fortigu aut[ Zutuntal.

cf TRIM. —The long-delayed Conference to settle "the disputed points of the treaty of peace" met at noon on Wednesday, at the hotel of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The cause of delay had been the nonarrival of M. Kisseleff's instructions. It is said that at this first sitting "a slight difficulty arose" ; but it is described as "not important," and it was added—" all will probably be arranged as proposed." Le Nord says that Russia is to receive an indemnity, not for the cession of Bolgrad, but for giving way on the question of the Isle of Serpents and the delta of the Danube.

At the request of M. Billault, the Emperor has conceded a credit of three millions of francs to be expended in wages to those who may be wanting employment during the winter ; "and to lessen by charity, carefully distributed, thaf heavy difference between the price of food and the amount of daily wages."

An extraordinary and painful incident has occurred in Paris. An American merchant, Mr. Charles Morey, was arrested for debt, and put in the prison in the Rue de Cliohy. His case was heard in court ; it was found that there was really no ground for detaining him, and he was to have been liberated on Wednesday. Unfortunately, on that day he presented himself at a second-floor window contrary to the prison-regulations ; the sentinel challenged ; Mr. Morey did not answer; and the soldier shot him dead. The French law is unjust enough to permit the "provisional arrest" of debtors. Some years since the present Duke of Newcastle, then Lord Lincoln, was arrested for a fabulous sum by a Polish physician ; and the eminent banker, John Abel Smith, was arrested in his bed in the Place Venchime for a debt not due by him.

main! .—The Federal Assembly met on Saturday, at Berne. The President, M. Martin, opened the proceedings with a dignified but belligerent address, explaining what had taken place since, three months ago' the Assembly had declared "that the Republicans of Neuchatel had deserved well of their country, for having alone triumphed over the Royalist revolt of the 3d September." HO exhorted them to maintain calmness and dignity in their deliberations, and avoid even the semblance of fanfaronade. The Assembly appointed a Commission of eleven members to prepare a report on the situation of affairs; and it received from the Federal Council a long and elaborate account of the course of negotiations since the Assembly separated in September. Starting from the demand of the King of Prussia for the *unconditional release of the Royalist prisoners, which demand was refused, the report details the various steps taken by the Great Powers. The Prussian demand was supported by Russia, Austria, Baden, and Bavaria. France and England, at first acting together, sounded the Federal Council as to its views ; but the negotiation failed because of the uncertainty of the King of Prussia's intentions. Next the Emperor of the French personally intervened, and. offered, if the Federal Council would liberate the prisoners, to obtain a satisfactory settlement of the question. General Dufour was sent to Paris : he asked for some guarantee that the settlement should be in accordance with the honour and interests of Switzerland : but he failed. The Federal Council preferred the proposition of the English Government; which was, practically, that the King of Prussia should renounce his claims to the sovereignty, retaining only the title of Prince of Neuchatel; and that in return the prisoners should be liberated. The SW1138 Government stood out less upon the substance than the form of proceeding. The King of Prussia wanted them to liberate the prisoners first; they desired that the liberation of the prisoners on their part and the renunciation of his claims on his part should be simultaneous, or that, at least, his share in the transaction should be guaranteed. This was in October. In November the French Government became urgent in its demand for the

release of the prisoners; while the English Government expressly declined to recommend their liberation, because, although they thought it might help on a pacific solution, they could not give any assurance that it would be followed by a renunciation of the Prussian claims. The next phase of the question was an attempt on the part of the Swiss to enter into direct negotiations with the Prussian Government: but that failed, because the King demanded, as a condition precedent, the release of the prisoners. Then there was an attempt at joint action on the part of the Ministers at Berne, including the Minister of the United States : that also broke down. In conclusion, the Federal Council, which has throughout been unanimous, recommended the following resolutions to the Federal Assembly. "1. The Federal Council will still continue to endeavour, as hitherto, to procure a pacific solution of the Neuchatel question by every means compatible with the honour and dignity of Switzerland, and which are of a nature to procure the recognition of the independence of Neuchatel from all foreign ties. "2. The military levies ordered by the Federal Council, and the other measures of safety taken by it, are approved. "it is authorized to take any ulterior measures deemed necessary to defend the country to the last extremity, in ease an honourable and pacific solution cannot be obtained.

"An unlimited credit is allowed to meet all expenses. "3. The Federal Council is authorized to negotiate and conclude on ac-count of the Confederation one or more loans to an amount not exceeding 30,000,000f. "4. The Federal Council is charged to communicate these propositions through the proper channels to the people of the Swiss Cantons. When adopted, the Commander-in-chief will be named. "The Federal Council finally expresses the wish that the Federal Assembly, after having terminated its deliberations, be not dissolved, but simply prorogued."

