The Express.
London, England, 1846-12-31 00:00:00

chosen by Providence as • means for re-establishing
the alliance between Fmnos and England, dis-
turbed by the Spanish marriages. England cannot
leek calmly by, or confine herself to ineffective clamour,
when !twee/ declares that the kingdom of Poland him ceased
to be. Such passive silence would prove to all the world
that England does not now possess one jot of influence on
the Continent. And, forsooth, as soon as the territory of
Warsaw has become a Russian province, the hour will then
have struck fur Russia to march towards Constantinople;
and to obstruct this march there is but one expedient—a de-
eenaive and offensive alliance between Francs and
England. What the future may render indispensable,
were as well to be provided for as soon as possible.
We are, however, far from supposing that such an alliance
between the two great constitutional powers would deter
Ramie from such a step which it has in contemplation.
France and England may work together to prevent, but
their united strength is not sufficient. Austria and Prussia
alone, whose interests are greatly at stake, and whose rights
are firmly devoted by special treaties, as well as by the final
act of the Congress of V:enna, are called upon, and it is their
duty to oppose this act of ineorporation. Not only the in-
dependence of their own states, but the safety and
liberty of all Germany, demands this opposition ;
impose it upon them as the fulfilment of • sacred
duty. It cannot be said, that, since 1833, Poland no longer
exists ; that it is all one whether its name be erased or not
from the States of Europe. The preservation of that name
is of the highest importance for Europe ; for Germany in
particular. With the name the conscience that they are a
subjugated race will die away in the breasts of the Pules,
and they will gradually dissolve into the Russian mass.
Panslasism will become a reality,l threatening danger to
civilization, and a battle for life or death will spring up be-
tween them. If Austria and Prussia would anticipate this
struggle, it is high time for them to be up and doing, man-
fully to oppo-e the projected incorporation of Poland.
BERLIN, DEC. 24.—During the month of November
last, there were not less than 400 convictions for robberies,
150 of which were accompanied by violence. The distress of
the working-classes is considerable, and the price of provi-
dons very high. There is some talk of forming an establish-
ment for procuring employment for operatives, similar to the
Dresden, Leipsie, and Hambro ones. The civic authorities
are actively and constantly engaged in devising and in cerry-
ing out measures fir the relief of the poor. Soup is distri-
buted daily, gratis, to 3000 persons ; and it is intended, if the
price of bread should experience another rise, to allow the
necessitous classes to purchase a 5 silbergroechen loaf for 4
ailbergroschen—the remaining silbergnachen to be paid by
the city. It is resolved, also, to levy a duty on game, the
proceeds to be devoted to the poor. There are at present in
this city two large bakers' shops where the needy are sup-
plied with bread below the retail price. One of them lately
received a subscription of 500 thalers from the King. A
third shop of the kiud is about to be opened. —Colvtle
Gazette, Dec. 21.
About one-half of the GOO prisoners at Posen
(charged with having taken a part in the late Polish insurree-
tion) have been set at liberty. According to the Berliner
Nachrieten, several months must elapse before the remainder
can be regularly. brought to trial.
The -lustrous Obserrer refutes, as follows, the
accusation of some of the Paris opposition journals, that
the French ministry was informed previously of the in-
tended incorporation of Cracow: " The accusations of the
French journals, repeated by the English press, are devoid
of foundation. It was only on the 18th Nov., of this year,
that the French cabinet was apprised of the resolution of
the three powers concerning Cracow, by the official com-
munication of the Austrian Charyj d' Affaires at Paris."
BREsLile, DEC. 23.—The publication of the plan of
the government, sass the S•lesian Gazette, to establish
agricultural colonies on several state demesnes, has excited
considerable attention amongst the starving weavers of the
Hirschberg valley ; and it is hoped that a portion of them
will be induced to settle in those home colonies.
As nenal towards the end of every year. several German
journals, headed by the Bremer and the IVeser aszettes, con-
fidently assert that the King of Prussia intends to make
some constitutional concessions to his subjects at the begin-
ning of next year. There appears to be some plan on the
sops, but it is probable that the " constitution" will be
merely an unimportant extension of the privilt gas of the
provincial states.
