The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-05-09 00:00:00

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

Enough has transpired to show that the number of legi-
timists who have found their way into the National As-
sembly is much larger than was previously supposed.
Where there are so many new men, and where every can-
didate, even to the Marquis de la Rochejaquelin, announces
himself a true, and pure, and honest adherent to the re-
public, it is exceedingly difficult to form anything like a
guess at the respective strength of parties. The calcula-
tion a day or two ago was, that there would be about 600
moderate but sincere republicans, adherents of M. de La-
martine and his party, in the provisional government ; and
that the remaining 300 would be composed of the violent
republican party, with a few legitimists, and a considerable
number of monarchists, or, in other words, the adherents
of the Comte de Paris, with the Duchess of Orleans as
regent. This division has now considerably changed.
The violent republicans, or those who look to Ledru-
Rollin and Louis Blanc as their leaders, will, it is sup-
posed, muster about 100 votes, the legitimists and con-
cealed monarchists from 250 to 300 votes, and the mode-
rate republicans not more than 500 votes. Whether this
division be correct or not remains yet to be seen. In the
first instance, no doubt, all parties will come out in the
garb of republicans, and no one will venture to oppose the
establishment of the republican form of government.

The alarm of disturbances both in Paris and the pro-
vinces is considerably greater. The papers openly accuse
M. Ledru-Rollin of being the instigator of the riots which
have taken place at Marseilles, Limoges, and Rouen.
The Commerce of Wednesday says:—" What is most
serious at Limoges is the complicity of all the authorities
in the plot of the communists. It was the colonel of the
National Guard who betrayed his soldiers and placed them
in the power of the disturbers. It is a substitute of the
pmcurenr-general who serves as secretary to the insurrec-
tional comite formed by the ouvriers. Such defections
are deplorable. Under the republic, to betray the govern-
ment is to betray the people, for the government is but
the expression of the will of the people."
The Constilutionnel of Thursday denies that there is
any truth in the rumour of France having declared war
against Austria. The government had borrowed 300,000,000
more from the Bank of France, one half of which was des-
tined to the army of the Alps. Charles Albert had put
his troops in motion, with the view, according to one ac-
count, of renewing the attack on Peschiera, but according
to another of attacking the Austrians in their entrenched
camp at Verona, before which he was within a league and
a half on the 28th.

There was nothing further of much importance from the
departments. Preparations were making for opening the
National Assembly with great pomp. - -
Two Romish prelates have been returned for the As-
sembly ; the Bishop of Orleans, for Lozerre; and the
Bishop of Quimper for Furisterre.
The Moniteur publishes a decree granting an extraor-
dinary credit for war purposes (believed to refer to an in-
tention of immediate interference in Tfoi,) of
nun imo hundred thousand pounds sterling.

OPENING OF THE FRENCH ASSEMBLY-SPEECH OF THE
PRESIDENT OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.

The National Assembly opened on Thursday. The
Provisional Government marched in procession from the
Hall of the Ministry of Justice to the Chamber. M.
Audry de Puyrevean, the senior Dcputy, took the chair
as Provisional President. _ _ _

,The President having declared the sitting opened, M.
Dupont (de l'Eure), as President of the Provisional Go-
vernment, ascended the tribune, and in resigning the
powers of that, body into the hands of the Assembly,
delivered the following speech:—
Citizen Representatives,—The Provisional Government
bows before the nation, and renders homage to the su-
preme power. with which you are invested. Elected of
the People,—Welcome to the great capital where your
presence excites a sentiment of happiness and hope, which
will not be disappointed. Depositories of the National
Sovereiguty,—You are about to establish new institutions
upon the large basis of democracy, and to confer on
France the only constitution fitting for her—a republican
constitution. Thus, having proclaimed the great political
law which will definitively constitute the country, you will,
citizens, like us, occupy yourselves in regulating. the
peaceable and efficacious action of the government in the
relation which the necessity of lalx,ur establishes among
citizens, and which must have for its basis the sacred laws
of justice and fraternity. In fine the moment has arrived
for the Provisional Government to resign into your hands
the unlimited power with which the revolution invested
it. You know whether with us the dictatorship has been
anything more than a moral power, exercised amidst the
difficult circumstances in which we were placed. Faithful
to our origin and to our formed convictions, we hesitated
not to proclaim the nascent republic of February. To-
day we inaugurate the labours of the Nationa 1 Assembly
to that cry at which we will always rally—" Vive la Re-
publique." (The applause which followed was continued
for some time, and the cry of " Vive la Republique" was
repeated over and over again.)

