were resumed on the 26th of April, at the request of the Plenipotentiaries of Russia. "Their instructions, in authorising them to give the assent of the Imperial Cabinet to the opening of the Straits as a means of arriving at a general pacification, emanated from the idea that a combination conceived in that spirit, to be carried out, ought first to have the adhesion of the Porte in its quality of Sovereign of the territories on the Straits. The declaration made by the Ottoman Plenipotentiary in the sitting of the 21st put an end to that eventuality. It then remained for the Russian Plenipotentiaries to use the latitude of their powers to arrive at a new solution, in accordance with the direct interests of Russia. "From the very first, as we have said, the Imperial Cabinet, without provoking the revision of the treaty of 1841, was willing to renew its stipulations. It was only to exhaust the means of negotiation in its power that it thought fit to respond to the intentions of the Cabinets of Paris and London by proposing to throw open the Black Sea to the flags of every nation. Their refusal to enter into that means of conciliation completely dispensed the Imperial Cabinet from dwelling upon it. On the contrary, there were many reasons in favour of the principle of the closing of the Straits, which we had given up, not with a view to an exclusive policy, but out of serious considerations for the general welfare. "After the rejection of the plan for the opening of the Black Sea our Plenipotentiaries were free to propose a new plan." [The note here gave a summary Such is a resumé of the negotiations up to the 28th of April. To preserve to this statement the character of simplicity and calmness which is suitable to an historical narrative, we have carefully avoided recrimination. It sufficed to establish the facts in their proper order, to make you acquainted with the intentions which the Imperial Cabinet made preside over each of the points under discussion. We will recapitulate them briefly : The first was one of political rivalry. The Emperor took the most exalted view of it; he resolved it in the interest of the welfare of the Principalities, the prosperity of which Russia had promised to guarantee. She has kept and will keep her promise. "The second was connected with the general interests of commerce. The Emperor has decided in favour of the free trade of all nations. "The third concerned not only the general balance of power, but touched nearly the dignity and honour of Russia. It was thus that our august master judged it. The national sentiment of the whole country will respond to his decision. "The fourth point was one of religious liberty, of civilization, and social order for all Christendom. In the eyes of the Imperial Cabinet it is that which ought one day to be placed at the head of a treaty of general peace worthy of being invested with the sanction of all the Sovereigns of Europe. The Plenipotentiaries of France and England refused to touch even this question of religious interest before that concerning the navigation of the Black Sea had been settled. "After this reflection there remains nothing for us to add to the recital we have made. "You are authorised to communicate this recital to the Cabinet to which you have the honour of being accredited. It will judge which side was most loyal in endeavouring to procure the re-establishment of peace; it will decide on which side the obstacles arose which have prevented that desirable work. If it finally fails by the rupture of the Conferences, the impartial opinion of friendly Powers will at least render the justice to Russia to acknowledge that she spared no efforts to assure the success of a negotiation destined to realise the deeply-expressed desire for a general pacification. "Europe may count upon the constant and firm solicitude which the Emperor will always devote to that great interest, when the hour shall have come when Divine Providence will have enlightened the conscience of the Cabinets whose implacable hostility, in presence of the mourning which covers an august tomb, calls upon His Majesty to defend with his drawn sword the safety and the honour of his country." On the 2nd of July the Emperor of the French opened the session of the Legislative Assembly with a speech in which, after examining the conditions of peace which had been proposed at the Vienna Conference, he said. which were approved in principle by Austria, by Prussia, and by Russia herself, have evaporated in the Conferences. 66 Russia, who had consented, in theory, to put an end to her preponderance in the Black Sea, has refused every limitation of her naval forces, and we have still to wait for Austria to fulfil her engagements, which consisted in rendering our treaty of alliance offensive and defensive if the negotiations failed. "Austria, it is true, proposed to us to guarantee with her by treaty the independence of Turkey, and to consider for the future as a casus belli an increase of the number of Russian ships of war exceeding that before the commencement of hostilities. "To accept such a proposition was impossible, for it in no manner bound Russia; and, on the contrary, we should apparently have sanctioned her preponderance in the Black Sea by treaty. "The war had to follow its course. "The admirable devotion of the army and navy will, I trust, soon lead to a happy result. It is for you to provide me with the means to continue the struggle. "The country has already shown what resources it has at its command, and the confidence it places in me. produce a happy influence, and, a witness of the heroic efforts of our soldiers, I should have been proud to lead them; but serious questions agitated abroad, which have always remained pending, and the nature of circumstances demanded at home new and important measures. It is, therefore, with regret that I abandoned the idea. "My Government will propose to you to vote the annual Recruitment Bill; there will be no extraordinary levy, and the Bill will take the usual course necessary for the regularity of the administration of a Recruitment Bill. "In conclusion, Gentlemen, let us pay here, solemnly, a just tribute of praise to those who fight for the country; let us mingle our regrets for those whose