Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-11
FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT
PARIS, FEBRUARY 16, 1854.

'.~ PARIS, FEBRUARY 16, 1904
The leading item of intelligence by this steamer
is beyond dispute the autograph letter Of Napoleon,
Emperor of the French, to Nicholas, Emperor Of
Russia, proposing settlement of the Eastern ques-
ton You will receive the letter by this mail Nicho-
las has repeatedly and haughy declared that he seized
upon the Prncpalties material security and that he
meant to hold them till the proectorate required by him
from Turkey should be accorded Napoleon proposes
that the immediate evacuation of the Black Sea by the
allies should be accepted by the Car equivalent for
the immediate evacuation Of the Danuban provinces by
his forces and that these formaties being performed
negotiations should recommence between the belgersnts
directly for the arrangement of all difficulties by
treaty If Russia accepts this proposition it will be acear
back out her part; and nothing induce her to
cspt but the apprehension that if she refuses the allies
will assign day within which the provinces must be
evacuated upon pain Of declaration of This war
the Gear would let and welcome and put all Europe
in conagraton if it were not for the fatal fact that,
whatever other results and changes might be produced
in the course of it. it's first effect would be the annhila
ton of his maritime power. 1t would not surprise me if
he to evacuate the provinces rather than in
cur that disaster But sincere the antpathy Of all
parties general that, notwithstanding the very
menacing aspect of affairs at this moment, do not yet
believe in the kndlng up presently Of such Both
England and France, however, preparing to send
expeditonary military force to the East; and certain
movements in France would seem to have in prospect
military operations the Rhine Cannon and munitions
of war being directed in enormously large quantities
upon Metz Is this in anticipation that Prussia in the
of the declaration of between Russia and France
and England will find herself compelled to side with Rus
sa and Austria thus afording France the opportunity
Of seizing upon her old csRhenish provinces? By the
way rumored that the recent visit Of Prince Napoleon
Bonaparte to Brussels had political motive bearing
upon this same point. Very likely. But astute as is
the Emperor Napoleon he is not sufficiently to get
around the sensible, sagacious old King Leopold. The
latter doubtless fully Of the danger that threatens
him from France He will temporize, and treat Prince
Napoleon with scrupulouy prncey attention. and avoid
giving offence and give abundance Of fair words but he
will be cnoed into any act Of distrus much less Of
hostility toward Prussia any of the Northern Powers
The Moniteur of the 18th formally the solemn
seizure and annexation to the French Empire of the
important Of the southern group Of Poynesan Islands
On the oath of September 1853 possession taken by
Counter Admiral FebvrierDespointes in the name of
France of the island Of NeU Caledonia and the Goth
September Of the Island Pne and other small islands
in the immediate vicinity The Moniteur of the 18th in
slant thus announces aud gives the for this
nexaton:
By virtue Of the orders OF the Emperor the Minister
Marine ana OF Colonies
May last, the Counter-Admral Despointes,
Of the French naval forces the Pacific
ocean, TO proceed to New Caledonia. The Government
had long been DESTROYS of possessing in those distant
regions beyond certain localities which might in
OF need become the of its penitentary establish
ment New Caledonia offered to Government all desirable
conditions Coniomably the instructions transmitted
him. Counter Admiral Febvrer Despontes after having
assured himself that the flag of other maritime nation
hpated New Caledonia, has soemnly taken possess
sion OF that island aud Of its dependencies including the
Island OF Pines in the and by order of his Majesty
Napoleon H. Emperor Of the French" .a.t
Then follow in the Monteur the formal record Of the
proceedings Which took place upon this occasion in order
TO authenticate the possession and annexation. This
French colony lies in the South Pacific Ocean, Of
British Australia about equdistant between Australia and
the Friendly Islands 1t is in latitude 100 south and
Longitude l6' east from Greenwich 1t large island
being some two hundred and fifty miles long by sixty
broad iwoud in fact well fitted to its destination
as French penal colony, being raversed by ridge o.
rugged mountains, presenting their rocky fronts to h
sea- water is abundant but the soil is rocky and sandy
offering but slight inducement to agriculture Its popu
ation is estimated at fifty thousand This is probably
large estimate for it is the seaboard only which contain
considerable population, supporting itself chiefly upor
fish. The natives are quite black specimens Of tn,
Papuan Oriental negro. The Sydney Herald protest.
against the requirement Of this by France