New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-01

city, and spreading rapidly over the globe, ha'
formed the Distinguishing feature Of the last four
months Of the year, We have been visited By ca
lamity which, in respect to the small number oil
those who foressw its coming and provided
against il in time, and the incredulity and even
SCOTS with which their warnings were received,
might almost be compared to Noah's flood
though, as to the numbers of those who have es-
capped there is certainly some difference in our favor
But this is topic on which il is not necessary TO
dwell, as We should only describe what all our
readers have seen, and but too many Of them, We
fear have felt.
In Europe, the year has been remarkable for the
settlement Of outstanding controversies. Very near
lie commencement the second Peace Congress OF
PARIS closed its sittings BY protocol which finally
arranged the new boundary between Moldavia and
Russia, giving also TO the former power the dis.
pued Isle of Serpents appertaining to the mouths
of the Danube. That island having been yielded up
by the Russians, the English ships-ofwar retired
from the Black Sea, the Austrian troops evacuated
Modavis, and in the course Of the year the Divans
Of Moldayia and Wallachia agreed to union Of the
ncipslites-recogniziDg st the same time the
sovereignty of Turkey-under constitutional form
of government, with prince to be selected from
some regning family Of the West-an arrangement.
however which remains TO be carried out.
Another outstanding dispute brought to close
during the year, was the claim Of the King OF
Prussia as sovereign prince of the Swiss Canton OF
Neufchatel-a sovereignty, however, not recognized
by the inhabitants since the revolution OF las.
This question was settled, under the inter
vention OF France and England, by renun-
citation on the part Of the King of Prussia
of his claims to any future authority. mat.
ter Of more general interest and Importance
was the treaty by which Denmark, in consideration
of fifteen millions of dollars, to be paid to her in
certain proportions by the maritime States, re-
nounced her ancient claim to tolls from all vessels
entering the Baltic. This important arrangement
had its origin in the refusal of the United States
to pay any longer this tax upon commerce.
We may also note among the pacific incidents of
the year the decree of the Emperor Of Austria,
granting pardon to all persons in the Lombardo-
Venetian territory, condemned for treason or other
political ofenses, and dssolvng the special poico-
military tribunal Of Mantua; also, the two con.
ciliatory visits of the Emperor of Austria to Hun
gary. Another great measure of internal peace and
Cancellation has been the steps taken BY the En-
neror of Russia tou-~-' enc enioh''P"''o" VI VS."
serfs, though of the detas of this measure We are
yet unable to speak with precision.
But if Europe thus enjoyed peace at home, her
arms at least in the case of England have had ample
occupation abroad. The commencement of the
year found England engaged in two Eastern wars,
one with the Chinese Of Canton, the other with
Persia. The Persian war had led to the dispatch
ola large force TO the head Of the Persian Gulf the
occupation of the Island Of Karak and of the town
Of Bushire, and subsequently of Mohammerah, near
the mouth of the Euphrates. This war, however,
Was speedily brought TO close by treaty nego-
tated and signed at Paris, BY which Persia agreed
to evacuate Herat. her occupation Of which
viewed as opening possible route for the Rus
SLAMS into India-hsd been the ground of the Brit
ish invasion. The British army continued, how
ever, to hold their position during large part of
the year, awaiting the evacuation of Herst.
The war with the Cantonese has not been so
easily disposed of. Successive conflicts on land
and water in which the Chinese showed great de-
termination, and much more military skill than
during the former war, compelled the British,
whose forces were small-and all foreigners along
with them-to retire first from Canton, then from
WhsmpOa and finally altogether from the waters
Of Canton River. This unexpected result, and
the consequent interruption to trade led to an
A. 81 al tha
Chinese policy of the Ministers, which resulted in
their defeat and the dissolution of Parliament
Lord PalmerstOn, however, found himself sustained
by the result of the election and forthwith dis
patched large military force to China and Lord Ell.
gin also as Commissioner to bring the Chinese to
their way for service in India, and up to the latest
accounts, beyond blockadng Canton, nothing had
yet been done. Preparations, however, were being
made for an attack on that city, in which the
French and the British naval forces-the latter re-
enforced by recent arrival of gun-boats-were to
cooperate. 1t was even expected that some Rus
sian ships would join in the attack the Emperor of
China having refused to allow Russian embassy
to visit Pekn, and having called upon the Russians
TO give up their recent establishments on the River
AMOR. Although, except at Canton, trade with
the Chinese bad been uninterrupted, no authentcn in
telgence has been received during the year of the
progress and prospects of the Chinese rebellion.
At Canton, both parties united against the for
egners.
But the great military event of the year has
been the Sepoy rebellion in India, and the hard
trugge of the British troops there to maintain the
hold of England on her Indian Empire. The mill
AIRY force maintained in India consisted of three