THE PAGET PAPERS

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JAN E, GO U NTESS OF UXBRIDGE,

THE

PAGET PAPEKS
DIPLOMATIC AND OTHEE,
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE
RIGHT HON. SIR ARTHUR PAGET, G.C.B.
1794-1807
[WITH TWO APPENDICES 1808 & 18S1-1829]
AllllANGED AND EDITED BY HIS SON
THE RIGHT HON. SIR AUGUSTUS B. PAGET, G.C.B-
LATE HER MAJESTY'S AMBASSADOR IN VIEKKA
WITH NOTES BY
MRS. J. R. GREEN
TWENTY-FOUR PORTRAITS

IN TWO VOLUMES
VOL IL

LONDON
WILLIAM H E I N E M AN N
1896

CONTENTS

PAGE

VIENNA: 1801-1803(^*0,4.30-32) . . . i
VIENNA : 1803-1805 {JEtat. 32-34) .... 81
VIENNA: 1 805-1 806 (JSiai. 34)  196
THE DARDANELLES: 1807 (iBtat. 36) . . .283
Appbndiobs  381

PORTRAITS

JANEj COUNTESS OF UXBRIDGE . Frontispieee
ALEXANDER I. CZAR OF RUSSIA . . .18
CHARLESj LORD HAWKESBURY . . .56
FRANCIS n. EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA ... 102
DUDLEY, E.\RL OF HARROWBV .... 134
FREDERICK WILLIAM HI. KING OF PRUSSIA . 208
FREDERICK GENTZ . ... 256
GENERAL THE HON. SIR EDWARD PAGET . . . 268
THE RIGHT HON. GEORGE CANNING . . . 2.90
ADMIRAL THE HON. SIR CHARLES PAGET . . 314
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND, THE MARQUIS OF
ANGLESEY, AND THE HON. BERKELEY PAGET PUR
CHASING PIPES AT IPSWICH BARRACKS . . . .384
HENRY WILLIAM, MARQUIS OF ANGLESEY- . . . 390

THE PAGET PAPEKS
VIENNA
(1.) THE PEACE OF AMIENS: 1801-1803
^TAT. 30 TO 32
On the close of his mission to Palermo, Mr. Paget -was
appointed to succeed Lord Minto in the Mission to the
Court of Austria, and after paying a short visit to Vienna
in May and June, on his -way to England, he returned
there to take possession of his new post in September
following. Although the Preliminaries of Peace had not yet been
signed, he was enabled, in virtue of a passport furnished
by M. de Talleyrand, to travel through France. Shortly
after his arrival in Vienna he addressed a letter to Lord
Hawkesbury, giving some curious and interesting details
as to what he had seen and heard during his journey.
Count Louis Cobentzl, who had been sent to Paris on a
special mission the previous year, returned to Vienna and
resumed his duties as Vice-Chancellor and Minister for
Foreign Affairs, shortly after Mr. Paget's arrival, and it
was with this Minister that Mr. Paget transacted the
diplomatic business committed to his charge during nearly
the whole of his residence at the Court of Austria.
In the year 1802 I am confronted with one of those
serious breaks in the official correspondence to which I
referred in the biographical Memoir. From Mr. Paget's
arrival in Vienna in 1801, and during the years 1802 and
1803, I have found scarcely any record ofthe despatches
which he addressed to the Foreign Ofl&ce, with the excep-
VOL. II. A

2 THE PAGET PAPEES
tion of that containing an account of his journey through
France, though there are a few addressed to him from the
Secretary of State, Lord Hawkesbury, which afford a clue
to the negotiations on which he was then employed. This
vacuum, however, appears to me to be of less importance
from the fact that, in consequence of the Peace of Lune-
ville and the conclusion of the Peace of Amiens, there
was a suspension of hostilities, not only upon the Con
tinent, but between Great Britain and France.
Diplomacy, however, was not idle during this period,
but the scene of its operations was not principally at
Vienna. It will be recollected that only the Preliminaries
of Peace had been signed between Lord Hawkesbury and
M. Otto in October 1801 ; and the definitive Treaty was
negotiated at Amiens by the Marquis of Cornwallis as
principal Plenipotentiary on the part of Great Britain.
After a very laborious negotiation. Peace was signed on
the 29th of March 1802.
Nevertheless, the aggressive and absorbing policy of
the First Consul had been, and was still, steadily pursued.
The Bavarian, Helvetian, and Ligurian Republics, whose
right to adopt whatever form of government they might
think fit had been guaranteed by the Treaty of Luneville,
had been compelled to form their Constitutions so as
to render these States subservient to France. The Cis
alpine Republic was in the same way remodelled by
Napoleon, and on the i ith of September 1802 he annexed
Piedmont to the French Republic, on the plea that the
absence of any stipulation in its favour in the Treaties of
Luneville and Amiens was equivalent to a permission for
its absorption by France.
In spite of the indignation excited throughout Europe,
the formation of a coalition against France was prevented
by the antagonism between Austria and Prussia on the
question of the indemnities to be assigned to the Sove
reigns and Princes who had been despoiled of their terri
tories on the left bank of the Rhine — indemnities which
were_ to be provided out of the possessions of the Eccle
siastical Princes. In negotiations for the settlement of
this question France supported the pretensions of Prussia,
with whom a Treaty was signed on the 23rd of May
1802, by which, in return for the large acquisitions re-

VIENNA, 1801 3
ceived, the latter Power guaranteed the French posses
sions in Italy. According to a letter from Lord St.
Helens to Mr. Paget (March i6, 1802), it would seem
that the claims of Austria were sustained at Paris by the
Cabinet of St. Petersburg.
But this was not the question which the most attracted
the attention of the British Government at this moment.
First, there was the mission of Colonel Sebastiani to
Egypt and Syria, which Napoleon afterwards avowed to
Lord Whitworth had been undertaken for a military pur
pose ; and then the affairs of Switzerland, which country
had been the scene of internal dissensions and conflicts by
the revolt of the cantons against the Central Government
established by Napoleon at Berne. General Rapp, aide-
de-camp to Napoleon, arrived at Lausanne on the 4th
of October with a proclamation which announced to the
Swiss people the resolution of the First Consul to become
the mediator in their differences, and directly menaced
the liberties of the Swiss, and their right to decide upon
their form of government which had been guaranteed to
them by the Treaty of Luneville.
The conduct of the British Government is well shown
in the correspondence of that month. It would seem
that the Imperial Cabinet was in no haste to reply
to the overtures made to it on the part of the British
Cabinet, and it is to be presumed that, when its answer
did come, it was not such as to encourage England to
proceed further, and unsupported by any other Powers,
in this business. At all events, a French force of twenty
thousand men, under General Ney, entered Switzerland,
and occupied without resistance Soleure, Zurich, and
Berne. Another negotiation with which Mr. Paget was charged
at this time was to obtain the assent of the Imperial
Government to the loth Article of the Treaty of Amiens,
which placed the Knights of St. John of Malta under
the joint guarantee of Austria, Russia, and other Powers
named in the instrument, on the fulfilment of which
condition the island was to be evacuated by the British
garrison. The Cabinet of St. Petersburg took offence at
the wording of the loth Article, and' it was probably
owing to the difficulties raised by the Russian Govern-

4 , THE PAGET PAPERS
ment that the Cabinet of Vienna, which had at the outset
shown a favourable disposition to comply with the de
mand addressed to it, subsequently also raised objections.
These, however, were eventually overcome by Mr. Paget.
The maintenance of a peace threatened on every side by
dangers of so formidable a kind had been doubtful from
the first; and the year of 1803 was rendered memorable
by the rupture of the Treaty of Amiens, and the renewal
of hostilities between Great Britain and France, which
were destined only finally to terminate with the Battle
of "Waterloo and the exile of Napoleon to St. Helena.
It had been for some time evident that the First Consul,
although professedly desirous of maintaining peaceful rela
tions with England, was taking every measure with a
view to the renewal of the war, while at the same time
he was openly violating his Treaty engagements by his
invasions and annexations in the Low Countries, Italy,
and Switzerland, whose independence had been guaranteed
by the Treaties of Luneville and Amiens. While engaged
in these operations, he was loud and bitter in- his com
plaints against England, partly for the violent attacks
against his person in the English press, but more especi
ally in the French press published in London, and also
on account of the delay by the British Government in
carrying out the evacuation of Egypt, Malta, and the
Cape of Good Hope.
Matters were brought to a crisis by the First Consul's
arrogant and intemperate address to the British Ambassa
dor, Lord Whitworth, before the diplomatic body assembled
at the Tuileries.
There were, indeed, two occasions on which the First
Consul addressed the British Ambassador in the presence
of his colleagues. On the first occasion, after vehemently
declaiming against England for the non-fulfilment of her
Treaty engagements by not evacuating the places above
mentioned, he declared he would rather see her in posses
sion of the Faubourg St. Antoine than leave her in that of
Malta. Egypt, he said, he might easily have retaken, but
that he did not think it worth the risks of a war, since,
sooner or later, Egypt must belong to France, either by
the falling to pieces of the Turkish Empire or by some
arrangement with the Porte.

VIENNA, 1801 5
" What have I to gain," he inquired, " by going to
war ? A descent upon your coasts is the only means of
offence I possess, and that I am determined to attempt
and put myself at its head. I am well aware of the risks
of such an undertaking, but you compel me to incur them.
I will risk my army, my life in the attempt. I know the
probability is that I myself and the greatest part of the
expedition will go to the bottom. There are a hundred
chances to one against me, but I am determined to make
the attempt, and such is the disposition of the troops, that
army after army will be found ready to engage in the
enterprise." After continuing for some time longer in
the same strain, and asserting that he himself had scrupu
lously fulfilled his treaty obligations by the evacuation of
Naples, Tarentum, and the Roman States, he proceeded
to say : — " Peace or war depends upon Malta. It is in vain
to talk of Piedmont and Switzerland. They are mere
trifles, and must have been foreseen when the Treaty was
going forward. You have no right to speak of them at
this time of day. I do not pretend to say this mission of
Colonel Sebastiani was mainly commercial — it was ren
dered necessary, in a military point of view, by your
infraction of the Treaty of Amiens ; " and he ended with
the following words : — " For myself my part is taken ; I
would rather put you in possession of the heights of Mont-
martre than of Malta."
On the second occasion (March 14) he went straight up
to the British Ambassador, and, with a severe air, ad
dressed him : — " So you are determined to go to war. We
have already fought for fifteen years. I suppose you want
to fight for fifteen more. The English wish for war, but
if they are the first to draw the sword, I shall be the last
to put it into the scabbard. They have no respect for
Treaties. Henceforth they must be shrouded in black
crape. Wherefore these armaments ? Against whom these
measures of precaution ? I have not a single ship of the
line in the harbours of France ; but if you arm, I shall arm
also. If you insist upon fighting, I shall fight also. You
may destroy France, but never intimidate it. If you would
live on terms of good understanding with us you must
respect Treaties. Woe to those who violate them ! They
shall answer for the consequences to all Europe."

6 THE PAGET PAPERS
It is easy to imagine the effect produced in England by
this violent outburst, accompanied, as it was, by the most
menacing attitude of the First Consul towards the British
Ambassador. The national feeling of indignation and re
sentment was further intensified when it became known
that, in a message to the Legislative Body, the First
Consul had made the assertion that England single-handed
was unable to contend against France.
Lord Hawkesbury, in very temperate language, fully
justified the conduct of the British Government on the
ground of the extension of power and territory made by
France in various quarters, particularly in Italy. " But,"
he added, " His Majesty would have been willing to have
overlooked these acquisitions for the sake of not disturbing
the general peace of Europe, and was prepared to have acted
up to the very letter of the article regarding the evacuation
of Malta, when his attention was arrested hy the very ex^
traordinary publication of the report of Colonel Sebastiani
on Egypt, which discloses views utterly inconsistent with
the spirit and letter of the Treaty of Amiens."
After two months' fruitless negotiations Lord Whit
worth demanded and received his passports on the 12th
of May, and the French Ambassador embarked from Dover
on the 1 8th of that month.
Between the first and second addresses of the First
Consul to the British Ambassador, a message had been
sent by the King to both Houses of Parliament, announc
ing that, "as very considerable military preparations are
carrying on in the ports of France and Holland, His
Majesty had judged it expedient to adopt additional
measures of precaution for the security of his dominions,"
&*c., &c. This address was supported by Mr. Fox, and
was adopted unanimously by both Houses ; the Militia
was called out ; ten thousand additional men were voted
for the navy ; sixteen line-of-battle ships were placed in
commission ; Lord Nelson was appointed to the command
of the Mediterranean Fleet ; Lord Keith and Sir Sydney
Smith likewise received commands ; and other measures
for meeting the coming war were adopted amidst the
enthusiasm of the nation. It was to these armaments
the First Consul referred in his second address to Lord
Whitworth.

VIENNA, 1801 7
War was declared immediately after the departure of
the Ambassadors.
News, even of the most important nature, did not
travel rapidly in those days, and the first intelligence
of the departure of Lord Whitworth from Paris on the
12th of May was communicated to Mr. Paget in a note
from the Vice-Chancellor, Count Cobentzl, dated the 2 1 st.
In a further note, dated June the 3rd, Count Cobentzl
encloses some numbers of the Moniteur containing an
account of the negotiations, together with the King's
message to Parliament. His Excellency also sent a semi
official publication announcing the capture of two French
ships by two English frigates in the Bay of Audierne,
but no mention is made of the odious and atrocious
measures adopted by the First Consul in consequence,
viz., the arrest and imprisonment of all the English, not
only in France, but in all the territories occupied by the
French armies, which was an act not only at variance
with the comity of nations and international usage, which
always respects private individuals and allows them a
certain time to leave the country at war with their own,
but which for petty vindictiveness arid spite has never
been paralleled in the history of warfare amongst civi
lised nations. Many of the persons thus arrested only
recovered their liberty on the invasion of France by the
Allies in 1814.
It does not appear that Mr. Paget was instructed to
solicit the alliance of Austria for Great Britain against
France, and he was careful, as will be seen from his
despatches, to avoid taking any initiative on the subject
liimself. He was evidently much impressed by the unsatisfactory
state of affairs in the Austrian Empire at that time, as
well as by the apathy of some, and the apparently French
leanings of others, of the Austrian Ministers.
It will be observed that Mr. Paget reports Count
Cobentzl as having declared " that it had become hopeless
and impossible for Austria, single-handed, to resist France "
(a sentiment which was evidently shared by Lord Whit
worth, as may be seen by some of his letters); "that
every effort imaginable had been made by the Emperor
to connect himself more closely than ever with Russia,

8 THE PAGET PAPERS
but that those advances have been uniformly received
with the most discouraging coldness and indifference,"
&c., &c.
The same plea may probably be advanced in extenua
tion, to a certain degree, of the conduct of Austria, which
called forth the later censures of Mr. Paget during this
and the following years ; though, on the other hand, strong
grounds of suspicion as to the duplicity of the policy of
the Austrian Cabinet at this particular moment were not
wanting, as may be seen from the letters from Mr. Maurus
of the 28th of January, and from Mr. Drake of the 5th
of February, 1803.
The natural alliance for Austria, in resisting the French
invasion of the North of Germany, was of course with
Prussia ; but this latter Power, as already stated, had, in
pursuit of its self-aggrandising ends, signed a Treaty
(May 28, 1802) with France by which, in return for the
territory acquired, she guaranteed the French possessions
in Italy. The day, however, was not far distant when
Prussia was to pay the full penalty of the perfidious
policy she had uniformly pursued, with the exception of
a short period, since the commencement of the war in
Europe against the aggressions of France, and which she
continued to pursue for the next two years.
Besides the despatches and letters connected with these
transactions, others of a miscellaneous character, including
some from the Prince of Wales, are given, and a long and
interesting letter from Lord Minto, commenting upon the
state of parties in England and the general feeling in
regard to the peace with France.
Frequent allusions occur in the letters of some of Mr.
Paget's colleagues to the bulletins which he was in the
habit of sending them. These bulletins consisted in
reports which he received from secret agents whom he
employed in France to furnish him with information of
what was passing in that country— the proceedings and
intentions of the Government, &c. I have found a great
number of these bulletins, but besides their having no
particular interest at this time, they are too voluminous
for publication in this collection of Papers.
I insert a letter from Mr. Broughton, Mr. Paget's agent
at the Foreign Office, which gives an idea of the immense

VIENNA, 1801 9
strain there was upon the private resources of diplomatists
in those days, by reason of the constant arrears in the
payment of their salaries ; and not only this, but by the
enormous sums they had to disburse by sending their own
servants as couriers, which were frequently not repaid to
them for upwards of a twelvemonth after they had been
spent. I can myself recollect the time when our "extra
ordinary disbursements " on the public account were not
repaid until several months had elapsed after sending in
the accounts. But all this has long since been changed.
The correspondence contains also letters from Queen
Caroline of Naples to Mr. Paget. I give them, not because
of any intrinsic value or importance attaching to them,
but because, first, they will afford a specimen of the Royal
orthography, and, second, because they are a corroboration
of what has already been stated, viz., that, however strong
Her Majesty's feelings against Mr. Paget may have been
during the early period of his residence in Palermo, he
had been fortunate enough to overcome them, and to
acquire for himself the warmest and often-repeated ex
pressions of Her Majesty's esteem and gratitude. In
writing of the Queen of Naples I have, of course, ad
hered to the appellation " Queen Caroline," by which
Her Majesty is habitually designated, but it will be
remarked that in all her letters to Mr. Paget Her
Majesty signs herself simply " Charlotte,"

CORRESPONDENCE
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
[Private.] Vienna, 14 Sept, 1801.
My Loed, — Agreeably to the wish expressed by Your
Lordship to' me previous to my departure from England,
that I should transmit to you such remarks as it should
come within my observation to make on my passage
through France, I shall now do myself the Honor of
obeying in the best manner I can. Your Lordship's
Commands. It may not be improper to say in the first place a

IO THE PAGET PAPERS
word or two upon my reception at Calais. As soon as
my arrival was known, the Commissaire du Gouvernement
and the General Commandant de la Place came down to
the Pier to receive me. The latter accompanied me to
the Antichamber of my apartment at the Inn. In the
course of our walk the General expatiated upon the
Horrors of War and the advantages of Peace, that it was
a lamentable consideration that two great Nations which
loved and respected each other, and which were only
separated by a Jew leagues of Sea, should be thus harass
ing each other by a continual state of Warfare.
Mr. Menyand came very shortly afterwards to the Inn
and told me, in a very high and impertinent tone, that
the Vessel could by no means be allowed to come into the
Harbour, that independent of other Reasons, the Master
of her had behaved in a most unaccountable and insolent
manner to the Crew of the French Boat which had been
sent off to her. Not particularly admiring the manners of
this Gentleman, I probably shewed it, for upon taking his
leave, which he did immediately, he came up to shake me
by the hand, and asked if he could be of any further ser
vice to me. While they were getting the carriage on
shore I went to the Theatre ; as soon as the General I
have mentioned above perceived me, he quitted his seat
and came into the box, and sat by me during the repre
sentation. We had a great deal of light sort of conversa
tion which it would be tedious to relate, and the intended
expedition against England was of course one of the
topics.* Among other things, he observed that it would
be impossible for us to blockade the French Ports during
the Gales of wind in the winter. I assented to this, and
added that we should even probably be driven off their
Coast the next equinox, and that there could not be a
more favorable moment for the French to attempt the
invasion. He said : " Oh, cela c'est une autre affaire :
nous irons quand nous pourrons, sauf la reception que
vous nous donnerez."
I will now observe that the Joy of the Inhabitants of
-* Mr. Paget was in Calais in the first days of September, a fortnight after
the bold attempt of Nelson, commissioned to watch the French coast, to cut
the Boulogne flotilla out of the harbour. Unsuccessful as the attempt was, it
did much to destroy confidence in the possibility of the invasion of England,
and to open the way for peace.

VIENNA, 1801 u
Calais when they heard that an English Minister had
arrived was as perceptible, as was their Depression when
they learnt that my mission was not to Paris. On my jour
ney thither nothing remarkable occurred. I found the
road considerably better than I had expected, which was
the case throughout, and the Country as far as I am able-
to judge in a very good state of Cultivation. I cannot
help thinking that I discovered some difference in the
population, and in several of the towns through which I
passed, 1 noticed many houses of different descriptions
uninhabited. At one or two of them which had formerly
boasted of their silk and velvet manufacturies, I heard
complaints of the total stagnation of trade. The harvest
had in general been extremely abundant, except in the
neighbourhood of Strasbourg, where at least one half of it
has been destroyed by mice.
I arrived at Paris very early in the morning of the
3rd. In the course of it I left my card with Mr. Talley
rand and a message to thank him for my Passport. Mr.
M^ry had nothing to transmit to the office, except the
letter which I had the honor of sending by the last
messenger. In the two days I remained there I saw
Count Louis Cobentzl * and Mr. de Kalitcheff.t By the
former particularly of these, who is a very old acquaint
ance of mine, I was received with every mark of Friend
ship, and he seemed to seize with eagerness this first
opportunity of making the strongest protestations of the
friendship and good Dispositions of the Emperor towards
His Majesty. He acquainted me that he had every reason
to suppose that Bonaparte considered the moment of
attempting the Invasion as past, and in fact, notwith
standing the enormous sums which had been employed
towards that object, that the preparations were by no
means in a sufficient state of forwardness for it. From
Count Cobentzl I learnt little more worth mention. I
found Mr. KalitchefFs ideas upon the same subject exactly
corresponding. In talking upon the affairs of Italy, He
informed me that he had no longer any hope from his
interference in favor of the King of Sardinia, that Bona
parte, knowing that the Restoration of that Sovereign
was so favorite an object in England, refused it to Russia
'* Austrian Envoy. t Eussian Envoy.

12 THE PAGET PAPERS
with a view of being able to extort enormous sacrifices
from us for it. Mr. de Kalitcheff expressed his entire ignor
ance of any arrangement having taken place between
the Emperor of Russia and the French Government upon
the subject of the treaty of Florence * and the occupation
of the Ports in the Kingdom of Naples by the French
Troops during the war between France and England. I
think it right to mention this, as the day before I left
England, Prince Castelcicala mentioned the circumstance
with a considerable degree of uneasiness and alarm. I
understood from Mr. de Kalitcheff that Duroc t had de
clared to his Government Qu'il n'avait rien a espirer
ni a craindre de la Russie. He further acquainted me
that he had the best ground for supposing that, notwith
standing the engagement the King of Prussia might have
entered into with the Emperor of Russia to evacuate
Hanover, he had pledged himself to Bonaparte to keep
possession of it.
Bonaparte lives in a constant state of fear and appre
hension for his life, which fears are heightened by Fouche,t
who has attained and maintains his influence over him
by the occasional discoveries of pretended Plots and con
spiracies against him. Sieyes § has been heard to say that
the present Government will not last the winter. This
I have heard from more than one authority since my
arrival here, and this Fouch^, I have also heard, is a likely
man once more to revolutionize France. As far as I
could judge from the conversations I allowed myself to
have with different people whom chance threw in my
way upon the road, Bonaparte is generally liked — that
is, the people live in dread of a change of Government,
because they think that it cannot be brought about but
by revolutionary means. All the French Princes, except
the Prince de Condd, are more or less ill thought of,
Monsieur less so perhaps than the rest. A Peace with
'* See Mr. Paget's letter of April i8, iSoi, and note.
t Bonaparte's favourite aide-de-camp. He was French Envoy at Vienna
in 1 800, and was the bearer of the First Consul's felicitations to Alexander on
his accession in 1801.
I Minister of Police — one of the most cruel and vindictive members of
the Convention. Minister of Police under Bonaparte, and also under the
Restoration. — A. P.
§ Abbe Sieyes, a strong adherent of the Revolution, voted the death of
Louis XVL, and was colleague of Bonaparte in the Consulate. — A. P.

VIENNA, 1801 13
England is the universal wish : that which has taken place
on the Continent is talked of with comparative indifference.
The Churches are by no means generally frequented,
and the reason assigned to me for this was that since
the right acquired by the priesthood to marry, the people
are averse to hearing the Scriptures administered to them
by persons who by such an act have rendered themselves
unworthy of the office ; but disregard fot religious cere
monies has become a habit.
I have thus submitted to Your Lordship the few cursory
remarks which my quick journey through France allowed
me to make, having been, exclusive of the two days I
passed at Paris, little more than nine days on the road
from England to Vienna. This consideration therefore
will, I trust, stand my excuse for the small degree of
Interest which they contain. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Lord St. Helens to the Hon. A. Paget.
[Cipher.] St. Petersburg, 24 July 1801.
Dear Sir, — I am thoroughly assured that Count Panin*
has nothing more at heart than to revive the understand
ing which formerly subsisted between this Court and that
of Vienna, and that he has attended very particularly to
that object in the instructions prepared for Count Rasou-
moffsky, as well as in the answer that has been returned
to the overtures that have been brought hither by Prince
Schwarzenberg. I must mention, however, that in fram
ing these views he seem^ to have placed his principal
reliance on the support and good disposition of Count
Trauttmansdorf, and that he and all the other members of
this Government continue to entertain a strong and seem
ingly incurable prejudice and aversion against M. Thugut,
so that if the Court of Vienna are seriously desirous of
reviving a cordial Union and intimacy with this Cabinet,
it will be incumbent upon them to take such steps as may
effectually show that the latter has been deprived of that
influence over the Austrian Councils, which he is still
* He had been Paul's Vice-Chancellor, but fell into disgrace. In March
1801 Alexander again made him Vice-Chancellor. He was devoted to the
English alliance.

14 THE PAGET PAPERS
supposed to possess, through the' channel of Count Col-
leredo. Count Rasoumofi'sky has been directed to hasten
the preparations for his journey to Vienna. He will pro
bably set out in a very few days. — Believe me, &c.
(Signed) St. Helens.
From Mr. Thos. Jackson to the Hon. A. Paget.
Naples, Aug'' nth iSoi.
I shall in a few days expect to have the pleasure of
hearing from you by a safe occasion, and that you will let
me a little into the secret of the politics of the Emper'' of
Russia ; by degrees all his five demands * of Bonaparte
seem to be slipping thro' his fingers, & the first Consul is
carrying all his points ; there is hardly an inch of ground
or a bit of silver or gold in all the South of Europe which
is not at his disposition — is all this to last eternally ?
Allow me also to entreat you to inform me what is become
of our negociations with France ; all the world says they
go on, but I confess my fears that they have gone off and
that the difficulties which arose in the discussions were too
great to be surmounted.
From Lord Keith to the Hon. A. Paget.
Alexandria, Sept^ 4th 1801.
My dear Paget, — You will be glad to hear that the
french Gen. Menou Capitulated on the 2* and that our
troops have got the principal Posts we are now settling the
means of removing the french and taking poss" of the
Ships in the Harbour, they gave us no trouble upon the
whole things have turned out pretty much as I have fre
quently told you they Must, the Public Despatch goes by
Sea and your Brothers in the frigate, You may write
me at Corfu or Malta from one of those places I will drop
you a line ere long — -I am ever, &c. Keith.
I have not Coppies enough of the terms to send one
they are long.
* Known as KalitcheflPs Articles. The demands were that the five smaller
Powers over which Paul posed as Protector should be left untouched or in
demnified — Bavaria, Wurtemberg, Baden, Sardinia, and Naples. Malta and
Egypt were also referred to. All were included in a subsec[uent convention,.
October 11, 1801.

VIENNA, 1801 15
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord St. Helens.
[Private and Confidential.'] Vienna, i8th Sept. 1801.
My dear Lord, — I came thro' France to this place, &
had the satisfaction of passing two days with a very
old, & I am confident a very valuable friend of your's at
Paris, I mean Mr. Merry. He has I find very little to do
with the present negociation between England & France,
as it is carried on almost entirely between Lord Hawkes
bury & Otto, but his sejour at Paris is certainly of the
last importance for our Government. He has excellent
channels for information, which we were sadly in want of
The Expedition against England is supposed to be laid
aside for the present. Bonaparte at one moment cer
tainly thought most seriously about it, but has never
been able to get his preparations in sufficient forward
ness. The Expense he has been at is enormous. Berna-
dotte was to have sailed from Brest to make an attack
upon Ireland — Massena was to have gone straight up the
Thames — & Augereau to have made an attack upon some
more eastward point ; about 50,000 men were to have
been employed upon these two last expeditions. Bona
parte, had Massena made his landing good, was imme
diately to have set out to have taken upon himself the
chief command. Mr. Merry suspects that there is some
sad foul play going on in our Fleets. The French, it is
thought, have our private signals — Talleyrand has been
heard to say that he has every determination of our
Cabinet in eight days. If all this is true, it is very bad ;
it is however well to know it. . . .
1 will now relieve you my dear Lord by saying one
word about Thugut. I really believe that you may con
sider him comme mort for the moment, at least so I am
informed by an authority which I cannot call in question.
At the same time nothing can well be more precarious
than the state of the Archduke Charles's Health,* and I
-* After the fruitless negotiations at Eastadt, the Archduke Charles defeated
Jourdain in a series of engagements culminating in Stockach. Later on, in
opposing Massena, he showed the greatest military talents ; but his health
gave way, so as to make him physically unable to conduct operations. He
was not a favourite with the Court party, and, to be rid of him, he was ap
pointed Governor of Bohemia, where he remained during the whole of 1800.

i6 THE PAGET PAPERS
think that the thing remains between Thugut & Him,
tho' Cobentzl* certainly sets up for himself, & he has
talents & address to favor his pretensions. Are things
to be allowed to remain as they are ? is the Country, the
Hands, and the Money, & in general the resources of the
whole of Italy, to be allowed to remain at the disposition
of Bonaparte ? Can you send me no consolation upon
these subjects ? Here alas ! I find none. Pray let me
hear from you my good Lord by the return of East, whom
you will send back at yr own convenience. Excuse this
scrawl & believe me ever &c. Arthur Paget.
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord St. Helens.
Vienna, i8 September, 1801.
If there is really no other impediment in the way of
a renewal of the close connection which existed formerly
between this Court and that of St Petersburg, than the
Infiuence which the Baron de Thugut may be supposed
to have over the Austrian Councils, that objection ought
in reason not to be dwelt upon. I do not expect that an
opinion from myself, who have been here but four or five
days, can carry much weight with it, but according to the
information I have received from, I should imagine, the
best informed persons, I should really suppose that Count
Panin need, for the present, have no alarm upon that
subject. Nothing can be more decided than the dismissal
of Baron de Thugut from the Emperor's Councils, and it
can have escaped the observation of no one that this
Government has been directed for some time past by the
open and avowed enemies of that Man, at the head of
whom is tbe Archduke Charles. With regard to the idea
of Mr Thugut's still possessing Influence through the
Count Colleredo, I can only say that I do not find that
that idea is entertained here. On the contrary, the re-
When Hohenlinden demoralised the Austrian forces Charles was recalled to
the command, and he reformed and inspirited the army and stopped the
advance of the French. This achievement, though now obscure, was so ap
preciated then that, on the suggestion of the King of Sweden, the Diet of
Ratisbon wished to confer on him the title of " Saviour of Germany," but
Charles refused to accept it.
'* Count Louis Cobentzl, who had been sent to Paris on a special mission
-the previous year, became Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Foreign Affairs
shortly after this.

VIENNA, 1801 17
verse is supposed by many to be the case. Such a channel
would at all events not be very formidable, as Count
Colleredo is, I understand, nearly in a state of dotage.
The attention of this Court is at this moment entirely
directed to the formation of a new Ministry. I learn that
the Archduke Charles will be at the Head of the Military
and Na'val Department, Count L. Cobentzl, who returned
yesterday from Paris, will have the foreign Department,
and Count Colleredo that of the Interior. If this arrange
ment should be fixed and really acted upon, it would be
extremely favourable, in one sense, to the wishes of Count
Panin, for the Archduke may certainly be considered at
this moment as the leading man in this Empire.
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
[Private.] Vienna, 23''. Sep'. 1801.
My Lord, — I believe that I have already acquainted
your Lordship that during my Mission at Munich, I
had very frequent opportunities of seeing the Archduke
Charles, and that I uniformly experienced from him the
strongest marks of confidence & friendship. I have there
fore since my arrival here felt most extremely anxious to
renew my acquaintance with His Royal Highness ; con
trary however to my wishes, it has not been till this day,
in my power to have that Honor.
Lord Minto and myself were with His Royal Highness
this morning. The reception He gave us, as well as His
conversation during the Interview was extremely gracious
& polite. I thought however that I discovered some
thing like coldness in his manner towards me ; I therefore
contrived to be one Instant alone with Him afterwards,
when He was again what I used to find Him. I made the
best apology I could, for not having been with Him before
to-day, k expressed my hope that I should be allowed
occasionally to see him. H.R.H. answered in the most
friendly manner — " Vous me ferez un vrai plaisir, mon cher,
& j'espfere que nous serons toujours sur le mdme pied que
nous avons 6t6." I mention this circumstance to yr. Lp.
because the Archduke Charles is supposed at this moment
to be the leading man in this Empire, & I wish that I may
not be wrong in drawing a favoura,ble conclusion from it.
VOL. II. B

1 8 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Mr. Thos. Jackson to the Hon. A. Paget.
Naples, Oct, 2nd. 1801.
I learn that Prussia has given a Note to the Emp''. of
Russia of all her losses on the Rhine "en se remettant
entiferement a la Cour de Petersb^ pour 1' arrangement de
ses compensations." If this be true, you will no doubt
have heard it long ago.
I lately rec*. a letter from an intelligent correspondent
who has been travelling all the summer through Switzer
land, Italy, & the Venetian States, and he tells me that he
everywhere heard the same language and hopes expressed,
viz. that the peace between England & France, and the
infiuence of the former, would restore, with their ancient
governments their liberty, tranquillity, & safety ; every
body feels that England alone holds in her hands and has
vigour and sense for effecting anything with France ; all
the continental arrangements hitherto made are univer
sally considered as merely provisional. I heard with great
pleasure the present infiuence of the Archduke Charles, of
which I have no doubt that the Austrian Monarchy & the
Army particularly will feel the good effects, and I flatter
myself that your former acquaintance with H.R.H. while
you were at Munich will be of use to us. I look forward
to the moment when the tyranny of the french, under
which all Italy at present groans, shall yield to the influ
ence which I have not a doubt that Austria must sooner
or later resume.
With my Letters to Ld. H. which accompany this you
will find a rapport sur Bonaparte which will probably
agree with the ideas you seem to have formed, during
your late visit at Paris, as they do with those which I have
long entertained of a man whose ambition is boundless
and who employs war, peace, negociation, alliances, alike in
his one great object, the destruction of the existing order
of things in every Country of Europe ; the paper above-
mentioned concludes with a phrase well worthy the
attention of the great Powers, & should induce them to
understand each other a little better than they have
hitherto done: " le jour oh. les Rois voudront 6tre quelque
chose les Consuls ne seront plus rien."

3J'^ - -^i^

ALEXANDER I. CZAR OF RUSSIA

VIENNA, 1801 19
From Lord St. Helens to the Hon. A. Paget.
Moscow, i4</j October, 1801.
My Dear Sir, — I avail myself of the opportunity of
a Messenger whom the Count de Sauran * is dispatching
to Vienna to acquaint you that the change in this Ministry,
which has been for some time foreseen and apprehended,
has just taken place. Count Panin having yesterday ten
dered his resignation, t which was immediately accepted :
and M. de Kotschubei is appointed to succeed him. I
do not imagine that this change will make any material
alteration in H. Imperial M.'s general system of Foreign
Politics ; \ and am thoroughly persuaded that it will not
impair in the slightest degree his friendly dispositions
towards England : however I lament it very much on
many accounts, public as well as personal, as I have a
variety of businesses in hand, § some of which that were of
a very pressing and important nature were nearly adjusted,
but must now be recommenced almost ab ova, and more
over remain in suspense till the new Ministers can have
leisure to attend to them. I speak of the Ministers in
the plural Number, because, tho' M. de Kotschubei
succeeds to the labouring oar, the Portefeuille is it seems
to remain with the Vice Chancellor Prince Kourakin,
who, in Count Panin's time, held his Office merely ad
honor es, but is now disposed to take upon himself as
large a share of the Business of it as he can conveniently
manage. . . .
The Festivities of our coronation have been extremely
brilliant, and that of yesterday evening in particular,
which was given by Count Scheremetieff, may be termed
an Arabian Nights Entertainment, as in point of splendour
and magnificence it equalled and even went beyond what
the most fertile imagination could conceive or picture.
These raree-shews have attracted hither a numerous flight
* Austrian Minister at St. Petersburg.
t Panin had incurred the distrust of the Czar and the anger of Denmark
and Sweden for the Maritime Convention which he concluded with Lord St.
Helens, June 17, 1801. It ended rupture with England by abandoning the
principles of the Armed Neutrality and the Convention of 1800.
t See Lord St. Helens' letter of October 29.
§ Settling compensation to merchants, and the Supplementary Articles
which were signed in October.

20 THE PAGET PAPERS
of young Englishmen, most of whom will probably migrate
to Vienna in the course of the Winter; so that it is
perhaps not amiss that I should acquaint you that you
will find them in general very well bred and tractable and
right-headed; and such, in short, as you will be well-
pleased to produce by way of specimens of our rising
generation. . . .
The C. de Sauran is negotiating here a renewal of the
Treaties of Alliance and Commerce between this Court
& that of Vienna, both which -will probably be brought
to a speedy conclusion, but the efficaeity of the former
will I fear be somewhat weakened by the recent change
in the Ministry.*
Frorifh Chevalier D'Italinsky to the Hon, A. Paget.
Palerme, i6 Odobre 1801.
Mon veritable et tres cher ami, — . . . Je puis
vous donner deux nouvelles d'ici, le premier est que les
trouppes francaises dans le Royaume de Naples forment
un fardeau qui ^crase le gouvernement ; elles co'Citent
immensement, la cour est obligee de mettre de nouveaux
impots, et de surseoir la paye de la plus part de ses
employes, ee qui cause un mecontentment terrible et
universel. Le Roi de Sardaigne paroit avoir desesper^
de se voir retabli dans ses etats, il se dispose a partir
pour la Sardaigne.
II a fait prier I'empereur d'ordonner ^ Mr. Sorokin de
I'y conduire sur une de ses frigates, ce qu'il lui a accorde ;
j'ai 6th chargfe de communiquer "k Mr. Sorokin I'assenti-
ment de S. M. I'empereur. Nous avons eth £l la veille
d'un ^venement terrible, qui devoit avoir lieu k Catane,
un tas de scelerats avoit formd le projet d'y ^gorger
I'archeveque, les magistrats et toute la noblesse, et de
s'emparer des effets publiques ainsi que du bien des
particuliers ; cette infernale conspiration a 6th decouverte,
et dej^ presque tons les complices sont au pouvoir de la
justice.
'* Panin had aimed at aUiance with Vienna, London, and Berlin.

VIENNA, 1801 2 1

From Lord Elgin to the Hon. A. Paget.
[Secret.] Oct. 20.
Dear Paget, — My letters to-day chiefly contain the
very tedious details of a negociation, which has ended in
my proceeding to Egypt. The fact is, That from igno
rance of the wishes of Government and the feelings of
the Turks, some arrangements have been made there
injurious to our credit, and contradictory to our System.
Hutchinson * is (I suppose) gone with the army, leaving
Egypt in Disgust. The Pasha & Vizir at Loggerheads —
and under these circumstances, I find myself in possession
of secret but very ample instructions from home, given
upon the Porte's soUiciting my advice & assistance in
settling their affairs as well as our's in Egypt. This is
entirely to yourself. The reason assigned by the Porte
& me is. That I go, in consequence of some contradictory
orders received for the troops destined for the defence of
Egypt & any parts of Turkey which may be menaced :
and for the purpose of settling all the accounts and
details connected with the Grand Expedition. . . . —
Yours. E.

From the Hon. A. Paget to Mr. T. Jackson.
Vienna, 26 October 1801.
There arrived here this morning a Neapolitan Courier
from London, who brings an account of the Ratification
of the Preliminaries, t
I am informed that the Joy of the People demonstrated
upon this occasion in London has been universal ; it is
said that the carriages of Mr. Otto & of the French officer
who brought the Ratification from Paris were drawn by
the Populace. I had rather th^t such an attention had
been shown to Mr. Addington or L*^ Hawkesbury.
¦* General Lord Hutchinson, who succeeded Sir E. Abercrombie in com
mand of the army in Egypt. — A. P.
t For a general peace signed in London October i.

2 2 THE PAGET PAPERS
From the Hon. A. Paget to H.M. the Queen of Naples.
No date,
Madame, — Je prie humblement Votre Majesty d'agr^er
mes remercimens de la lettre obligeante quelle a daign^
m'^crire, ainsi que de I'avis qu'EUe m'a donn^ de 1' expedi
tion d'un Courier pour Naples dont avec Sa permission je
profiterai. Mais, avec la d^f^rence la plus respecteuse,
je prends la liberty d' observer k Votre Majesty qu'il est
probable que Son Ministfere k Naples aura appris la
nouvelle de la signature des Pr^liminaires avant que ce
Courier ne puisse la lui apporter, et qu'il est k pr^sumer
qu'il y a des Articles qu'il seroit important k Votre
Majes-t^ de savoir, qui sont ignords de M. Champagny *
ou dont jusqu'k present il a jugd k propos de se taire.
Je suis avec le plus profond Respect, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Lord St. Helens to the Hon. A. Paget.
Moscow, 2()th October 1801.
My Dear Sir, — ... I have had of late a great deal of
business upon my hands, but of a most uninteresting
kind, as it related solely to the adjustment of some points
of Maritime La-w, which had been left for ulterior arrange
ment by the Convention of the 1 7 June ; and which I
have at length settled, tant bien que mal, in the shape of
some additional articles. I dispatched these to England
last Night by Messenger, together with the accession of
the Court of Denmark, t which has at length consented,
tho' with a very ill grace, to adopt the whole of what
has been arranged here without any undue reserves or
restrictions. Sweden, however, continues to run sulky;
tho' it is difficult to ascertain the motives of a backward
ness so evidently prejudicial to her own Interests, and by
which too she is the only sufferer. \
I am very sorry that in the Postscript to my last, I led
'* French Envoy at Vienna.
t Signed October 23, 1801.
X This was the English view. The Convention was practically dictated by
Lord St. Helens. Prussia had abandoned her pledge only to negotiate in
concert with Sweden.

VIENNA, 1801 23
you into an error relative to the state of the negociations
between this Country and Austria ; which I now find to
be by no means so far advanced as I had been induced to
suppose. Had Count Panin indeed remained in Office,
there can be no doubt that the two Courts would very
soon have re-established their former connexion and Inti
macy, (NB. The Overtures and Advances made to this
Court by the Austrian Government have not amounted to
a direct proposal for the renewal of former Treaties, so
that in that respect they have kept their dignity unim
paired) and that upon this basis a system of Alliances
might generally have been formed which might have
furnished an effectual counter - poise to the Power of
France. But the Change which has taken place in this
Government has naturally altered these voluntary dis
positions, since the language held both to Count Sauran
and myself by the present Ministers has uniformly been
that in the present unsettled state of the Politics of
Europe, the Emperor wishes to see his way more clearly
into the Dispositions of the several Powers before he can
venture to contract any positive engagements, and the
only specifick object that M. de Sauran has obtained has
been the promise of the. good offices of this Court in en
gaging the K. of Prussia to accommodate upon reasonable
terms his differences with Austria relative to the affairs
of Munster and Cologne.* It is impossible however to
suppose that this Court can long persevere in their present
system of inactivity and irresolution, as the course of
events must ultimately point out to them the necessity
of their adopting a line of conduct more suitable to the
Emperor's situation and his real Interests and Dignity,
but the first impulse to this change must come yrom with
out, and in this respect perhaps the reports of Count
Razumofsky may be essentially useful, as he appears to
entertain very just notions respecting the part which this
Country ought to take in the general concerns of Europe,
and his opinions and advice would naturally have very
great weight with the Comte de Kotschoubei, with whom
he is very closely connected in Alliance and Friendship.
In mentioning this, however, I must particularly request
(tho' the caution is probably superfluous) that you will
* See letter of Lord St. Helens, February 9, 1802.

24 THE PAGET PAPERS
not let Count Razumofsky perceive that I have expressed
myself in any respect to the disadvantage ofthe Emperor's
present Ministers, as it would certainly be repeated to them,
and the intimation, however delica-tely conveyed, would
necessarily prevent my being as well with them in future
as I now am, and naturally wish to continue. In truth,
they are both (namely P. Kourakin & M. de Kotschoubei)
very well disposed men, and the latter is by no means
deficient in political talents ; so that it may be hoped that
he will improve as he becomes more practised in business,
and more awake to the importance of the Functions that
he has undertaken.
You will be able to form some notion of the fearful
interval that separates us here from the rest of the habit
able world, when I inform you that we have but just
received the news of the signature of the Preliminaries
between England and France, and are still ignorant ofthe
particulars of them. The only articles of which I have
any knowledge are those relative to Malta, the outlines of
which were transmitted to me some time ago with an In
struction to propose to this Court an eventual arrange
ment, in virtue of which, on our relinquishing the Island
to the Order of S* John of Jerusalem, the Emperor was to
take upon himself (moyennant Finance) the care of pro
viding the requisite means for its defence against any
sudden Invasion, and for maintaining the Order in a state
of Independence. I accordingly set on foot a Negociation
to that effect, which was on the eve of being concluded
agreeably to the wishes of H.M.'s Government, when the
unfortunate event of Count Panin's Resignation produced
the above mentioned revolution in the polity of this
Court ; * in consequence of which I was informed that
H.I.M. had determined to decline entirely the proposal in
question ; t partly on account of the difficulty of maintain
ing a body of his Troops in so distant a Quarter, and
partly from his apprehension of the political embarrass
ments in which this measure would probably involve him
from the umbrage & jealousies which it was likely to excite
'* Panin desired to guarantee the integrity of the Turkish Empire. The
Emperor and Kotschubey were opposed to him on this point.
t The Emperor had already definitely refused in July. He had proposed
the neutrality of Malta, or its occupation by the King of Naples, until the,
restoration of the Order. Panin had already lost influence in July.

VIENNA, 1801 25
in France and Spain, as well as at Constantinople. We
must therefore now bethink ourselves of some other ex
pedient, and perhaps the least ineligible will be our en
deavouring, thro' the influence of this Court, to cause the
nomination of a new Grand Master to fall upon some
trustworthy person, and furnish him on his reinstatement
with such supplementary means, as, added to the resources
of the Order, might enable him to maintain his Island in
a respectable state of defence. For the rest, I am sensible
that this is but a part, and a very small part, of the
numerous list of objects which it will be necessary to
secure in order to consolidate this same Peace, which has
burst in upon us thus unexpectedly, and which 1 sincerely
hope will be lasting ; tho' I am afraid it will be a long
time before we reap the full benefits of it by the reduction
of our Force and Expenses within the compass of the
Ordinary Peace Establishment.
From H.R.H. the Duke of York to the
Hon. Arthur Paget.
Oatlands, November 20, 180 1.
Dear Arthur, — Nothing but an extraordinary press
of business arriving, as you may easily conceive from the
present situation, of affairs and the numberless arrange
ments necessary to be made in consequence of the Pre
liminaries of Peace being signed should have prevented
me from returning you before now many thanks for your
very obliging Letter upon the surrender of Alexandria.*
This event is certainly most honourable to His Majesty's
Arms, and the compleat defeat and surrender of the flower
of Buonaparte's Troops which had for so long a time borne
everything before them in Europe, and were considered
by many as invincible, achieved by an Army inferior in
numbers, must reflect the highest credit upon them in the
eyes of all Europe.
I am at present a good deal employed with Lord
Chatham in endeavouring to correct the numberless de:
fects which this war has proyed to every body to exist in
the firelock of the Infantry as used in this country, and
understanding that a new Pattern is introduced into the
'* September i.

2 6 THE PAGET PAPERS
Austrian Army, I am very anxious to see one of them
before any thing is positively determined about our new
Pattern. Will you therefore do me the favour if possible
to procure me one, and send it over to me as soon as you
can. — Believe me ever, Dear Arthur, &c.
(Signed) Frederick.
From Lord Elgin to the Hon. A. Paget.
CoNSPLE., Bee, 3, 1801.
Dear Paget, — The contents of my letters of this day
will naturally point out to you the importance of com
municating them not only to England without delay, but
also to Lord Cornwallis, Ld St. Helens, & I think also to
Berlin. My reason for adding Berlin is a supposition that
altho' our friends there would not do anything to oppose
France while at war, yet she might on so imminent a
danger as that which now threatens Turkey recollect Her
old alliance & the inconvenience of this Empire being cut
up for Her neighbours, and on that ground direct M.
Knoblesdorff to encourage the Porte to resist. The same
thing may be applicable to Sweden. I do not write to
either places from my ignorance whether in fact so gross an
insult to England as M. Marcow * has continued to make
will have been ratified at Petersburg, which you probably
may know : if so, pray act upon it. I have another ac
knowledgement to offer which is really not on the score of
idleness, but from a great anxiety to save the S. wind for
my Janissary to reach Varna. Were he delayed this
night he might easily be a fortnight longer on his
Journey. I therefore have resolved on sending him off,
without making out letters for Lord Cornwallis or Ld St.
Helens, and on begging you to allow copies to be made
at Vienna. I really won't abuse this act of your good
nature. The Letters to Ld C. ought certainly to go immediately
& by messenger, tho' if possible without its being known
that the letters are from hence. The annexed letter to
* Russian Ambassador sent by Alexander to Paris on the recall of Kalit-
scheff after the death of Paul. He had signed (October 8) a secret agreement
with France, guaranteeing the mediation of Russia for the conclusion of a
separate peace, without the participation of England, between France and
Turkey. See letter of February 9, 1802.

VIENNA, 1802 27
Ali Effendi is also of a secret & pressing nature tho'
written before To-morrow's overture.
Pray let Ld St. Helens hear likewise, as soon as
possible. Adieu. — Yours very faithfully. (Signed) Elgin.
From Lord Minto to the Hon. A. Paget.
[Private & confidential.] Edinburgh, 4</i. /aw". 1802.
My Dear Sir, — ... It would be very much my wish
to send you information, or at least notions that you might
think interesting. I know by my own experience how
acceptable at Vienna, any thing authentick on a state of
things so unusual from England would have been. But
I really cannot say that I have been able to collect much
light, or to dispel much of the obscurity which hung over
the political atmosphere of England when I left you. I
have learnt very little that was new, & I have had no
reason to change any material opinion which I brought
home with me. You know what my feelings were con
cerning the preliminaries from the day on which I became
acquainted with them. I retain those sentiments after
all that 1 have happened to hear in support of that treaty,
& I have reason indeed to entertain my first opinions with
the greater confidence, as I find them countenanced by
several of the most able & weighty men in the country.
If I were to speak of the sincere opinion of that part of
the publick whose opinions are of any value on such a
subject, I should say that a dissatisfaction with the peace
is the prevailing sentiment. But, independent of the
reasons which give popularity to any peace after a burthen
some war & of those which ensure a concurrence in Pari*
with any important measure of the Government for the
time being, there is one circumstance in the present trans
action which has naturally induced a greater appearance
of support, & less appearance of opposition, than accord
ing to my notion of the publick mind is quite genuine.
I mean the part which Mr. Pitt has thought himself
obliged to take on the occasion. The only quarter from
which a parliamentary opposition to the peace could pos
sibly come was that of the old ministry. The new
ministers are themselves the Authors of the measure &

28 THE PAGET PAPERS
the old opposition could not, as friends of the French
Revolution or consistently with the fundamental points
of their past conduct, do otherwise than applaud any
peace. The support given to the measure by Mr. Pitt, &
even the previous sanction which it must be supposed to
have rec* from him, does not leave the numerous party
which composed his administration, or adhered to it, in a
situation to pronounce openly or vigorously their disap
probation, if such should be their real sentiment. Accord
ingly that party is divided — some follow Mr. Pitt in a
direct support of the Peace — others who in their hearts
condemn it I know have refrain'd from an open opposition
to it, & have absented themselves from Pari' that they
might avoid the necessity of violating either their opinion
on so important a question, or their attachment & grati
tude to Mr. Pitt. I could name several persons of very
great weight who have taken this line. I will indeed
venture in strict confidence to mention L'^ Cambden &
Canning in this number, & there are others. The op
posers of the peace then could only be those of the late
ministry & its supporters who remain, after deducting the
personal adherents of Mr. Pitt. The number who shew
themselves therefore on this question are not many. Lord
Grenville is at their head. Windham has also taken a
lead, & these opinions naturally include the description of
persons who have been call'd alarmists, that is to say those
who saw, in the beginning of this contest, danger from
the principles of the French Revolution, & who now are
strongly impress'd with the danger that has since arisen
from the power of the French Republick — & these are
sentiments in which your humble servant has always par
taken, & in which he is more than ever confirm'd by the
present situation of affairs & course of events. But how
ever prevalent I may conceive a real disapprobation of
the peace to be, I can have no doubt of its obtaining the
formal sanction of a great majority in Pari*. It must be
hazardous to speak of the private sentiments of our good
King on this subject, & it would hardly be justifiable to
do it, if I were in the secret, which I by no means boast
of being. Being, however, accustom'd to speak without
reserve to you, I should venture to say that I have brought
away from his closet the impression that he may have

VIENNA, 1802 29
found himself compelled by all the circumstances of the
time, to give way on this point & assent to a peace ; but
that both peace in general & the particular conditions of
this treaty were a violence to his genuine sentiments &
feelings. England being left to stand single in the war
is one circumstance on which he relies, but I could per
ceive that this was not the only species of necessity to
which he yielded. The change of ministry & all the
circumstances which attended that event left him little
choice either as to the composition of his new Govern
ment or as to the system of measures he should pursue.
Government & indeed the real power of the country were
essentially weaken'd by that event. The prosecution of
the war became perhaps impossible, & peace therefore
became necessary. I own amongst the many reasons
which make this peace hateful in my eyes is the reflexion
that it probably wounds the feelings, as it is certainly in
contradiction with all the known & rooted opinions as
well as with the mind & character, of our firm old
master. I think it right, at the same time, to say dis
tinctly that I am not now reporting opinions which the
King expressed to me, but merely the impressions which
I rec* from the colour of his conversation, combined with
all one knew before of his habitual sentiments. On the
change of ministry, from which mischief has so plentifully
devolved, I can really give you nothing which I can even
myself depend upon. I have not been able to arrive at
any clear notion or any fixed opinion on the subject. You
have indeed been in England yourself since that period, k
had better opportunities than me of learning the interior
of this mystery, which is impenetrable to the world with
out. There is a variety of opinions supported by various
& contradictory accounts of facts. Some assert that Mr.
Pitt was not bound by any engagement to the Irish
Catholicks which should force him to bring forward that
question in circumstances so unfavourable, & that too
little regard was shewn to the King's private opinions,
both in the former communication with the Irish Catho
licks k in the measure which Mr. Pitt insisted on pro
posing. Others assert that Mr. Pitt's Government was
bound in honour, if not by a formal engagement, to pro
pose some measure favourable to the Irish Catholicks

30 THE PAGET PAPERS
who had been induced by that expectation to support the
Union, & whose support did in effect carry that important
transaction. It is also said that no neglect was used
towards the King, k that the strong part taken by His
Majesty on the Irish question, which made the retreat of
Mr. Pitt & his colleagues unavoidable, may be ascribed to
the approach of the King's malady, which began already
to operate, although it did not break out openly till a
short time afterwards. I confess I am myself inclined to
the latter opinion, both on the balance of testimonies,
and because it seems to me the most natural or rather the
only natural account of this extraordinary k otherwise
inexplicable transaction. For it is impossible to imagine
events so fraught with evil & ruin, without supposing
malady in one quarter or other, & that calamity occurred
so immediately afterwards, that there is no great strain
in carrying it back a week or ten days. But to return to
the peace, I must own for one that besides the conditions,
such as we know them, I think the mode of conducting
the negotiation very faulty, & I apprehend very strongly
that this will be perceived in the definitive treaty. The
preliminary Articles were not only silent on many in
teresting points, but they were obscure & equivocal on
those even which they profess** to settle, as in the case of
Portuguese integrity : — was it probable in the spirit which
was to direct our negotiation, that a doubtful article
should obtain a favourable interpretation in the sub
sequent proceedings ? We appear to have accepted of
separate unauthenticated assurances in lieu of formal
stipulations. If we suffer by this it will have been with
our eyes open, for such assurances are the very bait -with
which Talleyrand & Bonaparte have caught their gulls all
round Europe in our presence. But what I think most
improvident & what has already produced the most mis
chievous consequences, has been the want of those pre
cautions in the Armistice which were necessary for keeping
things in some degree as they were during the negotiation
of the definitive treaty. By this omission the Enemy
has gain'd an immense k perhaps decisive advantage in
the case of the treaty breaking off & a renewal of the war,
& by that very circumstance they have gain'd an im
mense advantage in the treaty itself, for it is become

VIENNA, 1802 31
infinitely more hazardous to renew hostilities than it was
to continue them. The expedition from Brest to the
West Indies is a strong illustration of this objection. It
is the fashion to say that the French Expedition ag' the
negro revolt in St. Domingo* is beneficial to our own
Islands; but this benefit might probably have been re
tarded without much inconvenience till the actual signa
ture of Peace, & altho' the expedition should not be
diverted in the first instance to any other purpose than
that which is profess'd, yet the existence of that body of
troops within a few days' sail of Jamaica, or the certainty
of their arrival at such a position, is a powerful weapon
at Amiens, k one which we have ourselves most com-
plaisantly put into the hand of our enemy.
With regard to party politicks nothing seems yet
settled into anything like system. The new ministry
have indicated a wish to strengthen themselves by some
accession or other. There is reason to believe that they
have look'd to the opposition benches for that purpose, k
I consider the accession of some persons of that description
as still in agitation. Mr. Tierney k Mr. Grey have both
been mention'd. Mr. Grey was understood to have de
clined pretty early overtures, but the issue of these specu
lations may still be considered as doubtful. Nothing
could be more interesting to the country, k indeed to all
other countries, than to know the part which Mr. Pitt is
likely to take. I mean whether there is any probability
of his resuming his former situation, or whether he will
remain out of office. But, as yet, I do not find any fixed
opinion, k if his present professions should decide it we
have no reason to expect his return to the ministry. I
am one of those who lament most cordially his retreat, k
I own that I shall never think the world secure without
the support of this Atlas. At the same time I see many
obstacles in the way of his restoration to power, amongst
which the difference between the King k him on the Irish
Catholick question, & I fear still more, perhaps, a personal
disinclination of the King towards him, are difficult to be
-*¦ The expedition against Toussaint Louverture did not verify these fears.
It deepened disaffection among the negroes and wasted some of the best
French troops. The plague broke out among them, and killed the best French
admiral. La Touche Treville, and twenty generals. The Haytians regained
independence in 1803.

32 THE PAGET PAPERS
got over in the present moment. There are, as I have
already mentioned, various persons who will agree in
opposing the Peace. Lord Grenville, Lord Fitzwilliam,
Mr Windham, & others will find themselves acting to
gether on that question, but hitherto there is no con
nexion beyond that point which can be considered as
establishing or even as aiming at the establishment of a
systematick opposition, or regular party professing any
particular principle or object. Such I mean is the case at
this moment. There is, at the same time, undoubtedly a
possibility that the leading principle in which they agree
at present, that is to say a strong jealousy of the alarm
ing power of France, k a strong opinion that energy k
courage affords the only protection ag' this danger, while
a temporizing conceding system must encrease it. I say
there is a possibility that the present agreement, in so
capital a feature of the politicks of the period we have
before us, may lead to a more general connexion. This
however can as yet be only speculation, for nothing of
the sort exists at present, such will be the state of domes-
tick politicks at the meeting of Pari' after the recess.
Pari' has been adjourn'd from week to week, as it is said,
on account of the insubordination of the fleet at Bantry
bay,* but it is not proposed to do business of import
ance till the beginning of February. I doubt very much
whether the contents of these three sheets will reward
you for reading them, but in truth it is nearly impossible
to send you anything either new or certain in the present
moment, k such as it is I beg you to accept of this letter
at least as a testimony of good will & of the sincere k
cordial regard with which I shall ever remain, — My Dear
Sir, affectionately & faithfully yours, Minto.
P.S. — I need not say that this letter is strictly con
fidential. From Mr. Broughton t to the Hon. A. Paget.
Downing Street, Jany. igth 1802.
Dear Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of the
assignment of your appointments at Vienna duly executed
* Meeting of the squadron under Admiral Mitchel, December 1801.
t His agent at the Foreign Office. — A. P.

VIENNA, 1802 33
in my favour, for which I beg to express my acknowledg
ments. 1 now inclose the Statement of our account Current, in
as far as regards Your Appointments previous to your
being nominated to Vienna. The actual Balance against
you on that Head is ^7217, 3s. 6d. But you will per
ceive from the accompanying Statement of Credits due to
you that the account in Question may be considered as
liquidated provided Your Extr^ disbursements (of which
I entreat you to send me an account) amount to .^^500.
With regard to Your Mission at Vienna, the amount of
Annesteiner's Bills which became due on the 14th Instant
for jCi^oo is at present the only charge against you,
except^ for Newspapers and other trifling objects ; whilst
the Arrears due to you from Government on that Mission
amount to about ;^2300, so that there would be a surplus,
admitting that all your appointments were paid up to the
5th Ins' of ^800 or thereabouts.
I trust you will have received my letter by Arndt in
which I communicated to you the result of my Conversa
tion with Mr. Vansittart respecting your Claims for an
extra'' allow"^, and the little success resulting from it. I
have not yet found a favorable opportunity to speak to
Lord Hawkesbury, nor do I entertain any very sanguine
hope from the interview. Indeed I much doubt whether
His Lordship will be prevailed upon to recommend the
allowing any large sum to you, and I am convinced that
an application to Mr. Addington would be more likely to
succeed. The Head of this Department appears to be
extremely averse to encrease the Burthens of the People
by extraordinary Disbursements. — I remain, &c.
Cha® R. Broughton.
From Mr. Tyrwhitt to the Hon. A. Paget.
Welbbck Street, Jan, 22, 1802.
Dear Arthur Paget, — As I think it probable from
the Illness of Mrs. Fitzherbert, the Prince will not be
able to write by Morand, I am determined at least not
to let the occasion slip myself
All that I anticipated at Vienna has absolutely taken
place, & language cannot convey to you the warmth k
VOL. II. c

34 THE PAGET PAPERS
affection with which our Friend expressed himself concern
ing you. I arrived on Sunday, k had not been alone
with him two minutes before, laying hold of my hand in
the old way, He exclaimed, " What the devil can be the
Reason why Arthur has never written one word to me."
On my explanation of circumstances he was perfectly
satisfied. This leads me direct to the three Points — He
undertakes (and entire nous seems highly pleased you
have placed such confidence in him) the whole arrange
ment of Sackville Street — He muttered to himself the
Manner He should do it, & in my life I never heard ex
pressions, (difficult rather you will allow immediately to
hit upon) more suited to the occasion, & so likely to do
the Business in that handsome manner you would wish
it to be done. He prefers waiting till people come
to Town, to avoid writing. , The Boys dined at Carlton
House yesterday, & he asked when the Person was coming
up from the country, & the reply was in a fortnight.
As to Leave of Absence, He means to see Addington,
himself, k has forbid me to speak to him upon the sub
ject ; I have been in Downing Street this morning & not
one word of course escaped my Lips, but a deal of Abuse
of your manner of conducting your important Mission.
A. seems to have a sincere Regard for you. I reckon you
quite sure of gaining the Point. The third Point was
included in a general conversation upon various Topics
respecting you, in the course of which I dropped an Idea
that I thought a Georgium Sidus would not look amiss
upon you. He exclaimed " God damn you, leave that to
me, & if I could manage to steal that intended for Aly
Bey (S"" R. Ainsley) no Man I should like to give it to
better, — but Hey ! what sort of a woman is she, has she
B. & B.— Who is she like ? " when I told him, " by God,
Whiskers, not amiss either." Now I come to mention, I
am sure I do not know your manner of wearing your
watch, but a chain was ordered sur le Champ, k in two
days I shall see him with it. Adolphus dined with him
yesterday, & you seem a very great Favourite of his
indeed. You will find in his Letter he deprecates as He
told you he should in the strongest manner your ever
indulging at any Time even for a Moment an Idea of
quitting your MHier. He used all the Arguments I did.

VIENNA, 1802 35
but in a much more forcible manner, in one word it is
quite impossible to do Justice to or to describe the warmth
of his Feelings for you. He never looked better or stouter.
Mrs F. has had a very narrow escape. On dit matters
are as hot as ever, but I do not believe it. I described
Hardenberg, & was fully k ably supported by Prince
Adolphus who has the highest opinion of his character,
in such a manner that I am fully convinced were he to
come in this country he would enjoy the Confidence of the
P. There can be no harm, as the most inviolable secrecy
is promised, in his conveying to the P. through you by
Letters the political situation of Hannover — nothing will
be more acceptable, & I know it will never be forgotten ;
it is quite astonishing how quick & alert He is upon this
Topic. Pray make my best Remembrance of every kind to H.
& tell him I shall write to him the moment the Con
versation respecting Hannover has taken place which I
am shortly to have with the P. ; it is now impossible
hardly to get at him at all — He is up by nine, out at
breakfast in Tilney Street, where He stays till dinner
Time. There is a grand attack meditating from the
united Powers of L** Fitzwilliam, Carlisle, k the Gren-
villes, cum multis aliis, against the Ministry upon the
peace Establishment which is shortly to be moved. The
Civil List debate comes on after the Recess on the 4
Feb. which will also be interesting. I shall send you an
account by the earliest conveyance — give me a Line after
you have received the Epistle, k command ever yours
sincerely, Tho^' Tyrwhitt.
From the Hon. A. Paget to General Sir John Acton.
Vienna, January 23, 1802,
Sir, — I have had the honor to receive from L'Abbd
Giansant^ your Excellency's letters of the nth ultimo,
and I beg you to accept my best thanks for the very
obliging manner in which your Excellency has had the
goodness to convey to me the condescending and flattering
sentiments which His Sicilian Majesty has been graciously
pleased to express towards me.
The Abb^ Giansant^ presented to me at the same time

36 THE PAGET PAPERS
on the part of the King of Naples a snuff box with His
Sicilian Majesty's Portrait enriched with Diamonds. It
is impossible for me to express how sensible I feel of this
particular token of His Sicilian Majesty's gracious re
membrance of me. I shall take the liberty of requesting
your Excellency to present my most humble respects to
His Sicilian Majesty and to assure him that I shall always
consider it as a part of my public Duty, in which I shall
be assisted by my private feelings, to promote to the
utmost extent of my power the common Interests arising
out of the intimate connection which so happily subsists
between Their Sicilian and Britannic Majesties.
I beg your Excellency to be persuaded of the respect
and esteem, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
Fro7n H.R.H. the Prince or Wales to the
Hon. A. Paget.
My dearest Arthur, — I have but two complaints to
make of you, the first, that you have so long left me in
suspense whether you have entirely forgotten me from
your long & persevering silence, & secondly from what I
learn from Tohi Tyrwhitt that you could for one moment
possibly doubt the full extent of that sincere affection I
bear you, and which entitles you to every thing that
friendship can claim from one Man to another. Believe
me that there is not anything I am not ready, under that
word, friendship, to risk or attempt for you, either to
secure your happiness or peace of mind. With respect to
the charge I have receiv'd respecting Sackville Street, I
will certainly do everything I can to serve you, but I am
confident your wishes are, that it should be managed with
all the delicacy that so painful a task will admit. I am
afraid it will be some weeks, if not months before I shall
be able to accomplish the point owing to the absence of
the parties from London, in the meantime if it is really &
seriously your wish that a final conclusion (as deliver'd
to me by Tyrwhitt) should be drawn to everything, do you
not think it would be more delicate, more proper, k more
honourable (as well as most necessary to save you all
further trouble & uneasiness) to convey to me in a parcel
to be deliver'd to myself, & then again to be deliver'd

VIENNA, 1802 31
solely by me to the trustees concern'd, all Letters, Papers,
k Pictures that you may now have in your possession.
You may depend upon it that I shall use the best of
my endeavours to wound as little as possible either your
feelings or those of others. It is a painful task I cannot
but acknowledge, my dearest Arthur, to be under the
necessity of giving pain to those one both respects & loves,
but I again repeat that my friendship for you will make
me waive all other considerations, at 'the same time I can
not help thinking the task once perform'd, I am serving
others also who till then must remain in ignorance of the
true state of your situation k sentiments. I have not as
yet been able to see Addington, but I will not the first
moment I do, cease urging Him to obtain leave of absence
for you from Lord Hawkesbury. Thus briefly do I write
to you merely to set your mind at ease, & in order that
you may never again have any foolish fancies or doubts
about me, car je suis toujours de loin comme de pres.
Many thanks for your delightful Snuff Box, k now God
bless you. — Ever most affectionately yours, George.
Carlton House, Feb. 2'' 1802.
P,S, — Don't forget my commissions, & among the rest
pray try whether you can pick me up a Polish, an
Hungarian, or a Turkish Horse or two. When you see
Hardenberg, pray tell Him how happy I shall be to
make his acquaintance, k indeed that of every one you
approve. From Mr. Tyrwhitt to the Hon. A. Paget.
Sunday evening, Feb, 7, 1802.
Dear Arthur P., — I dined with the Prince tete a tete
the day on which he wrote you your Letter, & after it was
finished He read it to me, & I confess I think it is one
you will not dislike — soon after He had sealed it. He was
taken ill suddenly, complaining of excruciating Torture in
one of his Feet — I requested him to send for Keat the
Surgeon, (as He had had a small prick from His spur &
which I thought had gone deeper than was apprehended)
but in Spite of K's applications the Pain continued & has

38 THE PAGET PAPERS
confined him to his Bed evBr since — I am convinced it is
a visit from that cursed of all Visitors the gout, but the
Faculty will have the complaint to be & so term it " a
spasmodic affection." by the way both his Feet are much
swelled & inflamed, & so is one of the Hands. He was
very low yesterday & made me stay with him till ii at
night. This morning I think his Spirits are much better,
but I by no means think all is right. You will observe not
one word is said in your Dispatch of the Vis a vis — upon
my saying I had a Cominission from you to procure you
one " By God, Whiskers, I do not think He will hate it
because I have used it, do you think He will." I without
hesitation accepted it, & it will be ready for Morand on
Tuesday. He thinks the Snuff Box beautiful & I saw it
by his Bed side this morning : believe me, whenever He
mentions you, it is in such warm terms that no language
I am master of can convey. At Times, I think the Heat
for  not so strong ; at others, I think I am wrong ;
but upon the whole I do not know whether it is not upon
the Turn. I understand I am excluded from her Shop
d jamais. My Deuil will not cost me much. There is a
deal of Bustle going forward in the political world. To
morrow the Speaker is to acquaint us H e has accepted the
Irish Seals, & Abbot is to tell us how reluctant He is to
fill the Chair ; rumour says Vansittart goes to Ireland,
& G. Tierney to the Treasury — in a supplement to this
before Morand goes you shall know all. 'The P. is working
hard to effect a grand Junction of Parties, but I do not
think one that will embrace all can take place — indeed
Fox puts himself out of the Question, as He is going to
travel. There is another Rumour which gains credit also, but
which I confess for one has none with me, which is, that
His Majesty has said the pressure of affairs is too much for
him & that He wishes to have an Assistant. Whatever
takes place, one Thing I know you will be glad to be
assured of, that the Prince is determined to support the
Government. As 1 am certain there will be No. 4 I shall
only say, I am now Your Excellency's most sincerely,
(Signed) Tyrwhitt. No. 3.

VIENNA, 1802 39
From Lord St. Helens to the Hon. Arthur Paget.
St. Petersburgh, gth Febv. 1802.
It is most certain that the political Jockey-ship of that
Arch-Trickster, M. de Talleyrand, was never more fully
displayed than in his artful management of the Peace
between France and Turkey,* for which he contrived to
make three distinct bargains, with England, with Russia,
and with the Porte itself, obtaining from each a valuable
consideration in Exchange for a mere non-entity, being
the supposed lien of the French upon Egypt, from whence
they had been completely driven long before the signa
ture of any of these Treaties. And the embarrassments
occasioned by this stroke of Machiavelism have been
rendered doubly perplexing by the preposterous conduct
of M. de Marcoff and Gen^ Tamara in demanding that
according to the strict letter of the engagement between
France and Russia, the latter should not only begin anew
her Negociations with the Porte,t but transfer them to
Constantinople. Fortunately the Ministers here are much
too right-minded to concur in so absurd and extravagant
a proposal. However, they are still desirous that Russia
should have an ostensible share in the final termination
of a Business in which she has so near an Interest, and
they therefore propose, by way of Mezzo Termine, that
this intended new Treaty should be negotiated and signed
at Paris by the Turkish Ambassador there, under the Direc
tion of C Marcoff and Mr. Jackson, and under His Majesty's
and the Emperor of Russia's joint mediation and garanty.
I have submitted this expedient, by the desire of this
Court, to His Majesty's Ministers, who, I should imagine,
will be disposed to adopt it ; more especially as it is under
stood that the Treaty in question is to contain a distinct
* Preliminary Treaty between France and Turkey, October 9, 1801 ; defini
tive Treaty signed June 25, 1802. The French were to enjoy commercial
advantages in the Levant, and the right to enter the Black Sea ; and Turkey
was to agree to the Treaty of Amiens. Coming after the evacuation of Egypt,
these were startling concessions. Talleyrand had played on the pride of the
Turks by calling them to join ihe Council of civilised peoples wio iad united
in the Treaty of Amiens.
+ The Russian Ambassador in London was opposed to the Eussian intrigues
at the Porte, and considered the Eussian diplomatists there as mere " agents
of Napoleon." His brother, A. E. Woronzow, made Chancellor early in 1862,
had in 1801 declared against guaranteeing the integrity of Turkey.

40 THE PAGET PAPERS
reference (as circumstances may require) either to the 5th
Art. of the Preliminaries of the 2^ October or to its cor
responding stipulation in the Def: Treaty between Hi?
Majesty & the French Government. 1 purpose communi
cating these particulars to L* Elgin by a Mess"" who will
be dispatched from hence to Constantinople in a few days ;
however, you may as well mention them to hira when you
have an opportunity of writing to him ; and you may at
the same time very safely assure him that the sentiments
of the Russian Ministers with regard to Turkish Politics
are in perfect unison with those of His Majesty's Govern
ment, and that nothing can be further from their thoughts
than the joining with France in any Project for the dis
memberment of that Empire.* By the way, I observe by
my last letter from L"* Hawkesbury that L*^ Elgin's
misgivings on this last head have made a very sensible
impression in England, and I am therefore particularly
anxious to remove the Prejudices which he seems to
entertain against his Russian Colleague, who is in reality
a sincere well-wisher to the Interests of England as op
posed to those of France ; and in his Dispatches, which
I often see, takes every opportunity of pointing out the
benefits that must accrue 'to this Country from the con
tinuance of our present ascendancy over the Turkish
Councils. M. de Sauran's Dispatches by this Mess' no doubt re
late chiefly to the affair of the Indemnities ; t but I do
not imagine that they contain anything very important
or satisfactory on that head ; as, tho' the dispositions of
this Court towards Austria are still as friendly as can be
wished, I do not find that they have had any, even the
slightest, degree of success either in attempts to engage
the Prussian Cabinet to reduce its pretentions within a
'* Bonaparte had proposed that England should keep her conquests, and
France hold Egypt.
t The discussions as to the " Indemnities " arose out of the proposed adjust
ments by which small states (lay and ecclesiastical) were to be given as com
pensation to Austria and Prussia for the Rhine Provinces and the Netherlands.
The Treaty of Amiens settled that the bishoprics of Trient and Brixen were
to be Austrian ; Tuscany and Modena, wrested from Hapsburg House, were
to be replaced by the Electorate of Salzburg and the Breisgau. Prussia was
to receive Paderborn and Hildesheim, and the town of Mainz ; Bavaria, the
bishoprics of Wurzburg, Bamberg, and Augsburg ; Naussau, Orange, Fulda,
and other ecclesiastical fiefs.

VIENNA, 1802 41
more moderate compass.* They are accordingly (as I
ventured to predict in my last) most heartily sick and
weary of the task that they have undertaken, and look
forward with much eagerness to the prospect of being
released by the removal of the negotiation to Paris— an
Event which can hardly fail of taking place very speedily
since it seems to be so anxiously desired by all the Parties
interested. I have been fortunately relieved from any
direct concern in this business by the arrival of a Minister
from His Majesty's Electoral Government, whose principal
Commission is to endeavour to obtain for H.M., thro' the
good offices of this Court, either the whole ofthe Bishoprick
of Hildesheim, in exchange for a reasonable Equivalent,
or an indemnification for the loss of his Paramountship
over that Bishopric in the event of its being secularised,
and assigned to one of the ousted Lay Princes. As matters
now stand it seems to be destined to the Prince of Orange ;
but there is every reason to fear that it will ultimately fall
to the lot of that very worst of all possible neighbours,
the Gov' of Prussia.

From Lord Elgin to the Hon. A. Paget.
Pbra, Feby 18, 1802.
Dear Paget, — It has been good humoredly represented
to the Turkish Government that your communication at
Vienna of the Porte's disavowal of the ¦ absurd Separate
Treaty between France & Turkey had been made with
a view to exult over what is styled a tour deforce of the
British Influence here. I had no difficulty in satisfying
the Ministers, that your object solely was to obtain for
them from the Austrian Cabinet an unbiassed opinion on
the cunning artifice of M. Talleyrand, k upon the Prin
ciple how far it would be sound Policy to shew a timid
compliance with the Demands of the French when those
Demands were in themselves unjust & improper.
'* Alexander and Napoleon had proposed to act as mediators between
Austria, Bavaria, and Prussia re indemnities. The Diet, or rather a com
mittee or deputation pf the Diet, was given plenary powers to decide these
questions October 8, 1801.

42 THE PAGET PAPERS
From M. D'Italinsky to the Hon. A. Paget.
Palerme, ce 20 Fevr, 1802.
Pour revenir sur le sujet de I'Europe, nous voyons tout
extremement en noir. Bonaparte ne perd pas de vue vos
etablissemens aux Indes orientales, il veut absolument
vous y ruiner. II s'occupe des mesures k prendre pour
r^ussir ; maitre absolu de toute 1' Italic il veut I'^tre de la
Mediterranee ; il tache de s'y approprier les iles, qui ont
des ports, et qui peuvent lui servir pour faire une chaine
des postes militaires d'une facile communication entre eux,
il (a) dejk I'ile d'Elbe, il a resolu d'escamoter Malte ; on a
intercept^ une lettre oil il est dit, que les anglais sont
b^tes, les Russes fourbes mais seront dupes, Malte sera
une colonic de 20 mille francois, les Maltois seront trans
port's ailleurs &c. &c. Apr^s avoir tout prepare Bonaparte
attaquera la Porte, oil pour la conqu'rir toute, ou pour
s'emparer de la Syrie et pour recouvrir I'Egypte ; voilk
comme nous voyons ici les choses, dites moi, si jamais
vous pourrez faire tant que de m'honorer de votre 6cri
ture, dites moi ce qu'on pense k Vienne, ce que vous
pensez des projets du premier Consul.
From Mr. Drummond * to the Hon. A. Paget.
Naples, March yrd 1802.
The Sicilian Parliament is to be assembled on the 8th of
this month. Its duration is to be extended beyond the
usual period, but as soon as it breaks up ,the King is tb re
turn hither. I am glad that he has been at last persuaded
to take this measure, though I much fear he has delayed it
too long. I have reason to believe the scheme for sepa
rating Naples from Sicily is by no means abandoned.
The Spanish Court has succeeded in establishing a double
marriage between the two families.! The friendship of
Spain is, however, very suspicious, and not the less so
that both the Queen and the Prince of Peace I have held
* Minister at Naples.
t See letters of the Queen of Naples of September 29 and October 22.
X The notorious Godoy, who as Court favourite and Prime Minister, led to
the degradation of Spain, and prepared the way for Napoleon's intervention
in 1808.

VIENNA, 1802 43
the strongest language in speaking of the French. In a
letter addressed by her Catholic Majesty to the Queen of
Naples, she says that the interest of Europe requires that
all the branches of the House of Bourbon should be united,
and, with the assistance of Austria and England, should
endeavour to restrain the ambition of France. The Prince
of Peace writes in the same style. But when I recollect
that the marriage between the Hereditary Prince and the
Infanta was proposed by the Citizen Alquier,*" I have my
suspicions that the language of the Court of Madrid has
been not only permitted but recommended by the citizen
Lucien Bonaparte, t I am the more confirmed in this, that
an invitation has been sent to their Sicilian Majesties
requesting them to go to Spain, t and making it a point
that the Hereditary Prince should go and reside there
until the infanta, his intended bride, shall be marriageable.
You will easily see that this is a manoeuvre to get the
Prince into proper training, in case it shall be his fate to
ascend the throne. It is decided that he is to go in the
month of jMay, and I imagine the King -will be induced
to accompany him. In the meantime General Murat is
to honour Naples with a visit. The object of this visit is
not declared. If he do not rivet the old chains of the
Neapolitans, he will certainly forge new ones for them.
The Government here gives it out that he only comes to
ask a little money, and if he ask nothing else they may be
very well satisfied. But Murat knows very well that the
treasury is pretty nearly drained. He knows too perhaps
the disaffection of the people, and their dislike and con
tempt for their present rulers. There are many things
in this country which may interest him ; and it is not a
little remarkable that within these two last months the
French have been employed in surveying all the coast
from Ancona to Tarento. In case they should think of
passing the Adriatic, this may be very useful to them, and
must facilitate their progress eastward, the idea of which
they have never abandoned any more than they have
forgotten for a moment their views upon Italy.
'* Baron Alquier, French Envoy at Naples ; formerly at Madrid.
+ French Ambassador at Madrid.
t The policy of Bonaparte was to drive the Austrian House out of Italy,
and substitute the influence of the Spanish House, which he did not dread.

44 THE PAGET PAPERS
I hope soon to see M. d'ltalinski here. We have a little
Tartar colony now at Naples, but as I am not very partial
to any tribe of barbarians, 1 hope these Cossacks will soon
take their departure. Mr. Hayter * has commenced his
labours at Portici, but I cannot predict success.
Lord Keith and General Fox continue at Malta, The
expense there is enormous. Malta is to be garrisoned by
Neapolitan troops.t It has been agreed that the French
should pay one half, and our Government the other. I
have endeavoured to persuade General Acton that the
King of Naples would do better to pay the whole than to
give the French an opportunity of buying the army when
they please. Of this he seems to be convinced, and has,
I believe, offered to our Cabinet to have the article in the
treaty changed accordingly.
From the Hon, A. Paget to H.M, the Queen op Naples.
March 8, 1802.
Madame, — Le Bruit dont Votre Majesty m'a fait
I'honneur de me parler ne m'est point encore parvenu,
& je crois que Votre Majesty pent se tranquilliser \k-
dessus. II n'y a pas de ville ou il court tant de bruits
absurdes & denu's de fondemens. Avec cela je ne suis
pas sans inquietudes sur le sort de I'ltalie, puisque son
existence actuelle ne depend malheureusement que du
caprice d'un.seul homme qui se propose peut-§tre de former
une chaine de Republiques depuis Spartivento jusqu'au
Texel. Si jamais je regois des nouvelles qui puissent inti^resser
Votre Majesty elle peut ^tre persuadde que je ne man-
querai pas de les lui transmettre.
Je dois prevenir Votre Majestd que je ne pourrai ex-
pedier mon Courier que demain — & Je La supplie de
recevoir I'expression de mon respectueux d^vouemerit,
(Sign') Arthur Paget,
'* Employed by the Prince of Wales to decipher the papyri found at Hercu-
laneum in 1752.
t By the Treaty of Amiens, Malta was to be restored to the Order, the
English troops withdrawn, and 2000 Neapolitan troops placed there for a
time.

VIENNA, 1802 45
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord St. Helens.
Vienna, i,th March 1802.
I understand that there is much difficulty in the Nego
ciations at Amiens respecting Malta — We wish it to be
garrisoned by Neapolitan Troops ; Bonaparte is desirous
that it should be restored immediately & unconditionally
to the Order. If so, it is surely extremely essential that
Hompesch* should not succeed to the S. Ministry, in
which Intrigue he is supported by Bonaparte. In this
as in all other affairs relating to Malta, the C of Vienna
has already engaged duly to act in strict conjunction with
that of Petersburg.
From Lord St. Helens to the Hon. A. Paget.
St. Petersburg, 16 March 1802.
I thank you very cordially, my Dear Sir, for your two
letters of the 6th and 8th March, which arrived yesterday
morning. I observed (for the first time) that the Seals of
both of them as well as of all their enclosures had under
gone the fiery ordeal of some Imp of the Vienna State
Inquisition, and I own that the circumstance has given
me much concern : for tho' neither of your Packets con
tained a single syllable that we c** have wished to conceal
from the Austrian Government, the being subjected to
this sort of eaves-dropping is extremely unpleasant ; and
no less inconsistent with that liberal confidence which
ought to prevail in the mutual dealings of two Courts
that are so closely connected, and have so much reason to
rely on each other's political views and sentiments. I
mention this however merely to put you upon your guard,
and not by way of suggesting any remonstrance upon the
subject ; which I think had better be spared : and I have
accordingly abstained from touching upon it to the Count
de Sauran. This goes by a Neapolitan messenger : and I
have therefore reason to hope that you will receive it at
¦first hand.
I am pretty well assured that these last Dispatches to
* Hompesch had been Grand Master of the Order, and had been brought
over by the French to surrender Malta in 1798.

46 THE PAGET PAPERS
Count Sauran relate almost entirely to the old story of
the German indemnities : with regard to which it appears
that the Court of Vienna now acquiesces entirely in the
plan proposed from hence ; and the present object there
fore is to engage the Russian Ministers to recommend it
to the 1st Consul, and in such terms as may induce him
to adopt it, by evincing the fixed resolution of the Emp''
their Sovereign to oppose any arrangement less favourable
to the Interests of the House of Austria. In fact this has
already been done ; and tho' C Cobentzl seems to think
that M. de Marcoffs * conduct in the business has been
somewhat lukewarm, the truth really is that he has exerted
himself in it to the utmost, tho' to very little effect or
purpose, the Chief Consul having intimated to this Court,
as he had before done to that of Vienna, that they have
been reckoning without their Host in supposing that
France would blindly acquiesce in a plan so ill-suited both
to her own convenience, and to the views and interests of
Prussia : and that he is therefore preparing to bring for
ward a scheme of a very different description ; the parti
culars of which will be disclosed when he shall have
adjusted certain other points of business that he considers
as more immediately pressing, namely his Treaty with
England, and the arrangements now depending in Switzer
land and Italy. I can assure you that this is the sum and
substance of the communications brought by a Messenger
from C Marcoff who arrived here two days ago ; and you
are too well acquainted with the temper of this Court to
suppose that it can easily brook such cavalier treatment,
or a tone so replete with arrogance and conscious supe
riority. Accordingly I can plainly perceive that the
Russian Ministers are seriously bethinking themselves of
embodying such a league of defence amongst the leading
Powers of Europe t as may effectively blunt the Thunders
of this self-created Jupiter : and I think it by no means
impossible that they may bring forward a plan for that
purpose in the course of the coming summer. It is how
ever at present merely in embryo, and it would be advis-
'* He was charged with the negotiations concerning the indemnities.
+ This took form in 1804, when Alexander, influenced by the Abbd Piatoli,
despatched Novossiltzow to Pitt, suggesting a supreme Christian court for
Europe. The plan of Piatoli was the germ which ultimately developed into
the Holy Alliance.

VIENNA, 1802 47
able therefore that you shd say nothing on the subject to C
Cobentzl till you hear from me further — more especially as
tho' England would probably be disposed to take part in such
a system of union, (on her being assured that its duties
and burthens would be more equitably apportioned than in
the late coalitions), it seems by no means advisable that
she should take a leading share in its original promotion.
I am very much obliged to you, my dear Sir, for your
French Bulletin, which is by far the best that I have
hitherto seen, and I should therefore be glad if you would
continue to send it me as occasions may offer ; or even by
the post, if you should yourself have no objections to that
mode of conveyance from motives of delicacy towards the
Austrian Gov'. I observe that this Journal, like all the
other French Papers of every description, is very bitter
upon poor Marcoff : ""' and indeed it seems pretty evident
that a variety of stories to his prejudice have been pur
posely trumped up with the view of procuring his recall,
or inducing him from disgust to a voluntary resignation
of his Employment. His superiors have however now
determined to support him, which I am the better pleased
to observe as in case of his removal he would probably be
succeeded by a far less trust-worthy person, videlicet, the
Baron de Krudener ; who amongst his other bad qualities
has that of being Anti-Anglican j'usqu' au bout des ongles.
From your description of M. Italinski he certainly would
be by far the fittest man that the Emp' could have for
the post in question ; and your suggestion concerning him
shall certainly not be thrown away ; tho' I am afraid that
he is not yet of a sufficient calibre to be a candidate for
an employment of that magnitude. By the way, Mr.
Drummond writes me word that Gen' Borordin has ap
plied to succeed him in his present post : but I imagine
that this is a mistake, as I have not heard that there is
any intention of removing him.
I am rejoiped to hear of the reconciliation between Lord
Elgin & Tamara : and the more so as (between our
selves) their bickerings had very near produced a serious
misunderstanding between the respective Governments, t
¦* He had been sharply reprehended by Bonaparte in January.
t Lord Hawkesbury had made formal complaints of intrigues of Russia at
the Porte.

48 THE PAGET PAPERS
With regard to the affair of Malta, it seems to have been
settled in as far as concerns the negotiations at Amiens
agreeably to the plan proposed from hence, and tho' 1
have not yet heard who is to be the new Grand Master of
the Order in virtue of the conge d'elire which has been
delegated to the Pope, I believe that Hompesch's re-
establishment is quite out of the Question.
You will be glad to hear that the Court of Sweden, after
having exhausted every resource and every subterfuge of
procrastination and tergiversation, have at length agreed
to accede to the Convention of St. Petersburgh,* and the
different instruments are now transcribing and will be
signed the day after tomorrow. Tho' this business hardly
deserves the name of a Negotiation, I never was engaged
in one that put either my patience or my temper to so
severe a trial. Adieu my D' S', &c. S'' H.
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord St. Helens.
YiEmm A, April i, 1802.
My dear Lord, — As I cannot prudently take upon me
to send by this Messenger a copy of Lord Elgin's last
despatches to the office, I must confine myself to in
forming your Lordship that, finding all his endeavours
to counteract the pressing demands made by the French
Charg^ d'affaires to the Ottoman Government for the
ratification of the Treaty signed at Paris unlikely to
succeed. His Lordship presented on the 7th of March
a note to the Porte stating, that if the Ottoman Gov'
departed from its engagements towards His Majesty con
tracted by this Ratification of the Preliminaries signed
in London, by acceding to the act required of them by
France, that then His Majesty would consider Himselt
as released from all the ties k obligations iraposed upon
him by His Alliance with the Porte, and that he (Lord
Elgin) should consider his functions with regard to that
alliance as at an end.
His Lordship informs Lord Hawkesbury that this note
produced an immediate effect on the Councils of the Porte,
who the next day declared to him officially their resolu-
* Sweden signed the Convention of June 17, 1801, on March 30, 1802
The trade of the Baltic was thrown open to the English.

VIENNA, 1802 49
tion to adhere to their engagements with England, and to
abandon all idea of ratifying the Preliminaries signed by
Ali Effendi and M. de Talleyrand. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget,

From Lord St. Helens to the Hon. A. Paget.
St. Petersburg, loth April, 1802.
My Dear Sir, — ... I believe that the Dispatches brought
hither from Vienna by the present Messenger were written
without any other specifick object but that of keeping
alive the confidential Intercourse which has been so
happily established between the two Governments, and
of soUiciting the continuance of the Emp"" Alexander's
good Offices in the affair of the Indemnities, as well as
his eventual support against the future encroachments
and other inimical designs of France. And I have no
doubt that the answer which he carries back will be
found sufficiently satisfactory in both these points; tho'
it will perhaps be mixed up with some friendly reproaches
on the subject of the late reply of the Austrian Cabinet
to the First Consul's Communication relative to the Italian
Republic* For I know that the style and strain of that
paper are considered here as being much too submissive
and complimentary, and that it is earnestly wished here
that the language and conduct of Austria, in her future
dealings with France, may be such as to manifest her
determination to support her dignity and just rights with
a proper degree of firmness and energy. In saying this
however I cannot but be aware that great allowances are
to be made for the extremely embarrassing and difficult
circumstances in which Austria is forced with respect to
France; neither perhaps can it be truly alleged that
Russia herself has not manifested towards the 1st Consul
the same sort of over-strained complaisance which she
blames in her Ally ; tho' she has in reality full as much
reason to complain of his proceedings, and can have no
prudential motives to dissuade her from risquing the con
sequences of a serious explanation.
I have nothing to communicate to you in the way of
'* The Italian Republic had been proclaimed on January 25.
VOL. II. D

50 THE PAGET PAPERS
news except the arrival of a fresh Diplomatical Colleague
in the person of Gen^ Hedouville. As he arrived only
24 hours ago I have not yet had time to make much
acquaintance with him, but from the little conversation
that we have had, I am inclined to think that whatever
his military talents and acquirements may ¦ be he is a
mere novice ' in Diplomacy, — a science in which he is
not likely to make much proficiency under the tuition
of Bonaparte, whose system seems to be to keep the
political Agents he employs abroad in a state of abso
lute ignorance as to the real secret of his views and
actions. From what I can learn the Russian Ministers
have no great reason to be satisfied with the result of
their first interviews with this Minister, as he does not
appear to have been charged with any positive or satis
factory explanation relative to the several points now in
agitation between the two Governments.

From Mr. Merry * to the Hon. A. Paget,
Paris, April 26th 1802.
I comprleted the Exchange of the Ratifications of the
Amiens Treaty t with France, Spain, and Holland, four
days ago. From the Manner in which the Austrian and
Russian t Ministers now express themselves on the subjects
of the Arrangement we have made for Malta, I must con
clude that it has not been agreeable to their respective
Governments. That Island, notwithstanding that we
took Four Months at Amiens to dispose of it in a secure
Manner, and were nearly continuing the War on account
of it, will, I am afraid, still give us a great deal of trouble.
Here there is just now nothing new beyond what you
will read in the Papers of the re^establishment of the
Church. But at the Thuilleries there is something new
on every Audience Day to make it reach the regular
System of a Court, and their Approaches are carried on
with perfect Quietness on the Part of the Spectators.
* Succeeded Mr. Jackson as temporary Acting Minister in Paris.
t Signed on March 27. ,
X Russia complained that her protectorate over Malta and the conditions
she demanded had been wholly ignored in the Treaty. She objected to rank
merely as one of the six guaranteeing Powers.

