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NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, JUNE 17, 1815
BREAKING NEWS
Foreign articles and news.
It seems perfectly agreed upon that Bonaparte will meet his enemies in the vicinity of the Rhine, and act in the first instance purely on the defensive -- but if he is victorious will carry the war into the heart of his enemies' countries. We have not heard that any of the troops of the allies have actually crossed the Rhine.
In ample evidence of the "freedom of the press" in France, and the confidence of Napoleon in his strength, the proclamations of Louis, inviting the people to revolt, &c. Are inserted in the Paris papers. The like could not occur in any other country of continental Europe.
Joseph and Jerome Bonaparte are held as prisoners by the Allies. Napoleon permitted two of the princes of the houseof Bourbon, taken in arms against him, to retire unmolested! What a contrast.
"Magnanimity!" From a Cologne paper of April 17 -- Prince Blucher has this moment arrived here. It has been signified on the part of the Congress to the deputies from Switzerland, that in the present extraordinary circumstances IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO RESPECT THE NEUTRALITY OF ANY PEOPLE, and that they expect the active cooperation of Switzerland in the present war.
The King of Denmark attended the Congress of Vienna; but it seems he got no satisfaction. Indeed, the great folks appear, in all cases, to have treated the lesser powers with the utmost contempt.
Louis XVIII, has established a newspaper at Ghent. He has published a decree in it forbidding the people of France to pay taxes to Bonaparte, or obey his conscript laws!
The infamous Spanish grandee the prince of
peace, (the real father of Ferdinand, if his mother is to
be believed, and she ought to know!) was at Venice April 3.
Some communication is still carried on between the courts of
Paris and Vienna. The messenger from Bonaparte resided
several days at the hotel of Talleyrand.
Generals Bertrand and Grouchy have been appointed Marshals of France.
Lord Castlereagh admitted in the British parliament that Bonaparte could assemble 400,000 men.
It is probable by the first of May that the "High Allies" recently at Vienna, were at Frankfort, to superintend the fightingfor the divisions they had made on the map of Europe.
A Neapolitan vessel of 74 guns has transported the mother of Napoleon from the isle of Elba to Naples.
Throughout Germany it is forbidden to suffer a Frenchman to reside. If he arrives in the evening he must proceed on his journey the next morning.
An insurrection against Austria has broken out at Venice; and the people killed General Chasteler in the affray.
Many of the frontier towns of France are powerfully garrisoned. Valenciennes, for instance, has a force of 52,000 men, well supplied for all the business of war.
The Minister of Police of Napoleon, has addressed a note to the inhabitants or subjects of Great Britain, assuring them of perfect safety in France, that they might enter, stay and depart as they pleased.
Berthier's property in France has been put in sequestration.
Certain Polish officers, late from "Warsaw," report that great alarm prevails in Prussia, since accounts were received of the restoration of Napoleon.
There has been considerable bickerings between the Austrians and Prussians at Mentz, by which a number of lives were lost; in consequence of the latter introducing a reinforcement of the garrison by stratagem.
It appears that Lord Castlereagh wrote a letter to the Prussian minister, at Vienna, in which he said that "Prussia must be aggrandized to form a barrier against the alarming and dangerous pretensions of Russia." How this letter got into print, is unknown. The London "Courier" censures Lord C. Severely.
The "London Courier" states that the Allies were expected to enter France on the 10th of May.
The Austrians have made a prisoner of the Princess Borghese, formerly Madame Leclerc, one of Napoleon's sisters.
It may be supposed, from several incidents that have occurred, that Russia and Prussia have not full faith in Austria, notwithstanding all her preparations. The Russian army of reserve is to be posted, it seems, as if it were to act as a check upon the Emperor Francis.
Marmont, Duke of Ragusa, has vindicated himself in a proclamation, against the charge of treason preferred by Napoleon. It is an interesting paper which may be published when we have room, as it describes the events which led to the fall of Paris.
William, Prince of Orange, has
issued a proclamation against those "who manifest themselves
partisans or instruments of a certain foreign power," by
which it would appear that even a look of dissatisfaction to the
cause of kings may be punished.
But why the Prince of Orange? We take this to be the same person
who lately called himself "by the grace of God, King of
the Netherlands." Does he suppose his title is not yet
secured? We do not understand it. As Paine said, "these
fellows, like robbers, so often change their name that it is not
easy to know them."
It is reported that a skirmish took place between the French and Prussians, about two leagues from Givert, in which the former had 4 killed and lost 15 prisoners. This is the first account we have of hostilities having commenced.
Prussia -- If we may judge by the many proclamations or out-cries of the King of Prussia, he is sadly scared at the restoration of the French people to independence and sovereignty. In one of these, calling for volunteers, he charges Napoleon with treason and perjury! "That's a good one."
Conscription -- There has hardly ever been so severe a conscription as recently has been made in Great Britain. Armed with pistols, swords and clubs, the press-gangs move in all directions and drag the husband from the arms of his wife, if they are pleased to suspect that he is suspicious of having ever been at sea! All for British liberty and religion!
Soult, Lefebvre and Serrurier took the oath of allegiance to the Emperor on the 19th of April.
The Archduke Charles has been appointed governor of Mentz, "by the Emperor of Austria, in concert with the Allied Powers." He is received with great honors.
Every account except now and then a "Fairy" like tale, represents France as being entirely tranquil as to her domestic affairs; but prepared to act with great vigor if the "high allies" commence a war upon her people, 600,000 of whom are embodied and waiting the signal.
