The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-13
e UROPEA'N NEW s..
Our london Correspondence.


The Ddaish Succession-Ihe Rcpoiatioa in Portu-
gol- Formation of a Miaistry-State of Haly-
0rccce--The Ring'S Rdun-SpGn-The Great
Erhibitiom-7He First ShiHiag Day-Fashioaahe
Intelligence.
The Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption bill draws
its slow weight along in the Committee of the
Whole House, without any approximation towards
final result. The interest attached to it has died
away, and the very mention of it excites a yawn
The only Parliamentary event of the week has been
the debate upon Baillie's motion for vote of CEN
sure the government for approving Lord Tor
ringtons conduct as Governor of Ceylon The
term approval is anomalous, for, though white
washed by the Colonial Minister, Lord Torrington
was recalled
The debate commenced on Tuesday night BY
Bae's motion, 5. That the House, having taken
into consideration the evidence adduced before the
select committee appointed TO inquire into the
affairs of Ceylon is of opinion that the prnishments
inflicted during the late disturbances in that island
were excessive and uncalled for. That the House is
of opinion that the execution of eighteen persons,
and the imprisonment, transportation, and corporal
punishment of 40 other persons this occasion, is
at variance with the merciful administration OF the
British penal laws and is not calculated to
the future affections and fidelity of her Majestys
lonial subjects. That the House is Of opinion that
these seventies the more sincerely to be depre
Gated they were exercised after the suppression of
the disturbances during which none of her Majestys
troops or public servants were killed, and only
soldier slightly wounded That the House is of
opinion that the Conduct of the late Governor of
Ceylon, in keeping III force martial law for two
months after his chief legal adviser had recon-
mended its discontnuance, and during which period
the civil courts sitting without danger or in
terruption and also his refusal to allow sh )rt de-
lay in the execution of priest, at the request of
the Queens Advocate, who wished further inyesti-
CATION into the case, was, IN the highest degree
btrary and oppressive. That the House is therefore
Cfopinion that the conduct of Earl Grey, in signify
ing her Majesty's appreciation of the conduct of
Lord Torrington during and subsequent to the dis
turbances, was precipitate and injudicous, tending
to establish precedents of rgor and severity in the
government of her Majesty's foreign possessions
and Injurious to the character of this country for
justice and humanity"
The debate adjourned to last night, when a
very pr0tracted and animated discussion ensued.
The House divided with a majority of 30 for the
government--202 voting for, and 2o2 voting against
the motion--a result which elected cheer from
the ministerial benches.
The political interest of the week has been shared
between France Germany. and Portugal.
My recent letters will have prepared the readers
of the Nae York Herald for some violent debates in
France, on the relaa qetio Of the revision Of the
constitution.
As some time has elapsed since the promuls CATION
of the present French constitution, the revision of
which is now demanded, | shall give you trans
lation-from the original document in my pos
session-of two or three of the more important
ticles.
Art. -. The President Of the republic is elected
for term Of four years, and can be reelected only
after lapse of four years.
Art. 10 fixes the second sunday in May for the
day of ele :tion.
Art IS requires the President, before entering
Office, to take the following solemn oath So
In presence Of God and before the French people
presented by the National Assembly swear to remain
faithful to the democratic republic and indvisabe
and to fnlh all the duties imposed by the constitution
Art. ITO is devoted expressly TO the question Of
the ision Of the constitution. IL says
When. in the last year q Legislature, the National
Assembly shall have expressed the desire for total
partial revision Of the constitution, the revision shall
take place in the following manner
The wish expressed by the Assembly shall not become
dehnye resolution until after three successive delibe-
raons, held each at months interval and voted by
thrcequarter the The number Of voters may
not be LEES than five hundred.
The Assembly the revision is sit three months
only.
1t must be occupied exclusively with the question Of
revision unless very urgent business should demand its
Imay add that arr. q Of the constitution fixes
>tne reguia. number Of the representatives of the
people at 80. and art. -, in case Of demanded
revision, at 80.
With these data the reader viii % better enabled
10 follow the Of political events in France.
The recent debates in the Legislative Assembly
have been Of most violent nature. TN Friday,
the Minister Of the Interior was accused OF unduly
influencing tue elections. NJ. Leon Faucher, the
Minister OF the interior, on the occasion OF the
election for the department Of the Landes, had sent
the following teegraphic despatch TO the Project Of
that dcrartmcrti-
In presence Of the mnuouvres which the advanced
opposition directs against the Law q the 3lst Of May
you oteht 70 ana % 81 your y a.
eiare mat ~ ne ophioh y tue soveiteht, the sc-
The Interests q The country give their surages any
tain an. iovz al the slst al Nav
Tbc prefect caused copies ~ Ia widely distri.
buted The government candidate was returned.
Emelc &c Gerardin editor d the fr,ssc) made
yiolut attack upon the munster, who admitted
thar tho desrat n should not have been made pub
lie ~ Il wa d confidential ono. A vote was given
in favor of the government validating The election
ofCiercral Iurfien the government candidate
In saturday sitting. the language Of the repre-
scniatlyes was very violent. The question undsr
siscu lon wa the rccond reading Of thc LAW FOR The
reorganization 81 tho National Guard There il 10
Iresn.ble Il ne bin The cousin of the Presi-
dent, .aro.eou EouapartC, moved that the Pre- an.
bic 81 the Las for tao regulation u the National
Guard passed ID 1871. should bc restored, with