The Express. — London, England, 1853-12-15 00:00:00

e.tit eroreols. TO CORRESPONMINTS. Pawed of Tee tepee..." eoetetatag the sane cethetee teette, yoblmbed elegy Tomei., sad frail s pct tc .ase toe wet. Adr..rtuera.nto In•mdN ler The I: apnea," Gorton F.Terso., loppr, roil be et the 1111.1., 10, Bouveri.elnst. Tv, ticiass ea IL, day 01 pobtmakr. UiGll WATER AT LONDON DItIP( , E T.. l• We-deny, lb. Afternwn. 1010. To4goaseir —Morays, ft. 27e. Atteroouc, :t. 15z. LONDON, THURSDAY, DECE3IDER 13. ADDITIONAL details respecting the naval fight between the Turks and Russians, in the roads of Sinope, continue to ooze out slowly. It seems now tolerably certain that the Russians, if they have not exaggerated the Turkish loss, have at least preserved • discreet silence respecting very considerable da mage suffered by their own ships ; acd, from all that can be learned of the state of the coast defences at Sinope, this damage would seem to have bees inflicts d by the comparatively weak Turkish con voy and transports. On these points, however, it is useless to speculate, seeing that a very short time mast bring precise information. What is of more importance is the corroboration which intelligence brings of the hint thrown out by us respecting the great importance of Sinope in any war between Russia and Turkey. The Black Sea, which, from the entry of the Bosphorus to the Circassian coast, is between 600 and 700 sea miles in length, is there narrowed by the jutting out of the Crimea from the European shore to somewhat less than 200 sea miles. At the south-west corner of the Crimea is Sebastopol, the great naval station of the Russians. The Muscovites can wait there in security to pounce upon all Turkish convoys of store and troopships from Constantinople to Batoum and the adjacent coast. This being the case, it is clearly important that strong coast defences should exist at Sinope (the bay of that name bring well adapted for the anchorage of considerable fleets) under the guns of which over-matched squadrons of Turkish ves sels might find security. There is another conside ration. Favourably circumstanced as the Russians are with regard to naval matters by their possession of Sebastopol, it would be no difficult matter for them to seise upon Sinope, and, by fortifying it, to make themselves masters of what may be called the Crimean strait, midway between the extremities of the Black Sea. The language, it is true, of cer tain military speculators, who speak of the possibility of making Sinope " a kind of Gibraltar," is exagge rated. Gibraltar is a unassailable from the land ae from the sea, whichis not the cue with Sinope : but still Sinope might easily be made by the Russians, and for a considerable time, a sore thorn in the side of Turkey. It would be a pity if the brilliant suc cesses which the gallantry of the Turkish troops-- aided by the hardy Georgians and Lesghis, and the indomitable Circassians—is achieving in Asia should be neutralised or arrested by any neglect that might enable the Russians to intercept the communications between Constantinople and that theatre of war. All such reflections serve only to bring us back to the ever-recurring question, what are the French and English fleets doing in the Bosphorus? The latest accounts from Constantinople state that the British and French Ambassadors had sent out two steam frigates to Sinope and two to Varna for the purpose of procuring precise information. The faith of France and England is pledged to protect the SULTAN, and when the SULTAN receives a serious blow and discouragement, his trusty allies send out scouts to maks curious inquiries into the facts of the case instead of lending him aid. This is exactly the way that the English Government and Legislature proceed in most cases of complaints of abuses in the managemert of domestic affairs : they appoint • commission or committee of inquiry to make a report which—is not acted upon. English men have got accustomed to this strange mode of procedure, but it may be questioned whether the Turks are " sufficiently civilised" to be satisfied with it. But we shall be told that the French and English Ambassadors at Constantinople are not going to rest satisfied with collecting information: when they have ascertained how matters stand, the com bined fleets are to enter the Black See, to prevent, if possible, any furthercollision between the Russian and Turkish naval forces. If that be a desirable object, why waste time in sending out scout steamers ? Why not despatch the combined fleets to the Black Sea at once ? No one doubts that a serious collision has taken place between the Turks and Russians at sea, and if to prevent the repetition of such a collision be a thing to be wished for, the time spent by the steamers (the naval conunimion of inquiry) is just so much time lost. But will the ends of justice be sufficiently attained by the mere interposition of the combined fleets to prevent further collisions ? The latest accounts represent that the Russian mennf war engaged in the destruction of the Turkish convoy -of Sinope have suffered so severely in the action as to be usable to keep the sea. The far greater pert of the Turkish lint has in the mean time been riding snugly at anchor within the Boa. phones. According to our most recent information, therefore, the Porte would seem to be in a condition to pay back the injuries deceit at sea by the Russians with interest ; and this (if all tales be true) is the moment selected by the egregious representatives of France and England to interfere to prevent further collisions between the Turkish and Russian fleets. The SULTAN having received a severe blow, but being in excellent condition to retaliate, his faithful friends interfere to—hold his arm and thus protect his whammy. The unaccountable contradiction between the words and the actions of France and England—the reiterated professions made by these Powers of their de-ire to serve the SULTAN, combined wi'h the good offices they are ever and anon rendering the:pax— lend probability to all the annoying and irritating stories of their bad faith which jealousy, or a desire of making mischief, is constantly setting in circu lation. There is, for example, the version of the new project of mediation pot forth by the Prussian Correspondence. Notwithstanding the semi-official character attributed to that publication, no one mould have taken that communication for anything more then au expression of the wishes of the King between fears of Russian agires. ►ion from the Polish frontier, and of the constitutional spirit of his subjects, should he throw himself upon them for support,—had