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of the principles of the Armed Neutrality, and, in like manner, I am convinced that there exists a jealousy of our influence with the kingdom of the Netherlands, and with Persia, and of the extent and importance of our Indian empire.

In 1812, during the invasion, and when hopes arose of delivering Europe, and of replacing something like the former construction of the nations which compose that quarter of the globe, your lordship may recollect that I reported a conversation, in which the idea of annexing Holland to Denmark was named; but it was, at the same time, said, England will not like that, because there certainly exists a plan to unite Holland more closely to Great Britain by marriage.

That this marriage did not take place certainly was matter of triumph in some minds; and the marriage which has taken. place, good as it certainly is in itself, is considered by Russian politicians as particularly advantageous, inasmuch as it may afford the means of substituting Russian influence, and detaching the Low Countries from us.

Marriages of royal persons do not ensure permanent connexion between their courts. I have seen instances, where it has been tried (not by the Emperor himself) to excite jealousy of us, I believe without success, in the mind of the Prince. If the Emperor should make a separate interference in regard to Luxemburg, it will afford a confirmation of my hypothesis. There have been many slight instances which have recalled to me the notion I had formed of this jealousy in regard to the Low Countries; even within these few days, I thought I marked it in his eye when the passage in your lordship's despatch, in which the defensive alliance with Holland is quoted as an example, was read.

I have asked for some more precise details of the reduction of force which is proposed. If carried fully to the extent named, it might go nearly to a reduction of a tenth of the disposable force. The continuance of the establishment, and of the dislocation of the troops on the frontier, are objects of jealousy.

I do not find that the plan of reduction has been spoken of to other Ministers. The continuance of the army in the quarters near the frontier is still stated to be for the purpose of consuming the magazines which had been formed there, and which it is better economy to consume on the spot than to remove to the interior with the troops or dispose of by sale. There is a great festival and celebration of an anniversary in the Church on the 15th of August, old style. Emperor has appointed to set out on the 10-22 of August, for Moscow, to be present at this ceremony; and he will probably make some short stay there. Afterwards, he will, it is said, go to Kieff, which may perhaps also have a religious object; and he will then proceed to Warsaw, from whence he will return to this place.

The

I have not heard that there will be any great assemblies of troops. I shall, however, consider it my duty to do all I can to obtain leave to accompany the Emperor, and at least to meet him at Moscow and Warsaw; but I dare not speak of

it yet.

Next week, it is understood, the Emperor will go to pass a few days on a visit to Count Arakchieff's, at some distance in the country.

I have the honour to remain, &c.,

CATHCART.

Prince Esterhazy' to Lord Castlereagh.

Le Dimanche matin.

J'ai l'honneur, Mylord, de vous envoyer ci-joint le mémoire Prussien, que je vous prie de me renvoyer, quand vous en avez pris connaissance à votre loisir, puisque j'ai l'ordre de ma Cour de donner le moins de publicité que possible à cette pièce, par égard pour la Prusse.

J'ose en même temps [vous rappeller] la promesse que vous avez bien voulu me faire de me donner communication des 1 Austrian Ambassador in London.

instructions de Lord Exmouth, puisque je désirois bien pouvoir les transmettre à ma Cour par Lord Clanwilliam. Recevez, Mylord, l'expression de ma haute considération.

[Enclosure.]

ESTERHAZY.

Prince Metternich to Prince Esterhazy.

Vienne, le 27 Juin, 1816.

Mon Prince-Vous aurez vraisemblablement été informé directement par le Ministère Britannique de la manière dont Lord Clancarty a envisagé notre réclamation concernant l'excédant du revenu des postes dans la Belgique, réclamation qu'il trouve inadmissible, et au sujet de laquelle il a écrit dans ce sens à sa Cour.

Monsieur le Baron de Wessenberg, en m'informant de cette circonstance, me transmet la note ci-jointe en copie, dans laquelle Monsieur le Baron de Humboldt énonce une opinion tout aussi peu favorable que celle de Lord Clancarty, et qui a provoqué l'ordre au Ministre Prussien près la Cour de la Haye de désister de toute démarche ultérieure à l'appui de la réclamation commune.

