The Sun.
London, England, 1831-10-03 00:00:00

FRENCH PAPERS.

(Extracts from the Papers of Friday.)
The following is the petition which is preparing
for the King ; it has already received a crowd of
signatures
" SIRE,-The glorious days of July gave birth to legi-
timate hopes which have not been satisfied. The inhabitants
of Strasburg beheld with grief all the sources of their
ancient prosperity succesively dried up ; while, at the same
time, imposts, as high as they are ill-distributed, press
upon every article of consumption.
" The tax upon salt,—the law which regulates the
entrance duties upon foreign grain,—and the tax on the
importation of cattle.—these, Sire, are the objects for
which we reclaim revision with the most lively solicitude.
" One general voice is raised in France for the abolition
of the salt tax—a duty which, it must be admitted, presses
principally upon that part of the population which lives
by its labour, and, at the same time, impairs the pro-
sperity of our agriculture.
" The law which fixes the corn-entrance duties, dates
from an epoch when the distress of the cultivators called
for help ; it was modified in 1830, by reason of the in-
crease of prices, and by a law which expires in 1831.
We still pay the importation duty upon rates determined
for times of plenty, although for some years the dearth
of the crops has been increasing.
" We ask the revision of this law, in what concerns not
daaly corn, bnt also oats and barley.
" However onerous may he these charges, above all, in
the presence of an annihilated commerce, and of the ex-
cessive rise in the price of at-ides of actual subsistence,
and of the disasters of an inundation of the crops, we have
hitherto been resigned to it, under the impression that the
dignity of France, the honour of the country, required
such sacrifices.

" But when this odious impost, which has for its prin-
ciple a protection granted to a particular interest, which
was only established when at an epoch it was thought ne-
cessary to punish Alsace fur its patriotism and devotion,—
when it, let us say, strikes exclusively at the subsistence
of the poor,--it should be permitted to us to reclaim the
suppression of a measure alike contrary to all rules of jus-
tice, and the just principle of an equal distribution of
taxation.

" Alsace has not ceased to protest against the duties
upon cattle entering her bounds. These duties, first fixed
at 12 francs, in the interest of a reasonable protection of
agriculture, were successively carried to 55 francs in
1822. At that epoch strong and earnest remonstrances
were made to the Chambers and the Government against
a measure which went to increase the price of food. Al-
sace could not provide pasturage for cattle, owing to the
extreme division of property, and was therefore obliged
to obtain them from without.

" These just observations, sustained by every maxim of
reason and equity, were not adopted : other councils, other
interests, prevailed in the Government of the Restoration ;
nevertheless, our grievances found some sympathy. The
tax was then established and provoked, thus raising the
price of an article of primary necessity, and restricting
our external commerce.

