The Treasurer of the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church acknowledges the receipt of the following sums for their Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J. during the month of March last, viz.

Of Rev. Henry R. Weed, the annual collection in the First Presbyterian
Church in Albany, for the Contingent Fund

And a donation from Rev. Joshua Moore, for the same fund

Of Josiah Bacon, jr. Esq. collections at the monthly concert of prayer in the
church in Sackett's Harbour, for do.

Of Marcus Wilbur, Esq. a donation from a young man in New York, for do.
Amount received for the Contingent Fund
Of Marcus Wilbur, Esq. part of the subscriptions obtained in New York, for
the Permanent Fund

$82 00 5.00

6 00

10 00

103 00

20 00

Total

$123 00

Diew of Publick Affairs.

EUROPE.

BRITAIN.Our last advices are of the date of March 1st, from London, and March 3d, from Liverpool. Parliament was opened on the 2d of February. It was considered as a remarkable and uncommon event, that neither the King nor the Lord Chancellor was present at the commencement of the session. Why the king did not open the Parliament in person, we are not told; the absence of the Chancellor was occasioned by sickness. The royal speech was delivered by commission, and was read by Lord Gifford-It first adverts to the pecuniary embarrassments of the country, which it affirms do not proceed from political causes, from unexpected demands on the publick resources, or from any fears that the publick tranquillity will be interrupted; but, as is gently hinted, from the imprudent and unwarrantable speculations and engagements of individuals. It is intimated that some of the causes of the evil, "lie without the reach of direct parliamentary interposition." But so far as Parliament can provide a remedy for the existing distress, or a preventive against its recurrence, the speech earnestly recommends that it be done; and it is suggested that this may be done, "by placing on a more firm foundation, the currency and circulating credit of the country." It is stated that all foreign states give assurances of friendly dispositions toward Britain, and that his majesty "is constant and unwearied in his endeavours to reconcile conflicting interests, and to recommend and cultivate peace both in the old world and in the new." Information is given that the mediation of the British court had produced a treaty and friendly intercourse between Portugal and Brazil, and the acknowledgment of the independence of the Brazilian empire-That no opportunity is lost of giving effect to the liberal principles of trade and navigation lately sanctioned by parliamentary enactions-That on these principles a convention has recently been concluded between Britain and France, and another with the free Hanseatic cities of Lubeck, Bremen, and Hamburgh-That the treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation concluded with the Republick of Colombia will be laid before Parliament-That his Majesty regrets that hostilities in India are not terminated; that success, however, has uniformly attended the British arms, and that an honourable and satisfactory pacification may soon be expected—That attention has been given to the measures recommended by the last parliament for improving the condition of Ireland, that the industry of that part of the united kingdom is gradually advancing, favoured mainly by a happy state of tranquillity now prevailing through all the Irish provinces-That the estimates of the current year, to be laid before parliament, have been made with an anxious desire to avoid every expenditure not absolutely necessary-and that the produce of the revenue through the last year had fully justified the expectations formed at its commencement. The speech then concludes in these words" His majesty deeply laments the injurious effects which the late pecuniary crisis must have entailed on many branches of the commerce and manufactures of the united kingdom. But his majesty confidently believes that the temporary check which commerce and manufactures may at this moment experience, will, under the blessing of Divine Providence, neither impair the great sources of our wealth, nor impede the growth of national prosperity." This epitome of the king's speech has been given, because it includes a statement, on the highest authority, of the most

important concerns of Britain, since the previous meeting of parliament. It seems a little remarkable that not a word is said of the death of Alexander, emperor of Russia. We learn, however, by an article in one of the publick papers, that "the Duke of Wellington had proceeded with a splendid retinue of six carriages, to congratulate the Emperor Nicholas on his accession; and that he arrived at Berlin on the 17th of February." It is also said with confidence in a Liverpool paper, that the chief object of the Duke's journey is, not court etiquette, but the prevention of a general war, to which the march of Russian troops against Turkey might lead; and that the Duke is empowered to offer the co-operation of Britain, to effect the immediate and complete independence of Greece. Greatly shall we rejoice, if time shall confirm the truth of this intimation.

