and the French government, so far from shewing any disposition to fulfil them, has taken no little pains, if the undersigned may use the expression, to retard their accomplishment.- -The King of Sardinia, who has been wholly deprived of his possessions in Italy, by the union of Piedmont to France, has still to look for that indemnity which the Cabinet of the Thuilleries had soleninly pledged itself to Russia to allow him, and which the latter has continually demanded. The King of Naples, who was freed for a short time, from the presence of a French army in his kingdom, beholds it again occupying his provinces, under a pretext, the nature of which is not known to his Imperial Majesty; and he is consequently placed out of the line of independent states. The representations of Russia, founded upon the solemn stipulation of France, to consider the kingdom of Naples as a neutral state, and to enjoy all the advantages of neutrality, have been productive of no determination favourable to that power.--The whole of Italy has been changed by the innovations which the government of the republic has caused it to undergo, since the conclusion of the peace between Russia and France, without any preliminary concert with his Imperial Majesty; although it had been agreed upon by the two powers at that period, that there should be an understanding between them as to the political arrangements that were to be adopted in that country -Hostilities having been renewed between France and England, the integrity of the territory of the German Empire was violated, notwithstanding France had very lately engaged to protect it in common with his Majesty the Emperor. The Cabinet of St. Cloud thought proper to assert that the dignity of King of England, and that of Elector of Brunswick Lunenburgh, being united in the same person, were not distinct; though such distinction was never disputed by the republican government du ring the last years of the late war; it was, therefore, contrary to every notion of right and justice, to make war upon a country which, by the constitution of the Germanic Empire, of which it was part, and the public proceedings by which it was guaranteed, should be totally exempt from such a visitation. The possession of Cuxhaven, which under no pretext could have been considered as English property, was notwithstanding effected by the French troops, and the Hans Towns have been compelled to make forced loans to avoid a similar fate. The repeated and urgent applications which the Emperor has made to the French government, to induce it to fulfil its engagements with Russia, and to put an end to all apprehension that the neutral powers, who were anxious to remain in peace, may feel of being involved in the war, have been attended with no effect. To those numerous causes of dissatisfaction, connected with the higher interests of Europe, the government of France has thought proper to add all those which it could directly offer to the Court of Kussia, by the offensive assertions which it advanced and circulated against ministers honoured with the confidence of his Imperial Majesty; by the scenes which the Pussian Envoy was compelled to witness at the Thuilleries; by the improper perseverance which the Cabinet of St. Cloud displayed, in persecuting, in foreign countries, persons who were employed by the Court of Russia; and, lastly, by that unexampled proceeding which it took the liberty of committing, when it compelled the Pope to deliver up a naturalized Russian, without paying any regard to the representations and claims of his Imperial Majesty on that point. The recent act of violence, committed by the French troops in the territory of the Elector of Baden having roused the anxiety of the Emperor, for the security and independence of the States of Europe, which are within the reach of France, his Majesty expressed his opinion as to the necessity of tranquillizing them on that point; and that he should make such satisfaction as the Empire had a right to demand, and adopt such measures as night tend to calm the uneasiness and alarm of Europe. To this good office, the Empire received an answer, which left it no hopes that the just expectation of his Majesty would be fulfilled; which gave a wrong interpretation to that frank, loyal, and disinterested conduct, which his Majesty constantly held respecting the affairs of Europe, and particularly with regard to France: and which made it but too clear, that there was a determined design to thwart and irritate further the Court of Russia. So little attention and condescension on the part of the French government, to the just claims of his Majesty, and a conduct so decidedly opposed to any desire of preserving a good understanding between the two states, sufficiently demonstrated to Russia, that if, on the one hand, the French government at tached apparently but little value to its relations with her, and consequently furnished her with a positive reason for no longer continuing them; on the other, she had taken an invariable resolution to adopt for her conduct, a line absolutely contrary to