to conclude no peace with that power | lure held out by Napoleon to gain her which should be "inconsistent with alliance on the shores of the Niemen. the glory of the Russian name, the security of the empire, the sanctity of alliances, and the general security of Europe;" and justly observed that the present war, based on the avowed design of Russia to dictate all their foreign connections to the northern powers, was undertaken for no other object but to add Finland to the Russian dominions, and compel Sweden to sacrifice her fleet and commerce as a security for Cronstadt and Revel.

49. While a new war was thus kindling from the ashes of the old one in the north of Europe, Russia was steadily prosecuting those ambitious designs on her southern frontier, the unmolested liberty to advance in "You may drag it out a long time."which had constituted the principal | Ante, Chap. XLVI.§ 80, note.

might accomplish the greatest things yet seen in modern times.*

agree to indemnify him by the cession of Silesia and other provinces of Prussia, reducing that power to 2,000,000 souls.+ This act of spoliation of an allied power, Alexander, much to his credit, positively refused to accede to.‡ At length the respective pretensions of these high contracting powers were arranged in this manner, that France agreed to Russia continuing in the possession of the Danubian principalities, and Russia consented to the pro

French troops. This arrangement for the time settled their differences; the two autocrats readily consented to wink at their mutual infractions of the rights of other states; each abandoned an ally to the tender mercies of an enemy; and as the Turks found that they had been betrayed by Napoleon, and some account of the secret articles of the treaty of Tilsit, which provided for their partition, had reached them, they declined the further intervention of the French, and prepared to renew the war.§

50. It appeared the more necessary to bring it to a termination, as the Turks, though they gladly availed themselves of the French mediation at first, did so in the belief that they were to obtain thereby the evacuation of Moldavia and Wallachia. But no sooner did they discover that this was not really intended, and that the Muscovite standards were still to remain on the Danube, than they loudly ex-longed occupation of Silesia by the pressed their resolution to continue, in preference, the conflict. They said, with justice, "In what worse situation could we be, if the French, instead of being victorious, had been beaten in Poland? Is this the Emperor's care for his allies, whom he has drawn into the conflict, to leave their richest provinces in the hands of their enemies?" Savary, therefore, received orders to insist in the mildest possible manner, but still to insist, for the evacuation of the principalities; and to consent to the prolonged occupation of them by the Russian forces, only on condition that Alexander sanctioned the continued possession of Silesia by the French troops. Napoleon strongly contended that the occupation of Wallachia and Moldavia should not take place, according to the secret treaty of Tilsit, till the French were in a condition to take possession of Greece and Albania, which they were not at present; but he offered to wink at the Russians extending their empire to the Danube, provided Alexander would

"If there is to be a violation of the treaty of Tilsit,' said Napoleon to him, 'it must not be for the benefit of one only of the contracting parties. It must take effect for France, in a portion of the states of Prussiaof which this treaty stipulates the restitu tion-equivalent in population, resources, and riches to the two Turkish provinces. In this way the ally of France and the ally of Russia will be equal losers. Prussia, it is true, will then be left with little more than two mil will be no great calamity for her. The final lion inhabitants, but this fresh weakening destruction of the Ottoman empire should be postponed until her mighty fragments may be divided in the way most advanta geous to us, both without risk of another power hostile both to France and Russia intervening to appropriate the richest spoils, Egypt and the isles.""-See NAPOLEON to ALEXANDER, 22d December 1807; BIGNON, vii. 43, 44.

* Napoleon wrote to Alexander," That he was no party to the drawing up of the armistice with the Porte, that he disapproved of it (which implied a tacit assent to the occupation of the provinces on the Danube), and that, as to the maintenance or division of "How,' exclaimed Alexander, can I the Ottoman empire, it was a question so consent to what will in reality be a sharing serious and important, both for the present of the spoils of an unhappy prince whom the and the future, that he must think it over Emperor has, in the eyes of France and Euripely; that he could not discuss it in writ-rope, taken the credit of restoring out of coning, and must weigh it in all its depths with M. Tolstoy; that he reserved it for discussion with that ambassador, and indeed that it was in order to have a conference with him he had postponed his departure for Italy, where he was so anxious to be. Let us be united, said Napoleon to Alexander, and we will accomplish the greatest deeds of modern times."-NAPOLEON to ALEXANDER, 17th Sept. 1807; THIERS, Consulat et l'Empire,. viii. 225.

sideration for me?'"-BIGNON, Vii. 46, 47.

