The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-20 00:00:00

to express to the Emperor how sensibly I felt his gracious so. licitade to efface a disagreeable impression.—.l have, &c., G. H. SEYMOUR. No. 12. *IS G. H. SEYMOUR TO THE EARL OF CLARENDON. (Received April 4.) . (Secret and confidential.) St. Petersburg, March 16, 1853. My Lord,—With reference to the despatch marked " Secret and confidential," which I had the honour of addressing to your lordship on the 12th instant, I beg to transmit in origi nal the letter which Count Nesselrode undertook to write to me expressive of the Emperor's willingness to change the passage. in his memorandum which I had i b onsidered open to some misinterpretation.—l have, dm., G. H. SEYMOUR. Enclosure in No. 12. COUNT NESSELRODE TO SIR G. H. SETIISIIR. 3 (15) Mars, 1853. A rexplication que j'ai eu I'honneur de vous offrir verbale ment, mon cher Sir Hamilton, je me fais nn plaisir d'ajouter, qu'ayant porte vos doutes a la connaissance de l'Empereur, Sa Majeete m'a autorise a modifier le passage qui les a fait naltre dans votre esp r it, s i t ou t e f o i s vous l e jugiez necessa7e. L Enapereur desire avant tout ecarter d'une communication t . oute personnelle et am i ca l e avec l e G ou vernement de Sa Ma- J . cste la Refine c e qu i pourra it d onner li e u a, uno interpreta tion meme erronee, qui serait contraire aux intentions qui Post dict6e, comme a but quo Sa Majeste se propose. Veuillez, &c., NESSELRODE. (Translation.) March 3 (15), 1853. _ I have the pleasure, my dear Sir Hamilton, to add to the explanation which I had the honour to offer to you verbally, that having communicated your doubts to the Emperor. His Majesty has authorised me to modify the passage which had caused you to entertain them, at least if you should consider it necessary. The Emperor is, above all things, desirous of removing from a communication altogether personal and friendly with the Government of her Majesty the Queen what might give occasion even to an erroneous interpretation, which would be contrary to the intentions by which it was dictated, as also to the object which his Majesty proposes to himself.—Be pleased itc., NESSELRODE. No. 13. THE EARL OF CLARENDON TO SIR G. 11. SEYMOUR. (Secret and Confidential.) Foreign Office, April 5, 1853. Sir—Your despatches of the 9th, 10th, and 12th ult., have been laid before the Queen. My despatch of the 23d ultimo will have furnished you with answers upon all the principal points alluded to in the memorandum which Count Nesselrode placed in your hands ; but it is my duty to inform you that that important and remarkakhle document was received by her Majesty's Government with feelings of sincere satisfaction, as a renewed proof of the Emperor's confidence and friendly feelings; and her Majesty's Government desire to convey their acknowledgments to his Imperial Majesty for having thus placed on record the opinions he expressed at the interview with which you were honoured by his Imperial Majesty. Her 3 fajesty's Government do not consider that any useful pur . Pose would be served by prolonging a correspondence upon a question with respect to which a. complete understanding has been established ; and I have only, therefore, further to state, that her Majesty's Government observe with pleasnre that, in the opinion of the Emperor, the fall of the Turkish Empire is looked upon as an uncertain and distant contingency, and that no real crisis has occurred to render its realisation imminent. Her Majesty's Government have never any wish to disguise their policy, which they trust is honest and straightforward towards all other countries ; but on such a question they would particularly regret that any misapprehension existed on the mind of the Emperor, and they accordingly approve the confidential note which you addressed to Count Nessel rode, for the purpose of rectifying some ideas which reflected upon the course pursued by her Majesty's Government. On the subject of the Charlemagne coming up to the Bos phorus a correspondence took place between the English and. French Governments, and, although the Porte gave its sanc tion unconditionally, the eventual solution of the question was in conformity with the opinion of her Majesty's Govern ment, and it was settled that. the Charlemagne should convey M. de Lavalette to Constantinople, under which circum stances it was stated that the passage of the French ship of war would not be further remonstrated against by her Ma jesty's Government, but that it must not be drawn into a precedent. As regards the Holy Places, you are aware of the instruc tions given to Colonel Rose for his guidance at the Porte, and of the despatch addressed to her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris, which was communicated to the French Govern ment, and I have further to inform you that Viscount Strat ford de Redcliffe was instructed to bear in mind that her Majesty's Government, without professing to give an opinion upon the subject, were not insensible to the superior claims of Russia, both as respected the treaty obligations of Turkey, and the loss of moral influence that the Emperor would sus tain throughout his dominions, if, in the position occupied• by his Imperial Majesty, with reference to the Greek church, he was to yield any privileges it had hitherto enjoyed to the Latin church, of which the Emperor of the French claimed to be the protector. With respect to the advice which the Emperor recom mends should be given to the Porte by her Majesty's Go vernment, you will inform the Chancellor that Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe was directed to return to his post, and a special character was given to his mission by an auto graph letter from her Majesty, under the impression that the Porte would be better disposed to listen to moderate counsels when offered by one of Viscount Stratford de Redeliffe's high position and great knowledge and experience of Turkish affairs, and he was particularly desired to advise the Porte to treat its Christian subjects with the utmost leniency. Upon this latter point her Majesty's Government are inclined to believe that the Turkish Government are at length awak ened to a sense of their own true interests. At the beginning of this year we know that orders were sent to Kiamil Pasha to proceed instantly to Bosnia in order to redress Christian grievances, and to empower the Christian communities to build churches. About the same time, also, the Porte sent the strongest instructions to Omer Pasha to act with unvaried moderation and humanity towards his enemies (the Montene grins); and the English Vice-Consul at Scutari confirmed all the previous statements that the inhabitants of Montenegro committed an unproVoked attack on the troops and subjects of the Porte; while the accounts that have reached her Majesty's Government respecting the atrocities said to have been committed by the Turks in Bosnia, Herzegovine, and Montenegro, are extracted , from Austrian newspapers, and must necessarily, therefore, be received with caution. I have only in conclusion to add that, as her Majesty and the Emperor have now mutually renewed the assurances of their intention to uphold the independence and integrity of the Turkish empire, it is the earnest desire of her Majesty's Government that the representatives of the two powers may henceforward co-operate together in carrying out this inten tion by giving similar advice in the same friendly spirit to the Porte. Yon are instructed to read this despatch to the Chancellor, and to furnish him with a copy, should he desire it,—l am, tkc., CLARENDON. IMPERIAL CAJOLERY. No. 14. Sin G. H. g _EYMOUR TO THE EARL OF CLARENDON. (Received May 2). (Secret and Confidential.) (Extract). St. Petersburg, April 20, 1853. The Emperor on rising from the table when I had the honour of dining at the palace on the 18th inst., desired me to follow him into the next room. His Majesty then said that he had wished to state to me the real and sincere satis faction which he received from your lordship's despatch marked secret and confidential, of the 23d ult. It had been, his Majesty said, most agreeable to him to fiud that the over tures which he had addressed to her Majesty's Government had been responded to in the same friendly spirit in which they were made ; that, to use a former expression, there was nothing in which be placed so much reliance as " la parole • d'un gentilhommo ;" that he felt that the relations of the two courts stood upon a better basis now that a clear under : standing had been obtained as to points which, if left in ,• doubt, might have been productive of inisintilligence, and, as • his Majesty was pleased to add, ho felt obliged to me for having contributed towards bringing about this friendly entente. And his Majesty said, I beg you to understand that I have pledged myself to will be equally binding upon my successor ; there now exist memorandums of my intentions, and whatever I have promised, my son, if the changes al luded to should occur in the time, will be as ready to per form as his father would have been. The Emperor proceeded to state that he would very frankly offer an observation or two —it might be a criticism—on your lordship's