The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-01 00:00:00

" I AM' NOT A MAN, I AM A MAJOR."

Such was th 9 frensied and boasted exclama-
tion of Major Greig to one of the police
force on Sunday week. Had there been nothing
eke to complain of respecting the Head Con
stable than this exhibition of vanity and
undue pomposity, we, as journalists,' would
have treated the affair with supreme indifference.
Such, however, is not the case. Our paper of
yesterday contained the report of a charge of assault
preferred by ono of the police constables against
Major Greig. We have read over the case made out
by the plaintiff, and also the Major's reply, and,
notwithstanding the decision of Mr. Mansfield,
consider that John Stewart, the complainant, has
been ill used, that Major Greig has been shielded
from the consequences of an unjustifiable act,
and that to effect this our worthy stipendiary,
overlooked facts and misconstrued the law. It was
proved that Major Greig used insulting language,
and accompanied that language by physical force,
" be the same more or less," in order to compel
the complainant to do a certain thin °. within a
certain time. The Major does not dispute the
testimony of Stewart on this head, but he avers
that on his ordering him to proceed to the other
end of his beat. Stewart did so " very slowly,"
and then he, the Major, called out " Quicker,"

Quicker,'' and afterwards used his " little
switch" in a manner that would, as our reporter
satirically remarks, " only frighten a fly from the
head of a netted poodle," The Major considers
that if he cannot use his " little switch" as
described, he does not see much- safety for him-
self Or his officers.

