Mr. Whitworth (By Flint)

Sir,

The repeated efforts of His Majesty and His Allies to induce the Empress to consent to a Peace with the Porte on the Basis of the Status quo, having hitherto proved ineffectual; and the mischievous consequences to be apprehended from that Princess obtaining so large a territorial Possession on the Borders of the Black Sea as the Town of Oczakov and its District, extending to the Niester, having made a deep Impression on the Minds of both their Majesties; it is now determined that preparations should be made without delay for an active Interference on the Parts of Great Britain and Prussia in order to obtain those terms which have hitherto been repeatedly recommended without effect. In consequence of this determination of the two Courts of London and Berlin, you will, in conjunction with His Prussian Majesty’s Minister at the Court of Petersburgh, deliver the enclosed representation, on the part of our respective Sovereign stating, at the same time, to the Russian Ministers the earnest wish of Their Majesties, to receive an answer with as little delay as possible.

Should there be any unnecessary delay in returning you an answer, you will in a firm, but, at the same time, amicable manner, press the Russian ministers to come to a decision, as a silence on their part, after a reasonable term, must be considered as a negative. The space of ten days seems to be fully sufficient for the purpose and this you will not fail to suggest to the Russian Ministers, unless any advice from Berlin should arrive at Petersburgh (in the internal) recommending further delay on the part of the allied powers.

I have only to add that whatever be the result, you are to give me the earliest advice and to remain at Petersburgh till you receive His Majesty’s further commands.

It is needless for me to desire you would send me every degree of information you can collect, respecting any military or naval preparations making in Russia.

I am etc.

Leeds

[The two courts of London and Berlin have, on every occasion, since the commencement of the present war, manifested their anxious desire to contribute, by all the means in their power, to its speedy termination, on such grounds as might be most consistent with the general interests of Europe. They have had the satisfaction of seeing their salutary views in part accomplished, by the acceptance of the terms of the status quo as it stood before the war, as the basis of pacification between Austria and the Porte, and also between Russia and Sweden; and they had also flattered themselves that, in conformity to this principle, the Court of PEtersburgh would have agreed to threat on the same basis for a pacification with the Porte. But their earnest wishes having hitherto been frustrated, and the period for the opening of the campaign now approaching,] They can no longer delay – declaring, in the most distinct and unequivocal manner, to the Court of Petersburgh, that the further rejection of that principle must unavoidable lead to the Continuance and extension of the war. The two courts are of opinion, that any accession of territory whatever to Russia, on the side of Turkey, cannot be considered as in any Degree necessary for the protection and security of the Russian Dominions; that it must, on the other hand essentially diminish the future security of the Turkish Empire; and that it must attended with consequence highly – detrimental to the interests of the two courts and to the future permanence of tranquility in Europe. – On these grounds, and anxious to leave nothing untried, on their part, to avert the consequences which must ensue from a continuance of the war, the two Courts have authorized the undersigned to renew, in the most urgent manner, their instances with the court of Petersurgh, to agree to the only principle which can, under the present circumstances, afford a prospect of restoring permanent tranquility to Europe.

And the undersigned are particularly directed to request a speedy and explicit answer to this representation, as their sovereigns can no longer delay taking those measures, which the interests of their kingdoms will render indispensable in the unfortunate event of the further prolongation of the war.