tinguished consideration, with which I have the honour to be, &c. RUFUS KING. commands. In this designing manner he extorted a consent from the delegate,' that a few merchants and noblemen should be inNo. 22.-Copy of a Leter from Lord vited to the palace; which being done, it apHawkesbury to Mr. King, dated Downing-pearing that Mr. Antonio Martinengo was Right Hon. Lord Hawkesbury, &c. street, May 19th, 1803.-Sir, Having laid absent, he was sent for by Vice Commissary before the King your let er of the 15th of Renaud from the house of his friend Strapodi, this month, in which you inform me, that a and, immediately on his arrival at the palace, treaty was signed at Paris on the 30th of last was presented to the French envoy Sebasti month, by the plenipotentiaries of America ani, and recommended as opulent, possessing and France, by which the complete sove- influence, a good man, and the friend of the reignty of the town and territory of New people. Sebastiani made him a short comOrleans, as well as of all Louisiana, has been pliment, and then began his discourse by acquired by the United States; I have re- saying, "That the First Consul had begun to ceived his Majesty's commands to express to give a political existence to these islands; that' you the pleasure with which his Majesty has the vicissitudes of war and the distance of rereceived this intelligence, and to add, that inforcements were preparing for them another his Majesty regards the care which has been destiny; that he feels the warmest interest for taken so to frame this treaty as not to infringe their inhabitants, who would be rendered happy any right of Great Britain in the navigation of if they would adopt such a system as would be the Mississippi, as the most satisfactory evi- most analagous to that of France; that interdence of a disposition on the part of the go- nal dissentions, and false principles, had for vernment of the United States, correspondent a moment taken from them the liberty of givto that which his Majesty entertains, to pro-ing their own opinion about their constitumote and improve that harmony and good understanding which so happily subsist between the two countries, and which are so conducive to their mutual benefit. I have it also in command to assure you, Sir, that the sentiments which you have expressed in making this communication, are considered by his Majesty's government as an additional proof of that cordiality and confidence which you have uniformly manifested in the whole course of your public mission, and which have so justly entitled you to the esteem and regard of his Majesty's government. I desire you to accept the assurances of the distinguished consideration with which I have the honour to be, &c. Rufus King, Esq. &c. HAWKESBURY. tion; but that, by a different conduct, they might in future possess that liberty; that the nobility might aspire to the offices of government on the ground of property, since it procared them a superior education, but that they ought not to pretend to establish, on a plea of birth, those privileges which should result from education, virtue, and property;; that the people ought not to exclude the nobility merely because they were born in that sphere; that a spirit of general concord ought to recal tranquillity among the three classes of the nobles, the plebeans, and the mercantile class, which is the best; that they ought to avail themselves of the favourable situation of the country which gives the means of procuring, by commerce, wealth, Presented May 20, 1803.-(Referred to in and future opulence; that so seductive an obMr. Forest's letter to Lord Hawkesbury of ject, exposed to the view of continental Jan. 2, 1803.)-A French frigate command- Greece, might rouse up that ancient ardour ed by an officer of that nation, whose name and national enthusiasm for liberty, by which is not known, arrived this day in our Roads. the Republic of the Seven Islands will beOn board this vessel was embarked Citizen come a power superior even to its own exHorace Sebastiani, calling himself envoy pectations; that states have the same stages from the First Consul to these parts. On the as the life of man, and therefore that it is same afternoon he attempted to land with the not wonderful if, during their infancy, the officers, but as they had arrived from Egypt, errors of childhood should prevail in them; four guards of health were placed over them. that if they are averse to the care of the He demanded a conference with the govern- French nation to maintain the happiness of ment, assuring our delegate regent, that he those islands even by her own forces, (not was commissioned by the First Consul Bona- subject to the outrages of fortune), the First parte, to communicate to all orders of per- Consul, in concert with the Emperor of Russons in the Seven Islands, the attachment and sia, will know how to establish by force an respect of the First