sessions. This can be a proceeding but on a statement of circumstances; for example, suppose you demand Belgium, the Departments of the Rhine, &c.: in order to say whether we will give this we should know the use you will make of them.

M. de Razumowski.-This of course must be taken ad referendum.

M. de Caulaincourt.-I beg you will explain what you will do with the concessions and sacrifices you desire, and the use you will make of them, and, if they are agreed to by me, is it peace?

Lord Aberdeen.-We cannot answer this question at pre

sent.

M. de Caulaincourt.-If I accept these propositions, do I finish the war? Little arrangements can be finished afterwards-preliminaries can always be signed in twenty-four hours. Count Stadion.-I think our first question is clear.

M. de Caulaincourt now read a note of the manner in which he endeavoured to explain himself to-day, and observed-I have already said France would make great sacrifices to arrive at peace. I wish to know-1st, those sacrifices: 2ndly, the use they would be put to: 3rdly, to accept them and stop the

war.

M. de Humboldt answered these three points in detail, and with ability.

M. de Caulaincourt.-If I yield to your proposal, will it bring us to a conclusion and stop the war?

Count Stadion.-We come certainly to make peace.

M. de Caulaincourt.-If I adopt your propositions, will it bring you immediately to peace, and make you state the compensations you will give?

Lord Aberdeen.-We will consider of this.

M. de Caulaincourt.-If you will permit me to adjourn for a few hours to reflect, I shall esteem it as a personal favour. This was consented to.

The Plenipotentiaries met again in the evening at eight o'clock, and M. de Caulaincourt produced a note and proceeded to read it, which is annexed. When he had arrived at the passage in which les limites naturelles de la France is stated

Count Stadion interrupted him, and said-He could not let this pass unnoticed; that Prince Metternich had never admitted this expression with M. de St. Aignan.

M. de Caulaincourt then said, that whatever M. de St. Aignan had heard from Prince Metternich, Count Nesselrode, and Lord Aberdeen, was on record; that M. de St. Aignan, after the Conference, wrote it down. His paper was read, and re-read by Prince Metternich, and alterations made in the handwriting of the Prince: he had this document to show. He did not cite it, or wish to enter into it to provoke discussion, but to prove he was justified in using the expressions objected to.

Lord Aberdeen said that he had animadverted strongly on these expressions with Prince Metternich; that, as to what passed with M. de St. Aignan, he objected in the strongest manner to that part of his minute relative to the Maritime Question; that however he thought it a wholly unimportant document, and forbore to alter any part of it lest such alteration should show that he approved of it; that he would now give in at the next séance a detail of what passed, with his notes, for the French Plenipotentiary's information.

M. de Caulaincourt declared that he did not bring this forward to embarrass, it was not his object, nor did he cite the basis then, and observe on the different one now proposed, to create discussion; he wished only to establish our text.

Count Razumowski declared he had no knowledge of the document alluded to, there was nothing about it in his in

structions.

M. de Caulaincourt proceeded to read his paper, which, on some discussion, was agreed to be styled neither a Declaration nor a Note, but a Proposition.

The French Plenipotentiary was then asked whether he wished it should stand on the Protocol.

M. de Caulaincourt replied-As the Allied Paper was to stand on it, he thought his should do so likewise.

This was agreed to.

Count Stadion then said-The Allied Plenipotentiaries would take the French Plenipotentiary's paper ad referendum.

M. de Caulaincourt seemed much surprised that we were not now to proceed, and asked when we would next fix another Conference.

Count Stadion replied-We could not name the time, but that we would acquaint him when we knew and were ready.

M. de Caulaincourt agreed to send his written paper to Count Stadion half an hour after the Conference broke up. Here the Conference closed.

Proposition of the French Plenipotentiary, referred to in Sir Charles Stewart's Minute of the Second Conference.

Séance du 7 Fevrier, 1814.

