Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-04-28

ihorzing him in certain specified
contingencies to send for the British
nce,, was dated the 3lst Of May,
aud the order sent direct from Eng
land, to Her Majesiy's Admiral to
proceed 10 the neighborhood Of the
Dardanellcs, was dated the 81 Of
June.
The determination to occupy the
Pnncipalitics was therefore taken
before the orders for the advance OF
the combined squadron were gwen.
The Sultan's Minister was inform
ed that unless he signed within a
week, aud without the change of a
word, the Nole proposed to the
Porte b. Prince Menschikof on the
eve of his departure from Constant
inople, the Prin,ipaliiIes of Moldavia
and Wallachia would be occupied by
Russian troops. The Sultan could
not accede 10 SO insulting demand ;
but, when the actual occupation OF
the PrincipalIlies took place, the
Sultan did not, as he might have
done in the exercise OF his undoubt-
ed right, declare war, but addressed
"a protest to his allies.
Her Majesty, in conjunction with
the soverelgns of Austria, France,
and Prussia, has made various al
tempts to meet any Just demands of
the Emperor Of Russia, without az
feclina the dignity aud Independence
of the Suit n; and, had II been
the sole object of RUSSIA 10 obtain
security for the enjoyment by the
Christian subjects Of The Porte of
their privileges and immunliles, she
would have found it IN the offers that
have been made by the Sultan. But,
as that security was not offered in
the shape of a special and separate
stipulation with Russia, il was reject
ed. Twice has this offer been made
10y the Sultan, and recommended by
the -Four Powers, once by Note
originally prepared at Vienna, and
subsequently modified by the Porte,
once by the proposal of bases of ne
gotialion agreed upon al Constantln-
ople on the Bis of December. and
approved at Vienna on The 3lst of
JanIa as offering to the two par
ties the means of arriving at an un-
ders,anding in a becoming and hon
orable manner.
1t is thus manifest that right for
Russia TO interfere in the ordinary
relations of Turkish subjects TO their
Sovereign, and not the happiness of
Christian communities in Turkey,
was the object sought for by the Rus
sian Government TO such demand
the Sultan would not submit, and
His Highness, in self-defence declar-
ed war upon Russia, bui Her Males
ty, nevertheless, in conjunction with
her allies, has not ceased her en-
deavors 10 restore peace between the
contendlng parties.
The time has, however, now arriv-.
ed when, the advice and remonsfran-
ces of the Four Powers having prov
ed wholly Intellectual, and the mill
tary preparations of Russia becoming
daily more extended, il Is but too OBJ
obvious that the Emperor of Russia
has entered upon course of policy
which, if unchecked, must lead To the
destruction of the Ottoman empire.
In this conluncture Her Majesty
feels called upon, by regard for an
ally, the integrity and Independence
of whose empire have been recogniz.
ed as essential TO the peace of Eu-
rope, by The sympaihies Of her peo-
pie with right against wrong, by a
desire To avert from her dominiohs
most injurious consequences, and 10
save Europe from the preponderance
of a Power which has violated the
faith of treaties, aud eties the opn-
ion Of the civilized world, to take up
arms, in conjunction with the EnIe
ror of the French, for the defence Of
the Sultan.
Her Majesty is persuaded that in
so acting she win have the cordial
support of her people and that the
preiext of zeal for the Christian relg-
ion will be used in vain TO cover an
aggression undertaken in disregard
of IFS holy precepis, and of It's pure
and benehcent spirit.
Her Majesty humbly trusts that her
efforts may be successful, and that
by the blessing of Providence, peace
may be re-eslablished on safe and
solid foundations.
WESTMINSTER, March %, 1854.