STATE PAPERS. SECOND LETTER from the MINISTER for FOREIGN AFFAIRS, at Paris, with its accompanying Inclofure; AND THE ANSWER returned by the Right Hon. LORD GRENVILLE, his Majefty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. [TRANSLATION.] Paris, 24 Nivofe, 8th Year MY LORD, (Jan. 14, 1800). I LOST no time in laying before the Firt Conful of the Republic the official Note, under date of the 14th Nivofe, which you tranfmitted to me; and I am charged to forward the Anfwer, equally official, which you will find annexed. Receive, my Lord, the affurance of my high confideration. (Signed) CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND. To the Mmifter for Foreign Affairs, at London. TRANSLATION OF THE NOTE RE FERRED TO IN NO. I. The official Note, under the date of the 14th Nivofe, the 8th year, addreffed by the Minifter of his Britannic Majefty, having been laid before the First Conful of the French Republic, he obferved with furprife, that it refted upon an opinion, which is not exact, refpecting the origin and confequences of the prefent War. Very far from its being France which provoked it, the had, it must be remembered, from the commencement of her Revolution, folemnly proclaimed her love of Peace, and her difinclination to Conquefts, her refpect for the independence of all Governments: and it is not to be doubted that, occupied at that time entirely with her own internal affairs, the would have avoided taking part in thofe of Europe, and would have remained faithful to her declarations. But from an oppofite difpofition, as foon as the French Revolution had broken out, almost all Europe entered into a league for its deftruction. The aggreffion was real long time before it was public; internal refiftance was excited; its opponents were favourably received; their extravagant declama tions were fupported; the French Nation was infulted in the perfon of its Agents; and England fet particularly this example by the difmiffal of the Minifter accredited to her. Finally, France was, in fact, attacked in her independence, in her honour, and in her fafety, long time before the War was declared. Thus it is to the projects of fabjection, diffolution, and dismemberment, which were prepared against her, and the execution of which was feveral times attempted and purfued, that France has a right to impute the evils which he has fuffered, and those which have afflicted Europe. Such projects, for a long time without example, with refpect to fo powerful a nation, could not fail to bring on the most fatal confequences. Affailed on all fides, the Republie could not but extend univerfally the efforts of her defence; and it is only for the maintenance of her own independence, that he has made use of thofe means which the poffeffed, in her own ftrength, and the courage of her Citizens. As long as she saw that her enemies obftinately refused to recognize her rights, the counted only upon the energy of her refiftance; but as foon as they were obliged to abandon the hope of invafion, the fought for means of conciliation, and manifefted pacific intentions; and if these have not always been efficacious; if, in the midst of the critical circumftances of her internal fituation, which the Revolution and the War have fucceffively brought on, the former Depofitories of the Executive Authority in France have not always fhewn as much moderation as the Nation itself has fhewn courage, it must, above all, be imputed to the fatal and perfevering animofity with which the refources of England have been lavished to accomplish the ruin of France. But if the wishes of his Britannic Majefty (in conformity with his affurances) are in unifon with thofe of the French Republic, for the re-establishment of Peace, why, inftead of attempting the apology of the war, should not attention be rather paid to the means of terminating it ? And what obftacle can prevent a mutual understanding, of which the utility is reci For the First Letter, fee p. 79. procal preal and is felt, especially when the First Conful of the French Republic has perfonally given fo many proofs of his eagerness to put an end to the calamities of war, and of his disposition to Maintain the rigid obfervance of all Treaties concluded? The First Conful of the French Republic could not doubt that his Britannic Majefty recognifed the right of Nations to choose the form of their Governmen, fince it is from the exercife of this right that he holds his Crown; but he has been unable to comprehend how to this fundamental principle, upon which reits the existence of Political Societies, the Minister of his Majefty could annex infinuations which tend to an interference in the internal affairs of the Republic, and which are no lefs injurious to the French Nation, and to its Government, than it would be to England, and to his Majefty, if a fort of invitation were held out in favor of that Republican Government of which England adopted the forms in the middie of the last century; or an exhortation to recal to the throne that Family whom their birth had placed there, and whom a Revolution