Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-12-23

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Quoted by his majesty IN concert Within
Allies. - ~ .i6 ,.>,s-
During their proceedings, a ministers,
| sent by the Emperor Russia TO treat for
the same important object, in concert with
his majesty's government, was induced by
the artiticesof the enemy, to sign separate
treaty, on terms equally rerugaant to the
honour and interest of his imperial ma.
ijesty. =
No sooner had this basis been mutually
admitted, than it was departed from by the
enemy, and that too in points of so great
Importance as to call for an immediate
ec!aration on the part of his majesty, that
unless the principle proposed by France
her elf were adhered to, the commune
cation which had been opened between
the two Governments must at once be clo-
| sed.
This produced new professions of the
disposition OF France to make considerable
sAcrihces for the attainment of peace, if
the discussions were suffered to proceed
at the same time that difficulty was stated
on account ofthe want of full powers in the
persen instructed by his majesty with this
communication. Steps ware thcreupon ia
zen by his majesty for opening regular
negotiation by Ministers duly authorised,
IN order to ascertain in manner the most
satisfactory and authentic, whether peace
Could he obtained on terms honorable to
, the king and his Allies, and consistent with
the general security of Europe.
Unmoved by this unexpected event, the
King continued to negotiate precisely OH
tne same principles as before. He relied,
with confidence which experience has
amply justified, on the good faith and stea,
oiness OF an Ally, in concert with whom he
had begun to treat, and whose interest he
had ma'ntairet throughout Will, the same
firmness as his own.
The French Government, on the contra.
ry, GATED by this advantage, of which il
ooasted as equal in irnportace to the most
decis We victory, departed in every confer
ehce more and mere widely from its own Of,
iers and engagements. Not ONLY did IL take
upon itself to change at its own will the ba-
SIS OF the Negotiation with Great Britain.
but 1t violated, in points still more lmpor-
taht, every principle of coed faith with Rus
sia. he Chief inducemeht offered to that
power rs the price Of all her sacrifices ex-
torted from her Minister, had been the pre-
| servation ct Germany. Yet, before the de-
cision of Russia on this Treaty could he
known, France had already annihilated the
whole OF the constitution Of the German
empire; had reduced under her own woke
large provision OF the states ard proyin-
ces OF Germany and, not content with this
open contempt of obligations so recently
contracted, had at the same time instigated
the Porte to measures directly subyersiye
of her subsistiDg engagements with Rnss;a
Whlle such conduct was pursued towards
ms Majesty, towards his Allies, and towards
All independent powers, there appeared so
ittie nope OF any favorable issue to the ne
SociatIon, that his Majesty's Pienipcecn,ia-
res demanded their passports to retnrn 10
England.
his demand was at first elucied by an nm
9snai and unexplained delay and the
french government afterwards, by some
material concessions, accom- panied with in.
umatIcns that others of still, greater conse-
quencc might be the result of further dis
cussion, procured a renewal of the confer
ences, which were protracted from dav To
day, till at length it was announced at Paris
that the Emperor OF Russia had Indignantly
rejected the unautho".sed and separate
treaty signed by his minister.
IN consequence of this important event,
the strongest assurances were given to his
maJesty's minister, that France was now
prepared to make sacrifices to great ex-
tent, in order, by securing peace with Great
britain, to re-cstablish the tranquility of the
world.
The object Of these assurances appeared
however, to be, thatofengaging his M ies-,
ty IN q separate negotiation, to the exclu-
SION e his Allies; a proposal which his
MAJESTY had rejected in the outset, and
winch lie could sti!lles admit of at a time
when the conduct of Russia had imposed
on nm an increased obligation not to sepa.
rate his interests from these of so faithful
an Ally. Tie these insidious oyertures
ms Majesty steadily refused to listen
Dnt ne took the most effectual method
10 avoid all appearance Of delay, and to ac-
ceieT C, 1t possible, the favorable issue of
the negotiation. The confidential inter
course which he had constantly maintained
with Russia, enabled his Majesty to specify
the terms on which peace with that bower
might be obtained; and his Minister was
accordingly instructed to state to France. in
aodition to his own demands, those oe his
Ally; to reduce them into distinct articles,
ana even to conclude on those grounds a
provisional treaty, totakc effect whenever
Russia should signify her accession.
This form of negotiating was, after some
objection, acceded to by France Term,
were now offered to his Majesty more nesrD
~ approaching than before to the original
basis OF negotiation; but these were e,dJ
iar short OF what his Majesty had uniformIg
insisted on and was now more than ever en-
titled to expect; and the decisive re;ec,;or,
or inc Just demand of Russia, as well as Of