furrigu aut trolnuial.

f r alit!. —The Noniteur on Sunday published the following important decree, modifying the Constitution of 1852—

" Napoleon, by the grace of God and the national will Emperor of the French, to all present and future, greeting.

"Desiring to afford to the great bodies of the State a more direct partici- pation in the general policy of our Government, and a marked proof of our confidence, we have decreed and decree as

"Art. 1. The Senate and Corps Legislatif shall annually vote an Address in reply to our Speech at the opening of the session. "Art. 2. The Address shall be discussed in presence of Government Com- missioners, who will give to the Chambers the necessary explanations on the home and foreign policy of the empire.

"Art. 3. To facilitate to the Legislative Body the expression of its opin- ion in framing laws and the exercise of the right of amendment, Art. 54 of our decree of the 22d of March, 1352, is revived, and the regulation of the Legislative Body, is modified in the following manner- " Immediately after the distribution of the projets de loi, and on a day fixed by the President, the Legislative Body, before appointing its commit- tee, will hold a secret committee meeting; a general discussion will be opened on the projet de loi, in which the Government Commissioners will take part.

" 'This regulation is not applicable either to projets de loi of local inte- rest, or in cases of urgency.'

"Art. 4. With a view to render the reports of the debates in the Senate and Legislative body more prompt and more complete, the following pro- ject of Senatus Consultum will be brought before the Senate—

"'The reports of the sittings of the Senate and of the Legislative Body, drawn up by the Secretary-Reporters, placed under the authority of the President of either Chamber, will be sent every evening to-all the journals. Moreover, the debates of each sitting shall be taken down in shorthand, and published in extenso in the official paper of the following day.'

"Art. 5. As long as the sessions lasts., the Emperor will appoint Minis- ters without portfolios to defend the prreets de loi of the Government before the Chambers, in concert with the members of the Council of State.

"Art. 6. The Ministry of our Household is suppressed; its functions are annexed to those of the Grand Marshal of the Palace.

"Art. 7. The Ministry for Algeria and the Colonies is suppressed. The administration of the colonies is annexed to the Ministry of Marine.

"Ad. 8. All functions which do not directly concern Public Instruction or the special establishments of the University, are taken away from the Min- istry of Public Instruction and placed under the Ministry of State. "Art. 9. The administration of the Government studs (hares) is taken away from the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce and placed under the Ministry of State. "Art. 10. Count Chasseloup-laubat, ex-Minister of Algeria and of the Co- lonies, is appointed Minister of Marine and of the Colonies, in the stead of Admiral Hamelin called to other functions.

"Art. 11. Admiral Hamelin is appointed Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour, in the stead of Marshal Pelissier, Duke of Malakoff, called to other functions.

"Art. 12. Marshal Pelissier, Duke of Malakoff, is appointed Governor- general of Algeria.

"Art. 13. The Ministers without portfolios have the rank and salary of Ministers in office ; they form part of the Council of Ministers, and are lodged at the expense of the State. "Art. 14. Our Minister of State is charged with the execution of the present decree. "Done at the Palace of the Tuileries, the 24th of November, 1860.

"NAPOLEON.

"Countersigned, A. WALEwsEr, Minister of State." Monday brought to light further arrangements in another decree. "Napoleon, by the grace of God and the national will Emperor of the French: to all whom these presents may concern, greeting. We have de- dreed, and do hereby decree as follows- " Art. 1. Count Walewski, senator, and member of the Privy Council, is named Minister of State in the room of M. Fould, whose resignation has been accepted.

"Art. 2. Our Minister of State is charged with the execution of the pre- sent decree.

"Given at the Palace of the Tuileries, this 23d day of November, 1860.

(Signed) " NAPOLEON.

(Countersigned) " ACHILLE FouLn."

The Moniteur of Tuesday, contained the following appointments- Persigny, as Minister of the Interior; M. Billault, as Minister, without portfolio ; M. Forcade Laroquette, as Minister of Finance ; M. Magne, as Minister, without portfolio ; M. Benedetti, as Councillor of State for Extraordinary Service. Count de Persigny is succeeded in England by Count de Flahaut. The new Minister of Finance is taken from the headship of the Customs and Indirect Taxes Department.