compelled to defcend from it. If at periods not far diftant, when the Confiitutional Syftem of the Republic prefented neither the frength nor the folidity which it contains at prefent, his Britannic Majefty thought himself enabled to invite a negotiation and pacific conferences, how is it poffible that he fhould not be eager to renew negotrations to which the prefent and reciprocal ituation of affairs promi›es a rapid progrefs? On every side the voice of Nations and of Humanity implores the conclufion of a war, marked already by fuch great calamities, and the prolongation of which threatens Europe with an univerfal convulfion and irremediable evils. It is, therefore, to put a ftop to the course of these calamities, or in order that their terrible confequences may be reproached to thofe only who thall have provoked them, that the First Conful of the French Republic propofes to put an immediate end to hoftilities, by agreeing to a fufpenfion of arms, and naning Plenipotentiaries on each fide, who thould repair to Dun kirk, or any other town as advantageoufly fituated for the quickness of the respective communications, and who hould apply themfelves without any VOL. XXXVII. JAN. 1809. delay to effect the re-establishment of Peace and good understanding between the French Republic and England. The First Conful offers to give the passports which may be necessary · for this purpose. (Signed) CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND. Paris, 24th Nivose (14th Jan. 1800), 8th Year of the French Republic. LETTER from LORD GRENVILLE to the MINISTER for FOREIGN AFFAIRS at Paris. Downing-freet, Jan. 20, 1800. SIR, I have the honour to inclofe to you the anfwer which his Majefty has directed me to return to the official Note which you tranfmitted to me, I have the honour to be, with high confidera. tion, Sir, your moft obedient humble fervant, (Signed) GRENVILLE. To the Minifter for Foreign Affairs, &c. &c. at Paris. NOTE REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING. The official Note tranfmitted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in France, and received by the undersigned on the 18th inftant, has been laid before the King. His Majefty cannot forbear expreff ing the concern with which he obferves in that note, that the unprovoked aggreffions of France, the fole caufe and origin of the War, are fyftematically defended by her prefent Rulers, under the fame injurious pretences by which they were originally attempted to be difguifed. His Majefty will not enter into the refutation of allegations now univerfally exploded, and (in fo far as they refpe&t his Majefty's conduct) not only in themselves utterly groundless, but contradicted both by the internal evidence of the transactions to which they relate, and also by the exprefs teftimony (given at the time) of the Gevernment of France itself. With respect to the object of the Note, his Majefty can only refer to the anfwer which he has already given. He has explained, without referve, the obstacles which, in his judgment, preclude at the prefent moment all hope of advantage from negotiation. All the inducements to treat, which` are relied upon in the French official 1 Note i Note; the perfonal difpofitions which ere faid to prevail for the conclufion of Peace, and for the future obfervance of Treaties; the power of infuring the effect of thofe difpofitions, fuppofing them to exift; and the folidity of the fyftem newly established, after fo rapid a fuc ceffion of Revolutions-all these are points which can be known only from that teft to which his Majefty has already referred them-the refult of experience and the evidence of facts. With that fincerity and plainnefs which his anxiety for the re-establishment of Peace indifpenfably required, his Majefty has pointed out to France the fureft and speedieft means for the attainment of that great object. But he has declared in terms equally explicit, and with the fame fincerity, that he entertains no defire to prefcribe to a foreign nation the form of its government; that he looks only to the fecurity of his own dominions and of Europe; and that whenever that effential object can in his judgment be, in any manner whatever, fufficiently provided for, he will eagerly concert with his Allies thé means of immediate and joint negotiation for the re-establishment of general tran. quillity. To thefe declarations his Majefty steadily adheres; and it is only on the grounds thus ftated, that his regard to the fafety of his fubjects will fuffer him to renounce that fyltem of vigorous de fence, to which, under the favour of Providence, his kingdoms owe the fecurity of those bleffings which they now enjoy. (Signed) GRENVILLE, Downing-street, Jan. 20, 1800. ADDRESS OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS IT is from a fentiment of the moft -urgent neceffity that I feel myself compelled to fpeak to you on a fubject, and certain difpofitions, from which may refult very great injury to the common caufe of the Germanic Empire. I fee with regret, that upon the late events in France, by which the fupreme