The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-22

brutally wounded with bayonet, and the crowd
which collected around to aid him, were fired
upon by the post. Whether any satisfaction can
be obtained for such outrages, remains TO be
seen.
FLORENCE, Oct. %, lsi7.
The abdcation of the Duke of Lucca, and
the transfer Of that principally to the Grand
Duke of Tuscany, has been productive of
hardship on part OF the population of this
duchy which was not at first foreseen. BY the
treaty of Vienna, concluded in 1916, it was
settled that whenever the duchy of Luccba
should revert to Tuscany, the cantons of Fivi-
zano and Pontremoli, parts Of the latter duchy,
should be transferred, the first tothe duchy ofMo-
dena, and the second to the principality of Parma
Now, it will be remembered that at present the
Grand Duke of Tuscany, next to the Pope, is the
most popular and liberal of Italian sovereigns-
while the Duke Of Modena and the Duchess Of
Parma are among those who are most retrograde,
most arbitrary, and most detested. The popula-
non OF Fivizano and PontremOll have, until now.
participated In the benefits of the reforms effect
ed by the Duke of Tuscany, and enjoyed those
liberties and constitutional privileges which that
prince conferred on his people. 1t can, there
fore, be easily imagined how indignant they are
at being transferred, like hocks Of sheep, from
one master to the other, losing their liberties
and constitution, and passing under the iron
despotism Of Modena and Parma The greatest
excitement on this subject prevails at present
deputatlon from these cantOns waited on the
grand duke at Luccha, to implore of him not to
abandon them. The grand duke has accordingly
tried In vain TO induce the sovereigns of Modena
and Parma to accept pecuniary indemnity, in
lieu of the districts to be transferred. There
are particular reasons why Austria, which is the
real mistress OF these petit States, desires to
have these-ene of which is, that Pontremol is
strong military position, and with Ferrara and
Commacchio, would give Austria the command
of central Italy; The last accounts say that the
inhabitants OF these districts were determined
rot to submit to be transferred, and had actually
destroyed the bridges and cut trenches across the
roads, to prevent the approach of artillery They
also threaten to emgrate en- masse. The Duke
800 men. who could do little against a population
of $4,000, decided to resist to the death.
In fine, in the present state of public opinion in
Italy, and in the midst Of the excitement pro-
the Grand Duchy Of Tuscany, it is difficult to
imagine how the governments of the adjacent
States can continue stationary; but it is utterly
Impossible to conceive that the population OF any
forms have been effected, and constitutional
principles admitted, could passively submit to be
transferred to the sway of hopeless and unmiti-
gated despotim., Feeble they might be to resls!
by themselves, but the Indignation which all
Europe would feel at their situation, would be to
them a tower of strength. Nevertheless, since
the above was written, We have received letters
which assure us that possession has been actual
ly taken OF one OF the above districts by The Duke
Of Modena.
NAPLES, Oct. Fl, 1S47
The government of this unhappy country is
determined that its people shall be involved in
Cimmerian darkness-an absolute prohibition is
laid on the importation and expectation of po-
litical news.
lat all - Il #. Al.
politan tariff. Newspapers are not permitted to
arrive, and none are allowed to be printed, ex-
cept the official gazette of the government, mis-
called "Ihe Journal Of the Too Siciiies," in
which the King and his ministers assume the
privilege of lying to a measureless extent. Let
tiers departing or arriving through the post office
are unscrupulously opened, and if they are founo
to transmit political intelligence, are destroyed.
You Will ask, In this case, how any information
can ever be obtained! But it is not easy thus TO
seal Dramatically a country; the demand for po-
htlcal news Is too urgent not to meet with sup
ply, and if the legitimate dealer in it be stopped,
the smuggler Immediately steps in letters ac-
cordngy which would be stopped in the post
Office, are transmitted, as occasion offers, by
private hand besides which, however willing
King Ferdinand might be to sew up the mouths
or cut out the tongues OF travellers, his power,
IN that respect, is not quite as extensive as his
will.
suppressed This has, of course, been accom-
plshed by brute force, and system of torture
and terrorism which has scarcely had parallel,
even in the worst atrocities OF the French revo-
luton. Thus 1t is reported that the insurgents
taken at Reggie had been submitted by the po-
lice, for the recreation OF the latter to the process
OF having their hair and boards plucked out by
the root, hair by hair. When that city was bonn
shells were thrown purposely into the orphan
asylum, where 1t was known that the children
of the inhabitants had taken REFUGEE A pro-
clamatlon has been circul ate blythe government,
In which not only IMMUNITY is offered to all per-
sons who shall murder certain persons specified
by name, known or suspected TO be engaged in
the lnsurrection, but reward for such assina-
ton, OF 300 ducats per head, Is actually offered
1t Is TO be recorded to the credit of the people,
that the worst of them are not so base as their
King; not an individual was TO be found who
would seek a reward so Infamous, and many, on
the contrary ,werelr ready, at the risk OF their own
lives to aid In the escape OF the unfortunate
prescribed.
Switzerland.
BERNIE, October %, 1871.
Events have continued, from day to day, de.
veloping the elements of civil discord, and,
although the public in different parts of Europe
are unwilling to believe that the conflict will
end in Swiss cutting the throats Of Swiss, it is
difficult here to see any other Issue of the pre-
sent situation. The cantons literally bristle
with bayonets; troops are everywhere marching
and communicating enchmentsare thrown
up, stockades constructed, guard-houses pre-
pared, generals nominated, and proclamations
issued. Hitherto, the seven cantons of the
league have relied, In great degree, on the
probable Intervention in their favor, of Austria
ana France; and, indeed, such measure was
generally supposed probable, until within the
last few days. 1t seems, however, now, that the
utmost extent to which these powers propose TO
go, is to withdraw their ambassadors from the
territory Of Switzerland, as soon as hostllities
commence. The Austrian amba ssador, who re-
sides at Zurich, has already given notice OF his
departure to the government of that canton, and
he has coupled this notice with an explicit state
ment that his withdrawal from Switzerland is
not TO be understood as any indication of an in
tentlon, on the part of Austria, to interfere in
the internal affairs of the confederacy. In fact
he has distinctly intlmated that no Intervention