The New York Herald Newspaper, January 21, 1857, Page 2

2 ——E— wn, who (sc say the most current rumors) wild re- cerve a shee of Moldavian territory in retars. ‘The Emperor of Austria hae not yet gone to De Raples ic very nnqniet. | owpow, Dec. 30, 1856. Ambassocer io Wosht gton—Bombardmeat ef Cantin Premed ta ed——The Neuchatel M gun- cerstan mg-— Note of the Big P.swe: Pr gasian Treops—The Officers of the Resolute—A fr, Pea bu yand the Picture Ordered by the Que an, is 6 we think,a matter of regret thet; a gentle man possessing so many of the reqnisi ze qualifica- tiene and talents as the Right Non. Qfaries Pelham Vithiers is not to be (as ithas been generally supposed be would be) the person to inaygurate the renewal of friendly intercourse at Washington. However, “fauie d'un, un e@uire,”” and as arrangements are nearly completed forthe resumption of diplomatic relations wiih the government at the White Honse, @ Minister will be immediately selected as the repre- sentative of England's Queen, who will no doubt ch your sheres by the 4th of March, accompa- nied by the three Consuls necessary to stop the three gaps. By the tiles ef present papers you will read the telegraphic accounts in relation to the bombardment ef Canton. For detailed information connected with the bloodshed on the occasion, we must wait the arrival of the overland mail. The honor of the Bus lish flag appears to have been upheld bya rakiog fire upon the porcelain city, and the Celestial fleet of gingerbread junks. Although it is, perhaps, as well to withhold comment apon so serious a matter, yet still we must give current rumor el! due circula- tion. It is said tnat the whole affuir was premedi- tated, and that, too, with the sinction of American and French officials, as a means of obtaining a bet- ‘ter footing in China. Uniuckily the Neuchatel affair appears to be getting involved in fresh complications, and does not appear so facile of settlement as was expected. ‘The last romor was that France and Austria contem- lated “ occupying” (i. e. taking possession—more i 8,) portions of the territory of the his friendly style of oc mpa- tion in Filling a country full of foreign soldiers is ttle short of sewing the seeds ot di nm into a quiet and peaceable family ei sian information re- ports that the despat ote ot the great Powe: addressed to the al Assembly of Switzerland is a tact, though has as yet transpired as to its coments. |i is said that the I'rassian troops will march as soon as the decree of mobilization appears, but the dae seems not yet fixed. There is no news 6f importance up to present post hour. Captain Hartstein, Lieu! uts Wells, Davidson and Stone, and Doctors Macomb and Otis, of the Re- solute, are still, as the representatives of American generosity a od feeling, the welcome guests wherever the and the general regret is t they co not gore where. Our good little Nberal minded Qneen Victoria, in order to mark her ap- preciation of this gifs ef the people of the United States, has ordered a large picture to be painted to record the event of the presentation of the ship. It is to be execater the well known artist Simpson. The ultimate destination of this pictare has not yet deen settled. It is to be engraved by the eminent bourse of Colnaghi & . Pall Mall--the Queen's publisbers— and is exciting a furore here amongst the lovers of art. Apropos of the subscriptions to this evgraving—already including the names of Baring, Rosse!!, ment Americans here im society. It appe George Peabody's d ecived soo a1 from the British »pevse for his liberal subscrip- pedition, and presuming that Peabody & Co. would sup- entente cordiale, in the shape of a portrait of her Majesty receiving the Resolute from the people of the United States, the represen- tative of tLe firm bere was asked to do bis autograph on the subscription list, but the gentleman who made the eppheation, one in the highest position in the art world here, was treated with extraordinary dis- eourtery and shown out of the office ina manner which ¥ neve beeneven disgrace/ul and sum- ry, vie a-vis,to a poor reia‘ion. American citi ere cannot help contrasting this conduct with Mr. dy's pathetic 1854, when, at the Sta’ pointing to another portrait of her Majesty sus pended in the dining room, he said that its presence ‘wan “entirely owing to the courtesy of the (ueen,” a courtesy, it now appears, which is not for al! time. We can scarvely suppose that Mr. George Peabody pending a plate testimopial, will approve of condas wabecoming the dignity of a gentleman. ‘‘Omne actum ab agauiis intentone est judicaudum,” as we have it in law. government as 4 tien to the (rion pert the Loxpox, Dee. 30, 185 Chrisimas Feativities—War Troubles and Alaris —John Bulb and the Taxes—The China W.¢ end the Reception of the News—The Resolue Courtesies—Knighthood to Caplain Hartstein Spoken of—The Washington Embassy—The Niw Franklin Search—Copyright Law—Ton Thumb Again--Theatricals, &c., &e. ‘The Christmas festivities in London have been on a» very grand scale, people of all classes seeming bent upen enjoyment. Ministers and political men generally are in the country entertaining their friends at their hearths, forgetting for a time the tarmoi) of political strife. At the American legation all has been quiet as yet, bat I presume Mr. Dallas 1 follow the example of his neighbors in due ine, Foreign afairs still engross the sttention of the British people, the dispute between Switzerland nd Prassia on the Neuchatel question exciting by ut the greatest amount of interest. A few days ago it was generally believed that the matter would « settled without recourse to arms, but now the impression gains ground that war is in evitable. Nay, farther, I hear wwo-day that Prance and Awtria talk of “ occupying” certain @istricte of Switverland with a kind consideration the Swiss people will doudtlees fully appreciate. Greece knows somethiag of the meaning of the ‘word “occupation; so does Rome, and so may Switverland it appears, and by this means may li- berty be crushed in one of its g ext strongholds. Bat us hope that if Pressia and Switzerland come to Blows that interference in the shape of “occupa tion not be permitted. The Conferences excite no interest here now from the belief that all business they have to fwansact is prearranged. In the present day Englishmen would be curious people if they could be surprised at anything. We are now informed of wars when they are half over, and srked our opinions upon mich trifling matters only when called npon to pay the piper. It is use~ less to try to surprise us, even by sudden and start- ling news, for we are prepared for anything. Some people would like, for instance, to be told iil news piecemeal. We prefer it in ite magnitude. Thus our newepepere informed ws yesterday, not that there was any misunderstanding between our go- werument and the Chinese; pot that the British cali- @ bad been outraged and