The National Register. — London, England, 1814-11-27 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER. 9DUr rongtitution, mai tattbs. PIJBLISHED AT NO. 11 ; NEWCASTLE-STREET ) STRAND. SUNDAY, NO - V - EII I 3ER 9.7, 1811. Ne. 356. PR7r,tr )d POLITICAL DISWLSITION. THE PARTITION OF SAXONY. In another part of our paper will be found a very curi ous and interesting detail of circumstances relative to this illustrious house, the degradation of which, and the divi sion of whose territory, must excite the commiseration, if not th, , indignation, of every Protestant as well as every lover of gond order. The complexion of that paper is curious. It begins with pious reflections on the mutability of human affairs ; details in its progress the means which were successfully taken to remove its reigning monarch, ar.d concludes with putting Louis the Eighteenth in mind that he is cf the same family. But as to the pertinacious, and, as it has turned out, unfortunate attachment, of this amiable Sovereign to Buo naparte, is to he ascribed the conduct observed towards him, it i% impossible not to recollect that such was his sitilation that in the words of the articre alluled to, he was compelled to forget that he was a German, and to unite himself with the oppressors of Germany. This is the crime of the unfortunate Frederic Augustus.l how he became placed 'n such a situation it is necessary to enquire ? To what cause is it to be ascribed, but the uniform and successivo treason of Austria and Prussia from 1794 to 1811 ? Owing to this circumstance, Saxony was exposed, as well as Bavaria and Wirtemberg, to the su cessful attacks of France. 'I hey had no choice, and th it sovereigns, yielding to the state of things, accepted her Men powerful patronage, and obtained not only acceN lon of territory, but a n.ore elevated rank. It is true tl at to f Dow up the *dea of the above writer, Saxony d'd not embrace Cie opportunity offered to her after the c; mpaign of 1812, of uniting her arms to those of thu Allies. This reasoning is sound now that the result is known. But, at the time that Saxony proved her attachment to Tuonaparte, what were the prospnts of Germany ? Sweden, it should appear, was actually bullied by Sir C. Stewart into co-operation, and Prussia, even at the battle of Lutzen, could not shew troops equal in number to those of France. Russia had not funds to bring for ward her arnCes, and the dispositions of Austria were far from certain. Ott ~~'_~` Vol. VII. No CCCLVII Such were the circumstances in which Saxoby was . Frederic Augustus recollected the year 1794, when the King of Prussia gave way, when the Elector of Hanover made peace with the regicide Directory, when Hesse Cassel threw herself into the arms of France. He recollected the irresolution (to call it by no worse name) of Prussia and Austria, the one alternately looking on at the destruction of the other. He recollected the battle of Jena as well as that of Austerlitz. He recol lected the conduct of Lussia previous to and after the peace of Tilsit. In addition to these recollectioks, the Saxon fortresses were in possession of .Buonaparte, and, judging from past events, there was every reason to believe that success would still attend the French arms. But to use the words of an animated writer, these per sons pretend that the King of Saxony, although one of the most benevolent and beloved monarchs that ever reigned, is justly punished for the infraction of a treaty made with Austria, Ishm Austria was about to declare herself an armed mediatrix, and after the Allies had lost the battle of Lutzen, and Dresden was in possession of the French Emperor. But why is his crime not-proclaimed as the cause of his punishment ? Why is the accused not heard iu his defence ? .Why are his despoilers his judges ? Are these judges themselves not equal offenders ? Hav e they not successively received the law of the conquerors and marched as his vassals for the subjugation of his ene mies and their own natural friends ? The Crown of Saxony is given to the king of Prussia, as a reward for his services in the good cause; to the King of Prussia, who refused to join the Coalition, until it was announced to him, that if he longer hesitated, a pro visional government would be established in his states, then occupied by the Russians. The Saxons themselves, to whose example the coalition is chiefly indebted for its success—Wllo9o soldiery, not withqanding the v engeful grape pouring on them, un. daunting,ly passed to unite their standards with the Allies —these Saxons are now transferred like cattle to a new master, whilst the officers, who had counselled and exe cuted the bold and important defection in the battle of Leipsic, are sent to dungeons, because they declared that they proposed to serve and not betray their Ic.ag, and lo,yally remonstrated against the alienation of his throne. ~l