Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-06-01

the operations VI sAS
of Spain.
Portuguese, in the name of his majesty
the emperor andlking, Napoleon, offer
! you that peace which you yourselves have
driven from your country"
You come to offer us peace With whom
then are we at war but with you! We were
I at peace when your arrival caused war;
Your proposal is self-contradictory. The
peace we seek must be compatible with the
sacred rights and honor OF our august So
v~ereign, and our national Independence
Do not change the meaning of words +;
what you offer Us is slavery and not peace.
You propose that we should be quiet, and
| suffer YOU to seize without resistance tie
| government of the nation this is truly a
very extraordinary manner OF treating Tor
peace.
/" I offer you protection for yourselves and
for your religion, and the ministers OF that
religion"
Napoleon, in this manner, offered to pro-
tect our property for a contribution OF 40
millions of cruzadoes and M. Junot IN
creased this favor by distributing it in such
a manner as to produce 80. The same ia
not protected the plate and gold in the
churches, taking only the sacred utensils
necessary for vour defence; he was like
wise willing to divest religion OF the super
stiticns by which it was dishonored in
| other words, like Julian the apostate, to re-
duce it to that ridiculous simplicity which
must render it contemplate.
I" offer you, besides, an entire oblivion
Of the past, and will engage that you shall
receive the cltmency OF his majesty the
emperor"
Clemency from a man entirely a stranger
to US and from so ferocious a tyrant. 1t
is not possible either to wish it, or to hope
it.
"You shall enioy the benefit Of the sublime
institutions of the same august sovereign.-
1t will be easy for me to deliver you from
the calamities which you cannot deny that
you endure, and assuage the evils which
you have suffered, if arrange your admit
nistrations, and organise anew the Portu-
gusse army !"
We have experienced the sublime go
vernment Of your august friend, and Lord
protect US from it OF our calamities you
are the cause for Portugal was rich and
6~ourishing before your fatal arrival. Your
presence far from assuaeing, would most
miserably aggravate our evils. Our admi,
nistrations and our armies are already orga-
Missed and il would be the last of degrada-
tons to suffer your government again to
disorganise them absolutely.
There are among you citizens whose
intentions have ever been pure, and who
ought now to exercise their Influence to,
promote the establishment of good or
der-Thev may be assured, their services
will be we'll received, and that the most eli
hcacious protection will be afforded them
whatever their situation, whether in the ar
my, the state, or the church."
If marshal Soult means by these pure
citizens any partlzans of the French 60
vernment, they are a dreadful disgrace to
their country, TO say no more.
" Reflect, Portuguese, on your situa-
ton"
1t is the best way in the world for de-
Tending ourselves against our enemies.
I" And consider well those generous Of
fers while it is time. But let your submis-
sion be prompt and sincere, if you wish to
avoid the evils from which / would save
you."
And SO it is only for our good that you
came from Poland. to our distant country.
What exalted charity you are a new St.
Francis. But the ridiculous custom which
begun at the revolution, still continues, by
which the modern French profess and write
the direct contrary to what they practise.
" And your country shall be made to
| shine with a new ~splendoy.'