§ The negotiation between Savary and Romanzoff, and his conversations with Alex ander himself on this important subject, which are given in the secret and confidential correspondence of Napoleon, are highly curious, as indicating the ulterior ambitious views of the great empires which they seve rally represented, and the seeds of that jealousy which, in the midst of unbounded pro

51. Meanwhile Napoleon had set out | rounded the French nation, to share for Italy, where great political changes in the rapid mutations which its govwere in progress. Destined, like all ernment underwent, the kingdom of the subordinate thrones which sur- Italy was soon called upon to accept a testations of present regard, was laying the ments: but still he is desirous of seeing foundation of future and mortal hostility. By them carried into effect, as a peace between despatches from Napoleon, dated Fontaine- Russia and the Porte is all that remains to bleau, Oct. 14, 1807, Savary was required to complete the execution of the stipulations inquire what was the cause which had re- of the public treaty of Tilsit. All that the tarded the evacuation of Moldavia and Wal- Emperor Napoleon has said at Tilsit shall be lachia by the Russian troops, and to observe religiously executed; nor is there anything that peace could not be re-established be- in the secret treaty which is calculated to tween Russia and the Porte till that eva- thwart the desires of Russia. Nay, the cuation had taken place, as it was the con- surest and most expeditious mode to arrive dition which must precede the armistice at it, is to carry into execution the public which was to be the foundation of the defini- treaty; for we must conclude an armistice tive treaty; that the delay to evacuate could with the Turks before a treaty is concluded; not fail to annul the armistice which had or do you propose at once to write their epibeen concluded, and rekindle the flames of taph?" war between Russia and the Ottoman Porte.

In reply, the Emperor Alexander, after alleging various insignificant reasons for not commencing the evacuation, observed:"Circumstances now appear to require a deviation in this particular from the strict letter of the treaty of Tilsit. The latest advices from Vienna and Odessa concur in stating that the influence of France has declined at Constantinople: it is even said that Lord A. Paget, the English ambassador, has embarked on board Lord Collingwood's fleet in the Dardanelles. There is every probability that a treaty will be concluded between England and the Porte hostile to you, and consequently to me; and that, if I should evacuate these provinces, I should soon have to re-enter them in order to avert the war from my own frontiers. I must revert to what the Emperor Napoleon said to me, not once, but ten times, at Tilsit, in respect to these provinces, and I have more confidence in these assurances than in all the reasons of expedience or policy which may subsequently appear to gainsay them. Why, then, renounce my present advantages, when past experience tells me so clearly what will ensue if I evacuate these provinces? Even supposing that you have the upper hand at Constantinople, you can never prevent bands of insurgents from crossing the Danube, and renewing the pillage of these provinces: the orders of the Porte are null a mile from Constantinople. In our conversations at Tilsit, your Emperor often said, that he was noways set on that evacuation; that it might be indefinitely postponed; that it was not possible any longer to tolerate the Turks in Europe; that he left me at liberty to drive them into Asia. It was only on a subsequent occasion that he went back from his word so far as to speak of leaving the Turks Constantinople and some of the adjacent provinces."

