The Express. — London, England, 1853-05-26 00:00:00

era3refili. TO CORRESPONDENTS. dew t ZUVor. e! ; eetra.auti the same erwhirrt CLeatto,"l. puttllreed e,re; loeulay and krany right, to time epm. tas umartr...later.glipd ter t. T.l Itsricer," Leaden Evening paiwr, ww.r• br a a blin t ler tinter, 14 i).1.3.••••1e5t. b Two 'cluck on the .11/ et ptlym. 11011 WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TIJ tt ia. I In . Aftemooll. 44 . Va. T4-118412 , 11—..111crstai. I= Allumecto. LONDON, THURSDAY MAY 2G. Tilt House of Commons has once more standing Beat spec its "Orders of the Bay" that now constant dish, the Income Tax Bill. 3lr. GLSII,TONE'S long speech on the budget seems to have had the effect of 'pplying his enemies with arguments, and con vincing his 'fiends that arguments pro and cue come in the cud to nothing, as—like Kilkenny cats—they rentrally eat each other up. There is no denying that the speeeh was a great dialectic effort, almost exhausting the argument's and facts to be employed on both aides. The result, however, seems to have been ether uncoutiortabie, since it has made the friends of the budget laze, acting upon the feeling that little can be brought against the tax which Mr. Gt. %Peruse cannot refute, while it has made the enemies active, inasmuch as the CLIANCELLOR has banded over to them a bundle of arguments, of which they have lost no opportunity of making mis chievous use. Poltava, however, the worst effect has been that it has induced many to repose comfort ably in the eunviction, that alum all taxes arc neces sarily imperfect,—that since there is no tax against which a thousand ohjectiolis cannot be raised,—since all propositions tor amendment of a tax may be very Wide met with counter-propositions, —there/ere all attempts at reform are useless. The Doles, once very viol( nt on the subject of the injustice of the itteidente of the Income Tax upon Talton. portions of the puhliz, leu adopted this view, and now practically acts up to the principle that as no differential at can be made which would not be obnoxious to some objection, we had better erase objecting altogether. Iu other words, since it is demonstrable that no tax can ha perfect, give up all hope. of reforming any. To carry out this reason ing consistently, the House of Commons ought to be ads ised to abdicate one half of its functions, and the CIIANCLLLOR of the ENCLIEQPEIt he left to concoct the Budget, a la LOUIS NAPOLEON, at his pleasure. Mr. Beate, in defiance of this doctrine, has on the paper for to-night ao amendment to the following purport :—" That all persons assessed to the Income Tax (on account of incomes derived from trades and professions) be charged wily so much of incomes as exceed 301. a year. E.g.—A B, a man of 1301. a year , would pay on 1001., or 100 sevenpences, 21. les. 4d. CD, a man of 1001., would pay on 301., or ao seven_ pence., 11. 9s. 2d." The two principles upon which this amendment is' founded arc these : First, t hat it ie obviously unjust that a certain income being taken as an exempted income, another merely differing . teem it by a mere fraction, should pay a heavy tax in respect of that income. For instance, under the prevent law it is monstrously unfair that while a clerk with an income of 1491. a year pays nothing, a clerk with 11. a year more should pay 130 sevenpences tax: that is, that in stead of paying a tax on one pound, which is the who'm difference in his income from that of the man who pays no tax, he should pay the tax upon 1501. If there are certain extenuating circumstances which induce the imposers of a tax to excuse the possessor of an income of 1491. from paying any tax at all, those circumstances ought to apply to the 1491. out of the income of the 1111:1 possessing 150/. The ease would be transparent enough if taxes were collected in the ancient primi , ive planner, the Cileel- CELLOR calling upon each man to render a true account of his receipts, in order that Government might make a deduction therefrom adapted to each man's ability. It would be self evident that a mon strous injustice would be committed by taking from the possessor of an income represented by 150 sheep a slice from each, while from the man with an income represented by 149 nothing at all should be taken. The flagrant absurdity of a tax of this nature would be a sufficient condemnation of the practice. The second principle upon which the amendment is founded rests upon the assumption, which it is impossible to gainsay, that there aro cer tain incomes which, being but just able to supply the holders thereof with the bare necessaries of life, nothing can be extracted from them for the purposes of government. A man who can barely keep life in the bodies of himself and family can pay no taxes. Mr. Huse contends that a limit of this nature may be placed at acv. ' • in other words, that a man is not to be considered taxable until his income exceeds 501. Mr. lit ata would then consider the excess as being a fair subject for taxation, and the excess only. BENTHAM and MILL have adopted the same princi ple and the same limit. Whether the exemption should be 301. or 1001. we will not now stop to discuss. _ It has been argued against this proposal that it adopts the theory of graduation ; in other words, the theory which awns that different per oentages should be affixed to different incomes. It has been shown, however, over and over again, that a gra-1 dusted tax on incomes is in the nature of a suns law which is always both unjust and ' t . The , graduation is attempted to be proved thus : At:- seeding to Mr. Humes scheme 1001. per annum will pay 60 seven-pences, or 100 three-pence half-pennies, shish is at the rate of 30. in the pound. 1604. per annum will in like manner pay 100 seven penosxor 150 four-pence half-pennies nearly, which is 4 Id. in the pound. Similarly, the posseaor of an income of 2001. pays, according to this calculation, shout bd.; the possessor of one of 2301., nearly 6d. in the pound. Here, say . the opponents, you have the whole obnoxious principle of graduation. From 1001. to 200!. you have as much as 2d. in the . pound difference in the tax. The fallacy here is in the supposing that the bOL is a real taxable income, con trary to the original assumption. On the contrary, Mr. Hums asserts that 501. is not taxable, because it is necessary to support life; and if a man has only that much, Government can only extract taxes from him by getting the parish or HOMO one else to pay them for him. If on the con trary he has more income than that, if he has to pay tax upon the whole, he can only do so by diminish big his surplus income by a very heavy per centage. The supposition is that no governmental machinery sun squeeze an bream Tax out of a man with an in come of only 601. per annum without diminishing his means of subsistence. If, however, when has income rises to OIL you make him pay 61 seven pence*, oe U. 9s. W., he will have to band over the 11. of surplus to the tax-gatherer , and come upon the parish or his friends for the 9s. 9d. In the meantime you have levied a tax of U. 9s. 9d. on a taxable income of U., or nearly 130/. per cent. The assertion, then, that you intro- duce graduation by the proposed amendment, can only be maintained by an utter denial of the prin t:4gs upon which the amendment is founded—and this, we believe, has never been contested. It has also been asserted that it is impossible to fix a perfectly accurate line of demarcation between taxable and non-taxable incomes, which may be admitted. An argument founded upon this , assertion that therefore there should be no limit' drawn, can only be admitted by . denying that •1 tolerable approximation to justice is to be refused in , all cases, even although perfect justice should be im possible of attainment. On these grounds we should have to rewrite the proverb, and declare that " Half a loaf is not a whit better than nobread." Of all the pro- L.:tamendments to the original proposal, that of un has the greatest claim upon the attention of the CHANCELLOR, and we trust that it will meet with due consideration from the House of Commons. 