tha) the Chinese authori- ties had been called upon tw render satisfac: tion to Captain Siapkins or first-mate Growler, bot we had the grand cmax at once, viz.:—The bomberdment of Centon. You might reasonably suppose that this gave ux some surprise. None whatever. People coolly asked “what it was al about and on the morrow the Times, in a4 artivie which read almost jestlugly, saya that the offair wil Jost enable us to ree ify some mistakes made at the lowe of the laet war with our Celestial opponents. Captain Hartetein leaves Hagiand, with bie oli sera and crew, by the mall which conveys to you tai letter. Never has act of kindness been better re eeived than the presenting the Resolute to the British nation. Never has ift been more gracefully eonveyed. I have s letter now vefore me fro friend at Portemou'h,a navy man, which ¢ unmistakable evidence of the excellence ehowe of representative in this mat might almost be led t) believe that American oficers and Ame:ican civi wore searce known in this region when we find how mucb the commanger and @fficers of the Resolute are of, and how Glove their every act has been canned. Captain Hartetein is represented to me by the be to possess all the qualities which would grate and it is regretesd toat this allan officer did not arrive in England ata time when he could have been presented her Majesty at St. James’ Palace. The Queen has commanded Mr. Stwpron, the artist who has so 6 1¢ cesatully deple ed the war in the Crimes, to paint a pict for the royal gallery of the eon the deck of the Reso lute when Cap'ain Har ated the ship to ber Majesty, in the nate of hie yovermment and people. The picture will be cograved and published ere by Colnagbi. Ii was proposed by the very bigh #t autboritier to have kmgnted Ca, Hartete n The Harte- ttn, tbe aGdresnn, and pach libs yousanll doubtless =< say, there- ret @ man my naval friend calls a “moble fetlow and a credit to his ony. It is probable that England will again be repre- sented at Washington speedily; bu upon inquiry I cannot obtain corroboration of the report as regards the individuel named. The project for another Franklin expedition was langmshing when the Resolute reached our shores, Her arsival seems to have altered the current of people’s thoughts, and now all the talk is of a new Voyage. Lieut. Bedford Pim, one of the officers ot the Resolute, 1s among the prime movers; and it appears likely that even if the government does not fit out an expedition, one will be sent provided irom private sources, Mrs. Stowe’s visitto England in order to sesure the copyright of “Dred” m this country and our colonies, wes unsuccessful, for a reprint has been lasved in Canada trom the American edition, not the English. You will see that the Daily News has taken up the subject in a leading article, which you will perhaps copy. It is highly desirable that, as we speak and writethe same language, some ar- rangement could be effected between America and England on the copyright qnestion. , : tom Thumb appeared here again on the 26th inst., the day after Christmas, and his “levees” have been pretty well attended, though not so nameronsly I feay as to perfectly satisfy Mr. Barnum. 1 see tais enverprising gentleman has with him a surprising ike of “Howards.” He advertises them as open ements, Mr. Murdoch, the American comedian, retains his engagement at the Haymarket theatre even during the pantomime season. He is now playing Duke Aranza in the “Honey Moon.” Purlesque bas been discarded this season from the majority of our theatres, and managers have return: ed to the old pantomime. I cannot particularize these things in this letter. Suflice it to say that all the houses ae crowded nightly, the‘ lads” and pit people assembling before the doors as early as tive and even tour o'c’ock nightly. To speak of things theatrical jast now would be a waste of time on my part and waste of room on yours. Next week I will give a look at the musical world for you. The Resolute Offictatiy veltvered to the Bri- Ush Government. THE UNITED STATES FLAG SALUTED AND HAULED DOWN-—BOISTING OF THE UNION JACK. Porrsmourn, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1856, ‘To-day this celebrated sbip has been bodily given over to her original owners. About one o'clock Capt. G. H. Seymour, C. B., the Flag Captam, went on board to inform Capt. Hartstein that the American flag would be saluted with twenty-one guns prior to bemg struck on board the Nesolnte. Atthe hourof one the salute was fied—the American tlag pang Tun up at the main of the Victory—and as the last gun boomed the stripes and stars were hauled down at the peak of the Resolute, and gave place to the union jack; Bri- lish envigns also floated simultaneously from each of her mastheads, and cheers echoed from the decks of the ship. Captain Harrster (who was attended by all his eflicers and the American Vice-Consal), uncovered, then, in brief terms, expressed, on the quarter deck, hich sense he enter of the courtesies and ves he had received from the Port Admiral during bis sojourn at Porta- mouth, and eaid that, haying completed the mission which had falien to his happy lot to be intrasted with from the United States government, nothing remained but to give the vessel over in fact, as he had already done in efivct, avd to express the fervent & hospital and other authorit hope that as long as a timber remained in her she would be a substantial memorial of that good will and harmony between the two nations which he was sure now existed, and which be prayed might exist through all time. Capt. Seymour acknowledged the kindly senti- ments of bis brother seaman, and thanked him for bis mention of bis ga!lant father (the Port Admiral) in connection with so gratifying a testimonial or ad fraternal feelings represented by his mission to Engiand. Mr. Penn, Master of the flagship Victory, and a party of royal marines, then assumed possession of the veesel, and all the officere went below to par- take once more of American hospitality. When the time came for embarking in the eteam tender Sprightiy, which was asagned to convey the American officers and crew to Southampton, as tue party «i over the side the marines presented arms. On the Sprightly ing down the harbor between the Victory and Pem- broke line-ot-battle ships the crews lined the bul- warks and rigemg, and cheer upon cheer followed the gallant visiters on their course. These were ta- ken up geverally by the inhabitants on either shore, on the Victoria }ier, and on the ramparta. Captain Hartatein and ‘Lieutenants Stone and Da- videon, with the crew, go to Southampton to embark in the Washington for the United States, to-morrow. Lieutenant Wells, Dr. Maccoun and Dr. Otis, remain un England a few days. Before leaving Cavtain Hartstein wrote a highly oce’plimentary letter to Mr. Digby Dent, of the Portland Hotel, Southsea, thanking him for his un- remittivg etiention to himself and officers, and