The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-20 00:00:00

FRANCE.

extent.

The oldest officer of the French army is at present
Colonel Dubois-Fresney, Knight of St. Louis, and
Commander of the Legion of Honour. He was
born on the 2d August, 1758, and is consequently
above 106 years of age. He resides at Laval. For
some years he has been quite blind, but be retains
all his mental faculties, and takes great interest in
all passing events. He has his journal read to him
every day, and converses gaily with the persons
who visit him. The venerable colonel's eldest son,
colonel of Engineers, is second in command at the
Artillery School of Metz.
The decision of M. Dump, Minister of public
Instructior, to create a chair of Political Economy
at the Faculty of Law in the capital is exceedingly
well received by the Paris journals, some of them
even expressing a wish that the Hon. Minister had
gone farther, and established such professorships
generally. The Temps has the subjoined observa-
tions on the subject The Hon. Minister lays
stress upon the fact that the country is prepared
for this new teaching, and that public opinion de-
mands the generalisation of it. M. Daruy, to ex-
plain why ho has not proposed the foundation of a
professorship of political economy in each of the
schools of law, excuses himself by declaring the
insufficiency of the vote for public instruction. Is
there not reason for profound regret that the popu-
larisation of a science thus officially classified, and
untoitlity,
withoutshou ijdusbtieceim, apmedoendg
byt A miserable questionhe sciences of primary
of money ? France possesses already two chairs of
political economy—one at the College of France,
accessible to all, and the other at the School of the
Pontes-et-Chaut ess, reserved for the pupils of that
establishment. To create a third is certainly a
matter of some importance; but in foreign coun-
tries there are hundreds open to the public, and
this truth has long -been understood that the study
of healthy economical ideas is not less indispensable
to the working classes than to the young men des-
tined to supply the Liberal professions."
BOURSE, Sept. 19,—The market has been rather
more animated, and the business done shows a
slight advance on the closing rates of Saturday.
Threes, for the Account, are now at 65f. 95c.
• Mobilier have improved to 1,0121. 50c. Railway
Market quiet, hut former quotations generally well
maintained. The market closed as follows :

Italian Loan 67 90
Do. end month 6B 05
Ditto Threes —
New Mexican
Russian •
Austrian
Spanish Threes.. •
Debt
Deferred
WM.
Cash. Account.
Orleans BBB 75 .. 895
....•
Northern .... 9BO .. 935
Lyons and Mediterranean 926 25 .. 930
Southern ...... 635 637 60
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lowbard
North of Spain
Saragossa 490 .. 490
Ditto to Barcelona , 207 60 ~

41 per Cents .. 92 40
Do. end month....
3 per Cents
Do. end month 66 05
Credit Mobilier 1021 25
Do. end month 1023 75
Bank Shares 3390
Credit Fancier 12,0
Roman

(Per French steamer Estramadure via Bordeaux.)

BUENOS AYRES, Aug. 12.
The political state of the Argentine Provinces is
steadily undergoing a material improvement. Peace

reigns throughout the nation, and the various Go•

vernments in the interior display the greatest

anxiety to aid industry and immigration,
The Federal Congress is still sitting in Buenos
!tyres, and has had many measures of importance

before it during the past fortnight. Nothing of
material interest has been discussed.
The winter is nearly over, and the sheep farmers
are preparing for shearing. The season has been
remarkably favourable. The total amount of wool
for this year grown in the province of Buenos Ayres

[l3 estimated at from 95,000 to 100,000 bales, equal
La about 87,500,0001 b.

Cotton, indigo, sugar, coffee, tobacco, and wheat
might be grown in this province to an unlimited

The Catamarca gold mines are said to be working
well, and great enthusiasm prevails.
Affairs are going on better in Kioja, and the new
governor's popmarity is increasing.
Sales of produce—Cow hides, dry, realised 112
to 114 dole; sheep skins, 160 to 190 dols ; and dry

horse hides, 42 dols. Merchants regard with favour
the project of the Government to make a loan, as
the only plan for redeeming the paper currency.
The amount of exchange by the Estramadure is
about £lOO,OOO sterling.

