Imign an Crilnuial.

t.—The Moniteur of Sunday published a decree modifying the duties on the importation of raw and dry hides and skins, of all kinds of horse-hair, seeds, oleaginous fruits, oleaginous seeds, hemp, flax, and ether filamentous vegetables; also of copper, pewter, lead, &c.

The rate of interest on Treasury bills has been raised s per cent. In the middle of the week, the Bank of France raised its rate of discount to 7 per cent. The Slide strongly objects to the continuance of the French fleet off Gaeta-

" We repeat, that the French nation cannot—must not—allow a situation so false and so dangerous to be prolonged. It cannot permit a policy of hu- manity and kindness towards time Bourbons of Naples to degenerate into a real intervention We should not mind the Bing of Gaeta playing some time longer at royalty and soldiers, if the play did not endanger at once the right, of humanity, the triumph of the Italian cause, and the policy of France. But, behind these ramparts the Ring foments civil war, and fos- ters disorders and hatreds. Is it possible that France can keep up such a slate of things, and thus contravene a principle which she has solemnly pro- claimed ? We do not think so."

This is bold and outspoken, and confirms the statement that Count de Persigny is indefatigable in his endeavours to carry out the appeal to conciliation made by him in his circular to the Prefecth throughout France. Several Prefects, in conformity with Count de Persigny's in- stniotions, have offered high positions in the local administration to many eminent persons who for several years have kept themselves aloof from all association with the Government.

Bullier's lithographic sheets state that at an audience granted by the Emperor to one of the most eminent Archbishops in the South-of France, His Majesty spoke with great frankness on the Italian question: He explained to the Archbishop the difficulty of his position. He said-- " France has been placed for the last eighteen months between England, which is urging the establishment of a united Italy—between Piednion encouraged by the Cabinet of St. James's in its revolutionary course, and the Pope, obstinately opposed to any compromise."

The Swabian Mercury gives the following as the words addressed by the Emperor Napoleon III., on New Year's Day, to M. kern, the Swiss Envoy- " It is time to put an end to all misunderstandings. Many. things have been wrongly interpreted. No Power has a greater interest in the main- tenance of Swiss neutrality than France. As neighbours, we should try to live in concord."

To which M. Kern replied-

" I should be happy to see our former friendly relations restored in the interest of both countries. Switzerland sets the highest value on preserving the interests of her -neutrality."

It is no longer matter of question that a fourth battalion is to be added to all the French regiments. It is called a complementary effective, and is to be taken from the conscripts of 1861. At the same time, a letter from Toulon, in the Gazette du Midi, says that orders have been given to put upon the stocks three new iron-cased ships, on the model of the Gloire, to be called La Provence, La Savoie, and La Reranehe. A pamphlet, entitled Rome et lea Eviques, has been publihhed at Paris, by Dentu. The author draws a comparison between the Popes-of the first era of Christianity, who strictly confined themselves to the exercise of their evangelical office and spiritual jurisdiction, and those of the second era, who aspire to a universal theocracy, and obtrude themselves in temporal affairs. The author regrets to be compelled to state that the bishops and the superior clergy have followed the Papacy on this path, but that it would be unjust to believe that all bishops consider the main- tenance of the temporal sovereignty as essential for the freedom of spiritual ministry and security of conscience. He then affirms that a certain number of bishops profess a contrary opinion, and states that two distinct opinions exist among the clergy, viz., the official view of the question, which the clergy must publicly profess at the risk of incurring disgrace, and the secret opinion, which in reality is the most disseminated among the lower order of clergy, but which they are obliged to conceal in order to escape the stigma of Gallicanism, a term now more com- promising than that of heresy. The Petrie and the Pays assert that this pamphlet is the work of a private individual, and has no official origin ; but the Ultramontane journals and others, judging from type, paper, publisher, and sentiment, regard it as imperial.

nril11.—Rumours pour in from all quarters to the effect that, pursuant to sonic arrangement between France and the Italian Government, the French fleet will withdraw from Gaeta on the 19th. The Gazette di Torino says—" It is asserted that the Sardinian government, deferring to the wishes of the Emperor Napoleon, has suspended hostilities before Gaeta until the 19th of January, with the object of negotiating for the surrender of the place." It is said that the French fleet will leave im- mediately, one vessel alone remaining off Gaeta till the 19th instant, to guarantee the execution of the armistice. If the endeavours for avoid- ing a further effusion of blood should fail, the operations of General Cial- dini are to be vigorously supported by the Italian fleet.

