Nortign anb eolonfal.
Fnatecn.—The fete of Sunday, in continuation of the festivities to cele- brate the new Constitution, passed without the slightest accident or disturb- ance. The weather was fortunately favourable; and considerable crowds assembled in the evening to see the illumination of the Champs Elysees and the fireworks at the Barriere de l'Etoile, the Observatory, and the Barriere du Trone. The public buildings were also illuminated; but hardly one private house lighted up in honour of the Constitution. The dinner given at the Hotel de Ville was on a grand scale; and the magnifi- cence of the Galerie des Fetes, in which it was given, and which was pro- fusely decorated and lighted for the occasion, was the subject of universal admiration. Besides the members of the Government and the great public functionaries of the Republic, a considerable number of the Corps Dip'ona- tique were among the guests. Among the many banquets given, was one by the Democratic Female Socialists at the Barriere du Maine-
" The price of admission," says a Paris paper, "was if. 25c. the head, with- out distinction of sex. Children under ten years of age were admitted free; they formed about one-sixth of the guests, who amounted altogether to abed 1,200. The banquet was conducted by three women and three men. The ladies wore a handsome scarf of rose-coloured silk, and the men had a red woollen band on their arms. The women present were, in general, well attired; satin gowns and handsome bonnets were not rare. Several pretty young women, from seventeen to eighteen years of age, accompanied their mothers. After the repast, Pierre Le- roux, the celebrated Socialist, explained the object of the meeting. They would have no President: they had, in fact, abolished Presidency, and appointed a Board of Management, composed of six persons of the two sexes. He concluded by say- ing, that as a woman had a right to mount the scaffold she was equally entitled to ascend the tribune. The first toast was given by Madame D. Gay, To the political union of men and women, and of the Democratic and Social party.' In advocating the rights of her sex, Madame Gay said, You cannot found a repub- lic without women. There was always something deficient in your political views. Be assured, citizens, you have an interest in our emancipation • for we ob tain by strategem the rights you refuse us.'" (Immense laughter and applause.) Democratic and Social toasts were given,—" one To the healths of AL E. Le- goude, and of all those who have openly proclaimed the right of women to the enjoyment of political rights.' The memory of Saint Simon and Fourier, and the healths of Pierre Leroux, Prondhon, and Louis Blanc, were drunk. A young lady proposed to add the name of M. Respell; but her suggestion was not adopted. A toast to 'fraternity' was then proposed by a little girl about eight years of age; and 'Rouget de Lisle' was given by a boy of the same age. M. Mallet, one of the stewards, then invited all the company to meet him in a fortnight at a banquet to be given in celebration of his marnage: the price of admission would be only 75 centimes (sevenpence) each. This invitation created much laughter. Several patriotic songs were sung; and a collection having been made for the families of the parties transported after the insurrection of June, the company separated." The insurrection of June is about to be brought under public notice by General Cavaignac himself; whose political enemies have revived the charges made against him of having purposely allowed the Paris insurgents se gam a great head on the 24th June, in order that his military dictatorship might be made inevitable. Some time ago, M. Barthelemy St. Hilaire, one a the members of the Club of the Institute, and one who has all along evinced great dislike of General Cavaignac, drew up an account of the circumstances which preceded and succeeded the insurrection of June. In this account he strongly attacks the conduct of General Cavaignac, who neglected or refused to follow the orders given by the Executive Commission for the advance of additional troops upon Paris. Id. B. St. Hilaire showed this report to several members of the Assembly, and among others to one of the friends of General Cavaignac, who brought the accusations contained in the report to the General's knowledge. M. Peree, another friend of General Cavaignac, who had also seen the manu- script, spoke of it; and after several conversations, General Cavaignac at length resolved, that instead of waiting till the accusations should appear in the shape of a pamphlet, he should himself take the initiative and bring the subject before the Assembly. In the Assembly, on Tuesday, General Cavaignac entered the tribune, and spoke as follows-
" Not one of you can be ignorant that ever since I have been at the head of the Executive power I have been the object of numerous attacks and calumnies. I have long been accustomed to pay attention to neither one nor the other. As long as these attacks were made under names which do not belong to this As- sembly, I considered that I ought to remain silent and indifferent on my bench. But of late these calumnies have been brought forward under names which give them quite a different importance. I should have been better pleased to assign to myself the care of refuting these calumnies at another time, When I should no longer hold the high situation in which you have placed me. I have now waited some days to see if any denial would be given to these calumnies; but, finding that such is not the case, I have to propoee to the Assembly to Si Thursday next to give me an opportunity of addressing certain questions to the parties to whom I allude, and to them to reply. I do not want to call forth a debate; I merely want to ask such questions as may tend to set those calumnies in their true light. Perhaps the Assembly may desire to know the names of the persons to whom I allude. They are Messieurs Gamier-Pages, Pagnerre, Barthelemy St. Hilaire, and Dueler; who have been spoken of, but there may be others also of whom I am not aware. I want to come at the bottom of the accusations brought against me. It is, in fact, a question of right that, whether here or elsewhere, in private conversation or casual remarks, accusations having been brought against me, they should be sifted thoroughly, and accounted for."
After some discussion, in which M. Ledru-Rollin and M. Daclerc joined, Saturday the 25th was conceded to General Cavaignac for his interpella- Lions.
The measure for modifying the indemnification given by the decree of the 7th July to the depositors in the Savings Banks and the holders of Trea- sury bonds was discussed in the Assembly on Monday. The decree of July declared that the deposits should be converted into Five per cent Stock, valued at 80 francs per cent, and the Treasury bonds into Three per cent valued at 55 francs. M. Goudchaux had in July proposed that the conversions should be made at the rates of the day, which were some francs lower than these rates; but the Assembly overruled him. Since that time the French Funds have fallen still lower; the Fives were once last week as low as 60, and the Threes as low as 40. The price of the Fives on Monday was 64. The present Government has proposed to alle- viate the hardship of making the depositors and bondholders take Stock at; 80 and 55 francs, which will only produce 60 and 40 francs: the Committee to whom the matter was referred recommended that the price of conversion should be the average price of the period from the 7th July to this time; and proposed that the Five per cent conversions should be made at the valuation of 71 francs 60 cents, and the Three per cent conver- sions at that of 46 francs 40 cents; the difference between these prices to be credited to the depositors and bondholders.
M. Goudchaux proposed an amendment on that part of the scheme which related to the bondholders only—he moved that the rate of conver- sion should be 51 francs instead of 46 francs 40 cents: this was the price which he originally proposed in July, but which the Assembly altered to 55 francs. M. Goudchatur went into details to show that the price of 51 francs best reconciled the double necessity which pressed on the state—on the one hand to do justice to its creditors, and on the other to avoid giving such terms as would be unfavourable to the position of the Treasury and to the course of good administration. The fall at the Bourse, though of importance, ought not to be looked at too narrowly. If every time the Funds went down the Assembly was to come forward and give a fresh in- demnity to the holders of the Bons du Tresor, it would leave the question for ever unsettled.
