The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-18 00:00:00

and the aid which they found for their machinations
against us ; our reclamations and our complaints con-
stantly made ; different incidents on the frontier, parti-
cularly the collisions between our troops and the Moorish
auxiliaries of the Emir—all these circumstances created
a state of affairs sufficiently compromising between
France and Morocco.
Nevertheless, the Sovereign of that empire, however
friendly he was in reality towards us, appeared at least to
feel that it was his interest to maintain the same state of
peace as formerly, by not carrying matters to extremi-
ties. Uneasy on his account with respect to the ambi-
tioa of Abd-el-Kader and his moral influence in Morocco,
and at the sympathy which he receives there as the de-
fender of Islamism—attentive to the intrigues of the fana
tical party, which has united its interest with that of the
Emir—having, moreover, but a slight authority, and
being frequently compelled to carry on war against his
own subjects, the Emperor Abderahman resisted as
much as. he could the efforts made by that party to
compel him to a rupture with France, and protested his
desire to live in good understanding with us.
Such were the respective positions of the two countries
when, the putting to death of the Spanish consular
agent at Mazagran having caused a probability of a
collision between that Power and Morocco, we were re-
presented as not only exciting the Spanish Government
to war, but as even ready to aid them, particularly by
affording subsidies. At the same time the Courts of
Sweden and Denmark having determined to free them-
selves from the tribute paid to Morocco, hiving claimed
our good offices as well as those of England to support
the negotiations they were about to commence with the
Court of Fez, we interfered with that object in accord
with the Cabinet of London. On -the other hand, pre-
tensions destitute of every foundation were raised as to
the territory which had ever formed part of the regency
of Algiers, and which France occupies by that title.
Abd-el-Kader found in these circumstances fresh
means of excitement amongst the Moorish tribes and in
the Councils of the Emperor, by aggravating the report
of our asserted alliance with Spain against Morocco,
and by depicting us as the instigators of the resolution
adopted by Sweden and Denmark not to pay tribute, by
accusing us of having invaded the territory of the em-
pire, and of entertaining plans of conquest with re-
spect to it.
Thence have resulted the present crisis, and the cha-
racter more gravely compromised than ever of our rela-
tions with Morocco. But there is reason to believe that
we are not yet at war with that state ; and if prudence
commands us to prepare, as we are doing, to repel any
attacks from that side, it counsels us not less to avoid
carefully all that on our part might provoke or decide a
definitive rupture. This consideration is sufficient to
characterise the nature of the expedition which is pre-
paring.
Its object is to .restrain more than to menace or to
strike. At other periods we successfully caused our fleets
to appear on the coast ot Morocco in order to intimidate
the partisans of war in that empire, and to give to the
friends of peace the courage and the force to make their
dispositions prevail. Such is the principal object of the
mission of your Royal Highness. It is probable that the
presence of the naval division assembled under your or-
ders in the waters of Morocco will be sufficient to pro-
duce a strong and salutary impression, to temper the war-
like propensities, and to induce the inhabitants of the
country to fear and to reflect.
Your communications, Monseigneur, with Marshal
Bugeaud at Oran, will determine your first operations.
It our troops should be in presence of those of the Empe-
ror of Morocco, not far from the sea and from the limits
of our occupation, it might be of advantage to exercise
a moral influence on the population hostile to us, and to
show them near at hand, as an auxiliary force, ships of
war belonging to that nation whose power they were.
:accustomed to dread. The anchorage off the Zepharine
'lslands, one of the best on the coast, will offer to the
ships of our division, particularly at this season, a good
and sure position, whence you may proceed rapidly to the
point best suited to maintain your relations with the
ISiershal Governor.
If the armies which might be about to engage be not
within sight of the sea, and your appearance on any other
part of the sea-coast might have a more useful effect,
it might afford you an opportunity to observe the inha-
bited places on the coast, as well as the Spanish presidios
at Tetuan, and to proceed finally to Tangiers.
With respect to the last point, you will find one of
our brigs stationed there, which it may be well to leave
always at the disposal of the Consul-General of France.
You will have to examine, Monseigneur, what moment
it will suit you to choose in order to conduct our ships
to the coast of Gibraltar, either on quitting Tangiers or
before you proceed there. At Gibraltar you will take
care to maintain the best relations with the Governor-
General of that place. It is probable that you will meet
at that anchorage several foreign ships of war. There.
