The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-25 00:00:00

GERMANY.

The senate of Hamburg is carrying on an unequal
contest with the Austrian military authorities in that
city. These authorities hare arrested several citi-
zens of Hamburg un suspicion of complicity in d pht
said to have lwen organised by an Hungarian cans-
gars. The Austrian commander-in-chief threatens to
bring them before a council of war: tho senate
claims them as amenable only to the laws of the
city. The accused are still in the hands of the
Austrians.

-----
The Cologne Ga:otte, under date of the 21st inst.,
states that the rtsignation of the Minister.at-ifar,
Von Stockhausen, made some weeks since, has beta
accepted by the King.
The Noe Prmsian Ga:ette confirms the statens at
that neither Coburg nor any of the states of the
Thuringian commercial and customs union will .end
a reptesentative to the customs congress of Vienna.
The Hanoverian first Chamber was informed is its
sitting of the 21/th, that M. de llathiner had
nominated to the post of Hanoverian envoy at tac
Germanic Diet. A member of the Assembly

and demanded whether the ministry was aware
this politician had declared Art. 33 of the cm,
tion null and void, and also, that as a member 4s

equestrian order he had protested botbre the Bien
against the organic laws. The interrrrnition remain-
ing unanswered, the speaker demanded its insertion
in the proces-Yerbal. In the second chamber a
motion was adopted, calling upon the government to
give distinct instructions to its nevemay to maintain
the independence of Hanover before. the Germanic Diet.
It is generally known that for some years the go-
vernment of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha has beam en-
deavouring to bring about the fusion of the two
duchies, which, acquired at dithrent periods by the
reigning family, have hitherto preserved for the
most part a dis:inct administration. A bill for
giving the duchies a common constitution has been
prepared by a mixed commi,ion, and already sanc-
tioned by the Coburg Diet. The same suevess was
expected in that of Gotha, but in its sitting of the
19th the committee of this Assembly rejected the
ministerial proposition by eight to tire votes ; there
is therefore little chance of their being adopted at
present.
The Pit Jmnn(eoc Gazdte of the 20th declares it-
self authorised testate that the doeumentomrportinq

to be a diplomatic note addres,ed to Mr.WeQer. I);
Chevalier Hohmann, Austrian Charg d'AtKtires at

\Washington, on the subject of slaver".: in the United
States, is apocryphal, and a mere invention of au
abolitionist paper.

BERLIN, Dec. 22.
Baron Rothschild, from Frankfurt, is at Berlin.: ,r
the purpose of obtainin in Pru"ia a license w t:ie
" Germanic General Life Insurance Company," in
which he is interested to a considerable extent.
The new Prussian loan of sixteen milieus .4*th:tiers
will be uttered at four-and-a-half per cent. inn r,st

nt par, with one-third per cent. commission to the
contractors. It has been remonstrated, that a I per
cent. loan might have been negotiated at ninctv-Evc,
which would have been more profitable ; but the to.
vernment hopes, within a couple of years, to reduce
the interest to four per cent. ; and even if this re-
duction, it says, should be delayed ten years, the sur-
plus of interest paid would nut exceed the present
gain of price.
The Austrian ambassador at the British court,
Count Buol-Sehaaenstein, is reported to have received
orders fur repairing to his post from Brussels. where
he has been staying out of the way of the Kossuth
demonstrations.

PROSPECTS OF THE ZOLLVERETN.

BERLIN, DTA.. r.

