The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-12-21 00:00:00

LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY,
SATURDAY. one. 19. . 1
—....__ .
DECLARATION.
The Declaration issued at St. Petersbutgh, b
His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, has
excited in His Majesty's mind.the strongest sense:.
lions of astonishment and regret.
His Majesty was not unaware of the nature of
those secret engagements which had been imposed
upon Russia in the conferences of Tilsit. But His
Majesty had entertained the hope, that a review of
the transactions of that unfortunate negotiation, ,
and a just estimate of its effeas upon the glory of
the Russian name, and upon the interests of the
Russian Empire, would have induced His Imperial
Majesty to extricate himself from the embarrass.
mint of those new counsels and connections which
the had adopted in a moment of despondency and
alarm, and to return to a policy more congenial to
the principles which he has so invariably professed,
and more conducive to the honour of his crown,
and to the prosperity of his dominions.
This hope has dittated to His Majesty the utmost
forbearance and moderation in all his diplomatic
intercourse will the Court of St. Petersburgh, since
the peace of Tilsit.
His Majesty had much cause for suspicion, and
just ground of complaint. But he abstained from
the language of reproach. His Majesty deemed it
necessary to requite specific explanation with m-
ime& to those arrangements with France. the con-
cealment of which from His Majesty could not but
confirm she impression already received o their
charatter and tendency. But His Majesty, never-
theless,,direCted the demand of that explanation to
be made, not only without asperity or the indication
of any hostile disposition, but with that considerate
regard to the feelings and situation of the Emperor
• of Russia, which resulted from the recolleaion of
• .former friendship, and from confidence interrupted,
.but nor dearroyed.
The Declaration of the Emperor of Russia proves
that the objett at liis Majesty's forbearance and mo-
deration has not been attained. It proves, unhap-
pily. that the influence of that Power, which is
equally and essentially the enemy both of Great
Britain and of Russia, has acquired a decided as-
cendancy in the Counsels of the Cabinet of St. Pe-
tersburgh ; and has l,aen ie.' to excite a causeless
enmity between two nations, whose long-established
eonnettion, and whose mutual interests prescribed
the most intimate union and co-operation.
His Majesty deeply laments the extension of the
calamities of war. But called' upon as he is, to de-
fend himself against an att of Mir ovoked hostility,
His Majesty is anxious to refute in the face of the
world the pretexts by which that aft is attempted to
be justified.
The Declaration sweets that His Majesty the
Emperor of Russia bas twice taken up arms its a
cause in which the interest of Great Britain was
mule direct than his own t and founds upon this
assertion the charge against Gnat Britain of has-
iog neglelled to second and support the militia')
•operations of Russia.
His Maje ry wittingly does jaitice to the motives
'bath nnginallyatneaged Russia in the great
uhruggie against Fromm. His Majesty arrows with
equal roan:in.'s the interest which Great Btitain has
uniformly taken in the fates and fortunes of the
powers of the Continent. But it would sorely be
dilEcult to prove that Great Britain. who was her-
self in a state of hastility with Pi es%.",a, when the
war broke oat between Prussia and France, had Illn•
isterest and a duty more dire& in espousing the
Prussian quitrrel than the Emperor of Russia, the
Ally of His Prussian Majesty, the Protettor of the
• North orßaropsaarand the Guarantee of the Ger-
manic Constitution.
It is not in a public Declaration that His Majesty
can discuss the policy if ha-ing at any particular
period of the war fretted, or omitted toefekt, ells- 1
embarkations of troops on the coasts of Naples. But i
e
the instance of the wa with the Porte is still mute
singularly chosen to it "strati ibis charge against
Glean Britain of indi ence to the interests of her
ally ; a war under: en lay Great Britain at the
instigation of Komi and solely for the purpme of
maintaining Russian, raciest' against the influence
• of Prance.
If..howeinte.ta. peace of Tilsit is indeed to be
tiosteidesed at the consequence and the punishment
of the imputed inallivity of Great Britain, His Ma-
jesty cistrot but regret that the Emperor of Russia
emote' have resorted to so precipitate and fatal a
• nsessanapat the moment when he had received dis-
tiP2 assurances that His Majesty was making the
most ittenur.us exertioas to fulfil the wishes and ex -
pfrations of hie ally (assurances which his imperial
ajesty received and ockoorelesigod- with apparent
icnntideoce and sandal:lion) ; and when his Majesty
.vas, in left, peepated to employ for tke advance-
C went It the ;mum A 04011 of the war, *rose furies
which, after the peace of Tilsit, he was under the
necessity of employing to disconcert a combination
i diretted against his own imniediate interests and se-
' curity.
The vexation of Russian commerce by Great
Britain is, is truth, little more than an imaginary
grievance. Upon a diligent examination, made by
his-Majesty's command, of the retold' of the Bri-
tish Court of Admiralty, there has been discovered
only a solitary in WIC/ in the ccurse of the present
war. of the condemnation of a vessel really Russian;
a vessel which had carried naval stales t• a port of
the common enemy. 'these are but few instances
of Russian vessels detained : and none in which
justice has been refused to a party regulaily cow-
plainiug of such detention. It is therefore matter of
nit prise, as well at of concern to His Majesty, that
the Emperor of Russia &tic uld 'have condescended
~ to bring forward a complaint which, as it cannot he
*scion ly felt by those in whose behalf it is argots,
might appear to be intendei to countenance those
exaggerated declamations, by whith Fla: cr perm-
-4 verteigly endeavours to inflame the jealousy of other
countries, and to justify her own inveterate animo-
sity against Great Britain.
t
'the peace of Tilsit was followed by an offer of
mediation on the part of the Emperor of Rums. for
tile conclusion el a peace betweeq Greet Britain and
Frances wine.. it is asentesla that His fetqlesty ro- '
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