it not been for the procrastina tion and temporising of the French and English Governments. But into such bad odour are these Governments bringing themselves by their inexpli cable half-hearted dawdling, that it is impossible to suppress uneasy misgivings that any shabbiness im puted to them may be true. And hence a fear that t here may be truth in the averments of the Prussian Correspondence that the basis of ,the new mediation the maintenance of the treaties of Kutechuk. Kainardji and Adrianople; that any proposals of peace Turkey may be induced to make may be modified to meet the pleasure of Russia; and that this degrading submission to Russia and desertion of Turkey is motived by consideration for Russia—" the dignity and position of which as a State, re pitsented by a distinguished Sovereign, and he patriotism of a powerful nation, form an essential basis of European equilibrium and social order." But if the French and English Governments could be imagined to have become parties to such an agreement to coerce Turkey to stoop to Russia, what language would be too strong for their condemnation ? The treaties of Kutschuk- Kainardji and Adrianople no longer exist: they have been cancelled by the passage of hlstile forces over the Pruth, by the land battles on the Dlnube and the sea-fight off Sinope ; yet we are gravely told that France and England will co-operate to resuscitate these insidious encroachments on the independent sovereignty of an ally. Again, the free access of the ships of war of all nations trading by sea to the Euxine is an indispensable article of any permanent and satisfactory settlement of the great Eastern question, yet we are asked to believe that a Government like that of England,with 'Parliamentary responsibility, and a Government like that of Louts NAPOLEON, new and seeking all means of imparting to itself cousolidatioa and stability by winning golden opinions of its subjects, would venture to forego so favourable an opportunity of having thts vital right solemnly recognised and established- To such monstrous imputations have the vacillation and infirmity of the French and English Govern ments rendered them liable. It is not in the Continental journals alone that the mischievous intriguers who, with or without remuneration, are anxious to do the dirty work of Russia, are making themselves busy. All sorts of absurd propositions are being launched to distrust and mislead the public mind. As we anticipated, the virtuous indignation of the Times, its valorous denun ciations of Russia, have had but a brief existence. Yesterday it discovered that the Russian attack upon the Turkish squadron at Sinope may, after all, not be so blameable u it at first imagined. The question is not worth arguing. The conduct of Russia is ad mitted from the beginning and throughout to have bcea lawless, insolent, rapacious; what matters whether, in respect of the technicalities of law, this lust outrage boa little meteor a little lees nefarious? The only really important question is, why France and England, having promised to rapport Turkey, and having superior naval forces within a few hun dred miles of the scene of action, have, by their irre solution or treachery, allowed Russia to deal such a blow to their ally? But upon the assumption that Russia's last crime may be a shade less black than at first appeared, the Times has run up the most extra ordinary project and theory that can be conceived. The fault of Russia, Recording to our contemporary, con slats, not in its unwarrantable interference with the domestic affairs of the Ottoman Empire, but in its having attempted to interfere without the co-opera tion of the other Powers. "Let us all go snacks," says the Times, "in robbing the SULTAN of his rights of independent Sovereignty." The morality of the Times strongly resembles that of the Cornish parson, who, after pathetically imploring the wreckers of his congregation not to plunder a vessel that was drifting rudderless and dismuted on their rocks, and findicg all his adjurations vain, contrived to get be tween them and the church door, then, buttoning his coat, exclaimed, "At least let us all start fair." As to the assertions of the Times that the Christian sub jects of Turkey are systematically persecuted and ground down, their mendacity has been often exposed ; as to its dreams of another Greek revolution, or a confederation of Sclavonian states, they are neither more nor less than schemes for par celling out Turkey, in order that Russia may swallow in succession the portions of what, as a whole, might have defied its powers of deglutition. The provinces which compose the Ottoman Empire, marshalled under one head, can resist the encroachments of Rus sia;--erected into a number of minor states, one after another would be subdued by that leviathan. The Times is are true to its Russian subserviency as the needle to the pole. It may vibrate when shaken by the breath of public opinion to many other points, but always reverts, when the impulse ceases, to its normal direction. Oxest upon • time there was a saying in London "It's aii right as the Horse Guards clock!" Old gentlemen might in those days be seen standing by Whitehall, watch in one hand and key in the other, setting their repeaters and " hunters" by the famous timepiece. Now and then there would be also close by • curious street crowd, staring in mute wonder at the wooden telegraph on the top of a neighbouring building. From an upright post oat flew side arms that stood now straight out like finger-posts, now pointed upwards, now downwards, now at an angle of forty-five. Up and down moved the mysterious planks, and every gazer believed that the Telegraph was the most wonderful thing in the world,—always except. ing the Horse Guards clock. The wooden telegraph was known to have brought to London the news of Nxusost's victories. That wu a great deal, and enough to immortalise—as far as wood may be im mortal—any such clumsy machine. But then the Hone Guards clock was held to be the very outer image, reflector, representative of that exact relia bility and punctuality which made the soul of the English army under the Iron Duke. The clock belonged to the Horse Guards, the Hone Guards meant the Duke of WELLINGTON, and WELLINGTON won Waterloo. Could any reasoning be better for hose same elderly practical gentlemen who used to set their watches at Whitehall, or for those curious idlers who looked on ? All this now belongs to the past. The wooden telegraph we. long ago beaten hollow and out of the field by Electricity. Oar Beets have no victories to tell about. Big enough and brave enough, no doubt, our