The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-29 00:00:00

THE PEACE CONGRESS.

To the communication last addressed to us by
our own correspondent in Paris we again invite
the attention of our readers, as the source from
which to ascertain the most authentic intelligence
from this presumed seat, not of war, but of peace.
In the state of natural excitement which prevails
with reference to the ultimate solution of the
question which occupies the mind of Europe, and
indeed the world, it may be well to present in our
columns the various phases through which the
nation is regarded by other authorities.
We learn from the Express of last night that" no
serious apprehension is entertained that the Con-
ferences at Paris can prove abortive. Nobody,
however, will venture to say that peace is con-
cluded, until he sees it affirmed in black and white.
All the world are waiting to be assured of a fact
which in their hearts they must potently believe.
Men gather into groups, and whisper conjectures
about the delay in the announcement of
peace, and cannot settle to business until
it is published. The stockbroker pauses
in his speculations ; merchants hesitate to
give orders to the manufacturers ; the very Gas
Company of Paris postpones its arran,,..ements for
an illumination. Nobody will move till the mem-
bers of the Conferences set the example. ' The
Plenipotentiaries' carriages stop the way.' There
is nothing to alarm men in this state of affairs, but
it is excessively tiresome. If the Plenipoten-
tiaries would but let people know what they have
resolved upon, the world's business would resume
its wonted course."

Another writer communicates in his note of
Thursday evening this view :—" Without pretend-
ing to any knowledge of what passes within the
doors of the Congress, I believe I may now
announce with certainty that unless any event,
wholly unexpected by the French government,
should arise, peace will be proclaimed before the
end of the week. All the shopkeepers, and all
private housekeepers, more or less under the
influence of government, have received orders to-
day from the police to be ready to illuminate on
Saturday. Moreover, gratuitous performances are
ordered for Saturday at all the theatres. This fact
seems conclusive." May it prove so.

In the Journal de Debats of yesterday, the follow-
ing intelligence appears :—" Some secondary diffi-
culties are spoken of as delaying the denouement
expected by public opinion, and which a few days
ago appeared on the point of arriving. According
to a report seeming to possess a certain consis-
tency, although we are not in a position to
guarantee its correctness, it is foreseen to-day that
this incident will necessitate a prolongation of the
armistice. It is generally understood that the
difficulty in question consists of pretensions raised
in the congress by the plenipotentiaries of Prussia,
pretensions to which England opposes an insur-
mountable resistance, in which she would have the
other powers join. Nevertheless, this incident,
we repeat as confidently to day as yesterday, is not
of a nature to cause any anxiety, any doubt, as to
the final result of the negotiations. Peace is more
certain than ever."

If the prognostication of divines be calculated to
inspire confidence in the result of the Conferences,
a hope is induced by the subjoined narrative :
"The Archbishop of Paris gave a grand dinner yes-
terday (Thursday) to several of the plenipotenti-
aries—to all of them, in fact, who were not at the
same time dining with M. Billault, the Minister of
the Interior. After dinner the Archbishop made
a little speech, in which he said that next Sunday
was the festival of Quasimodo, a day looked upon
by the church as an especial anniversary of the
mission of the Prince of Peace, and that he trusted
the Congress would not pass over without giving
peace to Europe. The plenipotentiaries present
said nothing ; but they smiled, and their smile was
construed as a promise."
In anticipation of a pacific solution of the
difficulties which incommode the plenipotentiaries,
we are told that workmen are at present employed
in restoring the apartments at the Palace of Ram-
bouillet. Everything is to be completed within
the space of three months. Also, the old Hotel
des Chasses is being repaired, and a great number
of rooms are being arranged there for the persons
connected with the Imperial hunting stud, which
is to pass three months there every year. Stabling
is to be got ready for 130 horses. Itambouillet, it
will be remembered, was Charles the Tenth's
favourite hunting residence. It was there that he
took refuge after the events of July, 1830.

THE ARMY IN THE CRIMEA.

We have despatches dated from the camp before
Sebastopol to the 18th instant. One of the writers
remarks that, " notwithstanding the armistice, the
present has proved a busy week. On Monday one
of the Russian brigs, sunk in the creek which
divides the French from the English positions in
Sebastopol, was blown up, under the superintend-
ence of Mr. Deane, and on Friday (this morning)
we have had a glorious muster of the Allies on the
Tchernaya, to receive certain Russian authorities
at the Traktir Bridge, under a flag of truce. On
the three intermediate days there had been foot
races near General Codrington's head quarters,
theatricals in several parts of the camp, and balls
in others." The meeting of the Generals, to arrange
the armistice, took place on the 14th, and is thus
described :—" The Tchernaya was the boundary be-
tween the Allies and the enemy. On the near side
where the two tents were pitched, we observed not
only officers of every grade, but a lady on horse-
back, who was said to be a Mrs. Dalrymple, of
some family well known about John O'Groat's
house.