The Ministers without portfolios are to act as "speaking Ministers." They are to attend to receive from the bona He Ministers, who conduct public affairs, instructions to support all official acts. They are to be the advocates of the Ministers, to defend and praise them in the Chambers on all occasions that may he necessary, and without reference to the

goodness or otherwise of the cause. For this they get salaries of 4000/. a•year, an official residence, and the other advantages which generally await high functionaries. M. Chain d'Est-Ange, the well-known ex- Liberal, now Proeureur-General, is mentioned as likely to be a third " speaking Minister."

The Paris journals in general have received the modifications in the -Constitution with a good grace. The Constitutionnel has essayed to show that the " concessions " do not "modify," but " consecrate " the Con- stitution of 1852.

The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post, in a letter dated Bator- day, tells a curious story of the negotiations that preceded the change- " During the past week a considerable amount of contradictory reports

have been in circulation concerning a modification of the Ministry. Every day, nay, almost every hour, gave rise to assertions which were as speedily denied in official quarters ; and up to Friday morning it was believed that no change would take place in the Imperial Cabinet. The Moniteur, how-

e ver, today contains the nomination of Count Walewski as Minister of State, and the consequent retirement of M. Fould, who has so long occupied that confidential position. I will endeavour to give you the history of what has taken place, leading to the removal of his Excellency M. Fould from the Ministry of State. Many months since it was proposed_by the Emperor that -Count Walewski should occupy the post of Ministre d'Etat et de la Mahon de l'Empereur, and that M. Fould, if he thought proper, might pass to the Ministry of Finance. This, if I remember right, was about the period of -the Italian war, and then it was that the Empress exerted her influence to keep H. Fould in his office as Ministre d'Etat. M. Fould, as well as Count Walewski were equally opposed to the policy of the Emperor towards Italy. Nevertheless, Napoleon III, entertained a personal regard for the Minister of State, and desired to secure his services. His Imperial Majesty called the Minister of State, and proposed that the Ministry of the Imperial Household should be divided from the other attributes of the Ministry of State, by which means the wish of the Empress might be complied with, whilst his excel- lency could retain the office of Minister of State, which directed the fine arts, architectural, and theatrical affairs of the Government, as well as the Imperial Household. This proposition M. Fould refused. The Emperor then offered his excellency the office of Minister of Finance, which he equally re- fused the honour of filling. These negotiations finally ended in IL Fould retiring to his hotel in the Faubourg St. Honore (where he will sleep to- night), snd in Count Walewski accepting the Ministry of State, minus the -control ol.the Imperial Household, which is now a separate administration, to be confided to Marshal Valliant, already Grand Marshal of the Palace. M. Fould, since the foundation of the second empire, has been one of the most trusted servants of the Crown. He has often conscientiously differed from the foreign policy of the Emperor, and more particularly concerning the events of Italy. He is a friend to the English alliance and is more in- timate with Lord Cowley than any other Member of the Imperial Cabinet. He directed the rebuilding, or rather completion of the Louvre ; he promoted the architectural improvementsaria generally. His excellency was

mainly instrumental in bring ab , e new commercial treaty with Eng- land, and did much to strengthen Napoleon III. in his free trade principles whilst others were working in a contrary direction."

The Moniteur announces "a marked improvement in the health of the Empress. Her Majesty, despite her great wish to remain incognita, has been recognized everywhere, and welcomed with sentiments of the most respectful sympathy. At Edinburgh, the Provost presented an address to her Majesty, and a Scotch regiment marched past the hotel where she was staying, its band playing the air of' Queen Hortense,' amid the cheer- ing of the population." The Emperor has decided that out of the million left disposable by the death of Prince Jerome, 300,000 francs shall be added to the dotation of the Princess Mathilde, and that the remaining 700,000 francs, ceasing to be received by the civil list, shall return to the Treasury. A report has been current for some time that the Emperor has deter- mined to abolish the octrois or tolls levied on various articles at the gates of every town in France.

