CHAPTER VIII.

FRANCE.-State of Trade in Paris at the beginning of the Year-Debate in

the Assembly on the Policy of France in the River Plate-Amendment of

M. de Rancé carried-Government has a Majority of only One on the

Education Bill-Depraved Character of Schoolmasters in France-Debate

on the Education Bill-Speeches of MM. Victor Hugo, Poujoulat,

Lavergne, Fresneau, Soubier, Montalembert, and Thiers-Second Reading

carried by a large Majority-Circular addressed by the Minister of the

Interior to the Prefects--General Jerome Bonaparte created a Marshal

of France-Speeches of M. Piscatory and General la Hitte on the Affairs

of Greece-Bills for curtailing the Licence of the Press-Speeches of the

Minister of the Interior, MM. Molé and Thiers, General Cavaignac, and

M. de Lamartine-Proposition of M. Larochejaquelin for consulting the

Nation on a Change of the Form of Government-Election of Three

Socialist Deputies for Paris-Monies voted for Ecclesiastical Bodies-

Budget for 1851-Debate on the Bill for the Transportation of Criminals

-Speeches of MM. Victor Hugo, de Lamartine, and Others-Opinion of

M. de Lamartine on Socialism and Communism-Bill for modifying the

Electoral Law-Report of the Committee-Long Debate in the Assembly-

Masterly Speech of M. Thiers-The Minister of Foreign Affairs announces

the Recall of the French Ambassador from London-Bill for the Dotation

of the President-Report of the Committee-Amicable Termination of

the Dispute on the Greek Question between Great Britain and France-

Debate on the Dotation Bill-The Amendment proposed by the Minority

of the Committee agreed to on the part of the Ministry

CHAPTER IX.

[202

Eulogium pronounced by the President of the Assembly on the late Sir

Robert Peel-Disorderly scene in the Assembly during the Debate on the

Law relative to the Press-Speech of M. Victor Hugo-Repetition of

Disorder in the Assembly-The Bill relative to the Press carried-Ap-

pointment of Committee to sit in permanence during the Prorogation-

The numbers chosen hostile to the Ministry-Prorogation of the Assembly

-Foolish Manifesto of the Comte de Chambord (Duc de Bordeaux)—

Important Letter of M. de Larochejaquelin-Death of the ex-King, Louis

Philippe, at Claremont-Progress of the President through France-His

Speech at Lyons-General Hautpool succeeded as Minister of War by

General Schramm-Struggle between the Ministry and General Changar-

nier relative to the removal of General Neumayer from his post-New

Session of the Assembly-Message from the President. TOPICS-1. Inte-

rior; 2. Finances; 3. Public Works; 4. Agriculture and Commerce;

5. Justice; 6. Public Instruction and Religious Worship; 7. War; 8.

Marine; 9. Foreign Affairs; 10. Resumé-Bill to defray Expense of call-

ing out 40,000 additional Troops-Report of Committee on this Bill-

Discussion on the Report, and Speech of the Minister for Foreign Affairs

on the Foreign Policy of France-Speeches of MM. Arago, De la Drôme,

and Remusat-The Bill carried-Speech of M. de Montalembert on Ob-

servance of Sunday in France

CHAPTER X.

[250

SPAIN.-Accouchement of the Queen-Marriage of the Comte de Montemo-

lin-Renewal of Diplomatic Relations between Great Britain and Spain-

Dissolution of the Spanish Cortes-Circular of the Minister of the Inte-

rior-Result of the Elections-Opening of the New Cortes-Queen's

Speech.

PORTUGAL.-Opening of the Portuguese Cortes-Royal Speech.

GREECE.-Claims of the British Government upon Greece-Narrative of

Facts relating to these Claims-Exaggerated Demands of M. Pacifico-

His Claims not a subject for State interference according to the Law of

Nations-Dispute respecting the Islands of Cervi and Sapienza-Inter-

views and Correspondence between Mr. Wyse and M. Londos-Seizure of

Greek Vessels by Admiral Sir William Parker-Acceptance by Lord Pal-

merston of the good offices of France-Baron Gros sent to Athens as

Mediator-Result of his investigation of the Claims of M. Pacifico-

Abortive Attempts at Agreement between Mr. Wyse and Baron Gros-

Convention agreed to in London between Lord Palmerston and M. Drouyn

de Lhuys-Delay by Lord Palmerston in communicating this Convention

to Mr. Wyse-Unfortunate consequences of this delay-Mr. Wyse resumes

Coercive Measures, and the Greek Government yields-Letter from Mr.

Wyse containing a List of the Demands of the British Government-

Termination of the Dispute-Strong Remonstrance addressed by Russia

to the British Government

CHAPTER XI.

[277

PIEDMONT AND SARDINIA.-Address of the Senate in answer to Speech from

the Throne-Question of Exemption of Ecclesiastics from the jurisdiction

of Secular Tribunals-The Siccardi Laws-Contumacious conduct of the

Archbishop of Turin-He is arrested and sentenced to fine and imprison-

ment-Denial of the Sacraments to M. Santa Rosa-Consequences of this

-Second arrest of the Archbishop-He is tried and sentenced to banish-

ment-The Archbishop of Cagliari also banished.

