"induced his Imperial Majesty to extri"cate himself from the embarrassment "of those new councils and connexions, "which he had adopted in a moment of despondency and alarm, and to return to a policy more congenial to the principles which he has so invariably professed, and more conducive to the honour of his crown and to the prosperity of his dominions."

The same circumstances which excited the resentment of Russia, appear also to have had a powerful effect on the Austrian Gabinet. But before the pacific relations between that Court and Great Britain were closed, another attempt was made, through the medium of that power, to open a negotiation for a general peace. On the 20th November, 1807, Prince Starhemberg, in the name of the Emperor of Austria, officially "and earnestly requests his Britannic Majesty, to declare his intentions, in

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evincing his disposition to enter into

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a negotiation for a maritime peace, upon a basis suitable to the recipro"cal interests of the powers who may "take a part in it."

In reply to this communication, his Majesty refers to the declaration which Mr. Canning, "in the most regular and "authentic manner, returned as an an

swer to the official offer of Prince Starhemberg, in April," and expresses "his surprise at an application for a re"newal of the declaration of sentiments, "of which the Court of Vienna had "been so long and so formally in pos

Now, unless some transactions and communications have taken place, which have not been laid before Parliament, the surprise of the Austrian Court might at least be equal, on receiving such an answer, to that of the British Ministry. The latter had, in April, undertaken to lose no time in ascertaining the views of their allies. The Austrian Ambassador

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waits from April till November; and, having during that interval heard nothing from the British Ministry on the subject, he then, by the directions of his Court, renews his proposition. After the expressions of his surprise, his Britannic Majesty adds, "that he will not "believe that any further declaration

can be necessary for the purpose of "proving to the nations of Europe, a "sincerity which the nations of Europe

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cannot question."-In compliance, however," with the wishes of a friendly power, expressed with so much "earnestness and anxiety, His Majesty is, nevertheless, willing to repeat once "more the assurance, already so often "repeated, that His Majesty is Now, as "he has at all times been, prepared to "enter into negotiation, for the conclu"sion of such a peace, as shall settle, "on equal terms, the respective inter"ests of the powers engaged in the war,

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as shall be consistent with His Majesty's fidelity to his allies, and shall

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provide for the tranquillity and security of Europe."*

This answer, it must be observed, is, in its nature, essentially different from that given in April. In that, the British Ministry undertook previously to consult their allies, and declined all further measures until the sentiments of such allies were known; thereby wholly preventing the further interference of Austria. On the present occasion, the answer is unconditional and explicit, that his Majesty is Now prepared to enter into negotiation.

This answer appears to have been so understood by the Austrian Minister, who accordingly communicates it to the other belligerent powers, and having obtained their concurrence to a further negotiation, addresses himself again, within the space of about five weeks, to the Bri

*Note from Mr. Canning to the Prince de Starhemberg, 23d Nov. 1807.

tish Ministry; acquainting them, that "in consequence of the pacific dispositions

of his Britannic Majesty, announced in "the answer of the 23d November, he is

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charged to PROPOSE to the English Ministry, to send immediately Plenipoten"tiaries to Paris, for the purpose of treating for the establishment of peace "between all the powers at present at war with England;" adding, "that, "this explicit and frank invitation must furnish a proof of the good faith, and of "the sincere intention of France to put "an end to the calamities of war." At the same time, notifying, that he was authorised by France to give passports to the ministers whom the Cabinet of St. James's might appoint for that pur

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pose.*

And here commence the difficulties of the British Ministry. Their note of the 23d November, expressed an unconditional assent to enter on a negotiation. Upon

*Note from the Prince de Starhemberg to Mr. Canning, Jan. 1st. 1808.