The proposition of the Committee was supported by M. I. de Lasteyrie, its reporter, and by M. Trouve-Chauvel, the Finance Minister.
On coming to the vote, a " scrutin de division" was demanded; and during the progress of the examination many members left the House; so that only 481 voted,—a number too few for a valid decision. The fact caused some indignation; and the President announced that the names of the members present would be published in the Moniteur, but without their votes,—an indirect mode of proclaiming the absentees.
Next day the vote was successfully taken; and the Government law was affirmed, in preference to the amendments of M. Goudchaux and others, by 405 to 106.
The Paris correspondent of the Morning Chronicle candidly furnishes in- formation of a reassuring character, in contrast to more gloomy general accounts.
"It is pleasing, in the midst of so many disasters, to find that Paris is gradu- ally recovering from the shock it got in February. The prosperity of Paris is generally in proportion to the amount of the octroi duties. When they are low, Paris suffers; when they are high, Paris prospers.. It now appears that the octroi duties of last month are, for the first time since the Revolution, equal to those of the corresponding month of 1847. In October 1847, the amount of oc- troi duties collected amounted to 2,616,420 francs; in October 1848, they amount- ed to 2,608,983 francs. The produce of the first fortnight of November amounts to 1,575,819 francs, which is at the satisfactory rate of 105,053 francs per day. I may also mention, that a considerable number of the English families who were resident here last year have returned, and that more are expected. The Russians, who, from their wealth rather than from their number, formed an im- portant p wtion of the winter population of Paris, are still absentees, and are likely to continue so for some time. On the other hand, the American families in Paris are nearly as numerous as in the palmy days of Louis Philippe; and it has been remarked that almost all the Irish faindies,habitually residing in Paris re- Maimed firm during all the scenes of February and June, and declare their inten- ion of still intrusting their safety to the Republic." " Letters from the various wine districts of France announce the completion of the harvest. The produce proves to have been considerable, notwithstanding the damage done to the vine and fruit by bail and heavy rains in many places. The quality will be generally very good, and in all respects equal to former years. Hopes are entertained of a favourable reaction in the general markets."
Priussia.—All danger of outbreak at Berlin seems to have passed by; and the strong measures of the Brandenburg Ministry are thus far suc- cessful. The residuum of the Assembly is effectually hindered from hold- ing any formal meetings, and the disarming of the Burgher Guard has been completed: yet the town is so tranquil that the peasants bring their provisions to the daily market in the usual course, and the funds actually rise; Lucille Grahn can attract crowds to the opera; and the papers are content, for news, to describe the unusual brilliancies of the Northern lights.
One stage of the disarmament of the Burgher Guard was not accom- plished without great fears and unusual precautions. Saturday the 18th was the day fixed for disarming the men employed in the engine and iron factories outside the city-walls, and in the Oranienberg suburb. Four battalions were employed in the direct duty of demanding the arms, whilst many other battalions with twenty-four field-pieces, were held in reserve. These were connected by chains of cavalry patrols, and two batteries of twelve-pounders and howitzers. Beyond refusings, squabblings, and a registering of protests under the Habeas Corpus Act, (which has not been repealed or suspended,) no more resistance was encountered there than else- where; and before nightfall, it is stated, more than nine-tenths of all the arms originally issued to these quarters were delivered up. Elsewhere the process was in general managed even delicately. "The sub-officer enters the house, and receives the arms which are delivered to him: he inquires whether there are any more arms; and on receiving an answer in the ne- gative, he withdraws with great politeness."
The troops are not billeted on the people, but are crowded into the pub- lic buildings. The press is submitted to some control. The National and the Riforme were suppressed on the 17th; and the contents of the papers that continue to appear "are limited to facts, and these are given sparing- ly." The President of the Police, Bardeleben, declined to name a censor; so General Wrangel "established a military censorship at his own head- quarters, which limits itself to post factum judgments, and proceeds in a summary way." A multitude of arrests have been made; so many that the prisons overflow, and the prisoners have to be put in the great peni- tentiary outside the walls: but it is not intended to try any of the accused persons by courts-martial—all are to be referred to the ordinary tribu- nals.
Our narrative last week gave the proceedings of the Assembly to the 14th instant. That body met on the morning of the 15th, in the hall of the Town-Council. They were about to commence business, when a battalion of infantry drew up before the hall, and took possession of its doors. The officer in command passed in and summoned the members to disperse: he showed General Wrangel's order, and implored the members to throw no difficulties in the way of his executing most painful but most peremptory directions. The members deliberated briefly, and then resolved to withdraw under protest against the violence threatened. They did so, and the troops marched back to their station. In the course of the fore- noon, Unruh summoned an evening sitting: accordingly, at seven o'clock, 226 members met at Mielentz's café in the Linden, went through the formalities of opening a sitting, and proceeded at once with the debate on the question of refusing the taxes. "Two propositions," says the report, "were submitted for consideration. The first, adopted by the Committee, ran thus—
"No Minister is authorized to levy taxes until this resolution (for the non-pay- ment of taxes submitted to the Committee) be revoked.'
"The second motion, submitted by Schulz and others, was thus worded-
"' The National Assembly decrees, that the Brandenburg Ministry is not au- thorized to levy taxes, or disburse the public money, until the National Assembly can fulfil its duties in safety at Berlin. This resolution will take effect from the 17th November next ensuing.'
