The Sun.
London, England, 1840-09-21 00:00:00

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

ANSWER OF FRANCE TO THE MEMO-
RANDUM OF THE FOUR POWERS.
The reply of M. Guizot to Lord Palmerston's note,
communicating the signature of the Convention of the
15th of July, has been the subject of much curiosity and
speculation ever since the appearance of the latter in
the journals. The document so anxiously desired is at
length given to the world. We find it in the Augsturgla
Gazelle of the 14th inst., and hasten to lay it before
our readers :
"MEMORANDUM DELIVERED BY M. GUIZOT
TO LORD PALMERSTON ON THE 24TnJULY,
1840.
France, in the affair of the East, has always been
desirous of acting in accord with Great Britain, Austria,
Prussia, and Russia. Her conduct has been in-
fluenced only by the interest of peace. She has
never judged the proposals made to her in any other
point of view than that of the general interests, and
never with a view to her own interests, for no Power
is more disinterested in the Eastern question than
she is. Judging in this manner, she has con-
sidered as ill-conceived all the proposals, the object
of which was to tear from Mehemet Ali, by force
of arms, those portions of the Turkish empire of which
he is in occupation. France does not conceive that this
will be for the good of the Sultan, because it would tend
to give him that which he could neither govern nor
keep. She does not think it good either for Turkey in
general, or for the maintenance of the balance of power
in Europe in particular, because it would weaken, with-
out giving any advantage to the Sovereign, a vassal who
may give powerful assistance in the common defanca of
the empire. Nevertheless, this is a question of system
on which there may be many diverging opinions. But
France has particularly declared herself against any
project the adoption of which might bring on the em-
ployment of force, because she could not distinctly
see the means which the Five Powers could dispose
of. These means appeared to her to be either insuf-
ficient or more injurious than the state of things in-
tended to be remedied. What she has thought on
this subject she still thinks, and has reason to be-
lieve that this opinion is not exclusively hers. Under
later circumstances no positive proposition has been
addressed to her upon which she could explain herself.
The determination communicated to her by England, no
doubt in the name of the Four Powers, cannot, there-
fore, be imputed to refusals, which she never had an
opportunity of making. But further, without insisting
on the question to which it might give rise, France
again declares that slib considers as inconsiderate, and
not very prudent, a conduct which shall consist in
coming to resolutions without the means of carrying
them into execution, or with means of execution insuffi-
cient or dangerous. The insurrection of some of the
people of Lebanon is no doubt an opportunity which it
has been thought right to seize for finding means of ex-
ecution which had not before been presented. Is this a
means avowable, or above all so useful, that the Turkish
empire ought to act upon it against the Viceroy ? It is de-
sired to re-establish some little degree of order and obe-
dience in all parts of the empire, and yet insurrec-
-tions are fomented. New disorders are added to
that general disorder, which all the Powers already
deplore as contrary to the interests of peace. Will
they succeed in subjecting these people to the Porte,
after exciting them to rise against the Viceroy?
These questions have certainly not been resolved-
But if this insurrection is repressed, if the Viceroy be•
comes again the assured possessor of Syria, if he thereby
becomes more irritated, more difficult to persuade, and
he answers to their summons by a positive refusal, what
are the means of the Four Powers ? Certainly, after
having e niployed a whole year in seeking for them, they
cannot have discovered them recently, and a new dan-
ger will have been created more serious than before.
The Viceroy, excited by the means employed against
him—the Viceroy, whom France has contributed to
restrain, may pass the Taurus, and again threaten
Constantinople. What will the Four Powers do in this
case ? In what manner will they enter the empire iii
order to give succour to the Sultan ? France conceives
that thereby there is prepared for the independence of
the Ottoman empire, and for the general peace, a dan-
ger much more serious than that with which they were
threatened from the ambition of the Viceroy. if all
these eventualities, the consequence of the conduct
aoout to be adopted, have not been provided for, the
Four Powers will be engaged in an obscure and pe-
rilous path ; if, on the contrary, they have been
foreseen, and the means of meeting them agreed upon,
then the Four Powers ought to make them known
to Europe, and, above all, to France, who has
always taken part in the common object—to
France, whose moral concurrence they still claim
—whose influence at Alexandria they invoke. The
moral concurrence of France in one common con-
duct was an obligation on her part, but it is no longer
so in the new situation in which the Powers seem to
wish to place themselves. France can henceforth be no
longer directed but by what she owes to peace, acd what
she owes to herself. The line of conduct she will hold
under the grave circumstances in which the Four
Powers have placed Europe will depend on the solution
which may be given to all the questions that have just
been indicated. She will always keep in view peace,
and the maintenance of the present balance between
the States of Europe. All her means shall be conse-
crated to this double object."
The same number of the Augsburgh Gazette contains
also the following document, which will be read with
interest, inasmuch as it sheds light upon the progress of
the Eastern negotiation 1---
" MARSHAL SOULT TO BARON DE
BOURQUENEY,
" Paris, Joly 17, 1839.
" In the important crisis in which the Ottoman
empire was precipitated by the death of Su::!in
moud, in the midst of the events which signalised tn.
latter months of his reign, the union only of the great
European Powers could offer a sufficient guarantee for
the maintenance of peace. The communications which
have been exchanged for some weeks have happily
proved that that concord is as perfect as it can be. All
the Cabinets wish the integrity and independence of the
Ottoman empire under the present reigning dynasty ;
they are all disposed to have recourse to their active
and influential means to insure the maintenance of that
element so essentially necessary for the political
equilibrium ; they would declare without hesita-
tion against' every combination whist' might en-
danger that equiliboium. Such a concord of 'bpi=
nions anti resolutions (for nobody can doubt them)
must suffice not only to prevent any attempt against
those high interests, but also to dispel uneasiness,
the simple existence of which produces already real
danger, on account of the irritation which it imparts to
the mind. The King's Government believe that the
Cabinets would do something that would be essential
for the consolidation of peace if they confirmed the
expose of the above.mentioned intentions, in written
documents, which they might communicate to each
other reciprocally, and which, as necessity might arise,
might be published more or less completely. As for
what concerns us, we declare formally that these inten-
tions are invariably our own, and I authorise you to
transmit to Lord Palmerston a copy of the present
despatch, after having communicated it to him orally.
I doubt not that the British Government, in the reply
which it will think fit to give to the Istter, which you I
will send together with these despatches, will adhere
in the most formal manner to this conftssion of faith,
which is in accordance with the assurances, so often
reiterated, of her line of policy. If, as I have rea-
son to hope, the Cabinets of Vienna, St. Petcrsburgh,
and Berlin, reply in tile same manner to similar com-
munications which I will let you know of, the object
proposed by the King's Government will be attained."

