The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-14 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

BRUSSELS, MONDAY.
The Belgian government has at last abandoned all
hope of being able to renew, or even prolong, the
commercial treaty between this kingdom and the
Zollverein—a treaty which expires at the end of
this month, and which not a little favoured the coal
and iron of the former. A general movement is now
being made in the large manufacturing towns of Bel-
gium, particularly in Verviers, for the abolition, or
at all events the reduction, of the duty on cast-iron,
and in some places for the tree admission of coal.
The Belgian government is not indisposed to accede
to a reduction of duty on both.
We have intelligence from Bucharest up to the 7th
inst. All was quiet at that date, but Russian troops
were still advancing towards Kalafat. There is a
good prospect of the Porte being able to raise at least
11 10,000 troops in Bosnia.

CRUEL TREATMENT OF TIIE EX-MINISTER
POERIO IN PRISON.

Our correspondent writes :
NAPLES, DEC. 4.
I am sorry to inform you that Baron Poerio, who
has now worn the chains of galley slave for more
than four years, is subject to fresh severities, which,
if continued, will ere long remove him from the
troubles of this world. Hitherto the police authori•
ties have permitted the ex-minister to spend ten
ducats (21.) per month for such necessaries as his state
of health demands. Orders have now been issued
that henceforth he will be permitted to receive from
his family only one earlino (fourpence) per day.
Now the prison in which this victim of the Nea-
politan constitution is confined, at Montefusco, is eo
exposed, that without fire the prisoners would perish
of cold, and the 4d. per day will scarcely pay for
wood ; independent of which M. Poerio is in such a
wretched state of health as to require many comforts;
such as are accorded to the very worst criminal
are refused to the late friend and adviser of his
Sicilian Majesty. It may be said the King knows
nothing of this new cruelty practised towards Poerio,
bat on the other hand it is rather remarkable that so
important a person should be thus condemned to
death by the inferior police. The time may come
when these inhuman acts will weigh with a govern-
ment and people which may be called upon to support
the thrones of the Bourbons. At present we have
no influence sufficiently strong to induce the Neapo-
litan government to renounce a policy and abstain
from acts which are degrading monarchy and offend-
ing the laws of Ood and man.
Several more arrests have taken place in Naples,
owing to some verses (in everybody's mouth) said to
have been posted up in the street. The rhymes say :
Tho' Naples be so fair and good,
We've naught but Indian corn for food.
Were Masanier, alas! not dead,
Why we should feel no lack of bread.
If things go on till then as now,
By Christmas time we'll have a row.
The French are coming—God be praised—
And price of bread will not be raised.
There can be no doubt of the existing poverty and
high price of food, with a decrease of commerce, which
falls heavily on the poorer classes.
The Neapolitan Board of Health has this day im-
posed a quarantine on all vessels coming from Mar-
seilles. Ten days is the period fixed, and several
travellers are already in the lazzaretto. M. Maupas,
the French minister, has protested against these pro-
ceedings, and maintains such acts ought to be pro-
mulgated before vessels come into port, and not on
their immediate arrival.

EAST GLOUCESTERSHIRE ELECTION.—A public
meeting of the electors was held at Gloucester on Monday
evening, to hear an exposition of the political sentiments of
Mr. Edward llolland, one of the candidates for the repre-
sentation of East Gloucestershire. The room was crowded
to overflowing. Ile avowed himself u generally
a trupporter of the present ministry. He considered
their efforts were directed in the right direction, and ha
was glad to hear from Lord John Russell that he had
found the day had arrived when the increased industry and
intelligence of the nation required that there should be an
addition of the labouring classes to the franchise. The
Reform Hill had now lasted more than 20 years, and owing
to the opposition against which it had struggled, it was not
free from blot and blemishes, which it would be for the new
Reform Bill to remove. In these 20 years the wealth, the
respectability, the intelligence, and the education of the
country had increased. Ile denied that such 'dorms as
were contemplated were of a revolutionary nature, and
denied also that he was in favour of uni 1 suffrage, as
had been alleged. Ile was for • gradual progress—for
stepping into power, and not striding into it. They were
as yet ignorant of the exact nature of the new Reform Bill,
but he believed it would admit into the franchise mane
who were now full worthy of enjoying political pow* e,
—Mr. W. P. Price, M.P., afterwards addressed the w.eet-
ing, and moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Holland for s.atead-
ing, which was seconded by Mr. Sturge and catti",:d. The
meeting then broke up.
A REAL SCOTTISH aItIZvANCE,--1,014d Aberdeen.
—Punch.

