The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-19 00:00:00

MEMOIR OF COUNT POZZO DI

BORGO.

At the remote age of seventy-four, the most subtle of mo-
dern polif cians, the most acute and practised of diplomatists,
has been removed from the busy scenes in which he acted so
conspicuous a part. The sudden dispensation of Providence
has taken away the political prophet, whose predictions were
almost ever unfailing ; who, versed in all the mysteries of men's
motives and their intrigues, pierced with his keen and practised
understanding, into the depths of their most hidden measures,
with a precision that startled even the proLundest tacticians of
Europe.

Charles Andre Pozzo di Borgo was born Bth March, 1768.
The Corsican family of Pozzo, from which he sprang, honour-
ably ranks among the first nobles of that island, audits haughty
nobles inhabited for centuries a small castle called Montichi,
among the mountain fastnesses. In modern times the race of
Pozzo di Borgo established themselves in the village of Pozzo
di Borgo, within a short distance of Ajaccio, and in 1775, when
Corsica was united to France, were by that treaty entitled to
all the privileges enjoyed by the aristocratic orders.
The education of young Pozzo di Borgo was entrusted to an
Abbe, but earthly wisdom appears to have occupied his mind
more than spiritual, and the scholar's political powers blos-
somed at an early age. When the French Revolution burst with
volcanic violence over Europe, Corsica was included in the shock,
and shaken by the mighty dissension. The families of the island
split themselves into two factions. The patriotic party had at
their head Paoli and the youthful Pozzo di Borgo : the repub-
lican faction mustered Bonaparte, Arena, and Salicetti.
From the very commencement of the Revolution, young De
Borgo was active in the agitation, and he began his diplomacy
early. Louis XIV. having convoked the nobility of Corsica, to
draw up at Ajaccio a statement of the islanders' complaints and
demands, Pozzo di Borgo, being then only in the first year of
his majority, received the appointment of principal Secretary
to the Assembly. Subsequently deputed by his countrymen,
he bore their address of congratulation and fraternity to the
National Convention at Paris, and was finally chosen to represent
the province of Ajaccio in the legislative body of France,
formed after the dissolution of the Constitutional Senate. His
next turn in the political labyrinth was an important step; he
became a member of the Diplomatic Committee under the Pre-
sidency of Brissot. It was in this school that Pozzo di Borgo
studied his early views of diplomacy, a school which contained
all the elements of Republicanism in itself, and which, with a
policy entirely novel to Europe. pursued in its foreign depart-
ment the revived spirit of ancient Rome, that treated all kings
and potentates with the haughtiness and arro ;ance of superla-
tive national greatness. At this period Pozzo di Borgo, when
he ascended the rostrum, which was, perhaps, but seldom, de-
livered his speeches in the declamatory and bombasticstyle com-
mon to the younger orators of the Revolution. One of them,
which we have before us, being a harangue delivered (16th
July, 1792) on the question of involving France in a general
war, is a fierce attack upon absolute government.
The Legislative A ssembly dissolved, Pozzo di forgo hastened
to Corsica, and soon after his return, began, with Paoli, to
agitate the establishment of the national independence ; he
began to spread the fire and raise the mountain-cries. For
these measures he was impeached by Salicetti, by whom he and
Paoli were summoned to appear at the bar of the Convention,
and answer to the formal accusation of forming systems and
projects for separating Corsica from France.
The seeds of deep-planted enmity from this moment
sprang up between Pozzo di Borgo and Bonaparte—that
irreconcileable hatred, which, as will be afterwards seen,
exercised more influence than is generally suspected upon
the events of 1814. The decree of the Convention
reached Paoli and Pozzo di Borgo among the mountains
at Carte, the capital. They knew the danger of diso-
bedience, but the popular voice was too mighty. The as-
sembled masses from the mountains unanimously passed reso-
lutions charging Paoli and Pozzo di Borgo to continue the ad-
ministration of their departments, without paying any respect
to the Convention. The resolutions were signed by 1,200 per-
sons. This Corsican manifesto of the bold mountaineers, which
of course shut out all thoughts of amicable adjustment with
the French Government, was determined to be upheld sword
in hand ; though the port itself of the town was hotly invested
by the French, under the command of the very Bonaparte
whose name the insurgents so hated; and though they, rural
denizens, had not a tithe to oppose to the invader's battle array.
At this critical moment an English fleet appeared before
Ajaccio, bearing offers of protection and aid, provided Corsica
would place itself under the supremacy of Great Britain.
Paoli, commissioned by his countrymen, went on board, the
Admiral was met, and a sketch proposed for a new Constitu-
tion, based on the principles of the Magna Charts of England,
which was laid before the National Convention. Paoli proposed
Pozzo di Borgo as President of the State Council, and pre-
sented him, saying—" I will answer for him. He is a man as
well qualified to guard the interests of a nation, as capable of
protecting a mountain-herd, and knows how to repel aggres-
sion by the argument of arms."
Insubordination, animated by the fresh prosperities of the
French arms, gained new strength every day, and the scanty
forces of Paoli were threatened to be crushed. At length,
when it became evident thst the tri-coloured standard would
soon be raised ever on the towers of Ajaccio, Pozzo di Borgo
did not wait to witness the catastrophe. He embarked in an
English man-of-war, which bore him to Elba, thence to
Naples, and thence again to Elba. The frigate Minerva
subsequently conveyed him to England, and he re-
mained upwards of eighteen months in London,
where he enjoyed the honours due to his high abilities,
and where, while sojourning, he made acquaintance with many
noble French emigrants, which ultimately led to his employ-
ment in some secret diplomatic missions, which progressively
increased both in number and importance. The year 1798 saw
him in Vienna; France had then experieeced various reverses,
except where Buonaparte was moving. Suwarrow was marching
from victory to victory, and during this particular crisis Pozzo
di forgo took a most active part in all the diplomatic movements
linked with the course of military action. At that time, in the flower
of his age, for he numbered only 30 years, he was continually tra-
versing Germany and Italy, to forward and sustain by his Cabinet
intrigues, the warlike preparations of the old Russian Field-
Marshal, though his labours were ultimately rendered useless
after the defeat of General Massena at Zurich, and he afterwards
fixed his abode at the Austrian Cabinet at Vienna.