" The ground for the conference on the Anglo-
French side of the bridge was kept by the Zouaves.
Marshal Pelissier did not attend, but sent his chief
of the staff, Gen. Martimprey. Gen. Codrington,
Commander of the Forces, was present, with a
brilliant staff; and the Sardinian General in chief
and suite accompanied them. Part of the cortege
rode across the bridge, some few hundred
yards, to receive and escort the Russians
to General Codrington's tent. Some of
the Muscovites wore very striking uniforms.
They had evidently turned out on their best steeds,
and in their best attire. After crossing the bridge,
the generals entered one of the tents, remained
there a short time, and then adjourned to the other,
where, it is said, an abundant supply of champagne
and other good things had been prepared for them.
When the Conference was over, the allied generals
with their staff escorted the Russians back
again over the bridge."
Another correspondent describes the day as
having been raw, dull, and disagreeable, with a
sharp northerly breeze blowing, but nevertheless
a considerable number of English, French, and
Sardinian officers found their way to the bridge,
doubtless in hopes of a repetition of the canter of
the 29th of February ; but if that was the bait that
lured them thither, they were completely disap-
pointed. This time there was no scouring the
plain and gossipping with videttes; the aqueduct
was the limit where observance was enforced
by a chain of Zouave sentries patrolling to and
fro. A Russian picket was stationed at about
rifle shot beyond the river, along whose further
bank Cossack and dragoon videttes were posted at
short intervals. There was more variety in the
Russian troops this time than last; some of the
cavalry were in scarlet, and others in light blue,
and some wore the gray greatcoat. There was
nothing else of any interest to observe, and most
of the persons whom curiosity had led to the spot
soon grew tired of standing at the edge of a ditch,
and gazing at a distant handful of Muscovites, so
turned their horses, and tried to warm themselves
by a canter back to the camp.
Of the state and condition of the Sardinian
troops, the Times correspondent thus speaks :
" Independently of the military aptness and profi-
ciency evinced by the Sardinians, they have dis-
played qualities highly valuable and useful in civil
life, and the exhibition of which to other
nations (for which opportunities have been
given by this war) cannot but elevate them
in public opinion. They show much mechanical
ingenuity ; their things are all well made, and
at once durable and in good taste. Their dress.
accoutrements, carts, ambulance, horse-shoes, and
materiel of all kinds are excellent. Their farriers
are extremely good, They have abundance of
masons, plasterers, and other artisans in their
regiments, as is proved by the way in which
their huts, stables, hospitals, &c., are got up.
Their batteries, redoubts, field fortifications

.~*~"

of all kinds, and parks of artillery And
inspection°.
engineers, all bear the closest
In short, it is well known to all out her,
who have taken the trouble to inspect an„".
inquire concerning them, that General Deir,
Marmora's little army, which now numbers' t:
included, nearly 18,000 men, is a model that might
be studied with profit by many. Since its firs,
arrival here it has lost 1,500 men by death, a";
1,000 have been sent home. A very large Prop
tion of the deaths were from cholera, which 4Y° t
will remember bore hard upon them when iirs
they were in the country."
Marshal Pelissier had issued the following order
of the day : 'a
Soldiers,—A medal commemorative of the war in
the Crimea has been instituted by the Queer; 0
England. That August Ally of our Emperor
wished to decree it as a testimony of the estitnatl
in which she has always held so many fatigues 611ili
dangers shared with her own soldiers. YotlyNovutsr
receive this noble sign, which will testify 4911
breast the glorious and fraternal achieven3en 0
accomplished in twenty combats, and in a sieg
memorable for ever. I will
Re-entered into your families, this raoda-
commemorate in the most remote villages
alliance of two great peoples. .01
La Marechal de France, Commandant-en.Clll'
PELlssi,"'of
Our sappers are still pursuing the ly°r of
destruction in the docks. The large bloeks.ailt
valuable granite, and all those parts which 113'04
be rendered available in the future constructiol uor
similar works, are being broken up hY racinthe
explosions. The great terraces in front oiwch
barracks, and the wharves and storehouses "Inis
bound on one side the Karabelnaia port, still rettli"
untouched.
Drafts of men from England continue to 0011111:
up, and scarcely a day passes upon which tcio
camp is not once or twice enlivened by the 111, tii;
of the regimental bands, who go out to ParJds
welcome to their newly arrived comrades. Ifpwa'nd
of 3,000 have arrived during the last day or sotlt-a,
we are told that a far larger number are at IV131;1,0
about to embark for the Crimea. This the war"
organ sap., do€ s not look much like peace.
Snow is now (Friday evening) falling, t".'Tna
not heavily, and a strong and biting wind is blo%l/4,:`.--cii
from the north. The sky is overcast with t'llog
gloomy masses of grey clouds, and every th
,i
around wears again a bleak and wintry aspect.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE•

THE PEACE CONGRESS

PARIS, FRIDAY EVEN"Ia.
To-day there has been held another sitting of

the Congress.
It is agreeably stated that peace will be 0114el£111Y
announced on Sunday.