PROCLAMATION OF THE REPUBLIC BY THE NATIONAL

ASSEMBLY

After the verification of the returns, M. Berger ascended
the tribune, and proposed the solemn proclamation of the
republic. (Thunders of applause.) Citizens of France,
let the whole world know that the republic, solemnly pro-
claimed with enthusiasm, is and will remain the form of
the government of this country. Cries of " Vive la
republique !" from all parts of the chamber followed this
proposal.
General Courtais, in the name of the people of Paris,
requested the members of the provisional government to
come out on the peristyle of the building, and the repre-
sentatives of the people to follow them, in order to pro-
claim the republic. The whole assembly rose in the
midst of the loudest acclamations of approval, and sallied
out in compliance with the proposal. The republic was
proclaimed and accepted unequivocally by the National
Assembly, in the presence of 200,000 of the people of
Paris. The general feeling is, " Woe to those, or any
class, who shall occasion doubts of the sincerity of that
acceptation. To retract is impossible. The slightest ap-
pearance of reaction will raise Paris in flames, and deluge
its streets with blood." _

The following proclamation was posted up on the walls
of Paris on Friday evening :

" The National Assembly, the faithful interpreter of
the sentiments of the people, by whom it has been elected,
previous to commencing its labours,—
" Declares, in the name of the French people, and in
the face of the entire world, that the republic, proclaimed
on the 24th February, 1848, is, and shall remain, the form
of the government of France.
" The Republic desired by France has adopted the
motto, ' Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.'
" In the name of the country, the National Assembly
entreats Frenchmen of every political party to forget for-
mer feuds, and to form in future but one family. The
day on which the representatives of the people met is for
all the citizens the feast of concord and fraternity. ' Five
la Republiquel' "

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY.

The National Assembly met at noon on Friday, and,
after the verification of powers, the ballot for the election
of the President Of the Assembly commenced. It opened
at four o'clock, and closed at six, when M. Buchez was
declared President.

DENMARK AND THE DUCHIES.
A letter from Rendsburgh, of April 30, says,—" The
DaneS have entirely !pitted the continent as far as Alsen
and North Schleswig:' In the west, Tondern has been
besieged ; on the road thither the artillery of Count
The entire
Schakenberg was seized. On the 28th, 12 officers, 17 sub-
alters, 16 musicians, and 380 privates, were brought in
prisoners.
eastern coast of Holstein and Schleswig is
blockaded by Danish ships-of-war. The merchants inte-
rested in the trade of the Baltic are more apprehensive
than ever, and await with anxiety the interference of the
English Government.
PRUSSIA.

The Prussische Slants Anzeigner publishes a report of
the Chief President of Pomerania to the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, in which it is stated that a Danish frigate
arrived on the Ist instant of Swineinunde; and prevented
two English vessels from entering that port. The Chief
President adds :--,
" I have also received authentic information of an ex-
tension of the Danish measures against the Prussian mer-
cantile navy to vessels 'of other German nations, anti that
some Hanseatic and other ships .have been placed tinder
au embargo.

" The head-quarters of the Prussian army are most
probably this day (the 3d instant) at Kolding, within the
confines of Jutland. Our outposts will by this time have
advanced to the small fortress of Frederica. The position
of the troops is such as to prevent the communications
from Funen with the continent.
" The Federal troops will on Danish ground enforce
the safety of the German and Prussian mercantile inter-
ests." _ .

yJ
A letter from Swinemunde of the 2nd instant, in the
Ostsee Zeitung, states that twelve more English vessels
were on that day lying off Swinemunde, their entrance
into the harbour being prevented by the Danish frigate.
Letters from Berlin of the 3rd of May, in the Cologne
Gazette, are unanimous as to the quiet and orderly con-
duct of the people of all classes during the elections.
Some party quarrels occurred, but they were of little or
no importance.

GRAND DUCHY OF POSEN

MORE SLAUGHTER

Letters from Po;;;-;ftIe-i;iInsi. and the Cologne
Gazelle bring information of some fresh butcheries of the
insurgent Poles and the Prussian troops. The combat
has been renewed with twofold fury, first at Gratz and
next at Xiono. The Poles fought with a courage worthy
of a better cause. They seemed resolved to die—not to
be conquered. Whole ranks were mowed down by the
Prussian artillery. It is said only 17 men of 1,700
stooped at last to flight. 500 were taken prisoners, and
the others remained dead or wounded on the spot. A
troop of Kujarians had formed a square, and were at last
mowed down by grape-shot. Another Posen letter in the
same paper contains accounts of a similar fight at Milos-
law, where the Prussians suffered much from the fire of
the Polish sharp-shooters, who picked out the officers.
Several hundred men of the 18th and 19th regiments de-
serted to the Poles. The general is much blamed for
leading Polish regiments against the insurgents. The
town of Miloslaw was twice taken by the Prussians, who
were at last thrown back by the Poles, and forced to re-
tire in the direction of Schroda. Mieroslawski has issued
a proclamation calling for a general insurrection. Men,
women, and children are congregating at Miloslaw, Wres-
chen, and Pleschen.

