August 28.

The ‘Courier’ of last night throws doubts on the reported victory of Kirkhilissa.  The Sultan is said to be now ready to treat.  The plague is in the Russian army, and in the country before them.  Had a long conversation with Hardinge on Indian affairs.

August 29.

Read a letter from Mr. Cartwright, the Consul at Constantinople, dated the 9th.  The loss of Erzeroum is to be attributed to the Janizaries.  In all Asia they seem to be rising.  The Russians are not expected to advance till they are joined by 15,000 men, coming by sea.  Thus our fleet would have saved Constantinople.

Cabinet at half-past three.  Before the Cabinet read Lord Heytesbury’s and Mr. Gordon’s despatches.  Lord Heytesbury seems to be a mere Russian.

August 31.

Mr. Gordon describes the Turkish Empire as falling to pieces.  The national enthusiasm and religious feeling of the people seem to be gone.  The Sultan is unpopular.  The populace of Adrianople desires the advance of the Russians, so scandalous has been the conduct of the Asiatics.  The Pacha of Egypt gives no assistance, and thinks the weakness of the Porte constitutes his strength.  The people of Trebizond have invited Count Paskewitz.  Erzeroum was lost by the treachery of the Janizaries.

The Sultan has acceded to the Treaty of London.  This accession is qualified, but not in such a manner as to preclude negotiation.  He has consented to treat with Russia, to give freedom to the navigation of the Black Sea, and to observe the Treaty of Akerman—­but he stipulates for the integrity of the Ottoman dominions in Europe and Asia.  He has not, however, sent Plenipotentiaries.

General Muffling, the Prussian, is arrived at Constantinople.  He reports the moderate views of the Emperor Nicholas, and states them.

The French Government, from the information it derived from its Minister at Berlin, has instructed Count Guilleminot to declare to the Turks the terms on which Russia will make peace.  Russia requires the execution of the Treaty of Akerman—­indemnity—­(but moderate) for the expenses of the war and the losses sustained by her commerce, for which indemnity, as it seems, she is willing to take Anapa.

She requires the free navigation of the Dardanelles for all nations.  This cession to be secured by treaty, not by territorial occupation.

The terms of the Turks are not very dissimilar; but as Count Diebitch has orders to advance till preliminaries are signed, a catastrophe may take place still.

Mr. Gordon managed to get a paper into the Sultan’s own hands, which may have led in some measure to this result.  He naturally gave credit to the information contained in the Despatches of Count Guilleminot, but the French Government have no authority for their opinion as to the terms on which Russia will make peace.  No communication to that effect has been made officially to them.