"I yesterday had a long interview," replied Alexander, "with the Swedish ambassador, and strongly urged him to enter into all the views of France, and represented the risk he would run in not making common cause with her and Russia. Meanwhile the march of the troops continues; in seven or eight days the last division will have arrived, and fifty thousand men will be ready to commence the war on the frontiers of Finland. When you demanded from me a declaration of war against England, I was well aware it was no trifling change of policy which was required; no slight change of system, which could be altered as soon as adopted. Had I conceived it to be such, I would never have put my name to it; but I viewed it in a more extended light. What am I required to do? said I to myself. To prepare great events which will cause the memory of mournful ones to be forgotten, and put the two states in such political relations as can never be disturbed. Impressed with these ideas, and within twenty-four hours after your requisition, I did what you desired, though that was not only noways conducive to our interests, but, on the contrary, exposed us to very serious losses. Now you insist that I should make war on Sweden: I am ready to do so; my armies are on her frontier; but what return are we to obtain for so many sacrifices? Wallachia and Moldavia are the recompense which the nation expects, and you wish to bereave us of them. What reply can we make to our people, if, after their evacuation, they ask us what benefits are to compensate to them for the manifold losses consequent on the war with England?"-See the whole diplomatic papers and conversations in SAVARY'S Secret Despatch to Napoleon, St Petersburg, 18th November 1807; Corresp. Conf. de Napoleon, vii. 564, 585.-That confidential despatch reveals more of the real nature of the secret engageSavary replied, "Russia can always renew ments at Tilsit than any other documents in the war if you find it advisable. It is need-existence; and demonstrates that both the less to refer to the engagements between the Swedish and English wars were the result of two monarchs; the Emperor Napoleon has those engagements, and noways connected too much confidence in the honour of the with the Copenhagen expedition, which is Emperor Alexander to doubt the validity of never once mentioned as a ground of comthe reasons which have hitherto prevented plaint against Great Britain, by either Sahim from executing these secret engage- vary, Alexander, or his minister Romanzoff,

change in its constitution. Napoleon, | tained a lingering partiality for the in consequence, suppressed the legisla- democratic institutions which he had tive body, and substituted in its room vainly hoped to see established in his a senate, which was exclusively in- country, was stifled by the title of trusted with the power of submitting Duke of Lodi. Tuscany was taken observations to government on the from the King of Etruria, on whom public wants, and of superintending Napoleon had settled it, and united to the budget and public expenditure. France by the title of the department As the members of this senate were of the Taro; while magnificent public nominated and paid by government, works were set on foot at Milan to this last shadow of representative in- dazzle the ardent imagination of the stitutions became a perfect mockery. Italians, and console them for the enNevertheless the great conqueror was tire loss of their national independence received with unbounded adulation by and civil liberty. The cathedral was all the towns of Italy; their deputies, daily adorned with fresh works of who waited upon him at Milan, vied sculpture; its exterior decorated and with each other in elegant flattery. restored to its original purity, while He was the Redeemer of France, but thousands of pinnacles and statues rose the Creator of Italy: they had suppli- on all sides, glittering in spotless brilcated Heaven for his safety, for his liancy in the blue vault of heaven. victories; they offered him the tribute The Forum of Buonaparte was rapidly of their eternal love and fidelity. Na- advancing; the beautiful basso-relievos poleon received their adulation in the of the arch of the Simplon already most gracious manner; but he was entranced the admiring gaze of thoucareful not to lose sight of the main sands; the roads of the Simplon and object of his policy-the consolidation Mount Cenis were kept in the finest of his dominions, the rendering them order, and daily attracted fresh crowds all dependent on his imperial crown, of strangers to the Italian plains. But in and the fostering of a military spirit the midst of all this external splendour, among his subjects. "You will al- the remains of which still throw a halo ways find," said he, "the source of round the recollection of the French your prosperity, the best guarantee domination in Italy, the finances of all alike of your institutions and of your the states were involved in hopeless independence, in the constant union embarrassment, and suffering of the of the iron crown with the imperial most grinding kind pervaded all classes crown of France. But to obtain this of the people. The public expendi felicity you must show yourselves wor-ture of the kingdom of Italy had risen thy of it. It is time that the Italian youth should seek some more ennobling employment than idling away their lives at the feet of women; and that the women of Italy should spurn every lover who cannot lay claim to their favour by the exhibition of honourable scars."

