The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-26 00:00:00

MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT DAVIS.

(From the Richmond Whig, May 4.)
The Message of President Davis, as was to be

supposed, considering the short time which has
elapsed since the adjournment of the last Congress,

is not a very large document.
The President, speaking ex cathedra, tells us that he sees
no prospect of an early change in the course heretofore pur-
sued by those (the European) Governments, In his words,
which are title enough and forcible enough to commend
them to every citizen of the Confederacy, " It is enough for
us to know that every avenue of negotiation is closed Igairs.t
us ; that our enemy is making renewed and strenuous efforts
for our destruction, and that the sole resource for us, as a
people secure in the justice of our cause, and holding our
liberties to be more precious than all other earthly posses •
sions, is to combine and apply every available clement of
power for their defence and preservation." On the sulPct
of the currency, the President refers to the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury. We infer that that officer will
ask Congress to relieve him of the power which he supposes
to be conferred by the existing law, of issuing currency to
the full amount of all received into the Treasury, either by
funding or exchange. It is very justly said that the cur-
rency in circulation, say 230,000,000 dols, on the Ist of July,
is ample for the business requirements of the country, and
that the addition of 200,000, 000 dols, would be attended by
disastrous effects, and would " produce a speedy recurrence
of the evils from which the funding law has rescued the coun-

try." We are glad to know that the Secretary takes this view
of the subject, and we hope Congress will do something to re-
lieve the unfortunate gentleman of thew eight of power which
so sorely oppresses him. We are likewise glad to learn that
the efficiency of our armies in the field is all that can be de-
sired—and "that the discipline and instruction of the troops
have kept pace with their improvement in material and
equipment.' Various recommendations, contained in the
report of the Secretary of War, are recapitulated by the
President, Among the subjects referred to are an amend-
ment of the law depriving officers in the field of the privi-
lege of purchasing rations; an increase in the allowance of
officers travelling under orders ; provision for invalid officers
resigned in consequence of wounds or sickness ; the tenure
of office of general officers of the provisional army ; the
organisation of the general staff of the army, &c. The
recapitulation of the recent successes of our army is suffi-
ciently encouraging, and we cannot, perhaps, do better than
quote the paragraph in which it is contained :—" The
recent events of the war are highly creditable to our troops,
exhibiting energy and vigilance combined with the habitual
gallantry which they have taught us to expect on all occa-
sions. We have been cheered by important and valuable
successes in Florida, Northern Mississippi, Western Ten-
nessee, and Kentucky, Western Louisiana, and Eastern
North Carolina, reflecting the highest honour on the skill
and conduct of our commanders, and on the incomparable
soldiers whom it is their privilege to lead. A naval attack
on Mobile was so successfully repulsed at the outer works
that the attempt was abandoned, and the nine months siege
of Charleston has been practically suspended, leaving the
noble city and its fortresses imperishable monuments to the
skill and fortitude of its defenders. The armies in Northern
_ _

Georgia and Northern Virginia still oppose with unshaken
front a formidable barrier to the progress of the invader ;
and our generals, armies, and people are animated by cheerful

confidence. There is a passage in the message deserving
more than casual notice. He calls attention to the fact that
the Congress, under the Provisional Government, held four
sessions, and the first Congress of the permanent Govern-
ment also held four sessions, and now the second Congress
under the permanent Government is assembled at the time
and place appointed by law :—" All these events have
passed into history, notwithstanding the threat of our
prompt subjugation made three years ago, by a people that
presume to assert a title to govern States whose separate
and independent sovereignty was recognised by treaty with
France and Great Britain in the last century, and remained
unquestioned for nearly three generations. Yet these very
Governments, in disregard of duty and treaty obligations
which bind them to recognise, as independent, Virginia and
other Confederate States, persist in countenancing by moral
influence, if not in aiding by unfair and partial action, the
claim set up by the executive of a foreign Government to
exercise despotic sway over the States thus recognised, and
treat the invasion of them by their former limited and
special agent as though it were the attempt of a sovereign
to suppress a rebellion against lawful authority,"

