A Russian bulletin announces, that towards the end of April
the passage of the Danube had been effected at three points. The bul- letin says nothing of opposition having been offered; but an article from Jassy, while it announces the same fact, states, that of Omit part of General Diebitsclis army which crossed at Hirschova, three regi- ments were literally cut to pieces by the Turks, before their compa- nions came up.
Another bulletin, dated from the camp before Silistria, May 22, states that General Roth had been attacked by the Grand Vizier in person, near Pravadi. On the 17th, Roth, with an inferior force, resisted the onset of the Turks for five hours, till reinforcements arrived, when the Turks fell back. Next day, the Turks, with increase of numbers, were again the assailants ; and the result which the Russians arrive at is, that notwithstanding their disparity of force, they "did not yield a foot of ground." The Russians admit the loss of one thousand men, but make that of the Turks two thousand. The Grand Vizier retired to Shumla. Some of the outworks of Silistria have been taken, after an obstinate resistance.
The plague also has begun its campaign for the season. At Bucha- rest, the mortality is from twenty to thirty each day. Other places have been desolated by disease, and partly deserted by the people.
In the mean time, there are symptoms of an approaching alliance between the Ottoman Government and Persia. A Persian envoy has arrived at Constantinople.
From the statement of Colonel Macdonald, the British resident at Teheran, it appears that the massacre of the Russian Ambassador and his suite was provoked by the indignities he offered to the popular pre- judices : he had afforded refuge to a Persian culprit ; he had demanded and obtained possession of two of their women; he had made them drunk, and then exposed them to outrage,—inexpiable offences in the "land of the Sun!"
Mr. Gordon, the successor of Mr. Stratford Canning, was expected at Constantinople on the 10th of May, along with Connt Guilleminot. Speculations of peace are connected with this meeting.
The French Chamber of Deputies have been chiefly occupied with debates on the budget. The Minister s demand a sum on credit, above the usual expenses of the year, to enable them to send a stronger force against the Algerines.
The state of Portugal has not escaped the attention of the French orators : Miguel is no favourite with them. The Minister for Foreign Affairs was compelled to say something ; and his statement may be compared with that of Mr. Peel on the same subject, in the House of Commons last week.
"The discussion of the principles which regulate the succession to the throne of Portugal has given rise to questions which it does not belong to foreign powers to resolve. But it is our duty and our interest to prevent revolutions; and I can tell the Chamber that the disorders and misfortunes of all kinds of which Portugal is the theatre have called forth the most serious attention of the Governmentlof the King, and of the Courts which are most immediately interested in the destinies of that kingdom!'
In the present state of his finances, Don Pedro, it seems, admits that he can do nothing to enforce the rights of his daughter ; but he is not to lose sight of her claims. It is supposed that a regency is to be established at Terceira, and endeavours made to reconquer the whole of the Azores, by such means as the Emperor can command. Count Villa-Flor, and other officers, have left England to take the command of that island.
Previous page
