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LETTER FROM TALLEYRAND TO CASTLEREAGH -- DECEMBER, 15, 1815
Copy of a letter of the Prince de
Talleyrand, to Lord Viscount Castlereagh, dated, Vienna, December
15, 1814.
"My Lord -- You desire me to make known to you in what
manner I conceive the affair of Naples ought to be settled in
Congress; for as there is a necessity of settling it, it is a
point upon which there ought not to be one moment of uncertainty
in a mind like yours. It would be forever a subject of reproach,
and I will say even an eternal subject of shame, if the right of
sovereignty over an ancient and fine kingdom, like that of Naples,
being contested, Europe united for the first time, (and probably
for the last,) in general congress should leave undecided a
question of this nature, and sanctioning in some degree
usurpation by its silence, should give ground for the opinion,
that the only source of right is force. I have not at the same
time to convince your excellency of the rights of Ferdinand IV.
England has never ceased to recognize them. In the war in which
he lost Naples, England was his ally, She has been since, and is
so still. Never has she recognized the title that the person who
now governs at Naples assumes, nor the right which this title
supposes; therefore in concurring to assure the rights of King
Ferdinand, England has only one plain thing to
do -- which is to declare in congress what she has always
recognized, that Ferdinand IV, is the legitimate sovereign of the
kingdom of Naples.
Perhaps England, heretofore the ally of Ferdinand IV, desires it
still to be so. Perhaps she may believe her honor demands that
she should assist, if need be, with her forces, for his regaining
the crown of which he has been
recognized the sovereign; but this is not an obligation that can
flow from a simple and pure acknowledgement of the rights of this
prince, because the recognition of a right does not naturally
carry with it any other obligation, than that of doing nothing
that may be contrary to such right, and of not supporting any
pretention that may be set up against it. It
does not carry with it the obligation of fighting in its defence.
It may be that I deceive myself, but it appears to me infinitely
probable, that a frank and unanimous declaration of the powers of
Europe, and the certitude of the person who now governs at Naples,
that he would not be supported by any one, would render useless
the employment of force; but if the contrary should happen, those
only of the allies of King Ferdinand would be necessary, who
should think proper to lend them their support.
Is it feared that in this case, the war might spread beyond the
limits of the kingdom of Naples, and that the tranquility of
Italy should again be interrupted? Is it feared that troops
should again traverse Italy? These fears may be obviated by
stipulating that the kingdom of Naples should not be attacked by
the Italian continent. Austria appears to be engaged towards him,
who governs at Naples, to guarantee him from all attack on his
side; and if as we are assured, Austria has only engaged herself
for this, (how can it be supposed that the emperor has given his
guarantee against the rights of a prince, at once his uncle, and
his father-in-law, to the possession of a kingdom which he lost
in making common cause with Austria,) she cannot be embarrassed
in reconciling with justice and with the natural sentiments of
affection, the engagements into which extraordinary circumstances
made her enter.
It appears to me, therefore, that we may at one and the same time
satisfy all our duties, and all our interests, and all our
engagements, by an article, such as the following: Europe united
in congress, recognizes His Majesty Ferdinand IV as King of
Naples. All the powers engage to one another not to favor nor to
support directly or indirectly any pretensions opposite to the
rights which appertain to him in his title; but the troops which
the powers, foreign to Italy, and the allies of His Majesty, may
march to the support of his cause, cannot traverse Italy.
I persuade myself, my lord, that your excellency is sufficiently
authorized to subscribe such a clause, and that you have no need
of a more special authorization; but if you should think
otherwise, I shall request of you to require this authority
without delay, as you have been good enough to permit me so to do
(ainsi qu'elle a bien volu me le permettre.)
Agree, &c. &c.
(Signed) Le Prince de Talleyrand
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