The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-01-12
| the steamship Roual charter. after a rapid passage

the steamship Royal Charter, after a rapid passage
from Melbourne, when within two or three hours sail
Of Liverpool, on the night of 25th Oct.
The steam power of the vessel being merely auxil-
larry, 1t was insufficient TO prevent her from being
driven towards the shore, and as she was rapidly
shoahng, 1t became necessary, at about 10 O'Clock at
night, TO let 60 the anchors, guns having been pre-
vionsly fired and rockets discharged in the hope of
attracting q pilot, without success. The gale mean
time increased TO a hurricane, and at 2 in the morn
ing. the port ancho4 chain parted and shortly after
wards the ship was beating on the rocks in Moelfra
Bay, near Putin Island, on the coast of Anglesea.
The masts were cut away without any beneficial re-
suit. At 6 A. N. a sailor with a cord around his
waist jumped overheard, aud although the sea ran
tremendously high, succeeded in reaching and main
tanning n footing on the rocky shore, not more than
ten yards from the ship, but almost perpendicular to
the height of 40 feet. A hawser was got ashore, and
a boatswain chair was attached to it, with q view Of
hauling the passengers AMI crew ashore. About a
dozen seamen were soon landed, and it was hoped
| that on all board might be saved. About Z o'clock,
however, the wave. beating against the ships broad
side with continued violence she suddenly snapped
assunder amidsh;ps and tumbled in pieces. As the
passengers had mostly kept below, large numbers
were killed. and only 20 persons managed to get
ashore, making the number saved only SO, out of a
total of 511. The scene was terrible in the extreme;
many were washed on and of the rocks several times,
and in numerous instances those who thought them
selves secure on jutting ROCKS were hurled back by
the furious waves. Not a superior officer was saved,
neither a woman nor child. Capt Taylor exerted
himself to the utmost, but was finally struck ON the
head while struggling in the water. by a boat falling
from the davits, and was seen no more. The destruc-
ton of the ship was rapid. and complete, SO that by
eight O'Clock, nothing was visible but masses Of
wreck mingled with bodie. of the dead washed on
the strand.
The vessel had on board, it is supposed, 10000
ounces of gold, besides q large number of sovereigns,
at an estimated total value of from $500, 600 TO
SSOO,000, and hopes were entertained that this
might be recovered by divers. The Royal Charter
was an iron vessel of 2749 tons register, clipper
built, furnished with auxiliary screw engines. She
was built in 1856, ut a cost of over 100000, and was
insured for ESQ., 900. Her general cargo was not
very valuable, say $4,000. Of the persons on board
when she left Australia, So were cabin passengers,
325 other passengers, and 123 crew-total, 5ll. OF
these, II passengers were landed at Queenstown, and
80 were saved from the wreck, so that the total loss
Of life was 455.
Important Letter from Napoleon the Third.
The Paris correspondent of the London Times
states that he has received from n friend in Italy the
following letter, addressed by the Emperor of the
French. on the both October, to the King of Sardi-
mia, and he has no hesitation in guaranteeing its
perfect authenticity. Napoleon Is now the ruling
spirit of Europe and his letter will be read on this
account with more than usual interest.
MONSIEUR MON FRERE Il write to-day to your
Majesty in order to set forth to you the present situa-
ton of affairs, to remind You of the past, and to set
tie with you the course which ought to be followed
for the future. The circumstances are grave it is
requisite 10 lay aside illusions and sterile regrets and
to examine carefully the real state of affairs. Thus,
the question is not whether have done well or i'll in
making peace at Villa Franco, but rather to obtain
from the treaty results the most favorable for the
pacifcation of Italy and for the repose of Europe.
Before entering ON the discussion of the question,
l am anxious to recall once more to your Majesty
the obstacles which rendered every definite negotia-
ton and every defnitive treaty so difficult.
In point o. fact, war has often fewer complications
than peace. In the former, two interests only are
in presence of each other, the attack and the de-
Tense in the latter, on the contrary, the point IS to
reconcile n multitude of interests, often of an oppo-
site character This is what actually occurred at the
moment of peace. 1t was necessary to conclude q
treaty that should secure in the best manner posi-
bic the independence of Italy, which should satisfy
Piedmont and the wishes of the population, and yet
which would not wound the Catholic sentiment or
the rights of the sovereigns in whom Europe felt an
interest.
I believed then that if the Emperor Of Austria
wished to come to a frank understanding with me,
with u view of bringing about this important result,
the causes of antagonism which Tor centuries mad
divided these two empires would disappear, and that
the regeneration of Italy would be effected by COM
mon accord, and without further bioodshed.
now state what are, in my opinion the essential
conditions of that regeneration.
Italy to be composed of several independent States,
united by a federal bond.
Each of these States to adopt a particular repre-
sentative system and salutary reforms.
The Confederation to then ratify the principle of
Italian nationality to have but one flag, but one
system Of customs, and one currency.
The directing centre to be at Rene, which should
be composed of representatives named by the soyer-
eigns from a list prepared by the Chambers, in order
that, in this species Of Diet, the influence of the
reigning families suspected of a leaning towards
Austria should be counterbalanced by the element
resulting from election.
By granting to the Holy Father the honorary
of the Confederation, the religious senti-
ment of Catholic Europe would be satisfied, the moral
of the Pope would be increased throughout
Italy, and would enable him to make concessions in
with the legitimate wishes of the popula-
Now, the plan which | had formed at the
of making peace may still be carried out If
vOur Majesty will emplov yOur influence IN promo
ting it. Besides, q considerable advance has been
made in that direction.
The cession of Lombardy, with a limited debt, is
an accomplished fact.
Austria has given up her right to keep garrisons
in the strong places Of Placenza, Ferrara and Co.
Tie rights of the sovereigns have, it is true, been
but the independence of Central Italy has
been guaranteed, inasmuch as all idea of for
Intervention has seen formally set aside and,
lastly, Venetia is to become a province purely Italian.
1t is the real interest of your Majesty. as of the
Peninsula, to second me in the development of this
plan, in order to obtain from it .he best results for
your Majesty cannot forget that [ am bound by the
.reaty, and [ cannot, in the Congress which is about
20 open, withdraw myself from my engagements. The
of France is traced beforehand.
We demand that Parma and Placenza shall be
United to Piedmont, because this territory Is, in a
point Of view, indispensable to her.
We demand that the Duchess of Parma shall be
,alled to Modena
That Tuscany-augmented, perhaps, by a portion
II territory, shall be restored to the Grand Duke
Ferdinand
That a system of moderate (sage) liberty shall be
adopted in all the States of Italy
That Austria shall frankly d~isengage herself from
IN incessant cause of embarrassment for the future,
md that she shall consent TO complete the nation
Ility of Venetia, by creating not only a separate rep
and administration, but also an Italian
rmy ,
We demand that the fortresses of Mantua and Pes
heiera shall be recognized as federal fortresses ;
And, lastly, that a Confederation based on the real
vants, as well as on the traditions of the Peninsula, I
o the exclusion of every foreign influence. shall con-
the fabric of the independence of Italy
l shall neglect nothing for the attainment of this
,reat result. Let your Majesty be convinced of 1t, my
entiments will not vary, and so far as the interests
f France are not opposed to it, L shall always be
Apply to serve the cause for which we have combat
ed together. /