Consul, his desire of see-appropriate constitution for the Seven Islands: ing all the people happy and contented, whom he would endeavour to inspire with veneration for the laws, respect for the existing government, and obedience to its that lastly, he recommends to them to make known to the people these friendly sentiments of Ponaparte, directly communicated to them by him his immediate organ." He said ciples, and does not require the confirmation of any particular treaty. It is nevertheless important that you should observe, that the circumstances which led to the conclusion of the last peace, and the principles upon which the negotiation was conducted, would give his Majesty a special right to interpose in any case which might lead to the extension of the power or influence of France. something respecting the Emperor of Russia, | pose which is consistent with the honour of but very coolly, and added also, "That un- his crown and the interests of his dominions; til the change of the present government, it and his regret at any circumstances which will be necessary to obey the laws, however may have arisen to interrupt that harmony defective they may be, to respect its mini- and good understanding which are so impor sters, and obey their orders." When this tant to the welfare and happiness of both speech was ended, Peta, the ex-superin- countries. You will, however, state most tendant of the Cernides, cried out, "Long distinctly his Majesty's determination never live the First Consul Bonaparte." The Russian to forego his right of interfering in the affairs commandant, who was present, remained si- of the continent, on every occasion in lent at these proceedings, and feeling himself which the interests of his own dominions, thus betrayed, he testified his disapprobation or those of Europe in general, may appear by his silence. The French envoy, as he to him to require it. This right his Majesty left the palace in crossing the square, was possesses in common with every other inde huzza'd and applauded by the most ill-dis-pendent power; it rests upon general prinposed of the people, led away by the bad example of all the former and present officers of the republic. He went into Mr. Renaud's house, and then returned on board his own ship. He enquired for an express for Cephalonia, where he wished to send advices of his intended destination. The delegate could not deny him permission to land, because he would have assumed the right of doing so of his own authority, and he thought,munications which took place between the if in this case he had had recourse to the Rus- two governments previous to the signature of sian force, he might have disturbed the peace the preliminary articles, his Majesty proposed, which exists between the Emperor of Russia as the basis of negotiation, that if the French and the French Republic. He wished to government would not relinquish the contihave opposed such a studied harangue, but nental acquisitions which they had obtained had he done so, the French envoy would from other powers in the course of the war, have thought himself authorized to have gone his Majesty would claim the right of keeping out and have made it in the middle of the a part of his conquests, as a compensation for public square, and on a holiday, when the the important acquisitions of territory made people were intoxicated with wine, and the by France upon the continent. This prinremains of a spirit of democracy now re- ciple was formally recognized by the French viving, by which a disastrous scene might government in an official note in the followhave followed. These are the reasons which ing words: "Cependent on reconnoit que induced the delegate to chuse the lesser evil," les grands evenemens survenus en Europe, more particularly so because he had not any et les changemens arrivés dans les limites instructions for his guidance in such unex- "des grands etats du continent, peuvent pected occurrences. The Russian com- "autoriser une partie des demandes du gou mandant regards this affair as an outrage" vernement Britannique." The terms of against his sovereign, and he would have been sorry to have witnessed such a scene, had he not been obliged to do so. 66 In the com the treaty of peace were negotiated in conformity to this basis; and it appears, therefore, clear, that the then existing state of Presented May 20, 1803.