despatch. The despatch spoke of the fall of the Turkish Empire as as uncertain and distant event, he would remark that the one term excluded the other ; uncertain it was certainly, but for that reason not necessarily remote : he desired it might be, but he was not sure shat it might so prove. His Majesty desired further to observe that ho could not doubt that her Majesty's Government had taken too favourable a view of the state of the Christian population in Turkey ; the Sultan might have intended to better their condition, might have given orders in that sense, but he was quite certain that his commands had not been attended to. Upon my remark ing that her Majesty's Government were understood to receive very accurate reports of what passes in Turkey, the Emperor replied with considerable animation that he called this fact in question, that he believed on the contrary that some of the English Consular agents were incorrect in their reports ; he would only refer to Bulgaria ; the greatest discontent pre vailed there, and his Majesty would affirm that were it not for his continued efforts to repress the manifestations of feel ings of the sort, the Bulgarians would some time since have been in insurrection. His Majesty continued to contrast the Illreatening attitude which had been assumed by Count Lein intgoa with the peaceable character of Prince Menschikoff's ni T i °a, not, h owever, th a t h e d esired to blame the Emperor of' us tria, a noble prince, whom he loved s i ncere ly, and a ll w hose acts h e approved; the difference existed in circum • • stances, and when Montenegro was threatened with utter de l'utation, the Emperor of A us t r i a was o b liged to act with e rn t. e o r g 7 ; his Majesty would, he said, have acted in the same jaer • I Empe'ror's° am desirous of remarking h ere , th a t par t o f t h e person a e b rations were, it was obvio us , a dd resse d to me y t which I baturaawere intended as a reply as well to au allusion to my commen . a cie as to religious intolerance in Tuscany, as Austrian c a n : the Chancellor upon the conduct of the measures in Lombardy * His Majesty, after observ of the 29th ultimo) litt o le the acCounts just received (those wards an adjustment of . ' v ? no progress has been made to. movednotmotives?sip or a battalion ; that he Sultan and from economi e of consideration for the • that he had no intention of b : i 7 l es ; but that he would repeat hefted with, and that if . the Turks did not yield to rea tion g of danger. I y wod have to give . way to an approach - • ventured to remark to the despatches just arrived that Emperor, that it was only by the he had received intelligence of the la u di o t Pera of the I ;aparty to the French Ambassador, who was uralci•stood tgo ; the dthe indirect answer, consideration x s ti d r e e i ssions arrangements about to be concluded however, returned to me by his Majesty, ao which he used, lead me to apprehend that thi s atioia did not receive the attention of which in fairness it appears to • the deserving. CUNNING OF NICHOLAS. • (Translation. ) The Emperor has, with lively satisfaction, made himself acquainted with Lord Clarendon's despatch of the 23d of March. His Majesty congratulates himself on perceivingthat his views and those of the English Cabinet entirely coincid e on the subject of the political combinations which it would be chiefly necessary to avoid in the extreme case of the contin gency occurring in the East, which Russia and England have equally at heart to prevent, or, at all events, to delay as long . 28 possible. Sh ar i ng genera ll y t h e op i n i ons e xpressed by Lord Clarendon on the necessity of the prolonged mahitenance of ~,he existing state of things in Turkey, the Emperor neverthe less cannot abstai n f rom a d vert i ng to a special point which leads him to suppose that the information received by the V.ritish Government is not altogether in accordance with ours. !Lre_f e ers to the humanity and the toleration to be shown by p t . 7 44 4 in her manner of treating her Christian subjects. , it aside many other examples to the contrary of an old date ?flitted bs' for all, notorious that recently the cruelties corn y the Turks in Bosnia forced hundreds of Christian famines to seek refuge in wishingthiS occasion Austria. In oth er res p ec t s, w ith ou t anon to enter upon A discussion as to the symptoms of decay, more or less evident, presented by the Ottoman Power, or the greater or less degree of vitality which its international constitution may retain, the Emperor will readily a g ree that the best means of upholding the du ration of the Turkish Government is not to harrass it by overbearing demands, supported in a manner hu milating to its independence and its dignity. His Ma jesty is disposed, as he has ever been, to act upon this sys tem, with the clear understanding, however, that the same rule of conduct shall be observed, without distinction, and unanimously, by each of the great Powers, and that none of them shall take advantage of the weakness of the Porte to obtain from it concessions which might turn to the prejudice of the others. This principle being laid down, the Emperor declares that he is ready to labour, in concert with England, at the common work of prolonging the existence of the Turk ish empire, setting aside all cause of alarm on the subject of its dissolution. He readily accepts the evidence offered by the British Cabinet of entire confidence in the uprightness of his sentiments, and the hope that, on this basis, his alliance with England cannot fail to become stronger. St. Petersburg, April 3 (15), 1853. No. 15. SIR G. H. SEYMOUR TO THE EARL OF CLARENDON. (Received May 2.) (Secret and confidential.) St. PeteTburg, April 21, 1853. 313" Lord,—l have had the honour of receiving your lord ship's despatch marked " Secret and confidential," of the sth inst., which, in obedience to your lordship's:ordem, I commu nicated to Count Nesselrode on the 15th inst. His Excellency, before the arrival of this messenger, had desired to see me for the purpose of communicating to me a paper which had been drawn up by the Emperor's desire, and which was to be considered as an answer to your lordship's despatch of the 23d ult. This document, which I beg to transmit in original, was accordingly placed in my hands by the Chancellor, who ob served that he had previously thought it would close the cor respondence, but that it was possible that the fresh despatch which I had brought to his knowledge might, upon being laid before the Emperor, call for some fresh observations on the part of his Majesty. The only passage in the enclosed paper to which Count Nesselrode was desirous of drawing my attention was that in which an observation is made respecting the treatment of the Christian population as described by English or by Russian agents. I remarked, in reply, that the point was the less material, her Majesty's Government being (as his Excellency had been made aware) as desirous as the Imperial Cabinet could be that no effort should be wanting on the part of the Porte to remove any and every cause of complaint which could be made in justice by the Sultan's Christian subjects. Your Lordship will perhaps allow me to observe that, sup posing the present crisis in Turkish affairs to pass over, an in timation is made in the enclosed paper which, if taken up and embodied in a joint resolution by all the great Powers, might possibly be the means of long averting a catastrophe which, happen when it may, will probably have disastrous conse quences even to those to whom it may be considered the most profitable. Since the preceding part of this despatch was written, the Chancellor has intimated to me that the Emperor, being of opinion that the paper which I now enclose, followed up by the conversation which I had the honour of holding with his Majesty on the 18th, may be considered as replying to any points touched upon in your lordship's despatch, does not propose to offer any fresh observation upon the subjects which have been under discussion. His Excellency does not conceal from me his satisfaction at this resolution, these subjects be ing, as he remarked, of so delicate a nature that there are always objections to their being brought under discussion. I have, &c., G. H. SEYMOUR, MEMORANDUM BY COUNT NESSELRODE, DELIVERED TO HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT, AND FOUNDED ON COM MUNICATIONS FROM THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA SUBSE QUENTLY TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY'S VISIT TO ENG LAND IN JUNE, 1814. (Translation.) Russia and England aro mutually penetrated with the con viction that it is for their common interest that the Ottoman Porte should maintain itself in the state of independence and of territorial possession which at present constitutes that em pire, as that political combination is the one which is most compatible with the general interest of the maintenance of peace. Being agreed on this principle, Russia and England have an equal interest in uniting their efforts in order to keep up the existence of the Ottoman empire, and to avert all the dangers which can place in jeopardy its safety. With this ob ject the essential point is