Friday night, March 14 1856

My dear Walewski,
I have heard again from Palmerston tonight & fear that the question of the neutralization of the Black Sea is producing a most painful sensation among my colleagues who say with truth that the transports would be nothing else than powerful ships of war which together with the large avisos [?] would render the neutralization of the Black Sea a perfect mockery. Moreover that as the Russians are to retain Nicolaieff for the purpose of building there the class of ships they are to be allowed to maintain by the treaty they would go on building their great ships under pretence of keeping up a reserve of transports.
I feel quite certain that we shall not be able to agree to the additionnal ships asked for by Orloff & it is really madness in him to risk every thing on a point which he can & we cannot concede. The dignifed & the wise course for Russia would be to confine herself to the six avisos (?) in the separate convention & to rely upon her own means for furnishing the transports she may require. She would thus herself fulfill the condition she has accepted & every body would be saved from embarrassment upon the only matter which can endanger the signature of peace.
Ever yours
Clarendon