The Express.
London, England, 1852-03-18 00:00:00

MARCH 18, 1852.

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LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 18.

Br the last news from Calcutta, it appears that
the Oovernortieneral has approved the conduct
of Commodore LAMIUT at Rangoon. But how the
war is to be carried on, we are not informed. It
stems, however, that there is very much of the
bristle of preparati' on that indicates the incurring of
uncalled-for loam On all occasions of • threat-
ened contest, there is on the part of the civil popula-
tion of the good city of Calcutta something very like
a panic, and on the part of the military a
longing for fighting, promotion, staff appointment.,
and booty. All this is either uncalled for or mis-
chievous. The Burmese are a paltry enemy, and
ought not to be made too much of. Yet we see re-
inforcements sent to the northern frontier, Arracan,
a country very far removed from Burmese aggression,
and inhabited by a people not Burmese, but by long
ill-usage estranged from the Burmese; and to Mon-
taken, at the southern frontier, at least 400 miles
from the Burmese capital, and 300 from any country
inhabited by the Burmese nation—its own inhabitants
being Peguans, the hereditary enemies of the
Burmese. _ _

The blunders of the former Burmese war consisted
in commencing operations in the wrong season, and
in pursuing the enemy into the interior of his country,
over 400 miles of marsh, or forest, or water, which
cost three campaigns, ten millions of money, and, at
least, 10,000 men—not one-twentieth part of them
in action. We had then no place nearer to us than
Calcutta, 700 miles off, and now we have on our
flank our Tenasseiim provinces, the most productive
parts of which are not above fifty miles distant from
the great commercial artery of the Burman country, the
river Irawadi. In the first Burmese war we had but
one pooi little steamer; we have now many fine ones.
According to our view, the cheapest and most
effectual way of chastising the Burmese (for chastise-
ment they evidently merit) is to seize and occupy
the town of Rangoon with its surrounding territory,
which, being encompassed by branches or affluents
of the Irawadi, is in fact an island. The town, pro-
bably now containing some 20,000 inhabitants, lies
on the left bank of the river, extending with its
suburbs about a mile along the shore, and being ini
depth about three quarters of a mile. The town
proper is surrounded by a stockade, consisting of
heavy beams of teak timber, the oak of India, about
14 feet high. This stockade is the only fortification
known to the Burmese, except in the case of the pre-
sent and previous capitals which have brick walls, a
rampart and parapet, a lees efficient defence than
even the stockade. _ _

The town of Rangoon, twenty-six miles from the
mouth of the hawed', is the emporium of the Bur-
mese empire, and completely commands the whole
course of the river for 600 miles. The river before
it forms one of the safest and most convenient har-
bours in India, and a first-class frigate may anchor
within pistol-shot of the stockade. Inland from the
town the land rises to the height of ninety feet
above the level of the river, and the place altogether
is not, for • tropical country, unhealthy. A very
moderate military force, with the aid of a
small steam squadron, would capture Rangoon
and hold it without difficulty, until reparation for
insult and extortion were made, and the expense of
the expedition paid. Five miles above the town is
an affluent of the Irawadi, and two miles below it a
bifurcation—the embouchures of which occupied
would make a surprise by water impracticable. The
Burmese in their presumption would descend the
river to expel us from Rangoon, and the result of a
contest between their war boats and grape and
paddle wheels may be easily imagined. They did
despond in this manner, in the first war, with an
order to catch the British force as if in a drag-net,
and bring us prisoners to Ava ; bat with all our
inadequate means their thousands, or rather tens of
thousands, were easily routed and dispersed. It is
sorely far more convenient to wait and secure an
igaera~t presumptuous enemy like the Burmese
than to follow them rn a wild-goose chase which may
cost a million.

It is hardly necessary to say, that to conquer
territory from the Burmese, with a view to perma-
nent annexation, is a policy not to be thought of by
any sane politician. The most plausible scheme
would be to conquer and annex the country occupied
by the subject Peguans, which extends u far north
u the town of Promo, the ancient capital of that
people, 200 miles from the sea. This would give us
a territory of about 40,000 square miles, with per-
haps 20 inhabitants to a square mile, and a frontier
without natural defence of 200 miles from east to
west. We must have no great war with a little
people, and make no territorial acquisition great or

Mr. Knox, M.P. for Dungannon, has been
ppointed groom in waiting.

The Volunteer Rifle Clubs have, it is stated, been
snubbed by the new government; and the patriotic
offer of gratuitous service for national defence has, it
is alleged, been declined. Should this statement
prove to be true, much feeling on the subject will
doubtlims be manifested throughout the (gantry.

FRENCH OPINION ON THE DERBY
CABINET AND POLICY.

The following is an extract from a letter of a
French Add personage to a friend in Leaden :
" The coming into power of a new admisistra-
don, whose views are so daimon from those of
emir preisomors, mast delay the segodatioss going
on:between Francs England es the 'attest- el
a treaty. Our proteedeekto cannot MI to look
' with insets intend ea the mutest beginning en the
ether side of the &used. I wink yea sumo ; kr
sects Immo guidon use at a stake. and ill somas,
=r
sa sheet ponied. slight gamier so sow
drier piedgies now gas, on in other
eenntriese amt it weal primps bring about a
general ammonia' resells& lien new, fro trade
is taking a tar of Rumps; and notwithstanding all
M. Mime argemmts, ft is easy ins to per-
can by the reports of oar 'Merle, agents,
that the beaded principles areAmodinarzniaaround
no to id very frontiers. Air
and
Seined's& have yielded; Belgium is every day
braids* down some barrier in her meow system;
she Zoldverein must, by its future counter with
Arta* adopt the liberal spirit which breathes
thumbed the Dew tariff of that citadel of emana-
tion: us I sums& it is being cleverly
ua Bowies, who hem kiseght about
&ewe in the humour of the pWrohsadt
hafts, iNPONdII posesseers of familiar.
Ira isms at us, vim all ear nelihkeers lave
enessisi a yam navigation the sane treatment as
' le** own with regard to the carrying of our own
psis This destruction of the distinction between
Be* and indirect intercourse, as well as between
the kding at places of production of tropical articles,
sad dmo leen of the same articles at marmots,
veal& kedge states are gradually &dards( after
your memple, as you formerly obliged all to Imitate
your Navigation Act—this destruction, I say, will
soon lean us alone, girt in fetters of our own mak-
ing, emi we will soon shako them off from
sheer nesseity. But then you must not give way
at the wry moment when Europe is acting on your
principle& It is quite enough that we are giving
such eel encouragement to political renctionists
may you prove better champions of commercial
liberty. Alas! what changes are coming over us P
Tliongh I confess I was fearful of the excesses which
awaited us before December last, that is no reason
for *sing my eyiai to the strange scenes which I
Isie.doomed to Witness, and which are but the pro-
' hob be the real drama hut, as I cannot help it, I
will est trouble myself further with such a painful
theme. We ate in the hands of Providence, like
passengers on a vessel, and no one can tell which
way the wind and waves may carry ns."

• ' FRANCE.
THE BUDGET.
BY 817BKARINE TELEGRAPH.

PARIS, TRVISDAT MORNING.
The Moniteur publishes the estimates for 1852.
The state expenditure is calculated at 1,430,363,244
francs; the receipts at 1,449,413,604.
The import duties on fermented liquors are re
dined by half, and those on liquors sold by retail
raised by half. 1
The war estimates are augmented by 7,000,000 fr. ;
those of the navy by 12,000,000 fr.
The extraordinary works are augmented by
14,000,000 fr.

PARIS, WIDNESDAT HYMNING.
The conversion of the Five per Cents. still holds
the Ant place in public attention. To-day tho sw-
age of this Leasure seems much more doubtful.
Tbe new rents is quoted at only 30 centimes above
par,and es it could not fall below per before the expi-
ration of the 20 days allowed for application for rs-
imbursoment, without a complete disbelief in the
power of the treasury to carry out this part of its
engagements, there is obviously no disposition on the
part of the public to favour the measure. In fact the
equity of the conversion lies wholly in leaving to the
rentier the option of reimbursement, and if this al-
ternative be illusory, the measure amounts to amerc-
ing nearly a million of citizens of one-tenth of their
fended income. Generally, great complaints are
kid against the 3rd article of the decree,
which announces that the reimbursement may

