The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-24 00:00:00

THE BLACK SEA.

The answer given by the Russian Admiral to
the Captain of the Retribution, who conveyed the
message from the English and French Admirals to
Sebastopol, is said to have been very laconic, and
otherwise such as might be expected from an officer
under such circumstances, namely, that lie had no
orders to receive from a French or English Admi-
ral, and that he should leave Sebastopol, or remain
in it, according to the orders he received from the
Emperor, or his immediate superiors. It appears
that the Arch-Duke Constantine was at Sebas-
topol at the time, and when he heard of the mes-
sage delivered by the English captain flew into a
passion, and declared that he would instantly give
orders for the fleet to go to sea, let what would
happen. If the menace be carried into effect it is
not improbable that a collision has by this time
taken place.

NEW PROPOSAL FOR TERMINATING THE

WAR.

A long and elaborate article from the pen of M.
Granier de Cassagnac, on the Eastern question,
which appeared in the Gonstitutionnel of Saturday,
is said to have been written by order from the
highest quarter. The article, though able, is
considered as extremely imprudent in the present
circumstances, and as tending still further to com-
plicate affairs. The plan proposed by M. Granier
de Cassagnac to bring the war between Russia
and Turkey to a conclusion, and to obtain a prompt
and sure peace, is by means of a treaty of alliance
between the four Powers for an active policy
against Russia, which would of necessity put an
end to all hope on the part of the Emperor of
Russia of being able to effect by war the objects of
inordinate ambition. The plan is, no doubt, a
good one, if it could be carried out with the cor-
dial assent of all the Powers ; but the writer ad-
mits that there are difficulties as to Austria and
Prussia, and he proposes to get rid of them, by
forcing these two Powers to abandon their preten-
ded neutrality, and calling upon them to take part
either on one side or the other. M. Granier de
Cassagnac seems to think that, as Austria and
Prussia have a vital interest in adopting the policy
of England and France, and as the neutrality which
they proclaim is a violation of the treaty for the
protection of Turkey to which they were parties,
they would, if forced to take either the one side or
the other, eventually join the other Powers against
Russia. On this point, however, there are different
opinions, and most people believe that Austria, at
all events, if not allowed to remain neutrul, would
take part with the Czar, notwithstanding the
evident interest she has in preventing Russia from
extending her possessions on either side of the
Danube. In short, it is thought that any attempt
to force Austria out of her neutrality would con-
duct us to a general war. M. Granier de Cassag-
nac seems, however, to think differently. -He
says :

"The demonstrated impuissance either of a local inter-
vention or of diplomacy to brin, about peace promptly,
and the imperative necessity of sparing the security of
States and their finances the hazards and ruinous con-
sequences of a war, long, useless, and full of peril for
all, authorise France and England in expecting from
Austria and Prussia, counselled by their interests and
dignity, a more efficacious 'co-operation, if graver cir-
cumstances should render it necessary. A treaty of
alliance signed with this object, would be immediate
peace—peace without a shock—peace without the sacri-
fice of thousands of men—peace without the loss of
enormous sums which are necessary to the development
of agriculture and commerce. Austria and Prussia
would have no good reason to give for refusing a treaty.
They have the same obligations as France and England,
having, like them, recognised the independence of
Turkey. Great and loyal nations never elude such en-
gagements, which are the basis of common security.
All pacific means exhausted, arms must be had recourse
to. Now, it is better to prevent war than to check it
in its course, and to render revolutionary events impos-'
Bible than to repress them. What could be more honest,
more full of sense, more humane, and more Christian,
than such an alliance, having for its object to maintain
the peace of the world, to prevent the effusion of blood,
and to submit to the eminently equitable appreciation
of all the European Powers the grievances which the
Czar may have against Turkey ? To whom would-such
a measure not be advantageous ? What is the nation
which would not find itself relieved in the present and
reassured for the future ? Such, in our opinion, is the
way of effecting a prompt and certain peace. This plan
is so reasonable and so just, it would so evidently obtain
the approbation of all nations, that Austria and Prussia,
when the necessity of such an alliance shall become
flagrant, cannot reasonably refuse it to a common de-
mand of France and England."

FRANCE.
It was rumoured very generally on Sunday and
Monday that M. de Kisseleff was to take his depar-
ture yesterday evening, after an interview with the
Emperor, and Brussels or the Hague was still men-
tioned as the place of his residence for some time.
That M. de Kisseleff's residence in Paris will not
be of long continuance is very likely, but it is said
he will not leave unless some fresh order reaches
him. He was invited to the ball at the Tuileries
last night, and would probably attend.
The Emperor has appointed Capt. Martin to the
command of the vessel Marengo, and Capt. De la
Garde Chambonos to that of the steam-frigate As-
modee.

The Emperor on Sunday received in public
audience, General Baron de Fagel, Envoy Extra-
ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the
Netherlands, to present letters from his sovereign,
putting an end, on his demand, to the mission he has
fulfilled in France for forty years. His Majesty
also received M. Lightenvelt, who presented let-
ters accrediting him as Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of the King of the Ne-
therlands.

The Emperor and Empress went on Sunday to
the Bois de Boulogne. The Emperor was on horse-
back, and the Empress in a carriage.
The Siecte says :—" It was rumoured yesterday
that the Turkish ambassadors at London and Paris
had demanded the assistance of an army from the
governments of France and England."
Mr. John Mason, Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of
America, presented on Sunday his credentials to
the Emperor.

