Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/248

 206 OKIGIN OF THE WAR OF 1653 ' war. By the occupation of the Trincipalitiea ' we desire to have such a security as will ensure ' us the restoration of our rights. It is not con- ' quest that we seek ; Russia needs it not ; we ' seek satisfaction for a just right so clearly in- ' fringed. We are read)- even now to arrest the ' movement of our armies, if the Ottoman Porte ' will bind itself solemnly to observe the inviola- ' bility of the Orthodox Church. But if blindness ' and obstinacy decide for the contrary, then, call- ' ing God to our aid, we shall leave the decision ' of the struggle to Him, and, in full confidence ' in His omnipotent right hand, we shall march ' forward for the Orthodox Church.' * By declaring that his military occupation of these provinces was not an act of war, the Em- peror Nicholas did not escape from any part of the responsibility naturally attaching to the in- vasion of a neighbour's territory ; and yet, by making this announcement, he committed the error of enabling the Porte to choose its own time for the final rupture. The Sultan was advised by Lord Stratford, and afterwards by the Home Governments of the "Western rowers, that al- though he was entitled, if he chose, to look upon the seizure of the tributary provinces as a clear invasion of his territory, he was not obliged to treat it as an act which placed him at war, and that for the moment it was wise for him to hold back. Upon this counsel the Sultan acted ; and in truth the latitude which it gave him was high-
 * ' Eastern Tapers,' part i. p. 323.