Metternich has very wisely abandoned to him, as they are agreed about their conduct, and trust no more embarrassment will arise from this affair. Lebzeltern writes from Zurich that the public spirit is daily becoming more enthusiastic. The offers of raising troops for the service of England are more frequent, but all these I have invariably discouraged, and, indeed, refused.

I should tell you that Lebzeltern mentions a report from Paris, on good authority, that Bonaparte is treating with Ferdinand VII. He is to be restored to Spain, on condition of the English being excluded from that country and its ports. Other conditions are mentioned. Metternich, when he showed me Lebzeltern's letter, told me that Bonaparte had frequently said to him that he should never have any difficulty in arranging the affairs of Spain; for, whenever the war went against him, he could make any terms with Ferdinand he chose, and turn him into the country, to the injury of the English influence. Whatever foundation there may be for the report, it is as well that you should know it.

I had a very long conversation with the Emperor, yesterday morning; being, as usual, quite alone with him, he talked with great freedom: he is more decided than ever as to the necessity of perseverance, and puts little trust in the fair promises of Bonaparte. So long as he lives, there can be no security-he repeated it two or three times. We had just received the news of the capture of Zara, at which the English frigates, and especially Captain Cadogan, had greatly assisted. He spoke with a degree of warmth and feeling about the English, which I have rarely witnessed. He said, "They are my friends, and the friends of my family-I always like to see their faces. Among many things which have made me unhappy of late years, I have felt the absence of the English." It is a feeling he has cherished from the beginning of his reign; whenever he sees an Englishman, he thinks he sees a friend. All this is of little consequence, but it is as

well to write it, because, whatever may be thought of the Minister, falsehood and deceit are perfectly unknown to the Emperor.

I hope you will be satisfied with Metternich's treatment of the maritime question. The sentiments of Nesselrode are not less favourable; but I fear the Emperor has some little tincture remaining of the prejudices instilled into him by Romanzow, which may make him hesitate.-I dined with the Emperor Alexander to-day; and, as I sat by him at dinner, he talked a great deal about his going to England. He did it so seriously, that there must be something in it. He seemed to think that he had been invited by the Prince, in consequence of a letter which he had received from Mr. Grange. If you wish to have him, I do not think there would be any difficulty.

I hope we have brought the business of the Prince Royal to something like a conclusion. He has not been acting very wisely of late with a view to his own interests. Making the protection of Holland subservient to his immediate objects is sufficiently odious, whatever may be his provocation. Nesselrode is quite furious; and I assure you that you would very much admire my exertions to tranquillize him and Metternich on the subject of the proceedings of the Prince Royal. But, in fact, I see that we have no choice, and must act accordingly. Nesselrode is an excellent person, most zealous in the good cause, but a little alarmed at the symptoms of dissolution. These are less formidable at present than they were lately; but, in your warlike speculations, you will do well to take them into account.

I should tell you, in case you hear of a very absurd letter from Bombelles to Walmoden, that Metternich has entirely disavowed the whole proceeding. B. had not only no instructions of this kind, but has acted entirely contrary to the wishes of Metternich. No time has been lost in giving this explanation to the Prince Royal.

In a letter before leaving Frankfort, I mentioned the report

VOL. IX.

I

of a conversation which Cathcart had with the Empero Alexander on the subject of peace. I told you that I though he was mistaken, and that he imagined a preliminary under standing between the leading powers, before going to a Congress was, in fact, the formal conclusion of a treaty. I find that was right in this supposition: no such proposal has yet bee thought of.

The information from France all seems to agree in stating the consternation which prevails as very great. Genera Winzingerode, who is the Minister from Wirtemberg, has re ceived a letter from his father at Paris, which describes it i strong terms. It appears by it that Bonaparte is determined to wait for some time, and act entirely on the defensive, im proving his means, and ready to take advantage of any mistak committed by the Allies. But, with such a combination o force, if it can at all be brought to bear, we may do a grea deal before he is prepared for us. It has been determined to send a few hundred Cossacks across the country to Lord Wellington.

Believe me ever most sincerely yours,

ABERDEEN.

PS. The Emperor has just told me that he wishes to give the small cross of Maria Theresa to Captain Cadogan, and the cross of St. Leopold to Captain Blake, for their services a Zara. He wishes also to give some gold and silver medals to those who served in the batteries, and contributed so essentially to take the place.

Instructions to Lord Castlereagh, on his Mission to the
Allied Sovereigns.

George, P.R.

Instructions for our right trusty and well-beloved Councillo Robert Stewart, (commonly called Viscount Castlereagh) on of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, and Member o the Parliament of his Majesty's United Kingdom, whom W

have appointed his Majesty's Plenipotentiary to the Courts allied to his Majesty upon the Continent of Europe.

Given at the Palace of Carlton House, the 27th day of December, 1813, in the fifty-fourth year of his Majesty's reign.

We, taking into consideration the urgent importance of the existing crisis, which requires, on many occasions, a more full and immediate decision on our part than can be effected under the inevitable delay attending a direct communication between the Powers of the Continent and this Government; and the objects under discussion being of a magnitude far beyond the limits of the discretionary decision of the ordinary diplomatic representatives; and We, having, therefore, determined to employ on a special and temporary mission on the Continent one of our confidential Servants and principal Secretaries of State, fully informed of our views, and invested with full powers to negociate and engage, in his Majesty's name, for the establishment of such arrangements as may most effectually unite all the Powers of the Continent at this crisis, so generally important to the interests, security, and independence of the whole, in common views for the vigorous prosecution of the war, and also may enable him to negociate and conclude, on behalf of his Majesty, conventions or treaties for the restoration of peace:

We have thought proper to confide to you this most important service; and We hereby signify to you our pleasure, in his Majesty's name, that you should repair, in the first instance, to the head-quarters of the grand allied army, where it is understood the three Allied Sovereigns, his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Austria, his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, and his Majesty the King of Prussia, are assembled, to whom you will deliver the Credentials with which you will be furnished to them respectively.

After possessing yourself in the fullest manner of all the

information which can be supplied by his Majesty's Ambas sadors, or other Ministers, you will propose to enter into con ference with such Minister or Ministers of the said Sovereign as may be appointed for that purpose, upon the great object of your mission: and you will be furnished with full power to enable you to enter into any treaty or engagement with al or any of the Allied Powers, or with any other Powers, i furtherance of the like views.

You will receive, previously to your departure, and after wards, from time to time, additional instructions, which wi be conveyed to you by our command, under the signature one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, to whom in your absence, We shall entrust the duties of your depar

ment.

i

His Majesty's accredited Ministers on the Continent, whatever rank or description, will receive our commands. transmit punctually to you accounts of every thing mater which may pass at their respective Courts, and to pay plicit attention to the directions which they shall rece from you, continuing, whilst on the Continent, to act in capacity of his Majesty's principal Secretary of State Foreign Affairs.

And, in order to enable you more fully to execute the co mission with which you are charged, We do hereby author and empower you to take with you as assistant in the ex tion of this especial service, with the rank of Minister Pl potentiary, our right trusty and well-beloved the Honour Frederick Robinson, a member of his Majesty's most hon able Privy Council, whom We have thought proper to in with full powers for holding conferences, and concluding engagements or treaties with his Majesty's Allies, or an them, in case of your illness or otherwise, according to directions he shall receive from you, in conformity to instructions with which you are or shall be furnished.

G., P.