complaint which his Britannic Majefty has thought proper to make respecting fome indefinite wrongs, which he has hitherto thought unneceffary to make to the First Conful? The First Conful has caufe to be convinced, that all his reprefentations on all these points were ufelefs, and that his Britannic Majefty, regardless of the neighbouring powers, was refolved to authorife every thing in his dominions; but he did not on that account entertain a doubt of the continuance of peace, nor alarm Europe with the notification of war. He confined himself to this principle of conduâ, to permit or prevent in France, with respect to England, whatever should be permitted or prevented in England, with regard to France. He has, however, expreffed, and he again expreffes his with, that means should be adopted to prevent in future any mention being made of what is paf fing in France, either in the official difcuffions, or in the polemical writings in England, as in like manner in the French official difcuflions, and polemical writmgs, no mention whatever fhould be made of what is pafling in Lngland. Lord Hawkesbury mentions an article in a newspaper, containing the report of a French Colonel. In ferious difcuffions an answer on this fubject might be difpenfed with; but it is neither a long nor difficult matter. A Colonel in the English army has published a work in England, filled with the most atrocious and difgufting ca lumnies againft the French army and its General. The lies it contains have been contradicted by the reception which Colonel Sebaftiani experienced. The publicity of his report was at once a refutation and a reparation, which the French army had a right to expect. On his arrival in Egypt, this officer, to his great attonithment, found the English army there, although they should have evacuated it, and the Turks prodigiously alarmed at the continuance of the Englith army, and at its relations with the natives in rebellion and open revolt againit the Sublime Porte. He must have conceived, that the treaties which connect us with the Porte, and by which we have guaranteed to it the integrity of its poflethons, compelled us to unite ourielves with that power. It was natural to think, that England meant to declare war from the inftant the refufed to execute the articles of the treaty. For, after all, France is not reduced to fuch a state of debasement, as to fuffer treaties made with her to be executed or not at pleafure. Hence the researches made by this officer, as to the forces which were in Egypt, and as to the pofition occupied by the English army. But Egypt has fince been restored to the dominion of its lawful fovereign, and the idea of a rupture between the two nations, on account of the engagement contracted with the Porte, no longer exifts. There remains, therefore, but one object worthy of fixing the attention of the two nations-the execution of the treaty of Amiens, as far as concerns Malta. His Majefty has engaged to reftore it to the Order, and to entrust it to the Neapolitan army till the Order fhould be in a condition to guard it. His Majefty will reject all fophiftry, every diftinction, every mental refervation, which might be offered to him, to put in doubt the force and the validity of his engagement. Ilis Britannic Majesty's equity, his confcience, in this refpect, are the guarantees for the French Republic. Were it otherwife, what means in future would the two nations have for coming to an underftanding? Would not all be chaos? This would indeed be adding another calamity to thofe which have menaced focial order. The underfigned is directed to declare, in thort, that the Firit Conful will not take up the defiance of war given by England to France; that, as to Malta, he sees no fubject for difcutfion, the treaty having provided for every thing, and settled every thing. F. ANDREOSSI. Portland Place, March 29. 1803. Inclosure referred to in No 49. The undersigned, his Majefty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has laid before the King the note of his Excellency General Andicoffi, of the 29th of laft month. His Majefty has been induced, by that fpirit of moderation and forbearance which have invariably governed his conduct in every part of his com munications with the French Government, to abftain from making many obfervations, which the perusal of this mote may naturally have fuggefted to Eis mind. His Majefty has perceived, with great regret, that the French Government continue to withhold all fatisfaction and explanation on the points on which he has complained; and at the time when they evade all difcuffion on the fubject of his mifreprefentations, they perfift in their requifition, that the land of Malta fhould be forthwith evacuated by his forces. His Majefty can never fo far forget what is due to himself and to his people, as to acquiefce in fuch a course of proceeding: he has, therefore, judged it expedient to give inftructions to his Ambafador at Paris, to afcertain diftinctly from the French Government, whether they are determined to persewere in withholding all fatisfaction and explanation