Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-03-18
ITEMS OF FOREIGN NEWS.


There is now every prospect of the difficult
ties between England and Persia being speed
ily settled. The arrangement is proceeding
satisfactorily, but the treaty is not yet signed.
The proposed Convention specifies that Eng
land shall enjoy equal commercial privileges
with the most favored nation; but Persia for
bids the establishment of English consuls on
the Caspian sea, inasmuch as her treaties with
Russia forbid it.
a diplomatic circular from the Spanish Min
lister at Paris explains the origin of the dis
pute with Mexico, and the intentions of the
Spanish Government. An imposing force is
to be dispatched to Mexico, and the most en-
ergetic measures employed to obtain redress.
Orders have been sent to the squadron lying
at Mahon to proceed to Cadiz, to join the ex-
pedition. A line of battle ship and three war
steamers have also been detailed for the same
destination. The Madridpapers announce that
5000 troops wiz be sent Immediately to Cuba
to replace those which are to be sent to Mexi-
CO. 1t is stated in the Ministerial Organ, that
the number of vessels to be sent against Mex
leo, including transports for ten thousand men,
is about thirty.
insurrcction. Large quantities of arms and
ammunition had been found hidden in the
city, and it was believed that the Democrats
and Progressionists had conspired together
against the Government.
Adyices from Hong Hong to Jan. 25th state
that affairs in China were unchanged. Private
letters state that large Chinese feet had at
tackled the English squadron. but subsequently
retired in good order under the forts of Can
ton. The British Admiral had burned the
greater part of the suburbs of Canton. The
Chinese rebel fleet had formed junction with
the Imperialists at Whampoa. A Paris des-
patch says that letters from Macao state that
the Emperor had placed in a state of siege the
five European ports of the Empire. All the
Europeans on board steamer had been treach-
erously murdered by the native passengers,
and the steamer dismantled and abandoned.-
The total exports of tea to England, had been
II ,000, 900 lbs. against 81 900 900 for the pre-
yious year.
The proceedings in the English Parliament
had been interesting. In the House Of Lords,
Lord Derby's motion OF censure. in relation to
the Chinese war, was lost by vote of 10 to
146. Mr.. Golden had brought forward mo-
ton similar in import, in the House of Com
mons, namely: that this House has heard with
concern of the conflicts which have occurred
between the British and Chinese at Canton,
and without expressing any opinion as to the
extent that the Chinese may have offended
England, or given cause Of complaint, this
House considers that the papers laid upon the
table, fail to establish satisfactory grounds for
the violent measures recently resorted to at
Canton, and that a select committee be ap-
pointed to inquire into our commercial rela-
tions with China. The debate was continued
for two nights, and was further adjourned.
TERRIFIC CoLLIERY EXPLOSION IN ENGLASD
The Liverpool Times says A few minutes
pfter - O'Clock on Thursday, the 10Th Feb,
an awful explosion took place at the Lundhill
Coliery, near Barnaley, situated about half a
mile from the Wombwel station on the South
Yorkshire Railway. The pit, which is about
DO yards deep, is worked by separate shafts
of men, night and day. The day workers, to
the number of $50 men apd eight lads. de-
scended at 6 O'Clock in the morning. At u
O'Clock, % of them, who reside near the pit.
came up to dinner, the rest remaining TO par
take of that meal in the pit. Shortly after
wards fearful explosion occurred, which
shook the ground for great distance around,
and the frame in which the corves descend was
blown up the shaft and lodged in the gearing
above the pit of the mouth. Numbers of men
from neighboring collieries focked to render
assistance, and up to O'Clock sixteen men
had been drawn up alive, some of them most
seriously injured. This left 142 men remain
ing in the pit to almost certain death The
interior of the pit was set on fire by the explo-
sion, and the flames have spread with such ra-
pidity as, it is feared, to put off all chance of
reaching that part of the pit where the 142
men are supposed to be. Some idea of the
fearful nature of the fire may be gathered
when We state that the flames, ascending up
the air shaft, DO yards deep, reach more than
20 yards above the top, Illuminating the coun-
try for distance around. The cause of the
explosion is as yet involved in mystery.