Revelations of the Diplomatic History of the 18th Century

4.-(MANUSCRIPT)

Account of Russia during the Commencement of the Reign of the Emperor Paul, drawn up by the Rev. L. K. Pitt, Chaplain to the Factory of St Petersburg, and a near Relative of William Pitt

[“To be burnt after my death.” Such are the words prefixed to the manuscript by the gentleman — William Coxe — to whom it was addressed.]

EXTRACT

“There can scarcely exist a doubt concerning the real sentiments of the late Empress of Russia on the great points which have, within the last few years, convulsed the whole system of European politics.^[48] She certainly felt from the beginning the fatal tendency of the new principles, but was not, perhaps, displeased to see every

European power exhausting itself in a struggle, which raised in proportion to its violence her own importance. It is inure than probable that the state of the newly acquired provinces in Poland was likewise a point which had considerable influence over the political conduct of Catherine. The fatal effects resulting from an apprehension of revolt in the late scat of conquest, seem to have been felt in a very great degree by the combined powers, who in the early period of the Revolution were

so near reinstating the regular Government in France. The same dread of revolt in Poland, which divided the attention of the combined powers and hastened their retreat, deterred likewise the late- Empress of Russia from entering on the great theatre of war, until a combination of circumstances rendered the progress of the French armies a more dangerous evil than any which could possibly result to the Russian Empire from active operations.... The last words which the Empress was known to utter were addressed

to her Secretary when she dismissed him on the morning on which she was seized: ‘Tell Prince’ (Zuboff), she said, ‘to come to me at twelve, and to remind me of signing the Treaty of Alliance with England.’”

Having entered into ample considerations on the Emperor Paul’s acts and extravagances, the Rev. Mr. Pitt continues as follows:

“When these considerations are impressed on the mind, the nature of the late secession from the coalition, ^[49] and of the incalculable indignities offered to

the Government of Great Britain, can alone be fairly estimated.... but the ties which bind her (Great Britain) to the Russian Empire are formed by nature, and inviolable. United, these nations might almost brave the united world; divided, the strength and importance of each is fundamentallyimpaired. England has reason to regret with Russia that the imperial sceptre should he thus inconsistently wielded, but it is the sovereign of Russia alone who divides the Empires.”

The Reverend Gentleman concludes his account by the words: