The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY l7, 18NR.

VieToßia, and responsible to the British Parlia-
ment for the important duties confided to its
charge. It is not always, however, that the votes
and speeches of honourable gentlemen are in ac-
cordance, and therefore it is by no means impro-
bable that Mr. BAILLIZ was fighting the battle of
the Company by producing the delay for which
they are so very solicitous.

If any of the annexations that have taken place
could be justified, it was that of Oude. It was iu the
interest of the suffering population to remove the
misgovernment and oppression under which they
were groaning, and to place them under the
protection of the British law. It was not like the

confiscation of a pension, the sole remaining
token of sovereign power which could have been
dictated by the greed of gain. There might be
doubts as to the legal right to interfere with the
' internal government of an indepdtdent kingdom
—there might be questions as to the power of
deposing a Sovereign because he was ignorant and
voluptuous ; but if we had the power to
do so, it would be for the welfare and happie
ness of millions that it should be exer-
cised. Many European Sovereigns may not
govern in accordance with our views and wishes,
but we do not on that account claim the right to
dethrone them and amalgamate their dominions
with our own. It might be well that it were so,
but certainly the doctrine would alarm other
Powers who felt that their turns would come on
in due course, and that they could only hop 3 to
avert the evil by early and organised resistance.
We believe that there can be no doubt that the
annexation system was one at least of the causes
of the mutiny. It gave a direct interest to many
parties to subvert the Anglo-Indian Government,
and every available pretext was eagerly sought
after to shock the prejudices and shake the fidelity
of the native troops. A large body of trained
soldiers had been thrown out of employment in
Oude, and therefore naturally became turbulent
and restless. The sepoy troops were recruited
from their brothers and relatives, and naturally
sympathised with their sufferings. But while
the danger was increasing, there was no corre-
sponding addition to the European forees
in India. The most important stations were
left in the hands of discontented soldiers,
who had the power, if they possessed the
will, to obtain great temporary advantages.
There was a devious want of foresight displayed
by the Anglo-Indian Government. Bat surely
it is on that very account that we should strive to
remove it, and substitute a better one in its place,
which will be more amenable to public opinion,
and sooner compelled to yield to " the pressure
from without," when firmly and unflinchingly
applied.

The long-delayed negotiations for the extension
of the system of electric telegraphs along the bed
of the Mediterranean to Alexandria are actually—
it now appears—not even commenced ! Such, in
truth, was the admission made the other evening
in the House of Commons, with matchless effron-
tery, by the First Lord of the Treasury. It was
answer to the inquiry of Mr. CRAW/ORD
whether arrangements had been entered into by
this means with a view to the establishment of
direct telegraphic communication between this
country (by way of Egypt and the Red Sea), and
our remote East Indian possessions. Invariably
the burden of the reply vouchsafed to all quese
tions of this kind is comprised in the "damnably
itterated" dissyllable of—Nothing. What has
been done ? Nothing. What has been attempted
to be done ? Nothing. What may reasonably
be expected to be done t Well, honestly and
frankly, next to—Nothing. The Noble Viscount,
ever gay and ever sprightly., under the load of
his seventy-five winters, lounges there in an easy
attitude, night after night during the session,
upon that comfortably-padded Treasury bench,
with his hat rakishly cocked on one side, ready
at all times, with all possible good humour, at
e►eryboiy's summons, to say his catechism. The
interrogative ordeal, indeed, is easily enough to
be passed through by any one upon the same terms
of consistent and persistent negation. Mr. CAN-
NINO'S knife grinder, for that matter, might just as
lief assume the reins of Government. "Story, GOD
bless you, they have none to tell, air 1" if you
come down hopefully to the House some fine
afternoon, about four of the clock, primed, some-
times with a single-barrelled, sometimes with a
double.barrelled poser in the way of a preliminary
inquiry I—sometimes even confronting my Lord
PALMERSTON and the Ministerial cyphers on either
hand of him with a regular six-barrelled revolver,
loaded, capped, cocked, and hair-trigged. The
coolly-confident and even hilarious air assumed al
these times by the gay, sparkling, "
hand, touch.and-go" young veteran at the head
of the Administration, is only comparable to that
of the jolly Tar in Jog MILLE; who replied to
the highwayman's challenge, looking coolly from
the coach-box down that agreeable metallic vista
presented to him by the muzzle of the blunder.
buss—" Shoot !" (together with a rather strong
expression in allusion to the eyes of his new
acquaintance), " better lose one's life than one's
money." The "air" of my Lord PALMERSTON
is precisely similar, if his language be slightly
different. He surpasses even the fame won for
himself by Sir Jas. GRAIIAM as Home Secretary
during the late gir ROBERT PESL'S A dministra

tiou. And Sir JI.MES, it will bo remembered,
was famous enough in his time for replying at

any moment to all sorts of inquiries in the mos

plausible manner imaginable, and sitting down at
the end of his courteous explanation—having really
explained Nothing. Never letting the cat out of

tile big, simply because there was no cat in it to
let out. So it is with Lord PALMERSTON. Nothing

.s revealed—because there is no material for

explanation.

