Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-06-06
EXTRACTS FROM LONDON PAPERS.
BY THE FLORIDA.
FRANCE

| RESURRECTION IN LTTHUANIA AND I7NPE-
! RIAL UKASE OF THE DESPOT NICHOLAS
! NEWS FROM POLAND.
To the Editor Of the Morning Chronicle.
l F1,l,rs, ztrriI az, 1891
Sir-In the north of Europe is u country called Lii
thuana, which is nearly as large as that part of the
United Kingdom of Great Rritain and Ireland called
England 1t in olden times a distinct nation
governed by its Grand Dukes and 300 miles long
and $50 miles broad In the sixteenth century it was
united to Poland and has ever since with small OK
ccption belonged to it, until, by the Ubiquitous conduct
OF the Empress Catharine, in the eighteenth and by
the scandalous treaties of the holy alliance in the nine
teenth century, both it and Poland have been by force
united to Russia! Before those unjust and dishonest
measures, Poland governed by an elective Mon
arch, and Lhuania had her share in the nomination
1t is bounded on the south by Vohyna, the by
Little Poland, Polachia, Prussia and Samogitia on
the north by Courand and Russia and on the east by
Russia. The country is fiat but fertile. 1t produces
corn, honey, wood and wool Its horses celebrated
its forests extensive and there is why the
people should not be happy but that they oppressed
The peasants and the great of the people are
kept in state of the AFFECT vassalage and their
IDEAS manners Dress and actions are those of beings
who dare not think for fear of offending their Govern
ors Their nobility divided into two classes-thosc
who rich and overbearng, and those who are poor
superior domestcs to the wealthy, and treated with
contempt and brutality The capital of Lithuania is
wilma, which is by no means inconsiderable So
cond city In Europe. Although it exposed in
the last century two confagratons- by fire. and
the other by lightning-its palaces still splendids
churches still magnificent; and, although it has not
a
no means unworthy of attention. 1t is to this country
and this capital that about for awhile to direct
your attention; and am about asking you to extend
your pity your interest your sympathy and your good
wishes to those who dwell the banks ofthe Dnieper,
the Dwina, and the Niemcn.
The peasants and people ignorant and oppressed.
They oppressed by the small nobility, who require
gifts and contributions, reward for obtaining the
patronage protection of the richer propretors and
lords of the soil. They oppressed by the wealthy
nobility, who demand large rents-constant personal
service and attentonand all those concessions which
were formerly made in England and France by the
vassals to their "good Lords" They are taught to
believe that is of use TO read, to think
gregdte together. Books rare; newspapers
known; and the only sort of liberty which is enjoyed
that possessed the Jews, who have the right to cul
tvate the soil.
The nobility arc ignorant and savage lovers of dos
potism, and averso to improvement. The people are
refused all their demands, and the Mobiles consider that
their only security consists in their maintaining the
actual state of things in this country The Russian
such sentiments and whilst it has ground the people to
powder and made even the Iithuanians revolt II has
sought to maintain IT'S influence by securing at all Pr
cess tho allegiance of the wealthy Lords. But of late
years the system has somewhat changed The demands
Of the Mobiles the Government have been refused
additional imposts have been lCved-thc Of the
Nobility have boon taken away war-aud the Aris
tocraCy ofwCa Which knew bounds IFS greatness
has loft itsclfhumbled and oppressed. Tie poe rcr No
by have encouraged tllis feeling. They have advert
cd TO the former history of LIthuania when she
vcrucd by her own grand Dukes, aud when even more
latcrly She assisted at the elections of Polish Kings
This feeling Of dissatisfaction has gradually increased
those who were clamorOus stranglcd drowned
sent TO SibcTiaoT enlisted in the service of the mi
litary Colonies which is another word for slow death
The wealthy nobility havo at length felt that IN pro-
of time, they would become savcshat tire mere
sing demands Of tho Russian Government would end
in their ruu-and they who were themselves tvYauts,
have begun TO desire emancipation The poor nobility,
who hcvD every thing gain, md nothing q losc BY