Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-22


ing the body ofthe nation. As far as the indivi-
dual at the head ofthe government was concern
Cd, there could be no doubt that the situation IN
which we were row placed was brought about
by INN, III violation OF a treaty to- which he was
party. He (the earl) was aware that some defence
was attempted TO be set UP, on the ground of y
violation OF contract towards hun by another pow
er But even if that charge was true, it would
not Justify his conduct TO the Allies, unless, in
the first instance, he had claimed redress and
been refused. Every writer on the law OF natl
ons would inform them that it was not the expe-
rlence OF INJURY, but the refusal of redress that
constituted the offence by which treaties became
VOID, and war exped ent. Besides, there was not
one word in his original proclamatioIis OF the in
Jury here alluded to--hs mere statement on first
iandIng was, that he was taken at moment of
duhcuity, andhe did not leave il matter OF doubt
that IT was bis intention all along to resume his
power on the first opportunity.
But TO look al it in largerpoint ofview. could
any man, recollecting the transactions at Paris in
April and May last, deny that their whole foun-
daticD rested on his abdcation' The allies de-
Shared that they would not negotiate with HIN ;
the nation declared his DrcuEAxcE by It's only or
gan at the time; the treaties Were expressly
foIi'ded on his abdicaticn and peace was signed
upon the principle that France had then a gov
eminent under its monarchical constitution, which
sdmrted such security as was necessary 10 the
protection of engagements. On that account
more advantageous terms Of pc &C were afforded
to France, than she could otherwise have Obtain
ed. The indispensable cond ton throughout the
whole was, that the treaty of FOntainbicau FORM
ed not small part, but Fundamental part OF the
alliance; ofcourse, that tsviolat.on ab solved tie
allies nom tie conditions TO which they were
ocund, and placed them in that state, if they
"shed to avail themselves of II, which authoris-
ed war with France. fhe had succeeded in
eat ST. ing Their loidships upon that point he was
sti!i Wiling TO allow that 1t constituted only one
part vt the question. The war should be justi-
ned towards them should be proved 10 be ne
cessaly The question he should first put was,
bad this OF any other nation prospect Of peace,
while the present ruler governed France w
had the melancholy advantage Of fourteen fif-
teen years e1perience--and what did the expe l.
snce prove Did it not shew that no treaty was
made with him which was not brollon--no en-
gagcment which was not volatet-lhat neither
success could satisfy, nor failure mtimidate him
but, that, keeping in view the system Of universal
empire and ctntlnued war, he prosecuted his pro-
Iect 20 the destruction of human happiness-
When the French revolution, in the vanity of its
career, suggested the plan of extending France 10
what was called its natural limits, the Alps, the
Pyrenees, the Rhine and the ocean, it was his for
tune on coming to the government to acquire
tie recognition Of those views, by The treaty of
Luney lie. The Cisa!pine, Ligur an, Helvetic, and
batavlan republics, were guaranteed in Their IN.
dependence by the 81 me treaty vet their indie
dependence was subsequently, violated, not III
one instance but in all-they were one after an
other, either incorporated as integral parts OF
France, or as dependencies under the dominion OF
her chief When he could shew what Italy, what
Switzerland and Holland had suffered, it mus
appear hat no power, however submissive, o.
however friendly, could satisfy his demands
tilelr independence must fall sacrifice TO his
ambition. His conduct with regard to Span, was
another proof of this.-That country was in
state OF AFFECT submission--her troops were figh
ing with the armies of Prance-the revolutio
which placed the present king on The throne was
proof ofthe extent of French influence and the
subsequent INVASION of that territory was an n
stance of the Unlimited ambition of the French ru-
Isr. His principle was not p.rcere SUI :
Jects ct debellare ebos" but one of unjver al
depression and slavery. His attempt on the Rus
sian empire was another proof fins designs
Considering the preparations that We're necessary
TO the undertaking, it was impossible TO doubt
tina love OF empire was his prevailing passion,
and required 10 be resisted. But were c,.cum-
stances by which his return was cha act erised of
nature TO alter our fears on the contrary there
was every thing to aggravate them. lie did not
mean to say that his return was called for by the
nation, for making the fair allowance for d soon
tented men, who must be found under all Gov
ernments, and particularly under a Government
Out newly SslaDllshetlj Inc people were cOntented
and happy under Louis XVHI.-TIe was recale
: military ch ef by the military power, because
t'e fundamental principle ofhis Government was
m;iitary.-lt was stated by some that tie ape al
wh.chEe had now arrived, was likely 10 check
the errors fhis ambition. There was a species
Of ambition, which originating in the excess OF
noble - d ge7erous sentiments, was hurried INTO
IN emperance b.. the feIVour of youth, but If err
Yards became qualified by the prudence of age
and exItr enoe. But could they lock to tie events
of EurCr FOR the las! il years, could they look
to his c, nduct not for weeks but for DAYS before
his add alton, and hope that any change of time
or cImstances could recall him TO the love of
repose} The prospect Establishing limited
mon:rth by was another point relied on. But what
WEI uey TO hope from thati lie was as much
irl end as any man TO the establishment Of free
goyernn ent in France, on the model of our own /,
as far as was practicable.-Many specuatons
we e yentured on this subject in the course of the
last few years, and among others, il became
question how far nation requiring so large a
military force for is protection was capable of re
ceiying and maintaining free constitution On
this speculative question he should not offer any
opinion ;Iut this he would say. that no govern
rncnt could be free whose Chefwas not only mill
tary msolt, but was indebted for the title 10 the
swoid. France could not have selected an nd .
vidGai IA der whom she was so unlikely to e,io,
the advantages of limited monarchy Could
tiicy shut their eyes upon all that has passed and
"a rqg IL 81. a.