the principles of justice and the laws of nations, and which, consequently, could not harmonize with the sentiments and principles professed by his Majesty.The Emperor, nevertheless, was willing to make a final effort with the French government, and after so many reasons of dissatisfaction, he was disposed to forget them whenever the above mentioned engagements (which were also detailed in the note of the 21st of August) should be fulfilled; which had been solemnly entered into by the two governments, and should have long since been executed. This last effort having been followed by an evasive and unsatisfactory answer, full of fallacious imputations, and which is only remarkable for the strange and unexpected assertion, That the Russian troops had taken possession of the Republic of the Seven Islands, without the concurrence of France; while it is notorious, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs must have it in view, that this country, which had been first evacuated by the Russian troops, was occupied by those drawn from the State of Naples, with the consent of the Porte, by the request of the inhabi tants, and in consequence of a previous arrangement with France; nothing further remains for the undersigned, than to declare, that all correspondence between Russia and France, becoming, by these means perfectly useless, must now cease; and that his Majesty the Emperor only waits for intelligence of the departure of his Charge d'Affaires : from Paris, to signify to the French Mission, that it should quit his capital.-His Majesty the Emperor having nothing to reproach himself with on this head (for if it had depended on him, the ties between the two nations, far from being dissolved, would be drawn closer), sees himself with regret compelled to suspend all relation with a government which reluses to fulfil its engagements, which will not conform to the reciprocal respect nations owe to each other, and in regard to which his Majesty, since the renewal of the connexion between the two countries, has experienced increasing mortification. Still faithful to his principles, and anxious to avoid the shedding of human blood, the Emperor will confine himself to that resolution which the respective positions of the two countries admits. Russia and France can do without those relations, the continuance of which is only to be warranted by reasons of advantage and accommodation, and without which it is better that they should have no connexion. As it is the French government alone which has given rise to the present state of affairs, it will also depend upon it to decide whether war is to follow or not. In case it shall compel Russia, either by fresh injuries, or by provocations aimed against her, or against her allies, or by still threatening more seriously the security and independence of Europe, his Majesty will then manifest as much energy in employing those extreme measures, which a just defence requires, as he has given proofs of patience, in resorting to the use of all the means of moderation consistent with the maintenance of the honour and dignity of his Crown.The undersigned having thus fulfilled the orders which he has received from his Court, requests, in consequence, that the Minister for Foreign Affairs will be kind enough to send him, without delay, the necessary pass ports to enable him to quit France; and he embraces this opportunity of giving to the Citizen Minister for Foreign Affairs, the assurance of his high consideration. SIR GEORGE RUMBOLD.-Note of his Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to be laid before the Ministers of the King of Prussia by the Eng lish Minister at that court.-Dated, Downing-street, 5th Nov. 1804. His Majesty has received the account of an unexampled act of violence committed at Hamburgh against the person of Sir George Rumbold, his minister at that place, who was forcibly seized in his own house in the night of the 25th of October, by a detach ment of French soldiers, and carried off, to gether with the papers belonging to his mission.-After the repeated proofs which the conduct of the French government has ex hibited of an utter contempt and defiance of every obligation of the law of nations, his Britannic Majesty can feel no surprise at the perpetration even of such an outrage as this, upon the territory of a weak and defenceless state; but his Majesty owes it, not only to himself and to the respectable and unfortu nate city whose rights are most immediately attacked, but to his relations with the rest of Europe, and to the dignity of every power which has still the inclination and the means of preserving its independence, to lose no time in entering his solemn protest against so atrocious an aggression.-If any thing could render such a prooeeding more insulting and alarming, it would be the explanation which his Majesty understands to have been given of it by the French resident at Hamburgh: namely, that it took place in consequence of orders given by the minister of police at Paris to the commander of the French forces in Hanover.