Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-15


Royal Highness would, on the contrary be
disposed rather to afford the means OF re-
placing them in those very temples and
galleries, OF which they were so long the
ornaments.
Were it possible that his Royal High
ness's sentiments towards the person and
cause OF Louis 1S, cond be brought into
doubt, or that the position OF his Most
Christian Majesty would be injured IN the
eyes of has people, the Prince Regent would
not come to this conclusion without the most
painful reluctance /; but, on the contrary,
his ROYAL H.ghness really believes that MS
MaJesiy will rise in the love and respect of
his own subjects, i'll proportion as he sepa-
rates himself from these remembrances of
revolutionary warfare-These spails, which
impede moral reconciliation between
France and the countries she has invaded,
are not necessary to record the exploits of
her armies, which notwithstanding the
cause i'll which they were achieved, must
ever make the arms of the nation respect
ed abroad. But whilst these objects remain
at Paris, constituting, as it were, the title
deeds of the Countries which have been
given up, the sentiments of reuniting these
Countries again to France, viii never be al
together extinct nor will the genius ofthc
French people ever completely associate
itself with the more limited existence as
signed % the nation under the Bourbons.
Neither is this opinion given with any
disposition OIL the part of the Prince Regent
to humlliate the French nation His Royal
Highness's general policy, the demeanor of
his troops i'll France, his having seized the
first moment of Bonaparte's surrender to
restore to France the freedom OF her com
oh oil he IL. l.
Gently evinced, to preserve ultimately to
France her territorial integrity, with Ger
tain notifications essential to the security
of neighb ,uring states, are the best proofs
that, consideration of justice to others, a
desire to heal the woHnds inflicted by the
Revolution, and not any Liberal sentiment
towards France, have alone dictated this
decision.
The whole question resolves itself into
this Are the Powers of Europe now
forming in sincerity permanent S. ttlement
with the King ? And if so, upon what
principles shall it be concluded Shall it
be upon the conse walton or the abandon
ment of revolutionary spoliationse
Can the King feel his own dignity exalt-
ed, or his title improved, in beng sarroun-
dedby monuments of art. which record not
less the suHcrings of his own lllustrious
House, than of the ether natioas of Europe!
1t the French people be DESTROYS of tread
irg back their steps, can they nationally
desire to preserve this source of luminosity
between them and all other nations and
II they are not, is it polt.ck to flatter their
vanity, and to keep alive the hopes which
the contemplation ofthcss trophies are cal
culated to excite Can even the army
reasonably desire it f? The recollection of
their campaigns can never perish. They
are recorded i'll the military annals of E.u-
rope-They are emblazoned on the publick
monuments OF their own country why is it
necessary to associate their glory in the
field with system of plumber. by the "a
doption of which, in contravention of the
laws of modern war, the Chief that led
them to battle, in fact, furnished the lustre
of their arms?
Ii we are really to return to peace and
to ancient maXIms, it cannot be wise to
preserve just so muah of the causes of the
past ; nor can the King desire, out of the
wrecks of the revolution, of which his fla
miiy has been one of the caief victims, to
perpetuatc in his house this odious monopo-
~ OF the ars. The splendid collection
which France possessed previous to the
revolution augmented by the Borghese
collection, which has since been purchased
Zone of the finest in the WORLDLY will afford
to the King ample means of ornamenting,
in It's fair proportion, the capital of his En-
pire and his Majesty may dvest himself
of this tainted source of distinction, without
prejudice to the due cultivation of the arts
in France.
In applying remedy to this off nsive
evil, it does not appear that any middle
line can be adopted, which does Not go to
recognize variety of spoliations, under
the cover of treaties if possible more IA
grant in their character than the acts of
undisguised rapine, by which these remains
were IT. general brought together.
The principle of property regulated by
the claims OF the territories from whence
these works were taken is the surest and
only guide to justice and perhaps there
IS nothng which would more tend to settle
the pubic mind Of Europe at this day thar
such an homage, on the part OF the King
Of France. to prmcipie OF virtue, concl-
liat.on and peace.
(Signed) CASTLEREAGu.
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