The Sun.
London, England, 1814-02-07 00:00:00

REPORT OF THE BARON DE ST. AIGNAU

tire

On the nth October, haVing been for two
days past treated as a prisoner of war at Weimar,
at which place were the head-quarters of the Em-
perors of Austria and Russia, I received orders to
dep:trt the next day with a column of prisoners,
who were to be sent to Bohemia. - I. had till then
see•.i nobody, tior made any reclaMmion, thinking
that the title with which I was invested was suf-
ficient reclamatio'n of itself, and having protested
beforehand against the treatment which I expe-
rienced': In these circumstances, however, I
thought it my duty to write to Prince Schwart-
zenberg and Count Metternich, representing to
them the unsuitableness of this proceeding.
Prince Schwartzenberg immediately sent to me
Count Parr, his own aide-de-camp, to excuse the
mistake that had been made respecting me, and
to desire me to call either on him or on Count
Metternich. I immediately repaired to the house
of the latter. Prince Schwartzenberg having just
absented himself, Count Metternich received me
with marked eagerness. He said but a few words
on my situation, from which he took upon him-
self to relieve me, being happy, as he said, to do
me_ this service ; and, at the same time, to ex-
press the esteem which the Emperor of Austria
had. conceived for the Duke of Vicenza. Then.
he spoke to me of the Congress; without my hav-
ing said any thing that could lead to this conver-
sation :—" We were sincerely.desirotts- of peace,"
-said he ; " we are so still ; and we shall make it.
Nothing more is required than to take up the ques7
.tion frankly, and without evasions. The coalition
will remained united. The indirect means which
the Emperor Napoleon would employ to obtain
peace, can no more succeed. Let the parties de-
clare themselves frankly, and peace will be made."
After this pouversation Cotint Metternich de-

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hear from #. him ; and that he hopd td se tin' Ott
my lethin. I Set off for Toepliti on the 27th Cler;
sober. I arrived there cii the 30th-, and on the cld
November I reeeired a letter, from Unfit Metter4-
nich, in consquetice of which I quitted Toeplitt
on the 3d November, tind repiired to the heed-
quarters of the Emperor of Austria,-at Fraukfort,;
where I arrived do 'the Bth. I went, the same day
to Count Metternich. He spoke to me immedi=
ately of the pFogrAs of the allied arms—of the Ye=
volution which was taking place in Germanv---of
the necessity of. making peace: I4e told me that
the Allies, long before'the Declaration of. Austria,
had saluted the Emperdr Francis with the title of
Emperor of Geemany ; that he did not accept this
nnmeaning title, and that Germany was ml
more to him in this manner than before.;, that
he desired that the Emperor Napoleon should
persuaded, that the greate2t calmness and.
the spifit et Moderation presided' in the councils
of • the Allies ; that they should not disunite
themselVes, because they wished to retain their
activity and their strength ; that they
so much the stronger, as they were, modertit:.
that nothing was intended by any body against the
dynasty of the Emperor Napoleon ; that Engiand
was much more moderate than was thouglrt ; that
there never had been a more favourable moment
for fleeting with her; that if the Emperor Napo,
loon really desired to make a solid peace, lie would
spark humanity many misfortunes, and France
many clangers, by not delaying the negotiations
for peace ;‘ that they were near coming to art un-4
derstanding ; that the ideas conceived of peace
ought to give just limits to the power of England,
and to-France all the maritime liberty which she
had aright to claim as well as the other powers of
Europe.
That England was ready to retore to Holland,
as an independent state, what she would not re
store to her as a French province ; that what.lll
de-Marfeldt had been charged to say from the
Emperor Napoleon, might give room for the
words which he requested me to convey, that he
asked -me only to deliver them exactly, without
nag any alteration in them, that the,Emperor
-Napole=on wouldnot conceive the possibility of an
equilibrium arming the cowers of Europe that
the balance was not only.possible; but necessary ;
that it had been Proposed at Dresden to take for in-
demnity, countries Which the Emperor no longer
posesSed,•such-as the Grand Duchy of ‘Varsay;
that similar comperisations might be mae.e on the
present occasion.
On the 9th Count de Metternich sent to me to
come to- him at 9P. M. He was just come from
the Emperor of Anstria, and delivered me his Ma-
jesty's letter for the Empress: He told me that
Count Nesseltode was coming to and that it.
Would. be in concert with him, that he would
charge me with the words which I was to deliver
to the Emperor, He begged' me to tell the Duke
of Vicenza that the same sentiments of esteem
were' still preserved towards him which hiS nobla
character ,has always inspired.
A few moments after Count Nesselrode enter-
ed. He repeated to me in a few words what 'Count
Metternich had already said_to plc on the mission
which I was invited to take upon myself, and
added, that Count Hardenberg might be consi-
dered as present, arid approviug all that was go-
ing to he said. Then M. de Metteinich explain-
ed the intentions of time Allies, such as I was to
report them to the Emperor. After having hearl
answered, that as it was my part to listen,
and not to speak, I had nothing else to do them%
report his words literally, and that in order to be
more sure of this, I desired to note them down
for my own sole use, and to submit them to his.
perusal. Then Count Nesselrode having•propos-
ed that I'should write.this note on the spot, M.
Metternich led me alone into a closet, where I
wrote the subjoined note ; when I had written
it, I returned into the room. M. de Metternich
said, c‘ Here is Lord Aberdeen, the EngliSh
AmhaSsltdor ; our intentions are the same ;—=-
we may therefore continue our discourse in his
presence. He then asked me to read what I hail
written. When he came to the article relating
to England, Lord Aberdeen seemed not to have
well understood it. I read it a second time; then
he observed, that the expressions freedom of
commerce and rights of navigation' were very vague.
I- answered, I 'had written What M. de Metter-
nich hail commissioned me to say. M. de Metter-`
nich replied, that in fact these expressions might
confuse,the question, and that it would be better
to substitute- 'others -for them. He took the pen
and wrote, that England Would make the greateA
sacrifiees.for peace founded on these bases (those
before haul down).