THE STEAM RAMS.—It is understood that the
Birkenhead steam rams intended for the Confede-
rates have been sold to the British Government. This
transaction will extinguish the hopes of those who hoped
that the approaching trial at bar before the full Court. of
Exchequer would have the effect of furnishing the ship'
owners of this country with an authorative exposition of
the Foreign Enlistment Act which might serve as a guide
for the future, But, on the other hand, the law officers of
the Crown may congratulate themselves d
that theyto have
attend got
rid of the difficulty and anxiety which
their efforts to overcome the subtle devices of Messrs. Laird
and other agents of the Confederates to
22 elude the law. The
purchase-money, we are informed, is .£O,OOO.
THE SOUTH WALES COLLIERS.—The men con-
tinue to remain in a very unsettled state, ana show
every determination to enforce their deman 1 fur another
rise of wages. In two or three of the Aberdare collieries
the hauliers Nape left in a body, and in others the men have
determined to strike unless their demand is complied with.
The Masters' Association have resolved not to allow the de •
mand, and have taken measures to prevent the men who
have left their work getting employment in any of the asso
elation collieries. Steps have also been taken to support any
master whose men may strike. Altogether at the present
time there is a greater probability of a strike than has yet
been the case.

" A measure should be at once submitted to the
Legislature to limit the duration of the act to a
definite period, not exceeding, I think, two ye ars
from its original enactment—a period long enough
to allow for the necessary inquiries respecting the
extent, situation, and justice of the forfeiture, yet
short enough to relieve the conquered party from
any protracted suspense, end to assure those who
have adhered to us that there id no intention of sus-
pending in their case the ordinary principles of law.
" The aggregate extent of the forfeiture should
be at once made known, and their exact position as
soon as possible.
" A commission should be constituted for the
special purpose of inquiring what lands may pro-
perly be forfeited. The members of this commission
should not be removable with the Ministry, and
should be so chosen as to guarantee a fair and care-
ful consideration of the matters brought before
them.

" It should be clearly understood that your own
concurrence in any forfeiture is not to be considered
as a mere ministerial act, but that it will be with-
held unless you are personally satisfied that the
confiscation is just and moderate.
"And here I must observe, that if in the settle-
ment of the forfeited districts all the land which is
capable of remunerative cultivation should be
assigned to colonists, and the original owner, the
Maori, be driven back to the forest and morass, the
scene of injustice, combined with the pressure of
want, would convert the native population into a
desperate banditti, taking refuge in the solitudes of
of the interior from the pursuit of the police or
military, and descending, when opportunity might
occur, into the cultivated plain to destroy the peace—
ful fruits of industry. I rely on your wisdom and
justice to avert a danger so serious in its bearing on
the interests of the European not less than of the
native race.