111.—The intelligence from Italy presents no striking points. Ring Victor Emmanuel has not left Naples for Sicily, and is still busy with the work of organizing a government. The Opinions of Turin says that " the project of Farini for the division of the State of Naples into districts has been discussed and adopted by the Lieutenancy Council. The project will be immediately submitted to the Council of State. The substi- tution of the title of King of Italy for that of King of Sardinia has not been delayed by diplomatic considerations, but as a mark of respect to the Italian Parliament, to which the Ministry will reserve the right to proclaim Victor Emmanuel King of Italy." The Garibaldian army is slowly breaking up. Disturbances occur in the provinces, where authority has been relaxed. Farini has pub- lished documents showing that King Francis had sent convibts and ruffians into the Terra de Lavoro, commissioned to rob, murder, and de- stroy, and he describes several atrocities now under judicial investiga- tion.

A deputation from the Turin Parliament has presented the address voted by that body to the King at Naples. King Francis has sent away from Gaeta the whole of the Diplomatic Corps, except the Spanish Minister. They have gone to Rome. The Pontifical Nuncio and the Ambassadors of Austria, Prussia, and Russia, have received the grand cordon of the Order of St. Januarius from the King. There is a report that the King is ill. General de Goyou has occupied Terracina. It is assumed that King Francis will soon take ship for Rome. The intelligence from Rome is that the majority of the Cardinals are said to be opposed to the policy of Cardinal Antonelli. It is also asserted that dissension exists between Cardinal Antonelli and. Monsignore de Merode. It was the general conviction that the Pope would remain for some time without temporal government. "Sardinian custom-houses will be established round Rome on the 1st of December. Although the duties will be light, a general rise has taken place in the prices of merchandize."

A private correspondence to the Patric contains some interesting de- tails as to the military force which Austria can bring into the field in the event of an attack upon Venetia. The army now in Venetia consists of 130,000 men, divided into four corps. The first, commanded by Count Stadion, defends the line of the Mincio, and has its head-quarters at Verona. The second, commanded by the Archduke Ernest, defends the line of the Adige, its head-quarters being at Vicenza. The third, under the Prince of lease, defends the line of the Lower Po, and is encamped between Rovigo and Legnano, with Padua for its head-quarters. The fourth, commanded by the Archduke Albert, is intrusted with the de- fence of Venice, and the line between the point of the Maestra and the mouth of the Tagliamento. This army is placed upon a war footing, and has a powerful artillery, consisting almost entirely of rifled cannon. The cavalry, which it is intended shall number 10,000, at present does not exceed 6000 sabres.

A second army of 150,000 men occupies a line having for its principal central points Brixen, Klagenfurt, Laybach, Trieste, Fiume, and Cat- taro. Thus Austria has an army of about 300,000 men ready for the threatened attack. The Patrie observes upon the foregoing- " Austria will not assume the offensive, but she expects to be attacked in the spring, and she knows how terrible will be the struggle. The Italians being numerous, and better organized than in 1848, will have a fleet far su- perior to her own, and, moreover, they reckon upon a powerful diversion in their favour on the part of Hungary-. These facts will equalize the chances of war, and in changing the scene of hostilities they will lessen the advan- tages which the quadrilateral fortresses present to Austria." The Central Committee of Venice have published an appeal to Ita- lian sailors not to enter Austrian ships, but to join the national navy. "General Benedek," says a letter from Venice, "is constantly threatening. On arriving at Verona, he informed the municipality that he would ravage the whole country with fire and sword at the least symp- tom of insurrection."

Count Cavoues despatch in reply to that of Baron von Schleinitz, dated Coblentz, has been published. It boldly justifies the course pur- sued by Victor Emmanuel on the broad grounds of the right of Italy to manage her own affairs ; and it points out with great force that Piedmont is the only state in Italy capable of guiding and controlling the national revolution, and keeping it in harmony with the monarchical principle. The garrison of Gaeta made a sortie in order to capture the strategical positions of the suburbs. The Neapolitans were repulsed by the Sardi- nians with great loss.

nn gar.-Contradictory reports from Pesth and Vienna continue to reach us. The statement that the Hungarians are disgusted with the Austrian concessions, and that they are determined to separate from the Austrian monarchy, is assiduously repeated day after day. On the other hand, a telegram from Pesth, November 25, says-

" The administration of Hungary has been everywhere reorganized with the concurrence of the most eminent men of all parties. Contrary to the reports in circulation, the conference which is to meet at Gran, in order to arrange the mode of election to the Hungarian Diet, will assemble on the 10th of December next, under the Presidency of the Cardinal Primate of Hungary. The congregation of the Comitat of Pesth will assemble on the let of December, under the Presidency of Count Carolyi, who has accepted this office."

