lamp ant t ulonial.

fraurr.—The annexation of Savoy is now regarded as a settled matter. On the 13th of March, M. Thouvenel wrote a despatch to Count de Persigny for presentation to the British Government. It is a long document, and has appeared in the Meniteur. He declares that the French Government had no idea of territorial aggrandizement when it entered upon the Italian war. If the Government foresaw a situation similar to that of today, it did nothing to bring it about. When Pied- mont was strengthened by Lombardy, France silenced her own interest, and used all its influence to realize the stipulations of Villafranca literally. When it failed, and Sardinia was largely increased, France re- quired for her own security that so large a state should not hold both the slopes of the Alps • for if Sardinia ever became by alliances the enemy of France, she would be able to open an access to France to a Foreign army. M. Thouvenel argues from past history that several of the prin- cipal powers have considered at different times that Savoy and Nice should be a compensation to France for the aggrandizement of Sardinia, and it is only equitable now to leave to France a territory indispensable to her security.

"In a communication which is addressed before all things to the good

faith of the Cabinets of Europe, and which proves that which animates the Government of the Emperor, ought I to hesitate to say that, in restoring Savoy to Piedmont, it was wished to constitute that country guardian of the Alps, so that it should hold the passes into France open ? however annoy- ing (fichense) that situation waft, we loyally resigned ourselves to it during half a century ; still more, we even accepted it after a campaign in Italy, which would easily have furnished us the occasion of changing it ; but ought we to admit that the conditions which we have sernpuously respected, so as to import no trouble into our international relations, should be aggra- vated? And can Europe, on its side, think it just that, in addition to the weight with which they already bore upon us, should be added that of a State of which the force will have tripled in the course of one year ) It is not in the name of the idea of nationality, it is not as a natural fron- tier, that we prosecute the adjunction of Savoy and of Nice to our territory ; it is solely as a guarantee, and under circumstances such that the mind cannot conceive that they should reproduce themselves anywhere else. In one word, strangers to all views of aggrandizement, still more so, to all ideas of conquest, our sole object is to obtain, in the name of the principles of public law, that treaties should not be rendered for us more onerous in a point in which they had been framed in dispositions which time, I hope, has contributed to efface, and that, as a security against the dangers which the development of Piedmont may bring upon us in the future, our frontiers should be fixed, by means of an understanding with the King of Sardinia, in accordance with the necessities of the commence defence."

The Swiss Government, through M. Kern, forwarded to Paris the fol- owing protest.

Paris, March 15, 1860.

"M. Kern, Minister of Switzerland, to M. de Tltourenel, Minister of Foreign Affairs. "Monsieur le Ministre—In consequence of a despatch from Berne I am

to inform your Excellency that the Federal Council have addressed to the Government of his Majesty the King of Sardinia, a note in which they de- mand the maintenance of the stipulations of the Treaty of 1564, confirmed by the Treaty of 1816 between Sardinia and Switzerland, in so far as they relate to the cession of the actual territory of Savoy to another power. "I am to add that my Government regards in a particular manner any

annexation of the neutralised provinces, Chablais, Faucigny, and the Gene- vole, to another power, as in contradiction to the stipulations of the treaties of 1815, which guarantee these provinces, in the interest of Swiss neutra- lity, as if they were an integral part of the Confederation, and declaring that they are to enjoy the neutrality of Switzerland in the same manner as if they belonged to her.'

"In the mean time, and with reference to the considerations which I had the honour to explain to you in the audience which you were good enough to grant me on the 13th of March, my instructions impose on me the duty of protesting formally, in the name of the Swiss Confederation, against every measure which may have for object to annex these provinces to France, till such time as the powers of Europe, to which the 'material Government has itself declared that it would submit this question, shall have decided,

"I avail myself of this occasion, &c. ICmor."

In a despatch to the French Minister, at Berne M. Thouvenel sets aside the protest, the appearance of which has caused the Emperor great surprise ; since the districts of Savoy rendered neutral in 1815, were not for the protection of Switzerland but of Savoy. The Swiss are roundly told that the Emperor and King alone have the right to settle the matter between them.