SOUTHERN GERMANY.
Some riots took place at Munich on the Ist inst. The
brewers and bakers had raised their prices. The people
were indignant, and subjected them to outrages. A col-
nsion took 'place with the milit.ry in the Schrannenplatz.
3ffe ()Token, and several people
The discomfited chiefs of the Republican party, M.
Sturve, who is thought to be a Russian "agent provoca-
teur" and M. Heinzen have, from their quarters at the
Hotel-zum-Rebstock, at Strasburg, issued a proclamation
to the German people. After abusing the soldiers who
had beaten them, they protest that they still mean to
" liberate" Germany from the " hated yoke of Princes."
They announce their intention of fomenting secret con-
spiracies, and obstructing the constitutional governments
of Germany, calling upon all Germans to send them money
for that purpose.

ITALY.
Letters from Rome to the 28th ult. state that Mon-
signor Morichini had resigned the Finance Department,
which was confided by the Pope to "Prince Simonetti.
The Provisional Governments of Milan, Sicily, and Venice
had sent agents to Rome, who had not yet been recog-
nised by his holiness. A diet was to be held in that
capital for the adjustment of certain affairs of a general
interest for Italy, which would have already met, if the
Neapolitan delegates had arrived. The Pope bad refused
to concur in a military congress which the King of Sar-
dinia proposed to convoke at Turin.

INSURRECTION AGAINST THE POPE.
The Paris Moniteur of Sunday contains the following
from Rome. dated the Ist instant :
" The Pope having refused to declare war against Aus-
tria, an insurrection took place, the ministry resigned, and
the Pope was allowed by the insurgents only 24 hours to
decide. If he were to refuse, a Provisional Government
would immediately be instituted."
AUSTRIAN ITALY.—Letters from Vienna of the 27th
and 28th April, state that the Piedmontese had encoun-
tered the Austrian troops at Monzambano, and after a
hot engagement had been driven back beyond Lenato.
The loss of the enemy is reported to have been 1,000
killed, and twice as many wounded, besides 600 made
prisoners. A letter from the banks of the Mincio, dated
30th April„ says " A smart affair took place yesterday on
the left bank of the Lake Garda, a short distance above
Pescheira. It being the object of the King to establish
the left of the line of blockade of that fortress at Piacenza,
on the lake, 400 men were despatched to drive the Aus-
trians from it. They found the Austrians in force there
and at Sandra—some say as many as 2000 men—and after
some hours' firing the enemy was driven back with the
loss of 17 men killed, and he was compelled to retire to
Pontone. A large Austrian force holds the communica-
tion open between Trent, Roveredo, and Verona; but I
hear the Piedmontese expect to break the line by getting
possession of Pontone, on the Adige, I am told the Royal
head-quarters are now near to Villafranca, which is the
very centre of the quadrangle formed by Peschiera, Vero-
na, Mantua, and Legnano."

Some of the enthusiastically national Germans have
lately proposed to lay aside the present costume, and to
adopt a dress resembling that worn in Germany at the
beginning of the sixteenth century, and depicted in the
paintings and engravings of that age.
surtment to the Over-
land Bombay Courier, of the Ist o April, contains an
account of an accident by fire to the Benares steamer, off
Calcutta. Ffteen persons, trying to save themselves, were
drowned. When the fire reached the engine-room, it was
extinguished.
The operations recently carried on against the city of
St. John of Nicaragua by Her Majesty's forces, under the
command of Captain Granville Loch, have been attended
with complete success. After a severe service of 35 days,
during which the officers and seamen of the party' never
slept out of their boats, and maintained with considerable
difficulty their position in the country, a treaty of amity
was at length concluded by the senior officer, Captain
Loch, accompanied by Captains Ryder and Peel, with the
State of Nicaragua, by which all the points in dispute
were satisfactorily adjusted. We understand that the
gallant commander of this little expedition has been de--
signated as a Companion of the Bath, and that the junior
officers, of the Alarm and the Daring will receive imme-
diate promotion.—Times.
How THE CASE MAY BE ALTERED.—A few days ago
a wag meeting a peasant, who was on his way to Bor-
deaux on business, said to him, " What are you doing
here ? They are about to divide all the lands of the rich,
and you had better go to the mayor and put down your
name for your share." The peasant set off at full gallop ;
and, on arriving at the mayor's, said, " Monsieur le
maitre, as there is to be a division of the land, I wish to
have that meadow of M , which joins my garden.
Put down my name at the head of the list." The mayor
turned over some papers, and then said, " You are not
the first ; I have an applicant who demands the meadow,-
and also your garden with it." "My garden! my gar.
den ! my garden !" said the peasant in a fury, " I will go
and get my musket ;" and he set to watching his garden
day and night. There is a host of persons like this pea-
sant—they wish to share the property of others, and keep
their own.—Gazette de France.

