The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-15
LONDON CORRESPONDENCE.
LONDON, April %, 1856.


LONDON CORRESPONDENCE.
LONDON, April Is, 1856.
To the Editor of the National Era:
The Emperor of Russia has deigned to lay
before the nobility of Moscow the reasons which
induced him to conclude a peace with the Al
lied Powers. These reasons were various, but
it is evident that the principal one was the fact
that all the neighboring States, Austria, Prus-
STA, &C., were opposed to the continuance Of
the war, and were decidedly of the opinion
that Russia was in the wrong. Austria was
rapidly becoming an open enemy, while Prus-
STA, as friend, beseeched the Gear to assent
to the propositions for peace. The Emperor,
in his speech to the people of Moscow, gave
other reasons for the conclusion of peace and,
as they bear directly upon the statements of
certain authorities concerning the resources
and ability of Russia, it is well to bear in mind
the Emperor's remarks. Golden has always
maintained that Russia could not have stood q
great war, that her internal resources have been
greatly magnifed, that the Russian system of
protection has not developed great resources.
Others, and we have had them in America,
have maintained that Russia Is the greatest
Power of the Eastern world, that England and
France could make no impression upon her in
a warm short, that her protective system has
made Russia great, strong, abundant in her re-
sources, and able to cope with the Allies with
ease. Now, what says Emperor Alexander
Why, that only two years of war have so af-
fected Russian agriculture and manufactures,
| that he gives that AS reason for making con-
cessions to the Allies to conclude peace. The
Emperor says, Even supposing the fortune of
arms to have been favorable, the Empire would
have been exhausted by keeping on foot so
| many and such numerous armies" So it seems,
after all, that Mr.. Golden was not so much mis-.
taken, when, years before this war began, he
declared Russia not to be what she pretended !;
and it is evident that, had the war continued a
few years longer, Russia would have been hum
bled by the Allies.
Quite lively debate sprung up in the House
Of Commons on Tuesday night in reference to
the duties on insurance paper. So enormous
| is the insurance duty here, that Insurance Com
panies in France insure property in England
at a much cheaper rate than can be afforded
here, from the fact that the French companies
pay no duty on their paper. The Chancellor
OF the Exchequer now proposes to amend the
existing laws, so that foreign companies shall
pay the duty when they insure here. This
| brought up the whole question of free trade.
| 1t was argued that, if Englishmen could insure
their property cheaper in Paris than in Lon
don, they had perfect right to do so, and, in
the debate, the Chancellor got worsted. Du-
ring the past week, the proceedings of Parlia-
ment have been devoid Of special interest, and
| the news from abroad is commonplace. The
| Emperor of Austria has signed the ratifcations
| OF the treaty of peace, and orders have been
| issued for the immediate evacuation of those
| parts of the Principalties now occupied by
Austrian troops.
| Prince Oscar, the second son of the King of
Sweden, leaves Stockholm for London about
| the middle of May, for his betrothal with the
Princess Mary of Cambridge.
The Emperor of Russia ratified the peace
treaty before leaving st. Petersburgh for Mos
cow. He will, after his return, visit the Prov
inces and the Baltic. His visit to Moscow was
| in compliance with ancient custom. When
| ever any great event takes place, the Gar goes
| to Moscow, the old capital, and announces,
usually in person, the event. Poland is soon
| to be visited by the Emperor, and it is expect
| ed that reforms will take place in that country.
| \ gksse authorizes the export from Poland of
! sheepskins, cattle, hoT-ls, pork, fresh and salt
ed provisions, spirits, linen, wooilen goods,
| hay, and ship stores.
| In France, nothing of note has occurred.
| The Constitutional thus notices the closing of
| the Congress of Paris:
"The Congress of Paris has terminated its
labors, opened IN the sitting of 18th February !;
they were concluded in the sitting of 9th April
They lasted therefore, Gftytwo days. The
publication, which will be made in the Moni
teur, of the text of the treaty and the reports
of the sittings which preceded it, will permit
us before long to found our opinions and
judgments on precise texts and authentic docu
ments. We may, however, from this moment,
he assured of one thing-that, whatever may
exist in the designs of Providence with respect
to the fruits of the treaty of Paris this treaty
will guaranty to Europe for a long time solid
and lasting peace. The practical difficulties
of the Eastern question are not solved in this
sense, that it still remains to be discovered how
the destinies of the Danubian Principalities
are to be regulated, and, above all, how Is to
be effected the necessary regeneration of the
Ottoman Empire. Without doubt, there may
arise, in one or another portion of the world,
local incidents, which may form an exception to
the universal tranquility. But of this we are
convinced, that nothing in the actual conjec-
lures lead us to fear that these incidents are
capable o. affecting the general situation OF
Europe"
The terms of the famous treaty of peace are
at last before US, though not in an official
form, and | may sum them up as follows: The
treaty eonsists of thirty-four articles. The first
four contain a declaration Of peace, declare
that Kars shall be evacuated by Russia, and
| that Sebastopol, Balaklava, Kamiesch, Eupa.
| toria, and Kertsch, shall be evacuated by the
Allies. The ninth article acknowledges the
hrnssE Of the Sultan, and declares it to be of
great value, though 1t is expressly stated that
| the other Powers have no right to interfere in
| the internal management of the Turkish EN-
pire. The next article speaks of revision of
the convention of l84l, relative to the closing
INffH a ,fc. fha <,oIa Aool
that the Black Sea is Observation-Disclosures and
the Porte are to admit Consuls to its ports, and
both engage not to reconstruct military arsenals
on its shores. The Emperor and Sultan have
concluded a convention, to determine the force
and number of light vessels necessary for coast
service.
The fifteenth and following articles relate to
| the Danube, the navigation of which is to be
entirety free, and subject to no prohibitions.
A European Commission ia to pat the river
into good condition, and is to levy toll upon
each vessel, to pay the expenses. From article
twenty three to thirty, the Danubian Principali-
.;es are considered, and their independence is
preserved uiI:aer the sovereignty Of the Forte,
Article thirty stipulates tn:s Russia and Tur-
key are to hold the same possessions IN =. = ana
Is before the war. Article thirty-two restores
the commercial relations between the countries
at war, as they we're before war was declared.
Article thirty-th relates to the Aland Isles.
have summed up the contents of the treaty,
and reserve little comment for another letter.
All England has been, the past week, to see
the great naval review at Spithead, the greatest
the world ever saw. The day was fine, and
the review was all that could have been ex-
pected. Truly yours, AMERICAN.
THE TREATY OF PEACE.
TIL L. 1IoI -,