Nevertheless, look for a moment at the signi-
ficance of the latest vacuity thus presented to our

observation. Nothing whatever has been done with

I view to the continuance of the electric wire to

Alexandria, and ultimately by way of Egypt and
the Red Soa to Calcutta ! Nothing—with India

n revolt—with our Asiatic empire jeopardised—

with a new war with China upon our hands—with

70,000 sepoy mutineers to deal with on the one side,

,knd on the other a nation of foes numbering

400,000,000 as its population. With every in-
ducement, and every facility, before uq, nothing,
absolutely nothing in this matter even Begun by
the Government. Red tape again
What the
keenest Observer of our Age has aptly called Cir-
cumlocution ! Here is another charming speci-
men
of it. it is the latest sample with its fresh
troma still around it. Aroma Dues it not
rather "stink into the nostrils" of the community!
Why, it is scarcely endurable to think of ! "As
yet," says Lord PALILRIZSTON, " no definite pro-
posal has been made to the Government for carry-
ing the Telegraph by the way of the Red Sea to
India." Can anything be well more monstrous,
more frivolous, more preposterous ? Why, it is
the Government itself that ought to make the
proposal instead of waiting to have the proposal
made to it ! The dead-lock of the situation is
Meantime, while we are
simply ridiculous.
laughing at such absurdities, are we really to go

on indefinitely without even attempting one ener-

getic effort for the completion of the electric tele-
graph from London to Calcutta? We put our
Question not to Lord PALUERSTON, but to the
Imperial Legislature.

MAP OF CAWNPORE.

Mr. Wyld has just published a very graphic
map of the far-famed city and environs of
Cawnpore. It clearly delineates the position
of General Windham during his late" engage-
ments with the rebels—ths old and new
cities of Cawnpore—the British entrenchments
guarding the Bridge of Boats across the Ganges,
which at this part is nearly one mile broad, leading
to the new road to Lricknow. We have, besides, a
bird's-eye view, or miniature map, of the surround-
ing country from Bareilly and Nepaul, down to the
River Betwa, Futtehpore, and nearly to Alla-
habad, embracing Furukhabad, Minpooree, &c. &c.
Altogether it is an excellent map, and, like all Mr.
Wyld's publications, well-timed.

EAST INDIA EOUSE.—(This Day,

LATEST NEWS.

THE WEST INDIA AND PACIFIO
MAILS.
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY MORNING.

The Royal mail steamer Orinoco, Captain Bayn•
ton has arrived, with dates from Honduras to Jan,
18; Greytown, 20; Colon, 23 ; Jamaica, 27 ; De
merara, 24 ; Trinidad, 14 ; Barbadoes, 26 ; Gre•
nada, 25 ; St. Thomas, 31.

She brings 25 passengers, $555,350 in specie ;
jewellery, value 6601. ; platina, value 370/. ; and
cargo of cochineal, coffee, indigo, tobacco, (Sze.
The Orinoco has had very tempestuous weather,
having experienced a fearful gale, with a terrific
sea.