RAILWAY AFFAIRS.
The branch of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway,
completing the communication (by that company's line)
between Manchester and Bury, was opened with all due
eclat yesterday week. The new line forms the link of
communication between Manchester and the Liverpool
and Bury line, the works of which are under contract to
be ready by July.
The railway calls amount to £2,605,868, being within
£263,000 of the total for the corresponding month of
1847. The monthly average this year has hitherto almost
kept pace with that of 1847, the amount per month
having then been £3,506,000, while during the five months
of 1848 it has reached £3,127,000. Of the calls for this
month £38,500 is on account of foreign lines.
LIABILITY OF RAILWAY COMPANIES.—At the Lincoln
County Court, a tradesman recently applied for leave to
summon to the court, at Lincoln, the secretary of the
Midland Railway Company for the value of one cwt. of
goods lost in the transmission of a package to Lincoln by
rail. He stated that he had been charged the carriage of
the full weight, though one cwt. was lost, and that, upon
applying for recompense, he was referred to the secretary.
The judge decided that, as the domicile of a company, or
of its representative, was wherever the company carried
on trade, the summons might be issued.
TAE ULSTER. RAILWAY HANDBOOK, Published by
George Phillips.—This is an excellent little publication,
and one which has been much desiderated. It gives a
very lucid description of the various objects of interest on
the route between Belfast and Armagh, and is written
with great care, and in a pleasant narrative style. It also
contains a map of the railway, and the circumjacent coun-
try, and is embellished with a well executed engraving of
the façade of the splendid new terminus here now fast
approaching to completion.—Belfast Commercial Chro-
nicle.
ACCIDENTS ON THE CHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD
RAILWAY.—Two serious accidents last week hap-
pened on the above line. On Wednesday evening a por-
ter named John• Dodd, who was acting as a supernumer-
ary guard, was thrown on the line by coming in contact
with the door of one of the carriages, several of whieli
passed over one of his legs. which was dreadfully mangled.
On the following evening Mr. Henderson, assistant super. '
imtendent at the Monks Ferry station, imprudently at-
tempting to get out of a carnage while it was in motion,
was thrown down and had his right foot nearly severed
from his leg,. Both patients are doing well.
CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY.—This line, as
. we announced last week, was duly opened for public traffic
to Bangor on Monday. Early in the morning, Rear-Ad-
miral the Hon. J. W. Dundas, C. B. and M. P. (the First
• Lord of the Admiralty), with Mr. Ward, M. P. (Chief
Secretary to the Board of Admiralty), and several other
gentlemen, arrived at Holyhead from Dublin, in her Ma-
jesty's mail steamer Banshee, and in3pected the arrange-
ments for the new naval station at Holyhead, preparatory
to the removal of the Irish mail steamers from Liverpool.
The alteration is not likely to take place for some time,
although the Chester and Holyhead Railway Company
are fully prepared to run the Irish mails on the lit of
June, as originally determined on, every arrangement
being completed. Whether Government considers the
non-completion of the Britannia-bridge across the Menai
Straits ( which, probably, will require a period of two
years) sufficient „ground for extending the time, or from
other circumstance's, we are unable to learn. At the
close of the' inspection, which was highly satisfactory to
the company, •a special train conveyed the government
representatives across Anglesey- to the Menai Straits.
They-there alighted, and crossing the suspension bridge,
took their departure by tbe .-afternomi express train from

Bangor for Euston-square, reaching the latter station at
eleven o'clock. They are the first passengers who have
made a journey from Holyhead to London in fourteen
hours. The Conway tube has been visited in the course
of the week by an immense number of persons.
LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, AND NEWCASTLE JUNC-
TION RAILWAY.—On Thursday, the adjourned special
meeting of the company, was held at the London Tavern,
London, Mr. Wilson France, in the chair. Mr. Matthey
moved a resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Ashlin,
" That it is expedient to dissolve the company, and wind
up its affairs as soon as possible." Mr. Marriott in
moving an amendment stated that it was his opinion, and
that of the minority represented by the 9,700 shares, that
it would be better to wait for two years and hold the under-
taking in abeyance rather than to abandon it after having
expended one hundred thousand pounds in obtaining the
act. Mr. Fisher seconded the amendment, which claimed
for the minority to be heard against the bill in committee.
The amendment was then put and lost, only three hands
being held up in favour of it. The original motion was
then put and carried. The Chairman stated, that of the
70,000 shares issued by the company, answers to the cir-
cular had only been received from the holders of 49,456
shares ; 39,708 shares were for immediate dissolution,
and 9,748 shares were for postponing the dissolution and
holding the concern in abeyance. There was consequently
a majority in favour of immediate dissolution of 29.960
shares.