Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-02-21

putting into the best state of defence.
IMPORTANT STATE. PAPER.
Declaration Of fhs Emperor Francis.
BRUNN, Nov. Is.
BY the special order of his majesty the
emperor and king who has for some days
honored our town with his presence, the
following notice has been published by
the Resident of Police, the Baron Van
Summerew -
PROCLAMATION.
His majesty the emperor and king
had never higher wish thaa the main
tenance of peace. This wish lay in the
principle Of his government as we'll as
in his heart. Without any, even the
most distant project of charging his
states, or OF procuring an indemnificati-
ON tor The sacrifices he had made at
Luneville and Rausbon TO the tranquil
NY OF Europe, he desired nothing but
that the emperor of France, a6tua,ed by
similar spirit of enlightened & humane
policy, should return within the limits
prescribed by the treaty of Lunevile.
Whoever with clear understanding
took an interest in the fa,e of Europe,
lelt the justice and moderation of this
desire.
"True to his principles, his majesty. in
the progress of the present war, was rea
dy every moment to hold out his hand
to peace aud amid the mos, brilliant VIC
tories, he would have thought and acte d
In the same way as under the influence
of contrary occurrences.
His majesty believed that The great
and happy moment of this reconclliati-
on, and of returning happiness to his peo-
pie, was not far distant, when the empe.
ror OF France, on several occasions, pub
licly manifested corresponding dispos, IT,
onS, and expressed himself with precisi
on in the same spirit to Austrian gene
raj officers, whom the fortune of war had
made prisoners.
~Fuli OF confidence in such manifesto
tons, and animated by an earnest wish
TO avert the approaching danger from the
capital OF Vienna, SO dear 10 his heart,
and in general, TO free his good and faith.
ful subjects from the pressure of longer
war, his majesty sent hislieu,. field marsh
al, the count de Outlay, to the head quar-.
ters Of the French emperor, in the name
of himself and his allies, TO obtain a
confirmation of these pacific dispositions
10 learn the further overiures which the
emperor Napoleon might make on this
occasion, and 10 treat for an armistice as
preparatory to negotiations for general
peace.
"But the hopes of his majesty were
not fulfilled. As the basis of an armis-
tice, limited to few weeks, the emperor
Of France demanded,
That the allied troops should return
home; that the Hungarian ievies should
be disbanded and that the ducby of
Venice and the Tyroi, should be previ.
ously evacuated TO the French armies.
All Europe will feel the inconsisten.
cy between such demands, and the fore
going manifestations of the emperor
His majesty the emperor and king had,
by this first step, fulfilled a sacred duty
! which his heart had dictated.
"But he should have thought himself
grievously injuring himself, the honor of
his monarchy, the dignity of his house,
the reputation fthe good and great natl.
on over which he rules, and the high.
est interests OF tho states, in the eyes
both of the present and of future gen
erations, if not withs,anding the du.
lty incumbent on him to preserve all
these entire, he had yielded to the severe
but passing, pressure Of the moment, and
! assented to conditions which would have
been death blow to his monarchy, and
breach of the relation in which he stood
with all friendly states.
His majesty wished for peace the
wishes for it still, with sincerity and ear
nestness. But he never could, and never
will, place himselfin defenceless state,
where he and his people would be deliy.
erec over to the imperIous and arbitrary
decisions of a mighty foe.
" In such circumstances nothing re.
mains to his majesty, but TO cleave to
those great and unexhaus,cd resources
which he finds in the hearts, in the pros
| peri,y, IN the loyalty, in the strength OF
his people ard in the as yet und,min
ished force Of his high allies and friends
| The emperor OF Russia, and king of Prus.
STA, and to persist in his firm ard init.
mate connection till the emperor of the
French, with that moderation which is
the brightest gem in the crown ofa great
monarch, consents 70 conditions Of peace
which are not purchased by a sac rifice
Of the national honor aud independence