The Express.
London, England, 1848-04-10 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 10, 18 tB.

went which we shall presently see is not invariably
made. If we look at the amount of bank notes in
circulation we shall see :
Bank notes of Bank of Prance
Ditto Broach banks

If to this be added the 50 millions lent to the state
we shall find the limit that the decree of the Provi-
sional Government has imposed on the Bank. Thus
the Bank can issue no more. The account current of
the Treasury has been considerably reduced, from 58
millions to 49. I have said that the payment of
bills was not too regularly made. In verification of
this it will be seen that
Tbe unpaid bills amount to 19,805,499
Dishonoutedbille 7,143,579

of Italy.
We have rcceived the Madrid mails of the 3rd
instant with the letters of our correspondent, who

says:
"The 2nd rising fixed for yesterday (Sunday again)
did not come off, although the weather cleared
towards the evening. In fact, the prearations of the
government, which of course was not ignoraat of
what was known to all the world, were on too for-
midable a scale to b bearded by the scanty remnant
of the barricade men, and their new adherents, if
any, during the week."
LOMBARDL—Letters from Turin of the 4th say
that a decisive cngagem nt was expected to take
place on that day between the Austrians, under Ita-
detski, and the combined troops and volunteers. The
place of the engagement would probably be near
Castedenoto, where the Austrians were encamped on
the line of Caleinadelb. But if the engagement was
postponed later, it would probably take place under
the walls of Verona.
The Provisional Government of Venice had marched
all its disposable troops to Verona, and had placed at
the disposition of the combined Italian army a great
quantity of cannon, muskets, and munitions of war,
with which the arsenal of Venice is so amply provided.
Letters have been received from Pavia, dated on
the morning of the 6th inst. The writer says, that
the Austrian troops in that neighbourhood seem to
have melted away without any apparent struggle or
resolution. The peasants, says he, track them like
so many foxes. They opened the sluices of a canal
on a party of them, 700 of whom capitulated, the rest
being drowned.
ROMAN STATES.—Advices continue to arrive from
the Roman states. The Austrian ambassador ob-
tained his passport, and left Rome on the 30th ult.
According to a letter in the P•itria of Florence, the
Jesuits at Rome have been dispersed. The civic
guard having declared that it would not be respon-
sible for their protection, the Pope, at the advt, e of
the minister Galetti, ordered their immediate diaper-

26,949,0(.8 frmes.
Last week these bills amounted to 15,890,000 fr.
This is then an increase of more than 11 millions, and
that in one week. The coin and ingots have decreased
to 53 millions, but this is to be attributed to the mea-
sure, wise and necessary, of giving cash to masters in
exchange for banknotes for the payment of work-
men's wages.
The state of the currency is b.coming worse and
worse, and families now can only satisfy the demands
of their smaller tradespeople by purchasing silver at
the money changers. The 100 franc notes from which
so much convenience was expected, have already
vanished from circulation. They cannot be obtained
to-day either at private bankers or at the Bank of
France. Silver, of course, is out of the question.
Neither the one place nor the other will pay in any
quantity largo or small. Private bankers cannot or
will not pay cheques for less than 500 francs. Bills
on London and elsewhere, when sold, arc paid for in
paper, and not in silver, or, if in silver, they would be
below par.
A report floated about this morning that the go-
vernment would be unable to go on for more than ten
or twelve days without corning to a bankruptcy. This
report gained credit as the day advanced, and is now
generally believed. Such will probably be the catas-
trophe in which the present financial and political
crisis will issue.
A meeting of holders of bons of the Orleans'.
Railway took place yesterday, and received the report
of the committee appointed to confer with the direc-
tors. Two propositions had been submitted to the
holders. One that the bons should be reimbursed—
viz., 10 per cent. in cash and 00 per cent. in old bonds,
repsyabla at 1250, and which should be delivered to
the holders at 800, bearing interest at .39 francs a year.
The other that they should be reimbursed at 10 per I
cent. cash and 90 per cent. in two years by quarterly
payments with interest at 5 per cent. This latter was
favourably received, but as all the holders were not in
attendance another meeting will take place to decide
on it. The company offers to grant to the holders of
bons and bonds a priority of claim on the future
interest and dividends of shares.
M. Achille Fould has addressed a letter to the
journals denying that he has been charged with
any task of preparing a financial plan for the
government.
Repairs have been commenced at the chateau of the
Tuileries of the damages done on the 24th of February;
they are estimated to cost for the common reparation
only about 30,000 francs.
L' Union of to-day says, "An envoy from the Pro-
visional Government of Milan is expected today in
Paris."
The circular of M. Lcdru Rollin to the government
commissaries forms the leading topic of comment in all
the Paris journals of to-day.
" The quantity of plate taken to the Mint to be ex-
changed for money," says the Moniteur do Soir, " is
daily increasing. These operations, which had fallen
from 200,000 to 110,000, and even 100,000 francs a
day, have again risen to 200,000 francs. There are
daily struck at the Mint 120,000 pieces of 3 franca, or
600,000 francs in amount."