" We do not open a discussion upon the former policy,
but we do call upon your Majesty for the suppression of
the impost upon foreign cattle, that which obliges us to
pay two Bois dearer for them than in justice we ought.
44 We had hoped for the last 15 months the just redress
-which we had a right to expect from a revolution that
promised oqual protection to all interests, such as existed
before 1822. We appeal to your Majesty's justice and
benevolence to ease the burdens of a people who want
work, and whose privations are aggravated by the failure
of the last harve,t." (The signatures.)
The butchers of Strasburg had also circulated the
following note :-" After the steps taken by the
Prefect on the 25th inst., which provisionally di-
minished one-half of the duties upon cattle, the
butchers of this city have unanimously consented to
reduce the price of meat from 50 centimes to 4.5 the
ponnd, which is more than the moiety of reduction
of duty ; but as they hope they have a certainty
of the speedy reduction of the whole tax, they are
not afraid of losing eventually by the arrangement."
" A letter in La Sentinelle Nationale, a Lyons
paper, of the 27th Sept., professing to reply to the
speech of M. Sebastian', of the 19th, says, The
army of the King of Sardinia is actually from 80,000
to 85,000 men, of whom 60,000 are of the line,
divided into six contingents, which in time of peace
serve every four months. Now, however, they are
all under arms, and in case of war, their number
can be carried to 100,000 men, by means of
the annual levy of 15,000 men, and the delay
of giving their discharge to those who are entitled
to it from length of service. Charles Albert, upon
his accession to the throne, had, it is true, dismissed
the sth contingent, and the sending away the next
contingent was also announced, but the sth was
soon after recalled, and the reduction of the ether
stopped. This event has given currency to the ru-
mour that there has been concluded a treaty of alli-
ance between Piedmont and Austria. At all events
such a treaty was formed with Austria by Charles
Felix, and it has never been rescinded. Moreover,
it is thought that Piedmont could not remain neutral
in the event of a rupture between Austria and France.
At all events, should the march of the French Go-
vernment he anti-national, and consequently inca-
pable of presenting any guarantee of stability and
strength, nobody would dare advise the King of
Sardiuia, supposing even tluit he wished it, to sepa-
rate from Austria, and unite with France.' "
FR FNcl, FrtioS, Pa RIM, SEPT. 30.-Five per Cents., 88E 25c.
Fkf. 87f. 90c. 95c. 881. 87f. 80c. 75c. 87f. 65c. dOc. ;. Four per Cents.,
7.21. 50c. ; Three per Cents., 59f. Sc. 10c. z9f._s9t. Sc. 59f. SSE 80c.
90c. 59f. 591. Sc. 581. 95c. 80c. 8.,c. 75c. 80c. 7ac. 5Sf. 70c. 75c. 5911
UV. 90c. 80c.: Bank Stock, 1,5251. ; Rente de Naples, 69f. 60c.
55, 50e. ; Rente d'Eipagne, 10N ; Royal Spanish Loan, 63
ski ; Rente Perpetuelle d`Lq,agne, 463% 47 46;1, a 4 sip 463. i •
Ilaytian Loan,2osf. Exchange on London, one month, paPer,
.25c 5c., money, 251. sc. ; three months, paper, 25E, money, Dr.
psc. -COO rs .luthentique.

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(From the Times Private Correspondent.)

PARIS, SATURDAY EVENING.

It WP.t yesterday currently reported, and among
some of General Sebastiani's own friends, that
that Minister was about to retire. He, however,
this day wishes it to be contradicted himself. He
not. only does not mean to retire, he says, but least
of all does he shrink from any investigation which
General Guilleminot may bring against him with re-
ference to the affairs of the Constantinople embassy.
Whatever opinion may be formed of the morale of
General Sebastiani's politics, he is a bold and an
able man, arid rathr r unlikely to yield in the pre-
sence of an enemy. The fact is, however, that the
present Ministers mean to stand or fall together.
There has been of late no division in the Cabinet,
and all public measures have been conducted with
unanimity.
The debate on the Peerage law will last through
the whole of the ensuing week, and probably longer,
for as the details of the budget are still under dis•
cussion, the Chamber of Deputies cannot devote
itself exclusively to the great constitutional ques-
tion. There is, lam informed, a great deal of in-
trigue at work upon the subject in both Chambers,
and much difference of opinion in anticipation of the
result.
The King will take up his abode this day in the
Palace of the Tuileries. The Carlists have already
in their publications raised a cry against this pro-
fanation of an edifice so long dedicated to the trzes of
the elder Bourbon branch. In it the latter has often
plundered, and from it often massacred the people.
The ravages making in Vienna by the cholera
morbus are frightening the French, The authorities
have, however, taken every precaution upon the
frontier, and the Prefect of Police in Paris issued
orders yesterday for the construction of new foun-
tains in the capital, that the inhabitants should have
an abundant supply ai? good water, for the purifica-
tion of the cite, Y.
"rump), SEPT. 22.

