Brooks: Diplomacy and the Borderlosdt


Pizarro, but Wellesley reported a growing coolness between the
Russian and the secretario.' One of Tatistcheff's most notorious
intrigues was carried on through the camarill, without Pizarro's
knowledge.' That was the sale to Spain, in the winter of 1817-1818,
of a fleet of ships to transport troops to America. The condition of
the ships, which proved unseaworthy, and the unsavory eircum-
stances surrounding the negotiation, made this a major scandal in
a scandalous regime.
 Erving was in a position to observe the rivalry of Wellesley and
Tatistcheff, and recorded the following opinions:
The english embassy her keeps its secrets very well, but it is not difficult to
perceive that affair do not go to their liking... there is some eolliion between
the cabinet politieks of St Petersburg & those of St James, & the infuenee of
the former prevails here, b seems still to be gaining ground; -this of itself
is sufacient eause of dissatisfaetion... Mr Tertisehet [sic] the Basian
minister ... is bitterly hostile to England & every thing english; -by his
arts & intrigues he has gained the entire conddenee of the king, & does not
fail to use his influence to withdraw Spain entirely from her connexion with
England; -at the same time he promotes objects of major importance ...
Mr Tertisehet is adroit, a the king in his weakness imagines that if he has
the great Emperor Alexander for his friend, he has nothing to fear; -there
is an under cabinet here called by contempt "camarila" (little chamber) com-
posed of individuals neither great nor wise, but very servile: -these inferior
persons the king delights to talk With, & to put eonidenee in... here Mr
Tertisehef has established his authority, A there is no saying how far by this
inflence he may be able to lead his majesty.'

 Nevertheless, Wellesley did manage to put through a treaty for
the abolition by Spain of the slave trade, giving the British fleet
the right of search to enforce the abolition, and involving the pay-
ment of 400,000 to Spain. This achievement was followed shortly
by Tatisteheffs victory in the ship sale, and for a time Wellesley
had to yield to the Russian the close and intimate influence over
the court. Tatistcheff's preeminence was gained through ruse and
intrigue. In background and personal qualities the advantage ap-
pears to have been with the Englishman, whose despatches and
activities convey the impression that he was a man above most of
his associates in ability and integrity.
 During the slave trade negotiation, in the summer of 1817, the
matter of intervention in the affairs of Spain and the United States
came up for discussion. Intervention had been suggested in the