The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-23 00:00:00

(From the Morning Chronicle.)

The Eastern question has assumed a new aspect since
the publication of the Russian manifesto, which appeared
in our impression of yesterday. Until ttlat document
was given to the world, doubts might have been enter-
tained as to the authenticity of the statements which
have been made respecting the policy of the Czar, and
the means which he would adopt in oilier to enforce it ; but
we now know, from the express declaration of his Go--
vernment, that the prevalent estimate of the nature and
extent of his designs was in no degree exaggerated. The
circular dispatch of Count Nesselrode shows that it was,
from the first the intention of the Court of St. Peters-
burgh to obtain a specific convention from the Porte, which
would have constituted the Czar the recognised Protector
of the Christian subjects of Turkey ; and we are further
told that, if the demands of Russia are not complied
with, she will proceed to seek by force that which she
has failed to obtain by negotiation. Such is the prac-
tical purport of this document ; but, as the Imperial
Minister further attempts to make out a complete justi-
fication of the recent proceedings of his Government,
and to show that the forbearance of the Emperor has
been pushed to its utmost limits, and that he will have
a full right to resort to arms, it may be well to examine
the arguments by which this conclusion is supported.
We need only premise that, with regard to the facts of
the late negotiations, there is no very great difference
between the allegations of Count Nesselrode and the
statements which we have on various occasions placed
before the public. The Russian claims were throughout
essentially the same, though the particular form in which
they were couched underwent some modifications from
time to time. The last agreement which the Court of
St. Petersburgh tried to wring from the Porte was nearly
identical with the first propositions of Prince Menschi-
koff ; for it would be. absurd to attach any importance
to the, difference between a convention and a diplomatic
note solemnly pledging the Government from which it
emanated.

The dispatch commences with a general disclaimer
of the aggressive pretensions attributed to Russia—at
least we are informed that that power claims no more
than it possesses " traditionally, practically, and legally
in Turkey, by virtue of anterior treaties." The Emperor
is represented as having the greatest possible interest in
maintaining the status quo in the Ottoman Empire ;
and, as regards the religious question, it is alleged that
be claims no other rights than those which he already
possesses through his influence and power, and through
the sympa,thy of the Christian inhabitants of the Sul-
tan's dominions. These assertions, however, evidently
beg the whole question. Russia assumes, it seems, as a
matter of right, the virtual superintendence or protec-
torate of the Christians in Turkey. This is certainly a
most unfortunate preamble to a diplomatic statement ;
for it is the assertion of a right to intervene between
the Porte and its subjects, to an extent totally subver-
sive of the just prerogatives of an independent Sove-
reign. This objection, however, is, we are subsequently
assured, an idle phantom. The Imperial Minister de-
clares that it is altogether immaterial, in point of prin-
ciple, how largo and numerous may be the class over
whom such a foreign protectorate may be established ;
and he conceives that there is no difference between the
terms now proposed by Russia, and the conventions
or capitulations which the Porte has at different periods
made with Austria and France with regard to the
privileges and immunities of the Latin Christians.
Nevertheless, the distinction is most essential—

