furfiga our Culutial.
FRANCE.—It would seem, by the character of the intelligence we get from Paris, that all the world is speculating on the probable and possible
issues of the Turkish question. French affairs are at a stand-still. We hear only rumours of a plot against the life of the Emperor and Empress,, which was to have been executed at the Hippodrome last week, and of arrests in consequence ; but we have no authentic information. There are also accounts from the naval seaports, that orders have been received to raise contingents of seamen ; and numbers have liaised through Paris for Toulon. It is further stated that the Emperor contemplates malting an offer of French troops to the Sultan ; but this is more than doubtrut
Tvaxier.—Little positive news has reached us this week from Con- stantinople ; but in its absence there has been abundant speculation. According to current calculations, the delay of eight days, accorded by the Emperor of Russia, must have terminated on Thursday. In antici- pation of the answer which the Porte was expected to give, the German papers published unauthentieated and improbable statements respecting- the crossing of the Pruth on the 14th—two days before the delay ex- pired. What is now certain is, that the French fleet left Salamis for the Dardanelles on the 11th, and the English fleet left Malta for the same destination on the 8th instant; so that by this time both fleets must be anchored in Besika Bay. Whether they would enter the Straitsrdepend- ed on the Porte and the British and French Ambassadors. It has been much canvassed whether the occupation of the Danubian Principalities would constitute a casus belli; and it is held by the Pays and the Horn- ing Post that it would. In that case, the fleets would have the right to enter the Dardanelles. Meanwhile, the Turkish fleet is drawn up in a crescent at the Euxine entrance to the Bosphorus; the Sultan has re- viewed a body of troops ; and the most active preparations have been and are in progress.
As evidence of the excellence of the Turkish artillery, it is stated that when the Prussian General Wrangel recently took leave of the Emperor of Russia, being then on his road from St. Petersburg to Constantinople, the Emperor remarked—" When you get to Constantinople, mind you ex- amine the artillery well ; it's one of the best in Europe. We have to thank you Prussians for that It will take hard teeth to crack that nut" But the same authority, a Prussian officer, writing from experience, com- plains of the cavalry and infantry as a " conglomerate of men on foot armed with muskets and men on horseback."
A translation of the note addressed by Redschid Pasha to the Foreign Embassies on the 28th May has been published, as follows-
" The Porte announces that the question of the Holy Places has terminated in a manner satisfactory to all parties ; nevertheless, the Prince MenschZ- koff, not satisfied with that, has demanded of the Porte a treaty to guarantee the rights and privileges of all kinds accorded by the Sultan to his Greek subjects. However great may be the desire of the Porte to cherish and pre- serve more and more the most amicable relations with Russia, she can never- engage herself by such a guarantee towards a foreip government, either concluding with it a treaty or signing a simple official note, without com- promising gravely her independence and the most fundamental rights of the Sultan over his own subjects. An understanding, then, has not been agreed upon. The Prince Menschikoff has broken oft' his relations, and left Constantinople, and the Russian Legation has followed him. In this state of things, which the Porte greatly deplores, her confidence bathe high sense of justice and the eminently conservative sentiments of the Emperor of Rus- sia, and in the positive assurances which he has given of his desire for peace, is doubtless well founded. Nevertheless, no direct assurance having been given to the Porte to the effect that there will be no war, and preparatioris going forward on a large scale in the localities bordering en the °dement empire, the Porte, animated by no hostile intention, and as a simple measexe of prudence, feels compelled to take measures of self-defence. She declares, then, from the date of this note, that she intends to reinforce her army and to take all the necessary measures for self-defence; and she makes an ap- peal to the Powers who signed the treaty of 1841, cherishing the firm, hope
that on this occasion these Powers will decide that right and justice are on the side of the Porte."
Moiemixono.—The Lloyd, of Trieste, states that on his return to Montenegro, Prince Daniel distributed to his troops about two hundred medals, stamped with the Russian arms. The Prince told the soldiery that they would soon have another opportunity of proving their valour ; not in defence of their native land, but in reconquering the territories of which they had been deprived by the Turks.