"The call of the House had scarcely terminated, however, ere a field- officer entered the apartment, accompanied by half a dozen grenadiers, who were posted at the door, whilst a battalion of the same corps were drawn up at the entrance of the building on the Linden. The officer approached the President, and stated that he had received orders from General Wran- gel to cause the chamber to be evacuated. This message having been communicated by M. Unruh to the House, it was responded to by a gene- ral shout of 'We will not stir!' President (to the officer)—' Sir, I must beg you to exhibit your warrant.' Officer= I have no written order, but I trust you will believe my word.' President= I am far from questioning your word, but it is my duty to demand a written warrant.' Officer— That is not in my power: General Wrangel declined to give me written instructions.' (Exclamations of This is shameful!') President—' Have you received orders to employ force?" I confidently trust,' replied the Major, that you will not drive me to that alternative. I must demand categorically,' exclaimed the President, 'whether you have or have not orders to employ force of arms?' I have,' rejoined the officer. President = And are you resolved to employ it? "I am,' replied the Major. (General silence; during which the Deputies looked at each other, whispered, but maintained perfect calmness.) President= Under these circumstances, I declare that force has been exercised towards the Assembly, and that I am compelled.' "The President was now interrupted by the whole Assembly rising, and exclaiming, No, no; a thousand times no! We will not move from this room although we were run through with bayonets!' Sixty or seventy Deputies sprang towards the officer and his small escort, and by their ex- cited gestures appeared disposed to drive them from the Chamber; whilst the remainder, in a state of indescribable excitement, crowded round the President's table. During this state of confusion and uproar, which lasted some time, the officer and his escort stood perfectly calm, but not without the precaution of communicating with the detachment outside. "At length, when silence was somewhat reestablished, there was a ge- neral call from members= Continue the deliberations. We will hear of no more interruptions. Clear the Chamber of strangers.' Upon this the Major approached the chair, and, after conferring with the President, re- turned to his escort, and retired with them outside the door, whilst a mes- senger was despatched to head-quarters for further instructions. The members now returned to their seats, and, with infinitely more calmness and self-possession than could be expected, listened to the reading of M. Schulz's motion. This had scarcely terminated ere the whole body rose and agreed to it, with a general shout of Yes yes!' This decision was no sooner known, than a triple hurrah was raised by the whole House, and was prolonged during several minutes amidst indescribable enthusiasm. At length the President rose, and officially announced the passing of the de- cree prohibiting the levying of taxes: he then proposed that the House shouldiadjourn; and announced that: he ,would communicate to members individually the time, plane, and hour for their next sitting. The members then dispersed."
The Assembly has not since this rising reassembled as a body: but the trimxibers.of it have met in.various committees, and discussed a proclama- tion Lathe soldiers reminding them that they can. obey only a constitu- tional King; and anotherto the people and the Landwehr, exhorting.them to unite for the protection of the National Assembly. As soon as the dif- ferent parties shall be agreed on.these proclamations, the President intends to.call a public sitting.
On the 20th, the Ministry issued a counter-manifesto to • the resolutions of-the Assembly refusing the taxes. It was addressed to all the "Royal Governments "' of thelingdom,.and enjoined them in this wise—
"Although iemay be presupposed that the sound sense of the country will be perfectly convinced of the formal and material illegality of a step which in its.ul- teriorresults mould, plunge the whole country into a state of utter lawlessness and indescribable confusion, we nevertheless consider it our duty to call the at- tention of the Royal Governments to this subject, that if and wherever, contrary to all expectations, any realization of the above resolution should appear, to pro- ceed against it_withoutdelay, and in case of need, if a preliminary instruction re- specting the heavy legal penalties of such refractorinees, should remain fruitless' to resort to the most severe compulsory measures. All the commanders of the troops have received orders to obey the necessary requisitions of the Royal Go- vernments to be appointed by them forthis object.
"At the same time, the Royal Governments are specially enjoined to take heed, that the -compulsory measures to be adopted against refractoriness shall not ho extended to the payment of such taxes as are in arrear on account of pecuniary inability, of the ratepayers."
The Left gains adherents as the struggle with the Brandenburg Ministry is prolonged: Milde the ex-Minister, "a most moderate man," and one who verylately headed a deputation to Potsdam with conciliatory offers, has openly joined the Left, and takes part in the sittings of the "fractions."
The receivers of taxes are in many instances refusing to collect the du- ties. Those-of Diisseldorf have declared that they will no longerexact the taxes on flour and meat, but only keep an account of-the quantitiesof corn ground, and the numbers of cattle slaughtered.
The " fractions " of the Assembly have published a list of 583 addresses which have been sent them from the principal towns and public bodies of the kingdom. The efforts to obtain the sympathy of the provinces are thus described by an opponent- " In the mean time, emissaries of all kinds are at work lathe provinces; and these, to judge by. the municipal. declarations of numerous cities and, towns against the Executive, are eminently successful. Nearly the whole of.Silesia, a great part of. Saxony (Prussian),. the capital of Westphalia (Munster), with many of the chief towns of Pomerania, the Marches (Prussia), and of course all the Polish Poseners, Dusseldorf, (the hot-bed of Rhenish Democracy,) and other 'daces in the Rhenish provinces, have declared themselves in favour of the Na- tional Assembly."
A farther step has been taken by the Burgher Guard— "-The Burgher Guard of Berlin has sent five hundred deputies to different parts ofthe country, in order to come to an arrangement with the various political societies and Burgher Guards of the cities in the provinces, respecting the atti- tude -which should be taken in the present case; the provinces . having hitherto repeatedly censured the capital for having acted on several occasions-on its own responsibility, without waiting:to ascertain their opinion."
The following are said to be the demands made by the leaders of the Left Centre- " That the new Ministry be formed of the Left Centre and of the Left; and that in every ease Waldeck and Jacobi shall be included in it. "That the King shall dismiss all the persons by-whom he-iaat present snr- • rounded, and fix his residence at Berlin.
"That all the Princes of the blood royal shall resideabroad during the sittings! of the Assembly.
" That all the troops of the National Guard shall be immediately -licensed. "That Berlin shall be immediately evacuated by all the troops..
"Finally, that the King shall no longer interfere in the affitirs of. government, properly so called, but commit theta entirely to his Ministers."
The whole of the Royal Family have removed into the Palace at Pots- dam, as less exposed than at. Sans Souci. The Prince of Prussia and Prince Charles have also repaired thither from Babelsburg and Glienicki. The Palace is defended byat least three thousand men, and two batteries of ordnance. One hundred and eighty riflemen are stationed on the roof on permanent, guard.
Atahe meeting of the Town-Council on the 16th, a.report was made of an interview, between a deputation of the Council and the Prince of Prussia, obtained for the purpose of inducing the Prince to interfere with the King. in order to the revocation of the unpopular measures. The deputation was most courteously received by the Prince, with the King's permission. "His Royal Highness," says the report, "listened to the Pre- sident and members collectively and individually; and replied, that after consulting with many eminent jurists, he was bound to say that he con- sideredthe King to be perfectly justified by law; and that he was con- fident that. all remonstrance with the King, as regarded this Assembly, would be hopeless. The Prince's arguments were replied to by M. Gneist, &lawyer of eminence; who sought to prove the contrary, by declaring that he held the National Assembly to be acting upon constitutional grounds; and-stall events, as it. was•an.Assembly convoked to draw up a constita- tion.in aoeord with the King, the powers and rights of both were equal. The Prince thanked M. Gneist-for his explanation, lucidly given but de- clared that he could not assent to the conclusion. A M. Schaffer dwelt upon the dangers that menaced the Crown and country-by persistence on the part of the former. To which the Prince replied, that, through the weakness and inconsistency of the Crown upon the 18th of March, the dynasty•hadoertainly been placed in a predicament. Who might reign after the house of Hohenzollern, his Royal Highness could not tell; but he could, affffm that should the house fall, it would fall with honour. The King.luicIneglected no means to remedy evils, and had only resorted to strong.measures to arrest anarchy. Even M. Grabow, ex-President, who had been that morning (the 15th) at Potsdam, was fain to admit the King's right and rectitude." GERMANY.—Berlin affairs were again the subject of animated debate in the Frankfort Assembly on the 18th instant. The resolutions adopted on the 14th were not deemed strong enough by the Left.* Von Rappard ac- cordingly moved, three more strenuous ones, ending thus-
" 1. Forthwith to recall the Imperial Commissioner, M. Bassernaann. " 2. To send at the same time an Imperial Commission to Berlin, directed to employ all possible means to prevent a conflict between the military and the people.