for the simple reason that diplomatic concessions made
in favour of a small and inconsiderable minority of the
Sultan's subjects cannot involve any political conse-
quences as regards the internal relations of Turkey.
But the power which the Czar is now desirous of obtain-
ing, although it might, in the first instance be only a
'spiritual authority, would rapidly become a political in-
fluence. The position and power of Russia render it im-
possible to regard the present question as exclusively a
religious one. There is, therefore, no truth in the
analogy on which Count Nesselrode relies ; nor is the
illustration which he borrows from the times of the Re-
formation more tenable. Whatever conditions may
have been then made by one Power, in favour of religi-
ous dissidents within the territories of another, had their
origin in the peculiar circumstances of the period. All
Europe was engaged in wars, not of race nor of political
rivalry, but of religion ; and when the belligerent par-
ties made peace, they naturally endeavoured to obtain
favourable terms for their respective allies. If, there-
fore, in some cases, particular privileges were, at the in-
stance of a foreign state, accorded by different Powers
to their Protestant or Roman Catholic subjects, such
transactions cannot furnish a precedent for the claims
maintained in the Russian manifesto.
We are told, indeed, that, in point of fact, Russia
already possesses the rights which are the subject of the
present dispute. We must, however, look with consi-
derable suspicion on an attempt to revive a dormant
claim, said to be founded on a convention dated some
eighty years ago. It is only for the Imperial diplomatist
to assert that a convention in the interest of the co-reli-
gionaries of Russia is nothing new, either in principle or
in fact, and that it was only the treaty that France had
made with the Porte respecting the Holy Shrines, which
compelled the Court of St. Petersburgh to demand fresh
guarantees for the Greek Christians. But, whatever
colour may be given to the objects of Prince Menschi-
koff's mission, it is undeniable that he endeavoured to
induce the Porte to enter into specific engagements
with Russia, and with Russia exclusively, in favour
of a large and powerful class of the Sultan's sub-
jects ; and the rejection of that most unjustifiable and
arrogant demand is the sole cause of the pending crisis.
Turkey has evinced no unwillingness to give the largest
guarantees to the Great Powers collectively, that the
rights and immunities of the Christians should be duly
maintained ; but she declined to enter into any separate
arrangement with the Court of St. Petersburgh, which
would have invested the latter with a power and influ-
ence fatal to her own independence.
The conduct of Russia throughout this affair has been
strangely inconsistent with the forbearance and modera-
tion which Count Nesselrode claims for his Imperial
master. If the demands of the Czar were founded on
any principle of justice, and on former concessions—if
nothing more was sought than an amicable adjustment
of a difficult question of detail—the armaments in the
Black Sea, and the menacing language of Prince Men-
schikoff, were as uncalled for as they were offensive. It
is but too apparent that the Russian Government felt,
from the first, the untenable nature of the demands
which its Envoy was instructed to make, and foresaw
the necessity of having recourse to arms. To that ar-
bitrement the Emperor has finally declared his intention
to appeal, unless his behest should be complied with be-
fore the lapse of a period of eight days, which has already
expired. As it is extremely improbable that the Porte
has receded from its decision, we cannot but await the
sequel with serious solicitude. Whatever may be the
issue, it is certain that the situation is gravely compli-
cated by the demonstrations of Russia. Turkey has
already been grievously injured, and she has been com-
pelled to make vast sacrifices for the defence of her
frontiers. Yet we are unwilling to relinquish the hope
that the Czar will perceive, ere it be too late, the enor-
mous risk to which the peace of Europe is exposed by
his selfish and unjustifiable policy, and that he will see
the wisdom of retracing his steps before an act of posi-
tive aggression shall have rendered impossible a pacific
solution of the existing difficulties.

( From the Morning Post.)
By the publication of a circular addressed to her
diplomatic agents, which we believe they have not yet
communicated to the Governments to which they are
accredited, Russia displays more anxious haste to excuse
her position, than real respect for that public opinion
which is strong as true in its appreciation of her conduct.
Never hitherto has a secret diplomatic document been
so hastily published, and of all the Cabinets of Europe,
that of St. Peteraburgh has been most chary of even
crumbs of information. It is, therefore, an unheard-of
thing to see Russia rush into print, and to find the
Czar appealing to public opinion. Of the progress of
intelligence in Russia we have no very accurate measure
—perhaps, indeed, we may dispense with one altogether,
as the existence of progress in that country is more than
problematical.
It is, nevertheless, surprising to find a man of the ex-
perience of the Emperor Nicholas betraying so much
ignorance of the intelligence of Europe at large, as to
venture to put forth a statement so transparently un-
reasonable as the extraordinary note of Count Nessel-
rode, which we again publish in another column, as the
most complete proof of the hollow duplicity of Russia.

There is no compromise now possible. "The reprieve
of eight days granted to the Porte " has not had the
effect of causing the Sultan to yield up the fairest portion
of his subjects to foreign domination ; and as to the
"cutting of the Gordian knot," which the Russian
speaks of, he may find
.that a tougher job than he ex-
pects. Every Emperor is not an Alexander. In case
of failure in his attempt on his neighbour's property, it
will be remembered that "sour grapes" is the cry of a
personage of less respectability than Diogenes. Let the

The following is an accurate epitome of the 'Cruise of
the Channel squadron, and the melancholy catastrophe
. •
which attended it :
_
May 25.—At sunset squadron left Plymouth.—Prince
Regent, 90 (flag) ; London, 90, Captain Eden ; Sanspa-
reil, 70 (screw), Captain Dacres; Imperieuse, 51 (screw),
Captain R. B. Watson, C.B. ; Amphion, 34 (screw),
Captain Patey ; Highflyer, 21 (screw), Captain Moore ;
anti Leopard, 12 (paddle), Captain Giffard. Having
gained an offing that night, stood down Channel under
sail; steam-ships stopped engines, except Leopard, which
remained under steam.
May 26.—Squadron exercising at quarters. Wind
west ; weather fine.
May 27.—Sane exercise, wind, weather, &c.
May 28.—Squadron on the edge of the banks ; wind
west ; squadron exercised.
May 29.—Ditto.
May 30.—Squadron performed several evolutions,
forming line of battle, and fronting line and forming
two columns. On this day a trial under sail between
the London and Imperieuse took place ; force of the
wind 3, direct abeam ; sail set—whole topsails, royals,
and topmast and topgallant studding sails. Duration of
trial, 1 hour 53 minutes; rate of vessel, 82 knots; gained
on the London, 2,175 fathoms ; on the Highilyer, 3,390
fathoms. The Imperieuse steered as easy as a boat car-
rying from two to three spokes of wheel, and yielding
from two to three degrees.
May 31.--Trial of sailing before the wind ; whole top-
sails and studdingsails both sides. After a run of 30
miles the Imperieuse gained on the London 1,480
fathoms ; on the Amphion, 1,560 fathoms ; on the High-
flyer, 3,225 fathoms ; on the Sanspareil, 4,000 fathoms,
J tat! - -
June 2. Ditto.

