The New York Herald Newspaper, February 21, 1848, Page 1

Whole Ho, 5017. Franoe. Panis, Jan. 27, 1848. Corruption of the Government—M. Guizot Ex- posed in Corrupt Trafficing for Office, and Sup- ported by a Majority of 225 Pensioners and De- pendents—The King’s Retirement—Effects of the Royal Sneezing—Re-appearance of the King Treatment of Ao-del Kader—Speculations on Abdication—Theatrical and Musical Intelli- gence. In former letters | have more than ence ex- plained the system of corrupt influence by which the machinery of government in this country is kept in motion. I have now to relate a signal example of the irresistible power of that influ- ence—an example which will prove that nothing short of a demonstration of public opinion which will strike terror into the dependents of the go- vernment, can defeat that government in the chambers. M. Guizot enjoys, all over the world, the reputation of being the most incorruptible and immaculate of ministers. Yet we have seen, within the last few days, an exposition in the chambers strangely at variance with this suppo- sition. It appears, that some time since, a gen- tleman desired to be appointed to a place in the department of finances. He succeeded, through the interest of a member of the ministerial party, in obtaining the promise of an appointment; but it was soon alter intimated to him, that the im- mediate appointment he desired could only be obtained provided that a vacancy should occur in another department. It was further intimated to him, that this vacancy might ptohsnly De cre- ated if he (the applicant) could induce a certain individual to resign his office, and retire upon the usual pension. Of course, the persuasion necessary to be resorted to 1n such case, con- sisted in offering to the retiring officer an equiva- lent in hard gash. The applicant perfectly un- derstanding this, a negotiation was opened which ended in an agreement on the part of the officer in question, to retire for a quid pro quo, and his written resignation was accordingly placed in the hands of the candidate for office, an equiva- lent in money having been paid for the same.— This resignation was then tendered to the chief secretary,of M. Guizot, and soon after, the candi- ane sound himself gazetted to the office which e sought i mere outline of the case. There are certain spicy incidents about it, which would require the descriptive pen of Alexander Duma: or Eugene Sue to do them justice. Thus, t candidate for office had a handsome wife. This lady (as generally happens with French ladies) had anamant. This anant wasa peer of France, and an intimate friend of M. Guizot, and was said to have exerted a powerful influence in fa- vor of the husband of the lady. The husband, first ascribing this influence to friendship for himself, is later made aware of its true origin, and ina fit ot indignation, he separates from the wife, attempts a prosecution against ker, throws up the o ce, &c., &e. The details, which would be too long to be given here; may be easily imagined. This subject was brought before the chamber a few days ago, by M. Odillon Barrot. Not a tittle of it was denied. M. Guizot was proved to be cognizant of the whole: the buying out, the payin the bribe, the creation of the vacancy, the filling it up by M. Guizot’s own friend, and the’appointment of him who paid the money, to an equivalent post elsewhere. No part of this foul transaction was, or could be denied—the oy defence was, that similar things were done under former ministers. It was, however, promptly denied that any for- mer ministers were cognizant of them, and it appeared in fact that such transactions, when they occurred, had been private arrangements between the out-going and in-coming parties, to which the minister had never been privy; where- as, in the present case, the minister was not onl: privy to, but was the originator and planner of, “the whole transaction. In any legislature, free from corrupt influences, this would of course be sufficient to demolish a cabinet. _ But in the present case, M. Guizot put a bold face onthe matter. The dependents and friends of the cabinet, those who drew the breath of their nostrils from ministerial and royal favor, were whipped in, and a majority of 225 placemen, actual and expectant, rendered their votes against an opposing minority of 146. Such a result will not surprise those who remember that ina cham- ber consisting of 456 deputies, there are actu- ally within one or two of 200 office-holders, and a large proportion of the remainder are of course office-seekers. It will doubtless be asked, then, whether under these circumstances, the cabinet is to be consi- dered irremoveable? The answer is no! for that, ‘in France, the influence of royalty goes for much, and that the withdrawal of royal favor, adroitly made known in the chamber, would speedily re- tease the majority from their allegiance to the minister, who in that case would of course fall. Such a movement in the royal mind might be either the result of conviction, of patriotism, or of private and selfish objects; or it might pro- ceed from the instinct of selt-preservation, prompting the head of the State to move in the direction of public opinion.. Such isthe con- stitutional regime at present in France. The personal retirement of Louis Philippe, which necessarily followed the loss of so near and dear a relative, and so wise a counsellor and judicious a friend, asthe Princess Adelaide, has been productive of a series of public alarms, which have been felt upon the Bourse, and inai- cated by the decline of the funds. ‘The habits of Louis Philippe are accessible in the extreme. All persons holding a certain social position are free to resort to the salons of the chateau in the evening; there the King of the Barricades appears with his fami- ly and mingles freely among the visiters, always finding awa agreeable and appro- pints to say toeach. The public thus are ha- hitnated to have, as_it were, daily occular proof of the health and vigor of him whose decease would at the present moment be productive of a “bouleversement,” the result of which is utterly beyond the scope of the foresight of the most sa- gacious. The suspension of these receptions, the retirement ot the person of the King, and the consequent absence of that daily evidence of his condition which has necessarily followed the decease of the Princess Adelaide, has given birth toa succession of conjectures and alarms, by which all Paris has been agitated ever since that event. It is scarcely possible to convey to those who are not on the spot, how sensitively alive the public in Paris is, and the monied interests especially, to the condition of Louis Pnilippe.