Several Frenchmen, who had purchased houses and other national domains in the Electorate of Hesse, having been deprived of their property by the Elector, the Court of France interfered, and instructed their minister at Frankfort to protest against any Frenchman being deprived of his property acquired by bona fide purchase.

An article from Vienna, published in the French papers, gives the following account of a sect lately formed in upper Austria, called Petzelians, from the name of the founder Petzel, or Peschel, a priest of Branau. Of this sect dreadful atrocities are related: they preach the equality and community of property; they sacrifice men to purify others from their sins; and, it is added, that

several were thus sacrificed during Passion Week, who died in the most horrible torments. A girl of thirteen years of age was put to death in the village of Afflewang on Good Friday. Seven men have been victims of this abominable faith. The author of the sect, Peschel, with eighty-six followers, have been arrested. Order is now restored. Peschel is the clergyman who attended the unfortunate bookseller Palm to

the place of execution, when he was shot by order of Bonaparte. He is now at Vienna, where he has been frequently examined by the ecclesiastical authorities, but shows such signs of mental derangement, that it has been resolved, by the advice of the said authorities, and on consulting several judicious physicians, to place him in some pious in

stitution to be taken care of.

The marriage of Madame Murat with General Macdonald has been celebrated at Vienna.

The ci-devant queen has just purchased the Lordship of Lottingbrom, four leagues from Vienna, in the neighbourhood of Baden.

Some disputes had arisen between the king of Wirtemberg and the States of his kingdom, respecting the consolidation, desired by the king, of the representatives of the ancient and new territories into one constituent assembly. This measure had met with much opposition, but has at length been acceded to by a majority of the diet.

SWITZERLAND.

The intelligence from the Grisons is distressing in the extreme. A frightful avalanche destroyed, on the 6th, the village of Nueros; in this valley eleven houses and mills, with all their inhabitants and cattle, were overwhelmed. On the 8th, the curate and ninety-four persons, all wounded, were dug out ;-many dead bodies were also found, but the fate of twenty-eight persons is still unknown. From the Tyrol the news is equally afflicting. At Nouders the snow is as high as a church-steeple. At Ichsgel, in the Pinzgau, twenty-one houses were destroyed. Six leagues from Inspruck ten persons were killed. The course of the Inn is interrupted. Many hundred persons of the cantons of Basle, Soleure, &c. have

embarked for America, and have been accompanied by many inhabitants from Alsace, and others are still to follow. These poor creatures cannot even pay their passage without selling their persons for a term of years. The situation of the inhabitants of the canton of the Glaciers is not less distressing. Five hundred and eighty of the peasants of Argovia have taken their pas sage from Amsterdam for America in a single ship, finding no resource from famine but in desertion of their native country.

Stockholm, Mar. 7.-Yesterday was celebrated the solemn removal of the different

military trophies taken by the Swedes in the last 200 years, amounting to near 5000, from the Saloon in the Royal Garden to the Retterholme Church. The deputies of the army gave a grand entertainment on the occasion, which the king and the Crown Prince honoured by their presence, and their healths were drunk amidst the discharge of 286 pieces of cannon.

Letters from Stockholm announce, that

several regiments have received orders to put themselves in march to approach the capital. This is in consequence of an attempt meditated against the life of the Crown Prince, Bernadotte. It appears that the projected assassination was to have taken

place at a masqued ball, a scene of the same description as that which proved fatal to Gustavus III. The fete was held, but the Crown Prince and his son chose to be absent, having received a timely warning of their danger.

The marshal of the Court, Gyllerstrom, has been banished; and the Scandinavian Journal, and other publications of a tendency dangerous to the new dynasty, suppressed. The son of Gustavus, who was living at the court of Wirtemberg, the king being his cousin. He is also a nephew of the Emperor Alexander.

set aside to make room for Bernadotte, is

A conscription is now making throughout the kingdom, including all the youths from twenty to twenty-five years of age inclusive, to form a well disciplined and uniform militia of about 300,000 men, from which, only in time of war, the regular regiments, raised partly by recruiting, partly furnished and equipped by all the land owners, are to be reinforced and filled up.

The king has issued an ordinance, in which the importation of wine, rum, and cotton goods, are strictly prohibited, in order, as it is stated, to assist in bringing down the rate of exchange.

The seaport of Odessa seems in a fair way to become one of the most considerable towns in the Russian empire. Its extraor dinary trade in corn has, latterly, doubled

the number of strangers, and its increase proceeds in a manner beyond all conception. The amount of goods imported into St Petersburgh last year was above 90,000,000 of roubles, and that of goods exported nearly 774 millions.

St Petersburgh, April 12.-On Easter Sunday there was published a very remarkable imperial mandate, in favour of the Jews who are converted to Christianity. The following are some of the chief articles :

1. All Jews embracing the Christian religion, no matter of which confession, shall have privileges granted them, whatever profession they may adopt, suitable to their knowledge and abilities.

