means of being useful there. But it appears the Bavarian Government are as determined not to have him as the Austrian, and he has been directed to quit the country. He is now at Stuttgard. The fact is, that he was formerly a monk in Bavaria; so that it cannot be supposed he will be well viewed in a Catholic country, after he has turned Protestant, married, and, as they say, adopted very philosophical notions on these subjects. If they determine not to receive him, it is certainly a point which I shall not feel it in the least incumbent on me to press. In this case, rather than send the man home, I shall send him into Saxony, where there is no Government to object, and where there is a good deal doing which I should be glad to know....

I must mention one man, of whose value, I think, you are scarcely aware-Johnson. He is one of the most right-headed, sensible men I ever met with; he is really a person of rare merit, universally liked and esteemed. I have heard more good of him from all quarters than you can imagine. I have sent him, as I told you, to manage the business of the Low Countries, and I wish I could quarter him and employ him every where. It is a real satisfaction to have to deal with so safe a person, so trustworthy in every respect.

Draft.

Yours, ever most sincerely, ABERDEEN.

Lord Castlereagh to Lord Aberdeen.

St. James's Square, December 22, 1813. My dear Aberdeen-The march of events is so rapid, the points at issue so important, and the impossibility of keeping pace, by instructions from home, with the necessity for them abroad, is such, as to require, were it practicable, that the Government itself should repair to head-quarters. As it is, they have thought it right that I should, during the recess, proceed there, to make such arrangements as the existing circumstances may require on the spot. You may, therefore,

expect me early in the month; and I trust we may be enabled to decide on Pozzo's budget more satisfactorily, when the discussions can be conducted under a full knowledge of the existing state of affairs. I shall, therefore, go no further with him or with the other foreign Ministers here, than to ascertain all the points on which they deem it expedient that I should obtain the sentiments of the Government before my departure, for my final decision when we meet.

It gives me the greatest pleasure to observe that a little political controversy has made no change in yours and Charles's mutual confidence. If I could have foreseen the great questions that were impending, I should certainly have thrown the three Ministers that were at head-quarters into a species of commission, and have required them to consider and decide upon subjects of general policy in their collective capacity, transacting the inferior details in their distinct capacities. What has been wanting was a central authority. The dif ferences have been fewer than might have been apprehended : but where there are several independent authorities, there must be doubts as to the sentiments of the Government, Whilst I state the evil, and advert to what might have been in a great degree the remedy, I must say that, upon the whole, the Government has been most ably served, and I beg you will be assured we do ample justice to you all.

I shall not, in all probability, get away from hence before the 28th; and I shall stop possibly a day at the Hague, where I shall leave Lady C. Robinson is to be of my party to headquarters, and we expect you to give us a hearty welcome.

I have just received your note through Denmark. Bombelles gives Wessenberg no details, and asks for a suspension of hostilities, without telling us any thing of the proposed arrangement. He does not even mention whether there is an armistice with the Allies or not. I hope we shall soon be relieved from our suspense. Till we are better informed, especially as to the latter fact, I do not see the possibility of taking any

step, unless it be to authorize Thornton to notify a naval armistice on our part, as contingent upon one by land.

The letter alluded to in Bombelles' instructions from the Prince Royal to the Emperor, confining his views to Drontheim, has never been seen by me. As far as we are informed, his compromise was, Drontheim now, and the rest of Norway at a peace, or the indemnities to which Denmark was to be entitled.

As we are to meet so soon, I shall only add, that I have not executed your commission with respect to sending Lord A. your despatches: unless he was to read all, he could hardly follow the subject fairly; and, with all my personal confidence in him, I do not feel myself entitled to this species of communication.

CASTLEREAGH.

The Hon. Sir Charles Stewart to Lord Castlereagh.

December 23, 1813.

My dearest Castlereagh-The messenger Walsh, who has been to the Prince Royal's head-quarters after me, is just arrived, as Meates is setting off. I have, therefore, no time, without delaying Meates, which is not worth while, to write on many points relating to these communications, which I should have received long since. I send a few hasty lines on the subject you opened to me from Lord B. in a separate letter. The remark at the end of Lord Bathurst's note was not a small cordial to me just now. Au reste, I'll send off again in a day or two.

eye.

Thornton has written to me from Kiel, and so has Cooke. I send both their private letters, though not meant for your I think that Thornton does not see sufficiently strongly that the Prince Royal, by his miserable skirmishes in Denmark (notwithstanding they cut a figure in bulletins), and his negociations and armistices, &c., that he paralyzes a corps of 80,000 men, and advances not an inch to the great game in

view. I shall be very determined with him, and get categorical answers. But it is wonderful how he imposes on people who are around him.

Cooke's narration is too black, and rather high coloured, I know, to your taste-however, it is as well to see all lights. I hope to get the Hanoverians corps and Walmoden here: after all that's happened, I shall demand this peremptorily. The Danes are really playing a ridiculous game, and what a little mind Charles Jean has!

Adieu! Yours,

Lord Aberdeen to Lord Castlereagh.

C. S.

Freiburg, December 24, 1813.

My dear Castlereagh I am sorry to inform you of the loss of one of our new friends. The King of Wirtemberg has written to Bonaparte to say that the alliance has been forced on him, and that he looks forward to the time when he may be able to assist him with effect. The channel of his correspondence has been discovered; and, as it is through Switzerland, Schwarzenberg has taken measures to procure fresh proofs of his treachery. The cause of this conduct is to be found in his hatred of Bavaria. He can never forgive Austria for granting more favourable terms to the King of Bavaria than to himself. He even made a show of not ratifying the Treaty, which his Minister, Count Zeppelin, had concluded; and, since the return of Zeppelin to Stuttgard, he treats him with the greatest indignity.

I am sure you will think that the Austrian Government did right in making a distinction in favour of Bavaria, which came forward so early, and the accession of which was so important to the common cause.

The King is abhorred in the country, and I should not be the least surprised if measures were taken to place the govern ment of the State, at least for the present, in other hands The Prince Royal has given the Austrian Government to

understand that, whatever is done, he shall perform his duty at the head of the army; but that he does not wish to be placed at the head of the Government.

A circumstance which occurred when the King received the intelligence of the battle of Hanau, and, as it was then believed, of Wrede's death, excited universal indignation. The King was at supper with a party, of a description of which you may probably have heard. The most savage joy was displayed, and the health of Napoleon repeatedly drunk.

I leave you to judge if we can leave our rear exposed in the bold movement which we have now undertaken. We must be assured of the state of Wirtemberg, as, in the case of disaster, treachery might be fatal. Of course, an éclat, if possible, will be avoided; but it is not only necessary to secure ourselves, but to deprive Bonaparte of the hope that others of our own friends may be in the same situation.

I have thought it right to give you this information: of course it is at present confidential.

Ever most sincerely yours,

ABERDEEN.

Lord Aberdeen to Lord Castlereagh.

Freiburg, December 24, 1813.

My dear Castlereagh-The Swiss movement goes on perfectly well: Bubna ought to be at Berne by this time, and there are troops in the neighbourhood of Befort. The remonstrance of Watteville on the entrance of the Austrians was concerted. Schwarzenburg was to be at Basle himself today; and I believe we shall go in two or three days to Rheinfelden.

The Emperor of Russia is come here, and has had many discussions with Metternich on the subject of Swiss neutrality: he has been compelled to admit that it was necessary to avail ourselves of the disposition of the people; but he still adheres to his former opinions as to the principle of the measure. This