Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-03-24

ers would not allow her to be attacked by sea.
The affair at Sinope was for US as painful as il
was unexpected it matters little 10 us
whether or not the Turks wished TO convey
munitions of war 10 the Russian territory.
N fact, Russian ships attacked Turkish YES
sells in the waters Of Turkey while those yes.
sells were riding quietly at anchor in Turk
ish port. The Turkish vessels were Destroy
ed in spite of the assurance that there was
no wish to commence an aggressive war, and
n spite Of the vicinity of our squadrons. 1t
was no longer our policy which received a
check, it was our military honor The sound
of the cannon shot at Sinope reverberated
painfully in the hearts of all those who in Eng
land and in finance respect national dignity
There was general participation in the
sentiment that wherever our cannon can reach
our allies ought TO be respected. Out of this
feeling arose the order given to our squad.
rons to enter the Black Sea, and to prevent
by force, if necessary, the recurrence of a
similar event. Thence arose the collective
notifications sent to the Cabinet st Peters
burg, announcing that if we prevented the
Turks from making an aggl essive war upon
coasts oi Russia, we would also protect the
TURKS upon their own territory. AS 10
the Russian fleet, in prohibiting its nav
igaton of the Black Sea. we placed 1t upon
different position, because it was important
during the war to preserve guarantee equiv
alent in force to the occupation of the Turk
ish territory, and thus facilitate the conclusion
OF peace, by having the power Of making a
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 a
definite understanding or decided rupture
Your Majesty has given so many proofs of
your solicitude for the tranquility of Europe
and by your beneticent influence, has 50 pow.
erfuIy 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 as desirous
as mysalf of pacific conclusion, what would
be more simple than to declare that an arm
istice shlll now be signed, thai things shall
resume their diplomatic course, that all hos.
tiIiti shall return from the places to which
motives of var have led them?
That the Russian troops would aban-
don the PrncpaIities, and our squadrons the
Black Sea- Your Majesty, prelerring to treat
directly with Turkey might appoint an am
bassador, who could negotiate with a plenipo-
tentiary of the Sultan "A convention which
might be submitted to conference ofthe -Four
Powers. Let your Majesty adopt this plan,
upon which the Queen Of England and my
self are perfectly agreed, and tranquility will
be re-established and the world satisfied
There is nothing iu the plan which is unwor
thy of your Majesty-nothing which can
wound your honor; but, if, from motive dit
ficult to understand, your Majesty should re-
fuse this proposal. then France, as well as
England, will be compelled to leave to the
fate Of arms and the chances of war, thai
which might now be decided by reason and
Justice.
Let not not your Majesty think that the
least animosty can enter my heart. feel nc
other sentiments than those expressed by YOU
Majesty yourself, in your letter of the 18th o
January, 1853 in which you write: "Ou
relations should be sincerely amcably, baseC
as they are upon the same int ntions-th
maintenance of order, the love of peace, res
pect for treaties, and reciprocal good feelings.
This programe was worthy Of the sovreigr
: who traced it, and do not hesitate to declar
that remain faithful to it.
beg your Majesty to believe in the sin
cerity Of my sentiments, and it is with these
sentiments that am, Sire, your Majesty
good friend, NAPOLEON