The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-30 00:00:00

THE LONDON DEPUTATION AND THE

FRENCH EMPEROR.

PARIS, MONDAY ArmßNooN.

The Emperor received this morning the deputation
of London merchants charged to express the desire
of their fellow-citizens for continued friendship with
France. The reception took place at the Tuileries,
in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
and two of his colleagues. Sir James Duke intro-
duced the members of the deputation, Messrs. Mas-
terman, Glyn, Barclay, S. Gurney. Dent, W. Glad-
stone, Fowles, and Sir Edward N. 13uxton, Bart.
Sir James, previous to presenting the numerously-
signed document with which he was charged, ad-
dressed the Emperor in the following terms :

" Sire—We have the honour and the gratification to ap-
pear before your Majesty, for the purpose of presenting to
your Majesty, and to the French nation, a declaration from
the cciamercial community of the metropolis of the British
Empire, embodying the sentiments of amity and respect
by which they are animated towards their brethren of
Frazee.
" The

which have called forth this decla-
ration being fully stated in the declaration its,..4f, bearing
the sign of upwards of 4,000 of the merchants,
bankers, and trader' of London, we have only to add the
expression of our conviction that this document conveys at
the same time a faithful representation of the feelings of
the people of England at 'arse.
" In conclusion, Sire, we beg to express to your Imperial
Majesty our fervent hope that, under your reign, France
and England may be slew united in a friendly and mu-
tually beneficial intercourse, and that from the friendship
of these two great nations, results may ensue favourable to
the pesos of the world, and the happiness of mankind."

Sir James then read the following address:

" We, the nedersigned merchants, banker,, traders, and
others, of London, feel ourselves called upon at this time
publicly to express the concern with which we learn,
through various channels of information, that an impression
exists In the minds of the people of France that feelings of
an unfriendly character are entertained towards them by
the people of England.
" We think it right emphatically to declare that we believe
no each feelings exist on the part of the English peoplie
towards the people of France. We believe the welfare o
both nations to be closely interwoven, as well in • mu
tually advantageous and commercial intercourse as in a
common participation in all the improvements of art sad
soignee!

• joni ng in the reflection that nearly forty years have
paned since the final cessation of hostilities between France
and England, we record our conviction that European
wan should be remembered only to be deplored, for the
sacrifice of life and treasure with which they were attended
—the hindrances they interposed to all useful enterprise
and social advancement—the angry and unchristian feel-
ings wbich they provoked in their progress—and the heavy
financial burdens which they left behind them at their
close—considerations which supply the most powerful
motives to every individeal in the European community,
to avoid, and to oppose, by every means in his power,
whatever may tend to cause the rec of such evils.
.. We desire to remark, that if in that expression of
opinion on public questions which the press of this
country is accustomed to exercise, it is found occasionally
to sixth with apparent harshness xf the goverment'• or the
institutions of other states, the same is not to be understood
in a spirit of national hostility, or as desiring to give offence.
We feel that with the internal policy or mode of govern-
ment which the French nation may thick good to adept for
itself, it is not for British subjects to interfere, further than
heartily to desire that it may result in peace and happiness
to all interested therein.

We conclude this declaration, by proclaiming our earnest
desire for the long continuance el cordiality end goodwill
between Frenchmen and Englishmen—our determination
to do all is our power to uphold the same--and our fervent
hope, that the inhabitants of both nations stay, in future.
only vie with each other in cultivating the arts of peace,
and in extending the sources of social improvement, for
their common benefit."

His Majesty thus replied in the English language:
" Gentlernen,—l am extremely touched by this manifes-
tation. It confirms me in the confidence with which the
good sense of the English nation has always inspired me,
'During the long stay I made in England, I admired the
liberty she enj2ys—thanks to the perfection of her institu-
tines. Nevertheless, at one period last year, I feared that
public *Onion was misled with regard to the true state of
France, and her sentiments towards Great Britain. But
the good faith of a great people cannot be long deceived, and
the step which you now take is a striking proof of this.
" Ever since I have held power, my efforts have constantly
tended to develop the prosperity of France. I know her
interests. They are not different from those of all other
civilised nations. Like you, I desire pesos ; and to make
it sure, I wish, like you, to draw clew the bonds which
unite our two countries."

