The Press.
London, England, 1854-05-06 00:00:00

DECLARATIONS BILL.

This measure was designed to abolish the neces-
sity of taking oaths In courts of judicature and in
many official and business transactions, by permitting
all persons to whom tin oath was tendered to substi-
tute a declaration in &certain prescribed form at their
option. It stood for second reading on Wednesday,
and was then brought forward by Mr. A. l'ztx&rr.
The ATTORNEY-GtNERAL opposed the bill. H•
would not consent that an oath should he dispensiod
with at the mere pleasure of the person to whom It
was tendered, but was ready to adopt a middle course,
and give a dispensing power to the presiding
judge.
Mr. HinFiEt.n and Mr. Datimmosn having spoken,
the house divided, and the second reading of the bill
was negatived by a majority of 130 to 87-110.

POST-OFFICE ORDERS.
An inquiry "by what authority or for what reason
a charge of one halfpenny was now made at the
various money-order offices for printed forms of ap-
plication" having been urged by Mr. lirdoin on
Monday,
Mr. HArriat o.all that the alteration had been made en
tirely for the public convenience. The practice had pre.-
viously been that any person who applied at the money-
order office for an order could only obtain one at a time
That was to a certain extent inconvenient, because h
might want another order ; but at. the same time it we
quite impossible to allow a person to come and ask for an
unlimited number of orders. It was therefore thought de-
sirable to make an alteration so that any person applying
at the nioneyoorder office, on payment of one halfpenny,
received five forms for obtaining money orders, which he
might till up at his convenience at home or at the office
and send them when he liked.
CALCUTTA.
A petition from Calcutta was on Tuesday presented
to the Peers by the Earl of A 11111MARLE, praying for
the establishment in that city of a system of corporate
government, on the same principles as in English
towns. The noble earl supported the prayer of the
petitioners by describing the neglected state in which
Calcutta was left, liith regard to practical details,
paving, lighting, sewerage, public buildings, &c. The
existing system of civic government had proved
utterly inefficient.

Earl GRANVILLE urged that the measure asked for
by the petitioners contravened the recognised princi-
ple that all practical matters relating to the Indian
Uovernment should be settled in India itself. The
improvements now required were quite (within the
competence of the local authorities to effect, and
some steps had been already taken in that direction.

lortign AO Colonial Inttlligtna.

FRANCE.
It is stated that the French contingent to the army
of the East will amount to 100,000 men, and that the
Government has it in contemplation to establish a
camp of 00,000 men near Boulogne, with a view to an
expedition to the Baltic if required. As another in-
dication of their resolve to carry on the war with
energy, it is added that the Chambers will be asked
for authorisation to raise another loan of 250,000,000 f.
in case circumstances require it.
The immediate withdrawal of the French Consuls
from Odessa, Warsaw, and other of the Itus,dan towns,
having been ordered by the Czar, the French Go-
vernment has also directed the Russian Consuls to
retire from Marseilles, Toulon, Havre, and Bor-
deaux.

A decree appears in Thursday's Moniteur creating a
new corps of "Imperial Guards," to consist of four
regiments of cavalry, two of infantry, and the " Cent
Gardes de la Porte." The command of this choice
body of troops will be given to General Regnault de
St. Jean d'Angely.
Sir Hamilton Seymour, who is now in Paris, has
been greatly feted. The Emperor asked him to din.
ner almost immediately on his arrival, and conversed
with him privately for a long time. Sir Hamilton
was at the last ball at the Hotel de Ville, where he
was the object of much attention.
The Emperor on Saturday last took a long walk in
the streets of Paris. After accompanying the Empress
to visit the Panorama of the Battle of the Pyramids
he visited the dome and cour Vauban in the Invelides.
Afterwards, accompanied by the Minister of State
and M. Lefuel, the architect of the Louvre, he walked
to the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Quay,
where he was received by M. and Mme. Drouyn de
Lhuys, who showed him over the splendid suites of
rooms. From thence the Emperor proceeded to
visit the works on the Place de la Concorde,
and then walked along the quays to the Place
de Saint Germain l'Auzerrois and the works at the
Louvre. His Majesty returned to the Tuileries at
seven o'clock. During the walk he was frequently
recognised and cheered.
GERMANY.
The ratifications of the Aestro•Pinesias treaty were
szehaumpil on Tuesday at

