The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-02 00:00:00

RUSSIA, POLAND, AND HUNGARY.

• TO III! EIJITOII OF THE EXPRESS.
promote the Emperor Nichoias has not
failed to ask himself the following question, and to receive
a perfectly satisfactory reply :—One month after the first
broadside in the Bosphorus, what will be the state of
Hungary, Italy, and Poland ?
Your obedient servant, TAKE CARE.
June I.

TIIE AFRICAN COAST.

(Hy mu:rum TILMORAPit.)
(YAWL Otil OWN CONIMPONDENT.)

PLYMOUTH, Tneasoky MORNINO.
The African Steam Company's mail-ship Fore-
runner, Captain James Hatkins, arrired at midnight
from the coast of Africa. She left Fernando Po,
April 24; Lagos, 29th; Sierra Leone, May 8; and
Madeira, 23rd ; and has a cargo of ginger, pepper,
arrowroot, and camwood, 4,0001. in gold, 5 tons of
ivory, cochineal, and frails.
The coast is healthy. Gold is abundant. Cotton
and coffee are cultivated with success at Monrovia.
The blight had made its appearance in the vineyards
at Teneriffe.

Her Majesty's ships Polyphemus and Spy were at
Lagos. Ihe Firefly, Linnet, and Bloodhound, were
at Sierra Leoue. lhe Plato was off the Sherborough
River, and the Tenzer and Ferret were ernizing.
The Ferret had taken a slave vessel in the river near
Unbar, and the Linnet had taken two in the
River Pangs.

AMERICA.

AN AMERICAN G:

YACHT.

Yesterday morning a monster steamer, with Ame-
rican colours flying, entered Southampton Water.
She proved to be a steam yacht, of 2,000 tons burden,
belonging to a private American gentleman named
Vsnderbilt, on his way to Russia from the United
States. He is on a tour of pleasure with his family,
and is accompanied by friends and a large suite of
servants. He left New York on the 21st ult., and
has made one of the quickest passages across the
Atlantic ever known. The name of the monster
yacht is the North Star. She is a paddle-box
steamer with two funnels, and was built in America
after the well-known and approved American models.
She has accomplished 18 knots in an hour. Her
arrival in Southampton Water has caused the tit-
most curiosity, and she was telegraphed to Liver-
pool immediately, in order that news of her might
be conveyed to America by Collina's mail packet.
Her interior is fitted up most splendidly.
The North Star, after proceeding to Russia, will visit
Havre, and from thence return to New York. She
entered Southampton dock last evening. She was
brought up to Calshot Castle in charge of a channel
pilot, who boarded her oft Scilly. Such a costly and
magnificent mode of travelling as that adopted by
the owner of the North Star is perhaps without
example.

Our correspondent at Southampton was courteously
supplied by the gentlemen on board with some New
York papers of a late date. The principal news of
any interest was of a commercial nature.
The New York Courier and Enquirer of May 20
thus describes a slight misfortune which the North
Star encountered on her first attempted departure
from New 'York :

Commodore Vanderbilt's steam yacht North Star, in
charge of a pilot, cut off ber fasts from the head of Cherry-
street
at the appointed time, yesterday morning, but had '
proceeded only a few rods when she struck upon the reef
at the foot of Jackson-street. The ship had gathered but
little way, and the engines were reversed before she struck,
so that the concussion was slight. The tide taking the
storm, swung the ship entirely round, grinding off the
tabe keel as she turned. The accident was attributed to a
want of judgment, in not making sufficient allowance for
the extreme force which the tide would exert upon a vessel
of such great length. The North Star drew a little leas
than 15 feet, and the depth of water on the rock was
about 13 feet. The tide was ebb, and within an hour of
low water. The steamer Francis Skiddy which was to
have accompanied the yacht down the bay came up gaily
dressed with Hags, but finding the North Star was fast, she
returned to her berth in the North river. There were tome
three hundred guests on board, but there was nut the
slightest alarm or confusion. The steamboat Huguenot
came alongside and took off the passengers, landing them
at the foot of Jackson-street. There was a general expres-
sion of regret that Commander Vanderbilt's enterprise
should at the outset meet with such a check. At about
half-put one o'clock the flood tide raised the yacht frum
the rock, and site proceeded to the Navy-yard, for the pur-
pose of being taken into the government dry dock, which
she entered at seven o'clock last evening. She had not leaked
• single drop, and it was only as a measure of extreme pre-
caution on the part of her owner that she was taken into
dock. The officers at the Navy-yard promptly tendered
any assistance in their power to render; and on applica-
tion from Commodore Boorman, by telegraph to the depart-
ment at Washington, permission was Immediately given to
use the government dock. The water will be withdrawn
from the dock this morning, and the damages will probably
be repaired and the Teased sail this evening. The reef on
which the North Star struck lies directly in the channel
used by eastward bound vessels when the ebb tide is run-
ning, and has bat ten feet of water upon it at low tide.
Coegress has again and again been asked to remove the
rock, but without avail.

