The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-09-26
From tbe Menifeur, (Tuly 10, 1904

1|"W 1|1e NAehHefH, JHp ~, lSO4/
Different reports are fpread throughout Eu-
rope, OF the ambitious views of the French CO.
vernment which could only have originated
lii the malignity of the enemies of France, who
have an intereft in propagating fuch inlinuatons.
From among thefe reports, we fee6t the fol-
lowing -
The Emperor is going to unite TO his domi.
mons the Italian and the Lieurian Republics, the
Republic of Lucca, the kingdom OF Etruria, the
papal fate, aud alto Naples and Sicily, Swift
Zeriand and Holland are 70 have the fame fate {;
and Hanover and its annexation will furliih the
Emperor with the means of becoming Mem
Der of the Germanic body. From theie fun
petitions various are the differences that are
drawn-but it is inferred, that Pope will alb
dictate, and the Cardinal Fitch or Cardinal Rulfo,
will be RATED to the Pontifcai throne
We have before faid, and often repeated It,
that if France was TO interfere in changes reia-
tive to the Sovereign Pont;iF ihe would rather
exert her influence TO increafe the happiness and
the confederation OF the Holy See and its domi-
mons, and not to diminlh them.
AS to Naples, the aggretIion of Mr.. A6tron,
and his uniform hottie fyftem, would have for
merly afforded France very JUL motives for ma
king war, which ibe never would have entered
into with the intention of uniting the two Sci
lies 70 the French empire.
The Italian and Ligulian Republics, and the
Kingdom of Etruria, HIall not ceafe to exit as
independent ftates and mott af1uredly it is ra-
Their improbable that the emperor fhould difre-
gard at the fame time, the duties attached to
the power which he holds from the Committee
OF Lyons, and the perlonal glory he has acouir-
ed in twice referring the independence of States
which he had twice conquered.
With regard to Switzerland, who DreGented
IFS annexation RI Erapce he ~ 81
mediation. That act, the immediate refult O:
the attention and of the thoughts of the Empe-
ror, retored tranquility to its inhabitants, and
the pledge OF their independence and fecurity,
as long as they thenfelves do not break that
Kgis, by fubftituting for the elements of which
1t is competed, the will Of one of the conftitu-
ted bodies, and one of the parties.
Had France been anxious TO annex Holland,
Holland might be French as well as Belgium.
If it be an independent power, it is becaufe
France felt with reipe6t 10 that country, the
fame as fhe felt with reflect to Switzerland, viz
that their locality required an individual exit
ence, and particular organization.
The iuppolition of annexing Hanover is fill
more ridiculous. The annexation of that pro-
vince would be the NOT fatal profpect that could
be made to France, which requires but flight re-
Fiction &c perceive. Hanover would become a
bone of contention between the French people
and that prince, who has approved himfelf the
ally and friend of France, at time when all the
ref of Europe had confpired againf her.
In order to retain Hanover, military force
would be required, the expences attending
which would exceed all proportion to the few
millions which confitute the whole revenue of
that fate. Would government that has facri-
feed to the principles of the necefiity of line
OF demarcation, Gmple and contiguous, even the
very Notifications OF Straiburgh and of Mentz,
ON the right bank, be blind enough to its inter
cts to endeavour at the incorporation of Hano-
yer But fuch petition, it is iaid, would bring
with it the advantage of being a member Of the
Germanic Body. The title alone of Emperor
of the French is fufIicient anfwer to that alb
iurd iuppolition. The Germanic Body is COM
poied of kings, electors, princes, and with ref
pect to ltielf, but one Imperial dignity. Be-
iides, it would be glaring mifconception ofthe
noble vanity OF our country, TO imagine it pofi-
bic that it ihoud content to enter as an element
into any particular body.-If fuch thing were
compatible with the national dignity, who
would have prevented France from preierying
its right to the circle of Burgundy, and the
claim which gives her poltilion of the Palati-
nate We may ak, indeed, with a well ground
ed pride, who prevented France keeping part of
the dominions Of Baden, and of the territory OF
Swabia?
No never fhal France paGs the boundary OF
the Rhine neither fhall her armies ever at
tempt TO crofs it, unleis it be necefary to eua-
rantee the Germanic Empire, and fecure tnofe
Princes who inipre 70 powerful an interen, not
only from their affection for her, bot alto by ihe
aihitancc they may afford in maintaining the ba-
lance Of Europe.
If the fuppoltions we have alluded 20 arfe
from idle curioiity, we have Efficiently an(wer-
ed them.
IT, however, they owe their birth TO the ren.
ieiSjealouly of certain powers, conRanty IN the
habit OF crying out that France IS ambitions, in
order to cloak their ambition another anfver
may be given them. Thanks 70 the two cO1liti.
o0s iucceilively formed againft rs, and 20 ths
treaties Of Campo Formio, ard of Luncville
France has bordering on her territory no pro-
vince that ihe ihoud be anxious TO retain anC
# IN events that are paaed, fhe cvinced a mo-
deration unexamped in modern hil}ory, ihc
derives from it this advantage, that fhe no ongel
will feel it neceilary to take up arms.
The capital of France is lituated in the centre