2. In the northern and southern governments, lands shall be assigned them gratis, where such as please may settle at their own expense, under the name of Society of Jewish Christians.

3. This society shall have its own privileges.

4. At St Petersburgh a Board shall be formed, of which Prince Alexander Golyzin shall be president, under the denomination of Board for the affairs of Jewish Christians;" on which, and on no other magistrates (except in criminal cases), the society of Jewish Christians depends.

5. This Board is bound to attend to every thing relating to the settlements, and to report on it to the Emperor. In the settlements of the Jewish Christians, which are given to them as hereditary property for ever, the society can carry on any kind of professions, build cities, villages, or single dwellings; the lands are given to the whole community, but not to individuals, and cannot be sold or mortgaged to strangers. In these settlements the Jewish Christians and their posterity have entire religious liberty in the Christian confession of faith which they embrace. The society is under the immediate protection of the Emperor, and depends entirely on the Board in St Petersburgh, to which alone it will give account. No other local magistracy shall interfere with them; their preachers are only under the Board. The internal government of the society is under administration of the Society of the Jewish Christians, consisting of two superiors and four adjuncts, chosen by the Society from its own members, and confirmed by the Board. manages the internal concerns, the police, &c. and has a particular seal. It may expel improper members, and receive new ones, but must report on this to the Board. The members of the society obtain the rights of citizens in the Russian empire. They may carry on trade at home and abroad, conformably to the general laws; establish manufactories, &c. without being register ed in any guild. In their settlements the society may brew beer, distil brandy, &c. They are free from billeting of troops, and for twenty years from taxes; are not bound to military service, &c. Foreign Jews who,

It

after embracing Christianity, shall join this community, may leave the country when they have paid their debts, and the legal contributions for three years on the capi tals which they have acquired in Russia. This regulation excites the more attention, because it is well known that our ambassadors in Germany are expressly ordered to give no more passports to those who desire to emigrate.

TURKEY.

The friends of humanity will lament to learn, that the German physician, Rosenfeld, one of those persons who ventured to inoculate themselves with the plague, has fallen a victim to his generous devotion.

Some movements on the Persian frontiers have taken place, occasioned by the conduct of Ibrahim Pacha, commander of the Turkish fortress of Bejazid, who was discharged from his office and had fled to Persia; but his not returning at the desire of the neighbouring Turkish governors, has caused the Turks to commit some excesses in the Persian villages, for which the Persian crown Prince threatens to exact reparation by force of

By the American papers, received 2d April, we see that the spirit of hostility to the introduction of British manufactures is still manifested, by resolutions and proposals, tending to show the inveteracy of a portion of the people against every thing English.

The celebrated Mr Randolph has retired from public life.

An address has been presented by the citizens of Washington, to Mr Madison, on his retiring from the presidency. His reply relates chiefly to the welfare of that city, and, amongst other matters, informs them, that ultimate good will follow from the disaster which befel the capital.

It appears the American Commodore, Chauncey, concluded a new treaty with Algiers on the 25th December, on the basis of the Treaty of June 1815.

Washington, March 5.-The ceremony attendant on the entrance of the president elect on the duties of his arduous station was simple but grand. He was attended from his private residence by the vice-president elect, and a large cavalcade of citizens on horseback, marshalled in due order. The president reached the Congress Hall a little before twelve; and after the vice-president had taken the chair, and had the oath of office administered to him, a pertinent address was delivered by him on the occasion. This ceremony being ended, the Senate adjourned, and all the officers of state, and judges, attended the president to the elevated portico erected for the occasion, where, in the presence of an immense concourse of citizens and foreigners, the president rose and delivered a speech of considerable length; wherein, after enumerating all the advantages of the constitution, and the flourishing state of their commerce and finances, he calls upon the assistance of all his fellow citizens in support of that government which protects every citizen in the full enjoyment of his rights, and is able to protect the nation against injustice from foreign powers. In regard to their manufactures, he says, that as they have the raw materials the production of their own soil and industry-they ought not to depend, in the degree they have done, on supplies from other countries. He recommends that their great naval resources should be carefully fostered in time of peace, and that their land forces should not be neglected; but that it ought always to be held in view, that the safety of these states, and of every thing dear to a free people, must depend in an eminent degree on the militia. He rejoices that he enters on the discharge of his duties in the time of peace, and adds, that it shall be his sincere desire to preserve it, on just principles, with all nations, claiming nothing unreasonable of any, and rendering to each what is its due. After some well expressed compliments to his predecessor, he concluded a speech, replete with moderation and firmness, when the oath of office was administered to him by the chief justice of the United States. The oath was announced by a single gun, and followed by salutes from the naval yard, the battery from Fort Warburton, and from several pieces of artillery on the ground. Mr Monroe was the American minister in this country in the year 1793, and afterwards in France. He served in the first American war, and lost a leg in it. He is supposed to be rather inclined to the Washington school.

