The Sun. — London, England, 1857-01-01 00:00:00

countries, nor to discuss the commencement of the late war. But this I will say, that England entered into the late war without any feeling or intention of salt e eggrancheement at all. For many years England had warred for freedom and for liberty—in support of the weak against the strong. (Applause.) Oa this occasion she entered on the combat with these and no other feelings. Contrary to all stipula tions of treaty, and in the face of all remonstrances on the part of England and France as w el l as of Turke y , Russia attempted to dis:,urb that balance of power in Europe upon which the prosperity of this country and its liberty and freedom so essentially depend. (Applause.) England would be no party to such an attempt. After such endeavours had been made to induce Russia to forego her intentions on this subject war was :declared, and then, gentlemen, was returned a despatch which must have proclaimed to all the world that England, when she wars with one mind, is invincible—(cheers)---even though all the world were against her. (Cheers.) We have seen great warlike sights in former times, but he it remembered that that was in times when our shores were threatened and when our homes and altars were supposed to be endangered. No wonder though England, Scotland, and Ireland then rose as one man to defend interests so dear to them. (Cheers.) But upon the present occasion it was not so. Our formidable foes are row our most attached allies. (Cheers.) Long may they continue so--(loud c heers) —long may commerce make us akin, and l ong may those ties of friendship so firmly existing between us continue to sub sist in their present strength. (Cheers.) She was formerly our formidable foe, but now, gentlemen, our hearths were in no dan g er, our altars were free from risk of profana tion ; we were in the enjoyment of the most profound peace, and yet the nation awakened with one voice, arose as one man to approve the declaration of this war, and her ew ord leaped from the scabbard to prosecute it. (Cheers.) p a= ty spirit vanished before the declaration of war ; there was Almost a lull of politics ; the Commons gave up their econo my—(laughter)—and adopted an unbounded gene rosity, and the people exhibited a patience under taxation --(laughter)—which was truly admirable. (Cheers.) And, gentlemen, not content with exhibiting this patience under taxation, they voluntarily taxed themselves to form that Patriotic Fund which will ever remain a monument of what a people can do when their hearts are in their work. (Cheers.) And not only so, but they voluntarily subscribed funds to supply the wants of our sick and wounded soldier a and sailors abroad, whereby many a man who had sacrificed health in his country's service found comfort at their hands which he would not else have found. Gentlemen, there is another feature which has distinguished this war, upon which we must all look with pride and satisfaction. In for mer wars we had prowling about our ports things called pressgangs, and we had our militia driven to the parade by the compulsory ballot. On this occasion we have never heard a word of the pressgang or the compulsory ballot. Our fleets have been manned and our army recruited by t he voluntary enlistment of the youth of tho country. And it is a matter of the greatest pride for the nation to be able to stand up in the face of the world and say that without con scription or pressing her sons in a just cause will ever rails) , around her. You have seen what our army and navy are , capable of doing—you have seen a large army accumu late rd on the shores of an enemy's country at a vast distance from a their native shores. We owe that to the capability of the navy,*and to the exertions of that sister service ; but we o'. ve that sister service more—and I say it in the presence of e ar friend Sir Houston Stewart— we owe that sister ser vice a debt of gratitude for the manner in which she brought that army home from the East, and rescued it from the perils to which it would have been exposed. Under Sir Eronston Stewart's able direction—for his senior officer was th en at home—that army, of not less than 80,000 men at least, whatever more, was embarked from the Crimea and landed safely upon the shores of Europe. (Cheers.) And I may h'are add that, as a tribute to that army, there was not a regiment of it which landed upon English shores—whe ther _English, Scotch, or Irish—that was not passed in re view before her Majesty herself, and to the men in whose ranks ahe did not herself address some sympathising words. It was my good fortune to see the first formation of that army at Aldershot, when reviewed by her Majesty —it was my good fortune to see the officers of that army called together into a square; and never till the latest day I live shall I forget the speech then made by the Queen to those officers, nor the tears which trickled over the manly beards of some of those officers when they heard hose words fall from her Majesty. (Cheers.) And now, gt 'ntlemen, one word with regard to the future. You have see n, as I have stated, what your services of the navy and arm y can do for you when called effectively into action Peas a has now returned ; but although peace has returned, she is like a bird flying back at present to her tree, and, althreta th she may have alighted on the branch, her wings are not yet fairly settled to her side. (Applause.) I would hope are d trust that this country will not be in too great a hurry to insist upon returning to what are called peace es tablishms 'nth—(cheers)— and not only to clean the sword, but to inss'st upon hanging it up to rust against the wall. (Cheers.) ';'here is a medium in all things ; and I believe we may study economy. and at the same time preserve efficiency. (Cheers.) I believe we may look forward to the maintena uce of good efficient forces both in the army and in the na my, but at the same time considerable relief from the taxat ion of the war. But I believe at the same time that it wo ald be the most ill.timed economy suddenly to cut down tha t which you have so efficiently raised up, and to bring back the country into a state from which, when war lately occurred, it cost millions to rescue it. (Cheers.) When my hon. friend who represented me in the House of Commons moved last year the army and navy estimates, they amounted to no less a sum than 3 aOO aOC3a; but to give you some idea that I am not exactly talking without my book, when I am saying that great efficiency may be maintained and yet relief from taxation achieved, I can promise you that these estimates this year will not come within twenty millions of what they did last year. (Cheers.) And all I ask and all I hope for is, that this country will well consider the necessity of maintaining in these unsettled times a navy sufficient to defend our coasts at home and our possessions abroad, and an army fitted to send troops to the field, as well as to perform the duties of those vast and extensive foreign possessions to which my noble friend the Commander-hi-Chief for Scotland so lately referred. ([lie Lordship sat down amid loud and protracted cheering.) After the toast of " Our allies in the field," which was duly honoured, Mr. Sheriff LOGAN proposed "The United States of America, and permanence to the friendly relations between the two countries." (Applause.) The toast was received with all the honours. Mr. T. STEERE, United States' Consul, in reply, said— The toast proposed by the learned sheriff comprises two particulars—" The prosperity of America," and " Perma nence to the friendly relations between the two countries." Now, without detaining you for more than a moment with statistics, allow me to call your attention to the past growth of the country in a few points, as an indication of what may be expected in the future. According to the re port of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States the agricultural and manufacturing production of the` county was, in round numbers, iu 1840, 201,247,0 , W. ; in , 1655, according to the eensus of 18 ia, and estimates, the production was 520,473,000%—m0re than doubling in 15 ( years. In 181! the estimated amount of gold and silver in the country was 20 million. In 1855 the Mint estimated the gold and silver at 40 millions, and the Treasury depart ment at 50 millions. Again, the effect of the reciprocal free trade is shown by the fact that in the year ISS ;, the year before the reciprocity treaty between the United States and the British North American provinces went into effect, the exports from the United States to said provinces was, in round numbers, 1,481,0001., and the im ports from said provinces 1,510,0031. In the year 1356 the exports of American products to said provinces amounted to 4,543,C00/., and the imports from them into the United States to 4,262,003/. Now, the progress awl policy of a nation of 30 millions of people, whose material progres sion is such as this, cannot be to you indifferent or unim portant. (Cheers.) Both peoples will have free speech and a free press. They will not, as of old, go into the market streets simply to learn whet has been said or done their immediate neighbourhood ; they will have their newspaper to tell them the occurrences of the day, and of every day in their town, county, kingdom, and tLe world. They will grumble at it, dictate to it, laugh at it --do ever, thing but do without it. (Cheers.) He must bo a superficial reasoner indeed who does not perceive, wrapt in the thrindera of the Tintc=, and the genial hu mour and flowing wit of Punch, eminciple and philosophy which is continually carrying them, as well as others, along towards a higher appreciation of truth, of others' rights, and universal Justice, toward the end and aim of the press, the diffasion of truth and the cultivation and advocacy of true manners and morals, awl public virtu e in society and Government. (Cheers.) I believe in thus continuance and constantly increasing strength of the good feeling now existing between us, because I recollect that during th e pendency of most of those questions which have agitated .and divided the two countries, there have always been on I both Fides far-seeing statesmen and true patriots who have I agreed in their views of the then existing question. (Clic ere. ) Mr. BAXTER, M.P. for the burghs, proposed "The Agii cultural Interest." (Great Cheering.) Various other toasts of local interest followed, and the meeting separated before 10 o'clock. The failure was announced yesterday of the trercan• tile house of Mr. G. B. Rocca. The liabilities arc be lieved to amount to at least 50,0001., and the ovent is attributed to the suspension, advised yesterday, of the house of Decio Trasciatti, of Trieste, in connection with w hich Mr. Rocca is said to be under commitments to de extent of 30,0001. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —Holloway's Pii's —Unprecedented cure of indiL:estion.—EKtract of a letter from J. B, M. 6, St. Edward-street, P,lfast, t) Professor Hero way : " Sir,—Gratitud.: impels me to address you and thus make known to the world the healing qualities of your wonderful medicine. I was afflicted for twels.:3 years w:th indigestion and constipation ; the prescriptions of my several medical attendants proved in vain ; when, almost driven to despair, I obtained your medicine, won derfully and quickly restoring me to health, all the buoyancy and elasticity of youth rettrning.—Sold by all medicine vendors throughout the world, at Professor Holloway's Establishme nt 3, 244, Strand, Londo n , and B S, Maiden•lane, New York; by A. Stampa, Constan inople ; A, GaidicY' Smyrna; and E, Muir, Malta, THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 1, 1867. 20th of December formal propositions, which in the course of negotiations assumed the following shape : As the Neuchatel affair has hitherto been merely the object of isolated proceedings on the part of the diffe:- ent legations ' all the chiefs of the missions who reside at Berne have deemed it proper to take a collective step, addressing themselves to the Federal Council, for the purpose of giving it, in concert, the positive assurance that the instant the Federal authorities shall have, in virtue of their rights of sovereignty, ordered the imme diate and complete annulling of the legal proceedings, their respective governments will use their most zealous good offices towards inducing his Majesty the King of Prussia to accede to an arrangement in the sense of re cognising the absolute independence of Neuchatel of every foreign claim. An attentive examination of these overtures gave us the conviction that we had no reason for rejecting them; for on the one hand the concurrence of all the Powers, which they allowed us to look for, and especially that of the Powers which signed the London protocol, ought to have great weight in the scale to the advantage of Switzerland ; and that concurrence was for Switzerland a serious assurance, that she really might attain the object proposed. On the other hand it was a point of great importance that the proposition expressly ack nowleged Switzerland's rights of sovereignty, since, as is well known, it had been wished to contest the jurisdic tion of the Confederation over the Naucnatelese prisoners. The acknowledgment of that jurisdiction was made in term, which excluded all dispute touching the right of Switzerland, to whom all latitude was left to make such use of it as to her might seem to her fitting, since the proposition merely and simply gave it to be understood, that the powers were willing to employ their good offices provided Switzerland, acting in virtue of her sovereign ty, would declare the legal proceedings annulled. Finally, we have to notice as a favourable circum stance, and very opportune for Switzerland, the fact that the legation of the United States of North America declared itself ready to join in these collective assurances. We consequently declared that we were ready to pro pose to the Federal Assembly that it should decree, in virtue of the sovereignty of the Swiss Confederation, as follows 1. The legal proceedings on account of an insurrec tionary attempt at Neuchatel on the 2d and 3d Sept., of the present year are annulled. 2. The prisoners now in detention are set at liberty ; nevertheless (for the sake of order) they will have to quit the canton until a definitive arrangement of the Neuchatel question shall have occurred. It is a matter of course that the legations which pre sented this proposition had to ask their respective go vernments previously for full powers formally to present their collective note. We here fulfil an agreeable duty in expressing our sincere gratitude for the friendly sentiments displayed in these conciliatory propositions, and for the good will which several of the foreign diplomatic representatives have evinced in their efforts for drawing up the collec tive note. The steps that followed had not the desired result. Tha collective note has not been drawn up, because some of the powers have considered they ought to re fuse th 3 authorisation to acquiesce in it, which had been asked of them. We ought also to say a few words respecting the steps we have taken with a view to secure for the Con federation the financial resources it might in any even tuality require. It was an imperative duty for us to devote to this object the most serious attention, since the military preparations could have no value whatever without the necessary resources. We may now inform you that we have the prospect of contracting abroad a loan of 12 millions, on tolerably advantageous conditions. Our financial department, moreover, is charged to examine other plans for con tracting a second loan. Certainly we could not defini tively conclude s. loin, since, by the terms of the con stitution, that right apper,:ains solely to the Legislative Councils. Bat, as you see, the preparatory steps have been taken. For the rest, we leave it entirely to your just appreciation. . . We have now given a fair account of all the negotia tions. You see ttat the aspect of the matter remains unchanged. Prussia demands the preliminary anduncondi tional liberation of ;12e prisoners ; we, oa our side, declare ourselves still willing to abandon the trial, provided the independence of Neuchatel be declared at the same time, or, at least, guarantees given to us that it will be so. We cannot and rrust not relinquish this condition with out compromising the right of a free constitution and the sovereign rights of the Confederation. We confi dently leave to you the appreciation of our conduct, cer tain that impartial history will one day render us justice. Permit us to give you again a summary view of the different phases through which the negotiations have passed. The Prussian Legation demanded at first the libera tion previously to any further proceedings, and then the unconditional discharge of the Neuchatelese prisoners ; at a later period that measure was recommended by the French legation. We answerel that we were ready to propose the liberation demanded, the instant a positive assurance should be given to us concerning the absolute independence of Neuchatel. Tne offers of mediation by England, which we have minutely described in this message, form the second phase of the negotiations. We declared our readiness to accept these propositions; but they were not communicated to Prussia, because it could be foreseen that her answer would be in the nega tive. In the third phase of the affair, France demanded the release of the prisoners, engaging in return to do her best to obtain from the King of Prussia a renunciation of his claim. We do not think we could accept this proposition, for the reasons set forth in this message. In the fourth phase of the negotia'ions, Prussia de mands the unconditional I.beration of the prisoners, declaring that in that case she would be ready to enter into -negotiations. We rerly that we are equally ready to negotiate, bu that we cannot consent to the preliminary and uncon. ditional release of the prisoners. I❑ the fifth phase of the matter we are endeavouring to enter into direct ►.egotiation with Prussia ; but that power refuses to to do so, so long as the preliminary release of the prisoners shall not have taken place. The sixth phase of the question is distinguished by the projected "collective note," which we were willing to take as a basis of negotiation, but it came to nothing in consequence of the opposition made by certain powers. We shall eonclude our report, and return into your hands the settlement of this grave and important ques tion. Nevertheless, for the sake of dissipating every kind of doubt, and giving a solemn contradiction to all rum our s of the contrary, we declare in the most formal manner that the Federal Council has been unanimous upo n all the principal questions, and that all its resolu tions have been taken with the same unanimity. May the same unanimity crown your deliberations ❑ow ! May God bless your resolutions, and protect our dear country ! We submit the following project of a decree for your adoption, in conformity with the propositions that we have the honour of presenting to you. The Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confedera►ion, after having heard the report of the Federal Council, Decrees : 1. Th e Federal Council will still continue to en deavour as hitherto to procure a pacific solution of the Neuchatel question by every means compatible with the honotir and dignity of Switzerland, and which is of a nature to procure the recognition of the inde pendence of Neuchatel f^orn all f ireign ties. 2. The military levies ordered by the Federal Council, awl the other measures of safety taken by it are approved. It IS authorised to take any ulterior measures deemed necessary to defend the country to the last extremity, ha case an honourable and pacific solution cannot be obtained. An unlimited credit is allowed to meet all expenses.. 