CAPTURE OF TACUAREMBO.
Advices from Porongos inform us that the
rebels under Moyans made an attack on Darezno,
which was defended by Colonel Pizard ; and the

garrison fought with great bravery, the fate of the
town not being decided up to latest dates, 6th
inst. The assailants had suffered heavily. At the
same time another column, under Perez and
Valiente, awaited reinforcements to make a descent

on Porongos, but the garrison was determined to
give the filibusters a warm reception.
The latest news from Rio Negro, sth inst., re-
ports Mercedes strongly garrisoned, and Major
Larravede was making entrenchments to defend
Fray Bentos in case the Colorados attempted to
surprise the place.
General Aloreno's despatch relating the fall of
Florida treats that reverse as a subject of glory for
Government arms and of disgrace for Flores. The
garrison was composed of 51 National Guards, 17
policemen, and 12 pensioners. The Florida In-
fantry Battalion and National Guards were absent
on camp service. General Flores attacked the
town with 800 horse and foot on the 4th instant.
Major Parraga made a gallant defence for eight
hours, killing 11 officers and several soldiers of the
enemy. Among the former were Colonel Faustino
Lopez and Venancio Flores (son to the general),
besides 50 wounded. At length the garrison. being
nearly all killed, Major Parraga surrendered, and
Flores caused him and three other officers to whom

quarter had been given to be at once shot. Faustino
Lopcz's son, instead of demanding vengeance for
his father, generously interceded for one of the

officers, and- saved his life. The rebels at once
proceeded to sack the town, and great enormities
were perpetrated ; two women were killed and
several children wounded, and a shop belonging to
Sor Priato was burnt down because the garrison
had planted a battery on the azotea. It is not true
that young Flores was murdered after the fight,
but the rebels accuse Parraga of having shot an
officer bearing a flag of truce. _

Colonel Orrego's despatch, 31st inst., gives a fu
account of the capture of Tacuarenbo. That to ivn
was held by a band of Colorados, who occupied the
Pin and the adjoining azotea roofs. At 2 p.m.
the troops were led on to the attack in five columns,
Captain Benavides commanding the left, Lieute.
nant Bilcha the right, Lieutenant Arevalo by the
Calle Real, Captain Senociano by the Gefatura, and
Orrego and staff by the Commandancia. The ad-
vancing bodies were met on all sides by a sharp
musketry fire from the barricades. Arevalo suc-
ceeded in forcing his way into the Plaza, but was
unable to hold lals ground unaided, and was cora.
pelled to retreat, his horse being killed under him.
Captain Benavides fared in like manner, having
two horses killed, but neither of these columns lost
a single man in the fight. The infantry, under
Senociano, pushed on valiantly, and drove the
enemy from their position behind the Azambnya
barricade; after which all the other defences were
easily reduced, except that of Chucaro and the
Police barrack, in which the rebels were strongly
barricaded. Senociano, with his infantry, held his
ground till 6.30 p.m., under a raking fire from the
above positions, which seemed impregnable. He
pulled down the Colorado flag from the Comman-
dancia, and, having received orders from Orrego to
retire, he drew off his men in order, leaving ten of
the enemy killed and several wounded. The storm-
ing forces had none killed and but one soldier badly
wounded. The commander speaks in high terms of
the valour of his men and the brilliancy of the
exploit, although it will be seen that the rebels
remained masters of the place.
Advices from Monte Video say :—The Envoy
Saraiva, not finding the Government disposed to
make satisfaction for the Brazilian claims, was on
the point of leaving Monte Video probably to carry
out the menace of reprisals, when President Aguirre
requested him to delay his departure ; it is said
he gave but one day for deliberation, and that
probably the Government would yield to his
demands. A change in the Ministry of War
was caused by the resignation of General Lemas,
and General Andrez Gomez, a personal enemy
of Flores, was appointed as successor. General
Servando Gomez was said to be named to take com-
mand of the army in room of Lucas Moreno, who
seems to have been dismissed : the former was to
leave for head-quarters on Wednesday, attended by
Col. Aparicio. We do not hear what became of
Senor Oribe, Chief of Police at Colonic, who was
sent to the capital in irons. Col. Piris had orders
to proceed to the country. The officers shot by
Flores after the surrender of Florida were Major
Parraga, Capt. Sotelo, Lieuts. Hinchaurbe, Ibarra,
Bosh, Castillo, and Silva, It was rumoured that an
English officer commanding the artillery had also
fallen a victim. It seems Flores was enraged at the
loss of his son, killed in one of the three charges
sustained by the garrison before its fall.
A decree, dated the 9th inst., complains of the
apathy and reluctance displayed by the National
Guard in doing garrison duty in the capital, and
orders all citizens, under pain of arrest, who may
not be enrolled, to present themselves within 48
hours at the Commandancia.
• The Brazilian war steamer Paranabiba arrived
from Rio ; and three others—the Marin, Recife, and
Hajaby—were to follow; so that the imperial navy
in Monte Video would present a formidable force.
The Russian frigate Alma left Rio to join the
Variag at Monte Video, en route for the Pacific, but
was obliged to put back in a damaged state, owing
to a heavy gale she encountered.
The Spanish corvette Vencedova is said to have,
received orders to proceed:to the Chinchas, in rein-
forcement of Admiral Pinzon.