The Christmas holydays had scarcely terminated
at the Islands when the mail left, but the crop was
forward, and a large supply was expected.
Dissatisfaction was felt by the planters at Jamaica
at so many men enlisting in the native regiments.
Labour was so scarce that the labourers had
demanded higher wages, which the planters had as
yet successfUilly resisted.
The weather fine, and health good. Crop opera-
tions had commenced.
Business generally was inactive, except in fish,
to which a.n undue impetus was now given by a
speculative movement.
Coffee and pimento in small supply, at low rates.
Sugar as last quoted.
Exchange on Loudon li, 2, and 2i per cent.
premium, for 90, 60, and 30 days respectively.
At Demerara shipping was abundant, but freights
were unequal to the demand. Among the mer-
chants manufacturing operations were in progress.
Molasses not to be obtained in any quantity at
quotations.
The weather at Barbadoes was favourable for the
planters, and canes ripening rapidly ; trade dull ;
health good.
President Labordf, of St. Vincent, died of ma-
lignant fever on the 11th ult., and the Hon. Mr.
M‘Leod had been sworn in as his successor.
The Council of Government at Trinidad met on
the 12th of January, when a despatch on the sub-
ject of immigration was read, which stated that
orders had been given for as many coolies as could
be freighted for 50,000/., or about five thousand
adults. There were occasional departures for the
diggings, but all fear of a gold fever was subsiding.
At Grenada agricultural prospects were favour-
able, and the weather excellent. Business pretty
brisk, and public health all that could be wished.
From Guadeloupe we have intelligence of the
loss of a vessel in which upwards of 100 African
labourers had been transhipped for conveyance to
the idaud, and the lose of 80 of the poor emigrants.
The American monetary crisis has had a fatal
effect on the commerce of Porto Rico, and caused
many failures to large amounts.
The news from Valparaiso is more satisfactory.
The harvest was an abundant one ; in some mea-
sure relieving the scarcity of provisions. The mines
of Actama were daily getting better, and the yield
of silver ore become very large.
From Callao we learn that Arequipa still re-
mained in the hands of Vivanco, and that Castilla
had now little hope of taking it.
The national steamer Maria Isabel, recently pur-
chased 'in England, had been lost in Misericordia
Bay, in the Straits of Magellan ; crew all saved.
No later news from the intoner of New Grenada.
At Greytown the Walker excitement had sub-
sided, and merchants had been tempted again to
commence purchasing, by the line of steamers being
reopened between New York and San Francisco.
Things were looking more healthy at Colon, the
drain for money to the States having decreased.

FRANCE.
PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING.
Despatches have been received from M. de Bour-
queasy, the French Ambassador at Vienna, giving
an account of his reception by the Emperor of
Austria, who expressed in the warmest terms his
good feeling towards the Emperor Louis Napoleon.
The fact of an intimate understanding between the
two Governments is now regarded as probable.
Captain de la Ronciere le Noury, who has been
appointed to the command of the French naval sta-
tion at Newfoundland is charged to renew the pre-
position of an exchange of territory which the
Legislature of Newfoundland had rejected. The
Captain is t• sail for his destination in the Gassendi
at the end of this month.
General Baron Sprengtporten, the Swedish En-
voy, accompanied by Captains de Boy and de
Lagerkeim, officers of the Swedish Royal Gnarl,
visited the Chateau of Vincennes yesterday. They
have been invited by the Minister of War to visit
the other military establishments in Paris.
The Montiteur states, under the head of " Mos-
cow, Feb. 1," that on the previous day a solemn
Te Deum was performed at the French Catholic
Church of St. Louis, to return thanks to Divine
Providence for preserving the lives of the Emperor
and Empress of the French on the 14th of January.
Count Zekrewski, Governor-General of Moscow,
and other eminent putlic officials, as well as a great
number of the principal inhabitants, were present.
At the close of the ceremony the Count Zakrewski,
turning toward, the French Consul, said :--.,, May
his Majesty the Emperor Napoleon 111, live many
the of
streets Bceuf Gras took
marked out in
place ets
years, for the sake of the repose and security of the
world."
The
yesterdaysecond
alongpromenade
the programme officially published. The weather
was dry but rather cold, and the crowd in the
streets was not by any means remarkable, except
just at the moment the procession was expected
to pass. The chief halts took place at the hotels of
the ambassadors of England and Russia, Faubourg
St. Honors ; the Minister of Justice and Marshal
Magnan, Place Vendome ; Minister of Finance,
Rue de Rivoli ; their Imperial Highnesses Prince
Jerome and Prince Napoleon, Palais Royal ; the
Prefectures of Police and of the Seine ; the Conser-
vatoire des Arts et Meliers, Rue St. Martin ; and
then home to the Abattoir, by the Boulevards.
This day, Shrove Tuesday, which is generally con-
sidered the best of the three devoted to the proces-
sion, the cortege will visit the Tuileries according
to ancient custom.
BOURSE, FEB. 16.—The following were the last
qaiotatie LIB :-

per Cents
94 60
Do. end month -
3 per Cent. ..... 69 SO
Do. end month 69
Bank Sires
Credit Mobilier 9'9
Do. Account 932 50

ItAIL
Orleans
Northern
Now Ditto BlO
Lyon and blediteran. 870
New Ditto .. 837
Geneva

I, Credit Foncier
Belgian 4.t............
Piedruontese (5)
Roman
Austrian
..... .
Spanish Threes
Home Debt ..............