to saffer the Porte to live in repose, without needlessly disturbing it by diplomatic bickerings, and without interfering without absolute necessity in its internal affairs. In order to carry out skilfully this system of forbearance, with a view to the well-understood interest of the Porte, two things must not be lost sight of. They are these :—ln the first place, the Porte has a constant tendency to extricate it self from the engagements imposed upon it by the treaties which it has concluded with other Powers. It hopes to do so with impunity, because it reckons on the mutual jealousy of the Cabinets. It thinks that if it fails in its engagements to wards one of them, the rest will espouse its quarrel, and will screen it from all responsibility. It is essential not to con firm the Porte in this delusion. Every time that it fails in its obligations towards one of the Great Powers, it is the interest of all the rest to make it sensible of its error, and seriously to exhort it to act rightly towards the Cabinet which demands just reparation. As soon as the Porte shall perceive that it is not supported by the other Cabinets, it will give way, and the differenceE3 which have arisen will be arranged in a conciliatory manner, without any conflict resulting from them. There is a second cause of complication which is inherent in the situation of the Porte; it is the difficulty which exists in reconciling the respect clue to the Sovereign authority of the Sultan, founded on the Mussulman law, with the forbearance required by the interests of the Christian population of that empire. This difficulty is real. In the present state of feeling in Europe the Cabinets cannot see with indifference the Christian populations in Turkey exposed to fiagrantacts of op pression and religious intolerance. It is necessary constantly to make the Ottoman Ministers sensible of this truth, and to persuade them that they can only reckon on the friendship and on the support of the Great Powers on the condition that they treat the Christian subjects of the Porte with toleration and with mildness. While insisting on this truth it will. be the duty of the foreign representatives, on the other hand, to exert all their influence to maintain the Christian subjects of the Porte in submission to the sovereign authority. It will be the duty of the foreign representatives, guided by these principles, to act among themselves in a perfect spirit of agreement. If they address remonstrances to the Porte, those remonstrances must bear a real character of unanimity, though divested of one of exclusive dictation. By persevering in this system with calmness and moderation, the representatives of the great Cabinets of Europe will have the best chance of suc ceeding in the steps which they may take, without giving occasion for complications which might affect the tranquility of the Ottoman Empire. If all the Great Powers frankly adopt this line of conduct, they will have a well-founded expectation of preserving the existence of Turkey. However, they must not conceal from themselves how many elements of dissolution that empire contains within itself. Unforeseen circumstances may hasten its fall, without its being in the power of the friendly Cabinets to prevent it. As it is not given to human foresight to settle beforehand a plan of action for such or such unlooked-for case, it would be premature to discuss eventualities which may never be realised. In the uncertainty which hovers over the future, a single fundamental idea seems to admit of a really practical applica tion ; it is that the danger which may result from a catastrophe in Turkey will be much diminished, if, in the event of its occurring, Russia and England have come to an understand. ing as to the course to be taken by them in common. That understanding will be the more beneficial, inasmuch as it will have the full assent of Austria. Between her and Russia there exists already an entire conformity of principles in re gard to the affairs of Turkey, in a common interest of con servatism and of peace. In order to render their union more efficacious, there would remain nothing to be desired but that England should be seen to associate herself thereto with the same view. The reason which recommends the establish ment of this agreement is very simple. On land Russia exer cises in regard to Turkey a preponderant action. On sea England occupies the same position. Isolated, the action of these two Powers might do much mischief. United, it can produce a real benefit; thence, the advantage of coming to a previous understanding before having recourse to action. This notion was, in principle, agreed upon during the Em peror's last residence in London. The result was the even tual engagement, that if anything unforeseen occurred in Turkey, Russia and England should previously concert together as to the course which they should pursue in common. The object for which Russia and England will have to come to an understanding may be expressed in the following man ner :-1. To seek to maintain the existence of the Ottoman Empire in its present state, so long as that political combina tion shall bo possible. 2. If we fersee that it must crumble to pieces, to enter into previous concert as to everything re lating to the establishment of a new order of things, intended to replace that which now exists, and in conjunction with each other to see that the change which may have occurred in the internal situation of that empire shall not injuriously affect either the security of their own states and the rights which the treaties assure to them respectively, or the maintenance of the balance of power in Europe. For the purpose thus stated, the policy of Russia and of Austria, as we have already said, is closely united by the principle of perfect identity. If England, as the principal maritime power, acts in concert with them, it is to be supposed that prance will feel herself obliged to act in conformity with the course agreed upon between St. Petersburg, London, and Vienna. Conflict between the Great Powers being thus ob viated, it is to be hoped that the peace of Europe will be maintained even in the midst of such serious circumstances. It is to secure this object of common interest, if the case occurs, that, as the Emperor agreed with her Britannic Ma jesty's Ministers during his residence in England, the previous understanding which Russia and England shall establish be tween themselves mast be directed. SUDDEN DEATH OF COLONEL GOP.DON.—A very me. lancholy event occurred on Thursday morning. Colonel Gordon, brother of Sir James A. Gordon, K.C.8., go ver-7,0r of Greenwich Hospital, who had for some time been on a visit to his brother, left Greenwich on Wed nesday to proceed by the Birmingham Railway, and was found dead in the railway carriage. The body was brought back to Greenwich on Thursday night, and after an inquest has been held the colonel will be laid in the hospital mausoleum near the late gallant General Sir Frederick Adam, whose death took place under circum stances so precisely similar.—United Service Ga:ette. DEATH OF COLONEL JOLIFFE.—This gentleman, after a lingering and painful illness, which baffled all the efforts of the most distinguished practical pro fessors, expired on Wednesday last, at his splendid seat, Ammerdown Park, in Somersetshire. Mr. Joliffe was descended from a race of high antiquity. The family name originally Joli, has been frequently corrupted by capricious additions or terminations, and about three centuries since was usually written Jolyfe or Jollyf. In discharging the d eman d s o f d omest i c obligations, he has left few to surpass him ; and in his character of an ex tensive landholder, he was so ijustly appreciated, that his loss will be considered irreparable by a numerous and intelligent tenantry. At particular periods since the passing of the Reform Act he received applications from influential parties in different constituencies to avow himself a candidate in the Conservative interest, but his retired and unassuming habits induced him to decline the flattering invitations. His only appoint. ments of a public nature were those of lieutenant-oolo nel in the lst Somerset Regiment, and of a magistrate and deputy-lieutenant in the same county. His landed estates were for the greater part entailed. These devolve on his only surviving brother, but his personal pro perty which cannot have been inconsiderable, was At tus own disposal. CONTRACT FOR STOCKS AND CAPS, WITH BALLS FOR THE ROYAL MARINES. Departmont of the Comptroller for Victualling and Transport Services. Somerset-place, 17th March, 1854. THE Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Adm tral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, DO HERISBY GIVE NOTICE, that on THURSDAY, the 23d instant, at Ono o'clock, they will be ready to treat with such persons as may be willing to contract for supplying and delivering into her Majesty's Victualling Stores at Deptford, for twelve months certain, and further until the expiration of three months warning, STOCKS AND CAPS, WITH BALLS FOR THE USE OF THE ROYAL MARINES. The conditions of the contract may be seen at the said office, and patterns at the Marine office, New-street, Spring-gardens, between the hours of 11 and 2. No tender will be received after One o'clock, on the day of treaty, nor any noticed unless made on the printed form provided for the purpose, and which may be obtained at the office of the:Comptroller for Victnalling. Every tender must be addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty, and bear in the left-hand corner the words " Tender for ," m id must also be delivered at Somerset-place. PURS SELL' S. —BALL SUPPERS and WEDDING BREAKFASTS SUPPLIED in the first style; public breakfasts, dimmers, and promenade suppers supplied by con tract ; a large stock of bride cakes for immediate use, from one to twenty guineas each ; a handsome cake for five guineas, packed and sent to any part of the country ifrequired, and warranted to keep 12 months.