The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-14 00:00:00

Cabinets, and could only lead, definitively, to a negation
of the most elementary principles of diplomacy. The
general uneasiness, which I never cease to combat in
every way, but which I find everywhere around me,
still more aggravated by the last news received from
Utaheite. For some days past Lord Aberdeen has had
in his hands the minutes of a dispatch prepared by him-
self, announcing to Lord Cowley the resolution of the
Cabinet to sera Mr. Pritchard back again to Otaheite,
at all events, on board an English vessel. I still hope
and trust that the inspirations of prudence and modera-
tion may yet prevail ; but I meet no one who does not
speak o the present situation of affairs with the liveliest
apprehensions.
se. 14.—THE COUNT DE JARNAC TO N. GUIZOT.
London, Aug. 28, 1844.
Monsieur le Ministre,—My interviews with Lord
Aberdeen upon each of our present difficulties, and par-
ticularly upon the affairs of Otaheite, have continued to
be frequent and of the most intimate nature.
Having remarked, only too often, that the Chief Se-
cretary of State looked sometimes to solutions which
your Excellency would not accept, and sometimes to
measares taken directly by England to repair what the
Government and the country consider as a national
affront, I have been happy to find that his ideas recur
now and then to a species of satisfaction which could in
no way impugn the honour of France. As soon as I
saw in him the impression that a pecuniary compensa-
tion to Mr. Pritchard might, according to numerous
precedents, be looked upon as an essential part of the
solution which the Government Is now irrevocably de-
cided to effect, I hastened to inform your Excellency.
I have never left out of sight since then the prospect of
an arrangement of this kind, whenever it appeared to
present itself to Lord Aberdeen's mind. I have reason
to believe that a simple pecuniary compensation for the
damage and suffering which Mr. Pritchard may have
experienced, but which would have left France and the
King's Government still responsible for all the treatment
which he has undergone, would not be considered as a
satisfactory solution in England. But if some of the ex-
pressions of disapprobation and regret which your Ex-
cellency addressed to me from the very first wore to be
officially communicated to the British Government in the
name of the King's Government, perhaps the proposi-
tion of an indemnity might be simultaneously presented
to the Council by Lord Aberdeen, as a satisfactory offer-
on.l arm. en fatally engaged
both. siries'iii `miller?
I cannot, at the same time, wholly affirm that after
the first violent manifestations of the English Gonrern-
ment and public, and the perseverance with which a very
influential portion of the press has demanded the sodemn
disavowal of our agents as an indispensable condition of
every arrangement, a similar solution would be received
in London, or be satisfactory to general opinion ; but
certainly it woulfi bo conformable to the impression
which, from the first, your Excellency expressed upon
these events. The gravity of the present circumstances
authorises me in submitting these considerations toy the
particular attention of your Excellency.
NO. 15.—THE COUNT DE JARNAC TO H. GUIZOT.
London, Aug. 28, 18,4.4.
Monsieur le Ministre,—Thesituation of foreign stt:airs,
which in general occupies so small a portion of the public
attention, has become for some days past the object of
general interest and solicitude.
Already, and without speaking of the incessant provo-
cations of the press on both sides, the projects attributed
to France with regard to the regency of Tunis and the
empire of Morocco, the reports spread about as t.o the
fresh activity visible in our arsenals, and the armament
projected at the same time by England, have excitel the
liveliest uneasiness and the most evil presentiments. At
the news of the destruction of Mogadore, and the ottcu-
pation of the island which closes its harbour a still m ore
alarming impression was excited. From the very begin-
ning it was said that the great interests of England--
those which rendered legitimate and, perhaps, even ne -
cessary an appeal to arms—were, from the very natur e
of thins, engaged in this war. These very interest 3
are no, they say, placed almost in direct conflict witls
those 'Nf France. And now the want of all official com-
munication from the King's Government with regard
to the last events in Otahoite, after the delay of almost
a month, has again led to the belief, that in spite of the
desire of the two Sovereigns and of the two Cabinets, a rt.-
lure is on the point of breaking out between the two
countries. It is my duty to inform your Excellency,and
I am certainly not the only ono so to do, that war, its
probable nonsequencea, and the force, resources, tunt
respective alliances of the two countries, have becon re
here the general theme of conversation, and that the
classes which from their habits and interests would be trine
least inclined to admit so formidable an event, are now
constantly ready to look forward to it, and discuss it.
I cannot see, in the really influential portion of the
public, the least animosity against France, or any ties ire
to push on the Government to any premature dem, in-
stration of measures of provocation ; the prevailing i ca-
pression appears to me to be, that by the very fsrce of
so many adverse circumstances, and in consequence of
the state of the public tilled in France, a struggle is en
the point of becoming inevitable for England.