— It is literally true that the King cannot sneeze without lowering the funds ene per cent. Although a court mourning of two months, and the consequent discontinuance of public re- ceptions at the chateau, were annouuced on the death of Madame Adelaide, the strict observance of them has been found so incompatible with the public interests, that the King has seen it expe- dient to re-open the salons of the palace, and resume his gustomtary renertoaa, the first of these took place on Monday evening last, and was brilliant in the extreme. The entire diplo- matic corps, accompanied by their ladies, were present, allthe cabinet ministers with their la- dies, the high official functionaries in every de- partment of state, and a large number of the members of both chambers. The King appeared to enjoy his usual health. The reception con- tinued from an early hour in the evening until eleven o’clock. x * : The embarrassment into which the cabinet was thrown by the impolitic conditions on which the Duc d’Aumale consented to accept the submission of Abd-el-Kader, has been surmount- ed by the dexterous management of the agents of government, who have persuaded the Emir to throw himself on the generosity of the King ; thus abandoning the conditions on which he had surrendered. Abd-el-Kader is at present consigned, with his suite, to a fort called Lamalgue, near Toulon. lt is understood that nothing is neglected to mi- tigate his captivity, by surrounding him with conveniences and luxuries, to which neither he nor his followers have probably ever ben ae- customed. It is generally considered that his present abode i only provisional and temporary, and the probability of his being brought to the capital is even mentioned, You will doubtless have heard of the various rumors which have heen in circulation of the iotended abdication of Louis Philippe, and the establishinent of a regency. Although there is really no positive aroun or these rumors, it is certain that the idea has occupie in the political circles of Paris, probability of such a desire, i NEW YORK, MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 21, 1848. |e vat for such a report. Many motives obvious- y suggest such a measure. . By withdrawing from the throne, and leaving the regency to the Duc de Nemours, Louis Phi- lippe would still exercise behind the throne a se- cret influence, and uphold it by his experience and sagacity. The transition from his actual so- vereignty to the regency, would be, as it were, broken, and the public would be more reconciled to the new order of things, by being insensibly brought to admit them. Moreover, it is under- stood that there 1s a large party in the chambers, and in the country, the leadership ot which would be assumed b Mt. Thiers, who would support the cause of the Duchess of Orleans, and who would not be backward to set aside the claims Ps the Duc de Nemours to the regency, in her favor. This party would, under the arrangement we now advert to, be discouraged in such efforts by the actual presence of Louis Philippe behind the throne ; and if onee the regency of the Duc de Nemours were acknowledged, it could not be ide at a later riod. 5 In addition to political motiyes like these, Louis Philippe has a dearly cherished object be- side him, who would be eminently gratified by any measure which would withdraw his person from the dangers to which it is now inevitably exposed on every occasion on which the exigen- cies of the State require his presence in public. object is Queen Amulie, whose anxiety is rent to the least clear-sighted observer, enever the ceremonies of State expose the ‘alperson to the pistol of the assassin. On the er hand, the ineatinguishable love of power, which is the characteristic of Louis Philippe, would render him strongly adverse to allow the reins of governmentto pass into other hands, even though he himself were at the.elbow of the charioteer of the State. Parts, Jan. 27, 1848. ‘ Theatrical and Musical. The progress of musical and theatrical events here istoo slow to supply, from week to week, any facts of interest. A successful drama or opera takes possession of a theatre, and absolutely ex- cludes every thing else for months. Thus, A u- ber’s new opera of.‘ Haydee,” which I mention” ed to you in my last, monopolizes the Opera Comique The French version of Verdi’s “I Lombardi,” called ‘‘ Jerusalem,” languishes, but still occupies the Academie. dicate rench version of Hamlet, from the atelier of Messrs. Alexandre Dumas & Co., is played at the Theatre Historique A new ballet, to be called the “ Five Senses,” (not that lately presented in London) isin preparation at the Academy. The music will be supplied by Adam, the immortal author of the “ Postillon of Longjumeau,” and the he- roine will be Carlotta Grisi. Jenny Lind has cruelly refused all the overtures of the Parisian thanagers, and declines any visit to the French capital. M. Alboni continues to be the load-star of the Italian Opera, filling the house nightly, till it overflows. ca Ti ay w To} ot! Paris, January 26, 1848. Affairs of Sicily—Bad Effects on the King of Naples—Thoughts on Italian Matters—Consti- tution of the French Chambers—Rising and Re- volution in Palermo. On the 12th instant, Sicily was revolution- ized, and Palermo, the capital, invested by the insurgents, in military array, eight or ten thou- sand strong. Thirty thousand people assembled in Palermo, to fight for their liberty, arid to overpower the forces of the King, placed there to hold the people in bondage. They triumphed ; and at night the tri-colored flag waved over the eity, amidst shouts and songs, revelry and blood- shed; and Palermo acknowledged only the power of the people. The receipt of this infor- mation made the King of Naples sick ; but after a few hours, he roviaed and immediately em- barked six thousan well drilled troops for Pa- lérmo, to put down this insurrection, and to. give ascendancy to the throne. Blood will flow in unmeasured quantities, in this mere strife of the people against Kings. In Europe, a country less in area than the present limits of the United Ste forty-nine kings, emperors, &c. reign; living, each one, at an ex- pense of millions, annual 3 maintaining the most coatly establishments for themselves, their households, and their mistresses; supporting large military establishments, to hold the people in subjection ; while those who are compelled to bear the burden, and from whom are ex- tracted, at the point of the bayonet, the means and pee