pro Lord G. L. Gower said the first of the three notes now dated the 2d Sept. was written on the 1st, but by an error of the secretary dated as the others. Of the two under the date of the 9th, one was written on that day, and the other on the 19th. This date was altered in printing. The assurances alluded to in the Note of 28th June, addressed to gen. Budberg, were given in a private conference by the em to the country? The question of the priety or impropriety of ministers rejecting the proffered mediation of Russia might depend upon that information. And yet, in answer to a demand for such information, they were told forsooth, that it was most important to be sure, both in its own nature and in reference to a great question of continental policy, but that, unfortunately, though it had flowed through the customary channel of accredited agen-peror of Russia at Tilsit, in which his Impecy, it had not sprung from it; for that rial majesty assured him (ld. G. L. Gower), lord H. happened not at that time to be that nothing that had happened should accredited, and therefore that this infor- alter his friendly disposition and attachmation, however otherwise desirable, mustment to England, satisfied as he was of the be withheld, rather than the etiquette diplomatique should be violated. But, it seemed, an hon, baronet had done him the favour of imputing the present motion to party motives; the hon. baronet was rather unfortunate in his selection, for out of the nine there was not one less liable to the imputation, than that alluded to by the hon. baronet; for, it did happen that on that very question relative to the Russion offer of mediation between this country and France, he and his right hon. friends did not so entirely agree as on the other subjects. The hon. baronet had commented upon his inability to preserve the gravity of his countenance, during a certain part of his speech. He (Mr. W.) could not avoid smiling, when the hon. baronet had said that he would vote for the production of those papers which he knew ministers had already acceded to the production of; and according as ministers assented or resisted, it was not diffi cult to divine the vote of the hon. baronet In a word, he asked for information; he asked for official documents of the last importance, and to the production of which no objection of secresy or confidence was set up-it was public property, and as such he demanded it. He feared that its intelligence would but serve to confirm what at a future day he should have to bring before the house, that his majesty's present ministers were guilty of a fatal error in rejecting the proffer of Russian mediation. He wished before he sat down, to ask the noble lord, whether there was not some error, probably of printing, in the dates of some of his dispatches? There were three, for instance, dated 2nd Sept. though it was evident from the tenor, that all could not have been written on the same day. There were two more dated the 9th Sept. in which the same inconsistency appeared. fidelity and justice of the principles of his Britannic maj.—Mr. Whitbread then withdrew his first motion; the second, calling for Extracts from lord G. L. Gower's Dispatch, containing the assurances referred to in his Note to M. de Budberg, 28th June, was negatived; the one for Copies of all assurances of co-operation given to the courts of Russia and Stockholm, was acceded to, with some modification, as were all the others. PAPERS RELATING TO MILITARY RELATING TO MILITARY CO-OPERA- Sir; The accounts of the unfortunate opening of the Prussian campaign have been received here. The most powerful come indispensable for the support of that and the most immediate succours are begovernment, and if the Russian armies should not yet have moved, you will use the most pressing instances to the court of St. Petersburgh, to give orders for their advancing without a moment's delay. HOWICK. No. II. Dispatch from visc. Howick to the hon. Henry Pierrepoint, his majesty's envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary at the court of Stockholm, dated Downing Street, Oct. 28th, 1806. Sir, The melancholy accounts of the first events of the war between Prussia and France, and of the unfortunate Battle of the 14th inst. have been received here. HOWICK. No. III.-Extract of a Dispatch from viscount Howick to Chas. Stuart esq. dated Downing Street, Nov. 4th, 1806. . conversation which took place this day, represented to me the inconvenience and the difficulty of impeding the payment of the troops stationed beyond the frontiers, as highly unfavourable to the efforts of this country, and told me that he had already consulted with the minister of finance respecting the possibility of raising a Russian loan in England to a considerable amount. His exc. requested me to state if I thought his majesty's government would be dispos ed to encourage and facilitate the undertaking? I replied, that although G. Britain had sufficiently proved a desire to forward every measure connected with the common cause, it was impossible for me to give a satisfactory answer, unless I knew the amount of the security, and terms upon which it is proposed to raise the sum required. Baron Budberg assured me he had hitherto so little considered the subject, that it was impossible to reply to these questions, though he begged I would mention the wish as expressed on his part, to the king's government; observing, when I mentioned the circumstances respecting the former Austrian Loan, that the present proposition differed widely from that of the court of Vienna, because it is not the intention of the emperor to demand a subsidy. No. V.