JIOLLAND.—The King opened the new States-General in person on Tuesday ; and the recent " Papal aggression" affair, with the conse- quent Ministerial crisis, forms the staple of the allusions in his speech. " Gentlemen—I was much affected, some time since, when thousands of my beloved subjects, fearing for their national interests, came to me and desired me to take measures to provide against the evils which they dreaded. Being deeply impressed with my obligations to protect all their interests and rights, I thought it better not to follow the advice given me by the advisers of the Crown. I felt that by following it I could not remove the great anxiety nor calm the excited feelings of my people. When the Ministers offered me their resignations, I accepted some of them, and replaced them by men who possessed my entire confidence : therefore, I felt myself bound 6 dissolve the Chambers, and to give an opportunity to the electors of ex- pressing; their feelings on the subject. Now, with gratification I see myself surrounded by both Chambers of the States-General; and I was anxious, gentlemen, to open your assembly myself. I am glad I can do this with satisfaction. We are on good terms with foreign powers. The development and welfare of the country are increasing. These are the favourable aus- pices under which the Legislative Body can recommence its labours. The difficulty, however, to which I adverted in the beginning, I am sorry to say, is not yet removed : I have tried to arrange it, as well by inviting explana- tions from those parties who have originated the dissension—I suppose in- voluntarily—as by taking measures to be carried out by ourselves. The Government are convinced that many of the difficulties can only be dis- posed of by a law. The sixth clause of the charter assures equal rights to the religious associations, but it imposes also duties on Government which cannot be fulfilled without the power of the law. It is my intention to re- quest your cooperation in this matter : I shall do it with greater confidence, as I am sure that the spirit of moderation and quiet investigation so natural to our country will preside at your deliberations, and that it will be your serious desire, as it is mine, firmly to maintain the principle of religious tolerance which has belonged to our nation, and to avoid all that could cause discord and schism between the sons of the same country. In that way, it will be possible to arrange so that the Government can give equal protec- tion to all the religious associations, by which they can obtain security for liberty and substantial solidity under the same reasonable and impartial law. I intend to bring before you, in this session, only those projects of law for your deliberation that require a speedy decision. I now declare the As- sembly to be opened ; and I conclude with wishing that Heaven's wisdom may actuate and govern us, so that our efforts for the benefit of our beloved country may be characterized by order, peacefulness, and justice."
INDIA.—A telegraphic despatch was received yesterday, dated "Trieste, June 16," announcing the arrival and giving a summary of the overland mail from India. The latest date would appear to be Bombay, 23d May.
"Belling, which had really been captured by Burmese insurgents, not- withstanding the denial of the Bengal Government, has been recaptured by ouribtres, with the loss of 30 killed and wounded. The Burmese Commis- sioners have not yet returned an answer respecting the Governor-General's proffered terms: should they not signify before the expiration of the thirty days allowed them for consideration, that they accept those terms, an ad- vance on Ave will take place ; and the steamers are being prepared for the contingency."
J'AXAICA.—The news by the Parana extends to the 27th May. On the 26th, the Speaker of the House of Assembly was at his post at the proper time, but no Members attended, and he adjourned the House. The Morning Journal of the 27th gives this picture of the state of the island—
"Our position at present in this island is a very unenviable one, a very perilous one. The steamer that leaves our shores this day will convey to the British public the proceedings of our Legislature during the last fortnight of its sittings; and they are fully calculated to inspire that people with any- thing like confidence in our affairs. Neither life nor property is secure under such a state of things. We are almost without a government! The Trea- sury is closed against all applicants ! The paper currency is at a discount of 21 per cent. The public officers, one and all, are without their salaries. The prisoners in the Penitentiary are to be let loose on our community, and the police force to be disbanded ! Never did any country exhibit such a fearful accumulation of evils; and all may be traced to one source. Surely her Ma- jesty's Government will have in all this sufficient cause to exercise its power and authority to stem this career of bad government, by the adoption of some measures which will put an end to the evils by which we are threatened, and without it, may soon be overwhelmed."
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