YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY PAPERS RESPECTING AUSTRIA, DENMARK, The OTTOMAN PORTE, PORTUGAL, RUSSIA, AND The UNITED STATES, PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT In 1808. LON DON: Printed by A. Strahan, Printers-Street. 1808. ) ¦) > } o ^BySlA 808 Gr CONTENTS. Page PAPERS relating to Austria - - i, 340. Denmark - 32,481, The Ottoman Porte 381, 4745, 525 The Dardanelles - 559. Portugal - - 346 Russia - - 71, 285, 611. ¦ United States - 175 PAPERS Prefented by His MAJESTY'S Command TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, January i8o8„ AUSTRIA. LIST OF PAPERS. No. i. ATQTE from the Count de Starhemberg to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated April j 8th, 1807. — With Tranflation. Note referred to in No. 1. — With Tranflation. No. a. Note from Mr. Secretary Canning to the Count de Starhemberg, dated April 25th, 1807. Official Note referred to in No. 2. No. 3. Note from the Prince de Starhemberg to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated November 20th, 1807. — With Tranflation. No. 4. Note from Mr Secretary Canning to the Prince de Starhemberg, dated November 23d, 1807, No. 5. Note from the Prince de Starhemberg to Mr. SecretaryCanning, dated January lit, 1808. -^-With Tranflation. No. 6. Note from Mr. Secretary Canning to the Prince de Starhemberg, dated January 8th, 1. 08. No. 7. Note from the Prince de Starhemberg to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated January 1 2th, re ceived the 13th, 1808. — With Tranflation. No. 8. Letter from Mr. SecretaryCanning to the Prince de Starhemberg, dated January 13 tb, 1808. No. 9. Note from the Prince de Starhemberg to Mr. SecretaryCanning, dated January 13th, 1808. — With Tranflation. No. 10. Note from Mr. Secretary Canning to the Prince de Starhemberg, dated January 13th, 1808. PAPERS. No. i. NOTE from the Count de Starhemberg to Mr. Secretaiy Canning, dated Lon don, April 18th, 1807. C A Majefte ,1'Empereur d' Autriche Roi d'Hongrie et de Boheme s'etant determine a faire offrir aux principales Pujffances, ayant interet dans la prefente guerre, fon Intervention amicale, afin d'amener par fon entremife des Conferences de Paix, l'Envoye Extraordinaire et Miniftre Plenipotentiaire Comte. de Starhemberg a recu l'Ordre de remettre au Miniftere de Sa Majefte Britannique la Note ci- jointe, contenant I'offre de Mediation que SaMajefte Imperiale et Royale a fait prefenter de la meme Maniere et en meme terns aux Cabinets de Peterf- bourg et des Tuileries, ainfi qu'a celui de Berlin. En s'acquittant de cette Commiffion aupres fon Excellence M. Canning, le Souffigne doit prier fon Excellence de vouloir bien porter I'offre des bons Offices de Sa Majefte Imperiale a la connoiffance du b Roi ( * ) Roi d'Ahgleterre, et ii ofe efperer, que fon Excel lence ne fe refufera pas a l'informer dans fon terns des Determinations prifes fur cet Objet par Sa Ma jefte Britannique. Le Comte de Starhemberg profite avec Empreffe- ment de cette Occafion pour renouveller a fon Ex cellence rAffurance de fa haute Confideration. Londres, le 18 Avril 1807. (Tranffatior.) rjIS Majefty the Emperor of Auftria, King of Hungary and Bohemia, having refolved upon offering to the Principal Powers interefted in the prefent War, his amicable Mediation, in order by his Intervention to bring on a Negotiation for Peace, the Count de Starhemberg, Envoy Extra ordinary and Miniftejr Plenipotentiary has received Orders to tranfmit to the Miniftry of His Britannick Majefty, the accompanying Note, containing the Offer of Mediation which his Imperial and Royal Majefty has caufed to be prefented in the -fame Manner, and at the fame Time to the Cabinets of Peterfburgh and of the Thuilleries, as well as to that of Berlin. In acquitting himfelf of this Com- miffion, the Undcrfigned requefts his Excellency Mr. Canning will have the Goodnefs to lay this Offer of Mediation of his Imperial Majefty before the ( 3 ) the King of England, and he ventures to hope that his Excellency will not refufe to inform him as foon as poffible of the Refolutions taken by His Britannick Majefty on this Subjed. The Count de Starhemberg embraces this Oppor tunity to renew to his Excellency the Affurance of his high Consideration. London, April 18th, 1807. (Note referred to in No. 1 .) J "EMPEREUR Francois II. n'a pu voir qu'avec une peine bien fenfible la Guerre s'allumer l'Au- tomne dernier entre Sa Majefte l'Empereur des Francois, Roi d'ltalie, et Sa Majefte le Roi de, Prune, et bientot apres fon Coeur a ete plus douloureufement affefte encore, de voir les Hofti- lites s'etendre et s'agraver fur une grande Partie de l'Europe. Si en obfervant des le Principe une Impartiable ftricte et fcrupuleufe Sa Majefte Im- periale et Royale Apoftolique a eu la Satisfaction de maintenir dans ces Circonflances orageufes fon Syfteme de Neutralite, et de preferver fes Peuples des maux de la Guerre, elle n'en a pas moins pris Part aux Calamites qui fe multiplioient autour de fes Etats, et dans fa jufte Sollicitude pour la Tranquil- lite et la Securite de fa Monarchic elle n'a pu fe B 2 diffimuler ( 4 ) diffimuler ni les Allarmes continuellement re- naiffantes fur fes Frontieres, ni les funeftes Effets qui en rejailKfToient fur plufieurs Branches de l'Ad- miniftration Interieure. L'Empereur invariable- ment anime des memes Difpofitions n'a eu d'autre viie des le Commencement et pendant le Cours des Hoftilites que de travailler a amener une Recon ciliation et de faifir toutes les Occafions propres a faire ceffer les malheurs de la Guerre. II a cru ne pouvoir mieux atteindre a, ce but falutaire, qu'en faTant conftamment valoir aupres des Puiffances Belligerentes fes Sentimens de Moderation et de Conciliation et en mettant toute fon Attention a leur faire naitre des Intentions analogues. L'accueil qu'ont eprouve les premieres Paroles qu*il a fait porter a. cet effet, femble annoncer que le Mo ment d'un rapprochement auffi defirable n'eft pas eloigne. Dans la Confiance qu'infpire une Per- fpedtive auffi confolante, le bien general et I'interet de fes propres Etats font a Sa Majefte Imperiale un devoir de prefenter aux Puiffances Belligerantes fon Intervention amicale, et en confequence elle n'hefite pas de faire parvenir a Sa Majefte Britannique 1'Offre de Sa Mediation et de fes bons Offices. Mais en eonfiderant a. quel point la prefent Guerre s*eft etendue et s'eft compliquee, l'Empereur croiroit n'avcir enonee qu'imparfaitement fon vif dcfir de la Paix, et l'efpoir de fon prompt et complet retabliffement, s'il n'exprimoit pas en meme terns la Convi&ion entiere ou il eft, que ce. ne ( 5 ) ne peut etre que par les foins reunis des Puiffances principalement intereffees dans la Guerre, et par une Negociation en commun, qui embrafferoit l'enfemble de leurs Interets reciproques, qu'on pourra parvenir a ramener une Tranquillite dura ble et une Paix affuree et folide, qui garantiffe pour 1'avenir les Relations politiques de l'Europe. LVapres cette intime Perfuafion que la Franchife de fes Sentimens ne lui permit pas de diffimuler, Sa Majefte Imperiale croit devoir rendre cette Ouverture pacifique commune aux Cabinets, qui devront d'abord intervenir aux Conferences, et en confequence elle s'empreffe d'inviter egalement les Cabinets de Peterfbourg, de Berlin, et de Thuil- leries, a adopter les memes Vues de Conciliation, et a entrer dans des Negociations de Paix, dans lefquelles on combineroit autant que poffible les rap ports effentiels de toutes les Parties intereffees. L'Empereur vient de manifefter en entier fon voeu pour la paix. II ne fe permettra pas de fug- gerer la mode particuhere de cette Negociation, et moins encore d'anticiper fur les intentions des autres puiffances, ou de prejuger fur les prealables qu'on pourroit trouver neceffaire de fixer pour de terminer les principes d'un premier rapprochment entre les Puiffances Belligeraiites. Cependant, dans l'efpoir que I'offre amicale de fon Intervention fera autant appreciee, que la JLecfitude de fes Intentions lui en donne la con- B 3 .fiance, ( S ) fiance, Sa Majefte Imperiales'emprefie depropoferp a l'effet de faciliter par fon entremife l'Ouverture des Negociationg, tel endroit de Sa Monarchic, fdont la Situation et la Localite feroient d'une convenance reciproque, et qui pour cette Consideration ne devroit pas etre.trop rapproche du theatre de la guerre, et a cet e*gard comme en tout autre point l'Empereur fe fera un plaifir ^de contribuer a. accelerer le moment d'une reunion tant defiree. (Signe) L. C. de STARHEMBERG. Londres, ce 1 8 April. (Tranflation.) •>TPtIE Emperor Francis II. could not behold without the deepeft Concern, the Rupture which took place laft Autumn, between his Ma jefty the Emperor of the French, King of Italy, and his Majefty the King of Pruffia ; and he was fnortiy afterwards ftill more painfully affe&ed by ,ths Extenfion of Hoftifities over a confiderable Part of Europe. If by obferving a ftricT: and icrupulous Impartiality from the very Com mencement of the War, his Imperial and Royal Apoftolick Majefty has had the Satisfaction to maintain -his Syftem of Neutrality in Circumftanccs jb critical, and to preferve his People from the Ra vages of War, he .did not enter the lefs fully into 'the ( 7 ) , the Miferies which were multiplied around his States; and in hisjuft. Solicitude for the Tranquillity and the Security of his Monarchy, he could not but be fenfible to the continually renewed Alarms upon his Frontiers, or to the fatal Effecls which they inevitably produced in various Branches of his Interior Admini:' ration. The Emperor, vmifermly animated with the fame Difpofitions, >has had no other View from the Commencement, and during the Courfe of Hoflillties, than to endeavour to bring about a Reconciliation, and to avail himfelf of every proper Opportunity to put an Knd to the Calamities of War; He judged He could not better effecl: this defirable Refult than by conftandy impreffing the belligerent Powers with his Sentiments of Mo deration and of Conciliation, and in giving his whole Attention towards producing in them a fimilar Dipofition. The Reception which his ' firft Overtures to this Effecl: have obtained, ap pears to announce that the Moment of fo defirable a Reconciliation is not far diftant. In the Confi dence infpired by fo confolatory a ProfpeQ:, the general Welfare and the lntereft of his own Do- -minions call upon his Imperial Majefty to offer. to the belligerent Powers his friendly Intervention ; and in confequence of this, .he does not hefitate to make to His Britannick Majefty, the Offer of his Mediation, and of his good Offices, But, in -confidering how very complicated and extenfive the prefent War is become, the Emperor e 4 would ( 8 ) would think that he had but imperfectly expreffed his fervent Defire for Peace, and the Hope of its compleat and fpeedy Re-eftablifhment, if he did not at the fame Time ftate the entire Conviction he feels, that it is only by the united Endeavours of the Powers principally concerned in the War, and by a Negotiation in common, which fhould embrace the Whole of their reciprocal Interefts, that per manent Tranquillity and a fecure and folid Peace .can be attained, a Peace which fhould fecure the future political Relations of Europe. His Imperial Majefty, from that firm Perfuafion ¦(which the Franknefs of his Sentiments will not ^permit him to diffemble) conceives that this pacific Overture fhould be made by him in common to thofe Cabinets which are, in the firft Inftance, to take a Part in the Conferences ; and it is therefore with Earneftnefs that he equally invites the Cabinets of Peterfburgh, of Berlin, and of the Thuilleries, to adopt the fame conciliatory Views, and to enter into Negotiations for a Peace, in which the effential Relations of all the Parties interefted fhould, as far .as is practicable, be combined. The Emperor has thus generally teftified his Wifh for Peace. He will not take upon himfelf to fuggeft •the particular Mode of Negotiation, and ftill lefs to anticipate the Intentions of other Powers, or to .decide upon thofe Meafures which it may be thought aeeeffary previoufly to fettle, in order to determine the ( 9 ) the Principles of the preliminary Overtures between the Belligerent Powers. Neverthelefs, in the Hope that this friendly Offer of his Interpofition will be' appreciated in fuch a Manner as the Rectitude of his Intentions autho rizes him to expect, his Imperial Majefty is eager to propofe (in order that the opening of Negotiations may be facilitated by his good Offices) any Place in his Dominions, the Situation and Locality of which might be reciprocally convenient, and which, from this Confideration, ought not to be too near the Theatre of War ; and, in this Refpecl, as in, every other Point, the Emperor will feel Pleafure in contributing to accelerate the Period of f® de firable a Meeting. (Signed) L. C. de STARHEMBERG. London, 1 8th April 1807. No. 2. NOTE from Mr. Secretary Canning to the Count de Starhemberg, dated April 25th, 1807. *THE Underfigned, His Majefty's principal Secre tary of State for Foreign Affairs, has laid before die King his Mafter, the Note delivered to him by the Count de .Stahremherg, Envoy Extraordinary and ( I0 ) and Minifter Plenipotentiary of his Imperial Majefty the Emperor of Auftria, King of Hungary ar.d Bohemia, in which his Imperial Majefty offers him felf as the Mediator of a General Peace. The Underfigned has received the Orders of the King, to tranfmit to the Count de Stahrernberg the inclofed official Anfvfr to the Note of his Imperial Majefty. Rendering the fulleft Juftice to the Motives which have actuated his Imperial Majefty, in the- Propofal of fu:h a Mode of Negotiation, as can alone, by embracing the Interefts of all Parties, conduce to the Eftablifhment of a folid Peace, and to the permanent Tranquillity of Europe, the King accepts, fo far as His Majefty is concerned, the Offer of his Imperial Majefty's Mediation, fubject only to the Condition of a like Acceptance of it on the Part of all the other Powers who are engaged in the prefent War. In executing this Duty, the Underfigned is happy to feize the Opportunity of renew' -g to the Count de Stahremberg the Affurance of his high Con sideration. (Signed) GEORGE CANNING. jFerreign Office, 2^th April 1807. (Official ( II J (Official Note, referred to in No. 2.) [IS Majefty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, has received, with a juft Senfe of the Confideration which is due to every Communication from his Imperial Ma jefty the Emperor of Auftria, King of Hungary and Bohemia, and of the Motives by which, on this Occafion, his Imperial Majefty has been actuated, the Offer of his Imperial Majefty to become the Mediator of a General Peace. The King, who has never ceafed to confider a fecure and durable Peace as the only Object of the War in which His Majefty is engaged, and who ¦has never refufed to liften to any Suggeftions which appeared likely to conduce to the Attain ment of that Object, cannot hefitate to declare His entire Concurrence in the Opinion expreffed by the Emperor and King, that a Peace of fuch a Defcription is only to be attained through Nego tiations which fhall be common to all the Powers principally engaged in the War. To fuch Negotiations, whenever the Confent. of the other Powers interefted in them fhall be ob tained, the King will willingly accede; and His Majefty will lofe no Time in communicating with fuch of thofe Powers as are connected with Him by the Bonds of Amity and confidential Intercourfe, for ( 12 ) for the Purpofe of ascertaining their Views ; and if thofe Views fhall be favourable to hfe Imperial Ma- jefty's Propofal, of concerting with them the Mode in which fuch Negotiations fhould be opened, and of agreeing upon the Principles which (according to the Suggeftion of his Imperial Majefty) it might be expedient previoufly to eftablifh as the Bans and Foundation of a general Difcuffion and Arrange ment. With refpect to the Place which fhould be fe- le&ed as the Seat of the Negotiations ; His Ma jefty would not object to any Place which, in addition to the indifpenfable Qualification, propofed in the Note of his Imperial Majefty, of being fufficiently remote from the immediate Influence of the Events of the War, fhould have that of affording to His Majefty, in an equal Degree with all the other Powers concerned, the Opportunity of a prompt and uninterrupted Communication with the Pleni potentiaries who fhould be appointed to reprefent His Majefty at the Congrefs. GEORGE CANNING. Foreign Office, April 25th, 1807. No. ( *3 ) No. NOTE from the Prince de Stahremberg to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated No vember 20th, 1807. Londres, 20th Nov. 1807. T E Souffigne a l'honneur d'informer Son Excel lence Monfieur Canning Secretaire d'Etat pour le Department des Affaires Etrangeres, qu'il vient de recevoir l'Ordre pofltif de Sa Cour, de faire au Miniftere Britannique les Reprefentations les plus urgentes, fur l'lmportance dont il feroit de voir ceffer la lutte qui exifte encore entre 1'Angle- terre et la France, et dont les Effets produifent les Confequences les plus fatales pour tout le refte de l'Europe. Sa Majefte l'Empereur et Roi, animc du defir conftant de travailler au Retabliffement du Repos et de la Tranquillite, n'hefite pas a clemander bfficiellement et avec inftance a Sa Majefte Britannique, de vouloir bien lui declarer fincerement fes Litentions a cet egard ; en lui ma- nifeftant fa Difpofition a entrer en Negociation pour une Paix Maritime, fur des bafes convenables aux interets reciproques des Puiffances qui y prendront part. > Le Cabinet de St. James s'eft explique trop fou- vent fur fon defir du Retabliffement de la paix, pour que le Souffigne ne fe flatte pas d'en ob- tenir ( 14 3 tenir dans cette occafion l'Affurance formelle de- firee par fa Cour, qui acheveroit de prouver a toutes les Nations de l'Europe, la Sincerite des vues pacifiques de l'Angleterre. Le Souffigne profite de cette Circonftance pour prier Son Ex cellence M. le Secretaire d'Etat d'agreer l'hom- mage de Sa haute Confederation. (Signe) L. Pr. de STARHEMBERG. (Tranflation.) London, Nov. 20th, 1807. ^"pHE Underfigned has the Honour to inform his Excellency Mr. Canning, Secretary of State for the Department of Foreign Affairs, that he has v received pofitive Orders from his Court, to make to the Britifli Miniftry the moft earneft Reprefentations on the Importance of putting an End to the Struggle which Hill exifts between- England and France ; and the Effects of which may produce to the reft of Europe the moft fatal Con- fequences. His Majefty the Emperor and King, animated by -a conftant Defire to effect the Refto- ration of Repofe and Tranquillity, does not hefitate to requeft officially and earneft ly His Britannick Majefty to declare His Intentions on this Point in evincing to him his^ Difpofition to enter into a Negociation for a Maritime Peace upon a Bafis fuitable ( \5 ) fuitable to the reciprocal Interefts of the Powers who may take a Part in it. The Cabinet of St. James has explained itfelf too often refpefting its Defire for the Re-eftablifh- ment of Peace, for the Underfigned not to flatter himfelf that he fhall now obtain the formal Affur- ance wifhed for by his' Court, which will completely prove, to all the Nations of Europe, the Sincerity of the pacifick Views of England. The Underfigned avails himfelf of this Occafion to requeft his Excellency, the Secretary of State, to accept the Offer of his high Oonfideration. (Signed) L. Pr. de STARHEMBERG. No. 4. V NOTE from . Mr. Secretary Canning to the Prince de Starhemberg, (fated No vember 23d, 1807. HTHE Underfigned, His Majefty's Principal Se cretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has laid before the King his Mafter the official Note pre fented by the Prince de Starhemberg, Envoy Extra ordinary and Minifter Plenipotentiary of his Impe rial Majefty the Emperor of Auftria, in which the Prince C 16 ) Prince de Starhemberg expreffes, by Order of his Court, the earneft Defire of his Imperial Majefty for the Termination of the prefent Conteft between Great Britain and France, and requires a fincere and formal Declaration of His Majefty's Sentiments upon that Subject. His Majefty having repeatedly and recently de clared His Difpofition and Defire to enter into Ne gotiation for a Peace on fecure and honourable Terms, and this Declaration having been made in the> moft regular and authentic Manner to the Auftrian Government, in the Anfwer which the Underfigned was commanded to return to the official Offer by the Prince de Stahremberg (in the Month of April laft) of his Imperial Majefty's Me diation ; and in that which His Majefty has fince directed to be returned to a fimilar Offer on the Part of the Emperor of Ruffia, and which has been communicated to the Court of Vienna ; His Majefty cannot receive without Surprize an Appli cation for a Renewal of the Declaration of Sen timents of which the Court of Vienna has been fo long and fo formally in Poffeffion. His Majefty will not believe that any farther De claration can be neceffary" for the Purpofe of proving to the Nations of Europe a Sincerity which the Nations of Europe cannot queftion. But in compliance with the Wifh'es of a friendly Power expreffed with fo much Earneftnefs and Anxiety, 5 His ( i7 ) His Majefty is neverthelefs willing to repeat once more the Affurance, already fo often repeated, that His Majefty is now, as He has at all Times been, prepared to enter -into Negotiation for the Conclufion of fuch a Peace as fhall fettle on equal Terms the refpective Interefts of the Powers en gaged in the War, as fhall be confiftent with His Majefty's Fidelity to his Allies, and fhall pro vide for the Tranquillity and Security of Europe. The Underfigned has the Honour to requeft the Prince de Starhemberg to accept the Affurances of his high Confederation. (Signed) GEORGE CANNING. Foreign Office, Nov. 23d, 1807. No. 5. NOTE from the Prince de Starhemberg to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Ja nuary ift, 1808. Londres, 1 ft January, 1808. T E Souffigne obeifiant aux Ordres de Sa Cour en fe conformant au defir de celle des Thuil- leries, a l'Honneur d'informer fon Excellence Mon- fieur le Secretaire d'Etat, pour le Departement des Affairs Etrangeres, qu'en confequence des Difpofi- tionsPacifiques de Sa Majefte Britannique, enonces dans la reponfe donnee le 23 de Novembre dernier c a Sa C 18 ) a. Sa Note officielle du 20 du meme mois, il eft charge de propofer au Miniftere Anglois d'envoyer immediatement des Plenipotentiaires a Paris pour y traiter du Retabliffement de la Paix entre toutes les Puiffances adtuellement en guerre avec l'Angle- terre. Cette Invitation franche et fans detour, doit donner la preuve de la bonne foi et de l'lnten- tion fincere de la France de faire ceffer le fleau de la Guerre, et c'eft avec empreflement que Sa Ma jefte Imperiale fe prete a etre l'intermediaire d'un Refultat auffi defirable. On aime a fe flatter que la cour de Londres ne balancera pas a reconnoitre dans cette Occafion l'Importance de la Propofition qui lui eft faite, et qu' Elle fe pretera a donner un nouveau temoignage de la Volonte qu'Elle a pro- . noncee si fouvent de rendre le Repos au Refte de l'Europe, en nommant des Negociateurs qu' Elle chargera des grands Interets a difcuter. Pour eviter toute efpece de retard, le Souffigne eft autorife par la France a donner des Paffeports aux Miniftres que le Cabinet de St. James choifira a cet effet. La maniere dont ces Ouvertures font foumifes k la Cour de Londres, et les Mefures qu'on prend pour en realiferj l'Execution auffi promptemerit que poffible, acheveront de demontrer l'efprit de Con ciliation qui les a dicte. Le Souffigne profite de cette Occafion pour renouveller a fon Excellence Monfieur le Secretaire d'Etat l'Hommage de Sa haute Confideration. (Sign6) L. Pr. de STARHEMBERG. ( *9 ) (Tranflation.) London, January i, 1808. *"J"HE Underfigned, obeying the Orders of his Court, in conforming to the Defire of that of the Thuilleries, has the Honour to inform his Excellency the Secretary of State for the Foreign Department, that, in confequence of the pacifick Difpofitions of His Britannick Majefty, announced in the Anfwer returned on , the 23d of November laft, to his official Note of the 2cth of the fame Month, he is charged to propofe to the Englifh Miniftry to fend immediately Plenipotentiaries to Paris for the Purpofe of treating for the Eftablifh- ment of Peace between all the Powers at prefent at War withEngland. This explicit and frank Invitation muft furnifh a Proof of the good Faith and of the fincere Intention of France to put an End to the Calamities of War ; and his Imperial Majefty con- fents with Eagernefs to be the Intermediary of a Refult fo defirable. It is hoped, that the Court of London will not hefitate to recognize on this Occafion the Importance of the Propofal which is made to it, and that it will be difpofed to give a frefh Proof of that Defire which it has fo often expreffed, to reftore Repofe to the Reft of Europe, by naming Negotiators to be entrufted with the important Interefts to be difcuffed. c 2 To ( 20 } To avoid every Species of Delay, the Underfigned is authorized by France to give Faffports to the Minifters whom the Cabinet of St. James's may appoint for this Purpofe. The Modem which- thefe Overtures are fubmitted' to the Court of London, and the Meafures which are taken towards realizing the Execution of them with the leaft poffible Delay, will effectually demon- ftrate the Spirit of Conciliation by which they are dictated. The Underfigned avails himferf of this Opportunity to renew to his Excellency the Secretary of State the Expreffion of his high Confideration. (Signed) L. Pr. de STARHEMBERG. No. 6. NOTE from Mr. Secretary Canning to the Prince de Starhemberg, dated January 8th, 1-808. ""THE Underfigned, His Majefty's- Principal Secre tary of State for Foreign Affairs, hasf aid before the King his Mafter, the Note delivered to him on the Second of this Month by the Prince de Starhem berg, Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Plenipoten tiary of his Majefty the Emperor of Auftria.- In { 21 ) In ftating himfelf to be charged to propofe to the Britifh Government the immediate fending of Plenipotentiaries to Paris, the Prince de Starhem- t>erg has omitted to explain from whom he has received that Commiffion, whether from his Imperial Mafter or from the Government of France. If the Prince de Starhemberg has in this Inftance acted under/ the fpecific and immediate Orders of his Court, and if the Propofal to His Majefty to fend Plenipotentiaries to Paris is to be confidered as originating at Vienna, the Underfigned is com manded to exprefs Flis Majefty's Concern that fo little Reference fhould appear to have been had, in framing the Propofal now offered for His Majefty's Confi deration, to the Correfpondence which has already taken place between the Courts of London and Vienna^ upon the Subject of a Negotiation for Peace. After, fo long an Interval has been fuffered to elapfe fince the Acceptance by His Majefty, in April laft, of the Offer of his Imperial Majefty's Mediation, His Majefty could hardly have expe&ed that the fame Offer fhould now be repeated (if indeed the Prince de Starhemberg's Note is to be conftrued as a Repetition of it) without any Notification of the Acceptance of thofe Conditions which were at that Time ftated by His Majefty to be indifpenfable Preliminaries' to the opening of a Negotiation. And while the Note of the Underfigned of the c 3 23d C « ) 23d of November laft is cited by the Prince de Starhemberg as the Foundation of the prefent Propofal, His Majefty obferves with Surprize, that this Propofal neverthelefs extends only to the Powers combined with France in the War againft Great Britain, and not to the Allies of Great Britain in the War with France. If, on the other Hand, the Court of Vienna is no otherwife concerned in the Step which the Prince de Starhemberg has taken, than as having generally authorized that Minifter to receive and to convey to the Britifh Government whatever Communications the Government of France might think fit to intruft to him, the Underfigned is commanded, in that Cafe, to remark to the Prince de Starhemberg, that although the Character which the Prince de Starhemberg holds from the Court of Vienna, and the Formalities by which he is accredited to His Majefty, entitle him to immediate and implicit Con fidence in every Exercife of his Diplomatic Functions, in the Name and on the Behalf of his Imperial Mafter ; yet that when he profeffes to fpeak in the Name of another Power, the Statement of fome precife Authority, and the Production of fome fpe- cifick and authenticated Document, could alone juftify the Court to which he addreffes himfelf, in founding a public and important Meafure upon fuch a Communication, From ( 23 ) From the Tehour of the Prince de Starhemberg's Note it appears, that the Note of the Underfigned of the 23d. of November has been communicated to the Government of France. The Government of France is therefore in Pof- feffion of a folemn and authentick Pledge of the pacifick Difpofitions of His Majefty. It follows, that a Pledge equally folemn and authentick of the reciprocal Difpofitions of France is reafonably to be expected by His Majefty, before His Majefty can be called u^>on to make any further Advance. The Propofal to His Majefly to fend Negotiators to Paris, -unaccompanied as it is with any oftenfible and unequivocal Return on the Part of France for the Declarations already made in His Majefty's Name, is fo far from being a Proof of any fuch reciprocal Difpofition, that it can be conftrued no . otherwife by His Majefty than as implying an un- juftifiable Doubt of the Sincerity of His Majefty's Profeffions. Nor is the Want of fuch formal Authority and of fuch reciprocal Affurance, the only, or the moft material Defect in the Prince de Starhemberg's Communication, His Majefty is called upon to fend Plenipoten tiaries to Paris to negotiate for Peace, without the flighteft Intimation being given to His Majefty of c 4 the C 24 ) the Bafis on which it is propofed that fuch Negotia tion fhould be founded. If it could ever have been Matter of Doubt whether the previous Settlement of a Bafis of Nego tiation were neceffary to the Hope of its fuccefsful Termination, the Experience of the I aft Negotiation with France would have placed that Queftion beyond controversy. The Experience of -the laft Negotiation has further demonftrated the Difadvantage and Inconveniency of a Negotiation conducted at Paris. His Majefty is willing to treat with France : but He will treat only on a Footing of perfect Equality. He is ready to treat with the Allies of France: but ihe Negotiation muft equally embrace the Interefts. of the Allies of Great Britain. As foon as the Bafia of Negotiation fhall have been fatisfactorily ascertained, and an unexception able Place of Negotiation agreed upon, His Majefty will be prepared to name Plenipotentiaries to meet thofe of the other Powers engaged in the War : but His Majefty will not again confent to fend His Pleni potentiaries to a hoftile Capital. But while His Majefty has permitted the Under figned to addrefs this frank and unequivocal Ex- pofition of His Majefty's Sentiments to the Minifter of the Emperor of Auftria, the Underfigned is at, the ( 25 ) the fame Time charged to ftate diftinctly to the Prince de Starhemberg, that, not having received any authentic Proof of the Prince de Starhemberg's Commiffion to enter into any Explanations in the Name of the French Government, or to afford any Affurances by which that Government could be bound, His Majefty has not directed the Under figned to give any Authority to the Prince de Starr hemberg to fpeak in the Name of His Majefty to the Government of France. The Underfigned has the Honour to requeft the Prince de Starhemberg to accept the Affurances of his high Consideration. (Signed) GEORGE CANNING. Foreign Office, January 8th, 1808. No. 7. NOTE from the Prince de Starhemberg to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated London, January 12th, 1808. — Received the 13th. T E Souffigne a 1'Honneur d'informer fon Excel lence Monfieur le Secretaire d'Etat pour le Dppartement des Affaires Etrangeres, qu'en confe quence des Ordres de fa Cour, les Circonftances actuelles le mettent dans l'Obligation de lui de- mander ( 26 ) mander des Paffeports pour lui et tous les individus de la Miffion Autrichienne a Londres. Le Souffigne fe propofe d'en faire ufage, des qu'il aura regu les Paffeports du Gouvernement Francois qu'il a de manded par le Courier qu'il a expedie Hier. Le Souffigne prie fon Excellence de recevoir l'hommage de fa haute Consideration. (Signe) L. Pr. de STARHEMBERG. (Tranflation.) London, 12th January, 1808. 'T^HE Underfigned has the Honour to inform his Excellency the Secretary of State for the Foreign Department, that in confequence of Orders from his Court, the prefent Circumstances oblige him to demand Paffports for himfelf and all the Individuals of the Auftrian Miffion at London. The Under figned purpofes to make ufe of them as foon as he fhall have received from the French Government the Paffports which he. demanded by the Meffenger whom he dispatched Yefterday. The Underfigned requests his Excellency to ac cept the Affurances of his high Confideration. (Signed) L. PR. DE STARHEMBERG, t 27 ; No. 8. LETTER from Mr. Secretary Canning to the Prince de Starhemberg, dated January 13th, 1808. Sir, Foreign Office, Jan. 13th, 1,808. TTAVING received Information that Mr. Adah- has actually quitted Vienna, in confequence of an Intimation from the Auftrian Government ; I have the Honour of requefting that you will have the Goodnefs to acquaint me what is the lateft Date, at which you have reafen to believe that Mr. Adair was ftill at Vienna. I have, &c. (Signed) GEORGE CANNING. No, 9. NOTE from the Prince de Starhemberg to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated London, January 13th, 1808. T E Souffigne s'empreffe d'avoir l'Hormeur de repondre, a. la Note qu'il vient de recevoir de fon Excellence Monsieur le Secretaire d'Etat, que Jes dernigres depeches qu'il a recues de fa cour etoient ( 28 ) etoient du 30 d'Octobre, ef qu' elles ne faifoient aucune mention du depart de Monsieur Adair. Le Souffigne prie fon Excellence de vouloir bien ggreer 1'Hommage de fa haute Confideration. (Signed) L. Pr. de STARHEMBERG. Londres, ce 13 Janvier, 1808. (Tranflation.) London, 13th January, 1808. TN Anfwer to the Note which the Underfigned ¦ has juft received from his Excellency' the Se cretary of State, he has the Honour to inform his Excellency, that the laft Difpatches which he has received from his Court, were of the 30th of Octo ber, and that no mention was made in them of the Peparture of Mr. Adair. The Underfigned requefts his Excellency to ac cept the Affurance of his high Confideration. (Signed) L. PR. DE STARHEMBERG. No. xo. ( 29 ) No. 10. NOTE from Mr. Secretary Canning to the Prince de Starhemberg, dated January 13th, 1808. Foreign Office, January 13th, 1808. ^J*HE Underfigned, His Majefty's Principal Se cretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has the Honour to inctofe to the Prince de Starhemberg, Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Plenipotentiary from his Majefty the Emperor of Auftria, the Paff ports which he has demanded for himfelf and for the Auftrian Miffion at this Court ; having it at the fame Time in Command from the King his Mafter, to exprefs His Majefty's deep Regret, that the Circumftances of the Time, and the Orders of his- Court, fhould have impofed on the Prince de Star hemberg the Neeeffity of demanding them. The Underfigned requefts the Prince de Starhem berg to accept the Affurances of his higheft Con fideration. (Signed) GEORGE CANNING, PAPERS Prefented by HIS MAJESTT'S Command TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, February 1808. DENMARK. LIST ofr PAPERS. No. I. Note from M. Rift to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated March 9th, 1807. And Tranflation. No. 2: Note from Lord Vifcount Howick to M. Rift, dated March 17th, 1807. DISPATCH from Mr. Secretary Canning to Francis James Jackfou Efquire, dated 28th July 1807. ( 33 ) PAPERS, No. i. NOTE from M. Rift to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated March 9th, 1807. T E Souffigne, Gharge des Affaires de fa Majefte le Roi de Dannemarc, en tranfmettant dans le Tems a. fa Cour I'Office, par lequel fon Excellence M. jle Vicomte Howick lui donna Connoiffance, en Date du ro Janvier, de l'Ordre da Confeil de Sa Majefte Britannique, qui interdit tout Commerce entre les differents Ports Ennemis, et fujets a l'ln- fluence du Gouvernment Francais., previt deflors l'lmpreffion profonde et penible que cet Acte ne pouvoit manquer de produire fur l'Efprit de la Cour de Copenhague. II vient adtuellement de recevoir fes Ordres, pour temoigner au Miniftere de Sa Majefte Britannique la Surprise et la Douleur, que la Cour du Souffigne a eprouve en prenant Connoiffance d'une Reso lution, qui, fondee fur un Principe, en lui meme .inadmiffible, attaque dans une de fes principales Sources la Profperite comrrierciale du Dannemarc, et femble porter une Atteinte, auffi directe que peu provoquee, a fes Droits les plus facres, et aux i> Traites ( H ) Traites qui le lient a. la Grande Bretagne ; pour en detailler au Miniftere de Sa Majefte. Britannique les Confequences fatales ; et pour en reclamer enfin !a Suppreffion. Le Souffigne, en ayant 1'Honneur de s'acquitter de ces Ordres aupres de fon Excellence M. le Vi- comte Howick, fe permet de lui demander toute I' Attention ferieufe qu'exige l'lmportance de 1'Objet pour cet Expofe ; qui fera dicte a la fois par cette Franchise et par cette Moderation, dignes d'un Gouvernment independant, et Ami de 1'An- gleterre, qui ont conftamment guide la Cour de Dannemarc dans fes Precedes et dans fes Difcuffions avee celle de Londres. De toutes les Cours qui ont le Devoir et Plnterefc de defendre les Droits de la 'Neutralite, celle du Souffigne s'y trouve de Preference appellee a cette Occafion, tant par fa Situation, que par la Nature de l'Ordre du Confeil in question : C'eft contre fes Interets principalement que l'Effet en eft dirige ; ee font fes Sujets qui fouffriront de fes Confe quences. Prefqu' exclufivement en Poffeffion du Commerce avantageux de Cabotage entre les differ ent Ports qui dorenavant vont leur devenir inac- ceffibles, ils font menaces d'etre prives d'une Branche de leur Navigation, qui oecupoit jufiju' ici des Centairtes des Vaiffeaux, des' Milliers de Ma- telots et de Bras induftrieux, et des Capitaux onfiderables, Dorenavant la Mediterranee ferav ea ( 35 ) ph grand Partie, fermee a. leurs Expeditions : Un Voyage d'Hollande en France, d'ltalie en Efpagne, des Villes Anfeatiques aux Ports de la Mediterranee, doit rendre leurs Vaiffeaux et leurs Cargaifons fujets a. Confifcatiom Exclus de la plupart des Ports du Gontinent de l'Europe, on veut qu'ils renoncent, non feulement aux Avantages con- fiderables que leur affure la Neutralite' de leur Pavilion pour faire le Commerce du Cabotage^ mais auffi a. la Continuation d'une Partie effen- tielle de leur Commerce directe et legitime avec les Ports mentionnes. Apres avoir yendu le Produit de leurs Pays, des Planches, des Poiffons, des Bleds, dans un des Ports feptentrionaux de la Hollande, de la France, de l'Efpagne, ils feront obliges a. s'en retourner fur leur Left, parce- qu'il de leur fera pas permis de chercher dans les Ports meridionaux de ces derniers Pays, et de l'ltalie, les Marchandifes dont le Nord a befoin, et qui feuls peuvent conftituer des Retours fuffifam- ment avantageux pour payer les Fraix de leurs Voyages. Pour fe procurer des Sels, des Vins, les Eaux de Vie, et de(s Huiles, il leur faudra faire voile des Ports Danois - en grande Partie fur leur Left, les chercher dans les Ports de la Mediter ranee ; s'ils n'aiment pas mieux, comme, il y a toute Apparance, renoncer tout a fait a. un Trafic, qui des a prefent deviendroit une Speculation ruineufe. Et comment les Sujets de fa Majefte Danoife feront-ils prives de la Pou'rfuUe de lur Trafic le- d 2 gitime, (. 3^ ) gitime, d'une des principals Branches de leur Industrie ? De quel Droit seront-ils arretes dans le Cours d'une Occupation paifible, dont l'Exercife leur eft garantie par le Droit Public des Nations, et par la Foi facree des Traites ; qui affurent, de la Part de la Grande Brctagne, au Dannemarc, la Liberte illimitee des Mers pour autant qu'il n'a lui meme confenti, par de Stipulations expreffes, a renoncer a. l'Exercife d'une Partie de ces Droits ? lis le feront d'apres un Principe de Retaliation, non contre le Dannemarc, car celui-ci n'a jamais deroge a la ftrifte Execution de fes Traites, et de fes Devoirs envers l'Angleterre ; mais contre une Puiffance Tierce, dont la Grande Bietagne parait ne vouloir que trop promptement fuivre PExample, pour fubordonner les Loix des Traites et les Rap ports pacifiques des Nations a un Droit de Guerre, indefini dans fon Principe, illimite dans fon Eten- due, incalculable dans ces Confequences, mais completternent etranger et nullement obligatoire pour une Puiffance Neutre, independante, et pro tegee par des Traites folemnels et recents. Le Souffigne a, 1'Ordre expres de fa Cour, de declarer, en fon Nom, qu'elle regarde le Droit de Retaliation, fur lequel 1'Ordre du Confeil de Sa Majefte Britannique fe fonde, comme abfolument inadmiffible et dans fon Principe et dans fes Confe quences. Pour etablir ce" Droit, il faudrait com- mencer par detruire les premieres Idees de droit commua ( 37 ) commun et public. II faudrait vouloir pofer en Principe, que chaque Puiffance a le Droit de re- noncer arbitrairement a des Engagemens, et de deroger a des Stipulations folemnelles avec un autre Puiffance, par la feule Raifon que fes Re lations avec une Puiffance Tierce ont changees de Nature. 11 faudrait vouloir foutenir que les Pri vileges, les Interets, et la Propriete d'une Nation Neutre, font a la Difpofition de toute autre Pu iffance, quoiqu'elle lui foit Alliee par des Traites, auffi tot que les Evenements, ou fes Inclinations enveloppent cette derniere dans une Guerre, tout a. fait ctrangere a, la premiere. LTnconfiftence et' la Fauffete palpable d'un -pareil Raifonnement ne faurait etre egalee que par, fes Confluences funeftes - pour la Societe. II ne peut pas echapper a. la Penetration du Miniftere de Sa Majefte Britannique, qu'un Principe qui rendrait les Relations et les Obligations mutuelles des Deux Nations, dependantes des Actions quelcon- ques d'une Puiffance Tierce, ou pour mieux dire, qui conftituerait l'etat de Guerre le supreme Regu- lateur de tous les Rapports de la Societe humaine, detruirait jufqu'aux Bafes memes de cette Societ6, pour fanctionner ouvertement le regime de Droit du plus fort, et pour amener enfin celitf d'une Anarchie univerfelle. C'eft cependant, le Souffigne regrette de fe J-'avouer, la tendance du principe d'apres kquel les d 3 Refo« ( 33 ) Resolutions adoptees contre le Commerce de la Grande Bretagne par le Gouvernement Francois, font cites comme ayant fervies de Motifs a Sa Ma jefte Britannique pour mettre de cote les Traites fubfiftants entre I'Angleterre et le Dannemarc, et nommement celui du 17 Juin 1801, qui leur gua- rantit, dans Je cas expreffement prevu d'une guerre maritime quelconque, la Liberte entiere de fon Commerce, a l'Exception des feules Reftrictions mentionnes dans 1' Article 3. C'est I'Efprit d'une Mefure qui porte au Commerce des Sujets Danois le coup le plus fenfible dont i'Hiftohe de la Neu tralite offre un Example. Le Souffigne ne craint pas avoir trop dit en av-an- cant cette Affertion : II s'en est fervi a deffein, et tout en prevoyant que le Decret Francois du 2 1 Novembre 1806, avec tout des Confequerices per* nicieufes pour le Commerce des Neutres, fera cite pour la detruire. Le Souffigne fe feroit eftirne heureux d'avoir pu eviter la Neceffite de faire des Comparifons entre les Deux Mefures, ou de tirer une parallele entre leurs Effets plus ou moins pernicieux pour le Commerce du Dannemarc ; mais la Nature grave et importante de la Tache qu'il a a remplir, lui en impofe le Devoir. II fe bornera cependant, pour donner au Minifteie deSa Majefte' Britannique le Mefure de PImpreffion, qu'ont du faire en Dannemarc le Deux Decrets en Oppofi- tion, a indiquer ; que, felon les Eclairciffements. officiels que le Souffigne vient de receyoir de fir Cour;, C 39 )" Cour, le Decret Francois ne porte gueres, coram* on etait difpofe a le croire d'apres fes Termes, fur tous les Vaiffeaux faifant le Commerce avec I'Angle terre, mais fur ceux feulement qui, venant d'un 'Port d'Angleterre,' voudraient entrer dans un Port de France ; qu'il ne prononce la Confifcation que contre tels Vaiffeaux, qui n'auraient point voulu obeir a la Notification du Decret a leur Entree dans un des dits Ports, ou qui auraient voulu faire un fecret de leur relache precedente dans un Port d'Angleterre; que par confequent les Difpofitions du Decret Francais, dont une grande Partie par leur Nature meme n'est pas fufceptible d'etre execute, n'ont jufqu'ici apportee aucune In terruption fenfible au Commerce du Dannemarc avec la Grande Bretagne. Le Souffigne doit obferver en putre, que le Decret du 21 Novembre, limite comme il est dans fon Application, tourne evidemment contre la France et fes Allies eux memes, ou du moins leur fait partager la plus grande Partie des maux et des genes diriges contre le Commerce des Neutres : Qu'il ferhble done apporter avec lui la Guarantie d'une Execution peu rigoureufe, et probablement d'une courte Duree. Le Souffigne fe croit oblige, par fon Devoir k ajouter, que fa Cour n'en a pas moins fait aupres du Gouvernment Francais les plus vive Represen tations contre une Mefure dont elle doit envifager d 4 le ( 40 ) le Principe comrne une Violation diredte et mani- fefte de fes Droits: Que loin d'y vouloir ou pbuvoir jamais acquiefcer, elle a cru ufer des meil- leurs Armes que fa Situation et la Juftice de fa Caufelui fourniffoient, enproteftantfolemnellement contre le Bouleverfement des Principes, contre le mepris des Loix des Nations, dont ce Decret donne un Example funefte. Mais plus elle avoit ete revoltee par I'Efprit du Decret du 21 Novembre et furtout par le Motif allegue pour le juftifier, celui de la Retaliation, plus la Cour du Souffigne a du voir avec un proT fond Regret la Grande Bretagne fuivre dans fa derniere Mefure la marche tracee par fon En- nemi, et s'autorifer de fon Exemple pour fandtion- ner une Doctrine dont le Principe lui parait plus a craindre par lui meme, que la plus ou moins grande Exageration dans les Difpofitions qui en determinent l'Effet et 1'Entendue. Elle ne faurait ' fe diffimuler la crainte que le Gouvernement Francois comptera parmi fes Tri- pmphes d' avoir engage I'Angleterre a. des Mefures qui, tout en juftifiant fes propres Procedes, doivent affoiblirles Liens d'Amitie qui attachoient a celle-ci les Puiffances Neutres, et qu'il trouvera dans 1'Ordre de Gonfeil de Sa Majefte Britannique un nouveau Motif ou,du moins un Prctexte, non feulement pour perfifter dan fes Mefures funeftes, pour en renforcer la, Rigueur endormie, raais pour rencherir s'il ( 4i ) s'il eft pofiible fur fes premieres Violences et achever la Ruine des Nations, qui avoient confervis jufqu'- ici le Bonheur et la Profperite de la Paix. Le Souffigne' ne s'abftient que trop volontiers d'achever le tableau affreux que la Perspective d'une lutte pareille parait prefenter a. la vfte, • Antorife a declarer de la Maniere la plus precife, que la Cour de Dannemarc ne faurait jamais ac- quiefcer d'aucune Maniere a 1'Ordre du Confeil de Sa Majefte Britannique, qui a ete communique au Souffigne en date du 1 o Janvier, ni confentir que fes Vaiffeaux foient traites en conformite, et a protefter formellement contre son Principe et fes Confluences, il fe plait toutefois a tranfmettre k fon Excellence M. le Vicomte Howick, et a par- jtager l'Efpoir de fa Cour, que Sa Majefte Bri tannique ne voudra pas donner Effet a cette Refpr- lution ; mais qu'en la fupprimant elle voudra faire durer et cimenter les Rapports d'Amitie et de "bonne Intelligence qui unifent a Elle la Cour de Dannemarc, dont les conftants Efforts ont ete di- riges a I'Obfervation de fes Engagements et a la Cpnverfation de fes Liaifons avec la Grande Bretagne. Cet Efpoir re9oit une nouyelle Vigueur par la Connoiffance de la fagon liberale de penfer et d'agir du Miniftre eclaire auquel le Souffigne a I'Honneur d'addreffer les Reprefentations en Fa- yeur des Droits de la Neutralite, qui plus d'une fois deja ont trpuye leur Avocat en lui. Le ( 4* ) Le Souffigne a l'Honneur d'offrir a fon Excel. lence M. le Vicomtc Howick les Affurances de fa haute et refpedtueux Confideration. (Signe) J. RIST. Londres, ce 9 Mars 18© 7. (Tranflation.) npHE Underfigned, Charge d' Affaires of His Ma jefty the King of Denmark, in transmitting in due Time to his Court the Note, by which his Ex cellency Vifcount Howick acquainted him, on the loth of January, with the Order in Council iffued by His Britannick Majefty, prohibiting all Com merce between the different Ports of the Enemy and thofe subject to the Influence of the French Government, forefaw at that Time the deep and painful Impreffion which that Order could not fail to produce upon the Court of Denmark. He has this Moment received its Orders, to ex prefs to the Ministers of His Britannick Majefty the Surprife and Grief which the Court of the Under figned has felt in taking Notice of a Refolution, which, founded upon a Principle in itfelf inad- inimble, attacks one of the chief Sources of the Commercial Profperity of Denmark, and feems to give ( 43 ) give a Blow, as direct as it is unprovoked, to her moft facred Rights, and to the Treaties which connect her with Great Britain. He has received the Orders of his Court, to detail to His Britannick Majefty's Government the fatal Confequences of this Meafure, and finally to require its Suppreffion. The Underfigned, in acquitting himfelf of thefe Orders to his Excellency Vifcount Howick, takes the Liberty of demanding from him all the ferious Attention, which the Importance of the Object re quires, for this Expofition ; which will be dictated by that Franknefs and Moderation (worthy of an independent Government, and one friendly to Great Britain,) by which the Court of Denmark has been conftantly actuated in her Proceedings and Difcuffions with that of London. Of all Courts, whofe Duty and Intereft it is to defend the Rights of Neutrality, that of the Un-i derfigned is called upon to do fo on this Oc cafion more particularly, as well by its Situation, as; by the Nature of the Order in Council in queftion : It is againft her Interefts principally that it is dK reefed ; her Subjects chiefly will fuffer by its Confequences. Almoft exclufively in Poffeffion of the advantageous Coafting Trade between thet different Ports which will henceforward become inacceffible to them, they are menaced with the Deprivation of a Branch of their Navigation,, which has occupied until the prefent Time Hun* 2 dreds ( 44 ) dreds of Veffels, Thoufands of Sailors and in- duftrious Workmen, and confiderable Capitals. Henceforth the Mediterranean will, for the moft Part, be fhut againft their Enterprizes : A Voy age from Holland to France, from Italy to Spain, from the Hanfe Towns to the Ports of the Me diterranean, will render their Veffels and their Car goes subject to Confifcation. Excluded from the greateft Part of the Ports of the Continent of Europe, it is wifhed that they fhould renounce, not only the confiderable Advantages which the Neutrality of their Flag insures them in carrying on the Coafting Trade, but alfo the Continuance of an effential Part of their direct and legitimate Commerce with the Ports above mentioned. After having fold the Produce of their Country, Planks, Fifh, or Corn, in one of the Northern Ports of Holtand, France, or Spain, they will be obliged to return in Ballaft, becaufe they will not be allowed to feek, in the Southern Ports of thofe Countries, and of Italy, fuch Merchandize as the Countries of the North have Occafion for, and which can alone produce Returns sufficiently advantageous to reim- burfe the Expenqes of their Voyages. In order to procure Salt, Wines, Brandy, and Oil, it will be neceffary for them to fail from Danifh Ports for the moft Part in Ballaft, fn order to fetch them from the Ports of the Mediterranean ; if they do not prefer, which, according to all Appearance will be the Cafe, to renounce altogether a Traffic, which would henceforward become a ruinous Spe culation. And ( 45 ) And how can the Subjefts of hisDaniffi Majefty be deprived of their legitimate Traffic, of one of the principal Branches of their Induftry? By what Right can they be ftopped in the Purfuit of a peaceable Occupation, the Exercife of which is guaranteed to them by the Publick Law of Nations, arid by the facred Faith of Treaties ; which infure to Denmark, on the Part of Great Britain, the unlimited Liberty of the Seas in all Cafes in which Denmark has not herfelf confented, by exprefs Stipulations, to renounce the Exercife of a Part of her Rights ? They will be fo deprived, according to a Prin ciple of Retaliation, not againft Denmark, for fhe has never fwerved from the ftrict Execution of her Treaties, or from her Duties towards England ; but againft a Third Power, whofe Example Great Britain feems but too ready to follow, in order to render the Stipulations of Treaties, and the pacific Relations between States fubordinate to a Right of War, indefinite in its Principle, unlimited in its Extent, incalculable in its Confequences, but com pletely foreign to and by no means binding on a Neutral Power, independent, and protected by fo-* lemn and recent Treaties. ' The Underfigned has received exprefs Orders from his Court, to declare, in its Name, that it re gards the Right of Retaliation, upon which the Order in Council of His- Britannic Majefty is founded^ ( 46 ) founded, as abfolutely inadmiffible, in its Principle and in its Confequences. To eftablifh this Right, it would be neceffary to begin by deftroying the firft Notions of General and Publick Law. It muft be intended to lay down as a Principle, that every Power has a Right arbitrarily to renounce Engage ments, and to derogate from folemn Stipulations with another Power, for no other Reafon, than that its Relations with a Third Power have changed their Character. It muft be intended to infill that the Privileges, Interefts, and Property of a Neutral Natien, are at the Difpofition of every other Power, although connected with it by Treaties, as foon as the Courfe of Events, or the Inclinations of that Power fhould engage her in a War entirely foreign to the Neutral Nation. The palpable Inconfiftency and Falfehood of fuch Reafoning cannot be equalled but by its fatal Con fequences with respect to Society. It cannot efcape the Penetration of His Britannick Majefty's Mini- fters, that a Principle, which would render the Re lations and mutual Obligations between Two Coun tries dependant upon any Adfs whatfoever of a Third Power, of rather which would conftitute a State of War, the supreme Regulator of all the Relations of human Society, would deftroy the ¦ very Balis of that Society, in order Openly, to fandtion the Right of Strength, and, in the End, to pave the Way for that of univerfal Anarchy. This ( 47 ) This (the Underfigned regrets to avow it) is neverthelefs the Tendency of the Principle upon which the Refolutions adopted by the French Go vernment againft the Commerce of Great Britain are cited, as Motives to induce His Britannic Ma jefty to fet afide the Treaties fubfifting between England and Denmark, and efpecially that of the 17th June 1 80 1, which ' guarantees to the latter Power, in the Cafe exprefsly forefeen, of any Ma ritime War whatever, the entire Liberty of its Commerce, with the Exception only of thofe Restrictions mentioned in the Third Article. This is the Spirit of a Meafure, which inflicts upon the Commerce of Danifh Subjects the moft fevere Wound of which the Hiftory of Neutrality offers an .Example. The Underfigned does not apprehend that he has faid too much in advancing this Affertion : He has done fo purpofely, and entirely forefeeing that the French Decree of the 21ft November 1806, together with all its pernicious Confequences to the Commerce of Neutrals, will be cited to invalidate it. The Underfigned would have efteemed himfelf for tunate, if he could have avoided the Neceffity of making a Comparifon between the Two Meafures, or of drawing a Parallel between their EffeGs, more or lefs pernicious to the Commerce of Den mark ; but the weighty and important Nature of the Talk which he has to fulfil, irnpofes this Duty upon him. He will, however, in order to make the ( 48 ) the Minifters of His Britannic Majefty acquainted with the Meafure of the Impreffion which thefe Two Decrees, in Opposition to each other, muft have produced in Denmark, content himfelf with stating that, according- to the official Explanations which the Underfigned has juft received from his Court, the French Decree does not, as we were led to fuppofe from its Expreffions, bear upon all Veffels carrying on Commerce with England, but only upon thofe which, coming. from an Englifh Port, are defirous of entering a Port of France ; that it enacts the Confifcation of thofe Veffels only which refufe to fubrnit to the Notification of the Decree at their Entry into One of the faid Ports, or which are defirous of concealing their having lately put into a Port of Great Britain ; that there fore the Provisions of the French Decree, a great Part of which cannot from their Nature be carried into Effect, have not as yet caufed any fenfible In terruption to the Commerce of Denmark with Great Britain. The Underfigned muft alfo obferve, that the Decree of the 21ft of November, limited as it is in its Application, turns evidently againft France herfelf and her Allies ; or at leaft obliges them to participate in the greateft Part of the Evils and Annoyance directed againft the Commerce of Neutrals : That it therefore feems to carry with.it ' the Guarantee of its lenient Execution, and pro bably of its fhort Duration. The ( 49 ) The Underfigned feels it his Duty to add, that his Court has neverthelefs made urgent Repre fentations to the French Government againft a Meafure, the Principle of which it cannot but con- fider as a direct and manifeft "Violation of its Rights : That, far from being willing or able to acquiefce in it, his Court thought that it employed the beft Weapons which its Situation and the Juftice of its Caufe afforded, when it protested fo- lemnly againft the Subversion of Principle and the Contempt of the Law of Nations, of which this Decree gives fo fatal an Example. But the greater the Difguft of the Court of the Underfigned at the Spirit of the Decree of the 2 1 ft November, and particularly at the Mptivfc alledged for its Juftification, namely, that of Reta liation, the more profound was its Regret on feeing Great Britain, in her late Meafure, follow the Footfteps of her Enemy, and take Advantage of his Example to fanction a Doctrine, the Principle of which feems more to be feared in itfelf, than the more or lefs enlarged Scale of the Regulations which determine its Effect and Extent. The Court of >Denmark cannot diffemble her Apprehenfions, that the French Government will reckon among its Triumphs, the having engaged England in Meafures which, while they juftified its own Proceeding, neceffarily weakened the Ties of Friendfhip which attached the Neutral Nations to e Great C 5° ) Great Britain, and that it will find in the Order in Council of His Britannic Majefty a new Motive, or at leaft a Pretext, not only for perfifting in its fatal Meafures, and for enforcing their dormant Rigour, but alfo for augmenting, if possible, its original Violence, and completing the Ruin of Nations, which until the prefent Time had preferved the Bleffings and the Prosperity of Peace. The Underfigned abftains, but too willingly, from com pleting the terrible Picture which the Perfpective of fuch a Conteft appears to prefent. Authorized to declare in the moft precife Man ner, that the Court of Denmark can never acquiefce in any Degree in the Order in Council of His Britannic Majefty, which has been communicated to the Underfigned on the 10th of January, nor con tent that her Veffels fhould be treated in conformity to it, and to proteft formally againft its Principle and its Confequences; the Underfigned however feels Pleafure in transmitting to his Excellency Vif count Howick, and in partaking, the Hopes of his Court, that His Britannic Majefty will not give Effect to the Refolution in queftion; but that, by fuppreffing it, He will continue and cement the Relations of Amity and good Underftanding which attach to his Interefts the Court of Denmark, whofe constant Efforts have been directed to the Ob- fervance of her Engagements and to the Pre- fervation of her Relations with Great Britain. This C si ) This Hope receives additional Vigour from a Knowledge of the liberal Way of thinking and acting of the enlightened Minifter to whom the Underfigned has the Honour to addrefs thefe Re prefentations in Favour of Neutral Rights, which have already more than once found in him their Advocate. The Underfigned has the Honour to offer to His Excellency Vifcount Howick the Affurances of his high and respectful Confideration. (Signed) J. RIST. London, gth March 1 807. No. 2. NOTE from Lord Vifcount Howick to Mr. Rift, dated March 17, 1807. Foreign Office, 17th March 1807. fpHE Underfigned, His Majefty's Principal Se- cretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has the Honour of informing Mr. Rift, that he has loft no Time in submitting to His Majefty's Government his Note of the 9th Inftant ; and that it has re^ ceived all the Attention which the Magnitude of the Subject, and the various and important Con siderations which it involves, certainly required. E S It ( 5* ) It is much to be wifhed that the Danifh Go vernment, before it had fuffered itfelf to indulge in the Reprefentations contained in the above Official Paper, had confidered with more Calmnefs the Nature and Objects of the Decree of the French Government of the 21ft of November laft, and the Order in Council which,, in confequence of that De cree, has been iffued by His Majefty. The Underfigned is under the Neceffity of thus calling, in the Outfet, the Attention of the Danifh Minifter to the original State of the Queftion ; be- caufe M. Rift in his Reference both to the Decree of the 21ft November 1806, and to His Majefty's Order in Council, feems to have mifconceived the Tenor and Effect of both ; uniformly excufing and palliating the one, and in no lefs a Degree heighten ing and aggravating the fuppofed Tendency and Confequences of the other. By the Decree of the 2 1 ft November, which upon the falfeft Allegations is juftified by the Principle of Retaliation, the Enemy has presumed to declare the Britifh Hies in a State of Blockade, prohibiting at the fame Time all Commerce with them, and all trading in Englifh Merchandize ; and by the fame Inftrument, the Prize Courts of France are directed to enforce thefe Regulations. Neutrals are confe- quently interdicted from all Commercial Inter- courfe with Great Britain, and all trading in her Commodities. The ( 53 ) > The French Government, in adopting a Mea fure at once fo violent in itfelf, and of fuch In- juftice with respect to the Confequences which muft neceffarily have been expected to refult from it, committed a manifeft A£t of hoftile Aggreffion (though immediately directed againft Great Britain) againft the Rights of eyery State not engaged in the War, which, if not refilled on their Part, muft unavoidably deprive them of the Privileges of a fair Neutrality, and muft fufpend the Operation of Treaties formed for the Protection of Neutral Rights, thus fundamentally violated , in their firft and moft effential Principles. The Injury which would be fuftained by Great Britain, if fhe fuffered her Commerce with Foreign Nations to be thus interdicted, whilst that of the Enemy with them fhould remain unmolefted, is fo manifeft, that it can require no Illustration. It never could have been presumed that His Majefty would fubmit to fuch an Injury, waiting in patient Ac- quiefcence till France might think proper to attend to the flow and feeble Remonftrances of States not engaged in the War, or that He fhould forbear to take immediate Steps to check the Violence of the Enemy, and to retort upon him the Evils of his own Injuftice. Had His Majefty at once determined to exact the full Meafure of Retaliation to which He was juftly entitled, (and which nothing but the moft generous e 3 regard ( 54 ) regard for the Commercial Interefts of Neutral Powers could have induced Him to forego) let Denmark reflect upon the Effect which fuch a De termination would have had upon her Commerce, taking into her Confideration at the fame Time, the Means which Great Britain poffeffes of en forcing it ; and then let her compare it with the Meafure of Forbearance and Lenity which has been adopted. His Majefty would unqueftionably have been juftified in reforting to the fulleft Meafures of Re taliation, in confequence of this unparalleled Ag- greffion ; and other Powers would have no Right to complain, if the King had immediately proceeded to declare all the Countries occupied by the Enemy to be in a State of Blockade, and to prohibit all Trade in the Produce of thofe Countries : for, as the French Decree itfelf expreffes it, the Law of Nature juftifies the employing againft the Enemy the fame Arms which he makes ufe of. If Third Parties fuffer from thefe Meafures, their Demand of Reparation muft be made to that Country which first violates the eftablifhed Ufages of War, and the Rights of Neutral States. The Britifh Government however was neither hafty nor rigorous in its Meafures. His Majefty waited nearly Two Months before he had recourfe even to the mitigated Meafure of Retaliation, which a due Regard for the Dignity of His Crown and the (. 55 J the Interefts of His Subjects has at length exacted from Him. Whether in the mean Time any fuch Steps were , taken by Denmark as were required by the Infult which had been offered by the Enemy to her So vereignty and Independance, and the Injury done to her Neutral Rights, this Government is alto gether ignorant. All that is known here is, that a formal Communication of the Decree of the 21ft November was made by the French Minifter at the Court of Kiel ; the Anfwer of the Danifh Govern ment has not tranfpired ; but no Intention of Refiftance has appeared in any Public Document, or in any Steps taken by the Danifh Government : Whilft on the other Hand it has obferved a Conduct not apparently calculated to enforce the Respect due to the Rights of a Neutral Nation, nor in con- fiftency with the Character of a Power determined equally to refill any Meafures affecting thofe Rights, from whatever Quarter they might proceed. The Troops which were flationed in Holftein, whilft thofe of the Allies were near that Frontier, have been immediately withdrawn on the Approach of the French Army ; and the general Intercourfe between this Country and Hufum, never refufed in any former War, has been the Subject of con tinual Complaint and Remonftrance on the Part of the Danifh Miniftry. e- 4 Having ( 56 ) Having made thefe Preliminary Obfervations, it will be neceffary to enter into a candid and dif- paffionate Inveftigation of the general Nature and Effect of the Order of Council of the 7th January, of the Caufes which produced it, and of fome of the principal Objects which it had in View. In doing this, the Underfigned is firft led to consider the probable Extent of its Operation, as it affects the carrying and direct Trade of Denmark, and of other Neutral Powers ; and this will be the more neceffary with regard to the latter and more important Defcription of Commerce, inafmuch as impediments are fuppofed to be thrown in the way. of it by the Danifh Minifter, which have no real Exiflence, and which the Cafes affumed by him in his official Note, are very far from eftablifhing. From the natural, obvious, and equitable Con- flruction of the Instrument in queftion, it will be feen that thefe Cafes are altogether exempted from its Operation. For wherever it can be [fhewn that a Danifh or other Neutral Veffel, after having de livered her Outward Cargo, or any Part of it, at one of the Ports in Poffeflion of France or her Allies, or occupied by that Power, fhall bona fide propofe to proceed to another, folely for the Purpofe of fhipping a Cargo, confifting of fuch Articles as fhe may require for her homeward Voyage, it is clear that fuch Veffel would not be confidered in. our Courts of Prize as liable to the penal Confe quences of the Order. In framing the Order of Council pf the 7th January, His Majefty's Govern- 1 ment ( 57 ) ment has indeed ftudioufly endeayoured to avoid diftreffing Nations not engaged in the War. The Neutral is ftill at Liberty to carry his own Pro ducts to a Market in hoftile Countries, to procure from thence Articles for his own Confumption, and to engage in Mercantile Speculations, from hoftile Countries to other Neutral Countries, or to the Britifh Iflands. The Object of the Order of Council was, to pre vent the Enemy from carrying on his Coafting Trade through the Means of Neutral Bottoms, at a Time when the Naval Superiority of Great Britain pre cluded him from effecting it in Veffels navigated under his own Flag, and belonging to his own Subjects. But the trading from Hoftile Port to Hoftile Port, at the fame Time that it was fo beneficial and even neceffary to the Enemy, was comparatively of little Benefit to the Neutral, and hardly entitled to the Character of Neutral Com merce. The Coafting Trade of the Enemy in Time of peace is carried on by his own Navigation. Even the other Branches of Trade referred to, viz. from Holland to France, to Spain, and the Hoftile Ports in the Mediterranean, in Time of Peace, chiefly pafs by the Navigation of thofe Countries reflectively. It is principally from the Succefs of the Britifh Maritime Force, which has almoft annihilated the Navigation .( 5^ ) Navigation of the Enemy, that the Ships of Den mark and other Neutral States are employed as Carriers from Hoftile Port to Hoftile Port, in order to relieve the Enemy from his Diftrefs ; and it is notorious that the Trade thus carried on, is fup- ported by the fhameful Mifconduct of Neutral Mer chants, who lend their Names for a fmall Per centage, not only to cover the Goods, but in num- berlefs Instances to mafk the Ship's of the Enemy. The Danifh Minifter in his Note feems indeed fo intent upon afferting Neutral Rights, as apparently to forget that there alfo exift correfponding Neutral Duties. Neutrality, properly confidered, does not confift in taking Advantage of every Situation between Belligerent States, by which Emolument may accrue to the. Neutral, whatever may be the Confequences to either Belligerent Party ; but in obferving a ftrict and honeft Impartiality, fo as not to afford Ad vantage in the War to either ; and particularly in fo far restraining its Trade to theaccuftomed Courfe which it held in Time of Peace, as not to render Affiftance to one Belligerent in efcaping the Effect of the other's Hoftilkies. The Duty of a Neutral is, " non interponere fe bello, non hofie imminente h&fiem eripere ;" and yet it is manifeft, that lend- ( ing a Neutral Navigation to carry ©n the Coaft ing Trade of the Enemy, is in direct Contradiction to this Definition of Neutral Obligations, as it is, in effect, ( 59 ) effect, torefcue the Commerce of the Enemy from the Diftrefs to which it is reduced, by the Supe*- riority of the Britifh Navy, to affift his Refources* and to prevent Great Britain from bringing him to reafonable Terms of Peace. To put a Stop therefore to this Species of Trade, is a Meafure which might eafily have been juftified without Reference to the late. Conduct of France j and even if the Danifh Navigation were likely to fuffer fome Inconvenience from it, there would not exift any juft Ground of Complaint : But when it is the only Step in the way of Retaliation which has , hitherto been adopted on the Part of the Britifh Go vernment, His Majefty's Forbearance and Magnani mity muft appear eminently confpicuous. If, after all, the probable Confequences of this Meafure are contemplated with any Degree" of Tem*- per, they will appear rather likely to prove beneficial than otherwife to the Danifh Nation. The Products of the Hoftile Countries will of Necessity find their Way into Neutral Countries, not only for Consump tion but for Re-exportation : Denmark will then be come a great Entrepot ; her Navigation will not have the lefs Employment ; the real bond fide Commerce of her Subjects will be extended, and her Revenue at the fame Time will be confiderably benefited. TheEnemy itis true will fuffer by the enhanced Price which he muft pay for the Articles which he imports, when obtained in this circuitous Mode, and by the reduced Price at which he will be obliged to difpofe of his Exports, as well as by the encreafed Difficulty of covering his Commerce under a Neutral Flag. JJut it is prefumed that thefe Confiderations cannot furnifh ( 6o— 9 ) furnifh any juft Caufe of Complaint on the Part of Denmark, the real Trade of which Country will, in all Probability, be eventually rather benefited than expofed to any Injury from the Meafure in Queftion. Upon the whole, the Underfigned is instructed to declare to M. Rift, that His Majefty cannot be in duced to revoke the Order in Council of the 7th Ja nuary, till France fhall not only have defifted from acting on the Decree of the 2 1 ft November, but fhall have publicly and formally repealed it. Should Denmark adhere to the Refolution fhe has expreffed of refilling the unjuft Pretenfions of the Enemy, and manifeft a fincere Difpofition to maintain a real and honourable Neutrality, it is very far from His Ma jefty's Wifh or Intention to deprive her of any of the Advantages which fairly belong to that Relation ; but if unfortunately it fhall appear that this Neutrality Confifts in mere Affertion, and difplays itfelf only in Remonllrances on her Part againft fuch Meafures as Flis Majefty is juftly authorized to adopt, in fup- port of the Dignity of His Crown and the Interefts of His Subjects, and on the other Hand in the moft complete and unqualified Acquiefcence in every Demand which the Enemy may think proper to ad vance, the King would consider Himfelf as wanting in the Regard which He owes to His own Honour and the Welfare of His Dominions, were He to jomit taking, on His Part, fuch Meafures as may be neceffary to fecure both, againft the Injury which muft neceffarily arife from a Continuance of fuch Conduct on the Part of the Danifh Government. (Signed) HOWICK. PAPERS Prefented by HIS MAJESTT'S Command TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, February 1808, RUSSIA. F3 LIST of PAPERS. No. I . Note from General Budberg to his Excellency Lord GranvilleLevefon Gower, dated June 1807. Tranflation. No. 2. Note from his Excellency Lord Granville Levefon Gower to General Budberg, dated Memcl, 16th T 7^ June, 1807. Tranflation. No. 3. Note from General Budberg to his Excellency Lord Granville Levefon Gower, dated Tilfit, 18th - 3th Jline». l8o7- Tranflation. Nb. 4. Notefrom M. Alopeus to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated London, fg^ 1807. Tranflation. No. 5. Note from Mr. Secretary Canning to M. Alopeus, dated 5th Auguft 1807. No. 6. Dispatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated St. Peterfburgh, September 2d, 1807.— Received September 19th. No. 7 . Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secre tary Canning, dated St. Peterfburgh, 2d Sep tember, 1807. — Received September 19th. r 4 No. 8. ( 7* ) No. 8. Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honour able Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated St. Peterfburgh, September ad, 1807. — Received September 19th. Firfl Inclofure, referred to in No. 8. — Tranflation. Second Inclofure, referred to in No. 8. — Tranflation. No. 9. Extract of a Difpatch from Mr. Secretary Can ning to the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower, dated September 27th, 1807. No. 10. Extract of aDifpatch fromMr.SecretaryCanning to the Right Honourable Lord Granville Le vefon Gower, dated September 28th, 1807. No. 1 1. Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honour able Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated St. Peterfburgh, September 9th, 1807. — Received October7th. No. 1 2. Extract of aDifpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secre tary Canning, dated St. Peterfburgh, Septem ber 9th, 1807.— Received October 7th. No. 13. Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretar y Canning, dated St. Peterfburgh, Ii^£-^: 1807. — Received October 28th. lft Inclofure, referred to in No. 13. — Tranflation. 2d Inclofure, referred to in No. 13. — Tranflation. No. 14. Extract of aDifpatch from the Right Honourable Lord ( 73 ) Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr.Secre- tary Canning, dated St. Peterfburgh, October 29th, 1807. — Received November 28th. No. 15. Extract of a Difpatch from the RightHonourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secre tary Canning, dated St.Peterfburgh, Ofclober 29th, 1 807. — Received November 28th. Inclofure, referred to in Np. 15.— -Tranfla tion. No. 1 6. Extract of aDifpatch from the RightHonourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secre taryCanning, dated St. Peterfburgh, Nov. 4th, 1807. — Received' Dec. ad. ,Np. 17. Extract of a Difpatth from the RightHonourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secre tary Canning, dated St.Peterfburgh,Nov.8th, 1807. — Received Dec. 2. 1 ft Inclofure, referred Co in No. 17. — Tranflation. 2d Inclofure, referred to in No. 1 7. — Tranflation. 3d Inclofure, referred to in No. 17.-— Tranflation. C 75 ) PAPERS. No. r. NOTE from General Budberg to his Excel-1 lency Lord Granville Levefon Gower, dated June , 1807. My Lord, A GREEZ tous mes remercimens pour Pem- preffement avec lequel vous avez bien voulu7 me tranfmettre- les Depeches que j'ai reques avec la Lettre de votre Excellence du ff. Les bruits dont vous me parlez, my Lord, font fbndes. Le .