Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-03-19
the country is placed, renders this duty still

:, ss-.-- .-..-s-
the country is placed, renders this duty still
more imperious.
The emperor himselfrequires the great bo.
dies Of the state TO manifest with freedom their
opinion a thought truly roya, sautary de-
velopenent of those monarchla Institutions, in
which power concentrated in the hands of a
single person, is strengthened by the conf
dence ofnational opinion, and gives to the peo.
pie in their turn, the idea of their dignity, the
invaluable benefit of their sacrifices.
Intentions so masnanilnous ought not to be
betrayed.
In consequence the commss on named at
your sitting Of the 22d of December, and of
which I have the honor to be the organ, have
given the most serious attention to the official
papers laid before them by the orders of his
majesty the emperor, and communicated by
the Duke of Vicence.
Negotiations for peace having begun, you
ought TO know their progress. We must not
anticipate your judgment. A plain recital of
facts, III directing your opinion, ought to form
that of France.
When the cabinet of Austria reiinquished
the character OF mediator, when all considered
up, the emperor wished to make las. effort
to restore peace to The continent.
The Duke OF Bassano wrote to the prince of
Metternich.
He proposed to neutraiise point on the
frontier, and there to resume thenegotiation of
Prague even during hostilities
Unfortunately these first oyertures we're With
out effect.
The period Of that pacific proceeding is i'm.
portant--It was the 18th of August last. The
recollection of the days of Lutzen and Bautzcn
was recent. This opposition to the continu
ance of the war, is therefore coeval with the
date OF the two victories.
The efforts of the Erercb cabinet were nse-
less peace eludedi its grasp; hostiiities weie
renewed events assumed another aspect The
soldiers of German princes, not long s.nce cur
allies, discovered more than once, in lighting
under our banners, doubtful fidelity their
hypocrisy suddenly ceased, and they allied
themselves to our enemies.
From thence success no longer attended the
combinations oil campaign SO gloriously OPEN
ed 80 80 49, =
The emperor saw that it was tins to order
his French troops TO evacuate Germany.
He returned with them fighting almost eve
ry step; and on that road on which so many
striking detections and base treasons obstruc
ted his march and operations, victories still
signalized his retreat.
We followed him with some uneasiness in
the midst of so many difficulties, over which
he alone could triumph. With much happiness
we have seen, him return to his frontiers, not
with his accustomed fortune, but not without
heroism and glory.
Returned to his capital, he has turned aside
his eyes from the field os battle vyhc-e the world
has admired him iorst fifteen years !; he has even
sbsrscted has thoughts from the great designs
he bad conceived. 4 make use OF ..is own exc
pressons he has turned towards his people
his heart IL opened to them; and we read
there his true sentiments.
He has desired peace, and as soon as the
hope of a negotiation appeared possible, lie sei-
zed it with eagerness, ~
The circumstances of the war led The baron
de St, Afghan to the head quarters OF the coal
esced powers. There, he saw the Austrian min,
lister, the prince of Metternicb, and the Russian
minister, the count de Nesselrode.--Both, in
the name of their courts, laid before him. in a
confidential conversation, the preliminary basis
of general peace. The English ambassador,
lord Aberdeen, was present at that conference.
Senator's. take notice ofthis fact--it is impor-
tant.
The baron de Saint Afghan, charged with
transmitting to his court all that should pass,
has faithfully acquitted himself of his trust.
Although France had right TO expect other
proposals, the emperor sacrificed all to SIM
cere desire for peace.
He required the duke Of Bassano to write to
the prince of Metternich, that he admitted as
tue basis of negotiation the general principles
contained in the confidential communication OF
NJ de Saint Afghan.
The prince of Metternich, in replying to the
duke of Bassano, appeared to think there re-.
manned an obscuri,y in the construction given
by France to the basis of the allies.
After this, to remove all difficulty, the duke
ofVcence, on receiving the orders of bis Ma
| iesty, made known TO the Austrian cabinet,
that he would adhere to the general and sum.
mary basis communicated by Mr. de Saint Aig
| nan. The letter of the duke of Viccncc is oil
| the Cd of December 1t WAS received the 5tl
ofthe same month.--The prince of Metternich
replied to it on the 10th.-These dates ought
! to be carefully recoilected you will very soon
| judge that they not without some impor-
I lance.
We cannot perceive any just hopes of peace
| on reading the reply of the prince Of Meter
| Mich to the despair of tile duke Of Vience
except at the end Of his letter. lie announces
| that before opening the negotiation, it will be
necessary to consult witt, the allies. Now
these allies are the English. Their ainbassa
| dor assisted at the conference held with Mr.
| de Saint Afghan We 10 not wish to excite
| distrust. We relate the fact.
| We have marked with attention the date oil
| the late spondence between the French 8,
| Austrian cabinets; we have said that the LETT
/ ter of the duke of Whence was received the
I 5th OF DecemOCr, ana tlat us receipt WAS not
| Acknowledged before the 10Th.
IN THO interval, gazette, now Under The
! influence of the coa'esced powers, has publish
| ed to all Europe, a declaration which they SAY
is drawn up by their authority. We should be
| sorry to believe IT, This declaration is OF
| character, unusual in the diplomacy Of kings
1t Isl not to kings that they deveope their com
| plants, and TO whom they send their NANTES
| tot is the people whom they aidress.--And
| why do they adopt this new course It is &c
| separate the cause ofthe people from that o.
their chiefs, although the interests OF sosetJ
have ever counfounded them.