The Press.
London, England, 1855-10-27 00:00:00

AMERICA. AND MEXICO.

The America arrived on Monday, with dates from
New York to the lltb, and Boston to the oth.
The differences existing between the Cabinets of
London and Washington on the question of English
agents enlisting for the British Legion in the United
States, excited a great deal of discussion in the New
York papers, and Lord Palmerston's policy towards
America was generally characterised as " insincere "
and treacherous."
Advices from Mexico, up to to the 19th Sept.,
stated the probability of the country being split up
into various factions. The attitude of the United
States Minister in watching the progress of the
national disorganisation continued to cause a variety
of reports to be circulated. One was, that he had
offered the Provisional Government 0,000,0001. on
the security of the church property, and 20,000,0001.
to form a Banco de Fomento, to encourage railroads
and other internal improvements, under the condi-
tions of an American protectorate, the admission of
European immigration, and the removal of all pro-
hibitions and internal duties ; the allegation being
that General Comonfort, who was lately in the
United States, came to an understanding to that
effect at Washirgton.

LIEUTENANT MAUBY, of the United States National
Observatory, has been presented by the Russian
Minister at Washington with the following letter
from the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia:—

St. Petersburg, I)ec. 10 (22), 18b4:

Sir,—lt is now a long time since the eminent scientific
works for which navigators of every nation are indebted to
your zeal and your talents attracted my attention. Recently
again the impetial delegates to the Brussels conference
have rendered me a complete report, in which I have taken
the most lively interest. I should rejoice, sir, to present
you with a testimontal of my esteem ; but, knowing the
laws of your country, which do not permit you to accept
anything from foreign princes, I must confine myself to the
expression of my sentiments. They are as exalted as your
own merits; and in my official capacity I may say to you
that you do honour to the profession to which you belong,
as well as to the great nation which you have the honour
to serve. Receive, sir, the assurances of my goodwill and
esteem. CONSTANTINE.

To Lieutenant Maury.
ME. CONSUL Cuans has appealed against the sen-
tence of three months' imprisonment passed upon
him at Cologne, for enlisting men in the pay of Eng-
land, and at the same time the public prosecutor,
who had pleaded for a much severer punishment,
has given notice of appeal to a higher court, on the
ground of unnecessary alleviation.
MR. PRESTON, of the Treasury, has been deputed
by the Government to visit all courts of quarter
sessions in the West of England, for the purpose of
cutting down the expenses of prosecutions.
TilE DEFENCE OF CORK HARBOUR is proceeding
by the fortification of Spike Island. This island,
says the Ccrk Examiner, "rises from all sides with a
rather steep slope to a tableland commanding the
entrance of the harbour, the Man of-War Roads,
and the passage up to Cork. On this platform has
been built a single fortification, of about 1,000 feet
in length, with a breadth of about 700 feet. In
shape it is an elongated hexagon, having at each
angle a bastion. The platform surmounting this
work will be ten feet broad, on which will be placed
200 guns, mounted en barbette, while the bastions
will be pierced with embrasures. Behind the plat•
form will be a banquette for the accommodation of
men working the guns, and below will be casemate
barracks, bomb-proof, capable of accommodating
2,00() men. Around the entire fortress runs a ditch
about twenty feet deep and forty broad, both sides
being completely faced with cut stone. Only a por-
tion of the glams is as yet completed on the east and
sea faces, but it is intended to level the land all
around the fortification, so as to form the whole
island into a smooth slope, rising gradually to the
fortress." The works were designed during the last
great war, but 'Anguished after the peace ; they were
resumed a few years bad:, and are now carried on
with activity.