Le Plénipotentiaire de France renouvelle encore l'engagement déjà pris par sa Cour de faire pour la paix les plus grands sacrifices: quelqu' éloignée que la démande faite dans la séance d'aujourd'hui au nom des Puissances Alliées soit des bases proposées par elles à Frankfort, et fondées sur ce que les Alliés eux-mêmes ont appellé les limites naturelles de la France, quelqu'éloignée qu'elle soit des Déclarations que toutes les cours n'ont cessé de faire à la face de l'Europe, quelqu' éloignées que soient même leurs propositions d'un état de possession analogue au rang que la France a toujours occupé dans le système politique, bases que les Plénipotentiaires des Puissances Alliées rappellent encore dans leur proposition de ce jour; enfin, quoique le resultat de cette proposition soit d'appliquer à la France seule un principe que les Puissances Alliées ne parlent point d'adopter pour elles-mêmes, et dont cependant

l'application ne peut être juste, si elle n'est point réciproque et impartiale, le Plénipotentiaire Français n'hésiterait pas à s'expliquer sans retard de la manière la plus positive sur cette demande, si chaque sacrifice qui peut être fait et le degré dans lequel il peut l'être, ne dépendaient pas nécessairement de l'espèce et du nombre de ceux qui seront demandés, comme la somme des sacrifices dépend aussi nécessairement de celle des compensations. Toutes les questions d'une telle négociation sont tellement liées et subordonnées les unes aux autres, qu'on ne peut prendre de parti sur aucune avant de les connoître toutes. Il ne peut être indifférent à celui à qui on demande des sacrifices de savoir au profit de qui il les fait, et quel emploi on veut en faire; enfin si en les faisant on peut mettre tout de suite un terme aux malheurs de la guerre. Un projet qui développerait les vues des Alliés dans tout leur ensemble remplirait ce but.

Le Plénipotentiaire Français renouvelle donc de la manière la plus instante, la demande, que les Plénipotentiaires des Cours Alliées veuillent bien s'expliquer positivement sur tous les points précités.

Minute of the Third Conference.

Chatillon, February 17, 1814, at Night.

The Plenipotentiaries having met

Count Stadion. In communicating and settling the Protocol of the last Conference, I wish all that was unnecessary should be omitted, confining it in the direct line. We should not enter into all the details, but adhere to the proposition and answer, in which there would be great utility, as adhering to the mode of proceeding.

M. de Caulaincourt replied-In his note he had adhered to his sentiments and explanations, and that he could not take away his preamble. I have a right to adhere to it; it is the interest of my empire and of my Sovereign. I have not stated a word that can shock any Power or any person: I appeal to

facts known in the eyes of Europe. Will you take away my justification?

Count Razumowski remarked-How very far this diverged from the original plan, and that it would lead to recriminations. Sir C. Stewart stated-M. de Caulaincourt's paper went into observations reflecting on the influence of the act of one of the Allies over the others.

M. de Caulaincourt observed-Anything offensive he would strike out.

Count Stadion said-Let me read the Protocol: it will explain itself. (Reads.)

M. de Caulaincourt observed on his finishing-It was taken word for word from what had been said.

Count Stadion replied-We thought the answer could begin at the recital of "le Plénipotentiaire Français," &c. We do not object to the last part, but to the first.

M. de Caulaincourt said-I have reason to wish the thing, but I protest against nothing.

Count Razumovski.-It is quite clear the Allies were justified in changing their basis by the success of their arms.

M. de Caulaincourt. Still, for my own justification, it is necessary not to strike out anything which is essential. I have eight days ago given my Court an account of this transaction. Why begin again?

Count Stadion said-That is certainly a reason. It is necessary for us to insert here our Declaration. (Reads.)

M. de Caulaincourt.-I cannot prevent your inserting in the Protocol whatever you choose. This is my answer to your Declaration. Let us proceed. The Protocol of the last sitting is signed.

Count Stadion.-We now come to the most essential partour conferences suspended. The letter addressed by the Duke to Prince Metternich, in which the armistice was proposed, and an offer made to put certain fortresses into the hands of the Allies, have been communicated to the Allied Courts.