On Tuesday, the Emperor received a deputation from Savoy, who went to tell him how happy they should be to be united to France. This is the Imperial reply :— " Gentlemen,—I thank you for the sentiments you have just expressed towards me, and I receive you with pleasure. The King of Sardinia having agreed to the principle of the reunion of Savoy and of the county of Nice to

ranee, I may, without dereliction of any international duty, express to you my sympathy, and welcome the expression of your wishes. The cir- cumstances under which this rectification of frontiers takes place are so ex- ceptional that at the same time that they respond to legitimate interests they do not jar upon any principle, and consequently do not establish any dangerous precedent. "In fact, it is neither by conquest nor by insurrection that Savoy and Nice will be reunited to France, but by the free consent of the legitimate Sovereign supported by the popular adhesion. Thus everything which in Europe does not cede to a spirit of antagonism of another period, looks upon this adjunction of territory as natural and just. The reception given to the communications addressed by my Government to the Powers represented at the Congress of Vienna authorizes for the majority of them the founded hope of a favourable examination.

"My friendship for Switzerland made me look upon it atgpossible to detach it in favour of the Confederation some portions of the territory of Savoy ; but, in face of the repulsion shown among you at the idea of seeing a country dismembered which has known how to create for itself through centuries a glorious individuality, and thus give itself a national history, it is natural to declare that I will not constrain the wishes of the popula- tions to the profit of others. As regards the political and commercial in- terests which unite certain portions of Savoy to Switzerland, it will be easy, I think, to satisfy them by special arrangements. "I hope, then, gentlemen, that I may soon consider you as members of the great French family. I shall make it a point of honour to realize all your wishes, and the annexation of a country connected with France by so many bonds will become for it a new cause of prosperity and of progress. "When you return to your fellow-citizens, tell them how much I have been touched by the manifestation of which you have been the honourable organs. There are among you so many descendants of those families who have contributed to the illustration of France in the career of science, as well as of arms, that everything concurs in explaining and justifying the work of union under preparation."

The Savoyards have been made much of in Paris.

It has been reported that two regiments of dragoons are en route for Chambery.

Marshal bi'Mahon, Duke of Magenta, is appointed to command the Chalons camp, which, according to some reports, will be augmented to the strength of 100,000 men.

An action for defamation brought by the Siècle against the heirs of a former Bishop of Orleans, Rousseau, has been given in favour of the accused. The defamatory language appeared in one of the Bishop's pro- Papal effusions.

ta 111--The King of Sardinia has accepted the result of the poll in Tuscany and the /Emilia. Farini arrived at Turin on Sunday, and had an interview with the King. In a few brief words, Farini presented the official documents, showing that the population had voted for annexation by a majority of 426,006 to 756. The King at once accepted the solemn vote, and henceforth will be proud,to call the people of the /Emilia his people. The seine day, a decree was issued annexing the 2Emilia to Piedmont.

Baron Rieasoli arrived at Turin on Thursday. In answer to his prof- fer of Tuscany, the King accepted the vote, but with an intimation that Tuscany would preserve an "administrative autonomy." A decree Was signed annexing Tuscany to Piedmont. It is stated that Prince Carignan will go to Florence.

On the 21st, the French army commenced its return movement to France. The 80th regiment of the Line, by way of Susa, one company leaving per day. The 2d regiment of the Line, by way of Nice, one battalion departing daily. It is stated that 50,000 men are about to be levied in Tuscany, and 25,000 in the 2Emilian provinces, which will in- crease the Sardinian army to nearly 300,000 men ; and that Piedmont will contract a loan of 150,000,000 francs.

The opening of the Turin Parliament will be deferred in order to give the new provinces time to elect deputies. In Milan, the people broke into the belfry of the Duomo and rang the bells on hearing the result of the vote in the Romagna. At Florence, the Archbishop intoned a To Deum at a solemn ceremony in the cathe- dral, held when the vote was proclaimed. The municipality of Nice has voted against annexation to France, and the National Guard has elected a colonel who is opposed to it.

There have been slight disturbances at Rome, and the Papal demon- stration in the Vatican, was attended among others by the O'Connor Don, who is a chamberlain of the Pope, and Mr. Daniel O'Connell. In Naples, there have been further arrests, and it is said that even Austria describes the measures adopted as severe. A change of Ministry was going on ; the new men being more reactionary than the old. General Filangieri retires.