-



The Correspondence Sheet informs its readers that
the Austrian Government has determined to contract
a loan in London, to the amount of 150 million
florins, or somewhere about fourteen millions sterling,
at the present rate of exchange. It adds that all
the Austrian Government railways are to be offered
as securities, and that English capitalists have
already made favourable offers to M. de Czornig.
Divine service was performed in Berlin on the fast-
day by the Rev. Mr. Belson at the English chapel,
and the solemnity was strictly attended to by her
Majesty's subjects residing in that capital.
Baron Manteuffel, in his speech at the closing of
the Berlin Chamber, said that the credit voted had
enabled the Government to proceed on the course which
it had hitherto pursued. In perfect unity with Austria,
and in unison with the Western powers, the King
would direct all his endeavours to restore peace, and
to obtain security for the future,
DENMARK.
The Ministry has been partially reconstructed, M.
Fislisch being appointed Minister of the Interior,
and M. Versted ad interim Minister of Justice.
BELGIUM.
A ratification has been issued in the Brussels
Moniteur forbidding the entrance of privateer ves-
sels under any flag or any pretence into the ports of
Belgium, except only when driven in by stress of
weather. Letter of marque are also not to be issued,
and Belgian subjects are warned that if they engage
in privateering they will incur the risk of being
treated as pirates abroad, and will be rigorously
prosecuted at home.
SWEDEN AND NORWAY.
Subscription lists are circulating in Sweden for the
formation of a volunteer corps to defend the frontier
against Russia, in case of war. Accounts from pri-
vate sources state that Sweden and Norway are
making warlike preparations. The Czar is not
blind to the danger, and is sending masses of
Russian and Polish troops to Finland, while he has
withdrawn the militia of the country and its rifle-
men into the heart of Russia. The Russian troops
now in Finland are estimated at 50,000.
The quarantine laws are suspended at the different
Swedish ports likely to be tquched at by the united
fleets, The harbour dues levied on foreign ships
are also abolished, in so far as men-of-war are con-
cerned.
SPAIN.
The affair of the Black Warrior, the American
vessel seized in Cuba, is still causing much excite-
ment in Madrid. On the 26th ult. another special
messenger arrived at the American legation in that
capital. It is said that the pecuniary demand will be
considerably reduced, the sum first spoken of
(300,000 dollars) having been demanded before it
was known that the vessel and cargo had been given
up ; but that the demand for the dismissal of the
different authorities who took part in the seizure of
the Black Warrior will be persisted in.
;is ax ,isit
PORTUGAL.
Russian intrigues are stated by the Paris Pays to
be rife in Portugal. According to its information
Russian agents in great numbers are travelling about
the country, spreading the report that the Czar's
object in provoking the great powers is the general
re-establishment of legitimate thrones and legitimist
principles, and suggesting that now, when there is
no English force in the Tagus, is a favourable time
for shaking off English influence. Within the
last six weeks mom Russians have arrived at Lisbon
than have been seen there for six years.
Abundant rains have removed the serious appre-
hensions felt for the crops, which now promise to
be abundant. The grape disease has, however, re-
appeavd and continues to spread.
The Committee of Deputies in Lisbon have made
a report approving the new coinage, and the regula-
tion of the relative value of gold and silver currency
upon the same basis as in England.
The young King, having received the sanction of
the Cortes to absent himself from the country, will,
it is said, set out on his tour in the course of next
month. His first visit will be to the British Court.
RUSSIA.
MANIFESTO OF THE CZAR.—Another manifesto
from the Emperor Nicholas to his subjects was
pnblished in a Supplement Extraordinary of the
.Teurnat de St. Peter:homy, dated the 11th (23rd)
tdtitnot—
" By the grace of God, we, Nicholas the First, Emperor
and• Autocrat of all the Buggies; King of Poland. &c. &c.,
tO all one seltjecessaake known : Since the commencement
of our difference with the Turkish Government, we have
solemnly announced to our faithful subjects that a Rend-
went of justice had alone induced us to reestablish the
violated rights of the orthiitdox Christians subjects of the
Ottoman Porte.
" We have not smelt; we do not seek, to make con-
quests, nor to exercise in Turkey any supremacy whatever
that might be likely to exceed that influence which belongs
to Atlanta by virtue of existing treaties.
" At that period we already encountered distrust, then
soon a covert hostility on the part. of the Governments of

ItIRES S.