The whole Council, and the Chief Secretary of Stele
for Foreign Affairs particularly, are evidently in the
greatest degree occupied with the consideration of this
state of fueling, as well as with all the difficulties which
appear to arise on every side, as if to throw down the
-work of the two Cabinets. But, of all these serious
questions, that relative to the imprisonment and expul-
sion of Mr. Pritchard is the one which has never ceased
to occupy the first place in Lord Aberdeen's mind. It
is not necessary for me to tell your Excellency, that the
prolonged delay in any official steps on the part of the
.King's Government to disengage from the affair the
honour of England, eve,y day increases the uneasiness
expressed from the very first by Lord Aberdeen. Your
Excellency must have yourself remarked, that the re-
cal of Lord Cowley has been formally pointed
out, if not called for, by the principal organ of
,public opinion. I know, moreover, without a doubt,
that the most influential members of the Council
are much agitated with regard to the situation of
affairs, and that a complete change in the exterior policy
of Great Britain is daily discussed ; that the most ex-
treme measures—those in fact which would render per-
haps impossible the maintenance of diplomatic relations
between the Courts—are constantly passed in review. I
have every reason to fear, that if no arrangement of the
present differences can be decided upon a policy in the
highest degree compromising to the relations of the two
Courts will shortly get the upper hand in the Council.
Whilst awaiting the decision of the King's Govern-
ment, which all the friends of an intimate union with
.France, and even those who cannot look upon it without
some dislike in the most favourable circumstances, en-
treat me to demand of your Excellency as speedily as
possible, I neglect no endeavours to re-assure and repress
the apprehensions and impatience which I find on every
side of me. I remind people, that after the solemn an-
nouncements made but a few months ago by the two
Sovereigns of the existence of the cordial understanding
between them, it would be deplorable if the year should
pass over lith the lie being given to those royal assur-
ances. I repeat also, that the present difficulties are so
serious, that they evidently cannot fall of themselves into
forgetfulness, and that they must necessarily arrive
either at a solution satisfactory to both parties, or to a
rupture. In the first case, shall we regret, once such a
result obtained, a few delays, a few confidential explana-
tions, without which such an end could not be attained ?
and if, on the contrary, wo are to be driven to extremi-
ties, what would not be the reaction which would after-
wards break out on both sides the Channel, and with
what severity would not history and public conscience
call for a reckoning from each party for every step,
every word, which may have precipitated such a for-
midable issue ?
M. Guizot replies to these animated letters by the
following dispatch :
No. GUIZOT TO THE COUNT DE JARNAC.
Paris, Aug. 29, 1844.
Monsieur le Comte,--I have laid before the King in
Council an account of the conversations I have had with
the AmbassadoAf her Britannic Majesty relative to the
sending away of Mr. Pritchard from the island of Otaheite,
and the cinumstances which attended that measure. The
King's Government did not desire to express any opinion,
or come to any resolution, upon this incident, before
having taken every information which it could have, and
duly examined all the faces of the ease, for it has at heart
to prevent everything which may effect any change in
the good feeling between the two States.
After this examination the King's Government is con-
vinced—.
lit. That the right to send out of the island of Ota-
beite any one who might trouble or endeavour to trouble
and overthrow the established order of things belonged
to the King's Government and its representatives, not
only in virtue of the common right of regions, but ac-
cording to the very terms of the treaty of the 9th of
November, 1642, which institutes the French protecto-
Tate, and expresses that " the direction of all affairs with
foreign Governments, as well as all that concerns foreign
residents, is placed at Otaheite in the hands of the
French Government, in the person appointed by it."
2dly. That Mr. Pritchard from the month of Nevem-
her to the month of March, 1844, was constantly endea-
vouring, by all sorts of acts and intrigues, to prevent,
trouble, and overthrow the French establishment at
Utaheite, the administration of justice, the exercise of the
authority of the French agents, and their relations with
the.natives.
When, then, in the month of March last, an insurrec-
tion broke out in a part of the island of Otaheite, and
was commencing is Papeiti itself, the French authorities
bad legitimate reasons, and were necessarily obliged to
use their right to send Mr. Pritchard away from the
territory of the island, where his presence arid conduct
cemented a pernanent spirit of resistance and sedition
among the natives.
As to certain circumstance% which preceded the send-
ing away of Mr. Pritchard, more especially the manner
iand place of his temporary imprisonment, and another
,public proclamation about him published at Papeiti on
.
the 3d of March last, the Government sincerely
'egrets them, and the necessity for them seems no way
Nistified by the facts. Governor Bruat, upon his return
as Papeiti, hastgied to put a stop to these unhappy pro-
oeedings by ()raring the embarkation and departure of
:Mr. Pritchard. The King's Government does not hesi-
tate to express to the Government of her Britannic Ma-
jesty, as it has made known at Otaheiteitself, its regret
at, and disapprobation of, the circumstances I have just
entioned.
The King's Government has given in the Society
lands undeniable proofs of the spirit of moderation and
equity which has influenced its conducts It has con-
s tantly taken care to assure to foreigners, as well as its
own countrymkn, an entire liberty of worship and the
niost efficacious protection. This equality of pro-
f, ctiorl for every religious belief is the common right
and the honour of
i France. The King's Government
bus consecrated this principle, and applied it where-
ever its authority s exercised. The English mission-
aries themselves have acknowledged it, for the greater
liars among them have held back from the intrigues of
safr. Pritchard, and many have given useful aid to the
French aaithoritiee. The King's Government will soru-