^ 'il a ete conclu un Armiftice, qui a ete ratine hier de part et d'autre. Les Deux Arrhees reftent dans les memes Pofitions a peu pres, et les Hoftilites ne recommenceront qu'un Mois apres que PArmi- ftice aura ete denoncee. Persuade qv>'il vous im- porte de tranfmettre cette Nouvelle le plutot pofiible a votre Cour, je ne perds pas un Inftant pour re- expedier le Courier que votre Excellence m'a. envoy e. Quand a l'ehtrevue que vous me,dettiandez, my Lord, je me ferais un plaifir de me conformer a vos voeux, fi je pouvoisprevoir ou l'Empereur s'arretera, du moins pour quelque jours ; mais, comme nous ne difcontinuons pas jufqu'ici d'etre en Voyage, je fois me referyer a la premiere Occafion de deman- der ( 7* ) der les Ordres de Sa Majefte Imperiale, pour ' pouvoir vous inviter a me rejoindre ou je ferai. J'ai l'honneur d'etre avec une haute Confideration, My Lord, de votre Excellence, &c. (Signe) A. DE BUDBERG. S.E.M. GranvilleLevefon Gower, aMemel. (Tranflation.) My Lord, A CCEPT my beft Thanks for the Promptitude with which you had the Goodnefs to transmit to me the Difpatches which I have received, toge ther with your Excellency's Letter of the 44 Inftant. The Reports which ypur Lordfhip mentions are well founded. On the ^V Inftant an Armiftice was concluded, which was Yefterday ratified by both Parties. The Two Armies remain nearly in the fame Pofitions, and Hoftilities will not recommence until a Month after the Denunciation of the Armi-. ftice. Senfible that it is of the utmoft Importance to you to tranfmit this Intelligence as fpeedily as poffible to your Court, I lofe not an Inftant in re- difpatching the Meffcnger whom your Excellency has fent to me. In refpect, my Lord, to the Interview which you. requeft of me, it would give me great Pleasure to comply with your Wifhes, if it were poffible for me to forefee at what Place the Emperor will ftay even for a few Days ; but as we are ftill upon our journey, I muft wait for the firft Opportunity of < 11 ) tof taking his Imperial Majefty's Commands, hi order to invite you to rejoin me, where I may then be. I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) A. DE BUDBERG; No. 2. NOTE from his Excellency Lord Granville Levefon Gower, to General Budberg^ dated' Memel, \\ June 1807. Monfieur le General, J'AI recu avec Reconnoiffahce la nouvelle de 1' Armiftice qui fut figne le 2 1 , de ce mois, et, quoique je me fie parfaitement aux Aflurances de votre Excellence, je ne puis paffer fous Silence la Perfpective d'une Paix folide et durable, dont, d' apres fa Lettre publique au Gouverne'ur de Riga^ Elle eft fondue a croire que cette Sufpenfion d Armes fera fuiviei Les Engagemens reciproques entre les Cours de Londres et de St. Peterfbourg, les Principes con- nus, et la Fermete de Sa Majefte l'Empereur, les Affurances verbales de Sa Majefte Imperiale, que je viens de tranfmettre au Roi mon Maitre, furent autant de Garants, qu'il s'agiffoit dans ce Moment^ non (comme diffent les bruits du public) des Nego- ciations d'ime Paix feparee, mais d'une Pacification generale ; et, quelques doutes qui auroient pu naitre a. ce Sujet, la lettre de votre Excellence au General 8* Buxhovd^n ¦(¦ 7« 5 Buxhovden m'auroit pleinement raffure. — La ma niere jufte et eclairee, dont votre Excellence envifage 1'Etatde l'Europe, me certifie qu' elle n'auroit pense a. la folidite, ni a la duree d'une Paix, a moins qu* elle ne foit commune a toutes les Puiffances en Guerre, et pofee fur des Bafes equitables. Ma Cour fera prete a concourir a des.Negociations tellement fondees, car elle n'a fait la Guerre, que dans la Vue de gagner une Paix folide et durable; mais Votre Excellence me permettra cependant d'exprimer tous les regrets que je reffens, de ce que je ne me trouve pas encore a. meme de faire favoir au Gouvernment Britannique les Bafes, fur lefquelles on propofe d'entamer les Negociations. Le Moment des pourparlers avec PEnhemi eft celui, ou il efteffentielqu'une Confiance illimitee fubfifte entre , les Puiffances Alliees.; c'eft fur ce Principe que la Cour de Londres a toujours.agi j il feroitfuperflu de rappeler a vo.tre Excellence l'Em- preffement, que le Miniftcre Britannique a temoigne I'Annee paffee, de communiquer a I'Ambaffadeur de Ruffle toute la Correfpondahce avec le Gouverne- ment de France* J'attends avec Impatience Plnvi- tation de votre Excellence de me rendre chez Sa, Majefte Imperiale : rien ne me fera plus agreable que de vous reiterer de Bouche les Affurances de 1'Eftime et de la haute Confideration avec laquelle, J'ai l'Honneur d'etre de votre Excellence, a Memel, {.£ June. &c. &c. &c. (Signe).' G»L. GOWER..- (Tranflation.) ( 79 ) (Tranflitionr) General, T HAVE to acknowledge the .Receipt of the Intel ligence of the Armiftice which was figned on the 21ft of this Month, and. although I implicitly con fide in your Excellency's Affurances, I cannot pafs over in Silence the Profpect of a folid and perma nent Peace, which, from the Tenour of your publick Letter , to the Governor of Riga, your Excellency appears to believe will be the Refult of that Measure. The reciprocal Engagements between the Courts of London and St. Peterfburgh, the known Princi ples and the Firmnefs of His Imperial Majefty, the verbal Affurances of the' Emperor which I have juft tranfmitted to the King my Mafter, were fo many Pledges, that it is not now a Queftion (according to public Rumour) to negotiate for a feparate Peace, but for a general one ; and whatever Doubts I may have entertained :on this Subject, your Ex cellency's Letter to General Buxhovden has com pletely done. away. The juft and enlightened Man ner in which your Excellency views the Situation of Europe, convinces me that you could not expect a Peace would be. either firm or lafting, which did not include every Power at War, and which was not founded upon an equitable Bafis. My Court will be ready to concur in Negotiations fo formed, fince ( *° ) fince it made War for the fole Purpofe of obtaining a fecure and permanent Peace. But your Excel lency Will neverthelefs permit me to exprefs all the Regret I feel, at being ftill unable to make known to my Government the Bafis^ upon which it is pro- pofed to ground Negotiations. At the Moment when Negotiation is carrying on with the Enemy, it is moft effential that unlimited Confidence fhovild fubfift between the Allied Powers. Upon this Prin ciple it is that the Court of London has ever acted, and it would be superfluous to recall to your Excel lency the Eagernefs teftified by the Britifh Miniftry laft Year to communicate to the Ruffian Ambaffador the whole of the Correfpondence with the French Government: I wait with Impatience your Excel lency's Summons to repair io His Majefty. No thing can afford me greater Pleafure than to repeat in Perfon the Affurances of the Efteem, and high Confideration with which I have the Honour t@ be, Yotr Excellency's, &c. (Signed) G. L. GQWER. ( Si ) No. 3, NOTE from General Budberg to his Ex cellency Lord Granville Levefon Gower, dated Tilfit, 44. June 1807. Monfieur I'Ambaffadeur, t'AI re9u la Lettre que votre Excellence m' a fait J PHonneur de m'adreffer en Date d'hier, et apres Pavoir mife fous les yeux de l'Empereur mon au- gufte Maitre, je m'empreffe de vous tranfmettre la Reponfe que Sa Majefte Imperiale m'a ordonne de vous y faire. La Fermete et la Perfeverance que Sa Majefte a mife pendant 8 Mois a foutenir et a defendre une Caufe qu'elle a du croire commune a. toutes les Puiffances, font les Garants les ^lus furs des In tentions qui Panimoient, comme de la Loyaute et de la Purete de fes Principes. jamais Sa Majefte Imperiale n'auroit fonge a s'ecarter du Syfteme qu'elle a fuivi jufqu' ici, 11 elle eut ete foutenue par une Afhftance reelle de la Part de fes Allies. Mais, s'etant trouvee reduite a fes feules Forces par Pifolement de l'Autrkhe et de I'Angleterre, ayant a combattre les Forces de la France reunies e aux aux immenfes moyens dont elle difpdfe, et dans & Pofition critique, oil etoient reduites les chofes, Sa Majefte a du fe perfuader, qu'en continuant a fe fa- crifier pour fes autres, elle courroit Rifque de com- promettre finalement la Surete de Son propre Em pire, fans jamais pouvoir efperer de remplir PObjet primitif de cette Guerre. La conduite que votre Governement a tenae pen dant ces derniers Temps eft d'ailleurs parfaitement de Nature a. juftifier la Determination que l'Em pereur vient de prendre. La Diverfion fur le Con tinent, que I'Angleterre promet depuis fi long Temps, n'a pas eu lieu jufqu'a ce jour ; & fi meme, d'apres les dernieres Nouvelles de Londres, il paroit que le Miniftere Britannique s'eft enfin decide a faire partir 10,000 Hommes pour la Pomeranie, ce Secours n'eft aucunement proportionne, ni aux Efperanees auxquelles nous avions ete autorife, ni a l'Importance de PObjet auquel ces Troupes de- voient etre deftinees. Les Secour3 pecuniaires que I'Angleterre a con tainment fournisTaux Puiffances du Continent en Guerre contre fa France, auroient pti en quelque forte fuppleer aux Troupes Angloifes. Non feule- ment que le Gouvernement. Britannique n'a point voulu- favorife? PEmprunt que la Cour Impetiale avoit eu PIntention de negocier a Londres ; maisy lorfqu' enfin il fe decida a offrir quelque fubfide aux Puiffances Continentales, il fe trouva que la. Somme (§3 ) Somme deftinee a cet Effet, loin de fuffir aux befoins des Allies n'auroit pas meme couvert les De- penfes indifpenfables de la Pruffe. Enfin, PUfage qui a ete fait des Forces Britan- niques dans la Mediterranee n'a pas et6 plus, con- forme que le Refte a PUnite et a PEnfemble qu'il etoit indifpenfable de mettre dans les Operations de la Ruffie et de I'Angleterre. Au lieu de tenter une Expedition fur le Continent de PItalie, pour re- conquerir le Royaume de Naples, ou bien au lieu de joindre ces Forces a celles de la Ruffie qui etoient deftinees a obliger la Porte a une Paix raifonable, une Partie des Troupes Angloifes ftationees en Sicile, fe dirigerent vers une toute autre Deftination, dont le Gouvernement Britannique n'avoit meme point juge a. propos de faire Part a la Cour de Ruffie. II eft indubitable, qu'en fuivant Pune ou I'autre des Directions que je viens de citer, les Troupes An gloifes dans la Mediterranee auroient ete d'une Utilite infiniment plus reelle pour la Caufe com mune, en ce que forgant l'Ennemi a partager fes Troupes, la Ruffie auroit pu employer a. Sa Grande Armee les Renforts qu'elle a ete obliges par Ik meme de fournir k Son Arm£e fur la Danube, pour faire tete aux Armees Turques qui puffent s'y raffembler. D'apres cet expofe, j'aime a croire, que votre Ex cellence voudra bien fe perfuader, que dans un pareil etat de chofes, il ne reftoit a l'Empereur moo c 2 . Maitre ( U ) Maitre drautre Partie a prendre, que de fonger S la Gloire et a la Sante de Son Empire ; et que fi la Crife actuelle ne produit pas tous les Refultats aux- quels on auroit pu s'attendre, fi les Puiffances co-intereffees avoient agi avec autant de Vigueur qu'elles ont mis de Lenteur et d'lrrefolution dans toutes leurs Operations, ce ne fera pas a la Ruffie a fe le reproeher. Mais en meme Tems l'Empereur mon Maitre offre Sa Mediation k Sa Majefte Britannique, pour fa Paix avec la France, ayant la certitude qu'elle fera acceptee par cette derniere Puiffance. J'ai PHonneur d'etre avec une haute Cor.fi- deration, Monfieur I'Ambaffadeur, de votre Ex cellence, Le tres humble et tres obeiffant Serviteur, (Signe) A. DE BUDBERG. ITilfit, le||- Juin 1807. (Tranflation.) Sir, and Ambaffador, T HAVE received the Letter which your Excel lency did me the Honour of addreffing to me Yefterday ; and, having laid it before the Emperor, my auguft Mafter,. I haften to tranfmit to you the Anfwer ( «5 ) Anfwer which his Imperial Majefty has commanded me to return to it. The Firmnefs and Perfeverance with which his Majefty during Eight Months maintained and de fended a Caufe which he had Reafon to fuppofe Common to all , Sovereigns, are the moft certain Pledges of the Intentions which animated him, as well as of the Loyalty and Purity of his Principles, Never would his Imperial Majefty have thought of deviating from that Syfterh which he has hitherto purfued, if he had been fupported by a real Affift- ance on the Part of his Allies, But having, from the Separation of Auftria and of England, found himfelf reduced to his own Forces, having to combat with the Forces of France united to the immenfe Means of which fhe has tha Difpofal, and in the critical Pofition at which Affairs had arrived, his Majefty was authorized in believ ing, that by continuing to facrifice himfelf for others, he would ultimately incur a Rifk of com promising the Safety of his own Empire, without being enabled to hope that he might ever fulfil the original Obiect of this War. 'o' The Conduct which your Government has held during thefe latter Times is moreover of a Nature completely to juftify the Determination which the Emperor has now taken. The Diverfion on the o 3 Continent ( 86 ) Continent which England has fo long finee pro* mifed has not to this Day taken place ; and if even, according to the lateft Advices from London, it would appear that the Britifh Miniftry has at length decided on ordering the Departure of 1 0,000 Men to Pomerania, that Succour is in no wife proportioned, either to the Hopes which we were authorized in entertaining, or to the Importance of the Object to which thefe Troops were intended to be deftined. The pecuniary Succours which England conftantly afforded to the Powers of the Continent at War with France, might in fome Degree have supplied the Want of Englifh Troops. Not only did the Britifh Government decline facilitating the Loan which the Imperial Court had intended to negotiate at London ; but when it at length decided on offering foma Subfidy to the Continental Powers, it appeared that the Sum deftined for this Purpofe, fo far from meeting the Exigencies of the Allies, would not even have covered the indifpenfable Expences of Pruffia. In fine, the Ufe which has been made of the Britifh Forces in the Mediterranean has not been more conformable than the reft to the Unity and the Connection with which- it was indifpenfable to act in the Operations of Ruffia and England. In lieu of attempting an Expedition on the Continent of Italy, with a View of reconquering the Kingdom of Naples, or elfe in lieu of uniting thefe Forces to thofe < «7 ) thofe of Ruffia which were designed to compel the Porte to a reafonable Peace, one Part of the Englifh Troops ftationed in Sicily directed their Courfe towards an entirely different Deftination, which the Britifh Government had not even judged proper to communicate to the Court of Ruffia. It is a Point not to be contefted, that, by following one or the other of the Courfes which I have juft cited* the Englifh Troops in the Mediterranean would have been of an infinitely greater Utility to the Common Caufe, by compelling the Enemy to divide his Forces, which would have enabled Ruffia to have fent to her main Army thofe Reinforcements, which fhe was under the^Neceffity of employing on the Danube, to support her Army deftined to make Head againft the Turkifh Forces which might be collected in that Quarter. ^From this Statement, I am willing to believe that your Excellency will be perfuaded, that in fuch a Conjuncture, it only remained for the Emperor my Matter to look to the Glory and to the Security of his Empire, arid that if the prefent Crifis does not produce every Refult which might be expected, if the Powers equally interefted had difplayed Vigour in the fame Proportion as they have exhibited Tar* dinefs and Irrefolution in all their Operations, no Blame can on this Account be attached to Ruffia. But, at the fame Time, the Emperor my Mafter offers his Mediation to His Britannick Majefty to g 4 make ( 88 ) make His Peace wifh France, having the Certainty that it will be accepted by the latter Power. I have the Honour to be with high Confideration, Sir, Your Excellency's moft obedient, humble Servant, {Signed) A, DE BUDBERG. Tilfit, the — June 1807. No, 4. NOTE from M. Alopeus to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated London, aoth Julr 1807, - i.tt Augul* T E Souffigne, Miniftre Plenipotentiaire de Sa. Majefte l'Empereur de toutes le? Ruffies pres Sa Majefte Britannique, a recu I'Ordre de fa Cour de notifier au Miniftere Britannique, qu'un Traite de Paix a ete conclu a Tilfit le j ¦„- entre la Ruffie et la France. Sa Majefte Imperiale de toutes les Ruffies, ayant k cette Occafion propofe Sa Mediation k l'Effet de negocier et de conclure egalement un Traite de Paix entre I'Angleterre et la France, et l'Empereur Napoleon ( *9 ) Napoleon ayant accepte cette Mediation parTAr* tide XIII. du traite de Paix ci-deffus mentionne PObjet du prefent Office eft de 1'offrir egajement k Sa Majeft6 le Roi la Grande Bretagne. Connoiffant depuis longtems les Sentimens paci- fiques de Sa Majefte Britannique, l'Empereur de toutes les Ruffies fe flatte d'autant plus, qu'elle faifira cette Occafion de rendre la Paix a toutes les Na tions, et d'affurer le Repos a notre Generation, que dans plufieurs entretiens que Sa Majefte Impe? riale a eus avec l'Empereur des Francois, elle a eu lieu de fe convairicre, qu'il defire fincerement le Re tabliffement de la Paix maritime fur des Principes equitables et honorables, L'Empereur de toutes les Ruffies offre nonfeule- ment fon Intervention a. l'Effet d'ammener un Re- fultat auffi defirable, mais il feroit meme pret k promettre l'Appui de toutes les Forces de Son Em pire pour affurer T Execution des Stipulations de la Paix, une fois qu'elle aura eu lieu entre I'Angle terre et la France. Par cette Garantie, Sa Ma jefte Britannique obtiendra ce qu'elle a toujours paru d£firer, et pourra Se livrer fans mefiance k Ses Sentimens humains & pacifiques. Le Souffigne, en invitant Monfieur Canning, Principal Secretaire d'Etat ayant le Department des Affaires etrangeres, a. vouloir bien le plus prompte- nsent poffible lui faire connoitre les Determinations que " ( 9° ) que le Cabinet de St. James jugera a propos de pren* dre a la fuite de cette Offre de Mediation de la Part de fon augufte Maitre, faifit cette Occafion pour avoir l'honneur de renouveller a fon Excellence les Affurances de fa plus haute Confideration, M. ALOPEUS, Londres, a° Juillet , 1807, 1 A6ut (Tranflation.) *T«HE Underfigned, Minifter Plenipotentiary from his Majefty the Emperor of all the Ruffias to His Britannick Majefty, has received the Orders of his Court to notify to the Britifh Miniftry, that a Treaty of Peace was concluded at Tilfit on the ^L Jul between Ruffia and France. His Imperial Majefty of all the Ruffias, having, on this Occafion, propofed his Mediation, for the Pmv pofe of negotiating and concluding likewife a Treaty of Peace between England and France, and the Em peror Napoleon having, by the 1 3th Article of the afore-mentioned Treaty of Peace, accepted that Mediation, the Object of the prefent Note is to offer it in like Manner to His Majefty the King of Great Britain. Long ( 9* ) Long fince acquainted with the pacifick SentL ments of His Britannick Majefty, the Emperor of all the Ruffias flatters himfelf the more, that He will embrace this Opportunity of reftoring Peace to all Nations, and of insuring Repofe to the prefent Generation ; fince that, in many Conversations which his Imperial Majefty has held with the Emperor of the French, he has had reafon to be convinced, that he is fincerely defirous of the Re-eftablifhment of a Maritime Peace, upon equitable and honourable Principles. The Emperor of all the Ruffias not only offers his Interpofition for the Attainment of fo defirable a Refult ; but he would even be ready to pro-? mife the Support of all the Forces of his Empire, for infuring the Performance of all the Stipulations pf Peace, when once it fhall have taken place be-? tween England and France. By this Guarantee, His Britannick Majefty will obtain that which He has ever appeared to defire, and may without Diftruft follow the bent of His humane and pacifick Sentiments. The Underfigned, in requefting Mr. Canning, Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to apprize him as foon as poffible of the Determination which the Cabinet of St. James's may judge expe dient to take in confequence of this Offer of Media tion on the Part of his auguft Mafter, avails himfelf of ( 9* ) of the Opportunity of renewing to his Excellency {he Affurances of his higheft Confideratipn. . (Signed) M, ALOPEUS. _ , 20th July London, iftAu^ft l8°7- No. 5. NOTE from Mr. Secretary Canning to M, Alopeus, dated 5th Auguft 1807, 'T'HE Underfigned, His Britannick Majefty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has loft no Time in laying before the King his Mafter the official Note prefented to him by M,. Alopeus, Minifter Plenipotentiary of his Majefty the Emperor of all the Ruffias ; in which M. Alopeus, by Order of his Court, notifies to the Britifli Government the Conclufion at Tilfit, on the 21^ of a Treaty of Peace between Ruffia and France, and an* nounces at the fame Time, the Offer of the Me diation of His Imperial Majefty, for the Conclufion of a Treaty of Peace between Great Britain and France, and the Acceptance of that Offer by the French Government. The Underfigned has if in Command from the . King his Mafter to declare, that the Emperor of Ruffia C 93 ) Ruffia does Juftice to the Sentiments of the King, when his Imperial Majefty expreffes his Reliance on the King's Difpofition to contribute to the Reftora- tion of a general Peace, fuch as may enfure the Repofe of Europe. Ample Proofs of that Difpo fition have recently been afforded by His Majefty, as well m the Anfwer returned, in His Majefty's Name, to the Offer of the Mediation of the Em peror of Auftria, as in the Willingnefs expreffed by His Majefty to accede to the Convention concluded at Bartenftein, on the 23d of April, between the Emperor of Ruffia and the King of Pruffia, and in the Inftructions which the Underfigned transmitted by His Majefty's Command, upon the firft Intelli gence of the late difaftrous Events in Poland, to Hi3 Majefty's Ambaffador at the Court of St. VeA terfburgh, by which Inftructions that Ambaffador was directed to fignify to the Minifters of the Em peror of Ruffia, His Majefty's perfect Readinefs to enter in Concert with His auguft Ally, into any Ne gotiation which the Emperor of Ruffia might think it expedient to open for the Restoration of a ge neral Peace. Thefe Sentiments and this Difpofition His Ma jefty continues invariably to maintain. The Underfigned is, therefore, commanded by His Majefty, to affure M. Alopeus, that His Majefty waits with the utmoft Solicitude for the Commu nication of the Articles of the Treaty concluded at Tilfit, ( 94 ) Tilfit, and for the Statement of thofe equitable and honotffable Principles, upon which his Imperial Majefty expreffes his Belief that France is defirous of concluding a Peace with Great Britain. His Majefty trufts that the Character of the Stipu lations of the Treaty of Tilfit, and of the Principles upon which France is reprefented as being ready to negotiate, may be found to be fuch as to afford to His Majefty a juft Hope of the Attainment of a fe cure and honourable Peace. In that cafe His Majefty will readily avail Him felf of the Offer of the Emperor of Ruffia's Me diation. But until His Majefty fhall have received thefe important and neceffary Communications, it is 'obvioufly impoffible that the Underfigned fhould be authorized to return a more fpecific Anfwer to the Note prefented by M. Alopeus. The Underfigned requefts M. Alopeus to accept the Affurances of his high Confideration. (Signed) GEORGE CANNING. ( 95 ) No. 6. DISPATCH from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Saint Peterf burgh, September 2d, 1807. — Received September 19th. Sir, St. Peterfburgh, September 2d, 1807. T . HAVE the Honour to inform you, that on Satur day Evening 29th Auguft, I received by Sir Stephen Shairp, who left the Fleet off Copenhagen upon the 24th of Auguft, your Difpatches No. 3 2 and 3 3 , and on Sunday the Meffenger Ruff delivered to me thofe from No. 26 to 31 inclusive. .' Being thus completely put in Poffeffion of the Sentiments of His Majefty's Government upon all the Points which could come into Difcuffion between this Country and Great Britain, I loft no Time in requefting a Conference with General Budberg, wno, though extremely unwell, invited me to call upon him laft Night. I began the Conference by obferving, that his Excellency being already apprifed by the Answer given by His Majefty's Secretary of State, to M. Alopeus, of the conditional Acceptance by the Court of London ^ of the proffered Mediation of Ruffia, I had to ftate to him, that I was inftrudted in the 10 firft C 9* ) first Instance to requeft the Communication of thd Secret Articles of the Treaty of Tilfit, and a frank Difclofure of the general Views and Intentions of the Court of St. Peterfburgh. That Impartiality was the firft Requifite in the Character of aMediator* and that before the Britifh Government agreed to avail itfelf of the Mediation of this Court, it was effentially neceffary that England fhould be placed, with regard to the Mediating Power, on an equal Footing with France ; that the confidential Inter- courfe which had taken place between the Emperor and Bonaparte at Tilfit, and by which his Imperial Majefty became acquainted with the Principles upon which the French Government propofed negotiating with the Court of London, had naturally excited art Uneafinefs in England, which could only be re moved by an unreferved Communication ; that I could not conceal from him, that the Period peremptorily prefcribed to His Majefty, for the Acceptance of the Ruffian Mediation had created in London a very unfavourable Impreffion againft the Intervention of his Imperial Majefty ; that however, notwithftanding His Majefty had juft Reafon to be offended with the Terms of the 13th Article, fuch was His Defire to embrace any Opening which afforded the Profpect of the Conclufion of an honourable Peace, that He would not refract the conditional Acceptance of the Mediation, which had already been conveyed to the Ruffian Government, in the Note addreffed by you to M. Alopeus j that His Majefty at the fame Time, looked for fome Mark ( 97 ) Mark of the Good-will pf the Emperor of Ruffia towards Great Britain ; that M. Alopeus had before the late unfortunate Events of Friedland and Tilfit, requefted of you a Projet of a new Treaty of Com merce, and had given the Affurance of the Difpo fition of his Court to proceed to the definitive Conclufion of a commercial Arrangement between the Two Countries; that a Projet had in Compliance with his Wifh been communicated and transmitted to St. Peterfburgh j and that if the Good-will of his Imperial Majefty towards England continued unaltered, I trailed no Delay would take place in proceeding to the Negotiation of this Treaty ; that the Exiflence of any Stipulation in this Projet, which was not approved of by this Government, was no Obftacle to our entering into Negotiation upon it, becaufe I fhould take upon myfelf to agree to any Modifications which did not appear to change the Bafis and Principles upon which it had been framed ; that as France had by the 27th Article of the Tilfit Treaty fecured the Re-eftablifhment of Her former commercial Relations with Ruffia, a natural and obvious Mode of proving the Impar tiality of the Emperor would be the Renewal of the Commercial Treaty with Great Britain. General Budberg began his Reply by acknow ledging the Exiflence of Secret Articles belonging to the Treaty of Tilfit. There were fome, he faid, which in no way concerned the Interefts of England; that he could affure me, and as an honeft Man he H would ( 98 ) would not fay it if it were not Truth, there exifted no Secret Article whatever, which stipulated the fhutting the Ruffian Ports againft the Britifh Com merce ; that with refpect to the Projet of the Treaty of Commerce, he had to confefs, that, from the Prefs of other Bunhefs, and the bad State of his Health, he had not had Time to lay it before the Emperor ; that it muft neceffarily be confidered by the Minifter of Commerce, before he could confer With me upon it ; and that as to the 27th Article of the Tilfit Treaty, it only placed the Gommerial Relations of the Two Countries upon the fame Footing that they had beert before the Commence ment of Hoftilities ; that the Commercial Treaty with France was not renewed, and would expire in Two Years ; and that it by no Mearis followed be- caufe Bonaparte had communicated to the Emperor of Ruffia, the Bafis upon which he was ready to conclude Peace with England, that His Imperial Majefty had made afry^ommxinications at Tilfit of the future Views and Syftem of the Court of Petersburg. ". . . 1 The General appeared t'e wifh that I fhould consider this Anfwer as fufficientfy fatisfaetory to authorize me to accept the Mediation of his Court. I obferved in Reply, that it was difficult to conceive any Articles of a Peace between Ruffia and France which did not directly or indirectly concern Great Britain ; but ,that I afked the Communication of the Secret Articles, not only as an Object which might 'affeft t 99 ) affect the Interefts of England, but as a Mark of the Continuance of that Friendfhip and Confidence on the Part of this Court, which could alone afford any Profpect of good, from the Acceptance of the Mediation of the Emperor of Ruffia ; that with the fame View, I had propofed continuing the Nego tiations begun by Monf. Alopeus, and that if his Excellency had no Authority at prefent to fay any Thing more fatisfactory than what I had as yet heard from him, I muft requeft him to afk the Permiffion of the Emperor to communicate to me without referve the Secret Articles of the Treaty between Ruffia and France, and to empower him to continue the Negotiations, and conclude a Treaty of Com merce with Great Britain. General Budberg promifed me, that he would lofe no Time in bringing thefe Two Requefts under the Confideration of his Imperial Majefty. I have the Honour to be, with the greateft Refpect, Sir, Your moft obedient humble Servant, GRANVILLE LEVESON GOWER. m ^ No. 7. ( le* ) No. 7. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Saint Peterfburgh, September 2d, 1807. — Received September 19th. T HAD the Satisfaction of finding laft Night that a confiderable Change had taken place in the Tone and Temper of General Budberg's Converfa- tion. Inftead' of that Coldnefs and Referve which characterifed the Replies of the Ruffian Minifter to the Queftions which I had thought it my Duty to put to him in previous Conferences, I found a very mild and conciliating Manner, and an apparent Anxiety to remove every Difficulty in the Way of a perfectly good Underftanding between the Two Countries. I regretted the Referve which had marked the Conduct of the Ruffian Government towards England. He answered that Ruffia had juft Grounds of Complaint againft England ; he went into-a long Detail of the little yttention that had been given to the repeated Reprefentations of the Emperor of Ruffia, and I' could not be furprifed, he faid, that in the firft Moment of Misfortune arifing from the Want of Co-operation, he fhould teftify fome Degree of Difcontent. I replied, that we could not better ferve the Caufe of Bonaparte than by indulging ( 101 ) indulging in mutual Recrimination on the paft Conduit of each Government ; that I wifhed our whole Attention fhould be turned to the. future, and that I was persuaded if the Emperor of Ruffia ftill entertained his former Opinions of the Danger to be, apprehended from the Preponderance of France, the Caufe of the Independence of Europe was by no means defperate. No. 8. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Saint Peterfburgh, 2d September 1807.. —Received September 19th. A S General Budberg carefully avoided every Allufion to the late Tranfactions at Copen hagen during the Interview which took place between us on Tuefday, I was fomewhat furprifed on the following Morning to receive the Note of which I have the Honour to enclofe a Copy. In my Anfwer, alfo enclofed, I have endeavoured to follow clofely thofe among the Reafons ftated in your Difpatches, which I conceive likely to prove the leaft offenfive to this Government, referving other Arguments for my firft future Conference with the.Minifter, H 3 (Tranflation) ( io* ) (Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 8.) CA Majefte l'Empereur vient d'apprendre avec la plus extreme Surprife par les Rapports de fon Miniftre a Copenhague, de meme que par un Office dti Miniftre de Sa Majefte Danoife pres la Cour Imperiale, que Mr. Jackfon, Plenipotentiaire de Sa Majefte Britannique, a fait des demarches auffi. derogatoires qu'incompatibles avec la Digmte de toute Puiffance independante, et que fur le refus du Prince Royal de Danemarc d'acceder a une Preten tion auffi extraordinaire, la flotte Angloife avoit prifc des Pofitions qui annoncoient evidemment des In tentions hoftiles contre le Danemarc. Les Liens du fang et d'amitie qui uniffent Sa Majefte Imperiale au Roi de Dannemarc, ne lui permettaat pas de voir avec Indifference tout Danger qui menaceroit les Etats de ce Souverain ou fon Independance, le Souffigne a recu Pordre d'inviter fon Excellence Monfieur I'Ambaffadeur Lord G. Levefon Gower a. lui faire connoitre les Motifs qui ont pu engager le Cabinet de Saint James a des precedes auffi extraordinaires contre le Danemarc. Le Souffigne faifit, &c. aSt.Peterfbourg, (Signe) A.DE BUDBERG. 20 Aout Cg"i Septembre 1 8®7« S.E.M. I'Ambaffadeur My Lord G.L. GOWER. i o (Tranflation.) ( *°3 ) (Tranflation.) T-TlS Majefty the Emperor has juft learned, with the utmoft Surprife, by Accounts from His Minifter at Copenhagen, as well as by a Difpatch from His Danifh Majefty's Minifter at this Court, that Mr. Jackfbn, His Britannick Majefty's Pleni potentiary, has made Propofitions as derogatory to as incompatible, with the Dignity of eyery indepen dent Power, and that, upon the Refufal of the Prince Royal of Denmark to accede to a Pretenfion fo extraordinary, the Englifh Fleet has taken a Pofition Which evidently announces Intentions hoftile towards Denmark. The Tips of Confanguinity and Friendfhip which unite His Imperial Majefty with the King of Denmark not suffering him to view with In difference any Danger which might menace the Dominions or the Independence of that Sovereign, the Underfigned has. received Commands to invite his Excellency Lord Granville Levefon Gower to acquaint him with the Motives which have induced the, Cabinet of St. James's to adopt Proceedings fo extraordinary againft Denmark, The Under figned, &c. (Signed) A. DE BUDBERG. t» 20th Auguft St?Peterfburg, lft §eptsn,ber ™°7> h 4 (Second ( 104 ) (Second Inclofure referred to in No. 8.) • A LA fuite de PInvitation de fon Excellence Monfieur le General de Budberg, le Souffigne' Ambaffadeur de Sa Majefte Britannique ne tarde pas a. faire connoitre au Gouvernement Ruffe les Motifs qui ont amenees les Demarches du Miniftre du Roi aupres la Cour de Danemarc et les Operations fuivantes des Forces Britanniques contre PIfle de Zealande. Des donnees pofitives qui ne laffoient aucune doute fur les Intentions du Gouvernement Francois a Pegard des moyens maritimes du Dannemarc, etoient depuis longtems parvenues k la connoiffance du Miniftere Britannique, et les Projets centre I'Angleterre de ce cote, muris par la Paix continent tale, n'ont certainement pu echapper a la Penetration de Sa Majefte l'Empereur de Ruffie. L.a Flotte Danoife deftinee a couvrir une Defcente fur les Cotes Britanniques. etant done un Objet effentiel a PAc-i compliffement des Vues de la France, le Roi s'eft: trouve dans la Neceffite de fe gayantir d'un Danger auffi imminent, par les Precautions adoptees avec regret, quoique indifpenfables a la S&rete de Son Empire. Les liens de Parente qui uniffent les Deux Cours de Londres et de Copenhague auroient infpire au Roi le defir d*eviter des Extr£mites auffi facheufes, et d'epargner en autant qu'il depend de lui les Interets du Danemarc } mais fon devoir n'exigeoi* I. 105 J n'exigeoit pas moins les Mefures propres a detour- ner un Danger, qui menacoit non feulement le bien etre de fes Peuples, mais PExiftence de Sa Couronne., Le Souffigne, ayant ainfi repondu avec franchife a la Note que lm a adreflee le Generale de Budberg, fe fera un plaifir de donner verbalement toute Ex plication plus detaillee que fon Excellence pourroit defirer et faifit cette Occafion pour lui renouveller les Affurances de fa tres haute Confideration. (Signe) G.L. GOWER. 2iAout St.Peterfbourg, ce — 1 807. A Son Excellence M. le General de Budberg, &c. &c. &c. (Tranflation.) St.Peterfburgh, "^"gf 1807, 2d oeptember A GREEABLY to the Defire of his Excellency General Budberg, the Underfigned, Ambaffa, dor of His Britannick Majefty, lofes no Time in communicating to the Ruffian Government the: Motives which led to the Steps taken by the King's Minifter at the Court of Denmark, and to the fub* fequent Operations of the Britifh Forces againft the Jfland of Zealand, Th ) The Britifh Miniftry had been a long Time in Poffeffion of pofitive Data which left no Doubt, as to the Intentions of the French Government respect ing the Maritime Means of Denmark; and the Projects againft England from that Quarter, which were matured by the Continental Peace, certainly cannot have efcaped the Penetration of His Majefty the Emperor of Ruffia. The Danifh Fleet deftined to cover a Defcent on the Britifh Coafts being there fore an Object effential for the Accomplifhment of the Views of France, the King found Himfelf under the Neceffity of fecuring Himfelf from fo imminent a Danger, by thofe Precautions which were adopted with Regret, however indifpenfable for the Security of His Empire. The Ties of Relationftiip which unite the Two Courts of London and of Copenhagen would have infpired the King with the Defire of avoiding fuch a painful Extremity, and of respecting, as far as depended upon Himfelf, the Interefts of Denmark ; but His Duty called equally for Meafures adapted to ward off a Danger which threatened not only the Welfare of His People but the Exiflence of His Crown. / The Underfigned, having thus frankly replied to Geneial Budberg's Note, will with Pleafure furnifh a more detailed verbal Explanation, fhould hjs Excellency defire it ; and he avails himfelf of the Opportunity to repeat the Affurances of his high Confideration. (Signed) G. L. GOWER. His Excellency General de Budberg, &c. &c. &c. { i»7 ) No. 9. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Mr. Se. cretary Canning to the Right Honour able Lord Granville Levefon Gower, dated September 27th, 1807, Foreign Office, September 27th, 1807, OIR Robert Wilfon arrived here on Saturday the 19th with your Excellency's Difpatches of the 2d Inftant, which I have laid before the King. Whatever may have been the Motives or the Caufes of the Change which your Excellency re- prefents to have taken place in the Tone of the Ruffian Councils, or whatever may be the Proba bility of the Continuance of the Syftem now appa rently adopted ; His Majefty hails with the moft fincere Satisfaction the Return of thofe Sentiments of Friendfhip and Confidence on the Part of His auguft Ally, from which' His Majefty on His Part has never deviated, and the Cultivation of which is more than ever neceffary for their common In terefts. Your Excellency will lofe no Opportunity of ex- preffing thefe Sentiments to His Imperial Majefty and His Minifter. The ( 10S ) abearance and Moderation which your Excellency has been all along inftructed to employ in all your Remonftrances with refpect to Tranf- actions in which the perfonal Character of His Imperial Majefty was fo immediately concerned, and the Reliance which you have not failed to exprefs on the returning Senfe of what was due to His Majefty's long experienced Friendfhip and Fidelity, accord perfectly with the Language which you are now inftructed to ufe, and make the whole of His Majefty's Conduct towards His Imperial Majefty uniform and confiftent. And your Excellency can not too conftantly imprefs upon the Ruffian Minifter the Topick which you have fo judicioufly employed in your late Conferences, that in the prefent State of the World, Retrospect and Recrimination are worfe than ufelefs ; and that the Eftablifhment of future good Underftanding and the Concert of Mea fures to be taken with a View to future Exertion, are alone the proper Subjects of Difcuffion between the Two Governments, l'our Excellency did perfectly right in declining to confider the Communication of General Budberg as sufficiently fatisfactory to authorife your Accept-, ance, on thd Part of His Majefty, of the Mediation of the Emperor of Ruffia. The Points upon which the Qucftion of this Ac« ceptance turns, are, I ft, ( ^9 ) i ft, The frank Communication of the Articles of the Treaty of Tilfit, fecret as well as avowed. 2dly, A diftinct Explanation of the Bafis upon which France propofes to treat, and which appeared to his Imperial Majefty at Tilfit fo juft and honour able. Thefe are the Conditions directly ftipulated in my Note to M. Alopeus, and without which an Acceptance of any Mediation by His Majefty could be nothing elfe than a complete Surrender of his Honour and his Intereft into the Hands of the Mediator, if not of the Enemy. But to thefe are reafonably to be added, if not as Conditions without which it would be impoffible to confent to treat under the Auspices of Ruffia, at leaft as thofe which His Majefty has a Right to require from a friendly Power, before he commits himfelf to its Guidance in a Queftion affecting the immediate Safety and the future Welfare of His Dominions ; i ft, A Difclofure of the general Views of Policy of the Emperor of Ruffia ; and of any Engagements into which he may have entered with refpect to the different Powers in whofe Fortunes His Majefty takes an Inter eft; and 2dly, Some plain and decifive Proof of the good Underftanding fubfifting between His Majefty and his ( "(J ) his auguft Ally; fuch as fhall fatisfy, not His Majefty only, but Europe and the World, of the Impartiality with which his Imperial Majefty has undertaken, and propofes to adminifter, the Duties of his Office as Mediator. With refpect to the Firft of the Two Points which I have ftated as abfolutely indifpenfable, General Budberg appears as yet to have gone no farther- than to give a verbal Affurance that there is not any Article, among the Secret Articles of the Treaty of Tilfit, ftipulating for the fhutting of the Ruffian Ports againft Great Britain. But it will immediately have occurred to your Excellency that a Distinction might probably be taken in M. de Budberg's Mind between a Stipula tion for the immediate and unconditional Execution of a Purpofe, and the Agreement to refort to it eventually, under Circumftances which may not yet have occurred ; and that, fuppofing the for mer only to be the Senfe of M. de Budberg's Affurance, that Affurance might be literally true, without in' fact conveying any Thing effentially fatisfaetory. The Inference fo be drawn from this Circumftance is, that the Ruffian Minifter fhould be called upon by your Excellency in an Official Note, not for a fi'mple Difavowal only of any fingle Article, but for the Communication of the Secret Articles themfelves, or ( I" ) or at leaft of any Agreement actual or eventual, in which the Interefts of this Country or its Allies are, in any Degree concerned. In the fame formal Manner a Comniunication fhould be required of the Bafis of Peace propofed by Frahce; upon which the Ruffian Minifter does not appear to have offered any Explanation. The other Two Points are not fo ftri&ly connected with the Cnieftion of Mediation. But it is never thelefs perfeftly reafonable that His Majefty fhould require fome oftenfible Proof of the Good-will of His auguft Ally, to counteract the general Impreffion which muft have been created by late Events, of a Difference and Difunion between them ; before His Majefty can with a good Grace accept thofe Offices at the Emperor of Ruffia's Hahds, of which Imparr tiality fhould be the effential Character. No Proof could be felected, . at once fo eafy for His Imperial Majefty to give, fo grateful to His Majefty to receive, fo natural in the Eyes of the World, and fo little liable to Exception on the Part of France, as the Renewal of the Treaty of Commerce. With respect to the remaining Point, which your Excellency is inftructed to urge, — a Communication on the Part of the Ruffian Government of its general Views and Policy for the future, — you will obferve, that his Imperial Majefty himfelf annexed to His con ditional Acceptance of the Mediation of the Emperor of Auftria a finrilar Demand of the Communication of ( It* ) of the general Views of the Court of Vienna refpect* ing the future State of Europe In the Treaty of Bartenftein, concluded between His Imperial Majefty and the King of Pruffia, and offered by them to the Acceptance of other Powers as the Bafis of a Co-operation for the Purpofe of producing a general pacific Arrangement, a diftinct and detailed Expofition was entered into with respect not only to the Powers intended to be comprehended as Parties to the Treaty, but to all the other Powers of Europe in whofe Fate any one of the principal Powers could be fuppofed to be interefted. Thefe Examples of what His Imperial Majefty has done, and what he has required, would sufficiently authorize His Majefty's Solicitude to obtain a fimilar- Explanation on the prefent Occafion. But there are other Grounds for it in the very State and Circumftances of Europe, as arifing out of the Treaty of Tilfit, and the Stipulations annexed to it ; fome of which Stipulations are already carrying into Execution in a Way to excite His Majefty's Appre- heniions, if not for His own Interefts, for thofe of His Allies. Is it poffible that His Majefty fhould not think it effential to be informed whether the Public Article of the Treaty of Tilfit, which recognizes the French King of Naples only as King of Naples, is, in effect, contradicted contradicted by a Secret Article, which adds to this Title that of the Two Sicilies ? The Movements in the Mediterranean, and the Surrender of Corfu j naturally give rife to a Variety of Apprehenfions, which it would be for the Intereft of both Countries to quiet, or at leaft to reduce Within the Bounds of Truth. Has not His Majefty the Right to require fome Explanation of the Intentions of Ruffia with refpect to Turkey ; a Power with whom His Majefty finds himfelf at War, and left alone in the War, for no other than Ruffian Interefts, and from a Quarrel efpoufed by His Majefty for the Sake of His Ally ? Thefe Topicks your Excellency will urge in your Conferences with M. De Budberg With all the Earneftnefs which their Importance requires, but at the fame Time carefully avoiding a Strain of Re proach ; and eVen when you are obliged to confefs the Suspicion of Engagements having been entered into fuch as His Majefty cannot but difapprove, com. ducting your Enquiry in fuch a Manner as fhall lead M. De Budberg to believe that His Majefty is anxious rather to find the Means of preventing or remedying the Evil, than to difcover the Grounds of Complaint againft Ruffia. I Upon ( II* ) Upon, the Whole, your Excellency will collect from thefe Inftruclions, that His Majefty is as much defirous, as ever, to cultivate the Friendfhip and Alliance of the Emperor of Ruffia ; that He con ceives the only Chance of Safety for what remains of Europe to depend upon the Renewal of a good Underftanding between them ; that His Majefty has never, even under Appearances the moft unfavour able, altogether defpaired of fuch a Recuirence, on the Part of the Emperor, to the Counfels which are beft calctilated for bis own Glory, and for the Security of his own Dominions, as it is now hoped has taken place ; and that His Majefty, upon fuch a Change, is eager to forget all that has paffed of a Nature contradictory to thofe Counfels, or incon- fiftent with them. No. 10. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Mr. Secre tary Canning to the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower, dated September 28th, 1807. Foreign Office, September 28th, 1807. JTJTIS Majefty entirely approves of the Anfwer returned by your, -Excellency to General Budberg's Note on the Subjea of the Operations at Copenhagen. I inclofe C "5 ) I inclofe to your Excellency a Copy of the Decla ration which His Majefty has caufed to be publifhed on that Subject, in which your Excellency will find the Principles upon which His Majefty has acted, clearly laid down ; and in which the Difpofition of His Majefty to limit the Meafures of Hoftility to which He has unfortunately found Himfelf compelled to have recourfe, is announced with that Franknefs and Moderation which characterize His Majefty's Conduct. In converting upon this Subject with the Ruffian Minifter, your Excellency, in addition to theArgu* ments fo correctly flated in your Note, and to thofe with which His Majefty's Declaration will furnifli you, will not hefitate to appeal to the Ruffian Govern* ment itfelf for Reafons in Juftificationof the Meafures to which His Majefty has been under the neceffity of reforting. You will remind General Budberg, not as Matter of Reproach, but as Matter of Fact merely, that from the Conclufion of the Peace of Tilfit down to the- Hour at which your Excellency's Difpatches by Sir Robert Wilfon were received here, the Britifh Government were without one 'Word of Affurance as to the amicable Intentions of Ruffia towards Great Britain. The Offer of JVIediation, under all the Circumftances which belonged to it, was calculated to excite any other Feeling rather than that of Confidence in the Emperor's Good-will; and every i ; 2 Account ( n6 ) Account that Was received here of the Temper .in which that Propofal was made, and of the Light in ^hich it was viewed by the Enemy, juftified the Belief that it was intended by Ruffia rather as pre paratory to Hoftility confequent upon His Majefty's Refufal, than as likely to lead to a pacific Refult through his Acceptance. In the mean Time, the Publication of the Pruffian Peace, and the Concealment of the Ruffian ; and the Intelligence of the Plan brought forward in the Conferences of Tilfit for a general Confederacy againft this Country, in which the Navies of Den mark and Portugal were deftined to co-operate (Intelligence fince confirmed by a frank and friendly Communication from Portugal herfelf of fuch a Propofal having been actually made to her by France, and enforced with Threats of inftant and deftructive Hoftility in cafe of her declining to comply with- it,). thefe Circumftances, coupled with the actual Pre parations for the Reception of a large French Force at Hamburgh, formed together fuch a Body of Evidence not only of the Defigns of Bonaparte, but of the Connivance, if not of the Participation, of Ruffia, that His Majefty would have been wanting, alike in what He owed to His own Dignity and to the Security of His Dominions, if He had not taken the moft effectual Steps for breaking through the Com-. bination that was collecting round him : and it would have been idle, under fuch Circumftances, to have waited the Confent of Ruffia to Meafures calculated to c *n ) to repel a Danger, of which Ruffia herfelf formed fo large a Part, It cannot be difguifed, therefore, that the Want of Communication on the Part of the Ruffian Government has been in no fmall Degree the Caufe of the very Mifchief which that Government now laments. Confident as His Majefty is in the Juftification of the vigorous and decifive Steps to which the Neceffity of Self-prefervation obliged Him to refort, He would yet more willingly have been spared the painful Tafk of . acting upon that Neceffity, had Ruffia been in a State to offer her Guarantee of the Neutrality of Denmark, inftead of affording fuch ftrong Ground of Suspicion that fhe was pre- pared to countenance, if not to inftigate, her Hoftility. But it is ufelefs as well as painful to dwell upon what might have been the courfe of Events, if the Emperor of Ruffia had not unwarily delivered him felf over to the Counfels of France, at a Moment when it was of all others the moft effential that a good Underftanding fliould be kept up between Ruffia and Great Britain, Your Excellency will therefore dwell on thefe Topicks no longer than may be neceffary to imprefs upon the Mind of the Ruffian Minifter, the Con- 13 > virion { ri8 ) ' viction that the fuppofed Unfriendlinefs of Ruffia' muft of itfelf have prevented His Majefty from com municating with his Imperial Majefty on the Subject of Denmark, before he proceeded to thofe ftrong but neceffary Meafures, the Refult of which has difpelled all Apprehenfion of Danger from that Quarter. It remains now, according to the Principle wifely eftablifhed in your Excellency's late Conferences with General Budberg, to look forward to the probable Confequences of what has taken place, and to endeavour to turn them to fuch Account as may be moft beneficial both to Ruffia and Great Britain, and to that Caufe which their Re-union might yet afford a Hope of conducting to a favour able Iffue. After the Perufal of the Papers which I inclofe, your Excellency will be fully informed of the whole Situation of Affairs with refpect to Denmark. His.Majeftyis perfectly willing that the Pacification with the Court of Denmark fhould be wholly -the Work of the Emperor of Ruffia ; that it fhould originate in his Imperial Majefty's Counfels, be con ducted under his Auspices, and concluded under his Guarantee. The Situation of his Imperial Majefty, as the natu ral Protector of the North, obvioufly points him out for ( ii9 ) for fuch a Tafk ; which even France could not refufe to affign to him, unlefs France were ripe for breaking with the Court of Peterfburgh. Denmark has unqueftionably' applied to the Em peror of Ruffia for Protection. How can that Ap plication be better anfwered than by the Emperor of Ruffia's engaging to bring Great Britain to an Arrangement upon fuch Terms as are ftated in the inclofed Papers ? And to fuch Engagement on the Part of ihe Emperor of Ruffia, the Emperor is before-hand affured of the Confent of His Majefty. No: n. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated •Saint Peterfburgh, 9th September 1 807. — Received October 7th. T HAVE the Honour to inform you, that on Tuefday laft General Budberg gave up the Portfeuille of the Foreign Affairs to'Count Soltykoff. I took an early Opportunity after this Notifi cation of feeing Count -Soltykoff, and recapitulated to him what had paffed in my laft Conference with 1 4 General ( 1*0 ) General Budberg ; I reminded him of the Promife made by his Predeceffor to bring under the imme diate Confideration of the Emperor the Points upon which I had been inftructed to obtain an Anfwer from this Court, before I could fignify the Accepk ance of His Majefty to the propofed Offer of Me diation. I obferved that the Tardinefs of this Go vernment upon this Subject ill accorded with the Anxiety expreffed by His, Imperial Majefty for the Conclufion of Peace between England and France. Count: Sokykoff anfwered that he would on the following Day take the Emperor's Orders with refpect to the Communication of the Secret Arti cles of the Treaty of Tilfit ; that without feeing his Imperial Majefty he could take upon himfelf to fay ' that the Ruffian Government was well-difpofed to enter into a Negotiation upon the Treaty of Com merce ; and he repeated what I had before heard from General Budberg, that the Projet de Traite tranfmitted by M. Alopeus muft in the firft Inftance be fubmitted to the Confideration of the Depart ment which it peculiarly concerned. In the Courfe of our Converfation he gave many general Affurr ances of the amicable Difpofition of this Court to wards England, and of the Satisfaction he fhould feel in contributing to the Eftablifhment of a Footing of friendly and confidential Intercourfe between our Two Governments. Count Soltykoff being in the Country Yefterday, my Endeavours to fee him were unavailing; but I this ( ?" ) this Morning obtained, a Conference, when, after ibmp Expreffions of Regret, at his firft Commu* nication with me being of an unpleafant Nature, he told me, that he was aphorized hy the Em- peror to inform me, that his Imperial Majefty did not think proper to communicate the Secret Ar ticles. It is not, he faid, on account of their con taining any Stipulations prejudicial to England; but having once determined that thefe Articles fhould not he rnade public, the Emperor fees no Reafon for receding from his Determination, No. 12. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from" the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Saint Peterfburgh, gth September 1807. — Received October 7th. St. Peterfburgh, September 9th, 1807. A/f Y laft Difpatches to you had fcarcely left Per terfburgh, when I received Information that the Emperor had named Count Romanzow, Minifter for Foreign Affairs. This Appointment was offi-; cially made known three Days afterwards to the Corps Diplomatique by a circular Note. I thought, it my Duty to lofe no Time in feeing Count Romanzow; and the State of Sufpence in which ( '22 ) which I have been fo long kept with refpect to the Negotiation of the Renewal of the Treaty of Commerce, juftified me in requefting an immediate Conference with the new Minifter. • After the ufiial Compliments upon his Appoint ment, I expreffed to him the Regret I felt at the extraordinary-Referve of his Court towards that of London, and my extreme Difappointment at the Refufal which had been fignified to me by Count Soltikoff to communicate to me the Secret Ar rangements concluded at Tilfit. I obferved that this Refufal made it impoffible for the King my Mafter to avail Himfelf of his Imperial Majefty's Offer of Mediation ; for how, I faid, could it be ex pected that His Majefty would accept the Mediation of a Sovereign, between whom and Bonaparte there was every Appearance of intimate Union and fe- cret Underftanding, and from whom His Majefty had not been able to obtain any Mark whatever of Friendfhip and Confidence? I added, that I was the more furprized at this Conduct, becaufe, notwithftanding the Grounds of Diffatisfaction which the publifhed Articles of the Treaty of Tilfit afforded to His Majefty, fuch was his Partiality to wards his auguft Ally, that He had been difpofed to look upon them as forced upon his Imperial Majefty by the unfortunate Circumftances of the Moment ; and I had, even fince the Knowledge of thefe public Articles, been authorized to give frefh Affurances of the Defire of His Majefty to renew the, C 123 ) the Intimacy and Confidence which had before fub- fifted between the Two Courts. Count Romanzow anfwered, that the Emperor's Friendfhip for His Majefty had been proved by his Anxiety that Peace fhould be concluded between England and France, and that his Impartiality Jiad been manifefted by his Offer of Mediation ; Impar tiality being the neceffary Attribute pf a Mediator. After giving the obvious Anfwer to his novel Mode of Reafoning, I expreffed my Hope that the Union of the Two Departments of Commerce and Foreign Affairs in the fame Perfon would accelerate the Negotiation of the Treaty of Commerce. Nearly a Month had elapfed fince the Arrival here of a Projet of a Treaty tranfmitted by M. Alopeus, and as yet I have not been able to obtain an Anfwer whether the Stipulations of that Projet of a Treaty- were approved of here, or even whether the Ruffian Government were difpofed to enter at all into Negotiations upon this Subject. Count Romanzow affured me that he never heard of this Projet but from Sir Stephen Shairp ; that fince he had received the Portefeuille of the Foreign Affairs, he had en quired for it, but it could not be found, and that he fuppofed it muft be among the Papers of the Emperor. I propofed to fend him a Copy ; which he declined to accept, faying, that he would, in the firffc Inftance, acquaint the Emperor that I had requefted an Anfwer from this Government upon 13 the ( 124 ) the Queftion of the Renewal of the Treaty of Commerce, I took this Opportunity of obferving to him that M. Alopeus had afked for fly's Projet ; and that therefore unlefs a perfect change had taken place in the friendly Difpofitions of this Court, the Emperor would certainly approve of our entering into Nego tiation upon it, though it might happen that fome of the Provifions of it might poffibly be confidered here as not wholly free from Objection. He faid, that he was happy to hear from Sir Ste phen Shairp that the Projet contained nothing com trary to the Regulations prefcribed in the Manir feft of the ill January, for that was a fundamental Law of the Country ; and after boafting of the In dulgence he had fhewn to the Englifh Merchants in the Execution of this Act, he fhewed a Wifh to end our Conference, by beginning a Converfation on indifferent Subjects. No. ( «s ) No. 13. DISPATCH from the Right Honourable' Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Saint Peterf- 19th Sept burgh> IFoaT l8o7* — Received Oc tober 28th. Sir, St. Peterfburgh, ift October 1807. 1 HAD the Honour, by the laft Meffenger, to in form you of my having communicated to Count Romanzow a Copy of the Capitulation of Copen hagen, accompanied by a fhort Note, in which I expreffed my Hope that this Capitulation might be followed by the Re-eftablifhment of Peace between Great Britain and Denmark. Six Days after I received the enclofed Note from ^e Ruffian Minifter. The Pretenfions fet forth in this Paper, and the Tone in which they are urged, appeared to me to be of a Nature to call for an im mediate Anfwer. In my Reply (of which I enclofe a Copy) I endeavoured to fatisfy the Ruffian Mi nifter that His Majefty's Government had, in the Communications which I had been authorized to make, fhewn every reafonable mark of Refpeft an4 Confideration for His Imperial Majefty, notwith- ftanding his chtange of Syftem an Proof, that the Cabinet of St. James's were thern- felves persuaded, that what they were undertaking was directly contrary to the Interefts of Ruffia. So in fact it is, and the Emperor owes it to himfelf, and to the Interefts of his Empire, not to fhew himfelf infenfible to it. His Majefty considers himfelf as Guarantee of the Security, and of the Tranquillity of the BaltickSea ; at what Period have the Tranquillity and the Security of that Sea been fo molefted as in this Inftance ? The Underfigned, having apprifed His Britannick Majefty's Ambaffador o'f the Sentiments of the Emperor his Mafter, avails himfelf of this Oppor tunity, &c. (Signed) Count NICHOLAS DE ROMANZOFF. St. Peterfburgh; 44. September 1807. (Second Inclofure referred to in No. 13.) T E Souffigne, Ambaffadeur de Sa Majefte Bri tannique a PHonneur d'accufer la Reception de la Note que fon Excellence Monfieur le Count de Romanzoff lui a addreffee en Date du Hier. K 2 II ( 1%* ) $ ne tardera pas a la tranfmettre a fa Cour ; mais- les Inculpations qui y font contenues contre le Governement Britannique impofent au Souffigne le devoir de prier fon Excellence de vouloir bien porter fans Delai a. la connoiffance de Sa Majefte Imperiale quelques Obfervations qui puiffent mettre dans leur jour veritable les Demarches reciproques des Deux Puiffances. Quoique la Celerite indifpenfable a. I'ExecutioH des Projets de Precautions adoptes vis-a-vis le Dan nemarc ne permettoit pas des Communications anterieures, la Note du Souffigne en Date du 2 Sep- tembre, bien loin de cacher les raifons qui avoient motivee cette Expedition, ,les divulgoit avec fran- chife, et Pexplication en fut reiteree et aceom- pagnee de Details plus que fatisfaifans a P Occafion de la premiere Conference du Souffigne avec le Miniftere du jour. Les Articles Secrets du Traite de Tilfitti font d'ailleurs encore iiiconnus a. la Cour de Londres; et le Souffigne a vainement reclame la Communi cation des Arrangemens dont Paccompliffement developpe chaque jour des Objets peu conformes a l'efprit des anciennes Alliances et abfofument prejudiciables aux Interets dont le maintien fut jadis une partie effentielle du Syfteme Ruffe. Eft ce done a la Ruffie de fe plaindre du Secret lorfque cette Cour refufe nettement la feule Explication qu'auroit pu raffurer celle de Londres, fur les Inten tions ( *33 ) tjons et les Projets mediteV a fon egard ? Ce Si lence, cette extreme Referve peut fervir de preuve que le Cabinet de Peterfbourg jugea lui memes que fes Arrangemens fecrets etoient diredtement con- traires aux Interets de la Grande Bretagne. Quant a. la Tranquillite de la Baltique, I'Angle terre n'a jamais reconnu des droits exclufifs ; et quelques fuffent les Pretentions de la Ruffie au titre de garant de la Surete de cette Mer, fon Si lence lors de la cloture des Ports au Pavilion Bri tannique, de Lubec jufqu'a Memel, paroiffoit en etre l'abandon ouvert. Le Souffigne faifit, &c. (Signe) G. L. GOWER. Ce 44 Sept. 1 807. (Tranflation.) 'TpHE Underfigned, His Britannick Majefty's Ambaffador, has the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of the Note of Yefterday's Date, which the Count de Roman zoff addreffed to him. He will lofe no Time in tranfmiting it to his Court, but the Charges which it contains againft the Britifh Go vernment, impofe on the Underfigned the Duty of requefting his Excellency to fubmit without Delay K 3 1,0 ( '34 ) to His Imperial Majefty fome Obfervations, which may place iA their true Light the reciprocal Pro ceedings of both Powers. Although the Celerity indifpenfable to the Exe cution of the Meafures of Precaution adopted with regard to Denmark, did not allow of any anterior Communications, the Note of the Underfigned dated the 2d September, fo far from concealing the Reafons which produced that Expedition, de clared them with Franknefs, and the Explanation of them' v/as repeated and accompanied with De tails in the higheft Degree fatisfactory, at the firft Conference of the Underfigned with the Miniftry of that Day. The Secret Articles of the Treaty of Tilfit are moreover flill unknown to the Court of London ; and the Underfigned has vainly required a Com munication of thofe Arrangements, the Execution of which daily develops Objects in no way con formable to the Spirit of the antient Alliances, and abfolutely prejudicial to thofe Interefts, the Main tenance of which formerly conflituted an effential Part of the Ruffian Syftem. Is it then for Ruffia to complain of Secrecy, whilft that Court abfolutely refufes the only Explanation which could have been fatisfactory to the Court of London, as to the Intentions and the Projects meditated with regard to Her ? This Silence, this extreme Referve, may ferve as Proof, that the Cabinet of St. Peterfburgh were ( *3S ) were themfelves perfuaded that their fecret Arrange* ments were directly contrary to the Interefts of Great Britain. As to the Tranquillity of the Baltick, England has never recognized any exclufive Rights ; and whatever may have been the Pretenfions of Ruffia to the Title of Guarantee of the Security of that Sea, Her Silence at the Period when every Port from Lubeck to Memel was fhut againft the Britifh Flag, appears an open Abandonment of thofe Pretenfions. (Signed) G. L. GOWER. 44 September 1807. No. 1,4. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Lord Granville Levefon Gower, to Mr. Secre tary Canning, dated St. Peterfburgh, October 29th, 1807. CIR Robert Wilfon arrived here on Saturday the 17th, and delivered to me your Difpatches. The Emperor having returned from the In flection of his Army in Poland only on Thurfday laft, and Count Romanzow having for fome Days previous to that Time been waiting at Gatfchina K 4 the ( i3« ) the Arrival of His Imperial Majefty, it was not till Saturday Night, that I fucceeded in obtaining a Conference with the Ruffian Minifter. My Reports of the Change of Miniftry here, and of the unfriendly Tone which has marked the Communication I have received from this Govern ment fince that Change, will have diffipated the Hopes which the Account of my laft Converfation with General Budberg and other Reprefentations had led His Majefty's Government to entertain of the future Conduct of this Court. I began my Conference with Count Romanzow, by faying, that I had received Inftructions which we; ¦.= written under, an Impreffion that there exifted in this Cabinet a Difpofition to renew its former footing of Confidence with the Englifh Government ; I explained to him fairly what had caufed this Im preffion ; and added, that though His Majefty could regard the Energy and Refources of his own People as the only fure Foundation of the Safety and Profperity of His Kingdom, yet that He was always inclined to avail Himfelf of any opening which this Court might afford, for re-eftablifhing that Union and Confidence which appeared advan tageous to the mutual Interefts of both Countries, and almoft effential for the Recovery of the Inde pendence of Europe ; that the Communications I had received from his Excellency, and the Conduct of this Government fince the Portefeuille of Foreign Affairs ( 137 ) Affairs had been committed to his Hands, had fa changed the State of Things, that I almoft doubted whether I fhould be juftified in executing the Inftructions I had received ; but that truiting that he would do Juftice to the perfevering Moderation of His Majefty, I would ftate to him with Frank nefs what was the Nature of thefe Inftructions. His Majefty's Declaration, I obferved, fufficiently .explained to Europe, that the Court of London had no Views of aggrandizing or enriching itfelf at the Expence of Denmark. For the Security of the Britifh Dominions, His Majefty had been forced to remove out of the reach of France the Naval Means of Denmark ; but this Object being accom panied, the Englifh Government were ready to forego any Advantage that might be derived to Great Britain from the Continuance of this War; and His Majefty was ready to concert with Ruffia the Means of re-eftablifhing the Tranquillity of the North of Europe. That Object could be ob tained only by the Reftoration of the Neutrality of Denmark, and that Neutrality could be rendered real and permanent only through the Means of Ruffia. The Court of Peterfburgh, I faid, were even more interefted than the Court of London in the Succefs of this Negotiation, Count Romanzow anfwered, " How can Ruffia recommend to Denmark to fubmit to the Affront flic had received, and to endure with Patience all |jer Loffes ?" I replied, " If by the Continuance of ( 133 ) of the War, Denmark could hope to recover her Fleet, fhe might with Reafon be indifpofed to liften to fuch Advice ; but when it was evident to every Perfon who reflected for a Moment on the actual State of Things, that the Court of Copenhagen, by the Continuance of the War, could gain nothing but the Entrance of a French Army into the Body of its Territory, I could not but think that a friendly Reprefentation from a neutral Power, of a Danger which threatened the very Exiflence of Denmark, might recall the Prince Royal to a more dif- paffionate Confideration of the real Interefts of his Country." Count Romanzow repeated to me, that he did not fee how the Court of Peterfburgh could inter fere ; but added, that fie could give me no pofitive Anfwer to what I had reprefented to him, till he had made his Report of my Communication to his Imperial Majefty. No. 15. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Saint Peterfburgh, October 29th, 1807. -^Received November 28th. St. Peterfburgh, 29th October 1807. T HAVE the Honour to enclofe a Copy of an * official Note, which, in confequence of the In ftructions contained in your Difpatch of the 27th September,, ( 139 ) September, I immediately addreffed to Count Ro manzow, upon the, Queftion of the proffered Media tion of Ruffia. It is now nearly Ten Days fince I fenc it, and have as yet received no Anfwer. (Inclofure referred to in No. 1 5.) r\UOIQJJE Son Excellence le Miniftre des ^^^ Affaires Etrangeres ait enonee la Determi nation de Sa Majefte Imp6riale de ne faire aucune Communication confidentielle des Articles Secrets, renfermes dans la Traite de Paix entre la Ruffie et la France, Determination que le Miniftre Ruffe fut prteVenu doit rendre infructeufe I'offre de la Media tion propofee de la Cour de St. Peterfbourg ; Le Souffigne, Ambaffadeur de Sa Majefte Britannique, ne peut cependant abandonner fes Inftances a moins d'inviter Son Excellence Monfieur le Comte de Romanzow de lui faire un Expofe des Raifons qui auroient pu motiver cette referve. Son Excellence verra d'ailleurs que des Difcufc fions impliquants les Deftinees de tant de Peuples, et qui ont eu pour Objet la Retabliffement de la Tranquillite generale, ne peuvent duement etre ter- minees par un aveu purement verbal. Le Souffigne s'empreffe done de porter a la Connoiffance du Miniftere Imperiale, les voeux de Son Souverara £?us ( mo ) fous une forme officielle, et il aime a efperer que le Gouvernement Ruffe repondant au defir qu'a toujours temoigne le Miniftere Britannique de con- ferver les anciennes Relations de confiance entre les Cours de Londres et St. Peterfbourg, n'hefitera plus de lui accorder la Communication defiree, ac- compagnee de la Ponftuation des Principes equita- bles et honorables que Sa Majefte Imperiale avoit lieu de fe convaincre le Gouvernement Francais defiroit etablir pour Bafes d'une Negotiation entre I'Angleterre et la France. II faifit, &c. Odober. (Signe) G. L. GOWER. 1 1 (Tranflation.) NOTWITHSTANDING his Excellency the Minifter for Foreign Affairs has announced His Imperial Majefty's Determination not to make any confidential Communication of the Secret Ar ticles contained in the Treaty of Peace between Ruffia and France, a Determination which the Ruffian Minifter has been apprized muft render fruitlefs the Offer of Mediation propofed by the Court of St. Peterfburgh ; the Underfigned, His Britannick Majefty's Ambaffador, cannot neverthe lefs entirely abandon his Solicitations without re quefting C Hi ) quelling his Excellency Count Romanzow to fur- nifh him with a Statement of the Reafons which may have produced this Referve. His Excellency will fee moreover, that Difcuf fions in which the Deftinies of fo many Nations are involved, and which have had for their Object the Re-eftablifhment of general Tranquillity, cannot with Propriety be terminated by an Avowal purely verbal. The Underfigned therefore haftens to com-, municate in an official Shape to the Imperial Mi niftry, the Wifhes of His Sovereign, and he che- rifhes the Hope that the Ruffian Government, agreeably to the Defire uniformly teftified by the Britifh Miniftry to preferve the ancient Relations or Confidence between the Courts of London and St. Peterfburgh, will no longer hefitate to furnifh ' him with the Communication he requires, accom panied by the Specification of the Principles of Honour and Equity which His Imperial Majefty had Reafon to be convinced the French Govern ment was defirous of eftabliihing as the Bafis of a Negotiation of Peace between England and France. (Signed) G. L. GOWER, - October 44, 1807. ( 14* ) No. 1 6. EXTR ACT of aDifpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Saint Peterfburgh, November 4th, i8o7T — Received December 2d. St. Peterfburgh, Nov. 4th 1807. f\N Saturday Morningxthe 31ft Ultimo, no No tice having been taken by Count Romanzow, either of my Note of the 23d, or of my verbal Overtures reflecting Denmark, I requefted of his Excellency an early Conference. On Monday I wrote a Second Note to the Ruffian Minifter, in which I expreffed my Regret at being under the Neceffity of reminding him that I had Two Days before requefted a Conference. I Yefterday After noon received an Anfwer, in which he informs me, that he is by Order of the Emperor going to Gatfchina, and that he cannot, till his Return to St. Peterfburgh, mention the Time when he can receive me. This Detail of the Difficulties I have experienced in obtaining an Interview with Count Romanzow will I truft acquit me in the Opinion of His Majefty of any Dilatorinefs in the Execution of your Inftructions. I confefs that I am at a Lofs to find any fatisfactory Explanation of this Wifh to avoid Communication with me. I have been C H3 ) been informed that fome Members of the Council, who have been consulted m the prefent very critical State of Affairs, had advifed the Emperor not to reject the prefent Opportunity of re-eftablifhing the Tranquillity of the North of Europe ; that their Opinion has been adopted ; and that a Note has been written to General Savary, with a View of engaging the French Government to confent to the Reftoration of the Neutrality of Denmark. The French General has remonftrated violently againft this Meafure; and the Ruffian Cabinet alarmed by the Violence of his Language, is undecided what Anfwer to return to the Overture received from England. But the Fear of Bonaparte's Difpleafure will without Doubt prevail. No. 17. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Saint Peterfburgh, 8th November 1807. — Received December 2d. T HAD the Honour of apprizing you by the laft Meffenger, of the Difficulty I had experienced in obtaining a Conference with Count Romanzsw. I Yefterday wrote a Letter to him, of which the in- clofed is a Copy, and I this Morning received the 1 o inclofed ( M4 ) inclofed Note. The Contents of this Paper are fa extremely important, that I will not detain Sir Robert Wilfon, by making any Obfervations upon the unfounded Affertions and Mifreprefentations with which it abounds. This violent Meafure has been produced by a peremptory Demand (brought by the laft Meffenger from Paris) of the immediate Execution of all the Secret Articles of Tilfit : and the French Miffion have boafted, that, after fome Difficulties, they have gained a complete Triumph, and have carried not only this Act of Hoftility againft England, 'but alfo every other Point effential to the Succefs of Bona parte's Views. I intend afking for Paffports To-morrow, and fhall fet out in the Courfe of a few Days. P. S. — I inclofe a Copy of a printed Declaration, which has been fent by the Ruffian Go vernment to all the Foreign Minifters re siding at this Court. (Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 1 7.) L'AMBASSADEUR de Sa Majefte Britannique a marque iterativement depuis plus d'une Se- maine fon Defir de s'entretenir avec fon Excellence M. le ( J4S ) M. Ie Comte de Romanzow. Ses Inftances ont ete jufqu'ici infructueufes, mais I'Ambaffadeur s'impofe le Devoir de renouveller encore fa Demande, avant que d'annoncer a fa Cour la Determination appa rent e de fon Excellence d'eviter les Communications d'Ufage. L'Ambaffadeur faifit, &c. &c. < 26 oa. .7 Nov. (Tranflation.) 