The Federal mirror — Concord, N.H., 1795-09-11 00:00:00, page 1

'^^rio ^ PmOYA f 'OW < IffAf . •
Miscellany.
DESCRIPTION
[The mere mention of the capture of a place, in
bovever pompous a manner it ma, be drawn, does
not give the public a proper idea of its importance
to the viaor.—We have mentioned the capture of
Luxemburg, but as every reader has not the ad
vantage of Geographical knowledge, to lead him
toj^dge of its consequence —be might as well sup
pose it was a temporarily fortified town, or a tri
jfrngfuilla, one of the most defenfible cities in the
world. We publish the following, to make evi
dent its importance.]
NOTES ON LUXEMBURG.
T HE following notes on that fortrefs, were
taken on the foot, in 1792, a few weeks be
fore the present war commenced. 1 ,
The name of Luxemburg, or Lutzenburg,
as the inhabitants call it, lignifies a small cas
tle ; it belonged originally to the Abbe of
St. Maximin, near Treves. ° Like so many
other forts in the province, whose maffy ru
ins now rolling down from stupendous rocks,
put the traveller in mind of the dreadful van
: dalifm, that once scourged Europe, Luxem
burg was firit built on a small scale, upon
this rocky mountain, in order to afford a
Ihelter to the tenants of the monks, against
the continued inroads of the robbers, who
infefted the extensive woods of the dutchy of
Luxemburg ; the monks were afterwards
prevailed upon to give up the castle to the
• Duke of Luxemburg, who, on account of
'its advantageous iituauon for a military post,
• transformed it into a regular fortrefs ; how
ever, the place did not become important,
till the dominions of the Duke of Burgundy,
wete united with the Spanish monarchy;
from that time to the present day, neither
pains nor money were {pared, to render it
the most complete, and the most formidable
bulwark- of the Universe—every year new
works were added—all the neighbouring
mountains were crowned with master pieces
of modern fortifications, which, with what
is called the fortrefs, form only one great
and inseparable whole. The mountains, ex
cavated as they now are, resemble avast fub
terraneous town, composed of an immense
number of cafemates, for the accommoda
tion of the foldlers, store-houses of all kinds,
mills moved by horses, place d'Arms, &c.—
The different arms which are still remaining
on some gates, bear witness that Spain,
France, and Austria, have vied, with one an
other, in the glory of squandering the reve
nues of whole kingdoms, on this rocky foot.
Upon a careful review of these stupendous
works, the execution of which, one might
believe, above the power of mortals, it ap
pears that Spain has done the rough work ;
France has confidcrably polished and refin
ed, but Austria has finifhed the whole most
completely. The works added since 1715,
by several imperial engineers, particularly by
Moncrief, towards France, and the late addi
tions after the new f,ftem of the celebrated
General Ouerlande, who is now commander
of the place, are most admirable.
The small river Olfet, washes the foot of
, the mountain, on which Luxemburg is felt
ed, divides it into two parts, one called the
fortrefs or upper town, and the other Grund,
Or lower town, because of its situation in a
hollow between three steep mountains. It
is the feat of the government, —the place
where the states assemble at certain epochs,
in order to deliberate on the concerns of the
e province ; the common resort of the nobili
ty, and in some manner the centre of the in
considerable trade which this extensive, but
little frequented dutchy, carries on. How
ever, the place is neither well built, nor live
ly, nos very populous ; both towns together,
containing only from 11 to 12,000 inhabit
ants ; the streets, except that of the Porte-
Neuve, and some others that lay contiguous
to that beau iful oblong, called the place
d' Armes, are in general narrow, and uneven,
the good houses with very few exceptions,
belong all to the clergy, and nobility, or are
military .building The common language
of the inhabitants, whose existence depends
on a numerous garrison, is a broken Ger
man, but French is generally fpdken, this
being the urinal language among the Wal
loon regiment, who form the garrison, and
shew as much aversion for all that is German,
as they proved inimical to the Emperor's io
tereft, during the late jnforredion of the
;, Brabanteers. If these were permuted to ft,
over the barriers, they would run away in
whole companies to join the French, but:
[VOLUME III.]
NEWH AMPSHIRE PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY E. RUSSELL AND M. DAVIS, AT CONCORD. ! _
none of them are permitted to peep out of
the place ; three fourths are constantly pen
ned up in their barracks,.which are separated
by large feffes from the town, and two Ger
man battalions, whom the Walloons are dai
ly assassinating, are obliged to do all the du
.ties at tne barriers and the out-posts; what
wonders the Emperor will perform with such
troops may easily be forefeen.
In a country where the abbots of Munster,
of Echternach and Sr. Maximin, are the 3
chief members of the state, there can certain
ly be no want of fine churches, holy relicks,
and sumptuous buildings ; but the chief cu
riosity here, of the least acquainted with mil
itary affairs, is the extremely advantageous
and awful situation of the place. To give a
proper idea of its strength, it is necessary to
begin with the upper town, properly called
the Fortress, as it communicates with all the
out works, and has not only the particular
advantage of commanding alt the other forts,
but it is hill capable of a vigorous defence,
even if all the fortifications on the opposite
mountains were Surrendered to an enemy.