The Paris papers repeat the statement. The Independence Beige does the same. The Daily Hews has stated positively that a proposal for an armistice has been made ; and the Paris correspondent of the Morning Post says-

" Important and satifactory negotiations are nearly completed between the garrison of Gaeta and the Piedmontese, France being the medium. The Emperor, I am again assured, has made up his mind positively to withdraw the French squadron from Gaeta before the end of the month.' The Russian Ambassador at Paris, we are told, has received instrue- lions to employ every effort in his power to persuade the Emperor to continue his protection of King Francis at Gaeta ; and the Russian vet- sion of the state of affairs is that France will continue indefinitely to protect the King. In the meantime, Cialdini has been using his batte- ries with effect, and has obtained some advantages. At Naples, there has been some agitation in the streets, easily sup- pressed. Reports from Paris ostentatiously assert that "the agitation approaches very nearly to disturbance in the streets, and calls for the immediate action of a strong and repressive authority." But, in the same paper, letters from Naples declare the reports in the newspapers to be much exaggerated. Prince Carignano and M. Nigra go to Naples, succeeding Farini.

The Espero of Turin states, that King Victor Emmanuel, at the grand reception of the constituted bodies of the State, on New Year's Day, said-

" I am extremely happy to find myself again in the midst of my old sub- jects. The progress of political events, especially regarding Italy, is satis- factory; but the greatest prudence and concord are necessary in order to enable us to triumph over the obstacles which are still in our way. For this purpose, it is of the utmost importance that we should maintain the best understanding with our real allies."

The Turin journals publish a letter from Garibaldi, in which he re- nounces any intention of offering himself as a candidate for the post of deputy to the Italian Parliament, and advises concord in order to arrive at the deliverance of Venice.

A letter from Rome states that when General de Goyon on New Year's Day solicited the Pope's blessing for the French army, his Holiness volunteered to comprise the French navy, which was "defending the holiest of canoes." Seeing the Pope thus travelling out of the pro- gramme, General do Goyon asked him whether he had not a blessing for the Emperor, who bad done so much for religion in China and Syria. The Pope, apparently taken quite aback by this appeal, said butriedly, "Oh, yes, for what he has done, is doing, and may do—I hope so." Placards have been posted on the walls of Rome exhorting the Romans to await the aid of the Sardinians; and the Italian Committee has addressed to General de Goyon a protest against the continued occupation of the city. 4111114114.—The Sehinerling recipe for changing disaffection into loyalty has appeared. The Vienna Gazette of Sunday published an ordinance of the Mir-dater of State, which is to be valid for all the Crown lands, with the exception of Hungary, Transylvania, Croatia,, and Ve- netia.. This ordinance specifies the conditions of eligibility both for the electors and those elected as deputies to the Diets in the cities and rural communes. The cities which, according to the statutes of their pro- vince, have the right of sending their own representatives to the Diet, will appoint them by direct elections, at which all inhabitants of the communes who, by the special communal law of 1849, are entitled to elect the municipal authorities, will take part. The election of deputies ftom the rural communes will be effected by electors, who are to be themselves elected by the inhabitants of the communes. Those persons are eligible as deputies to the Diet who are Austrian, citizens, who are at least thirty years of age, in the full enjoyment of civil rights, and who

Belong to one of the classes privileged to vote. , A deputation from Galicia, consisting of Baron Smolka, Prince Adam Saphica, and another gentleman, waited upon M. von Schmerling on the 4th, and presented an address, the principal demands of which are indivi- sibility of the province, convocation of a Diet for provincial affairs, use of the Polish language in official affairs and in schools ; and, finally, that %Richt may send no members to the Counoil of the Empire. In the course of his reply, Baron von Schmerling said-

" I have listened with great attention and interest to the memorial, but cannot take on myself the responsibility of replying to some parts of it. The contents of the document will be taken into consideration by the Government. I can, however, at present inform you that his Majesty i wishes the inhabitants of Gallicia to have one undivided Piet, which is to enjoy the right of initiative. Thus, by means of the Diet, the Galliciana will be able to attain their ends. In respect to the question of language, can tell you that it will be settled in the schools, and in the Jagellon Uni- versity (at Cracow), to the satisfaction of the Polish nationality. It is self-understood that the Government does not even think of employing one and the same lan.guage in all parts of the monarchy. Each nationality is at liberty to use its native language, and to propagate it by pacific means. In the drawing up of the provincial statute and the organic laws for Galicia, the reasonable wishes of the people, whether expressed orally or in writing, will be taken into consideration. I trust that the provincial statute and the organic laws will be completed in less than two months, and hope that you will employ your influence in preventing any demonstra- tions which could disquiet the Government and delay the work of organiza- tion. Gentlemen, it is my sincere wish that the new laws may be to your taste."

