_foreign an Tolonial.
FRANCE.—The Chamber of Peers have been occupied with a bill for amending the, administration of the Colonies, involving an amelioration in the condition of the slaves with a view to the abolition of slavery, which was the real subject of adjourned debates: the general discussion lasted from Thursday week to Mon- da . The measure found many opponents. M. Charles Dupin, the agent of the colonists, insisted,- in a long speech, that slavery was preferable to freedom; as had been proved by the conduct of certain Negroes, who, having made their escape frem a French colony to St. Lucia, with the view of tasting the blessing of eman- cipation, had solicited to be restored to their original thraldom under French owners.( ) The Prince of Moskwa combated the measure on the ground of inexpe- diency and danger. The Marquis D' Audiffret opposed the bill because it was likely to create an awful perturbation in the Colonies.
• On Monday, the Chamber of Deputies rejected a proposition by M. Cremieu for the admission of licentiates in law and medicine, and some other prof persons, to the elective franchise, though not possessing a property qualification.
In the course of discussions on the details of the Customs Bill, M. Cnnin Gri- daine intimated to the Chamber, that a bill Would shortly be presented for im- proving certain modifications conceded by the British Government in the treaty of 1839, for regulating the Channel fishery. The officers of the National Guard have been getting up a petition against the actual arming of the fortifications around Paris.
Swirrznarrain.—Reports reached London on Saturday last that the Free Corps had seized Lucerne; but they prove to have been false. There has, how- ever, been some bloody contest. The people of the Basle Campagne, and the more disorderly in Berne, formed a corps, and hastened to the attack; while the Canton of Argan resounded with the tocsin, summoning the good Protestants to the field. The fanatics of Aarau were still conspicuous for their zealotry. " Last night, [March 30th,] fires were seen at two or three points, which were probably signals. Many of the Municipalities have agreed to give from four to six francs to those who should take part in the invasion, and to allow them each from half a franc to two francs per day. They moreover, undertook to provide for the children and widows of the Volunteers who should fall in combat. The army is supplied with provisions for several days; and the Committee purchases at Aarau and its vicinity a quantity of bread and meat, which was cooked, in order that no delay should occur on the march." A force five thousand strong crossed the frontier of Lucerne on the 29th March. Meanwhile, the town of Lucerne was hastily fortified; the Vorort mustered seventeen battalions, to interpose if necessary; the Government of Berne placed seven battalions under arms; Zug and Uri sent contingents to Lucerne. The army which Lucerne mustered is variously estimated at 10,000 or 20,000.
With a strong force, General De Sonnenberg advanced to meet the invadess: but having come up with them, he retreated again towards the city, for a purpose which will presently appear; making, however, some show of resistance. a On reaching Zofingen, the invading army," says an account written by one who marched with it, "was attacked by a battalion posted in the forest. The sharp- shooters soon drove them out of it; and our friends continued to advance in good order, constantly harassed in their march, as far as Ettiswyl; where they effected their junction with another column just arrived by the Berne road. Here the invading forces divided; one column proceeded by the road leading to the principal bridge across the Emme, and the other took to the right and passed the Emme at Wertheastein. It appears that the chiefs neglected to keep up a communica- tion between the two bodies, and that this was the cause of all the misfortunes.
" The left column arrived at six o'clock p. m., [on the 31st March,] at the bridge of the Emme. This bridge was known to have been fortified and under- mined, and every precaution necessary for its defence had been taken. The column consequently halted, on arriving within sight of the bridge. Paying no attention to the fire of a battery planted on the other side of the river, and of the riflemen posted behind every tree and bush, the chief ordered a hundred picked men to wade across the Emme; which they effected without much loss, under 'a brisk fire. On reaching. the opposite bank, they cleared the bridge, and the soldiers of Lucerne precipitately retreated. The bridge, which had been destroyed, was soon restored; and the column advanced towards the town, seizing on the neighbouring heights, from which they drove the sharpshooters. There they encamped, await- ing accounts from the other. column. Night came on in the mean time, and dis- couragement began to spread through the ranks. The entire column, which had marched and fought without taking any rest for twenty-fourhours, was exhausted with fatigue. Whilst the chiefs were exerting themselves to inspire their men with fresh courage, a report of musketry and artillery was suddenly heard. It was probably the second column, who, not knowing their friends, and assuming them to be the soldiers of Lucerne, had fired upon them. A panic seized a por- tion of the first column; several portions of whin gave the signal of retreat, which was followed by the others. By degrees, however, they formed their ranks, when they perceived they were not pursued; but, not knowing what had become of the second column, they continued to retreat. At break of day, they were attacked by a battalion, supported by six pieces of artillery, which attempted to oppose their march; but the latter fought so slovenly that the column easily routed them. They were again twice attacked in the same manner, and twice they re- pulsed their assailants; without, however, any very serious loss to the enemy, who always kept at a respectable distance." Of this party of the invaders, however, only a small number succeeded in making good their retreat. Meanwhile, the main body proceeded, and on the Slat took possession of the heights about Gutsch, without resistance. When it readied the narrow valley of the Rens, through which the Basle road passes, a party of the troops of Lucerne sprang a mine, and thus threw them into the utmost confusion. The besieged about the same time effected a vigorous sortie, and beat back the Volunteers, who were overcome with fatigue, after a long march. At night, the combat was sus- pended, to be renewed nextday; when the Volunteers were repulsed with great loss, leaving 600 (or 1,200 according to some) dead on the field. The troops of Lucerne boast of a loss of only three dead, though many were wounded. The invaders now found that they were in a trap; the country-people of Lucerne, who had suffered them to pass without resistance, set upon them in their retreat, in- flicting severe
invaders nvaders were treated with such fierceness in all quarters, that it is said that out of 4,000 or 5,000 not more than 2,000 had escaped massacre. The Diet has again been convoked; and the session was reopened on the 5th instant. The first debate was irregular and stormy; but it was resolved to refer the whole question to a Committee.