DEC. 22.—During the past and the
current month, nearly 10,000 bales of English yarns were
imported into this city, in order to be introduced into the
Zollverein before the new and higher tariff comes into force.
Speculators, however, have been rather tardy in their orders
or their consignments, for the frost has checked navigation,
and the proprietors of land conveyances have considerably
raised their prices. A portion of the yarns has been for-
warded by railway, but as the goods trains, properly called,
will not be employed before the beginning of the new year,
the charge for railway conveyance is high at present.
TURKEY.—A letter from Constantinople, of the
9th, in the Augsburg Gazette, states, that the news of the
incorporation of Cracow had caused some excitement there ;
as some of the powers might, for the same reasons, take a
fancy to Bosnia or Bulgaria. To quiet any apprehensions
on the subject, the conduct of Austria, at the time of the
war for Greek independence, is quoted. A high dignitary is
said to have made the remark—" Were the maritime powers
aware or not of what was to take place ?" That is the
question; and his Turkish fertile imagination led him into a
picture of doleful results for the future. The head of the
police at Pere had been dismise,d, having been found in
league with tome pilferers, whom it was his duty to have
captured. At Mussul the cholera had not committed great
ravages; only 200 persons had died.
AMERICA.—MtiSION TO JAPAN.— Commodoro
Biddle, in the Columbus, 80-gun ship, accompanied by the
Vincennes frigate, Captain Paulding, arrived at the
entrance of the Bay of Yeddo on the 20th of July.
They were, soon after their arrival, surrounded by 400 or 500
small boats, containing from fiveto twenty men each. These
boats were not rowed at all, but worked by a scull abaft, and
the people in them were generally unarmed. They were ap-
parently, the greater numher of them, private boats pressed
for the occasion. A man in office came on board the Vin-
cennes, and placed a stick with some symbol on it at the head
of the ship, and another abaft ; but as soon as the cap-
tain understood that this ceremony implied taking possession
of the vessel, he ordered his people to take them down, to
which no objection was made. The Japanese at first tried
even to prevent communication between the two ships, and
when Captain Paulding went on board his commodore, the
triple line of boats round the latter made no attempt to
move ; but on his ordering his men to cut the connecting
lines, no opposition was made. Some of the better Japanese
wore one sword, and only a few of the highest rank possessed
two, a long and short cite, of which the first was double-
handed. These were evidently the principal ornament and
mark of rank. The people are described as better-looking
than the Chinese, and superior to them in most respects.
No person went ashore from the two ships, though these
were ten days at anchor. A public despatch was sent of by
the American Commodore (acting as envoy) to the Court at
Yeddo, distant some leagues, and a written reply received io
seven days, stseing that no trade whatever could be allowed
with America. On their departure the two ships allowed
themselves to be towed out by the whole fleet of boats,
which moved by signals between each other, and with great
order. The interpretation wascarried on by a Japanese, who
understood Dutch very well. The mandarins were ex-
tremely polite and well-conducted, and, when out of sight
of their followers, disposed to be sociable and communica-
tive, even making exchanges of small presents, as fans, &c.
The appeared surprisingly well-informed as to external
events, and had even heard of the Oregon question. The
Dutch, in fact, are obliged to keep them supplied with all
kinds of information at the trading port of Nangasaki.
Subsequent to the departure of the Americans, the Bey of
Yeddo, it is said, was visited by Admiral Cicille, in the
French frigate Cleopatra, accompanied by two corvettes. It
is asserted that some dispute took place, and that the French
left in high dudgeon, but none of their ships have yet ar-
rived from the north, and therefore the information cannot
be relied on.
