.1fortign anb eolonfal.

FRANCE.—A fresh entanglement has arisen on the Swiss question. The efforts of Messrs. Colloredo and Radowitz in Paris have been successful in prevailing on the French Government to join them in a joint note, written in the name of the Governments of France, Austria, and Prussia. After stating that the neutrality of Switzerland and other advantages were guaranteed by the Powers on condition that the Cantonal Sovereignty should be maintained as the principal basis of the Federal Compact, the note proceeds to declare-

" 1. That the Cantonal sovereignty cannot be considered really to exist so long as certain Cantons shall continue to be occupied by the Federal troops, and after the acts which accompanied that occupation.

"2. That it is only when the Cantons thus occupied shall have recovered their independence, and freely elected their Governments, that the Confederation can be considered as restored to a regular condition, conformable to the treaties.

"3. That the reduction to a peace footing of the military force of all the Can.- tons is the necessary guarantee of their mutual liberty. "4. That no alteration can be introduced into the constitution without the unanimous consent of the twenty-two Cantons."

In conclusion, the note declares that the engagements are mutual, and not to be evaded by one aide; and that " if the actual situation of affairs in Switzerland were to endure, the Great Powers would deem themselves bound to take it into their serious consideration, and in future to consult only their duties as members of the great European family, and the inte- rests of their own respective states."

The general discussion on the address, in the Chamber of Peers, was hurried over on Monday. In the course of it, M. Mesnard read a speech which was attentively listened to. He told the Ministry, that they were mistaken as to the state of opinion in France, and that the demand for reform was universal. Ministers ought to take the lead, head the move- ment, and give it a proper direction. They would otherwise have reform forced from them.

After M. Mesnard's speech, the paragraphs were considered. The draft was a mere echo of the King's speech. The first five paragraphs were adopted without alteration. To the sixth, M. Charles Dupla and the Count de Teacher moved an addition, expressing admiration at the courageous initiative taken by the Pope and the cooperation of other Italian sovereigns; and declaring that the independence of Italy, necessary to the balance of Europe, rested on the success of " that grand experiment." The amendment was supported by Count de Montalembert; who strongly blamed Ministers

for coolness towards Italy. The debate was continued next day. The Count de Sainte-Aulaire expressed a warm admiration of Pius the Ninth; but defended Ministers, because he did not observe the feeling of coldness imputed to them. M. Guizot followed: he repudiated armed interven- tion in Italy, and claimed for his Government the right of selecting those alliances which should be most for the interest of France. The paragraph and the amendment were referred to the Committee on the address.

King Louis Philippe is still suffering from indisposition. He has received An autograph letter of condolence from Queen Victoria, couched in very af- fectionate terms, and expressing great sympathy with the King's grief on the death of Madame Adelaide.

Abd-el-Kader has made a formal submission to the King. In the letter conveying it, the Emir says, that after having for a long time combated against the French, and after he had resisted them to the last moment to the utmost of his power, he now sees clearly that it is the wish of God that Algiers should be in the hands of the Christians. He expresses his readi- aces to submit to the will of God, and of the King of the French, because he believes that in doing so he shall do the best thing now in his power to insure the prosperity of his country. He declares that, if the King should wish it, he is ready to come to Paris to make his submission, and to solicit his Majesty's favour. God had spoken, and every one should submit to his will.

It has been announced to Abd-el-Kader by the Government, that he can- not be allowed to go to Acre on any terms; and that as regards Egypt it must first be seen whether the Pacha is willing to receive him.

In 1846 it was proposed by the French Government to expend 16,000,000 francs in fortifying Havre: additional works, says the Journal des Debats, have been resolved on, which will cost 64,195,700 francs, or 2,568,0001. Sterling,

SPALW.—The news from Madrid possesses a painful interest. The Queen's health appears to have at length given way, under the pressure of disappointment and mortification. On the last day of the old year, Queen Isabella was seized with a fit: she had a similar fit on the following day; and between that and the 7th instant had experienced two more attacks. The two earlier fits do not appear to have been very severe, as her Majesty went afterwards to the opera, and to a ball given by the Marquis de Mira- fibres; but she is described as having become thin, pale, and haggard.

At the session of Congress on the 4th instant, the charges against Senor Salamanca were brought forward, by Seiler Seijas Louzano, in a speech of great length. The proceedings excited uncommon interest, and were marked by an unusual display of form. The accusations were four— _First that of having, under the pretext of encouraging public works, authorized the bank of San Fernando to advance money on the shares of the Aranjuez Rail- way, ender a Government guarantee for the repayment in case of nonpayment by the shareholders, Seiler Salamanca being himself the principal shareholder, secondly, having remitted to certain traders the penalties that they had incurred by having taken contraband goods from the Customhouse at Alicante, and in- troduced them into Madrid by means of permits fraudulently obtained; thirdly, having ordered an illegal conversion into Three per Cent Stock of arrears due to the Royal Household; fourthly, having converted in the same stock certain claims af an individual named Buschental, no value having been given by Buschental, and Senor Salamanca knowing the ftandulent nature of the transaction. It ap- pears that in 1844, Buechel:nal took a contract to furnish a loan for building steam-vessels. He agreed to pay into the Treasury 10,000,000 reels in metal, 10,000,000 innt=italized coupons, and the rest in good bills and other negotia- ble paper. Instead of this, Buschental delivered a number of promisory notes (wares) at various dates; for which he " fraudulently " obtained a receipt de- c laring that he had, dpaid the values agreed upon. The matter was investigated, and Buschental was called on to pay the cash and coupons according to the agree- ment. He persisted, however, in refusing to comply with the order. In 1845 he presented the bills for conversion; but the Government refused them then, and again when presented by other persons for the same purpose. A Junta appointed to inquire into the matter reported, that the values actually delivered by Bus- chental amounted to 11,656,000 reels, while he had received 17,890,000.