3. The Federal Council is auLhorised to negotiate and concl u d e on account of the Confederation one or more loa ns to an amount not exceeding 3 0 , 000 , 000 f. 4. Th e F e deral Council is charged to communicate these pr o p os i t i o ns through the proper channels to the people o f t h e Swiss cantons. When they have been adopted, t h e C om mander-in-Chief will be named. The Federal Council finally expresses the wish that the Federal Assembly, after having terminated its de liberations, may be not dissolved, but simply prorogued. In the name of the Swiss Federal Council, STARKrimr, President of the Confederation. Scums, Chancellor of the Confederation. Berne, December 26, 1856. REPORT OP THE FEDERAL COUNCIL OF SWITZERLAINrD ON THE AFFAIR OF NEUF CHATEL. (Conttnuc front The Sun of yesterday ) We shall now, ie ontiouing our report, Mr. President and gentlemen of the Fe;eral Assembly, communicate to you the definitive result of the negotiations attempted at Paris, after informing you that General Dufour had in the meantime returned from his mission. The French legation transmitted to us a note from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, dated 26th Nov., in which the friendly disposition of the Emperor towards the Confederation was once more confirmed, but in which, also, the demand for the release of the Neuchatel pri soners was repeated, and with still greater urgency. If, added the note, the Federal Assembly, relying on its sovereignty, would comply with that desire, and would pronounce the release of the prisoners, the Empe• ror would be ready to employ all his efforts to smooth over the difference which bad arisen on the subject of Neuchatel, and induce the King of Prussia to renounce the rights which treaties had recognised that he pos ses-ed over the principality of Neuchatel and the conte of Valangin. The measures thus recommended to Switzerland would be, in the opinion of the Imperial Cabinet, a proof of friendly condescension, and would contain nothing which could lessen the dignity of the Confederation. The details of the arrangement would, in the opinion of that Cabinet, he easy to determine, and it would not be difficult to reconcile the settlement of the dispute with the interests of the two parties. Before mentioning our reply to the French note of the 26th November, we must make you acquainted with an extract from a despatch addressed on the 25th of Nov. by Lurd Clarendon to the English Minister at Berne, and which will prove to you still more positively that the English Government thought fit to assume an atti tude which was essentially different from that of the French Government. The English envoy was instructed to inform the Presi dent of the Confederation that her Majesty's Government however great was its desire to contribute by every means in its power towards procuring an amicable settlement of the Neuchatel question, nevertheless did not think it right to acquiesce in the bases of negotiations that had been proposed at Paris, because those bases appeared to imply a knowledge of the intentions of the King of Prus sia not possessed by her Majesty's Government, and this circumspection in the decision of her Majesty's Govern• ment was dictated by the motive that Switzerland ap peared to suppose that the King of Prussia would re nounce his rights on Neuchatel in case the prisoners shonld be amnestied. If the Government of her Ma jesty had contributed to create a similar inference in the minds of the Federal Council, it would have done a thing it was not authorised to do, as it had not received from the Prussian Government any communication to justify such an instance, and was completely ignorant of the future intentions of the King of Prussia. The Govern ne-eit of her Britannic Majesty was far from wishing to affirm that the liberation of the prisoners might not simplify the solution of this affair, or that the King of Prussia would not be bound to satisfy the wishes of the Federal Government ; but, on the other band, her Ma jesty's Government could not take any engagement or give any assurance that this was really the case. Should, however, the Federal Government, on considering the circumstances, suddenly decide upon liberating the prisoners without a trial, the Government of her Ma jesty, in common with the French Government, would take steps to induce the King of Prussia to put an end to the Neuchatel dispute according to the desire of the Swiss Confederation, and to recognise the inde pendence of the canton of Neuchatel. Nevertheless, her Majesty's government felt it its duty to declare as well to the Confederation as to the Federal government, that it could not guarantee the success of its measures, and that it had not as yet any ground to form an assurance as regards the result of its good offices. As regards the proposition of the Federal Council, that in case of a re fusal on the part of the King of Prussia to accept this arrangement, the British government should withdraw its adhesion to the London protocol, her Majesty's Government could not yet give a reply, and the Federal Government must consider that the protocol is binding upon the powers that signed it. Oa tha s+:l of December we cbarzed our minister at Paris to acidre6s the Count Walewski, in reply to the note of the 28th November, a communication, of which the following is a summary : We are grateful to his Majesty the Emperor of the French for the friendly and benevolent disposition which he expressed towards Switzerland, and we particularly thank his Majesty for having been pleased to tender us his good offices to obtain a pacific settlement of the Neuchatel dispute. We regret the more that we are not able to comply with the renewed invitation which the imperial govern ment has made us to release the prisoners. The con siderations, however, by which we are herein actuated are of such a nature that the imperial government itself will nct refuse duly to appreciate them. The demand of a preliminary and unconditional re lease of the prisoners can only be founded upsn the sup position that they have not rendered themselves guilty of any crime ; that the Confederation is in the wrong with regard to them, and that all the right is on the side of the King of Prussia. The Confederation, however, could by no means agree to such a proposition ; it could not admit that its posi tion with regard to the insurgents of the 3d September is founded only upon existing facts, and not also upon well-established facts. Without wishing to discuss in detail the Neuchatel question in a legal point of view, we may observe that, by the act of the Congress of Vienna, the canton of Neu eatel was reunited to Switzerland, and that by the spe cial acte d'accession executed between that canton and the Swiss Confederation, that canton was, in its relation with the Confederation, completely released from any princes residing out of the country, seeing that the par ticipation of the canton in the federal affairs, its vote in the Diet, and in general all its relations with the Con federation, depended solely upon the government resi dent at Neuchatel. The canton of Neuchatel has ad hered to all the dispositions made by the Federal pact, even to those which provided that thera should no longer be in Switz,r:and any territory in a state of subjection, and that the government could not be a privilege in the hands of any persons or anyelass of the citizens. The Prince of Neuchatel also has expressly authorised the eonc:uding of this acte d'acccssion, and the consequent emancipation of the canton. The canton of Neuchatel has continue i to occupy the same position in regard to the Confederation that all the other cantons of Switz:r land occupy, and it has voted, together with them, in favour of the principle proclaimed by the Diet on the 27th Nov., 1830, which bestowed upon every canton the right freely to give itself a constAntion, Resting upon these treaties, and upon the acts as well as upon the development of the constitutional relations which are the resat of them, the rights of sovereignty belonging to the Confederation are quite as well founded in refer ence to the canton of Neuchatel as they are in reference to any other canton. The Confederation has a right, and it is its duty, to guarantee the constitutions of the cant. - ine, and to provide for the maintenance of good order