The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-29 00:00:00

THE GERMAN POWERS.

A communication from Marseilles says the fol-
lowing may be considered official:—
" Austria has at length taken a definitive part.
The 19th of the present montti the Euiptiror Francis
pledged himselt to the Western Powers to occupy
immediately Grecia, either at Scutari, Provesa, or
Vela, both with army and fleet. Also to put down
any movement in Montenegro. Prussia will fol-
low Austria.. It was the knowledge of this which
induced the Duke of Cambridge to assist at the
marriage of the Emperor."
. The Press of Vienna states that the prohibition,
by the Russians, of the exportation of corn from
the Upper part of the Danube, had produced a
great sensation on the frontiers of Austria, where
it was considered an act of indirect hostility to
Austria. '

The Vienna correspondent of the Independence of
Brussels mentions a ruinoar, without guaranteeing
its authenticity, to the effect that the convention
between Austria and Prussia, lately signed at Ber-
lin, had not been ratified at Vienna up to the 25th,
and that difficulties had arisen of sufficient import-
ance to render necessary.the return of General Von
Hesse to Berlin.

THE BALTIC FLEET.

The following interesting letter is from the
Baltic fleet i

" The. fleet sailed on the 13th of April from Kioge
Bay, weather fine. I cannot tell you the different ships
in each column, for they seem so scattered and ,=o dis-
tapt that it was difficult to make them out. The James
Watt, 91, screw, Captain G. Elliot, and Monarch, 84,
Captain Erskine, and a couple of steamers, were left at
Kioge Bay to complete water and coals. There was a
smothered rumour in the fleet, but it is kept as a great
secret, that there was a mutiny, or something very much
resembling it, en board the CEesar, 91, screw, Captain
Robb ; that the captain of the fleet went on board, and
beat to general quarters, and not a gun,or station was
manned by the men and petty officers ; that the captain
of the fleet sent for the petty officers, and they respectfully
came before him, told him that they were of the same
opinion with the ship's company, ready to, serve their
Queen and country, but would not. act under their pre-
sent captain. Such is all I heard, and that as an affair
every one knew, but afraid to speak about it. I heard,
also, that the admiral referred the case to the Admiralty.
I know nothing of Captain Robb, or the merits and de-
merits of the case, but I cannot help thinking that it is
a most dangerous precedent to supersede, at the request
of the men, the captain of any ship, and it must prove
very detrimental to the service. However, the admiral
could not do otherwise than refer it to head-quarters,
providing such .a report is true. We have a fair wind.
Weather is sharp in the mornings and evenings, and
very cold at night. In one of my letters I told you that
the two French ships have joined. They are oa the
station, but have not joined the fleet. In the afternoon
the fleet were joined hy the Iruperieuse, 51, screw, Cap-
'tain Watson, and Leopard. 18. Capt..;,,
Rear-Admiral Pluinridge's flag, and different other
steamers of minor standing. Plumridge went imme-
diately on board the commander-in-chief's ship, and
several private signals were made to the different flag-
officers and captains, which no one but them could know.
The Lightning, paddle, Captain Sulivan, was seen to be
very busy with orders from Sir Charles to some of the
ships. In the evening the order of sailing was arranged
in three lines.

`• 14th; Good Friday.—This is a day of rest with you,
Most of the sh!ps at service. Fleet in beautiful order,
sailing in three lines. The Royal George, 121, screw,
Capt. Codrington, G. 8., ahead of all, with a steamer
and Cruizer, 17, screw, -Commander Donglas, and a
couple of frigates and steamers, on the look=out to wind-
ward and leeward of the squadron. This morning we
saw the first prize taken by the linperieuse—a brig,
containing either salt or tallow. She had the English
ensign over thu Russian. .The island of Gotiiland is in