fleets seem, nevertheless, just lazy hulks at anchor whilst friends and allies are being beaten. Surely this is a serious case. And, if true, little less serious is the 1101/15 that the Hone Guards people are pooh-pushing mach that was good in its old punctualities and exactitudes, and are inclined to be far too " fast," both for what was good in their ancient character and what is best for our future public weal. Of all these alleged backsliding., the sin is laid (we do not say how justly) at Lord ILut- DINGO! door. If the nation—the public—for whose welfare the army is theoretically kept up, were per mitted to have more knowledge of its position, and more information about its Government, there would be some power of saying how far recent squabbles, heartburnings, resignations, and intrigues, were the consequences of ill management in high quarters: i how far the COMM tNDER-IN-CUIEF is blameable. I But all that the public are permitted to know with certainty relative to the latest Horse Guards " affair" are the patent facts that Lord HARDINOZ is Com mander-in-Chief, and that the ADJUTANT-GENERAL has resigned. Such vacation of military place being very unusual, and the public being very unwilling to remain ignorant on such a matter, peopl e naturally ask—What does it mean? There upon Rumour (the only witnees permitted by military usage)whispers that the ADJUTANT-GENERAL wanted strict adherence to regulations, whilst other people preferred laxity, and that, being unable to do what he thought it his duty to do, he resigned his post. But rumour does not stop there. An offi cer standing next to the soldier who is said to have resigned rather than do what he felt he should not do, has, it is alleged, refused to take the vacant poet. Will this latter officer be promoted to some command abroad? If so, his junior wouid doubtiess Adju taut-General, and then a Deputy Adjutancy would THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 15, 1853. be vacant, and might be given—who knows?—per haps to Colonel CUNNINGHAM, Lord HARDINGEII relation ? Of course, a newspaper cannot pretend to say any thing about matters military " upon authority," and least of all a liberal newspaper. A journal whose only party is "the People," and whose only motto— if it had one—would be " The Public Good", is far too dangerous an organ to be allowed possession of Horse Guards oonfidence. But though we may be very unmilitary folks, and though we do not dine at the United Service, we have this interest—that the efficiency of the public forces should be preserved. We bare often called for divers military reforms. We would fain make the soldier more comfortable and more efficient: would reform his "kit," would abolish pipe-clay, white ducks, cross belts, and useless weight ; would give him the best possible weapons, sod let his cou rage be backed and sustained by the best possible training and teachers. But all the reforms we have striven for, become not only next to impossible, but, even if gained, would be comparatively useless if the head and front of the army—the Horse Guards —is to elide down in the scale of im provement instead of getting higher and higher is worth and public estimation. These rumours about the present vacancy have a gloomy sound, and seem to point to a growing disorganisation in the branch of the public seryi6Mtv ere all should be high feeling, generous emulation, and entire efficiency. Some few other facts that have of late found their way out of the military sanctum do little to make matters more cheerful. There is the case, for in stance, of Col. TiloMpsoN, ex-M.P. for Bradford and fur Hull. Why should an officer of such mark be saubbed—why should a public servant who has been so long on the Army List without reproach, and who has, moreover, for so much longer, been a public servant of high rank as a thinker, a writer, and a legislator, why, we repeat, should such a man be treated with tyrannical cajolery and practical insult by the authorities at Head Quarters? The public verdict en such a case must be instant and very emphatic, nor will the sonclwion be much less decided if the Horse Guards permit mysterious resignations and changes within their own quarters to go unex plained. When we get all our national affairs put properly to rights, we shall, perhaps, find ourselves with a Minister-at-War in place of the present COMMANDER-IN-CIIIEY, such Minister going in and out of place at the will of Parliament, as the FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY now does when a Cabinet is upset. Our military future certainly foreshadows something of this sort. Meanwhile, for his own sake, no less than for the public weal, let us hope that Lord HARDINGE will not suffer things to go too far wrong in his important department before his better sense has time to put matters to rights. Do not let us have injustice done to officers like Col. Tuomesom, because they may be Liberals and Free Traders—do not let us allow all that might be praiseworthy in the old Horse Guards character to be lost beyond redemp tion—nor let any gross "job " be perpetrated which shall show our Central Military Bureau to be as much behind the true needs of the time u its antique friend has become—the friend who used to fling about its arms in a sort of sedate frenzy up above the house-tops,—the telegraph of wood. The Horse Guards should be up to the time, not behind it, or the old saying may be reversed, and " Right as the Horse Guards" become a current sarcasm. LATEST FROM ABROAD. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. The Patric states that Ackakich has been taken by the Turks, and this appears to be the fact. _ _ _ The Russian bulletins Make no mention of the fall of Ackalzich, but it is indirectly confirmed by that published in the Invalid. Russo, which reports an action which took placc between the Turks and Russians at Atskhour, some leagues in advance of Ackalzich, and on the road to Tiflis. VIENNA, Du. 13. The Lloyd states that at the capture of the fort of Safa, near Shefkatil by the Turks (reported in the Doily News of Monday last) the Russians lost 400 killed. The same journal, and with it the Oat Deutsche Post, announces that in the renewed attack on Shef katil on the 17th (also reported last Monday in these columns), the Russians were repulsed, with heavy loss. The attempt was made to land troops, but the men, in number 1,800, were compelled to return to the ships, leaving 400 killed and wounded, and One gun. _ . . Scimmyl and Selina Pacha, operating in concert, were gradually approaching each other, and taking the fortresses on their lines of march. Prinoe Woron zoff was surrounded at Tiflis, and hie retreat wu cut off. The Lloyd's despatches state that the large and important fortress of Alezandropolis, or Oumri, was besieged by the Turks ; and the O. Deutsehe Post announces its actual capture. The latter journal aids that Redut-Kaleh, on the Black Sea coast, and Kialar, had been taken by the Turk,. PIEDMONT. TURIN. Dsc. 12. Elections known, 146; ministerial, 96; doubtful, 21; opposition of the left, 20; ditto of the right, 9. Count Revel, of the conservative opposition ; Advo cate Itatazzi, Minister of Grace and Justice; and Messrs. Lanza, eadorna, and Sineo, leading minis terial men of the late chamber, have been returned. THE WAR. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. The Journal de Constantinople says that Schamyl attacked the fortreu of Zahkstala. It capitulated after thirty-six hours' hard fighting. The loss on both sides was heavy. Kahetty also surrendered after several days' fighting. Schamyl has taken Djeln and three other Russian fortresses, and report says that he has also defeated 15,000 Russians under General Orlianoff. On the Bth instant the first division of General Osten-Sacken's corps arrived at Jassy, in number 8,000. The correspondent of the Vienna Wieldy Medical Journal writes from the Lower Danube that the strength of the Balkan army is 205,000 men, of whom 46,000 are at Widdin and Kalafat. Next to these towns, the strongest military stations are at the points of passage of the river. The provision ing of the army is described as excellent. The stations on the Danube have supplies for several months. " We have been much surprised," says this correspondent, " on reading in the news• papers which reach us, that we are afflicted with pestilence • no doubt it is typhus which has been so denominated. Disease of all kinds is rapidly disap pearing. Besides the numerous Italian, Greek, and ' Armenian surgeons which were amongst us, we have now English and French surgeons arriving. The Egyptian battalion are best off for medical aid, being cared for by Italian physicians and apothecaries, and having besides good hospital attendants. More over, the Egyptian makes a much better patient than the Turk, who has a great objection to take medicine, or submit to a necesarry operation. All the preparations which we witness point to a resump tion of operations against the Russians." Other despatches from Silistria state the prevalent belief in the army to be that Omer Pacha will soon resume hostilities, notwithstanding the season and military precedents. Some of the deserters from the Walachian militia have reached Silistria. They assured the Turks that the latter had great sym pathy in the Principalities, and that the inhabitants were longing for the moment when they will be freed from Russian authority. The difficulties of Prince Woroozow, military commander and governor of the Caucasian provinces, appear to multiply in a most extraordinary manner. It was long a popular belief, alimented by the in flated accounts of Russian journalists, that the ordi nary army of the Caucasus numbered 160,000 men besides the detached army, presenting an effective force of 80,000. Such, indeed, was the officially reported strength of these corps, but we have seen from the first movements of Abdi and Selim Pachas in Georgiaand Armenia that the Russians generally have nowhere been able to dispose of a considerable body of men, and now General Woroozow himself appears to be shut up in the seat of his government. Letters from Erzeroum of the 26th November announce the break ing out of an insurrection in the district of Nak chivan, in Russian Armenia. It is said that the Go vernor of Erivan had endeavoured to force several young men belonging to the most influential families in the country to serve in his army. He moreover required an extraordinary tribute to be paid in pro visions for his troops. Those measures caused the insurrection, which, under present circumstances, must prove a most important check to Reagan opera-' Sons in that vicinity, the population consisting to a great extent of Mussulmans. It is reported from Vienna that the British minis ter at the court of Teheran had broken off diplomatic relations with the Persian government. Awarding to some accounts, the cause of this occurrence was the resolve of the Shah of Persia to march against Turkey. By others the event was explained by the recent departure of the Turkish minister at this court. The rumour of hostilities by the Schah needs confirmation, although these have for some time been among the contingencies contemplated by the cabinets of Europe. Such a course would probably prove more dangerous to Persia, bordered as it is by Moslem states, than to Turkey. The Allgemeine Zeslung publishes a letter from Servia, according to which the Russian Consul Gene ral Machin, recently expelled from Belgrade, has transmitted a report of the whole affair to the Czar. The important part of this communication is that he represents Prince Alexander as favorable to Turkey and its Sultan; indeed, it is said, that instead of Izzet Pacha moving the Prince to expel M. Ma chin, the Prince invited the Pacha to demand the departure of that gentleman. A meeting of the Russian party was held at Krsgujevaz on the 17th ult., when sentiments favourable to Miloach Obreno witz were expressed. Izzet Paella, the commandant of the fortress of Belgrade, has appointed a mixed commission of fi ve Turkish officers and two Servian officials to ascertain how much provisions, and for how long a time, the city could provide for a garri son of 10,000 men, in case of a siege. The chief of the commission was Zaid Pacha, a Pole, who took an active part in the Hungarian revolution, and after its termination fled to the Turkish dominions. On the 20th ult. a deputation of Servians met Prince Alexander at Kragujevaz, and presented to him, in the name of their commune, 200 pieces of clothing and 20 ducats, besides uniform for 10 men who form the body guard of the prince. It is stated in one of the Paris journals, which appears to be in possession of correct information as to the state of Sinope (remarks Galipittni), that its forts were not in a condition to give immediate and effectual aid, and it will probably be found that be fore their guns could be brought to bear upon the enemy, the Turkish frigates had been destroyed. If the Asfetn6Me wishes to give to the affair of Sinope the character of a naval exploit in honour of Russia, it will find few persons disposed to agree with it in opinion. If two ships-of-the-line only had been en gaged, instead of six, the combat would have been equal, and there would