Pozzo di Porgo next entered into the service of Russia, as an
avowed and public diplomatic agent. He was now matured
by study and experience, and the expertness he displayed in his
first essays for the interests of Russia, raised his name high in
the political world, and opened to him the path of his
future brilliant career. The Emperor of Russia con-
ferred on him the title of State Counsellor, and when
a new coalition was forming against Bonaparte, who
had crowned himself Emperor without obtaining the suffrages
of the Foreign Cabinets, Pozzo di Borgo was despatched to
Vienna spectslly to consolidate a closer alliance between his
adopted Sovereign, and the other potentates who entertained
similar views. The Ambassador, however, did not long re-
main in Germany, but only a few months elapsed, before he
repaired to Italy to represent, as Commissioner of the Crown,
his Royal master in the military operations which the com-
bined troops of Russia, England, and Naples, were to com-
mence in Southern Italy. Upon their separation, he returned
to Vienna, and thence to St. Petersburgh, where fresh mili-
tary operations were in progress.
Created at this period a Count, and attached to the person
of the Emperor as Colonel de la Suite, the Diplomatic Colonel,
after the battle of Jena, visited Vienna for the fourth time, ex-
pressly commissioned to arouse Austria from the lethargy into
which she had fallen, since the peace of Presburg. Unsuc-
cessful here, Alexander ordered his subtle agent to Turkey,
who, on the rupture of hostilities, with his own sword took part
in the naval engagement which ensued between the Russians
and Turks, and gained for his conduct the first military deco-
ration.

