March 21, 1856
Private

My dear Walewski,
Many thanks for the American dispatches which I will return this evening having been too much occupied all day to read them;
I write a line now to say that I have seen Hatzfeld & think that the Russian affair is a terrible gâchis as I was always sure it would be if they were invited before we were quite ready & they were not told exacly what they were to come for.
I hope however that they will not take part in the very difficult & delicate matter that is still to be discussed.
The Russian proposal for the Asians [?] is one of the most important I even read & it should be treated as an insult to the Congress & an attempt to make Europe do far more for Russian domination in Turkey than Menchikoff endeavoured to obtain.
I am much annoyed at the present state of things & fear we shall still have grave embarrassments.
Ever yours.
 Clarendon