lorrign an Colonial.

"'num.—The Persian Ambassador, Feruk Khan, was publicly, received by the Emperor at the Tuileries on Saturday, in order to afford him an opportunity of presenting his credentials. In the course of the ceremony, Feruk Rhea made a speech, of which the following report has been published in the Moniteur.

" Sire—The friendly relations which so long existed between France and Persia having been again consolidated by a recent circumstance, I have been charged by the very powerful Shah-in-Shah of Iran, my august Sovereign and benefactor, to bear to your Imperial Majesty the compliments and congratulations of my Sovereign. "it is a happiness for me that my mission has occurred at a period when France is loaded with SO many blessings from Heaven : first, the glorious accession of your Imperial family to the throne of France ; next, Sire, the birth of his Imperial Highness, the heir of your crown,—an event which is a guarantee for the duration of your Majesty's dynasty, and a subject of joy for all Frenchmen and for all the friends of France; next, the conclusion of peace between the powerful Allies and Russia in this same capital of France. In fine Sire, I come to France after the conclusion of a treaty between Persia and the powerful empire of France,—a fact which had ever been the object of the hopes and wishes of the two states ; an object to which the efforts of the Governors and the Sovereigns of the two states tended, and which is now accomplished, with the assistance of God, conformably to the intimate desire of the august Sovereigns of France and Iran." To the speech of the Ambassador the Emperor made the following reply— "Monsieur l'Ambassadeur—I am happy that your Sovereign has charged you to bring me his congratulations. When the war broke out in the East, I sought with pleasure to renew our former relations with Persia; and her neutrality was not useless to us. I now congratulate myself upon the treaty of commerce concluded between our two countries, as commercial relations firmly established always cement the friendship of nations. "It is with regret that I heard of the war which has broken out between you and one of my most intimate allies, but I entertain the most ardent wishes that your mission to this portion of the globe may hasten the return of a lasting peace.

"I thank you for the flattering things you have said to me of France and the Prince Imperial; and I beg you to believe in my full sentiments of goodwill towards you." Feruk Khan, having presented his suite, among whom are two cousins of the Shah, handed to the Emperor the Royal Order of Persia, and also presents for the Empress and Imperial Prince. The Ambassador has made a great "sensation" in Parisian society. He is handsome and graceful in person ; about forty years of age : he wears a coal-black beard ; his eyes are large, black, and lustrous ; and, what is equally important, he has carried with him good store of jewels, for other uses than the adornment of his person, and Cashmere shawls, more coveted even than jewels. He is also reputed to be a good Greek scholar and lover of literature.

Lord Cowley held an investiture of the Order of the Bath on the same day. The Knights of the Order present were Prince Napoleon, Marshal Valliant, Marshal Pelissier, Marshal Canrobert, Marshal B' osquet, Generals De Belles, De M‘Mahon, and Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely. There were also a number of Knights Commanders ; and several English officers, including Sir Alexander Woodford, Sir William Gomm, and the Earl of Lucan. The list of French officers invested is

" Knight Grand Cross—General Morris. Knights Commanders—Generals Cannel, D'Autemarre D'Ervill, D'Allonville, Levaillant, Vice-Admiral Charner, Rear-Admiral Jurieu de la Graviere. Companions—Generals De Failly, De la Motte-rouge, Uhrich, Larehey, De Monet, Cassaignolles, Beuret (of the Artillery), De Forton, Wimptlen, Soleille, De Puibusque. Colonels Dieu, De Berthier, Danner, Be Sorbiers, De In Martimere, Crespin, Pelissier. Lieutenant-Colonels Be Comely, Barrel, Henri Bertrand. Captains of the Navy Lugeol, Larrieu, Touchard, Lescure, Mequet, and Captain Ginoux de la Coehe."

