fortigu nu ta!ouial.

thin 11.—The newspaper accounts of the signing of owl- new Treaty with the court of Pekin, and a narrative of the events that immediately preceded the conclusion of peace, have now reached us. The latest let- ters from correspondents at l'ckin are dated October 31; but a despatch from Baron Gros, published in the Aloe hear, is dated November 7. The Anting gate of Pekin was surrendered at noon of October 13th; and the position within it and on the adjacent wall marked out and strengthened. A crowd of Chinese idlers pressed on our line of sentries, but showed no feeling but that of curiosity, and when asked to assist us in bringing some brass guns within our inelosure, did so readily. It must be remembered that this surrender took place in consequence of a negotiation with the Chinese ; and as a condition of the giving up of the gate, Sir Hope Grant had promised that Pekin should not be attacked, nor its inhabitants molested. The next day, the 14th, Lord Elgin learned the sad fate of the rest of the prisoners, and the bodies of our murdered countrymen were delivered up by the Mandarins. The body of Brabazon, who was beheaded, was not produced. Lord I2gin and Sir Hope Grant shared the general horror and indignation felt by the whole camp, at the cruelty added to the treachery of the Chinese—for the bodies of the prisoners bore signs of the tortures they had suffered— and they both wrote to Prince Kung, speaking with great severity of the conduct of the Chinese authorities, and announcing that, as the Summer Palace of the Emperor had been the scene of some of the cruelties, it should be burned to the ground. This was carried out on the 18th; and the whole mass of royal buildings—stretching for seven miles, and Inclosed In parks and gardens of great beauty, with lakes and belts of woodlands intermingled—were given to the flames, the soldiers of Sir John Mitchell's division doing the work. In addition to this positive punishment, by way of avenging our countrymen, Lord Elgin announced that within forty-eight hours the Chinese Government should pay 300,000 teals—over 100,000/.--(as compensation for the families of the murdered prisoners,) and that if this payment were delayed, or the Treaty of Tien-tain with the additional Convention not signed without delay, the Imperial Palace in the centre of Pekin itself would be like- wise destroyed. The money was paid within the stipulated time, and the Treaty was ratified and the Convention signed on the 24th. The following are published as the tenonr of the Convention—

In Art. 1, the Emperor expresses his regret at the misunderstanding mica- atoned by the affair at Taku. Art. 2 revokes the consent given by the Queen to the conditional suspen- sion of her treaty right to place a minister in permanent residence at Pekin. Her Majesty resumes the exercise of her full right to keep a minister there, or when it suits her.

Art. 3 provides the payment of an indemnity of 8,000,000 tads in all ; that is 4,000,000 more than the sum already granted by the Treaty of Tien-tsin. Tien-tain is to pay half-a-million by the 30th of November. Canton 333,333 teals, less the advances towards the Shameen site, by the same day. The rest is to be paid out of the customs, one-fifth of the revenue of which will be taken quarterly. until the whole is paid.

Art. 4 opens Tien-tem to trade. Art. 5 removes the interdict on emigration to the British colonies or elsewhere, and provides that regulations shall be fixed for the protection of the emigrant.

Art. 6 cedes to the British Crown the portion of Cowloon now held under lease, and makes it part and parcel of the colony of Hongkong. Art. 7 provides for the immediate operation of the Treaty of Tien-tain, and this Convention of Pekin.

Art. 8 provides for the promulgation of both the above instruments throughout the empire. Art. 9 provides for the immediate evacuation of Chusan by the British force now garrisoning it. The rest of our army in China will remain at Tieu- tsin, or Taku, or Tung-chow, or Canton, or at all these places, as the British Government shall decide.

[If this account be correct, Lord Elgin has demanded no mere money at .Pekin than he did at Tien-tsin, this year, after the taking of the Taku Forts—(excepting the 100,000/. compensation for the prisoners) ; but the indemnity fixed by the Treaty of Tien-tsin last year is doubled. The exact terms which *Lord Elgin accepted after the Taku Forts have never been published, excepting the money amount, 8,000,000 taels, the same sum demanded now—so we can't yet tell what new concessions are included in the above.]

The signature of the Convention and the exchange of the ratifications of the Treaty took place at the Hall of Ceremonies, Pekin, on the 24th. Owing to rumours that the Chinese meditated treachery, Lord Elgin was escorted by a force of 3000 men. Prince Kung, the Emperor's brother, met him at the door and led him to the dais, where Lord Elgin took the place of honour ; Kung sitting " at his right," the inferior position according to Chinese etiquette. The Treaty of Tien-tsin was formally ratified, and the new Convention was signed. Lord Elgin's manner was cold and stern; and Prince Kung, though conciliating in words, seemed rather " sulky," and it is said hesitated in doing the usual honours to Lord Elgin on his departure. The next day, the 25th, the Chinese Treaty with France was signed. The French are to receive sixty 'million francs ; and, the churches and cemeteries of old possessed by Christians are to be restored, including the "Roman Catholic Cathedral of Pekin." On the 26th, Lord Elgin and Baron Gros took up their residence at Pekin, Lord Elgin residing in the palace belonging to the Prince of I.