—Josh R. Iftrassktz, 162, Regent-street, and 20, Ludgate bill, only. THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE. Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. The Week of Mr. G. V. BROOKE'S Engagement previous to his sailing for California and Australia. THIS EVENING, MAR= 20, Will he performed THE VENDETTA; or, THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. The principal characters by Messrs. G. V. Brooks and T. Mead ; Mrs. Vickery and Miss F. Cathcart. After which, a Grand BALLET DIVERTISSEMENT. THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET. Under the management of Bfr. Zackstone. THIS EVENING, MARCH 20, Will be performed FAZIO. Characters by Messrs. Rogers, Howe, Villiers, and Chippendale; Mba Custunan and Mrs. L. S. Buck• Ingham. After which, WILLIKIND AND HYS DINAH. Supported by Messrs. Bnckstone and Corti ; Miss Louisa Howard, Mrs. Fitzivil. ham, and Mrs. Caulfield. To conclude with THE PORTRAIT OF CERVANTES. Prin. cipal characters by Mr. Compton and Miss E. Grey. TILE UN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 2-o, 1854. tion Government. Lord JOHN RUSSELL, especi ally, comes out of the transaction—let us say it frankly and boldly at once—not only with his reputation untarnished, but very considerably en hanced : enhanced, be it observed, by the dignity of his proceedings—proceedings dictated by politi cal candour, and ministerial courage, and patriotic disinterestedness. The challenge thrown down by the Journal of St. Petersburgh, has been accepted. Else where, in this evening's impression of The Sun, will be found the whole of the secret and confidential correspondence which took place somewhere about this time last year between the British and Russian Governments. Hitherto the Ministers of the Crown of England have, it, would seem, considered themselves pledged to silence in the matter by reason of the common understand ing at London and at St. Petersburgh, that it was in reality, as well as in name, a " Secret " and a " Confidential " correspondence. It appeared, however, that certain particulars in regard to it had, somehow or other, leaked out—that the secresy was oozing away—or that the confi dence, somehow or other, was being betrayed. When, at last, forth came that daring and flagitious article in the official or gan of the Russian Government, which dissi pated at once any scruples that might still have survived in the minds of the members of the Eng lish. Cabinet as to its being any longer a " Se cret" and " Confidential" Correspondence. The taboo was removed. Documents could be spoken of in the Lords and Commons within hearing of the Reporters —nay, could be placed in the hands of the Parliamentary printer—although before now their existence could not have been hinted at or whispered about, saving within the inner pre cincts, as it were, of the interior sanctuary of the unheard-of doings of her Britannic MAJESTY'S Government. Circumstances, indeed, inter dicted our administrators from referring in any manner to the existence of this mysterioirs and remarkable correspondence, until the silence was at length broken abruptly by the insolence, the rashness, and the fatuity of the Russian Government. Never, we may boldly aver, was such fatuity ever displayed by a great Power as that which has in this matter marked the Councils of the AUTOCRAT. By blurting out the secret of this confidential correspondence between the two Governments, Russia has afforded the English Cabinet the op portunity of at last revealing what ought by right never to have been hidden—a correspondence which proves more glaringly than ever the crimi nality of Russia and the honesty of England in regard to the treatment of the Ottoman Empire the monstrous turpitude of the CZAR and the manly patriotism of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, in reference to the daring and sinister designs of the former upon the Danubian provinces and upon the City of Constantinople. Everything being now revealed in connexion with these negotiations for a Turkish dismember ment—France and England must recognise more `clearly than ever at once the value and the neces sity for their cordial alliance—Europe must per ceive more plainly even than hitherto the impor tance of crushing out for once and for all the dangers arising from the terrible ambition of the Russian AUTOCRAT—the world must be hold, beyond the possibility of doubt, the heinous guilt of the Emperor NICHOLAS, and the justice, and the truth, and the honesty, and the magna nimity which lend an additional force to the might of France and England, now that their armies and their fleets are going forth together to fight upon the shores of the Baltic and of the Euxine the glorious and momentous battles of Civilisation. The drain of bullion, to which we have repeat edly directed the public attention, still continues with undiminished force. Indeed, the state of affairs on the Continent renders it too palpable that such must be the case. It would indeed be sur prising if other nations did not avail themselves of the provisions of our unwise and impolitic monetary code, and seize what is to them literally " a golden opportunity" of obtaining an ample supply of the precious metals. Loans are nego tiating on every side—not only are France and Turkey, whom we are bound to assist, already in the field, - but even Austria and Prussia have sounded notes of preparation. Every one of the great Powers is on the borrowing tack, and, as usual, poor Jowl . BULL 'is to pay for all. But while supplying the wants of others, we are ne glecting those of our own people. Our Govern ment coolly proposes to 'double the Income Tax, while it is as much ky its acts of omission as of commission producing a state of affairs that must naturally reduce the resources of the over.; burdened people. We have, on the one side, the direct pull on the Bank by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Through his very unfortunate finan cial operation, there has not only been a positive loss of some 800,0001. or 900,0001., but the Exchequer balances have been reduced to less than 3,000,0001. sterling, about a third of .what they might, and in all human probability would otherwise, have been. And even that comparatively trifling credit the nation is under engagements to pay off on the termina tion of the financial year (the sth of April next) not merely the dividends and other ordinary liabilities, but a considerable portion of the capital of the debt previously existing. For all this Mr. GLADSTONE makes no provision. He looks to the Bank for accommodation in place of providing the means from other quarters, and allowing the Old Lady to apply her capital in affording the req u i s it e accom modation to trade, in cashing " commercial" in place of " deficiency" bills. With that singular want of forethought for which English financiers have been so painfully notorious, he allows every other country to fore stall us in the market, to obtain their loans on more favourable terms than we shall be enabled to do. Considering the respective credits in which we stand, Mr. GLADSTONE thus, to a considerable extent, absorbs the resources of the Bank, and lessens the funds applicable to its legitimate business. But this is by no means all. The extraordinary apathy with which he regards the gradual depar ture of the precious metals from our shores, ad journing every counteracting effort until it is too late to prevent the evil, is even more injurious to the national welfare. He sees that, during the week ending the 11th inst., the stock of bul lion in both departments had been diminished by no less than 889,4801., while there had been a simultaneous decrease of 192,7871 of "notes in circulation." He must also be well aware that the falling off during the past week will be nearer a million than half a million, and yet he does nothing. Surely, it is time that this very injurious apathy should be shaken off, and that some effort should be made to dam up the tide, and either to retain for our own use the funds which are of such vital consequence to the well-being of the nation, on which our future powor," nay more, our future "safety" may mainly depend, or • else, by liberating means, from other channels, to obtain newsources of supplythat would enable us to meet the demands from every quarter, with ou t su bjecting our own people t o loss or inconvenience. We now ask, and we earnestly hope, that