have been a sort of glory in the affair as well ay success. But every man who is in the slightest degree acquainted with naval mat ters, knows that eight or ten frigates and corvettes at anchor, and unable to take advantage of manceu vres which could alone make up for their inferiority in size, must become an easy prey to six ships-of-the-line, with heavy metal, and becoming in such a situation like so many stationary fortresses. That the Rus sians have obtained a great success, and that the Turks have sustained a great disaster, cannot be de nied; but the less that is said the better, with a view to make the affair appear on the part of the Russians a naval exploit. The honour is on the other side, for the Turks, notwithstanding their great inferio• rity of force, sustained a combat, and preferred de struction to disgrace. An unlfficial despatch from Vienna says that Os man Pasha succeeded in landing at Sinope the war like stores and the crews from the transports which he wu charged with escorting to Trebizond, and which were not captured by the Russians, and that the landing was effected while Osman was, with much gallantry, deciding the entrance of the port. The position and military importance of Sinope is thus illustrated in the Debar. The town of Sinope is situated in Anatolia, on the south era shore of the ..lack Sea, beltway between Constanti nople end Trebizond, and about a hundred leagues from, each of these places. It has a population of from 8,000 to i l 10,000 inhabitants. The town is built on the isthmus of a peninsula, which runs out into the sea in the form of a pro montory. It is the most northerly point of this immense coast. The port extends to the east of the town, but as it is not enclosed by any moles it can only be considered as an open roadstead. This roadstead is defended by batteries and, by the castle of the town, • large massive construction rased in the time of the Greek emper,rs. To the westward of the peninsula is another anchorage, called Ak-Liman, or the' White Port. The importance of Sloops consists io its naval' arsenal and building yard, the only one in Turkey besides that at Constantinople. Ships of the line and frigates are built there; the oak cut on the surrounding mountains is very hard, and the vessels built at Sioope are considered as the beet in the Turkish fleet. The engineers are for the most part foreigners in the service of Turkey, and the work men are Cheeks of the country, who are paid from 10 to 12 sous a day. The fortifications of the port are incomplete, and in a bad state. In 1808, at the time of the attempt of Admiral Duckworth on Constantinople, then defended by General Sebastiani, the French Ambassador, that officer, comprehending the Importance of Sinop., sent two French officers and two sub-officeis of engineers, to improve the fortifications. Their first care was to erect a battery at the point of the promontory, in such a position as to be able to command both sides of the peninsula and the entrance of the roadstead. They afterwards traced out several other works of defence, some of which were never executed, and the others were not kept in repair any more than the rest of the fortifications. Thus the place remained without receiving any repairs fur 10 years, and than which had been lately commenced had not received the necessary development. The Russians in 1807 made an attack on Trebizond by sea but were repulsed, but as they had never attempted anything against Sinope the Turks persuaded themselves that they hail nothing to fear, and they have just been roughly punished for their carelessness. It may be readily conceived that six ships of the line with their heavy broadsides suddenly appearing in the roadstead could soon knock to pieces such old and di lapidated ramparts. It has not been a sea fight, since the Turkish vessels were all at anchor in the port. It appears according to the despatches that it is there that they were sunk by an irresistible superier fire, to which the Turkish batteries were not in a state to reply for any length of time. The cannonade, we are told, only lasted an hour, and that space of time was sufficient to destroy thirteen vessels, ten of which were used, of war, and three transports. If the war is to continue actively neat year in Europe and in Asia, it will become a matter of great importance for the Turks to rebuild the fortifications of Sinope on the principles of modern art, and to put that place in security, not only against a coup de main like the present, but also in a state to maintain a regular siege. If the Russians were to take possession of Sinope, which they could readily do in its pre. sent wretched and unprotected condition, they might make it a place impregnable against the Turks, and convert it into a kind of Gibraltar on the Turkish coast of the Black Sea. Established in a position of this kind, which would enable them to land a considerable body of troops, they would keep in check all the centre of Asia Minor, and cut off the com munications between Constantinople and Erzerourn. The Turkish army of Armenia would then have not only to op pose the enemy on the side of Georgia, but it would have another army in its rear, and the Ottoman government would be obliged to organise a second army in Asia Minor. These considerations cannot escape the notice of the Euro pean militaryoffieen, who give strategetic advice to the Ot toman g Is The town of Sinope is built;with the mate rials of the old Greek city, a colony of the ?Clothing. Sinew, was the birth place of Diogenes, and the capital of Mithri. dates. Lucullus took possession of it in the year 71 before Christ. The houses and the fortifications present a multi tude of ancient ruins confusedly heaped together. There may be there seen Greek and Paphlagonian inscriptions, busts, and military statues. Travellers mention having seen an entire statue, placed head downwards in the walls of the castle. We reed in the Debate : Our letters received to-day contradict the report of the return of the Ottoman commercial steamer Medari Tid just, which was lately captured in the Black Sea by a Rus sian steam frigate. It is, however, expected that she will be given up, not only because the Russian authorities would show generosity in so doing. but also because her retention would be illegal. Her capture was considered as illegal at Constantinople,in the first place, because the delay fixed ky the Porte or Russian merchant vessels to Tait the Turkish ports was not expired when the Moder{ Tidjaret was attacked and captured, and that she had • right to reciprocity on the part of the Russians ; and, afterwards, because