The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-05
previous understanding which Russia and England shall
establish between themselves must be directed.
SIR G. Il. SEYMOUR TO LORD JOHN RUssELL.


ST PETERSBURG, Jan IL 1858.
MY LONDON the evening Of the 9th instant had the
honor of seeing the Emperor at the palace OF the Grand
uchess Helen who it appeared had kindly requested
lermssion TO invite Lady Seymour and mysen TO meet
the imperial family.
The Emperor came MP to me- in the most gracious
that he had heard with great pleasure OF
her Aajestys government having been denitvely form
ed adding that he Trusted the Ministry would be OF long
duration.
His Imperial Majesty desired particularly to convey
this assurance to the Earl of Aberdeen with whom he
said he had been acquainted for nearly forty years ana
for whom he entertained equ9 regard and esteem ms
Majesty desired to be brought to the Kind recollection Oh
his lordship.
You know my feelings the Emperor said with regard
TO England What have told you before say ag'n ron
terms Of close amity; and feel sure that nus WIN con
tinue to be the You have now been Ger sn ' s
here and you have there have oeen very rev
points upon which have disagreed our ihterests ~
fact, are upon almost all questions the same.
been at 81 Petersburg there had been any actual disa
whatever between us except with regard TO
Louis Napoleons No. H., point respecting which each
had it's opinion, but point which, after
all very immaterial
The No Ill, the Emperor replied would involve long
explanation will therefore, not touch upon the subject
at present should be glad, however, that you should
hear what have to say upon the question and will beg
of you to call upon me some morning when am little
free from engagements.
of course requested that his Majesty would BE- good
enough TO lay his orders upon me.
In the meantime the Emperor went on to say-Irepeat
that is very essential that the two governmentsthat
is that the English government and and and the Eng
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
necessity was never greater than at beg
to convey these words to Lord John Russell When
agreed am quite without anxiety to the west Of
Europe it is immateria what the others think
do A to Turkey that is another question That
try is critical state and may give all great deal
Of trouble. And win take my leave Of you which
fs Majesty proceeded to do by shaking hands with me
Jery graciously.
ii instantly occurred to me that the conversation was
Incomplete, and might be renewed and as the
Emperor still held my hand, said: Sir, with your ga
ious permission, would desire to take great liberty
Certainly, his Majesty replied, "What is it Let me
Year"
Sir Iobserved your Majesty has been good enough TO
charge with general assurances 10 the identity OF
views between the two Cabinets, which assuredy have
given the greatest pleasure and will be received with
% aaa tha romr Majesty shoua add ~ ep word,
which may tend to calm the anxiety with regard to the
affairs of Turkey which passing events are calculated
to excite on the part OF her Maesys Per
haps you will be pleased to charge with add
tional assurances of this kind.
II e Imperors words and manner although still very
kind showed that his Majesty had intention speak
ing to of the demonstration which he is about to
make in the south. He said however, nj FIRST with
little hesitation, but he proceeded in open and
nnhesitatng manner, "Ihe affairs of Turkey are in
very disorganized condition. the country itself to
be falling to pieces the fall viii be great misfortune,
and is very important HAT England and Russia should
10 perfectly good understanding upon these af
fairs and that neither should take any decisive step of
which the other is not apprised.'
observed in few words that rajoced to hear that
his imperial Majesty held this language; that this
certainly the view took Of the manner IN which Turkish
questions 10 be treated
"Stay," the Emperor said. as if proceeding with his
mark: 1--WE have our hands a sick mana very sick
man. 1t will be, tell you frankly, great misfortune
if of these days he should slip away from espe-
cially before all necessary arrangements were made
But however this is not the time TO speak to you
that NATTER
1t clear that the Emperor did not intend to pro-
long the conversation therefore said: your Majesty
is gracious that you will allow to make fur
Their observation Your Majesty says the man is sick.
IS very true but your Majesty VIII deign TO excuse me
remark that it is the Part of the generous and strong
man to treat with genlteness the sick and feeble man.
The Emperor then took leave of me in which
offence and again expressed his intention of sending for
me on some future day.
The sum is probably hs-that England has to desire
close concert with Russia with a view to preventing
the downfall of Turkey while Russia would be well
pleased that the concert should apply to the events by
I' '''' - VINO W - '''"e c. H. SEYMOUR.
Ps-since this despatch was written have heard
from the Austrian Minister that the Emperor has spoken
to him of the conversation which he had held with
he new ministry appears to to be strong and that am
nxous for its observation-disclosures say the TRUTH
ards England have learned that it is the country with
ihch we must be allied. We must not lean to this
hat party" G.. HIS
SIR G. H. SEYMOUR TO LORD JOHN RUSSELL.
ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. D. 1858
Ny LoRp-0n the l4th instant in consequ ence of a
summons which received from the Chancellor waite
upon the Emperor, and had the honor OF holding with
nS %psrsi Majesty the very interesting conversation
count which if imperfect, WILL at all events, not be in
found his Majesty alone he received me with great
kindness saying that had appeared DESTROYS speak
him upon Eastern affairs that his side, there
indsposton to do so, but he must begin at remote
period.
You know his Majesty said, the dreams and plans in
which the Empress Catherine in the habit of ndug
ing; these handed down to time; but while |
inherited immense territorial possessions did not in
hert those vsons-those intentions if you like call
happily crcumstanced in every way that would be
reasonable in to desire territory power
than possess on the contrary am the FIRST to tell you
that great, perhaps only danger is that which
would arise from extension given to empire already
too large.
Close to us lies Turkey and in our present condition.
nothing better for interests be DESIRED the times
have gone by when had thing to fear from the
fanatca spirit or the military enterprise Of the Turks,
and the country is strong enough has hitherto
been strong enough TO its Independence and to
insure respectful treatment from other countries.
Well in that empire there several millions Of Chris
tians whose interests called upon to watch over,
while the right Of doing is secured to me by treaty
! may truly say that make moderate and sparng
of my right and will freely confess that it is one which
is attended with obligations occasionally very inconven
lent but cannot recede from the discharge OF distinct
duty Our religion, as established in this country came
to sfrom the East; and there feelings, well
obligations which must never be lost sight of.
Now Turkey in the condition which have described,
has BY degrees fallen into such state of decrepitude
that told you the other night eager all for
the prolonged existence of the man (and that am as
DESTROYS you be for the continuance Of his
life beg you to belieye) he may suddenly die upon
our hands. We cannot resusctate what is dead;
~ the IuTk1Sh Jdus, JdS 10 ana
put 10 you thereore wheher is not better to be procded
beforehand for contingency than to incur the chaos,
fusion and e certainty Of European ,cdr all Of ohich
must attend the catastrophe if should unexpectedly
and before Interior system has been sketched This
is the point to which DESTROYS that you should call
the attention OF your government.
Sir, replied your Majesty is so frank with that
sure you will have the goodness to permit me to
speak with the openness would then observe that
deplorable the condition of Turkey, it is a country
which has long been plunged in difficulties supposed by
many to be insur mountable.
With regard to contingent arrangements her Majestys
government your Majesty is well aware objects,
general rule to taking engagements upon possible
Qualities and would perhaps be particularly disinclned
TO doing in this instance. If may be allowed to say
Old friend and ally
The rule is good the Emperor replied good AZ all
times especially in times of uncertainty and change like
the present still ii is of thevgreaes Importance that
should understand another, and not allow events
to take by surprise.