After the investiture, Lord Cowley had a dinner for the members of the Order; at which there was speaking full of compliments and reciprocal professions of friendship. Prince Napoleon proposed the health of "the Queen of England "—

" I add to this toast all my wishes for the alliance of the two nations of the West. I hope that this alliance will not be limited to a passing understanding on a special question, but that, based on principles, it will lead to the universal triumph of progress and of civilization. It is the goal towards which two great nations must march in concert. The glory acquired together at the price of the most generous blood is a pledge of the future for their alliance which time cannot weaken. As long as it lasts, we shall be strong enough to support our friends everywhere and to drive back our enemies."

Lord Cowley proposed Prince Napoleon's health, and thanked him for his words full of friendship for England. "An alliance founded on other principles than those mentioned by his Imperial Highness could not be a lasting one." Marshal Pelissier proposed the Army and Navy of England—" We have stood side by side in twenty battles ; and the reciprocal esteem which we acquired for each other is an additional pledge of the duration of that alliance, as eternal as the undying glory which was shed therefrom upon our colours." General Woodford answered for his comrades, and cordially wished honour, happiness, and glory to the Army and Navy of France. The appointment of Cardinal Morlot to be Archbishop of Paris has been officially made known. There are three sees now vacant,—Tours, Aix, and Limoges. M. Billault has reminded the clubs of Paris that "games of chance are strictly prohibited" ; that Government has power to inflict penalties ; and that "even in lawful games the Government would see excessive stakes with strong displeasure, and, if necessary, would use it authority to prevent them."

In the Court of Cessation, on Thursday, the appeal of Verger, the assassin of the Archbishop of Paris, was argued by his counsel. Verger appealed upon the plea that the opportunity was not given to him to call his witnesses and to make his own defence. The Court of Caseation deliberated two hours and a half before being able to give judgment. The appeal for a new trial was rejected.

Sr/01116.—A deputation of English residents in Brussels waited on the Prince de Ligne, on Monday sennight, to express their disapprobation of the "personal vulgarities" respecting the Prince uttered by Sir Robert Peel in his lecture at Sarney. The deputation characterized Sir Robert's remarks as an "ebullition of low breeding "; "unbecoming a gentleman." The Prince is said to have replied—

"Gentlemen, believe me, that I am most grateful for this your spontaneous act of courtesy and good-will ; and I am deeply sensible of the generous kindness that has prompted you thus to repel the vulgar agr,ression unwarrantably made upon me by Sir Robert Peel. I conjure you to be _persuaded that I do not suffer the displeasure I may experience at this

bred indignity indignity to affect for one instant the high respect and sincere regard long and cordially entertained by me for England and the English. The coarse verbiage adopted by Sir Robert Peel to revile me belongs only to a sot (ivrogne) and a blackguard (gamin); and as such I regard it with proper contempt ; but, without seeking. that personage, should chance ever place me in unpalatable contact with him, I shall not hesitate to say that his conduct towards me has been that of an underbred good-for-nothing (mal c'ka et vaurien). And now, gentlemen, on my part, I have to express my sorrow and extreme displeasure that any countrymen of mine, and without my authority, should have used this untoward circumstance as a reason to offer you the incivility of refusing your admission to the bal mile. Such conduct on their part appertains to that category of social offences which we have had occasion to deplore. I have been greatly pained at such ill-bred and unworthy conduct. Allow me, gentlemen, to say, that out of this unpleasant occurrence I have, at any rate, derived the pleasure of making your personal acquaintance, and of being able, in returning you my hearty thanks for your considerate attention, publicly to testify my constant and ardent regard for your country, its inhabitants, and its institutions."

Sift ill.—According to telegraphic communications from Turin and Milan, the Emperor of Austria, on Sunday last, signed a decree "granting a full pardon to all persons in the Lombardo-Venetian territory condemned for high treason, revolt, or insurrection. Prosecution for such crimes is suspended. The special Court at Mantua is dissolved."

A Milan despatch, dated Sunday, 10 p. m., says—" The general amnesty.has produced an immense effect. All Milan was spontaneously illuminated. At this moment the Emperor is welcomed at the Scala with the enthusiasm of gratitude."

