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1254 THE LEADER, [Saturbay,
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LETTERS FROM PARIS. Letter CV. Paris, Th...
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CONTINENTAL NO TES. Authentic details of...
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The winter equinox _ has set in very sev...
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The Russian successes of Prince Andronik...
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On the 12th ulfc. ther anniversary of Se...
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Tho Caion , an express steamer, of tho F...
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
1254 The Leader, [Saturbay,
1254 THE LEADER , [ Saturbay ,
Letters From Paris. Letter Cv. Paris, Th...
LETTERS FROM PARIS . Letter CV . Paris , Thursday Evening , Dec . 29 , 1853 . The crisis in France is extraordinarily aggravated , and it will be difficult enough to get over the next three or four months without a catastrophe- I have mentioned in a former letter the frequent cases of incendiarism arising from personal enmities . I have mentioned the distress of the manufacturers and the shopkeepers—the former without commissions , the latter without customers . Now we find even official bodies venturing on remonstrance . The provincial
municipal councils were ordered to vote extraordinary charges for the maintenance of the bread tax at the nominal rate of 40 centimes the kilogramme ( 2 lbs . ) - In their December session several of these councils protested against this heavy impost , and eome even declared their refusal to pay it . "If . " they said , " as the Government alleges , the enemies of the present regime are but a knot of factious malcontents , it is . not fair that the mass of honest and good people should be taxed for fear of a few malcontents ; " The Municipal Council of Paris has begun to show its teeth at last . It first sent a deputation to Bonaparte , to remonstrate on the bread-tax
in Paris . This tax , you may remember , is fixed at the rate of 40 cents , a kilogramme ( 2 lbs . ) . The city has had to reimburse the bakers the difference between the fixed rate and the market price . Not less than 8 , 000 , 000 of francs ( 320 , 000 / . ) has been sunk already on this impost , in four months only , at a rate of 2 , 000 , 000 francs ( 80 , 000 / . ) a month , threatening a deficit of from 20 to 24 millions of francs ( 800 , 000 / . —960 , 000 / . ) in good time . At present all classes gain alike by this forced cheapness of bread . The city wants to return to the system of bread-tickets delivered to the working classes and paupers only . This would effect a saving of some 16 , 000 . 000 francs
( 640 , 000 / . ) on its eventual expenditure . The deputation , therefore , requested Bonaparte to abolish the present system , and return to the bread-tickets ; but Bonaparte flatly refused , insisting that the ticket system was a bad one , and that the present tax must be maintained . Thereupon a second deputation was sent to Bonaparte to represent that the consequence of this charge would be to expose the city to an enormous deficit , and to urge that the sums voted for the public architectural works should be devoted to the payment of the bread-tax
instead . Bonaparte replied , that he wouldn ' t hear of anything of the kind ; that not bread only , but ¦ w ork must be found , and that the city must vote , not six , but eight millions of francs for the public works . The city , on receipt of this reply , declared open revolt , and voted unanimously , excepting the votes of the Government agents , the abolition of the present bread-tax , and the return to the ticket system . Bonaparte will soon set matters to rights , by cancelling their decision , appointing ( for it is he who appoints ) another municipal council , and , if necessary , decreeing the budget of the city .