" 3. T6 compel the Prussian Government- to revoke the prorogations declared as illegal by the Prussian National Assembly, especially the prorogation and re- move{ of the Prussian National Assembly, the dissolution and disarmament of the Burgher Guard, the state of siege of the city of Berlin, and-the restrictions on the free press and on the right of association."
While the mover was supporting these resolutions, Schmerling rose to announce that Bassermann had at that moment.returned from his Berlin mission, and would shortly enter the House and address it. He added, that the Regent's.Ministers, wishing to see the Central Executive directly represented on the place-of action, had nominated two members of this House—the Vice-President, IL Simson, and M. Hergenhahn—Commis- sioners at Berlin. These two gentlemen had declared' they were ready to exert themselves for the execution of the two resolutions of the 14th No- vember, and they would leave Frankfort that very day at three o'clock.
Von Rappard was replying, when Bassermann entered; and the President obtained leave for him to speak immediately, as he was unwell.
The House, he said, was acquainted with the motives of his mission to Berlin: several .differences between the Central Power and Prussia were to be adjusted, and advice. was to be given with regard to the state of the Prussian Cabinet, On his way, accounts reached him of the nomination of Count Branden- burg. He arrived late in Berlin, and set out traversing the streets Mime- diately: What he saw was most disgusting; the aspect of the men who formed the population of the streets was such as he would not describe. The part of the town all- around the Assembly-house was crowded with a most de- testable mob. The next day he went to assist at a sitting of those members who had remained in spite of the Royal decree. Ever since that day he had been in constant communication with the President, Von Unruh, with members of all parties, and with a deputation even from the Democratic Clubs. He ought, there- fore, to be able to form so accurate opinion of the state of things. That state was an appalling one. What this part of Germany was accustomed to call a free press, could not be compared to the licence of the printed placards and papers in Berlin. One, for instance, stuck on the walls of a number of streets, sold in all shops, thrust into your hands wherever you went, was a paper of dark red colons with the inscription, " The Republican's Dream"; it represented a man sleeping, and all around him an assemblage of lamps with men hanging on them. The red flag was hoisted before the very door of the Assembly. The accounts of cruel threats against members of the Berlin Assembly were, if anything, under- stated. Three times had.members of the Right begged the House to pass bills that would give safety to their lives, and three times had the Assembly refused to pass any such bills; three times had it confided its members "to the safeguard of the people." It had happened on the very staircase of the Assembly-house, that an orator called upon the mob to come next time armed with short knives and with pickaxes, saying that it was easier to find out your man with such instruments; and the next-evening thousands of these instruments were seen! He had seen General Brandenburg and M. Von Manteuffel; and he found them calm in the midst of the events they had to govern, determined to quell the anar- chy, bet as decided not to infringe the liberties of the people. The Minister had said 'Co him, "It would be impossible for any man to rob Prussia of its liberties." (Loud cheers front.the •Right and Right Centre.) Now he did not consider those men so mad as to strive after what they considered to be impossible. On the other hand, the members of the Assembly with whom he conferred were absolutely proof against any endeavour of his to mediate. One of those gentlemen, an influential name, upon being asked what would be the Assembly's conditions of mediation, answered as follows—first, banishment of the Royal Princes; second, seizure and prosecution of the present Ministers and of General Wrangel for high treason; third, the assurance on the part of his Majesty that he would execute all-the decrees of the Assembly. He had tried to explain, that such an Assembly would be a Convention, and that a country with such a government would be a Republic: but all in vain- Though it was not customary, to.report owls conferences with the Monarch, he woultiventure to say this much of the King of Prussia, as the result of inter- views with him. He had found him much more, German than he could hate hoped. The King was perfectly resolved to carry out the resolution of the Assem- bly with regard to Posen and equally resolved to put an end to the disorders that had occurred in the metropolis of Prussia: he looked upon it as his grand duty to save Prussia, and Germany at large, from ruin; while he was well aware of the baneful consequences of retracing concessions, or of giving scope to reaction. Of this last there was not the least to be feared from the King. Ba.ssermann left Ber- lin because the Ministers had of course no time for,conferences on German affairs, and became mediation on Prussian affairs was hopeless. As he returned to Frankfort, the resolutions of the 14th instant met him; and, feeling that his ex- perience and his views would not permit him to act in the line they prescribed, he had resigned his office of Under-Secretary of State. He closed his report with an entreaty, pressed with earnestness, that the As- sembly should proceed with all haste in perfecting the German Constitution, be- fore it was too late. [The speaker left the tribune amid great applause from the Right and Centre, and hisses from the Left.] Wernher rose immediately before Rappard, and moved, " that. the mo- tion before the House, and all the amendments- put to the same, should be referred to the same Committee which had reported on a similar subject before." Venedy, Raveux, and others, insisted that Rappard should be heard again; and supported his motion. But Wernher's motion was car- ried, by 261 to 172.
On the 16th, Kirchgessner presented the report of the Committee on Austrian affairs upon Simon's motion relative to Robert Blum's execution. "The bitting of the 14th November was opened amid feelings of sorrow and in- dignation, which were occasioned in every mind by the news of Blum's execution, as communicated in private letters. It was scarcely thought possible that this could have occurred in a German metropolis, in the face of the Imperial law of the 30th September."
"It is beyond all doubt," proceeded the report, "that the position of Blum, as Deputy to the Imperial Assembly in Frankfort, was known in Vienna at the time of his apprehension; as Vienna papers speak of him in this capacity, See- But whether or not, the fact of his being a member of the National Assembly is cer- tain; and that his arrest, trial, and execution took place without any notice there- of being made to the Imperial Assembly. This distinctly proves the violation of the law of the 30th September (see Art. 1); which law came into force in Vienna at, the very latest on the 20th October ultimo, though by a special provision at- * These were the terms of the resolution—" The Assembly of the States, &c. re- solves that it is necessary, first, to direct the Prussian Government to revoire the de• creed transfer of the .National Assembly to Brandenburg, so soon as measures shau b. discovered which appear sufficient to insure the dignity and freedom of Its delibera. Bons at Berlin ; secondly, that the Prussian Crown shall (be directed to) gather round it a Ministry which possesses the confidence of the country, and is qualified to set aside all fears for reactionary efforts and encroachments on popular neerties."
tached to this law it in reality ought to have come into force on the day of its publication in the 'Imperial Law Journal.'