"Turning to that part of the law which authorises
the dispossession of persons who have not been in-
valved in the recent rebellion, I have to observe
that although her IM);j'sty's Govetement admit
wieh regret that tlie nature of the native
tenure riti sowntimcs r,niir.:.• it unavoidable
that ienecent pcn:ons should be a eprived of
their lands, they consider that land should
not be appropriated against the will of
the owners merely because it is 'in the
same district with rebel property, and may
conveniently bo used for purposes of settle-
ment, but only in cases where loyal or neut.-ell
natives are uafortunate enough to be joint owner::
with persons concerned in the rebellion, or because
it is absolutely required for some purpose of defence
or communication, or on some similar ground of
necessity. But every such case of supposed neces.
sity should be examined with the greatest care and
admitted with the greatest caution and reserve.
" The compensation to be given to persons thue
dispossessed is properly by the Act itself made thee
subject of inquiry in an open court ; but the sth.
section of the Act ought to be so modified that the
powers of the court may not be limited in any
manner which would prevent its doing complete
justice to the claims of every innocent person, or
extending reasonable consideration to those whose
guilt was of a lees heinous character, a class which,
in the varying temper of the New Zealand tribes.,
is probably large. I trust that, in accepting any
cession, or authorising confirmation of any forfeiture
of land, you will retain in your hands ample power
of doing substantial justice to every class of claimeal
for restitution or compensation.
" Finally, when you have taken all the powers,
and received all the cessions which you think neces-
sary for the satisfactory pacification of the islands,
you will do well to accompany these measures of
justice and severity by the announcement of a
exceptedunoen whodin g have
settlers, be
general amnesty, from which those only should be
or
like
i n
otffheenmurdersoffences
o f
a
of e
heinous and strictly exceptional character. In order
to mark as much as possible the discriminating
character of British justice, the exception from the
amnesty should not be couched in general terms,
but should recite one by one the specific outrages
which remain unpardoned.
" Subject to these cautions and conditions, and in
fall confidence that you will act on the general
principles which I have before laid down (and in
which I anticipate your cordial concurrence), bar
Majesty's Government are prepared to leave in your
hands the power with which you have been entrusted
by the Legislature of the colony."
Regarding the loan, the Colonial Secretary ob-
serves, that of the £3,000,000, £1,000,000 is alloted
to the expenses of the war, £200,000 to repay an
Imperial debt, £200,000 to compensate Taranaki
settlers, and the remainder—the bulk of the loan—
in the main to the settlement of the country. Go.
vernment recognise the colonial war expenses as
exceptional, and are willing to propose to Parlia-
ment to extend the guarantee of £500,000 already
promised, so as to cover the farther increased
debt of the colony to the Imperial
Exchequer, and
however, that an Imperial guarantee is
and they do not consider the land to be
securityape
corgnonpsiiedr
rr consider,
payable out of current revenue. They
,
not property applicable to the purpose of settling
of such
on which the guarantee of Parliament
u
value as materially to add to the
col
given. The omission of this sum would
reducect °heid b°
:Y'
the
loan withih narrower limits, and he
promises
to consider and write on a future occasion
how far the New Zealand revenue, pledged by the
Act, may justify Government in increasing the
proposal they
have promised to make to Parlia.
wens. In conclusion, the Colonial Secretary inti-
mates that at the close of the year. when the pre-
sent arrangement for payment of a merely nomi.
nal contribution try the colony for war expenses
terminates, herNlejesty'sGovernment, is guarantee.
ing a large loan, will require a much more adequate
contribution from the colony to the Imperial
Exchequer.

EXTENSIVE JEWEL ROBBEllX.—Yesterday infor-
mation was received by the police that the house of
Mr John Fleming, 15, Upper Hyde Park-gardens, Bays•
water, had been plundered of gold watches, diamond rings,
broocheg, gold chains, and a cabinet of American and Mexi-
can gold and silver coins. The thieves eaoaped with their
booty, valued at £l,OOO, and though a reward of £l5O is
offered jor their capture at present they remain at large.

Es tablished 1837.
RITANNIALIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY
B 1, Princes-street, Bank, London.
Empowered by ,Special Act of Parliament, 4 Viet. cap. 9.
Every description of Life Assurance business transacted.
ANDREW FRANCIS, Secretary.

ti
JOYAL ITALIAN OPERA,
Covent-garden.
From this time until the end of the season there will beur
fo
ODera nights in each week, viz., every aThsy,
Thursday, and Saturday.
Extra Night.
Mdlle. Lucca; Madame Didiee. M. Faure ; Signor Graziani ;
Signor Mario.
THIS EVENING (Thursday), May 26, will be per-
formed. for the second time this season, Gounod's Opera,
FAUST E 3IARGHERITA. Mar herita, Italie. Pauline
Lucca, her second appearance in that character in England ;
Siehe , Madame Didiee ; Marta, Mdlle. Anese ; Mefisto e e,
H. Faure ; Vale.,tino, Signor Greziani ; Wagner, Signor
Taglifico ; and Faust, Signor Mario, his second appearance
in tilt character.
Conductor, Mr. Costa.