Agdt.
15th, Saturday.—We passed Faro, a small island at
the end of Gothlaud, where we expected we were to
anchor. About 12 (noon) signal made, " Ronde:Nous
at Landsort," a small Swedish island, and during the
day we sailed in that direction, all the paddle-steam-
ers employed looking atter sailing merchant ships,
and overh tiling some of them ; ordered one of them
to be detained and taken to Faro, and wait there.
We may consider this a prize. Towards evening
the fleet hove to, and Plumridge, who appears to be
a regular sort of light cavalry for the fleet, was
disp,itched ahead of the fleet, with the Driver, 6, paddle,
Commander Hon. A. Co,•hrane, and Magicienne, 16,
pa .idle, Captain Fisher; and then these steamers steered
for the Gulf of Finland, with the whole fleet following
in the direction—so, perhaps, they are away fur Revel,
or some place in the entrance of the gulf. We should
be glad to see the James Watt (which we lett with the
Monarch, in Kioge Bay) join us, for we require all our
force collected, in case we may meet with the enemy.
It is quite true that all the colliers were ordered to
Faro, but perhaps Sir Charles has altered his mind.
If we are on our way to the Gulf of Finland we shall
very soon be there with this wind. The Lord help us
and take care of us. I have no doubt many a prayer is
offered up in England for us.
"17th.—Instead of proceeding at a quick rate on Sa-
turday night we merely went with Pluinridge a few miles
ahead of the fleet, and all then kept a good 100k-out.
We were joined on Sunday morning by the Gorgon,
Commander Cumming. On this morning we were asto-
nished on our getting a view of the fleet, that Admiral
Corry had disappeared during the night, taking with
him four line-of-battle ships, two heavy frigates, and
several steamers. Where he has gone to we know not,
unless he is sent to Landsort, or Faro, or perhaps to
have a look at Revel. Sunday (yesterday) was a quiet
day, the fleets astern of us under easy sail and gra-
dually edging on the entrance of the gulf, and making
the most of our wind, but awaiting the other ships. Of
course this is conjecture. I forgot to mention that, on
Saturday, 15th, forenoon, a mats fell overboard, I think
from the Leopard. Boats were immediately down, but
could not find him. This morning one of the look-out
steamers (Gorgon) took a prize, a brig, and was ordered
to take her to the commander-in-chief. From what we
could understand from the signal made Sir Charles
has gained some information on Saturday evening
inlinfer.°o7.
the prize taken that dayrin extent
that there wereeight
e
uattle ships at sea and ten frigates.'
this is conjecture; but I have no doubtrro a certain
we
c shall find it
to be true.
18th.—A. signal has just been made oppof tunity
for letters to England' so I have just. time to say that
• in 'all—eight
we are here, 14 ships a ht liners, two frigates,
and four steamers—at the_eannt Islandceo We are to-day
the Gulf of Fin-
land, looking up towards H
-tanding off and
evidently waiting for Admiral
Curry's squadron.
Whateveron, may have become of them
Sir Charles must have good nerve to remain here wi:h
these heavy ships, hawing
so little sea room and so many
evening
rocks, &c., on each sole of them. Towards .:ne
of the louk-out steamers heard guns fired nearing tl.e
land, and saw the smoke, but could discern nothing but
in nu .11 brigantine at anchor. She was anchored ani.i.g
31t
a Brflae number of rocks and shoals, that nothil g
.neraW
but boats could go to her, and it being near dark she was
left to her fate. Vely possible she might be a lofk-out
craft, and that the guns were siglial guns to those at
Elano, or might be a decoy duck to draw some of us
unawares into the land. I never saw such a place
for rocks: The sea is perfectly stud led with them.
"Tile fleet appear healthy, as we see the number of
sick indicated by signal once a week. The last papers
we hail from England were dated the 31st March, so
that papers and letters now will be most acceptable.
The people in England I expect think that we have a
much larger fleet than we have, and they can firm no
idea of the difficulty of navigating waters so full of rock,.
I must say, however, that it is a pity the fleet are sepa-
rated at this moment, as I expect it prevents us from
proceeding at once to attack some place or other ; and
by remaining here we are affording them time to prepare
to give us a warmer reception. It is, however, easy for
a person not knowing all to make remarks. We know
not what information the commander-in-ohief may have
had.
"Postscript.—Since I finished the above, instead
with-
"t our letters going away. the Driver :Ind Lenptheirs
11:;Y)1,, ukie it
for she had a boat on board the flag-ship) have gone up
the gulf of Finland as hard as they can go. Perhap4

