The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1814-03-19
Translated for the NJ York Mercantile i'd
vertiser.
CONSERVATIVE SENATE.

CONSERVATIVE SENATE.
SITTING OF MONDAY, DEC. 81, 1914.
Presided 6y his serene Mghness the hrinee
arch chancellor Of the empire.
In the name of the special committee ap-
pointed at the sitting of the s2d inst count
de tontanes, Senator, one of its members
made the following report
My lords and senators,
The hrst duty Of the senate towards the
monaach and people is truth. The extra
ordinary circumstances in which the coup-
try IS now placed render this duty still more
rigorous.
The emperor himself invites all the high
bodies OF the state to manifest their free
oPlnion-A thought truly royal a salu,ary
development OF those monarchical institu-
lions where the power, united in the hands
OF single person, fortifying itself with the
confidence OF the national opinion, impress
ses the people In their turn with the sen,i-
ment OF their dignity, well deserved re-
ward OF their sacrifices Intentions SO mag.
unanimous are not 10 be deceived.
Accordiugly,' your committee appointed
at the sitting of the 22d Dec and of which
have the honor Of being the organ, has
made the most serious investigation of the
othcial papers laid before them by order of
his ma jcsty the emperor
Negotiations for peace have begun. You
doubtless are acquainted with the progress
OF 1t. Your judgmcn, must not be biased.
Il simple narration Of facts, in cniehtcninn
your opinion, will prepare that of France.
When the Austrian cabinet ceased &C,
ing the part of mediator, when every tbinp
announcing that the congress of Prague
was about breaking up, the emperor wish
cd 10 make last effort for the peace OF
the continent. The duke of Bassano wrote
. letter TO prince Mctternick He pro
p'sea TO neutralize point On the frontier
anu lhefeto resume the the negotiation OF
tSagac during even the course of hos,i,i
ucs. Unhappily his first over,ures were
without effect.
he period o! that pacific step is i'm
por'an!--it was the 18th day of August
last. HE recent battles Of Lutzen and of
hautzen were yet fresh in the mind. This
wis., therefore, against the ,prolonpa,iou
d war is, IN manner expressed at tho date
OF Two victories. The entreaties of the
frehch cabinet were iruitless, peace few
away, hosuiities recommended, events took
d!tferen, turn. The soldiers of the Ger
man princes, our late allies exhibited in
more than one instance, in fphtinp under
our coiors, but too equiYocal fai,hfuIness ::
they all a; once ceased to fight, and went
over TO cur enemies-From that momep,
the combinations OF campaign so glorious
~ opened could not obtain the expected
success. The emperor was sensible it was
time TO order his French troops 10 evacu
ate Germany. He came back with them.
combating every step, and, on the mar.
row passage when so many extraordinary
dsteeuons and secret treasons impeded
his march and his movements, trophies have
still signalized his return.
We followed him with some disouietude
amidst so many obstacles over which he a.
lone could triumph. We have exul,irrIv
seen him return to his frontiers, not with
his usual fortune, but not without herois m
and glory.
Arrived III his capital, he turned his eyes
from these fields of battles where the
world admired him for fifteen years: he
even laid aside all thoughts of the grand
designs he had conceived. make use oil
his own expressions, he turned towards his
people, his heart opened itself, and in it we
have read our own sentiments He wish
ed Tor peace ; and SO soon as the hope ofI
negotiation appeared possible, he fastened
to improve it.
The circumstances Of war brought ba.
ron de 81. Afghan at the head quarters of
the coaiesced power. There he saw the
Austrian minister prince dc Metternich,
and the Russian minister count dc NesseI.
rode. Both of them in the name of their
court, laid before him, in a confidential
conversation the preliminary basis Of a &c. |
neral peace. Tho English ambassador, |