ennswance.—The sloop.of-war Boston ran aground on the island
of Eleuthera, on the 15th ult. The following account of the occur-
rence is from a correspondent of the New j Sort Herald :—At about
4k. 30m. e.g., of Sunday, the 15th instant, while running down
between this island and Abico, in order to Two through Providence
channel into the Gulf Stream, a heavy rainasquall struck the ship,
completely biding the horizon from our sight; and in twenty-eve
minutes more, white the squall was still upon us, we struck
upon the reefs off the northern end of Eleuthera. The
helm was immediateltput down to bring her by the wind ; but the
rudder had been curried away, and the poor old ship went surg-
ing on over the rocks, rolling tremendously, till it seemed miracu-
lous that the masts, borate, and guns, did not jump out of her. The
anchor, too, wag let go; but she would not lie snubbed, and dragged
it alter her. At this first thump, all hands sprang from their ham-
mocks, and were on deck in an instant. We soon stripped the ship
of ber entre', and still on she went thumping and groanirw, rolling,
till her bilge would rake against the bottom; the sea breaking over
us and flooding the decks, and everything moveable thrown with
violence from side to side of the vessel. Presently the main top-
pliant mast went over the side. By this time day was breaking,
and we found ourselves close aboard the land—a land of
sharp coral rocks. We had come in at high water, and with
a spring tide. The quarter boats were lowered, but they
swamped alongside, broke adrift from tis, and laid their bones
in fragments eni the beach. The mizenmset was soon cut away,
and the main and fore followed in succession, and there she lay, not
more than fifty feet from the shore, a dismasted wreck. Two or
three hundred wreckers came over from Harbour Island and Spanish-
wells to our assistance ; but a portion of them, however, were em-
ployed. They are now diving for the copper that has been torn off by
the from the offshore side of the vessel. Fortunately, not a soul
vastest, and owing teour having been driven up on the topers spring
tide, we have eas almost everything. With our cutlasses and battle-
ates we have cleared away about an acre of land, and are now living
Is este built of our spars tad sails; but, withal, in a most Robinson
Crewe style. We have alas cut a road through the brushwood to a
convenient place of embarkation about a mile distant.

COLONIAL.
NEW ZEALAND.
Yesterday the Times published a communication
containing intelligence from Wellington, which is im-
portant. The letter referred to bears the date of " Welling-
ton, July and states that on the 20th of that month
Governor Grey had proceeded on board the Driver to Wal-
kman and Otahi; had intercepted an emissary of Rau_peraha
carrying a letter to Rangihaeata, stating that he (Ranpe-
raha) had arms and ammunition for him, and had. caused
Ranperaha (with Charley, and three other New Zea-
landers) to he arrested at the pals of the old chief,
carried on board the Driver, and laid in irons.
The reason why we entertain doubts of the truth of this
news is, that in a letter dated 4th August, received from
Wellington, via Valparaiso, on the 9th inst. (of which an
extract is published in the Express of the 10th), no
mention is male of this event, although the writer mentions
Governor Grey's operations against the strongholds of the
disaffected chiefs. The party who communicates to the
Times the letter purporting to be written at Wellington on
the 2oth of July, does not state by what conveyance it
was received. The letter itself has not the appearance
nf having been written by a party well acquainted
with the topography of the country adjoining Cook's Straits,

for it describes the pah of the Chief lieu-Hen, at Taupe
as I
hetwee." Wanganui and Taranahi." The intelligence
may be true, and it is most desirable that it should, but we
must suspend our belief till we hear further It is not long
since a corresponOent of the Times, profs seing to write from
Auekbuid, represented a vs:eel as "on the slip" there,
which, two days before, had been announced in the Auck-
land newspapers as lying a wreck at Kaipars, on the other
side of the island.
