The Press.
London, England, 1856-01-05 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

The reply of the King of Prussia to the request
of the Emperor Francis Joseph, that the King
would use his influence in snpporting Count Ester-
hazy's proposals to Russia, has not yet transpired.
Colonel Manteuffel, with an autograph letter of the
King to the Emperor, left Berlin on Monday for
Vienna, taking Dresden in his way. On arriving at
Dresden he immediately had an audience of the
King, and finally set out VI- Vienna on the 2nd.
The object of the visit to Dresden was to discover
hcw far Saxony, in the person of Baron Seebach,
was resolved upon the present question to deviate
from her traditional policy.

It is certain that Prussia, up to the departure of
Colonel Manteuffel, had male no representation to
Russia in support of Count Esterhazy's proposals.

RUSSIA.
The following analysis of the late " Russian
Circular "of Dec. 22 has appeared in Le Nord :

SATURDAY,

THE RUSSIAN CIRCULAR.
Point shall be
solved (re
the following combinations :
(Ezopeitorobry consents that the third
1. The closing of the Straits.
'2. No military tlag whatever shall float in the Black
Sea, with the etception of that of the forces which Russia
and the Porte by a common consent may deem it neces-
sary to maintain there.
8. The amount of these forces shall be fixed by •.;. direct+
agreement between the two coasting powers, wicsout any
ostensible participation of the other powers.

The following is an exact analysis of the despatch
itself:—

The Imperial Cabinet first states, iriNkt the momentary
interruption of hostilities in coneevence of the tad
weather has necessarily aroused the general hope that ad.
vantage would be taken of it for the establishment or
peace, and declares that it was not the last tc, share the
sentiment and to devote a just solicitude to it. It owns
frankly that the desire expressed by the Emperor of the.
French, at a public solemnity, in favour of a prompt andi
durable peace, was at tltc same time, and still is, the clear-
est wish of the Emperor Alexander.
The elevated polioy which has been bequetkilied to this
Sovereign by his predecessors makes it his duty to make,
use of the power which God has placed in his hands oak?
for the good of mankind, and consevently to. desire peace,
not only in the interests of his own subjects, but iu those
also of the whole of Europe. 'l'he Emperor Alexander has
not waited for the present suoutent to endeavour to at-
tain that oliket. On his secession to the throne he ga% e
his full and entire consent to the bases admitted by his
august father.

These bases, however, admit of different interpretations.
The Emperor, without hesitation, gave them the most
liberal interpretation (leur donna lee plus large. dercloppe•
meals). As a proof thereof he can quote the frank mull
loyal concurrence which he lent to the modifications to ho
introduced into the political system of the East. *0 WI
the collective guarantee which was to assure its iptlepen-
deuce. He even went so far as to sacrifice his,apeular mid
glorious traditions. lie filially proved the s;;serity of his
resolutions by the manner with which lief adopted the
changes proposed fur the principalities c( the banube and,
for the navigation of that river.

If the conferences were broken', on the sulkjeet of the.
third point, the responsibility tbereof• dues nut fall upon,
the Imperial Cabinet, fur whlf•n the Austrian Cabinets
brought forward the solution, which appeared to it most
acceptable, it was the Ituissipn Plenipotentiary, who de.
dared it susceptible of becoming the starting-point (Point
depart) for an arrangement, and it was the Itlinisteni,q(,ll...
adverse party who rejected it in consequence Os imteernal
dissensions which had arisen.

In the course of the grave events wlti,e ensued, NOW*
torrents of blood flowed, and the two, hehigierent par:i
were imposing immense sacrifices Pa themselves, lkiwev4.l.
touch the heart of his imperial Majesty was. effected
thereby, he was obliged to remain silent as long :we his enc.-..
mica appeared resolved tip, substitute the right of might to
the spirit of justice and pf maciliation, which for nearly.
half a century had presided over the destinies of Europe.
But as sops as information reaches the Government of
his Majesty which, assured him that his enemies were dis.
posed to take up again (reprendre en sous-ourres) the nil- .
gotiations of peace on the basis of the four points, such .
they had been defined in the conferences, the imperial ,
Cabinet did not hesitate to come forward frankly to meet
those peaceful dispositions, and to seek frankly a possiblo
solution for the third point in the order of ideas which hkd,
appeared in turn satisfactory to all parties.
'f he imperial Cabinet declares, in conclusion, " that,
this resolution of the Emperor will give a new pledge
of the sentiments of conciliation by which he is aid-.
mated, and of the sacrifices he is ready to make for the.
peace of the world. He puts his trust in the impartial,
judgment of the powers which have remained strangers to,
the struggle, and calmly and confidently awaits the decision,
of his enemies."

The exertions of Russia at this moment to prepare,
for a renewal of the contest are immense. The want.
of saltpetre is severely felt, but contracts for lead,.
ordnance, and mortar carriages, were taken up, and
a vast number of gun and mortar boats being built
at Cronstadt. Proclamations have been issued to•
the peasants of the Crown domains, calling:on them
to raise corps of sharpshooters. A new copper coin--
age of three millions has been ordered, and the Baltic
batteries are being placed in the most efficient state
of defence.
SWEDEN AND DENMARK.

Letters from Stockholm state that greater activity
has never prevailed than at present in the military
arsenals and manufactories in Sweden. The com-
manding officers of regiments have received orders
to hol.l themselves in readiness for service, to put
their corps in the greatest possible state of efficiency,.
and officers who applied for leave of absence have
been refused without exception. It is clear from
this that Sweden is preparing for eventualities which•
may call for her utmost naval and military strength.
Denmark, it is stated, has at length decided upon.
joining the Western powers. A special envoy, it is
said, is about to proceed to London, for the pur—
pose of concluding a treaty guaranteeing is Den.

WI

t

JANUARY 5, 1856.

mark the possession of her West Indian islands.
Upon what terms this guarantee will be granted by
England and France has not transpired. The island
of Bornholm is mentioned as having been offered to
the Western powers as a naval depot for their Baltic
fleets.

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.
The serious illness of Marshal O'Donnell has
suspended all Ministerial arrangements for the
present.
The bill authorising the establishment of a new
bank, in connection with the Credit Mobilier of Paris,
had been read in Cortes by Senor Bruil. The capi-
tal of 259,000,000 reals is to be divided into 240,000
shares, of 1,900 reals, or 500 francs, each.
The capitalists of Madrid have proposed the
creation of a national bank of credit.
The British Minister, Mr. Howard, had his first
audience of the King of Portugal on the 19th ult.
His Majesty, in reply to Mr. Howard's address, ex-
pressed his wish that the two nations should not
only continue united by interest, but, " above all, by
a similarity of institutions."
_