The official Wiener Zeitung contains an Imperial decree appointing eighteen Obergespanns. The same journal publishes a Ministerial ordi- nance, dated the 26th inst., which orders the speedy commencement of the elections to the new municipalities in the German Austrian pro- vinces, on the basis of the communal law of 1849. On the 26th instant, while Count Caroly, Obergespann of Szathmar, was passing through Debreczin, a torchlight procession, accompanied by bands of music, was formed in his honour. These demonstrations caused some disturbances, which resulted in a military intervention, and the arrest of from twenty to thirty persons. Another report says—" There were very serious disturbances, with loss of life, at Debreczin and Eperies on the evening of Monday." Count Forgach, Governor of Moravia, has been appointed Governor of Bohemia. ,Count Johann Cziraky, Obergespann of the Comitat Weissen- burg, has been appointed Judea Curite of Hungary.

guild Siatt5.—Advices from New York to the 15th have been received by way of Southampton.

Although they do not alter the main result, the reports which reach us modify the preceding reports of the votes for the Presidency. It is, however, still uncertain which way Virginia and Georgia have voted, and both are claimed for Mr. Bell- " Mr. Lincoln is already sure of 169 votes, or 17 votes more than is ne- cessary; consequently, the general result is beyond doubt. Of the remain-

ing 134 votes, we have not yet heard from California, casting four votes, and Oregon, casting three votes. Mr. Bell will probably receive the votes

of Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, and probably Georgia, which, together with four o the fusion votes of New Jersey, will give him an aggregate of 62 votes. Mr. Breckinridge will receive the totes of Maryland (but only by the small plurality of 400 over Bell, 1400 vacs being east for Lincoln); Delaware, the Carolinas, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Ar- kansas, or an aggregate of 62 votes. Mr. Douglas will receive the remain- der of the New Jersey votes, with the best chance for the votes of California and Oregon. In reading what I have to say, and what you may see else- where, upon the treasonable disunion movement which the Southern cotton States are agitating, you will bear in mind that in this distribution of votes the friends of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Douglas ate all pledged to the support of the Union, and that in all the States except the cotton States proper, viz.—South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi—the ma- jority of the friends of Mr. Breckinridge are opposed to disunion, unless it can be effected by the united action of the South. Thus you will see at a glance that the North is solidly opposed to disunion, and that the border Slave States of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri, are, by their popular votes as well as their natural affinities, with the North. My adviees assure me that neither Louisiana, Texas, Florida, nor Arkansas desire disunion, unless it be forced upon them by the older planting States. These States are South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, the principal cotton-producing States of the Republic, where, if anywhere, are now to be found the discontent with the general Govern- ment and the determination to seek redress by revolution."

So wrote the New York correspondent of the Times on the 13th. The returns from the Southern States show a large popular vote for Mr. Bell, even in Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, while Missouri, it is stated, has voted for him and not for Breckinridge.