of these courts and armies, are compelled to subsist upon only small remnants of their own earnings, and in the most indigent circumstances. Italy, immortal Italy, is amon, the most oppressed of European States; divide into States of limited area, and parceled out among foreign powers, she, who was once the mistress of the world, and who furnished models for the civilization, polish, power, and glory ot cther nations, is herse!f 'the prey of those to whom she has given example, and is dying of the wounds which they have inflicted, and of the poison which they have diffused through her yeins. Italy, which once was, but is not now, is rode and used as a beast of burden, by Austria and the other European powers, stronger than herself. Not like Poland is she annihilated ; no, she is reserved for the menial service of supporting branches of some royal family that cannot be provided for at home, and thereby is forced to occupy the position of an appendage to the other powers, which yet tolerate her exist- ence. The different States in Italy are in the act, or preparing for, a revolution. The insur- rections embrace all classes—high and low, priests and. laymen. In Palermo, the priests fought themselves, or aided and encouraged others to do so. The people, as a whole, are rising up, to throw off, if possible, the chains ot their oppressors; and the successful is- sue of the revolution in Switzerland has iven them unbounded confidence. But, I fear that torrents of blood will flow in vainy for her; I fear she has not the power to break the chains by which she is fettered, and bound down, as a vassal, to the stronger powers; and to exterminate that system of oppression and corruption, which has been destroying her vital- ity and existence, for the last thirty years. I fear that Eagland will not stand by her, though she is accused of giving countenance to this grand movement of the masses, in favor of civil liberty. Can Lord Palmerston have determined to have made himself, and his country service- able to the cause of freedom, and to use the pow- er of England, for the improvement of the con- dition of the people, in the European States 1 From, Louis Phillip’s government, thrones only, will receive any support. France is now an ally of absolutism. I mean the jovernment of France; and it firmly re- ‘uses to concede any additional rights and priionce to its own people, as it does to end its influence to the progress of such reforms as [Europe is prepared for; and if not conceded by governments, to wrest from governments, or to overturn them in the whirlpool of revolutions. The French Chamber of Peers are nominated by the king, and are unlimited in number. The Chamber of Deputies are composed of men, thir- ty years old, and each paying a direct tax of five hundred francs; elected by those, only payin two hundred francs, direct tax, annually, an being twenty-five years old. The Chamber is composed of four hundred and forty-nine mem- bers ; and two hundred of that number are pen- sioned and salaried by the government. What @ representation of the people! and yet the go- vernment firmly resists all demands for an exten- sion of the right of suffrage ; and braves “the teform budgets,” and the popular movement in support of them. © news this morning from Naples, under date of the 22d inat., confirm the first accounts. The rising in the interior of Sicily has been ge- neral, and the success, thus far, complete. In Palermo, the women and children joined in the fight, throwing hot water, furniture, and every kind of missle, trom the windows, on to the heads of the soldiers—from one window they threw a piano. At Palermo, a provisional go- vernment has been formed and | preparations to meet any force which the King has sent, to sub- due them. The soldiers are represented as d) inclined to fight against the people, and the in- surrectionary movement as thorough and com- plete. will termi: Where; these revolutions the future only can unfold. The southwest this Continent is in a condition that indica great changes in the relative rights of governors and the pres either by consent or force. England is charged with countenancing all these popular m nthe Continent. The de! tO! con- tinues to increase t eqeuerneny in Paris, Jan. 18, 1848. State of the Paris Funds—Agitations and Reports on the Bourse. During the last ten days, there has been a gene- ral decline of prices. All securities have fallen. The three per-cents, during the past week, fell from 75 10 to 74.15, and the fives from 117.15 to 116.25, which were their,Jast quotations.— During the last two days, this downward move- ment was continued, and the threes closed yes- terday at 73.70, and the fives at 115.85 for the end ofthe month. In the share market a like downward movement took place, but not so rapid or extreme. This general depreciation of securities has been ascribed to a variety of causes, among which the reported decline of the health of Louis Philippe is named most frequently. Neverthe- less, it is certain that there are no real grounds, at present, for any apprehension on this subject. A more real and practical cause for so general a fall may, perhaps, be found in the near approach of numerous and ‘heavy calls of the great railway companies, combined with the monthly instal- mentsen the new loan. These produce a real pressure on the market, and one from which no contingency can relieve it. Holders of shares who are unable to meet the calls expected to be made three months hence, are selling, and those who are able to meet them, are selling govern- ment stock to provide funds for the purpose, in contemplation of a further fall. Well, it is¢on- tended that money is not really so scarce, either in Paris or the provinces, as is pretended, and reliet is expected from the approaching half- yeauly payment of the dividends on the fives — here are still other causes of the recent and present agitations of the market. Reports unfa- vorable to the maintenance of peace arise out of the situation of affairs in Italy and Switzerland. Not a day passes that reports are not circulated on the-Bourse either of an invasion of some of the States of Italy by Austria, or of soine emeute in the same States. The debates in the cham- bers, since the opening of the session, have also contributed to the agitation of the market, being considered by speculators as presaging stormy times. In a word, public confidence ite been considerably shaken. It is true that this situa- tion of affairs, may be regarded as the reaction of the unreasonable rise which took place before, and even immediately after, the announcement