Such is the complaint of police officer Stewart,
and such is the Major's answer thereto. Let us
now see whether there was an assault committed
or not. Both " common" and " statute" law regard
all acts of physical force employed by one person
to compel another to perform any particular thing
as illegal, and designates that illegality as an
assault. The effence of assault is divided into two
classes, "common" and "aggravated." Inasmuch
as no member of the body was injured in Stewart's
case, the Major's offence was only a " common
assault'' Helifted his hand and struck the policeman
repeated blows They may have been, as the Head
Constable deselibed them, lightand insignificant; at
the same time physical force was employed to
compel police officer Stewart to perform the bidding
of the Head Constable, and, therefore, Major
Greig's act was illegal, and a common assault was
committed. The doctrine broached by Mr. Mans-
field about the police being semi military, had
nothing to do with the fact of au assault having been
committed. His remarks implied, that as the
Colonel of a Regiment, nay, even a drill sergeant,
can use the cane against erring soldiers or dull
recruits, so can the Head Constable of Liverpool
wield his " little switch" and inflict blows, light or
heavy, upon the members of the police force under
his command. This is not law—it is impolitic and
it is unjust. Mr. Mansfield should remember that
the " mutiny act," and the "articles of war,"
give most extensive powers to command-
ing officers, in order that military dis-
cipline and subordination may be enforced and
maintained. A sulky look has, before now, subjected
many a poor soldier to the tortures of the cat o'
nine tails, and an angry word has added imprison-
ment to that, but after trial by court-martial,
regulated by the Mutiny Act, and the conviction
and punishment thereon, authorised and carried
out by virtue Of the "articles of war." The conduct
of policemen is subject only to the civil tribunals
of the•ltind. There is no "mutiny act " to
regulate the offences of policemen, no " articles
of war" to authorise their receiving treatment
in military style, nor anything in the several
Acts of Parliameat constituting and organ-
ising the police force of the United King-
dom to warrant any Head Constable, although he
is a " Major," to drive his officer before him in a
manner that the • taskmasters of Egypt. would
have hardly dared to have inflicted upon the
Children of Israel, when under the unrelenting
and inhuman treatment of the hard hearted
Pharoah. Mr. Mansfield's law about semi-
military police is untenable, and his remarks
about " intention" are equally inadmissable. For
it is evident from Stewart's statement, the
accuracy of which the Major does not question,
that the latter was in a " towering passion," and
the silly and ill-judged declaration which he
made, " I am a Major and the Head Constable," at
once shows that passion had got the better of his
reason, and led him to the execution of an act not
only indecorous in the eyes of society, but
decidedly illegal, and detrimental to the preserva-
tion of discipline and subordination in the force
over which he presides.
Passing over the question of assault, we cannot
help thinking that this faux paux of Major Greig
demonstrates that, as the Head Constable of
Liverpool, he is not—" the right man in the right
place ; " that his conduct towards his men is over
bearing, and, as in the case of Stewart, well calcu-
lated to provoke a breach of the peace. This is
not the first instance in which he has proved his
incapacity for the office he holds, by the ebullition
of an uncontrollable temper. His foray on the
Exchange flags showed that a passionate disposi-
tion was one of his besetting sins, and that, there
fore, in giving way to such outbursts of temper, he
not only degrades his office,but sits an example to
the force which must act injuriously, and induce
the public to regard it with something akin-to
contempt. It is all very well for Major Greig
to explain away the charge, by saying
ho merely laid his " little switch " upon
the policeman's back. The very fact of
doing so was an insult. In a force like that of
the Liverpool police, there are many high bred
spirits;—men whose earlier years were marked with
much independence, genteel society, and the
companionship of iufluential and respecta-
ble personages. A rdverse of fortune has
brought them into the police force, still they
do not, they cannot, forget former times ; their
early feelings and principles still cling to them,
and hence they will not brook insult, such as that
offered to Stewart on Sunday week. He may have
been one of the very class to which we allude, and
I hence the great danger of conduct such as that
• with which Major Greig was charged No one
can over-estimate the importance of the Liverpool
police force. They are the local guardians of our
property and lives. Their duties are onerous, and
very often delicate and difficult. The movements
of the midnight burglar, the robbing garrotter, the
pilfering thief, the quarrelsome drunkard, and the
designing swindler, form the main part of their duty.
To do this efficiently requires men of honesty of
purpose, of firmness of character, courage, and
perseverance. Allow Major Greig to use his " little
switch" as he did on Sunday week, and you convert
the Liverpool police force into something bordering
upon Austrian military despotism. Spirited and
independent men will feel disgusted with the
calling, and regard the policeman's baton and
whistle as emblems of social degradation.
Nothing but the scum of society will seek admis•
sion to its ranks—insubordination will ensue, and
those who should protect us from the baneful exer-
cise of all the vicious propensities of the characters
alluded to above, become indifferent. Society will
be dispirited, crime and outrage prevail, the laws
trampled upon with impunity, and nothing but
social chaos the ruling order of the day. If then
such consequences can result from the mismanage-
ment of the police force, it is time for the Watch
Committee to give the matter their earnest
consideration. On them rests a tremenendous
responsibility. The Committee will see
in the evidence given by Mr. Bridewell-
keeper Wilson, something well calculated to startle
them. In fact, he positively refused to say any-
thing as regarded the Major beyond a few parti-
cular words, notwithstanding the fact that he
had sworn to tell the "whole truth." For the present
we leave this painful affair. We regret that any
man, clothed with the authority possessed by
Major Greig, should act as he has done, but
jaiging from the past, we cannot have any confi-
dence for the future. Brutality and unnecessary
severity on the part of the police, we have
reprobated, and conduct on the part of their
chief, bearing on it the impress of insult and
tyranny, we must as loudly condemn, and shall
not be deterred from exposing, until a complete
reformation is effected. There is another branch
of Major Greig's public conduct to which we shall
take an opportunity of referring on an early oc-
casion.

COMMEJ?CIAL RETROSPECT OF THE

PAST YEAR.

We have now to number the year eighteen
hundred and fifty six with the past. It has taken
its flight, and we have entered upon its successor,
1857. It may be interesting to our numerous
commercial readers, if we take a retrospective
glance of the year now closed, as regards the
several matters of trade, commerce, and finance.
And first, as regards monetary affairs, we have to
remark that, during the past year, they have
manifested unusual fluctuation and perturba-
tion. Changes have occurred witieN marked,
in strong and distinctive characters, the
nature of the events which hare influenced the
public mind. In the early part of the veer we were
engaged in active hostilities with Russia, and
although we necessarily experienced
some of those
restrictions on our trade and commerce inseparable
from a state of war, we were nevertheless fi eed
from the pressure on all classes of the community
which former wars had inflicted, and do not there-
fore experience that depression which was at one