' VIENNA, 1802 51
From Lord St, Helens to the Hon. A. Paget,
St. Petersburg, 1st May 1802.
I have received, my Dear Sir, since my last, the
pleasure of your two letters of the 1st of April, with the
accompanying papers relative to the proceedings of the
French in Helvetia. It is, to be sure, no less provoking
than painful to see that upstart Government hector and
domineer it at so prodigious a rate both in that country
and elsewhere. But these are grievances which must be
suffered to take their course, since it would be downright
Quixotism on our part to attempt to prevent or redress
them. Indeed, the natural determination of our Govern
ment to avoid intermeddling with these outlying Foreign
concerns is very plainly manifested by the terms of the
Treaty of Amiens, as well as by some very striking and
significant expressions in the (probably circular) Dispatch
which I received from Lord Hawkesbury along with his
Official Communication of that Treaty. And, in truth,
this system seems to be the wisest and most judicious that
we could pursue in the actual circumstances of Europe —
that is to say, in as far as any general system of Theory
can possibly be applicable to so uncertain and fiuctuating
a Science as that of Foreign Politicks.
I am afraid that the Business of Malta is as much at
sea as ever, notwithstanding all the pains and labour
bestowed upon it by the Plenipotentiaries at Amiens, who
by the way seem to have acted somewhat injudiciously in
giving to that subject a degree of apparent importance
which it by no means deserved by placing in the body of
the Treaty a series of insignificant Details which would
more properly have been reserved for a separate Con
vention. Be this as it may, the Court of Russia appears deter
mined to refuse its accession and garanty to the said
proposed arrangement, under the plea or pretext that in
framing the Clauses in Art. X. which relate to this parti
cular point, sufficient attention was not paid to the
Emperor's Dignity, and besides this, the Russian Ministers
either are, or affect to be, so much dissatisfied with the
Conduct of the contracting Parties in appearing to set

52 THE PAGET PAPERS
aside the mode proposed from hence for the Election of
the new Grand Master of the Order, that they have seri
ously in contemplation the breaking off all connection
between the Russian Priory and the Body of the Order
by creating the former into an independent and separate
Community. There seems to be likewise great reason to
believe that the conduct of Russia in this particular will
be imitated by various other Powers concerned, and
particularly by Austria. In these circumstances there
fore how is it possible to suppose that the miserable
remnants of the Order, after being thus stripped of
perhaps nine-tenths of the Revenues that constituted its
principal supports, can be in a condition, either three
months hence, or at any future period, to take upon them
selves the charge of maintaining and defending a posses
sion like Malta, where the mere expense of repairing
the Fortifications would probably absorb more than the
whole national revenue of the Island? And to entrust
its Defence to Naples alone would surely be the height of
imprudence, not to mention that the introduction of the
Neapolitan Garrison is expressly stated to be merely a
temporary expedient. How these Difficulties will be
solved I cannot presume to foretell. But according to
the Dictates of common sense the only effectual method of
neutralising the Island, and allaying those jealousies and
bickerings which while it remains in its present state it
is sure to excite and keep alive, seems to be the dis
mantling its Fortifications. I have indeed long had in
petto another (perhaps much more eligible) expedient,
namely the making over to us this possession in exchange
for Gibraltar — an exchange, the advantages of which 'to
all parties I think that, were it necessary, I could easily
demonstrate. But a Negotiation to that effect, tho' it
might perhaps have been brought to bear some months
ago, is certainly now no longer upon the cards.
From Mr. Jackson to the Hon. A. Paget.
Naples, May lyth, 1802.
My dear Sir, — . . , I do not wonder at the attention
which you tell me is paid to the affair of the indemnities,
and I do not expect that Bonaparte will ever find a moment

VIENNA, 1802 53
of leisure to attend to it, as I am fully convinced that his
design is to keep all he can for himself and to indemnify
no one ; in the mean time he uses the word indemnite as a
mode of embroiling the principal Continental Powers with
each other, and besides keeping possession of the greatest
part of Italy, &c. &c., he will not fail to turn their quarrels
to his own advantage hereafter — in other words to the
advantage of Revolution, Atheism, and Jacobinism. He
has lately told the Emperor of Russia that he wishes to
see the King of Sardinia indemnified in Germany for the
loss of Piedmont : perhaps you can inform me where such
an indemnification is to be found, after the Stadtholder k
the Grand Duke of Tuscany shall have rec"- theirs, sup
posing them ever to receive it, which I very much doubt.
I have heard of a letter which has been written by Louis
XVIII. to Bonaparte in a most humble strain begging
for some provision for himself & family ! Can you con
ceive such bassesse ? or that this prince should have been
so ill-advised as to commit his dignity so egregiously : I
understand that the answer of Bonaparte is in a strain of
much affected moderation, professing his readiness to pro
vide pour sa Majeste on condition he consents to retire
to Moscow. . . .
From Lord St, Helens to the Hon, A. Paget.
St. p., 31SJ May 1802.
You will no doubt have heard long ere this that Bona
parte has at length thought fit to make known his Sove
reign will and pleasure respecting the adjustment of the
German indemnities,* and his award seems to have been
upon the whole very satisfactory to this Court, as he
adopts in toto the arrangement proposed by Russia on
behalf of all her immediate proteges, namely the Gt D.
of Tuscany, the Elector of Bavaria, the Duke of Wirtem-
berg, and the Margrave of Baden. Indeed with regard
to this last-mentioned Prince he seems to have been
disposed to extend his bounty far beyond either the
claims or the fondest wishes of the Margrave or his
protectors ; since, after stating that on account of the
'* A Convention was signed on June 4 by Markoff and the French plenipo
tentiary.

',-1 'HIE PAGET PAPERS
itti|ii)V('.i'iHh(',(l condition of the Sees of Treves and Cologne,
iL will \h>, irniKJHsiblc to preserve both those Electorates, he
liiiH C}\]'i:ii:<{ to fill up the vacancy which will thus be made
ill the lOlcctoral College by the nomination of the afore
said Margrave to that Dignity, and to endow it with a
suitable encrease of Territory and Revenues. This pro
posal however, which the Emperor Alexander naturally
viewed in its true light of a bribe tendered to himself, has
been decidedly rejected by this Court ; so that the said
Electoral Bonnet which the Chief Consul seems quite
resolved to pluck from the Brow of one or other of the
above-mentioned Arch Bishops will of course be added to
the general scramble. For the rest, it should seem from
the tenor of the same decree, that Prussia will be per
mitted to acquire the whole allotment that she had carved
out for herself, with the exception only of the districts in
Franconia ; a circumstance which I most sincerely and
deeply lament on the King's account, as not only Hildes
heim but Osnabrucke are included within that allotment,
and I know how much he had at heart the preserving his
rights to these Territories, and how grievously his feelings
will be affected on finding them thus irrecoverably lost to
himself and his Family.
I am very much obliged to you for your kind attention
in sending me the Constantinople Papers enclosed in your
last : tho' with all the information and lights that they
furnish I find it extremely difficult to unravel the strange
puzzlement in which L* E. appears to have entangled
himself : and that too with his eyes open ; since as you
justly observe, nothing could be more clear and explicit,
more fraught with prudence and enlightened views, or
more easy to obey and enforce than the instructions with
which he had been furnished. Indeed on reading the
Dispatch from Lord H. on that subject which you have
had the goodness to send me I could not help exclaiming
" O si sic omnia!" For [between ourselves) I am at this
moment very much out of charity with his Lordship on
account of a most imprudent step that he has lately taken
in causing to be inserted in the London Gazette an
extract from a Dispatch of mine reporting the substance
of something that I had learnt from the Count de Kot
schubey (relative to the armed neutrality) which was

VIENNA, 1802

:>.¦>

most assuredly neither communicated to me by that
Minister nor reported by myself with the most distant
view to its being thus publickly divulged. You will
easily suppose therefore what C K.'s feelings and com
plaints must have been on finding his name so cruelly
and unjustifiably committed : and indeed the afiair ha.s
been likewise deeply resented in a much higher quarter ;
so that tho' it is now in a train of being settled (tellemcnt
quellement) and has fortunately not produced any per
sonal distaste between C K. & myself, I am afraid it will
make a lasting impression, and prevent for a long time to
come the re-establishment of that confidential Intercourse
which it is so desirable that we should maintain with this
Court. , , . — Ever most affectionately yours, St. Helens.
From Lord Hawkesbury to the Hon. A. Paget.
[No. 2.] Downing Street, June loth 1802.
[Lord Hawkesbury first mentions that Baron Nicolai ""'
has spoken to him of difficulties started by the Czar on the
I oth and 19th Articles of the Treaty of Amiens. Lord
St. Helens has therefore been instructed to explain that
the principal objection urged by Russia — " viz. , that the
Election of a Grand Master which had taken place under
the Auspices of the Emperor of Russia was set aside — is
evidently founded on a Misconception of the loth Article.
The first Paragraph stipulates that the Knights of the
Order, whose Langues shall continue to subsist after the
Exchange of the Ratifications of the present Treaty, are
invited to return to Malta as soon as that exchange shall
have taken place. They shall there form a general
Chapter, and shall proceed to the Election of a Grand
Master to be chosen from amongst the Natives which
preserve Langues; if no such Election shall have been
already made since the Ratification of the Preliminary
Articles of Peace, These last words were intended to
refer to 'the Contingency of an Election having taken
place on the Continent, in consequence of the Proclama-
¦* Count Worontzow, angered at the neglect of Russia by England in the
Treaty of Amiens, had taken a prolonged leave from his Embassy, and was
replaced by the Charge d'Afi'aires, Baron Nicolai.

56 THE PAGET PAPERS
tion of the Emperor of Russia, which Election, if it should
have happened, was to be considered as valid. His
Majesty has therefore no hesitation in saying that He
shall be ready to consider the Proceeding as a valid
Election, and that , any one of the Individuals who
were then named, and who may be selected by the
Pope and confirmed as Grand Master, His Majesty will
acknowledge, and will be ready to put him in possession
of the Island of Malta, provided he will engage to carry
into effect the Stipulation of the loth Article."
Lord Hawkesbury therefore hopes that the Emperor of
Russia will be satisfied as to "the only objection of Moment
that has been offered, and will now readily accept the
Guaranty of the Island of Malta, and that the Em.peror of
Germany will make no further difficulty in acceding to the
invitation" which will be officially sent (in conjunction
with the French Minister) to become one of the guaran
teeing Powers. Lord Hawkesbury encloses " the Copy of
a Dispatch upon this Subject -written to Mr. Merry," and
has " reason to hope that the French Government will
interpret the ist Paragraph of the loth Article in the
same manner as His Majesty has done." If the Emperor
consents to become " a Guarantee to the arrangement re
specting Malta," Intelligence is instantly to be sent to Sir
Alexander Ball, Minister Plenipotentiary to the Order of
S. John of Jerusalem, " as the Evacuation of the Island by
His Majesty's troops will depend on the Notification being
made in the Island that the Two Imperial Courts accede
to the Guarantee."] From H.R.H, the Prince of Wales to the
Hon. Arthur Paget.
Carlton House, June 27th 1802.
Dearest Arthur, — I send you the enclosed Letter the
contents of which I know not, but am only to desire that
you will read it over patiently. I have done everything
you have desired & with as much delicacy as the Subject
would admit of. Everything is therefore now settled if you
wish it to remain so, & you will never be troubled any more,
in which case I doubt not that you will forward to 'me as
soon as possible the packets which both Tyrwhitt & I

CHARLES, LORD HAWKESBURY

VIENNA, 1802 57
mentioned to you in our former Letters. How are you
going on ? I never hear from you, but I trust you never
theless do not forget m^. If you do, you are very un
grateful, as no one can love you more truely or more
sincerely dear Arthur, than your ever affectionate
(Signed) George.
P.S, — Do not forget my Commissions. Chig* Bathurst
& myself never hold a little Club together that we do not
lament each time that you do not make one with us.
From Lord Hawkesbury to the Hon. A. Paget.
[No. 3.] Downing Street, 28th June 1802.
Sir, — ... I send you inclosed for your Information the
copies of a Note which Mr Merry delivered to the French
Minister on the 8th of this Month, and of the Answer
which has been returned to it by M'' Talleyrand.
You will lose no Time in communicating these Papers
to the Austrian Ministers, and in expressing to them His
Majesty's Desire that, as the French Government have
entirely acquiesced in the Arrangement respecting Malta
proposed by His Majesty's Government, the Emperor of
Germany will not only himself accept without Delay the
Guaranty of the Island of Malta, but will use His Influence
with the Emperor of Russia to induce that Sovereign to
adopt the same Measure on His Part. As the Principal
Objection advanced by the Russian Government against
the Arrangement in the Treaty of Amiens is now satis
factorily removed, there is every Reason to hope that the
Emperor of Russia will make no further Difficulty on the
Subject. — I am, &c. Hawkesbury.
From H.M. the Queen of Naples to the
Hon. A. Paget.
Juli/ 19, 1802.
Hier au moment de partir je regus encore en Voiture le
Courier avec la nouvelle de I'arrivde du Roi h. Naples le
27 Juin au millieu des aclamations d'un peuple infinis
cella hatera mon re tour Je reviendrois de Presbourg
'*¦ Mr. Chester.

58 THE PAGET PAPERS
dimanche a dind, et je compte mardy h midy expedier
un Courier a Naples si vous voudrez vous en servir quatre
batimens Anglois ont accompagnd le Roi k Naples ce qui
m'a fait grand plaisir Adieu Contez sur mon Eternelle
Recconoissance. (Signd) Charlotte.
From Lord St. Helens to the Hon. A. Paget.
St Petersburgh, ist August 1802.
My Dear Sir, — I received the Night before last, from
M. de Sauran, your very interesting packet of the 20th
July, and had the satisfaction to observe that (pour le
coup) its 3 Seals had been religiously respected.
I contemplate not only with admiration but with some
degree of envy the very able and successful manner in
which you have conducted your Negotiation relative to
Malta, and particularly that part of it which depended
upon Citizen Champagny.* For tho' his running restive
just at the last and after you had coaxed him on so
cleverly almost to the end of the race was, to be sure,
somewhat provoking, I am at a loss to conceive by what
species of rhetorick you persuaded him to proceed so far,
since, according to the strict line of his duty, he certainly
ought not to have taken a single official step in the busi
ness, without a more direct warranty than that of Talley
rand's Correspondence with our friend Merry. With
regard to the Austrian Ministers, nothing can be more
truly handsome or praise-worthy than the attention that
they have shown upon this occasion to the wishes of
H.M.'s Government, which indeed have been so completely
fulfilled by the Instrument that you have sent home that,
in as far as they are concerned, the business may be con
sidered as finally adjusted, and in the most satisfactory
manner possible.
I am sorry to inform you, however, that nothing can be
more completely the reverse of all this than the conduct of
the Court of St. Petersburgh ; which, after keeping us in
suspense during almost six weeks from the arrival of our
last explanations, has at length thought fit to declare in
the most peremptory terms,t that the Emperor will neither
'* French Ambassador in Vienna.
t On this very day, August i.

VIENNA, 1802 59
accede to, nor garanty, nor, in a word, take any part or
concern whatsoever in our late arrangement with respect
to Malta. And the only ostensible reason assigned for
this strange determination, is H.I.M.'s being bound in
honor, and by his regard for consistency, to adhere to his
former resolution on this subject, notwithstanding our
having entirely removed the sole, or at least most material
plea on which that resolution had been founded, by H.M.'s
unqualified offer to adhere implicitly to the Scheme that
had been proposed from hence for the Election of the new
Grand Master of Malta. As the French Minister here,
Gen' d'Hedouville, who has not yet received a single line
of Instructions on this business from the Chief Consul,
was by no means disposed to act on it, like Citizen Cham
pagny, without a positive authorization ; and as my own
Instructions, as well as the nature of the affair, rendered
it indispensably necessary that he should join with me
both in the applying to the Government for their acces
sion and garanty, and in the communicating to them the
above mentioned concerted explanations ; my office in
those subjects, tho' long since prepared, has not yet been
given in, and consequently the Communication which I
have now received, and which is merely verbal, ought not
perhaps in strictness to be considered as definitive. How
ever, I am but too well assured that the said joint Official
Invitation, should it ever be presented (which I much
doubt) will produce no change in the dispositions of this
Court, and accordingly my report of what has passed,
which I am just going to send to Lord Hawkesbury by
Messenger, is conceived in such terms as must necessarily
convince him of the hopelessness of any further applica
tions here, and of the consequent expediency of his con
certing such new arrangements with France, as this change
in the state of things may be found to require. . . ,
I am well assured (strange as it may seem) that the
Emperor, whose resolution in this affair was taken in
direct opposition to the advice of his wisest Counsellors,""'
was infiuenced by a single and most unworthy considera
tion, namely the prospect of saving to his treasury a
sum of about 40,000;^ St^ which it costs him annually to
* This was immediately before a change of Ministry. See Sir J. Warren's
letter, October 12.

6o THE PAGET PAPERS
maintain the branch of the Order established here, and
which he hopes to retrench one day or other by detaching
himself gradually from all connection with the Establish
ment at large. This however I mention to you only in
confidence, as an insinuation of this sort would be the
more felt by the Russian Ministers, as they cannot but be
conscious that this proneness to over-economy is a prime
feature in their Master's Character and the leading spring
of almost all his actions.
Aug. 4th, 1802.
[A despatch from Lord Hawkesbury to the Hon. A.
Paget enclosed the draft of an Act of Acceptance, on the
part of the King, of the Emperor's accession to the loth
Article of the Treaty of Amiens, which was to be signed
by Mr. Paget in virtue of the full powers despatched with
it, and exchanged for the Act of Accessipn of His Imperial
Majesty.] From the Queen of Naples to the Hon, A, Paget.
Sept. 2gth. 1802.
Je ne veux pas manquer d'un Courier qui va a Vienne
pour renouveller des assurances de ma sincere et eternelle
Recconoissance pour toutes les attentions que vous avez
eue pour moi et dont je ne perdrois jamais le Souvenir, Je
suis avec mes trois Enfans tristement a Portici oti je vis
tres re'tird depuis la 23 de y^"^- au Soir je suis separ6 pro-
bablement pour la vie de ma chfere fille Antoinette * qui
est parti pour Sa destinde il m'en a coutd I'impossible et je
ne puis encore me remettre des raisons majeures m'ont
empechd de I'accompagner mais cella m'a 4t6 et est ex
tremement douloureuse, j'espfere que dans I'eloignement
et peu de rapport ou nous somes vous ne m'oubliez point
et vous ressouviendrez quelquefois de Celle qui sera tou
jours avec bien de la Recconoissance votre affection de
(Signed) Charlotte.
J'ai regus le 30 au Soir la cruelle et malheureuse nouvelle
de la perte de ma bien chere fille Louise ce nouveau mal-
heur me plonge avec mes Enfans dans la plus profonde et
* Married Crown Prince of Spain.

VIENNA, 1802 6 1
juste douleur, Je vous remercie de I'interet que vous me
marquez d'y prendre par votre lettre du 20 de 7^''^' Je vous
remercie aussy du buletin et vous prie de me les vouloir
continuer quand vous en aurez. Contez sur toute ma
Recconoissance avec laquelle je suis votre triste mais
attachde. Je vous prie d'envoyer quand vous ecrivez en Angleterre
cette lettre au Prince de Castelcigala Ministre du Roi en
Angleterre et d'avance je vous en remercie.
From Lord Hawkesbury to the Hon. A. Paget.
[Most secret and confidential.] Downing Street, Oct. loth, 1802.
[In this despatch Lord Hawkesbury directs Mr. Paget
" to ascertain with as much precision as possible, the
Sentiments of the Austrian Government relative to the
affairs of Switzerland, especially whether they have afforded
or, in any event, intend to afford to the Swiss Cantons any
effectual assistance in their opposition to the menaces or
hostility of France ; " in which case he was to acquaint
the Austrian Cabinet with the dispositions of the British
Government, as recorded in an enclosed despatch.
The enclosed despatch, from Lord Hawkesbury to Mr.
Merry, states " that it has been judged expedient to send
Mr. Moore directly to Berne to acquire information respect
ing the state of Swiss Affairs, to acquaint the Government
of the Cantons with the Remonstrance which His Majesty
has already ordered to be made in their favour, and in the
event of a French Army being sent to coerce them, and of
their being disposed and in a condition to make any effec
tual Resistance to such a force, to afford them pecuniary
Succours. . . .
" If you shall find the means of doing it with discretion,
it is desirable that you should convey to the Public in
general, and particularly to the Parties in opposition to
the French Government, the Sentiments of universal
indignation which the conduct of the French Consul has
produced in this Country, and the sympathy which the
British Nation feel in the cause of the Swiss Cantons."
The following note from Lord Hawkesbury to M.
Otto *' was also enclosed : — ]
* Who had negotiated the terms of the Amiens Treaty.

62 THE PAGET PAPERS

October g, 1802.
Lord Hawkesbury has received His Majesty's commands
to communicate through Mr. Otto, to the French Govern
ment, the sentiments of deep regret which have been
excited in His Majesty's mind by the address of the First
Consul to the Helvetic People,* which was published by
authority in the Moniteur of the ist instant, and by the
representations- which have been made to His Majesty on
this subject on behalf of the nation whose interests are so
immediately affected by it. His Majesty most sincerely
laments the convulsions to which the Swiss Cantons have
for some time past been exposed, but He can consider
their late exertions in no other light than as the lawful
efforts of a brave and generous people to recover their
antient Laws and Government, and to procure the re-
establishment of a system which experience has demon
strated not only to be favourable to the maintenance of
their domestic happiness, but to be perfectly consistent
with the tranquillity and security of other Powers.
The Cantons of Switzerland unquestionably possess in
the same degree as every other independent State, the
right of regulating their own internal concerns, and the
right has moreover, in the present instance, been formally
and explicitly guaranteed to the Swiss Nation by the
French Government in the Treaty of Luneville, conjointly
with the other Powers who were parties to that engage
ment. His Majesty has no other desire than that the
people of Switzerland, who now appear to be so generally
united, should be left at liberty to settle their own internal
Government without the interposition of any Foreign
Powers, and with whatever regret His Majesty may have
perused the late proclamation of the French Government,
He is yet unwilling to believe that they will farther attempt
to controul that independent Nation in the exercise of
their undoubted rights. His Majesty thinks Himself
called upon by His Regard for the general interests of
Europe, and by His peculiar SoUicitude for the happiness
and welfare of the Swiss Nation, to express these His
Sentiments with a frankness and sincerity which He feels
'* On October 4 the Proclamation from the First Consul was read at Laus
anne by General Rapp.

VIENNA, 1802 63
to be due to His own character, and to the good under
standing which He is desirous of preserving with the
Government of France.
From Admiral Sir J. Warren '• to the Hon. A. Paget.
[Private.] St. Petersburgh, October 12th, 1802.
Dear Sir, — I take the opportunity of Comte Sauran's
departure for A^ienna, of returning my best thanks for the
many acts of friendship k kindness I experienced from
you when in the Mediteranean k of informing you of my
arrival here, in a situation I by no means expected when
we had the pleasure of seeing each other off Palermo. You
will no doubt have been informed of the great change
which has taken place in this Country among the Minis
ters, & of the new Administration lately formed here : t
a circumstance that I most earnestly hope may prove
more favourable to the renewal of the ancient system of
amity which should naturally exist between the two Im
perial Courts. I learn with much satisfaction that the
demand for the Guarantee of the Bavarian Treaty X has
been received with much coolness here, k will not possibly
be attended to. For the situation of everything here I
refer you to Comte Sauran who will of course communi
cate them to you. . . . — I have the honour, &c.
(Signed) John Borlase Warren.
From the Queen of Naples to the Hon. A. Paget.
Portici, le 22 Octobre 1802.
Je profite du depart d'un Courier pour vous ^crire et
remercier de votre lettre du 20 7'"¦^ et de tout ce que
vous me dites, mon fils § est retourne le 1 9 Octobre de
Barcelone avec sa petite Epouse de 13 ans, il a et^ 28 jours
en tout hors de la maison, et a acquis tant de conoissances
* Succeeded Lord St. Helens at St. Petersburg. He had been in com
mand of a detachment of the British fleet in the Mediterranean. A letter of
Lord St. Helens' of August i, just before leaving St. Petersburg, states that
the arrival of Sir J. Warren was delayed by his election for Nottingham.
t The Czar's young admirers, Czartoryski, Novossiltzow, and Stroganow,
gained the chief influence. Czartoryski, who had been Minister at Turin in
1797, was attached to the Foreign Office. Woronzow still was Chancellor.
1 See Mr. Drake's letter, February 5, 1803.
I See Mr. Drummond's letter of March 3.

64 THE PAGET PAPERS
de la famille ou il a pris son Epouse, et donn^e son inte-
ressante soeur qu'il ne les oublira de Sa vie, rien au mondei
ne pouvoit faire sur lui I'impression que lui a laissd le
voyage, ma chere et malheureuse Antoinette se Conduit a
merveille, Dieu veuille la benir, fortifier et preserver de
tout mall, Je suis si occupde de mes Enfans que je n'ai la
tete a rien d'autres. Veuillez me continuer vos nouvelles
et contez sur mon Eternelle Recconoissance. — Votre Sincere
Amie, (Signd) Charlotte,
Je vous prie d'envoyer cette lettre a Londres a notre
Ministre, Come nous envoyons un Courier h, Londres en peu de
jours j'enverrois alors la lettre dont je vous parlois cy
dessus. From Prince Paul Esterhazy * to the Hon. A. Paget.
Oct. 24, 1802.
I am very sorry to have received your letter so late
(only at one o'clock past mid-night). It will be a great
pleasure for us to see you at Eisenstadt to morrow, and
particularly for me to go a schooting with you. My father
is extremely sorry, he cannot have to morrow the pleasure
of meeting you here, his presence being necessary at
Vienna. Schould it be too late to send your Relay to
Wimpassing you'l find there four of my father's horses.
In the expectation of seing you to morrow, — Your most
faithful Friend and Servant, Paul Esterhazy.
Eisenstadt, 24 Oct,
I am desired by my dear mother to tell you that she
will be verry glad to see you.
From the Hon. A. Paget to Count Cobentzl.
Vienne, le 29 Octobre 1802.
MoNSR. LE Comte, — L'Importance de la communication
verbale que j'eus I'honneur de faire k V.E. le 2 1 du courant
me faisoit ^sp^rer qu'elle mettroit de I'empressement k y
¦*' Afterwards Ambassador in London.

VIENNA, 1802 65
repondre.* V.E. ne m'ayant rien communique depuis, je
me vois obligd, pour ma ddcharge et pour dviter une plus
longue perte de tems, de reprdsenter par ^crit que je suis
dispose k croire que tout d^lai ultdrieur pourroit occa-
sioner des inconvenients que V.E. en sa sagesse d^sireroit
sans doute ^viter.
II y a des circonstances oil la maturite de la reflexion
ne nuit pas h la promptitude de la decision et nous nous
trouvons, Mr. le Comte, pr^cisement dans une de ces cir
constances. Sa nature moins que toute autre ne souffre
pas que cette resolution soit differde, et je supplie V.E.
d' examiner avec candeur si S.M. L'Empereur n'a pas un
int^ret particulier k ne pas faire attendre sa rdponse.
V.E. doit etre persuad^e qu'en mettant autant d'Instance
dans ma demande, je n'ai pas moins en vue les int^r^ts
de S.M.I, que ceux de mon Gouvernement.
Je me feiicite d'avoir cette occasion pour renouveller k
V.E. I'assurance de ma consideration trfes distinguee.
(Signe) Arthur Paget. >
From Count Cobentzl to the Hon. A. Paget.
Vienne, le 29 Octobre 1802.
Monsieur, — L'objet de la dernier e communication ver?
bale dont vous avez ete charge est trop important pour
qu'il ait ete possible d'y faire response avant mtire de
liberation. Jes dois recevoir encore ce matin, oil du moins
je respfere, les ordres de Sa Majeste k cet egard. Je ne
manquerai pas de m'en acquitter avec toute la promtitude
possible, et peut-6tre dans la journee serai-je mis k mime
d'en conferer avec vous. Au plus tard, ce sera pour
demain dans la matinee. — J'ai I'honneur, &c.
(Signed) Louis C. Cobentzl.
From Mr. Thos. Jackson to the Hon. A. Paget.
Rome, October 2,0th 1802.
My Dear Sir, — ... I should wish much to know a little
bf the history of the late important changes at Petersburg
& I shall be much obliged if you will take the trouble to
enlighten my darkness : I wish there may be a change of
* See Lord Hawkesbury's Most secret and confidential, October 10, 1802.
VOL. II. E

66 THE PAGET PAPERS
measures as well as men as I shall have no hope of any
check to the insatiable ambition of Bonaparte until I see
a real and cordial union between the two Imperial Courts
& England.* You will see that the poor innocent Infant of Parma
has been sent to his long home & the french have laid
their clutches upon his dominions : t "we are in trembling
expectation of seeing Tuscany, the States of Rome &
Naples share the same fate.
On the election of the Grand Master of Malta the Pope
sent a Knight & a Messenger to England to inform the
Balio Ruspoli that the choice had fallen upon him : upon
their arrival at Paris they were told by M, Talleyrand
that their proceeding to London was unnecessary as the
first Consul w"^ send a messenger of his own to inform the
B. Ruspoli. The Knight of Malta & the Pope's Legate
were at the same time told that they might write to the
Grand Master by Bonaparte's Courier & enjoin him to
come without delay to Paris from whence he might pro
ceed to Toulon where a french Squadron was ready to
convey him to his destination and that he was above all
to avoid having any communication with the British
Ministers previous to his departure ! ! ! — Believe me most
sincerely yours, Thomas Jackson.
From the Queen of Naples to the Hon. A. Paget.
Naples, le g Novembre 1802,
Je VOUS suis bien recconoissante pour I'obligeante lettre
et Buletin que vous m'avez envoye par le dernier Courier
en date du 23 Octobre Je suis bien recconoissante k cette
attention et ressouvenir de votre part, % I'occupation de
Parme, et I'agregation de les Etats a la Republique fran-
coise, ne peut qu'infiniment interesser nous tous en Italic.
Dieu veuille nous preserver de nouveaux desastres, et
croyez moi toujours avec bien de la Recconoissance votre
Sincere Aimee, (Signe) Charlotte.
* The Czar held that England in the Peace of Amiens had separated her
interests from those of the Continent.
t On October 11, 1802, on the death of Ferdinand de Bourbon, Duke of
Parma, father of the King of Etruria, the French seized Parma. A French
Resident had governed since May 1801.
I The Duke of Parma had married her sister.

VIENNA, 1802 67
From the Queen op Naples to the Hon. A. Paget,
Deo, 2ird, 1802.
Je profite de I'occasion de Ce Courier qui retourne a
exprimer a ma chere fille les plaisirs infinis que j'ai eue de
ses heureuses Couches, j'en profite dis-je pour vous assurer
de ma constante sincere Estime Je vous souhaite une
heureuse nouvelle annee, et tous les bonheurs imaginables
come le sincere Estime et Recconoissance que vous m'avez
inspere me fait vous desirer. Nous somes tous en famille
k Caserte, les hommes vont k la chasse les femes promener,
moi je garde beaucoup la maison il y a cet hi ver beaucoup
d' Anglois k Naples que quand j'yrois en Ville j'espere de
voir, la persone qui vous interesse se porte bien, elle est
venue le Septieme jour de Sa erise a Caserte, pour se
faire voir, elle promet beaucoup. Je souhaite pour son
bonheur qu'elle le tiene, au reste c'est par elle que vous
saurez tout. Je suis a un des bouts de I'Europe et ne
salt rien qu' apres tous les autres du. Continent, mes senti-
mens sont inchangeables & mes voeux toujours les meme
pour le vrai bien come iis ne changent point en Politique
Sentimens malgre tant de differentes Circonstances. Je
conserve aussy de meme ceux de la Recconoissance pour
Ceux qui ont temoigne de I'interet a nos Affaires et c'est
avec ces Sentimens que je suis pour la vie, — Votre rec-
eonaissante, (Signed) Charlotte.
Je vous prie d'envoyer par la premiere occasion qui
passe par I'AIlemagne ce pacquet a notre Ministre le
Prince de Castelcigala. J'abuse de votre Complaisance
mais j'y compte.
From Lord Whitworth to the Hon. A. Paget,
Paris, January i8, 1803.
The Bavarian Minister is throwing fire and flame, and
declares that the Elector will not give up his Bishoprick
of Eichstadt, unless dispossessed by force. Such a mea
sure may have succeeded with the King of Prussia, but
His Electoral Highness will gain nothing by resistance.*
¦*¦ In August 1 80 1 France and Russia ordered the Diet to complete their
deliberations on the indemnities in two months. The Rec&, however, did

68 THE PAGET PAPERS
Count Marcoff has made very serious representations
on the conduct and doctrine of Col. Sebastiani* in the
Seven Isles, t And he is assured that the zeal of that
Gentleman shall be restrained, and things left as they
were — that is to say I believe in the utmost confusion &
disorder. This Government however promises not to
interfere. , ,
I hope something in the shape of an indemnity may
be obtained for the K; of Sardinia : you know perhaps
that the Siennese has been offered. It is endeavoured
to add to this Piombino, and perhaps the Isle of Elba,
which would make altogether an object worth accept
ance. . , .
I see no reason since I have been here to change the
opinion I have ever had, as well as yourself, of the person.
who has got to the top of the ladder here. I have how
ever gained one object, & that is the conviction that he is
not so dangerous as some people are inclined to believe
him at home. Omne ignotum pro magnifico habitat is,
perfectly verified in his person.

From Prince Esterhazy % to the Hon, A. Paget.
January 19, 1803.
Je saisis avec bien du plaisir I'avantage que me procure
Lord Whitworth dont je vous joins la letre, de rapeller a'
votre souvenir, et ma personne, et les mots d'ecrits que
vous m'avez promis, et dont je ne vous tiens pas quitte.
J'ay apris avec satisfaction que vous vous portiez bien, et
que peutltre nous nous verions k Londres, ce qui seroit
trop heureux pour moi. Nous somes ici tous en bone
sante et nous amusons beaucoup de tant de nouveaux que
nous voyons joufnellement. S'il y avoit ici des comissions
k remplir pour vous, je vous demande la preference pour
not take place until February 25, 1803. Cologne became French. Prussia
obtained the chief share of the spoils, gaining, in addition to Paderborn
and Hildesheim, part of Munster. Thus, for forty-eight German square miles
and 150,000 inhabitants, she got 221 square miles and 500,000 inhabitants.
She also tried to hold all Miinster.
'*' Sent on a military mission from France to Egypt and Syria.
t The independence of the Ionian Islands was dTeclared by the Treaty of
Amiens. X Austrian Ambassador in Paris.

VIENNA, 1803 69
I'execution, I'exactitude que j'y metrois me feroit esperer
votre pratique.
Agreez que je vous reitere les assurances des senti
ments de la plus haute consideration et de I'amitie la plus
sincere et inalterable avec laquelle je suis, — ^Votre trfes
devoue Serviteur et ami, (Signe) Esterhazy.
From Mr. Maurus * to the Hon. A. Paget.
Ratisbon, JarV the 28th 1803.
My dearest Sir, — 1 have but just time before the set
ting out of the Post to inforru you that Mr. de Buhler t has
received a despatch from Mr. de Marcoff at Paris, in which
the latter desires him not to be too forward in the affairs
of the deputation, as he (Mr. de Marcoff) after signing his
accession to the Convention of the 26 Dec. t has discovered
ianother secret Convention between France and Austria,
the three principal articles of which are — i. Austria
acknowledges the King of Etruria. 2. Consents to the
Incorporation of Piedmont. 3. Leaves France at Liberty
to do with Switzerland as it pleases. What Austria gets
in return is not said. Marcoff' expresses his indignation
in the strongest terms. — I remain, &c. Maurus,
From Mr. Drake § to the Hon, A, Paget,
Munich, Feb" $th 1803.
You are so well acquainted with the Characters of the
principal Actors on this Scene and with their mode of
transacting Business, that you will not have been surprized
at their having been so completely duped and sacrificed in
the Negociations which led to the late Convention between
Austria and France. The Elector, much as he was hurt
at being stripped of the Bishoprick of Eichstadt, must
however be contented to sit down quietly under his loss,
¦* Charged with the care of British interests at Ratisbon.
¦ t Eussian Envoy in Bavaria, now made Minister Extraordinary at Eatisbon
for settling the indemnities.
t Two Conventions were signed in Paris in December 1802 between France
and Austria. By the first, December 26, the indemnities of the various
branches of the Austrian House were fixed.
, § British Minister in Munich.

7o THE PAGET PAPERS
and to accept the territory, of Nuremberg in Lieu of It.
He has submitted the Hardship of his Case to the Courts
of Berlin and Petersburgh, requesting their good offices &
Protection. He has not as yet received any answer from
the latter, and I have reason to believe that the Consola
tion which the former has bffered him consists wholly of
fair Words, and common Place Assurance of Attachment
&c., on which little or no Hope of any Official Interference
can be grounded. ' Very sanguine Expectations are enter
tained here of a more favourable Answer from Petersburg,
an opinion being generally prevalent that that Court will
not ratify the Act of Accession of Mr. Marcoff, as it is
supposed that two Secret Articles (such as they are under
stood to be) are in direct contradiction with the views
and Intentions professed repeatedly and publickly by thal^
Court. The Austrian Minister here has requested a Passage for
a Body of Troops to take Possession of Eichstadt, but the
Elector has very adroitly eluded a Compliance with the
Demand for the present, by notifying to Mr. de Buol thai;
He had written an Answer on the Subject to the Emperor
himself; and that therefore it would be disrespectful no-b
to wait for His Imperial Majesty's Reply. This Delay will
afford the Bavarian l!dinister a chance of securing the Sen
timents of the Emperor of Russia on the several Points
connected with . the Convention before .he may be again
pressed for a Decision. These sentiments of the Court of
Petersburg are impatiently expected both here and at
Ratisbon, and it is probable tha't no further Progress will
be made in the final Settlement of the Indemnities till
their Arrival.
i^rom Mr. Thomas Jackson to. the Hon, A, Paget.
EoME, Febv 24th' 1803. .
: Although I have good reason to think you are as well
informed of the situation of His Sard" Majesty's affairs as
myself I will not omit to mention that the first Consul,
moved by the reiterated solicitations of Russia (and more
probably by the hope of obtaining the guaranty of that
Court of* his usurpations in Italy) has at length consented
to give His Sard" Majesty what he calls an indemnity for

VIENNA, 1803 71
the loss of his continental Dominions on both sides the
Alps, This Indemnity consists of the country of the,
Presid' and the Siennese, Nothing is yet settled in this
business. The King I believe would accept this offer on
condition of its being called an establishment, and not by
way of an Indemnity for a renunciation to which he will
not without the greatest difficulty be brought to consent.
We are waiting for the ideas of the Court of Petersburg
on this business which will necessarily have great weight.
It is whispered that Austria has consented in a secret
Article of the late Treaty with France to guarantee the
present state of Italy, the possession of Piedmont by
France, the King of Etruria, &c. &c.
From Admiral Sir J, Warren to the Hon. A. Paget.
[Private.] St. Petersburgh, March -jth, N.S., 1803.
Since the Delivery of the Ratification of the Indemnities
which was sent from Paris by a Clerk of Confidence in
Mons"" Talleyrand's office to be exchanged here, as a mark
of attention to the Emperor, k the usual presents of Boxes,
&c., nothing particular has occurred, I am happy to say;
however that this administration seems to entertain more
favourable sentiments than heretofore towards Austria,
and as they are less embarrassed with French Connections,
I do hope upon the arrival of Comte Stadion that th&
ancient Relations between the two countries may again be;
renewed ; to which object no efforts that it may be in my,
power to bestow shall be wanting.
The Dispute with the King of Sweden relative to the,
frontiers * here may produce much disagreeable alterca
tion, if not more unfavourable events, as there is much,
acrimony on this side from that King's having interfered,.
with the Duke of Mechlenburg relative to an old claim of^
some of his Territories, lately preferred by the King of
Sweden ; &¦ which the Court of Berlin have taken as-
against the latter. In consequence of the new Prince of
Sweden having been created Grand Duke of Finland,t the'
Governor of Wy burgh has been named by Russia Gover
nor of Finland, and a General Mayenfeldt has lately left
-* In,Finlaiid.
t He was said to have been christened by this title. .

72 THE PAGET PAPERS
this Capital to take upon himself the commaiid in that
country. . . . — I have the honour, &c.
John Borlase Warren.
P.S, — I trust you will be enabled to ascertain : Whether
the First Consul's favourite project respecting Turkey * has
at last made some impression at Vienna, & whether it has
obtained any stipulation or place among the Secret Articles
of the Convention signed at Paris.
From Mr. Talbot to the Hon. A. Paget.
Paris, the 12 March 1803.
Dear Paget,— I have been waiting with the utmost
impatience to have it in my power to return a satisfac
tory answer to the enquiries enclosed in your letter, but
hitherto to very little purpose ; for nobody here can give
me the smallest information respecting the English Lady of
74 years of age who has eloped with the French Emigrant
Priest. If she were but 1 7 there might be less difficulty
in making her out, and I might be induced to go in person
to seek her in the purlieus of the Palais Royal ; but under
the present circumstances I must act by proxy. . . .
I am charged by a young lady, Miss Seymour, who is
here with Lord & Lady Cholmondeley, to convey to you
the avowal of her most ardent love, I told her that I
should certainly obey her Commands, and literally in
those words. She finds, however, some, but it is her
only, consolation for your absence in the presence of a
Gentleman not from Tripoli, but from Tunis, one of our
colleagues at Paris. She thinks him your very image,
and perhaps he might be something like you were he
shaved of a very fine black beard which I presume it
would be no easy matter to prevail on him to part with,
certainly if he were aware how much that operation would
tend to identify him with you in Miss Seymour's affections
we should see him smack ¦ smooth to-morrow ; but fortu
nately for you it does not as yet seem to have occurred to
him, and I shall beware of suggesting it to him. until I
hear from you on this subject. — Believe me, &c.
J. Talbot,
-* Bonaparte was pressing plana for the partition of Turkey, which Russia
now resisted.

VIENNA, 1803 13
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
Vienna, 14 Mar. 1803.
My Lord, — I take the liberty of humbly submitting to
Y' L* a request of being aUowed to be absent from here
a few weeks, in order to go to England upon my private
affairs — and I make this request -with greater confidence,
having never yet been absent from any post which has
been confided to me by His M^. . . .
Y' 1J may be persuaded that however great the neces
sity of my presence in England may be I should only
avail myself of this leave in the case of my absence being
in no way prejudicial to the interests entrusted to me.* —
I have the honour, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury,
[Private & Confidential] Vienna, March 26, 1803.
My Lord, — Uncertain as I am at this moment as to
the situation of affairs between England k France, I am
led to offer one or two ideas in addition to what I have
had the honor to submit in my despatch.
Should a rupture take place, and the assistance of this
Country be required, I should humbly recommend that
His Majesty should -write a letter to the Emperor, con
ceived iu such strength of terms as His Majesty's age
and experience, and the importance of the occasion, -wiU
fiiUy authorize. In deliveriag this letter, I should have
the fairest opportunity of speaking in the most unre
served manner to His Imperial Majesty and of pointing
out the defects of His Ministers, and of the system pur
sued by them.
The person who is supposed to have the greatest degree
of iafluence over the mind of the Emperor is his Con
fessor. I am incUned to think that use might be made
of him.
I am decidedly of the same opinion with respect to the
person who has the greatest influence over the Arch Duke
Charles. I think, however, that nothing can contribute so largely
* The leave was granted, but he did not go to England till the autumn. — ^A,P,

74 THE PAGET PAPERS
towards effecting any good here as the co-operation of
Russia. Your Lordship will, I am persuaded, do justice to the
motives by which I am actuated in humbly submitting
these few hints. — I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget,

From Lord Whitworth to the Hon. A. Paget.
Paris, Sunday loth Apl, 1803.
I am sorry to think that the picture you draw of the"
Court where you are is but too true ; you are in no need;
of one from me of this — its policy and its measures are
too well known. We have, that is you & I, never vary'd
in our opinions of them, or of those who conduct them,
I hope and trust however that they will find at least one
Country both ready and able to check their Career. Such^
is the object of the present discussion; which, if not
speedily terminated in a manner satisfactory to us, as
affording that Security which the position of France
renders indispensable, must be productive of a war- be
tween the two Countries. I will hope for the honour
of the, Court of Vienna, and I really believe it -would
be the case, that if we are once more obliged to take^
the field it would feel the fetters by which it is bound
with a twofold anguish. I should for my own part be
sorry however that that Couni3ry or any other should
be drawn into it. We will shew these -Gascons * ' que
V Angleterre peut seule lutter coriire eux — I think we
might enter the lists without fear of the result. '
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
[No. 14.] Vienna, 19 April 1803, ^
My Lord, — I mentioned in my last that the French
Ambassador had informed His Imperial Majesty's Minister
that his Government might perhaps find it necessary to.
call upon the Court of Vienna as one of the Guarantees:
of the order of Malta to interfere in the affairs pending
* Referring to First Consul's message to Legislative Body mentioned in
introduction to this year's correspondence.— A. P. '

VIENNA, 1803 75
between England & France, but that this intimation was
to be considered as private & unofficial.
I have since learnt from the Vice Chancellor that Mr.
Champagny has desired to be informed of the Sense which
this Court attaches to the Act of Accession to the i oth
Art. of the Treaty of Amiens,* & that to this application He
had replied that it was the Emperor's Intention to observe
a strict Neutrality, that whenever any distinct proposition
might be made to His I. M^ arising out of the accession
He had given that He should be ready to answer to it.
The act in question it was observed was in itself imperfect
inasmuch as the acceptance of it had not been ratified
by G* Britain, & it was further remarked that the acces
sion of other Great Powers to the first Article was still
wanting. Such is the statement which has been made to me by
C Cobentzl of what has passed between himself k the
French Ambassador.
The Declaration that " it was the Emperor's intention
to observe a strict neutrality" seemed to me so wholly
superfluous and unasked for by anything which had been
stated to have been said by the French Ambassador, that
I could not avoid observing to C Cobentzl that it had
probably been made in answer to some other distinct- &
important overture which I had got to learn. From the
explanation however he gave, as well as from the infor
mation I have received from other quarters, I am led to
believe that what I have above related is the substance
of what has hitherto been treated between them, that
the result is not less ambiguous k inconclusive, & that
the declaration in question was in fact a spontaneous
& unguarded effusion of the Vice Chancellor's private
sentiments. .
Tho' I have always been in the habit of seeing C*
Cobentzl very constantly, the importance of the moment
has naturally led me of late to visit him more frequently
than usual, and it is lest your Lordship should suppose
that the above expression (of which I have already said
so much) might have been thrown out in reply to any
observations I might at any time have made, I think it
my duty to state explicitly that I have been particularly
* Signed in Vienna August 1802. Cf, pp. 55, 57, 58, 60.

76 THE PAGET PAPERS
cautious in never having allowed an expression to escape
me which could by any means be construed into a wish
of what is vulgarly denominated " drawing this Country
into a War." Independent of higher considerations of
duty, I have been silent upon principle. I wish not to
tire y' L^'s patience by going into any length of reasoning
upon this Subject. I will merely lay down one opinion,
which is " that no overtures will be favourably listened to
by this Government until they feel themselves exposed to
some pressing danger, and that whenever that moment
arrives, the overtures will come from hence."
I hear from a variety of quarters that the Archduke
Charles * has lately held a very firm k honorable lan
guage in speaking of the important events of the moment,
& I have no objection, as a testimony in favor of that
officer, to acquaint y' L*" that General Meerfeldt is
one of the Channels thro' which the information has
reached me.
The Emperor has at length been induced to give His
Ratification to the Plan of Indemnities, that is, to those
points which were concluded at the epoch of the Conven
tion signed at Paris last Dec'' ; t the rest will remain a
matter for future deliberation. . . .
In addition to the contents of Mr. Stratton's dispatches,
I feel it incumbent upon me to inform y' L^ that it has
come to me from very good authority that the French
Ambassador at the Porte is very assiduously seconded in
all his negociations by the Prussian Minister, in testimony
of which the K. of Prussia has received the thanks of the
French Government. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget,
From. Lord Whitworth to the Hon. A. Paget.
Paris, Apr. 2gth 1803.
My Dear Paget, — . . . This may possibly be the
last letter which I shall have to write you from hence.
I repeated two days ago the Conditions which we con-
'* By his reformation of the army from 1802 to 1804, when he was War
Minister, the Archduke prepared the way for a vigorous defence, but he
steadily opposed offensive war or the provocation of war.
t Count Cobentzl, after a violent altercation with Talleyrand, yielded to the
threats of the French Minister in signing the Convention.

VIENNA, 1803 11
sidered as indispensable with a view to our security, and
at the same time declared that I was ordered to leave
Paris on Tuesday next, (it is to day Friday) unless those
Conditions were accepted. The chief of these is a tem
porary possession of Malta, (for ten years), and the acqui
sition of another point in the Mediterranean, which by
the expiration of such a term might perhaps be made
tenable. I can scarcely form nn opinion on the result. When I
consider the dangers of all kinds, both public and private,
which must accrue to this Country & Government from a
renewal of war, I am inclined to think well of it ; but
when I recollect the untractable character with which we
have to do, I am almost inclined to despair. Three days
will now decide the question. I am sure we shall have
the hearty good wishes of the Court where you are, and
in truth it would be almost unreasonable to expect more
under the -present circumstances.
Aih revoir here or in England. In the mean time
believe me, ke, (Signed) Whitworth.
From Mr. Charles Stuart* to the Hon, A. Paget,
London, Saturday yith April 1803,
Dear Sir, — That you may not remain ignorant of the
present state of our Negotiations, I hasten to transmit by
Paul some Particulars most confidentially communicated
to me, and which you may rely upon to be authentic,
though few People here are acquainted with the Truth.
When Lord Whitworth brought forward the Proposi
tions of Ministry to the French Government, it appears
that he solely insisted upon the total Cession of Malta, or
the Admission and Continuance of a British Garrison
provided it were restored to the Order, withholding the
Instructions which authorized him to offer the Acknow
ledgment of the King of Etruria &c. in return for a mere
temporary Possession of the Island.
At a Conference where these Points were in Discus
sion Joseph Bonaparte, lamenting that his Brother would
scarcely be persuaded to accede to such Terms, required
to know if the Possession of Malta during twenty years
¦ * Afterwards Lord Stuart de Eothsay.

78 THE PAGET PAPERS
would satisfy our Government, Upon this Lord Whit
worth sent a Courier to London, whence, after a Cabinet
Council, Shaw was dispatched on Saturday night bearing
the following definite Instruction, First to demand the
unqualified Cession of Malta during ten or twenty years,
then to enter into a separate Negotiation tending to
secure an adequate Indemnity for the Losses of the King
of Sardinia, & offering on our Part to acknowledge the
Kings, Republics, & Usurpations of Bonaparte in Italy ;
& should he refuse acceding to such Simple Conditions,
Lord Whitworth is directed to quit Paris in seven Days.
Shaw is expected to return on Monday, & Tatten's Motion
comes on on Tuesday, when many (relying upon Reports
that a second Negotiation to bring the Old Ministers into
Office has failed) conceive the Minority will swell to 150,
though the Intelligence in my preceding Page ill agrees
with so unfavourable a conclusion.
I hope I shall receive Orders to set off to-morrow, &
remain, &c. Ch. Stuart,
P,S, — Since writing the above, farther Dispatches have
been received from L** Whitworth which, strange to say,
wear every appearance of immediate war. The First
Consul has excluded Joseph Bonaparte from the Confer
ences, & declares that he will rather consent to a total
than a Teraporary cession of Malta, alleging the former
to be a voluntary, the latter an extorted Act. . . . Talley
rand seemed considerably alarmed when L* Whitworth
declared his Intention of quitting Paris.
However inconsistent all this may appear, I assure you
the Dispatches upon which I found my letters are not less
contradictory. 'The general Impression in the Office is
that we may very shortly expect a recommencement of
Hostilities, ... C. S,

From Mr, B. Garlike * to the Hon. A. Paget.
St. Petersburg, 5 May 1803.
My dear Sir, — . , , This Court does not appear un
willing to interpose its good-offices between our Govern-
'* Secretary of Legation at St. Petersburg.

VIENNA, 1803 79
ment, and that of France, in order to prevent a rupture ; —
and requires from both of them such a full statement of
the ground of their differences, as may enable the Emperor
to devise the means of reconciling us ; as far as a willing
ness may be shewn to admit His interference.
There can be little doubt that the Russian Government
is already well acquainted with the nature of our appre
hensions, as to the views of France : — and that they are
aware too of the difficulty of effectually interfering, other
wise than by countenancing the measures we may be
obliged to adopt in order to secure some further check
against French encroachment. . . .
Bonaparte does not revoke one jot of His pretensions
on Turkey, and the vanity of the F. nation is such that
they conceive those pretensions to be founded in justice.
If Malta is our security in that quarter,* we can consent
to no halving or quartering of that possession ; and as we
have armed, I hope and pray that we may soon declare
our resolution never to abandon that island, , . , —
I am, &c, (Signed) B. Garlike.
[A despatch from Mr. William Hamilton to Lord Hawkes
bury, da'ted Yannina, May 6, conveys a message from Ali
Pacha, Governor of Albania and Beglerbey of Roumelia,
" one of the most powerful and energetic Pachas in Euro
pean Turkey." f In case of a rupture between England and
France, he desired to confirm his friendship with England,
and asserted his hostility to Russia and France ; he offered
the port of Palormo for the use of troops ; in a few days
he could raise 30,000 troops, and would quickly be joined
by as many more. He was perfectly independent of the
Turkish Government, and he asked for an English resident
at Yannina.]
'* The decision to keep Malta was only made in the spring of 1803, in
consequence of Sebastiani's reports on the French projects in Egypt and the
European provinces of Turkey.
t Bonaparte had opened intrigues with him in 1798. At this time
there was a proposal that France should help the Sultan to reduce him
" to that state of subjection which the general welfare of the Turkish Empire
required."

8p THE PAGET PAPERS
From Count Cobentzl to the Hon. A. Paget.
May 21, 1803.
C'est pour satisfaire k 1' engagement que j'ai pris envers
Monsieur Paget que je dois Malheureusement lui annoncer
qu'un courier arrive hier au soir a apporte la nouvelle que
Lord Whitworth avoit quite Paris le 12 de ce mois. je
prie Monsieur Paget d'Agreer 1' Assurance de ma considera
tion trfes distinguee, ' (Signed) Cobentzl.

VIENNA
(2.) RISE OF THE THIRD COALITION: 1803-1805
^TAT. S2 TO 34
I MUST again repeat that this is not intended as, and has
no pretension to be, an historical work ; otherwise it would
be necessary to give an account of the measures taken by
the First Consul, on the renewal of the war in 1803 and
subsequently, for carrying out his intended invasion of
England, — the enormous forces, both naval and military,
collected by him in the ports and along the coasts from
Brest to the Texel ; his fortifications of the coasts ; his
creation of a stupendous arsenal at Antwerp ; and, not
confining myself to the acts of the French Government
only, I should have to enter into some detail as to what
was passing in the other States of Europe, as well as to
dilate upon the patriotic spirit and warlike enthusiasm
which was aroused throughout Great Britain, — the enrol
ment of the Militia and Volunteer forces — the increase of
the navy, as well as of the regular army — all the mea
sures, in short, entailing vast expenditure which were
taken by the Administration, without a murmur or a dis
sentient voice being raised, either in Parliament or in the
country, in order to meet the impending danger. For all
such details, as well as others bearing upon the situation
of affairs in Europe, the reader can refer to the numerous
Histories of that time.
My sole business is to deal with my father's career and
the correspondence which I have before me, touching only
upon such other events as may be necessary to explain
the principal topics referred to in it.
Mr. Paget went to England, on leave of absence, in the
autumn of 1803. On the 4th of January 1804 ^e was
sworn in a member of the Privy Council, and he shortly
VOL. II. '*' F

82 THE PAGET PAPERS
afterwards returned to Vienna to resume his diplomatic
duties. He had hardly arrived when he received intelligence of
the well-known most infamous and iniquitous act amongst
the many deeds of outrage, treachery, and violence which
disgraced the career and character of Napoleon, viz., the
seizure by a detachment of French troops, under the com
mand of General Coulaincourt, of the unfortunate Due
d'Enghien at Ettenheim, on the territory of Baden, and his
mock nocturnal trial by a military tribunal in the fortress
of Vincennes, when, contrary to the convictions of his
judges, he was condemned, as a conspirator against the
life of the First Consul, and shot by a file of infantry in
the trenches of that fortress.
It is easy to imagine the indignation aroused through
out the civilised world by this criminal proceeding. Not
only was the public conscience revolted by the murder
which had been committed,' but there was not a Power
which did not feel that there was an end to the indepen
dence and safety of every country, if so glaring an infrac
tion of international law as the invasion of a neutral and
pacific State, and the arrest and carrying off from within
its territory of persons to whom it was affording hospi
tality, were allowed to pass with impunity.
But notwithstanding the universal abhorrence created
by this daring and unprecedented act, such was the terror
inspired at that time throughout Europe by Napoleon,
that only two Powers, Russia and Sweden, had the courage
to protest against it.
A sharp exchange of notes, replete with mutual re
criminations, took place between the Russian Chalrge
d'Affaires at Paris, M. d'Oubril, and M. de Talleyrand,
which ended in the rupture of diplomatic relations be
tween the two Powers — M. d'Oubril leaving Paris at
the end of August, and the French Charge d'Affaires St.
Petersburg about the same time. When the assumption
of the imperial title of Napoleon was notified to the
Court of St. Petersburg, the Emperor Alexander refused
to recognise it.
The protest of Sweden was addressed to the Court of
Bavaria — the King of Sweden, as Duke of Pomerania,
having a voice in the Diet of the Empire at Ratisbon —

VIENNA, 1803 83
but it was answered by a series of notes, of the most
offensive and insulting character to the person and dignity
of the Swedish monarch, inserted in the official part of
the Moniteur; and on the 7th of September an official
note in which Napoleon, who had already proclaimed
himself Emperor, was designated as Monsieur Napoleon
Buonaparte, was sent in by the Swedish Charge d'Affaires
at Paris, announcing the termination of all diplomatic
¦communication between the two Governments, a circum
stance which was taken advantage of by the British
Government for concluding a Treaty of Alliance with
Sweden. Mr. Paget's despatches, and his communications, both
verbal and in writing, with Count Cobentzl, afford ample
testimony as to the strenuous efforts which he made to
arouse the Austrian Cabinet from its apathy, and to make
an attempt, while there might be yet time, to save the
life of the unhappy Prince who had been captured ; and
when that was no longer possible, by reason of his execu
tion, to enter its protest against the violation of inter
national law which had been committed by the invasion
of the Electorate of Baden ; but all that he could and
did say was received with the most stoical indifference
by the Austrian Vice-Chancellor.
It may be as well to state here that the French Govern
ment, as a set-off to its own infamous proceedings, ac
cused Mr. Drake, the British Minister at Munich, and
Mr. Spencer Sraith, the Charge d'Affaires in Wurteinburg,
not only of foraenting revolution through their secret
agents in France, but of instigating the assassination
of the First Consul. This latter charge was forcibly re
butted in a note from Lord Hawkesbury, which was
published, and it was subsequently admitted to be false
by Napoleon's most faithful adherents, amongst others
by M. de Bourrienne, his Private Secretary.
Judging the pacific conduct of Austria at this juncture
hj the light of subsequent events and history, it would
perhaps be fair to assume that it was mainly attributable
to a desire to avoid doing anything which might expose
the Empire to the further enmity of France before it had
isomewhat recovered, which it had not then done, from
the disasters which had befallen it in the campaign prior

84 THE PAGET PAPERS
to the Treaty of Luneville, and it would be difficult to
contest the validity of this argument. There may, how
ever, have been, and probably were, subsidiary motives
for this policy ; for instance, the desire for the support of
France in the settlement of the question of the Equestrian
Order, and the anxiety of the Emperor Francis to secure
the recognition of France to his assumption of the heredi
tary title of Emperor of Austria. Both these topics are
referred to in Mr. Paget's despatches ; and his despatch
of the 2nd of April contains a full report of a rather
serious altercation he had with Count Cobentzl in refer
ence to the political system of Austria at that time, while
a later despatch gives an account of a personal explana
tion he had had with the same Minister, who had com
plained to the Russian Ambassador of Mr. Paget's change
of tone since his recent return from England.
It must have been gratifying to Lord Hawkesbury to
be assured at the conclusion of Mr. Paget's report that
the Vice-Chancellor had expressed his satisfaction at what
had passed at this interview, but it will probably strike
most people that Count Cobentzl must have been pos
sessed of a nature which was very easily pacified, and of
the most forgiving disposition.
Mr. Paget had doubtless very strong grounds for the
censures which he passed upon the- system pursued in
Austria at that time, and the manner in which affairs
were conducted by Count Cobentzl. It will be seen,
indeed, that he and Count Rassoumoffsky, the Russian
Ambassador, agreed in the opinion that no change for
the better was to be hoped for until there was a change
of persons in the Austrian Cabinet.
Early in May 1 804 a change of Government took place
in England, the causes which led to it being the extreme
dissatisfaction of Parliament and the country at the way
in which the naval and military forces of the country had
been allowed to dwindle during the Peace, under the
Administration of Mr. Addington. Especially there were
loud complaints as to the inefficient state of the navy,
under the management of Lord St. Vincent ; marine
stores had been sold and dissipated out of the royal
dockyards, and when war broke out the navy was found
in an unprecedented state of dilapidation. In these cir-

VIENNA, 1803 85
cumstances all eyes were again turned to Mr. Pitt, who,
on the 15th of March, made a speech in which he com
mented with great severity on the administration of the
navy, in which he was supported by Mr. Fox and Mr.
iSheridan. The Ministerial majority went on steadily
declining until it was reduced to thirty-seven, a majority
considered in those days so feeble that, with the feeling
of the country evidently against them, the Ministry re
signed on the 12th of May. That was not the age in
which a Prime Minister vaunted his intention to remain
in office if even his majority were reduced to one. Mr.
Addington (commonly called the "Doctor") was replaced
by Mr. Pitt as Prime Minister and Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Lord Harrowby succeeded Lord Hawkesbury
as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Lord Mel
ville became First Lord of the Admiralty instead of the
Earl of St. Vincent.
On the 4th of June, Lord Harrowby informed Mr. Paget
that the King had been graciously pleased to confer upon
him the Order of the Bath. It appears that, in former
times, when a diplomatic servant of the Crown received
this Order while he was abroad in the discharge of his
duties, it was customary for the King to address a letter
to the sovereign to whom the future knight was accre
dited, requesting that sovereign to act on his behalf and
to perform the ceremony of investiture. Such a letter
was now transmitted by Lord Harrowby from George IIL
to the Emperor Francis, which Mr. Paget was desired to
deliver at an audience, and he was enjoined that the
ceremony was to be performed according to the form
observed on the occasion of Mr, Whitworth's investiture
by the Empress Catherine.
Sir A. Paget had an audience of the Emperor on the
2 3rd of July for the investiture, and in a despatch of that
date he gives an account of a conversation he had with
His Imperial Majesty on political matters at the con
clusion of the ceremony.
In the month of June an overture was made by the
Court of St. Petersburg to ascertain the disposition of
the British Government in regard to aiding, by sub
sidies, a possible alliance against France between Russia,
Austria, and Prussia. In one of his despatches (dated

86 THE PAGET PAPERS
July) Lord Harrowby assumes it to be a condition sine
qud non to obtaining the concurrence of Austria in this
agreement, that there should be a change in the persons
comprising the Austrian Cabinet, and that the Archduke
Charles should be got to support the proposed alliance.
Accordingly instructions are given to Sir A. Paget to
unite his efforts with those of the Russian Ambassador
to secure this object.
It is now necessary to refer to an occurrence which had
the effect of arousing even Prussia from its grovelling
attitude of subservience to France, viz., a farther outrage
upon neutral territory and the kidnapping of a diplomatic
representative. On the night of the 24th of October a detachment of
French soldiers, under the command of General Trfeve,
crossed over the Elbe from Harburg into the neutral terri
tory of Hamburg, proceeded to the house of Sir George
Rumboldt, the British Charge d'Affaires, situated about a
mile from the town, broke into the house, arrested Sir
George Rumboldt, who was immediately sent off with
his papers to Paris, whe];e he was lodged in the Temple
prison. Sir A. Paget and Mr. F. J. Jackson, the British
Minister at Berlin, lost no time in addressing the most
energetic remonstrances to the Governments to which
they were accredited, and both these Governments pro
tested at Paris — the King of Prussia as " Director of the
Circle of Lower Saxony," and the Emperor of Austria as
" Chief of the Empire of Germany." The result was that
Sir George Rumboldt was set at liberty, after an examina
tion of his papers, which were found to contain nothing
compromising either his Government or himself in any of
the designs attributed to them by Napoleon.
It was the practice of Napoleon, particularly at mo
ments when he was meditating some new conquests, which,
as he said, " were periodically necessary in order to capti
vate the French people and keep them in good humour," to
endeavour to persuade the world that he had nothing so
much at heart as to live in a state of peace with all his
neighbours. Acting, therefore, on this principle — in order the better
to conceal his designs, and aware, by the reports of his
diplomatic agents, that a coalition was forming with a

VIENNA, 1803 87
view to resist his further aggressions — he addressed a
letter to the King of England, early in the month of
January 1805, deprecating the renewal of the war be
tween France and England.
The King returned an answer through Lord Mulgrave
to M. de Talleyrand, stating that His Majesty, how
ever animated by the same desire for peace, could not
entertain the proposal which had been made to him
without communicating with the Powers with whom he
was allied, and particularly the Emperor of Russia, to
whom the letter from Napoleon was duly communicated.
The good offices of the King of Prussia were invoked by
His Imperial Majesty in order to ascertain whether the
Emperor Napoleon was still in the same pacific sentiments,
and whether he would cause passports to be sent enabling
a Russian plenipotentiary to proceed to Paris. Passports
were sent to Berlin, but Napoleon left Paris before the
envoy could arrive. He had, in fact, proceeded to Italy,.
where, in the midst of festivities and pageants, he occu
pied himself in still further augmenting his dominions.
He assumed the title of King of Italy, incorporated the
Ligurian Republics with the French Empire, and took
possession of Genoa, where he built an arsenal and erected
fortifications. In short, his acts were such as to make
every State which had hitherto preserved its independ
ence tremble for its existence.
Amongst the documents of this year is the copy of an
autograph letter from the King of Sweden (Gustavus IV.)
to the King of Prussia (Frederick William III.) returning
the Order of the Black Eagle, accompanied by a dignified
and spirited rebuke, which, it may be hoped, must have
caused, at least momentarily, a pang of shame in the
breast of His Prussian Majesty.
The negotiations between England and Russia for the
formation of a coalition to resist the further encroach
ments of France and for the restoration of the Balance of
Power in Europe, comraenced in London by an overture
coming from the Russian Cabinet, were reopened in the
autumn of 1804 at St. Petersburg by Lord Granville
Leveson Gower, who had been appointed His Britannic
Majesty's Ambassador at that Court. At last, on the i ith
of April 1805, a Treaty of Alliance was signed with Russia

88 THE PAGET PAPERS
The adhesion of the Court of Austria to this Treaty was
announced on the 7th of July by Count Cobentzl to Count
Rassoumoffsky, the Russian Ambassador in Vienna, and
subsequently by declarations exchanged at St. Petersburg
on the 28th of July between Count Stadion, the Austrian
Ambassador, with Lord G. Leveson Gower and Prince
Czartorisky, the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The Declaration of the 7th of July is not forthcoming,
but it may be gathered from what is said about it in the
documents connected with it, that it stipulated that before
proceeding to hostilities an effort should be made to
arrive at an understanding with Napoleon by negotiation
—Austria specifying the modifications which she required
in the then existing territorial arrangements, 'which
were agreed to by Russia and also by Great Britain, with
certain amplifications, and she (Austria) undertaking the
office of mediator, as it appears she did, but of course
without leading to any satisfactory result.
I do not think I ought to close the chapter relative to
this period of my father's residence in Vienna without
making some mention of the famous German publicist,
M. de Gentz, a few of whose letters, out of a large number
I have found, I have added to the correspondence as
illustrative of the relations which existed between him
and Sir A. Paget.
It may perhaps be convenient for some readers to have
a few particulars relative to M. de Gentz' career.
He was born at Breslau in 1764, and was originally
employed as Secretary in the War Department at Berlin,
but his talents as a writer were so conspicuous that he
was soon called upon to exercise them in a far wider field.
He gradually became the confidant of almost all the
Cabinets of Europe, who had recourse to his powerful
pen for drawing up their public manifestoes and declara
tions in any important crisis. He was in Vienna at the
time of Sir A. Paget's arrival, and remained there, off
and on, during the whole period of his residence there
as Minister.
It was, no doubt, from M. de Gentz that Sir A. Paget
received a great deal of the valuable secret information
which he was in the habit of transmitting to his Govern
ment, I have found several of his reports upon the

VIENNA, 1803 89
internal organisation and administration of the Austrian
Empire, and upon other matters of interest at that time,
but they are too voluminous to appear in the present
publication. In 1804 M. de Gentz paid a visit to London, and was
furnished with a strong letter of recommendation by Sir
A. Paget to Lord Harrowby, with whom he was in fre
quent communication, and who wrote to him after his
departure. It was M. de Gentz who composed the
Prussian manifesto against France in 1806, and that
of Austria in 1809 and 1813. He visited the head
quarters of the Prussian army just before the battle of
Jena, and drew up that reraarkable report entitled
" Journal de ce qui m'est arrive de plus marquant dans le
voyage que j'ai fait au Quartier General de S. M. le Roi
de Prusse le 2 Octobre 1806 et jours suivans." The first
forty-three pages of the copy of this report, which I
possess, are in Sir A. Paget's handwriting, which has
made me reflect sometimes whether the report itself
was not, considering their great intimacy, originally com
municated to him before being otherwise made use of.
M. de Gentz was the Protocolist of the Congress of
Vienna in 18 14, and of that of Paris in 1815. He was
the most determined adversary of the French Revolution,
and was the author of several reraarkable works, amongst
which may be named " Le Systfeme de I'Equilibre Euro-
peen," " Sur la Morale des Revolutions," " Sur la Declara
tion des Droits de I'Homme." M. de Gentz died in 1832.
At the end of the correspondence of this year I venture
to place together two letters, written at different times, in
which Sir A. Paget treats of his own private affairs. The
first, of August 18, 1805, is written to his mother, and in
it he explains the circumstances of his attachment to
the Princess Leopoldine, daughter of Prince and Princess
Esterhazy, and sister of Prince Paul Esterhazy, who was
afterwards (sometime in the 'thirties) Austrian Ambassador
in London. The marriage was opposed by the parents
on both sides, principally and solely, I raay say, on the
part of Lord and Lady Uxbridge, on the ground of differ
ence in religion ; though there was another objection on
the part of the Esterhazys, and it gave rise to a long and
rather acrimonious correspondence between them and

90 THE PAGET PAPERS
Sir Arthur — acrimonious at least on their part — viz., that
he had committed the unpardonable offence, in Austrian
eyes — though I believe, with us, it will be considered to
have been in accordance with the usual course followed
in cases of " true love " — of endeavouring to ascertain
the sentiments of the young lady before speaking to her
parents.. Sir Arthur's defence against the accusations
brought against him is contained in a letter which he
addressed on the 30th of January 1805 to Princess
Esterhazy, and I think it will be generally considered
to be as remarkable for- lucidity of statement as for
brilliancy and dignity of literary composition.
Princess Leopoldine was eventually married to Prince
Lichtenstein, and became the mother of the charming
and accomplished Princess Lory Schwarzenberg, for many
years the well-known leader of Vienna Society.

CORRESPONDENCE
From Mr. T. Jackson to the Hon. A. Paget.
Rome, June i^th 1803.
My Dear Sir, — . . . Two days ago I had the pleasure
to receive news of the 7th, and hope with all my heart the
intelligence or rather the report of Russia's taking Ham
burg will be confirmed ; if the Emperor does not do it the
Consul infallibly will, for as long as he is not opposed he
will certainly continue to be progressive.* The Duke of
Cambridge has a tremendous game to play & I shall be
anxious to know what are his means, as well as the suc
cess which I wish him of his operations against the
invader, t
Here in Italy the plot begins to thicken : the French
troops, after being quartered some days in the Pope's
States at Ancona, &c., began their march towards the
* The war opened with the march of French armies on Hanover and
Naples. t The Duke of Cambridge capitulated at Suhlingen, June 3, 1803, and
General Mortier overran Hanover. George III. refused to ratify the conven
tion distinguishing between his position as King of England and Elector of
Hanover, and Mortier thereupon insisted upon absolute surrender.

VIENNA, 1803 91
Kingdom of Naples on the 1 2th. Gen' S' Cyr who com
mands them wrote to the Gov' on the frontier to inform
him of his object, and rec* for reply that the king of
Naples had determined to be neuter, that the entry of the
French troops w* be a direct violation of the neutrality,
but that having neither the will nor the means of resist
ance he s* not attempt any. The French troops are called
15,000 Infantry and 2000 Cavalry.
Here in the Roman States there are many appearances
& promises of neutrality, and it is certain that hitherto
none of the rigorous measures w*" have been put in execu
tion ag' the English elsewhere have been required of this
Government. The Queen Regent of Tuscany has acted
with becoming wisdom k spirit in refusing to arrest our
Countrymen at Florence : *" they are about thirty, who
have rashly in my opinion determined to wait the return
of a Messenger from Paris ; L* Oxford, Lord Mountcashel,
Gen' Morgan & several other families of distinction are of
the nuraber. The Queen has also refused a deraand w"" has
beenmade bythe French of three hundred thousand Piastres.
Pray have the goodness to tell the Gentlemen who are
at the head of the Austrian affairs that there is at this
raoment a Squadron of eighteen Algerine cruisers in the
Adriatic, coramitting the most dreadful depredations both
at sea and ashore ; to say nothing of the danger of their
landing the plague in Italy : you may hint to them, that
this is their first appearance in the Adriatic, that it is
solely to be attributed to the Austrians having neglected
the Venetian raarine, and that during the existence of the
Venetian Republic, these freebooters never dared shew
themselves in that sea. — Believe me, &c. T. Jackson.
From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
Vienna, 23rd June 1803.
My Lord, — ... I am relieved from the irksome duty
of again entering into any details upon the state of this
Country, by the simple reference to its conduct with
regard to the actual situation of affairs in the North of
Germany — for I certainly state facts without exaggeration
¦* According to Bonaparte's order for the arrest of all English travellers in
territories occupied by French armies.

92 THE PAGET PAPERS
when I say that not even a remonstrance has be,en made
by the Court of Vienna to the French Government against
the Invasion of Hanover.
It is, I apprehend, superfluous in me to say that I
have allowed the late painful moments to pass over
without making any official representation with respect
to the degree of Interference which, according to my
views of the subject, it has become the duty of this Court
to apply in the present general State of affairs, but to
those of Germany in particular. I have however lately
had various conversations upon these points with the
Vice Chancellor, k the conclusion to be drawn from His
language is that it had become hopeless and impossible
for Austria single handed to resist France, and that every
effort imaginable has been made by the Emperor to con
nect Himself more closely than ever with Russia, but
that these advances have been uniformly received with
the most discouraging coldness & indifference.* He has
even insinuated to me that a proposal made from hence
some time ago to the Court of Petersburg with a view
to provide against this very Eruption of the French into
Germany had raet with the sarae disheartening reception.
Such are the general grounds of defence upon which
the Emperor's Ministers rest themselves for the present
unaccountable & incredible apathy of this Court, but I
own that I cannot bring myself to give credit to the
above statement — nor can I be satisfied with it as long:
as I know that with 25,000 French Troops in the Elec
torate of Hanover k as many on their March to seize
upon the Kingdom of Naples, there are persons of this
Government who still think that the reduction which has
lately taken place in this Army has not been sufficient.
I must now take notice of an Edict respecting the
Neutrality of the Ports of this Country, as it is termed,
which will soon be published. . . .
I have had the good fortune to procure a copy of this
new Edict, k upon examination I have the satisfaction
to find it with the exception of one or two Points very
admissible. There is in it however nearly the same Clause
respecting prizes which was one of the principal points of
* Russia's relations with England were rather strained at this time. Serious
negotiations about the war only began in 1 804.

VIENNA, 1803 93
Contention on [a former] occasion,* & which I shall probably
have much difficulty about upon the present occasion.
There is another subject to which I must make some
allusion. Two considerable encampments were to have
been formed, one in the neighbourhood of Vienna, the
other in Gallicia. The latter, at which between 30 k
40,000 men were to have been assembled, has been
countermanded in consequence, as C* Cobentzl has in
formed me confidentially, of a Meeting which it was
thought might have taken place in that Country between
the Two Emperors having been given up, but I have
no hesitation in expressing my opinion that the above
change in the military dispositions has taken place at
the express representation of the French Government.
The Ignorance in which this Government is with re
spect to the movements of the French in Italy is beyond
credibility. It is only known in general that a French
Army was upon the point of entering the Kingdom of
Naples. — I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From H.M. King Louis XVIII. to the Hon, A. Paget.
A Varsovie, ce 20 Juillet 1803.
M. I'EvSque de Laon ne m'a pas laisse ignorer. Monsieur,
les offres que vous lui avez faites en apprenant 1' ordre
rigoureux qu'il a regu. t J'y suis profondement sensible,
mais ce n'est pas seulement de la reconnoissance qu' elles
m'inspirent, il est un autre tribut que je dois k la genero-
site d'un truly free-born Englishman et k la noble fierte
du representant d'un grand Roi. Tous les sentimens que
ces mots expriment, vous les avez excites en moi ; recevez
en done, je vous prie, Monsieur, I'assurance bien sincere
et soyez egalement persuade de tous ceux qui vous sont
purement personnels. (Signe) Louis.
From Lord Paget to the Hon. Arthur Paget,
Ipswich, Septr. 28th, 1803.
My dear Arthur, — If I do not hear of a further
postponement of the party, I shall dine at Wrotham on
'* Referring to an earlier edict which was never published.
t See the letter of the Bishop of Arras to Mr. Paget, October 31.

94 THE PAGET PAPERS
Friday, By the arrangements that I shall make I can
be at Ipswich in 6 hours after the intelligence of the ist
movements of the Foe are known. Now there are cer
tain little previous ceremonies attending an attack of the
nature of that expected which pretty well precludes the
possibility of surprise. Ergo I shall have no scruple in
shooting & dining with you each day, even tho' I shd.
think it necessary to spend the nights here under arms.
— Ever Affecy. Yours, (Signed) Paget.
From Mr. John Kemble to the Hon. A. Paget.
Thursday, Octr. l^th, 1803.
My bear Sir, — Your note catching me the moment I
am going on the Stage and I can only tell you how sorry
I am that my Box is engaged.
Mr. Brandon is at my Elbow, and says that he will
keep you the Box next but one to the Stage on the King's
side of the Theatre, if you can come before the first Act is
over. — I am, my dear Sir, your very obedient Servant,
(Signed) J. P. Kemble.
From the Comte de Conzi^ * to the Hon. A. Paget.
Londres, No. 66 Georges Street, Manchester Square,
Le 31 Xbre. 1803.
Monsieur, — J'ay I'honneur d'informer votre Excellence,
que M. I'Archeveque de Narbonne vient de recevoir une
lettre officielle de M. Vansittart, qui lui annonce, de la
part de M. Addington, que six des ev^ques frangois, qui
sont menaces de perdre leur asile en AUeniagne et en
Espagne, seront admis en Angleterre, et qu'ils y recevront
les memes secours dont jouissent ceux de nos coUegues
qui y resident depuis plusieurs annees.
M. I'Eveque de Laon, qui a deja ete, d'une maniere si
touchante, l'objet de votre interet, a acquis le droit d'etre
le premier des six qui seront admis en Angleterre ; mais,
attendu que sa sante a ete fort alteree depuis qu'il a ete
oblige de se refugier k Cracovie, je propose k votre Ex
cellence de lui continuer ses bons offices k I'effet d'obtenir
d'etre autorise k lui faire remettre dix livres sterlins par
'* Bishop of Arras.

VIENNA, 1804 95
mois jusqu'a ce qu'il soit as^fez bien retabli pour pouvoir se
rendre de Cracovie k Londres.
Je presume que votre Excellence voudra bien s' employer
aussi pour obtenir que I'epoque oil le traitement, accorde
k nos six collogues, commencera, soit tellement fixee,
qu'ils y trouvent les moyens de subvenir aux frais d'un
voyage tres long, qu'aucun d'eux ne seroit en etat
d'acquitter. Si votre Excellence veut bien m'informer de ce qu'elle
aura obtenu k ce sujet, je lui en serai tres oblige.
Ce sera toujours avec la plus grande satisfaction que je
verrai naitre des occasions de vous renouveller I'assurance
et I'hommage des sentimens de haute consideration avec
lesquels j'ai I'honneur d'etre, Monsieur, votre tres humble
et tres obeissant serviteur,
Le Comte De CoNZifi, Eveque D' Arras.
From Lord Hawkesbury to the Right Hon. A. Paget.
[Most Secret and Confidential.] Downing Street, io March 1804.
[He urges the importance of using every effort to obtain
information as to the exact state of the negotiation depend
ing between the Courts of St. Petersburg and Vienna.
When Count Markoff * quitted Paris, he received orders
from his Court to return home by the way of Vienna, and
to ascertain the sentiments and dispositions of the Austrian
Government. He wrote to Count Woronzow, the Russian
Ambassador, that he had had several satisfactory confer
ences with Count Cobentzl. It was said that an armed
mediation formed part of the plan under the consideration
of the two Imperial Courts. The extrerae unwillingness
of the Chancellor Count Woronzow f to give to Sir John
Warren any explanation on the state of the discussion sub
sisting between the two Governments made it extremely
probable that those discussions turned upon points which
might excite the jealousy of His Majesty's Government.
The pecuniary succours which the Imperial Courts might
be led to expect from this country in the event of a Con-
¦'*¦ Recalled at the end of 1803, in consequence of the growing anger of
Alexander with Bonaparte.
+ Czartoryski became Minister for Foreign Affairs in February 1804 ; and
from that time serious negotiations began for common action against France.

96 THE PAGET PAPERS
tinental war arising out of a new confederacy * would
otherwise induce them to conciliate the confidence of His
Majesty's Government.
It was therefore necessary to procure information as
to the negotiations, and particularly whether the idea of
an armed mediation has ever been entertained by them;
whether, if entertained, it still continues to form a part
of their system, and what in that case are the nature of
the conditions which would be proposed to the belligerent
powers. Sir A. Paget might convey in dignified and
temperate terms some degree of dissatisfaction at the
secrecy and reserve observed towards His Majesty's
Government. His Majesty feels that in opposing the
power of France he is sustaining the cause of all Europe,
and this consideration gives him a stronger claim to the
confidence of those powers whose interests are so materially
advanced, and whose safety is improved by his separate
exertions.] From Mr. Arbuthnot t to the Right Hon. A. Paget.
Downing St., 12th March 1804.
Nothing has taken place since you left us, except the sad
result of all our fine Projects for the re-establishment of
the Bourbons,t k of the particulars of the discovery you
must know more than we are as yet acquainted with.
We have only learnt from the Moniteur that Moreau is
arrested, § k 'that Pichegru || is in fiight. You may easily
figure to yourself the consternation spread among Pichegru's
friends by this melancholy intelligence. As for- the poor
Baron de Roll,1F he is like a Man distracted, & I am told
that Monsieur is, if possible, still more wretched. They
will still however persuade themselves that the game is
not lost, but I own it is impossible for me to join -with
'* England offered a subsidy on two conditions objected to by Russia : (i)
that Austria and Prussia should both first join the alliance ; (2) the status quo
should be established after the war.
t At that moment one of the Under-Secretaries of the Foreign Office ; after
wards Ambassador at Constantinople. — A. P.
X Conspiracy of Georges, Polignac, &c.
§ Arrested February 15.
II Arrested February 28.
IT A Hanoverian officer in the. service of England, very intimate with the
Paget family. — A. P.

VIENNA, 1804 97
them in these sanguine Expectations. Since the first
news was received we have not been able to obtain any
secret information, so we are of course remaining in the
most perplexing doubt k anxiety, k are of course greatly
apprehensive for poor Moreau's safety. There are those
who are willing to believe that Buonaparte will not dare
to execute him, but he has proved his power by arresting
him, k he will not act consistently with his well known
violence of teraper if he sh"* refrain from seizing the op
portunity of dispatching a Rival, from whora, while life
remains, danger must naturally be expected. . . .
There is another subject which likewise occupies much
of our attention. We have been led to believe that the
Ports of France k Boulogne in particular, can be rendered
useless to the Enemy by the Act of sinking old Hulks in
the Entrance of the Harbours. Long before you receive
this, it ¦will be known to you whether this measure has
succeeded, for the preparations are all compleated k
probably the attempt has ere now been made.
It would be rather amusing to shut in the First Consul's
FlotUlas &c., & it w''* with a vengeance retaliate upon
him his threat against us of closing hermetiquement the
Ports of the Continent.
Our beloved Sovereign (as you will certainly learn from
other quarters) is advancing to a perfect recovery. I
trust in God that we shall not much longer have reason to
be anxious about him, but I cannot help being sorry to
perceive that there are Persons who doubt of his being in
that favourable State which is reported by the Physicians.
At the same time I am for my own part perfectly inclined
to believe that these apprehensions respecting the King
proceed chiefiy from the extreme want of confidence in
our present Ministers.
With all that belongs to this subject you are to the
full as well acquainted as I am myself. The general feel
ing seems to be that they cannot stand long. One bad
Omen against them is that their friends who continue to
give good Ministerial Votes (as Mr. Yorke called them)
join as readily as the rest in bursting into fits of laughter
whenever the Doctor * gets up to speak. He is in truth
a lost Man in the House of Commons, & as contempt is
* Addington : his father had been Chatham's physician.
VOL. II. G

98 THE PAGET PAPERS
the worst evil that can befal a Man, I sh'' think it scarcely
possible that a poor wretch so universally despised &
laught at can continue much longer to govern the most
high minded Nation that now exists on Earth. At the
same time it must be owned that he has something to
hope from the thorough right feeling which seems to per
vade the whole body of the People. As chosen by the
King, k as appearing to possess His exclusive Confidence,
there is certainly a willingness to support him, not, God
knows, for his own Merits, but merely for the sake of not
disturbing the general tranquillity by hazarding such a
Convulsion as a forced Change of Ministry might now
occasion. One cannot but admire the Principle which
has induced the Nation to bear with the raost inefficient
Cabinet that ever cursed a Country, but the day must,
I sh** think, arrive when the great talents of our great
Statesmen are to be called into action, & whatever may
be the result, for my own interests, I cannot but look
forward to that day with panting eagerness & impatience.
... I do not know what you will think of it, but I
confess for my part that I do not view with the same
alarm the idea now entertained of an Armed Mediation.
Let Europe be arraed up to the teeth, & the effect will be
as good for us as it must be pernicious to our enemies. The
Mediators may propose what they please, but there need
be no apprehension of their going to war with us because
we may think their terms inadmissible. They must be
sufficiently aware that danger to the Continent springs
from France & not from England, & I cannot but imagine
that the great Powers of Europe when well prepared for
War will have the Courage to hold such language to the
First Consul as must be essentially advantageous to our
Common Interests. . . .

March 13 A.
Last night we received the fatal news of poor Pichegru's
arrest. I cannot dwell on this subject, for it is too shock
ing to think of.

VIENNA, 1804 99
From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
INo. I.] Vienna, 21st March 1804.
My Lord, — ... It would appear that the theatre will
be again thrown open at Ratisbon * under the patron
age and management of the 1st Consul, and that scenes
similar to those of last year, which all just and thinking
men in Europe shrank frora with disgust, are likely to be
brought for-ward for the practical establishraent and con
solidation of a fresh system of injustice and oppression,
and for the further demolition of the Laws, Constitution,
and Dignity of the Empire. Such at least are the views of
the French Government. It remains however still to be
seen whether the Eraperor of Russia will waive the demand
lie had made, that the various points at issue between
the Emperor and the Elector of Bavaria and other Princes,
should be negociated at Vienna, or whether he will accede
to the proposal of the i st Consul that these negociations
should be transferred to Ratisbon, and this decision is
awaited with a considerable degree of anxiety. — I have,
Ac. (Signed) A. Paget.
Vienna, 2yrd March 1804.
[The Right Hon. A. Paget, in a despatch to Lord
Hawkesbury, announces the seizure of the Due d'Enghien
on March 15, and continues : — ]
It is too atrocious to require any comment from me.
But we must wait to see how this direct violation of terri
tory and infraction of the law of nations and of every
other hitherto (except by that nation) respected barrier
between Civilisation and Barbarism will be borne by the
two Iraperial Courts.
I do not like to throw out anything like false hope,
¦otherwise I might be tempted to say that the Court of
Petersburg,t as far as I have ground for judging, is not
* On October 8, 1801, the Diet of Ratisbon appointed a deputation of
¦eight members representing the great German Powers to settle indemnifi
cations and changes of territory. The Emperor Francis delayed, and the
deputation only met in August 1802. Bonaparte was then able to dominate
the Council, and he procured five treaties in favour of his own claims. The
-sittings lasted until February 1803.
t M. d'Oubril was instructed to express to the First Consul the "grief and
surprise " of the Czar, and on 12th May he presented a note protesting against

loo THE PAGET PAPERS
this moment quite in a humour to brook the above
insult. And with respect to that of Vienna, I will only observe
(with the most anxious prayer that I may soon be enabled
to say better things of it) that on Sunday last, the^
Emperor paid a congratulatory compliment to the French
Ambassador upon the plot against the ist Consul's life
having been discovered and frustrated. — I have the honour
to be, &c., &c. (Signed) A. Paget.
From the Right Hon. Arthur Paget to Count Cobentzl.
[Gopie.] Vienna, March 22, 1804.
MoNSR. LE Comte, — Le Gouvernement Francais ayant
depuis quelque tems publie officiellement des nouvelles
extremement k notre desa vantage au sujet de la guerre
qui s'est faite aux Grandes Indes, je crois faire plaisir k
V.E. en lui apprenant que je viens d'etre instruit, par
I'arrivee d'un Courier, que non seulement toutes ces nou
velles sont fausses et controuvees mais qu'aprfes deux.
victoires signaiees, remportees le 11 & 23 Septre par le-
General Wellesley sur les armees combinees de Dowlut
Rao Scindiah et le Rajah de Bevar, une troisieme com-
plettement decisive a e^te obtenue par le General Lake, et
sui vie d'un Armistice entre le Principal Chef des Mah-
rattes & les armees Britanniques. — J'ai honneur, &c.
(Signe) Arthur Paget.
From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury,
Vienna, 2nd April 1804.
My Lord, — Before I left England I felt it my duty to
state unreservedly to Your Lordship the small degree
of expectation I entertained of finding any favourable
change in the Politics, or even the disposition of this
Government. I have now to perform a Duty, the fulfilment of which
is as irksome to myself, as the consideration and result of
it will be repugnant to your Lordship's Sentiments.
the violation of neutral territory. Alexander further erected a monument to-
the Duke in Petersburg, with the inscription, " Quem Corsica bellua imma-
niter truoidavit."

VIENNA, 1804 iot
It may not be improper that I should, in the first
instance, lay before your Lordship a succinct account of
the last negociations which have taken place at Paris
between the Austrian, Russian, and French Ministers
relative to the affairs of Germany.
On the 29th February, Count Philip Cobentzl * pre
sented a note to Mr. Talleyrand accompanied by a
memorial upon the affairs of the Equestrian Order.t In
this note a comraunication is raade to the French Govern
ment of the Rescrit Conservatoire issued by the Emperor ;
it is stated that His Imperial Majesty looked with con
fidence to the support of the ist Consul in the measure
which the late conduct of several Princes in Germany had
•obliged him to adopt, and that this Union between Him
self and the French Government had becorae of infinite
iraportance for the preservation of that order and Tran
quillity which had lately been established under the
auspices of the Mediating Powers.
This note is conceived in the hurable tone of a person
soliciting the Protection and good offices of his Superior.
The Memorial is drawn up in a rather more dignified
strain. The circumstances which led to the emanation of
the Conservatorium are fully and ably exposed, and the
absurd and even disgusting conduct of the Court of Berlin
Tipon that occasion is analysed with a considerable degree
•of perspicuity and address.
On the sarae day, the 29th February, Mr. Oubril, the
Russian Charge d'Affaires at Paris, likewise presented a
.note in which he sets forth the advantage which would
result frora the Intervention of the Mediating Powers for
the management of the differences which had arisen out
•of the execution of the last Reces de l' Empire, J and finishes
by proposing that the question respecting the Equestrian
•order should be discussed at Vienna.
¦*¦ Brother of the Vice-Chancellor.
t There was a dispute between the Emperor of Austria and the Elector of
Bavaria relative to their rights of jurisdiction over certain nobles belonging
to what was called the Equestrian Order. The Elector, considering them as
his subjects, had summoned them to meet him at Bamberg to adjust certain
•differences which had arisen between himself and them. They refused, and
.applied to the Emperor, who supported their pretensions to independence
•of the Elector's Government. Upon this the Elector appealed to the First
'Consul, and the Emperor Francis did the same. — A. P.
X The registration of the resolutions of the Diet as to the indemnities.