the question may be repeated within the House, whether the Bank Charter Act of 1844 is suited to a state of warfare with a powerful nation—a warfare that may be protracted for a long term of years ? It is true that we may reasonably hope that such will not be the case, that the would-be robber may be compelled, ere long, not only to disgorge his past plunder, but to find ample securities for keeping the peace ; but it would be unpardonable in a Financial Minister not to regard every possible phase, of the question, and to provide for any possible eventuality. What would be said. of Mr. GLADSTONk if he suffered the Larger proportion of the precious metals to be taken out of the country before he tried to pre vent, or at least retard, so calamitous an occur rence ? There would be butlittle use in "shutting the stable door after the steed was stolen !" If we con sider the arguments that have been urged in favour of ill- advised enactments, we shall find that they only aimed at correcting "over trading," as it has been termed, or " undue opecula,tion." New, ROYAL PRINCESS'S . THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. CHARLES KEAN. THIS EVENING, MAncn 20, Will be performed RICHARD THE THIRD. Principal charac• ter by Mr. C. Kean. To be followed by A STORM IN A TEA-CUP. Principal cha racters by Mr. and Mrs. W. Lacy. LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame VestPls. THIS EVENING, M&acM 20, Will be performed A NICE FIRM. Principal characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Roxby ; Mrs. F. Matthews. To be followed by A CHARMING WIDOW. After which, the popular Fairy Extravaganza, entitled ONCE UPON A TINIE TILERS WERE TWO KINGS. Characters by Messrs. Rushy, F. Matthews, and Bland ; Madame Vestris, Misses St. George, Eglanton, Mason, Martindale, EQI3 , Wadham, and Foote. Concluding with NUMBER ONE ROUND THE CORNER. THEATRE. ROYAL ADELPHT. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directross, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, MAR= 20, Will be performed TWO LOVES AND A LIFE. Supported by Messrs. C. Selby, Leigh Murray, Uenjamln Webster, Keeley, and 0. Smith ; Miss Woolgar and Madame Celeste. To conclude with THE SERIOUS FAMILY. Characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Leigh Murray. Parselle, and Keeley ; Mrs. L. Hurray, Misses Woolgar, Fanny Haskell, and Laidlaw, and Mrs. Keeley. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, llsacu 20. Will be performed THE WRONG BOX. Supported by Messrs Alfred Wigan and Robinson ; Miss P. Horton, Miss Wyndham, and Miss E. Turner. To be followed by TO OBLIGE BENSON. Supported by Messrs. Emery, Robson, and Leslie ; Mrs. Stirling and Miss Wyndham. To be followed by THE Mir NIGHT. Characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Leslie, Franks, Harwood Cooper. and Vincent ; Miss P. Horton, and Miss Wyndham. STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee, Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs THIS EVENING, Maacn 20, Will be presented RUSSIAN TYRANNY ; or, The Fatal Snow. storm. Followed by PADDY SHOOTING THE MOON. After which, THE BLUE JACKETS. To conclude with THE CORKONIAN BROTHERS. Paddy and Tim Mulligan (the• Brothers), Mr. G. Hodson. Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 35.; Pit, Is. 6d; Gallery, Gd. ; Private Boxes, IL 1 Is. 6d., to be had of Mr. Allcroft, 15, New Bond-street. ASTLErS EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. THIS EVENING, Mallen 20, And during the week, will be presented the new, grand, and romantic spectacle entitled THE WOODMAN'S ; or, The False Knight—the Woodman's Horse by the pet steed, Beauty, expressly trained by Mr. William Cooke. After which, the incomparable Scenes of the ARENA. To conclude with BESS OF THE BELL. Box-oftice open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W, West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tilts Div —Morning 26 min.after 5 I Evening 45 min.aft. 5 To-Monow—Morning min.after G 1 Evening 33 min.aft. 6 THE WEATHER.--Sult OFFLCII, banal 19. THERMOMETER, IN THE SNIDE. 53 —highest since noon yesterday. 41—lowest this morning and daring the night. 4.s—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30'05. WIND, variable and fresh from N.E. to S.E.—Muggy weather, with rain occasionally, and a glimpse of sunshine about noon. Hamm 20. 48—highest since noon yesterday. 36—lowest this morning and during the night. 42—this day, at noon. BAROMETER, 30 . 39—rising. WIND, E. to N.E.—Blowing fresh and cold. Hard wind in the night. - '4 l ;ls - -L / .SAllt LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 20, 1854. England has reason—on a closer scrutiny and on a calmer consideration of past occurrences, England has reason to be satisfied with several of the most distinguished among her present Ad ministrators. She has reason to be satisfied with her Foreign Secretary. She has reason, to some extent, at least, to be satisfied with the Noble Lord the representative of her metropolis and the Leader of the House of Commons. Ex tending the popular regard from the more respon sible Ministers of the CROWN to the more deli cately-situated agents of the national diplomacy, the country has, moreover, reason to feel emi nently satisfied with the course pursued under cir cumstances of vital interest and of singu larly critical importance by her Britannic MAJESTY'S Ambassador at the Court of St. Petersburg. Sir HAMILTON SEYMOUR is proved on reliable evidence, indeed we might say upon evidence altogether incontrovertible, to have acted with most commendable discretion, in a situation of exceeding difficulty. The Earl of CLARENDON is shown to have justified in several instances at the Foreign-office the confidence reposed in his capacity and in his patriotism by all those who had dispassionately estimated the merits of his Irish administration. Above all, and beyond all, the documentary evidence which has at length satisfactorily revealed these truths in regard to the Ambassador and the Secretary of State has demonstrated, clearly and conclusively demon strated, in reference to the Noble Lord the Leader of the House of Commons—an amount of decision, of sagacity, and of diplomatic tact, such as are in every way worthy of his high and historic reputation. Let the truth be spoken. Fiat justitia, as the adage tells us, no matter what the consequences. Hitherto the public have been kept very much in the dark as to the course pursued in the corres pondence (relating to Turkey) between the English and the Russian Governments. The secrecy main tained by Ministers in this respect, although strictly in accordance with the customary diplomatic eti quette, we cannot but still regard as--to say the least of it—injudicious. Injudicious —nationally : because tending necessarily to lead into error the judgments of the population. Injudicious —per sonally : because in this very way militating against their own Ministerial character. If ever we had questioned the wisdom of OILT rulers iu thus casting a veil of mystery over their proceedings, the incident which has now commanded the atten tion of Europe would have been sufficient in itself to satisfy our mind of the extraordinary folly of allowing acts that might creditably meet the light of day at the instant of their performance to be altogether overlooked ; or, worse than that, to be only vaguely guessed at ; or, worst of all, to be mistaken and misinterpreted, employed as a weapon of assault, instead of as a means of defence, as the source of sarcastic depreciation, instead of as the materials of a triumphant and decisive vindication. It has been so with regard to the present Cabi net, or, at any rate, with reference to two of the moat conspicuously Placed members of the ccai. without for the present speaking of its policy or impoliey under ordinary circumstances—on which our views must be so well known, as to require no present explanations —we would put it even to the most zealous " bullionist " to say, whether there is not now an imperative necessity for a change, at least to this extent, that if the " convertibility of the Bank Note" must still be maintained, and if we still wilfully and delibe rately refuse to avail ourselves of the advantages plainly to be derived from the use of a national note, we may not give additional facilities for a well-secured, though economical, circulating me dium—for what, in fact, may briefly be termed, " free trade in banking." The gold in circulation for the daily business of the country is not less than from 40,000,0001. to 50,000,0001. sterling. By a judicious measure three-fourths of this enor mous amount may be rendered available for carry ing on the war, and supplying the exigencies of our friends and allies ; and surely the time has come when their concession, at least, should be made to the public convenience and the demands of the monetary reformers so far complied with. COURT CIRCULAR. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent paid a visit of congratulation to her Majesty early on Saturday, the birthday of her Royal Highness the Princess Louisa. The Queen attended by the Hon. Mary Seymour, and Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, visited her Royal High ness the Duchess of Glocester on Saturday afternoon, at Glocester House. Her Majesty also visited the Duchess of Kent at Clarence House, St. James's. Prince Albert rode on horseback on Saturday morning, attended by Captain the Hon. Dudley de Ros. His Royal Highness presided in the afternoon at a meeting of a Committee of the Governors of Wellington College. The Prince arrived at the New Palace of Westminster at 3 o'clock, attended by his Equerry in Waiting. The other members of the committee present were his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, the Earl of Derby, the Right Hon. Spencer H. Walpole, M.P., Sir James Hogg, Bart., the Rev. W. Gleig, and the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Honorary Secretary. The meeting broke up at a quarter before 5 o'clock. The Queen had a dinner party on Saturday evening at Buckingham Palace. The company included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, the Bavarian Minister, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Seymour, Lady Fanny Howard, the Baroness de Speth, Lord and Lady Claud Hamilton, Lord and Lady Alfred Hervey, Major- General Sir Richard England and Colonel Wylde. The Queen and Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Princess Alice, the ladies and gentlemen of the Court, and the domestic household, attended divine service yesterday morning in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace. The Hon. and Rev. Gerald Wellesley officiated. His Royal Highness Prince Albert visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent yesterday. The Duchess of Cimbridge and the Princess Mary visited the Duchess of Kent on Saturday at her resi dence, Clarence House, St James's. Lord John Russell was prevented attending the Cabi net Council, on Saturday, by a cold. Despatches were received at the Colonial-office on Saturday from the Governor of Labuan. Despatches were sent on Saturday to the Governors of Malta, Hong-kong, and Ceylon. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governors of the different Australia❑ colonies. THE SPEAKER'S DINNER AND LEVEE. The following noblemen and gentlemen were present at the dinner on Saturday : Lord R. Clinton, Viscount Monck, Lord H. Cholmonde ley, Lord Hotham, Right Hon. H. T. Corry, Hon. G. H. Cavendish, Hon. G. H. Byng, Right Hon. Sir T. F. Lewis, Hon. H. Brand, Hon. F. Lawley, Sir T. D. Acland, Sir J. Duckworth, Sir J. East, Sir B. Hall, Mr. Beckett, Mr. E. Ellice, General Buckley, Mr. Compton, Mr. Herbert, Mr. E. Egerton, Mr. A'Court, Mr. Walter, Captain Kingscote, Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Cayley, and Mr. Pugh. Colonel Har court was prevented owing to the death of a near relation. The right hon. gentleman afterwards held a levee. The following noblemen and gentlemen attended :—Earl de Grey, Earl of Carnarvon, Lord Charles Russell, the Master of the Rolls, Mr. Lefevre, Right Hon. Sir Thomas Fremantle, Vice-Chancellor Wood, the Clerk of the Crown, Mr. Wickham (Chairman of Stamps and Taxes), Colonel Gsscoigne, Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Pulman, and the following members of the House of Commons : Sir Thomas Acland, Mr. A'Court, Mr. Adderloy, Earl of Annesley, Mr. Bagshaw, Sir Joseph Bailey, Right Hon. G. Bankes, Mr. H. Baring, Right Hon. Sir F. Baring, Sir M. Hicks Beach, Mr. Beckett, Sir George Berkeley, Sir Robert G. Booth, Hon. E. P. Bouverie, Mr. Bowyer Mr. Bramston, Hon. Henry Brand, Mr. Brotherton, Mr. W. Brown, Lord Ernest Bruce, Mr. Cumming Bruce, Mr. H. A. Bruce, Lord Burghley, General Buckley, Hon. G. Byng, Colonel Caul feild, Hon. G. Cavendish, Mr. Cayley, Mr. Cheetham, Mr. Child, Lord Henry Cholmondeley, Sir W. Clay, Lord Robert Clinton, Mr. Compton, Sir Charles H. Coote, Right Hon. H. Carry, Mr. Drummond, Mr. George Duff, Sir James Duke, the Hon. Arthur Buncombe, the Hon. William Duncombe, Mr. George Dundas, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir J. B. East, Mr. Ed ward Ellice, the Hon. Johu Elliot, Mr. Fergus, Mr. Joseph Foro '' mson, Sir Edmund Filrner, Mr. Floyer, Mr. F o ll e tt, Mr. John Forster, Mr. Gardner, Colonel Gilpin, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Goold, Mr. Grenfell, Mr. F. Greville, Mr. Hale, Sir H. Halford, Sir B. Hall, Mr. Hayter, Sir W. Heath cote, Mr. Henry Herbert, Mr. Horsman, the Hon. C. Howard, Lord E. Howard, Mr. Hutchins, Mr. Jackson, Earl Jermyn, Mr. James Johnstone, Mr. John Johnstone, Mr. Ker, Captain Kingecote, the Hon. A. Kinnaird, Mr. Knightley. Colonel Knox, the Right Hon. Henry Labou chore, Sit E. Lacon, Mr. Langston, Mr. Gore Langton (Bristol), Hon. F. Lawley, Mr. Layard, Lord A. Len nox, Lord H. Lennox, Mr. Leslie, the Right H onoura bl e Sir T. Lewis, Lord Lovaine, Mr. Mackinnon, Mr. James M`Gregor, Sir Herbert Maddock, Mr. Mangles, Mr. Marshall, Viscount Milton, Mr. Moffat, Viscount Monck, Mr. Monsell,'Mr. Morgan, Mr. Mundy, M r . J ohn Neeld, Mr. Jos?ph Neeld, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Robert Palmer, the Hon. J. Percy, Mr. Phillipps, Lord W. Powlett, Mr. Pugh, Mr. Osman Ricardo, Mr. Ker Seymer, Mr. Danby Seymour, Sir John Shelley, Mr. Masters Smith, Lord Stanley, Mr. Sturt, Mr. Manners Sutton, Mr. Swift, Mr. Tudway, Sir. S. Waddin g t on , M r. John Walsh, Mr. Walter, Mr. Samuel Whitbread, Mr. Willcox, Mr. W. Williams (Lambeth), Sir H. Willoughby, General Wynd ham. THE COMBINED FLEETS. BEIKOS BAT, March s.—The English and French squadron are still lying here. Her Majesty's ship Furious and the French steamer Vauban arrived on the 3d from the Black Sea, whither they are sent to recon noitre. They parted company in a gale of wind, but fortunately fell in with each other a few days afterwards. They visited Varna, Odessa, and went within 2 miles of Sebastopol, wherethere was a boom across the mouth of the harbour. They saw lying there 6 liners, 5 frigates, and some steamers and small craft. Her Majesty's ship Caradoc arrived yesterday from Tchekmidge, whither she had been sent three days previously with Sir John Burgoyne and staff, and some French officers of ar tillery. The French steamer Ajaccio accompanied her. A midshipman belonging to H.M.S. Furious hail a narrow escape two evenings ago. He had been to a ball at Constantinople, and while returning on board his ship in a "caique, " was robbed by the boatman. He appeared not to remark the circumstance until he got alongside his ship, when he laid hold of the ladder, and called out lustily for the assistance of the quartermaster and sentry. These functionaries had to go and fetch their lantern, and, while doing so, the boatmen commenced be labouring the arm of the midshipman with a stick, which obliged him to relinquish his hold, and the current soon cleared the boat from the ship. A scuffle now ensued, the midshipman armed with a stick, and the boatman with his knife. This unequal combat was maintained fcr some time, when the young officer, considering the wiser part of valour to be discretion, jumped overboard, and swam to a French steamer. Boats were sent in pursuit of the caique, hut in vain, as the darkness favoured his escape. CABINET CouNort.—A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday afternoon at the Foreign-office, Downing street. The Ministers present were the Earl of Aber deen, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Viscount Palmer ston, the Earl of Clarendon, the Duke of Newcastle, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir James Graham, the Hon. Sidney Herbert, and Sir William Molesworth. The Council sat three hours and a half. BIRTH-DAY OF THE PRINCESS LOUISA.—The sixth anniversary of the bii th-day of her Royal Highness the Princess Louisa was celebrated at Windsor on Saturday, with the customary demonstrations of loyalty and resplct. The bells of the Chapel Royal, of St. George and St. John's churches sent forth their merry peals, a royal salute was fired in the Bachelor's Acre from the corporation ordnance, also at Fort Belvedere, and by the Royal Adelaide frigate, anchored on Virginia water. The Duke of Devonshire is staying in comparati ve retirement at the Burlington Villa, at Chiswick, where his Grace has received a few select friends at dinner , during the past week. The Earl and CounteAs of Clare and family have arrived at their new residence in South•street, formerly the late Viscount Melbourne a, from Mount Shannon, near Limerick. A deputation, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Johnston and the Roy. Henry Renton, from the Public Questions' Committee of the United Presbyterian Church, bad an interview on Saturday with the Earl of Granville and ➢fir. Sidney Herbert at the Privy Council office to repre sent the views of that body on the measure of national education for Scotland introduced by the Lord Advo cate. The deputation were accompanied by Sir James Anderson, M.P., and Mr. Craufurd, M.P., and had previously had interviews with the Earl of Aberdeen, in Downing-street, and with the Duke of Argyll, at his grace's private residence. We understand that the de putation urged strongly upon her Majesty's Ministers the necessity of removing or modifying those clauses o f the Lord Advocate's bill which relate to the enactment Of roligiQufs inutructiwi and itg oupport by the State, MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK, The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday were estimated at 4,000 bales, including 1,000 Ame rican taken for export. The market closed heavily without alteration in prices. The sales comprised 3,500 American, 120 Pernam at eqd. to 7d., 50 Egyptian at bid. to 7d., 200 Surat at 31d. to 31d., and 40 Sea Island at ls. 2d. to 2s. 2d. per lb. Rail way Shares were dull, at lower prices. The letters from Australia by the Sydney steamer were delivered this morning, and they are of a che quered character. The gold production continued good at the Victoria diggings, but many of the miners were returning from them to spend the Christmas holidays. The Melbourne markets are reported to be overstocked, the arrivals of goods adding to the glut. Beer and Manchester goods were most plentiful. Building was going on ac- tively, but house rent was lower, except for busi ness premises in first-rate situations. The roads to the mines allowed of merchandise being more freely sent up from the capital. Mr. Shull, in his Melbourne gold circular, ob. serves : " A considerable falling off has taken place this week in the produce from Bendigo, amounting to upwards of 7,000 ounces. This is partly to be attributed to a con siderable number of the diggers being attracted to the Ballarat side and to Forest Creek ; and it is well known that many of them keep back their gold at this season, so as to accumulate as large a quantity as possible to spend at Christmas. From Ballarat a slight increase in quantity over last week has taken place. From APlvor an average quantity has come ; but, owing to the Goulburn being nearly deserted for want of water, a considerable decrease has taken place. In fact, this field may be almost considered deserted until the rainy season sets in. Upon good authority we are informed that there is abundance of gold to be got, when the proper season comes round." The Geelong gold circular of Mr. William Pater- son, is as follows : " The price during the week has continued at 775. There has not been much offering. Sellers seem inclined to hold for a higher figure, and on the other hand buyers are not disposed to advance, and look for a lower quota tion. The price of the metal on the diggings has risen. They seem to have calculated on a higher rate in town in consequence of the demand for the Great Britain ; but it midst be evident that at the present quotations: there is very little margin for speculation or profit on the article. " There is nothing fresh in the way of news from the diggings. At Mount Alexander the escort returns show an improvement. There are reports of fresh discoveries. in this quarter, but not enough is known as to richnes4, or the exact locality to report particularly. The pro- spects of Ballarat for the season seem to give general satisfaction to the diggers ; the population is increasing fast, and there seems altogether a satisfied tone on the part of those employed. Of the labour market at Melbourne Messrs. M'Cormack and Co. report thus :- " The demand for all kinds of labour continues steady, as by our report of last week, shopmen and clerks being seldom looked for. At the close of this week, the rates were :-Married couples, per annum, with rations, &c., 801. to 1201. ; shepherds, per annum, with rations, 351. to 561. ; hutkeepers, ditto, ditto, 351. ; bullock-drivers, for the roads, per week, 21. 10s, to 3/. with rations ; bullock-drivers, with ration, 21. to 2/. 10s. per week (on farms) ; cooks (male), per day, 21. to 4/. ; ditto (female), per annum, 401. to 601. ; grooms, per ditto, 52/. to 70/. ; carpenters, per day, 30s. to 355. ; black smiths, 20s. to 255. ditto ; masons, 30s. to 355. ditto ; gardeners, per annum, with rations, 60/. to 80/. ; f stri labourers, with rations, 30s. to 355. per week ; labourers on the roads, 12s. a day, with wood, water, and tent accommodation waiters, 30s. to 40s. per week ; female servants of all work, per annum 25/. to 35/. ; house. maids, ditto, 20/. to 30!. laundresses, ditto, 35/. to 40/.; nursemaids, ditto, 25/. to 25/." Freights to London are given as under : "Gold, 41d. per oz., delivered at the Bullion Office ; do. in quantity, aid. Wool, greasy, id. per lb.; do. washed, id. per lb. Hid e s, 20s. t o 25 5 . p er t on . Tal low, 40s. to 50s. per ton, and 5 per cent. Oil, 3/. per tun. " Lighterage, from Hobson's Bay to the Wharves, Melbourne, was for Measurement goods (free) 20s. per ton; do. (subject to duty) 255. do. Casks of all kinds to be taken at measurement of extreme length and breadth. Flour, 8, barrels, 10 bags to the ton. Timber, 4s. per 100 feet." The Exchange on London at 1 per Cent. discount for drafts against gold . The Report of the Select Committee on the IsTew Constitution was regarded as satisfactory. The New York accounts report a quiet stock market. The value of merchandise imported during the month of Feb., 1854, was 312,126,110 dols., against 17,358,490 dole. in the same month last year. The exports were valued at 6,537,821 dole. this year, against 4,680,337 dole. last year. The imports of specie into Boston during February amounted to 25,003 dols., and the exports during the same time were 78,992 dols. In wheat a moderate business was doing, but flour was less active. A communication has been received by Messrs. Anderson, from Hamburgh, to the effect that the Baltic fleet was reported to have arrived in the Sound. They have, likewise, an extract of a letter, dated St. Petersburgh, March 11, which mentions the expectation that the holders of deals would have to, remove them from the docks at Cronstadt, as the Russian Government wanted to take possession of them. Whether this would have to be done, however, before open water, re mained doubtful, for if such removal were insisted on it would put the owners to much increased expense. The rate of exchange at St. Petersburg on London was 37 1-16 to ,on Paris, 380 to 385. The banks at Hamburgh were giving out less gold in their payments, but the regular proportion of silver. It was rumoured that the export from St. Peters burgh was about to be prohibited. The English Stock market has been depressed, with very little business doing, the transactions being principally for money. Pending the further proceedings in the affair of the war, speculators hold off. Consols have been 90 to 90 for money, and 90 to -1 4 - for April. Exchequer Bills have been ss. to 7s. premium, a decline of 2s. to 3s. Foreign Securities have been inactive. Mexican. Bonds have been at a decline to 24 and 231. Pe ruvian 4i per Cents, are at 59. Brazilian 5 per Cents. have been at 95k, and the New 41 per Cents. 90. Spanish 3 per Cents. have been at 36/, and Portuguese 4 per Cents. at 36. Dutch 4 per Cents. have been at 86, and Danish 3 per Cents. at 721 to 73. Russian 5 per Cents.- bring 85 to 1. _ _ The English Railway Shares are flat at f to per cent. decline. French Shares have been rather weaker. The Foreign Mining . Shares have been heavy, and the Australian Agricultural Shares are barely so good. The current prices for the Jamaica Mines not officially quoted, were as follows :—Metcalfe, to g Premium ; Port Royal, to premium. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY._ CLOSING PRICES ( Prom the Official ) Ru5• , ..11. 3 per Cent Consols Annuities ............. #9O 891 90 India Stock Consols fbr Account 18th April 9O 89i Exchequer Bills, 2d. _ £lOOO ....................... £5OO 5 10 5 p Small ................... . PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. Erazifian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 954 Ditto Small Ditto New, 1852,41, per Cent.,... 9O Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent 73 2i Ditto 5 per Cent '4exiean 3 per Cent. Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent. 59 x d Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent 36 Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St Bsi 5 6 Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent 7B. Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 36i Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchauge, 2. per Cent. 12 Guil Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates ..... THREE O'CLOCK. Consols Ditto April Account 89k 9911 89i 90 THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR AND THE EASTERN STAFF. —His Excellency the French Ambassador and the Countess Walewski intend giving a grand banquet to-morrow evening to his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Raglan, and the members of the staff about to proceed to the East. The entertainment will take place at the new residence of the embassy, Albert gate, Hyde-park, ao long in the possession of Mr. Geo. Hudson, M.P. SINGAPORE.