power has paffed into other hands, has been founded almost every where the hope that has so often proved deceitful of an approaching pacification; and that in the confidence of this premature fuppo fition has been affumed the power of deferring the putting of the contingents in activity, and the accomplishment of is other conftitutional obligations. A heart truly German and patriotic, and a mind enlightened by fuch fad experi ence, cannot abfolutely commit fuch imprudence; fuch conduct would deprive us of the only means of concluding a fpeedy Peace upon terms juft and pro per, and which may prove solid and permanent. We ought not entirely to forget the maxim, that we fhould prepare vigorously for War, when we wished for Peace, and we shall obtain the latter much the more foon, and on terms the more advantageous, when the enemy fhall fee us in a ftate to continue the War, fhould he be difpofed to continue his imperious tone, and to prefcribe once more a Peace that would bring with it fhame and flavery, or infallibly lead to them.-Too often has the hope, in dulged with fo much precipitation, rea fpecting France, proved deceitful, to fuffer thefe new events to feduce and lull the State into a falfe fecurity. It has been feen uniformly to the prefent hour, that every new faction in France has spoken a great deal about Peace, not for the purpose of concluding one upon equitable terms, but to gain popularity: that they have often the word Peace in their mouths, and are conti. nually commencing new Wars; or that by the word Peace, they have meant nothing but the extermination of their enemies. The event which has taken place in France, on the 9th of November, confidered in a near point of view, is not of a nature to be able to afford us, all at once, a full confidence. Some of those who have poffeffed themfelves of the fupreme power are the fame men, who fo often, by their principles, and the whole courfe of their public life, have fworn mortal hatred and eternal enmity to all other States not conftituted like their own, who have overturned fome, and perfidiously fubjugated others in full peace. The fpirit even which manifefts itself in the public writings of France is not fo pacific; it is there frequently declared, that this new Revolution has no other object but to raife the Republic to the rank which it ought to hold in Europe. The late Directory is blamed there not for having commenced War, but for having carried it on unfuccessfully; for not having conquered new provinces; for having luft several. In their Proclamations they they begin always with fpeaking of victories, and they afterwards talk of Peace; a clear indication that circum stances do not appear yet fufficiently favourable for the latter, and that they would wish ftill to try the fate of arms before they would think of concluding it.-The Minifter of War openly announces, that he is employed in reinforcing the army, and procuring it every thing neceffary. He adds, that he will take a part himself in its dangers, as foon as the feafon permits the opening of the campaign; and that he is preparing for it new triumphs. There has not been yet on the part of France any relaxation in the preparations for War to justify the Germans to relax theirs; but, on the contrary, a new corps is to be formed in the four non-united de. partments. But even though we might have no grounds to conceive any diftruft refpecting the views and objects of the new Rulers of France, the new Revolution is not fufficiently confirmed in its feat to inspire a full confidence that it may not be overturned like the reft. -Finally, the queftion is not here of fuch a Peace as every convention of armistice might be called. The queftion is fafety; the conditions for which we effentially contend; conditions which the honour, dignity, liberty, the integrity of the Germanic Empire, and inviolability of our dearest Treaties de mand.-The question is a juft, fit, and durable Peace in the fenfe of the deci fion of the Diet, which may fecure Re ligion, Property, civil Order, and the Conftitution of the Empire.-I invite you to weigh maturely thefe confidera tions with the patriotic fentiments with which you are infpired, and then you will certainly agree with me, that prudence imperioufly requires that you fhould not be feduced into inactivity by the reports of an approaching Peace and principles more moderate, or to lay down your arms until Peace fhall be figned.You will feel with me the neceflity of not delaying the measures of defence; but, on the contrary, of redoubling our efforts, augmenting our forces, and accomplishing with the greatest activity, and in the most serious manner, the decifion, renewed and confirmed by the Refolutions of the Diet, for the common defence, that we may be able to oppofe an energetic mafs of efforts to the views of the enemy, what ever they may be. It is only by an im pofing military force that we shall be able to prevent the enemy from making new devaftating attacks, abridge or terminate the evils of War, ameliorate the conditions of Pacification, and finally