Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-11-22
In die mean timc bis Maiesty, who would

political world, had also resolved upon a
new attempt with tie British government.
The Emperor Napoleon not only received
the proposal with apparent appreciation, but
even voluntarily offered ~ expedite the bu
siness, by allowing the persons to be DIES
patched for that purpose to England pas
sage through FrancC.-When it was to be
carried into effect, unexpected difficulties
arose the passports were delayed from
time to time, ander trifling 9retexts, and at
length entirely refused This proceeding
afforded fresh and important ground for
entertaining just doubts as to the sincerity of
the assurances which the Emperor Napole>
on had. more than once, publicly expressed
OF his disposition to peace, although several
ct his expressions at that particular period,
afforded Just reason to believe that mari.
time peace was tie object OF his most anxi-
Gus solicitude.
During that interval their Majes,ies the
Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia
had nominated their Plenipotentiaries To the
Congress. and had furnished them with We.
Nv decisive Instructions. On the 18th of July
they both arrived at Prague, as we'll as his
Majeety's Minister, charged with the con-
Germs of the Mediation.
The negotiations were rot to be protract-
cd beyond the 10Th of August, except in the
~'NiN va tilOlt dSSutillllR SuCn Il Is
to induce confident hope of favorable re
suit. TO that day the Armistice had been
extended through the mediation of Austria !;
the political and military situation of the
Allied Sovereigns, the condition OF the coun-
tries they occupied, and their anxious wish to
terminate an irksome period of uncertainty,
prevented aturther extension oft. With all
these circumstances the Emperor Napoleon
vas acqu3inted--hc well knew that the pc
ROC OF the negotiations was necessarily de.
hhed by that OF the Armistice and he could
not moreover conceal from himself how much
MS own determinations would influence the
happy abridgement and successful result OF
the pending negotiations.
ii was therefore with real sorrow that his
Majesty soon perceived that not only no Sc
rious step was taken by France TO accelerate
this great w9rk, but, on the contrary, it ap
peared as ifa procrastination OF the negoci
atIons, and evas Oh of a favorable issue, had
been decidedly intended. There was indeed
French Minister at the place of Congress-
fue without any orders TO proceed TO business
un'il the appearance ofthe first Plcnipctenti
airy.
The arrival Of tat Pleninotentiary was
in vain expected from day to day Nor was
1t until the 2lst July that it was ascer;ained,
that dcmnr which to3l:placc nn settling
the renewal of the Ariui7ticc batween tho
french and Russian and Prus,iin Commits
sioners, an obstruction of very subordinate
importance, having poinhueuce whatever u,
on the Congress, aud which might have been
yerN easily and speedily removed by the liz
terterence OF Austria, was made use of as
he Justification ofthis extraordinary delay
And when this last pretext was removed, il
was not until the 2Sth Iulv, is days after
that appointed for the opening of the Con
gress, that the frs. French Plenipotentiary
arrived.
Even in The very fpst days after this Min.
isters arrival, no doubt remained as to the
fate of the Congress. The form in which
The full powers were to be delivered and the
mutual explanations should be Conducted,
poIAt which had already been treated by all
parties, became the object of discus.i y
which rendered cal the endeavors of the me
diating power abortiYe. The apparent in
suiici-ncy Of the powers entrusted To the
French negociater. occasioned silerce Of
several days: nor was ii until the 9th of Aug
that this Minister gave in new declaration.
by which the difficulties with respectto forms
were by no means removed, nor the neeacia-
ton by one step brought peerer to its obicc
After useless exchai &c of notes upon every
preliminary question the 10,h of August
arrived. The Plussian and Russian negoci.
ators could not exceed this term, the Con
gress was at an end. and the resolution
which Austria had to form was pr, viousl,
determined by the progress of this negaci
ation-by the actual conviction of the i'm
possibility Of peace--by the no longer doubt
tui poiut of view in which his Majesty ex
amined the great question in dispute-bv
the principles and intentions of the Allies,
wherein the Emperor recognizes his OWE
and finally, by the former positive decla-
rations, which left no room for misconcep>
ton.
Not without sincere affection, and alone
conceded by the certainty that every means To
toayoid the warhad b en- exhausted, does the
Emperor now find himself compelled To ac-
ton. For three years has his Majesty labored
with uucsasing perseverance, 10 effect, b,
mild and concilatory measures, real anG
durable peace for Austria and for EuroDe
Allnis endeayors have failed there is now no
remedy, no recourse TO be had but To arms
The Emperor takes them up without any
perso Il animosityD n IN panful necessity
from an irrisistabie duty, upon grounds which
any faithful citizen of his rank, which the
world, which the Emperor Napoleon him>
self in moment OF tranquility ard reason.
viii acknowledge and Justify. The neces,
sity OF this war IS engraven in the heart of
every Austrian, Of every European, under
whatsoever dominion he may live, in such
legible characters, that no art is accessar,
to distinguish them The nation and the
army will do their duty. An union es,ab-
hshed by common necessity, aud by the