[Some statements made in this country reduce the proportions of the amnesty considerably. According to them, only 70 prisoners are pardoned, 46 being detained on the ground that they are criminals who mingled in the revolts for purposes of plunder.]

Advices from the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to the 24th January describe a state of things bordering on anarchy. At Naples the theatres were shut ; political arrests were made daily postal communication without personal responsibility had ceased. The King was at Caserta; whither he had gone in his carriage—dreading, it is said, an "accident" on the railway. From Messina come these statements—

"Political arrests in Sicily increase in the most deplorable and odious manner, without any discrimination, and even against the opinions of the local authorities. The prisons are so encumbered that it has been found necessary to dispose of the prisoners. Twenty-five were embarked in the night between the 20th and 21st on board the steam-corvette the Miseno, to be transported to the rocks of Utica and Pavigliano, desert islets off the West coast of Sicily. Some of the prisoners were garotted, and the exasperation of the people is extreme." From Catania these " Commerce is entirely at a stand ; the theatres are abandoned ; the clubs are closed; the streets are silent, and almost deserted, for nobody is met but agents of the Police escorted by military." The King of Sardinia arrived at Nice on the 22d, in the steamer Govemolo. Ile landed at Villafranca, and drove into Nice, under a fire of popular cheers. Shortly afterwards he rode to the Villa Avigdor, and called on the Empress of Russia ; returning, as he went, on horseback. At night there was an illumination. All the Foreign Ministers except the Austrian Charge d'Affaires went to Nice from Turin.

turktg.—The Grand Vizier, Redsehid Pasha, called together at his villa on the Bosphorus the Ministers of the Five Powers and the Commissioners interested, to hear read the firman convoking the Divans in the Principalities. The meeting took place on the 13th. It is stated in several quarters that Sir Henry Bulwer attempted to raise a discussion ; that he was prevented by the Ambassadors ; and that high words passed between him and Lord Stratford. The firman provides for the election of Deputies, defines their numbers and qualification, and the qualification of the electors.

The Persian Consul at Erzeroum, on the 19th December, celebrated the fall of Herat by giving a banquet., which was attended by the Governor, and the French and Russian Consuls.

JR11551i B.—It is now stated, that in pursuance of "orders received from St. Petersburg, the Russian authorities are to quit Bolgrad on the 1st of February, and that they will proceed to Kicheneff, the capital of Bessarabia. The only Russian functionary who will remain in Bolgrad is the Secretary of Intendance, charged to deliver up the town officially to the Moldavian authorities."

rgili.—Copies of the official despatches describing the naval and military operations in the Persian Gulf came to hand with the arrival of the overland mail on Thursday. They include despatches from RearAdmiral Sir Henry Leeke, Major-General Stalker, commanding the land forces, and Captain Jones IN., the Political Agent. The date of the latest document communicated is the llth December.

The fleet of transports and men-of-war did not assemble at Bonder Abbas, the first rendezvous, until the 24th November. On the 29th, they sailed for Bushire in three divisions; the steam-frigate Feroze, towing two transports, and the corvette Falkland, being first in sight of Bushire. The winds, however, had scattered the ships, and they were not collected again until the 6th December. Before this, the Governor of Bushire had been notified of the declaration of war ; and General Stalker had occupied Barri* with two companies of the 2d Belooches. On the 7th, the fleet dropped down to Hallila Bay, a landing-place about ten miles South of Bushire, and selected as the nearest point of debarkation cliffs running from Hallila to Bushire. A number of the enemy lied occupied date groves near the beach ; but a few shells from the gun-boats soon drove them away, with the loss of their leader. In consequence of the scarcity of boats, the landing of the troops and stores occupied two days. While this was going on, Admiral Locke and General Stalker arranged their plan of operations.