I02 THE PAGET PAPERS
To the latter of these notes an immediate, and I believe
verbal answer was given, that the First Consul would
send Instructions to General d'Hedouville at Petersburg.
On the third day, the Imperial Ambassador and the-
Russian Charge d'affaires received official answers to their'
respective notes.
In the report that has reached me through a private
channel it is said, " Ces deux pieces sont ecrites du style
le plus menacant et le plus insolent. Le Premier Consul
y parle absolument le language d'un maitre absolu, d'un
maitre gravement irrite par la mauvaise conduite de ses.
Sujets. H dit entre autre k M. d'Oubril que les demarches
des Princes de I'Empire ne servaient que de pretexte aux
mesures violentes de I'Empereur, que celui-ci avait seule
ment pour but d'etendre sa puissance en AUemagne, que
telle avait toujours ete le systfeme et la marche de la
Maison d'Autriche, que le Consul ne souffrirait jamais que
I'Electeur de Bavifere ne fut opprime par I'Empereur, et
qu'il voulait absolument que I'affaire fut traitee k Vienne."'
The answer given to Mr. de Cobentzl is even more-
violent ; among others is the following remarkable passage,
" que le premier Consul n'ignorait pas que les armamens
de la Cour de Vienne etaient provoques par les Intrigues-
et le Credit de 1' Angleterre, que c'etait Elle" que portait-
I'Empereur k des demonstrations pour paralyser les, efforts.
et diviser 1' attention du Gouvernement Francais, mais que
le Premier Consul entendait que la tranquillite de I'Empire
ne serait trouble sous aucun pretexte."
My information proceeds to state that to this note
Count Cobentzl returned a very spirited reply, " dans la
quelle," it is said, " en justifiant I'Empereur, il est meme
alie jusqu'^ avancer que I'Europe serait bien heureuse si le
premier Consul etait dans des dispositions aussi pacifiques
que celle de ce Souverain."
These communications were followed by a note pre
sented to the Diet of Ratisbon by the French Minister,
which, as it has been published, I need not take further
notice of
During these transactions the Prussian Minister at
Paris has been employed in instigating the French
Government to this violent conduct against this Court
by the most unbecoming and even outrageous language.

r R AN C I 5 II,
EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, 1804 103
which has been foUowed up by a very inflammatory note
delivered at Ratisbon by the Minister from the same
Court, the Count de Goertz.
<->ii the 23rd ultimo I had the honour to acquaint Your
Lordship m a dispatch sent by Mr. EUiott, Junior, of the
accounts that had been transmitted to this Court of the
outrageous proceedings of the French in the Electorate of
Baden. _ I wUl very fairly own to Your Lordship that from the
information I received on my return to Vienna with
respect to the temper and disposition of the Emperor's
Ministers, to the very little, if any, amelioration that had
taken place in the Financial System, to the state of their
negociations, and I may add to the language held in the
War Department— from the consideration of all and each
of these subjects as they presented themselves to me, my
hopes of being able to effect a favourable change in the
sentiments of this Government, of awakening their atten
tion to the very extraordinary posture of affairs in Europe,
I may say of even obtaining a serious and attentive hearing
to the suggestions such a posture of affairs would prompt
me to deliver, became so faint that untU the above epoch
I had scarcely brought a single subject of importance
under discussion between the Vice Chancellor and rayself.
With a view of observing as much order as possible in
regard to time, it is in this place that I should inform
Your Lordship that in the first four or five days after my
arrival here, 1 had one or two very long conversations with
the Russian Ambassador, the result of which I may confine
to two separate points. The first, that the Emperor of
Russia had entirely opened his eyes- with respect to the
conduct and views of the French Government, and a very
favourable disposition on the part of His Imperial Majesty
had succeeded that blindness : the second is, his, Count
Rasoumoffsky's, conviction that for the purpose of deriv
ing any good from this country, a change in the Emperor's
councils had become indispensably necessary, and the
removal of Count Cobentzl most particularly so. In
delivering this opinion he appeared to me to be speaking
the sentiments of his Court.
I trust that this intelligence will afford Your Lordship
some degree of satisfaction. My view of the subject is

I04 THE PAGET PAPERS
too well known to Your Lordship to make it necessary
for me to say one word with respect to the part I took in
these conversations. About that time Count Rasoumoffsky
dispatched a confidential person to Petersburg, and I have
no doubt that the dispatches of which he was the Bearer
were very much to the purpose.
On the day after the accounts had been received here
of the irruption of the French into Germany, and of the
seizure of the Duke d'Enghien, I waited upon the Vice
Chancellor and, having made a few strong prefatory
remarks upon the nature of the event which had taken
place, (all of which were most perfectly thrown away) I
proceeded to inform him that from the Protection which
His Majesty had constantly afforded to the Princes of the
unfortunate House of Bourbon, I had no hesitation in as-
surmg him for the Emperor's information, that the King
would learn with pleasure any steps that his Imperial
Majesty might in his wisdom be disposed to take for the
relea|p of that unhappy Prince.
There is nothing in Count Cobentzl's answer to this
communication at all worth recording. It was at once
evident that he at least would think it prudent not to
interfere in the business. I nevertheless thought it my
Duty to present a note upon the subject, a copy of which
I have the honour to enclose, marked A.
About the same time I received the enclosed Papers
marked C. D. and E. the contents of which I take the
liberty to recommend to Your Lordship's particular atten
tion. They contain the whole of the inteUigence which
has hitherto reached us respecting that most infamous
transaction. Upon the receipt of the Paper marked C, I lost no
time in drawing up and presenting to this Government
the enclosed note B. which, as it is a state Paper of some
importance, will I most humbly hope, not meet with the
disapprobation of His Majesty's Government.
The above Papers were sent here to Baron Armfelt by
the King of Sweden.
I had yesterday another interview of nearly two hours
with the Vice Chancellor, and for the greater part ofthe time
the conversation was sustained on both sides with a degree
of heat which I never on any former occasion witnessed.

VIENNA, 1804 105
I opened the discussion by saying that, from the deep
interest which His Majesty liad constantly manifested in
the affairs of Germany, I felt myself called upon to desire
I might be informed of the measures which the Emperor
might determine to pursue in consequence of the outrage
which had been comraitted by the French in Germany.
Count Cobentzl replied that His Imperial Majesty would
certainly on this, as on all other occasions, make every
¦communication tOi His Majesty which the friendship
subsisting between the two Courts required — that the
Emperor had hitherto come to no resolution on the affair
to which I alluded ; the nature of it, he admitted, was
truly serious, but that as it only regarded the Eraperor
in his quality of Chef de I'Empire, He could take no step
until the Erapire had been consulted.
This was precisely the answer that I was prepared to
receive. It appeared to rae, therefore, superfluous to
¦dwell longer at that moment upon a subject upon which
no satisfaction whatever was to be derived, than to expose
unreservedly the sense I entertained of this unheard-of
Insult. I now proposed to myself to enter into a calm, dis
passionate, and friendly discussion upon the politics of
this country. I therefore prefaced by requesting the
Vice Chancellor, in case any observation not quite con
sonant with His feelings or in any way disagreeable to
bim should fall from me, to impute it to zeal and friendly
disposition on my part. I then began by declaring to
him that I could not reflect without considerable uneasi
ness and dissatisfaction upon the very slight degree of
intercourse which had for some time existed between the
two Courts, and that I could not help attributing it to
•a want of confidence on the part of this Government.
Without allowing me to proceed further. Count Cobentzl
asked me with an unbecoming degree of warmth, whether
I was authorized by my Government to make this re
proach, that it was not language to be held to a great
Court, etc., that if it was to be considered as official he
should not lose one instant in making a formal report of
my communication to the Emperor, and of taking His
Imperial Majesty's commands;
I stopped the Vice Chancellor tb inform him that I was

io6 THE PAGET PAPERS
not aware of having used any expression which warranted
the manner in which he had thought proper to interrupt
me, and begged that he would be so good as to allow me to
repeat what had fallen from me, and that he would attend
to it. This repetition had the same effect. He again
asked me whether I was authorized to make this declara
tion, etc. To this second interpellation, which I requested
might be the last, I desired him once for all to recollect
that it was the King's Minister who was addressing
him, that neither my , instructions or inclination led me
to make use of offensive language, that I was persuaded
that mine could not bear any such construction, and that
if he proposed that the conversation should be carried on
as it had begun, I conceived that it could lead to no good
purpose whatever, and had therefore better be terminated.
During this altercation, which was carried on with much
mutual asperity, Count Cobentzl talked of Ink and
Paper to take down ray words, an idea in which I
strenuously encouraged him, but which he thought proper
to abandon.
I therefore once more returned to the charge with these
words: "Mon Gouvernement voit avec peine qu'il n'existe
pas entre les deux Cours ce degre de confiance et d'intelli-
gence que le bien-Stre de I'Europe et leur interSt commun
exigent dans la crise actuelle." I told him that I had
certainly derived some sort of satisfaction from the
warmth he had manifested at the imputation, but that
I must still think that the want of confidence was on
the side of this Government, and having again requested
that the discussion might go on with calmness and mode
ration, I observed that this was not the only cause of the
concern I experienced, for that it was generally considered
that the confidence, the absence of which I lamented,, was
placed in the French Government.
I did not, from the agitation the Vice Chancellor had
been in, expect this intimation to pass unnoticed. He
however denied it both with temper and force, and pro
tested in the most solemn manner that nothing like
intimacy subsisted between this Court and the French
Government. With regard, he observed, to the want of
confidence of which I complained he was at a loss to
discover upon what ground I had made the accusation, as

VIENNA, 1804 107
nothing could be more remote from the Emperor's sen
timents and intentions. After . a considerable deal of
discussion and, at moments, of altercation, in the course
of which he said that he understood it to have been the
wish of the English Government to avoid a continental
war, he asked whether I had any specific proposition to
make to him.
The communication alluded to by Count Cobentzl, I
informed him, was perfectly fresh in my memory, the
more so as I was the very person by whom it had been
made, but I begged leave to explain to him what the real
nature of that communication was, and it was this : that
although the English Government never had it in con
templation, in consequence of the rupture with France, to
involve this or any other country in a continental war,
that on the contrary, as I had expressly stated, His
Majesty would, as far as his single exertions might avail,
do his utmost to secure the independence and even the
tranquillity of the Continent, still that it was of the
utmost iraportance that the most unlimited and unre
served friendship and confidence should subsist between
the two Courts.
This declaration I avowed myself to be most ready to
renew to him. With regard to any proposition I had
to make, I most undoubtedly had a raost distinct and
important one, and it was contained in the very renewal
of the above declaration.
And here I begged the Vice Chancellor clearly to under
stand that I was not come to solicit one handful of assist
ance for the defence of Great Britain, but that I was
undoubtedly come as the Minister of a Friendly Power
to advise and consult with him upon the calamities
and dangers to which the Continent became daily more
exposed by the unmeasured insolence and ambition of
the French Government, and upon the best mode to be
adopted for checking the evil before it became too great
to contend with.
Having said this, I submitted to Count Cobentzl
whether it was not rather for him to come forward with
some specific proposition to the Courts of both London
and Petersburg. I fully explained to him that it was
by no means my advice that' any absolutely hostile demon-

io8 THE PAGET PAPERS
stration (although I at the same time fully trusted that
the late daring and unheard-of provocation on the part
¦of the French would not pass unnoticed) should be made
without a prior understanding having been established
between the three Courts, but that I had no hesitation in
¦saying that not one moment should be lost in the adop
tion of this previous step.
In answer to this the Vice Chancellor contended that
any such concert would be a direct violation of their
system of neutrality, from which the Emperor would not
easily be brought to depart ; that it was a wise system
not 'to talk before the means of supporting your language
were proved to exist ; that this country was not in a
situation to go to war ; that although their present situa
tion was unquestionably a bad one, still that it was not
¦desperate, and that by endeavouring to better it a worse
might, and probably would, succeed ; that the French had
a lOO thousand men in Italy ; that their whole force now
npon the coast might at a moment's notice be equally
turned against this country ; that the Austrian army was
<it this moment upon the Peace Establishment, etc. etc.
What astonishing confessions to succeed each other ! ! !
These and similar arguments was I doomed to the pain
of listening to.
Finding all I had hitherto said of no more avail, and
having, I may say, made no more impression than if I
had addressed myself to the Winds, I endeavoured to
move this miserable Minister by carrying his attention
to one or two other very important considerations.
I endeavoured to make him understand the advantages
that might result to this Country in the event of a suc
cessful termination of the present contest on the part
of England. I attempted to make him sensible that
nnder such circumstances the order of things might,
Tinder the infiuence and even direction of Great Britain,
be totally changed on the Continent, that the views of
the House of Austria in Italy might either be accom
plished or frustrated, and in general that the pretensions
of Powers might be upheld or resisted according to their
Merits. I gave him further distinctly to understand,
that if he thought the assistance of England was to be
had whenever their own particular interest might force

VIENNA, 1804 109
them to solicit it, such a speculation was altogether
erroneous and impolitic.
Having dwelt largely upon these points — the nature and
extent of which seemed much beyond Count Cobentzl's
calculations — I thought it my Duty to put him upon his
guard against a system which circumstances raight render
it indispensable to create between the Courts of London,
Petersburg, and Berlin.
I have already gone into so much detail, that it would
be an abuse of Your Lordship's time and patience to
consume any more of them by a recital of the Vice
Chancellor's answers and observations upon the different
topics I have just alluded to. I will therefore, for this
time, dismiss the subject by declaring that I never wit
nessed the display of so rauch ignorance, weakness, and
pusillaniraity on the part of any individual calling him
self a Statesraan.
The circumstance I am about to mention, if it really
happened, took place before ray arrival here, and it is
otherwise of so delicate a nature, that without better
proof than that of which I am in possession I should
not think of offering the inforraation as authentic.
It is very strongly suspected that the intelligence of
Pischegru's being a-t Paris, was transmitted by Count
Cobentzl to the French Ambassador here, and it is
thought that he received it from Count Starhemberg.''"'"
The dates of the arrival of this Minister's Courier, of the
immediate departure of one sent by Mr. Champagny t
(who was his own nephew), the time of Pischegru's arrest
etc. have been compared, and tend to confirm the sus
picion. There is one very curious circumstance attending
this business which I mention raost confidentially, and
that is that the Baron Armfelt, the Swedish Minister, did
on the day before yesterday in a conversation he had with
the Emperor's confessor, actually denounce Count Cobentzl
to him as having been guilty of the above transaction,
with an offer to prove the fact if called upon (in which,
I suspect, he has pledged himself rather too far). The
Confessor (who is said to be well disposed) listened with
indignation, and promised to carry the information the
next day to the Emperor.
'* Austrian Ambassador in London. t French Ambassador in Vienna.

no THE PAGET PAPERS
I turn with pleasure from the subjects upon which I
have been writing to one from which, without feeling
too sanguine, I cannot contemplate (considering the source
from whence it comes) without the hopes of shortly seeing
a change in the situation of affairs, and in order to do
proper justice to what is to follow, it is necessary that
Your Lordship be informed that Count Rasoumoffsky is,
I think without exception, the most reserved and the
most cautious man in politics I ever had to deal with.
He is withal a man whose political principles I hold to
be irreproachable, and under the present circumstances it
may not be misplaced to add tha't we live upon terms of
the utmost friendship and confidence.
He arrived here one raonth ago from Petersburg, and
notwithstanding the reports which were circulated to the
contrary, I have every reason for supposing that he has
the honour to enjoy the good-wiU and confidence of His
Sovereign. In the forraer part of this Despatch Your Lordship
will have seen what this Minister had said to me re
specting the present feelings of the Emperor of Russia
with regard to France, and I have now to acquaint Your
Lordship that since that day, and particularly since the
accounts from Carlsruhe, the Russian Ambassador has
more than once expressed to rae his conviction that in
the course of two or three months a rupture will take
place between Russia and France.
I find him very much disposed to think that in case
any effort should fail in creating a change either in the
men who compose this Govei:nment or in their measures,
recourse will be had to the Court of Berlin who will be
forced into a coalition.
Your Lordship will observe however that these are
hitherto but opinions ; they have indeed come to me
through another very safe channel, and for many considera
tions they do not appear to be altogether without weight,
I sincerely trust that Your Lordship's accounts from
Petersburg may confirm them. At all events I can fore
see no circumstances under which, for the safety, honour,
and independence of the Continent, this Government, as
it is now composed, ought to exist, and with these senti
ments which are, I fear, unalterable, will it, in order to

VIENNA, 1804 in
arrive at any salutary end, be an indispensable duty
to act.
It only remains for me to apologize to Your Lordship
for the unreasonable length of this letter. — I have the
honour to be, &c. (Signed) A. Paget.

A.
From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Count Cobentzl.
Vienne, le 27 Mars 1804.
Le soussigne E.E. k M.P. de S.M.B. auroit peut-etre
garde le silence au sujet de I'evenement incroyable qui
vient de se passer dans I'Eleetorat de Baden, s'il ne
croyoit avoir un Interet particulier k attirer I'attention
du Ministere de S.M.I, sur un fait aussi contraire aux
Droits des Nations.
Mais c'est raoins en ce moment pour le Droit des gens
outrage, pour le territoire AUemand vioie, pour la Dignite
de I'Empire insultee, que pour repondre k I'interet con
stant manifeste par le Roi Son Maitre pour I'lUustre &
malheureuse Maison de Bourbon que le Soussigne croit
prevenir les ordres de Son Gouvernement en s'adressant
a S.E. Mr. le Vice Chancellier de Cour & d'Etat, pour
I'assurer que le Roi apprendra avec plaisir toutes les
demarches que S.M. I'Empereur jugera, en sa sagesse,
devoir faire pour obtenir la liberte du Prince Infortune,
victime aujourd'hui d'une violence qui ne doit pas rester
impunie. II profite avec plaisir de cette occasion pour renouveller
k S.E, les assurances de sa consideration distinguee.
B.
From the Right Hon, A. Paget to Count Cobentzl.
March 29, 1804.
Aussi longtems que le Gouvernement Francais s'est
borne a publier dans son Journal officiel d'atroces Calom-
nies contre 1' Angleterre, Le Soussigne Envoye Extra : &
Min: Plen: de S.M.B. n'a pas cru necessaire d' opposer a
ces Injures autre chose que le mepris qu'elles meritoient.

112 THE PAGET PAPERS
Aujourdhui qu'on employe la meme arme auprfes des
Gouvernements, aujourdhui que le Gouvernement Fran
cais ose, dans ses notes officielles presentees aux Cours
Etrang^res, accuser le Cabinet Britannique d'avoir eu
part aux complots que poursuit le Gouvernement Fran
cais, Le Soussigne croit devoir rompre un Silence qui
passeroit peut-etre pour un assentiment a ces assertions
fausses & scandaleuses.
Quelle doit etre la faiblesse de la Cause, lorsqu'on
est oblige d'avoir recours k de pareils moyens pour la
soutenir ?
Pour justifier I'enormite sans exemple qui vient d'etre
commise dans I'Eleetorat de Bade, des pieces officielles
contiennent des phrases suivantes : —
Note de M. Talleyrand a Mr. le Baron d' Edelsheim.
" S. A. y trouvera des preuves nouvelles, et evidentes du Genre de Guerre
"que le Gouvernement Anglois poursuit contre la France.
" et pour eux-memes a lier des intrigues dont I'Angleterre profite ; et
" qu'elle 6tend et dirige au gr6 de ses detestables projets."
Rapport du Grand Juge.
" II existe dans Offenbourg &c. un Comity soudoy^ par le Gouvernement
" Britannique &c. Sa destination est de oheroher par tous leg moyens
" possibles a exciter des troubles dans I'interieur de la France."
Lettre de Mr. Talleyrand d, Mr. le Baron d' Edelsheim.
" Lorsque le Premier Consul par I'arrestation successive des Brigands
" que le Gouvernement Anglois a vomis en France &c. a connu toute la
" Part que les Agens Anglois d'Offenbourg avoient aux horribles com-
" plots tramps contre sa Personne et contre la Surete de la France," &c. &c.
L'Intention du Soussigne n'est point d'entrer dans de
fastidieux details sur une querelle dans laquelle les Fran
cois n'ont jusqu'k present prodigue que des injures, et qui
se decidera les armes £>, la main, si les Puissances edairees
sur le sort qui les attend, ne cherchent k terminer une
lutte qui infiue dej^ si gravement sur le monde entier ; il
se bornera k dire que I'insinuation " du Genre de Guerre
que le Gouvernement Anglois pour'suit " derive sans doute
du systfeme que la France avoit adopte pour faire revolter
en pleine paix les Sujets de S.M.B. en Irelande; et k regard
" de ses detestables projets" iis ont jusqu'^ present, k

VIENNA, 1804 113
attendre I'effet des longues Jactances du Gouvernement
Francois qui le menace sans cesse de sa destruction.
II est dit " quil existe dans Offenbourg un comite
" soudoqe par le Gouvernement Britannique ke."
Le Soussigne oppose k cette assertion sa denegation
formelle, et il demande si dans cette circonstance on peut
ajouter quelque foi aux paroles d'un Gouvernement qui
viole k main armee le territoire d'un Prince ami, pour
enlever les personnes contre lesquelles il n'y avoit ni
jugement ni mfime accusation ; qui demande I'arrestation
de deux Individus, et qui sans attendre la reponse, peut
etre meme avant la communication de sa demande, fait
entrer militaireraent ses Troupes et enlever un tr^s grand
nombre de Gens — Quel peut etre le motif d'une pareille
conduite, si ce n'est que le Ministere Francois s'attendoit
bien que S.A. I'Electeur de Bade, toujours juste, exigdroit
pour faire arreter ceux k qui il avoit accorde un asyle,
des preuves que les Francois n'etoient pas en etat de
donner. On trouve encore le passage suivant — " Lorsque le
" Premier Consul par I'arrestation successive des Brigands
"que le Gouvernement Anglois a vomis en France &c. a
" connu toute la part que les Agens Anglois d'Offenbourg
" avoient aux horribles complots traraes contre sa personne
" et contre la surete de la France" — comme si les efforts
des Francois pour secouer le, Joug de I'lnsupportable
Tyrannic et de I'odieuse Inquisition, sous lequel ils
gemissent, pouvoient etre regarde comme I'ouvrage d'un
Gouvernement etranger ; comme si I'Angleterre qu'on
accuse de ne pas vouloir la paix, devoit chercher k se
defaire d'un Homme qui seul a voulu, veut, et voudra la
Guerre — Puisse — t-il, pour le Repos de I'Europe, dans le
deiire de son ambition trompee se borner k ses menaces
contre I'Angleterre.
Le Soussigne a cru indispensable de faire 1' expose cy
dessus, persuade que S.M. I'Empereur prendra une vive
part aux eveneraens inouis qui y ont donne lieu.
II a I'honneur d'assurer Son Excellence Mr. le Vice
Chancelier de Cour et d'Etat de sa consideration tres-
distinguee. (Signe) Arthur Paget.
Vienne, le 29 Mars 1804.
VOL. II. H

114 THE PAGET PAPERS
C.
[Copie.] Le Soussigne Ministre des Relations exterieures de la
Republique Francaise a I'honneur d'adresser k Mr. Le
Baron d'Edelsheim Copie d'un Rapport que le Grand Juge
a fait au premier Consul.'" II prie S.E. de placer cette
piece importante sous les yeux de S.A.S. I'Electeur de
Bade, Son Altesse y trouvera des preuves nouvelles et
evidentes du genre de Guerre que le Gouvernement Anglais
poursuit contre la France, et elle sera douloureusement
etonnee d'apprendre que dans ses propres Etats a Offen
bourg il existe une Association d'Emigres Francais qui
sont au nombre des plus actifs instrumens de toutes ces
trames abominables.
Le Soussigne est charge de demander formellement
que les Individus qui composent ce comite d'Offenbourg
soient arretes et livres avec tous leurs Papiers aux Officiers
Francais, charges de les recevoir k Strasbourg.
La Reclamation Officielle que le Soussigne presente k
cet egard derive du Texte merae de I'Art. I. du Traite
de Luneville, et quand il s'agit d'une conspiration d'Etat
dont les Faits connus ont. dej^ excite I'ln dignation de
I'Europe, les rapports particuliers d'Amitie et de bon
voisinage qui subsiste entre La France et S.A.S. Elec-
torale ne permettent pas de douter qu'elle ne soit em-
pressee d'executer k la Requisition du Gouvernement
Francais cette Stipulation Capitale du Traite de Luneville,
et de concourir d' ailleurs k donner plus de Moyens de
devoiler une Machination qui menacait k la fois la Vie
du Premier Consul, La Surete de la France, et le Repos
de I'Europe.
Le Soussigne est charge de plus, de demander que par
une mesure generale et irrevocable tous les Emigres Fran
cais soient eioignes des Pays qui composent I'Eleetorat de
Bade ; leur Sejour dans la partie de 1' AUemagne la plus
rapprochee de la France ne peut jamais etre qu'une cause
d'inquietude, une occasion de trouble, et pour eux memes
une excitation k lier des intrigues dont I'Angleterre profite
et qu'elle etend et dirige au gre de Ses detestables projets.
* Vide Lit. D.

VIENNA, 1804 115
Et si Ton considere que les Emigres qui se trouvent
encore hors de France sont tous des Hommes conjures
contre le Gouvernement actuel de leur ancienne Patrie ;
des Hommes qu'aucune Circonstance, aucun Changement
n'ont pu rapprocher, et qui sont dans un perpetuel Etat
de Guerre contre la France, il est evident qu'ils sont de
ceux qui aux termes du Traite de Luneville ne doivent
trouver ni Azile ni Protection dans les Etats Germaniques,
Leur Exclusion est done de Droit rigoureux. Mais quand
on ne devrait 1' attendre que des Principes et des Sentiraens
connus de S.A.S. Electorale, on ne douterait pas qu'EUe
ne mit du Soin a eloigner de Ses Etats des Hommes aussi
dangereux, et k donner ainsi au Gouvernement Francais
une preuve de plus du Prix qu'EUe attache aux relations
parfaitement araicales que tant de circonstances ont
contribue a etablir entre la France et I'Eleetorat de
Bade. Le Soussigne attend done avec toute confiance la de
termination qui sera prise par S.A.S. Electorale sur les
deux demandes qu'il a ete charge de lui faire parvenir ;
et il saisit cette Occasion de renouveller k M. Le Baron
d'Edelsheira I'assurance de sa Haute Consideration.
(Signe) Ch. Marc (?) Talleyrand.

D.
Copie du Rapport fait au Gouvernement de la Republique
par le Grand Juge Ministre de la Justice.
Citoyen Premier Consul, — II existe dans Offenburg
Electorat de Bade et tout a portee des Departemens du
Rhin, un Comite soudoye par le Gouvernement Britannique.
Ce Comite est compose d'Emigres Francais, d'Officiers
Generaux Chevaliers de St. Louis &c. &c. ; Sa Destination
est de chercher, par tous les raoyens possibles, a exciter
des troubles dans I'interieur de la Republique.
II a pour principal Agent, un Emigre no mme Mucey,
personnage connu depuis longtems par Ses intrigues, et
par la haine implacable qu'il a vouee k son Pays.
Ce Miserable est charge par le "Comite d'introduire en
France et de faire circuler avec Profusion des Mandemens
incendiaires des Eveques rebelles, ainsi que tous les Libelles

ii6 THE PAGET PAPERS
infames qui se fabriquent dans I'etranger contre la France
et Son Gouvernement.
Le nomme Trident, Maitre de Poste aux Lettres a
Kehl, est I'homme qu' employe la Comite pour faire par
venir Sa Correspondance aux affides qu'il a dans Stras
burg; ces affides sont connus, et les Ordres sont donnes
pour leur Arrestation.
Mais je ne pense pas qu'il faille des Bornes a cette
Mesure, la Tranquillite publique ainsi que la Dignite de la
Nation et de son Chef soUicitent la destruction de ce Foyer
d'intriguans et de Conspirateurs qui existent dans Offen
burg, et qui viennent avec impudence braver la Republique
et Son Gouvernement pour ainsi dire k leurs Portes. II
faut aussi que I'une et I'autre soient venges par leur
prorate punition.
Je vous propose en consequence, Citoyen Premier
Consul, de faire demander a S.A.S. I'Electeur de Bade
I'Extradition immediate de Mucey, Trident, et de leurs
complices. — Salut et Respet. (Signe) Regnier,
Paris, le i6 Ventose XII.
Certifie Conforme Le Secretaire d'Etat.
(Signe) HuGUES- Maret.
E.
Monsieur Le Baron, — Je venais de vous adresser une
Note dont l'objet etait de demander 1' Arrestation du
Comite d'Emigres Francais residans a Offenbourg, lorsque
le Premier Consul par I'Arrestation successive des Brigands
que le Gouvernement Anglais a vomis en France, ainsi que
par la Marche et les Resultats des procedures qui s'instrui-
sent ici, a connu toute la Part que les Agens Anglais
d'Offenbourg avaient aux horribles complots trames contre
Sa Personne et contre la Surete de la France. II a appris
egalement que le Due d'Enghien et le General Dumouriez
etaient a Ettenheim, et comme il est impossible qu'ils
se trouvent dans cette Ville sans la Permission de S.A.
Electorale, Le Premier Consul n'a pu voir sans la plus
profonde Douleur qu'un Prince auquel il s'etoit pM a faire
ressentir les Effets les plus speciaux de I'Amitie de la
France ait pu donner refuge k ses plus cruels Ennemies, et

VIENNA, 1804 117
les ait laisse tramer paisiblement des conspirations aussi
inouies. Dans cette circonstance extraordinaire le Premier Consul
a cru devoir ordonner k deux petits Detachemens de se
porter k Offenbourg et k Ettenheira pour y saisir les
instigateurs d'un crirae qui par Sa Nature raet hors du
Droit des Gens tous ceux qui sont convaincus y avoir
pris part.
C'est le General Caulincourt qui est charge k cet egard
des ordres du Premier Consul ; vous ne pouvez pas douter
qu'il ne mette dans leur Execution tous les Egards qui
peut desirer S.A. Electorale. Ce sera lui qui aura
I'honneur de faire parvenir k votre Excellence la lettre que
j'ai ete charge de lui ecrire, Recevez M. de Baron, I'Assur-
ances de ma haute Consideration.
Ch. Marc. Talleyrand.
Paris, 20 ventose XII.
From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
[No. 4.] Vienna, 3 April 1804.
My Lord, — I was upon the point of dispatching Sparrow
last night, when I heard that accounts had been received
here of the Duke D'Enghien's condemnation.
I was with the Vice Chancellor this morning, who
seeraed not to be acquainted with the execution of that
unfortunate and illustrious person.
I can hardly suppose that Your Lordship will not be
informed of this most cruel event, but I think it right to
transmit herewith the intelligence which has just reached
me upon the subject.
From Count Cobentzl's language this morning, I cannot
help thinking that he begins to consider a continental war
not impossible, perhaps even not improbable.
In speaking of the expedition against England, he said
that, as far as he was able to judge, it appeared to him
every day more problematical, for that, had it been con
sidered practicable, the execution of it would have been
attempted ere this. His notions upon the subject are, I
conclude, formed upon the intelligence which has arrived
from Paris.
Of what passes between the Vice Chancellor and the

ii8 THE PAGET PAPERS
French Ambassador little or nothing transpires, but I very
much suspect that in their last conferences the latter has
been using the most violent language, and has, among
other things, demanded to what object the recent arma
ments of Austria were destined (Your Lordship will
observe that no such armaments exist), and that two
regiments which have been lately sent into Suabia should
be immediately ordered back — :& demand which the Vice
Chancellor tells me has been peremptorily refused.
I cannot, upon the whole, help thinking that the French
Government are now endeavouring to find out a pretext
for coming to an open quarrel with the Court of Vienna.
From the nature of this opinion, I am not disposed to
hazard it lightly. It is one which is by no means confined
to myself, and it may not be uninteresting to know that
the Russian Ambassador has, in his last dispatches, written
in this very sense to the Court of Petersburg.
It certainly appeared to me that the language of the
Vice Chancellor since our last interview is somewhat
altered, for when I again advised him this morning to
come to a confidential and unreserved explanation with
His Majesty and the Russian Government upon the pre
sent posture of affairs, he by no means shunned the idea
as on the former occasion. I understood from him that
ample instruction to that very purpose had been sent to,
and acted upon, by Count Starhemberg (during my ab
sence, as he said), and he even hinted that although un
doubtedly the King's Ministers had uniformly expressed
themselves in the most friendly terms towards this Court,
on the present occasion however they had not manifested
any very strong desire to meet that question.
I am obliged to own to Your Lordship, as I did pretty
strongly to Count Cobentzl, my profound ignorance of the
whole of this transaction, the truth of which I am exceed
ingly disposed to doubt.
In the present state of things I shall be most anxious
to receive Your Lordship's instructions.
A circular letter has been received by the French Am
bassador (I believe yesterday) which he has communicated
to this Court, and to some of the other Ministers, (in
which number the Russian is not included) containing an
accusation against Mr. Drake, His Majesty's Minister at

VIENNA, 1804 119
Munich, by which he is charged, as I understand, with
having conducted a conspiracy directed against the Gov
ernment of France and the life of the Consul. I am in
momentary expectation of receiving this piece.
There is a report of 1 50 French troops having arrived
at Padua (General Bellegarde's head-quarters) and that a
passport had been demanded for their route to Venice
which had not been granted. Of this circumstance I
cannot at this moraent venture to say more.
Mr. de Frunil, a Major General in the Austrian service,
has, it is confidently affirmed, been arrested at Paris. — I
have the honour, &c. (Signed) A. Paget.
From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
[No. 5. Cipher.] Vienna, gth April 1804.
The inteUigence mentioned by Your Lordship to have
been received respecting a negociation between the two
Imperial Courts for an armed mediation '^ is, I have no
hesitation in declaring, totally destitute not only of every
foundation, but even of any appearance whatever of pro
bability that I can discover, for after having given the
subject the most serious consideration and attention of
which I am capable, I feel myself at a total loss to de
termine what demonstration on the part of the Court
of Vienna has been the ground for such a supposition.
Surely it cannot have been a series of acts of unexampled
weakness and humiliation towards the French Government
which led to the conclusion.
The Prussian t and French Ministers here have, I know,
of late deinanded in a pretty high tone the object of these
armaments of the Court of Vienna. They have been told,
and I am grieved to say, been truly told that no arma
ments exist. I mentioned this the other day. I am now
compelled to repeat it, and, if any proof should be wanting
to corroborate this dismal assertion, I have the mortifica
tion of knowing beyond the possibility of a doubt that on
the 22nd of last month the Emperor wrote (or at least
-* See Lord Hawkesbury's despatch of March 10.
t In 1806 the King of Prussia reminded Napoleon of the services he had
rendered him — " Who stifled the cry of indignation raised through Europe at
the murder of a prince who thought himself safe in a country of whose
government I again was a member" ? (Jackson's Diaries, ii. 13).

I20 THE PAGET PAPERS
signed) a letter to the Archduke Charles in which he
stated to His Royal Highness that the exigencies of the
State required a reduction of five miUions of florins in the
expenses of the army.
Your Lordship does me the honour to inform me that
Count Markofi' had in his letters to Count Woronzow, the
Russian Ambassador, expressed himself very well satisfied
with the result of the conferences he had held with the.
Vice Chancellor Count Cobentzl.
, This, I will also own to Your Lordship, has been a
matter of no small surprise to me. First because it is to
me inconceivable that any man in his senses, and having
the honour and welfare of his country at heart, can have
derived any sort of satisfaction from the result of a con
ference with Count Cobentzl, and next because from the
information which has corae to me upon that particular
subject, I had been led to believe that Count Markoff had
expressed himself very differently.
I believe that I may take upon myself to assure Your
Lordship that Count Markoff was not charged with any
special commission for this Government. He was un
doubtedly instructed to gain every information as to
what might be the several sentiments and disposition of
the Court of Vienna, but so far from having brought
forward any negociation for an armed mediation on the
part of the two Courts, in conversation he had with me
and one or two persons to whom he spoke with unreserve,
even confidence, he distinctly gave it as his opinion that
the best system of policy for the Court of Petersburg to
adopt at the present moment was to concert its own
measures with the utmost secresy independently of the
Courts of Vienna or Berlin, and not to declare the object
of them until they were ripe for execution.
This I understand to have been the individual opinion
of that Minister.
In the satisfaction of my own mind I should not have
thought it necessary to make any communication to this
Government on the subject of Your Lordship's dispatch
to me, but upon one of such magnitude I should perhaps
have been liable to reprehension had I confined myself to
the proof (strong as it unquestionably is) I have just had
the honour of submitting to Your Lordship.

VIENNA, 1804 121
I accordingly determined to see the Vice Chancellor,
and to represent to him the notions which had gone
abroad respecting a Negociation between the Courts of
Vienna and Petersburg, and upon requesting to be in
formed as to the nature and state of it, he without
hesitation informed me, and authorized me to state un
equivocally to Your Lordship, that no such negociation
did exist, or had ever been proposed by either the
Emperor, or the Emperor of Russia, which declaration
has since been confirmed to me by the Russian Am
bassador. — I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) A. Paget.
From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
[No. 6.] Vienna, gth April 1804.
My Lord, — The situation of affairs upon the Continent
becomes every day more critical and more tremendous.
Every day produces some new act of encroachment and
infamy on the part of the French Government, and
every day exhibits the incapacity, the weakness, and I
fear, in many instances, the treachery of those men
whom sovereigns have had the imprudence to place, and
have the blindness to maintain, in the direction of their
Governments. In the three weeks I have been returned to Vienna
have I seen treaties broken, territory violated, the rights
of nations trampled upon, murder even committed, with
out having as yet discovered the slightest indication of
any disposition on the part of the Emperor's Ministers to
check the progress of this monstrous hostility, rauch less
to avenge the insults which have been daily and directly
levelled at the Imperial Crown.
It will be irksome to Your Lordship, it is I am sure
painful to me, to revert again and again as I am com
pelled to do to the necessity of operating a change in the
Emperor's Councils. But the danger is in my opinion so
pressing — I see ruin so fast approaching — that I cannot
any longer conscientiously with-hold from Your Lordr-
ship's superior judgment the consideration of, the only
step by which there is the least probability of saving
this country.

122 THE PAGET PAPERS
Alone and unassisted I cannot pretend to accomplish
it. I have always had this opinion, and I am now more
than ever confirmed in it. It is indispensable not only
that I should be supported by the Minister from Russia
(because it is to Russia that from habit as well as system
this Court is used to look with a sort of subraission and
deference) but that he, rather than myself, should appear
to take the lead in such an undertaking.
Count Rasoumoffsky feels upon the subject as I do, but
he has no authority to act, and, notwithstanding the re
peated representations he has made to that effect to his
Court, he does not seem to have much expectation of re
ceiving any.
Under these circurastances I take the liberty of respect
fully submitting to Your Lordship whether an attempt
should not be made to prevail upon the Russian Govern
ment to instruct their Ambassador at this Court to demand,
in connection with me, the dismissal of Count Cobentzl.
I am aware that the point is a delicate one, and that to
conduct such a negociation will require the utmost address
and dexterity, and this appears to me to be the great
difficulty attending it.
I am not less aware that for a Foreign Power to inter
fere to this extent in the concerns of another Government
is in itself a matter of stiU greater delicacy, but on the
other hand I have no scruple in saying that the state
of degradation into which Count Cobentzl has already
brought, and will most infallibly further plunge, this
country, renders such an interference, on the part of those
Powers who have an interest in the welfare of the Con
tinent not only warrantable but indispensable. Common
measures will not avert the dreadful evils with which the
present times are pregnant.
Persuaded as I am that a declaration made by the Rus
sian Ambassador and myself not to treat any longer with
the present Vice Chancellor would be attended with the
best effect, I am equally so, that unless such a declaration
is made, and made promptly, here at least we have nothing
but destruction to look forward to. — I have, &c.
(Signed) A. Paget.

VIENNA, 1804 123
From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
[No. 8.] Vienna, nth April 1804.
My Lord, — I have the honour to enclose a copy of a
letter '"' stating to have been written by Count Cobentzl,
the Imperial Ambassador at Paris, in answer to a com
munication made to him by Mr. Talleyrand, a copy of
which I herewith transmit.
The first of these Papers was presented to the public
in the Frankfort Paper of yesterday.
It seemed to me to contain insinuations, if not imputa
tions, altogether so illiberal and so injurious and unjustifi
able, that I thought it my duty to deraand of the Vice
Chancellor whether the letter was in fact the production
of the person to whom it was ascribed. I accordingly
presented the enclosed note.
I had also an interview with the Vice Chancellor yester
day morning, in order to express to him the very great
surprise and dissatisfaction with which I had read the
letter in question, and it is with additional concern I am
obliged to say that these sensations were considerably
increased by Count Cobentzl's informing me that the con
duct of the Imperial Ambassador on this occasion had met
with the Emperor's entire approbation.
The Vice Chancellor j ustified the letter upon the grounds
that it contained purely the condemnation of any Govern
ment or any Minister who acted in violation of the Laws
of Nations, and contended that it did not contain the
slightest imputation upon any particular Government or
any particular Minister. He added that he had already
seen too raany proofs of the justice of His Majesty's
Government to doubt that it would be seen by them in
the same point of view.
Upon this, as upon almost all other political questions,
I found myself at the widest possible distance from the
Vice Chancellor's opinion.
It does seem to me that Count Cobentzl's letter is a
direct, and, if so, a most serious, imputation upon the
King's Government.
'* I have found no copy of this letter. It was probably the answer on the
subject of the charge brouglit by the French Government against Mr. Drake
and Mr. Spencer Smith. — A. P.

124 THE PAGET PAPERS
I cannot admit that the situation of this Country
demands a blind and unlimited acquiescence and consent
to every proposition made by the French. At least that
spirit of condescension ought to be confined to affairs in
which their own interests and concerns are involved. To
extend it to questions in which the loyalty and honour of
other great and powerful nations are attacked cannot be
justified by any circumstances.
This letter is one of the most gratuitous acts of in
decorous complaisance of any which is upon record. It
cannot be turned into any different construction than
that which I assign it. The words se permettent in
contradistinction to se permettraient carry with them
its condemnation.
I entreat Your Lordship to compare the tenor of this
letter of the Imperial Ambassador with that presented
on the same occasion by the Russian Charge d'Affaires.
Some of the expressions in the latter are, to be sure,
extremely vague and superfiuous, but the contrast still
remains very striking.
An Austrian Courier who arrived yesterday from Paris
has, I have reason to believe, brought some intelligence
very disagreeable to this Government. I did not learn any
particulars yesterday respecting it from Count Co'bentzl,
but he seemed a good deal disturbed.
Count Rasoumoffsky's intelligence by the same
Messenger very much corroborates the opinion that a
storm is gathering which will probably burst upon this
country. Letters received here both from Paris and Holland, but
particularly the latter, contain conjectures that the ex
pedition against England is laid aside for the present, as
it is stated. — I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) A. Paget.
P.S, — Not having received at two o'clock this after
noon any answer from the Vice Chancellor to my note of
yesterday, I sent him the enclosed letter, the answer to
which I have likewise the honour to transmit. The late
ness of the hour prevents my adding more.

VIENNA, 1804 125

From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Count Cobentzl.
[Enclosure No. i.]
Le Soussigne Envoye Extraordinaire et Ministre Pleni-
potentiare de S.M. le Roi de la Grande Bretagne et de
rirlande a I'honneur d'envoyer cy joint Copie d'une lettre
ecrite par Mons' le Comte de Cobentzl, Ambassadeur de
S.M. L'Empereur prfes la Republique Francoise, qui se
trouve inseree dans le Journal de Francfort.
Cette lettre etant de nature k exciter I'attention serieuse
de son Gouvernement, le Soussigne se h4te de demander
a S.E. Mons'. le Vice Chancelier si la Copie en est fidele,
afin qu'il puisse en instruire Sa Cour. — II s'empresse de
renouveler, &;c. (Signe) Arthur Paget.
Vienne, U io Avril 1804.

From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Count Cobentzl.
[Enclosure No. 2.] Vienne, le 11 Avril 1 804.
Monsieur le Comte, — La demande qui se trouve
renfermee dans la note que j'eus I'honneur de remettre
hier k V.E. n'exige en reponse qu'une simple affirmative
ou negative.
Je desire pouvoir transmettre cette Reponse par la
Poste d'aujourdhui k raa Cour, et c'est k cet effet que
je me vois contraint de soliciter derechef V.E. de vou
loir bien me la faire parvenir.— Agreez Monsr. le Comte,
&c. (Signe) ' Arthur Paget..

From Count Cobentzl to the Right Hon. A. Paget.
[Enclosure No. 3.] Vienne, le 11 Avril 1804.
Monsieur, — La Note que vous m'avez envoyee hier
a ete portee sur le champ, comme elle devoit I'etre, aux
pieds de I'Empereur; c'est lorsque Sa Majeste' m'aura
donne ses ordres, et conformeraent a ce qu'il Lui plaira
de me prescrire, qu'il y sera fait reponse.
Agreez, Monsieur, I'assurance de ma consideration dis
tinguee. (Signe) Louis Cobentzl.

126 THE PAGET PAPERS

From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
[Cipher.] Vienna, 14th April, 1804.
My Lord, — On the evening I had the honour of last
writing to your Lordship, I was informed by Count
Rasoumoffsky that the Vice Chancellor had that same
day spoken to him of what had passed between us rela
tive to Count Cobentzl's letter ; that he had complained
bitterly of the language I had used on that occasion, and
of the note I had presented ; that he had lamented to ,
him the Alteration he had perceived in my conduct since
my return, which he could account the less for as it
did not correspond with the friendly terms in which His
Majesty's Government had invariably expressed them
selves towards this Court. He could not, he said, help
considering my conduct as personal to himself, and that
he was convinced my object was his overthrow ; but that
I was deceived if I expected to succeed in it, as the Em
peror would in that case certainly support him, &c. . . .
The next day, therefore, I called upon the Vice Chan
cellor, and upon this occasion heard from him nearly
everything that had been reported to me by the Russian
Ambassador. To the hints he threw out of my conduct being personal
against him, I made no reply whatever. I intimated how
ever that there were one or two points in the conversation
he had had with Count Rasoumoffsky upon which I should
withhold any observation.
I admitted to its full extent the truth of all he said
with respect to the change which had taken place in my
language, but I explained to him in the most conciliatory
manner the causes which had led to this change. I
enumerated the series of atrocious acts which had been
exercised against civil Society by the French Govern
ment during the short period since my return to Vienna.
I then appealed to him whether I could conscientiously
allow them to pass unnoticed.
I observed that I had for t-wo whole years viewed with
silence the System which this Government had thought
it prudent to adopt towards France, but that circum
stances having rendered the continuation of that System

VIENNA, 1804 127
so fatal to the interests of this Country and of Europe,
retrospectively considered, it might appear to him to be
wise and provident, but I could not, consistently with my
duty, withhold from him the opinion and advice I had at
difierent times enforced of late.
I begged him once for all to be convinced that no other
than motives ofthe purest Friendship towards this Country
actuated me in my conduct on the present as on all other
occasions, and that I should ill acquit myself of the trust
reposed in me were I to be guided by any other sentiments.
It does not appear necessary that I should trouble your
Lordship by this opportunity with any further details of
this conversation. I will therefore only add that the
Vice Chancellor at the close of it, expressed the very
great satisfaction he had derived from this Interview. — I
have, &c. (Signed) A. Paget.
From Sir J. Warren to the Right Hon. A. Paget.
St. Peteesburgh, April 16th, 1804.
My Dear Sir, — . . . With respect to the state of affairs
here I am happy to say there is much good will towards
us : and I can assure you from undoubted authority that
H.I.M. adheres most firmly to his first Resolution re
specting the German business : k that all Negociations
on this head should be carryed on at Vienna, & to pre
clude as much as possible French Interference & all the
Ratisbon manceuvres played off hertofore. An answer to
the effect of the first part of this statement has been re
turned to the French Minister: k I should suppose has
before now also been communicated in a sirailar shape to
the Austrian Government. Now with respect to other
matters give me leave to say that this Court are not well
satisfied at the Hesitation k backwardness of Austria to
unite upon the general points and propositions that have
been made them : and if the Austrian Government bans'
• • • ®
back or temporise at so interesting a moment, whatever
fine propositions Mons' De Cobentzell may have received
from France, they will never again have so fair an oppor
tunity but fall into the hands of the French Monster who
will soon Devour them, either by Direct or indirect
means as best suits their palates. If Austria wants sub-

128 THE PAGET PAPERS
sidies to enable her to move 1 suppose you are authorised
to employ them, but I hope Mr Cobentzell will not
suffer these affairs to sleep. There has been some idea at
home that Austria & Russia were forming something
like an armed Coalition or Mediation : k I trust you will
be enabled to learn if anything of that sort has been
in agitation or the proposals from Russia to Vienna. I
believe that as far as it is possible to ascertain they were
only with, some Local alterations the old ones contained
in the last Treaty existing between the two powers.
The King of Naples has had some assurances of pro
tection k I am doing all it is possible to do on my side
to render them effective & I know you will wish me
success in so good a work. . . . — I am &c.
John Borlase Warren.
From Lord Paget to the Right Hon. A. Paget.
Ipswich, April 20th, 1804.
Alas ! what sad events have taken place since we parted.
Is it in human nature to submit to the indignities offered
& horrors comraitted by the most savage De'vil that ever
disgraced human nature ? Bad as my opinion is of almost
all the Governments upon the Continent, I can hardly
conceive it possible that these late acts should not rouse
them to desperation. God grant it may be so, for as I
begin to despair of seeing the Foe here where they would
be annihilated, I must hope to be enabled to meet him
upon his own Dunghill.
I trust that Our Doctor* is upon his last legs. He
made a bad division the other night & tho' he affects con
fidence, yet I think that he is tottering. We must have
Pitt. Would you believe it, my Father is extremely
anxious that I sh** not oppose the Minister under the
mistaken notion that to oppose him is to oppose the
King. I have written, however, to explain t|ie impos
sibility of my remaining in Parliament upon any other
terms. The time draws near when you promised to
return. I wish that you may have been enabled to make
a satisfactory arrangement by the prescribed time, that
you may yourself be the bearer of welcome News, k that
* Mr. Addington.

VIENNA, 1804 129
in consequence of it your next may be the last journey
that it will be necessary for you to make vid Hanover,
&c. But alas ! it is poor lean Hope, not confidence. We
live in cursed tiraes & the provoking thing is that they
might easily be improved. Two years' hearty cooperation,
possibly much less, might free Europe. J' enrage — I long
to see your Notes. The first time I go to town I will
make a point of it.
From Sir John B. Warren to the Right Hon. A. Paget.
St. Petersbuegh, April 2gth, 1804.
Since my last letter was begun the departure of the
Courier Courvoisier from hence for London prevented me
stating to you the very great sensation which the Death
of the unfortunate Duke D'Engien created & the uni
versal Horror and Detestation the circumstances which
were the cause of it occasioned. You will observe that a
Public Mourning has been ordered here & observed most
strictly. I must just raention that Hedouville in his last
conference with P. Czartoryski,''' k which he demanded
for the express purpose of communicating all the complots
& projects sayed to have existed at Paris & ending with
Mr. Drake's correspondence, sayed " Le premier Consul
est pousse au Bout " — I suppose meaning this as a set oft"
or apology for all the abuse against England & the fusil-
liades that had taken place.
It is whispered that the Prince ventured to answer to
this part of the General's address, but when he was pro
ceeding to state the situation of France k Russia, the Prince
told him that he had the Emperor's orders not to enter
into any further discussion with him on that subject, as
H.I.M. found it could be of no use as the First Consul
already was acquainted with the Emperor's expectations,
& the General added in that case it was not probable the
two countries could long remain in a state of amity.
It is sayed a Declaration either has or will be published
from hence addressed to the Diet of Ratisbon by the
Emperor of Russia,t calling upon the Chief of the Roman
'*• As Minister for Foreign Affairs he urged Alexander to oppose Napoleon
on behalf of the principles of 1789, which Napoleon had betrayed.
f This was done on May 6, 1804.
VOL. II. I

I30 THE PAGET PAPERS
Empire and the several Princes to stand forward in the
support of all public right, as well as their own individual
one, so grossly invaded upon a late occasion. You will
know all this where you are, & I hope persuade our old
friends to second this virtuous and amiable Emperor in
the Defence of everything most dear to mankind. — Ever,
my dear sir, &c. ' John Borlase Warren.
From the Right Hon. A, Paget to Lord Hawkesbury,
[Separate. Secret and Confidential.] Vienna, May 1804,
My Lord, — I see by a Dispatch of the 2* of this Month
from Champagny to Talleyrand that his language here
after the arrival of his last Courier has been considerably
softened. One must attribute this change to the appre
hension of a Rupture with Russia.
Champagny went so far as to tell the Vice Chancellor
that the First Consul would not oppose any acquisitions
this Court may be able to obtain by amicable arrangement,
but that in the present posture of affairs the least indica
tion of a change in the Military System could not but be
viewed with the most jealous eye by the French Gov',
Nothing could be more pacific & humble than Cobentzl's
Answer. — I have the honor, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Count Cobentzl to the Right Hon, A. Paget.*
May yrd, 1804.
J'ai I'honneur d'envoyer ci-joint k Monsieur Paget le
passeport qu'il m'a demande, pour que Mr. Spencer Smith
puisse se rendre directement de Baden a Carlsbad ; je
suis peine de ce que les circonstances ne permettent pas
qu'il puisse venir k Vienne, et me privent ainsi de la satis
faction de le voir ; mais Mr. Paget en a senti lui-meme
I'impossibilite, et par consequent je compte sur lui et sur
ses bons sentiments, pour engager Mr. Smith k profiter le
plutot possible de son passeport sans passer par ici. Je
suis bien f^che de ce que Monsieur Paget ne veut pas
venir diner Samedi en petite societe, et avec des jolies
'* This letter is a proof that, whatever their political differences may have
been, they had not in any way impaired their social relations. — A. P.

VIENNA, 1804 131
femmes ; je suis trop vindicatif pour ne pas m'en ressentir,
et en I'invitant k un grand diner et avec de vieilles femmes,
ma vengeance sera complette. — Je le prie d'agreer I'assur
ance de ma consideration tres-distinguee. (Signe) Cobentzl.
From the Right Hon. A. Pagjit to Lord Hawkesbury.
[No. 12. Cipher.] Vienna, 16 May 1804.
[He states that messengers had arrived from Russia
¦with instructions as to the equestrian order, and other
points in litigation between this Court and some of the
German Priuces ; that the Court of Petersburg completely
disavows aU that had been advanced by the French
Minister at Ratisbon ; and that one of the messengers
carried orders to the Russian Ambassador to suspend all
further proceedings relative to it. He continues :]
He was also the Bearer of the note which has since been
presented at the Diet. In communicating this note to
the Emperor's Minister, the Russian Ambassador was, I
have reason to think, and it is probable, compelled to use
the very strongest language to prevaU upon them to sup
port it at the Diet.
The consequence was that a note has been sent from
hence to be delivered at Ratisbon. . . .
It is with deep concern that I am under the necessity
of noticing that the Russian Ambassador has, ever since
the arrival of these last Couriers, shewed the most marked
sUence towards me. Your Lordship wUl, from the nature
of your advices from Petersburg, be able to judge how far
my conjecture may be correct. To me, who on a former
occasion had to congratulate myself on the great degree
of friendship and confidence which subsisted bestween that
Minister and myself, it appears evident that he is acting
according to instructions.
It is denied that any official communication has been
made here relative to the change of Government in
France,* but I know that exactly the same formalities
have been gone through by the French Ambassador, as
when the Consulship for life was announced. I own to
Your Lordship that it never occurs to me to describe the
¦* The decree of the Senate in May gi-ving Bonaparte the title of Emperor.

132 THE PAGET PAPERS
impression which such and such an act of the French
Government, however remarkable or atrocious it may be,
has made here. My reasons for this are unfortunately too
obvious. — I have, &c. (Signed) A. Paget.
From the Right Hon.- A, Paget to Lord Hawkesbury.
[No. 13. Cipher.] Vienna, 23rc? May 1804.
My Lord, — I have still to notice that the strictest
silence is observed towards me, both by the Vice Chan
cellor and the Count Rasoumoffsky, respecting the nego
ciations which are at this moment on foot between the
two Imperial Courts,* a conduct equally unaccountable and
impolitic, if the object of them is such as the late declara
tions made by the Emperor of Russia both at Paris and
Ratisbon leave little room to doubt of.
In a conversation I had this morning with Count
Cobentzl I informed him that it was as little becoming
my situation as it was compatible with my inclination to
pry into the secrets of this Cabinet, but that as it was
notorious that negociations, probably of much importance,
were at present carrying on between the Courts of Vienna
and Petersburg, it did appear to me to be a matter worthy
of comment that not a syllable had hitherto been said re
specting them to me.
The Vice Chancellor, with some degree of embarrass
ment, admitted the fact that negociations were pending,
but that they were not by any means in a sufficient state
of forwardness to be communicated. He also fully ad
mitted that supposing them to end in a coalition against
France, the assistance of England would in that case be
resorted to.
Upon this, as upon one or two former occasions, I
pointed out to him the faUacy of this reasoning, and the
erroneous supposition that the resources of England were
to be had whenever it might please the Continental
Powers to solicit them.
'* Russia proposed to create a barrier against France by forming a new
Confederation of the German States, Austria and Prussia standing as inde
pendent Powers separate from the Confederation, and with their territories
enlarged. If Turkey broke up or joined France, Russia and Austria might
claim part of its dominions.

VIENNA, 1804 i33
The fact is that the very idea of war so appals the senses
of this Government, that their combinations do not cer
tainly at this moment extend beyond the means to be
employed for getting themselves weU or LU, it is immate
rial which, out of the present scrape.
In the meantime I apprehend that they are very ^dgo-
rously pressed by the Russian Government, and it has also
come to my knowledge that the French Ambassador has
expressed himself pretty strongly respecting the Emperor's
last communication to the Diet.
From Lord Harrowby * to the Right Hon, A. Paget.
Downing Street, June 4, 1804.
Sm, — I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that the
King has been graciously pleased to nominate you one of
the Knights Companions of the Most Honourable Order
of the Bath ; and I most heartUy congratulate you on this
distinguished mark of His Majesty's favour.
I send you by this Messenger the Ensigns of that Order,
together with Hi.s Majesty's dispensation under the Seal
of the Order, by which you are authorized to wear the
Star, without waiting for an InstaUation ; and as it is
requisite that you should be knighted, and invested with
those Ensigns, I have it in command from His Majesty to
direct you to ask an Audience of the Emperor of Germany,
in which you wiU deUver the inclosed letter from His
Majesty, and accompany it with a proper compliment
expressive of the King's sincere and constant Friendship
for Hi.s Imperial Majesty, and His desire to cultivate and
improve the good understanding so happUy subsisting
between the two Courts. I also inclose you a copy of
His Majesty's letter, as it may be proper for you pre
viously to acquaint the Austrian Ministers with the object
of ihis Audience.
In order to prevent any irregularity with regard to the
ceremony of knighthood and Investiture, I send you a
copy of one which was observed upon a similar occasion
at St. Petersburg.
From the gracious treatment which you have received
from the Emperor, there is every reason to beUeve that
¦* He succeeded Lord Hawkesbury on Pitt's resoming ofSce in May.

134 THE PAGET PAPERS
His Imperial Majesty will see with pleasure the distin
guished mark of the King's approbation which is now
transmitted to you ; and I feel a particular satisfaction
that it falls to my lot to notify it to you. — I am, &c.
(Signed) Harrowby.
From the Right Hon. A. Paget to Lord Harrowby.
[Separate, Secret & Confidential.] Vienna, June, 1804.
My Lord, — From the various Pieces of decyphered
Correspondence from different Places which I have lately
obtained, it appears that there is a great degree of In
veteracy & Jealousy on the part of the French Gov*
towards Russia ; almost the whole of that part of General
Brune's Correspondence with Talleyrand which has fallen
into my hands speaks with the greatest uneasiness at the
Intimacy which appears to subsist between Italinsky * &
Stratton. The Reis Effendi is spoken of by him as de
voted to us.
I see by a letter from the Prussian Ministers to C Keller
that the language which the French Ambassador has been
instructed to hold here of late in consequence of the
supposed Armaments of Austria has been most violent.
Among other things he was instructed to tell C Cobentzl
that the Court of Vienna was deceived if they imagined
that the ist Consul was exclusively taken up with his
preparations against England, for that the event might
prove that he had 60,000 French which could be at Munich
before the Austrians.
I have very little of Champagny's correspondence, &
that little is uninteresting ; one letter contains an assur
ance from C* Cobentzl to that Minister that the Court of
Vienna pays neither Capital or Interest of its Debt to
England. — I have the Honor, &c. (Signed) A. Paget,
From the Right Hon, A, Paget to Lord Harrowby.
[Private.] Vienna, 17 June, 1804.
My Lord, — At almost any other epoch in History had
things gone the length they have done between Russia
* Russian Minister at Constantinople.

DUDLEY, EARL OF HARROWBY

VIENNA, 1804 I35
and France, a rupture between these Powers would have
been deemed inevitable. It is the universal and decided
opinion of the Russian Embassy at this Court that it
is so.
The system which in such an event, the real interests
of this country would lead the Government of it to adopt,
is too plain to admit of any difference of opinion. What
will be their system is what I tremble for.
In the first instance they will put in practice every
means of which negociation is susceptible in order to
maintain their neutrality, and when driven to make a
choice in their alliance, according to the opinion I enter
tain of the Emperor's present Minister, I have no hesi
tation in saying that they will declare for France. If
then, as is not unreasonable to suppose, Russia and
Prussia should unite, the consequences to this country
may be most calamitous.
In the meantime they are taken up with their negocia^
tions relative to the recognition of the new form of
Government in France, and not contented with the dis
grace of a simple acknowledgement, I have no scruple in
saying that it will be clogged with conditions unheard
of in point of Baseness.
If I did not offer to pledge my credit for the veracity
of it. Your Lordship would have every right to call in
question the information, when I assert (and my pen
almost shrinks from the record of so ignorainious a trans
action) that one of the conditions exacted by this Court
is that the French Govemraent shall guarantee the suc
cession of the Imperial Dignity to the present Imperial
Family. The other condition relates in all probability to
the acquisition of territory in Italy.
[A copy was sent to Sir A. Paget of the despatch from
Lord Harrowby to Count Woronzow of June 26,* in
reply to Prince Czartoryski's proposal of the scheme
of alliance against France desired by Russia. Its tenor
was an acceptance in principle of the Russian proposal.
Lord Harrowby promised pecuniary aid to Austria,
Prussia, and Russia if they would enter into a defensive
'* Published in collection of State Papers. The Russian overtures were
handed in at London on June 26. This was the beginning of the Third
Coalition.

136 THE PAGET PAPERS
alliance, the terms of such aid and its apportionment to
be arranged later. He suggested two and a half mUlions
for Austria, a million for Prussia, "as that Power has
remained unexhausted by the late war," and a million
to Russia. If only two Powers joined, a larger sum was
to be given to each.]
Froyn Sir A. Paget to Lord Harrowby,
[No. 17.] Vienna, 2yd July 1804.
My Lord, — At the audience to which I have alluded in
the preceding Dispatch,* I had a long and so far interest
ing conversation with the Emperor, that it gave me some
insight into His Imperial Majesty's private sentiments with
regard to one or two of the important objects upon which
the public attention is at this moment particularly fixed.
The result was such as has left an impression of the
deepest concern on my mind.
The first topic which came under discussion was the
change of Government which has lately taken place in
France, and this subject, far from creating any emotions
of alarm, or indignation, or even distrust, appeared to be
viewed by His Imperial Majesty rather as one out of
which much good might arise, as one which would have
the tendency of ensuring tranquillity to Europe, of secur
ing the present Sovereigns on their thrones, and of con
solidating the rights of their legitimate successors.
Against such doctrines, promulgated under neither con
straint or menace, much did not appear could be done in
a single and accidental conversation. Still I did not omit
the opportunity of disclosing frankly to the Emperor the
totally different opinions I had formed upon the subject ;
it was however obvious that this was to produce no other
certain- effect than that of lengthening the conversation.
His Imperial Majesty next spoke with some degree of
asperity of the late conduct of the Court of Petersburg,
which He condemned upon the principle that it is better
policy for a Nation to support silently an Injury than to
retaliate with threats which it may either not be its
Intention, or that it may not be in a situation, to act
up to ; that in the present instance the Court of Peters-
* When he was invested with the Order of the Bath.

VIENNA, 1804 i37
burg would have acted with more prudence and with a
better chance of attaining its end, if previously to its late
declarations at Paris ''' and at Ratisbon t it had concerted
its measures with the other great Courts (I shall have
occasion before I finish this Dispatch to shew the degree
of benefit which arises out of proposals for concert made
to the Court of Vienna) ; that with regard to the inten
tion Mr. d'OubrU had manifested of quitting Paris J he
conceived it to have been rash and inconsiderate in the
extreme, and here His Imperial Majesty spoke in terms
of high panegyric of the conduct of his own Ambassador,
and of the other Foreign Mnisters who had united in
order to prevail upon the Russian Charge d'Affaires not
to leave that capital.
Had the result of this conversation been in any respect
satisfactory, I should have made a point of giving it raore
in detail to Your Lordship, to whom it can now be of
Uttle interest to know that upon most, if not the whole
of what fell from the Emperor, it was my lot to differ.
I shall close the account of it by adverting to one further
point upon which I am not disposed to lay much stress.
I asked the Emperor whether, supposing a most perfect
understanding to be established between His Majesty and
the Emperor of Russia for the restoration of the balance
of Power in Europe, His Imperial Majesty would consent
to take a part in such a system. The Emperor's answer
was : You know from experience that 1 have never been
backward upon any occasion.
Little of importance has been going on here of late.
Upon a former occasion I had the honour of informing
Your Lordship of the principal and very degrading
condition upon which the Court of Vienna offered to
acknowledge the title -with which the Chief of the French
Government had thought proper to invest himself. I
shall now beg Your Lordship's attention to sorae detaUs
upon the same subject. But I will just, in the first place,
say that the acknowledgement has not yet taken place.
When the overtures were first made hj Mr. Champagny
to the Vice Chancellor, he was ill in bed with a violent fit
'* May 12. See Sir A. Paget's despatch of August 4.
t May 6. See letter from Sir J. Warren, Apnl 29.
X See Sir A. Pagef s despatch of August 4.

138 THE PAGET PAPERS
of the gout. Whether his sufferings had deprived him of
his senses, or whether they had taught him to apply the
same degree of patience to moral hardships, I have not
ascertained, but it is certain that the first idea which this
monstrous demand suggested to his iraagination was the
Parity of Rank. I have already acquainted Your Lord
ship, and I have now to repeat that thfe first condition
proposed by Monsieur de Cobentzl, was not the evacuation
of Italy by the French Troops, nor of Switzerland, nor of
Holland, nor the re-establishment of the King of Sardinia's
Monarchy, none of these or other such inferior points,
but nobly and at once that the Imperial Dignity should
by Bonaparte be acknowledged hereditary in this Family.
This at first sight migh't appear worth asking for ; to
overturn one of the first fundamental principles of the
Constitution of Germany by rendering its elective Crown
hereditary in the present Imperial Family would have
been an enterprise worthy of a bolder and abler Minister
than Count Cobentzl. His ambition stopped far short of
such an achievement. He simply asked that the present
King of Hungary and Bohemia should be made Emperor
of the hereditary States, or more properly speaking that
that Dignity should be guaranteed to his successors.
This was the price he put upon his act of recognizance,*
and to these terms did the French Government seem not
unwilling to subscribe.
By some unaccountable accident which it is not neces
sary to examine into, the French Ambassador at this
Court mistook, or feigned to mistake, the nature of the
proposition which had been made to him. In consequence
therefore of his reports to His Governmerit, he received
instructions to accede to the demands which he conceived
J* The Emperor's problem, it must be remembered, lay in his twofold posi
tion. By his hereditary position he was ruler of a number of states not
•necessarily held together except by the personal tie. As the elected head of
the German Powers he was supposed to represent the universal Empire of
Rome, although the title by which he was commonly called was Emperor
of Germany. During the wars against France, Austria, however, lost her
commanding position in German councils, and Francis feared lest on his death
the Electors might choose the Prussian King as their Emperor, and that his
states would consequently be left without any supreme authority binding
them together. If, on the other hand, the title of Emperor of Austria were
given to him, the kingdoms and duchies would naturally fall together under
the Imperial sway. The question was made yet more difiicult by Bonaparte's
attitude towards the ancient Imperial title and tradition.

VIENNA, 1804 i39
had been addressed to him, and to signify to the Court of
Vienna that the French Emperor would use his influence
that at the next election of an Emperor the choice should
fall on His Imperial Majesty's successor.
I have now to make good the promise contained in the
former part of this Letter.
About this time, an overture was made upon this very
subject to this Court by the Russian Ambassador, the
object of which was that the two Imperial Courts should
act conjointly upon the question of acknowledgement,
which should in no case be acceded to until the French
Government had entered into certain engagements de
manded by the Confederate Powers.
What these engagements were to be is, I am sorry to
say, very little to the purpose. They went however to
the Emancipation of Italy and the Re-establishment of
the King of Sardinia, but they were plausibly rejected in
the first instance by this Government. The decision to
acknowledge the new form of Government in France is
beyond all doubt taken. It is intended nevertheless, and
to answer what good purpose (considering the character
of these Ministers) I am not enlightened enough to under
stand, to gain as much time as possible. Accordingly
supposing the ultimate demands of this Court to be
complied with, which are, I have reason to believe, com
prehended in the above statement, and of which there
seems reason to entertain but little suspicion, the Austrian
Ambassador at Paris is instructed to conclude nothing
untU final orders shall be transmitted to him frora hence.
These final orders I have not much hesitation in saying
he wUl not be allowed for any considerable length of time
to languish after. — I have the honour, ke.
(Signed) A. Paget.

From Lord Harrowby to Sir A. Paget.
[Most secret and confidential. Separate.] Downing Street, July 24, 1804.
Sir, — A communication was made to me yesterday by
Count Stahremberg of the steps which have taken place
at Vienna respecting the late change in the French

I40 THE PAGET PAPERS
Government. He was directed to assure me that the
acknowledgement of the hereditary Sovereignty in the
Buonaparte * family had been extorted by menaces, of im
mediate war — that as to the title of Emperor the object
of Austria had been to gain time, in order to learn the
determination of Russia — that the Emperor had for that
purpose required in return to be acknowledged as heredi
tary Emperor of Austria — that France had not objected in
case the title of Emperor of Germany should pass to some
other family t — and that for the purpose of gaining still
more time, the original claim would be explained and
repeated. The idea of entering into a bargain of this
nature with Buonaparte is thoroughly revolting ; but
there may be some advantage in the time which has been,
or may still be gained even by such an expedient, if
Russia should in the meanwhile have proposed such effec
tual and immediate assistance in case of a rupture as to
encourage the Court of Vienna in a conduct less humi
liating. Count Stahremberg added that he had been
directed to state in case any overtures should be made by
His Majesty (which the Court of Vienna are led to expect)
with the view of assuming the Imperial title himself, in
order to preserve his equality of rank with France, that
the Emperor of Germany would willingly acquiesce in it.
As he was positively directed not to state this unless an
opening was given by ourselves from His Majesty, you
must consider the communication as perfectly confidential.
I told Count Stahremberg in reply that I had received no
orders to make any overtures upon the subject, nor did I
think it probable that I should ever receive any, but that
1 had no difficulty in stating to him, as my private opinion,
that it would be much more desirable, under the present
circumstances, for an Emperor to change his title for that
of King, than for a King to adopt the name of Emperor.
'* This spelling, discarded on that ground by Bonaparte, was used to stig
matise his Corsican origin.
t The only title that menaced Bonaparte's claims was that of the head of
fhe Holy Roman Empire, in vulgar phrase, Emperor of Germany. He could
not, therefore, permit a possibility of a hereditary Emperor of Austria becom
ing an elected Emperor of Germany. By transferring the title to a weaker
~ ¦ ¦ - - - - ed. ~

Power its prestige would be lessened. The problem was finally closed when,
as a necessary consequence of the Treaty of Presburg (December 1805), the
Emperor was obliged!^by Napoleon in August 1806 to withdraw all claims and
abandon all connection with the Holy Roman Empire. This was done by
the declaration of Vienna, August 6, 1806.

VIENNA, 1804 141
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Harrowby.
[No. 28. Ciijher.] Vienna, 4th August, 1804.
My Lord, — It is probable that Count Woronzow wUl
have communicated to Your Lordship the last Memorial
presented by the Russian Charge d'Affaires at Paris.
Lest that should not be the case, I think it my duty
to inform Your Lordship that I had a glimpse of it
yesterday. Mr. D'Oubril begins by stating that he had been repri
manded by his Government for having transmitted Mr.
Talleyrand's answer to his Note respecting the Seizure
and execution of the Due d'Enghien, that piece having
been considered by the Emperor of Russia as indecent
and inadmissible.
The Memorial which is long and extremely well drawn
up, concludes by a notification that Mr. D'Oubril is
instructed to leave Paris unless the four following con
ditions are accepted :
First : The evacuation of the Kingdom of Naples by the
French Troops, accompanied by a Guarantee not again to
enter it.
Second : That all affairs respecting that Kingdom shall
be treated and settled by the Russian and French Govern
ments. Third : That a proper indemnity shall be granted to the
King of Sardinia.
Fourth : The evacuation of the North of Gerraany by
the French troops.
In Mr. Talleyrand's answer above adverted to, a most
indecent allusion is made to the Emperor Paul's death,*
in which the English narae is traduced in the most un
becoming and atrocious manner.
The Russian Ambassador has made a communication of
this Memorial to the Austrian Government, which, it is
hardly necessary to say, has produced no change whatever
in the sentiments of these Ministers.
-* On May i6, 1804. "If, when England planned the murder of Paul I.,
supposing the plot had been made known, and that it was further known that
the authors of that crime were at a league from the frontier, would not pains
have been taken to arrest them ? " The Russian reply said, " This indecent
note brings a father's death to the recollection of his illustrious son merely to
pierce his heart."

142 THE PAQET PAPERS
I have to confirm the contents of my last Dispatch,
with the addition that the French Ambassador is autho
rised to sign an Act of Guarantee by which the Impe
rial Dignity is to become hereditary in this FamUy. — I
have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A, Paget to Lord Harrowby.
[No. 22.] Vienna, 12th August 1804.
My Lord, — At an interview I had yesterday with Count
Cobentzl, he informed me that he should in the course of
two or three days dispatch a Courier to Count Stahremberg
with instructions to that Minister to make a confidential
communication to Your Lordship of the late determination
of this Court both with regard to the hereditary Imperial
Dignity in this Family,* and to the acknowledgement of
the same in the Family of Mr. Bonaparte.
As I am fully persuaded that Your Lordship will be
very well pleased to be spared by me any detail respect
ing these odious proceedings, I will merely say that Count
Cobentzl, after a great deal of excellent reasoning to prove
how much the welfare of Europe depended upon the same
Rank and Dignity being settled and made permanent in
the House of Austria, as had been acknowledged in the
Person and Family of Mr. Bonaparte, concluded by ob
serving that His Majesty very nearly enjoyed the title
of Emperor, because (I beg Your Lordship to attend to
the reasons) His Majesty's Parliament is an Imperial
Parliament.t The reply which I should have been disposed to make
to the above discourse would infallibly have occasioned a
violent altercation between the Vice Chancellor and iny-
self, and as this could have produced no good effect what
ever I preferred remaining quite silent, untU he spoke of
the King's title, when I thought it right to say that I had
never heard that His Majesty had had it in contemplation
-* On August II, 1804, by a pragmatic sanction, Francis was proclaimed
hereditary Emperor of Austria.
t Cobentzl meant to urge that, while England did already possess a common
bond to hold its kingdoms together in the Imperial Parliament, Austria had
to seek a corresponding bond in the Imperial House. It is the more signifiT
cant that Burke elaborates the same idea of the Imperial Parliament in the
speech on American Taxation, 1774.

VIENNA, 1804 i43
to alter his title, and that I would take upon me further
to add that of all others His Majesty would consider the
present moment as the most objectionable for any such
change. — I have, &c. A. Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Harrowby.
[No. 20.] Vienna, i8ifc .^Mg'Mst 1804.
My Lord, — Within these three days the Russian Ambas
sador has received instructions to make a communication
to this Court, in answer to one which has been delivered
by Count Stadion * at Petersburg relative to the acknow
ledgement of the new form of Government in France.
The object of these instructions is to strengthen as
much as possible the disposition which this Court had
originally apparently shewn to reject the pretensions of
the new self-created Emperor.
In them a sort of displeasure appears on the part of the
Court of Petersburg, that this Government should have
entered into a Negociation with France alone, respecting
the new hereditary Dignity in this Imperial Family.
Finally it is declared that the Emperor of Russia wUl
never consent to acknowledge Mr. Bonaparte as Emperor
until the four conditions stipulated in Mr. D'Oubril's last
note, and mentioned in my Dispatch No. are fulfilled.
Nothing can be firmer and more proper than the lan
guage in which this Dispatch to Count Rasoumoffsky is
dra'wn up, and the whole evinces a considerable degree of
animosity on the part of the Russian Government against
that of France, — among other expressions, Bonaparte is
called the Corsican Emperor. ^ — -I have the honour to
be, &c. (Signed) A. Paget,
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Harrowby.
[No. 21.] Vienna, August 1804.
My Lord, — . . . The establishment of an intercourse of
the most confidential nature between the Russian Ambas
sador and myself appeared to me to be a preliminary
step of the greatest importance, with a view to all future
•* Count Stadion, the Austrian Minister in Russia, afterwards known for
his efforts to do for the reorganisation of Austria what Stein did for Prussia.

144 THE PAGET PAPERS
negociation, and no other mode occurred to me so likely
to lead me to the attainment of this indispensably
necessary object as an open and liberal communication
to Count Rasoumoffsky of the purport of the instruc
tions with which Your Lordship has honoured me.
I am not fearful of incurring Your Lordship's disappro
bation for having done so, when I inform Your Lordship
that in return for this mark of confidence the Russian
Ambassador unreservedly informed me that a negociation
is actually on foot at this moment between the two Im
perial Courts, and that it was conducted ¦with so much
secrecy that on his side he alone, unassisted by any
individual of the Embassy, carried on the correspondence
with Petersburg.
Your Lordship will observe that the Count Rasou
moffsky, animated by the same motives which led me to
him, entrusted me with the above communication, not
haying been instructed to do so by his Government.
I shall now state to Your Lordship such information
respecting this important affair as I received from that
Minister, and which may be divided into three heads :
First, that there is at this moment a negociation pending
between the two Imperial Courts.* Second : That the
basis of such negociation is the re-establishment of the
balance of Power in Europe. Third : The Court of
Vienna has declared itself to be incapable t (a declaration
the truth "of which is admitted) of commencing hostilities
at the same moment that Russia was forced into a war,
but on the other hand pledges itself to join in the contest
after a certain time.
I was extremely desirous of being informed what the
stated time is, but .Count Rasoumoffsky did not appear
disposed to satisfy this inquiry. It appears to me indeed
most probable that that essential point is not sufficiently
settled between them for him to hazard a direct opinion,
much less to speak with certainty upon it.
Your Lordship is of opinion that until some steps had
been taken by Russia in consequence of the overtures
made by England for a co-operation of Austria, it would
* Austria and Russia made a secret Treaty, November 6, 1804.
t Champagny had demanded the evacuation of Bavaria by the Austrians
in August 1 804 ; also the forces gathered in Bohemia and the Tyrol were to
be recalled.

VIENNA, 1804 I45
be useless for me to attempt to make any overtures to
Count Cobentzl. I not only subscribe entirely to that
opinion, but under the change of circumstances still retain
it, and Count Rasoumofi'sky is decidedly of the same.
This leads me to mention a circumstance related to me
by Count Rasoumoffsky, the truth of which is well worth
Your Lordship's attention.
By a ^Messenger who was sent off the night before last
to Petersburg, there is one particular Dispatch addressed
to Count Stadion, in which Count Cobentzl complains of
the little attention which is paid by His ^lajesty's present
Ministers to the overtures which Count Stahremberg has
been directed to make to them, and he instructs Count
Stadion to declare to the Court of Petersburg that with
out subsidies from England, to proposals for which that
country does not by any means appear disposed to listen,
it wiU be impossible for Austria to enter into a war.
I should be rather inclined to think that the overtures
of which Count Cobentzl speaks are imaginary, for it is,
I know, the constant practice of this G overnment to attri
bute their own misconduct to what they conceive to be
the fault of others.
Count Rasoumoffsky is in daily expectation of the
arrival of a Courier from Petersburg, and as from the
present negociation with which he is charged there ap
pears to be serious disposition on the part of His Court
to renew the war, reasonable hope may be entertained
that the late digified and generous offer made by His
Majesty to the Emperor of Russia, will be followed by
a spirited attempt to decide at once this Court to a direct
co-operation. "¦' Attgust 31, 1804.
[A secret and confidential despatch from Lord Har
rowby to Sir Arthur Paget states that the Swedish
Minister in England "thought proper to put himself
into the hands of Baron Jacobi, and to adopt the
politics of Prussia instead of those of his master " : his
aim was to draw the King under Prussian infiuence, and
to prevent his entering into aUiance with England and
¦*• In August 1804 the Russian Government decided to send Novossiltzow
as Envoy Extraordinai-y to London to negotiate the new alliance against
France. VOL. II. K

146 THE PAGET PAPERS
Russia for a war against France. The despatch con
tinues : — ]
" You will take occasion to explain to Baron Armfeld
the reasons, founded upon the public opinion of this
country, which must prevent the King from making the
Restoration of the House of Bourbon the declared object
of the war ; and you will endeavour through him to per
suade His Swedish Majesty * that the best method of ac
complishing the Restoration of the House of the Bourbons
is to diminish the infiuence and tarnish the reputation of
Bonaparte ; that this can only be effected by a successful
contest against his military superiority ; that no impres
sion can be made upon it but by the coalition of several
of the Great States of the Continent ; and that an union
for the express purpose of dethroning Bonaparte cannot
be expected to take place amongst those whom fear has
just compelled to acknowledge him as Emperor. . . .
" The conclusion from this reasoning would be that his
only chance of ultimately obtaining his own object would
be a cordial concurrence in the pursuit of ours — viz., the
diminution of the exorbitant power of France."
From Sir John B. Warren to Sir A. Paget.
St. Petersburg, Sept, loth, 1804.
As to the new title taken by the Court of Vienna it has
been an unpleasant business here, more especially from
the name of Czar being placed so near with that of Buona
parte. At the same time the manner of recognizance has
been considered as a case of necessity on the side of Austria.
From Lord Harrowby to Sir A. Paget.
Downing Street, Sept, 11, 1804.
Sir, — I have learned with pleasure from your dispatch
No. 21 that your intercourse with Count Rasoumoffsky
is restored to its former confidential footing. The means
-*¦ Gustavus IV., the old King of Sweden, and the most unselfish of the
opponents of democratic France, remonstrated against the secularisation of
Church estates in the settlement of the indemnities and the seizure of the
Due d'Enghien. In 1804 he made a tour of the German States to arouse
feeling against France, and was at this moment in Munich, where he was
very nearly captured and carried off by French agents.

VIENNA, 1804 i47
which you adopted for that purpose were in this particular
instance perfectly well judged. The communication which
he made in return, although by no means full or explicit,
is of considerable importance, and I do not doubt that you
will feel in the progress of the negotiation all the advan
tages of having inspired him with confidence.
Although there was every reason to expect, that the
Court of Vienna would be driven frora her project of gain
ing time whenever M. Champagny '''' Avas directed to hold
the language of menace, yet the manner in which the
sacrifice has been raade, appears as destitute of prudence
as of dignity.
The implied parallel between Buonaparte and Peter the
Great, and the equal authority given to the French and
Russian precedents, are a very unnecessary aggravation of
the offence which must be given to the Court of St. Peters
burgh by this proceeding. I cannot but entertain serious
apprehensions that it may be considered by the Emperor
Alexander both as insulting to him, and as degrading to
Austria ; that both these considerations may incline him
to give up all hope of forming even a defensive concert
with that power, and that his feelings of indignation may
be expressed in such a manner as to create a great distance
and coolness between the two Courts.
If Count Rasoumoffsky should receive any instructions
to this effect and should communicate them to you before
he executes them, it would be extremely desirable that
you should use all your infiuence to prevail upon him to
soften, as much as possible, the tone of his remonstrances.
Nothing can be gained by making those who have already
degraded themselves in the eyes of others, feel still more
degraded in their own. Such reproaches serve only to
excite a false courage which revenges itself upon a friend
for the insults to which it has submitted from an enemy,
and rejoices to find, in the harsh language of the adviser,
a pretext for refusing to listen to the advice. There is
an additional reason for avoiding, in the present instance,
all unnecessary irritation. From the nature of the trans
action the Emperor himself, and both the Archdukes,
-*- See p. 144. In September Napoleon ordered Cobentzl to meet him at
Aix-la-Cnapelle, with letters from the Emperor consenting to recognise his
new Imperial title. This was done. The selection of Aix-la-Chapelle was a
special humiliation to the head of the Holy Roman Empire.

148 THE PAGET PAPERS
appear personally committed, and as whatever faint hope
may remain of bringing Austria into action rests rather
upon them than upon their present ministers, it would be
highly imprudent to alienate their minds by vehement
and disgraceful censure.
The whole. conduct of Austria has been dictated by fear,
and little impression is to be made by any reasoning
which does not enter in some degree into the feelings of
those who act under such an impression.
There is one case, indeed, where this observation does
not apply — it is, if means can be employed for over
coming that fear by a stronger. If Russia is inclined to
adopt this conduct, to advance an Army of 100,000 men
to the frontiers of Austria, or beyond them, and to reduce
the Emperor to the necessity of engaging in immediate
war, either with ker or against her, she would, I believe,
take the most effectual means of saving Europe. But
unless she is prepared to act in this spirit, it is much to
be wished that the chance of ultimate, though, I fear,
distant co-operation should not be diminished by the use
of intemperate language, or the assumption of a dicta
torial tone. — I am, &c. (Signed) Harrowby.
From Lord Harrowby to Sir A. Paget.
[Separate. Most secret and confidential.] Downing Street, Sept. 11, 1804.
Sib, — You wUl perceive by the enclosed Separate most
secret & confidential dispatch, that the suggestions you
allude to as having been made in some of your former
communications though not expressly noticed, had not
escaped the consideration of Government. That dispatch
has long been written, but the last measure of Count
Cobentzl's administration has decided me to send it, and
some expressions of Prince Czartoryski to Sir John
Warren, lead me to hope that, when Lord Granville
Leveson Gower * arrives at S. Petersburgh he may find
that Government not disinclined to co-operate in pro
ducing a change, t The Prince's views at present seem
¦* He replaced Sir J. Warren, who had not proved successful.
t On this same day the Czar had given secret instructions to Novossil
tzow for his mission to England. It dealt with the government of Sardinia,

VIENNA, 1804 i49
rather directed to Baron Thugut, but according to Mr.
Stewart's report, his age and infirmities appear to put
him out of the question. Even if his health would
permit his taking the reins of government, I much doubt
whether such a change would be desirable. Unless a cor
dial reconciliation could take place between him and the
Archduke Charles, his restoration to power would only
lead to a repetition of those dangerous and disgraceful
schisms in the army, which occasioned the calamitous con
clusion of the last war. Although such a reconciliation
would remove that leading objection to his return, yet
his political opinions respecting Naples and Piedmont,*
two of the points in which the Emperor Alexander takes
the deepest interest, make it extremely improbable that
any serious effort in his favour should be made by that
monarch, and an administration formed under the auspices
of the Archduke would probably be thought an object
not only more easily accomplished, but more eagerly to
be desired. — I am, &c. (Signed) Harrowby.
Enclosure from Lord Harrowby to Sir A. Paget.
[Separate. Most secret and confidential.] Downing Street, /itZ?/, 1804.
Sir, — In my former dispatch you wUl have seen the
intentions of His Majesty respecting the overtures to be
made eventually to the Court of Vienna. Little as I am
incUned to be sanguine as to their success with any
Austrian Ministry, tUl the invasion of Great Britain has
been atterapted, and repelled, the chance of that success
seeras materially diminished by the personal character of
the leaders of that Cabinet. No effectual step can pro
bably be taken to produce a change without the decided
interference of Russia in concurrence with Great Britain.
Instructions will therefore be given to His Majesty's
Arabassador at St. Petersburgh to bring forward that
question, and to discuss the best means of accomplishing
so desirable an object ; he will be directed to communi
cate to you the result of that discussion, and his opinion
Switzerland, Holland, and France ; a league for the pacification of Europe ;
the new organisation of the European Powers ; the Turkish Empire ; and
the maritime code. Novossiltzow arrived in London November 16.
'* His policy was the extension of Austrian dominion in Italy.

I50 THE PAGET PAPERS
thereupon : and unless you should in the meantime have
seen reasons to change the sentiments you entertain upon
the subject, you will consider yourself authorised to adopt
in concert with the Russian Minister' any measures 'for- the
purpose of obtaining a change in the Cabinet which may
be so suggested from Petersburgh, and which do not
amount to such an interference in the Councils of an
independent power as would be inconsistent with the
respect which is due from one Sovereign to another.
The manner in which you appear to have been treated
by the Archduke Charles and his adherents may perhaps
afford an opening for accomplishing this object in the
least offensive manner.
However anxious for the dignity of the Austrian name
and for the security of the Imperial dominions, he is said
to be averse to war. The idea of any active concert
which might commit Austria to immediate hostile mea
sures against France, cannot therefore prudently be pro
posed, at least not in the first instance : but he may be
strongly urged both by yourself and Count Rasoumoffsky
to press the adoption of all such measures as are evidently
indispensable for security on the strictest system: of self-
defence. In many of those which he has already pressed,
he has been opposed and has given way, but with evident
reluctance and discontent. Advantage might be taken
of any familiar intercourse with him or his advisers, to
represent that it may be considered both as injurious to
his reputation, and inconsistent with his duty, to remain
responsible in a great degree for the safety of the country,
while he is denied the means of making effectual provi
sion for its defence — that a forcible statement of all the
•measures necessary to be taken for that purpose in which
he has been already thwarted, as well as of such further
measures as he may have to propose and which would
certainly meet with the same reception from the present
Cabinet, should be laid before the Emperor, with the
decided opinion of both the Archdukes, and of all such
officers of high rank and reputation as would be brought
to concur in it — and that the Emperor should be peremp
torily but respectfully informed, that if plans to that
effect are not immediately adopted his brothers cannot
submit to remain in the situations in which they would

VIENNA, 1804 151
become the passive instruments of the ruin of their
country ; and that they must therefore retire from the
service. If it were possible to persuade the Archdukes
to take a line as decided as this, it seems highly probable
that the present administration, would be wholly driven
out of power, or at least that those who might remain
would be obUged to act in complete subordination to
their opinions : and whether the result of such a change
were war or peace, it would enable the Austrian ^Monarchy
to engage in the one, or preserve the other, with vigour,
or with dignity, and afford it in either case the only
chance, which yet remains, of safetv. — ^I am. Sir, &c.
(Signed) Harrowby.
From Lord Harrowby to Sir A. Paget.
Downing Street, Sept. nth, 1804.
I am not surprised to learn that no fresh instructions
have yet been received by Count Rasoumoffsky, as no
answer has yet been returned from St. Petersburgh to the
communication from hence.
The delay has probably arisen from a determination to
wait tUl an answer coiUd be received from Paris to M.
Oubril's last note ; & the absence of both Buonaparte &
TaUeyrand from Paris * wiU have afforded a real ground
for some delay, k a plausible pretext for extending it.
In the meantime the language of the Court of St.
Petersburgh to that of Vienna seems perfectly satisfac
tory ; & the declaration made to the Grerman Emperor
that Buonaparte never would be acknowledged untU the
conditions stipulated in M. OubrU's note are fulfiUed,
ought to be felt as a strong tie in point of honour to
adhere to that determination.
* Oubril received the order to demand satisfaction for TaUeyrand's note
when Napoleon and Talleyrand were in Boulogne in July. Tiieir journey
closed with -visits to Aix-la-Chapelle and Mayence in September. In that
month at last TaUeyrand replied —
(i.) That Bossia retained Corfu, and increased her troops there.
(2.) That Russian agents evemrhere opposed France.
(3.) That Malta was stOl held" by England.
(4.) That threats must not be employed. The last campaign (Snvarrow's)
did not entitle Rn.ssia to use them, and it must be well understood that the
Empei-or of the French is not the Emperor of the Turks or Persians.
Oubril thereupon quitted Paris.

152 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Lord Harrowby to Sir A. Paget.
[Separate and secret.] Downing Street, September i j, 1804.
Sir, — I inclose you an Extract from a most Secret
Dispatch of Sir John B. Warren, dated 30th July.
I am not at all disposed to give any credit to the
information it contains, but as the project is stated to
have been communicated through Vienna I think it right
that you should be acquainted with it. It is by no means
impossible that proposals of this nature may have been
made in a contrary direction, and I should wish your
attention should be turned to ascertain the point. — I
airi, ke,, (Signed) Harrowby.
Extract of a dispatch from His Excellency Sir John
Warren, dated St Petersburg, 30th July 1 804.
"A secret channel informs me that in a late com
munication from this Government to that of Paris, a
project was given for a new arrangement in the German
Empire and the North of Europe ; * that one of the stipula
tions was that Russia should occupy Hanover and a pro
portion of the revenue be paid to France. This court has
a;lso communicated the project to that of Vienna, where it
was approved ; but the French government, which had also
received it from Vienna, rejected it.
' " In the late communications between this Government
and France it is proposed, I understand, to form a new
kingdom for the King of Sardinia, consisting of some of
the Ecclesiastical States, and some province belonging to
the King of Naples ; and in order to settle any new claims
in Germany, Russia is to have a prevailing interest in the
North, and Bavaria to receive a considerable addition of
territory. Prussia will in this case join the territory of
Hanover on the side of . . . t to her own frontier. If the
propositions are accepted in France, an alliance is then
to be formed with this country. It is also believed that
the seven islands} will be annexed to Russia in full
Sovereignty." ¦* Czartoryski proposed to make Alexander king of a restored Poland, with
compensations to Austria and Prussia. t Place omitted.
X The Ionian Islands were occupied by Russia at this time.

VIENNA, 1804 153
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Harrowby.
[No. 31. Cipher.] Vienna, i2«/i iSepteTTiAer, 1804.
My Lord, — I have still to notice the non-arrival of any
new instructions to the Russian Ambassador.
Count Rasoumoffsky has in fact been absent from
Vienna during the last week.
The distinguished manner in which the Prince Louis
Ferdinand of Prussia '• has been received here is, I think,
worthy of remark. The Archduke Anthony was ordered
by the Emperor to receive him, and to pay him all honours
and attentions during his stay here, and the Prince Ferdi
nand of Wurtemberg was sent from Brunn in order to
shew him the troops in garrison at Vienna.
His Royal Highness dined with me the day before
yesterday, on which occasion I learnt from him that,
although he was not charged with any commission from
his Court (as had been surmised) he had nevertheless had
a great deal of conversation both with the Emperor and
the Archduke Charles at Brunn on the present state of
PubUc Affairs, and that he had (and as he flattered himself
not altogether unsuccessfuUy) used his utmost endeaAours
to con'vince them first of the expediency of a close connec
tion with Prussia, and next of the facUity which would be
found on the part of the Court of Berlin to enter into such
a svstem. The Vice Chancellor informed me yesterday that his
letters from Italy mention that the French had demanded
the occupation of the ports in the Papal Territory which
had hitherto been declined, and that the Pope had made
fresh remonstrances against assisting at the Coronation of
Bonaparte. I learn also from other quarters that the French are
reinforcing their army in Italy. — I have, &c.
(Signed) A. Paget,
* Nephew of Frederick the Great. As leader of the party hostile to
France he was opposed to the King and Haugwitz.

154 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Mr, F, J, Jackson to Sir A, Paget.
Berlin, 26 Sept'', 1804.
Dear Sir, — . . . This Court has declared in the most
positive Terms both to me & to M. D'Alopeus * that it
will not see with Indifference any farther Progress of
the French in Germany, and has specified the Possibility
of an Attack upon Swedish Pomerania as a Case that w**
occasion its Interference.
The King of Sweden wishing, as I understand, to obtain
a direct Declaration to this Effect, has sent here Baron
Armfelt for that purpose ; but it is not very probable
that he should succeed. His Swedish M^ has also applied
to our Government t for an Advance of 100, or 120,000,
to put Pomerania in a State of Defence. M. d' Armfelt
tells me that the Works round Stralsund will soon be in
good Repair & capable of resisting an Attack, which he
seems to think may soon follow the arrival at Paris of the
Note delivered to the French Charge d'Affaires at Stock
holm. He informs me likewise that he is to be recalled
from the Vienna Mission at the Request of that Court. —
I am, &c. (Signed) F. J. Jackson.
From Prince Colleredo-Mansfeld % to Sir A. Paget.
Vienne, le 21 Novembre 1804.
[The Prince acknowledges a note sent him by Sir A.
Paget on the seizure by the French of Sir G, Rumbold,
English Minister at Hamburg, which he had laid before
the Emperor ; and continues : — ]
En attendant Sa Majeste avoit d6]k appris par une
lettre circulaire du Senat de Hambourg adressee aux
Ministres etrangers residans dans cette ville, que le dit
Senat ne negligeroit aucun moyen propre k obtenir la
mise en liberte de Mr, Rumbold; et Sa Majeste le Roi
de Prusse en sa qualite de Directeur du Cercle de Basse-
Saxe avoit fait demander cette mSme mise en liberte au
Gouvernement Frangois,- Sa Majeste I'Empereur, applau-
'*• Russian Minister in Berlin.
t A convention of subsidy was signed between Great Britain and Sweden
on December 3.
X Vice-Chancellor of the Empire.

