Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-05-31
FOREIGN.
'F,0n the TOnrnai Polittque of Nantes, Of FRI
day, ApriI9 9.
CONSERVATIVES sENATE P

Prince, Arch Chancellor OF the Empire. hi,
Excellency the Minister of Exterior Relations
was present at the session. His ExcelIency
Count Defermont, Minister of State and Count
Eouliay, Counsellor Of State, were introduced
One OF the Secretaries read the letters pateat
by winch the title of Regent is conferred on
her Majesty tho Empress Queen Maria I.oui ia.
REPORT al the Minister OF Exterior Relations
to his Majesty the Emperor and King
SIRE!
% The glorious days of Jena and Friedland
placed The tus'ian monarchy at the disposal
your Majesty Powerful considerations urp
Ell hiI1 10 Keep The fruits of victory. or TO
place on the throne Of Pruss Prince who
might have no interests opposed to those OF
France: VINO might have TO compIa;nts a
gainst he's, and above all who should no, suffer
himself to be guided by that versatile spirit
which mas characterized for 100 years the po
licy OF the House OF Drandenburgb.
But the Emperor of Russia offered Mt 'r;,s;t
to declare war against England, and 20 concur
in shutting the continent against her com
merce, with view OF forcing her to desire
pace, 1t the king of Prussia was replaced a.
mong the rank Oh soyereigns This persDsc
tive exercised on your Msiesty u seduction
which he could not resist; your Majesty gave
himsSifup 20 the hope of seeing the tranuui,itv
Ofthe world re-establ. shed, & the commerce o
France to enjoy ut length that splendour viii IN
the riches Other soil and industry entities herto.
Your Majesty sacrificed to such high nteresi 3
the calculations ota suspicious policy; and n,
your second interview with the Emperor Alex
ANGER, you consented to receive into YOUR pre
sence the KING OF Prussia, whom yon had
through just resentment refused TO See II
was moreover general opinion, that the King
oi Prussia lad been drawn into the war against
h.s will. Your Majesty pleased himself with
the thought that the experience he had lately
had would forever after put him ON his guard
against dangerous seductions and fatal illusi
ons. In fine, your Majesty, tof whom gen,ro-
sity j. want, easily persuaded himself ,ha,
which he then exercised would never be for
Gotten.
The Prussian monarchy was rebuilt, and
the House of Brdndcnburgh continued To reign
Your Majesty removed hia from the trou
tiers Of The Rhine, and took out o, his hands
the guardianship of the COASTS. You created
the kingdom OF Westphaiia and stipulated th..t
DantziCk, Gagan, AusIrin and Ste,in, should
remain in your hands until peace c.ta EGG
land WAS made. You wished that the restora
ton VI these places might be in Lhe negocil-
tons with England, IN object of compensation
for our maritime possessions.
The King OF Prussia had no right to discuss
Aie iEs which he received from the genera
sity OF your Majesty, the Importance OF which
far exceeded his hopes. The war contribute
ons levied on the Prussian territory were re-
served equitable and necessary indemnities
for the expences of an unjust war which Prus-
STA had excited.
The arn-ies OF your M jesty were not
to evacuate the territory coded TO the
King of Prussia until after the entire pay
ment OF the contribution. Nevertheless, Sire,
by the Convention made at Berlin the Sta Nov
1908, in consequence of the conferences at En-
fort, your Majesty agreed to remit part ofthe
debt, and 10 withdraw the French troops from
her
completed.
The alliance ofFrance with Russia appeared
10 guarantee the fidelity OF Prussia Your Ma
Jesty relied upon il bot the weakness, the Ina
bitual INDIGESTION of that cabinet might from
Que moment to another betray this confidence.
Vie con6uct Of Prussia during the first years
which followed the treaty of 1'ilsit was guide d
by sentiments very different from those OF gra.
titude. Far from fulfilling her engagements, she
appeared to watch opportunities, and 10 wait
tor chances which might permit her TO shake
them cit. In 1909, whole regiments We're seen
to yield 10 the Influence which was exercised
by secret and seditious societies, ranging them
selves under the coors of the enemies Of your
Majesty; an unheard of reproach in the annals
OF government.
In 1911, when visible change in the dispo-
sitions Of Russia created apprchensipns tiIat
war was on the point Of being rekindled in the
north, Prussia felt that her fate depended en-
trely on her foresight, that ii she suffered
events to happen, she nigh. not be any longer
mistress to choose, and that it was necessary to
take part while she had yet the liberty of
choice. She asked of your majesty the favour
of being admitted into his alliance.
The question presents itself in all its msgni-
tude. 1t appeared prudent and truly polite
TO profit by the complaints which Prussia had
given rise to, from the perpetual uncertainty
OF her conduct, and If war took place with
Russia, to declare it against her at the same
tin,e-thus leaving no doubtful power behind
us. Prussia spared neither solicitations nor
entgeaties. The steps she took at st. Peters
burg to endeavour TO influence, while it was
time, the determinations of Russia, bad such
character Of frankness, and were evidently
directed by regard 10 The interests of France,
that your Majesty was struck with it. You
did not balance :--yOu again saved Prussia by
admitting her into your alliance. When your
Majesty visited Dresden, the King came TO see
you, and there openly reiterated the assurances
of sn inyiOisple attachment TO the system which
he had embraced.
As long IS your majesty was master Of e
vents, and you was as long as genius and
courage could controul them, Prussia remained
faithful, and the Prussian troops did their du.
ty; but when the French army experienced in
as turn the chances Of fortune, the cabinet of
Berlin no longer held any measures. The *.
srtions of Gen. York called the enemy into the
states Of the King Of Prussia std compelled
our armies to evacuate the Yistua aud to pro-
see to the Oder.
Prussia, to disguise her intentions, offered 20
furnish new contingency. She had in Silesia
sud on this side the Oder, sufficient number
of troops already formed, and of cavalry which
would have been useful in opposing the light
troops of the enemy. But she had decided
sOt TO keep her promise.