time anticipated. A sudden and comparatively
unanticipated return to peace was calculated td
inspire much animation, and this, no doubt, would
have increased, had not the greater part of the
spring been consumed in the negotiations. The
advance of the season, and the subsequent dispo-
sition to wait for the results of the harvest,
assisted, in a measure, to limit business, the
position of the Money Market, and the high
rates previously current, being a consideration
with those who proposed to extend their trans-
actions. A short period of ease, accompanied
by a return to a 'lower minimum., created confi-
dence; but just as the advantages of the altered
condition of affairs were beginning to be appre-
ciated, another variation, as starling as the first,
ensued, which has since produced much agitation
and confusion. Commerce has consequently again
bead imperilled, and from the progressive advance
in the terms of accommodation, it has been neces-
sary to exercise great prudence in the enlargement
of engagements. Happily, however, and in the
face of adverse contingencies which few could
have possibly contemplated, the severe ordeal of
another money crisis has been passed through
without compromising the general stability of trade:
or occasioning important mercantile disaster.
During the month of January, the report of a
treaty of peace with Russia, although not gene-
rally relied upon gave greater buoyancy to the
English Funds, and the value of Console began to
advance. When the news was definitively
announced on the 17th January, by electric tele-
graph, that Russia had unconditionally acceded to
the proposals of the Allied Powers, there was an,
immediately marked alteration in all classes of
English Securities At that time there was much
pressure in the Money Market ; but the announce.
resent of a Conference at Paris, and the hope that
peace would be speedily matured, led to less unea-
siness. The next great circumstance exercising
influence upon the trade of the country was the
progress of the Conference. Just about this time
a new cause of alarm was temporarily created by •
the threatening aspect of our political relations
with America. But these apprehensions speedily
subsided when it was ascertained that war with
Russia would shortly be concluded. A circum-
stance of importance, which.. was attended with
most discouraging revelations, now occurred. The
drafts of the Tipperary Joint Stock Bank were
dishonoured, and, in the course of a few days,
the directors gave notice of an intention to Wind
up its affairs in the Irish Court of Chancery. Pre-
viously to the immediate dissolution of the Bank,
John Sadlier, than M.P. for Sligo, committed
suicide; which led to the discovery of his extensive
and nefarious transactions; and even to this time
they still occupy the attention of the public, as
evidenced by the recent run upon the Irish banks:
In the middle of February a new loan of eight
millions sterling was announced, At that
time the aspect of financial affairs, although not
unsatisfactory, could scarcely be considered
favourable, the tightness of money. was augmented
from the absence of arrivals from Australia, while
the payments on the loan and other engagements
tended to create a more than usual demand for
general accommodation. Still there was no visible
reaction in Public Securities, and the Peacei
Conferences having opened at Paris, and an
armistice being at once agreed to, a further advance
occurred in quotations. Towards the latter end of
March, the directors of the Bank of France having
reduced their rate of discount from 6 per cent:, at
which it had stood from the 18th October, to 5 per
cent., greater ease was looked for ; but the adminis-
tration of the Bank of England still hesitated make
concessions even to the extent of equalising their
rates, maintained at 6 and 7 per cent. One reason
was, the incipient mania, and the expectation that
the government might still require additional
assistance. On the negotiation of the last loan, the
feeling was expressed that the treasury authorities
had only asked for partial aid, believing that they
might be enabled to obtain any further supplies
on more advantageous terms when a peace was
definitively concluded. In this they were not mis-
taken, and the public were waiting with the view
of arriving at an estimate-of what might in reality
be required. The directors, with such prospects
in view, considered themselves justified in abstain-
from interference with the general rates of money.
As 461 advanced the pressure for accommodation
was not urgent, while the variation in quotations
was unimportant. In the early part of May, the
Chancellor of.the Exchequer made his financial
statement in the House of Commons, exhibiting
the affairs of the country in a much more flourish-
ing condition than had been expected, con-
siderable reductions having been effected in the
army and navy estimates. The influx of specie
at this period, from the Antipodes and America,
assisted to impart a better feeling and the Bank
directors being apparently satisfied with general
affairs, conclud ed the preliminaries for a redac-
tion in discounts by equalising the late high rates,
and on the 22nd they modified the terms for bills,
having more than sixty days to run, from 7 to 6
per cent. for all classes of paper. Such was subse-
quently the confidence that prevailed, owing to
the prospects of the harvest, and other incidental
influences, that on the 20th they made a
further movement, and reduced the rate- to
5 per cent. It was about this period that
fresh difficulties arose between this country
and the United States, respecting the Cen.
tral American and Foreign Enlistment Questions,
but the pacific tone of the Premier's speech in the
Commons, and that of Lori Clarendon in the
Peers, tended to allay any uneasy feeling. The
continued increase in the bullion,and the numerous
arrivals of specie from abroad, caused greater
abundance of capital, and the directors once more
reduced the minimum to 41 per cent. In June some
few failures of trifling moment took place, the
Spanish ministry resigned, and then an insurrec-
tion ensued, which was soon quelled; these cir-
cumstances. however, did not exercise any material
effect. Parliament afterwards was prorogued.'
With regard to the position of monetary affairs, the
drain of bullion to the Continent occasioned some
degree of alarm ; but as it was expected that the
Australian supplies would relieve the difficulty,
there was only partial apprehension. The position
of the money market was, in ordinary respects,
satisfactory, but the existence of an impression
that a Russian loan was about to ho negotiated,
caused some reaction in Public Securities, and
the market quietly receded. During August
the exports of specie began to be large, and as the
weather was not of the most encouraging character
—this, with the failures of some banking establish-
ments, caused uneasiness in Monetary circles.
In the early part of September;the results of the
harvest having been less satisfactory than was
anticipated, a sudden and unfavourable alteration
took place. The demand for accommodation was
not excessive, and it was felt that any enquiry
could he fully satisfied, but the continued absorp-
tion of silver for remittance to the East, and the
steady advance which now took' place in the rates
of discount by the Continental State banks, indi-
cated the upward tendency in the value of money.
The stoppage of the Royal British Bank, with its :
enormous frauds, and the litigation which it was.,
evident would at once be commenced between the
shareholders and the depositors, heightened, if
possible, the excitement which ensued ; and the
Banks of Belgium, Prussia, and Frankfort, having
each respectively enhanced their rates, the dispo-
sition of the public to regard, with apprehension
the future course of events was considerably
strengthened on the 25th when the Bank of
France publicly announced that its rate of dis•
count had been raised to 6 per cent. The pressure
for money, which had increased during September,
was sensibly experienced at the beginning of
October ; and this may be readily concluded when
the directors of the Bank of England at a special
meeting resolved upon raising the rate of interest
from4l t,) 5 per cent. The commencement of a
res_trienvo policy was what the public anticipate.i,
and sieve between the Ist and 6th the batik
uirectors again elevated the rate from 5 to 6
rer cent for bills of 60 days, and 7 per cent
tor those of Jonger date, it was perceived that
they were determined to maintain a position
which • could not be 'interfered with by the
other Continental Money Markets. Through the
stringency in all departments of trade, the authori-
ties of the Bank of England, on the 14th October,

