val, on the frontiers of
Turkey, was a most unfortunate step, and has naturally caused very great
alarm to Europe, while it has imposed great sacrifices both upon Turkey
and upon the Turkish provinces adjoining Russia.' These appearances
became so serious that the fleet was ordered to approach the
Dardanelles; the French fleet advanced at the same time; and the
Russians entered the Principalities. This, Turkey had an undoubted right
to consider a _casus belli_; but France and England induced the Sultan
to forego that right, thinking it desirable to gather up the broken
threads of negotiation, and strive for some arrangement for maintaining
peace. The French Minister for Foreign Affairs--'a gentleman whose
talents, moderation, and judgment it is impossible too greatly to
admire'--drew up a note, omitting what was objectionable on both sides.
The Austrian Government, which had previously declined to enter on a
conference, changed its views when the Russians occupied the
Principalities, and COUNT BUOL took the proposal of M. DROUYN DE LHUYS
as a basis for a note. This note was agreed to by the Four Powers; and
the EMPEROR OF RUSSIA had accepted it, considering that his honour would
be saved, and his objects attained, if that note was signed by the
Turkish Minister.

"Supposing that note 'to be finally agreed upon by Russia and Turkey as
the communication which shall be made by Turkey, there will still remain
the question of the evacuation of the Principalities. It is quite
evident, Sir, that no settlement can be satisfactory which does not
include or immediately lead to the evacuation of those Principalities.
(_Cheers._) According to the declaration which has been made by the
General commanding the Russian Forces, PRINCE GORTSCHAKOFF, the
evacuation ought immediately to follow on the satisfaction obtained by
Turkey from the EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. I will only say further, that it is
an object which Her Majesty's Government consider to be essential: but
with respect to the mode in which the object is to be obtained--with
respect to the mode in which the end is to be secured--I ask the
permission of Parliament to say nothing further upon this head, but to
leave the means--the end being one which is certain to be obtained--to
leave the means by which it is to be obtained in the Executive
Government. With respect to the question which has been raised as to the
fleets of England and France at Besika Bay, that of course need not be