VIENNA, 1804 i55
dissant k cet demarche a fait charger sans delai, par un
Courier parti le 1 1 de ce mois, son Ambassadeur k Paris
d'en faire de pareilles au nom de Sa Majeste comme Chef
de I'Empire Germanique. Vienne, 9 Decembre 1804.
[A note from Count Cobentzl to Sir A. Paget states
that, as the affair of Rumbold only affects the Emperor as
head of the Corps Germanique, he must refer Sir A. Paget
to the answer he has already received from the Vice-Chan
cellor of the Empire.]
From Henry William Cole to Sir A. Paget.
MoxsiEUR, — J'ai appris par mes dernieres lettres de
r AUemagne que le chien que j'ai eu I'honneur de vous
ceder a ete battu par un chien AUemand. Comme c'est
une chose regarde impossible en Angleterre qu'un veritable
Bull dog Anglois peut etre vaincu par aucun autre que de
son Espece, j'ai lieu de craindre qu'il y a eu quelque negli
gence du cote de vos gens k qu'il n'a pas en beau jeu, de
fagon ou d' autre. Un boucher k Leipzig nomme Breumer
dans le Gerber Gasse oil il a ete en pension pourra vous
donner des preuves de son ouvrage.
Enfin comme je ne suis pas dans I'habitude de tromper
qui que ce soit & etant tres mortifie k pique de cet mal-
heureux accident k mon retour k Leipzig pour la foire
St. Michel, je suis pret k vous dedommager de telle facon
que vous jugeres k propos. Me trouvant actuellement en
Angleterre, si vous avez de I'inclination k risquer une
§econde epreuve, je m' engage k vous envoyer un chien
qui donnera le defi k tout autre en AUemagne sans excep
tion & si vous vouies faire un pari sur lui, je suis content
k J etre interesse.
Comme je partirai de I'Angleterre le milieu du mois
prochain. En attendant I'honneur de votre reponse j'ai
celui d'etre, &c. &c. (Signe) Henry William Cole.
[liote. — I have no clue to the exact date of this letter,
nor as to the personality of the writer. Nor am I able to
explain why, if he was an Englishman, as his name and

156 THE PAGET PAPERS
the contents of his letter would appear to indicate, he
addressed my father in French instead of English.
I was not previously aware, and regret to learn it now,
that my father encouraged dog-fighting (but allowances
must be made for the tastes and habits of the day), though
I knew that he was a patron of the prize-ring, as were
most of the "set" with whom he lived in England. I
place this letter with the Vienna correspondence because
1 know that my father had a large, fierce sort of bull-dog,
whose portrait I possess, whUe he was at Vienna, and I
remember to have heard that one of the gentlemen of the
Legation, who lived in my father's house, happening to
come home rather late one night, was stopped on the
staircase by this dog, and not allowed to go either up or
down stairs until he was released the next morning by a
servant. — A. P.]
From the Emperor Napoleon to the Queen of the
Two Sicilies.*
Paris, ce Nivose-An XIII., Janvier 1805.
Madame, — La lettre de Votre Majeste m'a ete remise
par M, le M. del G. t U m'est difficile de concilier les sen
timens qu'elle contient avec les projets hostiles qu'on
paroit nourrir k Naples. J'ai dans ma main plusieurs
lettres de Votre Majeste qui ne laissent aucun doute sur
ses veritables intentions secretes. Quelque soit la haine
que Votre Majeste paroit porter a la France, comment
apr^s I'experience qu'EUe a faite, 1' amour de Son Epoux,
de ses Enfans, de Sa Famille, de Ses Sujets ne lui con-
seille-t-il pas un peu plus de retenue, et une direction
politique plus conforme k ses interets? Votre Majeste,
qui a un esprit si distingue entre les femmes, n'a-t-elle
done pas pu se detacher des preventions de son sexe, et
peut-elle traiter les affaires d'Etat comme les affaires de
Cceur ? Elle a dejk perdu une fois Son Royaume. } Elle
a ete deux fois la cause d'une guerre qui a failli ruiner de
fond en comble sa Maison Paternelle ; veut-EUe done etre
la cause d'une troisifeme ? D^jk k la solicitation de Son
'* This letter is printed in the Memoir of the Right Hon. Hugh Elliot, p. 360.
¦H Le Marquis del Gallo, Neapolitan Minister in Vienna.
X The flight of 1798.

VIENNA, 1805 i57
Ambassadeur k St. Petersburg, lo mille Russes ont ete
envoyes k Corfou.* Quoi ? Sa haine est-elle tellement
jeune, et son amour pour I'Angleterre tellement exalte,
qu'elle veuille, quoiqu'assuree d'en dtre la Victime pre
miere, embraser le Continent, et operer cette heureuse
diversion pour I'Angleterre ? J'avoue que des passions
si fortes auroient quelque part k mon estime, si les plus
simples idees de raison n'en faisoient sentir la frivolite
et I'impuissance. Son Neveu I'Empereur d'Autriche ne
partage point ses sentimens, et ne veut point recomraencer
la Guerre qui n'auroit pour Son Empire que des resultats
peu satisfaisants. La Russie meme, que les solicitations
du Ministre de Votre Majeste ont porte a envoyer lo
mille hommes A Corfou, sent tr^s bien que ce n'est point
par \k qu'elle peut faire la guerre k la France, et les dis
positions d' Alexandre ler. ne sont point guerriferes. Mais
en supposant que la Catastrophe de Votre Famille, et
le renversemen't de Votre Tr6ne armassent la Russie et
I'Autriche, comment Votre Majeste peut-elle penser, Elle
qui a si bonne opinion de moi, que je sois reste assez
inactif pour etre tombe dans la dependance de mes
voisins ? Que Votre Majeste ecoute cette prophetic,
qu'elle I'ecoute sans impatience. A la premifere guerre
dont elle seroit cause, File et sa Posterite auroient cesse
de regner, Ses Enfans errans mendieroient dans les
differentes contrees de I'Europe des secours de Leurs
Parens. Par une conduite inexplicable Votre Majeste
auroit cause la ruine de sa Faraille, tandis que la Pro
vidence et ma moderation Lui avoient tout conserve.
Renonce-t-on ainsi k un dea plus beaux Royaumes de
I'Univers ? Je serais fache cependant que votre Majeste
prit cette franchise de ma part pour des menaces. Non ;
s'il etait entrd dans mes projets de faire la guerre au Roi
de Naples, je I'aurois fait k I'entree du premier Russe a
Corfou, ainsi que 1' auroit voulu une politique circonspecte.
Mais je veux la Paix avec Naples, avec I'Europe enti^re,
avec I'Angleterre meme, et je ne crains la guerre avec
personne. Je suis en etat de la faire avec quiconque
voudra me provoquer, et de punir la Cour de Naples sans
craindre de ressentimens de qui que ce soit. Que Votre
¦*• Taken by the Russian fleet, by orders of Suvarrow, March 1799. Russia
had undertaken the protectorate of Naples, 1 798.

158 THE PAGET PAPERS
Majeste recoive ce conseU d'un bon frere, Qu'elle rappelle
les Chefs des MUices,* Qu'EUe ne provoque aucune espece
d'armement, Qu'EUe renvoye les Frangois qui lexcitent
contre leur Patrie, Qu'eUe rappelle de St. Petersbourg un
^linistret dont toutes les demarches ont pour but de
gater les affaires de Naples et de la mettre dans des
dangers imminens, Qu'EUe renvoye Mr. EUiott t qui ne
traine que des complots d'assassinats et excite tous les
mouvemens de Naples. Qu'EUe donne sa Confiance au
Chef de Sa Maison, et j'ose le dire a moi, et Qu'EUe ne
soit pas assez I'ennemie d'EUe-meme pour perdre un
Rovaume qu'EUe a garde au milieu d'un si grand boule-
versement oil tant d'Etats ont peri. Je ne fais pas ma
Cour k Votre Majeste par cette lettre. EUe sera desagre-
able pour Elle. Cependant qu'EUe y voye une preuve de
mon Estime. Ce n'est qua une Personne d'un Caractere
fort, et au-dessus du commun, que je me donnerais la
Peine d' ecrire avec cette verite. Sur ce je prie Dieu,
Madame Ma Soeur et Cousine, qu'il ait Votre Majeste en
Sa Sainte Garde. (Signe) Napoleon.

From the Emperor Napoleon to the King of the
Two Sicilies.
Monsieur mon Frere, — Je reponds k la lettre de Votre
Majeste. Les Troupes Frangoises sont dans le Royaume
de Naples, en consequence du Traite de Florence. § Elles
y seront tant que les Affaires du Levant ne seront point
finies, et je ne pourrai les considerer comme telles que
lorsque Malte sera evacue par I'Angleterre et Corfou par
la Russie. Sans I'arrivee k Corfou de Troupes que I'Em
pereur de Russie y a envoyees, a la solicitation speciale
du Ministre de Votre Majeste, j'aurais diminue le nombre
des Troupes Frangoises, et n'aurais laisse k Tarente que
¦*¦ With the help of a subsidy of ^150,000 a year, -vigorous preparations had
been made in 1804 for the defence of the Calabrian coast.
t For the Duke Serracapriola see ilr. Paget's letter of December 23, 1800.
Orders had been given that the Russian troops in the south were to be em
ployed in defence of Naples, if attacked by France.
X From Lord Harrowb/s despatches of July 1804 it is evident that Mr.
Elliot had been singularly successful in stimulating the Sicilian Court to
resistance, and had won the warmest approbation of the King of Naples and
of the Courts of London and Russia.
§ See Mr. Paget's letter of April 18, 1801, and note.

VIENNA, 1805 i59
les 4 ou 5 mille hommes necessaires k I'occupation de
ce Poste. L'Arrivee des Russes m'a oblige au contraire k
en augmenter le nombre. Que Votre Majeste me per-
mette de le lui dire — Elle est mal conseiliee ; Elle suit un
systeme passionne et contraire aux interets de Sa Maison.
Paris, Madrid, Vienne, voilk les vrais appuis de Votre
Majeste. Votre Majeste est interessee k la Paix plus
qu'aucun autre Prince. Qu'elle repousse ces conseils
perfides dont I'entoure I'Angleterre. Elle a conserve Son
Royaume sans aucune Perte, au milieu du bouleversement
de I'ordre social. Qu'elle ne risque point de le perdre
lorsque I'ordre social s'est rassis. Un moment de plus
peutetre, et le monde pacifie et tranquil reprendra sa poli
tique et son allure de tous les tems. J'ai pourvu k la
solde des Troupes Frangoises, tandis que par le Traite de
Florence Votre Majeste s'y etait engagee. J'ai voulu en
cela lui donner une preuve de mon desir de repondre,
autant qu'il est conciliable avec la politique generale, aux
sentimens qu'EUe veut bien me temoigner. Sur ce je
prie Dieu qu'il vous ait, Monsieur mon Frfere, en Sa Sainte
et Digne Garde.* (Signe) Napoleon.
Paris, ce Nivose-an XIIL, Janvier 1805.
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave. t
[No. 10.] Vienna, February 16th, 1805.
My Lord, — There has unquestionably of late been a
considerable degree of Misunderstanding between this
Court and the French Government.
Your Lordship will have seen by my former Dispatches
that Bonaparte had spoken to the Austrian Ambassador
in the most unbecoming and disrespectful terms respect
ing the Augmentation which has of late been made to the
Imperial Forces in Italy. J M. de la Rochefoucauld § has
* By the Treaty of Presburg (December 1805) "the King of Naples ceased
to reign." Napoleon charged him with having broken his promises of
neutrality, made in September 1805, by admitting Eussian and English
troops. t Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
X Austria armed secretly in the winter of 1804 as a consequence of her secret
Treaty with Russia, November 6, 1 804. She also entered into alliance with
Russia in December to resist further encroachments of Napoleon in Italy.
§ French Minister in Vienna.

i6o THE PAGET PAPERS
made the same remonstrances, tho' in a milder language,
to the Emperor's Ministers.
At Paris the most menacing and insulting language
has, I have reason to believe, been made use of to Count
Philip Cobentzl, such as " that if the Armaments of
Austria were not immediately discpntinued, and the addi
tional Troops which had been sent into Italy withdrawn,
the French Armies would be ordered to the Frontiers, and
that Bonaparte was never last in taking the Field."
To this the Imperial Ministers both here and at Paris have
declared " that the sole object of reinforcing the Austrian
Army on the Italian Frontier was a measure of Precaution
against the Introduction of the contagious Fever which
had manifested itself in different parts of Italy, a measure
which had been equally adopted by other States ; that the
small number of Troops which had been sent could never
warrant the suspicion of their being destined for any
• hostile purpose ; but that if after this Explanation the
French Government thought proper to put its threats into
execution, the Emperor, however reluctantly, would feel
Himself compelled to adopt similar measures for the de
fence of His Dominions."
Such was I apprehend the state of things, until the
arrival of a French Courier at Vienna three days ago.
He was . the Bearer of a letter written by Bonaparte to
the Emperor, which letter is couched in terms of infinite
moderation, particularly as bearing a comparison with the
language used by the same Man a short time prior to the
transmission of it.*
It is, I am informed, expressive of the Writer's Uneasi
ness at the preparations which had been made by Austria,
which had necessitated the remonstrances he had been
obliged to make, and of his sincere desire to continue in
the Relations of Friendship which subsist between the two
Countries. M. de la Rochefoucauld in making a communication of
the same tendency to His Imperial Majesty's Ministers
has gone rather farther by acquainting them that Bona
parte, trusting to the assurances which he had received
* In February Novossiltzow completed his mission and returned to Russia.
A Treaty of Alliance between England and Russia had been sent by Pitt to
St. Petersburg, to be concluded by Czartoryski and Novossiltzow on one side,
and the English Ambassador on the other.

VIENNA, 1805 i6i
upon the Subject, had revoked the Orders which had been
given for reinforcing the French Army in Italy.
In reply to which, he has been informed that the Em
peror would on his side agree not to follow up the measures
which a perseverance on the part of the French Govern
ment in its original pretensions would have rendered
indispensable. The above is pretty accurately the state of this question,
such as it has been represented to me by the Vice-Chancellor,
and as it has been reported to me from other Quarters.
In adding therefore a good deal to the Arrogance of
France, and in deducting somewhat from the firmness
said to have been displayed on this Occasion by Austria,
the above statement of this business may, I should con
ceive, be a tolerably correct one. . . .
The Negociations, if any exist between the two Iraperial
Courts, are I am pretty confident carried on almost exclu
sively at Petersburgh.
With regard to that which relates to a future co-opera
tion between the Courts of London, Vienna, and Peters
burgh, this Government continues silent. The last time
I brought the Subject forward I learnt from the Vice-
Chancellor that the Negociations had been removed from
Petersburgh to London, and that Count Woronzow had
been charged with it ; generally speaking however he not
only professed, but appeared to be as ignorant as possible
of the State of it. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Captain the Hon. Charles Paget to
Sir A. Paget. " Endymion," off Portland,
Friday Night, Feb/ 22nd.*
My dearest Arthur, — I wrote to you about six weeks
ago before I had taken any Spaniards. As a real k
attached & affectionate Brother which you have ever
proved yourself to me, you will be glad to hear that I
have captured seven Spanish Ships.t Three of them I
-*- Year not stated. Probably 1805.— A. P.
t In consequence of Spain granting a subsidy to France and fitting out a
fleet, Moore seized some-Spanish treasure-ships on October 5. Spain declared
war December 12.
VOL. II. L

1 62 THE PAGET PAPERS
sent away for England immediately after taking them —
the four others I have now under my convoy. I am now
lying to with them off Portland lights meaning to run for
Spithead at daylight. The last I took was one of the
famous Lima Register Ships which besides merchandize
had on board Specie, Plate, & Jewels to the amount of
about a million k a half Dollars, all of which for safety
I removed on board the Endymion ; in short, my dear
fellow, my whack of Prize Money at a moderate calculation
will be about fifty thousand Pounds, which for a younger
brother is not a bad fortune to have made. Ha'ving been
out twenty three weeks I am little able to give you an
account of anything but myself. You may conclude, (as
I am irrevocably of the same mind as well as herself), I
am anxious to get to London to see Elizabeth * which with
or without leave I purpose doing about eight hours after
the anchor is gone at Spithead.
Before I go to sea again you shall hear from me. . . .
God Bless you, my very dearest good Arthur, k always
believe with the sincerest Love & attachment, — Your most
devoted k affectionate Brother, Charles Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 13.] Vienna, 23'"'' February, 1805.
My Lord, — It is not to be expected that any public
disavowal will be made by this Government, of the
Assertion which has appeared in the last French Official
Papers, by which Austria is termed the Ally of France,
but I perceive at the same time that this Compliment
would have been very readily dispensed with here.
This expression, and indeed the Language which has
been of late held by the French Government with regard
to this Country, are considered here as one of the means
which Bonaparte has adopted, in order to diffuse mis
trust and jealousy towards each other amongst the Great
Powers, t
I have indeed been particularly requested by the Vice
-* His -wife, third daughter of Heni-y Monk, Esq. — A. P.
t To the King of Pi-ussia Napoleon signed himself, " Good brother, friend,
and ally." The King confined himself to the usual form, " Good brother and
friend."

VIENNA, 1805 163
Chancellor, to represent to your Lordship such to be
the opinion upon this subject of His Iraperial Majesty's
Ministers, and further to say, that the Word Ally, as
applied by France to Austria, is wholly destitute of
Truth. . . . —I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.

From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 18.] Vienna, i^th March, 1805.
My Lord, — I have announced to your Lordship that
great changes raay very soon be expected to take place
in the War department of this Country.
The whole of the projected Arrangements are evidently
levelled against the Arch Dukes Charles and Joseph, the
latter of whom may be considered as already put aside.
It is in contemplation to establish something like the
old Council of War (which, as your Lordship may well
know, required all the efforts and infiuence ofthe Arch-Duke
to abolish) under the presidency of five General Officers.
The persons spoken of, though not finally deterrained
on, are The Prince Leopold of Auersberg, one of the
worthiest but most ignorant and stupid of men, General
Kolowrat who now commands in Bohemia, and of whom
I know of no one quality to recommend him, the
Generals Latour and Alvinzi, who are reraarkable for
having always been beaten by the Enemy, and the
Prince Charles Schwartzenberg who, from his fitness for
the Situation, will, I have sorae reasons for apprehend
ing, not receive the appointment.
What will appear incredible, because it is so preposterous,
is, that it is clearly in contemplation to reduce the Army.
Count Cobentzl is a chief Actor in the whole of this
conspiracy, for I can call it by no other name. . . .
— I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
Vienna, igth March, 1805..
My Lord, — ... It has for some time past been in the
contemplation of the Emperor's first and favourite Minister
to effect a complete change of system in the War Depart-

1 64 THE PAGET PAPERS
ment of this Country, a project in which he has been
zealously and ably supported by others of an inferior
order, who from a variety of motives had become the
avowed Enemies of that branch of the Government such
as it exists at present.
The principal objects which the Promoters of this
Revolution have had in view are — ist. To destroy the
Edifice which, the Archduke Charles, assisted by Monsieur
de Fasbender, had been constructing for these last four
years : to revive the ancient System with all its dis
orders and abuses, by re-establishing the celebrated Aulic
Council of War (Hofkriegs Rath), the Abolition of which
may he considered as one of the Principal Merits of the
above-named Persons.
2ndly. To overthrow the Influence and Authority of
the Archduke Charles.
3rdly. To remove all or any of the Archdukes who
might have shewn a disposition to take a share in the
direction of Affairs, and more particularly the Archduke
John who, as Chief of the Engineer Corps and having
(ad interim) the joint management of the Military De
partment with the Archduke Charles, had gained a pretty
secure footing, and who by his distinguished and estim
able Qualities had begun to create some uneasiness in
the Minds of the People about the Emperor, and a degree
of Jealousy in the Emperor Himself.
The Pretence which has all along been made use of,
and upon which the Necessity of completing the pro
jected Arrangements is founded, is the weak and un
certain State of Health of the Archduke Charles, which
at times obliged His Royal Highness to absent Himself
altogether from affairs, and generally speaking rendered
him unfit to move under the load of business to be trans
acted in His Department.
These and similar Insinuations gave rise to the Idea of
appointing a President of the War Department, who was
to have an equal share in the Administration of it with
the Archduke, and who in case of either Absence or Ill
ness should replace Him.
This Project, which was in the first Instance directed
against the Archduke John, and had been freqtiently
brought forward and discussed, began towards the begin-

VIENNA, 1805 165
ning of February to bear such an Appearance of proba
bility as left little doubt as to the execution of it.
Accordingly the Archduke Charles and Mr. Fasbender,
finding that it would be impossible for them altogether
to ward off the blow, conceived the idea of giving it a
different direction, and to this effect His Royal Highness
obtained the Emperor's permission to present to His
Imperial Majesty a plan for the new Organisation of the
Military Department.
This Plan, which was most admirably and skilfully
drawn up by M. de Fasbender, determined the functions
of the New President, and with infinite address com
bined the power with which he was to be invested with
the Authority (of course superior) of the Archduke; it
finished by the Proposal of appointing the Archduke
John to this new Situation.
It was presented to the Emperor about the middle of
February. This measure however completely failed of success. The
Emperor informed the Archduke Charles that the Plan
which he had presented to Him, was in no way conform
able with His Intentions, that He could therefore raake no
use of it, and that he ivould Himself see what was to be
done in the business.
This answer was accompanied by several comments which
were made in the Cabinet, and which threw a sufficient
degree of light upon the real Intentions of the Emperor.
The Count Colleredo and his creatures declared aloud,
that the Power of the Archduke was already too great,
and that it had been necessary to lirait it ; that as to the
other Archdukes, their services were not required ; that
M. de Fasbender was a turbulent Man, a Projector, an
Innovator, &c. &c.
From this moment the Archdukes Charles and John
considered themselves as completely disgraced and over
thrown, for the Emperor, having declared so explicitly that
He should himself new model that part of the Adminis
tration, it was evident that those who had hitherto been
at the head of it were destined to remain quiet Spectators
of their own Defeat.
Such I take to be nearly the exact state of the affair
at the moment I am writing.

1 66 THE PAGET PAPERS
There exist however certain data which lead me to
anticipate the changes which are likely to take place,
which changes may now be looked for from one day to
another. It is more than probable that the Military Department
will undergo a complete Revolution, and in order not to
spare the feelings of the Archduke Charles, not only his
whole work will be completely pulled down, but the scat
tered Materials of the old Buildings wUl be collected and
piled up in the same uncouth shape, and the Mansion
tenanted by the same order of Beings.
Instead however of one president as heretofore, there
will be seven, of whom one will receive the Title of First
President, and what may be considered as most remark
able is that, with the exception of one Individual, these
Presidencies will be bestowed upon a set of Men the
weakest, the most inapt, and the least distinguished and
respected that could have been pitched upon among the
list of Generals.
The first of these situations it appears is destined for an
old Man of the name of Kosboth, General of Cavalry, a
perfect invalid, and either generally unknown or forgotten.
His associates will be the Generals Kolowrat, Alvinzi,
and Latour as mentioned in my dispatch No. i8, with the
addition as I am assured of General Beaulieu, whom His
Imperial Majesty has in the first instance to thank for
having very much contributed towards the loss of the
Low Countries and of Italy.
To this illustrious Society it is in contemplation to join
the Prince Charles Schwartsenberg, whose Military Talents,
whose Zeal, and whose Uprightness would have rendered
him ineligible, had not a degree of weakness of character
and a natural propensity to yield to rather than resist the
pressure of the times, qualified him for the situation.
Of the character and talents of General Mack it is not
necessary that I should remind your Lordship, but it is
with pain I have to relate that that officer is deeply con
cerned in this plot against the Archduke, but it is not
expected that he will reap much benefit from this New
Order of things : On the contrary, the work once com
pleted, it is more than probable that he will be again
disgraced and dismissed.

VIENNA, 1805 167
Why the Archduke Charles did not as he certainly at
one time might have done, secure General Mack to his
Party, is one of those Phenomena, which it requires local
knowledge to form any conception of
It is not hitherto known what part His Royal Highness
will take in this New Piece of Work. It is not impro
bable that in order to carry the Persecution as far as
possible, and with a view of getting rid of him once for
all, he will be bereft of the Title of Minister of War. At
all Events His Power and Influence are irrevocably gone.
• • ¦ ¦ • • 4
The mere retreat of that Prince, as well as of every
Individual attached to Him, with the single exception
of M, de Fasbender, for whom I entertain the highest
opinion, would have been to me a Matter of real exulta
tion, could I have placed the slightest confidence in the
choice of the Persons appointed to succeed him, for I
know of no Event more sincerely to be wished in a poli
tical point of view, than the exclusion of the Archduke
from any share in the Councils of this country.
Your Lordship well knows that I consider Count
Cobentzl as the maximum of political Evil, but after him
I have no hesitation in saying that there is not in this
country a more decided enemy to every measure by which
the Court of Vienna might find itself eventually forced to
take up Arms than the Archduke Charles.
But with respect to His Royal Highness's Administra
tion of the Military Department, it is but comraon justice
to say that it has been brought to a degree of Perfection
hitherto unknown in this country.
It is not therefore the loss of the Archduke (supposing
such an Event to take place, of which let the business
terminate in whatever way it may I very much doubt)
that is to be regretted, but the Acquisition of greater
Imbecility and Supineness, accompanied with more posi
tive evil, that we have to apprehend.
Most happy shall I be if the View I have taken of this
Subject shall in the sequel be found to be an erroneous
one, but persuaded as I am that the system of this
Country is more than ever decidedly fixed, and that that
System is the Maintenance of Peace upon any Terms and
by any Sacrifices, I cannot bring myself to consider the

1 68 THE PAGET PAPERS
Changes in question, whether they be general or partial,
otherwise than as a measure ultimately tending to the
consolidation of that System. — I am, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 20.] Vienna, 2o*/i March, 1805.
My Lord, — The Emperor's Journey is considered as
uncertain — if the Journey is put off, it is certainly in
order to avoid it.
These Ministers deny that any proposition has been
made, to them upon the subject. It is suspected that
Bonaparte is waiting to be informed of the Emperor's
Motions in order to regulate his own, as he is determined
that His Imperial Majesty shall not escape him.
I have seen a Person arrived within two Days from
Milan, who represents the preparations making there for
the reception of Mr. Bonaparte and Mr. Joseph Bona
parte and the rest of that illustrious Family to be magni
ficent beyond all example. The people at Milan have a
confused idea that there will be a Coronation, but nobody
knows who is to be crowned.* The Doge and the other
leading Members of that Republic had been ordered from
Genoa to be present atthe Ceremony. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Lord Paget to Sir A. Paget.
Ipswich, March 24th, 1805.
My dear Arthuk, — I take the earliest opportunity of ¦
acknowledging your letter of this 27th of Feb'^ which
I received yesterday. In answer to Count Meerfeldt's
enquiries respecting Portugal, I believe I may mention
to you without further enquiry that there is no prospect
of service in that country. We certainly do not send any
troops there k the Portuguese are by no means capable or
indeed inclined to attempt to defend themselves against
France & Spain, t A much more probable event is, their
'* Napoleon accepted the crown of Lombardy, March 31. He placed on his
head the iron crown of Charlemagne at Milan on May 26.
+ They had made a Treaty witli France, December 1803.

VIENNA, 1805 169
shutting their ports against us. Had any military opera
tions been going on in that country, a person of Count
Meerfeldt's calibre would have been most necessary to
that State, as their troops are said to be most wretchedly
officered. As Report sent a large body of British troops
there some months back, the Cavalry of which I was said
to be destined to command, I enquired respecting the
accounts that might have been written of that Country &
I found that the only one at all military & in the least to
be depended on is that written by Dumourier. I send it
to you for the Count's perusal. When I see the Duke of
York I will sound him upon the subject of your letter
with discretion k let you know the result. Sir James
Craig is about to sail with some thousand Infantry, I
believe for Malta, with a view probably to watch Egypt.
The Line is about to recruit from the Militia, & as it is
said that the Cavalry is to be allowed to enlist Men from
them I conclude some Continental Service is hoped for.
They are all augmenting to 1000 Men. Mine will be a
wonderful Regiment next year. We are scarcely old
enough now. Believe me that wherever the British ap
pear, they will carry all before them. The .Army never
was in so thriving a state. . . . — Ever Affec^ Yours, Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 27.] Vienna, 10th April, 1805.
j\1y Lord, — Lest your Lordship should not have heard
it through any other Channel, I have to mention that I
know, from certain Authority, that Bonaparte has pro
posed to the King and Queen of Naples to be present at
his Coronation at Milan.
The determination of His Sicilian Majesty was not
known when the person who brought this Account left
Naples. — I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget. -
From Lord G. L. Gower to Sir A. Paget,
St. Pktersburgh, April 21st, 1805.
Dear Arthur, — I have the Pleasure of informing you
that on Thursday nth Ins' I signed a Treaty of Alliance

I70 THE PAGET PAPERS
between the Courts of London k S* Petersburgh*^ — the
object of this alliance is the Reduction of the Power &
Infiuence of the French Government. England engages
to pay ;^ 1, 250,000 per annum for every 100,000 men
employed by the Continental Powers in the accomplish
ment of this Object, provided that not less than 400,000
Men are brought into the Field against France ; of this
number Russia binds herself to furnish 115,000; the
Remainder it is proposed should be obtained by inducing
the Courts of Vienna & Berlin to accede to this Treaty.
Count Stadion holds out expectations that he may receive
Instructions & Full Powers to sign the accession of his
Court. This is the outline of the Treaty, of which I will not
trouble you with all the Details, but it is I think right that
you should know that it is agreed that a Plenipotentiary
should be sent by the Emperor of Russia to Paris autho
rized to state the conditions on which alone Continental
war can be avoided & general Peace reestablished ; the
demand of a Passport for Mr. Novossilzoff whom the
Emperor has chosen for this Mission was sent to Berlin
about ten days ago.t . . .
As the Russian Ministry are desirous that the conclusion
of the Treaty should not as yet become public, I must
enjoin Secrecy upon the contents of this Letter.
Copie d'une Lettre Autographe du Roi de Sujeide au
Roi de Prusse, en date du 22 Avril 1805.
Monsieur Mon Frere et Cousin ! — C'est avec regret
que je me vois force de deposer entre les mains de votre
Majeste Son ordre de I'Aigle Noir, qui m'a ete confere
par feu le Roi Votre P^re comme un gage precieux de ses
sentimens pour moi. Connoissant trop bien le prix et
la valeur de ces marques solemnelles qui tiennent leur
origine des tems les plus anciens, et qui sont fondees
sur les principes et les devoirs sacres de la Religion et
de la Chevalerie, ce n'est que malgre moi que je cfede
aux tristes circonstances des tems oil nous vivons, pour
* The work of Czartoryski and Novossiltzow. The Emperor, however,
refused to ratify the Treaty till changes had been made with regard to Malta
and the maritime code, and negotiations on these points began.
t By common agreement of Russia and England.

VIENNA, 1805 171
faire une demarche, qui seroit contraire k ma maniire
de penser et d'agir, si des eveneraens trop recens ne
m'imposoient ce sacrifice comme un triste devoir k rem
plir. * Une explication ulterieure me seroit penible ; mais
je me crois oblige de declarer comme Chevalier, que je
ne puis reconnoitre ce titre respectable dans la personne
de Napoleon Bonaparte et de Ses Semblables.
Je prie Votre Majeste d'etre persuadee de la sincerite
de mes sentimens pour Sa personne, etant. Monsieur Mon
Frfere et Cousin, &c., &c., &c.,
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave,
[No. 32.] Vienna, 24^/1 April, 1805.
My Lord, — A circumstance which was kept a pro
found Secret, and which reached rae only in a vague
manner at the time, is, that Bonaparte had actually given
an Order to attack the Austrians on I believe the 8th of
February, under a supposition that the number of Troops
sent from hence into Italy was more considerable than he
supposed it to be.
I have reason to believe that this intelligence was
transmitted to this Court by the Arch Duke Charles,
and that neither Count Philip Cobentzl nor the French
Mission were informed of it. The subject of my last
dispatch, the dismission of General Duca, t I really con
sider as one of the most desirable events that could
have occurred, and it is not, as I. understand, intended
to appoint a Successor to the situation he held. It is
probable that General Mack will be appointed Aide de
Camp General next to The Emperor, or to some Con
fidential situation near the Sovereign ; in which case he
will have a principal share in, if not the entire direction
of the Military Department — his intentions were gOod.
It has reached rae from the best authority that his plan,
-*- On April 3 an exchange of decorations was arranged between the King
of Prussia and Napoleon. Seven Golden Eagles of the new Legion d' Honneur
were sent to the King and members of his Court, and seven Black Eagles
to Napoleon's Court. The ceremony of investment at the Prussian Court
took place on the 7th. On the 9th the King wrote to Napoleon a compli
mentary letter hoping that the making of the Italian kingdom into a republic
might lead to the peace of Europe.
-f A well-known officer in the literature of the time, a little behind the
tront rank of men.

172 THE PAGET PAPERS
if he should be allowed the full execution of it, is to
make a gradual but total change in the distribution of
the Troops, and by this operation; to place an Hundred
Thousand Men between Vienna and the Frontiers of
Italy. — I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 33.] Vienna, 27th April, 1805.
My Lord, — Within these very few Days there is evi
dently a very considerable change in the Vice-Chancellor's
Language. I was particularly struck with it in a Conver
sation with him yesterday.
He repeated to me that The Emperor in his Answer to
Bonaparte had not acknowledged his Title as King of
Italy. That He, on the contrary, rather treated that
Subject as one in which the other European Powers had
so deep an interest that He could not alone take upon
Himself to decide upon it.
He said more than once that 1 might be assured that
Bonaparte was as dissatisfied as possible with the Court
of Vienna : that the State of Affairs became every day
more critical &c. ; and on leaving him he said with much
earnestness and Emotion, "the time is probably not far
distant when we shall have much more to say to each
other." I had once before occasion to remark a similar Change
in the Vice-Chancellor's language, and I should probably
not have noticed it on the present Occasion had it not
been conformable to the language of others whose opinion
I have no right absolutely to disregard.
Amongst these I know from General Meerveldt, who
is very much in Count Cobentzl's confidence, that this
Minister has within a very short time expressed himself
upon Publick Affairs in terms totally different from any
he had been accustomed to hear from him on any former
occasion. It is my duty to mention these Circumstances, but until
I see a little further into them 1 cannot wish that too
much attention should be paid to them. — I have, ke.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.

VIENNA, 1805 173
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 35.] Vienna, ist May, 1805.
My Lord, — Since I had last the honour of writing to
your Lordship an account has been received by this
Government that a very formidable French Army is col
lecting in Italy. It is said two Camps are forming, one
at Marengo which will consist of Forty thousand Men,*
k another of two Thousand at Castiglione. Orders have
been issued from hence for four Regiments (forty Squad
rons) of Cavalry to march into Stiria.
I had yesterday a long conversation with Monsieur
Fasbinder, who confirmed to me the plan attributed to
General Mack, as stated in my Dispatch No. 32.
He also remarked to me the change which he has lately
discovered in the language, and as he pretends, the senti
ments of these Ministers. His opinion is that a rupture
is inevitable — he thinks that the ascendancy of the present
Council of War cannot long hold — indeed without his
assistance, they would not I am persuaded go on three
weeks. He owned to me that his plan was to bring back
the Archduke Charles, but to place a totally different set
of people about him. With this condition, most strictly
fulfilled, I should not be sorry to see His Royal Highness
reinstated. The Archduke Charles is fully persuaded that
the Russian Ambassador and myself (but myself princi
pally) were instrumental to his removal. I thought it
proper therefore to desire Monsieur Fasbinder to set His
Royal Highness right on this point.
I know that this Government is in expectation that
Bonaparte will demand the cession of the Venetian State.
A refusal to accede to this demand, and a refusal to
acknowledge his new title, are, if persisted in, two points
which will lead to hostilities.
The Russian Ambassador has hitherto received no in
structions relative to Bonaparte's last usurpation. — I
have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
-* For the mimic battle of Marengo before the Emperor on May 5.

174 THE PAGET PAPERS
From the Countess of Uxbridge to Sir A. Paget.
London, May ^d, 1805.
My Dearest Arthur, — ... I have had nothing but
anxiety and disappointm* on my mind and the dread of a
breach between your Father and Paget on the Subject of
politicks. The former could not desert the King at such
a moment and the latter had pledged himself to Vote with
M'' Pitt, but his duty & affection to his Father got the
better and he did not come up, but he resigns his Seat in
Parliament : the Conduct of both does them the greatest
Credit, k the Correspondence on the Occasion is strictly
honorable. Could your Father feeling as he does towards
the King do otherivisef The only thing to lament is
Paget's having made the engagement without the know
ledge of his Father. . . , M' P  knows perfectly your
Father's Sentiments towards him, and that it was out of
Consideration alone to the King, that he persuaded Paget
not to Vote against him : in justice to P  I must make
use of his own words, that nobody could feel more sincerely
attached to H. M, than he did, but that he Did not con
sider Opposition to the Minister Opposition to the King,
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave,
[No. 38.] Vienna, nth May, 1805.
My Lord,— I received a letter yesterday from Lord
Granville Leveson by which I am informed of the Treaty
signed by His Lordship on the loth ult".
There can be no doubt of the Courier who arrived
here seven or eight days ago from Count Stadion having
brought the Intelligence of it to this Government, My
reason for noticing this Circumstance is, that when I last
saw the Russian Ambassador two Days ago, he told me in
so many words that he had never had a worse opinion of
the Disposition and Intentions of this Court than at the
present moment, and he evidently grounded this Opinion
upon what had passed between the Vice Chancellor and
himself since the arrival of the above mentioned Courier,*
'* On April 15 the Czar had declared that unless Malta were ceded the
Treaty must fall to the ground. This concession Lord Leveson-Gower refused
point-blank.

VIENNA, 1805 i75
Count Rasomouffsky is not insensible to the alteration
which has lately been observed in the language of these
Ministers, but he certainly does not appear to be more
or so much disposed as myself to deduce any real good
from it.
After General Mack had received his Appointment, and
before he set out for Bohemia where he has been for a few
days, he presented to the Emperor a Plan by which in
case of Emergency, an Army might be assembled in Italy
with the least possible delay. The Emperor delivered this
plan (which I am told was an admirable one) to the Arch
duke Charles desiring to have his Opinion upon it. His
Royal Highness lost no tirae in subraitting it to his Friend
General Duca, who iraraediately drew up a Meraorial to
prove that in no possible event whatever could this Country
oppose an open Resistance to France. I will say no more
of this performance at present, than that the Archduke
did actually adopt it in toto, and presented it as his
Opinion to the Emperor.
On the other hand, Count Cobentzl speaks in a vague
and mysterious way of augmenting the Austrian Army in
Italy to Sixty Thousand Men. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget,
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 39.] Vienna, nth May, 1805.
My Lord,— . . . Since my Dispatch of the 8th Ins* I
have been informed by the Russian Ambassador that he
has been instructed to invite this Court to accede to the
Treaty signed on the loth April at Petersburgh.
[He goes on to say that he had mentioned the subject to
the Vice Chancellor, and continues :]
Count Cobentzl did not evince the sraallest disposition
to enter into any detail of the question ; he confined
himself entirely to general assurances of the Emperor's
invariable Friendship and Attachment to His Majesty,
and to the cause in which He is engaged.
He then however proceeded to inform me, desiring that
the Communication might be considered as a mark of his
Confidence, that orders had been given for encreasing the
Austrian Army in Italy to Sixty Thousand Men.

176 THE PAGET PAPERS
Upon a question of this important Nature, I am as
averse as possible to the Idea of giving your Lordship
any false impressions relative to this Court. I am as
unwilling to depreciate such part of its Conduct as is
entitled to Attention, as I am averse to holding out a
prospect of Success, from Circumstances which at first
view are calculated to raise much expectation.
The assembling for instance these Sixty Thousand Men
might certainly (considered exclusively) pass for a wise
and vigorous Measure. But it is impossible for me to
pass that sentence upon it, — that is to say I cannot admit,
in consideration of this single measure, that the Systeni
of this Court which has hitherto been impolitic and weak
is at once become firm and judicious, particularly when
I reflect that at the very conference in which I am in
formed that this Army is collecting, I find the question of
a close alliance with two Powers whose cooperation and
whose Cooperation alone can ultimately avert the total
Ruin of this Monarchy, treated if not with Indifference,
at least with less Interest than the extreme Magnitude of
the affair is entitled to.
On the other hand, I must allow that there are other
circumstances from which favorable deductions may be
drawn. The refusal to acknowledge Bonaparte as King of Italy
— the order sent to Count Cobentzl to absent himself for
a certain time from Paris, which the French Ambassador
here has received order to enquire the reason, and com
plain of — the Order sent to the Imperial Agent at Milan
(M. Moll) to quit that Residence during Bonaparte's stay
'there — the sort of dry language which has of late been
held to M. de la Rochefoucauld, are incidents which tend,
at least to prove that there exists a considerable degree of
coolness between the Austrian and French Governments.
In a late conversation I had with the Vice Chancellor,
in speaking of the changes which had taken place in the
Military Department, Many People, he said (and I expect
that the Allusion was meant for myself) had been very
profuse in censuring the Emperor's Ministers, without
taking into consideration the difficulties of all Sorts they
had had to encounter, observing that the State of the
Military Department under the Administration of the

VIENNA, 1805 i77
Archduke Charles (to whom he paid many Compliraents
as a Military Character) had not been the least of thera.
The inference he seemed to draw was that the changes in
question would afford to this Government means which
they had not hitherto possessed, and that it was their
Intention to turn them to advantage.
I have said upon a former Occasion, that a perseverance
on the part of the Court of Vienna in its refusal to
acknowledge Bonaparte King of Italy, and a determina
tion not to accede to any deraand which raay be raade
for a cession of the Venetian States, may involve this
Country in a War.
The second of these objects may at present be con
sidered as speculative matter, no positive indication
having hitherto appeared of Bonaparte's Intention either
to demand or enforce the accomplishraent of it.
Nearly the sarae Observation is applicable to the former,
as in fact the Acknowledgement has only been asked for
by Implication.
The Armaments and other Demonstrations of this Court
to which I have alluded are, as it strikes me, directed
exclusively with a .view to both of these possible Events
— a line of conduct in which what has lately been trans
acted at Petersburgh will unquestionably induce these
Ministers to adhere to. If therefore Bonaparte should /or
the present feel it to be his Interest to desist from these
Pretensions, I very much fear that this temporary Appear
ance of Moderation will be construed into a complete and
perhaps sufficient Triumph, which will give no facility to
the formation of a solid System of Alliance by which the
general Interest and welfare of Europe may be restored
and protected.
Notwithstanding the assurances made by the King
of Prussia both to the Courts of Petersburgh and
Vienna that He would not be the first to acknowledge
the newly usurped Sovereignty of Bonaparte, it appears
by Accounts received by this Government that not
less than three Prussian Ministers, Messrs. Lucchesini,*
'* Prussian Ambassador to France in 1800. He followed Napoleon to Italy
-with the Prussian Orders, which Napoleon wore at his entry into Milan. In
1806 Napoleon insisted on his recall, Lucchesini having discovered his inten
tions against Westphalia and Prussia.
VOL. II. M

178 THE PAGET PAPERS
Humboldt ''" (from Rome) and Lombard t are at this
moment at Milan. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From the Marquis of Wellesley to His Excellency the
Right Hon. Sir Arthur Paget, K.B.
[Private.] Foet William, May 21st, 1805.
My Dear Sir, — I return you my sincere thanks for
your obliging and interesting letter of the 28th September
1804, received on the 25th of February 1805, as well as
for the honorable terms in which you have signified to me
your approbation of the transactions related in the printed
notes, which I had the honor to forward for your informa
tion. By the overland Dispatch ofthe 22nd of February
1805, I had the honor to forward to you a continuation
of Official Documents connected with the printed notes
which I hear have reached you in safety. . . .
I have obtained permission from England to lay down
this arduous charge, and the State of Affairs being such
as to admit of my departure without danger to the public
interests, it is my intention to embark for England, as
soon as the season will permit me to sail from Bengal. I
expect to be able to embark from Calcutta towards the
close of the month of August, but the exact period of my
departure must depend upon the state of the season, as
well as the condition of public affairs in this Country. I
entertain no doubt however, of being able to take my
departure about the period of time which I have stated in
this letter ; and the state of my health renders me particu
larly anxious to quit this unfavorable climate, in which
I have passed so many years under circumstances of great
difficulty and solicitude.
I am extremely obliged to you for the interesting details
which you have communicated to me respecting the state
of affairs on the Continent of Europe, and for the oblig
ing intention which you have expressed of continuing to
favor me with your correspondence. , . , I shall take the
liberty of addressing you on every occasion when I may
'*' WiUiam von Humboldt, for three years Prussian Minister at Rome.
t Cabinet secretary to the King of Prussia. He was a Frenchman, entirely
devoted to the French interest, and had great influence over the King. At
this time he was staying, for his health, at Leghorn.

VIENNA, 1805 i79
be enabled to communicate any circumstance which may
appear to me to be deserving your notice.
With the most cordial sentiments of respect and esteem
I have, &c. (Signed) Wellesley.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 40.] Vienna, i^th May 1805.
My Lord, — I omitted informing your Lordship in
my last Dispatch that all Soldiers on furlough had been
ordered to join their Corps, that is, the order has been
signed by the Emperor and is about to be issued.
There was a sort of Military Council held the day before
yesterday at the Archduke Charles's, (who I must observe
declared himself upon this occasion more strongly than
ever against War) who was for throwing twelve thousand
Men into Venice, and for ordering General Bellegarde to
retreat with the rest of the Army. On the other hand
General Mack is for leaving only six thousand in Venice,
and for concentring the rest (which may amount to be
tween twenty-five or thirty thousand) with a view to
resist the first attack.
This proposal met with the most violent opposition
from the Archduke and his friends, who immediately in
sisted (this fact is almost incredible) upon the plan being
submitted to the consideration and decision of two Colonels
in the Army, too obscure for me to name here.
I have not yet heard their reply, but it is to be hoped
that General Mack at a moment like the present, will
not allow himself to be thus dictated to.
If his plans are carried into execution, General Bellegarde
will in the course of three or four weeks have between fifty
and sixty thousand men under his command, but it will I
fear require at the lowest calculation at least two months
to place that Army upon a footing to make an effectual
resistance if they are attacked in force — in such a case it
is probable that the Archduke would take the command.
They have now placed about His Royal Highness a
General Grun, whose pacific disposition and admiration
of Bonaparte have probably procured him that distinction.
I am happy to say General Duca has at length quitted.
— I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget,

i8o THE PAGET PAPERS
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 43.] Vienna, 25ft May 1805.
My Lord, — The Declarations lately made in the French
Papers of Bonaparte's having assumed the Title of King
of Italy with the Consent of the great Powers, amongst
which the Court of Vienna is named, have not escaped
the attention of this Government, and Count Cobentzl
has given me reason to suppose that a Contradiction will
be given to the Assertion.
It is not probable that the Military Preparations which
have been lately carrying on in this Country can have
passed unnoticed by the French Government. I have
however to observe that hitherto The French Ambassador,
if he has not been quite silent upon the Subject, has at
least not made any Official remonstrance, an Event which
these Ministers appear to be daily expecting.
This Government having no Agent in that Country is
very indirectly and vaguely informed of what is going on
there, but from the Information they have received it
would seem that instead of rejoicings and thanksgivings,
the presence of Bonaparte at Milan has inspired a general
Gloom and Despondency. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From the Countess of Uxbridge to Sir Arthur Paget.
London, May.yith, 1805.
My Dearest Arthur, — We are all most grateful for
your writing to so many of us, hurried as you must have
been when you sent off Morand. I know what this is just
now, for the King has announced his intention of going to
Beaudesert as soon as possible after the birth day. If
that dear old place had had fair play it would have been
the joy of my life to have received him there ; as it is, my
sensations are very different, and I believe your Father is
raore than ever annoyed that he has done so much in Wales.
It makes us all very jealous. It is impossible for them to
sleep there. All we can do will be to give them a break
fast or a dinner. This subject ought not to have made me
postpone my acknowledgements for the most perfect chain
I ever possessed, but ray dearest Arthur I must again and

VIENNA, 1805 i8i
again repeat and entreat that you will not be so kind to
me, believe me it hurts my feelings ; if I could in any way
make you a return I could bear it better, but alas ! I have
nothing but unbounded affection for you. ... I believe the
person whose silence you complain of is right now, what
ever he might have been, for you will see in the Papers
that he has resigned his seat in Parliament, as he was
brought in by Lord S  d who is hostile to Mr. Pitt : I
feel uncomfortable at the arrangement about yours, as it
looks as if we were never to see you here, tho' of course
if you can come you can resurae your situation either in
Wales or sorae where else. Your Vote would have been
of use several times this session. . . .
I haA^e charged the Dean of Windsor to send you all the
News, & he has more than anybody, he can announce
several Marriages but none that will interest you. My
memory is very bad upon these occasions, and in the
midst of the World I live out of it, having been only at
one ball, or anything else except the Royal ones this year,
and we were to have gone to Plasnewydd immediately but
for the King's intention. I send you a little Broth Basin
of Derby China, You must not measure my love for you
by the gift. I wish I could fill it with bank notes, but we
are as poor as Poverty, as Mrs. Peacocke calls it. Dear
Charles sent Edward a thousand pounds on his Marriage,
but this is not to be spoken of. I'm afraid his Prizes will
fall short of our expectation. This is an anxious moment,
and we are 'vpaiting with great impatience for news from
our Fleets. . . .
4th nf June.
I kept this open, to add anything I might hear at the
birth day, but all we had to do was to secure our lives if
possible, & I doubt if every body succeeded. The Bang's
reply to the Arch Bishop of Canterbury's Address, was
deliver'd in the most impressive manner, and drew Tears
from every body. He never looked better, thank God,
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 48.] Vienna, Sth June 1805.
My Lord, — I am informed by the Russian Ambassador
that down to this Day he has not succeeded in obtaining

1 82 THE PAGET PAPERS
the Accession of this Court to the Treaty lately signed at
St. Petersburgh.* I am sorry that it is not in my Power
to present to Your Lordship any more detaUed or satisfac
tory Information on this important Subject, but as long as
the Court of Vienna is allowed to pursue its favourite Plan
of negotiating exclusively with the Court of St. Peters
burgh and at Petersburgh, it is not to be expected that
the Emperor's present Ministers should voluntarily engage
themselves in a Transaction of that Nature. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.

From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 50.] Vienna, i^th June 1805.
Notwithstanding the certainty of your Lordship's
being apprized by Count Woronzow of the Nature of
Gen^ Wintzingerode's Mission,t I will succinctly state that
the object of it is to induce the Court of Vienna to accede
to the Treaty of the loth of April, and consequently to
enter into co-operation with England and Russia against
France in the event of the failure of M. Novossilzoff's
Mission, t I have hitherto had but one short conversation
with Count W., with whom I have every reason of ex
pressing myself particularly satisfied.
He has not seen The Emperor, who only returned
yesterdaj^ but from the discussions he has had with the
Ministers I find him upon the whole extremely confident.
The Comparison he draws between these & the Prussian
Ministers is highly favorable to the former.
He informed me He was particularly well received by
the Arch Duke Charles, but seeras at the same time to be
perfectly aware that the most serious opposition may be
expected from that quarter.
¦* The Anglo-Russian Alliance had been in serious peril ever since the
signature. It seemed finally doomed now, when on June 5 Pitt formally
refused to cede Malta, and on June 7 refused to accede to Russia's demands
as to the maritime code.
t Aide-de-camp to the Emperor of Russia. He arrived in Vienna, June 6.
X Novossiltzow left St. Petersburg for Paris in June. Alexander, deeply
angered by the action of England, was prepared, if she did not yield about
Malta, to denounce her policy in the face of Europe.

VIENNA, 1805 183
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 51.] Vienna, I gi/i June 1805.
My Lord, — On Sunday the 1 6th General Wintzingerode
had an Audience of the Emperor at His Country Palace,
and delivered to His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of
Russia's Letter. I understand that he remained with the
Emperor about half an hour.
I do not as yet know precisely what passed at the
Interview, but I believe that I may venture to state that
the result of it is such as upon the whole to afford
satisfaction at the Court of Petersburgh.
Previous to this Interview, I know that Monsieur
Wintzingerode's Opinion was that if the Court of Vienna
could be brought to a thorough Conviction that in no
possible Case whatever it would be abandoned by Its
Allies, the Difficulties which presented themselves in the
way of securing the co-operation of this Country would
at least be considerably diminished, if not wholly done
away with.
There exists however a Party, and a very strong Party,
at the Head of which is The Arch Duke Charles, for re
maining at Peace, let the Sacrifices for it be what they
may ; and so steady and effectual have been their Pro
ceedings in support of this System, that at the above-
mentioned Audience The Eraperor Himself, without
absolutely naming his Brother, did actually intimate to
Monsieur Wintzingerode that it was in that Quarter that
He met with the greatest Obstacles towards forming such
a MUitary System as the Sense of His Situation would
have led Him to adopt. In sending General Wintzin
gerode upon this Commission, a better choice I have
reason to believe could not have been made. There is
no officer in the Service better acquainted with the
Austrian Ajmy, and He has already availed himself of
this choice by bringing under the Emperor's Observation
several Circumstances which had appeared to him to
require the Intervention of such Authority. . . .
During His Imperial Majesty's Absence at Prague, the
French Ambassador made a Proposition to this Govern
ment from Bonaparte for exchanging the Imperial and

1 84 THE PAGET PAPERS
French Orders. I am glad to say that the Proposition
has been rejected. M. Rochefoucauld was yesterday
informed by the Vice-Chancellor in the Emperor's name,
that the Exchange he had proposed would not be agreed
to by His Imperial Majesty.
Such is the Account the Vice Chancellor has given me
of this Business. I hope that the Refusal may not be
qualified by some Allusions to the Statutes of ' the Orders
of this Country. — I have, ke., (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From the Hon, H, Elliot * to Sir A, Paget,
Naples, June 1805. .
Dear Sir Arthur, — . . . The recognition of Bonaparte's
new title is to be formally made by the Marquis de Gallo
at Bologne, upon the 20th of this month ; it is expected
here, that this new mark of condescension will allay the ill
humor, which Bonaparte has of late manifested against this
Government. The result will be known here about the
25th Inst. . . .
Hitherto the Court of Vienna has manifested little
public interest in the fate of this Country, & I have
conformed to what appeared to be the wish of the Aus
trian Minister here, in rather avoiding than seeking for
any real or apparent political intercourse with Him.
Perhaps the recent events in the North of Italy may
prove to the Austrian Government, that we are less
dangerous friends than Bonaparte, but as long as the
System of paying Court to France remains, I am persuaded
that all our communications will only be betrayed to
France. . . . — Believe me, &c. (Signed) H. Elliot.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 52.] Vienna, 22a! June 1805.
My Lord, — It is, I believe, felt here that the annexation
of Genoa t and Placentia are Acts which nothing but an
Appeal to Arms can afford a proper Satisfaction for ;
'* British Minister at Naples.
t The Ligurian Republic was incorporated in the French Empire June 9,
and Napoleon entered Genoa in triumph June 30. On his return to Paris
the decree annexing Parma and Placentia was issued.

VIENNA, 1805 185
accordingly I do not find that The Emperor has broken
Silence upon those Subjects.
It has been lately a Subject of deliberation in the
Military Councils here whether, in the Event of being
attacked, Venice should be abandoned, and this Question
has been decided in the Negative.
General Devaux, an Engineer Officer of great Merit in
this Service, sets out within this day or Two in order
to put the following Places into the best possible State
of Defence, viz*., Venice, Treviso, Trent and Brixen.- — I
have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 54.] Vienna, 2^d July, 1805.
I am sorry to say that the impression left on my mind
since my last Conversation with General Wintzingerode is
that he is not so sanguine in his expectation of succeeding
here as he appeared to be on the outset of his Mission.*
Had that officer opened his Career here instead of at Berlin,
he would, I dare say, have gone away vexed and dis
satisfied, for amidst all his reasoning and calculations, I
very plainly perceive that his hopes of ultimate Success
are not so much grounded on the progress he has hitherto
made in his Negociation, as upon the reflection that he is
treating with Men who have the merit of being honester
and more loyal than those who compose the Prussian
Government. [On July 6 Sir A. Paget informed Lord Mulgrave that
M. de la Rochefoucauld had stated to Count Cobentzl that
the encampments in Italy had been formed for the sole
purpose of exercising the troops, and having been inspected
by Napoleon, had broken up, and that Napoleon trusted
the Emperor would show his friendship by ceasing his
military preparations in Italy. Count Cobentzl answered
that the military preparations were solely in consequence
of the increase of the French, army in Italy, and that the
Emperor's preparations were within his own dominions,
whereas Napoleon had collected his troops in a country
that did not belong to him.]
¦* He succeeded (July 7) in drawing Austria into the Alliance on the fall of
Genoa. The plan of campaign was settled July 16.

1 86 THE PAGET PAPERS

From M. Novossiltzoff to Baron Hardenberg.*
_ , 28 Juin „
Berlin, U ^^j^ma i8°5-
Lorsque S.M. I'Empereur de Russie consentit, k la
demande de S.M. Brittanique d'envoyer le Soussigne
auprfes de Bonaparte pour repondre k une demonstration
pacifique que celui-ci venoit de faire k la Cour de Londres,
Elle fut guidee par deux motifs egalement pressants, egale
ment conformes k Ses principes et k ses sentimens connus ;
I'un de seconder un gouvernement pret k faire des efforts
et des sacrifices pour le repos general, et I'autre de tirer
avantage pour tous les etats de I'Europe d'un desir de
paix qu'on auroit du croire sincere k la solemnite avec
laquelle on I'avoit annonce.
Les rapports existans entre la Russie et la France eus-
sent pu opposer des obstacles insurmontables k une ne
gociation de paix par I'organe d'un Ministre Russe. Mais
S.M. Imperiale ne balanga point k passer sur tous les
sujets qu'EUe avoit de mecontentement personnel, sur
toutes les formalites usitees. Elle profita de I'intervention
de S.M. Prussienne et en faisant demander des passeports
pour son pienipotentiaire, Elle se borna k declarer qu'EUe
ne les accepteroit que sous les deux conditions bien pre
cises ; que Son Pienipotentiaire traiteroit immediatement
avec le Chef du Gouvernement Francois, sans reconnoitre
le nouveau titre qu'il s'etoit donne ; et, que Bonaparte
assureroit positivement qu'Il etoit encore anime* du
meme desir de paix generale qu'il avoit paru vouloir
manifester dans sa lettre k S.M. Brittannique.
Cette affaire prealable devenoit d' autant plus impor
tante, que Bonaparte immediatement apr^s la reponse don-
nee par S.M. Brittannique k sa lettre du i Janvier s'etoit
revetu du titre de Roi d'ltalie, titre qui pouvoit mettre
par lui seul de nouvelles entraves k la pacification desiree.
S.M. Prussienne ayant transmis la reponse forraelle
du Cabinet des Tuileries, qu'il persistoit dans I'intention
d'y preter les mains sincerement, S.M. Imperiale accepta
les passeports avec d'autant plus d'empressement que le
'* Baron de Hardenberg had succeeded Count Haugwitz, in 1804, as Prussian
Minister for Foreign Affairs.

VIENNA, 1805 187
Gouvernement Fran9ois avoit affecte d'en mettre k les
envoyer. Une nouvelle infraction aux trait^s les plus solemnels
vient d'op^rer la reunion de la Republique Ligurienne k
la France. Cet evfenement en lui-meme, les circonstances
qui I'ont accompagne, les forces qu'on a employees pour
en precipiter I'execution, le moment mSrae qu'on a choisi
pour I'accomplir, ont forme malheureuseraent un ensemble
qui devoit marquer les dernieres bornes aux sacrifices que
S.M. Imperiale venoit de faire aux instances de la Grande
Bretagne et k I'espoir de ramener par les voies des nego
ciations la tranquillite necessaire k I'Europe.
S. M. Imperiale n'eut sans doute pas arrete, dans ces
bornes, sa complaisance et ses sacrifices, si le Gouverne
ment Frangois avoit permis d'esperfer qu'il respecteroit les
premiers liens qui unissent la societe et qui soutiennent
la confiance des engagemens parmis les peuples civilises.
Mais assurement il seroit impossible de croire que Bona
parte en expediant les passeports accompagnes des pro
testations les plus pacifiques, songeroit serieusement k les
suivre, puisque dans I'intervalle qui devoit s'ecouler entre
I'expedition des memes passeports et 1' arrive du Soussigne
k Paris, il hitoit des mesures qui, bien loin d' apporter des
facilites au retablissement de la paix, sont de nature a en
detruire jusqu'aux eieraens. Le Soussigne en rappellant
k Son Excellence Msr. le Baron de Hardenberg &c. &c. des
faits bien particulierement connus du Cabinet de S.M.
Prussienne doit lui faire part qu'il vient de recevoir de
S.M. Iraperiale I'ordre expr^s *' du — Juin dernier de
remettre sans deiai les passeports ci-joints, et de prier Son
Excellence de vouloir bien les renvoyer au Gouvernement
Francois, en lui annongant que, dans I'etat actuel des
choses, ils ne sauroient etre d'aucun usage.
Le Soussigne saisit, cette occasion pour reiterer a S.E.
I'expression de sa haute consideration. (Signe) Novossiltzoff.
* Alexander sent the order of recall instantly on hearing of the annexation
of Genoa. The action of Napoleon in preventing the arrival of Novossiltzow
alone made possible the renewal of alliance between Russia and England, and
averted the repudiation of the Treaty.

1 88 THE PAGET PAPERS
Extract of a despatch from Sir Arthur Paget to Lord
Mulgrave, dated Vienna, 20th July 1805.
[No. 59.]
My opinion remains unshaken, and I thought it my
duty to deliver it most unreservedly to General Wint
zingerode. It is that nothing will be concluded here by
Negotiation. If it is the Emperor of Russia's object to
secure the Co-operation of the Court of Vienna, he must
march 200,000 Men into the Austrian States. This
opinion cannot be too strongly enforced at St. Peters
burgh.*

From Sir Arthur Paget to the Countess of Uxbridge. t
Vienna, iSth August 1805.
My dear Mother, — I received your kind letter of
the 1 6th July three or four days ago. It was brought
to me by a Doctor Neale, a Physician who is going to the
Arbuthnots at Const^^".
From what you say upon the subject, I may I believe
congratulate you very sincerely upon Charlotte's t raar
riage. This appears to be the first of Nine, that has
received your unqualified approbation, for altho' one is
happy, and t'other is happy, and they are all happy, more
or less, still it happens that there is not one of the other
eight, that has not presented objections of one sort or
other. From whence I conclude that Charlotte must be
just the happiest of beings, to marry a man whom she
loves, and to whom you, my Father and all of us wish
to see her united. Once more accept my sincere con
gratulations upon the occasion. The satisfaction I feel
upon it does, however, I own experience some drawback
from the idea that you are now left quite alone and,
without disparagement to the rest of my sisters, Charlotte
is perhaps the one, whose loss you will feel the most.
I wish 1 could supply her place, tho' it is certain that
-* See Lord Mulgrave's despatch, September lo.
f See Introduction, p. 89.
X Married John, Earl of Enniskillen, and died 1817. — A. P.

VIENNA, 1805 189
they will be too happy to be one or other constantly
with you.
I see, my dear Mother, that you will not yet give up
the idea of my marrying ; — it is however impossible for
me to encourage it in the smallest degree, — the shock I
received last winter has probably decided me for ever.
I did not at the time tell you half I had to go thro',
such a detail would have wounded your feelings, without
bettering my situation — but what is still more afflicting,
was the state of mind of the poor dear Princess L  .
It is only lately that I have learnt the extent of her
sufferings upon that unfortunate occasion ; they must,
from what has reached me, have been most poignant.
I have in her lost the most beautiful and the best of
creatures, — such a mind, such a heart ! as are rarely to
be met with, — and God knows into what hands they are
to fall. It is not to be believed, all that has been prac
tised to make her forget me. It is little to say that I
have been constantly, from that day to the present,
represented in the most odious colours to her, — it is little
to say that the utmost pains have been taken to make
her believe that ray only object was to gain her Person,
because it is beautiful, and that at the end of a year
or two I should abandon her for the first woman whose
external appearance pleased me. Such poison might
very well have worked upon a very young mind ; — -upon
her's however, it has had no other effect than that of
setting her against the persons who have administered it.
She has constantly cried out " Calurany," & that she will
not believe a word of it. One or two other Parties have
since been proposed to her, which she has rejected without
hesitation, saying as I have heard, that as she will never
marry against the consent of her Parents, so she hopes
not to be forced to unite herself to a man whom she
does not love & esteera. But I am pretty nearly at the
end of the story, -without ever having informed you of
the beginning of it, which being upon the subject, I will
now endeavour to do as briefiy as possible.
You already know what passed two or three years ago.
Of that therefore I will say nothing, except that having
felt for Leopoldine what I then did, it was not unnatural
that my feelings towards her should be revived. This

I90 THE PAGET PAPERS
happened in the commencement of the last winter and a
few weeks proved to me that they were mutual — I at that
time frequented Prince Esterhazy's House, pretty nearly
as I do Uxbridge House, that is to say, I was there when
ever I pleased. To give you an idea of the footing I was
upon in that family I will mention a single anecdote. In
the month of January last, I met Prince E^ at a Ball at
the Russian Ambassador's. I said to him " What do you
do to-morrow, there shall be dinner at my house if you
Uke it," he answered that he was engaged, & asked me
what I meant to do. Upon saying that I had as yet no
engagement, He replied, " then go and dine with my son
Paul, — the Princess k myself dine out, but he will take
care of you." To this proposal, I observed that this plan
would be very agreeable to me, but I feared that it would
derange the Princess Leopoldine, who would perhaps like
to dine alone with her brother — " Oh no," he said, " you will
all dine together." Well, I went, and the Mother being
unwell staid at home & dined with us, & I remember well
that she, her daughter, k myself got to the fire after
dinner k sat talking together for above two hours. I
have mentioned this circumstance to prove to you the
terms I lived upon with that family. I had during the
whole of that winter dinners at my house every Sunday ; —
Esterhazy was of course one of those who had received a
general Invitation, which he never missed, besides which,
he occasionally sent to me in the morning to announce
himself for dinner : — he has indeed come without any
previous notice. I accompanied him during that winter
twice or three times to the Chasse, to his Country House
& so forth, when there were but ourselves ; in short
without going into further detail of this sort, it appeared
to me that I had completely gained his affections, nay I
can with my hand upon my heart most solemnly say that
I thought I had discovered in him something more than
common friendship. To be brief, I really thought that I
perceived in his breast a secret desire that I should belong to
him. Affairs continued in this state (the affection of L 
and myself daily increasing and strengthening towards
each other) till, as well as I recollect, the end of the month
of Febry, at which epoch some few people began to talk.
It is unnecessary to say that their language was hostile to

VIENNA, 1805 191
my interests ; it however produced an Invitation from the
Mother to desire to see me, the day and hour was fixed.
Not doubting of the object of this proposed interview, I
determined, having obtained L.'s consent to that effect,
previously to break the subject to the Father. Upon this
occasion I made use of the language of Honor k Delicacy.
I informed him that I came to learn his Sentiments upon
a Subject which I well knew was nearest and dearest to
his heart. I then proceeded to acquaint him with the
impression his daughter had made upon me &c., &c. I
begged him not to return me any answer whatever at the
present moment, but to take all the time he required well
to weigh the subject, k I concluded by assuring him that
if the proposal I had to make was found to be incom
patible with the views he had formed for the welfare and
happiness of his daughter, that he would never find in me
the destroyer of the Peace of a Family, k that whatever
it might cost me, I would in that case abandon the pur
suit. In the course of the conversation I ingenuously
said, that if he would consult his daughter I trusted that
he would not find her averse to the proposal which had
been submitted to him. Would you believe it ? this fair,
this candid, this warranted declaration broke my neck.
I on the following day or the day after received such a
letter from the Princess as I can never forget. She
begins by expressing her surprize at the proposal I had
made to her husband, which she, in the name of the
Prince, in her own, & in that of her daughter now
rejected, and accuses me of want of faith and principle, in
having gained the affections and consent of the Prin
cess L., without having previously obtained that of her
Parents. This letter did not remain unanswered as you
may imagine, and my reply produced a correspondence
between the Prince & myself of a very unpleasant nature.
I ought to have said that at the interview I had with him
he expressed himself in the most gentlemanlike, liberal
and flattering terms, — in a way, in short, which gave me
just grounds to suppose that the battle was gained. You
may therefore judge of my feelings upon the receipt of
the Princess's letter. The Result of my correspondence
with the Father was, that a meeting took place between
us at the Russian Ambassador's House (he being present)

192 THE PAGET PAPERS
at which a soi disant reconciUation took place. Thus
have I briefly, tho' I fear rather confusedly, (for I am
writing in great haste) given you an account of this
melancholy transaction, whereby two people loving each
other, & I sincerely hope k believe worthy of each other,
were rendered miserable beyond the power of words to
express. I am writing to you by a Messenger from Gosh (?)
whom he has begged me not to detain, you will I know
shew this letter to my Father, k he will I hope con
sider it as equally addressed to him & not be angry at
ray not writing. You will guess that the circumstances of
the day, will not have allowed me to leave Vienna this
suraraer as I had intended ; — I have indeed passed the
whole of it in town, for I do not like the country when
quite alone, indeed Summer, there has hitherto been
none, constant rain k cold weather. Your account of
poor Charles is really distressing. You will easily believe
how truly unhappy I felt at learning the misfortune which
had befaUen the King ; — what you say of him affords me
some relief Your having given Anglesea ' to Berkeley
looks as if you did not mean to see any more of me, —
in fact there does not at present appear much prospect
of such happiness ; you may depend upon it that during
Bonaparte's life, no family in England at least will be
able to boast of the enjoyment of true domestic happiness.
I must now take my leave & in good truth it is time.
I am unpardonable for having inflicted such a punish
ment upon your poor eyes. Good-bye, pray give my
kindest love and duty to my Father k believe me ever
my dear Mother, — Your most dutiful and affect. Son, A. P.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Princess Esterhazy.
[Copie.]
Madame la Princesse, — Je ne sais pas si la surprise
que vous a cause ma conversation avec le Prince Ester
hazy a pii egaler celle que je viens d'eprouver en lisant la
lettre dont vous avez bien voulu m'honorer. Aprfes la
marche et le caractfere de cette conversation, apr^s la
maniere parfaitement satisfaisante dont le Prince avait

VIENNA, 1805 193
regu ce que je lui disais ; enfin, apres tant d'autres cir
constances qui m'autorisaient k compter sur des procedes
d'amitie et de bienveillance de votre part, je ne pouvais
guere m' attendre k une lettre, laquelle, en repoussant un
projet mis en avant par moi avec toute la reserve, et toute
la deiicatesse que je pouvais y mettre, aggrave le desagre-
ment inseparable d'une explication pareille par des re-
proches peu merites, par des accusations injustes, et par
des reflexions affligeantes.
Je n'ai pas mis en oeuvre pour m'assurer du consentement
de la Princesse Leopoldine aucun moyen qui piit etre de-
savoue par les principes de la loyaute la plus stricte et
la plus pure. Ce n'etoit pas, je crois, un crime, d'avoir
devine ce qui paroissoit se passer dans le coeur d'une
jeune personne interessante, k travers le voile dont la
sagesse et la decence admirable de sa conduite cachoient
ses sentimens ;— ce n'etoit pas, je pense, une action deioyale
que de lui presenter purement et siraplement la question,
si elle consentoit a ce que je cherchasse k connoitre les
dispositions d.e ses parens par rapport k sa destinee future.
Cette marche me paroit au contraire aussi conforme k
la deiicatesse, qu'au bon sens. Un homme raisonnable
ne s'engagera jamais dans un projet tres serieux, sans
avoir etabli une base quelconque sur laquelle il puisse
s'appuyer. D'un autre c6te, et j'en appelle aux rigoristes
les plus scrupuleux, la simple question, si elle ne s'oppo-
serait pas k une demarche a faire aupres de ses Parens, ne
peut jamais compromettre une jeune personne. Si cette
question avoit ete precedee, je ne dis pas d'un ensemble,
et d'un systeme de conduite reprehensible, mais seulement
de la plus petite indiscretion, de la plus legere inconse
quence, du moindre oubli passager, je pourrois encore
plier sous le poids d'une accusation, dont I'idee d'avoir
pu la meriter, erapoisonneroit ma vie entiere. Mais
ayant ete constamment sous vos yeux, Madame, je vous
fais juge vous-meme de toute la teneur de ma conduite
passee, et s'il y a eu la plus legere nuance qui ait pu
justifier votre reproche, je vous invite a me la faire con
noitre. Jusque Ik je resterai con vaincu de la rectitude
irreprochable de mes procedes comme je le suis heureuse-
ment de celle de mes intentions.
J'ai ete egalement etonne de trouver dans votre lettre des
VOL. II. N

194 THE PAGET PAPERS
observations sur "les nouveaux engagemens de mariage"
que j 'avois contractes dans mon pays. Je ne m'arrSterai
pas a les examiner, parceque je les regarde comrae etran-
geres au sujet qui nous occupe. J'en conclus seulement
que vous etes tres mal instruite sur cet evenement. Mais
je ne me serais pas attendu k vous voir prendre fait et
cause pour une autre liaison qui, d'apres votre opinion, auroit
ete un des plus puissans obstacles a I'execution de mes
projets. Ce n'est pas ici que j 'entrerai dans des explications
sur cette derniere liaison, mais je vous avoue franchement,
Princesse, que par mille et mille raisons, je n'aurais jamais
cru que, dans une occasion aussi solennelle, vous vous en
dedareriez la Protectrice. Ce phenomene singulier, cette
accumulation de reproches gratuits, et d' accusations in-
compatibles me prouvent finalement que vous n'avez
voulu negliger aucun moyen pour me faire de la peine,
et pour me punir de la confiance et de la franchise avec
laquelle j'ai agi dans toute cette affaire.
Je n'examinerai pas non plus les differentes objections
que vous avez specifiees dans votre lettre ; — ^je le ferai
d'autant moins que le Prince qui doit pourtant en con
noitre la force comme vous, Madame la Princesse, ne m'a
pas paru y attacher beaucoup d'importance. Mais je vous
dirai en peu de mots ce que je pense de la chose.
Je ne desavouerai jamais le desir extreme que j'ai eu
de posseder la main de votre fille, — ^je pourrais meme, si
c' etoit ici le moment, vous exposer de la maniire la plus
satisfaisante, comment presque tous les evenemens des
dernieres annees de ma vie, comment ceux meme qui ont
eu I'air de m'occuper de legerete et d'inconsequence, ont
ete le resultat constant d'un attachement profond et in-
surmontable sans cesse contrarie par quelques obstacles
reels, et par une infinite de difficultes imaginaires, de faux
scrupules, et d'injustes prejuges. Si j'avois trouve en vous
les dispositions sur lesquelles je croyais pouvoir compter,
et que j'ai effectivement trouvees dans Monsr; le Prince
Esterhazy, je n'aurais pas tarde k vous presenter quelque
proposition formelle. Votre' lettre me I'interdit. Je sens
tout ce que j'y perds, mais j'ai cependant assez de fierte
pour ne pas vous c4cher que ce qui constitue la partie la
plus sensible de mes regrets, c'est la necessite de renoncer
k I'espoir de faire le bonheur d'une des personnes les plus

VIENNA, 1805 i95
dignes d'etre heureuse que j'aie jamais rencontrees dans le
monde, espoir, dont j'avois acquis le droit de croire qu'il
auroit ete realise dans toute sa plenitude.
Mon honneur m'ordonnait de me defendre contre ce
qu'U y avait de trop penible, et de trop injuste dans votre
lettre. Mais, aprfes tout, Madame, je vous dois des re
mercimens de la tournure que vous avez cru devoir donner
k vos declarations. Les sentimens amers que vous m'avez
fait eprouver, sont un contrepoids bienfaisant aux senti
mens douloureux que m' auroit fait naitre dans tous les
cas I'idee de me voir mal entendu, mal juge et mal apprecie
dans une tentative, qui ne ra'etoit inspiree que par les
intentions les plus pures et les plus irreprochables en elles-
meme, et je puis ajouter les plus conformes a I'araitie et
k I'attachement que je nourrirai eternellement pour vous,
et pour tout ce qui vous appartient.
Ayant trop de raisons pour craindre qu'on aura repre-
sente k la Princesse. Leopoldine sous les couleurs les plus
hostUes mes sentimens, mes projets et ma conduite, je
crois, madame la Princesse, que la justice exige que vous
lui communiquerez la presente, et je vous demande solen-
nellement cette communication. Je n'ai aucun moyen
pour m'assurer du succ^s de cette demarche, mais je la
recommande k votre loyaute.
J'ai I'honneur d'etre, avec les sentimens les plus distin-
gues, &c. (Signe) Arthur Paget.
Vienne, le 30 Janvier, 1805.

VIENNA
(3.) THE CAMPAIGN OF AUSTERLITZ : 1805-1806
MTAT. 34
The third Coalition against France was completed by
the accession of Austria to the alliance between England
and Russia in July 1805. But what was the conduct of
Prussia in regard to this Treaty ? It is fully explained in
the letter from the King of Prussia to the Emperor of
Austria of the 4th of September, in reply to an appeal of
the Emperor Francis to join him in endeavouring to effect,
by their good offices, the renewal of the negotiations for
peace ; and what the King says amounts practically to
this — and he seems very proud of it — viz., that after
conferences with Marshal Duroc, who had been sent
by Napoleon from Boulogne to confer with him and his
Ministers upon the general position of affairs, he had
reason, to hope that he could obtain from France four
points which he enumerates, and which, had they been
accepted, would simply have confirmed the French in the
possession of their actual usurpations in Italy and Ger
many, with some illusory promises respecting the integ
rity of those countries for the future, according to the
Treaty of Luneville.
This letter is very well answered in a letter from Count
Cobentzl to Count Metternich of the nth of September,
but the length of this document renders its publication in
this correspondence impossible.
In the meantime the King of Prussia issued his declara
tion of the 9th of September, in which he announces his
intention of maintaining a strict neutrality, not only for
himself, but for the States situated in the North of Ger
many, for which purpose he had taken the resolution to
arm and assemble a body of troops which, in the first
instance, would amount to 80,000 men.
ig6

VIENNA, 1805 i97
How faithful His Majesty was to the above programme,
and how well he defended the neutrality of his dominions,
will appear in the sequel. Napoleon knew his man, and
the Power he had to deal with. It is not an exaggeration
to say that to the King of Prussia, for not having joined
this Coalition, and to his vacillating policy, are due all
the misfortunes, desolation, and bloodshed which subse
quently afflicted Europe. Had he joined his forces to
those of England, Russia, Austria, and Sweden, it would
have been quite impossible for France to have stood
against such an array of strength as would then have
been brought into the field ; and no one was better aware
of this than Napoleon himself He would consequently
have consented to disgorge a part of his ill-gotten gains,
and have made peace upon the terms proposed by the
Allies, which would still have left him with the enormous
additions of territory up to the Rhine, and the incorpora
tion of Piedmont, as acquisitions to the French Erapire.
But he counted on the King of Prussia, and he paid no
heed to his neutrality.
The plans of Napoleon for the invasion of England
were considerably deranged by the dispersion on the 22nd
of July, by Sir Robert Calder, of the corabined fleets of
France and Spain (the latter Power having joined France
at the end of 1804), under the command of Adrairal
Villeneuve, which had been reckoned upon for the convoy
of the flotilla destined to transport the French army
across the British Channel ; and on the 1 7th of August,
after several ineffectual attempts on the part of his
admirals (Villeneuve and Gantheaume) to bring this
squadron to Brest, and feeling that, even should they
eventually succeed in getting there, the time for the
invasion would be past, Napoleon took the resolution td
abandon his enterprise against England, and to direct
all his forces to the centre of Gerraany. The Austrians
had already assembled a considerable force on the banks
of the Danube, and were waiting for the arrival of their
Russian allies ; by the middle of September they had
crossed the Inn and invaded Bavaria, the Elector, after
much hesitation and contrary to the feelings of his
people, having determined to throw in his lot with
France.

198 THE PAGET PAPERS
Napoleon made great efforts through his plenipoten
tiaries in Berlin, Marshal Duroc and M. Laforest, to
obtain the alliance of Prussia ; but the King, distrusting
his promises to allow him to annex Hanover permanently
to his dominions, although he was to be allowed to take
it in deposit, declined the proposals, and continued to
follow his temporising policy. It being the object of
Napoleon, however, to surround the Austrian army in the
centre of Germany before the arrival of the Russians, he
gave orders to Marshal Bernadotte to disregard the neu
trality of Prussia, and to march the corps which he com
manded through the territory of Anspach. The note in
which Count Cobentzl brought this violation of Prussian
neutrality to the knowledge of Count Rasoumofifeky, the
Russian Ambassador at Vienna, was evidently written
under the impression, and with the hope, that this act of
Napoleon might finally decide the King of Prussia to join
the alliance against France. Its only effect, however, was
to produce diplomatic representations addressed to the
French envoys at Berlin, who duly replied, of course,
though apparently in a not very satisfactory manner, as
will be seen by a note addressed to them by Baron Harden
berg dated the 14th of October.
Meanwhile the Austrian Government was becoming very
anxious for the payment of part of the subsidies promised
by Great Britain, which was duly attended to ; and on
the Sth of October, Count Cobentzl announces to Sir A.
Paget that he and Count Rasoumoffsky are to accompany
the Emperor to the army, " et k faire la guerre avec
nous." Sir A. Paget accordingly followed the Emperor to
Olmiitz, and to other places whither His Imperial Majesty
transferred his headquarters.
On the 1 9th of October, General Mack signed the capi
tulation of the fortress of Ulm. Thirty thousand Austrian
troops defiled before Napoleon and laid down their arms.
A similar fate had attended another portion of the army
at Memmingen. Nothing, in short, could have been more
disastrous than was the beginning of this campaign for
the Austrians, and unfortunately the end was not des
tined to be more favourable for them than the com
mencement. Amongst the papers connected with the surrender of Ulm

VIENNA, 1805 I99
will be found one containing the report of a conversation
between General Mack and Napoleon after the signature
of the capitulation.
The first information of what had happened at Ulm and
its neighbourhood reached the British Government through
the official publications in the Moniteur, Lord Harrowby
was at once despatched to Berlin with a view of securing
the co-operation of Prussia, of which sanguine expectations
appeared to be entertained. The British Govemraent,
raoreover, determined to send a special military embassy
to Vienna in order to conceit more promptly on the spot
the necessary measures for the defence of the Empire, and
appointed Lord Cathcart for that purpose.
While the calamitous events just referred to (with more
to follow) were happening in Austria (and no one who reads
Sir Ai'thur Paget's despatches, reviewing the general condi
tion of the Austrian Empire, its civil and military organi
sation and administration, &c., will be surprised at them),
England was brought to the highest pinnacle of glory by
the victory gained by the immortal Nelson over the
French and Spanish fleets off Trafalgar on the 20th of
October, an event acknowledged by Count Cobentzl as
" la meilleure des consolations qui aurait pu nous arriver
dans nos malheurs, qui ne dureront pas toujours
j'espfere." In December, Lord Harrowby, owing " to the extreme
liberality of the offers " made by England, had great hopes
of " securing the co-operation of Prussia." His Lordship,
however, had not yet fathomed the duplicity and perfidy
of that Power ; and no wonder, for, in order to show it in
its true light, it is necessary to refer to a circumstance
which is not mentioned in the correspondence, viz., the
visit of the Emperor Alexander to Berlin and the conclu
sion of a Convention between him and the King of Prussia,
by which the latter bound himself (unless its stipulations,
based on the Treaty of Luneville, with the retrocession
of all the conquests since made by France, and the inde
pendence of Holland and Switzerland, were agreed to) to
commence hostilities on the 15th of December; and yet
the compact was ignominiously set aside by the King of
Prussia immediately after the battle of Austerlitz.
It will be observed that, although this Convention was

200 THE PAGET PAPERS
signed early in November, Lord Harrowby on the 3rd
of December, as stated above, had only "great hopes of
securing the co-operation of Prussia." The Emperor
Alexander had hardly left Berlin before the old habit of
temporising returned, from which the King had only been
detached by the urgent solicitations of the beautiful Queen
Louisa — who, to her honour be it said, had consistently
advocated a more active and honourable policy — and by
the public indignation caused by the affair of Anspach,
above referred to, and the general feeling of antagonism
aroused by the acts of Napoleon.
Count Haugwitz, who was charged to present the
ultimatum, and should have proceeded at once upon his
mission, did not set out till the 14th of Noveraber; —
" the Prussian armies made no forward movement towards
the Danube, and Napoleon was permitted to continue
without interruption towards Vienna." When he eventu
ally arrived at the French headquarters on the 28th of
November, and was received by Napoleon, he was care
ful not to deliver the ultimatum, deciding, on the contrary,
to await the turn of events after knowing the result of
the impending battle of Austerlitz.
After the battle, when an armistice had been agreed
to between the Emperor Francis and Napoleon, and the
outlines of the Treaty, subsequently negotiated at Press-
bourg, settled between them, Count Haugwitz presented
himself before the French Emperor, and not only did not
present the ultimatum, for which possibly some excuse
may be made under the then circumstances, but proposed
a Treaty on the basis of the old project of annexing
Hanover to the Prussian dominions.
Napoleon, with vehement declamation against the
perfidy of the Prussian Cabinet, declared that Prussia
must enter heart and hand into the French alliance, and
in exchange for Hanover cede to France and Bavaria
certain of its detached southern possessions. These terms
were agreed to by Count Haugwitz, and were subsequently
ratified by the King of Prussia.
Sir A. Paget's diplomatic career in Vienna was drawing
towards its close. On the death of Mr. Pitt, on the 23rd
of January 1 806, and the failure of Lord Hawkesbury to
form an Administration, a Coalition Ministry was com-

VIENNA, 1805 201
posed, of which Lord Grenville was the head, but Mr.
Fox, who took the Foreign Department, the ruling spirit.
Not long after assuming office, viz., on the 14th of
March, Mr. Fox wrote a private letter to Sir A. Paget to
announce that he had recomraended his recall to the
King, to which His Majesty had been graciously pleased
to consent. The chief reason for this measure, fully ex
plained in the correspondence that follows, was the laying
before Parliament by the late Ministry of sorae of Sir
A. Paget's correspondence, a pubUcation which, in Mr.
Fox's estimation, was as little necessary for the defence of
the preceding Administration as it was unfair and unjust
towards Sir A. Paget himself.
Sir A. Paget seeras to have answered Mr. Fox in the
same courteous spirit in which the latter had addressed
him, but there is no record of his letters, and the above is
only to be gathered, therefore, from Mr. Fox's replies of
the 31st of March and 16th of May. It may indeed be
almost inferred from the letter of the 31st of March that,
had it not been for the unfortunate publication of Sir
A. Paget's despatches by Lord Mulgrave, Mr. Fox would
have been glad to leave him still at Vienna, but it may be
gathered that Sir A. Paget was himself not desirous of
remaining there.
On leaving office Lord Mulgrave wrote (January 30) to
Sir A. Paget, taking leave on their official separation, and
it is not difficult to read between the lines of this letter
that their views upon Austrian polities were the reverse
of harmonious. As to whether this had anything to do
with the publication of the despatches I will not allow
myself to express any opinion.
In a letter from St. Petersburg of the 20th of March,
Lord G. Leveson Gower comments in terms of just
severity upon the unpardonable indiscretion of Lord
Mulgrave in publishing Sir A. Paget's confidential cor
respondence, and remarks with great truth that such
publication " will naturally have the effect of making
foreign courts extremely cautious in their relations with
that of London." Fortunately a wiser and more correct
system prevails in our Foreign Office of the present day,
and has done so for many years past.
There is nothing to show the precise date at which Sir

202 THE PAGET PAPERS
A. Paget actually left Vienna, but it may be assumed
from Mr. Fox's letter of the i6th of May, above alluded
to, that it was about the ist of June, and that he then
proceeded to the baths of Toeplitz for the benefit of his
health, which, as will have been seen, was very much
impaired in the autumn of 1805, and had been far from
satisfactory at various times during his service abroad.

CORRESPONDENCE
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 62.J Vienna, 27th July 1805.
My Lord, — Accounts which have been received here
from Switzerland as well by Individuals as by Govern
ment, leave no doubt of the Projects of Bonaparte for
uniting that Country to France. It is perfectly well
known that there are French Emissaries dispersed
throughout Switzerland for the purpose of preparing
the same revolting changes which have lately annihi
lated the Republick of Genoa.
I am very sorry to say I do not hitherto discover on
the part of these Ministers any greater Resolution to
oppose this vast and dangerous project, than was mani
fested in the Affair of Genoa.
The Vice-Chancellor treats the Subject (having done
the same Thing upon Twenty Thousand Occasions) as an
open violation of the Treaty of Luneville, but here he
stops — and here I am persuaded he will stop, unless
forced on.
The Preparations for War still continue"' — the Artillery
which has been sent into Italy is immense, though I con
clude that a considerable part of it is destined for the
Places which are fortifying, as mentioned in my Dis
patch No  — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
'*' According to the plan of campaign of July 16.

VIENNA, 1805 203

Frora Sir Arihcr Paget to Lord ^Mulgrave.
'No. 63.] ViENXA, \st Augutl 1805.
My Lord, — At a moment when one would give one's
blood to bring about a close and intiraate Connection
between Au.?tria and Pru.ssia, a circumstance has arisen
which wiU, I fear, create some unpleasant explanation.?
between the two Court.?.
One of the fir.st measure.? adopted by this Government
after the late riots * was to order a recruitment to take
place in this City, with a view, no doubt, of gettiug rid
of vagrants and idler.? of aU sorts. On the other hand
those who have been seized are between fiftv and sixty
iudi-viduals, Subjects of the King of Prussia — and it has
happened to several who have presented themselves with
proper documents to verifr the same, that their Passports
or Certificates have been taken from them and destroyed
in their presence.
These "^olences have produced a Remonstrance on the
part of the Prussian Minister, which wa? conveyed in a
note presented by the Secretary of Legation to the Vice
ChanceUor. The pretence .?et up for enlisting these People is, that
they were concerned in the late disturbances : The Count
KeUer has repUed, both in his note and through the
Secretary Fiukenstein, that, if the facts be so, let them be
tried, and executed if found guUty ; but that the Emperor
ha.?, in no case, the right of enrolling Prussian Subjects.
At the above interview the Vice-ChanceUor expressed him
self in terms so rude, so disagreeable, and so unfriendly
towards the Court of BerUn, that Count F. thought it
prudent to conceal it as much as possible from the
Minister ; a Circumstance worthy remark is, that several
persons, in the same predicament, and under the protec
tion of the French Ambassador, have been enlarged. —
I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget,
* The bread riots of July.

204 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 65.] Vienna, yth August 1805.
My Lord, — Since the Arrival here of a French Courier
three or Four Days ago, Mr. de la Rochefoucauld has
renewed his Remonstrances against the military Prepa
rations of this country.'"' The same Answer has been
returned as to his former Representations, — and it has
further been signified to him, that the Emperor, as Guar
antee of the Swiss Constitution, would not view with In
difference the Changes with which, according to Rumour,
that Country was menaced.
This may be well for Swisserland, but it is a sort of
tacit acknowledgement, that the Emperor will not go to
War for all that has been lately done in Italy.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 67.] Vienna, 10th August 1805.
My Lor]), — When Count Cobentzl wrote to me this
Morning, desiring to see me, I hardly expected that the
sole Object of the Interview would be to communicate to
me this extraordinary Declaration.
I think that your Lordship will agree that We now see
the whole System of the Court of Vienna in its true Light
— not a hundred folio pages could have given a juster
Insight into the real Views of the Men who govern this
Country. We have now before us an official iJeclaration,
wherein, after more than the half of Italy has been swal
lowed up by Buonaparte, the Emperor makes a solemn
tender of His good offices to bring about a Negotiation to
prevent a War between Russia and France,t which was not
commenced in consequence of such Acts of Usurpation
and Violence on the part of the latter Power as would at
any other Period of History, and without any alternative,
have drawn forth the immediate vengeance of the Court
of Vienna. — I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
•* There are also two long despatches from Talleyrand in this month -svhich
reiterate these complaints.
t In accordance with the method of profound dissimulation agreed on at
the Alliance of July.

VIENNA, 1805 205
From the Marquis of Wellesley to Sir A. Paget.
[Private.] Fort 'William, 12th August 1805.
My Dear Sir, — I have the honor to inform you that
I resigned this Government on the 30th July to the
Marquess Cornwallis, and that it is ray intention to em
bark on Thursday next the 15th Instant on His Majesty's
Ship the ^owe, which has for some time past been prepared
for my reception and accommodation on the voyage to
Europe. I expect to leave the Hoogly River on the 2 2d
of this Month, and to reach England by the close of the
Month of December 1805, oi" ^^^ beginning of January
1806. I am happy to inform you that the Company's
possessions are in a state of perfect tranquillity, and have
not been disturbed since the expulsion of Holkar from
Hindostan in the Month of May 1805. — With great
respect and regard, &c. (Signed) Wellesley.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 72.] Vienna, 2gth August 1805.
My Lord, — I have at length been put in possession by
the Vice Chancellor of the whole of the Negotiation which
has been carrying on between the Two Imperial Courts
since November 1804.
[Sir A. Paget proceeds to speak of the subsidies to be
paid to Austria, and continues : — ]
From the present appearance of things it is evident that
a War with France will now no longer depend upon the
payment of one or two Hundred Thousand Pounds more
or less, but I must nevertheless observe that Count Co
bentzl has insinuated to me that the language which the
Emperor will soon be called upon to hold to the French
Government would naturally be heightened or lowered in
proportion as He may be provided with the Means of
making good His Pretensions. His Majesty's Government
may certainly expect that the Subsidiary Demands of the
Court of Vienna beyond the Sum which has absolutely
been offered by His Majesty's Ambassador at Petersburg'"'
-* Russia, by the Treaty of July, was to procure English subsidies for
Austria.