Monseigneur, your language towards the persons who
shall have the honour to obtain admission to your pre-
sence should be conformable to the general spirit of your
mission. We do not wish to commence. a rupture with
Morocco. We desire, on the contrary, to live on geod
terms with that State, and to see the same policy prevail
in the councils of the chief who governs that State. But
if we were attacked, or if we did not receive just satis-
faction for the rising which has recently taken place
against us, our firm determination is to take it by force
of arms, and the fleet, provided with everything neces-
sary for action, is not less ready than the Algerine army
to concur with activity for this result.
If, according to the opinion of the Marshal Governor,
and according to your own judgment, Monseigneur, your
presence is not necessary for some time in the Mediter-
ranean, you may enter the ocean, prolong your course
along the western coast of the kingdom of Fez, and
cause our pavilion to float before Larache, Sales, Maas-
gran, Azafti, Mogadore, and Santa Cruz.
You are aware that Mogadore has been indicated by all
the information collected from various points as the most
important maritime position is the country, and that
which is of the highest value to the present Emperor.
It is likewise the only place on the coast where we have
a consul. This leads me to remark, that you will have
to consider whether it would not be opportune to detach
a steam-boat to Mogadore, in order to give asylum, if
necessary, to our agent and eur countrymen.
Independently of the measures of general provision
which I have recommended to the care of your Royal
Highness, it may happe❑ that a more decisive interven-
tion on your part may become necessary in the course of
events, either before your arrival or during your stay in
the waters where your mission is to be accomplished.
Two different cases of war may arise, and should be
anticipated as far as they may have the effect of obliging
you to adopt energetic measures in place of simple de-
monstrations, to which it was supposed your Royal
Highness might have to confine yourself.
If in the course of your communications with the Mar-
shal Governor-General, a notification should be made to
you by him, that war is positively declared and com-
menced between France and Morocco, you will imme-
diately have recourse on your side to the means placed
at your disposal to repress the efforts made against us
On the other hand, if during your presence at Algiers,
or on the adjoining coast, you should learn that our
agents, or our countrymen, have been either expelled or
attacked, or compromised in any manner whatever, as to
their lives or liberties; or, if you shall have heard of
any grave insult offered to the French flag, you will
commence hostilities, in order to take satisfaction for
such acts.
In one or other of these two cases, and even should
the insult be offered at Tangiers, you should spare that
town, which contains a number of European inhabitants,
and you will confine yourself to the destruction of the
exterior fortifications which defend it.
But you may without hesitation visit the just ven-
geance of France upon. Mogadore and the other points
of the western coast of Morocco, after having given
notice to neutral vessels to quit the port before the com-
mencement of your attack, which may then be prose-
cuted with the utmost vigour.
During your presence before a port which you are
attacking, and during the course of hostilities, you may
avail yourself of your right to prevent neutral ships
from supplying the enemy.with arms or ammunition.
You are aware, Monseigneur, that it is at Lambe
that are ordinarily assembled the ships of war which he-
long to Morocco. As soon as hostilities shall have been
declared, you will take measures that none of those ships,
shall escape. The fast sailing of the Belle route and
others of your ships, the swiftness of the Pluton, and the
number of guns you have it in your power to direct
upon. any point of the coast, lead me to hope that all the
Moorish ships may fell into your power.
Whatever may be the complications which may result
from the difficulties existing between Morocco and. other
European Powers, you will not interfere in them, and
you will confine yourself exclusively, Monseigneur, to re-
dressing the grievances of France.
If it should happen that ships belonging to nations at
*tie with Morocco should prepare to attack Tangiers, you
should dissuade them from doing so, and you should,
under no circumstances, join with them in any operation
of that nature.

I should not conclude, Monseigneur, without recom-
mending to your attention and respect our Consuls at
Morocco, and particularly M. de Nyon, Consul-General
and Chara 6 d'Affaires at Tangiers. He is one of the
most honourable and distinguished agents attached to.
the Department of Foreign Affairs. Invested with an
important trust, difficult at any period, he fills it with'
zeal, courage, and talent ; and existing circumstances,
which render his position still more serious, give him
new- titles to your interest. He is worthy in every re-
spect of the esteem and kindness of your Royal High-
ness. Moreover, the consideration which you may ,
allow towards the King's Consuls will have an ex-
tremely good effect, by elevating them in the eyes of the
Moors, and by giving more efficaciousness to the action
•,they are called upon to exercise for the advancement of
_our policy.
According to the instructions addressed by the
Minister fur Foreign Affairs to M. de Nyon, and to our
different agents in the ports of Morocco, each of them
will, oil the arrival of our naval division, hasten to pro-
ceed on boaid the ship on which • your flag shall float.
But the formal intention of the King arid of his Council
is, that.your Royal Highness shall not land in person on