(For Commtnisl Weillimes as me 4.]

THE INDEPENDENCE OF TURKEY.

Draft of Proposed Address to the Right Hon. the
Earl of Clarendon, K.G., her Majesty's Principal Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs.

The undersigned deMre to ez press to your lordship the satis-
faction with which they have learnt from the declarations of
Lord John Russell, your lordship's predecessor inoMoe, and
present colleague, and from similarnaors recent declarations
of your lordship, that they may rely upm the steady adhe-
rence of her Majesty's governmeat to the traditional policy
of this country in supporting the independence of Turkey.
The undersigned believe that it will be impossible to de-
part front that policy, with any doe regard to the national
interest sad the national 'Namur.

The national interests are involved ; for we cannot but
apprehend that if the support of England were withdrawn,
the dismemberment of Turkey would be attempted. We
believe that each as attempt, whether successful or not,
would involve Europe in war, and if successful, would (in
Lord John Itmeell's words) molt in a great diminu ion
of British commerce, now fostered by the liberal tariff of
the Turkish empire."
Moreover, we cannot see, without anxiety, the conlinned
growth of a power in Europe, essentially and avowedly
hostile to:everythiog which Englishmen call liberty ; and
wkieh has but recently stepped beyond its limits, to sup-
press by warlike force the ancient and constitutional free-
dom of Hungary.

The national honour is also, in our judgment, deeply
involved, inunneh as we have long had public treatise
and commercial dealings with Tarkey, and we under-
stand that the Turkish government hoe been eminently
honourable and faithful to its engagements. We can-
not forget that for many years pen we have had an
active embassy at Constantinople, which has perpetu-
ally taken part in eastern affairs, and has given the
Sultan reason to rely on English support, as to the in-
dependence of Turkey; and, recently, in the case of the
liberation of Komath, we are aware that the Sultan was
emboldened to pursue a liberal course, highly offensive to
his powerful neighbours, mainly by the urgent advice given
to him by England.

.
We look with horror alike on the doctrine that faith Is
not to be tept with heretics, and that Mehommedans are
not to be recognised in the community of nations; and as
we believe that every nation is under the same obligation to
uphold international law that every individual is to uphold
the law of his own land, we cannot consent to regard the
subvenion of any nation, with which we have friendly re-
lations, as a matter of indifference to England.
' Considering the recent menacing demonstrations of the
governments of Austria and Russia against Turkey, con-
sidering the countenance which has unfortunately been
given to those demonstrations by a portion of the -British
press, and considering the important and emphatic declara-
tions upon this subject which your lordship's predecessor in
office, as well as your lordship, have been enabled to make
on the part of her Majesty's government, the undersigned
trust that it may not be otherwise than satisfactory to your
lordship to receive the assurance of hearty support, which
the undersigned, through your lordship, respectfully offer
to her Majesty's government, towards carrying out the
policy which they have announced, of continuing to main-
tain the independence of Turkey.

FEARFUL EXPLOSION AND SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.—
Last evening an explosion occurred in a house in Great
Queen-street, Westminster, which was attended with
serious, if not fatal, injuries to one of the Coldstream
Guards and his wife. The house was let out in lodgings,
and Elias Dye, the wife of one of the Coldstream Guards,
ILLS engaged to clean the place. For the last day or two a
strong smell of gas has been experienced by the inmates, but
no one could tell whence it came, especially as no gas was laid
on in the building. Yesterday afternoon, Robert Dye, the
husband of the woman, called to see her, preparatory to his
returning to the barracks at Kensington. Whilst there,
the unfortunate soldier and his wife went lute the coal
cellar in front of the kitchen, and under the pavement,
when an explosion took place, which blew the stone flags
up in the street, set fire to both man and woman, and
forced them a considerable distance. Their screams brought
assistance, and several persons rushed down stairs and
rea:ued them, and having extinguished the flames about
their apparel, they were found to be so fearfully injured
that they were at once removed to Westminster Hospital.
It is at present impossible to tell whether they can recover.
An escape of gas from the mains in the street having ac•
cumulated in the cellar her been found to have been the
cause of the disaster.

ttpt court.

The Queen held a Court at 3 o'clock yesterday
afternoon, at Buckingham Palace.
the Duke of Norfolk, K.G., Lord Steward, the Mar-
quit of Breadalbone, Inrd Chamberlain ; the Earl
of hlulgrave, Treasurer of the household ; and Lord Drum-
'earls, Comptroller of the household, had an audience of
her Majesty, and presented the joint address from the
Howes of Lords and Commons respecting Cambridge.
Mr. Sheriff Carter and Mr. Sheriff Croll, accompanied
by the City Remembraneer, were presented to the Queen,
at an audience, by Viscount Palmenton, G.C.8., Secretary
of Sta,e for the Home Department, to receive her Majesty's
commands relative to the reception of addresses of con-
gratulation on the birth of a Prince, from tho Court of
Aldermen and from the Court of Common Council.

