The Express.
London, England, 1849-08-28 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 28, 1849.

all destructive elements. gave their assent to that principle
which they heard santrioned by the real vote* of tke German
people. Therefore his Majesty's goven meat, in the circular
above referred to, laid down e national representation, end •
constitution emanating from the representative body, es
• sene quo non of all entweque t negotiation. At
that time it was rill biped that an understanding
Welt be come to with the Neil teal Assembly. If the As-
sembly cordially met the governments half way, the problem
might be solved withmt any 'either collisions. If it did not,
the nation was not, on that amount, to be robbed of its
right to op-operate in the great work of the constitution—
the fundamental condition was oil to be observed.
His Majesty's government invited the other governments
to come to an understanding with it on this basis of a na-
tional representation.
The insentient. of Bennie, 8 irony, and Hanover ac-
cepted the invitation; the imperial g ,vernment of Austria
declared itself willing to take part in the de‘ibera-
tion". The rest of the Germ .n states held themselves
precluded from taking part in these negotiations by the posi-
tion they had assumed towards the National Assembly and
its constitution. This, however, was no reason why the
states above enumerated should withdraw lion their at-
tempt to vine to an understanding.
Baron Von Prokeseh Osten and Baron Von Lerchinsfeld
appeared me behalf of Austria and Bavaria at the conierence ;
Baron Von Best on the part of Saxony; Gr. Stu's,
Minister of the Interior, and the onsinorial councillor Von
Wasgenheim, on the part of Hanover. His Majesty's
government accredited Lieutenant-General Von Redone:
es
their representative at its deliberations. But before
the conferences began, the National Assembly at
Frankfort had so materially altered its position by most
outrageous resolutions, that its co-operation could no longer
be looked for. His Majesty's wiveroment felt themselves
compelled to recall the Prossiao representatives by a royal
ordinance of the 14th of May. The melt of the Bavarian,
Bann, and Hanoverian deputies followed. Hence it became
nesseary, in preparing the draft of a constitution, to make
provision for the convocation of a new diet of the empire, to
mink the constitution might be presented for revision and
adoption. Already, too, it became apparent front open
insurrections in several German states, and from
she weak manner in which they were opposed at
Frankfort, how urgently et cessary was a direct union of the
governments, with • view to establish unity of sedan, and
afford a central point for the adoption of energetic meanur.s.
To the deliberations on the constitution, therefore, the
original object of the conferences, came to be added the task
of making provisional arrangements, which might uphold
law and order on the basis of the entire independence and
freedom of the several states, until the establoihment of the
constitution should define their mutual relations and the
guarantees for their observance.
Confidential interviews preceded the formal confers-nee,
in which the representatives agreed upon the forms to be
observed in discussion. At these confidential interviews the
Hanoverian plenipotentiary produced a proposal for the re-
modelling of the chspter relating to the supreme head of the
empire, which has since been published, accompanied by as
argumentative memorial. Prussia gate an earnest attention
arid careful examination to this proposal, but was obliged M
declare that it did not appear adapted to torn • basis he
negotiation, as it neither corresponded to the position et
Prussia nor the wants of the nation, which were a supreme
authority with its limits sharply defined, but centralised
within tot se limits. Pruesia declared the idea of a direa•
tory to be inadmissible, and could not see how • direetaip
could appoint a responsible ministry. This repose' wee,
therefore, not *Yen into consideration at the coeterencea.
The Frankfort constitution and the modifications propose ]
by Prussia and the other governments were made the basis
of negotiation.
His Majesty's government could not, however, avoid ex-
pressing at the same time their opinion that Austria, by its
European position and the internal necessities of the no
earthy, was not in a condition to incorporate itself
in the federal state in the sane unreserved manner as the
other governments, and that one of the first objects ought to
be to define the mutual relations of Austria and the federal
state in a satisfactory manner. The more weighty this con•
sideration appeared, the mere desirable it was to arrive at •
Clear understanding regarding it, and to speak frankly to
Austria on the subject. Prussia deemed it its duty to un-
dertake the negotiation with the Austrian cabinet on
this point, and his Majesty's government resolved
Ila eeniequence to send Lieutenant-General Baron
v= Canits to Vienna, to represent there the
views entertained on this head, and to propose a union which
would place the whole Austrian monarchy in a close and in-
dissoluble relation to the Germanic union. Prussia declared
I its willingness, in conformity to the expressed wishes of
several governments to undertake the management of Ger-
man affairs till the federation and the union alt- old be com-
pleted, and expected the acquiescence of Auntie in this
arrangement. Baron von Canstz set out for Vienna on the
10th of May.
The conferences of the plenipotentiaries began on the 17th
of May. Their progress is recorded in the protecols print d
ad longunt at the end of this report. The explicit statement)
of the views of the governments and of the arguments by
which they were supported contained in these papas lease
no doubts as to the views of the governments.
The Austrian ambassador withdrew from the deliberations
after the first meeting, because the relations of Austria had
been changed by the proposal of a union, on which it was tor
his government to decide.
In the course of the deliberations Hanover brought for-
ward a proposal which was accepted by the other govern-
meuts defining the relations of the governments during the
iaterval that must gapes before the final sanction of the
federal union.
The final protocol of the 20th of May gave for the term of
a year the form and force of law to the draft of a constitu-
tion and electoral law for the rest of Germany, as far as
Prussia, Saxony, and Hanover were concerned. Bavaria
has postponed its decision. •
With a view to guard themselves against miarepresenta-
does, the Saxon and Hanoverian plenipotentiaries appended
specific explanations to their set of acceptance, which the
Pennon government accepted in full reliance upon the
honour of the contracting states.
The allied governments communicated their agreement to
the other states in the circular note of 28th May, and ap-
pended to that document their convection respecting a court
of arbitration, and their declaration regarding the fundamen
tel principles of the constitution.
The ratifications of the treaty were interchanged a few
days later by the governments of Prussia, Saxony, and
Hanover.
In the meantime, the negotiations with the Austrian go-
vernment had led te no result. They will be found in the
documents relating to Baron von Canite's mission, which are
appended to this report. The Imperial cabinet was of
opinion that it could not at once accept the proposals made
to It, reserved its decision with regard to the federal states,
and hesitated to give its consent to the provisional vesting of
the management of German affairs in the hands of Prussic,
Consequently his Majesty's government had no alterme.ve
but to wait till the further progress of negotiations should
offer another opportunity to invite Austria to declare itself
explicitly respecting its relations to the federal state; and
till that time came to maintain the relations with Austria
and with all the states that stood aloof from the federal
unions settled in the net of 1815. Prussia had laid no claim
to the provisional exercise of the central authority, except
in so far as it might be conce led to it by the common con-
sent of the other states, it remained content with the first
voice in the management of affairs conceded to it by the
alliance of the 26th of May.
The difference of opinion between Austria and Prussia,
respecting the proposed union, which it remains for future
negotiations to remove,could have no influence either on the
definitive settlement of a German constitution or the provi-
sional arrangements for immediate objects. His Majesty's
government, therefore, taking into consideration the pecu-
liar position of Austria, communicated the resolutions of the
three allied states to the imperial cabinet, in a despatch to
their ambaseador at Vienna, which distinctly defined their
position, and had appended to it a copy of the treaty.
These negotiations with Austria, on the one hand, with
the allied governments on the other, being thus completed,
his Majesty's government ere in a condition to submit them,
as • whole, to the Chambers.