Now , the fact is that this vote of the council was a manoeuvre of the Fusion . All the members are Orleanists , and they act under orders in Paris , as in the provinces . As for the republican party , it is still as death . Not but what it still inspires fear ; witness the recent discovery of depots of arms in the Faubourg St . Antoine , and the ridiculous affiiir at Lyons . There , as at Paris , exists a vast secret organisation . The police , despairing of laying their hands on it in Paris , tried to do so at . Lyons . A secret agent of M . Carlier , ex-prefect of police , Avas despatched to Lyons , with orders to hold no communications but
with Persigny himself . This agent , disguised as an operative , frequented the cabarets where the workingmen meet , and tried to make acquaintance with them . Most of them hud nothing to say to the fellow ; some few did fall into his trap . They seduced others , and thus a few groups were got into good working order for tho police . The- agent gave himself up for one of the Lyonnose chief ' s ; simulated reporta , deliberations , orders of the day , and the whole apparatus of conspiracy . On the other hand , the secret agent of Persigny fancied he wus in relation with real working-men , and that from ramification to ramification he was rapidly gathering into his hands all the threads of an immense organisation . Unhappily for the Government it was all a
delusion— " diamond cut diamond . " These , pretended adepts were themselves mere agents of the secret police of Lyons . They , too , fancying they had laid their hands on a grand ringleader , transmitted regularly reports of conversations , & c , to the prefect of police at Lyons , That distinguiuhed functionary , naturally anxious to distinguish hituHolf fur skill and activity , was only too eager to light the mutch in order to extinguish it . His agents sot to work to incite the Puna agent to bring matters to a head : that ip , to a complete insurrection . The Paris agent driven to a corner promised n regular outbreak ; ho he distributed to every man Ills part . Off * went tho agents to tho prefect to denounce to him tho day , tho hour , tho plan of this famous insurrection . Tliai day the whole garrison
was ranged in battle array in the streets of' Lyons :. troops from the neighbouring quarters were summoned by forced marches to the defence of society ; but as the Lyons' agents on the one hand stuck to the prefect , and the Paris agent found himself without a single backer , there waa not a soul in the streets , and the police were " sold . " Such is the truth of the ridiculous affair at Lyons . The police was completely mystified by itselfc . Two days after the Moniteur confessed as muchv
While affairs seem drawing on to a denoument in Paris , while Henry V . ( according to a letter from M . de Blacas ) is preparing to visit London , while all the parts of the new comedy are being distributed to the actors , Bonaparte remains impassible as ever . He has lately passed his time in ^ standing sponsor to the infant children of his followers . One day it was to the child of his fosterbrother , another to his architect ' s son . When he is not standing godfather , he is engaged in
meditating grave and important decrees : such as that which forbids public functionaries to assume the title of Monseiyneur , a title appertaining of right to the Princes of the Imperial Family exclusively . The mania for etiquette is pushed to the last bounds of burlesque . What do you think they pass their time about at the Tuileries just now?—rehearsing the ceremonial of obeisance and presentation to be observed this year at the court- The ceremonies are to be those of the Court of Bavaria .
All the world of officials , from ministers to footmen , are learning how to bow gracefully , and the women how to curtsey majestically . The introduction of questionable ladies is to be severely guarded against this year ; there will be none but special invitations . It is also rumoured that a certain batch of princes and fiukes is to be created on . New Year ' s-day . A pretty noblesse for the France of 18541 The marriage of Prince Napoleon Jerome is also talked of . More fortunate than his cousin , he is to marry a real princess—his cousin Pauline Marie of Baden , just eighteen .
The greatest confusion and perplexity exist with regard to affairs in the East . It is certain that Bonaparte has resolved to act ; but it is equally certain that the action of France will continue to avoid clashing with ( de tie pas heurter ) Kussia . What a mockery ! To talk like a bully , and act like a poftroon ! How can we complain of Lord Aberdeen , when we are at least as bad as he is ? The French fleet will enter the Black Sea with orders to prevent the repetition of the Sinope butchery , but to avoid collision with the liussian fleet . It seems the English Government likewise deems this course of action noble and consistent , and . has sent similar orders to its ambassador and admiral . At least , we hear so . S .
Continental No Tes. Authentic Details Of...
CONTINENTAL NO TES . Authentic details of the butchery at Sinope were brought to Constantinople by the Retribution and Mogador steainfrigates , which had been sent to reconnoitre the scene of tho attack , and to bring back the wounded Turks . The following table shows the loss of ships and men , and the number of wounded : — " Tho Navick . 52 guns , 500 men , Ali Bey , captain ( killed ); opposed to a Russian three-decker . Blown up . " The Nezirn , 52 guns , 500 men , Hassan Bey , captain ( killed ); opposed to a Uussian two-deckor of 80 guns . Destroyed . " Tho Farsli Hut , 38 guns , 400 men , Ali Maher Bey , enpfcain ( killed ); opposed to a . Russian two-decker of 80 guns . Destroyed .
