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PROCLAMATION OF FREDERICK WILLIAM --
APRIL 11, 1815
BERLIN, April 11.
His Majesty has signed the letters patent for the taking
possession of the Grand Duchy of the Lower Rhine, the Duchies of
Cleves, Berg, and Guelders, the Principality of Moers, and the
Lordships of Esten and Werden.
In a Proclamation to the inhabitants of the Rhine, Provinces
united with Prussia, his Majesty states, that when the Congress
unanimously proposed the incorporation of these Provinces with
Prussia, he did not, in giving his assent, forget the dangerous
situation of these frontier countries of Germany, and the
difficulty of defending them; but considering that they are the
bulwarks of German independence, and that Prussia, whose own
dependence (independence?) has been threatened by their loss, had
the duty, as well as the honorable claim to defend them, he
yielding to these higher considerations, and reflecting besides,
that he united with his subjects a faithful, generous, and German
people, who would joyfully share with them every danger to defend
their common freedom, he had joined these countries to the
Prussian crown, confiding in God and in the courage and loyalty
of his people. His Majesty promises that they shall be governed
by mild laws, their religion protected, and its servants be
placed in a situation to support their office with dignity, that
a Bishop's see and university, and seminaries for Priests and
Instructors, shall be established. His Majesty observes, that he
is sensible of the burdens which a continued state of war has
inevitably caused, but bids them remember that they proceeded
chiefly from their former connection with France. The taxes shall
not be oppressive, and shall be regulated, after consulting them,
according to a plan to be formed for the other Prussian States.
The military establishment to arm at defence, and the expense of
a large standing army be spared by the organization of Landwehr
in time of peace; but in war, all must take up arms that are able
to use them.
War, says his Majesty, threatens your frontiers; to remove it to
a distance I shall, for a time, ask for new exertions; I shall
choose a part of my standing army from among you, and summon the
Landwehr, and form the Landstrum, if the danger should come so
near as to make it necessary. But, united with my brave armies,
and my other subjects, you will subdue the enemy of your country,
and partake the glory of having insured, for a long series of
centuries, the freedom and independence of the German empire.
(Signed)
FREDERICK WILLIAM
Dated Vienna, April 5.
BERLIN, April 15.
PROCLAMATION
"When in the time of danger I called
my people to arms, to combat for the freedom and independence of
the country, the whole mass of the youth, glowing with emulation,
thronged round the standards, to bear, with joyful self-denial,
unusual hardships, and resolved to brave death itself; then the
best strength of the people intrepidly joined the ranks of my
brave soldiers, and my Generals led with me into battle a host of
heros, who have shown themselves worthy of the name of their
fathers, and heirs of their glory. Thus we and our allies,
attended by victory, conquered the capitol of our enemy; our
banners waved in Paris; Napoleon abdicated his authority. Liberty
was restored to Germany, security to thrones, and to the world
the hope of a durable peace.
"This hope is vanished -- we must again march to the combat.
A perfidious conspiracy has brought back to France the man who,
for ten years together, brought down upon the world unutterable
miseries. The people, confounded, have not been able to oppose
his armed adherents. Though he himself, while still at the head
of a considerable armed force, declared his abdication to be a
voluntary sacrifice to the happiness and repose of France; he now
regards this, like every other convention, as nothing. He is at
the head of perjured soldiers, who desire to render war eternal.
Europe is again threatened; it cannot suffer the man to remain on
the throne of France who loudly proclaimed universal empire to be
the object of his continually renewed wars, who confounded all
moral principles by his continued breach of faith, and who can,
therefore, give the world no security for his peaceable
intentions.
"Again, therefore, arise to the combat! France itself wants
our aid, and all Europe is allied with us. United with your
ancient companions in victory, reinforced by the accession of new
brethren in arms, you go, brave Prussians, to a just war with me,
with the Princes of my family, with the Generals who have led you
to victory. The justice of the cause we defend will ensure us the
victory. I have ordered a general arming, according to my Decree
of September 3, 1814, which will be executed I all my dominions.
"The army will be completed, the volunteer companies of
yagers be formed, and the Landwehr call together. The youth of
the chief classes of the citizens, from the age of 20 upwards,
are at liberty to join either the Landwehr first called out, or
the yager corps of the regular army.
"Every young man who has completed his 17th year, may, if
possessing the requisite bodily strength, join the army at his
own choice. I publish a particular regulation on this subject.
Concerning the formation of single corps and of the Landwehr, a
notice will appear in every province from the Constituted
Authorities.
"Thus united with all Europe in arms, we again enter the
lists against Napoleon Bonaparte and his adherents.
"Arise then, with God for your support, for the repose of
the world, for order, for mortality (morality?), for your King
and your country."
FREDERICK WILLIAM
Vienna, April 8, 1815.
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-Napoleon Bonaparte
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