The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVEI4IIN9, AUGUST 22, 1859.

duration, so as to restore to Europe the blessings of

peace.
The Prussian Government having addressed to
the cabinet of London a communication identical
with the one we have received, our august master
takes pleasure in believing that the British Govern-
ment will join in a step of such manifest European
interest, the rather as the possibility of a satisfac-
tory issued is increased by the pacific dispositions
that the French Government has made known to
us.
But the more we desire its success the more we
feel the necessity of preparing the chances in its
favour by a thorough examination of the ways pos-
sibly leading thereto.
Therefore, whilst expressing to Baron Schleinitz
our adherence to the overture he has made us, your
excellency is invited by order of our august master
to explain to him with entire frankness the obser-
vations it suggests to us.
We know as yet, in general terms, the readiness
of the French Government to receive the idea of a
negotiation for peace under the mediation of the
three courts, but we are in perfect ignorance of the
Austrian Government's intention with respect to it.
The moment the three neutral powers should be
agreed on the principle of an understanding, with a
view to the proposed mediation, it would appear to
us to be essential for the belligerent powers to be
invited to declare their adhesion to this principle
and the reciprocal bases upon which they believe
they could act in the negotiations for peace.
It is only after being put in possession of these
elements that the three courts could form an opinion
and proceed with knowledge of the subject to the
work of mediation, that would have to precede the
treaty of a congress Lr the reorganisation of Italy,
keeping in sight the equilibrium of Europe and the
interest of social order.
Such is the line of conduct that alone seems to us
to be feasible, and in conformity with the character
of conciliation and impartiality of the mission de-
volved on the great neutral powers at the conjunc-
ture of the moment.
These considerations are dictated to us even by
the interest we feel in the efforts which the initia-
tive taken by the cabinet of Berlin enables us to
make in concert w ith it and the British Govern-
ment for the re-establishment of peace.
Our august master feels the most sincere good
wishes for their success, and his Majesty would de-
rive the greatest satisfaction from proceeding with
his Royal Highness the Prince Regent in the path
of a mutual agreement so conformable to the tradi-
tions of the constant friendship uniting Russia with
Prussia, and having for its object a pacification so
essential to the general interests of Europe.
Your Excellency may give to Baron Schleinitz
;he assurance of our most loyal and ready co-opera.
lion.—Receive, &c.,

GORTCHAKOFF.
To his Excellency the Baron of Budberg, &c.

PRUSSIA.

A Berlin letter says :—" We have just been in-
formed that the Prince Regent will leave for
Ostend on the 19th, if nothing unforeseen occurs
meanwhile. This fact seems to indicate that the
King's life is not in immediate danger, and that
his illness may last a considerable time. The Am-
bassadors who had not taken advantage of their
leave of absence, on account of his Majesty's health,
will also leave the capital in a few days. The
Prince Regent lately exercised for the first time
since his accession to power the right of confirming
sentences to death in two cases. The counsel of
one of the condemned persons pretended that the
Prince had not the right to confirm a sentence of
the kind, the right being, he alleged, personal in
the King, and not transferable. The question, it
is said, was submitted to the law officers of the
Crown, who were unanimous in their decision
against the opinion given by the prisoner's
counsel."