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some gracious words , and the Emperor , in reply , declared ho was deeply touched , and promised for the Prince Imperial that he " would always preserve that high mark of solicitude on the part of a Sovereign to whom his father had vowed sincere friendship . " The French Minister of the Interior has explained , in a commiuiquf : addressed to the Opinion Nationale ,

the reason why his Government propose to bring to a close the extradition treaty with England . The reason , then , is because the English magistrates arc not content with the mere production of a warrant , but insist upon having some evidence of guilt before they will order the surrender of an accused person . The French Government argues that the guilt or

innocence of the person is a matter wholly for the tribunal Avhich is to try him , and with which English courts have nothing to do . This , of course , is a principle which England can never consent to recognise . If Franco claims a criminal she must produce some proof of his guilt . It must be her own fault if , as the Minister of the Interior alleges , not one criminal

was ever surrendered by England under the treaty . The Pope expressed great gratitude to the French army at his reception on New Year's Day . Tbelatter part of his address to General Montebello , has , however , the appearance of satire iu it . *' This year especially , " said his Holiness , "I must express my thankfulness , it being perhaps the last on which I can bestow

my blessing on the French army in Rome . " Does this mean that the Pope is especially thankful that this is the last year the French will be in Rome ? After its evacuation by the French the enemies of the Church , His Holiness thinks , may perhaps come to Rome , but he will pray for them all . A French newspaper professes to give an account of a discussion among the cardinals as to whether the Pope should leave Home immediately on the conclusion of the two years

mentioned in the Convention . The writer says most of the cardinals spoke of such a course until it was condemned , by Cardinal Antonelli , and that finally it was resolved by the Pope that he would not leave Rome till he was driven from it . In all probability there is no truth in the assertion that such a discussion took place ; but it will not be wonderful if the Pope should

have to come to such a resolution as that mentioned . It has been stated that Russia had intimated to Prussia that on no account would she be allowed to annex Schleswig-Holstein . If the semi-official Provinzial Correspondent is to be believed , however , no such intimation has been given . That paper on Wednesday announced that there was nothing in the relations

of Prussia Avith foreign Powers or in the attitude of those Powers in relation to Schleswig-Holstein calculated to make Prussia irresolute in the pursuit of her aims or in the course of action she has hitherto followed . A Florence telegram says that it is believed the new Italian Minister , Signor Seialoja , will adopt the Budget of ' his predecessor , Signor Sella , only making

further reductions in the estimates for the army and navy . An Imperial rescript has been sent to the Transylvanian Diet , which promises that the representatives ot Transylvania will shortly be summoned to the Diet at Pesth . AHEKICA . —The Asia arrived at Queenstown on Sunday bringing intelligence from New York to the 21 st December .

President Johnson has sent a message to the Senate in Avhich he asserts that the Southern rebellion is quite suppressed , and that the people are yielding obedience to the Federal Government with more willingness than could have been anticipated . The prospect of affairs , he added was very promising , as sectional animosity was giving way to a better spirit , and that

national representation , together with a proper system of taxation , Avould result in the harmonious restoration of the States to the Union . Notwithstanding that these generous

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sentiments and statesmanlike views were sustained by a report of General Grant , which accompanied the message , Senator Sumner had the audacity to denounce the President ' s message as an attempt to whitewash the South , and denounced the Southerners as being disloyal and as oppressors of the freed men . The House has passed a measure prohibiting the payment of tho Southern debt . Three-fourths

of the Sates having ratified the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery it is now a valid part of the Constitution . AVe have intelligence from New York to the 23 rd ult . The Senate had asked the President on what charges Jefferson Davis was detained in Fortress Monroe , and Avhy he was not tried before them . As the positiou of Southern representatives is not

likely to be soon determined by Congress , the gentlemen from the South had resolved upon returning home until the 4 th of March . It is curious that apprehensions of a negro rising at Christmas are said to have been entertained at the South . During the old slave times those fears generally prevailed at Christinas . In this instance they are probably

intended to justify extreme repressive measures , and to enable the old planters to re-assert a good deal of their former authority . There had been a ministerial crisis in Canada . The Hibernian , Avhich has arrived , states that a special AVashington despatch has been published by the Commercial Advertiser , announcing that the French troops would be withdrawn from Mexico within three mouths . We do not believe there is a word of truth in this statement .

WEST INDIES . —By the West India Mail we have news from Jamaica to the 11 th December . There had been no further disturbances . The two houses were engaged iu discussing the measures laid before them by Government . After a very fierce fight the bill to alter and amend the constitution of the island was passed by a large majority . A new bill for regulating places of public worship had been drawn up Avith the

aid of the principal dissenting ministers , a fact which shows that , even in the opinion of the leading dissenters in the island , some measure is necessary . Major O'Connor had made a tour throughout the island , and was everywhere cordially receiveda proof that in the opinion of the people of Jamaica Governor Eyre and the British officers deserve honour and reward , and

not censure and disgrace . Among other documents laid before the Legislative Council was a letter to Governor Eyre from Colonel Whitfield , commanding the Western Division of the Jamaica forces , in which the colonel asserts , from his own personal investigation , that a seditious spirit pervades the whole island , and that in all probability the negroes would rise if it were not for the presence of the military .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

* * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , W . C . NOTICE TO SUL > SCHIUEKS EST ABKEAES . — Subscribers who are in arrears are requested to forward without delay tht amounts due from them by Post-office Order , payable to the Proprietor , Bro . William Smith , C . E ., 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , W . C .

NOTICE . —We are compelled to defer giving until our next issue several reports , & c , which have come duly to hand . T . J . S . —We shall have pleasure in corresponding with you if you will send us your address . B . —As you merely give the name of the lodge , and do not give us either the number or the place of meeting , we cannot , we regret , answer your question , there being at least six lodges of the name you mention , some of the lodges meeting in the metropolis , and others in various parts of the continent .