The Express.
London, England, 1856-01-12 00:00:00

THE BALTIC.

(mow Om owx col

KARL, his. 8.
We still have open water, and there is no interrup-
tion to the activity which for the last ten days has
so universally prevailed between the lower ports of
the Baltic and those of Russia whicn, notwithstand-
ing the winter, are still accessible for trading vessels,
under canvas, althcugh it is long eines: the weather
in those regions had become too boisterous or too
severe for the war steamers of England ; and it is to
be hoped that there English merchant vessels which
their owners and charterers have still ventured to
deapatch to Memel, Konigsberg, and other Prussian
deposits of Russian produce may not fall a prey to
some of the cruisers of the Czar, while the protection
they had a right to expect from the British navy
has been so prematurely withdrawn. The truth is,
that during the years eat peace our English ships of
war have been kept too much on such stations as the
Mediterranean, where the rigouis of winter are
comparatively little known; and when, in the course
of war service, they are transferred to the Baltic, the
preliminary frosts of the season ere looked upon as
permanent, and all haste is made to seek shelter at
home, lest on the first encounter with ice
they should be exposed to what appears to
them to be nothing less than the dreadful fate of the
gallant Franklin and his crew. In this cme experi-
ence appears to have taught nothing either to our
Admiralty or to the officers in command. The same
ifo
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t theb
edoi t
ftswopliatlia
nrhouefoomh,diot:
whom
laughing-stock
ete
hopkedwr o;
British
and ni
at
ogri
see
ithdohs
0,
being
aasatnyhowydexer
oidftoo
oheuasiysts,
mistake was committed last year, only to be repeated
systemtl ;ids
admirationiaNnnodttrwe u t
Norwegians,
becomeo
to conciliate, will begin to place less confidence in
the alliance than is likely to conduce to their
harmonious co-operation with our squadrons and
flotillas.

The Admiralty agent for the Baltic has been here
to make arrangements for the requisite supplies to
the fleet on their return to this anchorage; and it is
said that in the approaching season some of the large
old line of-battle abipe, which since the general intro-
duction of the screw machinery are no longer as
efficient ma formerly, are now io be used as store.
ships and receiving-ships, which, there can be
doubt, will prove to be of great advantage, and will
certainly be preferable to the plan which has been
proposed of establishing depots in wharves and ware-
houses ashore.

I have had some conversation with comrades in
the Schleswig-Holstein army of many of the Bri-
tish German Legion, who are now quartered in Tur-
key, and I have solicited information as to the cause
of the desertions which we hear have taken place to
a considerable extent. The uniform and universal
answer is, " There is no cause for this whatever, ex-
cept the system of flogging, to which we have never
been accustomed, and to which we never can submit.
There is no objection to imprisonment for any period,
bat the lash must be abolished if it is desired that
&hies w ig-Holsteiners should be thoroughly reconciled
to the British service."

ST. PETERSBURG, JAN. 3.
The great council of war is concluded, and from
what has transpired on tho subjeet it appears that the
Itnisian tactios for the approaching campaign have
undergone some important modification,. Various
orders sent off from headquarters would seem to indi-
cate the resolution to abandon the Crimea altogether,
for a part of the troops are directed to march to the
Cauctuus, to reinforce the corps of General Moura-
vieff, whilst others have orders to join the grand
army of the centre, under General Pantutine.
There can be no doubt that the Russians fully ex-
pect that the principal theatre of war will be trans-
ferred in the spring from the South to the Baltic, and
preparations are making for a vigorous defence of
their line of coast. Notwithstanatog the extreme
severity of the winter, orders have been given for the
immediate erection of a chain of fortifications on the
northern coast of the Gulf of Finland, extending from
Abo up to W3borg. Behind this line the crack
troops are to be concentrated—namely, three divi-
sions of the imperial Guard and the first infantry
corps—so ea to be prepared to sustain the first shock
that may be made by the enemy in that quarter,with
the view of possibly marching to St. Petersburg.
The successor of Privy Councillor Labeosky has
not yet been appointed. It is generally expected
that M. de Fonton will receive the appointment,
which is one of great importance, as the holder must
necessarily be in the moat unlimited confidence both
of the Emperor and Count Neseelrode. M. de Fonton
is a diplomatist of great experience, having been
formerly employed in the Russian embassies at Patio,
Vienna, and Constantinople, and was latterly at the
head of the mission to the court or Hanover, from
whence he wits lately recalled to undertake provi-
sionally the duties of M. de Labensky, who died sud-
denly a couple of months since.
Colonel Furubjelm, formerly aide•de-camp of Ge-
neral Bodieco, commandant of the Aland Islands, and
who bad been shelved ever since the capture of Bo-
marsund, has been reinstated in the imperial favour,
and is appointed military governor of a province in
Finland. After an audience of the Cu.r he left this
city yesterday for his new seat of government. lie
is a native of Finland, and well acquainted with the
resources and requirements of that grand duchy.

ODESSA, Dec. 29.
The extreme 'severity of the present winter has
caused not only the outer roadstead to freeze, but the'
Black Sea, as far as the eye cm reach from the light-
house, is covered with one mass of ice. Such a rigo-
rous winter is beyond the recollection of the oldest
inhabitants. The thermometer was for several days
as low as 26 deg. ReAumur (27 deg. below zero of
Fahrenheit), but the quicksilver has now risen to 12
deg. Iteaumur, and the snow falls without interrup-
tion. Many accidents have occurred and people been
frozen to death—even in their beds! You can fancy
that the deep snow greatly impedes all communica-
tion, although workmen are continually employed to
clear the roads, and throw up the snow on either side
forming immense hedges, so that when the farmers
carts meet with a train of artillery or baggage wag-
gons, they have great difficulty in making room to
pass•
According to the official documents just published,
the exports of Odessa for the past year consisted
solely ot foreign produce re-exported, and of the value
of 4,416 roubles; whilst the imports amounted to
196,882 silver roubles. The value of foreign gouda
imported into the interior of Hoists from the free
port of Odessa amounted to 119,152 silver ronbles.
Notwithstanding the severity of the season, the
annual fair at Alexandria (in New Ituesia) was held
as usual, but on account of the intensity ot the cold
few purchasers sad fewer sellers appeared, and the
business done was therefore extremely limited.
The simultaneous arrival in this city of several
general officers of high standing, from Kiew, Nico-
Isis ff, Chotim, and even from the C inset, has given
rise to the report that a council of war is ordered to
be held here. It is added that the result of the grand
council of war lately held at St. Feteisburg is to be
laid before it, and the opinion of the generals taken,
before being finally adopted and receiving the sanc-
tion of the Emperor.

The Cologne Gazelle publishes the following
, letter :

ODESSA., Dec. 27.

The Commander of the 6th Isfantry Coils of the Ac,ive
Army, Lieutenen4G 1 Lipr■ndi, from Nicholairff;
Count o.ten Sackett, the Commander of the 4th Army
Corps ; and Ge 1 Kotsebue, Chief of Prince Oorteba.
k .ra Staff, and from the head-quarters of that g 1, have
arrived here, and have had conferences with General
Laden, General Krusenstero, and Count Strogoooff.
These meeting. of military authorities at St. Peunkurg in
the North and here in the South are ciouhtlers held for a
like object with the military councils in the West.