The Express.
London, England, 1865-04-04 00:00:00

FRANCE.

- -----
THE "MONITEIIR" ON THE DEATH OF
MR. COBDEN.
•

PARIS, Arm 4.

The Moniteur of this morning publishes an
article on the late Mr. Cobden, which concludes as
follows:
"Cobden on his death-bed had the happiness to
see the politico-economical work so grandly under-
stood by Napoleon 111., shedding its rays over
the whole of Europe under the direction of a man
of the French empire. In this France was faith-
ful to her initiatory mission. Cobden was able to
understand France, and he loved her—she will
never forget him."
The same paper announces in its bulletin that
Joseph Karam has given his submission to Raoul
Packs& in consequence of an understanding between
the latter and the Patriarch of Syria.

li4
6
•

THE PLAGUE IR RUSSIA.
An order bas been Natio Dunkirk to put in qua-
rantine all ships arriving from Russia. This mea-
sure of precaution has been necessitated by the
epidemic now raging at St. Petersburg.

THE FIRING UPON THE NIAGARA AND
SACRAMENTO.

(uum's arum)

LD3BON, IL Alt CB N.

The Confederate ram Stonewall arrived here on I
Sunday afternoon and out anchor in front of the
Old Packet Stairs. Shortly after the Portuguese
authorities went on board and notified Captain
Page, her commander, that the vessel could only be
allowed to remain in port 24 hours, a period suffi-
cient for coaling purposes. At the same time com-
panies of artillerymen were sent to the Bugio Forte,
to St. Julian, and to Belem Tower. The Portu-
guese war vessels were put in • state of readiness,
and swivel guns were sent on board two of them ;
the steamers Minden') and Jaques being appointed
to see that the law was observed. During
Sunday and Monday crowds of people visited the
Confederate vessel, all of whom were treated with
great courtesy by the officers and crew. The Stone-
wall is a vessel of 600-horse power, iron-plated,
carrying only 3 guns, Armstronp ; these are
of very heavy calibre, and are called "baby
webers" by the officers in a spirit of irony.
Her crew numbers only 86 men ; at her bows she
has a very large ram. The officers of the Stone-
wall state that she went into Ferrol a
few days ago, and found there the Sacra-
, mento and Niagara. She was ordered by
the Spanish authorities to sail within twenty-
four hours, and did so, after having ooaled and
provisioned. Tte day after she again went into'
Ferrol, and left again after being twenty-four
hours in port, not wishing to compromise the Spanish
authorities. She did not again return to Ferrol,
but remained outside the bar for 16 hours making
signals day and night, but the other vessels did
not come out. The Spanish papers also give this
information. It must, however, be taken with

reserve.
On Monday afternoon, the Niagara and Sacra-
mento, Federal corvettes, were signalled off liabon
bar, and it is said the Stonewall hoisted her
blue peter about the same time. The two
corvettes came up, and cast anchor near the Belem
Tower, and were officially warned that they could
not sail until 24 hours had elapsed after
the leaving of the Stonewall. The Mindello and
Jaques war steamers were appointed to
watch the proceedings of the Federal ships, which
kept steam up, and did not 'then ascend the river.
The feeling of the Portuguese authorities was a
determination to see the law fully observed.
On shore much excitement was displayed,
and the relative merits of the vessels were freely
canvassed. Admiral Sartorins who is now bore is
said to have declared that tLe Stonewall with her
iron sides and heavy cupola guns would prove quite
a match for the two Federal corvettes in the event
of a conflict.
The Stonewall sailed about noon to-day
(Tuesday), leaving the Niagara and Sacramento
anchored to the west of Belem Tower, nearly
in front of the quay and Jeronimite Convent.
Some four hours afterwards the Niagara and Sacra-
mento weighed anchor and moved towards the bar.
The commander of Belem Tower, who bad received
instructions, observing this, called the artil-
lerymen to the guns, and fired a 12-lb.
shot at the Niagara, which sailed in front.
She did not, however, stop, and six
more shots were fired from the tower. At the
seventh shot the Niagara turned round, came back
towards Lisbon, and cast anchor in front of the
Old Packet Stairs. The Sacramento followed, and
brought up near to her. It appears that three of
the seven bells struck the Niagara, somewhat
damaging her poop.
The Federal captains allege that they had no
intention of following the Stonewall but were
about to turn round and take up other
anchorage ground. The Governor of Belem Tower
appears to have had orders to act as he did in
case such proceeding'. were taken by the Federal
ships, but the instructions given to the commander
of the guardahip were not the same, because the
port is under the War-office, the ships under the Ma-
rine-department, and unfortunately circumlocution
prevails here as in England. This affair is now
affording matter for diplomatic correspondence,
but the general feeling is that the Portuguese
government acted with great spirit, and their con-
duct will be endorsed by the public opinion of
Europe.