-Instructions to possession and engagements as respect the Lord Whitworth, dated Downing-street, Nov. continent, were the foundation of the peace 14, 1802. My Lord, I take the first op- itself, and that his Majesty has therefore an portunity of communicating to your excel- undoubted right to interpose in consequence lency, for the regulation of your conduct, the of the treaty in every case in which the state instructions which his Majesty is pleased to give of possession may appear to him to have unyou on such points as may become subjects of dergone any material alteration, or in which discussion between his Majesty and the French the engagements which were then subsisting government; and to desire that you will en- had been violated to the prejudice of his Madeavour to conform you self to them in all jesty, or of the other powers of Europe. You your conversations with the French ministers. will proceed to observe, that the annexation You will lose no proper opportunity of ex- of Piedmont to France, since the conclusion pressing his Majesty's earnest solicitude for of the definitive treaty, makes a most mathe preservation of the peace which subsists terial difference in the state of the fixed and between the two countries; his disposition permanent possessions of France: that the to do every thing in his power for that pur-renunciation of the dutchy of Parma in favour PAPERS RESPECTING THE RESTITUTION of of France, a circumstance which was concealed at the time of negotiating the peace, and which is become of the greatest impor tance from its furnishing an additional instance of that system of secret cession which Copy of his Majesty's Order for the restitu is totally inconsistent with any system of setion, to the French and Batavian Republics, of curity for Europe, makes a most essential the following islands or settlements:-Cape difference likewise in the relative situation of Good Hope, Martinique, Tobago, St. Lucie, the two countries: that at the time of con- Deseada and the Saints, Pierre and Miquelon, cluding the peace, the French government Curaçao, Surinam, Demerara, Berbice and were bound by the most sacred engagements Essequibo, St. Eustatius, St. Martin's, Goree, to respect the independence of the Helvetic conquests in East Indies. and Batavian Republics, and to allow the people of those countries to choose whatever form of government they might think proper: that the violation of this right in the Swiss people, and the invasion of their territory, notwithstanding the representation which was made in their favour by his Majesty, makes a most material alteration in the state of engagements contracted since the conclusion of the definitive treaty, and adds most considerably to the influence and power of France, to the prejudice of a state which was then acknowledged as independent: that the conduct of the French government to the Batavian Republic was no less objectionable: that the independence of this republic was acknowledged, both by the treaty of Luneville and by the treaty of the Hague of the year 1795: that by the treaty of the Hague, the French government were permitted to keep a garrison in that country only till the time of general peace: that by a convention signed in August, 1801, the French troops were to remain there till the conclusion of the definitive treaty of peace between Great Britain and France: that the French troops have not, to this period, evacuated the country; and that the First Consul is represented lately to have declared, that in the event of any differences amongst the people of that country on the subject of their internal government, he would march with his whole army to suppress them: that this is an obvious violation of the independence of the Batavian Republic; and that his Majesty would have a peculiar right to interpose on the present occasion, as he consented to make numerous and most important restitutions to the Batavian government in the treaty of peace, on the consideration of that government being independent, and not being subject to any foreign controul. It is unnecessary for me to recommend to your excellency to make these representations with moderation and temper. You will attend very particularly to any explanations which may be given to you respecting them; and you will engage to report such explanations to his Majesty's government. I have the honour to be, &c. GEORGE R.-Trusty and well beloved, we greet you well: whereas a definitive treaty of peace has been signed at Amiens on the 27th day of March last, by our minister plenipotentiary, and those of the French Republic, his Catholic Majesty, and the Batavian Republic: and whereas it is stipulated by the third article of the said treaty, that we shall restore to the French Republic and her allies, namely, his Catholic Majesty and the Batavian Republic, all the possessions and colonies which belonged to them respectively, and which had been occupied or conquered by our forces in the course of the war, with the exception of the island of Trinidad and the Dutch possessions in the island of Ceylon: and it being further stipulated, in the twelfth article of the said definitive treaty, that the evacuations, cessions, and restitutions stipulated for by the present treaty, except where otherwise expressly provided for, shall take place in the continent and seas of Africa, within three months after the ratification of the present definitive treaty, which ratifications were exchanged