MOROCCO.—The Madrid Heralds has received accounts from Morocco, which give positive assurance that Abd-el-Kader has made an appeal to the fanatical portion of the people of Morocco, and has placed himself at the head of a rebel- lion, the object of which is to dethrone Abc1-er-Rahnum. The Emperor finds it difficult to get his soldiers to act, in consequence of the influence exercised by Abd-el-Kader, as head of the Marabouts, over the Mussuhnan population.
INDIA.—A statement, which the Times authenticates as trustworthy, says that Sir Charles Napier has entered the territory of the Murree tribe with their secret concurrence, and accompanied by their allies, to chastise their enemies, the Bhoogties, Doomkies, and Jakranees. " He took with him a force of British able to beat all the tribes, enemies and friends also, if they should be faithless. His intent is to force the three robber-tribes to surrender, and then to place them on the Eastern side of the Indus, and make them labour until they erect houses and form farms sufficient for their own subsistence and dwellings; then to offer these products of their labour to them, if they will be peaceable; if they refuse, he will continue to make them work as convicts. In pursuance of this plan, he has blockaded them in their mountains; and they had on the 14th February agreed to surrender. The chiefs were to have been that day in his camp; but they only sent their relations, promising to come themselves in a day or two. Their fol- lowers (fighting men, I mean) are said to be two thousand. Sir Charles Napier, on the 14th February, gave them four days of grace; but meant, if they were not then in his power, to make a sudden night-march with his camel-corps and cavalry, to surprise them in their camp. This was the state of affairs on the 14th February; and I dare say before the 20th the whole were prisoners in his camp."
UNITED Srarics..—The packet-ship Montezuma, which left New York on the 18th March, arrived at Liverpool on Tuesday. There are a few scraps of news. The new Cabinet had not been officially announced; but the National Inklligencer publishes by anticipation a list of recent appointments, as accepted by the Senate—. "James Buchanan, of to be Secretary of State; Robert J. Walker, of Mississippi, to be Secretary of te Treasury; W. L. Marcy, of New York, to be Secretary of War; George llancrott, of Massachusetts, to be Secretary of the
Navy; Cave Johnson; of Tennessee, to be Postmaster-General; John Y. Mason, of Virginia, to be Attorney-General; Alexander H. Everett, of Massachusetts, to be Commissioner to China." There are some minor diplomatic appointments, in- cluding that of "William IL Polk, of Tennessee, [the Presidentii-brother,] to be Chargé to Naples." There are several apocryphal reports as to the state of re- lations with Mexico, touching Texas. General Almonte, the Mexican Minister, had demanded his passports; but the Foreign Ministers were understood to be trying to accommodate matters. The Senate had postponed the consideration of the new treaty with the German Zollverein till December next The New York Courier and Inquirer gives this intelligence from the disputed territory. " Dr. White, who has recently removed to Oregon, writes to his friends near Ithaca, that a colony is rapidly settling at the falls of the Willamette; where
stores, three saw-mills, and two flour- one of which has five ran of stone, and cost 15,000 dollars. They have a colonial form of government, five
Oregon city has been founded, contailiarpopalation of several hundred, _four counties being represented by thirteen members. The Legislature hadjust dosed a session of eight days, during which twenty-five bills were passed. Dr. White, though not a member, by paying 10 dollars purchased the privilege of speaking upon one of them, proposing to abolish the manufacture, introduction, or sale of ardent spirits into the territory. It passed unanimously, and became a law. At- tempts have been made to introduce liquor; but they have been thwarted, once by imposing heavy bonds, and once by throwing a distillery into the Willamette river. The Executive is composed of a Committee of three; the Judiciary of a Judge with probate-powers, supreme in his department, who visits each county twice a year Simple as it is, this Government answers all the purposes of the country. Everything is prosperous; the crops are good; and Dr. White expresses the belief that the region on the Willamette is one of the most healthy, delightful, and pro- mising regions on the globe."
Maxaco.—Advices from Vera Cruz, to the let March, state that every was quiet. The National Congress were discussing the new constitution, whi is said very nearly to resemble that of the United States. The principal sections had already been adopted. All the decrees of the former Government levying forced loans and unusual taxes, for the prosecution of the war against Texas, had been repealed. Santa Anna was still a prisoner in the Castle of Perote; and the general opinion was that he would neither be pat to death nor banished, but would be imprisoned for the remainder of his life.
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