—The advices from Singapore by the overland mail are to the 3d of February, at which date the demand for imported articles was exceedingly dull, and the stocks of cotton goods heavy. Large remit tances of specie had been attracted to China, and com plaints are made of the want of sufficient banking ac commodation. From Labuan the accounts were to the 17th of January. Her Majesty's screw-ship Encounter had called at the island to coal, and it is mentioned that the collieries now establishing by the Eastern Archipelago Company in Borngo and Labuan, will shortly b e capa b le of supplying whatever quantity may be required for the purporn of steam uayigativu iu that quarter, LATEST FOREIGN NEWS. THE WAR IN THE EAST. We learn by electric telegraph that the Banshee, which left Constantinople on the 13th March, had arrived at Malta on the 17th, and started imme diately for Marseilles with despatches for the Go vernment. There is nothing new from Constantinople. No engagement has taken place either by land or sea. The fleets were to enter the Black Sea again shortly. The 44th and 62d regiments had arrived at Malta on the 17th. The Eg) ptien, which left Constantinople on the 7th March, and arrived at Marseilles on Friday/ brings the following news : "A corps of 70,000 men has arrived for the pur pOse of establishing themselves at Sebastopol. " Another• corps of 30,000 men has arrived at Odessa. " Between Moscow and Odessa 100,000 men are on their march." Telegraphic advices from Vienna leave no room to doubt that the Czar has rejected the ultimatum of France and England. The Turkish Government has just named a com mission composed of men of importance in the country to centralise and impart activity to every thing that concerns the army and the great affairs of the country. By that means the resources of the country will be better ascertained, and greater unity and activity imparted to the military opera tions. A telegraphic despatch, dated Vienna, yesterday (Sunday), says : Something of extreme importance was probably' settled the day before yesterday between this Go' vernment and Prussia, as a member of the Prussian Embassy went to Oderberg by special train. This was after a conference bet%yeeh Count Buol and the Prussian Minister. The prohibition to export weapons from Austria into the Turkish provinces is extended to Moldavia and Wallachia. The subjoined passage is contained in a mani" festo issued in the Principalities by the Czar :-- " The Sultan having pers'sted in his obstinate course, France and England are marching against Russia. We will go forth in the name of .the Trinity to free our fellow-believers from the yoke of the oppressors. Let the oppressed make cony mon cause with us." The first acts of Fuad Effendi on reaching Jan' ina were to grant a general amnesty, and remit part of the taxes ; and, secondly, to send a mos' senger to Athens, to demand an explanation of the conduct of the Greek Government. A powder-mill had been blown up at Shumlal but there was no loss of life. The Oest. Correspondenz states that the whole 50,000,000 of loan had been taken. According to a telegraphic despatch from Berlin, dated yesterday (Sunday), Baron Manteuffere speech to the Chambers contained an assurance that the Government is determined to vindicate Prussia l e right under all the circumstances to co-operate in the preservation of the peace of Europe, but that Prussia does not feel called upon in the same mew; sure, as other nations, from her position or navel resources to take an active part in protecting the integrity of Turkey. The King has decided not to require from Prussia the heavy sacrifices insePe; rable from war until the particular interests 01 Prussia render such a decision imperativeli necessary. The Minister is emp owere d t o req uest the Chamber to vote a credit of 30 millions. The Czar is known to have said that the pro' posal of the Western Powers did not require five minutes' consideration. 27,000 troops are expected at Revel. A letter from Warsaw of the 12th says :—" It is now certain that the second corps d'armoe has re' ceived orders to proceed to the theatre of war- Some regiments of the guard are expected in the kingdom. Preparations are being made for the reception of General Rudiger, who is to replace Prince Paskiewitsch. A visit from the Grand Duke Cesarewitsch is spoken of. This morning was published in all the churches, synagogues, chapels, &c., the manifesto by which the Emperor air flounces the rupture of diplomatic relations be tween Russia and England and France." The Russian General de Benkendorff, who de sired to leave Berlin for the theatre of war, has re ceived orders from the Czar to remain where he ie. A letter from Vienna of the 13th, in the Wurtz burg Gazette, says :—" It is known that the four great Powers have come to an agreement not to tolerate any insurrection in the provinces of Euro pean Turkey. Austria has undertaken to watch over the tranquillity of Bosnia, Servia, and Mon tenegro. The Western Powers, on their part , will maintain tranquillity in the Greek provinces of the Turkish empire. At the beginning of last week, our Cabinet sent a note to St. Petersburg , to make known to the Russian Government the re solution of Austria to suppress by arms any rising in Turkey. This communication has been made t° the Russian Government in order to avoid all misunderstanding. It would, in fact, have 15 011 possible for the Cabinet of St. Petersburg to hav e considered the occupation of Servia and Bosnia by Austria, as a hostile demonstration against it, whilst Austria only acts for her own interests." The Voss Gazette of the 16th says We learn from a good source that last week our government sent to the Germanic Diet desp a t c h es , which will be published. They will mention again the per: feet accord which reigns between the two grow' powers on the Eastern affair. The Prussian go' vernment is to make it is said, a similar comma nication. M. d'Arnim, the Prussian Ambassador, has had a conference with Prince Buol Shauen i l stein' at the Ministry for Foreig n Aff a i rs , i n w hich he has given the most satisfactory assurances as t° the policy which the Cabinet of Berlin proposes to follow on the Eastern question." The Suabian Mercury contains a letter from Munich, 14th, which says :—" M. Von clef Pfordten, President of the Council of Ministers, has been received at a private audience by the Emperor of Austria. The affairs of Greece are said to have been the subject discussed. The Emperor and his betrothed, accompanied by Duke Louis, her brother, often ride through the streets." FRANCE; DEPARTuRE OF TROOPS FROM MARSEILLES. The Moniteur of to-day announces that General Canrobert, and the first portion of the troops des tined for the army in the East, left Marseilles yes' terday (Sunday) evening at six o'clock. The subscriptions to the loan, from the 14th to the 19th, amounted to the sum of 235,000,000 f. It appears that the state in which Marshal Vall iant found the War Department on his entering upon office does not correspond with the idea entertained of Marshal St. Arnaud's ability or energy. 111-health, to be sure, may be alleged ; but it is said to be un deniable hat the military preparations for the es' pedition to the East have not been so far advanced as they should be. The War-office is not alone de ficient; the Navy Department is also backward, a nd the means of transport not what they might be. The Emperor,to whom Marshal Valliant has presented a report on the subject, understood to be extremely dissatisfied with this state of things, and has expressed his displeasure in strong terms, The fact is, that both for economy, and to prove that there existed no intention on the part of France to invade England, the army, it is now said, has been reduced to a point far below what was generally supposed. Every effort is now made to remedy the evil, and, from the rapidity with which we know a n causeA l i p f t s o i r iss not yet that an army can be organised in France, it is cer tain that before long 600 , 0 0 0 men can b e placed on doubt as to th e i r conduct, will be s o p the war footing , a nd, if Prussia and Austria give y thought that the idea of an armylaced. on the Private letters from Turin of the 14th mention the reception of Prince Lucien Bonaparte by the King. The - 14th was his Majesty's birthday, and , though he seldom passes it in the capital, he 31 13 remained for the purpose of receiving the Prince, to whom he ha intimated his intention through the President of the Council. Prince Lucien and his secretary were accompanied by the Duke de Gulch° to the palace, when the interview lasted nearly an hour. The P r i nce af terwar d s v i s i te d t h e Du k e °l , Genoa. The Duke de Guiche gave a grand dinner in in the evening on the occasion of the Prince's arrival , at which the Ministers, the members of the diplo matic corps, and other high functionaries attendea• The next day tha Duke of Genoa returned Prince Lucien's visit in great state. It seems that the Piedmontese are generally struck with the reselw blance of the Prince to the Emperor Napoleon 1 • _ It is not, however, to Napoleon when Emperor_ that the likeness is so striking, but rather to th First Consul before lie had become corpulent, an d e : while his features were less full. The Prince started for Milan on the 15th. The Bourse on Saturday experienced a further, decline. The 3 per Cents, opened at 66f. 20e., fel l to 66f. 85c., and closed at 65f. 95c. for the end 01 the month. The 4 per Cents. closed at 92f. 40c.; Orleana Railway awe, 1,057 f. 00c.; Rouen, 870 f.; Ma exp by Thc her firs. pro fan for on the Leo Ma Cal mit 10t1 per 1 Phi the Hat Or Vi Frei ; tarp 30s. ton. LLC Lo Eght W Ai Rott ZV Pa Lout Pa Lonc