War taxes are now being levied in SL Petersburg .
On the tradesmen and merchants of the first guild,
300 silver roubles ; on those of the second guild, 160 ;
and on those of the third guild, 106. All house-
keepers without distinction are assessed 10 per c ent.
on the actual rent they pay or receive.
The prohibition of the export of gold is represented
as not having produced so great a fall in its value as
expected, for the secretion of specie, in connection
with the war, had had the effect of keeping up the
prices.
On the 18th ult. the ice was still quite firm in the
Neva and the neighbouring sea: there was no pro-
bability of any traffic being open there till towards
the middle of May.
Travellers returning from St. Petersburg to Warsaw
report that the Guards are now leaving St. Peters-
burg, and marching to the Baltic provinces, while the
reserves of the Grenadiers are being drawn into the
capital. On the road to the frontier there were
bodies of troops met on the march at every mile.
The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Wanderer,
writing on the 16th ult., says,—" The fate of Cronstadt
is causing a great deal of anxiety here, however much
the Russians may pretend before foreigners to
believe in its impregnability. It is perfectly true
that the granite casing has become a good deal in-
jured, but the greatest exertions are being made to
render the forts as capable of resistance as possible.
It is the Alexander fort that is most feared for, but it
is certain that it will cost the enemy very dear to
take them. The two detachments of the fleet now
lying in Cronstadt are already fit for putting out to
sea, but are not very likely to leave their present
station."
TURKEY.
A correspondent from Constantinople writes to the
Preen that a judicial investigation at Constantinople
has brought to light some important particulars rela-
tive to the Russian plot which was set on foot there
long ago. Baron (Elsner, the better to deceive the
Turkish Government, had offered his services as a
member of the secret police, and had actually been
engaged at a salary of 1,(/00 piastres per month. But
his duplicity was betrayed by a Doctor Asks, a phy-
sician in the Turkish service, to whom he had con-
fided his secret. According to CElsner's statement
Russia hoped to recruit an army of 60,000 conspirators
ready to rise at the first signal among the Greeks and
Sclavonians.
GREECE.
Pete, the principal centre of the Greek insurrec •
Lion, was taken on the 23rd ult. by the Ottoman
forces under the command of Osman Pacha, after
fifty minutes' fighting. The insurgents mustered
about 3,000 men, led by Tzavellas and Karaischakis,
and had about 150 killed. The number of wounded
is not known. The loss of the Turks was five killed
and twelve wounded. Amongst the killed is the
secretary of Tzavellas. It was expected that this
victory will go far towards procuring the submission
of the country.
Affairs in Albania are very favourable. A battle
had taken place at Armiro, and the results were in
favour of the Turks. The roads between Arta and
Janina were free. The insurgents have been de-
feated between Janina and Prevesa, with the loss
of 100 killed, 120 prisoners, four guns, and sixty I
barrels of powder. Grivas bas been defeated near ,
Ntetzovo, and has fled to Thessaly with sixteen men.
The last accounts from Athens confirm th'state-
ment that the Ambassadors of France and England
had presented an ultimatum to the Government
of King Otho.
An English mercantile brig, name unknown, had
been found aground on the isle of Andros. There
was no one in it, hut there were large pools of blood
in the interior. It had evidently been captured by
pirates, and two steamers had been sent in pursuit
of them.

SATURDAY,

AMERICA.
The Europa has brought New York news to the
10th ult.