Mid i
Weste;n""..."
,7,33,11
Strasburg
Grand Centr 1
495
'Sardinian a
75
Austrian

RUSSIA.
With respect to the reported transformation of
the Russian merchant fleet in the Black Sea into
vessels of war, the Nerd of yesterday says :
" We have not thought it worth while to expose
the absurdity of this piece of intelligence, nor of the
ridiculous comments of an Austrian journal ; but
certain French journals, particularly the Patrie,
have thought proper to reproduce this news, pub-
lished and commented on by the Austrian Gazette.
We reply to the Patrie that Russia considers, and
will always consider, it a sacred duty to attend to
the condition of her brave sailors, who have so vali-
antly served their country, and who made the dc-
fence of Sebastopol one of the finest pages in her
history. Doubtless the Russian Government will
not hesitate to authorise the extry of the crews of
the fleet into the merchant service, but these en-
gagements are voluntary, and are not made in any
silent. Without doubt,
way by order or under the auspices of the Govern-
continue in receipt of their salaries, their grades,
and their distinctions; without doubt still, they
Govern-
also, these sailors will
will continue under the orders of the commander
of the squadron in the Black Sea. lii what, then, I
does this measure resemble a violation of the treaty
of 30th March, which is accepted by no nation more
loyally in spirit and iu letter than by Russia ?
But if, on the one part, Russia has the right of re-
wardin,, services rendered, she ought, on the ctber I
hand, warding;
watch over
th© development of her mer-
chant navy in the Euxine. And how can she attain
this double object more surely thin by preserving
the skeleton of the old fleet, and in endeavouring
to form from these glorious remains the nucleus of
a maritime population on coasts where such popu-
lation does not exst ? The Russian coasts of the
Black Sea consist only
maritime population for the wants of the merchant
navy, it is necessary, when the country does not
possess one, to retain such as may have been brought
there. of steppes ; and to form a

As for the, discipline exercised on board these

merchant ships, it will simply be in conformity with
ordinary regulations in such matters, and with the
intentions and requirements of the masters of said
vessels ; nothing more and nothing less.
" Moreover, let the Patrie reassure itself ; the
crews of the old Russian squadron in the Black Sea
are dispersed—one part in the Caspian Sea, the
other iu the Pacific Ocean. With respect to the
cannon with which it is pretended the Russian
merchant ships in the Euxine are to be armed,
there is in this nothing more than one of those
mystifications of which the Austrian journals have
At all times had the monopoly—a monopoly we
should regret to see disputed by La Patrie."

TBE DUKE OF MONTEBELLO.

(From, the Paris Correspondent of the Times.)
The Duke of Montebello's appointment to the
Russian Embassy appears in this day's Moniteur.
Thus another friend of tho house of Orleans is de-
tached from it ; and the testimonial for his con-
version is the post which even M. de Morny did
not disdain. It would probably have been said
that the Duke lost no time in responding to the
eloquent appeal of the reporter on the Penal Law to
the eminent men who held office under the previous
regimes, had it' not been known that for some
months past the new Ambassador gave unmis-
takeable signs that conviction was progressively
coming on him. The Orleans party must, indeed,
be in a ruinous condition when such men as M.
Dupin and the Duke of Montebello take leave of it
for ever.