A report that Count Hochberg will retire has been officially denied ; but sagacious observers regard his presence at the head of the Cabinet as not likely to be prolonged. Indeed, one does not see how he can subsist With Baron von Schmerling for a colleague. It is supposed that Count Monsdorff will succeed him.

King William L of Prussia has been heartily welcomed to his throne, and has declared that he shall abide by the principles on which he has acted during the regency. He has issued a proclamation, from which we take these illustrative extracts-

" To the King who knew how to lay the foundation of such great thins, and whose never-to-be-forgotten words—'I and my house will serve the Lord'—have filled my soul, a prominent place is due in the glorious ranks of those monarchs to whom Prussia owes that greatness which made her the true representative of the German mind. I will faithfully guard that so- lemn bequest of my ancestors, which they have founded and augmented with increasing care, with their best energies, and at the risk of their lives. . . . . I remain faithful to the tradition of my house in proposing to myself the mission of elevating and of strengthening the patriotic spirit of my peo.ple. I will consolidate and build up the rights of the State on their his- torical basis, and I will maintain the institutions which King Frederick William IV. has brought into life. Faithful to the oath I took on assuming the regency, I shall protect the constitution and the laws of the kingdom. May I, by the merciful aid of God, succeed in leading Prussia to new honours! My duties towards Prussia coincide with my duties towards Ger- many. As a German prince, I am bound to strengthen Prussia, in that po- sition which, according to her glorious history and the development of her military organization she must, for the good of all Germany, occupy among

, i the German States. Confidence in the peace of Europe is shaken, but I shall endeavour to preserve the blessings of peace. Dangers may neverthe- less arise for Prussia and Germany. May the courage which trusts in God, and which has animated Prussia in her great periods, then manifest itself in Me and in my people, and may the latter then stand firm by my side and follow me with faithfulness, obedience, and perseverance !" The King has received the municipality of Berlin, Prince Murat, the ex-Grand Duke of Tuscany, and the Count of Flanders.

Much is said about the Holstein question which is coming up again. M. von Beust, Minister, in the Dresden Chamber, has said " there is no doubt that the leadership of Prussia will be supported on all sides at the approaching discussion of the question by the Federal Diet. All the Federal Governments are ready to act in accord with Prussia, and even if necessary to take the field. The question is before the Diet, where unanimity prevails—so it is reported.

11115i 8.—The Paris evening papers state that the constitution- giving impulse has reached Russia, and that Poland is to stand on the same footing in regard to Russia that Hungary does to Austria. Not very likely. The Russian government, says Le Nord, contemplates the recall of soldiers on unlimited furlough, in order that there may be a fpuie to maintain order, when the edict abolishing serfdom is promul- VOA on the 3d of March.

Ring IT11.—It is now positively stated that the Government resolved, on the 7th instant, to adopt a provisionary electoral law for Hungary on the basis of the 5th Article of the Law of 1848. The Hungarian Diet is to assemble on the 2d of April. Nearly all the Hungarian counties are now organized on the basis of 1848. On the 20th instant, there will be a grand conference in the Episcopal Palace at Ksrlsburg, in Transylvania, and it is expected that a great majorityrioLists members will declare in

favour of the reunion of Hungary and ylvania.

The Vienna Gazette, on Wednesday, published an autograph letter of the Emperor, dated the 7th instant, proclaiming a very comprehensive amnesty for Hungary, Transylvania, Croatia, and Sclavonia, on account of such penal acts as have merely aimed at a change in the system of go- vernment as established before October 20, 1860, or which were in any way connected with such a purpose. The ministers are ordered to put this imperial ordinance into immediate execution.

Disturbances still occur in various places, and some lives have bees oat in street affrays.

rkft—According to the Patric, "two vessels hoisting the Sardinian flag have been stopped at Galatz. Their cargoes have been seized, and deposited in the Custom-house. It is asserted that 12 rifled cannon and 16,000 muskets, ammunition, and gunpowder' formed part of the cargo. Russian, Turkish, and Austrian guard vessels are keeping a strict watch at the mouths of the Danube."

