwangsi had pressed Northwards towards the capital. The forces of the Emperor occupiftl the Northern roads in the province of Henan, barring the route to the capital. But Nankin being taken, the Western column marched from the point where it had struck the Tang-tse-kiang ; the Eastern column from Nan- kin by the Grand Canal, effecting a junction at Tien-tsin, the port of Pekin, although distant eighty mike from the capital. With various for- tune, and according to the Imperial newspaper nearly always defeated, the insurgents arrived at Tien-tsin, and formed a junction there ; but they were surrounded on all sides by the Imperialists, and much reduced in numbers. The value of these Pekin stories, based on the reports of the Imperialist generals, may be estimated from the fact that they set down their own numbers at 100,000 men, and the rebels at 18,000 only ; yet the smaller body constantly eludes the larger, and constantly edges nearer and nearer to the capital. Intelligence, not derived from the Pekin Gazette, affirms that Tien-tan had fallen. It would seem that the Mongol Tartars were about to take part in the fray. There were nine British and three French war-ships on the Chinese stations.