The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-10 00:00:00

GERMANY.

M. Gerlack, in the First Berlin Chamber, has
solemnly called upon the members, on the occasion
of the first anniversary of their oath to the constitu-
tion, to show their fitfelity to that oath, in carrying
out the constitution by retrogression, not merely to
the year 1847, but much further back, till they find
true German rights, and true German freedom, in
the pure feudal system. This exhortation is reite-
rated in the A',us Preussische Z-study, and echoed
in the Deutsche Refwm. It has been many times
asserted in the German papers. and the assertion is
repeated in a correspondence from Frankfurt, that
a military convention has been entered into between
Austria and the government of Hesse Cassel to this
effect: namely, that the whole military force of
Hesse, with the single exception of tlie Elector's
body guard, is to be sent to do duty. as a kind of
penal banishment, into Bohemia. and. that Austrian
troops are to take their place in the electorate.
DRESDIM.

The following letter from our correspondent at
Dresden, informing us of a complete change in the
Austrian plans at the conferences, is an important
illustration of the Quecu's speech in reference to the
affairs of Germany :

DRESDEN, Fan. 4.
The governments of Baden and the two Hessian princi-
palities hose protested against bring tied togetlnr with only
a third of a vote each. Haden grounds its protest on its
greater territories; the governments of the too Utensils
ground theirs on the better conduct of their subjects, who
never broke out into open rebellion nor lxinsted of their de-
mocratic tendencies. The governments of the two Meck-
lenburg., of Brunswick, of Nassau. the Saxe and Anhalt
principalities, of the free towns, of Oldenburg, of Denmark
for Holstein, and of the Netherlands for Luxemburg and
Leinburg, in fart, of all the minor status, have caused ener-
getic protests to be drawn up against the proposed diminu-
tion of the number of votes. None of these protests have
yet tarn presented, but their existence has been made
known to the Austrian and l'russiiin governments,
and has led to a change in the policy of Austria.
The Herculean labours which the first anti second commis-