the handsome accommodation provided them at the or- der of the Crown during their sojourn. Ireland. SMITH O'BRIEN AGAIN IN THY, PIBLD. Tired, it would seem, of silence and inaction, Mr. Smith O'Brien has emerged from the strict privacy which be has maintained since the exercise of the royal prerogative permitted him to return to his na tive land and avsume his natara! ition among the country gentlemen o! Ireland. Mr. O’Brien bas, in fact, re-entered the political arena, and a letter ad- dressed To the People of lveland p'ainly indicates that he means to reassume the position of leader, which be held fora brief season subsequent to the virtue! deposition of Mr. O'Connell. The following is a copy of the dooument:— TO THK PROPLE OF IRELAND, Ajtbough it is my intention to shun henceforth both the showy delusions of Parliamentary life and the treacherous quicksands of constitutional agita- tion, J have not abdicated my right to express my opinions with respect to the interests of my native Jand or of mankind, and, having reason to believe rable portion of my feilow-countrymen th hould devote my leisure hours to sue an oceupation, I shall make no apolo- wy for offering to you seme observations upon the presen? circumstances of pablic affucrs. Seldom have [ bad occasion to invite you to co- operaie with any movement that has originated at the otber side of the channe!, but it seems to me ‘hat you ought no! to remain silent with respect to the -tion now under debate iu England as to the propriety of maiutainmg for another year the ad- ditional percentage of the income tax which was impoacd to meet the expenditnre occasioned by the late war. Allow me in the first place to obse ve that it is the application rather than the nature of this tax that is objectionable. A property tax is the most just of all taxes, and even an income tax, if equitably graduated, would be preferable to fiscal exactions which press pon (he indastry or enjoyments of the poorest classes of the community. It, therefore, the present income tax were applied to aseful to Ireland, I would rather urge a jwation of ite provisions than @ diminution of its amount. But the question now at issue is whether the Britieh government ought or ought not to pe en- couraged by the coutinuance of this tax to sabject the resources of Ireland to exhaustion, in order to maintain a war establishment for the promotion of i in which Ireland has no imaginable consern. know very well that my views on this re pe - ee et among you. age irish are @! everyw! 1, OX on thir own soil, in defence of their dearest inte- resta, and the Irian farmer has been so much accus- wo to aesociate the idea of war with the hope of high prices that he is inctined to welcome war on any terms. But let os calm! ‘ire what has the empire gained—what has ituand gained by the late hostili- es? | Having lived during the greater part of the last two years among the neutral nations of the conti- | nent, | have no beritation in assuring you that the eh nt sentiment of that portion of Hurope which a8 remained a spectator of thie colhsion is that the evente of the war have greatly tended to aagment prestige of France and of lussia, while they have gavel tended to diminish that of Great Britain and ireland. The glory of success haa been attributed excla- sively to France. ‘Whe glory of an heroie resistance has been awarded to Kuesia, which, single handed, eo nobly defended itself against the united effurte of four of the most powerfol nations in Europe. | Though the war originated ina straggle for as | cendancy in the Kast between France and Russia, ! am not prepared tw contend that England should beve remained an indifferent s;ectat the con- test, or that she was at liberty to acquiesce in the | occupation by Ra-sia of the Danabian Principali- | ties; but I am convinced that the Russians would | never have crossed the Prath if, instead of writin: | diplomatic notes, Lord A berdeea's governtnent hi | promptly declared that the appearance of a single Russian soldier on the territory of Turkey would oe the signal for British interventfon. So, on the other hand, the withdrawal of the Russian troops behind the Pruth ought to bave been seized as an occasion for friendly mediation hy England between the con- | tending parties. But a cry arse that the British lon ongbt not to be roused with impunity; and nove con forget the programme of the mighty deeda that were to be performed by the naval and military heroes ot the Prited Kingdom that war pobliebed at the benqney that it i the wish won by the wie wor of Br tain in the Euxine and the Baltic, while in not to say reverses, have contrib ted to lustre of ite ancient fame. He sees a noble army rishing for lack of the common necessaries of life; Ee sees the richest government in the world asking alms apd auxiliary succor private patriotism in aid of gallant soldiers, whose bravery and fortitude dererved a more glorious end than that found in hos- pitals to which they had been consigned, not by the accidents of war, but by sheer neglect and improvi- dence. Is it wonderful that, seeing these things, he should have lost all respect for the papacity of the udlic functionaries of Great Britain? repulse at Balaklava’ the surprise of Inkermann, which but or the prompt succor of @ French division would ave been a Gisastreus rout—the ignominious issue f the British ascault upon the Redan, con’ with the glorious capture of the Malakoff by the French, and lastly the loss of Kars have also brought isgrace not unmerited upon British generalship, it ot upon British valor. All the accessory circumstances of the stroggle lave tended to confirm these impressions. A hun- dred defeats would not have so much lowered public esteem for British character as it was lowered by the adulation bestowed by the Queen, the authorities, and the people of England upon the man who three years previously had been designated by thenearly uranimous voice of the British public asa destesta- tle and unprincipled usurper; and there is not a po- litician _ Eorope who does not beheve that the peace of Paris was imposed upon the people and government of England by the will and dictation of this much cherishedfally, rather than by their own national feeling. Were I an Englishman, 1 should be littie encour- aged by this retrospect to consent to @ continu- ance of the income tax; but an Irishman has stiil less reason to assent to its longer endurance. With cbaracteristic generosity, Ireland forgot all her past wrongs apd sufierings when appealed to by the na- tion which had caused these wrongs and sufferings for aid in this atruggle, and lavished he bloed and treasure in contending against a people who never mflicted upon her the slightest injury. In this struggle Irishmen Spares ac- evstomed valor. But not to st belong the glory and the fruit of such sac: If a dis graceful act be perpetrated by an Irishman hls coun- try Lears ailthe opprobrium