POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY.
Positive news arrived this morning from St. Petersburg respecting the intentions of the Emperor. It appears that on the 24th instant the courier arrived, bearing the reply of Redschid Pasha to the last note of Count Nesselrode, rejecting the ultimatum, and declaring the concession of Russian demands " impossible." On this a Council met at the Em- peror's palace of Peterhoff ; and the result of its deliberations was the instant despatch of a special courier to Prince Gortchakoff, the officer commanding the army on the Pruth, bearing to him instructions to cross the river without further delay. The probable amount of the first in- vading division, under General Denenberg, is 40,000; the whole force under Prince Gortehakoff is set down at 120,000.
"It was expected," says the Times, "that this determination would forth- with be announced to the Russian nation and to foreign states by a mani- festo, in which the Emperor would reiterate his strange declaration, that this aggression is not an act of war, and that he is ready to stop the march of his troops whenever the Turkish Government signifies its intention to comply with his demands. If such be the language of this official docu- ment, which has not yet reached us, it will only be a repetition of the con- fused and inconsistent propositions already put before the world in that Russian circular, which has excited unqualified reprobation wherever it has been read."
The Russian fleet in the Baltic is stated to consist of twenty-seven sail of the line and eighteen frigates ; that in the Black Sea of eighteen sail of the line and twelve frigates.
General Count Gyulai, attended by a military suite, left Vienna on Thursday, for St. Petersburg, ostensibly for the purpose of being present at the grand review there in the course of next month. It is expected, however, that in reality this distinguished officer will, in virtue of the accepted "good offices " of Austria, endeavour to smooth the way for a favourable reception of the Ambassador whom, according to reports from Vienna, the Porte on the 20th June was about to send to St. Peters- burg. It must be remarked that this is a "telegraphic" despatch.
The House of Commons was mainly engaged last night in Committee on the "Customs, tte. Acts," and the Succession-duty Bill.
In Committee on the former, Mr. Gnsionosre moved the new stamp- duties on deeds and instruments ; and these having been agreed to, he next moved a resolution to the effect that from and after the 5th July the advertisement-duty levied in respect of any advertisement shall be 6d. Mr. Gladstone took occasion to explain, that he proposed to enlarge the space prescribed to newspapers from 1530 to 2295 inches, but confining that space to two sheets of paper ; still retaining the duty on any supplement beyond that size. He offered this enlarge- ment of space in lieu of his original proposal to abolish the duty on sup- plements altogether. Mr. MILNER GIBSON moved as an amendment, that "all duties now chargeable on advertisements be repealed, in accordance with a resolution of this House of the 14th day of April last." Mr. Con- DEN supported the amendment. On a division, it was negatived by 109 to 99.
After this, more debating followed on an amendment, subsequently withdrawn, limiting the operation of the resolution to newspapers and periodicals. On the motion that the resolution do now pass, Mr. °RAD- FORD moved to substitute the cipher "0" for the word "sixpence." Whereupon there was more debating, carried on with great spirit. put, as Lord JOHN Russsis, pointed out, the House had now thinned considerably ; and Mr. GrAnsroxis complained that no no- tice had been given of this amendment. He did not know that the vote "would be taken twice : if he had known it, be should have taken his measures accordingly. The Committee first divided on the motion that the duty be 6d. ; which was negatived by 68 to 63 : then upon the ques- tion that the duty to be inserted in the resolution be " 04 Os. Oil." ; and this was affirmed by 70 to 61. [This would retain the old duty of ls. &I. !] Mr. GLADSTONE said he should propose that all the resolutions be re- ported on Monday, except the last.
Considerable progress was made in the Committee on the Succession- duty Bill; clauses 21 to 28 inclusive being disposed of. There was no division. It was agreed that the subject of growing timber shall be dis- cussed on an amended clause, to be moved by Mr. Gladstone at a future stage.
Mr. LAI-AM) put a qUestion respecting the condition of the Danube. It is stated that the Russian authorities have blocked up the entrance into the principal channel of the Danube ; in consequence of which, a large number of vessels, about 370 in number, comprising some English vessels laden with corn, had been prevented from leaving the Danube. He asked Lord John Russell, whether he had received any information to that effect ; and whether he was prepared to lay that information on the table of the House ?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL replied, that he had "no information to lay on the table of the House. A letter has been received from one of the Con- suls stating that the ordinary course of the river has been impeded ; but the Government have received no account of the Russian authorities using any means to prevent the navigation of that river." Later in the evening, Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that he bad oftener than once asked Mr. Layard to postpone his motion respecting the present state of relations between Turkey and Russia, but he could not call upon him again to do so ; and therefore Mr. Layard was informed that he might have Friday next to bring on any motion he may think fit to propose.
Two divisions were taken on the third reading of the bill for rebuilding Westminster Bridge, Exception was made to the proposed head-way of 20 feet. Sir WILLIAM Mossswoiern explained that it would be sufficient for the traffic. A motion for the adjournment of the debate was negatived by 34 to 29 ; and the third reading was carried by 34 to 26. The bill then passed.
Mr. AGLIONEY presented and read the report of the Committee appointed to inquire further into the corrupt practices at the Plymouth election in 1852. The report states that a general belief was entertained in the borough that it was not illegal for an agent or candidate to obtain or pro- mise places to previously-pledged voters; that Mr. Mare and his agent in many instances obtained employment for various voters, both in the De- tonport Dockyard and at his own establishment; that Mr. Chnrchward, his agent, obtained twenty-five Dockyard appointments; and that a corn-
mission ought to issue to inquire further. The Committee point out that the powers given by the 6th and 6th Victoria, chapter 102, are totally in- adequate; and that no inquiries are effectual unless conducted on the spot, under the 15th and 16th Victoria, chapter 57. • •• -
Some debate was raised in the House of Peers last night, on receiving the report of the Encumbered Estates Court (Ireland) Continuance Bill. Lord Sr. LEONARDS moved the insertion of words in clause 10, limiting the operation of the bill to one year, instead of two years. The Earl of Danny supported the amendment : but it was rejected by 45 votes to 36, and the clause affirmed. After some further discussion, the report was agreed to.
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