'TpHE Ambaffador of His Britannick Majefty has repeatedly fignified for more than a Week his Defire to conVerfe with his Excellency the Count ¦Romanzow": his Solicitations have been hitherto fruitlefs, but the Ambaffador deems it his Duty to renew once more his Application, previous to his announcing to his Court the apparent Determination of his Excellency to avoid the cuftomary Commu- nicationsi %6 Oft. Jl^v7 l8o-71 (Second Inclofure referred to in No. 17,) 1[ 'EMPEREUR qui dans le cours de la guerre qu'il vient d'acheveravoit a fe plaindre de la Conduite d* I'Angleterre a-fon egard, fubordonnoit '-"¦'¦¦. ¦''' l fes ( Mb* ) fes juftes Reffentimens a la penfee confolante que la Paix qu' il venoit de conclure devoit amener la Paix generale. II s' etoit conftitue Mediateuryil avoit enfuite offert fa Mediation en prevenant Sa Majefte Britannique que fon Defir etoit de lui procurer une Paix honor able. L'Angleterre rejetta fes Offices. II fembloit qu' il entrait dans fes vues de ne pas laiffer eteindre les feux de la guerre mais de la rallumer dans le Nord par un evenement fubit et nouveau. Les Flottes de Sa Majefte Britannique, fes Armees vinrent commettre fur le Dannemarc un acte dont PHifloire offre aucun Example. L'Empereur qui du feu de I'Angleterre etoit un ' des garans de la Tranquillite de la Baltique qui eft. une Mer ferm.ee, l'Empereur qui n'avoit ete pre- ve'nue de rien, ne diffimula pas fon Reffentiment, et dans une feconde Note remife au Lord Gower pre- vint I'Angleterre qu'il ne fe propofait pas de reflex tranquille Spectateur de ce qui venoit d'arriver a un Roi fon Parent et fon Ami. L'Empereur ne previt pas, il le confeffe, qu* apres cette Declaration, I'Angleterre lui feroit I'offre defe charger de faire entendre au Dannemarc", qu' il etoit de fon Interet de supporter ce qui venoit de lui ar- 8 river, '< 147 ) river, et de rendre la Ruffie garante que la Grande Bretagne pouvoit en toute surete poffeder ce qu' elle venoit de ravir. Le Prince Royal de Danemarc n' avoit pas rati fie la Convention de Copenhague; aux Secondes Pro- pofitions qui viennent de lui etre faites, il a encore expofe a Sa Majefte Imperiale combien il etoit irrite par ce nouveau Procede du Miniftere Britannique a fon egard. L'Empereur touche de la Cohfiance que le Prince Royal placoit en fon Amitie, ayant confidere fes pro pres Griefs contre I'Angleterre, ayant inurement examine les Engagements qu' il avoit avec les Puif fances du Nord pris par I'lmperatiice Catherine et feu Sa Majefte l'Empereur, tous deux de glorieufe Memoire, s'eft decide a les remplir. Auffi Sa Majefte charge-t^-elle le Souffigne de declarer a fon Excellence le Lord Gower, Am- baffadeur de Sa Majefte" Britannique, que Sa Majefte Imperiale rompt toute Communication avec I'Angleterre. Sa Majefte Imperiale rappelle toute la Miffion qu' elle y avoit et ne vent pas confer ver pres d' elle celle de Sa Majefte Britannique. II n'y aura dorenavant entre les Deux Pays aucun rapport. L'Empereur declare qu' il annulle et pour tou- jours tout acte conclu precedemment entre la Grand J- 2 Bretagne ( 14^ ) Bretagne et la Ruffie, et nomntement la Convention faite" le T5T Juin 1801. II proclame de nouveau les Principes de la Neutralite Armee, ce Monument de la Sageffe. de l'Imperatrice Catherine* et s' engage k ne jamais deroger de ce Syfteme. II demande a I'Angleterre de fatisfaire complette- ment fes Sujets fur toutes leur juftes Reclamations de Vaiffeaux et de Marchandifes faifies ou retinues contre la teneur exprefle des Traites conclus fous fon rropre regne. L'Empereur previent que rien fera retabli entre la Ruffie et I'Angleterre que celle ci n'ait fatisfait le Danemarc. L'Empereur s'attend a ce que Sa Majefte Britan- rique au lieu de pcrmettre a fes Miniftres comme elle vient de le faire de repandre de nouveaux germes de la guerre, n' ecoutant que fa propre Senfibilite, fe prctera a conclure la Paix avec Sa Majefte l'Empereur des Francois, ce qui etendroit pour ainfi dire a toute la terre les bienfaits inapre- ciables de la Paix. Lorfque l'Empereur fera fatisfoit fur tous les Points qui precedent et nommement fur celui de la Paix entre la France et I'Angleterre, fans la quelle aucune Partie de l'Europe ne peut pas fe permettre une veritable Tranquillite, Sa Majefte Imperiale re- prendra C H9 ) prendra alors volpntiers avec la Grande Bretagne les Relations d'amitie, que dans l'etat de jufte mecon- tentement ou l'Empereur devoit etre il a peut etre conferve trop long tems. Le Souffigne s'etant acquitte des Ordres de PEmpereur fon Maitre, prie fon Excellence M. I'Am baffadeur de faire parvenir fansDelai a laCohnoifance du Roi, fon Souverain, le contenu de cette Note. (Signe) Le Comte N. ROM ANZO W. 27 0£l. "St.Peterfbours; ce--— — '¦ 1807. ' 0 8 Nov. ' (Tranflation.) HrHE Emperor, who in the Courfe of the War which he has juft terminated, had to complain of the Conduct of England towards him, fuppreffed his juft Refentment in the eonfoling Hope that the Peace he had fo lately concluded would lead to a general Peace. He had conflituted himfelf Mediator, he had fubfequently offered his Mediation in acquainting His Britannick Majefty that his Defire was to obtain for Him an honourable Peace. — England rejected his Offices, 1*3 & ( 15° ) It feemed as if her Views were not to fuffer the Flames of War not to be extinguifhed, but to kindle them anew in the North by an Event hidden and novel. The Fleets ahd Armies of His Britannick Majefty came to perpetrate againft Denmark an Act of which Hiftory furnifhes no Example. The Emperor, who, to the Knowledge of England was a Guarantee of the Tranquillity of the Baltick, which is a clofe Sea; the Emperor, who had been forewarned of nothing, did not conceal his Refentment ; and, in a fecond Note delivered to Lord Gower, informed England, that he did not intend to remain a quiet Spectator of what had befallen a King, his Relation, and his Friend. The Emperor confeffes, he did not forefee; that, after this Declaration, England would make him the Propofal of undertaking to convince Denmark, that it was her Intereft to fubmit to what had recently befallen her, and to render Ruffia Guarantee ; that Great Britain fhould poffefs in perfect Secur rity that which fhe had fo lately wrefted from Denmark. The Prince Royal of Denmark had not ratified the Convention of Copenhagen. — As to the fecond Propofals which were made to him he has again reprefented to his Imperial Majefty how greatly he was ( 151 ) was irritated by this new Procedure of the Britifh Miniftry towards him. The Emperor, penetrated with the Confidence which the Prince Royal repofed in his Friendfhip, having confidered his own Wrongs againft England, having maturely examined his Engagements with the Powers of the North, Engagements entered into by the Emprefs Catharine and his Majefty the late Emperor, both of glorious Memory, has refolved to fulfil them. His Majefty has therefore ordered the Underfigned to declare to his Excellency, Lord G. L. Gower, His Britannick Majefty's Ambaffador, that his Impe rial Majefty breaks off all Communication with England. His Imperial Majefty recalls the Whole of his Miffion in that Country, and will not allow that of His Britannick Majefty to remain at his Court. There fhall henceforward be no Relations between the Two Countries. The Emperor declares that he annuls for ever every Act heretofore concluded between Great Bi'itain and Ruffia, and efpecially the Convention of -^ June 1 80 1. He proclaims anew the Principles of the Armed Neutrality, that Monument of the Wifdom of the Emprefs Catharine, and pre-engages never to depart from that Syftem. He demands from England complete Satisfaction for his Subjects on all their juft Claims for Ships h 4 and ( l?2 ) and Merchandize feifed or detained againft the em prefs Tenor of the Treaties concluded during his own Reign. The Emperor declares, that no Arrangements fhall take place between Ruffia and England until the latter fhall have given Satisfaction to. Denmark. The Emperor expects, that His Britannic Majefty, inftead of permitting His Ministers, as has lately been the Cafe, to fcatter anew the Seeds of War, liftening only to the Dictates of His own Feelings, would lend his Affiltance to the Conclufion of a Peace with his Majefty the Emperor of the French, which would extend the incalculable Bleffings of Peace over the whole World. When the Emperor fhall be fatisfied upon all the preceding Points, and efpecially as to the -Peace between France and England, without which no Part of Europe can promife itfelf real Tranquillity, his Imperial Majefty will then readily renew with Great Britain the Relations of Friendfhip, which, confider- ¦ ing the Diffatisfaclion which the Emperor fo juftly feels, he has perhaps already preferved too long. The Underfigned, having thus fulfilled the Orders of the Emperor his Mafter, requefts his Excellency the Ambaffador to lay the Contents of this Note, without Delay, before the King his Sovereign. (Signed) The Count N, ROMANZOW. St. Pet.erfburg, 27th October 9th November l°°7' 1 (Third ( 153 ) (Third Inclofure referred to in No. 1 7.) DECLARATION. Y)LUS l'Empereur attachait de prix a PAmitie de Sa Majefte Britannique plus il a du voir avec Regret que ce Monarque s'en eloignait tout a fait. Deux fois l'Empereur a pris les armes dans une Caufe ou I'interet le plus direct etait celui de I'Angleterre. II a folicite en vain qu'elle co-opera t au gre de fon propre Interet : II ne lui demandait pas de joindre fes Troupes aux fiennes, il defirait qu'elle fit une Diverfion ; il s'etonnait de ce que, dans fa propre Caufe elle n'agiffait pas de fon cote. Mais froide fpectatrice du fanglant Theatre de la Guerre qui s'etait allumee a. fon gre elle envoyait des Troupes pour attaquer Buenos Ayres. Une Partie de fes Armees qui paraiffait deftinee a faire une Diverfion en Italie, quitta finalement la Sicile, ou elle s'etait affemblee. On avoit lieu de croire que c'etait pour fe porter fur les cotes de Naples ; l'on apprit qu'elle etait occupee a effayer dc s'appro* prier l'Egypte. Mais ce que toucha fenfiblement le cceur de Sa Majefte Imperiale, c'etait ds voir que contre la foi et la parole expreffe et precife des Traites, I'Angleterre tourmentait ( 154 ) tourmentait fur mer le Commerce de fes Sujets, et a qu'elle epoque lorfque le fang des Ruffes fe verfait dans des Combats glorieux, que retenaient et fixaient contre les Armees de Sa Majefte Imperiale toutes les Forces Militaires de Sa Majefte l'Empereur des Francais, avec qui I'Angleterre etait et eft encore en Guerre. Lorfque les deux Empereurs firent la Paix, Sa Majefte malgre fes juftes Griefs contre I'Angleterre ne renonca pas encore a lui rendre Service ; elle ftipula dans le Traite meme qu'elle fe conftituerait mediatrice entre elle & la France ; enfuite elle fit l'Offre de Sa Mediation au Roi de la Grande Bretagne : elle le prevint que c'etait a fin de lui obtenir des Conditions honorables. Mais le Miniftere Britannique aparament fidele a ce Plan qui devait relacher et rompre les liens de la Ruffie et de I'Angleterre, rejeta la Mediation. La Paix de la Ruffie avec la France devoit pre, parer la Paix generale ; alors I'Angleterre quitta fubitement cette lethargie apparente k laquelle elle s'etait livree ; mais ce fut pour jetter dans le Nord de l'Europe de nouveaux brand ons que devoient rallumer et alimenter les feux de la Guerre qu'elle ne defirait pas voir seteindre. Ser, Flottes, fes troupes, parurent fur les cotes du Dannemarc, pour y executer un Acte de Violence dont l'Hiftoire, fi fertile en examples, n'en offre pas un feul de pareil. Une ( 155 ) Une puiffance tranquille et moderee, qui par une tongue et inalterable fageffe, avait obtenu dans le cercle de monarchies une dignite morale, fe voit faifie, traitee comme fi elle tramait fourdement des eomplots, comme fi elle meditait la ruine de I'Angleterre, le tout pour juftifier fa totale et prompte spoliation, L'Empereur bleffe en fa Dignite, dans, I'interet de fes Peuples, dans fes Engagemens avec les Cours du Nord, par cette acte de Violence, commis dans la Mer Baltique, qui eft une mer fermee dont la tranquillite avait ete depuis long tems et du feu du Cabinet de St. James, reciproquement garanties par lesPuiffances riveraines, ne diffimula pas fon reffenti ment a I'Angleterre, et la fit avertir qu'elle n'y refte- ra.li pas infenfible, Sa Majefte ne previt pas que Porfque I'Angleterre, ayant ufee de fes Forces avec fucces touchait au moment d'enlever fa proie, elle ferait un nouvel Outrage au Dannemark et que Sa Majefte devait le partager. Des nouvellesPropofitions furent faites,les unesles plus infidieufes que les autres, qui devaient rattacher k la Puiffance Britannique le Dannemark foumis, degrade, et comme applaudiffant a. ce que venait de lui arriver. L'Empereur previt encore moins qu'on lui ferait I'offre de garantir cette Soumiffion, et de repondre que ( i56 ) que cette Violence n'aurait aucun fuite facheufe pour I'Angleterre. Son Ambaffadeur crut qu'il etait poffible de propofer au Miniftere de l'Empereur, que Sa Majefte Imperiale fe chargeat de fe faire l'Apologifle et le Soutien de ce qu'elle avait fi hautement blame, L'Empereur ne donna a. cette demarche du Cabi net de St. James d'autre Attention que celle qu'elle meritait, et jugea qu'il etait tems de mettre bornes a Sa Moderation, Le Prince Royale de Dannemark, doue d'un caractere plein d'energie et de nobleffe, et ayant recu de la Providence une dignite analogue a la dignite de fon rang, avait fait avertir. l'Empereur, que juftement outre contre ce qui venait de fe paffcr k Copenhague, il n'en avait pas ratifie Is Convention et la regardait comme non avenue. Maintenant il vient de faire inftruire Sa Majefte Imperiale de nouvelles Propofitions, qu'on lui a faites, et qui irritaient fa Refiftance au lieu de la calmer, parcequ'elles tendaient a imprimer fua fes Actions le cachet de Paviliffement dont elles ne porteront jama's- Pempreinte. * L'Empereur touche de la confiance qui le Prince Royale plaqait en lui, ayant confidere fes propres griefs contre I'Angleterre, ayant muremeBt examine les Engagemens qu'il avait avec les Puiffances du Nord, ( 157 ) Nord, Engagemens pris par I'lmperatrice Catherine et par feu Sa Majefte l'Empereur, tous deux de glorieufe Memoire, s'eft decide a les remplir. Sa Majefte Imperiale rompt toute Communication avec I'Angleterre, elle rapelle toute la Miffion qu'elle y avait et ne veut pas conferver pris d'elle, celle de Sa Majefte Britannique. II n'y aura dorenavant entre les deux pays aucun rapport. L'Empereur declare qu'il annulle, et pour toujours tout Afte precedemment conclu, entre la Grande Bretagfie et la Ruffie, et ncmmement la Convention faite en 1801, le ^r du Mois de Juin. II proclame de nouveau les Principes de la Neu tralite armee, ce Monument de la Sageffe de I'lmpe ratrice Catherine, et s'engage a ne jamais deroger de ce Syfteme. II demande a. I'Angleterre de fatisfaire complette- ment fes Sujets fur toutes leurs juftes Reclamations de Vaiffeaux & de Marchandifes, faifies ou retenues contre la Teneur expreffe des Traites conclus fous fon propre regne. L'Empereur previent que rien ne fera retabli entre la Ruffie et I'Angleterre, que celle-ci n'ait fatisfait le . Dannemark. L'Empereur, s'attend a. ce que Sa Majefte Britan nique, au lieu de permetlre a fes Minifteres, comme elle ( 158 ) elle vient de la faire, de repandre de nouveaux germes de la Guerre, n'ecoutant que fa propre Senfi- bilite, fe pretera k conclure la Paix avec Sa Majefte, l'Empereur des Franqais, ce qui etendrait pour ainfi dire a. tente la Terre les bienfaits inapreciables de la Paix. Lorfque l'Empereur fera fatisfait fur tous les Points qui precedent et nommement fur celui de la Paix entre la France et I'Angleterre, fans laquelle aucune partie de 1 'Europe ni peut pas fe promettre une ve ritable Tranquilfite, Sa Majefte Imperiale reprendra alors volontiers avec la Grande Bretagne des Rela tions d'Amitie, qui dans Petat de jufte mecontente- ment ou l'Empereur devait etre, il a peut-etre con- ferve trop longtems. Fait a St.Peterfbourg, 1'An 1807, ce 26 Octobre. (Tranflation.) THE greater the Value which the Emperor at tached to the Friendfhip of His Britannick Majefty, the greater was his Regret at perceiving that that Monarch altogether feparated Himfelf from him. Twice ( 159 ) Twice has the Emperor taken up Arms, in a Caufe in which England had the moft direct Intereft ; he folicited in vain from England a Co-operation which her Intereft demanded. He did not require that her Troops fhould be united with his ; he defired only that they fhould effect a Diverfion. He was aftonifhed that in her own Caufe fhe took no Mea fures on her Part; but a cold Spectator of the bloody Theatre of a War which had been kindled at her Will, fhe fent Troops to attack Buenos Ayres. A Divifion of her Armies, which appeared deftined to make a Diverfion in Italy, at length quitted Sicily where it was affembled. There was reafon to be lieve that it was intended to make an Attack upon the Coafts of Naples, but it was learnt that it was employed in attempting to appropriate Egypt to itfelf. But what fenfibly affe&ed the Feelings of his Imperial Majefty was, to perceive that England, contrary to her good Faith and the exprefs and precife Terms of Treaties, annoyed the maritime Commerce of his Subje&s. And at what Period ! When the Blood of Ruffians was flowing in a moft glorious Warfare ; which drew down, and fixed againft the Armies of his Imperial Majefty, alt the Military Force of his Majefty the Emperor of the French, with whom England was, and is now, at War. When C Mo ) When the Two Emperors made Peace, his Ml^ jefty, notwithftanding the juft Caufes of Complaint which he had againft England, did not yet refrain from rendering her Service. His Majefty ftipulated, even in the Treaty, that he would become Mediator between her and France ; and finally he offered his Mediation to the King of Great Britain. His Majefty announced to the King, that it was with a View to obtain for him honourable Conditions. But the Britifh Miniftry, apparently faithful to that Plan which was to loofen and break the Bonds which had connected Ruffia and England, rejected the Mediation. The Peace between Ruffia and France was to prepare a general Peace. Then it was that England fuddenly quitted that apparent Lethargy to which fhe had abandoned herfelf ; but it was to throw into the North of Europe new Firebrands, which were to rekindle and feed the Flames of War, which fhe did not wifh to fee extinguifhed. Her Fleets and her Troops appeared upon the Coafts of Denmark, there to execute an Act of Violence to which Hiftory, fo fertile in Examples, does not furnifh a fingle Parallel. A peaceful and moderate Power, which by long and invariable Wifdom had obtained in the Rank 6f Monarchies a moral Dignity, fees itfelf affaulted and treated as if it had been fecretly forging Plots, and meditating the Ruin of England 4 and this to juftify its prompt and entire Spoliation. Ihe ( 161 ) The Emperor, wounded in his Dignity, in the Interefts of his People, and in1 his Engagements with the Courts of the North, by this Act of Violence committed in the Baltic, which is a clofe Sea, th« Tranquillity of which had been for a long Period, and with the Knowledge of the Cabinet of St. James's the Subject of the reciprocal Guarantee of the bor dering States, did not diffemble his Refentment againft England, and announced to her that he could not remain infenfible to it. His Majefty did not forefee that when England, having employed her Force fuccefsfully, was about to bear away her Prey, fhe would commit a new Outrage againft Denmark, and that his Majefty was to take part in it. New Propofals were made, each more infidious than the foregoing, which were to connect with the Britifh Power, Denmark fubjected, difgraced, and thus appearing to applaud what fhe had lately experienced. Still lefs did the Emperor forefee that it would be propofed to him that he fhould guarantee this Submiffion, and that he fhould pledge himfelf that this Act of Violence fhould have no unpleafant Con fequences to England. Her Ambaffador believed that it was poffible to propofe to his Majefty's Miniftry, that his Majefty fhould become the Apo- logift and the Supporter of what he had fo loudly blamed. M Tu ( 16a ) To this Proceeding of the Cabinet of St. James's, the Emperor paid no other Attention than that which it deferved — he thought it Time to fet Limits to his Moderation. The Prince Royal of Denmark, endowed with a Character full of Energy and Noblenefs, and poffeff- ing from Providence a Dignity equal to his high Rank, had informed the Emperor, that juftly in- cenfed at what had taken place at Copenhagen, he had not ratified the Convention, and confidered it as never having exifted. At this Moment he has juft communicated to his Imperial Majefty new Propofals which have been made to him, which ferve only to inflame his Refift- ance inftead of appeafing it ; becaufe they tend to ftamp upon his Actions the Seal of Degradation, the Impreffion of which they never will bear. The Emperor, touched with the Confidence which the Prince Royal placed in him, and having confi dered his own peculiar Complaints againft England — having maturely examined, the Engagements which he had entered into with the Powers of the North— Engagements formed by the Emprefs Ca therine and by his late Majefty the Emperor, both of glorious Memory — has refolved to fulfil them. His Imperial Majefty breaks off all Communication with England ; he recals his whole Miffion from thence ; and no longer choofes to permit that of His Britannick ( 1&3 i Britannick Majefty to remain with him. There fhall henceforward be no Connection between the Two Countries* The Emperor declares, that he annuls, for ever, every preceding Convention between England and Ruffia, and particularly that entered into in 1801, the 5th (17th) of the Month of June. He proclaims anew the Principles of the Armed Neutrality, that Monument of the Wifdom of the Emprefs Catherine, and engages never to depart from that Syftem. He demands of England complete Satisfaction to all his Subjects, for their juft Claims of Veffels and ' Merchandize, detained againft the exprefs Tenor of Treaties concluded in his own Reign. The Emperor proclaims, that no Arrangement fhall be again effected between Ruffia and Eng land, till Satisfaction fhall have been given to Denmark. The Emperor expects that His Britannick Majefty, inftead of fuffering His Minifters, as He has recently done, to fcatter frefh Seeds of War ; liftening only to the Dictates of his own Feelings, will be difpofed to conclude fuch Treaty with his Majefty the Em peror of France as fhall extend as it were to the whole Earth the invaluable Bleffings of Peace. m 2 When ( lS4 ) When the Emperor fhall be fatisfied upon all the preceding Points, and efpecially upon that of Peace between France and England, without which no Part of Europe can hope for real Tranquillity, his Imperial Majefty will then gladly refume with Great Britain thofe Relations of Amity, which, under the juft Dif- content which he could not but feel, he has, perhaps, too long preferved. Given at St. Peterfburg, in the Year 1807, 2dth October. PAPERS Prefented by His MAJESTT'S Command TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, February 1808. UNITED STATES. LIST of PAPERS. No. i. /~>OPY of a printed Paper tranfaiitted by the Honourable David Erfkine, His Majefty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Plenipo tentiary in America, purporting tor be a Meflage from the Prefident to the Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives of the United States. — October 27th 1807. No. %. Note from MefTrs. Monroe and Pinkney to Mr. SecretaryCanning, dated London, 24 July 1807. 1 ft Inclofure referred to in No. 1. ad Inclofure referred to in No. 2. 3d Inclofure referred to in No. 3. Letter referred to in 3d Inclofure of No. 2* Letter referred to in 3d Inclofure of No. 2. and in the preceding Letter. 4th Inclofure referred to in No. 2. No. 3. Letter from Mr. Secretary, Canning to Lords Holland and Auckland, dated July 25th, 1807. No. 4. Letter from Lords Holland and Auckland to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated July 28th 1807. No. 5. Letter from Mr. Secretary Canning to Lords Holland and Auckland, dated Aug. 6th, 1807. No. 6. Letter from Lords Holland and Auckland to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Auguft 10th 1807. No- 7. Letter from MefTrs. Monroe and Pinkney to Mr. SecretaryCanning, dated October 18th, 1807. No. 8. Letter from Mr. Secretary Canning to MefTrs. Monroe and Pinkney, dated Oclober 22d,i 807. No. 9. Note from Mr. Secretary Canning to MefTrs. Monroe and Pinkney.dated October 2 2d, 1807. No. 10. Difpatch from Lord Vifcount Howick to the Honourable David Erfkine, dated January 8th, 1807. No. 11. ( «7* ) No. II. Note from Lords Holland and Auckland to Meflrs. Monroe and Pinkney, dated London, December 31ft, 1806. Inclofed in No. 11. No. 12. Extract of a Difpatch from the Honourable David Erfkine to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Wafhington, March 30th, 1807. Inclofure referred to in No. 12. No, 13. Difpatch from the Honourable David Erfkine to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Wafhington, 31ft March 1807. Inclofure referred to in No. 13. No. 14. Extract of a Difpatch from the Honourable David M. Erfkine to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Wafhington, March 2d, 1807. 1 ft Inclofure referred to in No. 14. 2d Inclofure referred to in No. 14. 3d Inclofure referred to in No. 14. 4th Inclofure referred to in No. 14. 5th Inclofure referred to in No. 14. 6th Inclofiire referred to in No. 14. No. 15. Copy of a Printed Paper tranfmitted by the Honourable David M. Erfkine, His Majefty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Plenipo tentiary in America, purporting to be" a Meflage from the Prefident to the Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives of the United States. No. 16. Copy of a Paper tranfmitted by the Honourable David Erfkine, His Majefty's Envoy Extraor dinary and Minifter Plenipotentiary in Ame rica, purporting to be the Tranflation of an Extradt of a Letter from the Grand Judge, Minifter of Juftice at Paris, to the Attorney General for the Council of Prizes there, dated Paris, September 18th, 1807. ( W ) No. i. COPY of a printed Paper tranfmitted by the Honourable David Erfkine, His Majefty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Plenipotentiary in America, purporting to be a Meffage from the Prefident to the Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives of the United States.— O&ober 27 th 1807. To the Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives of the United States. /CIRCUMSTANCES, Fellow-Citizens, which fe- rioufly threatened the Peace of our Country, have made it a Duty to convene you at an earlier Period than ufual. The Love of Peace, fo much cherilhed in the Bofom of our Citizens, which has fo long guided the Proceedings of their publick Councils, and induced Forbearance under fo many Wrongs, may not enfure our Continuance in the quiet Purfuits of Induftry. The many Injuries and Depredations committed on our Commerce and Navigation upon the High Seas for Years paft, the fucceffive Innovations of thofe Principles of publick Law which have been eftablifhed by the Reafon and Ufage of Nations as the Rule of their Intercourfe, and the Umpire and Security of their Rights and Peace, and all the Circumftances which induced n the ( i;? ) the extraordinary Miffion to London, are already known to you. The Inftru&ions given to our Minifters were framed in the fmcereft Spirit of Amity and Moderation. They accordingly pro ceeded, in conformity therewith, to propofe Ar rangements which might embrace and fettle all the Points in Difference between us ; which might bring us to a mutual Underftanding on our Neutral and National Rights, and provide for a commer cial Intercourfe on Conditions of fome Equality. After long and fruitlefs Endeavours to effect the JPurpofes of their Miffion, and to obtain Arrange ments within the Limits of their Inftruftions, they concluded to fign fuch as could be obtained, and to fend them for Confideration ; candidly de claring to the other Negotiators, at the fame Time, that they were acting againft their Inftructions, and that their Government therefore could not be pledged for Ratification. Some of the Articles propofed might have been admitted on a Principle of Compromife, but others were too highly difad- vantageous ; and no fufficient Provifion was made againft the principal Source of the Irritations and Conditions which were conftantly endangering the Peace of the Two Nations. The Queftion there fore whether a Treaty fhould be accepted in that Form could have admitted but of one Decifion, even had no Declarations of the other Party im paired our Confidencein it. Still anxious not to clofe the Door againfjt friendly Adjuftment, new Modifications were framed, and further Conceffions authorized f - '79 ) authorized than could before have been fuppofed neceffary ; and our Minifters were inftructed to refume their Negociations on thefe Grounds. On this new Reference to amicable Difcuffion we were repofing in Confidence, when on the Twenty-fecond Day of June laft, by a formal Order from a Britifh Admiral, the Frigate Chefapeake, leaving her Port for a diftant Service, was attacked by one of thofe Veffels which had been lying in our Harbours under the fndulgencies of Hofpitality, was difabled from proceeding, had feveral of her Crew killed, and Four taken away. On this Outrage no Commen taries are neceffary. Its Character has been pro nounced by the indignant Voice of our Citizens with an Emphafis and Unanimity never exceeded. I immediately by Proclamation interdicted our Har bours and Waters to all Britifh armed Veffels, for bade Intercourfe with them, and, uncertain how far Hoftilities were intended, and the Town of Norfolk indeed being threatened with immediate Attack, a fufficient Force was ordered for the Pro tection of that Place, and fuch other Preparations commenced and purfued as the Profpect rendered proper. An armed Veffel of the United States was difpatched with Inftrudtions to our Minifters in London, to call on that Government for the Satisfaction and Security required by the Outrage. A very fhort Interval ought now to bring the Anfwer which fhall be communicated to you as foon as received ; then alfo, or as foon after as the publick Interefts fhall be found to admit, the un- ' " * n 2 v * ratified ( 180 ) ratified Treaty and Proceedings relative to- it fhall be made known to you. The Aggreflion, thus begun, has been continued on the Part of the Britifh Commanders, by re maining^ within our Waters in defiance of the Au thority of the Country, by habitual Violations of its Jurifdiction, and at length by putting to death one of the Perfons whom they had forcibly taken from on board the Chefapeake. Thefe Aggravations neceffarily lead to the Policy either of never admit ting an armed Veffel into our Harbours, or of main taining in every Harbour fuch an armed Force as may conftrain Obedience to the Laws, and proteQ: the Lives and Property of our Citizens againft their armed Guefts. But the Expence of fuch a ftanding Force, and its Inconfiftence with our Principles, difpenfe with thofe Courtefies which would ne* ceffarily call for it, and leave us equally free to exclude the Navy, as well as the Army of a Foreign Power, from entering our Limits. To former Violations of maritime Rights, another is now added of very extenfive EffecL The Govern ment of that Nation has iffued an Order interdict ing all Trade by Neutrals between Ports not in Amity with them. And being now at War "with nearly every Nation on the Atlantic and Mediter ranean Seas, our Veffels are required to facrifke their Cargoes at the firft Port they touch, or to re- 13 turn e '81 > turn home without the Benefit of going to any other Market. Under this new Law of the Ocean, our Trade on the Mediterranean has been fwept away by Seizures and Condemnations, and that in other Seas is threatened with the fame Fate. Our Differences with Spain remain ftill unfettled ; no Meafure having been taken on her Part, fince my laft Communications to Congrefs, to bring them to a Clofe. But under a State of Things which may favour Reconfideration, they have been recently preffed, and an Expectation is entertained that they may now foon be brought to an Iffue of fome Sort. With their Subjects on our Borders no new Collifions have taken place, nor feem im mediately to be apprehended. To our former Grounds of Complaint has been added a very ferious one, as you will fee by the Decree, a Copy of which is now communicated. Whether this Decree, which profeffes to be conformable to that of the French Government of November 21, 1806, here tofore communicated to Congrefs, will alfo be con formed to that in its Conftruction and Application in relation to the United States, had not been afcertained at the Date of our laft Communications. Thefe, however, gave Reafon to expect fuch a Conformity. With the other Nations of Europe our Harmony has been uninterrupted, and Commerce and friendly n 3 Intercourfe ( i8* ) Intercourfe have been maintained on their ufual Footing. Our Peace with the feveral States on the Coaft of Barbary appears as firm as at any former Period, and as likely to continue as that of any other Nation. Among our Indian Neighbours in the North Weftem Quarter, fome Fermentation was obferved foon after the late Occurrences threatening the Con tinuance of our Peace. Meffages were faid to be interchanged, and Tokens to be paffing which ufually denote a State of Reftleffnefs among them, and the Character of the Agitators pointed to the Sources of Excitement. Meafures were immediately taken for providing againft that Danger : In ftructions were given to require Explanations, and, with Affurances of our continued Friendfhip, to admonifh the Tribes to remain quiet at home, taking no Part in Quarrels not belonging to them. As far as we are yet informed, the Tribes in our Vicinity, who are moft advanced in the Purfuits of Induftry, are fincerely difpofed to adhere to their Friendfhip with us, and to their Peace with all others ; while thofe more remote do not prefent Appearances fufficiently quiet to juftify the Inter- miflion of military Precaution on our Part, The great Tribes on our South Weftern Quar ter, much advanced beyond the others in AgricuJ* ture - ( i*3 ') ture and Houfehold Arts, appear tranquil, and iden- ' tifying their Views with ours, in proportion to their Advancements. With the Whole of thefe People, in every Quarter, I fhall continue to inculcate Peace and Friendfhip with all their Neighbours, and Per- feverance iii thofe Occupations and Purfuits which will beft promote their own Well-being. , The Appropriations of the laft Seffion for the Defence of our Sea-port Towns and Harbours, were made under Expectation that a Continuance of our Peace would permit us to proceed in that Work according to our Convenience. It has been thought better to apply the Sums then given to wards the Defence of New York, Charlefton, and New Orleans chiefly, as moft open and moft likely firft to need Protection ; and to leave1 Places lefs immediately in danger to the Provifions of the pre fent Seffion. ¦ The Gun-boats too already provided have, on a like Principle, been chiefly affigned to New York, New Orleans, and the Chefapeake. Whether our moveable Force on the Water, fo material in aid of the defenfive Works, on the Land fhould be aug mented in this or any other Form, is left to the Wifdom of the Legiflature. For the Purpofe of manning thefe Veffels, in fudden Attacks on our Harbours, it is a Matter for Confideration whether the Seamen of the United States may not juftly be formed into a fpecial Militia, to. be called on for n 4 Tours ( ««4 ) Tours of Duty in Defence of the Harbours where they fhall happen to be; the ordinary Militia of the Place furnifhing that Portion which may confift of Landfinen. The Moment our Peace was threatened, I deemed it indifpenfable to fecure a greater Provilion of thofe Articles of Military Stores with which our Maga zines were not fufficiently furnifhed. To have a waited a previous and fpecial Sanction by Law, would have loft Occafions which might not be retrieved. I did not hefitate therefore to authorize Engagements for fuch Supplements to our exifting Stock as would render it adequate to the Emer gencies threatening us, and I truft that the Ler giflature feeling the fame Anxiety for the Safety of our Country, fo materially advanced by this Precaution, will approve, when done, what they would have feen fo important to be done, if then affembled. Expences, alfo unprovided for, arofe put of the Neceffity of calling aft our Gun-boats into actual Service for the Defence of our Harbours ; of all which, Accounts will be laid before you. Whether a regular Army is to be raifed, and to what Extent, muft depend on the Information fq Ihortly expected. In the mean Time I have called on the States for Quotas of Militia, to be in rear dmefs for prefent Defence, and have moreover en couraged the Acceptance of Volunteers, and I am PPy to ^n you that thefe have offered them, felves ( i*5 ) felves with great Alacrity in every Part of the Union, They are ordered to be organized, and ready at a Moment's Warning, to proceed on any Service to which they may be called, and every Preparation within the Executive Powers has been made to enfure us the Benefit of early Exertions, I informed Congrefs, at their laft Seffion, of the Enterprizes againft the publick Peace, which were believed to be in Preparation by Aaron Burr and his Affociates, of the Meafures taken to defeat them, and to bring the Offenders to Juftice, Their Enterprizes were happily defeated, by the patriotic Exertions of the Militia, wherever called into Action, by the Fidelity of the Army, and Energy of the Commander in Chief, in promptly arranging the Difficulties prefenting themfelves on the Sabine, repairing to meet thofe arifing on the Miffiffippi, and diffipating, before their Explofion, Plots en gendering there : I fhall think it my Duty to lay be fore you the Proceedings and the Evidence pub- lickly exhibited on the Arraignment of the principal Offenders before the DiftriCt Court of Virginia. You will be enabled to judge whether the DefeCt was in the Teftimony, in the Law, or in the Admi- niftration of the Law ; and wherever it fhall be found, the Legiflature alone can apply or originate the Remedy. The Framers of our Conftitution cert tainly fuppofed they had guarded, as well their Government againft Deftruction by Treafon, as their Citizens againft Oppreffion, under a Pretence of ( 186 ) of it; and if thefe Ends are not attained, it is at" Importance to inquire by what Means, more effec tual, they may be fecured. The Accounts of the Receipts of Revenue during the Year ending on the Thirtieth Day of September laft, being not yet made up, a correct Statement "will be hereafter tranfmitted from the Treafury. In the mean Time it is afcertained that the Receipts have amounted to near Sixteen millions of Dollars ; which, with the Five millions and a Half in the Treafury at the Beginning of the Year, have enabled us, after meeting the current Demands and Intereft incurred, to pay more than Four millions of the Principal of our funded Debt. Thefe Payments, with thofe of the preceding Five and a Half Years, have extinguifhed of the funded Debt Twenty-five Millions and a Half of Dollars, being the Whole which could be paid or purchafed within the Limits of the Law and of our Contracts, and have left us in the Treafury Eight Millions and a Half of Dollars. A Portion of this Sum may be confidered as a Commencement of Accumulation of the Surpluffes of Revenue, which, after paying the Inftalments of Debt, as they fhall become payable, will remain without any fpecific Object. It may partly indeed be applied towards compleating the Defence of the expofed Points of our Country, on fuch a Scale as fhall be adapted to our Principles and Circumftanc.es, This ObjeCt is doubtlefs among the C »s7 ). the firft entitled to Attention, in fuch a State of our Finances, and it is one which, whether we have Peace or War, will provide Security where it is due. Whether what fhall remain of this, with the future Surpluffes, may be ufefully applied to Pur pofes, already authorized, or more ufefully to others requiring new Authorities, or how otherwife they fhall be difpofed of, are Queftions calling for the Notice of Congrefs; unlefs indeed they fhall be fuperfeded by a Change in our publick Relations, now awaiting the Determination of others* What ever be that Determination, it is a great Confolation that it will become known at a Moment when the Supreme Council of the Nation is affembled at its Poll, and ready to give the Aids of its Wif dom and Authority to whatever Courfe the Good of our Country fhall then call us to purfue^ Matters of minor Importance will be the Subjects of future Communications ; and nothing fhall be wanting on my Part which may give Information or Difpatch to the Proceedings of the Legiflature in the Exercife of their high Duties, and at a Mo ment fo interefting to the publick Welfare. TH. JEFFERSON. 37th October 1807. ( 188 ) No, 2. NOTE from Meffrs. Monroe and Pinkney to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated London, 24th July 1807. *TIHE Underfigned, Commiffioners Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, have the Honour to inform Mr. Canning, that they are inftructed by the Prefident of the United States to propofe to His Majefty's Govern ment a Renewal of Negotiation relative to> the Ob jects of the Miffion of the Underfigned, with a View to a more fatisfaCtory Refult than is found in the Inftrument figned on the 3 1 ft of December laft, by His Majefty's Plenipotentiaries, and thofe of the United States. The Underfigned are perfuaded that His Majefty's Government will fee in this Meafure, an unqueftion- able Proof of the fincere Defire of the Prefident to place the friendly Relations of the Two Countries beyond the Reach of thofe Mifunderftandings which either the Abfence or the Inadequacy of precife Arrangements on Subjects of the greateft Delicacy and Importance might from Time to Time occa fion. It is under the Influence of firs Solicitude, that the Prefident has charged the Underfigned to exprefs to His Majefty's Government, his unfeigned Regret that ( 189 ) that the Inftrument above-mentioned does not appear to him to be fuch as he can approve, and at the fame Time to declare his entire Confidence that the juft and liberal Sentiments which animate His Majefty's Government, correfponding with thofe which belong to the Government of the United States, cannot fail to lead, without Delay or Difficulty, to fuch an Iffue of the Negotiation which is now propofed, as fhall be fuited in all Refpects, to the Rights and Interefts of both Nations, and therefore calculated to infure a long Continuance of the Friendfhip which fo hap pily fubfifts between them. The Underfigned have already had the Honour to prefent to Mr. Canning a Paper, which, taken in Connection with a Project on the SubjeCt of Impreff- rnent, and another on the SubjeCt of certain Claims to Compenfation by American Citizens, prefented by the Underfigned at the fame Time, will be found, to exhibit a compleat View of the Alterations which the Inftrument above-mentioned is deemed by the Prefident to requirer They forbear to trouble Mr. Canning with a Recapitulation of the Details which thefe Papers contain ; but there are fome Explana tions upon the Topics of Impreflment and Compen- fation. which they do not furnifh, and which it is therefore incumbent upon the Underfigned to avail themfelves of this Occafion to give. It was One of the primary Objects of the Miffion of the Underfigned to adjuft with His Majefty's Government a formal and explicit Arrangement re lative C r9° ) Iative to a Praaice by Britifh Ships of War, which has excited in a very great Degree the Senfibility of the American People, and claimed the anxious Attention of their Government. The Practice al luded to, is that of vifiting on the main Ocean the Merchant Veffels of the United States, navigable ¦under the American Flag, for the Purpofe of fub- jeCting their Crews to a hafty and humiliating In- quifition, and impreffmg as Britifh Seamen fuch of the Mariners, as upon that lnquifition the vifiting Officer declares to be fo. The Effect of this Practice is, that the Flag of an independant Power is difho- noured, and One of the moft effential Rights of its Sovereignty violated ; that American Citizens, either miftaken for Britifh SubjeCts, or affumed to be fuch without Inquiry, are forced from the quiet Purfuits of a lawful Commerce into the fevere and dangerous Service of a foreign military Navy, to expofe their Lives in fighting againft thofe with "whom their Country is at Peace ; and that the Merchant Veffels of the United States are frequently thus ftripped of fo large a Portion of their Hands, before their Voyages have been performed, as to bring into the moft imminent Peril, and fometimes to produce the actual Lofs of the Veffels, their Cargoes, and their remaining Crews. It cannot be thought furprifing that a Practice like this fhould aCt with peculiar Force upon the Feelings of thofe whom it oppreffes, and that the Senfation fhoujd extend itfelf to their Countrymen and their Government. The ( *9* ) - The Government of the United States has accord* ingly made this Pretention the Subject of frequent Difcuffion with Great Britain, and when an extra ordinary Miffion to His Majefty's Government was laft Year determined on, It was One of the Inftruc tions to the Underfigned, to whom the Duties of that Miffion were confided, to make no Treaty which fhould not provide for that Object. In the firft Stages of the Negotiation, which followed that Miffion, the Underfigned were led to indulge a con fident Expectation that fuch a Provifion fhould be obtained. At length however the Rejection by His Majefty's Government of a ProjeCt of an Article on this Point, which, without touching the Queftion of Right, offered on the Part of the United States an effectual Equivalent for the mere Forbearance ef the Practice, having extinguifhed all Hope of an im mediate Adjuftment of this Subject by Treaty, the Underfigned felt that they w^re called upon by Candour as well as by their Duty to their Govern ment, to inform the Britifh Commiffioners, that the Project relative to Impreffment having failed, they had no Power to conclude a Treaty upon the other Points which had been difcuffed between them, fo as to bind the Government of the United States. The Underfigned did accordingly give them this Information in the moft explicit Terms, and the Negotiation was in confequence for a fhort Time fufpended. It was foon afterwards, however, fug- gefted by His Majefty's Commiffioners, that, if this Topic fhould be exprefsly referred for future con ventional C *9* ) ventional Arrangements, and a Pledge given to the United States for refuming the Confideration of it at a convenient Seafon with that View, and if, in the mean Time, fuch an informal Underftanding fhould be fubftituted, as in its practical EffeCt would re move the Vexation complained of, it might perhaps be yet poffible to conduct the Negotiation to a Refult which would not be unacceptable to the refpective Governments ; and in purfuance of this Suggeftion the Britifh Commiffioners prefented to the Under figned on the 8th Day of November laft, the Official Note, of which a Copy is herewith enclofed. The Underfigned tranfmitted to their Government, for its Confideration, a Copy of this Note, together with a Statement of the Circumftances connected with it, and, without giving it their Sanction, agreed in the mean Time to concur with the Britifh Commiffioners, as they were invited to do, in an Effort to adjuft the Stipulations of a Treaty upon the remaining Objects of their Miffion, and to leave theEffect of what fhould be adjufted to their Government. It appears that the Prefident of the United States confiders this collateral Proceeding upon a Concern of fuch paramount Importance, as unfuitable to the Nature of it, as well in the Mode as in its Terms. In this Opinion j the Prefident does but continue to refpect the Confiderations which heretofore induced him to believe that an Arrangement upon this Point ought to ftipulate with Precifion againft the Practice in queftion, and that the Manner of it would pro perly ( *93 ) perly be that which fhould be chofen for the Arrangement of the other Points of Difcuffion ; and in the Inftructions which, in conformity with that Opinion, he has now given to the Underfigned, he does but manifeft his Reliance upon the Spirit of Juftice and Amity, which he is affured His Majefty's Government will bring to the renewed Confidera tion of a SubjeCl fo interefting to the Rights and Feelings of a friendly Nation, for fuch an Adjuft ment of this, as well as of every other Queftion, belonging to the Relations of the Two Countries, as fhall confirm their Difpofitions to mutual Kindnefs, and promote the Happinefs and Profperity of both. The SubjeCt of Compenfation will perhaps be fuffi- ciently explained by the inclofed Copies of Two Notes from the Underfigned to Lord Holland and Lord Auckland and to Lord Howick. It will appear from the laft of thefe Notes, that this Subject, for which the projected Treaty did not provide, was not to be affeCted by it ; but on the contrary, that the Rights of the United States and the Claims of their Citizens were underftood to be referved for future Adjuftment, as compleatly as if no Treaty had been made ; and it will occur to Mr. Canning, that the ProjeCt of an Article on this Point, - which they had the Honour to leave with him at their late Interview, is in the Spirit of that Under- ftanding, and is befides fo entirely from Objection, that no Motive is likely to exift againft the Adoption of it. o There ( »94 ) There is another SubjeCt, to which the Under figned have the Order* of the Prefident to invite the Attention of His Majefty's Government, as affecting materially, and giving a new and unexpected Cha racter to the propofed Treaty. They allude to the written Declaration relative to the French Decree of the 2 1 ft of November laft, by which His Majefty's Plenipotentiaries accompanied their Signature of the Treaty ; a Declaration, which, in its actual Form, creates unneceffary Embarraffments in the Way of an Acceptance of the Treaty by the United States. The Underfigned perfuade themfelves, that as this Proceeding, to which no Sanction was given on their Part, impofed on the United States no new Obligation, and could only be intended to declare that, in figning or ratifying the Treaty, it was under- ftood by Great Britain that nothing contained in it would be a Bar to any Meafure which, if no fuch Treaty had been figned, would be lawful as a Meafure of Retaliation againft her Enemy, and as the Occa fion which produced it does not now appear to exift as then fuppofed, it will not be thought that any Thing is Sacrificed by withdrawing it as unne ceffary. The Underfigned requeft Mr. Canning to accept the Affurances of their diftinguifhed Confideration. (Signed) JAMES MONROE. WILLIAM PINKNEY. Right Honourable George Canning. (Firft ( 195 ) (Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 2.) COPY of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, between His Majefty and the United States of America, con cluded and figned on the 31ft Decem ber 1806, by the Right Honourable Henry Richard Vaffal Lord Holland, One of His Majefty's Privy Council and Lord Keeper of His Majefty's Privy Seal, and William Lord Auckland, One of His Majefty's Privy Council, and Prefident of the Committee of Council for all Matters of Trade and Foreign Plantations, Plenipotentiaries on the Part of His Britannick Majefty ; and James Monroe and William Pinkney, Commiffioners Extraordinary and Mi nifters Plenipotentiary on the Part of the United States. Alteration* propofed TREATY. by the' Prefident of v the United State*. jrjig Britannick Majefty, and the •*¦ ¦ United States of America, being equally defirous to promote and perpetuate the good Underftanding and Friendfhip which happily fubfifi between the Subjects of the United Kingdom and the Citizens of the United States, and for ¦ that Purpofe to regulate the Commerce and Na- o 2 vigation ( i9< ) Alteration propofed TREATY. 4 by the Prefident of the United States, vigation between their refpedtive Countries, Territories, and People, on the Bafis of Reciprocity and mutual Convenience, have refpecf- ¦y tively named their Plenipotentiaries, and have given to them full Powers to make and conclude a Treaty of Amity, Navigation, and Commerce ; that is to fay, His Britannick Ma jefty has named for His Plenipoten tiaries Henry Richard Vaffal Lord Holland, One of His Majefty's Privy [ Council and Lord Keeper of His Majefty's Privy Seal j and William Lord Auckland, One of His Ma jefty's Privy Council, and Prefi dent of the Committee of Council for all Matters of Trade and Foreign Plantations : And the Prefident of the United States, by and with the Advice of the Senate thereof, hath appointed for their Plenipotentiaries James Monroe and William Pink ney, Commiffioners Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries ; who, after having exchanged their refpective full Powers, have agreed on the fol lowing Articles : Art. I. Thefe fhall be a firm, inviolable, and univerfal Peace, and a true and "•' _j;'" fincere Friendfhip between His Bri tannick Majefty and the United States ( 197 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United State.». TREATY. States of America, and between their refpective Countries, Territories, Cities, Towns, and People, of every Degree, without Exception of Per- fons or Places. Art. II. It is agreed, that the feveral Arti cles of the Treaty of Amity, Com merce, and Navigation, between His Majefty and the United States, made at London on the 19th Day of No vember 1794, which have not ex pired ; nor as yet had their full Ope ration and Effect, fhall be confirmed in their beft Form, and in their full Tenouf ; and that the contracting Parties will alfo from Time to Time enter into friendly Explanations on the Subject of the faid Articles, for the Purpofe of removing all fuch Doubts as may arife or have arifen, as to the true Purport of the fame, as well as for the Purpofe of render ing the faid Articles more conform able to their mutual Wifhes and Convenience, Omit theWords " and failing di reCt from the Ports of the faid Art. III. His Majefty agrees, that the Vef fels belonging to the United States of America, and failing direct from the faid States, fhall be admitted and hofpitably received in all the Sea o 3 Ports ( 198 ) Alterations pi*op6fed by the Prefident of th'e United States. Omit the Words «' between the faid Territories and thefaid United States," and infert " with the faid Territories." TREATY. Ports and Harbours of the Britifh Dominions in the Eaft Indies ; and that the Citizens of the faid United States may freely carry on a Trade between the faid Territories and the faid United States, in all Articles of which the Importation or Exporta tion refpectively to and from the faid Territories fhall not be entirely pro hibited : Provided only, that it fhall not be lawful for them, in any Time of War between the Britifh Go vernment -and any Power or State Whatever, to export from the faid Territories, without the fpecial Per miffion of the Britifh Government there, any Military Stores, or Naval Stores, or Rice. The Citizens of the United States fhall pay for their Veffels, When admitted into the faid Ports, no other or higher Tonnage than fhall be payable on Britifh Vef fels, when admitted into the Ports of the United States ; and they fhall pay no other or higher Duties or Charges, on the Importation or Ex portation of the Cargoes of the faid Veffels, than fhall be payable on the fame Articles when imported or ex ported in Britifh Veffel.-. But it is exprefsly agreed, that the Veffels of the United States fhall not carry any of fhe Articles exported by them from the faid Britifh Territories to any ( *99 ) Alterations propofed' by the Prefident of tfoe United States. After the Words ct where the fame fhall be unladen," infert "or to fome Port or Place or Ports or Places in China, or the In dian or other Seas, beyond the Cape of Good Hope, From whence the faid Veffels fhall proceed as afore- faid to fome Port or Place in Ame rica, and there unlade their Car goes." After theWords " Britifh Terri tories," infert " without - the fpecial Permiffion of the Britifh Go vernment." TREATY. any Port or Place, except to fome Port or Place in America where the fame fhall be unladen, and fuch Regulations fhall be adopted by both Parties as fhall from Time to Time be found neceffary to enforce the due and faithful Obfervance of this Sti pulation. It is alfo underftood, that the Permiffion granted by this Article is not to extend to allow the Vef fels of the United States to carry on any Part of the Coafting Trade of the faid Britifh Territories,, but the Veffels going out with their ori ginal Cargoes or Part thereof from one Port of Difcharge to another, are not to be confidered as carrying on the Coafting Trade. Neither is this Article to be conftrued to allow the Citizens of the faid States to fettle or refide within the faid Ter ritories, or to go into the interior Parts thereof, without the Permiffion of the Britifh Government eftablifh- ed there ; and if any Tranfgreffions fhould be attempted againft the Re gulations of the Britifh Government in this refpeCt, the Obfervance of the fame fhall and may be enforced agaiDfl the Citizens of America in the fame Manner as againft Britifh SubjeCts or others tranfgrefling the fame Rule. And the Citizens of 04 the ( 200 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. After the Words. " St. Helena," in- fert " or at fuch other Places as may be in the Pof feffion of Great Britain in the African or Afiatic Seas." At the End of the Article add " And it is further ngreed, that if any other Trade in and with the faid Bri tifh Territories in the Eaft Indies than is hereby authorized, or any other or greater Rights or Advan tages in refpeCt thereof fhall be TREATY, the United States, whenever they arrive at any Port or Harbour in the faid Territories, or if they fhould be permitted in Manner aforefaid, to go to any other Place therein, fhall al ways be fubjeCt to the Laws, Go vernment, and JurifdiCtion, of what ever Nature, eftablifhed in fuch Harbour, Port, or Place, according as the fame may be. The Citizens of the United States may alfo touch for Refrefhment at the Ifland of Saint Helena, but fubject in all Re- fpefts to fuch Regulations as the Britifh Government may from Time to Time eftablifh there. Article IV. There fhall be between all the Dominions of His Majefty in Europe and the Territories of the United States, a reciprocal and perfeCt Li berty of Commerce and Navigation. The People and Inhabitants of the Two Countries refpeClively fhall have Liberty freely and exclufively, and without Hindrance and Moleft- ation, to come with their Ships and, Cargoes to the Lands, Countries, Cities, Ports, Places, and Rivers within the Dominions and Territo ries aforefaid, to enter into the fame, to refort there, and to remain and refide there without any Limit ation ( 201 ) Alterations propofed • by the Prefident of the United States. granted or permit ted to the Citizens or SubjeCts of any European Nation, the fame fhall be common to the Citizens of the United States." At the End of theFirft Paragraph infert " nor fhall any higher Duties or Charges be im pofed in one Coun try, on the Ex? portation of any Articles to the Ports of the other, than fuch as are payable on the Exportation of the like Articles to jevery other Fo reign Country." TREATY. ation of Time ; alfo to hire and poffefs Houfes and Warehoufes for the Purpofe of their Commerce; and generally, the Merchants and Traders on each Side fhall enjoy the moft compleat Protection and Secu rity for their Commerce, but fubject always as to what refpects this Ar ticle, to the Laws and Statutes of the Two Countries reflectively. Article V. It is agreed, that no other or higher Duties fhall be paid by the Ships or Merchandize of the one Party in the Ports of the other, than fuch as are paid by the like Veffels or Merchandize of all other Nations. Nor fhall any other or higher Duty be impofed in one Country on the Importation of any Articles, the Growth, Produce, or Manufacture of the other, than are or fhall be payable on the Impor tation of the like Articles, being of the Growth, Produce, or Manu facture of any other Foreign Coun try. Nor fhall any Prohibition be im pofed on the Exportation or Impor tation of any Articles to or from the Territories of , the Two Parties re fpeClively, which fhall not equally extend to all other Nations, Buf the ( 202 ) Alterations propofed TREATY. rtVunitedStetes?f the Britifh Government referves to itfelf the Right of impofing on American Veffels entering into Bri tifh Ports in Europe a TonnageDuty equal to that which fhall at any Time be payable by Britifh Veffels in the Ports of America ; and the Govern ment of the United States referves to itfelf a Right of impofing on Britifh Veffels entering into the Ports of the United States, a Tonnage Duty equal to that which fhall at any Time be payable by American Vef fels in the Britifh Ports in Europe. It is agreed, that in the Trade of the Two Countries with each other, the fame Duties of Exportation and Importation on all Goods and Mer chandize, and alfo the fame Draw backs and Bounties, fhall be paid and allowed in either Country, whether fuch Importation or Expor tation fhall be made in Britifh or American Veffels. Art. VI. The High Contracting Parties not having been able to arrange at pre fent, by Treaty, any Commercial Intercourfe between the Territories of the United States and His Ma jefty's Iflands and Ports in the Weft Indies, agree that, until that Subject fhall be regulated in a fatisfactory Manner, each of the Parties fhall remain in the complete Poffeffion ol its ( 263 ) Alterations propbfed by the Prefident of ?.';:- ¦: United States. its Rights, tercourfe. TREATY. in refpeCt to fuch an In- . Art. VII. Propofe to ftrike diit the laft Para graph. Omit the Words '* on juft Sufpi cion of having on board Enemy's Property, or of carrying to. the It fhall be free for the High Con tracting Parties fefpectively to ap point Confuls for the Protection of Trade, to refide in the Dominion and Territories aforefaid ; and the faid Confuls fhall enjoy thofe Liber ties and Rights which belong to them by Reafoh of their Function ; but before any Conful fhall aCt as fuch, he fhall be in the ufual Forms ap proved and admitted by the Party to whom he is fent : And it is hereby declared to be lawful and proper, that in cafe of illegal or improper Conduct towards the Laws or Go vernment, a Conful may either be punifhed according to Law, if the Laws will reach the Cafe, or be dif- miffed, or even fent back, the offen ded Government affigning to the other the Reafons for the fame. Either of the Parties may except from the Refidence of Confuls, fuch particular Places as fuch Party fhall judge proper to be excepted. Art. VIII. It is agreed, that in all Cafes where Veffels fhall be captured or detained on juft Sufpicion of having on board Enemy's Property, or, of carrying to ( 204 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. Enemy any of the Articles which are contraband of War." Omit the Word " other," and fub- ftitute f any." Omit theWords *' if any Property of an Enemy fhould be found on board fuch Veffel." Omit theWorcls " belongs to the Enemy, or." Omit the Word ¦" otherwife." TREATY. to the Enemy any of the Articles which are contraband of War, or for other lawful -Caufe, the faid Veffel fhall be brought to the neareft or moft convenient Port ; and if any Property of an Enemy fhould be found on board fuch Veffel, that Part only which belongs "to the Enemy, or is otherwife confifeable, fhall be made Prize, and the Veffel, unlefs by Law fubjeCl to Condemnation, fhall be at Liberty to proceed with the Remainder of the Cargo, with out any Impediment. And it is agreed, that all proper Meafures fhall be taken to prevent Delay in deciding the Cafes of Ships and Cargoes fo brought in for Adjudica tion, and in the Payment or Reco very of any Indemnification ad* judged or agreed to be paid to the Mafters or Owners of fuch Ships. It is alfo agreed, that in all Cafes of unfounded Detention, or other Contravention of the Regulations ftipulated by the prefent Treaty, the Owners of the Veffel and Cargo fo detained ftiall be allowed Damages proportioned to the Lofs occafioned thereby, together with the Cofts and Charges of the Trial. Art. IX. In order f o regulate what is in future to be efteemed contraband of War, C 205 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. After theWords * Tar and Pitch," add " Turpentine and Rofin." TREATY, War, it is agreed, that under the faidDenominationfhall be comprized all Arms and Implements ferving for the Purpofes of War by Land or by Sea, fuch as Cannon, Mufquets, Mortars, Petards, Bombs, Grena- does, Carcaffes, Carriages for Can non, Mufquet Refts, Bandoliers, Gunpowder, Match, Saltpetre, Ball, Pikes, Swords, Head Pieces, Cui- raffes, Halberts, Lances, Javelins, Horfe-furniture, Holfters, Belts, and generally all other Implements of War; as alfo Timber for Ship Building, Copper in Sheets, Sail Cloth, Hemp, and Cordage, and in general (with the Exception of un- wrought Iron and Fir Planks ; and alfo with the Exception of Tar and Pitch, when not going to a Port of Naval Equipment, in which Cafe they fhall be entitled to Pre-emp tion) whatever may ferve directly to the Equipment of Veffels ; and all the above Articles are hereby de clared to be juft Objects of Confifca- tion, whenever they are attempted to be carried to an Enemy ; but no Veffel fhall be detained on Pretence of carrying contraband of War, un- lefs fome of the above-mentioned Articles not excepted, are found on board of the faid Veffel at the Time it is fearched. Art. ( *e>6* ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. At the End of tJieFirftParagraph introduce, a f defi nition of Block ade: " In order to determine what characterizes a Blockade, that De nomination is only given to a Port where there is, by the Difpofition of the Power which blockades it with Ships flationary,or fufficiently near, an evident Danger in entering/' TREATY. Art. X. Whereas in Confideration of the Diflan.ce, and other Circumftances incident to the Situation of the High Contracting Parties, it may frequently happen that Veffels may fail for a Port Qr Place belonging to an Ene my, without knowing that the fame is either befieged, blockaded, or in- yefted, it is agreed, that every Veffel fo circumftanced, may be turned away from fuch Port or Place, but fhe fhall not be detained, nor her Cargp, if not contraband, be confif- cated, unlefs after fuch Notice ibe fhall again attempt to enter ; but fhe fhall be permitted to go to any other Port or Place fhe may think proper ; nor fhall any Veffel or Goods o£ either Party, that may have enterea into fuch Port or Place before the fame was befieged, blockaded, or inverted by the other, and be found therein after the Reduction or Sur render of fuch Place, be liable to Confifcation, but fhall be reftored to the Owners or Proprietors thereof. Neither of the Parties when at War, fhall, during the Continuance of the Treaty, take from on board the Veffels of the other, the Subjects of the oppofite Belligerent, Unlefs they be in the actual EmDloyment of fuch Belligerent. 1 2 Art. ( 2©7 ) Alterations propofed1 by the Prefident of the United States. . Omit " during the prefent Hofti. lities." After the Word " Europe," infert " or elfewhere.'* TREATY. Art. XL Whereas Differences have arifen concerning the trading with the Co lonies of His Majefty's Enemies, and the Inftructions given by His Ma jefty to His Cruizers in regard there to j it is agreed, that, during the prefent Hoftilities, all Articles of the Growth, Produce, and Manufacture of Europe, not being contraband of War, may be freely carried from the United States to the Port of any Colony not blockaded, belonging" to His Majefty's Enemies. Provided fuch Goods fhall previ- oufly have been entered and landed in the United States, and fhall have paid the ordinary Duties on fuch Articles fo imported for Home Con fumption, and on Re-exportation fhall after the Drawback remain fubjeCt to a Duty equivalent to not l«fs than One per Cent, ad Valorem, and that the faid Goods and the •Veffel conveying the fame, fhall from the Time of their Clearance from the American Port, be bond fide the Pro perly of Citizens, and Inhabitants of the United States : And in like Man ner , that all Artie i es not being con tra- band of War, and being the Growth and Produce of the Enemy's Colo nies, may be brought to the United States, ( 208 ) Alterations pmpofed by the Prefident of the United States. After the Word *' Europe," infert " or elfewhere." After the Word " paid," infert •* or fecured to be paid," At the End of the Paragragh in troduce the fol lowing " It is un- derftood, that no Inference is to be drawn from this Article to affect any Queftion, now or hereafter to be judicially depend ing, touching the Legality or Ille gality of a direct Trade from Eu rope, or elfewhere, by Citizens of the United States,\vith Enemies Colonies beyond the Cape of Good Hope." TREATY. States, and after having been there landed, may be freely carried from thence to any Port of Europe not blockaded, provided fuch Goods fhall previoufly have been entered and landed in the faid United States, and fhall have paid the ordinary Duties on Colonial Articles fo imported for Home Confumption, and on Re exportation fhall, after the Draw back, remain fubjeCt to a Duty equivalent to not lefs than Two per Cent, ad Valorem ; and provided that the faid Goods and the Veffel conveying the fame, be bona fide the Property of Citizens and Inhabitants of the United States. Provided always, that this Article, or any Thing therein contained, fhall not operate to the Prejudice of any Right belonging to either Party ; but that, after the Expiration of the Time limited for the Article, the Rights on both Sides fhall revive and be in full force. Art. XII. And whereas it is expedient to make fpecial Provifions refpecting the Maritime JurifdiCtioh of the High Contracting Parties on the Courts of their refpeCtive Poffeffions in North America, on account of peculiar Circumftances belonging to thofe ( *°9 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. Omit theWords " except for the Purpofe hereafter mentioned." * Omit the laft Paragraph. TREATY. thofe Coafts, it is agreed that in all Cafes where One of the faid High Contracting Parties fhall be engaged in War, and the other fhall be at Peace, the Belligerent Power fhall not flop, except for the Purpofe hereafter mentioned, the Veffels of the Neutral Power, or the unarmed Veffels of other Nations within Five Miles from the Shore belonging to the faid Neutral Power on the Ame rican Seas. Provided that the faid Stipulation fhall not take Effect, in favour of the Ships of any Nation or Nations which fhall not have agreed to re- fpeCt the Limit aforefaid as the Line of Maritime JurifdiCtion of the faid Neutral State: And it is further ftipulated, that if either of the High Contracting Parties fhall be at War with any Nation or Nations .which fhall have agreed to refpeCt the faid fpecial Limit or Line of Maritime JurifdiCtion herein agreed upon, fuch Contracting Party fhall have the Right to flop or fearch any Veffel beyond the Limit of a Cannon Shot or Three Marine Miles from the faid Coafts of the Neutral Power, for the Purpofe of afcertaining the Na tion to which fuch Veffel fhall be long. And with refpeCt to the Ships and Property of the Nation or Na- p ¦ tions ( 210 } Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. Propofe to in troduce, as thefirft Paragraph of the Article, thefollow- 'ing, " if the Ships of either of the Parties fhall be met with, failing either along the Coafts or on the High Seas, by any private armed Veffel of the other Party, fuch armed Veffel fhall, for avoiding all Diforder in vifit ing and examining the fame, remain out of Gannon Shot, unlefs the State of the Sea or Place of Meeting TREATY. tions not having agreed to refpeCt ^ the aforefaid Line of JurifdiCtion, the Belligerent Power fhall exercife the fame Rights as if this Article did not exift ; and the feveral Provifions ftipulated by this Article fhall have full Force and L fleet only during the Continuance of the prefent Treaty. Art. XIII. With refpeCt to the Searching of Merchant Ships;, the Commanders of Ships of War and Privateers fhall conduct themfelves as favourably as the Courfe of the War then exifting may poflibly permit towards the moft friendly Power that may re main neuter, obferving as much as poffible the acknowledged Principles and Rules of the Law of Nations. And for the better Security of the refpeCtive SubjeCls and Citizens of the Contracting Parties, and to pre vent their fuffering Injuries by the Men of War or Privateers of either Party, ah Commanders of Ships of War and Privateers, and all others the faid SubjeCls and Citizens, fhall forbear doing any Damage to thofe of the other Party, or committing any Outrage againft them ; and if they act to the contrary, they fhall be punifhed, and fhall alfo be bound , in ( 3X1 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. render a nearer Ap proach neceffary ; andfhaliinnoCafe compel or require fuch Veffel to fend her Boat or her Papers or any Per- fon from on board to the Belligerent Veffel,but the Bel ligerent Veffel may fend her own Boat and may enter her to the Number of Two or Three Men only, who may in an orderlyManner make the neceffary Enquiries con cerning the Veffel and her Cargo : And it is agreed, that effectual Pro- vifion fhall be made for punifhing Vio lations of any Part of this Stipulation. Omit theWords " as favourably as the Courfe of the War then exifting may poffibly per mit towards the TREATY. in their Perfons and Eftates to make Satisfaction and Reparation for all- Damages, and the Intereft thereof, of whatever Nature the faid Damages may be. For this Caufe, all Commanders of Privateers, before they receive their Commiffions, fhall hereafter be compelled to give, before a com petent Judge, fufficient Security, by at leaft Two refpeCtable Sureties, who have no Intereft in the faid Pri vateer, each of whom, together with the faid Commander, fhall be jointly and feverally bound in the Sum of Two thoufand Pounds Sterling ; or, if fuch Ship be provided with above One hundred and fifty Seamen, or Soldiers, in the Sum of Four thou fand Pounds Sterling, to fatisfy all Damages and Injuries, which the faid Privateers, or Officers, or Men, or any of them, may do or commit during their Cruize, contrary to the Tenour of this Treaty, or ;o the Laws and Inftructions for regulating their Conduct ; and further, that in all Cafes of Aggreflions, the faid Commiffions fhall be revoked and annulled. It is alfo agreed, that whenever a Judge of a Court of Admiralty of either of the Parties fhall pronounce Sentence againft any Veffel or Goods or Property belonging to the Sub- n , jects ( 412 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. moft friendly Pow er that may remain Neuter," and in fert " according to the acknowledged Principles and Rules of the Laws of Nations, and as favourably, more over, as the Courfe of the War then exifting may poffi- bly permit towards the moft friendly Power that may re main Neuter." TREATY. jeCls or Citizens of the other Party, a formal and duly authenticated Copy of all the Proceedings in the Caufe, and of the faid Sentence, fhall, if re quired, be delivered to the Com mander of the faid Veffel, without the fmalleft Delay, he paying all legal Fees and Demands for the fame. Art. XIV. It is further agreed, that both the faid Contracting Parties fhall not only refufe to receive any Pirates into any of their Ports, Havens, or Towns, or permit any of their In habitants to receive, protect, har bour, conceal or affift them in any Manner, but will bring to condign Punifhment all fuch Inhabitants as fhall be guilty of fuch Acts or Of fences. And all their Ships, with the Goods or Merchandizes taken by them, and brought into the Ports of either of the faid Parties, fhall be feized as far as they can be difcover- . ed, C 213 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. TREATY. ed, and fhall be reftored to the Ow ners, or the FaCtors or Agents duly deputed, and authorized in Writing by them, (proper Evidence being fhewn in the Court of Admiralty, for proving the Property) even in cafe fuch hffeCts fhould have paffed into other Hands by Sale, if it be proved that the Buyers knew, or had good Reafon to believe, or fufpect that they had been piratically taken. Art. XV. It is likewife agreed, that the Subjects and Citizens of the Two Nations, fhall not do any ACts of Hoftility or Violence againft each other, nor accept Commiffions or InftruCtions fo to aCt from any Fo reign Prince or State, Enemies to the other Party, nor fhall the Ene mies of one of the Parties be per mitted to invite or endeavour to en- lift in the Military Service any of the Subjects or Citizens of the other Party; and the Laws againft all fuch Offences and Aggreflions fhall be punctually executed : And if any SubjeCt or Citizen of the faid Par ties refpeClively fhall accept' any Foreign Commiffion, or Letters of Marque, for arming any Veffel to aCt as a Privateer againft the other Party, it is hereby declared to be JP 3 lawful ( 2H ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. Subftitute the following : " The Ships of War and Privateers of the Two Nations, as well as their Prizes, fhall be treated in their refpeCtive Ports as thofe of the Nation moft favoured." TREATY. lawful for the faid Party to treat aftd punifh the faid SubjeCt or Citizen, having fuch Commiffion . or Letter of Marque, as a Pirate. Art. XVI. It is exprefsly flipulated that nei ther of the faid Contracting Parties will order or authorize any ACts ef Reprizal againft the other on Com plaints of Injuries and Damages, until the faid Party fhall firft have prefented to the other a Statement thereof, ve/iiedby competent Proof and Evidence, and demanded Juftice and Satisfaction, and the fame fhall either have been refufed or unrea- fonably delayed. Art. XVII. The Ships of War of each of the Contracting Parties fhall at Times be hofpitahly received in the Ports of the other, their Officers and Crews paying due RefpeCt to the Laws and Government of the Country. The Officers fhall be treated with that RefpeCt which is due to the Com- miffions which they bear; and if any Infult fhould be offered to them by any of the Inhabitants, all Offen ders in this RefpeCt fhall be punifhed as Difturbersof the Peace and Amity between the Two Countries. And both ( 2i5 ) Alterations propefed by the Prefident of the United States. TREATY. both Contracting Parties agree, that in cafe any Veffel of the one fhould, by Strefs of Weather, Danger from Enemies, or other Misfortunes, be reduced to the Neceffity of feeking Shelter in any of the Ports of the other, into which fuch Veffel could •not in ordinary Cafes claim to be admitted, fhe fhall, on manifefting that Neceffity to the Satisfaction of the Government of the Place, be hofpitably received, and permitted to refit, and to purchafe at the Mar ket Price fuch Neceffaries as fhe may ftand in need of, conformably to fuch Orders and Regulations as the Government of the Place, having refpeCt to the Circumftances of each Cafe, fhall prefcribe. She fhall not be allowed to break Bulk or unload her Cargo, unlefs the fame fhall be bend fide neceffary to her being refitted ; nor fhall fhe be obliged to pay any Duties what ever, except on fuch Articles as fhe may be permitted to fell for the Pur pofe aforefaid. Art. XVIII.. It fhall not be lawful for any fo reign Privateers (not being SubjeCls or Citizens of either of the faid Par- ties)who have Commiffions from any Power or State in Enmity with p 4 either ( »*" ) Alterations propofed TREATY. by the Prefident of the United States. ^^ Natjon? tQ arm their Ships ffl the Ports of either of the faid Par ties, nor to fell what they have taken, nor in any other Manner to ex-. change the fame ; nor fhall they be allowed to purchafe more Provifions than fhall be neceffary for their going to the neareft Port of that Prince or State from whom they obtained their Commiffions. Art. XIX. It fhall be lawful for the Ships of War and Privateers, belonging to the faid Parties refpeClively, to carry whitherfoever they pleafe the Ships and Goods taken from their Ene mies, without being obliged to pay any Fees to the Officers of the Ad miralty, or to any Judges whatever ; nor fhall the faid Prizes, when they arrive at and enter the Ports of the faid Parties, be detained or feized ; nor fhall the Searchers, or other Officers of thofe Places, vifit fuch' Prizes (except for the Purpofe of preventing the carrying of any Part of the Cargo thereof on Shore, in any Manner contrary to the eftablifh-' ed Laws of Revenue, Navigation, or Commerce) ; nor fhall fuch Officers take Cognizance of the Validity of fuch Prizes ; but they fhall be at Li berty to-hoift Sail, and depart as fpeedily ( 2i7 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident ef the United States. the Two laft Paragraphs to be flruck out. TREATY. fpeedily as may be, and carry their faid Prizes to the Place mentioned their Commiffions or Patents, in which the Commanders of the faid Ships of War or Privateers fhall be obliged to fhew. No Shelter or Refuge fhall be given in their Ports to fuch as have made a Prize upon the Subjects or Citizens of either of the faid Par ties, but if forced by Strefs of Wea ther or the Dangers of the Sea to enter them, particular Care fhall be taken to haften their Departure, and to caufe them to retire as foon as poffible. Nothing in this Treaty contained fhall however be conftrued to operate contrary to the former and exifting public Treaties with other Sovereigns or States : But the Two Parties agree, that while they continue in Amity, neither of them will in future make any Treaty that fhall be inconfiftent with this or the preceding Articles. Neither of the faid Parties fhall permit the Ships or Goods belong ing to the Subjects or Citizens of the other to be taken within Cannon- fhot of the Coafl, nor within the JurifdiCtion defcribed in Article XII. fo long as the Provifions in the faid Article fhall be in force, by Ships of War or others having Commif fions from any Prince, Republic, or State ( 2l8 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. TREATY. State whatever. But in cafe il fhould fo happen, the Party whofe Territorial Rights fhall thus have been violated fhall ufe his utmoft Endeavours to obtain from the of fending Party full and ample Satis faction for the Veffel or Veffels fo taken, whether the fame be Veffels of War or Merchant Veffels. Art. XX. If at any Time a Rupture fhould take place (which God forbid) be tween His Majefty and the United States, the Merchants and others of each of the Two Nations, refiding in the Dominions of the other, fhall have the Privilege of remaining and continuing their Trade, fo long as they do it peaceably, and commit no Offence againft the Laws ; and in cafe their Conduct fhould render them fufpeCted, and the refpeCtive Governments fhould think proper to order them to remove, the Term of Twelve Months from thePublication of the Order fhall be allowed them for the Purpofe to remove them with their Families, Effects, and. Property ; but this Favour fhall not be extended to thofe who fhall act contrary to the eftablifhed Laws : And for greater Certainty, it is de clared, that fuch Rupture fhall not be ( 2J9 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. TREATY. be deemed to exift while