The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-09

CT OCCdSlOH WneH nc WIS tAptCLcu TT Auiu
Tscheorne, the residence of the Grand Vizier,
where he was to have an interview with many
of the highest Turkish dignitaries, he was seen
on board his magnificent steamer, passing the
palace where he was expected, and landing at
Besehilu Tasch, the residence of the Sultan
himself as if he had forgotten the place which
had been assigned to him by the Grand Vizier,
but in reality to oblige the Sultan to admit
him to new audience, which he had been re-
fused, on account of the alleged or real illness
OF that Prince. He did not hesitate in address
ing some reproaches to the Sultan, and in giving
him the advice I" to consult all such persons
who were able to inform him of.the consequent
ces which would follow upon his refusal to sub
init to the demands Of the Gar" Having pro-
nounced these words in a rather loud voice aud
with much vehemence, Mentschikoff returned to
his steamer, but, instead of directing it to pro-
coed back to Bujukdere, he ordered it to remain
at anchor before the gates and windows of the
imperial palace, as if wishing that the Sultan,
while meditating what answer to return, should
have within his sight a memento of the Russian
fleet, which was but few days sailing distant
from Constantinople.
The whole conduct of Mentschikoff was of
so provoking and insulting a character as to
make it generally believed, especially by the
foreign ambassadors at Constantinope, that
he had exceeded his Instructions After de-
claring that he could have no farther official
communications with the Turkish Government,
he nevertheless continued to communicate of
ficially with the Dican and after announcing
the day on which he was to depart, he remain
ed beyond that time still full twelve days, at
Bujukdere, on board of his steam frigate, which,
indeed during his whole stay at Constantine
pie, he made to play very conspicuous part.
The ambassadors of the other great European
Powers, who had made several successful at
tempts at mediating between him and the Gov
eminent of Turkey, adopted, meanwhile, new
conditions of reconciliation, which, by the hands
of one among themselves, the Austrian Charge
d'Affaires, ron Kietzl, they offered to Mentschi-
koff for acceptance. But he returned prompt
refusal, and in the night between the 2lst and
22d of May, 1853, he departed from the shores
of the Bosphorus.
hastened by his pride and overbearing conduct
the rupture between Russia and Turkey, he
must ere this have perceived his folly, and
deeply repented the share he took in causing
the outbreak of war, which has shown the
vanity of all human calculations, at the same
time as it must have had the effect of convinc
ing himself how much he over-rated the real
power of his master. But justice seems to re-
quire that we make the remark, that the Turk
ish Government might perhaps have yielded
to his arrogant demands, on account of the
fright with which he inspired it, had not the
English and French ambassadors, and espe-
cially the former, encouraged it to brave the
fury of the Car. Russian partisans have there
fore, while acquitting the Emperor Nicholas of
all blame, not hestated in accusing Lord STRAIT
ford Radcliffe and even Lord Palmerston, as
responsible for the outbreak of the war between
Russia and Turkey asserting that, even after
the occupation Of the Danubian Principalities
by the Russians, any farther hostities might
easily have been prevented, but for the mach
nations of those two English diplomatists.
One of the advocates of the innocence of the
Car uses the following expressions: "Who
will have to answer at the Supreme Tribunal
for all the blood to be shed by Christian nations
in this Wr? Not unhappy Turkey, she is hors
dc cause not Russia, we have proved by an
examination of her interests, and of the contn-
| uous and premeditated policy Of her rival not
even France, in spite of that personal policy
which the national feeling will soon or late con-
denim. The ,chote responsibility Of this tcar
must fail upon a .feso English statesmen-nota-
bly, upon Lord Redcli6e and Lord Palmerston,
who, while they detest each other, have work
ed cordially together in driving their country to
war;" But much blame as is duly attached to
the English Government, for the INSCRIPTIONS
course of policy generally pursued by it, l
think that the impartial historian will deem it
justified in opposing the realization of the am
bilious plans of the Gar relative to Turkey,
and decide that the Emperor Nicholas, and the
counseiors whose advices he followed in in
vadlng the Danubian Principalities, are alone
| responsible for all the sufferings entailed upon
humanity by the means of the war in question
Irince Mentschikoff returned from Constan-
tinople to st. Petersburgh, which city he enter
ed in very unostentatious way; hence the
rumor was renewed, that he had exceeded his
instructions, but subsequent events have afford
ed no confirmation of this having been the
case. Be this as it will, he was at least visited
with no visible signs of his masters displeasure
After short stay at st. Petersburg, he pro-
ceeded to Moscow, and thence to the Crimea
He had been appointed Governor General of
that Peninsula, and commander-in-chef of all
the forces stationed there, including the Rus
sian feet in the Black sea, and the garrison
of st. Sebastopol. From that place he direct
ed the attack which, some months later, was
made with so much success upon the Turkish
squadron in the harbor of Sinope. To the in
quiry of the Car, whether he deemed his forces
sufficient to resist an attack of the combined
English and French feet, he is reported to have
returned the answer, II don't know whether
We can conquer the French and English, but
know that we all, officers soldiers, and sailors,
are resolved to fight to the last man, for the
honor of your majesty apd of Russia" He has
now ample opportunity of proving the sinceri-
ty of this assertion.
More than sixty thousand enemies have
landed on the Crimea, and we know now, with
certainty that Prince Mentschikoff has in the
vicinity of the Alma river been defeated by the
invading forces, under the command of the
Marshal St. Armand and Lord Raglan.