Star.
London, England, 1814-03-22 00:00:00

THE OXFORD ADDRESS.

1

i '

a

k

[We have inserted the following Address from the University
of Oxford, with the Prince Regent's Answer, in consequence of
the observations it has given rise to in the political circles.]

TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE REGENT OF THE
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
" MM It please your Royal Highness,
gi We, his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal sub-
jects, the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the
University of Oxford, beg leave humbly to approach
your Royal Highness with renewed assurances of our
constant and zealous attachment to your Royal High-
ness's person, family, and Government, and with
heartfelt congratulations on the late sudden and aus-
piciouz change in the coniition and prospects of
Europe.

" That the same Power, whose unremitted aggres-
sions have so long extended the miseries of war over
peaceful and unoffending nations, subverted their li-
berties, destroyed their Governments, and desolated
their provinces, should now, in its turn, be exposed
to the peril and calamity of foreign invasion, we con-
sider as a dispensation of PROVIDENCE, equally awful
• and instructive.
" For a reverse thus signal and stupendous we
offer up our thanks and praises to the merciful RULER
of the Universe, without whom the wisdom of man
is as folly, his strength as weakness ; and on the same
ALMIGHTY BEING we place our devout reliance for
further support in the necessary continuance and ulti-
mate conclusion of this great and arduous warfare.
" In due subervience to such religious feelings, we
cannot but attribute in Nn eminent degree, the humi-
liation of the common foe to the firmness and perse-
verance of your Royal Highness, treading in the steps,
and emulating the example, of our beloved Sovereign.
46 With grief unspeakable we reflect, that he is
precluded front witnessing this result of British coun-
sels and British valour ; for to these, under the bles-
sing of FLEA VENt may we chiefly trace that succession
of events, which has terminated in the awakened
energy, and, as we hope, indissoluble union, of the
Powers of Europe, for the re-establishment of then
rightful independence.
" On all sides we contemplate the fruits of that na-
tioaal constancy which never shrunk, even in thought,
from the contest ; but upheld, alone and undismayed,
• the cause of justice and.of mankind : some, however,
of its effects we cannot fail to welcome with especial
thanktuli:ess and eaultatkn.
66 The glorious efforts and sacrifices made by the
nations J the Continent, are calculated to strengthen
their attachment to that just and well-b danced systen:
of mutual defence, by which, under the wise policy of
former times, the. common security was happily main-
tained: and the sentiments they have now general! V
and unequivocally manifested, must discourage every
future attempt to alienate them, by vain theories or
deceitful promises, from their legitimate Govern-
men's, and from the institutions of their forefathers.
" While we admire the noble enthusiasm and heroic
atchievements of the Allies, we rejoice that, even
amidst this blaze of glory, new aad signal triumphs
have stillaiistinguished his Majesty's arms; and parti-
cularly, that the standards first planted on the territory
of France, were those of our own victorious Chief.
. 66 Most sincerely do we congratulate your Royal
flighness, that the Electorate of Ha• wer is among
...life countries rescued from the grasp of usurpation;
in the joy s( forcibly and unanimously expressed by
• :those who are again placed under the paternal go-
vernment of the House of Brunswick, we most cor-
dially participate.
66 With similar feelings we behold the renewal of
our an: lent and natural alliance with the United Pro-
vinces of the Netherlands, and the restoration of the
House of Orange. •
" To the Heroes of that name, their own country
formerly owed its religious and civil freedOm, and its
subsequent protecsion from the very Power from
which it has now again been delivered. To the same
House this kingdom also is indebted for similar be-
metits ; and the close connection, of which we are
proud to tioast, with its brave and illustrious Descen-
dant, whose early virtues we have been permitted to
witness and to cherish, must ever give us a peculiar
interest in all that can contribute to the increase of its
prosperity and glory.
66 We cannot conclude this our humble Address,
without expressing the gratitude with which we have
teen our establishments lore the diffusion of literature
and science extended and improved, by new instances
of yoeur Royal Highness's munificence.
" These, and all the marks of Royal favour by
which we have been distinguished, are assuredly so-
lemn calls to the discharge of the duties incumbent on
Us, as teachers of true religion, sound learning, and
steadfast loyalty. These duties we have earnestly
endeavoured to fulsl in times of difficulty and danger.
The day, we gust, is new at hand, when our labours
will be facilitated by the return of peace—not of a fire-
earious ansl.l4ll,9ms.trlice, the parent of still more peribus
conflicts—but of,,a peace according with the magnani-
mous views of your Royal Highness—a peace at once
just and wise, glorious and permanent; which shall
oppose an impregnable barrier to lawless-ambition,
and recompence our children's children for the exer-
tions and sacrifices of their lathers."
To which Address his Royal Highness was pleased
to return the following most gracious Answer:
66 I thank you for this loyal and dutiful Address.
66 The sentiments which you have expressed at the
auspicious and unexampled change which has been
effected in the condition and prospects of Europe,
ate highly gratifying to me. I recognize in it the
awful retribution of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, on which
I humbly rely for continued support, to enable the
Allied Powers to bring the great cause of indepen-
dent nations to a secure and honourable conclusion.
66 I cannot but feel with you the deepest regret,
that his Majesty is precluded from witnessing the
effects of that unshaken constancy by which his people
have been so eminently distinguished throughout this
arduous contest, and of which his Majesty has inva-
riably afforded the most illustrious example.
By continuing your exertinns to instil into the
minds of th,,se entrusted to your care the principles
of true religion, sound leer •lu
joss will discaaro importantng,and steadfast loyalty, duty to your coun-
try, and provide for its future service a succession of
viers trninentl,y qualified to .adort and protect it."