The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-17 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 17, 1853.

GOING THE WRONG WAY.

Bonham, and that at a very early date, so that no time
may be lost in entering upon negotiations for a new
treaty with China, and at the same time ample pro-
vision be made for a much more extended latitude to
our trade than hitherto has been accorded to us. We
confess to being sceptical upon the point of the reli-
gious principles of the rebels ; not that we do not give
every credence to the established fact of the present
body being imbued with certain religious views, but, on
ascendancy to power, it is very problematical whether
such views may be continued, or, at all events, whether
the little leaven that at present exists will be diffused
throughout the nation or not. We shmild be glad, in-
deed, to learn that the spirit of Christianity was spread-'
ing rapidly through the country, as the prospect of the
most friendly intercourse with all Christian countries
would be then not far distant ; and happy will the cLiy
be when we can proclaim that China is opened—China,
that most incomprehensible of all countries on the face
of the earth—that region of pride and arrogance,
subtlety and deceit, intermingled with the most atro-
cious barbarity and excessive corruption—the country to
which we look for the supply of our most social bever-
age and many other necessaries and luxuries of life—
the country to which we may hereafter have to look for
a supply of silver adequate to the daily-increasing de-
mand for that precious metal, and to which we may
look for an enormously increased consumption of our
cotton manufactures.

(From the Times.)

A glance at the railway map may satisfy us that our
vocation does not lie in the direction of a lucid and com-
pendious arrangement of the means of transport from
place to place. Lines deviating in every possible way
from the right direction, the shorter and cheaper course
avoided, and a more circuitous and more difficult one
preferred, the want of accommodation at points where
it appears most important, and its redundancy at others
where it is not important at all, all point out that some-

thing very different from an enlightened and single view
to the public interest has framed the meshes of that iron
network which is cast over the face of the country.
Really, one would think that in great undertakings of
this nature the last thing considered was the interest for
those for whom they are designed, and that blind chance
or reckless animosity were left to determine the highways
by which this kingdom shall for all time to come be in-
tersected. Our follies on the water furnish a too lively
and faithful parallel to our follies on land. Most happily
there are no sea railways, and a few moments smoothe
over the track of the most mis-directed vessel and oblite-
rate the symptoms of our disgrace. Happily, also, on
this element our blunders are not irretrievable ; they are
not stereotyped as soon as committed, as on the land.
Those who have watched the course of our steam com-
munication with Australia will see ample reason to con-
gratulate themselves that this is the case.

" That the present movement in the Celestial Empire
will be productive of ultimate good to this country we
see very little reason to doubt ; but, in the meantime,
we much regret to hear by each mail that arrives a con-
firmation of reports of a very short supply of tea this
season. The crop of congou is only estimated at the
most at 850 chops, while last year it exceeded 1,200 ; it
is to be inferred, therefore, that if such prove to be actu-
ally the case, the export to this country will not be more
than 35,000,0001 b., while the consumption in 1852 was
45,000,0001 b., and this year will probably be 46,000,000113.
In estimating the export to the United Kingdom, we are
supposing that America and the Australian colonies will
take off nearly a similar quantity to last year—viz.,
10,000,0001 b. between them. Should the anticipations
of a short supply be realised, thoisonsumer of the leaf in
this country will derive no benefit from the reduction of
duty, except in so far that under existing circumstances
he would have had to pay very much higher than will
actually be the case had there been no reduction.