2o6 THE PAGET PAPERS
and accepted by Count Stadion, will be strongly pressed
upon them.
According to the best information I have been able to
obtain upon the Subject the Austrian Armaments have
already occasioned an Expenditure of about Thirty six
Millions of Florins ; what the result of them may be is
another question, but I must admit that they could not
have been carried on upon a more extensive and a more
formidable Scale, and with greater Activity had that sum
been previously placed in their Bank.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 73.] Vienna, 2gth August 1805.
My Lord, — I have the Honor to enclose a Reglement
which was published yesterday and by which the Austrian
Army is declared to be upon the War Establishment,
In order to avoid your Lordship an immediate Contest
with the probably bad German in which this Reglement
is written, I have caused a translation to be made of the
essential Points contained in it, which I herewith enclose.
The opening of it is in fact the most important of the
whole. I happened to be in Count Cobentzl's Cabinet yesterday
morning, reading some Papers, when the French Ambas
sador arrived in the adjoining Audience Room with this
Reglement in his hand.
"The Interview, though very short, was I fancy rather a
boisterous one.
M. de la Rochefoucauld — alluding to the RSglement —
began by saying, as Count Cobentzl informed me imme
diately afterwards, " Vous voulez done la Guerre, eh bien
vous I'aurez." The conversation did not in other respects
appear to be very novel.
From Lord Mulgrave to Sir A. Paget.
Downing Street, August 30, 1805.
Sir, — The negotiations which have hitherto taken place
having passed entirely through the Medium of St. Peters
burgh, without any direct Communication between this
Court and that of Vienna, it has not been possible to

VIENNA, 1805 207
make to you any detailed Communications which might
be applied to any effectual purpose at Vienna. The State
of Affairs is however at this period come to such a crisis,
that it is important not to lose a moment by circuitous
Correspondence. I have to desire therefore that you will
state to Count Cobentzl, that you have been instructed to
inform him (as a Most Secret and Confidential Comrauni
cation) that His Majesty's Government has received from
Russia the last Proposal made from thence to Austria,
together with the Additional Article, — that we concur
in the Plan proposed, — that the Additional Article will
be immediately ratified here, — and that measures are
taken to furnish without delay to Austria the Pecuniary
Succours stipulated, whenever she shall be in a State of
War, and shall have acceeded to the Concert already con
cluded between Great Britain and Russia.
From Sir A. Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 77.] Vienna, yith August 1805.
My Lord, — It was not until this Afternoon that I got
a sight of the Answer made by the French Government
to the declaration of the Court of Vienna. . . .
In the first place the Note in answer to the declaration
contains a refusal to accept the Mediation of the Court of
Vienna. Bonaparte rejects all idea of any further Negotiation
with Russia ; he at the same time tells the Court of
Vienna that it depends upon the Eraperor to bring about
a Peace between England and France ; that he has
nothing to do but to disarra and to declare to England
that He will take no part in Her quarrels with France,
and that thus Peace between those Powers will be signed
before the Month of January.
The letter of M. de Talleyrand is written in the same
sense, and goes into a great deal of detail to prove that
Austria is running headlong into Perdition by allying
itself with Russia, — that its true Ally is France, — that
the Emperor has no right to complain of the annexation
of Genoa to France, because Bonaparte tacitly consented
to the cession of Lindau in Swabia (this is so ludicrous
that had I not seen it I should not have ventured to

2o8 THE PAGET PAPERS
have reported it) to the Court of Vienna, (I will just
observe that this Lindau belonged to the Prince Bret-
zenheim, a natural Son of the late Elector of Bavaria,
for which Possession he has in exchange received an
Estate in Hungary), — that the whole conduct of the
Court of Vienna is favorable to England aud of course
inimical to France, — that these Armaments will oblige
Bonaparte to withdraw his Troops from, the Coast, and
that he must thus abandon the Conquest of Eng
land, towards which his whole views had been of late
directed. The second Note contains a formal demand that the
Austrian Troops in Italy and the Tyrol should be reduced
to the numbers that were in those Countries six months
ago, and that the fortifications de Campagne should
be discontinued, in which class those of Venice are
placed. To these demands a speedy and Categorical Answer is
insisted upon, in default of which Bonaparte will with
draw his Troops from the Coast in order to repel force
by force.
No answer has been, or I suppose will be made to all
this. — I have, .&.c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
[A declaration of the Court of Vienna of September 2,
1805, was sent in answer to the French demands. It
recounts the infractions of the Peace of Luneville, the
menaces and the pretensions of France, the usurpations
in Italy, the action of Napoleon with regard to England
and the mission of Monsieur Novossiltzoff, and the Italian
progress in 1805. The arming of Austria has not been a
measure of war, nor undertaken to make a diversion in
view of the French descent on England. In union with
Russia, Austria now declares that the two Powers together
are ready to negotiate on moderate terms ; that in no case
will they interfere with the internal affairs of France, nor
with its territorial or political relations with Germany ;
that they will in no way injure the rights of the Ottoman
Porte ; that Great Britain is in agreement with these
views ; and that the Emperor hopes that his frank
explanation may dissipate the doubts of the Emperor
Napoleon.]

FREIDERICK WILLIAM lir,
KING OF PRUSSIA.

VIENNA, 1805 209
From the King of Prussia to the Emperor of Austria.
Berlin, le 4 Septembre 1805.
Sa Majeste I'Empereur m'a invite par sa derniere de
claration '" k me i-eunir a Elle, pour tacher d'effectuer par
nos bons offices communs le renouement de la negociation
pour la paix. Je n'ai rien au monde de plus au coeur que
de repondre k la confiance qu'EUe m'a temoignee, et d'ob-
tenfr le but salutaire qu'elle a en vue, le grand objet
depuis deux ans, de mes voeux et de mes efforts.
Au moment oh la reponse de I'Empereur Napoleon k ces
memes ofires de la cour de Vienne, et d'un autre cote les
Armements formidables qui se forment de toute part, fais-
aient craindre un edat tres prochain, ce souverain vient
de m' envoyer du Camp de Boulogne le General Duroc
pour s'expliquer avec moi et mon ^Nlinistere sur la position
generale des affaires, et sur la possibUite de prevenir encore
I'extension de la Guerre.
Suivant les premieres conferences qui ont eu lieu avec
cet officier General, arrive ici le premier au soir, J'ai sujet
d' esperer que J'obtiendrais de la France.
1°. La Garantie de I'integrite de toutes les parties de
I'ltalie non comprises dans le royaume de ce nom et les
territoires actuellement possedes par la France au delk des
Alpes, y compris la Ligurie, Parme et Plaisance, Lucques
et Piombino.
2°. L'Independance de la Republique Helvetique.
3°. Celle de la Republique Batave.
4°. La Surete et I'integrite du territoire Germanique,
tel qu'U est fixe par la paix de Luneville, et le reces
d'Empire qui en est resulte.
Je crois pouvoir supposer que ces quatre sujets, dont
depend la surete future de I'Europe, forment le seul, ou
du moins surement le principal but des mesures guerriferes
dont la cour de Vienne s'occupe, et je puis me fiatter qu'il
y aura moyen de negocier encore avec la France sur les
accessoires. Mon Ministre d'Etat, le Comte de Haugwitz,
qui est sur le point de se rendre de ma part a Vienne, sera
charge de fournir sur ce sujet k Sa Majeste Imperiale tous
* The first proposal of mediation.
VOL, II. -O

2IO THE PAGET PAPERS
les developements et toutes les communications de detail
qu'EUe peut desirer : mais en attendant et comme il n'y a
pas un moment k perdre, il na'importe de savoir prealable-
ment si Elle seroit disposee a se contenter de ces points
principaux et si, vu Tesperanee de les obtenir, EUe ne
voudroit pas des a present suspendre et arreter tous pre-
paratifs ulterieurs, et laisser au moins les choses in statu
quo afin de prevenir quelque explosion aprfes laquelle le
rapprochement n'en diviendroit que plus difficile ? Tout
se reduit a la simple question, si dans I'application des
mesures guerrieres qu'EUe prend, Elle auroit pour objet
d' operer un changement dans I'etat des choses en Italic
tel qu'il resulte de la proclamation du Royaume de ce nom
et de I'incorporation de quelque moindres parties ? ou si,
consultant toujours les dispositions pacifiques qu'EUe a
manifestees jusqu'k present pour le bonheur de I'humanite,
et reconnaissant I'incertitude des chances de la guerre, elle
ne prendroit les armes que pour sa defense, pour assurer
retat actuel de ses Possessions et prevenir de nouveaux
empietemens ? Dans ce dernier cas, son but principal
seroit obtenu par la garantie des quatre articles que Je
me flatte d'emporter.
JJne lutte violente et dangereuse seroit prevenue, et
on pourroit se fiatter meme d'acheminer une negociation
heureuse pour le retablissement de la tranquUlite generale.
La position des affaires est telle qu'EUe exige entre nous
la plus grande franchise. Je demande done a S.M. Impe
riale de vouloir bien me faire connoitre prealablement et
avec le plus de ceierite, par le retour du Courier, quels
sont ses Sentimens k cet egard, et si Elle eonsentiroit en
effet k se contenter des points sus indiques, k retirer ses
armamens k ces conditions, et k les suspendre du moins
pour le present, moyennant quoi Elle prepareroit la reus-
site entiere de la mediation commune k laquelle Elle m'a
invitee, et que Je desirerois si vivement de voir parvenir
a une bonne fin. En attendant, J'employe mes soins les
plus assidus pour empecher que la France, comme les
apparences le feroient craindre, ne fasse entrer ses troupes
en AUemagne, et ne se porte en general k des demarches
decisives.

VIENNA, 1805 211
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 82.] Vienna, ^th September 1805.
My Lord, — I have already had the Honor to announce
to Your Lordship that the Emperor will take the com
mand of all His Armies in Germany, the Tyrol, and
Italy.* It appears at present to be His Imperial Majesty's
Intention to direct in Person the movements of the
Austrians in Germany.
He proposes to inspect the Array asserabled at Wels
before it passes the Frontier. It is therefore probable
that His Imperial Majesty will set out for that purpose
to-night or to-morrow. He would in fact otherwise
scarcely arrive in time, as I believe that that Array will
commence its march in the course of two or three days.
Having reviewed those Troops the Emperor will return
to Vienna, and remain until circumstances require Hira to
resume the Command.
The Archduke Charles has not as yet left Vienna, but
His Royal Highness is expected from one day to another
to set out for Italy.
The same with the Archduke John, who will in the
first instance go into the Tyrol.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 84.] Vienna, t,th September 1805.
My Lord, — Count Meerfeldt wUl set out in a day or
two, charged with a special Commission for the Court of
Berlin, the object of which, it is hardly necessary to
observe, is to engage the King of Prussia to declare
Himself for the Allies.
But the first and most immediate object of his Mission
is to announce to the King of Prussia the March of the
Austrian Army into Bavaria, and to explain to that
Monarch the causes which have decided the Emperor's
Conduct upon this Occasion. t
About the same time I apprehend that the Russian
-* On Septeraber i the army of Boulogne was ordered to the Rhine.
t See despatch of September 14, note.

212 THE PAGET PAPERS
Minister at the Court of Berlin will receive orders to notify
the entry of a Russian Army into the Prussian Dominions.
Thus seconded, reasonable hopes may be entertained
of the success of General Meerfeldt's Mission. If the
King of Prussia should come forward we shall probably
obtain by Negociation what we shall have to fight and
perhaps to fight hard to accomplish. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
September g, 1805.
[A declaration of the King of Prussia of this date
announces his resolution to maintain his neutrality, and
that of Northern Germany, by calling out an army of
80,000 men, which could be considerably increased later.
This measure had no offensive or hostile significance, but
was adopted solely, to defend the system of neutrality
which he had adopted.]
From Lord Mulgrave to Sir A. Paget.
[Separate.] Downing Street, September 10th, 1805.
Sir, — In your No. 69 you express considerable regret
at the channel through which the Negociation with Austria
has been conducted. Lest that regret should arise from
any impression which you may have received from hence,
with reference to your official situation, I lose no time in
assuring you that the course which that Negociation has
taken did not arise in the smallest degree from any want
of the fullest confidence in your Zeal and Exertions in
His Majesty's Service, and I trust you will easily perceive
that the expediency of a particular place or mode of
Negociation may be perfectly unconnected with any per
sonal considerations. In the present instance, the state
of actual alliance between the two Imperial Courts ; — the
Necessity of affording to Austria the Encouragement of
certain support from Russia ; and the more direct and
intimate Union of Views and sentiments which existed
between the latter Power and Great Britain, pointed out
St. Petersburgh not only as the preferable Seat of Nego
ciation, but, in a manner, as the only convenient Point
at which the general object and Interests of the common

VIENNA, 1805 213
cause might be discussed. The anxious desire of Austria
to prevent suspicion on the part of the French Govern
ment previous to the full preparation of Her Means of
Defence, rendered it desirable that there should not be an
appearance of frequent and confidential conferences be
tween the British Minister and the Austrian Cabinet, and
the consequently frequent dispatch of couriers between
London and Vienna. There cannot be a stronger proof of
the Efficacy of the Measure of negociating at St. Peters
burgh for the purpose of secrecy, than the little suspicion
entertained by the French Ambassador at Vienna, and the
circurastance of your having yourself (with all the exer
tion of your constant and vigilant attention to the con
duct of the Austrian -Govemraent) doubted the course
which might ultimately be adopted by them.
It will, in the present State of Affairs, become impor
tant to establish a cordial and confidential Intercourse
with the Austrian Ministry ; I trust, therefore, that you
will not find Count Cobentzl indisposed to communicate
with you upon that footing ; and that you will see no
ground in future for the sentiments conveyed in your
expression, that the Negociation and Negociator would
have been equally importunate to that Minister, if the
discussion had been committed to your Management.
The Reserve which Separate Negociation created raight
naturally assurae the Appearances of a personal Indis
position towards you, which I trust will disappear upon
the Establishment of more open and unreserved com
munication. — I am, &c., (Signed) Mulgrave.
[On September 11, 1805, a despatch was sent by Count
Cobentzl to Count Metternich,* in answer to the proposal
of Prussia of September 4. He recalls the raanner in
which the Emperor had rejected the proposals of Russia,
and his menaces of aggression, points out the necessity of
backing future negotiations by a demonstration of force,
and declares the determination of Russia and Austria to
claim the independence of Italy, as well as of Switzerland
and Holland. In the strongest terras he states that the
time of illusions is over, and that experience has shown
the servile dependence and ruinous contributions which
* Austrian Minister at Berlin.

214 THE PAGET PAPERS
Napoleon demands of countries which seek his alliance,
and declares that Austria, acting in concert with Russia,
will resist his insidious policy to separate the interests of
the northern and southern Powers, and by isolating them
to carry out his schemes of invasion.]
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 86.] Vienna, nth Septr, 1805.
My Lord, — The Mission of Mr. Duroc to Berlin* has
been followed by an official communication made the
day before yesterday by the Prussian Minister to this
Government. I have not as yet seen the note presented by Count
KeUer. ... I can only now say, that it evidently
appears to have been dictated by, or at least submitted
in the first instance to the French Government — its
principal object being, as I am informed, to deter the
Court of Vienna from the prosecution of the Enterprise
in which it is at present engaged. I am happy to inform
your Lordship, that The Emperor's Ratification of the
Act of Accession delivered on the 9th ultimo by Count
Stadion to His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburgh,
was sent off by a Messenger the day before yesterday.
The Arch Duke Charles will leave Vienna on Monday
next, he will take up his first head quarters at Padua,
at which place he will arrive on the fifth day. . . , — I
am, &e. (Signed) Arthur Paget,
From Sir Arthur Paget to the Countess of Uxbridge.
Vienna, 12th Septr. 1805.
My dear Mother, — I do not like to talk of my own
sufferings, but indeed you would have pitied me had you
known what I have been going through for these last
four or five weeks. The last five days and nights before
the operations took place, I did not close my eyes, and
was at intervals in delirium from the pain. I cannot
speak too much in praise of the medical people who
attend me, both for their skill and attention. Not a
* "With the offer of Hanover as the price of an alliance between Prussia
and France.

VIENNA, 1805 215
day that they have not been three, four, five times, and
the Surgeon has slept here as often as there has been the
smallest necessity for it. At no period of my illness was
there any danger ; it is on the contrary remarkable how
very little so violent a local Disorder affected the general
System, for the fever I had, violent as indeed it was,
proceeded from the pain k irritation, & used generaUy to
subside towards the morning. You will I ara very sure
be delighted to hear, that I want nothing now but a little
strength to be as well as I ever was in my life. Under
these circurastances pray excuse the shortness of this
letter. I raust go to work again in a day or two, k shall
in a very few raore send a Messenger by whom you shall
of course hear from me. — Ever, my dear Mother, Your
most dut. & aff. Son, A. P.

From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 87.] ' Vienna, 14th Septr. 1805.
I will now inform your Lordship, that the Elector of
Bavaria, after having, in the most solenln manner, bound
hiraself to join His Troops to those of Austria, precipi
tately left Munich,'" having given Orders for the whole
of his Army to follow him into Franconia. The French
Minister had also set out for Wurtzberg.t I cannot as yet
inform your Lordship of the measures which this Conduct
of the Elector may lead the Court of Vienna to adopt
towards Bavaria ; I believe that the last accounts at
present say the Austrians have now orders to advance
as far as the Lech.
I will just mention that the King of Prussia's Letter
(a production which does little credit to that Sovereign)
contains an invitation to the Emperor to discontinue his
Military Preparations and Movements. . . . — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
¦* Montgelas (see vol. i. p. 155, note) aimed at making Bavaria one of the
great central Powers of Europe. Through his illuminati views he was led
to' sympathise with France, and accordingly in September 1805 he and Otto
(French Minister at Munich) negotiated an alliance which 'secured Bavaria
for France, and disconcerted the Austrian plans, especially Mack's. This
Treaty was signed August 24th, but Montgelas got the date changed to Sep
tember 23rd, by which he defended his conduct on the ground of necessity,
t Where the Treaty of September 23 was signed.

2i6 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 88.] Vienna, i^th Septr. 1805.
My Lord, — I have now to inform your Lordship that
the French Arabassador yesterday deraanded his Pass
ports, which he was instructed to do as soon as he
received inforraation of the Austrians having entered
Bavaria. Instructions have been sent to the Austrian Minister at
Munich, to follow the Elector of Bavaria to Wurtzberg and
to employ Promises, Threats, and every means of bringing
Him back to His Engagements.
This had already been done by Prince Schwartzen
berg. Mr. Buol will offer more. We shall see whether
Mr. Monjelas will be more tractable with him.
The Bavarian Forces do not, as Count Cobentzl men
tioned to me last Night, amount to more than Ten or
Twelve Thousand Men. The Elector of Bavaria in his
first Interview with the Prince promised every thing
that was deraanded — he confirmed his promise in a few
lines he wrote hiin. He sent General Nogarola here with
a letter to The Eraperor, which commences by nearly
these Words : " / have ordered my Minister to sign a
Treaty with Prince Schwartzenberg by which I join my
Troops to those of your Majesty." When the above
officer arrived with this letter, The Emperor had already
heard of The Elector of Bavaria's [departure].
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 9 1. J Vienna, i8</i September 1805.
My Lord, — The Emperor sets out for the Army to
morrow. , . .
My Last Letters will have informed Your Lordship
that the Austrians were advancing to the Lech. I have
now to announce a still more forward movement to the
Lller, or in other words to the Position of Ulm.
According to the last Accounts which have been re
ceived here, it is supposed that the Army under Bona
parte which is assembling at Strasbourg and Mayence,
but particularly the latter, will amount to a hundred and

VIENNA, 1805 217
fifteen thousand Men. Independent of this, there is the
Army under Bernadotte, which is understood to be march
ing in the direction of Franconia, with the view probably
of threatening Bohemia.
It will therefore probably becorae necessary to strengthen
the Austrian Army in Germany, which can only be done
by drawing Troops from the Tyrol.
This consideration, together with the determination
which had been taken of not commencing operations in
Switzerland, have induced the Emperor to accede to the
demand of Neutrality made by the Swiss Government.
Accordingly His Imperial Majesty, in His Answer to the
Landaraman, has signified to that Government his consent
to admit the Neutrality of Switzerland.
But His Iraperial Majesty has, at the sarae time, declared
that His observance of this Engagement will depend en
tirely upon a strict adherence to such a Systera on the
part of the Swiss, and that frora the raoraent they permit
the passage of French Troops or grant supplies of any
sort — in general, that they deviate in the slightest degree
from the Neutrality they have proposed. He shall without
further explanation look upon the agreement as dissolved.
... In proportion as the prospect of succour from
Prussia decreases, the Necessity of eraploying fresh efforts
appears to be felt here. I am informed by Count Cobentzl
that not only all the Reserves, but what is called the
Double Reserve has been called out.
The Archduke Ferdinand left Vienna yesterday to join
the Army in Suabia. — I have, ke.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Mr. F. J. Jackson to Sir A. Paget.
Berlin, 20th September 1805.
Sir, — . . . Orders were issued last night for putting the
whole of the Prussian Array upon the War Establishraent.
Count Haugwitz sets out to-morrow upon a special Mission
to the Court of Vienna, and will probably explain the
motives of this extraordinary Measure, which is repre
sented to me by M. de Hardenberg as having no hostile
Intentions in view towards any Power, but as merelj^
intended to protect the Neutrality of this Country, and

2i8 THE PAGET PAPERS
to enable it to co-operate with the two Imperial Courts
in re-establishing the Independence and Tranquillity of
Europe. His Prussian Majesty has also determined to
hold Himself an Interview with The Emperor of Russia,
and will set out in two or three days for Warsaw, in the
neighbourhood of which City His Imperial Majesty is
supposed to be.
I have, in obedience to His Majesty's Commands, made
an Offer to this Court of a considerable subsidy, in case of
its co-operating with the allied Powers in their intended
Measures against France. This Proposal was taken ad
referendum, and the Acceptance of it made subject to the
Issue of the Negotiation now about to be commenced
with the two Imperial Courts. — I am, &c.
(Signed) F. J. Jackson.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave. '
[No. 96.] Vienna, 28 September 1805.
My Lord, — . . . Notwithstanding the Promise I
made to Count Cobentzl of supporting as much as
possible his demand for an increase of Subsidy, I have
uniformly pointed out to him the impossibility of its
being acceded to, and have endeavoured, and I trust not
unsuccessfully, to persuade him to abandon altogether the
Pursuit. . , .
The Circumstances under which the King of Prussia
formed the Resolution of having an Interview with the
Emperor Alexander are by no means considered as favor
able here. The Enemies of Russia appear to have fully
succeeded in representing the Conduct of that Prince in
the most hostile point of view towards Prussia.
Your Lordship will have heard from His Majesty's
Minister at Berlin of the unpropitious Issue of General
Meerfeldt's Negotiation ; at the last Interview that officer
had with The King, His Prussian Majesty in speaking
of Russia gave loose to a degree of violence in His
Manner and intemperance of Language wholly unusual
in Him. . . . — I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.

VIENNA, 1805 219
From Lord Paget to Sir Arthur Paget.
Ipswich, Sept. 30, 1805.
. . . Now for my own concerns. The proposal* in your
last letter is very tempting, but I fear that the objection
of my not knowing German is insurmountable to my
filling the situation in question. There is another very
potent one too. Report whispers that a very large body
of British Cavalry is to be employed in the spring, and it
is in every body's mouth that I am to coramand it. I
certainly do not aspire to so very high a trust, but I feel
confident that I shall be eraployed somehow, k think it
likely that The Light Cavalry may fall to my share. As
however I never ask or propose anything, & as there is
much intriguing at Weymouth &c., ke., I may possibly
be mistaken. If our Comraanders are well chosen (&
there are sorae very good ones) I think that the British
Array is in a state that will astonish Friend & Foe.
There is no part of the Allied Array that I should so well
like to act with as the Austrians, but their nurabers are
too great to require help, & I rather expect to act to the
Northward. Thank God Austria k Russia have now gone
too great lengths to recede ; my only dread is that France
may shrink k negociate. That will be fatal to us all.
She must be beaten, dreadfully beaten, before there can
be any peace or happiness in Europe. Whether under
Bonaparte or Bourbon, her wings must be clipped close.
Pray stick to that for ever. We, too, ought I think to
disgorge some of our Eastern Plunder.
What a glorious fellow is Pitt. I am so much his ad
mirer that I cannot help attributing a great deal of what
we raay now look forward to to hira. But one event can
now endanger the vast plans which I force rayself to be
lieve are now carrying on, & I do not think that is to be
feared. I mean the King's death. That would ruin all.
A new administration, a dissolution of the Coalition on
the Continent, & a bad peace would inevitably follow. I
am therefore in the greatest hurry to precipitate Austria
into action, for out of it she can now never corae until
France is fairly subdued, until she has it not in her power
'* That he should join Austrian headquarters. — A. P.

2 20 THE PAGET PAPERS
to do mischief. Do tell me if they are completely in
earnest. . . . God Bless you. — Affec^ Yours, Paget.
I expect the Duke here in ten days. I shall certainly
offer myself to him as a Military Envoy,
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 97.] Vienna, 2d October 1805.
My Lord, — Count Haugwitz arrived here two days ago,
and will have his first Audience of the Emperor this Day.
I cannot as yet inform your Lordship of the Object of his
Mission. . . .
The Elector having been required by the Court of
Vienna to disembody and to disarm his Troops, and his
Highness having thought proper not to accede to this
demand, a Body of Austrians have been ordered into
Franconia for the purpose of executing this measure.
It has been several times reported here that the French
had crossed the Rhine ; — the account which arrived here
yesterday of that event appears to be credited by this
Government. Should it be true, or whenever it may
happen, General Mack, as Count Cobentzl assured me last
night, has orders to advance and give them Battle. It
has been found necessary to reinforce the Army in Ger
many by drawing thirty Battalions from Italy, a circum
stance which appears to have created some Displeasure in
the Archduke Charles.
[At this time (October 3) Sir A. Paget became so unwell
he was incapable of attending to his diplomatic duties, and
he therefore deputed Mr. Cecil Jenkinson, the Secretary
of Legation, to see the Vice-Chancellor, Count Cobentzl,
on his behalf and to carry on the correspondence with the
Foreign Office.
On the 9th of October Mr. Jenkinson reports that
accounts had been received at Vienna of the French
army, under Marshal Bernadotte, having violated the
Prussian neutrality by entering the Margraviate of Ans
pach, that the troops of the Elector of Bavaria had
united themselves with the above - mentioned French
army, and that the direction of the whole force ap
peared to.be towards the Upper Palatinate. The junction

VIENNA, 1805 221
of the Bavarian army with that of Marshal Bernadotte
was accompanied by a declaration of war. Count Haug
witz' language during his mission to Vienna had been in
strict conformity to that of his Court, viz., that the most
inviolable neutrality would be preserved, and some curiosity
was now felt as to the effect which raight be produced
by this violation of Prussian neutrality. It was thought
that the meeting between the two Imperial Majesties and
the King of Prussia would take place at Cracow. The
Austrian Government was most anxious for the payment
of part of the subsidy promised by Great Britain.
On the 1 2th of October Mr. Jenkinson further reports
that orders had been sent to Count Philip Cobentzl (the
Austrian Ambassador) to quit Paris, and that arrangements
had been made for the exchange of the two Embassies at
the advanced posts. Count Cobentzl informed Mr. Jen
kinson that, according to his advices from Berlin, the
French violation of Prussian neutrality had produced the
greatest indignation on the part of the King of Prussia,
who had even had it in conteraplation to send away
Marshal Duroc and M. Laforest frora Berlin, but that the
measures to be taken had been submitted to a council of
war, and that the result of their deliberations was to advise
His Prussian Majesty to unite himself to the Allies, but
that His Majesty's determination was not yet known.]
From Count Cobentzl to Sir A. Paget.
Oct. s, 1805.
Vous etes malade, je le suis aussi un peu, mais ce qui
est encore plus malade que nous deux, ce sont nos finances.
Ainsi pour I'amour de Dieu, depechez vous de nous donner
vos deux cent mille livres sterlings. Zichy me presse
beaucoup, et il a raison, car nos besoins sont enorraes.
— Je vous embrasse de tout mon coeur.
(Signe) Cobentzl.
[On October 7 Count Cobentzl writes again to ask
for immediate payment of the subsidy of ^200,000 pro
mised to be paid whenever the outbreak of war should
seem inevitable.*]
¦* The Minister of FinanoS writes on October i6 to ackndJ^ledge the pay
ment of this subsidy.

2 22 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Count Cobentzl to Sir A. Paget.
Oct. 8, 1805.
Mille pardons de ce que je n'ai point ete chez vous
hier ; beaucoup d'affaires et le besoin de me menager pour
chasser un trfes leger ressentiment de goutte que j'eprouve,
m'a empeche de sortir. J'ai a present un interet de plus
d'etre sur un bon pied puisque je dois vous dire en con
fidence que vous etes destine k accompagner Sa Majeste k
I'armee ainsi que M' le Comte de Rasoumofsky et k faire
la guerre avec nous. C'est cela que je voulois vous dire
hier, persuade d'apres ce que vous m'avez fait connoitre
a cet egard de tout le plaisir que vous en ressentiriez. —
Agreez, &c. (Signe) Cobentzl.
[On October 14, 1805, Baron Hardenberg wrote a de
spatch to Marshal Duroc and M. Laforest, in which he
remonstrated on the passage of French troops over
Prussian territory. The King of Prussia in consequence
holds himself free from his engagements, and, without
obligations as well as without guarantees, he sees himself
obliged to place his armies where they are needed for the
protection of the State.]
From Count Cobentzl to Sir A. Paget.
Vienne, le le, Oct. 1805.
L'Electeur Bavaro Palatine non content de manquer k
la parole qu'il avoit donnee verbalement, et par ecrit, de
joindre ses troupes k eelles des deux Cours Imperiales,
vient au contraire de passer du c6te de leur ennemi com
mun, en publiant une declaration de guerre contre les
dites Cours, accompagnee d'un expose des motifs de Son
Altesse Serenissime Electorale, dans lequel les faits sont
entierement defigures.
Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave,
[Private.] Vienna, 17*^ Oct. 1805.
My dear Lord, — Having but a moment's notice of the
departure of this Courier, it is only in my power to trouble

VIENNA, 1805 223
y' Lordship with a few lines in this unofficial form, for
which I ask your Lordship's Indulgence.
The French Army under Bernadotte have entered
Munich, by which means, the comraunication between the
Army under the Archduke Ferdinand and the Russian
Troops is cut off, which was evidently the object of Berna
dotte. General Meerfeldt, who has now the command of
the Corps lately under Kienmayer, is at Arapfing about
two marches in front of Braunau, where the Russians are
assembling. In five or six days these two Corps, viz.
the Russians under General Kutusow, and the Austrians
under C Meerfeldt, will be united, and will advance to
the attack of Bernadotte. The above two Corps may
be estiraated at nearly 70,000 men. Should the attack
be a successful one, Bernadotte's situation will be a bad
one ; should it be otherwise, we may be prepared for
disasters, for the Austrians under the Archduke Fer
dinand would be exposed to an attack in front by the
Main French Army, and to be taken in the rear by Ber
nadotte. The last accounts frora His Royal Highness are,
of his being upon the lUer, with his flanks defended by
the Fortresses of Ulm k Memmingen, and of his deter
mination to maintain as long as possible that position,
which is an admirable one. The French under Generals
Ney and Soult had reconnoitred that position, apparently
with the Intention of attacking the Austrians, but had
found it too strong to hazard the Enterprise. Since the
arrival of the Array under General Bernadotte at Munich
no accounts have been received frora the Austrian Head
Quarters. . . ,
I am still so weak, k the tirae is so short that I have
been obliged to desire Mr. Jenkinson to acquaint your
Lordship by this opportunity of the conclusion of the
money Concerns which I have lately had to transact. . . .
— I have, ke. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
[On the resumption of his official duties, after recover
ing to a certain extent from his illness, Sir Arthur Paget
addressed a very important despatch (No. 100 ofthe 24th
of October) to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
relative to the manner in which the Austrians had hitherto
conducted their campaign.

2 24 THE PAGET PAPERS
It was the laying of this despatch (amongst others from
Sir A. Paget) before Parliament by Lord Mulgrave which
appeared to Mr. Fox (as will be seen in the correspon
dence of 1806) to be incompatible with Sir Arthur's
longer residence in Vienna, and was one of the reasons
assigned by Mr. Fox for having recommended the King
to recall hira.] Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 100.] Vienna, 24^/1 October 1805.
My Lord, — If the first Operations of the Campaign have
been attended with loss and disadvantage, which from the
present Aspect of Affairs it is, I am grieved to say, not too
much to presume, we may among other Causes attribute
our ill success to the following : —
The first and principal fault which has been committed
was to have taken the field with too small a force. Since
the very first Appearance of a Rupture with France, it has
been proved almost to demonstration that the Theatre
of the War would be in Germany. Bonaparte himself
publickly announced it in the first note presented by his
Charge d'Affaires at Ratisbon, and it was otherwise not
difficult to calculate that the whole Army of Boulogne
would rather be directed towards Strasbourg than Vienna.
Massena cannot have raore than seventy thousand Men
under his Command. The Armies under the immediate
command of Bonaparte cannot be estimated at less than
an hundred and forty thousand.
Notwithstanding which, the Campaign has .been opened
in Germany by about eighty thousand Austrians, whereas
to attack or to oppose Massena, neither of which he has
hitherto done, the Archduke Charles has not less than
from an hundred to an hundred and twenty thousand men.
I cannot explain this strange distribution and Misap
plication of the forces but in the two following ways : —
I. It is probable that General Mack, aware of the
jealousy or perhaps the decided Hatred borne him by the
iVi'cluluke, was unwilling to inflame that Animosity by a
[)roposal to withdraw from Italy any very considerable
Number of the Troops which, in the Commencement of
the Preparations, it was judged, expedient to place under

VIENNA, 1805 225
the Command of His Royal Highness in that Country.
To this false and misplaced delicacy therefore are in great
measure owing the present Misfortunes.
And I clo not see anything improbable in this surmise,
for it was not until the last extremity that thirty Batail-
lons of Infantry were in fact ordered from Italy to rein
force the Archduke Ferdinand's Army, and we know that
this very measure gave a great degree of Umbrage to the
Archduke. 2nd. In settling the plan of the Campaign, it must have
been calculated that previous to the opening of it the
Russians would have joined. This in truth, however false
and extraordinary, was the Calculation which was made ;
upon what it was founded I cannot exactly say.
Considering the immense Preparations which were carry
ing on here, the return of M. Novossilzoff announced in the
middle of July, the Notions which by that time Bonaparte
must more or less have acquired of the Negociations carried
on between His Majesty and the two Imperial Courts, it
was hardly to be expected that the deception could be
carried on beyond the Month of August, and this was in
fact the Epoch at which it ceased. On the other hand it
might have been and was ascertained that the French
Troops would quit the Coast in the first Days of Septem
ber ; it might also have been calculated 'that according
to the prodigious rapidity of their movements, and the
immense activity of their Chiefs, they would reach their
destination at the end of the same Month. Equally well
might it have been known that the first Russian Army
could not have arrived upon the Pan before the Middle of
October, From whence it became evident that in opening
the Campaign in the vicinity of the Rhine, the Austrians
voluntarily and with their eyes open chose to commence
hostUities single-handed against the French.
This statement, if it be a true one, and I think it cannot
be refuted, places it should seem General Mack in the
following dilemma : —
Either the Austrians were in sufficient force to contend
alone against the French, or they were not.
In the first hypothesis, why should the position of the
lUer have been chosen, never to be abandoned? in the
latter, why risk so forward a Movement ?
VOL. II. p

2 26 THE PAQET PAPERS
If however General Mack in taking up his position upon
the lUer under the above circumstances, could have feft '
himself confident of being able to maintain it until the
Arrival of the Russians, it is natural that with a view of
opposing a Barrier to the progress of the Enemy into the
Empire, he should have chosen it in preference to a more
backward Position., One cannot suppose that he could
have been directed by any other Motive — but we have
had the Mortification to disco'v'er the fallacy of it.
There was unquestionably something fascinating in the
idea of opening the Campaign in Suabia or Wirtemberg,
rather than in Bavaria, but it is to be presumed that had
the latter Electorate been fixed upon as the first scene for
action various Advantages would have resulted from it.
In the first place, had the Austrians advanced no further
than the Inn or the Iser or even the Lech, the French
would have required eight or ten days more, to have come
in contact with them, and the Russians might have joined
them in as many days less. Thus the Archduke Ferdi
nand's Army of eighty thousand Men, the Russians with
a Corps of Austrian Cavalry making together sixty thou
sand Men, the whole amounting to an hundred and forty
thousand would have been concentrated and ready to act
together at the signal given.
2ndly. By this plan (supposing the Austrians to have
taken 'their first position on the Inn) it is possible that
the scandalous Defection of the Elector of Bavaria might
have been avoided. Placed between two powerful Armies,
he would perhaps have maintained his Neutrality until
the moment of the explosion. Had Victory attended the
Austrians, he would have become an easy prey to their
Arms ; at all events the imraense mischief which both his
Army and his Subjects in general have done in Germany
since the commencement of Hostilities would have been
averted. 3rdly. It is true that the Countries of Baden, Wirtem
berg, and part of Bavaria, would have equally been
devoted to 'the ravages of the French Armies. This evil
was not to be .prevented but by the Occupation of the
whole of the South of Germany by the Austrians, and the
conduct of these Princes crea-tes little regret for the Op
pression which they have undergone.

VIENNA, 1805 227
The Position of the lUer was however determined upon,
and the Campaign was opened towards the end of September.
The Operations were commeiiced by Generals Berna
dotte and Marmont who directed their March towards
Wurtzbourg, thence into the Margraviate of Anspach, and
having in their route collected all the Bavariajis that
could be found, they crossed the Danube at Ingoldstadt
and Neubourg, driving before them the sraall Corps under
General Kienraayer, and entered Bavaria with between
sixty and seventy thousand Men.
And here commenced the Misfortunes of the Cam
paign : * whether General Mack undervalued the force of
that Army, or whether he was uninformed or misinformed
as to its destination, which he might have conceived to
be a momentary irruption into Bohemia, remains to be
explained, — certain it is that, instead of changing his own
Position in consequence of it, he contented himself with
detaching an inconsiderable force under the command of
General Kienmayer for the purpose of watching its
Operations. During the above period the French Army under Bona
parte, amounting according to the nearest calculation to
eighty thousand Men, crossed the Rhine. The Electorate
of Wirtemberg, the Plains of Nordlingen, &c., were passed
with a degree of rapidity almost unexampled. On the
6th or 7 th of October the greatest part of the French
Army had crossed the Danube near Donauwerth, had
taken up a position between that River and Augsbourg,
had by this Movement formed a Junction with the Army
under Bernadotte, and had thus posted themselves in the
Rear of the Imperialists.
From this moment commenced that species of Warfare
by which the French rendered themselves so remarkable
and so formidable in former campaigns.
¦* Mack took up a position at Ulm which was protected against all possible
French attacks expected from the Black Fore.st. Napoleon, instead of moving
directly, " coasted " the Swabian Alps (the highest hills of the Black Forest),
crossed the Danube at Donauwerth, and came in the very rear of Mack. In
all previous campaigns of French commanders the route taken had been
either the defiles of the Black Forest near Strasbourg, or the Rhine valley to
Lake Constance, and thence to the sources of the Danube. In an extended line
of twenty-six leagues Napoleon led converging forces numbering 180,000 men,
unencumbered (except with bread and biscuit for four days), and this whole
mass closed round Mack and hemmed him in before he could change his
position.

2 28 THE PAGET PAPERS
Ofthe Affairs of the Sth, 9th, and nth I have already
had the honor of transmitting to your Lordship the
Official Accounts. To those who were the most sanguine
the Issue of the Battle of the i ith had given some hopes
of future success, but they were illusory ; General Ney
had quietly made his retreat upon the main of the French
Army still between the Danube and Augsbourg, and the
Communication between the Austrians and Russians was
now completely cut off,
What has been the result of the reiterated Attq,cks
which have taken place since the nth I can by no means
take it upon myself to inform your Lordship with any
degree of accuracy, but what I can unravel out of the con
fused and incoherent Mass of Intelligence which has been
received here may be reduced I believe to the following
Points. . The Austrians have been obliged to abandon the Posi
tion of Ulm and to cross the Danube. At the departure
of the last Courier they were, I fancy, in the Neighbour
hood of Heydenheim.
In consequence of this Movement (whether by choice or
by Necessity I know not) General Mack divided his Army,
and General Jellachick was detached with I believe fifteen
or sixteen Bataillons towards the Tyrol. Orders were
sent at this time to the Garrison of Memmingen, which
consisted of eleven Bataillons, to evacuate that place and
join the above Corps under General Jellachick. Whether
the Order arrived too late, or whether it was ill delivered
I am also unable to decide, but the Garrison capitulated
to the French under General Davoust after the Town had
been nearly reduced to Ashes. It is to be observed that
the ArtiUery destined for the Fortifications of that place
was still without the Town.
Upon this Occasion a great Number of Bavarian
Peasants who had joined the French, and who were
taking possession of the above Artillery, were cut to
pieces by the Austrian Hussars who carried the whole
or the greatest part of it off.
It is difficult to say what has been the Loss, of the
Austrians, but after that sustained on the Sth, 9th, and
1 1 th, which by their own Accounts are estimated at four
thousand Men, but which may be fairly laid at least at

VIENNA, 1805 229
six or seven, after the Loss of the whole Garrison at
^Memmingen which consisted of eleven Bataillons, after
the separation of Jellachick who may be supposed to have
taken with him twelve thousand Men, I can hardly sup
pose that General ]\Iack had, at the moment of his cross
ing the Danube, much more than forty-five thousand Men
with him. What has happened since I shudder to refiect
upon, for it is reported, and iu fact there is Uttle room to
doubt it, that up to the 16th or 1 7th of this Month, there
have been various and bloody Actions between the two
Armies. With the above force therefore it is evident that General
Mack could not attack the French, who are perhaps triple
his Numljers.
Had it been in his power to have reached the Tyrol
¦with the whole of his Army, great advantages might stUl
have resulted from such a movement. He might have
operated his junction through the Electorate of Saltzbourg
with the Russian Army at Braunau, and have thus pro
tected the Austrian Frontier, but it is more than probable
that when he passed the Danube he was no longer master
of his Actions.
In this state of things it appears that he has the Choice
but of two Movements,* either to traverse Franconia in
order to regain the Frontiers of Bohemia, or to recross the
Danube in order to effect his junction with the Russians.
It is hoped that he may be able to execute this latter
movement (the best in fact should it be practicable) and
that he ^vUl effect the Passage at Ratisbon. I own that I
have no such hopes.
I devoutly ¦wish that the Affafrs I have been discussing
may stiU take a favorable tum ; this may result from
some well directed and decided blow — if for instance the
Archduke should be fortunate enough to force a passage
through some weak point in the French Army ; it may
also happen through some fault committed by the Enemy,
but situated as things are at tiie moment I am ¦writing,
¦* In Mack's defence before the Council of War it was urged against him
that Prince Ferdinand escaped to Bohemia and Jellachick to the Tyrol ; why,
then, did he not escape too ? His answer is complete. Both were detachments
lai^ely composed of cavalry, with no stores to protect, and their withdrawal,
by reducing his army from 70,000 to 30,000, took away all hope of resistance
on Ms part.

230 THE PAGET PAPERS
no reasonable hopes can be entertained of so favorable
an Issue,
I have thus endeavored to give your Lordship the best
Information I am capable of respecting the Situation of
the Austrian and French Armies.
Those under Generals Kutusow and Meerfeldt, which, as
I have on a former Occasion had the Honor of informing
Your Lordship, amount to between sixty and seventy
thousand Men, were to advance yesterday or the Day
before from Braunau and Ampfing, but it cannot as yet
be known here the direction they will take. Whether
they will immediately march to attack the French, or
whether they have had the means of concerting their
Movements with General Mack, in order previously
to effect the Junction, — whether, on the other hand,
Bonaparte, after perhaps having nearly annihilated the
Austrians, will commence an Attack upon the united
force under the above named Generals, are Events upon
which it would be rash and inconsiderate in me to pre
tend to decide, but I own I rather lean to the latter
Opinion, nor do I feel altogether sanguine as to the result
of it.
I am sorry to say that a general Consternation and
Dismay is beginning to prevail here, at least in the
public. The presence of the Emperor of Russia, who is
expected here on the 5th of next month, may perhaps
tend to dispel the Gloom, particularly should Affairs
take rather a more favorable turn in the Interval. If
in truth they bear an inauspicious aspect they are not
by any means desperate. There is an Army of Reserve
of fifty thousand Men ; there are as many more Russians
on their March ; some Reinforcements may be drawn
from Italy ; fifty or sixty thousand Men may, it is to be
hoped, be saved from the Austrian and Russian Armies
now in Germany ; so that in the course of three or four
Weeks, unless these Armies should be absolutely and
literally annihilated, we shall have considerably above
an hundred thousand Men ready to take the Field.
But what is more extraordinary than all the rest is the
torpor which seems to prevail at the Head Quarters of
the Archduke Charles. Until I see reasons for altering
my Opinion, I must think that this inactivity proceeds

' VIENNA, 1805' 231
from 111 Will in His Royal Highness. Had Hostilities
commenced at the proper period in Italy, we should in
all probability have been in possession of the Milanese.
But there is nobody about that Prince capal)le of stimu
lating Him ; there are Generals Bellegarde and Lach,
both of whom are experienced and good officers, but
neither of whom have either the Energy or Enterprize to
conduct such a War as the present, and as to the persons
composing the Staff of His Royal Highness I have too
often had Occasion to speak of them.
On the 1 6th Inst., the day on which it was calculated
that the Archduke would cross the Adige, a Cannonade
was opened from the French side of Verona upon the
Works constructing by the Austrians on their side, and
which was answered by them. This is the only Act of
Hostility which down to this date has taken place in Italy.
According to the reports which I have seen from Count
Metternich it would appear that the determination taken
by the Emperor of Russia to go Himself to Berlin was
most wise, necessary, and well timed.
But much as I desire the co-operation of that Court,
I cannot but feel averse to the idea of its being called
in to save Austria, for as I am now informed, the King
of Prussia has been formally invited to march his Troops
into Bohemia for that purpose, a measure which, in my
opinion, ought in no possible case to have been resorted
to. In the first place I am persuaded that it is not a
necessary one, and in the next, I cannot but consider it
as one full of Objections and liable to Evils which may
not be felt at the present Day, but which will raost
certainly be only consigned to temporary oblivion. — I
have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 102.] Vienna, 24fA Oc«o6er 1805. Thursday Night.
My Lord, — It is with the deepest concern I have to
announce to your Lordship that the apprehensions ex
pressed in my Despatch of yesterday relative to the Situa
tion of the Austrian Army were but too well grounded.
In my Way to the Vice Chancellor's this morning I
received a Note from him desiring to see me immediately.

232 THE PAGET PAPERS
He had just left the Emperor.
The scene was a most distressing one. The following
is the Intelligence he communicated to me.
A Courier arrived here this morning from General
Meerfeldt with accounts fully confirming those which had
already been given by the French of their victories over
the Austrians. They were sent to General Meerfeldt's
outposts by the Bavarian General Wrede, and have been
further confirmed by letters from Baron de Hiigel at
Ratisbon, who dispatched an Estafette which arrived
about the same time as the above Courier.
By these different Reports we learn that General Mack
with eighteen thousand Men had taken Refuge either in
the fortress of Ulm or in some of the fastnesses about
that Town, and had there offered terms of Capitulation
for Himself and His Army.- The French had refused to
treat with him (on account of his escape from France),
and the Terms had been signed by Prince Maurice Lichten
stein ; they were however accepted by the French, with
the proviso, that should there be the smallest appearance
of the Arrival of any succour to the Austrians between
that time and the 25th of this Month, the Capitulation
would be considered as null and void. From the Situa
tion of things no succours could have arrived, — that part
of the Army therefore will to-morrow surrender themselves
Prisoners of War.
As to what remains of it, we learn that the Archduke
Ferdinand had forced a Passage at the Head of twelve
thousand Men, supposed to be chiefly or entirely Cavalry,
with which he was making the best retreat he could to
wards the Frontiers of Bohemia. Of the eighty thousand
Austrians therefore with which the Campaign opened, at
the end of less than a fortnight there remains besides the
small Corps under Generals Jellachick and Kienmayer,
mentioned in my Dispatch No. 100, twelve thousand
Men, of whom we have yet to learn how many will
escape. I have not as yet seen the list of the Officers killed
and taken Prisoners, but among those who have escaped
are, I have reason to hope, Prince Charles Schwartzenberg
and General Ozjulay.
With the above Intelligence the Vice ChanceUor begged

VIENNA, 1805 233
that I w^ould lose no time in dispatching a Messenger to
England, and that I would assure His Majesty's Govern
ment of the Emperor's decided Resolution to call forth
the very last Resources of His Dominions in defence of
them. A Military Council was to be held this afternoon
for the purpose of issuing such Orders as the Pressure of
the moment demands.
Nothing is known of Bonaparte's movements, but it is
hardly to be doubted that his next and immediate Opera
tions will be decided against the combined Corps under
Generals Kutusow and Kienmayer. Here I should correct
an Error. I have lately been describing the Corps of
Austrians now attached to the Russian Army as com
manded by General Meerfeldt. This officer generously
declined the flattering offer of His Sovereign, and re
quested His Imperial Majesty not to displace General
Kienmayer. This General therefore retains his Com
mand, and Count Meerfeldt is at the head of the few
regiments originally destined to act with the Russians.
I conclude that they will now act on the Defensive, until
either the movements of the Prussians, or the arrival of
the other expected succours will place them in a situation
to move forward.
Such, My Lord, is the deplorable State of Affairs at
the moment I am writing. I have been besought in the
most impressive Terms by Count Cobentzl to entreat His
Majesty's Government to represent to His Majesty the
Emperor's earnest and anxious hope that His Majesty will
come to the Succour of His Allies, by sending a Part of
His Forces into Holland and thereby creating a powerful
diversion, which Country I have been desired to state to
be wholly evacuated by the French Troops.
I have been further most anxiously requested to lay
before His Majesty's Government the total absence of
pecuniary Resources in this Country, and to propose that
I may be forthwith authorised to furnish to this Court
such part of the Subsidy as according to the Treaty may
be due, aiid considering the heavy Misfortunes under
which this Country is now struggling, earnestly to recom
mend to His Majesty's most gracious consideration the
proposals which have lately been made by the Emperor
for additional pecuniary Assistance.

234 THE PAGET PAPERS
Two or three different times during this Interview
Count Cobentzl, with tears in his eyes, assured me' that
in proportion as the danger increased, the Emperor's
Resolution to oppose it with His utmost efforts became
inalterable. As I mentioned in my Dispatch No. loo, the King of
Prussia has been solicited to march, a Body of Troops to
the support of the allied Armies, and I have been re
quested by the Vice ChanceUor to call upon His Majesty's
Minister at Berlin to second Count Metternich in the
execution of his Instructions. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Lord Mulgrave to Sir Arthur Paget.
[No. 8.] Downing Street, October 25, 1805.
[Lord Mulgrave announces the arrival of despatches
expressing the favourable disposition of the Court of
Berlin, which has been confirmed by the verbal declara
tion of Baron Jacobi, the Prussian envoy in London.
Nothing was yet exactly ascertained with respect to the
extent of the engagements into which Prussia would enter,
yet a direct opening had been made upon the provisions
of a subsidiary Treaty with a view to hostile operations
against France. Lord Harrowby was to be sent on a
special mission to Berlin, invested with the most ample
powers ; his object was to engage the Prussian armies in
operations menacing the rear of the French, so as to pro
duce diversion in favour of the Austrian forces, or even
decide the campaign, either by obliging the French pre
cipitately to retreat within their own frontier, or to incur
the risk of being entirely cut off from all communication
across the Rhine. A considerable body of Hanoverian
troops was embarked to co-operate with the Russians and
Swedes for the deliverance of Hanover, and to advance
upon the frontier of the united provinces in conjunction
with the Prussian troops destined to raarch into the
Electorate. A second expedition was embarking to occupy
the island of Walcheren. Other considerable Bodies of
His Majesty's troops will be kept in constant readiness to
take advantage of any favourable opportunity. He con
tinues : — ]

VIENNA, 1805 235
I trust that these Prospects will animate the Austrian
Cabinet to exert the utmost vigour and Perseverance
under any temporary difficulties with which they may
have to contend from any Success which may have
attended the French Arms in the first Operations of
the Campaign. It is evident that if the Hopes now
entertained of the co-operation of Prussia are verified, no
Progress which the French might for a time make in
Germany, even (if it were possible to suppose such a case)
to the Walls of Vienna itself, could terminate otherwise
than in the certain Disgrace and probable Destruction of
the French Army.
Even independent of the co-operation of Prussia, the
same effect could hardly fail to be produced by the full
exertion of the immense means and Resources which
Austria itself could employ in the Heart of its Empire,
aided by the Powerful Reinforceraents which it has to
receive from Russia, and directed against an Army which
must be weakened, impaired, and unsupported, in Pro
portion to the distance to which it advances.
His Majesty trusts and believes that the Reports which
have reached this Country of the Successes said to be
obtained by the French on the Danube, are at least
greatly exaggerated, and that there is no reason to appre
hend any Crisis of the Nature here referred to ; but in
any extremity He cannot doubt that, if it were necessary
for a time even to relinquish the defence of Vienna Itself,
the great Power of the Austrian Monarchy would remain
unbroken, and would still furnish the raeans of finally
turning so desperate an enterprise to the certain con
fusion of the Enemy. . . . — I am, ke.
(Signed) Mulgrave.
Interview of General Mack and Napoleon. October.
Voici la substance de la conversation du General Mack
avec Bonaparte, telle que le General I'a rendue lui-meme
Lundi 28 de ce mois : —
Bonaparte avoit son quartier-general dans un village
pres d'Ulm. Apres que I'Armee prisonnier etit defile
devant lui, il a fait venir les Generaux k son quartier.

236 THE PAGET PAPERS
Lorsque Mack est entre U I'a trfes poliment regu. Celui-ci
a commence par lui dire que ce qui I'interesse avant tout,
etoit une affaire qui compromettait son honneur personnel,
et dont on continuoit sans cesse k lui faire des reproches ;
il s'agissoit de sa fuite de Paris en 1799.*, Bonaparte I'a
interrompu pour le prier de ne pas en parler, en lui as-
surant qu'il n'y pensoit meme plus. Mais Mack ne s'est pas
deconcerte; il a aliegue tous ses moyens justificatifs, et
Bonaparte a fini par lui dire qu'il en etoit pleinement
satisfait, qu'il avoit toujours e-te assez mal-instruit sur
cette affaire, et qu'il le priait trfes-fort de I'oublier.
Aprfes cela Bonaparte est entre en matiere. II a dedame
pendant une demi-heure contre la folic de I'Empereur de
lui faire la guerre, tandis qu'il travailloit pour le continent
afin de le soustraire a la tyrannic Angloise, II a voulu
apprendre par Mack quel avoit proprement ete la cause
du changement subit dans la systeme politique de la Cour
de Vienne ; sur quoi Mack lui a dit qu' autant qu'il con-
noissoit la politique, cette cause se trouvoit surtout dans
les progres continuels des Frangois en Italic. Et lorsque
Bonaparte a voulu lui prouver que ces progrfes n'interessoit
nuUement la maison d'Autriche, Mack lui a dit que cet
objet avoit ete envisage sous un tout autre point de vue
par la Cour Imperiale, comme par toutes les autres puis
sances de cette partie de I'Europe.
Voyant que Mack evitoit autantque possible d'entrer dans
les details politiques, il s'est tournl vers la partie militaire.
II lui a demande pourquoi on avoit fait d'aussi mauvais
arrangements ; pourquoi avec la certitude que le theatre
de la guerre s'etablirait en AUemagne, on avoit envoye en
Italic la partie la plus considerable de I'armee ; il a ajoute
qu'il se moquoit de cette armee d'ltalie, que la sienne
n'etoit pas k la verite forte de 70,000 hommes, mais que
I'ltalie etant herissee de places, et les Italiens capable de
les garder seuls, il n'avoit jamais eu la moindre crainte ;
que, si on avoit eu 150,000 hommes sur le Danube, il
n'auroit jamais ose faire ce qu'il avoit fait.
De Ik il a passe aux operations particuliers. Cette
partie de la conversation n'a pas ete rendue k I'interlocu-
teur. Mais il est vraisemblable que Mack y a un peu
'*¦ Mack had been a prisoner in 1799, and not being exchanged, he broke his
parole and escaped.

VIENNA, 1805 237
attaque les autres generaux Autrichiens en rejettant sur
eux le tort de tous ses desastres.
Ensuite Bonaparte lui a demande pourquoi il n'avoit
pas aussi t4che de gagner le territoire Prussien. Mack
lui a repondu " puisque nous le savions neutre." Bona
parte : "Et qu'en seroit-U resulte?" Mack: "Que les
Prussiens se seraient declares contre nous." Bonaparte,
apres avoir reflechi pendant quelques moments: "Ah!
les Prussiens ne se dedarent pas si vite." Outre ce seul
propos, il s'est exprime sur le compte de la Prusse avec la
plus grande circonspection, et toutes les fois que Mack a
parie dans la supposition que la Prusse pouvoit agir
contre lui, il a fait semblant de ne pas 1' entendre.
II s'est engage aprfes cela une longue discussion sur les
projets ulterieurs de Bonaparte ; il a dit k Mack que son
plan etoit d'entrer dans le Tyrol, et de tourner de cette
maniere toutes les provinces hereditaires k la fois. Mack
s'est donne beaucoup de peine pour lui prouver que dans
tous les cas le projet de s'avancer jusqu'k Vienne etoit
excessivement dangereux ; et Bonaparte a la fin a paru
le sentir. Cependant il a coupe la conversation en lui
disant: "Eh bien, si j'attaque une mauvaise position, je
saurai m'en tirer." (Ou quelque chose de Pared; car ce
point-ci n'est pas tout-k-fait edairci.)
Enfin, il lui a dit que ses troupes entreroient en Suisse,
Mack lui en a temoigne son etonnement en lui faisant
observer " que I'Empereur son maitre avoit accorde la
neutralite k la Suisse." Bonaparte lui a replique : " Oui,
mais sous condition que je la leur accorderois de ma part.
Eh bien, je I'ai refusee."
Voilk ce qui m'a ete communique de positif et de
detailie sut cette conversation. Mais je sais en outre, k
ne pas pouvoir en douter un instant, qu'il y a ete beau
coup question de paix ; que Bonaparte a repete sans cesse
" qu'il ete pret k faire la paix," en ajoutant cependant k
plusieurs reprises " qu'il lui falloit quelques garanties
pour la stabilite de cette paix."
Le General Mack a fait de toute cette conversation un
rapport detailie k I'Empereur.

238 THE PAGET PAPERS

Precis o/Sir A. Paget's despatch No. 104.
Vienna, Nov, ist, 1805.
The A. Duke Anthony has been sent to Berlin to sol-
licit the speedy and effectual co-operation of Prussia.
The A. Duke Charles is invited to join the Army in
Germany, and to reinforce it with troops from Italy.
Sir A. Paget thinks that his presence here would soon
be followed by pacific proposals.
Two Officers have been sent to take down Depositions
of Gen' Mack's Recital of his Military Operations : & he is
since gone to the neighbourhood of Briinn in Moravia.
The Emperor is gone to join the combined Army, for
the object of stimulating Kutusow to action. Nothing is
known here of the movements of the French.
Sir A. Paget deeply laments the capricious conduct of
Ct. Cobentzl towards him, varying with the day from the
fullest confidence to the strictest Reserve.
The A. Duke Charles has met with a check on the 24th,
& Sir A. Paget is convinced he is now retreating to join the
Army in Germany, k that to prevent this will be Buona
parte's next object. Preparations are making for leaving
Vienna. Recruits are collected with the greatest activity ;
the Depredations of the Russians are much complained of
The Austrian Ministers are more imbecile than ever.
Ct. Cobentzl assures Sir A. Paget that Gen. Mack will be
tried by a Court Martial. He has lost 50,000 Prisoners,
& stores etc. to the value of 30 millions of florins. None
of His officers ever approved of His conduct, & He had
a carte blanche from the Emperor ¦which placed him
above The Commander in Chief, Prince Ferdinand. Gen.
Mack persisted to the last in asserting that a counter
revolution had broken out in France, the English Army
landed on the Coast, & the French Army retiring. He
on the contrary says that the officers never would obey
his orders, k were unanimous in saying that resistance
was impossible. Gen. Mack will probably escape punish
ment by the circumstance of the position of The lller
having been determined on by the Emperor himself.
To Sir A. Paget Count Cobentzl denies that The Em
peror has taken any notice of the vague proposals of peace

VIENNA, 1805 239
brought by Gen. Mack : but Sir A. Paget is assured that
the Emp' Aas answered them in a letter to Buonaparte, in
dignified and firm terms, refusing to listen to any other
conditions than those offered before the War & persisting
to treat in concert with Russia.
Ct. Cobentzl has shown this letter to the Prussian
Minister. On the arrival of the Archduke Ferdinand the Emperor
reproved him for not putting Mack under arrest. The A.
Duke accuses Mack of the deepest treachery, cowardice,
&c. &c. &c.
From Sir A. Paget to the Countess of Uxbridge.
Vienna, ird November 1805.
My dear Mother, — I write by a Messenger I am dis
patching to England, not I am afraid with any good news,
but on the contrary to represent the wretched state of
affairs here. You can have no idea of the consternation
which prevails here at this moment. I don't know which
is the most feared, the arrival of the Russians or their
retreat, or that of the French. Every body who possesses
or can hire a Horse is moving off, and all the Horses are
put in requisition by the Government, as well as the
Boats OH the Danube. There never was such work.
Sailors and Soldiers are no doubt exposed to more danger,
but you may believe me when I tell you that we are
not always upon Roses. I am fortunately sufficiently re
covered to support the movement of a Carriage. In case
of a retreat the Emperor will go to Olmiitz. Of course I
shall have to accompany him. Not to raention the Incon
venience of all this, the expense of it is enorraous ; what with
the preparations for the Carapaign and those for my Depar
ture, I shall not get off for rauch less than ^^3000, for which
I must necessarily open a Battery upon Government.
In this state of things you will not expect to hear much
from me upon a certain subject; — in fact, I really do not
know whether I have any right to mention it at all. This
Charivari will certainly not make me more popular among
them all, for of course they attribute their misfortune to
the English exclusively, and I do not pass for the most
peaceful of the Nation.

240 THE PAGET PAPERS
Precis o/Lord Mulgrave's despatch to Sir A. Paget.
[No. IO.] Downing Street, November sth, 1805.
No official account of the fall of Ulm and capitulation
of Mack has been received. It is most probable that
the news of disaster are exaggerated. It is believed
that favourable prospects remain of an early change
of circumstances.
His Majesty looks with Confidence to the great Exer
tions which the powerful Resources of the hardy and
warlike Population of the Austrian Dominions may im
mediately afford, in conjunction with the 140,000 Russian
troops destined for active Operations in Germany. Pos
sibly the favourable Disposition of the Court of Berlin
may enable the Emperor of Russia to move forward
another Body of 40,000 Men, which it had been originally
intended to leave as an Army of Observation on the
Frontiers of Lithuania. His Majesty, seeing, the For
titude with which the Court of Vienna has encountered
th^e first impetuous Exertions of the Enemy, will leave no
means untried which the period of the Season and the
nature of Maritime Operations will permit to create a
Diversion favourable to the Allies.
Contrary Winds have alone retarded the sailing of
12,000 British and Hanoverian Troops for the purpose
of landing in the Elbe. A large additional British Force
is also prepared, to be used to the best advantage according
to the Intelligence received from Prussia.
Lord Harrowby has gone to Berlin. Should he be
successful, and should the King of Prussia be prevailed
upon to act, Saxony and Hesse (and perhaps Denmark)
will also probably accede to the Confederacy. Great as
have already been the Pecuniary Efforts which His Majesty
has made for the Common Cause, He is ready still to
extend them to such a further Amount as may enable
those Powers to bring forward an active force of from
200,000 to 250,000 Men; His Own Active Force, to be
employed either in Co-Operation on the Continent or in
Offensive Maritime Operations against France, will be
augmented, by the next Season, to 60,000 men.
The cordial Union and United Exertions of the great

VIENNA, 1805 241
Powers of Europe cannot fail of ultimate success. His
Majesty is persuaded that the Antient Spirit of Austria
would still remain unshaken and undismayed, though the
Common Enemy of Europe should for a moment effect his
declared purpose, and establish his Standard on the Walls
of Vienna. Should he, contrary to Expectation, possess
himself of the Capital of the Austrian Empire, he would
then have to encounter the concentrated Energy of a great
and loyal Nation, and the United efforts of powerful Allies,
all deeply interested in the Destruction of his Power,
which he will also be less capable of raaintaining in pro
portion as success shall have carried him to a distance from
the Source whence that Power must derive its Augmenta
tion and Support.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 105. Secret and confidential.] Vienna, Si/i iVour. 1805.
My Lord, — . . . The French are in full march, and
the Combined Armies in full retreat. Bernadotte and
Marmont are at Saltzbourg ; it is understood that Bona
parte and Murat are advancing on the left Bank of the
Danube : it is Davoust who is marching directly to Vienna.
He may be here to-morrow. The Austro-Russian Head
Quarters according to the last Accounts were at St.
Polten forty miles from hence, but that Army has pro
bably at this moraent crossed the Danube on its Retreat
into Moravia. I still observe that the ignorance here
and, as I am informed, at Head Quarters, respecting
the movements of the Enemy is beyond all credibility.
They have not such a thing as a Spy belonging to them.
The Emperor set off at five o'clock yesterday Morning
for Presbourg, from whence he was to continue his route
for Briinn and Olmutz.
Count Cobentzl set off last night. I shall follow to
night or to-morrow morning, in consequence of the en
closed Invitation. The Russian Ambassador is already
gone. In conformity to the Notice given in my Despatch
No. 104 I yesterday morning presented an official note
to the Vice Chancellor of which the enclosed is a Copy.
I hardly expected that an immediate Answer would
VOL. II, ' Q

242 THE PAGET PAPERS
be returned. What however has since passed upon this
subject is as follows.
When I called upon Count Cobentzl last night his first
words were "Vous m'avez envoye une note ce matin
¦dans laquelle vous ne nous rendez pas justice, il ne faut
pas ajouter foi k tous les bruits de la ville." More than
this (had I entertained any doubt relative to the Informa
tion I had received) was not wanting to convince me of
the ground upon which I stood. He proceeded to say that
I might be strongly persuaded of the Rectitude and Firm
ness of the Emperor, that I had an unanswerable proof of
it in the determination, he had come to of sacrificing His
Capital, and that He had no hesitation in assuring me that
this Resolution and Firmness were not to be shaken. He
.said that he had not hitherto had it in his power to lay my
note before His Imperial Majesty; — he therefore particu
larly begged that I would consent to his not entering further
upon the matter of it, until we met at Briinn or Olmiitz.
I saw and felt that this was not the moment for a
•discussion, particularly as the Vice Chancellor was just
getting into his Carriage ; I therefore thought it advis-
a,ble not to press the Question further.
What fell from him during the short time we remained
together amounts nearly to a Confession of that of which
lie is accused. I shall take the earliest opportunity of
making your Lordship acquainted with what is still to
pass between us.
The latest Accounts received here from Berlin state
that the Emperor of Russia was still there ; the Reports
from the Archduke Anthony and Count Metternich appear
to afford satisfaction.
Hence the Interview between the two Emperors will
now probably take place at Olmutz.
There are levies of all sorts going on here and in the
other Provinces of the Monarchy. The States of Hun
gary alone have voted flfty thousand Men, who are to
Ibe equipped and ready in about a Month.
There is a considerable degree of discontent here,
which has not been diminished by the departure of the
Emperor having taken place without any notice of it
having been given to the Public. — I have the honor,
•&c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.

VIENNA, 1805 243
[Enclosure.] Le Soussigne Envoye Extraordinaire et Ministre Pieni
potentiaire de Sa Majeste le Roi de la Grande Bretagne
et de rirlande comptant sur les assurances positives et
reiterles qui' lui avoient ete donnees par Son Excellence
M. le Vice Chancelier de Cour et d'Etat n'a pu jusqu'k ce
moment ajouter foi k un bruit qui s'est repandu depuis
plusieurs jours ; mais tout extraordinaire qu'il est, il prend
une telle consistance que malgre son desir d'eviter tout
embarras dans des circonstances aussi critiques, il est
cependant de son devoir de demander k ce sujet une
explication. On dit qu'k la suite des Ouvertures faites au General
Mack par Bonaparte, Sa Majeste Imperiale a ecrit k ee
Chef du Gouvernement Franjois, qu'EUe ne seroit dis
posee a entrer en Negociation que de concert avec Son
Allie Sa Majeste I'Empereur des Russies,
Le Soussigne ne pretend pas examiner I'UtiUte d'une
pareille demarche mais, d'apres les relations intimes qui
existent entre les Cabinets de Londres et de Vienne, il
doit croire que si Elle eut ete faite, il en auroit eu Com
munication. II doit done penser que ce bruit n'a aucun fondement,
cependant I'Objet est d'une telle importance qu'il se voit
oblige pour sa decharge de demander k M. le Vice Chan
celier ce qu'il doit ecrire k cet egard k Son Gouverne
ment. — II s'empresse de renouveller, &c.
(Signed) A. Paget.
Vienne, le 7 Nov*' 1805.
From the Countess of Uxbridge to Sir A. Paget.
Plasnewydd, Nov. 10, 1805.
My very dearest Arthur, — With heart felt sorrow
we have received your letters of the 9th & 12 th of
October ; to express our sensations is impossible, but you
can judge of them, who know our unbounded affection
for you. Who but your dear self would have written
Tinder such cruel sufferings. God bless and reward you
for this additional mark of kindness and attention, Tho'
you assure me you are so much recover'd I cannot have

244 THE PAGET PAPERS
a moment's peace of mind till I have a further confirma
tion of it ; never shall I forget yesterday as long as/
Memory remains. Oh ! my beloved Son, think what a
day it was to us ; the account of your illness, of the fall
of that great Man Lord Nelson, and his brilliant Victory,
and the total defeat of the Austrians (if we may credit
the French Account the total annihilation of them) all
came together ; it was too much and we were sunk to the
lowest ebb. Victory purchased at such a price is dearly
bought, but we have the consolation of reflecting that he
died as he always express' d a wish to do. What a con
trast is the account of this Exploit, and that given in the
French papers of Bonaparte. How strongly do they mark
the character of the two nations.
From the Earl of Uxbridge to Sir A. Paget.
Plasne'wtdd, 2ist Nov. 1805.
My dear Arthur, — . , . Poor dear Edward is off, I
presume for Hanover. He commands an Elegant Brigade ;
I have some Notion his own Reg* the 28th will soon join
him. The dear King said to me one day, " When is 'that
old feUow to die ? " " Who, sir," I said.—" Prescot,—
remember when he does, that I will give the 2 Sth away
myself I will not be asked for it, no, no, Edward shall
have it." I instantly stoop'd & kiss'd his dear hand, &
when he has seen him ever Since, his Notice of him has
been always most Mark'd. I have already told you Mr.
E. P. is at Blithfield. I wrote you a very Unguarded.
letter the last, & I can hardly refrain from expressing my
Anger in this ; however I must say that the Austrians
shou'd have a better look out, & if they allow themselves
to be bullied by the Usurper, they will soon cease to be
a Nation. What think you of our late Naval Victory,
it cou'd not have been better timed ; but the death of
Poor Nelson is a most grievous national loss, — but thank
God we have a good list of fine fellows left. Six very
(fine) Line of Battle Ships are already Sail'd to replace
those that were damaged in the Action. Our Board
of Admiralty are quite alive, k had actually prepared
these ships expecting the Battle that has been fought.
The Battle of the Nile raised the drooping spirits of

VIENNA, 1805 245
Europe when subdued by the Battle of Marengo. Why
then may not the distruction of twenty of the Enemies'
combined fleet rouse our Spirits again, k enable us to
make an example of that most Wicked, Vilainous, & very
worst of Wretches Buonaparte.
From Lord Mulgrave to Sir A. Paget.
fNo. II.] Downing Street, November i^th, 1805.
[He directs Sir A. Paget to convince the Austrian
Government that His Majesty will afford more effectual
assistance to that Power by directing his further pecuniary
exertions to bringing the armies of the Northern Powers
to act against the common enemy than he can by adding
to the payments made to Austria, and thereby circum
scribing the efforts of the rest of Europe for its relief,
and for the ultimate and complete success of the great
and arduous contest for general security in which they
were engaged.] Precis o/Sir A. Paget's despatch No. 107.
Olmutz, November 16th, 1805.
Further reflections on the silence of the Austrian Minis
ters to Sir A. Paget on the Subject of The Emperor's
letter to Buonaparte, and on the policy of the Austrian
Cabinet in studiously avoiding any allusion to Their
alliance with England in their public proclamations, or
communications with the French Gov'. The Emperor is
well satisfied with the Project mentioned in L*^ Mulgrave's
No. 8 to Sir A. Paget.
Count Colleredo has quitted the Austrian Councils, Sir
Arthur supposes from The Emperor being at last convinced
he was not fit for his Situation.
The Army under Kutusow k Kienmayer crossed the
Danube at Krems on the 9th, & on the 1 ith they de
feated a large part of The French Army, in a general
battle in which 3000 French were killed & General
Mortier killed or drowned.
The French entered Vienna on the 13th, & Prince
Auersberg has been arrested for not having destroyed the
bridges. The Enemy crossed the Danube in great force

246 THE PAGET PAPERS
k spread a' general terror throughout Moravia, but, by
forced marches. The Combined Army have gained a strong
position on the Thaya.
Gen. Meerfeldt has been defeated S. of the Danube.
The Tyrol, it is hoped, may still be saved. Pr. Charles
writes in high spirits & full of zeal.
The Austrian Army on the frontiers of Austria k
Moravia, will it is hoped, in ten days, amount to at
least 100,000 men under Prince John Lichtenstein.
' From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[Private.] Olmutz, Tuesday Night, igth Novr. 1805.
My dear Lord, — Lord G. L. Gower's Dispatches to
your Lordship by this Messenger will I fancy fully justify
all I have at different times said of the persons who com
pose the Government of this Country. I always suspected
that the E. of Russia and his Ministers had no real know
ledge of them. . They are, it appears, now judged, and I
sincerely wish that my next raay announce that sentence
has been passed upon them. If ever Y"" Lordship thought
me biassed or harsh in my opinion of these men, I trust
that I now stand acquitted. I have certainly frequently
passed censure upon them, but I have not said half that I
think, — half what I know of them.
We are now perhaps upon the eve of a decisive battle.
Gen' Baschovden has been sent for from the Array, and
upon his report will the question be decided.
I do not feel sanguine. If the battle takes place be
tween this place k Prosnitz the country is open & fiat, &
we have little or no Cavalry, whereas the French have not
less than from 16 to 20 thousand. It is said that both
the Emperors are to take the field, that they are deter
mined upon it in spite of the Councils k Remonstrances
of all around them. For the Emperor of Germany, he
will have with him Princes John Lichstenstein, Charles
Schwartzberg, and General Weyrothen, all good and
experienced officers. But for the other, when I reflect
that he is to be guided by Kutusow & Baschovden & -
Mancertius, k God knows who, I own I tremble. Nobody
knows exactly where the French are, or in what force.
If, as report says, they are already in the neighbourhood

VIENNA, 1805 247
of Wischau (two posts k ^ from hence on the Briinn
Road) they will probably again attack the Russians before
they have the time necessary to make their dispositions
for the Battle which is talked of, and, to say the truth, I
think this latter the most probable case. It is meant to
defend this place, but to this moment no notice of any
such intention has been given to the Inhabitants of it.
It is really beyond all credibility what one sees k hears.
The French are at Presbourg k had pushed their advanced
Posts as far as Stampfen. I have no doubt that at this
moment they are ^ way on their Road to Olmiitz. They
have taken 30,000 Sabres intended for the Hungarian
Insurrection,* It is pretty evident that this latter mea
sure, which by the bye had not common sense, is by this
time pretty well paralysed. I am informed that the loss
sustained by Gen' Meerfeldt is much greater than what I
mentioned in my last.
We have no accounts whatever from Vienna. In
general the state of ignorance in which this Gov' is of
what regards their very existence is perfectly astonish
ing. — I have the Honor, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
Fi^om Count Cobentzl to Sir A, Paget,
Nov, 23, 1805.
Mille graces de I'excellente nouvelle t que vous avez. bien
voulu rp.e comrauniquer. Je rae suis empresse d'en informer
I'Empereur ; malheureusement S.M. etoit dejk sortie pour
aller voir les troupes. Vous pouvez etre sur en atten
dant qu'EUe I'apprendra avec une satisfaction egale k
son importance. Tres certainement c'est la meilleur des
consolations qui auroit pti nous arriver dans nos mal
heurs qui ne dureront pas toujours j'espfere. II est bien
k regretter que le brave et imraortel Nelson nous ait ete
enleve k cette occasion, mais quelle mort digne d'en vie et
d' admiration !
Des que S. M'° retournera de Sa Course je ne tarderai
pas un instant de me rendre chez Elle pour la mettre au
fait de toutes ces bonnes nouvelles, elles Lui procureront
'* The levy in Hungary. See despatch of November 8.
+ The victory of Trafalgar.

248 THE PAGET PAPERS
des momens bien agreables, et Elle vous en saura beaucoup
beaucoup de gre.
En attendant que je sois charge par mon Auguste Maitre
de vous exprimer la satisfaction qu'il ressent des succes
des braves flottes de son intime Allie ; je vous prie d'agreer
mes sinceres complimens et remercimens de meme que
I'assurance de ma haute consideration. (Signe) Cobentzl.
From Lord Mulgrave to Sir A. Paget.
November 23, 1805.
The improvement of Lord Granville Leveson's health
enabling his Excellency to continue at the Court of S'
Petersburgh till next Spring, His Majesty has in con
sequence directed that Lord Cathcart * (who is appointed
to succeed Lord G. Leveson as Ambassador) should be
charged with the extraordinary Mission to Vienna. His
Lordship's high military Rank, his great professional
Reputation, his long habits in political business, as well
as his Judgement, Temper, and Talents, are calculated to
excite the most sanguine expectations that assisted, as
His Majesty does not doubt that his Lordship will be, by
your zeal and talents, the most beneficial effects may be
produced at Vienna by this Special Embassy.
Precis o/Sir A. Paget's despatch No, no.
Olmutz, 25*/! November 1805.
Sir A. Paget has, according to Lord Harrowby's direc
tions, avoided stating to C Cobentzl the full number of
Troops belonging to Prussia & to her Allies which His
Majesty had offered to subsidise.
Sir Arthur has again found it necessary to remonstrate
with C Cobentzl on the unjustifiable Reserve with which
he still treats him on the subject of the Emperor's Corre
spondence with Bonaparte.
C Stadion set out yesterday for the French head quar
ters at Briinn, it is said to watch the conduct of Haugwitz
who will be there in two or three Days. The Emperor is
* Commander-in-Chief in Ireland, 1803- 1805. Recalled by Castlereagh's
advice.

VIENNA, 1805 249
still determined not to accept peace, but on the conditions
of the treaty of Potsdam ; but Sir Arthur has no doubt
should the Allies be defeated in the approaching general
Engagement, C Stadion will sign an ignominious peace.
On the sul3Ject of L* Mulgrave's No. 10 C* Cobentzl has
spoken with gratitude and firmness.
As he complained of the unfortunate delay of the
British Expeditions to the Continent, Sir Arthur replied
That as They were intended only to co-operate with The
Northern Powers, they could not have been advantage
ously brought forward at an Earlier period ; and That
Austria had precipitated the campaign contrary to the
original plans.
Count Cobentzl assured Sir Arthur that The Emperor
will never consent to a peace that shall compromise the
British Armies in the North of Germany.
Sir Arthur laments the inauspicious delays occasioned to
the operations of the combined Armies by too many coun
sellors. The Austrian Cavalry is very good.
The Arch-Duke Ferdinand has marched -with 9000 Men
to join Gen. Michelson who was on the 24th inst. at Glatz.
The A. Duke Charles is supposed to be still at Laybach.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. III.] Olmutz, 2nd December 1805.
My Lord, — On the 27th ult° the combined Arraies
under the iraraediate command of the Emperors of Ger
many and Russia quitted the position of Olmiitz and
advanced. Their Imperial Majesties fixed their Head Quarters on
that day at Prosnitz and on the next at Wischau.
At the latter place there was a slight Affair between
the advanced Guard of the Russians and the French, in
which the former took an hundred and fifty prisoners.
By the last Accounts the Allied Arraies had advanced
beyond Austerlitz, having met with little or no opposition.
The French Ajrmy having called in all their Detach
ments are said to occupy the Camp of Turas between
Austerlitz and Briinn.
And it is in this Position that it is expected that the

2 50 THE PAGET PAPERS
French, if they do not fall back upon Vienna, ¦will make
their stand.
In my last Dispatch I had the Honor to inform your
Lordship that Count Stadion, accompanied by General
Giulay, had set out for the French Head Quarters. On
their arrival there they were invited by Bonaparte to pro
ceed to Vienna where they would find M. de Talleyrand,
and to which place he promised to follow them. By the
latest Accounts however Bonaparte was still at the Army.
The Vice Chancellor, who returned here the night before
last from Head Quarters, has informed me that Bonaparte
had proposed an Armistice, which Proposal had been
rejected. It seems that it was made purely and simply,
by which it was of course understood that the different
Armies should occupy their present Positions. It was very
properly deemed inadmissible. The Count de Stadion has
in consequence been instructed to declare that the Em
perors can consent to no Proposals for an Armistice, unless
the French cede to the House of Savoy a considerable Por
tion of Territory (these were Count Cobentzl's words, and
he did not explain himself further), and that even should
Bonaparte agree to this he. Count Stadion, was to take
his consent ad referendum,
A Correspondence (and in my opinion not a very
creditable one) has now comraenced between The Em
peror of Russia and Bonaparte. An Interview even has
been proposed by the latter, but this has been declined. —
I have the Honor, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Lprd Mulgrave to Sir Arthur Paget.
Downing Street, Dec, 3ci, 1805.
My dear Sir Arthur, — Four Mails having arrived
last night & this morning do not leave me more tirae
than is just necessary to inform you that Lord Cathcart
being destined to the temporary Coinmand of the British
Forces in the North of Germany, The Earl of Harrington
¦will proceed to the Special Military Embassy in his
stead. A False Report was circulated, by intelligence sent by
a Dutch Admiral, of a Peace having been concluded at
Vienna by the Emperor of Germany. This created a

VIENNA, 1805 251
great sensation in the public Mind, but the impudent
Imposition was detected in a few hours, and the object
of influencing the Funds has wholly failed. Lord Har
rington will set off in two or three days. — Believe me,
&c. (Signed) Mulgrave.
From Lord Harrowby to Sir A. Paget.
Berlin, 3 Deer. 1805.
Dear Sir, — I have written the accompanying dispatch
in order to put you in possession of the present state of
things here. It may not probably be prudent to inform
C Cobentzl of the period for which there is great hope of
securing the co-operation of Prussia, but it raay be ira
portant to repel the idea which may have arisen from my
remaining here so long without any thing being settled, that
there were insuperable difficulties in the way of any Treaty.
You wUl therefore make use of this information to give
such general assurances as may be necessary to keep up
the spirits of Austria, & prevent further concessions being
produced by the fear of being abandoned. — I am, &c.
(Signed) H.
From Lord Harrowby to Sir A. Paget.
Berlin, 3^ Deer, 1805.
Sir, — The knowledge you have had of the articles of
the treaty of Potsdam* must have raade you well aware
of all the difficulties which stood in the way of any
arrangement for the permanent co-operation of Prussia in
the war.t It has been my endeavour to set these diffi
culties aside ; & to bring the Court of Berlin to treat for
a provisional & temporary convention.
Baron Hardenberg announced to me some days ago
that he had the K. of Prussia's orders to treat with me
upon that footing. We have had several conferences &
I have great hopes that the extreme liberality of the
¦* The alliance sworn by the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia at
the tomb of Frederick the Great, November 4, two days after hearing of the
surrender of Ulm.
t It was agreed at Potsdam that Russia should aid in the annexation of
Hanover to Prussia. The Russian Ambassador was directed to explain to the
King of England the necessity of making this sacrifice.

252 THE PAGET PAPERS
offers which I am enabled to make will secure the most
active co-operation of a Prussian Army of 180,000 men
during the ensuing year. The pressing dangers of the
moment will by this means be averted k sufficient time
allowed to consult between the allied powers some admis
sible plan for procuring to the King of Prussia such terri
torial acquisitions as may be an ample recompence for his
exertions & may unite him permanently with the Allies
in the common cause.
In the meanwhile no time appears to be lost in bring
ing forward the Prussian Aj-my to the several points from
whence it is destined to act ; k if the Court of Austria has
sufficient firmness to bear up for a short time longer there
seems every prospect of a change of fortune. — I have,
&c. (Signed) Harrowby.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 113.] Olm'Otz, yd December 1805.
My Lord, — Having closed my Dispatches of yesterday,
I set off to join the Army.
Before my arrival at Wischau, the second Post from
hence, from the number of Soldiers and Waggons I met
upon the road, I concluded that there had been a Battle,
and that the issue of it had not been favorable. I am
truly grieved to inform your Lordship that my conjectures
were too well founded.
Soon after my Arrival at Wischau, I fell in with General
Winzengerode, and the Information I received from that
Officer enables me to lay the few following and afflicting
details before Your Lordship.
Agreeably to the decision of a Council of War and to a
plan of attack suggested on the preceding Evening by
General Weyrotter, the combined Armies marched in five
Columns at Day break yesterday morning, having the
villages of Telnitz and Kobeluitz in their Front. The
Plan was to attack the Enemy who were supposed to
be at Schlapanitz in their Flanks. The Columns were
marching by Sections.
On their Arrival at the above Villages they found them
occupied by the Enemy who had remained totally con
cealed and who at the very instant presented themselves

VIENNA, 1805 253
in order of Battle. This unexpected Reception led to the
most fatal consequences. The Battle commenced at eight
o'clock in the morning, under all the advantages for the
French and all the Disadvantages for the Allies which I
have described. By twelve the centre of the combined Army
after an obstinate resistance was completely put to the rout.
Fortunately the French had no Cavalry whatever in
this part of the field of Battle : it is otherwise probable
that few would have escaped. The right wing of the
Allies under the Command of Prince John Lichtenstein,
and the advanced Guard comraanded by Prince Bagration,
which was still upon his right, was principally coraposed
of and opposed by Cavalry, until the defeat of the Centre
which when thus disengaged attacked the right wing, as
well as the reserve composed of the Russian Guards headed
by the Grand Duke Constantine.
My Information does not allow me to give any details
relative to this part of the Army, but it is probable that
they have suffered considerably. Nor am I able to give
more satisfactory Intelligence respecting the left Wing.
They seemed in the commencement of the Battle to
have gained some Advantage which, it is too much to be
feared, the defeat of the Centre will not have allowed them
to have followed up. The Army is retreating upon the
Morava, in the direction of Rhadisch, and I fear that for.
the present nothing more is to be hoped than that they
may have made a safe and effectual Retreat.
'Ihe Emperor Alexander was at the Centre when the
attack took place, nor would He consent to retire until
forced as it were away by the entreaties of those who
surrounded Him. Of the Emperor of Germany General
Winzengerode knew nothing.
This officer, who was sent by the Emperor of Russia to
the centre, did not leave the Field of Battle until there
were not two Men together for him to give his Orders
to. With this disastrous news I left Wischau last night
at twelve o'clock and arrived at the Vice Chancellor's at
five this morning, since which Olmiitz has been declared to
be in a state of Siege, and we are now upon the point of
our departure for Teschen, for which place the Empress
has already set out. — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.

2 54 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Lord Paget to Sir A, Paget.
¦Wrotham, Dec. 6th, 1805.
We have been in a dreadful stew here about you all,
not indeed at Vienna's having been abandoned, but at
the report that Austria had made a separate peace. God
avert so direful a measure. Be firm & all must go well.
I believe I did not tell you in any of my former letters
that I had offered to join the Austrian Army as you proposed
it to me. The Duke however said that I should certainly
be wanted before I could ever go & return. Ld. Harring
ton I find is now going on a Special Mission. This I
conclude does not interfere with you. I do long to be
at the Rascals. We are all under orders to be perfectly
prepared for Embarkation, but the order don't come.
You may depend upon it that We will play Hoko with
them. God bless you. I was very sorry to hear of your
illness — but a good campaign wUl cure all. I am really
all impatience. — Ever affec'' Yours, Paget.
From Lord Harrowby to Sir A. Paget.
Berlin, Deer. 9, 1805.
, The sudsidiary treaty is in forwardness. Baron Har-
denberg's contre project, as he told me yesterday evening,
is to be sent to me to-night, & I hope & believe his
expectations will corae within compass. If so, we may
sign in a very short time.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 114.] Teschen, gth December 1805.
My Lord, — On the day after the Battle of the 2nd
Inst. Prince John Lichtenstein went to the French Head
Quarters and demanded an Armistice of two days, which
was granted.
On the 3rd December the Emperor, in consequence of
a proposal to that effect of which Prince John was the
Bearer, had an Interview ¦with Bonaparte, which lasted
two hours.
At this Interview an Armistice for an indefinite time was

VIENNA, 1805 255
concluded of which the first and Principal condition was,
that the Russian Troops should quit the Emperor's States.
In consequence of this Arrangement, the Russians are
retreating homewards through Hungary.
The Emperor Alexander arrived here at three o'clock
this morning from the Army, and immediately continued
his Route for Gallicia. . . . — I have, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From the Countess of Uxbridge to Sir A. Paget.
Plasnewtdd, Deer, loth, 1805.
The following toast was given at a recent public dinner,
viz. : — "The Eoast Beef of Old England-
May Englishmen eat both the fat and the lean.
And leave Frenchmen to pick the Bony-part clean."'*
My dearest Arthur, — The relief it was to our Minds
to receive your letter from Briinn was in proportion to
the I'lisery we endured from the apprehension that you
was not sufficiently recover'd from your Severe Ulness to
accompany the Emperor to Olmitz. You wUl allow the
idea was not a pleasant one, but here I must restrain my
feeUngs from prudence, not now being sure of my letters
ever reaching you. If an Emperor k an Ambassador are
waylaid t a Messenger may, so I must content myself
with venting my indignation at home against the Usurper,
but thank God since we heard from you the accounts from
the Continent have been more satisfactory ; the Victory
over the French and the Emperor's having announced
Prussia as his AJly, give us hopes that we may ere long
hear something very interesting. It would amuse you
more, my dear Arthur, if I could Avrite upon other topics
than the preceding, but the truth is no other ever enter
our heads. Even the ChUdren are Politicians, and fiy
to the Papers for News ¦with as much a^^dity as we do,
particularly if there is a paragraph from Vienna.
* Newspaper cutting enclosed in letter.
t A short time before this the Emperor Alexander, travelling from Dresden
to Prague, was warned of a French force sent to interrupt communication
between Prague and Vienna, and in consequence changed his route. In the
spring of the same year a rumour had been spread that Kotchebui (who vainly
still signed himself in the Hamburg Oazette ChanceUor of the Emperor of
Russia) was arrested by the French on his way from Rome to Naples.