- ,
The Court still remains at St. Ildefontso, but will
speedily be removed to Madrid. An ordinance of
Ferdinand has enjoined eight days' mourning for
the death of the Grand Linke Constantine. The news
of the fall of Warsaw has imparted the greatest
joy to the Apostolica,is. They think it the destruc-
tion of the cause of liberty. The greatest activity
prevails in arming the middle provinces in Biscay
and Navarre, so as to have some columns ready to
march at a moment's notice. Still the treasury is it,
Neat want of money to pay the troops, and thi
Government do not know well where to obtain it.
(From the Moniteur of Saturday%)
As soon as the Government had knowledge of
the events at Strasburg, the removal of the nefect

was announced, and at the same time orders were
issued that the full amount of the cattle duties
should be enforced. A telegraphic dispatch an-
nounces that these orders hove been executed, and
that no further disturbance has occurred.

(From the Morning Herald.)
We have just received the Paris Papers of Sa-
turday, and the Gazette de France and ;Illes,9ager
des Chambres dated yesterday.
The foreign political news contained in these
Papers may be thus briefly summed up :—Mexico is
pacified. The Turkish fleet destined for Alexandria
reached Mitylene on the 18th ult. The insurrec-
tion at Neufchatel has been suppressed by the troops
of the Confederation. Important military move-
ments were observable in Prussia. Oporto is said
to have revolted against Don Miguel. The crew of
a Portuguese corvette in Brest harbour took pos-
session of the ship, and hoisted the colours of
Donna Maria.
The cholera makes dreadful progress in Vienna
and Berlin. The disease which had broken out at
Wesel, on the Rhine, is, it appears, not the Indian
cledera.
Egypt, it was feared, would be ravaged by the
scourge, which had already reached Cosseir and Suez.
The internal state of France is far from satisfac-
tory. In the Chamber the influence and power of
the Ministry is every day increasing, while out of
doors the Government is becoming unpopular. The
elections have in general been in favour of the Mi-
nisterial candidates, whilst (however paradoxical it
be) public opinion is stated to be hostile to M. Pe-
rier and his colleagues.
The disturbances which broke out in several of
the departments on receipt of the fall of Warsaw
are nearly at an end, but the Chouans are yet in
arms in some districts; and, what is infinitely more
to be lamented, a serious riot, in which the Na-
tional Guards were the actors, took place on the
25th ult. at Strasburg, for the purpose of compel-
ling the authorities to lower the duties on the in-
troduction of provisions from Germany, Govern-
ment appears, however, determined to act with
vigour in this and all similar cases.
The proceedings on the Peerage question were
recommenced ort Friday last, and were resumed on
Saturday; but it will be many days ere the probable
result can be predicted.
Although the reported retiremeut of M. Sebas•
tiani from the Ministry was formally denied at Paris,
a rumour prevailed on Saturday evening of the in-
troduction of MM. Guizot, Dupin, and Thiers, into
the Ministry.
The Journal du Commerce says, " The Spanish
Government, it is reported, has intimated to the
French Cabinet, that if au expedition against Don
Miguel, and in favour of Donna Maria, was sent to
Lisbon on board of French vessels, Spanish troops
would enter Portugal immediately ; but, if the
movement was only effected by Don Pedro against
Don Miguel, Spain would not take any part in the
quarrel between the two brothers."
The Messager des Cliambres contradicts, in the
most positive terms, the rumour of General Sebas-
tiani's retirement.

According to letters from Naples, the Prince de
Cassaro, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has embarked
for Genoa, for the purpose of demanding the hand
of the Princess Christina of Sardinia for the King
of the Two SicilieE.
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES-0(7. 1.

At a quarter pa-t two o'clock M. Girod de
L'Ain, the President, took the Chair.
The order of the day was the continuation of the
preparatory discussion of the project of law for the
recognization of the Peerage, but the Deputies not
being in number, M. Mallet was called upon to pre.
sent a report of various petitions.
The most remarkable were those of several hun-
dred inhabitants of Paris, Clermont, and other towns
of France, begging of the Chamber to interfere in
favour of Poland; and another from Lyons, praying
that the Poles should be admitted in the ranks of
the French army, and treated as French citizens.
The reporter said that those petitions were for-
warded before the catastrophe of Warsaw was
known, and that, although little hope remains of
Poland being able to conquer her nationality, yet the
commission considered it expedient to refer the pe-
titions to the President of the Council.