Negotia tions for accommodating Differences fhall be depending, nor until the re fpeCtive Ambaffadors or Minifters, if fuch there fhall be, fhall be re called or fent home on account of fuch Differences, and not on ac count of perfonal MifconduCl, ac cording to the Nature and Degree of which both Parties retain their Rights, either to requeft the Recall or immediately to fend home the Ambaffador or Minifter of the other j and that without Prejudice to their mutual Friendfhip and good Under- ftanding. Art. XXI. It is further agreed, that His Ma jefty and the United States, on mu tual Regulations by them refpeClive ly, or by their refpeCtive Minifters or Officers authoriied to make the fame, will deliver up to Juftice all Perfons who, being charged with Murder or Forgery, committed within the JurifdiCtion of either, fhail feek an Afylum within any of the Countries of the other; provided that this fhall only be done on fuch Evidence of Criminality, as, accor ding to the Laws of the Place where the Fugitive or Perfon fo charged fhall be found, would juftify his Ap prehenfion £ 220 ) Alterations propofed TREATY. by the Prefident of the United States. prehenfion and Commitment for Trial, if the Offence had there been committed. The Expence of fuch Apprehenfion and Delivery fhall be borne and defrayed by thofe who make the Requisition, and receive theFugitive^ Art. XXII. In the Event of a Shipwreck hap pening in a Place belonging to one or other of the High Contracting Parties, not only every Affiftance fhall be given to the unfortunate Perfons, and no Violence done to them, but alfo the Effects which they fhall have thrown out of the Ship into the Sea fhall not' be concealed or detained nor damaged under any Pretext whatever ; on the contrary the above mentioned Effects and Merchandize fhall be preferved and reftored to them, upon a fuitable Recompence being given to thofe who fhall have affifted in faving their Perfons, Veffels, and Effects. Art. XXIII. To ftand thus : And it being the Intention of «e It is agreed, that the High Contracting Parties that in cafe either Par- the People of their refpeCtive Do minions ( 22I ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. ty fhall hereafter grant any addition al Advantages in Navigation or Trade to any other Nation, the Sub jects or Citizens of the other Party fhall fully partici pate therein freely, where it is freely granted to fuch other Nation, or on yielding the fame Compenfa- tion when the Grant is condi tional." TREATY. minions fhall continue to be on the Footing of the moft favoured Nation, it is agreed that, in cafe either Party fhall hereafter grant any ad ditional Advantages, in Navigation or Trade, to any other Nation, the Subjects or Citizens of the other Party fhall fully participate herein. Art. XXIV. The High Contracting Parties en gage to communicate to each other, without Delay, all fuch Laws as have been or fhall be hereafter en acted by their refpeCtive Legiflatures, as alfo all Meafures which fhall have been taken for the Abolition or Li mitation of the African Slave Trade ; and they further agree to ufe their beft ( 222 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States. Period tobe Five Years. TREATY. beft Endeavours to procure the Co operation of other Powers for the final and complete Abolition of a Trade fo repugnant to the Principles of Juftice and Humanity. Art. XXV. And it is further agreed, that no thing herein contained, fhall con travene or affect the due Execution of any Treaty or Treaties ' now ac tually fubfifting between either of the High Contracting Patties and any other Power or Powers. Art. XXVI. This Treaty, when the fame fhall have been ratified by His Majefty, and by the Prefident of the United States, with the Advice of their Se nate, and their refpeCtive Ratifica tions mutually exchanged, fhall be binding and obligatory on His Ma jefty and on the faid States for Ten Years, from the Date of the Ex change of the faid Ratification, and fhall be reciprocally executed and obferved with Punctuality, and the moft fincere Regard to good Faith. Article ( 223 ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of TREATY;. the United States. Article. No Perfon whatever fhall, upon the High Seas, and without the Ju rifdiCtion of either Party, be de manded or taken out of any Ship or Veffel belonging to Citizens or Sub jects of one of the other Parties, by the public or private armed Ships be longing to or in the Service of the other, unlefs fuch Perfon be at the Time in the Military Service of an Enemy ef fuch other Party. » Article. Complaints having been made by divers Merchants and other Citizens ©f the United States, that during the( War in which His Majefty is en gaged, they have fuftained Lofs and Damage by reafon of the irregular and illegal Captures and Condemna tions of their Veffels and other Pro perty, under Colour or Authority or Commiffions from His Majefty, contrary to the Tenour of a Com munication from Lord Hawkefbury to Mr. King, of the iith of April 1 80 1, of which a Copy is annexed to this Treaty, or contrary to the Tenour 0/ a Letter from Mr. Merry to Mr'. Madifon, of the 1 2th of April l 80 1, of which a Copy is alfo hereto annexed, C 22A ) Alterations propofed by the Prefident of TREATY. the United States. annexed, or otherwife contrary to the known and eftablifhed Rules of the Law of Nations ;. and the faid Merchants and others having farther complained, that full and complete Redrefs for the faid Loffes and Da mages has not been, and cannot be, for various Caufes, had and obtained in the ordinary Courfe of judicial Proceedings, His Majefty agrees that he will, without Delay, caufe the moft effectual Meafures to be taken in concert with the United States., for an impartial Examination of the faid Complaints, and that He will caufe full and complete Reparation to be made thereupon to the Parties entitled, as Juftice and Equity, and the Nature of the refpeCtive Cafes, fhall appear to require. (Second Inclofure referred to in No. 2.) London, Auguft 20th, 1806. HrHE Underfigned, Commiffioners Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, think it neceffary to give to Lord Hol land and Lord Auckland, the Commiffioners Extra ordinary and Plenipotentiary of His Majefty, a brief Explanation in Writing of the Claims which they have C 2:5 ) have already had the Honour to mention to their Lordfhips in a recent Conference, of fundry Ame rican Citizens, for fuitable Compenfation for Lofs and Damages fuftained in the Courfe of the prefent War, by Reafon of irregular or illegal Captures or Condemnations of their Veffels and other Pro perty, and at the fame Time to call the Attention of their Lordfhips to the Situation of certain Prize Caufes arifing out of fome of thefe Captures now depending in the Tribunals of this Country. The Underfigned are happy in having it in their Power to ftate, that, according to the Information they have been able to obtain, fuch of thefe Claims as relate to Captures, which, from Caufes peculiar to themfelves, have excited in America a more than ordinary Degree of Senfibility, are not fo con fiderable in Number as at firft was fuppofed. The Complaints of this Defcription, to which the Underfigned would particularly invite the At tention of their Lordfhips, have been produced by Seizures as Prize, made in direCt Violation of RMes of Maritime PraCtice previoufly declared by His Majefty's Government to the Government of the United States, and in no Degree revoked or affeCled by any Arrangement between them, or even by any Notification, they were about to be abandoned. Of thefe Seizures, the moft important, and in every View the moft interefting, were made in the Q_ Year ( 226 ) Year 1805, and in the early Part of the Year 1806, of the Ships and Merchandize of American Citizens, upon the Pretention, that the Voyages in which they were engaged were direct or continuous be tween the Colonies of His Majefty's Enemies and fome Port in Europe. Although it is certain that the Government 'of the United States had never admitted that Illegality can be imputed to fuch a Trade, even when con- feffedly continuous or direct, and had concluded that the Queftion had been otherwife formally fettled in its Favour, the Under ligned believe it to be un-. neceffary to bring that Point into View, with any Reference to the Cafes now under Confideration, It is fufficient to ftate, that at the Date of thefe Seizures the Merchants ©f the United States did explicitly underftand, and were juftified in a con-. fident Belief, founded not only upon antecedent Practice, but upon a formal Communication, in the Year 1807, to the American Minifter in London from His Majefty's Principal Secretary of State for the Department of Foreign Affairs, that the Cir- cumftances by which thefe Voyages were accom panied, had been and were diftinCtly admitted by the Britifh Government and by Britifh Courts of Prize, to break their Continuity, and render them, unqueflionably lawful. The following Detail will fhew more precifely the Nature and Effect of the Communication to which the Underfigned allude^ The ( 227 ) The Publick and Private armed Ships of this Country having feized American Veffels bound from the United States to the Spanifh Weft Indies, on the Pretext that their Cargoes confifted of Ar ticles of the Growth of Spain when at War with Great Britain, and the Vice Admiralty Court of Naffau having condemned the Cargo of one of thefe Veffels upon that Pretext, Mr. King in a Note to Lord Hawkefbury of the 13th March 1801, remon- ftrated againft thefe Acts as palpable Abufes. The Subject of this Remonftrance was imme diately referred to the King's Advocate, whofe Report of the 16th March 1801, after declaring that the Sentence of the Vice Admiralty Court was erroneous, concludes with the following Expofition of the Law as underflood in Great Britain, relative to the Commerce of Neutrals with Belligerents and their Colonies : " It is now diftinCtly underflood, and has been repeatedly fo decided by the High Court of Appeal, that the Produce of the Colonies of the Enemy may be imported by a Neutral into his own Country, and may be re-exported from thence even to the Mother Country of fuch Colony; and in like Manner the Produce and Manufactures of the Mother Country may in this circuitous Mode legally find their Way to the Colonies. The direct Trade, however, between the Mother Country and its Colonies, have not, I apprehend, been recognifed as legal, either by His Majefty's Government or by His Tribunals. q_2 " What ( 228 ) " What is a direct Trade ©r what amounts to an intermediate Importation into the Neutral Country, may fometimes* be a Queftion of fome Difficulty. A general Definition of ether, applicable to all Cafes, cannot well be laid down. The Queftion muft depend upon the particular Circumftances of each Cafe. Perhaps the mere touching in the Neu tral Country to take frefh Clearances may properly be confidered as a fraudulent Evafion, and is in effeCt the direct Trade ; but the High Court of Ad miralty has exprefsly decided, (and I fee no Reafon to expect that the Court of Appeal will vary the Rule), that landing the Goods and paying the Du ties in the Neutral Countty breaks the Continuity of the Voyage, and is fuch an Importation as legalifes the Trade, although the Goods be refhipped in the fame Veffel, and on account of the fame Neutral Proprietors, and to be forwarded for Sale to the Mother Country, or the Colony," An Extract frem this Report, containing the foregoing Paffage, was tranfmitted by the Duke of Portland, in a Letter of the 30 th of March 1801, to the Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty. His Grace's Letter concludes thus ; " In order, therefore, to put a Stop to the Incon« veniencies arifing from thefe erroneous Sentences of the Vice Admiralty Courts, I have the Honour to fignify to your Lordfhips the King's Pleafure, that ( 229 ) that a Communication of the DoCtrine laid down in the faid Report fhould be immediately made by your Lordfhips to the feveral Judges prefiding in them, fetting forth what is held to be the Law upon the SubjeCl by the fuperior Tribunals, for their Guidance and Direction. On the nth of April 1801, Lord Hawkefbury communicated to Mr. King, for the Information of the Government of the United States, a Copy of the above Letter of the Duke of Portland, which is ftated by his Lordfhip to have been written by His Majefty's Command, -in confequence of Mr. King's Reprefentation of the preceding Month, together with a Copy of the Extract from the Report of the King's Advocate, referred to in his Grace's Letter, and already above quoted. Upon the Receipt of this Communication, Mr. King tranfmitted it to his Government in a Letter (of which a Copy is an nexed) containing the following Obfervations : " I take the Liberty of fuggefting the Expediency of publifhing thefe Copies in our Newfpapers, as the moft expeditious Means of communicating the fame to the Cruizing Ships and Privateers in the Ame rican Seas. Having intimated this Suggeftion to Lord Hawkefbury before he prepared and fent me his Anfwer, there can fee no Exceptions here againft fuch a Publication." The Publication was directed and took place accordingly. The Underfigned are perfuaded that Lord Hol land and Lord Auckland will at once perceive that Q3 the ( 23° ) the Report of the King's Advocate, thus unequi vocally adopted by Hi6 Majefty's Government, and communicated as an ACt to be refpected and con fided in, through the American Minifter, to the Government of the United States, and finally to their Citizens, and to Europe through the Medium of a Publication expected and authorized, cannot in any fair ConftruClion be viewed as any Thing fhort of a formal Declaration on the Part of Great Bri tain — that the landing of the Cargo and the Pay ment of the Duties in the Neutral Country would be confidered as legalizing the Circuitous Trade, even between a Belligerent and its own Colonies^ The Practice during the late and the Two firft Years of the prefent War was in perfect Conformity with this Document, and by that Conformity en- creafed its Authority, and furnifhed an additional Juftification, if any had been required, for a De- pendance upon the Doctrine which it announced. In the Summer of 1805, however, when a large Amount of American Property was afloat, unde niably entitled to the Protection of the above Rule, and committed to the High Seas, under an implicit Reliance upon a ftrict Adherence to- it ; the Rule was fuddenly abandoned, and Britiffi Cruizers fell upon this Trade:, thus fanCtioned by the exprefs Admiffion, as well as by the Acquiefcence of their Government ; and thefe Captures are underflood to have received the hi heft judicial Sanction. 9 The ( ni ) The Underfigned have no Defire to dwell upon this SubjeCt. They are convinced that the liberal and equitable Sentiments which diftinguifh His Ma jefty's Government render unneceffary the farther Explanation of which it is fufceptible. Referring to Two Notes from the Underfigned, Mr. Monroe to Lord Mulgrave, of the 23d of September 1805, and to Mr. Fox, of the 25th of February 1806", the Underfigned have only to declare their fincere Conviction that His Majefty's Government will not fail to fee in the Facts which they have had the Honour to ftate, an irrefiftible Call upon it to repair the injurious Effects of thefe Seizures. As to the few Cafes of this Clafs now depending before the Lords Commiffioners of Appeal, or in other Prize Courts of His Majefty, the Underfigned feel affured that Meafures will be taken to caufe them to be fa vourably difpofed of, and that fuitable Reparation will moreover be fecured to the Parties injured, Tor the Lofs and Damage they have fuftained. The Underfigned have the Honour to tranfmit herewith a Lift of all the Cafes of this Clafs, in which are diftinguifhed fuch as are flill judicially depending. The next Clafs of thefe Cafes (of which Lifts and Eftimates will hereafter be furnifhed) compre hends Captures during the exifting War, contrary to the Tenor of a Letter of the 5 th of January 1804, from Sir Evan Nepean to Mr. Hammond, on the SubjeCt of the Blockade of Martinique and Guada- loupe, of which a Copy was enclofed in a Letter of q_4 the ( 2J2 ) the 1 2th of April 1804, from Mr. Merry to Mr. Maddifon, of both of which Letters Copies are herewith tranfmitted. The Citizens of the United States complain that they have fuffered feverely by Captures, in Violation of the Rules laid down with fo much Farrnefs and Precifion in this Communication, and that, where Condemnations have not followed, Compenfation equivalent to the actual Lofs have not been and cannot be procured in the ordinary Courfe by any Exertions en their Part. The Pretext for fome of thefe Captures has been the Breach of an alleged Blockade of Martinique or Guadaloupe ; for others,. the Breach of an imaginary Blockade of Currocoa ; and for others,' the Breach of an equally imaginary Blockade of other Ports and Places. In all of thefe Cafes either the actual Inveftment of the parti cular Port was wanting, or the Veffel feized for an. imputed criminal Deftination to it, had not been warned as required. The juft Extent of thefe Claims the Underfigned are not able to ftate, but they prefume it cannot be confiderable^ The only remaining Claims which; are reducible; to any precife Clafs, are thofe which, relate to Cap tures within the Territorial JurifdiCtion of theUnited States. Of thefe, as well as of fome others of a mifcellaneous Nature, which the Underfigned have not at prefent the Means of prefcribing diftinCtly to* Lord Holland and Lord Auckland, Lifts fhalls hereafter ( *33 ) hereafter be prepared and laid before their Lord fhips accompanied by fuitable Explanations. The Underfigned requeft Lord Holland and Lord Auckland to accept the Affurance of their perfect Confideration. (Signed) JAMES MONROE. WILLIAM PINCKNEY. Right Honourable Lord Holland and Lord Auckland. (Letter referred to in Second Inclofure of No. 2.) Sir, Wafhington, April 12th, 1804. R. THORNTON not having failed to tranf- mit to His Majefty's Government an Account of the Reprefentation which you were pleafed to addrefs to him under Date of 27th OCtober laft Year, refpeCting the Blockade of the Iflands of Martinique and Guadaloupe, it is with great Satis faction, Sir, that I have juft received His Majefty's Commands fignified to me by His Principal Secre tary of State for Foreign Affairs, under Date of the 6th January laft, to communicate to you the Inftructions which have in confequence of your Re- jwefentation been fent to Commodore Hood, and to the Judges of the Vice Admiralty Courts in the Weft Indies.. I have ( 234 ) I have accordingly the Honour to tranfmit to you, Sir, the inclofed Copy of a Letter from Sir Evan Nepean Secretary to the Board of Admiralty, to Mr. Hammond His Majefty's Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, fpecifying the Nature of the InftruCtions which have been given. His Majefty's Government doubt not that the Promptitude which has been manifefted in redreffing the Grievance complained of by the Government of the United States, will be confidered by the latter as an additional Evidence of His Majefty's conftant and fincere Defire to remove any Ground of Mifun- derftanding that could have a Tendency to interrupt the Harmony which fo happily fubfifts between His Government and that of the United States. I have the Honour to be, Sec. (Signed) ANT. MERRY. The Secretary of State of the United States. ^Letter referred to in Second Inclofure of No. 2. and in the preceding Letter.) Admiralty Office, 5th January 1804. Sir, T_I AVING communicated to the Lords of the Ad miralty Lord Hawkefbury's Letter of the 23d Ultimo, inclofing the Copy of a Difpatch which his ( z35 ) his Lordfhip had received from Mr. Thornton His Majefty's Charge dAffaires in America, on the Subject of the Blockade of the Iflands of Mar tinique and Guadaloupe, together with the Report of the Advocate General thereupon ; I have their Lordfhips Commands to acquaint you for his Lord- fhip's Information, that they have fent Orders to Commodore Hood not to confider any Blockade of thofe Iflands as exifting, unlefs in refpeCt of parti cular Ports which may be actually inverted, and then not to capture Veffels bound to fuch Ports unlefs they fhall previoufly have been warned not to enter them, and that they have alfo fent the neceffary Directions on the SubjeCt to the Judges of the Vice Admiralty Courts in the Weft Indies and America. I am, &c. (Signed) EVAN NEPEAN. To George Hammond Efquire. (Third Inclofure referred to in No. 2.) Holland Houfe, November 8th, 1 806. T_J IS Majefty's Commiffioners and Plenipotentiaries- have the Honour to reprefent to the Commif fioners and Plenipotentiaries of the United States, That the ProjeCt of an Article on the Subject of impreffing Seamen, together With the Reafonings by which the Commiffioners of the United States have urged ( 236 } urged the Expediency of an Engagement on that Subject, has been confidered with the fame friendly and conciliatory Difpofition, which has rilarked every Step of the Negotiation : That His Majefty's Government has not felt itfelf prepared to difclaim or derogate from a Right Which has been uniformly and generally maintained, and in the Exercife of which the Security of the Britifh Navy may be effentially involved ; more efpecially in a Conjuncture when His Majefty is engaged in Wars which enforce the Neceffity of the moft vigi lant Attention to the Prefervation and Supply of the Naval Force of His Kingdom : That His Majefty's Government, aCtuated by an earneft Defire to remove every Caufe of Diffatis- faCtion, has direCled His Majefty's Commiffioners to give to Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinkney the moft pofitive Affurances that InftruCtions have been given and fhall be repeated and enforced for the Obferv ance of the greateft Caution in the impreffing of Britifli Seamen ; and that the ftriCteft Care fhall be taken to preferve Citizens of the United States from any Moleftation or Injury ; and that immediate and prompt Redrefs fhall be afforded upon any Repre sentation of Injury fuftained by them. That the Commiffioners of the United States well know that no recent Cafes of Complaint have occurred, and that no probable Inconvenience can refult ( 237 ) refult from the Poftponement cf an Article fubjeCled to fo many Difficulties. Still that His Majefty's Commiffioners are inftruCted to entertain the Dif cuffion of any Plan that can be devifed to fecure the Interefts of both States without any Injury to Rights to which they are refpeClively attached : That in the mean Time the Defire of promoting a right Conclufion of the propofed Treaty, and of drawing clofer the Ties of Connection between the Two Countries, induces His Majefty's Commiffioners to exprefs their Readinefs to proceed to the Com pletion of the other Articles, in the confident Hope, that the Refult cannot fail to cultivate and confirm the good Underftanding happily fubfifting between the High Contracting Parties ; and ftill further to augment the mutual Profperity of His Majefty's SubjeCls, and of the Citizens of the United States. (Signed) VASSAL HOLLAND. AUCKLAND. James Monroe Efquire, and William Pinkney Efquire. (Fourth Inclofure referred to in No. 2.) My Lord, London, 14th March 1807. TN conformity with the Intimation which your Lordfhip was fo good as to make to us at a late Interview, relative to certain Claims and Prize Caufes, ( *38 ) Caufes, which had been brought into Difcuffion in the Courfe of the late Negotiation, between His Majefty's Commiffioners and thofe of the United States ; we have the Honour to tranfmit to your Lordffiip, the Copy of a Note to Lord Holland and Lord Auckland, in which thofe Claims and Prize Caufes are fully explained. It is proper to add, that at the Time of the Signature of the Treaty, it was diftinCtly underflood between the Commiffioners on both Sides, that this Subject was not to be affeCled by it, but was to remain completely open for future Adjuftment. We have it upon the Statement contained in that Note, and the Documents to which it refers, in perfect Confidence that it will be viewed by your Lordffiip with the Intereft which belongs to it, and that every Thing which is fuitable to the high and honourable Character of His Majefty's Government, and the juft Claims of the United States will be done, with Relation to it as promptly as Circumftances will permit. We have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) JAMES MONROE. WILLIAM PINKNEY. Lord Vifcount Howick, ( 239 ) No. 3. LETTER from Mr. Secretary Canning to Lords Holland and Auckland, dated July 25th, 1807. My Lords, Foreign Office, July 25, 1807. T HAVE the Honour to inclofe to your Lordfhips, the Copies of a Note which I have received from Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinkney, and of the feveral Documents that accompanied it ; I fubmit thefe Papers to the Confideration of your Lordfhips, for the Purpofe of calling your Attention to that Paffage of the Note which refers to a Suggeftion on the Part of His Majefty's Commiffioners, on the SubjeCl of the Impreffment of Seamen from onboard of Ame rican Ships. It is extremely defirable that His Majefty's. Government fhould have the fulleft In formation on this important Point ; and I have to requeft, that your Lordfhips will be pleafed to ftate to me, whether the Reprefentation contained in this Part of the Note of the American Commiffioners be accurate ; and whether your Lordfhips fignified any fuch Acquiefcence as is there defcribed in the implied, '* informal Underftanding, refpeCting the Forbear-* ance to be obferved by the Britifh Cruizers, in re gard, to the PraCtice of Impreffment of Seamen on board of American Veffels," I have the Honour to be, &e. (Signed) GEORGE CANNING, Right Honourable Lord Holland an4 Lord Auckland, ( 240 ) No. 4. LETTER from Lords Holland and Auck land to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated July 28th, 1807. Sir, \X7J£ have received the Honour of your Letter with its feveral Inclofures, and are defirous to give the fulleft Information in our Power refpeCting any Part of our late Negotiation with the Commif fioners of the United States. We have accordingly applied our Attention to that Paffage of the Note delivered to you by Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinkney, which ftates that " foon after the Sufpenfion of the Negotiations, it was fuggefted by HisMajefty's Com miffioners, that if the Topick relative to Impreffment fhould be exprefsly referved for future conventional Arrangement, and a Pledge given to the United States for refuming the Confideration of it at a convenient Seafon, with that View ; and that, if, in the mean Time, fuch an informal Underftanding fhould be fubftituted, as in its praClical Effect would remove the Vexation complained of, it might perhaps be yet poffible to conduct the Negotiation to a Refult which would not be unacceptable to the refpeCtive Governments. And in purfuance of this Suggeftion, the Britifh Commiffioners prefented their Official Note of the 8th Day of November laft. It ( 241 ) It appears to us, that the feveral Parts of this Statement taken with the Context, have all the Accuracy and honourable and right Meaning which we experienced in the whole Negotiation. When the American Commiffioners fpeak of " fuch an informal Underftanding to be fubftituted, as would in its practical Effect remove the Vexation complained of," they do not mean, and certainly His Majefty's Commiffioners never meant, that there fhould be a Forbearance or Supenfion or Disconti nuance of the PraCliee and Exercife of the Impreff ment of Britifh Seamen. On the contrary, they proceed to fay that " purfuant to the Suggeftion of the Britifh Commiffioners, the Official Note of the 8th of November was prefented." To that Note we beg Leave to refer. We confidered that Note, and ftill confider it as pledging His Majefty's Government to give Inftruc tions toBritifh Cruizers, " to be very cautious in the> Exercife of the Right of impreffing Britiffi Seamen, to take the ftriCteft Care to preferve the Citizens of the United States from Moleftation or Injury, and to redrefs any Grievances which might be fuftained by them." When the Negotiation proceeded after our Deli very of that Note, we thought, and ftill think, that the Treaty which we figned (omitting the Point of Impreffment, and feveral other Points afterwards in cluded in the propofed additional Articles) was in r, itfelf ( ^2 ) itfelf compleat and unconditional, and fubject to no Refervation on either Part, except that which was expreffed in our Second Note of the 30th December, on the Signature of the Treaty. If Circumftances had not taken place, which made it our Duty to fufpend the figning of the additional Articles, and which eventually difcontinued the Ne gotiation in our Hands, we fhould have confidered ourfelves as bound to advert bond fide to the further Pledge contained in our Official "Note of the 8th November. We mean that a Paragraph which ftates, " that no recent Cafes of Complaint have occurred (refpeCting the Exercife of the Right of Impreffment),. and that no probable Inconvenience can refult from the Poftponement of an Article, fubject to fo many Difficulties ; ftill, that His Majefty's Commiffioners are inftructed to entertain the Difcuffion of any Plan that can be devifed to fecure the Interefts of both States, without any Injury to Rights to which they are refpeClively attached." The obvious Senfe of this Paragraph, and the Forms and Subftance of the compleated Treaty, and the propofed additional Articles, appear to us to leave no Doubt relative to the mutual Underftanding and Views of thofe who were employed in a Negotiation of fuch Importance to their refpeCtive Countries. We have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) VASSAL HOLLAND. AUCKLAND. Right Honourable George Canning. (243 ) No. 5. LETTER from Mr. Secretary Canning to Lords Holland and Auckland, dated Auguft 6th, 1807. My Lords, TN acknowledging the Receipt of the Letter which your Lordfhips have done me the Honour to addrefs to me, in Anfwer to mine of the 25th Ultimo, I am forry to have Occafion to trouble your Lord fhips with any further Enquiry ; but I am fure that your Lordfhips will feel that the Point moft imme diately in queftion, refpeCting the Impreffment of Britifh Seamen from American Ships, is one of fuch effential Importance at the prefent Moment, as to make it neceffary for me to afcertain, with as much Accuracy as poffible, what has really paffed between your Lordfhips and the American Commiffioners upon this Subject. I underflood the American Commiffioners to fay, that in addition to whatever paffed in Writing be tween you, they received from your Lordfhips an informal Affurance of fomething that " fhould in its practical Effect remove the Grievance* complained of." By " the Grievance complained of," I un derflood the Commiffioners to mean the Practice of Impreffment itfelf, not any Abufes of that Practice. Y«ur Lordfhips itleny that any Forbearance was prornifed, " in the Senfe of any Sufpenfion or Dif- r 2 continuance ( 244 ) continuance of the PraCtice," and your Lordfhips refer to your Note of the 8th of November, as con taining the correct Statement of what you commu nicated to the American Commiffioners. The Note of the 8th of November certainly pro- mifes Forbearance in the PraCtice, but not a Discon tinuance of the Practice, of Impreffment. I am therefore under the Neceffity of requefting your LordffiiDS to have the Goodnefsto ftate to me, whether the Note of the 8th of November does, according to your Lordfhips RecolleClion and Belief, contain the Whole of what was promifed or held out by your Lordfhips to the American Commiffioners upon this Point ? Whether whatever elfe paffed (if any Thing elfe did pafs) in Converfation, was in ftriCt Conformity to that Note ; implying no further Conceffion or Forbearance on the Part of Great Britain, and authorizing no further Expectation on the Part of the United States ? If this be fo, it does appear to me that the American Commiffioners have mifconceived the Effect of your lordfhips Communication to them ; and muft have reprefented it ro their Government as implying a much larger Conceffion than was- in Fact in your Lordfhips Contemplation, I have the Honour to be, &c (Signed) GEORGE CANNING. Right Honourable Lord Holland and Lord Auckland; < 245 ) No. 1 6. LETTER from Lords Holland and Auck land to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Auguft ioth, 1807. Sir, TN Anfwer to your Letter of the 6th Inftant, we have the Honour to repeat our former Affurances that it is our Defire as it is our Duty, to give you every poffible Information refpecting the Negotiation with the American Commiffioners, which His Majefty was lately pleafed to entruft to us. As the Points m which our Anfwer to your Letter of the 25th Ultimo has not appeared to you fuffi- eiently clear and fatisfaCtory, we muft again refer you to our Official Note of the 8th of November laft, as containing a full and authentic Statement -of what was fettled between us and the American Commiffioners, with regard to the Impreffment of Britifli Seamen from on board of American Ships. That Note was delivered after many fruitlefs Con ferences, held for the Purpofe of devifing fome Expedient that might reconcile the Interefts and Pretenfions of both Nations on this important Point. But finding after much careful Confideration of the different Plans propofed to us, that the Difficulties which-fteod in the Way of any final and permanent R 3 Adjuftment ( 246 ) Adjuftment were at that Time infurmountable, we were compelled to reft fatisfied with the temporary and imperfect Arrangement, which our Note of the 8th of November promifed to afford. We certainly did not then underftand, nor do we now underftand, that by that Note we pledged our Government to abftain in future from the Practice of impreffing Britifh Seamen from American Merchant Veffels. We certainly, however, did mean to pledge the Britiffi Government to make its Cruizers obferve the utmoft Caution, Moderation, and Forbearance in the Exercife of that PraCtice ; but we never either ex preffed or implied, that they were to defifl from taking Britifh Seamen from American Merchant Ships. We farther engaged that our Government would be at all Times ready to take into its ferious Confideration any Propofal made to it by the American Government, for the Recovery of De- ferters from the Britifh Navy, who take Refuge in the American Territory or on board of American Ships, without having recourfe to the Means which are at prefent reforted to for that Purpofe. Whatever paffed in Converfation was, we con ceive, in ftriCl Conformity to that Note, and implied no farther Conceffion nor Forbearance on the Part of Great Britain than extreme Caution and Mode ration in the Exercife of the Right, which alone, without any Difcontinuance, much lefs Renunciation ©f the PraCtice, we expreffed our confident Hope would ( 247 ) would be fufficient to prevent fuch Inconveniences and Outrages as the American Commiffioners re- prefented and contended had frequently arifen from it. We have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) V ASS ALL HOLL AND. AUCKLAND. Right Honourable George Canning. No, 7. - LETTER from MefTrs . Monroe and Pinck- ney to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated October 18th, 1807. Sir, JN our Interview of Yefterday, you requefted that we would explain the Ground of the Opinion which is expreffed in our Letter of July 24— -that the Occafion w;hich induced the Britifli Commif fioners to prefent to us the Note of the 31ft De cember preceding had ceafed to exift. We haften to comply with that Requeft, as we ffiall do, to give an Explanation of any other Paffage in that Letter which you may defire. We were of Opinion at the Time when the Britiffi Commiffioners prefented to us that Paper, that the Decree of the Government of France, to which it related, ought not to be con fidered applicable to the United States, becaufe fuch a Conftruction was plainly repugnant to the Treaty R 4 fubfifting ( 243 ) fubfifting between'the United States and France; and likewife, becaufe the Decree might be under flood to relate only to France and the Dominions fubject to her Arms. We alluded however, in our Letter of July the 24th, to Circumftances which had occurred fince the Date of the Decree, as fixing unequivocally an Interpretation -of it, which we at firft fuppofed to be reafonable. Great Anxiety having been excited by a different ConftruClion, which many believed the Decree to be fufceptible of, the Minifter of the United States at Paris requefted of the Minifter of Marine, who was charged with its Execution, an Explanation of the Senfe in which it was underflood by his Go vernment, who affured him, that it was not intended that it fhould in any Degree interfere with the Pro vifions of the Treaty of 1800 between the United States and France. We relied alfo upon the Fact, not only that no Countenance had been given by any PraCtice or judicial Decifion in France to a different Con ftruClion, but that the PraCtice was in precife Con-v formity with the View above fuggefted ; and that in a Caufe in which the Queftion had been brought into Difcuffion, the Court had fanClioned the Con clufion that the Treaty between the Two Nations was to be exaClly fulfilled, and that the Decree was to be fo conftrued as not to infringe it. We ( 249 ) We think it proper to confine ourfelves to the Explanation which you have defired, of the Paffage alluded to in our former Letter, and not to enter in this Communication in any other refpeCt on the SubjeCl of the Paper with which it is connected. We have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) JAMES MONROE. WILLIAM PINCKNEY, Right Honourable George Canning. No. 8. LETTER from Mr. Secretary Canning to MefTrs. Monroe and Pinckney, dated OCtober 22d, 1807. Gentlemen, T'HE Confiderations which have hitherto fuf- pended our Communication on'ithe SubjeCt of the Treaty returned from America, having ceafed by the Termination of the Difcuffion between Mr. Monroe and myfelf, refpeCting the Encounter be tween the Leopard and the Cheiapeake, I have now the Honour to tranfmit to you the Anfwer which I have been commanded by His Majefty to return to your Note of the 24th July. I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) , GEORGE CANNING, James Monroe Efquire, and William Pinckney Efquire. ( 25c ) No. 9. NOTE from Mr. Secretary Canning to MefTrs. Monroe and Pinckney, dated October 22d, 1807. *T1HE Underfigned, His Majefty's Principal Secre tary of State for Foreign Affairs, in returning an" , Anfwer to the Official Note with which Meffieurs Monroe and Pinckney have accompanied their Communication of the Copy of the Treaty which has been fent back unratified from Ame rica, is commanded, in the firft Place, to inform the American Commiffioners, that His Majefty cannot profefs Himfelf to be fatisfied that the American Government has taken any fuch effectual Steps, with refpeCt to the Decree of France, by which the Whole of His Majefty's Dominions are declared to be in a State of Blockade, as to do away the Ground of that Refervation which was contained in the Note delivered by His Majefty's Commiffioners at the Time of the Signature of the Treaty ; but that, referving to Himfelf the Right of taking, in confequence of that Decree, and of the Omiffion of any effectual Interpofition, on the Part of Neutral Nations, to obtain its Revocation, fuch Meafures of Retaliation as His Majefty might judge expe dient, it was neverthelefs the Defire and Deter mination of His Majefty, if that Treaty had been fanClioned by the Ratification of the Prefident of the ( 2SI ) the United States, to have ratified it, on His Ma jefty's Part, and to have given the fulleft Effect to all its Stipulations. Some of the Confiderations upon which the Re fufal of the Prefident of the United States to ratify the Treaty is founded are fuch as can be Matter of Difcuffion only between the American Government and its Commiffioners ; fince" it is not for His Ma jefty to inquire, whether in the Conduct of this Ne gotiation the Commiffioners of the United States have failed to conform themfelves in any refpeCt to the InftruCtions of their Government, In order to determine the Courfe which His Ma jefty has to purfue in* the prefent Stage of the TranfaCtion, it is fufficient that the Treaty was confidered, by thofe who figned it, as a complete and perfect Inftrument. No Engagements were entered into, on the Part of His Majefty, as connected with the Treaty, except fuch as appear upon the Face of it. Whatever En couragement may have been given by His Majefty's Commiffioners to the Hope expreffed by the Com miffioners of the United States, that Difcuffions might thereafter be entertained with refpect to Im preffment of Britifli Seamen from Merchant Veffels, muft be underflood to have had in View the Re newal of fuch Difcuffions, not as forming any Part ( 252 ) Part of the Treaty then figned, (as the American Commiffioners appear to have been inftructed to affume) but feparately, and at fome fubfequent Period more favourable to their fuccefsful Ter mination. But the Alterations propofed by the Prefident of the United States in the Body of the Treaty thus formally concluded, appear to require more parti cular Obfervation. The Underfigned is commanded diftinCtly to proteft againft a Practice altogether unufual in the political TranfaCtions of States ; by which the Ame rican Government affumes to itfelf the Privilege of reviling and altering Agreements concluded, and figned, on its Behalf, by its Agents duly authorized for that Purpofe ; of retaining fo much of thofe Agreements as may be favourable to its own Views, and of rejecting fuch Stipulations, or fuch Parts of Stipulations, as are conceived to be not fufficiently beneficial to America. If the American Government has a Right to ex ercife fuch a Revifion, an equal Right cannot be denied to others. And it is obvious, that the Adop tion of fuch a PraCtice by both Parties to a Treaty, would tend to render Negotiation indefinite, and Settlement hopelefs ; or rather to fuperfede alto-; gether the Practice of Negotiation through autho rized CommhTioners, and to make every Article of a Compact ( 253 ) a Compact between State and State the Subject of repeated Reference, and of endlefs Difcuffion. The Alteration of particular Articles in a Treaty, after the Whole has been carefully adjufted and arranged, muft neceffarily open the Whole to re newed Deliberation. The Demands of one Party are not to be confidered as abfolute, and the Con- ceffions of the other as unconditional. What may have been given, on the one Hand, in confideration of Advantage tobe derived, in return, from accom panying Stipulations, might have been refufed, if thofe Stipulations had been leis favourable ; and muft neceffarily be withdrawn, if they are changed. It cannot be admitted, that any Government fhould hold thofe with whom it treats to all that has been granted by them in its Favour, relaxing at the fame Time, on its Part, the reciprocal Con ditions for which its own Faith has been engaged j or that, after having obtained by Negotiation a Knowledge of the utmoft Extent of Conceffion to which the other contracting Party is prepared to confent in the Conclufion of a Treaty, it fhould re quire yet further Conceffion, without Equivalent, as the Price of its Ratification. The Underfigned is therefore commanded to- apprize the American Commiffioners, that, although His Majefty will be all Times ready to liften to any Suggeftions for arranging, in an amicable and advantageous C 254 ) advantageous Manner, the refpeCtive Interefts of the two Countries, the Propofal of the Prefident of the United States for proceeding to negotiate anew, upon the Bafis of a Treaty already folemnly con cluded and figned, is a Propofal wholly inadmiffible. And His Majefty has therefore no Option, under the prefent Circumftances of this TranfaCtion, but to acquiefee in the Refufal of the Prefident of the United States to ratify the Treaty figned on the 31ft of December 1806. The Underfigned requefts Meffieurs Monroe and Pinckney to accept the Affurances of his high Con fideration. (Signed) GEORGE CANNING. James Monroe Efquire, and William Pinckney Efquire. No. 10. DISPATCH from Lord Vifcount Howick to the Honourable David Erfkine, dated Downing Street, ill: January 1807. Sir, XT' OUR Difpatch No. 1. announcing your Arrival at Annapolis on board the Avon Sloop of War, was received here on the 6th of December, and, together' with Mr. Merry's Difpatches, which were received at the fame Time, has been laid before the King. It ( 255 ) It is with great Satisfaction that I inform you that the Treaty of Amity, Navigation, and Commerce, between this Country and the United States, was figned on 31ft Ultimo, by Lords Holland and Auckland on the Part of His Majefty, and by Meffieurs Monroe and Pinkney on the Part of their Government. Mr. Purviance, Secretary to the American Le gation here, who leaves London To-day, is the Bearer of the Treaty for Ratification.. I have the Honour herewith to tranfmit a Copy of tfuYTreaty for your Information, together with a Copy of a Note, delivered previous to the Signature by the Lords Holland and Auckland, relative to the Com plaints of the Canada Merchants, on the Subject of the Eftimation of the Duties on the Inland Trade, in certain Parts of the United States. Thefe Com plaints, which were communicated by Mr. Merry in the early Part of laft Year, but from various Cir cumftances poftponed for Confideration, certainly muft not be loft fight of by His Majefty's Govern ment, and every Means will be taken to obtain Redrefs for the Removal of the Inconvenience complained of. I tranfmit to you alfo the Copy of another Note prefented by thsir Lordfhips to the American Com miffioners previoufly to the Signature of the Treaty, on the SubjeCl of the extraordinary Declarations and Orders of the French Government iffued at Berlin ( 256 ) Berlin on the 1 6th November laft. This Note I muft recommend to your particular Attention ; you will ftate to the American Government that His Majefty relies with Confidence on their good Senfe and Fii'mnefs in refifting Pretenfions, which, if fuffered to take effect, muft prove fo deftruCtive to- the Commerce of all Neutral Nations. His Majefty has learnt, that the Meafures an nounced in the Decree have already in fome In- ftances been carried into Execution by the Priva teers of the Enemy, and there could be no Doubt that His Majefty would have an indifputable Right to exercife a juft Retaliation. Neutral Nations can not indeed expect that the King fhould fuffer the Commerce of His Enemies to be carried on through them, whilft they fubmit to the Prohibition which France has decreed againft the Commerce of His Majefty's SubjeCls. But though this Right of Retaliation would un- queftionably' accrue to His Majefty, yet His Ma jefty is unwilling, except in the laft Extremity, to have recourfe to Meafures which muft prove fo diftreffing to all' Nations not engaged in the War againft France. His Majefty, with that Forbearance and Mo deration which have at all Times diftinguiffied His Conduct, has determined for the prefent to con fine Himfelf to the Exercife of the Power given 10 Him ( 257 ) Him by his decided Naval Superiority, jn fuch Manner only as is authorized by the acknowleged Privileges of the Law of Nations, and has iffued an Order for preventing all Commerce from Port to Port of His Enemies, comprehending in this Order, not only the Ports of France, but thofe of fuch Nations as, either in Alliance with France or fub ject to her Dominion, have, by Meafures ©f active Offence, or by the Exclufion of Britiffi Ships, taken a Part in the prefent War, His Majefty feels an entire Confidence, that the Moderation and Juftice of this Conduct will be duly appreciated by the United States ; and you will exprefs to that Government, in the ftrongeft Terms, the Regret His Majefty has experienced in being thus compelled in His own Defence, to aCt in a Manner which muft prove in fome Degree embar- raffing to the Commerce of Neutral Nations ; and His Majefty's fincere Defire to avoid any ftronger Meafures, to which, however, if the Injuftice and Aggreffion of his Enemies fhould not be refilled by thofe Nations whofe Rights and- Interefts are in» vaded by fo flagrant a Violation of all public Law, it may be ultimately neceffary for the King to have Recourfe. I am with great Truth and Regard, Sir, &c. (Signed) HOWICK, Honourable Dayi4 Erfkine* ( 258 ) No. ii. NOTE from Lords Holland and Auckland to Meffieurs Monroe and Pinkney. fTPHE Underfigned, Henry Richard Vaffal Lord Holland and William Lord Auckland, Plenipo tentiaries of His'Britannic Majefty, have the Honour to inform James Monroe and William Pinkney, Commiffioners Extraordinary and Pleni potentiaries of the United^ States of America, that they are now ready to proceed to the Signature of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, on the Articles of which they have mutually agreed. But at the fame Time they have it in Command from His Majefty to call the Attention of the Com miffioners of the United States to fome extraor dinary Proceedings which have lately taken place on the Continent of Europe, and to communicate to them officially the Sentiments of His Majefty's Go vernment thereupon, The Proceedings alluded to, are certain Declara* tjons and Orders of the French Government, iffued at Berlin on the 2 ill of November laft, In thefe Orders the French Government feeks to juftify or palliate its own unjuft Pretenfions, by imputing to Great Britain, Principles which fh§ never profeffed and Practices which never exifted. H|S ( 259 ) His Majefty is accufed of a fyftematic and general Difregard of the Law of Nations, recognized by civilized States, and more particularly of an un warrantable Extenfion of the Right of Blockade j whereas His Majefty may confidently appeal to the World on His uniform RefpeCt for Neutral Rights, and His general and fcrupulous Adherence to the Law of Nations, without condefcending to contrafl his Conduct in thefe Particulars with that of His Enemy 5 and with regard to the only fpecific Charge, it is notorious that He has never declared any Ports to be in a State of Blockade without allot ting to that Object a Force fufficient to make the Entrance into them manifeftly dangerous. By fuch Allegations, unfounded as they are, 'the Enemy attempts to juftify his Pretenfions of confif- cating as lawful Prize all Produce of Englifh In duftry or Manufacture, though it be the Property of Neutrals ; of excluding from his Harbours every Neutral Veffel which has touched at any Port of His Majefty's Dominions, though employed in an innocent Commerce ; and of declaring Great Bri tain to be in a State of Blockade, though his own Ports and Arfenals are aCtually blockaded, and he is unable to flatiou any Naval Force whatever before any Ports of the United Kingdom. Such Principles are in themfelves extravagant and repugnant to the Law of Nations ; and the Pre- ^enfion founded on them, though profeffedly di- s 3 reCted ( 260 ) reCted folely againft Great Britain, tend to alter the PraCtice of War among civilized Nations, and utterly to fubvert the Right and Independence of Neutral Powers. The Underfigned cannot, therefore, believe, that the Enemy will ever ferioufly attempt to enforce fuch a Syftem. If he fhould, they are confident, that the good Senfe of the American Government will perceive the fatal Confequences of fuch Preten fions to neutral Commerce, and that its Spirit and Regard to national Honpur will prevent its Acquief cence in fuch palpable Violations of its Rights and injurious Encroachments of its Interefts* If, however, the Enemy fhould carry thefe Threats into Execution, and if neutral Nations fhould, contrary to all Expectation, acquiefce in fuch Ufurpations, His Majefty might probably be compelled, however reluctantly, to retaliate in His juft Defence, and to adopt in regard to the Com merce of neutral Nations with His Enemies, the fame Meafures which thofe Nations fhall have per mitted to be enforced againft their Commerce with His Subjects, The Commiffioners of the United States will therefore feel, that at a Moment when His Majefty and all neutral Nations are threatened with fuch an Extenfion of the belligerent Preteni fions of His Enemies, He cannot enter into the Stipulations of the prefent Treaty without an Ex planation from the United States of their Inten tions, C 26* ) tions, or a Refervation on the Part of His Majefty in the Cafe above-mentioned, if it fhould ever occur. The Underfigned, confidering that the Diftance of the American Government renders any imme diate Explanation on this Subject impoffible, and animated by a Defire of forwarding the beneficial Work in which they ate engaged, are authorized by His Majefty to conclude the Treaty without Delay. They proceed to the Signature under the full Perfuafion that, before the Treaty fhall be returned from America, with the Ratification of the United States, the Enemy will either have formally abandoned or tacitly relinquifhed his unjuft .Pretentions, or that the Government of the United States, by its Conduct or Affurances., will have given Security to His Majefty, that it will not fubmit to fuch Innovations in the eftablifhed Syftem of Mari time Law : and the Underfigned have prefented this Note from an anxious Wifh that it fhould be clearly underflood on both Sides, that, without fuch Aban donment of his Pretenfions on the Part of the Enemy, or Affurances of fuch Conduct on thePart of the United States, His Majefty will not confider Himfelf bound by the prefent Signature of His , Commiffioners to ratify the Treaty, or precluded from adopting fuch Meafures as may feem ne ceffary for counteracting the Defigns of the Enemy. s 3 The ( 26*3 ) The Underfigned cannot conclude, without ex- puffing their Satisfaction at the ProfpeCl of accom- plifhing an Objeft fo important to the Interefts and friendly Connection of both Nations, and their juft Senfe of the conciliatory Difpofition manifefted by the Commiffioners of the United States, during the whole Courfe of the Negociation. (Signed) VASSAL HOLLAND, AUCKLAND. London, December 31ft, 1806. No. 12. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Honourable David Erfkine to Lord Vif count Howick, dated Wafhington,. March 30th, 1807. TN Compliance with your Lordfhip's Inftructions, I communicated to this Government His Ma jefty's Views relative to the French Decree of the aift November 1806, as detailed in your Difpatch to me of the 8th January laft; and received the Anfwer which I have now the Honour to in*- Inclofm* ( *>3 ) (Inclofure referred to in No. 12.) Sir, Department of State, 20th March 1807. T HAVE laid before the Prefident your Letter of the 1 2th Inftant, communicating the Views of His Britannic Majefty in relation to the French Decree of November 21ft, 1806, and to the Prin ciple of Retaliation, through the Commerce of Neutrals who may fubmit to the Operation of that Decree ; as alfo the Meafure actually taken, of pro hibiting all Neutral Commerce from Port to Port of His Enemies, not only the Ports of France* but thofe 6f fuch other Nations, as, either in Alli ance with France, or fubject to her Dominion, have, by Meafures of aClive Offence, or by the Exclufion of Britifh Ships, taken a Part in the pre fent War. The Prefident cannot be infenfible, Shy to the Friendfhip and Confidence towards the United States which are fignified by His Britannic Majefty in this Communication. In making this Acknowledgement, however, the Prefident confiders it not lefe incumbent on him to referve for a State of Things which it is hoped will never occur, the Right of difcuffing the Legality iof arty particular Meafures, to whjch refort may be had, on a Ground of Retaliation ; at this Time, s 4 it ( 2-64 ) it would fuffice to obferve that it remains to be more fully ascertained in what Senfe the Decree in queftion will be explained, and to what Extent it will be carried into Execution, and confequently whether in any Cafe the United States can be in volved in Queftions concerning Meafures of Reta liation, fuppofed to accrue to one Belligerent from fuch a Proceeding, by another. But it is worthy the Juftice and Liberality, of the Britiffi Government to recollect, that, within the Period of thofe great Events which continue to agitate Europe, Inftances have occurred, in which the Commerce of Neutral Nations, more efpecially of the United States, has experienced the fevereft Diftreffes from its own Orders and Meafures, mani- feftly unauthorized by the Law of Nations. The RefpeCl which the United States owe to their Neu tral Rights and the Interefts they have in main taining them, will always be fufficient Pledges, that no culpable Aquiefcence on their Part will render them acceffary to the Proceedings of one Belligerent Nation, through the Rights of Neutrals, againft the Commerce of its Adverfary. With regard to the particular Order iffited againft the Trade of Neutrals from one Port to another of the Enemies of Great Britain, no fair Objection can lie againft it, provided it be founded on and en forced by the actual Blockades, as authorized by the ( 265 ) the Law of Nations. If, on the other Hand, the Order has Reference not to fuch a Blockade, but to a fuppofed Illegality of the Neutral Trade from one to another of the defcribed Ports, the Remark is obvious, that, on that Suppofitiort, the Order is fuperfluous, the Trade being as interdicted by the Law of Nations, liable at all Times, without any fuch Order, to the Capture of Britifh Cruizers and the Condemnation of Britifh Courts ; and if not interdicted, as fuch, by the Law of Nations, it can no otherwife be made illegal, than by a legal Blockade of the Ports comprehended in the Order. This Inference is applicable even to the Cafe of a Neutral Trade between the Ports of France herfelf, fince it is not a Principle of the acknowledged Law of Nations, .that Neutrals may not trade from one to another Port of the fame belligerent Nation ; and it would be an Innovation on that now not before attempted, to extend the Principle to a Neutral Trade between Ports of different Countries, confeffedly open in Times of Peace as well as of War. If the Biitifh Order refers for its Bafis, to the Principle of Retaliation againft the French Decree, it falls under the Obfervations already made on that Subject, and which need not be repeated. I have, &c. (Signed) JAMES MADISON. To the Hon. David Erfkine, &c. &c. &c. ( 266 ) No. 13. DISPATCH from the Honourable David Erfkine to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Wafhingtoni 31 ft March, 1807. My Lord, A FTER I had clofed the preceding Number of my Difpatches which accompany this, I re ceived another Letter from Mr. Madifon, in an fwer to the Communications, which, in obedience to your Lordffiip's Orders, I made to this Govern* ment, of His Majefty's Views relative to the French Decree of Blockade of the 21ft of November laft, and His Majefty's prohibitory Orders againft the Neutral Trade from Port to Port of His Enemies. As I conceived it would be moft prudent to wait for your Lordffiip's Inftructions, I did not fend any Reply to the Letter, but have now the Honor to enclofe it to your Lordffiip. I have the Honor to be, &c. D. M. ERSKINE. Lord Vifcount Howick. (Inclofure referred to in No. 13.) Sir, Department of State, 29th March 1807, pURTHER Reflection on the Tenor and Ten* dency of the Order of His Britannick Majefty, communicated by your Letter of the 16th Inftant, which ( 267 ) which was anfwered by mine of the 20th, induces me to refume that important Subject. From the Difficulty of fuppofing that the Order can have for its Bafis either a legal Blockade, im poffible to be extended to all the Ports defcribed in the Order, or a fuppofed Illegality of the Trade between thofe Ports, an Illegality which has never been applied by the Britifh Government or its Ad miralty Courts, to ufe accuftomed Trade even be tween Ports of a Belligerent Nation, and is utterly at Variance with the Conduct of both, in reference to a Trade between a Belligerent Nation and its Allies ; a Neceffity feems to refult of afcribing the Order to the Policy of countervailing through the Commerce of Neutrals, the French Decree of the a 1 ft of November laft. In this View of the Order, it demands, or* the Part of the United States, the .moft lerious At tention both to its Principle and to its Operation. With refpeCt to its Principle, it will not be con tefted, that a Retaliation by one Nation on its Enemy, which is to operate through the Intjerfeft of a Nation not its Enemy, effentially requires, not only that the Injury inflicted fhould be limited by the Meafure of Injury fuftained, but that every retaliating Step in fuch a Cafe fhould be preceded by an unreafonable Failure of the Neutral Party, in fome Mode or other to put an End to the Inequality wrongfully, ' ( 268 ) wrongfully produced. Were it certain, therefore, that the French Decree is to be enforced in the Senfe in which it is taken, and that, in Violation of the Treaty between France and the United States, the Commerce of the latter will not be ex empted ; the Britiffi Order being peremptory in its Import and immediate in its Execution, might juftly be regarded by the United States as a Proceeding equally premature and unfriendly. But in the Uncertainty as to the real Meaning of that Decree, and whilft a Prefumption offered itfelf, that the Decree, if avowed and executed in an unlawful Extent, might not embrace the Commerce of the United States; they are bound by Juftice to their In terefts, as well as by RefpeCt for their Rights, to confider the Britiffi Order as a Ground for ferious Complaint and Remonftrance. Should it prove that the Decree had not the Meaning afcribed to it, and particularly, fhould the RefpeCt of France for her Treaties with the United States, except their Trade from the Operation of the Decree, the Order of the Britifh Government will ftand expofed to ftill feverer Comments. It will take the Character of an ori ginal Aggreffion, will furniffi to the French' Govern ment a like Ground with that affumed by itfelf, for retaliating Meafures, and will derive a very unfavourable Feature from the Confideration that it was a palpable Infraction of a Treaty firft figned on the Part of the Britiffi Government, and expeded, at the Date of the Order, to be fpeedily ratified on the Part of the United States. The ( 269 3 The Neceffity of prefenting the Subject in its true light, is ftrengthened by the Operation which the Britifh Order will have on a vaft Proportion of the entire Commerce of the United States, not to dwell on the carrying Branch of the Commerce between the Ports and Countries of Europe, and which the Immunity given by our Flag, in confe quence of Treaties with the Enemies of Great Bri tain, to Britifh Property, and not enjoyed by the Property of her Enemies, has hitherto been advan tageous to Great Britain ; and without inquiring into the Effect of an Application of the Interdict to the other Quarters of the Globe, all of which are evidently within the comprehenfive Terms of the Order, it cannot be overlooked, that the Character and Courfe of nearly the Whole of the American Commerce with the Ports of Europe, other than of Great Britain, will fall under the deftruCtive Ope ration of the Order ; it is well known that the Cargoes exported from the United States frequently require that they may be difpofed of partly at one Market and partly at another. The Return Car goes are ftill more frequently collected at different Ports, and not unfrequently at Ports different from thofe receiving the Outward Cargoes. In this circuitous Voyage, generally confifting of feveral Links, the Intereft of. the Undertakers ma terially requires alfo, either a Trade or a Freightage between the Ports vifited in the Circuit. To reftrain the Veffels of the United Stales, therefore, from this ( 57° ) this legitimate and cuftomary Mode of trading with the Continent of Europe, as is contemplated by the Order, and to compel them, on one Hand, to difpofe of the Whole of their Cargoes at a Port which may want but a Part ; and on the other Hand, to feek the Whole of their Returns at the fame Port, which may furnifh but a Part, or perhaps no Part of the Articles wanted, would be a Proceeding as ruinous to our Commerce as contrary to our effen tial Rights, Thefe Obfervations, which are made in con- formity with the Sentiments of the Prefident, can. not fail, Sir, to have all the Weight with an en lightened and friendly Government to which they are entitled, and the Prefident perfuades himfelf, that the good Effect of Truths which they difclofe, will be feen in fuch Meafures as will remove all Grounds for DiffatisfaCtion, and demonftrate on that Side, the fame fincere Difpofition to cultivate Harmony and beneficial Intercourfe, as is felt and evinced by the United States and their Go. vernment, I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) JAMES MADISON. * The Hon. David Erfkine, ( 371 ) No. 14. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Ho nourable David M. Erfkine to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Wafhington, March 2d, 1807. T HAVE the Honour to enclofe the Prefident's Meffage to the Congrefs, which conveys the Information of the Adjuftment of the Negotiation between His Majefty's Commiffioners and the Ame* rican Minifters. Your Lordffiip will alfo find in it, the Corref* pondence of the American Minifter at Paris with the French Minifter of the Marine, relative to the Effect that Bonaparte's Decree of the 21ft of November, declaring England to be in a State of Blockade, is ptended to have on American Commerce, (Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 14,) EXTRACT of a Meffage from the Prefi dent of the United States. To the Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives of the United States. t TRANSMIT to Congrefs, a Letter from our ¦*" Minifters Plenipotentiary at London, informing p? that they have agreed with the Britifh Com- 1 0 miffioners ( 27* ) miffioners to conclude a Treaty on all the Points which had formed the Object of their Negociation, and on Terms which they trufted we would ap- prove. AUb, a Letter from our Minifter Plenipotentiary at Paris, covering one to him from the Minifter of Marine of that Government, affuring him that the Imperial Decree lately paffed was not to affect our Commerce, which would ftill be governed by the Rules of the Treaty eftabliffied between the Two Countries, T- JEFFERSON, February 19th, 1807. (Second Inclofure referred to in No. 14.) Sir, London, December 27th, 1806, W^E have the Pleafure to acquaint you that we have this Day agreed with the Britifh Com miffioners, to conclude a Treaty on all the Points which have formed the Object of our Negociation, and on Terms which we truft our Government will approve. It will require only a few Days to reduce it to Form. When that is done, we fhall tranfmit it to you by a fpecial Meffenger. We haften to communicate to you this interefting Intelligence, for the Information and Guidance of our Government in fuch ( *73 ) fuch Meafures as may have Reference to the Subject* We have the Honour to be with great Confideration and Efteem, Sir, Your moft obedient Servants, JAMES MONROE, WM. PINCKNEY. James Madifon, Secretary of State, Wafhington. (Third Inclofure referred to in No. 14.) Sir, Paris, 24th December i8c6. T HAVE the Honour of tranfmitting the Copy inclofed of a Letter from his Majefty's Minifter of Marine and Colonies, in Anfwer to mine of the 10th Inftant, on the SubjeCt of the Imperial Arrete of the 2 ill of November 1 806. An additional Explanation, which it may be well to communicate, is, that Neutral Veffels coming from England or her Colonies, into the Ports of France, &c. fince the Date of the aforefaid Arrete, will not be received, and that if- any- Perfqn or Perfons, charged with the Ship or other Veffel and Cargo, fhall be detected in evading this Regulation by means of falfe Declarations, they fhall forfeit the faid Ship or other Veffel and Cargo. I am, Sir, with the higheft RefpeCt, Your moft obedient, and Very humble Servant, (Signed) s JOHN ARMSTRONG, Mr. Madifon, Wafhington. ¦f (Fourth ( 274 ) (Fourth Inclofure referred to in No. 14.) Imperial Decree of the 21ft November 1806. Art. I. The Britifh Iflands are declared in a State of Blockade. Art. II. All Commerce and Correfpondence with the Britifh Iflands are prohibited. In confequence, Let ters or Packets addreffed either to England, to an Englifliman, or in the Englifh Language, ffiall not pafs through the Poft Office, and fhall be feized. Art. III. Every Subject of England, of whatever Rank and Condition foever, who ffiall be found in the Coun tries occupied by our Troops, or by thofe of our Allies, ffiall be made a Prifoner of War. Art. IV. All Magazines, Merchandize, or Property what- foeyer, belonging to a SubjeCl of England, fhall be declared lawful Prize. Art. V. The Trade in Englifh Merchandize is forbidden. All Merchandize belonging to England, or coming from its Manufactories and Colonies, is declared lawful Prize. One ( *7S ) Art. VI. One Half of the Proceeds of the Confifcation of the Merchandize and Property, declared good Prize by the preceding Articles, fhall be applied to indem nify the Merchants for the Loffes which they have fuffered by theCapture of Merchant Veffels by Englifh Cruizers. Art. VII. No Veffel coming directly from England or from the Englifh Colonies, or having been there fince the Publication of the prefent Decree, ffiall be received into any Port. Art. VIII. Every Veffel contravening the above Claufe, by Means of a falfe Declaration, ffiall be feized, and the Veffel and Cargo confifcated, as if they were Englifh Property. Art. IX. Our Tribunal of Prizes at Paris is charged with the definitive Adjudication of all the Controverfies which may arife within our Empire, or in the Coun tries occupied by the French Army, relative to the Execution of the prefent Decree. Our Tribunal of Prizes at Milan, ffiall be charged with the Definitive Adjudication of the faid Controverfies which may arife within the Extent of our Kingdom of Italy. t a The ( 276 ) Art. X. The prefent Decree ffiall be communicated by our Minifter of exterior Relations, to the Kings of Spain, of Naples, of Holland, and of Etruria, and to our Allies, whofe SubjeCls, like ours, are the ViCtims of the Injuftice' and the Barbarian of the Englifh Maritime Laws. Our Minifters of exterior Relations, of War, of Marine, -of Finances, of Police, and our Port Mafters General, are charged, each in what concerns him, with the Execution of the prefent Decree. Faithfully tranflated. JACOB WAGNER, Chief Clerk, Dep. State. (Fifth Inclofure referred to in No. 1 4.) General Armftrong to the Minifter of Marine and; Colonies.1 HTHE Underfigned, Minifter Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the Honour of demanding from his Excellency the Minifter of Marine and Colonies, the official Explanation which mav have been given to ihe Imperial Decree of the 1 1 ft of November 1806, fo far as that Decree in volves the Rights of Neutral Nations. The Underfigned would more particularly wifh to be informed-whether by " Britifh Iflands" mentioned in ( 277 ) in Article I. are to be underflood all Iflands in the Poffeffion of His Britannick Majefty, and Iflands merely, or whether the Rule will be fo conftrued, as to extend the Blockade to the Continental Poffeffions alfo, of His faid Majefty ? Whether it be meant that the Arrete ffiall operate from its Date, and that Seizures made under it be fore Notice ffiall have been given, fhall be confidered legal ? Whether American Veffels, navigating the High or Narrow Seas, ffiall be liable to Seizure, on Evidence only, that they are going to, or returning from, a Port or Ports of His Britannick Majefty ? And whether Articles II. and V. fhall operate only as domeftic Regulations, or whether their Injunctions ffiall extend to Citizens of foreign and independent Nations ? Flis Excellency the Minifter of Marine is fuffi- ciently aware of the Intereft of the United States in the Interpretation which ffiall. be given to thefe Articles, and will readily and juftly appreciate the Motives of the Underfigned, in requefting that his Excellency's Anfwer may be given as promptly as poffible. The Underfigned has the Flonour i of renewing, &c. * (Signed) JOHN ARMSTRONG, Paris, December ioth, 1806. T 3 (Sixth C 278 ) (Sixth Inclofure referred to in No. 14.) Paris, 24thDecember, 1 806. Mr.MinifterPlenipotentiary,T HASTEN to anfwer the Note you did me the Honour to addrefs to me on the 20th of this Month. I confider the Imperial Decree of the 21ft of Nove mber laft, as, thus far, conveying no Modifica tion of the Regulations at prefent obferved in France with regard to neutral Navigators, nor confequently of the Convention of the 30th of September 1 800, (8th Vendemiaire, 9th Year) with the United States of America- But although, by this Anfwer, the Four Queftions upon which your Excellency has defired to know my Opinion, have been implicitly refolved, I think I can add, ill, That the Declaration expreffed by the ift Article of the Decree of the 2 ift November, not at all changing the prefent French Laws concerning Maritime Captures, there is no Reafon for enquiring what Interpretation or Reftriction or Extenfion may be given to this Article. 2d, That Seizures, contrary to the prefent Regu lations concerning Cruizing, ffiall not be allowed to the Captors. , 3d, That an American Veffel cannot be taken at Sea for the mere Reafon that fhe is going to a Port of England, ( 279 ) England, or is returning from one, becaufe, con formably with the 7th Article of the faid Decree, we are limited in France not to admit Veffels corning from England or the Englifh Colonies. 4th, That the Provifions of Articles 2d and 5th of ihe faid Decree, naturally apply to foreign Citizens domiciliated in France or in the Countries occupied by the Troops of his Majefty the Emperor and King, inafmuch as they have the Character of a general Law ; but that it will be proper that your Excellency ffiould communicate with the Minifter of Exterior Relations as to what concerns the Correfpondence of the Citizens of the United States of America with England. I pray your Excellency, Mr. Minifter Plenipoten tiary, to receive the Affurance of my high Confidera tion. The Minifter of Marine and of the Colonies. (Signed) DECRES. It will not efsape General Armftrong that my Anfwers cannot have the Development which they would receive from the Minifter of Exterior Rela tions, and that it is naturally to him that he ought to . addrefs himfelf for thefe Explanations, which I am very happy to give him, becaufe he wiffies them, but upon which I have much lefs pofitive Information. than the Prince of Beneventum. (Signed) DECRES. Faithfully tranflated, J. WAGNER, Chief Clk. Dep. State. T 4 ( s8o ) No. 15, * > COPY of a Printed Paper tranfmitted by , the Honourable David M. Erfkine, His Majefty's Envoy Extraordinary and Mi nifter Plenipotentiary in America, pur porting to be a Meffage from thePrefident to the Senate and Houfe of Reprefenta tives of the United States. 'TpHE Communications now made, ffiewing the great and increafing Dangers with which our Veffels, our Seamen, and Merchandize are threaten ed, on the high Seas and elfewhere, from the Belligerents of Europe, and it being of the greateft Importance to keep in Safety thefe effential Re- fources, I deem it my Duty to recommend the Subject to the Confideration of Congrefs ; who will doubtlefs perceive all the Advantages which may be expected from an Inhibition of the Departure of our Veffels from the Ports of the United States. Their Wifdom will alfo fee the Neceffity of making every Preparation for whatever Events may grow out of the prefent Crifis. I afk a Return of the Letters of MefTrs. Armftrong and Champagny, which it would be improper to make public. • TH. JEFFERSON. December 18, 1807. ( z8i ) No. 1 6. COPY of a Paper tranfmitted by the Honourable David Erfkine, His Majefty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Pleni potentiary in America, purporting to be the Tranflation of an Extract of a Letter from the Grand Judge, Minifter of Juftice at Paris, to the Attorney General for the Council of Prizes there, dated Paris, September 18, 1807. HAVE fubmitted to his Majefty the Emperor and King the Doubts raifed by his Excellency the Minifter of Marine and Colonies, on the Extent of certain Difpofitions of the Imperial Decree of the 2 ill of November 1806, which has declared the Britifh Ifles in a State of Blockade. The following are His Majefty's Intentions on the Points in Queftion : May Veffels of War, by virtue of the Imperial , Decree of 21ft November laft, feize on board Neutral Veffels, either Englifh Property, or even all Merchandize proceeding from the Englifh Manufactories or Territory ? Anfwer. — His Majefty has intimated, that as he did not think proper to exprefs any Exception in ( 282 ) in this Decree, there is no Ground for making any in its Execution in relation to any whom- foever, (a Pegard de qui que ce peut etre.) , His Majefty has poftponed a Decifion on the Queftion, whether armed French Veffels ought to capture Neutral Veffels bound to or from England, even when they have no Englifh Merchandize on board, (Signed) REGNIER. PAPERS Prefented by HIS MAJESTT'S Command TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, February i8o8„ RUSSIA, LIST of PAPERS. No. i. TxISPATCH from Vifcount Howick to Charles *^ Stuart Efquire, His Majefty's Minifter Ple nipotentiary at the Court of St. Peterfburgh, dated Downing Street, Oftober 38th, 1806. No. 3. Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to the Honour able Henry Pierrepont, His Majefty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Plenipotentiary at the Court of Stockholm, dated Downing Street, October 28th, 1806. No. 3. Extract of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to Charles Stuart Efquire, dated Downing Street, November 4th, 1806. No. 4. Extract of a Difpatch fromCharlesStuartEfquire to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh^ November 4th, 1806. — Received December 1. No. 5. Note .from Baron Nicolay, Charge d'Affaires from his Majefty the Emperor of Ruffia at this Court, to Vifcount Howick, dated 5 th Novem ber 1806. — With Tranflation. Inclofure referred to in No. 5. — With Tranflation. No. 6". Note from Vifcount Howick to Baron Nicolay, dated Downing Street, November 10th, 1806. No. 7. Extraft of a Difpatch from ChariesStuart Efquire to Vifcount Howick, dated St, Peterfburgh, November, 19th, .1 806. No. 8. ( 286 ) No. 8. Extraftof a Difpatch from Charles Stuart Efquirt to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, November 28th, 1806. — Received January 2d, 1807. No. 9. Difpatch from Charles Stuart Efquire to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, November 28th, 1806. — Received January 2d, 1807- ift Inclofure referred to in No. 9 With Tranflation. 2d Inclofure referred to in No. 9. — With Tranflation. No. lev Extract of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to the Marquis of Douglas, His Majefty's Am baffador at the Court of St. Peterfburgh, dated Downing Street, December 4th, 1806. No. 11. Extract of aDifpatch from CharlesStuart Efquire to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, 1 8th December 1806. — Received January 2ad, 1807. No, 13. Extract pf aDifpatch from Charles Stuart Efquire to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburghs 2d January 1807. — Received February 6th. No. 13. Extract of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to the Marquis of Douglas, dated Downing Street, 13th January 1807. No. 14. Extract of aDifpatch fromCharles Stuart Efquire to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburghj January 1.4th. — Received February 27th. No. 15. Extractof a Difpatch from theMarquis of Douglas to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, January 26th, 1807. — Received-——-. No. i& ( 287 ) No. 16. Extradtof aDifpatchfromtheMarquisofDouglas to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, February 4th, 1807. — Received No. 17. Extradtof aDifpatch fromtheMarquisof Douglas to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, February 8th, 1 807.