2 56 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Lord G. Leveson Gower to Sir A. Paget.
Teschen, Dec, 14th, 1805.
My dear Arthur, — I had not been at Troppau above
a few hours when I received notice of Czartoryski being
upon his Road from Olmutz to this Place. I in conse
quence immediately returned here. I have heard from
him nothing very cheering or consolatory, unless it be his
assurances of the determination of the Emperor to con
tinue his system of perfect Union k Cooperation with
England. All Continental operations necessarily depend
upon the King of Prussia to whom, if he continues firm
to the engagements contracted by the Treaty of Potsdam,
His Imperial Majesty promises the most powerful Suc
cours. The army of Bennigsen, now in Silesia, is left at
the Disposal of His Prussian Majesty. Czartoryski coun
sels strongly my return to St. Petersburgh, & thinks that
Lord Cathcart abandoning entirely his Vienna Mission
would look as if all idea of resistance on the part of
Austria to the will of Buonaparte was to be given up.
From M. de Gentz to Sir A. Paget,
Breslau, le ly Decembre 1805.
Je vous ai ecrit deux fois, une fois de Troppau par Mr.
Jenkinson, une seconde de Neuswide par Mr. Clinton.
Quand Kraus est arrive ici sans m'apporter une ligne de
votre part, j'en ai ete d'abord un peu capot ; mais bient6t
je me suis penetre de I'horreur de votre situation, et je
vous ai parfaitement excuser. Le portrait qu'on me fait
du sejour de Teschen, est tellement effrayant que I'idee
de vous y savoir,. me navre le coeur ; et quand je pense
de plus k tout ce que vous devez avoir senti et souffert
au milieu de tant d'infamies et d'atrocites — ^je frerais de
la disposition dans laquelle je presume que vous vous
trouvez. Je crois que tout est fini de c6te-lk. Je n' attends plus
que les conditions auxquelles la paix sera signee ; et
comme ces conditions memes sont assez faciles k deviner,
je n'attends plus rien.
Mais que fera-t-on de ce c6te-ci ? Voil^ une. question k

FREDERICK GENTZ

VIENNA, 1805 257
laquelle il est impossible de repondre avec les donnees
que j'ai pu receuillir ici, et tant que je ne saurois pas avec
certitude ce qui s'est passe k Vienne. Voici en attendant
mon avis. Si la question de paix ou guerre est exclusive-
ment abandonnee k la decision de la Russie et de la Prusse,
si Bonaparte ne leur demande que la paix, je crois qu'elle
se fera. Je suis plus que jamais convaincu de la sincerite
et de la loyaute des intentions du Roi de Prusse ;* et sans
les affreux derangemens qui ont eu lieu Ik-bas, je n'ai plus
I'ombre d'une doute qu'il n'y soit alle tout de bon. Mais
si, apres les catastrophes que nous avons ¦vues, apres la
sequestration absolue de I'Autriche, apres la perte totale
de l'objet primitif de la guerre, on lui ou-vre une porte par
laqueUe il peut honorablement sortir, U ne manquera pas
d'en profiter. Or je crois que la Russie lui ouvrira cette
porte, et qu'au lieu de le pousser k la guerre, elle tichera
secretement de Ten degouter. Les symptomes, qui m'en-
gagent a le croire, sont dans tout ce qui se passe autour de
moi depuis que je suis ici. Le Prince Dolgorouky,! envoye
k Berlin avec une mission de la plus haute importance, et
(de I'aveu de tout le monde) avec le but d'aiguUlohner
le Roi, ce Prince Dolg. a employe 7, je dis sept jours,
pour aUer de Neustadt k la porte par laqueUe U est parti
de Breslau. II s'est arrete ici pendant quatre jours, disant
qu'U n'avoit pas d'habits pour se montrer k Berlin, et
tenant d'aUleurs des propos d'autant plus etranges qu'U
est certainement un des plus spirituels et meme des plus
instruits parmi les siens. Le Grand Due Constantin (cet
etre monstreux que j'ai vu ici pour la premiere fois) a eu
I'ordre expres de ne pas paraltre k Berlin avant le Pr.
Dolgorouky; ce qui m'a valu le bonheur de faire deux
diners avec lui, dont je me souviendrai longtems, et qui,
au mUieu de mes douleurs et de mon desespoir, m'ont
appris qu'U me restoit encore quelque chose qui ressemble
a des entrailles pour les malheureux Autrichiens. Le
General Bennigsen (nomen divi ominis !) en arrivant ici,
a declare " que son corps venoit d'etre mis a la disposi
tion absolue du Roi de Prusse, et qu'U se regardoit des-
lors comme etant sous ses ordres." II a ete regu et traite
* This is a very patriotic sentiment on the part of a Prussian subject, and,
if sincere, shows a very robust faith. — A. P.
+ Sent by Alexander to oflFer to put the Russian forces at the command of
the Prussian Ministry if they would press on the war.
VOL. II. E

2 58 THE PAGET PAPERS
en consequence. Ce matin le Ct. Hoym regoit une lettre
de Berlin, oil le Roi dit qu'il approuvoit trfes-fort tout ce
qu'il avoit fait pour le corps de Bennigsen, mais que quant
k I'arrangement en question il n'en avoit pas entendu
parler. Tout cela me paroit mysterieux et suspect. En
attendant les Prussiens marchent, marchent, marchent, et
personne ne salt ce qui en resultera.
Bonaparte ne I'ignore pas. Car c'est lui, et lui tout
seul, qui prononcera en definitif. S'il se contente de ses
victoires, s'il s'en retourne chez lui pour les ceiebrer et
pour en jouir, laissant k un autre moment la punition
qui est certainement juree k la Prusse, il n'y aura pas
un coup de canon tire dans tout le nord de I'AIlemagne,
et chacun s'en ira comme il est venu, — sauf ce qui
arrivera le printems prochain. Si, au contraire, Bona
parte veut se venger de la Prusse sur-le-champ, et com
pleter ses triomphes en detruisant une puissance de plus,
il trouvera d'amples pretextes pour entamer tous ces
pays. Je crois qn'k I'heure qu'il est Tissue de la mission
de Haugwitz (qu'on ne connoissoit pas encore le 13 de
ce mois) doit etre connue a Berlin ; * c'est sur cela que
tout se reglera, et je m' imagine que d'ici k quatre ou
cinq jours les grandes affaires de I'Europe, e'est-a-dire ce
qui en reste encore, seront pleinement developpees.
Quel avenir affreux que celui qui s'ouvre devant nous !
Qui salt si je reverrai jamais la ville de Vienne ? Et si
nous la revoyons, quel tourment que celui de voir les
derniers des hommes insulter k notre juste douleur.
J'ai appris aujourd'hui dans un diner Autrichien, que
j'ai fait chez I'Archeveque de Salzbourg, (avec Naso, Mr.
de Wurmbrand) que la cour etoit presque resolue k ne
pas re tourner k Vienne, mais k fixer sa residence k Prague
pour plusieurs mois. Pendant toute cette discussion je
n'avois qu'une seule Pensee. Comment peut-on s'occuper
de sangfroid de ce qui se fera apres la paix de Nicols-
bourg. De Nicolsbourg ! t
¦* Haugwitz was sent to notify the Potsdam Convention to Napoleon, and
if not accepted, to announce the opening of war on December 15. He arrived
at the French headquarters November 28. After Austerlitz he agreed to
form an alliance with France, Prussia receiving Hanover. The Treaty
was signed December 1 5.
t In a peace at Nicolsbourg, January 7, 1622, the semi-barbarian, Bethlem
Gabor, renounced the kingship of Hungary to the Emperor. In December

VIENNA, 1805 259
Je m'occupe sans cesse de la recherche et de I'arrange
ment des causes premieres qui ont produit ces epouvan-
tables malheurs. Je suis bien fache de vous dire que
tout me ramene sans cesse k votre gouvernement ; et je
persiste a soutenir, que lorsqu'on vous a ecrit qu'on
vouloit apprendre les nouvelles de Vienne par le canal
de Petersbourg, dans ce moment on a decrete la perte
de I'Europe. Des enfans et des no'vices comme Lord
Gower et Stuart I'ont acceiere ; de perfides egoistes
comme R.* I'ont consommee. — "Vous etes le sel de la
terre" — disoit Jesus k ses disciples, et dis-je aux Anglois
"vous etes le sel de la terre; mais si le sel de^vdent
stupide, de quoi doit-on assaissonner ? " Heias ! comme
tout me paroit k present explique ! QueUe clarte effray-
ante entoure cette scene de desolation !
J'ai presque honte de dire k un habitant de Teschen,
combien sous les rapports physiques, et meme sous cer
tains rapports moraux (le Ct. Hoym et plusieurs autres
de ce pays me corablent de bontes — ^j'ai Mad. Landkoronski
— Mad. Dolgorouky — Armfeldt, plus interessant, plus
adorable que jamais, mais parti ce matin) je me porte
bien k Breslau. Mais comme dans les circonstances pre-
sentes tout est permis, je me permets du moins de vous
envoyer par cette meme occasion deux petites provisions
de cornichons et de Mangos ; et si votre malheureux
sejour k Teschen se prolonge, et que vous imaginiez
quelque chose que Breslau peut vous fournir, ordonnez,
je vous en supplie, je serai trop heureux de vous servir.
Dans tous les cas je vous adresserai du Caviar dans un
ou deux jours.
N'oubliez pas de regarder le soir entre 6 et 8 heures
Venu,s dans sa plus brUlante beaute. . . .
Nous avons eu hier ici deux nouveUes assez importantes ;
si I'une et I'autre, ou seulement I'une ou I'autre se con-
firme U pourroit bien fournir une toute nouvelle scene.
Les Russes doivent avoir escalade Hameln ; et les troupes
de Corfou et de Malte doivent avoir debarque dans le
royaume de Naples. Le Ct. Hoym, premifere source et
1805 an armistice was agreed upon between Napoleon and Francis II. at
the bivouac of Saroschiitz, and negotiations for peace were to be opened at
Nicolsbourg ; these led to the agreement at Schonbriinn and the Peace of
Presbourg. '*¦ Probably RasoumoflFsky, Russian Ainbassador at Vienna. — A. P.

26o THE PAGET PAPERS
autorite de la ville de Breslau, m'assure que la dernifere
de ces nouvelles est indubitable. . . . — Votre tres devoue
serviteur, (Signe) G^  .
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. 117.] Teschen, 2c,th December 1805.
The Place of Negociation has been since changed.
From Nickolsburg the Plenipotentiaries were to have
assembled at Briinn, the Negociations are now trans
ferred to Presbourg. "''' It is said that the Apprehension
of a Contagious Disorder manifesting itself (there being
no less than three and twenty hospitals at Briinn) is
the reason for this last Change.
But from what I can learn it does not appear that the
Negociations have hitherto been opened. It may perhaps
happen that the Conditions of Peace may be discussing
all this time in secret, and that the Plenipotentiaries will
only meet for the purpose of signing and ratifying it ;
for it would be otherwise difficult to account for the
interval since the 6th Inst, having elapsed without to
all, appearance any progress having been made in the
Negociation. I am further strengthened in this Opinion
from a passage in a letter written on the 1 6th Inst, by
the Emperor to one of His Ministers here which passage
has been quoted to me by the Minister himself : His
Imperial Majesty says — " Now that the Negociations are
in a state of forwardness &c. " ; as well from one or two
letters which I have accidentally seen from Prince John
Lichtenstein, who I take it has been very much employed
in this business, and who throws out expectations that it
may shortly be brought to a Conclusion. . . .
On the other hand it may so turn out (but I cannot
I own lean much to this Opinion) that the Emperor has
had the address to put off the opening of the Negociations,
in the hopes of succour arriving from Prussia, upon the
appearance of which He might break the Armistice. This
might, and to be sure ought to be, — for the Army under
the Archduke Charles, which is ninety thousand Men
strong and in every respect in the highest Order, is at
Edembourg only four Posts from Vienna, while Massena,
* Treaty of Presbourg, signed December 26.

VIENNA, 1805 261

who has detached St. Cyr with thirty five thousand Men
against the combined British and Russian Forces in the
Kingdom of Naples, has remained at Goritz.
If the Archduke Charles marched to Vienna, and the
King of Prussia into Bohemia, Bonaparte's situation
would be a desperate One. He could no longer recross
the Danube at Vienna, and the passage of it at Krems
or Lintz would be equally hazardous, because by this
means the Archduke could gain those points before him.
If under these circumstances Peace is concluded, it will
be made at a Moraent when there never existed a more
favorable chance for crushing the Enemy.
In addition to this, the French Army is said to be
in a very reduced state and full of sickness. There are
as I have observed no less than twenty three hospitals
at Briinn and the Number of those at Vienna is propor-
tionably great.
By the last Accounts from Holitch, the Archduke
Charles was momentarily expected there.
Orders have been issued for provisioning all the Fort
resses in Bohemia and Moravia.
The Archduke Ferdinand is on his March towards the
Emperor's Head Quarters.
The Contributions which have already as I understand
been levied in Moravia and Lower Austria, are fourteen
Millions of Livres on the former, and thirty two on the
latter Province.
Various are the reports here respecting the conditions
of the Peace.
Some make them more favorable to the Emperor than
the turn which Affairs have taken would have led one to
expect. That He will cede the whole of the Venetian States
and all His Possessions in Suabia, there can I should
imagine be no doubt, but it is said that He is to receive
Salzbourg and that His Brother the Elector is to be put
in Possession of the Tyrol.
Disgraceful as such Conditions would be, it is not
probable that these or any such would be granted, but
for the purchase of a general Peace, or at least a Peace
with Austria and Prussia.
Whether therefore the Negociations between those two

262 THE PAGET PAPERS
Powers since the conclusion of the Armistice have been
carried on upon that Principle, whether Austria has been
charged with the Work, and has been declaring to Prussia
that her future Existence depends upon the dissolution
of the Confederacy, or whether the Emperor has had
the Courage and the Address to elude all this time the
Propositions of France and has been negociating with
His Ally the King of Prussia a plan of future Opera
tions, is what your Lordship will hear from Berlin and
what I am most anxious to be informed of. . . . — I
have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Mulgrave.
[No. Il8.] Teschen, yith December 1805.
My Lord, — I avail myself of an Austrian Courier who
I am informed is just setting out for Berlin. to forward to
Your Lordship the enclosed copies of notes * which reached
me yesterday. By them your Lordship will find that
Count Cobentzl has resigned his Situation of Vice Chan
cellor and that Count Stadion is appointed ad interim, to
direct the Department for Foreign Affairs.
I can confidently assure Your Lordship that this Change
has taken place in consequence of Bonaparte having had
the audacity to declare that he would not treat with the
Austrian Government as long as Count Cobentzl retained
his Situation.
We are still in the same state of ignorance in this
wretched spot with regard to Public Affairs, as when I
had last the honor of writing.
The different Departments which have remained here
received fresh Orders yesterday to hold themselves in
readiness to quit Teschen at a moment's notice. — I have,
&c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From M. de Gentz to Sir A, Paget,
Breslau, le 22 Decemhre 1805.
Je prends la liberte de vous envoyer ei-joint du Caviar;
un morceau d'un excellent frommage Anglois ; de la
'* Communications from Count Cobentzl and Count Stadion, December
25 and 26.

VIENNA, 1805 263
moutarde ; et quelques pommes-de-terre sur lesquelles je
voudrois savoir votre pensee toute entifere, puisque (selon
mon goiit) Ce sont les meilleures que j'ai jamais rencon
trees. Je repfete en meme tems, que, si vous desirez
quelque autre objet du meme genre, ou de quelque genre
que ce soit, comme il est assez facile d'avoir ici les
marchandises chargees, je me trouverais trop heureux de
pouvoir vous le procurer.
On est ici passablement raal place pour les nouveUes.
Le Cte. Hoym est au fond la seule source ; et cette source
ne coule que mediocrement, puisqu'on ne I'instruit que
par boutades, et ordinairement tard, de ce qui se passe k
Berlin. J'attends avec la plus vive impatience des lettres
de Mr. de Metternich, de j\Ir. Jackson, de Armfeldt ; mais
jusqu'ici je n'en ai pas regu. Je vois par une lettre tres
reeente de Teschen, que les Frangois ne remplissent pas
meme I'armistice, quelqu'avantageux qu'il soit pour eux,
que les negociations de Vienne sont dissoutes, que eelles
de Nicolsburg ne sont pas meme entamees, que I'armee de
I'archiduc Charles est k Oedenburg, I'insurrection Hon-
groise complete, et qu'on parle de la reprise des hostilites.
Je n'en crois rien ; mais ce que je crois c'est que le denou-
ment final de toutes ces horribles crises est encore bien
eloigne. Je ne puis pas vous dire avec quels sentimens
de douleur et de rage je lis ici la Gazette de Vienne
redigee sous les auspices de ces sceierats, et combien en
general je desespere du salut public. Je crois, mon cher
Seigneur, que le tems oil il ne nous restera que de nous
enfermir dans quelque cabane pour feuilleter les anciens
livres pendant le jour, et contempler les astres pendant
la nuit s'approche k grands pas.
Je m' etonne que depuis notre separation vous n'ayiez
jamais eu un moment le besoin de vous entretenir avec
moi ; je ne m'en plains pas, puisque les circonstances sont
telles, qu'on ne peut exiger de personne d'etre autrement
que le cceur le lui dit, et que je vous congois parfaitement
dans une humeur tres opposee k celle qui dicte des lettres.
Adieu done ! Je ne quitterai pas Breslau avant que tout
ne soit fini ; et Dieu sait ce que je deviendrai alors.
(Signe) G.

264 THE PAGET PAPERS
From the Countess op Uxbridge to Sir A. Paget.
Plasnewydd, Janry. 4th, 1806.
We are waiting with the greatest soUcitude for a Mes
senger from you. Five Mails are due. It is a momentous
period for all Europe. It put me into a raging Fever
last night when Caroline read to me the homage paid
to Madame Bonaparte by Our Princess Royal ; it was a
French account and probably exaggerated, but I who
know the greatness of her mind cannot conceive anything
so humiliating. These are strange times, and we may
moralise for ever without being able to develop them.
French bribing perhaps could. It will not surprise me to
hear you are coming home. I don't see what you can
have to do at Vienna if the Emperor has made a Separate
Peace. This is a bad requital to that great Hero, Alex
ander, for his extraordinary Exertions. I never mean to
write upon these subjects, which I know but little of, but
when one's whole thoughts are directed to one point,
it's difficult to draw it off. Charles is just appointed to
the Egyptienne, the finest Frigate in our Service. He is
going to Plymouth to take possession of her. She is to
be attached to Admiral Cornwallis's Fleet. I could have
wished on account of his health, that he had remained on
shore till the bad weather is over, and I think Mr. Pitt
would wish it for another, as I understand the Opposition
are straining every nerve to be as formidable as possible
at the Meeting of Parliament. At such a time the loss
of three Members must be felt & I'm afraid neither your
self, Edward, or Charles will be in England. It will in
my opinion be madness if our Troops are not recall' d.
I wish it may not be too late. Don't think, my dear
Arthur, because I don't say much upon the affair nearest
your heart that it the less interests mine, but it is upon
that sort of footing that I am at a loss how to express
myself. However this I can declare with truth that
there is nothing in this world that can make me so happy
as your being so. All the family are well. Your Father
is gone to Windsor. Heaven bless you. — I am ever your
most truly affec*^ Mother, J. Uxbridge

VIENNA, 1806 265
From Mr. Hammond to Sir A. Paget.
[Private.] Berlin, Jany. 6, 1806.
[After announcing that Lord Harrowby, in consequence
of Ulness, was obliged to abstain from public business,
and was to return to London on the following day, he
continues : — ]
It is impossible to communicate to you any informa
tion upon the actual state of the negociations between
this country and France, as the most profound silence
and reserve upon this subject have been observed by
Baron Hardenberg, not only towards Lord Harrowby
but also towards the Russian Mission. There is however
little doubt that the arrangement, of whatever nature it
may be, is approaching rapidly to a conclusion, and will
be amicably terminated. . . . — Be assured that I am,
ke, (Signed) Gko. Hammond.
From Lord Granville Leveson Gower to Sir A. Paget.
Berlin, Janry, 6th, 1806.
My Dear Arthur, — Your expectation of receiving a
Budget of News from Berlin must have been a little dis
appointed by the letter I wrote to you of which Stuart
was the bearer. It is in fact an unprofitable waste of
thought to pay the least attention to what this Court is
doing. I believe that if Austria had given any assurances
that she would act only in concert with Prussia, Harden
berg might have been able to have persuaded the King
not to have bowed his head to Bonaparte,* but the perfect
silence observed by the Court of Vienna destroyed all
hope, and when I tell you that the Duke of Brunswick &
Count Haugwitz are now the real Directors of His Prussian
Majesty's Councils I need not add that all idea of resist
ance to the will of France is completely vanished. The
measures now passing t are in opposition to the advice of
Hardenberg, & he has offered his Resignation, which the
¦* By consenting to the alliance of Prussia and France, signed at Schon-
brunn, December 1 5, Hardenberg opposed the action of Haugwitz.
t Hardenberg, Haugwitz, and Schulemberg met the military authorities,
the Duke of Brunswick and M. MoUendorf, to discuss Napoleon's offer of
Hanover to Prussia and the terms of alliance.

266 THE PAGET PAPERS
King however for the present refuses to accept. A com
plete mystery is observed with respect to their nego
tiations with Bonaparte, & notwithstanding that the
Emperor of Russia has given to the entire disposal of
the K. of Prussia no less than between 60 and 70,000
men, the same Reserve is extended to Dolgorouki '^ and
Alopeus ; the former is indignant, & is writing to the
Emperor to beg him to withdraw immediately all the
Russian Troops. — Yours most sincerely, (Signed) G. L. G.
From M, de Gentz to Sir A, Paget.
DRiiSDE, le 8 Janvier 1806.
Apres les evenemens inouis qui se sont passes chacun
doit se consulter soi-m^me, s'orienter avec ses amis, et
examiner radicalement la situation oti il se trouve, et les
projets qui lui restent pour I'avenir ; vous etiez jusqu'ici
un des hommes, sur lesquels je comptois le plus, et qui
entroient le plus directement dans toutes les considera
tions auxquelles je pouvois me livrer sur un objet pareil.
Je vous demande en grace, et bien serieusement, de
m'ouvrir votre pensee toute entiere sur ce que vous croyez
faire apres ces catastrophes qui ont renverse de fond-en-
comble toutes les anciennes bases de 1' existence publique
et individuelle. Je vous demande ensuite votre avis sur
moi, et le sort qui m'attend. Etes-vous resolu de re-.
prendre et de garder votre place k Vienne? Si non, de
quel c6te comptez-vous tourner vos pas ? Croyez-vous
que je pourrai jamais retourner k Vienne? Croyez-vous
que je pourrai y vivre? Voilk des questions d'une haute
importance pour moi. Entrez un moment, je vous en
conjure, dans 1' examen de ces questions. Tichez de savoir
par le Comte Stadion, comment on envisageroit de ce
ebt6-\k mon existence future ! Je lui ecrirai directement ;
mais c'est par vous que je pourrois apprendre d'une
manifere en meme tems plus promte et plus sure ce qui
m'attend k-peu-pres. Ne perdez-pas un moment pour
m'ecrire sur tous ces objets. Que reste-t-il encore k dire
sur les affaires publiques ? Le decret qui proclame I'Elec-
* See letter of Gentz, December 17.

VIENNA, 1806 267
teur de Baviere,* Roi de Baviere, sans le consentement de
qui que ce soit au monde, ne nous explique-t-il pas assez
clairement notre horrible situation ? Le souvenir de ce
que Ton a fait contre ces epouvantables malheurs, voil^ la
seule ressource d'un homme-de-bien. Vous en jouissez,
vous avez le droit d'en jouir. Dans la presse du moment,
dans la chaleur de Taction, je vous ai quelquefois gronde
de n' avoir pas fait tout ce que j'avois imagine que vous
auriez pu faire. Mais en reflechissant sur 1' ensemble de
votre conduite, sur toute la teneur de votre vie publique,
sur I'invariable bonte de vos principes, sur la noblesse et
la grandeur de votre demarche politique, sur tant de
choses precieuses qui sont sorties de votre plume, sur le
triomphe — deplorable mais complet — que votre maniere
de voir et de juger remporte k present sur celle de tant
de vos foibles contemporains, je n'hesite pas un instant de
declarer, que Si Pergama dextra
Defend! proterint, etiani hac defensa fuissent !
Vous seriez pour moi I'etre le plus indifferent, et un
simple observateur de ce que j'ai vu de vous pendant trpis
ans, je ne vous refuserois pas I'hommage de mon adrairation ;
jugez done de mes sentimens pour vous, lorsque tant
d'autres liens, le souvenir de toutes vos bontes pour moi,
le souvenir de tant d'heures charmantes que j'ai passees
avec vous, la douce habitude de vous voir et de vous
entendre, et au-delk de tout cet attachement presque
mysterieux, que des rigueurs passageres de votre part ou
des nuages qui s'etoient eieves par ma faute, n'ont jamais
pu affoiblir pour un moment, lorsque tout cela me rend
votre amitie un des premiers besoins de mon existence
morale. Relevez-moi, rafraichissez-moi bientdt par une
bonne lettre, et croyez en attendant que cent fois par jour
je me livre aux sentimens dont je ne vous ai donni ici
qu'une bien foible esquisse, et qui m'ont constitue pour
jamais Le plus devoue et le plus fideie de vos servi-
teurs, (Signe) G.
'* A few days after the Treaty of Presbourg the Elector of Bavaria, while
out shooting, received from a messenger sent by Bonaparte a letter directed
to "Sa Majesty le Roi de Baviere et de Suabe, notre tres cher frere, ami,
et aUi6."

268 THE PAGET PAPERS

From Major-General the Hon. Edward Paget to
Sir Arthur Paget. Bremen, 23^ January 1806.
My DEAREST Arthur, — . . . The fatal News we have
received from your part of the world has sadly damp'd our
Spirits, and we now talk of nothing but going home instead
of marching to Holland.* Here we are and here we have
been for a considerable Time, and what is to become of us
Nobody yet knows, tho' from the Embarkation of heavy
baggage, Stores & heavy artillery there is much reason
to suppose that we shall not be here much longer.
Nothing but my Change in Life would prevent my pay
ing you a visit, in the event of our being order'd home.
But that, for cogent Reasons, is now out of the Question.
You will be sorry to hear that Pitt is so ill that he was
five days on his Journey from Bath to Town.t This will
be a very favorable Circumstance for the Opposition. I
most sincerely wish that I had anything worth relating
to you ; but as I have not I will at present say no
more. Bremen, 24th January 1806.
My dearest Arthur, — ... I cannot figure to myself,
the Probability of our remaining here much longer, with
out indeed we take the bold Resolution of defending the
Electorate against all Invaders. For one I cannot help
thinking, "que le Jeu ne vaut pas la Chandelle," and
that it would be much better for us both to be for ever
separated, t We are for ever bringing each other into
Scrapes without the power of rendering mutual and
effectual Support. I dread the Consequences, I confess,
as far as regards The [King], of such a Surrender of
Sovereignty, & perhaps this is the Greatest Evil that
could occur, but I am persuaded it is the only One.
'*¦ Cathcart made no attempt to attack the flank of the French ; he
established his headquarters at Bremen, and peacefully waited for news,
while Russia complained bitterly that the English forces had attempted no
diversion of the enemy. After the death of Pitt the Ministry recalled his
army from Germany.
t He died on this day, January 23.
X He evidently means separation of Hanover from England. — A. P.

GENERAL THE HON. SIR EDWARD PAGET

VIENNA, 1806 269
However, let our Projects be what they may, I most
sincerely hope k pray that they may be unconnected with
any Plan, Promise, or Engagement, however Solemnly
Entered into, of the Court of Berlin. Heavens ! what
has this Power to answer for ! For nothing less in my
mind than every calamity which has befallen Europe for
more than ten years. But I am a bold man, thus to
harangue His Majesty's IMinister at the Court of Vienna,
The next Thing I expect to hear of is a War between
Austria & Russia, as certain Turkish Provinces would be
very convenient to the former as an Indemnification for
Her Losses. In the mean time, My great hope is that we
shall maintain our Navy at its highest Establishment and
contrive some means of creating a real Army of 200,000
Men at home, and never make Peace as long as Europe
remains in so complete a state of subjection. These are
my Politicks, and, as every man is blockhead enough to be
fond of his o^wti Fancies, I am quite sure we shall never
be able to make a Secure, durable, and Advantageous
Peace untill we can confidently smile at the Threats of
Invasion, and this can only be done by the Maintenance
of a great k permanent force. I hope My dearest Arthur,
that my Politicks may have been the means of relaxing
the muscles of your Countenance in this afflicting Period
of long Faces, and I shall be well pleased, as I have nothing
to send you from this place worth hearing. I told you
yesterday that we know nothing of our Return to England,
but that the Hea-vy ArtUlery and Baggage of the Army is
Embarking, which is certainly a Suspicious Circurastance.
This however may be only a Measure of Precaution, and
what every ¦wise Man would have done even without
waiting for Orders in the present Critical state of things.
If we are to remain I am confident that we must look to
our o"wn strength alone, and not depend one Moment upon
what Prussia may promise you. In this case you must
send much greater Reinforcements than Great Britain can
well spare. If she does not send them, our present
force is much too small for any considerable object,
and much too great to run any Risks with.
(Signed) E. P.

270 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Lord Cathcart to Sir A. Paget.
Bremen, 24 Jany. 1806.
My Dear Sir, — Having heard that your Chasseur is
here I cannot suffer him to go from hence ¦ndthout avail
ing myself of the opportunity of recalling to your re
collection our old acquaintance. Your brother Colonel
Paget is here at the head of a magnificent Brigade in
which is the ist Batallion of the 28th. He is in perfect
health. The turn which affairs have taken renders our
Expedition rather unprofitable, and we sit here consider
ing the immense tract of mud and water before us with
not much more satisfaction than we did eleven years ago
when you left us not very far from hence. If any thing
should occur in this Part of the world in which I could
be of any sort of use to you I should be most happy to
receive your Commands. — I have the honor, ke,
(Signed) Cathcart.
From Lord Paget to Sir Arthur Paget.
Wrotham, Jany. 26th, 1806.
My dear Arthur, — ... I have taken no measures
whatever respecting your present situation. I did not
quite approve the Mission of L** Harrington,* altho' it
was wholly of a military nature ; still however I am most
fully persuaded that Pitt, who entertained a high opinion
of you, would not have permitted the measure could he
have thought that it would annoy your feelings. Alas !
Alas ! he is dead. A greater loss this Country could not
have sustained. I do most sincerely regret him. I have
lost my political Sun, k I shall be in no hurry to adopt
any one to replace him as my Leader. I am most
thoroughly persuaded that so much integrity, so much
Talent, so much Energy, and such an undaunted spirit-
so truly necessary in these times — is not to be found
combined in any one Man. What changes may now
take place in the Cabinet I am at a loss to speculate
upon. But the Lord deliver us from Mr. Addington.
* See Lord Mulgrave's letter, December 3, 1805. Lord Harrington was
destined for an extraordinary embassy to Vienna, but stopped at Berlin in
December 1805 in consequence of the peace negotiations in Vienna.

VIENNA, 1806 271
Altho' I detest their recent conduct, yet I cannot help
thinking that L** Grenville & Mr Wyndham are the most
likely men to uphold the honor k spirit of this Country,
& the least likely of all our politicians to yield one inch
to Bonaparte. If then I am right in my conjecture re
specting them I would have them employed, for the more
I see & the more I refiect upon all that has happened
within these 8 years, the more I am persuaded that no
hurailiation, no concession can secure any country against
his diabolical designs, & that he must be openly com
bated & set at defiance, or he will undermine k then
overwhelm the State that has the pusillanimity to act
otherwise. You talk of coming over here, k why should you not ?
Of what use can you be where you now are ? I should
conceive that your situation at the Court of the Emperor
of Austria must now be humiliating to you. All further
hope of any struggle from that power (that is now a bad
word, I should say that State) is at an end. You must
not however act upon what I say, but, at all events, I
conceive there cannot be the slightest objection to your
obtaining leave of Absence.
All are well here & send their love. Let me hear from
you soon and do let me hear something. — Ever affec^
Yours, Paget.
From Lord Mulgrave to Sir A. Paget.
London, Jany, yth, 1806.
My dear Sir Arthur, — The great Loss which this
Country and Europe has sustained by the termination of
Mr. Pitt's most valuable Life, has led to a change of
Administration, which puts an end to official correspond
ence between us. I only write therefore to express to
you my sense of the very candid Manner in which you
have written in your private letter * on the subject of
the Austrian Ministry. I should have much to say to
you on that subject if it could now lead to any con
clusion which might be advantageous to the King's
* I can find no trace of this private letter, but it appears to me that the
official despatches on this subject, already given, are sufficiently plain spoken
and candid. — A. P.

2 72 THE PAGET PAPERS
Service. I cannot however close my correspondence
with, you, without assuring you of the very sincere
personal Regard, with which I am, &c.
(Signed) Mulgrave.
From the Right Hon. C. J. Fox to Sir A. Paget.
[Private.] Downing Street, 14 March 1806.
Sir, — You will easily believe that with the most perfect
good will to yourself and professing, as I do sincerely, the
greatest regard for Lord Paget, it must nevertheless be
my wish to place in the very important Situation you
now occupy some Person in my particular confidence, and
whose views in regard to foreign Politicks are in general
similar to my own.
I should not however have given way to this considera
tion at so early a period of my Administration, but rather
have waited till I found an opportunity agreeable to you,
if the papers laid before the House of Commons by the
late Ministry, and since printed, had not appeared to me
to be of a nature to render your continuance at Vienna
disagreeable to yourself and by no means conducive to
the Publick Service. The Publication of your letters,
especially of that of the 24th of October, seems to me
to have been as little necessary to the defence of our
Predecessors as it is certainly unfair and unjust towards
you; but having been so published no alternative was
left to me, and I accordingly recommended to His
Majesty your Recall, to which He was graciously pleased
to consent.
At the same time, His Majesty expressed hiraself
most graciously respecting your general Conduct and
Abilities, and much lamented a publication which He
imagined could only have appeared from Lord Mulgrave's
inadvertence. I shall defer sending a formal notification of His Ma
jesty's Pleasure till the next Mail, but thought you might
like to be informed of it in a private way as soon as
possible. — I am, with great truth k regard, &c.
(Signed) C J. Fox.

VIENNA, 1806 273
From the Right Hon. C. J. Fox to Sir A. Paget.
[PW»a<e.] March 1 8, 1806.
Sir, — I have this day seen Lord Paget, fiom whom I
learn with great pleasure that it was your ¦wish, and his
for you, to relinquish your Mission at Vienna, and conse
quently that what I thought myself obliged to do 'wiU
not eventuaUy turn out in any way unpleasant to you.
He mentioned at the same time your wish even if you
were to return again, for an immediate leave of Absence,
but he gave me to understand that as you were to come
away altogether in a short time. He thought you would
have no objection to stay a few weeks longer if such a
stay was convenient to me. It certainly would be very
convenient, not only as it would make the interval be
tween your departure and the arrival of your Successor
less, but as it would enable (me) to send some person in
confidence time enough to receive the business for you.
My anxiety however to do what may be most agreeable
to you is such, that if you find it necessary or convenient
for your private affairs you may set out when you please,
but I o-nm your staying a Uttle longer would be a great
favour to me. — I am, &c. (Signed) C. J. Fox.
From the Right Hon. C. J. Fox to Sir A. Paget.
[No. I.] Do-wsiNG Street, March 18, 1806.
Sir, — In conveying to you His Majesty's Gracious Per
mission to return to England on your Private Affairs, it
is very gratifying to me to have it at the same time in
Command to acquaint you that the zeal and Talents which
you have uniformly displayed in His Service, have met
with His Majesty's entire approbation.
You wiU leave the official Correspondence of the l^Iission
in charge of Hi.-s Majesty's Secretary of Legation — but you
¦wiU consult your own private ¦fishes and Convenience as
to the time of your Departure from Vienna. — I am. &c.
(Signed) C. J. Fox.

VOL. II.

2 74 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Lord Paget to Sir Arthur Paget,
London, March i&th, 1806.
My dear Arthur, — In consequence of your last letters,
it was thought advisable that you should have the power
of withdrawing from Vienna immediately if circumstances
rendered that step desirable for you, and as there were
contradictory reports respecting the intentions of the
present Ministers towards you, I determined upon seeing
Mr. Fox upon the subject. I am this moment come
from him where I also saw the Comte de Stahrenberg,
who informed me that he would dispatch a Messenger
to Vienna this night, & it is by him that this ¦will
reach you.
On seeing Mr. Fox I told him that it was important I
should know what were his intentions respecting you, as
if it was his wish that you should retain your present post
it was of the utmost consequence to you to receive ¦with
out delay a short leave of absence. He told me that it
was his intention to recall you, but that as it was a very
great object with him to do it in the most polite & satis
factory way to you, he had judged it best for this purpose
to ¦write a private letter to you in the first instance with
the information that he had done this, but that he had
not intended to recall you untU a Successor could be sent
out. I told him I could not take upon me to say that
in the Event of a Successor being very soon sent out
you would reqmre to come away immediately, but that I
thought it possible you might in that case dispense with
the leave of absence ; stUl, however, I asked that he would
leave it to your discretion to act. I am now then autho
rised by him to say that if it is ma'terial to you, you may
leave Vienna upon the receipt of this letter ; -that, however,
considering the youth k inexperience of Mr. Jenkinson
(I think that is the name) he would prefer you remaining
untU he (Mr. Jenkinson) is relieved, which shaU be done
immediately, as it might possibly be 2 or 3 months before
L* Darnley or L*^ Douglas or the person who they might
appoint to relieve you would be ready.
In fact you are from this moment at liberty to come
off immediately, or to remain upon the spot untU your

VIENNA, 1806 275
regular Successor arrives, or only until a new Secretary
is appointed. He was uncommonly attentive & seemed vastly
anxious that you should be satisfied with his manner of
making known to you your recall. Reraeraber that this
Recall was absolutely decided upon before I saw him.
He took occasion to reprobate sternly the publication of
your later dispatches & in that Every one that I have
ever heard upon the subject agrees. It is really infamous.
From Lord G. Leveson Gower to Sir A. Paget.
St. Petersbdrgh, March 21st, 1806.
My Dear Arthur, — Different circumstances combine to
render your stay at Vienna no longer agreeable, k I think
it very Doubtful whether the Austrian Courier by whom
I send this letter ¦will arrive there before your departure.
I feel however a satisfaction in venting my indignation to
you upon the wanton exposure of an official correspond
ence k the papers & Memoirs confidentially communicated
to the English Gov* by the Imperial Courts. This last act
of Lord Mulgrave's Ministry will naturally have the effect
of making foreign Courts extremely cautious in their rela
tions with that of London,* k had Lord M. remained in
office would have caused foreign Ministers to use a very
guarded language in their dispatches. 1 find the Austrian
Court are extremely dissatisfied upon the subject, but the
impropriety of the proceeding is so generally felt in Eng
land that 1 trust they will not be apprehensive of the
repetition of it upon any future occasion. . . .
I have as yet received no official Dispatch since the
change of Gov' in England. I regret this delay the more,
because there exists at this moment the strongest dispo
sition here to cherish the connection with the Court of
London & to adopt energetic measures against France,
but their proceedings are suspended by the doubt in
which they are left with regard to the System of Lord
Grenville's & Mr. Fox's administration ; they are disposed
also (particularly Czartoryski) to renew a confidential
'*¦ On March 3 the Czar wrote to Worontzow that no communication must
be made to Parliament of alliances, secret articles, or of the protocol of the
Vienna Conference ; since, if the English Government became indiscreet, they
could no longer negotiate with it with the. desired freedom.

2 76 THE PAGET PAPERS
intercourse k Union with the Court of Vienna. Nothing
could be more unpopular than the Austrians were here
for some time after the return of the Emperor to Peters
burgh, but since the arrival of General Meerfelt that acri
mony seems very much to have subsided, & the infamous
Conduct of the Court of Berlin, notwithstanding the par
tiality of the Emperor to His Prussian Majesty, is viewed
in its true colours. The Duke of Bavaria completely failed
in the object of his Mission ; he could not obtain the
Sanction of this Court to any of the arrangements con
certed by M. Haugwitz, nor was his proposition of Marriage
between Prince Senry of Prussia & the Grand Duchess
Catherine listened to with a very favourable Ear. Adieu,
my dear Arthur. — Yours most sincerely, G. L. G.
From the Right Hon. C. J. Fox to Sir A. Paget.
[Private,] March 31, 1806.
Dear Sir, — I have received your very obliging private
letter of the 3d Instant, and I can truly assure you that,
were it not for the circumstances to which you allude, it
would have been very agreeable to me to act in confidence
with you in the situation which you now fill, but as I
have written to you before on this subject I will add no
more than to thank you for the paragraph with which you
close your letter.
Your Separate Dispatch expressing your wish to go to
the Baths of Toeplitz I conceive to have been already
answered according to your wishes by the general leave
which, by the command of His Majesty, I had the honour
of transmitting to you, but if you have any doubt I beg
it may not weigh with your mind a rainute against any
consideration respecting your health or convenience. — I
am, . . . ke. (Signed) C. J. Fox.
From M. de Gentz to Sir A. Paget.
DRfeSDE, le 6 Avril, 1806.
II m'est impossible de voir partir le Cte. Metternich pour
Vienne sans lui donner quelques lignes pour Vous. Ce
n'est pas d'aujourd'hui ou d'hier que je reponds k vos
rigueurs par la soumission, par la Constance, par le de-

VIENNA, 1806 277
vouement le plus inalterable. Vous savez depuis long
tems, que je ne puis pas exister, quoiqu'il arrive, sans
tenter I'impossible pour vous faire croire k la profondeur
de mon attachement, quand meme vous me refuseriez le
votre. Je re viens toujours k mon ancienne comparison.
Je suis un amant malheureux qui a besoin de se plaindre
de sa maitresse, si le ciel lui a refuse le bonheur de
pouvoir s'en louer.
Je vous parlerai peu de politique. Vous savez certaine
ment tout ce qui je pourrois vous en dire ; et je vous en
crois si degoute que ce seroit ne pas vous rendre service.
II ne s'agit d'aUleurs plus que d'assister aux funerailles de
I'Europe ; car le courage le plus exalte, le genie le plus
fecond en moyens, n'en congoit plus aucun pour la sauver.
C'est I'enthousiasme du desespoir qui m'anime encore k
travailler comme un fou, lorsque tout ce que je crois
toucher est dijk cadavre ou neant. Mais je sens que ma
carriere tire vers sa fin ; et que Sirius et Orion sont dej^
\k pour m' attendre, et apres eux le tombeau. J'ai voulu
signaler mes derniers momens par quelques efforts qui
puissent m' accompagner dans la solitude ; et mourir comme
j'avois vecu.
Ce qui m'interesse le plus- aujourd'hui, toutes les fois
que je pense k vous, (et Dieu sait si cela arrive rarement)
c'est de savoir comment vous vivez, de quoi votre coeur
s'occupe, si, au milieu des horreurs de cette epoque infernale,
vous avez trouve quelque consolation, quelque soulage-
ment particulier de vos peines. La nouvelle du mari
age de Leopoldine m'a vivement affecte, m'a absolument
attere pour vous. Je I'ai eue par une lettre que la Prin
cesse mere a ecrite a Mad. de Mier, et dans laquelle au
milieu de la joie, qu'elle manifestoit sur une union si
parfaitement assortie, J'ai vu de la maniere la plus dis
traite, la plus indubitable, que sa fille etoit d'un avis bien
different. " Elle ne I'aime pas encore ; mais elle I'aimera ;
et nous pouvons nous flatter que le malheureux attache
ment qu'elle avoit pris, comme vous n'ignorez pas, s'effa-
cera completement dans quelque tems " — voilk ce que j'ai
lu, relu, et appris par cceur ; tant fut grand I'interet que
j'y attachai. Daignez me dire, pour peu que vous fassiez
encore cas de mon amitie, daignez me dire, quel effet cet
evenement a produit sur vous. . . .

2 78 THE PAGET PAPERS
II y a encore un autre objet sur lequel je desirerois bien
ardemment d'avoir quelques renseignemens positifs. Vous
savez qu'on m'a menace de votre rappel de Vienne. Ma
premiere inquietude est calmee depuis que je sais que
Lord Holland que Ton nommoit comme Votre Successeur,
est destine k aller k Berlin. Mais puis-je etre parfaite
ment tranquille ? Cette question, je vous I'avoue, est une
de .eelles qui pesent dans la balance de mes argumens pour
et contre mon retour k Vienne. C'est un bienfait du
premier ordre que Vous me conferez,, en m'instruisant
sur ce point. Soyez bon et clement ! Rouvrez notre
correspondance ; ecrivez-moi une seule fois, non pas une
lettre (Je sais que vous ne les aimez pas beaucoup) mais
nn petit billet bien amical, bien rassurant, bien raffraichis-
sant. Je ne I'oublierai pas tant que je vivrai.
Vous serez extremement content du Cte. Metternich,
II n'en existe pas beaucoup, comme lui, k Vienne ; il s'est
tellement developpe k Berlin, que c'est k present seule
ment qu'il faut le juger. Regardez-vous encore les
etoiles ? Vous promenez-vous encore sur les remparts,
et sur le glacis ? AUez-vous encore chez les Lakierer et
Vergolder ? Montez-vous souvent vos beaux chevaux ?
Dites-moi quelque chose qui me transporte dans le passe ;
c'est le seul moyen de me faire soutenir le present, et de
me donner la force pour voir arriver I'avenir.
Croyez aux sentimens de la fideiite k-toute-epreuvCj
avec laquelle je suis Votre tres devoue serviteur,
Gentz.
Copie d'une lettre de I'Amiral Villeneuve d Bonaparte *
Ecrite la matinSe de son suicide.
Rennes, ce 6 Avril, 1806.
Monsieur ! — Vous devez vous rappeller quand La Touche
mourut k Toulon, et lorsque je eommandois k Rochefort,
et que je refusois d'etre son successeur, j'etois persuade
¦* This letter, purporting to have been written by Admiral Villeneuve, was
found among my father's papers, where it had lain untouched since he had
put it away. How it came into his possession I am not aware. It will be
seen that there are expressions in it which could hardly have been penned
by a Frenchman, but I nevertheless give it, notwithstanding its literary
defects, as a curious document, respecting the authenticity of which readers
may form their own judgment.— A. P.

VIENNA, 1806 279
alors, que chaqu'un qui dirrigeroit I'avanturiere et mau
vaise expedition de la fiotte unie Frangaise et Espagnole,
seroit battu honteusement, si meme il auroit la fortune
de sauver sa vie d'une bataille, qui contre un ennemi
lequel couvre toutes les Mers de ses b&,timents etoit
inevitable. Ce sont, mot par mot, les paroles que j'ai dit au
Ministre de la Marine ; apres quoi, malgre moi j'ai na-
vigue a Barcellone et Cadiz, et oh apres ra' avoir persuade
comment la fiotte Espagnole etoit equipee, et comment
elle faisoit ses manoeuvres, j'ai envoyl avec ma premiere
Depeche ma premiere resignation ; je continuois cela k
Martinique, k Ferrol, et Cadiz, lorsque je regus I'ordre du
2 5 Sept""" de retourner avec la fiotte combinee k Toulon ;
sur quoi j'ai repondu ; meme s'il falloit retrancher
toute la fiotte Anglaise j'obeirai, mais je ressouvins au
Ministre mes anciennes apprehensions sur I'incertitude
d'une battaille de Mer, et sur ma forte resolution de
renoncer k un Poste perilleux ou vainqueur ou vaincu,
auquel je serois incapable d'etre utile, tant k cause de
mes maximes, et principalement k cause de votre caractere
vif et barbare.
L'infortune de Trafalgar ne doit pas etre attribuee a
quelque faute ou manque de courage, et je I'ai assez prouve
dans ma Note officielle sur la battaille de Mer : pourquoi
a-t-on refuse la place k cette Note dans le Moniteur ? En
attendant les injures et accusations de mes ennerais et de
mes envieux y ont ete regues.
Vous-meme, lorsque vous reglites ma Note Officielle pen
dant votre heureuse et ambitieuse expedition en AUemagne,
disiez avec votre petulence barbare: "je vois qu'il faut
absolument un exemple d'un brigand Frangais, pour faire
d'une victoire de ma puissance sur Mer une journaliere."
Mille voix repetoient cette expression, et la sentence de
mort insensible qu'un usurpateur etranger prononga contre
un Amiral Frangais patriote ; et en attendant on ne prit
aucune connoissance de ma Depeche, on n'entendoit rien
d'elle ; elle n'a pas meme ete lue. Cette Depeche con-
tenoit vraiment quelques verites ameres, qui n'auroient
pas contribuees k mettre vos capacites nautiques dans un
lustre brillant, mais, au contraire, demontroient que celui
dont I'incapacite et orgueil a cause la perte d'une fiotte

28o THE PAGET PAPERS
Frangaise k Aboukir, etoit aussi la cause de la destruction
d'une autre k Trafalgar.
Dans notre derniere entrevue vous-meme m'avez avoue,
que si meme la France domineroit toute la terre ferme
sans resistence, pourtant sa force exterieure resteroit
incertaine, ses manufactures devroient se detruire, son
etat interieur ne pourroit obtenir aucune force, son com
merce s'arreteroit, ses habitants resteroient dans la pauv-
rete et manque, jusqu'^ ce qu'elle ne seroit en etat de
forcer la Grande Bretagne de se soumettre k ses lois et
ordonnances. Pendant la Tyrannic que vous avez pratiquee dans ces
annees, ma patrie et ses Allies ont perdu dejk plusieurs
vaisseaux de guerre que la Marine Royale possedoit pen
dant la plus grande partie du Regne de Louis XIIII. et
XV., et si ma patrie devroit survivre encore quelque tems
I'anatheme d'etre sous votre Sceptre de fer, sa puissance
Militaire de la Marine sera bientdt reduite k devenir aussi
mauvaise que celle du Commerce de la Marine Test dejk,
et Ton ne verra dans ses Ports que des Corsaires impu-
diques, et des Negociants reduits k la mendicite.
Quel avantage et quel honneur ma patrie a-t-elle eu de
vos campagnes heureuses ? — ou bien est elle plus libre
votre pouvoir absolu qu'auparavant ? Accabiee des Taxes,
et cruellement opprimee k cause d'un despotisme Militaire
aussi inefficace qu'insensible, mes patriotes esclaves s'affli-
gent k I'approche d'un raalheur inevitable, et ils ne peuvent
pas oser d'en soupirer. Vous seuleraent, vos parents, et
vos creatures, avez de I'avantage de vos victoires, qui sont
acqueries par le sang le plus ptir, et par les tresors les
plus nobles de la France.
Mais si Ton regarde la chose politiquement, quel avan
tage ou honneur ont les Frangais ? — quelles assurances ont
les autres peuples de vos usurpations, de vos destruc
tions, indemnisations, changements, et de vos Traites de
Paix ? A quoi est ce que gk leur est bon de voir un avan-
turier acharne Empereur, sa vicieuse . , , Imperatrice,
ses miserables frferes et beau-freres Rois et Princes, ses
rejettes megferes Reines et Princesses, les complices de sa
mechancete Dues, Marechaux, et Chevaliers ? lis ont en-
chaine les personnes des Frangais, mais ils n'ont pas sgu
tromper leurs esprits. Par consequence est ce que ceux-ci

VIENNA, 1806 281
pourront voir 20 mille Autrichiens ou Russes prisoniers
en France, sans se rappeller au nombre plus grand de
leurs patriotes prisoniers en Angleterre, qui ont ete la
victime de leur bravade, et foUe ambition ? S'ils verroient
retourner ces prisoniers dans leur patrie, ne doivent ils
pas plaindre I'absence de ceux qui par droit leur sont
chers, et qu'ils ne doivent pas esperer de les erabrasser
jamais, lorsqu'ils ne sont pas encore sauves de leur tyrannic?
Ils savent tres bien que la Grande Bretagne est beaucoup
plus sage et trop puissante pour faire encore une fois la
paix avec un homme qui, en se montrant ami, travaille
pour son independance, et qui est un aussi dangereux ami
qu'un ennemi declare, dont les oliviers n'ont ete que les
torches allumees de cet assassin en egard politique et
social. Du langage que je parle avec vous dans cette lettre
vous pourrez bien coraprendre que I'auteur ne peut pas
etre attrape de votre vengeance, et qu'il ne craint plus
vos tortures, prisons, vos erapoisonneurs et bourreaux.
L' ordre de vos Ministres de ne pas m'approcher k la
Capitale avant que de recevoir leur permission, a prolonge
encore I'espace de votre punition et deiivration du genre
humain de son fieau ; sans cet ordre je vous aurois sans
doute efface du nombre des vivans, car etant resolu de ne
pas survivre la destruction de la fiotte Frangaise, je I'au
rois pu faire avant de rae punir moi-raeme de ce qu'avec
la perte de mon honneur, et avec 1' offense de mon devoir,
de ma naissance et caractere, j'ai permis que vous vous
etes servi de moi, et que vous vivez encore, c'est une
marque qu'un destin aveugle et injuste permet pour des
raisons inepuisables la continuation de votre tyrannic bar-
bare. Mais confiez vous k eelk, et I'inexprimable grande
quantite de vos criraes differents doit vous prouver que
de la maniere que vous avez vecu comme le plus sceierat,
votre fin sera dgalement unique et terrible. Un assassin
ou bourreau finira le cours de vos cruautees, qui a trop
dure pour la honte de I'humanite.
Pour qu'une posterite vertueuse, qui peut-etre critiquera
une partie de ma vie publique, sache mes intentions de
repentir et de patriotisme que je sentois pres de ma mort,
ont ete envoyees des Copies de cette lettre dans tous les
Ports de Mer aux Officiers. Vos adulateurs de vils senti-

282 THE PAGET PAPERS
ments ont beau dire ce qu'ils veulent, si je vous aurois
tue des siedes suivants m'auroient benit, et m'auroient
lone comme leur sauveur.
Tremble, Tyran, tu vis abhorre, tu mourra sous le poid
du blaspheme de tout le monde qui te poursuivra encore
au delk de ton tombeau. (Signe) De Villeneuve.

THE DARDANELLES: 1807

^TAT 36
In order to explain the objects of Sir Arthur Paget's
embassy to the Dardanelles in May 1807, it will be
necessary to go back a little in the order of time, and
to mention, as briefly as possible, the events which led
to it.
After the battle of Austerlitz the Emperor Alexander
displayed the greatest activity in repairing the losses of
his army, and the war between France and Russia was
renewed on the banks of the Vistula in the autumn of
1806. In the meantirae Napoleon had sent General Sebastiani
to Constantinople with instructions to do all in his power
to bring about a rupture between Russia and Turkey, in
order to create a diversion for a part of the Russian forces
on the banks of the Danube. This he succeeded in doing
on the question of the appointment of the Hospodars (or
Governors) of Moldavia and Wallachia, which, contrary
to Treaty engagements, the Porte had made without the
concurrence of Russia.
The demands of Russia were strongly supported by the
British Ambassador at Constantinople, even to the extent
of threatening the bombardraent of the capital by a British
fleet unless they were coraplied with ; and he further urged
that the Porte should renounce its alliance with France
and contract one with England and Russia.
For the moment the Porte yielded on the first point,
but it was only to gain time. In the interval war had
been declared by Russia against Turkey, and eventually
Admiral Sir John Duckworth, who, with Admiral Louis,
was cruising with some line-of-battle ships and a few
frigates in the neighbourhood of the Dardanelles, was
desired to force the passage of the Straits, and to dictate

284 THE PAGET PAPERS
at Constantinople an ultimatum, under a threat of bom
bardment if it were not complied with within twenty-four
hours (February 1807).
The Turks were again about to yield, when Sebastiani
intervened, and Sir John Duckworth, unfortunately, al
lowed himself to be drawn into negotiations which lasted
a week ; at the end of which time, by the most extra
ordinary exertions, the Turkish forts, arsenal, and fleet
had been fully armed, so as to render an attack upon
them hopeless ; and, the object of the expedition having
failed, nothing remained for Sir John Duckworth but to
provide for the safety of the fleet, which he did by
beating a hasty retreat on the ist of March, a^d after
running the gauntlet of the heavy fire from the forts
which lined the Straits, the fieet again cast anchor off the
island of Tenedos.
Early in March 1807 a change of Government took
place in England in consequence of the presentation by
the Ministry of a measure for a partial repeal of the Test
Act, to which the King most strongly objected, and a new
Cabinet was formed by the Duke of Portland, with Mr.
Canning at the Foreign Office, Lord Hawkesbury at the
Home Office ; Lord Castlereagh, Colonial and War Office ;
Mr. Perceval, Chancellor ofthe Exchequer; Lord Mulgrave,
First Lord of the Admiralty, &c., &c.
It may be well to bear in mind that reasons precisely
the reverse of those which prompted Napoleon to bring
about the war between Russia and Turkey induced the
British Government to use their best endeavours to pre
vent it, and, after it had broken out, to restore peace
between the two Empires, so that the whole strength of
Russia might be concentrated in resisting the common
enemy on the Russian frontier, and that no part of her
military resources should be diverted by hostUities in the
Danubian principalities. It was for these reasons that
Admiral Sir J. Duckworth was ordered to force the
passage of the Dardanelles and dictate an ultimatum at
Constantinople. It was for the same reasons that Sir A.
Paget was subsecjuently sent on an embassy in order to
negotiate peace between the contending Powers. Great
Britain, in short, was at war with Turkey simply in sup
port of Russia, and not on account of any direct British

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 285
interests which had become involved, as distinctly stated
in Mr. Canning's despatches.
Mr. Canning's private letters show how fully he was
impressed with the difficulties and delicacy of the nego
tiations with which Sir A. Paget was charged. He had,
in fact, a double negotiation to carry on : first, to endeavour
to bring about peace not only between Great Britain and
Turkey, but between Turkey and Russia ; and, secondly, to
negotiate with his Russian colleague, M. Pozzo di Borgo,
in order to keep his demands upon the Porte within limits
which might be consistent with the policy of the British
Government. For Mr. Canning did not lose sight of the
probability of Russia having an eye to the acquisition of
some part of the Ottoman territory which was already in
the occupation of the Russian troops, while the policy of
England was to uphold the integrity of the Ottoman
Empire. Sir A. Paget's previous intimacy with M. Pozzo
di Borgo placed him in a favourable position for speaking
frankly to this plenipotentiary upon all these matters, but
the conclusion of the Treaty of 'Tilsit soon relieved him of
the necessity for entering upon them, although, as will be
seen, there was an active correspondence between them.
Pozzo di Borgo, born in 1 764, was a native of Corsica,
and between his family and that of Napoleon there was a
political and family feud. He entered the Russian service,
and was employed in several important missions, amongst
others to Louis XVIII. in 1814. He was subsequently
appointed Russian Ambassador in Paris, and in 1835 in
the same capacity in London. He was the most deter
mined adversary of Napoleon, and it may therefore be
imagined with what feelings he heard of the arrangements
at Tilsit. Some traces of these are perceptible in his cor
respondence. He died in 1 842.
Sir A. Paget joined Lord CoUingwood's fieet on the
1 8th of June off Cadiz. Being anxious to arrive at
his destination with the least possible delay, he started
on the 20th in the Queen line-of-battle ship, and
arrived on the 4th of July off Palermo. It had not
been his intention to land there, but it happened that
a dead calm made it impossible to proceed, and the
Queen sent off Marquis, Circello to insist upon Sir A.
Paget landing, and coming to see her. He found Her

286 THE PAGET PAPERS
Majesty full of coinplaints against Generals Fox and Sir
John Moore, who were in command of the British troops
sent to defend Sicily, as well as against Mr. Drummond,
the British Minister, — who, at the same time, were
all three squabbling amongst themselves as well as with
the Queen. What Sir John Moore's opinion of Mr. Drum
mond was appears in his letter to Sir A. Paget of the 3rd
of September, in which he also gives an account of an
interview he had with the Queen, which it is curious to
compare with a memorandum drawn up in Her Majesty's
own handwriting containing her version of the same
meeting. While he was thus detained at Palermo, Sir A. Paget
learned that General Fox had received instructions from
Lord Castlereagh to withdraw at once the British gar
rison from Alexandria, which, however, he (Sir A. Paget)
took upon himself to suspend in order that he might be
able to reap the full advantage which the occupation
of that place by British troops might give him in his
negotiations with the Turkish Government, and this
exercise of his discretion was fully approved by the
Government at home. He, however, was subsequently
induced to modify this decision owing to the pressing
solicitations of Sir John Moore, who represented his
urgent need of the troops for the defence of Sicily.
It was evident from the beginning that the presence of
a Russian plenipotentiary and the distrust of Russia were
a great obstacle in the way of Sir A. Paget's negotiations ;
but even after the conclusion of the Treaty of Tilsit was
known ; — that the joint negotiations had been broken off,
and that the Porte had been informed of the existence
of secret articles to that Treaty which would be destruc
tive of the Turkish Empire in Europe, such was the dread
then entertained of France in Constantinople, , and such
the influence still exercised by General Sebastiani over
the mind of the Sultan and his Ministers, that the
Turkish Government could not make up its mind even
to name a plenipotentiary to treat for peace with Great
Britain. At the last moment, indeed, Ismail Pasha did inform
Sir A. Paget (whose account of this interview in his de
spatch No. 10, of the 24th September, gives a very curious

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 287
illustration of Turkish character) that he had received full
powers to treat. To the humiliating and absurd condi
tions which he proposed Sir A. Paget returned a dignified
refusal, but he did not lose his temper, and made a further,
but ineffectual, effort to bring the Porte to reason. The
story is fully told in the following despatches, until the
final breaking off of negotiations by the Sultan on Octo
ber 14.
Thus ended Sir Arthur Paget's last diplomatic mission
abroad, and though the result was not satisfactory, I ven
ture to think that its failure was in no way attributable
to any shortcomings of his ; and that was certainly also
the opinion of Mr. Canning, from whom he received the
highest approbation.
The difficulty he had to contend against was indeed an
insuperable one, and it is stated in the message delivered
to him by the Capitan Pasha in his last comraunication ;
but, until the end, he never allowed hiraself to despair,
and never abandoned his efforts to overcorae it. His
correspondence is there to show the energy and determi
nation, as well as the temper, forbearance, and modera
tion (the latter, as he himself acknowledges in his
despatch of the 22nd of October, carried to a greater
degree than was perhaps justifiable), with which he con
ducted the negotiations. But he was aware of the im
mense importance attached by the Government to his
success, and he was determined to leave nothing undone
to secure it.
During all the time (three raonths) of this negotiation
he was living under conditions to which few, if any, diplo
matic agents employed upon a mission abroad have ever
been accustomed, viz., on board a ship-of-war (and the
ships-of-war in those days were not what they are now),
with no outlet except upon a miserable island (Tenedos),
rendered pestiferous from the odours of the dead bodies
still unburied there, with no other recreation but to await
the good pleasure of the Ottoman Sultan and Government,
Such circurastances might well have disheartened and fur
nished an excuse to any one of less determination for
bringing his labours to a close, but he remained, nothing
daunted, until the negotiations were put an end to by the
Turks themselves.

288 THE PAGET PAPERS
He duly returned to England, and never, as far as I am
aware, crossed the British Channel again (except, I believe,
once when we were living. at Dover and he took us all
over to Boulogne and came back the next day) — cer
tainly not as a diplomatist ; although there is evidence of
another appointment having been offered him that same
year, in a short note from Mr. Canning dated the 30th of
December, begging him " to decide (and decide right) as
quickly as you can, for I am beset with applications ; " and
a further letter was written by Mr. Canning on the 15th
of May 1808, stating that the Turks were prepared to
make peace, and offering him the appointment.
I do not think it necessary to enter with greater detail
into the correspondence, both in private letters and official
despatches between Mr. Canning and Sir Arthur, or into
the exchange of letters between him and the Turkish
Pashas, ¦with Admiral Lord CoUingwood, Sir John Moore,
and others, while he was off the Dardanelles. With Lord
CoUingwood, with whom he was in almost daily communica
tion, he acted in the most cordial agreement, except on one
occasion when His Lordship attempted what Lord Palmer-
ston used to call " making a score off his own bat " — by
sending off a sort of Ultimatum to the Capitan Pasha,
without consultation with, and certainly unknown to Sir
A. Paget. (See His Lordship's letter, and its enclosure, to
Sir A. Paget of September 4, with the latter's answer, and
his letter to Mr. Canning on the subject of September 5.)
The letters, with all the persons above referred to, are
there to speak for themselves, and I believe they will
repay the trouble of perusal.
I cannot help thinking that those who read the reports
of these negotiations will be forcibly struck, as I have
been myself, by the remarkable ability and readiness dis
played by Sir Arthur Paget in dealing ¦with the various
subterfuges employed by the Turkish Pashas for iheet-
ing his demands, and by the similarity between tiieir
tortuous modes of procedure and those consistently
practised by the Sultan and Turkish Government of the
present day.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 289

CORRESPONDENCE
. From Major-General the Hon. Edward Paget
to Sir Arthur Paget.
Melazzo, 29^/1 April 1 807.
My dearest Arthur, — It has so happened that our
Avocations in life have been the means of separating us
more than any other two members of the faraily, and as I
am too well persuaded that long absences are very fatal
to the Ties of Friendship and Affection, especially when
no sort of communication is kept up, I therefore, looking
at the Chances of our Meeting again as very distant, can
not help sending you a few lines as a Remerabrance, & you
will forgive me if I occasionally repeat thera. It would
be too ridiculous in our old Age * to meet completely like
strangers. If ever you have any spare tirae, I wish you
would send rae your Thoughts upon the unhappy subject
on which we had so rauch conversation when at Plymouth.
I never hear a word of it from any one, and it is much
too interesting & important to the future Prospects of all of
our house not to occasion the greatest Anxiety. I see by
the Papers that you have had your turn in a Committee,t
& I hope it did not prove a very tedious one, for it's
quite as bad as a General Court Martial.
Our Comraunication with the Continent is as corapletely
cut off as Yours, or rather raore so as you have still the
roundabout Channel of the Baltic. The consequence is
we are kept completely in the Dark with respect to the
state of the War, and instead of real Intelligence are only
now & then answered with the most wonderful fabrica
tions frora Palermo. It raakes one's Heart sick to see
such a country as this might be so lost k sunk by oppres
sion and bad Government. It is necessary to see it to
believe it, but you have already witnessed it, and will
therefore agree with me that if Satan himself had appeared
as a Deliverer, instead of Bonaparte, there would have
been no wonder at his being received with open Arms.
* The writer was then thirty-two, and his brother Sir Arthur thirtv -
six ! !— A. P.
t In the House of Commons. Sir Arthur did not proceed to the Darda
nelles till May of this year. — A. P.
vol. II. T

290 THE PAGET PAPERS
A Priest came to me this morning, deputed by the Senate
of Melazzo, to inform me that " as a favor " II Re had
exempted me (because I am best able to pay them) from
the Payment of Certain Duties upon Goods landed at this
Port, such as Sugar, Tea, &c. My answer was that in
stead of a Favor I considered it as a gross Insult. This
to be sure was not very polished, but I hope you will
agree with me that it was merited. Good bye, my
dearest Arthur, & believe me, your sincerely affectionate
Brother, E. P. '
From the Right Hon. George Canning * to Sir A. Paget,
[No. I.] Downing Street, May i6th, 1^807.
Sir, — His Majesty having been pleased to nominate
you for a special Mission, the object of which is to endea
vour to accommodate the differences which have broken
out between the Ottoman Porte and the Russian Govern
ment, and to bring back the Porte to a just Sense of the
expediency of renewing and maintaining its former En
gagements as well with Russia as with this Country, and
of throwing off that predominant Infiuence which is now
exercised Over the Councils of the Divan by France, I am
comraanded by His Majesty to furnish you with Instruc
tions for your conduct of the business of this arduous and
delicate Mission. Much must, after all, be left to your
own discretion in a case where Events have succeeded
each other so rapidly, that it is possible that you may
find on your arrival in the neighbourhood of Constanti
nople a State of Things very different from that in con
templation of which these Instructions must be framed.
But I shall at least be enabled to explain to you with
sufficient Precision the general Principles upon which His
Majesty feels it incumbent upon him to act, and the
general object which He has in view, in whatever relates
to the Affairs of the Turkish Empire.
However strong the Probability may appear that the
cumbrous and ill compacted Fabric of the Ottoman Power
may not be able long to withstand the Course of Events
by which its Destruction has been for some time prepared,
it is by no means either the wish or the Interest of His
¦* Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

THE RIGHT HON. GEORGE CANNING

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 291
Majesty to be instrumental in precipitating its Fall. At
this moment especially, when the one great Danger, with
which Europe and the World are threatened from the
overbearing greatness and insatiable ambition of France,
requires the undivided efforts of all the Powers interested
in resisting it, His Majesty would see with peculiar Regret
the diversion of so considerable a share of the attention
and of the military means of Russia to objects of aggran
disement on the side of Turkey. Such objects would
perhaps contribute but little (if accomplished) to the solid
Power of an Empire already extended over so large a
proportion of the Globe, while the attempt to accomplish
them at this time could not fail to weaken, and perhaps
by degrees entirely to suspend, the exertions of the Em
peror of Russia in that part of Europe where the security
of Europe and of Russia Herself can alone be effectually
maintained : nor can it be doubted that such a change of
the Seat of the War, and of its apparent Motives, would
work a corresponding change in the Views and Feelings of
the other Powers now engaged in it ; would probably drive
Russia and perhaps Sweden to seek for Safety in separate
Peace : and leaving the rest of Germany without a Chance
of recovering its Independence, or even mitigating the
Severity of the Yoke under which it at present groans,
would too probably convert the wavering Neutrality of
Austria into a decided Hostility to Russia, if not into a
close Alliance with France.
In stating to you these as the Sentiments entertained
by His Majesty on the present situation of the Turkish
Erapire, I have no Intention of insinuating that a different
view is taken of this Subject by the Emperor of Russia.
On the Contrary, the several Documents which I inclose
for your Information, and particularly the Language held
by the Baron de Budberg in his conversation with Mr.
Stuart,* and the account received from Mr. Adair t of the
Instructions given to Mr. Pozzo di Borgo,| whom the
Emperor of Russia has recently commissioned to treat for
Peace with the Sublime Porte (and with whom you will
have to act in perfect concert and Communication), concur
in representing that the present demands of Russia are
¦* Minister in St. Petersburg. t Minister in Vienna.
X See Introduction, p. 285.

292 THE PAGET PAPERS
confined within the limits of what she is entitled by
Treaty to require ; that the military occupation of the
Turkish Provinces is to be considered as provisional and
temporary : and that the Emperor of Russia is ready to
agree to a Peace of which the Basis shall be the preserva
tion of the Integrity of the Turkish Empire.
In these Views His Majesty is desirous of seconding
and supporting His Ally with all His Power and Influence.
But as it is impossible not to be aware that projects of a
much larger extent have undoubtedly been at different
times entertained with respect to Turkey by Parties in
the Russian Cabinet, and are probably only now laid
aside to be reproduced when the opportunity for realizing
them may appear to arise, it is fit that, without appear
ing to impute such Intentions to the present Ministry of
Russia, you should yet be apprized of the Possibility of
their existence. Without in any degree pledging an
opinion as to what might be His Majesty's disposition
at some future time, and under circumstances less un
favorable than the present, and with the strongest general
Professions of a wish on the part of His Majesty to lend
Himself to every just and practicable Plan for strengthen
ing and augmenting the Power and Resources of His Ally,
you will confine yourself in any discussion upon this
Subject for which an opening may be afforded you by
the Russian Plenipotentiary, to urging in the most con
fidential and amicable Tone those Arguments which are
most likely to have weight with the Russian Government —
namely, the Unfitness of the present time and circum
stances for entering into a System of Measures which
must lead to an entire Revolution on the Eastern Side
of Europe, to the neglect of so much more vital Interests,
and the hazard of so much more substantial Power, and
to the loss of an opportunity for a vigorous and effectual
Effort against France, such as it is scarcely possible to
hope can ever be retrieved.
Having stated to you the general Principles by which
you are to be governed in your Intercourse with the
Russian Negotiator, and to which you are to conform
your joint Negotiation with the Porte, I have now only
generally to instruct you that in every point not incon
sistent with these Principles you are to adopt as far as

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 293
possible the Views and Wishes of the Russian Government,
and to co-operate for the Accomplishment of whatever
objects M. Pozzo di Borgo may have been instructed
particularly to press.
You will assure the Russian Minister that His Majesty
has no distinct or separate Views or Interests in the
Question, that the re-establishment of the Russian and
British Alliance and good understanding with the Porte,
and the Extinction of the French Influence there, are the
sole objects in His Majesty's opinion worth contending
for at the present moment ; that the means by which
these objects are to be attained, and the Degree iii which
they are now attainable, are matters for your joint and
serious consideration ; that provided these objects would
be secured, or any reasonable advance made towards their
accomplishment. His Majesty would be satisfied ; and so
far from looking to any selfish Advantage, or wishing to
trench on the principle of that Integrity of the Turkish
Empire, which (it is hoped and believed) M. Pozzo is
instructed to make the Basis of His Negotiation, His
Majesty would not even consider the Retention of His
recent conquests in Egypt as to be put in corapetition
with the advantages of a pacific arrangeraent which, by
securing the Neutrality of the Porte, and restoring the
unrestrained Intercourse and Navigation of the Allies,
should set the Emperor of Russia free from the necessity
of accumulating His Force on the Side of Turkey, and
turning His Attention frora other Quarters where the
whole strength of His Empire may be most advantage
ously eraployed. — I have the Honour, &c.
(Signed) George Canning.

From the Right Hon. George Canning^^o Sir A. Paget.
[No. 3.] Downing St., May i-j, 1807.
[After directions about the journey, he orders Sir A,
Paget to intimate his arrival off the Dardanelles as a
plenipotentiary, charged to negotiate the cessation of
hostilities and the renewal of the ancient good under
standing between His Majesty and His ally the Emperor
of Russia and the Sublime Porte ; and continues : — ']

294 THE PAGET PAPERS
But in the Time of making this Communication you
will be guided by a view of the State in which you may
find Circumstances on your arrival off the Dardanelles.
Should no Blockade have taken place, or what (it is
trusted) is more improbable, should any Measures to
defeat it have been taken by the Turks with Effect, or
should the Russians not have co-operated on their part
by the Blockade of the Black Sea ; or generally should
you find Reason to believe that no Impression either of
Distress or Alarm has been created at Constantinople,
either by the Menace or by the actual Operation of the
Blockade, or by the successful Occupation of Egypt ; or
unless there shall in your Judgement and M. Pozzo's
appear to be other Circumstances which afford a favor
able opening for Negotiation, it will be adviseable that
you should defer the communication of your pacific
Mission, and should employ yourself in urging vigorously
the Execution of the Instructions sent to the British
Commander-in-Chief, and in impressing upon M. de Pozzo
and the Russian Commander-in-Chief the necessity of
enforcing an effectual Co-operation on the part of His
Imperial Majesty's Forces.
Whenever you shall have Reason to believe, that such
an Impression has been produced at Constantinople as is
at all likely to prepare the way for the favorable Recep
tion of such an Overture, you will lose no time in
announcing your arrival and the objects for which you
are employed.
Whenever the Turkish Government shall profess on
their Part a Disposition to treat with you, it will perhaps
be expedient that you should propose as the Place of
Negotiation (provided that Suggestion shall meet with
the Concurrence of M. Pozzo di Borgo) one of the Islands
in the Archipelago, with a view to the Security of your
own Person, and to the exclusion of that Influence from
popular Prejudice and Enthusiasm to which Mr. Arbuth
not apprehends the conduct of a Negotiator would un
questionably have been exposed if he had consented to
carry it on at Constantinople. — I am, &c.
(Signed) George Canning.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 295
From the Right Hon. George Canning to Sir A. Paget.
[No. 7.] Foreign Office, i8Wi. May 1807.
Sir, — Although you are instructed to consider the
retention of His Majesty's Conquest in Egypt as an
object which He could not put in corapetition with the
restoration of Peace with the Porte on terras satisfactory
to His Majesty and the Emperor of Russia, I have never
theless to signify to your Excellency the King's Pleasure
that in any Treaty of Peace which may be formed with
the Ottoman Government, it be expressly stipulated that
neither Alexandria, nor any other territory of the Porte
which may be conquered by His Majesty's arms, shall be
evacuated until all confiscated British Property shall be
restored or an ample equivalent be paid for its amount.
It is farther His Majesty's Pleasure that in the Treaty
it be also stipulated that the Turkish Prisoners of War
shall not be released until all British subjects, who may
have been either detained by the Ottoman Government,
or who may have become prisoners by the fortune of War,
shall be previously liberated. — I ara, &c.
(Signed) George Canning.
From the Right Hon. George Canning to Sir A. Paget.
[Prkate.] Foreign Office, May 26th, 1807.
Dear Paget, — I cannot put into your hands the
Instructions with which you are about to depart for the
Mediterranean without feeling sensible how many Cases
there may be for which no provision is, or can be, raade,
& in which you will have to exercise (if they arise) a most
difficult k delicate discretion.
I am afraid that any attempt to imagine k anticipate
all such Cases would be perfectly useless, k might even
lead to more perplexity, from the variation of circum
stances not to be foreseen, than the leaving to your judg
ment to adapt the general spirit of your instructions as
nearly as possible to whatever circumstances may occur.
The first Object is Peace ; the second Peace with per
fect satisfaction to Russia.
The Instructions given to M. Pozzo di Borgo, of which

296 THE PAGET PAPERS
you are furnished with a Copy, afford better hopes than
I had originally conceived with respect to the practicality
of the second Object ; and if the assurances from Vienna
are to be believed, the removal of the jealousy which sub
sisted at that Court respecting the views of Russia upon
Turkey would afford an additional facility. It is to be
hoped only that it will not revive or enhance the pre
tensions of Russia.
The question of the Command in any joint operations
of the Russian & English Fleets, & that of the treatment
of Greek Captives, & of the policy to be observed gene
rally towards the Greeks in -the Islands, the Morea, &c.,
are those upon which it is possible to foresee that you may
have occasion for a good deal of management. The first
can be settled only (as it appears to rae) either by send
ing Lord CoUingwood himself up the Mediterranean, or
by a division of the stations & the duties of the two
Admirals. The Comraand cannot be yielded by this
Country. But this is a point which you will not have
to decide, tho' you raay be called upon to support the
British Admiral in the discussion of it, if unfortunately
that discussion should not be rendered unnecessary.
As to the Greeks, there is no doubt that Russia has all
along been intriguing with them upon every favourable
opportunity, with a view to the accomplishment of ulte
rior projects which, however they may be laid aside for
the moment, she cannot be expected to abandon. It
would not be adviseable to thwart her views in this or
in any other part of her policy beyond the necessity of
the occasion ; & it may not be without use to cultivate
a good disposition among the Greeks which may be avail
able in the event of the Porte refusing to listen to terms
of accommodation. But in all that is done or encouraged
by us in this respect, it will be above all things necessary
to avoid any Engagement, express or implied, which should
make an accommodation with the Porte more difficult by
mixing with it any stipulations respecting the internal
policy of that Government.
There is yet another question, k a very difficult one,
which regards the Pacha of Yanina, of whose present
situation and dispositions there has been no sufficient in
formation lately received here to enable me to give you

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 297
any certain knowledge of them, much less any precise
instructions. He is represented as a Chieftain of great
talents and enterprize, as well as of considerable power ;
alternately a Rebel to the Porte k the chosen delegate of
Its authority; well inclined to the English but the sworn
Enemy of the Russians ; k not otherwise partial to the
French (with whom he is now understood to be in con
nexion) than as their enmity to the Russians points them
out as more effective allies 'than the English.
It does not appear that, with the very iraportant com
mission which you have to execute, it would be right to
divert any part of your attention to the seeking a com
munication with Ali Pacha, which when opened raight
probably involve you in difficulties with the Russian
Minister. But it is not irapossible that Ali Pacha may
seek to communicate with you. In that Case it is fit that
you should continue to hold the language of friendship
& goodwill which has hitherto been held in all our in
tercourse with hira, k should offer your good offices to
adjust any Differences between him & Russia which may
subsist at the time of your communicating with him ; or,
(in the event of an accommodation with the Porte) your
interference at Constantinople in his favour if he shall be
at that time in want of a Mediator. But your intercourse
with Ali Pacha will of course be restricted by the con
siderations which I have already mentioned to you, &
which are to pervade & regulate your whole conduct — -
cautious not to give unnecessary umbrage to Russia, k
not to corarait yourself to any unconditional Engagements
against the Porte. . . .
I rely confidently on your sagacity & firmness, & on
the peculiar facUity which you will derive from your
acquaintance with M. Pozzo di Borgo, for getting you
happily through all your Difficulties. But I have thought
it fair to let you see that I am aware of the many diffi
culties which you have to get through, and with the same
confidence with which I refer the solution of them to your
discretion, you may rely upon the most favourable con
struction of every exercise of that discretion on your part,
and on all the support that you can require & 1 can afford
you here.
You will have the goodness to let me hear from you by

298 THE PAGET PAPERS
every opportunity, & should anything occur to you upon
which you wish for further explanation & upon which it
can be given you beforehand, I shall be very happy to
relieve you as much as possible from the weight of that
responsibility, which after all, however, it is not in the
nature of things entirely to remove. And so I heartily
wish you success. — Believe me. Dear Paget, &c.
(Signed) Geo. Canning.
[A despatch of May Sth from Lord Castlereagh (then at
the Colonial and War Office) to General Fox * states that
the defences of the Dardanelles and Constantinople have
been so strengthened by the activity of the Turks, work
ing under French engineers, and by the forces they have
assembled, that the Government can no longer fiatter
themselves with the hope that any military operations can
be successfully undertaken against the Turkish capital.
They therefore rely on a vigilant and systematic blockade
of the chief ports, and a total interruption of their com
merce, as the best means of bringing the Turks to reason.
The Russian and English fleets were to co-operate in the
blockade.] From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
[Private.] H.M.S. "Montague," off Cadiz, 19 Jurie 1807.
My dear Canning, — I don't know that I have anything
to communicate to you from Hence which requires being
put into official form. I believe on the contrary that the
very Uttle I have to say is not of a nature to appear in
that Shape.
Having arrived on this Station yesterday after rather a
tedious passage of 1 5 days, I went on board the Ocean to
pay my respects to Lord CoUingwood, and returned there
a few Hours later to dine with Him.
I own that I never met with any person less desirous
* Henry Edward Fox, the younger brother of Charles James Fox, fought
in the American War. On July 25, 1801, he was appointed a local general in
the Mediterranean, with his headquarters at Minorca, where he remained till
the Treaty of Amiens. In 1 804 he was made Lieutenant-Governor of Gibraltar.
After his brother's accession to ofiice in 1806, he was put in command of the
army in Sicily, and was also appointed Ambassador to the Court of Naples,
then residing at Palermo. Sir J. Moore was his second in command, and as
Fox was ill, really took the command.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 299
of communicating with another than He appeared to be
with me at our first Interview. You will for instance
hardly credit that it was with Difficulty that I could get
Him to give me any information respecting the late most
unfortunate operations in Egypt. I was however deter
mined not to be disheartened, and by dint of persever
ance and at the same time management on my part,
we ended the day by being I believe the best of Friends
possible. . . .
The late reverse in Egypt cannot I fear but tend to
increase the great and numerous difficulties I was at all
events prepared to encounter in the execution of the
commission you have entrusted to me. Lord CoUingwood
calls it rightly enough " an experiment " that we are
going to try. And neither of us augur well of the result
of it.
[The remainder of the letter gives a detailed account
of the conduct of affairs in Egypt derived from private
letters.]

From Lord G. Leveson Gower to Sir A. Paget.
[Private.] Memel, July 4th, 1807.
My Dear Arthur, — I little expected when I last saw
you that my first letter to you would be to announce to
you the cessation of the alliance between England &
Russia. I have received a letter frora Gen. Budberg,''^
who by various devices has baffled my attempts to see
him, in which a change of the political system of Russia
is distinctly avowed ; you will probably hear from other
quarters that the Emperor of Russia lives at Tilsitt in
habits of intimacy & Familiarity with Bonaparte, and it
would seem from Gen. Budberg's Letter to me that
from that intimacy His Imperial Majesty hopes to derive
security and Glory to His Empire. Pozzo di Borgo's
mission will, I suppose, be superseded by the employment
of Sebastiani to make an arrangement with the Porte —
the Deposition of Selim t will afford facilities for carving
Turkey.
¦* Russian Minister of Foreign Afl'airs.
+ Sultan Selim was deposed by the Janissaries in the preceding May.

300 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Sir A. Paget to Admiral Lord Collingwood.
Messina, loth July 1807.
My dear Lord, — By the Wizard Brig which arrived
this morning at Messina, General Fox has received Dis
patches containing instructions to withdraw the troops
under M. General Frazer's command from Egypt.
For reasons which I shall have an opportunity of
explaining to your Lordship hereafter, I have been in
duced to recommend to General Fox to suspend the
execution of the above order, which recommendation,
from a view of the circumstances which gave rise to it,
the General has thought fit to accede to.
From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
[No. I.] H.M.S. "Queen," off Sicily, 12th July 1807.
As this order varies as to the exact time with that
transmitted by Lord Castlereagh of evacuating Egypt, it
behoves rae to state the reasons which induced us to
depart in so rauch from his Lordship's Instructions.
It appeared to us that those Instructions were drawn
up under two Impressions.
1st. That Alexandria could not be securely held by
the Force at present under the command of General
Frazer. 2nd. That with a view to offensive operations against
the Enemy in Italy, which subject is treated more at
length in Lord Castlereagh's Dispatch of May 21st,
the recall of the Forces from Egypt would be indis
pensable. With respect to the first of the above considerations,
the latest advice which had reached Generals Fox and
Moore led me to believe that the troops in Egypt, as well
with a view to the Difficulties which it had been expected
would present themselves on the part of the Enemy, as
with regard to stores and supplies of all sorts now in
Alexandria, were in a state of perfect security, and as a
proof of this opinion, on the first of these points at least,
it will be found in the enclosed Dispatch that General
Frazer is ordered to detach some of his Force for the

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 301
occupation of one of the Greek islands, if invited so to
do by Lord Collingwood.
With regard to the second, I am sorry to say that the
State of Affairs in Sicily * do not afford any Hopes that
operations can be commenced against the Kingdom of
Naples within the time in which the troops could possibly
arrive from Egypt, even supposing their departure to be
protracted beyond the period at which in no case that I
can foresee I should be disposed to detain them.
Had this not been the true state of the question, it is
I am persuaded unnecessary to say that another circum
stance I ara about to mention, considering the peremp-
toriness of Lord Castlereagh's Instructions, would have had
no weight on our minds. I allude to the very manifest
disadvantage under which I should have coramenced my
negociation deprived as 1 should have been by the pre
vious evacuation of Egypt of the only weapon I have to
threaten with, because I must here observe (and it is with
much concern I do so) that the Blockade except of the
Port of Alexandria by British Shipping is still to be
begun. Further with a view to my being able to obtain some
partial advantages (should I fail in my negociation for
peace) such as the delivery of English prisoners, and the
restitution of British property at Constantinople, we con
sidered that it would be highly desirable if these objects
could be attained by the restoration of Alexandria, rather
than by the abrupt evacuation of it to forego the chance
of reaping such benefits.
For these reasons, I in common with Generals Fox and
Moore presume to hope that His Majesty's Government
will not disapprove our conduct in giving a temporary
suspension to the order for the iraraediate evacuation of
Egypt by the British Troops. — I have the honour to be,
&c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
¦* When Fox assumed the command in 1806 Stuart, had just won the
victory of Maida, and the Queen of Naples pressed Fox to undertake a
similar expedition on a larger scale, and thus drive the French from Naples.
Fox felt the danger of leaving the island of Sicily for the mainland, where
Murat could soon outnumber his troops, and was the more determined to
refuse while his force was weakened by the absence of 5006 men in Egypt.

302 THE PAGET PAPERS

From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
H.M.S. the "Queen," off Sicily, 13 July 1807.
My dear Canning, — I got to Palermo after a very
quick passage of seven days from Gibraltar on Saturday
morning the 4th inst.
Not intending to stop there the ship did not come to
anchor ; I therefore sent the packet from Prince Castel
cicala to Marquis Circello, accompanied by a Letter in
which I explained to him how impossible it was for me
to remain long enough at Palermo to pay my compli
ments to the King and Queen,* and begged him to present
my Duty to their Majesties. I then went to see Mr.
Drummond, and on my return to the ship found Circello
there. He told me that he had been sent by the Queen,
who insisted upon seeing me, and that his orders were
" to bring me ashore, even if I were in my Robe de
Chambre," I however resisted, and having satisfied him
that every moment was most precious to me, he pro
ceeded to lay before me a string of complaints against
our Generals in Sicily, and implored my interference,
either in persuading them to adopt a different line of
conduct towards his Court, or to represent it to my
Government. After a very long conversation, he took his leave.
It was then, as it had been the whole morning, a com
plete calm. Finding that we could make no way, and
knowing that the ship was seen from the Palace, and
possibly therefore that my refusal to obey the Queen's
summons might under such circumstances be attributed
to mauvaise volonte on my part, I decided to go ashore.
I got to the Palace about half-past ten at night, and
remained with Her Majesty nearly two hours, in the
course of which she went over the same ground that Her
Minister had in the morning, only in more forcible and
pointed terms.
Her complaints were principally directed against Sir
J. Moore, as she considered General Fox to be completely
under his control. Such, she said, was their conduct
* They had fled a second time, January 1806, after Napoleon's decree of
deposition.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 303
towards the King and herself, such their general treat
ment of Her Subjects, that she should consider Sicily as
a conquered country were she not persuaded of a contrary
disposition existing on the part of the English Govern
ment. Those Generals accuse the Sicilian Government of not
recruiting the Army. " How," she said, " can we recruit
our Army when they suborn our Subjects ? They pay
them better than we can afford to do. But with respect
to our Army we have five or six thousand men ready for
any service, and to be embarked to-morrow. The trans
ports are in the harbour, the Artillery and Stores the
same, the Cavalry can be embarked in two Days, and
when we inform the Generals of this and present to them
a plan, as we have done, for an expedition against Naples,
instead of concerting with us our proposals are rejected
with contempt. They insinuate as their justification that
we are betrayed ; nay more, they have said that to spill
British blood to set such a Tyrant upon the throne of
Naples, and such a Faraily, was paying too high a price.
They who accuse us of betraying them are themselves
the tools of a Tas de mecontens et de Factieux who
surround them at Messina." All this and a great deal
more of the like was not very pleasant or edifying to
listen to. The Queen, as did Circello in the morning,
finished by assuring me that I could be of the greatest
use to Her, and by beseeching me to exert all my in
fluence with the Generals to bring about another order
of things.
You are, I believe, aware that the Queen of Naples was
a long time at Vienna during my residence there, and
that the days I did not see Her, which were not frequent,
there used to be a regular correspondence between us.
You will therefore not wonder at the anxiety to impart
all Her present grievances to me.
I did everything in my power to set matters right, for
after all, as it is not the intention to dispossess those
Sovereigns of their remaining Kingdom, and as (if even
it were an object) it would be very difficult, if not impos
sible, to get rid of the Queen in any other way, it is
certainly most desirable that harmony and confidence
should if possible take the place of strife and mistrust

304 THE PAGET PAPERS
between the Sicilian Government and our Generals in
that island, and I fiatter myself that my efforts to that
effect were not altogether unsuccessful. I did not see
the King as he was in the country, but received through
Circello a very gracious message from Hira.
Having said thus much I must, though with very great
reluctance, proceed to inform you that these dissensions
are not confined to the above persons. On the contrary,
they exist to perhaps a greater degree between the Queen
and Mr. Drummond, and also between Mr. Drummond
and the Generals, so that in point of fact the three parties
are at open War without any of the two being of the
same side. Mr. Drummond inveighs with equal vehe
mence against both, and by what He says of the Generals
one would imagine that the Queen and He s'etaient
donne le mot pour les denigrer. But then He is not less
violent in His language against Her. He appears to have
attached himself to the King, and is of opinion that His
Majesty really applies Himself to Business and will in
time take the Government into His own hands, and that
then affairs will be conducted much better. Upon the
whole, next to possessing the island Bonaparte Himself
could hardly wish the situation of Affairs in it to be diffe
rent. I was, as you will easily believe, pretty well pre
pared for what was awaiting me upon my arrival at
Messina, which owing to calms and contrary winds did
not take place till Friday the loth inst.
I really do not think it necessary for me to enter into
any detail of the Defence made, and the recriminations
which burst forth at Head-Quarters against the Court of
Palermo. I will briefly state that it appeared to be the
decided opinion of both Generals Fox and Moore that no
faith whatever is to be placed in the Sicilian Government,
administered as it now is, and so long as the Queen directs
its Councils, and that the Sicilian Army, if it is so to be
called, is in so wretched a State, that no useful co-opera
tion is under the present circumstances reasonably- to be
expected from it.
By the Wizard Brig, mentioned in my Dispatch No. i,
General Fox received his Recall, and to say the Truth,
with every sentiment of respect and esteem for Him, He
did not appear to me to be equal to the arduous and im-

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 305
portant situation He filled. To General Moore* there
fore, of whom I entertain a very high opinion, was all I
had to say upon this delicate Subject addressed, and with
Him it underwent an ample Discussion.
I resided long enough at Palermo to know all the weak-
nesses, all the vices of the Sicilian Government, not one
of which 1 will take upon rayself to say has been corrected
since I quitted the country.
Sir John Moore has wisely decided to go there as soon
as General Fox shall have resigned to him the coraraand-
in-chief He will have iramense Difficulties to contend
with, violent prejudices to overcome, but 1 will not be
quite without Hope that in the conduct He will now
pursue in His relations with the Sicilian Court, the pre
sent Divisions which, if they were to continue, would effec
tually annihilate all attempts at co-operation, will (though
gradually) be succeeded by mutual confidence and deter
mination to promote the general Good.
As to bringing about a proper understanding between
Sir John Moore and Mr. Drummond, that is what I
thought fruitless to atterapt ; nor is it, when compared
with the other, of more than very diminutive Interest,
but it is at the sarae time lamentable that persons in
their Situation should not possess each other's esteem
and confidence.
[Sir A. Paget then refers to the question of the evacua
tion of Egypt, and adds : — ]
Is it not possible that in the event of our success I may
be able to engage Mr. Pozzo di Borgo to send the Russian
Troops now at Tenedos, reinforced by a detachraent frora
Corfu, to co-operate with Sir John Moore in an attack
upon the Kingdora of Naples ? And, in this point of
view, might it not be worth while to delay the Departure
of our Troops from Alexandria ? for to do anything against
that Country qui vaille, rely upon it we shall want at least
25,000 men. If I have anything in particular to add to
this, I will do so at Malta. . . . — I have the Honour, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
* Late in the year Sir John Moore was ordered to Sweden to resist the
Russians, but was directed to wait at Lisbon ; he afterwards assisted Gustavus
in the campaign- of 1808. _ The supreme military and civil command was
ultimately given to Lord William Bentinck.
VOL. II. U

3o6 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Sir A. Paget to His Royal Highness the
Duke op York. Malta, i6 July 1807.
My dear Sir, — I enclose a copy of a private Letter
written by this conveyance to Canning, by which Your
Royal Highness will see that matters in Sicily are not
at this moment quite as they ought to be, and to say
the truth I have no great expectations for the Future.
Though I place great confidence in Sir John Moore's zeal
and abilities, he has a most difficult card to play, and
between ourselves I am afraid He will not find much
assistance from Mr. Drummond. It is really terrible
how they all go on, but I think Sir John Moore is the
Man to support. . . . (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to M. Pozzo di Borgo.
A BORD LE VaISSEAU DE S.M. BRITANNIQUE " ThE QuEEN,"
Dans la radb de Tenedos,
le 29 Juillet 1807.
Monsieur le Plenipotentiaire, — Je ne perds pas un
instant k vous annoncer mon arrivee dans cette rade, et
le plaisir que j'eprouve en vous y trouvant.
Vous serez sans doute deja instruit de l'objet de ma
Mission, mais je ne puis me refuser la satisfaction de vous
informer, Monsieur, qu'une partie de mes instructions, qui
m'est infiniment agreable, me prescrit de me concerter de
la maniere la plus confidentielle avec vous, et de reunir
mes efforts aux v6tres pour I'accomplissement de nos
voeux mutuels.*
Comme Je desire infiniment etre instruit de tout ce qui
s'est passe entre vous et le Gouvernement Ottoman depuis
votre sejour ici, j'ai k vous prier de bien vouloir me le
faire connoitre. — Veuillez agreer, &c.
(Signe) Arthur Paget.
[To this letter M. Pozzo di Borgo returned a very long
answer on the same day, July 29, dated "'Ze Tverdoy,'
pres Tenedos," He recounted his arrival off Tenedos on
¦* M. Pozzo di Borgo had been a close friend of Lord Minto from 1794, and
was much with him in England, which he spoke of as his country.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 307
the ~^^ of May, at about which time the revolution which
deposed Sultan Selim took place. He wrote to the Reis
Efiendi pointing out the errors and corruption of the
former reign, the intrigues of the French, the injustice
of the war which the Porte had provoked against Russia
and Great Britain, — stating that he was furnished with
full powers to treat for peace, his readiness to proceed
for that purpose to Constantinople, and suggesting, as
an alternative, that a Turkish plenipotentiary should be
appointed to treat with him at sorae other place. No
answer was returned to this letter, but the Turkish fleet
carae out to attack Tenedos. An engagement between it
and the Russian fieet took place, and the Turks were
defeated with considerable loss. On hearing of Sir A.
Paget's mission, M. Pozzo di Borgo informed the Porte
of it. He then enters into some details respecting the
revolution at Constantinople, says that Sebastiani's "'''
influence is no longer as great as it was, though France
is still considered the ally of Turkey, and Russia and
England her enemies. The French endeavour to persuade
the Porte not to make a separate Peace with these latter
Powers, promising that it will be secured through the
victories of Bonaparte, who would himself take charge of
the interests of the Porte. Ne-ws of the battle of Fried-
land on June 14 came to the aid of French counsels, and
was the greatest obstacle to be surmounted.
The habitual delays of the Porte were increased by the
state of war and the spirit of revolt. " Le Vizir et les
Ministres principaux sont au camp comme c'est d'usage ;
il existe a Constantinople ce qu'ils appellent le RSxiab,
qui est un Ministere compose des substituts des absens.
Des qu'ils ne sont pas absolument forces par les evene
mens, leur malice, car ils en ont beaucoup, les porte a
se renvoyer les affaires de I'un k I'autre et a se procurer
des excuses pour prolonger les decisions."
Formalities would be shortened by the aid of 10,000
troops, for the Porte lent itself to the insinuations of
France so long as it saw no imminent danger.
The letter ends by expressing a desire to act cordially
with Sir A. Paget.]
'* Sebastiani was sent in 1806 as French Minister to the Porte.

