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Foreign News
March 25, 1797
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
London report from Dec. 27 details Lord Malmsbury's peace propositions to France, including restitutions for allies like Austria, Russia, and Portugal, in exchange for British return of conquests in Indies and elsewhere. French minister Delacroix rejects, closing negotiations as Britain cannot accept French terms.
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Foreign NEWS
By Captains West and Parker arrived at Boston on Tuesday last, from Liverpool and Havre.
Prospect of Peace dissipated.
London, Dec. 27.
The following is the specific proposition made by Lord Malmsbury.
The undersigned is charged to transmit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs the enclosed Memorial containing the proposal of his Court, with respect to the application of the general principle already established, as the basis of the negotiation for peace.
He will with the utmost readiness, enter with that Minister into every explanation which the state and progress of the negotiation will allow, and he will not fail to enter into the discussion of these propositions, or of any counter-project which may be transmitted to him on the part of the Executive Directory, with that frankness and that spirit of conciliation, which correspond with the just and pacific intentions of his Court.
(Signed)
MALMSBURY.
Confidential Memorial, on the principal objects of restitution, compensation and reciprocal arrangements:
The principle already established, as the basis of the negotiation, by the consent of the two governments, is founded on restitutions to be made by his Britannic Majesty to France, in compensation of the arrangements to which that power may consent, in order to satisfy the just pretensions of the allies of the King, and to preserve the political balance of Europe.
In order to accomplish these objects, in the manner most complete, and to offer a fresh proof of the sincerity of his wishes for the re-establishment of the general tranquility, his Majesty would propose that there should be given to this principle, on each side, all the latitude of which it may be susceptible.
I. His Majesty demands therefore,
1. The restitution, to his Majesty, the Emperor and King, of all his dominions, on the footing of the status ante bellum.
2. The re-establishment of peace between the Germanic Empire and France, by a suitable arrangement, conformable to the respective interests, and to the general safety of Europe. This arrangement to be negotiated with his Imperial Majesty, as constitutional head of the Empire, either by the intervention of the King, or immediately, as his Imperial Majesty shall prefer.
3. The evacuation of Italy by the French troops, with an engagement not to interfere in the internal affairs of that country; which should be re-established as far as possible, upon the footing status ante bellum.
In the course of the negotiation, a more detailed discussion may be entered into of the further measures which it may be proper to adopt respecting the objects of these three articles, in order to the providing more effectually for the future security of the respective limits and possessions, and for the maintenance of general tranquility.
II. With regard to the other allies of his Britannic Majesty, his Majesty demands that there be reserved to her Majesty the Empress of all the Russias, a full and unlimited power of taking part in this negotiation, whenever she may think fit, or of acceding to the definitive treaty, and thereby returning to a state of peace with France.
III. His Majesty also demands, that her most faithful Majesty may be comprehended in this negotiation, and may return to a state of peace with France, without any cession or burdensome conditions on either side.
IV. On these conditions, his Majesty offers to France the entire and unreserved restitution of all the conquests which he has made on that power in the East and West-Indies; proposing at the same time that a mutual understanding should be established as to the means of securing for the future the tranquility of the two nations, and of consolidating, as much as possible, the advantages of their respective possessions. His Majesty offers, in like manner, the restitution of the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and of the fishery of Newfoundland, on the footing of the status ante bellum.
But if, in addition to this, his Majesty were to waive the right given to him by the express stipulations of the treaty of Utrecht, of opposing the cession of the Spanish part of St. Domingo to France, his Majesty would then demand, in return for this concession, a compensation, which might secure, at least in some degree, the maintenance of the balance of the respective possessions in that part of the world.
V. In all cases of cessions or restitutions, which may come in question in the course of this negotiation, there should be granted on each side to all individuals, the most unlimited right to withdraw with their families and their property, and to sell their land and other immoveable possessions; and adequate arrangements should also be made in the course of this negotiation, for the removal of all sequestrations, and for the satisfaction of their just claims, which individuals on either side may have to make upon the respective governments.
(Signed)
MALMSBURY.
The door of negotiation is quite closed. For Delacroix, in his last letter to Lord Malmsbury, says, "if the British cabinet is desirous of Peace, the Executive Directory is ready to follow the negotiations, according to the basis laid down in the constitution, the laws and treaties, which bind the Republic, by the reciprocal channel of couriers. This Great-Britain never can accede to."
By Captains West and Parker arrived at Boston on Tuesday last, from Liverpool and Havre.
Prospect of Peace dissipated.
London, Dec. 27.
The following is the specific proposition made by Lord Malmsbury.
The undersigned is charged to transmit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs the enclosed Memorial containing the proposal of his Court, with respect to the application of the general principle already established, as the basis of the negotiation for peace.
