Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-05-31

I tre continental powers. To these orde rs his
Majesty answered by the DEGREES of Berlin and
nitsn' the object OF which was to subject Eng
land to a general and absolute blockade, and to
hold shut up in her bosom all her merchandi.
yes. r.
In wishing to invade all maritime commerce.,
| IN sporting with the laws of nations England
herself forced them to the adoption of system
necessary not only to the Empire and its allies,
but also to all the continental powers
Nevertheless, before deciding on it, his Ma
jesty proposed to the British government 10 re.
peal its orders in council--to agree to n peace
and to the freedom of commerce this PROPOSE.
ton having been rejected, the union OF the Ham
seattle cities was pronounced.
1t we consider the interest of these depart.
ments, independently of that of the Empire.
what is the political existence which these in
terests should make them desire To belong to
Prussia Bat these people fear the yoke of lead
OF the Prussian government and this govern.
ment who could not defend even the centre of
its states, would it be able to protect distant
front Ter?
TO belong to Englandl But then it would be.
come the theatre of all the wars OF England with
the continent, and then they devote themselves
to the misfortunes Of supporting at the same
time the scourges of war and the uncertainty of
conquest.
To remain Hanseatic citiesi But they can
no longer continue independent cities since
England has ceased to respect the neutrality of
any iag-the government of these cities might
exist, when it was surrounded by States inte-
rested in their preservation, and when England
not having yet acquired that superiority at sea,
which she abuses, it might suit the conveni.
ence OF the belligerent powers that neutral
flag should exist. But their independence once
broken, the cities could not seek for protection
only in the power of great state which should
sooner or later procure to them the advantages
which their position promises.
The union of these departments to Francs
was accompanied by measures proper to Join
the Baltic 10 the Seine, to establish an easy in.
tercourse between the ancient and the new sub
Jects, TO confound all inter est, by combinations
equally useful to all
Thus, Gentlemen, the advantages of this uni
on were felt by all the enlightened men OF these
countries; and We soon saw numerous and So
Tenn deputation from the Hanseatic cities
bringing to the feet of your Majesty's throne,
the homage oftheir gratitude, devotedness and
fidelity.
Al the blessings of our political system have
been communicated to these new departments;
our codes have been published there; our in
strtutions rave there been realized; equitable
laws IN effectnS what the feudal system present
edas odious and contrary to the principies of ci-
viiization Ofa good governments, here respect
ed all the rights of property, and the superior
advantages OF this Legislature have been gene
rally acknowledged.
Such, Gentlemen, was the situation of these
countries, when the misfortunes of a rigorous
and premature season falling OH the Grand Ar
my, excited hopes in our enemies which our
victories had disconnected. All sorts of in
triguesw were put in train. A new coalition was
formed in the north; and Prussia thinking O
be able to give vent to her hatred with Inpuni-
ty, has given to the world the example of an
odious periidy. In their transactions the CO.
alesced powers ceded Norway to Sweden, and
promised to Denmark as an indemnity, our
lIansea,ic departments.
The Danish government rejected an arrange.
ment, which, in stripping her Of an important
part OF her territories, offered her in compen-
sation oniya chemirioal hope, and the certain
ty OF an eternal war with the Empire An en-
lightened and wise Prince had not forgotten the
outrages OF England, and feeling his true in
terests he has remained faithful to us.
In the mean time, the enemy apprehended
our Hanseatic departments, and there sowed
the seeds of trouble and revolt
Can 1t be possible they have blinded them to
| that degree as to persuade them that they
should be able to shake off the obedience lhey
| owe to your Majesty.
WHIST because a storm which prudence could
not toresee, dispersed part OF our victorious
army, do our enemies flatter themselves to be
able to dispose of our territory according to
their ambition they believe they should have
| IT in their power to dictate the law to us, and
| lead us to shameful peace Without dou ut we
must soon have burnt our fleets, destroyed our
1 dock. yards, and reduced ourselves to 80 ships
OF the line, as they have dared TO propose to us
! Deprived OF our colonies and OF the advantages
| OF maritime commerce, we must also have re-
| nounced our power on the continent, suffered
| our manufactures and national industry to Pc
| rish aud become in every respect the servile
| tributaries OF England! No, no, the nation IS in
| unison with ITS sovereign full of confidence in
the hrmness OF his character and the resources
J Of his genius, never will it permit the smallest
| attempt against the dignity OF the crown; it
will display, if necessary, all its energy to re-
| pulse foolish pretensions. Already has il shewn
these noble sentiments, and we shall see them
| perseyered in with an mistaken consistency.
You, Gentlemen, who are the principal or
| gans OF this generous people, you will shew
| yourselves their worthy interpreters in sancti
| oning The measures proposed. That which We
are especially charged to present TO you, is as
| we observed at the beginning, the case fore.
seen by our constitution. From the moment
| the enemy stained the territory OF the Hama
| seattle departments, from the moment he there
in excited disorders and seditons and raised
criminal hopes, it is evident that the Empire
| of the constitutional and ordinary laws, whose
exercise suppOscs regular and peaceable state
OF things, must there be suspended to give
place to all the extraordinary measures which
circumstances might command. This susptn
sion moreover, is only for three months; every
thing leads to the belief that even this time
will not be necessary to make the departments
enter into a perfect subjection aud we shall
see, donot doubt il, all good citizens, all the
enlightened men of these countries, concur Of
themselves IN the success of the measures your
Majesty shall take to cause the empire Of order
and OF the laws to be re established there"