of the conclusion of the new loan. Bold specu- lators were at that time overburthened, with stock, which they expected to get rid of after the adjudieatioa, Although surprised at the price at which the new stock was issued, they nevertheless, iaeesy their operations; but they have been unable to struggle against the natural force of things, which has brought the new loan down to the price at which it was issued, and has now reduced the threes below 74. It re- sults from this: that being compelled to abandon the course they had resolved on, by the appre- hension of the future, they are obliged to make their settlements on the most disadvantageous conditions, and thus accelerate the fall-of stocks, already declining from_ other causes. From the very commencement of the month, this state of things was'foreseen; for it had been observed that the parquet became sellers in the coulisse by means of continuations, of an immense of quantity of stock. It was therefore concluded that stock was passing into bad hands. Each party immediately contracted their operations,and. thereby hastened the denouement of those which had been effected. Even in the most prosperous condition of the market, such circumstances would be often suffi- cient to produce a bouleversement ; but how much more certain must such an effect be at present, .when the market is glutted with securities which et represent no real sources of revenue, but only vast works in process of execution, the ulti- mate returns of which no one can certainly foresee. Marseitiss, Jan. 25, 1848. Breaking out of the Sicilian Revolution—Thrilling Description of Events, by an Eye Witness— History and Anecdotes of the same. We are here in astate of high excitement, ow- ing to the arrival of intelligence of a general in- surrection which broke out in Sicily on the an- niversary of the féte of the King of Naples. You have, doubtless, been made aware, by your Na- ples correspondent, that fora long time, the great- est discontent had prevailed throughout the do- minions of the King of Naples, and especially in the Island of Sicily, where political reforms, the emancipation of the press, and the re-establish- ment of the constitution of 1812, have been loud- ly called for. These demands have, however, been resisted by the king. The population, ex- cited by continual disappointments, at length re- solved, that if on the celebration of the anniver- sary of the kin ’s fete, which was to take place, on the 12th of January, the reforms were not ranted, they would proceed to enforce them. ut of this arose the transactions which I am now about to relate to you; but [ think it will be best to give you them as nearly as possible from the words of the parties from whom we have here derived our information. I shall therefore extract such passages from the letters of eye- witnesses and ear-witnesses as will present you with the most lively tableau of this important movement. A letter from Nae dated 15th January, says:—‘‘As early as the 8th instant, the Sicilians had acquired the conviction that nothing would be done to relieve them of their burthens ; but the period fixed on for a demonstration, viz: the 12th, was not anticipated. As the movement was to be spontaneous, every man held himself ready for action, waiting for the signal from Palermo. Without knowing Precisely, the nature and ex- tent of the manifestations, the police foresaw the events, by the calm and decided attitude of the cheer and irritated it the more, if possible, 4 effecting, on the night of the 9th, the arrest of some of the first persons in Palermo. They are the same who, in the warm demonstrations of the 27th of November, kept down the popular effervesence and restored to order, when the au- thorities declared themselves uunable to do so, these impatient masses. Amongst the persons arrested the following are mentioned:—Prince Fiorenza, the Chancellor Amari and his brothers, Francis Ferrari, and twenty others, all equally respectable. “Count Acceto had been denounced, but when the police wengto his honse to arrest him, they found the doors barricaded, and they began to besiege the house, the first floor of which is oc- cupied by the English consul. In the course of their proosedisgs the arms of England got de- tached and, falling on the ground, were broken to pieces, _ : : “ “The police, dreading the intervention of the representative of England, withdrew, amidst the hootings of the populace. M. Acceto was thus saved, and the consul sent off a communication of the insult which his flag had received, to the British ambassador at Naples, who has demand- ed prompt reparation. All these circumstances were of a nature to keep up the energetic reso- lution of the people Every thing, however, was organized in silence. Manifestos were sent off secretly from Palermo, in all directions of the island. Every thing had been provided for, and the part which each was to take had been arranged. The patriots, who were without arms and the necessary means for taking a part in the insurrection, were invited to go to, Palermo, where they would immediately receive them. In the morning of the 12th, on hearing the salvos of artillery announcing the anniversary of the king’s birth day, the Population spread in masses through the city, and barricades were formed at several points, under the protection of arme: men. The police totally gave way before this imposing movement ; a part ot the troops march- ed out, of the town and took up a position at the foot of the Monte Pellegrino, the rest remainin in the forts. All remained in this state unti eleven o’clock ; but a few minutes after that hour, a strong detachment of cavalry debouched by the gate of Saint Antonia to disperse an assemblage collected in front of the palace of the intendant. The cavalry was hailed by cries of friendship and fraternity, but they fired and killed one man, wounding many others, whose cries of pain were re-echoed by loud cries of vengeance from the infuriated people, who rushed upon the detach- ment and brought many to the ground, compell- ing the rest to sound a retreat. The attitude of the populace became so menacing that the few troops lett in the city retired, leaving the insur- gents masters of it, and who occupied themselves In strengthening their positions. One remark: ths fact tended this insurrection, an which reigns between all a2 eh nh te ineouantly e8 of ves ing to them sentiments of patriotism, and exhorting them not to depart, even in the heat of battle, from that spirit of moderation and humanity which are the distinguishing marks of our reli- gion. Some of