The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-11 00:00:00

, THE StrN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 11. 1862.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ST. PETERSBURG, MAY 4.
Since the reception of the Notes of the three
Powers upoti the Polish question, uncertainty
appears to prevail in financial circles in this
capital. The prevalent feeling of insecurity has
not been in any degree diminished by the nume-
rous addresses of devotion to the Crown, the
armaments, and, finally, the contents of the
replies to the Notes of the Western Powers pub•
lished by the official press. Discount has risen to
69 per cent. A decline has also taken place in
price of stocks, and our financial condition, re
cently affording hope of improvement, has begun
t') droop under these unfavourable token,.
of approaching storm. Notwithstanding the last
loan undertaken to raise the value of
the rouble and withdraw a portion of the
paper money from circulation—the Government
is known to have issued a fresh series of credit
notes to the amount of 12 million roubles.
The prcduce of the gold mines in Siberia has so

sensibly diminished since 1848 as to attract serious
attention to the subject, the result of which has
been the adoption of measures thought calculated

to effect considerable improvement.
Upon the whole, the present financial condition
of Russia is less favourable than before the Crimean
war. At that time, according to the Bank returns
of the 28,h of last month, we had not quite 666
million roubles in paper. The emancipation of the
serfs had not been commenced, the country was not
exhausted by the strain of war in the East,
and the western portion of the empire had not
been subjected to the enormous sacrifices im-
posed upon it by the Polish insurrection and
the discontent now threatening in the provinces of
which is composed. The outbreak of war by land
or by sea would be a terrible blow for Russia in her
present condition. Of what avail is the inex-
haustible nature of the resources of a mighty em-
pire, when these still remained unexplored P The
gold mines of Siberia, the anthracite beds, and the
yield of grain are of themselves insufficient to meet
the incessant call for money. A few years back the
national credit was at so low an ebb that it was
impossible to negotiate a loan. The excise system,
the substitue for the monopoly of brandy, which
has hithertoyielded half the revenue of the country,
has still to prove its efficacy, and no favourable turn
has yet occurred in the annual deficit of the budget.
It is_hardly probably—contrary to the generally
received opinion here—that taking into considera-
tion the position of Russian credit and finances
Prince Gortechakoff has thought himself justi-
fied in taking up a very determined positicn.

There can be little doubt that his replies to the
notes of the Wtster❑ Powers are intended to throw
out an indirect offer of further negotiations. As
bearing upon this question it may not be uninterest-
ing to and that the official report of the Bank die•
count reserve shows a diminution of 13,349,066
silver roubles 38 kopecks upon the 28th of April of
the present year as compared with the 13th of

May of 1862.
At the May inspection of the troops, held the
day before yesterday by the Emperor upon the
Champ de Mars, 28 battalions infantry, 38i- squad-

eons cavalry, and 13 batteries of artillery were
upon the ground. Regiments of the Guard, grena-
diers, and line were more complete upon the present
occasion than hitherto, the furlough men hiving
been called in and numbors of recruits added to the
regimental struggle. Great activity prevails in
Cronstadr, and the staff of officials i❑ the employ of

he War Department has been increased.

MEXICO.

VERA CRUZ, APRIL 16.

(By Telegraph to Halifax.)

News received here from Puebla to the 9th inst
gives details of the operations of the French troops
subsequent to the investment of the city on the 230

March.

Upon the 27th March a bombardment was opened
upon Fort Tarvier and the penitentiary, which was
well fortified, and continued until the 31st, when a
breach was made, and the French troops advanced
and carried the positions by storming. From there
the storming parties pushed on, taking successively
at the point of the bayonet two other fortified posi-
tions, and presently entered the city. They fought
their way through the streets, which were barri-
caded, and captured the Plaza de Armas and the
cathedral, which were strongly fortified.
These positions being carried, the Zunaves and
soldiers of the 99th regiment of the line, assisted
by the sappers, made their way through the houses
and dislodged the Mexicans, who defended them
with great bravery, fighting desperately from house
to house. line French loss is reported to have
been 150 kilted and 150 wounded. General Vernet
de Laumiere is among the killed.
The only fortified positions the Mexicans now
retain are Forts Guadeloupe and Loretto.
The attacking force of the French numbered
18,000 men, while the Mexican force was calcu-
lated at 25,000 men.

General Forey holds the bridge over the Rio
Petro, thus preventing Commontort, who is on the
other side with 12,000 men, from advancing to
Puebla.