The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-15

CJPROPOSIIYO.N OFPE.aCE BETVEE.N
FRANCE AND ENGLAND.
COPY OF A LETTER y
addressed by The (French Minister of
Foreign .itafrs, TO Lord CAsrLEREAGH.
Secretary Of STATE for Foreign .16airs 10
ais BrifGanic 1N9iesty.
PARIS, April IL, 1912.
Sir,-His Majesty. constantly actuated by
sentiments friendly to moderation & peace,
As pleased again to make solemn and sin :
cere attempt to put an end to the miseries
OF war. The awful circumstances in which
the world is at present placed, have induced
u resolulion in the mind of his Majesty, the
result OF which has been, to authorize me
TO explain to you, Sir, his views and inten-
tons. Many changes have taken place in
Europe for the last ten years, which have
been the necessary consequence of the war
between France and England, and MANY
more changes will be effected by the same
cause. The particular character which
the war has assumed. may add to the extent
and duration OF these results. Exclusive &
arbitrary principles cannot be combatted
but by an opposition without measure or
end and the system of preservation and re-
sistance should have the same character of
universality, perseverance and vigor. The
peace OF .AmieHs. if it had been observed
would have prevented much confusion.
heartily wish that the experience of the
past may not be lost for the future. His
Majesty has often stopped when the most
certain triumphs lay before him, and turned
round to invoke peace. In 1905, secure as
he was by the advantages of his situation,
and spite OF the confidence which he might
reasonably feel in anticipations which for
tune was about to realize, he made propo-
Gals to his Britannia Majesty, which were
rejected, on the ground that Russia shcald
be consulted. In 1903, new proposals were
made, in concert with Russia. ENGLAND al
Dedged the necessity of an intervention
which could be do more than the re
suit OF the negotiation itself. In 1910, his
Majesty having clearly Niscerned that the
BIRTHS Orders in Council of 1907, rendered
the conduct or the war incompatible with
the Independence of Holland, caused indi-
rect overtures TO be made towards procur-
ing the return OF peace. They were fruit
less, and the consequence was that new pro-
vinces were united to the empire. ..
In the present time are to be found united
all the circumstances of the various periods
at which his Majesty manifested the pacific
sentiments which he now orders me again
to declare that he is actuated by.
The calamities under which Stain. and
the vast regions of Spanish america suffer,
should naturally excite the interest of all ma :
tions, u inspire them with an equal anxiety
Cor their termination.
Twill express myself. Sir. in a manner
winch your Exccllency will find conforma-
bic to the sincerity of the step which, am
authorized to take {; and nothing will bet
ter evince the sincerity and sublimity of il
than the precise terms of the language which
have been directed to use. What views
and motives should induce me to envelope
myself III formalities suitable to weakness,
which alone can fud it's interest in deceit
The Affairs of the Peninsula, and the two
StcfAes are the points Of difference which
appear least to admit OF being adjusted. i
sm authorised to propose toyou an arrange
Mens OF them on the following basis:
The integrity of Sitain shall be guaran-
iced. France shall renounce all idea of ex-
tending her dominions beyond the Pyrenees
dependent, and Stain shall be governed by
National Constitution of her Cortes.
The independence and integrity of Por-
fngat shall be also guaranteed, and the
House OF 6raSaaza shall have the Sovereign
authority. .. -
The Kingdom of Naples shall remain in
possession OF the present Monarch, and the
Kingdom of Sicily shall be guaranteed to
the present family of Sicity.-As a conse-
quence OF these stipulations, Sfaim, Portugal
and Sicily, shall be, evacuated by the French
and English land and naval forces. With
respect TO the other objects of of discussion,
they may be negotiated upon this basis, that
each power shall retain that of which the
other could not deprive it by war.
Such are, Sir, the grounds. of Cancellation
offered by his Majesty to His Royal High
ness the Prince Regent. His Majesty the
Emperor and King, in taking this step, does
not look either to the advantages or losses
which this Empire may derive from the
war, if it should be prolonged he is infiu-
'enced simply, by the considerations of the
interests of humanity, and the peace Of his
people, and if this fourth attempt should not
be attended with success, like those which
have preceded it, France will at least have
the consolation of thinking, that whatever
blood may yet flow, will be justly impu-
table to England alone.--I have the no.
Dor, &c.
(Signed) TIE DUKE or BASSANO.
No. TX.
Cehy Of the .dnswer of Lord CASTLE.
REACH, Secretary Of State for Foreign