-His Majesty trusts, that there will not be found a power upon the continent which can remain insensible to the consequences of a measure which, in its principle and example, not only menaces every court which may at any time fall within the reach of French arms, but which is subversive at once of the sacred rights of neutral territory, of the accustomed intercourse between independent states, and of the privileges of public ministers, hitherto respected and recognised by every age and by every nation. His Prussian Majesty unquestionably will not only participate in the sentiments which must be common to every sovereign, but the vicinity of his dominions, and his situation, both as a director of the circle of Lower Saxony, and as guarantee of the Germanic constitution, will induce bim to feel a deep and peculiar interest in this unparalleled transaction. His Majesty cannot therefore allow himself to entertain a moment's doubt, that his Prussian Majesty will second and enforce, in the most effectual manner, the representations which have Deen made by the senate of Haniburgh for the immediate release of his Majesty's minister, and will further see the urgent necessity of taking such measures as may be best calculated to obtain from the French government a public reparation, adequate to the heinous nature of the indignity, and may also prevent, for the future, the repetition of outrages which threaten to destroy the remaining distinctions of civilized Europe. MR. DRAKE AND MEHÉE.-Answers to the Circular Letter of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Foreign Ministers resident at Paris, relative to the Arrest of the Duke d'Enghien. Concluded from Vol. V. p. 006. Answer of the Minister of the Ligurian Republic.-CITIZEN MINISTER, The communication, which by order of the First Consul, you have done me the honour to make me of the letters and authentic papers of the correspondence in France of Mr. Drake, his Britannic Majesty's minister at the court of Munich, has caused so great an astonishment, that I have hardly recovered from it.-I trust, without such convincing proofs, it was hardly possible to conceive that a person representing at a respectable court his sovereign, could debase the most honourable func tions with which a man can be invested, in making them the instruments of fomenting and organizing secret and perfidious plots, which tended to nothing less, than to overturn, if possible, the republic, to replunge France into all the horrors of internal divisions, and to overwhelm Europe with those misfortunes which would inevitably have suceeeded this fatal revolution in France. Every man to whom, by his govt. is confided to the honour of representing it at foreign courts, ought to be, as well as my self, justly irritated by the proceedings of Mr. Drake, and to denounce him to Europe, as unworthy of being counted among the number of those persons called by their govt. to exercise the sacred functions of diplomacy. -This sentiment ought to be general, espe cially among the distinguished members of the diplomatic corps, who have the honour of being accredited near the First Consul, to whom, I pray you, citizen minister, to submit the particular expression of the profound grief which I have felt, from the com. munication which you have deigned to make me in his name. My govt. to whom 1 have transmitted your letter, with the report of the Grand Judge, and the annexed papers, will take, I doubt not, a lively interest in this event, and will always be watchful in case the enemies of France and its allies should ever attempt to disseminate in Liguria, criminal insinuations, they may produce no other effect, than to cover with shame the perfidious men who shall dare to spread them. Signed FERRERI, and dated Paris, March 26, 1804. Answer of the Envoy of the Republic of Lucca.-I have had the honour of receiving the letter which your exc. addressed me under the date of 3 Germinal, and the copy of the report presented by the Grand Judge to the First Consul, on the conspiracy that Mr. Drake, his Brijannic Majesty's minister at the court of Munich, has formed against the Fr. republic.-It certainly will inspire great regret in all the members of the diplo matic corps, to see prostituted in so high a degree, the most sacred and honourable character; the plots of Mr. D. should excite the indignation of all those governments which desire the tranquillity of Europe.The govt. of Lucca, which has never ceased to wish the prosperity of France, and the happiness of the First Consul, and which felt the greatest horror on hearing of the attempts against the life of the First Consul, will learn with still greater affliction, the new machinations which in endangering the safety of the Fr. repub. would have deprived the republic of Italy, of the peace and hap piness which she enjoyed under its auspices, I hasten consequently to entreat your exc. to present to the First Consul, in the name of my govt., the most sincere congratulations, on the fortunate discovery of this plot, which will have no other effect than to cover with dishonour, its agents and its authors Signed J. BELLUONI, and dated Paris, March 26, 1804. Answer of the Envoy of the Swiss Confederacy.