Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-03-10
THE BRITISH AND FRENCH GOVERNMENTS
THE LETTER OF LOUIS NAPOLEON

From the London Times Feb. 10.
The discussion which resumed last night in the House
OF Lords upon Lord CLANRcARDEs notion has added no.
thing the arguments and Tie facts which aVB already been
adduccd 10 many forms for and against The conduct OF The
British Government in these transactions It is 30 easy
task 10 discover bemshes after The event that Lord CLAN
RICARDO aud Lord MALMgsBuRY find no diifcuty In ndu-
cling their retrospective criticism the policy OF Tho abest
servants Crown but in substance, the OF III
Government these accusations is simple and easy The
Ministers OF the Clown entitled to say I'VE have avoid
ed long ii possible 10 avert without any sac
ce of our interests and honor; but il we are at last
compelled 10 resort 10 arms we have acquired The Certainly
that Russia is insulated and that We are prepared inc
cause about defend last year that of Turkey
II ia now that OF Europe and although the steps taken by
this country and by France have been slow TO satisfy the
ardour Of certain class OF politicians we have never ccc'
dCd from the positions successfully occupied by our dIpo-
macy and forces and shall require greater securities
for peace the longer The restoration of il s deferred hat
nnpears he and sufficient defence. We do not
sec this country the Ottoman empire has lost any.
thing by the gradual progress OF The measures taken against
Russa especially the 10 too little ad'
vanccd TO admit Of any important operations oil war Inc
next few days. however, will either give the opportunity
directing all the forces OF the Empire against the agges
sor will obtain his submission more pacific and rc'
sonabc Whatever may be said the earlier proceed
ngs OF the Government the opinion and the resolution ey
express the present position Of this question is ha when
s unanimously entertained by the county, and no part Ol
Lord CLARENDoNs speech was warmly received than
that in which he described the resolution OF the Cabinet 10
defend against Russia the general interests OF Europe
Such being the known opinions OF the Brti7h Goyern-
ment, acting in close union with that OF France we have
read will, surprise document which we publish TO-
geher with translation 10 another column being no othc!
Than addressed by the Emperor NAPcLEoS 10 The
Gar We alluded yesterday TO this communications the
terms of which then unknown u.s. and we express.
ed our disbelief of the assertion that France could in any
respect have waved the fundamental condition oil the coec
tive negotiation proposed by the Four Powers. 1t is true
however that his letter does contain some ination Of The
kind and by another expression which We did not expect
find IL, ii places the occupation OF The Principaes on
the same footing occupation OF the Black Sea, al
though The Two things are radically derentthe one being
nm
with established treaties and laws. The vague and rambling
phraseology OF this letter forms atrkng contrast to INC
skfu and precise language have hitherto admired In Inc
diplomatic correspondence OF tho French Government II
Is not indeed easy seize the meaning with which
is written. If the Emperor OF Russia ia called upon TO con
clude arms,ice cease hosties and to withdraw his
forces nm Tho PrnClpateS, ii cannot De supposed
that these terms 10 uhich he W agree Nor do we per
ccive what would DO gained by his nominating pcnpo
enary 10 negotiate with envoy OF The Sultan unles:
the Gar had made his mind ~ adop! a. prcllmnares
negotiation the terms which Turkey has already offered o
his acceptance. convention to be submitted TO confer
eucc OF the Four Powers must of course be framed on th
basis which those Powers have recommended and approved
but Russia opposes insurmountabe objections 10 that pro-
posilon and demands which the -Four Powers ha We
IN the other hand declared by formal protocol be nnd
missbe To bring these two systems 10 point oil agree
ment H. Lord CLARESpoN observed last night hopeless
task as 10 prolong Two parallel lines Till they meet. al
though therefore, this Imperial epistle apparently makes i've
rge concessions The pride Of tho Emperor NICHOLAS by
Offering TO Withdraw The fleets and by admitting The primer
plo direct negotiation between Russia and Turkey II
does in reality leave the main question just where 1t wat
before.
We know not with what degree OF authority the o
The Queen OF England has been introduced nto this species
of communc, alton from foreign Sovereign 10 mother
but we must be permitted remark that the opinions ana
Intentions OF The British Government only be made
known the world and 10 foreign Courts by our own OH
cia and tccognZ channels. The of autograph letter
or personal communications of this nature at the most i'm
oortant crisis of European question is entirely unknown
10 the habits OF the British Court the institutions Of h
country; and we convinced that neither The Queen o
EnRland Her Maestys Government have authorz
ed any foreign ruler 10 make this singular Of Her Ma
estys alleged approval of plan which still 30 imperfect
Iy defined. In all the previous communications lhi
question French and English Governments have spokel
10 Identical terms The effect but neither OF then
has depuied The other the task Of expressing its n,en
TONS In reality, this letter appears 10 be exception
the ordinary rules of diplomatic intercourse and
anticipate that it will produce any substantial results mas
much il only repeats in imperfect form the same propo
sails have already been rejected when they
ed in regular shape. What renders Ii still more sin
gular and exceptional u.s. that it appears 10 have
written until after the diplomatic relations of The TWO Court
were suspended and II will probably reach ST. Petersburg
about the time when the French Ambassador cults the cour
try
II Is possible, however, that this communication may
combine with variety Of other events occurring In tn
present week. 10 convince the Emperor NICHOLAS Of hs
traordnary and perlous position Almost al the same tim
the TWO ENJOYS Of the maritime States will have Quilted thu