AMERICA.
. -
Our correspondent writes :
NEW YORK, Nov. 30.
The coming event of the President's Message,
'Audi is to be delivered on Monday next, when
cousess assembles, is the principal topic of conver-
lidos among our political quidnunc'. The demo-
crstic piety controls the Congress, outnumbering as
it doss the.7%Vhig party ; and consequently there will
be little Itfectual opposition to the measures of the
adouni.,:ration which are dictated in accordance to
the view of the entire party. That party may, how-
rer, split on measures which will involve directly'
or indirectly the great question of slavery, which
Much as the pro slavery men of both parties
may desire to pass over, or keep in the back
round cannot fail to turn up in exciting discussions.
A territorial government has to be p-ovided for Ne-
braska, which must involve a discussion of the ob-
itoioos question ; though it is the opinion of many
that it will be impossible to extend slavery there,
bon. desirous soever southern men may be to insist
on thcirabstract right to do so. The fugitive slave
bill which it is expected the President will strongly
endorse, will not be disturbed, but it is very hkely
to become a dead letter. Fugitive slaves will not
remain to settle anywhere they may be likely to be
ought. The norms, of the law at first took by
surprise many slaves who bad escaped long ago, and
who trusted to the chance of not being recognised
by lapse ut time. This no longer operated, and no
future fugitives will settle in dangerous localities.
The principal topics of the President's message
will be the tariff, our foreign relations, and what are
called the compromise measures, which were passed
to discountenance slavery agitation. The alterations
to be proposed in the tariff will be of great interest
to other nations as well as our own. The southern
actions are opposed to a reduction of the duty on
foreign sugar, and Pennsylvania is opposed to any
reduction in the duty on iron. Both parties will be
disappointed. Mr. Secretary Guthrie is considered
a man of a large and comprehensive grasp of mind,
and will not fail to see that the interest of the country
Les in its extending the power of the country to con-
same, and that of the manufacturers to
r4uce, at the least cost. The duties on
s, dye stuM, and all articles which ore the
materials of manufacture, will be removed in toga.
all duties on articles yielding not more, or little
more, than the expenses of collection will be re-
moved. The duty ou iron will be modified to suit
the important interest of our railroads; the duty on
foreign salt, which injures the farming intemt, will
be repealed or reduced ; and the list of free articles
will be materially extended, while specific duties
will be partially at least substituted for ad valorem
deities. _ . _

The state of the revenue is highly favourable to
a very large reduction of taxation. There is a grow-
ing opinion in favour not exactly of positive free
trade, but in less discriminating duties. Even the
manufacturieg interest feels itself stronger, from its
improved condition, of eucountering foreign compe-
tition. It has frequently been remarked that our
bade will France involved large specie payments;
as we take far more goods from them than
they from us; while with England direct
the ass is different, especially when, as
sow, we export there much grain and flour.
The public debt of this country stands to-day at
67,132,6.57 dole. 43c., inclusive of the five million un-
tamed stock to Texas. The course of the ministry
es the question of the tariff will be plain, positive,
and acceptable. On our foreign relations it is under-
lewd that the ministry will take high ground. Lord
John Russell's despatch will be incidentally rebuked.
A more direct interest in the state of Cuba than any
ether 'nation, except Spain herself, will be insisted
es ; and mild but strong ad ea/dam/am words will be
need befitting the occasion. It is to be remarked,
however, that President Pierce is more likely to
imitate President Polk than President Jackson.
lie will talk for the multitude while he
will follow his own conservative notions ; for
that be is essentially conservative and a lover
of peace is as much predicated of him, as is his dispo-
sition and ability to shape his talk and his action to
the state of the public mind. He will appear to yield
while he will follow his own guiding will. Our
ambassador at Spain will endeavour to pave the way
h future ultimate action in regard to securing Cubs,
if possible by purchase, or otherwise with Spain's
own ocean' ; but no force will be attempted. There
is a real and frank disposition to give way on the
fishery question with great Britain, and we have not
the least doubt that the fish and coal of Nova Scotia
will be admitted duty free, and a freer trade with
all the North American colonies established, in re-
turn for the tree navigation of the St. Lawrence and
the right of fishing in the colonial fisheries on equal
terms.

The virulence of party feeling is more in talk than
reality, and the measures of the administration are
act likely be affected by it. In the state of New
York most virulence of party has been felt, which
hue operated to the division and consequent defeat
d the democrats at the recent state elections and
the triumph of the whip. This is, however, only
only a4seal affair.