Account of Cash received by the Board of Missions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, during the month of November, 1829. Bellefonte. Collection in Presbyterian Church do. do. Rev. D. Denny Chambersburg. Do. Mifflinton and Lost Creek. Collection in Presbyterian Church, per Rev. J. Princeton, N. J. From Session of the Presbyterian Church, per Rev. G. S. Woodhull - $15 00 15 00 Philadelphia. Donation from Mr. W. F. Geddes Do. Do. Do. Do. Collection in Third Presbyterian Church in aid of the Rev. Dr. Ely Received from Rev. Ashbel Green, D. D. his subscrip. Received from the Union Society, in aid of the Indian Taneytown, Md. 86 00 - 100 00 54 50 1 50 Received from Auxiliary Soc. per Margaret Birnie, Sec. Upper Octorara. Subscriptions in Presbyterian Church under the pastoral care of Rev. James Latta, by Rev. J. H. Kennedy 1.00 320 57 35 00 16 00 Washington City. Coll. in Fourth Presb. Ch. by Rev. Mr. Danforth No later advices from Europe than to the 24th of October have reached us, at the time we write. BRITAIN. The British Parliament has again been prorogued and is still in recess, and the political state of the country remains much as it was when we last described it. Our minister, Mr. M'Lane, had arrived in London, had been ill for a short time afterwards, but had recovered, been presented at court, had a long conference with the Earl of Aberdeen, and done business with Mr. Stratford Canning at the office of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. There had been a most destructive storm of rain and wind, about the middle of October, which had strewed the British shores with the wrecks of vessels, occasioned many deaths, and caused inundations from the overflowing of rivers, that had destroyed much property. FRANCE is still greatly agitated, by the discontents produced by the appointment of the present administration, but no events of importance have recently taken place. The king will probably be obliged to yield to the voice of the people, demanding the dismission of his ministers now in office. SPAIN affords no news more important than that the monarch is about to take to himself another wife, for whose splendid nuptials great preparations were in making; and that an ambassador from the usurper of the throne of Portugal, Don Miguel, has been received and accredited at the Spanish court. Ferdinand and Miguel have a great sympathy for each other-par nobile fratrum. PORTUGAL Seems to be yielding to the sway of the usurping and perjured tyrant now in power. There has been lately what is called a run on the bank of Lisbon, and fears are entertained that it will not be able to stand the shock; and that its failure will increase the mercantile distress already very great, and annihilate the little commerce that still exists. Seventeen Americans, taken in a vessel going to Terceira, have been carried to Lisbon and cast into prison-one account says put in irons. Will our government do nothing in such a case? We are persuaded the British would not endure such an insult. RUSSIA AND TURKEY.-Peace is at length concluded between these mighty belligerents, and all apprehensions that the general quiet of Europe was to be disturbed are laid to rest. Peace now reigns throughout Europe, unless the civil broils of Portugal, and the petty warfare of Spain with her former American colonies, form a slight exception. Indeed, the world at large has seldom been as tranquil as it is at present. The issue of the Russian conflict with the Turk has disappointed the world. The emperor Nicholas, we doubt not, has been agreeably disappointed, in the uninterrupted, brilliant, and complete success of his armies, both in Europe and Asia. Politicians have been disappointed, at finding that Britain, France, Austria, and Prussia used no interference, to stay the progress of the Russian victories; and the greatest disappointment of all has been, that the Russian emperor, when he had every thing in his power, should have shown an example of moderation towards a fallen, insolent, and inveterate foe, such as history, we believe, has not heretofore recorded; and the Sultan Mahmoud has been bitterly disappointed and humbled, in being obliged to beg a peace, and disappointed again, in finding that his conqueror granted him terms far more favourable than he did or had any right to expect. It now appears probable, however, that all the great powers, as they are commonly denominated, had an understanding with the Emperor of Russia, in which they agreed not to interfere in his quarrel with the Ottomans, on a solemn stipulation on his part, that, whatever might be his success, he would neither dethrone the Sultan, nor exact from him more than had been claimed in the manifesto by which war was proclaimed against him: and it is highly creditable to all the parties concerned, that they appear to have paid a sacred regard to their engagements. The following statement, taken from London papers, will give our readers as good a general view of the treaty of peace-we cannot publish it in detail-as we are able to present:-" Considering the circumstances under which the treaty of peace was dictated, the conqueror has more than made good all his professions of moderation. Turkey in Europe is not circumscribed by a single foot of its territory, or rather, it will not be, after the payment of the indemnities. And the territory ceded by the Turks in Asia, is very insignificant