The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-20 00:00:00

No. 15.

SIR G. H. SEYMOUR TO THE EARL OF CLARENDON.
(Received May 2.)
(Secret and confidential.)
St. PeteTburg, April 21, 1853.
313" Lord,—l have had the honour of receiving your lord-
ship's despatch marked " Secret and confidential," of the sth
inst., which, in obedience to your lordship's:ordem, I commu-
nicated to Count Nesselrode on the 15th inst.
His Excellency, before the arrival of this messenger, had
desired to see me for the purpose of communicating to me a
paper which had been drawn up by the Emperor's desire, and
which was to be considered as an answer to your lordship's
despatch of the 23d ult.
This document, which I beg to transmit in original, was
accordingly placed in my hands by the Chancellor, who ob-
served that he had previously thought it would close the cor-
respondence, but that it was possible that the fresh despatch
which I had brought to his knowledge might, upon being laid
before the Emperor, call for some fresh observations on the
part of his Majesty.
The only passage in the enclosed paper to which Count
Nesselrode was desirous of drawing my attention was that in
which an observation is made respecting the treatment of the
Christian population as described by English or by Russian
agents.
I remarked, in reply, that the point was the less material,
her Majesty's Government being (as his Excellency had been
made aware) as desirous as the Imperial Cabinet could be
that no effort should be wanting on the part of the Porte to
remove any and every cause of complaint which could be
made in justice by the Sultan's Christian subjects.
Your Lordship will perhaps allow me to observe that, sup-
posing the present crisis in Turkish affairs to pass over, an in-
timation is made in the enclosed paper which, if taken up and
embodied in a joint resolution by all the great Powers, might
possibly be the means of long averting a catastrophe which,
happen when it may, will probably have disastrous conse-
quences even to those to whom it may be considered the most
profitable.
Since the preceding part of this despatch was written, the
Chancellor has intimated to me that the Emperor, being of
opinion that the paper which I now enclose, followed up by
the conversation which I had the honour of holding with his
Majesty on the 18th, may be considered as replying to any
points touched upon in your lordship's despatch, does not
propose to offer any fresh observation upon the subjects which
have been under discussion. His Excellency does not conceal
from me his satisfaction at this resolution, these subjects be-
ing, as he remarked, of so delicate a nature that there are
always objections to their being brought under discussion.
I have, &c.,

G. H. SEYMOUR,

MEMORANDUM BY COUNT NESSELRODE, DELIVERED TO
HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT, AND FOUNDED ON COM-
MUNICATIONS FROM THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA SUBSE-
QUENTLY TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY'S VISIT TO ENG-
LAND IN JUNE, 1814.

(Translation.)
Russia and England aro mutually penetrated with the con-
viction that it is for their common interest that the Ottoman
Porte should maintain itself in the state of independence and
of territorial possession which at present constitutes that em-
pire, as that political combination is the one which is most
compatible with the general interest of the maintenance of
peace. Being agreed on this principle, Russia and England
have an equal interest in uniting their efforts in order to keep
up the existence of the Ottoman empire, and to avert all the
dangers which can place in jeopardy its safety. With this ob-
ject the essential point is to saffer the Porte to live in repose,
without needlessly disturbing it by diplomatic bickerings, and
without interfering without absolute necessity in its internal
affairs.