In spite of the immense importance of pending
affairs in France, the attention of the German pr,ss
is occupied in a still higher degree by the crisis in
German commercial policy. Austria has played its
game with consummate skill. " A move or two
more, and the game is ours," exclaims a leading
Vienna paper. And it is perfectly right. if
Prussia continues to conduct affairs us a mere game
of diplomatic skill, it will be inevitably check-mat: d.
It has no resource but to upset the board, and turn
play into earnest. The gist of the matter is as
follows: When Prussia formed the Zollverein, in-
cluding Bavaria, Wurtemberg, and Baden, it thou r,
itself that it thereby gained full political predomi-
nance over the German states south of the Main,
which have traditionally been regarded as satellites
of Austria. Prussian statesmen were not a little
proud of having thus apparently gained a march
on the great rival. and the Austrian cabinet viewed
the affair with no little soreness. Late events have
proved, however, that Prussia's presumed political
influence in the south was a mere self-delusion. The
reason why Prussia did not succeed in chaining to its
interests the southern states, by means of the Zoll-
verein, is, that it gave no thoroughgoing support to
the principle of protection, on which the Zollvercin s
tariff rests. Prussia assented to a moderate degree
of protection as a mere compromise. But its half
measures could never gain for it the confidence and
sympathy of the southern inhabitants, who are,
almost to a man, fanatical protectionists, and look
rather to Austria as the stronghold of their system.
Austria, fully aware of this, has not been slow to
perceive, that it would really gain and hold by
means of a general customs union, the political
preponderance, which Prussia failed in establishing.
It, therefore, eagerly caught up the project, whica
had been broached by the National Assembly at
Frankfort in 1848. 'When M. von Bruck's pro-
posal appeared a couple of years ago, it seemed to be
opposed by difficulties so insuperable, and to be so
visionary a scheme, that the Prussian government
met it simply with a diplomatic shrug of the shoulders,
and thought to have got rid of it lw a few remarks
savouring of polite irony. The tart& systems in Ger-
many then stood on entirely different principles: in
Austria. prohibition ; in the"Zollverein, protection ; in
the Hanoverian Steuervercin and Holstein, purely
financial; in the Hanse towns and Mecklenburg, free-
trade, or nominal duties. Since then, however,
Austria has come over, and the Steuerverein has been
bought over to the protective system ; in principle,
therefore, the three larger groups already
are united ; there no longer exists, on
grounds of political economy, a serious obstacla
to their being thrown into one group. Prussia
has, of course, the strongest political motives against
such a measure, which would be tantamount to its
political annihilation. If it were once merged into
one customs union with Austria on the protective
principle,ull manufacturing and commercial interests,
dependent on protection, would place their whole re-
liance on Austria as the firm supporter of their lies-
/ tern, and do all in their power to paralyse the indu-
ence of Prussia, whose convictions are on the side of
1 free trade. Austria, as representative of the Find-
' ple adopted, would be the real diplomatic representa-
tive of the union ; foreign powers would treat with
the Vienna cabinet, as the party from whom alone
concessions were to be Fumed.; while Prussia. de-
prived of independent action in commercial policy,
which, in times of internal and external peace, forms
the most important feature of foreign relations.woald
scarcely command consideration enough to 'Let? a
place among the great powers. To this it
cannot submit, unless it be prepared for politi-
cal suicide. But how will it 'avoid the appr‘sa:hiag
danger ? It has freed the members of the
from the treaties which bound them. The old •ar.ian
ceases with the end of 1834. A new union may be
formed; but all German states, including Austria,
have the right to enter into consultation on the sub-
ject ; the members of the old Zollverein no longer fora
anexclusive body; and the situation of affairs during
the last twenty years is too much changed to admit
of a simple renovation of the Zollverein. Austria has
summoned a conference for the 2od of January, at
Vienna, proposinF, that the German states, in as far
as they may not be prepared to form at once a gem"
cal customs union, shall pave the way by
ing their tarittis and binding themselves by treaty to

