RUSSIA.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XV, Issue XV, 7 January 1857, Page 4

RUSSIA.

The Paris correspondent of the Times writes — "I understand that a reply has been received to a note addressed by England to Russia, complaining of delays in the execution of certain points of the treaty of Paris. The Russian reply is said to be in a very sharp tone. The best is done to refute the charges made against the Government, and a counter charge is brought of undue precipitation on the part of Great Britain in sending a squadron to the Black Sea." A letter in Le Kord indicates the tone of this communication. The writer says — "Prince Gortschakoff proves indisputably that Russia, far from executing the treaty with a bad grace, has been ready, on the contrary, to fulfil her engagements to the very letter, as is testified by her evacuation of Kars, effected with a completeness and good faith which the Constantinople journals themselves have not denied. As to the Isle of Serpents, Prince Gortschakoff declares that Russia cannot recognise the right of one of the Powers signatories to the treaty of Paris to decide of itself a question which can only be resolved by all the Powers, as the treaty of Paris had clearly specified. Prince Gortschakoff further declares that the questions as to the frontier of Bessarabia, the navigation of the Danube, and the Russian limits in Asia, are to be resolved by commissioners on the spot, and that the Russian commissioners arc already on the ground." The Nord also states that Russia is about to address a " note " to England, complaining of the suspicion which our cruising in the Black Sea seems to imply of her good faith. Besides, England's interference, being in that case isolated, and not iv concert with the other Powers who have signed the treaty, is itself not in conformity with the treaty of peace. A letter from St. Petersburg of the 31st ult. says : — " It appears from the contracts for supplies for the fleet in the Black Sea about to be entered into at Nicolaieff, that the force of the fleet will not exceed 3,000 men."

An amnesty has been granted for the ever-ts of 1825, !327, and 1831. The confiscations resulting from these events are maintained.

In order to promote improvements in the military instructions of the Russian ar.ny, the Emperor has made arrangements that a number of Russian officers of talent shall proceed into foreign countries for the purpose of making themselves acquainted with all the alterations and reforms which have been, or may be, introduced, and reporting thereupon to tbe authorities every two months. They are allowed from 2,000 to 3,000 silver roubles for such service, and on their return are bound to give instructions themselves. Two are to proceed to Algiers.

A letter from St. Petersburg of the 2nd says — " It is generally reported that the relations of Russia and Sweden have been of late anything but friendly, and that the Swedish ambassador sent by the court of Stockholm to the coronation could not fail to have noticed the coolness which exists between the two states."

Official intelligence has been received that the Russian Government has abolished, for the time being, all the quarantine restrictions now in force in Bessarabia, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov. This new regulation is lo remain in force until the navigation is closed for the present year.

The Times contains a long communication from its correspondent at Moscow detailing the festivities which succeeded the coronation. The Emperor and Empress had been pleased to express a wish that the newspaper correspondents should receive every particular. The legate of the Pope had been presented in precedence of all foreign ambassadors at the levee at the court. The Emperor had danced with Lady Granville and the Empress with his Lordship. At the levee his Majesty conversed with M. de Moray some time, and alluded to the readiness of France to conclude peace. To Lord Granville his manner was most reserved. It is understood that the Emperoi made some private questions as to the attitude of the English Cabinet, and expressed a hope that the estrangement would not continue. To Prince Esterhazy his manner was at first cold, but the prince spoke with earnestness, and before he had ceased the Emperor gave him his hand. These accounts circulated as the gossip of the day.

A letter from Sebastopol, in the Abcille dv Kord, states that the Russian Government is using the greatest activity in repairing the damage caused during the siege. The steamfrigate Chersonesus and the transports Reni, Laba, and Prouth, have been raised. The last-named has been sent to Nicolaieff.

The Emperor has confirmed General Mouravieff's military sentence, which degrades Lieutenant Prince Zerekeli to the rank of private for killing an ensign. Prince Bagration Muchrauiski, who had grossly insulted him. The possibility of promotion is not destroyed by his sentence, and Lieutenant Zerekeli retains his princely dignity.