Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-10-21
We copy the following article from the National

We copy the following article from the National
Advocate of New-York, paper which for some
time past, has displayed more information on for
eigu political affairs, and more comprehensive and
correct views of European politics. than any all
Their papers in the union. We have ventured TO
engratt small elucidatory additions parts of
nishing more light ON the events ofhe ne1c coaii-
fiOn-our additions arc between Cc'ochets.
aurora.
THE EUROPEAN NEWS.
Which we have received from England by the
last arrival, instead of shedding light upon the af
fairs of the north, seemed rather have spread an
obscure cloud those military operations which
nix 4 the present moment, the attention of the ci-
vilized world. II is eagerly enqured, what will be
the result of this awful conflict Twill Europe a.
gain become the prey of the barbarians, who, if
teen hundred years ago. laid waste and subjugatet
her fsirest regions The fatal blindness of those
powers who have invoked their aid, and who would
be the trst victims of their savage fury their
fatal views TO be realised, will it have an end
What means, What resources, what hope, has the
sound part of Europe, to oppose 10 this wide tor
rent?
These arc important questions, aud in order to
resolve them correctly, it is necessary, the first
place, to revert to the retreat from Moscow of the
last winter to examine the conduct of the different
powers now coalesced agai ct the French emperor
before and since thai period TO review with care
the military combinations Of france which have Ia
ken place, and which were rendered necessary
by the intentions more less hostile the moye-
ments more or less perfdious the prasesso ns more
or less sneere OF the powers situated in the centre
OF Europe.
Blu, profound examination of this nature
would surpass the limits which are ecessarily as
gned to these discussions in daily print we will
con'lne ourselves TO tue principal heads of such
work, reserving TO ourselves the task of subsequent
iy discussing and proving the positions we lay down
We will show, then,
That at the period when NAPOLEON was at Mos
COW secret coalition of certain powers was formed
hos ay1F..
the north OF Europe, and preventing them and their
clhgt from ever reyisiting their country. The
league was formed by the influence ard ihtrgues oil
England, and was composed Of Denmark, Russia
I,rlssid, .3ustliG and Turkey. Hence the arrival
o! the Russian ARMY If the Danube upon the Bere-
1Eio to cut oil the retreat of the French army com
ing from MOSCOW the inaclon of prince .Schzgart-
1enos'g, commanding the Austrian corps, who did
not give battle IN time to prevent this movement
hence the sudden peace between the Turks and
Russians hence the detection of The Prussisu GEM
eral D'YOTE on the DWna.
The French army, almost annihiated in its
centre by the loss of its horses, artillery, and
baggage Abandoned, betrayed, and sacrificed,
on MS two wings, composed OF Austrians and
Russians ; could not main' ain itself upon the
Nlemen. In this state Of things the Vistua
seemed to offer II refuge; and the line OF ior-
tined places on this river would have stopped
the progress OF the Russians /; but already had
me Austrian general, who wss to have covered
warsaw, retired into Gallicia, without the least
interruption from the Russians. The concur
renee OF the different powers in this scheme for
destroying the French army was now evident to
every discerning mind. No alternative was
lett but 10 secure a position where il might re.
ceive reintorcements, without the risque of be
ing harrassed and cut off in the rear The
Oder, notwithstanding its numerous strong pla4 |
ces, did not furnish them with this advantage, |
It WAS tianked by Bohemia; and not sufficiently |
Fa.anr ~
TO retreat upon the Eibe; and indeed it had |
hardly become unavoidable at the time of the |
passage of the Berezida. This memorable re. |
treat of more than twelve hundred miles, with |
an army destitute of every thing, surrounded |
by emes who had pretended to be friends
without magazines, without camp equipage,
without cavalry, without artillery But new
dangers met them al its ermination Hama |
burg, the key OF the lower Elbe, is threatened |
by the Danes, but evacuated The Ausrians |
having made sore movements towards Rome |
mia, possibly with the intention Of joining the |
Russians ahd Prussians (; Dresden and the upDer
Elbe were abandoned. The mountains ofThur- |
ingia offered the sole refuge to the French ar |
my the little river Sasl, the fields of Jena, CO.
vered their front their left leaned upon the |
Weser Eriurth was the pivot upon which they |
might manoeuvre
This is rapid and concise sketch of the |
events of the winter 1928. This was the |
moment for Austria to come forward, and |
join the coalition; had the genius of the |
Austrian cabinet been competent to the exc |
cution ct its wishes, or capable of perceive
ing and seiSing upon the moment to con- |
summate them, they might probably have |
driven the French back to the Rhine. pa
ralyzed the confederation of that name, and |
deprived France Of the fruits Of ten years |
victories and coDquests. That Austria was !
secretly devoted 10 the new coalition is eei-
dent The presence Of the Russian minister,
prince Kourakin at Vienna, and of an Aus
TRAN ambassador in London, as well as the
conduct of the Austrian and French courts, |
leave Il heyond doubt II is possible that she |
might not have signed ahy formal treaties !
like those of D7RdR and PilnHz. But thar
there was an understanding between Aus
ttia and the allies, cannot be disputed. The |
divisions in her councils, the disorder OF her |
finances, the discordant family interests. and |
her heavy moulded constitution, prevented |
her acting with that promp,itude which was
indispensable.
There is q tide in the Affairs Of men,
Which, taken nc the flo11 leads on 10 fortune -.
Austria lost the golden opportunity, which |
she may never find gain whilst Napoleon |
has
taken the current when Il served
He provoked the battle Of Lu,zeh by evacn.
ating Dresden, AMI BY gaining that action, |
put himSelfin possession Of the upper Elbe
by the battle ofWurtzchen, ne regained the |
Oder and Glogau as point of support.