The New York Herald Newspaper, January 15, 1861, Page 2

ADDITIONAL FROM EUROPE. ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICA'S MAILS. THE CHINA TREATY. INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE RATIFICATION AFFAIRS ON THE CONTINEN’ The English Press on the American Crisis, Key ke. ke. ‘The mails by the steamship America, from Liverpool on the 20th, via Queenstown on the 30th ult., which arrived at Boston on Sunday "reached this city yesterday morning. The main points of the news by this arrival were received by telegraph from Halifax, but the re- ; ception of our files evables us to furnish this morning Fome additional details of interest. ‘The Munich Gazette announces officially the rupture of diplomatic relations between the Courts of Bavaria and , Turin. In afnouncing this rupture the Bavarian journal also explains its causes. It alleges, in the first instance, that the policy “of which the Sardinian government has made itself the willing instrument’? has infringed the rights of three Italian princes ‘closely connected with the royal family by the bonds of relationship and fricnd- ship.” ‘The Official Gaze#e of Turin publishes four royal de- crees, dated Naples, December 17, deciaring the pro vinces of Naples, Sicily, the Marches and Umbria to con stitute an integral part of the State of Italy. ‘ ‘The Turin correspondent of the Paris Siecle writes very confidently that the French feet will not be left long bofora Gaeta. He says that communications between tho Pied- montese and French governments are frequent, and at- taches much importance to the mission executed by Count ‘Vimerati, the King’s aid-de-camp, who was lately re ceived at the Tuileries, where he had an interview with the Emperor. 4 ‘The Paris Deda/s has an article upon the subject of the sale of Venice—a project which it thinks can have litle chance of success unless taken up by all the great Powers in the general interests of peace, and combined in some way ‘with a territorial equivalent, such as diplomatiets ought to be able to discover. At the same time the Debats ear- nestiy urges the subject upon the attention of Europo. ‘The Opinione of Turin states that Count Ercole Mastal, 8 nephew of the present Pope, and late Captain of the Staff in the Pontifical army , has offered his services to the King of Italy, who has accepted them, granting him the same rank in tho Italian army. The Electoral law, which the Conference of Grau has Just recommended for adoption, is extremely liberal. It confors the clective franchise on all the male inhabitants of Hungary, native or nsturalized, aged twenty years and ‘upwards, without distinction of religion, provided they are in full enjoyment of civil rights, have never been con- ‘vioted of certain crimes, and are comprised in any of the Tellowing categories:— 1. In royal free towns and communes having an or- ganized municipality, those who possess a house or land to the value of 300 florins. 2. Tradesmen and artisans, keeping a shop, or employ- ‘one journeyman at least. . Those who possess an income of 100 florins, whether derived from real property or capital. 4. Members of the learbed professions, without regard to income 5. Thoee who haye hitherto been members of munici palities, even if they do not possess any of the above ‘qualificatious. Ali electors who have attained the age of twenty-four are eligible, provided they can speak the Magyar lan- i} guage, which will be used in the legislative proceedings. ‘The elections are to be open and the voting public. IMPORTANT FROM CHINA. ‘The Convent {rom the China Mail} With the allied army threatening Pekin the ratifications | of the treaty of Tien-tsin have been exchanged, and a convention has been entered into containing higbly im. portant new stipulations; so- the affair in China is o more proclaimed “‘settled,”” and that under circumstances ©f peculiar importance and intercat, which must certain- iy open up a pew era in our relationship with China, whe ther that be for the better or for the worse. ‘Our latest intelligence from Pekin throws some doubt ? upon the ‘settlement.’ It appears that up to tho last day of October the Emperor's consent to the convention had not been received, and it is on the cards that Prince Kung and the peace party may be again thrown over- . Doard. In these cireumstances we refrain from advance ang auy doubts inso faras the position of England is concerned. It has been suggested that the imperial ‘yernment is influenced by what we write on that 6 ject; and we have no desire, on the one hand, to prov ‘a policy for the Chinese, by pointing out a probable fu 1 ‘on the other, to say anything calculated to sup: port them in further resistance. Looking at the present distracted state of China, the nnarchy which is every day iucreasing, the new rebel Lion in Shonst (which was the main reason for the Chinese signing the convention of Pekin), and the immense power ‘Of the foreign invaders, it is much to be desired that the sent settienont should, if it possibly can, be fi pted by the Chinese government. But in ‘end it is necessary that the present position of af- shoul be analyzed and rightly understood, so far as the Chinese are concerned, in order that it nay be clearly fBeev What is the course to be pursued by Britain that will give the beat chance of this ratification and com being the commen: Deing understood that in discussing that quest nore the other question as to what chance they aifurd of Batisfactory settlement 1t is important to notice that the Convention of Pekin hhas been wrung from the Chinese government when onr foot was on its neck and our spear was at its breast. It y plain threat of sack close of Sir Grant Hope s proclamation of It had become a mat ‘of life and death, and it is vain to suppose that th was, or is, anything like‘‘assent’’ om the part of our prostrate foc. So well Was this understood in Pekin, That there were rumors among the Catholies there to the emony of signing was intended asa muere trap in which :o take Lord Elgin and his principal coadjutors. Allowing that to be improbable, it is certain that his Excellency guarded against the danger, and t hhe wae protected in the Hall of Ceremonies by Of spout 8,000 men, so posted as to rende impossible is ‘hardiy possiblble to treaty” or “agreement,” where & largo force required to secure the satety of the prin or of Prince Kung Was quite in position of matters, for thro ceremony his * expression was one of undi: ness, and he appeared to reply with chur! ‘that was said to him.’ No wonder that such was bis meanor, and Lord Figin appears to have wimilar spirit. It ie possible that neit! ore ‘@d with the situations in which they found themselves, ‘and both had apprebensions as to the future, have s0 much—jet us call it obstinacy, prid ‘of injustice, suffered at our hands, that they od with us as only, to use a om fing Pekin, as mi ( the succeeding years it prospered it was closed against ‘Uhan ever, and our position there was more un Doumiliating than it had becn before. The taking ‘Yuku forts was succeeded by the repulse, and al destruction, of an English force. The dismiseal of ret from Pekin was followed by a long resjito visita. bear in mind that the mililary force of ina a farmed, The Mongol army which is ‘difficulty in*the way of peace—may bave lost » tren, but it ang Glmost ia ity peeame forge, mad the Bang in-yon—that “impracticable Bran’ devotes bags say) of Pekin, watoling ap sprereenity for action. Paki or Manchn ‘Bannermen, the flower uf the Chinese pihwnme hi Hee ie iy Semone that ¢) emseen, but that was al imperial army, military force consecrated to the ation St ‘the empire, bas beid aloof, and is mot ly to commit itself’ in # hurry. AE fF i i fhe of Tien-tsin as & port of trade, 1 tie int rdict om omalazaticn to frtuh' teen the cession of Kow loag Koug are unobject ions tipulatic ‘rich tbs Chinese weif know are for ‘hate niterest as woll as for ours. ‘They aro the only points ‘p the convention which aro of roal value to England aud @ China, It is to be regretted that other points of no tance should have been thrust in, 80 aA to on " +f ‘the stipulations which all wish to be carried out. - first article, in