"The Committee thinks there is, upon the whole, full ground for the motion of M. Simon; but it objects to certain words, authority for their II/34:1 not being clearly established."
It submitted this motion—" The National Assembly, solemnly protesting be- fore all Germany against the arrest and execution of Robert Blum; which acts were consummated in total disregard of the Imperial law of the 30th of Septem- ber ultimo, calls upon the Imperial Ministry to adopt the most strenuous measures for calling those parties to account who either directly or indirectly bear the guilt of the offence, and for securing their punishment."
Kirchgessner stated that Franz was the only dissentient from this motion. Ile thought, "the Assembly had not to determine now whether Blum had been guilty or not, nor whether his punishment was duly proportioned: to the offence; but whether the law of the Imperial Assembly had been directly violated."
The Assembly rose in a body and affirmed the Committee's report by acclamation. The motion was then made, and -was "carried unanimously, as far as the President could distinguish"; including the suffrages-of the Ministers Schmerling, Mohl, and Bekerath
On the 18th, Froebel entered the Assembly while the order of the day was under discussion, and immediately obtained leave to say a few words on the fate of his friend Robert Blum, and on his own treatment at Vienna,. —an account very different from any yet published of the part taken by him and Blum.
According to.the stories of the German newspapers, Blum and he always in- tended to fight and die for liberty at Vienna. Bluni's words at Breslau were to this effect; but Froebel says, that the address of his political friends in the Assembly, with which Blum and he were intrusted to the city of Vienna, being delivered to the properauthorities, they had both intended to quit Vienna on the third day after their arrival. "Blues obtained a passport from the Saxon Legation. What prevented them from leaving was, that they were assured they would suffer insults and ill treat- ment from the soldiery without. So they remained, andaccepted the post of captains inacompany of a corps d'elite which Messenhauser had Waited, as they were told, principally to protect the lives of the citizens of Vienna. (Cries of" Oh! "from the Right) However, they were placed at very exposed outposts against the enemy, with orders in their pockets which gave certain proof that there was treachery among the leaders. Thus Blum, standing in continual fear from the Croatian artillery, was ordered never to use his five cannons ! The consequence was, that Blum and he resolved not to take part in the fight, and declared openly that this was their resolution. Daring the last four days before the fall of Vienna, Blum and he remained quietly at their hotel. Their seizure took place early on the 4th, and they were kept very decently till the 9th. On the 8th, a man was brought into their prison who pretended to have been an aide-de-camp of■Massenhauser, and who seemed very anxious to hear all the details of what Blum and he had done. Unluckily, Blum was very open indeed, in spite of warning signs he gave him. In the course of the day, that man saidthey ought to protest in the strong- est terms against their seizure, being members of the German Parliament. A protest was written, consequently: it was sent off:at four o'clock: Slain was taken out of prison at six, was examined that evening, and shot the next morning! This, he thought, would prove that the very protestwas the immediate cause of the execution. As for himself, he was dragged from his comfortable prison' and put into a dark bole. In his examination he saw clearly that the object of all ques- tions was simply this—had he been in arms on the day when-Prince Windisch- gratz proclaimed the state of siege, or not? He owned this fact, and said that, consequently, there would be nothing to say. Never mind,' said the chairman, lyon.may bring forth what- you can for your excuse.' Froebel then said what he thought fit; and mentioned, among other things, that in a pamphlet he wrote two months ago, at Vienna, he had spoken against the idea of separating German Austria from the rest of the monarchy, but had .proposed that the whole of Aus- tria should enter the German Confederation. Curiously enough, this made a great effect on the judges! They said this was an important fact in excuse. Honour- able members would see, from this fact, how people judged of politics in Austria. He was called upon to dictate all he had said; and was called in again the next day, when he heard that his sentence was that of death on the gallows, bat that the Field-Marshal had commanded him to be set free. He was treated with touching cordiality by all the judges, conducted out 'of the house and received by a very civil policeman, who accompanied him all the way to the demon frontier."
The President said, that M. Froebel having having, appended no motion. to his narrative, he would propose that M. Froebel's speech be recommended to the Committee for Austrian Affairs, as materials for their report. This, course was adopted.
The Times correspondent says that Froebel's narrative created a profound sensation—" Without pleading his cause, orusing elaborate language, the, tale was told: with so much talent that the whole Assembly nodded in in- voluntary satisfaction when' he returned to his seat."
The Committee made its report on Monday last, in- terms of clear and uncompromising hostility to the extreme Left. It assumed the positives truth of what Bassermann had said regarding the terme demanded by the Left, and even the Centre, of the Prussian Assembly; and-proposed to the Central Assembly the adoption of these resolutions-
" 1. The National Assembly, in accordance with its resolution,oe the 14th ul- fimo, and inconsideration of intermediate events, calls upon the Central.Power to effectuate, by means of the Imperial Commissaries now in Berlin, the appoint- ment of a Ministry which possesses the confidence of the country. "2. It expressly declares those resolutions of the fraction of the Assembly still- remaining in Berlin, which are so evidently illegal and dangerous to the state, to be null and void,—namely, those relating to-a refusal of the taxes.
"8. It declares, furthermore, that it is resolved to defend all rights and liberties that have been conceded and promised, against every attempt that may be made to impair them." Simon of Triers and Nauwerck spoke with extreme violence against the report, and opposed the motions; but all were carried. The divisions were—On the first point, Ayes, 393; Noes, 6; Non-voters, 24. On the se- cond point, Ayes, 276; Noes, 150. On the third point, Ayes, 277; Noes, 2; declared non-voters within the House, 35; and about 130 more ab- stained from voting.
The sitting of the Second Saxon Chamber at Dresden, on the 13th in- stant, was entirely taken up with a debate on Robert Blum's death. The following two resolutions, moved by M. Tssetainer, were adopted.--
" 1. To call on the Saxon Ambassador at Vienna forthwith to sead.in an.ao- count of his conduct in the affair in question.
"2. To demand from the Central -Power that it shall take the most energetic measures to expiate the violation of German honour which has taken place at Vienna by the death of Robert Blum."
The first of these resolutions was adopted by the Upper Chamber, but the second rejected.
The " German Association" at Leipsic, which does not share the politi- cal opinions of Blum, has also declared its indignation at his executionrin S placard published on the 13th. The Chamber of Deputies of Wurtemberg, in the sitting of the ma passed a series of resolutions calling on the Government to recommend the Central German Government at Frankfort to take in hand the Prime sian affair, and treat it as its own; to protect the Prussian Assemb' against the Ministry, and to preserve the Prussian people from militat7 despotism.