These resolutions were adopted by the Assembly at its sitting on Tues

4111e exact state of the question at present is not clear. There is a rumour that the Emperor of the French, moved by a private letter from General Dufour, has again stepped in and offered another proposal ; that the United States Minister has posted to Berlin ; that Councillor Ferrer has gone on a tour to the Southern Courts of Germany; that the Swiss Envoy at Paris has suddenly gone to Berne.

Meanwhile, influenced by a strong protest from ten Deputies, the Go-comment of Wurtemberg has refused the application of Prussia for a passage across her territory, or a concentration of troops within it. The Prussian Government journals deny the truth of a statement published last week, to the effect that the Prussian troops will not move until the 15th February : they will move "immediately after the publicalion of the order of mobilization." There is a talk of assembling 40,000 men at Besancon, under General Canrobert ; and one of the Swiss Federal organs hints that Austrian and French troops will appear on Swiss soil should Prussia invade the country. Several Royalists of the Canton of Neuchatel, fearing that their silence should be thought to imply hostility to their common country, have formally offered their services to the Republic, and placed themselves and swords at the disposal of the Federation.

General Dufour, who served in the Grande Armee, was on Wednesday appointed Commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army. Some journals state that Austria has withdrawn her support from Prussia : she has no desire to see a war of nationalities on the borders of Italy.

rnff.—King Otho opened the session of the Greek Chambers on the 19th December, in person. He alluded to his long absence from the country, and thanked his devoted people for the fidelity they had shown, and the Legislative Bodies for the active and patriotic zeal with which they had facilitated the work of government. "Since I last addressed the Chambers, peace, which is the most solid foundation of the prosperity of nations, has been restored to Europe; and I have powerful reasons for believing that the foreign troops which the war introduced into Greece will be soon withdrawn. I have the satisfaction of announcing to you that I am on a friendly footing with all foreign Powers. Before every other consideration, my Government, remembering the obligations of Greece towards the Great Powers her benefactors, has .spontaneously offered to respond to them to the best of its ability.. The condescending dispositions and good-will of the Powers towards Greece give me the best hopes of a happy and final settlement of that transaction.'

Brigandage, the King informed the Chambers, had been extirpated, except on the frontier, where "it cannot be suppressed without the firm cooperation of the adjoining state." A special convention with Turkey to effect that object had been concluded, which his Government has punctually carried out. Measures have been taken to further the internal development of the country, materially and intellectually; and capitalists have begun to respond with confidence to an appeal for means of improving the roads, draining lands, and constructing ports. Bills are to be submitted intended to effect a reform of the taxes, a revision of the tariff, and an amendment of the electoral laws, so as "to give every possible guarantee to communal and constitutional liberty."

11155 a.—The Russian army is undergoing some important modifications. By an order of the day dated the 19th December, in each of the three divisions of grenadiers, as also in each of the eighteen infanta7 divisions of the sixth army corps, and finally in each of the four divisions of tho separate Caucasian corps, a battalion of sharpshooters has to be formed and added thereto ; which will increase these bodies by twenty-five rifle battalions. While, therefore, on the one hand a reduction in the Russian army will take place, on the other it will be increased, and even strengthened considerably in the end. The Emperor received the Duke of Osuna, the Spanish Minister, at the palace of ZarskoS Zelo, on the 15th December. The last Spanish Minister to the Russian Court left St. Petersburg on the accession of Queen Isabella, twenty-three years ago.

Pia Hit 1.—The Teheran Gazette of the 5th November announces, that the siege of Herat was undertaken to prevent the Governor, Esa Khan, from surrendering the town to the Emir Dost Mahomed Khan. This proceeding, it is added, was perfectly consistent with the treaty of Herat concluded between Great Britain and Persia. Notwithstanding all that has passed, the Persian Government has not lost sight of the preservation of its friendship with Great Britain, and is ready to withdraw her troops from Herat on condition that the British Government shall take measures in Condoler, Affghanistan, and Herat itself, to secure that each of those countries shall remain for ever under the rule of its own Government.

The Shah had, on the 17th November, taken an extraordinary step. By a royal decree, he invested the Grand Vizier with "unlimited" powers for life! In the same decree the people were told that serious events were imminent ; and they were called upon to show themselves energetic, and defend their honour to the last.