— Received No. 18. Extract of a Difpatch from the Marquis of Douglas to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Pe terfburgh, February 15th, 1807. — Received March 8th. No. 19. Extract of a Note from Genera] Budberg to the Marquis of Douglas, dated February ift, 1 807, tranfmitted by fhe Marquis of Douglas and received March 8th. — With Tranflation. No. 20. Extract of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to the Marquis of Douglas, dated Downing Street, February 20th, 1807. No. 21. Extract of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to the Marquis of Douglas, dated Downing Street, March 7th, 1807. No. 22. Extract of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to the Marquis of Douglas, dated Downing Street, March 10th, 1807. No. 23. Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to Alexander Straton Efquire, His Majefty's Envoy Extra ordinary and Minifter Plenipotentiary at the Court of Sweden, dated Downing Street, March 10th, 1807. No, 24. Extra£l of a Difpatch from Lord Hutchinfon, addreffed to Vifcount Howick, dated Memel, March 9th, 1807.---Rece.ived April 18th. No. 25. ( 288 ) No. 25. Extract of a Difpatch from the Marquis of Douglas,datedSaintPeterfburgh, March 19th, 1 807 ; addreffed to Vifcount Howick.— -Re ceived by Mr. Secretary Canning. No. 26. Extract of a Difpatch from the Marquis of Douglas, dated Saint Peterfburgh, aa Marchj 3 April 1807 ; addreffed to Vifcount Howick — Re ceived by Mr. Secretary Canning May 13th. No. 27. Extract of a Difpatch from the Marquis of Douglas, dated Saint Peterfburgh, April 27th, 1807 ; addreffed to Vifcount Howick Re ceived by Mr. Secretary Canning June ift. ( 2*9 ) PAPERS, No. i. DISPATCH from Vifcount Howick to Charles Stuart Efquire, His Majefty's Minifter Plenipotentiary at the Court of St. Peterfburgh, dated Downing Street, October 28th, 1806. Sir, »inHE Accounts of the unfortunate Opening of the Pruffian Campaign have been received here. The moft powerful and the moft immediate Succours are become indifpeiriable for the Support of that Government, and if the Ruffian Armies fhould not yet have moved, you will ufe the moft preffing Inftances to the Court of St. Peterfburgh, to give Orders for their advancing without a Moment's Delay. (Signed) HOWICK, tr No. 2. ( *9* ) No. i. DISPATCH from Vifcount Howick to the Honourable Henry Pierrepont, His Ma jefty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Plenipotentiary at the Court of Stock holm, dated Downing Street, October 28th, 1806. Sir, 'T'HE melancholy Accounts of the firft Events of the War between Pruffia and France, and of the unfortunate Battle of the 1 4th Inftant, have been received here. The Effect of thefe Difafters would indeed be moft fatal, if it fhould induce the neighbouring Powers, from a Defpair of maintaining a fuccefsful Refiftance to the Power of France, to endeavour to purchafe their Security by SubmifTion j a Policy which the Hiftory of all Countries that-have purfued it, has proved never yet to have been effectual to its Purpofe. The common Danger which is now .become fo much more imminent than at any former Period, has animated His Majefty with an increafed Conviction of the Neceffity of ufing.His moft powerful Efforts to avert it ; and you will continue, in purfuance of your (' 297 ) your former Inftructions, to urge the Court of Stockholm to the moft effectual Application of all its Forces in Aid of the Continental War, which its own Security as well as the general Intereft now fo imperioufly requires. (Signed) HOWICK. No. 3. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to Charles Stuart Efquire, dated Downing Street, November 4th, 1806. TT is indeed a Matter of the deepeft Regret that the War between Pruffia and France fhould have commenced under fuch Circumftances as to preclude the Co-operation and Afliftance of thofe Powers who might have been difpofed to join againft the common Enemy. Under the prefent Uncertainty, whether the difaftrous Events which have attended the Com mencement of Hoftilities, may not have compelled Pruffia to fubmit to fuch Terms as the French may impofe, nothing can be added to your former In ftructions ; but you will continue to give the moft pOfitive Affurances to the Court of St. Peterfburgh of the fteady Determination of His Majefty to refift, to the utmoft of His Power, all Pretenfions injurious to the Honour of His Crown, and inconfiftent with u 2 the ( %* ) the general Interefts of Europe. The Increafe of the Danger will animate His Majefty to increafed Exertions for the Sake of the common Caufe, and difpofe Him more than ever, to cultivate the good Underftanding which fo happily fubfifts between the King and the Emperor of Ruffia, and which prcfehts the only Hope for the Prefervation of the Liberties of Mankind. No. 4. EXTRACT -of" a Difpatch from Charley Stuart Efquire to Vifcount Howick, dated St.Peterfburghj November 4th, 1806.. — Received December ift. QENERAL Budberg in the Courfe of the Con verfation which took place this Day, reprefented to me the Inconvenience and the Difficulty of im peding the Payment of the Troops ftationed beyond the Frontiers, as highly unfavourable to the Efforts of this Country, and told me that he had already confulted with the Minifter of Finance reflecting the Poffibility of raifmg a Ruffian Loan in England to a confiderable Amount. His Excellency requefted me to ftate if I thought His Majefty's Government would be difpofed to encourage and facilitate the Undertaking ? ( *93 ) Undertaking ? I replied, that although Great Britain had fufficiently proved a Defire to forward every Meafure connected with the common Caufe, it was impoffible for me to give a fatisfactory Anfwer, unlefs I knew the Amount of the Security, and Terms upon which it is propofed to raife the Sum required. Baron Budberg allured me he had hitherto fo little confidered the Subject, that it was impoffible to reply to thefe Queftions, though he begged I would men tion the Wifh as expreffed on his Part, to the King's Government ; obferving, when I mentioned the Cir cumftances reflecting the former Auftrian Loan, that the prefent Propofition differed widely from that of the Court of Vienna, becaufe it is not the Intention of the Emperor to demand a Subfidy. No. 5. NOTE from Baron Nicolay, Charge d' Affaires from his Majefty the Emperor of Ruffia at this Court, to Vifcount Howick, dated 5th November 1 806. T E Baron Nicolay prefente fes hommages k My- lord Howick et a l'Honneur de tranfmettre a fon Excellence, Co'pie d'une Dep6che qu'il vient de recevoir de fa Cour. TJ 3 II ( 294 ) II s'acquitte en meme temps de I'Ordre qu'elle contient d'informer fon Excellence Monfieur le Se cretaire d'Etat, " que fa Majefte l'Empereur n'ayant pas donne de Defenfe a l'egard des Relations Com- - merciales entre la Ruffie et la France, chaque individfl de la Nation Ruffe a le Droit de freter des navires pour les Ports de France, et d'en faire venir des Marchandifes." Le Baron Nicolay fe flatte que cette nouvelle Declaration, fi toutefois elle etait encore neceffaire apres les Communications qu'il a deja eu I'Honneur de faire a. fon Excellence fur le meme Sujet, contri- buera a accelerer la Reftitution des Proprietes Ruffes arretees ici et pour les quelles le Baron Nicolay a eu I'Honneur de- s'addreffer a My lord Howick le 22 du Mois pafK. II profite de cette Occafion pour prier fon Excel lence de vouloir bien le mettre a meme de repondre a fa Cour fur les differents Objets qu'il a eti. I'Honneur de foumettre a Mylord Howick le meme jour, fur tout fur celui qui touche le Gymnafe Imperial de Volhynie, et il s'emprefTa de renouveller a Monfieur le Secretaire d'Etat les Affurances de fa plus haute Confideration. , 24 Qftobre Londres ce jN^embr? 1806, Son Excellence Mylord Howick, $;e. ARON Nicolay prefents his Refpects to Lord Howick, and has the Honour to tranfmit to his Excellency, a Copy of a Difpatch which he has juft received from his Court. He acquits himfelf at the fame Time, of the Order which it contains, to inform his Excellency the Secretary of State, " that His Majefty the Emperor, not having made any Prohibition with regard to the Commercial Relations between Ruffia and France, each Individual of the Ruffian Nation has the Right of freighting Veffels for thePort of France, and of importing its Merchandize." Baron Nicolay flatters himfelf that this new Decla ration, if indeed it were ftill neceffary after the fre quent Communications which he has already had the Honour to make to his Excellency upon the fame Subject, will contribute to accelerate the Reftitution of the Ruffian Property detained here, on account of which Baron Nicolay has had the Honour of ad- dreffing himfelf to Lord Howick on the 2 2d Ult. He embraces this Opportunity to intreat his Excel lency to be fo. good as to enable him to return an. Anfwer to his Court, upon the different Subjects, which he had the Honour to fubmit to Lord Howick at the fame Time, and particularly upon that which relates to the Imperial Gymnafmm at Volhynia, and he is anxious to renew to his Lordffiip the Secretary of State the Affurance of his moft high Confideration, x „„ 1 24th October 0 c London, -tpct- — 1 — iopo» ' 5th November u 4 ( Inclofure < *9^ ) (Inclofure referred to in No. 5.) Monfieur, A La fuite de ce que je vous ai ecrit en Date du 1 1 du Courant au Sujet des Reclamations des Negocians Glouhoff, Helmund & Co. je dois vous jiarler encore d'un Objet dont je viens d'etre initruit $c relativement auquel vous aurez k vous expliquer cgalement vis-a-vis du Miniftere Anglois, afin d'oter tout pretexte dont on pourroit fe fervir pour retarder la Decifion de ces proces. Le Tribunal de l'Ami- caute a Londres exigeant que les Negociants Ruffes produifent des preuves que le Commerce avec la France leur a 'ete permis durant la Rupture entre les Deux Pays, vous ferez connoitre au Gouverne ment Britannique, que fa Majefte l'Empereur n'ayant pas donne de Defenfe a cet egard, chaque individu de la Nation Ruffe a le Droit de freter des Navires pour les Ports de France, & d'en faire venir des Marchandifes, d'autant plus, que pendant tout le Cours des derniers evenemens les Relations Com- merciales entre les Deux Puiffances n'ont pas ete interrompues, comme le prouve le Sejour des Agens & Confuls refpectifs. Je fuis, &c. (Signe*) A, de BUDBERG. (Tranflation.) ( 297 ) (Tranflation.) Sir, TN purfuance of what I wrote to you on the ¦*" nth Inftant, refpecting the Claims of the Merchants Glouhoff, Kelmund and Company, it will be neceffary for me to fpeak further to you on a Subject, upon which I have juft received Inftructiohs, and relative to which you alfo will equally have to explain yourfelf to the Englifh Government, for the Purpofe of removing every Pretext which could be reforted to for the Pur pofe of retarding the Decifion of thofe Proceed ings. , The Court of Admiralty in London, re quiring that the Ruffian Merchants fhould give fome Proof of the Trade with France having been allowed them, during the Rupture between the Two Countries, you will reprefent to the Britifh Government, that His Majefty the Emperor not having made any Prohibition with regard to this Point, each Individual of the Ruffian Nation has the Right of freighting Veffels for the Ports of France, and of importing its Merchandize, Specially as during the whole Courfe of the late Events the Commercial Relations between the Two Powers have not been interrupted, which is proved by the Refidence of the refpective Agents and Confuls. I am, &c. (Signed) A. De BUDBERG. ( 298 ) No. 6. NOTE from Vifcount Howick to Baron ' Nicolay, dated Downing Street, Novem ber ioth, 1806. 'TpHE Underfigned loft no Time in referring to the King's Advocate the feveral Reprefentations made by Baron Nicolay, with refpect to the Ruffian Veffels trading to the Enemy's Ports, which had been detained and brought into the Ports of Great Britain. The Anfwers were only received this Morning, and are tranfmitted herewith. The Underfigned has already, in his perfonal Interview with Baron Nicolay, explained to him the Principle upon which thefe Veffels have been detained. By the general Law of Nations, all commercial Intercourfe between Belligerent States is interdicted by the very Nature and Exiflence of War ; and the Property of Perfons engaged in fuch a Trade is liable to Confifcation, unlefs they have the exprefs Licence and Permiffion of their own Sovereign to carry it on. This Rule has been applied hitherto by the Britifh Government equally to its own Sub jects, and to thofe of its Ally, prefuming that Ruffia would do the fame ; and it being uncertain whether any or what Permiffion had been granted to ( *99 ) to the Subjects of Ruffia to carry on a Trade with the Enemy, Ruffian Ships coming from the Enemy's Ports have been detained by fhe Britifh Cruizers. It appearing, however, from the Baron de Ni- colay's Note of the 6th Inftant, that the Subjects of Ruffia are excepted from the Operation of this general Principle, by the Declaration, that His Imperial Majefty had not thought proper to inter dict the commercial Relations fubfifting between Ruffia and France, and confidered his Subjects as authorized, under this Permiffion, to freight Veffels for the Ports of France, and to bring back Mer chandize in return, immediate Orders will be given for the Releafe of all Ruffian Ships which have been brought into the Britifh Ports, and which appear to have been freighted with Articles of an innocent Nature. All Articles of a contrary Defcription, and par ticularly Naval Stores, the Britifh Government feels confident that it could never be the Intention of the Emperor of Ruffia to fuffer his Subjects, in the prefent War, to tranfport to the Ports of France. In a War in which thofe Two Powers are engaged as Allies, it never could be wife or juft for either to fuffer the Enemy to be fupplied with thofe Means of Offence which could only be directed againft their common Interefts. The Underfigned, therefore, at the fame Time that he is commanded to . exprefs His Majefty's Readinefs ( 3°° ) Readinefs to afford all reafonable Facilities to the Subjects of Ruffia, in carrying on a Trade with the Enemy in innocent Articles, (fo long as fuch Trade lhall be continued to be functioned by his Imperial Majefty), is alfo inftructed to requeft, that an ex prefs Interdiction may be iffued by the Ruffian Go vernment, againft fending Naval Stores to the Ports of the Enemy, as by furnifhing fuch Supplies, the greateft Injury muft neceffarily be occafioned to the common Caufe in which the Two Powers are fo happily united. With refpect to the particular Cafes reprefented in Baron Nicolay's Notes of the a 2d of October, the Underfigned refers him to the accompanying Report from the King's Advocate. The Underfigned requefts Baron Nicolay to accept the Affurances of his high Confideration. (Signed) HOWICK. Downing Street^ Nov. 10. 1806. No. 7. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Charles Stuart Efquire to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, November 19th, 1806. T HAVE not ceafed to prefs General Budberg to communicate to me, fuch Details reflecting the Loan which it is propofed to be raifed in England 12 oa ( 3©1 ) on account of the Ruffian Government, as may enable His Majefty's Minifters early to decide whe ther it would be poffible to comply with the Wifhes of the Court of St. Peterfburgh. In a Converfation which took place Yefterday, HisExcellency informed me that he had fpoken wifh the Minifter of Finance, and it is calculated that Six or if poffible Seven Millions Sterling will be the Amount of the Sum, which they defire to raife by this Method ; that the the Capital fhall bear an Intereft of Five per Cent. fecured in whatever Manner may be deemed moft eligible, though he faid that the Ruffian Cuftoms- will, he hopes, be deemed an adequate Security in cafe the Propofition fhould be encouraged in England. His Excellency did not ftate the Term or the Mode of Repayment, but faid, , he would very fliortly fend a Meffenger to England with further Particulars, and fuggeiled that fome Perfon verfed in financial Affairs fhould be authorized to fettle the further Details with this Government. Though the Amount of the Sum may perhaps appear con fiderable, I muft obferve that the Cuftoms offer full Security for the regular Payment of the Intereft. ( 3^* ) No. 8. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Charles Stuart Efquire toVifcountHowick, dated St. Peterfburgh, November 28th 1806. — Received January 2, 1 807. /GENERAL Budberg lately told me that His Imperial Majefty had exprefsly directed him to urge the Expediency of partial Expeditions on the Coaft of France and Holland, for the Purpofe of diffracting the Attention of the Enemy, and im peding the March of the French Referves. No. 9. DISPATCH from Charles Stuart Efquire to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterf burgh, November 28th, 1806. — Re ceived January 2d, 1807. My Lord, HAVE the Honour to inclofe a Copy of a Note I received Yefterday from General Budberg, upon the Subject of the Loan which this Govern ment purpofes to raife in England, together with a Copy of the Anfwer which I thought the moft fuit able, as the Determination which may be adopted by C 3°3 ) by His- Majefty's Minifters can be no way biaffed by mere civil Affurances on my Part. In Addition to the Particulars communicated in my Difpatch, No. 55. I have fince learned that to infure the Repayment of the Money at the End of Twenty Years, a Caiffe d'Amortiffement or finking Fund will be eftablifhed, and an adequate Branch of the Revenue will be fet apart to accumulate as foon as the Two Governments fhall have arranged every Difficulty. General Budberg appears defirous that this Mat ter fhall be brought to an early Conclufion, and has repeatedly affured me that the Remittance of Specie rather than Bills will be a great Convenience to the Ruffian Court. I have the Honour to be, &c. CH. STUART. (Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 9.) T 'ETAT fouverainement critique oil les De- faftres de la Pruffe ont reduit les Affaires de la bonne Caufe, loin d'abbatre l'Energie avec la- quelle fa Majeft£ Imperiale a rJfolu de.la foutenir, lui a fait prendre la Refolution d'employer tous fes Efforts pour arreter et repouffer le torrent, dont les Progres ( 3*4 ) Progres ne trouveront plus d'ObftacIes fur le Co: tinent que dans la Puiffance de la Ruffie. Les de- penfes extraordinaires auxquelles les Mefures vi- goureufes dont Sa Majefte Imperiale eft occupee pour foutenir la prefente Guerre, l'obligeront exi- geant des fonds qui, dans le Moment actuel ne pourroient etre tires des Refourees de la Ruffie, avec la Promptitude que demandent les Circonftances, ,Sa Majefte Imperiale a charge le SoufligndV de faire parvenir au MiniftSre de Sa Majefte Britannique, par l'organe de fon Miniftre Plenipotentiaire, la Propofition d'ouvrir un Emprunt en Angleterre fur les Bafes fuivantes : i°; La Somme a emprunter feroit de Six Millions t}e Livres Sterling. 2°." De cette Somme un Tiers fera delivre en Or, foit en Lingots, foit Monnoye ; un autre Tiers en Argent, egalement en Lingots ou Monnoye ; le troifieme Tiers en Lettres de Change. 3°. Si le Gouvernement Britannique ne vouloit point fe charger de faire parvenir cet Or et cet Argent dans les Ports de Ruffie, la Remife pour roit en etre faite en Angleterre aux Sieurs Harman et Co. Banquiers, accredites par la Cour. 4°. Le.Comte de l'Emprunt fe fera en Livres Sterling, et la Reftitution du Capital, ainfi que le Paiement des Interets aura lieu en la meme Monnoye, 5°- La ( 3°5 ) 5*. La Duree de l'Emprunt fera fixee k Vingt Ans, en convenant, que pendant les douze pre mieres Anndes la Ruffie aura k rembourfer du Capital, ce que la Balance de fon Commerce et l'Etat de fes Revenus lui permettront d'en acquit- ter ; et que pendant les Huit dernieres Annees, le refte du Capital fera rembourfe par Parties egales. 6". Les Interets feront de Cinq pour Cent par An, des Sommes qui auront ete delivrees en vertu de l'Emprunt, et lorfque le dit Emprunt aura ete rempli et complette, on fixera Trois ou Cjuatre Termes par Annee pour le Payement des Interets. II feroit fort k defirer que la Treforerie Im periale ptitrecevoir en accompte fur cet Emprunt une Avance d'un Million de Livres Sterling, foit en Monnoye foit en Lingots, que feroient expedies le plutdt poffible, et avant la cloture de la Na vigation. Le Souffigne, en s'acquittant de 1' Office dont il eft charge envers M. Stuart, fe flatte, qu'eclairc comme il eft fur la Grandeur des Interets dont les Efforts de Sa Majefte Imperiale vont decider, il appreciera l'lmportance des Propofitions qui vien- nent de lui etre communiquees, et que fon Zele reconnu pour les Interets de la bonne Caufe, et pour les Principes fur lefquels repofe. principalement 1'Union intime des Deux Cours, le portera en cette Circonftance de concourir aux vues de l'Empereur, x en ( 3°6 ) en donnant connoiffance auffi promptement que poffible k foil Gouvernement des Ouvertures eofi- tenues dans le prefent Office. II profite de cette Occafion, &c. (Sign*) A. de BUDBERG. (Tranflation,) 'T'HE very critical State to which the Difafters of Pruffia have reduced the Affairs of the good Caufe, far from abating the Energy with which his Imperial Majefty is refolved to maintain it, has caufed him to take the Refolution of employ ing all his Efforts to check and repel that Torrent, the Progrefs of which will meet with no further Obftacle on the Continent, but in the Power of Ruffia. The extraordinary Expences which the vigorous Meafures in which his imperial Majefly is engaged for the Support of the prefent War, will impofe upon him, requiring Sums which cannot at this Moment be drawn from the Refouvces of Ruffia with that Promptitude which Circumftances de mand, His Imperial Majefty has charged the Un derfigned to propofe to His Britannick Majefty's' Government, by means of His Minifter Plenipo tentiary, that a Loan fhould be opened in England upon the following Bafis : ift. ( 3°7 ) ift. The Sum to be borrowed is Six Millions of Pounds Sterling. 2d. Of this Sum One Third fhall be delivered in Gold, either in Bullion or coined ; another Third in Silver, either in Bullion or coined; and the other in Bills of Exchange. 3d. If the Britifh Government will not undertake to convey this Gold and Silver to the Ports of Ruffia, the Remittance of them may be made in England to Meffieurs Harman and Company, Bankers, ac credited by the Court of Ruffia. 4th. The Account of the Loan fhall be kept in Pounds Sterling ; the Payment of the Capital, as well as of the Intereft, fhall be made in the fame Money. 5th. The Term of the Loan fhall be fixed at Twenty Years, at the fame Time agreeing that Ruffia, during the firft Twelve Years, fhall have to repay as much of the Capital as the Balance of her Com merce and the State of her Revenue will enable her to difcharge ; and that during the laft Eight Years, the Remainder of -the Capital fhall be reimburfed in equal Portions. 6th. The Intereft of the Sums which fhall have been delivered in virtue of the Loan, fhall be at Five per. Cent, per Annum, and until the faid Loan (hall have been filled up and compleated, Three x 2 or ( 3°* > or Four Periods in the Year fhall be fixed upon for the Payment of the Intereft. It would be very defirable that the Imperial Trea- fuiy fhould receive on Account of this Loan art Advance of One Million of Pounds Sterling, either coined or in Bullion, which may be fent as foon as poffible, and before the Navigation is fhut up. The Underfigned, in acquitting himfelf of the Duty with which he is charged to Mr. Stuart, flatters himfelf, that aware as hers of the Magnitude of the Interefts which are to be decided by the Efforts of His Imperial Majefty, he will appreciate the importance of the Propofitions juft communi cated to him, and that his acknowledged Zeal for the Interefts of the good Caufe, and for the Prin ciples upon which the ftrict Alliance of the Two- Courts chiefly refts, will lead him on this Occafion to concur in the Views of the Emperor, by making known, as foon as poffible, to His Government, the Propofals contained in th& prefent Communi cation. He feizes this Occafion, &c. &c. (Signed) A.- de BUDBERG. (Second Inclofure referred to in No. 9.) j^F.S Preuves reitert'es du Devouement de Sa Majefte Britannique a la Caufe protegeante fes Liberty's de i'Europe, font affez publiques pour , lev er ( 3°9 ) lever toute Doute fur fon Defir fincere de fe preter et meme after au devant des Volontes de fen unique AHie dans la Lutte glorieufe ou les deux Puiffances neceffent de combattre. Les Sentimens exprimes par la Note de fon Ex cellence M. le General de Budberg, fon parfaite- ment analogues aux Principes immuables du Gou vernement Britannique ; et a. moins des Consider ations graves qui lui font etrangeres, ne laiffent au Souffigne, que le Devoir d'en rend re Compte k fa Cour, pour affurer un Refultat favorable aux Demandes enoncees de la Part de Sa Majefte Im* periale. Le Souffigne, &c. (Signe) C, STUART. (Tranflation.) 'TpHE repeated Proofs of His Britannick Majefty's Attachment to that Caufe which protects the Liberties of Europe, are fufficiently notorious, to remove all Doubt as to His fincereDefire to concur, in and even to anticipate the Wifhes of His only Ally in the glorious Struggle which the Two Powers continue to maintain, x 3 The ( 3lQ ) The Sentiments, expreffed in the Note of hi^ Excellency General Budberg, are perfectly analo gous to the invariable Principles of the Britifh Government, and, unlefs there exift ferious Con- fiderations with which the Underfigned is unac quainted, he has only to perform the Duty of re porting them to his Government, in order to enfure a favourable Refult to the Defires announced on the Part of his Imperial Majefty. The Underfigned, &c. (Signed) C, STUART. No. i p. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to the Marquis of Douglas, His Majefty's Ambaffador at the Court of St. Peterfburgh, dated Downing Street, December 4th, 1806. 'TPHIS Difpatch I hope will find your Lordfhip fafely arrived at St. Peterfburgh, and enjoying good Health after the Fatigues of fo long a Journey at fo bad a Seafon. Mr. Stuajjt's Difpatches to No. 47. inclufive, with the Exception of No. 43. which has not yet been received, have been laid before the King. His ( 3" ) His Majefty has feen with great Satisfaction the Refolution expreffed by the Cabinet of St. Peterf burgh, in confequence of the Accounts which had been received there, of the unfortunate Battle of the 14th October. It is by fuch a. Spirit alone that the Affairs of Europe can be retrieved, and your Lordfhip will not fail to exprefs in the moft em phatic Manner, the entire Concurrence of His Ma jefty in the generous Sentiments entertained by His Imperial Ally. Thefe Affurances I have already given to Mr. Nicolay, who has made a confidential Communi? cation to me, of the Contents of the Difpatches received from his Court, of the fame Date as Mr. Stuart's. Among other Things he is inftructed to invite this Government to a frank and explicit Communi cation of its Views with refpect to the prefent Crifis. To this I could only anfwer generally, there being at this Moment no Queftion of any particular miljr tary Operation, that the fame Opinion is entertained here as at St, Peterfburgh, of the Neceffity of com. bined Exertions to refift the increafing Danger, and of a full and unreferved Confidence on all Points connected with the Interefts of the common Caufe, x 4 ( 312 ) No. ii. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Charles Stuart Efquire, to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, 1 8th December, 1806. — Received January 22d, 1807. AT Court this Morning his Imperial Majefty urged in the ftrongeft Terms the Expediency of a Diverfion on the Enemy in the North of Eu rope, by a powerful Expedition to the Coafts of France or Holland. No. 12. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Charles, Stuart Efquire, to Vifcount Howick, dated St.Peterfburgh, 2d January, 1 807. — Received February 6th. T DID not fail to prefs on General Budberg, ^ the Sentiments of His Majefty's Government ; I can however only draw from that Minifter a Re petition of the Language I formerly detailed on this Subject, accompanied by a Complaint that the Whole of the Enemy's Forces are directed againft Ruffia at a Moment when Great Britain does not fhew any Difpofition to diminifh the Danger, by a Diverfion againft France and Holland. ( 3J3 ) No. 13. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to the Marquis of Douglas,dated Downing Street, 13th January 1807. "V\7TTH refpect to the Loan propofed to be raifed here for the Ufe of Ruffia, upon which I gave your Lordfh'ip Reafon to expect further Der tails, I have nothing very fatisfactory to ftate to you. The Information fent to M. Nicolay with a View to the Accomplifh-ment of this Object is very infuffi- cient, at leaft he profeffes to have received nothing more than the mere Copy of the Note fent to me by Mr. Stuart. It muft be obvious that this Paper could not fur 7 nifh that Minifter with the Authority which was ne ceffary in fo complicated and difficult a Bufinefs. In fact M. Nicolay has met with fo many Difficulties in his Communications with the monied Intereft in the City, that he has found no other Refource than that of applying for the Guarantee of this Government, without which it is ftated that no Loan can be raifed for the Ufe of Ruffia, except upon Terms extremely difadvantageous to that Country. 1 To this Propofition, which is not even hinted at in the Ruffian Note, your Lordffiip will at once fee the obvious and infurmountable Objections. It is impoffible ( 3*4 ) impoffible that His Majefty's Government fhould make itfelf refponfible for fo large a Sum as Six Millions, the annual Taxation for the Intereft of which, combined with any adequate Sinking Fund, if it ffiould ultimately fall on this Country, would amount to little lefs than £.500,000 Sterling. The Examples of the Auftrian Loans are too recent to allow any One to doubt that a Loan thus fecured, muft in effect be confidered as a Subfidy ; and would be fo regarded by Parliament were fuch a Propofition brought forward there. It may indeed be faid that the Refources of Ruffia are greater than thofe of Auftria, and her Credit, from the Punctuality with which former Loans have been difcharged, better eftablifhed. But here we muft remark the Difference between a Loan nego tiated with Individuals, and One borrowed, (for fuch would be the Effect of the propofed Guarantee) from another State. In the one Cafe the Hope of raifing future Supplies in the fame Way muft de pend on the Faith which is obferved in the Engage ments, entered into refpecting them. Where the Debt is to fall on another Power, in the Event of any Interruption of Friendfhip between the Two Governments, and ftill more in the Poflibility, (I truft very improbable Cafe) of an actual Rupture between them, the Defire of diftreffing an Enemy may be felt more ftrongly than the Obligations of good Faith ; at the fame Time that the Violation of that Principle is not fo certainly productive of future Difad vantage. An ( 3'5 ) An Individual who has no Object bi Profit will not again truft to Promifes which *.. been broken ; but it may not unreafonably be pie- fumed that as a Government does not contract Engagements of this Nature, without having fome political Intereft of its own involved in them, the Recurrence of a fimilar Intereft may induce it to overlook the Failure of former Engagements. In Addition to all this, on a general Principle of national Policy, it would not be wife, whatever may be our Reliance on the Honour, the good Faith, and the fteady Friendfhip of Ruffia, to implicate ourfelves in an AT^ngement, whichi if our prefent good Underftanding -fhould at any Time ceafe, might enable that Power in a Moment of great Difficulty to throw upon us the additional Burthen of fo large an annual Taxation, as that which J have already ftated. I have dwelt fo much at Length on fhe Reaforss which muft operate conclufively againft a Compli ance with this Requeft, in order that your Lordffiip may be fully apprized of the Propriety of the De termination which has been adopted, and of the Neceffity of its being fteadily adhered to. Every Facility that can be given to any Ufe Ruffia can make of her own Credit, in this the only remain ing Money Market in Europe, will be afforded. In the Negotiation of the Loan formerly raifed by that Jpower in Holland, fimilar Difficulties- were expe rienced, '( 3*6 ) rienced, and they are underflood to have been ob viated by obtaining the Security, for which a large Price was paid, of Merchants of well eftablifhed Credit, fuch as Alexander Hope and Co., of An> fterdam, and other3. There feems to be no Rea fon why a fimilar Expedient fhould not be reforted to now, and if the Terms fhould .be worfe than is to be wiffied, this is an Evil which muft be fubmitted to ; nor is it reafonable that, in order to avoid this Difficulty, the Finances of this Country ffiould after Fourteen Years of unparalleled Exertion, be fub- jected to fo great an additional Burthen. The pecuniary Embarraffments of the Moment, are the unavoidable Refult of the prefent unfor tunate State of Public Affairs, and even this Coun try itfelf, great as its Credit and its Refources are, is not altogether exempt from them. In the Courfe of the Difcuffions which have taken place on this Subject, it has been fuggefted that an additional Facili y might be afforded by fome Arrangement for better fecuring to the Cre ditors the Receipt of the Intereft in England ; and an Idea has occurred, that by a Suppreffion of the Cuftoms on Britifli Merchandize imported into Ruffia, and the Impofitionof an equivalent Export Duty here, this might be effected ; a feparate Ac count being kept of the Duties fo raifed, and their ftrict Application carefully provided for, by paying- over the Whole of them as faft as they are col lected, ( 3l7 .) letted, into the Hands of Commiffioners orTruftees, who might be compelled by Law faithfully to apply the Whole to thofe Purpofes only, to which it would be fo appropriated. Though it does not feem probable that the prefent Plan of railing a Loan will be purfued much farther, it may be ufeful to make fome Enquiry upon this Subiect, with a View to any future Demands of the fame Na ture, and to throw out the Idea to M. Budberg, as one which has been fuggefted by an extreme Defire to find fome Mode cf facilitating the Object which is in view, without fubjecting this Country to Sacrifices which cannot, in Juftice, be expected from her. Your Lordffiip will therefore endeavour to obtain the moft accurate Information of the Amount and Sources of the Ruffian Revenue, of the Mode of its Collection, of the Amount of Public Debt to which it is pledged, and on what Branches of -the Revenue the Payment of fuch Debt and the Intereft is fecured, and particularly of the Poffibility of any fuch Transfer of Duties as that which I have above fuggefted. The Arrangement which I announced to your Lordfhip in my lad Difpatch for the immediate Tranfmiffion of £500,000 in Specie, on Account of the late Subfidy, has been completed. The ne ceffary Declarations were this Morning exchanged between M. de Nicolay and me ; and the Money will be immediately fhipped for Gottenburg, on board the Quebec Frigate. It ( 3*8 > It is to be expected that Ruffia may iuti^c fome Complaints of what may perhaps be con fidered as an Unwillingnefs on the Part of this Government to come to her AfTiftance. M* de Nicolay indeed, in a Converfation this Morning with Lord Grenville and myfelf, threw out fome Hints to this Effect, and even afked if it was no longer the Intention of this Country to make com* mon Caufe with Ruffia ? To this the Anfwer is ob vious and eafy. A Refufal to comply with a Requeft unreafonable in itfelf and injurious to this Country, ought not to give rife to any fuch Sufpicion. Your Lordfhip will find no Difficulty in producing abun dant Proofs from the King's paft Conduct ; and you will repeat, in the ftrongeft Manner, frefh Af furances of His Majefty's earneft Defire to contri bute to the utmoft of His Power to the Support of an Ally, with whom, whether in Peace or War, the King finds His own Interefts fo clofely connected ; but it is not to be fuppofed that fo great and pow erful an Empire as Ruffia can fail to find in its own Refources, abundant Means' for its own Defence. Should an Inability to do this be avowed, it would leave little Hope of Succefs in a War, the whole Burthen of which muft then reft upon England. His Majefty has at no Time fhewn a BackWard- nefs to fecond the Efforts of the Continental Pow ers ; but the Cafe is not now of an auxiliary Force which this Government is endeavouring to draw ( 3l9 ) draw out for Purpofes of Offence, and the ExpenceS of which are to be defrayed at a great Diftance from the Refources of the Power which furnifhes it. Ruffia, attacked on her own FrontierSj is become a Principal in the War, and His Majefty will be ready to afford her all the Succour, which in that Character, fhe can juftly claim, and which the common Interefts may reqnire. But in looking forward to a protracted Conteft, for which the Succeffes, and above all the inveterate Enmity of the French Government, muft oblige this Country to provide, His Majefty feels it incum bent on Him to preferve as much as poffible, the Refources to be derived from the tried Affections of His People. (Signed) HOWICK. No. 14. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Charles Stuart Efquire, to Vifcount Howick, dated Sr. Peterfburgh, January 14th, 1807. — Received February 27th. T MUST not conceal from your Lordffiip that the apparent Silence of His Majefty's Govern ment refpecting a Military Diverfion on the Coaft of France, has not produced a favourable Effect on the Opinion either of the Minifters or the Public of this Country. ( 32° *> No. 15. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Mar quis of Douglas, to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, January 26th, 1807. — Received _ "DEFORE I conclude, I muft inform your Lord fhip that Baron Budberg complained of the Situation in which Ruffia was now placed, being left to combat alone againft France, without either Support on one Side or Diverfion on the other. No. 16. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Mar quis of Douglas to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, February 4th* 1 807.- — Received — ¦— TOURING this Interview General Budberg. feized every Occafion of complaining of the Ruffians being left without Military Affiftance on the Part of Great Britain. An Attack on any Part of the Coaft of France, or even the Alarm of an Attack promulgated with Confidence, would tend to relieve Ruffia from the concentrated Forces of the French Army.— -Was any Meafure of this Kind to be adopted-, ( 321 ) adopted, I am perfuaded I fhould no longer hear any Arguments againft the ulterior Guarantee; not that I omitted to remind the General that after What had been done in Italy, and what was ready to be done at Conftantinople, Great Britain could never be confidered as a negative Co-adjutor whether in reference to the common Caufe or in reference to her immediate Friends and Allies. No. 17. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Mar quis of Douglas to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, February 8th, 1807. — Received XTIS Excellency faid, that the Court of Peterf burgh being now abandoned to her own Re fources, was entitled to expect fome Efforts which may divert the Attention of the French Govern ment, before they confent to enter into any En gagement which is likely to create future Dif ferences with that Power upon a Subject not im mediately interefting to Ruffia. No. i8„ ( 322 ) J No. 1 8. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Mar- quis of Douglas to Vifcount Howick, dated St. Peterfburgh, February 15th, 1807. — Received March 8th. T CANNOT fufficiently exprefs the extreme Anxiety felt here that fome Expedition ffiould be undertaken by Great Britain to divert the Ge neral Concentration of the French Troops from the Banks of the Viftula. No. 19. EXTRACT of a Note from General Budberg to the Marquis of Douglas, dated February iff 1807. — Tranfmitted by the 1 . What is the Amount of Force which the King of Sweden could employ, exclufive of the Garrifon of Stralfund ? In Addition to which Information, it is defirable to know, where it is now ftationed, and how foon it could be ready to act ? 2. Whether ( 332 ) 2. Whether any, and what Addition of Britifh Troops would be required ? 3. What Amount of Subfidy the King of Sweden would demand in Proportion to the Number of Troops employed ? Should the Swedifh Government be willing to enter into this Difcuffion, you will ftate upon the Two firftPoints, that it does not appear to His Majefty that any effectual Operation .could be undertaken without a Force amounting at the very leaft to Twenty-five thoufand Men. From M. de Rehaufeh's Statements to me, it ap pears that the chief Deficiency of the Swedifh Army* is in Cavalry. This is certainly the Defcription of Force which His Majefty could beft fpare from His own Army. If a Brigade of Dragoons would enable His Swedifh Majefty to bring into the Field a Force of the Amount above ftated, you may ftate that this Proportion of Cavalry might probably be furnifhed from hence. With regard to the laft Point, viz. that of Subfidy, you will ftate that His Majefty will be difpofed to contribute to the Support of the propofed Operation^ by a Subfidy regulated according to the Proportion of that which was given to Auftria in 1805 ; but thaf this Proportion cannot be exceeded, except as to a Sum iifually furnifhed as a " premiere mife en Campagne," (333 ) Campagne," which, as foon as the Meafures in Con-* templation fhall be conclufively agreed upon, may be advanced to the Amount of Two, or at moft Three, Months Subfidy. Having communicated thefe Propofals to the King of Sweden, you will requeft His Majefty to authorife His Minifters to enter upon the immediate Difcuffion of them ; and to prevent the Lofs of Time, you will fuggeft the Expediency of fending to this Country fome confidential Military Officer, fully inftructed upon all the Points above-mentioned, who might affift M. de Rehaufen in giving the neceffary Explanations, and in bringing this Bufinefs to a prompt Termination. I know it is unneceffary for me to recommend to you the utmoft Diligence in the Execution of thefe Inftructions, and in obtaining and tranfmitting to me the moft accurate Information reflecting the prefent State and Difpofition of the Swedifh Go vernment, and the Condition and Numbers of its (Signed) HOWICK. ( 334 ) No. 24. EXTRACT of aDifpatch from Lord Hut, chinfon addreffed to Vifcount Howick, dated Memel, March 9th, 1807.- Re ceived April 1 8th, by Mr. Secretary Canning. T HAVE been repeatedly preffed by the Pruffian Government, with whom the Ruffians have alfo cooperated, to write to your Lordfhip on the Subject of a Diverfion to be made by the Britiffi Troops, which might occupy the French effentially, and force them to withdraw a Part of their Troops from this Quarter. Monfieur de Zaftrow made me Yefterday a formal Propofition. Marfhal M order now blockade? Stralfund with about Twenty Thoufand Men; it is therefore pro pofed that the Britifli and Swedifh Troops fhould in Conjunction force them to raife that Blockade, and moving on the left Bank of the Oder, threaten the Communications in the Rear of the French Army. Ihey might befiege Stettin which is a large Place with a final 1 Garrifon, an j in a bad State of Defence; were it taken, the Communication with Berlin, the Elbe, and the Reft of Germany wrould be at once open. If the French remain in Poland, a confiderable Force acting in this Manner on their Rear would create ( 335 ) create the mpft ferious Embarraffments, and prq-r hably force them to evacuate Poland, or at leaft oblige them to detach fuch a Number of Troops as would foon leave them inferior to the Allies. Should even the French occupy the Line of the Oder, this Diverfion would be of the greateft Im portance, as the Ruffians would in that Cafe probably march with the greater Part of their Army into Silefia. ' This propofed Operation would be attended with little Danger, as the Britiffi Army would always have a Retreat upon Stralfund open to them, and from thence into the Ifland of Rugen, from whence they might be re-embarked. Stralfund in Summer, is, -I believe, a very ftrong Place. I have informed Monfieur de Zaftrow that I would undoubtedly make the Propofition ; that I was con vinced the Britiffi Government meant to make a ftrong Diverfion in favour of the Allies, and was empowered to give them the ftrongeft Affurances on that Subject ; but that I could not exactly pledge rriyfelf as to the Quarter in which it would be made. The one now propofed appeared to me to be highly advantageous, and only attended with the ordinary Rifques of War, as in every Event the Retreat of the Troops employed in that Service would not be an hazardous one. Your Lordffiip will probably receive a Communi cation on this Subject from Baron Jacobi ; Lord Douglas has alfo, I underftand, written to you on the Subject from Peterfburgh. ( 336 ) No. 25. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from theMarquis of Douglas, dated Saint Peterfburgh, March 19th. 1807, addreffed to Vifcount Howick. — Received by Mr. Secretary Canning, April *THERE is reafon to fuppofe that it has been forcibly put to the Emperor by fome People here, little partial to England, that Ruffia is aban doned by her Friends ; that the whole Conteft is left to her, and that even her intimate Ally, Great Britain, neglects to fupport her*at a Crifis when any Reverfe of Fortune might endanger the Empire itfelf. It is the more painful to me that fuch Infinuations fhould appear, for a Moment, to be juftified by Fact, becaufe I know how little they are deferved, and how different they are from thofe Feelings that both actuate the Government and the Country at large. It is for His Majefty's Government to decide what are the Objects of their prefent Policy, and what are the Means moft likely to fecure thofe Objects : but I ffiould neglect my Duty if I did not obferve, that fhould no Effort be made this Spring by the Britifh Troops, it is more than probable that the above 5 Obfervation? ( 337 ) Obfervations will recur in full Vigour to his Imperial Majefty's Mind ; if fo, I need not point out what will be the probable Refult. England, I am aware, may fecure herfelf j but I am convihted that His Majefty's Government feels too much for the Honuor of the Country, and the future Happinefs of Europe, to compromife for partial Views a Profpect of general and permanent Wel« fare. N<3. 26. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Mar* quis of Douglas, dated SahitPeteffburgh, a* y*. 1 §07, addreffed to Vifcount 3 April Howick. — Received by Mr; Secretary Canning, May 13th. *ThHE Activity of England I have frequently ex. patiated upon ; but I muft not conceal from your Lordffiip that this Court, alive to the Embar raffments that furround her, is determined, in fpite of every Argument, to confider no Act as directed towards their particular Support, that does not, by occupying a Part of the French Forces, relieve her from their concentrated Attacks. ( 33* ) No. 2J. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Marquis of Douglas, dated Saint Peterfburgh, April 27th, 1807 ; addreffed to Vifcount Howick.— 'Received by Mr. Secretary Canning June ift. T AM thoroughly convinced of the fincere and honourable Intentions of the Emperor ; and yet as it is impoffible that I fhould be deaf to the Murmurs that furround me, to the Expectations of Thoufands, to the Intrigues of a few, all more or lefs beginning to feek the fame Object j fo I cannot without fome Jealoufy look to the poffible Confe quences. Should any Diverfion however take place on the Part of Great Britain, or affifted by her Troops, there is a great Probability that in that Cafe the Emperor, from a Point of Honour, would confider himfelf bound to ad with all poffible Energy. t t t t < PAPERS Prefented by HIS MAJESTT'S Command TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, / February 1808. AUSTRIA. z 2 LIST of PAPERS, No. i. ~|~\fSPATCH from Mr. Secretary Canning to- "^ Robert Adair Efquire, His Majefty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Plenipotentiary to the Court of Vienna, dated Foreign Office^. April 28th, 1807. No. 2. Extract of a Difpatch from Robert Adair Efqtiire, to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Vienna, May 2cth, 1807. No. 3. Extract of a Difpatch-from Mr. Secretary Canningi to the Earl of Pembroke,; dated Foreign Officey May 15 th, 1807. No. 4. Extract of a Difpatch from the Earl of Pembroke to Mr. Secretary Canning, datedViennaj July 8th, 1807. ( 341 ) PAPERS. No. i, COPY of a Difpatch^ from Mr. Secretary Canning to Mr. Adair, His Majefty's En voy Extraordinary - and Minifter Pleni potentiary to the Court of Vienna, dated April 28th, 1807. Sir, T HEREWITH inclofe to you for your Informa tion, the Copies of Two Notes which I have re ceived from Count Starhemberg, and of the Anfwers which, by His Majefty's Command, I have returned to them. If any Communications fhould be made to you by the Auftrian Government on the Subject to which thefe Inclofures relate, you will not fail to forward them hither by the Mode of Conveyance which may appear to you to be the moft fecure and expeditious. I am, &c, (Signed) GEORGE CANNING. 23 ( 342 ) No, 2. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from.Roberf Adair Efquire to Mr. Secretary Canning., dated Vienna, May 20th, 1807. Sir, T HAVE the Honour of acknowledging the R eceipt pf your Difpatches of 28th ultimo, together with their Inclofures. No. 3. EXTRACT of 3 Difpatch from Mr. Secre tary Canning to the Earl of Pembroke, dated Downing Street, May 15th, 1807. T_JIS Majefty has accepted unequivocally, fo far as He is Himfelf concerned, the proffered Media tion of the Emperor of Auftria, fubject only to the Condition of its being equally accepted by all the other Powers principally engaged in the War. The Note received from Count Starhemberg, and the Anfwer which, by His Majefty's Command, I returned to it, are herewith inclofed for your Lord ffiip's Information. ( 343 ) No. 4. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Earl of Pembroke to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated Vienna, July 8th 1807. T HAVE the Honour to inform you that I arrived at Vienna on the 3d Inftant, and that I loft no Time in reqfiefting aConference with Count Stadion, at which I was precluded from making any Progrefs in the Object of my Miffion, owing to the Accounts received of an Armiftice having taken place between Ruffia and France ; to which, though not official, the Count gave Credit. 7. 4 PAPERS Prefented by His MAJESTT'S Command TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, Furfuant to their Addrefs of the 15th February 1 808, PORTUGAL LIST of PAPERS, No. I. T\IS PATCH from Mr. Secretary Fox to the -^ Earls of Rofslyn and Saint Vincent, and Lieutenant General Simcoe, dated Downing Street, 9th Auguft 1806. No. 3. Extract of a Difpatch from Mr. Secretary Wind ham to the Earl of Rofslyn and Lieutenant General Simcoe, dated Downing Street, 12th Auguft 1806". No, 3. Difpatch from Mr. Secretary Windham to Earls Rofslyn and Saint Vincent, and Lieutenant General Simcoe, dated Downing Street, 28th Auguft 1806, No. 4. Extract of a Difpatch from the Earl of Rofslyn to Mr. Secretary Fox, dated Lifbon, Auguft 30th, 1806. No. 5. Extract of a Difpatch from the Earl of Rofslyn to Mr. Secretary Fox, dated Lifbon, September 3d, 1806. No. 6. Extract of a Difpatch from Mr. Secretary Wind ham to the Earl of Rofslyn, dated Downing Street, September 13th, 1806, ( 347 > PAPERS. No. i, DISPATCH from Mr. Secretary Fox to the Earls of Rofslyn and Saint Vincent, and Lieutenant General Simcoe, dated Downing Street, 9th Auguft 1806. My Lords, and Sir, INTELLIGENCE has been received by His Ma jefty's Minifters of an Intention on the Part of France immediately to invade the Kingdom of Por tugal, and the French Government has, by its own Declarations, left little or no Room to doubt the Truth of that Intelligence. It has even been formally announced by that Go vernment to His Majefty's Ambaffador at Paris, that an Army, faid to be compofed of Thirty thoufand Men, is actually affembled at Bayonne for this Pur pofe, and that the Object of this Invafion is nothing lefs than that of dethroning "the" prefent Royal Fa mily, and deftroying the very Exiflence of the Por- tuguefe Monarchy ; the Provinces of which are to be partitioned out, one Part to Spain, and the other Part with the Town and Port of Lifbon to be given ( 34* ) given as a feparate Dominion to the Prince of Peace, or to the Queen of Etruria. In that Cafe His Majefty has thought it right to direct that the Force now embarked, confifting of the Numbers ftated in the Margin, fhould be fent forthwith to the River Tagus, there to be met by a competent Naval Force which has been in like Manner directed to repair to that Station. And His Majefty has thought fit to give Directions that the Land Force appropriated to this Service, ffiould receive fiicceffive Augmentations as faft as the. Means of Tranfport can be provided. In Addition to the Command of the Naval and Military Forces which he has intrufted.refpectively to the Earl St. Vincent and to Lieutenant General Simcoe. His Majefty has been pleafed to direct that full Powers ffiould be granted to them conjointly with the Earl of Rofslyn to negotiate with the Court of Lifbon on all Matters that may concern the joint Interefts of the Two Courts in the prefent Conjuncture of Affairs. I am therefore, in this Difpatch to explain the Principles on which fuch Negotiation is to be conducted. The Object moft defirable, if it ffiould be poffible to be obtained, would be, to arrange fufficient and effectual Meafures by Concert between the Two Courts for the complete Defence of Portugal againft •the threatened Invafion of Portugal; an Object which ( 349 ) which it ought not to be difficult for Portugal to provide for, if the invading Force ffiould not exceed the Numbers ftated by the French Government. This is therefore the Firft Point which is to be propofed to the Court of Lifbon ; and if that Court, either fingly by its own Refources, or by fuch Co* operation as it may be able to obtain from Spain$ where it is probable the Plans of France will create much more Alarm than Pleafure, ffiould be willing' ferioufly to engage in vigorous and effective Mea fures of Defence ; the King will approve your ex-> preffing His Majefty's Difpofition to fupport them to the full Extent of fuch Means as His Majefty may be able to apply to this Object. You will however underftand diftinctly./ that this Inftrudtion applies only to the Cafe riot merely of Affurances, but, as I have already expreffed it, of vigorous and effective Meafures, bona fide adopted by the Portuguefe Government for its own Defence * A Refoiution which feems to be fo ftfongly called for by the Urgency of the prefent Crifis, that one might look with fome Confidence to its Adoption,* if former Experience did not give tbo'rriuch Reafori to doubt of it even under fuch Circutoflances. Should it be found that either the Means or Energies of the Court of Portugal are inadequate for fuch a Purpofes the next Endeavour muft be to infpire that Government with a Refoiution which they C 35° ) ¦ they are underflood formerly to have entertained, and which in the Cafe fuppofed, is the only one that could be adopted either with Dignity or Prudence j namely, that of withdrawing at once from their Eu ropean Territories, and removing themfelves with ajl that they can carry with them, to their Poffef- fions beyond the Atlantic. Should fuch be the Difpofition of the Court, every Encouragement muft be given to confirm; them in that Intention, and the ftrongeft Engage* ments may be entered into, that in fuch Cafe His Majefty will not only by His Naval Forces protect and fecure fuch Retreat, but that He will refpect and even guaranty to the Court of Portugal the Independance of its Dominions in the Brazils, as well as the Poffeffion of all Ships and other Pro perty that may be carried there by virtue of any fuch Arrangement. A Cafe however muft be provided for, different from either of the Two preceding, and unhappily not the leaft probable, in which the Government of Portugal, abandoning all Idea either of Refift- ance or Efcape, fhould wait in fearful Acquiefcence the Approach of the Danger, leaving the Country with all that it contains to fall an eafy and certain Prey into the Hands of the Enemy. In that Cafe His Majefty would feel Himfelf im. pelled, as well by every Confideration of Duty to 4 Himfelf ^ ( 35* ) Himfelf, as of Regard even for His Ally, to take fuch Steps as might be neceffary to diminifh the Evil, by preventing the Enemy from acquiring that Acceffion of Force, particularly of Naval Force, which the Poffeffion of the Port of Lifbon, in fuch Circumftances, would give him, and which may have had a principal Share in prompting him to the prefent intended Outrage. You muft, therefore, from the Beginning, fo regulate all your Conduct as to keep in view this ultimate Object, the only One poffibly which may at laft be left to you to accomplifh. This, of courfe, fhould it ultimately become ne ceffary, muft be done not by Negotiation, but by Demonftrations, and poffibly by actual Meafures of Force. But even in this cafe, it is very material, that you fhould endeavour to the utmoft to imprefs both on the Government and on the People of Portugal, that the Steps reforted to, are taken with no Feelings or Object of Hoftility towards them, but are the Refult only of that unhappy Neceffity which the Injuftiee and Violence of the Enemy, and the Weaknefs of Portugal, impofe upon His Majefty. Conformably to thefe Impreffions, if at any Pe riod before the Ships and Troops of His Majefty are withdrawn from the Coaft, and even after Meafures of C 35* ) of Force fhall have been mutually reforted to, the Court of Portugal fhall be difpofed on better Com- fideratidh and further Evidence of the Danger* to accept the Propofal of removing to their Poft feffions on the other Continent, you will offer them every Affiftance for that Purpofej and make all fuch Engagements as may beft foften and conciliate their Minds to fo painful an Extremity;. In all your Proceedings you will avoid carefully any Thing that may give to the Enemy any handle for mifreprefenting the juft and upright Intentions of His Majefty on this Occafion-. Nothing would be more acceptable to His Mai jcfty, than that the Court of Lifbon fhould continue* if it were poffible, in the Enjoyment of a fecure arid uridifturbed Neutrality. It is matter of great Re gret to His Majefty to look in any poffible Cafe to the Neceffity of employing Force againft the Terri tory of a friendly Power ; and it is of great Impor tance that His Majefty's Conduct ori this Occafion; fhould be reprefented in its true Light, both to the5 Court and to the People of Portugal. It will there fore be proper, not only to deliver in official Notes to this Effect, but to print and circulate ih the Portu^ guefe Language a Manifefto, in which thofe Cir cumftances fhould be openly and frankly explained^ which juftify by the evident Neceffity of the Cafe, the fecurihg beforehand thofe Military Refources which the Enemy has openly evinced;, and formally declared, C 353 ) declared, his Intention of feizing for his own Purpofes. His Majefty has no Defire to derive from this Meafure any other Advantage than that of depriving His Enemy of Means of Annoyance, which are in tended to be ufed both againft the Interefts of His Corintry, and for the Purpofe of Attack againft the Colonies of Portugal herfelf. In order to avert thefe Evils, His Majefty authorizes you,-" to' agree fo any Plan by which the Portuguefe Ships of War, if placed in his' Cuftody by that Government without reforting to Meafures of Force, ffiall be either retained in Truft for Portugal, or ffiall be purchafed from that Government by His Majefty, according to their full eftimated Value. He cannot forego thofe Meafures, which are neceffary fo prevent the Portu guefe Navy from becoming an Acceffion to that of France ; but He is defirous of executing this Pur pofe in fuch Way as may be leaft offenfive to the Dignity or injurious to' the Interefts of an Ally, in whom His firft Wifh would be to find the Difpo fition arid the Means of oppofing an effectual Re^ fiftarace againft the common" Enemy; The general Objects which are in view, being thus explained to you, the particular Courfe ia which they are to be purfued, whether in Meafures of Negotiation or of Force, or by a Mixture Of both, isieft With full Confidence to the Difcretion of the Perfons in whom- His Majefty has vefted fuch ample a a Powers, ( 354 ) Powers, and by whofe entire and perfect Co-ope ration in every ftep of whatever Defcription that fhall become neceffary, the Objects in view can alone be accomplifhed. The precife Period of the Demand to be made for the Debarkation of the Troops, and for the placing them in a Situation of Security, is perhaps the moft important among thefe Points j and next to that, the Mode and Time of the Requifition, that the Portuguefe Ships in the Tagus ffiould be placed in fuch a State, as to be capable of being immediately removed on the Approach of an Enemy. It will not efcape your Attention, that thefe are Meafures which muft equally be adopted, in each of the Three Cafes above ftated. If Portugal in tends, with the Aid of this Country, to defend herfelf j if the Court fhould meditate a Removal to the Brazils ; or laftly, if a Neceffity ffiould exift for Meafures of Force, with a View to the Removal of the Ships i In every one of thefe Cafes, the King's Troops muft be landed, and a Pofition muft be oc cupied, that will both place them in Safety, as far as poffible, and will facilitate the Execution of fuch Meafures as it may be neceffary for the King's Naval Forces to adopt for the Removal of the Ships. As this Step therefore muft at all Events be* taken, it would feem defirable that as little Time as is practicable fhould be allowed for the Preparation of ( 355 ) of Meafures of Refiftance againft this indifpenfable Step; In the State of Indecifipn in which it is not im probable the Portugueze Government may now be placed, you fnuft naturally expect, that the Exifl ence, or at leaft the Urgency of the Danger will be denied to you ; and it is indeed not abfolutely im poffible,, that Circumftances . may in fact occur to delay the March of the French Army, now fixed, as we are told by France, for the 15th of this Month* Of this you will of courfe have the Means of pro- Curing without Difficulty, authentic Intelligence from' Bayonne ; but you will remark, that the Meafures now adopted are founded on no light Surmifes, but on the Declaration of the French Government itfelf j that it is the Habit of that Governriient thus pre- vioufly to anriounce its Acts of Violence ; that other' Meafures of a like Nature were in like Maimer an nounced, and have actually been fince carried into Execution ; and that therefore any temporary For- ' bearance that may occur in the Execution of this particular. Defign affords no Motive for delaying" Meafures of neceffary Precaution againft it. If it ffiould be urged, that the Admiffion of the King's Forces will be confidered by the Eneiny as a Violation of the Neutrality of Portugal, and will therefore afford either a Motive or at leaft a Pretext for the Invafion of that Country, you will remark that the Neutrality of that Country is at an end from a a 2 the C 3S& ) the Momerit that a Defign of invading its Territory' and fubverting its Government is openly announced by one of the belligerent Parties ; and that neither Juftice nor Prudence require, that we ffiould wait for the actual Execution of fuch a Menace, before we take Meafures for averting or leffening the EviL And Experience has but too plainly ffiewn, and in too many Inftances, with what Facility the French Government finds or makes Pretences for fuch Mea fures, when once announced. If on your Arrival at Lifbon you fhould find that, either from Alarms excited by any accidental Circumftances, or in confequence of Requifitions and Demands made by the French, the Country fhould have been put in fuch a. State of Preparation and Defence, as to make the Execution «f any En- terprife of Force more difficult than it is hoped it, would be found ; and particularly if you ffiould judge from thefe or any other Circumftances, that the Safety of the Army entrufted to your Com-. mand would be compromifed by a Debarkation, or by the Meafures to be afterwards purfued ; the King relies on your Difcretion not to Jadopt any Step which might lead to the probable Lofs of the Forces. In that Cafe the whole Negotiation would of Courfe affume merely a pacific Shape. It would be ftated, that the Troops are ferit to eo-operate in the Defence of Portugal, if defired by that ( 357 ) that Government ; but that fuch Defire not being there entertained, they would proceed to their for mer Deftination. In that Cafe, however, as indeed in every Cafe of Difcuffion with that Government, it muft always be jmpreffed upon them, that the certain Confequence of SubmifTion to France muft be, the Lofs of the Brazils ; which, in fuch Event, this Country muft occupy for its own Safety. I am, &c. C. J. FOX. No. 2, EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Mr. Se cretary Windham to the Earl of Rofslyn and Lieutenant General Simcoe, dated Downing Street, 12th Auguft 1806. AS the Wind ftill prevents the Convoy from getting round from the Downs, I think it proper to apprife you, in Addition to your former Inftructions, that it is thought advifeable that you ffiould lofe no Time in proceeding to Lifbon in the Frigate deftined for that Service. On your Arrival there, it is prefumed, you will •fin,d the Earl of St. Vincent already there ; -you will A a 3 of ( 358 } of courfe, in the firft Inftance, communicate with his Lordffiip on the Subject of the Inftructions. which are jointly addreffed to his Lordffiip and you, and alfo on this Difpatch. As your Arrival will in all probability precede that of the Troops, it is thought proper that Lord Rofslyn ffiould, after communicating as above with Lord St. Vincent, proceed to Lifbon, and there enter upon his Miffion ; General Simcoe remaining with the Fleet to wait the Arrival of the Troops. Lord Rofslyn will begin his Negotiation by ftating the Certainty and Urgency of the Danger as mentioned in your former Inftructions. He will remark, that while there was a Hope that Portugal even by confiderable- pecuniary Sacrifices would preferve her Neutrality, the King felt too ftrong an Intereft in the Safety of His Ally to endanger it by any precipitate or premature Meafures on his Part. But that the Moment is now come when a Decifion muft be taken. The Enemy has announced his immediate Intention of fubjecting Portugal to the greateft Evils to which an Independent State can be expofed — the Subjugation of the Country, the Overthrow of the Government by a Foreign Force, the Expulfion of the Family of its lawful Sove reigns, and the Partition of, its Provinces. There is no Reafon to doubt the Reality of this Intention, which is indeed talked of at Paris without any Se cret; and the Exifteuce of the Preparations for giving C 359 ) giving effea to it has been confirmed by additional Intelligence received fince you left London. In this State of Things, the King can no longer forbear to urge the Court of Lifbon to act as the Urgency of fuch a Danger manifeftly requires. A Force is collected for the Purpofe of their Deftruc- tion, and the Intention of fo employing it is openly avowed. In fuch a Situation, to wait till the hoftile Army is put in Motion, or till feme Decree Of the French Government publifhes to the'WoYld the Par tition of Portugal, would be to expofe the Royal Family, the Government, and the Country, to the Certainty of that Ruin with which they are openly menaced. The only Queftion can now be, whether to defend or to abandon the Country ? Even if the latter Refoiution were adopted, that would require to be acted upon with Vigour and Decifion in order to preferve to the Houfe of Braganza at leaft its American Poffeffions. If the former, the firft Step to be taken towards it muft be that of apprifing the Country of the Nature, Extent, and Urgency of its Danger, in order to animate the whole Community in common Exer tions of Defence. This muft be accompanied by effective and vigorous Meafures for putting the Army in a State of Activity, and for defending the Frontiers, Under fuch a Syftem, and with the Aid in Money> Troops, and Ships, which His Majefty worild be entirely difpofed to contribute A A 4 tQ ( 36° ) to it, if really adopted and fteadily purfued, there could he little doubt that the Attack of a much more powerful Army than that now faid to be affembling at Bayonne might be fuccefsfufty refilled. And in the prefent State of Europe, great as the Means are which France poffeffes, it may be doubtful whether fhe would be difpofed to apply a larger Force to the Purfuit of fuch an Object. If therefore, it ftill be poffible to prevent the Enemy from embarking in the Enterprize, the . Courfe now recommended can alone effect that Purpofe. If the Conteft be unavoidable, no other 'Means than thefe can afford any Hope of a fuccefsful Iffue. This reafoning Lord Rofslyn will prefs in -the moft urgent Manner. The great Obftacle for Lord Rofslyn to combat will be the Defire of Procraftination fo natural to a weak Power, and the delufive Hope that by Per- feverance in the temporizing Syftem the Evils . which they fear may yet be averted. This muft be met by ftrong Reprefentations of the Immi- nency of the Danger, and of the Mifchief of Delay. It is probable thac when preffed upon this Subject, M.d'Araujo will enquire what fpecific Affiftance His Majefty will be difpofed to grant, to Portugal, if it ffiould by fuch Meafures as are now recommended draw upon itfelf the Refentment of France. To nhis, it muft always be anfwered, that the Attack from ( 361 ') from France- will not be the Confequence of fuch Meafures, but only the Execution of a Determi nation taken and announced antecedently to them. But there is no Difficulty in its being explicitly faid, that provided His Majefty were fatisfied that Por tugal was taking vigorous and effective Meafures for her own Defence, there is no Exertion in the Power of this Country that His Majefty would not be ready to make for that Purpofe, in pecuniary Affiftance as well as in Military and Naval Sue* cours. In addition to thefe general Affurances, it would be proper that Lord Rofslyn fhould ftate fpecifically that an Expedition of near Ten Thoufand Men" is now ready in our Ports; and that although thefe have been collected with a View to a different De- ftination, yet that, on any Intimation of fuch a Wifh from the Portuguefe Government, Orders would be given to thefe Troops, and to others which might fucceffiyely follow them, to fail immediately to Portugal. But Lord Rofslyn will not let it b« underflood that fuch is actually their Deftination. If the Portuguefe Government fhould be induced by thefe Reprefentations to adopt a Syftem of active Preparation and vigorous Defence, laying afide all Hopes of faving themfelves by any other Courfe, they will of courfe cheerfully accept the proffered Aid ; and the Arrival of the Troops which will ftill, in ( 36* ) in all Events, follow you as foon as the Wind per mits, will be Matter of great Satisfaction to them. If they decline this Affiftance, from the Fear of irrevocably committing themfelves with France, Lord Rofslyn is not, till the actual Arrival of the Troops, to give any Intimation that he expects them; nor to employ any. other Language than fuch as is already pointed out in this Difpatch. When the Troops actually arrive, he will lofe no Time in reprefenting that Event as the Effect of the continued Information received here, as to the Urgency of the Danger, and as the ftrongeft Proof of the King's Solicitude to avert it. He will reprefent that the Difembarkation of thefe Troops, when fent on fuch Grounds, cannot be refufed by the Court of Lifbon, except on the Ground of a Refoiution to abandon all Meafures of Defence ; in which Cafe alone His Majefty will be driven to confider what is due to the Interefts of His own Crown, feparately from thofe pf His, Ally. He will give the ftrongeft and the moft for? mai Affurances that the Continuance of the Troops ffiall be limited to the Extent of the Danger; and on this Ground, he will demand their Admiffion. The Time to be limited for a Compliance with jhat Demand muft be arranged with the Earl of St, ( 3^3 ) St. Vincent and Lieutenant General Simcoe. But it will be proper that the actual Knowledge of a Refufal to admit the Troops, as Friends, ffiould precede, by however ffiort an Interval, any Attempt to difembark in any other Manner. If fuch Refufal ffiould take place, the Inftructions already given to you with the Earl of St. Vincent will then apply in all their Points, as indeed 'they do in a great Degree to the Courfe here pointed out. No. 3. DISPATCH from Mr. Secretary Wind- ham to Earls Rofslyn and Saint Vincent, and Lieutenant General Simcoe, dated Downing Street, 28th Auguft 1806. My Lords, and Sir, .CINCE the Earl of Rofslyn and Lieutenant General Simcoe failed from Plymouth, His Majefty's Servants have received Information which induces fhem to believe that the Preparations for the Attack of Portugal are in a lefs forward State than had before been fuppofed, though there appears no Reafon to entertain more Doubt than before as to the final 'Intention ( 364 ) Intention of the French Government to carry into effeft the Plans for the Conqueft and Partition of Portugal, which they have already announced. In this State of Things the whole Expedition being now collected at Plymouth, and ready to fail with the firft fair Wind, it has been judged expedient to detain them until Intelligence fhall have been re ceived from you of your Proceedings, and of the State of Affairs at Lifbon. It is thought here, that there is now more Profpect than before of ac-complifhing the Objects in View, without the Neceffity of reforting to Meafures of Force, which, if practicable, is highly defirable. The Troops will however be kept in conftant JReadinefs to fail on the very firft Order, which will be given either on receiving fuch Information from you as ffiall appear to requite it, or on Intelligence being received here in any other Manner, of the French Forces being in a greater State of Readinefs, or of the Danger of the Attack from Spain becoming imminent. I am, &c. (Signed) W. WINDHAM. ( 365 ) No. 4 r EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Earl of Rofslyn to Mr. Secretary Fox, dated Lifbon, Auguft 30th, 1806". f HAVE the Honour to inform you, that His Majefty's Ship Santa Margarita, anchored in the Tagus late on Monday Evening the 25th. Early on the 26th Lord Saint Vincent came on board, and his Lordfhip, Lieutenant General Simcoe, and I, had a full Conference upon the prefent State of Affairs in this Country. Lord Strangford upon hearing of our Arrival had made Application for Pratique for us, without Delay. In the Afternoon I landed, and had a long Confer ence with M. d'Araujo. In this I took Occafion to enter upon that Point of our Inftructions, which relates to the Dangers of the Country, and the Propofal to affift in defending it. To this firft Head I chiefly 'confined myfelf. I ftated the Intelligence reflecting the Plans of the French Government, and the Perfuafion of His Majefty's ( 3 ) Sublime Porte reglera la Conduite de mon augufte Maitre. Que les Menaces des Ennemis de la France n'en impofent Point a. la Sublime Porte : ils ont ete vaincus et ils le feront toujours. Le Grand Na poleon employera tous fes Moyens pour la Gloire de fa Hauteffe Selim III. fon ami ; et fes Moyens font immenfes, fon Genie eft plus grand encore. Cette Note merite d'etre foumife a la haute Sa- geffe de fa Majefte l'Empereur Selim III. et votre Excellence eft priee de le faire le plus prompte- ment poffible. Le Souffigne prie fon Excellence le Reis Effendi d'agreer l'Expreffion de fa haute Confideration. (Signe) HORACE SEBASTIANI. (Tranflation of Inclofure, referred to in No. 4.) Pera, i6~th September 1806. '"pHE Underfigned, General of Divifion, Ambaffa dor of His Majefty the Emperor of the French, King of Italy, has the Honour to lay before his Excellency the Reis Effendi the following Confi- derations. He has been pofitively informed, although in an indirect Manner, that the Ruffian Legation has deli vered ( 407 ) Vefed a Note to the Sublime Porte, in Which it is faid that the Emperor of Ruffia has refufed to ratify the Treaty of Peace figned at Paris by his Plenipotentiary. This Refufal places Europe in the fame Situation in which fhe was Six Weeks ago, but it unmafks the Projects of Ruffia. This Treaty of Peace ftipulated for the Independance of the Seven Iflands ; a Stipulation which removing the Ruffians from the Mediterranean, where they had eftablifhed themfelves in order to attack the Ottoman Empire at various Points, could not be acceptable to them. Ragufa was reftored to its Independance under the Protection of the Sublime Porte: this Arrange ment rendering it impoffible for the Ruffians to keep up their Intelligence with the Montenegrians and with the revolted Servians, was contrary to their Views. Doubtlefs it is the Article which ftipulates for the Independance of the Ottoman Empire and the Integrity of its Territory which has occafioned the Rejection of the Peace at Peterfburgh; Ruffia then perceived that fhe could no longer feize Pro vinces of that Empire by Force of Arms as fhe feized the Crimea, or extort them from her in Time of Peace, as fhe did with regard to Georgia and the Paffage of the Dardanelles. This Treaty of Peace, in-fine, leaving the French in Albania and Dalmatia, placed upon the Frontiers d d 4 of ( 4c8 ) of Turkey her moft ancient Ally and her . moft faithful Friend, who would have remained and will ever remain readv to defend her. — Such are the Motives which have led the Cabinet of Peterfburgh to this Refufal. I do not give way to vain Decla mation ; I lay Facts before you ; I befeech you to weigh them with all the Attention to which they are entitled. : If in thefe difficult Circumftances the Porte does not form a true Eftimate of her Dangers and of her Force, if ffie does not form the Decifion her In terefts require of her, I ffiall perhaps ere long have to lament her Fate. The Underfigned has received the moft pofitive Orders from His Majefty the Emperor of the French, King of Italy, to declare to the Sublime Porte, that , not only the Principles of Friendfhip, but thofe of the ftricteft Neutrality, require that the Bofphorus fhould be ffiut againft all Ruffian Ships of War, as well as againft every other. Veffel of that Nation, bringing Troops, Ammunition, or Provifions ; and that the faid Paffage cannot be opened to them without committing an act of Hoftility againft France, and without giving His Majefty Napoleon the Great a Right of Paffage over the Territories of the Ottoman Empire, in order to combat with the Ruffian Army on the Banks of the Dniefter. Any Renewal or Continuation of Alliance with the Enemies of France, fuch as England and Ruffia, would ( 4®9 ) would be not only a manifeft Violation of the Neu trality, but an Acceffion on the Part of the Sublime Porte to the War which thofe Powers wage againft France, and his Majefty would fee himfelf compelled to take Meafures conformable to his Interefts and his Dignity. The Sublime Porte cannot maintain her Relations with Two Millions from Naples, and his Majefty the Emperor of the French cannot fuffer his auguft Brother, Napoleon Jofeph King of Naples and the Two Sicilies, to meet with Difficulties here which he does not experience from any Power in Amity with France. His Majefty the Emperor has a large Army in Dalmatia ; this Army is collected for the Defence of the Ottoman Empire, unlefs an equivocal Con* duct on the Part of the Porte, and a Condefcenfion towards Ruffia and England, which might again throw Her into their Power, ffiould compel his Majefty the Emperor of the French to bring for ward his formidable Forces for a Purpofe totally oppofite to that which he had in View. His Majefty has ordered the Underfigned to ftate to the Sublime Porte in the moft friendly, though energetic Manner, thefe Demands, for the Purpofe of obtaining an Anfwer in Writing, and it is ex pected that 'this Anfwer fhall be pofitive and cate gorical. No ( 4i© ) No further Delay can be allowed ; and his Ma-' jefty has no doubt that the Sublime Porte will give him the Affurances he defires, and which are fo much in Unifon with the Interefts of the Ottoman Empire. The Underfigned has no Wifh to make a vain Difplay of the formidable Forces of the great Napo leon ; his Friends know how to eftimate their Im portance ; his Enemies have felt their Power. The Genius of his auguft Mafter is well known ; his Determinations are wife and prompt, his perfonal Attachment to his Highnefs is fincere. He only feeks the Independance, the Integrity, and the Glory of Turkey. He defires nothing. He afks nothing. What Inducements to an Union with him ! At the fame Time what Reafon to apprehend- the Lofs of his Goodwill by adopting a timid, uncertain, or mimical Line of Conduct ! Under thefe Circum ftances the Anfwer of the Sublime Porte will regu late the Conduct of my auguft Mafter. Let not the Threats of the Enemies of France impofe upon the Sublime Porte ; they have been vanquished, and they will ever be fo. The great Napoleon will em ploy all his Refources for the Glory of his Highnefs Selim III. his Friend ; and his Refources are im- menfe, his Genius is ftill greater. This Note is of fufficient importance to he fub- mitted to the profound Wifdom of his Majefty the Emperor ( 4H ) Emperor Selim III. and your Excellency is requefted to take the earlieft Opportunity of laying it before him. The Underfigned requefts his Excellency the Reis Effendi to accept the Affurance of, his high Confideration. (Signed) HORACE SEBASTIANI. No. 5. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Mr. Secretary Fox. Buyukdere, 17th Octo ber 1806. — Received 2d January 1807. N the 1 5th Inftant a Conference with M. d'lta-i linfky took place according to Appointment. The Ex-Chiaya Bey was prefent, and there was ftill an Effort made to negotiate. The R.uffian Mi nifter, however, would of courfe liften to nothing but the immediate and unconditional Reftoration of the Hofpodars, which before they parted was agreed to in the Manner that he required. ( 412 ) No. 6. EXTRACT of aDifpatch from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Lord VifcountHowick, dated Fera, ift Decem ber 1806". TN the fhort Difpatch which I wrote to your Lord fhip on the 25th of laft Month, I had the Honour of informing you that I was in daily Expectation of the Arrival of Admiral Louis with a Squadron at the Dardanelles. At the Time I was writing to your Lordffiip, the. Squadron, confifting of Three Line of Battle Ships, was anchored off Tenedos ; from whence, however, in confequence of a Letter from me, it was imme diately removed to the Dardanelles, and the Admiral himfelf having left Two of his Ships at that Place, came up in the Canopus to Conftantinople. He arrived here on Friday Evening the 27 th Ul timo,' and his Ship, together with the Endymion, is now at Anchor in this Harbour, ( 4^3 ^ No. 7. DISPATCH from Lord Vifcount Howick to the Right Honourable Charles Ar buthnot, dated 14th November 1806. Sir, \7"OUR Difpatches to No. 69. inclufive, have been received and laid before the King. In Obedience to His Majefty's Commands, I have the greateft Pleafure in expreffing to you His Royal Approbation of the whole of your Conduct in the Difcuffions which have taken place between Ruffia and the Porte. It is much to be lamented that any Thing ffiould pccur to divide, and perhaps to turn againft each other, the Efforts of thofe Powers which a Senfe of their mutual Interefts fhould unite againft the com mon Enemy ; and on this Account, however ad- yerfe the Conduct of the Turkiffi Government may have been to any Expectation of its Succefs, every practicable Mode of calm and amicable Remon- flrance fhould be ufed in the Hope of recalling the Porte to a better Policy. The fatal Effects of French Influence in the Councils of other Powers are riot in want of any Illuftration; and indeed if the Situatiqn of fo many Nations, ( 414 ) Nations, once independent, and now the Vaffals of France, did not place in the moft ftriking View the Nature of the Security to be derived from an Alli ance with that Power, whilft, it holds a Pofition ena bling it to act offenfivelv againft the Object of its promifed Protection ; the little Difguife obferved by M. Sebaftiani would alone be fufficient to open the Eyes of any Government not abfolutely blind to its own Prefervation. It is diftinctly avowed in the Note of that Minifter, that the Poffeffion of Dal- matia and Albania by the French, whilft it is afferted to be for the Defence of the Porte, may at any Time be ufed for its Deftruction. Even the Offer of Protection is accompanied by a. direct Menace of Attack on the Turkifh Dominions ; if the Porte does not at once renounce its Connexion with Allies whofe powerful and difinterefted Support ,it has already experienced, and become unfaithful to its fubfifting Engagements. The evident Tendency of fuch Conduct on the Part of the French Government, and the Effect it muft inevitably produce with refpect to the Allies, if J the Porte fhould yield to an Influence fo fatal to its Security, are very properly pointed out in the Notes which you have delivered. You will imme diately ftate that they have met with the decided Ap probation of this Government; and you will add, that there can exift but little Hope of preferving the Relations of Amity between the Two Powers, whilft a Minifter, whofe Influence has already been fo pre judicial ( 415 ) judicial to the Friendfhip fubfifting between them, is fuffered to remain at Conftantinople. The infult- ing and faithlefs Propofitions made by M.Sebaftianii which it is much to be regretted the Porte did not immediately reject with Indignation, juftify the Allies in requiring that he ffiould be removed. You will therefore, in enforcing the Reprefentations Which you are hereby inftructed to make, on the Neceffity of immediate Satisfaction with refpect to the juft Demands of Ruffia, urge this Point alfo in the ftrongeft Manner, as of the greateft Importance to the Prefervation of a good Underftanding between the Two Powers. It was thought right to lofe no Time in forward ing to you this Difpatch, at the fame Time that an additional Naval Force is preparing to be fent to Lord Collingwood, which may enable him to detach a fufficient Squadron to Conftantinople, to give weight to, and if neceffary to enforce an Acquief cence in your Reprefentations. Whether it may be prudent immediately to avow this Intention, it will be for you to confider. The Commercial Eftabliffiments formed by Britiffi Sub jects in the Turkiffi Dominions, and the Danger to which their Perfons as well as their Properties may be expofed from the Violence of a Power reftrained by none of thofe Rules of Conduct which govern civilized Nations, will not fail to be duly Weighed by you in forming your Determination. When ( 4»6 ) When this Force fails, further Inftructions will be fent to you, which the additional Information that may be expected will probably enable me to apply with more Certainty to the exifting Circum ftances. In the mean Time, as a Rupture appears but too probable, you will take all neceffary Meafures of Precaution for fecuring every Thing that belongs to your Miffion, and for guarding the Perfons and Property of the Britiffi Merchants againft any Injisry. I am preparing Inftructions relative to the Dra gomans, and other Objects mentioned in your for mer Difpatches, which fhall be fent by the earlieft Opportunity. (Signed) HOWICK, P. S. I have every Reafon to expect that the propofed Reinforcement to- Lord Colling- wood will fail in Four or Five Days, and his Lordffiip will have Orders immediately to detach a fufiicient Squadron to the Dar danelles. ( 4*7 ) No. Si DISPATCH from Lord Vifcoilnt Howick to the Right Honourable Charles Ar^ buthnot, dated 20th November i8e6.* Downing Street, Sir, November 2 oth 1 8 o 6\ HpHE Particulars of the late Conduct of the Porte* as detailed in your Difpatches, have engaged the moft ferious Attention of this Government; they but too clearly demonftrate the Prevalence of the French Influence in the Divan, and iiripofe on Ffis Majefty the Neceffity of taking the moft prompt and vigorous Meafures for the Security of His own Interefts, and for the Fulfilment of His Engagements to His Ally the Emperor of Ruffia. You have been already apprized of the King's Intention to fend a powerful Squadron to Conftan tinople for this Purpofe. The Departure of that Squadron now enables me to furniffi you with thefe further Inftructions for your Conduct. You will immediately on its Arrival declare to the Turkifh Government the Reafons which have in duced His Majefty to take this Meafure. You will ftate that the Britifh Fleet comes either to attack or * Not received by Mr, Arbuthnot until after he had quitted Conftantinople, £ E defend, ( 4»8 ) defend, as the Conduct of the Porte ffiall determine ; that it would always be more confonant with the moft earneft Wiffies of His Majefty's Heart, to appear rather in the Character of a Friend than an Enemy to a Power whom Intereft fhould unite with Him in Support of the common Caufe, and with whom the increafed Dangers of the prefent Crifis would difpofe His Majefty to ftrengthen the Bonds of His Alliance ; but that the Determination of which of thefe Cha racters His Majefty is to affume muft now reft with the Porte ; and that His Majefty feels Himfelf under the Neceffity of peremptorily propofing this Alter native, either the Influence of France muft ceafe, or the Friendfhip fo long eftabliffied between the Two Powers, a Friendfhip beneficial to both, but emi nently advantageous to theTurkifh Government, can no longer continue. Nor are the Proofs which His Majefty requires of the Deftruction of an Influence fo fatal to the beft Interefts of the Porte, unreafonable in themfelves, or difficult to be given. They confift fimply in a faith ful Obfervance of the Engagements which the Porte has contracted with the Allies. By Treaty the Porte is bound not to difpoffefs the Hofpodars of Wallachia and Moldavia for a certain Time, or without the Confent of Ruffia. By Treaty the Porte is alfo bound to permit the Paffage of Ruffian Ships of War, with the neceffary Tranfports to convey Stores and Pro vifions, through the Canal of Conftantinople. Let ( 4^9 ) Let the depofed Hofpodars be re-inftated in the Governments of which they have been uhjuftly dif- poffeffed. Let the Paffage of the Ruffian Ships be granted, free from Impediment, according to the Terms of the Treaty, and all Appearance of Hofti lity on the Part of Great Britain ffiall imihediately Ceafe. Upon thefe Two Points, therefore, you will im mediately and peremptorily infift, as indifpenfable to the Continuance of Peace. Upon receiving a fatis factory Anfwer, you will declare that the Britiffi Squadron fhall remain only fo long as its Prefence may be neceffary for the Security and Protection of the Porte itfelf ; and you will give the ftrongeft Affurances of His Majefty's Support and Affiftance, if the Turkiffi Government, adopting a better Policy, fhould difengage itfelf from its Connections with France. But if this Satisfaction fhould unfortunately be refufed, or improperly delayed, you will deliver in a Note recapitulating the Complaints which His Majefty has to urge againft the Porte, and declaring your Miffion to be at an End ; and taking Care, as far as niay be poffible, to fecure the Perfons and Property belonging to it, as well as to the Britifh Factory, you will retire on board the Fleet, or to a Place of Safety, and immediately fignify to the Britifh Admiral, that Hoftilities are to commence. There are indeed other Points which, even if the Porte fhould acquieiee in the Demands which you e e 2 are ( 4*° ) are above more particularly inftructed to make, muft not be overlooked ; and particularly the Removal of M. Sebaftiani from Conftantinople, and the Renewal of the Treaty with Great Britain. The firft, more efpecially, ffiould be much infilled on, as of the utmoft Importance to a Prefervation of the good Underftanding between the Two Powers ; but neither of them are fuch as, if the principal Objects in Difpute are conceded, would of themfelves juftify a Declaration of War. The former Part of thefe Inftructions having been Written in the Hope that the Ruffian Minifter may not yet have quitted Conftantinople, it ftill remains for me to provide for the Cafe of War having actual ly begun between Ruffia and the Porte. In this cafe you will offer the Mediation of His Majefty on the Ground of immediate Compliance with the two principal Demands above referred to, viz. the Reftitution of the Hofpodars, and the free Paffage of Ruffian Ships to and from the Black Sea. Should this Offer be accepted, you will immediately difpatch a confidential Ptrfon to the General com manding the Ruffian Army, and to M. Italinfky, if he ffiould be in a Situation to receive fuch a Com munication, requefting a Sufpenfion of Hoftilities for the Purpofe of commencing a Negotiation for Peace, for the Conclufion of which you will continue to employ your good Offices. — If, on the contrary, this juft Offer ffiould be rejected, you will, as in the 3 former ( 421 ) former cafe, terminate your Miffion, and fend the neceffary Information to the Officer commanding His Majefty's Ships of War, that he may proceed, according to his Inftructions, to enforce, by the Power of the Britiffi Navy, thofe fair and equitable Demands, a Compliance with which it would have been fo much more fatisfactory to His Majefty to have obtained from the Porte through a Senfe of its own Intereft, and an Acknowledgement of their Moderation and Juftice. Should the Turkiffi Go vernment unhappily perfevere in liftening to the Councils of France, His Majefty is confident, that the Events which muft follow cannot be imputed to Great Britain or Ruffia: Their Conduct towards the Porte has been uniformly that of the moft difinter- efted Friendfhip, and the Porte has, in more than one Inftance, experienced the Efficacy of their Power in defending her againft the Defigns of France. Thofe Defigns, though not now purfued by open Force, are not lefs apparent than when France, faithlefs to her Engagements at the fame Time that ffie iafolently profeffed to act as an Ally of the Porte, invaded and conquered one of the Dependencies of the Turkiffi Empire ; that Conqueft was wrefted from her, and reftored to the Porte, by the fuccefsful Arms and generous Policy of Great Britain. In the fame Spirit the Allies have ftill continued to act towards the Porte, and that Government muft be under the Influence of a Blindnefs hardly to be conceived if, in oppofition to fuch recent Experience and to her moft evident Interefts? ffie ffiall reject an Alliance in £ s 3 which ( 422 ) which flie has hitherto found Security and Honour, under the Belief that either can be attained under the promifed Protection of France. Are the De figns of France doubtful ? Let the Pofition which flie occupies in Dalmatia and Albania, which cannot be ftated to be in any Way neceffary to the Security pf her own Frontier — let the Language of M. Sebaftiani himfelf, declaring that, from that Point offenfive Meafures may be taken, and openly threat ening the Deftruction of the Turkifh Empire — anfwer that Queftion. The Proofs of the Defigns of France are indeed too numerous to be recited, and the Invafion of Egypt ferves as an Example of the Attempts which that Government is prepared to make, not on that Country only, but on Greece, on Syria, and on other valuable Dependencies of the Turkiffi Empire. In fuch a Situation of Affairs, the Intrigues and the Menaces of France equally render any temporizing Meafures impracticable ; the Porte is placed in a Situation in which a real Neutrality can no longer be preferved, and ffie muft choofe between thofe Powers whofe Friendfhip ffie has experienced, and thofe whofe Promifes ffie has fo much Reafon to diftruft. Againft France, more fatal to the In terefts of Turkey as an infidious Friend than as an open Enemy, His Majefty and His auguft Ally have offered their generous Protection, and having ex- haufted all the Means of Conciliation confiftent with their Interefts and their Honour, His Majefty awaits the Refult, whatever it may be, with an entire ( 423 ) entire Confidence, that the uniform Difintereftednefs of His Intentions will be fully manifefted to the World. I am, &c. (Signed) HOWICK. The Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot. No. 9. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Pera, 27th January 1807. T ATE at Night on the 23d Inft. my Servant arrived with your Lordffiip's Difpatch of the j 4th of laft November. It has been the higheft Gratification to me to learn from your Lordffiip that my Conduct has met with His Majefty's Approbation. Your Lordffiip will have the Goodnefs, I hope, to take an Opportunity of expreffing to His Majefty my deep Senfe of this diftinguifhed Favour, and you will allow me at the fame Time to offer my fincere Thanks to yourfelf for the obliging Manner in which you made to me fo flattering a Communication, e £ 4 After ( 4*4 ) After the Receipt of your Lordffiip's Difpatch I loft no Time in afkjng for a Conference. It was fixed for the 25th Inftant; and on my Arrival at the Porte I found Ifmet Bey, the Reis Effendi, the Chiaya Bey, and the Ex-Chiaya Bey, all af- fembled. As the Conference lafted more than Four Hours, it would require a Length of Time to fet down on Paper all that was faid on that Occafion. Being anxious to inform your Lordffiip without Delay of my having received your Inftructions, and having alfo to forward my Eight preceding Difpatches, which have been detained till now by a contrary Wind, I ffiall for the prefent do little more than refer to the Contents of the Letter herewith inclofed, which was fent by me Yefterday to the R eis Effendi. Indeed that Letter may give a tolerable Idea of what paffed at the Conference ; for the Ottoman Minifters, who of late had been difpleafed at what they called my perfonal Partiality to Ruffia, and who all along have expreffed their Conviction that His Majefty was not acting in concert with Ruffia, were now fo amazed and dejected, that they did not utter a fingle Word which is worth repeating to your Lordfhip. They confined themfelves entirely to their ufual Profeffions of Friendfhip for His Majefty ; to the Complaints, which I . had often heard before of the Treatment they had received from Ruffia ; and to Excufes for their own Conduct, grounded on the Changes which have taken place in Europe. They ( 425 ) They declared, however, that they could give no official Anfwer until the Sultan's Pleafure had been known. Lhave only to obferve, in Addition to what your Lordffiip will find in my Letter to the Reis Effendi, that as it was left to my Difcretion, either to an nounce or to conceal the approaching Arrival of a fecond Squadron, I determined on the former after fome Deliberation. I was convinced that the only Chance of opening the Eyes of the Porte would arife from its being proved that His Majefty's final Refoiution had been taken ; and for this Reafon, I made to the Ottoman Minifters the Communication in Queftion, and read to them fuch Parts of Your Lordffiip's Difpatch as •would be right for them to know. Your Lordffiip left it alfo to my Difcretion how to act with refpect to the eventual Departure of the Merchants, I knew that many of them had out- ftanding Debts to a confiderable Amount, and here in particular, it would be impoffible to fettle their Accounts at a ffiort Warning. I therefore informed the Porte that I ffiould immediately prepare our Factories for their Departure, which had likewife the Effect of ffiewing that His Majefty's Government was really ferious ; and I obtained a folemn Promife that, ffiould it be neceffary, the Britifh Merchants, as had ( 426 ) had been the Cafe with the Ruffians, fhould have Firmans to pafs the Dardanelles. I have fince made known to the Factory here the prefent State of Things ; and ffiould His Majefty's Subjects be ultimately obliged to leave the Country, I will take every poffible Care to procure for them the Means of departing in Safety. I am no lefs attentive to the Factory at Smyrna, and to the Britifli commercial Eftabliffiments at the other States of this Empire. (Inclofure referred to in No. 9.) LETTER from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot tc his Excellency the Reis Effendi, dated Pera, 26th January, 1807. Sir, "VrOUR Excellency expreffed a Defire of receiving in Writing, the Subftance of what I had the Flonour of ftating to you in our Conference of Yefterday. In compliance with this Defire, I ffiall recall to your Recollection the feveral Topics which, by my Sovereign's Orders, I had to lay before you; and in again pointing out the Line of Conduct which His Majefty expects from the Porte, I. ffiall, in their very Wordss repeat the Orders which I have now received, ( 427 ) received, and which, as they admit but of one Con- ftruftion, it will be my Duty moft literally and moft faithfully to obey. That your Excellencyand the other Minifters who affifted at the Conference might underftand more clearly the Motives which had induced His Majefty, after a long enduring Patience, to change His Con duct towards the Porte, it was neceffary for me to allude to the firft Conference I had after my Arrival jn this Country. I told you that Mahmood, who was then Reis Effendi, had fearcely given me Time to leave the Frigate, before he invited me to a Con ference ; that his firft Queftion was, whether I was authorized to renew the Treaty ; and that to give me a convincing Proof of the Sultan's Defire to continue that Connection with His Majefty, which had already. been productive of fuch ineftimable Benefit's to this Empire, he read to me a Note from his Hignefs to the Vizir, which had been written as I was coming round the Point of the Seraglio, and which, as I remember well, contained thefe Words i " I fee that the Ambaffador of my Friend the King " of England is arrived ; let my Reis Effendi fee him <* immediately, and let me know whether he has " brought Powers to renew the Treaty." I ffiould not prefume to quote the Words of the Sultan's Note, if even One of them had efcaped my Memory; but his Highnefs I am fure will own the Accuracy of my Statement, and in revolving in his Mind the Feelings by which he was then influenced, he will regret tit » t ( 428 ) regret perhaps that new Counfellors foon infpired other Sentiments. I then informed you of the Anfwer which I had given to Mahmood ; and which, notwithftanding it contained the moft fatisfactory Reafons for my not having been able to be myfelf the Bearer of full Powers, and was expreffive of my Conviction that they would foon arrive, was received however by that Minifter with Marks of Mortification which could not but prove that he, no lefs than his Mafter, was aware that an Alliance with England was the only Means of infuring Profperity to this Empire. To fave your Excellency the Trouble of reading the long Details into which I was obliged to enter Yefterday, I fhall pafs rapidly over all that intervened between that Conference with Mahmood, and the Arrival at Conftantinople of the prefent French Ambaffador : Not that I confider the Events which happened during that Period as of inferior Import ance, and am therefore inclined to notice them but flightly : I feel on the contrary that the Conduct of the Ottoman Government in regard to thofe Events, has been the caufe of all the Evil which we are now witneffing ; and as that Conduct has been no lefs lamented by your Excellency than by me, it would be with yourfelf that I ought chiefly to difcufs it. To you, indeed, I might with peculiar Propriety ex* prefs my Feelings of Sorrow that the wife Principles which I heard from you on your firft Entrance into Office, ( A^9 ) Office, have either been forgotten, or, what I think is more probable, have unfortunately been oppofed by fuperior Influence. But to fave Time and to fave you Trouble, I ffiall briefly obferve that confiftently with what I had declared to Mahmood, full Powers for negociating the Treaty did almoft immediately arrive. Though your Excellency was not then in Office, you are not ignorant of the Joy which was expreffed when it was known that my Sovereign was willing to renew his Connexions with the Sultan. You remember well that the Approach of the Ramazan alone prevented the immediate Commencement of the Negotiation ; and you are equally aware, that when that Time of religious Retirement was expired, the Sentiments of the Ottoman Minifters had entirely changed ; and that, without frankly confeffing the real Truth, there was an Attempt to juftify Delay by the moft abfurd Pretences. You know that the Misfortunes which had happened to Auftria (inftead of being confidered as additional Reafons for confolidating that Syftem which in Times of Danger had proved the fureft Bulwark of this Empire,) were the Signal on the contrary for abandoning the Principles which till then had influenced the Ottoman Councils. As if total Blindnefs had been produced by a fudden Panic, this Government abandoned the Security which had been derived from acting in Conjunction with its Allies; and imaginary Perils gave place to real ones, when a Connexion with that Power was fought, whofe ( 430 ) whofe Profeffions of Friendfhip have uniformly beeii more baneful than its open Enmity, By referring to the Minutes of the Conferences which I had at the Time with your immediate Pre- deceffor, your Excellency will find that when I diftovered the Intention to deceive me ; far from infifting upon a Renewal of the Treaty, I expreffed ho more than the Senfe I juftly entertained of the Indignity which had been offered to my Sovereign, and only demanded an explicit Avowal of the real Determination of this Government. Such an Avowal the Minifters of that Day were not inclined to make to me ; nor even did they think it neceffary to advife the Sultan to open his Mind confidentially to my Sovereign, though fome valid Reafons were undoubtedly wanting, as an Explana tion for declining to renew the Treaty which here and not in England had been fo earneftly defired ; though I as a Friend had pointed out that a Letter to that Effect ought in Prudence to be written ; and though, as recent Facts have proved, there is not the fame Unwillingnefs to addrefs His Majefty when His powerful Interference is wanted, as was evinced when an Offence againft Him was to be accounted for and explained. But the Advifers of his Highnefs were then other- wife engaged. They were wholly occupied in re ceiving, with Signal Marks of Diftin&ion, the Perfon who ( 431 ) who had come to demand the Acknowledgment of Bonaparte's new Imperial Title, and in preparing the Anfwer which was to announce to that Chief of the French Nation, that his Demand had without Hefita- tion been agreed to. It is true that both to M. d'ltalinfky and to me Communications were made of Bonaparte's Over ture ; and as it came from the Head, of a Govern ment with which the Porte ought at- leaft not to have confidered herfelf as on Terms of Friendfhip, for Treaties with Great Britain and Ruffia were exifting by which fhe had exprefsly ftipulated that their Enemies fhould be hers, it was not unreafon able to fuppofe that in the Communication made to us there was a Defire to confult our Opinion. Our Anfwers were not delayed, for the Danger of becoming thus connected with the French Go vernment was fufficiently evident without Delibera tion. With a Warning, and as it now appears, with a prophetic Voice, we cautioned the Ottoman Government againft the Admiffion of a Minifter whofe unceafing Efforts would be to fow Diffenfion between the Porte and her Allies : but though Twenty-four Hours 1 ad not elapfed between the Time of the Communications made by the Porte, and of our Anfwers, the Deed had been already done ; and in an evil Hour a laft and fatal Blow had been given to the Syftem which the Sultan's Enemy, as ( 432 ) as well as ours, had fo long and fo uneeafingly been" endeavouring to undermine. It was then that the Triple Alliance may be faid to have been virtually diffolved ; and then was pre pared that new State of Things which we are now ¦witoeffmg, and which, from the Effects it has already produced, does not argue great Wifdom in its Contrivers. Tired out with fuch conftant Failure in our En deavours to fave the Porte from the falfe Meafures -ffie was purfuing, the Ruffian Minifter and I would both of us have gladly been relieved from long and unfuccefsful Labours. But ftill it was our Duty to have conftant Difcuffions with the Porte ; and ftill had we to lament that all our Efforts to ob tain Juftice for our Governments, and to infpire Councils wifer for herfelf, were equally without $vail. On commercial Subjects : — On that of Protec tions, in regard to which my Sovereign in particular was treated with Difrefpe£t, for, to gratify the Porte,* He had voluntarily abandoned long enjoyed Privi leges : On the Right to carry the Ruffian Flag,, which my Colleague had to affert : On the Paffage of Ruffian Ships of War through the Bofphorus* though it formed an Article of a Treaty but juft renewed ; On all thefe Subjects, and on various others C 433 ) others which could be enumerated, I and the Ruffian Minifter had daily to remonftrate with the Porte ; and, as your Excellency well knows, it was fearcely ever that we rernonftrated with Effect. Indeed fo notorious was the Difinclination of the late Minifters to give >us Satisfaction with refpect to cur juft Demands, that your Excellency at our firft Meeting affured me in Expreflions which did you Honour, " that the Time of evil Conduct was gone by, and " that the Commencement of your Miniftry ffiould " make an Epoch more worthy of the Sultan, and " more fatisfactory to his Allies." Your Excellency I am confident was fincere in thefe Profeffions : To give them Effect you wanted only that Influence which I wiffied you to obtain ; but which was ftill poffeffed by Perfons who had had their Share in feparating the Sultan from his Allies; and who having now to work in fecret, unchecked by the Refponfibility attached to public Situations, had thereby the Means of baffling more effectually your Efforts as well as ours. I come now to the Event whiah was naturally to be the Confequence of the Acknowledgment of Bonaparte's Title. I allude to General Sebaftiani's Arrival. He found the Minifters of the Allies in- jurioufly .treated by the Porte.; and it was not to be expected that, after he was prefent, the Conduct towards their Governments wrould be improved;; .and in effect his Arrival was the Signal for thofe J f more ( 434 ) more overt Acts of Aggreffion which have fo juftly excited the Difpleafure of our Sovereigns. I fhall pafs by unnoticed the Attentions ffiewn to the new Ambaffador ; they were irregular and unprecedented ; but I feel that they were more difgraceful to thofe to whofe Inftigation they were Owing, than it has been difreputable to us not to fhare them. But I ffiall confine myfelf to thofe Two Acts by which the Embaffy of M. Sebaftiani has been principally marked. To the Note he prefented on the 1 6th of laft September, and to the Depofi tion of the Hofpodars, which was fo equally his Deed that he did not fcruple to take the Qlory of it. Reflecting the Note, I need fay the lefs, as the Ottoman Minifters had at the Time my written Sen timents on the Subject ; as your Excellency and your Colleagues faw Yefterday in the Inftructions fent to me from England, that thofe Sentiments had met with the moft decided Approbation of His Ma jefty's Government ; and as, what is far more de ferring your Attention, you have from the very Words of His Majefty's Cabinet Minifter learnt the Effect which the Conduct of the Porte with regard to that Note had produced in England. You have feen that the infulting and faithlefs Propofitions made by M. Sebaftiani ought, in the Opinion of my Government, to have been immediately rejected with Indignation; and you have perceived that little Hope ( 435 ) Hope was entertained of preferving the Relations of Amity between the Two Powers, whilft a Mi nifter, whofe Influence had already been fo preju dicial to the Friendfhip fubfifting between them, was fuffered to remain at Conftantinople. On the other Subject, that of the Hofpodars I mean, it will be neceffary to re-ftate to you as accu rately as I am able, what I mentioned Yefterday. It is true that you did reftore them ; but may I not afk, as I have done before, whether the Unwillingnefs manifefted to repair the Injury you had committed, and whether the Time which was allowed to elapfe before you could be perfuaded to give new Effect to violated Engagements, were not fufficient Grounds for Sufpicion, and fufficiently ftrong Motives for demanding fome more folid Security ? May I not afk, whether this Sufpicion has not fince been fully juftified, and whether in your Notes and Manifeftoes, you have not avowed the Reluctancy you felt in ful filling your moft folemn Treaties? Our Governments were not to be deceived. The Confidence I had placed in the Affurances of your Excellency, and your unqualified Difapprobation of that Conduct towards Ruffia, which is now repre fented as perfectly juftifiable, had led me to give the praife of Sincerity to this Government, which I find to have been ill deferved. But our Sovereigns did not partake of the Delufion which, I muft fairly own, had blinded their Minifters. They had not f f 2 heard i 436 ) heard the ftrong and repeated Profeffions of your Excellency ; they had only to calculate the Time which had paffed in Negotiation, and to obferve the Difficulties which we had every Inftant to encounter, and they had already obtained too convincing Proofs, that the Influence inimical to the Friendffiip between the Sultan and his Allies it ill prevailed. They re folved therefore on fuch Meafures as would remove all Doubt as to the real Defigns of the Porte ; and thefe Meafures were to be accompanied with fuch Declarations as cannot but prove that, notwithftand- ing all that has happened, Friendffiip, and not En mity, is their real Object. General Michelfon marched into Moldavia, and, in the Proclamation which he then iffued, you will have found the Terms on which the Emperor has offered the Renewal of his Friendffiip. You would have heard the fame from his late Minifter at this Court, if you had not hurried him from your Country ; and if, in Contradiction to the folemn Affurances given to me, you had not rafhly com mitted an Act of Hoftility by the Seizure of the Ruffian Brig, which had been the Bearer of ex planatory Difpatches. Of what is expected from you by my Sovereign,.: I had the Honour of informing you Yefterday. You know the Reafons why His Majefty feels him felf juftified in requiring the Removal of M. Se-. baftiani. He is convinced, as I have already told you, C 437 ) you, that the Prefence of that Minifter is incom patible with the Exiflence of Friendffiip between the Porte and the Allies ; and he thinks with the Emperor, that a falfe and hollow Peace would be worfe than open War. It is therefore for the Porte to make her Choice between France and the Allies. Should the Boaftings of France continue to be credited ; fhould Faith be placed in her Profeffions of Friendffiip, and ffiould the Menaces which ac company thofe Profeffions excite no Alarm ; then, moft probably, His Majefty's Offer will be rejected, and General Sebaftiani will remain. Should there, however, be fome Recollection of what Ruffian Armies have atchieved, and of what Britifh Fleets have been known to execute, it may occur to the Porte that her late Conduct has not been wife. She may, as I faid Yefterday, then wifh to place herfelf in that Situation in which I found her when I firft arrived. She has ftill the Means of doing it. She has only to comply with the juft Demands of His Ma jefty and the Emperor ; and both thefe Sovereigns Will, with greater Joy; concert Meafures for her De fence, than they have now concerted thofe which they found effential to their Interefts. F f 3 I might ( 43§ ) I might now conclude, for I have retraced to your Excellency nearly the Whole of what I ftated in my Conference, and I feel that I have fully executed all my Inftructions. But I cannot clofe the laft Letter which perhaps I may ever write to your Ex cellency, without exhorting you to exert that In fluence which belongs to your high and diftin- guiffied Situation. Make thofe feel whofe Errors have caufed the Evil which is now impending, that, whatever Changes may have taken place in Europe, there are none which ought to affect the ancient Syftem of this Empire. Make them underftand, that the Armies of Ruffia being concentrated are be come more powerful, and that Great Britain has not loft the Means of protecting her Allies, and of injuring her Enemies. Your Excellency, by en forcing thefe Truths, may be the Saviour of your Country. You may renew the Friendffiip which had exifted between the Sultan and his Allies ; and you may thus render even to my Sovereign a moft grateful Service. His Majefty's Regard for the Sul tan remains unaltered. It has been with Grief that he has been forced to Meafures fo little confonant to His perfonal Feelings ; but He was aware, that it was the Duty of a Sovereign to make every Sacrifice to the Honour of His Crown, and the Interefts of His People. He would rejoice if His private Wifhes could be made to accord with His public Sentiments ; and it may, I truft, be your Excellency's work to deftroy the Effeas of evil Councils, and to renew thofe happy Days^when Great Britain and Ruffia were ( 439 ) were united in fuccefsfully endeavouring to promote the Interefts of this Empire. I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) CHARLES ARBUTHNOT. No. 10. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Lord Vifcount Flowick, dated Canopus, off Tenedos, 3d February 1807. — Received 2d May by Mr. Secretary Canning. *"pHE Difpatch which I wrote on the 27th of laft Month will have informed your Lordffiip of my having received your Inftructions of the 14th of November, and of the Conference which immedi ately after their Arrival I had with feveral of the Ottoman Minifters. It is ndW neceffary that I ffiould ftate my Reafons for having joined His Majefty's Squadron, inftead of remaining at my Poft until I had been or dered to quit it by your Lordfhip ; and I feel per fectly confident that my Conduct on this Occafion will not fubject me to any Cenfure. F ¦ f 4 I fhall ( 44° 3 I fhall be able to prove clearly that there was an avowed Defign to cut off my Communication with His Majefty's Governmsnt ; an I I fhall hare to relate fome other Circumltances which will make it no lefs evident, that I was refiding in a Country where, in direct Conjunction with our Enemy, Mea fures of Hoftility againft His Majefty had been al ready organized. As the laft Difpatches which I tranfmitted to your Lordffiip were of confiderable Importance, it was thought advifeable that a Firman or Paffport fhould be procured for the Officer of the Endy- mion, who was to convey them by Sea to Admiral Louis. I accordingly directed Mr. Pifani to apply for a Firman, and to prevent any Delay on the Part of the Porte, I fent him to the Reis Effendi very early in the Morning of the 27 th of January, it being my Intention that the Boat with my Difpatches fhould leave Conftantinople on the Evening of the fame Day. Inftead of bringing me the Firman, Mr. Pifani came to me about Five o'Clock in the Afternoon, to let me know that he had not fucceeded in his Application ; that he hoped however to have better Succefs on the follow;ng Day, but that the Reis Effendi feemed to diflike my tranfrnitting any Dif patches to England, as my writing fo immediately after { 44i ) after my Conference, and before I had an Anfwer from the Porte, gave ground for Apprehenfion that I was not inclined to an amicable Termination of our Differences. Not having at the Moment any Idea that the Porte 'could really intend decidedly to refufe a Fir man, I had no Scruple in authorizing Mr. Pifani to affure the Reis Effendi in Writing, and to give my Word of Honour for the Truth of what he was to advance, that I could not delay fending a Meffenger to your Lordffiip, as I had feveral Difpatches to tranfmit which had been prepared before the Ar rival of the late Inftructions from England ; and that with refpect to thofe Inftructions, I had merely informed my Government of what had paffed at our Conference, but that I had fcrupuloufly avoided to give any Opinion as to the Nature of the Anfwer which I was expecting to receive. I was anxious to make it clear to the Porte that I had not acted fo unfairly as to prejudge the Queftion ; and your Lordffiip will in fact have feen that I confined myfelf to a bare Statement of what had paffed, without venturing to form a Conjecture whether the De mands I had made would be agreed to or refufed. Mr. Pifani wrote that Evening to the Reis Effendi and very early in the Morning of the 28 th he went to the Porte for the Purpofe of renewing his Appli cation for a Firman, and with the Hope that the explanatory Letter which I had enabled him to write, ( 44* ) write, would certainly have removed every Diffi culty. It did not appear however, that my Affurances had produced the defired Effect. The Reis Effendi could not continue to alledge the fame Excufe for delaying to deliver the Firman, but now he took another Ground, and after keeping Mr. Pifani wait ing at jhe Porte the whole of the Day, he at kft did not fcruple to fay, that in the actual State of Affairs it would be extremely embarraffing for the Porte if I held a Communication with the Admiral of the Britifh Squadron. It might, he obferved, be my Intention to write in fuch Terms to the Admiral as would caufe Hoftilities againft the Porte, and as I had declared in my Conference that the ftricteft Union exifted between His Majefty and the Emperor of Ruffia^ Meafures might be taken, in confequence of my Letters, for the Fleets of the Two Nations to at tempt in concert the Paffage of the Dardanelles. Mr. Pifani has not. informed me whether it was in tended that all thefe Particulars ffiould be related to me ; but I recollect his faying that he was de fired by the Reis Effendi to endeavour to perfuade me that the Delivery of the Firman had only been delayed, and was not decidedly refufed. As there was not a Moment's Time to be loft I quitted Mr. Pifani, and going immediately to Cap tain ( 443 ) tain Capel, who happened fortunately to be in my Houfe, I defired him to acquaint the Officer who was to cany my Difpatches with the critical Si tuation of Affairs ; and to give him Orders to wait till it was dark, and then to fet off for the Darda nelles without a Firman. I had Hopes that the Officer by taking this Pre caution might be able to reach the Squadron with out being detained, and I have been happy to learn fince, that I was not deceived in my Expectations. With the View of afcertaining precifely what Conduct towards me I might now expect from the Porte, I immediately wrote an official Note to the, Reis Effendi, in which I required to be informed whether the not allowing me to communicate with my Government, had been owing to a Miftake, and whether any Thing of the like Nature could ever again happen. This Note, of which I herewith in clofe a Copy, was fent to the Reis Effendi, with no other Lofs of Time than what was required to have it tranflated, and it was accompanied by a Letter from me to Mr. Pifani, in which it was ex- prefsly ftated for the Information of the Porte, that it would be abfolutely impoffible for me to remain at Conftantinople, if Paffports for my Mef- fengers were refufed. In the mean Time I had heard from various Quarters that the Porte, elated by the News of a great ( 444 ) great Defeat which was faid to have been fpffered by the Ruffians on the 2 2d of December, h...d de termined not to attend to the Reprefentations which your Lordffiip had ordered me to make ; and that the Intention was to feize the Endymion, and to thwart the Operations of His Majefty's Govern ment, by keeping me and the Britifh Factory as Hoftages. As the Porte in the very recent Inftance Of M. d'ltalinfky had both verbally and in Writing made no Scruple to juftify that Treatment of Fo reign Minifters, to which, in Defiance of the Ufages eftabliffied between civilized Nations, fhe has always been aceuftomed ; and as her not violating the Rights of Nations in her Conduct towards the Ruffian Miffion, had been reprefented as a Mark of peculiar Condefcenfion, I had no reafon to ex pect that any the moft reprehenfible Meafures would be abftained from, which might afford the Means of rendering it difficult for His Majefty to defend His Interefts. Unlefs fome fuch Determination had been taken as I was informed of, it would have been difficult to account for the Boldnefs evinced by the Porte in refufing Paffports for my Meffen- gers, and it might have been ftill lefs eafy to explain her Imprudence in having avowed her Union with France, by employing in her Service the Military Talents of General Sebaftiani, and by diftinguiffiing that Ambaffador, notwithftanding what had fo re cently been faid on that Subject, by new and unex pected ( 445 ) pe£ted Honours. This Minifter of France had been appointed by the Porte to mark out the Places where new Batteries ffiould be raifed ; he had been defired to ftation the Ships where their Range of Shot would be moft deftructive ; and to prove to him that in his Perfon a Defiance fhould be given to the Englifh, he had been decorated with the Infignia of that Order which had been inftituted by the Sultan as a Token of Gratitude to His Majefty, and as a lafting Me morial of what had fo glorioufly been atchieved againft the French by the Britifh Troops in Egypt. Although I had fo many and fuch ftrong Reafons for miftrufting the Porte, and although Captain Capel had begun to be extremely alarmed for the Safety of the Endymion, it was not till about Nine o'clock in the Morning of the 29th of January, that I formed my Refoiution of endeavouring to quit Pera. I had not long refolved to do it before I learnt from a Perfon who was not likely to deceive me, that according to the Information I had already received, we were all of us really to be detained as Hoftages ; and as Mr. Pifani came foon afterwards to inform me that he could neither obtain a Fir man nor an Anfwer to my Note, the Reis Effendi - not having been prevailed upon to do more than to direct him to call again on the enfuing Day ; I had no Doubt remaining as to the Propriety of my retiring from a Poft where I was not allowed the Means of doing my Duty to my Sovereign". Bat ( 446 ) But the more I was impreffed with the indifpen fable Neceffity of taking Meafures for my Removal from Conftantinople, the more I was ftnick with the extreme Difficulty of being able to effect it. I had to provide for the Security of the Britifli Mer chants, and I had alfo to convey my own Family on. hoard of Ship without Sufpicion being given of what I was intending. As all depended upon the jSecrecy of my Plans, and as there could be no Hope of impreffing upon each Member of the Factory the Danger which would arife from a premature Difcovery, I deter mined tp have them affembled on board the Endy- mion under the Pretence of their being invited to dine there, Captain Capel having given Orders before-hand thay no One who entered the Ship ' fhould be allowed to leave it without his Permiffion. This Precaution was neceffary, as all Commu nication with the Shore was thereby prevented ; and as my Secret was confided to no One, except to Captain Capel and to another Engliffiman who had been felected to take care that none of his Coun trymen ffiould be miffing ; I was fanguine in my Expectations 'that all my Arrangements would be fuccefsful. When I had reafon to believe, that every Britifh Subject was already gone to the Endymion, I went on board myfelf, and had the Satisfaction to finds that not a fingle Perfon -was miffing. o I then ( 447 ) 1 then affetnbled the Merchants, and made them acquainted with the Motives which had induced me to withdraw them thus privately from Conftantino ple. I told them that, as the Conduct of the Porte, particularly fince it was reported that the Ruffians had been defeated in Poland, had deftroyed all Hope of Attention being paid to my Reprefenta tions, a Rupture with us muft probably enfue ; and that, in that Event, they could have expected no thing lefs than the Lofs of all their Property and Iraprifonment. I made them underftand, that by the Meafure I was purfuing, their Perfons would at any Rate be placed in Safety. The Merchants feemed to be unanimoufly of Opinion that I had acted properly. It had come to the Knowledge of many of them as well as to mine, that there was an Intention to feize the Frigate, and thus to prevent their Departure ; and as moft of them had been Witneflfes of the cruel Treatment, which in the War with France the Merchants of that Country had fuffered, they could not but congratulate them felves on finding that they were unexpectedly re lieved from fo diftreffing a Situation. Every Difcuffion refpecting our Departure being now ended, I wrote the Note to the Reis Effendi, which I intended to leave behind, and gave it to One of my Servants who was to remain at Pera, with Orders to him not to deliver it before the next Morning. I have ( 448 ) I haVe herewith the Honour of enclofing a Copy of that Note ; and I truft, that the Contents of it will appear to your Lordffiip fufficiently ex- preffive of my earneft Wifh to avoid Hoftilities. At Nine o' Clock at Night, when it was fo dark that our Departure was not likely to be perceived, Captain Capel ordered his Cables to be cut. With out troubling your Lordfhip with a long Account- of what happened to us on our Paffage, it will be fuffi cient to fay, that after having had fome Reafon to apprehend that the Capitan Pacha, who was with the Turkiffi Fleet, might attempt to detain us, we had fhe Satisfaction to find that our Salutes were re turned ; and fliortly after, it being early in the Morning of the 31ft January, we anchored in the Midft of His Majefty's Squadron, which, inftead of removing to Tenedos as was intended, had been unexpectedly obliged to remain at the Dardanelles. I cannot, help confidering it as moft fortunate that Sir Thomas Louis was ftill in fight of the Turkiffi Ships, as I much doubt whether otherwife we ffiould have been allowed to pafs without Mo- leftation. That the Capitan Pacha might know exactly the real Situation of Affairs, I fent Mr. Pifani to give him the ftrongeft Affurances in my Name, that my Removal from Conftantinople was merely a Meafure of Precaution, and that it would rejoice ¦me if the Anfwer which I was expecting from the Porte fhould permit me to return. When C 449 ) When Mr. Pifani came back from the Capitan Pacha, who had charged him with an extremely civil Meffage for the Admiral and for me, and who I really believe deprecates the Idea of a War with England, the whole Squadron weighed anchor, and we repaired to our prefent Station off Tenedos. It was right to lofe no Time in changing our Pofition, for Admiral Louis had given his Word that this Movement ffiould not be delayed, and befides, I was defirous that nothing which could be conftrued into an heftile Intention ffiould appear to be the Confe quence of my Arrival. (Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 10.) Pera, 28th January 1807. 'TpHE Underfigned, His Britannic Majefty's Am baffador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, has heard with no lefs Aftonifhment than' Concern, that the Means of communicating with his Govern ment are denied to him by the Sublime Porte. He had required a Firman for a fafe Paffage through the Dardanelles for a Boat charged with his Difpatches, and this Firman has been refufed. The Underfigned is ardently defirous of doing all that depends on him to preferve Peace between the Two Countries ; he has proved it by the concilia ting Manner in which he communicated his In- g g ftructions ( 45*' ") ftructions at the laft Conference, and which at the Time was gratefully acknowleged by the Ottoman Minifters themfelves ; and he has given equal Proofs of his friendly Difpofition by the Expreffions con tained in the Letter which he has addreffed to the Reis Effendi fince the Conference. But however anxious the Underfigned may be to terminate ami cably the Differences which have arifen between the Porte and his Government, it is a Duty which he owes to his Sovereign to refift the unjuftifiable Pretenfion of not permitting him to fend off his Meffengers as often as he may think it neceffary. The Underfigned infifts therefore, on being im mediately informed in Writing, whether the Re fufal of a Firman has been owing to a Miftake, and whether a like Refufal can ever again happen. 1 The Underfigned affures the Sublime Porte of his high Confideration. (Signed) CHARLES ARBUTHNOT. (Second Inclofure referred to in No. i o.} Endymion off the Seraglio, 29th January 1807. 'J'HE Underfigned, His Britannic Majefty's Am baffador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, having Yefterday been refufed a Paflport for his Courier ( 4Si ) Courier charged with Difpatches for His Majefty's Government, and the Refufal having been repeated To-day, it is impoffible for him to confider himfelf any longer as being in a Country which wiffies to preferve the Relations of Friendfhip with His Ma jefty. It would alfo for the fame Reafon be im poffible for the Underfigned, while remaining at this Place, to continue the pending Negotiation with that Security which could alone enfure Free dom of Difcuffion. He has therefore been forced to ths Refoiution of repairing to the Britiffi Fleet an chored off Tenedos, where he can find the. Security which is refufed to him here, and it will rejoice him if the Sublime Porte fhould fend to him fuch an An fwer to the Demands he made in the Conference of the 25 th Inftant, as will permit his again returning to his Poft. The Underfigned will wait a reafonable Time before more effectual Meafures are reforted to for obtaining Redrefs for the Injuries committed againft His Majefty, and againft His Ally the Em peror of Ruffia, but the Sublime Porte muft be aware that her Anfwer can eafily be given without Delay, To the Demands made by the Underfigned, a plain Yes or No is all that is wanted. - The Underfigned has felt it his Duty to take with him the Britifh Subjects refiding here. Their Pro perty is .feft behind, fo alfo is the Prqperty of the Underfigned himfelf, and fo are the Effects belong ing to the Palace of His Britannic Majefty. The Whole of this Property is placed under the Safe- g g 2 ' guard ( 452" ) guard of the Porte, and fhe is hereby declared re-. fponfible for every Part of it. The Underfigned, in affuring the Sublime Porte of his moft diftinguiffied Confideration, offers up his earneft Prayers, that ffie may have the Wifdom to enable His Majefty and His Ally the Emperor of R uffia to renew their Friendffiip with her.. (Signed) CHARLES ARBUTHNOT.. No. 1 1-. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right. Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated 14th February, 1807. — Received 2d May.. T YESTERDAY received from Mr. Pifani the Tranflation of Two Notes addreffed to me by the Porte, and I herewith enclofe Copies of them. ' One of thefe Notes is perhaps intended as a- Kind of Anfwer to the Letter which I wrote to the Reis Effendi on the 26th of laft Month. The other- is a circular Note fent to the different Foreign Mif* fions after I had retired from Pera.. It is affertedby the Pbrte, that I had no fufficientt Caufe for removing frommy Poft ; and an Attempt is made to explain away the Refufal of a Paffport. Having ( 453 ) Having in a preceding Difpatch moft fully ex plained the Motives of my Conduct, I ffiall not trou ble your Lordffiip with the numerous Obfervatibns which the Language of the Porte might enable me to make. I ffiall only fay, that it was my Duty to demand a Firman for the Boat which was to pafs the Dardanelles, for it had been exprefsly declared to me, that in confequence of the War with Ruffia, every Sort of Veffel would be ftopped, theNavigation of which was not fanctioned by a written Permiffion from the Porte. If any Thing had been wanting to prove the improper Intention of the Porte, this Part of the Subject would have been placed in fhe cleareft Point of View by the unworthy Quibble of endea vouring to make a Dlftinction between an Officer and a Meffenger. The Officer, as the Bearer of my Difpatches, was to be my Meffenger, and it is a Service on which Officers are perpetually em ployed. (Firft Inclofure refered to in No. 1 1.) Tranflation of a Note from the Porte to HisJ Majefty's Ambaffador, dated 25th Zilkaade 1221, (5th February 1807). A T an official Conference which was held at the Sublime Porte by the [Requeft of the Englifh Ambaffador the moft efteemed Mr. Arbuthnot, the loth of this prefent Month Zilkaade (25th January) g g 3 after ( 454- ) after making fome Propofitions not altogether ef a proper Nature, he declared in his Statements that a Fleet of Engliffi Ships is to be joined by a Ruffian Squadron at the Ifle of Tenedos ; that the fame was to force its Paffage through the Dardanelles to come to Conftantinople ; that he ffiould fend Directions for the Engliffi dwelling in the Capital and in the Provinces abroad, to prepare fhortly to depart or return to their own Country ; and that he intended to prefent a Note after the Conference, to which he ffiould abfolutely expect an Anfwer from the Sublime Porte, in Writing, Three Days after a very long and detailed Note was received from him, written in a foreign Lan guage, and confifting of Thirteen Pages. • As a Tranflation was making, in view to confider of the Contents, and give an Anfwer in confequence, he all of a fudden embarked in an Englifh Frigate which was here on Thurfday after Sun-fet, and went away, without Leave or Advice in the Shape of a Fugitive ; which being an Event whereof there is no Example, it could not fail creating much Afto- niffiment. The Sublime Porte, in purfuance of the fincere Friendffiip which ffie has profeffed for the Court of Great Britain fince Time immemorial, and ever faith fully bent on the Obfervance of Treaties, has uni formly maintained every Stipulation, and has be-. flowed the moft perfect Attention upon fulfilling the Object C 455 ) Object and Obligations of the Alliance which had- been contracted between us, for a Time,— nay, this Line of Conduct to her beft and moft favourite Friend Great Britain having conftantly produced ftrong Remonftrances and Complaints on the Part ©f the French Court, who was at War with England, the Ottoman Porte, in the fole View of preventing the Intervention of the leaft Coolnefs between us, has never been brought to recede in the fmalleft Degree from the Syftem of Regard and Friendffiip fhe bore to that Crown. Moreover, when about Two Months fince the Ruffian Troops, unawares and without Caufe, paffed the Ottoman Frontier, and by employing Artifices and Tricks inconfiftent with the Maxims of inde pendent Governments, took Poffeffion of the Im perial Ottoman Provinces without previous Notice being given (as is known to all the World, and is manifeft to all impartial Perfons, who fee Things in a right and equitable Point of View) the Sublime Porte refrained notwithftanding from waging War all at once, becaufe of that conftant Difpofition which ever makes her prone to avoid parting and being at Amity with her Friends. She being therefore in Elopes that the Britifh Court, far from ever affenting to fo improperly hoftile a Conduct on the Part of Ruffia, would have on the contrary employed its good Offices to prevent fo glaring an Injury and Injuftice as was offered to its fincereft Friend the Ottoman Empire, with a true g g 4 Intereft, ( 456 ) Intereft, ffie waited during a Space of more than Thirty Days, and ffie confented to ufe her Calmnefs and Patience in Expectation of obtaining a better Infight into the State of Things. Such was the Pofition of the Sublime Porte when the Ruffian Troops continued to puffi on this Way, and to encroach on our Territory. Their perfifting to advance at this Rate, afforded a fufficient Proof what little Likelihood there was of R uffia's giving up a Project of Encroachment ffie had framed Seven or Eight Months before, be the Behaviour of the Sublime Porte ever fo friendly towards her in the prefent Cafe ; and it being a pofitive Fact by this Time, that one Moment of further Hefitation and Delay would have been attended with the moft injurious Confequences for the State, the Sublime Porte compelled by Neceffity has ultimately com plied with the Tenet which prefcribes ¦ that, " an Invader muft be repelled by force." ' In the Conteft however thus occurred with Ruffia, there is nothing that can affect the Stipulations and Treaties fubfifting between the Sublime Porte and Great Britain. There is not in fact the leaft Subject between us to neceffitale an Interruption of the Ties of Friendffiip, or any one Thing of a Nature to lead to a Difcuffion, much lefs to a Rupture. On the other Hand, no Anfwer has as yet been received that, we expect, to two official and confidential Letters which have been written on a preceding and C 457 ,) and fubfequent Occafion, by his Imperial Majefty to the moft auguft King of Great Britain, upon the Ruffian Bufinefs. It is certain that we are not with out fome flattering Hopes of undoubted Proofs com ing to light of that auguft King's zealous and an cient Friendfhip to this Empire. Under thefe Circumftances we could not help being greatly furprized at the Ambaffador's running away, as above ftated, by Night, without waiting for an Anfwer to the Propofitions of a groundlefs un precedented Nature, which he has made in Terms of an equally unpalatable Tenor ; and at its being ftated in a Paper he left with the Danifh Charge d' Affaires -to be prefented to the Sublime Porte after his Departure, that, becaufe a Paffport which he had afked for Two Days before, had not been given im mediately, he confidered himfelf as infeciire ; which was the Motive of his going precipitately away from hence. As to the Paffport above alluded to, at the Time the Ambaffador's long Note was prefented, a Firman had in fact been demanded for a Courier to go to the Dardanelles, but at firft the Demand being ftated with the Word, Courier, then with that of Officer, this appeared contradictory. Next to that, there never has been an Application made for a Firman of the Kind for the Dardanelles in former Times. Befides, he having announced in the Conference that a Fleet was forcibly and infallibly to pafs through the ( 45* ) the Dardanelles, it became expedient to ufe fome. Demur until the Tranflation of his Note might be gone through, and a clearer Notion conceived of the State of the Queftion ; and after all, no decifive Anfwer was given to fay that the Firman in queftion ffiould not be granted, but the Delivery of it was deferred till the next Day. Such being the cafe, and nothing of any Kind, either of an important or trifling Nature having occurred to caufe a Sufpenfion of Security in regard to the Ambaffador, and reflecting his Dependants, it is altogether needlefs to dwell on explaining in what Light fuch open Steps muft be feen as his al- ledging fuch vague Pretences deftitute of every Foundation, and leaving the Refidence with an Air of abandoning the Miffion, arid cutting off all Con nection with this Place. Notwithftanding all this, the Sublime Porte, ever bent on that pacific Syftem which is her profeffed Habit with her Friends, actually confiders Great Britain as being at Peace with her, and unlefs Hofti lities be committed on their Part, the Ottoman Em. pirewill refrain from fhewing Enmity to them: And ¦whereas the Sublime Porte has determined to take under her Protection the Englifh Dependants that have remained in Conftantinople, and to treat them with Courtefy and Attention, which Meafure ap pears ftated in a circular Note which has been fent to the Minifters of all friendly Powers refident here ; that i 459 ) that thefe Circumftances may be likewife known to the aforefaid Ambaffador, a Copy of that' Circular has been fubjoined to this prefent official Note, and the fame is tranfmitted to him in confequence. 25th Zilkaade 122 1, (5th February 1807.) .(Second Inclofure referred to in No. 11.) TRANSLATION of a circular Notefrom the Porte, dated 29th of the Moon Zilr kaade 1221, (9th February 180J.) ""THE Sublime Ottoman Porte having ever been intent on fulfilling every Obligation of Amity and Friendffiip toward the Court of Great Britain, not one Thing did exift between them of a Nature; to bring on a Rupture or a Coolnefs. The Engliffi Ambaffador refident at the Sublime Porte, JMr. Arbuthnot, having in a Conference held. Five or Six Days ago, made fome ftrange Propofi-, tions, the Turkifh Minifters in their Anfwer limited. themfelves to faying, that the Sublime Porte at this prefent Epoch was at War with Ruffia and at Peace wifh Great Britain. Soon after the Conference, the fame Ambaffador prefented a Note, in which he ftated his Claim of having an Anfwer in Writing. The fame being taken into Confideration, fome Hope was entertained of his drawing back from Pre tentions ( 46o ) tenfions of a Nature contrary to the Rights pf Na tions, and independent Governments, when imme diately, after giving in that Note, he all of a fudden, "without fending Advice and without the Caufe being known, embarked in an Engliffi Frigate which was in the Harbour at the Time, and taking his People and fome Merchants with him, left Conftantinople andabfented himfelf in the Middle of the Night, by cutting and leaving the Ship's Anchor behind : A Conduct which has created much Aftoniffiment. After going away, he left a Letter behind to be tendered to the Sublime Porte, wherein he alledges as a main Subject of Complaint, that fome Difficulty was ffiewn in granting a Paffport to a Courier going to the Dardanelles, which had been afked for by him; and that under that Circumftance he could not fafely continue to remain here. In the Inftance he alludes to, no Anfwer having in fact been given him in the Negative, it is clear that an Incident of the Kind could not be a Matter to occafion his Departure from Conftantinople j and it is equally notorious that no Circumftance, no Proceeding, either of an important or a trifling Nature, has occurred to take away the Security either of the Ambaffador, or of any one Individual belonging to the Englifh Nation. Things having- come to this Pitch, that is to fay, the Englifh Ambaffador leaving the Refidence in this C 46« 3 this Way, all of a fudden, without receiving a'a Anfwer, being an Event fufceptible of many Con- flructions, it would appear incumbent upon the Sublime Porte to act in the fame Manner on her Part, by placing her Confidence in the Help and Mercy of that Sovereign Conqueror the Almighty God. Yet, being unwilling to depart from that Syftem of Equity which ffie is ever aceuftomed to follow, and ffie being never perfuaded of a Pro ceeding occurring from the Court of Great Britain, which is not confiftent with the Dictates of Juftice j Orders have been fent to the different Ottoman Officers to whom it appertaineth, for thofe Engliffi Dependants who have been left here,, and for the Families of fuch as have gone from their Refi dence, to remain under the Shade of his Imperial Majefty''s Protection, in perfect Security ; and the .Danifh Charge d'Affaires our Friend Mr. Hubfch* whom the faid Ambaffador has left as his Agent,. has been charged with the Care of the Effects and Property belonging to the fame Ambaffador here. Directions having alfo been iffued to the fame Turkifh Officers that no Moleftation be given to fuch Ships as there may be in this Harbour, every Thing being to continue in its actual State for the prefent. And that the Sublime Porte's Perfeverance in her uniform Syftem of Moderation and Equity may alfo be made known in this Inftance, this prefent official Note is written,, and. is delivered to the Mi- 2 sifters ( 462- ) liifters of all friendly Powers refident here* in order to their tranfmitting the fame to their refpective Courts. No. 12. DISPATCH from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Royal George, 14th Fe bruary 1807. — Received 2d May. My Lord, "tTSf HEN I wrote to your Lordfhip the Letter marked Private of the loth Inftant, from on board the Endymion, I fully expected that on the enfuing Morning I fhould have an Interview with his Highnefs the Capitan Pacha, and that it would fee afcertained, whether our Paffage through the Dardanelles was tp be amicable or hoftile. The Wind however blew fo hard on the follow ing Morning, that on Account of the Surf it was impoffible to attempt to land me ; and as the Forts fired upon the Endymion, there was an evident Unwillingnefs to permit the Frigate to run into fufficiently fmooth Water for me to be put on Shore. Nothing therefore remained to be done, but to write a Letter to Mr. Pifani, in which the Caufe of my ( 463 ) • irty not landing fhould be explained ; and in which one more Effort ffiould be made to infpire the Officers of the Sultan with the pacific Difpofition by which we ourfelves are influenced. I have the Honour of tranfmitting a Copy of this Letter toyour Lordffiip, which in the Courfe of the Day we had the Means of fending by a Turkifh boat into the Dardanelles, although the increafed Violence of the Wind rendered it more impoffible than ever to land me on the open Beach. Yefterday Morning, and not before, the Weather had become fo moderate that I was enabled to pay a Vifit to the Capitan Pacha, and I accordingly went on Shore to meet him. With his Highnefs perfonally I had the greateft Reafon to be fatisfied, but he could agree to nothing which would have authorized me to propofe to Sir J. T. Duckworth not to force the Paffage. He wifhed me to go with him in the Endymion to Conftantinople,- that I might propofe my Terms tp the Minifters of the Porte, and that the Britifh Fleet fhould in the mean while remain at Anchor off Tenedos. I told him that I could not return to, the Admiral with fuch a Propofition, but that I would make an Endeavour to flop the Progrefs of the Fleet towards Conftantinople, provided it fhould be permitted to remove ( 4*4 ) remove to the Anchorage within the Entrance of the Paffage which had been lately occupied by Sir Thomas Louis, and provided a Britifh Officer was allowed to remain at each Fort for the Purpofe of afcertaining that no additional Works were carried on during the Time that the Negotiation with the Porte was pending. I added, that fhould his High nefs adopt this Idea, and ffiould it be approved by the Admiral^ to whom I had not as yet had an Opportunity of mentioning it, I would moft readily go up to Conftantinople ; but that inftead of taking the Endymion, I fhould, for the Sake of faving Time, prefer a Turkifh Row Boat. The Capitan Pacha affured me that he dared not affent to what I had fuggefted, as he fhould have to anfwer with his Head for having prefumed to difobey fhe Sultan's Orders. He obferved likewife, that the rapid March of the French Army towards the Dniefter would oblige the Porte to be ftill more cautious in Her Negotiations, as fhould the Alliance with Ruffia be at this Moment renewed through the Mediation of Great Britain, Bonaparte might have a Pretence for confidering the Sultan as his Enemy, and that then he would not fail to invade the Turkifh Empire. To this I replied, that the Misfortunes which, according to his Highnefs 's Statement, had happened to Ruffia, would be an additional Motive with us, as we ( 465 ) we were fure it would be With our Sovereign, to give Affiftance to our Ally, when it appeared to be moft needed : That on account of the prefent Situation of Affairs, I might perhaps be induced to recede in fome Inftances from what the Interefts of my own. Sovereign might have authorized me to demand ; but that every Effort muft be made on our Part to' relieve the Emperor of Ruffia from the War which the Turks were carrying on againft him, and that 1 would willingly, to effect this Object, go myfelf in: company with a Turkiffi Negotiator to General Michelfon's Head Quarters, and there employ my good Offices to reftore Peace. The Capitan Pacha feemed to liften with Pleafure to all I faid. Fie regretted only that he did- not •venture to tranfgrefs his Orders ; and appearing to hope that Sir J. T. Duckworth could be prevailed upon not to remove from his prefent Station, he earneftly defired me to ufe my Influence for the Attainment of this Object. On my Return to the Fleet I made the Admiral acquainted with all the Particulars of my Converfa tion with the Capitan Pacha.- I cannot fay what might have been the Decifion. of the Admiral if the Capitan Pacha had readily. eonfented to all that I had propofed ; but when he learnt that nothing, whatever was to be obtained as a H H Com- ( 466 ) Compenfation for Lofs of Time, he gave it without Hefitation as his decided Opinion, that we muft pafs the Dardanelles before we again attempted to negotiate. I immediately wrote to inform Mr. Pifani (who was remaining with the Capitan Pacha) of our final Determination ; and the Letter to him, of which I inclofe a. Copy, ffiall be fent on ffiore the very Mo ment that the Boat arrives which is to come for my Anfwer. The Die therefore is now caft. Every Effort has- been made by us to avert Hoftilities ; and fhould the Turks commence them againft us, every Effort fhall ftill be' made to prove to the Porte, that the Wiffiof our Sovereign is Peace. With this View I have directed Mr. Pifani to inform the Capitan Pacha, that on our Arrival before Conftantinople, I fhall once more offer to negotiate, and that no hoftile Meafures ffiall be undertaken by us, while a Hope remains that our pacific Intentions will be juftly appreciated. Should we ultimately fail in our Endeavours to preferve Peace between His Majefty and the Porte, every Exertion will, I am certain, be made by Sir J.T.Duckworth to fucceed in thofe Meafures which he has been directed to undertake. But it is to be recollected, that ever fince the Commencement of the ( 4^7 ) the War with Ruffia, this Government has been encreafing and to a great Extent its Means of Defence, and fhould the Turkiffi Navy have' been removed into the Bofphorus, there would, I imagine, be an abfolute Impoffibility of withdrawing it from under the new and ftrong Batteries, which, under the Infpection of General Sebaftiani, have been now erected. I mention this, becaufe it is not unlikely that there may be a Failure in fome of the Objects which we have in view. This Apprehenfion, however, would have no Effect on the Decifion of the Admiral, or, if I may fo fay, on that of myfelf. Our Sovereign and His Ally had been greatly injured. A powerful Fleet has been fent to fecure thofe Interefts which had been endangered ; and though the Paffage of the Dardanelles in its prefent fortified State cannot be undertaken without great Rifk, any probable Lofs would in my Opinion be preferable to that Diffionour which would be attached to His Majefty's Arms if a Menace had been made, which in the Day of Trial we had not dared to act upon. hh a- ( 468 ) (Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 12.} Endymion, off the Entrance of the Darda- Sir, nelles, 1 ith February, 6A.M..1 807. T AM come in the Endymion according to Ap pointment, but now I am here, Captain Capel will not attempt to land me. He fays, that he has no Boat which in fuch Weather as this could put me on Shore. It therefore only remains for me to repeat again for the Capitan Pacha's Information, that our Wifh is to go up as Friends ; that we ffiall not fire the Firft Shot ; but that ffiould Hoftilities be commenced againft us, our Demands will be greatly increafed. We now require no more than that the Porte fhould place herfelf in that Situation with regard to her foreign Relations in which I found her on my Arrival in this Country. She was then the Friend of Great Britain and Ruffia. She is now the Friend of France. She is called upon to make her Choice ; and our Conduct towards her will be regulated by that Choice. If I were to fee the Capitan Pacha I could fay no more to him than what I have written before, and what I am now writing. Admiral ( 469 ) AdmiralSir J.T. Duckworth dares not to difobey the Orders which force it upon him as an indif penfable Duty to appear with his Fleet off Conftan tinople, and the firft fair Wind will convey him thither. The Capitan Pacha muft know better than we can whether he can venture to fave hie Country by not carrying into Effect fuch Orders as may have directed him to fire upon our Fleet ; for of courfe it will be obvious lo his Highnefs that, without meaning to fpeak arrogantly or prefumptuoufly, we ffiould not, as I have remarked before, be fo eafy to treat with after the Commencement of Hoftilities as we are now. My perfonal Wifh for Peace is fo great that I have no Scruple in affuring the Capitan Pacha that if we are not treated now as Enemies, I ffiall be found in future, having fuch a Force to give Weight to my Reprefentations, far lefs pofitive and far lefs per emptory than I thought it my Duty to be, when, being left to my own individual Exertions, I had to convince the Porte that my Court was really in earneft. It cannot be offenfive to the Capitan Pacha to be told that, with fuch Means in our Hands, we think ourfelves, under the Bleffing of Providence, certain of Succefs ; and having this Sentiment, J feel it no Pufillanimity on my Part to implore his Highnefs. not to plunge his- Sovereign and his Country into irrecoverable Woes. This is to be confidered as my final Declaration, that the Admiral is determined h h 3 to C 470 ) to avail himfelf of the firft favourable Wind ; and you therefore have nothing further to do than to go as expeditioufly as you can to Conftantinople, and -there to join me. (Signed) CHARLES ARBUTHNOT. Mr. Pifani. (Second Inclofure referred to in No. 12.) COPY of a Leter from the RightHonour able Charles Arbuthnot to B. Pifani Efquire, dated Royal George off the Dardanelles, 13th February 1807. Sir, T DID not fail to relate to Vice Admiral Sir John Duckworth all the Particulars of the Conference which I had To-day with his Highnefs the Capitan Pacha. The Vice Admiral learnt from what I faid, that his Highnefs c»uld not even adopt the Idea which I had thrown out, of the Fleet remaining at the Anchorage occupied, within the Paffage, by the Squadron under Sir Thomas Louis. It therefore was evident that nothing was to be granted to us, while by my going up alone without the Fleet, that greateft of all Difadvantages, the Lofs of Time which could never be regained, would be fuffered by us. Under t 471 ) Under thefe Circumftances the Admiral feels that he has no Option left to him, but that it is become his bounden Duty to obey literally his Sovereign's Orders, and to proceed up the Dardanelles whenever the Wind may permit it. But the Admiral to the very laft will be amicably inclined. After he has forced the Paffage of the Dardanelles, he will again give to the Ottoman Government an Opportunity of terminating by a friendly Negociation the Differences which have arifen. For this Purpofe he will in the firft Inftance anchor his Fleet at fuch a Diftance from the Town of Conftantinople, as will remove every Apprehen fion of his being hoftilely inclined ; and he will not proceed to Extremities, even when the Means of doing it ffiall be within his Hands, until he has learnt from me that the Negociation I ffiall propofe has been fruitlefs. I wifh much that the Capitan Pacha had been invefted with difcretionary Powers to treat with me. His Highnefs fays he has none fuch. He therefore muft obey the Orders of his Sovereign, and we muft be equally obedient to the Orders of ours. I am, &c. (Signed) CHAS. ARBUTHNOT. M. Pifani. HH 4 PAPERS Printed by HIS MAJESTT'S Command TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, Purfuant to their Addrefs of the i8tb Februarv 1808. OTTOMAN PORTE, LIST of PAPERS. No. r. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Hon ourable Lord Mulgrave to the Right Honour able Charles Arbuthnot, dated September 1 2th, 1805. No. 2. Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Mulgrave to the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot, dated September 13th, 1805. No. 3. Extract of a Difpatchfrom the Right Honourable Lord Mulgrave to the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot, dated September r6th, 1805. ^ 475 ) PAPERS. No. i. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Mulgrave to the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot, dated September 12th, 1805. 'THE Ruffian Cabinet having communicated to His Majefty's Government, the Project of the Treaty to be negotiated with the Ottoman Porte by Monfieur Italinfki, I fend your Excellency a Copy of the propofed Treaty, together with the Secret Arti cles annexed to it. I have no Doubt that your Excellency will find Monfieur Italinfki difpofed to communicate with you cordially and openly, upon this and every other Subject in which the Interefts of the Two Na tions may be jointly concerned ; and I am defirous of impreffing upon your Excellency's Mind, hov/ much thofe joint Interefts will be promoted by the Manifeftation of a perfect Union between the Re. prefentatives of the Two Sovereigns. ( 476 ) No. 2. • EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Mulgrave to the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot, dated 13th September 1805. CANNOT too ftrongly recommend to your ' Excellency a cordial Intercourfe with the Ruf fian Minifter at Conftantinople, and a fteady Co operation with him in all the important Objects in which the Interefts of the Two Countries are fo clofely connected. No. 3. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from the Right Honourable Lord Mulgrave to the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot, dated September 16th 1805. "vZOUR Excellency's Difpatches by the Meffen ger Rofs have been received and laid before the King. The Difpatches which had been previoufly pre pared, together with the Projet of a Treaty to be negotiated by your Excellency, appear to me to 5 have ( 477 ) have anticipated moft of the Points ftated in your feveral Difpatches. The Affection of the Turkifh Government for the Britiffi Nation, and its entire Confidence in the Loyalty of His Majefty, are calculated to confirm the Zeal of this Government for the Prefervation of the Ottoman Empire ; there is no reafon however to fuppofe any unfair Intentions towards that Power on the Part of Ruffia, and although the Confidence and Good-will of the Porte may render the Mea fure of preffing upon that Government the Accept ance of Stipulations which are not agreeable to its Wifhes, particularly irkfome, yet the Importance at this Moment of an entire and cordial Union with Ruffia, makes it defireable to fupport every Provifion of the Ruffian Treaty, which the Court of St, Peterfburgh fhall deem effential and at tainable. PAPERS Prefented by His MAJESTY'S Command TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 1808. DENMARK. ( 48 k ) LIST of PAPERS, No. t. T\ISPATCH from Benjamin Garlike Efquire, His Majefty's Envoy Extraordinary, and Minifter Plenipotentiary to the Court of Denmark, to Vifcount Howick, dated Copenhagen, nth November 1806. — Received 29th November. No. 2. Difpatch from Benjamin Garlike Efquire, to Vifcount HoWick, dated Copenhagen, 14th November 1806. — Received 2 'No. 3., EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Benjamin Garlike Efquire to Vifcount Howick, datedCopenhagen,i4thNovemben8o6.— Received 29th November. T HAVE the Honour to inform your Lordfhip, thaf I have ufed my utmoft Endeavours to imprefs Count Bernftorff with the Sentiments contained in' your Lordffiip's Difpatch, of No. 3 *, and it is with extreme Regret that I have not been able to obtain the defired Succefs. Although the Progrefs of the French Arms op posite the very Coafts of Denmark, the Infults and Hoftility committed on the Danifh Frontier, and the Proclamation "of General Mortier to the People of Heffe, are Facts more powerful than any Language I could ufe, and with Sentiments of Grief muft excite t&iofe of the keeneft Refentment ; it does not appear i* This Difpatch is .verbatim the fame with the Difpatch to Mr. Pierrepont, No. 3. of the Papers prefented to the Houfe of Commons, by His Majefty's Command, in purfuance of their • Addrefs of the 16th of February; with the Variation only of <" fiourt of Copenhagen" for Court of Stockholm," 1 1 4 that ( 488 ) that the Danifh Government are more difpofed to prepare againft the Infliction of fimilar Violence and Diffionour ; on the contrary, that they derive from thofe Events the Confirmation of their prefent Syftem of Neutrality, and the ftill ftricter Obfervance of all its Obligations. Such at leaft is the Language which, in Explanar tion of that Neutrality, the Danifh Minifters think it right to hold to me. They do not, however, fhut their Eyes on the Scene before them ; they know what they may expeft from the wanton Abufe of the Power of France ; or what is worfe, from the determined Method and Perfeverance with which France is fubduing the States and directing; the Refources of the Continent againft Great Britain. I have dwelt on thefe Topicks in formal Confer ence and familiar Converfation with Count Bernftorff, as alfo in the frequent Occafions I have of feeing • and the Minifters of the Cabinet. They avow the precarious Tenour even of their prefent difturbed Exiflence ; but their Fears are paramount ; they confider the Pruffian Monarchy as annihilated for the prefent, and believe if they refolve on further Meafures of Defence, that they would draw on this Country the worft Confequences that may be appre hended. \n. ( 489 ) In the mean Time, they regard the actual State of Denmark as of the utmoft Importance to the Allies ; and perfuade themfelves that for the Sake of the common Caufe, as well as of Denmark, it behoves them to adopt no Meafure which may augment their Difficulties, or haften the Difafters they would avert. They therefore conclude, that their beft Policy will be the Continuation of their prefent defenfive Syftem, and of their Reliance on the Friendffiip of Great Britain and Ruffia ; of which Policy they fay the Merit and beft Effect would be the Affiftance of thofe Powers when Denmark is endangered by an Attack from France. Iafked Count Bernftorff the direct Queftion, If it was intended to arm fuch a Part of the Fleet as might be ufeful in defeating an Expedition from the Ports now falling into the Hands of France ? He replied, that this was not the Seafon. Difpofed as your Lordffiip may be to allow for thefe Apprehenfions in the prefent Calamities of the North of Germany, and to coincide with the Daniffi Minifters as to the Readinefs of Great Britain and Ruffia to afford every practicable Affiftance againft the Enemy, you will probably not lefs lament that no Preparations have hitherto been made, in Concert with the natural Allies of Denmark, either to refift a fudden Attack, or to impede the gradual Encroach ments France will continue to make, till flie is in an Attitude to require the Exclufion of Britifh Ships from Daniffi Ports, and the Surrender of the Copen hagen ( 49° ) hagen Dock Yard to her Purpofes againft Great Britain. By Preparations I do not fo much mean a Difplay ef Military Force which this Court calls a Defiance of the Enemy, and the feeking of their own undoing, as fome previous Concert, fome Signal for Succour or combined Operations, fome ftipulated Degree or Difpofition of Force, fome Security to the Powers at War, for the proper Application of the Affiftance they may be able to furnifh, I have this Day urged thefe Remarks, and it is readily allowed, that however well-difpofed the Powers on whom Denmark may rely in the Hour of Danger, the greateft Inconvenience muft arife from Diftance and Delay ; and that in fuch an Emer gency, whatever is irrefolute, or timid, or bad, will endeavour to perplex the public Councils, for want of a direct Recourfe to a fteady and provident Syftem. Yet the Daniffi Minifters ffirink at all Appearance of Concert, and at the Refponfibility of a written Engagement. They dread the Effects of its Publicity, which they think unavoidable ; and as Count Bern- ftorff has told me, believe that the mere Sufpicion of fetch a Concert, though conceived for the Duties of Defence alone, would on fuch an Occafion as that of the C 491 ) the 6th Inftant have determined immediate War againft Denmark. I fhould think it unneceffary to lay thefe Remarks' before your Lordffiip if I had not to make the melancholy Addition, that feveral of the principal Departments (I except the Minifters of the Council and for- Foreign Affairs) as well as many of the inferior ones with their Dependencies, are filled by Perfons in a State of Delufion ?nd blind Attachment to the Interefts of France. The only Check to the more open Difplay of thefe Difpofitions, is the Character of the Prince Royal. • , who marks in the ftrongeft Terms his Senfe of the Firmnefs of His Royal Highnefs, ob ferved to me Yefterday, that the moft entire Reliance may be placed on his not yielding to the Propofals it may be expected France would make, But too many Precautions could not perhaps be taken againft the Efforts of deluded or ill-difpofed Perfons to perplex or miflead the Government in an Emergency that may well be forefeen, and when no preconcerted Syftem would be oppofed to fuch Attempts, except that of Confidence towards Great Britain and Ruffia ; which, however real or well founded, is not it feems to be acknowledged or car ried into Effect, till France is in the Act of binding this Country never to rsake the Attempt. Among f 49^ ) Among the Meafures which have already been recommended to the Attention of the Government, there is one which appears to unite many Opinions and Interefts in this Country ^ namely, that in cafe of an Attack from France, Holftein, Slefwick, and Jutland ffiall be abandoned, and the principal Force be concentered in the Defence of the Iflands, (even with the Exclufion of Fionia.) This Project has never been mentioned to me by one of the Minifters, but without any R eferve by feveral leading Perfons ; and it would be ferioufly fupported by many who fee the principal Strength of the Monarchy in the Ifland of Zealand ; Its Fleet .and Arfenals in Norway, in the Weft India Poffeffions, and in the Commerce of the Country. A Military Perfon of Rank who has been employed in a very Confidential Station, and now fills an important Poft at this Place, is occupied in writing a Memorial to be fent to the Prince, in Support of this Meafure, with the .additional Advice, to put it into immediate Execution by the Recall of the Army and the Return of the Prince Royal to Zealand. From all thefe Confiderations, your Lordffiip will beft judge how far it may be advifable to make a joint formal Reprefentation on the Part of His Majefty and the Emperor of Ruffia, for the Purpofe of concerting with this Country the beft Means of counteracting the Projects of France, which are but too clearly avowed in her Practice and Declara tions, and become every Day more alarming, from the C 493 ) the Extent and Nature of her Acquifitions in the Baltick. It is indeed poffible that the Operations about to commence in Poland may fufpend for awhile the- Intention of attacking this Country ; but thofe Ope rations muft fo much the more call for every Effort that may be to be made, either againft the Body of France, or to prevent that Succefs in her prefent Undertakings,, which will otherwife certainly over whelm this Country.. I ffiall continue in every Event to be entirely guided by your Lordffiip's Inftructions, and to ufe my utmoft Endeavours for the Succefs of the Objects to which they are directed. No. 4.. DISPATCH from Vifcount Howick to Benjamin Garlike Efquire, dated. Down ing Street, 3d. December- l8o6. Sir, "\7"OUR Difpatches to No.. inclufive, have been received and laid, before the King. The Language of Count Bernftorff and the Da nifh. Minifters,, as defcribed by you,, is fuch as was naturally ( 494 ) naturally to be expected from their former Policy* and from the Effect of the recent Events in the North of Germany. Any Endeavour to induce them to adopt other Sentiments, if indeed fuch an Attempt were advifeable, would, at the prefent Moment, probably be without a Hope of Succefs. At the Time of writing the Difpatch to which yours is an Anfwer, the Extent of thofe extraor dinary Misfortunes which have fince happened, was far from being forefeen or expected. A Hope was then entertained, though not unmixed with Doubt and Apprehenfion, that the Power of the Pruffian Monarchy, aided by the neighbouring States, and by the Allies, might have oppofed an effectual Refiftance to the Armies of France. ' But fince the afflicting Events which have ended in the total Difperfion of the Pruffian Army, the Queftion no longer is whether Denmark fhould give her Aid to a powerful Ally, but whether ffie fhould, without any Continental Support, expofe herfelf alone to the Refentment of France. So long as the Queftion remains on this Footing, it cannot be expected, nor is it to be wifhed, that the Court of Copenhagen ffiould take any Meafures of direct Hoftility againft France. But the Care of its own Safety requires more Vigilance than ever. While France abftains from any Attack, or from any direct Menace, a prudent Syftem of Neutrality, which ( 495 ) which ffiall not impair the Means of future Defence, is probably the beft. But that this Forbearance on the Part of the French Government ffiould laft longer than may be found convenient for the Exe cution of thofe further Schemes of Ambition in which Bonaparte is at prefent engaged, feems to me very improbable. After the Accompliffiment of his more immediate Objects, Demands may be expected equally inconfiftent with the Neutrality and the Independence of Denmark ; and it is for ,that Government to confider whether it will place itfelf in a Situation to defend thofe Parts of the Daniffi Dominions which poffefs effectual Means of Refiftance, or whether it will follow the Exa- ample of fo many States, which, by feeking Safety in SubmifTion, have fucceflively fallen under the Do minion of France. In looking forward, however, to the probable Conduct of France, there is one Point which cannot be too. foon underftood between this Government and that of Denmark. Though His Majefty muft experience the deepeft Regret from any Interruption in the Relations now fo happily fubfifting between the two Powers, it would be impoffible for the King to acquiefce in any Arrangement whereby the Whole, or any Part, of the Danifli Navy might be placed at the Difpofal of France. If therefore it ffiould fo happen that in order to fecure the Ger man. Dominions of the CroWn of Denmark, that Power fhould be induced to comply with a Demand of ( 49 ) the King's Pleafure that you ffiould particularly direct the Attention of the Danifh Minifters. The King would fee with Pleafure a fuccefsful Defence pf Holftein, and Offers for affifting in this, have this Morning been communicated to me by M. Rehau- fen on the Part of His Swediffi Majefty, who pro- pjfes to unite a Corps of 25,000 Men to the Danifh Army in Holftein for this Purpofe. With fuch a Force, it is to be hoped, not only that Holftein might be defended, but that the moft beneficial Effects for the Safety of the North of Germany might enfue from its Pofition in the Rear and oh the Flank of the Operations of the French Army. You will therefore recommend this Offer of His Swediffi Majefty, which probably will have been communicated to the Court of Denmark before this reaches you, to the moft ferious Attention of the Daniffi Minifters, If that Government ffiould decline entering into any Meafures of this Nature, or ffiould deem the Defence of Holftein impracticable, His Majefty ftill trufts that no Effort willbe omitted to put the Daniffi Iflands in a proper State of Defence, and He would gladly co-operate in Naval Meafures ne ceffary for that Purpofe, if Denmark ffiould really ftand in need of fuch Aid. I am, &c. (Signed) HOWICK. Benjamin Garlike, Efq. ( 493 ) No. 5. DISPATCH from Vifcount Howick to Benjamin Garlike Efquire, dated Down ing Street, 9th December 1 $06. THOUGH no Difpatches have been received from you fince my laft, the Accounts which have reached this Countrv of the Retreat of the Danifli. Army from Holftein, and the Advance of the French to the Eyder, from which River there is reafon to apprehend that His Majefty's Flag has been excluded, render it neceffary that I fhould inftruct you immediately to require of the Daniffi Govern ment a frank Explanation of the Motives which have produced Meafures apparently fo injurious to the Interefts of His Majefty ; and alfo of the Syftem of Policy which that Government means in future to purfue rn its Relations with this Country and with France, This Explanation you will require in* the moft friendly Terms, but at the fame Time in fuch a Manner as to prevent any Delay. The Interefts of Denmark itfelf and the known Character of the Prince Royal, encourage His Majefty ftill to enter--. tain a confident Expectation that, notwithftanding prefent Appearances, the Anfwer will be fuch as the Friendffiip which has fo long fubfifted between the Two Governments requires, -With ( 499 ) With retpedt to the Views entertained by His Majefty's Government on the prefent alarming Crifis, and the Advantage which may be derived from the generous Offer of the King of Sweden to affift in the Defence of Denmark, I muft refer you to my laft Difpatches. I am, &c. &c. Sec. (Signed) HOWICK. Benjamin Garlike,Efq. No. 6. DISPATCH from Benjamin Garlike Efq. to Vifcount Howick, dated Copenhagen, 24th November 1806.— Received nth December. My Lord, THE Reports of the declared Intention of Ge neral Mortier to occupy Hamburgh, had been in Circulation here for fome Days. The Intelli gence of his having entered the Town with a Number from Seven to Eight Thoufand Men, was received laft Night. This Government did not ap. pear to believe the Event was probable* There feems now to remain a ftand of Opinion, that the French Troops will proceed no further in this Di rection, but that they will refpeft the Neutrality of Denmark. it k 2 With ( 5°° ) With regard to Holftein, it would not only be a vain Endeavour to urge this Country to other Mea fures of Defence than thofe they have already adopted ; but there are no Meafures of a Nature purely military, which could now betaken in concert with other Countries, to fecond the Efforts of the Army which is there eftabliffied, if it ffiould be brought into immediate Action. What I have now principally to fubmit to your Lordffiip, is accord ingly meant to apply only to the Cafe of Hoftilities being actually commenced by France againft Den mark, in the Dutchy of Holftein. Nothing, I imagine, need be urged to prove, that if the French Troops fucceed in occupying that Part of Denmark, the fole Purpcfe cannot be the ffiutting of the Ports of Tonningen and Hufum againft the Britifli Flag ; there muft alfo exift the Intention of feizing thefe Iflands, and of directing their Refources againft the Interefts of Great Britain and Ruffia. The Conduct of the Daniffi Government, if Hol ftein and the Peninfula ffiould fall, muft, I fup- pofe, be that which has been fo often infifted on, namely, a Perfeverance in the firmeft Refoiution to refill the Enemy; and, as Count Bernftorff informed me this Morning, the immediate arming of the Fleet for the Defence of this and the adjacent Iflands. But having faid this, it is my Duty not to con ceal from your Lordfhip 'how much my Apprehen fions ( Soi ) fions~ mcreafe with refpect to the Perfons in higlj, though not in the firft Offices, to whom great Con fidence will be ffiewn in the Hour of Danger, and who muft have confiderable Influence in the Di rection of the public Opinion, and of the Means of repelling the Enemy. The Character and Bias of thefe Individuals (many of whom I know perfonalty) were undoubted before the prefent Continental War took place. Their Language in all the Changes which occur, leave nothing but a formal Declaration of their Prin ciples, to convince me of what may be expected from them when the Enemy is in Poffeffion of Hol ftein. They will reprefent the Danger to be lefs than it is, in order to prevent the Activity of others, and will exaggerate it with the Chance of fecuring and extending their own Authority. Thefe Perfons will then be capable of imputing as a Crime, that more effectual Means were not concerted for the Defence of the Country ; and will recommend an Accommodation with France, through the Voice of the Populace, not as an Avowal of their Choice,- but as a Meafure of the Neceffity to which they have been reduced. The Danger of a War with Great Britain, which, in fuch Circumftances, is already forefeen by the moft thinking Part of the Country, would not overrule thofe who are guided only by their Prejudices and their Ambition ; or. if that Danger were attended. KKj tO ( 5°* ) to in the general Tumult, it would be only as a Reafon for arming and flationing whatever could be found in the Arfenals of this Place, affifted by the Supplies of the Mecklenburg and Pomeranian Coafts, for Purpofes of which France would affume the Direction. Thefe are not idle Surmifes. I do not pretend to defcribe by what Gradations they will be realized ; but I cannot obferve the Confidence and Liftleff- nefs of fome, with the Activity and growing Hopes of others, or attend to the Converfation of this Place for a Day, without being this Day more than the preceding, juftified in pointing to the moft me lancholy Refults, not as a Determination of the Go vernment, but as a Confequence of the Confufion of late Meafures againft an active' Enemy, amidft undecided and mifguided Friends. The contrary too may take place. The Activity, Firmnefs, Spirit, and Popularity of the Prince Royal, may have the fulleft Effect againft all internal Impe diments of whatever Nature. In the Poffibility of one or the other Courfe of thefe Events, I would fubmit to your Lordffiip the Two following Confiderations : ift, How far, after the Attack or Poffeffion of Holftein by the French Troops,, it may be proper to ( 5°3 ) to reduce His Majefty's Offer of Affiftance to fome fpecific Shape, efpecially of a Maritime Nature, for the Defence of this and the neighbouring Iflands, The Danifh Government will continue to be fo to tally unprepared for a Defence of this Nature, as poffibly not to be able to bring it forward on a very fudden Emergency. 2d, Whether it may not be proper, on fuch Opportunities as occur, without formal Declaration, or Menace, to give it to be underftood, or even finally to announce, that fuch an Arrangement with the French Government, as may be attempted in the Circumftances I have defcribed, will infallibly lead to open and actiye War on the Part of Great Britain, I have feen Count Bernftorff fince I wrote the above. He expreffes himfelf without any Alarm from the Prefence of the French Troops at Ham burgh or Lubeck. I underftand from him clearly, that the Danifh Troops are retiring from the Frontiers ; and I make no Doubt that this has been done at the Defire of the French Emperor. I beg Leave to tranfmit, as nearly as I can, the very Phrafes he made ufe of, in this unafked-for Intelligence. " Loin de nous alarmer fur ce qui vient d'ar- " river, le Prince Royal a cru devoir retirer une ^ partie des troupes raffemblees fur la frontiere du K k 4 " Flolftein. ' ( S°4 ) " Holftein. C'eft a. dire qu'elles ne refteront pas t! auffi concentrees qu'elles ont ete depuis quelque " temps. En Effet nous n'avons pas les memes " Motifs pour les y tenir. Ni les Pruffiens ni les ''. Suedois ne s'y trouvant plus, il n'eft plus aufli " probable que les Hoftilites s'engagent fur notre " propre Territoire ; de forte que la plupart des '" regimens avaient requ I'Ordre de fe retirer du " cote de Slefwick avant 1' Occupation "de Ham- " burg ; et nous ne voyons point dans cet eve* " nement qu'il y ait lieu k le contremander. Mais " le Quartier General fera toujours a Kiel." The Daniffi Army then, except the fmall Garrifons of Gluckftadt, Kiel, and Ploen, and an Advanced Guard under General Evald, may be confidered as having retreated to the Dutchy of Slefwick behind the Eyder. The French Minifter at Hamburg, and M. de Mortier, have" conveyed the moft pofitive Affurances to this Government of the Refpedt which will be fhewn to its Neutrality ; and as a Proof of it, have infifted on the Precautions taken in the March of the Troops from Bergedorff ' to Hamburg, to avoid a Portion of Daniffi Territory, which lies more conveniently for the Road between the Two Places. l I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) B. GARLIKE. Vife. Howick. ( 5°5 > No. 7. EXTRACT of aDifpatch from Benpmia Garlike Efquire to Vifcount Howick, dated Copenhagen, 29thNovemberi 806. —Received l^th December. T.T was perhaps to be expected that as the Danifli Troops had remained on the Holftein Frontier, when there was no War in the North of Germany, and had actually been engaged with thofe of France, their fudden Retreat to the Eyder would give rife to the Suppofition of fome Arrangement between the Daniffi and French Governments. Mr. Pierrepont will have informed your Lord ffiip of the very unfavourable Confirmation of that Retreat, which has been tranfmitted to His Swediffi Majefty, and of the ftrong Meafures of Precaution which that Monarch has judged it proper to adopt againft the new Danger that would refult to his own Interefts and to thofe of the Allies. Your Lordffiip will have borne in Mind, that the' very Effence of the Neutral Syftem maintained in, this Country has been repeatedly declared to be the guarding againft every diffionourable Propofition that might be recommended to the Adoption of the Prince Royal, With . ( 506 ) With this Recollection on my Part, it did not even occur to me, that His Royal Highnefs could confent to a Conceffion fo much in his Abhorrence as that of the Abandonment of the Duchy of Hol ftein to the French Troops, for the fake of the quiet Retreat of thofe of Denmark to the Banks of the Eyder; that is to fay, that the richeft Province of the Crown ffiould be gratuitoufly ceded to the Enemy, with increafed Difadvantage and Infecurity to Denmark ; and though the Ceffion (of Holftein) would not have included Tonningen and Hufum, both being in Slefwick, yet that the French Troops ffiould be brought within Sight of one of thofe Ports, and within a few Engliffi Miles of the other. Your Lordffiip will therefore judge of the Ear- neftnefs and of the Caution with which I brought this Subject forward with Count Bernftorff, as foon as poffible after I had received Mr. Pierrepont's Letter for the Purpofe of learning if any and what Conditions had been ftipulated with France on the Retreat of the Daniffi Troops to the Slefwick Fron tier ; and I have the Satisfaction of affuring your Lordffiip, that, in Terms and Manner to which I give my perfect Confidence, did Count Bernftorff endeavour to remove the Sufpicions (which in Truth I had not entertained) by affuring me, that no Tranfaction whatever had taken place relative to the refpective Pofitions of the French and Danifh Troops, either in the Shape of Condition or of Ex planation, or by any Communication between the Two ( 5^7 ) Two Governments, and even that the Retreat of the Prince Royal, and the Affurances of Security conveyed by M. de Mortier and M. de Bourienne, had not depended on each other. Count Bernftorff was further earneft that I fhould underftand that the Retreat had not been deter mined on at the Suggeftion of France. But as it may be impoffible for Count Bernftorff himfelf to explain how a Suggeftion of this Nature may have been conveyed or admitted, this laft Circumftance did not fo particularly engage my Attention. The Retreat having taken place with the Appro bation of the Prince Royal, there may be Occafion to regret that M. de Mortier and M. de Bourienne were not every way competent to the Affurances in which they have abounded, that Holftein will not be attacked. The Danger to which that Duchy was expofed, is at beft not lefs than it was ; and every Account tranfmitted within thefe few Days to Copenhagen, except thofe received by the Govern, ment, encreafes our Apprehenfions that the Attack is not far off. This Poffibility is at leaft now become fo familiar to the Government as to fhew that they place their principal Strength and Hopes in the Defence of the Iflands ; and I have now, for the firft Time, fome reafon to believe that Meafures of Precaution begin to be taken for the Cafe of withdrawing the Troops from ( 5°S ) from Holftein, and of eflabliffiing fome Points of Union and Supply. I have not this Intelligence from the Government. If Meafures of this Nature have been confidered as advifeable, they will not be purfued without the ftricteft Secrecy, on the ground of not forfeiting by Preparations which may invite the Enemy, the Advantages of the Syftem in which they haveperfevered fo long. I mean that they will not avow any Meafuie of Defence refpect- ing the Iflands, till Holftein be really attacked by France, and certainly not take any of an oftenfible Defcripiion. This Difpofition of the Government makes the Difficulty of affording or concerting the Affiftance of which they may ftand in need. It is of that appre- henfive Nature, as would refufe to admit the moft effectual Succour that might be fent to the Country, before it has been determined to adopt a Courfe of undifguifed and active War ; and it muft be on that Occafion the more natural to hope, that however they may veil the Attempt, every fecret Preparation for a fudden difplay of Force will be the daily and earneft Labour of the Daniffi Minifters. To this Object I have directed my Converfation with Count Bernftorff. I ffiould hope alfo, that there is fair ground to urge the Courts of Copen hagen and Stockholm to fome well-concerted com mon Meafure of Defence pf the Daniffi Iflands. If the Prejudices of the Two. Countries are not in- furmcuntable, ( 5°9 ) furmountable, Denmark and Sweden have the Mo tives and Means of Self-defence within themfelves. They have local Knowledge, and Ships of War fitted to the Coaft ; the Proximity of Sweden and her actual Hoftilities may give the readieft Affiftance; and favour even the Timidity with which Denmark may be difpofed to come forward. I am aware that the approaching Seafon may render the Operations of a Fleet neither fafe nor practicable ; and that the main Paffage to be de fended between Zealand and Fionia (Fiunen) may require Veffels large enough to be able to keep the Sea, and fmall enough to fhelter in the common Ports of the Iflands. If thefe are Difficulties, they are to be fubdued by the Governments themfelves. My Purpofe can only be to advert inceffantly to fhe Subject in every Direction likely to produce the good Underftanding and Concert, without which Zealand muft become the Paffage for French Troops into Sweden, and the Seat of every mifchievous Opera tion againft all the Powers interefted in the Defence of the Baltick. Hitherto I have not been able to engage the Da niffi Minifters in a fatisfactory Difcuffion of the Points in queftion ; but I ffiall make the Attempt with the greater Earneftnefs at this Moment, as I learn from Mr. Pierrepont that the King of Sweden intends without Lofs of Time to propofe an Interview with the Prince Royal; the Object of which I would flatter myfelf muft be, their Endeavour ta concert the beft Means of their common Defence. ( 5*o ) No. 8. DISPATCH from Vifcount Howick to Benjamin Garlike Efquire, dated Down ing Street, 26th December 1806. Sir, HP HE Apprehenfion entertained here, at the Time of writing my laft Difpatch, of the En trance of the French Troops into Ffolftein, I am happy to find, was unfounded. But I cannot re gard the refpect which has hitherto been paid by the Enemy to the Neutrality of the Daniffi Ter ritory as anything more than the Effect of a Po licy which for the Moment is more convenient to themfelves. It would be Madnefs to truft to any Affurances which may have been received from the French Government on this Point, fo far as to neglect a timely Preparation of thofe Means of Defence which to be effectual muft not be left to be fought for in a Moment of immediate and preffing Danger. I have urged the Neceffity of precautionary Mea fures, which might be fo conducted as neither to provoke nor to afford a Pretext of Hoftilities on the Part of the French, in the ftrongeft Manner to Mr. Rift. Above all, it is neceffary that no Time fhould be loft in concerting Meafures of common Defence with <. 511 ) with the Court of Sweden, to which fo good an Op portunity has been offered by the prompt and generous Offer of His Swediffi Majefty. You will continue therefore to requeft from the Court of Denmark a frank Communication of its Views, and to urge their immediate Attention to the important Objects above ftated. I have the Honour to be, &c. &c. &c. (Signed) HOWICK. Benjamin Garlike, Efq. No, a. DISPATCH from Benjamin Garlike Efq. to Vifcount Howick, dated Copenhagen, 20th December 1806. — Received 7th January 1807. My Lord, T DEFERRED the Honour of Writing to your Lordfhip on my Communication to Count Bern ftorff of the principal Points of your Difpatch of the 3d December till I had an Opportunity of feeing that Minifter again, after he had fubmitted them to the Cabinet Minifters. I advert firft, to the Propofal of His Swedifh Majefty for the Co-operation of Twenty-five Thou- fand C 5^ ) fand Swediffi Troops with thofe of His Danifh Majefty in Holftein. I cannot yet fay in what Man ner this Overture has been made to the Prince Royal ; but on both the Occafions which I have had of difcuffing the Subject here, I have found it attended with the moft undifguifed Averfion ; as incongruous at this Moment from a Power at War to a Power at Peace ; inapplicable with refpect to Time, if relied on when the Attack of Holftein is no longer a Problem ; unfeafonable when no new Circumftance has occurred, except the Repe tition of friendly Affurances on the Part of France ; and dangerous above all, as inviting, or rather im mediately committing, the Country to unavoidable War. I endeavoured in the gentleft Manner poffible to refcue the Swedifli Propofal from the Weight of Objections, which thus tend to enervate every wife and provident Scheme of Stlf-defence, and carried one Degree further, muft leave the Country pro- ftrate to no Good-will, but that of the Enemy. I think it natural to fuppofe, that the Daniffi Mi nifter urged his Objections in this Inftance with more than ufual Quicknefs, from his Cenfcioufnefs that the Refoiution is already taken to withdraw the Danifli Troops from Holftein. 1 felt the Conver fation clogged on my Side with the Knowledge of that Refoiution ; but it was not openly noticed On either. Count V. 5*3 ) Count Bernftorff then afked me, if I believed the King of Sweden could fpare from his own Dominions any Number of Men, which approached that of Twenty-five thoufand ? This was not a Queftion for me to anfwer ; but I preffed the Daniffi Minifter to confider, as exceedingly probable, that when His Swediffi Majefty refolved on making the Offer, he was alarmed for the Safety of the Daniffi Penin- fula ; and that if fuch a Force could not well be fpared from Sweden, nothing could be a ftronger Proof of His Swediffi Majefty's Friendfhip, than the prompt Defire which he muft have entertained to raife it by extraordinary Means. It occurred to me before this laft Conference took place, how little the Probability was that the Meafure thus recommended by His Majefty would meet with the Succefs it deferved. I therefore previoufly pre pared myfelf for endeavouring to derive ftom it at leaft the next and very important Advantage, that of familiarifing the Daniffi Minifter with the Prof- pedt of fincere Co-operation on the Part of Sweden, and of impreffing them, with the Notion that, what ever be the Fate of the Swediffi Overture, the Ground-work is thereby laid of a real good Under ftanding between the two Countries. Count Bernftoiff acknowledged that His Swediffi Majefty's Defire to have an Interview with the Prince Royal, and the Communicadon of the pre- l i. fent ( 5'4 ) fent Overture, would be felt by the entire Govern ment ; and he affured me, that if Holftein were attacked, theConcertbetweenDenmark and Sweden, Great Britain and Ru.Tia, would be de fudo eftab liffied, and that this Country would be moft willing to add every Refource of the Monarchy to the Affiftance the Allies could furnifh. returned to Copenhagen a few Days ago. I faw him the next Day. Fie was more than ufually prompt and clear as to the Neceffity of maintaining the prefent Syftem. He was averfe to the Admiffion of a Swediffi Army into Holftdn,.but was perfuaded of the Advantage of an unre- ferved Intercourfe with Sweden. He acknowledged, I may fay, the Propriety of not defending Holftein (that is, the Peninfula), and as Proof of his Sincerity in this Opinion, remarked that theAbandonment of thofe Provinces would expofe his own Eftates to the Ravages of the French Army. He thought the Nature of the Embarraffments of Denmark called for the utmoft Franknefs towards Enemies as well as Friends, and believed that as little re mains to be explained to France as to any other Country. He appeared on all thefe Points to fpeak as of fo many freffi Decifions of Council, and defirous I ffiould fo underftand them. I make no Doubt that the withdrawing of the Troor. s fent to Holftein laft Year will be completely ¦tScCitd^ (Count Bernftorff, however, always fpeaka of V 5*5 ) of a Cordon that, will remain), and that the Go vernment is fincere in the Determination to oppofe every Thing to France, if ffie abufe the extreme Condefeenfion to which the Prince Royal has been brought. glanced of his own Accord to the Confequences of a contrary Line of Conduct, and of fuither Compliance towards the French Go vernment, and did not fcruple to declare, that the Effects alone of a War with Erigland muft deftroy the Danifh Monarchy in a Couple of Years. According, then, to this Language, Matters have advanced to an Epoch in the Neutrality of Penmark. Holftein will be deprived of its main Defence ; it is forefeen that it may be occupied by the Troops •of France ; Denmark will then be in a State if War with France, and will openly concert with Great Britain and Ruffia, and poffibly with Sweden, for - the Defence of the Daniffi Iflands and the Baltick. To thefe the only Meafures that remain, the different Parties may be defirous of directing their own Views, and encouraging each other ; but I "have not ferupled, in Converfation with the- proper Perfons here, to fpeak of this Pofition as fallacious and infecure, becaufe weak in its Nature, and liable to be furprifed by the Arts and Aclivity of the Enemy, and by the Events which will arife. If, however, the Daniffi Navy is in the State of Forwardnefs which has been reprefented, and l l 2 nothing C 5*6 ) nothing intervene to difturb the good Intelligence of Great Britain and Ruffia with Denmark, it may ftill be hoped that every Effort of France will fail againft the Power and Refource's of the Daniffi Iflands. I have not failed to repeat to this Government His Majefty's moft gracious and friendly Offer of -Affiftance and Support, *if Denmark ffiould ulti mately be forced into a War with France for the Pre fervation of her own Independence ; and I have the Pleafure of informing your Lordffiip, that the Affu rances of this conftant Difpofition on the Part of His Majefty have been received with every Ex preffion that can interpret the fulleft Senfe of the Obligations and 1 hankfulnefs of the Danifh Go vernment. 1 have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) B. GARLIKE. Vifcount Howick. No. 10. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Vifcount Howick to Benjamin Garlike Efquire, dated Downing Street, January 9th, 1807. T-IIS Majefty has received with Satisfaction the ;.• Affurances that the Court of Denmark is deter mined to refift the Demands of France, if puffied to- a Point ( 5*7 ) a Point that ffiould beinconfiftent with the Honour and Independence of that Power. Of the Sincerity and Conftancy of this Determination His Majefty's Government will not allow itfelf to doubt. But it is neceffary to repeat, that to make fuch De termination effectual, timely Meafures ffiould be taken. An immediate Junction of a Swediffi Force to the Army of Denmark might, as has been ftated by Count Bernftorff, put an End at once to the Neu trality which the latter Government ftill wifnes to preferve. But a previous and confidential Expla nation and Concert with Sweden on the Meafures neceffary for the common Defence of the Two Powers, could not have this Effect, and is evi dently neceffary to render the Co-operation of fered by Sweden of any Advantage, whenever the Time ffiall arrive at which the Court of Den mark may find itfelf defirous of availing itfelf of this Offer. Upon the beft Means of Defence it is impoffible for this Government to pretend to form a fatisfactory Opinion. It may be true that the Peninfula affords no Pofition in which the Force of Denmark could hope to vrithftand the Power of France : and it may be advifable, therefore, to withdraw the Troops for the Defence of the Iflands. t*3 ( 5*8 ) No. u. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Benjamin Gar like Efquire to Vifcount Howick. dated Copenhagen, 28th December 1806. — Re ceived 1 2th January 1807. My Lord, TN Your Lordffiip's Difpatch of the 3d December, the Paffage relative, to the poffible Sacrifice of a Part of the Danifh Navy to the French, concludes with thefe Words : " Should any Queftion of this " Sort arife, you will at once ftate, diftinctly, and " unequivocally, the Feelings of this Government .-'* upon it." I have prefumed, that this Paffage gave me fome Latitude to judge of the Propriety, as to Time, of making the Declaration which the Chance of fuch a Tranfaction would neceffarily call for. It is there- .fore important that I ffiould inform your Lordffiip, that I have not communicated that Part of the .Difpatch to the Daniffi Government. The Ground on which I have ventured on fuch a difcretionary Referve is the ftrcng Belief, I truft I am juftified in entertaining, not only that no Propofition of the Nature in Queftion has as yet been fubmitted to the Prince Royal ; but that the Military Progrefs of the French Arms is not yet fuch as to fuggeft an Ar rangement ( 5^9 ) rangcment fo incompatible with the Sentiments and Principlts which are known to predominate in that Prince's Character, Without, therefore, fome r-ew and deferibable Appearance to engage iny Attention, different from thofe which had poffibly been conveyed to England when the Difpatch was written, I hu.ml ly tiuft it is confonant to the Feelinpsof His Majefty's Govern ment towards that of Denmark, r.ot to have taken a Step, which might at this Moment only wound the principal Perfons, and repel the Confidence they feem willing to manifeft. The Explanation into which I have entered, will, I hope, guard me from the Suppofition of not endeavouring to give the proper Effect to the Inftructions in Queftion, on any Change of Cir cumftances leading to the Suppofition of your Lordffiip's Difpatch. If I have already expreffed fome Alarm on the Chances of fo bold an Attempt on the Part of the French Government as that to which I allude, it has not been from Appre henfion of diffioncufable Compromife on the Part of Denmark, but of the Ccnfequences of Timidity and inadequate Preparation, by which ihe Enemy m'ght be enabled lather to feize the Fleet than treat for it. Your Lordffiip's Difpatch No. 7. having been written on the Prefumption that the French Troops 1 1 4 had ( 52° ) had entered Holftein ; and probably after your Lord* ftip had received the Report of the Enquiries I had made as to the Retreat of thofe of Denmark (in my No. ) I have alfo for the prefent defifted from a formal Application on the Subject of that Dif patch ; and humbly hope that my Conduct in both thefe Inftances will not have met with His Majefty's Difapprobation, I find it difficult to obtain precife Information as to the Number of Daniffi Troops in Holftein, becaufe it is not afcertained how far the Regiments ftill there have been reduced. Two Regiments have returned to Funen. The Slefwick and Jutland Regiments have alfo returned. Two Regiments belonging to the Garrifon of this Place, are left at Kiel, Ploen, and Gluckftadt. Count Bernftorff tells me that Four Thoufand Men are on the Line between thofe Places; but thefe muft be in the Towns and Villages. The Garrifons juft mentioned, and that of Rendfburgh, compofe therefore the only remaining active Force againft' the Enemy. I ffiall refume this Subject with* out Delay. I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) B, GARLiKE. C m 5 No. 12.. EXTRACT- of a Difpatch from tifcoorat Howick to; Benjamin Garlike Efqu^e, dated Downing Street, 2 2d January 1807. ¥ TPON the Points referred to in your Difpatchess I. have already fent you full Inftructions. ?How- ever defirous His Majefty may be of preventing any Embarraffment to the- Court of , Denmark with refpedt to the Neutrality which that Government is defirous of preferring ; this Confideration, it is evU dent^ean only apply to a real Neutrality and cannot be carried fo far as to admit of aSucceffion if. Mea fures dictated by the Fear of France, which wo
No. 2. DISPATCH frorh the Right Honourable •Charles Arbuthnot to .Mr. Secretary Fox, dated Buyukdere, 25th Auguft 1 $^6.— Received October 3d. Sir, T AM very much concerned to-be under the Nev ceflity of informing you, that be ftrong in the Strength of its Allies, or whether for the Prefervation of their endangered Interefts, their Armies and their Navies muft unfortunately receive a new Impulfe, and no longer act under the fame Direction. Thefe are Queftions which in firm but friendly and refpedtful Language the Underfigned feels the Neceffity of putting to his Excellency the Reis Effendi. Moft unfortunately will he have been mifunderftood, if any Word he has employed fhould be conceived to have a threatening Tendency. It is true, he earneftly intreats that a categorical and immediate Anfwer may be given ; but he afks for it, not becaufe he woiild endeavour to intimidate the Porte, but from the Neceffity he is under of making knows to> his Government, whether or not the juft Demands- of Ruffia will be complied with ; andi however Kttle the Porte may have been prepared for fuch a Declaration^ impofed upon as it has been; by falfe Intelligence from Paris, the Underfigned would neglect a moft effential Part of his Duty, i£ he omitted to ftate moft folemnly, not in his own Name, but in that of his Government, that inju rious I 537 ) rious Conduct towards the Emperor of Ruffia will produce the fame Effect on the Mind of his Sove reign, as if directed againft Himfelf. As one of the principal Objects of the Under figned has been to remove the Miftakes and Errors which Falfehood has produced, it muft naturally be his Wifh that this fair and true Statement fhould be ferioufly attended to and examined ; and there fore while he is requefting his Excellency the Reis Effendi to accept the Affurances of his moft diftin- guifhed Confideration, he is at the fame Time obliged to demand, that what he has now written may be laid before the Grand Signior, it being ne ceffary that on fo important a Subject, when the Fate pf Empires is at Stake, the" Anfwer fhould proceed not from his Minifters alone, but directly from His Highnefs. (Signed) CHARLES ARBUTHNOT. No. 4. EXTRACT of aDifpatch from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Mr. Secretaiy Fox, dated Buyukdere, 8th September 1806. .Received Octo ber 13th. T HAD the Honour of informing you in a Difpatch fent by my laft Meffenger that the Porte had in fringed our Capitulations by depriving His Ma jefty's C S3* ) jelly's Dragomans at Smyrna of their Protections. By a Letter which I afterwards received from the Conful at Smyrna, I was informed that there had been a Neceffi yourfelf of the firft favorable Opportunity fo effect a Pacification between the Two Powers if a War fhall have commenced between fhem ; and if Dif cuffions fhall be continued, to interpofe with your Advice, and to offer your Mediation. The firft; Object however muft always be that of fupporting (a due regard being had to the Claims of Juftice) the Caufe of Ruffia, with which Power His Ma jefty from fo many Motives at the prefent Crifis. muft be defirous cf cultivating the moft intimate Union. Much muft depend upon Circumftances, of which you only can judge, and which, in the rapid Courfe of changing Events., may vary from Day to Day. Without any Meafures directly hoftile, the Turkifh Government may evince fuch a Dif pofition to act under the Influence of France, as would render it unfafe for the Allies to repofe any Confidence in the Affurances which may be given of a friendly Difpofition. In all Indications of this Nature, you will apply the moft vigilant Attention ; and upon this SubjecT: I muft remind you of a Point ftrongly urged in my former Difpatches, viz;, that of procuring the Re-. moval of M* Sebaftiani, without however making your Reprefentations in fuch a Manner as to lead to a Rupture on a Point, which,, however important in itfelf, would not be a juft Caufe of War, Intelligence has been received from: Sir Thomas, Louis of his Determination to proceed on. his Ex*., pedition. < 543 I pedition, notwithftanding the Accounts which had reached him of the fuccefsful Iffue of your Me diation. This Determination has given great Satis faction to His Majefty's Government, I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) HOWICK. Right H/m. Charles Arbuthnot. No, 7. EXTRACT of aDifpatch from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Vif count Howick, dated Pera, 15th Janu ary 1807.— Received March 27th by Mr. Secretary Canning. '"pHE Difficulty of failing through the Darda nelles, at leaft in their prefent defencelefs State, would not, I believe, be great. It may be doubted whether the Spirit of Enterprife, which fuch Expeditions would require, is to be expecf ed from the Ruffians. It is only in the Equipment of the Turkifh Fleet that any Military Preparations are yet to be feen. Seven Ships of the Line and feveral Frigates are called in readinefs for Sea; but Seamen of no Kind or Defcription can be obtained to man them. Orders have been given to collect as many as poffible ( 544 ) poffible in the Iflands of the Archipelago, but this will be a Work of Time and Difficulty. Admiral Louis, who faw the Turkifh Ships of War when acting with us on the Coaft of Egypt, is aftonifhed at the Change for the worfe which has fince taken place ; but the Capitan Pacha of that Day was a Man of Enterprize and Ability, and his Two imme diate Succeffors have been totally inefficient. No. 8. DISPATCH from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Vifcount Howick, dated Conftantinople, January 27th, 1 807. — Received May 2d by Mr. Secre tary Canning. My Lord, Pera, 27th January 1807. ClNCE writing my private Letter to your LorcU fhip of this Date, I have received from Captain Capel a Copy of the Paper which I had defired him to fend to Lord Collingwood, and I have the Honour of herewith enclofing it. There is hardly a Man on board the Ships who can be called a real Seaman, I have the Honour to be, 8rc, (Signed) CH, ARBUTHNOT. Vifcount Howick. ( 545 ) (Inclofure referred to in No. 8.) CAPTAIN Capel's Report of Turkifh Force at Conftantinople and adjacent. Line. Frigates. Corvettes At the Arfenal fitting - 3 5 4 At the Anchorage near the Seraglio Point - 3 7 2 At Buyukdere - - 2 0 2 At the Arfenal One Three Deck Ship, apparently nearly ready. Dardanelles 1 2 2 No. r/. DISPATCH from the Right Honourable- Charles Arbuthnot to Vifcount Howicky datedMalta, 10th April 1 807. — Received May 29th, by Mr. Secretary Canning* My Lord, A S during my Refidence at Conftantinople, I re peatedly gave it as my Opinion, that the Objefts we had in View could be eafily attained by the Appearance of -a Britifh Squadron ; I think it ne* n n ceffarv ( 546 ) ceffary to furnifh your Lordfhip with a clear Proof that thofe Sentiments were not lightly entertained,, but that, evenfo late as the 26th of laft January, they were fhared by Sir Thomas Louis, who at that Time commanded His Majefty's Naval Forces at the Dardanelles. By the inclofed Letters from that Officer, it will appear, that with his Three Sail of the Line he was confident of accomplifhing with Facility whatever Service I might require from him ; and it is to be. recollected, that even at that Time, in confequence of the Preparations already caufed by the Ruffian War, the Tafk we had to effect was become far moie arduous. If therefore it had been poffible for a Britifh Squadron to have acted at fome earlier Period, it is nearly evident that complete Succefs would have been the certain Con fequence. Juftice however to Sir John Duckworth, and indeed to myfelf, calls upon me to obferve, that when the Paffage cf th.2 Dardanelles was to be effected, and when the Attempt was to be made to force the Porte into SubmifTion, the State of Things was materially or rather wholly changed. So ad- verfe were -the Winds, that until the 19th of February? there was no Poffibility of weighing Anchor for the Purpofe of attempting the Paffage ; and confequently- more thanThree Weeks from the Date of SirThomas- Louis's Letters had been gained by the Ottomans. Government. That k 547 ) That this confiderable Length of Time had been well employed, muft have appeared from the gallant RefiftanCe which we met with at theDardanelles; but though it may now be idle to indulge in Conjecture, I cannot but think, that the fame Ability and Spirit of Enterprize which have borne Sir John Duckworth and his Squadron fo triumphantly through their firft Difficulties, would have alfo given them the Means of fucceeding as effectually at Conflantinople, if the State of the Elements had even permitted them to approach the Capital, When once for a Moment, the Hope exifted that the Wind was about to change, and when in confequence of this Appearance, the Order was given by the Admiral for the Squadron to prepare to weigh Anchor, there was fo general a Joy, that notwithftanding the rapidly conftructed and immenfe Preparations of Defence, it would have been impoffible not to entertain the moft confident and fanguine Expectation. YourLordfhip has already been informed how cruelly we have been deceived in our Hopes, and how conftantly during our Stay in the Sea of Marmora, the Wind prevented us from making a fingle Effort. As lam very fure that reflecting the Military Part of our Proceedings, there can be but one Opinion, I fhould have felt it unneceffary to revert to thai Subject, if my Attention bad riot unavoidably been drawn to it by the Reperufal of Sir Thomas Louis's inclofed Letters. Thefe tetters ought to have been tranfmitted to the Office immediately after they were" nnj' written^ ( 548 ) written, for they are a ftrong Teftimony in Favour of the Opinion I had long before given; but, the fudden and very ferious Illnefs with which I was attacked, drove from my Recollection that I had fuch Documents to lay before your Lordfhip, and indeed it rendered me incapable of paying due Attention to any Part of my Public Bufinefs. I have the Honour to be, With the greateft Refpect, My Lord, &c. (Signed) CHARLES ARBUTHNOT, Vifcount Howick. (Firft Inclofure in No. 9.) LETTER from Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis K.F. andK.M.T. to the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot, dated Canopus, Dardanelles, the 26th January 1807. Sir, T BEG leave to fuggeft to your Excellency, a Cir cumftance which appears to me of infinite Confe quence to you, beneficial to the Public Service, and in fome Inftances may even be ferviceable to the Government of this Country. s*-... The ( 549 ), The prefent Orders of the Porte to the Governor ¦ of the Dardanelles, and tranfmitted on to the Com- - mandants'of the outer Forts, are dictated with fo little Difcrimination, that a fmall Schooner and Brig in the Inftance I allude to, acting more as Packet Boats than as Veffels of War, and whofe Force and Size could create no Alarm, were prevented paffing the outer Forts ; this Event always happening may fome- times occafion your Excellency much Inconvenience in delaying the Delivery of your Difpatches, perhaps of Importance to know at the earlieft poffible Period, and if connected with any Views of the Sublime Porte, be equally difadvantageous to their Intereft. From thefe Reafons it ftrikes me, that it would be advantageous to you in yorir Public Character, as well as fometimes ufeful to the Porte, if your Reprefentations would induce them to make fome Limitations in conducting their prefent Orders, making an Exception in thofe Veffels they have no caufe to fufpedt, and who bear Public Difpatches for you ;. indeed I think their Refufal to comply with this Requeft would be contrary to the Rights of a Nation in Amity with them. Veffels on their Arrival at the Dardanelles, with the Wind to the Southward and Weftward, may run on diredtiy and deliver their Difpatches immediately; on the contrary, as the Orders now are, they may be delayed Seven or Eight Days, before they can obtain Permiffion from Con ftantinople to proceed, and even -much Delay if they are to fend them by an Exprefs. NNJ As ( 55° ) As moft probably a trifling Circumftance which happened here the other Day, may reach Conftao*. tinople in the Shape of a Complaint, I think it right to inform your Excellency that previous to the Standard's failing for Smyrna, it had been agreed on between the Governor here and myfelf, that Englifh 'Ships of War fhould hoift a private Signal to dif- tinguifh them from ether Nations, as at that Time an Exception was made in their i7avour, in permit ting them to pafs the Forts. ' This Order was how ever refcinded by the Porte foon after the Standard's Departure, and Captain' Hervey returned without knowing the Circumftance : On his arrival off the cuter Fort, the Commandant fent to inform him he could not be permitted to pafs up to the Dardanelles, and would be fired at if he attempted it. Captain Harvey's Anfwer was, that as'no Orders of that Nature had been officially communicated to him, he fhould certainly not be prevented joining his Admiral and the Squadron ; that if they molefted him with their Fire he fhould not return it, confidering his Britannick Majefty at Peace with the Sublime Port! IheTuiks fired on the Ship on paffing, but flie joined the Squadron without Difficulty, or receiving any Damage, this will give your Excellency an Idea how much Facility this Squadron would proceed up to' Conftantinople, in cafe the Public Service and your Excellency's Wifhes fhould require their Prefence. I entered ( 55i ) I entered into Explanations with the Governor and General on the Subject, and they appeared fatis- fied with my Reafons on the Occafion. 7 A.M.. — I have this Inftant received your Ex cellency's Letters of the 21ft and 23d -Inftant, which I will anfwer without Lofs of Time. I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) THOMAS LOUIS. RightHonourable Charles Arbothnot. (Second Inclofure in No. 9.) Canopus, Dardanelles, Sir, 26th January 1807. RECEIVED your Letters at Seven this Morning, at the Moment I was unmooring to proceed with the Squadron to Tenedos .; but, in confequence of the Contents of your Letters, I gave up my Intention, and fhall communicate with fhe Governor of the Dardanelles in the Manner you wifh. I certainly think the Situation here is preferable to Tenedos, ?s the Means of Communication between us is fhortened, which, in the prefent State of Affairs, is of great Importance. With regard to any other View, in the Detention of Veffels, we muft jnve that up for other Points of more Confequence-. k N 4 Your ( 55* J Your Excellency may depend on my paying the ftricteft Attention to all the Wifhes you exprefs re lating to the Public Service, and of my proceeding with the Squadron to Conftantinople, in fpite of Oppofition on the Part of the Turks, whenever you may think fuch a Meafure neceffary, as I am con fident of being capable of performing that Service with Facility. The neceffary Documents fhall be filled up for fuch Veffels as are purchafed by Englifhmen. The Endymion's Officer leaves me immediately with my Letters for you, I difpatched the Spider to Smyrna fome Days ago, with Orders for the Glatton, with Directions to rec tum immediately; but as I have an Armed Schooner under my Orders cruizing off Tenedos, I fhall im mediately fend a Boat to recal her, keeping her in Readinefs to proceed with your Difpatches, in cafe the Spider does not arrive 'in Time. I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) THOMAS LOUIS. The Right Hon, Charles Arbuthnot. DATES OF THE RECEIPT OF All the feveral Dispatches relating to the OTTOMAN PORTE, of which Copies or Extracts have been laid before the Houfe of Commons : — Prefented by His Majefty's Com mand in purfuance of their Addrefs of the 1 6th of March 1808. No. 1. >T*REATY between His Majrfty and the A Ottoman Porte. - — With Tranflation. No. 2. Extract of a Difpatch from the Earl of Elgin to the RightHonourable Lord Grenville, dated Conftantinople, 25 th November 1799. — ¦ RECEIVED 27th January 1800. No. 3. Extract of a Difpatch from the Eight Honour able Charles Arbuthnot to Mr. Secretary Fox, dated Buyukdere, 25th Auguft 1 806.— —— RECEIVED 29th September, Inclofure referred to in No. 3. — With •Tranflation. No. 4. '( 554 ) No. 4. Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honour able Charles Arbuthnot to Mr. Secretary Fox, . dated Buyukdere, 29th September 1806. — RECEIVED 9th November. inclofure referred to in No, 4- — With Tranflation, No. 5. Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honour able Charles Arbuthnot, dated 17 th October 1806.— RECEIVED 2d January 1807. No. 6. Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honour able Charles Arbuthnot to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Pera, ift December 1806- RECEIVED 15th February. No. 7, Difpatch from Lord Vifcount Howick to the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot, dated 14th November 1806. No. 8. Difpatch from Lord Vifcount Howick to the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot, dated 20th November 1806. No. 9. Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honour able Charles Arbuthnot to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Pera, 27th January 1807. -RECEIVED 2d May, by Mr.Secretary Canning. ^nclofure referred to in No. 9. .No. 10. Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honour able Charles Arbuthnot to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Canopus, ofF Tenedos, 3d * Not received by Mr. Arbuthnot until after he had quitted Conftantinople. February ( 555 ) February 1807 — RECEIVED 3d May, by Mr. Secretary Canning. Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 10. Second Inclofure referred to in No. 10. No. 1 1. Extract of a Difpatch from the Right Honour able Charles Arbuthnot to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated 14th February 1807. RECEIVED 2d May, by Mr. Secretary Canning. Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 11. Second Inclofure referred to in No. 1 1. No. 12.' Difpatch from the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot to Lord Vifcount Howick, dated Royal George, 14th February 1807. R.ECEIVED ad May, by Mr.Secretary Can ning. Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 12. Second Inclofure referred to in No. 12. PAPERS Prefented by His MAJESTl'S Command March 1808. DARDANELLES* LIST of PAPERS. No. i . A D MI R ALTY Order to Lord Colling- 32d Nov. 1806. wood to fend Sir John T. Duckworth with a Squadron to the Dardanelles, and inclofing Copy of a Difpatch from Lord Howick. No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Vice- Admiral Lord 15r.hjan.18s7. Collingwood to Wro. Marfden, Efq. ftating the Force fent to theDardanelles, and inclofing Copy of Orders given to Sir J. T. Duckworth. No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Sir John T. Duck- j4t.hFeb.1807. worth to Lord Collingwood. No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Sir Thomas Louis 5th Feb. 1807. to Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood. No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Sir John T.Duck worth to Lord Collingwood on pafling the Dardanelles. D° on the Lofs fuftained at the Ifland of Prota. D°on repafling theDardanelles. D° on the Number of Men which. eould be fpared from Sicily. I 50i ; PAPERS. No. i. ORDER to Lord Collingwood, dated 2*d November 1806, inclofing a Copy of a Difpatch from Lord Howick, and direct ing him to fend Vice Admiral Sir John Duckworth with a Squadron to the Dardanelles. Moft Secret. By the Commiffioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c. ^yiSCOUNT Howick, His Majefty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, having tranfmitted to us His Majefty's Commands on the Meafures to be taken in the prefent Situation pf Affairs in the Levant, we fend you herewith a Copy of his Lordfhip's Inftructions on the Subject ; and do hereby require and direct your Lordfhip to caufe His Majefty's Commands therein fignified, to be car ried into Execution with all poffible Difpatch. For the Performance of this, and the other im portant Services entrufted to your Care, we have given Directions that the Squadron under your o o Command . ( 502 J Command fhall be reinforced by the Ships named in the Margin,* which fliall be fent to you with as little Delay as poffible -9 and as the Service pointed out in the inclofed will require much Ability and Firmnefs in the Officer who is to command it, you are to intruft the Execution thereof to Vice Admiral Sir J.T. Duckworth, directing him to take under his Orders fuch other Flag Officer, as from local Know ledge or other Circumftances, you fhall judge beft qualified to render him Affiftance. Your Lordfhip will perceive that the above Direc tion is given on the Suppofition that it will find you off Cadiz ; but, in the Event of your being within the Mediterranean, as the Meafures herein directed muft be carried into Execution with the utmoft Promptitude and Difpatch, and as much Delay will be occafioned by fending for Sir John Duckworth if he fhould be without the Straits, your Lordfhip is in that cafe either to proceed yourfelf in the Per formance of this Service, or intruft it to Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis, as, upon Confideration of all the Operations under your Directions you fliall judge beft for His Majefty's Service ; obferving, that the Officer commanding the Squadron off Cadiz will be directed, in the Event of your being within the Mediterranean, to fend you fuch Reinforcements as they arrive from England, as may be required for this additional Service, and to whom you will in * Formidable, Glo^y, Malta, IlluftrioiiSj Terrible, Courageux. courfe V J"0 ) cdurfe fend fuch Inftructions as you may deem ne» ceffary for his further Proceedings. Given under our Hands the 22d November 1806. (Signed) THOMAS GRENVILLE. J. MARKHAM. T. F. FREEMANTLE. By Command of their Lordfhips, B.TUCKER. (Inclofure referred to in No. 1.) COPY of a Difpatch fromVifcount Howick to the Admiralty, directing that Orders fhould be fent to Lord Collingwood to detach a Squadron to act againft Con ftantinople. Moft Secret. Downing Street, My Lords, 2 ift November 1806. COME late Proceedings on the Part of the Turkifh Government, denoting a Difpofition far from amicable towards this Country, and Submiflion to which would be inconfiftent with the Dignity of His Majefty's Crown, have determined the King to adopt fuch prompt and decifive Meafures as are fuitable to the Occafion ; I have it in Command, therefore, to convey to your Lordfhips His Majefty's Pleafure, that a Reinforcement be forthwith fent to the Fleet 002 under under the. Orders of Lord Collingwood; 'alfo, thai Directions be fent to his Lordfhip to detach, under the Command of able and experienced Officers, a fufficient Squadron of His Majefty's Ships, with Orders to proceed, as expediticufly as poffible, to the Straights of Conftantinople, there to take fuch a Pofition as will beft enable them, fhould Circum ftances render hoftile Meafures neceffary, or fhould Reprefentations, fuitable to the. Occafion which Mr. Arbuthnot His Majefty's Ambaffador at Con ftantinople has been inftructed to make to theTurkifh Government, fail of their Effect, to act offenfively againft Conftantinople. From the Nature of the Proceedings on the Part of the Porte to which I allude, as well as from the Infenfibility of the Turkifh Government to thofe Sentiments which reltrain States in a more advanced Stage of Civilization from Ads of Outrage againft the Laws of Nations, it is not impoffible but that, on the Arrival of the Britifh Squadron before Con ftantinople, Mr. Arbuthnot may have been forcibly detained by the Porte, you are to diiect the Officer in Command, in fuch extreme Cafe, to infift on the immediate Releafe of that Minifter and his Suite, together with, the Releafe, fhould they be detained, of fhe Perfons and Property of all thofe compofing or belonging to the Britifh Factory ; and in the Event of this Demand not being complied with, to proceed to Meafures of Hoftility againft the Town. If C 5^s ) If Mr. Arbuthnot fliall not have been forcibly de tained, or having been detained fhould be releafed in confequence of the Requifition above directed to be made, the Admiral in Command is to be inftructed to communicate with that Minifter, and to be guided by his Communication with him, in refpect to his further Proceedings. The Admiral in Command is alfo to be inftructed, that on receiving Intimation from Mr. Arbuthnot of his Opinion that Hoftilities ought to commence, previoufly taking all poffible Precautions, if necef* fary, for the Safety of that Minifter and the Perfons attached to his Miffion, he is to demand the imme diate Surrender of the Turkifh Fleet, together with that of a Supply of Naval Stores from the Arfenal, fufficient for its Equipment ; and he is to accompany his Demand with a Menace, in cafe of Refufal, of immediately commencing Hoftilities againft the Town. In the Event of an abfolute Refufal of this De mand, a Circumftance to be provided againft in your Lordfhips Inftructions, he is either to cannon ade the Town, or to attack the Fleet in the Situation in which it may be placed, whichever Meafure may appear to him to be moft practicable, with a View either of gaining Poffeffion of, or deftroying the Turkifh Fleet. The Admiral in Command is to be inftructed, immediately on the Adoption of thefe, or any other 003 hoftile ( 566 ) lioftile Meafures, fhould any fuch become neceffary, to difpatch a faft failing Veffel, with Information of the fame to the Officer commanding His Majefty's Land Forces in Sicily, The Neceffity of communicating fuch Information with all poffible Promptitude is abfolute, Orders having been fent to General Fox, to detach a Force confifting of 5000 Men, for the Purpofe of taking Poffeffon of Alexandria, immediately on Information being received by him, from the Admiral in Com mand, that Hoftilities fhall have commenced. With a View to facilitating this Service, Lord Collingwood is to be inftructed to make the neceffary Arrangements for a Convoy being ready to proceed with the Troops to be employed againft Alexandria, the Moment Orders for their proceeding thither fhall be given by General Fox. I am, My Lords, Your Lordfhips" Moft obedient humble Servant, (Signed) HOWICK, To the Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty. 5<7 No. 2; COPY of a Letter from Vice Admiral Lord Collingwood to William Marfden Efquire, ftating the Force fent to the Dardanelles, and enclofing Copy of Orders to Sir John Duckworth. Moft Secret. Ocean, off Cadiz,- Sir, 15th January 1807. T BEG you will be pkafed to inform the Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty, that His Ma jefty's Ships named in the Margin,* joined me on the 1 2th Inftant, when I received by Captain Otway, their Lordfhips' Order of Date the 22d of Novem ber, directing me to detach a fufficient Squadron under the Orders of Vice Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth, for the Service which may be neceffary for them to execute at Conftantinople, and in the Archipelago, which Service is detailed in the Copy of a Letter from Lord Vifcount Howick, inclofed with their Lordfhips' Order, In Execution of thofe Orders the Vice Admiral parted Company To-day, having for the Accom- plifhment of the feveral important Services which Events may make neceffary for him to perform, * Glory, Formidable, Terrible, llluftriouSj Courageux. 004 placed ( 565 ) placed under his Orders Eight Ships of the Line, Two Frigates, and Two Sloops, as per Margin ;* and whenever the Bomb Veffels arrive they fhall proceed to join him. This Force confifts of more large Ships than per haps their Lordfhips intended ; but when I confider the great Impoitanceof the Objed,that the Succefs of it depends in a great Degree on the Promptitude with which it is undertaken, and the powerful Naval Force of the Turks which may be brought in Oppo- fition to it j I thought it advifeable that the Vice Admiral fhould not be fubjed to delay, for want of the Co-operation of the Ruffian Ships, particularly as the laft I heard of them, Seven or Eight were at Cataro, and the other might be employed on de tached Services, from which they could not be re called. The local Knowledge which Rear Admiral Sir W. Sidney Smith poffeffes of the Coaft of Turkey, and his being well acquainted with the Manners and Language of the Country, pointed him out as a proper Officer to be employed in the Service ; and as Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis is already in the Archipelago with Three Ships, I have ordered Captain Hallowell of the Tigre to proceed to Sicily, and com- * Royal George, Windfor Caftle, Rcpulfe, Ajax, Pompee, Canopus, Thunderer, Standard, Endymion, Active, Nautilu6, Delight. mand <> 5°9 ) mand the Squadron employed in its Defence in the Abfence of the Flag Officers ; to this Officer I have given the Charge to prepare the Tranfports which may be wanted for the Embarkation of Seven Thoufand Troops, and to confult with General Fox On the moft commodious Place for their Embarka tion 5 as there is no Perfon has a. more perfed Knowledge of the Country where they are to debark, I purpofe that he fhould condud them thither, and muft fend another Ship of the Line to Sicily to fupply his Place in about Six Weeks, unlefs, in the mean Time, fome Event fhould make it unne ceffary. That their Lordfhips may be fully informed of the Orders given to Vice Admiral Sir J.T.Duckworth, I enclofe a Copy of them, in which I have endea voured to embrace to their full Extent the Objeds to be purfued as ftated in Vifcount Howick's Letter. The Malta has joined the Squadron To-day from Portfmouth. I am, Sir, Your moft obedient humble Servant, (Signed) COLLINGWOOD. W.Marfden Efquire, ( 57° ) (Inclofure referred to in No. 2.) Moft Secret. COPY of Vice Admiral Sir John T. Duck worth's Orders, dated 13th January 1807. Collingwood. COME late Proceedings on the Part of the Turkifh Government, indicating the encreafing Influence of the French in their Councils, and a Difpofition in the Porte to abandon the Alliance which has happily fubfifted between that Government and His Majefty, inducing a Condud on their Part which it would be inconfiftent with the Dignity of His Majefty's Crown to fubmit to, have determined the King to adopt fuch prompt and decifive Meafures as are fuitable to the Occafion. On the other Hand, the laft Accounts, of Date the 13th Odober laft, from His Majefty's Ambaffador at Conftantinople, ftated the Matters of Difference to have been amicably adjufted ; yet as recent Events may have an Effed unfavourable to His Majefty's Interefts, it is neceffary that a Squadron, under the Command of a judicious and fkilful Officer, fhould proceed to Conftantinople, to be ready to ad with Vigour and Promptitude, as Circumftances, and the ( 57* ) the State of Affairs on his Arrival, may make ne ceffary : You are hereby required and di reded to take under your Orders the Ships named in the Margin,* which you are to colled as you arrive at the Stations and Ports where they are, and having completed the Provifions and Water to Four Months at Gibraltar, proceed as expeditioufly as poffible to the Straits of Conftantinople, and there take fuch a Pofition as will enable you to execute the following In- ftrudions ; On your Arrival at Conftantinople, you are to communicate with His Majefty's Ambaffador as foon as poffible,fendinghim the accompanying Difpatches, and confulting with him on the Meafures neceffary to be taken. Should the Subjed of Difference have been ami cably fettled between the Turkiffi Court and the Britifh Ambaffador, as was ftated in the laftAccounts from him, the Relations of Amity are to be main tained ; fhould however the Reverfe be the Cafe, or * At Sicily, Palermo. — Pompee, Rear Admiral Sir S. Smith. In the Archipelago, under the Orders of Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis.— Canopus, Thunderer, Standard, Endymion, Aftive, Nautilus, Delight, Royal George, Windfor Cattle, Repulfe., and Ajax. fhould ( 57* ) fhould the Reprefentations which Mr. Arbuthnot is inftruded to make to the Turkifh Government, fail of their Effed, you are to ad offenfively againft Conftantinople ; but as from a barbarous Pradice of the Turkifh Government it may happen, that the Ambaffador and thePerfons of his Suite are forcibly detained, in fuch Cafe, before you proceed to any adual Hoftility, you are to demand and infill on the Releafe of that Minifter and his Suite, together with all thofe who belong to, and compofe Part of the Britifh Fadory. And in the Event of the Demand not being complied with, you are to proceed to Meafures of Hoftility againft the Town. If Mr. Arbuthnot fhall not have been forcibly detained, or having been detained, fhould be releded in confequence of ycur Requifition, you are then to communicate and confult with that Minifter on the Meafures proper to be purfued, and govern yourfelf in your further Proceedings by fuch Com munications, Should the Refult of your Communications with Mr. Arbuthnot determine, and he inform you it is his Opinion, that Hoftilities fhould commence, having previoufly taken all poffible Precaution for the -Safety of that Minifter, and the Perfons attached to his Miffion, and having difpofed the Squadron under your Orders in fuch Stations as may compel Com pliance, you are to demand the Surrender of the Turkifh Fleet, together with a Supply of Naval Stores ^ 573 ) Stores from the Arfenal, fufficient for its' complete Equipment ; which Demand you are to accom pany with a Menace of immediate Deftrudion to the Town. At this Crifis, fhould any Negociation on. the. Subjed be propofed by the Turkifh Government, as fuch Propofal will probably be to gain Time for preparing their Refiftance, or fecuring their Ships, I would recommend that no Negociation fhould be, continued more than Half an Hour, and in the Event of an abfolute Refufal, you are either to cannonade the Town, or attack the Fleet, where- ever it may be, holding it in Mind, that the getting the Poffeffion, and next to that the Deftrudion of the Turkifh Fleet, is the Objed of the firft Confi deration. On the Adoption of Hoftilities, the Communi cation of that Decifion to the Commander in Chief of the Britifh Army in Sicily, and the Officer com manding the Squadron on the Coaft of that Ifland, muft be as prompt and immediate as poffible, fent by- a faft failing Veffel ; and the more to enfure this-* important Communication, a Duplicate fhould'' follow in a very few Days. Orders having been fent to General Fox, to detach 5000 Men for the Purpofe of taking Poffeffion of Alexandria, as foon as. he is informed that Hoftilities have commenced, which Armament you muft regard as ading within the Sphere of your Co-operation, and be pre-. pared ( 574 ) pared to give all the Affiftance to, that is in your Power. When Hoftilities have been entered upon in that Quarter, it will be of the firft Importance to poffefs a Naval Station in the Archipelago. The Ifland of Milo from its Situation, and the Excellence of its Harbour, prefents itfelf as beft calculated for pre- ferving the Communication in the Archipelago, and fuch as will certainly be neceffary in the Morea. In proceeding up the Archipelago, Pilots are procured at Milo, and when you are there for that Purpofe, it will be a favourable Opportunity for you to examine how far the poffeffing yourfelf of it is pradicable, and what Force will be neceffary to maintain it, and make fuch neceffary Communications to General Fox on this Subjed, and requeft for Troops, as may be wanted to poffefs it. His Majefty's Ship the Glatton is ftationed in the Bay of Smyrna, for the Purpofe of receiving on board the Perfons and Property of the Fadors refident there, whenever Circumftances make it neceffary for them to embark ; and as this will depend upon the Operations at Conftantinople, you will give Captain Seccombe and the Fador, timely Notice for their Security. Having thus detailed particularly the Situation of Affairs at the Porte, and what are the Inftrudions ef His Majefty in the Event of a War with Turkey, yet yet in a Service of this Nature many Circumftances will doubtlefs occur which cannot be forefeen, and can only be provided for by an intelligent Mind upon the Spot. In your Ability a Refource will be found for every Contingency, and in your Zeal for His Majefty's Service, a Security that, for the full Exe cution of thefe Inftrudions, whatever is pradicable will be done. The Force which is appointed for this Service is greater than the original Intention, as it was expeded the Ruffians from Corfu would be ready to co operate with you, but as its Succefs depends upon the Promptnefs with which it is executed, I have judged it proper (that no Delay may arife from their Squadron not joining) to increafe your Force by Two Ships. I have however written to Vice Admiral Seriovin to requeft him to detach Four Ships with Orders to put themfelves under your Command, and that you may be poffeffed of all the Force that can be applied to the important Service under your immediate Diredion, you are hereby authorized to call from the Coaft of Sicily whatever can be fpared from the perfed Security of that Ifland, as well as the Difpatch Veffels at Malta ; but as little more Naval Force is at Sicily than is abfolutely neceffary for its Defence, and the Convoy which may be wanted for the Troops, a ftrid Regard muft be had that, that Ifland is not left in a weak State of Defence. 0 While C 57^ > While employed on this Service you muft take every Opportunity of communicating to me your Pro ceedings, in as full Detail as poffible, tranfmitting to me by fuch Opportunities, the general Returns and t State of the Squadron. In the Event of your finding a pacific and friendly Difpofition in the Porte, fo that the Squadron under your Orders is not required in hoftile Operations there, you are to detach a Flag Officer with fuch Number of Ships as are not wanted, which Detach ment being made up Five Ships of the Line from thofe at Sicily, you will dired to proceed off Toulon, endeavouring to fall in with any Squadron, or Ships which the Enemy may have put to Sea thence ; not finding the Enemy at Sea, thofe Ships attached to the Service at Sicily, are to return to their Stations ; and the Flag Officer with the others are to proceed and join me at this Rendezvous. I enclofe" for your Information Copies of the Orders (No. i. and 2,) delivered to Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis, and Captain Seccombe of the Glatton. Given on board the Ocean off Cadiz. (Signed) COLLINGWOOD. k 577 ) (No. i . referred to in Sir John Duckworth?s Orders.) Secret. COPY of a Letter from Vice Admiral Lord Collingwood, to Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis Baronet, dated 2d No vember, 1806. Ocean, off Cadiz, Sir, 2d November 1 806". AS it is impoffible at this Period, to determine how the Negotiations which are at prefent under Difcuffion between His Majefty's Ambaffador and the Porte may terminate, I have to requeft, that fhould the Ottoman Government ultimately enter into an Alliance with France, and prove inimical to the Britifh^Ihterefts, and fhew any Difpofition to Hoftility, that you will afford every Affiftance and Protedion in your Power both to the Commerce and the Perfons of fuch En glifh Merchants as may be engaged in the different Branches of Trade with Turkey. I think it neceffary at the fame Time to acquaint you, that the Monarch, a large hired Tranfport, is now at Odeffa, loading with a Cargo of Naval Stores, for the Supply of His Majefty's Yards. I have, &c. (Signed) COLLINGWOOD. To Sir Thomas Louis Baronet, Rear Admiral of the White, &c. { 57* % (No. 2. referred to in Sir John Duckworth's Orders,) COPY of Inftrudions given by Vice Ad miral Lord CoUingwoodjto Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis. By the Right Honourable Cuthbert Lord Col lingwood, Vice Admiral of the Red, -and Commander in Chief, &c. jtlAVING received Information , from His Ma jefty's Ambaffador at Conftantinople, that the Condud of the Porte has of late manifefted an Attachment to the French -Government, which is incompatible with her Connedions with His Ma jefty ; and that Propofals have been made by the French to withdraw the Porte from the Alliance which has hitherto fubftfted between the Ottoman Government and the Courts of London and St. Peterfburgh, which at this Time are moft happily united in the moft ftrid Bonds of Amity ; To give Refiftance to any Operations of War, which may be undertaken by the Enemy in. that Quarter, and Continuance to the Negotiations which His Majefty's Ambaffador may be engaged in at that Court, I "have thought it neceffary to difpatch to the Dardanelles, a Squadron of His MajeftyV Ships under your Orders, and- you are "hereby required and direded to take the Ships named in the ( 579 ) the'Mai>gin* under your Orders, and proceeding with all poffible Expedition to Malta, there complete the Water and Provifions of the Ships to Four Months, or as much more as can be flowed under Hatches. And, haying taken Pilots for the Archi pelago, yqu are to go on to the Dardanelles, fending at a proper Time the. Adive before you, to apprize His Majefty's Ambaffador of your Arrival in thofe Seas, (and with whom you will correfpond while there) requefting he, will inform you of the State of his Negotiations, and what the Condud of the Porte is towards Great Britain and Ruffia,. keeping the Squadron at all Times ready for any Service, which the Iffue of thefe Negotiations may render neceffary. As the Squadron under your Orders is to be confidered as cautionary and to give Weight and Impreffion to the Negotiation of the Ambaffadors ; you are, while employed on this Service, to pay the ftrideft -Regard to the Neutrality of the Porte, and on every Occafion manifeft the moft friendly Difpo fition to the Turkifh Government and Subjeds. You are to continue there as long as the State of the Negotiation may make fuch an Appearance of Force neceffary, and communicating to me by every Opportunity your Proceedings, and fuch Obferva- tions as you may make on the Condud of the Turks towards you, and then return to Malta, to complete the Ships in their Water, and the Provifions to Two Months, getting the Remainder at Gibraltar. * Canopus, Thunderer, Standard, Active, Nautilus Sp. P P 2 Should ( 5*° ) Should the Squadron employed on the Coaft of Sicily, confift of Five Ships of the Line, or more, you are with the Squadron under your Command, to join me on this Rendezvous, or wherever I may be ; but if that Squadron fhould confift of lefs than Five Ships of the Line, you are to leave fuch a Number, as will make if up Five. On your Arrival in the Archipelago, you are to difpatch the Nautilus to Smyrna, to communicate with the Fadory, and to give fuch Protedion to the Merchants there as the State of Affairs may require. On detaching theAdive to the Ambaffador, with Information of your Arrival in the Dardanelles, as is within direded, you will require Information from his Excellency, how far it will be neceffary and proper for you to appear with the Squadron before Conftantinople, and govern yourfelf therein, by the Intelligence you receive from him in Reply. Given on board the Ocean, off Cadiz, the 2d of November 1806. (Signed) COLLINGWOOD. To Sir Thomas Louis Baronet, Rear Admiral of the White, &c. <, 5«* ) No. 3. COPY of Vice Admiral Sir J. Duckworth's Letter to Lord Collingwood; Royal George, off Dardanelles, My Lord, 14th February 1807. TTTAVING had the Honour to acquaint your Lord fhip in my Letter of the 9th, when within Sight of Tenedos (and of which I forwarded Dupli cates), that Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis was with his Squadron at Anchor under that Ifland with His Majefty's Minifter Mr, Arbuthnot, I have now to inform your Lordfhip that I was not able, from the Wind being to the Eaftward to reach Tenedos till late in the Afternoon of the 1 oth, when I had a Conference with the Ambaffador, and Sir Thomas Louis ; in the courfe of which it appeared evident to me, that though our Minifter under a Firmnefs that muft do Honour to him as a Negociator, fhewed the ftrongeft conciliatory Difpofition, yet the rapid and unparalleled Succefs of the French Arms had given fuch an Afcendancy to General Se baftiani the Minifter of that Nation, that I did not buoy myfelf up with Hopes that the Squadron would be admitted pacifically to pafs through the Dardanelles ; however, as the Wind was adverfe, and the Captain Pacha feemed anxioufly folicitous for a Conference with Mr. Arbuthnot, who alfo felt ,a ftrong Defire that na Appearance of Intempe- v p 3 ranc« ( 5»« ) ranee or Hafte fhould attach itfelf to the Meafures our Sovereign was defirous to adopt for the Con tinuance of Peace, the Meeting was agreed on, but an inceffant and heavy N. E. Gale blew the nth and 1 2th, and it was not poffible to effed till Yefter day ; when the Terms the Captain Pacha propofed, inviting Mr. Arbuthnot to return with him to Con ftantinople in the Endymion, and there continue the Negotiation, appeared to me evidently only to g^ain Time, arid as he faid it was not in his Power to accede to thofe Conditions of Reciprocity, Mr. Arbuthnot' thought it his Duty fo lay down as the Bafis of the Terms on which alone he could refume his Poft at Conftantinople, that Minifter returned ori DOard to cohfult with me whether I confidered fhe Delay of his going up with fhe Captain Pacha was admiffible, when we diredly decided not ; he there fore wrote the Captain Pacha to acquaint him of our Refoiution to pafs the Dardanelles the firft fair Wind, but forry am I to fay there is no Ap pearance of that good Fortune at prefent, for it is blowing a heavy . Gale of Wind diredly down. Having explained our Intentions thus far, I think it a Duty I owe to His Majefty and my own Honour to obferve to [your Lordfhip, that our Mi nifter having left Conftantinople Sixteen Days fince, and the Turks employed French Engineers to ered Batteries to flank every Turn in our Paffage through the Dardanelles, I conceive the Service pointed ->"<> ) pointed out in mylnftrudions as completely altered, and viewed in whatever Manner it may, has become the moft. arduous and doubtful that has ever been undertaken ; for as I am inftxuded by your Lord fhip to communicate and confult with His Majefty's Ambaffador, and to be guided in my Proceedings tby fuch Communication, it is on that Principle that the Refoiution has. been adopted, for the Honour and Charader of the Nation appear pledged, and in our Hands they cannot be tarnifhed. Of the Hazard which attends fuch anEnterprize I am moft fullyaware. We are to enter a Sea envi roned with Enemies, without apoffible 'Refjburce but in ourfelves ; and when we are to return there can not remain a Doubt but that the Paffage will be rendered as formidable as the Efforts of the Turkifh Empire, direded and affifted by their Allies the French, can make it. I intreat your Lordfhip, ihowever, to believe, -that as I am aware of the Diffi culties we have to encounter, fo I am refolved thaf nothing on my Part be left undone «hat can enfure sfhe Means of our furmounting them. I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) J. T. DUCKWORTH, P. S.— -Having thought it rignt to read Mr. Ar buthnot this Letter to your Lordlhip, his Obfervadon was, that he fhould with Plea fure place his Signature by the Side of mine ; he faid, however, that the Fortifi- p p 4 cations ( 5*4 ) cations of the Dardanelles, and in the Canal of the Bofphorus, had not been under taken merely from the Time of his own Departure from Conftantinople, but that Frenchmen had been defired to affift in their Conftrudion the very Inftant that a War broke out between the Porte and Ruffia, and that when the Endymion paffed down, the Workmen were feen driving in Piles, Sec. and that the Batteries were already advanced far towards their Com pletion. He has alfo indulged me with a Copy of his Letter to Lord Howick with Notes, &c. which I forward for your Lordfhip's Information. (Signed) J.T.DUCKWORTH. Vice Admiral Lord Collingwood, Commander in Chief, &c.&c. &c. No. 4. COPY ofdRear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis's Letter to Vice Admiral Lord Collingwood. Canopus, Anchorage off Tenedos, My Lord, the 5th February 1807. /"\N the 30th January I wrote your Lordfhip by the Crafty Schooner a detailed Account of my Proceedings from the Date of my preceding Letter, and ( 5*5 ) and a Continuation of my official Correfpondence with his Excellency Mr. Arbuthnot, which has, I truft, given you every neceffary Information of the State of Affairs in this Country, as well as the various Services on which I have employed the Ships your Lordfhip did me the Honour to place under my Command. The Schooner alfo conveyed the Am baffador's and my Difpatches for your Lordfhip and His Majefty's Government, of the utmoft Impor tance to the Intereft of Great Britain, and which I truft will arrive expeditioufly, and with Safety to their Deftination. At Twelve at Night, on the 30th January, fome Hours after the Schooner had failed with the Dif patches, the Endymion's Boat came to the Canopus, when at Anchor off the Dardanelles with the Squa dron, and brought Letters from Mr. Arbuthnot and Captain Capel, informing me that Ship was fo far on her Paffage to™ join me at Galipoli, about Eight Leagues from the Caftles of the Dardanelles, where Circumftances had induced Captain Capel to an chor ; and that the Ambaffador and Britifh Mer chants were all on board of her ; he having been obliged to cut his Cables at Conftantinople in the Night, and efcape with them from thence. His Excellency was obliged to have recourfe to thefe Meafures, from having privately underftood, on good Authority, that it was the Intention of the Turkifh Government to feize the Frigate, his Per fon, and the Perfons of all the Britifh Merchants, as ( 5** ) as Hoftages, that no Attempts fhould be made againft them by our Forces: And it is underftood that they intended, fhould our Fleet attempt to fire on their Forts or Capital, that their Hoftages fhould all fuffer Death, under Circumftances of the moft fevere Torture that Malice could invent, of which an Inftance occurred, too horrid to defcribe, on the Day the Ambaffador had his laft Conference with the Porte : A Greek Prince of Eighty Years. of Age, the Father of the Hofpodar of Wallachia, (now with the Ruffian Army), was put to death, after fuffering long and excruciating Tortures ; and it may be fuppofed, that the particular Moment of the Ambaffador's Audience was chofen to intimidate him in the Performance of his Duty \ but his firm and dignified Condud baffled all their Expedations. As, however, there could be no Doubt the In telligence his Excellency had received of feizing and confining the Perfons of the Merchants and him felf, making their Hoftages anfwerable for our Adions, it became highly neceffary that he fhould, in the moft private and cautious Manner, take fuch Steps as would fruftrate the vile Attempts of the Turks, which if they had Cucceeded in, would have been attended with the moft ferious and dangerous Confequences. I would not only have prevented the adive Operations of our Fleet, but alfo pre vented our Government from entering into any Negociations on equal Terms, by the Confequences being fatal to the Hoftages- Happily, however, the C 5*7 ) the judicious Plans of the Ambaffador, and the very'active artd decifive Condud of the Honourable- Captain Capel,, who deferves my higheffc Com*' mendarionsj has prevented all the ill Confequences that would have" arifert from the: Meafures of the Turks fucceeding; and,, If am happy? to* fay, that the Whole of the Merchants were brought away by the Endymion, but no Part whatever of their Property, which is confiderable, and remains ex- pofed to1 the Rapacity of the Turks. The Endymion joined me at i o in the" Morning of the1 31ft January; and the Ambafador, after removing fo the Canopus^ fent his Dragoman vnxh a Meffage to the Captain Pacha, who is at the Dar danelles^ fiiperintending the additional Defences they are adding to their Fortifications on both Sides of the Coafts of Europe and Alia. Thus fituated, and as Affairs now ftand between the two Countries, adive Meafures muft be evi dently reforted to ; and I muft earneftly recommend fo your Lordfhip's Attention the great Advantage fhat will refult from the utmoft Expedition being ufed, to afford us the neceffary Reinforcements for enabling us to ad with Promptitude and Effed,and at an early Period as poffible ; the Means of Re fiftance in the Turks daily encreafing by the addi tional Strength of their Forts, and the Augmenta tion and Equipment of their Navy. And I beg Leave to take this Opportunity of ftating my Opinion to your ( 5§8 ) your -Lordfhip, of the Number and Kind of Force, which I judge will be abfolutely neceffary to fully perform the Service of forcing our Paffage to Con ftantinople, deftroying the Forts in our Way, re ducing the Capital to Subjedion, and capturing or deftroying all their Navy ; and in confequence obliging them to accept the Offers propofed by our, Goyernment ; The Naval Force, I apprehend, to carry thefe Meafures into Effed, fhould confift of at leaft Ten Sail of the Line, Two of the Number Three Deckers, a Proportion of Frigates, and fmall Veflels,> with fome Bombs, and fome Troops, for the Purpofe of an occafional " Coup de Main " where ne ceffary, or to garrifon one of the Caftles of the Dardanelles, (Abydes), while the other (Seftos),? which is neither tenable or neceffary to poffefs,1 might be deftroyed, as well as any other Points that might occur in conduding the general Service. Both -the Bombs and the Troops might with. great Facility and Expedition be fent us fronj, Sicily, from whence, as there is fo large a Force ftationed, I apprehend this Number of Men might be fpared .without Inconvenience or Rifk, as alfo the Bombs. . I believe Mr. Arbuthnot means to addrefs General Fox, the Commander in Chief of the Forces, on this Subjed, and no Doubt will mention it in his Letters to your Lordfhip, when, ..,., he ( 589 ) he writes you, and that he will alfo give you the Particulars of his quitting Conftantinople. As it is of Importance the Squadron fhould be kept as complete as poffible in their Provifions, I have had Purchafes made of Bread, Fifh, Beef, and Wine, and fhall continue to do fo, with any other Articles that are neceffary, and which can be pro cured. The Prices here are very reafonable to Go.- vernment at prefent ; but as it is impoffible to procure every neceffary Article of Vidualling, I fhall write to Mr. Wilkie, the Agent Vidualler at Malta, and alfo the Senior Naval Officer at that Place, to load a Tranfport, and fend fuch other Supplies as the Squadron may' require ; amongft others, Two Cables and Anchors for the Endymion, that Ship having been obliged to leave her's at Con ftantinople in quitting it, I am at prefent at anchor off Tenedos, with the Ships in the Margin *, where I hope to be able to keep their Wood and Water compleated. I beg your Lordfhip will pardon me for re commending, that as the Reinforcement which may be fent to this Country will naturally be completed to' a proper Quantity of Provifions and Stores, that they may be ordered to join me here imme diately, without flopping at Malta in their Paffage, * Canopus, Thunderer, Standard, and Endymion. without .( ;5£° ) -without your Lordfhip has any ftrongtReafpn to the contrary. The Adive is at prefent at that Ifland, having went thither with the. Convoy from Smyrna, and to convey the Ruffian Envoy and his" Miffion. I hppe foon to have her Return, and bringing me Difpatches from your Lordfhip, of which I am moft anxious. Immediately on the" News reaching* me of his Ex cellency the Ambaffador-quitting Conftantinople, I forwarded triplicate Difpatches to the Conful, and alfo to Captain Seccombe of the Glatton, direding him to give every Aid to the Gonful and Fadory ; and meeting with any Oppofition on the Part of "the Turks, to make ufe of the Force he has under his Command againft them, in the moft effedual Manner poffible. I underftand from -Mr. Arbuthnot, that for the laft Two Days. before he quitted Conftantinople, he was refufed Paffports either to communicate with me, or elfewhere. I have the Honour to be, &c. (Signed) THOMAS..LOD1S. The Right Honourable Lord Collingwood, Commander in Chief, &c. &c. &c. ( 59i ) No. 5. Collingwood. COPY of a Letter from Vice Admiral Sir J. T. Duckworth to Lord Colling wood. Royal George, off Conftantinople^ My Lord, Feb. 21ft, 1807. T HAD the Honour of tranfmitting to your Lord fhip, by the late Firft Lieutenant of the Ajax, the various Details relating to the Tranfadions of the Squadron till the 17th Ultimo ; your Lordfhip will from thence have been •informed of my Re foiution of palling the Dardanelles the firft fair Wind. A fine Wind from the Southward permitted me to carry it into Effed on the Morning of the 19th. Information had been given to me by His Ma jefty's Minifter, Mr. Arbuthnot, and Sir Thomas. ¦Louis, that the Turkifh Squadron, confiftirtg of a 64 Gun Ship, four Frigates, and feveral Corvettes, had been for fome Time at Anchor within the Inner Caftle ; and conceiving it -poffible they might have remained there, I had given Orders to Rear Ad miral Sir Sidney Smith to bring up with the Thun derer, Standard, and Adive, and to deftroy them, fhould our Paffage be oppofed. At a Quarter 1 2. before ( 592 ) before Nine o' Clock, the Whole of the Squadron had paffed the outer Caftles, without having re turned a Shot to their Fire (which occafioned but little Injury). This Forbearance was produced by the Defire of His Majefty's Minifter, expreffed to preferve every Appearance of Amity, that he might negoc'ate with the ftrongeft Proof of the pacific Difpofition of our Sovereign towards the Porte. A fecond Battery on the European Side fired alfo with as little Effed. At 9-30, the Canopus, which, on account of Sir Thomas Louis's Knowledge of the Channel, joined to the fteady Gallantry which I had before experienced, had been appointed to lead, entered the narrow Paffage of Seftos and Alydor, and fuftained a very heavy Cannonade from both Caftles, within Point Blank Shot of each. They opened their Fire upon our Ships as they continued to pafs in Succeffion, although I was happy in obferving that the very fpirited Re turn which it met with, had fo cOnfiderably di- minifhed its Force, that the Effed on the Stern- •moft Ships could not have been fo fever e. Imme diately to the North-eaft of the Caftles, and between them and Point Pefquies, on which a formidable Battery had been newly ereded, the fmall Squadron, vhich I have already alluded to, were at Anchor. The Van Divifion of our Squadron gave them their Broadfides as they paffed, and Sir Sidney Smith with his Divifion clofed into the Midft, and the Effed of the Fire was fuch, that in Half an Hour the Turks had all cut their Cables to run on Shore. The ( 593 ) The Object of the Rear Admiral was then to de- ftroy them, which was moft rapidly effeded, as in lefs than Four Hours the Whole of them had ex ploded, except a fmall Corvette and a Gun Boat* which it was thought proper to preferve. I enclofe to your Lordfhip a Statement of their Number, and when I add alfo an Account of the Lofs His Ma jefty's Ships have fuftained, I cannot help expreffing my Satisfadion, that we have fuffered fo flightly, as had any of their Stone Shot, fome of which exceed 800 Weight, have made fuch a Breach between Wind and Water, as they have done in our Sides* the Ship muft have funk j or had they ftruck a lower Maft in the Centre, it muft evidently have been cut in two ; in the Rigging too, no Accident occurred that was not perfedly arranged in the Courfe of the next Day. The Spritfail Yard of the Royal George, the Gaft of the Canopus, and the Maintopfail Yard of the Standafd, are the only Spars that were injured. It is with peculiar, Plea fure that I embrace the Opportunity which has been at this Time afforded of bearing Teftimony to the Zeal and diftinguifhed Ability of Sir Sidney Smith, the Manner in which he executed the Service en- trufted to him was worthy of the Reputation which he has long fince fo juftly and generally efta*. blifhed. The Terms of Approbation in which the' Rear Admiral relates the Condud of Captains Dacres, Talbot, Harvey, and Mowbray, which from my being under the Neceffity of paffing the Point of Fefquies, before the Van could anchor, he Q Q had C 594 > had a greater Opportunity of obferving than f could, cannot but be highly flattering ; but I was a more immediate Witnefs to the able and Officer-like Condud which Captain Moubray difplayed in Obe dience to my Signal, by deftroying a Frigate with which he had been more particularly engaged, havfng driven her on Shore on the European Side, after fhe had been forced to cut her Cables- from under the Fire of the Pompee and Thunderer. The 64 having run on Shore on Perquies Point, I ordered the Repulfe to work up and deftroy her, which Captain Legge, in Conjundion with the Boats of the Pompee, executed with great Promp titude and Judgement. The Battery on the Point of more than 30 Guns> which, had it been completely finifhed, was in a Pofition to have annoyed the Squadron moft fe- verely in palling, was taken Poffeffion of by the Royal Marines and Boats Crews of the Rear Divi fion. The Turks having retired at their Approach, the" Guns were immediately, fpiked. This Service was performed under the Command of Captain Nicholls of the Standard's Marines, whofe Spirit and Enterprize can never be doubted ; but as Cir cumftances rendered it impradicable to effed the entire Deftrudion of the Redoubt, Orders were given by Sir Sidney Smith to Captain Moubray, which I fully approved, to remain at Anchor near the Pefquies, and to employ Lieutenants Carrol and Arabin of the Pompee and Lieutenant Lawrie of the: ( 595 ) the Marines to complete the Demolition of the Redoubt and Guns, which, when performed, the Adive was to continue in the Paffage of the Darda nelles till further Orders. At a Quarter paft 5 P.M. the Squadron was enabled to make Sail, and in the Evening of the next Day, the 20th, came to an .An chor at 10 o'Clock near the Prince's Iflands, aboat 8 Miles from Conftantinople, when I difpatched Captain Capel in the Endymion to anchor near the Town, if the Wind which was light would permit the Ship to Item the Current, to convey the Am baffador's Difpatches to the Sublime Porte in the Morning by a Flag of Truce ; but he found it im pradicable to get within Four Miles, and confe quently anchored at Half paft 1 1 P. M. I have now the higheft Satisfadion to add, that the Con dud of the Officers and Ships Companies of the Squadron under my Command has fully fupported the Charader of the Britifh Navy, and is deferving of my warmeft Eulogium. Having endeavoured to pay a juft Tribute to thofe wh«fe Duty neceffa rily called them into this Service, I fhould feel my felf very deficient if I omitted to mention that His Majefty's Minifter Mr. Arbuthnot and Lord Burg- herfh (who had requefted to take a Cruize with me) were among the moft animated in the Combat. To Captain Blackwood who, after the unfortunate Lofs of the Ajax, volunteered to ferve in the Royal George, great Praife is due for his able Affiftance in regulating the Fire of the Middle and Lower Decks j and when the Royal GeOrge anchored, he moft q_q^3 readily ( 595 ) readily offered his Services to convey a Meffage to the Endymion of great Moment, her Pilot having refufed to take charge of the Ship. From thence he gave his Affiftance to arrange the landing of the Troops from the 64, and fetting her on fire ; indeed where adive Service was to perform, there was his anxious Defire to be placed. His Officers to© re quefted to ferve in the Squadron, and their Services in paffing through the Dardanelles met with my Approbation. I have the Honour to be, My Lord, &c. &c. &c. (Signed) J. T. DUCKWORTH. A Lift of Turkifh Ships [and Veffels taken and deftroyed by the Squadron under the command of Vice Admiral' Sir John Thomas Duckworth, K. B. at Anchor off Point Pefquies, the 1 9th February r 8 o j» within the Forts of the Dardanelles. Burnt. 1 Line of Battle Ship, 64 Guns.- 4 Frigates. 3 Corvettes. 1 Brig. 2 Gun Boats. Taken Poffeffion of,. 1 Corvette. 1 Gun Boat. (Signed) J. T. DUCKWORTH. ( 597 ) (Firft Inclofure referred to in No. 5.) WICE Admiral Sir J.T.Duckworth's Letter to Lord Collingwood, on the Lofs fuffered on the Ifland of Prota. Collingwood. Royal George, at Anchor, off Prince's Iflands, My Lord, February 28th, 1S07.. T H AVE to inform your Lordfhip, that it was per ceived at Nine o' Clock Yefterday Morning, that the Turks had landed on the Ifland of Prota, near which the Squadron was anchored, and were ereding a Battery in Oppofition to annoy us, I immediately ordered the Marines of the Squadron to be prepared for landing, and the Boats to be manned and armed j and the Repulfe, with Lucifer, having been direded to cover them, they proceeded toward the Ifland. The Turks, on the Ships firing a Ten Grape to fcour the Beach, quitted the Ifland in their Boats, when all but One Boat with Eleven Men efcaped, the which, with Two Guns they had intended to mount, fell into our Poffeffion. At Half after Two o'Clock in the Afternoon Sir Thomas Louis fent to inform me, that he had received Intelligence of a fmall Number of Turks being ftill, on the Ifland, and requefting Permiffion to fend Marines to take them j my Reply was, that no Rifk whatever muft be run, but if it 9 Q 3 could ( 55>S ) could be effeded without hazarding the People, it might, and a Party of the Canopus Marines was im mediately fent on Shore in confequence, with the moft pofitive Orders to Captain Kent from Sir Thomas Louis, not to purfue the Objed if he found it attended with any Hazard. At Four o'Clock the Party on Shore made Signal for Affiftance, and the Marines and Boats manned and armed, were diredly ordered away from the Royal George, Windfor Caftle, and Standard, with particular Diredions to bring off the Canopus People, but to avoid being drawn into Danger. A little before Sun-fet an Officer was difpatched with Orders for the Whole to return on board. On Return of the Boats, which was not till after Dufk, I heard with the deepeft Regret, of the Lofs we had fuftained, a Lift of which I herewith tranfmit, and do moft particularly lament Lieutenant Belli, a young Officer of the fcireft Promife, who had never ferved but with myfelf. To account in fome Degree for this unlucky Affair, it appears that the Information of a few Turks only having remained on the Ifland was entirely falfe, as nearly a Hundred of them had retired to an old Convent, from Loop Holes in the Wall of which, they de fended themfelves with Mufquetry. The People of the Canopus had, in the firft Inftance, advanced clofe under the Walls, and in endeavouring to relieve them from their unpleafant Situation, the others fuffered. In ( 599 ) , In order, if poffible, to prevent the Retreat of the Turks from this Ifland, the Launches of the Squadron, armed with their Canonades, were or dered to row Guard during fhe Night, under the Diredion of Captain 'Elliot of the Lucifer, but notwithftanding every poffible Vigilance, they are fuppofed to have efcaped in the Night, as the next Morning it was reprefented to me, that only Seven Greek Inhabitants of the Place were re maining. I have the Honour, &c. &c. &c, (Signed) J.T.DUCKWORTH. (Second Inclofure referred to in No. 5.) "Collingwood. Royal George, without the Dardanelles, My Lord, March 6th 1807. ^TOGETHER with this Letter I tranfmit to your Lordffiip two Letters of the 21ft and 28th Ult. the former of which will have informed you of my Arrival with the Squadron near Conftantinople, and the latter of an unlucky Attempt in which the Marines in Boats Crews of the Canopus, Royal George, Windfor Caftle, and Standard have been engaged, 0Q4 ft ( 6>© ) It is now my Duty to acquaint yoilr Lprdfhip, with the Refult of the Refoiution which for the Reafons I have already detailed, I had adopted of forcing the Paffage of the Dardanelles. My Letter of the 2 ift is dated at an Anchor Eight Miles from Conftantinople, the Wind not admitting of a nearer Approach. But the Endymion which had been fent a-head with a Flag of Truce at the Requeft of the Ambaffador, was enabled to anchor within Four Miles. Had it been then in our Power we fhould have then taken our Station off the Town immedi ately, but as that could not be done from the Rapidity pf the Current, I was rather pleafed than otherwife with the Pofition we had been forced to take ; for in the Conferences between His Majefty's Minifter Mr. Arbuthnot and the Captain Pacha, of the Par ticulars of which your Lordfhip is in Poffeffion, it was promifed by Mr Arbuthnot, that even when the. Squadron had arrived before Conftantinople, the Door to Pacification fhould remain open, and that he would be willing to negotiate the Terms of Equality and Juftice. In Confideration of this Promife, and as it would convince the. Porte of His Majefty's earneft Defire to preferve Peace, as well as poffefs the Mimfters with a Confidence of the Sincerity pf our Profeffions, it was the Opinion of Mr. Arbuthnot in which J concurred, that it was fortu nate we had anchored at a little Diftance from the Capital, as a nearer Approach might have given Caufe for Sufpicion and Alarm, and havocut off theProfpedf ¦ 9f" ( 6oi ) pf an amicable Adjuftment of the Differences which had arifen. At Noon of the 2 1 ft, Yfak Bey, a Minifter of the Porte, came off; from whofe Exprek fions Mr. ^.rbufhnot thought it impoffible not to believe that the Head of the Government (for in the prefent Inftance every Circumftance proved that be tween him and the armed Populace a greatDiftindion is to be made) there really exifted a fincere D.efire for Peace, and the Negotiation was carried on as will appear by the Documents tranfmitted to your Lordffiip till the 27th. But from the Moment of our Anchorage till we weighed on the Morning of the Firft of March, fuch was the unfortunate State of the Weather, that it was not at any Time in our Power to have occupied a Situation which would have enabled the Squadron to commence offenfive Operations againft Conftantinople. On Sunday the 2 2d alone for a few Hours the Breeze was fufficient to have ftemmed the Current where we were placed, but fuch was the Rapidity in Shore where the Endymion was at Anchor, that Captain CapeJ thought it very doubtful whether the Squadron pould have obtained an Anchorage though it had been held in preparative Readinefs by Signal from Day-break ; but fhe peculiarly unfettled State of the Weather, and the Minifter's Defire that I fhould give a few Hours for an Anfwer to his Letter through Yfak Bey, prevented me from trying before 5 o'Clock P.M. It was nearly calm, and in the Evening the Wind was entirely from the Eaftward, and continued ( 6o" j light Airs or calm till the Evening of the 2 8th, when it blew frefh from the N.E. and rendered it impoffible to change our Pofition. Two Days after our Arrival near Conftantinople, the Amhaffador found himfelf indifpofed, and has been ever fince confined with a Fit of Illnefs fo fevere as to prevent him from attending to Bufinefs. Under thefe Circumftances, he had delivered on the 22 d to the Turkifh Minifter, a Projed* as the Bafis in which Peace might be preferved 5 and at his Defire, the fubfequent Part of the Negotiation was carried on in my Name with his Advice and Affiftance, and while I lament moft deeply that it has not ended in the Re-eftablifhment of Peace, I derive Confolation from the Refledion, that no Effort has been wanting on the Part of Mr. Arbuthnot and myfelf to obtain fuch a Refult, which was foon feen from the State of the Preparations at Conftantinople, could be expeded by Negotiation only, as the Strength of the Current from the Bofphorous with the circuitous Eddies of the Port, rendered it impradicable to place Ships for an Attack without a commanding Breeze, which,during the Ten Days I was off the Town, it was not my good Fortune to meet with. I now come tc the Point of explaining to your Lordfhip the Motives which fixed me to decide in repaffing the Channel of the Dardanelles, and relinquiffiing every Idea of attacking the Capital, and I feel confident it will require no Argument to convince your 'Lordfhip of the utter Impradicability of our Force having made any Impreffiorij ( $°3 ) Impreffion, as at this Time the whole Line of the Coaft prefented a Chain of Batteries ; that Twelve Turkifh Line of Battle Ships, two of them Three Deckers, with Nine Frigates, were with their Sails bent, and apparently in Readinefs, filled with Troops; add to this, near soo,ooo were faid to be in Conftantinople to march againft the Ruffians ; befides, there were an innumerable Quantity of fmall Craft with Boats, and Fire Veffels had -been Dre- pared to ad againft us. With the Batteries alone we might have coped, or with the Ships, could we have got them out of their Stronghold ; but your Lordfhip wdll be aware that after combating the Oppofition which the Refources of an Empire had been many Weeks employed in preparing, we fhould have been in no State to have defended ourfelves againft them as defcribed, and then repafs the Dardanelles. I know it was my Duty in obedience to your Lordfhip's Orders, to attempt every Thing, governed by the Opinion of the Ambaffador, that appeared within the Compafs of Poffibility ; but when the unavoidable Sacrifice of the Squadron committed to my Charge muft have arifen, had I waited for a Wind to have enabled me to cannonade the Town, unattended by the remoteft Chance of obtaining any Advantage for His Majefty's Service, muft have been the Confequence of purfuing that Objed ; it at once became my pofitive Duty, how ever wounded in Pride and Ambition, to relinquifh it ; and if I had not been already fatisned on the Subjed, ( 604 ) Subjed, the jncreafed Oppofition in the Dardanelles would have convinced me J had done right, when I refolved on the Meafure as indifpenfably neceffary. I therefore weighed with the Squadron on the Morning of the Firft, and as it had been reported, that the Turkifh Fleet defigned to make an Effort againft us, to give them an Opportunity if fuch was really their Intention, I continued to ftand on and off during the. Day, but they fhewed no Difpofition to move, I therefore, as every Hour was of Import ance, bore up at Dufk with the Squadron. We arrived off Point Pefquies towards the Evening of the 2d Inftant, but the Day-light would not admit of our attempting to pafs the Caftle, and the Squadron came to anchor for the Night. We weighed in the Morning, and when I add that every Ship was in Safety outfide of the Paffage about Noon, it is not without the moft lively Senfe of the good Fortune that has attended us. The Turks had been occupied anceafingly in adding to the Number of their Forts ; fome had been already compleated, and others were in a forward State. The Fire of the Two Inner Caftles had in our going up been fevere ; but I am forry to fay the Effeds they have had on our Ships returning, has proved them to be doubly formidable, In fhort, had they been allowed another Week to compleat their Defences throughout the Channel, it would have been a very doubtful Point, whether a Return lay open to us at all. The Manner in which thev employed fhelnterval of our Abfence has proved th^ir C 6°5 ) their Affiduity. I tranfmit your Lordfhip an Account of the Damages fuftained by the refpedive Ships, as alfo their Lofs killed and wounded, which your Lordfhip will perceive is far from trifling ; the Main Maft of the Windfor Caftle being more than three Quarters cut through by a Granite Shot of 800 Weight. We have found great Difficulty in faving it to carry her to Malta, by which I fhall be deprived of one of my moft effedive Ships ; but I hope fhe will not be delayed long in getting a new Maft and rejoining me. The Glatton I fhall now fend with the Smyrna Fadory to Malta, where I fhall order her to be held in conftant Readinefs, or to be em ployed on the Coaft of Sicily, if not required for other Services. The Delight having rejoined me from Meffina and Malta, I have received your Lord fhip's Diredions of the 1 7 th January to fend one of the Bombs. I fhall therefore give charge of the Ambaffador's and my Letters to the Captain of the Meteor, with Diredions to join your Lordfhip ; but as his 1 3 Inch main Mortar burft right in Two on its firft firing, I fhall order him if poffible to fupply its Place at Malta, or Gibraltar ; and 1 hope your Lordfhip will forgive me for expreffing a Hope that you will reprefent the fad Confequences that may arife from putting a defedive Mortar on board Ship, as it will evidently produce a Want of Confidence in thofe employed to ufe them. I herewith tranfmit your Lordfhip a Copy of an Order I have given to feiee and detain all Veffels belonging to the Turkifh 1 o Government. ( 6o6 ) Government, .which I hope will meet you* Lord' fhip's Approbation; I have the Honour to be, &c: (Signed) J.T.DUCKWORTH. P.S. —I am forry to obferve that in the Courfe of this Letter to yourLordfliip, I have omitted to mention, that having placed the Honour able Captain Capel in the Endymion which had been advanced in the Stream of the Bqfphorus, for the Purpofe of afcertaiaing when the Squadron could ftem the Current, and, for a watch: \/ Obfervation of the Movements of the Turks, as well as to facilitate Communication with the Porte ; I feel myfelf indebted to that Officer for his zealous Attention and Affiduity during the Time he was placed in that arduous Situation. J.T.D. C 6°7 ) (Third Inclofure referred to in No. 5.) EXTRACT of a Letter from Vice Admiral Sir John T. Duckworth to Lord Colling wood, dated Royal George, near the Dardanelles, 7th March 1807. Collingwood.. My Lord, ILJAVING in my Letter of the 9th February acquainted yourLordfliip of my having fignified to General Fox, that as the Ambaffador had left Conftantinople, he might with Propriety fend the Troops to take Poffeffion of Alexandria, and that the General having in a Letter of the 1 8th Ultimo ac quainted me that they were embarking, and would fail without Delay on that Service ; I therefore having been fo unfortunate as to fail of Succefs off Conftantinople, fhall dired my Attention to this Armament, as being within the Sphere of my Co operation : And as Milo is not deemed an healthy Ifland, I fhall endeavour to find out fome Ifland contiguous to the Entrance of the Dardanelles, which does not labour under that Difadvantage, to make a Naval Station of. But I have to obferve, that General Fox, in his Letter of the 2d of February, in Reply to mine of the 29th and 31ft of January, fpecifying that a fmall Proportion of the Troops would be required to take Poft, and keep Poffeffion of Milo or fome other Ifland, fays, that 5000 Men are C 6o8 ) are the utmoft his Inftrudions go to, and indeed* that can poffibly be fpared from the Defence of Sicily, and thofe Troops are exprefsly ordered to garrifon Alexandria. The detaching any Part of the Occu pation of Milo, or any other Ifland or Place on the Coaft of the Archipelago, muft reft folely at the Diredion of the General Officer commanding this Corps ; for if they go, I do not conceive myfelf at liberty to allow of any Detachment being made fo as to endanger the Defence of Alexandria. Thus, my Lord, you will fee I can have no Expedation of any Military Aid ; but I beg you to believe no Endeavours of mine fhall be wanting to do what will moft promote His Majefty's Service, and meet your Lordfhip's Wifhes. (Signed) J.T.DUCKWORTH, PAPERS Prefented by HIS MAJESTT'S Command TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, In purfuance of their Addrefs of the 8th April 1808. RUSSIA. & a LIST of PAPERS. No. i. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Lord Mulgrave, dated St, Peterfburgh, 2d April 1805. No. 2. Extrad of a Difpatch from Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Lord Mulgrave, dated St. Peterfburgh, 7th April 1805. No. 3 . Extrad of a Difpatch from Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Lord Mulgrave, dated St. Peterfburgh, nth April 1805. Inclofure referred to in No. 3 With Tranflation. No. 4. Extrad of a Difpatch from Lord Mulgrave to Lord Granville Levefon Gower, dated Down ing Street, June 7, 1805. No. 5. Extract of a Note from Lord Mulgrave to Count Woronzow, dated Downing Street, 5th June 1805. ( 6u- ) PAPERS. No. i. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Lord Mul grave, dated St. Peterfburg, 2d April 1805. T THOUGHT it neceffary to declare, in the firft Inftance, that it was impoffible for me to agree to any Article which in the moft indired Manner implied that fome Alteration might be expedient in the prefent Syftem of Maritime Law, or that the Britifh Government could, under any Circumftances, be induced to fubfcribeto any other Principles than thofe now eftabliffied. No. 1. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Lord Mul grave, dated St. Peterfburg, 7th April 1805. TCTO Confideration, not even the Certainty of a total Rupture of the Negotiations between Great Britain and Ruffia, could have induced me a r 2 to ( 6l2. ) to confent to two Provifions, which, until Yefterday, had been infilled upon by Prince Czartoryfki, as a fine qua non in the Conditions of the Treaty : The one, that I ffiould, on the Part of Great Bri tain, affent to M. Novoffilzoff's engaging, that the Emperor of Ruffia fhould ufe his bans Offices with His Majefty, to fubmit to fuch Reforms in the prefent Maritime Code, as a Congrefs compofed of the great Continental Powers might deem ex pedient. No. 3. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Lord Granville Levefon Gower to Lord Mul grave, dated St. Peterfburg, April nth, 1805. 'TpHE enclofed Declaration figned by Prince Czartoryfki and Mr. Novofilzoff, was deli vered to me immediately after the Signature of the Treaty. I expreffed my Regret that His Imperial Majefty had judged it expedient, that the Plenipotentiaries ffiould give in a Paper of that Nature upon any fuch frivolous Objedion as that, to which the De claration alludes ; but at the fame Time I promifed to forward it to your Lordfhip, together with the Treaty of Alliance. (Inclofure . ( 6<3 ) (hiclofure referred to in No. 3.) T ES Souffignes Plenipotentiaires de fa Majefte l'Empereur de toutes les Ruffies, ayant porte* a la Connoiffance de leur Augufte Maitre les differens Articles dont ils etoient convenus avec fon Excellence Lord Granville Levefon Gower Pleni potentiaire de fa Majefte Britannique, ont recu I'Ordre d'accompagner la Signature de cet Ade de la Declaration fuivante. Comme il eft plus que probable que les premieres Objedions qu'aura a. foutenir le Plenipotentiaire envoye a Paris feront dirigees contre les pretendus abus que les Ennemis de la Grande Bretagne lui imputent d'avoir introduit dans fon Code Maritime, et que la Negociation pourroit fe rompre immedi atement s'il n'avoit pas a. donner fur cet Objet une reponfe qui puiffe paroitre fatisfaifante au jugement de tout Gouvernement impartial, le dit Plenipoten tiaire fera autorife en confequence a promettre que fa Majefte Imperiale s'occupera de fuite k raffem- bler des donnees pre'cifes et propres k mettre cette matiere dans fon veritable jour, et a ajouter que dans le cas oh, contre une altente pleinement fon- dee, il fe trouveroit dans le dit code quelques Dif pofitions contraires a la Juftice et au Droit des gens, l'Empereur s'emprefferoit d'interpofer fes bons Offices pour engager Sa Majefte Britannique a y remedier. R R 3 Sa ( 6i4 ) Sa Majefte Imperiale fe determinant a cette Demarche unilaterale par la Convidion intime qu'elle procurera aux Deux Cours Allices 1'Avan- tage d'ecarter de la Negotiation une Difcuffion epi- neufe, et leur fournir dans tous les cas le moyen de montrer a I'Europe qu'on n'a refufe de s'expli- quer fur aucun des points qui pouvoient faciliter la Pacification, efpere que Sa Majefte Britannique ap- preciera ces Motifs, et qu'elle reconnoitra dans le prefent Office, que les Souffignes ont eu I'Ordre de remettre a fon Plenipotentiaire, une marque du defir conftant de fa Majefte l'Empereur de toutes fes Ruffies-, de ne rien faire que de la Connoiffance de fon augufte Allie" et de concert avec lui, a fin. de refferrer par la de plus en plus leur Union intime. Fait a St. Peterfbourg le 30 Mars 1805. (Signe) ADAM PRINCE CZARTORYSKI. NICOLAS DE NOVOSSILZOFF. (Tranflation.) '"pHE Underfigned, Plenipotentiaries of his Ma jefty the Emperor of all the Ruffias, having communicated to their auguft Mafter the different 'Articles which they had agreed upon with his Ex cellency Lord Granville Levefon Gower, Plenipo tentiary of His Britannic Majefty, have received Orders C 615 ) Orders to accompany the Signature of that Ad with the following Declaration, As it is more than probable that the firft Ob- jedions with which the Plenipotentiary fent to Paris will have to contend, will be direded againft the pretended Abufes, which the Enemies of Great Britain accufe her of, having introduced into her Maritime Code ; and that the Negotiation might be immediately broken off if he has it not in his Power to give fome Anfwer on this Point, which may feem fatisfadory in the Opinion of every im partial Government ; the faid Plenipotentiary will, in confequence, be authorized to promife, that his Imperial Majefty will forthwith employ himfelf in colleding precife Information, fuch as may place this Matter in its true Light ; and to add, that in cafe, contrary to the beft founded Expedation, any Regulations ffiould be found to exift in the faid Code, in Contradidion to Juftice and the Law of Nations, His Majefty would readily interpofe his good Offices to induce His Britannic Majefty to remedy them. His Imperial Majefty in determining to take this unilateral Step, from the intimate Convidion that jt will procure to the Two Allied Courts the Ad vantage of relieving the Negotiation from a moft difficult Difcuffion, and that it will, in every Cafe, furnifh the Means of fhewing to Europe that no Ex planations of any of the Points which, could facilitate r r 4 the ( 616 ) the Negotiation have been refufed, hopes that His Britannic Majefty will appreciate thefe Motives, and that He will obferve in the prefent Declaration, which the Underfigned have received Orders to deliver to His Plenipotentiary, a Proof of the con ftant Defire of his Majefty the Emperor of all the Ruffias to take no Meafure but with the Know ledge of His auguft Ally and in concert with Him, in order by that Means to cement more and more their intimate Union. Done at St. Peterfburgh, the 30th March 1808. (Signed) ADAM PRINCE CZARTORYSKI. NICOLAS DE NOVOSSILZOFF. No. 4. EXTRACT of a Difpatch from Lord Mulgrave to Lord G. L, Gower, dated Downing Street, June 7th 1805. TT is highly important that in making this De claration of His Majefty's firm Adherence to the general Line of Policy, which upon due Confi deration He has adopted, I ffiould exprefsly declare His Majefty's Determination not to fubmit the Maritime Principles of Law pcknowledged and aded upon by Great Britain, under any Circumftances, to any Mediation or Revifion, ( 6i7 ) No. EXTRACT of a Note from Lord Mul grave to Count Woronzow, dated Downing Street, June 5th 1805. *TTfE received and eftabliffied Principles of Ma- ritimeLaw, by which the Power and Profperity of the Country are fuppeirted and promoted, are neareft to the Heart, and moft rooted in the At tachment, of every Britiffi Subjed ; and no Statef- man could be found in this Country who would recommend or juftify the Reference of thefe great and effential Principles to any Mediation or Re vifion. The Propofal therefore of fuch a Revifion and Difcuffion could never meet with the Appro bation or Affent of His Majefty. And Lord Gran ville Levefon Gower, as His Majefty's Ambaffador, difcharged an obvious and indifpenfable Duty in the decided Refiftance to this Propofal, and in its ulti mate Rejedion. <&&&%» INDEX. 2JDAIR, Mr. his Departure from Vienna, not mentioned in Prince Starhembergh's Difpatches, 28. Alexandria, Orders for fending a Force againft, 566, 573. Alliance, Treaty of, between Great Britain and the Ottoman Porte, 391 — 398 ; Exchange of the Ratification of, 399. Triple, when diffolved, 432. Remonftrance refpedting the Violation of the, 53 1 — 537. Allied Powers, effential that unlimited Confidence fhould fubfift; between the, 80. Alopeus, M. communicates to the Britifh Miniftry, the Treaty of Tilfit, 90. Amlajfador, French, unprecedented Attentions paid to, by the Ottoman Porte, 434. 1 Spanifh, Jealoufy of, at the Arrival of a Britifh Squadron in the Tagus, 367. America, Communication to the Government of, refpefting the extravagant Declaration of France, 258 — 262. Obferva- tions of the Prefident of, refpefting the French Declara tion, 263 — 265- Communication to the Government of, refpeCting the Britifh Views rela.ive to the Frinch Decree of Blockade, 266 — 270. Arbuthnot, Mr. his Conference with the Ottoman Minifters, 424 ; Subftance of the Conference, 427 — 439. His Reafons for joining the Britifh Squadron, 439 — 446. Orders the Officer with his Difpatches, to fet off without a Paffport, 443. Is in Danger of being detained as an Hoftage by the Porte, 444. His Departure from Conftantinople, 447, 448. Demands of the Porte, whether the Refufal of a Paffport originated in Miftake, 450. His Declaration to the Porte S s refpefting INDEX. IS refpe&ing his quitting Conftantinople, 450 — 452. H Interview with the Captain Pacha, 463 — 465. A cordial Intercourfe wiih the Ruffian Minifter at Conftantinople re commended to, 476. Remonftrates with the Porte, re- fpefting the Violation of the Triple Alliance/ 5 3 1—537. His Opinion refpefting the Danger of paffing the Darda nelles, 540. Approbation of his Conduft, 540, 541. In ftructions to, refpetting his endeavouring to effedT: a Pacifi cation between Ruffia and Turkey, 541, 542 ; and the Removal of M. Sebaftiani, 542. Turkiffi Attempt to inti midate, 586. Animated Conduct of, in the forcing the Paffage of the Dardanelles, 596. Armiflice, Conclufion of one, between Ruffia and France, 76. Auftria, Emperor of, offers his Intervention towards a General Peace, 6 — 9 ; which is accepted by Great Britain, 342. B Baltic Sea, Emperor of Ruffia confiders himfelf as Guarantee for the Security of the, 131 ; but which England never re cognized, 135. Bano Hanchyry, M. appointed firft Dragoman to the Porte, 399- Batlenftein, Convention at, King of Great Britain willing to ac cede to the, 93. Bayonne, Report of thirty thoufand French being affembled at, for the Invafion of Portugal, 347 ; which is contradicted by M. d'Aranjo, -\66 ; the affembling of fo large an Army at, doubted by Earl Roflyn, 370, 371. Belli, Lieutenant, killed in an Attack made on the Ifland of Prota, 598. Belligerent States, Law refpedling commercial Intercourfe be tween, 2g8, Bernftorff, Count, his Eftate plundered by the French, 486. Bluckwood, Captain, his great Affiftance, in forcing the Paffage of the Dardanelles, J95. Blockade, Obfervations on the Syftem of, 264, 265. Views of the Britifli Government relative to the French Decree of, 266 — 270. Intentions of the French on a Point in Queftion relative to the Decree of, 281, 282. Bofpborus, I N D E X.' Bofphorus, Buonaparte demands the Shutting of the, againft Ruf fian Ships of War, 408. Britifh Ifles, declared by France to be in a State of Blockade, 52, 259. Budberg, General, informs Lord Gower of an Armiftice having been concluded, 76. Affures Lord Gower that there is no Secret Article for /hutting the Ports of Ruffia againft Britiffi Commerce, 98. Complabs of the little Attention paid by England to the Reprefentations of Ruffia., 100. His Refignation as Minifter for Foreign Affairs, 1 19. His Remonftrance'refpecting the whole Enemy's Farce be ing directed againft Ruffia, 312, 520 ; while Great Britain makes no Diverfion, 312. Urges the Neceffity of makincr Military Diverfionson the Enemy's Coafts, 320. Buonaparte, Notification of his Acceptance of the Mediation of the Emperor of Ruffia, 90. Demands the Shutting of the Bofphorus againft Ruffian Ships of War, 408. Subject of a Converfation with the Ottoman Minifter relative to the Acknowledgement of his Title, 453. c Callimaii, Prince, appointed to the Government of Moldavia, 399- Canada, the Complaints of the Merchants of, to be redreffed, Canning, Mr. requefts an Explanation from Prince Starhemberg relative to fending Plenipotentiaries to Paris, 21 — 25. Re quefts Information refpedting Mr. Adair* o leaving Vienna, 27. Communicates to M. Alopeus, His Bricannic Majefty's Willingnefs to enter into Negociation for Peace, 92 — 94. Communicates to Lord Gower the Conditions of the Ac ceptance of the Mediation of Ruffia, 107 — 113. Chefapeake, Copy of a Paper from the Prefident of the United States, relative to the Affair of the, i~"j — 180. Collingwood, Lord, Order for his Squadron being reinforced, 561, 562. Directions for his fending Admiral Duckworth or proceeding himfelf to Conftantinople, 563, 564. In- ftruftions how to a£t on his Arrival at Conftaatinople, s s 3, 564 INDEX. 564.-566. His Orders to Admiral Duckworth, 570— $j6. His Inftructions to Admiral Louis, with refpedt to Turkey, .$77-58o. Commerce, Danifh Proteft againft the Britifh Order in Council relative to Meafures of Retaliation with refpeet to, 43 — 51. The Renewal cf the Treaty of, with Ruffia, urged by Lord Gower, 123, 124. Subject of a Conference with the Ot toman Minifters relative to, 432, 433. Conftantinople, Departure of Mr.Arbuthnot and the Britifh Fac tory from, 447, 448. Reply of the Ottoman Porte to Mr. Arbuthnot, refpecting his quitting the City of, 453 — 459. Turkiffi Naval Force at, 546. Number and Kind of Force deemed neceffary for forcing a paffage to, 588. D Dalmatia, French Army in, afferted to be for the Defence of Turkey, 409. Danes, confider the Pruffian Monarchy as annihilated, 488. Con clude that their beft Policy is the Continuation of the de fenfive Syftem, 489. Dardanelles, great Rifle in paffing the, 467. Mr. Arburhnot's Opinion refpecting the Danger of paffing the, 540 — ^43. The attempt of paffing the, fruftrated by adverfe Winds, 546 — 548. Favourable Exception to Britiffi Ships paffing up the, 550. Captain Hervey fired at, while paffing the, ibid. Account of the forcingthe Paffage of the,,J9i — 596. Admiral Duckworth's Motive for repaffing the, 602 — 606. Decree, French Imperial, declaring the Britiffi Ifles in aState of Blockade, 274 — 276. Intentions on a Point in Queftion relative" to the, 281, 282. Denmark, Proteft of the Court of, againft the Britiffi Order in Council relative to Meafures of Retaliation, 42 — 5 1 . Em peror of Ruffia requefts an Explanation from Lord Gower, refpecting the Britiffi Proceedings againft, 105, 106. The Prince Royal demands Satisfaction of General Murat for violating the Neutrality of, 484. The principal Depart ments in, filled by Perfons attached to the Interefts of France, 491. Inftructions for requiring an Explanation of the INDEX. the Motives of its Government, 498. Remarks on the Conduct of, with refpect to France, 499 — 505. Inftruc tions for requefting a Communication of its Views, 511. Remarks on the probable Seizure by the French of the Fleet of, 519. Inftructions for removing the Diftruft and Sufpicion of the Couit of, 522. Divan, Turkifh, Influence of the French in the, 417; Diver/ions, Military, on the Enemy's Coaft, promifed by Eng land, afferted not to have been fulfilled, 85, 86. Expe diency of, 302. Emperor of Ruffia urges the Neceffity for, 312. Advantages which might be derived from, 323, 324. If made, Ruffia would confider herfelf bound to aft with Energy, 338. Diffatisfaction of Ruffia, at the Silence of Great Britain, refpecting, 319, 322. Emperor of Ruffia requefts Information refpecting the Plans of Great Britain relative to, 323, 324. Difficulties and Dangers attending, 325 — 329. Importance of a Swediffi one on theSideof Pomerania, 331. Dragomans, Britifh, at Smyrna, deprived of their Protections by the Porte, 538. Orders given that they ffiall not be again molefted, ibid. Duckworth, Vice Admiral, Lift of Ships under the Command of, 56S. Inftructions how to act on his Arrival at Con ftantinople, 570 — 576. In the Event of War with Turkey, ordered to demand the Surrender of its Fleet, 572; and to poffefs himfelf of the ifland of Milo, 574. Account of his forcing the Paffage of the Dardanelles, 591 — 396. His Motives for repaffing the Dardanelles, 603 — 606. Account of his repaffing the Dardanelles, ibid. Embargo, on Englifh Ships in Ruffia, Conference on the Reports of an, 125 — 128. Endymion, Frigate, Intention of the Porte to feize the, 444.. Expeditions, the Expediency of, on the Coaftj of France and Holland, 302. s s 3 FaSory, INDEX. F FaSery, Britiffi, Intention of the Porte to detain the, ss Hof tages, 444. Their Departure from Conftantinople, 447» 448. Fleet, Danifh, Queftion by Count Romanzow, refpecting its Re ftoration, 12S. ¦ Turkifh, Difficulty of obtaining Seamen for the, 543. Afferted that fcarcely a Man on board deferves the Name of Seaman, 544. France demands of Ruffia the immediate Execution of the Secret Articles of Tilfit, 144. Her Intention to invade- Portugal, 3 47 ; and partition its Provinces, 358. Declara tion of England refpecting the Influence of, on the Porte, 417— 4t8. Francis II. Emperor of Auftria, offers himfelf as Mediator for a general Peace, 6 — 9. French Government, extravagant and unjuft Declarations of the, 259 ; which tend to alter the Practice of War, 260. G Gower, Lord L G., his Conference with General Budberg, 95 — 99 ; in which he urges a Communication of the Secret Articles of Tilfit, 98, 99. Inftructions to, refpecting the Mediation of Ruffia, 107 — 1 19. His Conference with Count Soltyko^, 119 — 121. Communicates the Ap pointment of Count Romanzow as Minifter for Foreign Affairs in Ruffia, 121. Hi3 Conference with Count Ro manzow refpecting the Secret Articles of Tilfit, 121 — 124. Urges a Renewal of the Treaty of Commerce with Ruffia, 123, 124. Conference with Count Romanzow, on the Report of an Embargo on Engliffi Ships in Ruffian Ports, 325—128. His Conference with Count ;Romanzow re fpecting Denmark, 135 — 138. Great Britain, is willing, under certain Conditions, to accept of the Mediation of Auftria, n, 12. Affurance of the Readi- nefs of the King of, to enter into Negociation for Peace, 16, 17. Refufal of .the King of, to fend Plenipotentiaries to a hoftile Capital, 21. Forbearance and Lenity of, with regard I N D E X. regard £o Meafures of Retaliation, 53, 54, 256, 257. Re- fufes to revoke the Order in Council relative to the Meafures of Retaliation, 60. Is willing to accept [of the Emperor of Ruffia's Mediation for Peace, 93, 94. ' Conditions of Acceptance, 108 — 112. Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and, 194 — 224 ; with the Alter ations propofed by the Prefident, ibid. Protefts againft the American Government reviling Agreements already concluded, 252 — 354. Ajecufed by France with a Difre gard to the Law of Nations, 259. Difappointment of the King of, at the Objections urged againft the Renewal of the Commercial Treaty with Ruffia, 327. Offers her Affiftance for the Defence of Portugal, 348,361. Is willing to withdraw her Affiftance from Portugal, 377. Treaty between the King of, and the Ottoman Porte, 391 — 398. Exchange of the Ratification of the Treaty between the Ottoman Porte and, 399. Declaration of the King of, refpecting the Influence of the French in Turkey, and the Reftoration of the Hofpodars, 417 — 423. Offers her Me diation between Ruffia and the Porte, 420. Offers her Affiftance for the Defence of the Danifh Ifles, 497, 516. Her Intimacy of Union with Ruffia, 534. Greek Prince, put to Death by the Tuiks in Prefence of the Britifh Ambaffador, 580. Gruner, Major, Aide de Camp to the Prince Royal of Denmark, made Prifoner by the French, 484. Return of, to his Poft, 486. Guadaloupe, Orders fent to Commodore Hood, not to confider it in a State of Blockade, 235. H Hervey, Captain, fired upon by the Turks, while paffing the Dardanelles, 550. Holjlein, Skirmiffi between the Daniffi Troops and a Corps of French on the Frontier of, 483, 484. TheAbandonment of, recommended in cafe of being attacked by France, 492. The King of Sweden offers his Affiftance for the Defense of, 497. Intentions of the French in occupying the Ter ritory of, 500. e s 4 Htad, INDEX. Hood, Commodore, Orders fent to, trot to confider Martinique and Guadaloupe in a State of Blockade, 235. Hofpodars of Moldavia and Wallachia, Recal of, 399. Regula tions refpecting the, 401. Ruffian Minifter requires the Reftoration of the, 411 ; which is agreed to, ibid. Decla ration of England refpecting -their Reftoration, 419. Sub ject af a Conference with the Ottoman Minifters refpecting the, 435. The Father of one of the, put to a cruel Death by the Turks to intimidate the Britiffi Ambaffador, 586. I&J Jcjferfon, Mr. his Meffage to the Senate of the United States re lative to the Violation of their Maritime Rights, 177—187. Impreffment of Britiffi Seamen from American Ships, greateft Caution to be obferved in the, 236, 241. Obfervations on the, 240 — 242* Queftions refpecting the, 243. Official Note refpecting the, explained, 245 — 247. Jutland, the Abandonment of, recommended, in cafe of an At tack by France, 492. K Kordoff, Lieutenant Colonel, madePrifonerby the French, 484. L Letters from M.AIopeus to Mr. Canning, 90. Armftrong, General, to Mr. Maddifon, 273. to th; Minifter of Marine, 276. Arbuthnot, Mr. to Mr. Fox, 528, 539. -to Vifcount Howick, 462, 544, 545. -to the Ottoman Porte, 449. to Mr. Pifani, 468, 470. to the Reis Effendi, 426. Budberg, General, to Lord G. L. GoiTer, 76, 84, 103. Canning, Mr. to Mr. Adair, 341. to M. Alopeus, 92. to Lords Holland and Auckland, 243.— to Meffrs. Monroe and Pinkney, 249, 250.' to Prince Star hemberg, 9, 15, 20, 27, 29. Collingwood, Lord, to Admiral Louis, 577.— —to Mr. Marfden, 367. Duckworth, Admiral, to Lord Collingwood, 581, 591, 591 > 599> 607. Erfkine, INDEX. Letters from ¦ Erfkine, Mr. to Lord Howick, 266. Fox, Mr. ts the Earls of Rofslyn and St .Vincent, 347, Garlike, Mr. to Vifcount Howick, 483, 485, 487, 499, 5°5> 5i '• Gower, LordG. L. to General Budberg, 79, iojJ. to Mr. Canning, 95, 125, 138 to Count Romanzoff, J33- Holland and Auckland, Lords, to Mr.Canning, 345-. — — to Meffrs Munroe and Pinckney, 258. Howick, Vifcount, to the Admiralty, 563. to Mr. Arbuthnot, 413, 417, 540. to the Marquis of Douglas, 313. to Mr. Erfkine, 254. to Mr. Garlike, 493,498,516,521. to Baron Nicolay, 298. to Mr. Pierrepont, 290 to Mr. Rifp, 51. to Mr. Straton,329. to Mr. Stuart, 289. Louis, Admiral, to Mr. Arbuthnot, 548, 551.- to Lord Collingwood, 584 Madifon, Mr. to Mr. Erfkine, 263, 266. Monroe and Pinckney, Meffrs, to Mr. Canning,, 188, 247. — : — to Mr. Madifon, 272. Nicolay, Baron, to Vifcount Howick, 29J. Rayneval, M. to M. d'Aranjd, 167. Romanzoff, Count, to Lord G. L. Gower, 130. Rifp, Mr. to Vifcount Howick, 42. Starhemberg, Prince, to Mr. Canning, 2, 14, 19, 26, 28. - Stuart, Mr. to Vifcount Howick, 302.. Windham, Mr. to Earls RoLlyn and St. Vincent, find General Simcoe, 363. Loan, Ruffian, Converfation refpecting the raifing one in Eng land, 292,293. Amount and Intereft of, 301. Propofed Security for, ibid. Plan for infuring the Repayment of, 303. Bafis of, 307. Difficulty of procuring one, 313. Objections refpecting, 314 — 317. Anfwer to the Com plaint relative to the Refufal for granting, 3 1 8. Louis, Admiral, anchors off Tenedos with Three Ships of the Line, 412. His Arrival at Conftantinople, ibid. Inftruc tions to, refpecting Turkey, 577 — 580. Detail of his Proceedings, 586 — 590. Lift of Ships under the Command of, 589. Maritime INDEX. M Maritime Rights, Meffage from the Prefident of the United States relative to, 177 — 187. Martinique, Orders fent to Commodore Hood, not to confider it in a State of Blockade, 235. Mediation of Ruffia, Great Britain willing to accept the, 11, 12. Conditions of the Acceptance of, 108— 1 12. Official Note refpecting the, 140, 141. Mediator, Emperor of Auftria offers himfelf as a, 6 — 9. Em peror of Ruffia offers himfelf as a, 87,88, 91. Mediterranean, Britifh Forces in the, afferted not to have been employed advantageoufly, 86, 87. Milo, Ifland of, Admiral Duckworth's Inftructions to take Pof feffion of the, 574. Not deemed an healthy Situation for Troops, 607. Moldavia, Hofpodars of, tobe recalled, 399. Prince Callimaki appointed to the Government of, ibid. Extract from the Regulations refpecting, 401. Monroe and Pinckney, Meffrs. their Correfpondence between the FrenchM;nitter relative to the Decree of Blockade,2 73. Propofe a Renewal of the Negotiation between Great Bri tain and America, 188. Their Remonftrance with refpeft to the vifiting American Ships, 190. Mortier, General, Intelligence of . his having entered Hamburgh, 493- Murat, General, informs General Evald, that the French Troop* ¦will purfue their Enemies wherever they are to be found, 484. Prince Royal of Denmark demands Satisfaction of him, for violating the Daniffi Territory, ibid. Retorts on theDaniffiTroops the Accufation of violating theNeutrality, 489. N Naval Stores, Ruffian Government requefted to interdict thefup- plying France with, 300. Negotiation, Meffage from the Prefident of the United States refpecting the Adjuftment of, 27 1. Neutrality, in what it confifb; 58. Neutrals^ I N D EX. Neutrals, their duty, 58. Obfervations on the Commerce of, 264, 265. Correfpondence relative to the Effect of the French Decree on, 276 — 275. Nicolay, Baron, requefts an Anfwer refpedting the Reftitution of Ruffian Property detained in England, 295 ; and the Sub ject relating to the Imperial Gymnafium, ibid. o Orders in Council, relative to Meafures of Retalia.ion, Invefiiga- tion into the Nature and Effects of, 56 — 60. Ottoman Porte, Treaty of Alliance between the King of Great Britain and the, 39 1 — 398. Exchange of the Ratification of the Treaty between Great Britain and the, 399. Breach of a Convention with Ruffia by the, 399, 4G0. Its Mini fters amazed and dejected at a Conference with Mr. Ar buthnot, 424. Promifes Fit mans to the Britifh Merchants to pafs the Dardanelles, 42J, 426. Great Attention paid to the French Ambaffador by the, 434. Intention to feize the Endymion, 444; and detain Mr. Arbuthnot and the Britifh Factory as Hoftages, i'id. Employs the French General Sebaftiani to mark out where new Batteries fhould be raifed, 445. Her Reply to Mr. Arbuthnot refpecting his quitting Conftantinople, 458^462. Its Excufe for not granting a Firman in Egypt, 528. Remonftrance with, re- fpefting the Violation of the Triple Alliance, 531— .537. Deprives the Britiffi Dragomans at Smyrna of'their Pra- tections, 538. Orders that the Dragomans ffiall not be again molefted, ibid. Dates of the Receipts of all the Dif patches relative te the, 553 — 555. P Pacha, Captain, his Interview with Mr.Arbuthnot, 463 — 465. Paffport 1 demanded for the Auftrian Miffion, 26. Peace, Emperor of Auftria offers himfelf as a Mediator for a general one, 6—g ; which Great Britain is willing, to accept of under certain Conditions, 11, 12. Prince Starhemberg earneftly requefts a Negotiation for a Maritime one, 14, 15. Afferted to be neither firm nor lading unlefs general, 79. Emperor of Ruffia offers his Mediation for, 91; and pro- , 9 rtiues INDEX. mifes his Support for the Performance of the Stipulations of, 91. Pifquies Point, Account of the Deftruction of a Turkifh Squa dron at, 592, 593. Lift of Ships taken and deftroyed at, Pifani, Mr. applies to the Porte for a Paffport, 440, 441 ; but without Succefs, 442. Pomerania, -Importance of a Swedifh Mihtary Diverfion on the Side of, 331. Portugal, threatened with Hoftility by France, if ffie do not co operate againft England, 116. Intentions of France to in vade the Kingdom of, 347 . Thirty thoufand French Troops affembled at Bayonne, for the Invafion of, 348. Inftruc tions to the Earls Roflyn and St. Vincent refpecting Ar rangements for its Defence, 348 — 350 ; or for withdraw ing the Court, &c. from their European Poffeffions, 350. French Preparations for the Attack on, lefs forward than had been expected, 363. Doubts entertained of the In tention of the French Government with refpeit to, 364. Earl Roflyn defpairs of the Poffibility of defending, 370. Orders to be fent for withdrawing the Affiftance of Great 1 Britain from, 377. Prota, Attack made on the ifland of, by the Britifh, 597 — 599- Pruffia, Inftructions for preffing Ruffia to advance her Armies for the Support of, 289. Firft Events of the War between, and France, difaftrous, 290. R Reis Effendi refufes Mr. Arbuthnot a Communication with the Britiffi Admiral, 44.2. Ruffia, Reprefentation refpecting its Trade with France, 297. Inftructions for requefting the Government of, to inter dict the fending Naval Stores to France, 300. Intimacy of the Union between Great Britain and, 534. Orders to te given for the Releafe of the detained Ships belonging to, 299 ; except thofe freighted with Naval Stores, ibid. — ' Cabinet of, alarmed at the Remonftrance of General Savory, 143; RuJJla, INDEX. Ruffia, Emperor of, afferts that he has not been fupported by his Allies, 8 j — 87. Propofes his Mediation betweenGreat Britain and France, 87, 88, 91. Offers himfelf as Guarantee for the Performance of the Stipulations of Peace, 91. Re quefts an Explanation of the Proceedings againft Den mark, 103. Conditions on which Great Britain will ac cept of the Mediation of, 108 — 112. Great Britain willing to conclude Peace with Denmark under the Guarantee of the, 118. Breaks off all Communication with England, 151, 162 ; and proclaims the Principles of the Armed Neu trality, 151, 163. Declares that noArrangement ffiall take place, till England has given Satisfaction to Denmark, 152, 163. Expects that the King of Great Britain will be difpofed to conclude a Peace with France, 1 63 . Has made no Prohibition with refpect to theTrade with France, 297. His Propofal for opening a Loan in England, 306. Bafis of the Loan, 307, 308. Urges the Expediency of a Diverfion on the Enemy's Coafts, 312. Requefts In formation relative to the Plans of Great Britain refpecting Military Diverfions, 323', 324, Confiders no aft as Sup port unlefs it relieves him from the Attacks of the French, 337. His Minifter demands from the Ottoman Porte the Reftoration of the Hofpodars of Moldavia and Wallachia, 411; which is agreed to, ibid. Afferted to have feized on the Ottoman Provinces without previous Notice, 455. Romanzow, Count, his Appointment as Minifter.for Foreign Affairs in Ruffia, 121 ; his Conference with Lord Gower, relative to the Secret Articles of Tilfit, 12 1 — 124. Dif ficulty of obtaining a Conference with, 140. Savory, General, remonftrates againft the Neutrality of Den mark, 148. Schow, Lieutenant, made Prisoner by the French, 484; i3 libe rated, 486, Seamen, Britiffi, the greateft Caution to be obferved 5n impreffing them from American Ships, 236, 241. Sebaftiani, INDEX. Sebajliani,Wl. French General, Requifition for his Removal from Turkey, 415, 420. Reafons for requiring the Removal of, 436, 437. Appointed by the Porte to mark out where new Batteries fhould be erected, 445. Defiance given to the Englifh in the Perfon of, ibid. Seizure of American Ships by the Britiffi, Remonftrance againft the, 224 — 233. Reparation demanded for the, 231. 'hips, .'mericin, Remonftrance againft the Seizure of, by the Britifh, 224 — 233. Reparation demanded for the Seizure of, 231. Greateft Caution to be obferved in impreffing Britifh Seamen from, 236. Ships, Ruffi. n, Orders to be given for the Releafe of thofe de tained, 299; except thofe freighted with Naval Stores,?'/1; /. Slrfwick, theAbandonment of, recommended, in cafe of an At tack from France, 492. Smith, Sir W. S. his Appointment to the Coaft of Turkey, 56S. Account of his deftroying a Turkifh Squadron at Point Pefquies, 592, 593. Smyrna, the Dragomans of the Britiffi Conful at, fufpended by the Porte, 529 ; afferted to have originated inMifta'ke, 529, 53°- Spain, Jealoufy of its Minifter at the Arrival of a Britiffi Squa dron in the Tagus, 367. Starhemberg,Frince, earneftly requefts a Negotiation for a Mari time Peace, 14, 15. Propofes to Great Britain to fend Plenipotentiaries to Paris to treat for Peace, 19, 20. De mands Paffports for himfelf and the Auftrian Miffion at London, 26 ; which are granted, 29, Stockholm, Inftructions for urging the Court of, to aid the Con tinental War, 291. Stralfund, Propofal for raifing the Blockade of, 334. Succours Pecuniary, to the Allies, afferted not to have been facili tated by England, 86. Sultan, Turkifh, his Defire to renew the Treaty with Great Bri tain, 427. Suzzo, Prince, appointed to the Government of Wallachia, 399. Sweden, Diffatisfaftion of the King of, at the Backwardnefs of Great Britain in affifting, 330. Information requefted re lative to the Force which could be employed by, 331. Great I N D E X. Great Britain willing to contribute to the Support of, by Subfidy, 332. The King of, offers Twenty-five thoufand Men for the Defence of Holftein, 497 . Conference on the Overture of the King of, 512 — J14. Tagus, Jealoufy of the Spaniffi Minifter on the Arrival of a Britiffi Squadron in the, 367. Tariff, Britifh, with the Porte, not obferved in Egypt, 528. Tenedjs, Admiral Louis anchors off the Ifle of, 412. Tilfit, Notification of the Treaty of Peace at, between Ruffia and France, 90. Conference refpecting the Treaty of, 95 — 99. General Budberg acknowledges the Exiflence of Secret Articles belonging to the Treaty of, 97. Lord Gower requefts a Communication of the Secret Articles of, 98,99, which the Emperor of Ruffia refufes to give, 121. Public Article contradicted by a Secret one in the Treaty of, 112, 113. Conference refpeftingthe SecertArticles in theTreaty of, 121 — 1 24. Peremptory Demand by France for the Execution of the Secret Article of the Treaty of, 144. Treaty between Great Britain and the United States, with the Alterations propofed by the Prefident, 19J — 224. Com munication refpecting its having been figned, 255. Be tween Great Liritain and the Ottoman Porte, 391 — 398 ; Exchange of the Ratification of the, 399. Troops, French, their Depredations on the Daniffi Territory, 486. U United States, Meffage from the Prefident to the Senate of, re lative to the Violation of the Maritime Rights of the, &c. I77 187. Propofal for a Renewal of the Negotiation with, 118. Treaty between Great Britain and the, with: the Alterations propofed by the Prefident, 195 — 224. Their Remonftrance with refpect to the Capture of Ame rican Ships by the Britiffi, 224 — 233. Demand Repara tion INDEX. tion for the Ships captured, 231. Meffage from thePrefi- dent of the, refpecting the Danger of its Commerce, 260; and the Negotiation, 271, 272. w I Wallachia, the Hofpodars of, to be recalled, 399. Prince Suzzo appointed to the Government of, Hid. Extract from the Regulations refpecting, 401. FINIS. Fiinted by A. Strshau, 1'iititas Street. YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 9002 04067 3825 ^¦ma? r**M/P ^