DENMARK.-Renewal of hostilities between Denmark and the Duchies of

Schleswig and Holstein in 1849-Terms of Convention of 10th of July,

1849, between Denmark and Prussia-Opening of Session of Danish Cham-

bers-Question of renewal of Armistice between Denmark and the Duchies

of Schleswig and Holstein-Treaty of Peace between Denmark and the

Germanic Confederation concluded at Berlin-Manifesto of the King of

Denmark-Exchange of Ratifications of Treaty-Hostile attitude of the

Duchies-Proclamation by the Stadtholders-Letter from the Prussian

Foreign Secretary-Proclamation by the King of Denmark-The Danish

Army enters Schleswig-Renewal of hostilities-Battle of Idstedt, and

Victory of the Danes-Further operations of the Campaign-Failure of

Attack on Friederichstadt by General Willisen-Offer of mediation by

Prussia-The Federal States order a cessation of hostilities-General

Willisen resigns his command-Final termination of the War

CHAPTER XII.

[295

GERMANY.-Entanglements of German Politics-Meeting of the Prussian

Chambers-Royal Message on the subject of the New Constitution-

Modifications introduced by the Chambers-Discussion on the subject-

Final Revision of the Constitution-Speech of the King on taking the

Oath to observe the Constitution-Dissolution of the Chambers, and

Speech by Count Brandenburgh-Convocation of Erfurt Parliament by

Prussia-Opening Address of General Von Radowitz-Difficulties in

settling the Constitution of the new Confederation or Bund-The Parlia-

ment is adjourned-Able Speech on German Affairs by the KINg of Wur-

TEMBERG at opening of his Diet-Offence taken by Prussia-Congress of

Princes at Berlin-Result of their Deliberations-Austria convokes the

Frankfort Diet-Ineffectual remonstrance by Prussia-Attempt to Assas-

sinate the King of Prussia. AFFAIRS OF HESSE CASSEL.-M. Hassenpflug

appointed Prime Minister by the Elector-His unpopularity-Dissolution

of the Diet-Arbitrary conduct of the Government-Martial Law de-

clared-The Elector quits Hesse Cassel-Removes seat of Government to

Wilhelmsbad-Remonstrances addressed to him by the Standing Commit-

tee of the States-The Frankfort Diet resolves to support the Elector-

Military Movement of Prussia-Conference at Warsaw-Treaty of Bre-

genz between the Emperor of Austria and Kings of Bavaria and

Wurtemberg. PRUSSIA.-Ministerial Crisis at Berlin-Resignation of Von

Radowitz-Letter to him from the King-Death of Count Brandenburgh

-Warlike demonstration by Prussia-Entry of Austrian and Bavarian

troops into Hesse Cassel on the south, and of Prussian troops on the

north-War averted by the Convention of Olmütz-Statement by the

Prussian Government of its views-Opening of the Prussian Chambers-

Royal Speech-Speech of Baron Von Manteuffel on the German Question

-Adjournment of the Prussian Chambers-Circulars of Austria and

Prussia announcing Ministerial Conference to be held at Dresden-Open-

ing of Dresden Conference-Speeches of Prince Schwarzenberg and Baron

Von Manteuffel

CHAPTER XIII.

[307

UNITED STATES.-Report of Mr. Meredith, the Secretary of the Treasury,

recommending moderate Protective Duties-Descent upon Cuba by Gene-

ral Lopez and a Band of Piratical Americans-Discomfiture of the Enter-

prise General Lopez arrested and tried-Negligence of the Government

-Death of the President, General Taylor-He is succeeded by the Vice-

President, Mr. Millard Fillmore-Formation of a New Ministry—Bills

passed by Congress-Territorial Governments given to New Mexico and

Utah-California admitted as one of the States of the Union-Fugitive

Slave Bill-Message of the President: TOPICS-General Policy-Foreign

Relations Finances-Land Laws-Navy-Post Office-Creditors of Go-

vernment-Measures of the Session.

[333

Aspect of Public Affairs at the commencement of the year 1850-Improvement of Trade and Revenue, and diminution of PauperismContinued Depression of the Agricultural Interest-Parliament is opened by Commission on 31st January-The Queen's Speech-Debates on the Address-In the House of Lords, it is moved by the Earl of Essex, seconded by Lord Methuen-The Earl of Stradbroke moves an Amendment, setting forth the distressed state of the Agricultural Classes, which is seconded by the Earl of Desart - The Amendment is supported by the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Winchilsea, the Duke of Beaufort, and Lord Stanley; the Earls of Carlisle, Granville, and Fitzwilliam, the Marquess of Lansdowne, and Lord Brougham, vindicate the Address, which is carried by a majority of 49-In the House of Commons, Mr. C. Villiers moves, and Sir James Duke seconds, a similar Address-Sir John Trollope moves an Amendment, embodying the complaints of the Owners and Occupiers of Land, which is seconded by Colonel Chatterton-The Chancellor of the Exchequer enters into statistical details, showing the increased Trade and Revenue of the Country, and the Reduction of Parochial Burdens-The Debate is continued for two nights, by adjournment-Speeches of Mr. H. Herbert, Mr. W. Fagan, Sir John Walsh, Mr. Grantley Berkeley, the Marquess of Granby, Mr. Christopher, Mr. Robert Palmer, Mr. Muntz, Mr. Herries, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Disraeli, Lord John Russell, and Mr. Cobden-On a Division the Address is carried by 311 against 192. LOCAL BURDENS ON LAND-Mr. Disraeli moves on the 19th Feb. for a Committee of the whole House, to consider a VOL. XCII.

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