FoREsTs ON FIRE.—A letter dated Sint de Ste.
Marie, Aug. 15, says :—" Extensive fires aro raging
in the woods—fires which, in a long acquaintance with the
Lake Superior country, I have never known to be exceeded
since 1810. They extend a great distance in the interior.
A trader from the neighbourhood of Le Clos, on Georgian
Bay, says the country for 00 wiles back is in a blaze. The
destruction of timber and fur-bearing animals is very great.
The last item will interest your lady leaders, who will feel
the effects of the fires in the enhanced price of their furs.
It is difficult to comprehend the extent of these conflagra-
tions, Imagine districts out of which States—nay, accord-
ing to the European standard, kingdoms—might be formed,
blazing and smoking away at a rate which would defy the
united fire departments of Christendom, The spectacle, at
least those detached portions which oame within the reach
of vision, is very grand, Mountains are in flames, distin-
guishable by the pillar of fire at night and the cloud of smoke
by day. The very lakets seem to be in the same fervid con-
dition, for the wind drifts the smoke in vast masses over
their sut face, presenting the appearance of a day fog.
The outlying farms have suffered in some instances very
severely, and, however beautiful the traveller may re-
gard it, the fires are a great and costly calamity-.-Chicago
77 ibtrne.

The Swiss Co:

,ty with France.

(REUTER'S EXPRESS.)

BERNE, SEPT. 17.
The cantons of Lucerne and Uri have sent in a protest to
the Federal Council against the competence of the Federal
authorities to conclude a treaty with France binding all the
cantons without such canton being specially consulted. A
member of the committee of the National Council, Council-
lor Philippin, has also brought in several amendments

limiting the report of the committee recommending the
acceptance of the treaty. Opposition upon a far greater
scale has been raised in the canton of Aargau. A petition
sent in thence to the Federal Council stigmatises the treaty
as a breach of the Swiss constitution. The petitions begins
as follows :

" The question at present raised is of the acceptance or
rejection of various treaties, drawn up and agreed upon
between the Federal Executive and the French Government,
and of which the commercial and immigration treaties
appear the most important. These conventions are in many
respects at variance with the Federal Constitution, and en-
tail therefore an alteration (revision) of the fundamental law
of the Confederation. An alteration of the Federal Con-
stitution can only come into force when agreed upon by a
majority of Swiss voting cantons and accepted by a majority
of the cantons (Act 114 of the Federal Constitution.

" In the message of the Federal Council the Acceptance
of the above-named treaties is advocated, and the commit-
tees of the National Council and the Council of Estates also
support their ratification, without the requisite revision of
the Federal Council taking place, and without the opinions
of the Swiss people being asked in the matter.
" The Federal Constitution and the Swiss people are
therefore threatened with the serious danger of the former
being infringed and the latter deprived of a clear and
admitted right. In face of this danger we have recourse
to Art. 113 of the Federal Constitution, by which 60,000
Swiss eitizm voters are entitled to demand that the
question of a revision of the Federal Constitution
be laid for decision btf ore the Swiss people. Taking our
stand upon this right, we solemnly dissent from the pro-
ceeding proposed in the message cf the Federal Council
with reference to the conclusion of the treaties with France.
We distinctly demand that the proposed treaties be sub-
mitted to the course laid down by the Federal Constitution,
and be so settled. For this purpose we demand a revision of
the Federal Constitution and submission to the deciding
majority of the Swiss people.
"In case cf treaties being concluded without the requi-
site revision, and without being submitted for determine•
tion to the Swiss people, we solemnly reserve in advance
the sovereign rights of the nation, and in future make in
that case a definite demand for revision of the Federal Con-
stitution.