Sines the 26th of May the alliance has made all the pro-
gress that could be desired.
The executive council appointed in the convention for the
direction of he common concerns, began to act on this 18th
of June. Its members consisted of the plenipotontiarica of
the three powers:—Oa behalf of Prussia, Lieut.-General
Baron von Canitz; on behalf of Saxony, the Minister of
State, Baron von &Ileitis on behalf of Hanover, the Con-
sistoriel Councillor Von Wangenheim.
The provisional council of arbitration has also been in-
augurated, in conformity with the treaty. There have been
appointed members of this body :—By Prussia, the Minister
of State Von Diiesberg, the First President of the Royal
Court of Appeal at G:tigan, Count RittlYrg, and Prefesior
Dirksen; by Saxony, Privy Councillor Gunther and Execu-
tive Councillor Von Weber; by Hanover, the Councillor of
the Supreme Court of Appeal Von Pape, and the Muni.
cdpal Judge Franke.
These members of the council of arbitration have met at
Erfurt, and are busy making the necessary arrange-
ments for bringing the tribunal into active operation.
The actual relations of German governments to the
alliance of the 26th of May are es follows:
A. The following have adhered and ratified their adhe-
sion: clads's, Electoral Heise, Nassau, Sege-Weimar,
Anhalt-Bernburg, Brunswizk, Saxe•Oltenbourg, and Meek-
lenbourg-Strelits.
B. The following have adhered but not ratified:—Grand
Decal Reese, Mecklenbourg-Schwerio, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha,
Meinuogen, Oldenburg, Schwarzburgh, RtOolstadt, Reuss,
Hamburg, and Bremen.
C. The following have announced their intention of adher-
ing :—Deesau, listhen, Szodershausen, Waleeck, Lippe,
Ilesee-Homhurg, Lubeck.
D. The following have not yet declared :—Wurtemberg,
Hohensol:ern, Hechingen, Sigmaringen, Lippe-Detniold,
Lichtenstein, and Frankfort.
Negotiations are pending with Bavaria.
The relations to be established with Holstein and Latten-
burg are is reserve, pending the negotiations of pesos with
Demuth.
The governments named under C and D have engaged to
make known their definitive resolves with the least possible
deity, " in order that the Administrative Council of Alliance
may be in a position to give an account of its extent, and to
take ;Le measures necessary for the convocation of the diet"
(Signed) Count BILLIIDENBIMO,
And seven other Ministers.
Berlin, August 23, 1849.