The case of the Duke of Montebello is one of
peculiar interest. Seldom has there been an in-
stance of more complete retribution ; seldom a more
convincing proof ofmagnanimity, and forgetfulness
of the past on the part of any Sovereign than this
nomination. The Duke ie, as you are aware,
the son of the celebrated Marshal Lannes ; of
him who was the most loved of all those extraor-
dinary men who sprung from the great Revolution,
and whose powers were developed by the great
Napoleon ; of him who was called the Orlando of the
French army. He fell gloriously and fortunately at
the battle of Essliw, fought in 1809. I say " for-
tunately," because he did not witness the reverses
of the man to whom he owed everything ; and he
thus escaped the contagion of treachery, and of
the worst ingratitude of which history makes men-
tion. Lannes died in the full blaze of his glory. The
dark spot that rests on the reputation of other
military chiefs and statesmen who swore fidelity to
their master while in prosperity, and whe deserted
him at his utmost need, does not attach to Lannes.
Had he lived to see darker days, what would he
have done
His son, the present Duke, does not now for the
first time enter on diplomatic employment in the
service of the French Government. In 1838 he was
Minister Plenipotentiary to the Swiss Confedera-
tion. Prince Louis Napoleon had returned from
his exile in America to the canton of Thurgovie,
and again occupied the chateau of Arenernberg.
His presence, for same reason or other, gave great
umbrage to the Duke of Montebello, who in Aug.,
1838, addressed a note to the magistrates of the
canton of Lucerne, peremptorily demanding the
Prince's immediate expulsion from the territory of
the Confederation.
This menacing demand produced much sensation
in Switzerland; and, with the view of intimidating
the Diet, the French Government ordered a corps
of 25,000 men to be stationed on the frontier, artil-
lery from Lyons to proceed towards Switzerland,
and two battalions occupied Gers on the 30th
Sept. General Aymar published a general order of
theEmost menacing character ; on the other band,
the Swiss Confederation, which had refused to expel
the Prince, made its preparations to defend their
country from invasion. The crisis was put au end
to by the judicious conduct of the Prince Louis, on
whose account all this danger was incurred. He
announced his resolution to quit Switzerland. His
letter to the Government of Thurgovie was to this
effect :
" To his Excellency the Landaraann Ander wert, Pre-
sident of the Council of the Canton of Thurgovie.
" Monsieur le Landamann,—Whea the Duke de
Montebelle's note was addressed to the Diet, I did
not wish to submit to the unreasonable exacts of
the French Government, inasmuch as it was incum-
bent; on me to show by my refusal to remove
that I had returned to Switzerland without vice
lating any engagement ; that I had a right to
reside there ; and that I should find there
aid and protection. Switzerland has shown for the last
month by her energetic protests, and now by the deci-
sions of the Great Councils which have assembled, that
she was prepared to make the greatest sacrifices to up-
hold her dignity and her rights. She has done her duty
like an independent nation ; I will do mine, and remain
faithful to the voice of honour. I may be persecuted,
but never degraded. The French Government having
declared that the refusal of the Diet to comply
with its demand would be the signal of a
conflagration of which Switzerland might become the
victim, it only remains for me to quit a country
where my presence is the motive for such unjust pre.
tensions, and where it would be the pretext far such great
calamities. I pray you, therefore, M. le Landarnaun,
to announce to the Federal Directors that I shall leave
as soon as I have obtained from the Ambassadors of the
various Powers the passports necessary for me to proceed
to a country where I shall find a secure asylum. In
now departing voluntarily from the only country
is Europe where 1 found aid and protection, on
quitting spots endeared to me by so many ties,
I hope to prove to the Swiss people that I was worthy
of the esteem and affection which they have bestowed
on me. I never shall forget the noble conduct of
the Cantons that declared so courageously in my
favour, and partioularly the recollection of the gene-
rous hospitality which the canton of Thurgovie
afforded me will remain profoundly engraved in my
heart. I trust that this separation will not be eternal,
and that a day will arrive when I may, without injuring
the interests of the two nations which ought to re-
main friends, again find the asylum where a resi-
dence of twenty years and acquired rights had created
for me a second country. Express, Monsieur le Lan-
darnann, my feelings of gratitude to the Councils,
and believe that the recollection of having spared
Switzerland some trouble will alone diminish the re-
great I feel at quitting it. Receive the expression of
ray high esteem and my distinguished sentiments.
" NAPOLEON LOUIS BONAPARTE.
" Arenenberg, Sept. 22, 1838.
It is hardly necessary to add that the country
where the Prince knew he " should find a secure
asylum" was England. To England he repaired.
No such demand as that of the Duke do Monte-
bello was addressed to England by Louis Philippe.
Had it been addressed theme is no doubt as to the
answer it would have received. The Prince was
not, I believe, deceived as to the security of his
new asylum. He lived in England till 1840.
Touching the Duke de Montebello's letter, it
will be admitted that to forgive and forget it sup-
poses great generosity ; and the forgiven will
show his sense of it by more than ordinary zeal
and devotedness. Undoubtedly the Duke then
acted under the orders of his Sovereign, Louis
Philippe, whatever his private feelings may have
been. Perhaps ether men might have remembered
past times, and would have asked to be removed
to another port, or retired altogether, rather than
be the channel for the-demand of expulsion against
the nephew of the man who was the benefactor, the
friend, and the founder of the ducal honours of
Montebello. With the Court to which the Duke is
now accredited, I do not think Ile will have much
trouble on the subject of refugees ; political wan-
derers rarely seek an asylum in the dominions of
the Czar. They are reserved only for such old
fashioned and uncivilized countries as England.