As early as the year 1846 the Legislative Council of
New South Wales addressed the home Government ou
the necessity that existed of including Australia in our
system of steam navigation. Their proposition was to
dispatch a vessel from Singapore, through Torres Straits,
to Sydney and Melbourne, in connexion with the over-
land mail. Had this plan been adopted as soon as pro-
posed it is impossible to estimate the amount of good
which might have resulted from it to the colonies and
the mother country. With a speedy and regular com-
munication by letter many of those grievous mistakes
which discredited the administration of the colony in
this country might, and probably would have been
avoided, and the discovery of,gold, when it burst upon
us, would have found the connexion between the twit:,
countries so organized as entirely to obviate the dis-
tressing want and irregularity of information under
which we have so long laboured.
In the year 1851, just at the very time of the dis-
ccvery of gold, a committee of the House of Commons
was at length appointed to investigate this subject. We
may venture now to say, without fear of contradiction,
that :the evidence taken before that committee most
clearly established the following propositions. First,
that in point of expedition and regularity, no route
could at all compare with that by the Isthmus of Pa-
nama, and this notwithstanding the unfinished state of
the railroad from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the
slow and irregular manner in which the West India
Mail Company performed their part of the service. The
advantages of passing by New Zealand, and of making
the voyage from Sydney to the Isthmus through calm
seas, swept over by a steady trade wind, equally avail-
able for going and returning, could not be disputed, and
the speedy arrival of letters and passengers carried in
sailing ships from Australia to Callao gave the support
of fact to the deductions of theory. It appeared very
clearly, in the second place, that the next best line to
that by Panama was the one recommended by the Syd-
ney Legislature—that by way of Torres Straits and
Singapore. This was not adapted for the carriage of
passengers from its great expense and frequent trans-
shipments, but offered a speedy and certain means of
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od
Cape
southern latitudes would have rendered it easy without
the aid of steam, and with that aid would have insured
a speed considerably greater than any hitherto obtained
by sailing vessels. The fourth, and far inferior voyage,
was that with which the public have become so familiar
by the disasters of the Adelaide, the Melbourne, and
other vessels—the plan of going and returning by the
Cape of Good Hope, which exposed the steamer to
headwinds and adverse currents, and rendered anything
like speed or punctuality in the homeward voyage im-
possible. Bad as it was, this route had at any rate the
advantage of avoiding all transshipment, and offering
at least some apparent facilities for the conveyance of
emigrants. The fifth, and worst plan, was to dispatch
a vessel from Singapore, which should coast along the
western side of the continent of Australia, double the
stormy Cape Lewin, and pass by the Australian colonies
at times varying exactly in the inverse ratio of their
then relative importance. The select committee, made
up of members interested in different companies, put
aside as utterly unworthy of their notice the first
three routes, and recommended the fourth, in com-
pliance with the wishes of members interested in South
Australia, Western Australia, and Port Philip, and
thought, no doubt, that the question was laid at
rest for ever. The Government improved on this
suggestion, and, by way of mending the matter,
divided the contract between the company which was to
go and return by the Cape of Good Hope and that
which was to reach Singapore by way of Cape Lewin.
Thus were the inherent deficiences of these routes aggra-
vated by this preposterous arrangement, and the
greatest possible amount of irregularity secured by
trusting the postal communication to two different
lines, whose speed and duration of voyage were not
likely to be the same.
The result has been what everbody who understood
the question foresaw, and what we have frequently
pointed out in these columns. The steam communica-
tion so long desired, and so tardily obtained, by the
Australian colonies, became an intolerable nuisance.
They could not calculate when their letters would arrive
or their orders be executed. We knew something of
the course of comets, but these eccentric steamers
baffled all human calculation. Sometimes one would
make a good passage ; but this only increased the con-
fusion by bringing news, the occurrences previous to
which had not been received. Thus the colonists re-
ceived news up to the middle of October last ; November
and December were unaccountably delayed ; and the
next information that reached them was a list of the
present Ministry, without any account of the occur-
rences through which they came into power. If this
be embarrassing in politics, much more so must it be
in commercial matters. The whole arrangements of
business were disordered simply beca,useL Govern-
ment chose the very worst route for sending the
letters, and the colonists found themselves infinitely
worse off than they were before the introduction of
steam. They sighed for the old system, which they
once deemed so bad ; and in this respect their prayer
has been granted. Government has returned to the use
of sailing packets for the conveyance of letters, and all is
as though no steam-packet had ever smoked on those
southern waters. In the meanwhile the Panama Rail-
way is advancing towards completion. The Americans
have built, and are sending round South America,
splendid steamers to occupy the trade between Panama
and Australia, and, as if to make the thing complete,
the Peninsular and Oriental Company have at length
discovered that the line by Cape Lewin is a mistake,
and are about to send their vessels by way of Torres
Straits. Nothing that we could say would make more
complete the picture of ignorance and wrongheadedness
which we have drawn. The past is irrevocable ; but we
do trust for the future that we may escape a series of
blunders so palpable and so degrading, and not again
be subjected to the reproach of giving the preference to
sailing vessels over steam, merely because we had so
arranged matters as to neutralize every benefit which
could arise from the employment of this most potent and
manageable agency of nature.

" There appears every reason to anticipate that the
supply of silk procurable will be quite sufficient for our
demand, provided the merchants can find the where-
withal to pay for it. In the present state of affairs,
neither the tea nor silkmen will consent to dispose of
their merchandise for any other medium of payment than
money or specie ; and, notwithstanding that in ordinary
times sycee silver is procurable in large quantities, at
the present moment it is very scarce and dear, in conse-
quence of the withdrawal of capital from the trade, and
the fact of all the money that is paid for produce being
locked up by the natives from fear and distrust.
" The exchanges on Loudon had reached the unpa-
ralleled figure of 7s. 3d. in Shanghai, and ss. 101 in
Canton ; and in India to 330 and 275 respectively. It
was not supposed that such rates could be long main-
tained, but until political matters had developed them-
selves more fully it was impossible to form a correct
opinion for the future."

RAILWAY INTELLIGBNCE.

CANTERBURY AND DOVER.

A numerously attended meeting of landowners and
residents of the district between Canterbury and Dover
was held on Friday at Canterbury, to consider a project
for the formation of a railroad from Dover to Canterbury,
with a branch to deal. The chair was taken by Sir W.
Brook Bridges, Bart. The resolutions proposed were
unanimously carried.
In the course of the proceedings the following charac-
teristic letter from the late Duke of Wellington, written
as far back as 1849, was read to the meeting by the
Right Hon. Mr. Lusbington :
" Walmer Castle, Nov. 3, 1849.
"Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his
compliments to Mr. Taylor.

"Ile received last night Mr. Taylor's letter of the 2d
November, and map enclosed.

"The Duke entertains no doubt of the advantage
which the public would derive, in which the town of
Dover will largely participate, from the establishment
of the proposed line of railroad direct from Rochester
and Chatham to Canterbury and Dover and Deal.
" He has heretofore expressed an opinion in Parlia-
ment in favour of this line, for reasons, stated at the
time, connected with the interests of the public. But,
however anxious the Duke may be to see this line of
road established—however much he may prefer it to
all others—he must decline to be orle of the commis-
sioners to carry into execution this work, and to direct
the details of its management.
" The Duke is nearly 82 years of age. He has much
public duty to perform and public business to transact ;
and, although in strength and in good health, he cannot
undertake to do more. He knows nothing of the con-
struction and management of railroads. There is no
man in England who has travelled so little upon them—
scarcely at all in a railroad carriage—besides the Duke
is unfortunately deaf. The business of the supposed
commission for the construction and management of the
proposed railroad must be transacted at meetings of
three or more commissioners, at which, with all the
attention that he could give, he would not be able to
hear one word of what would be said in discussion.