on the points on which his Majefty has complained-or whether they are difpofed, without delay, to give fuch fatisfaction and explanations upon the prefent ftate of affairs as may lead to an arrangement which may be calculated to adjust the differences at prefent fubfilling between the two Go vernments. It is his Majesty's anxious defire, that by this mode of proceeding an end may be put to that fate of fulpence and irritation, which must be so injurious to the interefts of both countries; and that the two Governments, actuated by the fame principles of juftice and moderation, may be led to concur in fuch meatures as are most likely to conduce to their permanent tranquility. HAWKESBURY. Downing-freet, April 3, 1803. His Excellency General Andreassi. No go. (April 4.) Lord Hawkesbury urges Lord Whitworth to bring the negociation to a speedy conclufion, as Andrecfi's note avoids the real points in difcuffion. If France fimply inlifts on evacuating Malta, without entering into difcuffion, Lord Whitworth is to give notice of his departure. This note inciofes a note to the fame effect to the French government, and the following projet Heads of an arrangement to be concluded poffeffion of his Majesty.-The Knights of the order of St John to be indemnified by his Majefty for any loffes of property which they may fuftain, in confequence of fuch an arrangement. Holland and Switzerland to be evacuated by the French troops. The island of Elba to be confirmed by his Majefty to France, and the King of Etruria to be acknowledged. The Italian and Ligurian Republics to be acknowledged by his Majetty, provided an arrangement is made in Italy for the King of Sardinia, which fhall be fatisfactory to him. No 51. Lord Whitworth acknow. ledges the receipt of the above. No 52. Lord Whitworth (April 7.) gives an account of his interview with Talleyrand on prefenting the above projet and note. Talleyrand fubftitut. ed the most groundless affertions for arguments. He promised to com municate the projet to the Chief Conful that evening. Inclofed is a note, in which France refules to do any thing contrary to the treaty of Amiens; but offers to make any convention to remove mutual grie paper. No 56. April 13. Lord Hawkesbury to Lord W. Is happy to find France admit our right to compenfation for her extended dominion. Repea's that the execution of the treaty relpecting Malta is become impracticable by the abolition of the langues and revenues of feveral of the Orders, and the refufal of two of the great Powers to guarantee, but on particular conditions. His Majesty may be induced to hold Malta for only ten years, then to give it to the inhabitants, not to the Order. If no hopes of this, tell Talleyrand in a fhort time you must leave Paris. No No 57. Lord Whitworth tells that the French Minifter blames the conduct of Rheinhardt at Hamburgh. No 58. April 18. Lord Whitworth relates a converfation with Jofeph. He did not think Malta could be given in perpetuity, but it might be hoped for a term of years, and he would propose this to the Chief Conful. This propofal does not come from Lord Whitworth, though fecretly authorised to it by Lord H. No 59. Lord Whitworth informs his Court that Jofeph Bonaparte and Tal. leyrand had held out to him hopes of an eaty accommodation on the terms he propoled; but he had heard nothing further of the interview which was to have taken place for this adjuftment; and therefore, as delay alone thus appears to be fought for, Lord W. begs be may be furnithed with an ultimatum; and in the event of its refutal by the French Government, he requeits he may be authorifed to quit Paris. No 60. Lord Hawkesbury defires Lord Whitworth to urge the fame pro: pofitions as will be found at length in the projet (No 7c.); and in the event of their not being complied with, to leave Paris. No 61. A converfation between Lord Whitworth and M. Talleyrand, in which the latter obferved, that the Firit Conful would for no confideration on earth consent to Great Britain holding the island of Malta in perpetuity; and that it was not to much the reeftabluhment of the Order, as our acquiring a poffeffion in the Mediter ranean, that was the object of difpute. Lord Whitworth mentions the conditions on which it would be given up. M. Talleyrand fays that, rather than confent to our keeping it for any term years, the First Conful would fooner allow us to retain it altogether, as the latter might look like magnanimity, whereas the former could only be conftrued into weakneis.. No 62, 63. Two converfations between Lord Whitworth on the fame fubject, and with the fame fuccefs: In the latter converfation, Lord W. fixes on the day of his departure, provided no decifive antwer was given. No 64. (April 29). Lord Whitworth ftates his defign of leaving Paris. Inclosure to No 65. Lord Whitworth L VOL. LXV. having apprifed the French Govern-: ment, that uolefs the ultimatum was accepted in eight days, he muft depart -now (May 2.) demands paffports for himself and fuite. No 66. The Chief Conful wishes to refer the difpute to Spain and Holland, as parties to the treaty of Amiens; and