The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-04 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(r3Ol ova ows coaasaporman.)

PARIS. MONDAY Evv.iNO.

Although a telegram by the Atlantic cable, dated
Nov. 30, contradicts the occupation of Matamoros
by United States troops, I have not the least doubt
that the fact is true. The occupation, extremely
displeasing to France, is at this moment the subject
of warm despatches between Paris and Washington,
and I understand that the Washington cabinet,
' being hardly pressed for explanations, has gone so
far as to say that General Sedgwick's occupa-
tion of Matamoros will be disapproved of
if it shall turn out to have occurred under the cir-
cumstances reported from New York. This hypo-
thetical disavowal of a fait accompli will not, I take
it, have any great practical result, more especially
if it be true, as I hear, that General Sedgwick jus-
tifies the step he took as one necessary to protect
American subjects from pillage.
The Liberte contains the following paragraph as
" Latest News" :

If we may credit the information communicated to us
the American President's forthcoming message will not
be so moderate in regard to France as the latter power
would be entitled to expect, for the Mexican expedition
of 1861 ought not, in justice, to efface the recollection of
the French expedition of 1781, and the treaty of recog-
nition of 1778. We will therefore hope that the news
which reaches us is, if not erroneous, at least exaggerated.
I had to-day in my hand the gold medal pre-
sented by French democrats to Mrs. Lincoln. It
was struck by M. Franky Magniadas, of Geneva,
and is a beautiful work of art. The bust of Mr.
Lincoln is, I am assured by one who was his private
secretary, the best likeness of him ever cast.
Around this portrait are the words ; " Dedi4 par
la Democratie Frangaise h Lincoln, President deux
foie crlu des Etats Unis." On the other side is the

following inscription : " Lincoln, honneto homme,
abolit l'esclavage, r4tablit l'union, sauva la rpub-
lique, sans voiler la statue de la Libert4. Il tut
assassin' le 15 Avril, 1865. Libert4, Egalite,
Fraternite." _

Father Hyacinthe, now perhaps the most fashion-
able preacher in France, delivered his first Advent
sermon of the season at Notre Dame yesterday.
The cathedral was as full as it could possibly be.
He professed to believe in the compatibility of po-
litical and civil liberty with the catholic faith ; but,
at the same time, expended a great deal of elo-
quence in favour of the temporal power.
The settlement at the Bourse was effected very
quietly. Rente closed with a rise of 10c. for
cash, and a fall of sc. for account. In other secu-
rities there is little variation.

Professor Oppolzer, the famous Vienna doctor,
has left for St. Petersburg to give Princess Dagmar the
benefit of his medical advice.

Reference was made a few days ago to a report
that a 30 per cent. export duty had been imposed at
Bucharest. It is now stated tbat the Board of Trade
have asoertained, upon inquiry, that the export duty
imposed is 3 per cent in place of the old 4 per cent. duty ;
but that, from a system of arbitrary valuation of articles
of exportation, the duty has been raised on wheat under
the new tariff from 4 piastres, at which t 4 stood last year,
to 5 piastres, and the duty on maize from 2 32-40 to
4 26-40 piastres.