[92] The treaty of El Arish was concluded in January. By it the French troops were to be allowed to return to France, without any stipulation as to their non-employment in the future. This was directly contrary to the instructions of the British Government, which only reached Sir Sidney Smith after the conclusion of the peace. The Ministers, however, on hearing that his word was pledged, assented to the Articles, but meanwhile the French victory at Heliopolis over the Turks made them disinclined to accept terms, and the fighting was renewed. [93] Charles, Lord Whitworth (1752–1825), Minister Extraordinary at St. Petersburg from 1788 till 1800. He was raised to the peerage at Paul’s own special request, but before the news of the honour arrived the Czar had quarrelled with him and dismissed him from his dominions. [94] Paul’s views on the European question underwent a radical change soon after Napoleon’s accession to the Consulate. He conceived a great admiration for the conqueror of Italy, and this feeling was fostered by the latter’s action in restoring him 7000 Russian soldiers, clothed in new uniforms, whom the English had refused to include in a cartel of exchange. Instead of the ally he suddenly became the active opponent of England and Austria, seized all British ships in his ports, and ordered Lord Whitworth to retire to Riga. [95] Grey in his speech disclaimed the fact that the object of his motion was the reform of Parliament, though he owned he wished it was so. As, however, this was impracticable he wished only to try to keep Parliament in its present state. [96] John Gale Jones (1769–1838), a Radical politician of the advanced school, though by profession a surgeon. [97] Fox, in a letter to Lord Holland, dated March 1798 (_Memorials and Correspondence_), says: ‘With regard to secession (that is _declared_ secession) I confess I do not like it as a measure, but I believe the Duke of Bedford does. I should dislike to a degree I cannot express to attend again myself: ... but I am so far from wishing others to do the same, that I even wish for occasions when you and others may have opportunity of attending.’ Again, on October 21, he writes: ‘The Duke of Bedford, who is here, confirms what you say of Grey’s intention to attend occasionally, and I shall not be at all sorry to find myself the sole seceder.’ [98] Lord Holland points out in the _Memoirs of the Whig Party_ that this was the first motion in the House of Lords on a subject which finally received the assent of Parliament in 1829. The motion was not directly negatived, but the debate was concluded by Lord Boringdon, who moved the previous question.