Washington sentinel., 1854-03-25

RUSSIAN INTRIGuEs IN CANADA.-The Que
bee Mercury states that an order has been re-
ceived in that city from the British govern
ment directing the seizure of letters sent to
foreign ports, if suspected of being meant for
Russia A few days afterwards it adds,
letter for the Emperor of Russia was inter
cepted in the post Office, and the contents Of
that letter revealed the existenc of plan on
the part of Russia for invading Canada, in the
following manner:
"That some thousands of Russian veterans
too old in the service to desert it, influenced by
large promises, should be introduced into the
States in civilian dress as peaceful emigrants,
without even their nationality being declared
an easy matter from the difference of language
and race in the Russian service "a depot of
arms formed On the frontier, and at one mo-
ment, the whole to rush by rail, unarmed and
unannounced to the crossing-point, there to
assume weapons, badges, and colors, and at
once dash into Canada, and attempt Quebec
by coup de main from the plains. 1t was
further suggested that some attempt should be
made by the Russian government to bring
about a secret understanding with the United
States for the partition of British territory in
America, so to be arranged as to leave the
question of slavery in its present position;
that is, to give as much, to the slave States as
to the free States, the sacrifice of the West
Indies, and, if need be, large slice of Mexico
to be included in such arrangements between
the two powers"
The Mercury thinks that the presence of
Russian land officers in the United States
gives this matter a serious aspect. The re-
quisite number Of Russian troops might, it
argues be easily landed in New York under
the guise of emigrants; and the safety of the
colony rests upon the loyalty and bravery of
the people, and not upon any security from
such attacks. The Mercury says that the neu.
trail flag of the United States would cover the
transportation Of bodies of Russians, and also
the arms and munitions requisite for their
equipment, because Russia and England are
not yet at war. England cannot therefore
seize upon arms, cannon, munitions, &C., while
en- route for the enemy's service.
Such are the arguments advanced to show
the feasibility of the scheme, and our neigh
bors are sufficiently startled by the fctons of
an attack from this city by Russian forces.
The Quebec Gazette, semi. official authority,
contains the following paragraph, which we
translate from an extract in the Courier des
Etats- Unis: "In relation to the Russian cor.
respondent of whom the Mercay speaks, our
readers viii learn with pleasure that the person
suspected of having written the letter has been
arrested. His papers have been examined;
but he had received notice ten minutes before
his arrest, and nothing could be found Of ma
ture to inculpate him; he was consequently re-
leased" In republishing this paragraph the
Mercury adds: "We learn with still greater
pleasure that the government has determined
to put 10000 of the militia upon war footing.
Neto York Courier and Enquirer.
The source from which sprung all this ex-
citement, and which seems to have caused so
much fear and trembling among the Canadian
population was dodge on the part Of quack
doctor to advertise his nostrums. 1t appears
that he became aware that the British govern
ment had ordered the seizure Of all letters sus-
pected of being intended for Russia, and he
accordingly wrote letter to the czar, which
contained the programme of operations as
given in the articles from the Toronto papers.
OF course the letter was seized, read, and its
author just as he intended, promptly arrested
He was taken before the Quebec authorities
for examination, and on being searched, a let
ter, purporting to have come from the emperor
of Russia, was found in his possession. Some
time elapsed before it could be properly trans
lated, but when that task was accomplished, it
was found to be simply an order for largo
quantity of the propretor's quack medicines,
to be sent to the emperor Immediately.
NeU York Herald