BRUSSEL,t3, DUTCH, AND GE 11.

MAN PAPERS.

BRUSSELS, SEPT, 17.—W0 are assured that the Elng
is expected to return from Wiesbaden in the course of

next week.

The Queen, the young Prince and Princess, will
leave Ostend and return to the Palace of Laeken, on
tl-w day of his Nl3jesry's arr;vill•
On the other hand, a letter film) Wieilmden, th:ted
the tith of this month, giving some details of the
mode of life, sup,'" It is said that the King

will stay here six weeks to drink the waters. He will I
begin to-morrow to take the baths and to drink the i
waters.

"The Magistrates of this City yesterday posted up
tic programme, which they have drawn up in concert
with the Minister of the Interior, for the celebration
of the 10th anniversary of the days of September.
" The inhabitants and landowners of the Polders of
L;11o, have just addressed a petition to thel(ing, in
which they endeavoured to prove that their dispos-
sess on was effected for the public interest, and that it
would be contrary to justice and humanity to refuse
to indemnify them." _ _

A letter from Amsterdam in the Organe des Flanders,
says—" At this moment, when fears of war are every-
where spoken of it may be interesting to state, that
letters have been received from several of the under-
Writors of London, offer:n4 to insure Dutch ships, in-
cluding sea risk—rivqqcs de mer (it is probable that,
eqpture is here meant) without any increaseof premium.
The same underwriters ask an increase of premium for
French ships, but it is very trifling."
BRUSSELS, SEPT. 18.—General Prise, President of
the Commission for fixing the frontier line, which meets
at Maestricht, left Brussels yesterday for the Hague, to
treat on some points relative to the object of the Com.

miss:on.
The Ma-quis de Rumigny, the French Ambassador,
is to set out for Paris on Sunday, to take his seat in the
Court of Peers, which is to judge the attempts at
Boulogne.
BRUSSELS, SEPT. 19.—The Queen and her children
arc earcted at the Palace of Laeken this afternoon.
HANOVER, SEPT. 13.—The last bulletin relative to
the Crown Prince that was published yesterday is as fol-
lows :
" The time which was of importance after the opera-
tion has passed over happily, so that it is not considered
necessary to publish any more bulletins.
(Signed) " Dr. F. JAEGER.
" Dr. SPANGENBERG.
"Dr. STREGLITZ.
" Hanover, Sept. 12, 1840."
His Majesty went yesterday to Brunswick, on a visit
to the Duke. We learn, from very good authority,
that his loyal Highness the Duke of Cambridge will
soon arrive at Hanover, and stay here some weeks. His
Royal Highness's aid•dc-camp, Captain Von Knesebeck,
has been here a long time.
HallovEtt, SEPT. 10.—It is reported that Mr.
Vander Wisch, Minister of the Interior, who was for-
merly, for a long time, in East Friesland, where ha was
highly esteemed, has been sent by the Government to
A uriche.