" He is therefore under the necessity of declining,
positively and distinctly, to be one of the commissioners
for carrying into execution this proposed work."

CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN.
—At the monthly meeting of the board of this company,
held et the Euston station, on Saturday, the 15th inst.,
the Marquis of Chandos was unanimously elected a di-
rector of the company, and subsequently the chairman
of the board of directors, which, it is said,
is an unpaid
office.

WARRINGTON AND STOCKPORT.—The portion of this
company's line from Warrington to Altrincham is ex-
pected to be ready for public traffic on the Ist of No-
vember. The length of the line is rather more than ten
miles, and it passes through a fertile and populous
country. It has been constructed for about 18,0001.
per mile, being considered a very moderate cost for the
district, and the line is expected to have a good local
traffic, as well as a considerable through traffic.
MIDLAND AND LEICESTER AND HITCHIN.—A nume-
rously signed memorial of shareholders in the Midland
Railway has just been presented to the chairman and
directors, setting forth their conviction that, in the pre-
sent depressed condition of Midland property, the doubt-
ful state of foreign political relations, and the condition
of the money market at home, it is absolutely essential
to the restoration of their property to abandon or sus-
pend for a time the prosecution of all new undertakings,
and especially the line from Leicester to Hitchin, not-
withstanding that land may have been purchased, and
contracts entered into for the latter. The memorialists
also call on the proprietors to permit the introduction of
its
construction bill next session either to annul the act authorising
—At a
public meeting just held at Sydney,
construction or to postpone operations to more prosper-
ous times.
NEWCASTLE AND MAITLAND (AUSTRALIAN,.
passed for the formation of a railway between
of Newcastle and Maitland, in the Hunter riverdistrict.
resoluttiohnes towns were
It is stated that the capital of 20,000 shares of 51. each
has been subscribed for.
willo
SOUTH WALES.—No date has yet been fixed for the
opening of the extension line to Haverfordwest, the
depending the completion
line be ofopened
the railwayn a
single line for the present, until the development of the
period
bridge
traffic and completion of the docks at Milford Haven
render the second line necessary. The permanent way
has been laid, and nearly all the stations have been
finished, with their sidings, &c. Great
progress has
been made on the line to Neyland.
NORTH AND SOUTH WALES.—The proposed main
line will start from Llanidloes by a junction with the
railway already sanctioned to that town • thence it will
pass by Llangurig, Yspytty-Ystwyth, Tregaron, on to
Lampeter ; from this town the line is to proceed along
a valley to Penybout and Llandyssil. From this
town the line is to pass on to Milford Haven, by a route
apparently not yet determined. At Lampeter a branch,
by the valley of the river Cothi, will be made to Llan-
dilo, thence to run into the line leading to Llanelly.
By means of these projected lines, coal and lime will be
procured at a very moderate cost. With the Llandilo
branch, the length of the proposed line is 121 miles.

STATE OF CHINA.

The following is from a private letter, dated
Canton, August 20.
" The political rupture in the empire is gradually as-
suming a very serious aspect, and it now appears inevi-
table that the reign of the Tartars must end before long.
The latest dates received here from Shanghai are to the
6th inst., at which time the most reliable informa-
tion that had been received regarding the progress of the
re':el forces was, that they had taken possession of Kai-
fung-foo, the provincial capital of Honan, whence they
had crossed the Yellow River, and invested Taming, on
the borders of Chihli and Shantung, and afterwards
marched upon Winn, the capital of the latter province.
This intelligence, it appears, has been confirmed by over-
land communication at Canton, and in the course of a
fortnight it is expected that news will reach that place
of the rebel army being encamped under the walls of
Pekin. THE " BREVET MAROH."—The subject of the brevet,
" The rebels having been so long in possession of the its extent, and time of issue, all occupy the minds and
key to the northern provinces, Chin-keang-foo, by which exercise the calculations of the interested and disin-
they have been enabled to prevent supplies of grain from terested in every corps and garrison, abroadandathome,
reaching the Imperial army, the troops have been for for in these days information travels not metaphorically
some time suffering from privation of food ; the people but absolutely and truly like lightning. In all military
in the northern provinces are discontented and becoming circles all are on the qui vine to learn when the brevet is
impoverished from the same cause ; and, with the to come forth ; but so well is the secret kept that some,
prestige of former successes before them, there can be unable to penetrate the arcana, phoo-phoo the assertion
little doubt that the insurgents will make an easy cap- that a brevet is under consideration, and deny, like those
tore of the Imperial capital. Indeed, it is confidently sceptical of freemasonry, that there is any secret at all.
reported that the Emperor is fully prepared to abdicate, This we do know, however, that if the army is disap-
that he has a caravan all ready to take flight in, with his pointed of a brevet this year, the fault does not lie at the
household and body guard, the moment the sound of doors of the Horse Guards, or of the War Office, but
danger approaches, and that he will move towards with the Ministry. We have in a former number ex-
Shingking in the first instance. plained the " brevet march," the " time" of each step,
" What will be the state of the country after the fall of and how frequently the " step is changed." In spite of
the empire it is impossible at the present moment to " marching time," " stepping back," " side step,"
foretell. The general impression seems to be that a long " oblique step," " wheeling," and " shifting," &c., it
reign of anarchy will ensue, and that foreign intercourse arrives somehow at the Gazette office at long last. Sonic
I with the country will be much interrupted,--perhaps say it has corns to a dead " halt." Not so ill do we
I the trade entirely suspended, as has been the case for think of the Cabinet.—Naval and Military Gazette.
several months at Amoy, and very nearly at Shanghai. NEW CLOTHING FOR THE ARMY.—It is arranged that
" The policy of our Government has hitherto been to no change shall be made in the uniform of the army for
adopt a neutral position, and a good policy it is so long the year commencing Ist April next.—Naval and
as the Emperor retains his throne ; but whenever the Military Gazette.
insurgents gain supremacy the pursuance of such a THE NATIONAL GALLERY,—Lord Onslow has revoked
policy further would be useless, and attendant with the munificent bequest which he had made to the nation
danger to the lives of foreigners and to the revenue of his fine collection of pictures by the old masters. We
which we derive from the products of the country. It are informed that he has taken this step in consequence
is therefore to be hoped that the Foreign Minister will ; of the very unsatisfactory nature of the report from the
• appoint an able diplomatist to take the place of Governor Select Committee on the National Gallery.