The English Army, it is said, would not retire from Pekin till the 9th of November. It is reported that 3000 of our troops, and a small French force will winter at Tien-tsin. An allied force will also occupy the Take; forts ; a part of the French force will winter at Shanghae, and of the remaining English force, some go home and some winter at Hong- kong.

The Destruction of the Summer ralaee.—The burning of the palace and its dependent buildings occu.pied two days. The smoke was wafted over Pekin ; and the people were informed by proclamations posted on the walls that England thus punished the Chinese Government for its treachery. "At Yuen-min-Yuen, the tablets of the dynasty were preserved, on the safety of which, in the opinion of the Chinese, the existence of the present reigning family depends. By the people, the palace was held in great veneration, from its being the constant residence of the Emperor, and the place where all the great princes and nobles of the empire assembled."

The destruction was accomplished by the English alone ; the French not agreeing with us as to the policy of this act of, retribution.

The Public Buildings at .Pekin.—All the public buildings in Pekin were so dilapidated that none was found fit for the residence of Lord Elgin and suite. The private Palace of the Prince of I was finally selected, but even this required large repairs.

The Emperor and his Tartar Retreat.—The Emperor, it is said, was in his Tartar palace at Zhehol, where the Convention was signed. " Several letters and papers bearing upon the present condition of affairs were found in the palace. Amongst them, a letter from San-ko-lin-sin, recommending the Emperor to leave the capital, and go on a hunting tour to Zhehol in Tartary, beyond the Great Wall, according to the ancient usage of his an- cestors. Upon this the Emperor remarks that, in case the preparation for his sudden departure should alarm the people, he will make them appear as -if he were taking the head of his army against the barbarians, and then proceed to Tartary instead. In another, he says he has made such arrange- ments for attacking the barbarians, should they advance from Ho-se-woo to Tung-chow' that his army will encircle and entirely annihilate them, and he begs the Emperor to feel confidence in his success. "There are memorials from his Ministers, requesting him to return from Yuen-min-Yuen to his palace, within Pekin, and remain there, where his safety is provided for by the standing army and by the strength of the palace ; whereas by going into Tartary, he will be exposed to local banditti and the rebels. 'They remind him that it is forty years since an Emperor has made the hunting tour, that the palace of Zhehol would probably be in a dilapidated condition, and the guard in a disorganized state. They also apeak of the Imperial treasury being too impoverished to allow him to make the usual presents to the tributary princes and others who would visa him, to do homage, according to ancient custom : many other arguments are used to dissuade hum from his intention. I" The policy of San-ko-lin-sin is evident. He persuades the Emperor tes quit the capital and proceed to Tartary ; he feels confident of being able to conquer the barbarians, and the throne to which he aspires would then be an easy-sequisition. The Russians and the Chinese.—A correspondent of the Times writes- " One word about Russia, and I bid you good bye. As good Chinese and true these people trust no barbarian, but of all barbarians they mistrust Russians the most. Our theories about cooperation between Russian and Chinese are utterly baseless, and as far as the evidence of my own senses serves me in this country, it is by no means in the Russians that we shell find the policy most antagonistic to our own."

The People and the Government.—The native merchant has no need to study his own voluminous chronicle of past dynasties to arrive at the con- clusion, long formed by many of his more reading countrymen, that the Mantchoo dynasty is on its last legs ; and.yet so strong is still its tradition of government that I have heard of no Chinese, except at Canton, who does not, when questioned regarding the destiny of China, declare that a change of Emperors might very possibly restore the country 'without a change of the dynastic family ; and that among all the chiefs, Taiping included, who have availed themselves of the torpor of the actual government to overrun parts more or less extensive of its territory, there is none that has yet given any promise of ability to take charge of the State.—.Letter in the Times.

The Prisoncrs.—Twenty-six, in all, were captured—seven Englishmen, nineteen Sikhs; of these two Englishmen (Parkes and Loch) and eleven -Sikhs were released, and four Englishmen (De Norman, Bowlby, Anderson, and Phipps) with eight Sikhs, died of their sufferings. Brabazon was be- headed. "It was on the 17th, that the remains of poor Be Norman, An- derson, Bowlby, and Phipps were consigned to the grave. At _noon of that day we all assembled to bear them to their, last resting-place. The coffins were each on a separate-gun-carriage. A portion of the King's Dragoon Guards and Irregular Cavalry formed the advance; a body of infantry followed, with the band playing the 'Dead March.' Lord Elgin and Sir Hope Grant were chief mourners. Numbers of officers of both armies, including the French Commander-in-chief, closed the procession. The Russian Minister, General Ignatieff—with that consideration and in the liberal spirit, which have distinguished him in all his intercourse with the army ever since their first landing at Pehtang—had placed the Russian cemetery at the disposal of the Commander-in-cluef. They were all buried in one grave ; the service was performed by the Chaplain to the Forces, the Reverend Mr. M'Gee ; and one of the most striking occurrences was the presence at the grave, in their vestments, of a Roman Catholic and Greek priest, who joined their prayers to ours over the remains of our murdered countrymen." Another letter says—" Anderson died on the ninth, and De Norman on the seventeenth day of their captivity. Mr. Bowlby endured only till the 22d of September, four days after he was seized."