An Imperial decree convokes the Senate and the
Legislative body for the 27th of February.
By a decision of the Minister of Finance the in-
terest on Treasury Bonds is axed at 41 per cent.
for all bonds from 3 to 5 months of exchange ; at
5 per cent. from 5 to 11 months ; and at 51 per
cent. for bonds of one year.
The fog that enveloped Paris yesterday morning
was such as has not been known within the memory
of any resident. It was as thick as any that has
ever been felt in London, even in the month of
November. From about half-past 8 till near 11
o'clock it was thickest. Those residing on the
Boulevards could scarcely see the houses on the
opposite side, and candles had to be lighted. The
yellowish and thick mass of vapour continued for
nearly two hours, turning day into night. About
half-past 11 it gradually became less, though it did
not entirely clear away. Paris seems to have bor-
rowed for a while the atmosphere of London, and
may be considered as additional evidence of the un-
derstanding between the two countries.
The trade of Paris, which has been so long suf-
fering, received a fresh shock within the last few
days by the announcement that the Directors. of
the Bank of France had unexpectedly raised the rate
of discount. This meas'ire, though unavoidable in
consequence of the rapid decrease in the specie de-
posited in the coffers of the Bank, and which per-
haps had better been adopted at an earlier period,
must nevertheless seriously affect the struggling
tradesman. Business is nearly at a full stop in all
branches of manuactures. The more the danger
of a war with Russia becomes imminent the more
difficult it is to effect sales.

The Bank of France is showing a disposition to
restrict its discounts. It is stated, on good autho-
rity, that a first-rate commercial house had four-

fifths of the bills offered for discount on Monday,
23d inst., returned.

The State has just accoeded to the city of Paris
a sum of 3,666,000 fr. to pay, in part; foi the da-
mage done in 1848. The following is the official
account of the said damage. In February : inhabi-
tants of Paris, 239,626 fr. ; rural communes,
691,889 fr. ; special cases, 24,500 fr. ; printing-
offices, 19,770 fr. ; gunsmiths, 551,575 fr. ; arms
from private persons, 7,617 fr. ; octroi agents,
62,286 fr. ; army, 30,526 fr. ; municipal guard,
194,230 fr. ; persons connected with the civil list,
397,218 fr. ; railways, 2,523,376 fr. In June : in-
habitants of Paris, 772,656 fr. ; communes,
21,047 fr. ; army, 8,520 fr. ; octroi, 4,746 fr. ; sun-
dries 49,000 fr. Making a total of 5,598,582 fr.
The decree in the Moniteur which raises the in—
terest on Treasury Bonds, produced a further
decline in the price of public securities, at the
Bourse yesterday, as compared with the last quo-
tations of Saturday. The Three per Cents.
opened at 68f., fell to 67f. 75c., rose subsequently
to 68f. 50c., and closed at 68f. 25c. for the end of
the month. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. closed
at 96f. 90e. ; Orleans Railway shares, 1,030 f. ;
Rouen, 910 f. ; Havre, 417 f. 50c. ; Great Northern,
720 f. ; Paris and Strasburg, 707 f. 50c. ; Paris and
Lyons, 807 f. 50c. ; Lyons to the Mediterranean,
615 f. ; Western of France, 540 f. ; Bordeaux and
Cette, 530 f. ; Great Central, 432 f. 50c. ; Lyons and
Geneva, 440 f. ' • Shares of the Bank of Credit
Mobilier, 607 f. 50c.

SPAIN.
MINISTERIAL COUP D'ETAT.

A telegraphic despatch from Madrid of Jan. 18,
says that several Generals had tendered their resig-
nation, which had been accepted by the Queen.
Generals Manuel Concha and O'Donnell are
exiled to the Canaries.

General Jose Concha and Infante are exiled to
the Balearic Islands, and General Armera to
Leon.

The Minister of Justice, the Marquis de Gerona,has resigned, and the Minister of Finance, M.
Domenech, has been charged with the ad interim
administration of his department.
The Gazette contains a decree accepting the re-
signation of M. Jose de Zaragoza as Governor of
the province of Madrid, and appointing Count de
Quinto, who is Alcalde-Corregidor of adrid, to
the ad interim administration of it.

A royal decree enacts that a credit of 975,000
reals, opened some time ago to the Minister of
Public Works for a line of aerial telagraphs from
Madrid to Barcelona, shall be employed in estab-
lishing an electric line : another decree exempts
corn for home consumption from import duty ;
another reduces one-half the tariffs on the railway
Aranjuez to Trembleque ; and another suppresses
the Tribunal of Justice of India and the colonies.
A letter states that General Armera, one of the
generals ordered to leave Madrid, had received
permission to remain for a few days to settle some
private affairs. It also asserts that M. Zaragoza
has resigned from ill health.

The Count and Countess de Chambord have
arrived at Prague, and have hired a house with the
intention of stopping some time.
The Judicial Committee of the Senate had been
suppressed, us the senators who belonged to it had
voted against Government.
Many other changes are announced as about to
be effected.

The Three per cents. were done at 40k; the New
Three per Cents, at 20i ; the Debt of the First
Class at 81- ; and that of the Second at 4g.