Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-03-10
Letter from the Emperor of France to the Car
of Russia.

hrosd we have the positive assurance that Mich.
olas has refused 10 adopt the suggestion of Louis
Napoleon, communicated through an autograph
letter. The transmission of such letter has
been heretofore denied. but the Nashville brought
a translated copy of it, and the comments of the
British press authenticate it beyond question
The refusal to accept the proposals with which
1t concludes leaves no alternative. but an appeal
TO arms--a result for which the tenor of late
adyices has fully prepared us. Annexed is the
letter Of the French Emperor:
PALACE or THE rUILERIns' Jan %. 1851
SIRE The difference which has arisen be-
tween your Majesty and the Ottoman Porte has
assumed such grave aspect. that think IT right
myself 10 explain directly 10 your Majesty the
part which France has taken IN this question
and the means which suggest themselves Ia me
in order to avoid the dangers which menace the
tranquility of Europe
The note which your Majesty has just sent to
nv government. and 10 that of Queen Victoria,
endeayors to prove that ii the system of
pressure adopted from the commencement by the
two maratime Powers which alone involved the
question in bitterness. On the contrary, accor-
ding to my view, the matter would have contin-
ued cabinet question II the occupation OF the
two Prineipalites had not suddenly transferfedit
from the region Of discussion to that OF fact-
had entered Wallacha, advised the Porte not
to consider that occupation a a warlike act, thus
proving cur extreme desire for Cancellation. Al
ter had consulted with England, Austria and
Prussia, proposed TO your Majesty note, de-
signed TO give satisfaction 10 all. Your Majesty
accepted Il. We had hardly, however, been in
formed of this good news when your Minister
by explanatory mentaries, destroyed all the
cenciliatnry effects of il, and thus prevented us
from insisting at Constantinopo upon its pure
and simple adoption. The Porte, for its own
part. suggested some notifications in the note,
to which the representatives of the four Powers
at Vienna were not indsposed TO agree. They
were not, however, agreed to by your Majesty.
1t was then that the Porte, wounded in its dig
nifty, its independence threatened and being
compelled TO raise army to oppose that of
your Majesty, preferred 10 declare rather
than remain in state Of uncertainty aud humi-
lity. The Porte had claimed our support; the
cause of the Porte appeared to US 10 be Just !
one, and the English and French squadrons were
therefore ordered 10 the Bosphorus.
Our attitude in reference to Turkey was that |
of protector but il passive. We did not |
incite her TO war We increasingly addressed 10 |
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,
ooniented yourself wi h repulsng from the left
bank of the Danube, as in Asia, the attacks of
the Turks and, with the moderation worthy of
the chef of great empire, your Majesty de
clared that you would act on the defensive. Up !
20 that period then, were may say inter
ested spectators, but simply spectators of the
dispute, when the affair of Snopo compelled us
TO take more decisive part. France and Eng
land had not thought il necessary to send troops
TO the assistance of Turkey Their flags. there-
fore were not engaged in the conflicts which
took place upon land. But at sea il was very
different. There were at the entrance to the l3os
phorus 1900 guns the existence of which pro-
claimed loudly enough TO Turkey TINT the two
leading maritime Powers would MT allow her 10
be attacked by The affair at Sinope was for
us as painful il unexpected; Tor it mat
tiers little to us whether not the Turks wished
10 convey munitions of war to the Russian terri
tory. In fact, Russian ships attacked Turkish
vessels in the waters of Turkey while those yes
sells were riding quietly ut anchor in Turkish
port. The Turkish vessels were DESTROYED IN
spite of the assurance that there was no wish to
commence an aggressive war, and in spite of the
vicinity of our squadrons.
1t was no longer our policy which received
check, it was our military honor. The sound of
the cannon sho. at Sinope reverberated pain ally
IN the hearts of all those who in England and in
France respect national dignity. There Was n
general participation in the sentiment that where
ever our cannon can reach allies ought to be
respected Out of this feeling arose the order
given TO our squadrons to enter the Black Sea,
and TO prevent by force, if necessary, the recur-
renee of a similar event Thence the col
leotiye notification sent to the cabinet at st. Pc
tersburg, announcing that if we prevent the
Turks from making an aggressive war upon the
coasts of Russia, we would also protect the Turks
upon their own territory As to the Russian fleet
in prohibiting its navigation of the Black Sea-
we placed it upon different condition, because
II was important during the war to preserve a
guarantee equivalent in force to the occupation
OF the Turkish territory, and thus facilitate the
conclusion OF peace by having the power of ma
king desirable exchange.
Such, Sire, is the real result and statement
of the facts 1t is clear that having arrived at
this point, they must either bring about definite
understanding decided rupture.
Your Majesty has given so many proofs of
your solcitude for the tranquility of Europe, and
by your benehcent influence have powerfully
arrested the spirit of disorder, that cannot doubt
as to the course you will take in the alternative
which presents itself to your choice. Should
your Majesty be DESTROYS as myself of pacif-
ic 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 beg-
erent forces shall return from the places to which
motives of war have led theml
Thus the Russian troops would abandon the
Prinolpalities and our squadrons the Black Sea.
Your Majesty, preferring TO treat directly with
Turkey, might appoint an ambassador, who could
negotiate with plenpotentary of the Sultan
convention which might be submitted To n confer
ence OF the -Four Powers. Let your Majesty n