the period fixed by the manifesto of the Emperor Nicholas for the commencement of rigorous measures against merchant vessels (22nd November) had not arrived when the Turkish vessel was taken. If this vessel be not given up the Porte has decided on exercising reprisals, and it will then be a question of seising ten Russian mer chant vessels which are now at Constantinople. The Journal de Saint Pekrsboury of the 4th gives the following account of the taking of the Egyptian steamer Perna Bakhri by the steamer the Vladimir : After having examined the coasts of Turkey in Europe, and not basing found any vessels of the enemy, the Aide de-Camp-General Vice-Admiral Koraileff prepared with the steamer Vladimir to join the squadron of Vios-Admiral Nakhimoff, which was cruising on the coasts of Anatolia. On her way, at day-break on the 12th November, the Vladimir, when within sight of the coast of Anatolia, be tween the port of Anisettes and Cape Kerempi, perceived the smoke of a steamer in the direction of Sebastopol, bat at some distance. The Aide-de-Camp-General Vice-Admi ral Korniloff gave orders to proceed towards the steamer, which was observed to change frequently her direction in order to avoid a meeting. At a quarter past nine o'clock, the Vladimir hoisted • signal, but it was not answered ; thereupon the Vladimir displayed the Russian flag and prepared for action. At half-past 9 o'clock the steamer changed her course, and came straight on the Vla dimir, displaying the Turkish flag, but in a short time she again changed her direction. Shortly after the steamers approached each other. The Aide-de-Camp-General Vice- Admiral Korniloff ordered a ball to be fired across her bows ' • she replied by a broadside. Orders were thereupon given to commence a cannonade when fairly within reach. Shortly after the steamers were so near that the balls and shells of the enemy all fell beyond the Vladimir. Having recognised that the enemy had no stern chasers, so that in keeping behind his stern, it was easy to take him by enfilade, and so force him to surrender, the steamer the Vladimir went in his track. The enemy luffed, and after having fired a new broadside, changed his direction, and proceeded towards the coast. The combat lasted in this way three hours, and though it was easy for the steamer the Vladimir to de stroy the crew and the hull of the enemy', steamer without exposing herself to any loss, for the balls and shells of the latter continued to pass over her, the Aide.de-Camp-G I Vies-Admiral Korniloff resolved to put an end to the combat, and to approach within reach of grape shot. Several well-directed broadsides of the steamer Vladimir produced such ravage, that the enemy's steamer was forced to yield. It was an Egyptian steamer of 220 hone-power, armed with 10 guns. One hundred and thirty-four of her crew were taken prisoners ; the captain, 2 officers, and 19 sailors were killed, and 18 were wounded. The loss on our side was in killed Lieut. Jelezooff, aide-de-camp of the Vice Admiral Aide-de-Camp General Korniloff, and a trumpeter; in wounded 1 warrant officer and two sailors. It required nearly four hours to put the captured steamer in a posi ' Don to follow the Vladimir. The day after she was safely towed into Sebastopol. The Aide-dc.Canses- General Vice-Admiral Korniloff, in his report on this affair, adds The captain, the officers, and the crew of the steamer, the Vladimir, behaved them selves bravely; Captain-Lieutenant Boutakoff commanded as at a manceuvte; the action of the artillery was rapid and just, as is proved by the ravages in the enemy's vessel.. The Hag officers attached to my person, Prince Bariati ns ky, Jelesaoff, Dobrovoleky, and Ilitisky encouraged the crew by their example. Jelemioff was an officer who gave great hopes." After having received the report of the capture of the said Exypti in steamer, Ilia Majesty the Emperor has deigned to give to the steamer the name of Korniloff, to advance a step all the officers of the steamer, the Vladimir, and besides to confer the Order of St. George of the 4th class on Captain- Leutenant Boutakoff, commander of the' steamer; the Order of St. Vladimir of the 4th class with the rosette on Lieutenant Dopandopeule ; a sword of honour in Raid with the inscription For Bravery," on Captain-Lieu tenant Prince Bariatinsay ; eight marks of honour of the I Military Order on the crew; also • present of ten silver roubles to each warrant officer, and five roubles to each pallor. ------ The above account appeared first in the lavalide Busse of St. Petersburg, but the Journal le •aitie Petersbuur9 has left out a pa s sage of the report, i n which the Turkish steamer is stated t o h ave been inferior in force to the Vladimir. A letter from Constantinople, 28th ult., says: Food Etfsndi, appointed some time since as uirectorof the diplomatic chancellery of the army of Renatelia, s e d who has keen hitherto prevented by illness from proceed ing to his post, is now preparing: to set off (or &heroic It is said that he has refused any remuneration for his services. General Baragusy d'Hilliers had a conference with the Grand Vizier, the Straskier, an d the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the 26th. The Turkish mi n i s , tees appear to he we:l satisfied with the dispesi. tion of France toward& Turkey, and they speak with great gratitude of the present made by the Emperor to the Sultan, of 6,000 carbines, in return for his at. tention with regard to the repairs of the Freedland in the arsenal at Constantinople. It i. known that the Sultan, on that occasion, would not hear of any payment for the expenses incurred for those repairs, which amounted to more than 100,000 f. The manifesto of the Emperor Nicholas has been known at Constantinople for the last week. Far (,om being intimidated, the Turks find in this document a fresh motive for enthusiasm, and the haughty language of the Czar adds to the patriotic impulse which is manifest among every class in the nation. The redifr con tinue to arrive every day at Constantinople from every point of the empire. At the present time the regular troops under arms amount in number to 425,000 men, without reckoning the irregulars, who use not paid, and er t im numbers are sot known. int Court. OSBORNE, DEc. 14. Owing to the unfavourable state of the weathe r the Royal Family were unable to leave the boas* yesterday morning. In the afternoon the Queen and Prince and royal children took their usual exercise. Mr. R. M'Calmont Cairns, M.P. for Belfast, and a de putation had an interview with the Berl of Aberdeen yes terday, at his official residence in Downing -street. & deputation, consisting of William Corse!. and John Peacock, from the merchants and inhabitants of Gibraltar, introduoed by Mr. Jobn Bright. M.P., and accompanied by Mr. J. B. Smith, M.P., Mr. G. B. Carr, Mr. J. Aspinal Turner, President of the Commercial Association, Mauch's ter Mr. Henry Ashworth. Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce; Mr. John Slang, Director of the Chamber of Commerce ; Mr. Mosley, Mr. Fred. Jackson. Mr. David B. Power, Mr. John Ingram Travers, and Mr. Charles Blake, had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle yes terday, at the Colonial-office. Mr. French, M.P., had an interview with Vimount Pal merston, at the Home-office, on Tuesday. Despatches for the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and also for the Governor of the Mauritius, were sant lan evening from the Colonial-office. Her Majesty has announced her intention of con tributing 250 L towards the funds of the Association for Pro- Moths; the Relief of Destitution in the Metropolis. It in announced on authority by the Edinburgh Evening Post, that her Majesty has conferred a pension of 501. per annum ea the widow of the Enrich Shepherd. It is stated that General Wetherell, at present Deputy Adjutant General, has declined the post vacated by his senior oficer. The Rev. William Thomas Newenham has been licensed to the perpetnal curacy of St. John's Church, West Derby, is the meaty of Lancaster. Patron. Edward Mo- Irian:, The Lo rd Justice Knight Bruce has severely bruised the bow of his knee ley a fell, and there is no pro Debility of hie resuming his judicial duties for some days. An Edinburgh correspondent of the Dumfries Cowries says—" It is said that • new edition of DegeM Stewart's works is in tee press, embracing a series of his lectures ea political annesay not hitherto published—large =of which, I believe, are in the handwriting of Lord tee, who wee an inmate of the illustrious professor's hexes when he was engaged in the composition of those lec tures, sad relieved thesis of a large share of the drudgery of ussecriptlea." Mr. HartauN of the Liverpool Observatory, has announced his observation of M. Klinkerfaes' tetumpic comet. Ile says, by ernaparing his observation with those of the 24 of December taken at Gottiogen, the comet's motion appears to be diminishing in right auension 2 Mill. 15 ens., and in declination 1 deg. 14 este. 40 seat. daily. A comet wu discovered on the 25th November, by Mr. P. Van Andel', of Newark, United States of America. It was in the constellation " Caseiopeia " North dec. 80 deg 12 min., right ascension 2h. S min., and it came to the meridian et 9h. 48 min. It was mall, round, bright, but not visible to the naked eye. It had a very rapid motion going from the sea—indeed, a change of its place was perceptible even ea the evening of its die overy. SIR JOHN FRANKLIN NOT GIVEN UP. We are requested to contradict the statement which appeared in last Monday's Times, and which furnishes the material of a leading article in the same paper of yesterday's date. The Admiralty have not ordered Sir John Franklin', name to be struck off their books. Such a measure could only be taken in the event of his death being reported or all search proving fruitless ; for, so lung as older captains are retained on the books, his age (67) can not be considered a disqualification. But no such report has been made ; and even the searches now making by Belcher to the east and Collinson to the west are not yet concluded. Indeed the latter, as we learn from the Amphitrite, had not been heard of by any one of the ships sent to deposit provisions, &c., last autumn in his supposed homeward track. It is not the intention to abandon Collinson thus prematurely without further search, and in seeking him we may hope also to discover some survivors of Franklin's company. A Cumuli BANK.—A painting, the property of a broker in Andenton, was the other day confided by his daughter to a Pole, (or the purpose of having it glazed. The owner, on missing the picture, betrayed an unusual anxiety as to its whereabouts; which, however, was somewhat natural, seeing that he had been in the habit of depositing bank notes fur safety between the hack and the canvas. Upon discovering into whose possession it had faller., the broker instantly repaired to the Pole, and, on unscrewing the bark, found, to his great mortitica tion, that six IL notes bad been abstracted. Information was immediately conveyed to the police, who had the glazier's house searched, but none of the money turned up ; and it having since transpirnl that the picture with the hidden treasure bad passed through other hands before it reached the Pole, he has been discharged from custo4.— North Dralsth Daily Mail. BELGIUM. BRUSSELS, TrE SnAY. The "'dependance Beige of this evening publi,hes the following remarkable article at the head of its "leader :" " Much astonishment is justly expressed at the species of affectation of certain organs of the forniga press—particularly the English—in representing the so-called " Fusion" to have been accomplished under, in some Port, the auspices of an august per sonage whose wisdom, prudence, and absolute de votedness to the interests of the country he rules over are—race d Dieu—known to all. We who know that there is no truth in such statements un hesitatingly and confidently declare that in the event in question, one which we need not discuss here, the influence or co-operation of that personage was not in any way concerned. We are at a loss to understand what interests are to be served, particularly in Eog land, by the endeavour to accredit so unjustifiable a repot, bite contrary io a i iuui is 'known of the cha racter of the personage whose name has been so gee. tuitously introduced into the affair." In all such 'delicate matters much prudence and reserve are, of course, strictly necessary. The " interests " of England are that no step be taken of a nature to compromise or weaken the honourable alliance uow happily existing between that country and France; and its " interests " also are —such at least is the popular opinion —that no influence be employed—say at Vienna —to jeopardise that alliance, or to render less friendly or efficacious the intervention of the maritime Powers in favour of Turkey. The present territorial division of the con tinent may be maintained without leaving the Purte " in the lurch." The Belgian government has informed the Antwerp committee of Spanish bondholders that it will use every effort to induce the Spanish cabinet to accede to their just demands. GERMANY. -.. Panslavism is again causing some uneasiness at Vienna, and the agents