Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/440

 398 APPENDIX. can only be said of the original Vienna Note) is precise and unmistakable ; but I have carefully gone through all the records of the period to see whether any of the other projects of accommodation, at various times proposed, received from you any decided support. The only other Note which there was ever any question of urging upon the Porte's acceptance was one framed towards the middle of October, by the English and French Governments, and which it was believed would also be adopted at Vienna. This Note was very carefully written, and Lord Aberdeen was extremely anxious that it should be strongly pressed upon the Porte — proposing that the declaration of the Four Powers, to be made on its presentation, should con- clude thus : — ' It [the Note] has been framed with an anxious regard ' for the interests of the Porte. The objections formerly ' urged against portions of the Vienna Note have been 1 considered and effectually removed, and there is nothing ' which can in any degree affect the independence or dignity ' of the Sultan. The Four Powers trust that the Porte will ' duly appreciate their endeavours, and will adopt this Note ' as now proposed. Should this unfortunately not be the ' case, they feel it to be their duty to declare that they ' cannot permit themselves, in consequence of unfounded ' objections, or by the declaration of war which they have ' already condemned, to be drawn into the adoption of a ' policy inconsistent with the peace of Europe as well as ' with the true interests of Turkey itself. On the other ' hand, the conciliatory spirit evinced by an acceptance of ' the Note, as now proposed, could not fail to secure for the ' Porte, in case of necessity, a more decided support from 1 the Four Powers.' This addition Lord Clarendon pronounced to be ' neces- 1 sary,' while Mr Gladstone wrote that he was ' one of those ' who, like Graham, think it indispensable.' The reason