3o8 THE PAGET PAPERS

From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
[No. 3.] H.M.S. "Queen," off Tenedos, 30 July 1807.
I arrived in H.M.S. Queen off this island the day before
yesterday. . . .
You ¦will observe that I did not lose a moment in noti
fying my arrival, and the object of it, to the Turkish
Government, because it is manifest from the extreme
backwardness they have shewn to treat with Russia that,
if Peace is to be restored between the three powers, and
at this place,, it can alone be effected by the British
Plenipotentiary ; and because I have no reason whatever
to expect that any impression, either frora .Distress or
Alarm which does not at this moment exist at Con
stantinople, can be created, (and that no such Impression
does exist I am pretty well satisfied) and that therefore
no advantage was in any shape likely to arise from
deferring the communication I have thought it -expedient
to make.
And here it becomes me to say one word with respect
to the Blockade of the Dardanelles, etc. (which it is but
justice to the Russians to say has been rigorously executed)
from which system it was expected that much facility
would be given to the negociation by the Distress thereby
occasioned to the Capital.
It appears by every Information that has hitherto been
obtained on that Subject that the measure in question is
become altogether useless and nugatory, inasmuch as it is
now ascertained that Constantinople, so far from feeling
any inconvenience from it, receives its supplies from the
Provinces in precisely as great abundance and with as
much regularity as heretofore, by means of caravans
which have been established. On that point therefore
the only question now is whether the capital can, during
a long period of time, continue to be so supplied ?
For the reasons explained in Mr. Pozzo di Borgo's
Letter it is impossible for me to calculate when I may
receive an ans"wer from the Reis Effendi, but I have no
expectation that it will arrive in less than a Fortnight.
The Russians are destroying the Fortifications of Tene
dos, and mean to evacuate the island.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 309
The reasons which decided the Russian Commander to
adopt this resolution will, I have no doubt, be detailed in
a report 1 am in raoraentary expectation of receiving frora
the Adrairal Siniavin at Sea, but lest they should not I
will just mention that previous to the last naval engage
ment between the Russians and Turks, the Latter (while
the Russian Fleet was at the back of the island in search
of thera). succeeded in landing about 6000 Troops at
Tenedos, against which Force the Garrison, consisting of
about 800 Men, had to defend themselves. And it was
in fact with a view to returning to their relief that
Adrairal Siniavin alleges that He felt Hiraself corapelled
to desist from a further pursuit of the Turkish Fleet. To
obviate therefore the necessity of not following up his
successes on any similar occasion, the Admiral will embark
his land Forces.
From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
H.M.S. "Queen," off Tenedos.'*
My Dear Canning, — . . . Upon the whole, it is my
bounden Duty, I think, to prepare you for the failure
of my mission.
I am inclined to believe that it may not be unuseful to
quit this Station, and approach nearer to the Entrance of
the Dardanelles, and (if it should be practicable) to attack
the Turkish Fleet which is now lying there, and which
with the strong northerly winds now blowing cannot, I
suspect, raove higher up. This will be the subject of a
conference which will be held as soon as the Kent returns,
and which Ship will have taken that opportunity of re
connoitring more closely their position. If it were possible
by any means to counteract the enormous mischief the
late successes of Bonaparte in Poland have done to our
Cause, but, in truth, I know of no other than a complete
victory (which if we can get at them must ensue) over
them at Sea.
Intimidation is no longer to be expected from menace ;
nothing but a coraplete drubbing, I suspect, will make
them hear reason, and if it is true that Sebastiani is still
in the enjoyment of a certain Degree of His influence, I
* No date. Probably July 30, 1807.

3IO THE PAGET PAPERS
can hardly figure to myself any other mode of depriving
Him of it.
You can form to yourself no idea of the wretchedness
of this place. Not even water is to be had here, the
Turks having destroyed the Wells. The former Inhabi
tants have abandoned the Island, and have dispersed
themselves amongst the others of the Archipelago. No
thing remains upon it but a few wounded Russian Sol
diers, whose situation is so dreadful, the Turkish part of
the Town reduced to ashes, dead Bodies floating about the
shore. Upon the whole I never witnessed such a scene of
Misery. On the other Hand, I enclose an extract of a Letter
received here this raorning from Captain Hallowell, in
which you will see a different picture of Affairs in Egypt.
I am happy to tell you that hitherto everything goes on
as smoothly as possible between the Admirals, and I have
no doubt of Pozzo di Borgo and rayself being able to keep
all right. We are to dine to-day on board the Russian
Flag Ship, and I know that the King's health is to be
given with the Royal salute. We shall of course return
the compliment here. These cannonades will show the
Turks the sort of footing we are on, which may have a
good effect, though I again say that nothing but hard
blows will do all we want. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir Arthur Paget to the Countess of Uxbridge.
"Queen," off Tenedos, -^ist July 1807.
My dear Mother, — I arrived at this Anchorage the
day before yesterday, and my Pen is unable to describe
the Horror of the Place. I went ashore for an Hour
yesterday, & found the Town nearly reduced to ashes, the
Island deserted by all its former Inhabitants, dead Bodies
fioating about the shore, & the air infected iDy those now
lying unburied on the Island, not even water to be had,
the wells having been destroyed, &c., &c. All this the
effect of the Hostilities which have been carrying on
between the Russians & Turks.
I cannot as yet guess when I shall remove from this
Scene of Joy. I have little hopes of being able to bring

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 31 1
the wretches to any Terms. I heard indeed that the
Country is in a state of Anarchy k Confusion. We had
not, you know, formed a very brilliant Idea of the busi
ness I was sent about, but I can assure you that all you
could have imagined falls very far short of the Truth.
WeU, it will be all the sarae an Hundred years hence, as
they say ; in the mean time I wish I may be able to do
any good. I have not time for more than to assure you
that 1 am Ever, my Dear Mother, Your most Dut. & aff.
Son, A. P.
From Lord Paget to Sir Arthur Paget.
July 2gtJi, 1807.
My dear Arthur, — Here I am again slaving away in
Sun & Dust & preparing for a Review instead of a Battle,
either of which Events produce about as many bad
criticks as any other you could narae. I don't know if
my Hussars would fight well, but they certainly look
well, which is all we are likely to want of thera. 7th,
10th k 15th are all asserabled, & it will be good luck if
I have not soon the Colonels upon my back. Did you
know or did you not know (perhaps knowing it you did
not care) that there has been hell to pay between the
Dukes of York & Cumberland. You know I am destined
to be a Peace Maker Royal, k in effect have completely
succeeded in reconciling these Brothers. This is likely to
' lead to an understanding between the Prince & the Duke
of C, for the latter having expressed to me a strong wish
to that effect k the Prince having given me an opening
to touch upon the subject, I mentioned it to the Duke of
York, who, with his accustomed good humour & kindness,
seized the occasion of being useful to both with avidity.
It is really important at this moment that This Family
sh"* draw well together, k if it w^as not that some of
them are surrounded by Vagabonds, whose interest it is
to keep all honourable Men from their Councils, & who
themselves only live by misrepresentation, such scenes
would never happen. , . .
I saw Charles off from Yarmouth Roads last Sunday.
He belongs to the Expedition that is gone God knows
where. He is much pleased with his ship, & a most com-

312 THE PAGET PAPERS
fortable one she is. I slept one night on board and sailed
on shore with a fine breeze, in the Whale Boat. We
longed for you & Berkeley. 1 cannot conjecture the
object of the Armaraent. If it is to get possession of
Copenhagen and the Danish Fleet I fear they will have a
very tough job indeed, & it is too much to hope that we
have been invited there by the Danes, who perhaps thro'
fear, but certainly from some raotive or another, have
ever shewn a bias towards France. If we are going to
assist tbe King of Sweden to keep his Gerraan Terri
tories, (The Emperor of Russia & the King of Prussia
having made peace with France) 6 times the force we
can send would not do it ; besides no Cavalry goes, which
decides that point. There a,re, I think, 5 Brigades of
Infantry upon this Service, which is nearly all we had
at home.
It seems odd enough that a Corps of British Cavalry is
ordered for Service to bring about a Continental Peace.
We have been twice, nay 3 times disappointed. I own I
now begin for the first time to wish for Peace. Prussia
is no raore — Russia is beaten & dispirited — Austria is yet
too sore from former blows — England is weak from the
very success of her Arms, for our Array is dispersed over
the whole face ofthe Globe, keeping possession of Countries
& Colonies that we ought not to possess. I ara for Peace,
a Reasserably of our Forces, a close union with the natural
Enemies of France — no great hurry in forraing another
coalition — I raean by that, no attempt at one in less than
3 years, and then the most united, the most formidable,
the most energetick one that can be imagined.
What will you do with the Turk ? I did hope that the
late Revolution might have facilitated your negociation
with him, but from the last accounts I almost despair of
your success. At all events steer clear of the 7 Towers.
I should A^ery much prefer to run the Gauntlet thro' the
Dardanelles. . . .
If you have seen Edward, pray tell me what you think
of him, for he never mentions himself. I am glad he was
not one of the Expedition to Egypt. I never liked that
operation & shall rejoice when I hear it is evacuated.
Write to me when you have nothing else to do. And
Believe me Ever affec^ Yours, P.

'THE DARDANELLES, 1807 313

From Captain the Hon. Charles Paget to Sir A. Pagei'.
" Cambrian," off the Scaw at the entrance
OF THE CaTTEGAT, Jullf ^\St, 1807.
My dearest, dearest Arthur, — I think it was just
three weeks ago that I last wrote to you, since which my
mind has been with one thing or other so perplexed and
bewildered that I have not been able in comfort to write
to you since. Your long k interesting letter or rather
Journal has at length reached me. I see by it, my best
of fellows, that to use your own expression you were most
infernally sick of the sea tho' not sea sick. I don't at all
wonder at it, for it is a severe trial to those whose pro
fession it is, at least so I find it, & heartily glad shall I
be when this cursed war is over, that we may all raeet
in peace k quiet & spend some happy years together. . . .
My last letter will have told you that I ivas under the
orders of Lord Gardner, who had directed me to go to
Plymouth for further orders. I was in the act alraost of
Executing these orders when a telegraph raessage ordered
the Cambrian to sail instantly for the Downs with flat
boats. This was pleasant, & for which 1 of course in ray
heart thanked ray Lord Mulgrave. In the Downs I found
Coraraodore Hood with eight sail of the Line, & with him
proceeded to Yarmouth Roads, where with the force ¦we
added, were collected Two k Twenty Sail of the Line,
Eight frigates, & upwards of forty sail of Gun Brigs and
Sloops of War. This fieet is entrusted to Adrairal Gara-
bier, who has for his first Captain Sir Home Podham, to
the particular mortification k disgust of Hood, Keats, &
Stopford, who altho' Comraodores & my senior officers, are
degraded by this raan being put over their heads. They
in consequence made a very strong, firra, & spirited re
monstrance which they expected would have occasioned
their removal, but Lord Mulgrave, aware of the merit of
these officers, k being conscious of the importance it is
to this Expedition having such in the fleet, seems rather
to have adopted temporising measures. However, their
full determination is to strilie their broad Pendants the
moment the service is completed, & to publish to the
world their having before the Expedition sailed entered

314 THE PAGET PAPERS
their protest against so glaring an insult to the Navy at
large. In short my Lord Mulgrave is not likely to de
serve raore honor & credit to himself at the Head of the
Naval Department than he did at the foreign one.
The day before we sailed frora Yarraouth (four days
ago) I was dining with Stopford on board the Spencer, k
was most agreeably surprized by the arrival of Paget, who
had rode over with Baron Teuil from Ipswich. This was
one of his amiable acts. He slept on board the Cambrian
k stayed with me the next day till we were actually
getting under way. Nothing could be more thoroughly
kind than he was, & it was bestowed on one who well
knows how to appreciate such an act. . . .
What the devil are we going to be at, ray dearest
fellow, with this great fleet, k the reinforcements of
Ships & troops that are following ? The Danes have
done nothing hostile towards us, & surely we cannot be
so unprincipled as to attempt the island of Zealand with
out some fair pretext. We have positive intelligence
that our fleets of transports with the Germans have
passed the Sound unmolested k are I believe landed on
the Island of Rugen, a pleasant spot. What then are we
going to be at ? Would it be justifiable without any pre
vious hostile act on their part, to take their fieet from
them, on the plea of preventing it being a means ulti
mately of Buonaparte to execute his Plan of Invasion.
In short I ara bewildered with different conjectures. If
we are going against Copenhagen many of us will lose
the number of our raess. If I should be destined to be
one of the Number, I shall die in the consolation of know
ing that the dear treasure I bequeath will receive all the
comfort k support that you, amongst other dear relatives,
can bestow. Take care of her, my excellent dear Arthur,
k cherish her as you would a Legacy I left you. I have
left everything I have in the world to her k the boy
& the one that is about to be born. Thank God in pecu
niary raatters at least I have been able to give them a
comfortable independence, & therefore all I have to ask is
that you will all take care of her. This is supposing I am
minus a Head, but in the supposition I am not minus in
that necessary article, why then, my old Boy, I trust we
shall still have some happy days together. . . .

ADMIRAL THE HON. SIR CHARLES PAGET

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 3^5
Attgust 1st.
We are now, my good Arthur, running down the Catte-
gat with a fair wind. But we have not yet been joined
by the Six Sail of the Line which we left behind in Yar
raouth Roads to bring a Battalion of the Guards k three
Regiments of infantry. Paget told me that Finch was
to command the Guards k Sir George Ludlow the whole.
I mean this letter should be ready to send by the first
opportunity that offers. With so large a flotilla, we may
hope for a constant communication with England. Do,
my good, dear Arthur, continue to write to me. I long
to hear what is likely to be the result of your Mission. I
confess I am unable to form an Idea w^hat is likely to
happen now Russia & Prussia have raade Peace.
It is however very curious that the raoraent that intel
ligence was received we instantly dispatched a large force
to the Baltic.
As I ara not rauch in a writing huraour to-day I shall
finish this letter another day, probably after we have
passed the Sound. " Cambrian," Elsinore Roads, Aug. 4th, 1807.
We anchored here, ray good Arthur, yesterday. So
far frora anything as yet having appeared hostile, that
the Adrairal saluted Cronenburg Castle in passing it,
which was immediately answered ; we are now all moored
& are receiving Water k fresh Beef, ke., from the shore.
But you may rely that this is all humbug, & that in a
very few days a blow will be struck that the Danes at
this moraent are certainly unprepared for. Lord Cath
cart, with all the Germans from Stralsund, are coming
this way, & the force which is hourly expected from Eng
land will make, with the Seamen & Marines, I dare say,
from 20 to 25 Thousand raen. The Danish Troops, ex
cept 5 Thousand raen which are distributed in the Island
of Zealand, are all in Sleswig, & Commodore Keats with a
strong detachment is now in the Belt (I have good reason
to believe) for the purpose of preventing the Danish
troops being transported hence.
The Danish fieet, I believe, are all in the arsenal at
Copenhagen, neither manned or other-wise ready for sea.

3i6 THE PAGET PAPERS
I suspect the possession of them is the object, which
accomplish'd, we shall all go back to England with thera
& leave the Crown Prince to sulk in his Island — pleasant
treatment unless our Government is in possession of
facts to bear them out in so apparently unjustifiable
a measure. What nonsense my writing you all this which you will
probably be in the secret of, & have more correct informa
tion about. I am going on shore with Stopford to-morrow.
He to taste & buy Hock. I go to visit again the Spot
where our friend Hamlet says, " Whither wilt thou lead
me ? Speak, I'll go no further ! " Hey !
I shall write to you, my good fellow, soon again. I
close this now as I hear a vessel is going with despatches
to England.
God Bless you, my dearest good Arthur. — Ever your
most affect. Brother, Charles Paget.
From Mr. Saunderson* to Sir A. Paget.
Plasnewydd, i Augt. 1807.
Dear Sir, — . . . With respect to public affairs all our
information in this Country is derived from the newspapers,
and these, of course, you are in possession of. Ministers
are stimulated to great exertions by the late events on
the Continent, and probably by a desire to do something
more than their predecessors. It is supposed to be owing
to the supineness of the Cabinet Administration that we
have now the prospect of standing single in a more ex
tended War than has yet existed in Europe. Our regular
Army is now to be increased by Enlistments from the
Militia ; but there is great unwillingness to save the
Country unless it is done in a Constitutional way. We
read the Riot Act whilst a mob is demolishing our build
ings. In like manner our Country gentlemeu, particularly
those who are Colonels of Militia, must have things go on
with regularity : they appear to make no distinction in
the means of defence they would adopt between an in
significant Rebellion in Scotland and the mighty Invasion
with which we are now threatened, or between the Battles
of Preston Pans and Austerlitz or Marengo. In short, I
* Lord Uxbridge's Agent.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 317
believe we have nothing very great to expect till the
Eneray is actually amongst us. He will then give us a
practical lesson, which I hope may be turned to his own
discomfiture, on the necessity of prorapt decision and
active movements. It is very pleasing to observe araong
your friends in this country a prevailing regret at a des
tination which has deprived them of their old Represen
tative at the same time that Major Paget is in the highest
degree of favor.
Colonel & Mrs. Peacock are frequent visitors at Plas
newydd. The Colonel's peculiar talent is in constant exer
cise, and Mrs. P. abates nothing of her usual vivacity. Mr.
Harry Rowlands never ceases to wonder & admire, but
he makes no progress in any human art of entertaining.
Mr. Robert Hughes (the Commodore) has made a formal
application to Lord Uxbridge to be included in the Com
mission of the Peace. — I remain, &c. J. Saunderson.
From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. Geokge Canning.
[No. 4.] H.M.S. "Queen," off Tenedos,
6th August 1807.,
Sir, — ... On Sunday last the 2nd instant H.M.S.
Kent returned from off the Dardanelles, when I received
a letter of which Captain Rogers was the bearer, an exact
copy of which I enclose.
I lost no time in sending back the above letter accom
panied by one from me to the Capitan Pasha, of which
the enclosed is a copy. . . .
It is difficult to comprehend what could have induced
the Capitan Pasha to employ a person of that Description
to write to rae, and to write so iraproper a Letter. This
circumstance is the more striking as at about the same
time He himself wrote in his own language to Admiral
Siniavin. He could not suppose that had He addressed
Himself to me in Turkish, I had not the means of having
His Letter translated as I had sent my Interpreter with
Captain Rogers. . . .
With regard to the charge contained in the Letter of
the Capitan Pasha to Admiral Siniavin, of the latter
having thrown out a signal for the Battle to cease, &c.,-
no human being here comprehends what is meant by it.

3i8 THE PAGET PAPERS
It is most likely to be an artifice by which the Pasha
hopes to exonerate himself frora the blame of having lost
two or three Ships of His Squadron. . . .
Having stated to Admirals Siniavin and Martin my
Opinion that it would be for the good of the service that
the combined Squadrons should take a station nearer the
Dardanelles, in which opinion the Russian plenipotentiary
concurred, the same has been agreed upon, and we shall
proceed to execute that movement, as soon as the forti
fications ofthis place have been demolished, which will be
in a day or two. — I have the honour to be, ke.,
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From the Reis Effendi to Sir A. Paget.
[No. 15.] Recue 13 ^ottf 1S07.
Tres desire et TRiis honors notre Ami, — La lettre que
Votre Excellence vient d'envoyer est arrivee. Elle porte
que vous etes venu de la part du gouvernement d' Angle
terre, Votre Souverain, avec des pleins pouvoirs pour
arranger les conditions de la paix avec la Sublime Porte,
et de concert avec le Pienipotentiaire Russe, qui reside a
Tenedos, et il y est marque qu'il soit fixe un lieu con-
venable pour la tenue des conferences.
Vous n'ignorez pas, vous, notre Ami, qu'il est de prin-
cipe, que la mode de la Mission des Pienipotentiaires
destines k negocier la paix, c'est a dire que le degre de
leurs pleins pouvoirs, et la base de la negociation doivent
etre prealablement connus pour agir en consequence ; or,
dans votre lettre amicale, il n'existe aucune proposition
relative k ces principes. En outre on a commence a traiter
de la paix au Camp Imperial entre la Sublime Porte et la
Cour de Russie. Aussi I'etat des choses exige que Ton
communique au prealable avec vous, notre ami, et que
la base de Votre Mission etant manifestee, on voie, en se
concertant avec vous, ce qu'U yak faire ; en consequence
la presente lettre amicale a ete ecrite et envoyee k Vous,
Notre Ami, a fin qu'en declarant et exposant les principes
et la base de Votre Mission, ainsi qu'exige l'objet, on ap
porte une grande attention au renouvellement de la paix
et de I'amitie.
S'il plait k Dieu, k la reception de cette lettre, comme

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 319
il est evident que le raffermissement et le raaintien des
liens de I'amitie reciproque sont sincerement desires de
part et d'autre, Notre esperance amicale est que vous
declarerez et exposerez les principes et la base de votre
Mission ainsi qu'exige l'objet. — De la Part de I'Arai
Mehomet Said Galet,
(Signe) Reis Ulkultab,* de I'etrier Imperial.
P.S. — Votre Excellence Notre tres honore Ami, Comme
I'arrangement des objets dont vous etes charge est sincere
ment desire de part et d'autre, il est k esperer que la re
ponse amicale qu'exige Notre presente lettre sera envoyee
un moment plutot.
From Sir A. Paget to the Reis Effendi.
A BoRD LE Vaisseau DE S.M.B. " The Queen,"
Avant l'Isle d'Imbros,
Ce 14 Aout 1807.
Monsieur, — Anime du plus vif desir de cooperer k re-
tablir les anciens liens d'araitie, qui ont si long tems et si
heureusement existe entre les deux nations, j'aurais sans
doute eprouve la plus vive satisfaction si Votre Excellence,
au lieu de me presenter des objections sur la maniere dont
j'ai cru devoir faire mes premieres ouvertures, et de causer
par \k un si facheux retard dans le progres de cette affaire,
eut accede sur le champ a ma demande, en nommant un
Pienipotentiaire pour traiter directement avec moi.
Frustre dans cette attente, je vais avoir I'honneur de
repondre k la lettre de Votre Excellence, en date du 5 de
la Lune Dgemuziulahir 1222, et d'observer, que les pleins
pouvoirs dont je suis muni sont, pour negocier et conclure
un traite de Paix definitif, que la base et les conditions de
ce traite seront expliques k la Sublime Porte des qu'elle
aura nomme un Pienipotentiaire, et que les communica
tions seront etablies dans les formes, comme c'est incon-
testablement I'usage parmi toutes les Puissances.
Que, ne voyant pas de raison pour nous ecarter en cette
occasion d'un principe si generalement reconnu, je ne puis
penser que la Sublirae Porte ne le respecte, comme elle a
constamment fait jusqu'ici ; que dans le cas que la Russie
ait effectivement conclu une paix separee, qu'alors je suis
¦* Chef des Commis.

320 THE PAGET PAPERS
autorise et pret a traiter aussi separement pour I'Angle
terre, mais qu'il est necessaire que ce fait me soit prealable
ment constate, ainsi qu'au Pienipotentiaire de la Russie
qui se trouve reuni k moi en ce moment.
Maintenant done je prie Votre Excellence si, comme je
le desire sincerement, Elle veut faire cesser les incon-
veniens qu'entraine I'etat de guerre actuelle, d'agir avec
la mSme franchise et la meme ceierite que j'ai manifestees
(teraoignage que j'ai droit de me rendre) dans mes com
munications, et pour cet effet je demande encore une fois
avec instance qu'il soit nomme un Pienipotentiaire de la
part de la Sublime Porte, muni de Pleins Pouvoirs sera-
blables a ceux qui m'ont ete confies.
Que cette resolution soit prise, que I'execution la suive
sans delai, et les Puissances interessees auront toute espe
rance de jouir bient6t des avantages de la Paix.
Quant au lieu des conferences, mon desir est que ce
Pienipotentiaire, arrive aux Dardanelles, soit pleinement
autorise a s'entendre avec moi, pour le fixer d'une raaniere
propre k acceierer notre ouvrage salutaire. — Veuillez agreer,
&c. (Signe) Arthur Paget.

From the Right Hon. George Canning to Sir A. Paget.
[No. 8.] Foreign Office, August 13, 1807.
Sir, — Before you can receive this Dispatch you will, I
presurae, have been informed of the Signature of a Treaty
of Peace between Russia and France,'" but as it is possible
that you may not have obtained a precise Knowledge of
its Stipulations, I inclose to you a Copy of it as printed
at Paris, which, although the Treaty has not been com-
¦* Public stipulations of the Peace of July 1807 : —
All provinces west of the Elbe to belong to France.
Acknowledgment by Russia and Prussia of the Napoleonic kingdoms of
Holland and "Westphalia.
King of Saxony to become Grand Duke of Warsaw.
Restoration to Prussia of old Prussia, part of Silesia, Pomerania, and
Brandenberg. Title of King of Prussia to continue.
Private stipulations : —
Restitution to France of the mouth of the Cattaro, and the transfer of
the Ionian Islands to France.
Napoleonic kingdom of Naples to be constituted.
Russia and France to make common cause against " disturbers."
Turkey to be reduced to Constantinople and Roumelia.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 321
municated by the Russian Ministers to His Majesty's
Government, there is every reason to believe to be
authentic. This Paper was received here on the Sth of
this Month.
In consequence of this Event, His Majesty can no
longer have any motive for prosecuting the War against
the Porte, which was undertaken solely at the Instigation
and in Support of His Ally, and for Interests totally
distinct from those of His Own Dominions.
You will therefore endeavour to open without delay a
Communication with the Ottoman Government, and desire
them to appoint some Person to treat with you for the
Restoration of that Peace and good Understanding be
tween Great Britain and Turkey, which, previously to the
late unfortunate Rupture, had for a long period uninter
ruptedly subsisted between the Two Countries.
In the Event of any Minister being appointed to nego
tiate with you, you will, in your earliest Conferences with
him, represent to him the Dangers with which the Ottoman
Empire is at present menaced by the Concert established
between Russia and France ; and you will add your Con
viction, that the Execution of the Projects, which have
been long entertained by both those Powers, of acquiring
Territory and Influence at the expence of the Porte,
although hitherto suspended by the Operation of other
Causes of Dissention between them, will be the first result
of their actual Union, and will now be postponed for no
longer an Interval than such as may be requisite for the
Apportionment of the respective Acquisitions which they
may concur in assigning to each other.
If any Corroboration be wanted of the Justice of the
Apprehensions, it is sufficiently furnished by the Stipula
tions of the 22* Article of the Treaty, which, by the
Exclusion of the Turkish Troops from Wallachia and
Moldavia, virtually divests the Porte of the actual Sove
reignty over these two Provinces, and leaves the future
Title to them to be arranged at a subsequent and no
distant period. You will further state to the Turkish
Plenipotentiary that, in addition to this Evidence, His
Majesty's Government have received the most positive
Information of Secret Articles being annexed to the
Treaty, from the Tenor of which it is manifest that the
VOL. II. X

32 2 THE PAGET PAPERS
Dismemberment of the Dominions of the Porte is not
intended to be confined to the Loss of Wallachia and
Moldavia alone, but that it is in the contemplation both
of Russia and of France to expel it from all the Territories
which it at present possesses in Europe.
To projects such as these. His Majesty's Government
would never have been a Party, and their only motive for
directing you to communicate the Existence of these de
signs to the Ottoman Ministers is, the Anxiety to apprize
them of the Blow which is meditated against the Porte,
in order that to avert it they may exert all the means
which they may have at their Command.
Whatever may be the ultimate success of these De
signs, His Majesty will always be disposed to acknowledge
the Government of the Porte, in whatever part of its
Dominions its Residence may be established, and to main
tain with it the closest Friendship and Connection.
With respect to the precise Terms upon which it may
be advisable that the Peace should be concluded, all that
seems necessary at present is to replace the Political and
Commercial Relations between the Two Countries on the
footing on which they were antecedently to the War, and
to refer the Arrangement of the Tariff and other objects
of a similar nature, which have been long in a course of
araicable Discussion between the Two Governraents, to a
period of more perfect Tranquillity.
Upon the subject of Egypt, you are authorized, if that
Province is not already evacuated by His Majesty's Troops,
to express the King's Willingness to restore it to the
Porte, on the conditions that upon the British Troops
being withdrawn, their place should be supplied by an
adequate Turkish Garrison, and that the Porte should
allow the Co-operation of a British Naval Force to assist
in defending that valuable Dependency of the Ottoman
Empire against those Designs of wresting it frora its Legi
timate Sovereign which, for so many years past, France
has invariably entertained. — I am, &;c.
(Signed) George Canning.
[On August 14 Mr. Canning, in a most secret des
patch, directed Sir A. Paget to ascertain whether, in
the event of the Ottoman Government being expelled

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 323
from their European possessions, any of the Governors
of the European dependencies of Turkey had the will
or the means to maintain their independence against
France and Russia — especially the Pachas of Smyrna or
Janina.] From the Right Hon. George Canning to Sir A. Paget.
[Private.] Foreign Office, Aug. 15, 1807.
My Dear Paget, — Things are changed since you left
us ; k changed not a little where you now are. I send
you the best instructions that I can frame for the new
situation in which you are placed. I would have sent
them sooner, but that I thought it highly important to
obtain previously some knowledge of the Russian treaty.
The French Papers brought in a copy of it a few days ago,
but there is nothing so bad upon the face of the instru
ment itself as the strong indication which it exhibits of
Secret Articles still more unfavourable than itself Sicily,
Sardinia, Cattaro, & many other points are passed over in
sUence in the Treaty. It is impossible that they should
not have been in some way or other brought into discus
sion, and if there are Secrc't Articles respecting them, there
may, & must, be others.
We have indeed the almost certainty that the partition
of Turkey is one stipulation. And we have too much
reason to believe that the eventual shutting of the Russian
ports against us, unless we consent to abrogate our mari
time code, is another. The King's Speech will shew you
that we are not likely to come into this last condition. I
wish I could send you the news which we hourly expect
from the Baltic, to shew you what steps we have taken to
support our refusal of it.
I still think that the Emperor of Russia, even if he has
consented to stipulations hostile to us, will do all in his
power to avoid putting them in execution. A quarrel
with England would not be popular in Russia. The peace
with France is as little so as we could wish.
If he is otherwise disposed to forbear, the knowledge of
our determination not to be bullied will probably come in
aid of that disposition. If after all France is peremptory,
& Bonaparte retains at Petersburgh, in the person of M,

324 THE PAGET PAPERS
de Savary,* all the influence which he acquired over the
Emperor's mind at Tilsit, we must be prepared for the
worst ; & in that case before Admiral Siniavin & L**
Collingwood part, they may possibly have to exchange
something more than a salute. Of course I shall not lose
a moment in forwarding to you the intelligence of any
event which seems likely to lead to such an issue. As
yet nothing has passed with Russia, except the offer of
mediation, & the answer which I send you.
Make our peace with Turkey as soon as you can ; with
Constantinopolitan Turkey, if that is still in being — if not
with Asiatic Turkey — k in either case make us friends
with the Pachas of Smyrna k Janina, k any other Pacha
who has powder k good'will, & whom nothing but aversion
to Russia has hitherto kept at variance with us.
What will becorae of Austria in this general ruin"? She
was (as usual) just ten Days too late in her determina
tion,! or the world might have been saved.
God bless you. I am fully aware of all the difficulties
of your situation, of enough of them at least to raake me
feel it a duty to renew ray proraise to you of the most
favourable construction for every exercise of your dis
cretion, k all the support that I can give you. — Ever,
dear Paget, Most Sincerely Yours, G. C.
From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
[No. 5.] H.M.S. " Montague," off Imbro, J
22nd Aug. 1807.
Sir, — I shall have the honour to lay before you an
account of what has taken place relative to my mission
since I enclosed my last Despatch No. 4 of the 6th
Inst. [After reporting upon certain preliminary circumstances,
Sir A. Paget proceeds to give an account of an interview
with the Capitan Pasha as foUows : — ]
I opened the conference by giving the Capitan Pasha
* A general of Napoleon's staff, who was admitted to Alexander's intimate
friendship. He was specially chosen by Napoleon instead of an ordinary
diplomatist. t After the battle of Friedland the Austrians had made no effort to hinder
the understanding between Napoleon and Alexander.
X Sir A. Paget had left Tenedos on August 12, and taken a station nearer
to the Dardanelles.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 325
an exact account of the correspondence which had taken
place between me and the Reis Eflendi, and, having done
so, I expressed my concern that so much tirae had already
been lost by the unnecessary Delays arising from, as I
conceived, the improper manner in which the Turkish
Government had thought fit to receive and reply to my
first overtures. In regretting these delays, I, in the most
friendly and earnest manner, called upon the Capitan
Pasha, as a Friend to Peace, to use his utmost infiuence
to proraote that end, by deterraining his Government to
appoint, without loss of time, a Plenipotentiary, as, how
ever painful it would be to rae, I could not but consider a
much longer delay in such an appointment as an Indica
tion of the unwillingness of the Porte to treat.
The Grand Admiral, having thanked me for my friendly
communication, lamented, he said, as much as I could, or
even in a stiU greater Degree, the delay that had taken
place. He begged to assure rae that it did not proceed
from any unwillingness on the part of the Sultan, His
Master, to pay every attention to the pacific overtures I
had been charged 'to make, much less was it the effect
of any intentional Disrespect towards rae, either in my
private or public situation. That the pure and simple
reason of it was, that the present Ministers were perfectly
new in Office, and. altogether unacquainted with the forms
and usages practised on such occasions. That so much
did He lament the delay of which I so justly complained,
that He had, before any intercourse had been established
between us, spontaneously written to His Government on
the Subject, and represented to thera how indecorous it
was, that I should be allowed to remain such a length of
time on board Ship, — that 'a House and every appropriate
convenience should be provided for me, — and above all,
the absolute necessity of their appointing a Plenipoten
tiary to treat with me. That as to the point I made of
treating conjointly with the Russian Plenipotentiary, He
had been positively assured by His Government that a
separate Treaty had by this tirae been concluded between
the Porte and Russia, but that until I had official infor
mation of it, I could not, he admitted, desist from such a
demand,— that within three days, however, He took upon
Himself to say that I should, as well as Mr. Pozzo di

326 THE PAGET PAPERS
Borgo, be completely satisfied on that head. That as to
the Reis Effendi's request to be informed of the basis of
the negociation I had proposed, previous to his having
appointed a Plenipotentiary to treat with me, it only
served to prove His ignorance in affairs of this nature, —
that unused as He also was to such matters. He could
have told the Reis Effendi that Peace being concluded
between Turkey and Russia, the Basis of a negociation
with England would be the renewal of former Treaties,
nothing having happened to give rise to any material
points of Discussion between the two countries. Finally,
that I might rest assured that nothing should be neglected
on His part to forward the business I had recommended
to Him, and that I only did Him justice in believing
that He had nothing more at Heart than the restoration
of Peace.
Having expressed to the Capitan Pasha my entire satis
faction at the Friendly part He had already taken, and
was still disposed to take in this business, 1 adverted to
the very extraordinary and, as it appeared to me, the
very unbecoming manner in which the pacific overtures
made by the Russian Plenipotentiary had been treated,
no answer .whatever having to this moment been ad
dressed to him, and stated my surprise and concern, that
such usage had been practised towards a person with
whom I had been directed to co-operate for so salutary
a purpose. In answer to this the Pasha answered that Mr. Pozzo
di Borgo had arrived here long before me, and added,
without much ceremony, that no faith was to be given to
the word of a Russian Plenipotentiary, — that their con
duct had been altogether highly reprehensible ; — that He
had been induced to write to His Government, in favour
of the propositions for peace brought by this Gentleman,
and that while this was going on, the Russian Admiral
had actuaUy caused a Descent to be made in the Island
of Lemnos, where Depredations had been committed and
even lives lost ; that, in consequence of this outrage, the
Inhabitants had presented a Petition to Him, which He
could not from the nature of it avoid transmitting to Con
stantinople, and that in the Answer He had received to
that communication, the Porte had reproached Him for

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 327
having recommended the business of the Russian Pleni
potentiary to their consideration, observing that He ought
to make Himself acquainted with People in whose favour
He interested Himself.
In reply to my observation that the right of annoying
one's enemy, until preliminaries of Peace were signed,
could not be called in question, the Pasha said that He
also did not mean to dispute the right, but that when
these acts of Hostility were directed merely to the ruin of
a wretched set of Individuals, as in the paltry achieve
ment He alluded to, they only served to increase animosity
between nations, without benefiting one or annoying the
other,- — that in consequence of this Kind of conduct no
deference, it was true, had been paid to the Russian
Plenipotentiary, and He certainly never had invited either
Hira or any of His party to His presence.
After stating to the Capitan Pasha the propriety of dis
missing these considerations from our minds, and attending
only to the main object which we were now discussing,
and which could only be obtained by a joint negociation,
I again pressed Him to recomraend to the Porte to autho
rize the Plenipotentiary (whora He gave rae reason to
believe might be hourly expected at the Dardanelles) to
treat eventually with both Mr. Pozzo di Borgo and myself,
observing that if what He had stated turned out to be
true, namely that a separate peace had been concluded
between Russia and Turkey, the measure I proposed would
of course remain without effect, and in the contrary case,
it would be out of ray power to commence the negocia
tion ; whereupon He asked me (again repeating that no
faith could be given to the Russian word) whether I would
consent to guarantee the execution of all that should be
stipulated on the part of Russia, in the event of a joint
negociation being agreed to, and upon ray answering
that I should consider rayself responsible for the fulfil
ment of any such engagements, the Capitan Pasha, after
a good deal of discussion on this part of the subject, at
length promised, after He shoijld have communicated the
whole of our conversation to Ismail Pasha, Commander-
in-chief of the Forces at the Dardanelles, (a man supposed
to have very considerable weight with the present Turkish
Ministers) to write in conjunction with that Pasha, stating

32 8 THE PAGET PAPERS
to the Porte the fresh Demand I had raade, that the
Turkish Plenipotentiary should be instructed to treat with
Mr. Pozzo di Borgo as well as with rayself, and urging the
necessity of acceding to that Demand. This letter He en
gaged Himself' to dispatch the next day to Constantinople
by a special Messenger.
The Grand Admiral next, apologized to me on the part
of Ismail Pasha for not meeting me on board, He having
been prevented by the gale of wind it blew ; at the same
time He invited me to pass any day I would fix at the
Country House of Ismail Pasha.
I of course expressed my readiness to accept the invi
tation, but I proposed at the same time to the Capitan
Pasha to send a similar one to Mr. Pozzo di Borgo, stating
to Him that He would then have an opportunity of learn
ing the real sentiments of that Gentleman, and thereby of
forming a correcter judgment than He appeared to possess
of the nature of His mission, an object most desirable in
itself, and which never could be accomplished if He per
sisted in having no communication with Him. This pro
posal, however, met with a decided refusal ; at length,
after much debating, it was agreed that the Capitan
Pasha should send me a written invitation to the above
effect, and should invite me to bring Mr. Pozzo di Borgo
with me.
I next came to the subject of the British Prisoners in
Egypt, and, having explained to the Capitan Pasha my
wishes respecting them. He, without any hesitation, in
formed me that the Powers with which He was invested
by His Sovereign enabled Him to promise me that an
order should be sent off without any delay by an extra
ordinary Courier for their immediate release, on which I
thought it right to give Him in return the fullest assur
ance that this act of Friendship would not fail to have
due weight upon my mind, with a view to the arrange
ments I might have it in contemplation to make for the
evacuation of Egypt.
I have now given in as short a space as I have been
able, an account of my conference with the Capitan Pasha,
and seeing that I obtained from Him three most impor
tant promises ; first, to use his best influence with the
Porte that a Plenipotentiary should be appointed to treat

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 329
with Mr. Pozzo di Borgo and myself; secondly, that He
would Himself confer with that Plenipotentiary ; and
thirdly, that our Countrymen Prisoners in Egypt should
be released, I did not I trust express myself too strongly
in saying that I had reason to be satisfied with the result
of this interview, as far as it went. — I have the Honour
to be, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From M. Po;^zo di Borgo to Sir A. Paget. Dimanche.
II faisait si grand vent hier que je n'ai pas voulu risquer
les consequences du mal de mer. Dans le moment nous
avons decouvert un Pavillion blanc k bord de notre vaisseau
d' avant garde, et une chalouppe sortant des Dardanelles
qui, apres avoir communique avec le vaisseau, poursuit
son chemin pour venir ici. Venez done vous-merae et
vous serez present lorsque les Turcs arriveront. Je suis
trfes intrigue de ce qu'ils nous aporteront. Adieu, je vous
attends — ceremonie est un mot qui n'est pas dans mon
dictionnaire — vous me connaissez. — Tout k vous.
(Signe) Pozzo di Borgo.
From M. Pozzo di Borgo to Sir A. Paget. LUNDL
Nous allons lever I'ancre k I'instant pour nous rendre
k Tenedos,''' ainsi le diner de demain sera ajourne. Au
nom du ciel que notre separation soit la moins que
possible. Faites moi savoir ce que vous croyez etre
communicable, et je ne manquerai pas d'en agir de meme.
Si toute fois nous parvenons k quelque arrangement
avec les Turcs, en vertu de cette suspension d'armes,
I'Amiral desirerait aussi pouvoir m'obtenir la permission
d' aller a Constantinople ; — dans tous les cas ma presence
Ik-bas ne pourrait qu'etre utile, ou du moins pas aussi
nuUe et aussi penible qu'ici. — Tout a vous.
(Signe) Pozzo di Borgo.
¦*¦ Immediately after hearing of the Peace of Tilsit. Meant as a demon
stration that the interests of Russia and England were now separated.

330 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Sir A. Paget to M. Pozzo di Borgo.
A Bord lb " Montagu," Ce 24 Aout 1807.
Je suis vraiment ikch6 que vous partiez avant I'arrivee
de ce F%ag of Truce. Pour ce qui est de communicable,
vous avez dii voir, mon cher, que tout, absolument tout,
vous a ete communique. Ce tout est, k la verite, tres
peu, mais que voulez vous que j'y fasse ? Certainement
votre presence k Stamboul serait plus utile qu'ici, aussi
j'y travaillerai, comptez \k dessus. Pour I'amour de Dieu
ne reexpediez pas votre Courier sans m'en avertir, et ne
manquez pas, comme vous avez fait jusqu'ici de me faire
savoir tout ce qui arrive qui peut nous interesser. Je
vous en promets autant. Adieu. — Tout k vous.
(Signe) Arthur Paget.
P,S, — T4chez d'aller plut6t derriere l'Isle des lapins ;
c'est bien plus pres toujours que Tenedos, et par con
sequent plus couvenable.
[On August 27 Sir A. Paget writes to the Reis Effendi,
from " devant le Chateau le Settil Bahir," to express his
satisfaction that Ismail Pacha, Seraskier of the White Sea,
had been appointed to confer with him on the question of
the negotiations, and had given him an interview.]
From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
H.M.S. "Montagu," off Imbro, 2gth August 1807.
My dear Canning, — To my great surprise I have just
heard, and by accident, that a vessel is under orders and
is to be dispatched to-morrow for the Fleet off Cadiz. I
am the more surprised at this as the Day before yesterday
evening, on my return from the Dardanelles, it was agreed
bet"ween Lord Collingwood and myself, that He would not
dispatch anything to or toward England until after my
next Interview with the Turks. Here I ara therefore
taken most completely by surprise. My Interpreter in
one Ship, one Secretary in another, another in a third,
pitch-dark, blowing a gale of wind, and of course without
the power of communicating with them. Pray therefore
take these circumstances into consideration, and be in-

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 33 ^
dulgent towards me if I am prevented writing in any
detail, if you are not towards Lord Collingwood, who in
truth ought hiraself to have given me some notice of this
intended expedition.
I shall probably to-raorrow send an order, if not for the
immediate evacuation of Egypt, at least for every pre
paration to be made for carrying that measure into effect
at the earliest notice. And as I say in my Dispatch,
unless I have been grossly and wilfully deceived by the
Pasha I have been conferrins; with, I ought to have no
doubt but that within a very few Days Peace will be
signed. But still why have they delayed so long in ap
pointing a Plenipotentiary ? It will certainly not escape
you that the tenor of the Language of the Reis Effendi's
Notes to me looks very much as if Sebastiani had suggested,
if not entirely dictated them. On the other Hand, I can
entertain but little doubt of the Desire of the Turks to be
again on Terms with us. Be assured that I have spared
no pains in bringing this about, but believe me at the
same time, if I succeed the task will not have been a very
easy one. You will easily imagine what my anxiety is to
learn Your sentiments respecting my determination to
suspend the Order for the evacuation of Egypt. In the
meantirae, every day proves to me the propriety of
my having taken that responsibility on myself. At all
events that measure is on the eve of being adopted,
as I will not delay the order one instant longer than is
necessary. Nothing can be corapared to the hatred and contempt
borne by the Turks towards the Russians, and with regard
to the Latter there is I fear too much reason for it, as
nothing could have been more dastardly than their con
duct on the Days on which the Fleets were engaged. Not
a Turkish ship ought to have escaped, and the single one
that was taken is not an object to boast of in any way.
You may rely on it that we were all sadly misled with
respect to the effects of the Blockade to be established
here. Undoubtedly the Turks wish this Squadron out of
their sight, but with regard to any good arising from the
mere blockade with a view to negociation, it might just
as well have been in the Red Sea. It is with this con
viction that I have been holding out to them the most

332 THE PAGET PAPERS
fair and liberal Terras. In short, although there are some
circumstances that present themselves under rather an
awkward aspect, I will not give up the Hopes of having
it in my power in a very short tirae, perhaps even a Few
Days, to send you a satisfactory result of ray proceedings
here. In the meantime, I must again request your in
dulgence for writing in this hasty manner. I cannot
however conclude my Letter without preparing you (in
case I ara fortunate enough satisfactorily to conclude the
business) again to receive my request not to remain at
Constantinople. — I beg my respects to Mrs. Canning, aud
reraain, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
[In a despatch from Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George
Canning on 30th August he states that on the 21st inst.
a Russian officer arrived with an official account of peace
having been concluded between France and Russia, and
with orders to Adrairal Siniavin to cease hostilities against
the Turks : that he himself received,, at the same time, a
letter from Ismail Pasha, and au invitation to meet him at
the Castle of Europe ; that these and other circumstances
left no doubt in the minds of either Mr. Pozzo di Borgo or
himself that every idea of negotiating conjointly was to
be abandoned, and he considered himself at perfect liberty to
conclude, if he could, a separate peace with the Porte ;
that he therefore landed at the Castle, and passed a great
part of the day with Ismail Pasha.
In consequence of a gale of wind he was obliged to con
fine himself to stating the result of that interview, which
was a promise on the part of Ismail Pasha to write imme
diately to the Porte urging them to appoint forthwith a
Plenipotentiary to conclude with hira a Treaty of peace.
There was reason to hope that a satisfactory answer would
be received within six days. He concludes : — ]
" From what passed on that Day, and if I have not
been grossly deceived by Ismail Pasha, I ought to have
no hesitation in expressing my anxious Hopes that my
next Dispatch, which will, I trust, be sent off in a few
days, will contain the inteUigence of a Treaty of Peace
having been concluded. — I have the Honour to be," &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 333

From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
H.M.S. "Montagu," off Imbro,
30 August 1807.
My dear Canning, — I have stUl sorae raoraents left,
which I must employ in troubling you with a few more
Lines. I have written by a Brig which sailed this
morning for Alexandria to General Frazer, recoramend-
ing Hira to commence the embarkation of the Troops.
Before this can come to the knowledge of the Turkish
Government ray business will, I trust, be concluded —
that is to say if it is to be concluded, of which, if I
feel sanguine at one raoment, 1 am disposed to despond
the next ; for I cannot conceal from you my Fears of
Sebastiani having a complete sway at Constantinople,
and if so, it is too obviously His interest to exclude us
for me to entertain any Doubt of His using his utmost
exertions to do so. By allowing that ill-fated War to
break out between Russia and Turke}', we have thrown
the Latter more decidedly than ever She was into the
arms of France, and how or when to extricate Her is a
raatter for serious consideration. The Blockade of their
Forts, I again and again repeat, never will make such an
impression on the Porte as to force them to listen to
our Terms. Egypt must be evacuated. To pass the
DardaneUes is impossible. What arras have we therefore
to fight them with ? None — and this tliey well know.
It certainly looks very suspicious their having so long
delayed the appointment of a Plenipotentiary to treat
with me. Ismail Pasha, who is certainly the second or
third Man in point of Rank (and perhaps the first in con
sideration) in that Erapire, asisured me that His Govern
ment meant to give Great Britain a proof of its particular
Friendship and Deference by appointing Him to treat, or
rather to confer with me, instead of naming a common
Plenipotentiary, but He at the same time appeared
thoroughly satisfied with the reasons I gave Him for
insisting upon a Person being named who should be
authorized to conclude and sign a Treaty, which He con
fessed He had not powers to do. He believed, or pre
tended to believe, that a single conversation between us

334 THE PAGET PAPERS
would put an end to all differences which had arisen
between the Governments. "Evacuate Egypt," said he
(as indeed the Reis Effendi says in His last Note), " raise
the Blockade, and we are then as much Friends as ever
we were. Consent to this, and there will be no longer any
occasion for us to treat." Can there be any doubt as to
who dictates this language 1 Is not every syllable out of
Talleyrand's Office, as it were ?
On the other Hand, nothing can be stronger than the
expressions of Friendship used both by the Capitan and
Ismail Pasha. The former, I am told, is perfectly indig
nant at the dilatory conduct of the Porte towards me, and
with regard to the Latter he gave me a raost solemn pro
mise that a Plenipotentiary should be iraraediately named
and sent to negociate and conclude a Treaty with me.
He also, as well as the Capitan Pasha, begged of me to
take into consideration the inexperience of the new
Turkish Ministers in all public business. . . . If in
answer to ray last Letter to the Reis Effendi, He refuses
to appoint a Plenipotentiary or even delays the appoint
ment, I must after all that has passed, I fear, consider
such conduct as a proof of their unwillingness, or at
least of their having made up their minds not to renew
their former intercourse with us, and 1 shall then, at least,
have the consolation of thinking that the crime will be
upon their own heads, as I trust I shall have it in my
power to prove to you, that every thing ¦ consistent with
the dignity of the Government I represent will have been
done by me to restore Peace. It appears to me that a
very few days must decide the question, as by the separa
tion of the Russians it is brought into a very narrow
compass. Their Fieet is lying off Tenedos with instruc
tions to wait there till further orders. — Believe me, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to the Countess of Uxbridge.
"Montagu," off Imbro, yith August 1807.
My dear Mother, — Only two lines by this Brig, for
I have, strange to say, had but a few hours' notice of
ier departure !
I hope as I have told my Father that all will be settled

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 335
in a few days, and if it should turn out otherwise it will
not at least have been my fault. You cannot conceive
anything more tiresome than my situation here, and in
dependent of all other pleasures it blows a continual Gale
of Wind, so that it is not often that one can get ashore
for a little exercise. You will of course understand that
there is not in any one of the Islands a House into which
one could set one's foot, — there is therefore no choice about
remaining on board ship. It is by the bye well that I took
the stock of Linen I did, for washing is completely out of
the question. It is I dare say generally thought that we
are all living in Clover ; be assured that the reverse is as
much the case as possible. I have changed Ships again,
& ara corae back to Cap*" Otway, owing to a severe Illness
Adrairal Martin has had. I have one secretary in one ship,
one in another, ray Interpreter in a third, my Servants
& effects in a fourth ; in short it is all very comfortable !
Whenever I think of my situation, which is not often, I
wish those Gentlemen who amused theraselves with writ
ing those good natured paragraphs in my Place ; they
would at this moment perhaps be on their beam ends, as
old Charles used to say, as even the Line of Battle ships
are pitching. I never in short saw such a place for gales
of wind. Good-bye, my dear Mother. — I am with kindest
love to all. Ever your most Dut. k aff. Son, A. P.
Precis of the despatch from Sir A. Paget to Mr. Canning.
H.M.S. " Montague," off Imbro,
yd September 1807.
A few hours after the arrival of the news of the peace
concluded at Tilsit the Russian Admiral left Imbro and
proceeded with the Squadron under His coraraand to
Tenedos, a pretty evident indication that the cause of
England and Russia was no longer the same, and that
their Interests were separated ; no doubt therefore re
mained that Sir A. Paget was from that raoment a Free
Agent to make the best and most speedy arrangement
possible with the Porte.
He therefore went to Ismail Pasha, and enquired whether
He was vested with full Powers to conclude a Treaty.
Ismail explained that he was only instructed to confer

336 THE PAGET PAPERS
on the subject of our present Disputes, and to receive
ad referendum any communication ; — that the Porte
was anxious to renew its former Footing with England,
to whom she was not conscious of having given any
cause of offence, that there had been no Declaration of
War on either side, and that there existed no ground
of Dispute, as soon as Alexandria should be evacuated
and the British Fleet withdrawn from these Seas, that
would not at once cease ; that those points accomplished,
the two Countries would be placed with respect to each
other in the situation they were before, and that Former
Treaties between them would remain in their full Force.
That under these circumstances the Porte thought it
unnecessary to appoint a Plenipotentiary.
Sir A. Paget answered that if nations were not to make
peace because there had been no forraal Declaration of War,
the wars in Europe could have no end ; that Great Britain
and Turkey had unfortunately been led to commit Hos
tilities against each other and were therefore at War ; and
that the true mode to end it would ,be for their respective
Plenipotentiaries to conform to the practice among all
civilized Nations who had been in a state of war ; that
with regard to the Evacuation of Egypt, aud the raising
of the Blockade of the Turkish Ports, he would find in Sir
A. Paget every disposition to coraply with the views of
his Government. England would demand from the Porte
nothing that could be called a sacrifice. In spite of profes
sions of friendship, the only mode of settling differences had
hitherto been eluded. In one letter, the Reis Effendi
required to know the extent of his Powers, that he might
appoint a person of equal rank to treat with him ; in
the second He infers that there is no necessity to appoint
a Plenipotentiary, because, without any previous negocia
tion whatever, friendship would be restored when the
blockade was raised aud the conquests relinquisheil. This
inconsistency showed the Porte to be under the baneful
control of French Councils and French Infiuence. " I pro
duced a Letter from Sebastiani to Admiral Siniavin, which
begins thus — 'Les Lettres qui vous ont ete ecrites dernier-
ment par L.L.E.E. le Capitan Pasha et Ismail Effendi, et
la reponse que V.E. a faite k ces Lettres, m'ont ete communi-
quees par la Sublime Porte,' etc., and I then asked the Pasha

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 337
whether with such proof before me, I could doubt that
the transactions between the Porte and me were sent
before the same Tribunal ? " The Pasha answered that
" He could not, He said, give me a stronger proof of his
goodwill than by the very act of conferring, for said He,
' I am a Pasha of three tails. I command all the Forces
in this part of the Turkish Dominions, and I was formerly
Grand Vizier.' "
After some further discussion he adraitted the necessity
of a Turkish Plenipotentiary with full powers to treat, and
"promised in the most direct, positive, and unequivocal
Terms to represent in the strongest manner to the Porte
the necessity of acceding to this Demand." He inquired
if there were any new stipulations to be proposed in
the Treaty. " I at once told Him that as a proof of ray
confidence in Him, I had no objection (although what
I was about to do was contrary to all practice) to com
municate confidentially to Him the outline of the Treaty I
had it in conteraplation to propose to the Porte, where
upon I read to Him a few articles I had drawn up, and
with which (after requesting me to accept His warmest
acknowdedgment for this additional proof I had given of
my good opinion of Him) He expressed His fullest and
most unqualified approbation, adding that the Porte could
have no excuse for not subscribing to articles so fair and
Uberal. " In fact it appeared to me of such consequence to be
able to make out (in case of the failure of this Mission)
that the Porte had positively objected to treat, aud not
to the Treaty, that I framed the articles in the way I
thought the least liable to meet with opposition.
" This important point being now gained, it only re
mained for me to impress Ismail Pasha with the necessity
of the Porte's coming to an early Determination in the
execution of it, and to remind Him that I had already
been aUowed to pass a whole month in a State of Suspense
and uncertainty which I could not with propriety expose
myself much longer to.
"As to the Delay I complained of, Ismail, as well as the
Capitan Pasha on a like occasion, alleged in exculpation
of His Government that it had arisen from my having
proposed, in the first instance, to treat conjointly with
VOL. II. T

338 THE PAGET PAPERS
Russia, and next from the inexperience of the new Turkish
Ministers. He promised at the same time 'everything
being now perfectly understood between us, that no further
tirae should be lost.' "
From Sir John Moore to Sir A. Paget.
[Private <Sb Confidential.] Messina, ^^ Septr. 1807.
My DEAR Sir, — . . . I stayed three weeks at Palermo. I
had frequent private audiences (very long ones) with the
Queen. I spoke & explained to her with fully as much
freedom as I did to you, and as far as I could judge by
her manner, as well as by what she expressed, I have every
reason to believe that she was satisfied, & that I succeeded
in removing the prejudices she had imbibed. The Queen
is clever enough ; in private life she would be an agreeable
k entertaining woman, but she has not ability for Publick
affairs ; she is governed by those about her, who are gene
rally of the very worst description, for she is deficient in
knowledge of character, and has a bad selection. We
might have had some ascendency at this Court had there
been a man of sense k firmness, and who was a gentle
man, in the character of British Minister, but it is impos
sible for you, unless you were on the spot to witness it,
to conceive what a false, unprincipled mean fellow this
Drummond is. These are strong expressions but not more
so than truth requires — it was him who at first bred all
the mischief with the Queen and who still, as far as he is
able, will endeavour to foment it.
The French have sent 1500 men to Corfu,"^' and have
collected 6, or 7,000 more at Otranto & Tarentum to be
passed over when boats can be collected. From this the
Government of Palermo conclude that the Kingdom of
Naples is left without defence, that we have only to land
to gain the Country, and will, either by means of the
Inhabitants be able to restore Ferdinand to his throne,
or at least enable Great Britain to obtain better terms in
negociation. It is difficult to conceive much greater non
sense. However, both Admiral Thornborough & myself
have positively refused to undertake any such operation,
indeed our thoughts are much more employed in what
* Handed over to France by Russia.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 339
manner to defend Sicily, threatened as we consider we
shall immediately be,'"" than in planning attacks on the
Kingdom of Naples, and we are looking earnestly for the
troops from Alexandria as well as for the Fleet with you
in the Archipelago. We conceive in the present pre
ponderance of France, it is impossible that you can succeed
in your negociation, unless Peace is concluded at home in
consequence of the Treaty at Tilsit. This last, I think
very improbable. I therefore expect we shall have to
carry on the War single-handed — if so, this Sicily will be
a first Point of attack. . . . (Signed) John Moore.
Memorandum by Queen of Naples respecting Conversa
tion with Sir John Moore, t
Precis de ma Conversation avec le GSnSral Moore.
Le 22 de Juilliet le ministre D'angleterre M° Drum
mond me presenta ce General ; la visite dura k peine
cinque minutes. Le General ne dessera pas les dents, et
Garda un morne Silence.
Le 23 Juillet le General Acton m'ecrivit, que le General
Moore ayant ete lui faire visite, avoit temoigne le desir de
me voire k Seule, me parler k L'insgus de M° Drummond
Son ministre. Je repondis que mes heures les moins fre-
quentes etoient celle de L'apresdine 2 a 3 heures, et le Soir
k neuf heure, et que j'eccouterois toujours ce que le General
Comandant des Troupes Britaniques nos AlUees pouvoit
avoir a me dire d'utile au Service du Roi mon Epoux et
ma faraille, il accepta d'abord k venir le 24 L'apresmidi et
efectivement vint k trois heures, 1' apres dine, seul, chez
moi. Je fus d'un Erabaras, d'un deconcertement tel que je ne
le pourrois jamais assez depeindre ; je tichois par des poli-
tesse reserve, mais honete 1' encourager, il ne put qu'avec
peine Se remetre, la voix lui manquant, palissant, mais
Come lui avoit demande de me parler, j'attendis en Silence
ce qu'il avoit k me dire. II comenca avec un Embaras
¦* Napoleon was secretly preparing expeditions against Sardinia and Sicily.
He had offered England the Balearic Isles or the Hanse Towns in exchange
for Sicily.
t An exact copy of the original. See p. 338.

340 THE PAGET PAPERS
extreme, et ne Se remit que peu k peu. Qu'il etoit venus
pour Se justifier, que Paget etant Son amy, ayant Son
frere Sous Ses ordres, il lui avoit Comunique les plaint es
que nous fesions ycy Contre Fox et lui, disant que uomant
Fox, S'etoit Le nomer lui raSrae, vlis L'entiere Confiance que
Fox lui avoit toujours temoigne, quil Savoit que nous nous
plaignions de n' avoir pas voulus agir, ni profiter des heu
reux moraens pour la reconquete de Naples, que tels avoit
ete leurs Instructions, que actuellement etant differentes,
ils agirontj quand ils le pourront avec probabilite, de
S'unir, mais que le temps, momens doit leur entierment
abbandonne, que Actuellement ils avoit peu de monde.
L'Expedition en Egipthe, dont ils ont regus L'ordre
precis, leur en ayant ote 6 homes qu'il Savoit, qu'on
I'attaquoit sur Les Principes, qu'alors quoique aimant Son
metier, il prfeferoit qu'on lui otat Son Comandement, si il
ne pouvoit inspirer de Confiance, je repondis que ces Sen
timens Sufisoit pour changer les doutes, qu'on auroit pus
Concevoire ; il me demanda avec beaucoup d'Empressement
Si nous ne pouvions avoir des Russe actuellement que
L'affaire avec le Turque est termine, il me donna des
raisons veritables, pour agrandir L'armee, pour conquerir
et Soutenir et etendre les Conquetes, au della de Naples;
malgre la verite de ces motifs la demande m'fetonna, mais
je repondis franchement, que je les desirois, elle m'etonna
puisque au raoraens oh Ton repand et anonce Generale
ment une Armistice et Paix meme Separe de la Russie,
avec Buonaparte ; ce n'etoit pas le momens de cette ques
tion, elle m'etonne encore plus Car je Sais de Sur, du
Roi mon mary mSme, que lors de Son Sejour a Messine
Monsieur de Tatichef ministre de Russie offrit au Roi, et
k Son ministere, de faire venir d'abord 3 mille Russe pour
augmenter la defense de la Sicile, et M° Elliot ministre
D' Angleterre, Exigea Sur le Champ, avec humeur, qu'on
les refusa, il en a ete de meme pour Escadre Russe et
Trouppes, Russe, qu'on a constament refuse de la part des
Anglois, en Sicile, et pour cella j'eus lieu d'etre etonnee
de cette demande du General Moore, et Surtout dans
ces temps actuels, continuant en general Ses Excuses, je
lui demandois pourquoi il n'avoit point voulus me dire les
mdmes chose en presence de M° Drumond, que nous
estimons, et dans lequel nous avons Confiance, et d'autant

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 34 1
plus qu'il avoit repete les memes discours et excuses chez
notre ministre le Marquis de Circello, en presence de M°
Drumond, que je n'aimois point les Cachotteries, dont mon
Caractere franc et Loyal Stoit Si eloigne, Cette question
de ma parte le remit de nouveau dans Son embaras, il me
dit, qu'il avoit craint, que M" Drumond ne lui laissat
pas le temps de S' excuser, d'aUleurs, me dit il, avec un
Sourire amer, j'ai lieux de croire que lui m'a accusee ycy,
ayant des affaires que lui Seul Savoit, il m'exaraina alors,
et voyant, que je ne repondis point, il me dit L'affaire de
Lechi son envoi, c'est Drumond qui L'a dit, et Certes le
Lechi peut avoir de L' esprit, mais c'est une mauvaise tete,
.Je lui ai alors repondus d'un ton Solemnel, de la verite,
que L'affaire mission et Coraission de Lechi m'avoit ete
ecrite par un Sujet du Roi, et cella est Si vrai que la lettre
je L'ai envoye au Prince de Castelcicala, II S'excusera
alors, que oblige par leur metier, repandus dans les dif
ferentes Garuisons k entendre les plaintes des Peuples, il
les avoit anonce, pour que le Gouvernement y remedia. Je
lui repondis que tout Gouvernement a Ses defauts que les
temps de Vertiges actuels il falloit Calraer, Soutenir les
authorites, et ne point entrepreudre des inovations trop
dangereuses ; je lur parlois de notre petite trouppe, petite,
puisque de Calabre peu en etoit revenus, et que Seize
mois de demeure en Sicile, il en etoit mort, inutilise,
-deserte, et aucun home recrute, la Constitution du Pays
empechant toute leve force, et les Recrus etant Si bien
payes par eux, il nous empechoit de nous augmenter, II
m'offrit alors de cesser Sou Recruteraent d'autant plus
qu'il n'avoit eue aucun paysan raais raauvaise espece de
Gens, je lui repondis qu'en Italic le Peuple etant riche
par le Soil, facile k Se nourrir, avoit horreur de se faire
Soldat, que ce n'etoit que des levees par tant (?) k milliers
qui donoit la bonne espece d'homes, que nous L'avious
faite plusieurs fois a Naples, avec avantage, mais qu'ycy
la Constitution etoit Contraire. Je savois que le General
Moore avoit recrute 200 Calabrois des tant decriees masse,
k 50 pezzi duri I'liue, mais je ne le voulus point reprocher.
II parIa de la necessite d'une meilleure Police Generale,
des C6tes et Ports, j'y repondis oui, en Conoissant la
necessite, mais Come c'est une Affaire qui regarde le Roi et
le Gouvernement, je n'entrois dans aucun details, il me

342 THE PAGET PAPERS
parla de la necessite d'unir toutes les forces du Roi avec
L'armee Britanique pour ne faire qu'un seul Corps d' armee
et de former les milices dans tout le Royaume ; je lui
repondis que le Roi Conoissoit en cas d' attaque la necessite
d'armer, unir les milices, mais que c'etoit une operation
qui exigeoit Soins et attentions, et etoit Seulement en cas
d'attaque, dont il n'y avoit pas la moindre apparence
encore pour la Sicile, que de meme le petit Corps des
Trouppes du Roi ne Sera reunis aux Trouppes Britaniques,
et raise Sous Son Comandement, que lorsque on agira
Ofensivement, a reconquerir Naples, qu'entre temps il
les verroit, et en auroit tous les detail. Je lui fis voire
un portrait de L'imortele Nelson, que L'Eternelle Re-
conoissance tient chez moi, dans mes Chambres, il me dit
L'avoir conAs, serois en quelques occasions avec lui ; je
lui fis les juste eioges de Sa Bravoure, honetete, Loyaute,
Gloire, qui lui attirerent notre Entiere Confiance, et firent
la gloire de Sa Nation. Corae cella finit notre Entretien ;
et je me declare, ni Conaitre, ni oser juger, ce General,
home tres Reserve, et peu Comunicatif.
From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
[No. 9. Confidential.] H.M.S. " Montague," off Imbro,
^th September 1807.
Sir, — The Turkish Officer stated in the preceding Dis
patch to have arrived on board this Ship the day before
yesterday, was accompanied by ray Interpreter, who came
to me from the Capitan Pasha with the foUowing important
Intelligence. That a large body of French Troops, under the comraand
of General Menou, had been detached frora the main Army
in Poland, and was at this moment actually on its march
towards the Persian Gulf, from thence to penetrate into
India. That the whole expense of this expedition was defrayed
by Russia, who had also agreed to furnish every contingent
want. That all the French Engineers and Officers of Artillery
had departed from the Dardanelles and Constantinople in
order to join General Menou,

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 343
From Lord Collingwood to Sir A, Paget,
" Ocean," Sep*. 4th, 1807.
Dear Sir, — Our affairs in the Mediterranean are be
coming so highly important — and the necessity of the
fleet at Sicily being reinforced become so urgent that it is
indispensable that the negociation here should be brought
to a crisis, and the Turks compelled to declare themselves.
All they have hitherto said is temporizing, and they are
acting a part which, by keeping a fleet here, is highly
detrimental to his Majesty's service. Under these cir
cumstances, I have thought it necessary to write a letter
to the Capitan Pacha, a copy of which I inclose to you,
which Letter I hope will bring thera to an immediate
determination; they must reply to it, or their silence is
an expression of their intention.
There will be a revolution in Sicily. Ferdinand ¦'''' is to
be placed on the throne of Portugal. The King of Naples
is now styled by Bonaparte of the two Sicilies, and a
great army is said to be marching to the South of Italy.
It will be necessary to concentrate our force. — I have the
honour, &c. (Signed) Collingwood.
From Admiral Lord Collingwood to the Most Illustrious
Capitan Pasha.
[Enclosure.] Most Illustrious Pasha, — It is now near a month
since I arrived in these Seas with a Squadron of His
Britannic Majesty's Ships.
Your Excellency knows it is the Duty of British Fleets
to present themselves to the enemies of their Country,
but I had entertained the hope that God would have in
spired the Sultan of the Turks with the sarae Holy Desire
which has ever animated the breast of my King, that
Peace may be established among all Nations, and that in
the Turkish Fleet I should have found, not enemies, but
that Friendship renewed which it is to be lamented the
¦* Prince of Asturias, afterwards Ferdinand VIL His Neapolitan wife
(pp.'42, 60) had died in 1806, and in July 1807 negotiations were opened for
his marriage with a Bonaparte princess.

344 THE PAGET PAPERS
convulsions that have shook the Governments in Europe
have for a short time suspended.
His Majesty, with this Impression of Friendship for the
Sublime Porte, had sent His Ambassador to them to pro
pose a renewal of that Harraony and Friendly Intercourse
He wished to maintain with a Nation whose interests and
preservation from the Intrigues of Ambition have ever
been a Subject of His Solicitude, and which a few years
since called forth the exercise of His Arms.
The Sublime Porte, professing a desire that this Friend
ship which we offered should be established, have yet
proceeded not one step towards it ; and this irresolution
calls on me, most Illustrious Pasha, to propose to the
Sublime Porte the following questions, which, as the
Turkish Ministers are fully informed on the subject, I
expect they will reply promptly, and with that ingenuous
ness and Truth with which they are proposed.
First : Will the Sublime Porte accept the Friendship
offered by England, with the renewal of all the relations
of Peace and Amity, the particular Terms of which will
be settled by Plenipotentiaries ?
Second : Or do they reject the proposal, and influenced.
by malign Councils determine on a state of War?
Third : If the Sublime Porte accept the proposals to
establish Friendship, in what place shall His Majesty's
Ambassador raeet the Plenipotentiary whom the Sultan
shall appoint to conclude the Treaty, which is necessary
to declare the renewal of former engagements, and seal
the Bond of Friendship between our Nations ?
Fourth : If the Sublime Porte accept the proposals
made of renewed Friendship, it is required that orders
be iraraediately given that a British Frigate, which shall
convey His Majesty's Ambassador to Constantinople, or
the place appointed for the Plenipotentiaries to meet,
shall pass free and unmolested, and be received by the
Turks with Hospitality and kindness.
I have said before, Most Illustrious Pasha, that the
subject is not new to the Ministers of the Porte, They
have already doubtless determined in their minds the
conduct to be pursued, and I expect in their reply that
truth and ingenuousness with which God inspires the
Hearts of Honest Men, and that they give it immediately.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 345
If iu a short period I have not an answer, I shall conclude
they intend to take such a part or are under such influence
as they cannot without regret reveal.
I cannot omit this opportunity of assuring Your Ex
cellency of my high respect for Your Person, that I
am, &c. (Signed) Collingwood,
Admiral of the British Fleet.

From Sir A. Paget to Lord Collingwood.
[Enclosure No. 2.] ' H.M.S. "Montague,'' 4 Sept. 1807.
My Dear Lord, — All I can say to Your Lordship's
Letter is that I sincerely wish it may have the desired
effect, but what if at the end of the week your proposal
is not accepted ? Why, the Fleet will be withdrawn, and
Alexandria must be evacuated, which if I mistake not is
all the Turks require of us.
Besides the intelligence Your Lordship has sent me, I
am informed that Corfu is to be immediately taken pos
session of by the French Troops. — I have the Honour to
be, &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
H.M.S. "Montague," off Imbro,
5t/i September 1807.
My dear Canning, — You will, I am sure, be not a little
surprised when I inform j'ou that Lord CoUingwood's
Letter to the Capitan Pasha was written, and the Sloop
of War actually under weigh with it, before He had given
me the slightest Hint of His having any such intention.
The instant however He sent rae a copy of it (which
was accompanied by a .private Letter from Him) I went
on board the Ocean, and represented to Him candidly and
without any reserve my surprise and concern that He
should have come to the resolution of writing such a
Letter without any prior consultation with me. These, I
told him, were not moments to wrangle , about points of
forniality, and that nothing was so far from ray wishes or
intentions, but that really, as I was in every way bound
(without, I publicly declared, that His coramunication to
'the Capitan Pasha had neither my knowledge or assent)

346 THE PAGET PAPERS
to abide by the consequences of that Letter, it would have
been but fair towards me to have previously consulted me
as to the matter of it, and then fully explained to Him
my reasons for not approving the measure generally, but
very particularly that part of it which gives the Turkish
Government a week to come to a Decision, for in the last
paragraph of the Letter as it originally stood, instead of
" a short period " he had said " a week," and after a long
debate the Sloop of War was recalled by signal, in order
that that alteration should be made. These reasons, as
I stated them to Hira, so will I now submit them to
you. When I left England, I was no doubt, as we all appear
to be, under the impression that the presence of a consi
derable British Squadron here, would have the best effect.
First, with a view to a Blockade, and next with that of
lending our co-operation to Russia in any measures that
might be found practicable for creating such a sensation at
Constantinople as would assist our negociation. I had not
however been 24 hours at Tenedos — I had not, I mean to
say, been longer there than was necessary to ascertain to
demonstration the impracticability of attacking the. Turk
ish Fleet, or performing any service to be done by great
Ships, than frora that instant I not only wished the whole
squadron away, but represented such to be my wishes to
Lord CoUingwood. His Lordship is as well as myself, nay
from His professional Skill more convinced (if that were
possible) of the perfect inutility of keeping a Squadron of
Line of Battleships in these Seas. This conviction added
to the incalculable want of them in the Mediterranean,
has in fact at length decided Him to leave this Station
immediately and take with Hira four or five out of the
seven Sail of the Line, now here. What beneficial pur
pose, upon the Face of the Earth, could it answer for
Lord Collingwood to require a categorical answer to be
deliverd within a week to His Demand. Whether the
Porte will treat or will not treat, will receive me or will
not receive me ? Supposing the Turkish Government to
answer No, we will not receive your Ambassador, we
will not treat, what then ? Why then Lord Collingwood
weighs anchor, and leaves the Archipelago. I of necessity
do the same. I must moreover order the evacuation of

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 347
Alexandria, because that is a measure that can be no longer
delayed — why then I say by so doing, we are adopting pre
cisely the line of conduct the Turks have been exacting
from us before they would treat for Peace; so that in
point of Fact, we should thereby submit to their own
Terms, we should fulfil their own stipulations, and for
what ? not in order to obtain the advantages of Peace,
but with a view to renew or rather continue the War, if
this can be called War. Our Situation here is certainly a
most embarrassing, and perhaps in some respects a humili
ating one. The "Turks, I believe, sincerely wish for Peace,
we want it, and though I feel this Truth to its full extent,
still it is not necessary to say that I would subscribe
to nothing ¦which could bear such an appearance. Lord
Collingwood says, and says with some Truth, that by
having delayed to come during above a month to a
decision on my pacific proposals, the Turks are treating
us with a degree of slight that the British Nation ought
to resent. Well, but how resent it? What are the raeans?
By going away ? Why that is exactly what the French are
probably driving at. The Discussions with the French
Ambassador on that very point in all Human probability
occasion the Delay we complain of. My object is to avoid
anything like a threat, because I wish to avoid the enact
ment of a second scene,* such as was displayed a few mUes
higher up than we are now in the months of February and
March last. On board a Frigate, which I shall soon be,
I can undoubtedly threaten to return home if my proposals
are not listened to, and that for the best of all possible
reasons, which is that it is corapletely out of my power
to do more than threaten. The Turks know it, and if they
do not, the French are there to inform them of it- But
They must know more, they must know that these great
Ships cannot even keep these Seas in Winter. Have we
not been sending Ships to examine all the Ports and
Creeks in the Archipelago to hide ourselves in by the
time the Winter Gales commence 1 Undoubtedly the
Turkish Government has treated me with some Degree
of inattention by allowing me to remain here so long
unsatisfied, unanswered almost on a single point, but they
have hitherto enough to say in their justification. They
¦* Sir J. Duckworth's expedition. — ^A. P.

348 THE PAGET PAPERS
will say, and say truly, that my first proposal was to treat
conjointly with Russia, that they could not accede to this
for the obvious reason that Russia had treated separately ;
also they will say that Ismail Pasha, one of the First Men
in the Empire, was appointed to treat with me, that I
objected to His appointment because He was not vested
with sufficiently Full Powers, and that before they had
tirae to send others, a Declaration came from the Com
mander of the Fleet containing a Threat that if in eight
days I was not received in Constantinople, so and so. I
know all this is to be answered, and I am prepared to
answer it, but I will fairly state to you, that my object
is to make them break off the negociation (if it is to be
broken off), not to break it off myself, and I think a very
few weeks more would have decided the business one way
or other.
My plan, I will tell you fairly, was to have tired them
out, and to have run them down as it were, not to have,
as I have already observed, done anything which could to
the most malignant Interpreter have looked like suing for
peace, but by Degrees to have brought the question to
such a shape that had the negociation failed, the entire
blame, the crirae of it, as I said on a Former occasion,
should have been on their Heads,
And why had I formed this plan ? Not, God knows,
for the pleasure I derive in tossing about in continual
Gales of Wind before the Dardanelles, but because it is
admitted to be of great Importance that we should regain
a Footing at Constantinople, and because the evidence of
former most lamentable and Fatal facts prove to us that
if temperate aud candid negociation won't conduct us
thither, beyond all doubt threats, let them be of what
ever nature they may, will not. Did not Mr. Arbuthnot,
being at Constantinople, threaten to quit it ? Did not
Sir J. Duckworth threaten to burn it, and what did all
that produce ? Shame and Disgrace. But what have
Lord Collingwood and myself to threaten, more than to
go quietly away and leave Sebastiani Master of that
Country ?
The state of the question then is this. I have been in
the neighbourhood of the Dardanelles .(would to God I
had been anywhere else) above five weeks, without much

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 349
progress having been made in the business I was sent on.
By this Delay no discredit can attach to rae or to the
Government I represent. The Turks say, " we mistook
your meaning," to which I answer, "now that I have
explained it to you, let us see whether we can make
peace," and unless we have the power of coercing thera
I for my part know of no other Language to hold, bearing
iu my mind at the sarae time that moderation must not
be allowed to dwindle into pusillanimity.
Another consideration, and a most important one is this :
It is, as already stated, in consequence of intelUgence re
ceived from Sicily within forty Hours, decided to withdraw
the greater part of the Squadron frora hence, and to send an
order to hasten the evacuation of Egypt. Why then should
I not endeavour to make a virtue out of necessity, why
should I not tell the Turks, Alexandria is now evacuated,
the large Ships are gone, and the Blockade will be entirely
raised — now then fulfil what you have promised?
And now let me beg your attention to a few words
relative to Egypt. I ara fuUy aware of the very great
responsibility I took upon myself by suspending the order
for the evacuation of that Country, and I am not less so
that that responsibUity is increased by the turn affairs
are, in all probabili'ty, on the point of taking in the South
of Italy ; but on the other Hand, let me request of you to
take into consideration, not the advantages I expected to
derive in my negociation from the occupation of Alexan
dria, but the state of our Prisoners in that Country, the
state of the Inhabitants of Alexandria, which will be seen
by the enclosed Letters'^ from Major General Frazer and
the Russian Consul, both which Letters are faint in their
description when compared with one received by Lord
CoUingwood from Captain Hallowell. If this be true,
could there be a doubt of the propriety, nay of the sacred
Duty, I will say, of endeavouring to obtain some terms
for those wretched, aud I fear deceived people, who for
their attachment to our cause, must if unprotected fall
victims to the cruel rage and vengeance of the Albanians.
With regard to our Prisoners, I trust in God, even if my
Interference since I have been here in their behalf shall
not have been crowned with success, that General Frazer
* Missiufr. — A. P.

3 so THE PAGET PAPERS
will be able at so high a price as the evacuation of the
Country to ensure their release. But I should certainly
have felt more confident about them, had the order as one
of the Articles of a Treaty made by me gone from the
Porte. For these reasons, subject as the suspension ofthe
measure I took upon myself to give must ever have been
to any direct and positive order from Sir John Moore for
the abandoning of Egypt, I look with confidence to your
favourable Interpretation of my motives and conduct in
this business. . . . — I have the honour to be, &c. ke.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to General Sir John Moore.
H.M.S. "Montague," off Imbro, s Sept. 1807.
My Dear Sir, — General Frazer will no doubt acquaint
you of the consternation which prevails among the Inhabi
tants of Alexandria frora a report which had been most
indiscreetly circulated of the British Garrison being about
to leave that place. It was in consequence of a represen
tation to that effect from General Frazer, as well as of one
of even a stronger nature from Captain Hallowell to Lord
CoUingwood, that I was induced by the return of the sarae
Frigate, a few hours after Her arrival here, to write to
that General recommending Him (in the Hopes as well of
procuring the Release of our Prisoners, as of obtaining
some Terras for the Inhabitants of Alexandria) not to give
up that place until he heard either from yourself or me,
but at the same time to detach as large a portion of the
Troops as in His Judgment could be spared to reinforce
the Army in Sicily. The information, however, which has
been received here within these forty hours, of the HostUe
views of the French against SicUy, is of so important a
Nature as no longer leaves me a choice how to act. To
abandon Alexandria under such circumstances could not,
in my opinion, be warranted but by a most extraordinary
and unavoidable pressure of events. Such a pressure pre
sents itself, and I feel that I must decide upon the least of
two great evUs. I shall accordingly by a Line of Battle
Ship, which will sail immediately from Hence for Egypt,
transmit to General Frazer my ultimate authority for the
Evacuation, I trust that for so high a price he will be

l^HE DARDANELLES, 1807 351
enabled at least to obtain the release of our Prisoners. I
shall not, however, relax in my endeavours in their behalf,
and no exertion of mine shall be wanting in support of the
Demand of the Inhabitants of Alexandria that a Turkish
garrison should be sent to Alexandria. Little or no pro
gress has been made in my affairs here since my last. — I
remain, &c., (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to M. Pozzo di Borgo.
"Montagu," off Imbros, Ce 5 Sept. 1807.
Mon CHER Pozzo, — Qu'est ce que vous faites pour
I'amour de Dieu ? Si vous etiez reste aux Rabbit Islands,"*''
je n'aurais pas manque de vous aller voir, mais je ne pour
rais m' eloigner jusqu'k Tenedos puisqu'il prend deux ou
trois jours pour s'en retourner.
Me yo'ffk toujours dans le m^me etat d'incertitude. Je
n'en augure rien de bon. J'attends k chaque instant des
nouvelles de Constantinople, qui devront, a ce qu'il me
semble, decider de quelque chose. Nous poussons en
attendant de tems en tems le Capitan Pacha — mais k quoi
sert-il? Je ne serais pas fort etonne si les Turcs en
usoient envers moi, comrae il a ete juge k propos de vous
traiter, de m'annoncer, c'est k dire, que notre Paix sera
faite par la mediation de la France et ailleurs qu'ici.
Avez vous regu des nouveUes quelconques soit sur les
affaires publiques, soit sur votre personne ? Savez vous
que mon opinion est que la mediation de la Russie, qui
sera acceptee, produira des suites funestes. C'est k dire
que la Russie pretendra que I'Angleterre cede sur tout ce
que ces infames Fripons \k voudraient stipuler pour la
libertS der Mers,t et que sur notre refus la Russie se
declarera pour la France, et nous fera la guerre. Voilk k
quoi je m'attends comme k la rotation journaliere de cet
amas de bone. Est-il vrai que Ferdinand a regu la
couronne de Portugal ? On I'ecrit. Dieu seul sait ce qui
a ete souscrit par ces deux Souverains k Tilsit, cela fait
fremir. Adieu, je vous envoye 30 ducats pour mon ami
Bulgakoff, qui ne valent pas, je crois, ceux qu'il m'a
donnes, mais que voulez vous que je fasse. Si vous re-
¦* See letter of August 24.
t How truly prophetic. — A. P.

352 THE PAGET PAPERS
cevez I'ordre de partir, ne vous en allez pas sans me voir,
et moi je vous en promets autant. Je n'ai pas regu de
nouvelles de Pisani. Adieu. Bien des choses a tous mes
amis, et ecrivez moi toutes vos nouvelles.
(Signe) Arthur Paget.
From M. Pozzo di Borgo to Sir A. Paget.
Le 5 Septembre k bord dU "Tverdoy,''
Tenedos.
Je reponds k votre dernier billet aussitdt que je peux
le faire ; quoique nous ne soyons pas bien eioignes
I'un de I'autre, les coraraunications sont rares. J'espere
que vous trouverez k qui parler, en toute regie k la
premiere entrevue avec les Turcs, et que vous pourrez
conclure. Je le souhaite pour yous, et malgre que je
m'interesse bien sincerement k tout ce qui peut contribuer
k votre satisfaction personelle je le souhaite encore plus
pour les affaires. II est necessaire que I'Angleterre
diminue les embarras de la situation actuelle autant que
possible, et qu'elle concentre ses forces sur les points
essentiels. Je ue pense qu'aux malheureuses transactions
de Tilsit, et plus j'y pense, plus les consequences m'en
paraissent fatales et irremediables. Je voudrais avoir k
qui parler sur les faits que nous connaissons, et sur ceux
que nous avions raison de craindre, raais cette consolation
mSme m'est refusee dans la situation oti je me trouve.
Rien ne nous est encore parvenu de la Cour, depuis que
nous nous sommes quittes. J'attends ce Courier non pas
avec I'espoir de recevoir de meilleures nouvelles, mais
avec le desir de connaltre toute I'etendue du mal, puisqu'il
existe, et de savoir quelle direction je dois prendre, quel
sort m'est reserve. Le changement a ete si total que
toutes les donnees anterieures sont absolument devenues
nuUes. . . . (Signe) Pozzo di Borgo.
From Capt. the Hon. C. Paget to Sir A, Paget.
" Nightingale " in the Cattegat,
Septr, nth, 1807.
You will be surprised, my dearest Arthur, to receive
a letter from me dated as above, but the fact is I am
going home with the dispatches of the surrender of

THE DARDENELLES, 1807 353
Copenhagen & the Danish fleet, which took place on the
7th, after a severe bombardment which commenced on
the second. . . . Thus, my dearest fellow, have we struck
a deadly blow to poor Denmark k inflicted a wound on
Bonaparte that he will not speedUy recover from.
I am only the bearer of the Duplicates, Captain
Collier, a particular friend of Admiral C^^ambier's, having
had more interest with hira than I had in being charged
with the first dispatches. The Duplicates however I
thought better fun carrying horae than staying off Copen
hagen for three weeks to come doing nothing in the
Cambrian, I therefore accepted Admiral Gambler's offer
& here I am, my dear Arthur, in an infernal Brig, spinning
down the Cattegat with a gale of wind at Southwest — we
passed Elsinore at four o'clock this morning & hope to be
abreast bf the Scaw by Sunset. Then we have corapara-
tively plain saUing. At present, however, not so, for I
don't think in the Navigation of any sea there is one more
precarious than the Cattegat, or one I have so thorough
a disUke to — particularly in a Brig.
[On September 14 Sir A. Paget writes to the Reis
Effendi to remonstrate on the silence of three weeks,
during which his former letter had remained unanswered.
He has so far received nothing but promises, though
seven weeks had passed since his arrival. He urges again
the moderation and disinterestedness of the proposals of
England, repeats his deraand for a Plenipotentiary to
conclude and sign the Peace, and warns the Porte that
he must consider further delay as a practical refusal to
negotiate.] From Lord Collingwood to Sir A. Paget.
"Ocean," Tuesday Even, Sept, i^th, 1807.
Dear Sir, — The Meteor Bomb is arrived from Sicily,
and I forward to your Excellency two packets which came
by her. That from General Moore will doubtless inform
you of the state of affairs at Sicily and the urgent necessity
there is for the army being reinforced, which they can
only be by the troops from Alexandria. It is also said
the Russian ships which were here are ceded to the french.
VOL. IL z

354 THE PAGET PAPERS
I shall sail with four ships as soon as I have seen Your
Excellency and without stopping at Malta proceed imme
diately to Messina, or as I may receive information, to
Sicily. The Court at Palermo are still urging a descent upon
Naples, and what appears to rae most marvellous is, that
Mr. Drummond agrees with them in this measure ; but it
is not practicable.
Great Expeditions sailing, from England to the Continent
with formidable fleets which Adm' (Gambler commands.
It is said the King of Sweden was shot by an Inhabitant
of Stralsund. — I am, Dear Sir, &c.
(Signed) Collingwood.
From Sir A, Paget to Sir John Moore.
H.M.S. "Thetis," off Tenedos,
i6th September 1807.
I own that I have now no expectation of succeeding,
and that therefore probably I shall very shortly have the
pleasure of again paying my respects to you.
I don't know who possess all the Talents, but the State
of things appears very much as if we should ere long stand
in need of thera, and perhaps much more. I am very
sorry, though not surprised, at all you tell me of Mr.
D  d. Your determination not to undertake anything
against Naples is at this juncture most wise. To leave
Sicily (unless it is to be abandoned) at such a moment
defenceless would be madness ; and those who advise it
must be either in that State, or Knaves. God bless you,
my dear Sir ; I write in great haste, but am not less, &c,
(Signed) Arthur Paget,
From Lord Collingwood to Sir A. Paget,
H.M.S. "Thetis," lUh September 1807.
Dear Sir, — The Espoir brings accounts only of the
preparation for War near Sicily : 70,000 Men are said to
be marching into Italy for that invasion. The French are
in complete possession of Corfu and Catarro. I shall go
straigh't to the neighbourhood of Corfu, take the chance
of being joined there by something, and get intelligence

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 355
of what the Russian Squadron is to do in the business.
Affairs have an aspect that requires all our activity and
strength. I hope the Ships wUl not be necessary much
longer in the Archipelago. — I have the Honour, ke.
(Signed) Collingwood.
From Sir John Moore to Sir A. Paget.
[Secret.] Messina, 21 Sept. 1807.
My dear Sir, — I had the honour to receive, yester
day, your letters of the 30th of Aug* and 5th inst. ¦with
their enclosures. I was kept in anxious suspense whilst
reading them, untill relieved by the last part of the letter
of the 5th which states that you had finally authorized
the evacuation of Alexandria. I had no idea that it
would have been delayed so long, for when we agreed to
postpone the order to withdraw the Troops, it was merely
with a view, as I conceived it, to give you some advantage
in the commencement of your negociation, — an advan
tage which, if the Negociation drew to any length, would
not be continued, as it was to be remembered that the
sarae Govemraent which sent you to negociate with the
Porte had also directed the evacuation of Egypt.
The events which have taken place since you left this
would have induced rae long ago to ¦withdraw the Troops
for the defence of this Island, but I daily expected their
arrival. I was averse without your knowledge to take a
step which might affect your negociation, and I had no
means of communicating with you untill that by the
Meteor offered on the third of this month. . . .
What the opinions of H.M.'s Ministers are with respect
to this Island, or from whom they have received thefr
information, I know not. Frora me they have never
received any thing but the truth. I have not failed
upon this occasion to represent to them the danger to
which this Island wUl be exposed from the effect which
the ¦withdrawing so large a portion of the force ¦wUl have
upon the minds of the Inhabitants, as well as from the
real insufficiency of that which wiU remain for the pur
poses of defence. I have been occupied ever since we
heard of the Peace of Tilsit, in arming the different
Fortresses and putting them in a state . of resistance.

