Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Latest Foreign Intelligence.

Prospect of a co-operation between Great-Britain and Russia.

London, June 20, 1805.

Yesterday his Majesty sent the following message to both Houses of Parliament:

GEORGE R.

His Majesty thinks proper to acquaint the House of Commons, that the communications which have taken place, and are still depending between His Majesty & some of the Powers of the continent, have not yet been brought to such a point as to enable His Majesty to lay the result of them before the House, or to enter into any further explanation with the French Government, consistently with the sentiments expressed by His Majesty at the opening of the present Session. But his Majesty conceives that it may be of essential importance, that he should have it in his power to avail himself of any favorable conjuncture for giving effect to such a concert with other Powers, as may afford the best means of resisting the inordinate ambition of France, and may be most likely to lead to a termination of the present contest, on grounds consistent with the permanent safety and interests of His Majesty's dominions and the security and independence of Europe. His Majesty therefore recommends it to the house of Commons to consider of making provision for enabling His Majesty to take such measures, and enter into such engagements, as the exigencies of affairs may require. G.R.

This Message was taken up in both Houses.—In the Commons a vote of supply of 3,500,000l. passed to enable his Majesty to take the measures, and make the engagements it contemplates. This 3,500,000l. part of the five millions provided for in the Ways and Means when the budget was opened the last winter. Mr. Pitt has stated, that the grounds on which the sum had been reduced from the five millions, which was before required, to 3 1/2 millions, was not any change of system. He was still clearly convinced that if any efforts at all were to be made for a Continental co-operation, they ought to be on a large scale— Gentlemen would observe, that when five millions were before proposed, it was at an earlier period, when something might possibly have been done this season. It was not now proposed to reduce the scale by— the operations were to be carried on; but the season was now far advanced and the sum which was required at present would be fully adequate to the purposes to which it was intended, until Parliament met again. This vote though debated at length, passed without division. In the course of the debate, the Ministers declared, that though they had not been able to secure the active co-operation of Russia, and neutral power, in the war against France: they were not without hopes of eliciting their co-operation upon the principles of joint-war or joint-peace.—That for this purpose a liberal vote of supply was necessary:—That the burden of the war, heavy as it was, was cheerfully borne by the people, because since the treaty of Amiens, they were convinced of the necessity of the war; which, before the conclusion of that treaty, they were not:—That, notwithstanding the war, the resources of the country were flourishing; that the war-income of the last year was 20,000,000l. sterling; and that the regular payment and sinking of nearly eight millions a year, by the sinking fund, in spite of accumulating difficulties, was the best testimony in favor of public credit.—That Great-Britain had a right, from her resources and strength, to insist on honorable terms of Peace:—that she had a force of 100,000 well disciplined disposable troops (which may be sent out of the empire) of which reinforcements to the amount of 17,000 had recently been sent to distant colonies;—besides 80,000 troops who were stationary, and 200,000 volunteers:—that there had ninety four ships of the line in commission and service;—a force stronger, by eleven ships, than all the French, Spanish, and Dutch ships of the line united;—and that 17 more, of the line, were ready for sea.

On the subject of a co-operation of Russia to bring about an honorable Peace, or to carry on a joint war, the following facts, we think may be relied on, viz.

1. That Russia has not abandoned, as has been reported, the idea of such co-operation

2. That Russia appeared determined, (upon the consent, no doubt, of England) to open a discussion with France on the subject of an honorable pacification. To this end, the Czar obtained, through the medium of Prussia, passports for M. Novosilzow, to repair to Paris, who left St. Petersburg, the 2d June, on this mission. Prussia, it is said, has expressed a desire to act as a mediator, and had been accepted as such.