Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-04-17
Russia & Englana-soo,et correspo,deno.

Among the Intelligence BY the late Eu-
foPean steamer, is a lengthy AID interest
ing correspondence between the British
Munster at ST. Petersburg, in January, 10.
%, 5lr u. Ii. Seymour, and the British
Government in which the views of Eng
land and Russia upon the Turkish oues.
ton, al that time are Sc. forth with cons,d-
cradle elcarncss-thc British Niuistr, bav-
ing had numerous interviews with tn.
Gar upon the subject. The Gar iaauc-
ed 81: George to meet him personally ON
two or three occasions to talk the matter
over.
In 1874, ii appears chat Coun. NcsseI-
rode drew up memorandum, laying down
the principles which should govern Great
Britain and Russia in their conduct to-
wards Turkey. They were TO maintain
the Independence Of that county and her
existing territorial possessions; and not al
low the Porte to play off the different
States of Europe against one another. but
to maintain, as FIR as possible, the unanim.
lily OF tic representatives of the foreign
powers; without assaming the character
0. exclusive aseendency. For nearly ten
years ;,a;sse principles were observed, but
Il lamar, 1913, the Gear intimated to-
Sir G.. II. Seymour ;:o .,.r,s. .'s
minister at ST. Petersburg, his conviction
that Turkey was OH the verge ofruin, ana
it was very important that England ands
Russia should come to perfectly good
understanding on these affairs, and that.
neither should take any decided step OF
which the other is not apprised. Turkey,
according to the Gar, was .ssick mana
very sick man." and it would be a great
misfortune TO Europe if he were to slip off
without dsposing properly of his effects.
as his dear friend desired. 1--WE cannot
says the Gar, "recusitate what is dead
II the Turkish Empire falls, it falls to rise
no more. And pat it to you, therefore,
whether it is not better to be provided be-
forehand for contingency; than TO incur
the chaos confusion and the certainty of
an European war, all of which must attend
the catastrophe il it should occur unex-
peeteely, aud before some Interior system.
has been sketched''
l. The British Minister suggested that a
great dissemination might be expected in
England to disposing by anticipation of an
old friend and ally" The Emperor ad-
mitted this might be so. but said, frankly.
that if Eng land thinks of ever establishing
herself at Constantinople, he would not al
low it. He was equally disposed to enter
Into an engagement not to establish him
sell there as proprietor )" but if every
thing were left to chance, circumstances
might compel him to occupy" CONSTANT,
Eople. He must keep his word as SOW
ereisn, and protect the Greek Church
but negotiation would probably be sufli-
cient TO do So. These facts being commu-
nieated to Lord John Russell, the latter
suggested that an agreement beforehand,
made with view to Turkeys dissolution,
would probably hasten it. Austria and
France could not in fairness, be kept in
ignorance OF the transaction, nor would
sucl a conceament be consistent with the
end OF preventing al European war. a
conflict would arise from the very means
taken TO prevent it; for, neither England
nor France, nor probably Austria, would
be content to see Constan.inople permant-
nehty III the hands Of Russia. On the part
OF Great Britain, her Majesiy's Govern
ment declared that they renowned all IN
tention or wish to hold Constantnople.-
lie also gave an assurance that Great Brit
ain will enter into no agreement to pro-.
vide ioi the contingency OF the fall of Tur-
key, without previous communication
with the Emperor offaussia.
February Il, the Emperor again spoke
to Sir q. II, Seymour about the "dying
man, and the necessity of some under.
standing. R4ther than submit 10 Constan.
tihepic being held b. English, French, or
any great nation. or any attempt to restrict
byzantine Empire, or any extension Of
Greece as would render her powerful
s'ate--or any breaking up of Turkey into
lltt!e Republics, ssylums for Koss,l,hs and
Mazzinis, would go TO war as long as he,
had man aad mus.et left to carry it Oh.
lht French Government appeared 10 be
desifoas OF einbroilins them all in the East,
with view TO get Tunis. A he want
ed was good understanding with the En-
glish, he cared nothing about the rest
The British Minister said "your Majesty
has forgotten Austria The Emperor said,
"'ehea speak Of Russia, speak Of aus.
tria as yell; tyhat suits The one, suits TIE
other; om interests as regards Turkey are
perfectly Identical" 1t was at this inter-
view tina, the Emperor proposed the d.
vision Il Turkey tetween Russia aud Great
Britain as follows:
Gin the event Of the dissolution of the
Ottoman Empire, he thoughtit might be
less difficult to arrive at satisfactory ter
ntoriai arrangement than was commonly
believed. The Prncipalities are he
said in fact an independent State. under
my protection this might so continue
Seivia might receive the same government.
So, again, with Bulgaria. There seems to
be no reason why this province should nos
form an independent State. AS to Egypt,
| quite understand the importance 10
England OF that territory. can then on
ly say. that if, in the event of distr,bu-
ton OF the Ottoman succession upon the
fall Of the Empire, you should take pos
session OF Egypt, shall have no objections
to offer. would say the same thing of
Gambia that Island might suit you, and
DO not know why it should not become an
English possession"
These proposals were replied to by
Lord Clarendon, who said that the British
government would adhere to the prinei-