Signor Buoncompagni has challenged Antonelli to prove certain accu- sations made by the Cardinal, under pain of being publicly branded as one who wilfully distorts the truth.

iftrmang.—Advices fromVienna are of some interest. It is said that Austria, considering the annexation of Central Italy to Piedmont as a flagrant violation of the Treaty of Zurich, which formally reserved the rights of the deposed princes, has resolved to adjourn the renewal of official relations with the Court of Turin. In consequence of this re- solve, Baron de Brenner, who was to fulfil the function of representative of Austria at Turin, has returned to his former post at Athens. Another statement is, that the Austrian Government will pronounce against any infraction of the neutrality of Switzerland. A third report tells us that the French Ambassador, the Marquis de Moustier, informed the Austrian Government, a few days ago, of the approaching evacuation of Lombardy by the French troops, and, in the name of his Government, expressed a wish that, after the departure of the French troops, Austria, in accord- ance with the principles contained in Count Rechberg's despatch of the 17th of February, would continue to observe nonintervention in the affairs of Central Italy.

The Austrian Government has despatched its reply to Paris. The Austrian note says, that since the interview at Villafranca the Emperor Francis Joseph has made too many sacrifices for the maintenance of peace to be able to recommence a struggle which would soon become an European war. But, although maintaining a merely observant attitude, Austria feels, nevertheless, that she must draw the attention of France to the secret intrigues of Sardinian agents in Venetia, as well as to the continued provocations of the Piedmoutese Ministry ; and she repeats most distinctly that the Emperor Francis Joseph will not hesitate to make the greatest sacrifices in defence of his rights over Venetia. A Vienne letter reports that Prussia proposed that the Great Powers should send an identic protest to Paris against the annexation of Savoy. The question of the Hesse Constitution is before the Federal Diet ; Prussia demanding the restoration of the constitution of 1831. A report in a Stutgardt paper that "the French Ambassador at Munich had already spoken of a cession of the Palatinate to France has been officially contradicted."

Atutgani.—The students of Pesth, 500 in number, dressed in na- tional costumes, attempted on the 15th to celebrate the anniversary of 80111C remarkable incidents in 1848. They were met by the police ; arms were used and four students were wounded. There was another skirmish in the evening.

111115i 8.—Letters from St. Petersburg have of late frequently stated that the Government would " seriously occupy itself " with Central Asia. One of these missives says-

" Our trade with that country has been increasing every year, and has now acquired considerable proportions The imports thence in the year 1859, amounted to 3,500,000 roubles, and the exports to 2,500,000. It is said that the present route to that country will be changed, and that the in- tercourse will in future be carried on by Ouste-Ourthe and the 'Caspian Sea. This facility of communication will considerably increase Russian influence among the Asiatics. Nevertheless, all our statesmen are of opinion that the immense wealth to be found in these magnificent provinces cannot be worked for the general good until they become the property of a European power. It remains to be discovered what Power will accomplish their conquest."

Prince Gortschakoff has been ill. There was some talk of Baron de Budberg being appointed his successor. The Prince is now said to be better.

Another letter draws attention to Russian finance, and points to a new loan.

" I have frequently spoken to you of the abnormal situation of the Russian empire with respect to her finances, the complete stagnation of trade—the general dearness of produce—the complete absence of gold and silver coin, and this situation, far from improving, is becoming worse every day. The dulness of trade is the principal cause of this financial crisis. It is calculated that silver coin to the amount of 175,000,000 roubles was exported between the first of January, 1854, and the 1st of January, 1860. The total amount of the gold and silver coin current at present in Russia does not exceed 220,000,000 roubles. The paper money in circulation increased on the 1st January, 1859, to 735,000,000 roubles. The financial condition of the country is becoming worse, in consequence of the continued stagnation in our foreign trade, which has been in a most deplorable con- dition during the last three years. There is but one opinion among our official financiers, and that is, that our Government must contract a foreign loan on any terms, and that the amount cannot be less than 400,000,000 roubles. The circulation of such a sum in the interior of the country ex- clusively can alone facilitate the operations of the Minister of Finance, and relieve him from paying the interest of the national debt in gold."

31innurn.—The Correspondencia Autografa says, that "as the Moors will only consent to pecuniary sacrifices as the conditions of peace, the war must be continued."

