Washington telegraph., 1855-01-24
ST. PETER sBURG,
Nov. 6, (Oct. 25,) 1854.

Gfonseur ke Baron The information
which we receive from all sides proves to US
that at the present moment the German
Governments are nearly all occupied with
one and the same fear-that of lebolding
on the Eastern question >chism break out
between the two great German powers,
which might place in danger the tranquility
of the common country. and even The exist
ence Of the German Confederation.
Faithful to the policy he has followed
since the origin Of this deplorable complica-
tion. and desirOus Of circumscrbing the
disastrous consequences within ,h, narrow
est limits possible. the Emperor, or august
master has wished, in the present conjunc-
ture, and inaSinuch as depends upon him, TO
serve Germany from the scourges with which
she would be meuaccd in such al eventu-
ality.
You are, in consequence. NJ. le Baron.
authorized TO declare to the Prussian Cabi-
net that the Emperor is dispoSedto take
part in negotiations which would have for
their object the re, esta ablishment oi peace,
and TO which the four propositions Indicated
below would serve as starting point as for
lnu!ated, viz:
l. a common guarantee by the fre pow
ers Of the religions and civil rights of the
Christian population of the Ottoman EN-
plre. without distinction or form of Worship.
,. Protectoraie Of the Prircipaliti,s exer-
cised in comm Il by the five powers, on the
conditions as stipulated in their tavorby our
treaties with the Porte
). Revision Of the treaty of IS41. Rns-
sia will not oppose its abolition, If the Sui
tan, The principal party interested, consents
thereto.
l. Free navi CATION of the Danube, whic!,
exists de j~re and which Russia never had
tie intention IF preventing.
This determination Is founded isI.urailv
upon the surroSition that the Western row
ers will faithfully fulfill the engagement
which they have contracted in the face Of
Europe. tu assure the future condition Of
the Christian population of the Ottoman
Empire, that their religious ard civil rights
shall hence!orth be placed under tie guar
antee OF all the powers, and that thus the
principal object Russia had in view in the
present war shall have been attained.
II the sentiments which induced his Ma
jesiy the Emperor to make the present de-
claratiOn are appreciated in Germany. as we
suppose they VIII br. we think that we may
cherish the hore that the Confederation,
united ON the same ground, and perfectly
reasSured On the German Interests engaged
in the question, will turn its un;nimity to
account to throw its balance into the scale
Of Europe in favor of peace. of Which
Austria and Prussia have presented to Us
spontaneously y in the four points basis
which will satisfy them completely.
II, on the contrary. use should be made
of this union. maintained once more by the
care of Russia. to bring forward new condi-
tionS, incompatible in substance ind in form
with his dignity. the Emperor does not
doubt that the States of the Confederation
will reject such preten>ions, from whatever
side they nlay come, as contrary to the sent
imcnts Of LOYALTY which animatcs them, as
also 10 the true interests of Germany. i
neutrality maintained with frmuess and
perseverance, snch as was proclaimed at the
commencement Of the struggle. is what the
Emperor thinks he may in justice demand
i'll return for the Difference with Which he
received the good wishes addressed in its
iiame.
(Sicned) DE NESSELRODE.