1803.]  Correfpandence betwees Great Britain and France, 
I have therefore, by Lis Majefty’s com- 
mand, inclofed the project of an arrange- 
ment, which, under the prefent circum- 
ftances, would meet the idexs of his Majef- 
ty’s Government; which would afford fe- 
curity for thofe objects which are confidered 
as endangered by the unequivocal difclofure 
ef the views of the Firft Conful, and which, 
at the fame time, might entirely fave the 
honour of the French Government 
HAWKESBURY. 
His Excellency Lord Wagert’: ) 
- ( Firft Inclofure referrzd to in No, 50. 
the atstdacd his Britannic Mayjefty’s 
Ambafador Extraordinary, has received the 
orders of his court to make the following com- 
munication to the French Government. 
His Majefty has perceived, with great regret, 
that the French Government continue to with- 
hold all fatisfaction and explanation on the points 
on which he has complained ; and that atthe time 
when they evade ail difcuffion on the fubject 
of his teprefentations, they perfift in their 
requifition that the ifland of Malta fhould be 
forthwith evacuated by his forces. His Majefty 
can never fo far forget what is due to ‘himfelf, 
and to his people, as to acquiefce in fuch a 
courfe of proceeding. He has therefore com- 
manded the underfigned to afcertain diftinctly 
from the French Government, whether they 
are determined to perfeyere in withholding all 
fatisfaction and explanation upon the points on 
which his Majeity has complained, or whether 
they are difpofed, without delay, to give fuch 
fatisfaction and explanation upon the prefent 
ftate of affairs, as may lead to an arrangement, 
which may be calculated to adjust the differences 
at prefent fubfifting between the two Govern- 
ments. 
It is his Majefty’s anxious defire, that by 
adopting this mode of proceeding, an end may 
be put to that ftate of fufpenfe and uncertainty 
_ which muft be fo injurious to the interefts of 
both countries ; and that the two Governments, 
actuated by the fame principles of juftice and 
moderation, may be led to concur in fuch 
meafures as are moft likely to conduce to their 
permanent tranquility. WHITWORTH. 
(Second Inclofure referred to in No. 50.) 
Heads of an Arrangement to be concluded by 
Treaty ur Convention between bis Majefty 
and the French Gyvernment. 
Maita to remain in perpetuity inthe poffeffion 
of his Majefty. The Knights of the Order of 
St. John to be indemaitied by his Majefty for 
any loffes of property which they may fuftain 
_ in confequence of fuch an arrangement. 
Holland and Switzerland to be evacuated by 
the French troops. 
The ifland of Elba to be confirmed by his 
_ Majeity to France, and the King of Etruria to 
be acknowledged. 
_ The Italian and Ligurian republics to be 
acknowledged by his Majefty, provided an 
your Lordthip will find as clofe a tranflation ae 
poffible of that which I received from your 
Lordfhip. He read it over with much attention, 
and when he had done he appeared to be in 
expeCtation of forme other communication. Upon 
defiring he would explain himfelf, he faid that 
he was in hopes I fhould have furui’hed him 
with the heads of thefe points, on which it was 
affirmed in the note that the French Govern- 
ment had fo repeatedly refufed al! exolanation 
and fatisfaétion. I told him, that it would have 
been entirely ufelefs to repeat what had been fo 
often urged in vain; that he could not but 
know that the explanation required, referred ta 
the cunduét of the French Government, and the 
Syftem of aggrandizement whi-h it had conftanily 
purfued fince the conclufion, and in dire 
violation, of tae Treaty of Amiens, founded, as 
it indi{putably was, on the flate of pofeffion of 
the rwo countries at the time; that with regard 
to the fatisfaltion, it evidently referred to the 
unjupifiahie infinuations and charges againft 
his Majefty’s Gwvernment, againft the officer 
commanding his forces in Egypt, and againft the 
Britifh army in that quarter, contained in the 
official report of Colonel Sebaftiani. He was by 
no means difpofed to admit, that either of thefe 
cafes could juttify the affertion of the, French 
Government having retufed explanation and 
fatisfa€tion, on the ground that no notice had 
been taken of thefe tranfaétions but in a very 
curfory manner; ror had any explanation ever 
been required as to any particular tranfaétion, 
whether in Italy or elfewhere; and if it had, it 
would immediately have been given; and that 
the language of Col, Sebaftiani was not to be 
put in any comparifon with that ufed by Major 
Wilfon, in his account of the campaign of Egypt. 
I urged the difference of a common publication 
like that to which he aliuded, and a report to 
the Firft Conful, pubiifhed by him in his official 
paper. On this occafion, M. de Talleyrand 
was difpofed to call in queftion the authenticity 
of the Moniteur. In fhort, the moft ungrounded 
affertions were fubftituted for arguments; and 
amongft thefe, I cannot but place chat fo often 
repeated of the Firft Conful’s having entirely 
given up all idea whatever of Ugypt, conicquently 
we could have no prevext for retaining Malta. 
He affured me for the reft, that he would 
communicate it this evening to the Firft Contful, 
and that tomorrow he fhould, in all prodability, 
have a communication to make in return. 
; WHITWORTH. 
The Rt. Hon. Lord Hawkefbury.' 
No. 53. 
My Lord, Paris, April 9, 1203. 
In my converfation yefterday evening with 
M. de Talleyrand, 1 found him, after he had 
feen the Firft Conful, more difpofed to contett 
the fubftance of the note which I had prefented 
the day before, than to afford any farther ex- 
planation. He faid, thatin order to proceed re= 
gularly, it would be neceffary that the French 
Government fliould be informed precifely 
| a@frangemeric is made in Italy for the King of what were the objeéts which had created fuch 
Sardinia, which fhall be fatistactory to him. uneafinefs, and on which it was alleged all ex 
Hh No. 52. : planation had been refufed, That alihough this 
__ My Lord, Paris, April 7, 1803. had, perhaps, been touched upon in general con- 
_ Fhave feen M. de Talleyrand, and commu-_ verfation, yet no fpecific charge had been ad- 
_ to him the enclofed note, which I truft’ duced in fuch 2 manner as to demznd a formal 
a 
5 , v 
FAs 
explanation. 