The following is the letter in question :
"The native (or Maori) chief Reuparaha, or, as he is fa-
miliarly termed by the whalers, Robulla, who is a relative
by marriage of the rebel chief ltangibaietta, has latterly pro-
femed great amity and friendship for the Pakehaa (or white
men), and has been visiting the camp of Porirua constantly,
and had interviews with the naval officers, and, only 10 days
since, with the governor, but has always refused to join
them in attacking Itangi. By those who have known
him for years, and by all the friendly natives, he is
considered the meat cunning, crafty, and treacherous
of all the chiefs, and it now appears he has been playing
his usual double game. It has been known, though it cuuld
not be proved, that he has been in communication with the
rebel Rangihaietta for several months, hut fortunately, the
proofs are forthcoming. A body of natives from Wanganui
were about to join liangi ; to prevent such junction, the
Governor (Grey) embarked on board her Majesty's steamer
Driver, with 140 rank and file of the 58th and 99th Regi-
ments, under Major Last, and Captain Stanley, of her
Majesty's ship Calliope, and about 68 blue jackets and
marine., and a party of 20 armed police, under Major Durie,
inspector, and sailed on the 20th instant for Waikenae and
Oteki (on the west coast, near the Manawatu river), and
where the Ngatiawas, who a. e friendly natives, live. It is
said lie had a consultation with the chiefs from Wanganui,
stud they have returned home. However, by some means,
he laid hold of an emissary from Rauparaha to Rangihaietta,
with a letter concealed on his peso n, stating that he bad
arms and ammunition for him. Upon this the governor
sai!ed back from Waikanae at night, and anchored off
Porirus about one cm, on the 24th (yesterday), when Cap-
tain Stanley and a party of blue jack. ta lapilli just under
Rauparaha's pah, called Taupe. • This Taupe is neer
l'orirua' and is on the sea-shore, about a mile from the
camp. There is another Taupo, between Wanganui and
Teranaki, or New Plymouth, where a land-slip to It place
about six weeks ago, burying in his pah the Chief lieu lieu
(called Ha-eu, French pronunciation), 6 of his wives, and
50 of his men. Heu lieu was rattier well disposed to the
whites, though he disapproved of the government hoisting
flag-staffs, &c. Captain Stanley timed his visit so well, that
he took Itaupahara, Charley, and three others, before they
had time to strike a blow ; he also seized some 37 stand of
arms and 6 or 7 kegs sf powder. Raupatiara's men all bolted,
and are supposed to have gone to Itangihuietta, is number
about 35. Itaupahara himself; and Charley, and the three
others are all sate on board the Driver, in irons. Tnis is
the most deeiive step Governor Grey has yet taken. Rau-
pahara and Charley were both at the massacre of Captain
Arthur Wakefield, at Wairoa ; and the settlers here are in
perfect ecstacv at this bold policy of the governor.
" This will more than ten battles to settle the affairs
in the Cook's Straits district, as, though the warrior Rangi-
haietta (who, to do him justice, is a bold, uncompromising
enemy.) is left free, ye- the wily treacherous head, 'taupe-
raha, is at last caught in his own meshes. The governor is
not expected back fer a few days. The prisoners will pro-
bably be sent to Norfolk Island. They cannot punish them
for the Wairoa massacre, as Governor Fitzroy pardoned
.

them for that affair.
" On the 22nd instant, the Levant, from Sydney, arrived
with a detachment of 160 men of the 65th llrgiment, which
is still on board, waiting for orders."
NEW SOUTH WALES.

-.-
MURDER OF SEAMEN BY AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES.
-The following is an account of the murder of the super-
cargo, and two seamen belonging to the schooner Thomas
Lord. The letter is written by the master of the schooner:
" Sydney, August if,, 1810. Dear sir,-It is with much
regret that I write you the sad intelligence of the fatal
termination of our voyage. We sailed from Sydney on
December 23, 1845, in the schooner Thome"; Lord, myself
in command of the vessel, Mr. O. it. Hesitant, super-
cargo. The schooner was well equipped by her owner,
Mr. Lewis Leon, merchant, of George-street, for her intended
voyage ; we were 22 hands in all; and, besides being pro-
visioned for twelve months, we were abundantly found with
fire-arms and ammunition fur the protection of the vessel
and ourselves from the attacks of the savages, with whom we
were to trade for tortioie-shell and beehe-la-mer. After
leaving Sidney, I proceeded, under poor Mr. Bessant's direc-
tions, on the inner passage towards Torres Straits, and on
the Bth of February, while fishing fir b4ehe•la-nier, on the
coast of New Holland, we had a narrow escape of our lives,
being attacked by the natives. Their spears tell short of the
boats. On the 22d of February, while tithing close to a reef,
a very heavy gale of wind set in, and we were blown ashore,
with two anchors down ; the vessel bilged, and to our great
sorrow we found we had only 15 gallons of water left, under
a burning hot sun. Providence, however, spared us, and
we were enabled to find fresh water on the main. After
great exertious we managed to get the vessel off on the 29th.