The sanguinary battles between Russia and France being
closed by the peace of Tilsit, the Colonel-Count saw clearly
that the close intimacy growing up between Alexander and
Napoleon would render his services unpleasant and perhaps
dangerous at St. Petersburgh ; and although Alexander endea-
voured to retain him, he obtained a gracious discharge in 1808,
and once more went to Vienna, where, during the year 1809,
he employed his diplomatic skill energetically during the cam-
paign. He subsequently travelled through Syria, and after
visiting Smyrna and Malta, sailed from the latter place to
England, and reached its metropolis in October, 1810.
The British Government welcomed the Count as a valuable
acquisition. The Cabinet of St. James's well knew that from him
it could learn more important facts in a few hours than through
uncertain correspondence and information for as many months
elsewhere. The Marquis of Wellesley had frequent interviews
with Pozzo di Borgo, and the Count pointed out the vulnerah:e
point in Napoleon's overgrown power. In 1812 the peace of
Tilsit, had, as the Count had foretold, proved nearly a truce of
arros, and the war between France and Russia broke out with
that fury, which gave imperial Moscow to ruin. The Musco-
vite Monarch again sought his confederacy, and before quit-
ting London he successfully negotiated a renewed alliance with
Britain, and after an interim of five eventful and stormy years,
the Count again found himself before the Russian Emperor.
The ice of the Beresina had by this time covered the legions
of Bonaparte, but Alexander still saw in the crowned soldier,
half-deified in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Mars of the
age. "My arms have not yet vanquished him ;" said he to
Di Borgo, "by the will of the Almighty, by the power of
Russia, or the spirit of our ancestors, has he been conquered.
Let us remain satisfied with the victory vouchsafed. It is
enough." But the wily statesman was moved by no such mer-
ciful sentiments. " The fallen Colossus," said he in answer,
" must be wholly destroyed, or you, in your turn, incur the
danger of annihilation from him, if he be allowed time to re-
cover confidence, and renovate his now paralyzed powers.
Crush him in time."

At this period the gaining over Bernadotte and his 20,000
soldiers was a high game entrusted to Di Borgo. To Stralsund
he hastened, and at length succeeded in inducing the Crown
Prince to commence open and active operations by accom-
panying him to the military Congress at Trachenberg. There
met the three most inveterate enemies of Napoleon to " talk
of precious mischief," and exult in their anticipated triumph
over the unmeshed and disabled lion. Moreau hated in Na-
poleon the First Consul; Bernadotte the Emperor ; and Pozzo
di Borgo the Corsican,- the Consul, and the Emperor, in the
man At this rendezvous it was resolved to carry the war to
the gates of the French capital, and to attack Napoleon in the
very heart of both his power and his weakness.
The favourable prospects of these diplomatists brightened.
Napoleon falling had still one hope—that of winning the support
of Austria. In a confidential interview with Metternich, that
Minister promised to obtain for him the co-operation of Aus-
tria, under certain conditions, stipulating for his private in-
terests. Napoleon, unaccustomed to hear the language of
demand front any lips except his own, exclaimed—
" How truth does England give you to play this
part ?" The offended Minister bowed in silence ; but
not low enough to raise the small hat Napoleon had
dropped in the beat of conversation. The Allied Monarchs
were waiting with the utmost anxiety at Prague, the decision
of the Austrian Court. It was eleven o'clock in the evening,
and one mansion contained, in a lower apartment, Nesselrode,
Pozzo di Borgo, and Hardenberg, whilst in a chamber above
were the Sovereigns of Russia and Prussia, where the as-
sembled parties were surprised by the arrival of a special cou-
rier with the following laconic epistle to Nesselrode :—" Aus-
tria is resolved, and puts her hoops at the disposal of the Allied
Powers." The satisfaction may be easily imagined.
Pozzo di Borgo's prospects brightened as those of Napoleon
decreased. He received a General's appointment, a rank he parti-
cularly coveteLl,as it enabled him to contribute to the downfal of his
countrymen, as well in the field as in the Cabinet, and in his
military capacity he joined Bernadotte, who with 90,000 men,
Swedes, Russians, and Prussians, was then covering Berlin.
But the setting-star of Napoleon's fortunes still shot forth a few
brilliant scintillations. His defence of Dresden was rub acelous ;
Moreau was repulsed and killed ; Bernadotte and Di Borgo
precipitately retreated; the results of the battle- field of Leipic
are well known, and Pozzo di Borgo, with the Crown Prince
of Sweden, finally guar Trod at Frankfort.
In the beginning of January, 1814, all Europe being then
in its most violently agitated state, Pozzo di Borgo, was dis-
patched from the conferences at Frankfort, to bear a mission to
England, to convince the Prince Regent of the just intentions
of the Emperor Alexander, and farther to obtain the appoint-
ment of Lord Castlereagh, then Foreign Minister, to the head-
quarters of the allied Sovereigns, to join their councils His
inveteracy against Napoleon broke out fiercely in his interviews
with Castlereagh, who on one occasion intimated the expedi-
ency of restoring the Bourbons to the throne of France.
44 You know, my Lord," replied the Corsican, " that the
Sovereigns I represent are unwilling to pledge them-
selves to distant views. Let us first determine on
the removal of Napoleon. When we have effected his abdi-
cation, the cry of Bourbon' will do the rest." His mission
prospered. At a dinner party given in honour of the agent of

