The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-22
FOREIGN NEWS.
By the Emeu and the City 81 Washington, dates
to the 31st December.

the Goth of December, says
81 am happy to be able to prove to you how
we'll founded were the hopes l had expressed
relative to satisfactory arrangement of the
Bessarabian frontier question. 1t appears
new line Of frontier has now been definitely ar
ranged. Bolgrad will be incorporated with
Moldsvia; the Isle of Serpents and the Delta
of the Danube will belong to Turkey; and
Russia will receive in exchange, and as an off,
cisl compensation for this last concession, and
as a real equivalent for Bolgrad, territory of
40 square miles, which would advance her
territory to the second Yalpuck, and would
easily permit her to establish central admin
istration for her Bulgarian population. In this
manner, all parties will be satisfied: Russia
will lose none of her Bulgarian subjects; Eng
land and Austria will no longer fear for the
Danube; and Turkey will be equally satisfied.
1t appears that the honor of this arrangement
is due to the Emperor Napoleon, who first con-
ceived the idea, and has got it accepted, in
principle at least, by all parties. The repre-
sentstives of Russia have likewise approved.
and have demanded, by telegraph, the ratifca-
ton from the Court. AS soon as this answer
shall arrive, and perhaps it has arrived by this
time, nothing will oppose the meeting of the
Conference. With respect to the Plenipoten-
tiaries, | may affirm that Russia will be repre-
scented in the Conferences by the Baron de
Brunow, in addition to Count Kisseleff, as first
Plenipotentiary."
THE RUPTURE BETW ZEN PRUSSIA AND
SWITZERLAND
From the Paris Presse, Dec. 81
We have little to say about Swiss affairs. An
attempt at reconciliation has actually been
made at Berne. 1t was to have been effected
by collective note from the representatives of
the European Powers and of the Minister of the
MT h,,t - r
the plenipotentiaries having urged that they had
not sufficient power. 1t is also said that Aus
tria seized the occasion to fling at the United
States the Monroe doctrine-that is to say, to
contest their interference IN European affairs,
ecen as their professions are to oppose European
influence in the affairs Of the Nelc World.
VIII this attempt at negotiation be the last
We may be allowed to doubt it. To-day even,
there is report of a new proposition transmit
ted to Berne by the French Government. We
also hear (but perhaps it is only the same thing
under another form) ofpropositions transmitted
| by the four Powers which signed the London
| protocol propositions which have probably
been accepted by Prussia On the other hand,
we have stated that the professions Of Prussia
are looked upon nOW 'oith less tdcOr, even in
| Germany, and especially in those States which
will suffer from hostilities if they allow a pas
sage to the Irussian soldiers.
SPAIN
According to one of the Ministerial papers of
| Madrid, Of the oath December Santa Anna, of
MericO, has sent agents to Madrid to propose to
reeSta6lisb monarchy in MericO, aCiM a Span
ash prince or soUereign, provided the Spanish
Government will grant him certain assistance.
The EpocG opposes any such project, unless it
be freely demanded by public opinion in Mex
leo, and have the support of England and
France.
BOMBARDMENT OF CANTON
The East India mail had been telegraphed.
On the Oath Of October, the city of Canton was
bombarded by the British, under Admiral Sey-
mour. The collision was owing to the seizure
of twelve British seamen on board vessel in
the river. The British Consul interfered, and
was insulted and threatened with violence, and
when demonstrating with the Chinese Governor
General, was treated with contempt.
Matters were placed in the hands of Admiral
Seymour on the 2lst of October, and hostilities
commenced on the oath. The forts at Canton
were TAKEN and several destroyed. The Gov.
ernor still rejecting Seymour's demand for salts
| faction, fire was opened on the 9th on the city
walls and the Governors palace The walls
were preached aud stormed on the 10Th, and
the troops penetrated to the palace, but were
withdrawn IN the evening. British loss, three
killed and twelve wounded.
Attempts at negotiation continuing fruitless
the city was bombarded on the Sd and 4th OF
November. On the Goth, twenty-three war
junks were destroyed by British steamer, and
further time was given to make reparation, but
| the Chinese remained obstinate.
FURTHER FOREIGN NEWS.
The naval force brought by Admiral Seymour
against Canton consisted Of three frigates, one
| brig, and five steamers. The details are not
materially different from the accounts brought
| by the City of Washington. Some Of the forts
taken were burnt, and others occupied by
British artillery. One hundred and seventy
| guns were spiked.
Notwithstanding the capture of the forts, the
| Governor refused to make the apology demand
| ed. He, however, sent to the Admiral twelve
| persons, purporting to be the captured seamen,
| but, they not proving the same, the Encounter
| opened fire on the city walls, the artillery com
| pany cooperating from the captured forts
while steamer proceeded up the river and
sheled the forts on the heights. On the 18th
of October the walls were preached and the
| city entered, but was subsequently abandon ed
The unks were also destroyed, as before re-
ported. In the encounter with the junks, the
steamer Barracuda received eighty shots in
her hull and rigging.
The BOgue forts were captured on the 18th
| of November. On the 18th, thesChinese had
renamed the Barrier forts, and fred into the
mail steamer Canton. The British loss in all
the operations was but trifing. The English
and American ladies had been previously re.
moved to Hong Kong, together with the treas
| ure. A detachment of marines from the
| American sloop-o Portsmouth guarded the
factories.
The account Of the American AFFAIR with the
| Chinese is not very full. 1t is said that an
American ship was fired into by the Chinese
fort in Macao roads, whereupon the Portsmouth
proceeded to destroy it, at the same time mott
flying the Chinese authorities that unless repara
| ton were made hostile operations would en-
sue. The San Jacinto was at Whsmpoa, an
| chored off French Island, with the Portsmouth
and Levaht.
| The British Consul, on November 18th, in
| formed the European community that the Ad-
| miral deemed it inexpedient to disclose his fu-
/ trre movements, but said that there was no
| immediate prospect o. GTietness.
The mail steamer met a French 1rigate ap-
| preaching the seat of war.
Warlike preparations IN Switzerland and
| Prussia continue vigorous. Hopes of peace
preponderate, however Meantime, the Amer
lean Minister to Switzerland has gone to Ber-
lin, to offer, as is reported, the mediation of the
| United States. Other improbable reports OF
| good Offices on the part of the United States
| prevailed.
The message of the President of the Swiss
| Federation is published. The substance of it
| is that all the foreign Ministers at Berne made
a proposal IS the Swiss authorities to give up
! the trial of the Neufchatel prisoners, and that
| their respective Governments would endeavor
to induce Prussia to recognise the absolute i'll.
dependence of Neufchatel. The proposition
fell to the ground.
The Federal Assembly, before adjourning,