1% 
further into the particulars of the 
plot, instantly dismissed the French. 
man from his presence, and desired 
Mr. Brooke to send him as soon as 
possible out’ of the kingdom. But 
on reflection he ordered him after- 
wards to be detained, till such in- 
formation could be given to the 
Freneh government, as might pre- 
vent the perpetration of his crime, 
if really projected; and with that 
view he transmitted to M. Talley- 
rand,* a short and simple statement 
of the occurrence, and of what he 
had done thereupon.+ The answer 
to this communicationt was a na- 
tural and well turned compliment to 
the honour and generosity of Mr. 
_ Fox’s character, and was accompa- 
nied by an extract from the empe- 
ror’s speech to the legislative 
body,{@ in order, as M. Talleyrand 
observed, ‘‘ that Mr. Fox might 
know, if the advantages of peace 
were duly appreciated, on what 
terms it might be discussed.” The 
extract was a simple offer ‘‘ to con- 
clude peace, taking for its basis the 
stipulations of the treaty of A- 
miens,’? 
Mr. Fox considered this commu- 
nication asa distinct overture, and 
proceeded to answer it in that frank 
and direct style, which is the cha- 
racteristic of all his public dis- 
patches. 
tainty of the basis of Amiens; the 
variety of modes in which it had 
been interpreted; and the delay, 
* Feh. 20. 
He objected to the uncer. . 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1806. 
which the explanations on the mean- 
ing of it would unavoidably occa- 
sion, even if no other objection 
should exist. ‘* The true basis of 
such a negotiation, he observed, be- 
tween two great powers, equally 
despising every idea of chicane, 
would-be the reciproca) recognition 
of the following principle; viz. that 
the object of both parties should 
be a peace, honourable for both and 
for their respective allies; and at 
the same time, of a nature to se- 
cure, as far as in their power, the 
future tranquillity of Europe.” ||— 
He then proceeded to state the im- 
possibility of treating, much less of 
concluding any thing unless in con- 
cert with Russia, but suggested the 
practicability of some previous dis- 
cussion of the principal points, and 
some provisional arrangements, 
. while they were waiting for the ac~ 
tual intervention of that power 
and heforestalled an objection, which 
might be made to his statement, 
founded on the few material points 
in issue between Russia and France, 
by insisting upon, and extolling the 
interest taken by that power in all 
that concerns the greater or less de- 
grce of independence enjoyed by 
the different princes and states of 
Europe. He ended this letter with 
an expression of his desire of peace, 
and a short but firm exposition of 
the ability of Great Britain to con- 
tinue the contest. 
A correspendence of some length 
+ The Frenchman continued in custody till the 7th of March, when he was sent 
under the care of a messenger to Harwich, and embarked on board of a vesse 
bound for Husum. 
He had arrived at Gravesend in a vessel called the Toby, Van 
oust master, declared from Embden, under Prussian colours, but supposed to 
have come direct from Holland. 
¢ March 5. q March 2. 
}| Mr. Fox to M. Talleyrand, March 26. 
ensucd, 