in extent, consisting merely of Anapa, a very narrow and barren line of coast at the foot of the Caucasus, and a portion of the Pachalik of Akhaltzik. This territory contains no important towns, nor any fortresses of strength. The most remarkable feature of the treaty, is the specification of immunities which the Russian subjects are to enjoy in Turkey. They are to be entirely free of Turkish jurisdiction; to be governed only by the Russian Ministers and Consuls; and Russian merchant ships are to be entirely free from search, even in Turkish ports. Their vessels are not to be visited, and their merchandise may be landed, warehoused, transferred, or shipped, without giving notice to the local authorities, or saying, 'by your leave.' In fact, they are to enjoy rights which they do not possess in their own country. The passage of the Dardanelles, the Canal of Constantinople, and the unconditional freedom of the Black Sea to the ships of all nations at peace with the Porte, is an important stipulation, in ob. taining which, the Russian Emperor has most disinterestedly negotiated in behalf of the whole commercial world. Merchant vessels are not to be checked or detained, under any pretence whatever, and any violation of this solemn engagement is admitted beforehand to be an act of hostility, and a just ground for war. With respect to the indemnities, we have not yet full information. Two only are mentioned in the Treaty-The commercial one of 1,500,000 ducats, stipulated and granted by the Convention of Akerman, which is to be paid in the course of eighteen months; and a larger one for the expenses of the present war, the amount of which is to be regulated by mutual accord. The amount of the latter indemnity is stated, in the French and German papers, at 10,000,000 ducats. But the Courier discredits the statement, as too exorbitant; and it is elsewhere mentioned that a less sum will ultimately be demanded-Turkey being unable to pay so much-and the arrangement being left open to the interposition of the mediating powers. Another very important article is, the accession of the Sultan to the Treaty of the 6th of July, 1827, and the London Protocol of the 22d of March, 1829, respecting the independence and limits of Greece. Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of peace, the Porte is to appoint Plenipotentiaries, who, in conjunction with those of Russia, England, and France, are to settle the execution of those Treaties. This is most fortunate for Greece, as by the Protocol of March, 1829, the larger boundary is exacted—the line from the Gulf of Arta to Volo. The line running thus north of Thermopylæ, includes part of Thessaly and Epirus. "Such is a brief outline of the principal features of the Treaty of Peace. But the London Times declares that it has got what is of much more importance than the Treaty itself,' viz. the substance of the supplementary and separate articles, or rather, the separate treaties referred to in that document, and explanatory of some of its principal provisions. The Times proceeds to give the following "By one of them, the sums which the Porte is to pay to Russia, as indemnity for the expenses of the war, and for the losses of the Russian merchants, are assessed, the former at 10,000,000 of ducats, nearly £5,000,000 sterling: the latter at 1,500,000 ducats, about £750,000,-sums which it should appear to be entirely out of the power of the Sultan to discharge. "They are to be paid in instalments-the greater sum in ten equal annual instalments of about half a million each, and the smaller in four instalments of unequal magnitude, increasing as they go on, and at smaller intervals. "Upon the payment of the first of this latter class of instalments, Adrianople is to be evacuated; on the second being paid, the Russians retreat beyond the Balkan; on the third, beyond the Danube; and when the fourth and the whole of the sum of ten millions of ducats has been discharged, they are to quit the Turkish territory altogether. "By these articles it should indeed appear that Russia has in fact secured to herself the perpetual possession of the principalities, unless some extraordinary gift of Providence should enable the Sultan to raise the sum of five millions in ten years. We will, however, here just observe, that in securing indemnity to his subjects for their private losses-as the Emperor Nicholas was perhaps obliged to do by his duty, making their payment the condition of a series of retreats-he has left the publick indemnity, both as to amount and times of payment, subject to the remonstrance and interposition of the Great Powers of Europe. "By the other supplementary treaty, the regulations for the internal government of the principalities are settled on such a footing-by giving Russia an equal voice with Turkey in the nomination of Hospodars, and depriving the Sultan of the arbitrary power of deposing them, together with other provisions in a similar spirit-that there is no danger of Russian supremacy in Moldavia and Wallachia suffering any material diminution, even if, by the immediate payment of the sum demanded from Turkey, the Russian troops were obliged to pass the Pruth immediately." We perceive that several of the London paragraphists intimate, that the Sultan will not be able to pay the indemnities which are essential to secure the retreat of the Russian armies; but a letter, written by an Englishman now in