April 5, 1856
Private

My dear Walewski,
I entirely agree with you as to the declaration respecting neutrals & privateers but as it involves an important English principle I must consult my colleagues before assenting to it.
The circular to the Corps Diplomatique is quite right but perhaps you will wait a day before sending it in case we can revoke our order in Council about opening the ports.
I send you an extract from Palmerston's dispatch respecting the Emperor's gracious intention to bestow the Legion of Honor upon Cowley and me. Will you have the goodness to show it to H.M.
I also send a copy of my dispatch to Stratford about the firman convoking the Divans.
I am going to present some papers to Parliament about the religious question and apostacy in Turkey and I will beg of you to say whether you object to the publication of two dispatches from Cowley alluding to his commmunications with you upon the subject. I send the papers containing them.
I hope you will settle with Buol to be a little coulant upon the Italian question. I will call upon you before the conference in order that we may agree exactly on what is to be said.
Ever yours
Clarendon