The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-10

CANAL COMMISSIONERS.
Henry Fitzburgh. lGl ,0o6
Jason Clark l]oi ~
Josiah b. Williams. 5s24i
Clark Burnham. 'o,soo
INSPECTOR OF STATE PRISONS.
Morwocf bowne.'
W. r. Andrews. ....'.'.'..'''' $500
James p. Sanders ~,
Aoram Narnam.. ii'''
The War I'm the CrImea-Rum0redI Intention
OF the Gar to Invade British India.
The siege OF Sebastopol, Judging from
present appearances. seems likely to fur.
nsh another memorable illustration Of the
folly Of indulgiDg in over confident anti
cipations If it serves no other purpose
mistake national arrogance for strength
and who forget to measure the progress OF
other countries by their own. The limited
number of days in which it was calculated the
fortress could be reduced, have already been
spun out into weeks, and are gradually wearing
into months, and still the hoped-for result seems
as far from attainment as at the commence
ment of the siege. The agony of this protract-
ed suspense is beginning to tell upon the com
mercc of both England and France, and in the
manufacturing districts Of the former the cry
Of distress is making itself heard. Vast Lum-
bers of operatives will in the course Of few
weeks, be thrown out of employment by the
forced suspension of the large mills and fac
tories, and to the embarrassments of the gov
ernment. arising from its external difficulties,
will be added the fermentation of popular dis
content. In France the Responding view which
is taken of the critical aspect of affairs in the
Crimea, may be Judged Of by the altered
demeanor of the court. We hear no more
of those splendid .tstes with which
it has heretofore been the policy
OF Lonis Napoleon to occupy the minds aud
dazzle the imaginations of his restless but
pleasure-loving subjects. At the few recep-
tons that take place, bis Empress generally
appears attired in the deepest mourning an
emblem at once Of the grief which France feels
for The loss of some of her bravest sons, and of
the gloom which the prospects Of the future
inspire in almost every heart.
1t is true that both countries are straining
every effort to remedy the miscalculations that
were made at the outset of hostlities. and to
supply the amount of force necessary to the
mean expeditions; but great doubts seem no Y
to prevail whether the errors that have already
been committed will not prove ultimately
fatal to it. As fast as reinforcements arrive to
the besiegers, the elements of resistance are
accommodating in still greater ratio of rapidity
and numbers with the besieged; and it is evil
dent. from the fact Of Prince Menschikotf hav-
ing thrown all his infantry into Sebastopol,
and Of bis making preparations for another
general attack upon the lines of the
allies, that he is determined to make
a desperate effort to apnihilate their pre-
sent We akened force before the large bodies Of
troops, now on their way, bring up their num-
bers to an equality with his own. The arrival
Of the next steamer will therefore, probably
bring us the news Of another great engage
ment. the issue of which, in their present
straitened condition, may be disastrous if not
fatal to the invaders.
As to the disposition said to be recently mani
tested by the Russian Emperor to accept the
four conditions of the note Of the Sth of Au-
gust as basis of fresh negotiations, it scarcely
deserves serious consideration. The English
journals themselves view it as only another
effort to paralyze the military action OF the
court OF Vienna. of which they have alternate
doubts and hopes; but the truth is that if such
a disposition has been evinced at all. it is only
intended to furnish friendly pretext to the
German powers to adjourn the responsibilities
and hazards Of the decision which the pressure
of events must speedily force upon them. II
is OF vital Importance to them that they should
not be driven from their present position OF
neutrality, until the issue of events in the Cri-
is their interest to pursue.
The report of diversion being attempted by
the armies of the Gar against the British pos
sessions in India is again revived, and facts
are stated which wonld lead to the conclusion
that some such movement is intended. Al
though the idea is ridiculed by the Engl.b
journals, il is certain that the Russian Emperor
will avail himself OF every available means in
his power to embarrass his enemies, and tina.
he will endeavor to force Great Britain to
draw away o portion of her limited military
resources for the defence of distant points Of
her own empire. As he is compelled to NJ iin-
tain armies in these remote regions himself,
which cannot be brought to bear in the contest
now waging in the southern portion Of his
dominions, there would be both good policy
and good generalshp in his endeavoring TO
defray some OF the heavy expenditure OF the
war ont of the spoliation OF the rich Eastern
possessions OF Great Britain.
OMISSIONS OF TIE MEssAGE.-Among the
omissions of the Presidents message are-the
Nebraska bill the slavery question, the Cuba
question, orr evact relations with France and
Spain, the doings Of Sou'e, the 0stend CoDven-
ton, the Sandwich lslsnds and the case OF
Captain Gibson. 1t is rumored however, that
some Of these subjects are reserved for special
message or two and that there will he war
CRY from the administration before The end OF