On the northeast and east fide, the tops
of a few houses appear across some lofty trees
planted at the summit of a huge and steep
mountain, or rather stupendous rock, cover
ed in some places with a thin lay of earth,
and impracticable for any human being, ex
cept by the well defended, extremely diffi
cult road, which runs up in a serpentine
course to Papendael gate ; on the declevity
of the mountain, near the foot, where it be
comes less abr^fc, are several row of batte
ries, the fire of which crosses on all principal
points, and defends so effectually, the entry
of an extensive vale, towards the Grunewald,
[a wood one mile northeast of the town]
and the passage of the river Olfet, that if the
lower town and the out-works were Already
surrendered, it would be madness todittempt
ftarming the place on this fide. At the foot
of the mountain are several other bastions
surrounded by large foffes, which are cut in °
solid rocks, and encompass the whole moun
tain in such a manner, that from 6 to 8 draw
bridges are almost every where to be passed
before a body can get to the gates of the
town. The river Olfet runs in front, a
handsome stone bridge built over that river,
joins a massive stair-case that leads to the ve
ry top of another steep mountain, that rises
within a short distance east of the town, and
is defended by an extensive fortification in
affaultable for an enemy, but open to the bat
teries of the fortrefs.
On the southeast, fouth, and fouth-weft b
the fortrefs bears still a more awful appear
ance ; whole gates cut of the rock, sentry
boxes executed in the fame manner, some of
which hang over the precipice like the nest
of a swallow. To give a tolerable idea of
the height of this mountain, it is fufficient
to fay, that the sentinels who are placed on
the ramparts and the gates, appear from the
valley like small boys. To strengthen this
in all refpeds impregnable part of the town,
a fortification sometimes called Citadel, was
built on a rocky mountain, which is only
divided from the town, by a defile. It
stretches towards the frontiers of France, and
if it stood singly, would certainly pass for one
of the best fortreffes of Europe-
On the weft fide, the mountain has the
appearance of a gently rising hill, the coun
try becomes more open, and presents a vari
egated feene of charming woods, well culti
vated fields, and a number of fine villages.
Here the fortrefs is no longer inaccessible,
but the fortifications are also more regular,
infinitely strong, and an attack in this part
would be as dangerous, and undoubtedly cost
heavier losses to an enemy, than even if di
reded against the rocks, for at a Shorter dis
tance from the barrier of the porte Neave,
there is hardly the least track of the fortrefs
to be difeovered, and the work seems funk
into the mountain. The cannon are on a
level with the Hoping ground ; consequent
ly an enemy who Should venture an attack
on this fide, would be constantly exposed to
a horizontal fire, which the best troops in the
world would never be able to sustain. The
artillery of the enemy on the contrary, could
not make the least impreffi on on the fort
refs ; their fire would be chiefly funk into the
rising ground, or glance over the battertes
of the town, without any material damage
to the garrison, much less to the town, which
is Sheltered by the extensive fortifications.
Towards the north, the fortrefs was for
merly the least defensible ; it was there that
the French marefchal Crequi opened the
trenches, and after a long fuge, and a sub
, terraneous war, the place capitulated in
CONCOR D, FRIDAY, September ii, 1795.
:— + : ——
1684, in consequence of the treachery or
cowardice of the commandant, and the fee
blenefs of the garrison. However, by the
new works which have been added since that
time, this fide is now justly considered as one
of the strongest parts of Luxemburg : the
rising ground which formerly offered advan
tages to an enemy for battering the place, is
removed, the glacis falls gradually off, and
the fortifications stretch now as far as north
and north weft, that bombardment would
prove ineffcauai. Besides the whole vicini
ty within about a mi^ of the barriers, is
here as well as welt of the fortrefs, defended
by excellent mines, almost one above the
o her, in order to baffle the reiterated at
tacks of a defoerate enemy. The mines are
funk in the rock, and covered with large peb
ble stones, which renders an explosion de
ftruaive beyond imagination. It contrary
to all probability, the enemy should find
means to take possession of the covered way,
and enter the foffes, there is no doubt but the
carbonnieres or fubterraneous batteries, plac
ed level with the furface of the foffes, which
have lately been ereded, will force them to
give up their plans, or facrifice thousands of
their troops to no purpose.
