The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1861-01-12 00:00:00

of her. Her form and seat upon the water
extorted applause, and, at least for the moment,
silenced doubt. In any case, she is pronounced
to be a very splendid proof of the energy, the
skill, and the resources which this country could,
in time of need, devote 0 the building of iron-
plated shipil, the Resistance, now on the slip,
and making rapid progress, will, it is contem-
plated, be in some respects even an improvement
upon the Warrior. Still, it is a fact that already
a :serious defect in the plans of both has hcettH
detected, which wills of tatite, be More or less
offeetnally remedied. As we have already stated,
"therefore, what the public most desiderate in
Connection With the immediate improvement of
Our naval armaments is actual eipetiMent at sea,
rather than a piveipitate multiplication of ves-
sels, the practical value of which yet remains to
be proved on either side the channel.
• ,
The prospects of peace in Europe are, un-
doubtedly, most precarious. The certainty of
Englann 'neutrality is by no means so demon-
strable as to prevent uneasiness. France is
arming to the teeth ; and although she declares
for peace, we know that she did the same, and
even insisted upon the absence of every \Varlit,:e
preparation, only six weeks before hlie rushed
like a whirlwind a&Jess the Alps, and swept the
Austrit legions 'beyond the Po. It may be so
even now. The Ist of March is'evidently fraught
with great events in both hemispheres. It is well
that England is being sorely, however slowly, pre-
pared for nil eventualities. We never were more
ready, and every day sees us advance in our pre-
parations. We are still confident in the puissant
prowess of our army and our navy, and still feel
ready to trust all to the overshadowing prote'ettton
of the flag which, for a thousand years, has
braved the lAetle and the breeze!

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRANCE.,
(Fitdm CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Jan. 10, 1861.

The Eastern question, as I warned you would
be the case, has at length assumed a graver
position than ever. France has positively deter-
mined on indefinitely prolonginr, hur occupation of
Syria, with or without the approval of the other
Powers.; and it is stated also that M. Kisseleff
has transmitted to M. Thouvenel another pressing
note from Prince Gortschakoff, giving a deplor-
able picture of the situation of the Christians
throughout the Turkish Empire in general, and
entreating the immediate attention of the French
Government to this important subjects Further,
it appears that a pamphlet; the authorship .of
which is en' elept4 hi complete mystery, has just
been published in St. Petersburg, under the
title of " The Alliances of Russia." In this
publication, which is universally attributed
to a governmental source, the unknown author
reviews the relations of the different European
Powers with the Cabinet of St. Petersburg in
their political and commercial aspects, and winds
up by giving a decided preference to an alliance
with France. It is quite understood here that Lord
Granville, as well as Earl Cowley, has recently
had several long interviews with the Emperor,
at which thg three questions of Syria, Gaeta, and
Venetia were discussed at great length, but with-
out any satisfactory result. As to the Gaeta
armistice, the Cabinet of Turin was, it seems,
desirous of limiting the suspension of hostilities
to a period of eight days, but it ended by
agreeing to an armistice of fifteen: The French
squadron was not to withdraw in any event be-
fore the 20th. It is much to be feared, however,
that the negotiations for the surrender of the
place will not terminate satisfactorily. Francis
11. is described as not having the slightest inten-
tion of retiring, and as being determined to hold
out to the last extremity. As for the rumoured
intervention of the Russian fleet, the story is a
mere fictipn.