The Gadsden treaty with Mexico had been re-
jected in the Senate, but would probably be again
presented.
A very influential convention of all the Southern
States was in session at Charleston, having for its
objects :-1. To establish a southern continental
depot for cotton, for its direct exportation by plan-
ters. 2. To build up a southern importing market,
in opposition to New York, Philadelphia, &c. 3. To
increase the southern railroads. 4. To stimulate
southern manufactures and industry. 5. To estab-
lish colleges. 0. To contend that the eastern ter-
minus of the Great Pacific Railway shall be in the
south.
The Irish movement in the States has assumed
something like a tangible shape, and the nucleus of
a new society has been formed in New York. The
association is to be called the " Irishmen's Universal
Civil and Military Republican Union," and it pro-
fesses three objects:—

" 1. The organisation of all Irishmen in the United
States into clubs, and the abolition of all civil, religious,
and factious disputes among them.
" 2. To correspond with Irishmen in other parts of the
world.
"3. To instruct Ireland and the Irish in the history and
principles of American republicanism."
Besides the above, they are to " cultivate the
theory and practice of the military arts," &c.
The Liverpool packet Underwriter had gone
ashore near New York, and was expected to be a
total wreck.
The advices from Mexico concerning the revolu-
tion continue contradictory. Some papers announce
that an arrangement of existing difficulties had been
made between Santa Anna and Alvarez, and that
the revolution was thus at an end. Other authorities
represent Alvarez as being very closely pressed, and
state that his followers were rapidly making their
submission to Santa Anna. And a third version
runs to the effect that the forces of Santa Anna were
rapidly falling off, and a decisive battle was to be
fought very soon, at a position which Alvarez had
strongly fortified.
It is stated that fifty Americans had been arrested
at San Bias, having landed without passports. They
were ordered to be shot at once.
AFRICA.
Cape papers to the 4th ult. have arrived. They
confirm the fact of gold having been found in the
Orange River sovereignty. Numbers were employed
in "prospecting," but all were not alike successful.
Some, however, found their search highly remune-
rative. The metal had been pronounced by compe-
tent parties to be superior in purity even to Mel-
bourne gold; but it had been discovered as yet
principally in small quantities.
From the west coast we learn that a: Lagos on
the 30th of March trade was completely restored, and
thirteen British vessels were there loading palm oil,
&c. Her Majesty's steamer Myrmidon was to leave
for England on the 18th of May.
The vine disease had reappeared in Madeira.

JAMAICA.
A West India mail has arrived with Jamaica
advices of the 11th ult.
The Council had passed the Responsible Govern-
ment Bill, as amended by the Huuse of Assembly, by
a mtkjority of one. Sir Henry Barkly assented to the
bill within half an hour after it had passed the
Council. It was, however, thought possible that the
provision it included of a judicial establishment
under the civil list might be rejected by the home
Government.
A railway extension bill, carrying the terminus to
Old Harbour, a distance of twelve miles from
Spanish Town, bad passed the House of Assembly :
it was expected that the Council would sanction, and
the Governor approve, of the measure.

ZON ACCOUNT OF CIVIL CONTINGENCIES the following
sums were expended during the last three years :
Special missions, foreign and colonial, in 1851,
17,2811.; in 1852, 10,9671.; in 1863, 9,866/. Outfit
and equipage of foreign ministers, in 1861, 8,6501.;
in 1852, 11,3351.; in 1853, 4,9001, Expenses of
entertaining and conveying persons of distinction,
ambassadors, governors, &c., in 1851, 6,323/. ; in
1862, 4,530/. ;in 1853, 4,340/. Expenses defrayed
by officers of the household, in 1851, 1,6471.; in
1852, 918/. ; in 1853, 2,2111. Various public ser-
vices, in 1851, 49,799/. ; in 1852, 43,238/. ; in 1853,
88,4801. Ditto, payments in Ireland, in 1861, 5,9751. ;
in 1852, 8,8351.; in 1853, 10,504/. ; showing a de-
crease, as compared with 1851, of 19,314/. ; and, as
compared with 1852, of 9,462/.
Mn. GEORGE FERGUSON Bownli, Fellow of Brase-
nose College,,Oxford, has been appointed Secretary
to the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian
Islands, in the room of Sir John Fraser, 1t.C.M.0.,
who is about to retire on his pension after Meal
years' service in that post.