had been enabled to maintain himself in the field in France, between Murat's rascality, and Bellegarde's timidity, and Lord William Bentinck's impracticability and Whiggism, which seems to follow him everywhere, we should have been in danger of a serious disappointment in that quarter. As it is, we are masters, I hope, of the question now, in a military sense, and must weigh well the political complications, which are not merely personal to the Sovereign claimants, but mixed up with a great deal of internal and extensive jealousy amongst the mass of the Italian population.

I have given the accession to the treaty of the 11th, in the form received from Lord Bathurst. I did not feel it necessary now to provoke the question of the ultimate destination of Elba, after Napoleon's death. I think the form and nature of our peace will of itself preclude its becoming French, which, I conceive, is your main object. Whether it shall belong to one, or, as formerly, to three, Italian Powers, is of secondary moment.

I am impatient to hear from you on the terms of our peace, not feeling myself enabled, till I know the present impressions of the Government, to proceed to close quarters either with Talleyrand or the Allies. We are, however, employed on preliminary matter, which it is important the Allies should understand each other upon, before they finally conclude with France. I am, dear Liverpool, ever yours, &c.,

Draft.

Lord Castlereagh to Lord Liverpool.

C.

Paris, April 27, 1814. My dear Lord-I enclose you a letter and its enclosures, from Sir Robert Wilson, which, your lordship will observe with satisfaction, contains an account of the conditions of an armistice concluded between the Viceroy of Italy and Marshal Bellegarde; and I trust that this Convention will lead to a satisfactory settlement of the complicated questions which are involved in the present state of Italy.

It appears, however, that Murat's conduct has been most

equivocal and suspicious; and I shall take an early opportunity of writing to your lordship more at length upon this subject.

Lord Castlereagh to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. Copy. Paris, April 27, 1814. Lord Castlereagh, considering the importance, under the present auspicious change that has taken place in the general system of Europe, as well as in the Government of France, that the embassy to Paris should be entrusted by your Royal Highness to a character of preponderating influence in the public estimation, presumes to recommend that your Royal Highness would authorize him to propose this trust, in your Royal Highness's name, to Field-Marshal the Marquess of Wellington, whose zeal and invariable devotion to your Royal Highness's service will, Lord Castlereagh persuades himself, on this, as on every other occasion, determine him to obey your Royal Highness's commands.

Copy.

Lord Castlereagh to Lord Bathurst.

Paris, April 27, 1814. My dear Lord Bathurst-I have been a bad correspondent of late. Paris is a bad place for business. I had great pleasure in receiving Apsley. We shall make his stay here as pleasant as we can; and, if he does not incline to return with the stream to London, when the Emperor goes, I will try to give him some motive for extending his tour. I had some thought of proposing to him to go to invite the King of Sardinia to return to the Continent, but, upon talking it over with Robinson, we thought it hardly fair to ask him to undertake so long a journey, with a sea voyage at the end of it, at a moment when Paris is full of interest. If Wellington does not come here, which, from Charles's report, I think more than probable, I shall give Apsley the option of going to him, when I have something to say as well as send. You will see by Wellington's answer, which I send to Liverpool, that he

accepts the embassy. I shall leave him to choose his own time for entering upon its duties. His presence here will, in all respects, be most useful and satisfactory to me.

Your arrangements, through Taylor, about Antwerp, were everything I could wish, as matters then stood. Charles Jean has no great claim to favour; but, as none of the Powers could well justify a breach of treaty to Sweden upon the grievances, and, I must say, strong suspicions, we are justified in entertaining of their General, and as Russia perseveres in execution of her treaty, I think we must, in good faith as well as policy, use our best endeavours to finish the business, without suffering the people of Norway to embark in a contest, in which we must at least navally fight against them, under the stipulations of our treaty.

Murat is another sinner-whether to an extent that we can take notice of, I am not yet prepared to say; but the Viceroy has given some strong evidence against him. The events in France have secured us there. If the war had continued on this side of the Alps, Italy would have soon become a dangerous card, which was in itself a new source of alarm, intrigue, and weakness. As it is, I hope we are escaping fast from the military difficulty, whatever may be the embarrassment of the political complication.

I have written to Graham about the Danes and Hanoverians, and shall, by the next courier, inform you of the arrangements taken for the surrender of the fortresses.

Yours, my dear lord, very sincerely,

C.

I shall write to Wellington about the return of his army, and press here what he suggests. He talked to my brother of recommending the sale of a large proportion of his horses.

Lord Castlereagh to Augustus Foster, Esq.

Paris, April 27, 1814.

Copy. My dear Foster-I have transmitted to Lord Liverpool, to be laid before the Prince Regent, a recommendation to nomi

nate you to be his Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Court of Denmark. I hope this destination may prove acceptable to you, and shall be obliged to you to see Lord L. upon it.

I have not been able to think of consular arrangements since I came upon the Continent, but shall be happy to fulfil my promise to the Duchess' as early upon my return as I can manage it. Believe me to be, &c., CASTLEREAGH.

Lord William Bentinck to Lord Castlereagh.

Genoa, April 27, 1814.

My dear Lord-I presume there will no longer be any necessity to continue the Italian levy. If they are to be disbanded, it is very important the intention should be made known to them as soon as possible, that the officers may not lose the opportunity of placing themselves in the new armies about to be formed by the restored Sovereigns. If I have your authority to announce the dissolution of these corps at a general peace, it will be sufficient, and I will undertake the rest, making such arrangements as to a few additional months' pay as circumstances may seem to require.

I send Lieutenant-Colonel à Court with this letter, to explain more fully the circumstances of the levy, and to receive your orders.

I remain, my dear lord, very faithfully yours,

W. C. BENTINCK.

Lord Castlereagh to Lord Wellington.

Copy. Paris, April 27, 1814. My dear Lord-I received with great satisfaction your letter by Charles, and shall write to-night to submit my sentiments to the Prince Regent upon the importance of your taking charge of his affairs at this Court, where personal weight, 1 Mr. Foster's mother, the Duchess of Devonshire, second wife of the last duke.

VOL. IX.

LL

decision, and judgment, are essentially requisite to mature the auspicious results of this most glorious war. I cannot doubt the eagerness with which his Royal Highness will embrace any occasion of preserving to himself your active services.

With respect to the period when you should present your credentials, I should wish to conform to your convenience, and what your own judgment may dictate with respect to your present charge. If you find yourself enabled to pay even a cursory visit to Paris, we can talk the matter over togetherif not, I shall be glad to receive such suggestions as occur. We hope to sign our peace with France, and that I shall be enabled to set out from hence about the 15th of next month. The Convention transmitted by the last messenger, clears away much of the groundwork.

Pole arrived yesterday. I have stated to him what has passed between us, and he seems disposed to postpone his excursion to you, in the hope of seeing you here.

Draft.

Believe me to be, &c.,

CASTLEREAGH.

Lord Castlereagh to Lord Wellington.

Paris, April 27, 1814. My dear Lord-I beg to enclose to you a copy of a letter which I have received from Lord Bathurst, which will explain itself. If it should be consistent with your arrangements to direct the movement of your cavalry and horse artillery, according to the suggestion contained in Lord Bathurst's letter, I shall be much obliged to you to let me know, in order that I may take the necessary measures for settling their embarkation with the French Government.

Le Conseil Général du Département de la Dyle à Leurs Majestés Imperiales et Royales les Souverains et Hautes Puissances Alliées.

Copie.

Hauts et Puissants Alliés-Organes des habitans du cidevant département de la Dyle, nous le croyons de notre