Constantinople, gives a different representation. He says the tax will be only on the avarice of the Sultanthat wealth has been hoarded for a long series of years in the Seraglio, which will suffice to pay the sums first demanded, and perhaps a large part of the remainder. It is clear, however, that the Turkish power is broken-The Sultan sees, and the world sees, that Russia can do with this empire what she pleases. We greatly rejoice that Greece is emancipated, and hope the powers that have interposed for her deliverance, will not themselves again enslave her. The two distinguished Russian commanders, Diebitsch aad Paskewitch, have received the highest, or nearly the highest honours, which their sovereign can confer. The former, agreeably to a Russian as well as a Roman usage, has received a surname from a distinguished military achievement. For having triumphantly crossed the fearful Balkan mountains, the supposed impregnable rampart of Turkey, he is to be called count Sabalkansky; and Paskewitch, for the capture of Erivan, will take the title of Erivansky. ASIA. It appears that there are numerous piracies, of a very shocking character, committed among the spice islands of this continent: and on the continent itself the annual thunder storms of the Denkhan, during the current year, have been unusually numerous, violent, and continued, and deaths from lightning have been frequent. In Burmah, we rejoice to observe that the missions of our Baptist brethren are prosperous and highly promising-Measures are in progress to establish a bank at Calcutta. It is said in a letter from Smyrna, which is copied without comment in the English papers, that Baron ROTHSCHILD, the great European Jew banker, has purchased Jerusalem of the Grand Senior-that he has engaged to furnish the Sultan with the enormous sum of 350,000,000 of piastres, (a piastre is little more than a third of a dollar) at three instalments, on condition of the Sultan's engaging, for himself and his successors, to yield to him the sovereignty of Jerusalem, and the territory of ancient Palestine, which was occupied by the twelve tribes. Here he proposes to call around him the wealthy Israelites of Europe, and the scattered tribes of his nation, and with these materials to renew the strength of that people, which we have the authority of scripture for believing will again be collected together. A part of the plan is to establish Seigniories, to distribute portions of land to all settlers, and to give them as far as possible their ancient laws: and a little army being judged necessary for the restored kingdom, measures have been taken for recruiting it out of the wrecks of the Jewish battalion raised in Holland by Louis Buonaparte-The expenses of the journey of those who remove are to be paid them in advance. Such is the statement. We should utterly discredit it at once, were it not that we live in an age of wonders. On the other hand, if we yielded it our full belief, we should have many remarks to make on so extraordinary an event-The wealth of Baron Rothschild is believed to be fully equal to the payment, by instalments, of the sum mentioned-about twice the present national debt of the United States. AFRICA. A merchant vessel of the United States has been on a trading voyage to Alexandria, in Egypt-the first, it is said, that has ever been on such an errand to that port. It is stated that the Pacha visited and examined her with much attention. Our commerce is extending to every accessible place on our globe. But what, in our view, is of unspeakably more importance than commerce, we hope that our country is likely to be instrumental in extending the blessings of the gospel, to the benighted inhabitants of this vast continent. Within the last month, we have seen and conversed with three missionaries from Basle, in Switzerland, who are going out to our colony at Liberia, in a vessel probably now on her way to that place. Their purpose is to endeavour to establish themselves in one of the neighbouring heathen tribes. One of the missionaries has already spent some time in the place to which they are destined-He is now accompanied by his wife. All of them appear to possess a truly evangelical and missionary spirit. They hope to receive some aid from this country, as their resources at home are not abundant. A collection was taken up for them in this city, and the treasurer of the General Assembly's Board of Missions, with the approbation of the Executive Committee, has consented to be the depositary of any donations that may be offered them. The object is a noble one, and we hope it will receive the patronage of liberal Christians in our country. AMERICA. No very material changes have recently taken place in the States which cover the southern portion of our continent. The United Provinces, of which Buenos Ayres is the chief, have concluded a peace among themselves. Lavalle, who so cruelly put to death the Governor Dorrego, has not been permitted to succeed him-Villemont has been appointed to that office, and according to usage was inaugurated on the Sabbath. Lavalle still retains a military command-By an order from Don Pedro, which it is said was prompted by the present Pope, the African slave trade is prohibited in the Brazils-Let both the Pope and the Emperor have due credit for thisThe emperor's new wife was on her voyage from Europe, and on her crossing the line a frigate was despatched to announce her