are a few days later dates in
Liverpool frogs Bahia, bet no news. Rio Janeiro advice.' to
the 7th July have also bees received. A rumour was there
current that the Meats Videos loan was not likely to be
arranged, se niffieient guarantees were not forthcoming.
Trade, generally speaking, was exceedingly dull. Exchange
25 to 261.

RAILWAY MEETINGS.

FLEETWOOD, PRESTON, AND WEST RIDING
JUNCTION.

Y•s'eriey the half-yearly general meeting was held at
Freston, T. B. ADDISON, E q , in the chair.
Tie report of the directors briefly 01101 thet " they bays
proceeded in completing the line included in the fret con-
tract, as far as the program made in colluding calls and ar-
rears has permitted. A considerable nee hav lately been
nettle t to reduction of the arrears, it is hoped that the
week will be completed, and the line put into hall operation
before the next half-yearly meeting.' Fiera the general
statement of capital amount made up to June 30, it appeared
that the total amount paid up was 125.3701. les; deposit on
forfeited scrip, 681. 4s ; interest, 2,1771. Is. 7d.; registra-
tion fees, 201. 3e. 2d. ; balance due to Pedder and Co.,
2.5381. Is. 6d. ; receipts from the Preston and Lospidge
Railway, 3,2961. 12.. Ild.: total, 133,5281. 19.. 24. Ti.
elpenditure (including the Burnley branch and Preston and
Longridge Railway) was repor:eel to be 133,2011. ss. 2d.;
balance in the hands of London and country banker'',
861 lle 6d. ; securities for calls held by company's solicitors,
2021. 18a. ; cash in secretary's handy, 3EL 42. 6d.: total,
133,5231. 19s. 2d. The engineers reported that. tines their
last report, " the operations have been confined to the
tunnel through the town, the excavations consequent thereon,
the ballasting, and the permanent way. The tunnel between
Fykle-road and Adelphi-stre et is built ; from this to Moor-
lane it is intended, for the present, to have an open cutting.
There still remain 100 yards of tunnel, with the excavations
for the same, to he mode between Moor-lane and Harrison-
hill, before the communication with the Preston and Wyre
Railway will be completed. The only permanent way re-
maining to be laid is in the unfinished put of the tunnel, and
the commusicatinn with the Preston and Wyre Railway.
Witn ropocl to the stability of the completed works, we beg
to inform you that they remain in a very estisfactory state."
On the motion of Mr. H. P. FLEETWOOD, seconded by
Mr. TAYLOR, the report was adopted.
The seal of the company having been stilled to the report
of shareholders, a vote of thanks to the chairman and
directors clued the proeeediop.