Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-10-26

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ed with the FIRST nation in tie world.
called by re greatest prince in tae.u-
inverse to share in the favor which
his exalted genius and paiernal solicit
tude Literally bestows on his happy
subjects, and of which Holland has al
ready obtained SO many proofs, the
Dutch continue to natter ths mselves
that by their loyalty, their obedience,
and their inviolable attachment to their
prince and father, they shall deserve
the protection OF a mighty, generous,
upright, and benevolent governments
His imperial majesty returned the
following answer:
"Gentle men, deputies of the legis-
lative body, of the land aud sea forces
of Holland, and gentlemen deputies of
my good city of Amsterdam, for these
80 years you have experienced many
vicissitudes. You lost your liberty
when one of the great officers of the
republic, favored by England, employ
ed Prussian bayonets to interrupt the
deliberations of your councils. It was
then that the wise constitution hand
ed down to you by your forefathers
was destroyed for ever.
"You formed part of the coalition,
in consequence of which French ar
mics conquered your country-an e.
vent which was the unavoidable con-
sequence Of the alliance with England.
Alter the conquest, distinct govern
ment was formed, yet your republic
formed a part of the empire. Your
strong fortresses aud the principal po-
sitions in your country, were occupied
by French troops; and your govern
ment was changer according to the O.
Pinions which succeeded each other in
France.
When Providence placed me on
this first throne of the world, il fell
to my lot to decide for ever the fate of
France, and all the nations which
compose this vast empire, to bestoV
on al the signal advantages, which a.
rise from frmness, consistency, and
order, and to destroy the Baneful con-
sequences Of irregularity and weak
ness. / put period to the wavering
destinies o. italy, by placing the iron
crown on my head. l annihilated the
government which ruled, Piedmont.
By my act of mediation, 1 Justly ap-
preciated the constitution of Switzer-
land, and brought the local circum-
stances Of the country in unison with
the safety and rights of this imperial
crown. | gave you prince of my
blood for your ruler; this was intend
ed as a, bond to unite the concerns of
your republic with the rights of the
empire. My hopes have been deceiv-
ed, and on this occasion have shewn
more forbearance than my character
generally admits and my rights requir-
ed. l have at length put period to
the painful uncertainty of your future
fate, and warded off the fatal blow
which threatened to annihilate all your
prosperity, all your resources. 1 have
opened the continent to Your national
industry.
"The day shall come when you are
to conduct my eagles to the seas, cele
brated by the exploits of your ances.
tors. Then shSil you shew yourselves
worthy of yourselves and of me-
From this moment to that period, all
the changes thattake place in Europs,
shall have for their first motive the
destruction of that tyrannical and ir-
rational system which the English GO
vernment, unmindful of the pernici-
Gus consequences which arise there
from to its own country, adopts TO out
law commerce and trade, and subject
it TO the arbitrary authority of English
licences.
Gentlemen deputies Of the leyisla-
tive body, and Of the land and sea for
ces of Holland, and gentlemen depu-
ties of my good city of Amsterdam,
tell nay subjects Of Holland feel per-
iec,ly satisfied they possess the senti.
mems they profess Tor me--Teli them,
that doubt not their loyal attachment,
and depend on their heartily joining
their exeriions to those of the rest of
my subjects, to reconquer the rights of
the sea, the loss of which FIVE coaliti-
ons, melted by England, have inaict-
ed on the continent--Tell them, that