-The undersigned envoy extr. of the Swiss confederacy near the First Consul, has received with gratitude the communica tion, which by order of the First Consul, his exc the minister of foreign relations, has a 'dressed to him the 3d Germinal. He histens to transmit to the Laudamman of the Swi-s, who as well as all the Swiss will learn with deep regret this new conspiracy against the gracious a ly.The undersigned, highly flattered by the xpressions contained in the letter with which his exc. the minister of foreign relations has been pleased to honour him, entreats his exc to renew to the First Consal the homage of his profound respect and the expedition of his sincere wishes for the preservation of his precious life --Signed C. DE MAILLARDOZ, and dated March 26, 1804. Answer of the Portuguese Minister. ——— CITIZEN MINISTER.-I have received the Jetter which your Excellency did me the honour to address to me of the 3d Germinal, with a copy of the report presented by the Grand Judge, to which are annexed copies of the papers and letters of Mr. Drake, his Eritannic Majesty's Minister at the court. of Munich. I thank your Exc. for this communication, and I shall hasten to transmit it to my Court. You render justice, Citizen Minister, to my sentiments, in believing the profound grief that I feel by the profanation of the sacred character of an Ambassador.- -(Signed) J. M. Dɛ Souza, and dated Paris, March 26, 1804. Answer of the Legate of the Sovereign PontiffSIR,I have received with the lerter of your Exc. of the 3d Germinal, a copy of the report of the Chief Judge, re lative to the correspondence of Mr Drake, Minister of his Britannic Majesty at the Court of Bavaria, with a list of those who have conspired in the interior of France against the Govt. The tender attachment of his Holiness for the perso of the First Consul, the respect which I know he entertains, for him, in consideration of the important services he has ren fered to religion, and the special protection he has extended to the church, the gratitude which, not only French Catholics, but likewise those of neighbouring countries, owe him. have excited in me the most lively sorrow when I learned that his life was in danger, and the public tranquillity had been so near being disturbed. I was then very far from thinking that any of the Diplomatic Agents could be implicated in this conspiracy; the pub.c and sacred character with which they are clothed, sheltered them from such a suspicion. I perceive with great regret by the correspondence which your Exc. has uansmitted to me, that one of these Agents has permitted himself to address to the enemies of the French Govt. in the interior, instructions, means, and plans. I am persuaded that his Holiness will feel as sensibly as myself this melancholy intelligence. Deign to assure the First Consul that the Pont ff has viewed, and will always conti nue to view, with horror, whatever shall tend to disturb the interior peace of his Govt., on which rests the entire edifice for the re-establishment of the Catholic religion in France. Every attempt against his precious life will be viewed by his Holiness as a crime as atrocious in itself as it is fatal to the church and to the repose and tranquillity of France. I have no doubt but that the diplomatic corps of Europe will participate with me in these sentiments, and that they will openly disavow whoso ever, among the members that compose it, shall abuse his character to propagate dis cord, and foment disturbances, -Signed J. B. CARDINAL CAPRARA, and dated Paris, March 26, 1804. Answer of the Minister of Saxony.Ct. TIZEN MINISTER,-I have received the note which your Exc. did me the honour to address to me, of the date of 3d Germinal, with, a copy of the report which has been presented to the First Consul by the Grand Judge on the conspiracy formed by Mr. Drake, Minister of his Britannic Majesty at the Court of Munich; also the printed copies of letters and other authentic papers of the said Mr. Drake, and I have hastened to transmit the whole to my Court, There is no one, Citizen Minister, who will not learn with grief that Mr. Drake, invested with the most honourable public character, should descend to such a profanation of it. -Signed Cr. DE BUNAU, and dated Paris, March 26, 1804. Answer of the Minister of the Arch Char cellor of the German Empire, CITIZEN MINISTER, The undersigned Minister Plenip. of his Highness the Elector and Arch Chancellor of the Germanic Empire, having received with respectful acknow ledgment the letter, which your Exc. had been pleased to address to him, of the date of the 3d inst. in which is enclosed a copy of the report presented to the First Consul on the conspiracy formed in France by Mr. Drake, Minister of his Britannic Majesty at the Court of Munich, he has hastened to send the above pieces to his Highness the Elector. The more necessary fidelity, ho nour, and probity are in the actions of a man to whom has been entrusted the honourable function of diplomacy, the deeper is the sorrow which must be felt at the con racy was principally directed against the person of the First Consul, whom all the inhabitants of the free towns of the empire regard as the generous protector, who has templation of this perfidious plot.