The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-03-18 00:00:00

ffortign ant Colontal intellignce.

FRANCE.—Fould's report on the eonversion of the
per cent. Rentes it published, and is of • cheering,
hopeful tone. It is reported that the new bill for
military rewards meets with tremendous opposition in
the Council of State, and it is thought that the matter
will be permitted to drop. The press is beginning to
discuss the subject. The Steele suttee boldly that an
exclusively inihtary caste would be highly objectionable
to the French people.
ITALY.—It is stated that the Italian Government
had counselled the Provisional Committees now sitting
at Genoa to greater moderation in discussion on pain of
having their meetings suppressed. Accordingly we arc
not surpised to hear that the Mideast Ministry is very
unpopular, and that • speedy Metruction of the r'ght
of meeting and the liberty of the press is resolved upon
for the purpose of preserving Italy from the dangers
against which France is so sdininib:y protected. If the
Rata:xi Ministry has resolved on this course its days will
nut be long,
. . . .

It is said that a curious modiseval present has just
gone from Florence to C.eprera —a omit of insil, exhibited
in the Exhibition here by the armouter's graft of Milan.
The Signora Stella, who presents it to General Garibaldi,
adds this note to her gift:—" 11 y this arinour lead you
quickly and safely to Boum and Venice."
AMERlCA.—President Lincoln has taken possession
of the powers recently vested in him by Congress. He
has got the custody of all the lines of the telegraphic
wires, and a military supervisor of all messages has been
appointed. The public journals are threatened with
punishment should they obtain possession of and
give publicity to unauthorised military news. The
Treasury Notes Bill, amounting to 50.000,000 dollars—a
very long bill—had passed both Houses. There is
nothing of importance from Burnsides' expedition.
General Halleck, it is said, had ia-med an Order
forbidding the stealing or the concealment of slaves.
The Southern owners of human live stock must be
conciliated end taught to believe that the North,
although it talks loudly enough at times about abolition,
does not mean it.

On the 22nd ult. Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as
President of the Confederate States for a period of six
years, and his address is the most important document
that the Asia has brought over. The president admits
that for the present the tide of success that at one period
attended the Confederate arms has turned but Mr. Davis
is not disheartened. The final result, he declares, is not
doubtful. The period is near at hand, he predicts,
whop the North must sink with a debt which has
assumed diinensiens that will oppress future genera-
tions. There can be no doubt of the impecuniosity of
of the North, but it is doubtful whether the finances of
the South are in • much better condition. Since
President Davis delivered his message in the beginning
of the past winter the military powers of the States he
presides over can chow nothing but • series of revel sea,
and such • state of matters is not calculated to cheer
op the spirits of the people in their struggle for indepen-
dence. The hopeful tone adopted by the President in
the midst of the gloom by which he is surrounded
may, however, inspire hope in others, and the adverse
tide may speedily turn. The Richmond IV hig declares
that the Jefferson Davis Government has been the moat
lamentable failure in history, and recommends it to 50r
render the helm to abler and better hands. The
inauguration is described as • bitter mockery and a
miserable oonipensation for the ruin of a free people.
The inauguration at least indicates that the South has
not lost heart or hope.
PRUSSIA —Beaus--On Tuesday evening a young
man, who, it was ascertained, had come from St. Galli n,
a German town in Switzerland, was arrested in the
vicinity of the Royal Palace. On being examined, he
confessed that lie had come to Berlin purposely to shoot
the King, or to throw at him a poisoned apple,
assigning as a reason for his murderous design that his
Majesty hesitated to assume his rightful position as
Emperor of Germany. From the linigna4e and
demeanour of the prisoner, he is generally Followed to
be insane. Another assumption is that he might have
been hired to perpetrate the murderous act with which,
on his own confession, lie is charged.
CHINA AND JAPAN.—SHANGHAI.—Affairs wear
a threatening aspect. The rebels are moving in the
direction of Shanghai. A proclamation has been issued
by the English and French Consuls declaring Shanghai
to be under the protection of the allies. Reinforcements
have been sent hither by her Majesty's steamer Pearl.
NEW ZEALAND—According to the latest advice!
from New Zealand affairs were at a standstill. The
Governor had returned from his visit to the interior.
Troops had been ordered to Maungatawhiri.

COCHIN CHlNA.—Diaturbances have broken out
in Cambodia of a more serious character than those
which have yet taken place. The Siamese Government
has despatched a large force under the command of
Prince Krona Nibhadhorn to Ilampot to act against the
insurgenta.