Washington sentinel., 1856-03-25

news we take from our files received by the
steamer Persia, at New York.
The Peace Conference.
The third sitting of the Plenipotentiares was
held on Saturday, when they agreed that the
Austrian protocol, as accepted by Russia should
form the basis of their negotiations and signed
that protocol pure and simple, giving it all the
power and force Of preliminaries, and upon that
proceeded to the discussion OF the terms OF
peace. The Russians conceded all the demands
Of the western powers, almost without resist
ance. As
A despatch dated Berlin, the 4th inst, states
that the Emperor Alexander had received at
st. Petersburg notification from Count Oroff
Of the signature Of the prelminaries of peace,
and that his Majesty had, on the Sd inst, Mon
day, transmitted by telegraph to Count Orloff
despatch declaring his approval Of the sig
nature. The Russian ambassador at Berlin
had been informed of these circumstances
The fourth sitting of the conference was held
on Tuesday, the 4th instant.
The Times Paris correspondent writes, on
the 9Th inst. No secret has been better kept
than the proceedings Of the conference up to
the present moment, as far as details are con
cerned. All that can be safely affirmed is that
matters are going on well enough but it
would be an error to suppose that there is not
yet good deal Of work to be got through.
believe that France and England have not been
since the commencement more firmly united
than at the present moment Of Austria's
frmness doubt whether as much can be said.
At ell events, | again hear whisperings Of
Count Buol not realizing all that was expected
of him. 1t is stated positively that no prolon,
cation of the armistce beyond the 2Ist of
March will be listened to, and that everything
must be arranged in ten or twelve days from
this date"
PARIS, Thursday, March 6.-The fifth sitting
of the plenipotentaries in conference took
place to-day, bnt the proceedings are enyeloped
in complete secrecy.
Speeches OF Louis Napoleon-The Expeot-
ed French Heir.
The session Of the Senate for the year 1856
was opened on Monday, the Sd, by the Empe-
ror in person, who delivered the following
speech:
Peers and Senators :-On the last occasion
of my assembling you, serious anxieties pre-
vailed. The allied armies were engaged in a
siege, where the obstinacy Of the defence raised
doubt of success. Europe, uncertain, seem
ed to be awaiting the end of the struggle be-
fore pronouncing ITSELF To maintain the war,
/ asked you loan, which you voted unani-
mousy, though the amount might have ap.
peared excessive.
The rise in the price Of provisions threat
ened the laboring class with general inconve-
nience, and disturbance of our monetary sys-
tenn caused fear that business and labor would
slacken. Thanks to your aid and the energy
displayed both in France and England, and
ahax,a -. tha, IL. IL.
dangers, if they have not entirely disappeared,
have been for the most part averted.
:" A great feat of arms at last decided in favor
of the Allies, struggle unexampled in history
for its inveteracy. From that moment the
opinion Of Europe was more openly expressed.
Our alliances were everywhere extended and
strengthened.
The third loan was completed without diff
Guilty. The country gave me fresh proof of
its confidence by subscribing for sum FIVE
times larger than that asked for. 1t has sup
ported with admirable resignation the suffer
ings inseparabe from the dearness of provi-
sions-suferings alleviated by private charity,
by the zeal of the municipalities, and by the
100000 distributed to the departments.
The arrival of foreign grain has now produced
a considerable fall the anxiety caused by the
disappearance of gold has diminished, and
never has labor been more abundant or wages
higher.
"The hazards Of war have revived the mill.
tary spirit of the nation. Never have there
been SO many voluntary enlistments, nor so
much ardor amongst the conscripts designated
by lot.
To this brief expose Of the present situation
must be added facts Of great political signi6ca-
ton. t.
"The Queen of Great Britain, desiring to give
proof of her confidence and of her esteem for
our country, and TO make our relations more in
innate, came over into France. The enthusi
astic welcome she received has proved TO her
how profound were the sentiments her presence
inspired, and was Of nature to strengthen the
alliance Of the two people.
"The King Of Piedmont, who, without look
ing behind him, embraced our cause with that
courageous spirit which he had before exhibited
on the field of battle, has also come to France
to consecrate union already cemented by the
bravery Of his soldiers.
"These soyereigns have bebeld a country,
lately so agitated and disinterested of its rank
in the councils of Europe, now prosperous,
peaceable, and espected-making war not
with the momentary delirium Of passion, bot
with the calmness of justice and the energy oil
duty. They have seen that France was send.
ing 100000 men across the seas, convoking to
Paris at the same time all the arts Of peace, as
if she meant TO say to Europe The existing
war is to me only an episode. Ny ideas and
my powers are always partly directed towards
the arts of peace. Let us neglect nothing for
good understanding, and drive me not ia
throw into the Geld Of battle all the resources
and all the energy Of great nation
This appeal seems TO have been under
stood, and the winter, by suspending hostilities
favored the intervention Of diplomacy Austria
resolved on decisive step, which introduced
into the deliberations the entire influence o
the sovereign Of a vast empire. Sweden linked
herself more closely to England and France BY
treaty that guaranteed the integrity Of her
territory. Lastly, the advice or entreaties Of
all the cabinets reaching st. Petersburg, the
Emperor Of Russia, the inheritor Of situation
he had not created, seemed to be inspired With
sincere desire to put an end to the causes
that led to this sanguinary conflict He de
termined to accept the propositions transmitted
by Austria. The honor Of bis arms satisfied
It was to his own honor to give way to the
clearly expressed wish of Europe.