The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-04-13
NO %.


have duty to perform as Sovereign.
As Christian, | am ready to comply
with the precepts of religion. On the
present occasion, my great duty is to at
tend to the interests and honor of my
country
TIE Deputation then remarked, that as
their mission was not of a political char
actcr, but intended simply to convey to
the Emperor the sentiments of their own
Society, as a religious body, they did not
feel it to be their place to enter into any
of the questions involved in the present
dispute; but, with the Emperor's permis-
sion, they would be glad to call his at
tention specially to few points.
They said that they and many others
in their own country had incurred the
dlsfavor Of the supporters of the present
military system, by advocating the set
tlemcnt of international disputes By arbi-
tration. They also remarked that seeing
that whilst Mahometanism avowcdly JUS
ti6es the employment Of the sword in pro-
pagating its doctrines, Christianity is en-
phaticalIy a religion of peace, there ap-
peared with reference to the present dis
pute) Z peculiar porpriety in Christian
Emperor exercising fOrbearance and for
: giyencss; and they added that. in the e.
ycntof European war, amongstthe thous-
aIds who would be its victims, those who
were the principal causes Of it would
probably not be the greatest sufferers, bCt
that the heaviest calaaities would fall on
innocent men with their wives and chill
dren.
The Emperor, before quitting the a
pagtment, informed the deputation that
the Empress was desirous of seeing them.
They were, accordingly, at once introdu-
ced to the Empress and to the Grand
Duches olga, with whom they had an a
greeabla interview.
The Geputation were Subsequently in
formed through Baron Nicolay, that the
Emperor desired to transmit to the Soci-
ETY. Of Friends written reply to their ad-
dress; Which was accordingly forwarded
to them previous to their departure
from Pvtersburgh. \ copy of this docu-
ment, is subjoined.
(Signed)
joseph STRUGE, of Birmingham,
ROBERT CHABLEToN, of Bristol,
HENRY PEAsE, of Darlington.
L0Ha2H, 25tt Second m03ith, 1854
GopE og sgse EE1peror's Reply"
His Majesty, the Emperor, has receiv-
ed, with lively satisfaction, the address
presented by the dcputation from the So
ciety Of Friends, as the expression of SEN
timents entirely cousonant with those by
which he Is himself animated. His Maj
esty, as well as themselves, has horror
Of war, and sincerely desires the mainte-
nance Of peace. Iu order to preserve it
he is ready to forget personal insults and
offences, to be the first to offer his hand
to his enemies, ond to make all conces-
sions compatible with bis honor His
Majesty will not attack; he will only de-
fend himself, and viii be always disposed
to listen to the offers Of peace.
The Emperor deeply regrets the exist
ing condition Of affairs, and casts It's re-
sponsibility far from him. He has al
ways desired to maintain a good under
standing with England. lie has a sin
cere affection for the Queen, whom he es-
teens a as sovereign,a "a woman, wife and
a mother; and he has given her unequiy-
ocal proofs of lis codfdence and regard.
His Majesty repuaiates all ambitious de-
signs OF conquest, or Of unjust interfer-
ence with the affairs of Turkey. lie
claims from that power nothing more than
he has a right to demand by virtue Of ex-
pllcit treaties concluded By his predeceS-
sora and himself The bond which unites
Russia with her co-religioniSts IN the
East, has existed 900 years. 1t was thro'
the ancient Greek Empire that Christi
auity came to US; and from that time a
constant community between Russia and
the Byzantine Empire to its fail. Since
Russia freed herself from the Tartar yoke
she constantly labored to melorate the
condition OF her co-relgioni>ts; and in
these labors' she has been successful
She cannot refuse her religious sympathy
with them, or renounce a legitimate iudu-
ence, acquired at the price OF her pco-
pies blood But the Emperor demands
nothing more. He asks nothing from the
Turks; and be would be happy to see
England render entire justice to the mo-
tiyes by which he has been actuated. lie
does not believe that he has ever given
her the least cause of complaint; and he
appeals to the testimony Of all English
residents in his country, who, as his
Majesty is convinced, will not hesitate
to declare that they have always been
well satisfied with the treatment they have
cxperienced'in Russia.
(Signed) NEssELRoDE,
RetcrsJugh, l3H Of february, 1851.
*This reply was given i'll the French Ian
guage, hat is translated by the editor o. the
Review for the benefit OF his readers.