The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-23

Important Foreign News.
The steamer Circassian from GALWAY.
with dates to the Sd of March, has arrived.
The news is important in one or two par
ticulars.
The speech of the Emperor NAPOLEON on
the opening of the French legislature, says
that Tuscany is to be separate kingdom
that Parma and Modena may be annexed
to Sardinia; that France requires Savoy
for the security of her frontiers. He hopes
that the great powers may see the necessity
of these changes.
ENaLAND.--Lord John Russell has intro
duced in the House of Commons reform
bill. 1t extends the elective franchise to
9l0 occupancies in counties, and 96 in bor-
oughs; fifteen of the smallest boroughs are
to have one instead of two members, and the
seats thus gained are to be distributed
among the most populous counties, and the
boroughs of Ireland and Scotland get two
additional members each. A corresponding
reduction is made in the franchise, but the
present representation is not to be disturb
ed. The Liberal journals are not satisfied
with the measure.
The Atlantic Telegraph Company had
adopted the report of the Board of Directors
and agreed to raise 100000 to make an
other attempt to resuscitate the cable or
recover as much of it as possible.
The steamer Nimrod had been wrecked
on her passage from Liverpool to Cork. All
on board, about fifty, were drowned.
FRANCE.--The French legislature opened
on the lst inst.
The Emperors speech promises every
effort for the maintenance of peace, rejoices
at the amicable relations with all the
European powers, hopes for speedy peace
with Cochin China, and the Just chastise-
ment of the Chinese for their perfdy. The
Emperor also hopes that the Italian affairs
are approaching settlement, and says
that he has advised the King of Sardinia
that Tuscany must not be annexed, but
that the wishes of the other provinces may
be entertained, provided the rights of the
Holy See are respected in principle.
The safety OF the French frontiers, be
adds, requires the annexation of Savoy, and
he hopes that French explanations of the
question will cause the great powers to rec
ognize the justice and the claim He pro-
fesses establishment at the agitation of the
Catholic world, and points to bis efforts in
behalf of the Pope. The French army has
been reduced to 100000 men, and would be
further reduced but for the Chinese war and
the Italian occupation. He concludes by
referring to the new free trade policies and
practices, and predicting the most favorable
results.
The English journals protest against the
annexation of Savoy.
1t is reported that Prince Lucien Bona
parte will probably be proposed as king of
Tuscany.
The latest Geographic advices state that
sions demanded and that he further threat
ems to excommunicate the king Sardinia,
VICTOR EMANUEL. The English Ministry
protest against the annexation of Savoy to
France.
LATER.--The Asia has arrived at New
York, with Liverpool and London dates to
the Sd.
On the I'd inst, in the House of Conn
mons, Lord John Russell explained the Sa-
vOy question. He said, as far as he knew,
no treaty was in existence between France
and SARDINIA providing for the annexation.
The Emperor states that he will not pro-
coed to the annexation, without consulting
the great powers, and he lord John Rus
selD believed if the powers were unanimous
ly opposed to the movement, France would
not proceed to attempt it.
Sir Robert Peel declared that the
statement of Lord John Russell was highly
unsatisfactory, and hoped Parliament would
have an opportunity of discussing the sub
ject.
Mr.. Bright hoped that the government
would neither cOuntenance or oppose the
transfer, it being matter over which they
had no control or any real interest.
After further remarks by Lord John Rus
sell, in which he deprecated discussion, the
matter was dropped.
Lord Palmerton, in reply to an inquiry,
said he had received memorial from Irish
Catholics, requesting his interference in
maintaining the integrity of the Papal do
minions.
English papers publish an appeal to
Christians throughout the world, signed by
colored exiles from Arkansas, who protest
in the strongest terms against the system
which dOOms them either to Establishment or
slavery.
The English papers generally regard Ma
poleon's speech to the Legislative Assembly