TREATY WITH RUSSIA.
On the 18th of December a provisional treaty was concluded between Great Britain and Russia; the general object of which was to oppose the progress of the French arms. In allusion to this, on the 18th of December, Mr. Tierney moved, “That it was the duty of ministers to advise his majesty against entering into engagements which might prevent or impede negociations for peace with the French republic.” On this occasion Mr. Canning delivered a master-piece of eloquence, which inspired the country at large with admiration of his talents. Mr. Canning entered into a full investigation of our foreign policy, and vindicated the treaties and alliances made by government. He remarked:—“It is justly contended that the deliverance of Europe cannot be effected by our exertions alone, and that, unless other powers are sincerely disposed to co-operate, we are setting out on a romantic and absurd enterprise, which we have no chance of accomplishing, no duty or call to undertake. I perfectly agree, that if other powers are not disposed to co-operate, we have no chance of success; but I cannot help asking at the same time, if there be no such disposition on the part of other powers, where is the use, or what is the necessity of the honourable gentleman’s motion? Why need parliament interfere to prevent his majesty’s ministers from taking advantage of dispositions which do not exist, and from accepting cooperation which will not be offered? But if the powers of Europe, or any of them, are ready to do their part toward the common salvation, and want only our countenance and encouragement to begin; if the train is laid, if the sparks of resentment, which the aggressions of France have kindled in every nation throughout Europe, want but our breath to blow them into a conflagration, it is the dictate of our duty, our interest, our feeling, to save France from destruction, and not by a coarse and hasty proceeding, like that now recommended to us, to throw a wet blanket on the flames.” Mr. Canning proceeded to show how an alliance with Russia and Turkey might enable us to sweep the remains of the French armament from the Levant and the Mediterranean, and how the probable accession of other allies might wrest from the republic both Italy and the Netherlands, Pitt followed in the same strain, eloquently unfolding the favourable prospects of another coalition. The picture he drew made a favourable impression on the house; and Mr. Tierney’s motion was lost. Moreover, all sums required for Russia were voted, and three millions more also were granted to his majesty, for making good such other engagements as he might contract. Soon after this the Porte, Russia, and Naples signed a treaty of union with England, the duration of which was fixed for eight years. Their conditions were generally a mutual guarantee of all possessions, including Egypt in the case of the Porte; a common prosecution and termination of the war; the closing of all harbours, and especially those in the Mediterranean, against the French; with British subsidies to other states. Italy was to be the first field of action for the allied powers, the design being to save the King of Naples from French domination.