Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-04-13
Declaration ofHs 1ss;dn MVestg.

~
g His majesty the king Of Prussia has
observed with attention and interest the
events which have taken place for some
time past+in several parts OF the enrire and
IN the heart of Germany, in regard to the.
possessions Of the members oif the equstrl-
an order. 1t would have been Of greatad-
vantage if in the recess OF the depntaton
ofthe empire it had been possible to estay
blish regulation, or fixed rule for ensur~
, ing the future relations of the equestrian
order, in a manner SO as to reconcile are
gard for the rights of all with the new stu
alton Of things, the new wants, and the
real good ofthe empire.
IF the ecclesiastical states secniarlsed
have passed into the hands OF new posses
sors, not only with the rights really eyer
scised, but also with their pretensions; and
ifthese governments, formerly eccleslastic
according to their nature and organization,
and according to the interest, merely per-
sohal, of their ecclesiastical soverelgns, can
. have seen with indifference the efforts OF
the equestrian order to extend its terrltori-
) al independence, and its immedlacy, the
new possessors of sovereign'and hereditary
laics, may have brought with them new IN
terests and may have considered things un-
der different point of view. They must
and ought to have found themselves,diifef-
emily obliged to claim rights, which must
be considered as real and ancientlntegrant
narts of their share of the indemnity
rights which could not be weakened but~hy
negligence and by encroachments made at
former period. Aroused by such an
event, the other possessors OF the ancient
i2y. countries, where similar relations, G.
qually hurtful to their rights and to their
administration existed, have begun to bring
forward their pretensions. Hence it has
happened that almost at the same time Sc
veraiof the most distinguished states OF the
empire, such as the elector of Bavaria, the
prince Of Fulda, the elector OF the Hesse.
the landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt, the
dukeof SAKE Meinungen, and other prln-
ces have all tended to the same Object
These princes have formed claims to the
villages and the land of the equestrian or
der, laying within their territory, or situat-
ed on their frontiers, both because their
possessions formerly made an integrant
part of thcir coultries, and because they
are still in relation with the latter By their
geographical position, by the feudal law,
bv the duties AID rights of jurisdiction, and
other connections, which, as ancient sour
ces. must still be considered as indications
Of sovereignty. They have. consequently
thought themselves authorised to replace
| under their sovereignty these places and
tents the possession they have taken OF
them, and to secure part of them.by send
| ing thither military detachments. Hither-
| to no uniform and certain principles have,
been established or followed; and not only
| have CONVERSATIONS arisen among ithe sove-
reigns and persons of the equestrian order,
| who have been exposed to Entertainments,
| but differences have broken out between
| one sovereign and another, ia 'regard to
the limits of their respective territorial
jurisdictions. a judicial examination in
t'regard to this Object having been insuf1ci-
ent, because the organization OF the circles
! is not yet completed; the question is to
| know, whethel or'ia what manner thetri-
bunals Of the empire ought to interfere in
| the affair? The whole of the Germanc Boz
| dy participates in,the regret excited by this
| state of things, and by the anarchical crisis
which threatens, in SO great number Of
| places, the property ard the subjects Of the
empire. II every one is convinced that
this crisis cannot be Of long duration, bat
that measures ought speedily to be taken to
put an end to it. it is the more lndispensa-
| bly, necessary to think Of the means of &C
I Il ] =