We extract from the reports in the papers some specimens of the pro- ceedings of the disunionists- " In Georgia the Legislature is in vssion. The Governor, on the receipt of the news, sent in a message, in which, while vindicating the right of secession, he says that he does not think it wise to send delegates to a Southern convention. The measures which he recommends seem rather to contemplate resistance to the North within than without the Union. 'He recommends the enactment of laws authorizing the seizing of such amount of money or property of any citizen of such offending and faithless State, fur indemnifying the losses of the citizens of Georgia. He recommends legis- lation to drive the manufactured articles of such offending States from Georgia. He says Georgia has the right, as soon as Northern goods are brought into Georgia, to tax them as she deems proper. He advises the passage of a law taxing goods and merchandise /5 per cent, introduced after the 1st of January, if manufactured in, or brought from, Massachusetts, Vermont, Michigan, Maine' Rhode Island, New York, Wisconsin, or other unfriendly States ; and the tax to be remitted when the unfriendly legisla- tion is repealed. Should such legislation prove ineffectual, he recommends the repeal of all parts of the penal and civil code protecting the lives, liber- ties, and properties of the citizens of the States where such unfriendly laws exist. He says, "In my opinion, the time for bold and decided action has arrived, and he is unworthy the confidence of the people of Georgia who re- fuses to vindicate her honour at any cost, and maintain her constitutional right at every hazard." For the purpose of .putting the State in a defen- sive condition as fast as possible, and preparing for the emergency which must be met sooner or later, he recommends that the sum of a million of dollars be immediately appropriated as a military fund for the ensuing year, and prompt provision made for raising such portion of the money as may not be in the Treasury as fast as the public expenditure may require Millions for defence, and not one cent for tribute, should be the future motto of the Southern States. To every demand for further concession or compromise of our rights we should reply. The argument is exhausted, an' we now stand on our arms.' The Retaliatory Bill, recommended by the Governor of this State, will come up for a third reading today. It imposes a tax of 25 per cent on all goods coming from States that have nullified the Fugitive Slave law, and it repeals all foreign duties. It is needless to say such a law is unconstitutional, and at once places the State in conflict with the Federal Government."

In South Carolina, the day after the election of Mr. Lincoln, the Col- lector of the Port, the Port Surveyor, and the United States' District Judge, all Federal officers, resigned their offices; but their friends have prudently brought forward bills in the Legislature indemnifying them for the loss which they or their bondsmen may suffer by the act. The re- signation of the district judge was quite dramatic. The grand jury come into court and announce to the Court that the Government under which they act having ceased to be "stable," they can no longer find indict- ments; whereupon the judge, who was put there to enforce the laws of the United States, makes them a speech in reply, announcing his purpose of disobeying those laws, and, dismounting from the bench, closed his court. The Postmaster and the naval officer arc the only two Federal officers who have not resigned. The former has been requested by the citizens "not to resign until the State assumes, in her sovereign capacity, the management of her postal arrangements." The latter remains avowedly for the purpose of enforcing the Federal laws. Mr. Senator Chesnut, of South Carolina, has resigned, and Mr. Toombs, senator of Georgia, has resigned provisionally. Despatches from Charleston says, that Northern books and magazines were sent back; "all Yankees are viewed with suspicion ; " "Minute men organizations are spreading fast ; " a day of humiliation is to be observed ; a State Convention Bill has been passed ; the banks are permitted, if they see fit, to suspend specie payments. "Mr. Keitt was serenaded last night, and made an exciting speech, urging prompt action. He said the President was pledged to secession and would be held to it. South Carolina should shatter the Union." Mr. Douglas has been saying in the South, that Mr. Lincoln is "to be pitied."

The American papers abound in biographies and personal descriptions of the President-Elect. His father emigrated forty-four years ago from Kentucky to Spencer County, Indiana where Abraham, then sixteen years old, first went to school in a loghouse. Six weeks after his father was ruined, and emigrated again to Illinois. There the family worked hard for two years, and bought eighty acres of land. Abraham then emigrated to Macon County on his own account, and undertook to split 3000 rails, an operation which allowed him an hour for dinner, fifty minutes of which he devoted to books. He entered into a partnership, which was not successful • Lincoln having scruples as to the sale of whiskey. He joined the Militia, and went to the wars with the rank of Captain. He next turned Surveyor, paid off all the partnership debts, which the partner had left without payment, and eventually went to the Bar and the Legislature c intemporaneously.

