The Express.
London, England, 1863-02-16 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS•

(nom ma owir

PARIS. SUNDAY Evanra.

I suspect that diplomacy must at this moment
be wondering very much what is the meaning of
the Emperor's short speech in answer to the ad-
dress. It is surely somewhat alarming to be told
from the throne of the Tuileries that " on all points
of the globe truth is obscured by conflicting pas-
sions," and that "concord " between the Emperor
and his chambers—i. e., entire subserviency of the
latter to his will—is "more than ever indispen-
sable," in order to enable France to set the world
to rights—"to exercise her legitimate influence
in favour of justice and progress." If a general
war were at hand that would be precisely the
language used. What does it mean now? The
Patrie sententiously says that "the significance
of these words will escape no one." That is not
exactly true. There is a significance, no doubt, but
what that is escapes me for one. "I understand a
fury in the words, but not the words." The
Patrie, moreover, says it could, if it would, point
out those parts of the globe where the " truth is
obscured," but that the sagacity of its readers will
understand without more express allusion. I
doubt the sagacity of readers to fathom this
mystery, and moreover it is to be observed that the
Emperor speaks not of some but of " all" points of
the globe.
The France has been visited with a communicated
note for having persisted, notwithstanding K
Baroche's assertion to the contrary, in attributing
the dismissal of the mayor of Merril (arrondisse-
ment of Hazebrouck) to his refusal to oppose the
candidature of M. Plichon. The Minister of the
Interior sternly tells the France that the mayor in
question was removed on account of old age and
manifest infirmity, and that political motives had
nothing to do with the matter. He adds that the
France is the only journal which " affects" not to
consider the ministerial explanations satisfactory,
and accuses the France of having spoken with bad
faith (de maisectise), au expression singularly galling.
It is an instructive sight to see the journal of M. de la
Gueronuiere struggling against those warnings and
communiques, which he for many years was wont
to inflict upon the press when no remonstrance was
allowed. The France now, while admitting the
generally understood principle that a communique
cannot be argued with, contends that the article of
the organic decree which compels the journals to
insert all government communications, does not
authorise a flagrant insult, and in the name of its
own dignity and that of the press generally, it pro-
testa against the expression "bad faith." M. de
Persigny will probably not tamely submit to
this rebuff. He has, however, just experienced
the mortification of a check to one of his
many petty persecutions of the press by
a judicial decision at Nismes. A K Sallee was
prosecuted for the double offence of introducing
foreign journals into France and unlawfully
" distributing " them when there. The fact is
that several numbers of the Union Sociak of
Geneva were sent to M. Sallee in the regular way,
through the post•office. They passed the ordeal of
the censure of Paris and were sent from thence by
post to Nismes, where one fine day it pleased K
Persigny, or his agents, to have them seized as
contraband in M. Sallee' house. The correctional
tribunal of Nismes held that this pretension of
the minister was a little too strong, and that
newspapers coming through the post-office and sent
to Paris for government inspection could not after-
wards be said to be surreptitiously introduced into
the country. K Sallee is therefore acquitted, and
the newspapers seized are ordered to be restored to
him. This decision is, however, not final. The
government may appeal, and then, as the last re-
sort, there is the Court of Cessation, which can
now be relied upon to give a judgment to order in
any political case.
I hear from Turin that K Rattazzi has been
treated to a charisari (what in English villages is
called the " rough music") on account of his ex-
traordinary marriage. The King called on the
ex-minister before the irrevocable knot was tied,
and with urgent and affectionate remonstrance en-
deavoured to dissuade him from his purpose, but
without success.

REPLY OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON
TO THE ADDRESS OF THE CORPS
LEGISLATIF.

The address of the Corps Legislatif, in reply to
the speech from the throne, was read to the French
Emperor, at the Tuileries, on Saturday. The fol-
lowing is a translation of the Emperor's answer :

Monsieur le President,—The address you present to me is
a fresh proof of the harmony which exists between the
Corps Legislatif and my government. I receive it, there-
fore, with the utmost satisfaction. This harmony is move
indispensable than ever at a period whew, in all parte of
the world, the truth is obactued by so many opposing
passions.

France ought to be strong and calm internally so as to be
always prepared to assert her legitimate influence in favour
of justice and progress, the triumph of which is too often
compromised by the exaggeration of extreme parties.
Reciprocal confidence has always maintained good rela-
tions between us ; this is doubtless due to the patriotic senti-
ment which animates us al! ; but it is with pleasure I rams-
nine that the position of the President who belongs at once
to the government and to the Corps Legialatif also moth-
butte to this happy result. Continue, therefore, Sir, to
fulfil as before the noble mission of smoothing (d'adoucir)
and of rendering more intimate our official relations. Do
not cease to make known to me the desires and the observa-
tion of the Chamber, and be the, interpreter to it of my
gratitude and my sympathy.

As may be inferred from the above remarks, the
address of the Corps Legislatif was of the usual
stereotyped character. The following is the con-
cluding paragraph :
We are going, Sirs, to resume our labours with the same
seal for the public good. In a few mouths Francs will be
called upon to elect a new chamber. Our personalities wear
away and disappear in this great national act. We hope the
country will respond to the confidence you repose in it. We
firmly trust that it will. The populations, more and more
sensible of the benefits and the glory of your reign, will
wish to ensure the continuance of them for themselves sad
their children. They will prefer those men in whom the
sentiment which raised you to the throne has been strength.
sued as it has in the heart of France ; and our successors
sill only have to finish, in the midst of new generations,
strangers to the dissensions of parties, the work that we
have commenced, the sole object of which has always beau
the alliance of your dynasty will liberty.

The next Mexican mail by British packet is due
on the 28th lout. It will briag news of the French inva-
sion of Mexico from Vera Crux up to the 2nd Met.

Tea GlBRALTARlurraa).—Thie veeeel arrived
at Liverpool on Friday night from Gibraltar, having
evaded the Federal gunboat Chippewa. It appears that
the day before the Gibraltar sailed there was • heavy
gale, which compelled the Chippewa to alter bee politica
off Algesirm, and caused the Gibraltar to dreg until ale
brought up alongside the P. and 0. steamer, which vessel
passed her a hawser, and they lay alougeide each other all
night. On the following day Captain Bore, who was
always closely watched when ashore, landed, and spreading
• fake report that the Gibraltar was dimbled, ordered •
number of shipwrights and engineers to be mined. The
weather continued very boisterous,t and vented the
Chippewa's armed boats leavieg that vaaral brow guard.
Whoa darimme set in several of the semis is port mat men
on board the Gibraltar to assist in getting under weigh
speedily. Whim tlmpropir time wired she slipped off and
got to ma without being naked byz the Chippewa. The
Gibraltarlies a British leit.lizen legally obi to
• Liverpool meninat.—epeol z