The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-11-21
BALANCE OF PoH,ER.


formation conprifsi in the following Sketch, ex-
uaeted from one OF the laseh London papers.l
BALANCE OF PoE,ER.
THE afpea of 2EAirs on the Continsn, nun natu-
rally be looked 70 az preient with comfortable inse-
rsit and foicitude. Every event that takes place
there, which by pobili,y may have any influence on
TIE prefer, becomes the fubje9 Of endef OFFER
walton, and multiplied conjecture. The afumption
OF > new title by the Emperor of Germany, and his
recognition of the Corlcans title, have furr;ihed am
PIE ground for fpecuations OF this ra.ure. Conie-
quences have been deducec from this appearance Of
understanding between the Courts of Vienna and St,
Cloud, II no, hottie, lat eait favourable to this
try, or an efficient cooperation the continent to
check the extravagans ambition of the French Co
vernment. Too much iportance has been attached
TO this event. which in iteE does alter the poli;
cal relations Of the powers mne datey concerned nor
affect the views and nteres Of the other powers of
the continent. The uania9ion is purely perfonal
Bonaparte Acknowledges the Emperor Of Aultria who
IN return, acknowledges the Emperor Of the French
Bur whether the Emperor of Germany govern his
Hereditary States by the title of Arch Duke, or Of
Emperor, he witnels the aggrandizement of
France, without jealoufy and apprehension Neither
the French Government faffrr much lief, atiA in
procuring any comfortable accefon Of freny tn to the
Hoale of Autria. Thefe Powers have during ma
ny centuries been oppoied each other on the Con-
AiASAt. II WYE TIC EOnCy " the NlODaT-
shy Of France to humble the Houle Of Auitria At
tie Revolution, the form of government changed
but the natural relations between the nations re-
manned the fame and the Republic adopted the fame
tyften. The preent Ruler OF France cannot be fup-
poied to have been hitherto influenced by any oppo-
lite fyiten. The Peace of IuEeve and the Ger
man indemnities are decifve ON that head. Bona.
parte, therefore, may a,ser the vanity Of the Erpe-
TOR, but will no, dniniih his own profpeas by aug
he
tria is the power next England and RuiIia mon
dreaded by France. Auttria has ever been formida-
BILE to France beanie il always forsmoit in let-
ting bounds 20 its ambitious views ; and Auaria will
not, nay cannot, be backward TO fecond in due time
the efforts of England and Ruaia for the fame pur-
pole, and to reltore the balance of Europe
Bedes, If the mutual coneeiiions of the two Courts
IN this infiance have any political character, beyond
the perona qualification Ut the parties if the Erpe-
ror OF Germany is to have any indemnity in the En-
pre-, as the price OF his acquiecence in Bonaparte's
titie mutt excite the saouiy of Prua if not be Civ
en- at its expenfe The Gtuation of Aulria would,
IN fuch cafe, be critical III the extreme The weight
OF Pruiia, thrown into the fcale agan Frarce even
fuPpoiing Auftria to make comnonscauie with the
iater would prePonderate, and though the EInpe-ors
power ihoud be finally annhilated, it would re-
eeiye fhotk from which it would never recover
Ais hereditary lsa.e. would become she theatre os
desperate war, as they would become point of con.
tact between Rufiia and France Whatever might
be the Iue Of contet under fuch circumstances the
unavoidable coHiequences to the Emperor would b.
the reduction OF his power, the exhautng of his re-
iouree', and the impoyeriihment of his iates Such
an alliance with France is abhorent from every prin-
cPl= of found policy, and every leop of paft expert
ence. The Emperor may be induced to temporife for
time, but he cannot be blind to his permanent in
tsret nor will he be wanting to hinisf and to the
eauie OF Europe and rhe civilized world whenever
ieafonsble location ihall arife.
The whole trania6fion feems to have been contri-
vance OF the French government to gain time. It was
natural to uppoe, that the Emperor Fill fmartnq
under the wounds inAided by the ambition and raps,
~ :. Fame, hould be ready to join any ecnfedera-
cy for combining them within limits, not inconiiaent
with the fecurity and independence of Europe. The
lion was ready to ailume menacing attitude, when
the offer of fop quoted him for time. Meanwhile
the French government has opportunity of enplsy-
ing all its arts of intrigue & negotiation to dipe the
form that threatens it, by detaching fore OF the
Northern Powers from the common cauie Of civilized
fociey But temporary views do not extend their in
fuence beyond the occaions that give rife TO Them
whit the permanent interefts Of State must unaera-
bly, regulate the policy and conduct of wife and regu-
lar governments. The motives to inactivity will ceae
with the recognition of his dignity and the En-
perez viii then be ready, he be dipoled to CON-
tnlt the true interest of his States by taking deeive
and leading part against the common enemy Z.
1t !. fome what remarkable, that amidR all it, re-
voutons, the government OF France lloud have inva-
fably preierved charaaeriRic which has enabled
IT, under all circumstances, take lead in the affairs
OF Europe. Whether King, or Directory, or a
Coniu, Emperor, fwayed the authority at home,
the French mnters foreign courts were equally ac
tive, intriguing, and indefatigable. Never was the
fcenee of diplomacy better underfood or more fc-
cefseully practhed, than by the French agents The
fueees of the republicans, much owing to their pro-
found policy, negotiations, and intrigue, to the VIC
tories of their armies and though they acted on fyf
,en they had fixed plan, but altered their projects,
according to circumstances Thus in 1896, fecrst ar
uclcs entered into with Prulia for the difnei-
oerment OF the German empire, and in 1904 the head
Of that empire is Ratsered with new title in order if
Poible to neutraie him If the war hould be renewed
on the continent. Thus in 500 propofal was made
to the Emperor of Ruia for diipofng of Europe be-
tween the Eaitern and Weltern families; and in sO4
the ambition Of RuiIia is Represented as dangerous 20
the independence of the neghbouring States. Thus
the independence of the Germanc States was fo;enn-
ly guaranteed in TIE treaty Of Lunevile and ina,
independence outrageouay violated on a renewal
OF with England, by the unprincipled feizure of
Hanover. In fhort there projects too contra
daory for the yeriatility Of French politics, and
French nrgocators, which have fixed character but
the Readiness with which they are directed to the ag
grandzement of France and the fubugaiion of other
States Perhaps Whit he is amufing Francis l. with
his title, Bonaparte may be negotiating an often
five and defeniiye alliance with Prul1a and Ripua-
ting fome further encroachinent OH the houe of Aui
trs 1t is certain that he rely on the Emperor
and that the policy Of Prua is conionant to the