Abdication of the office of emperor of Germany, by Francis, emperor of Austria.

We Francis Second, &c.

Since the peace of Presburgh, all our attention and all our care have been employed to fulfil with scrupulous fidelity all the engage ments contracted by that treaty, to preserve to our subjects the happiness of peace, to consolidate every where the amicable relations happily re-established, waiting to discover whether the changes caused by the peace would permit us to perform our important duties, as chief of the Germanic empire, conformably to the capitulation of election.

The consequences, however, which ensued from some articles of the treaty of Presburgh, immediately after its publication, and which still exist, and those events generally known, which have since taken place in the Germanic em pire, have convinced us that it will be impossible, under these circumstances, to continue the obligations contracted by the capitulation of election; and even, if, in reflecting on these political relations, it were possible to imagine a change of affairs, the convention of the 12th of July, signed at Paris, and ratified by the contracting parties, relative to an entire separation of several considerable states of the empire, and their peculiar consideration, has entirely destroyed every such hope.

Being thus convinced of the impossibility of being any longer enabled to fulfil the duties of our imperial functions, we owe it to our principles and to our duty, to renounce a crown which was only valuable in our eyes, whilst we were able to enjoy the confidence of the elec

tors, princes, and other states of the Germanic empire, and to perform the duties which were imposed upon us. We declare, therefore, by these presents, that we, considering as dissolved the ties which have hitherto attached us to the states of the Germanic empire; that we, considering as extinguished by the confederation of the states of the Rhine, the charge in chief of the empire; and that we, considering ourselves thus acquitted of all our duties towards the Germanic empire, do resign the imperial crown, and the imperial government; we absolve, at the same time, the electors, princes, and states, andall that belong to the empire, particularly the members of the supreme tribunal, and all other magistrates of the empire, from those duties by which they were united to us as the legal chief of the empire, according to the constitution.

We absolve all our German provinces aud states of the empire from their reciprocal duties towards the Germanic empire; and we desire, in incorporating them with our Austrian states, as emperor of Austria, and in preserving them in those amicable ralations subsisting with the neighbouring powers and states, that they should attain that height of prosperity and happiness, which is the end. of all our desires, and the object of our dearest wishes.

Done at our residence under our imperial seal. Vienna, Aug. 6,

1806.

ADDRESS

FRANCIS.

sidering it as the last effort of our care, and as an absolute duty, do express thus publicly a desire equally reasonable and just, that the persons who have hitherto been employed in the administration of justice, and in diplomatic and other affairs, for the good of the whole empire, and for the service of the chief of the empire, should be suitably provided for.

The care which all the states of the empire took of those persons who lost their places by the affair of the indemnity in 1803, induces us to hope that he same santiments of justice will be extended to those individuals who have hitherto been employed in the general service, who have been chosen in all parts of the Germanic empire, and many of whom have quitted other profitable places, looking forward to an honourable subsistence for life, and which should not be wanting to them on account of their fidelity, and the integrity and capacity with which they have executed their functions.

the

We have therefore taken the resolution of preserving to those of our imperial servants, who have hitherto drawn their salaries from our chamber, the same appointments, reserving to urserves to place them in eie loyment service of our hereditary st tund we hope, with so much the more confidence, that the clectors, princ, s, and states will provide for the inerial chamber of justice of the empire, and the chancellerie of the chamber of justice, by charging them selves voluntarily with this expense, as it will be trifling in amount, and will diminish every year.

As to the chancellerie of the Aulic council of the empire, the funds destined for its support will

be employed to provide for the wants of those individuals who have hitherto drawn from thence their salaries: this will serve them until other measures may be taken. Done at our capital and resideuce of Vienna, under our imperial seal, the 6th of August, 1806. FRANCIS.

RUSSIAN STATE PAPER.

