702 
‘The French government were 
bound, likewise, by engagements 
with the emperor of Russia, to re- 
spe¢t the independence of the king- 
dom of Naples ; but even admitting 
that the departure of the French 
troops from Tarentum depended 
solely on the article of the treaty of 
Amiens, their departure is, by the 
terms of the treaty, to take place at 
the same period as the other evacua- 
tions in Europe, namely, one month 
after the ratification of the definitive 
treaty; at which period both Porto 
Ferrajo and Minorca were evacuated 
by his majesty’s forces ; whereas the 
troops of his majesty were, in no case, 
bound to evacuate the island of 
Malta, antecedent to the period of 
three months after the ratification 
of the definitive treaty ; and, even 
in that event, it must be considered 
as depending upon the other parts 
of the arrangement being in a course 
of execution. With respeét to the 
assertion in the note, that the Nea- 
politan troops were to form the gar- 
rison of Malta, until the period 
when the arrangements relative to 
the order could be carried into ef- 
feét, it will appear, by a reference 
to the article, that, by the prelimi- 
nary paragraph, the island was to 
be restored to the order upon the 
condition of the succeeding stipula- 
tions, and that it was only from the 
period when the restitution to the 
order had aé¢tually taken place, 
that, by the 12th paragraph, the Nea- 
politan troops were to form a part 
of the garrison. 
The undersigned has thus stated, 
with all the frankness which the im- 
portance of the subject appears to 
require, the sentiments of his ma- 
jesty on the note delivered to him 
by general Andreossy, and on the 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1803. 
points in discussion between the two 
countries. 
His majesty is willing to indulge 
the hope, that the conduct of the 
French government on this occasion 
may be influenced by principles si- 
milar to those which have invari- 
ably influenced his own. That, as 
far as possible, all causes of dis- 
trust, and every impediment to a 
good understanding between the two 
countries, may be completely and 
efie¢tually removed, and that the 
peace may be consolidated on a 
secure and lasting foundation. 
The undersigned requests general 
Andreossy to accept the assurances 
of his high consideration. 
(Signed) Hawkesbury. 
His Excellency General Andreossy, 
Sc. &c. &e. 
No. 46. 
Dispatch from Lord Whitworth to 
Lord Hawkesbury, dated Paris, 
March 17, 1803. 
My lord, 
1 called yesterday on M. de Tal- 
leyrand, to converse with him on 
the subject of what had passed on 
Sunday last at the Thuilleries. He had 
been, since that day, so fully occupied 
with his expeditions to different fo- 
reign courts, that I had no oppor- 
tunity of seeing him sooner. I told 
him, that I had been placed by the 
first consul in a situation which could 
neither suit my public nor my pri- 
vate feelings. That L went to. the 
Thuilleries to pay my respects to 
the first consul, and to present my 
countrymen, but not to treat of 
political subjeéts; and that unless 
I had the assurance from him that 
I should not be exposed to a re- 
petition of the same disagreeable 
circumstances, 1 should be .under 
the 