'Curie is, we fear, no doubt that, so far as the island of Cuba is concerned, the African Slave Trade is reviving. In spite of the increase of our naval force on its coast, a slaver of unusually large dimen sions has been able safely to discharge on its shores not fewer than 1,100 Negroes—a cargo worth pro bably from 400,000 to 600,000 dollars; and by the latest accounts from the western coast of Africa, the Slave Traders were there, reappearing under circumstances of audacity remarkable even for that desperate confederacy of piratical scoun drels. Vessels, American built, of greater speed and larger size than ever, were being delivered on the coast, where masters and crews are ready to receive and navigate them ; extensive arrangements, obviously of some previous standing, had been made for their reception and loading at several of the old , slaving ports, where many of the former capitalists or their agents had started up; and other human cargoes than the one mentioned had, it is known, been run." Even in the neighbourhood of Sierra Leone, these unmistakeabla symptoms had been observed; and strong apprehensions are entertained' that our recent warlike and diplomatic pro ceedings in the Bight of Benin, and at :he ports of Dahomi, and our interference in the internal disputes of Abecokuta, so far from really tending to suppress, have re-opened a footing fur the Slave Trade in spots where it once flourished. As yet, however, this revival of the infamous trade is exclusively Spanish—a fact established not only by our knowledge of what Brazil has done and is still doing in the question, but by the superior ca pital, organisation, and arrangements which charac terise these proceedings on the coast. This circum stance, whilst narrowing the counteracting policy of England, increases, in ono point of view at least, the responsibility of our Foreign Office. For, as we have repeatedly pointed out, it is neither off the shores of Cuba nor on the coast of Western Africa, but in the Court of Madrid, that the Spanish Slave Trade can be most successfully attacked ; and there, if Lord CLAIILNI)ON wishes now to nip the evil in its bud, ho will insist on its termination, in terms ' the most peremptory, and language that cannot be neglected. The Spanish Slave Trade depends alto gether on the policy of the Court of Madrid. It did so even when the Cuban planters thought their welfare and prosperity dependent on large annual supplies of Africans piratically imported ; for, during the re gency of ESPAKTERO, it will be recollected, how completely General VALDEZ,-14 hen energetically sup ported and encouraged by an honourable government to Spain,—checked the trade, and how severely he punished those who dared to violate the laws of their country. But recent events in the island of Cubsitsell, the high state of prosperity which it has attai3cd,— and, let us hope, the progress of morality, as well as the advent of well-fouuded fears und just apprehensions — have of late years produced amongst the proprietary dames of that island great changes of opinion as to the identity of their permanent Interests with the Slave Trude. It may, perhaps, be deemed a bold assertion, but is not, we arc assured, far from the exact truth—that, with the planting interests of the island, the Slave Trade is not now popular; that its present revival does not emanate from, and is not inspired by, the planters; and that, in their delibe rate judgment of their own future welfare, the Slave Trade ought now to terminate. To what influence and source are we then to trace the renewal of the traffic ; and how are we to reconcile this proprietary indisposi tion to encourage the Slave Trade with the fact of its revival ? The fact, from all that we can learn, appears to be that the Court of Madrid, to which the prolonged misrule of Cuba is so profitable—rather than seriously set about those reformations and im provements in its colonial system, by which only the connexion between Spain and Cuba can be preserved, —seeks to strengthen and promote its interests by giving encouragement and support to that which in its ignorance and stupidity, it supposes the Colo- nuts still regard as the foundation of their prosperity—the Slave Trade. And to this general consideration of supposed policy is to be added those special pecuniary considerations which play such important though subordinate parts in direct ing everything Spanish—be it a projected public company or the administration of a great and noble colony. Thus, though tho revival of the Slave Trade is not an economical or agricultural want of the Island of Cuba, and though any great increase of its slave po pulation has become a anoint political danger, ne vertheless the Court of Madrid in its corruption and selfishness thinks that it can best conciliate the free inhabitants of Cuba to its wretched system of administration, by giving facilities to a horde of Spanish (not Cuban) desperadoes to import Africans into the island. The political impetus of the revived Slave Trade is Spanish; the capital and means by which it is carried on are Spanish; the profith are Spanish—Spanish, we mean, as contra distinguished from Cuban; and therefore it is we insist that it is in Spain, and at the fountain head of all Spanish miseries, the Court of Madrid, that Lord CIAZENDON must now assail and attack it. Cuba itself is at present much in the same position Brazil was some three years ago. The current of enlightened public opinion is turning against the Slave Trade; and if in Cuba free expression could be given to public opinion, and Cuba had anything like a free press or a rational government, the result achieved in Brazil would also be quickly witnessed in Cuba. But whilst Spain itself is in the hands of its present oppressors, the prospects of its principal colony seem hopeless. THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 26, 1853. FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING. The downward tendency of the Bourse has de veloped into a complete panic to-day. The Threes fell a franc, and all the leading railway lines gave way considerably. The ercolit mauler shares fell nearly 30fr., making the fall, in these so lately favourite securities, 100 fr. within the last fort. night. There is no positive news of any kind to ac count for this depression, and it is very generally attributed