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE AFRICA.
By the arrival of the royal mail steam-ship Africa
at Liverpool on Saturday, Harrison commander,
we have advices from New York to the sth inst.
The United States' mail steamer Baltic, Com-
stock commander, arrived at New York on the 3d
instant.

The Africa has brought about 600,000 dols. in
specie on freight.
The steamer Crescent City had arrived at New
York with the Californian mails, 708,735 dols. in
gold dust on freight, and about 250,000 dols. in
the hands of passengers. 40,000 dols. of the gold
dust was from Australia, having been brought by
Adams's express by way of Callao and Panama.
A violent gale was experienced on Lake Erie on
the 4th instant, which did great damage.
Mr. M‘Kay's monster ship, the Great Republic,
of 4,000 tons register, was successfully launched on
the 4th instant at Boston, in the presence of 30,000
spectators from all parts of the conutry.
The latest accounts from Washington state that
the position of Minister to China had been offered
to the Hon. George M. Dallas, and awaited that
gentleman's acceptance.
The following information, in relation to the
value of United States' gold coin in England, had
been issued from the State Department at Washing-
ton :

" Information has been received at this department
from the United States' Consul in London, that by
Royal proclamation the gold coins of the United States
herein mentioned shall circulate and be received in pay-
ment in the British West India colonies as being of the
full value and equivalent to current money of the United
Kingdom, at the rates hereinafter specified, that is to
say :—The eagle at the rate of 41s. sterling ; the half-
eagle at the rate of 20s. 6d. sterling ; the quarter-eagle
at the rate of 10s. 3d. sterling ; the gold dollar at the
rate of 4s. Id. And in all payments to be made in the
said colonies tender and payment in the said coins, or
either of them, at the respective rates aforesaid, shall be
deemed and taken to be a lawful tender in the same
manner as if such tender had been made in the current
coin of the United Kingdom."
Telegraphic accounts from Richebucto state that
the heaviest gale which had been known for up-
wards of twenty years in that region was expezi-
enced on the 29th ult. Ten English and Norwe-
gian vessels went ashore and remained. Great
damage had likewise been done on shore.
The yellow fever was very fatal in Galveston and
the neighbouring towns. Upwards of 200 persons
had died from the disease in Galveston alone.