approach, and the information was received with great rejoicing. The Spaniards, it appears, had landed a small corps of men on the western shore of Mexico, intended to co-operate with the expedition on the opposite shore at Tampico; but on hearing of the defeat and capture of Baradas, they re-embarked. Mexico has set the noble example of an entire abolition of slavery, throughout the whole of its extended territory. In Colombia, a feeble attempt at insurrection was lately made, but without any prospect of success. Bolivar is triumphant, and we hope that peace will ere long be restored to the distracted republicks of the South. But a government really and permanently republican and free, cannot exist, while the population remains in the ignorance and superstition in which it is involved. No government can be really free, where the rights of conscience are controlled, and men are not permitted to worship their Creator, without restriction, in such manner as they believe to be most acceptable to him. UNITED STATES.-The Congress of our country are to convene on the 7th of the present month; and as that will be the day of a monthly concert for prayer in a large. portion of the churches of our land, it has been recommended in some of our religious periodicals that special and earnest prayer be then offered to God, in behalf of the rulers and legislators of our nation. In this recommendation we most heartily concur. In the approaching session of Congress two important subjects, intimately and deeply connected with our moral character, our honour, and our prosperity as a people, will probably come before Congress-We refer to the questions, whether the Sabbath shall continue to be desecrated, by the regular carrying of the mail and opening of the Post offices on that holy day; and whether. our treaties with the poor Indians shall be regarded, or they be compelled to abandon their lands, the sepulchres of their fathers, and the schools and churches which have been established among them, and remove into a wilderness-to begin all anew, or to abandon themselves to despair. Unless, in answer to the prayers of God's people, an influence from on high shall descend and rest on the councils of our nation, we do most seriously fear that these subjects will be so disposed of, that the judgments of Him who is jealous for his glory, and the avenger of the oppressed, will come upon us. A truly fearful conflict is at hand-more fearful, in our estimation, than if half the nations of Europe were arrayed against us. The friends of religion and of Christian institutions, are at issue with infidels and formalists, and those who care for nothing but their god Mammon; and it is to be decided which of these parties shall direct the measures and rule the destinies of this nation. Let those who are on the Lord's side take their stand, and be as active and united as their enemies are, and we shall not fear the result. It is the want of prayer, of activity, of unanimity, and of energy, that we dread. We fear too that our friends-for friends we have-on the floors of Congress, will not come forward in that open, firm, and yet temperate manner, which the crisis demands. We know not how it happens, but so it does happen, that our members of Congress seem to be far more reluctant than the members of the British Parliament are, to avow religious sentiments, and openly and distinctly to advocate a cause connected with the vital principles of Christianity, and because it is thus connected. Let us fervently and unitedly pray that all who are called to speak and act in this concern may do it firmly, fearlessly, wisely, guardedly, temperately, and in the fear of God; and then we may hope that our prayers will be answered, and our country be saved. ** While the last half sheet of our present number was in the hands of the printer, we received the prospectus of the publication announced below. It is one exceedingly needed, and we earnestly recommend it to the attention and patronage of our readers. James B. Requa, proposes to publish on the second day of January, 1830, a weekly paper, entitled, THE PROTESTANT. The Protestant will include-Narratives displaying the rise and progress of the Papacy; its spirit and character in former periods; its modern pretensions; and its present enterprising efforts to recover and extend its unholy dominion, especially on the Western Continent. Biographical notices of Martyrs, Reformers and Popish Persecutors. Essays describing the doctrines, discipline, and ceremonies of the Romish Hierarchy; and its desolating influence upon individual advancement, domestick comfort, and national prosperity. Illustrations of Sacred Prophecy relative to the Mystical Babylon. A faithful expose of the moral and religious condition of Lower Canada, as debased by the prevalence of the Roman Supremacy. And a notice of all interesting religious occurrences. Conditions.-The Protestant shall be issued weekly in quarto, containing eight pages. Price Two Dollars per annum, payable at the expiration of six months. Persons paying for five copies of the Protestant, shall have the sixth gratis. Ministers of the Gospel, and other Christians, who will kindly undertake to procure subscribers, are requested to transmit their lists of names and address by the middle of December, directed to the Editor of the Protestant, 245 Spring street, New York.-N. B. All letters must be post paid. SEP 1. 1919 |