Tere

I observed these expressions were just' as vague
as',those for which. they -had been.- substituted.
Lord Aberdeen assented', and said that it would
be just as'well; to restore what I had written, that
he reitFrated the assurance that England was ready
to make the greatest sacrifices ; that she possessed
much, and [hat she would. restore with lavish
hands. The rest of the' note haying been found
conformable to what I had heard; the conversa-
tion turned On different subjects. Prince SchWart-
zenberg.caMe in, and all .that had passed ‘vas re-
peAted to him. Count Nesselrode, who 'had ab-
sented himself a moment during-this conversation,
returned, andicoMmissioned me from the Emperor
Alexander •to tell the Duke of Vicenza, that •he
would never, change the opinion he had of ha
good faith, and of his character, and'that matters
would soon be settled if he was
.charged with a
negociation.
I was to set off the next day, Nov. 10, in the
morning, 'but Prinbe SChwartzenberg sent t 9 beg
•me to wait till .the next evening, not- having 1).1(1
tune to write to the Prince of Neufchatel;
In the night be sent Count V,agna, -one of his
Aides-du-camp, to me, who delivered me the
ter, and conducted me to the advanced posts. •
(Signed) SAINT AIGNAU.

NOTE WRITTEN FROM FRANKFORT NOVEMBER 9,

BY BARON ST. AIGNAU.

Count Metternich has told me that die cir-
cumstance which has brought me to the head-
quarters of the
_Emperor of Austria might render
it suitable to charge me to carry to his Majesty
the Emperor the aQswer to the proposals which
he has caused to be made by Count Merfeldt. In

to iseqnence Cobdt 111:efternieb and Count Ives
bell-ode itnVe desired ifie t'ó report to 1116 Majesty
That that Allied Poyers weee engaged by indis-
`sidulde tie•l; %vbiCh constit'u'ted their strength, and
&Qin they Would iiever deviate.
That the mutual 'erigvaients wbich they bad
contracted, lucid nAtTle theft) take the resolutioil to
no other than a General Peace.