throughout all the territory of the Confederation. The canton of Neuchatel, like every other, is subject to these principles. If gwitzeiland were to obey the demand of the prelimi nary and unconditional release of the prisoners, that act would amount to a renunciation of her constitutional position with regard to the canton of Neuchatel and of the exercise of the rights of sovereignty which belong to the Confederation.' Such an act cannot be required of any state the independence of which is acknowledged. It cannot be expected that Switzerland will submit to such a demand, even under the hypothesis that the King of Prussia is still in possession of his rights to Neucha tel ; for it must, even in that case, be allowed that Swit zerland too has some important rights to be defended, a-4 well as the Prince of Neuchatel. And it would be mistaking altogether the legal position of the two par ties, to pretend that Switzerland should renounce her rights, without any simultaneous concession being mani fested on the other side. ' We fury appreciate the assurance which the Imperial government offers us, in case of Switzerland deciding to release the prisoners. But we cannot avoid the convic tion that, although we have expressed ourselves in all sincerity upon the detailed conditions of an eventful arrangement, it has not been so on the side of the King of Prussia, who has seemed to practise the greatest re serve, even towards the Imperial Government, in this respect. We are, consequently, warranted in raising some doubts about the real intentions of the King, and we might justly feel some apprehension lest any defini tive arran,ement should fall to the ground in the pre sence of the conditions which the King might attach to the renunciation of his claim. greater degree of confidence in the assurance given to u 5 by the King would only be possible in case the Emperor of the French were informed of the conditions which the King designs to lay down, and if lie were able to dec'are to us that those conditions are no way incompatible with the complete independence of Neu chatel. In any case, we were obliged to regard it as doubtful that the Emperor Was aware of those conditions, and Switzerland must insist the ra th er upon s ome positive assurances in that respect, because the King's circular to the German states, and the - speech which the King i:ttely delivered, exhibit a tendency directly opposed to the claims of Switzerland. Tile liberation of the pi isoners has been recommended to us also a; an act of generosity. But apart from the consideration that there exists no particular motive for exercising generosity instead of leaving justice to take its course, their liberation would, under the circum stances, appear in the eyes of all the world, not as an act of generosity, but as an act of weakness. Lastly, there remains this consideration, that the libe ration of the prisoners without any reserve would cause serious detriment to one of the fundamental political principles of the organisation of Switzerland, namely, that all, whether they be rich or poor, of high or low degree, are equal in the sight of the law, of equity and justice. We beg you, gentlemen, to cast a glance at the signi ficant declaration which we have authorised our Minister at Paris to make to the Impsrial Government, and to keep in view the following points : The King of Prussia has intimated, it is true; that he would be ready to enter into negotiations as soon as Switzerland should have pronounced the release of the prisoners; but he has not said a word of the bases upon which the negotiations would rest, nor of the conditions upon which he might make the renunciation of his pre tended rights depend. We did not insist upon that matter, and we have ceased for a long time to demand that those conditions should be directly communicated to ourselves ; we should have declared ourselves satisfied if the Emperor of the French had been informed of the conditions. We went one step farther, and we did not even ask that the Em peror of the French should communicate to us the condi- tiovs that might have been laid down ; it was enough for n-3 that the Emperor should give us his assurance that those conditions were compatible with the complete inde pendence of Neuchatel, and that they contained nothing which could impair the honour of Switzerland. In the presence of these facts, we may appeal to you gentlemen, and to the whole world, whether we have not limited ourselves to the very minimum of what must be required by an independent state which does not wish to deliver itself over, bound hand and foot, to its adversary. In the presence of these facts, which have until this day been veiled in diplomatic secrecy, we are not afraid to ask you, and to ask the world, whether the reproach can be made to us of having acted with obstinacy, and hav ing remained inaccessible to good advice ; or whether we have not rather afforded, by our concessions, a complete proof that we desired to show ourselves disposed to enter into an amicable settlement, if only such a thing were possible without impairing the honour and the rights of the Confederation? But we did not even stop there, and we made yet another effort with a view to bring about an amicable settlement of the dispute. Under data of Dec. 10 we wrote to our minister at Paris that the Neuchatel question had now arrived at a point where means might be tried to ascertain whether a settlement could be obtained by the method of direct negotiations between Switzerland and the King of Prussia ; and the more so since there ap- peared to be no repugnance felt in high quarters at Berlin to entering into an arrangement. It will have been foreseen that the proceedings of the trial cannot commence earlier than the middle of January, so that a compromise would still be practicable. When once the public pleadings bad been closed, and the verdict de livered, the interval which separates the two parties from each other would be much wider, and direct negotia tions would be more difficult to take up. But the sending of an envoy or delegate on our part to Berlin would have constituted an act of condescension so important, that we eould not resolve to do so until we were informed, officially at least, of the King's inten tions with regard to the reception ti hich might be reser ved for our envoy, and with regard to the basis of the deliberations, We charged our minister to communicate confiden tially to the Prussian ambassador resident at Paris, that we, for our part, were disposed to enter directly into negotiations in which we should have for our object the recognition of the independence of Neuchatel. If the King were disposed to listen to the overtures of that purport, we would send, in case his Majesty desired it, a delegate to treat with him officially upon the subject. As early as Dec. 14, our minister at Paris sent us word that the Prussian envoy had declared to him that it was impossible for him to anticipate a communication from the Swiss government, bet that he would, neverthe• less, make private inquiries at Berlin as to whether there was a disposition to take advantage of the time, before the trial should commence, to procure an arrange ment between the two parties. Our minister has not received any further answer from Count Hatzfeld on the subject. On the contrary, the envoy of another Power has been enabled to give us a definitive declaration, to the effect that a delegation from Switzerland would be received at Berlin, but only after the release of the prisoners should have taken place, a declaration which agreed entirely with another communication which has reached us through a private channel, and without any steps having been taken by us to obtain it. Such was the situation of affairs when the envoy ex traordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Prussia to the Swiss Confederation, M. de Sydow, announced, by a note dated, from Sigmaingen, on the 16th December, that he had received orders from his sovereign to termi• nate his official relations with the Federal authorities, Simultanecusly with this communication, the chancery of the legation at Berne suspended its official functions. The moment seemed to have arrived for convoking the Federal Assembly, and consigning the question to its ultimate decision. We will here call to mind that in order to elucidate every part of the question, we have caused a memoir to be drawn up, which discusses thoroughly the historical and judicial considerations that should serve as a basis for the full appreciation of this subject. This memoir has been communicated to all the governments of Europe, and also to the cabinet of Washington ; and we have en deavoured to make it as public as possible, at home and abroad. The memoir will also be communicated to you, and, not to repeat what has often been said already, we take the liberty of referring you particularly to the last chapter, in which the legal point of view from which we started is explained in detail. Permit ns, gentlemen, to direct your attention to another point, which must already have seriously en gaged your attention,—we mean the military prepara tions. Prudence required us to be upon our guard. Our mili tary department had already laboured, though in si lence, to complete the military force of Switzerland, so that they could be rendered available at the first sum mons from the authorities. The cantons were invited to fill up such vacancies as might