Russia, by Lord Castlereagh, his Lordship, on proposing the
final toast, said to his guest, " Well, my dear Pozzo, all is
settled; I accompany you, and am the bearer of an autograph
letter from the Prince Regent to your Emperor. We shall act
in concert."

During the entire campaign of 1814 Pozzo di Borgo re-
mained in close attendance on the person of the Russian Em-
peror. His enmity to Napoleon created every chance towards
his overthrow; overtures for peace proposed by the tottering
idol of Chatillon, were refused by his advice: Caulincourt's
pacific offers were frustrated by Di Borgo : the attempt by
several military men of high rank to induce Alexander to treat
with the Regency instead of the Government, and which the
friendly feeling of Russia almost prompted him to agree to,
would doubtless have been allowe4, had not Pozzo di
Borgo been at hand, and represented to the irresolute
Potentate, that " the Regency was in fact only another
term for Napoleon, and that he whose heart sincerely
desired the tranquillity of Europe, must insist on the
total abrogation of the imperial power, and the removal of Na-
poleon." Two whole hours this conference lasted : Pozzo di
Borgo only quitted the Emperor on an exacted promise that
no negotiation should be entered into. No sooner had he ob-
tained that assurance than he hastened to the Provisional
Ministers, and addressing Talleyrarid, cried in the fulness of
his joy, " My dear Prince, not cnly have I slain Napoleon
pohtical.y, but I have just threwn the last shovell ng of earth
uver his imperial corpse."
The Senate having proclaimed the abdication of Napoleon,
and the recal of the Bourbons, Pozzo di Borgo was appointed
by the Allied Sovereigns to acknowledge in their names, at
London, the accession of the Prince of Artois to the Throne
of the Louises.

Pozzo di Borgo nevertheless still turned a doubtful and un-
quiet look towards Elba, and scanned in imagination every
movement of the illustrious prisoner ; and in the Assembly
vehemently pressed for his removal to some more remote and
obscure corner of the globe. The unarmed, though captive,
lion broke his cage of rushes. The announcement of his dis-
embarkation for France was met with amazement by every
member of the Congress, except Di Borgo. His cool com-
ment on the fearful news was—" I know Napoleon—he will
march on Paris. Our work is before us. Not a moment is to
be lost. He must be faced by every attainable force, and the
last fragments of his power and popularity buried in the dust of
defeat."

Waterloo was won, and Napoleon had quitted his last martial
field. Was Pozzo di Borg° content ? By no means. Russia
had not taken any part in the glorious and decisive action. The
shrewd Corsican slept not. He selected a young Russian offi-
cer, serving in the Prussian army, and told him in confidence
"‘ Alexander must be informed of this victory within eight-and-
forty hours ; no matter how many horses are killed in the
time ; your future fortune may depend on it." Though
wounded himself, he immediately followed Wellington to Paris,
and resumed his portfolio, as Russian Ambassador at the Court
of the Tuilleries. Talleyrand offered him not only the Mi-
nistry of the Interior, but obtained for him from Louis XVIII.
the dignity of a peer of the realm.
On the death of Alexander and the succession of Nicholas,
Nesselrode remained at the head of the Cabinet, and Pozzo di
Borgo continued Ambassador in Paris : he during this period
managed the difficult matters between Russia and Constaditino-
ple, and the excited minds of France on the affair of the Polish
tyrannies. After the conclusion of the Oriental war, he was
commissioned to visit London, and ascertain the precise state of
affairs at the Cabinet of St. James's, and in his first interviews
with the Duke of Wellington recalled to memory, after an in-
terval of eighteen years, many interesting events and per-
sonalanecdotes.

