Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-12-20
The Russian Note on Mediation,

The following is the full text of the Rus.
sian reply to the French proposal of me-
oiston lii america ing stT --75 ~
DISPATCH OF PRINCE GORTsCHAKoFF TO NJ.
D'oUBRIL, CHARGE D'AFFArRs AT PARIS.
ST.. PErERsBURGH, Nov. s, 1862.
SIR:-I transmit to you herewith 9
copy of dispatch of NJ. Drooyn de L'Huys
which the Duke of Montebello was desir.
ed to communicate to us. 1t relates to the
affairs of North America, and has for its
end to invite rs to an understanding with
France and England, in order to profit by
the present WEAKNESS of parties by propo-
sing in common suspension of HOSTILE
ties. Ia reply to this overture, have re-
minded the Ambassador OF France OF the
solicitude which our august master has
not ceased to devote to the American con.
f1ict since the moment when it broke out
"a soIcitude caused by the amicable re-
lations existing between the two coun-
tries, and of which the Imperial Cabin ct
has given public proof. | have assured
him that nothing would be more agreeable
to our wishes than 20 be able to acceler-
ate the termination OF strife which we
deplore, aud that for that purpose our
Minister at Washington has orders to
seize all favorable occasions for recon-
mending moderation and Cancellation. in
order to appease conflicting passions, and
bring the interests at stake to q wise set
Element | have acknowledged that these
counsels would be of so much the greater
value if they were given simultaneously
in the same emicable form by the great
Powers which are in crested in the issue
of this struggle. But | have added
that, in our Judgment, it was necessary,
above all, to avoid the appearance of any
pressure of a nature to wound public sen
timenr in the United States, and to excite
sensibilities very ready to be aroused at
the bare idea OF foreign intervention
Now, according to the information we
possess up to this time, we are led to be-
ieve that a combiued movement on the
part of France, England and Russia, how
ever concliatory it might be, and with
whatever precaution it might be surround
ed, if it presented itself under an official
and collective character, would be liable
to issue in result opposed to that paci6-
cation which is the object of the three
Courts. We have concluded that if the
French Government persists in thinking a
formal and collective step oppo:,une, and
If the Cabinet of London shares this opin-
ion, it would be impossible for US, at the
distance at which we are placed, to antici-
pate the reception which such proceed
ing would naturally meet with But if IN
this case our Minister does not participate
officially, his moral support is not the less
assured beforehand to every attempt at
Cancellation. In sending this to his col
leagues of France and England, under the
official form which he will believe is the
fittest to avert the appearance of a pres
sure, NJ. DeStockle will but continue the
attitude and language which, which by the
orders of our august master, he has not
ceased to maintain since the commence
ment of the American difference. 1t is in
this sense that | request you to explain
yourself to the French Minister of Foreign
Affairs, in reply to the communication
which he has sent US. Receive, &C., &C.,
GORTsCHAKGFF.