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82(3

cismg tlie powers of governement in that kingdom, in n ,s , Jgand in his behalf, 1 am directed franldy and explicitly to de'- ^to your Excellency, that obligations oï good faith preclndfRoyal Highness from entertaining a proposition for peace 10ded upon sucb a basis. . .- n «

If, bowever, tbe expressions referred to, apply to the exisgovernment of Spain acting iu tire name of Ferdinand 1 venth, upon an assurance from your ExcelLency to (bat e , flI ,his Royal Highness will be prepared fully to explain hin* sethe basis that has been transmitted for his Royal Hig“ n ; - tlconsidération : it being bis Royal Highness’s earnest desu e <concert with his allies, to contribute to the repose of Ë ur J ? j eand to bring about a peace wich may be ut once honourunot only for Great Britain and France , but for those swith which they are respectively in connexion. , _ erl ,

Having, witliout reserve, explained the Prince Regent s*timents upon a point so necessary to bc understood, previofurther discussion, I shall fulfill his Royal Higlniess's ' nsl ^ 0I|Slions, by declining unnecessary and reçriminatory observa _on collateral topics. I mav safely trust the justification 0conduct pursued by the british government, at the severa Friods referred to in your Expellency's ietter.to thecorrespou ^which passed at the time and to the judgments which the' v

has long since passed on it.

\yith rpspect to tjie particular character which the war. , eSunhappily assumed, and the exclusion and arhitraiy P n0C L s>which your Excellency desçribes as having markcd itswhilt I disclaiui on the part of the british government that .eyils are attrifrufable {o it, I ain autboriseçl to assure yo ur ^ a j-jfylency that it sincereiey déployés their existence as unnece*aggravating the niiseries of war, and that it is its anxious ne ^whether in war or in peace with France , to see the intercourtween nations restored to the liberal and accustomed pi -111 Fof former times. aS ,

I take tbis opportunity of offering to your Excellency “ ,csurances qfmy high considération.

(Signed) CàstlereAGH*

To {iis Excellency the minister of foreign relations at Par 15 *Pour copie conforme.

Le miigstre des relations extérieures!

Le Duc de BassAN^