Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-12-19

| had dissolved the Germannic constitution.
nd instituted whlt he termed confede-
,fion gf'the Rhine, composed of all those
Princes whose territories are in the south of
Germany, Of which he was declared protec-
tor. Altho' the King OF Prussia processes to
have viewed this transaction with regret,
yet 1t does not appear, so fond was he of
peace, that he had any intention of making
an open resistance. But the objectionable
| off nee was this. The manifesto proceeds
| thus
"The Emperor, ut length, informed his
majesty that it was his pleasure to dissolve
the German empire and form confedera-
ton of the Rhine, and he recommended to
the king to establish similar confedera-
ton in the north of Germany. This was
according to his customary policy; poll
| cy which had long been crowned with sue
| cess; at the moment of the birth of any
I new project to throw out a lure to those
courts which might occasion difficulties in
the execution of such project. The King
adohted the idea Of such a conf,deratio:1,
nor that the adUice he received made the
least imhresSion on him, bm because, in
fact, IL suas rendered necessary by ci7-cnm-
stances and because, gfier' Tire succession
Of the Princes Svho had dcceded to the con-
Federation ofthe Rhine, q close union be-
fzvecn those of the North became more him
! euer the condition Of THEN. safetv. The
King took measures to establish this lear,.c,
but on other principles from those oe the
model presented to him. He made it his
! pride to collect the last of the Germans
under his banners; but the rights of each
he left unimpaircd, and honor alone was
the bond Of the league"
1t appears then that the King, aItHourh
the advice he received did not make The least
IMPRESSION on him, but merely from his
regard for the interests of the Germans,
entered heartily into the project OF forming
a confederation, in the north OF Germany,
similar to the oneiwhich the French Empe-
ror had formed in the south Among the
most considerable Of the sovoreigns in the
north OF Germany, is the Prince of Htsse
f, Cassel, and on him was the first attempt
made by the King, to draw him into the
proposed confederccy.
The Emperor, on the other hand, wish
/ ing to attach the Prince OF Hcsse to his con-
. federation of the Rhine, made secret pro-
posals to'him Cor that purpose, suggesting
his superior power 70 remuneratc Ibis al
lies, and offering him the possessions ofthc
Prince of Orange, brother in law to the
King of Prussia. This is the first cause of
discomfort .alledged against the Emperor.
The second respects Hanover.
Alter the conquest of Hanover bv the
French. 1T was proposed to oede it to Prus-
STA, in exchange for the principal;ties of
hnspach and Bayrcuth, to this exchange
the King readily assented, and according
ly took possession of the hereditary domi-
mons of his good friend, allv and kinsman
the King of England, from the same motive
which induced him to accedc to the northern
contederacy, to wit, regard for the inte-
rests of GERMANY But mark the honesty
of Bonaparte and Talieyrand. Whist the
late negotiations for peace were pending
between Trance and Britain, the former Of
fercd, among other inducements, to restore
to the hitter the electorate of Hanover then
in possession of Prussia.
/ The manifesto then proceeds to state,
that the King had ordered note to be
transmitted by General Knobelsdorff con-
tanning the conditions on which he was rea-
dy to come to an accommodation. The con-
ditions were:
81. That the French troops should i'm
mediately eyacuate Germany.
GO. That France should oppose no OBJ
stacle to the formation OF the northern con-
{ federacy and that this confcderacy MIGHT
embrace all tire larger ard smaller states
not included in the fundamental act OF the
| confederation of the Rhine.
"S. That a negotiation should immedi-
ately be commenced for the adjustment Of
all differences still in dispute F; prelimina-
+ ~ article of which should be, the restora-
! ticn of three abbeys and the separation of
the town or Vessel from the French en-
pire."
I This appears to US to be nearly the sub
stance Of'a manifesto, which occupies more
| than six columns of newspaper. It only
! furnishes additional evidence of the in
trigue, corruption, insincerity and peridv
Of the courts Of Europe. which have been
always the same, from she days of Cardi-
nal Richlieu to those of G. VI Talleyrand.
| But it would be difficult for the king Of Prus-
! STA to prove, that the French Emperor is
worse than his brethren, although he may
! possess more cunning, or that he himself is
any better.
VIRGINIA ASSEMBLY.
| VucgdGy. DeceUbo, 1e