Telegraphic accounts from New Orleans state that
the deaths from yellow fever on the 3d inst. were
only six. The Board of Health had determined to
discontinue their daily reports, considering the
epidemic at an end. The fever was also rapidly
abating at Mobile. The deaths from it on the 4th
inst. were only two. On the Mississippi the epidemic
still continued its ravages. There had been up-
wards of 300 cases of yellow fever at Grand Gulf,
59 of which proved fatal. At Port Gibson all but
17 adults belonging to the place had been attacked
by the scourge, and upwards of 60 cases had proved
fatal. The epidemic was also spreading on the
plantations, '73 deaths had occurred at Lake Pro-
vidence, out of a population of 120 inhabitants.
The fever was raging fearfully at Vicksburg, Nat-
chez, and Yazoo City, and at every place on the
Mississippi river between Princeton and Belize.
Havannah advices, of the 27th ult., mention the
failure of Messrs. Diago, planters of that city, with
liabilities amounting to $1,250,000. The health
of Havannah was good. It was reported that a
cargo of 580 slaves had been successfully landed at
Trinidad. The Captain-General was using every
effort to detect the persons concerned in this viola-
tion of the law. The proceedings against M.
Julian Zulueta had been abandoned. With regard
to the speculation of Don Francisco Marty for im-
porting and enslaving some hundred Yucatan In-
dians, the Captain-General had caused the strictest
inquiries to be made, which had, however, been
suddenly terminated. The Diario de la Marina of
September 14 published a notice on the same sub-
ject, emanating from the Government, and com-
manding that all persons who had assisted in
the importation of these Indians, or who had or
did have at that time any of them in their em-
ployment, should appear before the mayor of the
city, the alcalde, or the judge of the district, on
pain of a fine Of $5OO, and give an account as to
how and where such Indians were obtained. On
the 20th, in accordance with this notice, several
persons appeared at the place appointed, when
they were informed by the Government Escribano
that, the process having been withdrawn by supe-
rior order, the proceedings were at an end ; and
that, therefore, all persons who had these Indians
in their employ—all persons who had enslaved free
citizens of Yucatan—could keep them in their em-
ploy, and they need fear no further molestation
from this cause ! Therefore, it would seem that
the proceedings against Marty have been stayed for
the present, at any rate, and that the honest in-
tentions of the Government have " faded" alto-
gether, and melted beneath the effulgence of his
doubloons. The kidnapped Indians are yet to re-
main hired out slaves, which makes them slaves in
reality ; and a certain Don Francisco Marty is to
go on as he has been going, and doing as he has
been doing. The privilege for a submarine tele-
graph from the island of Cuba to the United States
had been granted to Mr. S. A. Kennedy, Don
Francesco Noy, and Don Felipe Nunez, by his
Excellency General Canedo, with the unanimous
approval of the Real Junta and Telegraphic Com-
mittee, for a term of 13i- years.
Advices from the city of Mexico to the 18th ult.
state that a report had reached that city of the
breaking out of hostilities in the Mesilla Valley
between the United States troops and the Mexican
forces. The report had created great excitement,
and the Supreme Government had demanded of
General Gadsden, the American Minister, an im-
mediate explanation of the intentions of the United
States Government in sending out additional forces
to occupy the Mesilla Valley and vicinity. . It is
rumoured that a coup d'etat for the restoration of
the empire will take place in Mexico as soon as
Santa Anna's plans are organised and his army of
80,000 men under arms. The Mexican press was
completely muzzled, and under the strictest censor-
ship. Energetic measures were adopted to seize
upon and banish from the country all persons sus-
pected to be averse to the Government or to Santa
Anna's imperial project. Santa Anna had delivered
a very flattering address to the army on the 11th
of September, the occasion of the anniversary of
the victory gained by him over the Spanish inva-
sion of Tampico in the year 1829. An exclusive
grant had been made by the Government to Messrs.
Ayllon, Bonilla, and Co., for the steam navigation
of all the lakes, canals, and channels opened in the
valley of Mexico. The privilege is to last for 15
years. Santa Anna had issued a decree regulating
the manner in which foreign missions were to be
filled, and the salaries.
Accounts from Chili of the 10th ult. state that
the Executive had laid before the Congress bill a
for the reduction of the duties on silk goods
from 25 to 15 per cent. The question as to the
best means of subjugating the Indian tribes
who occupy the southern provinces of Chili was
under the consideration of Congress. Mr. Joshua
Waddington had undertaken the construction of
the immense canal for the purpose of conducting
the waters of Quillota River to Valparaiso, and
had offered $lOO,OOO to the corporation for the
purpose of constructing. public fountains.
The latest intelligence from Peru records a se-
rious disturbance that had occurred at the Chincha
Islands between a large number of masters of Ame-
rican vessels and the commandant of the island. .
It originated the arrest of two seamen belonging
to the American ship Defiance by the police and
confined on board the guardship for shooting a
pelican. The captain of the Defiance was supposed
to be mortally wounded. Mr. Clay, United States
Minister at Lima, forthwith chartered the Bri-
tish Pacific . Steam Navigation Company's mail
steamer Bolivia, and went to the Chinchas to
investigate the affair. Recent surveys have
proved that the guano on the islands was almost
inexhaustible. More vessels were loading there
than ever before. From a Panama journal we learn
that the British and French Ministers in Peru had
made application to the Government for permission
to send each a duly qualified commissioner to the
Chincha Islands, for the purpose of reporting
upon the state of the islands and the quantity
of guano, but that the request was refused. The
Bolivian port of Cobija was still blockaded by
Peru, and a proposition by Chili for mediation was
likely to be rejected. The Bolivian President
Belza was constantly engaged against revolutionary
movements at home, and could not attack Peru.
Business was paralysed throughout the Republic.
Most exciting stories have reached Santiago de
Borja of the discovery of
. gold in the Amazon and
its branches. The washings. extend for 40 leagues,
and 25 pounds per day is said to be the average of
one man's labour. From Chacapogas to the gold
regions is 36 leagues/ a foot journey of four days.
Advices from Venezuela of the 19th ult. report

rpßio. SD.

that the revolution had been quelled with but little
bloodshed, and that the country remained quiet.
In the city of Cumana earthquakes still continued
to be felt.

Late accounts from Salt Lake state that the
Indians had become very troublesome in Utah,
killing many persons ; Governor Brigham Young
had issued a proclamation calling all the military
forces of the territory into service ; he had also
ordered a wall to be built around the city 20 feet
high and eight thick, with a ditch on the outside.
In the New York stock-market but little busi-
ness was doing. There was less buoyancy generally
throughout the money-market, owing chiefly to the
disturbed state of affairs abroad.

Exchange in steady demand. Bills on London,
1091 to 110 ; Paris, 5.131 to 5.121 ; Amsterdam,
41 to 44 ; Hamburg, 36 to 36g ; Bremen, 79/
to 80.

The cotton market continued dull and spiritless,
but there was little or no change in prices.

WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

Subjoined is the manifesto of the Ottoman Go-
vernment, intimating the course it intends to pur-
sue towards Russia, and assigning the reasons for
adopting it. It is reported that the term within
which hostilities must commence, unless the prin-
cipalities are previously evacuated by Russia, has
been intimated by the Turkish to the Russian
Commander-in-Chief in a brief and soldier-like
letter—as courteous and as stern as the bow of a
duellist to his antagonist on taking up his ground.