the priests were seen encourag- ing, by voice and gesture, those who were work- ing at the barricades. In the evening an Eng- lish war steamer arrived at Palermo with de- spatches for the British consul, and soon after went off again, with most of the English re- sidents. At night the city was entirely illu- minated, and fires were lighted on the tops of all the surrounding eminences. Some hours later, between 7,000 and 8,000 mountaineers, well armed, entered Palermo in good order. The Vesuve steamer returned to Naples at five in the afternoon of the 13th, with despatches from the king’s lieutenant. On the following day troops arrived by the railroad from Capua and Nocera to the amount of 8,000 men, and were embarked in nine steam frigates, which im- mediately steered for Sicily. Inthe evening, Count de Aquilla himself started in the steam frigate, the Roberto. Placards, posted during the night at every corner, called upon the Nea- politans toimitate the Sicilians. The rising of the people of Trapani has not been less decisive than that of Palermo—they have repelled the royal troops, and gained possession of the castle. & ing the health of the Queen, and those who are. best informed, abandon the faintest hopes o' seeing a direct succession to the throne. Within the last few weeks her majesty has been, on several occasions, attacked by fainting fits, in one of which she was deprived of sense and consciousness for nearly two hours. These seizures were first attributed to well understood sexual causes, and produced but little alarm; their frequency, however, has appeared searcely compatible with this supposition; in addition to which, itis known that frequent consultations have been held, not only of the regular court phy- sicians, but that on one occasion, so many as sixteen doctors of the most extensive experience in Madrid were calledin. Meanwhile, her ma- jesty rebels against the rules prescribed for her, and rides out on horseback, or in carriages, in the most inclement weather. The influenza, or grippe, as it is here called, prevails here with almost the intensity of a plague. Since the prevalence of the cholera, no such mortality has been witnessed. Itis com- uted that at the present moment, there are no less than sixty thousand persons prostrated by it, among whom are four cabinet ministers. Sardinia. Turin, January 11, 1848 The packet Giglio del Onde, which was in the port, has been seized by the insurgents and de- tained for their own purposes. At Messina, the ople appear to have the same advantages. The forts whieh surround the town are in their hands. The troops occupy the citadel. Catania, Syra- euse, and Melazza, have not been less fortunate. Every where success has crowned the efforts of the insurgents. i > “It isreported, also, that there is an insurrec- tion in the Abruzzi and Poglia; but this news re- quires confirmation. The news has produced a profound sensation in Naples, but there has been no outbreak. “There is a report current that the Duke de Sierra Capriola is in disgrace, and that instead of his going to Sicily, he will be sent on a mis- sion to Rome.” 7 Another letter, dated Naples, the 18th, say: “The severity with which communication: inter- cepted, prevents us from knowing exactly wha’ taken place at Catania, Syracuse, Reggio Melazzo, and the principal towns of the interior; but every thing leads us to believe, that there, as at Palermo, the insurrection has been energetic. Messina, we can affirm, in the most positive manner, that all the population are in arms, and that the royal troops, too weak to put down the general movement, have been compelled to retire to the fort, where they were to bombard the town. At this movement, ® British frigate, the Thetis, commanded by Codrington, and which had quirted Naples on the first news of this event to take under her protection the English residents at Messino, anchored under the fort. The captain, in con- cert with the English and French consuls, gave notice to the military governor not to commence his fire until the subjects of the two countries should be safely on board. But Capt. Codrington, doubting the promise to this effect of the Neapolitan governor, resorted to the fol- lowing stratagem: he placed the Thetis as near as possible to the fort, amd in the direction of his, }, and placed his sells in such a position that » shot could not be fired without touching one of them, which was by far too serious a thing for the \alhgesee toattempt todo. Itis to be feared, however, that, although Capt. Codrington would prolong this state of things as long as possible, he would be unable to save Messina from the horrors of a bombardment, as soon as the British and French sub- jects should be on board hisship. Our last accounts from Palermo were to the 12th. Almost at the moment when the insurrection broke out, the English squadron, which had been in the port for a fortnight, set sail, leay- ing only 8 frigate for the protection of the English resi- dents. The squadron returned to Naples on the 15th. The roycl troops, which, at the date of our last corres- pondence, occupied the foot of the Monte Pellegrino, had returned to their barracks, where they had to sustain the attacks of the people, who fought with fury. These pen gy oo) although very , had been with- out ive results. The troops in the barracks and forts sapiies to the fite of the assailants ; but they were closely ikaded, up to the 16th, the date of our lest pees news. The troops ht with tion, but it was a, to perceive that fluo! between a sense of duty and their ee citizens. The peo- ple formed a The grest- est and most accord reigns among the people. Men, women, and ohildren, have all com- bined in the barricades and cutting the trenches. No excess, tending to compromise the patriotic cause, has occurred to tarnish their proceedings. The English consul, whose arms were accidentally thrown down, in the attempts made by the police to make their way into the residence of Count Acceto, obtained immediate re- paration.”” f f Such is the tenor of our latest information, at the moment I write this. If further intelligence should arrive im time to reach Liv mail steamer of the 29th, I Berne, Jan. 16, 1848. End of the Civil War—Trick of the Priests of St- Bernard to excite Public Opinion against the Li- beral Party—Revision of the Swiss Pact. The civil war in this confederation is con- cluded. The Jesuits are expelled, and the libe- ral party is triumphant. The expenses of the war are decreed to be levied on those who pro- voked it; and, as the religious orders in the Ca- tholic cantons were among the