American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-07

demand from the heads Of his tather's assassns.
1t has been attributed, by one OF his ponegyrlsts,
to forlorn and melancholy conviction that the
murderers had been prompted to commit the bloody
deed solely by regard TO the salvation oil the en-
pre- Such conviction might have induced the
young monarch to diminish the weight OF that
punishment which pety and justice called on him
inhict, but scarcely account Tor his total ior-
bearance.
Disguised, oppressed, and rendered miserable by
this shocking misrue, the excessive caprice, and
the severity of Paul, the mobiles entered in
to cons piracy and determined to rid themselves
and their country OF tyrant: and they calmly
effected their purpose. They next offered the
crown 10 the Grand Duke, Alexander, and the true
heir to 1t; and they probably threw out an insinua-
ton, that if he did not accept of their Offer another
branch OF the Imperial family would be raised to
the throne, or even new dynasty commenced
Under such circumstances no choice may be said
to have been left for Alexander he accepted the
crown from the murderers of his father, who, at
that period, were among the most influential men
al Petersburgh, and in Russia; and who might as
easily have hurled him from his elevation, raise
him to il. Therefore, the Emperor, by necessity
and policy, could not act otherwise than with mode
ration towards the assassins Of Paul, not only on
becoming Auiocrat bul even after he had coDsoll
dated his power, A despot is fearful Of offending
his powerful mobiles, unless they have made them
power, who would rejoice at their ruin. Thus,
Paul's murder was the result OF despotlsm and
Alexanders clemency emanaed from the same
cause.
In the oath year Of his age, the Grand Duke as
cended The throne Of his ancestors having previous
ly been the favorite of his fathers subjects. His
mild department his suavity of manners his ama-
BILE disposition, and his goodness of heart, had gain
ed him the love and the respect Of all classes OF the
population OF the empire His first measures,
pyoclamallons, and imperial orders, tended to con
firm the good opinion and the confidence OF the
people. He sincerely promised, to tread in the
steps OF Caharne H.; and his first acts Of kind
ness were experienced by the Petersburghers,
whose lives had become quite miserable under the
whimsical reign Of Paul Alexander gave orders
that every should be allowed dress according
% his own taste. He exonerated the inhabitants
from the trouble and degrading duty OF alighting
from 'heir carriages on the approach of the Impe
rial Family, and doing homage as they passed, even
IN the coldest and most disagreeable weather. He
dismissed the Court Advocate, who had become
object OF universal deteslaon and, besides, he
made numerous changes and new regulations all
tending to the comfort, pleasure, and advantage OF
,h= Inhabitants Of the Metropolis. The goodness
Of his heart, the activity Of his mind, the excellence
OF his principles. ard his anxious wish Tor the i'm
proyenent OF his subjects and Of his country, also
enabled him At once to perceive the necessity Of
gresl changes and improvements throughout the
empire
Consistently with his characters Paul had labored
hard 10 destroy all Cstharines laws, measures, and
plans; every edi6ce that commemorated her
reign, demolis he'd or transformed; and SO de
te mined Was this monarch to show his enmity and
his revenge toward his Imperial Mother, that, had
1t been possible, the very soil on which she once
had trod would have been consigned to oblivion.
Alexander on the contrary, assisted by the first
ILL
turning all his fathers plans, and OF reganing the
path OF his illustrious grandmother, the great Cath
arine.
The mere enumeration OF the most important OF
his early acts, after being firmly seated on the throne
Of the RuTcks and the Romanofs, will demonstrate
now anxious Alexander for the welfare of his
nation. The abolition OF the Secret Inquisition,
which had become the scourge Of the country the
restoration OF the senate 10 its former dignity and
authority; the regulation and better organization Of
the office and duties Of the Ministry Improvements
~ the administration Of justice throughout the tri
bunals; regulations for tine better advancement Of
public instruction; the institution Of schools,
academies, and universities, and the better regua.
ton ct old ones; changes in the system Of police,
and the system OF the post office; the encourage
ment Of agriculture, architecture, fisheries, mines,
and commerce; the restoration of the old division
OF the empire the desire Of having the real gene
ac2y OF families properly recorded in the books oil
hslaldry; improvements in the army and in the ma
W; the organization of the militia; the release
from the bonds of slavery Of the peasants Of Eshonia
and l4iTonia the encouragement OF arts and sci
ences the plans for increasing the finances; the
dimnution OF the expenses of the Court; the steady
adherence to the religion OF his predecessors; the
formation of some new canals and the improve
rnent OF many old ones the fitting out at his owr
expense, OF the first Russian expedition that cir
cumnaylgated the globe, under the distinguished
kefuzenstern may be reckoned among the early acts
Of Alexander's reign.
.Nhe coronation oF the C,ar - ~ ano;an, ~;