Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-03-18
Louis Napoleon's Letter.

| from the Emperor OF france u JIG o|"A VI
| Russia, was originally published in the Paris
Moniteur Of the l4th ultimo:
PALACE OF THE TUlLERIEs, Jan. 20.
Ere-The difference which has arisen between
your Majesty and the Ottoman Porte has as
sumed such grave aspect, that l think it right
myself to explain directly to your Majesty the
part which France has taken in this question,
and the means which suggest themselves to me
in order to aviod the dangers which menace the
tranquility of Europe.
The note which your Majesty has just sent to
nv Government, and to that of Queen Victoria,
endeayors to prove that it was the system OF
pressure adopted from the commencement by
the two maritime powers which alone involved
the question in bitterness. On the contrary,
according to my view, the matter would have
continued a Cabinet question, If the occupation
of the two principalities had not suddenly trans
ferred it from the region of discussion to that OF
| fact Nevertheless, although your Majestys
troops had entered Wallachia, we advised the
! Porte not to consider that occupation as a war
like act, thus proving our extreme desire for
Cancellation. After 1 had consulted with En-
1 gland, Austria, and Prussia, proposed to your
Majesty note, designed to give satisfaction to
all. Your Majesty acceptedit. We had hardly,
however, been informed of this good news when
your Minister, by explanatory commentaries,
destroyed all the conciiatory effects of it, and
thus prevented us from insisting at Constantl-
nople upon it's pure and simple adoption. The
| Porte, for its own part, suggested some modih-
cations in the note to which the representatives
| of the four powers at Vienna were not disposed
| to agree. They were not, however, agreed to
by your Majesty It was then that the Porte,
wounded in its dignity, its independence threat
ened, and being compelled SO raise an army to
oppose that of your Majesty, preferred to de-
clare war rather than remain in a state of un-
certainty and humility. The Porte had claimed
our supports the cause of the Porte appeared
to. us to be a just one, and the English and
French squadrons were therefore ordered to the
Bosphorus. .-.z. ...s. .......
Our attitude in reference to Turkey was that
of protector, but it was passive. We did not
incite her to war. We increasingly addressed
to the ears of the Sultan the advice of peace and
moderation, persuaded that this was the best
mode of coming to an agreement, and the four
powers consulted together again, and submitted
to your Majesty some other propositions Your
Majesty on your part, exhibiting the calmness
which arises from the consciousness of strength,
contented yourself with repulsing from the left
bank of the Danube, as in Asia, the attacks OF
Turks; and, with the moderation worthy of the
chief of great Empire, your Majesty declared
that you would act on the defensive. Up to
that period, then, we were, may say, interested
spectators, but simply spectators, of the dis
pute, when the affair of Sinope compelled us to
takea more decisive part. France and England
had not thought it necessary to send troops to
the assistance of Turkey. Their flag, therefore,
place upon land. But at sea it was very diff
ferent. There were at the entrance to the Bos-
phorus 1000 guns, the existence Of which pro-
claimed loudly enough to Turkey that the two
leading maritime powers would not allow her
to be attacked by sea. The affair at Sinope was
for us as painful as it was unexpected; for it
matters little to us whether or not the Turks
wished to convey munitions Of war to the Rus
sian Territory. -,. al ....5. -.,-....s--.r ss.-
In fact, Russian ships attacked Turkish YES
sells in che waters of Turkey, while these vessels
were riding quietly at anchor in Turkish port.
The Turkish vessels were destroyed in spite OF
the assurance that there was no wish to COM
mence an aggressive war; and in spite Of the
vicinity Of our squadrons. It was no longer our
policy which received o check, 1T was our
military honor. The sound of the cannon shot
at Sinope reyerberated painfully in the hearts
Of all those who in England and France respect
national dignity. There was general partl-
cipation in the sentiment that wherever our can
non can reach our allies ought to be respected.
Out of this feeling arose the order given to our
SQu1OfODS 10 GuCer the DI8CA SCS, uIiU "
by force if necessary, the recurrence OF Similar
event. Thence arose the collective notification
sent to the Cabinet of St. Petersburg, antiounc-
ing that if we prevented the Turks from making
an aggressive war upon the coast Of Russia, we
would also protect the Turks upon their own
territory As to the Russian feet, In prohibit
ing its navigation of the Black Sea, we placed
it upon different condition, because it was inn
portant during the war to preserve guarantee
equivalent in force to the occupation OF the
Turkish territory, and thus facilitate the con-
clusion of peace by having the power Of making
desirable exchange. sst s,,.a 20 z-i. f.i o5ss
!. Such, sire, is the result and statement of
the facts. It is clear that, having arrived at
this point, they must bring about either de-
finite understanding decided rupture. p
Your Majesty has given so many proofs Of
your solicitude for the, tranquility of Europe,
and by your benifcent influence has SO power
fully arrested the spirit Of disorder, that can
not doubt as to the course you will take in the
alternative which presents itself to your choice.
Should your Majesty be as DESTROYS as myself
of pacific conclusion, what would be more
simple than to declare that an armistice shall
now be signed, that things shall resume their
diplomatic course, that all hostilities shall cease,
and that the beligerent forces shall return from
the places to which motives Of war have led
them ..,f as55,t.,y ~. ,faa s.l.aJ,
Thus the Russian troops would abandon the
principalities, and our squadrons on the Black
Sea. Your Majesty, prefering to treat directly
with Turkey, might appoint an Ambassador,
who could negotiate with plenipotentiary of
the Sultan a convention which might be sub
mitted to a conference Of. the four powers. Let
your Majesty adopt this plan, upon which the
Queen Of England and myself are perfectly
agreed, and tranquility will be reestablished
ond tho world satisfied 81 sesf Hi'usf ,titfN'7ts
There is nothing in the plan which is un-
worthy of your esty-nothing which can
wound your honor; but it, from motive diff
fcult to understand, your Majesty should refuse
this proposal, then France, as we'll as England,
will be compelled to leave to the fate Of arms
and the chances of war, that which might now
be decided by reason and justice. e'.,s;rast
Let not your Majesty think that the least
animosity can enter my heart. I feel no other
sentiments.than those expressed by your Ma
jesty yourself in your letter Of the 18th of
january, 1853, in which you write. '.0ur re-
lations ought to be sincerely amicable, based as
they are, upon the same intentions-the main
tenance Of order, the love Of peace, respect for
treaties, and reciprocal geod feeling" This
programme is worthy Of the sovereign who
traced it. and I do not hesitate to declare that