CHAPTER II.

THE REIGN OF VICTORIA (_continued_).

Widening of the Question--The Fleets in Besika Bay--Lord Clarendon's Despatch--The Czar and Lord Stratford de Redcliffe--Nesselrode's "Last Effort"--Military Preparations--Blindness of the British Cabinet--Nesselrode's Ultimatum rejected--Occupation of the Principalities--Projects of Settlement--The Vienna Note--Its Rejection by the Porte---Division of the Powers--Text of the Note--Divisions in the British Cabinet--The Fleets in the Bosphorus--The Conference at Olmütz--The Sultan's Grand Council--Lord Stratford de Redcliffe's last Effort--Patriotism of the Turks--Omar Pasha's Victories--The Turkish Fleet destroyed at Sinope--Indignation in England--The French Suggestion--It is accepted by Lord Clarendon--Russia demands Explanations--Diplomatic Relations suspended--The Letter of Napoleon III.--The Western Powers arm--An Ultimatum to Russia--It is unanswered--The Baltic Fleet--Publication of the Correspondence--Declarations of War 19