"Supposing that note 'to be finally agreed upon by Russia and Turkey as the communication which shall be made by Turkey, there will still remain the question of the evacuation of the Principalities. It is quite evident, Sir, that no settlement can be satisfactory which does not include or immediately lead to the evacuation of those Principalities. (_Cheers._) According to the declaration which has been made by the General commanding the Russian Forces, PRINCE GORTSCHAKOFF, the evacuation ought immediately to follow on the satisfaction obtained by Turkey from the EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. I will only say further, that it is an object which Her Majesty's Government consider to be essential: but with respect to the mode in which the object is to be obtained--with respect to the mode in which the end is to be secured--I ask the permission of Parliament to say nothing further upon this head, but to leave the means--the end being one which is certain to be obtained--to leave the means by which it is to be obtained in the Executive Government. With respect to the question which has been raised as to the fleets of England and France at Besika Bay, that of course need not be made any question of difficulty, because, supposing Turkey were in danger, we ought to have the power at all times of sending our fleets to the neighbourhood of the Dardanelles to be ready to assist Turkey in case of any such danger, and we ought not to consent to any arrangement by which it may be stipulated that the advance of the fleets to the neighbourhood of the Dardanelles should be considered as equivalent to an actual invasion of the Turkish territories. But, of course, if the matter is settled--if peace is secured, Besika Bay is not a station which would be of any advantage either to England or France.'
"In conclusion he said, he thought we had now a fair prospect, without involving Europe in hostilities, or exposing the independence and integrity of Turkey, that the object in view would be secured in no very long space of time. 'I will only say further, that this question of the maintenance of Turkey is one that must always require the attention--and I may say, the vigilant attention--of any person holding in his hands the foreign affairs of this country. This, however, can only be secured by a constant union between England and France--by a thorough concert and constant communication between those two great Powers."