Her Majesty was graciously pleased to appoint Saturday
next at 3 o'clock, for the reception of the addreowsa on the
throne.

The following Commissioners of Lieutenancy of the City
of London attended u a deputation to receive the Queen's
commands for the reception A an address on the auspicious
birth of a Prince, from the Commissioners of Lieutenancy
of the City of London, viz., Mr. James Bentley, Mr. 1.
C. Holt, and Mt. George Alliston, accompanied by Mr.
Henley Smith, clerk and treasurer.
The deputation was presented by Viscount Palmerston,
at an audience, to her Majesty, who was pleased to ap-
point Saturday next fur the reception of the address on the
throne._

The Duke of Genoa (brother of the Kiag of Sardinia),
attended by the Marquis d'Aveio, Sardinian minister, had
an audience of the Queen, on his arrival in this country.
His Royal Highness was introduced by the Earl of Cla-
rendon, KAI., the Queen's principal Secretary of State fur
Foreign Affairs, and conducted by Major•Oeneral the non.
Sir Edward Cust, her Majesty's Muter of the
Ceremonies.

Hia Royal Highness was attended by the following gen-
tlemen of his suite :—Marquis Caray de St. Marion, Count
Della Valle, Marquis "Lapilli>, and Count Avogadro Jo
Colobiauo.

_
Mr. Buchanan, her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary
to the Court of Denmark, was presented to the Queen at
an audience by the Earl of Clarendon, to take leave on
proceeding to his post.
The Earl of Clarendon had an audience of her Majesty.
The Queen wee attended by Earl Somers and Lieutenant
General Sir Edward Bowater, the Lord and Groom in
Waiting.
Prince Albert, attended by Captain the Hon. Dudley de
Roo, visited the Duke of Genoa, yesterday afternoon,
Mivart's Hotel.
The Queen bad a dinner party yesterday, at Bucking-
ham P■lace. The comyany included the Dechess of Kent,
the Duke of Genoa, the Princess Adelaide of Huhenlohe,
the Duchess of Sutherland, the Duke ann Duchess of Nor-
folk, the Sardinian Minister, the Chevalier Maasimo
d'Azeglio, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Marquis and Mar-
chioness of Brea.'albane, Countess of Somers, the Earl of
Clarendon, Lord John Russell, Marquis de St. Marion.
Count Della Valle, Marquis Raped°, Count Avogadro de
Colobians, Lady Anna Maria Dawson, and Col. Wylde.
Prince Alpert rode out on horseback yesterday morning,
attended by Captain the Hon. Dudley de Rol.
Lord Charles Filmy has relieved Col. the Hon. Charles
Grey in his duties as equerry ire waiting to the Queen.
Captain the lion. Dudley de Roe has relieved Lieut.-Col.
the lion. A. Gordon in Lis clut.es as equerry in waiting to
Prince Albert.

Her Majesty's private band attended in Buckingham
Palace on Tuesday evening, and performed the following
compositions :

Overture. "Trophy " Manama.
Selection. " Frehibilts "
Coco Marziale, "Ln Remora di Wellington" MTS. Lockhart.
Romance

............
The Countess de NeuWy visited the Duchess of Kent
yesterday.
The Duchess of Kent visited the Duchess of Gloucester
yesterday.

Mr. Temple had an interview with the Duke of New-
castle yesterday, at the Colonial Office, to take leave. Mr.
D. Burton and Mr. Fee= had also an interview with his
Orate yesterday.
Mr. Norman Macdonald sad Mr. C. Rolleston had inter.
views with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday.
Despatches were sent to the Governors of the West India
Islands yesterday from the Colonial Office.

A deputation from the salt trade had an int with
Sir Charles Wood at the Board of Control yesterday, on
the subject of the importation of salt into India. The
deputation wee introduced by Mr. Tollemaehe, M.P.,
accompanied by Mr. Cornwall Legh, M.P., Mr. Brockle-
burst, M.P., lb. E. C. Egerton, M.P., Mr. Kenhaw,l4l.P.,
Mr. Turner, M.P., Mr. Greene% M.P., Mr. Thickness.,
El P., and Mr. Ileyworth, M.P. The Shipowners' Asso-
ciation of Liverpool, represented by Mr. Turner, M.P.,
and Mr. Mann; the Blackburn Commercial Association,
represented by Mr. Fielden, M.P., president, and Messrs.
D. C. Aplwin and Millett, also accompanied the deputation.
The salt trade wu represented by Mr. Worthington, Mr.
Ashton, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Firth, and Mr. Bradburne.