5111tifi.—Little news is brought from British India by the overland mail. The latest date is Bombay, December 3. A reserve force for employment in the Persian Gulf was in course of organization. The news of the fall of Herat had reached Bombay, but was doubted there. A force on the North-west frontier was exploring the great road to Cabal, for what purpose is not stated. The Guicowar died at Baroda on the 18th October, in the fortieth year of his age. He was quietly succeeded by one of his brothers, who is spoken of as "a man of good private character, and enlightened public views."

t4i1111.—At the beginning of the week the English public were startled by a telegraphic despatch from Trieste announcing the bombardment of Canton by our naval force there. The despatch was fuller than usual, and the main outline of events was given with tolerable precision. On Thursday afternoon the overland mail arrived in London, and its contents confirmed the statements of the Trieste telegraph.

It appears that on the 8th October, a "lorcha," or small trading vessel, called the Arrow, while at anchor in the port of Canton, was boarded by Chinese troops, who in spite of remonstrances from her master, an Englishman, seized and carried off twelve out of fourteen of her native crew, and hauled down the British colours. The Arrow, although Chinesebuilt, had a colonial register, which gave her the protection of the British flag. This act was a "violation of the jurisdiction of the Consul," to whom a "previous reference" should have been made, as provided by treaty. The master immediately appealed to Mr. Parkes the British Consul; and he, pointing out that the act of the Imperial troops was an infringement of the ninth article of the supplementary treaty, applied to Yeh, the Governor of Canton, for satisfaction. In reply, Yeh stated that the lorcha was not a foreign vessel ; that "her British flag had been purchased through the merchant Block, as had been clearly established by the admission of the prisoners during an investigation " ; that the vessel was Chinese-built, and manned by Chinese ; that two of her crew were notorious pirates ; and that as to the flag being hauled down, it was satisfactorily shown that no flag was flying when the lorcha was boarded. These explanations were spread over some days ; and during that time, the Governor had twice sent, first nine of the crew, and then twelve, not to the lorcha as had been demanded, but to the Consulate, and on the second occasion with an intimation that two of them must be sent back immediately, as they were criminals. These proceedings were regarded as unsatisfactory ; and Consul Parkes, acting on Sir Jolm Bowring's instructions, refused to receive the men. On the 21st October, thirteen days after the seizure of the Arrow, Consul Parkes sent in an ultimatum : unless the Governor complied with the British demands— namely, the formal rendition of the crew, together with an apology for their capture—within twenty-four hours, it would be left to the naval officers to exact satisfaction. Yeh did not comply with the demands ; and Sir Michael Seymour, the British naval Commander-in-chief, proceeded to use force. On the 22d October, he brought up his ships and ships'-boats and opened fire on the forts. By the 25th the whole of what are called the Barrier forts were in the possession of the marines or bluejackets. The ships engaged were the Coromandel, (flag,) the Encounter, the Barracouta, the Winchester, and the Sampson, and the boats of the Calcutta, the Winchester, and the Sybille. The Chinese made but little resistance, and there was no loss on either side. Other forts—the Bird's Nest, the Shameen forts, the Dutch Folly—fell in succession ; and the lastnamed was occupied by a party of Royal Artillery under Captain Rotten, and a battery of two 32-pounders. On the 27th, 28th, and 29th, the operations were continued. The steamers and the land-battery shelled a Tartar encampment, the Governor's palace, and breached the walls of the city. On the 29th, 300 marines and sailors landed, stormed the breach, and captured the Governor's palace, with a loss of three killed and twelve wounded. The Admiral landed also, and visited the palace ; but in the evening withdrew the troops. On the morning of that day, Yeh had sent the Prefect to the British Consulate to learn the demands of the British Admiral. Sir Michael Seymour replied by demanding that "the foreign representatives should have the same access to the authorities at Canton as at the other ports" open to the English. "Your Excellency," writes Sir Michael on the 30th October, "sent no reply to my message ; and, according to the intention of which I had given notice to your deputy, I breached the wall of the city, and thus obtained access to your Excellency's official residence, which I visited yesterday afternoon. This object accomplished, I withdrew my troops." He farther told Yeh, that the entire city was at the mercy of the British, and that he alone had it in his power to terminate a condition of things that might produce "the most serious calamities."

Yeh replied by vindicating his refusal of the demand of the Admiral to admit foreign representatives into the city, on the ground that the people are fierce, and that "the Plenipotentiary Bonham" had, in 1849, altogether given up the matter—it was agreed that the question should not be discussed any more. Sir Michael rejoined, that Mr. Bonham had waived but not abandoned the claim to the fulfilment of the Chinese promise made in 1847. He also reminded Yeh, that the demand then made was quite distinct from any former proposal. During these negotiations, which went on from the 31st October to the 4th November, hostilitiea with slight intermissions had continued. The Barracouta destroyed twenty-three war-jenks, and received, it is said, eighty shot in her hull and rigging during the operation. The old city was shelled; and on the 12th November the Bogue forts were taken, with a loss of two killed and four wounded on our aide. Here the intelligence stops ; when the mail departed hostilities were still in progress. On the 6th November, Yeh had issued a proclamation calling on the people to stand firm and fight. He had also, it is stated, offered a large reward for the heads of the: foreigners. The gentry of Kwang-tung, adopting the official views, had published their opinion of "the perverse and unreasonable infringement of the treaty by the English officers," and asked if there was "any love and reason" in their conduct. Mr. Parkes oalso, by order of Sir Michael Se7m our hadn t only published a full state ment of what had taken place inEng but had got it translated into

lisk Chinese.