"We trust that at least 50,000 Swiss citizens will be
found to unite in this reservation, and in both our demands
for revision,"

The German Catholics.

WURZBURG, Sept. 16.—The General Assembly of
the German Catholic Associations closed its sittings
in this town yesterday. Its labours have resulted
in the five following resolutions :-
1. The Assembly declares it to be the duty of the Ger-
man Catholics not to allow themselves to be surpassed by
the French and Belgians in the sacrifices to be made for the
Head of the Church, and recommends the faithful to take
part in the Pont fical loan.
2. The Assembly demands the enfranchisement, in a reli.
gious point of view, of Schleswig-Holstein, for which so
much Catholic blood has been shed, and the cessation of
the shameful oppression to which Catholics are subjected in
that country.
3. The Assembly regrets the conflict which has arisen in
the Grand Duchy of Baden. It believes that right is upon
the side of the archbishop, who contends for the rights of
religion and of family, and calls to mind that every blow
struck against the altar also attacks the throne,
4. The Assembly hollows the heroic Counts of Schmis•
ing-Herssenbrock, who have been compelled to leave the
Prussian army because they were opposed in principle to
duelling, and declares that the conduct of the Prussian
Minister of War in respect to these gentlemen is tantamount
to a condemnation of the principles of Christianity.
5. The Assembly deplores the odious manner in which
the religious orders have been attacked in the Grand Duchy
of Baden, in Iplesse, and in Wurtemberg, and points out to
the advocates of progress that it is a mockery to demand
for themselves the liberty of propagandism and the right of
association, and to deny these liberties to the Church,

The Naval Fight at Mobile.

(From the Richmond Dispatch.)

The following is a letter from the late executive
officer of the Tennessee, which we publish as the
first account of the fight in Mobile bay from any
person who was on board that ship during the

action :

United States Frigate Potomac, Pensacola 131 y,
August 12, 1861.

Notwithstanding you must have heard of the loss of our
dear old ship, and of my becoming a prisoner in the hands
of the enemy, I fancy that a short note from me would not
be unwelcome, nor be considered superfluous at this time.
We were certainly under the heaviest fire that ever a ship
received since the war began, Three strong and formidable
iron-clads, one of them certainly our equal, and 14 regular
men-of-war were playing on ua at the closest possible quar-
ters, with 9, 11, and 15-inch solid shot, and with apparently
no intermission, from the time we regularly engaged the
fleet until he time of surrender, a period of probably an
hour. We met them as they entered the harbour, end did
our best to "ram" several of the largest vessels, using, of
course, our guns at the same time, The Yankee had too
much spe2d for us, though, and got by us into the bay, with
only the injury done them b, our batteries. We then were
alone. The Gaines was in a sinking condition, and was
run ashore near Fort Morgan. The Selma had surrendered,
and the Morgan had left us also, and was under the guns
of the fort. In the face of all this our gallant ship, after
sunning up our colours and the Admiral's flag again,
which had been shot away as the enemy passed us,
stood across the bay, and, singly and unassisted, we engaged
the most formidable fleet that the Yankees could get into
that harbour. Thus Greek met Greek—" then came the
ttug of war." The fire was really terrible. Coupled with
that, four of their largest vessels, one of them iron-plated on
the stem, ran into us at full speed and in quick succession.
The ramming part of the affair did us no harm in the world,
however, and their 9-inch solid shot bounded from our
sides like ordinary pebbles. The II inch hurt us some, and
the 15-inch pierced the iron and forced out the wood on the
inside, but did not, however, get through. By-and-bye the
admiral was wounded, end one or two were killed, and about

the same time our after port became jammed by a shot, and.
was rendered useless. Next, away went our wheel- ropes,
and the relieving tackles came into play. 'We steered in
this way for probably half an hour, when they, too, were
shot away as well as the smoke stack, and then wo were
unable to make steam, or to get a single gun to bear upon
the enemy, The fleet saw our condition, and taking ad-
vantage of it, took up positions astern and on each quarter,
and were as perfectly safe and clear of our batteries as it