oldie no alterations, which would impede the future
unction—that is to say, Austria is forthwith to
I,e installed in the office of protector of the
votcetionists in Germany, and I'ru4ia. is to bn
/tested of the power to follow au independent
commercial policy. The Prussian cabinet has de-
eined
taking part in the icuna conference. But
all the other German states send representatives;
and very many of them will assuredly enter into the I
Austrian proposal. Though no Prussiun delegate
confer at Vienna, the cabinet of Berlin will learn ,
Ftm enough what has pawed there, from the turn
peasadings at the subsequent conferernv of Zollve-
rein members here, who will probably refuse,from the
outset, to negotiate on the formation of a new union,
except in an assembly of all German states, and on
the basis of the tennis resolutions. Prussia has, ,
thadoes, but one course open. The stretching of
the Zollverein ham north to south, and the uniting
of free-traders with protectionists by an untenable
s•aproalise of principle, for the sake of gaining an
ii,usive political footing beyond the Main, must be
•••• u up, however difficult it may be to dismount
from a hobby, on which one has so long ridden.
peu..4ia must boldly hoist the free-trade flag, and
draw the line of commercial union from east to west.
United with the Saxon duchies, Hanover, Oldenburg,
Micklenburg, Holstein, and the Ilanse Towns, under
a ststem of moderate and lucrative financial duties,
and commanding the exist and seaports, it must gain
tlic firm adhesion of allied interests among its col-
leagues, and the hearty friendship of foreign
powers: while the wealth of its people, and its state
revenue, would show rapid improvement. At all
vents it world, by such it step, be for ever saved
ran the danger of being migulphed by Austrian
diplomacy ; because, if a general German customs'
union were in future to be brought about, it could
be farmed only on a free-trade principle ; and in such
else Prussia,as the continental representative of that
primiph., would rule the union. It is not the
formation of a general customs union, but the
ntention of protection, which endangers Trua-
nt p ditical position, besides damaging its
reductive resources. Though the course de-
seribel be Prussia's last resource, and though
M. von Manteutfel, who clearly sees this, is person-
ally ready to take the step, nevertheless a govern-
ment so monarchically conservative as that of Prus-
sia, geuerully sinks to ruin rather than let itself be
paslwd to the adoption of a decided go-a-head pi in-
civic. 'lhe Austrian press, too, well knows the weak
point on which it has to work, in order to prevent
the Prussian court from taking an unwelcome turn
in the nietter. It pretends that the Austrian pro-
ts are wholly directed against England, and pro-
mits a renewal of the continental system'
order to punish Lord Palmerston for sending revolu-
6.mery agents to the continent, with the design of
fomenting &sten billet% and removing foreign indus-
try, in order that the Germans may be obliged to cut
each oticr's throats with Birmingham knives, and be
,hroultal in Manchester calico. 'l'hc Coteau s Gazette,
vary pertinently asks how it comes that the notable
Austrian police has never yet succeeded in catching
slehantinissitry with his instractionsfroin the British
Foreign-Whey, and which chapter of Alain Smith
teaches,. that a revolutionised country becomes a
better customer' Nevertheless, such nonsense is
se without effect in certain quarters. The alterna-
the now offered to Prussia between protection and
Gov-trade is represented as tantamount to the choice
between the government system of absolute Austria
arid parliamebtary England—the option of an alliance
with Schitartenberg, Radetzky, and Ilaynau, or
with Palmerston, Cobden, and Kossuth—names
being jumbled together as unscrupulously- as notions

THE LEVANT.

MALTA, Drc. 19.

The accident which befell poor Magnsth, as men-
tioned is my last, has proved lighter than was at
tr‘t reported, and the young man has escaped with a
Kit rt concussion or the brain. The greateAt hopes
are now smug:tined that the sufferer will be pre-
-14 11 ed.

On the opening of the council yesterday, Sir W.
Reid !rave the following address. I send you an nu-
pahle.hed copy. It is at once tirm, manly, and sen-
sible, and a fair index of ore• new governor's mind :

COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT.

:rrixo or THU HMI DEC. 18;1.-1•ItE'CSr ALL Sit
NIEMBERI._

At half-poet two o'clock p.m., his l..cellency the oo-
r. nor, attended by his aides-de-camp, tot. red the council
to and haring duly taken the oath of allegiance, took
hi. scat us president of the couited, and read the following
'dart :