the commander-in-chief wants some information before
sending away his despatches. I hope they will get a
prize or two in their way up or down. 19th—Driver fol-
lowed, Admiral Plumridge yesterday evening until about
half-past four, when he made a signal to her to chase in
a westerly direction—not giving any other orders. This
course brought her to the main fleet. The Admiral
went on up the Gulf. Adruirai Corry has rejoined again.
this rooming. All the steamers I mean the paddle
steamers--are constantly under reduced steam, which'
perhaps is requisite."
Extract from a letter from one of her Majesty s•
ships in Admiral Plumridge's squadron, Baltic
fleet, dated April 18 :
" There are letters for us on board the admiral's ship,
but we have not been able to get them yet. I 110.
had no letters or papers from any one for nearly three
weeks. We have been cruising in the Baltic and Gulf
of Finland for the last fortnight, never having had the
anchor down, so I Lave had no opportunity of writing.
We boarded' a number of vessels and took several
prizes. We have about a dozen Russian prisoners
on board We were up among the ice, and took
a look in at Revel, Riga, and Port Baltic, where
we saw a number of men of war lying, but
we cao,'t get at them yet, for the harbours r 0
still frozen up. When the ice gives way, w
are in hopes of having a go-in. It is awfully cold up
here, you have no notion of it ; the decks are often co-
vered with ice, and the ropes look as if they were coed
in glass. We saw a good deal of field ice a few dey!
ago, indeed we could not get very far up the Gulf of
Finland for it. Cruising about here is no way to have
any news for you ; we have a little excitement sometimes
chasing and firing across their bows to make the rascals
lay to till we board them. We have taken four prizes,
the others we let go. One morning, about ten daps
since, we saw a large vessel some eight or ten miles a
head, which we fully believed to be a Russian man-of-war,as she made all sail to get away, and showed no colours.
As we rapidly came up with her, she took in sail, until
she was under reefed topsails (fighting trim), so we beat
to quarters, and the pipe sounded loudly hands briug
ship into action.' For about three minutes everything
was bustle apparently, casting the guns loose, clearing
the decks, &c. Five minutes after the pipe every gnu
was double shotted and primed, and the men stand
with the match lines in their hands waiting for the we
to fire, and just as . we got within good distance the
blackguard ran up American colours, and coolly told as
he would have hoisted them sooner, but he wanted
itA°
see how smart we could clear for action. If our tarsul;
not bless him to the wrong side of Heaven, don't beliel-
me l

THE GREEK INSURRECTION.
" The accounts from Athens," says the Moititeurf
" represent the state of the public mind in Greece
under au aspect the most afflicting for all those
who have been hitherto anxious for the prosperity
of that country. A complete regime of terror exists
there. Agents are ostensibly sent to all the pow—
e
of the kingdom which have not up to this time
manifested any sympathy towards the insurrec"
Lion in the Epirus ; those who allow themselves
to be led away, proceed to the frontier under
the guidance of chiefs, who begin by levYll3o
contributions on all the Greek people in their vish
and by setting fire to all the villages, the inhabut
tants of which refuse to take an active part in tu"
revolt. Wow' thty arrive on the Turkish territorl
it is, according to the expression commonly 107,
at Athens, to force those wretched Christian W.!'
to insurrection. At the same time such of the Pri.
sons as were not at first thrown open have o r
plied the means of recruitment. The wretches thus
liberated take their place in the ranks of the regular
soldiers to march with them to sack the Cores'
tiaus of the Epirus and Thessaly. It is thus they
pretend to regenerate these provinces, and Pre
cure its civilisation. In the Attica and the 8-
loponesus justice is everywhere suspended
the coffers of the public money alid the corn lore;
houses are everywhere pillaged; in a word, the 10,°,„
complete anarchy reigns in the administratit
and in the country. A kind of Committee of Pl'
lic Safety has just been founded at Athens,
presided over by the old Fanariot Michel Soutft
One of the first acts of this committee
nd bru,
been to draw up a list of proscription,
order to carry its object into effect, it has 43--
rolled a certain number of assassins who have re-
cently arrived from Constantinople and swyroL,
whose mission is to make away with whoever is su:.
pected of not being favourable to the movemep!
On the 13th, an Athenian, who had dared to e.s:
press doubts as to the success of the revolt, narrowg
escaped becoming a victim ; after having been a
used in the most dreadful manner, he was thro%
into prison. On the same day the Catholics, ;will's.
celebrating Holy Thursday, were on the point o_'
having their church invaded by a band ofassassillst:
and only owed their safety to the energetic repl*r_
"setitatidn addressed by the French Minister to thu.
Greek authorities. It is with pain that we 1
register these symptoms of a kind of vertigo, whir.
threatens to lead Greece into paths in which ss.'
can only meet Ns ith abysses?'
PERSIA.