alfo to confult Ruffia, Pruffia, and Auftria, as the guarantees, before any change can be made. In anfwer Lord Whitworth fays the propofition is hope. lefs, and again demands his paffports (May 3). No 67. Inclofes a note, in which the French Government throws out the idea, that Malta may be given up to either Auftria, Ruma, or Pruffia, as may be agreed upon. No 68. (May 7). Lord Hawkesbury informs Lord W. the propofitions of the French Government are fo loofe and unfatisfactory, it is imposible they could expect them to be accepted: Until the very moment you were on the point of leaving Paris, the French Government has declined making any diftinct propofition. To Ruffia alone England would give Malta; but the English Government well knows that Ruilia would not accept it. England must have Malta at least for ten years, and the island of Lampedofa. period for which Malta is given up may be mentioned in a fecret article, to conceal the facrifice on the part of France; but it may appear to depend on the period when the island of Lampedofa fhall be in good condition. If this is not accepted, Lord W. to leave Paris in 36 hours; but not to make any agreement, unless the conduct of the French Minifter at Hamburgh is publicly difavowed. The No 69. Lord Whitworth acknowledges receiving the above dispatch: but on account of the accident of the Chief Conful, did not communicate it for a day. No 70. Extract of a Dispatch from Lord Whitworth to Lord Hawkesbury, dated Paris, May 12, 1803. The meffenger Sylvefter, as I mentioned in my last dispatch, returned on the 9th, at twelve o'clock; and I wrote to M .Talleyrand, informing him of it, and defiring him to name 32 an hour when I might wait upon him, in order to communicate to him the purport of my inftructions. To this letter I received no answer that evening, or the following morning. Anxious to execute my orders, and to lofe no time, I enclofed the project furnished me by your Lordship, accompanied by an official note, and a private letter to M. de Talleyrand, and fent it to the Foreign Department by Mr Mandeville, with directions to deliver it to M. de Talleyrand, or in his abfence to the Chef du Bureau. He delivered it accordingly to M. Durand, who promised to give it to his chief as foon as he came in, which he expect ed, he faid fhortly. At half paft four, having waited till that time in vain, I went myself to M. de Talleyrand; I was told that the family was in the country, and that they did not know when the Minifter would be in town. Half an hour after I had returned home, the packet which Mr Mande. ville had given into the hands of M. Durand, was brought to me, I believe, by a fervant, with a verbal meffage, that as M. de Talleyrand was in the country, it would be neceffary that I fhould fend it to him there. In order to defeat, as much as depended upon me, their intention of gaining time, I wrote again to M. de Talleyrand, recapitulating the fteps I had taken fince the return of the meffengers; and defired Mr Talbot, the fecretary of the em baffy, to take it himself at nine o'clock at night, when I thought M. de Talleyrand would be at home. to his houfe at Meudon. He was, however, not at home. Mr Talbot was told that he was at St Cloud, where he had been all day, and that he would not he back until very late; he therefore left my private letter, with his name, and returned with the packet. It was my intention to have fent it on the following morning to the Bureau, with orders that it fhould be left there; at one o'clock in the morning I received a note from M. de Talleyrand, accounting for not having been able to anfwer me fooner, and appointing to meet me at twelve o'clock at the Bureau des Relations Exterieurs. I went at the appointed time; he began by apologizing for having fo long poftponed the interview, which he attributed to his having been the whole day with the Firft Conful. We then entered upon bufinefs:- told him, that, limited as I was by your Lordship's inftructions, he could not be furprised at my impatience to acquit myself of my duty. I explained to him the nature of your Lordship's obfervations on the propofal of the 4th, and it was confidered as on one hand impracticable, from the refufal of the Emperor of Ruffia to take charge of Malta; and on the other, as being wholly inadequate to his Majefty's juft pretentions. I gave him the note in which this was expreffed, and the project, on which alone a fatisfactory arrangement could be framed. He read them with apparent attention, and without many remaiks; and after fome time, he alked me if I felt myfelf authorized, by my instructions, to conclude with him a convention, framed on the bafis of my project, or indeed extending that bafis, fince the first article of it would be the perpetual poffeffion of Malta to England, in return for a confideration. I told him, I most certainly was not authorised to enter into any engagement of fuch a nature, which would make the negociation one of exchange, inflead of a demand of fatisfaction and fecurity. To this he replied, that the fatisfaction and fecurity which we required