which the Emperor expresses bis regret for the unfortunate affair at Taku in 1869, is put ina id all honor is due to those who have wery one regrets the unfortunate occur. wi Mr. Bruce is reaponaible. The ninth ides for the immediate evacuation of ‘Uhat the Chinese are quite aware how far ‘The Chinese have always en that Chusan is the key to China; and if reader examines the history of see that the occupation been the point to which the court of Vekin hae ever attached the t im- in matters of foreign policy. It is singularly euriove that the Chinese government —regarding which hers ate nol wanting recple who enppoee it to he tatiar rH ast hei pu it es of Pckin—The Treaty of NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1861 ‘Chosen has always been the key te China, It has been ccoupied by the Japanese, and it is dithicult to regard the | stipulation that Chusan sbould be ceded in any other hgbt oes as 4 preparation on the part of the Chinese to future acticn. Bot the eighth article of the treaty ts one more easily signed than enforced. That article provides for the pro- mulgation of both the treaties throughout the empire. It is undoubtedly bad and serious that the virgin capital of | China chould have been violated by the Ailies, but that " the fact should be advertised to the utmost corner of the crppire is something altogether beyond human endurance. The signature—in undisturbed sulkiness—of such a pro- vision is one thing; the carrying of it out is quite another, But these things must be allowed to go on to their own conclusion—one thing being certain, that time, | the great mediciner, will w nig own cure, although what member of the deceased complication wil! saffer most from his purgative doses is a question upon which ‘we decline to buzard apy conjects TAR TREATY. Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain aud Ireiand, ond bis Goperiel Majesty the Emperor of China, betog alike desfrous to pune to an end the misunjerstanding | at present existing between their respective goveru- meuts, and to secure their relations against ft in- terruption, have for this appointed pienipoten- taries, that is to say, her ly the Queen of Great Britain ana ireland, the Kail of Kigia and Kincardine: and ‘his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, his Imperial Highwess the Prince of Kung; who. having ‘mot and cdm- | municated to cach other ir full powers, and finding , these to be in proper form, have agreed upon the follow- ing Convention, iu nine articles ~~ Articlo 1. A breach of friendly relations having been occasioned by the act of the garrison of Taku, which obstructed her Britannic Majcaty’s representative when on bis way to Pekin for the purpese of exchanging the ratitications of the treaty of peace concluded at Tieu-tein in the month of June, one thousaad eight bundred fifty- cight, bis Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China ex- promass bis deep regret at the misunderstanding 50 .00- casioned. . Art. 2. It is further expressly declared that the ar- rangement entered into at Shanghae in the month of Oc- tober, one thousand eight lundred and fifty-eight, be- tween her Britannic —— Ambassador, the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, and bis Imperial ity’s Com. missioners, Kweilang and Hi na, regarding the r dence of her Britannic Majesty’s representative in China, is hereby cancelled; and that, in nce with article 8, of the treaty of 1568, her Britaonic Majesty's represen- tative will henceforward reside permanently or oecasion- auly at Pekin, as her Britannic Majeaty shull be pleased to decide, | Art. 8. It is agreed that the separate article of the treaty of one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight is hereby annulled, and that in jieu of the amount of in- demnity therein specified, his Imperial Majesty the Em- peror of Chigu shall poy the sum of eight millions of taels in the folloWing proportions or instalments, namely:—At ‘Tien-tsin, on or before the thirtieth day of November, the sum of five hundred thousand teals; at Canton, and on er before the first day of December, one thousand eight hundred and sixty, three hundred and thir ty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-three taels, jess the sum which shall haye been advanced by the Canton authorities towards the completion of the British factory site at Shameon; and the remainder at the ports open toforeign trade, in quarterly payments, which Shall consist of one-fifth of the gress revenue from cus- toms there collected. The first of the said payments being due on the Sist day of Decomber, 1860, for the quarter terminating on that day. It is further agreed tbat these moneys shall be paid into the hands of an officer whom her Britannic Majesty's representative shall epect- ally appoint to receive them, and the accuracy of the accounts shall, before payment, be duly ascertained by British and Chinese officers, appointed to discharge this duty. In order to prevent future discussion, it is moreover declared that of the eight millions of tacls herein guaranteed, two millions will be appropriated to the indempification of the British mercantile community at Canton for losses sustained by them, and the remain- ing SIX millions to the liquidation of war exponses. Art. 4. It is agreed thet on the day on which this Con vention is signed his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China shall open the port of Tien-tsin to trade, and that it shall be thercafter competent to British subjects to re- side and trace there under the same conditions as at any other port of China by treaty open to trade. Art. 5. As soon as the ratifications of the treaty of one thousand ¢ight hundred and filty-ciglt shall have been exchanged, his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China will, by decree, command the high authorities of every province to proclaim throughout their furisdiction that Chinese choosing to take servico in the British colo- pies, or other parts beyond sea, are at perfect liberty to enter into engagemonts with British subjects for that pur- poso, and to ship themselves and their families on board any British vessel at any of the open ports of China; also, that the high authorities aforesaid shill, in concert’ with her Britanuic Majesty’s representative in China, frame such regulations for the protection of Chiuese emigrating, | as above, a the circumstanees of the ditferent open ports | may demand. Art. 6. With a view to the maintenance of law ani or der in and about the harbor of Hong Kong, his Imperial Majesty the Emperar of China agraes to cede to her Ma- jesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and to her irs and successors, to have and to hold as a dependency of her Britannic Majesty's colony of Hong Kong, that por- tion of the township of Cowloon, in the province of Kwang-Tung, of which a lease was granted in Derpoluity to Harry Smith Parkes, Feq., Companion of the Bath, a meniber of the allied commission at Canton, on behalf of her Britonnic Majesty's government, by Lan Tsung Kwang, Governer General of the ‘Two Kwang. It is turther declared that the lease in question is here- by cancelled; that the claims of = Chineso to property on the eaid portion of Cowloon shall be duly investigated by amixed commission of British and Chinese officers, and that compensation shall be awarded by the British goverument to any Chinese whose claim shail be by the said commission established, should his removal be deemed necessary by the British government. Art. 7. It is agreed that the provisions of the treaty o one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, except in 50 far as these are modified by the present convention shali without delay come into operation as soon as the ratifies. tions of the treaty aforesaid shall have been exchanged Jt is further agreed that no separate ratitication of the present convention shall be necessary, but that it shal take effvet from the date of signature, and be equally binding with the treaty above mentioned on the high con. tracting parties. Art, 8. It is agreed that as soon as the ratifications of the treaty of the year one thousand eight hundred and firty-cight