loss we have to deplore. "So great an example of unselfishness and constancy will not have been given in vain to the world. "Let us not be discouraged by the sacrifices which are necessary, for, as you are aware, a nation must either abdicate every political character, or, if it possesses the instinct and the will to act conformably to its generous nature, to its historical traditions, to its providential mission, it must learn how to support at times the trials which alone can re-temper it, and restore it to the rank which is its due. "Faith in the Almighty, perseverance in our efforts, and we shall obtain a peace worthy of the alliance of two great nations." On the 6th of July the Legislative Corps presented to the Emperor the Bills for the loan, and for the contingent for 1856, and after listening to the address, the Emperor replied, "I thank the Legislative Corps for the readiness with which it has voted the two Bills which you bring to me, and I express my gratitude for it. I know how onerous are the charges and taxes imposed by war, but I hope they will only be temporary, and I am confident that the spirit and patriotism of the country will enable us to surmount every difficulty, and to obtain an honourable peace." The new loan was taken up by the public with unexampled rapidity. In a report from the Minister of Finance, he said, 66 CHAPTER VIII. WAR WITH RUSSIA continued.-OPERATIONS IN THE BALTIC.—Appointment of Rear-Admiral Dundas to the Command of the English, and of Rear-Admiral Penaud to the Command of the French Fleet— Naval Force of the Allies in the Baltic in the month of July-The Russians fire on a Flag of Truce at Hango-Correspondence relative to the affair-Statements by Lieutenant Geneste-The Allied Fleet lie off Cronstadt-Russian Infernal Machines-Bombardment of Sweaborg-Description of the Fortifications-Form and mode of Attack-Conflagration of Stores within the line of Defence-Despatch from Admiral Dundas, explaining the cause of retiring from Sweaborg. CAMPAIGN IN THE CRIMEA.-The Russians attack Eupatoria-Their Repulse-Progress of the Siege of Sebastopol-The Russians seize and occupy the Mamelon or Kamschatka Redoubt-Contests for the Rifle-pits "-Sortie of the Garrison on the night of the 22nd of March-Recommencement of the general Bombardment on the 9th of April-Description of the Defences of Sebastopol, and Position of the Allied Batteries-General Canrobert resigns his Command, and is succeeded by General Pelissier-Combats between the French and Russians-Successful attack by the French on the 22nd of May-They occupy part of the advanced Russian works-Expedition to KertchKertch and Yenikale taken possession of by the Allies--Captain Lyons proceeds with a Squadron into the Sea of Azoff-Operations there, and destruction of Russian Magazines and Stores-The Russians blow up and abandon the Fortress of Anapa-Desperate and successful attack by the French on the Mamelon and Ouvrages Blancs -The English attack and gain possession of the "Quarries."-Preparations for a general Assault-Bombardment opened on the 17th of June-Assault by the Allies on the 18th-Mistake made by General Mayran, and its fatal consequences-The English and French attacks repelled by the Russians-Gallant exploit of Troops of the Third Division under General Eyre-Despatch of Prince Gortschakoff-His exulting Order of the Day. THE HE operations of the allied fleets in the Baltic now claim our attention, although not much of importance occurred there, and certainly nothing worthy of the magnificent armaments which England and France sent into that sea. On the return of Admiral Sir Charles Napier from the Baltic last year, he was directed to haul down his flag, and he was tered his discretion, until it was too late to attack Sweaborg with any hope of success. Into the details of the quarrel, which excited some attention at home, we do not propose to enter, as it is impossible to do justice to either party, without having access to documents which have not been, and perhaps never will be, published. This year, Rear-Admiral Dundas (not the Admiral Dundas who commanded the Black Sea fleet last year) was appointed to the command in the Baltic, and Rear-Admiral Penaud took the command of the French fleet. Eleven sail of the line, and five paddle-steamers, left the Downs on the 9th of April, and arrived at Kiel on the 19th. They were gradually reinforced, and in the month of July there were in the Baltic, 85 English vessels of war, mounting 2098 guns; and 16 French vessels of war, mounting 408 guns. In the combined fleet there were 23 line-of-battle ships, with 1853 guns; 31 frigates and corvettes, with 554 guns; 29 smaller steamers and gun-boats, with 78 guns; 18 mortar-boats and other craft, with 21 guns; in all, 101 vessels, mounting 2506 guns. We have now to relate an event in that sea, which casts a deep stain upon the Russian arms. Some small Russiant merchant vessels had been captured by H.M.S. Cossack and Esk, and Admiral Dundas gave permission to Captain Fanshawe, of the Cossack, to liberate three of the prisoners taken on board of them. Accordingly, that officer having arrived off Hango Island, at the north-west point of the Gulf of Finland on the 5th of June, sent a cutter into Hango with a flag of truce, in order to land the three pri soners above-mentioned, and also four other persons who had been captured by H.M.S. Magicienne, and who had received their release, The boat was commanded by Lieu. tenant Geneste, and as, after a considerable time had elapsed, she did not return, and the intervening point of land rendered it impossible for those on board the Cossack to ascertain what had become of her, a gig was despatched with a flag of truce, and discovered the boat which had been first sent, hauled within a small jetty, and containing the dead bodies of four of the crew. There was, apparently, no person alive in or near the boat, and the gig returned to the Cossack with the intelligence, when the cutter was observed to leave the shore, with one man in her stern, who was endeavouring to scull her out. Assistance was immediately sent, and the man in the cutter was found to be dangerously wounded, he being the only one of the party who had escaped, the rest having been either killed or taken pri |