exist, and to complete the organisation of the troops. A certain number of superior staff-officers were summoned to the Federal city, that they might, as a council of war, assist our military department. A distribution of the Federal army, the plan of which had been prepared, was ap proved of by us. By degrees, the situation of affairs assumed a graver and more threatening aspect. Not only did the public journals, especially the German journals, announce that Prussia contemplated a hostile demonstration against Switzerland, but it was also offici ally communicated to us that Prussia had actually mobilised, or would mobilise forthwith two army corps, and that she was negotiating with the Southern States of Germany for the passage of her troops. Serious warn ings reached us from various quarters, by which we were given to understand that the mobilisation of the Pros. sian forces was appointed for the beginning of January next. We could not but feel convinced that Prussia attached great importance to securing the success of the inter vention before the trial. We were compelled, more over, to admit that Prussia wouid send an army corps to our frontier by the time the Federal Assembly was to meet, and that she would do thin for the purpose of ex ercising an influence which for us was quite inadmissible over the deliberations of the Federal authorities. We know, finally, that there always has been, and stil is, a question whether Prussia has an intention of seizing as a pledge some of the most advanced points of the Swiss territory ; we could not therefore wait for a dec'a• ration of war to be addressed to us, and we were boun'i to take measures, so as to be able to repel an attack. Knowing with what rapidity an army might be trans ported, from the most distant point to our frontiers, thanks to the rap;cl means of communication, we were bound to consider the danger as imminent, and we thought we could not delay making preparations on a vast scale, as we did not wish to take upon ourselves an immense responsibility, that of having allowed ourselves to be surprised by events, and of having put it out of the power of the country to make an efficacious resistance in defence of its dearest interests. In consequence, under date of Dec. 18, we invited the high Federal states to place the Federal army of the elite, and likewise the re serve and the militia (landwehr) on such a footing, that their services might be immediately employed in the cause of their country, and to fill up instantly whatever vacancies or deficiencies might exist in the ranks nr in the equipments of the troops. On Dac. 19 we invited the cantonal governments, moreover, to complete their contingents without delay, and prepare to supply, at the first summons their quota of horses in sound condition. Lastly, on the 20th December, we informed the cantons that in order to be ready for any eventuality, and not to alow ourselves to be surprised by events, we had or,lered two divisions to be called out for the field. Tnese divisions are the 3d, placed under the command of the Federal Col. Bourpeois•Doxat, and the sth, commanded by Federal Col. Ziegler. Our military department was charged to assemble to gether the corps of these divisions, forming part of the Federal active army ; this order will shortly have re. ceived its execution. On the same day (Dec. 20) the States were invited to call out immediately all the troops belonging to the active army and the Federal reserve, in order that this force might be rendered available, in case the country should require it. Since then we have also ordered the staffs of the Ist, 2d, 4th, 6th, and Bth divisions to be raised to their full complements. It is not without deep satisfaction that we inform you of all these arrangements having been received by the cantonal governments and the people with the enthusi asm that might have been expected from the generous patriotism of the Swiss nation. We have received the most unequivocal and touching proofs of civic devoted • ness and self•denial ; young men, as well as those of a riper age, show themselves equally ready to respond to their country's appeal. The same enthusiasm has taken hold of all classes of the population, and from all parts of the country we have received those marks of sympathy which prove how the seriousness of the crisis is appre ciated, and that the Confederation can depend upon being sustained by ardent hearts and by vigorous arms. Many of our military veterans have placed themselves at our disposal with laudable eagerness ; the students of the universities and academies request to be organised, and demand that they may be allowed to share the fatigues and dangers of the Federal army. The Swiss people comprehends that the hour of trial is Approaching. It sees the moment draw near with calmness, but without provocation ; and in this its atti tude, so full of dignity, we behold a manifestation really imposing. The Swiss recognise their Providential des- tination ; they know their liberty is at stake, their right to a free constitution, perhaps their very existence ; and in order to preserve these precious rights, to defend this their ancestral inheritance, they are ready to offer any sacrifice on the altar of their country. As soon as it was known that the Federal Council had made serious preparations, and that several cantons bad taken analogous measures, which testified irrefragably the firm• resolution of the people, diplomacy made fresh propositions, which brought into view the possibility of attaining Ah te a pacific solution. resident ministers at Berno seat to us on the Navel and Military Intelligence. The volunteering for the several depots at the provi sional battalion, Chatham, has been Attended with graat success, several of the colonial and Indian depots having received a large number of volunteers from other regi ments. The 3 , 1 Buffs and the 63tS Light Infantry have given 25 volunt eers to t h e 52d Light Infantry and the 70th Regiments, both of which ara on the Indian esta blishment ; and th e 2G t h Cameronians and the 35th r Royal Susses Regiments have also received a number of volunteers. Yesterday the troops stationed at St. Mary's Barracks, Chatham, having been assembled for inspection, an order was read from the War-office directing the discharge of 250 non-commissioned officers and men, who had been inspected by the Board of Commissioners from Chelsea Hospital and declared unfit for further service. A large number of the men to be discharged served in the Crimea during the whole of the campaign, and are decorated with the Crimean me d a l w ith f o ur clasp?. The Stromboli, 6, steam-sloop, Commander Burgess, was officially report e d an d th e c rew mustered yesterdayin Portsmouth h ar b our by Vice-Admiral Sir G. F. Seymour, Tee Pembroke, 60, being dismantled an d pa id o ff. -- 1( - 1 : 113 , the Commander - in - Chief , prior to sc rew block-ship or coast-guard service, Capt. Fras er , b en t sa il s yesterday in Portsmouth f harbour, and goes to Spitbead this day. The Victor Emmanuel, 91, having been proved suf ficiently, has now been placed in the first class in the steam fleet in reserve in Portsmouth harbour, under the superintendence of Capt. the Hon. F. T. Pelham, C. 8., of her Majesty's ship Blenheim. The Simoom steam transport, is expected to arrive in Kingstown harbour in a few days to take on board the service companies (800 strong) of the 33d (Duke of Wel lingt,m's) Regt., for conveyance to the Mauritius. Her Majesty's paddlewheel steam vessel Pluto, 4, Lieut.-Commander Swinburne, sailed from Plymouth on Tuesday for the west coast of Africa. The following appointments were made at the Admi ralty yesterday _ _ Mate—li. K Grey to the Pembroke. Naval Cadet—H. C. Walker to the Hermes. Midshipmen—F. L. Wood, C. E. Martyn, and E. Rice, to the Iris. . LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.—DEC. 31. (Before Mr. Commissioner Holroyd.) THE ROYAL BRITISH BANK. A private meeting was fixed in this matter to-day. Mr. James Johnstone, the messenger of this court, has just returned from Wales, where he had been to inspect the mines which the assignees now hold. There are two coal-mines and one iron-mine--that is to say, one part of the tract of ground produces iron and another coal, for they may be said to run one into the other. The works at the iron mine, which, of course, are of an ex pensive and heavy character, have been stopped for the present ; but about a hundred men are daily employed under the superintendence of Mr. Bowater, one of Mr. Johnstone's principal assistants. About 400 or 500 tons of coal and coke are weekly produced, and find a ready sale. There is a railway station within a few miles of the mine, and there is also a depot on the coast. On the whole the Welsh prospects are rather cheering to credi tors, shareholders, and all interested in that unfortunate concern—the British Bank. SUPPLEMENTAL DIVIDEND, Mr. Linklater—Perhaps your Honour will allow me to take this opportunity of making an application in the matter of the Royal British Bank, which it is necessary should be made on or before Friday. In consequence of the short time which some of the creditors think they have for proving their debts in this Court, we find that a great number haie been shut out from the dividend which was declared on Tuesday last. Several of those creditors have complained of this, and no doubt there are a great many more in the same position, of