was Malta, and that this we obtained. That the First Conful could not accede to what he confidered, and what must be confidered by the public and Europe, as the effect of coercion; but if it were poffible to make the draught palatable, did I think myfelf juftifiable in refufing to do fo? I told him, that acting in ftrict compliance with my inftructions, I could have no need of juftification, and that I came to him with the determination of abiding strictly by them. He contended, that by communicating a project, I merely flated on what grounds we would be willing to conclude; and that a counter-project, founded on the bafis of giving us what we required, could not be refused a fair difcuffion. To this I urged the refolution of his Majefty's Ministers, to avoid every thing which could protract the negociation. That I faw no other means of acting up to thofe views, than by making my ftand on the project at all events. I urged him repeatedly to explain himself more fully fully on the nature of the demand which he fhould make for Malta, but be could not, or would not explain himself. After much conteft, it was agreed, that the propofal thould be fubmitted to me in the courfe of a few hours, and that I fhould determine on the line of conduct I might feel myfelf juftified in purfuing; either to fign it, to fend it home, or to leave Paris. The remainder of this day paffed without receiving any communication from M. de Talleyrand. Upon this, I determined to demand my paffports, by an official note, which I fent this morning by Mr Mandeville, in order that I might leave Paris in the evening. At two I renewed my demand of paffports, and I was told I fhould have them immediately. They arrived at five o'clock, and I propofe fetting out as foon as the carriages are ready. First Inclosure referred to in No 70. The undersigned, his Britannic Ma jefty's Ambaffador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the French republic, having tranfmitted to his court the propofal which was made to him by the Minifter for Foreign affairs, on the 3d inft. has just received orders to tranfmit to his Exellency the accompanying project of convention, founded on the only basis which his Majefty conceives, under exifting circumftances, to be fufceptible of definitive and amicable arrangement. The Minifter for Foreign Affairs will not fail to obferve to what degree his Majesty has endeavoured to conciliate the fecurity of the First Conful. The underligned Batters himself, that the First Conful, doing justice to thefe fentiments, will adopt, in concert with his Majesty, an expedient fo fuitable for reftoring permanent tranquillity to both nations, and to all Europe. WHITWORTH. Second Inclosure referred to in No 70. PROJECT I-The French Government thall engage to make no oppofition to the ceffion of the island of Lampedofa to his Majefty by the King of the two Sicilies. II.-In confequence of the prefent ftate of the Inland of Lampedofa, his Majefty fhall remain in poffeffion of the inland of Malta until fuch arrangements fhall be made by him as may enable his Majelty to occupy Lampedofa as a naval station; after which period, the island of Malta fhall be given up to the inhabitants, and acknowledged as an independent state. III. The territories of the Batavian republic fhall be evacuated by the French forces within one month after the conclufion of a convention founded on the principles of this project. IV. The King of Etruria, and the Italian and Ligurian Republics, fhall be acknowledged by his Majesty. V.-Switzerland fhall be evacuated by the French forces. VI.-A fuitable territorial provifion shall be affigned to the King of Sardinia, in Italy. SECRET ARTICLE.-His Majefty fhall not be required by the French Government to evacuate the island of Malta until after the expiration of ten years. Article IV. V. VI. may be entirely omitted, or must all be inferted. No 71. Is an extract of a dispatch from Sir George Rumbold, Bart. to Lord Hawkesbury, dated March 29, 1803, ftating the circumftances attending the infertion in the Hamburgh papers of the First Conful's official article. No 72. Is an abftract of a dispatch from Mr Hill to Lord Hawkesbury, dated Copenhagen, April 2. 1803, ftating, that the French Minister had defired that the article which had appeared in the Hamburgh newspapers might be inferted in thofe printed at Altona, but in confequence of the refufal of the Magiftrates of that place, an application was made to the Court of Copenhagen. The anfwer of the Danish Government is not ftated. Here the correfpondence ends. The Appendix contains Sebaftiani's report; the view of the French Republic', and the manifefto from the Hamburgh Correspondenten. Alfo a letter from Spiriodon Forrefti to Lord Hawkefbury, informing him, that "the Chief Conful had taken under his protection the Catholic, Apoftolic, and Roman Churches of the Republic of the Seven Iflands-And a letter from the French Minifter to C. Fauvelet at Dublin, which among other inftructions gives the following: 11. You are required to furnish a plan of the ports of your district, 322 with |