From Constantinople, January 2, we hear that "Hungarian and Polish Garibaldian volunteers are arriving at Pere, on their way to the Da- nubian principalities. Generals Mieroslawski and Turr are expected here. The news from Servia reports increasing disquiet in that prin- cipality."

Prince Couza has publicly declared that he will maintain the neu- trality of his territory, and prevent assemblages of men who may disturb it-

" You know all that is taking place in Europe. The Hungarians have believed that the favourable moment has arrived for regaining their nationality by arms, and that our country might serve as a bads for their operations. We are neutral, and under no pretext can we permit such enterprises, for we should no longer have the right of chaining respect for our neutrality."

triIII.—Telegrams in anticipation of the usual mail were received on Thursday. They are as follows. " Shanghai, November 2I.—The intelligence from the North is unimpor- tant. The Treaty has been posted on the walls of Pekin. The Allied Army and its head-quarters reached Tien-tsin on the 17th of November, where the Honourable Mr. Bruce will remain until the spring. Troops are leaving daily, proceeding down the river.

" The Russian Ambassador is established at Pekin. Mr. Adkins is pre- paring for the reception of Mr. Bruce. "A Chinese Representative is to reside in England. "All the important Chinese ports are open to trade. " The rebels are again threatening Shanghai and Ningpo. The greatest alarm prevails.

" Canton, November 29.—Permission has been granted to foreign steamers to trade in the island waters. " Foo-Chow-Foo, November 22.—Civil disturbances are anticipated."

auiftk 6iliP5.—Advices from New York to the 29th of December have come to hand.

The news is very bulky in extent, but its substance may be briefly stated. It falls under two heads, the secession of South Carolina and the progress of the question of compromise. South Carolina seceded on the 20th of December. On that day, the State Convention, sitting at Charlestown, the whole Convention, 169 men, adopted the following ordinance-

" An ordinance to dissolve the Union between the State of South Carolina and other States united with her under the compact entitled' the Constitu- tion of the United States of America: We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the ordinance adopted by us in convention on the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and also by all acts, and parts of acts, of the general assembly of this State, ratifying amendments of the said Constitution, are hereby repealed, and that the Union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States under the name of the United. States of America, is hereby dissolved." There immediately ensued a striking conversation. Judge Magrath declared, that the ordinance extinguished " the authority of every man in Carolina deriving authority from the general Government." Mr. Gregg said, all the laws of Congress fell to the ground on the act of se- cession. Another party contended that the status quo must, for the pre- sent, be maintained ; and that such laws as were required must be revi- vified. Mr. Dunken was of opinion, that in spite of the ordinance, things should go on as they are now. " The present revenue will be continued, said another, until the Government order otherwise." Mr. Calhoun said-

" We have pulled a temple down that has been built three quarters of a century. We must clear the rubbish away to reconstruct another. We are now houseless and homeless, and must secure ourselves against storms." Mr. Barnwell said- " We have seceded from the United States and established our indepen- dence. We can't allow the United States to exercise authority over us any more. Let postal convenience be sacrificed if necessary. There was never anything purchased worth having unless it cost a sacrifice."

Nothing was decided; but later the Convention adopted a long address reciting their well-known " grievances," and appointed Mr. Orr, Mr. Barnwell, and Mr. Adams to go on a mission to Washington, empow- ered to negotiate for the surrender of the forts and the apportionment of the public debt. The President received the deputation, and promised to refer the matter to Congress. In the House of Representatives, the remaining South Carolina members notified the secession of the State, and took leave, but the Speaker would not strike their names off the roll.

In subsequent sittings, the Convention passed a variety of ordinances. One appointing the existing officers of the United States, officers of the State of South Carolina exclusively, declaring that all ships owned wholly or in part by citizens of slave-holding States should be registered "as vessels of South Carolina," and directing all moneys collected by the said officers to be paid into the State treasury " for the use of the said State." Another ordinance empowers the Governor and his Executive Council to issue the following proclamation- " Whereas the good people of this State, in Convention assembled, by an ordinance unanimously adopted and ratified on the 20th day of December, in the year of our Lord 1860, repealed an ordinance of the people of this State adopted on the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788, and have thereby dissolved the union between the State of South Carolina and other States, under the name of the United States of America;

" I, therefore, as Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over the State of South Carolina, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby pro- claim to the world that this State is, as she has a right to be,. a separate, sovereign, free, and independent State ; and as such has a right to levy war, conclude peace, negotiate treaties, leagues, or covenants, and to do all acts whatsoever that rightfully appertain to a free and independent State."

