The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-26
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE
LONDON, June 6, 1856.
To the Editor of the National Era:

prospect OF a collision with America. The prob
abilities of war are discussed in all the Jour
nails, and in all circles, club and social. / am
sorry to say that the conduct of the Times, and
one or two of the Government organs, is well
calculated to sustain the Cabinet in taking
strong and decisive action in the Central Amer.
lean difficulty. The state of the money market
shows at once how much Importance business
men attach to the rumors of war; and on change,
for the past week, the American difficulty has
been constant and prominent theme for dis
cussion. A large class of the Journals depre-
cate not only q war, but any conduct, on the
part of the English Government, which shall
lead towards it. The great mass of the people
are entirely opposed to warlike measures, and,
though it is a fact which cannot be doubted.
that the course pursued by many of our lead
ing journals, during the Crimean warfare, has
irritated the English people, nevertheless they
are utterly opposed to war with their transat.
lantic neighbors. The commercial classes are,
of course, opposed to war with country whose
interests are so involved with their own, and it
is unsafe to look to the opinions of this class as
a criterion of English opinion. Judge by what
| know that other classes feel. Outside of the
Government officers, and those members of
Parliament who feel bound to support the Cab
met In every emergency, there is no party or
class of men who advocate anything but con-
Citation with America. What the Palmerston
Cabinet will do, no man can tell. 1t has a
stronger hold upon Office than any one sup
posed month since, and the temptations are
less for it to drift into difficulties with for
eign Power. 1t was prophesied, two months
ago, that Palmerston could hold office only
when England was at war; hence, many
thought he would be tempted to get England
into war with some Power. Such is not the
fact. No other party is strong enough in the
House of Commons to venture to provoke the
Premier to retire. He retains Office not so
much from his own strength, as from the weak
ness OF his adversaries, and | cannot see that
any of the latter gain accessions to their ranks.
Hence l conclude that the Palmerston Cabinet
is sure of Office for. some time longer. What
course it may take know not, but 1 think a
conciliatory one, knowing as it does that the
whole nation protests against war with Amer
lea.
The feeling is strong here against the conduct
of President Pierce, in acknowledging the Mic
aragua Minister, and rumors are abroad that
France and England will unite in a solemn
protest against such recognition. But many
incline to think the return of Mr.. Champion
not only just, but very wise measure. off"
say these men, "the affair can be taken from
the hands of the touchy diplomatists, and left
to the people, peace will be preserved" These
persons think one of the first steps to be taken,
to get the whole matter in dispute out of diplo-
matte hands, is the return of English and Amer
lean Ambassadors, at the two Courts, to their
homes. This view of the matter has
been taken by several of the most important
merchants in the Exchange, and it has, in some
degree, allayed the fears of war.
While it may be relied upon as almost Ger.
tain that no war will occur, yet the friends of
peace should be active here and in America.
The two countries cannot act reckessly with
impunity. War is not an impossible thing, and
active exertions should be made by all philan-
thropists to avoid it. 1t certainly would be an
unfortunate thing for the cause of freedom in
America, at this juncture, to have the whole
nation reused with war excitement; and the
English people can only lose from such con-
fiict as must ensue if hostilities are once COM
menced.
Parliament has been completely idle the past
week. 1t has been in session, but has accom-.
plished little. The House of Lords seems to
have made up its mind to change the character
of its appellate jurisdiction, and give it in flu.
ture to body consisting of three Judges, who
will receive salary for trying appeal cases.
From the Continent the political news is not
of much moment Count Buol has issued
circular, in which he replies to the accusations
of Sardinia with temper which does not preiu-
dice one in favor of his cause. The Grand
Duke of Tuscany has placed himself complete
ly in the power of the Pope, by signing a con-
cordat similar to the one which Austria refused,
and about which SO much noise has been made
The Papal Government has made one conces-
son-a railroad is to be built, uniting sea to sea-
from Civita Vecchia to Ancona and Bologna,
by Rome. A Spanish Company is to build it,
but in the partnership are several American
capitalists. The Government guarantees six
per cent. interest. From Russia we hear that
the young Emperor visited Warsaw, that he
might personally proclaim amnesty for the
Poles. The new Russian loan is wanted for
internal improvements in the Russian Empire.
There are many indications that Alexander
will not pursue the policy of his father, the late
Emperor. He is evidently turning his atten-
ton more closely to the real happiness and
of his subjects, and less to territori
al ACKNOWLEDGMENT and military glory. Posi-
bly, the late war has taught the eminent person
age lesson which will be great service to
him, and benefit to the nation.
The interior of France during the past week
has been the scene of frightful devastation and
misery. The central parts of that country slope
together, forming long basin, which, in times
of heavy rains is peculiarly liable to inunda-
ton. Such has been the case during the past
week. Whole villages have been swept away
by the flood, and many lives have been lost.
The destruction of property has been terrible.
Louis Napoleon has felt the suferings of his
subjects so heavily, or rather has been so will
ing to add to his popularity, that he has left
Paris on a visit to the distressed provinces. He
was received in Lyons with great enthusiasm,
and he at once proceeded to the inundated dis
tricts, giving away hundreds of thousands of
francs to the sufferers. At Avignon he was
also received with great enthusiasm. He en-
tered the city by boat, as two-thEde OF the prin-
cipal streets were under water. The legislative
body have granted two millions of francs to the
people of the inundated region. The conduct
of the Emperor is praiseworthy, but one can
hardly impute to him entire disinterestedness.
l am happy to state that the food is subsiding,
and the worst has been already experienced;
The news from India states that the ex King
of Dude is on his way down to Calcutta, and
that preparations are completed for his voyage
to England. We shall have another distin-
guished exile to play upon the sympathies of
the humane, and, as the Suchnom hero has
plenty of money, he will be lionized to On pn-
limited extent.
During the week, the anniversary meeting of
the League of Brotherhood took place in the
London Tavern. Your readers perhaps are
aware that this Society was organized by Elihu
Buyritt. Charles Gilpin took the chair, and the
annual report was read by the Secretary The
operations of the Society have been widely ex-
tended, both at home and abroad notwithstand-
ing the war; and especially of late has the at
tention of its officers been directed to the dan.
ger of war between England and America,
and ipterchanges Of sentiment have taken place
between some of the principal towns in the two
countries. AMERICAN.
THE MARKETS.