to the "state of the account." The intel __ ligenco of the reinforcements sent to Admiral Dundas, and the serious aspect in which the Turkish question is now regarded by the English press, has, however, had considerable influeuco upon the market. The Moniteur publishes an article on the Lyons and Geneva Railway Bill, which is on the order of the day in the Corps Legislatif to-day. The object of this article is to reply to the serious objections that have been made to the project. It relies upon an opinion expressed by the committee of fortifica tions, the committee of public works, the consultative railway committee, and the Council of State, that " between Switzerland and France no other nation ought to be interposed. Every consideration should give way before this fundamental one." The :Von& teur holds out a prospect of concurring in the forma tion of a railway through Savoy and Piedmont at some future time. The Cuarrier (le Marseille of the 21st states that Admiral Stewart, some time since appointed to re place Admiral Harvey as second in command of the English squadron in the Mediterranean, is expected almost immediately at Marseilles, where he will hoist his flag on board the Caradoe, and sail for Malta. Lord and Lady Cowley gave a brilliant ball at the embassy last evening, to celebrate her Majesty's birth day. It was very numerously attended both by the elite of Parisian society and by English mid - dents. The Princess Mathilde and the Prince Lucien Bonaparte represented the imperial family. The Corps Diplomatique and several of the ministers were present. The whole fuubourg St. Germain seemed to have emigrated to the faubourg St. Honore for the occasion. For upwards of an hour the sonorous voice of the chamberlain proclaimed the arrival of guests, of whom at least every . other one bore a title. One might almost have fancied that the ceremony was a roll call of the noblesse of Fiance. Among the eminent political personages present were Count Mole, M. Guizot, and the Marquis Henri de la Rochejaquelin. The Duke of Hamilton, Lord Sid• ney, and several of the English nobility were pre sent. The gardens of the embassy were illumi nated with coloured lamps, and fortunately the night the first summer night of the season— was so fine that the ladies were able to take the air between the dances without danger. A military band was stationed among the trees in the garden, and played alternately with the band in the ball-room. The front of the embassy was illuminated with a crown, and the letters "V. It." in gas. The supper tables were supplied with magnificent hospitality, and the festivities were wound up at four o'clock in the morning with bowls of smoking English punch, which, although cham pagne corks had been flying about all night without intermission, seemed to find universal favour. Several French gentlemen were heard to declare that this was the most perfect fete of the season. A rumour, to which several English journals have given circulation, that the Emperor was about to apply to the Senate for an additional five millions to his civil list of this year is contradicted by the 211eni leer in the following terms : Malevolence has endeavoured to disseminate the rumour that the government intended applying for a supplementary grant for the civil list. This rumour is without any kind of foundation._ _ _ We read in the Courtier de Marseille To-day's post brings the happy news of the solution of the affair of our docks. The Rive Neuve Company has effected a fusion with the docks of Paris, and the government has approved of this compromise. The treaty is based upon conditions which assure great advantages to the city and commerce of itarseilles. On Sunday next the Emperor, accompanied by the Duke of Genoa, who wishes, but is scarcely per mitted, to be called here the Count de Gavona, will review the camp at Satory. The Prince and Princess of Capus have just arrived at Amiens. _ _ _ _ _ _ News from Constantinople, of the 14th, has just arrived, stating that the ultimatum is definitively rejected, and that Prince Menschikoff has left Con stantinople in the Bessarabia for Odessa. SWITZERLAND. BERNE, MAY 22. We are assured that diplomatic relations with us are broken off by Austria, and that her charge d'affaires quits our capital forthwith. Although this measure was hardly looked for, at least in its actual abruptness, I do not see what there is in it for us deeply to regret, or why we should wish to retain amongst us a minister whose presence has for some time ceased to pledge the amity of his constituent state. The Austrian minister has remained with us thus far merely for the chance of obtaining some concession from our presumed weakness, and not to facilitate the maintenance of good relations between the two countries ; otherwise his departure would have preceded instead of following the expulsion of five thousand of our Ticineee brethren from their homes in Lombardy and the military blockade of our frontier. I know not what may be the ulterior purposes of Austria, or whether her displeasure attains its limit in this unceremonious act, but I believe we are pre pared for any contingency. We are not called by our international position to take rank among the influential powers of Europe, but we are a thoroughly military nation in habits and organization, and pin made ourselves that our force is adequate to the defense of our territory. For such a purpose I believe we could call 100,000 patriotic citizens, well trained to arms, under the federal banner. Not that I far a moment suspect or believe that there will be the least need for such a demonstration. Were we weak Austria might hope to menace us with success; but we base lately seen that this power is slow to go to war with nations able to help themselves. In fast Austria has not the slightest pretext which she could plead before the court of public opinion in Bum for commencing a war with Switzerland loan which she hopes to effect on your exchange, her own unsafeposition in Lombardy, the possibility of war in the Eut for the aggrandisement of a neigh bour already too powerful, and the certainty that a successful aggrewon on the south-eastern frontier of Switzerland would bring the armies of imperial Fruce so many . days' marches nearer to her disaf fected subjects in Italy, are so many pledges of the peace of this country, so far as this depends on the court of Vienna. But although the departure of M. Karnicky entails no positive loss upon this country, it apparently closes the door, at least for the present, to a return to those amicable relations which we are desirous of maintaining with every neighbouring power. The blockade of Ticino will be then continued; commerce will be impeded as heretofore, and the presence of an unfriendly force in arms will remain a source of danger to the peace of our irritated citizens of the frontier. This is to be regretted ; but we are a patient people, and can bear to contemplate the military cordon longer than Aus tria can afford to maintain it. We desire to inter fere with no one's rights ; we are prepared to fulfil every demand of international duty, to remove every source of danger to our neighbours, bat we are not prepared to surrender the prerogatives of an inde pendent state by permitting a foreign power to in fringe the rights of our cantons, nor dictate the mea lures of our federal departments. At Freiburg on the 22nd M. Delay, the curd of Torny, who was taken in .arsenicals at the head of his parishioners when the late insurrection was sup , was brought before the court martial. On Eis :ramination he declared that he had bents forced to march with his parishioners by Colonel terrier, who told him that he would assume the responsi bility of his conduct. M. Perrier was fetched from prison, and, being confronted with the euth, con firmed all that the latter had affirmed, and prayed his forgiveness for having brought him into a situa tion so painful. The following despatch may serve to refute the statement of the paragraph from the New Zurich Gazette, quoted in our Pans letter. it adds, how ever, nothing to our information, since if Austria breaks off diplomatic relations with Switzerland, the function. of the Swiss envoy at Vienna are deter mined by that set : Berne, May 23.