Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/60
English army am! Government and the two fleets attach so high a value. It has seemed to me that it would be good policy in reference to the future of our operations concerted with the English to make a beginning of my relations with them by an act which would heal the wound they received from the recall of the former expedition, would end the very grave trouble which it brought upon the relations between the French and the English, and re- store that harmony which is in one word the great necessity of the time. The expedition has therefore been determined upon, and the troops embark to-day.'[1]
Accentuated by such an announcement this language might well be astounding to the Em- peror Louis Napoleon, since he not only found himself extruded from the command of his army in the Crimea, but even, as we saw, overruled in a matter concerning high policy, and the main- tenance of friendship with England. lie by telegraph said to Pedissier on the following day :
Louis Napoleon to Pélissier 'I have confidence in you, and I do not pretend to command the army from hence.[2] Still, I must tell you my opinion, and you must respect it. It is absolutely necessary to make a great effort and beat the Russian army in order to invest the place. To be looking for space and