138} 
ever, he observed, the present era 
was not calculated for invasions 
and conquests: ‘a spirit had arisen 
in Europe, decidedly adverse to 
ambitious views: Great Britain was: 
constitutionally their foe: a stable 
unshaken peace was equally her 
interest and inclination, 
The speech of Mr. Jenkinson 
was warmly seconded, and not 
less'strenuously opposed by others. 
Mr. Gray took particular notice, 
that since the success with which 
the minister had acted in Holland, 
he had presumptuously attempted 
to dictate in the same manner to 
other powers, and had of course 
raised himself many enemies. Ad- 
ministration, he said, had widely 
deviated from that open and firm 
conduct with foreign states, which 
had formerly commanded their at- 
tachmentand confidence. Intrigues 
and machinations were employed 
among them; but neither to our ho- 
nour or benefit. Wehad been jost- 
led in conjunction with Prussia, not- 
withstanding so formidable an union; 
and so degraded were we among 
nations, that even the Turks, of 
whom we ‘boastingly, but vainly 
affected to be the protectors, held 
usin contempt and deri-ion: they 
had found our friendship false, and 
our promises not to be trusted ; and 
were averse to a connexion with 
sucha people. 
In order to prove the odium we 
had incurred among the ‘Turks, 
Mr. Gray produced a letter, writ- 
ten' by the Grand Vizier to Sir 
Robert Ainslie, the British A mbas- 
sador at’ the Porte: and which he 
declared he believed to be authentic. 
Thesingularity of the style and mat- 
ter,render itdeserving of being given 
at length, as'a specimen on tlie sup- 
position of its being genuine, ‘of 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1792. 
Turkish composition, ‘and ‘political 
maxims :— - -Faiapiate 
“ The Grand Seignior,”’ it said, 
‘“¢ makes war for himself, and makes ° 
peace; he can trust his own slaves, © 
servants, and subjects; he kvows 
their faith, has experienced their 
virtue, and can rely upon their fide- 
lity :—a'virtue long since banished 
your cornerof Europe. If all other 
christians tell truth, no reliance is 
to be had on ‘England; she buys 
and sells all mankind. The Otto- 
mans have no connexion with your 
king nor your country ; they never 
sought your advice, your interfer- 
ence, nor your friendship; we 
have no minister, no agency, ‘no 
correspondence with you. For 
what reason offer ye then to medi- 
ate for us with Russia? Why seek 
ye to serve an empire of infidels, 
as ye call us Mussulmen? “We 
want not your friendship, aid, nor 
mediation. Your Vizier, of whom 
you speak so highly, must have 
some project of deception in view; 
some oppressive scheme to amuse 
your nation; which we are told 
is credulous, servile, an adorer only 
of money: avarice, we are well 
informed, is your chief character- 
istic; you would sell your God; 
money is your deity, and all things 
are objects of trade with your mi- 
nistry and people. Come ye then 
to sell us to Russia? No; let us 
bargain for ourselves. "When fate 
has spun out the thread of our good 
fortune, we must yield: what has 
been directed by God and the 
prophet of men, must and will come 
to pass. We Ottomans know no 
finesse ;— duplicity and cunning are 
your christian morals. We are 
not ashamed to be honest, down- 
right, plain, and faithful in our state- 
maxims. ‘If we fail in ‘war, we 
submit 