shall have been exchanged, his Lmperial Majes: ty the «of China, shall, by decree, command the Digh anthoritics in the capital in the provinces to print and publish the aforesaid treaty and the present convention, for general information. Art. 9. It is agreed that as soon as this convention shall have been signed, the ratificatioris of the treaty of the year 1858 shal! have been exchanged, and an Imperial decree, respecting the publicat ‘the said convention and treaty shall have been promulgated as provided for by Article 8 of this convention, Chusan shall be evacu- y Her Britannic Majesty's troops there stationed, Britannic Majesty's force now before Pekin shall we its march towards the city of Tien-tsin, the 1, the worth coast of Shang-tung, and the torte of city of Canton; at cach or all of which places it shall be at the option of her Majesty, the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, to retain a force until the indemnity of eight millions of tsels, guaranteed in Article 3, shall have aid. Done Hy Pekin, in the Court of the Board of Ceremonies, on the 24th day of October, in the year of our Lord one thoutand eight hundred and sixty. HLGIN AND KINCARDIS (Signature of the Chinese Plenipotentiary.) CEREMONIES OF RATIFICATION, The ceromony took place in the Hall of Ceremonies, in Pekin. At three P. M. the procession entered the An-tin gate in the following order:—one hundred cavalry (de tachmonts of King’s Dragoon Guard, Probyn’'s and Fane's Horee,) four hundred intantry achmenuts of the vari ous regiments ot foot): offiecrs and others mounted; the general and staf; Lord Elgin in his green sedan chair, sixteen Chinees coolies in scarlet livery, at jetachment of cavalry and infantry. The from the gate was lined by detachments of infan- yanting to 2,000 men, who followed up the pro- & force of about On reaching the party pasted through a gateway the horsemen dismounted, and cession aa it passed, forming altogetiver 2000 men marching through the capital Hall of Ceremonies the into a court-yard, whet tho whole filed of on cithor aide, leaving an avenue throngh which her Majesty's envoy was convey- ed to the steps of the raised iloor of the hail, whilst x flourish of trumpets and, the national air sw Inted him as the soldiers presented arms. On de. ecending from his sedan chair his lordship was met by inee Kung, the Emperor's brother, who saluted in tho usnal manner of the Chinese, by extending the two arms rward with hands together, the Earl raising bis hat. Hi» lordship then walked towards the further end of the hall and took the seat of honor placed there for him, at ine time motioning the lrince to take the lower about fifteen feot on his right. Sir Hope Grant oe: cupied a chair on Lord Elgin’s left. A table, covered with tawdry embroidered cloth, stood before each. At and be hind a row of similar tables, runming fromm the back to the front, stall and other odlicors and visiters sat or stood, to witness the ceremony, and on the opposite side the Princes of the Couneil and mandarins of various buttons and feathors took up a similar position. Botween the two stood the attaches of the embacey, interpreters and othera engaged in the ceremony, at a table whereon papers, des patch boxes, &e., were placed. The exemination of cre | dentiais and’ other papers occupied about half an hour, and at a quarter to live o'clock the signatures of the high contracting parties were attached to the documents. Kung produced the Emperor's siguature in yermilion, with theseal of the empire attached on yellow paper, au thorizing him to sign the convention. “Lord Kigin then sent a message through the interpreters to Kung expresa- ing his hope that the treaty now conelnded would be lasting, to which the Tartar replied in trae Asiatic words, he Ee it would let o thousand years; that affairs had ‘been badly managed hitherto, bot that now he bad under. taken the control of thom he believed no misunder. standings would arise. On retiring, ae Lord Bigin walked tower: ® his sedanchair, Kong should haye boon at his ride, but he lagged behind a Uitle, and his lordship had to wait until he stepped forward. | Throughout the eore mony the prince’s expression Was one of andisturbod jens, he yy to reply with churlishness to said to him. He bad on a da marked silk long cont. The button on hig hat was co. verrd with red silk like the tase! which bung from it. Lord Pigin was in ambassador's uniform. He aesumed a cold and distant air, and doubtless felt the utmost dix gust at having to treat with the minister of # falee heart- ed and perfidions master. A sulate of twenty-one gina from « battery of royal artillery on the wall at the An- tin pate annotmeed that peace was established. It had Deon intimated that the neaal refreshments on such occa. sions would not be em ot; therefore none were of ton except the cup of taa, whieh is customary at all Reporte of intended treachory at the inst moment were communicated through Catholio priests. They were not believed, but precautions were taken against them by having @ large forve within the city, iaetead of an escort inerely ) as Was first intended. ‘This Hal! of Ceremonies is « cv entirely open in front, with lary pmon looking chamber, closed doors at the back, om which the nsual pictures of warfiven, Aes, ure puctod. From the ceiling in front hice were nine iam eine hangings, the floor woe partly —ongat sett Nowhe. om eens ' » ‘ fer | Opened pe INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE, Came jars Prax, Oct. 24, 1860. To my last, despatched on the 18th or 14th instant, I teld of the occupation and sacking of the Emperor's pa of Yuen minyuen, and the surrender by the au- thortties of the An-tia gate (Gate of Peace), a quarter of aan hour before the wall was to have beem breached, if uot eably. ‘The force that then entered still oc- eupy the position; the French on the East, the British on the Western ramparts, with fleld pieces commanding the city and wulls, Several brass guus were taken, one of very large size, eleven fect long, ornamented with devi- ccs uad Mapicheou characters, others of various di- mensions. ‘there is algo one wood and cleverly sheathed with copper, an excellent imitation of a brass gua. No ove is allowed to pass jh the gate without a , fad then only permitted to advance about one bunudrea yards, where & rope is across alo to keep the Chinese back, who congregate in hunvdress {o look at the barbarians and listen to the bands. There are six shops within this space, in which there is only grain, dried fruits, joss &e. for sale, There is also @ market for fruit, vegel From the rampart there is an extensive view ov city sud. surrounding country, but ther trees (tne. that roth | see LR ge is, the houses being y of only’ one story. - pul build gs are the rovis of which, being ef glazed thes, green or yellow, have « good effect. streets are wide anc more than in the Southern cities, Dut the honses and shops baye an appearance of poverty 1 di'wpidation that was uuexpectea im the capital of the Celestial kmpire FUNERAL OF THE UNFORTUATE CAPTIVES. Of the unfortunate party that were captured by San-ko tia-sin’s army on the 18th ultimo at Chan-kia-wau, Brabazon, Quartermaster General, R. A., the Abbe Luc aud some Freuch belonging tothe Scientitic Society, are stil! unaccounted for. two former are believed to have been decapitated by order of a Tartar general who had them prisoners withhim. He was wounded iu the battle of the 2lst, and in exasperation ordered their exeoution. ‘The account is given by Chinese Catholics, and the Rus- tiang say two Ecropeans were decapitated at the Stone Bridge, Pah-li-chao, near Tung-chow, where the Tarta- camp was. ‘The authorities pretend on th: subject, but the circumstance of the not being produced gives color to the truth of the re; Tho number of Freach who were of the Party. is not correctly ascertained, but there bs gad to be four or Give esill unac- counted for. Those who providentially escaped, after much torture, are Messrs. H. 8. Parkes, C. B.; H. Loch, Captain Fscayracke, a French officer, five Trench privates and eleven sowars—together nineteen. Those who un- Dbappily sank under the inhuman treatment of the