35^' THE PAGET PAPERS
With the Troops Gen' Sberbrooke will have, he can attempt
notliing but their defence. If the fleet can prevent a
landing, good and well, but if the Enemy once -land the
game is up. And in that case the best -thing to do will
be to save the Troops & Stores, by an early capitulation.
The contents of the late dispatches are known to the
Admiral, Genl. Oakes, k me only — they have not been
communicated by Government to Mr. Drumraond, and
both the Admiral and me, we agree that it is not prudent
to trust him. That they should be kept secret is of much
importance both to the tranquillity of Sicily and to per
plex the French — and even when we sail, it is recom
mended in the dispatch, and it is our intention, that our
destination '^^ should not be communicated. . . .
(Signed) John Moore.
[In a despatch from Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon.
George Canning of 24th September 1807, he states that
on the 6th of September the Russian squadron, under
the command of Admiral Siniavin, sailed for Corfu. Also
that on the 7th inst. a message reached him to the effect
that "Ismail Pasha had been chosen to be the, Plenipo
tentiary to treat for Peace with England, that His instruc
tions and Credentials were making out, and would be
forwarded to Him without delay. That Ismail Pasha
expected it to be in His power to invite me to a conference
at the Dardanelles in four days at most."
It was added that Ismail Pasha was most desirous that
the most profound secrecy should be observed respecting
this communication.
In an interview at the Castle of Europe on the 14th
Sir A. Paget informed Ismail Pasha that if in ten days
a Plenipotentiary had not been named by the Porte he
should consider his mission as at an end.
A second conference at the same place was fixed for
the 1 8th.]
" It was opened by the Pasha, who began by saying that
He had at length the satisfaction to announce to me the
receipt of the long expected answer from Constantinople,
as well as of His Full Powers to negociate, and conclude a
peace with me.
¦* Portugal. The French army entered Portugal in November.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 357
" He then produced His Full Powers which consisted iu
a Letter written, as He informed me, in the Sultan's own
Hand, and which with sorae gestures of Devotion He
kissed twice. Having read them to, me, I of course pro
posed an exchange, but Ismail objected to this, alleging
that He could not part with so sacred a Deposit, for that
the communication of them fully established His authority
to treat, and was therefore sufficient for the purpose of
negociation. This gave rise to sorae conversation, iu
which I explained to Him that the exchange of Full
Powers was the common practice upon such occasions,
but as He professed Himself to be altogether ignorant of
these formalities and appeared to have very considerable
reluctance in giving them up, I begged that He would
satisfy Himself about it by a reference to precedents, and
that we might in the sarae tirae proceed to the business
we were convened upon.
" This matter being thus disposed of, we proceeded to
examine the Different points upon which our Treaty was
to be built, when the Pasha observed that He saw nothing
in all that I proposed that would meet with any objec
tions frora Him ; He said, however, that His instructions
authorized Him upon certain conditions only to sign the
Treaty ; these conditions were that the Treaty should
remain secret pending the negociation on the Danube
between Russia aud the Porte, even if it were protracted
till the end of the remaining seven months for which their
armistice was concluded, but that whatever might be the
result of that negociation, the Peace between England and
Turkey should at all events be published at the expiration
of that period.
'¦' After remonstrating with Ismail Pasha upon what
appeared to me to be the most inexpedient, uncalled for
measure of secrecy I had ever heard of, seeing that there
was no one article in the Project of Treaty I had submitted
to Him that might not be published in every quarter of
the Globe, I at length told Him that if after weighing the
objections I should set forth to Hira He still remained
convinced that so much secrecy was necessary, I should
not break off the negociation by withholding my assent
to His Proposal.
" But these it seems were not all the conditions, nor do

358 THE PAGET PAPERS
I believe. Sir, that your astonishment, when I relate the
next to you, will be less than mine when I heard of it, for
from the genius of Man never proceeded a more uncouth,
a more extraordinary, and a more preposterous idea.
"The proposal that was made to me was that having
signed the peace, I should withdraw from hence and
sojourn in any of the Islands of the Archipelago I might
think proper to fix upon until the negociations between
Russia and the Porte should be concluded.
" I was, I own, not very much disposed to go into any
great length of Discussion on this proposal, but having
convinced myself, which I very soon did, that it proceeded
not from any other motive than the fear of Drawing down
the vengeance of France, which it was contended that the
Publication of the Treaty of Peace with England, and the
reception of Her Ambassador at Constantinople, would not
fail to do, it appeared to me advisable rather to endeavour
to correct the errors of the Turkish Ministers than to take
offence at and resent them. Accordingly in the course of
a long conference, ha'ving however in the very first in
stance totaUy rejected the proposal made to me, I believe
I succeeded in proving to the Pasha the perfect inutility
as well as impropriety of the Measure He had suggested
to me.
" This Pasha finding me, as was natural, inflexible in my
Determination not to listen to the above proposal, asked
me whether I would consent to an Armistice for seven
months, that is to say an Armistice which should last as
long as the Danube negociation, having concluded which I
was equally to take up my abode in the Archipelago untU,
to speak in plain language, it should be convenient to the
Turkish Government to receive me at Constantinople.
"This proposal, which was very nearly as absurd, and
fully as inadmissable as the former, I also rejected, nor
did the Pasha and myself part, until I had brought Him
to own the utter faUacy of His own Arguments in favour
of, and the validity of my objections to His Project.
" What benefit could in fact upon the face of the earth
arise to them from the adoption of it ? Is it reasonable to
suppose that the French would be the Dupes of so shal
low an artifice ? and if they are determined, which Ismail
has owned to me is the case, to oppose to the utmost the

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 359
conclusion of the Treaty in question, and my consequent
reception at Constantinople, is it to be hoped they will
oppose all this the less in seven weeks, seven months, or
in any given period at which they can effectuaUy inter
fere in it.
"The same reasoning I should suppose applies to
Russia ; if at the instigation of France the Emperor Alex
ander is to break off His negociation with the Porte on
account of this Treaty, were it published now, would not
the publication of it (even supposing that not to take
place until after the conclusion of His own Treaty) be a
sufficient motive for Hira to coramence a new War ?
"The Truth is that the Turkish Government has every
disposition to come into my terms, but has not courage to
declare itself, nor is it less probable that the conclusion of
this Treaty, if it does take place, will make no difference
in whatever plans the French may have formed with
respect to Turkey. Undoubtedly it is their wish, and
perhaps their interest, to drive me from hence, and they
have hitherto succeeded in frio^htening the Turks into
the belief, as it would appear, that their total salvation
depends upon their conduct on this occasion. 1 . .
" I have now further to inforra you that the Flag of
Truce arrived here yesterday from the Dardanelles, having
on board Erain Effendi, a confidential Secretary of Israail
Pasha, charged with a Letter for me of which the enclosed
is a Translation. I will here just reraark that this Eraiu
Effendi is, as I have been informed, a person of some
experience in these matters, and one that Ismail Pasha
has frequently called in for His advice at our Conferences.
" He informed me that He had been sent by the Pasha
to make a fresh proposal to me for an Armistice of two
months, during which period, having made choice of any
place in this neighbourhood I pleased for my residence
(by which I collected that he meant on the coast of Asia),
Ismail Pasha and rayself could occasionally meet and
settle the conditions of a Definite Treaty.
"I told him that after all that had passed between us
on the subject of the Armistice, I hardly expected that a
new Demand of this nature would have been made to me.
" He almost confessed to me that the Porte had deter
mined to make peace with England, but was most desirous

36o THE PAGET PAPERS
to gain time, — that the Pasha had been convinced of the
truth of all I had stated to Him upon that Subject, but
that he was particularly anxious to make a merit with
His new Sovereign of having persuaded me to make this
concession — and that He therefore hoped I would do him
the personal Favour of acceding to the proposal He had
made to me.
" I observed to Emin Effendi that however great my
disposition might be to clo everything consistent with my
duty that might be agreeable to Ismail Pasha, still that
in business of great national Importance, matters of per
sonal Favour ouffht hardly to be brought into consideration.
That in my anxiety to bring the negociation to a speedy
conclusion I had been actuated by the purest and most
disinterested motives towards the Porte, that the more I
reflected upon the Delays proposed to me, the more averse
I felt to subject myself to them. I again repeated to Him
(for He was present at my last conference with Ismail)
the folly of supposing that France would be so easily
duped, and that it was upon the whole impossible for me
to play the Part required of me. He then asked me if
any means occurred to me (a question Israail had fre
quently put) by which the object for which I had been
sent could be attained without exposing them to imme
diate danger.
"At length after a good Deal of Discussion, I informed
the Effendi that I had fairly and candidly delivered my
sentiments upon the Subject of Peace or War ; that it
therefore remained with His Government to decide it by
adopting or rejecting my proposals. That after the most
mature Deliberation, and as it would be seen, with the
view only of alleviating the Porte from the Embarrass
ment. it stated itself to be under with respect to France, I
would now make one more offer.
" If therefore, I said, the Turkish Government is de
sirous to avoid at this particular juncture the publicity of
the conclusion of a Definite Treaty of Peace, as well as
that of receiving me at the same moment as the Ambas
sador of the Power with whom the Treaty has connected
the Porte, I will consent to sign an Armistice for six weeks
under the express stipulation that I should forthwith be
invited by the Turkish Government to proceed to Con-

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 361
stantinople, in order there to negociate the Definitive
Treaty. "With this proposal the Effendi took His leave, after
having told me that a Tartar should be dispatched imme
diately with it to Constantinople, and that He doubted
not that, if the Porte had not already come to the Decision
of at once concluding the business and receiving me, this
last offer would be accepted.
" It is however impossible, considering the immense
Difficulties I have to contend against, to feel very sanguine
as to the turn this business may ultimately take. What
ever the result may be, I have only to hope that His
Majesty's Government will do me the justice to believe
that I have spared no pains in the management of it. —
I have the honour," &c. (Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to the Duchess of Beaufort.
"Thetis," off Tenedos, 2t,th Septr. 1807.
My dear Ddchess, — I had I own no expectation that
you would have been at the trouble of writing to me, you
may therefore judge how agreeable my surprise was three
days ago on opening a Packet from England to find your
kind letter of the 22'' July — Kind indeed, I should be un
grateful not to say, as in the latter part of it you express
the most charitable wishes for the salvation of my Soul,
tho' you evidently appear to entertain sorae doubt whether
your prayers will be attended to. This is manifestly one
of the cases where the will must go for the. deed. With
regard to the coraplaint you raake oiyour Book not having
been read at the time I wrote, recollect that one of the
reasons I alledged was that I had already read the work,
& according to my apprehension no bad reason ; but pray
be comforted when I tell you that really k truly for your
sake it has since that period undergone another perusal.
But what then, ray good Duchess, for after all these books
and the like only tell you to believe things that you can
not coraprehend, & things that it is not meant you should
comprehend. They tell you for instance to believe, well
& I do if you please believe, three to be one, & one to be
three ; I believe a Virgin to be a Mother of a Son & that
very Son to be the Maker of the Virgin; I believe him

362 THE PAGET PAPERS
to have died who is alone immortal, & by the Death of
our Saviour a Most Just God to have punished a most just
person ; I believe that we have an eternal life begun in us,
still that we have a death to pass thro', & the like — All I
ask you is whether you or Doctor Beattie or Doctor any
body else comprehend all this, because if you do, pray do
me the Favor to explain it to me, k that quickly, seeing
that I have very often the Impertinence to rack my Brain
about it.
Poor Fitzroy '^'' is quite in the Dumps at having received
no letter by the last arrival. Unfortunately I had already
made him read D' Beattie, otherwise I should unquestion
ably have consoled him with a few pages of it. He is a
most excellent Lad — I have the sincerest Regard for hira
— But indeed you have no idea of the wretchedness of
our existence; it is now I think about 17 weeks that
we have not slept ashore, & to this moment, I don't know
whether my friend Fitzroy can, but I know that I can
not guess what is to be the end of it all. We now k
then get a walk on an uninhabited Island, which is the
sum Total of our Recreations, & the winter months are
approaching. Pray bestow a thought on us during your
Xmas Gambols. For my part I rise at 6 in the morning,
smoke the whole day long, & pray that I may be sleepy
by ten at night. This I must admit is not much like the
Dissipation of your life in London, or your more rational
amusements in the Country, of which latter I should as
you observe have had no objection to partake at the time
you speak of. God bless you, my dear Duchess, I must
take my leave as the Ship I am writing by is under weigh.
I beg my best regards to the Duke k remain ever very
sincerely and truly yours, A. P.
From the Right Hon. George Canning to Sir A. Paget.
[Private.] Foreign Office, Sept. 25, 1807.
My Dear Paget, — Your dispatches reached me this
morning, and a ship being on the point of sailing for Lord
Collingwood, 1 detain it by Telegraph in order that I may
not lose a moment in sending you a formal approbation of
this first exercise of your discretion.
'* Lord Fitzroy Somerset, afterwards Lord Raglan. — A. P.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 363
I say the j^r5^ ; because it is hardly possible to conceive
that in the state of affairs in the Mediterranean produced
by the raany changes which have taken place since you
left England, there may not arise raany cases in which
you must act discretionally ; and for which no instruc
tions of mine, however voluminous, could sufficiently
provide. The new friendship between France k Russia will not
last. But it wUl last long enough, & has lasted long
enough, to put us to great inconvenience. I know you
wiU approve of the operations off Copenhagen, by which a
Northern Confederacy, an Invasion of Ireland, & the
shutting of the Russian ports have been prevented. Russia
trembled for Cronstadt, and has disavowed any Secret
Articles injurious to England ; a disavowal which no
araicable application had succeeded in procuring from
her. — Yours, Geo. Canning.
From Sir A. Paget to the Earl of Uxbridge.
"Thetis," off Tenedos, 25 Sept. 1807.
My dear Father, — I have as yet settled nothing, you
will easUy conceive the difficulties I have to contend
against, so that I hope a great deal wUl not be expected
from me. I have passed a cruel time, believe me, & it
seems to me that I have done little more than learn to
eat with my Fingers. I expect that our friend Edward
wiU have enouorh on his hands ere lonor, as I understand
that a Powerful French Army is on its march for the In
vasion of Sicily. If I do not succeed here, it is probable
that I shall go and take another look at him, & that
would in all llkeUhood be in my way home. Lord Colling
wood is gone from here ¦with all the large ships except
two, & with those my friend Admiral Martin ¦wUl follow
in a few days, so that I shall remain here in my Frigate.
I hope they will amongst them keep a good look out
below, for 1 have no fancy to be carried off by a French
Line of Battle Ship or two, which would certainly be one
way of putting an end to my Negociation, which is what
they are of course using every means to accomplish, but
I am determined to hold on as long as I can. This is
a very good Frigate, but she cannot raove except under

3^4 THE PAGET PAPERS
double or close reefed Topsails ; then she distinguishes
herself particularly on a lee shore.
Surely party animosity was never carried to a higher
pitch than it appears to be, as far as I can judge from the
last Papers, but if the present Ministers act with Prudence
nothing I imagine can shake them. I do not I own like
the conduct of my friends the Outs according (to) the Idea
I am enabled to form of it at this distance.
[A despatch from Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George
Canning, on the ist October, states that he went up to
the entrance of the Dardanelles on the 27th September,
and sent an interpreter to fix an interview ¦with Ismail
Pasha, when he should renew negotiations with all the
additional force which the knowledge of the bombardment
of Copenhagen would enable him to employ.]
From Sir A. Paget to Sir John Moore.
H.M.S. " Thetis," off the Dardanelles,
I si October 1807.
My Dear Sir, — I am extremely mortified, as you will
easily believe, that you should have experienced so much
disappointment at the delay, which has attended the re
turn ofthe Troops frora Egypt, but in my own justification
(if any is necessary) I must call to your recollection that
if the suspension of the order for the evacuation of that
province was agreed upon by us for the purpose of facili
tating my negociation with the Porte, it was equally and
mutually understood, that that postponement was entirely
subject to any new order, which unforeseen circumstances
might have obliged you to send to M. General Frazer ; so
little doubt indeed have I always entertained of such
being the Terms upon which that answer was agreed to,
that I have uniformly expressed myself to that effect in
my Letters on the subject to the Secretary of State.
There could be but one reason for inducing us to suspend
Lord Castlereagh's instructions for withdrawing the Troops
from Alexandria, and that is the benefit which might arise
frora that determination to the public service. If there
fore you, who had well weighed and well understood the
Subject, could foresee that some gret^ter benefit than that

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 365
which we had proposed to ourselves, would be reaped by
a more immediate return of the Troops, could there exist
a doubt of the propriety, nay of the necessity of annulling
our agreement respecting them ? I refer you to Lord
Collingwood for the anxiety of mind I have experienced
on this Subject, and whenever we meet I will prove to
you that had I followed my own suggestions, the order for
the evacuation would have been sent much sooner. , , ,
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
Fo^om Sir Arthur Paget to Right Hon. George Canning.
[No. 14.] H.M.S. "Thetis," off the Dardanelles,
6th October 1807.
Sir, — On account of the Weather, and the illness of
Ismail Pacha, the Interview with Him, announced in my
Dispatch No. 12, did not take place till yesterday.
It was impossible to be more struck than He appeared
to be when I related to Him the important intelligence
contained in your Dispatch No. 8.'^^ He earnestly desired
to be allowed to make an extract from it, to which I
readily assented, but having done so He told me that the
information was of such a nature that He hardly dare take
upon Himself to transmit, it to the Porte, unless I would
consent to communicate myself the same Details to the
Reis Effendi, and to state to Him that it was at my
request that the Pacha had made a Translation of them.
He insinuated to me that He should thereby avoid the
Danger which such a responsibility would expose Him to.
At the commencement of the conference, Ismail Pacha
produced a Letter from the Reis Effendi, in which it is
said that " three grand Councils had been held since the
receipt of the last Dispatches from the British Plenipo
tentiary, that the results of these Councils had been
transmitted to the Sultan, the usual Forms of which had
occasioned the present Delay, but that in the course of
three or four days the answer would be sent off to the
Dardanelles. . . ."
It is hardly necessary to say that I employed every
means which suggested themselves to me to persuade
the Turkish Plenipotentiary to bring the negociation to a
* Ahout Copenhagen.

366 THE PAGET PAPERS
speedy and favorable conclusion. The Fact however is
that He is not vested with the powers of so doing. , . .
From all He said respecting the internal Situation of
Affairs at Constantinople, it is evident that the Country
is more or less in a State of Anarchy. The Sultan is
young, inexperienced, and obstinate. His Ministers are
stated to be entirely a new Set of Men, unequal to busi
ness, and altogether ignorant of the Forms and practices
established between Governments. Almost all the dif
ferent public bodies claim a right of being consulted
in matters of State. Jealousy and Mistrust are spread
amongst them.
I have in short received such accounts both from Ismail
Pacha, and other quarters, relative to the State of that
Country, as have convinced me of the total inexpediency
of staying here any longer in pursuit of an object for
the attainment of which I have exerted every means
consistent with His Majesty's Dignity and Interests ; in
consequence of which I have, as will be seen in the en
closed Letter, signified to the Turkish Government that
if in twelve days from to-morrow the 7th Inst. I do not
receive a satisfactory answer to my Demands, I shall
consider my mission as terminated.
At the expiration of that time very nearly twelve weeks
wUl have elapsed since my arrival at Tenedos, a period
unquestionably more thau sufficient for the conclusion of
the Business I came upon, had I found the sarae Disposi
tion in the Turkish Government which has prevailed on
my part. — I have the Honor to be, &c,
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
[A copy of Sir A. Paget's letter to the Reis Effendi
was enclosed. He begins by remonstrating once more
on the slowness and appearance of bad faith of the
Porte. He is now authorised to make the following com
munication : — 1
" Depuis le -Traite conclu k Tilsit entre S.M. I'Empereur
de Russie et le Gouvernement Frangais, il ne reste plus de
motif k S.M. Britannique pour poursuivre la guerre, qu'k
I'instigation et k I'appui de son Allie, Elle avait commencee
contre la Sublime Porte; en consequence S.M. n'a rien
de plus k cceur que de mettre fin aux Hostilites, et de

TPIE DARDANELLES, 1807 367
renouveller les anciennes Liaisons avec le Gouvernement
Ottoman, "II resulte de I'accord intime qui vient d'etre etabli
entre le Souverain de la Russie, et le Chef du Gouverne
ment Frangais, que la Sublirae Porte se trouve menacee
du plus pressant Danger, et Elle peut se convaincre que le
projet d'acquerir une augraentation de Territoire et d'influ-
ence en Europe aux Depens de la Turquie, arrete depuis
si longtems par ces deux Puissances, et dont I'execution
n'a ete differee jusqu'ici que par la guerre survenue
entr'EUes, est au raoment d'etre effectue."
S'il pouvait exister des Doutes Ik-dessus, les stipulations
renfermees dans le 22™* Article du Traite de Tilsit, savoir
" Les Troupes Russes se retireront des Provinces de Mol-
davie et de Valachie, raais les dites Provinces ne pourront
etre occupees par les Troupes de Sa Hautesse, jusqu'k
rechange des Ratifications du Futur Traite de paix de
finitif entre la Russie et la Porte Ottomaue," sont sans
contredit de nature k les lever, puisque de cet article on
peut tirer deux conclusions irrecusables ; 1°, que ces deux
provinces ont ete virtuelleraent soustraites k la Souve-
rainete de la Porte ; 2°, que la Russie et la France se sont
appropries le Droit d'en disposer a leur gvh, Le moment
de donner k ces Provinces un nouveau Maitre n'est vrai-
sembablement pas tres eloigne.
Tel est I'aspect f4cheux que presente h, la Turquie, cette
partie du Traite susdit qui a ete publiee mais le Gouverne
ment Britannique a regu les avis les plus certains que
les articles secrets de ce Traite sont bien plus funestes
encore pour les interSts des Mussulmans, attendu que Ik il
ne s'agit de rien moins que du demerabrement total de la
Turquie Europeenne.
II est superfiu d'ajouter, que dans aucun cas S.M.
Britannique ne se serait pretee a des projets tellement
extravagans et si injurieux k Sa Hautesse ; et en faisant
part de ces desseins au Gouvernement Ottoman son Minis
tere n'a d'autre but, que celui de prouver par Ik son desir
sincere de le sauver d'un peril aussi imminent, se per-
suadant que la Sublime Porte employera tous les moyens
,k Sa Portee pour s' opposer k un Coup qui entralnerait de
si grands desastres.
Quelque soit le resuMt de ces Enterprises, S.M, sera

368 THE PAGET PAPERS
en tout tems, et partout oil les evenemens pourraient
amener Sa Hautesse, disposee k reconnaitre le Gouverne
ment Ottoman, et de resserrer et maintenir avec Sa
Hautesse les anciens Liens de leur amitie.
Quant k I'Egypte, S,M, Britannique invite Sa Hautesse
k envoyer k Alexandrie une Garnison composee de Troupes
Turques, et elle offre eu meme tems de co-operer avec une
Force Navale pour la Defence de cette Province contre
toute attaque de la part des Francais.
[Sir A. Paget goes on to state that he had placed in the
hands of Ismail Pasha a translation of this important
communication. His Majesty only required as basis of
the Treaty of Peace that the political and commercial
relations of the country should be re-established, as they
were before the war. In the hope of accelerating peace,
orders had been given for the evacuation of Alexandria
and the raising of the blockade, which the Porte had
already declared would without further negotiation restore
the former alliance and friendship. He proceeds to point
out the diminished wealth of the country through the war,
and to warn it of future evU.]
D'un autre c6te, vous aurez bient6t devant les yeux le
tableau affreux des malheurs que vous ont prepares vos
liaisons avec la France; votre territoire vioie, vos provinces
envahies, vos Sujets soustraits k leur obeissance, des in-
sultes multipUees faites k votre Religion, enfin des insur
rections et des revolutions tres dangereuses tramees par
des agens Salaries. Voila k quoi sert un systeme de
temporisation et de condescendance k cette puissance.
Je me resume et je conclus qu'il est du trfes grand
Interet de la Sublime Porte d'accepter 1' offre de la paix
que je lui renouvelle, et que d'apres ses propres aveux,
rien ne s'y oppose k I'accomplisseraent de cette ouvrage
salutaire. En consequence je demande, i°, Que les ordres
Jes plus precis soyent incessamraent envoyes k Ismail
¦Pacha, par lesquels S.E. se trouvera autorisee k con
clure et signer avec moi un Traite de paix definitif sur la
base et les conditions dont nous sommes dejk convenus.
2°, Qu'un Firman me soit en meme tems expedie kfin que
je puisse me rendre k bord de cette Fregatte, avec les
personnes attachees k ma Suite k Constantinople.
Quelque penible qu'il soit, il me reste encore un Devoir

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 369
k remplir ; c'est celui de prevenir V.E. que, si k I'expira-
tion de douze jours, k compter du 7 de ce mois, mes de
mandes ne sont pas satisfaites, je le prendrai pour un
aveu formal, qn'k la voie de la negociation, la Sublime
Porte prefere d'abandonner le soin de terminer cette
guerre au cours des evenemens qu'elle pourra amener, et
je regarderai raa mission corarae terminee.
Je prie V.E. d'agreer les assurances de ma parfaite
consideration. (Signe) Arthur Paget.
[In a despatch of October 8th Sir A. Paget expresses
his doubts whether the Pachas in European Turkey could
be induced to raake any efforts against Russia and France
if England offered thera only the support which the pre
sence of a naval force would give them.]
From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning..
H.M.S. "Thetis," off the Dardanelles,
gth October 1807.
My dear Canning, — . . . You will see by my last Letter
to the Reis Effendi that I have felt myself compelled at
length to demand a final Decision, whether they ¦will or
whether they will not receive me at Constantinople ? I
am satisfied in my own mind (and I trust that upon a
consideration of the whole case, you wiU feel the same)
that I should have gained nothing by submitting to
protract the negociation ; if indeed I have anything to
reproach myself with on that Score, it is the having
too long put up with the singular Treatment I have ex
perienced. It is difficult to suppose that the Turks will
be either so base as to allow me to go away. On the
other Hand, I can with equal difficulty bring myself to
believe that they will receive rae. There is every appear
ance that this question must be decided in the course of
the ensuing ten Days, as the time I have given them to
determine will expire on the i8th inst. Such is their
nature that I must expect to receive in the meantime
some evasive proposition, but I must also say that I
hardly foresee a case which can induce me to relax in the
alternative I have stated in the Letter above mentioned.
They cannot know that the evacuation of Egypt and the
VOL. II. 2 A

370 THE PAGET PAPERS
Departure of Lord CoUingwood's Squadron were events
which, at the moraent they took place, other causes had
led to. I have, as you will see, stated them to be points
which for the Love of Peace I had conceded. I conclude
therefore that both as to Time and Matter I have yielded
as much as I could consistently with Dignity and our
Interests. But had I every Disposition so to do, I would
not prolong my Stay here, for towards the end of this
month we may be looking for such weather as that the
Ship can no longer remain in safety in this place. I have
already proposed to Ismail Pasha to allow the Frigate to
pass the First Castles, in order to get to a safer Anchorage
(for a worse than this cannot exist), but it appears that it
is not within the Limits of His power to accede to such a
lequest, so that in that view also nothing can be more
unpleasant and precarious than our Situation here.
I have applied for the release of Captain Leake, which
the Pasha has almost promised me. He, I should think,
would be a proper person to send to the Pasha of Janina,
Taut I shall not proraise rayself much frora His mission.
The French will have had full Time to carry their point
with Him, as they seem to do ¦with everybody and every
thing else on the Continent. The Letters brought by the
Delight give me the account of the Evacuation of Egypt,
and the release of all our Prisoners, with four or five
exceptions, and I am rauch gratified by learning from
¦General Frazer, that the Pasha of that Province professes
Elimself to be so much disposed towards us. I have how
ever great Doubts as to the Sincerity of such Professions.
It wUl, I apprehend, be very difficult indeed to get to the
Pasha of Smyrna unless we make peace here.
I am quite ashamed at having written so much without
having thanked you for your very kind private Letter of
the 14th August. I wish I could guess what your wishes
are with respect to me in the event of the negociation
failing ; I should, had Trieste been open (which I under
stand it is not) probably have gone to Vienna, and there
have awaited your Commands ; as it is, unless I should in
the meantime or on my arrival at Malta, find anything
from you to make me alter my plan, I should naturally
Teturn Home. (Signed) Arthur Paget.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 37^
From Sir A. Paget to Chevalier d'Italinsky.
"Thetis," Dardanelles, Ce g Octobre 1807.
MoN CHER Ami, — Un Ambassadeur d'Espagne en
parlant un jour de la revolution Frangaise, disait que
certainement Elle finirait de maniere ou d'autre, et c'est
precisement ce que je puis vous annoncer de ma negocia
tion, mais je serais fort embarasse de vous dire le comment.
Tout ce que je sais c'est que j'ai declare le 7 de ce mois k
ces gens, san preface, que si dans 12 jours mes demandes
n'etaient pas satisfaites, je regarderais ma Mission come
terminee, et que je quitterais ces regions. Mon Ture k
moi est, comme vous dites tres bien, une bete incroyable ;
aussi il ne fait rien sans consulter son secretaire lequel, k
I'avantage d'etre completement sourd, reunit celui d'etre
poltron comme Arlequin. Je vous assure que c'est la mer
k boire que d'avoir affaire avec des gens pareils. Je
voudrais bien savoir si les Turcs etaient, comme ils le sont
aujourdhui, avant I'arrivee de Mahomet, ou si c'est k lui
que nous sommes redevable pour ce complement de fai
blesse et de faussete. lis savent pourtant, plus ou moins,
que vous autres vous allez faire le demerabrement de leur
Turquie Europeene. lis restent pourtant Ik la bouche
beante et indecis, comrae s'il s'agissait du retour de leur
prophete. Quels incroyables gens. Grand Dieu ! Croyez
vous qu'ils entendent beaucoup aux idols of the Tribe,
Idols of the den, ainsi du reste ? En attendant le premier
Dragoman de la porte a eu la tete tranchee ces jours ci,
et on pretend que la mesintelligence regne entre le Reis
Effendi et Sebastiani, et que le premier doit avoir declare
qu'il ne traiterait plus avec le Sieur Franchini. A present
je vous serais infiniment oblige si vous vouliez bien m'ex-
pliquer ce que c'est que I'kme, et oh elle sifege, et pourquoi
I'aiguille _ de la Boussole a une direction septentrionale.
C'est que dans le cas que ma negociation venait k manquer,
je voudrais au moinS pouvoir instruire mon Gouverne
ment relativement k ces deux autres petits objets ; en
verite j'ai beau y refiechir, je suis oblige de convenir que
je n'en sais rien.
Adieu ; dans 8 jours environ je corapte n'etre plus ici.
J'espfere bien vous retrouver k Malte si mon sort m'y conduit.
— Most sincerely yours, (Signe) Arthur Paget.

372 THE PAGET PAPERS
From Sir A. Paget to the Earl of Uxbridge.
" Thetis," off the Dardanelles,
gth October 1807.
Oh, if you knew what I undertook in coraing out here T
I foresaw a great deal, but it turns out that I foresaw
little. The Negociation must now be over in ten days,
as I have given them that time to decide upon my
deraands. Should it fail, I have at least the satisfaction
of thinking that when the whole of it is laid before the
PubUc, which in this Instance will I trust be done, you
will not feel asharaed of me. One thing at least is certain,
which is that I have acted ¦with an unexarapled degree of
Temper and Moderation. At this moment therefore I
know not whether at the expiration of the tirae I have
mentioned Peace -will be signed, or whether I shaU be on
my return home ; I only know which for my own sake
I ¦wish. At all events it is some comfort to think that
I shall in either case be no longer in this ¦wretched situa
tion, for the Winter is beginning to shew itself, & the
Gales of Wind here are no joke. If we are driven from
our Anchors by a N. Easter we can to be sure go to sea,.
but if that happens frora the Westward we must pass the
Batteries, & they would, I dare say, play away properly.
This is therefore not altogether pleasant. ... I have alas
nothing to send you for your Princesses. These Turkish
Negociations used in former times to be profitable concerns,
but I have found nothing but disappointment and vexa
tion. I know not why we went to War ¦with these People,
neither credit nor advantage could arise from it ; we should
have done much better to have prevented it ¦vrith Russia,
but this is " moutarde apres souper." All I can now say
is that this wUl be my last errand of the sort. Good-bye,
my Dear Father, for I raust send this Frigate off. — Pray
believe me ever your most Dut. & aff. Son, A. P.
From Sir A. Paget to the Reis Effendl
A Bord de la Fresatte de S.M.B. "Thetis,"
k l'embouchurb des Dardanelles,
Ge igme Oct, 1807.
Monsieur, — Mes Lettres du 1 8 Septembre et du 6 de ce
mois sont restees sans reponse, encore que dans le dernier

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 373
¦de ces deux offices j'ai indique k Votre Excellence le cas
•oh je ne pourrais plus prolonger mon sejour ici.
Ce cas est arrive. Le silence offensant du Gouverne
ment Ottoman m'impose la necessite de mettre fin k ma
Mission, et de m' eloigner de Ses Etats.
Je ne me perraettrai plus aucune reflexion sur la con
duite que la Sublirae Porte a cru couvenable d'adopter
dans cette occurrence-ci. C'est k Mon Souverain k la
juger. Le Gouverneraent Ottoraan sera seul responsable
des suites.
Veuillez agreer, Monsieur, I'assurance de ma considera
tion. (Signe) Arthur Paget.
From Sir A. Paget to the Right Hon. George Canning.
[No. i6.] H.M.S. "Thetis," at Sea, 22nd October 1807.
Sir, — It is with great concern that I have to acquaint
you, that the negociation has been broken off by the
Turkish Government.
It wiU have been seen by my letter to the Reis Effendi'
of the 6th Instant that I gave that Minister twelve Days
to decide whether they would conclude the Treaty of
Peace, the articles of which had been agreed to by the
Turkish Plenipotentiary and myself.
On Wednesday evening the 14th October, Israail Pasha
was suddenly taken ill and died.
I fully expected that this event would have been seized
as a pretext for delaying the negociation, but as I remained
without any comraunication whatever frora the Turks, I on
Sunday the loth Instant (the day on which the terra
expired) wrote to the Reis Effendi to announce to Him
the termination of my mission, and have the honour to
enclose a copy of that Letter.
The same night I received a message from the Capitan
Pasha, desiring to see me the following morning.
At this Interview I was very soon relieved from the
anxiety I had lately undergone, by receiving from the
Pasha a verbal communication to the following Effect.
" That He had been instructed in a Letter written to
Him by order of the Grand Signior, to avail Himself of
the first opportunity to inform the British Plenipotentiary
that however anxious the Sultan felt to renew the former

374 THE PAGET PAPERS
Ties of Friendship which subsisted between Him and His
Britannic Majesty, still that His Situation with respect to
Russia and France had become so critical, that He felt
Himself compeUed to decUne the offer of Peace, which had
been made to Him by His Majesty, until the negociation
now pending with Russia should be concluded.
" "That the Porte, however, does not consider itself at
War with Great Britain, that the Sultan had therefore
upon this occasion renewed His former orders to the
Capitan Pasha that the British Flag should in no case
be molested by Turkish Ships of War, and that in the
event of any of the Latter being met at Sea by British
Ships of War, they should forbear firing, and communicate
their Instructions to the British Comraander.
"FinaUy that at the expiration of four raonths, the
Epoch at which the negociation with Russia would be
terrainated, the Sultan was deterrained to solicit the con
clusion of a Definitive Treaty of Peace with His Britannic
Majesty." This coraraunication, which strongly marks the pitiful
feelings and conduct of those who made it, was, it is to
be observed, received by the Capitan Pasha, many days
previous to the Demise of the 'Turkish Plenipotentiary,
Ismail Pasha. Whether the latter had also been instructed
to break off the negociation, and had, for His own private
reasons, taken upon Hiraself to suspend the execution of
those Instructions is what I have not ascertained, but,
generally speaking, I have too rauch reason to believe
that in the conduct of that negociation He by no means
acted with the Degree of Fairness and Zeal on which upon
every occasion He professed to pride Hiraself.
With regard to the Capitan Pasha, I ara bound to say,
that as far as ray occasional Intercourse with Hira will
enable me to form a Judgment, I found Him an upright,
well meaning man, and so strongly irapressed was He of
the policy of re-establishing the former System between
the two Courts, as well as of the weakness and perhaps
the perfidy of the present Turkish Ministers that, previous
to the appointraent of Israail Pasha., He actually proposed
to that Plenipotentiary to take the business into their own
Hands, and to conclude and sign a Treaty with me, an act
the responsibility of which Ismail at once declined.

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 375
Nor have I better reason to be satisfied with the Treat
ment I experienced, independent of the immediate business
of the negociation. Instead of being received iu a suitable
manner ashore, I was allowed to remain on board ship
during the whole course of it, soraetiraes off Irabro, sorae
times off Tenedos, and at others off the Dardanelles, ac
cording to the State of the Weather and Wind : nay, so
little was it in the contemplation of the Turkish Govern
ment to afford rae any personal accoraraodation, that in
credible as it may appear, it is perfectly true, that the-.
Frigate I ara on board would not have been permitted,
even in stress of weather, to have passed the Batteries at
the Entrance of the Dardanelles. Upon the whole I could
not have experienced greater Inhospitality and Inatten
tion araong the raost uncivilized people, and if I introduce-.
these observations it is solely with a view of proving, in
addition to the written Docuraents, that the negociation
was conducted on the part of His Majesty with perhaps a^
greater Degree of Forbearance and Moderation than was-
strictly justifiable. . . . — I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) Arthur Paget.
From Major-General the Hon. Edward Paget to
Sir Arthur Paget.
Melazzo, i6th October 1807.
The forerunners of the Egyptians are arrived at Mes
sina & Syracuse, which has been the Signal of Preparation
for another Embarkation and I am one under Orders.
The Brigade of Guards & Six Battalions of the Line com
pose the force — with Major Gen' Wynyard Fraser, Oakes
& Your Hurable Servant. . . . Thank Heaven the News is
corapletely confirra'd of the fall of Copenhagen. We have
not yet the English Accounts, but the Danish translated
into the Italian contain Every Thing one could wish or
desire. After an incessant & dreadful Borabardraent of
five Days in which one fourth of the City of Copenhagen
was laid in ashes, the Place Surrendered. Twenty Sail of
the Line, Sixteen Frigates and in all 131 Sail of Pendants
great & Sraall, with all the Naval k Military Stores in
the Arsenal, have fallen into our Possession & to be re
moved without Loss of Time. Four Millions Sterling are

376 THE PAGET PAPERS
said to have been found in the Public Treasury, and the
Amount of the Injury occasioned by the Bombardment
is Estiraated by the Danes at 86 Millions of Ducats.
Terrible I It appears to have been in contemplation to
burn the ships, but Lord Cathcart sent thera word, if they
did that he should deliver up the City to Pillage. We
shall henceforth be dub'd the Nation of Saracens instead
of the Nation of Shopkeepers. On the other hand, the
accounts frora Rio de la Plata are most calamitous. We
know nothing however but from foreign journals which
•state that General Whitelocke attack'd Buenos Ayres with
three columns. That Gen' Sir Samuel Auchmuty suc
ceeded with His, but that the other two, under Gen'
Lumley & Colonel Crawford, failed, the latter laying down
.his Arms, So rauch for the Military Exploit of this
Hero, who was to perform such Prodigies. They further
¦state that General Whitelocke offer'd to evacuate Monte
Video for permission to retire unmolested, which was in
the first Instance refused, but afterwards assented to.
Finally it appears that we have abandoned South America
in toto. How the Devil such a man as this could- have
been appointed to such a command has been subject of
amazement to the whole array, for independent of his
Manners which are coarse k brutal to the raost insupport
able degree, he is notoriously known to have the greatest
antipathy to the smell of Gun Powder.
From M. de Gentz to Sir A, Paget,
Prague, le ic, Novembre 1807.
Depuis plusieurs mois un bruit sourd m'annongoit la
possibilite de votre arrivee k Vienne ; hier on me dit que
Vous etiez effectivement k Trieste, La chance est trop
belle, pour que je n'essaye pas au moins de me rapprocher
-de Vous. Vous n'airaez pas les phrases ; quelquefois meme
I'expression d'un sentiment vrai et profond ne produit pas
sur Vous I'effet que I'ou voudroit atteindre ; mais quoiqu'il
¦en resulte, il faut que je Vous dise, que notre separation
meme m'a appris, que 1' attachement que Vous m'avez in
spire a quelque-ehose de particulier, et d'unique, Je n'ai
jamais pu parler de Vous, je n'ai jamais rencontre Votre
Tiom dans une gazette, sans eprouver I'emotion la plus

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 377
sensible; un melange de respect, d'interet, et de tendre^se,
que je ne puis comparer a rien. Et lorsque Ivraus m'a
dit, que Vous aviez bien voulu lui parler de moi, dans des
terme.5, qui mont paru prouver que je Vous in.spirois
encore quelqu' interet, je puis dire que j'ai tressaiUi de
plaisir. J'ai suivi Votre carriere pubUque avec une attention con
forme a ces sentimens. Votre nomination k I'Ambassade
de Constantinople — heias ! pourquoi ne pouvoit-elle jjas
avoir lien trois ou quatre mois plutot ! — m'a enchante ;
j'ai suppose que Vous en seriez content, et j'ai cru y voir
le presage d'une infinite de bien. Je ne connois nuUe
ment les details de vos negociations et de Vos demarches ;
je ne sais pas meme, si Votre depart actuel est I'annonce
d'un niauvais succes, ou seulement la suite d'une sus
pension temporaire de Vos operations. Tout ce que je
sais, c'est. que si Vous n'avez point reussi, personne n'eut
reussi k Votre place ; I'etendue de.s malheurs de I'Europe,
I'asiervissement total du continent, la situation generale
des affaires de Votre pays — voUk les seuls ecueUs, contre
lesquels Vous avez pu echouer ; car quant aux difficultes
particuUeres et locales, je suis sur, que Vous les auriez
toutes surmontees.
Dans aucun tems des consteUations plus sinistres ne se
sont reunies sur I'Angleterre ; et cependant je suis loin,
tres-loin de desesperer de son salut. Si la fermete et le
courage continuent k presider k ses conseils, si I'expedi
tion contre I'Amerique Espagnole est reprise sous de plus
heureux auspices, si on ne manque pas le moment favo
rable, pour transporter le Portugal au Brezil, si une
force respectable et imposante est etablie a I'entree des
Dardanelles pour surveiller, et pour mettre a-profit, le
moment, oil la France et la Russie entameroient quelque
projet sur la Porte, I'Angleterre en sortira avec gloire.
Ce ne sont pas les eunemis du dehors, c'est I'interieur
qui m'inquiete et qui me tounnente. Que Ton me garan-
tisse pour dix, ou seulement pour cinq ans, la vie precieuse
du Roi, et I'impuissance permanente du parti qui (selon
ma conviction intime) a ete I'auteur principal de tous les
maux de I'Angleterre et de I'Europe — et les decrets et les
fureurs de Bonaparte ne troubleront plus mon somraeU.
Vous savoir k Vienne, sans y etre, sera pour moi une

378 THE PAGET PAPERS
terrible privation ; et pourtant, voilk probablement le sort
qui m'attend. II faut Vous dire que je me trouve dans
une espfece d'exil honorable. Apres avoir rendu k la cour
pendant les derniers tems de mon sejour k Dresde, des ser
vices assez essentiels, qui, je crois, ont fait reconnoitre que
je n'avois pas mal fait de m'y etablir, j'ai passe au mois
d'Octobre dernier, au-moment meme oil la guerre a edate,
quinze jours au quartier-general Prussien. Temoin de
tous les actes de demence, par lesquels la cour de Prusse
s'est precipite dans la gouffre de la ruine, initie dans tous
les Secrets, qui out precede et prepare sa chute, j'ai fait
les derniers efforts, pour concilier les interfets de I'Autriche
avec les interets corarauns de I'Europe. On m'a su gre
k Vienne de la maniere dont je m^etois conduit daps cette
occasion epineuse ; raais, redoutant I'effet que pourroit pro-
duire raon arrivee apres ces raeraes evenemens, on m'a
insinue de rester k Prague. J'y ai passe assez agreable-
ment I'hiver dernier; j'ai partage ensuite la belle saison
entre Teplitz et Carlsbad, oil j'ai vu pendant cet ete une
quantite de personnes interessantes, et la plus grande partie
de mes amis des differens quartiers de TAUemagne. A
I'approche de I'automne le Cte. Stadion m'a ecrit avec
beaucoup de bonte, qu'il ne demandoit pas mieux que de
me revoir k Vienne cet biver, mais qu'il se reservoit " de
concerter plus particulierement avec moi I'epoque oil je
devois m'y rendre." J'attends done sa decision positive ;
mais il ne me convient pas de presser cette decision ; et
d'apres plusieurs renseignemens que me sont parvenus, je
ne crois pas, qu'elle arrive de si-t6t. On continue k craindre
les observations, les conjectures, les critiques, auxquelles
mon apparition k Vienne pourroit donner lieu ; et, quelque
desir que je puisse avoir d'y aller, je ne voudrois cepen
dant pas moi-raeme pour tout-au-monde ajouter par ma
presence le moindre petit embarras de plus k la situation
dejk assez difficile de cette cour. Ainsi je suis parfaite
ment resigne ; et je puis vous certifier que je suppor-
terois avec calme la necessite de rester k Prague, si Votre
arrivee k Vienne n'emportoit pas trop la balance.
Je sais bien, qu'au cas, qu'elle se realise, Vous y trouverez
une quantite d'objets qui occuperont tous Vos momens, et
sur lesquels je suis trop juste et trop discret de vouloir
empieter. Mais s'il Vous survient un quart-d'heure, que

THE DARDANELLES, 1807 379
vous ne sauriez mieux employer, veuillez de grace Vous
souvenir de moi, et me dire quelque mot de bienveillance.
Je ne puis y pretendre qu'k un seul titre ; k celui de la
fideiite inebranlable, avec laquelle j'ai conserve les senti
mens qui m'attachent k Votre personne et k Vos interfets.
Puissiez-Vous etre aussi heureux et aussi satisfait, que
Vous le raeritez par Vos nobles talens, par Votre zeie pour
le bien -public, et pour Votre grande et belle arae I
C'est Ik le voeu constant et ardent de Votre tres-obeissant,
tres devoue, et tres fidfele serviteur Gentz.
From Sir A. Paget to the Earl of Uxbridge.
No date, but probably November 1 807.
You will perhaps be surprised to hear that I am going
to figure in another Court, as there is still one left open
to us all, the Court I speak of, is nothing more or less
than the Court pf King's Bench. The fact is this. In
the Oracle Newspaper of Friday last there was an Article
about me in which it was stated that I had refused to
go abroad untill three quarters of a year's salary was paid
down — that, like my Employers, I possessed the weakest
& most contemptible Talents, — that I thought of nothing
but my own Interests & neglected nothing but my Duty
— that Lord Grenville would not employ me, that Mr.
Fox held me in contempt, — that the Country had already
paid ten or twenty (I forget which) thousand Pounds for
this last Mission of mine, besides Secret Service money,
k that the nation would be well off if this Frolic of Sir
Arthur's did not cost it One Hundred Thousand Pounds.
In short the whole of the Article in question has been
found so infamous & libelous that without my knowledge
Government has taken the business up, & has ordered the
Attorney General to prosecute the Editor, Publisher &c.
& at dinner at Canning's yesterday I found them all as
savage about it and as determined as you could wish. It
is indeed too bad, & if the Jury do not find it a libel we
had I believe better follow the exaraple of the Americans,
& abolish Juries. Most of all the Gentleman says is down
right falsehood. I had no salary, k I really believe that
the Bills I have drawn during the 7 months do not amount
to more than seven or eight Hundred Pounds. On Secret

38o THE PAGET PAPERS
Service, not one Farthing was spent. I have a certain
letter in my possession from Mr. Fox which will I think
confute that charge. In short you may I think feel con
fident as to the Result of this business.
From the Right Hon. George Canning to Sir A. Paget.
[Private.] Foreign Office, Dec. 30, 1807.
My dear Paget, — I earnestly beg you to decide (&
decide right) as quickly as you can. I am beset with
applications — & some which I can answer only by saying
that I have made the appointment.* — Ever sincerely
yours, (Signed) Geo. Canning.
[Private.] Foreign Office, May 13, 1808.
My dear Paget, — We have received inteUigence to-day
which appears to prove a willingness on the part of the
Turks to come to terms of peace. On this invitation the
negotiation will probably be renewed. I hardly imagine
that you will like a second trip to the Dardanelles. But
I do not think it right to appoint any other person,
¦without previously ascertaining your wishes. — I am, dear
Paget, very sincerely yours, (Signed) Geo. Canning.
¦*¦ There is nothing to sho-w to -what this refers, but whatever it -Vi'as, it -was
not accepted. — A. P.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX I
LORD PAGET'S LETTERS FROM THE PENINSULA: 1808
From Lord Paget to Sir Arthur Paget.
Egeria, Vigo Bat, Augt 17th, 1808.
My dear Arthur, — I believe I proraised to write. As
yet I have nothing interesting to relate. We have had
some hard weather — always blowing & cold k sometimes
thick k rainj''. This is truly the most complete Corsair I
ever saw. I did not think that an English Man of War
could be so wanting in every thing. Barring 2 or 3 In
dividuals, I never met with such a mass of Ignorance &
awkwardness. There are not 20 Searaen in the ship. We
have been twice on board of other Ships — Once in a very
critical situation, k our escapes have been most frequent.
Pour le mangaille — c'est inconcevable ! From eternal hair
breadth escapes our nerves are reduced to such a State,
that Sleep has abandoned us. The whole thing surpasses
credibUity. But this entre nous.
What are our operations to be ? I know not. Junot is
our object, I suppose, but what then. We must have
Spanish news from England, k I trust to you for all
inteUigence k even conjecture.
When I saw you, I had every prospect, as I thought, of
a brUliant situation. I had seen the distribution by which
it appeared that I was to coramand a most eligible Corps.
It was composed of what Cavafry there was in the Expe
dition — some light ArtUlery, I believe, & Infantry, chiefly
Light. All this is changed ; I find myself destined to
lead a division of Infantry- — Pleasant ! The fact is that
by Moore's having two Generals above hira, he is as a
douceur complimented with the Reserve (with all the good
things). This is natural enough — It is quite right, & God
knows I am most fully aware that he is much more com
petent to such a charge than I am, but you wUl admit,
383

384 APPENDIX I
that having had this corps in expectation myself, I niay
without being accused of being unreasonable, feel a little
uncomfortable. And the fact is that I really do feel so raost
corapletely. In short — Will they or will they not send
out a good corps of Cavalry — If they do, they shall see if
I like the Service — If they do not, I already foresee that
1 shall be no where, k that I had much better be any
where else. I don't know that I should make a good Chef
de Cavalerie- — but I am sure, I shall make a very bad
Offlcier de Ligne, for I detest the idea, & whateiver one
does not like, one does ill. I state all this freely to you,
as I have done other things. . . . — Ever yours Affect^,
Paget.
Since writing the above, we are come to an anchor in
Mondego Bay & diserabark to-morrow (the 22'^). Burnand
is gone forward to join Wellesley — They have had a
trifling affair — My speculation is that Junot will soon be
glad to capitulate, in which case, our carapaign will be
very short — What next ? Is Austria to fight 1 I suspect
that Bonaparte finding hiraself likely to be foiled in Spain
wiU attack Austria by way of getting out of this scrape.
I am all for Cavalry Cavalry Cavalry — This won't do for
me I see — I ara nowhere, — Adieu.
ASTORGA, Novr 231^, 1808.
My dear Arthur, — Before this reaches you, you will
have been in some measure prepared for all the disasters
which already have occurred & which are still to take
place. I will briefly touch upon the principal points.
Blake, after several actions in which he once or twice had
a sort of advantage, has been completely beaten k his
Army totally dispersed. This was done with numbers
inferior to his, but so managed that the French were as
usual always the strongest at the points of attack. His
Corps no longer exists, nor, from all the accounts that
have reached me, is there a chance of assembling another
in the Asturies, which the Enemy is overrunning. The
Army of Estramadura which had advanced to Burgos is
also beaten and dispersed. In a letter received from Col'
Graham who has been with Castanos, it appears that his
Army has not more than 20,000 Men & Palafox 10,000,

Earl of •
Uxbridgt

Marquis oJ Duke of
A ngUsey Cu»tberiand

Hon. Berkeley
Paget

PURCHASING PIPES AT IPSWICH BARRACKS BEFORE EMBARKING FOR THE PENINSULA

APPENDIX I 385
& that none of these are equipped, many half naked, k
that in fact they cannot be considered in a state to keep
the field. I know of no reinforcements anywhere — The
game therefore is considered as completely up. Our Govern
ment must have been most grossly deceived in regard to
the situation of the Spanish Armies, the Resources of the
Country k the Dispositions of the People. — We do not
discover any enthusiasm any where. The country appears
to be in a state of complete Apathy, k just in that which
will make it a most easy prey. I have no doubts what
ever that a junction of Moore's & of Baird's Corps is im
possible. We cannot venture into the plain, till the arrival
of the Cavalry, which will not be all come up till the 3^ of
Deer. Supposing the French did not till then advance in
force between, it would still be a very hazardous operation,
as they are immensely superior in that Arra-^— but this will
not be the case. The Corps which beat Blake & that which
fought at Burgos are now both unlocked & can now have
no other object than to prevent this junction, k to fall
upon one or both Corps separately. But even if we were
to forra the junction, we have now no ulterior object.
There is no Spanish Army & altho' 30,000 Men, which
we should be, might probably beat the first Corps that
tried with us, still that could do no good, k there is no
salvation for the Spanish Nation, take my word for it.
It has not a Government to contend with the French —
These Devils will, to a certainty, carry all before them,
They have manoeuvred in this Campaign precisely as I
foretold. I gave them credit for the raost rapid move
ments possible, when they did begin, k they have made
them, but I own I did expect a better defence on the part
of the Spaniards, altho' I had no doubt of the result being
unfavorable to thera.
Moore has written to say that the raoraent the French
enter ValladoUd, He shall fall back upon Ciudad Rodrigo.
I have not the least doubt, therefore, that he is in fuU
retreat. He has left it to Baird to consult his own safety,
by retiring upon the most convenient point for embarka
tion, — conceiving all chance of junction at an end. In
effect it is so, unless the French lay down & go- to sleep
for 10 days, which they are not in the habit of doing.

VOL. II.

2 B

386 APPENDIX I

Novr 24th,
The Retreat is begun into a Position at Villa Franca;
in consequence of Intelligence that the Enemy has con
centrated a considerable force at Rio Sias, k of Blake
k Romana, who are at Leon without troops, having
desired that Sir David Baird might be apprised that the
Enemy has pushed forward between him & Moore. The
Rear Guard of Light Infantry remains here this night,
I shall stay with it. The Cavalry is to come forward to
cover the Front of the Infantry, k all I pray for is that
the Enemy will allow our Infantry to remain sufficiently
long in their Position to enable the Hussars to give thera
one brush,
S' J. M, knowing that we have no transports, suggested
the possibility of the Cavalry march thro' Portugal. That
however is deemed impossible. We are now a great deal
further frora it than the Enemy, &, from the nature of
the Country, sh** be obliged to march back to S' Jago in
order to get there, k so along the coast. In the mean
time a Corps of Light Inf' would only have to cross the
Mountains by a short Route & lay themselves across our
Route, when unprotected by either Infantry or ArtUlery,
we should cut a pretty figure in a very mountainous k in
tersected Country, unprovided with Magazines of any Sort.
All we have to do therefore is to cover the Infantry of
this Corps into the Passes, then to accompany it to Vigo,
where we may either throw ourselves into Bayonne (a
wall'd town I believe) or even transport the Horses to the
Bayona Islands, where by means of the forage, which is
on Board some Ships now at Corunna, we may exist until
Transports are sent for us from England. But even this
is uncertain if very closely & heavUy pressed, we may be
obliged to destroy most of the Horses & save the Men.
Pleasant ! How most sincerely do I rejoice that the
Duke of York did not come here. An Angel could do us
no good, & Mr Cobbett, & our Governors the Editors,
would without hesitation have attributed all the disasters
of the Spaniards to Him,
The Cavalry has a very harassing & difficult march, —
are very ill put up, & tho' marching thro' a country with
some resources, suffering from the want of faith in Spanish

APPENDIX I 3^7
Contractors k want of skill k Method in our Commissaries,
Still we have managed much better than our neighbours.
The Horses suffer a great deal in their feet, & I have been
obliged to make the men lead them a great part of the
way. Oh 1 we could have done well, I am sure we could,
if we had had the opportunity. I am in despair. The
fates are against us. The French have been too quick.
Neither Moore nor Baird can help theraselves. All we
can do is to give the Foe a good Black Eye if he is
irapertinent in our Retreat. Tout ceci me degoute du
Gouvernement & du Service. II n'y a pas d' honneur h
gagner. On peut bien le perdre,
IO 0^ clock P.M.
I ara going to-raorrow raorning to try to find out Blake
&, Romana, to ascertain what are their intentions & what
their means, & to endeavour to gaiu more certain Intel
ligence of the Enemy. . . .
Mills carae by Benavento, where the Eneray was
momentarily expected, but where he was not actually.
They had patroled to within 14 Leagues of Madrid. If
anything would but stop them for another ten days. We
might still join Moore. I know not that we could even
then do anything very material, but still we might fight
a good battle, we might even catch hold of .Imperial
Brother in the scuffle, — we might retire into Andalusia, k,
if the Spaniards are but a quarter as good as they have
been represented to be, there raight stUl be a slight glim
mering of hope. — In much haste, Ever aff"^ Y", P,

From Captain The Hon. Charles Paget to Sir
Arthur Paget.
. My dearest Arthur, — This sad news from Spain has
occasioned a great bustle here in getting all the Ships
ready for Sea, I should suppose that things are so bad
that we shall immediately recall our Troops. I should
not be sorry to be sent to receive Paget, Edward, and
Berkeley — & ensure their safety. . . . Charles,
Novr 26th 1808.

388 APPENDIX I
From Lord Paget to Sir Arthur Paget.
Sahanga (?), Dec, 22, 1808.
You will be pleased to hear that I have had an affair
with the French Cavalry, & have given them a good
licking. It was with those lucky Rogues the 15th, — who
always happen to be under ray hand, when there is any
thing to be done.
The following is the History : — Hearing that a French
General with 700 or 800 Cavalry was at this place, I
determined upon trying to catch them, & for this pur
pose, ordered G' Slade to march with the loth and 7
Guns on our side the River, to make a Show and if
possible push into the town, whilst I marched at i o'clock
A.M. to get round the town with about 400 of the 15th
& about 12 Men of the 7th. In the night my advanced
Guard fell in with a Patrole of the Enemy, frora whom 5
Prisoners were taken, but as the others escaped, I was
obliged to push very fast, lest they should take tbe alarm
& escape. I judged right, for having come to my point
before daylight, I found the Enemy formed without the
town. I judged them to be between 6 & 700 Men, but
from the reports of Prisoners they raust have amounted to
750. As soon as they could distinguish us, they made off
iu good order. I marched in column Paralell, but a good
deal behind them, gaining however upon them. At length
seeing they must be caught, they halted & formed ; I
pursued a little further to secure them, halted, wheeled
into Line k charged, just as you have often seen us do at
Ipswich. The French fired at us, k stood firm to receive
us. We broke them k the result was several killed, 19
Wounded, 2 L* Co'^ i Capt", 10 Lieu*' between 150 k
160 Men & 125 Horses & some Mules made prisoners, —
Col. Grant, Aj' Jones, & 22 Men of the is*"* wounded.
The March & the attack were beautiful, nothing could
exceed it, but the pursuit was sadly disorderly. I gave
the Regiment a good scolding for it after the affair was
over, & the answer they gave me was three cheers, k a
request that I would accept as a token of their regard the
two best Officers' Horses that were taken. You would be
pleased, if you were to hear all they say about me. I

APPENDIX I 389
cannot write it. I am quite well & was not touched.
I rode Harlequin, — he carried me admirably over the
roughest & most difficult ground that can be imagined.
The 18th have had two or three little affairs with the
Enemy k acquitted themselves admirably. In the last, a
Cap*, Sub", k about 30 Men attacked 100, killed 20, k
made 5 Prisoners. All this is very well, but Spain is
gone, nor are the People worth saving. — Aff. Yours, Paget.
Benavente, Deer, 2&th, 1808.
The Cavalry have been again successful, — a small party
of the 1 8th took 12 Men the other morning, the same
day Co' Kerrison, L* Crawford, & 2 Men of the 7th, after
a long chase, came up with an Officer & 1 2 French Cavalry.
They took all the Men — Kerrison in engaging an officer
wounded him so desperately that he died before he could
reach his supports, this Officer, in a desperate thrust,
broke Kerrison's arra with the hilt of his Sword. On the
26th, hearing of a Party of Cavalry at Majorga, I took 2
Squadrons ofthe 10th k found 2 Squadrons ofthe Enemy
without, & a small party in the town; — I advanced -with
one Squadron ordering the others to support, — they fired
as we carae thro' the gateway, & retired to some high
ground. We attacked them again, they again fired, by
which they killed two k wounded one Horse. They
stood firm, we broke them, killed several, wounded 20,
k took Prisoners, i Officer, 100 Men & 50 Horses. To
day about 30 of the 18th were attacked by a very superior
force, — they were obliged to fall back,, but they took an
Officer & two Men. We are in the greatest favor. The
Array is retreating & it is high tirae it should, for there
are no Spaniards k lots of French.
We are all well but a good deal harrassed. Paget,

APPENDIX II
LORD ANGLESEY'S LETTERS RESPECTING
IRELAND: 1828-29
[The following, are the letters frora the Marquis of
Anglesey to his brothers Sir Arthur and Sir Charles
respecting the Catholic question in Ireland, referred to
in the Biographical Memoir under the heading of Lord
Anglesey, Also a letter from Lord Anglesey to Lord
Holland, and one from Sir Arthur Paget to Lord Angle
sey:—] From the Marquis of Anglesey to Sir A, Paget.
Phenix Park, June 2d, 1828.
My dear Arthur, — I have just received your letter.
I have not much time for pleasure writing, or you sh**
have found me a better correspondent. What you say is,
I believe, perfectly true. The very persons you narae,
have I suspect done the principal mischief, but I must
add one to the list of firebrands, who I dare say surpasses
them all — The Doctor !
I ara in a distressing dilerama. All my friends are
walking off, I hardly know why. Yet all are requiring
me to stay behind. To have a Rear Guard is very well, if
you can count upon support, but when quite abandoned,
it alters the Case.
Between a disinclination to increase the embarassraents
of the Govemraent, at a moment when my retirement
would infallibly produce much irritation here, & a horror
of acting with inconsistency & appearing to acquiesce in
arrangements which I wholly disapprove, I am in a very
cruel position.'''' I will sorae day shew you Copies of all
¦* Lord Anglesey, as Viceroy for tlie Peel- Wellington Government, yfa.&
supposed to represent an uncompromising hostility to Emancipation ; but he
soon became an eager champion of that measure and of many other reforms.
He -was of opinion that -what Ireland needed -was a great impartial Imperial
390

HENRY WILLIAM, MARQUIS OF ANGLESEY

APPENDIX II 391
letters I have written upon this Crisis '"' — To the D. of W.
— To Lamb — & To Huskisson, — ^I'hese being more or less
interested in what may be mv determination, I shall of
course not be wholly guided by Them. To HoUand, how
ever, who is indepenaent both of the Ins k the Outs, I
have stated my case. If under the present unpromising
aspect, that exceUent Man (in council with the real friends
of Ireland such as little Newport, Doherty it I must add
Lamb) thinks I can be of service in remaining here, I wiU
do so. Everv assurance has been given to me that there
wiU be no change unfavourable to this Conntry, & I must
say that both Parties upon this spot greatly encourage me
to slay by Them under any circumstances, but if I find
that the principles of my raost esteeraed friend (for so He
reaUy is) L"* Eldon, & of my other good friend (whom
you know I have always supported in His most unpopular
moments) The Duke of Cumberland, are to be put in
force ; in short if we are to have au Ultra Tory, Anti-
Catholic Cabinet, then nothing shall terapt rae to stand It.
This Country is in a deplorable state, but by no means in
a hopeless one. It is capable of great things — of iramense
improvement. With encouragement, with care, with firm
ness, with Moderation, I am quite persuaded that it would
make rapid strides in prosperity from the raoraent that
the great question is satisfactorUy adjusted. Even pending
the final settlement, much good may be effected, provided
a reasonable hope is kept up that the door to emancipation
is not finaUy closed.
You may be assured that even the most violent of the
Agitators are not in fact so violent as they would appear.
They are amenable k practicable. I find no difficulty any
where. Even on the other side, that strange man Sir
Harcourt Lees k gang are tractable. They wiU aU do
anvthing here with good treatment.
'Tis a strange Country, however, k a strange state of
society, but with imraense capabUities. I am hard at
work t with a variety of little projects of improvement, but
policy — ^public works, development of resources, and edu'jariom He predicted
the faU of the Caiureh EstablUkment.
* The reconstruction of the Ministry.
+ He took counsel far and wide ; the enlightened Dr. Doyle was his friend,
and he more than once consulted the political sagacity of the famous Smith-
field salesmaster, BiUy Murphy.

392 APPENDIX II
hitherto I have made no irapression on the other side of
the water. When I am quite decided as to the Course I
mean to steer, I will let you know It.
I have not time to write to poor dear Charles who k
whose family are now alas ! in dreaidful distress. Nor to
the Governor.* Perhaps They will like to read this. —
Ever affec^ Yours, Anglesey,
Phenix Park, June 20th, 1828.
My dear Arthur, — I promised to write when every
thing was settled with regard to this Country. After
ranch pourparler, it is directed that I remain here. The
Ministers are anxious that I should not raove. I am
assured both by Protestants & Catholicks that They wish
It, k all those valuable friends whom I have consulted
being themselves wholly unconnected with the Govern
ment, desire me to retain my Post.
The next question'has been, — the appointment of a Chief
Secretary. My right of Veto was acknowledged, but yet
I have not got a Man in whom I have confidence. I have
most unequivocally stated this to the Duke of Wellington
k to Mr. Peel. I deraanded to have a safe practical man
of business, yet after all, they have given me one who
has every thing to learn. His scholarship, his taste, his
literary acquirements are thrown away upon me. I can
turn them to no account. In Sir George Clark whora I
pointed out, I should have had a discreet, indefatigable work
man, to whora I could have opened myself, & with whom
I might have consulted. In L"* F. Leveson Gower, who is
appointed, I have a Man whose Manner is so cold, so
rebuffing, so distant that it will be impossible to, establish
free & familiar intercourse, k then His Wife's Connexions
are alone sufficient to make his appointraent disagreeable,
embarassing, k even unsafe for me. I have written in
the strongest terms both to Wellington & Peel my senti
ments upon this head, at the same time, as I have no
personal objection to the Man & am unable to urge His
incompetency, I have assured Thera that if, after having
duly weighed my objections, they are still desirous to
nominate L'* Francis, I will receive Him k act with Him
* General Sir Edward Paget, Governor of Sandhurst College. — A. P.

APPENDIX II 393
with as much zeal as if He was of my own appointing &
that I will remain at my Post as long as I can hope to
render effectual service. The result is that they have
norainated Him k that they take, I think, great re
sponsibility upon Theraselves. I fear the Lady's faraily
is intriguing, mischievous, gossipping k busy about the
affairs of others, & this sort of Character is my aversion.
We were going on here remarkably well untill the late
explosion took place. ¦^' Both parties -^eve moderate k well
inclined to approximate,t & I had no doubt that Peace k
Tranquillity wd have been preserved, untill the great
question which (with such a course of prudent conduct) I
doubted not would, at no distant period, be adjusted, had
actually arrived. Now the aspect of affairs is a good deal
changed. The Orange Party is elated with what they
call a triumph ; the Agitators are furious k are using
very unraeasured language. The two great Da,ys of Strife
are approaching, & each Party is bent upon shewing its
strength, and, if there is Collision, it will probably be pretty
severe. In the mean time I have in a very quiet way
taken every precaution that my means will admit of
I have fortunately got the goodwill & the confidence of
some of the most influential Men of each, and if I have a
little more good luck, the crisis may pass without mis
chief. But Vesey Fitzgerald's Election for Clare comes in
very inopportunely.
We have still a sick House. Lady Louisa Cadogan
continues in a very precarious State, and with Her want
of Constitution, I fear it Avill go hard with Her. Ly.
Anglesey has also been very ill, but Is rallying. Georgy
¦*¦ The Ministerial changes at the end of May.
t When Lord Anglesey succeeded Lord Wellesley he came to rule a
country on the brink, as it seemed, of civil war. ' The Orangemen had made
life intolerable for Lord Wellesley ; not only had they publicly insulted him,
not only had the famous "Bottle Riot" occurred in the theatre, but Lady
Wellesley (a near relative of Jerome Bonaparte's wife) was hissed at and
mobbed whenever she went publicly to Mass. The Orange rioters at the
theatre were prosecuted, and of course acquitted ; thereupon Lord Wellesley
left Ireland in disgust. The country had been stirred into new life by
O'ConneU, and the great constitutional uprising of 1826 had made it clear
that the Catholic voters, who had scarcely showed their strength in a single
election since their enfranchisement in 1793, were now bent on seeking
redress. The Catholic Association, nominally suppressed, ruled the people ;
meetings were held in Catholic chapels, and parishes were governed by
Arbitration Courts popularly chosen. The climax was reached byO'Connell's
election for Clare (July 5, 1828).

394 APPENDIX II
and Agnes went to England yesterday in high health and
spirits. They have liked their sojourn here extremely;
I am quite well and have not had pain '"' the last 3 weeks.
I ara getting flesh fast. I ride from 7 to 9 every day and,
besides that, I get as much exercise and sailing as I can,
but I have too much indoors work for ray taste.
We too are to have our Regatta. This warm-hearted
people have made a considerable subscription, and Dublin
Bay is to be a scene of much gaiety at the end of July.
I meditate a visit to Cork. I wish you would meet
me there and return with me. I must however acknow
ledge that I can conceive nothing more improbable, unless
indeed the fancy should take you to look after your young
Cornet, t
I hope Ly. Augusta is quite well — to whom and to
your children I beg my kind remembrances. — Ever affec'^
Yours, ' Anglesey.
Pray send this to Edward.
From the Marquis of Anglesey to Vice- Admiral
Sir Charles Paget. Phenix Park, June 2yd, 1828.
My dear Charles, — I have at this raoment so much
upon my hands and so raany to watch, that I cannot pay
you the visit I intend.
What the D. of Bedford has told you of O'ConneU is too
true. He is really unpractical. He is not to be depended
upon frora one day to another. He cannot depend upon
Himself, for what He really means to do to-day. He is
to-morrow induced to abandon, if He thinks He shall lose
a spark of popularity by so acting. He quarrels with and
abuses his best friends, and changes his tactics more sud
denly than the weather Cock turns. I know He has perfect
confidence in me. The subject of using my Proxy was natu
rally weighed on both sides of the water by the Sterling
friends of the Catholics. By Holland, by Sir J. Newport,
by Lamb and by various others on the one hand — By
many of the Catholic Bishops and various others on this
* Lord Anglesey was a great sufferer from tic douleureux. — A. P.
t Sir Arthur Paget's eldest son, Stewart, in the 7th Hussars. — A. P.

APPENDIX II 395
side and even (I happen to be certain of) by 0 Connell
himself, who said I ought not to give It, — that my line
of conduct was the true one ! Yet now He thinks it suits
his purpose to proclaim a different feeUng. I do assure
you that to me, what He says is perfectly indifferent, —
and what I think right I will do, and I will save His
Cause in spite of Him, and whilst He is Hiraself raarring
It. I am convinced He can do me no harm.
WhUst writing, I learn that O'ConneU has expressed his
regret at having so talked at me, and I am assured that
the language of the Meeting to-day will be far different
frora what it last was. But He has come to this strange
determination, — To stand Himself for Clare ! ! ! I knew
yesterday that He thought of it. Now 1 know He means
it, but still I do not assert that He will not change His
Mind to-morrow. The fact is He is pretty well convinced
that all opposition to Vesey Fitz"^ is hopeless, unless sorae
great crisis is produced. O'ConneU may, and probably
will, succeed, aud He will just sit until there is a Call of
the House. In the mean time there will be rare work
at Ennis, and I must look about me. Will you believe
It ? They sounded William '"" as to whether He wd. stand
and He very properly said He wd. never take another
Step but by my sanction, and that he was sure I shd.
object to that. The conduct of some of these People
really looks like irabecillity.
Ld. Francis Leveson Gower is appointed Secretary here.
I did not like the appointment but I am assured He will
do very well, and I have had a most satisfactory letter
from Hira, and I shall receive Him with entire cordiality.
From the Marquis of Anglesey to Sir Arthur Paget.
Phenix Park, July Sth, 1828.
My dear Arthur, — I have not time to tell you all that
is going ou, nor what I have done & the advice I have
given, but I will send you, if not to day, in the course of
a few days, a Paper & a letter or two which will put you
au fait of my opinions. I send them under strict con
fidence, & I beg you to give your opinion freely upon the
view I have taken. You will observe that the first im-
* Lord Anglesey's second son, a captain in the Royal Navy. — A. P.

396 APPENDIX II
pression I received, k -which has been daily strengthened,
of the return of O'ConneU, was that if He could be fairly
seated, it would be a perfect Godsend, k would get rid of
this odious question, which I in ray conscience believe
would be beneficial to all Parties & agreeable to most.
I do not think we shall come to Loggerheads at present.
The Catholics have certainly used unjustifiable means &
very disgusting & blackguard language, but they are now
taking every pains to preserve tranquillity, & are preaching
moderation & conciliation. They also know, I believe, that
I do not mean to be an idle spectator of outrage.
If Government is wise & is strong enough to be wise,
I think it is yet in time to avert further Evil, but if It
attempts to keep things as they are, I'll engage, as they
say here, that it will not do.''' The Orangemen too are
terrible People to deal with. They are threatening all
sorts of mischief for the 12th of July. In short, between
the two factions. One is plagued to death here. — Ever
affec"^ Yours, Anglesey.
p. 'P., July nth, 1828.
My dear Arthur, — I need not impress upon you that,
as the Papers I inclose are Copies of communications I
have made to the Government, You are not to be supposed
to have seen them, but, in the present momentous crisis
& upon the great overwhelming question, I like to know
your opinion.
I am sorry to say that bad as appearances were, pre
viously to the Clare Election, They are now a great deal
worse. The Agitators have displayed a power over the
priests k, thro' them, over the People, that even Them
selves were not aware of. They could not know their
own strength. It is truly formidable, k there is a method
k an organisation that is inconceivable. The Order pre
served is truly astonishing. There was not one drunken
man during the Election, & the Peace was not in the
slightest degree broken. It is true, They were aware that
I had drawn a Cordon around Them. That, together with
the strong injunctions of the Agitators to be quiet, & even
* The army was not to be relied on ; Catholic regiments cheered O'ConneU,
and Lord Anglesey reported that any attempt at repression would be very
dangerous.

APPENDIX II 397
respectful in their demeanour, produced a quiet (in the
midst of the most inflammatory language from the Hust
ings) that was never before known at a contested County
Election. Pray return the Papers. — Ever affec^ Yours, Anglesey.
I do not however apprehend immediate insurrection.
The Agitators have no fancy to resort to the ultima ratio
rerum. They think they can carry their points without
It, but what vv** have satisfied them a few years, or even
a few Months ago, would be rejected with Scorn now,
& the longer it is put off, the more difficult will be the
question. My private speculation is, that the only chance
of settling the question upon equitable terms for the
parties, would be to raise a RebeUion, to put it down with
a Master hand, k then to grant Concessions with reason
able grounds. A.
Rich View, Kingstown, July 27th, 1828.
My dear Arthur, — I just recollect that you asked my
advice about sending your Boy Cecil to be educated with
the Son of the Duke of Cambridge. As you give a very
high Character of the Tutor, I should think it would be a
desirable arrangement, as far as tuition & present disposal
of tirae goes, but I ara not sure if I think the companion
of a Young Prince a very satisfactory situation. However
I see no present objection to it, & as they will not be
wedded, they may at any tirae separate. I have foUowed
up those letters, which I am happy to find you approve,
with other very energetic ones, k I am sure they will pro
duce a deep effect & I hope even in the highest quarter.
There, as you well know the real truth is so seldom told.
I do not hesitate to tell you in strict confidence that /can
settle the question upon much more advantageous terms
than most people now think practicable.
/ know I can, & I w** not say this, if I was not certain.
How it is, I hardly know, but I have got hold of these
people surprisingly, &, unless the People on the other side of
the water are mad, this great question may be satisfactorily
adjusted early in the next Session. I would pledge my
life that I made an arrangement that would be satisfac-

398 APPENDIX II
tory to all the Catholics & to all but the Ultra Orange
men, & I have couverted several even of these. In short
I really do see my way, if I am confided in & meet with
fair play from the Ministers. I cannot enter into par
ticulars, but you may rely upon it, that I have the game
in my hand, if I am allowed to play it. But I sadly fear
the D. of W. has not nerve to let me play it. He is tem
porizing, vacillating, & every minute lost is an advantage
thrown away.
I am confident I shall be able to keep things quiet
for the present. I calculate upon some cessation of the
violence of agitation, & if that moment is seized to an
nounce an intention of adjusting the question, all will go
well. If that is neglected, the utmost irritation will be
aoain excited, k those who will thus cause it must take
the consequences.
Some day I will explain myself fully to you.
I saw Stewart the other day in high force. I gave
Him a horse, k I presume He lives entirely with Him, for
I have not seen Him since. — Ever aff'^ V, Anglesey.

Rich View, Augt. 2d, 1828.
My dear Arthur, — I return Cobbett. We had Him
in the Newspapers here several days.
All that will fall quite harmless upon O'ConneU, k will
not produce the slightest effect here.
You may have seen in the Papers that I have received
O'ConneU 6 days ago. I had no inclination to refuse
Him, but at all events it would be indecorous not to give
audience to an M.P., which, notwithstanding Cobbett, He
is to all intents & purposes. No one can say He will not
take the Oaths, & His having said that He will not, is
no proof whatever of what he may do. I cannot detail
to you our conversation. I took care to have a witness
in L^ Forbes. The ostensible object was a measure He
wished to carry concerning a riot & death that ensued, I
could not grant it, k he was easily satisfied. His Manner
is most respectful k gentlemanlike. I am rejoiced that
He carae, as I am sure he went away fully convinced of
the entire confidence I have in my resources, of my
anxious desire for tranquiUity, & of my determination to

APPENDIX II 399
put down insurrection from whatever quarter it might
come. He humbly offered His best assistance in preserv
ing the public Peace, All this is not to be talked of, for
no one knows that any thing passed beyond what I at
first stated.
But there is much of a most interesting character, of
which I have minutes that I will shew you in entire con
fidence some day.
Every thing here looks wild & threatening, & I believe
people are sadly alarmed both here & in England ! Never
theless, I calculate upon tranquillity, altho' I will not
answer for it. Yet for this I w"' auswer with my Head,
that if I received carle blanche, I would in 6 months
satisfy Catholic & Protestant, k lay the ground of making
this perhaps the raost flourishing Country of Europe. I
talk in this way to you, but it would not do to quote
nie. I have not been well. If I ara equal to it I sail for
Carlingford ou Monday. — Ever affec'^ Yours,
Anglesey.
Pray write all the Sailing News,
From the Marquis of Anglesey to Sir Charles Paget.
Rich View, Augt. 17th, 1828.
My dear Charles, — I returned last night. Nothing
can exceed the enthusiasm with which I have been re
ceived every where. I have had sorae of the raost affec'
Addresses frora the poorest k raost disturbed Villages, —
all swearing they are at my devotion.
I have settled everything about the Roads, & every
body seems highly delighted. I rode over the Keeper
Mountains, thought to be so terrific. There is nothing
formidable in them. I have visited all the worst places
of Tipperary, & am quite satisfied that if common justice
is done, every thing will go well. But I have no doubt
that the Premier will try to do every thing without me,
altho' He takes His Cue from me, k I doubt if He will be
as readily trusted as I sh* be.
I have sorae news to write about, but I have no time.
If you can get a frank, send this to Arthur, for I fear I
shall not be able to write, as I have so much on hand,
I inclose you all his interesting letters about the Cups,

400 APPENDIX II
Return them, for I want to shew them to William. He
is not here. I will shew him your letter. I fear I must
not again shew in the South untill I have been in the
North, or all the Fat will be in the Fire.
The Ladies are better. I had a dreadful wetting in the
Mountains. I- turned to upon Pigeon & gave all my
Companions such a dance as has surprized them, & as I
fear some of their Nags will be the worse for. I never
rode so hard. That Mare is miraculous, — Ever aff^
yours, A.
Tell Eversfield he is a shabby dog. I will trouble him
no further about his Twopenny Ha'' top Sail. Shabby
Dog! I told Forbes to send the money. If he has not, it shall
be sent to-morrow, A.
From the Marquis op Anglesey to Sir A, Paget.
Phenix Park, Octr. igth, 1828.
My dear Arthur, — ^^I have been much harassed lately
& the little leisure I have had has been occupied at the
Curragh. To put you a little au fait of late Events I send
you a Copy of a letter I have hastily written to Holland,
who is so honest & so kind a fellow that I often consult
him upon public matters, & if you will also join your sage
advice to that which I expect from Him, I shall feel much
benefitted. You will have the goodness to consider the
comraunication as confidential, for it would not do to let
Old Westmoreland k the like behind the scenes.
I am interrupted. — Ever aff'^ y", ' A.
Copy of a Letter from Lord Anglesey to Lord Holland.
P. P., igth Octr., 1828.
My dear Holland, — I have been too much occupied
to write you lately. I must now shortly tell you what I
have been about. The meetings, particularly in the South,
have given such general alarm (and at least as much to
the Catholics as to the Protestants) to all the best of the
clergy, & even to some of the first of the Agitators, that I
determined to put a stop to them. As my object was to

APPENDIX II 401
effect my Purpose in as mild a way, and with the risk of
as little Resistance as possible, I caused it to be whispered
that I had come to this determina,tion, and that for the
sake of the Catholic Cause, it would be prudent and wise
that my Measure should not merely be acquiesced in, but
approved. Shiel * and one or two others took fright, saw
evidently that they had gone too far, that they were in
danger of losing all controul over the People, and there
fore hurried down to the Association to anticipate the
Proclamation. Many of the vigorous Gentleraen about
me deeply lamented this Anticipation : / rejoiced in it.
It secured Peace and Cooperation, which was worth the
Sacrifice of the Honor & Glory of Forcing compliance.
So far, so good. In the meantirae, my friend (as he calls
himself), Jack Lawless, was playing the DevU in the
North,t and the Brunswickers . were talking and acting
with aU the Violence & Intemperance of their peculiar
Habits & Tastes, I apprehended collision at every
Instant, & if any material outrage can occur, the poor
Protestants of the South would have paid for the Ira-
prudence of their Northern Brethren, Such Depositions
carae in of the inflammatory Harangues, and of the out
rageous proceedings of Lawless, that this, coupled with
his Declaration at the Association, (by whom he had been
recalled from his Mission) that the Proclamation was not
Law, and that he was ready to return & to act in defiance
of it, determined me, very reluctantly, I promise you, to
cause him to be arrested, &c., &c. There is much to be
said for and much against this step. I tell you honestly,
I do not like it. I am quite persuaded that he would not
have gone back ; He would not have resisted the Pro
clamation ; That his Speech was a raere vapour, and
intended to cover a pretty considerable display of the
White Feather, which had been observed in hira. Under
that impression I would willingly have taken no notice of
him. On the other hand, it might be considered as a
matter of good Policy to shew the firm Determination of
the Government to enforce the Proclamation. It raight
be necessary to 'shew the Protestants that, altho' for-
* Shiel and Lawless were, after O'ConneU, the leading men in the Catholic
Association. . t By his September tour of agitation in Ulster.
VOL. II. 2 c

402 APPENDIX II
bearing with the Catholics, I was not bending to their
Violence — That the Govern* did not need Orange aid (no
fun I assure you) ; & it would enable me to suppress this
intemperate conduct & even to disarm them if necessary,
without subjecting me to the accusation of partiality.
It is most certain, that infinite pains are taken by the
Brunswickers to represent me as a warm Catholic Partizan,
& I am aware of the absolute necessity of removing that
impression, because if it makes much further progress, &
is really credited in England, it will very materially injure
the Catholic cause. By overlooking too the repeated mis
demeanours of Lawless, I raight be suspected of leaning
to a man who had been in the habit of panegyrising me.
Some of these considerations, together with the unanimous
& strenuous opinion of all the authorities, that Lawless
should be proceeded against, made me yield to the
measure, and, having so yielded, I at once adopted it
as my own act, & must take the consequences. To you I
freely confess, that I am not satisfied with what I have
done ; I do not think it was necessary, k upon the whole,
altho' I admit some good raay arise frora it, I doubt its
general polic5^ Now tell me your opinion. Certainly
there is a very large body of Catholics who rejoice in that
man being taken to. They feel that he injures their cause.
He is a thoroughbred republican, a separationist, k an old
rebel, but I think He is harmless. The country is quiet,
& I think I can keep it so, but alas ! for how long & for
what good, if emancipation is not soon granted ? And I
dreadfully fear that it will not be granted. And yet with
what facility might the question be settled to the entire
satisfaction of the Catholics, & to the security of the
Protestants ! The more I know of this country, the more
I am certain that there is not the slightest danger in the
most extended & liberal relief from all disabilities. I find
the Catholics mild, moderate, & unaspiring. I confide
even in the sincerity of the two great leaders. I am
certain that O'ConneU & Shiel may be depended upon.
I am certain that they are sick of the present state of the
country, k that they would gladly and zealously facilitate
an arrangement. But they have been provokingly foolish
in not stopping after the triumph of the Clare Election.
There has been a furious reaction here & I believe in

APPENDIX II 403
England, & I do believe the cause has lost many friends.
You must know more of this. What say you ?
It is time for me to begin to think of the course I must
steer in the event of the determination of the Gov* to
resist the claims. My own feeling would be to quit my
station immediately, & nothing but a very general desire
on the part of the real lovers of Ireland that I should
remain, in the hope that I might be instrumental in pre
serving tranquillity & in averting the frightful evil of my
being replaced by a confirmed Brunswicker, would induce
me even to delay for a short time ray return. I raust
throw myself upon your kindness to bear me in your mind,
(if the madness of the Higher Powers should determine
them still to keep Ireland in misery) to collect for rae the
most disinterested & respectable opinions you can obtain
as to the Line I should take, as well in regard to my own
character, as to the interests of the Kingdom. I have
been much longer than I intended, but I c** not stop.
Believe me, very sincerely yours, (Signed) Anglesey.
It is said that Lawless should have been apprehended
sooner, or not at all. It is only within a week that the
Depositions on oath were sent in, and, before that, nothing
more was known at the Castle than was known by the
Public.

From Sir A. Paget to the Marquis op Anglesey.
[Copy.] 27th October 1828.
My dear Paget, — Herewith I enclose a copy of your
last letter to Ld. Holland which I have read with all the
attention it calls for. Your statement of the affairs of
Mr. Lawless is so clear and irapartial that it leaves hardly
anything to say upon it.
The state of this Erapire, both internally and as to its
foreign relations, has becorae so full of danger and disgrace
that a single event even of such consequence as the arrest
of Mr. Lawless did not, I confess, raake so deep an im
pression upon me as it appears to have done throughout
Ireland and this Country.
I have not had any accurate means of forming a judg-

404 APPENDIX II
ment on this affair, — my whole knowledge of it being
derived from a very indifferent Newspaper. It may be
that the period had arrived when it no longer became you
to remain, a passive spectator of the outrages that were
going on. I own however, frankly, that I have regretted
the measure. It has appeared to me that, however illegal
and seditious the conduct of Mr. Lawless may have been,
that of the Orangemen and Brunswickers has equalled,
and indeed surpassed it, in violence and outrage. I
should therefore have been better pleased with the pro
ceedings in regard to this individual if similar Ones had
been directed against his opponents.
Here again it has struck me that the arrest came very
late, rather an ex post facto measure. The tardy arrival
of the Depositions on Oath did not indeed enable you to
proceed against him sooner, but I think that their arrival
at all might have spared you ; because, however obnoxious
and treasonably disposed Mr. Lawless might have shown
hiraself for a raoment at Ballibay,'*'" (I think the name of
the place is) he appears instanter to have thought better
of it, (Whether from a Mandate or not from the Associa
tion does not signify) and to have abandoned the enter
prize, which enterprize gave rise to no positive mischief
on the part of his adherents ; whereas coeval with this
tumultuous Assemblage, headed by Lawless, there was
an insurrectionary movement of the Orange People, which
led to the spilling of Blood, — a movement which does not
appear to have attracted the attention of the Gov*, to the
extent of visiting the Instigators of it with the same
measure of Punishment which was awarded to the Chief
of the Catholic Party. It has therefore appeared to me,
as an act of judicial interference and Authority, to be an
incomplete one, and not in accordance with the spirit of
the Proclamation, which I have considered as one of the
wisest and most Statesmanlike Documents I have ever
read, because, independent of its merits as a composition, it
was, in my views of it, levelled quite as much against the
Orangemen as against the Catholics. Now, as I consider
the Principles and the views of the former as very much
the most pernicious and detestable of the two, the circum-
¦* When the Protestants assembled in arms to prevent his entrance into
Armagh.

APPENDIX II 405
stance of Mr. L.'s arrest would have been more palatable
to me, if, as aforesaid, it had been possible to couple with
it a similar act of severity towards some equally guilty
Individual among the opposite Agitators.
With regard to the other, — five-hundredfold raore im
portant — question of your remaining in Ireland, he would
be a bold man who would presume to offer a definite
advice. This, however, I will, with the utmost deference,
venture to say, — that nothing but the most extreme and
desperate state of things ought to induce you to abandon
that unfortunate Country to its fate. That this state of
Things will arrive, I am by no means apprehensive of.
I cannot feel much confidence in the D. of W. By this
tirae His intentions about Ireland ought to be somewhat
known, and I am afraid he does not know thera himself.
He has a difficult Battle to fight. If he supports you, well.
If on the contrary he should so debase himself as to become
the Tool of that ignorant Bigot the D. of N. and his in-
fernal crew, then indeed there will be no option left to
you. He will bring Things to such a Pass that neither
you, nor any other honest independent Man, will have it
in his Power to serve the State. But I would leave to
them the odium of recalling you. I should not deprive
them of that additional benefit. Neither Lord F. nor the
Duke of Bedford are any the worse for having exposed
themselves to their Anathema. I should therefore hope
to see you stand by the Irish to the last moraent. You
have private as well as Public Interests to defend there,
and if your pacific and conciliatory systera, whereby I
verUy believe that Ireland raight in a very few years
become everything that by Nature it was destined to be,
is to be put aside, and Fire, sword, confiscations, and pro
scriptions, — all which History and Experience have proved
to be worse than useless, but which these accursed Bruns
wickers are beyond all doubt contemplating the perpetra
tion of, are to be substituted for it, — why then it will be
no discredit to you to be also put aside by a Sovereign
who will be weak enough to yield to a faction base and
flagitious enough to advise such measures. It must there
fore be for the sake of Ireland exclusively that any Friend
of yours could wish you to continue there, unless warmly
supported by the D. of Wellington.

4o6 APPENDIX II
The day of temporizing is, I presume, gone by. Hence
forth it must be conciliation and Prosperity, or the
optimum casibus, cetera prceliis, disco ex seditionibus,
an order of Things, which these brave Men of Kent
would only however like to look upon frora their own
Dunghills. It is really wonderful that there should exist such
People in the same day as Lord Winchelsea (who with
the exception of the D. of Newcastle raust be the very
greatest ass that ever breathed) and Lord Nugent for
instance. I of course mention him in allusion to his
excellent Letter.
I am afraid of fatiguing you with my tirades. I will
not therefore further intrude them upon you. I need not
say that I am edified with your able conduct and manly
exposS to L* H., and I have the satisfaction to think, or
at least hope, that my humble views of these iraportant
matters are very much in union with your own. — Ever
Yr' affect^. A. Paget.
P.S. — Since writing the above, which has been done
somewhat in a hurry, I have again read your letter to
Lord H., and am still more struck with the cogency of
your reasoning on the principal subjects mentioned in it.
If I have disputed a little the expediency of the arrest, I
have still no doubt that I should have acted similarly. It
is not, as you may imagine, that I set the value of a straw
on Mr. Lawless, but such I own is my detestation of and
contempt for the Brunswickers that I know of nothing so
repugnant to my feelings and views as every measure
whose tendency would be to further their intemperate
Projects or to qualify their ill-directed Ambition. — I ara
really fearful of tiring you, so once more Yr°, &c. A. P.

From the Marquis of Anglesey to Sir A. Paget.
Phenix Park, Novr. ist, 1828.
My dear Arthur, — You take a very just view of the
State of Party in this Country, & agree with ray first
view of Lawless's arrest — but I have had reason to alter
my opinion in some respects. I find it works well. The

APPENDIX II 407
Catholics have taken it sensibly & acknowledge 1 could
not do otherwise. To the Brunswickers it is rather a slap
in the face, for it shews their interference is not wanted, &
it wUl give me excellent grounds, if an opportunity pre
sents itself (& if it does, you may be assured I will not
overlook it) to serve them with the sarae sauce. There
are plenty of People ready to make a case out against
Them, but I doubt if it will be accomplished.
I have now a great project which haunts rae. If I
succeed, it wiU smooth many difficulties. You shall know
in due time. I have had a delightful letter from HoUand
in answer to the one I wrote to Him. Would to God I
had to correspond with Him as Home Secretary. Not that
I have the least reason to object to Peel, — only, upon the
great question, it is impossible to expect that I can get
Him to adopt my views, k untill a Govemraent does act
upon those principles, no good can be effected for Ireland.
I know the Pope w'^ do anything reasonable. I still
think I shall carry on the Country in Peace untill the
meeting of Pariiament, for I do not think any Party has
a raind to quarrel with rae seriously, God grant that
comraon sense & coraraon honesty may then prevail. —
Ever affec^ Yours, Anglesey.
I have lately suffered dreadfully. The wear k tear of
my Life bears hard upon me. I am rallying slowly. A.
Phenix Park, Deer, yst, 1828.
My dear Arthur, — What is known to a whole Cabinet
& to The King is not long a secret. Indeed what I have
to tell you need not be one, or if necessary to be so, it
would be safe with you.
I received a letter from the Duke of Wellington yester
day announcing my recall, k I expect it immediately.
If the Duke had consulted my own personal comfort
& my honor k character, he could not have acted more
kindly by me, but I have been so kindly — so generouslv
treated in this country, — I feel myself so bound up k
identified with it, — I am so interested for Its People, —
that I cannot but deeply regret, upon public grounds, my
departure at this juncture.

4o8 APPENDIX II
The moment is, or wiU very soon arrive, when it wdll
be necessary the public should be in possession of the
whole course of my conduct. In the meantime, ray friends
must know the facts which have led to the occurrence,
k when they know them, I think they wUl not dis
own me.
The break tip turns upon 4 Letters, two of which are
from the Duke to me, & the other two are my answers.
I will get them copied & send thera for your oivn eye
alone, in the first instance. I suspect that His Grace
has been much disappointed at my not having hurled my
appointment at His head upon the receipt of his first letter,
but I determined to give Him the benefit of effecting His
object, & I would give Him no help.
I am interrupted. Gosset wUl finish this. A.
The letters alluded to are long, & cannot be copied in
time to accompany this. But as you will be anxious to
know the tveight of the accusations, they are, generally,
of partiaUity to the CathoUcs, of associating with Members
of the Catholic association, & of not having turned out
of the Commission of the Peace O'Gorman Mahon, for his
conduct at Ennis, and particularly of having paid Lord
Cloncurry * a visit.
Lord Anglesey's Answer was teraperate, argumentative
and firm.
The tone of the second letter was still more impertinent,
k unsuitable to the person to whora it was addressed than
the first, and unquestionably was intended to provoke a
resignation, but it failed. A reply very much to the
same purport as the first was returned. Five weeks were
aUowed to pass ¦without any notice whatever being taken
of it, which pause I attribute to the indisposition of the
Duke to saddle His own back with any mischief which
might accrue to this unfortunate country in consequence
of Lord Anglesey quitting the Gov*. His Grace there
fore would have preferred a resignation to a recall,
which he flattered Himself would be accomplished by
the impertinence of his last letter. He was disappointed,
and it took 5 weeks before He made up his mind to the
recall. ¦*¦ A member of the Catholic Association.

APPENDIX II 409
It will be very generaUy ascribed to feelings, which one
would rejoice to believe could not exist in a great mind.
The press of to-day's business must plead my excuse for
this hurried sketch. — Yours, my dear Sir, very faithfuUy,
E. Gosset.
Phenix Park, Jav. 27th, 1829.
My DEAR Arthur, — It is most gratifying to me to
observe that you see every thing thro' the same mediura
that I do.
You must take a little patience about what I proraised
to send to you.
I am rejoiced to find that my letter to Curtis* is so
much approved. I hear of it from every quarter. Even
Sir Harcourt Lees pays me high compliments.
The enthusiasm here w** beggar description.
Observe this said letter has nothing to do with the
recall. It c* not. The recall was announced before it
could have reached the King. How truly you see the
advantage of my not resigning. You were quite right.
There is not the least doubt the Duke calculated that
His first letter w* disgust me, & his 2^ decide me. But
I would not take the Bait.
I sh^ tell you that the letter to Curtis was entirely
private. I did not even direct it rayself; & I made
Gosset explain that it was confidential. It was to pacify
the public mind that I consented to its being put forth.
It was thus. They dreaded the consequences of the first
ebullitions upon hearing of the Recall. Persons came to
me in dismay. The Ass" was to meet the next day. The
most violent Resolutions w* have been adopted. The
whole Country w'* have been in a blaze.
/ could not address the public. I c"* not coraraunicate
with the Association. It struck me that the advice con
tained in that Letter, which was complimentary to the
Duke, admonitory to the Catholics, friendly to their cause,
altho' in some respects perhaps not quite palatable as con-
¦* In December, WeU ington, in a letter to Dr. Curtis, the Catholic Arch
bishop, advised the Catholics "to bury the question (of Emancipation) in
oblivion." Dr. Curtis sent the correspondence to Lord Anglesey. He at
once replied that he, on the contrary, thought the question pressing, and
that the time for concession had come.

4IO APPENDIX II
veying a censure for unnecessary violence, yet holding out
hope k shewing the warmth k sincerity of a sincere advo
cate — it struck me, I say, that the exhibition of this letter
might have a good effect, & I really saw no other mode of
conveying my sentiments.
The effect as you will have seen was most powerful &
effective. I have not another moment. — Ever affec'^ Yrs, A.

THE END

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