on the 23d day of April last: and it being stipulated by the 13th article of the said definitive treaty, that in all the cases of restitution agreed upon by the present treaty, the fortifications shall be delivered up in the state in which they may have been at the time of the signature of the preliminary treaty, and that all the works which shall have been constructed since the occupation shall remain untouched, our will and pleasure is, that you do, pursuant to the stipulations above recited, deli, ver, or cause to be delivered to such commissary or commissaries as shall be named and authorized on the part of the Republic to receive the same, the of with the fortifications thereof, in the state in which they may have been at the time of the signature of the preliminary treaty, leaving untouched the works which shall have been constructed since the occupation: and for so doing this shall be your warrant. Given at our court at St. James, the of May 1802, in the 42d year of our reign. To our trusty and well-beloved governor of the of or to the officer com day to be, &c. To the Governor of HOBART. Copy of an instruction from the Right Hon. Lord Hobart, to the Governors of, or Officers commanding at Surinam, Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo, Martinique, St. Lucie, Tobago, Curaçao. Dated Downing-street, Nov. 15, 1802. Sir, I have the honour to acquaint you, that, notwithstanding the orders, which, by the King's commands, I communicated to you on the 17th ult. it is his Majesty's pleasure, that you do immediately proceed to the restitution of the settlement of to the government; in conformity to the directions you have already received for that purpose. I have the honour to be, &c. To the Governor of HOBART. the assertion contained in his excellency's note of the 20th of this month, as expressed in the following terms, " by the refusal of his Majesty the Emperor of Russia to listen to it," is directly contrary to the guarantee which his Imperial Majesty has formally offered on condition of making some trifling alterations that the First Consul has no difficulty to adopt, but which he knows that the English ministry have refused, with a view, without doubt, at the time, of the strange pretension of keeping Malta. That moreover this assertion is in absolute contradiction to the assurances which the First Consul has received from Petersburgh since his Britannic Majesty's message has been known there, and which have lately been renewed to him by an authentic communication wich Count Markoff made yesterday of the intentions of his court. From whence it results, that it is impossible to reconcile the last communication made by his excellency Lord Whitworth with the fresh confirmation which has just been acquired of the dispositions of his Majesty the Emperor of Russia; and that one cannot help believing that his Britannic Majesty, when better informed, will himself hasten to give to his excellency instructions differing from those which he has received and communicated in the name of his government. The undersigned seizes this opportunity to renew to his excellency Lord Whitworth the assurance of his high consideration. CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND. à son Excellence, &c. No. 3.-Note from Lord Whitworth to M. Papers No. 1 to 3, inclusive, presented May Talleyrand, dated Paris, May 12, 1803. 24, 1803. No. 1.-Dated London, May 20, 1803.My Lord, I have the honour to inclose to your Lordship an official note which I received from Monsieur de Talleyrand on the day of my departure from Paris, and my an swer. Translation.-The undersigned has the ho nour to acknowledge the receipt of the note which the minister for foreign affairs sent to him this day, and he will not fail to transmit it to his court. In the mean while, he requests the minister for foreign affairs to send him the passports which he required of him. He seizes this opportunity to renew to his excellency the assurance of his high consideraWHITWORTH. tion. Au Citoyen Talleyrand, &c. Papers No. 1 to 6, inclusive, respecting the continuance of the French Troops in Holland, ordered to be printed, May 25, 1803. I have the honour to be, &c. WHITWORTH. Rt. Hon. Lord Hawkesbury, &c. No. 2.-Note from M. Talleyrand to Lord Whitworth, dated Paris, 22d Floreal, An 11. --Translation.-The undersigned is charged to signify to his excellency Lord Whitworth, his Britannic Majesty's ambassador, that the First Consul having in the note of the 14th No. 1.-Extract of a Dispatch from Mr. of this month made a proposal that the island Liston to Lord Hawkesbury, dated the Hague, of Malta should be put into the possession November 5th, 1802.