The Press.
London, England, 1854-02-18 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

" Such, sire, is the real result and a statement of the
facts. It is clear that, having arrived at this point, they
must either bring about a definitive understanding ur a

decided rupture.
" Your Majesty has given so many proofs of your solici-
tude for the tranquillity of Europe, and by your beneficent
influence has so poweitilly arrested the spirit of disorder, '
that I cannot doubt as to the course you will take in the
alternative which presents itself to your choice. Should
your Majesty be as desirous as myself of a pacific conclu-
sion, what would be more simple than to declare that an
armistice shall now be signed, that things shall resume
their diplomatic course, that all hostilities shall cease,
and that the belligerent forces shall return from the places
to which motives of war haves
would abandon the p led them ?
" Thus the Russian trooprinci-
palities and our squadrons the Black Sea. Your Majesty,
preferring to treat directly with Turkey, might appoint an
ambassador, who could negotiate with a plenipotentiary of
the Sultan a convention which might be submitted to a
conference of the four powers. Let your Majesty adopt
this plan, upon which the Queen of England and myself
are perfectly agreed, and tranquillity will be re-established
and the world satisfied. There is nothing in the plan
which is unworthy of your Majesty,—nothing which can
wound your honour ; but if, from a motive difficult to un-
derstand, your Majesty should refuse this proposal, then
France, as well as England, will be compelled to leave to
the fate of arms and the chances of war that which might
now be decided by reason and justice.
" Let not your Majesty think that the least animosity
can enter my heart. I feel no other sentiments than those
expressed by your Majesty yourself iu your letter of the
17th of January, 1853, in which you write, ' Our relations
ought to be sincerely amicable, based, as they are, upon
the same intentions—the maintenance of order, the love
of peace, respect for treaties, and reciprocal good feel-
ing.' This programme is worthy of the Sovereign who
traced it, and I do not hesitate to declare that I remain
faithful to it.
" 1 beg your Majesty to believe in the sincerity of my
sentiments, and it is with these sentiments that
" I am, sire, your Majesty's good friend,
NAPOLEON."

The semi-official Patrie, of the 14th, adds, con-
cerning this despatch :—" We await the reply of the
Czar. If we are rightly informed, it has already
been received by the Government. It is even
announced that it deceives the hopes of the friends
of peace. France will then be compelled to leave to
the chance of arms what might have been settled by
reason." On the following day an angry contradic-
tion to this statement appeared in the Moniteur, which
announced that no answer had arrived or was ex-
pected for some days. The Patrie at the same time
received an official avertissement (the second) for
having promulgated false intelligence. It is stated
very positively, nevertheless, that although the formal
reply of the Emperor Nicholas may not have reached
Paris, its tenor has been already communicated by
the telegraph.
The publication of the Imperial letter was inter-
preted by the Bourse as an announcement that war
is inevitable. The Rentes fell lf. 30c. Bank of
France shares declined 20f., and credit mobilier 23f.
75c. The fall in railways was also very heavy.
It is said that a telegraphic despatch had arrived
from General Castelbajac, informing the Govern-
ment that not the least hope can be entertained of a
favourable answer to the Emperor's letter. This does
but confirm the current belief. Indeed, it is considered
hardly probable that the letter would have appeared
in the Moniteur while the result remained doubtful.
The Princess Lieven does not leave Paris until
Monday next, the 20th. She is then expected in
Brussels, where appartments have been secured
for her.
The French ocean squadron, under the orders of
Admire. Bruat, has arrived at Algiers.
The discovery of a Greek conspiracy in the
dominions of the Sultan has induced the French
Government to address a note, couched in strong
and energetic terms, to the Government of King
Otho.
The Moniteur gives the following account of the
new French colony just founded in the Pacific :—" In
virtue of the orders of the Emperor, the Minister of
Marine and Colonies directed, on the Ist of May
last, Admiral Febvrier-Despointes, Commander-in-
Chief of the French naval forces in the Pacific, to
proceed to New Caledonia. The Government had
been long desirous of possessing in these distant
latitudes some localities which might receive, on
occasion, its penal establishments. New Caledonia
offered all the conditions that were to be desired.
In conformity with the instructions sent to him,
Admiral Febvrier-Despointes, afterhaving ascertained
that the flag of no other nation floated over New
Caledonia, took solemn possession of that island
and its dependencies, including Pine Island, in the
name of Napoleon 111., Emperor of the French.
The prods-verbal of the taking possession is dated
September 24 and 29, 1859."