of the government in the southern parts of the Austrian monarchy are called to exercise redoubled vigilance. At Agmm, in Croatia, Louis Gaj, editor of a paper, has been ar rested and brought to Vienna. Servia, it is feared, may make use of her position and appeal to pansla vistic sympathies. Letters from Baden show that the conflict between the ecclesiastics and the civil power is carried on with undiminished spirit on both sides. A letter from Constance, in the Breisgau, states that the parish of St. Augustin is in a manner under interdict. The church is closed, and so kind of worship is celebrated. The keys of the edifice have been taken to the Dean of St. Stephens, and the Archbishop has left the parish without religious instruction. The dean has buried one body upon his own responsibility, but he has refused to marry two couples who presented themselves. The numerous sick persons in the hos pital and elsewhere have been left without the con solations of religion. ITALY. A letter from Rome of the 30th, in the Milan Gazette, states that nine new arrests have taken place there, all belonging to the middle classes. It is not known whether they are connected with the conspiracy of August 16, now under inquiry, or not. TIM LATE QUEEN OF PORTUOAL.—A solemn mass and requiem for the late Queen of Portugal is to be sung to-day at the chapel of the Bavarian Embassy, in War wick-street. TUE PORT OP VARNA.—As a Seaport Varna might soon rival Odessa if it had.fair play. Placed on one of the bays that indent the western shore of the Black Sea, near the point at which the Balkan range terminate: in a pro montory, the port, or rather the road although not pro tected from the east and south-cut winds, is amply shel tered from north and north-east winds, the most dangerous that prevail in the Black Sea. The entrance of the bay is picturesque, for the two capes that form it sad leave a passage of four miles and a half wide, are steep and rocky. Further in, the shores sink, and become quite level in the neighbourhood of the city. It has been proposed to make a cutting, in order to connect the port with the lake of Deane, in which case it would oecome the safest refuge for vessels, and the most important point in the Black Sea. When the present Sultan visited Varna in 1847, the plan was laid before him ; but he seems to have been discouraged by the enormous estimates of some Turkish engineers. The cutting would only be a mile long, and there already exists a little stream called by the natives Derse, which turns al mills. Occasionally boats are taken up from the sea for a pleasure party oa the lake. Along the banks of the Derse groups of women are con stantly seen washing wool and carpets in the running water. It would only be necessary to deepen the channel that already exists, and an enormous fleet m i g ht fi n d re r an , in all weathers, in an inner basin completely protected.Evea as it is, the port of Varna is visited by a great number of vessel,. Two years ago there were 430, one only of which was English. The year after there were only 272, of which eight were English ; but last year there was a great increase. The Austrian steamers put in at Varna twice a week, on their way to and fro between Con stantinople and Galatz. They carry all kinds of merchan dise, even cages of poultry, which cover the deck from end to end, to the great inconveniecce of passengers. It is cal culated that 200,000 fowls, and GO million eggs are annually exported. In the year 1847, in which commerce was re markably active, the value of the articles exported from Varna was about 600,0001., two-thirds of which sum were employed in the purchase of wheat and barley. The im port trade, moreover, is by no means insignificant. From these facts, it is evident that 'Varna is a most important point. It is the maritime capital of Bulgaria, just as Rout chuk is the Danubian capital.—Diclumes Household Words. AUSTRALIAN POSTAGE.—The South Australian Postage Reform Bill, with the exception of one clause in it, has passed the legislature of that colony. Its main provi. lions are an uniform charge of 2d. on all intra•provincial letters, and Gd. on all extra-provincial letters. A single letter must not weigh above half an ounce. Newspapers are to pass free through the post, except when they are directed to be left at the post office or to the town where they are posted, when a penny each is to be charged. AMERICAN COMMUNICATION WITH CHINA.—A proposition has been submitted to the American govern ment to subsidise a private steam•packet company, to estab lish a mail communication between New York and Shang hai tin the Pacific Ocean, which it is believed would open up • vast trade between the United States and China, the eastern pasts of India, Japan, the Eastern Archipelago, and Australia, and enable correspondence to and from those parts and Europe, to be conveyed in a month's less time than at present. The subsidy named is two million and a half of dollars per annum. The clause prohibiting two or more newspapers being placed under one cover, has been struck out. The object of this clause was to prevent newspaper proprietors from sending parcels of newspapers through the post. The clause which was left for decision was that colonial newspapers, posted for parts out of the colony, should be charged a penny each. " Colonel hiaberly," says an Adelaide journal, " who requires that his scheme should be adopted in its in tegrity, has included this among his conditions. At the same time such a tax is justly esteemed by our legislature unjust and impolitic, and will, we should hope, never he consented to. As the whole loss from not charging this penny would fall upon the colonial revenue, we can see no reason why the home government should force us to tax ourselves against our will. We have no doubt that if the measure is passed without this provision, and the reason of the omission explained, it will not be found to militate against the sanction of the hill by her Majesty. Such a tax would be a ' heavy blow and or. at discouragement' to colo nial newspapers, and would stand greatly in the way of the diffusion in the mother-country of correct information con cerning the.colony." .31fi - - Cm, 2551 plements quart per acre acres, 14 bay sold. private Live Fe. lid. ; stock km duce of f 1203, 1 3,0191. E%l'l. perpetu, ■ad tl Wifectior illy by whilst I Professa the Roy astound more mi know tl stand dr which t prim I ventut country and Yea contents of mutt, The lad knowini in every and m (laughtt and mu It is of who all, sends tc dung a' be taug Emus, form. 111.1 tin( l!heth the ci doubt other; by tel this, b Althir rn ,c 1 h