The Express.
London, England, 1856-12-30 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

PRUSSIA AND

The Debate of this day has the following :—" The
amounts from Berlin to the 27th are favourable to the
hopes of peace which have born generally entertained
in Paris during the lest few lays. At Berlin, as at
Paris, it is believed that the aff.cir of Neufchatel has
entered upon a new phase. Upon the initiative of
France, all the Powers who signed the protocol of Lon-
don, including England, have consulted together for
the purpose of proposing a new plan of mediation to
Prussia. This new plan (respecting which, however,
the accounts are but incomplete) is based upon the
release, without bail, of the Neufchatel prisoners as
a condition precedent to all the concessions which
the Powers engage to obtain from Prussia. The
cabinet of Berlin has already assented to the
scheme." This fact, if fact it be, was at
all events, unknown at Berne on the 27th, as it is
distinctly stated in the communication then made
by the Federal Connell to the Diet, that no project
of arrangement whatever had been proposed.
According to the Independence Beige, the new pro-
position provides for the expulsion of the prisoners
from the Swiss territory, on their release.
Pursuant to a decision of the Swiss Federal As-
sembly, a committee of eleven members has been
appointed to draw up a report on the situation. The
Federal Council has demanded an authorisation to
carry defensive preparations to the utmost possible
limits if an honourable pekoe shall be found imps•
Bible. It has further asked that a general-in-chief
and a staff may be at ones chosen. The Federal
Assembly has adjourned without dissolving itself
definitively.

The Federal Council ham given orders for the
prompt organisation of the landwehr.
M. Barman, Envoy of Switzerland at the oourt of
the Tuileries, has arrived at Berne.

A letter from Constance, in the Ssiabiais Mercury,
Nye :—"The Prasso-Swiss difficulty ham platted es
all at once in a very disagreeable position, far
since yesterday measures ban been taken
to fortify the town on the aide of Swit-
zerland, and to construct redoubts. The military
authorities have borrowed from the municipal ad-
ministration the necessary tools, whilst awaiting
supplies from Carlaruhe. The military posts have
been augmented and patrols are stationed along the
frontiers. On the other hand, a Swim corps has
arrived at Krenzlingen and Emisdocf, opposite the
town of Constance."

The Augsbwrg Gazette and other journals oonlirm
the news that measures have been taken in Bavaria
for the transport of Prussian troops by railway, and
for supplyicg them with provisions.
1

The followirg is the speech delivered by M. Martin,
President of the National Council, at the opening
sitting on Saturday:
" Three months have esexcely elapsed since you
declared that the republicans of Neuf:Motel deserved
well of their country for having triumphed singly
over the royalist revolt of the 3rd of September.
Since then new events have occurred ; the situation
is aggravated, and now it is no longer Neufchatel
which is concerned—it is the whole of Switzerland.

" The Federal Council believed it necessary to call
you together that such measures might be taken ea
the circumstances require. Justice tranquilly per-

said its course in discovering not only the authors but
more especially the instigator. of the rebellion of
September, and in applying the penalties decried
by the law to the faction, who with arms in their
hands and in the dead of night disturbed the public
peace and attempted to overthrow the Constitution
and the authorities of the country.
"A foreign prince, the King of Prussia, demands
of Switzerland the release of the prisoners, and con-
sequently the acknowledgement of his right to the
principality of NeurchateL This demand cannot be
admitted without abdicating our rights as a sovereign
state--as a free and independent nation. That
which the King of Prussia has hitherto failed to ob-
tain he now eseke to impose upon us by force of arms.
Under this menace the choice of Switzerland cannot
be doubtful. At the first news one cry escaped from
the hearts of all the sone of Switzerland; a timid.
moue burst of enthusiasm showed that the Swiss
people had not degenerated ; that they are still
worthy of their ancestors, and of their freedom.
We may affirm with joy that everywhere
the peoples and governments are animated
by the moat ardent patriotism, and are ready for any
sacrifice in the defence of our independence. What
ever theeninorshades of political opinion,one thought—
ths danger of the country—unites us all. This june...
tare will form not the least glorious page of our
history; for has there been seen a devotion so
great, so spontaneous and universal. Happy the
country which can thus rely upon its children I
"The cause for which we are about to fight is
noble acd holy; it is that of liberty, of national in-
dependence, of country; it is the principle of the
sovereignty of the people upon which our constitution
rests, fighting against the exploded principle of
Divine right, propped up by the Treaties of 1818,
constantly broken by our adversary, by whom they
are now invoked. The circumstances we un-
doubtedly grave; but let us have confidence in our
tights, in the justice of our cause, and in the God of
our fathers who has so often protected Switzerland.
In the presence of our country's danger let us forget
oar divisions, our party quarrels, our conflicting
interests; let us follow the example of our
fellow citizens, let us range ourselves under