On the 9th, the land force advanced towards Bushire, its left flank resting on the sea, its right protected by cavalry. The squadron steamed

along in hue with the troops, except the Assaye, bearing the Admiral, which went ahead. As no animals could be procured, tents and baggage were left in the ships, and the men carried three days' rations in their

haversacks. About four miles South of Bushire is the fort of Reshire,

the first obstacle in the way of the advance. Finding this well garrisoned, the Admiral pushed his ship within 1700 yards, and opened fire ; driving out about half the garrison. The troops, coming up in line, immediately assaulted and carried the place, after a stout fight with its Arab garrison. Before the charge, Brigadier Stopford had dismounted to lead his regiment, the Sixty-fourth, into action ; but he was killed by a shot before the troops moved. Part of the enemy fled down the cliffs ; some were drowned, some fell under the fire of the Fourth Rifles ; others fled into the plain, and were charged by the cavalry. In this charge Colonel Malet fell : he had saved a wounded Arab from the sabre of a dragoon; in return, the savage clutched a musket and shot him. Tho entire loss was four officers killed—the two already named, and Lieutenants aterson and Warren, of the Twentieth ; one officer wounded, Captain Woods, of the same regiment ; five men killed, and thirty-dye wounded.

Having captured Reshire, the troops remained in the place, while Admiral Locke carried the squadron into the roadstead. The town and fort were summoned, but the gunners fired on the flag of truce. The Governor offered an apology, and asked for time ; but his request was refused. On the 10th, the Admiral caused his ships to take up positions abreast of the batteries. Their commanders, favoured by the high tide, carried them to within 600 yards of the enemy's works, and when the tide fell they were aground in the mud. From this position they played successfully on the batteries ; drove the Persian troops into the town; silenced, successively, after a four hours' cannonade, the fire of the outworks and of a high tower, but received many shots in return, damaging to hulls and rigging. When General Stalker came up with the troops, a breach had been made in the tower ; and soon the Persian flagstaff was lowered in token of surrender, and the Governor and his suite rode out of the town into the British lines. Then the enemy's troops laid down their arms ; and Bushire, being occupied, was declared British property and a free port. The Admiral admits that the place was stronger than had been anticipated, and that the Persians fought their guns resolutely and well. The captured troops were disarmed, and set at liberty some distance inland. The Governor, the Commandant of the place, and the Persian "Minister for Foreign Affairs," were sent to Bombay. On his way to Bombay in the Assayo, Admiral Locke was boarded by the chiefs of an Arab tribe, who offered their aid. They informed him that a body of Persians had collected on the coast to attack our depot at Bassadorc. The Admiral paid a passing visit to tho camp, and shelled the Persians out of it.

Seven thousand troops were to be sent from Bombay to reinforce the expeditionary army ; and Sir James Outrun was about to proceed to assume the command.

in a.—We have received files of Hongkong papers to the 16th December. The detailed accounts add but little to the knowledge imparted by the telegraphic communications published last week. The factories and banks at Canton were set on fire on the 14th, and they were burning on the 16th, when the mail left Hongkong. It is not clear whether Admiral Seymour began thenceforth to bombard Canton. The river swarmed with pirates ; the rebels had a fleet there, and their forces wore afoot in the provinces burning villages and towns. The Chinese had cut off the head of a Marine, who landed without orders : in reprisal, the British had burnt a village. The French Folly fort was captured on the 4th December, after a smart action, and blown up. The Bogue forts had been destroyed. There were some indications of disaffection at Hongkong; but it is said to have been caused by the enforcement of some stringent sanitary regulations. Captain Cowper, RE., had been killed by the fall of abeam; and Mr. Lane, Sir John Bowring's nephew, by the fall of a house.

Some further diplomatic correspondence between Sir John Bowring and Yeh had taken place ; but it mainly consists of recriminations. Sir John has sent to India for reinforcements; and it is stated that "the Ceylon Rifles and the regiment at Singapore will probably be allowed to go."

Subjs.—The latest dates brought by the overland mail from Bombay are to the 2d January. The news from India proper is, that Deist Mahomed would meet Sir John Lawrence at Peshawar on the 10th December, and that Brigadier Chamberlain had returned to British territory. He has found "a new and comparatively accessible" route to Cabal by the Kurrum Valley. gltiittf t a trs.—The Niagara arrived at Liverpool on Monday, with advices from Boston to the 14th.

