discussion, immoderate pretensions, and ambiguous proposals, wide of that tone of frankness and dignity necessary to conduce to real reconciliation, would only have the effect of producing more irritation, and would be unworthy of both nations. France does not pretend to dictate either to Russia or to Eng. land, but she will be dictated to by neither of these powers. Let the conditions be equal, just, and mo. derate, and the peace is concluded; but if an imperious and exaggerating disposition is evinced, if pre-eminence is affected, if, in a word, it is meant to dictate peace, the emperor and the French people will

not

even notice these proposals. Confiding in themselves, they will say,as a nation of antiquity answered its enemies, " you demand our arms, come and take them."

The undersigned, minister for foreign affairs, has the honour to renew to his excellency the earl of Lauderdale the assurance of his high consideration.

question. By this means, he will avoid discussions of a nature to lead him to forget that tone of modera. tion which it is his duty to observe iu the whole course of his mission. He will thus maintain the line of conduct which is conformable to that love of peace, which characterizes all the proceedings of the king his master.

When the undersigned reflects, that he came to Paris, authorized to conclude peace upon terms understood to have been proposed by France; that notwithstanding the refusal of his imperial majesty of all the Russias to ratify the treaty signed by M. d'Oubril, and the splendid successes obtained by his majesty's arms in Spanish America, he was authorized to give assurances (as he had the honour of doing to his excellency the minister for foreign affairs) that the demands of his court, in its own favour, would not in consequence of these successes, be materially increased; the undersigned had reason to be sur prised at finding his government charged with manifesting an "imperious and exaggerating disposition." He is not less astonished, that his excellency, in replying to a note in which lord Lauderdale had the ho nour of explaining distinctly to him, that the conditions pointed out by his excellency baron de Budberg, were in substance what would be insisted upon by Great Britain in favour of Russia, should have thought it necessary to reprobate so strongly conditions proposed by M. de Novosiltzoff under totally different circumstances, and of the nature of which, the undersigned is entirely ignorant.

Nevertheless, after the explanations given by the undersigned to his excellency the minister for foreign

affairs,

affairs, and the declaration made by him to his excellency, that the undersigned is not authorised to negotiate otherwise than so as to ensure the conclusion of a peace with Great Britain and with Russia at the same moment; and, after having received, in the official note of yes. terday's date, assurances that the French government does not refuse the admission of an article, the design of which shall be to provide for this indispensable object, the undersigned will make no difficulty in resuming the conferences with their excellencies the French plenipotentiarics, as soon as their excellencies shall be duly authorised for this purpose.

The undersigned has the honour, &c. (Signed) Lauderdale.

No. LI. Extract from a Dispatch from the Earl of Lauderdale to Earl Spencer, dated Paris, September 26, 1806, Received September 28. Nothing material happened after the conference with M. Talleyrand, which I detailed in my dispatch of the 19th instant, till the 22d, when I received from him a communication, informing me that the emperor having thought General Clarke's services near his person necessary in a journey he was about to undertake immediately, M. de Champagny would be instructed to conduct singly, on the part of France, the business of the negotiation in future.

This communication was made in a letter which I enclose (marked A) together with a copy of my answer (marked B.)

On the 23d, being anxious that the negotiation should proceed as soon as possible, I took the opportunity of M. de Champagny's sending to enquire after my health, to urge him, in writing, to renew 2

the conference without farther loss of time. Your lordship will find a copy of my letter (marked C.) toge ther with his answer (marked D.) enclosed.

On the 24th, I received from M. Talleyrand an answer to the demand I had made for an explanation on the subject of passports, in my letter of the 22d. This communication (marked E.) I think it proper also to transmit to your lordship.

On the 25th, at one o'clock, M. de Champagny called on me, as had been previously agreed, for the purpose of renewing the conferences.

After the usual interchange of civilities, he proceeded to say, that, to secure peace, the emperor had determined to make great sacrifices.

1st, That Hanover with its dependencies should be restored to his majesty.

2d, That the possession of Malta should be confirmed to Great Bri tain.

3d, That France would interfere with Holland to confirm to his majesty the absolute possession of the Cape.

4th, That the emperor would confirm to his majesty the possession of Pondicherry, Chandernagore, Mahee, and the other dependent comptoirs.

5th, That as Tobago was originally settled by the English, it was meant also to give that island to the crown of Great Britain.

To all this he added, that what he had now said, proceeded on the supposition, that Sicily was to be ceded, and that the French govern. ment proposed that his Sicilian ma jesty should have, as indemnity, not only the Balearic Islands, but should also receive an annuity from the court of Spain to enable him to support his dignity.

I here

I here interrupted him, expressing my surprise, after the full expla nation I had with M. Talleyrand on that very point, that the possibility of our giving up Sicily should be mentioned again; that the guarantee of it to the king of the Two Sicilies was as much an object with England as M. Talleyrand knew it to be with Russia; and that I was happy to take that opportunity of stating to him fairly, that I felt myself bound to consider the obtaining for Russia the arrangement which she desired, as an object more interesting if possible to England, than those points which might be considered as peculiarly connected with her own interests.

He informed me, that there was no clause in his instructions empowering him to hear me on the part of Russia: but that he had even seen M. Talleyrand's note to me, and, being satisfied that this was an accidental omission, which would be forthwith remedied, he had no objection to proceed, as if such a clause had been inserted.

It was agreed that I should go to him to-day at two o'clock, to renew the conference.