don have been performing since their appointment are
likely to prove in vain. The concord which was supposed
to exist between Austria and Prussia was heartfelt only at
Olmuts. Since the punctation or protocol which bears the
name of this fortress was signed, the spirit of amity be-
tween these two powers has been gradually dicreasiug
until it has now become purely nominal. Under these cir-
cumstances the alterations desired by Austria in the consti-
tution and organisation of the Confederation have become
so many impossibilities, and that goveniment, in order
to avoid the odium and disgrace of having after
all to say to the world that their efforts have been
in vain, and that they are unable to establish a
constitution for Germany, they are forced to with-
draw their proposition, and to desire the restoration
of the Diet in its old form. The policy of the Aus-
trian government is at this moment directed towards the
establishment of this result, and I am told that the negotia-
tions which have been opened at Berlin on the subject
afford reasonable foundation for the expectation that it will
be gained in so for at least as the sanction of the Prussian
government is coneerned. Whether opposition may not
arise to the rehabilitation of the old confederation is a
dubious point, more especially since Austria is not yet pre-
pared to withdraw the demand bir an increase in the
number of votes she possesses in the plenum.
At this moment, however, nothing has transpired in the
ennferences on this subject, and the sevond commission is
still grubbing among the dark mazes of the legislative func-
tions of the Diet.
The first commission has prepared a report to the con-
ferences, which has been handed in. lam given to under-
stand that it contains at length the proposals for the recon-
struction of the supreme authority of the confederation,
which were made some weeks ago by Austria and Prussia.
The document, for it cannot be called a report, is signed by
all the members of the commission. You will remember
that I .0111 e time ago called your attention to the fact, that
the members of the commission were in no degree bound
by anything they might say, support, oppose, or propose in
commission. This reference is necessary, as otherwise it
might be supposed that the unanimity which appears by
the signatures really exist*, and that the opposition of the
minor states had been removed. Such is not the case. It
is only when this document or report shall have come before
the general body of plenipotentiaries, that their opposition
will be manifested in a valid awl effect al manner. .
The second commission has mauls. another attempt to draw
up a report, and failed completely. The attempt to do so
jointly with the first commission was a failure ; the second
attempt alone was a failure ; and the third attempt, which
is now being made, will very probably also prove a failure.
The third attempt consists in the appointment of two sub-
commissions, to both of which certain special questions
respecting federal legislation have been referred. Until
this report is made however, the proceedings of the confer-
ences must stand still.
The, third commission met yesterday, for the second time
since its appointment. It is expected that a treaty will be
established between the Zolverein, the Stenerverein, and
the Austrian customs polity, for the abolition of all transit
and other duties on certain great articles of trade ; raw ma-
terials, colonial goods, corn, cattle, wine, tobacco, tie., are
among these. Neither of the representatives of these three
bodies will object to this measure, the benefits of which
must prove to every intelligent observer the wisdom of re-
' moving restrictions upon trade and manufacture. The
conferences will, however, not be able to effect the altera-
tions desired by Austria, for the reference of customs ques-
tions to the Diet. Hamburg and the Ranee Towns gene-
rally protest against the Diet having any jurisdiction what-
ever. One protest is sufficient to negative any proposal.
Councillor Hock has returned front Vienna; and Coun-
cillor Delbruck has arrived from Berlin, to assist
the representatives of their respective governments in
this commission. The latter gentleman has, for several
years been the representative of Prussia, on all occa.sionscon-
nected with the Zollverein, and only last October proposed
the obnoxious soil rejected increase in the tariff which has,
nevertheless, not succeeded in driving Herr von der licydt
out of office. Councillor Delbrdek, three months ago,
advocated the principles of increased protection at the com
mand of his government, and he now comes here to advo-
cate the principles of decreased protection. And we are,
moreover, told that, as the political situation of l'russia de-
mands that its commercial policy should be antagonistic to
that of Austria, Councillor Delbriick has become a free
trader. " Like master, like man," says the old proverb.
Von der Heydt has beiome a thorough free trader, and so
has his head man Councillor Delbrack, but there must he
something radically wrong in a system which permits indi-
viduals to change their opinion at the word of command;
or are we to suppose that both these men have been free
traders in secret ? If they have both men and measures
Arc still more culpable.
PRUSSIA.

News from Berlin, of the 6th instant, published in
the Cologne Gazette, is to the effect that France has
protested against the entrance of all the Austrian
states into the German Bund. The note containing
the protest arrived at Berlin on the 3th, and at the
same time at Vienna.
The negotiations of Count Sponneck, the Danish
envoy, turn out to have referred to an establishment
of a constitution for Denmark, Schleswig, and Hol-
stein. The details contained in a letter, dated Berlin,
the bth instant, are as follows:
It is ascertained that Count Sponneck has not so much
remained here to bring about a definitive settlement of the
questions between Denmark and the Duchies as to convince
the two great powers of the necessity of calling together an
assembly of " Notables " at Copenhagen. And this latter
purpose is the object of his return to Vienna. Tho plan
which Count Sponneck advocates contains, according to the
Nem Ppm:lliadic Zeituna, the following propositions:—
Denmark, Schleswig, and Holstein should have separate
constitutions, each with one minister or more, as may he
deemed advisable, and an assembly (Land-tag). Holstein
to have two ministers. From these assemblies a collective
common chamber to be formed, constituting a " state coun-
cil," from which all laws for the three countries should re-
wive their legal sanction. Laws rejected by the common
chamber not to be brought under the consideration of the
separate assemblies. Holstein, by this arrangement, should
have her own separate army. This project seems, by the
common chamber, to aim at a complete incorporation of
the Duchies, even of Holstein, whilst the undivided annex-
ation of Schleswig and Holstein is not provided for.
it is said that Prussia and Austria intend placing
an observation corps on the Swiss frontier.
The fall in the value of gold has occasioned the
Prussian ministry to take it into consideration whe-
ther it would not be advisable to give up the fixed
rate of exchange for gold coin, and, according to the
precedents of Holland and Belgium, to issue coin that
might have a fluctuating exchangeable value; but
nothing has been decided on this subject.
BERLIN, Fen. B.—Voluntary Loan, 1061 ; New Loan,
Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 1001 ; National Debt, 84h •
Commercial Marine Society's Premium, 118 ; Bads
Shares, 981.
VIENNA, Fin. 7.—Five per Cent. Metallignes, 971;
Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 85 ; Bank Shares. 1,198.
Exchange on London, 12.35.

