Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-08-03

cccdeQ IN driving MS inPCEIdi TndlSSty "
resistance, by insisting that he should de-
sist from those measures which were an es-
sential part of the defence of the country
To purchase peace at this price was impos-
sible. The monarchy was from that mo.
mcnt annihilated, when they on whom was
imposed the care for its preservation were
ready with their own hands to destroy the
last bulwark of their existence.
The emperor could not have deceived
himself concerning the import of his desire,
nor would he have, ever formed such pre-
tension, if that which could not but uecessa-
| rily follow it, had not already constituted "a
part of his plans. Whatever may be done,
either now Or hereafter, to conceal the point
Of view from which the present re. ations
must be judged, there will always remain
but one single charge agaiustwhich Austria
has nothing to say. To-Day claim to md
pendent existence at crisis when one state
after another was losing its ancient constitu-
I, ton and independence-thi alone was Aus
trials offence. The often repeated express
! .sions ofthe emperor Napoleon, that he has
nothing to require Of AUSTRIA, could have no
other import than this-that Austria should
felicitate herself on the integrity of her EN-.
pire (for the moment at least, and till fur
Their arrangements but stripped of all the
attributes which could irnpart to her firm
ness and worth, without enjoying any seen.
rity for the future without the political in
auence which is inseperable from the ex-
istence of great state, OF claiming voice
in the common concerns Of Europe. If this
int,mation that France required nothing ol
Austria, were not sufficiently refuted by
long series Of facts, but principally by the
msolxnt pretenson to condemn as unwar-
rantable, neasures of mere territorial de-
lie &c, it would still, in the form in whioh it
stanGs. characterize more distinctly than the
ablesl description, the state Of the monarch,
till then, and the condition. OF Europe.
His majesty has recourse to arms, because
the duty OF self Representation does not permit
him to comply with the condition on which
alone the French cabinet grants the continu-
ance of peace viz. TO yield up the means
OF lust defence because he dares no long
er delay the protection of countries and ma
tions, which God has entrusted to him, a
gainst an Invasion long planned, more than
once clearly announced, and now ripe for
execution because be is sufficiently ac-
Iuainted with the thoughts and wishes of
MS people to know that there is not one "a
.nong them who would not prefer the utmost
exertions in their power to an ignoble self
annihilation by voluntary subject.on.
His majesty has embraced this resolution
with a feeling which must inspire himself
and every just defender of his cause with
confidence; for not only is the step which
his majesty has been impellrd at length to
take, the most just in itself, but his majesty
rejoices in the consolatory and ipestimabe
assurance shat the whole world acknowledge
es it be SO. The emperor's just principles
Ibis detestatiou OF unnecessary wars-his
long, but Intellectual efforts 10. avoid the con.
Aict which has now burst forth, are so 1lo,o-
rious the designs OF the enemy are so 1t.
Gle concealed and the motives which have
called for this final resolution are so decisive
that truth and justice must!,r ban;sh d from
the earth, if all free judgments were not u
unanimous concerning the origin of this war.
The Immediate object of his majesty is TO
nut amend to that unnatural and ambiguous
state in which Austria during three years
rave vacilitated state which under the
vain denomination Of peace, has involved it
in ala the sacrifices, burthens and dangers
of,the most oppressive war and to place
the country ia q situation which. may secure
! it the honorable repose ola real peace
But such situation cannot subsist while fo.
reign armies, it matters not under what
pretence, are allowed to hold the monarchy
in 2 state Of perpetual siege it cannot sub
sist while the political and military relations
of the states which surround Austria, are of