bar- barous cruel foe, and whose remains were sent into the eamp, are:—W. de Norman, attache to the British Lega- tion at Shanghae; Me. ft. W. Bowlby, special cor- respondent of the Temes; Lieutenant ‘and Adjutant Andersou, Fane's Horse, private Phipps, King's Dragoon Guards; four sowars and three French—-together eleven. The bedies coula only be recognized by the dresses in which, in some instances, they appeared to have been wrapped after having been stripped. A de- scription of the state of these poor victims 1s too horri- {ying to be related. The tightness of the cord with which they were bound cat into the flesh, and caused a linger- ing and painful death by mortification. The wodies of the Sowars were given to the Sikh cavalry, who, as ix the custom, burnt them, ‘The French were delivered to our Athes, and the four British were buried in the Russian cemetery, outside the An-tin gate of Pekin, on the 17th. At noon the procession formed at the Llama Temple, and marched in the following order to the Russian ceme tery, half a mile from the city, the band of the Mities playing a slow march:—One Oe} Dragoon Guards, one troop Fane's Hore, an officer twenty men of each European corps (armed); the Commander-in-Chief, the Far! of Elgin, chief mourners. The corpses on gun Wagons, each ‘drawn by six horses, Mourners—nearly all the’ officers of the English, and a large number of the French army, including Genera! Montasban, Com- mander-in-Chief. ‘ ‘The burial service was read by the Rev. —M'Ghee, chaplain to the British forces. The priest of the Greek Church attended by request, in his pontifical robes, hold- ing on high the emblem of our saith. Father Mahce, the Roman Catholic priest attached (o the British army, was present. Three volleys were fired by the Intauntey. was a mournful una affecting ceremony to witness these poor Christian victims of beuthen barbarism laid in their un- timely grave. The cemetery is about a quarter of a mile outside the northern wall of the city. The grave is on high ground, just within the inner gate. ‘Tho coffins were laid eide , from north to south—Private Phipps, then Lieut. Anderson, then Mr. De Normann, and then Mr. Bowlby. Tho Reyal Engineers are to place a tomb over the poor fellows, and if the British goverment coes pot creet a monument to their memory it is to be hoped that it will be done by private subscription. The Chinese authorities have been made to pay the eum 000 tacks of silver (ony £100,000) for the families and frievds of the deceased. “The exact amount for each will be decided by her Majesty’s government, the maxi mum it is said will be £10,000, and the survivors who escaped will participate, in consideration of their suffer- ings. One Sowar has died since he came into camp from the effect of his injuries. THE EMPEROR'S SUMMER PALACE. Before attempting to describe the beautios of this lovely neighborhood, it will be necessary to say a fow words on the capture of the palace by the Fi ; and how it happens that the French were on the spot before the Engiish troops. 1 will therefore quoto briefly an ac- count of the day (6th October), submitted tome by an oflicer in the cavalry brigade. ‘At early morn the army started from the brick kilns, where it had halted the day previons, and led onwards, keeping the right of the northeast angle of ’ekin. The French were ad- vancing on the left. At cleyen a halt was called, while tho line of operations was discussed. According’ to ro- port, the enemy were encamped in front of the Tih shing gate on the north face of Pekin. It was determined that the French and English should advance together, the one keeping the left hand, the other the right, and in this or- der attack the enemy’s camp, while the British cavalyy. under the orders of Brigadier Pattel commanding, should find their way to some open spot on the broad road lead- ing north from the gate, in order to cut off the cuemy’s retreat northwards. ‘The Cavalry Brigade then left the rest of the column, and worked in a north west direc tion, until they found’ the road on whieh they were or- dered to take their position, The skirmishers reported large bodies of Tartars moving to the north, and two squadrons of Pobyn's Horse were sont after them, but the Chinese got the hint and made off too fast, A few shots were then heard, and the brigadier moved towards the town. When arrived at the Pebting temple they met tke French, who were making anxious inquiries after the British infantry, and sayimg that ## Sir Hope Grant had appcinted the’ rendezvous at the Summer Pulnee, they would make for tht place. The brigadier, thinking that the rost of the British army had gone on, gave orders to march for the Sumer Palace, When ar rived at the villages eurrounding Hai-teen further in- quiries were made after the army, when the natives re plied that they had seen no one pass in their neighbor hood. Brigadier Pattel then went to meet the Frenci, who were first advancing and offered to co-operate with them. The French general said he was going to attack the paiace at once, and begged that the cavalry might keep the right to cutoff the retreat of the Tartars. It Was getting dark when the brigade arrived at the walls of the gardens, and the first thing to be done was to tind 8 place to encamp in, so the horses’ heads were turned out of the village again to the left to seek an open piece of ground. Meanwhile the French advanced to the chief entrance, forced open the gate, and had a small skirmish with the eunuchs, who defended the place, killing two and wounding several others. Two French ofticers were wounded. Next morning the Fronch officers entered the palace with several of their men, and looted right and left A fow good things were placed on one side to be divided between the sovercigns France. After the French had enjoyed the whole day’s looting, many of them thereby making their fortune, the General gave permission to the British officers to bring away 98 much as they liked on the 8th and @ commission was nominated to do eo, and sell it for the benefit of the army. Many oficers found large pieces of gold worth hundreds of pounds, and as a great deal of dissatisfaction wax so caused, the General called it all loot, ond had everything sold by public auction. Two-thirds of the meney so produced was given to the solciery, one-third to the officers. ‘The General himeelf gave up his share, and in return the officers made him a present of a handsome gold claret jug, of Chinese manufscture, intrinsic value £128 ster. ling, which constituted a portion of the loot. After the Freneh had arrache all they could bring away, they went about with large sticks breaking to pieces the remaining curiosities, which were of rather bulky size, and then, as a finale to their work of mischief, before Teaving they set the private residence of the Emperor on fire, and suflered it to burn to ashes. ‘The imperial paved roadway from Pekin to the Sum mer Palace iseues at the Se-cho gate on the west side and continues with a few windings in the direction of ® group of villages of different names, con glomerately called Haiteen. The stoneway carries you through this group of ugiy houses; you emerge on to a broad road, with this pavement throdgh ite centre; stone garden walls stand on each side of you to tho right and left. They enclose the grounds of nobles and imperial connections. You advance suivant le pare, crogs a stone bridge, take a sweep to the left, and. the road brings you between two large pieces of water in frout of the grand entrance to the palace of Yuon-ming yuen. It was here under the trees the French ew camped. You advance through the portals, and enter upon a large paved court yores in front of you stands the Grand Reception Hall, a large Chinese bullding, well adorned exteriorly with paint and gilding, and netted under the fretted eaves to keep the birds off) you enter its central door, and find yourself ona smooth marble iloor infront ef the Emperor's ebony throne, ‘The car. ving on this throne is quite a work of art. Tho foor of the throne was carpeted with a light red cloth, and three low series of steps led up to it, of which" the central series was the widest, being intonded for