The attention of parliament since it was opened, had been almost exclusively directed to measures for the relief of the commercial distress which pervaded the whole kingdom, and every class of the people, except a few unadventurous money holders, and some of the nobility. This distress indeed appears to be extreme, and in some instances had produced actual starvation among the poor. Riot, in some places, had been the consequence, and in one instance there was raised a cry of "Blood or bread"-Scotland shares in the general calamity. The Bank of England had agreed to make advances to the amount of three millions sterling, on a deposite of goods, valued by brokers appointed for the purpose. It appears that the government had used its influence with the bank for the adoption of this measure, and that it has been highly applauded for this humane interference. But the bankruptcies both of individuals and of banking companies are almost without number, and to a most enormous amount-Sir Walter Scott is among the sufferers, but not so as to leave him without property. A most fearful warning has indeed been given to the whole nation against the dangers arising from cupidity, stockjobbing, rash enterprise,-in a word, from the sin of "hastening to be rich." Happy will it be for Britain if this warning shall be remembered; and happy for us, if by witnessing it we shall be preserved from a like calamity.

More than forty petitions, from different places, had been presented to the House of Commons for the abolition of slavery-one from the University of Cambridge. Although the king's speech states that Ireland was tranquil, it appears that disturb ances of an alarming character had recently broken out,-probably since the speech was prepared.-The Archbishops and Bishops of the Roman Catholick Church in Ireland, had published a long "declaration," as they styled it, in which in the most studied, explicit and unqualified terms, they had disclaimed all the principles which they have been represented as holding, in such manner as to disqualify them, and the Catholicks generally, from being admitted to the full privileges of British subjects.

FRANCE.-The French chambers were opened on the 31st of January, by a speech of the king-in which he felicitates himself on meeting the chambers, and them that there had been no necessity for calling them together at an earlier period-pathetically laments the death of the emperor of Russia-mentions a convention formed with his Britannick majesty for regulating the navigation and commerce of the two kingdoms-states that he had "resolved at last to settle the fate of St. Domingo," but in such a way as that "the separation of that colony" should not disturb the security of those retained, and says that he will propose a law for indemnifying the ancient inhabitants of that island. He then informs them that the accounts for the year 1825, a sketch of the receipts and expenses for 1825, and the budget of 1826, would be laid before them. He says that the avails of the national commerce and industry are such as to warrant a further provision for "the ministers of religion, and an increase of the funds for other services," and yet to allow a diminution of taxes, in the current year, of nineteen millions (about $3,830,600). He deprecates the practice which had obtained, of cutting up landed estates, affirms that this practice is generally "contrary to the spirit of a monarchical government," and says that he will propose measures "to preserve the patrimony of families, without restricting the liberty of disposing of one's goods."-This appears to be a favourite measure, which he urges by saying that "the preservation of families brings about and secures political stability, which is the first want of states, and which particularly is that of France, after so many vicissitudes." The speech is concluded, by admitting that there is still in France what he calls "a thoughtless restlessness which still agitates some bosoms;" by which we suppose he refers to the latent dissatisfaction of those who still cherish liberal sentiments and the love of freedom. But (concludes the monarch) "security shall not be impaired gentlemen-rely upon my watching with equal solicitude over all the interests of the state, and that I shall know how to conciliate the exercise of legal liberty, with the maintenance of order and the suppression of licentiousness."-From this speech, of which we have retained every idea of any importance, it appears that the affairs of

