The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-10-15
LonDoS. Aug. 20.


The opinion thai good understanding
subsists between the Russian government *
our own seems every day to receive new con-
firmation. ~
Mr.. 6. a British subject, who had re sided
Tor some time in St. Petersbureh is lust ar
rived IN England, from the Russian capt.
tai, by the special permission of the govern !.
ment; and will be allowed to return again
the moment he arranged the business which
has occasioned his visit to this country
lhis gentleman has communicated to
nus friends the Impression which was re
morally felt at St. Petersburgh as to the ami-
cable disposition of the emperor Alexander
towards this country. The fact. however,
which is most confidently averred, & which
there appears. no reason to dispute Of more
than 200 ships from England having en-
tered the ports ct Russia, in spite of the re-
o'on>rances Of the French gov; rament
SLOWS that the emperor Alexander, either
from necessity or choice, has de parted from
the system planned for him by his ally at
Ersnrth. which was to cripple the power Of
England oy the exclusion of her commerce.
mar. u. also states thatthe quantity of Co
ion'ai produce which the above ships con .
veyed TO Russia was SO considerable. as to
occasion a temporary glut IN the matkets.
aud very considerably to reduce the prices:
AT the time OF his leaving ST. Petersburph.
on one sentiment prevailed as to the gro
oaolli'y OF war between France and Rus
s'a. Inc exchang, was then at l5d
from anoher quarter, of respe ctable au
thority, Is stated, that the point immedi-
ateiy under discussion between the two DOW
ers, rs the possession of the ports of Riga
and keveE Bonaparte is said 70 have de-
manded them precHel on the same plea
ON which he seized Stetin, Colberg and the
other frussian ports. as being necessary to
the completion Of the :" continen,a system 20
and without which England would never
zee compelled to accept a maritime peace.
81 necessary to; the repose of the world -
bonaparteS application to the Russian en-
Peror on this head was accompanied & en-
FORCED by statement of what he himself
mad accomplished that he had shut out
the English from the ports of the Adriatick k;
IRON the Elbe and The Weser. English
commerce was entirely excluded from all
tue ports Of his own dominicns, and thos.
OF MS confederates, ina certain degree 20
the temporary detriment of his own subjects:
and 1t now only remained for the emperor
Alexander to afiix his seal to this vast plan
oy Closing his ports in the Baltic. the only
iniets, he regretted TO say which were at
present open to the English.
All this general Lauriston was instructed
to press upon the attention of the courl of
81. fetersburgh and also to say, that hi.
| master by no means doubted the good will
OF the emperor. but rather the ability of his
government, which was too weak to carry
into execution the iuil intentions of his ma
lJesty. On this ground it was, that the
r ench government sought the possession of
the two ports in question, and also as a qua.
rantee that the system Of exclusion should
De followed up to its utmost extent.
A compliance with these demands would
have been equivalent to entire submission !:
aud that Russia has rejected them is eyi,
dent J. now remains to be seen whether
the enemy will attempt to carry them into
effect by force.