Let us now take a view of the advantages
and conveniences which the interior of this
, surprising fortrefs offers to the garrison and
burghers. In the caverns which are gener
ally handsome buildings, from 4 to 6 stories
. high, there is at this moment, room and bed
furniture enough for lodging 25,000 men :
The beautiful sorest, called Gren wald, reach-J
es almost to the barriers, and supplies the
place abundantly with wood; if it was not
for the easy conveyance of this necessary ar
ticle, a large part of the sorest, which lies
nearest to Luxemburg, would have been
cleared long since, as it may serve as a suck
ling place for an enemy to intercept the pa
troles, and annoy constantly the out-pofts.=
There is a spring of excellent water on the
• east fide of the mountain, but it being be
tween the town gate and the fortifications,-
confequeutly, not always accessible, the in
habitants of the upper town, make constant
use of rain water. The principle cistern or
coufervatory of water, is in the place d'armes,
in front of the corps de guard. The rain-;
water is led there from all parts, by means of
conduits ; the cisterns are above 250 fath
oms deep, cut in the rock, and supplies the
whole town with drinking water. Here the
galley slaves are continually employed in
drawing water, and fell a bucket full for a
bout a farthing to the burghers, each house
is besides provided with a cistern for the use
of the family. There is consequently no
danger of the water being cut off by an en
emy. The powder magazines, and the most
of the articles, that serve for the sustenance of
the garrison, being lodged in Subterraneous
grottes, are also completely guarded against
any danger, but that arising from the care
lessness of those whoattend them. The im
mense excavations in this rock, are a strik
ing proof of the wonders that men are capa
ble to perfed, in the space of some hundred
years. Four men are hardly able to lift up
the bundle of keys belonging to the differ
ent apartments, halls, and alleys, resemble a
vast labyrinth, not less dangerous to a Grang
er without a guide, than that whence The
seus made his escape, by means of Arradnees
clue. In time of siege, the governor may
visit the principal out-posts, and fee whether
the troops are attentive to their duties, with
out opening the gates of the town. Subter
raneous alleys crossing the rock in different
diregions, lead from house, to the several de
guards, and communicate with them, by
means of secret fall-doors—confequently the
commanders of the pests are continually ex
posed to be surprised by the commandants,
and are obliged to do every thing in their
power, in order to keep the soldiers to their
duty. ,«
In 1543, when this place was taken by
the French, and soon after retaken by the
Spanish, it was only an inconsiderable fort,
too small for harboring a numerous garri
son, and not strong enough to be compared
to a single out- work of Luxemburg, of the
present day.- Its natural strength was much
improved on by art, and the place better
suited for a refpedable garrison in 1684,
when the French took it a fecohd time, but
it was defended by Spaniards, and still far
from haying attained that state of perfection,
which the genius of the most fkilful engin
eers, gave it the following period.
Luxemburg as it is now fortified, may in
most refpeds be deemed impregnable. To
attempt by storm, would be like running ones.
head against a rock. To try it by means of
a fubterraneous war, feehis to promise at least
some, probability of success—however, td
countermine in a solid rock, and push the
approaches inch by inch, under the heavy
fire of a numerous artillery, without being
able to silence the batteries of the befieged^
(or annoy the garrison, is accompanied by so
many extraordinary dangers and difficulties;
that an undertaking of :hat kind, would re
quire more than human patience and forti
tude. Hunger is the only redoubtable ene
my of this place, which in time.of peace, is
I always supplied for more than one year. It
I may be reasonably expeded, that in a period
;ofa twelve month, the imperial troops would
jat all events, find means to relieve it. If
I this all important fortrefs should be abandon
led; the Netherlands would be loftforever—
I Germany defencetefs, and Austria at the
mercy of her enemy. 4
PARIS, JUNE 8.,
I State of the Artilkr, and warlike flores cf %
emburgb.
379 Pieces of cannon. )
18 Howitzers. > Brass.
6 Swivil guns.J
362 Iron guns.
819 whole sum of pieces of artillery.
114991 Fire locks.
j 393 Mufketoons.
1422 Do. for the Cavalry.
I 438 Pistols.
I 336857 Balls of different Calibres;
1 47801 Bombs.
114704 Grenades.
1 >°33 1 53 ^ s - of powder.
202417 lbs. brass.
408025 lbs. lead.
2061 lbs. tin.
26414 Tools of all kinds.
2342 Edge tools.
Extruded from the regiffers of the keeper
of the arsenal at Luxemburgh.
[What immediately and particularly interns the
welfare of our Brethren the French, must aijo
he interring to us—we give, therefore, the]
PL^N
OF A
CONSTITUTION
FOR THE
FRENCH REPUBLIC.
Proposed to the National Convention of
France, by the Committee of Eleven, in the
fitting of the sth Meffidor, (June 23) third
year of the Republic.
DECLAR ATION
Os the RIGHTS of MEN and of CITIZENS
THE French People proclaim in
the presence of the SUPREME
BEING, the following Declaration of
the Rights of Men, and of Citizens
Art. I. The end of society is the
general happinef^ Government is
instituted to secure to man the enjoy
ment of his rights.
Art. IL The rights of man in so
ciety are liberty, equality, security,
property.
Art. 111. Liberty consists in doing
whatever does not injure another.
Art. IV. Every man is free to ex
press hit thoughts and opinions.
The liberty of the press cannot be
interdicted, suspended, nor limited.
Every man is free to exercise his
religion.
Art. V. Equality consists in hav
ing the fame laws for all, whether to
protea or to punish.;
Art. VI. The law is the declare
tion of the general will. Whatever
is not forbidden by the law cannot be 1
prohibited. No one can be con strain
ed to do what the law does not order.
Art. Vil. Security consists in the
salon of the whole to insure to each
individual the enjoyment and prefer
faiffipf his rights.
Art. VIII. No one can be fum#
moned to justice, |ccufed, arreffed, or
detained, but in calcs determined by
[number 151.]
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