Disorders of all kinds are, meanwhile, rapidly
increasing in all parts of the Neapolitan Provinces,
as well as in Sicily ; and the incapacity and ears-
lessness of the police are unexampled. At Catania,
at Messina, and in Palermo, murders, attempts at
assassination, and robberies with violence, appear to
be of nightly occurrence. In Naples the same, or
even a worse, state of things seems to prevail, and in
several instances, the victims have been English.
The event, however, which has created most sen-
sation, is the attempt which was made on the life
of the Duke de San-Donato, on Sunday evening,
the 30th ultimo, near the Palais Royal, opposite
San Carlo. The Duke was passing through one of
the most frequented parts of the city, on his way
to the Theatre Fondo, in company with his two
sisters, when he was stabbed with a dagger in the
right side. He was immediately removed into a
neighbouring chemises shop, where he received
every attention. His assassin, after striking the
blow, took to flight pursued by two Piedmontese
riflemen, who did not, however, succeed in coming
up with him. The Duke is superintendent of all
the royal theatres, and this daring attempt upon his
life has produced the greatest sensation, as well
as excited the loudest indignation against the police.
He remains in a very dangerous state.
A letter from Rome states that the Times cor-
respondent, M. Gallenga, has been compelled once
more to leave that city. The Pope appears to hold
in very little estimation the support which he
receives, from the French troops. General de
Goyon had occasion to obseive this at the recep-
tion on New Year's Day, for his Holiness in re-
sponding to the " compliments of the season,"
which were presented to hint by the General,
studiously avoided making the slightest reference
to the Emperor Napoleon and his family. The
General was not a little hurt at the omission,
and, contrary to custom, he hazarded a reply
to what his Holiness had said, or rather omitted
to say, by remarking that all that was being done
for the security of his Holiness was the work of
his sovereign. Pius IX., nevertheless, persisted
in keeping silence.
The Count de Trapani, and the Queen, his
mother, lately dined with the Pope at the Quiri-
nal. This Prince is busily engaged in organising
at Frosinone sundry expeditions of Neapolitan
troops into the interior of the Abruzzi: A few
days ago, General de Goyon having learnt
that several chests of arms which were
intended for these troops had been secretly
deposited in a farm house belonging to Count
Joseph Antonelli, he caused them to be immedi-
ately seized. The chief focus of these reactionary
gatheringsin the Abruzzi is at Civitella del Tronto,
between Ascoli and Terano. It is a remarkably
strong place, situated upon an impregnable rock
—a sort of inland Gaeta. A Captain Walden, to-
wards the end of the last century, held it with
thirty men, for nine months, against the French.
At present, an officer of the name of Giovine occu-
pies the fortress with 200 riflemen, and success-
fully resists the utmost efforts of General Pinelli.
The brave defender has just received from Francis
11. the rank of General.

It is reported that various demonstrations have
been got up by the Legitimists in the provinces
recently annexed to France, the initiative, in one
instance, having been taken by the ladies, who,
in one of the new departments, testified their dis-
like of the new regime by refusing an invitation
from the Prefect to attend an official ball given
by him, and assembling in a body at a private
concert on: the evening following.

A meeting of volunteer officers of Glasgow and the
neighbourhood was held in that city on Wednesday; the
Lord Provost in the chair ; when resolutions were
passsed agreeing to apply to Government for an annual
pecuniary grant to promote, aid, and strengthen the
volunteer movement. Mr. W. Buchanan, M.P. and
Mr. R. Dalglish, M.P. were present, and took part in
the proceedings.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCRIPTURE READERS' 4)-
CIETY.—The scripture readers connected with t his
society were entertained, on Wednesday evening last , at
dinner in the Adelphi Hotel, by the hospitable I )ro-
prietor, Mr. Radley. The clerical secretaries a !ere
present ; and the company altogether numbered al mut
fifty. The dinner was provided on the most lib eral
scale : the table was laden in profusion with most ex-
cellent Christmas fare. The generous host, who had
given a similar banquet last year, stated that he di d so
from his desire to testify his conviction of the good the
society was doing in the town ; that conviction 1 ae at
first formed from the reports of others, but it had since
been confirmed by his personal observation. E z the
course of the evening several interesting state) nents
were made, from which it appeared that the soda' y was
very prosperous. The number of its agents had con-
siderably increased, and its field of operation had been
much enlarged during the past year. Mr. Radle, was
earnestly thanked, in the name of the committee, f or his
hospitality, so wisely and judiciously dispensed. I ndeed
it is evident that men engaged in such arduous le :boars
must be greatly encouraged by finding s 9 is tdly a
notice taken of their work.

AMERICA.