The British consul at New York, in consequence of the misery and wretchedness of those who had emigrated from Britain to the United States, has offered to them a settlement in the British dominions of Canada, or Nova Scotia, and issued a public notice to that effect. Passports have already been granted to 340 persons to proceed to Upper Canada.

BRITISH AMERICA. A notification has been issued from the colonial department, to such as intend to emigrate to Canada, informing them that it is not the intention of government to provide any gratuitous means of conveyance this season; and that no person can proceed to North America as a settler, with any prospect of success, unless he departs from Europe early in the season, that is, before the 1st of June.

SOUTH AMERICA.

April 7.-The Portuguese government having transferred to Brazil some seeds of the tea-tree, have succeeded in naturalizing this plant at Rio Janeiro. It is cultivated at this moment with success by several Chinese, who have gone there for that purpose.

The Independent general, Marino, has entered into a treaty with the governor of the island of Trinidad, granting a free trade to his Britannic Majesty's subjects with the Independent districts of Venezuela, on condition that the Independents shall have the same privileges at Trinidad.

Most contradictory accounts are still received from this quarter of the globe. A letter purporting to come from an officer connected with the revolutionary army, to his friend at Philadelphia, speaks of the most horrid cruelties, and disgraceful enormities, practised both by Independents and Royalists, particularly by the armed vessels, without regard to age, sex, or country; that the streets of St Thomas were filled with refugees from the Main, who were existing on the charity of the island. Another writes from the head quarters of the army of the republic of Mexico: After exulting in their success both by land and sea, and the excellent disposition of the inhabitants, the letter concludes by saying, that "We are already on our march-our army is daily increasing and I have no doubt that I shall soon write you from the capital of Mexico, after having fixed the standard of liberty in every house of that populous and wealthy city."

General Bolivar and Admiral Brion have declared the whole coast of the Spanish Main in a state of rigorous blockade.

The West Indies, and the whole surface of the Atlantic, is infested with privateer vessels under the flag of the South American Independents, which have committed great depredations.

The Portuguese took possession of Monte Video on the 20th January, without firing a shot, and have issued proclamations declaring oblivion of all past opinions; that the security of persons and property is guaranteed by the Portuguese army, and granting them a free trade with all nations.

The quiet manner in which this transfer has been effected, proves that an amicable understanding must exist between the gov ernment of the Brazils and the Indepen

dents of that part of South America which the Portuguese have invaded.

A British ship has been seized at the Havannah-when the captain was deprived of his sword-the specie and stores taken away and the British colours torn down and destroyed.

Asia.

EAST INDIES.

The Calcutta Journal, Nov. 6, states, that a fatal rencontre took place between Captain Heaviside, with a part of the officers and crew of the Hon. Company's ship Elphinstone, and a party of Malays, in the month of September, at Boroo, on the north-east of Sumatra. Mr Macdonald, surgeon, and the second officer, were killed on the spot, and several others left for dead. Captain Heaviside was desperately wounded.

The peace of the Peninsula is likely to be disturbed by the predatory excursions of Ameer Khan, who, at the head of an army of 80,000 Pindarrees, spreads terror and devastation around. As their only object is plunder, some of the Rajahs were desirous of calling in the assistance of the Company's troops, and a considerable force has been ordered to assemble under the command of Colonel John Adams, in the dominions of the Rajah of Berar.

We understand the Prince Regent has brought the most satisfactory accounts of the state of every part of India. Trade was brisk, and so far from there being a glut of British goods in our settlements, there was actually a want of them.

CHINA.

Imperial Decree,

Dated the fifteenth Day of the seventh Moon of the twenty-first Year (6th September 1816) of Kia-King, addressed to the Viceroy Kiang, and the Fuynen Jung of Canton, and received the fifth of the eighth Moon (25th September).

The English Ambassadors, upon their arrival this time at Tien-sing, have not observed the laws of politeness,* in return for the invitation of the emperor. Reaching Tung-chow (four leagues from court), they gave assurances of readiness to perform the prostrations and genuflexions required by the laws of good manners (of the country). Arrived at the imperial country-house (half a league from court), and when we were upon the point of repairing to the hall (to receive the embassy), the first, as well as the second ambassador, under pretence of ill health, would not appear. We, in consequence, passed a decree, that they should be ordered to depart. Reflecting, however, that although the said ambassadors were blamable in not adhering to the laws of politeness, their sovereign, who, from an immense distance, and over various seas, had sent to offer us presents, and to present with respect his letters, indicating a wish to shew us due consideration and obedience, had not deserved contempt, such being also against our maxim of encouragement to our inferiors; in consequence, from among the presents of the said king, we chose the most trifling and insignificant, (which are) four charts, two portraits, and ninety-five engravings; and in order to gratify him, have accepted them. We, in return, give, as a reward to the said king, a Yu-Yu,+ a string of rare stones, two large purses and four small ones; and we ordered the ambassadors to receive these gifts, and to return to their country (we having so enacted), in observance of the maxim (of Confucius), "Give much, receive little"