whom we have not heard. If your Honour will be kind enough to appoint a dividend meeting, to be advertised i❑ next Friday's Gazette, and the dividend to bo paid within three weeks, we shall have ample funds to pay all those cre ditors the amount of dividend already declared. Commissioner—So as to put them on the same footing as the others ? Mr. Linklater—Just so. It appears that great com plaints have been made, and we think this the' most effectual way of remedying them. Mr. Lawrence—l suppose this will not interfere with the payment of your former dividend ? Commissioner—Of course not. It will merely be putting the other creditors on the same footing as those who proved their debts before the last dividend meeting. Mr. Linklater—Having done that, if we have enough for a further dividend, we shall declare it at the same time. Mr. Lawrence—A. creditor was complaining to me that the dividend had been made upon proofs for only 200,0001., while in Chancery there had been debts proved to the amount of 400,000/. Mr Linklater—The dividend was made upon debts proved of 360,0001., and we do not expect that we shall have quite 100,000/. more of proofs. I thought it best to apply at once for another dividend meeting, as some of the creditors who have recently proved appear to be under apprehension that they should lose the past divi dend. Commissioner—That, of course, is out of the question; that was once the law. If creditors did not prove at a certain time they were shut out altogether. Mr. Linklater—Will your Honour give us a day for the dividend meeting Mr. Bagley—l think the amount of the dividend seems to have given universal satisfaction. Mr. Lawrence—lt seems to have made the creditors more clamorous, I think. Mr. Linklater—lf all the shareholders will pay their calls, no doubt we shall have a further dividend very soon. Commissioner—Let the dividend meeting be appointed for the 24th January. PO LICE INTELLIGEIVCE—Deo, 31, GUILDHALL.—CharIes Edkins, described as an agent and process server, was brought up betore Alder man Rose, for further examination relative to the oharge •f stealing a bill of exchange fur 241. 145., belonging to Mr. Johnson, a cabinet-maker, of Moorfields. Mr. Denny appeared for the prisoner, and, having commented upon the circumstances of the case, which have already appeared in print, submitt e d that, although the prisoner's conduct was reprehensible, the charge, if an offence at all, was merely a breach of trust. It could not be made a criminal offence, as at the time the bill was given there was no letter of instructions given with it to the prisoner. Mr. - .slartin said the charge was that of stealing the bill. Mr. Denny said there could not be the shadow of a pretence for such a charge, and the prosecutor's story was improbable in the extreme ; for he said he 'cad been sued upon this bill, and had let judgment go by default ; when by defending it, by putting a plea upon the record that he had never received value for it, and that it hal been stolen from him, would have been an ample answer to that action. He also said that he had seen the pri soner since the bill had been stolen, and had been drink ing with him in a public-house, but did not give him into custody. It was hardly possible to believe that the prosecutor could have acted so from stupidity, even if it were not, as he had already suggested, been a matter of accommodation between them—a mere exchange of ac ceptance. Alderman Rose said it was a very suspicious case all through, and he therefore ordered the bill to be im• pounded. The prosecutor had acted very stupidly in this matter, and had been taken advantage of accord ingly ; but there was not sufficient evidence to support the charge, and he therefore dismissed the case. In doing so, however, he could only say that it was a case of very grave suspicion to all the parties concerned. The prisoner was then discharged. BOW-STREET.—JuIian Payne, a newsboy, formerly in the service of Mr. Pavey, of Holywell•street, news vender and publisher, was charged with obtaining 36 morning papers, by false pretences, from James Morgan, one of the clerks to Messrs. Smith and Son, wholesale newsvenders in the Strand. The prisoner, who was known at Messrs. Smith's, having frequently been sent for newspapers when in Mv. Pavey's service, called that morning and asked for " Pavey's papers." The clerk, supposing him to be still in the employ, handed him the number of papers Mr. Pavey had ordered—namely, 18 with the impressed stamp, and 18 " blanks," or unstamped copies. The value, at the selling price, was 1/. 4s. 6d. Afterwards Mr. Pavey sent for the papers, and the trick was dis• crvered. The prisoner's address being known to Mr. Pavey there was no difficulty in finding him. When apprehended he said he got the papers to oblige Mr. Pavey's boy, to whom he had given them. The prisoner had been discharged by Mr. Pavey about two months back. The prisoner said he was asked by a boy, whom he believed to be in Mr. Pavey's service, to get the papers, as he was better acquainted with the establishment, and could get served more readily. He did so, but on seeing Mr. Pavey's boy in court, he found that this was not the person to whom he bad given the papers. Mr. Henry thought it very unlikely the prisoner would take that trouble to serve an employer who bad dischargA him. He (Mr. Henry) would send the case for trial, but for the present a remand would be necessary that in quiry might be made as to his character. Remanded accordingly. WORSHIP-STREET.—DARING SACRILEGE.—John Staunard and James Defier, journeymen masons, were placed at the bar before Mr. Hammill, charged with a most daring attempt to rob West Hackney Church of the s_teramental plate. Mr. Alfred Dunn Meredith, the sexton, stated that shortly before seven on Tuesday evening his children directed his attention to a light that appeared to be burning in the vestry, and having sent for Williams, the beadle, they went together to the lobby, the door of which was locked. He unlocked it, and Williams quietly approached the vestry, but hearing persons inside, hastily returned, and went for further assistance, and on enter ing the ♦estry presently afterwards they found the large iron plate chest pulled out from the wall and turned upside down, and with every appearance of a desperate effort having been made to force it open—one of the handles as well as the hasp and scutchen plate of the keyhole being broken off. It was still locked, however, and the witness anxiously opening it, found the contents undisturbed, comprising a silver flagon, two chalices, two patens, the bread-plates, spoons, alms-dish, and other articles used at the communion service, valued at 1801. While engaged in that examination his little girl called his attention to a noise at the back door like somebody trying to open it; he hastened back through the lobby, and distinctly saw the prisoner Staunard and another man not in custody endeavouring to make their way down a staircase leading to the vaults under the church ; and the vaults were entered and searched, but the men had then escaped by forcing up and removing a grating. He knew the men, and had employed thorn► and the prisoner Deller that day in putting down grave stones in the churchyard, but they had no business what ever in any part of the church. The plate chest weighed 7 cwt., and very great force must have been used to detach it from the wall. A smaller iron chest had been taken down, and the lid forced up at the ends sufficiently to admit a man's hand—the lock having withstood the attempt to force it, but it contained only tools ; and a wooden chest had also been forced, but it only contained a metal tankard and chalice, which were left in it, the robbers evidently being intent upon getting possession of the valuable silver plate. While they were making the investigation in the vestry the prisoner Duller entered and said, "D.ar me, what bare they been doing ?" but witness told him that he had no business there, and the sooner he went the better, and he accordingly went away; Thomas Williams, the beadle, corroborated the sexton's evidence, and produced a crowbar which he hart found left in the chest, which the villains were evidently in the act of breaking open when disturbed. He afterwards went with the police to a house in Sandford-lane, where both the prisoners were apprehended, and when told what they were charged with they both declared that it was all false, and denied having been at the church at all. Inspector Langdon, of the N division, stated that he found Duller at No. 1 cottage in Sandford-lane, end, leaving him in charge of another officer, went out into the lane, where he presently afterwards met with Staunard, who, in reply to his question, denied that h e lived there, but on being taken in was identified by th e other witnesses. When told of the charge against hire, he raid, "You are mistaken, my friend," an d d eclared that he was innocent. The prisoners were remanded for a week, for the corn pletion of the evidence for their committal. CLETZKENWELL.