THE SECESSION OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
In the Charleston Convention, on the 25th ult.,
the following ordinance was agreed to; providing
for the holding of a Convention of the slavohold-
ing States of the United States, for the purpose
of framing a Constitution and forming a Southern
Confederacy :
" 1. That the Conventions of the seceding slaveholding
States of the United States unite with South Carolina,
and hold a Convention at Montgomery; Alabama; for
the purpose of forming a Southern Cotifederae)%
" 2. That the said seceding States appoint by their
respective Conventions or Legislatures as many delegates
as they have representatives in the present Congress of
the United States to the said Convention to be held at
Montgomery, and that on the adoption of the Constitu-
tion of the Southern Confederacy the vote shall be by
States,
. , .
"3. That Nyhenevey the tennis, of tbq Coristitittion
shall be agreed upon b the said Convention, the same
shall be submitted at as early a day as practicable to the
Convention and Legislature of each State respectively,
so as to enable them to ratify or reject the said
Constitution. •
"4. That in the opinion of South Carolina the Consti-
tution of the United States will form a suitable basis
for the Confederacy of Southern States withdrawing,
" 5. That the Smith Carolina Convention appoint by
btllot eight &legates to represent Smith Carolina in the
Convention for the formation of h Southeln Confederacy.
" Lastly, that one CoMmissiOner in each State be
elected to call the attention of the people to this ordi-
nance.
"Mr. Dunkin here moved that the Convention go
into secret session."
On the 27th the Convention in secret session
passed the following ordinance :
"'An Ordinance to amend the Constitution of South
Carolina in respect to the Executive Department' was
passed in the secret session of the Contention yesterday.
"It provides as follows
" 1. That the Got erner hate Pewer to receive
Ambassadors, Ministers, Consuls, and aunts of foreign
Powers ; to make treaties by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate ; to nominate all officers by and
with the consent of the Senate ; to nominate all officers
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; to
appoint Ambassadors, public Ministers .and Consltls, as
the G',2.6.eral. AsSeal'y ;nay previously direct, and also
all other officers whose appointment has not otherwise
been provided for by law ; to fill vacancies during the
recess of the Senate by granting commissions, which
shall expire at the end of the next SessiOii of the
Senate ; to convene the Senate ivhene'ver he thinks it
necessary; provided, nevertheless, during the existence
or the Convention, that all treaties, directions for the
appointment of Ambassadors, Ministers, Consuls, &c.,
be subject to the advice and consent of the Convention.
" 2. That the Governor immediately appoint four
persons, with the advice and consent of the Convention,
who, with the Lieutenant-Governor, shall form a council
to be called the Executive Council,' whose duty it shall
be to advise with him.' "
Governor Pickens subsequently issued the fol-
lowing proclamation
"EiecutiVe Department Charleston,
South Carolina, Dec. 24.
" By his Excellency Franeis W. Pickens; Governor
and Commander-in-Chief in and oi-er the State of South
Carolina i--
" Whereas the good people of this State, in Convention'
assembled, by an ordinance unanimously adopted and
ratified on the 20th day of December, in the year of our
Lord, 1860, repealed an ordinance of the people of this
State adopted on the 23rd day of May, in the year of
our Lord 1788, and have thereby dissolved the union
between the State of South Carolina and other States,
under the name of the United States of America ;
"I, therefore, as Governor and Commander-in-Chief
in and over the State of South Carolina, by virtue of
authority in me vested, do hereby proclaim to the world
that this State is, as she has a right to be, a separate,
sovereign, free, and independent State ; and as such has
a right to levy war, conclude peace, negotiate treaties,
leagues, or covenants, and to do all acts whatsoever that
rightly appertain to a free and independent state.
"Given under my hand and the seal of the State, at
Charleston, this 24th day of December, in the year of
our Lord 1860, and in the 85th year of the sovereignty
and independence of South Carolina,
" F. W. PICKENS."

DISAGREEMENT AMONG THE MEMBERS
OF THE FEDERAL COMMITTEE OF

THE FEDERAL SENATE.

In the Senate's special committee on the 25th,
Mr. Seward proposed that the Northern States
shall repeal their personal liberty laws, and
that Congress shall amend the Fugitive Slave
Law, giving to fugitives the right of trial by
jury. On the 28th the committee came nearer
agreeing on a plan for the settlement of the ter-
ritorial question than they had ever done before.
Mr. Rice's project, to form all the territories
north of the Missouri line into one State, and
all south into another, and to admit them to the
Union immediately, with a provision for the for-
mation of new States out of them whenever
either should have, on an area of 60,000 square
miles, 130,000 inhabitants, was approved by
Senator Davis, of Mississippi, and also by the
Republicans, with the exception that the latter
insisted that Kansas should not be included in
the Northern State, but should be admitted sepa-
rately.. The committee would not agree to this,
however, all the Democrats voting against it,
except Mr. Douglas. The committee then deter-
mined to report to the Senate that they had not
agreed, and to adjourn, subject to the call of the
chair.