The undersigned, plenipotentiary of his majesty the emperor of all the Russias, hastens to inform the marquis de Circello, that the Russian troops came into Naples, merely with a view of landing and making a diversion in favour of the Austrian army employed in the north of Italy; and this being no longer an object, since Austria has agreed to an armistice with France, and which probably will lead to a peace between these powers, the Russian troops will evacuate the territory of his Sicilian majesty. The English troops also, which were intended to co-operate with them, will return again to Malta.

The frequent representations which the undersigned has made to the minister of his Sicilian majesty, in order to restore this country to its neutrality, will operate as a certain proof that the declaration which he has now the honour to transmit, will be received with satisfaction. The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to renew his former assurances, that his illustrious sovereign would have at all times respected the neutrality of these kingdoms, if the French government had not exhibited a contrary example.

But as his imperial majesty now restores the kingdom of Naples to its former neutrality, it is

his sincere wish that the cabinet of the Thuilleries may imitate his example, by which the country will escape those agitations, the termination of which we may now hope to see. It never was the intention of his imperial majesty to open the theatre of war in the kingdom of Naples; and it was with great regret that he was compelled to take the measures alluded to.

The sentiments of sincere friendship, a proof of which the emperor has endeavoured to evince to his Sicilian majesty upon every occasion, will not permit him to doubt of the interest which his majesty the emperor will at all times take in the personal happiness of his Sicilian majesty, and in the wellbeing of his subjects.

When the true cause of landing the Russian and English troops in the kingdom of Naples shall be known, and the incapacity of his Sicilian majesty to resist them shall be taken into consideration, the proclamation of the French government, dated Schonbrunn sixth Frimaire, will be read with astonishment. This curious document, which might be taken for an emanation of pure benevolence, has apparently a later and a false date; and was certainly never known at Schonbrunn. The proclamation of general Massena of the thirteenth of January, which is not so violent, in fact, evinces in an equal degree, that the French government is determined to avail themselves of the temporary residence of the combined troops in Italy, for the purpose of extending their territory to the utmost limits of the peninsula; which, in fact, can never lead to that event, a general peace, which the French government has repeatedly held out as the object of its wishes." Naples, Dec. 25,0.S.-Jan. 6,1806. 1806.

Declaration in council of his majesty the king of Prussia to the assembled deputies of the Hanoverian provinces.

Gentlemen,

By your appointment, your deputy, count Von Hardenberg, has laid before me your representation of the third instant; and I have observed from it, with satisfaction, that you have acknowledged with gratitude my regulations in regard to the Hanoverian states. The additional sentiments therein contained are to me a security, that you will henceforth be devoted to me and my house with the same loyalty which you discovered for your former sovereigns. I therefore made no delay in more closely. learning from your delegates those concerns that were intrusted to them by you, and now communicate to you the following answer to the declaration given in by them:

1. With regard to the secularization of the abbey of Marienrode, and the representation relative thereto, that not only the constitution of the states thereby suffered an alteration, but that one of the securities thereby appropriated to the payment of the public revenue, and the discharge of the public debt, would be withdrawn, should the revenues of the said abbey be inseparably united with the possession of the domains, contrary to the legal agreement between the impropriators and the states, whereby the revenues accruing from secularized spiritual foundations should be distinctly and separately applied to charitable purpo es: it should be observed, that this abbey legally belongs to Hildesheim, and thus my particular regulation respecting the same can in no way (R) prejudice

prejudice the said constitution. Besides, I have expressly established in the act of secularization, that in the mean time no change shall take place in respect to the contribution chargeableupon this abbey, towards the national revenue and the redemption of the public debt. For the rest, as it is far from being my intention to alter the destination of the effects of the abbey to charitable purposes, I feel satisfaction in assuring you, that the special administration of such parts as have been separated from the domains, and the application thereof to such beneficent and laudable purposes, shall be scrupulously continued, and the utmost care shall be taken both to augment these revenues by good management, and to ameliorate the mode of applying them, by the removal of all existing abuses.