The Chicago Press and Tribune sketches tie President-Elect at full- length— " Mr. Lincoln stands six feet four inches high in his stockings. His frame is not muscular, but gaunt and wiry ; his arms are long, but not un- reasonably so for a person of his height ; his lower limbs are not dispro- portionate to his body. In walking, his gait, though firm is never brisk. He steps slowly and deliberately, almost always with his head inclined for- wards, and his hands clasped behind his back. In matters of dress, he is by no means precise. Always clean, he is never fashionable ; he is careless, but not slovenly. In manner he is remarkably cordial, and at the same time simple. His politeness is always sincere, but never elaborate and oppres- sive. A warm shake of the hand and a warmer smile of recognition are his methods of greeting his friends. At rest, his features, though those of a man of mark, are not such as belong to a handsome man • but when his fine dark grey eyes are lighted up by any emotion, and his features begin their play, he would be chosen from among a crowd as one who had in him not only the kindly sentiments which women love, but the heavier metal of which full-grown men and Presidents are made. His hair is black, and, though thin, is wiry. His head sits well on his shoulders, but beyond that it defies description. It nearer resembles that of Clay than Webster; but it is unlike either. It is very large, and, phrenologieally, well proportioned, betokening power in all its developments. A slightly Roman nose, a wide- cut mouth, and a large complexion, with the appearance of having been weather-beaten, complete the description."

ell llf fknit Vultr.—Advices from Cape Town to the 22d of October have been received.

Sir George Grey would leave Cape Town shortly for Kaffraria, whence. ho would proceed to Natal. Admiral Keppel was still at the Mauritius.

A petition from the wine farmers to the Queen complaining of the new commercial tariff, was sent by this mail. The vine disease was making its appearance, and fresh fears for the vintage were excited. Dutch weights and measures were to be illegal after the 1st of January next. The Eastern Province was loud in its demands for separation.. Demonstration meetings had been held on the subject. Cape Colony and Natal were preparing for the representation of the South African. colonies in the forthcoming International Exhibition in London in 1862,

in 1.—On Monday, the public were startled by the publication of a telegram, giving the substance of the China mail. It was as follows- "Head-quarters, eight miles from Pekin, September 23.—Mr. Bowlby, the Times correspondent ; Mr. Loch, Secretary to Lord Elgin ; Mr. Parkes ; Messrs. de Norman and Anderson, of Fane's Horse ; and Captain Brabazon, have been made prisoners, while engaged in choosing camping ground. They have been taken to Pekin, where they are well treated. Engagements were fought on the 18th and 21st of September, at Chang-kia-wan and Jang- chan. On both occasions, 30,000 Tartar Cavalry advanced, and were com- pletely routed by the Allies. 2000 Tartars were killed, and 50 guns taken. The Allies had only 18 wounded. The Chinese have sent in a flag of truce, with the provisions for a treaty. Lord Elgin demands the release of the prisoners before negotiating. The Emperor's brother has been appointed Chief Commissioner to make peace. Tea, to the value of 250,000/. sterling, was taken at Chang-kia-wan."

The explanation of this intelligence speedily appeared. The Govern- ment published the despatches of Lord Elgin, Sir Hope Grant, Mr. Parkes, and Mr. Wade, and the mystery was cleared up.