Arsrnia.—But little news comes from Vienna. Messenhaueee; they Commandant of the National Guard, was shot, on the evening of' the lfitIL- By the tribunal which tried him he was sentenced to be hanged; and the', commutation of the mode of death 'to that by shooting was the tit-
most favour that could be gained from the inexorable Windischgriitz. It, is said, indeed, that the Prince would not even grant a respite to wait for the Emperor's decision on a petition to pardon the offender, which, with a deputation from the Municipal Council, was forwarded to Olmiltz by spe- cial train at a late hour on the-previous evening. " Mr. Ilessenhauser was a-man of high character, and his military talent rose considerably shone the-common level."
The Wiener Zeitung of the 19th instant states that 1,600 persons.haVie been arrested for taking part in the late insurrection. Of this number 996' have been set at liberty: the investigation respecting those still in custody, will be carried on with all possible despatch.
"A well-informed correspondent in Vienna " gives to the Standard the, following particulars respecting the campaign now commencing against, Hungary-
" Three army corps are marching into Hungary,—viz. the first composed of fourteen battahons (the battalion is 800 men) Of inf.mtry; twenty squadrons of cavalry. This first corps is commanded by Lieutenant-General Jellachich: the.
cavalry is composed of Hardegg and Wallmoden Cuirassiers, with twenty-four guns, and four pontoon equipages. The second corps, commanded by Prince, Reuss Kostritz, has fifteen battalions of infantry, seven squadrons of cavalry, fifty-four guns, and one pontoon equipage or train. The third corps, commanded; by Lieutenant-General Count Terbelloni has eight battalions of grem.diers, each batalion of 1,000 men; twenty-eight squadrons of cavalry, 108 guns, eight pon- toon equipages.
"Major-General Simonich is already on the frontiers of Hungary with five bat- talions infantry, two squadrons cavalry, and twelve gnus. The whole presents a force of- forty-two battalions, infantry, fifty-four squadrons cavalry, (the squad- ron has 120 men,) 228 pieces of ordnance, and ten pontoon trains. Prince Wm- dischgratz is to command the whole. Thirty thousand men will remain at Vienna."
The Silesian Gazette says that the fixed corps d'armee, under Baron Jel- lachioh, quitted Vienna for Hungary on the 14th, and that Prince Wine dischgriitz would follow, him in the course of a few days. The Speneische Zeitung, of the 19th instant, asserts that the Hungarian army is 220,000 strong, inoludin g 100,000 regular. troops.
An address to the Italian army, signed by the Emperor and counter- signed by Wessenberg, was issued,on the 28th October. It especially ad- dressed the Emperor's " beloved sons from Hungary and Croatia," with " an earnest word "—
" I am aware that party tries all means to persuade you,- under pretence of danger threatening your country, to break your faith to me, and to cause the overthrow of that venerable throne for the defence of which your fathers shed their blood. Do not be seduced by these false patriots. They are closely allied to the enemies of Austria; they are the chief authors of the present troubles. The liberties. which I vouchsafed to the Hungarians, the equality of all classes of my Hungarian subjects, are guaranteed by my Royal word. I know yonwill stand firm and be mindful of your sacred oath. "With God's help, it will be my duty to restore order and peace in Hungary, and-to defend our common country against the enemy, who threaten it. "Have confidence in me and your old General.. He has led you to victories which give you an honourable place in history, and by which you-may-claim the gratitude of the country: be will lead you on the path of duty and honour!'
A letter in the Times, written by an Oxford student who was prestmt in Vienna daring the siege by.Windis' chgratz, gives some descriptions which realize the horrors of the scene more graphically than any. of the previous accounts- We-extract a few passages.
"On Sunday morning the 29th, my friend H— and I managed to escape from one of the advanced barricades, whither we had been pressed, into the Leo- poldstadt; where we were most kindly received by the troops, both officers and men; to whom we were able to give valuable information as to the real state and disposition of the rebel forces. There the devastation is dreadful. The Jager- cello, the beautiful street leading to the Prater, had been the scene of the hardest fighting of all, as it had been fortified by a succession of barricades, built up to the first-floor windows in a half-moon shape, with regular embrasures, and planted with cannon. This was strewn with the dead bodies of men and horses;
but they, and the pools of blood all about, did not strike us so much-as the horrid smelt of roast flesh, arising from the half-burnt bodies of rebels killed in the houses fired by Congreve rockets, which we saw used by the troops with terrible effect. Half of- the houses in this beautiful suburb are thus burnt down, while the other half are-riddled with shell and shot. On every side you may see weeping wives, sisters, and daughters, picking literally piecemeal out of the ruins the half.- consumed bodies of their relatives.
"On Sunday- evening, the city, dreading a bombardment from the Belvedere, agreed to surrender; but the capitulation was shamefully violated, when, early the
next morning, the approach of the Hungarians to raise the siege was signalled from
the tower of the cathedral. Then-came the real crisis. Most of the troops and gnus were removed from the Leopoldstadt to meet the enemy in the rear; while the remainder set to work to barricade the bridge which connects the suburb with
the city, so as to prevent a sortie. H—and 1, and some other foreigners, dread- fully exasperated by the treatment we had met with from the rebels, and excited
by the 'pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war,' offered the General our
services; which, as men were scarce, were thankfully accepted; and, setting to work in good earnest under the direction of the engineer officers, we 8000 erected—
soldiers and civilians working together—a strong breastplate of paving-stones—. LN.B. Macadamizing the streets of the Continental cities would most effectually prevent revolutions]—from which the six cannon left to us swept the bridge with such a murderous tire of grape that a sally became impossible. "Of course we were fired on continually from the ramparts; and I for the first time literally tasted blood, which was dashed over my face and clothes when a round shot carried off the head of an-artilleryman by my side. All this time the
roar of cannon, the whizzing of rockets, and the roll of musketry in our rear, told as that the Hungarian army had joined battle; while in our front, from all the
ramparts, tops of houses and churches, the rebels were firing signal-guns and waving flags to cheer them on. It was a beautiful, clear, sunshiny, autumn day; and all felt that there were trembling in the balance, not only the fate of the
grand old Austrian empire—' An Siegen cud an Ehren reich,' the monarchy of:
Charles the Fifth and Maria Theresa, and so long the bulwark of Christendom against the Turks—but with it the peace and safety of Europe. At length the firing behind us gradually slackened, and then died away; and towards sunset' the victorious-Imperialists marched back from the field of battle, having utterly,
routed the Hungarians, and driven 3,000 of them into the Datmbe;which will roll their bodies down to Pesth—a fearful tidings of their defeat- You may fancy what cheers now arose from the Imperialists, and what yells of despair from the rebels, whose offers of a conditional surrender were now scornfully rejected. • • • "The morning after the storm, we marched into the city with the victorious troops; pretty figures, indeed, after even our four days' campaigning, as of course we had escaped on Sunday with nothing but the clothes we wore—now torn and disfigured with blood and dirt. Martial law is of course proclaimed, and the leaders of the revolt are being shot in batches as they are caught. We have seen the execution of several of the chief students, who had rather fraternized ' with us as English University-men on our first arrival, but who latterly had become too great men to condescend to notice or protect us from outrage; so we feel no pity for them." • The writer is one of the numerous and enthusiastic admirers of Jella- Chia— " The old Generals who recollect Austerlitz, Moscow, and Leipsic, are compar- ing with the most brilliant exploits of Hannibal and Napoleon Jellaehich's march across Hungary—a hostile and most difficult country—at a time when the Em- peror had repeatedly ordered him to submit to the rebels, and had left his army
wholly nnprovided for. On that dreadful night of the 31st of October, I saw the glorious fellow, a young and magnificent looking man, by the blaze of the burn-
ing houses and the flashing of two hundred cannon, lead his wild Croats and Ser- vians to the storm; his tall white plume shining like Henri Quatre's at Ivry, as the pole-star of the whole army. All agree that he is one of those remarkable men who are raised up from time to time to mould the destinies of nations."