—UNFOUNDED CHARGE OP ROB. BERY AGAINST A FEMALE — Amelia We6thall, a haud• some, well-dressed girl,ll7 years of age, was placed at the bar before Mr. Tyr whitt, charged by Charles Richd. Waddell Watkins, an elderly eccentric-looking man, who was described in the police ocet as I. "gentleman," residing at No. 43, Burford-street, St. Pancras, on sus picion of stealing 3/. in gold. The prosecutor having been sworn, in a wild manner said—l live at No. 43, Burford-ztreet, St. Pancras. Oa Tuesday, at two o'cioek, the prisoner visited me, as she was in the habit of doing. She prepared dinner, and we dined. We went to bed together, and afterwards she said her hand was bad, and she mu-t go to a surgeon to have it dressed. While we were in bed my trousers were on the bed. I felt in the pocket, and I missed 11 sovereigns, but charged her only with stealing three. I entreated her to return the money, telling her I could not afford to lose so much, but she refused and resisted. I locked her in the room and brought a policeman, and charged her with stealing three sovereigns. The police man went to make a search in the bed, and he found an empty purse and several sovereigns on the carpet. I complain of the policeman picking up three and putting them into his coat pocket, which he refused to deliver up to me. Police-constable 92 E, sworn, said—l accompanied the prosecutor to his house in Burford -street. He said he had been robbed of 101. He (Hr. Watkins) unlocked the door. I then saw the prisoner sitting on a chair near the fire. I told her she must consider herself my prisoner on a charge of robbery. I began a search, and saw several sovereigns lying on the carpet of the room. She said nothing. The prosecutor was in the room at the time. I did not put any of the money in my poet pocket. I put my hand behind to get my pocket hand kerchief, when he charged me with putting some sove reigns in my pocket. He wanted to search me, but I would not submit until at the station-bailie. Sergeant Chamberlaine, E division, was in the station house when the charge was brought there. The con stable was searched, and no sovereigns were found, but only ss. in his purse. It was his voluntary offer to be searched. Mr. Tyrwhitt, after a long and patient investigation, said a more unfounded charge was never brought before a magistrate. He believed the poor girl to be perfectly innocent. A more gross charge was never made, and the police con-table was free from any imputation. He would discharge them both. It was evident the case was brutal and sensual, and, addressing the girl (who shed tears), told her never again to have anything to do with such a fellow as the man Watkins. Watkins addressed the bench insolently, saying, " You are wrong," and the parties left the court. SOUTHWARK.— CHARGE OF STABBING.—Henry De Courcy was brought before Mr. Combe, charged with maliciously stabbing James Clare, his step-brother, a young man about 16 years of age. It appeared from the evidence of Hough, 112 M, that on Tuesday morning, about three o'clock, his attention was attracted to a court in Long-lane, Bermondsey, by bearing cries of murder. He proceeded there, and saw the injured lad bleeding from wounds on the left arm and the right side of his face. The prisoner was given into his custody, and the lad was conveyed to the hospi tal, where he remained until that morning. The pri soner was his step brother, and witness was informed that he inflicted the wounds with a knife or other sharp instrument, which could not be found. The complainant, whose left arm was bandaged up, and the whole side of the right face covered with ad hesive plaster, was sworn, but he had evidently been tampered with, as he gave quite a different version to the magistrate to that which he told the constable. The father of the lad, however, positively swore that no one else stabbed him but the prisoner. The surgeon from the hospital was in attendance, and he raid the wounds were inflicted by a sharp instrument, and the lad told him the prisoner was the person who stabbed him. Mr. Combe, after hearing that evidence, decided on remanding him for a week for further examination. LAMBETH.—ROBBERY BY A SOLDIER.—A CRIMEAN MEDALIST.—Joseph Curtis, a private, belonging to the Fusilier Guards, and the possessor of a Crimean medal with one clasp for taking Sebastopol, was further exa mined on a charge of being concerned with another man not in custody with robbing Mr. John Dougal Leap, a respectable tradesman, residing at 10, Park-road, Peckham, of three 51. notes and nearly 51. in gold and silver. _ _ From the evidence it appeared that on the sth of last month the prosecutor got change of a cheque for 20/.at the Stafford-place branch of the London and Westmin ster Bark in three 51. notes and Si. in gold. On his return he got drinking, and ultimately fell in with the prisoner and a discharged railway porter at the Lord Hill public-house, opposite the Waterloo station. There he treated them and drank freely himself, and they ulti mately took him in a cab to the Black Prince public house in Wal worth-road, where they discharged the cabman and induced the prosecutor to drink more ; and ultimately he, with much difficulty, made his way home covered with mud, and minus the whole of his money. On the same evening the prisoner exhibited two 51. notes at the Queen' s Head public house in Griffen street, York-road, which notes were two of those stolen from the prosecutor, and which he left in the care of the landlord's daughter. Re subsequently obtained change for one of them, and wrote his name on the back, so that there could not be a shado w of doubt of the prisoner's guilt. The other suspected person, the discharged rail way porter, still keeping out of the way, and the wit nesses necessary to prove the identity of the notes not being in attendance, the prisoner was again remanded. CHARGE OF MURDER ON TEE HIGH SE9 S. On Tuesday, at the Plymouth Guildhall, Hugh Orr, a robust looking man, with a profusion of heard and moustache, was charged before the Mayor (F. F. Bulteel, Esq.) and C. Cardew, Eiq., with causing the death of Edward De Bugh on the high seas, on the 3d of July. Mr. Kelly said that he appeared for the prosecu tion under the instructions of the Board of Trade, and the charge was brought under the 20th sec tion of the Merchant Shipping Act. The prisoner was the master and part owner of the ship Hannah and Jane. In the earlier part of the present year he left Newcastle in this vessel, bound for the Cape De Verd Islands and Rio Janeiro, and from thence back to the first-mentioned port. De Bugh ship ped at Newcastle, as the cook and steward of the ship, and sailed in her up to the 3d of July, when he died. There was, however, no entry in the official log stating the cause of death, but in look ing over it he found on the 4th of June Orr became displeased with De Bugh, and he was fined 31. 10s. for insolence and waste of provisions ; and between that date and the 3d of July there was also a large number of entries and fines, the latter amounting in all to 451. There was also the following entry in the log, dated the 3d of July, and signed by the master :—" The cook is in the sulks, will not do anything. 7.30 a. al 3d July. The mate and crew told me ho was dead. I gave orders to lay him on the deck, in the heat of the sun, to see if he was really dead. Got a looking-glass to try if he could but steam the glass, that I might really know if he was dead. Found the glass not anything stained ; however I gave orders to let him lay until afternoon, so that I could make sure about it. At 1 p.m. he was I sewn up and buried, and all his effects thrown overboard, being in a very dirty state." Mr. Kelly then asked for a remand of the case until the next day, on the ground that he was not prepared for any investigation, as he had no time to examine the men who were to be brought for ward as witnesses. He did not wish to inconveni ence any person, bat it being in his opinion a case for investigation that was the reason he wished to pay particular attention to it. Mr. Edmonds, who appeared for the defence, objected to the remand, remarking there was no evidence brought forward which could warrant them in keeping his client in gaol until the day the case was adjourned to, and he wished to know why it could not be at once proceeded with, as all the witnesses concerned were in Plymouth, and in his opinion it would not be right to keep his client, unless they heard one witness who could give evi dence to the effect that the deceased had been struck by the prisoner. The case was not brought forward at Queenstown, where the vessel lay nine days, but now when the crew were being fined and certain deductions made from their wages, they came forward with the statement which threw his client into prison. He was ready to answer the charge, and the question was " did prisoner mur der De Bugh." They could not remand him on a atement, unless they brought prima facie evi dence to the fact. Mr. Kelly said he was not prepared for this. Mr. Pdmends said there had been an inquiry into when the cause of D e B ug h' s d ea th i n Rio ran away,neiro ar Ezra Atwill, the m a t e o f th e vessel, a the consul said he would report the vessel to the Board of Trade. Mr. Edmonds then requested Mr. Kelly e call Mr. Johns, the shipping mas t er, in order - that the l bench should hear what he had Johns stated This re quest was acceded to, and Mr._ listohne stated that rew he received the official log and . of the ship Hannah and Jane from the prisoner who was mate of her. I of the . c a consequence of entries in the log, he was led to make inquiries concerning the cause of the death of the deceased, who was stated to ha ve di e d on the 3d July. Mr. Johns th other is a s f o ll ows not know th e cause , en road tohpoesneineg address, and the utries, ono