She leaked very much, but we contrived to stop the leaks,
and er.deavoured to get back to Sydney, but could not, owing
to the strung south-east wind we had to contend with. We
therefore steered to the northward, and finding a convenient
spot at liaggerston's Island, in Torres Straits, we hove the
schooner down to the shore and repaired her bottom. She
then made but little water, and we thought we might be
able to coatinue trading in the Straits, and permanently
repair in Singapore, to which place we were bound. We
then steered towards the coast of New Guinea, visiting
several parts of it and the adjacent islands, and trading
with the natives, with very little success, fur tortoise-shell.
All went on well until June 3rd, whin the schooner lying
at anchor off hlulgrave Island, on the western end of Torres
Straits, at seven in the morning, poor Bessant, the super-
cargo, with the carpenter and four hands, left the vessel in
the long-boat. Each man was well armed, besides the boat's
carrying the swivel-guns mounted on the rail. They took
provisions and water with them, intending to stay away for
three days on a cruise up the river, to barter with the natives.
They first proceeded along the southern end of the
island, trading with the natives during the day. The
carpenter, who had been in New Caledonia before this, did
not like the appearance of the savages, who were doing all
they could to entice the boat's crew ashore by many cunning
I devices, which natives usually resort to. About six in the
evening, finding trade getting slack, they left the island,
and proceeded to a small dry sandbank, thinking they would
be safe there. They made a tire, and had supper, after
which the carpenter proposed going to the boat to sleep in
it, but poor Bessant said he should prefer sleeping on shore,
thinking there was not the slightest danger. The party
divided, the carpenter and twe hands proceeding to the
boat, which was anchored a few feet off the shore. About
nine o'clock the carpenter called from the boat, " Who has
the watch on thor.. ?" Poor Bessant replied, " The whole of
us." These were the last words he was heard to utter. Poor
fellow, he little thought his end was so near. About 11
1 o'clock the carpenter was awakened by hearing a noise on
shore. He looked up, and to his horror beheld, by the light
of the moon, the wretched savages, who had colic across in
their canoes, murdering poor Bessant, and one of the sea-
men. He instantly fired at them, when they gave a loud
yell, and retreated to the scrub close by. Through the
resolute conduct of the carpenter they succeeded in getting
the remaining seaman into the boat, but not before the poor I
fellow was dreadfully wounded. He afterwards died on
board of his wounds. My poor messmate (the supercargo)
must have been quite dead when the carpenter and the
remainder of the boai.'s crew took possession of his body ;
but they were compelled to give it up, as the natives,
to the number of at least 200, were again approach-
ing from the scrub, and canoes were observed coming
with numbers more. They appeared to have been killed
while asleep, and I am certain made no resistance. Poor
Bessant had his pistols in his belt, and his carbine under
his head. Ile was a brave fellow, and would not have
given in but with his life. At seven the following morning
the boat returned to the ship, and the carpenter related the
aid intelligence. You may judge my feelings upon hearing
the sad end of poor Bessant. He was my only companion
on board, and after suffering many privations together, and
escaping so many dangers, I little thought this would be his
end. The two seamen were both young and promising men.
We remained at the island two mare days, but found there
was no probability of recovering the bodies of our dead com-
mies, or avenging their cold-blooded murder. I then
dleltermined to return direct to Sydney, where we arrived
on the 6th of August, and found our owner had left for
England."