The National Gazette, of Berlin, publishes 'OS
follows the text of the official declaration of no'
trality of the Persian Government. It is dated stg
long back as the 27tu of January : .
"From the commencement of the difference which
has taken plans. between Itlssia and the Ottoman Porte,
The Persian Government ad earnestly desired the
maintenance of peace. To retate unfounded reports coil
renew the assurance of its imphrtiality and neutraliy',
Persia declares frankly that in no case and under no cir•
curnstances will she mix herself up with the quarrel bee
tween Russia and Turkey, although it Was the duty of to 7
Persian Government to protect her frontiers by.exttioe'
dwary armaments. In consideration of the friendshir
and good intelligence which exist between the eel&
louring governments, and our Government, and the
habitants' of .th: as countries, and of
.the assurances r,„11.
3ent,y given by the ambassadors of the two couarieo h•-
this capital, it is incontestable that the Persian Grover:
meta has on its side given striking proofs of its uprigutn
ness and probity towards these twO friendly G-iverumele
and has thus refuted some statements published
European journals, and shown that, by the occur;
tint of her frontiers, Persia has no intention to 1:080,
them, but will attend only to her own affairs.
this unlimited cotifitlqice and assurance which the Per,
sian pverninsut cherishes towards the friendly P°v/ingt
it clearly results that it entertains no suspicion athat
either one or the otherof the two governments, and with
it will not commit any act which may inspire thern__ne.
doubts or a sentiment of discontent. This is why rt
ral Azis Khali has received orders to return to the vu_zi.
of the Shah as soon as he shall have inspected the ,
tiers, as he will then have nothing further to do
him."

.FRANCE.
The Bishop of Grenoble has addressed a pasto-
letter to his clergy, directing them to offer .IPe
prayers for the success of the French army in
East.,,xv h
elnnthtletesocvoeurte•sigenof it, he says :
placed the sword powerdeclares ores githeeh
accepts in
whowsearh,anthd
without pretending to determine in advance the issue of_
events al ways uncertain, but sure of the Divine assistanc;
which never fails her, awaits with confidence. It clefs
more; it demands of God by its prayers to abridge t`;`__
(lays of trial, to render the trial less severe, and soon t'
re-establish the reign of peace. It is with these thougb.!
that we accompany with our wishes and our prayers toe:
brave children of France, who are going at the risk et
their lives to maintain in the East the ancient influence
which has been denied to us, and which appeared for
moment compromised. We pray God to watch over
them, the Virgin Mary to be their protectress, and the
chief of the celestial army to march at their head.
Faithful in paving this debt of prayer, whilst they go .
from the God of Armies the accomplishment of these
to pay themselves the debt' hint' d, we shati-obtaio
prophetic words I will cause to fly before you those •
from the North ; I will cause them to perish
who come
on the shores of the East ;' and Peace shall be the fruit
of justice, and the people whom I love shall enjoy ther
blessings of peace ; and there shall be confidence in the
i
hearths, and plenty in their households.'"
The Moniteur says :
We have before had occasion to mention the favour-
able reception given by all the maritime States to the
declaration concerted between the Government of the
Emperor and that ol her Britannic Majesty, relative to
the navigation and commerce of neutrals during the wen
As might have been easily foreseen, all the cabinete
will share in the sentiments on this subject which several
of
them have already expressed. The cabinet of Co"
penhagen has testifiedto the French minister the most
lively satisfactions at the resolutions come to by the
two allied powers in the interest of neutrals. The
language of the Portuguese Government has not been
less e.(oplicit. The re Ay of Viscount d'A ntoguia, at the
inonient when the declaration of France and England
was conimu,icaied to him, Was as categorical and sati
f tcwry as ould Ie d. sire I. Tee Cabinet of Lisbon will
•,ouhtie,s short-y tale the neeessaty measures to regtl.
Lye the conduct of Portuguese subjects conformably to
t,,e wishes of the two natiens. The declaration relative
t the commerce of neutrals is not less favourabli
appreciated in America than in Europe. It ill
p ,sitively stated that the Cabinet of Washington Ele°s
in it a guarantee of the European maritime concert,
and a fresh reason for the Powers whicy take no Pert
in hostilities to adhere tin that concert In the United
States, moreover, public opinion is more and more
clearly expressed in D. \ our of the Anglo-French alliance,
and at the departure of the last mail it wasp ositivelY
stated at Washington that smile members of the Senate
and of the House of Representatives were preparing t°,
speak on the subject, in order to make known the real
feelings of the people of the United States."
Tire Three per Cents. opened yesterday, at Of'
70c., declined to 631. 30c., and closed at 63f•
for the end of the month ; the .Four,and-a.--11 „
per Cents. closed at 891. 751). ; and the New TA's.;
at 64f. 10c. ; Orleans Railway
Rouen, 840 f.; Havre, 410 f. ; Great Northern, 7371'
50c. ; Strasburg, 7271. 50c.; New Shares; -532 f. 500.;
Paris and Lyons, 805 f. ; Lyons to the Mediter-
Shares, 1,045 f.)
ranean, 667 f. 50c. ; Western of France, 555!'
tre., iJUt.%; Cel)trai 0i
France, 40u1. ; Lyons to Geneva, 420 f. ; Ban
°
Credit Mobilier, 500 f.