The National Register.
London, England, 1812-05-03 00:00:00

268

world. They are all, we have no doubt, unfounded.—
BCONAPARTE may have proposed peace, but he did it
through motives widely different from those attributed
to hint. On the eve of renewing the contest with
Russia, probably supported by Sweden, his aim was
either to obtain, through terror, what he must exert
the force of arms to effect, the total submission of
that Power to his will, or else so to alarm her as
to cramp her exertions in the- approaching conflict,
and ensure her ruin. :cloth these effects may be
produced, or either, according to the present temper of
AIiXANDER'S mind, by the same cause, the opening of
negotiations with France. The knowledge of this single
fact, as long as their object is not made public, must
stiike anxiety and apprehension into the hearts of our
Allies, lest we should be induced by the clamours of the
seditious and discontented at home, to abandon their
cause. It must operate still more forcibly on those
Powers, who, hesitating between a desperate resistance to
foieign oppression, and a quiet submission to superior
strength, would adopt the former, if they saw any pro-
spect of assistance, and in want of it, would reluctantly
embrace the latter. It is therefore calculated to produce
a particular effect upon Russia, which, according to
every account, remains in that state of painful suspense.
" At the time . you pretend to oppose my will, and
encounter the combined power of the French em-
pire, Prussia, Austria, and the Confederation of the
Rhine," BUONAPARTE will tell her—" I am dictating
terms of peace to England, the only nation from
vhom you could expect assistance. Left to yourtelf, re-
sistance must prove your ruin. Lay down the sword, and
purchase the continued existence of your Crown by im-
plicit obedience to my will." Such will he the language
which NAPOLEON will hold, not only to RUssia, but pos-
Sibly to Spain and Portugal, where, although less likely
to have so dangerous an effect, it may awaken the jealousy
of the people, or damp their spirit. It is therefore in-
cumbent on Ministers not to suffer the negotiations to be
pt otr acted to any length, unless they see a fair prospect of
obtaining a final settlement of differences, as advantageous
to our Allies as to ourselves. But with such a man as NA-
POLEON, so used to obey no other itnpu!se than that of in-
terest and ambition, and to sport with the sacredm.ss of
tr eaties, who can reasonably hope to form a safe and last-
ing agreement ?

TIIE TALENTS.

The indecent and illiberal language made use of by the
organ of the Opposition, and the other Journals which '
affect to advocate the cause of Liberty, whenever they
advert to the conduct of the PRINCE REGENT in retaining
his ROYAL FATHER'S Ministers, is presumptuous in the
highest degree, What, we would ask these calumniators
of Royalt- Lave e✓er their party done to entitle them
tither or of the People ?
whom the tomb
has nature, where the
moti and HEIR APPA-
BEN style of arrogance
unp; justice demands
that leaders of the Op-

ppsi than the present
Mini,,ters to the unlimited government of the State ? How

er to jpnfidence of tie PRINCE c
:,Ash _d/Us-IL* moby_of those
"ne 4;719'16 this r
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Lives ug it; • tlre a
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IT to _ • , ast
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iaralle
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ition have don,ltrerifitiet em more