2. The ad interim prohibition of home-made sait is to be considered solely as an inevitable regulation of police for securing an equal supply of that article of primary necessity, and cannot have the apprehended pernicious consequences, since the supply of salt will not thereby be diminished, but will only receive another direction. 3. The continuance of the hitherto existing constitution of the country in general, and

4. The continuance of the provincial constitutions, in particular, presupposes that a new and more intimate acquaintance with them may be more necessary than the commission of organization has been able to procure, in so short a period, and under such difficult circumstances. But they will incessantly continue their labours in this respect, and I will not hereafter introduce any arbitrary changes, but such only as may be necessary to unite as intimately as possible

the Hanoverian territory with my monarchy, of which it now constitutes a part, and to govern it by such laws as have been found, by long experience, the fundamental pillars of the power, the security, and prosperity of the Prussian states; wherefrom the established constitution will be so little excluded, that it will much rather be built up and strengthened, as you may learn from the example of the neighbouring provinces, Brandenburg, Magdeburg, and Haiberstadt.

5. The petition, with regard to any new modifications, upon which the states, together with other privileged orders, who may perhaps have particular knowledge of the subject, should be consulted, before that introduction, on account of any injurious consequences apprehended therefrom, is wholly conformable to the spirit of the maxims of the Prussian government, and will be pursued by the commission of organization in all doubtful cases whatsoever, and without particular instructions.

Finally, the military regula tions, as soon as it can be done with safety, shall be so modified, that the grievances of the country, connected with the present extraordinary measures, shall wholly

cease.

From this answer you will infer, and I give you with pleasure the strongest assurances on this head, that my whole endeavours are exclusively directed to heal the wounds, which the hitherto unhappy wars have produced, and to ren der your country completely happy. Neither ambition nor the lust of territory, but solely a conviction founded on experience, that the incorporation of the Hanoverian states with the Prussian monarchy

is obviously necessary for the welfare and security of both, have determined me to this union, and to the sacrifices connected with it. The past has taught you that England cannot protect you, and that you can be protected by Prussia alone. Prussia has now taken upon herself this protection, from which you have to expect greater security of person and of property, as well as the abolition of all oppressive abuses which the distance of your rulers produced. But you must also closely unite with a government which has wrought you all these blessings, and support with counsel and action a constitution which has been decided upon for your benefit. On the other hand, I will always approve myself your gracious sovereign, (Signed) FREDERICK WILLIAM. Charlottenburg, June 24, 1806.

PRUSSIAN MANIFESTO. As his majesty the king of Prussia has taken up arms for the defence of his people, he thinks it necessary to lay before them, and all Europe, the circumstances which have imposed this duty on his majesty.

The politics of France have been the scourge of humanity during the last fifteen years. Those men who, in rapid succession, have been at the head of affairs in that country, have only sought the means of their dominion in war, and the guarantee of their existence in the wretchedness of the people may be viewed without astonishment. But the introduction of a regular government, to which the same necessity could not be imputed, gave new life to the hopes

of the friends of peace. Napoleon, invested with the supreme power, victorious, surrounded by weaker states, friendly disposed govern. ments, or conquered and exhausted rivals, had it in his power to perform a better part. For the greatness of France, nothing more remained for him to do; for her happiness, every thing was in his power.

It is painful to be compelled to say, that French politics still remained the same. An insatiable ambition was still the ruling passion of France. She made use of arms and of treaties with the same view. The peace of Amiens was scarcely concluded before the signal for the first acts of violence followed. Holland and Switzerland, two independent states, were compelled to accept a constitution which converted them into French provinces. The renewal of war was the consequence.

Peace, however, still continued upon the continent. The German empire had purchased it by incalculable sacrifices. In the midst of this peace, nevertheless, the French troops invaded the electorate of Hanover; a country which had no concern in the war between France and England, while the ports of Germany were shut against the British flag; and the better to effect her object, France took possession of Cuxhaven, and the territory of a free state which was still more a stranger to the war than Hanover.

In the midst of this peace also, the same troops a few months after violated the German territory, in such a manner as to wound the honour of the nation still deeper. The Germans have never avenged the death of the duke D'Enghien; (R2)

but