—1 n conerquenee cf the notification made by the Austrian charge d'affaires to ihe President of the Helvetic Confederation, of the rupture of diplomatic rela tions between Austria and Swi , zerla nd, the F‘deral Council has decided on putting an immeu'iato end to the functions 0 the Swiss envoy at Vienna. ARRIVAL OF MAZZINI IN ENGLAND. We received lut evening the satisfactory intelli gence that Mazsini is once more secure in England. The tact of his safe return to this country from Italy proves how faithful the people of the continent are to the cause he advo cates. It must have been in the power of seines, nay, hun dreds, during his absence, to have betrayed him to hi► pur suers. But he is safe. Another illustration of the state of popular feeling in the portions of Italy now in the bands of Austria is afforded by the fact that the leader of the insur rection in Milan was in that city three months before the outbreak—his errand known to hundreds—yet his presence not betrayed. More than that, we are informed that he rested securely in that city for a mouth after the insurrec tion had been suppressed, and then left Italy in safety for London. Int court. 08139RNE, WIDWZSDAT. The Queen and Prince, the Duchess of Kent, and the whole of the royal family, were eat in the grounds, yesterday. A performance of vocal and instrumental music took place last night, before her Majesty and the royal party lama bled alter dinner. The following is the programme Trio, PP Treanor skid das Bead des Liebe (MU& Aglaia Bury, Soar Gardeed, and HOT Farms) ( Des Iteseadsdar Is Granada) Ballads, " lolanda*" (Harr Foram) ltelealgat. TrObliassibd ( Bells Aim Easy) t Yd liamdalmoda Bashokly. Basersas, "Les Regrets" (Bisset Clanked) F. esaabmt. Masts sad lass/a. Piesslarta Clam) NOM A i ( 8 • 81 tWl i ) n& ^ Millis Ulm 8 • 1 7 ad alisbNie. am le Omassi (!amain) ." Vilerr Parma) F. Selsalart. LW; ' " ' Des MM. ABM 7) O, &IL 011103041 dlTrlmerara (flgnar Garden!) ... I Bertholdp moha Kmistar trio, "Bas aria " Apes Bury, Signor me nor An a s prodded lepiasseirle. Viscountess Jocelyn has succeeded the Marchionses of Ely as lady in waiting ; and &r Georg* Coupes has arrived from London as equerry to the Duchess of Kent. The bend of the Royal Marines played o* the terrace this morning, being the birthday of the Princess Helena. During dinner, yesterday, the band of the Royal Marines performed the following selection : Overture, Radom " Beiertios, Itobert is Diable" ". Meyerbete. PeUu4 Plaretklar " may. Caa, " LI/n*4e La tolls &lime" Professor Aytoun and the Rev. Mr. Lee had en interview with the Earl of Aberdeen, yesterdy, et his official resi dence, in Downing street. The General will hold a levee on Tuesday next, at the Horse Clusads, at one o'clock. 1 The Military Secretary will not hold a bees next week. TEA.—There are at the premert EM MA no fewer 4 than 10,000 entries for tea at the allinbirers. The 1 lb. draught, it is said, will maims, is be ablated for the pre. I mat. The entries for consumption so fir is the present year are between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 li)S. has than for the I corresponding period last es FRENCH PLATS. Mn.M MITCHELL'S BENEFIT.— Her Royal Highness the Daehees of Cambridge, aecompa sled by her Serene Highness the Grand Duchess of Meek lialierg-Strelitz, and her Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cambridge, attended by Lady &Meld, honoured Me. Mitchell's benefit with her presence last evening. THE PAClFlC.—Acoording to recent advice@ which have leeched the French imernmens the prosperity of the Miami of Otaheite is rapidly increasing, and the fort of Papeid was exceedingly animated, being filled with whalers roma B•hring's Strait, driven away by the ice, and with vessels from California. taking in cargoes of oranges. A great number of vessels from the northern and southtra coasts of America, bound for Australia, were constantly potting into the port of Papaiti for water and !testi provi sions and threw a good deal of money into cireuktion. In the COWIN of the month of January the agent of a Li ver pool company had arrived at Papaiti, for tb,e pun,oss of exploring, with the permission mo t rivernment, the islands of the Archipelago for gu. Dim [health of the garrisdn and of the crews of the Wins vessels on the sta• tioa was excellent. BELGIUM. The Independence announces that a comm unica tion will be made to the chambers, at the begin Tung of next week, respecting the marriage of the 1), dee of Brabant and the Archduchess Marie of Austria. At Dresden the King of the Belgians and his soil were received at the railway station by the King of Saxony, the Princes John, Albert, and George, the ministers, several members of the diplomatic corps, and a large number of generals and dignitaries. The station was dressed out with the flags of Belgium and Saxony, and triumphal arches were erected on the route to the palace. TURKEY. (BT SUBMARINE AND ELECTRIC TELzonArit.) A telegraphic despatch has been received from Trieste, announcing that the packet from Constanti nople had entered that port on the evening of the 24th inst., bringing intelligence to the 16th. The change in the ministry recently announced is confirmed. The portfolio of Foreign Affairs has been confided to Reschid Pacha. The firmans relative to the Holy Shrine.' had been published. Negotiations on the other subjects were still pending. The Sultan had granted a private audience to Prince Nlenschikoif. On tho 20th the French Scot had received orders to return to Salamis. CONSTANTINOPLE, MAY 12. Tho political situation has become much more serious. Prince Nfenchikoff has thrown off the mask, and you will see by the facts R hich have come to light, that the assurances of rectitude, equity, and moderation given by the Russian government to the cabinets of Europe, concerning the mission of its Ambassador Extraordinary at Constantinople, were not sincere, but that all have been deceived. On Thursday, April 5, the day on which the French steamboat departed, the Sublime Porto addressed to Mons. de In Cour and to Prince Alenekikoff a copy of the firman for regulating the delicate and difficult question of the Holy Places, accompanying it with a note