The evacuation of Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney was followed by the occupation of those places by "the troops" of South Carolina, the half-dozen regulars in possession making no resistance.

The Convention of South Carolina had issued a formal proposal to the other Slave States to join with her in founding a Southern Confederacy, suggesting that a Slave State Convention for this purpose should meet at Montgomery, in Alabama. It is recommended that the Constitution of the United States should be adopted by the Convention and ratified by the people. The news of secession was received in many Southern towns with salutes of 100 guns, public meetings were held, and Palmetto flags hoisted. All over the Union, the impression produced was profound. State conventions were to meet in Florida on the 3d, in Alabama and Mississippi on the 7th, in Texas on the 8th, in Georgia on the 9th, and in Lousiana on the 23d. It is supposed all would vote for secession. The feeling was gaining ground in all the Slave States ; but with a diffe- rence, for the Border States contemplated "moving out with a view of moving back again." The South Carolina declaration of grievances goes into the origin of the War of Independence, and this History of the Constitution, to show that the State never parted from her right to act on the principle of resistance which animated the thirteen colonies in their struggle with England. The immediate causes of secession are the disregard of their constitutional obligations by the Northern States, who will not surrender fugitive slaves, who will not recognize property in slaves, who denounce slavery as sinful, who permit abolition societies in their midst, and pro- voke a servile insurrection, who have united to elect a man hostile to slavery, intent on inaugurating a policy hostile to the South- " On the 4th of March next, this party will take possession of the Govern- ment. It has been announced that the South shall be excluded from the common territory ; that the judicial tribunals will be made sectional ; that war must be waged against slavery until it shall cease throughout the United States. The guarantees of the Constitution will then no longer exist—equal rights of the States will be lost—the slave-holding States will no longer have the power of self-government or self-protection, and the Federal Go- vernment have become their enemy. Sectional interests and animosity will deepen the irritation, and all hope of remedy is rendered vain by the fact that the public opinion of the North has invested the political error with the sanction of a more erroneous religious belief.

" We, therefore, the people of South Carolina, by our delegates in con- vention assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the

rectitude of our intentions, have solemnly declared the Union heretofore existing between this State and the other States of North America dissolved, and that the State of South Carolina has resumed her position among the nations of the world as a free, sovereign, independent State, with full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do and, for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance for protection on Divine Providence, we mutually pledge each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour."

On the very day South Carolina seceded, the House passed the Pacific Railroad Bill by 95 to 74. As it provides for a line from Texas to Cali- fornia, it is regarded as a bribe to Texas and Louisiana.

The federal garrison in Charleston harbour, a small body of men, deeming it advisable to evacuate Fort Moultrie and concentrate in the strong Fort Sumpter, have done so. The latest report is that the South Carolina State troops have occupied Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney. The efforts to effect a compromise have not yet met with any success. Mr. Crittenden's resolutions have been rejected by the Senate Committee, except that one providing that no amendment in the Constitution shall authorize Congress to abolish slavery in any State. Congress had not transacted any business of importance beyond dis- cussing the topic of the day.

In the Senate's special committee on the 25th, Mr. Seward proposed that the Northern States shall repeal their personal liberty laws, and that Congress shall amend the Fugitive Slave Law, giving to fugitives the right of trial by jury. On the 28th, the committee came nearer agreeing on a plan for the settlement of the territorial question than they had ever done before. Mr. Rice's project, to form all the territories North of the Missouri line into one State, and all South into another, and to admit them to the Union immediately, with a provision for the formation of new States out of them whenever either should have, on an area of

60,000 square miles, 130,000 inhabitants, was approved by Senator Davis, of Mississippi, and also by the Republicans, with the excep-

tion that the latter insisted that Kansas should not be included in the Northern States, but should be admitted separately. The Committee would not agree to this, however, all the Democrats voting against it, except Mr. Douglas. The Committee then determined to report to the Senate that they had not agreed, and to adjourn, subject to the call of the Chair.

