Chapter 1
The Instructions of Monsieur V——The great monarch by whose gracious
command I write this narrative has given me his permission to
preface it with the following remarkable document:
Minute: It is considered that it cannot but promote the
cause of peace and good understanding between the British and
Russian Governments if Monsieur V—— be authorized to relate in the
columns of some publication enjoying a wide circulation, the steps
by which he was enabled to throw light on the occurrences in the
North Sea.
By the Cabinet.
In addition, I desire to state for the benefit of those who
profess to see some impropriety in the introduction of real names
into a narrative of this kind, that objections precisely similar to
theirs were long ago raised, and long ago disposed of, in
