The Express.
London, England, 1849-01-26 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, TIII7II6DLY, 11 AM.
The antagonism produced within the last few
months between the Assembly, elected by universal
suffrage, and the electoral body from which it derives
its authority, is beginning to produce some curious
results. The agitation prevailing throughout France
on the subject of the disolution of the Assembly, has
now had sufficient time to manifest itself by
petitions. These manifestations, accordingly, arrive
in immense numbers. According to the usage of
the Assembly they are presented at the opening of
each ranee, and the member presenting them is at
liberty to state shortly their purport and the number
of signatures appended to them.
Yesterday a complete " avalanche " of these peti-
tions fell upon the bureau. Member after mem-
ber ascended the tribune to tell the house
that he held in his hard petitions praying
I them to lay down their functions, signed by 10,000,
.20,000, 30,000, and so on, as the case might
be, of the electors. This scene lasted for a con-
siderable length of time, and during its con-
tinuance the uproar from the party of the Mountain
was incessant, and it seemed se if a decision were
taken to refuse the reception of such manifestations
from the electors. M. Meerut, after some time, in-
terrupted the member presenting the petitions, de-
claring his opinion that they had no right to announce
their contents or signatures, or to do anything more
than silently deposit them upon his desk. This in-
stantly raised violent reclamation@ from the other parts '
of the Assembly, and reveral members rose and
declared that they would not be prevented by the
president from exercising the undoubted right, con-
secrated by long parliamentary usage, of stating to
the house the contents of the petitions they pre-
sented. As these petitions arrive from day to day
in still greater numbers, it is likely that the Assem-
bly will be the theatre daily of other curious scenes
of this kind.
At the does of the " seance" another collision took
place between the president and the moderate party.
M. Marrast announced his intention of placing on the
order of the day for this day the nomicati m of
the committee under the project signed by
eighty representatives relative to the budget.
M. Dealongrsis proposed that the matter should not
yet be referred to the bureaux, as they were to be re-
newed in two days. A ballot was called for, on the
motion of the hon. gentleman, but a sufficient cumber
of voters were not present to render the vote valid.
The President and bureau of the Assembly then con-
sulted together, and decided that the nomination of
the committee should not be placed on the order of the
day as intended.
In the course of the day the object of the supporters
of the project, which has been hitherto somewhat
misunderstood, was explained, and appeared to be
ratter more harmless than was feared. The purpose,
it appears, is to supersede the Committee of
Finance, who in the regular course of par-
liamentary business would have to examine
the budget presented by the government, whereas it
was previously understood that the object of the pro-
jectors was to supersede the Minister of Finance, and
to form a budget of their ewn.
The Monikur of this morning contains the decree
for the convocation of the High National Court, for
the trial of the offenders of the 15th May, within
forty days, on or before the 6th of March. The
Monikur also contains the report of the Minister of
the Interior for the reorganization of the Guard Mo-
tile, followed by a decree of the President on that

subject.
The President was entertained at dinner yesterday,
by the Minister of the Interior, and in the evening a
large party, including a considerable number of ladies,
were assembled to meet him.
The government has transmitted orders to all the
departments to proceed without delay to the drawing
for the national jury which is to sit in the high
court of justice for the trial of Barbee and his accom-
plices. Ths functions of legal prosecutor will be
exercised by M. Baroche, procureur-general of the
Court of Appeal at Paris. The advocates-general who
are to assist him have not yet been named.
Yesterday morning, M. Rnffini, the Sardinian
ambassador, presented his letters of credence to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs. M. Ruffini was after-
wards received by. the President of the republic.
M. Waleweki is appointed minister to Florence.
He replaces M. Benoit Champy, who, after having
refused the office of advocate-general of the Court of
Causation, was sent to Florence.
The minister of the interior has addressed to all
Ms facts a circular recommending them to
narrowly the formation of every society
which shall be in communication with the
society formed at Paris, under the title of " Solidari•C
Republicain." This society (says the minister in
his circular) has formed branches in the depart-
ments, and the principles it holds are opposed
to the actual government. Before the election of the
President, the authorities shut their eyes, and allowed
them to proceed, bat since then these associations have
canoed anxiety, and the central place, of meeting have
been closed by the police. It may be easily conceived
that, if such a society could be tolerated, it would be
the constitution of a government in a government, and
would endanger the welfare of the state if influenced
by hostile intentions. Legally speaking, such a society
cannot exist, for, if it be considered as a club, i should
hold public meetings or obtain an authorisation. In
every ease the formation of branches is prohibited.
If it be not a club, it: most be regarded as
a secret society, and will come within the
prohibition of the law. I have some reason to think
(says the minister) that, in spite of the closing the
central place of meeting, this society still exists, and
r that branches of it also exist. I request you to watch
its progress in your department, and to prevent all
' meetings. If need be you will confer with the