The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-22


room.
The foreign intelligence by the Persia embraces
some points of interest which, at any other time
than the present, would command with US more
than ordinary attention. Even as it is, they re-
quire something more than a passing notice, and
will bear such comments as may be condensed
into a brief space. The seige Of Gaeta con-
tinues to be pressed, though not so vigorously as
to lead to the belief that the capture of the citadel
was imminent. francis H. appears still deter
mined to hold out TO the last extremity, and it is
mentioned, as significant fact that he has sue
ceeded in negotiating loan at Vienna In
protest recently issued by him his dependency is
nevertheless very evident. He complains OF the
decentralization of his troops; of the treachery of
many who formerly held high places in his SER
vice, and of the apathy of all the Continental
Powers, whom he accuses of thinking more
'of their private animosities than of the.
'great principles Of order and the security
''of thrones" England also comes in for
for a share of his objurgations, but NAPOLEON III,
in consequence of his somewhat equivocal orders
to the French Admiral in the Bay Of Gaeta is
cOmplimented at the expense Of his insular ally
for the generous disposition which he has shown.
Upon VIcToR EMMANUEL, who is mathematical as
IA perjured and disloyal sovereign" the wrath
of the ex-king is poured without stint. A pro-
test embodying so general denunciation, it is
reasonably inferred, could only have emanated
from one who no longer expected outside assist
ance, and the impression, therefore, is almost uni
versal that since FRANCIS ii has abandoned fight
ing and taken to scodng, he must have lost all
hope of holding Gaeta until the for the liberia
ton of Veneia, which it is now once more as
serted will break out in the Spring, afforded him
another chance for attempting, under more favor
able auspices, the reco 7ery of his throne. Whether
Austria was or was not approached, or did or did
not entertain propositions for the sale Of Venetia
and upon these points the reports are conflict
ing-as matters now stand, there seems 10 be
scarcely any doubt but that FRANCIS JOSEPH
has determined to defend that Province at all haz-
ards. General BENEDEK, who has been appointed
Commander-n-chief in Venetia, has notified
the troops assembled there to be prepared to meet
the coming storm. In the meantime discomfort
appears to be gradually ripening into instruction
in Hungary. The concessions so reluctantly
wrung from the Kaiser, have by no means proved
so acceptable to the Hungarians as it was antici-
pated at Vienna that they would be, and it has
become evident from the popular demonstrations
which have already taken place, that nothing
short of the recognition of the Hungarian Consti-
tuition of l84S will satisfy that gallant and high
spirited people.
In France the Constitutional Reforms granted
nv hbarally int
ted by the ministry than the Decree conceding
them, gave the Public reason to expect. Whether a
election for members of the corps legislaf will
be held Immediately, or will be deferred until it is
ascertained how the new institutions will work
has not yet been determined, but the surmise that
the grant of the right of free discussion
in both Houses, and the publication
in full of the debates would result
in loosening the letters that have heretofore been
imposed upon the French journals, has proved TO
be well founded. Count PERsIGNY, in Circular
addressed to the Projects of Departments, announces
that so long as the Liberty of the Press is used for
the patriotic purpose of exposing the abuses in So
ciety or the Government; fostering the prosperity
of the State, and preparing ''the country for the
'peacefll exercise of liberties whose development
"the popular throne of the NAPoLEoNs is bound
''to protect" it shall not be restrained; but
that the system of warnings will be promptly re-
vived whenever writers attempt, under cover of
free discussion, to overthrow the State and dynas-
ty. Of the progress of the war in China, no
further details had reached England, at the time
the Persia left; but brief despatch had been re-
ceived at the Foreign Office, conveying the i'm
iptnl1 That
sion of Pekin; that the Emperor's Palace
had been sacked, and that the Emperor
himself had fed into Tartary. Only two of
English prisoners VINO were treacherously
surprised at Chang-tsa-wan, Messrs. PARkEs
and LoCH have succeeded in efIectng their escape.
Two others are reported to have died of illtreat-
ment, and of the remaining two, nothing appears
to be known. Among those either dead or missing
are, therefore, Mr.. BowLBY, the correspondent of
the London Times, aud Mr. WADE, who was one
of the official Interpreters to the expedition. The
occupation of Pekin, though attack upon that
Capital was foreshadowed by the intelligence pre-
viously received from China, would seem, from
what we know at present, to have the effect of
complcating, rather than of smoothing the diff.
culties which have occurred between the Chi.
nese Government and the allied Powers. 1t is
difficult TO conceive how it can be possible
for the latter, with small force at their COM
mand-scarcey numbering eight thousand men
to maintain possession at this season of the year,
of populous city situated in the interior of the
Empire and the centre of populous and perhaps
hostile population; whilst to make satisfactory
treaty with fugitive Emperor and through tht
medium of treacherous and decetful officials, ap
pears to be next to impossible. 1t is, therefore
plain that Lord FLGIN and Baron GRos if they
are not exactly in the condition of the man who
won an elephant at a rafle are yet placed in a sit
uation from which, by reason of the very magni
tude of their success, it will tax all their sagacity
to extricate themselves triumphanty.