from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The day passed without any complaint or remark on the part of Prince Alenchikoff, and it was believed in the diplo matic circle that this question was terminated, and that the patriarchate for life and the protectorate of the Greek church being based on no right that could be pleaded by Russia, would henceforth give rise to no difficulty. Unless lam misinformed, one or two of the ambassadors took advantage of the departure of the boat to inform their governments of the happy termination of the affair. But Prince Menchikoff, having received the firman relative to the Holy Places, sent at midnight to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and by a simple caress, an ultimatum, in which he demanded a firman that should comprehend the solution of the affair of the Holy Places, and a guarantee for the future maintenance of the privileges and immunities of the Greek church, that is to say, the moat extensive pro tectorate of this church, which would have given to Turkey two sovereigns—the Sultan for the Moslems, and the Czar for the Christians. Although the Sultan had just lost his much loved mother, Prince Alenchikoff gave but four days for a reply to these demands. In the course of the night the Prince sent off a steamer to Odessa. The next day (Friday) the Sultan and the ministers were informed of the receipt of the ultimatum, and of its contents. The Sultan was much vexed at the want of respect evinced by the Prince in pressing him at the mo ment of his severe family affliction. He, however, ordered his ministers at once to deliberate on these strange demands, and to keep in view the rights of the crown and the dignity of the country. On Fri day evening Lord Stratford was informed of what had taken place, and in the night sent off the steamer Wasp to Malta with despatches for Admiral Dundas. On the following morning he had an interview with M. de la Cour to advise with him in these new and difficult circumstances. They after wards placed themselves in communication with the Sultan's ministers, whom they counselled to reject the demands of Russia, but in doing so to observe the greatest moderation. The two am bassadors then prepared their respective despatches, and both were sent off by the Chaptal, which started at midnight for Marseilles, with orders to communi cate with the French fleet, which was at Salamis. On Saturday the news of the ultimatum spread, and the public gradually became excited. On Sunday the ministers met, first at the Grand Vizier's, then under the presidency of the Sultan, and then again at the Porte. In each of these councils it was una nimously resolved that the Imperial Divan could not and should not in any way adhere to the demands of Prince Menchikoff. In the course of the day (Sun day) Lord Stratford went to the Sultan, to encourage him to resistance, and M. de la Cour assured the Porte that his government would do its duty with resolution. Prince Menchikoff had withdrawn to Bnyukdere. Lord Stratford sent on Sunday and again on Monday to ask an interview, in order to persuade him to moderation and reason. The request was denied. On Tuesday the Ministers of War and Foreign Affairs met at the house of the Grand Vizier, who had invited Prince Menchikoff to meet them and en- eavour to arrive at a reasonable arrangement. This request was refused. The Prince, however, feeling, no doubt, that he had violated the most ob vious proprieties in taking no account of the Sultan's affliction, notified to the Forte that he prolonged bythree days the time for replying to his ultimatum. The Sultan and his ministers said, " Our reply is ready, and no prolongation can induce us to modify its result." The extension of time was refused. On Tuesday, towards midnight, exactly four days after the receipt of the ultimatum, the negative response of the Porte was sent to Prince Menchikoff at Bnyuak dere. Having read it, his colour, it is said, changed. He immediately sent off an express to M. Ozeroff, who was at Pera, and who left next morning to join the Prince. At this moment the entire Russian embassy is at Buyukdere, and although the prince has for several days been making a show of preparations for de parting, probably to intimidate the Porte, he has not gone, and ninny persons here believe that he will not leave abruptly. The reply of the Porte was drawn up with much re gard for the personal susceptibilities of the prince and his master. It expresses the regret of the govern ment that it cannot comply with the demands of the prince, and its strong desire to draw more closely the bonds of amity between the two cone tries. It is further said that if the print* would continue the negotiations for the pur pose of convincing the Porte of the lesitimair of his demands, the latter would experience a great satisfaction. Throughout this affair the Ottoman ministry has acquitted itself nobly, the Grand Vizier, the Minister of War, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs especially, have given proofs of great ability in esserageonsl3r sustaining their Sovereign in theme difficult negotiations. P.S.—Yesterday evening the prince sent a reply to t7ne note of the Porte; it is a sign thathedoesnot has.ten his departure. He, however, maintains his demands, in the hope, no doubt, of obtaining some concession. The council of ministers is at this moment delibe rating on the new note. M. Argyropulos, first dra goman of the Russian embassy, has )wt sent in a short note to the council written in Turkish. All things indicate that the imperial divan will remain faithful to its original refusal. Menchikoff is still at Buyukdere, and has gone on board the Bessarabia to signify more clearly his resolution to quit Con stantinople. JUAN The ship Hermann, Skinner, from Baltimore for Ban Francisco, stopped at Juan Fer nandes, March 27, for water, and was to sail again next day. The Captain writes that "he arrived there after a very tedious tame, but without any accident, and was much surprised to find a fine settlement of about 300 persons, headed by a goveraot. They were very kind, and fur- Dished the ship with supplies reasonably." This ship, on a former voyage, two years since, stopped at the ea= Wand and found no inbabitontn.