to 120,000,000 francs (£5,000,000); the annual tribute of a million sterling to France was severely felt; ten thousand men had recently been raised by conscription to fill up the chasms in the army; and the misery of Piedmont, Tuscany, and the Venetian states, from the enormous contributions levied 52. From Milan the Emperor tra- by the French troops, and the total velled by Verona and Padua to Venice; stoppage of foreign commerce, was such he there admired the marble palaces, as to draw forth the most piteous lavaried scenery, and gorgeous architec-mentations from the native historians. ture of the Queen of the Adriatic, In the midst of these great designs, which appeared to extraordinary advan- however, the Emperor abated nothing tage amidst illuminations, fireworks, of his inveterate hostility against Britand rejoicings; and, returning to Mi-ish commerce. Eugene received orders lan, arranged with an authoritative to invade Etruria with four thousand hand, all the affairs of the peninsula. men suddenly, so as to fall on Pisa and The discontent of Melzi, who still re- Leghorn before time could be afforded

for the removal or secreting of British | was, "That the actual sovereign of merchandise, which was all to be con- Rome has constantly declined to defiscated for the benefit of the imperial clare war against the English, and to treasury. At the same time General coalesce with the Kings of Italy and Lemarrois was directed to invade the Naples for the defence of the Italian Roman provinces of Urbino, Macerata, peninsula. The interests of these two and Fermo, to seize English mer- kingdoms, as well as of the armies of chandise of every description, and oc- Naples and Italy, require that their cupy all the important ports along the communications should not be intersea-coast, with a view to ulterior opera- rupted by a hostile power." The imtions against Sicily and the Ionian portance of these acquisitions, great as Isles. Lemarrois was enjoined to ob- they undoubtedly were, especially in serve narrowly the disposition of the Italy, was not so momentous as the people in the Papal States, and if any principles on which they were founded, inclination was evinced to escape from and the ulterior acquisitions to which the government of priests, and range they evidently pointed. France now, themselves under that of Eugene, to without disguise, assumed the right offer no obstacle to such a revolution. of annexing neutral and independent 53. The encroachments thus made states to its already extensive dominon the Italian peninsula were not the ions, by no other authority than the only ones which Napoleon effected, in decree of its own legislature. The naconsequence of the liberty to dispose tural boundaries, so long held forth as of western Europe acquired by him at the limits of the great nation, were not the treaty of Tilsit. The territory of merely overstepped, but publicly disthe great nation was rounded also or avowed as an undue restriction of its the side of Germany and Holland. On dimensions. By extending its territory the 11th of November, the important beyond the Rhine, it was plain that town and territory of Flushing were Holland and the north of Germany ceded to France by the King of Hol- were soon to be incorporated with its land, who obtained in return merely dominions; by stretching across the an elusory equivalent in East Fries- Alps, it was evident that, ere long, land. On the 21st of January follow- Rome and the whole of Italy would ing, a decree of the senate united to form an integral part of the dominions the French empire, besides these places, of Napoleon. So boundless had the the important towns of Kehl, Cassel, ambition of the French Emperor now and Wesel, on the right bank of the become, and so intent was he on all Rhine. Shortly after, the French troops, acquisitions which might be of advanwho had already taken possession of tage to him in his hostility against Engthe whole of Tuscany, in compliance | lish commerce, that he did not scruple with the orders already noticed, and to declare that, in existing circumunder pretence of a resignation forced stances, the loss of Corfu would be upon the Queen of Etruria, invaded the greatest possible misfortune which the Roman territories, and made them- could happen to the Empire.* These selves masters of the ancient capital of distant marine possessions were of the world. They immediately occupied such importance, as connected not the castle of St Angelo and the gates merely with Napoleon's ambitious deof the city, and entirely dispossessed signs in the Levant, but with his vast the papal troops. Two months after-projects for the subjugation of Great wards, an imperial decree of Napoleon Britain. The Boulogne flotilla was in severed the provinces of Ancona, Ur- great part rotten; it was no longer bino, Macerata, and Camerino, which had formed part of the ecclesiastical estates, under the gift of Charlemagne, for nearly a thousand years, and annexed them to the kingdom of Italy. The reason assigned for this spoliation

"These measures are part of a consecutive series, of which you can know nothing. Understand this, however, that in the present posture of affairs, the loss of Corfu would be the Empire."-NAPOLEON to MARMONT, 24th the greatest misfortune which could befall August 1807; THIERS, viii. 33.