" The Gullu-Sefit , 24 guns , 200 men , Selb Boy , captain ( killed ) . Destroyed . " Tho Aon-IllaJi ( flag ) , 3 C guns , 400 men , Osinan Pacha ( lost leg and made prisoner ); opposed to a Russiau threedecker of' 120 guns , which , lost spara . " The Damiettn . 6 G guns , 600 men . Destroyed . " Tho Nedgbi-l ' eschir , 24 guns , 200 men , JluBaein Bey , captain ( prisoner ) . On shore , dismasted . " Tho Kald , 50 guns , 500 men , Elan Bey , captain ( eacaped ) ; opposed to a large three-decker . Blew up . u Tho Nezemiah ( flag ) , GO guns , GOO men , Husaoin Pacha , second in command , and Captain Kadi liny ( killed ); opposed to a large tliroo-dcckcr . Blew up . u Tho Faiai Mcrbout , 22 guns , 240 men , Izot Bey , captain . Destroyed . " The Taif steamer , 1 G guns , 300 men , 300-horse-powor . Not engaged . " Tho Iregli steamer , 4 guns , 150 men , 150-horflo power . Destroyed . " Making a total of 434 guns , and 4 , 490 men . " Russian guns G 00 , besides lour steamers and two friguten not in the action . Weight of ltusdian shot , G 8 lbu ., 42 lba , and < J 21 ba . Several shells and carcases used did not explode . Men . Wounded and sound , brought to Constantinople by Retribution and Mogador 200 Left at Sinopo , in charge of badly wounded 10 Wounded , left at Sinopo , could not bo moved . 20 Prisoners , as Kuppoaeti 150 Escaped on shore , it is presumed 1 , 000 Eucapcd , per Taif steamer 000 1 , 080 Total number of men 4 , 490 Accounted for 1 , 1180 Unaccounted for 2 , 810
Tho letters of the 12 th , by Trieste , again sneak «* ¦« . affair of Sinope , mentioning that the Turkish Govern had found it impossible to obtain any official reporfco ? X ? combat , as there , did not any longer exist a sinele not * either of the authorities of the town or of the ofcf K ?' fleet , in a state to drajv one up . The wounded Turks w * left by the Russians , these letters declare , pell-mell on tfc beach , such conduct being very different from that of Ih Turks , who have in all cases been as attentive to tl » wounded amongst the Russians as to their own men Th same letters repeat that the first intelligence of tlie siAm **
of the Turkish fleet at Smbpe was taken to Sebastopol bv steamer of the Lloyd Company . Hussein Pacha ' s conduct was marked with great gallantry , and when the first vessel on which he was on board was set on five , be got on board another and continued the combat . When this second vessel foundered , he threw himself iuto the sea , and although badfr wounded in the head , succeeded in reaching the shore biswimming , when he was killed b y ; a cannon ball . The loss of Turkey in the ' combat is estimated at 30 millions of piastres , and 3000 men killed or wounded ,
The Kussiau Admiral Nachimow addressed a letter to the Austrian Consul at Sinope , " regretting the destruction caused to the town , " and stating that it was " mainly caused by the obstinate resistance of the Turks , and hythe fire spreading from those of the ships which , blew up . " Amongst the ships destroyed at Sinope was a British merchant brig . Two of the seamen were lost . The captain and the rest of the crew got on shore . Another merchant brig was likewise burnt . The crews were brought to Constantinople by the Retribution . The greatest indignation prevailed at Constantinople . Cries of " To arms" were heard in the streets . The Capftan Pacha had demanded to be sent before the Grand Gouncil to clear himself from the responsibility of the disaster at Sinope .
The Winter Equinox _ Has Set In Very Sev...