Kow-towing on before the Emperor. The side of the room wes covered with one extensive picture, representing the grounds of the Summer Palace. Side tables were covered with books and articles of verte. On the right of the building wore houses after houses well furnished with silke, curiosities and luxuries of all kinds, most of them having gardens in He anid engl | fa My ei Behind arand wos Reokery, rear of that oqein a large pond, 80 that a pebbied path, leading over a bridge and tating a semicircular sweep of half the: water, had to bo traversed You #isited the next ball. The distance waa about five hundred yards. This hall was smaller, and not got wp with 40 much care, yellow sedan chairs and one mountain chair stood cloeo to the throne. ‘On tho right and left thore wore small rooms adjoining, with images of Bhuddba. Behind stood another reception ball, and in rear of that again» third, and on tho lett the Emperor's private rooms, yeautifully got up, with table strewn with all manner of precious articles, many of which were English or French. The rearmost room was Emperor's bedroom, communicating with the room in frout by @ door covered with a blind. A large niche in the wail, curtained over md covorad with eilk mattresses, served for the be, and a sloping platform cpabled his Majesty to mount into it A amall silk bandkerehi@! was under the royal pillow, end pipes aud other Chinese Inxuries were standing on tables by. The Fmpress’ two rooms were on the extreme loft, apd, these past, you came again on pebbied paths carrying you past lakes, into grottoes, through summer houses, nnder magnificent trees, antil von quite loet your. + th bevwtldermen’. The ean ond Reltians fen b Uen of th nario “vnpliod ‘ grounds: but they are more like an extensive park walled round and ebounding in all that is most lovely of the Chincse picturesque, Its construction and the accumula- tou of tue precious property it. cootained must have been the work of centuries. The Wan-show yuen or Birthday Garden is situated about a mile west of the Summer Palace. The Empe- ‘ersiug durough the vilage of Talog-hng-chehon, winds versing thro e vi jung-cheaou, winds to the left and leads to another py called the Chin-ming-yuen (Goiten and Brilliant Garden), the walla of which enclose two hills, the one sur- macunted ay 4 six storied monument, the Ya tsing-t’a, andthe other by « steepled lamasery im ruins Some two miles further on, on the side of’ the west hills, be- youd the various villages of the eight banners which speckle the plain, yougee the fourth and not the least Deantifel oe Emperor's gardens, the Heaug-shan or Fragrant Hills, It was these gardens and lovely spots that the First division started to destroy om the 18th October, The barbarous treatment shown by the ‘ing to the un- fortunate victims that they had trapped at Tung-chow, demended somo retaliation on our part, and asa portent of what they might expect unless thes umbed, it was rounds. ty star pa ‘and not hts hours ‘eugech before the risivg columns of smoke betokened the commencement of the work of de- struction, ‘The view of the country below from the hill top in the ‘Wan show-yuen was mostiperfect, you looked down on a acrics of hardgome temples, a large lake with a templo standing in its bosom with a marble bridge of arches stretching from it to,the shore; the open ovuntry south, with its groups of v1! a and trees, 4 tier of hills on the right, and Pekin away in the distance. ‘The 19th of October was the great day of destruction, black masses Of smoke rose continually from the gardens, giving the appearance of 4 fearful thunder storm impend- ing. Unfortunately the houses of the surrounding vil- ere not spared in the general destruction, and und» of unhappy subjects had to suffer for the sins ir rulers. general gave orders to spare the monument as a work of art; all other public build| in the neighborhood were destroyed. The Tartare in ti different banner villages appeared greatly alarmed, think- ing their turnmight come next. They turned out {n great numbers with warm tea and cake to regale the goldiers on their return from the hil! gardens. fore sunset of the secend day every place had been fired, and the sol- diers were marched back tocamp at the Sin-shing gate. ‘We passed the summer palace on our way back; flames and smouldering ruins debarred our every way. ‘We passed the entrance gate, and watched with pleasure the daring flame curling into grotesque festoons and wreaths, as it twined im its last eabrace the grand portal of the palace, while a black column of smoke that moved straightwards to heaven from the already root falien re- ception ball, formed a tine deep background to this living picture of active red flame that hissed and crackled as if glorying in the destruction it spread around. “ Re- venge 18 sweet.”” We muttered to ourselves, Sic transit gloria mundi. THE SECESSION MOVEMENT. Press on the American Caisis. [From the Londou Post, Dec, 98.) ‘The proverbial end of the pitcher that goes too often to the well is known to most of us. The approach to the dissolution of the American Union—that mighty federa- tion which was to haye gone on growing in strength and power til its glory should oyershadow the carth—bas re- curred oftener than the well-wishers to that great com- munity could desire, More than once already the direful danger has been staved off by compromises; but conces- sions froin the stronger or the weaker for the sake of peace, generally unjust in themselves, have their limits. For forty years the struggle between the North and tho South has been raging, and from no Pisgah can the promised land of peace be seen. In 1820 there was an equal number of slave and free States, and a struggle ensued for a majority in the Senate, the most important element in the government of the United States. The territory of Missouri claimed admittance into the Union as a St ‘The Northerns heid that each new State should choose iis institutions for itself. The Southerns, on the contrary, were resolutely doter- mined that either slavery should be established in the candidate State, or that a new slave State should be ai- ways admitted to the Union whenever it was augmented by afree one. On the first point they failed, on the se- cond they seemed likely to succeed. A system of ad- mitting States by pairs appeared likely to prevail for some tme, when the question of the admission of Missouri The English brought the matter to a different issue in this fashion. ‘The Louisiania which Napoleon sold to the Americans in 1803 for eighty million francs was a than the Am reat deal larger ‘an State which now bears that name, been ceded to him by Spain; but even two years before the fatal Trafalgar, he despaired of detenving the Mississippi from the English, and consider. ed, justly enough, that five millions of money was a much betier thing than a distant possession not yery productive and not very defensibie. The southern portion of this territory subsequently became, in 1812, the existing State ot Louisiana. In 1819 another portion, not contiguous to Louisiana, but farther north, and bordering on the Missouri as well as the Mississippi, applied to be admited into the Union when duly peopled—that is, contain- ing forty thousand inlabitante—and this brought for- ward the question of the admission of the State of Missougi. “With it came. some. other questions, too, There Was nothing in the clinate or productions of Mis. sour to make any special resort to negro labor necessa- ry. Some cotton is, indeed, grown in the southeastern counties, but wheat and Incian corn are the staples of its Produce: hemp, flax, oats and tobacco are also raised, e Winters are £0 severe and Jong that for three years out of five the Mississippi can be crossed on the ice at St. Louis. That great river is often frozen for two months together. Altogether, its climate is anything but tropi «i rather wosuitable to the African race than favor- It was othe: wise, however, with the two other kansas, 2 portion of the French ces- able. candidate States. sion, lying between Missouri and Louisiana; and Florida, for the purchase of which from Spain a sum of two mil lion dollars had been appropriated during