General Lafayette—l join with all my heart in
the sentiments expressed by the reporter of your
commission. I nevertheless remarked some expres-
sions which induced me to speak on the question.
It is not exact to cor.sider the Polish cause as en-
tirely lost. However deplorable the catastrophe of
Warsaw may be, there still remains a nation full of
patriotism, and an admirable army, to which the
National Government has rallied. We should then
endeavour to encourage the sympathy still existing
in favour of Poland, and to assist in the energetical
efforts which all France expects from the Minister
of Foreign Affairs in favour of that country.
The petitions were then referred to the President
of the Council of Ministers.

Several other reports on petitions were made by
M. 'Martin, M. March!, and others, before the
Chamber resumcd the discussion on the Peerage.

SITTING or SEPT. 30.

The President of the Council, in rising to make
a communication from the Government, said, that
within a few years many foreigners had been driven
by political events to take refuge in France. Their
distress had excited the munificence of the country.
The first Spanish refugees, banished from their
country for having belonged to the French party,
received relief from the Minister of the Interior. In
1823, other refugees having fled to France, a sp,-
cial grant of 610,000 f. was made for their relief.
This grant was renewed in 1829 and 1830. In
1831 the number had greatly increased ; and at this
moment, independent of the Foreign Legion, no
fewer than 5,500 proscribed refugees were receiving
relief. The Minister then pointed out most dis
tinctly that it was upon the principle of humanity,
and not upon that of policy, that succour was afforded
ro them. He protested beforehand against any in-
terpretation that would give a political character to
the measure, for these foreigners must be prevented
imagining that they had rights which might lead to
cowequences disagreeable to France. France was
the country of Frenchmen alone; it was not, as had
been said, Belgian, Italian, and Spanish, but French.
—(Strong sensation.) It had not taken upon itself
the wrong of protecting any propaganda whatever.
France was doing for these refugees what every indi-
vidual Frenchman would be induced to do. The refu-
4ees, on their side, ought to respect the rights of hos-
pitality. This point was the more to be insisted on, us
the conduct of some of the refugees had rendered
severe precautions necessary. In the recent dis-
turbances at Paris and at Perpignan some of these
refugees had been arrested among the agitators.
From the good conduct of these strangers in the
mass, and the prompt restoration of order in their
country, the gradual reduction of the burden upon
France was to be hoped for. France would always
support thew in their desire of again seeing their
homes. As to the refugees from Romagna, the
most happy results had already been obtained in
their favour. An amnes y had been granted them
upon the sole condition of their taking an oath of
allegiance, and promising not to take part in any
plot in futuie, and to resist every attempt at revolt.
Sixty of these Italians had already agreed to these
conditions, and twenty had left France. Such as
refused to return home, upon complying with con-
ditions so simple and cagy, would ba excluded from
sharing in the succour.
The Minister then presented a Bill for a grant of
500,000 f. to be made to the Minister of the Inte-
rior, in addition to one million already granted for
1831, to be applied to tho relief of foreigners who
are refugees from political causes.
The Bill was ordered to be printed, and referred
to the Committees.—The discussion on the Peerage
Bill was then resumed,
1,-as.—PARIS, OCT. I.—FiYe per Cents., 87f. 93c.
32xv: 7.l:,;)r‘k• 9ac. 90e. 85c. 95c. 88f. 88f. 18c. 30c. 35c. 30c. 30c.
,;,,,,w;eael t5ifa,:f,.6.„75,Ac.. 90c. 65c. 90c, 59f. 59f. 13c.
',agile, 46% 47
• ter Bank Stock, 1,5201: ; Itente de Naples, Of. 50c. 60e.
paper, 25f. Sc. ; money, 25f.•
tx.ltente Perpetuene
threege on London,, one, month,
fit. oluthentipc,months, paper, 41, , money,