accelerate a Peace that may deferve the name of one, and recompence the mul tiplied facrifices by which we have for a long time fince fought to procure it. JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE EIGHTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN. THE [Continued from Vol. XXXVI. Page 340.] HOUSE OF LORDS. TUESDAY, JAN. 21. Houfe met pursuant to adjourn ment; and the new Bifhop of Ox. ford having taken the oaths and his feat, Lord Grenville faid, that although it was not usual to give notice of a Meffage, yet, as he faw many of their Lordships prefent, it might not be improper to inform them, that probably to-morrow he ould bring one down, and lay certain important papers upon their table, when he fhould move to take them into confideration on a future day, perhaps Mon. day. may judge neceffary under the prefent circumstances for the feveral branches of the public fervice, and for the vigo rous profecution of the War; and his Majefty has given directions that the proper Eftimates for this purpofe fhould be laid before the Houfe. His Majefty has thought proper on this occafion to direct that there should be laid before the Houfe copies of communications recently received from the enemy, and of the aufwers which have been returned thereto by his Majefty's command. [See pages 56 and 79.] His Majefty entertains the fulleft confidence that thofe anfwers will appear to this Houfe to have been conformable to that line of conduct which was required from his Majefty on this occafion, by his regard to all the molt important interests of his Dominions: and his Majelty, having no object more at heart than that of contributing, as foon as the fituation of affairs hall render it practicable, to the establishment of the general tranquillity of Europe, on a fure and folid foundation; and of providing effe&ually for the fecurity and permanent profperity of his faithful People, places a firm reliance on the continued fupport of his Parliament, and on the zeal and perfeverance of his Subjects in fuch meafures as may be tend to confirm the fignal advantages which have been obtained to the com mon caufe in the course of the laft campaign, and to conduct the great conteft in which his Majefty is engaged to a fafe and honourable conclufion. "G. R." This Meffage having been read, his Lordship faid he had another Meffage from his Majefty, which was alfo read.The purport of this was, that a number of Ruffian troops, which had acted as auxiliaries in the expedition to Holland, at the conclufion of the campaign, had been brought to this country:-the latenefs of the feafon, and other caules, having rendered it impoffible for them to be conveyed to the Imperial dominions, his Majefty had therefore given orders for accommodations to be prepared for them in the Ilands of Guernicy and Jerfey; and which he thought proper to communicate to their Lordships. Lord Grenville then obferved, that he had yesterday entertained thoughts of moving to have thefe Metlages taken into confideration on Monday next; but as he understood that Tuesday would be more convenient to fome of their Lordips, he fhould now move for that day; which motion being put, was ordered accordingly.-Adjourned to Tuelday next. HOUSE OF COMMONS. TUESDAY, JAN. 21. HE Speaker read from the Chair three letters received by him from the Commanders in the late expedition to Holland, acknowledging the receipt of his letters conveying the thanks of the Houte to those Officers, and to Sir Ralph Abercromby and the Army, viz. from hs Royal Highness Field Marshal the Duke of Yerk, Commander in Chief, and from Admirals Lord Duncan and Sir Andrew Mitchell. The letter of the latter attributes, the failure of the expedition to the weather and other phyucal caufes; and adds, that, on the part of the Executive Government, the whole was planned and conducted with profound wifdom and policy. The other letters are formal and complimentary. Colonel Stanley presented a petition "from the Debtors confined in the gaol of Lancaster, praying for relief.-Ordered to be laid on the table. Mr. Sheridan rofe to give notice of a motion which it was his intention to make relative to the late Expedition Holland. He understood that an Hon. Member near him meant to move for a Call of the Houfe on Monday the 3d of February next; and, as fuch a motion muft bring a full attendance, he would be regulated by it, and would therefore name the 3d of February alfo for bringing forward his motion. Mr. Tierney faid, that certainly he had thought of moving for a Call of the Houfe; but, confidering the importance of the intereits expected to come into difcuffion, he did hope the Minifter, or fome friend near him, would move for it. At any rate he truffed he should receive the fupport of Gentlemen on the other fide to fuch a motion. Mr. Pitt had no objection to a Call of the Houle, but was of opinion that, as had taken place heretofore, Gentlemen would attend from a mere fenfe of duty, if the importance of the bufinefs fhould fuggeft a neceflity for their deing fo. Oa every motion he was extremely delirous of |