The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-08
AFFAIRS IN EUROPE,
OUR LONDON AND PARIS CORRESPONDENCE,
The DUELS IN MADRID.
The iLglish and French Fleets Or
dtred into the Black Sea.
The Decided Policy Of France in tho fureo-
Russian Question.

The Decided Policy Of France in tho furco-
Russian Question.
THE MINIS rERIAL CRISIS IN EyGLasD.
Supposed Interference Of Prince Albert In
the Politics Of England,
Sc. &C.. Sc.
our London Correspondence.
LONDON, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 1858.
The Ministerial Crisis in Eagland-The Eastern
Question.
The resignation OF Lord Palmerston, and tho con-
sequent ministerial crisis in England, are still the
topic of conversation. not only here but in all tn,
European capitsls. The opposition organs boldly
deny that the noble Viscount and ex-Home Secre-
tary resigned on the Reform bll-an opinion No.
echoed by most foreign journals; and the MessisA
Psst, (P.s p1Dsumed or1a. s'-4i--..-
e--, .4..4uvuiy states that
the weak and vacillating policy Of the Aberdeen
Cabinet on the Eastern question the real cause
OF his resignation. The Paris Monteur has sx-
pressed in BRIEF but strong terms, the regret fels
by the French government at the resignation Of
PalnerstoD, at the same time expressing convic-
ton that this event will not affect the alliance be.
tween the two countries. The vacant post OF Home
Secretary was first offered to Lord John Russell.
who declined it, and now awaits the acceptance of
Sir George Grey. Palmersson is staying at Bowood,
the country seat of Lord Lansdowne who II ia re.
ported, on the plea Of indrmity and old lge has
also resigned, or intends doing so shortly. The
general opinion still is that Palmerston will be
Prime Minister if war breaks out, and this seems
m0st probable.
We have now received full detsils of the murder
ous slaughter at Snope for it deserves other
name Tie two vessels-Reribution, (E E,gish,)
and Mcgador, (French)--seut there 20 report, re-
turned to Constantnople on the Sth instant with
full corrcAoration Of the total destruction of the
Turkish sqosdron there, ard ofthe and arsenal
Of Sinope. Ehc Taft, Tnylsish steamer, tho only
vessel that escaped, arrived st Constantine plc with
sixteen shots in her hull. Sho got up her stea n in
tie midst Of the confusion ard after receiving the
bfoadside Of q Russian three decker got off. The
papers you will receive by this mail will give you
ample details / will, therefore, simply allude 10
and point out the probable conse upences in q 20.
litical point Il view.
IL is now certain that the Turkish squadron WAS
at ancher, and that the Russian feet taking advsn
tage OF thick fog, sasied into tue pert Of Snops
and there, before the Turks of enemy's
presence sci TO work shooting them down like game
ut bateam. Notwithstanding the overwhelming
force and the surprise the Turks defended them
selves with determination and heroism not snrpass-
ed in the annals of naval warfare; 900 Turks fell
in the action, (sone accounts say 7, ,00o,) and the
loss OF the Russians considerable. The Emperor
of Russia having formally declared that he would not
take an aggressive offensive part in the war the
slaughter Of Snope is direct affont to the Western
Powers. II is said that Acniral D1ndas on tAe re-
turn OF the Retributon, proposed weighing anchor at
once, with view of, if possible, intercepting
Nachimkows 8 fleet, and destroying it, and of laying
in ashes. This energetic proposal was,
it is said overruled by paraguay dHillier~ The
dispatches from Constantinople vienns,
and Bucharest, however seem TO leave no doubt
that, this, the combined fleets have entered the
Black Sea. Public opinion in England is unanimous
for As CARDS the Turks, far from the lato
disaster having cooled their ardor, they have been
excited to renewed endeavors. The greatest ex-
cifement prevailed at Constanople when the last ad-
vices left, and Admiral Slade " no commands tha
Turkish feet, was to sail Immediately from the Bos.
phorus Had that fleet been there the Russians dared
not have left Sebastopo and it the Ambassadors
of France and England that persuaded him to re.
main In the Bosphorus. There is another point of
very serious nature, if proved. The Russian vessels
are said to have hosted the English lay at Sinope,
to deceive the Turks to the object OF their visit
An English transport is stated to have been burnt at
Sinope, and the Hebe, an English merchantmen, to
have been fired into by the Russians 1t is also said
that some English and French officers were on board
the Turkish vessels at Shope and fell in the engage
ment. From private letters now on my table, learn
that the English and French fleets were eagerly
desiring brush with the Russians.
Another piece OF news is that Persia has declared
war on Turkey-it is added, on England also. The
latter part may be doubled. The Bombay Gasete,
brought by the overland mail, announces that the
Shah of Persia was assembling a large army. The
Leading journals Of London all agree that the hour Of
negotiation ia past. The whole Of the documents re.
lating to the proposed new agreement between the
powers have been published. II is scarcely worth
while dwelling upon what regard a. 50 much waste
paper but it may not be unnterestng to state that
the tone Of those documents Is more favorable to
Russia than Turkey. The despatch addressed by
each government TO its representative at CONSTANT
nople Tin each case identca indicates the line Of con-
duct which he is to follow to obtain the adhesion Of the
Ottoman government TO the resoutio recently ADOPT
ed at Vienna. This document gives the general basis
upon which the premiDaries Of negotiations for peace
are to be established. These preminares are to be
settled between the Russian and Turkish pleniooten.
tares in the presence Of the penpoteniaries o the
other Powers. The evacuation OF the Principafites
(Which ought TO be sine qua non) Is scarcely al
luded 10. IL must not be forgotten that this des-
patch was drawn up before the affair at Sinope
From the Danube there are reports of an attack
by the Russians under Gortschakof on Kalefat The
reports are contradictory that until authentic de-
tails are received they sre not to be credited. In
Asia there has been very severe fighting, chiefly TO
the advantage OF the Turks. The Russian bulletins.
via Odes and Bucharest, are not 20 be trusted.
President Pierce's message is commented upon by
the London journals Of this day. which publish il In
full. 1t IL favoraby spoken Of.
LONDON, Friday Evening Dec. %. 1853
IhH EnrLtsh nnd ELfnch Elnefs Ordcred 10 Eak<,.