The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.
LONDON, Nay 2, 1856.


LONDON May 2, 1856.
10 the Editor Of the National Era:
The House of Commons has been refractory
since the shameful Encouragement on the day
Of the naval review. It takes but little to
overthrow an administration already unpopular
and Palmerston and his associates have had
all they could do to keep together and keep in
power. They have already been outvoted in
the House several times, and though upon
measures of comparatively little Importance.
yet we see the beginning of the end"
The notifications of peace have at last been
exchanged by the different Powers and peace
has been formally proclaimed by the Queen.
Next Sunday is appointed day of public
Thanksgiving, and fireworks are to amuse the
people of London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, in a
few days.
One of the most important subjects for dis
cussion the past week is the report of Count
Walewskis speech before the Peace Congress.
on the subject of European politics. The fact
most severely criticised here is that in which he
called attention to the public policy of Belgium.
1t seems that the freedom with which the editors
and pamphleteers of Belgium canvass the acts OF
Louis Napoleon is exceedingly offensive to that
able but unprincipled monarch. He is not
content with putting his heel upon the pen of
France. He would have the pen of all coun-
tries silent as to his vices. Count Walewski
says:
ave should regret to be placed under the
obligation of ourselves making Belgium to
understand that it is imperatively necessary to
modify legislation which is not compatible
with the ful6lment by her Government of the
first of International duties-namely, that OF
not tolerating intrigues having for their avowed
object to disturb the tranquility of neighbor-
ing States"
The press here speaks out in pretty severe
tones in condemnation of such threats. i am
astonished that the peace press here does not
take offence at such things. 1t is by acauies-
cling in such outrages that it has rendered itself
so very unpopular. Peace with all nations can
be advocated without becoming the defender of
despots. That is the secret of the unpopuarity
of such really great men as Golden and Bright.
In their eagerness for peace, they have actually
appeared to take the side of wrong and despot-
ism. This the people will not soon forget.
The Government Just now is i'll at ease re-
speeding Australia. The colonists are demand
ing more and more, until they come little short
of actual independence. The Melbourne Herald
says;
navi CATION is a want that presses upon us with
appalling interest, when we reflect upon the
vicissitudes of war, and bear in mind the an
nouncements that have recently been made to
us, of the dissentions between the most power
full States, one of which has hitherto remained
aloof from European strife, and of the despatch
of a formidable and therefore menacing feet
to the American waters-with what justification
and with what probable consequences we can
not guess. Or oacn feelings here-without
batting one jot of their loyalty and affection to
$ha NJ aoL ~Ts y
to an,ity aciM the United Snates than those of
tie people al the mother country. We can I'M
derstand the nature and the pungency of their
former grievances; and we can sympathise with
the determination which led them to cast of
the yoke. We have likewise many thousands
of American citizens in this colony, who are
identified with us in all our great undertakings,
and who are endeared to US by their circum-
spect and honorable conduct. We look with
horror upon the prospect of war between the
two nations, of which both parties here would
be the helpless and innocent victims; and we
think it too bad that, under such circumstances,
we should be left to the possibility of receiving
the first intimation of an outbreak from some
Paul Jones, who might bring the news, and
make us pay for his CELEBRITY"
The treaty of peace has been formally laid
before Parliament, and it differs but slightly, if
at all, from the version | gave you last week.
did not supply the fifth, sixth, seventh, and
| eighth articles, for they were not published.
| Those appear now to contain the following pro-
visions-the fifth, general amnesty is granted
the sixth, all prisoners are immediately given
up; the seventh and eighth-very important
articles-guaranty the independence of Turkey,
and make her for the first time full partici-
pator in the public Law and system of Europe.
These articles are exceedingly important, and
compose one of the most satisfactory features
of the whole treaty.
By the convention, between the different
Powers, respecting the Straits ofthe Dardsnelles
and the Bosphorus, it is agreed that no ship Of
war shall enter those waters in time of peace,
except the Sultan grants firmans for light yes.
sells employed in the missions of the foreign
Powers.
By the convention between the Emperor oil
Russia and the Sultan, respecting the naval
force in the Black Sea, it is agreed that each
country shall only number six steam vessels OF
fifty metres in length, and of no more than
eight hundred tons burden, and four light yes.
sells, of a tonnage which shall not exceed two
hundred tons each. The purpose of these YES
sells is to protect the commerce of the Black
Sea.
By convention between Russia and the
Allies it is agreed that the Aland Islands shall
not be fortified.
Perhaps the most important document pub.
lished, which originated with the Congress, is
the declaration respecting the maritime law,
and Il cannot do better than give it to you in
full.
"The Penipotentiares who signed the Treaty
of Paris, of the 3Oth of March, 1856, assembled
in Conference, considering:
"That maritime law, in time of war, has long
been the subject of deplorable disputes;
"That the uncertainty of the law and of the
duties in such matter gives rise to differences
of opinion between neutrals and belligerents
| which may occasion serious difficulties, and
even conflicts;
"That it is consequently advantageous to es
tablish uniform doctrine on so important q
point;
| Congress at Paris cannot better respond to the
intentions by which their Governments are an
mated, than by seeking to introduce into inter
national relations Exed principles in this re
spect.
"The above mentioned Plenipotentisries, be
ing duly authorized, resolved to concert among
themselves as to the means of attaining this OBJ
ject; and, having come to an agreement, have
adopted the following solemn declarations:
81. Privateering is, and remains, abolished
az. The neutral flag covers enemy's goods
with the exception of contraband of war.
90. Neutral goods, with the exception o.
contraband of war, are not liable to capture un
der enemy's flag.
"a. Blockades, in order to be binding, must
be efective-that is to say, maintained by a
force sufficient really to prevent access to the