Washington sentinel., 1854-03-09
Correspondence Of the London Times.
Latest from the Seat of War.


1t is announced that telegraphic despatch has
been received from Toulon, announcing the arri-
val at Agers of Admiral Bruats squadron. The
passage (f the telegraph speak truth isvery quick.
as the squadron only left Brest on Sunday week.
II is further stated that the squadron is to take on
board General Pesseur, with division Of the
African army, amounting TO $4,000 men that the
squadron will then make sail for Toulon, where
an English squadron and transports will meet it.
and also take on board 10000 French troops that
both squadrons, with this army of $4,000 men.
proceed TO the Levant, enter the Dardanelles, and
disembark the troops at Silvr, near the spot
which | mentioned, now four or five months ago,
as likely to he selected for a point Of landing.
namely, Rodosto. on the sea of Marmora and the
best for the protection Of the Bosphorus and the
Dardanelles. 1t ought not to be forgotten for a
moment that the Emperor Of Russia has not
ceased to concentrate his force in Little Walla-
CHA. And everything confirms me in the belief
that he is preparing TO strike terrible blow in
that direction; and then, his prestige regaincd,
and his amour propre satisfied, he may in his
magnanimity" terrify Turkey into treating alone
with him.
The accounts from Wallachia are most depIor-
able. The Russian protectors" it seems, treat
the protected somewhat in the same fashion as the
Spanish conquerers treated the Indians when
they refused towork or find gold for their naughty
masters II has been already stated that the Wal
lachians have been obliged 10 do the works in
which beasts Of burden'are usually employed. and
that crowds ofthe peasants and farmers have fed
their homes have passed into Austria. or have
crossed the Danube and joined the Turks, rather
than submit 10 the cruel corrse imposed by their
taskmasters. My previous letters have informed
you that the inhabitants of several villages near
the Danube had fled from their houses, The Rus
sian general had ordered that women and young
girls should do the work imposed on them by the
troops. They refused Cossacks were sent among
them. The Cossacks were resisted by numerous
body of peasants armed only with scythes or clubs
The general we are told, sent troops who inflicted
on them an exemplary chastsement" If we are
10 believe the evidence of Wal achian gentleman,
who has just arrived in Paris, who is 10 have an
interview with the minister Of foreign affairs and
who, understand, was on or near the spot, the
exemplary chastsement" was nothing less than
the massacre the women and children of three
villages in the neighborhood Of Giurgevo.
have already mentioned the receipt ofaccounts
from Constantinople. to the effect that the moment
il was known that the English and French squad
rons had returned to the Bosphorus, a division of
the Russian fleet darted out. and proceeded TO at.
tack Fort ST. Nicholas. (Chefketil, which had been
taken by the Turks; but that the Russians were
repulsed The letters add, that the news caused
the greatest sensation at Constantinople; that
conference was held by the admirals and ambas.
sadors and that it was then determined that cruis-
ers should be permanently kept in the Black sea-
TO prevent the repetition of a similar event that
several steamers had already Quilted the Bospho-
rus for the Black sea, and that so soon as the
Turkish convoy for Batoum was ready-probably
on the Cd instant--a steam squadron would ac-
company and protect it from attack. | am informed
that the French government have not as yet re-
ceved any official confirmation Of the attack on
the fort but that in the Of any hostile act be-
ing committed on the coast Of Turkey, the minis
ter of foreign affairs has announced the determ-
nation of the government TO take terrible revenge.
The French squadron has been reinforced by
the Vaubon, which reached Beicos bay on the
26th. The Marengo, eighty guns, is on her way
also 10 join the fleets; and the Napoleon. now
undergoing repairs, will be ready for service about
the end of the present month. II is stated that
Admiral Hamelin's conduct in returning to the
Bosphorus has also been approved by his govern
ment, Notwithstanding the disapproval Of the am.
bassador at Constantnople, the reasons for that
only can be the best judges. II is said here that
the French admiral did not consider the risk to be
30 great as anticipated by his colleague and that
he would have encountered it, not at anchor in
Sinope bay, but at sea. However this may be,
the unpleasant feeling at Constantinople occa-
stoned by the return OF the fleets soon calmed,
when it was seen that measures were being taken
by the allied admirals TO escort the Turkish con-
voy 10 Batoum, and TO watch closely the appear
ance Of the Russian flag in the Black sea. The
same letters from Constantinople say that the
nomination of Ria Pasha 10 the post of war min
lister, was of no political meaning, the government
Russia incompatible with the dignity and interests
ofthe Ottoman empire. II was considered likely
that Mehemet Ali would be appointed to the post
of minister Of marine, which he has more than
once held. so that the whole affair would be
nothing more than an exchange of portfolios be-
tween him and Riza Pasha.