MANIFESTO OF THE SUBLIME PORTE.
In the present state of circumstances, it would be
superfluous to take up from its very commencement the
explanation of the difference which has arisen between
the Sublime Porte and Russia, to enter anew into the
detail of the diverse phases which this differenee has
gone through, or to reproduce the opinions and judg-
ments of the government of his Majesty the Sultan,
which have been made public by the official documents
promulgated from time to time.
In spite of the desire not to restate the urgent reasons
which determined the modifications introduced by the
Sublime Porte into the draft of the note prepared at
Vienna (motives exposed previously in a note explana-
tory of the modifications), yet new solicitations having
been made for the adoption, pure and simple, of the
said note, in consequence of the non-adhesion of Russia
to these same modifications, the Ottoman Government,
finding itself at present compelled and forced to under-
take war, thinks it a duty to give an exposition of the
imperious reasons for that important determination, as
well as for those which have obliged it not to ,regulate
this time its conduct according to the counsels of the
Great Powers its allies, although it has never ceased to
appreciate the benevolent nature of their suggestions.
The principal points to which the Government of his
Majesty the Sultan desires to give prominence are these :
—That from the very beginning his conduct has fur-
nished no motive of quarrel, and that, animated with the
desire of preserving peace, he has acted with a remark.
able spirit of moderation and conciliation, from the com-
mencement of the difference unto the present time. It
is easy to prove these facts to all who do not wander
from the path of justice and equity.
Even supposing that Russia had a subject of complaint
in relation to the Holy Places, she ought to have cir-
cumscribed her actions and solicitations within the
limits of this question alone, and ought not to have
raised pretensions which the object of her complaints
could not sustain. She ought not, moreover, to have
taken measures of intimidation, such as sending her
troops to the frontiers, and making naval preparations
at Sebastopol, on the subject of a question which might
have been settled amicably between the two powers.
But it is evident that what has taken place is totally
contrary to an intention of amicable settlement.
The question of the Holy Places had been settled to
the satisfaction of all parties ; and the Government of
his Majesty the Sultan had testified favourable dis-
positions on the subject of the guarantees demanded.
In short Russia had no longer any ground for raising
any protest.

Is it not seeking a pretext for quarrel then, to insist
as Russia has done upon the question of the privileges
of the Greek church granted by the Ottoman Govern-
vernment, privileges which the Government believes its
honour, its dignity, and its sovereign power are con-
cerned in maintaining, and on the subject of which it
can neither admit the interference nor the surveillance
of any Government ? Is it not Russia which has occu-
pied with considerable forces the principalities of Mol-
davia and Wallachia, declaring at the same time that
these provinces should serve as a guarantee, until she
had obtained what she desired ? has not this act been
considered justly by the Sublime Porte as a violation
of treaties, and consequently as a cases belli ? Have the
other powers themselves been able to come to any other
decision ? Who, then, will doubt that Russia has been
the aggressor ? Could the Sublime Porte, which has
always observed all her treaties with a fidelity known to
all, by infringing them in any way do more than deter-
mine Russia to a proceeding so violent as that of her-
self infringing all these treaties ? Again, has there
arisen, contrary to the promise explicitly given in the
treaty of Kainardji, such facts in the Ottoman empire
as the demolition of Christian churches, or obstacles
opposed to the exercise of the Christian religion?
The Ottoman Cabinet, without desiring to enter into
too long details on these points, doubts not that the high
powers, its allies, will judge with perfect truth and jus-
tice on the statement just exhibited.
As to the non-adoption of the Vienna dote in its pure
and simple form by the Sublime Porte, it is to be re-
marked that this project, although not in every point
conformed to the note of Prince Menschikoff, and while
containing, it is true, in its composition, some of the
paragraphs of the draught note of the Sublime Porte, is
not as a whole, whether in letter or spirit, essentially
different from taat of Prince Mensehikoff.

The assurances recently given by the representattives
of the Great Powers respecting the apprehended danger
from hurtful interpretations of the draught note in
question, are a new proof of the kindintentio
Sublime Porte. intentions
sof their
respective governments towards the
They have consequentlyproduced a lively satisfaction on
the part of the government of his Majesty the Sultan. It
must be remarked, however, that while we have still
before our eyes a strife of religious privileges raised by
Russia, which seeks to base its claims on a paragraph so
clear and so precise in the treaty of Kainardji ; which
wishes to insert in a diplomatic document the paragraph
concerning the active solicitude of the Emperor of Russia
for the maintenance in the states of the Sublime Porte of
religious immunities and priviliges which were granted
(octroyes) to the Greek rite by the Ottoman Emperors
before Russia so much as existed as an empire, to leave
in a dark and doubtful state the absence of all relation
between these privileges and the treaty of Kutschuk
Kainardji, to employ in favour of a great community of
subjects of the Sublime Porte professing the Greek reli-
gion expressions which might make allusion to treaties
concluded with France and Austria relative to the French
and Latin religions—this would be to incur the risk of
placing in the hands of Russia vague and obscure para-
graphs, some ofwhich are contrary to the reality of facts,
and would offer to Russia a solid pretext for her
pretensions to a religious surveillance and protectorate
—pretensions which that power would attempt to pro-
duce, affirming that they are not derogatory to the
sovereignty and independence of the Sublime Porte.
The very language of the employes and agents of
Russia, who have declared that the intention of the Go-
vernment was no other than to fulfil the office of an ad-
vocate with the Sublime Porte whenever acts contrary
to existing privileges might be done, is a patent proof of
the justice of the opinion of the Ottoman Government.
If the Government of his Majesty the Sultan has
judged it necessary to require that assurances should be
given, even if the modifications which it introduced by
it into the Vienna note were adopted, how in conscience
could it be tranquil if the note were to be retained in its
integrity and without modification ? The Sublime
Porte, in accepting that which it has declared to all the
world it could not admit without being compelled thereto,
would compromise its dignity in view of the other
powers, would sacrifice its honour in the eyes of its own
subjects, and would commit a mental and moral suicide.
Although the refusal of Russia to accord the modifi-
cations required by the Sublime Porte has been based
on a question of honour, it cannot be denied that the
ground of that refusal was simply and solely its desire
not to allow explicit terms to replace vague expressions,
which might at some future time furnish it with apre-
text for intermeddling. Such conduct, therefore, c
the Sublime Porte to persist on its part in with-
holding its adhesion.
The reasons which have determined the Ottoman Go-
vernment to make its modifications having been appre-
ciated by the representatives of the Four Powers, it is
proved that the Sublime Porte was
note.ng It is not with
ht in not purely
and simply adopting the Vienna
the view of criticising a project which obtained the assent
of the great powers that we enter upon a discussion of
the inconveniences which the Vienna note presents.
Their efforts have always tended to the preservation of
peace, while defending the rights and independence of the
Imperial Government. The endeavours made to attain
these objects having been as laudable as can be conceived,
the Sublime Porte cannot sufficiently acknowledge them.
But, as evidently each Government must possess in
consequence of its peculiar knowledge and its local ex-
perience, more facilities than any other Government for
judging of the points which concern its own rights, the
examination which the Ottoman Government makes is
prompted entirely by its desire to justify the obligatory
situation in which, to its great regret, it finds itself
placed, desiring, as it has done, to continue following
the benevolent councils offered to it by its allies ever
since the commencement of the differences, and which
until now it has followed.
If it is alleged that the haste with which the Vienna
note was drawn up results from the backwardness of the
Sublime Porte to propose an arrangement, the govern-
ment of his Majesty the Sultan must justify itself by
stating the following facts :
Before the entrance of the Russian troops into the
two Principalities, some of the representatives of the

