, 1863-12-05

The Proposed European Congress.
I The Paris Aoniteur, publishes the text Of til
letter addressed to the sovereigns Of Europ
by the Emperor Of the French, proposing
general Congress to settle the afIaiss of Eu
rope. The following Is translation:
Most High and Moat nfustrious Sorereigns, Prin
ces, and Free Towns, which constitute tho uigl
German Coufeaesstioa:
/ In presence Of the events which every da,
arise and become urgent, deem It inalspen
sable to express myself without reserve to tht
conf1ded.
Whenever se4erc shocks have shaken the
basis and displaced the limits of States,
I 8olmn consultations have taken place to ar.
range the new elements, and to execute BY
revision tho accomplished transformations
| such was the object OF the Treaty of West
| pha1ia In tho 18th century, and Of the uecoti-
atioDs at Vienna In 1916. It il on this lStter
foundation that now reposcs tho political ed1-
nee OF Europe; and yet, rs you are aware, it
ia erQmbling away on all sides.
If the eituatton of the different countries
be attentiycly considered, It is impossible not
to admit that the Treaties of Vienna upon
almost all points are destroyed, modified,
misunderstood, or menacod. Hence, duties
without rnls, rights vithout title, and pre-
much the more formidable because the i'm
provements brought about by civilization,
which has bound nations together bT the
identity Of material interests, would render
war mora destructive.
This is subject for serious reflection; let
us not wait before deciding on our course for
sudden and Irresistible events to disturb our
judgment and carry Us away despite ourselves
in opposite directions.
l, therefore, propose to you to regulate the
present and secure the future in a Congress-
. Called to the throne by Providence, and
FraYYE YEf. Lr,k
the school Of adyersity, am, Perhaps bound
less tlon any other to Ignore the rights Of
tae soycreigns and the legitimate aspirations
Of nations.
Therefore am ready, without any precou-
celved system, to bring to an International
Gouncil the spirit Of moderation and justice,
the usual portion Of those who have eadured
SO many various trials.
III take the initiative Of such m overtime,
do not yield to m impulse of vanity: but
as l ON the sovereign to whom ambitious
projects arc most attributed, I have it ut keart
to prove BY this frank and loyal step that nv
sole object Is to arrivo without shock 1T the
paciflcation Of Europe. II this proposition
be favorab1y received, pray, yon to accept
Paris as the place Of meeting.
In case the Princes, allies and friends of
France should think proper to heighten by
their presence the authority Of the delibera-
dial hospitality. Europe would see, pefhaps. 1 a
some advantage in tic capital ffo1n which
the signal for subyersion Inns 80 often been
given becoming the seat Of the conferences
destined 10 lay the basis Of general pacif- !
cation.
! take advantage Of this opportunity to re-
new TO you the assurance Of my sincere attac6- |
ment end Of the lively interest which I take
In the prosperity OF the States Of the Confed- |
GRAFTON. Whe1eupon, most high and t1lus-
trious Princes, and Free States which consti-
tnte the most exalted German Confederation.
I pray God to hare yon in His holy keeping.
Written at Paris, on the 4th Of November.
in the year Of g1ace 1868.
NAPOLEON, /