The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-27 00:00:00

TILE RUSSIAN NOTE TO SARDINIA

Prince Gagarin, the Russian Minister at Turin,
before quitting, communicated the following note
to Count Cavour :
St. Petersburg, Sept. 28 (Oct. 10).
Mon Prince,—Since the preliminaries of Villa-
franca put au end to the war in Italy a series of
acts contrary to right have been accomplished in
the Peninsula, and created there the abnormal situ-
ation of which we now see the extreme consequences
developing themselves. The imperial government,
from the commencement of this situation, considered
it a duty to call the attention of the Sardinian Go-
vernment to the responsibility which it would take
upon itself if it gave in to claAgerous impulses (dan-
gereux entrainemens). We directed our friendly
representations to it at the time when the revolu-
tion of Sicily began to receive from Piedmont that
moral and material euoort from which alone that
movement could have tako the proportions it at-
tained. In our estimation, the question exceeded
the sphere of local com Plication:
a. It directly
touched upon the principles admittej
as a rule of
international relations, and bad a tendenCT to shake
the very basis upon which rests the au.i.ho:ity of
established governments. We accepted with a:eP
regret the motives alleged by Count Cavour, which
did not allow him to oppose more efficient obstacles
to these intrigues (menees), and we took note of his
disavowal of them. By this its attitude the impe-
rial government feels convinced that it gave the
court of Turin a sincere pledge of its desire to keep
up good relations with the said court ; but it also
thinks it has given sufficient hints of the resolutions
which would be forced upon his Majes!v' the Empe-
ror on the day in which the Sardinian 6,:nrernment
could allow itself to be influenced by those in;nuises
which the feeling of its international duties had till
then induced it to repudiate. I regret to say that
these resolutions could now no longer be adjourned.
The Sardinian Government directed its troops,
in the midst of profound peace, without any
declaration of war, without any provocation, to
cross the frontiers of the Roman States ; it openly
came to an understanding (a bargain or compact
—il a poetise) with the revolution at Naples ; it
has sanctioned its acts by the presence of Pied-
montese troops, and that of high Sardinian func-
tionaries, who were placed at the head of the in-
surgent forces without ceasing to be in the service
of King Victor Emmanuel. Finally, it has just
crowned this series of violations of right by an-
nouncing, in the face of Europe, its intention to
accept the annexation to the kingdom of Piedmont
of territories belonging to sovereigns who are yet
in their own States, and who there defend their
authority against the violent attacks of the revo-
lution. By these acts the Sardinian Government
no longer allows us to consider it as a stranger to
the movement which has upset the Peninsula. It
takes upon itself all their responsibility, and puts
itself into flagrant contradiction with the right of
nations. The necessity it alleges of combating
anarchy could not justify it, since it only throws
itself on the path of the revolution to gather its
heritage, not to arrest its progress and repair its
iniquities. Pretexts of this nature are not admis-
sible. This is no question merely of Italian inte-
rests, but of a general interest common to all Go-
vernments. It is a question of those eternal laws
wi
could existthoutwhich Europe.socia
l order, no peace, no secu-
rity His Majesty the Emperor deems it impossible
that his legation should any longer reside where
it may have to witness acts which his conscience
and convictions reprove. His Imperial Majesty
is compelled to put an end to the functions which
you fulfil at the Court of Sardinia. It is the will
1. of our august master, consequently, that upon
seeing these instructions you should ask for your
passports, and instantly quit Turin, with all the
personnel of the legation.
You will inform Count Cavour of the motives of
this supreme decision, and read to him the present
despatch, leaving with him a copy of it.
Receive, mon Prince, &c.,
M, le Prince Cittgarin, &c. GiOnciapir.

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