sion.
Official intelligence had been received that the
Austrian troops in the fortress of Commachio had
capitulated, receiving a month's pay and being
allowed to retain their side arms. They embarked
on the I'o for Fiume. In the fortress were found
1,500 muskets and 24 pieces of artillery.
LounAnpv.—The Austrian garrison of Padua and
Vicenza have fallen back upon the main body of the
army, which amounts to 40,000 men, and which, with
the a•sistance of the Tyrokse, seems in, lined to give
battle at 'Amato.
The general quarters of the Picdmontese army are

at Creniona. -
At Venice, there have been great rejoicings for the
rapture of a steam-vessel belonging to the Austrian
Lloyd's.
The fort of Commachio is fallen into the power of
the volunteers of Itavenna, who took possession of 27
cannons and abundance of arms and ammunition.
The fort of Ferrara has not yet surrendered, but
is blockaded by 4,000 Romans and the national guard
of Ferrara.

MILAN, Aram 3 (Evexiso).
A courier, just arrived from Brescia, brings the
news, that the body of l'iedmontese troops have put
to flight a strong detachment of Austrian cavalry,
near the bridge of St. Mark, on the Chiesa, were they
were on guard. The Austrians, before they fled, fired
a mine placed under the bridge, and thus prevented
all pursuit.
Charles Albert was last evening at Cremona.
Letters from Naples announce that King Ferdinand
has offered to pass to Leghorn the Neapolitan vo-
lunteers who wished to go to the assistance of the
Lombards, and has given them an auxiliary body
of engineers and artillery. King Ferdinand has de-
mand(cl of the Pope that this body be allowed to pass
through the papal states, is order to enter Tuscany,
and be ready to act in case of events.
Six hundred men of Brescia have penetrated into
the valleys of the Tyrol, to foment insurrection.
CREMONA, General-quarters, April 3.
The Sardinian army is Bill of ardour. The Austrian
army continues to excite the hatred of the population,
by exactions of all kinds. At Mantua a contribution
of several millions (of florins) have been raised.
SAVOY.—The strangers who were among the pri-
soners made by the population of Chambery, have
been sent home. The subjects of Savoy have been
sent into their respective provinces. The chiefs arc
kept prisoners until their trial.
rey,sard, who had been named mayor of the town,
has made a complete confession.

to go to Africa; but, one earing the news of the re- the first sig of the parliament of Sicily, which
fusel of General Cavaige, he re•embarked and re- took place on Saturday last, were conducted with the
turned to Paris. greatest order. Lord Minto and the officers of the
We learn fromTonlon, on the 4th of April, that the British squadron were p!esent. Our ministry has been
'yditerranean squadron has received orders to pre- reformed, Prince Cariati remaining at the head of the
to put to sea. It will mail immediately after the Foreign department, and General Win. Pepe just
and will, it is supposed, cruise on the coast arriving in time to become Minister of War. 'The
only impolite, if not impolitic, act of our files chaudes
was knocking down the arms at the Austrian lega-
tion. Prince Schwartzenberg took his departure next
day. Mehemet Ali, finding himself little improved in
health, and agitated by the recent political changes in
Europe, resolved to return to Egypt. The Fiench
steamer Alexandre took his highness, and the Odin
Ibrahim Pacha."
ROME.—The passports of the Austrian ambas-
sador were delivered on the 30th March. lie was to
quit home on that day.
_ _

GERMANY.

