Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-08-13
ssS;re,

guished by their patience in ,ines of difficulty,
and, we dare to say, celebrated for the soiiity of
their Judgment, and their fidelity in fulfilling the
engagements they have contracted, have c,nf
ded TO Us the honorable mission Of presenting
ourselves before the ,hrsne of your majesty.
I his people have suffered long time under its
own as'tations and those of Europe. Wines.
ses OF the ca,astrophes that have overthrown
some states; viSlims of the disorders by which
the whole have been shaken; they have bcen
made sensible that he force OF in erests ana, con
nrxions, by which tue great powers are az pre-
sent unied or divided, has rendered il indispen
SADLY necessary for them 70 place themselves un.
der the hrst political safe guard of Europe. They
have FELT, that even their weakness has prescri
bed the necessity Of reducing their own institu.
tons into hsrnsny with those oil that state whose
protection alone can guarantee them agains. The
danger of serliiude or rain.
"These representatives have naturely and So
.emny deibera;ed upon the circumstances of the
present times. and the dreadful probabilities of
the future they have seen even IN the term OF
the caamities with which Europe has been so
'sng afflicted, boih The causes of their own evils
md the remedy 20 which i, is necessary they
should have recourse.
:. S"e! We are charged to express to your
majesty the wishes OF the rspresen, a,yes of our
people We pray that you will grant us as rhe
supreme chief of our republic, prince LOUIS Ma
poieon your msjes,y's brother, to whom we de
liver. IN full ard respectful confidence. the pu.r.
an'ee OF our laws. the defence of our political
righs, and all the interests OF orr dear country.
Ondsr the sacred auspices of Proyihence--un
der The glorious protection of your n,ajesty-snd
In finc. under the power of the paternal govern.
meni which We require of him, Sire, we dare 70
hope, that Holland, assured in future of the mn
ehasga.e Affection of the greatest Of monarchs.
eue kk, r
your immense and immortal empire. will see the
renewal OF its ancient glory and prosperity, and
repose /, has SO long bsen deprived Of It's los,
ses, then, will no longer be considered as irreaa
ranle. and will only leave behind them a fu,ur.
remembrance"
His "taiesty answered in tbe following terms
"Cenuemen,
Representatives of the Batavian PEG.
"pe,
have always locked upon the prote aion of
your country IS the first interest Of my crswn
Every time have been called upon 10 sfere
IN your internal affairs. have been stuck. from
the iirst, with the Inconvenience attached to the
uncertain form of your government. Governed
by popular assembly, ie had been under the in
Huerce OF insrigses, and agitsted by neighboring
governments,
"Coverned by an elesive magistracy, every
tire this magistracy was renewed produced a
Crisis OF alarm 10 the rest of Europe. and the sig
nal OF new maritime wars None of these inc on
veniences can be guarded against otfe wise than
by an hereditary government. This / recon
mended TO your couHuy by my councils. when
the last constitution was established aud the
offer tlat you have made of the crown of Hol
land 10 prince Louis, is consistent with your
| trle intere.s S, and with my own and it ia adap
| ted TO seou the general tranquility OF Europe.
France has been sufficiently generous, in renoun-
cling all the lights which The events of war had
gwen her over Holland but cannot in,rust the
strong places which cover my northern frontier.
20 the eping of an unfaithfnl, CIR even 70 a
| doubJfu hand.
| Gentlemen, agree to the request of their
| high m,ghnnesses l proclaim prince Louis
| king OF 10 land. You. prince reIgu over this
| people Their foretathe,s only acquired their
| Independence by the constant assistance of
France. Holland afterwards became allied 10
England; she has BEEN conquered still she owes
her existence to France Let them then owe to
| you. their King. The PROTECTION of their laws and
'hsIf religion, but never cease to be a French.
man. You and your heirs will pessess the sig
niry of constable OF the empire ;you will reco.
lea The duties you have fulfil towards me, and
the importance that have attached TO the safe.
Keeping OF the strong places upon my northern
frontier. and which conhde to you. Prince I
maintain among your troops that spirit which I
/ nave observed among them in The field of battle
Cherish the sentiments Of union and love for
F'ance among Your new subjects. Be 4 terror
TO the wicked. and father 10 the good this is
the character OF great kings"
His hishness prince Louis then advancing to
the foot OF the throne, said,
| "S1RE,
had placed all my ambition in sacrificing
my lite in yeur service. made my happiness
consist in close inspection into all those Quail.
ties that, equally dear TO myself and Others have
so often testified the power and eReas OF your
genius Permit me then 10 express my regret
IN separating from you bur my life and my
wishes belong to you. l go TO reign in Holland,
b.cause 1t is the desire of the people, and
because it is your n,ajes;y's order.
Sire. when your majesty qsi'ted France to
go and conquer Europe, which had conspired a
gainst you, you intrusted to me the defence of
Holland against the invasion thar threatened IL
On this occasion appreciated the character of
the people, and the qualities which distinguished
them
! Eyes, sire, shall be proud of reigning over
them bur however glorious the career may be
that presents ITSELF the assurance of your males.
fy's constant pro e6ion, the love and patriotism
of my new subjects, will give me the hopes of
healing those wounds oocasioned by so many
wars, and the events that have accumulated with
in the course of few years
Sire when your ajesty shall put the last
zeal TO your glory, in giving peace to the world.
the places which Won shall then entxu., On r,,,