" e are met this lac in consequence of adjnurnment
Wm the 26th %tutted,
meeting the council of government for the first
time. I wish here pubbe.y, but briefly. to express the earn-
ed wish I feel that the recent change in this council, by
sl.ish elective weathers have been introduced into it, may
prove a beneficial measure for all interests concerned.
In order to work out the principle of elective assem-
hhes suerceefully, forbearance in pressing new measures,
and calmness in discussion, are amongst the brat requisites.
hoe discussion, regulated by established rules, is an Listen-
bat element to representative bodies. Bat the gradual
'elution of political problems, which were formerly iIL un-
derstood, is rendering protracted discussion less necessary,
and tending to remove party spirit from legislative assem-
blies. We require to meet Isere, in order to give legality
te our pr.nsedings; but much advantage would be de-
ntist from habitually consulting with each other upon
Immodest measures, and endeavouring to mature them,
and to agree upon them,befure they are formally introduced
is council. The crown, whilst admitting the elective prin-
tiler, has wisely reserved the right of legislating by order
et the Queen in council. It will be for us hers so to con-
duct our proceeding* as to give as few occasions as possible
f n fin exercise of this reserved right. We should admit no
difference between elective members and members named
the crown. It shall be my eoustant endeavour to protect
the rights of elected members, as the best guarantee for
tented action in this council. Never toeing sight of imperial
um.nsts, we should all of us endeavour to cement still
closer the union of Malta with England, by striving to ad-
vim, the interests of the Maltese people.
" I find it is intended to erect a light-house on the west-
ern extremity of Ooze, and I have been instructed to pro-
.« a short ordinance for commuting the tonnage dues to
Ti.: paid by steamsvessela. If you pass this ordinance, it
rill become my duty to urge the completion of the light-
am., as speedily as possible. 1 can scarcely conceive an
object of deeper interest to humanity than that of erecting
bcseons to guide the mariner in danger ; and happily the
erection of such lights coincides with commercial interests.
" I have observed with great satisfaction your desire to
unprote your charitable institutions. A proposal will be
submitted to you for carrying out still further these inten-
teas, by the erection of new buildings for a lunatic asylum
and a pear-house. If you agree to their construction, I
tee nil you to come to an early decision regarding the
`tbs- you may yourselves prefer for these buildings, in order
that they may be begun without delay.
'fliese two subjects will be brought before you to-day.
-objects of the different codes, in which you have a
int.-rest, I hope will be proceeded with at our next

WEST INDIA AND THE PACIFIC
MAILS.

(By Electric lclegraph.)

(mon Ora OWN COMHESPONDINT.)
SOVTIIAMPON, THURSDAY Moastso.
The Avon has just arrived with the West India
01.111 Pacific mails. Her dates am:—Grey Town,
•NYV. 229th; Chagres, 24th; Carthagena, 27th; St.
I homas, Jkc. ,ith.
Amongst her cargo is specie to the value of
1:2?1.5:04 dollars on merchants' account.

Amongst the passengers is Doctor Cullen, the pro-
jector of the great ship canal across the Isthmus of
Darien. Ile has come to England to advocate the
adoption of the ship canal.
At Demerara the weather has been highly favour-
able to the crops. 'There are, however, signs that a
d'ange is about to take place, and the wet season
thaaf at this year to set in.
A smart shock of an earthquake was felt at Port
of Spain, in Trinidad, on the 23th ult., which
frightened most of the inhabitants from their beds,
blit dad no material damage. Some of the neigh-
boating islands haw, it is feared, suffered severely..
,At Trinidad the weather has been so favourable
that several planters have set their mills about.
131: cocoa crop promises to be an average one.
From Jamaica we have accounts to the 30th ult.
lie cholera is still raging badly in that island.

bEcltttslt or Carat: IN CAMBIUDOESIIIIIF--Not
"4 lanatteriolialtire and Bedfordshire, but also. we
-toruslo aa7. L OW county, is crime considerably upon the
u. Lev.. aad at taw Cambridge board of guardians, on
"''''Lle7 last, so light was the busineia that the board
hag began half past twelve. la the Cambridge borough
the Lumbar of commitments from Oct. Ito Deo. 19,
414)'''''"l 7; for the corresponding period in 1841, 68—
?ek4t a damnation of 39. In the Castle, or county jail,
tts samba in custody, the. 19, IMO, was 137 ; the Dm'
toted, yesterday was 110.—Caasbrirlie Independest