It is said that Wellington is to have no less than 18 or 20,000 cavalry and 500 pieces of cannon.
Paris, April 30 -- Many letters from St. Petersburg, announce that the senate of Russia have invited the Emperor Alexander, in a very urgent manner, to return to his states, and not to engage Russia in a new war.
Paris, April 26 -- The young ladies of Mulhausen, a town long distinguished for its patriotism and its industrious activity, have agreed among themselves that no one shall marry any man who has not either served in the old armies of France, or now serves in the national guards, raising for the defense of the country.
Resolutions for the revival of the property tax, towards providing a war revenue, were passed by the British House of Commons, April 19.
In the British House of Commons on
the 28th of April, Mr. Whitbread moved, "that a
humble address be presented to the Prince Regent,
entreating that he would be graciously pleased to take such
measures as would prevent that country from being involved in a
war with France, upon the ground of the person who may
possess the executive government
thereof." The motion was seconded by Sir Mathew Ridgely,
and very ably supported; but the House, on the question being
taken, negatived it by a majority of 201: 273 to 72. Its
principle opposer was Lord Castlereagh, who avowed, that,
although hostilities were directed against Bonaparte
himself, the French people would be exposed to their operation,
if they supported his usurpation.
Four three-deckers, eleven 74's and four frigates, are reported to the British admiralty as serviceable at Plymouth, and expected to be immediately commissioned.
Bullion. A London price current, among
other articles of trade, has this item: "Bullion for
exportation -- none." On the11th of April, gold was at £5.
7s. And silver at 6s 9d. per oz. This shows a depreciation of
bank notes compared with gold, of 33 1.3 percent, and with silver
of 26 percent. This is much worse than we had it in any part of
the United States, though Lord Bathurst, in the
British parliament, said that all our banks were broken up! (I
should be glad to see a comment on this in certain of the Boston
papers, in which so much was said about such things in the United
States. The great bank of England has not paid specie for many
years.)
It is regarded (says the Journal de Paris of April 20) as a new
indication of the durability of peace between England and France,
that for several days past, Englishmen have debarked in France
with the intention of remaining there a part of the fine season.
Many of them have arrived in Paris.
All the French vessels that were detained in British ports on the breaking out of the late revolution in France, have been released and have arrived in French ports.
Revenue, &c. The British net revenue for the year ending the 5th of April, amounted to £65,806,490, and the exchequer bills (treasury notes) outstanding to £57,941,700!
London papers of April 29 contain some indistinct accounts of the defeat of Murat. One of them says, "he has been completely driven out of Italy!" - (Where to?) It appears, however, that we have a direct report of his proceedings several days later, (say 5 or 6) when he was rapidly advancing, apparently unchecked.
Murat's declaration of war against Austria is dated April 3. A body of British and Sicilians, it is said, have made a descent on Calabria (Naples).
Spain -- Madrid, April 3 -- The parties are in view of each other. Those Spaniards who have recovered again the throne of Ferdinand, who have sacrificed their fortune, their rest and blood, for him, are in dungeons. The monks triumph, and the hatred, which a part of the people bear against them, is such, that every day they experience ill-treatment. Matters are carried still further in Andalusia and Cadiz. They count already more than 150 priests, fallen by the dagger.
The news of Napoleon's return in France arrived yesterday. Hardly can we explain to ourselves the sentiment with which that event inspires us. At the reception of the news, numerous crowds of people gathered on the square de Sol, and in Acala street. Several others were seen before the gates of the new palace. The people cried out; Down with the Inquisition! Long live the Cortes!
The 60,000 prisoners that France restored to us, speak only with eulogium of that kingdom, which they call the good country, and of the manner they have been treated by its inhabitants. Not only they do not complain of their captivity, but they are filled with regret, when they see their comrades, officers and soldiers, abased, disdained, naked and without pay, whilst every thing is lavished on the monks and nobles of the court, who have done nothing in favor of the nation.
A serious insurrection has broke out in Gallicia -- Troops are ordered from all quarters to march against the people; of whom it would be much wiser favorably to receive their just complaints. In truth we do not know what will happen; but that which, at least, is certain is, that Spain will not meddle with the affairs of France.
Yrun, (Spain) April 10. Arrests multiply, particularly in Andalusia and Grenada. You will see in the Gazette of the 21st of last month, the treaty concluded between His Majesty and his unfortunate father, Charles IV. It reveals that an interval of nearly two years has expired, during which this august old man received no sort of support, and has been compelled to contract debts to the amount of 1,500,000 francs for the maintenance of himself and his family. This treaty was not concluded at Madrid until the 14th of last month, at the moment when the news of the recent events of France must have been known. It is stated that Martinique has declared for the Bourbons -- that military duty is performed by the inhabitants, who had determined to send out of the island all the troops of the line. Let the real sentiments of the people of this island be what they may, the procedure is a master-stroke of policy.
London, April 21 -- A report has been received from Gibraltar, that General Miranda was lately tried before the secret tribunal of Cadiz, and was sentenced to be strangled with the dargarotte, which punishment he suffered accordingly.
Mr. Eustis, our Minister to
Holland, embarked on board the Congress frigate, on the 8th
instant. We notice his departure, especially to say, that certain
of the Jacobin incanters, whose dearest wish it is to conjure up
"French influence," and to disgrace their country, gave
out the idea that the minister to Holland would not leave the
United States, lest Bonaparte might be displeased! But,
indeed, there is little use in exposing the follies of these men.
They manufacture too rapidly to be followed.
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-Napoleon Bonaparte
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