of the deed. It, on the contrary, he perform an honorable achievement, his exploits are heralded as the performance of Anglo- Sexon energy. An amusing illustration of this ten- deney specially attracted my attention in the case of one of those Irish patriots bearing a Milesian name who, in 1848, were most eager to jein in jon against England, and who was actually forced to fly from his native country and enter foreign zervice. While he was simply an Lrish rebel no terms of re- proach was spared towards him, bat when in fo- reign lands he had by his valor and conduct won the higbest admiration he was extolled by the British journals and statesmen as a distinguished English officer. Perhaps it will be thought that as I write in my own study, under the apernnon of an amnesty (i. ¢, of an act of oblivion,) | ought to forget every cir- cumstance that is humiliating to my country. Itis not, believe me, a cesire to utter sarcasms, which will be acceptable to but few readers, that induces me to write tuis letter. Still less is it a desire to cast re- proach upon any particular statesman, or to serve the interests of any particular party. To me all British statesmen and all Brit'sh parties are equally indfferent. Regard for the interests of Ireland and for those of humonity et large is the only motive which induces me now to address you, but I would seriously ask you—I would ask even the British people—whether it is desirable, by consenting to a continuance of the war income tax, to encourage the minister, whoever he may be, to involve Ire- land, to involve the empire in new collisions, which may be inflnitely more disastrous and more igno- minious in their results than that which bas been recently terminated? Within the last three months the groundwork for at least two pew wars has been laid by British im- policy. I alinde to the case of Naples and of Per sia. If the British jens bee been allowed to proceed in its career, unchecked by the continental Soper, among whom Russia was the most promi. nent, the city of Naples would probably have been bombarded before now. Far be it trom me to undertake the vindication of tne Neapolitan government. 1 believe it to be one of the worst in Purope—though candor obliges me to con- fess that in travelling throngh the Neapolitan territories, including Sicily, | observed a greater appearance of material ‘perity than J have found in my own country in w is called its most pros- rons era. But, admitting that the government of Naples is as bad as it is represented by its enemies to be, is thisa sufficient ground for intervention on the part of England in regard of its internal adminis- tration? It is not alleged that any British subject has suffered wrong trom the Neapolitan authorities —itis alleged that any foreign power menaces an armed intervention such as that of Nassia in re- gard of Hungary-—of Austria in PR of Tuscany Fravee in regard of Rome.—ell of which ques- tionable proceedings were calmly witnessed, almost without remonstrance by Engiand. It is simply urged that the monarch of Naples does not conduct the Legere of his country in a manner suited to English ideas; and accordingly a demonstration is made by the withdrawal of the British Ambassador --an act which is generally the forerunner of actual hostilities. That the Emperor of the French should concur in such a proceeding is scarcely surprising, because his dynasic ambition would very sotaraly render him d-sirous t> substitute a Murat fora Bour- bon on the throne of Naples, but no such motive can operate in the case of England. If Eogiand were to occupy Sicily a European war would infallibiy be the consequence, and if this demonstration be solel; intended as an encouragement to the constitutional- ists of the Two Sicilies to revolt against their govern: ment, a more fatal lure could scarcely be presented to them; for, os in the case of the demons'ra- tion made in Italy by Lord Minto, it will assurealy be found too late that England will decline to give effective support to those Italians whom her policy shall have incited torebellion. Not only, therefore, as Irish tax payers, but alo aa friends to the constivu- tional liberties of Italy, we ought to withhoald all encouragement from this sort of trifling with the pas- sions of an excitable people. It may be thought indeed by some patriotic Irishmen that this precedent will be useful at some fatore time, and that if ever Ire- land be again treated as she was treated in 1848, the governmen's of Ame and of France will find in the present conduct of England in regard of Naples an excellent precedent to justify intervention in be- half of the suflering meeps of Ireland. To this ar- gument I find sowe difficulty in offering an ans ver. Let us now turn to the East. Tow many of you know what are the cirsumstances, actual or antéce dent of a town called Herat’ Can any of you tell me what sible interest Ireland has in determining whether this town shall belong to Persia or to Aft gbanistan, or whether is shall be maintained by the rulers of the Eastern empire of Creat Britain as an independent State, in that sort of independence which was recently enjoyed by the kingdom of Oude? For my owr part, I profess that | am una- ble to discover what moral right the British govern- ment possesses to interfere in regard to ¢ ntentions respecting a country which is sitaated at a distance of many hundred miles from its frontier; or what legitimate interest Great Britain can bave in giving armed effect to such interference. 1 profess my- self also incapable of understanding the manifesto which has n iseved by the Indian govern- ment in justification of this proceeding. I can in- deed conceive that British rapacity may desire to plunder the rich cities of Persta, as it has already lundered bulf the cities of Asia. I can conceive t what is called “ Anglo-Saxon enterprise” ma; covet the vulley of the Euphrates, more especial- ly when I find that it has een seriously oh ang to open a communication with India in this diree- tion; and I can conceive that the terms of a vague and vnintelligiole treaty may be made the pretext tor openin, hostilities with a view to these eventaal resulta. This game haa often been played before now in the East. It wae played in @ most unserupn- jous manner and with the mos: complete success in the care of the Ce afl y , od oe of policy jnatifiable when ju ny rt morality which the British public is #0 fond of ar- rogating to iteelf’ Moreover, may it not be hereaf- ter discovered that rt will have been as inexpedient in its consequences as it is indefensible in ite design’? Pretexte of a simUar character affecting this very city of Herat formed the ground of that invasion of Afchanistan which terminated in the ignominious destruction of a Britieh army and in the total expul- sion of the Britieh forces from the Affizhan territory. If it be true that Rassian intrigue bas set in motion the alleged attack