same motives to urge as excuses to continue to maintain her ground. During the discussions which followed the discovery of the Khiva mission, Abbas Meerza admitted that the Russians watched his progress eastward with the greatest anxiety and interest, but that he had not asked assistance since last year, when it was opposed by our Envoy; and that the offers on the present occasion were made by the Russian Government spontaneously, to relieve the Prince's difficulties, and see him through them without humiliation. Thus the Russians pursue one steady course of policy, in order to gain all the influence possible in the Persian councils-doubtless with a view to the East, which Yermoloff has been heard to say should be the real policy, giving up European affairsand from all accounts, Dolgorouky's chief occupation (when at Ispahan two years ago) was in making inquiries about the practicability of the different routes towards the Indus, through Herat, Cabool, &c.; and it is to be feared that the communication which must, in all human probability, follow the King's death, will give Russia such a commanding influence in Persia, that she can easily make the country a stepping-stone onwards, since whatever Prince may be placed on the throne by her support will naturally become her willing instrument, and through him, and his nominal Government, the resources of the kingdom would in reality be more effectually at command, than if it were an open conquest and as Russia probably looks before her in this way, she is naturally willing to sacrifice the remainder of the debt, and give up other points, perhaps Georgia itself, to urge Persia onwards in the east, where she knows the Prince must fail, unless he calls in her assistance, or receives our's in sufficient time. Having thus glanced at the first point of consideration, the intrigues of Russia, we naturally come to the second, viz., the present state of Persia. No country is more exposed to the influence of intrigue or more enfeebled than Persia, owing to the discords, distraction, oppression, and bribery, which prevail throughout the kingdom. The population does not much exceed seven millions; and one-third is composed of the Bactiaries, or Mountaineers, and Failie Ariby, all more or less predatory and independent, scarcely contributing any thing to the State, and much more inclined to take from it when circumstances favour their spoliation, either collectively or separately; nor M M 2 would some of them hesitate for an instant to lay the King himself, or his treasure, (when slightly guarded,) under contribution. Less than five millions comprize the fixed population of Persia ; each province and locality has separate interests and objects the attention of its Governor, in almost all cases one of the King's sons, being directed to his own coffers, without any idea of benefitting the State to which he is nominally, rather than really, subject, paying a fixed annual tribute to it, and squeezing from the people double the amount for his own use, which causes oppression and discontent to a degree quite unknown in any other part of the world; and as pecuniary fines are the general punishment for crime, any sort of irregularity or delinquency is regarded with pleasure, because it gives an excuse to exact more money in the place of punishment-a practice equally general throughout, from the Sovereign to the lowest grade in the State. The present dynasty is by no means popular with the people; and is quite hated by the Synds, a numerous body of families, who would raise the people against them, particularly for one of the Sophi branch, if ever there should be a contest for the crown. DESPATCH FROM COUNT POZZO DI BORGO TO COUNT NESSELRODE. No. 38. Paris, 20th March-1st April, 1827. The Despatch which your Excellency has done me the honour to address to me, dated the 2nd of March, relative to the Mission of Couriers, has reached me, and I shall conform to the orders which it contains. Consequently, an express will set out from hence on the 1-13th of April, and successively, every two months, independently of the other communications which circumstances may call for. As it happens that the Imperial Missions in Italy occasionally re Copie d'une Dépêche du Comte Pozzo di Borgo, en date de Paris, le 20 Mars-1 Avril, 1827. No. 38. La Dépêche que V. Ex. m'a fait l'honneur de m'écrire en date du 2 Mars, rélativement à l'envoi des Couriers, m'est parvenue et je me conformerai aux ordres qu'elle contient; en conséquence, il partira d'ici un exprés le 1-13 Avril, et successivement tous les deux mois, indépendamment des autres expéditions que les circonstances pourront motiver. Comme il arrive que les Missions Impériales en Italie recommandent de tems à autre leurs paquets commend their Despatches to my care, and that the ulterior transmission of them is referred to the period of sending my own, and therefore to delays which it has hitherto been difficult to calculate, I shall hasten to inform our ministers at Turin and at Naples of the arrangements which your Excellency has just adopted, in order that they may take advantage of them according to their convenience. I have already communicated on the subject with Prince Lieven. The news from Spain of the 11th-23rd ult. states that Count Ofalia, sent on an extraordinary mission to Paris and to London, is charged with demanding the entire evacuation of the Peninsula by the French and British troops. This unexpected proposal will require much à mes soins et que la transmission ultérieure de ces dépêches est soumise à celle des miennes et par cela même à des retards qu'il etait difficile jusqu'à présent de calculer, je m'empresserai d'informer nos ministres à Turin et à Naples de l'arrangement que V. E. vient d'adopter, afin qu'ils en profitent selon qu'il leur conviendra. J'ai déjà fait savoir la même chose au Pce. de Lieven. Les nouvelles d'Espagne du 11-23 Avril portent que le Comte d'Ofalia, envoyé en mission extraordinaire à Paris et à Londres, est chargé de demander l'évacuation entière de la Péninsule par es troupes Françaises et Brittanniques. Cette proposition inat |