iannounced their intention of not granting loans on
Stock for a longer period than seven days; and
When the pressure further increased, they declined
altogether any such assistance, and limited their
transactions of this character exclusively to
Exelleeser Bills. Such alarming measures as
these naturally had a depressing effect upon the
various denominations of Stocks; and a question
was raised whether the Bank of France would be
reduced to the desperate alternative of submitting
to a suspension of specie payments. November
brought some abatement in the pressure that had
been prolonged with such intensity during the
Preceding two months. As the month
wore on' the Gazette returns of the Bank
of England assumed a more encouraging
return to ease would be shortly apparent, a consi-
derable advance took place in Consols, and as the
month progressed, other descriptions were also
ourably influenced. The failure of Messrs. Fox,
Henderson, and Co.. of Birmingham, had been
announced ; and this, followed as it was by the
discovery of frauds and forgeries committed by
Leopold Redpath, the registrar of the Great North.
ern Railway Company, partially interfered with
the general buoyancy. Nevertheless, the prospect
of Monetary affairs was considered more favourable,
end the mouth closed with a decided tendency to im-
provement. The bank directors, encouraged by the
easier state of the MoneyMs rket,and the cessation of
the'exports of the precious metals to the Continent,
have, within tho last fortnight, been enabled to
reduce the rate from 7 to 6 per cent., and were it
not for the unreasoning panic which has been ex-
hibited in Ireland from the rumoured insecurity
of the National and other banks, there can be
no doubt that a further alteration for the better
would be imminent. Taking everything into con-
sideration, and marking the year's events, the
results of the peace have been of a favourable
character, and should no new political embarrass-
Monts arise, the advent of 1856 may be regarded as
altogether promising.
Next in importance to money are the movements
of the Cotton market. The alterations in money
during the year have not had much effect upon this
trade. At the same time at no former period did
it afford results so much at variance with previous
experience, or so different from general expecta-
tions. At its commencement a crop of unusual
magnitude, coupled with a large residue of that
immediately preceding left no doubt as to the
supply from the United States, and from Ist Sept.,
1855, to 30th August, 1856, the receipts into the
ports of that country amounted to 3,527,000 bales.
Exhausted stocks iu Europe were lost sight of in
the face of the supplies supposed to be more than
enough permanetitly to establish a low scale of
Prices, whilst other circumstances, such as the
continuan-ce of war, the high value of money, and
a ..generally unprofitable trade, were all considera-
tions tending to confirm the almost universal belief
in a year of cheap cotton. These hopes have been
completely disappointed ; the great American crop,
as well as average supplies from other countries,
have all been absorbed, at gradually advancing
prices, higher, indeed, in American, with the
exception of the year 1850, than any of the previ-
ous ten years. In the annual statement issued
yesterday, Messrs. Wrigley and Sou say :
No former period in the history of the trade shows so
strongly the necessity for energetic measures for the produc-
tion of more cotton, and that its culture should be encouraged
wherever it is possible. India is most hopefully progressing,
and wise legislative efforts, where there is room for them,.
should be directed to develope rapidly the capabilities of
that
offer c
thountry. All other climates suitable for its production
e great disadvantae of want of cheap or organised
labour, without vidich the expectation of any supplies at all
commensurate with the wants of this country must be very
remote. India possesses every requisite of labour, land and
climate, and the great improvement in the quality produced
the last two years may be taken as a promise of further
Progress in the right direction. From the Brazils and
Egypt 'the supplies do not contrast favourably as to quantity
with those of last year, but without any considerable
decrease ; the prices paid for these descriptions have
'offerel fair grounds for the expectation of a large
growth. , and it is not unreasonable to look for a
material. excess of import from these sources
during the ensuing year. The prospects fer the year 1857
