Wednesday night, March 12

My dear Walewski,
Many thanks for this dispatch. I had a letter from Crampton this morning telling me that M. Boilleau had acted in a very friendly manner & with great judgement & discretion. I shall be much obliged if you will authorise him to concert with Crampton in case any further steps in the way of mediation may be thought adviseable by them both.
I forgot to ask you today whether you think it expedient that we should receive the Moldo-Wallachian deputation. Pray let me know. Nothing was said today about the number of guns that the light vessels are to carry in the Black Sea but this is necessary & it must be mentioned in the Treaty.
It is nonsense on the part of Orloff to say it would not consist with the dignity of the Emperor to do so when he at the same time agrees to state the number & the dimensions of the ships to be maintained. We must remember that they will after all have a considerable force - 6 light vessels - 6 transports capable of being armed at any moment - 2 ships at the mouth of the Danube - & any number in the Bay & the Dniester.
Ever yours
Clarendon