Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-15
FOREIGN NEWS,
FROM the London Courier, December 5.
NOTE

the Ministers IF the Allied Powers from the
Pope, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the
King of the Nethrrani-, and other Sove-
reigns, claiming, through the intervention
of the High Allied Powers, the restoration
or the statues, pictures. and other works
OF art, of which retrospective states have
been successfully and systematically strip
ped by the late revolut .onary government
of France, Contrary to every principle of
justice, and to the nsages of modern war
fare, and the same having been referred
for the consideration of his court, the I'M
dersignsd has received the commands of
the Prince Regent TO submit, for the consi-
derainn of the Allies, the following re-
marks upon thus interesting subject:
1t is now the second time, that the pow
e:s of Europe have been compelled, in
vindlcation of their own liberties, and for
the settlement OF the world, to invade
France, and twic. their armies have pos
sessed themselves Of the capital of the
state, in which these, the spoil of the great
er part of Europe, are accumulated.
The legitimate Sovereign of France, has,
as often, under the protection of those ar
mics, been enabled to resume his throne,
and to mediate for his people peace with
the Allies, to the marked induigenCes of
which neither their conduct to their own
monarch, nor towards oiher states, has Civ
EN- them Just pretens,ons to aspire.
That the purest sentiments of regard for
Louis XVIII. Difference for MS ancient aud
illustrious Eouse, and respect fer his mis-
fortunes, have gaided invariably the Allied
Councils, has be. n proved beyond ques-
ton by their having, last year, framed the
Treaty of Paris expressly on the basis of
preserving to France its complete lntegri-
ty, and still more. after their late disap@
poinsment, by the endeavcuIs they are a
gain making, ultimately to combine the
substantial integrity of France, with such an
adequate system of temporary precaution
as may satisfy what they owe to the secu-
rity OF their own subjects.
But it would be the height of weakness
as well as of injustice, and i'll its effects
much mere likely to nislead than to bring
back the people of France to moral and
peoceful habits, if the Allied Sovereigus,
to whom the world is anxiousy looking up
for protection and repose, were to deny
that principle OF integrity III its just and Ii
beral application to other natIops, their
Allies (hore especially to the feeble and to
the hclpless) which they are about, for the
second time, to conclude to a nation against
whom they have had occasion SO long to
Contend in war.
Upon what principle can France, at the
Close OF such war, expect TO sit down
with the same extent of possessions which
she held before the Revolution, and desire,
at the same time, to retain the ornamental
spoiis of al other countries? Is it, that
there can exist d doubt of the issue OF the
contest or of the power of the Allies to eff
fectuate what Justice aud policy require
If not, upon what principle deprive France
OF her late territorial acquisitions, and pre-
serve to her the spcliatloHs appertainng
to those territories, which ali modern con-
quertrs have invariably respected, as inse-
parable from the country to which they
belonged.
The Allied SDvercigns have, perhaps,
something to attone for to Europe, in con-
sequence Of the course pursued by them,
when at Paris, during the last year. Il is
true, they never did so far make themselves
parties in the criminallty of this mass OF
plunder, to sanction it by any stipulat on
IN their Treaties such "A recognition has
been on their part uniformly refused but
they certainly did use their influence to re-
press at that moment any agitation of their
claims, in the hope tnat France, not less
subdued by their generosity than by their
arms, might be disposed to preserve mvi-
olate peace which had been studiously
framed TO serve as bond Of reconciliation,
between the Nation and the King. Trey
had also reason to expect that his Majesty
would be advised voluntarily to restore
considerable proportion, at least, of these
spoil, to their lawful owners.
But the question is a very d fTtrent one
now, and To pursue the same course under
circumstances 50 essentially altercd d, would
be in the judgment of the Prince Regent,
equally unwise towards France and unjust
towards our allies, " no have a direct inte-
rest in this question.
His Royal Highness, in stating this opn-
ion, feels It neces aiy TO guard ag inst the
possibility OF rnisr presentation.
Whilst he deems It to be the duty Of the
Allied Sovsrcigus, not only not to obstruct,
but to facilitate, upN the present occasion
the return Of these objects 10 tie places
from whence they were tom, it seems not
less consistent with their delicacy, not to
sniF the position of their armies in France,
or the removal OK these works from the
Louvre, TO become the means, either di
rectly or indirectly. of bringing within
their own dominions a sngls article which
did not Of right, at the period Of their CON
quest, belong either to their respective IA
mily collections, or 10 the countries over
which they now actpa iy reign.
Whatever value the Prince Regent might
attach to such exquisite specimens Of the
fine arts, IT otherwise acquired, ne has no
WISH T. b come possessed Of them at the
expense Of France. ra;herof the countries to
wiiicn they Of right 5elong, more espec ally