MADRID, FED. 3.—Three per Cents., 34} cash, 3411
paper ; after Balsa, 3411 cash, 34} paper. Fire per Cents.,
151; after Bohm, 15} paper, 151 cash. Coupons, 8 ;
after Balsa, 7i eaah. Passives, 61i; after Bola,
rash,
51 r ,rer Treasury Bill*. 95 94. Baja of st. Ferdinand,
. Exchange OD London; 50.65_

ADJUSTMENT OF THE SPANISH DEBT.

MADRID, Flea. 2.

The Clavtle of to-day contains the hills presented
Yesterday to the Cortes, for the adjustment of the
*debt of the treasury and that of the foreign debt. I
The public debt is to be divided into a perpetual I
Rent of Three per Cent. and the amortizable debt.'
The perpetual debt is to be divided into consolidated
and deferred debt. The consolidated debt will be
formed of that created up to the present time, both
foreign and home. The deferred debt will be formed
of the nominal capital of the capital of the Six per
Cents., the Four per Cents. previously reduced to its
four-fifths, and the unpaid interests of the same up
to next June, previously reduced to half. The amorti-
sable debt is to be divided into two classes. The
first will comprehend the current of 5 per cent.
in paper, the unconsolidated values, and those
called deferred and provisional. The second class
will comprehend those so called without interest and
passive. The documents of the ancient foreign debt
which being comprehended in the law of 1831 were
not converted, because they were not presented
within the delay prescribed by law will be con-
sidered converted at the rate of two-thirds of the re-
presentative capital in 5 per cent. consols and in
one-third passive. Also will he considered converted
by the effects of this law fur the whole of its nominal
capital in titles of 5 per cent. Consols, the debts
liquidated and about to be liquidated under the titles
of property from America, deposits. slave vessels.
edifices occupied. and English prizes. The credits liqui-
dated or being liquidated proceeding from damages.
the reparation of which was the object of the law of
the 9th of April will be considered as payment
by half for the effects of its conversion in the new
class of debt, in consolidated debt of Five per rent..
and unconsolidated values. The government will be
authorised to dispose what is expedient concerning
the liquidation and recognising of these credits. The
pending credits of liquidation. and which ought to
have been presented at the proper time, will he con-
sidered as payment in the same classes of paper to
which they have a right. The new perpetual De-
ferred Rent of Three per Cent., which ought to be
created by virtue of this law, will begin to bear in-
terest from the Ist of July, 1811, if the documents'
should be presented to be converted before October.
Those which are presented afterwards will have in-
terest from the ensuing quarter. The perpetual De-
ferred Rent will bear interest of one per cent. in the
four first years, 1 per cent. the two following years,
ands° on successively at the rate of I per cent. more
every two years till the 19th year, in which the
three per cent. will be completed, and will have the
character of consols. The titles payable to the bearer
of the three per cent. will he convertible at the will of
the holders in nominative inscriptions, and as well
these as the former can be held in any of the chief
towns of the provinces, or in any of the foreign
markets that the government may designate, and
where the interests may be paid. The nominative
inscriptions can also bc converted into titles payable
to the bearer. Every month there will be published
in the Ossetia of Madrid a clear statement of the
conversions that have taken place in the anterior
month. Property thus possessed in the Spanish
funds cannot be confiscated, and foreigners, even in
times of war with their respective nations, lose none
of their rights.