at - APE E 
excellency mentions that, in the 
‘proposed negotiation, you know 
but of three possible forms of discns- 
sion. 
The first appears to you inadmis- 
sible. 
~ According to what I have had the 
honour to write to you, you must 
be convinced, sir, that the third is 
incompatible, both with our funda- 
mental ideas of justice and honour, 
and with our conception of the 
interests of our country. ‘The se- 
cond is not perhaps bad, so far as 
regardsits principle; but besides the 
delays which it would occasion, it 
would scarcely be practicable in the 
present conjuncture. 
It is therefore with much regret, 
that I am obliged to declare frankly 
‘to your excellency, that I see no 
hope of peace at this moment, if yon 
should not be disposed to negotiate 
in the manner which we have pro- 
_ posed. 
I think myself obliged to add, 
that this form is essential to us, not 
only for the reasons which [ have 
_ had the honour to explain to your 
excellency, but in so much as any 
other form might create suspicions 
that you really entertain the chime- 
rical project with which you are 
charged (wrongfully as I willingly be- 
lieve) of excluding us from any con- 
nection with the continental powers 
_ of Europe; and even, that such an 
idea is less revolting to us than it 
oughtto be, and that it in reality is. 
It is not necessary to declare to a 
‘minister, so enlightened as your ex- 
eellency, that England can never 
consent to anexclusion which would 
‘degrade her from the rank which 
She has hitherto held, and which she 
believes that she may ever hold, 
among the nations of the world. 
The affair, in fine, is reduced to 
PAPERS. 719 
one single point. Will you nego- 
tiate conjointly with Russia? We 
answer, Yes: But if you require us 
to negotiate separately, we answer, 
No. 
Although we have not succeeded 
in the great object which we pro- 
posed to ourselves, the two govern. 
ments may well pride themselves on 
the candour and frankness which 
have characterised the discussion. of 
their differences ; and I owe to you, 
on my own account, sir, thanks for 
the obliging manner in which your 
excellency expresses yourself with 
regard to me. 
lam, «ec. 
C. J. Fox. 
No. X. 
Letter from M. Talleyrand to Mr. 
Secretary Fox, dated Paris, 2d 
June, 1806.—Recetved June Ath. 
(Translation.) 
Sir, Paris, June 2d, 1806. 
I have laid before the emperor the 
last letter, which your excellency 
did me the honour to write tome. I 
can only, by his orders, repeat to 
you, that to require of France that 
she should treat with you upon the 
principle of your alliance with 
Russia, is wishing to reduce us to a 
constrained form of discussion, and 
Supposing us ina state of humilia- 
tion, into which we have never fallen. 
‘The enemies of France must not 
hope to dictate to her either the 
conditions of peace, or a mode of 
negotiation contrary to the estab- 
lished usages. Such an attempt 
with respect to either of these 
points, would equally affect the 
French character ; and I do net hesi- 
tate to say, that to overcome all our 
repugnance on this point, it would 
at least require that an English army 
should have invaded Belgium, and 
should 