upon Herat by the Persians, is it not possible that Russia may support ber Persian ally by ormed assistance, and if she bring 60,000 suxiliaries into the field who can estimate the expen- @iture that will be needed before triumphs can be won in such a struggle ? s During the year preceding that in which I was traneported to the antipodes the British Pariament advanced on loan £8,000,000, with a view to the relief of the Irish nation when enffering from famine. | I well remember the inwniting language with which this aid was accompanied, and 80 it was the ap- ent magnitude of the effort that it might have } supposed that England had exhausted all her resources in performing an act of unparalleled gene- Tosity; yet I find that last year an addition of | £30,000,000 waa made to the ordinary war estimates of the United Kingdom with scarcely a murmur of dissension, and ireland has been subjected an increase of taxation which would bave been much wore than enficient to provide ab interest upon hoang that would have been sdequate not only to preserve the lives of the myriads who died of ertual starvar fiom, bat alvo te reader the coourrence of the fanzine an era of improvement. ; coeur ie te that it auld be betier to expend the: resources ef Ireland in Dg substantral measures of utility thaa to r them in wars to the concerns of countries with which the interest of Ireland has scareely an imaginable connection? It this letter bad not already extended beyond the limits within which I was desirous to confine it I would bave asked you to consider also what mo- tive can irduce you to fe the continued o¢- cupation of Greece by the tenance there of a Bntish force, to the support of which your income tax lends its contribution? The occupation of the Pireus was intelhgible, and possibly excusable, duriog the war with Russia, but since the conclusion of the peace I have not heard even the pretext of an argument which can justify its continuance; and lean myself testify that it is most galling to the high spirited natives of that interesting country. ad space permitted I would bave endeavored to convince you that, instead of upholding the cruel domination of a Torkish minority, European states- men onght rather to devel noble elements of pationality which exist among the Chris:ian - lation of Turkey in Europe,and thot they would find in this population, constituting, as it does, @ large mejority of the inhabitants of that land,a much more effective barrier against Rassian ‘ion than is to be found in the effete decrepitude of the Turkish empire. J would alro have dwelt at some length upon the Irish view of these financial questions. About fit- teen years ago I studied with much attention the writings of various patriotic Irishmen who endeav- oved by many elaborate statements to prove that, inasmuch as England was subjected fore the union toa much larger amount ot debt than had been contracted by the Irish Parliament, it was ouly reasonable that the interest of the ante-union debt of England should be borne exclusively by the Englieh people. This separate obligavion was cal- culated to amcunt to above £15,000,000 sterling ze annum, and it was lee that grievous injustice had been done to Ireland by the gradnal equatiza- tion of lish with English taxation. At present, in- stead of a separate taxation amounting to £15,000,- 000, the exemption one by Ireland from taxa- tion common to the United Kingdom, amounts to a mere fraction. { may be excused, however, for neglecting to recall these considerations, since they appear to have been forgotten alike by the writers by whose arguments I was convinced and by the Irish public to whom they were addressed. But truth and justice do not change with the vary- ing expediency of the hour, and these arguments are as valid now as they were in the palmiest days of the Repeal Association. For the present 1 can dispense with the camula- tive force of this reasoning, as I trust that | have said enough to convince not only the Irish, but the British reader, that a common effurt ought tobe made to check the tendencies which are encouraged by that deplorabie facility with which nations open their purses at the suggestion or for the behoof of thore who excite the passions ef ambition, revenge or cupidity. If the observations contained in this address be deemed by well founded, you wil! instruct your representatives to resist the longer continuance of the war income tax paid by you, or at least to de- mane ees it shall be applied to objects beneficial to reland. That is your duty--I have fulfilled mine. I have the honor to be your very faithful servant, WiiiraM 8. OBRIEN. CaHERMOYLE, Dec. 22, 1856. The Cunard Steamers and the English Mail Contract. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sr—As several letters have recently appeared in the Times relative to tae developement of the Ca- pada trade, in which the mail contract with the Cunard Company has been severely animadverted upon, it may be well, in re ty these remarks, to give a short statement of the origin and work- wg of this contract. I shall feel obliged by your inserting this communication in the Times. Nearly twenty years ago tne government adver- tised for tenders for the conveyance of the mails by steam to America; several proposals were sent in, the one from me being the lowest, and the plan most approved, was accepted. The tered into has done no discredit to her peas overnment, with whom it was made, and I think e country will not soon forget the re. service rendered by me in originating it and carrying it out. The duty has ever since been faithfuily perform- ed; the ships have departed at the appointed time without one single exception. For many years the amount received by the Post office for letters carried under this contract exceeded the sum paid by the government. Recently the rate of postage has been reduced from 1s. to 6d, and the amount of the postage may now be short of the contract money; this important service has been performed at a small cost to the ¢ vuntry. The mail service cannot be performed by transient ships; there are times in the year when freight ana paseengers are not to be had; under such circam- stances ordinary ships would pe detained. At this present time the passage money will not pu, for the coal consumed on the passage, but the cor respondence between Europe and America is of t much importance to admit of delay or to be ¢ pendent on irregular departures. If our governmeny should abendon the regular mail service the Ameri- pot egos would continue it, and do the whole. The ships required for this service cost a large sum of money und are not suited for any other pur- pose ; y were now offered for sale they would not brirg one-fifth of the cost. This observation will apply to ali the Atlantic mail steamships, the Ameri- ean, the West Indian, and the Cunard lines ; at the termination of the mail service the ships would be valueless ; they are too expensive to use for any It is absolutely necessary to have large ships, witic great power, to aecure the regular delivery of mails, and also to keep pace with the American ships af equal power and size; the American government give a much larger grant for the same service than that paid by our government. The mail s’eamers do not materially interfere with the steamers em- ployed in carrying merchandise. The mail steamers take but a smal ity of freight—for instance, the Arabia, of 2,500 tons, can only carry between 400 and 600 tons of goods. A screw steamer of the same tonnage will carry 1,800 tons, and sail at ha'f the expense. A ¢ portion of the freight by the mail steamers consists of French goods, brought from Havre by branch steamers which we keep for that purpose, so that the mail steamers, departing once @ week, cannot materially interfere with other ships, and itis an argument only used by persons who have some particular object in view. The Canadians say that the Cunard steamers should be compelled to go to Quebec during the summer, and to Portland in the winter; bat it is not likely that any other persons will agree with Boston and New York were the ports in the United States first selected, and there are no reasons for substituting Quebec and Portland. Que- bee is closed by ice, and other dangers, for vix months, Boston and New York are | cities, are always accessible, and have great facilities for for- warding goods and mails to every ey = Portland is far and throughout the United States. inferior in all respects. The good le of Canada appear to cure that the contract wos made for their eapeci benefit, and no mera but they are in — he men ng conter: the conveyance of —. nce betweeh Europe and the whole continent Ameri- ca, but Carada bas derived the greatest benefit from ance, by which many lives were 0 80 Canade was then 2s. « letter; now they we a reguiar and safe con’ twice a week, and the 6d. a letter. have 194 matla from Englan ally; formerly they had 12. They now ask the governr ent to subsidize a screw — to perform sae week to ebec for #ix months, an Portland, in the Tnited States, for the other six months, to enable them to develope the trade of Canada. If their statementa are correct a6 to the immense emount of goods that is to be collected at Quebec to be shipped thence, (and I do not pretend to doubt the accurac; of their statementa,) forty steamehips will be requi weekly to carry freight, so that one will be subsidized while thirty-nine will be dissatisfied. If the freigbt is at Quebec, ships will find ye! there to carry it; and aa tothe granting a sn! ly fora hip to Portland, I can only say that there are many steamships now ranning from Gi ow and Liverpool to Boston, New York and Phila- Seiphia. have had several in the trade for some years past, and we have no subsidy forthem. We are building severai screw steamships at present; some of them are ey to find their way Ld ey and perbaps to Portland, if freight should offer. There will be no lack of ships if there should be goud employment for them. If the Canadians ask the subsidy for an increased pcatal communication, I think I have shown that, with the present semi- weekly meila, they have no good grownds for such application, and I think the government would not be disposed to give a bounty in such form merely to promote a commercial enterprise. Tam, sir, your obedient servant, 8. Cunarp. Lonvon, Dec, 29, 1856. Mr. KB, G. Squiers tn om ihe London Atoet Deo 97.) Mr. FB. G. Squiers, the distingy American au thor and antiquary, writes in answer to M. Golovin, claiming proof of « fret addnced in proof of Ameri can literary intoleranee :- It is pot many weeks since an Arrowernith paditehed « horrible story—ae abeurd of horrivie—for whieh the mort charitable apology that bar been offered , the in en! fue cttan, yd som on Jenn Gelovin aeraan ie, ward wi s porrib! ub ebsurd —auggertive 4 the be is bat 8 Mescavite aoatar ot Arrowsmath thet the (bis, in Wastration of oan intolerance. “ Mr, Har. per’ in New which reprinted [ickens’ ‘Ameri Noves,’ was cestroved by the free citizens of the Ewpir Cty.” Hore ts a distinct siatement, and if trae, capavle of easy proo’, Let its author ‘ell we when the occurrence wok place—in what year—and wm furthermore give us some of the \be more borrible the better; for after the sping Of Arrowemith’s ‘ Devil’s Broth,’ require al! the powers of which a ‘Golovin’ is a \o compound adeb that shall not be positively iasipid. ha. 0 doubt, a vous thing for an aathor to be re. lace Op the shelves of a respectable booksejler— very much, probably. like betog kicked out of a gentle- wan’s house; but after a perusal of ‘Ivan Golovin’s’” letter, no will fail to approve the taste and appisud the jud; bis work out of Golovin or own way about the “small heads” of Al will admit, jor the sake of peace that tgncarame wa x0 to America de lose “the human principles which oon etiute their glory.”’ 1 will not be #0 personal as to sug- gest that some of them lose even ther regard for truth. But all this on condition that we shall have the time and particulars of the destruction of the “‘prees of Mr, Harper,” for reprinting Dickens’ Ame rican Notes, will only add, m justification of wy cemand on the author of this story, that | have known the Messrs. Harpor and their establishment lor eighteen years, and now bear for the grat time of the destruction of wheir * press’? from any cause, except an accidental dre in the autumn of 1854 BGS. The following letter is on the same subject: — 16 Lurria Barn, Dec. 22, 1856. You have turerted in your last nomber, under the head of “ amer'can Freedom ” a letter trom Mr. Ivan Golo- 1m, ip whicb be complains o' intolerance being shown by Mr.’ Appleton when declining the sale of his book in Ame- ‘ica, Allow me to state that the author has no justoause of complaint. ‘Stars and Strips; or, American Imgzes- sione,”’ is sued to the public with the name of *D, Ap- ple'on & Co , New York,” op the title page, without their ‘sceing the book, or consent being asked. Would eny leading publisher tn London, under stmilar etrcumatanoes consent to help to circulate a work on Fogtand and the Evgiteb. written by a foreigner, who merely 1 uns through ‘be country, and drawing hesty conclusions from what comes under bis own observation only, may BOt find many to agree with or indorse his opinions. | was told Mr. Golovin wirhed to send copies for sale in the United States, and undertook to forward them; but if there bad been time for me examine this book, T spould bave objecied to an Awerioan publisher’s name eppearing on the title, without coneent being first obtaia- ed, I need scarcely observe, that beyond the difficulty made by the author bircrelf, there ts no restrictions on the sale of bis book in America to the full extemt of the public demand. The allusion to what occurrcd many years ego, in connection with the writings of Mr. Charies