Mr. Jefterson’s Presidency: but the ish government not seem ing inclined to enter into that bargain, the country was tuken jon of by General Jackson, Theso two came legitimately, if there is such a thing, or at all vents climatologically, within the thernal lines which on the other side of the Atiantic are supposed togive man a lawful title in his fellow man, and were only waiting for the admission of Missouri into the Union to ciaim their own, upon which occasion the Southern politicians were determined that the whole three shoule enter the Union as siavo States, thereby giving them a majority of six inthe Senate. The poli Uicians of the North, onthe other hand, contended that the constitution contained a power to make conditions in matters of strictly republican principle with candidate States, and that strictly republican principle, as hold ng all men to be equal, required that the extengion of sla very toa new foil, or, indeed, its admission into the Union on any conditions, should be prohibited. The crisis ‘Was alarming, and it embittered the latter do of the surviving heroes of the Revolution, “From the battle of Bunker's Hill to the treaty of Paris,”’ wrote Jefferson to Adams “we never had so ominous a question, 1 thank God I shall not live to witness its fsue.” Even some months afterwards, wheo the com ise had for a time set the question at rest, prom| he still expressed his alarm.“ Thix momentous question, like a fire-bell at aight, awakened and filled me with ter ror. I considered It at once as the knell of the Union. It is hushed, indeed, for the moment. But this is a reprieve only, not a final sentence. A geographical line comeiding with'a marked principle, moral or political, once concety- ed and held up to the angry passions of men, will never be obliterated, and every new irritation will make it doeper and decper.”’ As JJetierson died in 1826, he never again had the pain of seeing the Union endangered. The thinkers of the day—Adams, Jay, Story, Sarshall—all shared his apprehensions; the only way out of the dith culty seemed to bea present yielding to the South, on condition that it should be for the laet time—this last timo, however, involving the admission of Florida and Arkansas into the Tujon as slave States, their climate and productions affording a colorable excuse for slavery, to Which Missouri could set up no pretence whatever; and, finally, Mr. Clay managed to tide over the emergency by A compromise embodied in an enactment passed carly in 1820, . * ’ » This ts the celebrated Missouri compromise, and thus was the first spastn in that great and growing body politic ed. But the snake was scotehed, not killed. The prohibition of slavery porth of a certain line, known as * Mason and DAKon’s line,” implied its establishment in new States south of that line: and Arkansas and Florida were admitted first as slave Territories, and then as lave States, in 1896 and 1845 respectively.’ For many the question slumbered, but the Union was desti to onderge another rough’ shake before the disturbances about the Nebraska bill in 1 id the troubles about Kansos ence moro exhibited the Fkeleton in the cup ponr’ [From the London News, Dec. 27.] It fe not surprising that Englishmen are heard saying that they hardiy know what ¢o think or believe about Ame Affairs, becanse every mail brings statements and provnoetications, not only contradictory to the last, but mutvally irreconeileable, ‘The truth is the impres sions of the reporters change from hour to hour; and the prospects of the preservation of the Tuion, an‘ of peace, are bright and clonded half a dozen times betweod It is eo at Washington; and the im- morning snd night. pressions of people at Washington are those which are sent to ns, with some increase of uncertainty from their passage through New York or New Engiaad. If we con. sider for a mement, wo shall see how natural this ix. At Washington the calmeat man is hardly in poeseseion of his proper judgment, because he is surrounded by peopie who are agitated. Nothing like Chis agitation has been witnessed there before be any living man, Thore is only one bely of politicians, of the multitude assembled there, which shows a cheerfil steadiness amidst the fluctua. (tons of rumor mnt of mon’s moods; and that is the stout band of republican members from the Northwest; and these are precisel, . who do news letters from to us in apy way. first, fhe members of © Thug fur, theee men seem to base saneed Congressional manners, They have Dinstered as vsual, They are very silent—some say sullen. This betokoa determination, or it may be beenure the oe which they formerly to avert by bluster is cow irreversible. However this may be, and while it is Known that they differ among theanselves almost as much as from their fellow Congressmen from the North and tho Wost, they agree in = gloomily silent. "They speanancyenly swore to leave the U lean President were elected, and the oath is a grove emabarrassment now. ‘The Fepresentatives from. the frontier elavo States are frantic for compromise. go avout ali day long agitating one of them has yet suggest: iblcan party would Mater to for a moment. Bora of tho Western froo States ki Kastern erably steady; but the long habit idity and sion ix not to be overcome in @ day, and the whole dange: of the situation, in fact, lier in the doubt about wi tain men the Iatter region may do in whole aspect of soolety in the federal capit that of alarm, and it is not amelorated tokens of panic Which are visible in every street. ar seld off for what (hey will fateh, amd other Kinds being ran ble by h all this there is every Even South to stand sections at such a time. where manifest » desire to avoii Sighting. Carolina does not pretend to suppose herself able up tp battle against the world; and the rich and North bas no more desire to conquer iv that way the South to be conquered, But this very anxiety for peace, common to ali parties , tencs to make them nervously watchful of the ehances of war. Oa the slightest appre- hension of a wurn of the scale men run to the telegraph office, and send the alarm along the wires for thousands of mies; and before the wires ure still there are hopeful ) Udings of to be . In the midst of these ‘Changes the only sensible thing for ‘ut a distance to | co is to ascertain, fix, and abide by the unvarying points of the case, to which they may rofer ail fuctuations, and by which they may form some steady Juagment ‘of proba- bilities. ‘Those who live as far off as we do many posaibl be better able to bold this course than citizens awe to the midst of the agitation; and it is the only which we ure likely to learn what to expect. * But there ure two considerations of the gravest importance, of whieh we hear nothing, because of their gravity. When we listen to our neighbors discussing the cuse by the hour egetber, we bear tuem occasionally end with the remark thoy have talked over all par- ties but those who are at the bottom of the whole mut- ter—the slaves. This is one of the two points of tho “othe egroce may easily be dropped oat of the case 1 may casi out case in Nortberst discuss! reams, amidst all that is said about ‘fanatical abolitionists,” the in the free (hove of black sla the hs Ose slaves. ve Pat gy hd it; and they ere, cal movement is not on their account; ‘ ‘ scarcely soe... tho Sete all. it 1s to preserve 1y of legislation, of speech and the press, and of the versous and of the citizexs, that the free States have at last used their majority to check the ene of the South. But im the South the negro is an all-important . the affectation of leaving him out of tho ‘account, in plazning seccesion, betrays the seriousness of the alarm which causes such concealment. In one newspaper in twenty, op one day in a month,we may find a brief hint that this or that planter cannot be depended on for secession, or that ho declared for continued union, Decause he is not satisfied of the “tidelity” of the negroes. A profound silence otherwise prevails, and it is evidently hoped that people outside will not remember that element of the question. It should be kept im view, however, in all speculations on the coming tme. How is South Carolina to transact