ITALT.—In the Milan journals of the 12th is a proclamation of the pre- ceding day by Radetzky; in which, after a preamble on the Imperial cle- mency, he announces his decision to exact an extraordinary contribution on the following classes—first, the members of the late Provisional Go- vernment; secondly, all those who took an active part in the proceedings of the Provisional Committees; thirdly, all those who took a leading part in the revolution, or who concurred in that measure, either by their acts or by their writings. The amount of this forced contribution is not named, but the quota payable by each was to be signified at his address, and such amount was to be paid into the Loan Office before the end of six weeks. The property of those who fail to make good the payment will be seques- trated. All sales or transfers of such property which may have been made since March last are annulled so far as respects this contribution. A cor- respondent of the Constitutiemnel states that the families of Visconti, Borro- meo, Litta, and Pio, have been taxed to the amount of a million of francs (say 40,0001.); whilst the family of Casati will be deprived of one half of its wealth by this tax. The same correspondent adds—" The Sardinian Ministry is about to propose a law declaring null and void any sale of pro- perty of emigres which may take place by order of Radetzky. No buyers will be found to take the land offered for sale; but the Austrians will pull up the last tree, break and burn everything, rather than be frustrated." The Corriere Mercantile of Genoa, of the 16th, states from Milan, that the whole Municipality have resigned in consequence of the Radetzky decree, and the whole population have come to a determination not to pay.
The Tuscan Ministry has addressed a circular to its agents abroad, in which they are requested to ascertain the real sentiments of the other Go- vernments of Italy with regard to the convocation of an Italian con- stituent Assembly, "to provide for the necessities of the war of inde- pendence," and their opinions respecting the mode of electing such an Assembly. This circular talks of "postponing all questions of internal regulations until after the expulsion of the foreigners." It is signed by Ciuerazzi, Mentanelli, d'Ayala, Franchini, Mazzani, and Adam.
Advices from Rome of the 8th instant announce that the Papal Govern- ment has contracted a loan of four millions on the security of the pro- perty which the religious corporations have given up to the state. The clergy of the Roman States had voluntarily offered the Pope a loan of 4,000,000 piastres, payable in fifteen years; that is, at the rate of 300,000 piastres annually during the first ten years, and of 200,000 during the re- maining five. The only condition required by the clergy, and consented to by his Holiness, was the cancelling of the mortgage laid on the eccle- siastical property, by a decree of April last.
The Morning Herald says—" We can confidently state that the differences so unhappily existing for some time past between Naples and Sicily, are in a fair way of being immediately adjusted."
btroe..—The arrival of the overland Indian mail, with Bombay papers of the 19th, and news from Moultan to the 3d October, was announced in our Postscript last Saturday: we can now give fuller details.
The rumour brought by the previous mail, that General Whish had gone in full retreat from before Moultan towards Bhawulpore, proves to have been untrue. The movements really made were oblique marches from the South- east of Moultan to a position some three or four miles South-west of it, which at once commands the river Chenab on the left and the roads to Bhawulpore on the right; and which is on the direct road to Soojahabad, a fortified place still in our hands, about forty miles South of Moultan. In the course of these changes of position, repeated demonstrations were made by Shere Singh and the Dewan; but no actual conflict occurred; and not a man was lost from the 15th, when our heavy guns were with- drawn from their battering positions, till the 24th, when the final position TVSS selected and occupied, which it is intended to retain. Some ammuni- tion was abandoned on the first day of the retreat. It is said that the enemy have been prevented from actively engaging with us by the mutual distrust of the Dewan and Shere Singh: the troops of the latter had not yet been admitted into the fortress. A camp story was current which stated that this distrust has been fomented by a device of Lieutenant Edwardes. He wrote a letter to Shere Singh congratulating him on the advancing success of their schemes, and especially on the cleverness of the feigned attacks made by the Sikhs on the British. The letter was purposely put in the way of interception by the Dewan; and on coming to his hands it caused interviews between him and Shere Singh, at which mu- tual upbraidings and charges of treachery were made. It is also said that Shere Singh had demanded pay and been refused it, and that his troops are mutinous for their arrears. General Whish has been fortunate in cut- ting off an arrival of some 20,0001. of treasure despatched to Shere Singh from Lahore before his treachery was known; and he has received safely a larger sum of treasure sent to himself, which the enemy endeavoured to intercept. Supplies and ammunition arrive in his camp by the river steam- ers; and his position is so effectively intrenched that he will be able to defend himself well till the relieving army comes to him. This army is now concentrating at Ferozepoor, and is to be commanded by Lord Gough in person. It will consist of 25,000 men from Bengal and Bombay, and
will move Southwards on Moultan by the river Ranee about the first week, in December; at which time a force of 10,000 men, also concentrating at Roree in Upper Scinde, will move up the Indus and join General Whish on the Chenab branch.
The position of affairs in Peshawur, on the extreme North-west, is not changed: it is very critical. Major Lawrence heard of Share
Singh's defection on the 22d September, and concealed the news for a whole day, till he could make some brief preparations and send his wife to Lahore under an escort commanded by Sultan Mohammed Khan in per-
son. The news was promulged on the 23d, and no outbreak had oc- curred as late as the 26th; at which time, however, the further slight checks the British had met in the Hazareh were not fully known.