r, . .....

June 3.—Exercised at general quarters.
June 4.—Squadron practising various evolutions.
June s.—Ditto

June 6.—Trial of sailing before the wind, force from
4to 5 ; rate from 81' to 9 knots :—The Imperieuse
gained on the London 950 fathoms ; on the Amphion,
1,636 fathoms ; on the Highflyer, 2,100 fathoms.
June 7.—Trial of sailing on a wind under single-
reefed topsails, and occasionally royals and flying jib :
The Imperieuse gained on the London 1,260 fathoms ;
on the Amphion, 750 fathoms ; and on the Highflyer,
5,035 fathopas, in a run of 46 miles of seven hours'
duration.

June B.—The squadron passed between the Birlings
and Portugal.
June 9. Squadron und.,3r easy sail.
June 10.—Squadron made for the Tagus.
June 11.—Squadron entered the Tagus at 1 p.m.,
but, before the second anchor for mooring was let go,
received orders by signal from flag-ship to prepare for
sea again ; squadron moved down to Passo d'Arccs
same night. _ _

June-12.—ScP,uadron weighed and stood out of the
Tagus ; rain and mist prevailing ; steamed to the west-
ward and tacked as far as 16. The Leopard towed the
Prince Regent, and the Imperieuse towed the London,
but cast off in the evening.
June 13 and following days.—Squadron making for
England.

On the 15th a most disastrous and distressing accident
occurred, which quickly hurried six gallant men into
eternity and seriously injured 12 others. It appears
that while the London was in tow of the Imperieuse, the
latter stopped for the purpose (as we understand) of
" parsing the London's cable, with which she was tow-
ing that ship, and having gone suddenly ahead, the
strain drew the " stopper bolt " from its socket, and, the
chain running through the hawse-hole with terrific velo•
city, swung round the two foremost messes, killing Mr.
Chapman, senior lieutenant ; J. Smith, Robert High,
William Beaver, and Henry Bessiker, ordinary seamen ;
Charles Bureau, gunner's mate ; and Joseph Lovell,
private marine ; very severely injuring at the same time
12 others of the crew who were on the spot.
A court of inquiry will be held immediately to inves-
tigate the case.

June 21.—The Leopard took the Prince Regent in
tow, and the Imperieuse the London, when eight miles
off the Nab light, and brought them up to Spithead,
the Amphion, in tow of the Highflyer, following, the
Amphion's machinery having become deranged.

Commodore Lord Adolphus Fitzclarenco, G.C.11.,
arrived to-day, and hoisted his broad pendant on board
her Majesty's yacht Victoria and Albert.
The Nerbudda, 12, Commander Boyd, arrived at Spit-
head this morning from Chatham, and anchored after
saluting the Port- Admiral.
The Arrogant, 46, Captain Fremantle, hauled into
the new dock this morning, to have her waste steam-
pipes fitted.

The Gorgon, 6, advanced paddle steam-sloop, mom-
menced swinging to-day for the adjustment of her
compasses.

PRINCESS ROYAL, 91 (scam).—The rush for tickets
to see the launch of this vessel almost amounts to a
mania. The authorities of the dockyard have consulted
the feelings of the visitors by erecting most commodious
sittings to view so interesting a spectacle. Should the
day be fine, there will doubtless be crowds of the gentler
sex to witness by what means it is that " Old England"
can bid "defiance to the world."

Orders have been received today to complete the
squadron at Spithead, with four months' provisions.
Taking the men of war at this port immediately avail-
able, we can muster a force that the whole world has
never yet seen the like, so far as regards steam power,
which would be equal to double such force composed
only of sailing ships. We have here ready for action 20
good pendants, and 10,000 sailors and marines.

WOOLWICH, JUNE 22.
APPOINTMENTS.