Dickens, is quite out of place now. ae at the present time bus few libraries in the United States id be found without complete sets of I) ickens’ Works (‘American Notes” included), amd no pablic writer can be more geverally respected. The other matters contained in Mr. Golovin’s communication are hardiy borne out by facts; but as they do not misrepresent anybody in particular, po reply ls needed from yours, CHARLES LAYTON. "Agent for D. Appleton & Co, An English Retrospect of 1856. {From the London Times. Dec. 81 } The year which closes to-day has not been one of thoee marvellous periods which stand out high and rugged from the surface of history and become the Jandmarks of the student in 8 to come. It is rather a bend in the ever winding stream of time, which, while our attention has been fixed upon tae events of the hour, has brought us almost uncon- sciously into an utterly rent state of affairs. Every traveller in a mountainous country may re- membei some day when, after Len early dawn in the snow and on the crag, and then 7 ing in rapid transition steep descents, thun- dering cataracts, pomey pokes, winting valleys, sunny lakes and wall-cirt cities, he towards sunset finds himself in a landscape that he might have expected in his own familiar country. But for the shadowy but still giant forms in the di: it horizon he might forget that his eyes were still weak from the glacier, that the torrent was still roaring in his brain, his foot still sore, but his spirit still pitched mountain high, dreaming only of fresh pasees, dizzier precipices, and more perilous footing. Where were we all the morning of this ear? Still keeping keen wintry watch on the imea; not hopeless of peace, but ie for war; execu'ing the stern decree of on the great stronghold of a mighty empire, levelling its docks and seaward forts, exchanging angry mena- ces with the foe on the north side, and bringing home the trophies of the capture. At that me. While the Western Powers, with Tur- key and even Austria, were preparing for either alterpative, Prussia stood aloof, as having no concern in the general interests of humanity and the maintenance of liberty and jus tice between the nations of Europe. It was our boast that England hed never seen so fine an army, or one in all respects so well found and in such di cipline as that which formed the vanguard of Eu ropeap freedom on the heights of Sebastopol Elsewhere the political atmosphere was generally quiet, with the single exception that something, a trifle or two seen through an electioneermg medium, had refed our sensitive peighber prea bn Atlan. tic; and at the tig Bag when our quarrel with the Czar wes passing the sword to the tongue, our be et st were expected to have spare time for misunderstandings u, matters not only unappre. ciated, but even utterly unknown to the mass of the British public. Such was our state a twelvemonth ago, and it was one ‘hat made us for the time a na- tion of warriors, and ready to bear any burdens or ra ey risk for the national honor. ithout any very great event, without an: ng much out of. calculation, we find ourselves Hy close of the year in an entirely new scene, surround: ed by new objects, and with only a few fast fading links between that landscape and this. That great war is over. Hard terms have been wrung from the exhaustion of Russia, and after much subsequent wrangling she has been held to the letter and spirit of ber bond. We have celebrated that peace with great and cordial rejoicing. Prassia was admitted at the eleventh hour to a in its humors. Our fleets and armies have returned, and have had their ovations, But for the income tax and some foolish frets bert op by 5 tony Admiral and some jealous soldiers, we might al- most have forgotten by this time the neglects and misbaps of the war. A young and active Com- mander-in Chief bas been Lng | his house in order for the next emergency. The United States sent ph en pe 5 wh Bethe. —_ slight, have sent as a peace ig to Queen Victo- ria one of her own ships, found adrift without its crew. We have now scttled all our late differences, and aie, as we always to be, on the best of terms with our thriving cousins. But as fast as these wounds have healed others have broken cut, and before we have finished our celebration of peace we are at war. We have withdrawn our minister from the Absolutist Court of Naples. A British expedition has sailed against Persia, and British b goes is once more at work in the fatal passes Affghanistan at the same moment a British Admiral bas bombarded one of the capitals of China. Thus we find ourselves at war with the east and the west of Asia, with every part of which we have now heen at war within there two or three ears. Certainly such @ result is so far from natural it one suspects it might have been avoided, tor if we quarrel with every State in the world, it isa moderate —, that we may, perhaps, be sometimes in the wrong. However, we have Prus- sia to keep asin countenance Slow as she was to fight for liberty and independence of Europe, she ix preparing for war with the Swiss mountaineers in bebalt of a barren and obsolete title, which for es weeeeer as peace of rope is now threatened, not by Inst of dominion, but by an antiquarian curiosity. In ‘this year, whether of war or peace, the new Emperor AK Rosaias @ pomp w atens to outhfa and y i been exhibiting to the the quietly the present question which threatens the Union. negro freedom never ecemed at a lower ebo, and even the renewed efforts of genius in its almost thrown away; but the very history of the year that proved eo unfavorable to it warns us not to expect the same uniform tenor of events. Noone knows what fey may bring forth, and he only certainty is that no one year will be he counterpart of the last. Eisewhere, under the usual Cisadvantages, difficulties and suspicion, peace as been doing ite Tow work. Canada has her great line of railway between the jakes and the Atlantic. The electric wire that is to join the New and Old World is already begun. Roseia has been inviting Europe to join with the iron road the ex- iremities of her wide empire. An era of peace and jay ed has been proclaimed for India, but only to interrupted by a fresh blast of war. When, fn- deed, will peace have the precedence of her fretful and capricious competitor’ France, with the fresh security of an heir to the imperial throne, is slowly recovering from her vast efforts. Spain, which b+s so small a place in Buropean politics, has had « droma of ber own. By the usual steps she hos rapidly returned to an absolutism as strong a8 ci’ cumstances and the age will endure. By way vi imple, England, France, Russia, and ave been granting large amnesties Jore for political offences, producing there- h quiet content, but meeting with some noisy gratitude. At heme th more or lers ot Works b heeiding ne sar has been one of beginnings oimuing. The Metropolitan Boord nt ite first