the same banner ; let u be unanimous in

the decisions which we shall have to make. Le'
us be united and we shall be strong. Let us
show the foreigner what a small nation, sus-
tained by the love of liberty and of country,
and by the union of all its children, can do.
Let our geliberations be governed by a calmness
and dignity worthy an assembly of the representatives
of a free people. Let us avoid everything that may
appear to be boasting—every useless word. What
the country requires is acts. Let us arrive at decisions
full of republican energy, and shrink from no sacri-
fice. That is the sorest way to guarantee our liberty,
maintain our independence, and save our country.
W. know that the whole people are with
as. We have arrived at one of those
crises in which the question to Switzerland
is that of its very national existence. May it be
given to us by the God of our fathers to issue
from it with honour! And if the danger dit-
appears, may this crisis have contributed to
strengthen everywhere the boads of union and the
patrictism of our citizens. God protect Switzerland!
—God bless Switzerland !"

1 The Federal Cuuncil of Switzerland has addressed
to the several cantons the following memorial:—
"Lear and faithful Confederates,—ln the very
serious position in which oar country is now placed,
we think it is our duty to direct your attention es-
pecially to the police service, and beg you to take
care to have it energetically employed in particular
for the prevention of two greet evils.
On the one hand, it is alleged that Switzerland
is overrun with spies and agents, who're paid to ez•

Icite the people; thit the :former study to make them-
selves acquainted with the defensive ramose of the
country, aid endeavour, bi all sorts of fan rumours,
to sow division amongst the people, and to en-
gender discouragement, whilst the latter ad-
dress themselves to foreign residents, and es-
pecially to political refugees in Switzerland, whom
oey urge to undertake revolutionary enterprises in
the:, own country, or at lent to commit themselves
by revolutionary decimation. It will be for you to
enjoin upon your police the most active vigilanoe
and energetic interposition to check the practices al
each persons.

"On the other hand, it appears to Its no lass ne-
cessary to prevent, so far as it depends upon os to
prevent it, foreigners within our territory concert-
ing schemes which may be dangerous to other states.
Let us, by the attitude we maintain, prove that oar
cause is a national one, and that the defence of oar
rights is tons a question of honour ; and let us repel
by our conduct the accusation that we subserve the
ends of foreign demagogues. You are invited, then,
if need be, to resist the invasion of our country by any
new political refugees, to look carefully after those
whom you at present allow to find refuge here, to inti-
mate to them that they must abstain from all po-
litical manifestations, us well us from all secret
conspiracies, and to inform them that, in cuss of '
any infraction of these orders, they will be liable,
at least, to immediate expulsion from the Swim
territory.

" In conclusion, we have also to 'spree our desire
that you should use all your influsnos with the Swim
press, likewise, to induct it to discuss the situation
of affairs with seriousness and dignity, and abstain
from injurious language and rude provooation, which
would be dangerous to our national cause.
"We take this opportunity to commend you, our
dear and faithful confederates, to the divine pro•
tection.

"ID the name of the Bwiss Federal Council, the
President of the Confederation, " BTOEMPFLL"