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in that evening, respecting the present, which questioned their good faith and sintreaty, would be equally unaccomplished. cerity, he did not think it quite fair in the It was not likely, indeed, that the sove hon. member, to go back to the ancient reigns who had conducted that great and history of Poland to find proofs that the arduous struggle through all its difficulties present sovereigns of Russia, Austria, and and dangers, without any partial and nar- Prussia, would belie that exalted character row views towards their own personal in- which they had acquired, and which would terests, how strong soever those interests redound to their honour to the latest posin some cases might be, would now, at its terity; or that they would tear down, by conclusion, diverge from the straight line their own petty differences, that great sysof their duty to Europe, and, after having tem of European policy, which had been risen superior to every imputation that had the fruit of their labuurs. With respect been cast upon them, combine for such a to other parts of the hon. member's speech, purpose as had been intimated by the hon. he must, in the first instance, avow his member. If nothing could be found in dissent from the sentiment which he had the whole course of those transactions expressed, that he was jealous of those

abouchemens des rois, as he termed them. to be animated, to consider themselves all He had no hesitation in saying, that if the as members of one and the same christian allied sovereigns had not been in a situanation; the three allied princes looking tion to concert together, in his conscience on themselves as merely delegated by Providence to govern three branches of The following is the Manifesto pubthe one family, namely Austria, Prussia, lished by the emperor of Russia on and Russia : thus confessing, that the Christmas day, 1815. Christian nation, of which they and their “ By the grace of God, we Alexander people form a part has in reality no other 1, emperor and autocrat of all the Russias, sovereign than Him to whom alone power &c. hereby make known, as we have seen really belongs, because in Him alone are from experience, and from the uphappy found all the treasures of love, science, consequences that have resulted for the and infinite wisdom; that is to say, God, whole world, that the course of the politiour Divine Saviour, the word of the Most cal relations in Europe, between the powers, High, the Word of Life. Their majesties has not been founded on those true prin consequently recommend to their people, ciples upon which the wisdom of God, in with the most tender solicitude, as the sole his revelations, has founded the peace and means of enjoying that peace which arises prosperity of nations; we have consefrom a good conscience, and which alone quently, in conjunction with their majes is durable, to strengthen themselves every ties the emperor of Austria, Francis 1, and day more and more in the principles and the king of Prussia, Frederic William, exercise of the duties which the Divine Sa- proceeded to form an alliance between us viour has taught to mankind.

(to which the other Christian powers are 3. All the powers who shall choose invited to accede), in which we reciprosolemnly to avow the sacred principles cally engage both between ourselves, and which have dictated the present act, and in respect of our subjects, to adopt as the shall acknowledge how important it is for sole means to attain this end, the principle the happiness of nations, too long agitated, drawn from the words and doctrine of our that those truths should henceforth exer- Saviour Jesus Christ, who preaches to live cise over the destinies of mankind all the not in enmity and hatred, but in peace and influence which belongs to them, will be love. We hope and implore the blessing received with equal ardour and affection of the Most High. May this sacred into this holy alliance. Done in triplicate, union be confirmed between all the powers, and signed at Paris the year of Grace, for their general good; and (deterred 1815 14-26th September.

by the union of all the rest) may no one (L. S.) FRANCIS.

dare to fall off from it! We accordingly L. S.) FREDERIC WILLIAM. subjoin a copy of this union, ordering it to

(L. S.) ALEXANDER. be made generally known and read in all Conformable to the original, the churches.-Št. Petersburgh, on the

(Signed) ALEXANDER. day of the birth of our Saviour, 25th Dea Done at St. Petersburgh, the day of the cember, 1815. birth of our Saviour, the 25th of Decem- The original is signed by his imperial ber, 1815."

