Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-06-03
Russia st. Petersburg.

The strategica position of the island OF st.
Petersburg is thus described in a recent NUM-
Der Of the Austrian Lloyd:
''The island of St Petersburg, subdivded as
it were into the additional islands OF the Apotl-
ecary the Petrovskoi, and a cluster OF smaller
ones, by the branches of the Ncva, is the one
which offers most interest on account OF tort
that faces it, built on a small island, distinctly
| visible in its entire surface from the tower OF
the admiralty. The fort forms an oblong square
with large outworks on st. Peters island and
two others. They are so arranged that ships by
sailing up the canals that flow between the
islands can take shelter under the guns of the
fort. 1t is rather fortunate for the citizens that
they busy themselves about other things; other
wise, perhaps, they might well shudecr if they
did but reflect ON the state reasons that led to
the erection of this fort in the very heart Of
their beautiful capital. Seeing that the houses
of the chief nobility are built all around it, the
| cannon on its walls would make sad suicidal
havoc, if they should at any time be required
to play. The fort rests on low island, COM
mantling nothing but the city, incapable Of de-
Tending it, and which therefore could only have
been built with hostile intent against the capital
itself OF course it still exists to a
last place Of refuge for the Emperor and his
principal chiefs, with their costl!est valuables
in case the city should fall into the hands of any
enemy on the one side, or should rise in insur-
recton on the other. This fort is exactly oppo-
site the winter palace, keeps up constant COM
munication with it. and thus clearly enough re-
veals its true purport. The arms of the Neva,
where they are in immediate contact with its
mouth, are totally defenceess. If Cronstadt,
which really serves as the lock and bolt of these
| islands, should turn out to be useless the help
less city may find in this fort dagger planted
against its own breast, the blow Of which 1T can
not parry. The events about to occur here are
not so very difficult to predict. Should the
Russian fleet be vanquished, the conquering fleet
will run up the Neva, and the defenders of the
city viii throw themselves into the fort. The
bombardment will reduce a part at least of the
city to ashes. On the restoration of peace the
Russian scyere On executive, grieving over Tho
destroyed city of Neva, would carry out an idea
long since entertained, by withdrawing into the
interior of the empire once more, and reoccupy
ing the kremlin Of Moscow, the primitive seat
still deemed sacred, of the Cars. mar
gazing from the admiralty tower on all these
gay palaces, and bordering on their not impro
bable sad destiny, might be excused if he wep
as Xerxes did when gazing on his host near the
Hellespont.'
|
from the Cape of Good Hope announce the or
ganization of new Republic. England has
withdrawn her control over the Orange River
Sovereignty, and provisional government has
been established by the inhabitants. The as
sembly of the people which formed this Govern
ment adopted a document which says that
while other nations sacrificed years of struggle
and torrents of blood to get independence, they
have obtained it through the magnanimity O.
her Britanic Majesty, ''until yesterday our re
spected Queen" They declare the only buwarl
of our national existence is unity and the es
Enlistment of churches and schools among them
The new republic, though small in population
has an immense extent Of territory. The Col
onists, now that gold has been discovered there
do not appear willing to allow the country tt
slide from their grasp, and at Cape Town q
petition to the Queen has been numerously
signed, praying her to re-annex it to her do.
minions, on the ground that the establishment
of republic would only lead to bloody border
warfare, with bad results to both parties. As
the British Government has, however, finally
withdrawn from the country, it is difficult to
see how she can reassume her control over it.
| Baltimore american.