[213] Francis Charles, Earl of Yarmouth (1777–1842), eldest son of Francis, second Marquess of Hertford, whom he succeeded in the titles in 1822. He married, in 1798, Maria Fagniani. He had been one of those English who were detained in France after the rupture of the peace of Amiens. He was released early in June owing to Fox’s personal intervention, and was a bearer of a verbal message from Talleyrand to him on the subject of peace. As it was necessary to keep these communications secret, and as Lord Yarmouth’s return to his family in France would not in any way excite attention, Fox sent him back to Paris with orders to conduct the subsequent negotiations with the French Government.
[214] Talleyrand first offered the Hanse Towns.
[215] Adam Georges Czartoriski (1770–1861). He was first brought to Petersburg as a hostage, but gained the Emperor’s friendship, and was made Foreign Minister at his accession. The views he held were liberal and enlightened, and every influence he possessed over his master was for the best. Despairing, however, of carrying out his schemes he resigned in 1807, but still retained the Emperor’s ear.
[216] James, second Earl of Rosslyn (1762–1837), nephew of the Lord Chancellor, whom he succeeded in 1805. He had already served in Portugal, 1796–9, as second-in-command to Sir Charles Stuart.
[217] The Russian Ambassador in England.
[218] Lord Holland in the Memoirs of the Whig Party maintained his entire disbelief in these rumours.
[219] Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke (1765–1818), afterwards created Duc de Feltre. He was War Minister 1807–13, and held the same post under Louis XVIII. in 1815. It was said of him, ‘C’est l’homme d’épée qui doit le plus à sa plume.’
[220] The town of Gaeta was besieged by the French under Masséna, and capitulated before the Neapolitan and English forces, fresh from their victory at Maida, were able to intervene. By this capture, Masséna’s army of 18,000 was freed to make common cause with Regnier against the Calabrians, and as all hope of success in that quarter was thereby removed, Sir John Stuart withdrew his troops to Sicily.
[221] Manuel de Godoy (1767–1851), Prime Minister of Spain. He obtained this title from having concluded the peace with France in 1795.
[222] Spanish Ambassador in Paris.