The Express.
London, England, 1861-04-09 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

RUSSIA AND POLAND.

The following is the text of the circular despatch
addressed by the Russian Minister of Foreign
Affairs to the Imperial legations abroad, relative
to Poland :
ST. PETERSBURG, MANCH 20 (Aram 1).

The reecript addressed by his Majesty the Emperor to
his Lieutenant of the Kingdom of Poland, has acquainted
you with the judgment passed by our august master upon
the recent events at Warsaw. In the consciousness of his
strength, and of his sentiments of affectiou for his subjects,
his Imperial Majesty has wished to see only impulsive en.
thusiasm in events upon which, seeing the street disorders,
a severer appreciation was justly deserved. A large scope
has been given to this enthusiasm in the repressive measures
which the authority had the power and the right to
take, in order to allow the agitation time to subside.
But the Emperor has not wished to restrict his
indulgence to these limits. The solemn act of
emancipation inaugurated by the manifesto of the 19th of
February, attests the profound solicitude which our august
muter devotes to the well-being of the peoples whom Provi-
dence has confided to him. Russia and Europe have seen in
it a proof that, far from evading or postponing reforms
demanded by the progress of ideas and of interests, his
Imperial Majesty takes the initiative and pursues it with
perseverance. Our august master extends the same aolici-
tude to his subjects of the kingdom of Poland, and has not
wished that a painful impression should arrest the come
of his generous ictentiotui.
The ukase, of which you will receive a copy, will make
known to you the nature of the institutions introduced by
the Emperor into Poland. The first is that of a Council
of State, largely admitting the indigenous element
by the adjunction of notables either not included
in the official hierarchy or invested with elective
functions. It gives the country the means of co-
operating in the administration of affaiss proportionately
to its interests. The creation of government and district
councils and of municipal councils, based upon the elective
principle, assures to local interests the power of self-govern-
ment. Finally, the ecclesiastical affairs and the affairs of pub-
lic instruction are entrusted to a special administrative com-
mission henceforth separated from the commission for
internal affairs. It will be able to submit to the govern-
ment the measures necessary to the development of
public education. By these different institutions, the moral
and material interests of the country rive new guarantees;
• legal expression is assured to its wishes and its needs, and
a place is left to the ameliorations suggested by experience,
the teachings of which will always be consulted within the
limits of the possible and just.
The practical results of these measures depend, however,
upon the manner in which the subjects of the Emperor in
the kingdom shall justify the confidence of which his Ma.
jesty has given them the proof.
The Emperor desires that that which he grants may be a
reality. His Majesty believes that he has fulfilled • duty
of conscientious solicitude in opening to the kingdom of
Poland a way of progress. His liveliest desire is to see it
maintain its position, and prosper. He firmly believes that
this result will be attained, if his intentions are appre-
ciated and seconded by the wisdom of the country.
Receive, &c., GOITCHAEOFT.

(armies Tazotaxs.)

ITALY AND SWITZERLAND.

The following diplomatic correspondence, re-
ferring to the assumption by King Victor Emma-
nuel of the title "King of Italy," haa been re-
ceived at Mr. Renter's office :

BERNE, INARcH 23.
To HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL

COUNCU.

Your Excellency,—The national Italian parliament has
pared a law which has been sanctioned by his Majesty the
King of Sardinia, in virtue of which Victor Emmanuel IL
assumes for himself and his successors the title of " King
of Italy."
By this act is declared solemnly, and according to the
constitutional forma of law, the re.orgaoisation of a nation
which will henceforth be recognised as such by Europe.
Possessing the sympathies of the most enlightened poo-
-1 plea, Italy now takes a place among the powers with the
confidence of becoming an additional element in guaranteeing
general order and security.
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Mani'
potentiary of his Majesty, in acquitting himself by
order of his government of the pleasing mission of notifying
this important event to his Excellency M. Kunst,'
President of the Federal Council, esteems himself happy
to be able to express his confidence that the sentiments of
the King's government will be reciprocated by the Federal
Council. Besides the many common interests which unite
tie two countries for the present and the future, he finds •
guarantee for this confidence in the magnanimous sentiments
of the Swiss people, who adhere so firmly to the principle of
independence, a principle on which the government of the
King is likewise founded.
The undersigned takes this opportunity, he.
(Signed) JOCTLAIT,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of King Victor
Emmanuel to Switzerland.

In reply to the above note the Federal Council
addressed the following to its Minister at Turin :

Sir,—TbeComruander Jneteau, by his note of the Zird
March, has informed us that the National Parliament has
passed a law, also sanctioned by the King of Sardinia, ac-
cording to which King Victor Emmanuel 11., has assumed
for himself and hia successors the title of "King of Italy."
In forwarding to you a copy of this note we herewith in-
struct you to be good enough to thank the government of
King Victor Emmanuel for that communication, and to ex-
press our satisfaction at the friendly sentiments expressed
byhis Majesty's government on that occasion towanls Switzer-
land. Switzerland on her part will not fail to loyally do her
utmost to maintain and strengthen, under the altered in-
ternational situation, the flimsily relations which have
hitherto existed between two neighbouring countries.
Accept, &c.,
(Here follow the signatures of the
members of the Federal Council.)

THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AND THE
PRIESTS.

PARIS, TUEBDAY.

The Mmtitear of this morning publishes a cir-
cular, addressed by M. Delangle, Minister of
Justice, to the Attornies-General (Prwarears-
Generaux), in reference to the catholic priests who
publicly discuss prohibited subject. either verbally,
OT in writing, and in the exercise of their func-
tions. The circular continues as follows :—" Some
of them,forgetting that a priest's mission is to watch
over the relkioun instruction of the faithful,
criticise the acts of the government, provoking
also mistrust and censure of the Emperor's policy.
Others attack the Sovereign personally, over-
whelming him with insults. Others trouble the
consciences of their Socks by the announcement of
imaginary misfortunes." M. Delangle recalls that
such abuses are amenable to Articles 201 and 204
of the penal code, which punish offences of the
kind with imprisonment or banishment. He also
recalls that although these articles have remained
unapplied they have lost nothing of their autho-
rity. "The government would fail in its
duty U it did not employ them against
such hostile demonstrations." M. Delangle con-
Icludes by charging the attornies-general to cause
accounts to be rendered them of any such infrac-
tions of the law, and when the facts are judicially
stated, to send their authors, whoever they may be,
before the competent tribunals. "It is time (says
the circular) that legality should re-assume its
empire."