HANOVER, SEPT. 13 —(From a letter in the Ham-
burgh Corrcspondeat) :
" Entire hopes are cntaned here that the operation
performed by Dr. Jaeger on the Crown Prince will re-
store his sight. Dr. Jaeger himself is said to have held
out very satisfactory expectations, and their Majesties
clearly appear to have the greatest confidence in the
final result. Persons who wittn-ss the interest with
which our citizens consider the health of the Royal
Family, and the eagerness with which they converse
about the operation, and the anxiety with which they
now watch the success, must be persuaded of the
good feelings and cordial sentiments, of the Hanoverians,
though some Correspondents of well-known Journals,
purely by their false statements made us suspected in
foreign countries. In about twelve days the bandage is
to be removed from the eyes of the patient. The joy of
the citizens, and of all good subjects, will be boundless
if the operation should prove to be successful."
STOCKHOLM, SEPT. B.—Count Pape has now ob-
tained his discharge, and M. Von Torneblach is ap-
pointed provisionally Minister of Justice, Baron Von
Stjerheld, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who cannot ob-
tain his discharge till the accusation against him and the
late Minister shall have been examined by the Supreme
Tribunal, has obtained leave of absence for an indefinite
time, and M. Thre has taken the department of Fo-
reign Affairs. Baron Stjerheld is gone to his country-
seat, and will probably not again sit in the Council of
State.

The Stadslidning of yesterday announces the death
of Count Wedelg-Jarlsber,g, formerly Governor of
Norway, who died at Weisbaden on the 27th of August,
after a severe illness, highly extolling his great services,
to which our opposition papers also do justice.
KONINGSBERG, SEPT. 7.—We have just received
information that the principal Assembly, in its sitting to-
day, has taken a most important resolution, and that a
memorial founded on it will be presented to the King.—
Letipsic Allgemeine Zeitung.
The memorial in question is presumed to relate to a
resolution adopted by a great majority, respecting the
introduction of representatives of the whole kingdom, ac-
cording to the law of the 22d May, 1815. An appli-
cation, which it appears from the rescript dated 9th Sep-
tember, addressed to the Assembly, was refused by the
King.—Hanzburgh Correspondent.
HAMBURGH, SEPT. 15.—Their Royal Highnesses
Prince John Duke of Saxony and the Princesses Au-
gusta and Amelia, with their suite and servants, ar-
rived here yesterday from Dresden.—Hamburgh Paper,
Sept. 15,
THE HAGUE, SEPT. 15.—His Majesty has granted
to several companies in North and South Holland,
North Brabant, Guelderland, Zealand, and Ovcryssels,
considerable sums for building or repairing school.
houses, a great part of which sums is from his Majesty's
privy purse.
This week the smacks from Scheveningen
.are to go
sea for the herring-fishery. They are fifty-six, which
is two more than last year.
THE HAGUE, SEPT. 6.—His Majesty the King of
Wurtemberg, is expected to arrive here about the '2sth
of this woiith. The baptism of the young Prince will
probably take place at the end of the month or the be-
ginning of October, in the Palace of his Royal High-
ness the Hereditary Prince of Orange.
We understand that the budget for the next official
year is already prepared. In the War Department
there is a reduction of a million of florins.
BESSARABIA, AUGUST 27.—Count Woronzow, Mi-
litary and Civil Governor of New Russia and Bessara-
bia, who had obtained leave of absence to drink the
waters in Bohemia, where he intended to remain till the
middle of September, has returned to Odessa by the
Emperor's command. We understand that the Empe-
ror, who was at Kiew on the 22d, where he intended to
go and visit the veteran Field-Marshal Wittgenstien,
and then to proceed to Germany, has changed his plan,
and will make a longer visa to the southern provinces
to Nicolajeff, Sebastopol, and inspect the troops col-
lected there. Every thing indicates preparations, not
indeed to occupy Constantinople, as is every where af-
firmed in Russia, but to be so prepared as not to be
surprised by events in the East. There is to be a camp
of cavalry this autumn near Bender.
TURKISH FRONTIERS, SEPT. 2.—The Governor of
Bosnia has occupied the revolted capital, Serajemo,
with his Arnauts ; the details are not known, but it is
certain that this is a death blow to the insurrection.
Some of the rebels have fled to the Herzegornine.,
Some who evacuated the capital are still a few leagues
from it. Some fugitives have arrived in the Ragusan
territory, where they are performing quarantine. Among
them is the Sub-Inspector of the Mosque of Serajeva,
with his attendants. The chief of the rebels was killed
in his tent by the Vizier himself, and betore the occupa-
ti3n of the capital eight or ten of the principal inhabi-
tants who were taken in the action of the 18tH were
executed.
The Vladika of Montenegro has ordered 3,000 men
to be got ready to attack the Turkish fortresses of
Spiax and Bcdgorazza.