CIX
Traditional English Policy
Leader, N. Y. T., January 12, 1856
Concerning the foreign policy of English Whigs, a most erroneous impression prevails; it is supposed that they have been ever the sworn foes of Russia. History clearly establishes the contrary. In the diary and correspondence of James Harris, first Earl of Malmesbury-for several years, under both Whig and Tory administrations, English Minister at the Court of St. Petersburg-and in the Memoirs and Correspondence of Charles James Fox, edited by Lord John Russell, we find astounding revelations of Whig policy as inspired and inaugurated by Fox, who is still the political hierophant of the Whigs, being in fact as much revered by them as Mohammed is by the Osmanli. To understand, therefore, how England has been ever sub-servient to Russia, we will revert for a moment to facts antecedent to the accession of Fox to the Cabinet.
In the diary of the Earl of Malmesbury we perceive the anxious, impatient haste with which England pressed her diplomacy on Russia during the American War of Inde-pendence. Her Ambassador was instructed to conclude by any means an alliance, offensive and defensive. The reply of the Czarina in the first instance was evasive: the very word "offensive" was odious to Catherine; and it was necessary first to wait the course of events. Finally the English diplomat discerned that the obstacle was Russia's desire of English support for her Turkish policy; and