Pekin.—Nothing can be more deplorable. Pekin itself is quite a city of the past ; the huge frame and limbs of the giant remain ; but second childhood is upon him. The great balls of the Six Boards, the great De- partments of the State, are in ruins, and apparently unfrequented. Every handsome road or bridge—and there are some that have been fair to see—is in disrepair. The palace of Prince Tsai, in which Lord Elgin has taken np his quarters, looks as if no comfortable being had occupied it these twenty Tears. So with everything. Prince Kung came with a retinue like Sir 'John Falstaff's disreputable levy.

The founders of the Remish Church in China were three Italian Jesuits in the end of the Sixteenth Century. The most able and-noted of these was Matthew Ricci, of Ancona who, in 1603, published at Pekin a book" On the Divine Law," which became popular throughout the empire. His book intermixes the doctrines of Christianity with the morals of Confucius. The toleration extended to the missionaries in Pekin was withdrawn in 1746, from which the cause of Christianity gradually declined, till, in the beginning of the present century, Protestant missions were commenced.

fraurr.—M. Grandguillot continues in the Cone/Hut/mine/ to ani- madvert on the rule of Austria in Venetia, to take the "Apostolic Govern- ment" severely to task for her shortcomings, to discuss the two alterna- tives, war or a sale and to tell us there is a third, which we shall not forget to look out for.

A letter from Paris in the Independence Beige gives some anticipations of what will happen when the French Chambers meet- " The meeting of the Senate is announced for the 21st of January, and that of the Legislative Body for the 4th of February. The Senate, imme- diately after its meeting, will take into considt ration a Senatus-Consultum intended to modify the laws on the press in certain points, so that no journal in future shall be liable to a warning without an opportunity being allowed the writer of the offending article to explain and justify himself. If, after hearing the observations of the Government, he should still refuse to correct his observations a warning could only be given with the sanction of the Council of Ministers. The clause of the decree of 17th of February, 1852, prescribing the suppression de jure of any journal that has been twice con- demned by the tribunals, will also be amended. The absolute suppression will not be retained, but the tribunal which gives the second condemnation will be empowered at the same time to pronounce the suppression of the journal, but must make a special statement of its reasons for so doing." M. Anselone Petetin, Prefect of Upper Savoy, has severely scolded his subordinates for interfering with the elections, and has ordered them not do the like again.

5 le et—The siege of Gaeta has once more been renewed. The Italian batteries have thrown large quanties of shot and shell into the place, seriously incommoding the King, Queen, and Spanish Ambassador, and driving them to seek quarters, it is said, more remote. A telegram states that the King has received a letter from the Emperor Napoleon. In this letter, the Emperor expresses his sympathy for the Xing, but tells him that he has carried on the siege long enough for his honour. The King, in his reply, thanked the Emperor, but added that he considered it his duty to persist in the defence. A telegram from Naples, of a later date, reports the proximate depar- ture of the French fleet; but it has not yet sailed away. A letter from Paris in the Independence Beige tells us that "all the Powers which met at Warsaw have just expressed their collective wish to the Emperor Napoleon's Government, that it will continue the protection of the French fleet at Gaeta. As yet, the instructions given to Admiral Le Barbier de Tinan have not been modified. The French screw ship of the line, Fon- tenoy, has joined the squadron of Vice-Admiral Le Barbier de Tinan before Gaeta, to replace the Alexandre, which is under orders :to return to Toulon. On the 19th, the situation at Gaeta had undergone no change, the squadrm being at anchor, having received supplies of stores. The latest news is, that the King had been compelled to disband the Royal Guard, suspected of disaffection ; and that the remainder of the garrison was much demoralized.

-King Victor: -Emmanuel received the nobility on Christmas Eve. He *es to quit' Naples oh Thursday, after attending a ball given in his honour by the National Guard. The state of the provinces was more Satisfactory, in spite of the flattering proclamations, full of premises, scattered abroad by the agents of King Francis ; yet it is reported that insurgents were still abroad in the Abruzzi. Rome is in an uneasy state. The Pope delivered an allocution in the Consistory held on the 17th instant. His Holiness spoke of the persecu- tions of the Christians in Syria and China. He condemned the pamphlet of M. Cayla, entitled le °Papa at F Empereur and announced that the Grand Duke of Baden had violated the Pontifical Concordat. The Ro- man patriots have posted up on the walls of Rome bills bearing the arms of King Victor Emmanuel, and the words, "We desire annexation to Sardinia."

• A telegram from Rome, December 21, says—" The posting up of the hills in favour of annexation to Sardinia has not led to any arrests. Crowds of people are reading the bills."

- Count Cavour has been ill ; but he is now reported to be "in a more satisfactory state."

