Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-05-12

;sct had heen t, recreate those two mo-
marches which for all practical purposes
had been destroyed by seriesef wars !;
he meant Austria and Prussia they wish
ed to see an augmented barrier against
France: Switzerland re-established, and
Germany SO confederated as to be a bull
wark against the west and the east. he
must protest against the use honorable
gentlemen, made Of an expression IN a
letter Of the French minister, about
& throwing so many human souls into n
the scale" If annexation were Jnstlflaa-
bile population was as just a criterion OF
the power of territory as its wealth or It's
trade. The honorable member had as
sumed, that a solemn pledge was gwen TO
Genoa, that it was confirmed by the Bril-
fish government, and afterwards broken.
He wished to disentangle the question OF
Genoa from that of Italy, wf,ichhad like
wise been mentioned, and first ne would
speak of Italy generally. Long ago there
was considerable feeling that Italy was
anxious to throw off the French yoke and
\ disposition was Immediately shewn on
the partof this country to give suecour to
this inclination. But the expectations
of its rising were never realized. The
disaffection was great, but nothing OF ac-
ton was to be hoped, for the people no
where expressed so little disgust against
TN, armies of France. Wehad not there
fore falsifed our assurances to Italy sic
lad taken no measures corresponding to
our wish to serve her. The people of l.
tally; were therefore solely indebted to
the allies for their deliverance. When
therefore after this, it was seen that
the whole fate of the war depepded on
stirring Austria from its sumber,,it was
felt that every thing consistent with ge-
neral morals ought to be done to set in
motion that great hinge of Eurorean poll
cy.-England felt that she could not adopt
any seperate policy with respect to Genoa.
She had to act, not as the ally of Italy,
who would take no step towards her own
independence, but of Austria, who with
other powers, was then employed about
the deliverance Of Europe. The princi-
pie. therefore, of that treaty. and it vas
10 secret, was this that the Italian ihde-
pendence was inconsistent with the etfec-
tive rower of austria.
There was no man that did not know
that the northern parts of Italy would not
fall to the government of any Italian
AS to the supposed pledge given By this
country in consequence OF the proclaifa-
ton of Lord w. Bentick, he could ae-
knowledge no such pledge. He bad read
that proclamation with great attention.
He was. at that time, at the head quar-
ters of the Allied Powers in France, and
communication was made to him on the
part Of Marshal Murat, then on the throne
of Naples, complaining of this proclama-
ton. He answered the Duke de Campo
Caro-, who came on the part OF Marshal
,iurat. Chat cur forces in Italy we're to
act in strict alliance with the austrian go
yesnment, whatever intentions our 60
ver1.nent might have entertained at &
former period, and under circumstances
entirely different. He then read ever
the proclamation, and told that person,
that in his opinion the proclamation would
not fairly Bear tilat construction. When
in the conclusion Of the proclamation, he
spoke Of their returning to the good Old
times of Italy, was tliat any thing like
what the hon. gentleman would under
stand by Italian Independence; at what
period ,Fere to fix those good old times of
ITALY? lie did not receive Lord W. Ben
ticks proclamation, till about tie end Of
March. lie wrote to him, however, I'M
mediately upon receiving the commpni-
cation he had stated, and Informed lis
Lordship, g that there were few words
in his proclamation, upon which con-
struetion had been put, which he was
quite sure was different from what his
Lerdship intended" He trusted that
he had now in some degree relieved this
question of Genoa from tie charge OF bad
faith brought against his Majesty's Co
vernment. It must, however, be obvious
to the House. that no general could, with
out special authority from his government,
be empowered to do more tllan establish
a provisional government in a conquered
country, held by military occupation.
lst, he had no authority to settle deiini-
lively the fate of Genoa, and no body
should suppose he had such an authority.
edly, he was expressly prohibited from
countenancing the idea CT what was now
called Italian independence: sdly, he
never did SO: 4thly, he never could have
dane co. athlr- the Genaese plenipOten-