hold out but little encouragement for the expectation of low
or even moderate prices, as it seems to 6e generally admitted
tht:t the present crop of the United States will be below
that of Lost year, though how much, is more ,than usual sub.
ject Pf conflicting opinion, So far this season the transac-
tions in the various ports of America have been at a cur-
ret,cy far above the average of late years, and show the
paramount importance attached to the supplies from that
country, and the fears of its being inadequate, The prices
now current in every important cotton market are highly
stimulative of increased production, and so remunerative as
to diminish apprehensions of scarcity, and soon lead to
larger proportions of the various growths reaching this
entry. Looking at the future from the present level of
Prices, these facts deserve the cautious consideration of every
consumer.
.According to the same authorities the prices of
middling cotton was quoted yesterday as follows :-
13,,,wed, 6 5-16, Mobile, 6 5-16, and New Orleans,
z.. being an advance of 11-16 on Bowed, 9 16 on
'l\l"bile, and a per lb. on Orleans. We refer to
another column for details of the import, stock in
hand, &o, yesterday.
Positthe The Foreign and Colonial produce markets of
United
Positi Kingdom have been in a satisfactory
faion during the year, articles used for manu-
cturing Purposes have shown a tolerable increase
lit value, as article compared with the last year. In the
of sugar, our import for the year 1856
cwte g
amounted to 6,316,781 cwt, and in 1855 to 563,747
o,iving au increase for the present year of
l
_,679,334 cwt. The home consumption is slightly
ess than in the preceding year, but not of an
amount to call for particular notice. Coffee has ex-
perienced a slight reduction both in the amount en-
tered for home consumption and the quantity
imported, there being 400,000 cwt. less imported
than in 1855, and 82,575 .cwt. less consumed. In
Tea, however, a sensible advance has occurred, the
imports having increased 8,019,548 lbs, though
the home consumption is rather less. Prices of
all Colonial Produce, despite the heavy national
expenditure, have been generally moderate, and
transactions, taken throughout the year, have
shown a considerable firmness in the markets.
The only articles which show any material fluctua-
tion, are those of Sugar and Saltpetre, the former
of which may be traced to two or three causes.
The first of these. is the speculative character
hich has for the last two years pervaded the
Sugar Trade, and the illusive aspect it gives to the
market. The second is the fears which have been
entertained regarding the future supply of Sugar
from the Colonies, and the apprehension that the
cultivation would retrograde, instead of advance in
sufficient proportion to meet the increased require-
ments. For this year, however, we think. there
is no reasonable ground, for, as demand increases,
so do fresh resources spring up in all quarters
of the globe. The third and most pernicious
influence arises from the differential duties on
Seger; at present there aro four separate classes
of duties—the refined and candied bearing a duty
of 11 per cwt, white clayed 17s 6d, yellow Muscovado
and brown clayed 15s brown Muscovado and
inferior qualities 13s 9d, and Molasses 5s 4d. Not
only does this state of things open the door to a
vast amount of adulteration, but it causes a con-
siderable variation in price in each class of Suger.
We will take Havannah yellow for an example : In
January, 1856, it was quoted at 41s Od to 44s per
ewt ; in February its marked value was 34s to 36s
6 1; in June it again rose to 40s 6d and 42s 6d
and in December it reached 47s 6d and 49s
111. This may bo also taken as a fair specimen of
the fluctuations occurring in the otherthree classes.
To the foregoing remarks we may add that textile
and' other manufactures also evidence an increasing
stability, and throughout the known world British
manufactures of all kinds are increasing in demand,
The exports of cotton manufactures exceed those
of 1855 by 114,630,449 yards. Thread, stockings,
and other descriptions exhibit an advance of almost
one third. Linen manufactures have increased in
demand during the present year 25,753,060 yards.
Linen yarn is enhanced in export by 4,610,351 lbs,
acid silk manufactures show an increase of
207,610 lbs. This calculation will graphically
idustrate to our readers the present and probable
permanent prosperity of our manufacturing dis-
tricts, and the consequent improvement in our
financial condition as a nation.
•