When the ambassadors received the said gifts, they became exceeding glad, and evinced their repentance. They have already quitted Tung-Chow. Upon their arrival at Canton, you, Kiang and Jung, will invite them to a dinner, in compliance with good manners, and will say to them as follows:

Your good fortune has been small: you arrived at the gates of the imperial house, and were unable to lift your eyes to the face of Heaven (the emperor) The great emperor reflected that your king sighed after happiness (China !!!) and acted

* Previous to coming to table, the guest makes a profound inclination, or actual prostration, according to the rank of the host.

+ Insignia of honour (a long carved stoney presented on days of fete to high mandarins. and foreign ambassadors.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

A

The advertisements in the Sydney Gazette are of considerable interest, in conveying an idea of the great improvements in every description of European manufacture of East India goods, West India produce, &c. They have their theatre, their Hyde Park, their races, and every description of amusement-England in miniature. new governor has lately been appointed, and it is said, it is no longer to be used as a depot for transported criminals, but that every encouragement is to be given to settlers, and that it is likely to become a colony of the greatest importance to the mother country.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

HABEAS CORPUS SUSPENSION BILL.

Mar. 3.-The order of the day being read, for taking into consideration the amendments made by the Commons on this bill, the Earl of ROSSLYN said, he disapproved of the original framing of the bill, which placed the liberties of the people of Scotland in a very different and far more precarious footing than it did those of England. In the former, an inferior magistrate was empowered to act under the bill; whereas, in the latter, a responsible minister, or six privy councillors, only could act. So far he approved of the amendments; but of the measure generally he disapproved. After some discussion, the amendments were agreed to.

Mar. 4.-The royal assent was given, by commission, to the Habeas Corpus Suspension Bill, the Malt Duty Bill, and several private bills. The Army Seduction Bill, and Treasonable Practices Bill, were brought up from the Commons, and read a first time.

NAVY AND ARMY SEDUCTION BILL. Mar. 6.-Viscount MELVILLE moved the order of the day for their Lordships going into a committee on the Navy and Army Seduction Bill, when Lord SHAFTESBURY took the chair. The bill being gone through, was reported without any amendment, as was also the Regent's Protection Bill. Adjourned.

TREASONABLE PRACTICES AND ARMY AND NAVY SEDUCTION BILLS.

Mar. 7.-The Earl of LIVERPOOL moved the third reading of these bills; but on some ambiguities being pointed out by Lord HOLLAND, it was agreed to postpone the third reading of the Treasonable Practices Bill till Monday; and the Army and Navy Seduction Bill, after some opposition by Lord GROSVENOR, was read a third time and passed.

DISTRESS IN IRELAND.

The Earl of DARNLEY pressed the necessity of adopting some measure very

speedily for the relief of the people of Ireland.

Mar. 10.-Lord HOLLAND gave notice, that he would, on an early day, move for copies of the instructions given to the governor of St Helena respecting the treatment of Napoleon Bonaparte; and moved that the Lords be summoned on Tuesday se'nnight, which was ordered.

Mar. 11.-The bill for the protection of the Prince Regent was read a third time and passed.

SINECURES AND USELESS OFFICES.

Mar. 11.-Earl GROSVENOR called upon their Lordships to agree to a motion, generally, for the abolition of sinecures or useless offices, to which he could not conceive any sound objection; and after a speech of considerable length, he proposed these four resolutions: 1st, That sinecures should be abolished, after the expiration of the lives during which they were at present held 2d, That useless places should be abolished forthwith, or properly regulated: 3d, That places or offices should no more be granted in reversion: and then, 4th, He should propose a resolution in favour of some reform. The Earl of LAUDERDALE asserted, that there never was a period in our history when men in office were less corrupt, and perhaps never a time when the public was more corrupt; that the influence of the Crown in the House of Commons was far less than formerly, and abolishing these places would be no relief to the public burdens. After some discussion, the question was put. Contents 5; non-contents 45; majority against the motion 40.

Mar. 13.-Earl GROSVENOR presented a petition from Chalford in Gloucestershire against the corn laws, and praying for a renewal of the property tax; also one from Southwark, praying for the abolition of sinecures. Laid on the table.

IRISH DISTILLERIES.

Mar. 14.-Earl DARNLEY presented a petition from Belfast, praying for the stoppage of the distilleries, which was laid on the table.