of which is given iu Mr. Kelly's if T i l lie e t c s o u o i k ks c . li L ed at 3 it d u J de ul 2 y B .. s2 l .3 c 6 lo ; longitude 44.45. (Signed) Ezra Henry Atwill (mate), and Joseph Cong." He then further stated that having examined the crew, and finding tiliilelyedapccousßedrigitilr m aster of the vessel of havi ng i ho wrote to the Board of Trade, who ordered him to have the prisoner taken into custody. Mr. Phillips asked this witness whether ho thought from what he knew that the deceased died from foul play ? Mr. Johns answered in the affirmative. Mr. Edmonds said that he did not want the belief of people, but the evidence. He then asked Mr. Johns whether the men who made the state ments alluded to by him were or were not in Plymouth ? Mr. Johns said he believed they were. Mr, Edmonds observed, if that were the case, he did not see there was any impediment in proceed ing with the case. Mr. Kelly said he was expecting the s'iip's paper from London, and, if he did not ev(n wish to exh. Mil - 10 the witnesses, he would have to wait for thcse papers. _ It was determined by the bench ultimately that tie case should be heard to-day at 12 o'clock, to which hour the prisoner was remanded. Country Markets. EDINBURGH HAY AND STRAW MARKET- DEO. 30. Supplies of all kinds these last six days again large. Oat straw, from 7s fki to Ils Oct per kemple of 16 stones troa; wheat do., us Od to 124 Od; barl e y d o ., 7 i 6d. to 108 Od. Hay from 12d to ls. 3d. EDINBURGH MEAL—DEc. 30. There were in the market to-day 1? sacks oatmeal, each weighing 2801 h imperial, which Bold at 408 and 395. Average of the whole, 1/. 19s. td. DALKEITH MEAL ,SET-DEC. 29. There were in the market to-tiny 11 bags ofioatmeal, oof barleymeal, and 0 pot barley. Soles dull. Oatmeal, per sack of 2801bs First. Second. Third. imperial Barleymeal, per ditto -s Oct —s Od —s Oa Peasemeal, per ditto d — Od —s Od Flour, now, per ditto —3 Od —s Od —s Od Pot-barley, new, per ditto —a Od —a Od —a Od DUBLIN, DEO. 30. Our corn exchange to-day was but moderately supplied, and the general tone of the market was firmer for every thing. We note the be-,t qualities of wheat, oats, and barley about Gd dearer than on this day se'nnight. Rather higher rates were demanded for Indian corn, but there was not business to justify any change in our last quotations. White wheat, 32s 01 to 35s Od. ; red ditto, 31s 6d to 33s Oct.ditf I new, —s ; barley, malting, 16s to 25s Od ; grind ing, 15s to 203 6d ; oats, old, —s to —8; ditto, new, Its Od to 15s Od ; oatmeal, 14s to 15s 6d; bore, new, 16s to 18s 01; rapes. d, 30s Od to 32s Od per brl ; bakers' flour, 20s Od to 26s Od per cwt ; Indian corn, 32s Od to 36s Od per 480 lbc. BRISTOL -DEC. 31. The offices closed for the Christmas holidays on the 24th inst., and will reopen on the 6th of January next. At the close afew sales of Demerara crystals were made at 53s to 54s per cwt. leaving some few parcels still unsold, which is the only West India in first hands in the port. During the past year this market has been but indifferently sup plied, and other ports have been drawn upon largely by both grocers and refiners iu the absence of sufficient direct imports. There is a firm and healthy feeling in the market for refined and manufactured goods, and prices are well maintained. GOAL LET.—DEso. 31. the close of the market. Wallsend, &o. Prices of Coal per ton at s. d. Bebside's Hartley 16 3 s d Davison's West Hartle' 16 3 Eden Main lB 3 Hastings' Hartley ......16 0 Braddyll lB 0 Longridge's Wst Har tleyl. 6 3 Haswell 19 3 Tanfield Moor l5 0 Lambton 19 0 Taufield Moor Butes 15 0 South Hetton 19 0 Walker Primrose . l4 6 caradoe. lB 0 Grey's West Hartley ....15 9 Kelloe 18 6 Wallsend, &o. Tees l9 0 Riddell l7 0 Ships at market... 4! I Sold 32 LOCAL SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, DEO. 31. STOOK EXOHANGE.—The market is steady, at a slight ad vance. Belfast and Ballymena, 54—Birkenhead, Lanca shire, and Cheshire (late Chester and Birkenhead, 271. half shares), 18—Ditto (221. shares), 141. 3s. 9d.—Blaclt• burn, 86 lls. 3d. I—East Lancashire, 232—Great Western, 69a —Lancashire and Yorkshire, 976 a—London and North- Western, 107 6/—Ditto 1-sth shares, 24—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 348 I—Midland, 83 2—South Eastern, 22a I—North Union A, 237—Grand Trunk of Canada, 146—Great Western of Canada, 24g —Ditto (no/ shares), 2i p. MANCHESTER, DEC. 31. STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was a good market, at ratbeT better prices. Blackburn, 81, 9-16, 11-16, 1— Cheshire Junction, 20b—Leeds, 974—Sheffields, 341 -I—Midlands, 83 ?-,—Easb Lancashire, 233 I—Londons, 107--Chester a nd Birkenhead, 18--Dovers, 24—Great Western of Canada, 24.;—Ditto New, 2f—Belfast and Ballymena, 53k—Great Western, 69g. BIRMINGHAM, DEO. 31. STOOK EXCHANGE.—The new account opens with inv. proved prices. London and North-Western stock was quoted at the close, 106 i i—Great Western, 694 79—Great Western Stour Valley Guaranteed stock was done at 63 —London and North-Western, 1061—Birmingham ma Union Mill, 14;f. Of Stour Valley shares there were buyers at 8f —and Birmingham Banking Company at 33. SEABORNE MAILS. [When the date for making up a mail falls on a Sunday, the ins remains open until the day following; except in the case of the India mail, via Southampton, which, on such occasions, is made up 1.11. evening previous.] 'Fos :raolC Made up at W hence the des- By what When By what Post Office. patched. Vessel. expected :WSW. Lisbon 7th,l7th, & South- Alham- Spain amp ton bra Jan. 4 tiultan Gibraltar Gibraltar 1 . 1 Malta .• • • Egypt .... I 4th & 20th [ 4th and ..01l ,•_La. Ceylon • • Colombo 20th of /upon ! India Mauritius month. (ylaCeylon)J China 4th of South- colomt o Jan. 4.. ElPoil Penang .. •• 1 M the' 1 ampton Singapore Louth- M Jan. 12 oath- Co'um- , if m trall the Cape) • • ..)..1 rnpton bian " an,— rencY ' -t- Cape of Good Hope Mauritius mouth W.S. Jan. 25 Englan i Ceylon India . Lisbon 1 Madeira 1 0,......‘. CapedeVerds 1 Brazil Tim Jan. ~. ~. ~. .eu.....- Tame* Jen. 12 Tyne BuenosAyres r ampton Falkland Is lands . j J West Indies -, (except Ha vana and Honduras). 9 m 'lo a f n t d ii l ,, South- Magda- 16th of 7th > lat and Venezuela .. -" Grey Town.. ; ampton lens the Orinoce: NcwGranada month. I Chili Peru California J Honduras •• South- :16th of Nassau .. .... M .Jan. 17 .. ampton the ........ month. Mexico .. • 31 } South- Mr^.;da- Havana .• • • ampton lens • Tan 2 . Jan. 1 Orinoco al Madeira .. • • Teneriffe Gambia Jen. 6 Candace W C.of Africa British North America - pool America Jan. 5 Af r i ca United States United States 1 Jan. 6 and} Liver- British North E alternate Atlantic Jan, 1 &Bantle pool America United States 1- British North N Jan. 14 .. S Oll tl Liver- Anglo- Arive ampton * • • • • • • • • • • us ..... • America Canada 1 E Tan. 27 .. 1 ,An Peel Saxon Jan * • Naxon M—Morning. E—Evening. FOREIGN EMBROIDERY. —The value of embroidery and needlework imported in 11 months was 72,9371. ; last year itwas 47,6141. CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOLS, ST. GEORGE'S EAST.-- 500 children attending these schools were entertained on Monday evening, the 20th inst., with tea, plum cake, &c., magic lantern s and other amuseme n t s . 40 pr i zes were distrib ute d to the most deserving. The schools are indebted to the liberality of Miss Burdett Coutts for this seasonable Uhristmas treat. BIRTHS. OF A SON. On the 30th ult,, the wife of William Berry, E sq ., o f Spring -grove. On the 30th ult., at Percy-place, Clapham-road, the wife of Robert Gibbons, Esq. 1 \ l Or A DAUGHTER. On the 30th ult., at Abbotsfield, near Tavistook, Devon, the wife of Thomas Morris, Esq. On the 30th ult., at the Rectory, Poole Keynes, Ciren• cast o r, the wife of the Roy. Richard Lowndes. MARRIED. On the 30th ult., Captain Nisbet, Ist Dragoon Guards, to Roso.belle Frances, eldest daughter of the late John Bishop, Esq., of Sunbury Ho use , Middlesex, and A sco t Lodge, Berks. On the 30th nit., at Dover, Robert Edward Wellington, only son of the late Lient.-Col. Garnhatn, of Ashfield Lodge. Suffolk, to Jessie Marian, younger daughter of the Rev. A. T. Nash, of Montagu-square, London. DIED. On the 28th ult., at Half-moon-street, the Lord John Fitzßoy, youngest son of the late Augustus Henry, D u k e of Grafton, aged 72. On the 28th ult., at Rochester, Captain Samuel Kerr, half-pay unattached, formerly of the 60th Rifles and 47th Foot. Lion the rim 29e,h t ult., agedat 10, Darnsb ur y grove, Islington, el P Esq., 6 . te On the 29 a Wingrove th , youngest son of the ult., at Lower T oo t ing, of decline, Angus late Geo rge Augustus, Bond, Esq., Company's Maritime Servi ce , ag ed 19. On the 30th ult., at Tockholes, Lancashire, the Rev. Gilmour Robinson, many years incumbent of that place, aged 62. On the 30th ult., the Rev. Edward Power, M.A., of Atherstone, Warwickshire, aged 56. On the 30th ult., at Oxford, John Thorp, Esq., a ma gistr aged ate and for many years a n alderman of that city, 70. On the 31st ult., at Tottenham, Thomas Henry, the oldest son of Samuel Betteley, Esq., aged 29. On the 31st ult., at 24, Gloucester-terrace, New- roa d, Mile-end, Mrs. Elizabeth Deane, widow of the late Edward Deane, Esq., aged 90. LONDON: Print e d and P u bli s h e d by MITRDO YOUNG, of No. 112, S trand, Printer, at The Sun Office, .40. 112, Strand, in the Precinct, of the Savoy, in the ea u ty of AliddleEex, Thursday, January 1, lain. I