This last appointment to the embassy of Fngland was never-
theless accepted by Pozzo di Borgo with great reluctance.
Debilitated by age and illness, he cherished the hope ofclosing
his earthly career in Paris, a consummation which has just oc-
curred, and iii whose salons, during his last days, he passed
the pleasant life of a talented and ennobled man.
Pozzo di Borgn was in conversation cold and reserved : his
Corsican accent in conversation added to the effects of his wit and
satire, which, though not so easy or caustic as Talleyrand's,
was more genuine and dignified. His mind, rather than a
magazine of anecdotes, was a reservoir of annals, or rather
the breathing history of his age.

LLOYI:'S SHIPPING-(THIS DAY.)
LONDON, FEB. 18.—Wind this day at noon S.W.
DEAL, FEB. 13.—Wind A.M. S.W., P. at. N. by E. light.—
Arrd. from the River, and sailed Sir John St. Aubyn, for
the Cape. Arrd. the Gratitude, Shields, for Valparaiso ;
William Harris, do. for Jamaica.
COWES, FEB. 18.—Sailed the Nlajestic, for Bombay.
PLY MOUTH, FEB. 18.—Wind S.E.—Arrd. the Campigbelio,
from Ancona.

Ors' EASTBOURNE, FEB. 17.—Triton, Schneider, from Ba-
tavia, for Amsterdam ; Endwraght, ditto, for Middleburgh ;
Lucie, Bubruy, Batavia.
NEWHAVEN, FEB. 18.—The Patience, from Swansea to
London, was assisted in here thi. morning with loss of main-
mast, &c., having been in contact yesterday between Beachy
Head and Dungeness with the Hyderabad.
POOLE, FEB. 18 —Arrd. Brothers, Hall, Trapini. Sld.
Nelson packet, Newfoundland.

OFF DARTMOUTH, FEB. 17.—Pontiac, Parker, Charles
ton, Havre.

FALMOUTH, FEB. 17.—Wind S. S.E. to E. S.E. fresh gales.
Teviot (steamer), West Indies; Alert, Mogadore.
SCILLY, FEB. 16.—A piece of head board, marked " Wil•
Liam Pre," has been picked up. The brig sunk near Meling.
den remains in about thirteen fathoms water.

BRISTOL, FEB. 18.—Arrd. Tom Cod, late Taylor, Africa.
Sid. Lucy, Antigua.
OFF CORK, FEB. 16. Calypso, Ranstrom, Malta.
LIVERPOOL, FEB. 18. Wind variable.—Arrd. Thomas
leech, Monte Video; Pennsylvania, New Orleans; South
America, New York ; Glennessie, Lambert, Mobile ; Indefa-
tigable, Wylie, Africa, sailed from Bonny ; Dee, Cambridge,
Buenos Ayres. Sailed Grange, Jamaica ; Indian, Trinidad ;
Small and Desdemena, New Orleans ; Echo, New York ;
Albion, Adra. Arrd. off, General Washington, New Orleans ;
Vesta, Malta.

HARWICH, FEB. 18.--The Royalist, Provice, from Shields
to London, got on the Gunfleet Sand, yesterday, came off after
thrDwing overboard part of her cargo, and proceeded.
PoursttouTH, FEB. 18.—Wind E S.E.—Sld. Lusitania,
Trieste.

THE MARKETS-(THIS DAY.)

TEA MARKET.

We have still a firm Market, and a good demand. Common
Congou, Is. lOid., Is. ltd. cash; Twankay, Is. Hid. per lb.

TALLOW MARKET.

Prices firm, with a good demand:—P. Y. Candle on the
spot 48s. to 48s 3d. per cwt. For delivery there has been
more inquiry, and 495. was paid for several parcels. The
stock of Tallow is still large, and supplies of South American
continue to.,come in freely.
OIL MARKET.
_ _

Fish Oils difficult of sale, and prices are still on the decline,
Cod Oil 29/. ; Pale Seal 401. 10s. ; and Linseed Oil 345. 9d,
per cwt.