There had been a smart debate in the House of Representatives, Apropos of a charge made by the New York Times, to the effect that corruption had found its way into Congress, and that the votes of members are to be bought for 1000 dollars each. In explanation, it is stated that the medium of corruption is what is called "the lobby,"—in other words, the agents and persons interested in many schemes requiring legislative sanction, such as grants of land for railways, the renewal of patent bills, and the creation of places. A Mr. Kelsey moved for a Committee to investigate the charge. He was met by a storm of disapprobation, and there was a general outcry against the newspapers. In the midst of it, however, Mr. Paine, of North Carolina, rose and said

" I scarcely know whether I ought to say anything or not. I know nothing about that editor or his journal. I know nothing about any communication made to it. I know not how the editor obtained the information. I know not whether it be true or false ; but I do know there has been a proposition made in theHouse, by members of the House, on the subject. (6.ensation, and cries of " Who is he 1" "Expose him ! ) I shall not name the gentlemen. (Cries of "Down in front !" "Stand out of the aisles !" " We can't see ! ") I shall mention no member by name. (A Voice—" You ought to do it !") It was with feelings of mdignation I heard the proposition. (Impatient demands of" What was it?" "Tell it ! ") The reason why I did not announce it to the House .was, that pending the organization of this body, when a member rose 111 his place and stated that a fellow member had made an attempt to tamper with him for his vote for Speaker, the only credit he received was that he was laughed at ; and it was charged that he did not accept the proffered bribe because there was no such profitable place to be had. I say distinctly, there is not a. want of truth in the allegation contained in the New York Times article. A distinct proposition {VHS made to me by a member of this House, in regard to the Minnesota Land Bill, and that 1500 dollars would be given in consideration of a vote for that bill. If the proposed Committee shall be raised, and I am called as a witness, I shall give my evidence."

After this, Mr. Kelsey's motion was carried by acclamation.

The citizens of Clarksville, Tennessee, appointed a Committee of Safety to inquire into "the truth of the threatened insurrection of Negroes." The Committee has reported a series of measures which it deems needful for public security. It is recommended that "all assemblages of Negroes, under any pretext whatever, at frolics, balls, benevolent societies, or at public worship where Negro preachers officiate," ahall be suppressed ; that ministers of the gospel shall be requested to suspend their habit of preaching to the Negroes except in the churches at the usual times ; that owners should not permit their Negroes "to get buggies and carriages for pleasure on the Sabbath" ; and that owners of livery-stables "ought not to hire horses and buggies to Negroes, oven when their mestere permit it, for the reason that such indulgence to Negroes promotes insubordination among the slaves, and stimulates feelings wholly inconsistent with their duty to their masters and the subordinate position they should occupy in reference to White people " ; and that traders ought not to deal with Negroes, and on no account to sell them arms or ammunition, with or without their masters' consent. The late projected rising is attributed to the Presidential canvass, when Negroes were alloWed to be present at public meetings where questions touching Negro slavery were discussed. At these meetings, the Negroes "imbibe crude and disjointed notions of freedom, which only imperil the safety of the White and the certain destruction of the Black race." Negroes are not to have Christmas holidays ; "it would be a blessing to them to be kept constantly employed" ; a Negro must not visit his wife without a passport ; nor may /s egroes hire their own time, as it is called, on any pretext whatever." Meanwhile, the Committee was to sit from day to day, and a body of twenty men were to patrol the country.

The Supreme Court of California has declared the entire State debt unconstitutional, excepting 300,000 dollars ; and recommends the adoption of the debt by the Legislature, and that the question of repudiation be submitted to the people. No transfer of stock has been made since the decision. The people are opposed to repudiation, and meetings have been called in various parts of the State to give expression to the public .opinion. At a meeting held in San Francisco, resolutions were passed pledging the redemption of the debt by the people. The amount is over 3,000,000 dollars.