Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-18
motion the House adjourned.
OUR FRENCH COsRESPONDENCE.
Pans Friday Dec 1S ls6
To lie Editor Of he Wig.

To tie Editor Of the Whig
Italian affairs are again assuming a very interesting
aspect Within day two, contradictory reports have
been in circulation in Paris relative to the future pro-
ceedngs Of the French fleet under Admiral lie Barber
de Than. From Turin comes the assertion that the
squadron is positively the point of leaving Gaeta in
consequence of the refusal of Francis ii. to adopt the
ad ice ofle Emperor Napoleon and give up resistance
which will restore him to the throne of Naples and
whose only effect will be useless efuson of blood
But the Turin statement is not confirmed. On the con-
trsry it is believed that the Russian Government backed
BY Austria and Prussia has INTERVIEWED far to
quest the French Government to maintain Indefinitely
the protection afforded by the squadron under Admiral
lie Barber de Tnln 1t is even added that England
Joins in the recommendation-an assertion which, first
blush prepos;erCus but is in reality, without
some show of pausibllty. Thus, the Cabinet of S..
James would scarcely hesitate to eer the actual state
OF affairs the imminent danger of conflict between
Sardinia aud Russia which latter Power ia said to have
declared IFS intention to supply the place OF the French
feet should that protection be withdrawn from Francis
H. There can be no doubt that the respect paid by Sar
dina to the flag of France would be entirely wanting,
were the trico!or replaced by the eagles of Russa and
whatever the consequences, Victor Emmanuel would in
SANITY take the offensive france is therefore, playing
friendly part to the patriot cause by preventing new
intervention the result OF which might be fatal to the
future hopes of Ialy and animated by similar views on
this question: there is every to believe that Great
Britain counsels her ally to hold her present position
the least of two evils.
In the meantime, the sege operations OF the Pied
montese on the land side OF Gaeta have
with great vigor From Mola d Gaeta the headquarters
of the beseiging army, learn that double line OF
trenches extending the narrow thmus under the
walls of the fortress is nearly completed; and, when this
is DONE grand attempt effect breach will be made
The Cavall cannon of which much has been said oil
late have not yet arrived but the ried cannon employ
ed by the Piednontese TO be doing good service
and it is known that young Bomba has retrested from
the Palace he previously occupied to safer quarters with
in the case-mates vaults of the fertilization, whilst
the Queen said has taken refuge board the Span
| ish ship-of-war, lying in the harbor.
reduction of the fortress of Messna which is still held
by the Neapoltan troops who rereated to the Castle
when the town Of Messna fell into the bands Of Carl
| badi Recently, an ad-de-camp of King Victor En-
manuel was dispatched to the Neapoan commander, a
Mcssna with propositions for the surrender of the cita
del the conditions being that the fortress and its mate
rial of should be transferred 20 the Sardinans The
troops should march without the honors OF war and
should be join the garrison Of one OF the ports
| the kingdom the officers should be confirmed IN th'
grades held by them before the 18th Ct September 1860
and the commissioned officers their rank at the tim
of surrender These conditions though favoraby enter
tanned by the council convoked 10 take them into con
sideration, were rejected by the commanding officer
| Gen. Fergola The place Is to be invested both by LAM
and seq, and Is net likely to hold out long.
But al tbs, despite it, grave importance, locke