The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-10 00:00:00

Minister Plenipotentiary of his Majesty, in acquit-
ting himself, by order of his Government, of the
pleasing' mission of notifying this important event
to his :excellency M. Knusel, President of the
Federal Council esteems himself happy to be able
to express his confidence that the sentiments of the
King's- Government will be reciprocated by the
Federal Council. Besides the many common inte-
rests which unite the two countries for the present
and the future, he finds a guarantee for this confi-
dence in the magnanimous sentiments of the Swiss
people, who adhere so firmly to the principle of
independence, a principle on which the Government
of the King is likewise founded.

"The undersigned takes this opportunity, &c.
(Signed) " SOCTEAU,
" Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of King Victor
Emmanuel to Switzerland."

In reply to the above note, the Federal Council
addressed the following to its minister at Turin :

' Sir,—The Commander Jocteau, by his note of
the 2d March, has informed us that the National
Parliament has passed a law, also sanctioned by
the King of Sardinia, according to which King
Victor Emmanuel 11. has assumed for himself and
his successors the title of King of Italy.'

" In forwarding to you a copy of this note we
herewith instruct you to be good enough to thank
the Government of King Victor Emmanuel for that
communication, and to express our satisfaction at
the friendly sentiments expressed by his Majesty's
Government on that occasion towards Switzerland.

" Switzerland, on her part, will not fail to loyally
do her utmost to maintain and strengthen, under the
altcred international situation, the friendly relations
which have hitherto existed between two neigh-
bouring countries,

" Accept, &c., &c." (Here follow the signatures
of the members of the Federal Council.)

BERNE, APRIL 9.

The French Government has received with the
greatest readiness the overtures of Dr. Kern in
reference to the conclusion of a treaty of commerce
between France and Switzerland, and has ordered
the competent authorities to examine the details of
the question.

TURIN, APRIL 9.

The supplementary elections, the result of which
is at present known, show a great majority favour-
able to the Government.

THE CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS.

MALTA, APRIL 8, 11 A.M.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Pera, Captain Jamieson, has arrived here with the
above mails.

FRANCE.

THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AND THE

PRIESTS.

The Moniteur of yesterday contained the fol-

lowing :..

" PARIS, APRIL 8.
" The Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice,
haa addressed the following circular to the Procu
reurs General of the Imperial Courts of the em-
pire :

" Monseur le Procureur General,—For some
time past divers members of the Catholic clergy
have been pointed out to me, who, verbally and by
writing, treat publicly, and in the exercise of their
functions, of matters which the law expressly in-
terdicts them from discussing.
" Some, forgetting that the mission of the priest
is to watch over the religious instruction of the
faithful, take upon themselves to criticise the acts of
the Government, exciting distrust and censuring the
policy of the Emperor; others, yielding to the in-
fluence of a blind zeal, attack the person of the
Sovereign, and under a veil more or less transparent
seek to overwhelm him with abuse ; others again,
taking advantage of the feeble-minded and credu-
lous, take pleasure in troubling their consciences by
the announcement of imaginary evils.
" Such abuses are provided against by the law,
" ' Article 201 of the Penal Code "punishes with
imprisonment of from three months to two years
ministers of religion who pronounce, in the exercise
of their functions, and in a public assembly, a dis-
course containing criticisms or censure on the Go-
verr.ment, on a law, on an imperial decree, or on
any other act of the public authorities."

" < In terms of article 204 of the same code, "any
writing containing pastoral instructions, in what-
ever form it may be, and in which a minister of
religion shall medd:e with, by criticism or censure,
either the Government or any act or public autho-
rity, shall be punished by banishment of the minis-
ter who shall have published the same."
"' If these dispositions, of which the present cir-
cumstances demonstrate the wise lei esight, have
not hitherto been made applicable, it is because
until these latter times the attitude of the clergy
has been generally respectful and reserved; it is
also because the Government, in its indulgence, has
chosen rather to tolerate isolated offences than to
prosecute before the tribunals, to the detriment,
perhaps, of religion itself, imprudent priests. But
these dispositions have lost nothing of their autho-
rity, and the Government would fail in its duty
if it did not employ against systematic hostility,
directed towards it the arms with which it is en-
trusted by the law for the maintenance of peace
and good order.

",' I charge you consequently, Monsieur le Pro-
cureur General, to give me an exact account of all
infractions which may take place within your juris-
diction, and, when the facts shall be judicially esta-
blished, to bring their authors, whoever they
may be, before the competent authorities. It is
time that the law such resume its empire.
" Receive, Monsieur le Procureur General, the
assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

" ' DELANGLE: "

BOURSE, April 9.—The market has been heavy,
and Stock having been rather offored by speculators
desirous of realising, prices have receded. Threes,
for the Account, are now at 67f 55c. Railways
also heavy.

The following were the last quotations:—
ft per per Cents ... 95 25 Credit 1 oncier —
Do end month.... 95 25 i Belgian 4f
3 per Cents
Do. end month 67 55 ' Roman
Bank Shares .. 2897 50 Austrian
Credit Mobilier.... 642 501 Spanish Threes —
Do. Account 645 —1 Home Debt ...... 47