Commence at half past Eight.
Pit tickets, 7s. ; amphitheatre .ta is, 103. rd., 75., ar.d ss.
had
;
mphitheatre. 2s. rd. Boxes, stalls, and tickets may be
a t the box-olac under the portico .)f the tilea re, which is
open from ten to live, and at the principal musicselkrs' and
librarians'.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
GRAND EXTRA. NIGHT.
FIRST TIME OF LES HUGUENOTS.
TO-MORROW EVENING (Thursday , 3,1 ay 26, will be per-
formed, first time this season, Meyerbeer's Grand Opera,
LES HUGUENOTS.
Signori Givaltni, 31arcel o Junes, S,ntley, Gassier, Bassi,
Casaboni, Manfredi, 3lariotti, and Tavella; Mdlie. Louise
Ltebhardt, 3ldlle. Trebelli, and 2dcille. Miens.
Conductor, Signor AR DI ri.
In the Incidental Ballet, Grand Pas de Deux, lildlle. Cata-
dna ,Ber_tta and Sig. Anamaturo.
---

Saturday 'Next, FAUST.
Grand 3.loraiug Performance, Wednesday, June lst.-
FAUsT.

Notice.—In active . preparatio-, Beethoven's FIDELIO.
Leonora, by Male. Ti (her first appearance in that cha-
racter;.

Commence at Half-past Eight o'clock.
Pit Tickets, 7s. ; Reserved Box Seats, 10s 6d. ; Amphi-
theatre Stalls, ss. and 7s. ; Gallery, 2s. 6d. ; Private Boxes, in
th, Upper Circle, 21s.
Box Office of the Theatre open daily, where places may be
secured ; also at Mitchell's, Bulb's, Lacon and Oilier's, Bond-
street ; Leader's, Opera Colonnade ; Sam's, St. James's-
street, Cramer, Wood, and Co.'s, and Nammond's, egent-
street ; Keith, Prowse, and Co.'s, Cheapside ; and at Chappell
and Co.'s, 50, New Bond-street.

TIER MAJESTY'S THEATRE,
ONE GRAND MORNING PERFORM.A.NCE.
WEDNESDAY, June 1.
Gounod's celebrated Opera,
FAUST.
Ti. lens, Trebelli ; Sant!ey, Gassier, Giuglini.
Conductor, Signor ARDITI.
Doors open at Half-past One. Commence at Two o'clock.

firHEATRE ROYAL HAY M ARKET.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.
THIS EVENING. THE BALANCE OF COMFORT.
Mr. Howe and Miss L. Angel.
After which, DAVID GARIIICK. Messrs. Sothern,
Chippendale, Buckstone, Rogers, Clark, Weathersby, &a ;
Mesdames Snowden, Nelly Moore, Fitzwilliam.
After which, the new Easter piece, entitled VENUS AND
ADONIS. Messrs. Compton, Wm. Farren, Coe. Arc. ; Mes-
dames Louise Keeley, Snowden, Nellyi'ower, Hill, Wright,
Ito4ers, &c.
To conclude with MRS. WHITE. Mr. Compton.
Commence at 7.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter.
Mr. FECHT ER will perform HAMLET THIS EVENING
'THURSDAY). Claudius, Mr. Emery; Polonius, Mr. John.
Brouham ; Ghost Mr. G. Jorn : Laertes, Mr. C. Vanden-
hbff ;g Ho. atio, Mr., J. G Shore; First Gravedigger, Mr. H.
Widdicomb • Osric, Mr. F. Charles ; Messrs. W
WM'lntyre,
F. Merton, Raymond, Moreland, Clifford, Edmonds, all
bank, Collett; Ophelia, Miss Rate Terry ; Actress, Miss 31.
llemade ; and Gertrude, Miss Elsworthy.
The Scenery painted by Mr. W. Telbin.
Notice.—The doors open at half-past 7, and Hamlet com-
mences at 8.
Box Office open daily from Eleven o'clock till Five.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—
Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS' EVENING, THE COMED OF ERRORS. The
Two Dromios, by the Brothers Webb.Y
Alter which, THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. Louis
and Fabien del Franchi, Mr. Vining ; Chateau Renaud, Mr.
Walter Lacy.
To conclude with BORN TO GOOD LUCK. Paddy
0 ' affer y, Mr. Dominick Murray.