The preceding advices left the head of the allied column at Yang-tsan on the 11th of September. While here a flag of truce came in from the Chinese, but the army marched on to Hoo-sei-wo, a place five-and-twenty miles from Tung-chow, At Hoo-sei-wo, Sir 'tope Grant, consulted by Lord Elgin, said he must halt several days to bring up heavy guns and establish depots. Hearing this, Lord Elgin, whose design was to march on Tung-chow before treating, determined to employ the interval in negotiation. Mr. Wade and Mr. Parkes were sent to Tung-chow, and here they met Prince Tsia and Muh, head of the War Department. After a protracted debate of eight hours the Chinese, who had made several proposals all tending to keep the army from advancing, agreed that the troops should march and encamp it mile and a half from Chang- kia-wan, a town five miles from Tung-Chow, on the high road to Pekin ;. that here the convention presented to Kweiliang should be signed, and that from here the Ambassadors should enter Pekin, to ratify the treaty, at the head of an escort of 2000 men. On the faith of this, the army • moved from Matan ; Mr. Parkes and Mr. Loch, escorted by Lieutenant Anderson and a party of horse, went to Tung-Chow to complete arrange- ments, and Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, and Commissary Thompson went to Chang-kia-wan to settle about the site of the camp and the supply of provisions. This was on the 18th. As Mr. Parkes and Mr. Loch were returning, they found the Chinese army, 20,000 strong, entrenched in position flanking the site of our intended camp. Mr. Loch rode on to inform the general, and Mr. Parkes rode back to demand explanation from the Imperial Commissioners. Mr. Loch volunteered to return with an order to Mr. Parkes, Lieutenant Anderson, Mr. Bowlby, and the troopers to come back ; and Captain Brabazon gallantly volunteered to accompany him. They carried a flag of truce and got through the lines. The army was waiting the return of the officers, when a commotion was visible among the Chinese, and Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, Mr. Thomp- son, and some troopers dashed out from among them, galloping for their lives. The Chinese had killed a Frenchmen, whose life Colonel Walker tried to save, and then had fallen upon the English. Sir Hope Grant did not hesitate any longer but fell on. The English turned the Chinese right and the French their left, but llvtg were forced to make wide flank movements to effect this, for the Chia, were spread out in a semicircle. The guns and horsemen did the business. The Chinese were driven ofr with considerable loss, while our loss was nineteen wounded and one missing. This action gave us possession of Chang-kia-wan, and here the Allies halted until the 21st, when they again attacked the Tartars in their camps beyond Tung-chow, defeated them, took fifty or sixty guns, slew many, and captured the camps. The French fought on the right, and crossed the canal and halted on the North bank. The Tartars in retiring showed a bold front, and the Armstrong guns, fired at their thickest masses, with deadly accuracy, did some execution. We had two killed and twenty-nine wounded. The army, on the 23d, was in position in front of Tung-chow, or both banks of the canal. The line of commu- nication was by the river, navigable for large junks. The market was plentifully supplied with provisions. Lord Elgin had refused to negotiate, unless the prisoners were permitted to return ; indeed, the generals are said to have threatened to carry Pekin by assault if the prisoners were ill- used or murdered.

S:r Hope Grant calls the conduct of the Chinese on the 18th treachery. Lord Elgin does not take so sweeping a view as will be seen from the bellowing extract from his despatch of the 23d of September- "I may be expected to say something respecting the origin and cause of the renewal of hostilities which took place on the 18th instant. To hazard conjectures as to the motives by which Chinese functionaries are actuated, is not a very safe undertaking, and it is very possible that further information may modify the views which I now entertain on this point. I am, however, disposed at present to doubt there having been a deliberate intention of treachery on the part of Prince Tsai and his colleague; but I apprehend that the General-in-Chief, San-ko-lin-sin, thought that they had compro- mised his military position by allowing our army to establish itself so near his lines at Chan-km-wan. He sought to counteract the evil effect of this by Making a great swagger of parade and preparation to resist when the allied armies approached the camping-ground allotted to them. Several of our people—Colonel Walker, with his escort, my private secretary, Mr. Loch, Baron Gros' Secretary of Embassy, Comte de Bastard, and others— passed through the Tartar army during the course of the morning on their way from Tung-chow without encountering any rudeness or ill-treatment whatsoever. At about a quarter to ten, however, a French commissariat officer was assaulted by some Tartar soldiers under circumstances which are not very clearly ascertained, and this incident gave rise to an engage- ment, which soon became general. On the whole, I come to the conclusion that in the proceedings of the Chinese Plenipotentiaries and Commander- in-Chief in this instance there was that mixture of stupidity, want of straightforwardness, suspicion, and bluster which characterize so generally the conduct of affitirs in this country, but I cannot believe that after the experience which San-ko-lin-sin had already had of our superiority in the field, either be or his civil colleagues could have intended to bring on a con- flict in which, as the event has proved, he was so sure to be worsted. At the same time, the facts that he covered by his guns and with a portion of his troops the ground assigned to us, and that a French officer returning from Tung-chow with the knowledge and consent of the Chinese Plenipotentiaries was assaulted and killed on his lines, entirely justify both the charge of bad faith which has been brought against the Chinese authorities for their con- duct in this instance, and the proceedings of the allied Commanders-in- Chief which have ensued therefrom."

When the mail left, Prince Kung, the Emperor's brother, was appointed to negotiate a peace.

The Nonitene has published General Montauban's reports from the French head-quarters in China. The General states that the prisoners of the Allied army who were carried to Pekin were well treated. On the side of the French, beside some soldiers of the escort, Colonel Grand- champs, the Abbe Dulue, and M. Delauture were made prisoners by the Chinese.