all the business, and acceptall the risks of iadependent soveroignty, with a servile popwation more numerous than the free, and per- fectly aware that it is the cause of the whole quarrel? Next, there is the money element. Every year wo have heard the complaints of the South, in its commer. cial copyentions, of its poverty. It has been the grand theme for many years—thot poverty, and the consequent dependence of the South upon ‘the wealthy North. Amidst the Loasts now proifered by the seceding States of the ports they will open, and the lines of navigation they will establish, and the trade whey will ongross, we hear not a word of question or answer as to where the meats are to come from. Mortgaged lands and disaf- fected negrocs will not procure loans, and there is no other security to ote. jothing Farther pond etait. ‘That independence wil uire funds, at fands aro not proourahle fare facts which cannot bo disputed, xed points to which floating schemes should be reverred. rng Skating Under Difficultics. A STUPID AND DANGEROUS HOAX—TiIE METROPOLI- TANS “ SOLD'’—SNOW VERSUS ICE—LADIES’ ARDOR NOT DAMPED BY THE SNOW, ETC., ETC. “What is one man’s meat is another man’s poison.’, ‘So it was proved yesterday; for although the heavy fall of snow will, if not spoiled by a softer change, be a great help to the sleighing community, it did anything but help the skaters. But notwithstanding all the disadvantages arising from such a cause, over five thousand persons visited the pond during the day, although scarcely more than fiftecu hundred were on the ice at any one time. ‘Numbers came in the morning, skated till dinner time, and then left for the day; while others took their places in the afternoon and skated till dusk. Several ladies who wore on the ice before the snow began to fall seemed de- termined not to be driven from it, and, having veils over their faces to keep the snow from them, skated and fell, and skated again, although their runners threw up the snow in a miniature shower ever stroke they mudo. Misa Brittain, from Salem, made quite a sensation in waltzing, &c., during the heaviest part of the storm. + THE M. P.'S SOLD. Shortly before four o'clock yesterday afternoon the eaceable skaters were surprised at seeing a number of lue-couted, shiny-topped Metropolitan policemen rushing on the pond from aiimost every direction, and on inquiry being made of them as to the cause, they said that a state- ment had been left at each individual up-town station house that the ice on the pond bad given way and about fifty people drowned. ‘They had therefore come to the Park to render what aseistance they could. Now this was very good fun to deceive the sharp officers, and as there was no cause for their services, a laugh at them can perhaps beaflorded. But there is an old fable of the ‘ shepherd boy and the wolf” which might be read with profit by such'practicgl jokers, for if the assistance of the men was really required “ona pinch,” it could scarcely be expected they would travel over a'mile tobe, as they would think, aguin ‘“sold."” Thus, what might now be considered a8 a good joke may really be very dangerous to the cause of humanity. SLEIGHIN o A large number of sleighs and cutters were to be seen on the drive during the whole of the storm, and many of the occupants got out and visited the pond.’ Some little inconvenience was felt for the want of shelter for the horses, at the nearest stable is situated at the White House, on Fifty eighth street, and, though wishing to skate, mavy of them did not iike to leave their horses standing iv the storm. For accommodation of those who may not own cut- ters, and as these vehicles are not to be hired within any reasonable distance, an application bis been made for the privilege of letting cutters within the limits of the Park, which privilege is expected to be to the applicant. Doubtless this will, under proper restrictions, be found to be a boon to the public. SKATING. It has been ascertained from the books kept by the keepers of the skute tents that on Sunday over cleven hundred pairs of skates were lot out during the day, and nearly two hundred sliding chairs, A very useful article has recently been introduced on the pond in the shape of ap ankle brace, which is fastened to the skate by a plate secured by the heel screw, a metal bar paseing up the outside of the leg, aud fastening around the calf by means of broad webbing straps and buckles. These braces can be easily attached to any ordinary skate, and may be found very beneficial to novices, especially females, and are to be had for hire at the tents on the pond. In consequer co of the heavy snow storm the pond was not illuminated last night, alihough Professor Grant and his son were on the ground. In fact, at fifteen minutes to six o'clock P. M., only twelve persons were on the ice, and three of these were officers so caiciam lights were scarcely needed. It was yeétorday ramored that the Philadelphia Club would practise onthe ice to-day if the weather permitted, accompanied by the President of the Boston Ciub and several expert &katers from this and the neighboring cities. THE SNOW. | A very large gang of men are employed in keeping the {ce clean, and when any heavy fail of enow occurs. the expense of this work is somewhat considerable. The cost of removing the snow on the last gpcasion was one hundred and forty dollars, and laet night's work may even exceed this sum. The daily cost of this work ranges from $26 to $160. To keep the walks of the Park in even decent order employs a large force of men, and entails considerable cost. From the appearance of the Park last night the men will have enough to do to make it fit for vsiters to-day. Naval Intelligence. (Frow the Boston Daily Advertiser. | Usirrp STATES Sreamek Riewtoxn, ) Srezzia, Sardinia, Dec. 24, 1860. | 5 Since the date of my last. letter the force of our little squadron has been augmented by the arrival of the warner Susquebanna, commanded by Cuptain George N. Hollins, and carrying 940 officers and men and a battery of sixteen guns. “She arrived at Spezzia on the 5th of this month, having made the passage from Key West to Madeira in seventeen days, and thenee coming here al- most direst, stopping only’ two days at Gibraltar. She left to-day for Naples and Messina, aud trom thence goes to Syria to take to the sufltrers there the charitable con tributions sent out from Boston in the storeship Release. Fre Syria she will probably go to Alexandria, Syracuse” «ud Malta before rejoining the flagship, which she expects to do in about sixty days. The following officers have been transferred from her to other vessels of the squadron:— Chaplain, Charles H. Davis; Brevet Captain of Marines, John D. Simms, and Second Lieutenant Alan Ramsay, As" tant Surgeon M. P. Christian aud Passed Midahipman Jos, W. Alexander, transferred to this ship—the latter as ‘Acting Master; and Midshipman Thomas 1. Harrison to the gunboat Troquots. ‘The storeship Release arrived here from Boston on the 11th instant, with supplies for the squadron, and having now discharged her cargo she will sail in two or three days for Boston again, taking with her the sick of the squadron and one of our men under sentence of a sum mary court martial. ‘The Iroquois arrived at Genoa on the 4th from Naples end this place, Lieutenant D. B. Harmony, who came out with us as passenger, has joined the Iroquoie as third Lieutenant, Politics here, as at home, occupy overy mind, and great excitement prevails. Atl the Southern officers have re olved to resign the instant their States secede, Lieuten- ant Alexander F. Warley, from South Carolina, leaves to- ay for home far the purpose of resigning, and Lieutenant W. G. Dozier left two weeks ago wader similar ciroum- tancer— influenced. », Partly by private reasons. ‘One eaptain, 100, bak applied to be Miicved. boing from the same State i probably return to America bout the middle of February next. it many changes have taken place inthe officers itp, the subjoined list of them ae thoy now ato be officer commanding squadron, Charles H, Bell; tain, bancan N. Ingraham; Lioutenants, R. it. W Livingston Brecee, A. Boyd Cummings, Francie |i. Shop- Acting Maeter, Joueph W. Alexanders, Fleet. sur- Flag Oficer’s Secretary, Gideon Seull; 4 men, James M. Prichelt, Edward Terry, Byron Wilson, Clarke Merchart: First Assistant Engineers, Virginius dr.; Third Assistant Kngineors, Sa lL. iam Pollard, B, 8, Herring, He ward Williams; Sailmaker, Henry T. | Storeship Relief, is expected to anil from New York on or about the 20th inst. for St. Paul de Lowndo, Totter bage for the officers wnd crews of ships composing the African squadron will be made ap at the Na Pees S ard, MOCK A, Gd Torwdtu ’ Another Arson Case. COURT OF OYER AND TERINER, Hetore Hon. Judge Leopard, Jan. 14.