660 
maintenance of that respect which 
two independent nations owe to each 
other, the general maxims of the 
law of nations would formally con- 
demn so revolting an abuse of the 
liberty of the press. It cannot be 
believed, that the law can give more 
Jatitude to a libellist than to any 
other individual, who, without de- 
claration of war, should permit him- 
self to violate the duties of good, 
neighbourhood. ‘The offence in 
guestion is so much the more 
serious, as its object is evidently 
to disturb the harmony which sub- 
sists between the two govern- 
ments. 
It is not to Peltier alone, but to 
the editor of the ‘‘ Courier Francois 
de Londres,” to Cobbet, and to 
other. writers who resemble them, 
that [ have to ‘direct the attention 
of his majesty’s government. .'The 
perfidious and malevolent publica- 
tions of these men are in open con- 
tradiction to the principles of peace ; 
and if it could ever enter into the 
mind of the french government to 
permit retaliation, writers would, 
doubtless, be found in France, wil- 
ling to avenge their countrymen, by 
filling their pages with odious reflec- 
tions on the most respectable per- 
‘sons, and on the dearest institutions 
of Great-Britain. 
The want of positive laws against 
these sorts of offences cannot pal- 
Jiate the violation of the law of 
nations, according to which, peace 
should put a stop to all hostili- 
ties ; and, doubtless, those which ~ 
wound the honour and the reputa- 
tion of a government, and which 
tend to cause a revolt of the peo- 
ple, whose interests are confided 
to that government, are the most 
apt to lessen the advantages of 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1803. 
peace, and to keep up national re-: 
sentments. 
I have the honour to be, &c. 
(Signed) ‘Otto. 
To his Excellency Lord Hawkes- 
bury, Minister and Secretary 
of State for the Foreign De- 
partment. 
No.1. 
Letier from Lord Hawkesbury to — 
M. Otto, dated July 28, 1802. 
Sir, 
I have the honour to acknow- ~ 
ledge the receipt of your letter on 
the subject of the last number of 
Peltier. It is impossible that his 
majesty’s government could peruse — 
the article im question, without the © 
greatest displeasure, and without an — 
anxious desire that the person who © 
published it should suffer the pu- 
nishment he so justly:deserves. ‘The 
calumnies, however, to which his 
majesty’s government, and many of 
the best subjects in this country, 
are frequently exposed in the public 
prints, must necessarily conyince all — 
foreign governments of the diflicul- — 
ties which exist in a constitution 
like that of Great-Britain, in pre- 
venting the abuse which is often un- 
avoidably attendant on the greatest 
of all political benefits ; and though 
publications of this nature are, as © 
they certainly ought to be, by the 
Jaw of England, subject to punish- 
ment, it is often difficult to prove 
the guilt of an individual so satisfac- 
torily as to obtain the judgment of a 
court of justice ; and the inconve- 
nience which arises from prosecu- 
tion, unless there is a reasonable 
prospect of success, is frequently 
sufficient to deter both the govern- 
ment and individuals from under- 
taking it. In the present case, I 
have thought it my duty to refer the 
article 