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FR ONCE.
PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING

The Bourse opened with not much more anima-
tion than yesterday, and prices slightly declined.
Prices were firmer at the close, but the Rente closed
with the slight fall of 5c both for cash and account,
the last prices being 66f 55e and 66f 55c, Mobilier
fell 10f. Railways were without any noticeable
change.

It is very confidently asserted that the project of
a new railway bank, which the Council of State was
induced to put on one side in consequence of the
strong opposition of the Credit Mobilier Society,
will shortly be brought forward again in a sitting
of the Council, at which the Emperor will preside
in person. _ _

The Moniteur publishes a decree appointing M.
de Belleyme, first President of the Tribunal de
Premiere Instance of the Seine, to be councillor
at the Court of Cassation, in the room of M.
Pataille, who retires ; and M. Benoit-Champy,
advocate and member of the Legislative Body, to
be President of the Tribunal de Premiere Instance,
in the room of de M Belleyme. M Benoit-Champy,
it may be remembered, was the advocate officially
appointed to defend Pianori, and who, according
to a very general opinion in the Palais, allowed his
horror of the crime to prevent him from urging
those points which many barristers woul I have
felt it .their duty to submit in defence of their
client.

The Phare, of Cherbourg, 'relates another in-
stance of a Russian sailor having been flogged to
death off the coast of France, in addition to the
one which has been already recorded as having
occurred on board the Orloff. The Phare says :
" While the Russian squadron was at Cherbourg,
it was rumoured that a sailor belonging to the
Viborg was flogged for a robbery, and that he died
uhder the punishment. It appears that, according
to the Russian penal maritime code, this barbar-
ous punishment is frequently inflicted for the
most trifling offences."
The Moniteur of yesterday publishes a report
from M. Billault, the French Minister of the In-
terior, asking a credit of 3,000,000 f. (120,0001.) for
public works in the provinces. The report is fol-
lowed by au imperial decree approving the report
and granting the money. The report says :
The object in view is not so much to give charity
to the indigent out of work as to provide labour
where it may be wanted this winter, and to lessen
by charity, carefully distributed, that heavy dif-
ference between the price of food and the amount
of daily wages.
The Nord says :—" As some of the London
journals continue to affirm that Russia will not
receive any compensation for Bolgrad, we are
desirous that our remarks on the subject should
not be misunderstood. We repeat, therefore, that,
in principle, the indemnity which it has been agreed
to !give to Russia is not accorded for Bolgrad,
which is given to Moldavia without compensation,
but for the Isle of Serpents and the Delta of the
Danube ; and the concession which Russia makes
of Bolgrad will be taken into consideration
to determine this territorial indemnity. This
indemnity, moreover, is not in itself of any
importance for an empire so vast as Russia, and we
believe that France had insisted on that indemnity
in order to prov,e the justice of the remonstrances
of the Russian plenipotentiaries against being
made responsible for the errors in the French maps
which had been made use of at the Congress of
Paris."

" The Russian government," says a letter from
St. Petersburgh, in the Debats, " has despatched to
its representative in the commission for the deli-
mitation of Bessarabia an order to hand over at once
to Moldavia the territory on which the commission
have already come to an understanding. The
population of this territory is supposed to comprise
160,000 souls.