The Paget Papers.

Letter from Hon. Arthur Paget (Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the King of the two Sicilies) to Lord Keith.

Source: Paget, Right Hon. Sir Augustus B. Paget, G.C.B. The Paget Papers, Diplomatic and other Correspondence of the Right Hon Sir A. Paget. G.C.B., 1794-1807, 2 Vols. Longmans, Green and Co. New York 1896. Vol 1.  Pages 236.

From the Hon A Paget to Lord Keith.

Palermo, July 1, 1800.

My Dear Lord,—. . . . . With respect to the affairs of Malta, we are in sad want of some arrangements. The Russians have got it in their head that Graham does not like their coming there. I have accordingly written Officially to him to say that the King approves of the views of the Emperor of Russia with regard to the Island of Malta, & consequently that he would do right to conform to the wishes of the Russian Commander. I think it right to inclose you copies of an Official Letter from the Russian Minister to me, vvith my answer, which is written in the exact sense of my Instructions on that head. You probably know that the Principal Cause of the Emperor of Russia's quarrelling with us * is the Conduct of Sir Sydney Smith in that ill judged business with Kleber, and as Government had some time ago certainly made up their minds to give Malta up to Russia, I do not imagine that it can be our Interest to widen the breach by opposing the Emperor Paul's views on that Island. This has been the rule of my Conduct on all occasions which have presented thernselves.—I remain, &c.,

(Signed)             A. Paget.

* See Lord Greenville's despatch, Oct 17.

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