IT II VI T11.--Further reports of the Conference held at Gran have oome to hand, and they are of great interest, as indicating more clearly the state of feeling among the upper classes of Hungary. Here is what the Vienna correspondent of the Times has heard of the meeting-

" The conference at Gran was an event of such importance to Hungary, -and indeed to the whole empire, that it may be well to give some further details on the subject. Only eighty-five persons were present, thirteen of the notables invited having excused themselves. All the members of the -conference, with the exception of the ecclesiastics, appeared in the rich na- tional costume. The Primate had on the purple robes and red cap of a 'cardinal, but the other prelates and priests wore long fur cloaks, with red braiding over their canonicals. At the entrance to the hall were posted several Primatial ' Hussars, who on state occasions form the body-guard of the Archbishop of Gran. When the Primate appeared, he was received with loud cheers, and after the demonstrative part of the enthusiasm was at an end, he read a short speech, in which he advised his fellow-country- men to recur to the laws of 1848, as it was necessary that the thread of the Constitution should be joined at the place at which it bad been broken.' Count E. Deasewify's speech was well received, although there were some passages in it which could hardly have been to the taste of the more ad- vanced Liberals. The Count spoke in favour of the electoral law of 1848, because he Objected to provisional measures,' on the part of Government ; but he at the same time declared that he hoped the laws passed in the year in question would be:revised by the Diet, the sense of the old/Constitu- tion.' As soon as M. von Deseewffy had spoken, the Assembly unanimously agreed to petition the Emperor to allow the Diet to be constituted on the basis of the electoral law of 1848, but several interesting speeches were af- terwards made. Count Barkoczy remarked that the franchise was so low, that no fewer than 1,300,000 persons were entitled to a vote, although the 350,000 Jews in Hungary, whose material and moral influence is extremely great, are altogether excluded.' Baron J. DAY& spoke in favour of the laws of 1848, which induced II. von Zsedenyi to remark .that those laws were unfavourable to the county system_ which was the beat possible guarantee for the personal liberty of the Hungarians. A warm discussion then ensued between Count Julius Andrassy, a Liberal, and M. Yon Zee- denyi, who is a Government employe, which was at last stopped by the As- sembly, which cried, Let us close ; let us close!' A simple country gen- tleman, who spoke in favour of the electoral law, electrified his hearers by his natural eloquence and the vigour of his language." Hungary is greedy agitated. "No taxes are now paid." Tobacco,

• a Government monopoly, is openly sold in the Presburg market-place.

Kossuth notes are again in circulation. Some of the comitats are for impeaching Baron Vay, now declared to be a traitor to his country. There is a cry against foreign troops." The Austrian Government is now said to be very anxious for the establishment of the Diet and local Government.

The Vienna Gazette states that the Emperor has sanctioned the resolu- tions of the Gran Conference, and will convoke the Hungarian Diet in February.

fr11/11114.—Much was hoped for from the apppointment of Baron von Schmerling. The substance of a circular he has issued on his ap- pointment to the employes will enable our readers to form for themselves some idea of the heights and depths of the new element of liberalism-

" His Majesty the Emperor having been pleased to appoint me to the office of Minister of State, I deem it necessary openly and clearly to express my leading ideas, and the more so as I deeply feel that the state of affairs is grave, and the responsibility I have taken upon myself great. My task and yours is one and the same. It is fully and completely to carry out the resolutions and intentions expressed by his Majesty in his recently published -Manifesto and Diploma.

"In the Manifesto it is distinctly said that his Majesty, having eon- -Mem:a in the matured judgment of his subjects, intends to leave it to them to develope and give strength to those institutions which are a guarantee for free (political) movement. In consequence of this resolve, Austria -all its parts and in an homogeneous and equal way,' enters the rank of those European States in which—on the basis of ancient historical traditions—a legal right to take part in the legislation has been accorded to the whole nation.

"It being my intention resolutely to pursue the course pointed out by his Majesty, my first care will be to provide for the personal liberty of the sub- ject, so that each individual may in future enjoy all the independence in matters of religion and conscience, and also in those matters in which his moral and material interests are concerned, which is compatible with social order.' This independence, which will be highly beneficial for each sepa- tete person, is absolutely necessary in a monarchy in which so many nation- -rattles and all the confessions are indissolubly entwined. In the Diploma it is said, that the free exercise of religion shall be one of the fundamental principles of the State, and it is necessary that the intentions of the Em- peror in this matter should be unreservedly carried out. 'It is his Ma- jesty's express will that there shall be no encroachment on the civil and political rights of the subject, and also that the relations between the different confessions shall be regulated in an equitable manner, and in a spirit of charity.'

" ' Knowledge is power,' and it is therefore one of the first duties of the Imperial Government to assist the different nationalities in their efforts to attain a higher degree of intellectual development. I find it necessary ex- pressly to remark that the Government has no idea of attempting to es- trange a national element from itself,' it being convinced that the different 'peoples will be the more attached to the common Fatherland the more sure they fee/ that their nationality will be respected. "In regard to the press, the great ctissemtnator of knowledge' End opinions, such steps have been taken that in future there will be no pre- ventive ' encroachments on it. It is but just to remark, that theperiodieal press has on many critical occasions defended the cause of the Empire with talent and zeal. During the last war it displayed great circumspection and patriotism, and I trust that the confidence which the Government is re- solved to place in the press,' will induce it to keep within due bounds, to be dispassionate in criticism and moderate in language. " It is impossible to deny that the industry of individuals mainly con- tributes to the development of the material interests of the country ; but the Government can do much by encouraging agriculture, trade, and com- merce, by caring for the education of the people, and by opening new lines of communication. The Imperial authorities have always displayed a praiseworthy inclination to assist in the development of the resources of the country, and I need hardly remark to your — that the Government hopes their zeal in this matter will not flag.

" Our own experience, and the experience of foreign nations, have shown that the administration of justice and the political administration ought to be entirely separate. The administration of justice requires no other con- trol than complete publicity. Oral proceedings, in the true sense of the expression, are requisite. The Government will endeavour to provide for the defence of the liberty of the subject,—a defence which people of irre- proachable character have a right to demand, and which cannot be denied. [This, it is supposed, refers to some Habeas Corpus Act of the future.]

" As all persons are permitted to serve the State without regard to rank and birth, and as all are equal in the eye of the law, there can be no ground whatever for animosity between the different classes. When the plans of Government are carried out, the Austrians will, in regard to personal and civil liberty,' be on the same level with the nations which, in consequence of their having the experience of ages, serve as models for the others. Al- though, as I trust, this Circular will not long precede the publication of the documents relative to the political institutions referred to in his Majesty's manifesto, I consider it indispensable to make known to your — their more essential points, which will enable you to judge of the spirit that will characterize those institutions. In the meanwhile, your measures must not run counter to them, or the minds of the people will become more confused, instead of getting more clear. "Of the communes, and of the self-government which they are to enjoy, it is not necessary to say much. On the whole, they have shown that they are capable of managing, and worthy to manage, their own affairs ; but I must make your — responsible for any improper conduct on the part of the authorities towards the communes. The latter must be as little trou- bled as possible with communications in writing, and they must receive any protection or instruction which they may require from the Imperial au- thorities.

"In respect to the Provincial Statutes, I have to inform your — that his Majesty, has empowered me to base them on the principle of the repre- sentation, of the interests of the people.' [Instead of the representation of estates.] The elections will be direct. The Provincial Diets will have the right of initiative, and their sittings will be public,' as is the case in the provinces belonging to the Hungarian Crown. In accordance witk,She spirit of Artiole III, of the Diploma of the 20th of October, the Dietsik°' the exception of those in the provinces belonging to the Hungarian Crown -

occupy themselves exclusively with provincial matters. The work of legislation for the Empire at large will be performed by the common re- presentation of the different provinces.

"It is both natural and unavoidable that the Reichsrath must be a more important body than it has hitherto been. It will have the right of initia- tive; its proceedings will be public ; the so-called " terna" system (the Sovereign to choose one out of three persons elected) will be set aside, and the members of the Reichsrath will be directly elected by the Diets. The number of Reichsrathe will also be augmented.' There is no allusion in the Ministerial Circular to two matters of vital importance to the nation : the right of the Reichsrath to grant and to withhold the supplies, and the re- sponsibilities of .Ministers for their acts. The latter part of the Circular needs no special notice, as it merely contains a promise to the Imperial em- ployes that they shall not be sufferers by the approaching changes in the system of administration, and an impressive exhortation to them to perform their duties conscientiously and in the spirit of the Imperial Manifesto and Diploma." It is said that Count Rechberg and Count Szechen will have to resign, and that Baron Hubner will be called to the office of Foreign Affairs.

The Paris correspondent of the Times makes some excellent remarks on the arrest of Count Ladislas Teleki at Dresden, and his extradition to the Austrian authorities-

" Count Teleki was the Minister Plenipotentiary from the Hungarian Government to the French Republic in 1849. He was greatly esteemed by all who knew him here ; and in Hungary he enjoyed the same popularity among the educated classes which M. Kossuth found among the masses of the people. This does but aggravate the act which the Saxon Government has committed, and the baseness of the part it has played as the police agent of Austria. The Dresden Government cannot allege as its justification the fact of Count Teleki being found with an English passport, and in the name of another person. Count Teleki has been a refugee since 1849, and after

the pacification of Hungary he was, with others, condemned to death by default. Where shall a refugee go for a passport ? Surely not to an Aus- trian official, who would refuse to recognize him. A refugee must have a

passport in a name not his own, and from a foreign Government, or he must go without one. But, supposing Count Teleki to have infringed the pollee regulations of Saxony, all that the authorities had a right to do was to con- duct him back to the frontier by which he had entered, and leave him at the other side of it. In the treaties of extradition between the two coun-

tries political refugees are not included. Count Teleki has been for a long time in very delicate health, and though it is not to be believed for an in- stant that the Austrians will cause the penalty pronounced in 1849 to be inflicted in 1860, nevertheless prolonged confinement in a prison in his state of health, and in such a season, would probably terminate fatally." The French and Belgian press have not spared the Government which has had recourse to the meanest of acts—the surrender of a political fugitive. The King of Saxony is ill of the measles.

The legal proceedings at Bonn, arising out of Captain Moodonald'a case, gave rise to three trials. At the first hearing of the charge of assault, M. Moller, the Procurator, made use of violent and insulting language, asserting that English travellers were generally notorious for rudeness and " blackguardism." This calumny was resented by the English residents at Bonn, eight of whom signed and published a protest against it. In consequence of this protest the judicial authorities ordered

an inquiry into the proceedings of the trial, resulting in a reprimand to M. Moller for the use of language unbecoming his office. M. Moller, however, at the same time commenced a kind of cross action, or prose- cution of those who signed the protest, for libel on an official of the Government. It is this prosecution that has just closed ; and, though the language against which the protest was then made has been con- demned by M. Moller's judicial superiors, thus admitting it was unjus- tifiable, the protest itself is decided to be libellous. A witness, who was not called on the first trial, appeared in this last stage of the proceedings, whose testimony completely exonerated Captain Macdonald. Throughout the trial of the charge of libel, the judges and different law officers behaved with the utmost kindness and forbearance. Two of the defendants were not pr.:sent, and the proceedings against them were in contumaciam. The defendants admitted they had signed the protest ; some, however, had not themselves read it, and knew its purpose and contents only from report. On the part of the defence, the Court was addressed by the English Consul and the Reverend Mr. Anderson, the English chaplain. The latter declared the publication of the protest was not a wanton or intentional insult to a judicial authority on the part of those who signed it, but simply an act of self-defence, provoked by an unjust attack, made suddenly and publicly upon them and their country- men. But they were not aware that the publication of such a protest was a violation of any special law, or they would have tried to obtain re- dress of the wrong in some other way. He contended that the open man- ner in which they had signed and published the report, was a proof that they believed they were acting legally. The general plea put in was Not Guilty. On Monday the Court delivered judgment. The defendants, Baddeley, Rapp, Washington, Rochfort, Thurston, and Oldfield, were acquitted; Perry, Anderson, Cumberland, and Drummond were found Guilty, with extenuating circumstances, of having committed an offence against the Staats-Procurator Moller, while in the performance of his official duties. The extenuating circumstances were declared to apply in a less degree in the case of Perry, who was fined one hundred thalers or five -weeks imprisonment in default. The other three were fined twenty- five thalers each, or nine days imprisonment in default.

Nunn -117811110i fI.—Prince Couza opened the Elective Assembly of Wallachia at Bucharest on the 11th, and made the following speech- " Gentlemen,—My late journey to Constantinople has satisfactorily proved to me that the country of the Roumans may fully count upon the sympathies both of the Sublime Porte and of the guaranteeing powers. Our duty therefore is, in strengthening our country, to inspire Europe with confidence in it, which must lead at no distant day to the realization of our legitimate desires and wants. In the short interval which has elapsed since your last session, my Government has not failed to execute any one of the laws voted by you and sanctioned by me. We are in the first years of our internal re-organization, and have found multiplied obstacles to surmount. I hope you will make allowances for these difficulties, one of the greatest of which has been to initiate the country in a system of taxation, levied equally and indiscriminately upon all classes.

"A series of projects of law has been prepared by the central commission. Some of these have already been submitted to you last session. One, which now claims your earliest attention, is that destined to fix the relations between the landed proprietors and the peasants. This question, embracing Its it does the amelioration of the condition of the lower class, is at present of the most urgent and vital importance. Another reform for which our government will commend your cooperation, is that of electoral reform, which is required by the necessity of the chamber representing more fully the interests of the country. "Gentlemen deputies, an experience of two years has convinced myself as well as the country, that we should forget the struggles of the past, end the spirit of party, in order to offer the hand to each other in accomplishing the reorganization of the country-. The time has arrived for the accom- plishment of facts, the chief of which must be the application of Article 40of the convention. On that depends the natural and social prospects of the country. I can promise all aid that I can bring. I can only hope for a place in the annals of the country by furthering its desires and developing its prosperity. I feel that the surest way of being respected abroad is to be strong, whilst preserving calm and tranquility at home. " It a cause of regret that in one or two places the respect due to the laws was forgotten. But the energy of the:local authorities, joined to the courage of our young army, with ease and celerity restored order. I can indeed answer for the maintenance of internal tranquillity and material order, even in these difficult times of transition.

"for myself, believe me, I have the full conscience of my mission, nor will I ever forget that I represent the principle of the Union. The realiza- tion of this great object, depends on the patriotism, prudence, and concord of all classes of the State, as well as on the spirit of order and progress, ani- mating the entire population."

SOH It.—The last mail has brought news from Calcutta to the 23c1 of November. Vague rumours that Nana Sahib was still alive have never ceased to float about India ; but at last the report has assumed a form which has arrested the "serious attention" of the Indian Govern- ment.

"In August last," says the Friendof Indie," a native tenant of an European planter in Goruckpore returned to his village after a long absence. Be said he had been a prisoner in the Nana's camp, and had just effected his escape. Ile described the appearance of the liana, Bala Rao, and Devi Buksh, and said they were all alive, and at the head of some thousands of Sepoys, with 30 guns and elephants, He further stated that before leaving the plains each of the rebel leaders had cut off his little finger and burned it, in token of the religious burial of his body in Hindostan, which he was about to quit perhaps for ever. This circumstance may account for the rumour of the Nana's death and burial, which was spread over the country immediately after this event. The man who furnished these particulars of course did not know anything of such a rumour, and his statement of the facts tallied with the current report as to time. He described the march of the rebels after this ceremony. They left the plains and travelled onwards towards the hills for fifteen days, till they came to a place called Thoowarria, near which they encamped, and where they were when this man made his escape. Most unfortunately the fatigue he had undergone resulted in his death soon after his return to Goruckpore and no more information could be gathered than the above. It is likely ;hat for his own safety. the Nana would spread the report of his death, and then may have pursued his way northwards with a small force without being discovered. Colonel Ramsay, our Resident in Nepaul, is of opinion that such a large force as is said to have been with the Nana could not have crossed the passes without being observed, but that a few hundred desperate men might have done so. Whatever be the truth of the case, the belief in the Nana's death is now shaken, and the question should not be dismissed until the fact has been discovered."

haff.—Advices from New York to the 11th of December have been received.

The most important facts are the resignation of Mr. Cobb, Secretary of the Treasury, and the holding of a caucus of Southern Senators at 'Washington. Mr. Cobb retains to Georgia, to join the patty of Seces- sion, and he heralds his way by publishing a letter, the temper of which may be estimated from the following extract-

" Can there be a doubt in any intelligent mind, that the object which the Black Republican party has in view, is the ultimate extinction of slavery in the United States ? To doubt it, is to cast the imputation of hypocrisy and imbecility upon the majority of the people of every Northern State, who have stood by this party through all its trials and struggles, to its ultimate triumph in the election of Lincoln. I am sure that no one can entertain for them, individually or collectively, less personal respect than I do, and yet I do give them credit for more sincerity and intelligence than is consistent with the idea, that in obtaining power they will refuse to exercise it, for the only purpose for which they professed to seek it. I do believe that, with all their meanness and duplicity, they do hate slavery and alaveholders quite as much as they say they do and that no arfument addressed to their hearts or judgments, in behalf of the constitutional rights of the South, would receive the slightest consideration. What might be effected by an

appeal to their fears and cupidity, I will not now stop to discuss You have to deal with a shrewd, heartless and unscrupulous enemy, who i

in the extremity may promise anything, heartless, in the end, will do nothing. On the 4th day of March, 1861, the Federal Government will pass into the hands of the Abolitionists. It will then cease to have the claim either upon your confidence or your loyalty."

The caucus of Senators met on the 8th. Mr. Breckinridge was present, but Mr. Iverson, of Georgia, refused to attend. An elaborate plan for the formation of an United States South was submitted by Mr. Lamar of Mississippi, but no decision was come to. One Washington correspon- dent thus reports on the meeting-

" It was called principally to ascertain the extent of the secession move- ment in the Cotton States, and to learn, by exchange of opinions, whether the South could be united compactly upon some common basis. No doubt was expressed but that Georgia,Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and South Carolina would secede by ordinances. Senators present from those States represented that no interposition now could arrest the first step, though their ultimate relation to the Union might be effected by future developments. Messr . Bayard, Pearce, Nicholson, Powell, and Crittenden were in favour of makinsg every effort to protect the rights of the South in the Union., Mr. Mason also favoured the same view, while requiring guarantees and expressing misgivings as to the result. Mr. Hunter was willing to go farther for con- ciliation than his recent letter indicated. Mr. Brown advocated immediate secession as the only remedy. But Mr. Davis thought other means should be exhausted before proceeding to that extremity. Mr. Slidell was among the most ultra, and declared that Louisiana could not be restrained from taking position with the seceding,States, even if her representatives in Con- gress were opposed to that policy: ' The Special Committee appointed by the H01188 met for the first time on the 11th. General Scott, it is stated, has formed a plan of settlement.

It is perfectly clear that the South is in a fever of excitement South Carolina, always foremost, has struck the 4th of July from the list of public holidays. Mr. Iverson, of Georgia, has, in the Senate, speaking of General Houston, expressed a hope that "some Texan Brutus might arise to rid his country of this hoary-headed old traitor." General Houston is not a Secessionist. Mr. Hale had said, in the same debate- " I think that the state of things in this country looks to one of two things. It looks to absolute submission, not on the part of Southern States; but on the part of the North—to an abandonment of their position. It looks to a surrender of that popular sentiment which has been uttered through the constituted forms of the ballot-box ; or it looks to open war. That is what it looks to • and we need not shut our eyes to the fact."

• This maele Mr. Iverson speak, and declare that between the South and North there is a feeling of enmity deeper than the depth of hell- " War is inevitable. Let the South take care. Let the war come, and we will meet the senator from New Hampshire, and all the myrmidons of Abolitionism, and, in the language of the honourable representative from Ohio (Mr. Corwin) in regard to the Mexican war, we will 'welcome them with bloody hands to hospitable graves.'"

Writing on December 11, the New York correspondent of the Timm says, that "unless some unforeseen and improbable intervention shall take place, there is every probability that the State of South Carolina will take the step of attempting secession, and little doubt but that Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi will try to follow her, and dare she difficulties of forming a Southern Confederacy. The Southern Secessionists also rely upon being able to force Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas into the same policy by reason of their great interest in slave property, and they hope further to effect such a neutrality in the North- ern Slave States as will before long bring them in with them. Such is their present plan." It is said the President has been assured, from an authentic source, that the authorities of South Carolina will make no resistance either to the collection of duties or to the possession of the forts guarding Charles- ton harbour during the remainder of his Administration.

The slaver Coca has been captured on the coast of Africa by the Con- stellation, with about 600 slaves on board. They were sent to Monrovia. The vessel will be sent to the United States after the Africans are delivered to the United States agent at Monrovia. The Corn was seized not long ago in New York, being suspected of embarking in the slave-trade.

The annual report of the United States Secretary of the Treasury states that the receipts from all sources for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1860, were estimated at 81,091,309 dollars expenditure 77,462,102 dollars. Estimated receipts for the current fiscal year, 84,348,996 dollars ; estimated expenses, 84,103,105 dollars. This would leave only 245,891 dollars in the treasury at the commencement of the next fiscal year. The estimated means for the fiscal year 1862 are 64,495,891 dollars, and the expense 68,363,726 dollars, showing a deficiency of 3,866,834 dollars. All these estimates were made, however, without regard to the existing panic and commercial revulsion, and are put down, not as financial or commercial, but as political, and depending upon future developments. In the autumn of last year, Mr. Seneca Diggs, a cotton-planter residing in Howard County, Missouri, U.S., observed a strange Negro walking across his estate. He challenged this visitor, questioned him, and, not being satisfied with his explanations, proceeded to detain him. The Negro, Anderson by name, accompanied his captor submissively for a short distance, but he seized an opportunity, broke away from his enemy, and ran. Mr. Diggs started instantly in pursuit, and three of his own Negroes joined in the chase, but Anderson succeeded for more than an hour in eluding their gripe. At length, as the runaway was approach- & fence, the planter overtook him, and, brandishing a stick over his head, called upon him to surrender. In reply, Anderson 4rew a large dirk- knife, and threatened death to any one who touclted him. Despising

such a menace, Mr. Diggs closed boldly with the fugitive, who im- mediately made good,lus words by stabbing his assailant to the heart. The unhappy planteireeled back into the ditch ; and, after a brief strug- gle, died. Anderson made good his escape, crossed the Canadian frontier, and commenced a quiet and industrious career as a free man upon British soil. A short time ago, however, he was tracked to his abode by certain emissaries from Missouri, and claimed, not as a fugitive slave, but as a murderer, under the provisions of the Ashburton Treaty for the extra- dition of criminals. The question is now depending in the Court of Queen's Bench in Canada-does Anderson come within the terms of the extradition treaty. By the law of Missouri, he is a murderer; but Canada knows nothing of the law of the State of Missouri; it only knows the Federal Law of the United States.

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I tiii5 golumula.—The Bishop of Columbia has written to Miss Burdett Coutts, giving an account of his missionary episcopate. He dates from Cayoorh, July 14, 300 'miles up the mountains ; this distance he has travelled on foot. His route was along the banks of the Fraser River, through mountain scenery of the wildest and grandest character ; in the latter part of his journey, he had more open scenery and fine pasture land- " The whole way has been the scene of gold-mining operations. The river appears to have carried down and deposited gold all along its banks. In former times, it flowed at a higher level, and upon fiats or terraces now dry, as well as by its immediate bed, the gold is found. I have conversed on the spot with many miners, and with all descriptions of persons, and there is now but one sentiment as to the inexhaustible resources of' this country."

There is no religious body in the field, except the Church of England ; two Methodist missionaries have been withdrawn- " I was present at a meeting in the latter on my way, when an address was presented to Inc. and the chairman, an American and Presbyterian, called upon all present in this new land to forget the past differences and adopt the Church of England for their religion, as a Church in which they could have confidence, which had a broad basis, and which was 'at work among them.' "

One great drawback to the miners is the want of wives ; there is only one to every 200 of the male population. The Bishop is much amused by the Chinese, and he tells a good story of one Chinaman- ' They are a funny people, and are full of good humour and very friendly. They respect the English much. At one place, I came to a pretty bridge over a river. It had been built by a Chinaman named Ah-Soo. He takes the tolls. On our approach, lie ran forward with cool waters to drink, and told us we were free of the bridge. 'No Englisbee pay over de bridge, and no poor Chinaman.' . . • Me make no chargee to de English. Me charge Boston man (American). Boston man ehargee Chinaman very high in Californy ; Chinaman now charge Boston man-ha! ha!'" The Bishop has also been preaching to the Indians; he relates a scene-

" I then brought forward the subject of the education of their children.

I inquired how many children there were in the tribe. It was difficult to make them understand ; at length, they appeared to catch my meaning, Two young men started up, came forward, and offered to go. I supposed they were going to count the children. Presently, they came back-there was a difficulty. Instantly every one shouted to put them on their mettle, and not see the difficulty. They conferred, and then darted off into the darkness. In a little time from all quarters approached more Indians. As they came on the ground, they took their seats in rows. I perceived every one had a child. I discovered, to my dismay, they had misunder- stood me, and had been bringing the children themselves instead of the number. It was past ten o'clock, and all these poor things had been pulled out of bed; most were naked-some in their cradles. In the midst of my last talk, an Indian worn= brought a lighted mould candle, and set it down near me. We concluded by singing the Evening Hymn. A devotional and deep impression sat upon each and all, most striking to witness. Re- luctantly they took their leave one by one. Every one shook hands ; every little child was brought, and held out its little hand.