even in this respect, is not, and never has been within His Majesty's dominions: other preces dents might be adduced on this subject; but it is not necessary to state them, as the foregoing are sufficient. With respect to the complaints in detail under the second head. Upon the first, you may inform the French Government, that the emigrants in Jersey, many of whom had remained there solely on account of the cheapness of subsistence, had actually removed, or were removing previous to the representation concerning them in Mr. Otto's note, and that before your expla nation with Mr. Talleyrand can take place, there will probably not be an emigrant in the island. To the second complaint which relates to the Bishops of Arras and Saint Pol de Léon, and others, His Majesty can only reply, that if the facts alleged against them can be substantiated; if it can be proved that they have distributed pa pers on the coast of France, with a view of dis turbing the Government, and of inducing the people to resist the new church establishment, His Majesty would think himself justified in taking all measures within his power for obliging them to leave the country; but some proof must •be adduced of those facts; and such proof must not be that of their having in a single instance, viz, in in reply to the Pope's mandate, published a vin dication of their own conduct, in refusing to conform to the new establishment, a proceeding in which they would be justifiable on every principle of toleration and justice; but it should shew that they have since availed themselves of their situation in this country to excite the people of France against the authority of that Government, whether civil or ecclesiastical. On the third complaint, which respects the removal of Georges, and those persons supposed to be described as his adherents, Mr. Otto must have mistaken me in what he supposes me to have said on that subject, His Majesty is however very desirous to obviate any cause of complaint or uneasiness with respect to these persons; and measures are in contemplation, and will be taken, for the purpose of removing them out of His Majesty's European dominions. On the fourth complaint, respecting the Princes of the House of Bourbon, I can only refer you to my former answer. His Majesty has no desire that they should continue to reside in this country, if they are disposed, or can be induced to quit it; but he feels it to be inconsistent with his honour and his sense of justice to withdraw from them the rights of hospitality, as long as they conduct themselves peaceably and quietly; and unk 2 2.. less less some charge can be substantiated of their attempting to disturb the peace which subsist between the two Governments. With respect to the fifth complaint, which relates to the French emigrants wearing in this country the orders of their ancient Government; there are few if any persons of that description in this country who wear such orders. It might be more proper if they all abstained from it; but the French Government could not persist in expecting, that even if it were consistent with law, His Majesty could be induced to commit so harsh an act of authority as to send them out of the country on such an account. I have thus stated to you His Majesty's sentiments on the several points contained in Mr. Otto's note. You will take an early opportunity of communicating these sentiments to the French Government, and of accompanying them with the arguments and explanations above stated. And if it should be desired, and you should be of opinion, that it was likely to produce any good effect, there is no objection to your putting the substance of what you shall have stated in writing, and of delivering it to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, as a memorandum of your conversation. Upon the general tone and style of Mr. Otto's note, it is important to observe, that it is far far from conciliating; and that the practice of presenting notes of this description, on any motive or suggestion of personal irritation, cannot fail to have the effect of indisposing the two Governments towards each other, instead of consolidating and strengthening the peace which happily subsists between them. That after a war, in which the passions of men have been roused beyond all former examples, it is natural to suppose that the distrust, jealousy, and other hostile feelings of individuals should not immediately subside, and under these circumstances it appears to be both the interest and the duty of the two Governments by a mild and temperate conduct gradually to allay these feelings, and not on the contrary to provoke and augment them by untimely irritation on their part, and by ascribing proceedings like those above noticed, to causes to which they have no reference. His Majesty has thus fully and frankly explained his sentiments, and the ground of his conduct. He is sincerely disposed to adopt every measure for the preservation of peace, which is consistent with the honour and independence of the country, and with the security of its laws and constitution. But the French Government must have formed a most erroneous judgment of the disposition of the British nation, and of the character of its Government, if they have been taught |