Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-04
SIR G. II. SEYMOUR TO THE EARL OF CLARENDON,

~ Nesselroac.
SIR G. II. SEYMOUR TO EARL OF CLARENDON.
":. ST. PETERsBuRGH DEC. 20, 1853.
Your Lordshps wishes as to the frankness to be OBJ
served towards the Russian Government, at juncture
of this Importance well known to me that have
not hesitated to state Count NEssELRoDE the feelings
excited England by the intelligence of the destruction
Of the Turkish squadron at Sinope.
The language which held to his Excellency when |
waited upon him the day before yesterday as fol-
lows:
Dismiss entreat of you from your mind the unbound
ed notion of the existence the part OF her Maesty
Government of desire to humate Russia; no feeling
of the sort exists Do imagine either that it can be
for our interests that Russia should be injured quite
the contrary Her Maesy's Government consider that
they have reason complain of Russia that the uniimt
cd confidence placed in her has been Ill
nsd the feeling does not alter their policy or inspire
the Government with the wish Of returning eS for evil
The ca se is plainly this her Mgests Government haze
British interest caa European interest in maintaining Tie
iniepenEence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire; and they
hold that the first would have been virtually destroyed
Prince MENscuIxoFFs demand had been successful ana
that the second is placed in great danger by the occnpa
ton of the Prncpates which is moreover precedent
and example against which behoyes oil the great Powers
of Europe to enter n protest
Her Majestys Government accordingly have duties to
perform duties not voluntarily undertaken but imposed
upon them by Russia and from the discharge OF these
duties her Majestys Government cannot and will not
shrink Turkey must be defended from aggression; her
Maiestys Government are pledged defend her. and the
obligation must be discharged Now, as to the apphca-
ton of this. The victory the Turks has produced
very painful effect in England; q may DC regarded az
an Intentional insult 10 tie Maritime Porers for the state
men which has been made respecting the affair is incor
rect 1t is true that the Turkish squadron had on
board troops destined attack these ships
were charged with provisions for Batoum and they have
been DESTROYED in Turkish harbor which is Turkish
territory which England is bound to protect
Before had concluded this last sentence Count Mes
interrupted me by strong assurances that nothing
could be tyouadea than The superstition Of its haring
been the IRISH of the Russian Government TO offer any agront
10 En2aad and France that which had happened was he
observed the unavoidable consequence OF the position
taken by the Powers and of that assigned to Russia
Turkey said Count NEssELsoDE, declares war upon us ;
she opens the campaign before the time laid down by
herself she invades territory she takes small for
rcss which she still holds and then you find fau with
us because we oppose hosttes by hostilites but re-
member beg that at with Turkey, and that
no heard Of which not attended by acts
such as you complain Of Our attack, too, was deen-
sve the Turkish ships were VIGOROUSLY laden with
military stores, intended for the tribes who are hghtpg
! UP our borders. Q
As TO the last point NJ lie Come, said, it is ques
ton Of fact and two versions differ am prepared 70
maintain as before stated that the Turkish ships were
conveying stores to a Turkish town. As regards what
you say respecting the practices OF war, must repeat
what before observedf the present war IS anon
alous it is not we who brought about this extraordinary
state Of things However, am now not SO much com
planing pointing out what is to be expected ana
do not wish TO conceal from you that whilst great Tor
bearance the entrance by ships OF the BLACK sea
Inns been observed and might been continued this
after what has lately occurred is longer possible
The Chancellor only replied that as he had before sta
ted he could well understand the public feeling excited
in England and France; that his intelligence gave him
no reason to believe that her Maesys ships had entered
the Black Sea- that their dispatch thither had
been finally resolved upon and that rs to the intended
bombardment of Varna which had been spoken OF, no
such intention lad existed the part of the Russian
| Government. r.. .,.r.
After this as believe saiutary notice had been given
/ TO the Russian Minister spoke OF other points.
/ Count NEssRLnopE complained Of the conduct which
v6 pursued towards the Russian Cabinet II was unheard
of The Sultan was consulted to the condition npon
which he was disposed to make peace, and when these
were ascertaned and arranged of with exclusive
reference to Turkish interests he supposed Russia would
be called upon TO sign what had been prepared for her.
Then again the idea Of asking Russia TO send Plenpo
Tertiary to meet Turkish Plcnipoentiary under the
auspices of the Allied Minister'S perfectly novel; was
an indicny which would be offered only TO Of the
smallest of the European States; was course which
during the last hundred years Russia had never sub
nited her intercourse with Turkey. aud 10 which
she could not be expected TO lend herself.
entreated Count NEssELaoDR to bear in mind that II
her relations of Importance to Russia interest
in Turkey not less important that her weakness and
decrepude which much had been said, were but adj
donal motives for the support Of her friends not beng
/ withheld Then, added TO the feeling which you
profess Of being Inundated by policy, although as
you admit it may not be wish that you should be hui
inflated protest to you that in vain that endeaVor
y TO comprehend the statement. Here is question OF