En même temps que je charge Monsieur le Comte de Zichy de faire à ce sujet des représentations au Ministère Prussien dans le sens de la dépêche dont Votre Altesse reçoit ci-jointe une copie, je fais parvenir à la Mission Impériale près la Cour des Pays-Bas l'ordre de reprendre la poursuite de cette affaire. Vous voudrez bien, Mon Prince, faire de votre côté les démarches convenables. Le désistement de la Prusse ne doit pas nous empêcher de soutenir une prétention, dont la justice me paroit incontestable, et a déjà été reconnue implicitement par la Cour de Londres; car Votre Altesse n'ignore point qu'elle n'a jamais contesté le principe, et qu'elle a fait dépendre uniquement son acquiescence de la question s'il n'en résulteroit pas un charge trop considérable pour les finances des Pays Bas, ce qui n'est nullement le cas. Vous pourrez même faire observer, Mon Prince, que cette charge, loin d'être

moins considérable, si on admettoit l'opinion de Monsieur de Humboldt le seroit peut-être davantage; car, selon lui, le Prince de la Tour Taxis devroit obtenir la totalité du revenu des postes de la Belgique, au lieu que la réclamation, telle qu'elle existe maintenant, ne porte pas sur tout le produit. Recevez, Mon Prince, l'assurance de ma considération la plus distinguée.

METTERNICH.

Lord Castlereagh to Sir Charles Stuart.

Cray Farm, July 16, 1816. My dear Sir-I have not written to you officially, on the subject of the Emperor's rescript, not knowing how far it may be deemed expedient by the Allied Ministers to raise any further discussion on this representation, when there is some reason to hope that affairs have taken an improved turn since it was issued. The British Government can have no difficulty in concurring generally with the remarks contained in the paper of observations, and recommending to the King, in order to escape hereafter similar errors of administration, to give to his constitutional advisers a more determined support, avoiding every measure which is calculated to precipitate reaction and to involve him in acts contradictory to the Charter; but I shall delay transmitting any orders to you on this subject, till I learn from you what is wished and expected.

It is material to state that these documents were communicated to me by the Count de Lieven, in extenso, before I heard from you, and that I have every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of the Court of Petersburgh, which, on this as on all other subjects, continues to manifest the most cordial disposition to act in concert and confidence with the British Government.

I am disposed to attribute General Pozzo di Borgo's indisposition to record this document on the Protocol, as principally arising from a wish rather to soften a communication, to which

perhaps his own reports had given rise in representing the state of France under a stronger colouring than is applicable to the present existing state of circumstances.

It will have done no mischief, however, but the reverse of it, if it should make Monsieur somewhat more guarded than he has hitherto been, and if it should determine the King to destroy the anomaly of an armed force, not administered by the responsible advisers of the Crown.

In haste, yours very truly,

CASTLEREAGH.

Mr. B. Frere to Lord Castlereagh.

Constantinople, July 26, 1816.

My Lord-In my public letter of the 10th April, I had the honour to mention to your lordship that the Chevalier d'Italinsky had informed me of his having received despatches from his Court, which stated that Parga would not be given up till the Porte fulfils the stipulations of the Treaty of 1800 in favour of the other continental districts, which were then ceded to her.

Though I had no reason to doubt the accuracy of this information, I did not take any notice of it at the Porte. It was possible that some understanding of this nature might have been entered into with the Emperor Alexander during the negociation of the late treaty, as the price of his compliance; but, as it tended to involve Great Britain in a question which seemed about to arise between Russia and the Porte, respecting the Treaty of 1800, to which she was originally not a party, I thought it necessary to be particularly cautious upon this point, till I might receive your lordship's instructions.

I had not seen M. d'Italinsky since they reached me; but, the other day, in answer to what I had written to him respecting the Treaty of the 26th September, after thanking me for my communication, he adds: "J'ose aussi me flatter que vous voudriez étendre non moins vos communications à ce qui est

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