Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-12-07
The Condition of Russia.

The Condition of Russia.
0ol. J.. p Shsffner, who returned from St.
I Petersburg 10 the steamship Atlantic, has
I furnished the New York Times some inter-
esting information in regard to Russia and
the wat. Col. Shsffner has had abundant
opportunities for informing himself as to the
condition Of Russia, and although they may
generally be relied upon, yet are undoubt-
eddy highly colored. If the reports of Col.
Shsffner are correct, all other accounts re-
ceigod from Russia are false
Col. Shuffner says that in Moscow. St.
/ Petersburg, and other large cities. there is
nothing to induce the supposilion that the
/ life blood Of the country is being drained by
an exhaustng war. Gold and silver COIN
continue plentiful. and are freely used in The
ordinary 'rinsactions Of everyday life" We
quote f ON the account:
In G g. nd ana luxuriant extravagance
Of the ~, lie, Two years war has made no
sensible difference IN the cottage of the
seri there Is vet no appearance of want, no
muttorings Of complaint. Merchandise and
goods have not increased IN value aud
chlmpagne, to illustrate by example, can be
bought IN ST Petersburg cheaper than Jer-
sey cider Is sold IN New York. Copper is
The only article that has Increased IN value,
and tins Is attributable to another cause than
that Of the war. The erection % public and
private buildings goes on; churches are
built as usual, and vast sums OF money have
within a few mo"ths been lavished on new
additions to the palace OF Peterhoff. II may
be true that shipping merchants and others
connected with foreign trade have been ruin
ed, but 1t Is also true that the resources Of
the country are becoming more rapidly dew
eloped than could have been possible in time
OF peace; manufactures are sprlnging %
Throughout the country and men find ia
them an occupation and q recompense for
what they have lost
The levies Of the war do not iniure the
Commercial and agricultural interests of The
country. or men there are plenty of gold
there Is abundance and OF wheat there Is
more than euough for the wants Of ALL The
people feel themselves secure within their
territory. They do not fear that IT'S re-
sources will be easily exhausted. and there
tore hey have made up their minds that
there j. long, long tcgr dtegd
Throughout the wIole Of the Russian
empire, the traveller sees little else than vast
preparations going on for the continuance Of
the war. WHhlu short distance Of 81
Petersburg there sre three ioundries for can
non. One Of these foundnes turns out SIX
ty brass field pieces Of different sizes per
week a second turns out eighty, end
third over one hundred per week THIS Is
SAID to be exclusive Of the immense found
RES 10 Russia south of Moscow The Rus
sian iron mines. also. yield more ore than is
nrnd"d. s'.d - - assa+ted that ~ ~. Po,or
sburg, at this day, iron. belonging to private
merchants, may be seen IN vast quantities,
rusing where u stands. With all the other
pmfeFiai of war, Russia Is equally well sup
Piled. Tier own mines supply her with salt
pelre. Of which she has plenty.
Col. Shatfuer also represents Cronstadt. as
well as the forts of Riga, Sweaborg, and
Ravel. as beng perfectly mpregnable. -
The news Of the fall OF Southern Sebasio-
pol was received by the people without ans
unusual emolinn--it was an even. which had
long been anticipated. The news Of the
defeat Of the Russians at Prsktir Bridge, on
the contrary, was the cause of much regret,
aud Is alleged 10 have been caused by a
mistake on the part Of the commanding gen.
eral Ia regard 20 the coutinuance OF Rus
sian rule IN the Crimea. The Col saws:
To have been able 10 retain the city Of
SebastoPol would undoubtedly have grailhed
the pride OF the Russian people, but It's loss
Is not regarded as \ misfortune, for It is be-
lleycd that Gortschakoff can hold the North
forts against any force that the Allies can
bring against han. Here, too. the Russian
government has established a foundry which
formerly supplied the Malakolf with guns
as fast as they were required, aud recast the
balls that fell III such showers from the Al
lied batteries. Thus, it will be seen, that
Gortschakotf ~ not more likely to lack war
MATERIAL now than he was before the fan of
the city As 10 provisions and supplies for
his army, n IS perfectly understood that he IS
already provided for the ensuing winter.
II has been frequently asserted by the
Brush press, aud has generally been beiev-
ed, that the wagon communication between
the interior of Russia and the Crimea is no
longer possible. THIS is said To be Incorrect;
Tor, wagons IN summer and sledges in whit
er laden with provisions, travel by thous-
ands 10 Perekop, whence they return laden
with salt. But be the actual condition of
affairs M the Criinea as u may, the belief
prevails among the masses of the Russian
people that The peninsula will not fall into
the hands of the Allies. The preparations
going on now are on an enormous SCALE
Old cannon are being replaced by new, and
through the exerilons of that distinguished
engineer Gen. Todtleben, the defsnces of
Nlcolalen THE great arsenal OF Southern
hussial have been rendered completely i'm
I pregnaole either against a land or sea at
tack"