—New York Tribuno, INDIA. THE OVERLAND MAIL (BY ELECTRIC TRLEORAPIL) TRIESTE, WEDNESDAY. The steamer Bombay arrived this day, the nth ray, at 7.30 a.m., in 110 hours from Alexandria. The &dykes by the Indian mail were at Alexandria on the 20th. The news from Burmah is to the 13th April, and unfavourable. More troops arc wanted. No pros pect of peace short of Ava. The Burmese commis sioners refused to sign the treaty. In Calcutta business was not brisk. Exclave° on London 2 11, rising, owing to iota' of bills from China. Latest dates from China 11th April. The Ameri can, French, and English ships-of-war on the coast of China have, on the urgent requisition of the Chinese authorities, consented to guard Nankin, Shanghai, and the mouths of the great canal, aping the rebels. ATTEMPT AT MURDER. On Monday evening a labourer, who was gather ing sticks in a copse, about a quarter of a mile from the Cawley Bridge Inn, near the city of Exeter, discovered a man, lying on the ground in a state of insensibility. He was evidently serieusly injured ; the blood was valet; from numerous wounds on the face and head, and in some places it was coagulated, showing that lie had been lying there for some time. He is a small man, of middle age, evidently a foreigner, and apparently a Jew pedlar, as he had a box and carpet bag slung together across his shoulder, tbo box being partially under him, and the bag upon his shoulder when found. There was a largo stick lying across his legs. The labourer went to the Cowley Bridge Inn for assistance, and the poor fellow was inimeuiately re moved to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he has received the utmost attention. lie still lies in a precarious state, and there is but little hope of his recovery. lie has spoken but twice. Once he faintly articulated " One rogue," and afterwards exclaimed " Three rogues." These circumstances indicate foul play, and it is evident that the dreadful injuries on Lis head and face were not accidentally inflicted. Ile has upwards of a dozen wounds on either side, and on the front of the face and head. One of his teeth is knocked out, and his skull is fractured over the left orbit. A large pool of blood and • large and sharp stone, with blood and hair on it, have been found at • little distance from where the body was picked up. His carpet bag was apparently untouched; but the leather fastenings of his box were broken, so as to admit of its being opened. When found, however, it was quite full of beads. It is conjec tured that the ruffians expected a more valuable booty, but refrained from taking the contents of the box when they saw it was of so little value. His pockets were not dis turbed. A paper found on him, containing the addresses of some persons of the Jewish persuasion, will probably lead to his identy. The Exeter police are on the alert, and it is hoped the perpetrators of the dreadful outrage will be discovered. CHURCH OF ENGLAND EDUCATION SOCIETY. A meeting to establish a society for the purpose of satisfying the views of such clergymen and gentlemen as were dissatisfied with the policy sat the National Saciety, was held yesterday at Willis's Rooms, St. James's; Lord LII.FOIID in the chair. The room was pretty well filled. After prayer by the lies. Dr. MAESII, and a few words from the CHAMMAN, The Rev. EDWARD GIRDLEBTONE, of Dean, moved the first resolution, which affirmed the necessity tor a new educational society on the basis of sound pro testant principles," and " the plain memtng of the church of England's evangelical articles and formu laries." The Hon. A. KIWNAIRD seconded the resolution, which as earned untuaimously... . . . . Mr. J. C. COLQUHOUN then moved the second resolution, by which the sociry was formally constituted. The Rev. J. C. MILLER, of Birmingham, in seconding the motion, warned the committee eigaimt supposing that the people of this country would be satisfied with any half hearted protest against the mummeries which his rev. brother lead described. (Cheers.) For his own part, though he might, by authority, be compelled to read the Queen's letter, no power on earth should ever induce him to advocate the cause of the National Society so long as such mummeries were indulged in. (Great cheering.) The motion was carried unanimously. The Rev. F. CLOSE, of Cheltenham, moved a resolution inviting the formation of branch societies, and recommend ing active exertions on behalf of the new society. Carried unanimously. Mr. Moony, M.P., then proposed a vote of thanks to tho noble chairman, which terminated the proceedings. ELECTION EXPOSURES. HULL BRIBERY COMMISSION. HULL, WEDNESDAY. ' Mr. Hodgson, surgeon, stated that in his town there were from 120 to 130 freemen who always expected to receive money for voting. It was notorious, ever since he remembered Hull, that a system had prevailed of giving 305., or some such sum, to the poorer class of voters ; and it was well known that this was not for legitimate services rendered, but for voting. And this on both sides. It was the practice also to establish sham committee-rooms. That is to say, public-house MOM were taken, and each landlord paid 21. as rent, no business whatever being transacted there. I hive mace the election paid 31 or 41. to actual canvassers. The money was received from Mr. Atkinson, the treasurer. John Coulson, a 101. voter and an eating-house keeper, stated that a room is his house was hired by the orange party as a committee-room at the last election, for which he received V. This was after he had promised to vote for Mr. Clay and Lord Goderich. After the election witness received a slip of paper signed by Dr. Hodgson, naming the committee-room where he was to draw the 21. Mr. Atk in- son gave him the money. The night before the election the committee had something to eat, the bill for their food amounted to 41. 10s. or 51., which was paid by a Mr. Hart (agent to Lord Goderich). Several of the men who were present that night were disguised in smock frocks. Hart arrived in Hull about a week before the election. He was a total stranger. A person named Breezer also arrived in Hull about the same time. Witness heard several people of the orange party complaining that they had not received suffieient money, shortly after the day of election. Several of the voters who had complained wero paid in a bedroom in hie house. Did not know who paid them. They were ad mitted one by one. Did not know who was in the bedroom. Michael Morgan, a freeman, stated that he voted for Clay and Goderich at the last election in 1847 ; he voted a plumper for Clay in 1611 ; he also voted for the orange, and in 1837 he voted a plumper for Hutt. Before he voted at the last election ho was paid half a sovereign, which was due from the 1847 election. He was paid in King-street. He promised his vote to Clay and Goderich, and had his name put down by the clerk of the committee-room in his ward for six days, and he received 265. He carried about letters when required to do so. Would like to have a place in the Charter-house. Had spoken to Mr. Jalland, who is an electioneering man, and belonged to the same party as witness. Mr. Jellie d not promise to get hint into the Charter-house. He has also applied to the blue party. The last election that witness received any money was Sykes's. The price then was 21. a plumper and 41. a split vote. Boswell Middleton Jalland, formerly a solicitor and a voter as a 101. householder, and a magistrate of the borough, stated that he wee a member of Clay and Gode rich's general committee at the last election. Is aware that people are employed as rumen, and the general sum given at the last election was 30a..; believed at previous elections men would claim to be put dowa for what they asked. At the last election it was a decided thing that men should be paid their head money. Previous to the Reform Act, 4/. wu always expected by the old burgesses. During the late election witness believed that several working men had formed themselves into committees, and required mo ney for their votes. The general committee had nothing to do with appointing runnert or sham committee rooms. Was chairman of a committee in 1841. Could not say to what extent the miner system prevailed at that election. The last election cost about 4,0001. At tho time of Bzown's election the voters demanded 101. a vote. . . . Other evidoete as to the colourable practice of employing runners having been given, the COMMISSiOtIaS adjourne3 till this day at ten o'clock. DEATH OF SZE RICHARD BUCELEY COMYN, Xi The deceaße of this learned gentleman, took place on Mon day morning last after a protracted illness at his house, in Spring °areas'. The deceased,who was born in 1791, was in 1825, appointed a palm. junks of the Supreme Court, at Madras, and in 1835, a vacancy occurring, be was appointed I Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1842 he resigned and totin after returned to tie native country, wirers he was created a D.C.L. by the University of Orford. He was the author of several learned works—amongst others. "A History of the Western Empire from the Birth of Charlemagne to the Accession of Charles V." THE RUSSIANS AND CIIICASISIANS.