e_
- _
Powers, sot by the sincere intention oflxvinalerit
the occupa ion of those provinces, urged upon the
Sublime Porte the necessity of framing a draft note
occupying a middle place between the draft note of the
Sublime Porte and that of Prince Menschikoff. More
lately the representatives of the Powers confidently
communicated different schemes of arrangement to the
Sublime Porte. None of these latter responded to the
views of the Imperial Government ; and the Ottoman
Cabinet was on the point of entering into negotiations
with the representatives of the Powers on the basis of a
project drawn up by itself in conformity with these sug-
gestions. It was at this moment that news of the pas-
sage of the Pruth by the Russians arrived, a fact which
changed the face of the whole question. The draught
note proposed by the Sublime Porte was then set aside,
and the Cabinets were requested to express their views
of this violation of treaties after the protest of the
Sublime Porte. On the one hand, the Ottoman Cabinet
had to wait for their replies, and on the other it drew
up, at the suggestion of the representatives of the
Powers, a project of arrangements, which was sent to
Vienna.
As the sole answer to all these active steps, the draft
of our note prepared (elabore) at Vienna made its ap-
pearance.

- However that may be (Quoiqu'il en soit) the Ottoman
Government fearing rightly (et juste titre) everything
which might imply a right of interference in favour of
Russia in religious matter, could do no more than give
assurances calculated to dissipate the doubts which had
lie2oine the subject of discussion ; and it will not, after
so many preparations and sacrifices, accept propositions
which could not be received at the time of the stay of
Prince Menschikoff at Constantinople. Since the Cabi-
net of St. Petersburg has not been content with the as-
.
surances and pledges that have been offered, since the
benevolent efforts of the high powers have remained
fruitless ; since, in fine, the Sublime Porte cannot tole-
rate or suffer any longer the actual state of things, or
the prolongation of the occupation of the Moldo-Wal-
lachian Principalities, they being integral portions of its
empire—the Ottoman Cabinet, with the firm and praise-
worthy intention of defending the sacred rights of sove-
reignty and the independence of its government, will
employ just reprisals against a violation of the treaties
which it considers as a casus belli. It notifies, then,
officially that the Government of his Majesty the Sultan
finds itself obliged to declare war, that it has given
most precise instructions (les instructions les plus catego-
riques) to his Exceliency Omer Pacha to demand from
Prince Gortschakoff the evacuation of the Principali-
ties, and to commence hostilities if after a delay of
fifteen days from the arrival of his dispatch at the
Russian heaci-quarters an answer in the negative should
be returned.
It is distincMy understood that should the reply of
Prince Gortscha koff be negative, the Russian agents
are to quit the Ottoman Empire, and that the commer-
cial relations of flit, respective subjects of the two go-
vernments shall be broken off.
At the same time the Sublime Porte will not con-
sider it just to lay an embargo upon Russian merchant
vessels, as has been the practice. Consequently, they
will be warned to resort either to the Black Sea or to
the Mediterranean Sea, as they shall think fit within
a term that shall hereafter be fixed. Moreover, the
Ottoman government being- unwillingto place hindrances
in the way of commercial intercourse between the sub-
jects of friendly powers, will, during the war, leave the
straits open to their mercantile marine.

LORD BEAUMONT OM TEIE EASTERN
QUESTION.

The following letter on the Eastern question, and
the meetings now being held in reference to it,
has been addressed by Lord Beaumont to Lord
Dudley Stuart :

