American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-01-12
RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.
ST. Petero5,wy, Dec. II, 1855.


Since their arrival in st. PETERSBURG
the generals Of the corps d'armee have
had frequent meetings Of the Sccreta-
ry OF War, Prince Dolgoruki.
The presence here of Major General
Todleben, the Vauban of Russia, seems
to confirm the rumorcd intention oftho
government 10 surround the capital
by double line of deiences. Theyaro
to be earth works, and will extend from
st. Petersburg along the banks Of the
NeYa to Cronstadt. The arrival of tho
new d,wchines levied upon the estates
or our aristocracy, and of which the
soldiers arc SO many laborcrs taken
from the country, would be powerful
assistance in the constructionIof these
works. 1t is said that General Tod!c-
ben will draw the plan of fireworks.
and that they viii be executed undcr
his supervision. The dead season is
favorable to the government, and it is
said everywhere that three thousand
pioneers are already engaged to COM
mence these Notifications.
The government is convinced that
the design Of the allies for tile next
spring Is to send formidable invading
army into the Baltic and Finland prov
lnces, and to operate on both sides Of
the gulf, on the roads leading directly
to st. Petersburg. Our prospects for
some months to como arc far from be-
ing comfortable. | was witness Of
the uneasiness and tho lxiety caused
last summer to a large mmbcr Of the
most distinguished families by the ap-
pearanco Of the allied fleets before
Cronstadt. In the apprehension that
they will come back in May next and
approach us still closer many rich fam
lilies have already taken measures to
emigrate from st. Petersburg with all
their most valuable effects.
The Secretary of War is at present
actively engaged in preparing for the
great change to be introduced in the
most important commands in the AZ
mics Of the Baltic and of Finland. (
Officers being required to command
the battailions of the reserve and of
1.-THE militia, the government has made
fresh appeal to our young nobility in
order to induce them to enter into thc
army as officers. All kinds of favors
are promised to them at the end of the
war. Those who have but little means
will be fitted out at the governments
expense.
WW R"soia Renouncc her Designs e.
gairaat Turkey.
In the Ausland German periodical
of high reputation we find the follow.
ing statistical information with regard
to Russia which will be read with in
torcst:
Russia is not very likely to rclin-
quish her plans against Turkey, and
to consent to any real limitation of her
power, until she is brought SO low as
to be incapable Of any further effort
The foreign commerce of Russia has en-.
tirely lost its Importance. The trade
of the Baltic ports, which was former.
~ 81 per cent, Of the whole cXport
trade OF the empire, has almost ceased
to be. 1t is true that part Of the
raw produce of Russia may find It's
way through Prussia, but the expense
OF carriage is so enormous that very
little business can be done. Southern
Russia is in a still worse situation
AS a consequences of the large consign
ments OF corn to foreign countries, land.
cd property in Southern Russia rose, O.
Enormously in price, and very large
I pF al
ricultural establishments. That CAPT
tai is at present dead, for if the hands
to till the soil were to be had, the
corn growing could not be sold to al.
vantage. The landed proprietor, who
is obliged to pay high interest for his
! borrowed capital, to maintain his ser.
wants, to give war contributions, and
to satisfy the demands made ON him By
the State for transport service, is on
the very verge oftotal ruin. A picture
Of the misery and distress Of Russia can
hardly be too highly colored, for tween.
ty years of profound peace will hardy
bring her to the point Of material dc.
vc}opemcnt at which she had arrived
when the war commenced. TIE inter
ruption OF the trade Of Russia indicts
q deep wound; but still it would be er.
roneous to suppose that she will i'm
mediateiy consent to conclude a humr
iating peace. She may carry on ST.
icidal war for some time to come,a sho
has provisions, tho materials for clo +
thing her soldiers, leather, iron and
horoos