-Note from Baron Nicolay, Chargé d'Affaires from his majesty the emperor of Russia at this court, to viscount Howick, dated 5th Nov. 1806. It is indeed a matter of the deepest regret that the war between Prussia and France should have commenced under such circumstances as to preclude the co-operation and assistance of those powers who might have been disposed to join against the common enemy. Under the present uncertainty, whether the disastrous events which have attended the commencement of hostilities, may not have compelled Prussia to submit to such terms as the French may impose, nothing can be added to your former Instructions; but you will continue to give the most positive assurances to the court of St. Petersburgh of the steady determination of his majesty to resist, to the utmost of his power, all pretensions injurious to the honour of his crown, and inconsistent with the general interests of Europe. The increase of the danger will animate his majesty to increased exertions for the sake of the common cause, and dispose him more than ever, to cultivate the good understanding which so happily sub-Baron Nicolay flatters himself that this sists between the king and the emperor of Russia, and which presents the only hope for the preservation of the liberties of mankind. No. IV.-Extracts of a Dispatch from Barou Nicolay presents respects to lord Howick, and has the honour to transmit to to his exc. a copy of a dispatch which he has just received from his court. He ac quits himself at the same time, of the or- . der which it contains, to inform his exc. the secretary of state," that his majesty the emperor, not having made any prohibition with regard to the commercial relations between Russia and France, each individual of the Russian nation has the right of freighting vessels for the port of France, and of importing its merchandize." new declaration, if indeed it were still necessary after the frequent communications which he has already had the honour to make to his exc. upon the same subject, will contribute to accelerate the restitution of the Russian property detained here, on account of which baron Nicolay has had the honour of addressing himself to lord Howick on the 22nd ult. He embraces this opportunity to intreat his exc. to be so good as to enable him to return, an answer to his court, upon the different subjects, which he had the honour to submit to lord Howick at the same time, and particularly upon that which relates to the imperial gymnasium at Volhynia, and he is anxious to renew to his lordship the, secretary of state the assurance of his most high consideration. London, 24th October (5th November,) 1806. (Inclosure referred to in No. V.) Sir; In pursuance of what I wrote to you on the 11th instant, respecting the claims of the merchants Glouhoff, Kelmund and company, it will be necessary for me to speak further to you on a subject, upon which I have just received instructions, and relative to which you also will equally have to explain yourself to the English government, for the purpose of removing every pretext which could be resorted to for the purpose of retarding the decision of those proceedings. The court of admiralty in London, requiring that the Russian merchants should give some proof of the trade with France having been allowed them, during the rupture between the two countries, you will represent to the British government, that his majesty the emperor not having made any prohibition with regard to this point, each individual of the Russian nation has the right of freighting vessels for the ports of France, and of importing its merchandize, especially as during the whole course of the late events the commercial relations between the two powers have not been interrupted, which is proved by the residence of the respective agents and consuls. I am, &c. A. DE BUDBERG. No. VI.-Note from viscount Howick to baron Nicolay, dated Downing Street, Nov. 10th, 1806. The undersigned lost no time in referring to the king's advocate the several representations made by baron Nicolay, with respect to the Russian vessels trading to the enemy's ports, which had been detained and brought into the ports of G. Britain. The answers were only received this morning, and are transmitted herewith. The undersigned has already, in his personal interview with baron Nicolay, explained to him the principle upon which these vessels have been detained.-By the general law of nations, all commercial intercourse between belligerent states is interdicted by the very nature and existence of war; and the property of persons engaged in such a trade is liable to confiscation, unless they have the express licence and permission of their own sovereign to cary it on. This rule has been applied hitherto by the British government equally to its own subjects, and to those of its ally, presuming that Russia would do the same; and it being uncertain whether any or what permission had been granted to the subjects of Russia to carry on a trade with the enemy, Russian ships coming from the enemy's ports have been detained by the British cruizers.