5litri H.—The advices by the last Bombay mail notice, as the great events of the fortnight, the closing of the Five-and-a-half per Cent Loan by an eager rush of native capitalists, and the announcement of Mr. Wilson's financial plan. Its chief points are these :-1. An income-tax of 2 per cent on incomes ranging from 20/. to 50/. a year, and 4 per cent on those of 50/. and upwards, without any exemptions ; 2. the intro- duction of a State paper currency ; 3. a small license-tax, at the rate of 1 rupee per annum on artisans, 4 rupees on retail dealers, and 10 rupees on wholesale traders ; 4. an alteration of the Customs' duties. The latter comprises a reduction of all 20 per cent duties to 10 per cent, except that on tobacco ; a duty of 8 an. a seer on unmanufactured tobacco, and 1 rupee a seer on manufactured ; cotton thread, twist and yarn, raised to 10 per cent ; an export duty of 2 rupees a mound on saltpetre, and a considerable addition to the free list of exports and imports. [Some doubts are expressed as to the correctness of the news, as it is forwarded by the Indian papers.] it ail tl iff if5.—The Edinburgh arrived at Liverpool on Thursday, with advices from New York to the 10th.

The Senate of Virginia, while expressing a desire for concerted action on the part of tbe Southern States, objects to join a Conference proposed by South Carolina.

The Governor of Virginia had made a requisition on the Governor of Ohio for two parties alleged to have been implicated in the Harper's Ferry insurrection, but the latter had declined to issue warrants for the arrest of the parties indicated. The bill including free Negroes from the State of Missouri under the penalty of becoming slaves, had passed both branches of the Missouri Legislature. The same bill passed last year, but failed to receive the Governor's sanction.

The Legislature of Washington territory had appointed delegates to a joint convention of the representatives of Washington and Oregon terri- tory, to be held at Vancouver in May, for the consideration of the ne- cessity of constructing a Northern line of railroad to the Pacific.

Caulks. —The following despatch, addressed by the Duke of New- castle to Sir Edmund Head, and dated January 30, was read in the Lower House on the 29th of February :— " Sir—As the two Houses of the Canadian Legislature will soon reas- semble for the despatch of business it becomes my duty to inform you that the joint address to which they agreed at the close of their last session was fully presented to the Queen' and was most graciously received by her Ma- jesty. In that address, the Legislative Council and Commons of Canada earnestly pray the Queen to receive in person the tribute of their unwaver- ing attachment to her rule, and to honour with her presence her subjeots in British North Americas upon the occasion of the opening of the great Vic- toria Bridge, accompanied by the Prince Consort, and such member of the Royal Family as it may please her Majesty to attend her on the occasion. "Her Majesty values deeply the attachment to her person and the loyalty to her crown, which have induced this address, and lain commanded to as- sure the Legislature, through you, how lively an interest is felt by the Queen in the growing prosperity of Canada, in the welfare and contentment of her subjects in that important province of her empire, and in the com- pletion of the gigantic work which is a fitting type of the successful bides- try of the people. It is, therefore, with sincere regret that her Majesty is compelled to decline compliance with this loyal invitation. Her Majesty feels that her duties at the seat of the empire prevent so long an absence, and at so great a distance as a visit to Canada would necessarily require. Impressed, however, with an earnest desire to testify to the utmost of her power her warm appreciation of the affectionate loyalty of her Canadian subjects, the Queen commands me to express her hope, that when the time for the opening of the Victoria Bridge is fixed, it may be possible for his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to attend the ceremony in her Majesty's name, and to witness those gratifying scenes in which the Queen is herself unable to participate. The Queen trusts that nothing may interfere with this arrangement, for it is her Majesty's sincere desire that the young Prince, on whom the crown of this empire will devolve, may have the op- portunity of visiting that portion of her dominions from which that address has proceeded, and may become acquainted with a people in whose rapid progress towards greatness her Majesty, in common with her subjects in Great Britain, feels a lively and enduring sympathy.

"I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient humble servant, "NEWCASTLE."

The Canadian Parliament on the 9th of March, voted an increase to the subsidy of the Canadian line of mail-steamers running between Liverpool and Quebec in the summer, and Liverpool and Portland in the winter—to eight thousand dollars per voyage. They also voted the sum of ten thousand dollars per annum, for the extension of the telegraph to Belle Isle.