The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-01-24
From Europe.

The Steamer City of Washington, which
arrived dan. Is, and the steamer America,
arrived Jan. 10th, with Earopesn dates to
Jan. Sd, bring interesting news from the
other side of the waters.
The Indian mail which arrived at London
about the 1st inst, brought, very unexpsct-
sdly, news from China, that Admiral Sey-
mour had bombardsd the City Of Canton,
efT.etine breach in the walls, destro51ng
the Basque Forts, and doing other heavy
damage. The cause of this unexpected
movement, was the seizure Of IL British
sailors on the river by the authorities OF
Canton, their maltreatment, and refusal to
give them up by the Chinese authorities.
The British Consul that made the demand
was insulted and threatened with violence.
Foreigners had generally left the city and
the English and American ladies had been
removed to Hong Kong. 1t is also stated
that the American steamer Portsmouth had
a hand in the fair, an American ship having
| been fred into by Chinese ship, whereup-
on the Portsmouth proceeded to destroy il.
The latest accounts represent the Chinese
as still stubborn, and that hostiIi,ies would
probably be resumed.
The threatened war between Switzerland,
and Prussia continued to attract large
attention. The spirit of Switzerland was
up, and in every Canten nothing was heard
but the note of preparation for war. An
army Of 10000 was already in the field, and
the various gymnastic associations in the
! country superannuated, and retired soldiers,
even women-in short every body capable
Of bearing arms seemed preparing for the
fray Attempts however were Increased to
bring about pcaceable solution Of the diff
Guilty, and it is generally believed there will
/ be no actual hostIties.
! The origin of this quarrel between Prussia
and Switzerland was in this way. About
200 years ago, when Frederick the Great, Of
/ Prussia, overran most Of Europe, in his un-
dertaking TO conquer Switzerland. His oniy
success was to gain a sort of protecterate
over the Canton Of Neufchatel, which Les
in the very heart Of Switzerland, in the vi
cinity OF Mount Blanc. During the Napo-
comic wars, this claim, however, was totally
extinguished, and Neufchatel has then since
steadily asserted, and maintained its indie
pendcncc. There is a party, however, In
the Canton that supports the claim oil Prns-
sin 10 its ancient protectorate, and IN 1913,
the leaders Of this party went so far as 10
hoist the Prussian flag, for which the were
arrested and imprisoned. Prussia now dc
nlands the release Of these prisoners without
trial, which the Canton, backed by the
whole Swiss confederation, resIsts.
The second Congress at Paris, ass embled
on the sis, Of December. It's deliberations
arc confined wholly TO the Bolgrave diff
Guilty and TO the Isle Of Serpents The first
congress OF Paris had made Belgrade the
stating pciut Of tic Russian line, whi'c
i zee then il has been discovered tina. there
are two Bolgrades, an "o'd and new,
and il the Russian line is fixed by the latter
she gets control Of Il large portion OF the
riv.r Danube. and possession OF the Isle o'
Seruen;s, which England and France never
meant she should have. Hence the neccs-
sitv for the new congress. From the ds,ib-
I eraiions thus far, il i anticipated that neE
line will be traced out, as the B-ssafaoi
frontier, Russia rsnouncing her pretcRsion
TO Bolyrad and the Isle of SGrpeH's. Ihe
delta Of the Danube being glvsn up to
Turkey, in compensation, district OF Land
Is 10 lie accedsd TO Russia towards the north
Of Mollavis.
Mr.. V licrs having declined the MISSION
10 Washington. the British government hav c
rendered tle appointment to ano. her who
twill be received on both sides OF the
Atlantic" The new minister is expected to
arrive about the ith Of March.
In Bre,dstu:s, the brokers circular re-
ports a fair demand and steady prices
. hers suoic flour at 6l.als. advance ) IA
Al per bUstel on wheE'i Is per quarter on
corn, the stock being small.