The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-25 00:00:00

RUSSIA.

The Constitutionnel publishes the following let•
ter, dated St. Petersburg, Jan. 16, in the evening.
It gives an account of the effect produced at the
Russian capital by the Czar's acceptance of the
Austrian proposals
" A report is going the round like wildfire. The
Emperor is said to have given his adhesion to th e
Austrian 'ultimatum. No one will believe it to be
true. Nevertheless, it is so. No member of the
Imperial family, or of the Council of the Empire,
not one of the Ministers, not even M. de Nessel-
rode, could have predicted this morning the pacific
reply of the Czar Alexander IL
" For the last two days Prince Alexander Gort-
schakoff, the Russian Envoy at Vienna, has kept
the telegraph in continual play, appealing to the
good sentiments of the Russian Government in
favour of peace. He pointed out the serious con-
sequences that would result from a categorical
refusal.

"This morning the Emperor Alexander sent for
the Chancellor and M. de Seniavin, to make them
acquainted with the decision he had adopted, and
his wish that it should be immediately communi-
cated to Count Valentine Esterhazy. it was the
Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who
was charged to take the note to the Austrian Pleni-
potentiary. At the same time, a summary of the
note was forwarded by telegraph to Vienna.
" Count Nesselrode's notification to Count Ester-
hazy commenced as follows :
" In giving an additional proof of the pacific
sentiments which animate him in the interest of the
balance of power of Europe his Majesty, my august
master, has wished to testify publicly the price he
attaches to consolidating the bonds of friendship
which unite him to the Court of Vienna and to the
other Courts of Europe.'
" The Emperor Alexander appears to have con-
sulted no one but himself in these grave circum-
stances. He has just charged the Grand Duke
Nicholas with the delioate mission of cornmunicat-
in, his decision to his brother, the Grand Admiral
Constantine. We shall only know to-morrow at
St. Petersburg what passed at that interview.
" At the moment I write Cabinet couriers are
starting in all directions with despatches for the
different Sovereigns of Central Europe.
" The representatives of the Foreign States at
the Russian Court are on their way to the Chan-
cery, to congratulate the Government of the Em-
peror. Count Valentine Esterhazy was not the
last. He seems much rejoiced at the unforeseen
issue of his mission ; but he found M. de Nessel-
rode very reserved, and by no means disposed to
give way to ebullitions of tenderness.
" On returning to his chambers, Count Valentine
Esterhazy sat down to draw up the report, which
he forwards to-morrow to the Cabinet of Vitt:into

and which-will be intrusted to the care of his first
secretary, M. SzechenYi.
" The impression produced on the population of
the capital by the news of the decision of the Czar
is precisely this—great incredulity among the lower
classes, and in the higher classes, where passing
events are known sooner and better, profound
astonishment and some expressions of discontent.
" All that remains to be done now is to fix the
place where the conferences are to meet, for which
the text of the Russian official note will serve as a
basis, with the diplomatist who will represent
Russia at them. The name of the latter is whis-
pered about, some say Admiral Prince Menschikoff,
but I think that is a bad joke ; others M. de
Boutenieff, the Privy Councillor. I willingly in-
cline to believe it may be the latter.
" I have no other news to communicate to-day.
Groups are assembling in the streets, discussing
the, great news. A great number openly manifest
their satisfaction, but the ' Old Russians,' the
partisans of war at all price, are in consternation,
and do not hesitate to declare that the Emperor
Alexander 11. will not find a diplomatist who will
affix his signature to a peace concluded under such
circumstances."