New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-12
TRADITIONAL ENGLISH POLICY

Concerning the foreign policy of English Wings
a most erroneous impression prevails; it is sup
posed that they have been ever the sworn foes Of
Russa. History clearly establishes the contrary
In the diary and correspondence OF James Harris
first Earl of Malmesbury-for several years, under
both Wing and Tory administrations, English Min
lister at the Court of ST. Petcrsburg-and in the Me
moirs and Correspondence of Charles James Fox,
edited bv Lord John Russell, we find astounding
revelations of Wing policy as inspired aud inaugI-
rated by Fox, who is still the political hierOphant
of the Wings, being in fact rs much revered BY
them AS Mohanmed is by the OSmanls. To I'M
derstand. therefore, how England has been even
suhservtnt TO Russia, we will revert for n mo-
ment 10 facts antecedent To the accession of Fox to
the Cabinet.
In the diary of the Earl of Malmesbury we per-
ceye the anxious, impatient haste with which
England pressed her diplomacy on Russia during
our War Of independence. Her ambassador was
instructed to conclude by any means an alliance
offensive and defensive. The reply of the Czarina
in the first instance WAS eyasiye: the very word
offensive" was OdiOus to Catherine; and it was
necessary first to wait the course of events
Finally the English diplomat discerned that the
obstacle was Russias desire of English support for
her Turkish policy; and Harris advised his Govern
ment of the necessity of nourishing the Russian
appetite, if her aid against the American Colonies
was 10 be secured.
The following year the proposition of Sir James
Harris assumes milder form; he does not ask for
an alliance. A Russian protest to hold France and
Spain in check, if backed by naval armament
will be acceptable to England. The Empress re-
plies that she can perceive occasion for such
measure. The ambassador, with seryile hattery
demonstrates that a Russian Sovereign of the
seventeenth century might well have spoken So
but since that epoch Russia has become a lead
sing power in Europe, and the concerns of Europe
are hers also. Ii Peter the Great could behold
the Russian navy allied to that of England he
"would confess himself no longer the first of Rus
- sian rulers and SO on in the same strain
The Empress accepted this fattery, but rejected
the ambassadors proposals. Two months later,
on November ), l779 King George wrote to his
lad! sister the Czarna, an autograph letter in
old-tashioned French. He no longer insisted on a
formal protest, but would be satisfied with SIM
pie demonstration The apparition merely
such were his royal words-"of portion q the
Imperial fleet viii suffice TO restore aud confirm
"the peace Of Europe and the league Joined
against England viii at once vanish" Has ever
another power OF the first order so abjectly sup
plcated
But all this Wheedline on the par. Of England
failed ofits object, and in l7eO the armed neutral
ty vas proclaimed. England patiently swallowed
the pill. To sweeten the dose her Government
had previously proclaimed that the merchhat-yes-
sells Of Russia should not be stopped or hinderei
by Ens,b cruisers. Thus. without compuisioa