foremost of these, great 1s the havoc made among their properties by fines and exactions, which, in some cases, amount to confiscation. Among the parties which have thus suffered, by far the most con- spicuous are the monks of the great St. Bernard, so familiarly known to all travellers across the Alps. These ecclesiastics refused to pay the fine decreed against them, and, deserting their celebrated monastery, withdrew to a villa which they had built not long since in Piedmont, pro- testing in the face of Europe against the mea- sure of which they had become the victims. The liberal party, however, affirm that their retreat from their monastery was a measure altogether uncalled for, and one adopted for no other purpose than to cast odium on the government of Switzerland, by ex- citing the commiseration of the rest of Eu- rope. It is contended that the fine decreed against them was a trifle, compared with their resources, and that moreover they eminently deserved its infliction, inasmuch as they were among the foremost and most active instigators of that civil war which spread devastation and bloodshed in the confederation, and involved both the government and the Cantons in heavy pecuniary, losses. \ : In general, howeyer, the Cantons which raised the war have submitted with a good grace to the fines necessary to indemnily the federal govern- ment for its expenses. } et The great question now is, the revision and modification of the pact which forms the basis of the constitution of this confederation, and which was framed at the commencement of the genera pete in 1815. The object of this revi- sion will be to give se ghd daha’ and strength to the federal government and to curtail, of course, the independence of the Cantons. How tar this will affect the international relations between Switzerland and the great powers of Europe, remains to be seen. ogy Spain. inion Manrip, Jan. 20, 1848, Reception of Espartero—Royal Slight upon Him— Strength of the Narvaez Cabinet-—No Hopes of Heirs from Queen Isabella—Sixteen Doctors Called in to Consult on the Queen’s Health— A Plague of the Influenza—Sixty Thousand Prostrated by it. Ihave little to say in addition to what [ com- municated in my letter of last week. (General Espartero, the Duke of Victoria, and ex-regent, is now the great lion of the day here. Some persons, however, have been disappointed at his backwardness in assuming a political position. He knows how little reliance is to be placed either on general popularity, or on party spirit, in such an atmosphere. He has been graciously received at court, but we have just learned that he is pointedly omitted among the rather nume- rous invitations to a grand ball, tobe given ina few i at the palace. This circumstance is generally attributed liere to the fact that he has omitted piying his devowrs to the Queen Dow- ager, the Duchess of [ienzares, for whom, at no time, it must be admittéd, has Espartero had any Mi profound respect. ‘ ‘he ministry of Narvaez, which was thought to have been tottering at the date of my last, has been established chiefly by the alarm of the mo- derado, or tory, party here, pnoes, which a split was near taking place, the effect of which would have been probably the dissolution of the Cortes, andthe establishment of a progressist or liberal cabinet,- i whe moderados haye accordingly coalesced, the Narvaez et is now supported by a erat et Ries ccplauen to prevail regard- Prudential Conduct of King Charles Albert—A Magna Charta given by Him to the People, filling 24 columns of a Newspaper—Some Ac- count of its Provisions. Piedmont has recently been the theatre of a bloodless revolution, in which changes have been peacefully effected by the wisely directed will of the sovereign, and the grateful accep- tation of the people, which are without a paral- lel in the annals of any country, except the neighboring States of the Church and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. King Charles Albert has begun, by steadily asserting the supremacy of the law, and by showing that, to mere popular tumult, nothing would be conceded. Having repressed disorders, and demonstrated that the reins of government were held by a firm hand, he called around him wise and libe- ral counsellors, and, with their aid, organized a system of public administration in which the foundations of a constitutional government are laid. This magna charta of Piedmont appeared in the official gazette, of which it occupied 24 columns, a few days since. By this ordinance, the entire State 1s re-organised on a plan, in many respects, similar to thatof France. The entire territory is resolved, primarily, into pro- vinces, which correspond to the French de- These provinces are again resolved ns, which correspond to the French ments ; and these divisions are again, as in France, resolved into communes, or town- ships. The provinces are governed by Prefects, and the divisions by Sub-Prefects, and the com- munes by Mayors and municipal councils. The latter bodies are elective, and form the link be- tween the sovereign and his subjects. The tests of electors are either that of property or intel- lectual acquirements. ‘The property tests are thus regulated: Lists of the population are made out in the order of the amount they contribute to the public revenue. Of the first class, consisting of a limited number of those who pay the largest amount of taxes, one tenth is invested with the elective franchise ; of the next class, one twentieth, and so on in a dimin- ishing proportion as the classes augment in num- bers, and decrease in the amount of their con- tributions. The intellectual qualification is regulated on the most liberal principle, inclu- ding all professions and callings of an intellectu- al nature. Thus the elective privilege is granted to all graduates of universities, all members of the liberal professions, all persons engaged imthe public service, military, naval or civil; all call- ings partaking of an intellectual character, such as surveyors, engineers, public teachers, &c.; and in fine, all merchants and traders who are in condition to prove that they maintain their families by the profits of their business”\ Every one conversant with the history and constitution of countries, will see in this organization the germs of a future representative system. The municipal councils will be in Sardinia, as they have been elsewhere, the nurseries of future statesmen senators. Time, however, must be given for phe. pecnle to complete their politi- cal education. The first great step, meanwhile, has been made, and having emanated from a wise