Hawkesbury a Merry
Downing street, august 28, 1802.
I send you the copy of a letter which I received sorae days ago fromM. Otto, together with a copy of an officiai note inclosed in it. I hâve informed M. Otto that you would receive instructions to enter into explanations with the French government on the several points to which it refers. It is impossible not to feel considérable surprise at the circumstances under which it has been
28 AOUT l802.
thought proper to présent such a note ; at the style in which it 1 is drawn up ; and at the complaints contained in it. Whatever may be the gênerai dispositions of the French government towards this country, supposing them to be as hostile as they have been at any former period, or even more so, it would appear so contrary to their interest to provoke a war with us at the présent moment, that I am inclined to ascribe their conduct, in the whole of this business, more to temper, than to any other motive....
The propositions in M. Otto's officiai note are six in number ; but may, in fact, be divided under two heads : the first, that which relates to the libels of ail descriptions which are alledged to be published against the French government ; the last comprehending the five complaints which relate to the emigrants résident in this country. On the first, I am sure you must be aware that his Majesty cannot, and never will, in conséquence of any représentation or any menace from a foreign Power, make any concession which can be in the smallest degree dangerous to the liberty of thepress, as secured by the constitution ofthis country....
With respect to the complaints in détail, 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,
1. Déjà, à la suite des plaintes adressées directement à M. Merry au commencement de juin (p. 195, note), des instructions lui avaient été envoyées de Londres le 10 de ce mois. Le ministère s'y montrait décidé à n'encourager aucune machination contre le gouvernement français, mais, par contre, à observer les lois de l'hospitalité envers les Princes et leurs partisans, aussi longtemps qu'ils ne s'en montreraient pas indignes. Cette dépêche, dont le sens avait été développé verbalement devant Talleyrand, était écrite avec une modération qui contrastait avec l'irritation dont témoignait la dépèche actuelle.
3l4 LE P. CONSUL ET LES BOURBONS PENDANT LA. PAIX.
previous to the représentation concerning them in M. Otto' s note, and that, before your explanation with M. 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 St Pol de Léon, and others, his Majesty can only reply, that if the facts alledged against them can be substantiated, if it can be proved that they have distributed papers on the coast of France with a view of disturbing the government and of inducing the people to resist the new Ghurch establishment, his Majesty will think himself justified in taking ail 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 reply to the Pope's mandate, published a vindication of their own conduct in refusing to conform to the new establishment 2 ; a proceeding in which they would be justifiable on every principle of toleration and justice. Butit 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.
1. Les officiers chouans paraissent n'avoir été transportés des îles normandes en Angleterre qu'au mois de décembre. — On a vu (p. 20;, note) que le gouvernement français, mal renseigné, représentait les Chouans réfugiés aux îles normandes comme étant pour la plupart des criminels se dérobant à l'action de la justice. M. Windham ayant interrogé Georges sur leurs prétendus méfaits, le 2 septembre, « Georges assured me that there were none of the persons now in question, who were chargeable with any act done since the peace, but one, and that was a person who in coming away had been attacked by two gendarms and had killed one in his own defence. The act that might have been complained of, viz. the putting to death a person who had been seized and kept in custody with a view of obtaining money, had been committed by persons who were actually here before the peace was signed » (Diary of Windham, p. 439).
2. « Mém. des évêques françois résidens à Londres qui n'ont pas donné leur démission » (Londres, mai 1802).
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On the third complaint, which respects the removal of Georges, and those persons supposed to be described as bis adhérents, M. Otto must have mistaken me, in what he supposes me to bave said on the subject x. His Majesty is, bowever, very desirous to obviate any cause of complaint or uneasiness with respect to tbese persons ; and measures are in contemplation, and will be taken, for tbe purpose of removing them out of bis Majesty's European dominions.
On tbe fourtb complaint, respecting the Princes of tbe bouse of Bourbon, I can only refer you to my former answer. His Majesty bas no désire tbattbey sbould continue to réside in tbis country, if tbey are disposed or can be induced to quit it ; but be feels it to be inconsistent with his bonour and bis sensé of justice, to withdraw fromthem tbe rights of bospitality, as long as they conductthemselves peaceably and quietly, and unless some charge can be substantiated of their attempting to disturb tbe peace which subsists 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 ail 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 barsh an act of authority as to send them out of the country on such an account.
.... Upon the gênerai tone and style of M. Otto's note,
1. La 4e réclamation de M. Otto, dans sa note du 16 ou 17 août, était ainsi conçue : « Que le nommé Georges et ses adhérents soient déportés au Canada, ainsi que le soussigné a été chargé d'en transmettre l'intention à son gouvernement sur la demande de mylord Hawkesbury. » C'était contre ces mots « sur la demande » (ef. p. i85) que le ministre protestait.
2l6 LE P. CONSUL ET LES BOURBONS PENDANT LA PAIX.
it is important to observe, that it is 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.... 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 to expect that any représentation of a foreign Power will ever induce them to consent to a violation of those rights, on which the liberties of the people of this country are founded. (State papers i.)
n3. — Louis XVIII a l'abbé de Montesquiou
Varsovie, 22 mars 1801.
.... Je ne sais pourquoi vous avez tardé si longtemps à m'envoyer [les lettres] qui vous ont été remises pour moi 2. M'eussent-elles annoncé les plus grands malheurs, vous me connaissez assez pour savoir que je puis les supporter. Mais je ne regarde pas ces lettres comme décidément mauvaises; et, sans faire attention au style, je ne puis que m'applaudir d'avoir proposé au général Buonaparte une union qui seule peut opérer le salut de la France. Buonaparte est aujourd'hui le plus grand des guerriers dont notre patrie s'honore ; il en sera le sauveur. Je suis le père des Français ; je pouvais faire la première démarche. La manière dont il m'a répondu ne m'empêcherait pas assurément de lui adresser une seconde lettre ; mais cette fois je préfère vous adresser une note, et je vous charge de la lui communiquer.
1. Cette dépêche fait partie de la « Correspondence » présentée au Parlement le 18 mai i8o3.