majesty's own hand, ALEXANDER.” he believed that the result of the war would satisfied, however, that none of those have been very different from what it now powers ever signed any separate treaty was. He attributed the great distinguish which contradicted either the letter or ing feature of the confederacy to that very the spirit of the engagements then entered particular circumstance which the hon. | into. Now, as to the mode in which the member viewed with so much jealousy. treaty had been signed. He did 'not If the councils of the sovereigns had not mean to contend, if three sovereigns who been brought together-if they had not had entered into close and intimate enbeen in a condition to act at the moment gagements with this nation of a general of any crisis occurring—if they had been nature, were to conclude a treaty arising forced to look at their particular interests in some measure out of that common union through that cloud of prejudice and un- without any communication with this certainty which must always intervene country upon the subject, that though it when events are seen at a distance, with could not be fairly construed as a breach out the opportunity of exercising an im- of any contract, yet certainly it might be mediate and local judgment, he was sure regarded as a proof of want of confidence the councils of Europe would have been and as indicating a decay of that cordial disturbed to such an extent by doubts and union which ought to subsist between all misapprehensions, that those great exer- the parties of one general league. . But tions, whose successful issue was now be- he could inform the hon. gentleman, that fore the world, would never have been the treaty for a copy of which he had made. He regarded, therefore, that pre- moved the present address, was communicise circumstance as the hinge and car- cated to him by the emperor of Russia : dinal feature to which might be ascribed his imperial majesty had 'shown him a the prosperous result of their combined ef- draft of the instrument, he believed before forts. With respect to the treaty in ques it was communicated to the other sovetion, he was surprised to hear the hon. reigns, and after the signing of it, they member reason upon it as a document, addressed a joint letter to his royal highconcluded between the three powers after ness the Prince Regent, stating the grounds the engagements entered into by then upon which the treaty had been concluded with this country, and therefore calcu- and anxiously desiring his royal highness's lated to disturb those engagements. In accession to it. In reply to this commufact, that treaty was not signed subse- nication, his royal highness expressed his quently to those engagements, but two sincere satisfaction at the nature of the months antecedently, and it was no small treaty, and his assurance that the Britsh indication of their integrity and good government would not be the one in faith, that even at a period when they Europe least disposed to act up to the were under considerable difficulties and principles contained in it. With respect embarrassments, though not of a nature to the treaty being signed by the sovelikely to shake their general union, they reigns themselves, without the intervention should have exhibited that unequivocal of any minister, upon which the hon. gen. proof, that they were not confederated tleman had dwelt' considerably he could together for their own particular interests, assure him, that though the forms in this but for the general interests and welfare country did not admit such a procedure, of the world. The hon, gentleman seemed and hence we had not become a party to to think that it was inconsistent with the it, yet it was by no means an uncommon nature of the engagements into which all transaction on the Continent. The hon. the allied powers had_ mutually entered, member seemed to suppose that the treaty for, one or more of those powers to sign in question had some reference to other a treaty separately among themselves ; projects, and that it was to be considered but in that opinion he was certainly wrong only as the forerunner of some undefined for even supposing that the treaty in crusade against some nation or other who question had been signed to our exclusion, could not become a party to its stipulathey were perfectly entitled to do so, tions. He could assure him, that his according to the stipulations of the treaty own persuasion of the understanding of Chaumont, in which the liberty was which subsisted between all the powers expressly reserved to all the different who signed that treaty was very different, powers, of signing any treaties with each and that no such intention existed in the other which did not contradict the general breast of any of those sovereigns. It objects of the alliance. He was perfectly would, not, in his opinion, be too much to infer such a conclusion from the cha- more fortunate neighbour.

The noble racter and conduct of the sovereigns lord had that night eulogised the spirit of themselves. Whether the instrument was the alliance, and descanted upon the monecessary or not, was another question, deration of their views, and their constant but he must say, that if that spirit which desire to promote the peace and happiness it breathed was one which sincerely ani- of Europe. The noble lord had defended mated the emperor of Russia, and for the language of the treaty that was moved himself he could not entertain a doubt for, and said that it expressed the real naupon the subject, there was nothing upon ture of the views and wishes of the sove. which he should more sincerely congratu- reigns who signed it. The hon. member late Europe and the world. If the em- said he was jealous of any professions made peror of Russia chose to found his glory by these imperial and royal personages, as upon such a basis posterity would do he always suspected that such professions justice to the noble determination. Having of religion and justice were employed as a already done so much for mankind by his disguise for real injustice, oppression, and arms, to what better purpose could he bad faith. Their language was mere cant, apply his great influence, in the councils of and they uttered hypocritical declarations the sovereigns of Europe than to secure for to delude the people, in order that they it a long and beneficial peace? It was might overturn their liberties. The meetthe only glory which was now left him to ings of these great sovereigns of late apacquire, after the great personal glory peared to him to indicate nothing else but which he had already acquired. With a conspiracy against the freedom and the respect to the document itself, he opposed rights of their subjects an infamous conits production upon a parliamentary ground spiracy of the few against the happiness of as it was contrary to the practice of par. the many. It should be recollected, as liament to call for the production of trea-corroborative of this opinion, that of the ties to which this country was po party; sovereigns who signed this treaty with the reasons why we did not accede to it, such holy professions, two were at the he had also explained. He must say, head of the great military states of Europe, however, that he never recollected any where public opinion was never heard member of that House to have made a where the people were completely enmore unnecessary motion, or one more slaved, and could not venture, under the dangerous, if the confederacy could be weight of armed force, to vent their wishes shaken by such an attempt to lower and or complaints. He was sensible that, in degrade the sovereigns of Europe, by the dominions of the third sovereign, pubunfounded imputations, and groundles sus- | lic opinion was now of some consequence, picions.