and patriotic sovereign, and having been effected by the commion consent of prince and people, no doubt can be entertained that in due time it will be followed up by measures of correspond- ing wisdom and liberality. Turkey. ConsTANTINOPLE, Jan. 7, 1843. Decree by the Sultan Abolishing the Slave Markets throughout Turkey—Pension to Reschid Pacha of 30,000 dollars per annum—Honors to Ali Ef- Sendi—Greece making an Humble Apology to Turkey—The Cholera at Constantinople in a very mild form. Few events have transpired here since the date of my last which could excite an interest at your distant part of the world, but among the few which have occurred, there is one which must be recorded by the friends of human civilization, as of transcendent importance. The Sultan has just issued a decree abolishing the slave markets \ throughout hisempire. His Highness has, ia this, given only another example of that disposition towards a system of enlightened policy, which they who have had the advantage of o! his character, are aware forms the dis trait. He has also evinced the same disposition to exercise a liberal and wise policy, in shower- ing munificent rewards and honors on the two statesmen who are most remarkable in his em- ire, for sound and extensive information, and | liberal politics. On Reschid Pacha, one of his cabinet ministers, who has passed through offi- | ces from which others have gathered large emo- luments,without accumulating an independence, | he has granted a pension equivalent to 30,000 dol- | lars per annum for life. On Ali Effendi, who does not appear to have stood so much in need of pecuniary AS ee he has conferred the highest titular honors which he could bestow, in making hima Pacha with three tails. These measures are received here with peculiar gratifi- cation, not only by all the Turkish liberal party, but still more so by the corps diplomatique The quarrel which I have so often mentioned to you lately, as having arisen between Greece sad. Turkey, has been adjusted. King Otho and his cabinet applied successively to all the Euro- pean courts, and from all of them received an an- swer that the outrage which had been committed against M. Misurus, was wholly unjustifiable, and such as demanded imperatively the most ample retribution,and which all civilized powers, who sent to other courts diplomatic representa- tives, were equally interested in obtaining an apology. An apology, accordingly, has at length been made in such terms as have proved satistac- tory to the cabinet of the Porte, and M. Misurus is about to return to his post at Athens, as repre- sentative of Turkey, at the court of King Otho, onthe 10h. He has already taken his leave of | the Sultan, and received his final instructions from the Minister. : : i The cholera has not entirely disappeared from this city, but it has existed with such trifling in- tensity, as to pass altogether without exciting uneasiness ; indeed, it is as little regarded here as the most ordinary disease is which is inciden- tal to healthy climates. Fashions for February. {From the London and Paris Ladies’ Fashion. } Thore is but little variation in the make of dresses, although some skill is required in adapting the style of the dress tothe figure. Open redingotes prevail for the morning wear, the corsages only being close, with trim- mings of vi it or gimp, which give width to the form, meeting at the waist in the waistcoat style, The jack- ots sometimes resemble pockete—bleu de France, a tint ‘he saphir and lapis lazuli, is @ very fashionable color; only shade of blue that looks weil by ° dle light; the vert de fruit is also @ delicate color. very prevey, with black lace; pink is less in favor this winter for dresses, but is much used for bonnets, trimming, and | sorties de bal ‘The skirts of the dresses are no: worn 80 long; those who still preserve them a little trainante, bave them durque in front, 50 a8 to disengage the feet, and in floun- is fulled into the waist, giving ry Eecate, or with i cour before behind, and rather respeot tothe trimmings on the always much variety, but many are open and confined at intervals by nude of rib- materials the cmueaee Ls ap are not into « band, with ocinture of 4 Magazine of ribbon so wide that the long ends nearly cover the froa’: breadth. Many walking dresses with high bodies are ornsmen'- ed with several rows of narrow velvet or braid mixet with gimp; pretty redingotes of dark or sombre colors are trimmed with amall ehoux of ribbon. Dresses oC Canton satin are trimmed with vandykes of the sem» rial, and narrow bands of valvet in four or five ro Manteaux and pardessus are seen in every variety. Small ones are trimmed with four and five rows of les; ely covered covered with embroidery; @ broad band of fur all rouad, and & rower above. Some mantesur mente- lets of satin have frills fastoanes in deep vandykes, or piaked and edged with gimp; dark green and deep blue are used for the morning. and white or plak for evening sorties de bal, trimmed with colo: blond, that on the hood being or enough to form a . Many Spanish coifures in biack and some are formed of very small mantilies a head by branches of roses; and supported comb. the ends of the mantille fall tothe waist; a lar coiffure of white tulle laine d’or is very ant. The ornamental combs have « good effect in col! +! composed of fichu of black lace placed on « wreath flowers arranged in full bunches. 'Theatricals. The committee of Drury Lane theatre, have now come to the determination that the pit shall not ig aol edasa circle for equestrian performances, and have statedas much to M. Julien. Thalberg, the eminent pisnist, has created a furore at Madrid; something similar to that whioh took place when Catalini visited that city about forty-five years ago. He intends to psy England a visit next month, and to make an extensive tour through the~pro- vinces, under the direction of F. Beale, commencing at Edinburgh on the id4th of February, sosor ay the Misses Williams, Miss Bassano, and Signor Ciay je Alexandre Dumas, the celebrated French writer, has given the last touch to his drama ot “ Monte Christo,’? which will soon be performed at the Thédtre historique. It appears that this work is so long, that it will be played in two nights; ee to say, out in two—e streak of reak of fat. Monrrrat, February 1, 1848. News of the Week. Half-way between the result of the general election and the meeting of Parliament, which is fixed for the 25th instant, by royal proclama- tion of yesterday’s date, is the time for rumors of ministerial changes and ministerial measures to be introduced in the