Lieutenants Hubert Campion (1849). from the
Geyser, 6, paddle-wheel steam-sloop, recently serving on
tho North America and West Indies station, to the
Vesuvius, 6, paddle-wheel steam-sloop, of 280-horse
power, commissioned at Devonport ; William K. Bush
(1850), to the Vesuvius ; Hugo B. Burnaby (1849), ,to
the Winchester, 50, flag-ship, on the East Indies station.
Mates—William Menzies (1852), from the Vengeance,
84, to the Winchester ; John K. E. Baird 0.852), to the
Sybille, 40, at Devonport.
Clerk—Edward R. Miall (1849), recently serving in
the Hastings, 72, to the Agamemnon, 91, screw steam•
ship, at Portsmouth.
The Terrible, steam-frigate, Captain M'Cleverty, is to
be taken out of the basin to-morrow, and will soon be
ready for sea.

The Rhadamanthus, steam-sloop, Master Commander
Belam, arrived this afternoon from Chatham.

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

The commercial intelligence from New York by the
Atlantic, describes a slight increase of buoyancy in the
money market, while at the same time the remittances
of specie to England are likely to continue, the amount
on the present occasion being 61,000/. The draughts
from China on London upon American account, caused
by the hoarding and high rate of interest in that coun-
try, will render these supplies more necessary. In the
import trade there was undiminished activity, and the
arrivals of manufactured goods continued to be greatly
in excess of those at the corresponding period of last
year. The papers contain accounts of gold discoveries
in Arkansas (one of the repudiating States of the
Union), and give the usual reports of the prevalence
of great excitement on the subject, of which, pro-
bably, in a few weeks nothing more will be heard.
Accounts from California are steadily favourable,
and as free from any remarkable discoveries or failures
as if the staple production of the State were cot-
ton or corn instead of geld. The general prosperity of
the miners is said, however, to be greater than at any
previous period, while the field for new-comers is still
believed to be inexhaustible. The shipments of gold
from San Francisco during the first fortnight in May
had beets 600,0001., exclusive of the amounts privately
taken by passengers. With regard to the boundary dis-
pute with Mexico, known as the Mesilla Valley question
nothing further had transpired, but the tone of the go-
vernment organs at Washington was alleged by their
opponents to indicate a strong probability that, upon
this or some other point, difficulties between the two
countries w ill be protracted. One writer at Washington
gives the following particulars, gathered from recent ad-
vices, regardint, the general progress of affairs under
Santa Anna, and adds his views as to the policy of the
present American Cabinet, which seems to be to absorb
the country quietly, if it can be had in that manner, by
paying for it :
bank-
ing-house in
Jacques,ltex Mexico
oe
tohfattheaapartvanneeders
ttethseuEmngolfishoboamonk-
dols. to the Mexican Government on behalf of tho Sloo
aprar
vyeCom, d
i.andn Nowupn
Orleans,t h e pled
stheoncohni
tTraeheutainttesepecif,
has s
way to this city and New York, on business connected
with that great contract. The funds for carrying the con-
tract into effect will not be advanced by Mexican capie
Whits, nor by the Mexican Government, and they have
not yet been raised in the United States. It is now said.
that Cruz
ru z aa
and
de ffHoo effort
fatv r
es
1, about
ntheorrioroooolunafdtdght Osoohst
eeffibaaemF made to raise
Mexico, that President Santa Annapehoacamkspeats
company,
yc
betweenu
toed
wthhiech esta-
blishmenthVera
funds in England. I learn, through private letters from
has granted very important privileges. From the same
source I learn that Santa Anna has given encou-
ragement to every feasible enterprise a internal im-
jrio
ne cr; t hmej
just
ens has
ea st
necessity
stptsaoirkte
yeer railroads
appreciation
wr
ith
development.
capabilities
great t her pz
er projects. e
andcotl
fs .
Mexico,
sn Ti r
chi
ote s e
ht
aouinbdt:
th
that the present Administration intend to give Santa
Anna a fair chance to arrange all difficulties with the
United States on terms beneficial to Mexico. He will have
before him the alternative of peace, and commerce, and
prosperity, and his boasted nationality' on one side, anti
war, embarrassment, destruction, and final denationalisa-
tion on the other. Our Government will insist upon the
possession of the Mesilla Valley, for the Democratic Con-
gress has already decided that matter, but they will pay
Mexico a good round sum for an alteration of the boundary
line, so as to give us a route to the Pacific through Chi-
huahua and Sonora, and for an exemption from the obliga-
tion of the 11th article of the Treaty of Guadaloupe, and
for the Tehuantepec transit."