-The anxious apprehenof either of the three guaranteeing powers, sions under which the Dutch government namely Russia, Austria, or Prussia, it would have for some time laboured, have been in be insufficient to evade this proposition by some measure calmed by the accounts receivpleading the refusal of his Majesty the Em-ed to-day from different quarters. Their amperor of Russia to accept the trust, since the bassador at Paris has transmitted a copy of a intentions of their Majesties the Emperor of nervous and well-written memorial, presented Germany and King of Prussia in that respect by him to the minister of foreign affairs (in remain to be ascertained. That moreover, consequence of the instructions lately sent from 1 hence); and he informs the Secretary of State, that he received the most positive assurances from M. de Talleyrand, that it was by no means the intention of the First Consul to encrease the number of French troops in the Batavian Republic, or to march back those now upon the frontiers into the interior parts of this country: that, on the contrary, it was his fixed determination to withdraw the whole as soon as the proper arrangements could be made for that purpose. tivity for the last few days; and this morning No. 2.-Extract of a dispatch from Mr. Liston to Lord Hawkesbury, dated the Hague, November 12th, 1802.-Whatever may be the resolution of the First Consul, respecting the final evacuation of the Batavian Republic by the Troops of France (a subject on which this government remains in a state of doubt and uncertainty) there seems reason to suppose that a certain portion of them-the 17th and 74th Demi-Brigades of Infantry, amounting to about four thousand men,-arc to be embark-note of the chancellor Count Woronzow, reed at Helvoet Sluys, and transported to Louisiana, under the direction of General Victor, who has been appointed to the chief command in that new colony. No. 3.-Extract of a dispatch from Lord Whitworth to Lord Hawkesbury, Paris, 13th Dec. 1802.-The Batavian ambassador, Vos van Steinvick, has been instructed to make a representation, couched in the strongest terms, against the conduct of this government, with regard to the French troops which continue to be quartered in Holland. Your lordship well knows, how long, and how anxiously, the Batavian government has been expecting to be delivered from this burthen. lative to the 10th article of the treaty of Amiens-it has been delivered to Count Simon Woronzow, the Russian ambassador at this court. In communicating this note, you will express, in suitable terms, how sensibly His Majesty feels the friendship which the Emperor of Russia has manifested to him on this occasion, in his disposition to concur in the arrangements relative to the island of Malta-and how sincerely His Majesty regrets, that it is not in his power to acquiesce, without condition or explanation, in every thing that His Imperial Majesty has proposed on the subject. His Majesty however trusts that, when all the circumstances are taken No. 4.-Dispatch from Lord Whitworth to into consideration which bear upon this imLord Hawkesbury, dated Paris, December 13th, portant subject, the Emperor of Russia will 1802. My lord, your lordship will learn, be satisfied, that the line of conduct which by my former dispatch of this date, the step has been adopted by His Majesty, is such as which is to be taken by the Dutch ambassa- a regard to good faith and to the interests of dor, for procuring the evacuation of the Bata- his dominions have rendered necessary. vian territory by the French troops. I can- The only material difference, between the not flatter myself that any direct interference arrangement proposed by the Emperor of on my part, would, under the present circum- Russia for the Island of Malta, and that in stances, assist in promoting this important ob- which his Majesty is willing to concur, reject-And I know that the Dutch ambassador lates to the stipulations in favour of the Malentirely coincides with me in this opinion. I tese inhabitants. It is important that your have however, invariably, held a language on excellency should impress the Russian govern this subject, conformable to the general in- ment with the conviction of the services renstructions which I received on my departure dered by the inhabitants of Malta to his Mafrom London. I have the honour to be, &c.jesty and to the common cause, at the time WHITWORTH. The Right Hon. Lord Hawkesbury, &c. No. 5.-Extract of a dispatch from Mr. Liston to Lord Hawkesbury, dated the Hague, 11th January, 1803.-The negociations between the secretary of state and M. de Semonville,respecting the continuance of French troops in the southern garrisons of this Republic, have been carried on with uncommon acVOL. III. when the French were in possession of the island. That, for nearly two years, t. ey maintained a state of constant and active hostility against the French: that several thousands of them perished in this state of hostility; and, that these efforts were made at a time when they could receive assistance from no other foreign power: that the attachment evinced by the Maltese to his Majesty, during * K |