Senor Salamanca with some difficulty got leave to reply to the charges. He commenced by declaring that they were brought from party motives, and that his enemies were bent on destroying him. When he entered office he was rich, when he left it poor: the charge of corruption would not therefore hold. His sole object in the affair of the Aranjuez Railway was to benefit the country. The guarantee given by Government was merely nominal. There was no chance of default on the part of the shareholders; but if they did not pay, the railroad be- came the property of the Government. He became a principal proprietor of shares through the exertions he made to expedite the work. Instead of meriting blame, the transaction redounded to his honour. As to the Alicante affair, he bad merely applied the amnesty to offenders of a certain class, in compliance with a Royal order to that effect signed by the Minister of-Commerce. In answer to the third charge, be said, it was true that the law of February prohibited the conversion of arrears of pay or allowance, but not of advances and contracts. The arrears of the Royal Household came under the head of con- tracts. But he had not completed the conversion; for the matter was still pond- ing_in Congress. To the fourth charge Senor Salamanca answered, that the affair occurred when one of his accusers was Prime Minister. The Ministry that followed disallowed the claim; but, in consequence of the contractor's having followed up his claims, It appeared that the validity of the contract was subsequently recognized. At a time when there was no chance of his ever becoming a Minister, part of the bills came to him in the regular course of his banking business; went from him; and again came into his hands. Since 1845, however, they had not been in his pos- session. When other parties applied for their conversion the matter was referred to the Council of Ministers, and the conversion was decided on at a time when he was not present. For the truth of this statement he appealed to his former col- league, Benavides. Salamanca was warmly supported by Seiler Benavides and Seiler Esco- sure. Senor Fidel reiterated the charges, and alluded to a "rumour' fur- ther inculpating the late Minister. Senor Escosura called upon him to state it explicitly. Seiler Pidal declined to do so, unless he were called upon by Seiler Salamanca himself. Sefior Salamanca immediately cbal- lenged him to speak openly; and then, on the authority of many " well- informed" persons, whom he knew, Sefior Pidal stated, that of fifty mil- lions paid to the Royal Household, twenty-five had entered the pockets of Salamanca; though he had afterwards returned the amount.

Senor Salamanca, who was now observed to look very ill, denounced this new charge as a base and groundless calumny. He said he abandoned his defence against the accusation from that moment, and called for a so- lemn judgment upon his conduct, that he might be led to the scaffold if he merited it, or Pidal as a calumniator. This was said with extreme emo- tion, and was followed by applause from many of the Deputies and the public galleries; the President in vain, for a long time, endeavouring to restore order. Quiet having been obtained, Salamanca was about to con- tinue; but suddenly he reeled, and, muttering a few words about " calum- niator—vile calumny—" he fell, and swooned. As he lay in that state, Seiler Pidal called upon him to proceed; an affectation of severe courtesy which drew forth a storm of execration. Salamanca was carried out of the Chamber by his friends, still muttering " calumniator! calumny! " and the debate was continued, amid great confusion. It was adjourned till the 7th.

Espartero arrived at Madrid early on the morning of the 7th instant; and thus avoided the demonstration prepared to greet his return. The people, however, on hearing of his arrival, repaired to his residence and rent the air with deafening cries. " Three times," says the correspondent of the Times, " the multitude have already burst into the house, deter- mined to see their idol. They rushed to his presence, lifted him from the ground, fell at his feet; and hnndreds of these wild-looking fellows wept and sobbed like children. Espartero cried like a woman."

Iravr.—As was partly to be expected, the rumours of the Pope's retro- gression are contradicted. The first tacit refutation of them appeared in new " proprio mote" issued by Pius for the organization of the Ministry. We described this in our last Postscript, but now subjoin a more complete account.

