Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-08-14
The Policy of the Emperor Napoleon towards
Enpland

We publish in full the following important
letter from the Emperor Napoleon ian ex
s.ract from which was given in Yesterdays
Gazette to the Ambassador of France, to
which Lord John Russell referred in the
House Of Commons on the 30th july
ST.. CLOUD, 18th July, 1860.
my dear Persigny,-Atfairs appear to me
to be SO mpicated-thanks to the mistrust
excited everywhere since the war in Italy
that ! write to you in the hope that a con-
vcrsation, in perfect trankness, with Lord
PaImerston will remedy the existing evil
Lord Palmcrston knows me, and when |
affirm thing he will believe me. Well, you
can tell him from me. in the most explicit
manner, that since the peace Of Eilatranca
| have had but one thought, one object--to
naugurate new era Of peace, and to live on
the best terms with all my neig hbors and es
pecial!y with England.
had renowned Savoy and Nice; the extra
ordinary additions to Piedmont alone caused
me to resume the desire 10 see reunited to
France provinces essentially French. But it
will be objected, "lou wish for peace and
you increase, imm"deratey, the military
forces OF France" deny the fact in every
sense. My army and my fleet have in them
nothing OF Il threatening character. My
steam navy is far from being adequate to our
requirements, aud the number of steamers
does not nearly equal that Of sailing ships
deemed necessary III the time Of King Louis
Philippe
have 100. 900 men under arms; but de-
duet from this amount 10000 in Algeria,
5000 at Rome, 5000 in China, 10000 gen
darmes, the sick, and the new conscripts,
and YOU will see what is the truth-that my
regiments are Of smaller effective strength
than during the preceding eign. The only
addition to the army list has been made by
the creation Of the Imperial Guard. More
over. while wishing for peace, desire also to
organize the forces of the country OH the best
possible footing for, if foreigners have only
seen the bright side Of the last war, | myself
close at hand, have witnessed the defects,
and | wish to remedy them.
Having said thus much, have, since Villa
franca, neither done, nor even thought any
thing which could alarm any one. When
Lavalette started for Constantinope, the in
structionS which gave him were confined to
this-"Use every effort to maintain the status
quo tie interests of France is that Turkey
should live as long as possible"
Now, then, occur the masSacres in Syria,
and it is asserted that | am very glad to find
new occasion Of making little war, or of
playing new part. Really, people give me
credit for very little common sense. If |
instantly proposed an expedition, it was be-
cause my feelings were those Of the people
which has put me ut its head and the intel
liycnce from Syria transported me with
Indignation. My first thought, neverthe-
less, was to come to an understanding with
Enyland What other interest than that Of
humanity could induce me to send troops
into that country? Could it be that the pJs-
session of it would increase my strength?
Can ! conceal from myself that Algeria
Notwithstanding its future advantages, is a
source of weakness to France, which for 80
years has devoted to it the purest Of its blood
and its gold? | said it in 1852 at Bordeaux,
and my opinion is still the same have
great conquestS to make, but onl Y in France,
Tier interior organization, her moral devel-
upment the increase OF her resources, have
still immense progress To make. There IL
field exists vast enough for my ambition and
sufficient 10 satisfy it.
1t was difficult Tor me 10 come to an under
standing with England on the subject of
Central Italy, because | was bound by the
peace Of Iillafranca As to Southern Italy,
| a free from engagements. and | ask no bet
ter than concert with England on this point,
as on others; bur. in Heavens name, let the
eminent men who arc placed at the head of
the English Government lay aside petty .leal-
ouSies and unI ust mstrusts.
Let us understand one another in good
faith, like honest men as we are, and not
like thieves who desire to cheat each other.
TO sum up, this is my innermost thought.
| desire that Italy should obtain peace, no
matter how, but without foreign lnteryea-
ton, aud that my troops should be able to
quit Rome without compromising the secu-
rlty OF the Pope. could very much wish
not, To be obliged to undertake the Syrian
expedition, and, in any case not to undertake
it alone; firstly because it will be Il great ex
pense. and secondly, because, ! fear that this
intervention may involve the Eastern ques
ton: but on the other hand, | do not see
how 10 resist public opinion in my country,
which will never understand that we can
leave unpunishe,, not only the massacre of
Christians: but the burning four consulates,
the insult 10 vur Hay, and the pillage of the
ulU'iaSltrlcS WilcH were under our pTUtcc-
ton.
| have told you all think, without dis.
guising ar emitting anything. Make what
use YOU may think advisable Of my letter.
Believe in my sincere friendship.
NAPOLEON.
The following are the comments of the
London Times OH the Emperor's letter.
''.Ihe Emperor's letter, which will be found
in another column, will he read with inter-
est by all. with satisfaction by those who can
forget the logic Of facts. The style is the
full Roman hand familiar to the man who
has WON IN empire, WIN has more recently
annexed two provinces. and is master Of a
hundred lcgons. With the argument of
success nothing Is 50 easy as sell, justification.
II must be observed, however. that it is no
excuse Tor the annexation Of Savoy and Nice
tina, it was conditional! on Tuscany and the
puchies declaring for Piedmont A steam
navy may be tar above the real wants of Il
nation. and yet be far short of the previous
number Of sailing vessels. France may have
only 100000 men actually under arms"
but when, Tor our own security, we measure
men against men, it is necessary to take into
account the immense addition she can make
with single !ortnyll's notice
But why are I'LL these topics to be brought
up, when we are only invited to Il common