Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-16
foreign Correspondence,
Paris, february l6, 1854.

The publication Of the interesting and I'M
portant communications on the eastern ques-
ton. between the French and English cabinets,
their respective ambassadors and those OF Rus
STA, has doubtless placed the American public
in possession of all the facts in reference to
this subject, at present known in France and
England The former power has. never been
deceived by Russia, and therefore is not forced
to the use of impoite terms, such as "fraudu-
lent" g cloven-foot," &C., applied by the indig-
nant, British ministry to the conduct OF Russia.
NJ. Drouyn de L'huys, the minister OF foreign at
fairs in France, has proved himself one OF the
most able, accomplished, and far-reaching d..
plomatists in Europe. Avoiding with the most
polished politeness the slightest expression OF
a feeling Of distrust which could offend the
"amom pyopre' of the halfciyilized car, new
ertheess he did not repose the slightest conf
dence in Russia's proestations of peace, but,
taking the lead in the negotiations OF the allied
powers with Russia, judged of the latter by her
acts, and step by step has checked her by coun-
ter-moves, in which England tardily acquiesced.
The movement of the Russians upon Moldavia
and Wallachia was answered by the despatch
of the French and English fleets to CONSTANT
nople. The forcible occupation of these prov
inces and the attack at Sinope were met by
the total exclusion Of the Russian feet from
the Black sea, and frank cooperation with
Turkey by the combined fleets in the support
and maintenance of her armies in Asia; and
| now, whilst the Emperor Louis Napoleon,
| sends an autograph note, under date OF the
| 29th of January last, making, with the consent
of England, a last proposition for an accomo-
dation, based upon the "amour propre," some
what sergeant of the Emperor Nicholas, the
! drums are beating in all parts of France, the
troops are assembling at places convenient for
epbarkation, and, unless a satisfactory answer
| is returned within few days, 10000 Of the
best.drilled, best-clad, and most efficient sol
diers in the world, to which England adds
| 10000, will at once embark, with the devoted
spirit of the old crusaders, not to fight for
Christianity it is true, but to rindicdte ITS ctrii.
cation on the very soil of Mahometanism.
| have had the honor Of conversiDg on this sub
iect with NJ. Drouyn de L'huys himself, and you
may rest assured that time which the Emperor
! Nicholas still wishes to secure for the compile
ton Of his preparations against the Turkish
army will not be yielded to him, as long as this
distinguished minister Of foreign affairs IN
| France, and the accomplished English ambas-
sador, Lord Cowley, retain their respective po-
sitions under the French and English govern
ments; for Lord Cowley, though warned BY M.
Drouyn de L'huys, from the first against con-
fiding in Russian protestations which were
contradicted by Russian acts, has at logth
opened his eyes. and now the ''entente" be-
tween England and France is "cordiate" in
the extreme.
/ The impression in diplomatic circles here is
that the propositions contained in the au'o-
graph letter Of the Emperor Napoleon to the
Emperor Nicholas, will either be rejected BY
the latter at once, or will be taken into con
sideration only to gain time. The Steele, il
abiding to this letter, says:
"The propositions it contains may be sum
med up thus A treaty of peace should be ne
gotated between Russia and Turkey on tn,
basis Of the Vienna note, as modified by tho
Porte. The negotiation is to take place be
tween Turkish plenipotentiary and Russian