year in doing nothing: ing, A Depomtory of Art and a Sebo! of Dew » been opened at Brompton, | opened on the 16th of December. w! of Design have bee } posed on them thie year does not appear to have under the grimmest oepect that artever wore. A ; . ry. the le world rebuilding, as well as for laying out which they ae Jared A magnificent been commenced in honor of the taken from us. By the side of and grander aims the English character year incurred some domestic stains. in the ge defalcations, systematic embezz! shape of r lements, co- jossal insolvencies, and frightful erimes. Banks have burst like bubbles, leaving nothing. Men, not of the lowest sort, have been wives, | mothers, brothers, friends, Ped a ener ail [ sides. We have had many sanguinary and’ hideous Sch aber Se Kare m sadly shaken by the know! that ri. sop doors have been opened, an abet thieves and ruffians has been let loose upon us, desperate of hones’ work, flushed with erimina! triumph, and ingenious in new forms of plunder ond outrage. We have had a more than usual nom- ber of fearful suicides, and, we may add, of ordinary disasters. Two theatres have been burnt down in this metropolis, one under singular and awfal circum tances. The anpual obita: smens cher names of note, the Russian General P: witech, Henry Pottinger, Sir W. Temple, and Sir J Jervis; in the ranks of art and science it includes. Guthrie, Paris, Sir W. Hamilton, Buckland, Yarrell , Sir R. Westmacott and Paul Delaroche; in literature and the drama, A’Beckett, Braham, Madame Ves- tris and Charles Young. Besides these, others have passed 80 long from the public eye that their deaths are hardly noticed. Two bishops have died ; two public has { cthers have anticipated that usual of an episcopal career by a timely retirement. Buch is e class of incidents to which the public interest has now quietly returred. ‘The s' ig news from the East, indeed, breaks in rather rudely en the te- nor of our own domestic gossip and homebred quar- rels; but one thing we have certainly all but for. Lane as A Sa ae bere tom, ane is the war which was still convulsing and drain’ Baro) at the beginning of thi ek — i Speech of the King of Greece to the Legisla- tive Chambers The legistative cession of the Groek Chambers was opened by King Otho on the 19th of December, with the tame format tee His Majesty made the follow- ing speech:— Gentlemen, Deputies and Sevators—Ha: return afer an absence of some months, to ct peloved Greece, it is with real pleasure ‘hat I see you assemblet around me, and that I can exp-ess to my ‘0ted people, through the medium of their re) ‘all the afection I entertain for them. and my ‘the at- tachment apd fidelity they have always shown towards me, whiob is the indissoluble link betwees the ‘tbrone and the nation it was by mani them apew during my absence that the cares of re- gency intrusted to the Queen, my beloved consort, were. alleviated. I also express my satisfaction to the legislative bodies, whose active and patriotic 2cal bas fa. ciitated the work of the government during the same period. Since I last addressed the Chambers peace, which ie the most solid foupaation of the of mations, bas been restored to Ecrope, and I bave jerful rea sons jor belic ving that the foreign troops the war introduced into Greece will be soon withdrawn. I have the satisfaction of announcing to you that | amon a friend- ly footing with all foreign powers. Before every otner consideration, my govoroment, remem! the ° tions of Grecee towards the great powers, tore, has spontanc only offered to respond ‘vo them to the t of er ‘be condescending dispositions and ood will ‘of the powers towards Greece give me the best of a happy and final settiement of that transaction . Brigandage, woicn is abnorsed by the nation, wae not long since evil at home, and aroused the of fore By wise and energetic by the ign measures, valor of our soldiers, and the willing suppor: vf the people, my government bas succeeded ine: ry and in restoring cowpleve security to Greece. There'w only the fronver live where brigandage cannot be sup- pressed wthout ihe 6: m coo) of the State, To obtain that result | have concluded as convention with Torkey, which my goveri punctually carried out. ‘the object of my constant and serious solicitude is toe internal development, materia! as = as herp bagi It is for the Lee © surest foun © Progress and prosperity. attain this end the government has taken sores, and jaws of great importance have been My government ts actively employed in Foreign bar been sougat for to m fect the mrans of commu without material prog:ess is possible, to restore our rich which became ewamps, to agriculture, and to construct necessary ports. I am beppy to inform you that eapilal- ists bave commenced to reapond with confidence appea). Great praise and national gratitude are the enthusiastic patriotism which the Greeks, wherev. they are, dispiay in advancing the of Obristiar Civilization im their cocntry, in offering the first fruits of their indefatigable labors ior tbe ereciion of sacred edi- fees, of roboola which provise knowledge and improve the moras, and of pious, scientific and tablisbments. The regular course of go: it peceseary that the budget of each year cussed by the Chambers belore the sums expended. Two budgts having been ibe preceding session, that this order \ebed and sanctioned, my defore you immediately the badget Dills will be aap oerenghed ged during A reform of the taxes E j ett Baz 2 ‘lle a bball sates, wil onl for your eortous eteetion, all mpage) whiob concern and Paris Moniteur of 30th ultimo publishes report from M. Billault, French Minister of the In terior, asking a credit of 3,000,000f. (£120,000) for miblic works in the provinces. is fol- lowed by an im 1 decree ay oe granting the money. aa n—Toin year's Darvest was o of whest underwent «slow at a Pointe of the empire the Neverthe, ana Aeptatbe meagora tak i = = i i i ge E | 3 8 ze i rid ahi i ! ! 2 $ Ubroug bout the country the workehope 1a which the map can find em; ; and Bas hire dotgna by the Btate three wh z : ' fe lis & 5 Auf ; iy a il & 3§ ‘ E : Fi h E i Fe 3 8 : 3 E i g E i i i “ { 3 See meswal meet # not taking an ective i bear i is sorving fratt it wil of four comecc' views of the Emprror; tt is oniy efforte, these goo ©: ples, wil ‘will be onge more overcome, an without significances in tho ees courageous and patriotic Jations Will bave sw bad barvert. i is Sst iy & Esai -aih The Paris Markets. [Paria (Dee 20) Corresonndence of London Times } There has been wut little business in the commer cial quorters of Paris during the last week. shops have in general heen deserted, although, at ? the reqnest of the shopkeepers, the hawkers were not permitted to erect their booths on the Boule- vards until Saturday last. These booths, in which are exhibited a great variety of cheap articles cal- colaved for New Year's mits, have been hitherto ‘The restraint im-