legislative assembly. Of the former, the one which is most probable, is, that the ministers who were in office during the late Sir Charles Bagot’s government, known as the Lafontaine Baldwin administration, will be reinstated in office immediately after the meet- ing of Parliament. However, they would ap- pear to make it a sine qua nou, that certain re- sponsible officers of the government must resign before they accept office, (such as the clerk of the executive council, &c.) This may or may notbe ecceded to by Lord Elgin, and may be the cause of a disagreement as to the terms on which they will accept office. You are aware thatthe result of the elections has been quite in favor of the radical,or democratic, party; and should Lord Elgin not pursue the policy of the late Lord Metcalfe, and assert the ey - tive, in the same spirit as his lamented prede- cessor, democratic principles will gradually gain ground, and pave the way for an important change in the sentiments of the people. Of the contemplated ministerial measures, that which stands most prominent 1s the sanc- tion of government, by means of a vote of mo- neys, in¢parliament, for the completion of the railroad from this city to Portland, Maine. On the 19th ultimo, the company made its annual report, which is highly flattering to the friends of the undertaking, and from which it would seem that the railroad will be completed to the province line, at Straustead, thus affording an uninterrupted line of communication, by steam, from Montreal. to Boston and New York. The railroad from Saratoga to Whitehall will also accomplish this object. The tree navigation of thé St. Lawrence, and the establishment of a bank of issue, under the control aud superin- tendence of the government, may also fall un- der the consideration of the new ministers. The new tariff of duties, which ought to have come into operatioa on the 5th of January last, has not yet been sanctioned. Ihave no doubt that the policy to be pursued by the new ministers, will advance the general interests of the province and tend considerably to give an impetus to trade and the introduction of foreign capital amongst us. This is what we most require, and the repeal of the navigation and usury laws, and other obnoxious legislative enactments, will promote the attaiment of these important objects. Should another crisis occur between the governor and his ministers, as took place under Lord Metealfe’s administration, nothing will be done, and the country will again be thrown into a state of agitation. The Hon. L, J. Papineau has been returned as a member of the new parliament. I have reason to believe, and have heard from what I may call ‘ undoubt- ed authority,” that his policy will be more paci- fic than it was wont to be, and that whilst he will for a period support Mr. Lafontaine, he will not take a very active or energetic pete in the proceedings of the assembly. oe OC, Vera Cruz, Mexico, Jan. 24, 1848. Appearance of Vera Cruz—Effects of the Bom- bardment—The Mexican People, §c. §c. A very expeditious and agreeable passage, of less than five days across the Gulf, from the time we left the Balize, on board the schooner Deca- tur, brought us to this place. Vera Cruz presents a singular sight to one who has never been in a walled and fortified city ; the walls are of strong masonry, and extend around the entire city, while the houses are constructed in such a man- ner, all of stone, that each one is a fortification of itself; the roofs are flat, with parapet walls, and from the roof of one house you can walk over those of the entire block. Had our forces been obliged to have taken the city by storm, we most certainly would have lost an immense | number of lives. So well prepared were the Mex- icans for defence—anticipating an assult by storm—that immediately outside of the wails of the city ave innumerable pits, in each of which were pikes, imio which the horses and men would have, falien. The Mexicans must have taken this idea from the example of Bruce at Bannockburn ; not with as much success, how- ever. There are many ruins of the bombardment visible in a walk round the city; the top ot the wail in many places knocked off; shells buried in the sides of Lowses, and houses in ruins,where a shell has exploded in their midst. Immediately outside of the walls was a large chureh~the Georgia cavalry, Captain Loyall’s company, are now encamped In it—which was nearly Cn ed by the bails. The first one tired completely destroyed a magnificent image of the Virgin Mary, and the next one scattered the ornaments of the altar to the four winds. This conduct highly exasperated the Mexicans, and from the guns on the wall nearest the church, was the most damage done to our lives. The better class of Mexicans whom I see here, seem to me to weara revengeful look, while the commoner class are dejected and sullen They have the fullest privileges in the city, and pass in and out of the Bis at pleasure. Num- bers of them are employed in the different de- partments, and at work on the streets. They receive $25 a month and rations; more than @ year’s pay to tnany of them before. [n appear- ance they resemble the [ndians very much; are neat in their dress; but, | am told, exceedingly negligent in regard to the cleanliness of their persons and houses. I have seen but few of their females, who, | should say, were pretty; the better class, however, keep in their houses, and are not therefore visible. I shall, perhaps, write you at another time, more at length, descriptive of their appearance and habits. The Alabama Battalion is encamped at San Juan, 18 miles from here. { have been to the camp, and passed the ground where the last train was attacked; (he bones of two men, who were killed in it, were visible, where they had been dug up_by the wolves; we did not see any guerillas. ‘Tae Alabama Battalion, expect to move from San Juan tor the city of Mexico in about two weeks. F Ihe hotel where J am stopping is the ‘ Deli- gen kept by Mr. Bell, an Englishman; all the waiters are Mexicans, and only speak their own language. A large train leaves the city to-day for Mexico, under a bold escort. The Georgia Independent Horse, under Lieutenant Anderson, form part of the escort, and anxious tor an adventure, | have attached myself to them for this expedition. We shall be absent about six days. General Twiggs yesterday made a visit to the flag ehip, in company with the commodore. Those writing to their friends in the army here, should be advised that by superscribing on the direction, ‘* belonging to the army,” the letters are free of postage. Gusncor.