That at the time of the Congreo at Prague, a
ont Mental Peace might be thought of, bee'ause
the Circumstances would not have given, time to
come to an' understanding to treat other Wise ; but
'that since then the inte,ltions of all the Powers,
those of England, were known, that there-
fott-, it-was useless to think either of an armis-
tice or of a negociation, which bad not fur its
principle a General Peace.
That the Allied Sovereigns were agreed unani-
trously respecting the power and the preponder..
ante whiCh France ought to retain in her inte-
grity, and confining herself to her natural limits,
which are the Rhine, the Alps, and the Pyrenees.
That thy principle of the independence 01-*
Germany was a condition -sthe qua non ; that
.f.'rance must therefore, renounce not the influence
which eve,ry great State necessarily exercises over
A State of inferior strength, but every kind of so-.
tereignty over Germany ; that besides, it was'a
principle which his Majesty himself had laid down,
that it was proper that great States should be
:separated by weaker ones.
That bn the side of the Pyrenees, the independ-
tncc of Spain, and the restoration. of the ancient
dynasty, were also a condition sinequa'non.
That in Italy, Austria ought to have a frontier,
wliich would be rin object. of negociation , that
Piedmont offered several lines, which might be
discussed, as well as the state of Italy, provided,
nevertheless, that like Germany, it should be go-
verned in a manner independent of France, or
any other preponderating Power. That in the
same manlier, the State of Holland,, would be a
subject of negociation, always proceeding o''i the
principle that it must be independent.
That ,lrAgland . was ready to make the greatest
sacrifices for a Peace founded on those bases,, and
to negociate the freedom of commerce and of
navigation, to which France has a right to pre-

tend.
That if these principles of a gqneral pacification
were approved by his Majesty, a place on the
right bank of the Mine, which might be judged
proper, might be made neutral, whither the Ple-
nipotentiaries of all the Belligerent Powers should
immediately repair, without the negociations sus-
pending the course of military events.
(Signed) ST. AIGNAIL
Frankfort, Nov,. 4: 1813. •

LETTER FROM. TIIR DUIE 0F BASSANO TO COUNT

METTER,NICH.

" Paris, Nov. 16, 1813.

Sty„-13riron St. Aignau arrived here on Mon-
day (yesterday), and has reported to us, according
to the communications which have been made to
him by your Excellency, that England has assent-'
ed. to the proposal for the opening of a, Congress
for, a general peace, and that. the Powers are in-
clined to neutralize a town on the right bank of
the Rhine where the Plenipotentiaries may meet.
His Majesty wishes that this town may be Man-
helm. The Duke of Vicenza, whom he has chosen
for his Plenipotentiary, will repair thither as soon
as your Excelleney'shall have informed we df the
day which the Allies have fixed for the opening of
the Congress. It seems to us proper, Sir, and
besides'eonformable to custom, that there should
be no troops at Manbeint, but that the duty should
be done by the burghers ;. at the same time that
the pOlice should be confided to a bailiff appointed
by the Grand Duke of Vadat. If it were judged
proper to have picquets of cavalry, then their force
must be equal on both sides. As for the commu-
nications of Ole English Plenipotentiary with his
Government, they might be made over France by
the way of Calais. •

A peace fonntled qn the independence of all
TiatiOps, as well , inn-a continental as ma' ritime
point of. view; has been the constant object of
the wi,lies and of the policy of the Emperor. His
2.lajety'augurs Well from -the report made by M.
Saint Aignaii, of what was said by the Minister
from England.
have the honour to offer your Excellency the
assurance of my high consideration.
(Signed) The Duke of BASSANO.

ANSWER OF PRINCF. METTERNICH TO THE DUKE

Or. EASSANO.