The following statistical details arc gleaned from
various numbers of the Sydney Morning Herald, a journal
ebaracterised by judicious temperance of tone, and indefatiga-
, ble industry in collecting and digesting information :
PoruLarios.-During the year 1845 the population of the colony in-
creased by immigration by the number of 5,968 persons ; of whom
4,317 were males, and 1,651 females. The departures from the colony
were 9,266 males and 917 females. The increase by births was 4,
males, and 4,184 females, making *Mal of 8,522; end a total Increase
by births and immigration of 14,490. The decrease by deaths was
2,128, of which 1,145 were males, and 883 females, making a total de-
crease by deaths and departures of 6,311 persons. The net increase
during the year was 8,179, and the total population, as made up from
the returns in the Colonial Secretary's department, on the 31st Dec.,
1815, was 181,556. The census returns when published will correct
these calculations, which are necessarily imperfect. At prwmt the
=ion is computed to consist of 74,951 adult males, K 123 adult
and 70,382 children.
Oeurivaren Ltiow.-During the year 1845 the !and in the colony
wader cultivation, with the amount of its produce, was as follows i -
87,954 acres of wheat, producing 1,211,099 bushels; 25,372 acres of
maize, producing 499,122 bushels ; 10,455 mese( burley, producing
175,407 bushels; 6,109 acres of oats, producing, 88,193 bushels; 330
acres of rye, producing 4,101 bushels: 88 awes of millet, producing
I 775 bushels; 5,101 acres of potatoes, goodelog 19,906 tons; 483
I scree of tottecoo, producing 3,985 cwt. NW ewes of sown grasses,
16,614 tom of hay. The telel7l/11Mint of scree under crop
18ludig8411111s 144,096, mil in 1845,163,1 N. lime were 6,000 acres of
Ind denial lo wined oultisation more awn Sere was in 1914, but
Se gnedneire, 100,000 bestiaries. Ilhe land under tobacco
wail. lin try nearly onisigif Om what it was in the
wig= me. am4lhe pylon fathoming OIL
len • Ilis ilia Is lbealsripe gift' lad without the
bernflories of Madan, ensprit en the as Densaber, 1845, 82,303
Igeem. I,eighon horned tattle, ,006 gid1691111k6,02,031 sheep. It
is distributed as follows :-Gounty of Migge-1,431 rees, 25,027
desed
a= 1,750 pits, 268,303 ibz. delitunggh-2,19-8244 tones,
ig
Wild 119 1 Velem,. arlsbane-1,698 horses,
horned ante, 555 P, 1 Amp. Ciunden-6,468 horses,
#
horned eittle, 5, • pigs, 42,710 sbeep. Cook--2,037 horses,
honed nide, 3,645 pigs, 13,445 sheep. Cumberhind-11,775
kaissi. 29,838 horned cattle, 11,874 pigs, 9,733 sheep. Durtuun-4,818
=
52,891 horned cattle, 6,993 pig 5,107,782 sheep. Georgiana-2,121
18,113 horned cattle, 724 pigs, 118,608 sheep. Gloucester-2,093
horses, 23,240 horned cattle, 1,406 pigs, 71,256 sheep. Hunter-956
horses, 6,029 horned cattle, 1,506 pigs, 5,324 sheep. King-683 horses,
16,674 horned cattle, 561 pigs, 49,141 sheep. Macquarie-1.474 horses, 1
18,936 horned cattle, 1,046 pigs, 8,907 sheep. Murray-2,411 horses,
25,673 homed cattle, 1,538 pigs, 230,047 sheep. Northumberland-5,032
horses, 37,171 horned cat 8,917 pigs, 30,664 sheep. Phillip-511
horses, 6,033 homed matte, 00 pigs, 59,966 sheep. Roxburgh-2,000
horses, 15,000 horned cattle, 600 pigs, 150,000 sheep. St. 'Vinoent-
-1,729 horses, 25,838 horned cattle, 1,637 pigs, 42,770 sheep. Stanley
-181 horses, 883 horned cattle, 286 pigs, 246 sheep. WellingtOn-
-1,442 horses 13,096 horned cattle, 435 pigii, 127,018 sheep.
Westmoreland-1,149 horses, 10,097 homed cattle, 827 pigs,