THE ASSASSINATION OF MARSHAL PRIM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1005, 4 March 1871, Page 8

THE ASSASSINATION OF MARSHAL PRIM.

A Madrid correspondent of the New York Herald writes, under date December 29th, M follows :-"The General's adjutant gave me the first corrected story ; he witnessed the soene, having occupied a front seat in the carriage. His own version of the affair is as follows :— Prim and two aids usually left the Cortes at the conohwion of the debate in the afternoon at half -part seven, and entered the carriage and drove rapidly the shortest way from the Cortes to the War Office. The streets were deserted at the point where the Oalle- del-Tared debouches into the Alcals, the broadest street in the oity. Through the narrow passage two hired cabs were drawn up and obstructed the way. This was so common an event, however, that it would scarcely attraot notice ; but Lieutenant Mayo, my informant,droppedtheglassinthedoornearesthim, and looked out just in time to see two men, who were carrying something under their long Andalasian cloaks, advancing from th« shadow of the cabs. He had barely time to cry oat, * Stoop, General I they are going to fire !' when the muzzles of the blunderbusses were dashed into the carriage through the windows on either hand,- shivering the glass to atoms, and the contents were discharged point blank at the occupants In the back seat, who'must have been indistinguishable in the darkness. The next moment the assassins darted back under the cover of the cabs, and so around into the Aloala, where they mounted two horses that were tied to the trees, and in an instant were safe from pursuit, because of the snow and darkness.. The coachman dashed his horses forward against a number of cabs, upsetting one, and drove in hot haste ts the War Office, where the wounded men alighted. Prim simply remarked to the sentinel, ' I am wounded, but not muoh.' "

Marshal Prim, died on the morning of the 3 1st Dsoember at one o'clock. His death 'has produced a profound sensation of grief all over Spain. Gnat indignation is manifested against the assassins. All those engaged in bis assassination, six in number, nave esonped. Tho Marshal retained consciousness to the last, and when made aware of the rapid approach of death, bade adieu to bis friends, and, it is said, expressed anxiety for the safety of the new King. His body was removed on the 2nd January to the Church of Atocha, without disturbance There were 6000 people, and an imposing procession cook place. Officers, deputies, members of the Cabinet, and various diplomatic bodieß, followed on foot. The carriage in whioh he was assassinated waa in the procession, its sides riddled with ballets and the glass windows shattered. A writer in the Atlantio Monthly describes Marshal Prim's appearance in the Cortes as follows :—: —

The Ministerial Bench is so fall to-night that yon oannot see the bine velvet. At its head sits a slight dark man, with * grave thin-whiskered face and serious blaok clothes, looking, as an observing friend of mine once «aid, " like a pious and sympathising undertaker." He holds la his dark-gloved hands a little blaok and silver cane; with wbioh he thoughtfully taps his neat and glossy boot. The whole manner and air of the man is sober and clerical. Bien fol est gui a*y fie. This is the President of the Council, Minister of the War, Captain General of the Armies of Spain, the Count of Bens, the Marquis of Caatillejos, Don Juan Prim in short. A soldier, conspirator, diplomatist, and born ruler ; a Cromwell without oonviotions ; a dictator who hides his power ; a Warwick who mars Kings better, than he makes them.

A gloomy picture of the nt&te of trade in Auckland is drawn by the Herald in a recent article. That journal says t — The progress of this province during 1870 may be regarded as retrogressive. It is assumed that some of the Banks have been heavy loaera, andthrongh them the English public Variousoompositioni have been accepted by them, whjoh have never seen the light, and wbioh otherwise might a tale unfold and place some parties in a very different position to what they now occupy. The deoline is the revenue of tho colony generally and this province in par* ticlar, is indicative of a screw loose somtwhere.