CHANGE OF THE AUSTRIAN MINISTRY.—
EPENDENCE OF HUNGARY.
PRUSSIA.—We have received our Berlin corre-
spondent's letters of the sth and 6th, together with
the Prussian and other German journals. The follow-
ing are the letters of our correspondeEßL nt :
BIN, Aram 5.
The presentation, yesterday, in the Diet, of a pro-
, ject of law for raising supplies either through an in-
crease of the taxes or through a loan, has caused dis-
-1 satisfaction in numerous quarters ; not that the
necessity for such a demand is contested—on the con-
trary, it is fully admitted, but that the Diet, in its
present form, is not competent to discuss such ques-
tions. It is urged that it would have been better for
ministers to raise supplies on their own responsibility
and afterwards to seek a bill for indemnity.
In the Diet this day the discussion chiefly turned
on two points: the disturbances prevailing in various
parts of the monarchy, and the national reorganisation
of the duchy of Posen. With respect to the former,
it is merely necessary to state that several members
, of the government that energetic measures
was promised—viz., the effecting it in a legal
and pacific way. The jant commission had done
manifest hereat.er.
wTedheb e sproject election
l laawpwuwt
waash stopineehx
diascsusenoiown.
ago was adopted with a few modifications of a
more popular nature; universal suffrage is now the
law of this kingdom. Moreover, a clause was
passed by which a deputy (Slellvertreter) will be
elected for each member of the Diet (to attend when
the latter is unable to do so), and candidates were
nextt
bruit
forwarded4s u c h
tanarchy
under
afew
days
exists in certain parts, and that the military had orders
to act with the civic authorities. It was stated also
that government was doing all in i.e power to alle-
viate the condition of the working classes ; that they
had replaced as much as possible the indirect duty on
flour and on meat by class taxation, and that the
woraing classes had confidence in ministers.
The second question, that of the national reorgani-
sation of the duchy of Posen, is deserving of more at-
tention.
The Minister of the Interior replied that the Poles
had not fulfilled the condition on which the reorgan-
isationtheir duty, and the fruits of their labours would be
declared eligible for any part of the kingdom, instead
of, as originally proposed, for their own districts
alone.
Commercial and monetary affairs continue to be
extremely depressed. All confidence has vanished.
Even the best bills on London cannot be discounted
or negotiated ; and I was informed this day, by one
of the most eminent bankers of this city, that no one
can tell what may happen iu a fortnight or so.
Parties desirous of drawing on London, even with the
understanding that they will not require the money
until it has been duly ascertained that the drafts have
not only been accepted but paid in the above city,
cannot get accommodation. I forward you the names
of two eminent bankers (Mr. Riley and Herr Schin-
dler, the latter Coutts's correspondent), who have
declined to give the required accommodation even
on those terms.
The accounts from Westphalia are alarming in the
extreme. All is complete anarchy there. Popular
tribunals are erected, before which persons in autho-
rity are summoned or conducted, and by which they
are not unfrequently deposed from their office. The
rich Jews and nobles are the chief victim, of popular
vengeance.
On the 29th ult. the Polish committee of Posen
issued their grand manifesto, which has been very
extensively circulated in this capital. Referring to
the proclamation of the German committee of the
26th ult., they state that in that proclamation they
miss the spirit of fraternity, and remark an insinua-
tion to the effect that the Poles are not yet ripe for
liberty. The proclamation proceeds to state that
during the last 80 years no people has made more
constant efforts than the Poles to obtain liberty, or
have furnished so many victims in its cause. The
Polish committee very warmly condemns the excesses
committed by some Poles, and promises to take
speedy steps to put a stop to such proceedings.
BEItLIN, Arum 6.
Considerable excitement has been observable all this
day amongst the working classes. The day labourers
have struck, and exercised some violence towards
their comrades who perform their work by contract.
About eight this evening numerous groups assembled
in front of the palace, and warmly discussed the
raising of wages and the shortening of the hours of
labour. About that time, also, the burgher guard
made their appearance in cons derable numbers, and
took up their station in the great courtyard of the
above edifice. The journeymen tailors have also
made some hostile demonstrations against the " ready-
made" shops. It is feared that there will be some
attempt to create disturbances to-night.
At a popular meeting last night, an address to the
King was agreed to in favour of direct election.
General Aschoff has been chosen commander-in-
chief of the civic guard.
Government is about to come to the aid of the
Royal Prussian Bank.
A deputation of Polish peasantry has waited on the
I Minister of the Interior in order to state that they are
desirous of remaining under German sway, and that
they shall take no part with the Polish nobles in their
present movement. Another Polish deputation from
Merseburg has petitioned the above minister to abo-
lish all existing feudal dues which press heavily on
the land.:,The ministry are in the daily receipt of
I addresses from the German inhabitants of the duchy
lof Posen. A German deputation at present in Berlin 1
has urged mini-tars to declare that the province of
Posen shall not be separated from the Prussian state ;
that the new institutions shall preserve the nationality
of the Poles as well as of the Germans, and secure
the religious freedom of all parties ; that all the pro-
ceedings of the national or Polish committee are ille-
gal ; that the reorganisation committee shall be dis-
solved, and only re-appointed when tranquillity is
restored in the province. Ministers are recommended
also to nominate a royel commissioner for the resto-
ration of order ; to reinstate the deposed authorities ;
to call out the entire Landwehr of the province ; and
to station troops in the various towns. Things, how-
ever, have gone too far to admit of a reaction on so
arge a scale, and it is more likely that some effective
steps will be shortly taken by the Prussian govern-
ment to promote the national independence of those
parts of the grand duchy where the Polish races pre-
dominate. Any retrograde step would be the signal
for a sanguinary contest.
It has been officially ascertained that the number of '
Russian troops on the frontiers of Poland and Prue-
sia is almost daily increased, and that they have
drawn nearer to the territory of the latter. Much
apprehension on that score prevails in Konigsberg
and throughout the province generally. It is now
certain that a great number of Prussian troops will
be placed along the frontiers.
The Berliner Zeitunye-Halle, of this evening, con-
tains several accounts of the present state of Ibsen.
It is stated in one, that military violence prevails to
a very great extent, and that 20,000 troops have been
concentrated in Posen itself, or the vicinity. It ap-
pears by the same journal that the notaries arc the
only busy people, and their employment consists in
protesting bills of exchange. The Polish committee
have thrown open the chase and the fisheries to all
persons indiscriminately. The garrison of Posen in-
cludes now 10,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry, with a
good supply of artillery. Meantime, the organieation
of a Polish national army is rapidly proceeding. All
kinds of weapons are distributed amongst the volun-
taries, and it is openly asserted that all these prepara-
tions on the part of tho Poles have iii view the
enabling them "to lead an army awaited Ruesia, the
enemy of all free nations."
The Schlesische Zeittilly (Breslau), of yesterday, eon-