He will with the utmost readiness, enter with that Minister into every explanation which the state and progress of the negotiation will allow, and he will not fail to enter into the discussion of these propositions, or of any counter-project which may be transmitted to him on the part of the Executive Directory, with that frankness and that spirit of conciliation, which correspond with the just and pacific intentions of his Court.
(Signed)
MALMSBURY.
Confidential Memorial, on the principal objects of restitution, compensation and reciprocal arrangements:
The principle already established, as the basis of the negotiation, by the consent of the two governments, is founded on restitutions to be made by his Britannic Majesty to France, in compensation of the arrangements to which that power may consent, in order to satisfy the just pretensions of the allies of the King, and to preserve the political balance of Europe.
In order to accomplish these objects, in the manner most complete, and to offer a fresh proof of the sincerity of his wishes for the re-establishment of the general tranquility, his Majesty would propose that there should be given to this principle, on each side, all the latitude of which it may be susceptible.
I. His Majesty demands therefore,
1. The restitution, to his Majesty, the Emperor and King, of all his dominions, on the footing of the status ante bellum.
2. The re-establishment of peace between the Germanic Empire and France, by a suitable arrangement, conformable to the respective interests, and to the general safety of Europe. This arrangement to be negotiated with his Imperial Majesty, as constitutional head of the Empire, either by the intervention of the King, or immediately, as his Imperial Majesty shall prefer.
3. The evacuation of Italy by the French troops, with an engagement not to interfere in the internal affairs of that country; which should be re-established as far as possible, upon the footing status ante bellum.
In the course of the negotiation, a more detailed discussion may be entered into of the further measures which it may be proper to adopt respecting the objects of these three articles, in order to the providing more effectually for the future security of the respective limits and possessions, and for the maintenance of general tranquility.
II. With regard to the other allies of his Britannic Majesty, his Majesty demands that there be reserved to her Majesty the Empress of all the Russias, a full and unlimited power of taking part in this negotiation, whenever she may think fit, or of acceding to the definitive treaty, and thereby returning to a state of peace with France.
III. His Majesty also demands, that her most faithful Majesty may be comprehended in this negotiation, and may return to a state of peace with France, without any cession or burdensome conditions on either side.
IV. On these conditions, his Majesty offers to France the entire and unreserved restitution of all the conquests which he has made on that power in the East and West-Indies; proposing at the same time that a mutual understanding should be established as to the means of securing for the future the tranquility of the two nations, and of consolidating, as much as possible, the advantages of their respective possessions. His Majesty offers, in like manner, the restitution of the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and of the fishery of Newfoundland, on the footing of the status ante bellum.
But if, in addition to this, his Majesty were to waive the right given to him by the express stipulations of the treaty of Utrecht, of opposing the cession of the Spanish part of St. Domingo to France, his Majesty would then demand, in return for this concession, a compensation, which might secure, at least in some degree, the maintenance of the balance of the respective possessions in that part of the world.
V. In all cases of cessions or restitutions, which may come in question in the course of this negotiation, there should be granted on each side to all individuals, the most unlimited right to withdraw with their families and their property, and to sell their land and other immoveable possessions; and adequate arrangements should also be made in the course of this negotiation, for the removal of all sequestrations, and for the satisfaction of their just claims, which individuals on either side may have to make upon the respective governments.
(Signed)
MALMSBURY.
The door of negotiation is quite closed. For Delacroix, in his last letter to Lord Malmsbury, says, "if the British cabinet is desirous of Peace, the Executive Directory is ready to follow the negotiations, according to the basis laid down in the constitution, the laws and treaties, which bind the Republic, by the reciprocal channel of couriers. This Great-Britain never can accede to."
What sub-type of article is it?
Diplomatic
War Report
What keywords are associated?
Peace Negotiations
Lord Malmsbury
France Britain
Restitution
Diplomatic Memorial
Executive Directory
Delacroix
Status Ante Bellum
What entities or persons were involved?
Lord Malmsbury
Delacroix
Where did it happen?
London
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
London
Event Date
Dec. 27
Key Persons
Lord Malmsbury
Delacroix
Outcome
the door of negotiation is quite closed. for delacroix, in his last letter to lord malmsbury, says, "if the british cabinet is desirous of peace, the executive directory is ready to follow the negotiations, according to the basis laid down in the constitution, the laws and treaties, which bind the republic, by the reciprocal channel of couriers. this great-britain never can accede to."
Event Details
The specific proposition made by Lord Malmsbury includes demands for restitution to the Emperor and King of his dominions status ante bellum, re-establishment of peace between the Germanic Empire and France, evacuation of Italy by French troops, reservation for Russia to join negotiations, inclusion of Portugal in peace without cessions, and in exchange, Britain offers restitution of conquests in East and West Indies, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Newfoundland fishery status ante bellum, with conditions on individuals' rights.