Nem THEATRE-R0 YAL, ADELPHI.
Sole Proprietor and Manager, M:. B. Webster.
Last Week but two of the Great Tragediene, Miss Bateman,
in the character of LEA a.
THIS EV ENIN G,an apropos „Sketch, SHAKESPEARE'S
HOUSE: Messrs. J. L. Toole, R. Phillips, Stephenson.
Af er which, at 8, LEAH: Miss Bateman, supported by
Messrs. A. Stirling, it. Phillips, Biiiington, Stuart, Eburne,
Stephenson ; aars. Bidington.
4i-mclude with T AREA.
r. BELLE
slid Messrs. J. L. Too:e,
Bedford, it. I,omer, Mi ss Woolgar, d Mrs. 11. Lewis.
Commence at 7.

ISS BATEMA N.—L E A H._THIt,
EVENING and EVE EY EVENING —Miss Bateman
will appear in her great impersonation of the Jewish
ma den further notice In urder o give due effect to
t:.is most remarkable success of the se son, ea ire y new
scenery by the celebratPu artists Messrs. 1 ,anson and ons,
Thouipscn. New dr, ss,s and appo ntments have be, n
prepare'l for its productio.l.—N. is. In consequence of the
iiressing and numerous applications at the Box-offl_R, ar-
migement,, have now been made by which Seats m,y be ob-
tained a Fortnight in Auvan, e.

Commence at 7.

ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. under the
Management of Mr. B. WEBSTER.
Crowded with rank and fashion.— The highly successful new
Comedy, by Dim Boucicault, Esq., every Evening.
Be-engagement of those ce ebrated and popular artistes, Mr.
ani Mrs. Charles Mathews.
Amongst the artists engaged will be found the copular
namesßDiaMill Webster, Mr. Charles Mathews. Mr.
Frank Matthewse, Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. a. Clarke, Mr. Paul
Bedford, Mr. F. Robinson, Mr. Ashley ; Mrs. Chas. Mathews,
Miss Herbert, Mrs. Frank Matthews, Miss 11. Simms, Mtss
A. Cottrell, Miss Fanny Josephs, Miss Patti Josephs, Miss
Wentworth, and Mrs. Stirling.
EVERY EVENING, at 7, A DAY AFTER THE
WEDDING. Miss Herbert.
At a quarter before 8, an entirely new and original Comely
in 5 acts, by Dion Boucicault, entitled
M TFHE
rank M FOXatthews
CHACE.
Characters by Mr. Charles Mathews, r. .
Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. F. Robinson, Mr. Ash ey, Mr. W. Cham,er-
laine ; Mrs. Chas. Mathews, Mrs. Frank Matthews, and 3liss
Henrietta Simms (her first appearance here).
At 10, OUT OF SWEET OUT OF MIND. Mr. Charles
Mathews and Mr. Frank viatthews.
To conclude with SHAKE HANDS : Mr. J. Clarke ; Miss
Fanny Josephs.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. IV. A. Swanboroug,h.
THIS EVENING, TURN HIM our•
Followed by THE MAID OF HONOUR. miss Ada
Bwanborough.
Atter which, MAZOURKA. Messrs. Honey, James,
Fenton, Turner, dzc. ; Marie Wilton, bimpson, &c.
To conclude with TIMOTHY TO THE RESCUE. Mr.
T. Thorne.