France, so far as quiet, property, and national prowess are concerned, are highly prosperous; and with this representation the other statements in the publick papers agree. The pecuniary embarrassments and distresses of Britain have in a measure affected its neighbour and rival, and yet comparatively but a little. A fleet, of six frigates of the first class, had sailed from Brest for the West Indies-its real object is the subject of conjecture. Possibly it is little else than to give exercise to the seamen. In every way in which it can be done, France is labouring to improve her marine, and to regain her respectability on the ocean. Many new ships are being built, and soldiers are exchanging the land for the sea service. The independence of the late Spanish colonies, now republicks of America, has not yet been acknowledged, but we think it will not much longer be delayed.-The delay is felt by the French merchants and manufacturers as a sore grievance. We observe nothing new, of much importance, in the religious state of this great and populous kingdom. The Jesuits are labouring to subject every thing to Popish domination; but they are resisted, not only by the Protestants, but, as yet, by the great mass even of the Catholicks, and, of course, by all the free thinkers, who are still a very numerous and powerful body in France.

SPAIN. By the lately published communications of our minister, Mr. Everet, at the court of Madrid, we have a full confirmation of what had been often affirmed on general report before, that the Spanish monarch is inflexibly determined never, in any event, to relinquish his claim to the former provinces of Spain in America. He is deaf, on this subject, to all the remonstrances of his allies, and rejects all their offers of mediation. We perceive that a rumour is afloat in England, that the French armies, or a part of them, will remain three years longer in Spain, and a suggestion is thrown out that this kingdom may, not improbably, become a province of France. That it cannot long remain as it now is, seems very certain; and we can hardly think of a change that will be for the worse. A royal order has lately been given, to suppress, in every theatrical piece, the word liberty.

ROME.-The Pope's health remains, it is said, in a very precarious state. The project of establishing an Irish college at Rome had been abandoned. The Mexican plenipotentiaries had arrived at Rome, and had been graciously received; and an agent from Colombia was expected. Their errand is stated to be, the appointment, by the Pope, of a Patriarch at Mexico, the nomiration of an apostolical Vicar, and a definite organization of bishopricks-How all this is to be made to quadrate with a free republican government, is not for us to explain.

AUSTRIA. The Emperor of Austria is in ill health, and has retired to Florence. He was to leave the government to a council of regency at Vienna. It is even stated that he is about to abdicate his throne in favour of his son.

RUSSIA. It is no longer doubtful that the late Grand Duke Constantine, who was the regular heir of the throne of the Czars, on the demise of Alexander, has resigned his pretensions, in favour of his brother Nicholas, who has accordingly been proclaimed Emperor, and as such is now acting. It appears that this was an event for which provision had been made during the life of Alexander, and that the written evidence of the voluntary renunciation of his claim, by Constantine, dated several years since, although not publickly known, were deposited both at Moscow and Petersburgh. True to this previous renunciation, Constantine has publickly confirmed it, by a letter to his brother, which has been published; and in which be professes the most ardent attachment to Nicholas, and his determination to support him in swaying the sceptre of the empire, with perfect loyalty and by every effort in his power. All this notwithstanding, there was a part of the Russian troops at St. Petersburgh that determinately refused to acknowledge Nicholas as emperor. All attempts to conciliate them were unsuccessful, and they were at length subdued by force. General Miloradovitch, an old and gallant soldier, while attempting to harangue the refrac tory soldiery, received a pistol shot, of which he died a few hours afterwards. But although active opposition to the reigning prince was soon subdued, it appears that great uneasiness still exists, both in the army and among a portion of the nobility. It is affirmed, that the opposition to Nicholas as Emperor of Russia, was nothing more than the manifestation of part of a plot, deeply laid and of some considerable continuance, and not unknown to Alexander before his death, to revolutionize the whole Russian empire. However this may be, it appears certain that a considerable number of the nobility, and some of them of great distinction, have been implicated in what are considered treasonable measures; for which life is to be the forfeiture with some, and banishment the punishment of others—The last accounts state, that two individuals of high rank, were to be publickly shot. Nicholas appears to be a man of resource and decision. He has published a proclamation, in which he denounces the traitors, and declares his determination to maintain the established laws and usages of the empire, in opposition to all attempts to subvert or resist them-The