• Sitr,--The courier which your Excellency dis-
patella from Paris on the Hai of :November, ar-
rived here yesterday. I hastened to chew their
Imperial Majesties and the King of Prussia the
iytter which you have done use the honour to
write to we. Their Majesties have seen with plea-
sure that the confidential communication with
/0. de Sr. Aignau has been Considered by his Ma-
jesty'the Emperor of the French as a proof of the
pacific intentions of the high is:flied Powers ; ani-
mated by the same spirit, invariable iu their point
of view, and indissoluble in their alliance, they
are ready to enter upon a negociation us soon as
tl.cr be certain that his Majesty the Em-
peror of the French admits the "general and sum-
mary bases which I hate pointed out in my con-
versation with M. de St. Aignau.
In your Excellency's letter; however, there
no _mention of these bases. You confine yourself
to expressing a princip:e common to all the Go-
vcrutuents of Europe, and which all of them
place among the first.of their wishes. This prin.
ciple, however, considering its want of precision,
cannot supply the place of these bases. Their
vjesties desire that the Emperor Napoleon 'would
•eNplain hirpself relatively to the latter, as the only
means to prevent insurmountable obstacles from
obstructing the negotiations at their very begin-
uimg. - -

The choice of the city, of Manheim appears to
11. e Aqieq to &Ter -no obstacles ; its neutraliza-
'Coil, and the regulations of the police, which your
iti.e:2;:y pr<voses, can in no case occasion any.
Accept, Sir, the, assurance's of my high con-
sideratiou.

(Signed Prince MIATERNICH.
Frankfort ou the ,Maine, Nov. 25, 1313.

LETTER PROM TIE Dui:r. (IF VICENZA TO PRINCE

METTERNICH.

Paris; Dec. 2, 1813.
PRINCE,—I Lave shewn to Lis Alajesty the

lettre'r
which y"Our Igkeellenty .hddre'se..(l to MO.
Duke of Bassanu the 25t11 of November last. In
admitting, without restriction tife inderendende of
ali paiions as the ha"sit of Peace", as well in a ter-

ritOrial us 'Maritime •ri'ght, i'rante has ndtnitted in
principle what the Athe's seern to wish. Fl is Ma-.
jesty has by this admitted all the consequences of
this principle, the final result of which must be a
Peace, founded on the balance of Europe, on the
recognition of integrity of all nations in their
natural limits, and On the recognition of the
solute independence of all States, sO that no one
can arrogate to itself over another any kind of so-
vereignty or supremacy, under whatever form,
either by sea or land. _ _ _

It is,however, with lively satisfaction that I
announce to your Excelleticy, that I amauthoriscd
by the Entrerbr, my august master, to declare,
that his Majesty adheres to the general and sum-
mary bases, which have been cimltuunicated by
St Aignatt. They will Iffing with then*
great sacrifices on the part of France ; but his Ma,
jetty will make theni without regret, if, by such
sacrifices, England gives the means of attaining
a general Peace, honourable for all, which your
Excellency affirms to be the wish not only of the
Powers of the Continent, but also of England.

Accept, &c.
(Signed) CAULINCOURT, Duke of Vicenza.

ANSWER OF FRINGE METTERNICH TO ,THE DUKE4o.?

VICENZA.

Sta,—The official fetter which your Excellency
did me the honour to send me On the of De-
cember; has reached me from Cassel thro►igh our
out-posts. I have lost no t►me in hiying it before
their-Majesties. They-have observed with plea-
sure that his Majesty the Emperor of the French
had adopted bases essential to the re-estabtish-
meut of a state of equilibrium, and time future
tranquility of Europe. •
They have resvlvcd that this piper srmould-with-
out delay be conununicated to their /lilies. Their
Majesties do not doubt but that time negoeiai;ons.
may be may be opened as soon as timanswer shall
have been received.