—The District Attorney moved on the caso of Simon Katz, who was indicted for arson in the frst de. sequent investigabion Ss and his , Louis Katz, were arreated. The tessumony eLeued of the prisoner was somewhat simuar the investigation by Mr. Baker. Mr. H. L. Clinton de. fends Ube prisoner, and, from the large number of wit- nesses in attendance for the defence, the case is likely te ocoupy the court for some days. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. Monpay, Jan. 14—6 P. M. ‘The bank statement of to-day compares as fol- Ciroul'n. tows with that of last week:— Week: ending Loans. 8,698 2 seat Soros Stas 08 $120,625 465, oatoots 129,126,516 26,460,988 341,085 a — 1,604,458 $499,960 ~ — 1,621,513 The movemeht thus continues steadily from weck to week, the specie increasing and the loans decreasing. As the banks received since the above average was made up fully two millions from Europe and from Califorsia, they must hold at present -nearly $29,000,000 in specie. There is thus far ho falling off in the receipts, and as the ‘West begins to buy goods this spring we shall begin to receive back the gold we have been send- ing to the Soffh. It is probable that the country was never so rich in specie as it is at present— though the disturbance of trade at the South and the suspension of banks are likely to reduce their stock of gold below the usual average. The money market is easy. The lowest rates for mercantile paper are about 8 per cent, with an occasional exception at 7; a fair business is being done in good paper at 11.912. On call the supply is large at 6a 7 percent. The foreign exchange market opens with great firmness. Most of the bankers ask 106 for their bills on London—an ad- vanee of 4% per cent since last packet; francs are quoted from 5.32% to 3734. Mercantile exchange ig stronger and scarce, The stock market opened dull and lower this morning, there being very few orders to buy; but at the close of the morning session the neceasi- ties of the shorts brought them in as buyers, and prices rallied. In the afternoon the market was better, closing firm. The 12 per cent Treasury notes declined to 194 premium this morning. They are likely to be worth much more than this if, as Mr. Dix seems to think, the government will not require more than the $5,000,000 advertised for before Marq 4; and we think they can be safely recommended a3 aninvestment. Virginia sixes de- clined 1 per cent. The Virginia politicians appear to be bent on destroying the credit of the State. They ought to discern, clearly enough, that if Vir- ginia seceded from the Union her bonds would not be worth fifty cents on the dollar, and it would be very difficult indeed for her to pay the interest on them. Virginia has a large debt, and a de- fault in the payment of the coupons would bea severe blow to all her interests. Men of means in the Old Dominion should look to it. Very lit- tle business is being done in the speculative rail- road stocks. Bona fide broke's are not selling, and stocks are very scarce indeed; so that, not- withstanding the political disturbances, the bears are making no money. The closing quotations of the day were as follows:—Virginia 6's, 74a %4; Missouri 6's, 6734 a 68; New York Central Rail- road, 77% a }%; Erie, 38% a %4; Hudson River, 46% a 47; Harlem, 16% a 1%; do. preferred, 37 a 14; Reading, 38% a 39; Michigan Central, 5234 a Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana, 1444 a ¥%; do. guaranteed, 3344 a %; Panama, 113 a Wlinois Central, 78; Galena and Chicago, 66% 4: Cleveland and Toledo, 32% a 33; Chicago and Rock Island, 84% a 34; Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, 68 a %. A most important charge of Judge Smalley, on he subject of selling arms to the revolutionary party, will be found in another column. The views of the learned Judge were anticipated a week ago in this column; there can be no ques- tion but any one who sells arms or munitions of war to South Carolina or any other seceding State, or State about to secede, lays himself open to the pains and penalties of treason, and on the evidence of two witnesses may be duly hanged. The business of the Sub-Treasury is as follows $63,471 02 61,000 00 178,216 00 a sheds . 2,469/610 7% The exchanges at the Bank Clearing House this morning were $25,305,139 49, and the balances $931,962 67. The Gebhard Fire Insurance Company has de- clared a dividend of three per cent, payable on the 15th instant; the Central Railroad of New Jersey, a quarterly dividend of two and a half per cent, pay able on the 15th instant. A bill was read in the Pennsylvania Legislature on Thursday, providing for a resumption of specie payments by the banks of the Commonwealth on the second Monday of February, 1862, and reliev- ing all institutions with banking privileges from all penalties incurred by suspension on the 19th of November last. The New Orleans Picayune of the evening of the 9th says:— ' ‘To-cay’s market was generally active, and we notice again a large movement in cotton. ‘The Palestine brings dates from Liverpool to the 25th ult., but we baye nos received any financial or commercial report. The Port- land steamer is now fully due, with dates to the 28th. The money market is growing stronger, aud the disposi- tion to invest in uncoubted i8 on tho increase. Some transactions were effected in strictly Al names at 11 «12 per cent, and the latter figure was refused for a prime mortgage security. Some short paper was passed at 12.915 percent, There is a great abundance of unem- Ployed mene but an igen a view a the aa aracter the future, are out ve ‘spar ly. We notice some demand for stockae but fine only to a few favored descriptions. Within the last few days about 2.000 shares Bank of Louisiana have been taken at 154 a 156, and closing to-day with a gale at 15534. Loui- siana State Bank stock has been sold to the same ex. tent, principally at 160, but it is now held higher. For- ‘exchange was again higher to-day. Clear sterling sold at a range of 108 a 104, and one or two favorite signa- tures were above. The amount offering was rather limited. Some business was done in bill of lading drafts at 1014 101',. France likewise advanced. Very prime bills could have beon sold at ‘The extrome range is from that to Bf. 60. ‘The ‘tial inquiry for sixty days on New York, and some little was sold at the advanced rate of 234 per cent discount. But thero i no general market as yet for time bills, Sight was in fair demand at % a1 per cent discount. Bankers’ sold at 5, a %,and the banks check over the counter at 4 discount, The receipts of the Toledo and Wabash Rail- road for the week ending January 7 were as fol- lows:— Passongets...... Freight... The earnings of the St. Louis, Alton and Chica- go Railroad for the first week of January were:— P Prog Mails and express. Corresponding pet 18008 Os Increase in 1861. +++ $5,056 24 The following is a statement of the earnings of he Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad Company during the month of December, 1860, compared with the same period in 1859, vi: 1860. 1859. Iner. Deer. $112,015 46 108,386 90 5,620 16 a ++ SBATT 22 62,072 99 6,104 23 = , 2,600 00 = 8,375 00 — % 0 Maile.... 7,825 00 = 7,826 00 os - Rent of road.. 7,083 84 6.50000 1,589 34 _ Rents and mis, 8,176 41 2,788 61 887 80 “9 Total... .... $190,877 45 179,647 90 10,920 63 = ay Farn’s Jan. 1 to Dec.1, '60.$2,325 008 22 1,566,987 80 360,106 42 ‘The Memphis Argus of the 4th inst. says: Business men wore generally sureeerfal in obligations in bank yesterday. We aro bat Ua inaturiag tu-da, 2 whee’ ner ———————