-The unbounded sentiments of attachment, and the high consideration which the Elector and Arch Chancellor has expressed for the First Consul, are so well known, that the indig-preserved their independence, and for nation which he will feel at this news, may be easily conceived. The undersigned, who by the express order of his Highness the Elector, his master, has already had the honour of expressing these sentiments himself at the last diplomatic audience, begs of your Exc. to repeat to the First Consul an assurance of the warm interest in, and sincere wishes for, his preservation entertained by his Highness the Elector.Signed CHARLES COMTE DE BOEUST, and dated Paris, March 26, 1804. Answer of the Neapolitan Minister. --SIR, I have just received the communication which your exc. had been pleased to make to me of the report of the grand judge to the First Consul, and the annexed papers, on a conspiracy directed against France.-The justice which the First Consul rendered to the sentiments of the diplomatic corps who have the honour of being accredited by him, excites the gratitude and corresponds fully with the sensations of profound sorrow with which it has beheld the sanctity and dignity of a public character profaned, whose functions are consecrated by honour and fidelity.—I cannot conceal from your exc. the extreme pain with which I read the papers which contain this communication, and which I have made it my duty to transmit immediately to my court. sentiments of his majesty, the king my master, for the person of the First Consul and for the interior tranquillity of a respect. ed nation, whose situation has such influence in surrounding nations, are too well known to the First Consul to render it necessary for me to remind your, exc. of them on this occasion.-Signed, DE GALLO, and dated Paris, March 26, 1304. The Answer of the Minister of the free cities of the German Empire.-CITIZEN MINISTER, I have just received the letter which your exc. did me the honour to address to me, together with the printed letter and authentic papers of Mr. Drake, minister of his Britannic Majesty at Munich, relative to a conspiracy planned under his direction.The impression which a knowledge of these details must make upon every man who respects the rights of nations and the general interests of humanity, cannot but be of the most painful nature. Such at least will be the feelings of the magistrates of the free towns of the empire. This sentiment will be the stronger, as the conspi whom they feel the highest veneration and the most perfect attachment.-The discovery of this plot has no where produced so strong and general a sensation of sorrow as among the inhabitants of these towns. The letters which I received on their hearing the news of this conspiracy discovered, how great was the consternation among all classes of the citizens, and subsequent ones?' testify the general felicity on hearing that this plot has been completely crushed.Signed, ABEL. Answer of the Minister of the Langrave of Hesse Darmstadt. -CITIZEN MINISTER, I' have hastened to transmit to my court the letter with which your exc. has honoured me, and a copy of the report of the grand judge with the printed letters, authentic pa pers of the minister of his Britannic Majesty at Manich.-Every honest man must be deeply afflicted on discovering that Mr. Drake has so far forgotten what he owed to the dignity of his public character and to himself, as to become the author of the vile conspirary against the Fr. Repub. and its august chief. I am persuaded that the opinion of the First Consul relative to the diplomatic corps will be fully justified by each of its members, and I hope in regard to myself that, after a residence of many years, the respectful attachment which I have always entertained for the person of the First Consul is so well known to your exc., that you need no assurances to be convinced of the sentiments of indignation and horror with which the dishonourable conduct of Mr. Drake has inspired me.Signed, AUGUSTUS DE PAPPENHEIM, and dated Paris, March 26, 1804. Answer of the Batavian Minister.-CITIZEN MINISTER, The ambassador, who while at London, saw the vessels of his na tion, brought into English ports, during the time of peace, had reason to expect that a war preceded by such a flagrant violation to the common principles of justice, and of the rights of nations, would be carried on with little delicacy as to the choice of means. It is with governments, as with individuals, when once the barriers of jus tice have been broken down, power is the only guide, and neither know where to stop their career. Although the history of every nation attested this melancholy truth, it was still difficult to conceive the possibility of an event, such as is detailed in the Supplement to No. 20, Vol. VI.-Price 10d, |