The Paget Papers.

Letter from the 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 323 - 324.

From the Hon. A. Paget to Lord Elgin.

Palermo, 3d, March, 1801.

Genl Murat, who commands & negociates for the french, acquainted Mr Micheroux that the King of Naples owed His Safety to the Interference of the Emperor of Russia,* & that therefore the least return He could make him would be to shut His Ports to the English shipping, particularly as an embargo had been laid m England on Russian shipping. He further added that it was a measure that had been concerted & agreed upon between Russia & France,. & if it was not acceded to he would immediately march against Naples. The fact however is, that the Russian Minister is gone from hence to Naples for the purpose of protesting against the abuse that has been made of the Emperor of Russia's name, and of softening the Conditions which relate to England, which he as a friend & ally of this Country feels are so injurious to its Interests. Great hopes therefore are entertained here that he will have influence enough with the French Genl to procure better terms for this Country. For my part je n'en crois rien, and fully expect to see the French at Naples & perhaps in Sicily (no doubt under the pretext of embarking from hence for an attack upon Malta) in the course of a month or six weeks. You will hardly believe that Genl Murat has had the Impudence to ask for the Order of St Ferdinand (a new Ordr lately instituted here which I believe takes the precedence of St Janvier). He says he has asked his brother in Law Bonaparte to be sent Ambassador to this Court, & trusts that H.S.M. will confer this mark of Distinction upon him. for the services he will have rendered this Court.

* See letter of Feb. 7.

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