be effected by series. The vagueness of this arrange-
ment is naturally alarming, as the rest4r who
wishes to receive his capital may be put off for an
indefinite period. Then the extreme shortness of the
term allowed to fundholders in France for present-
ing their applications is generally regarded as an
unjust aggravation of a measure, the rigour of which
ought to have been mitigated by, every possible in-
dulgence. In fact, it seems hardly possible that all
France should be apprised of the decree in so short
a time, considering the scanty means of publicity
resulting from the suppression of so many news-
papers. There exists unquestionably a very general
disposition on the part of the petits smilers to de-
mand their capital rather than submit to the reduc-
tion of their income ; and this disposition is
not lessened by a knowledge of the em-
barrassment to which the treasury may be
subjected by the siege of numerous applica-
tions. Two articles, in which several objections
against the decree are embodied, have appeared
to-day in the Assetnblee and the Debate, and
the latter is remarkable especially for a bolder
tone of opposition than has been hitherto ventured
on since the events of December. The latter organ
observes that the interests of the rentiess have been
during the last four years damaged by the diversion
of the sinking fund from its legitimate destination;
for if the revenues of the sinking-fund had been em-
ployed to buy up renter, prices manifestly would
have risen. It dwells on the impolicy of shaking
the confidence of the small tundholders' who
have been so enormously multiplied during
Last years, especially by the measure of
the yreeleirmal
.government which reimbursed in
teeter the deposits of the savings banks. Then the
critical state of the political as well as financial
situation ought to have dissuaded so vast a measure.
A few weeks ago the Five per Cents. were below par.
It would not require a very remote or improbable
event to produce a fall of three or four francs, in
which case the success of the measure would be open-
promised. The boasted economy to the budget of
18 millions will be less complete than is su
Certain public establishments hold rental, as
be indemnified by a charge upon the general
for the funds which they will lose by the
conversion. The Assembles is struck with the ming
interpretation of the silence of the metiers, who, if
they do not reclaim their capital in twenty
days are considered to accept the conversion.
Under the monarchy in 1840, when the law of con-
version was voted by the Chamber of Deputies, the
Five per Cents., which it was proposed to convert,
were at 113, and the Four-and-a-Half per Cents.,
which were to be the new stock, were at 106. Under
such circumstances no rentier would have dreamed

at demanding the reimbursement, when he weld
nowhere have found a higher interest the* 44 parr
cent. But now on all sorts of securities the Wind
is at least 5 per cent., and on the eve of the decree
the Four-and-a• Half per Cents. were only at 89.75,
so that to impose a rate of interest for which the
market is not prepared, is to force credit in a way
which can only lead to disastrous reactions. Then
the reimbursement by series is neither frank nor

loyal, but a dishonest evasion of the engagement
which the government incurs. It is clear that the
treasury ma hardly come down with a twentieth part
of the whole capital of the Five per Cents. Under
such circumstances, the offer of reimbursement ought
. .