These checks are the desertion of the Sikh troops under Captain Abbott and Lieutenant Nicolson, in front of Chuttur Singh. Those officers, after the encounter at the Margullah pass, mentioned in our last Indian ac- counts, made long and rapid marches to seize the roads leading to the dis- tricts lying on the West of the Indus, by which Chuttur Singh endea- voured to pass round Attock and descend on Peshawur. They obtained good positions; but their Sikh troops deserted them, and they were forced to retire towards Futteh Yung and Narra. Chuttur Singh was at Ettoree- pore, ten miles West of Torbela, on the 9th September, apparently hesi- tating whether to cross the Indus, or change his plans, drive Abbott and Nicolson into Attock and Futteh Yung, and march down the Indus to Moultan.
The news from Lahore itself gives no cause for anxiety. At the fortress of Govindghur some fifty guns have been discovered, buried in the earth, in places and with precautions to make them immediately available for ser- vice. The Burmoo risings on the West of the Indus, South of Peshawur, are said to have been suppressed; but the fact is uncertain. The Noorpoor disturbances, on the Jullundure frontier, have ceased with the rout of the band under Rani Singh; who has himself narrowly escaped with his life. Gholab Singh maintains a position of caution: his troops leave the Hazareli and Moult= in bands, but he declares they are deserters—traitors to him- self.
CEYLON papers, to the 16th October, have arrived. The Legislative Council was opened by Lord Torrington on the 2d October, with a speech on affairs.
The Governor congratulated the Council on the capture of the Pretender, and, the suppression of the rebellion; and intimated his desire that martial law should be put an end to. On this point of martial law he stated—" That future doubts. and difficulties may be avoided, a bill of indemnity will be laid before you for all bond fide acts done by the constituted authorities daring the existence of martial law."
On financial points he stated, that the nett revenue of the year 1847 exceeded that of 1846 by 24,000/.; and the expenditure was also diminished in 1847: nevertheless, the expenditure of 1847 exceeded the receipts by 58,0001. The stir- phis revenue accumulated in more prosperous periods was now exhausted. He announced the pleasure of the Queen that "the entire expenditure of the colony, fixed as well as contingent, shall be brought under the review of the Legislative Council."
The Council replied in an address echoing the terms of the speech.
The Colombo papers were shocked at the terrible work which the courts- martial had made with the captured insurgents. Twenty-one persons had been summarily convicted and shot at Matelle; and numbers more at Kornegalle.
"From the constitution of these courts," says the Colombo Examiner, "it cannot be doubted that many innocent victims suffer. It is believed that the priest who was shot in Candy would not have been adjudged guilty by a civil tribunal; for, like the four priests who were acquitted, he acted under intimida- tion. Four men were shot at Kornegalle a few days ago; who met their fate with coolness, uttering imprecations on their slayers. Two hundred bodies, we hear, have been accounted for. If our information be correct, how fearfully have these people paid the penalty of their folly! Yet does the court-martial continue its bloody work at Matelle. That Ceylon may not be held up to the execration of the world, and, what is of more consequence, that those who are responsible for the continuance of the carnage may find mercy when they come to their own dread reckoning, we call upon our rulers to stay their hand from slaughter by ar- resting these proceedings. The soldiers are pillaging the houses, digging up the floors to find money and jewellery belonging to the hiding villagers, confiscated under martial law. The scenes at present enacted in the neighbourhood of Ma- telle are a disgrace to a civilized government. We hope and believe these facts have only to be made known, for Government to prevent their continuance."
Martial law was terminated on the 10th October.
CAPE OF Coon Hors.—By the arrival of the Mary Anne at Ports- mouth, on Thursday, letters from the Cape of Good Hope to the 28th Sep- tember have arrived. They mention a proclamation issued by Sir Harry Smith on the 21st, announcing that the insurrection of the Boers had been completely suppressed. In the action of the 29th, 49 of the Boers were left dead on the field, and 150 of them were wounded. The English loss was seven officers wounded, eight privates killed, and 39 wounded. Pre- torius had fled towards Magalisberg: be was seen on the morning of the 30th September, with only three companions, passing the farm of Com- mandant Erasmus, full sixty miles from the field of battle, which he left after sunset of the 29th. Sir Harry Smith was expected back at the Cape in a few days.
WEST INDIA IsLasus.—The West India mail steam-ship Severn ar- rived at Southampton on Thursday. The advices from the islands are generally of a less desponding character, excepting those from Jamaica and Tobago.
The latest Jamaica dates are to the 23d October. Sir Charles Grey had converted the adjournment of the House of Assembly into a proroga- tion, and had summoned the House to a second session on the 26th October. This step is characterized as a manceuvre to get rid of the resolutions passed by the House pledging it to retrenchment in the public expenditure. After an adjournment, the House would have been in a condition to pro- ceed to act upon those resolutions; in a new session, they will have to be moved, debated, and carried, over again.
The commercial accounts from Jamaica continue to be sombre. It is said-
" Since our last report, the trifling tendency to improvement which we therein noticed, has entirely subsided, and left our market, if possible duller than before. Indeed, we think trade more slow in Kingston than ever it has been; a state of things which we had every reason to expect and foresee, but which is nevertheless dreadfully deplorable." In Tobago, whence the letters come down to the 18th, the crops are declared to be of very bad promise—short and backward.
Several representatives of absentee proprietors had received orders not to hole or last any more at present, but to keep what was in cultivation clear, and to ma e the most of the existing state of things. A new feature in the employment of labour had appeared—that of tilling the soil by job-work. The price of labour continued high. It is observed= The labourers hold their own, and continue averse to work. A few are out on most estates, but the island as a whole pre- sents the miserable picture of masters being without power or authority; servants vagabondizing and resisting constitutional authorities—both masters and magis- trates.'" The consumption of imported articles had considerably declined.
The arrivals from Trinidad (2 1st October), Barbados (28th), St. Lucia (29th), and Antigua (30th), are more encouraging. In Trinidad, labour was abundant, and the rates of wages low. Sugar-making would shortly be commenced; and it is said that under proper management the plantations were likely to prove very productive. The Barbados papers announce the opening of the Legislative Assembly by Sir William Cole- brooke, the new Governor; who, in his address, congratulated the members on the satisfactory appearance of the crops. " An extensive trade was doing in provisions to all the neighbouring colonies; which, as the supplies were furnished almost wholly by the labourers from their own grounds, was working most beneficially to their interest, producing a desire to work regularly and industriously." In St. Lucia and Antigua, rains had fallen, and improved the plantations so greatly that heavy crops were expected.
UNITED STATES.—The Europa steam-ship arrived from New York On Monday, having started on the day of the Presidential election. The votes already given at that time were—for Taylor, 131; Cass, 20. Taylor's return was regarded as certain, though the Western States would be gene- rally in favour of Cass.
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