The Executive Government is in future to consist of nine departments,— namely, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Public Instruction, Grace and Justice, Finance; Commerce, Fine Arts, Manufactures and Agriculture; Public Works, War and Police. The chiefs of those departments are to compose the Council of Ministers. State affairs are not to be brought before that Council until the Consults (the Deputies) shall have examined them, and given its opinion. Ministers are to be responsible for the acts of their respective administrations, and the subaltern offi- cers are to be likewise accountable for the execution of the orders they may have received. The important affairs of the State are not to be submitted to the ap- probation of the Sovereign until they shall have been discussed in the Council of Ministers. The Ministers are to appoint all public functionaries and officers, the Consuls-General, the Governors, and the Councillors of the Government, thePro- fessors of the University and of the Provincial Colleges, the Military Com- manders and officers, &c.; the Pope only reserves to himself the nomination of the Cardinals, Nuncios, &c. The Council of Ministers is to meet every week, under the presidency of the Secretary of State. The Secretary is to be a Cardinal, and his deputy a Prelate; but the other Ministers may be indifferently clergymen or laymen. Twenty-four Auditors are attached to the Council of Ministers—twelve clergymen, and twelve laymen.

In consequence of a report circulated by the Retrograde party, that the Pope had declined to received the felicitations of the people on New Year's Day, on the plea of indisposition, the 1st of January passed off without any demonstration. A general discontent prevailed; the people suspecting some plot. At their request, Prince Corsini repaired to the Quirinal, to see his Holiness on the subject. The Prince found great difficulty in gaining ad- mittance; but at length he succeeded; and the Pope met him with the question, why the people had not come to him as usual, on New Year's Day? The cause was quickly explained. The Pope assured the Prince that he was not ill, and that he had given no such orders; and he added, " Since the people have been prevented from coming to me, tomorrow I will myself visit the people." On the next day, accordingly, the Pope traversed the city, amidst universal acelamatiOns, stopping at all the posts of the-Ci- te Guards, saluting and blessing the multitude.

The ill-feeling which was known to exist among the people of Milan against the Austrians has at length broken out. With a view to annoy the Government by diminishing the revenue, it was resolved to discontinue the use of tobacco and the lottery. Up to the 1st of January, the absti- nenee had become general. Persons met smoking in the streets were com- pelled to throw away their cigars. It is even said that an Austrian officer was struck for persisting to smoke on the Corso. The military authorities supplied the soldiers with cigars, and sent them, armed with their sabres, to smoke in the city. They paraded about in bands of from 80 to 200 men, with lighted cigars, jeering the populace. At length the people be- gan to hiss; whereupon the soldiers fell upon them with their sabres, cut- ting down every one that came in their way. They attacked even chil- dren; ten or twelve of the wounded proved to be under fifteen years of age. Among the victims was Signor Manganini, an aged man and one of the Government Councillors, who was eat down at his own door. The number killed and wounded is stated sometimes at thirty, sometimes at a hundred and fifty.

" The Podesti, Count Casati, who was in the crowd, was arrested. When he was recognized, he would not receive his release, and insisted on being taken with the rest to the Police-office. There he had a severe altercation with Toresani, the Director of Police; to whom he declared, that if immediate satisfaction were not given to the people and their magistrates for disturbances by the Police, he would go to Vienna and complain to the Emperor. On the 4th, the Municipality issued a proclamation in kind language, entreating the people to be tranquil. The Viceroy, who was at his country-seat at Monza, also issued a proclamation, with the same object, addressed to his beloved Milanese.' The Police published two proclamations in the Gazette; and two Cotincillors of Government gave in their resignation, declaring that they would no longer take part in such an Ad- ministration."

The greatest excitement prevails. The theatre is deserted; the Milanese refusing to sit under the same roof with the Austrians.

Private letters from Milan report a general feeling that Austria is making every preparation for a war against Piedmont.

The Cologne Gaulle announces that the Marquis d'Azeglio has presented a petition to the King of Sardinia for the emancipation of the Jews. The petition bears the signatures of four Bishops.

A grand manifestation took place at Genoa on the 5th instant, and a peti- tion was addressed to the King to demand the establishment of the (Avis Guard and the expulsion of the Jesuits.

On the 2d instant, there was a grand reception at the Palazzo Pitti, at Florence. The officers of the Civic Guard were admitted; and the Grand Duke wore the uniform of a General of the Civic Guard, instead of the Austrian uniform.

The Morning Post puts forth the following statement- " We learn through a private, but we believe a perfectly authentic source, that the affairs of Tuscany are gradually approaching a state of anarchy and confusion which threatens the total subversion of legitimate power; and that the Grand Duke has, in consequence, applied for such assistance from Austria as may enable him to crush the Radical spint which is gradually increasing throughout the en- tire extent of the Ducal territory. The Austrian forces have received, in com- pliance with this request, immediate orders to march; and have, we believe, ere this entered the dominions of the Grand Duke."

From what appears in a subsequent number of the Post, its authority seems to be some English Absolutist living at Modena, who feels, thinks, and believes in exact sympathy with the Sovereign of that state.

At Naples, considerable agitation prevailed on the 2d instant, and large detachments of native and Swiss troops patrolled the streets when the French packet sailed.

RIO DE LA PLArs..—By the ship Philip Dean, arrived at Liverpool, there are advises from Montevideo to the 11th November. The French blockade was still in force. Oribe had recommenced hostilities on the 30th October, and kept up a perpetual cannonading. Roses had issued a decree suspending the trade with Montevideo both in imports and exports.