Geneva, Oct. 9, 1853.
Dear Dudley Stuart—l observe with satisfaction that
a popular movement is taking place on the Eastern
question, and that a favourable opportunity is thus af-
forded of placing before the public the true position of
the different parties concerned in it. This is the more
necessary as prejudiced writers and interested journals
have endeavoured to create a general impression on the
subject totally at variance with the truth. It has been
the object of these parties and their employers to keep
up the idea that the Turkish Government is founded on
principles of religious intolerance and opposition to so-
cial improvement, and that Mahomedan institutions are
hostile to personal freedom and scientific progress.
Whatever the Turks at different periods of their his-
tory may have been, there is nothing now in the conduct of
the government or the people of the Ottoman empire to
justify such an opinion. A great, albeit a gradual, re-
volution has been taking place during more than 30 years
in the more important portions of the empire ; one by
one, every law or custom which tended to oppress the ra-
yah or keep up the barbarous priviliges of feudalism
has been abrogated or repealed. Class distinctions
have been softened down, and those formidable insti-
tutions which were the results of the barbarism of the
middle ages, rather than the consequences of the
doctrines of the Koran, have been all but entirely
swept away. These changes, while they appeared at
the time to annihilate the military superiority of
the empire, have, eventually, considerably ameliorated
it political position. They have placed the Turkish Go-
vernment and its Mahomedan subjects on a level with
the other European nations, and destroyed completely
any argument which could be drawn from their religion
,to exclude them from the European community. Nor
have the violent changes effected by Sultan Mahmoud
cooled the martial ardour or weakened the national en-
thusiasm of the people to the extent to which the friends
of Russia both wished and represented them to have
done. The effects of that great monarch's policy are
now beginning to show themselves. They who talked
of Turkey as dead, now see Lazarus coming out of the
tomb. The Porte has, by its own exertions, placed
itself in the rank of the great powers of Europe. It has
an army and a fleet inferior only to those of the three or
four greatest military states ; its ministers of state have
displayed a tact and ability which has thrown western
diplomacy into the shade ; it has organised a national
movement without confusion, and preserved internal
order without violence. Amidst unparalleled difficulties
arising from foreign complications, it has displayed un-
tiring courage, dignified moderation, straightforward
action, and consummate skill, mixed with honour and
honesty. So changed is now the relative position of the
different powers in the east of Europe, that the Crescent
means religious toleration, personal freedom, national in-
dependence, and social order ; while the Cross (whether
Greek or Roman) is misused as the banner of those who
would establish religious intolerance, personal slavery,
absolutism in governments, and a return to the middle
ages in literature and society. The question at issue
and the subject at stake are something far beyond a
personal quarrel between the Czar and the Sultan. The
contest is between civilisation and barbarism, right
and wrong, progress and retrogression, liberty and
tyranny. All this ought to be put in detail before the
public ; nor ought the difference between the commer-
cial codes and tariffs of Turkey and other European
states to be forgotten. Beyond all this, it is easily
shown how necessary the Sultan's independence is to
the peace of the world and the balance of power in
Europe. The masses seize only the salient points of a
question, and it would therefore be useless to weary
them with the minor details of this important subject.
It is unnecessary to point out at length to them the de-
ceit, insolence, chicanery, and falsehood of Russia in her
recent proceedings ; nor need any one now dwell on the
timidity, folly, ignorance, and subserviency which dic-
tated the disgraceful Vienna note. The people overlook
the blunders of a government if they believe their prin-
ciples to be right ; and should they now act with energy,
we need not recal the past weakness which has led to
the present crisis. One thing ought to be pointed out,
namely, that Austria is not fairly with us. Her fear of
Russia binds her to that power, even though her inte-
rests are in the opposite direction. The very fact of
, Austria being at the mercy of Russia makes it the more
necessary to support Turkey, as the only remaining
bulwark against absolutism and barbarism. The mis-
chievous intrigues of the Greeks must be guarded
against ; and it should be shown to them that their only
choice is between a liberal government like the Sultan's,
and an iron tyranny like the Czar's. No one who is ac-
quainted in the slightest degree with the East could
imagine an independent Greek empire, or think of ex-
tending the frontiers of the present semi-Bavarian
kingdom. Our
ciples of justice, and not on favouritism :
policy should be
should
aent.d CRherliisgitioauns,
independence,our
and, if you like, commercialdoctrines,
make no distinctioncebtehtowheeenorMporosletemste
Greek or Roman,
onaalre
toleration, liberal governmeinite,ednoti,
in e fere i • t r
and whenever circumstances obliges us ton the
affairs of other states we ought to urge on those in whose
favour we act the wisdom, if not the necessity, of adopt-
ing our principles.
inlteefidnedd I; hhauvteaws
Iriattmendyetoauinaedrahthereer
longer letter than
for the present, and cannot conveniently assist at any of
the public meetings about to be held this month, I can-
not refrain from giving you a faint outline of the line of
argument and of conduct our friends ought to pursue.
Above all, I hope no wild scheme of republicanism, or
democracy, or violent revolution, will be mixed up with
this clear, great, and European, question, but that it
may stand forward on its own broad basis of right and
justice.—l am, yours truly,

BEAUMONT.
P.S.—Drop a line to tell me what is going on, and
say if you think Parliament will meet before the usual
time.

THE PREMIER lIIMSELF ON THE TURKISH

QUESTION.

A number of the manufacturers and other inha-
bitants of Sheffield having addressed a memorial to
the Prime Minister on the subject of the Eastern
question, the noble earl has returned the following
reply : _

"Downing-street, Oct. 12, 1853.
" SIR,—I have had the honour to receive your letter,
transmitting to me a memorial, signed by merchants,
manufacturers, and other inhabitants of the town of
Sheffield, in which they express their approbation of the
conduct of her Majesty's Government, and pray that
they will persevere in the pacific policy which has
hitherto been pursued by them in the East. I beg to
thank the memorialists for this mark of their confidence,
and to assure them that her Majesty's Government will
not cease their utmost endeavours to reconcile the seri-
ous differences which have arisen, and, consistently
with the honour of this country, to preserve EuroPe
from the calamities of war.

" I have the honour to be, Sir,
"Your obedient humble ser►ant,
" ABLBDUIT."

"Robert Waterhotuie,Asq., j=. 's