—The St. Pc teriburg Journal contains the following intelligence from the Caucasus :—" Oa April 1 the appearance of the expe ditionary corps of Upper Ciresasia on the bill of Haulms caused Behamyt to send to that point some troops to prevent the Russians from cutting down wood and making a road in the direction of Datych. However, notwithstanding the repeated attacks of the mountaineers, this work was termi nated on the 12th. General Baron Wrewsky having thus attained his object evacuated the position which he had taken up on the heights. His march towards Fortanga Faye our troops aa opportunity of signalising themselves in a combat, as brilliant as it was obstinate, against the Cireassians and the Tawlines. The attacks of the enemy I were repeatedly repulsed with considerable loos. We had I seven men killed and 83 es minded, of whom ail me officers." I PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS TO MRS. I STOWE. There was a A .B , oi: \ e n e ti t . oo si k av p . l y ace so bas iet t y, e: t i h n e g p a ur t p i a, v e il o ti f s p % sh ß :ontimml, St. Jauses's-street, at the instance of U.. 'latish and pl a tform was placed a but of Mrs. Stowe, a F n or address eig to,l'ild,arasc.eirlarrlbmat r lt e ee m che w e a S a te et w eg e. mtly diceoratei crowded atte. owing to the foundationCha m absence,e r 0 s e ts (70 I. ,ag ct:hhtoeut :arSir olarenien!rdarit:3s7 with festoons o. roses and leaves, and on a pedestal at tha beautifully backoftbe execute 'I by Mr . Bernard in white marb'e. - Oa Mrs. Stowe app oaring on the platform, she was loudly mreeteatattmegbahtillumuntaavoia.day theel cheered. She was acalompanied by her husbaal, the Bei open a ragged school. A Professor Stowe, and there . were also on the platform number of ministers of religion of various denominations. Jose etc Stemse, Esq., presided, in the alas n ee of the Earl of ilhafteabury, from whom a letter was read by ai r . o' l e' d the delicate health of of that similar l etter was read from th lic e : E v: a : r ei l v o p e r s i: C i.re a .n r s l t i a sl ta: e.. bea:B.,,eaaperky.; •",:e expressed his regret that, was fbr had b e:; n ich 3g we ret d e ex tract Stowe, crowded t ire o. l. ossi s b p le r aa:ta i r. im uora d w:e s: tnhtn to r l t ie: d . th l e he :d in d l i d e r u e:s call to read the address. ern and Fereign Anti-Slavery the l p hi r e e C ce s d iA in i g nh day at a 4sec tri li e n e ri tin o g f o t :t e h d e ee e r o c m st m in it t l e ee res e t f that : Anti-Slavery Soc iety upon whom lie would Ives and of the society thee re present, cf L nth Tunes laesia tract the subjoined passe Madam,—lt is with f. the Committee of the Brit 'lleum Messing, will, at Society, on behalf of [hems[ nerus of Tunt's present, welcome the gifted a to the shores of Great Britain. Al humble , la bourers in the cause of negro emancipation, w. ball , with emotion , more ' commendatisa and ae ca m itl a y rb im ab a l g e in . e .a d ,b th ar an bic el b erc b t i beL, t d‘ b e e ne e e pi::: w ar a ren ri e d e „ide ma. pathy on behalf of the Butt. ring negro', sad ca l led Leen g burst of honest indignation (sealant tneutroctuus syst.m of slavery, which, we oust, under the no distant period, accomplish its cut •re an elation. We me not insensible to those extraordinary 'abin as a merely literary production, which have procured for its talented authoress such universe. enthusiastic applause ; but w e feel it . to be our duty to refer rather to the Christian principles a nd earnest pi ety which rtrratio its interesting pages, sued to express our weeniest desire—we trust we may asy, het 'Welt pray er ._ that lie who bestowed upon you the power . and the g ems to writ: such a work, may preserve and bless ?on windmill your honours, and enable you, under a grateful and humble sense of His abundant good:mi.', to give ni m all the glory and all the Rene We desire to feel grateful for the measure of succeas that has crowned the advocacy of these sound anti-slavery pia, ciplee in our own country; but we cannot but feel, that as regards the continnauce of slavery in America, we have cause for liumilieticit and shame la the ex.sfenee of the melancholy f ,et, that a large proportion of the fruits of the bitter toil and suit ring of the slaves in the western world are used to minister to the comfort and the luxury of our own population. When this anomaly of a country's putting down slavery by law on the one hand, and supporting it by its trade and commerce on the other, will be removed, it is not for us to predict; but we are conscious that our position is such as should at leant dissipate every sentiment of self complacency, and make us feel both nationally and indivi dually how deep a responsibility still rests upon us to wash our own hands of this iaiquity,and to seek by every legitimate means in our power to rid the world of this fearful institution. True Christian philanthropy knows no geosraphical limits, no distinctions of race or colour; but wherever it sees its fellow-men the victim of suffering and oppression, it seeks to alleviate his sorrows, or drops a tear of sympathy over the afflictions which it has not the power to remove. We cannot but believe that these enlarged and generous sym pathies will be aroused and strengthened in the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands of all classes who have wept over the tiuching pages of Ctoge Tones Cabin. We have marked the rapid progress of its circulation from circle to circle, and from country to country, with feelings of thrilling interest, for, we trust, by the divine bl.ising upon the softening influence and Christian sentiments it breathes, it will Le made the harbinger ef a better and brighter day, for the happiness and the harmouy of the human family. To the tender mercies ttf Him who died to save their immortal souls, we commend the downcast slaves for freedom and protection, and in the heart cheering belief that you have been raised up as an honoured instrument in God's hand to hasten the glorious work of their emancipation, we crave that Mis blessing, as well as the blessing of Him that is ready to peel-h, may abun dantly rest upon you and yours. With sentiments of the highest esteem and respect, dear modem, we affectionately subscribe ourselves, your friends