12th.—No messenger from Paris. It is suspected that some artifice is used to delay the messengers, in order to prolong the negotiation, it being a matter of importance to France to keep up the appearance of a negotiation with England till the changes she meditates in Germany are completed.
NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE
14th.—Messengers in. Immediately on L.’s arrival he presented to the F. Governt. a short recapitulation of what had already passed during the negotiation, recalling to their recollection that the principle on which the E. Governt. had consented to treat was the uti possidetis, and reminding them how much this had been forgotten and departed from in their late demands, and concluding with the alternative, either to resume the uti possidetis as the principle of the Treaty, or to send him passports to return to England.[229] Three days elapsed before any answer was given to this note. General Clarke proposed that the business should be carried on by conversations, and not by written notes, which was refused. He also cavilled at some expressions in L.’s note, but at length presented a note couched in rather a high tone, complaining that when the Treaty was far advanced, and that Ld. Yarmouth was on the point of signing, L. should have been sent over to make inadmissible pretensions and to disappoint the hopes which all Europe had conceived of peace. The uti possidetis could not be the basis of the Treaty, unless the Emperor were to be replaced in the possession of Fiume, Treviso, and of all the conquests which he had renounced by the Peace of Presburg. Upon this L. sent for his passports. Three days were employed in sending from one office to another to obtain them, without success. M. de Lima (the Portuguese) called upon him, and implored in the most earnest manner that he would not break off the negotiation, as this would leave Portugal and Spain exposed to certain and immediate destruction. No effect being produced by this manœuvre, and L. persisting in his demand of passports, a 2nd note was sent, expressed in much more civil and moderate language, and tho’ denying that the uti possidetis had ever been admitted as the basis of the Treaty, and declaring that without great modifications it was inadmissible, but concluding with these words, ‘Mais l’Empereur l’adopte puisqu’il le trouve.’ It is remarkable that in this note the word adopte was substituted in the Emperor’s own handwriting, in place of accepte or admet. And in the date, the 11th had been inserted instead of the 7th, which had been the original date, so that the note had been detained some days, in hopes of Lauderdale’s yielding. On receiving this, L. addressed a note to the French Governt., in which, without taking any notice of the contents of theirs, he declared he could not go on with the negotiation, unless he had an explicit assurance from them that he should have passports at any time within half an hour, for himself or couriers, whenever he should chance to demand them. This note produced a very civil answer from Talleyrand, ascribing to accident entirely the blame of the former delay, and assuring him that it was in no respect owing to any want of civility to him. Lauderdale returned a second note, in answer to the former one, that he could not negotiate further, unless the uti possidetis[230] was distinctly admitted to be the basis of the Treaty, and that every deviation from it should be considered as an exception from the general basis of the peace. Things were in this state when Basilico was sent away.
Ministers, especially Ld. Grenville, are extremely pleased with L.’s conduct, particularly in his note on the subject of passports, after he received the second note from General Clarke. A Council was held immediately, in which it was determined to recall Ld. Yarmouth, and Basilico was sent back in the evening with an order to that effect. The reason for this measure:—1st, d’Oubril’s account and Ld. Yarmouth’s of the conclusion of the Russian Treaty are in flat contradiction. D’Oubril has written to Stroganoff that he signed the article with Ld. Yarmouth’s knowledge and approbation. 2ndly, Ld. Yarmouth seems to have spent some weeks at Talleyrand’s country house last autumn, tho’ he gave Ministry to understand that he was hardly acquainted with him. 3rdly, Ly. Yarmouth is very much connected with Monteron,[231] an agent of Talleyrand’s, and employed in his office.
Favourable accounts of the disposition of the new Russian Governt. towards this country; Stroganoff has received letters to that effect from the new Prime Minister, Budberg,[232] in which he expresses very strongly Alexander’s high opinion as well as his confidence in Mr. Fox. Stroganoff thinks Russia will not ratify d’Oubril’s preliminaries.
Ld. Granville Leveson arrived this day from Petersburg, dined here, and is looking handsomer than ever. I have not seen him these four years.[233]
American Commissioners very amicable; disposed to settle the differences, and to conclude a Treaty of Commerce between the two countries.
20th.—Ld. Howick dissatisfied with Sr. J. Borlase Warren, who lost three days after he got orders to sail, and wasted three more at Madeira, instead of going straight to ye W. Indies, by which Jerome may escape.[234] Alderman Prinsep did not know how to open the Stock Exchange.
Alas! Mr. Fox begins to fill again; they talk of another operation in three weeks.
Lauderdale is abused at Paris, and represented as having deserted Fox. Goldsmid is supposed to be Ld. Yarmouth’s agent in the Stock Exchange, and to have transacted business for him to a great amount. Narbonne was admonished not to visit L. so frequently, Fouché sent for him to that purpose. Emperor gone to hunt, his Ministers rejoice at his absence whilst in so violent a mood; they call him bête féroce.