—It appearing, however, from the baron de Nicolay's note of the 6th instant, that the subjects of Russia are excepted from the operation of this general principle, by the declaration, that his imperial majesty bad not thought proper to interdict the commercial relations subsisting between Russia and France, and considered his subjects as authorized, under this permission, to freight vessels for the ports of France, and to bring back merchandize in return, immediate orders will be given for the release of all Russian ships which have been brought into the British ports, and which appear to have been freighted with articles of an innocent nature.-All articles of a contrary description, and particularly naval stores, the British government feels confident that it could never be the intention of the emperor of Russia to suffer his subjects, in the present war, to transport to the ports of France. In a war in which those two powers are engaged as allies, it never could be wise or just for either to suffer the enemy to be supplied with those means of offence which could only be directed against their common interests.-The undersigned, therefore, at the same time that he is commanded to express his majesty's readiness to afford all reasonable facilities to the subjects of Russia, in carrying on a trade with the enemy in innocent articles, (so long as such trade shall be continued to be sanctioned by his imperial majesty), is also instructed to request, that an express interdiction may be issued by the Russian government, against sending naval stores to the ports of the enemy, as by furnishing such supplies, the greatest injury must necessarily be occasioned to the common which the two powers are so happily united. -With respect to the particular cases represented in baron Nicolay's notes of the 22 of October, the undersigned refers him to the accompanying report from the king's advocate. The undersigned, &c. HOWICK. No. VII.-Extract of a Dispatch from cause in Charles Stuart, esq. to viscount How-communicated in my dispatch, No. 55. I ick, dated. St. Petersburgh, November have since learned that to insure the repay19th, 1806. ment of the money at the end of twenty years, a Caisse d'Amortissement or sinking fund will be established, and an adequate branch of the Revenue will be set apart to accumulate as soon as the two governments shall have arranged every difficulty.—General Budberg appears desirous that this matter shall be brought to an early conclusion, and has repeatedly assured me that the remittance of specie rather than bills will be a great convenience to the Russian court. I am, &c. CH, STUART. (First Inclosure referred to in No. 9.) The very critical state to which the disasters of Prussia have reduced the affairs of the good cause, far from abating the ́energy with which his imperial majesty is resolved to maintain it, has caused him to take the resolution of employing all his efforts to check and repel that torrent, the progress of which will meet with no further obstacle on the continent, but in the power of Russia. The extraordinary expences which the vigorous measures in which his imperial majesty is engaged for the support of the present war, will impose upon him, requiring sums which cannot at this moment be drawn from the resources of Russia with that promptitude which circumstances demand, his imperial majesty has charged the I have not ceased to press general Budberg to communicate to me, such details respecting the loan which it is proposed to be raised in England on account of the Russian government, as may enable his majesty's ministers early to decide whether it would be possible to comply with the wishes of the court of St. Petersburgh. In a conversation which took place yesterday his exc. informed me that he had spoken with the minister of finance, and it is calculated that six, or if possible seven millions sterling will be the amount of the sum which they desire to raise by this method; that the capital shall bear an interest of five per cent. secured in whatever manner may be deemed most eligible, though he said that the Russian customs will, he hopes, be deemed an adequate security in case the proposition should be encouraged in England. His exc. did not state the term or the mode of repayment, but said, he would very shortly send a messenger to England with further particulars, and suggested that some person versed in financial affairs should be authorized to settle the further details with this government. Though the amount of the sum may perhaps appear considerable, I must observe that the customs offer full security for the regular pay-undersigned to propose to his Britannick ment of the interest. No. 8.--Extract of a dispatch from Charles Stuart, esq. to visc. Howick, dated St. Petersburgh, Nov. 28th 1806. -Received Jan. 2d, 1807. General Budberg lately told me that his imperial majesty had expressly directed him to urge the expediency of partial expeditions on the coast of France and Holland, for the purpose of distracting the attention of the enemy, and impeding the march of the French reserves. majesty's government, by means of his minister plenipotentiary, that a loan should be opened in England upon the following basis: 1st. The sum to be borrowed is six millions of pounds sterling. 2d. Of this sum one third shall delivered in gold, either in bullion or coined; another third in silver, either in bullion or coined; and the other in bills of exchange. 3d. If the British government will not undertake to convey this gold and silver to the ports of Russia, the remittance of them may be made No. 9.-Dispatch from Charles Stuart, in England to Messieurs Harman and comesq. to visc. Howick, dated St. Peters-pany, bankers, accredited by the court of burgh, Nov. 28th, 1806.-Received Russia. 