First Inclosure (A.)-Is a Copy of a Note from M. Talleyrand to the Earl of Lauderdale, dated September 22d, 1806, announcing the intention of General Clarke and himself to follow the Emperor, and proposes to correspond with Lord L

Second Inclosure (B.)-Is a Copy of a Note from the Earl of Lauderdale, dated September 22, 1806, requesting to be furnished with passports, &c. for messengers in the absence of M. Talleyrand.

Third Inclosure (C.)-Is a Copy of a Note from the Earl of Lauder. dale to M. de Champagny, dated September 23, 1806, requesting the appointment of a meeting.

Fourth Inclosure (D.)—Is a Copy of a note from M. de Champagny to the earl of Lauderdale, dated September 23, 1806. Appoints Thursday next as the first day M. Champagny would have leisure.

Fifth Inclosure (E.)-Is a Copy of a note from M. Talleyrand to the earl of Lauderdale, dated September 24, 1806. Formal, containing passports, &c.

No. LII.

Copy of a Dispatch from the Earl of Lauderdale to Earl Spencer, dated September 26, 1806.-Received September 28.

Paris, September 26, 1806. MY LORD,

In conformity with my engagement made yesterday, which I had the honour of mentioning to your lordship in my former dispatch of this date, I waited on M. Champagny this afternoon at two o'clock.

He informed me, that the accidental omission in his instructions had been remedied, and that he had now powers to talk with me on the interests of Russia, with a view to arrange the conditions on which France would make peace with that country: but he, at the same time, proposed, that we should, in the first instance, talk over the terms of peace between France and England.

I observed, that as the greatest difficulties in our last conference seemed to arise from the conditions that I had proposed as necessary to be granted to Russia; and, as Eng

land

land was resolved not to make peace without obtaining for Russia all the objects on which she insisted, I thought the more natural order would be, to resume our conversation on these last topics.

A long discussion accordingly ensued, which ended in his informing me, that on the subject of concession to Russia, he was authorised to communicate to me, that the govern. ment of France was willing, in addition to the treaty made by M. d'Oubril, to cede to that power the full sovereignty of the island of Corfu, but that he had no authority to go any farther.

I then informed him, that I was sorry to learn that the negotiation was at an end, for that my instructions were precise, and that I should feel it my duty, the moment I left him, to state to M. Talleyrand, that all hopes having vanished of bringing the negotiation to a favourable issue, I had only now to request passports for my return to England.

After strong expressions of mutual regard, he attended me to the outer room, where he again proposed a renewal of our conferences, in case his government should give him new instructions.

My answer was, that I had no choice in immediately applying for passports; but that, as long as I remained in this country, I never would refuse to see him ; and that if, before my departure, he should come with powers to grant all the objects on which I had explained myself, I should feel the greatest satisfaction, though at that moment, I thought any appointment perfectly unnecessary.

On my return home I sent to M. Talleyrand a letter demanding my passports, a copy of which (marked A.) I enclose; and I understand VOL. XLVIIL

from the courier Basilico, that he received it ten minutes before he got into his carriage to go to Mentz,

About six o'clock, I received from M. de Champagny a note, of which, as well as of my answer, I enclose copies to your lordship, (marked B. and C.)

Whilst I am writing, I have received the note, which I enclose, (marked D.)

I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) Lauderdale. I open this dispatch to enclose a note, (marked E.) I have this mo ment received from M. de Champag

Fifth Inclosure (E.) Copy of a note from M. de Champagny to the earl of Lauderdale, dated September 26th, 1806. Appoints two o'clock on Monday next to meet.

No. LIII. Extract from a Dispatch from Viscount Howick, to the Earl of Lauderdale, dated Downing-Street, October 1, 1806. Downing-Street, October 1st. 1806. MY LORD,

Your dispatches of the 26th ult. brought by the messenger Johnson, have been laid before the king.

His majesty has scen, with great regret, that after more than six months spent in negotiation, the French government still hesitates upon the admission of points constantly urged by his majesty, as the only grounds on which he could consent to peace, and that in so unsatisfactory a state of things, the chief of that government, together with his principal minister, has suddenly left Paris,* creating thereby new obstacles to the progress of the negotiation.

Whatever views the French government may have, in keeping up this state of suspense and uncertainty, his majesty feels that it is equally prejudicial to the interests of his subjects, and to those of Europe. If the professions of France are sincere, there can be no reason why she should not give a plain and decisive answer to demands which have been so long under consideration; and the time is now come, when such an answer must be required, as indis

No. LIV. Extract from a dispatch from the earl of Lauderdale to Viscount Howick, dated Paris, October 4th, 1806.-Received October 6th. Immaterial.

No. LV.

Copy of a Dispatch from the Earl of Lauderdale to Viscount Howick, dated Paris, October 6th, 1806. Received October 8.

MY LORD,

Late last night M. de Champagny's principal secretary called upon me with a letter from him, inclosing a letter from M. Talleyrand, both of which I have the honour of transmitting to your lordship, (marked A. and B.)

From these your lordship will perceive, that the negotiation is now at an end, and that M. de Champagny has been authorised to give me the passports I required.

I have this day accordingly renewed my demand to him in a letter, a copy of which I enclose (marked C.)

On considering M. Talleyrand's note, it seemed to me necessary that I should not take the step of asking my passports from M. de Champagny, without accompanying my demand with a reply to some of the observations made by the minister for foreign affairs. Your lordship will accordingly find inclosed a copy (marked D.) of an official note addressed by me to that minister.

I have sent the courier Lyell, for the purpose of conveying this information, and I have given him a let ter to admiral Holloway, desiring him