to have been accompanied by some assurance sato
the mast term within which the testier might expect
the repayment of his capital. Those who applied to
the troeseiy ought in all justice to have received 5
pee east., instead of 41 per cent., up to the moment
ef their seimbursement, which may, by the system of
sexes, herd off for several years.
A petition has been presented to the President ea
doe part of the hospitals, praying that these esta-
blishments may be exempted from the rednetinn of
=sent. to which the holders of the Pii6 per
are subjected.
MID Bishop of Orleans refuses a seat in the Sa-
pedal. Council of Instruction.
The Monsieur contains an organic decree by
whisk the President of the Republic consolidates
and anninie the ststutes of the Legion of Honour.
The Oonedihetionnet gives the following informa-
tion reify= certain items in the forthaereing die-
tatorial
After the revolution of February, the necessity of crest-
ing reassume to meet the extraordinary expanse then in-
eorred, led the government to diminish the salaries of the
Usk taeotioaanes of the state. This spirit of =anew did
art lead to the expected results, ant had the edict of
seda the functionaries is a mecarises pedalos, which
rendered it impossible for them to support their reek
property. The new government has felt the nem-
sky of remedying that state of things; and, by onion
of the Prince President, the public functionaries
esea Ilesaiforth to receive an adequate remunera-
• lee the services which they render to the state.
The salary of the ministers, secretaries of k now to be
MOW ryear, the Mialmers of Foreigs sad of
Wan teeehies UMW fames a-year ham hallos noniron
regineo thealla ethers. ry et the
thumfoe of the minas breaches othe aeration is
smile, as It was in 1847. Thus, the law-
effissekths Ant presidents and ax of
Se Owego of Appeal will Irene 18,0016., 15,000 fr.,
4ass mese franca, according to their . shading. The
hoe peaddent and the procureur-genseol m the court of
Appeal of Paris as well as the president end the prominent-
of the Court of Qumtlw, will rums a Wary of
reeralBo6. a-year. The couneelere at the Court of Cessation
are se havel6,ooofu a.yearn the amentengenemoa at Paris
11,108*. and the substitutes of ths_prouorsieveaoral and
eriaory councillors 10,0806. The jape and althea-
tens el' tribunal of the preesike bourse of the Seine
7,0006., end so on. Them Jest refocus, fetrubcood into the
new budget, will not throw say IMO express ea the Dm-
vary, for they apply to only a moan ambit of napteraosto.
Every one has long admitted the neemaity of them, and
they will meet with usaalmous ten. We are in-
formed that the budget if 1869 willappear in tho ilfessinur
tomorrow.
There is no doubt that the judges in this country
are underpaid, but it is not universally admitted to
be necessary that ministers should have 4,0001. and
6,0001. a year. However, the present government
exhibits and professes a horror of niggard economy.
Lavish expenditure is officially enjoined upon all
functionarierf as a Means of stimulating trade, in-
creasing production, and 03 adding to the wealth of
the country.
Count Waloweki, the French ambassador to the
court of England, will leave this day to return to his
post.
M. Pousard, the author who has just been ap-
pointed by Marshal Jerome Bonaparte librarian to
the Senate, yesterday fought a duel in the Bois de
Boulogne with M. 'Facile lklord, the well-known
editor of the C'horiettri. M. Pousard fired without
effect, and M. l lelord then discharged his pistol in
the air. A reconciliation was then effected by the.
seconds. The quarrel is stated to have arisen from a
trifling misunderstanding unconnected with politics.
At the great annual fair at Chalon-cur-Saiine,
which, as usual, was attended by numerous iron-
masters, all kinds tit metallurgical productions rea-
lips' higher price.
M. Ecgrand, tht opposition candidate, has been
elected at Lille, by 13,400 votes against 12,000 given
to M. Michele, the government candidate. In the

remaining departments, so tar as the returns are
known, the government candidates are all at the
head of the poll.
At the Bomse the Five per Cents. fell 15, closing
at 100.66 ; the Three per Cents. rose 6.5 e., and closed
at 69.95. The Four-and-a•Haif were quoted 13c.
higher than the Five per Cents. Bank of Franco
shares fell 10. Speculation was active in railways.
Bordeaux rose 32.50, owing to reports of new con-
cessions of branch lines ; Northern and Orleans rose
10f. each ; Strasbourg, 8.75; Tours and Nantes,
7.60; Central and Dieppe, Of. each,

GERMANY.

BERLIN, MARCH
Reports have been spread that the minister of the
interior had tendered his resignation in consequence
of the government's opposition to the anstocratio
party in the question on the re-construction of the first
chambers ; it was subsequently said that M.Von Man-
teuffel would totally reorgantse his ministry. Assur-
ances arc now given that all differences have been
got over, and that the ministry will suffer nu change.
The Cavaliers come forward to support the present
ministry, because they have some hope of getting it
round; and fear that it would be succeeded by a
cabinet from the liethman-liullweg party, ur abso-
lute bureaucrats.

The Vienna newspapers are very much dissati4lol,
with the Prussian circular and note about the Zull-
vcrein's conference; they broadly hint, that the
southern states will claim the admission of an Aus.
trian delegate. The Oddentsche Post declares that
Austria "neither can or dare" content itself with a
mere treaty of commerce, but must push fur a full
union.

The right side of the Second Chamber is said to be
preparing a motion for taxing railroads, such an
impost haring been premeditated by the law of I k-ss.
The minister of trade has declared that the f.-
vertinusat has not yet entertained the measure;
but it is probable that the newspapers will
advocate it, in the hope of opening for the govern-
ment a source of revenue which shall take away the
pretext of the financial exigency of the proposed
newspaper stamp. In vain! The government will
take the railroad tax, and not the less tax the news-
papers.