The Press.
London, England, 1854-07-15 00:00:00

RUSSIA.

The following is given as an authentic version of
the answer of the Emperor of Russia to the last pro-
positions of Austria and Prussia:—
" Russia accepts the common protection of the Christians
in the shape determined on by the four powers in the pro-
tocols of the Conference of Vienna.
" Russia will evacuate the Ottoman territory if the
Western powers will also leave it, and if Austria will not
enter it.
" Russia will keep the line of the Sereth for strategistic

purposes.
" Lastly, Russia is ready to enter into negotiations on
the conditions of the reestablishment of peace, praiided
that it be guaranteed to him that nothing of an unfavour-
able nature against him shall be undertaken during the
course of the negotiations."
Besides this official reply there are two autographs
addressed by the Czar to the Emperor of Austria
and King of Prussia, but these letters are not iden-
tical ; and it appears that, in addition, the two envoys
were instructed to give verbal el?lanations, and to
make comments which were intended to complete
the written documents, but which it was not consi-
dered safe to reduce to writing. The Emperor
Nicholas still pretends that he wishes to negotiate
and to accept all the terms proposed by Austria,

655

with the exception of that with respect to the reli
Sioux question:—

" That," says the Czar, " is a private affair between the
Sultan and myself; an affair of internal arrangement,
which has no kind of interest for the foreign powers, and
which has nothing to do with the equilibrium of Europe.
I have been, I am, and I must continue to be the pro-
tector of my Church—its born protector—against the
barbarians who have oppressed it, who oppress it now,
and who will continue to oppress it, let what will be done.
This is an article of conscience on which I cannot yield,
you know it, and it is right it should also be known that
I am ready for every sacrifice."

The Grand Duke Constantine visited Cronstadt
on the 2nd inst., and left it on the 4th, seemingly
much distressed at witnessing the formidable ap-
pearance of the combined fleets off that place.
Several significant changes in the commandants
of the different Russian armies are announced.
Prince Paskiewitsch has fallen into disgrace, and has
been ordered to retire to hii estates in Podolia.

General Osten-Sacken has been deprived of his
command at Odessa, but it is stated that be will lead
the third active army corps. He is succeeded in
Odessa by General Armenkoff. Letters from St.
Petersburg, of the 29th ult., state that Admiral
Matuschine, who is high in the confidence of the
Grand Duke Constantine has been appointed Com-
mander-in-Chief and Military Governor of Svoa-
borg, and that Vice Admiral Lermantoff (his pre-
decessor) has been nominated a member of the
Board of Audit of the Marine. Fom this change it
it concluded that Admiral Lermantoff is in disgrace.
It is believed in Vienna that the principal forces
of the Emperor of Russia are being concentrated
against Austria, and that they amount to 300,000
men. This, however, must be a vast exaggeration.
According to letters from the Baltic of the 4th,
all the male inhabitants of the towns of Brahestadt
and Jacobstadt, from to 45 years of age, had been
incorporated into the Russian army, and placed in
the divison of General de Wendt. This rigorous
measure was designed to punish the inhabitants for
their dissaffection to Russia.

CAN ADA.
The Canadian Parliament closed a session of only
a few days' duration on the 20th of June, when it was
de facto prorogued, the Ministry having been beaten
by a majority of 13 on the question of clergy reserves
and seignorial tenure. The writs were to be issued
forthwith, and it was expected the whole of the elec-
tions would be over by the third week in July. The
new house meets on the Ist of August.
LOYALTY OF THE CANADIAN INDIANS.—A loyal ad-
dress on the present war from the `• Six Nations,"
constituting her Majesty's Indian subjects in Canada,
has recently been forwarded to the Queen by Lord
Elgin. The address is in English as follows:,
" Great Mother,—We, the Chiefs and Sachems of the
Six Nations of Indians, residing on the Grand River in
Canada West, being assembled at our Council Fire in
General Council, take this opportunity of assuring your
Majesty of our unalterable attachment to your Majesty.
" Great Mother,—We have heard that your Majesty is
now at war with a powerful nation, and that your warriors,
with those of the French, as your allies, have gone on the
war path. We are happy to hear of this alliance, and we
feel that our Great Mother's cause must be just.
" Great Mother,—Your children of the Six Nations have
always been faithful and active allies of your Crown, and
the ancestors of your red children never failed to assist in
the battles of your illustrious ancestors.
" Great Mother,—We now renew the offer of our services
against any external or internal enemy that may dare to
attack this portion of your dominions, and we pray the
Great Spirit to bless your warriors and those of your allies
with ♦ictory.
" Done in General Council, at our General Council Fire,
this Brd day of June, 1554.
(Signed by) JOHN S. JOHNSON,
" And 42 Chiefs and Sachems of the Six Nations.'

Paoli some income-tax returns just issued by Par-
liament it appea a that 146,882 persons paid the tax
under schedule D in the year ending April 5, 1853.
Of these 33 persons possessed more than 50,0001.
per annum; 373, from 10,000/. to 50,0001.; 664, from
5,0001. to 10,0001.; 380, front 4,000/. to 5,0001. ; (183,
from 3,000/. to 4,000/. ; 1,450, from 2,000/. to 3,000/. ;
4,843, from 1,0001. to 2,000/. ; 815, above 900/. ; 1,709,
above 8001. ; 2,004, above 700/. ; 3,021, above 6001.;
5,260, above 5001. ; 7,187, above 400/. ; 14,679, above
300/. ; 30,142, above 2001.; 40,473, above 15(11. ; and
33,158 below that amount. The four classes which
contribute the most to the tax are those from 150/. to
2001., from 2001. to 3001., from 1,0001. to 2,0001., and
from 10,000/. to 50,0001., each of which pays nearly
the same sum on the whole. Under schedule E
49,800 persons paid income tax, of whom 54 paid on
incomes of over 5,0001. a year, and 21,290 on income,
under 1501.