and fellow-labourers." Several passages in the address were loudly cheered. Oa its conclusion the chairman received it from Mr. Bowler, and presented it to Mrs. Stowe, amid loud cheering. The Rey. Professor STOWE, in acknowledging the ad dress, said that besides the right which he had to answer it owing to the relationship between the lady and himself, he claimed another right,—the most perfect sympathy with her opinions and her efforts. (Cheers.) Ile believed they were perfectly agreed on every point in regard to the na ture of slavery, and the best means of gcttiug rid of it. Ile had been called upon very frequently to address audi ences since he had been in this country, generally under circumstance of fatigue, and with very little time for pre paration ; but the very great kindness which had been manifested towards Mrs. Stowe and himself, and his coun try, afflicted with this great evil, had enabled him to bear a burden which otherwise would have been insuppor table. (Hear.) Of all the addresses which they had received, kind and considerate as they hail all been, tie doubted whe ther there had been one which had so completely expressed the feelings and sentiments of their hearts as the one they had now received. (Hear, hear.) It seemed to be pre cisely the expression of their own thoughts and feelings on this whole subject of slavery. (Hear, hear.) As that was probably the last time he should have the opportunity of addressing an audience in England on this subject, he wished to give a brief outline of their views as to the best method of dealing with this awful, this terrible subject of slavery. For in their country it was indeed a terrible sub s ject; its power and its influence were terrible; and were it not that Providence seemed to be lifting up a light in the distance, he should lie almost in despair. But he most firmly believed that there was now a system of causes at work, which Providence designed should con tinue to work till this great curse was re moved from the face of the earth. The first means of dealing with slavery was to show its utter wrong fulness. This was the great moral ground, the primary ground, the ground on which they should always and under all circumstances insist. (Hear, hear.) He believed the great excellence of that work which had caused so much excitement was merely that it held up the extreme and cut rageens wrongfulness of the system, while it showed an entire Christian and forgiving spirit towards these involved in it. (Hear, hear.) These two qualities had, in his judg ment, given it its eatire power. No former work had fully satisfied him on both these points. In this he believed he should have the sympathy of the audience and of all Britons—that the work showed, in the most striking man ner, the horrible wrongfulness of the system, and at the same time manifested no bitterness, no unkindness, no un fairness towards those involved in it; and that gave it all the greater power. (Cheers.) The second point in assailing the system was to awaken the consciences of those involved in it; for among slave holders there were all kinds of moral development, just as among other classes iu the world—men of fine moral sense, and men of none whatever—men who had been born in the system, and men who had come into it voluntarily. Many slaveowners felt in their consciences that it was wrong; and two eminent clergymen in a slaveholding state declared that the great majority of the Christian people there felt that it was wrong, and that it was only a matter of pro crastination with must of them as to tree time when they should perform their whole duty, and bring this system to an end. (Hear, hear.) It was true they ought imme diately to do what was right; but prejudice, indolence, education, and k variety of circummances came in to check their aspirations after what was right. The third means was by bringing the power of public sentiment to bear against the system. Public opinion was more powerful than armies, and must be excited by all the means usually employed for that purpose, by conversation, by the platform, the press, the pulpit, and especially by awakening the religious sympathies of the people, and beingeng them to bear en this great question. If the church and the min istry were silent, who should speak for the dumb and the oppressed ? (Hear, hear.) What caused him most sorrow was the comparative apathy and silence of the church for the last twenty-five years in the United States. Before that period, ministen spoke, and spoke with words of pewer , but most unhappily they had not followed out those words in suitable practice. The power of the system had some upon them, and brought them almost to an entire silence. But he hoped they were beginning to speak again. Voices were heard here and there, which would excite others ; before long, he hoped, they would be brought to speak the same mind and the same thing, and in such a way that the conscience of the whole nation should be aroused. Still tbir was only a beginning. There was a fourth method. Witt. a view to the correction of public, sentiment, it was of the utmost importance that those who were earnest in their condemnation of slavery should observe consistency ; and therefore it was their duty to encourage the nalairal re sources of the countries where alavery did not eZist, espe cially for the production of cotton. India, the West Indies, Britoil Guiana, Australia, and paste of A-frica, would grow cotton as well as the United States. (Fear.) It could be raised by free labour in the Unit'.d States itself. It was done already, and provided there were sufficient encouragement, it could be raised still, more abundantly. Freo labour was already coming in:co competition with slave labour, and actually displacing it, in the most slave holding states. (Hear, hear.) Tern reason was the great expense of keeping up slaves. A little while ago every hotel in New Orleans was served by slaves; but the ex pense and risk from deaths and accidents was so great, that now the largest hotels employed free servants, and the system was spreading. (Hear, hear.) Since the Chinese had begun to emigrate to America, a great impetus had been given to this change; and there was hope of its being ultimately carried out. (Cheers.) We could not at once dispense with all the products of slave labour ; but we must examine and look out for methods of effecting this ; and we ought not to shrink from self-denial or be appalled at sacrifice. (Hear, hear.) Till suitable arrangements coal& be made, we might be held excusable, but not longer ; nor ought we to discourage those who were seeking to place the thing on a right ground. Another method of extinguishing this evil was prayer to Almighty God, for this was essentially a religious question. The book to which reference had been made had been written amidst many prayers and tears, and it war only through a religious spirit that it had been accomplished, so that he looked upon it almost as a voice from beaten. (Hear, hear.) Union was most important. There were onlY unit( geiVC ftSI)( be,tl plat( to al part than hey pera he tem] eery , the 1 wort Mr. title the 1 hi cond accli not that diti< wen that thou the l to d 4 eve Wa dri tim lumc 188 4 fra OM rai Ide