In order to carry out skilfully this system of forbearance,
with a view to the well-understood interest of the Porte, two
things must not be lost sight of. They are these :—ln the
first place, the Porte has a constant tendency to extricate it-
self from the engagements imposed upon it by the treaties
which it has concluded with other Powers. It hopes to do so
with impunity, because it reckons on the mutual jealousy of
the Cabinets. It thinks that if it fails in its engagements to-
wards one of them, the rest will espouse its quarrel, and will
screen it from all responsibility. It is essential not to con-
firm the Porte in this delusion. Every time that it fails in its
obligations towards one of the Great Powers, it is the interest
of all the rest to make it sensible of its error, and seriously
to exhort it to act rightly towards the Cabinet which demands
just reparation. As soon as the Porte shall perceive that it is
not supported by the other Cabinets, it will give way, and the
differenceE3 which have arisen will be arranged in a conciliatory
manner, without any conflict resulting from them.
There is a second cause of complication which is inherent in
the situation of the Porte; it is the difficulty which exists in
reconciling the respect clue to the Sovereign authority of the
Sultan, founded on the Mussulman law, with the forbearance
required by the interests of the Christian population of that
empire. This difficulty is real. In the present state of feeling
in Europe the Cabinets cannot see with indifference the
Christian populations in Turkey exposed to fiagrantacts of op-
pression and religious intolerance. It is necessary constantly to
make the Ottoman Ministers sensible of this truth, and to
persuade them that they can only reckon on the friendship
and on the support of the Great Powers on the condition that
they treat the Christian subjects of the Porte with toleration
and with mildness. While insisting on this truth it will. be
the duty of the foreign representatives, on the other hand, to
exert all their influence to maintain the Christian subjects of
the Porte in submission to the sovereign authority. It will
be the duty of the foreign representatives, guided by these
principles, to act among themselves in a perfect spirit of
agreement. If they address remonstrances to the Porte, those
remonstrances must bear a real character of unanimity, though
divested of one of exclusive dictation. By persevering in this
system with calmness and moderation, the representatives of
the great Cabinets of Europe will have the best chance of suc-
ceeding in the steps which they may take, without giving
occasion for complications which might affect the tranquility
of the Ottoman Empire. If all the Great Powers frankly
adopt this line of conduct, they will have a well-founded
expectation of preserving the existence of Turkey. However,
they must not conceal from themselves how many elements of
dissolution that empire contains within itself. Unforeseen
circumstances may hasten its fall, without its being in the
power of the friendly Cabinets to prevent it. As it is not
given to human foresight to settle beforehand a plan of action
for such or such unlooked-for case, it would be premature to
discuss eventualities which may never be realised.
In the uncertainty which hovers over the future, a single
fundamental idea seems to admit of a really practical applica-
tion ; it is that the danger which may result from a catastrophe
in Turkey will be much diminished, if, in the event of its
occurring, Russia and England have come to an understand.
ing as to the course to be taken by them in common. That
understanding will be the more beneficial, inasmuch as it will
have the full assent of Austria. Between her and Russia
there exists already an entire conformity of principles in re-
gard to the affairs of Turkey, in a common interest of con-
servatism and of peace. In order to render their union more
efficacious, there would remain nothing to be desired but that
England should be seen to associate herself thereto with the
same view. The reason which recommends the establish-
ment of this agreement is very simple. On land Russia exer-
cises in regard to Turkey a preponderant action. On sea
England occupies the same position. Isolated, the action of
these two Powers might do much mischief. United, it can
produce a real benefit; thence, the advantage of coming to a
previous understanding before having recourse to action.
This notion was, in principle, agreed upon during the Em-
peror's last residence in London. The result was the even-
tual engagement, that if anything unforeseen occurred in
Turkey, Russia and England should previously concert
together as to the course which they should pursue in
common.
The object for which Russia and England will have to come
to an understanding may be expressed in the following man-
ner :-1. To seek to maintain the existence of the Ottoman
Empire in its present state, so long as that political combina-
tion shall bo possible. 2. If we fersee that it must crumble
to pieces, to enter into previous concert as to everything re-
lating to the establishment of a new order of things, intended
to replace that which now exists, and in conjunction with
each other to see that the change which may have occurred in
the internal situation of that empire shall not injuriously
affect either the security of their own states and the rights
which the treaties assure to them respectively, or
the maintenance of the balance of power in Europe. For
the purpose thus stated, the policy of Russia and of Austria,
as we have already said, is closely united by the principle of
perfect identity. If England, as the principal maritime
power, acts in concert with them, it is to be supposed that
prance will feel herself obliged to act in conformity with the
course agreed upon between St. Petersburg, London, and
Vienna. Conflict between the Great Powers being thus ob-
viated, it is to be hoped that the peace of Europe will be
maintained even in the midst of such serious circumstances.
It is to secure this object of common interest, if the case
occurs, that, as the Emperor agreed with her Britannic Ma-
jesty's Ministers during his residence in England, the previous
understanding which Russia and England shall establish be-
tween themselves mast be directed.