and was daily acquiring strength. It would Mr. Bennet did not wish to enter into a soon, he hoped, be powerful enough to discussion of the policy of our foreign control and direct the measures of the measures on the present occasion, as an Prussian government, and to establish in the opportunity would occur for making his Prussian states a system of constitutional observations, when the treaties and con- freedom. Of such a favourable change ventions already presented were taken in in the overgrown empire of Russia no such to consideration. That discussion would hope could be entertained, while the indisclose to the country the disgraceful creasing extent of her dominions, and the transactions that had distinguished, the immense resourses of aggression supplied late history of the great powers of Europe;' by her military population, rendered her their tyrannical conduct; their contempt a just subject of alarm and jealousy. In for justice, faith, and moderation. We a proclamation published at Petersburgh, had evidence before us of the arrogant which begins with a pompous parade of tone which the noble lord opposite as religion, which proceeds with swelling sumed, of his haughty dictation in the ge- phrases, " on the unconquerable spirit of neral politics of the Continent. We had the Russian empire,'' and describes the a letter of his to prince Hardenburg, in late glorious successes of the Russian which he seemed to consider independent arms, the people were told that the domi. states at his disposal, and decided their nions of the emperor were already large fates according to his caprice. One state enough, and that his policy required no - was to be punished, another was to be increase. It was necessary, however, to weakened, a third was to be divided, and add Poland by way of rounding this part of its territories bestowed upon its mighty empire ; and the addition of that

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extensive kingdom was defended upon the Russell, lord John

TELLERS. grounds of political justice and expediency. Russell, R. G. Henry Brougham. The aspect of this northern power, that Tierney,rt. hon. G. Hon. Henry Bennet. had one foot on the Frozen sea, while the Smyth, John H. other was extended nearly to the Rhine, Mr. Brougham next moved, " That an was now the most threatening and formid- humble Address be presented to his royal able to the liberties of mankind. Nothing highness the Prince Regent, That he will could be dreaded from France, except as be graciously pleased to give directions a result of the negociations of the noble that there be laid before this House, copy lord, who resisted the present motion for of a treaty between Austria, France and the production of papers necessary to ex. Great Britain, signed at Vienna, January pose his diplomatic conduct. The hon. 1815.”. member concluded by saying that he Lord Castlereagh stated his objections could see no grounds for opposing the to the production of this treaty. Nothing, present motion.

The treaty in question he said, could be more detrimental to the was strictly connected with the foreign public service than to produce every treaty policy of administration, which was to be entered into by foreign powers.

They discussed on an early day. It had been might make whatever treaties they sent to this country with a letter to the pleased ; they might enter into whatever Prince Regent, and although not signed engagements their policy dictated, or their by him, it had become the subject of com- interests demanded, without subjecting munication between his ministers and the their conduct to the scrutiny of the mempowers with whom it originated. Thebers of that House. If this country sanconly motive that the noble lord could have tioned those treaties, and became a party for refusing it was, that he was ashamed of to their fulfilment, every information conit and of our allies.

cerning them might be properly demandMr. Brougham in reply observed, that ed. But there might even be treaties to the only plausible objection which the which this country became a party, noble lord had urged against the produce which might be conditional in their tion of the treaty was, that it did not as form - which might be contingent in sume a parliamentary shape. Did the their effect - and which, being intended noble lord mean to assert that no treaty to be carried into execution only in cer. was ever laid before the House to which tain conjunctures, were not necessarily to Great Britain had not been a party? If be laid before parliament till the combihe mistook not, the very first of the seventy nation of circumstances happened when treaties which the noble lord had recently their provisions were to be fulfilled. If a presented, was one to which Great Britain treaty was entered into, and signed by the had not been a party; and of this he was British government in the contemplation assured, that within the last ten years of certain events, and if parliament were copies had been submitted to parliament never called upon to support the executive of above a dozen treaties to which Great in making good its engagements, from Britain bad not been a party.

that event never having occurred, the The House then divided :

noble lord saw no imperative reasons for For the motion.......... 30 laying it before the House. It might be Against it ........ .........104 considered in the nature of an unfinished Majority

-74 transaction, a mere historical fact, that

could have no influence on our actual afList of the Minority.

fairs. The treaty now alluded to, he conBrand, hon. T. Mackintosh, Sir J.

tended was in no degree necessary to the Birch, Jos.