In the House Select Committee, on the 26th, an " Enabling Act," for the Territory of New Mexico, was proposed by Mr. Adams, of Massa- chusetts, which allows, by express provision, the establishment of the institution of slavery, provided the people desire it. In the Senate Com- mittee, no conclusions were arrived at. On the 27th, Mr. Rust's propo- sition to run a line to California, dividing Free from Slave territory, was rejected. On the 28th, Mr. Adams, of Massachusetts, proposed a reso- lution declaring it expedient to amend the Constitution, so that no future amendments in regard to slavery can be made, excepting at the request of a Slave State.

The Springfield Journal, Mr. Lincoln's organ, of the 20th ult., has a leader on secession, which, from the particular relations of the paper to the President Elect, has great significance. It says- " South Carolina cannot dissolve the Union by the simple passage of re- solutions or other passive demonstrations. Her federal officers may resign, and she may close her courts and post-offices, but she cannot get out of this Union until she conquers.this government. While this government endures, there can be no disunion. If South Carolina does not obstruct the collection of revenues at her ports, nor violate any other federal law, there will be no trouble, and she will not be out of the Union. If she violates the law, then tomes the tug of war. The President of the United States, in such an emergency, has a plain duty to perform. Mr. Buchanan may shirk it, or the emergency may not exist during his administration. If not, then the Union will last through his term of office. If the overt act on the part of

South Carolina takes place on or after the 1st of March, 1861, then the duty of executing the laws will devolve upon Mr. Lincoln. The laws of the United States must be executed. The President has no discretionary power on the subject. His duty is emphatically pronounced in the Constitution. Mr. Lincoln will perform that duty. Disunion by armed force is treason, and trees= must and will be put down at all hazards."

Mr. Lincoln is represented as deprecating hostile language towards the South, and using friendly language himself. Mr. Seward, in't speech at Boston, took the most cheerful view of the prospects of the Union-

" My belief about all this is, that, whether it is Massachusetts, or South. Carolina, or whether it is New York or Florida, it would turn out the same- way in each case. There is no such thing in the book, no such thing in reason, no such thing in philosophy, and no such thing in nature, as any State existing on the continent of North America outside of the United States of America. I do not believe a word of it They do not hum- bug me with their secession. And I do not think they will humbug you and I do not believe that, if they do not humbug you and me, they will much longer succeed in humbugging themselves. Now, fellow-citizens, this is the ultimate result of all this business. These States are always to be together—always shall. Talk of striking down a star from that constel- lation ! It is a thing which cannot be done I believe that secession was stronger on the night of the 6th of November last, when a President and a Vice-President, who were unacceptable to the Slave States, were elected, than it is now. That is now some fifty days since, and I believe that every day's sun which set since that time has set on mollified passions and prejudices, and that if you will only give it time, sixty days' more suns will give you a much brighter and more cheerful atmosphere."

Mr. Seward not obscurely intimated that he was willing to amend the Constitution.

A defalcation to the amount of 830,000 dollars had been discovered to, have taken place in the Department of the Interior, at Washington. I clerk named Godard Bailey voluntarily informed the Secretary of the Interior that he had abstracted the missing amount, principally in Min.. souri State bonds and coupons. These bonds were held in connexion with the Indian Trust Fund, of which Bailey had charge.

CH Hat 1.—The fugitive Anderson's case came again before the Queen's Bench, at Toronto, on the 22d of December. His counsel stated that he intended to appeal to the Court of Error ; but the Chief Justice said the Court had carefully looked into the statutes constituting the- Court of Error and Appeal, and had come to the conclusion that no ap- peal would lie ; but the Queen's Bench Judges would not object to the question being brought before the Court, if the Appeal Judges saw fit to entertain it. If the prisoner contemplated an appeal to this county, his counsel should adopt measures to prevent his being given up. Mr. Freeman stated that the Government was most anxious to have the opinion of the Court of Appeal, and there was no fear of the prisoner being given up so long as legal proceedings were contemplated. A public meeting, presided over by the Mayor, has been held at Toronto ; enthu- siastic speeches and appropriate resolutions were made and passed in. Anderson's favour. A petition to the Governor-General was also adopted.

NM SPE la 11fl.—An encouraging item of news has arrived from New Zealand, via Melbourne.

"Melbourne, November 24.—Intelligence from New Zealand announces that a desperate engagement was fought at Mahoetahi, on the 6th of No-- vember, resulting in the complete defeat of the Natives, and the death of their head chief."