The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-04 00:00:00

THE STEAMSHIP PACIFIC.

At Lloyd's, upwards of 75 guineas was demanded by under-
writers for policies on the steamship Pacific.

SIGNATURE OF THE PRELIMINARIES OF

PEACE.

We can announce positively, says the Morning Post, that
at the meeting of the Conferences of Paris, on Saturday last,
the plenipotentiaries signed the preliminaries of peace. The
conditions of these are identical with the Austrian proposi-
tions, which were the basis of negotiations, and to which it
has been thought advisable to affix the signature of the Powers,
parties to the negotiation. This proceeding, however im-
portant and satisfactory, leaves unsettled many questions,
which will necessarily be the subject of immediate discussion,
with a view to the framing of a definite treaty.

The Times Paris correspondent writes, on Sunday evening :
—" The third sitting took place yesterday. The secret seems
so well kept that newsmongers are obliged to exert their
ingenuity to the utmost. According fo the last version the
fifth point was not discussed on Thursday, but the reports of
the dissensions and of the English plenipotentiary quitting
Paris for London are entirely without foundation."

The Times Vienna correspondent says, on the 27th Feb.:—
" The railway is now complete, and open to the public all the
way from hence to Dembria, half-way between Cracow and
Prepemksl.
It is stated from Bucharest that the Porte has desired the
Hospodars of Moldavia and Wallachia to remain a year longer
in office.

The diplomatic relations between Austria and Sardinia are
likely to become of a more amicable nature than for the past
seven 'years. The Odessa correspondent of the Austrian
Gazette says that the new levy is a measure of precaution,
and not a menace.

Typhus was less violent at Nicolaieff.
The news that part of Bessarabia was to be ceded to Mol-
davia has caused great alarm, and landed proprietors were in
the greatest hurry to sell their property.
Major Whitmore is still making contracts for the British
cavalry.
On the 18th a fire broke out in some stabling in which there
were 120 horses belonging to the Austrian Lancers. Many
were burnt. The fire is supposed to be the work of an in-
cendiary.

OPENING OF THE LEGISLATIVE CORPS.

SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON.
PARIS, Monday.

The Emperor commenced his inaugural address by a retro-
spective review. His majesty spoke with warmth of the
support of his allies the Queen of England, and the King of
Piedmont. " War," said the Emperor, " however deliberately
undertaken for great objects, is only an episode ; my ideas and
my strength are ever turned towards the arts of peace."
Sketching the course of events which resulted in the suspen-
sion of hostilities and the mediation of diplomacy, he described
the Emperor of Russia as the heir of a situation which he had
not contributed to bring about, and as appearing animated by
a sincere desire to put an end to the cause of a sanguinary
contest; 'also, as having resolutely accepted the propositions
transmitted by Austria and clearly desired by Europe.
With regard to the end of the conferences, His Majesty
said, " Let us await the end with dignity, equally
prepared, if necessary, to draw the sword and to extend the
hand of friendship to those whom we have combated with
loyalty." The discourse concluded with these words—" What-
ever may happen, let us busy ourselves with all means cal-
-1 culated to augment the strength and wealth of France.
Let us, if possible, draw closer the alliance formed by com-
munity in glory and sacrifice, and which peace will make the
! reciprocal advantages still more palpable. Finally, in this
I solemn moment let us set our trust in God, to the end that he
may guide our efforts in the direction most conducive to the
interests of humanity and civilization."

THE CRIMEA.

DESPATCHES PROM GENERAL CODRINGTON.

A supplement to the London Gazette contains despatches
from General Codrington enclosing the weekly medical
return. He writes on the lath February, " That a Russian
force, estimated at about 3,000 Infantry and Cossacks, ap-
peared on the morning of the 12th on the ridge above the
Valley of Baidar, but retired after a short reconnaissance.
The French blew up on the 12th two portions of the aqueduct
which formerly supplied the docks. Mining progressed. Sir
Colin Campbell rejoined the army on the 14th."
General Codrington writes on the 19th February, " That
the parade of the whole of the English Infantry was post-
poned, owing to rain and sleet having changed the state of
the ground. Ball practice and exercise had been carried on
for the last ten days."

Doctor Hall reports on the 18th February that the sanitary
condition of the army is excellent ; indeed it could scarcely be
excelled, and the mortality at present is under that of the
Household Cavalry in England, who are as well taken care of
as any troops in the world.