Monck, sir c. discussion on a future day, and he trusted Baring, A.

Martin, John the House would not sanction its producCampbell, hon. J. Matthew, hon. gen. tion upon such light grounds as those sugCalvert, Charles Markham, admiral gested by the hon. gentleman. Duncannon, visc. Nugent, lord

Mr. Brougham said, it was extremely Gordon, R.

North, Dudley Fitzgerald, lord W. Ossulston, lord

painful to him to press himself so often on the Horner, F. Phillips, George

attention of the House, but after hearing Heron, sir Robert Powlett, hon. W. V.

the principle with which the noble lord Heathcote, sir G. Rickards, R.

the accredited minister of the Crown Lemon, sir W. Ridley, sir M. W. concluded his statement, he felt that he Lambton, John Russell, lord G. W. should neglect his duty to the House

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and the country, if he did not enter his The question being loudly called for, decided protest against its adoption. strangers were ordered to withdraw, Good God! when it was admitted that and the gallery was almost cleared, when this country had actually joined in the General Mathew rose, and expressed treaty; when it was no longer a question, his astonishment, that the noble lord as in the last case, referring to others, but should treat the House in so contempwhen it immediately affected ourselves ; tuous a manner. The document was one when the noble lord had avowedly put his of great importance, and yet the noble own hand to a treaty between Great Bri- lord permitted the House to proceed to a tain, France, and Austria, to the exclu- division, without stating any reason for sion of Russia, and when parliament were opposing its production. about to be immediately called upon to Mr. Baring observed, that the noble discuss the relations of Europe, were they lord had spoken much of the fidelity and to be prevented from having access to a good faith exemplified by Russia and document which might show that all the Prussia, towards the other combined stability of alliance among the European powers; but now it appeared, that a states, on which the noble lord piqued treaty had been signed, to which those himself (although he might much more two principal members of the combination justly pique himself on the enormous ex- were strangers. The noble lord, after pense to this country at which the attempt stating the anxious policy of this country to obtain it had been purchased), must to keep together the great alliance, must speedily crumble into dust! But three admit, that if such a treaty were in existlittle months before that treaty was sign- ence, he was most particularly instrued, which, whether or not it was now pro- mental in breaking it up. If he had duced he cared not-[Hear, hear! from signed a partial treaty between England, the ministerial benches.] Yes, he re- Austria, and France, the praise he took peated, that he cared not now whether or to himself for keeping the alliance togenot the noble lord consented to the pro- ther, must fall to the ground. Now, when duction of the treaty; he had admitted its the noble lord had given notice of the dig. existence, and enough had been said about cussion of seventy treaties, in the course it to make the House curious to see what of a few days, and refused to concede this it was that could be contained in a treaty document, on which his diplomatic fame signed by France, signed by Great Bri- principally rested ; nay, when he would tain, signed by Austria, signed by all the not even acknowledge its existence; the great states but Russia, that “ most faith- House and the country might weh enterful ally," that power with whom we were tain a suspicion of the candour and fair. “ on such admirable terms,” who " had ness with which he meant to meet the no wish distinct from ours, no desire in approaching discussion. which we did not participate!" The noble Lord Castleroagh now saw that the lord might perhaps have the means of con- object of the hon. gentlemen on the other tradicting him, but he had been informed side of the House was, to excite an idea in that in consequence of the conclusion of parliament and in the country, that disa this treaty, which was by no means of a union prevailed among our allies, and that spiritual nature, but very secular in its no reliance could be placed in the conticharacter, the emperor of Russia had de- nuance of the state of things that had manded from the French government the been established by the peace. This obdismissal of that minister by whom it was ject they pursued with a zeal worthy of a executed on the part of France, and that better cause; but he hoped they would Talleyrand was dismissed accordingly. not succeed. The observations which he [An expression of dissent from the mi. would now make, he hoped, would relieve nisterial benches.] Perhaps this state- the nation from any alarm on this subject, ment was unfounded. The noble lord if unhappily any should be raised. This would have the means of denying it. He treaty, which was made in January 1815, could not sit still and hear it asserted that and which was said to manifest such disthe House ought to be prevented from union and jealousy among the allies, was obtaining an accurate knowledge of the followed, not three months afterwards, by contents of a treaty between three great declarations and engagements, which powers, to the exclusion of Russia, on the evinced the most cordial concert and coeve of a discussion, embracing all the po operation. Suppose there had existed

a litical relations of Europe.

some difficulties in the way of a complete

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