We ,shall hasten to inform your Excellency
of it, and to concert with you then the ayrnnge-
mews which shall seem best calculated to attain
the end we have in view. I beg you to accept,
&c. (Signed)
Prince MLTTERNICII.
Frankfort on the Maine, Dee. O.

Luneville, Jan. 6. 1:114.
LETTER EOM THE DUKE OF VICENZA TO COUNT

METTI

PnrNc7,—l have received the letter which your
Excellency did me the honour to write to me on
the lOth of last month. The Emperor will not
form a precipitate judgment on the motives ‘vhich
have required, that h'i's full and entire assent to
the bases which your Excellency has proposed,ln
connuo. n with the :Ministers of England and Rus-
sia, should be communicated to the Allies before
the opeuin;.; of the Congress. It is Alifficult to
suppose that Lord Aberdeen can hare had powers
to propose bases, and not to negotiate. Ms Ma-
jesty will not atfroja the Allies. They have been
undeceived, and they still deliberate. They know
well, every conditional offer becomes an absolute
engagement. for hint who has made it, as soon as
the annexed condition is fulfilled.

Tn "everykase we had reason to expect before
the title of January the answer which your Excel.-
lency announced on' the 10th of December. "Yo►ir
correspondence, and the reiterated declarations of
the Allied Powers, did not let us foresee any dif-
ficulties, and the accounts of M. Talleyrand, on
his return from Switzerland, confirm . that their
intentions are still the same. Whence, then, can
these delays proceed ? ITis Majesty having no..
'thing more at heart than the speedy re,cstAlish-
ment of a general peace, has thought lie could not
give a a stronger•proot of the sincerity of his sen-
timents in this respect, than by sending to the
AMA Sovereigns his Minister for Foreign Af-
fairs, provided with full powers. I hasten,.thete—
fore, Prince, to acquaint you, that I shall• wait
at ti►e out-posts of our army, ,for the necessary
passports to pass through those sof the Allied Ar-
n►ies, and to repair to your Excellency.
Accept, &c.
(Signed) CAULINOURT

ANsivEn FROM PRINCE METTERN/CH.

Frcyhurg, in 'the Brisgati, Jan. 8.

Sin,-1 have received to.-day the letter your
Excellency did me the honour to write me iron'
Luneville, the 6th inst. The delay of the com-
munication which the French Government ex-
pected in consequence of my official letter of the
10th of December, results from the manner of
proceeding which.the Allied Powers must observe
among themselves. The confidential conversa-
tions V,lth. Baron St. Aiguau having led to official
overtures on the part of France, their Imperial
and Royal Majesties have judged, that your Ex-
cellency's answer of the 2d of December was of a
nature that required its being communicated to
their Allies. The supposition of your Excellency,
that it was Lord Aberdeen who proposed the, bases;
and that he was furnished with powers for that pur-
pose, is wholly unfounded. The Court of Lon-
don has just sent to the "Continent the Secretary
of State for the Foreign Department. His Ma-
jesty the .Emperor of all the Russias. being for a
sort time absent from this place, and Lord Cas-
tlereagh being hOurly expected, my august Master,
and his Majesty the King of Prussia, charge me
to inform your Excellency, , that you will receive
as soon as possible the answer to your proposal,
to repair to the head-quarters of the Allied Sove-
reigns. I beg your Excellency, &c.

111E'fTERNICH.

Yesterday, Jaii.l.Bth, that is, ten clays after the
answer of Prince Metternich, the Duke of Vicenza
was still at the out-posts.
Printed by Chaignieau, Rue de la Monnoie, No. 11.

The Gazette, de,France of the 30th contains the
following remarks on the a,bove
We are obliged •to those who have re-pub-
lisficd the suppresed 411oilitor. The system of the
Allies, in. publishing proclamations full of artful
moderation, was not ill managed. The accusa-
tion of ambition levelled against the Emperor by
Powers late his Allies, did not produce much
effect.: But the idea that peace,
,the wish of all,
was desired by thei- Allies, and rejected by die
Linperor—this was an- artifice•on which they had