Sir James Duke then presented the members of the
deputation individually to the Emperor, and his Ma-
jesty conversed with each of them in the most friendly
way. The declaration and signature* fill a sheet of
parchment 92 feet in length. Amongst the signa-
tures are those of Mr. klasterman, M.P., director of
the East India Company; Sir James Duke, Bart.,
M.P,; Mr. Challis, M.P., Lord Mayor; Alderman
Thompson, M.P., chairman of the St. Catherine's
Docks; Mr. Hankey, jun., governor of the Bank of
England; Sir Isaac L. Goldsmid, Bart.; Mr. Samuel
Gurney, Mr. W. Gladstone, Mr. R. C. L. Bevan, Mr.
T. Baring, M.P., Mr. Joshua Bates, Mr. C. Baring
Young, Sir R. P. Glyn, Bart., Mr. G. Carr Glyn,
M.P., Sir E. Buxton, Bart., Mr. G. Moffatt, ALP,
Mr. Samuel Oregano, M.P., chairman of the
China and East India Association, Mr. T. W.
Weguelin, governor of the Russia Company,
Mr. Cattley, chairman of the London Dock Com-
pany, Mr. J. D. Powles, Mr. Travers, Mr. Cave,
chairman of the West India Association, Mr. Robert
Hawthorn, chairman of the East and West India
Dock Company, Mr. J. P. Kennard, Mr. A. Han-
bury, Mr. It. Pally, Mr. T. A. Hankey, Mr. J. La-
bouchere, Mr. J. Capel, Mr. R. Cunliffe, Mr. J.'
Boner, Mr. C. Duff Gordon, Mr. J. G. Fry, Mr. P.
Rolt, M.P., Mr. Salmons, Mr. P. F. Robertson,
M.P., Sir J. Easthope, Bart. ; Mr. Smith Travers,
Alderman Moon, Mr. C. F. Huth, Alderman Hunter,
Sir J. Hall, Kat. ; Mr. Arch. Hastie, M.P.; Messrs.
Longman, Brown, and Co.; Mr. I. Montefiore, Mr.
Sadleir, M.P. ; Mr. R. Keating, M.P. ; Mr. Kinnaird,
M.P. ; Alderman W. Cubitt, M.P.; Mr. J. Braith-
waite, Mr. Brocklehurt, M.P., etc.

The deputation then retired. Its members speak
highly of the courtesy and good-will with which they
have been received is Paris. To-morrow they are to
dine with the Emperor in the private apartments of
the Empress at the Tuileries.

Letters from Bayonne, of the 23rd, announce the
safe arrival of the Coantess de Montijo thus far on
her journey. She had been waited on by the civil

and military authorities of the town, and had been
serenaded by the band of the 35th Itegt. The Queen
of Spain has given orders that throughout the whole
line of road from Irun to Madrid the moths! of the I
French Empress should be escorted by a ',lard of I.
honour.
A shocking tragedy has occurred at Lyons. On
Friday last M. Emile de Vauxonne, president of the
Council-general, president of the Municipal Commis-
sion of Lyons, and a judge of the Imperial Court
there, went to the shop of M. Gobert, a gunmaker,
in the Rue St. Dominique, with a brace of pistols,
which he desired to have repaired. While explaining
the defects in the pistols he tried the lock springs
several times, holding the hammer with his thumb,
and letting it down gently upon the nipple.
Presently the hammer slipped from his hold, the
pistol went off, and M. Gobert, who was close to the
muzzle, fell, exclaiming, "I am a dead man." He,
however, rose almost immediately, and managed to
walk into an adjoining room, where his cries for
help . alarmed his wife, who immediately uttered
'piercing screams. The unfortunate M. de Vauxonne
completely lost his presence of mind, seized the
other pistol, which was also loaded, and shot himself
dead on the spot. This event has caused an immense
sensation in Lyons, where the deceased was a man
of great influence, and extensively known. His
precipitate self-inflicted expiation of an involuntary
offence is the more affecting, since it appears that
M. Gobert has merely received a flesh wound in the
breast, and is in no danger.
A return has just been published, showing the
money value. according. to an approximative esti-
mate of the whole materiel of the war department
on 31st December, 1631. The following us a reca-
pitulation :
Franca.
Central Administration
Military Justice
Provisions 13,600,356
Firing and lighting
Hoapitah
Clothing
Camp materials
Military bedding
Military equipages 3,425,817
General " lternoute "
Cavalry equipments
Forage
General war depot 2,949,370
New Map of France
Artillery
Engineers 17,246,675
Military schools 1,793,387
Invalids 1,826,619
Government of Algeria 238,558
Indigenous Service in Algeria 29,565
Maritime Service in Algeria
Provincial Administration in Algeria
Financial Service in Algeria
Colonisation Service in Algeria
Civil Works in Algeria
Powder and Saltpetre

General Total 460,427,661
On the 31st December, 1830, the general total was
448,857,481 f. Thus the increase during the year
1861 was 11,570,180 f.
Marshal St. Arnaud is reported to be so far con-
valescent as to be able to examine the map of Kaby-
lia. The fact of his choosing such a subject for
vacation study, is a pregnant confirmation of the
opinion I expressed when the Marshal left Paris that
he would not return as Minister-at-War. Ho is
fully expected in Africa to head a grand expedition
against the Kabyles, for which the movement of
General Ileibillon upon Batna, which I lately
noticed, is understood to be merely a preparatory
step.
It is said that some Arab chiefs were lately pre-
sented to Prince Napoleon, as the future head of the
government of Algeria. There is a very general im-
pression that a decree, appointing him to that post,
will appear in the Moniteur within a few days. On
the other hand, some people say the Prince will
make a tour in Africa, to make himself acquainted
with the country, and cultivate popularity with its
inhabitants, betore he is intrusted with its govern-
ment.
The inauguration of the Emperor's tomb, in the
Invalides, was fixed for May 3, the anniversary of
his death, but as that day this year will be Ascension
Day, it has been decided that the ceremony shall
take place on the 4th. Tho Emperor and the im-
perial family will, of course, attend, and deputations
from every corps of the army and navy will come to
' Paris on the occasion.

- -
SWITZERLAND.