4th. The account of the loan Jan. 2d, 1807. shall be kept in pounds sterling; the payment of the capital, as well as of the interest, shall be made in the same money. 5th. The term of the loan shall be fixed at twenty years, at the same time agreeing that Russia, during the first twelve years, shall have to repay as much of the capital as the balance of her commerce and the state of her revenue will enable her to discharge; and that during the last eight years, the remainder of the capital shall be reimbursed My lord, I have the honour to inclose a copy of a note I received yesterday from general Budberg, upon the subject of the loan which this government purposes to raise in England, together with a copy of the answer which I thought the most suitable, as the determination which may be adopted by his majesty's ministers can be no way biassed by mere civil assurances on my part.—In addition to the particulars VOL. X. " 2 S in equal portions. 6th. The interest of the | the exception of No. 43, which has not yet sums which shall have been delivered in virtue of the loan, shall be at five per cent. per annum, and until the said loan shall have been filled up and compleated, three or four periods in the year shall be fixed upon for the payment of the interest.-It would be very desirable that the imperial treasury should receive on account of this loan an advance of oue million of pounds sterling, either coined or in bullion, which may be sent as soon as possible, and before the navigation is shut up.-The undersigned, in acquitting himself of the duty with which he is charged to Mr. Stuart, flatters himself, that aware as he is of the magnitude of the interests which are to be decided by the efforts of his imperial majesty, he will appreciate the importance of the propositions just communicated to him, and that his acknowleged zeal for the interests of the good cause, and for the principles upon which the strict alliance of the two courts chiefly rests, will lead him on this occasion to concur in the views of the emperor, by making known, as soon as possible, to his government, the proposals contained in the present communication. He seizes this occasion; &c. A. DE BUDBERG. (Second Inclosure referred to in No. 9.) The repeated proofs of his Britannick majesty's attachment to that cause which protects the liberties of Europe, are sufficiently notorious, to remove all doubt as to his sincere desire to concur in and even to anticipate the wishes of his only ally in the glorious struggle which the two powers continue to maintain.-The sentiments, expressed in the note of his excellency general Budberg, are perfectly analogous to the invariable principles of the British government, and unless there exist serious, considerations with which the undersigned is unacquainted, he has only to perform the duty of reporting them to his government, in order to ensure a favourable result to the desires announced on the part of his imperial majesty. The undersigned, &c. C. STUART. No. 10.-Extract of a Dispatch from visc. Howick to the marq. of Douglas, his majesty's ambassador at the court of St. Petersburgh, dated Downing street, Dec. 4th, 1806. This dispatch I hope will find your lordship safely arrived at St. Petersburgh, and enjoying good health after the fatigues of so long a journey at so bad a season. Mr. Stuart's dispatches to No. 47 inclusive, with been received, have been laid before the king.-His majesty has seen with great satisfaction the resolution expressed by the cabinet of St. Petersburgh, in consequence of the accounts which had been received there, of the unfortunate battle of the 14th Oct. It is by such a spirit alone that the affairs of Europe can be retrieved, and your lordship will not fail to express in the most emphatic manner, the entire concurrence of his majesty in the generous sentiments entertained by his imperial ally-These assurances I have already given to Mr. Nicolay, who has made a confidential communication to me, of the contents of the dispatches received from his court, of the same date as Mr. Stuart's.-Among other things he is instructed to invite this government to a frank and explicit communication of its views with respect to the present crisis. To this I could only answer generally, there being at this moment no question of any particular military operation, that the same opinion is entertained here as at St. Petersburgh, of the necessity of combined exertions to resist the increasing danger, and of a full and unreserved confidence on all points connected with the interests of the common cause. No. 11.-Extract of a dispatch from Charles Stuart, esq. to visc. Howick, dated St. Petersburgh, 18th December 1806.-Received Jan. 22d, 1807. At court this morning his imperial majesty urged in the strongest terms the expediency of a diversion on the enemy in the north of Europe, by a powerful expedition to the coasts of France or Holland. No. 12.-Extract of a dispatch from I did not fail to press on general Budberg, the sentiments of his majesty's government: I can however only draw from that minister a repetition of the language I formerly detailed on this subject, accompanied by a complaint that the whole of the enemy's forces are directed against Russia at a moment when Great Britain does not shew any disposition to diminish the danger, by a diversion against France and Hol land. No. 13.-Extract of a dispatch from visc. Howick to the marq. of Douglas, dated Downing Street, 13th Jan. 1807. With respect to the loan proposed to be |