The winter equinox _ has set in very severely on the Euxine . As many as eighty merchant ships are reported to have been lost , and the price of grain had risen enormously . A Russian man-of-war schooner had been compelled to bear up for the Bosphorus on the night of the 15 th ; she threw her guns overboard to avoid reprisals , but was provisionally taken by the Turks .
The Russian Successes Of Prince Andronik...
The Russian successes of Prince Andronikoff and General Bebakoff in Asia , seem to resolve themselves into two battles , of which the results were at least doubtful . At all events , the amazing successes convej'ed by the Russian bulletins to St . Petersburg were not known at Constantinople .
On The 12th Ulfc. Ther Anniversary Of Se...
On the 12 th ulfc . ther anniversary of Servian independence was celebrated at Belgrade , and for the first time the usual prayer aloud , " for our Russian protector , the Emperor Nicholas , " was omitted . The Russian Gonsul-General , wh » frequently crosses- from Semlin to Belgrade , did not assist at the ceremony . On the same day Izzet Pasha , the reaoluta old commander of the fortress , was gathered to his fathers . No action has taken place on the banks of the Danube ; but several skirmishes Detween the Cossack cavalry and the Turkish irregular cavalry . The correspondent of the Times , writing from Kalafat , says that it will take 50 , 000 of the best Russian troops to " pay a visit to Kalafat . " He speaks in the highest terms of the discipline and efficiency of
the Turkish forces , as also does the Spanish General l ' nm , who is now on his return to Spain , with the intention of returning to the scene of war in the spring . A Becond lino of breastwork is being thrown up at Kalafafc . Persia has declared war against the Porte , and against England , at the instigation of Russia . The Shah supplies a force of 30 , 000 men to be under the command of Goneral Yermolo . An embassy from Dost Mohammed , a determined enemy of Russia , has arrived at Teheran . A private letter from St . Petersburg of the 19 th instant , affirms that the exchange of the ratifications of an offe " ^ ® and defensive treaty between the Government of tho onan of Persia and Russia took place on tbe evening of tho low
instant . . „ . From Constantinople we learn that the meeting ot tno Grand Council , originally appointed to be held on the -5 Utn , had taken place on tho 18 th , for tho discussion of tlio collective Note communicated to Roscbid Pacha by the ambassadors of tho Four Powers , pursuant to tho agreement m December 5 . . ,. q The Porte was not disinclined to enter into negotiations with the Four Powers , on the following conditions : — That tho seat of the conference should not be Vienna . That the evacuation of the Principalities should bo
guaranteed . That no concession should bo mado to Russian chums . That all treaties between Russia and the Porto , os pocitiiiy the treatiea of Kainardji and Adrianoplo , should w " nulled . ,,. , i A further meeting of the Grand Council was announce for the 22 nd inst . It was foreseen that there wcio in Buperablo obstacles in tho way of an armistice botn in i » lack Sea and in Asia , and it was not likely th « t BW »« would bo disposed to yield to tho conditions laid aowu » j tho Porte .
Tho Caion , An Express Steamer, Of Tho F...
Tho Caion , an express steamer , of tho French QoWr ment , haa loft Marseilles , bearing tho imal > n f " ? H " '" _ tho two Governments of Franco and England toti « r bawwdora . She is expected to reach tho Turkish capita ^ the 5 th of January . _ _ , ¦ „„ ; ., tho Tho First Aide-de-camp of the Minintcr of Marine tf u bearer of theao despatches . By them , formal dircaion . given to the ambassadors to send tho two toots at onw i > Slack Sea . Thoir mission will be to tho ofloct that i n * ^ not to allow any ships of war , whether Russian or iu » ' ^ navigate that sea ; and they aro directed to wf \ K . tll 0 RuHH . an ships into Sebiwtopol , and all Turkish slnpa « ' ft ports on tha south nido of tho Euxine ; and , va c ^ refusal ori tho part of either , in case of necessity W ? » , tho The Bluok Sea w to be declared a neutral sea Aai » b coutiuuanco of tho war .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 31, 1853, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_31121853/page/6/
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