The ships of war in the Canton river were these : Sailing vessels— Calcutta, flag, 80; Sybille, broad pendant, 44; Nankin, 50; Comus, 14 : Steamers—Niger, 14; Encounter, 14; Barracouta, 6; Sampson, 6; Hornet, 17; Coromandel, 3.

The United States ships there were the San Jacinto, the Portsmouth, and the Levant. The French frigate Virginie was also in the river.

ausirttlia.—The Red Jacket arrived at Liverpool on Monday from Melbourne, with adviees to the 28th September. With one exception, the sole news from the colony is of the elections. The Upper House had been returned; but, judging from the journals, its members are not a 1r07 distinguished set of men. They are "an inferior body of lawmakers"; ; the House "does not deserve, and will not enjoy, the respect of the country" ; wealth has been the criterion ; and those elected are mostly traders. For the Lower House the returns were not complete. Mr. David Moore, one of the "native-born," headed the _poll in the metropolitan election and the last on the list was the Irish leader O'Shaughnessy. Expensive elections were to be expected in the land of gold. The city election is said to have cost some of the candidates large sums of money., and none of them so little as our improved electoral law contemplates. Sums of 20001., 30001., and even 50001., are spoken of as having been spent by some of the city candidates. Allowing for exaggeration, no one doubts that more has been spent than could be either legally or honourably laid out. This will probably be made the subject of future inquiry. On the whole, the Lower House seems likely to be a very good working Legislature."

The exception referred to is the establishment of an intercolonial mail service.

"We have now well-managed and powerful steamers from Melbourne to the principal ports of the other colonies—Sydney, Hobart Town, Adelaide, and also Launceston. The three capitals are about the same distance from MB ; time forty-six to fifty hours, and Launceston about twenty-six to thirty hours. There is a steamer from Sydney to Auckland, and the Southern Provinces of New Zealand have voted money in aid of the establishment of steam between Melbourne and Cook's Straits. It is to be hoped that this monthly line via Suez will be followed up by another intermediate line via Panama. Our trade and intercourse with the Mother-country requires two mails per month ; and if we consider the interest of Sydney and the New Zealand ports, all to the Eastward of Melbourne, we must advocate the Panama route for the intermediate monthly mail."

One curious fact is reported : the Chinese have inaugurated a josshouse at Melbourne, with barbaric rites and ceremonies, winding up with a display of fireworks !

'grain t It t5.—The Atlantic arrived at Liverpool on Thursday, with advices from New York to the 20th December.

Congress was still engaged in discussing the President's message, and matters arising out of it. At a sitting of the Senate, on the 14th December, a Southern member moved a strong resolution, called forth by the proposals to reopen the slave-trade "Resolved, that this House regard all suggestions or propositions of every kind, by whomsoever made, for a revival of the slave-trade, as shocking to the moral sentiments of the enlightened portion of mankind ; and any act on the part of Congress legalizing or conniving at the legalizing of that horrid and inhuman traffic, would justly subject the United States to the reproach and execration of all civilized and Christian people throughout the world."

This was carried by 137 to 71. It was then resolved, by 183 to 8, that it is "inexpedient, unwise, and contrary to the settled policy of the United States, to repeal the laws prohibiting the African slave-trade." Among the eight "nays" was the name of Mr. Preston S. Brooks. The Southern journals are accused of exaggerating the facts of the late Negro conspiracy in their narration of them ; but this very exaggeration is the measure of the alarm felt in those States. The conspiracy is referred partly to the effects on the Black mind produced by the agitation at the late election, and partly to "pious preachers," some of whom, Black and White, have been hanged by the planters. The journals state that the Negroes believed Colonel Fremont and the Republicans were coming to free them in revenge for his defeat. It is remarkable that the revolutionary tracts in the Southern States should be similar to the re

volutionary, tracts of France—the banks of large rivers and the mining districts. In both cases it is facility of secret communication that fits the country for revolutionary purposes, and that renders government more difficult. The plan of the Negroes in this conspiracy is said to have included a massacre of the Whites on isolated plantations' and the establishment of a "free road," by seizing the chief towns, from the Western Slave States to Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.