SUDDEN DEATH OF COLONEL GOP.DON.—A very me.
lancholy event occurred on Thursday morning. Colonel
Gordon, brother of Sir James A. Gordon, K.C.8., go-
ver-7,0r of Greenwich Hospital, who had for some time
been on a visit to his brother, left Greenwich on Wed-
nesday to proceed by the Birmingham Railway, and
was found dead in the railway carriage. The body was
brought back to Greenwich on Thursday night, and after
an inquest has been held the colonel will be laid in the
hospital mausoleum near the late gallant General Sir
Frederick Adam, whose death took place under circum-
stances so precisely similar.—United Service Ga:ette.
DEATH OF COLONEL JOLIFFE.—This gentleman, after
a lingering and painful illness, which baffled all
the efforts of the most distinguished practical pro-
fessors, expired on Wednesday last, at his splendid seat,
Ammerdown Park, in Somersetshire. Mr. Joliffe was
descended from a race of high antiquity. The family
name originally Joli, has been frequently corrupted by
capricious additions or terminations, and about three
centuries since was usually written Jolyfe or Jollyf. In
discharging the demands of domestic obligations, he has
left few to surpass him ; and in his character of an ex
tensive landholder, he was so ijustly appreciated, that
his loss will be considered irreparable by a numerous
and intelligent tenantry. At particular periods since
the passing of the Reform Act he received applications
from influential parties in different constituencies to
avow himself a candidate in the Conservative interest,
but his retired and unassuming habits induced him to
decline the flattering invitations. His only appoint.
ments of a public nature were those of lieutenant-oolo-
nel in the lst Somerset Regiment, and of a magistrate
and deputy-lieutenant in the same county. His landed
estates were for the greater part entailed. These devolve
on his only surviving brother, but his personal pro-
perty which cannot have been inconsiderable, was At tus
own disposal.

CONTRACT FOR STOCKS AND CAPS, WITH BALLS FOR
THE ROYAL MARINES.
Departmont of the Comptroller for Victualling and
Transport Services.
Somerset-place, 17th March, 1854.
THE Commissioners for executing the Office of
Lord High Adm tral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, DO HERISBY GIVE NOTICE, that on THURSDAY,
the 23d instant, at Ono o'clock, they will be ready to treat with
such persons as may be willing to contract for supplying and delivering
into her Majesty's Victualling Stores at Deptford, for twelve months
certain, and further until the expiration of three months warning,
STOCKS AND CAPS, WITH BALLS FOR THE USE OF THE
ROYAL MARINES.
The conditions of the contract may be seen at the said office, and
patterns at the Marine office, New-street, Spring-gardens, between
the hours of 11 and 2. No tender will be received after One o'clock,
on the day of treaty, nor any noticed unless made on the printed form
provided for the purpose, and which may be obtained at the office of
the:Comptroller for Victnalling.
Every tender must be addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty,
and bear in the left-hand corner the words " Tender for
," m id must also be delivered at Somerset-place.

PURS SELL' S. —BALL SUPPERS and
WEDDING BREAKFASTS SUPPLIED in the first style;
public breakfasts, dimmers, and promenade suppers supplied by con-
tract ; a large stock of bride cakes for immediate use, from one to
twenty guineas each ; a handsome cake for five guineas, packed and
sent to any part of the country ifrequired, and warranted to keep 12
months.—Josh R. Iftrassktz, 162, Regent-street, and 20, Ludgate-
bill, only.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE.
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.
The Week of Mr. G. V. BROOKE'S Engagement previous to his
sailing for California and Australia.
THIS EVENING, MAR= 20,

Will he performed THE VENDETTA; or, THE CORSICAN
BROTHERS. The principal characters by Messrs. G. V. Brooks
and T. Mead ; Mrs. Vickery and Miss F. Cathcart.
After which, a Grand BALLET DIVERTISSEMENT.

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET.

Under the management of Bfr. Zackstone.

THIS EVENING, MARCH 20,

Will be performed FAZIO. Characters by Messrs. Rogers, Howe,
Villiers, and Chippendale; Mba Custunan and Mrs. L. S. Buck•
Ingham.

After which, WILLIKIND AND HYS DINAH. Supported by
Messrs. Bnckstone and Corti ; Miss Louisa Howard, Mrs. Fitzivil.
ham, and Mrs. Caulfield.
To conclude with THE PORTRAIT OF CERVANTES. Prin.
cipal characters by Mr. Compton and Miss E. Grey.