they were 100 miles away. In this state of things, nothing
could be done to destroy the ship without destroying every
soul on board, and the admiral and captain considered (as
I think very properly) that they had no right to pursue such
a course. All had fought with perfect desperation, and
had done their duty like brave and gallant Southern men
are expected to do, and were rendered as unhappy as men
ever became when at last it was discovered to be impossible
to move or steer the vessel, and, in consequence a sun- ender
became necessary. The Yankees have her now, and I, with
the captain and Lieutenant Wharton, are on our way to a
Northern prison. We shall undergo all that is put upon us
with bec, ming dignity and firmness. I leave here for New
York or Boston (I don't know which) in ton days or a fort-
night. We are treated very kindly as yet, and are as com-
fortable as we care for.

IMPORTANT LIFEBOAT SERVlCES.—Blackpool,
Lancashire, September 18.—This morning a brig,
with flag flying, came to an anchor on the Crusader, Sand-
bank, off this place. The wind at the time was blowing
fiercely from the W. S. W, It was a few minutes before high
water, and it was evident that soon after the tide began to
ebb the vessel would strike the bank and become a total
wreck. The new lifeboat stationed here by the National
Lifeboat Institution a few weeks since, was thereupon
promptly manned and launched amid the cheers of an
immense concourse of spectators. A very high sea was
rolling at the time, and the boat had to contend with a
heavy surf; but through the exertions of her gallant crew
she got successfully into deep water, amid the reiterated
cheers of the lookers-en. She was pulled straight for the
vessel, which she reached in 50 minutes from the time of
being launched, Yesterday being the regatta at South-
port, some sailingboats from Fleetwood were on their way
home, and made for the vessel, and one of them neared
her just before the lifeboat, but was unable to effect a
communication with her. At this moment the vessel parted
cable, but, with the assistance of the lifeboat, ono of the
men out of the sailing boat was got on to the brig, which
then went on to Fleetwood. The vessel proved to be the
S. Michael, bound from Havre for Fleetwood, but the cap-
tain was in ignorance of the coast he had reached. The
lifeboat safely landed her crew after they had faced the
heavy en for more than three hcurs. They were heartily
welcomed en their return by the vast multitude of people
that had congregated, and who could not have numbered
less than 10,000. l'his is the first service performed by this
lifeboat since she was placed hero in July last, and her
coxswain reports that she behaved admirablY both on her
way to the vessel and under canvass home. Her cost was
presented to the institution, in memory of the late Mr.
R. W. llopkins, by his widow and daughter.
SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEVAL—Duting the
week ending Sept, 17 the visitors have been as follows
On Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, free days, open from
10 am, to 10 p.m., 11,126; on 'Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday, students' days (admission to the public 6d), open
from 10 a.m, till 6 p.m., I,2o6—total, 12,332, From the
opening of the utuseura, 4,843,788.

J4-AP rsti. 114,pi
631 Tit 4
114)"'
"

The Crown Princess of Frussia.

By the latest intelligence received from Potsdata
we learn that her Royal Highness the Crown
Princess of Prussia and the infant prince are prod
greasing in a very favourable manner.
On Friday evening the King of Prussia pail
visit to his royal daughter-in.law, and on the pre'
vious day the Crown Prince received the congratu-
lations of the royal family. The Ministers and
principal military officers paid their congratulatori
visits on Friday.

Departure of the Duke and Duchess of
Saxe-Coburg.

Yesterday evening the Duke and Duchess of
Saxe Coburg, who arrived in town from Balmoral
on Sunday, left Charing-cross station by the South'
Eastern mail-train, on their way to Paris. Their
royal highnesses were attended by Baron von
Schleinitz, and by Colonel du Plat, equerry to the
Queen, who accompanied them to Dover. The duke
and duchess travelled in one of the South•Eastera
Company's royal saloon carriages, and on arrival et
the Admiralty pier they were to embark at once for
Calais in one of the mail steamers provided for their
especial use. Every fitting arrangement was made
at the Charing•cross station by Mr. Cockburn, the
superintendent, and the train was accompanied by'
Mr. J. P. Knight, the general superintendent of
the line,

It is expected that the Duke of Saxe•Coburg
will visit the King of the Belgians after quitting

Paris.