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flicts, which lasted five days. The loss on both sides was considerable; but the success of the allies was complete, and they established themselves firmly between the Nive and the Adour. Thus was the liberation of the peninsula accomplished in the course of this eventful year, by a series of the most brilliant successes that have ever

crowned the operations of an army.The measure of Britain's glory was already full; but the labours of her warlike sons were not yet terminated The annals of succeeding years were still to be adorned by their exploits, until the odious despotism which had threatened Europe with chains, should fall prostrate before them.

CHAP. XII.

State of Affairs in the North-Progress of the Russian Armies after the Expul sion of the French from the Empire-Prussia joins the Alliance against France.-Preparations of the French for resuming Military Operations.

THE retreat of the French from the Beresina to the Niemen, and from the Niemen to the Vistula, was one continued scene of dismay, route, and confusion. The cossacks hovered continually on their rear, and were able, not indeed to arrest the retreat, but to render it uniformly disastrous, and to destroy every thing which for a moment separated itself from the main body. The wings of the Russian army followed close on the flanks of the enemy, and by threatening to interpose between the fugitives and France, rendered it impossible to pause for a moment at any single point. Buonaparte had directed that a stand should, if possible, be made for a few days, at Wilna, which formed the grand depot of the army, and was filled with supplies of every kind. Could this have been effected, the troops might have breathed from their fatigues, and their order and efficiency might have been in some measure re-established; but scarcely had they, by a succession of marches, through tracts nearly impassable, succeeded in reaching that important place, when they found

themselves surrounded by the Russian columns; there was no choice, therefore, but to hurry on with the utmost celerity.-Without pausing at Wilna, the Russians continued the pursuit.One column under Wittgenstein marched along the Niemen to cross at Tilsit; while another under Platoff pursued the enemy along the direct route through Kowno. The French had entrenched themselves strongly at this place; and they hoped, by defending the passage of the Niemen, to have obtained a short respite. Platoff, however, hesitated not a moment: he threw himself upon the frozen Niemen, and the cossacks were soon on the opposite bank. The French hastily crossed the river in two columns; but were not able to avoid the attack of the cossacks, who destroyed great numbers of them. The pursuit continued as before, with the daily capture of prisoners, cannon, baggage, and ammunition. ing to accounts published by the Russian government, the number of prisoners taken since the battle of Borodino, already amounted to 170,000 men, of whom 1298 were officers, and 41 ge

nerals. To this statement was added 1131 pieces of cannon. Europe stood aghast at this estimate,-never before had she witnessed such destruction. The Russian government was determined to complete the work which it had begun; and for this purpose ordered new and extensive levies."Russia," said the emperor," having been invaded by an enemy, leading armies from almost every European nation, had been obliged to make great sacrifices; and although, by the aid of Divine Providence, those armies had been entirely dissipated, and their poor remains were seeking safety in a precipitate flight, yet it became necessary to maintain the glory of the empire by such a military establishment as should insure permanent safety. The arm of the giant was broken, but his destructive strength should be prevent ed from reviving; and his power over the nations, who serve him out of ter ror, taken away. Russia, extensive, rich, and pacific, sought no conquests, -wished not to dispose of thrones. She desired tranquillity for herself, and for all. She would not, however, suffer the wicked so to abuse her moderation as to endanger the well-being of herself or other nations. Painful as it was to call upon a loyal and affectionate people for new exertions, yet it would be still more painful to see them exposed to calamities for the want of an adequate defence; and that the most grievous calamities would result from the success of her late invaders, was evident from the enormities they had already committed. The emperor trusted in God and his brave armies, which could be raised to an imposing number, for the preservation of what had been purchased by so many labours and sacrifices."-In consequence of these resolutions, it was ordered that there should be a general levy throughout the empire, of

eight men out of every 500; and that the levy should commence in each gowernment within two weeks, and end in four, from the publication of the order.

When the Russian armies in their victorious progress reached the Prussian frontier, the commander in chief, Kutusoff, explained the views of his government in an eloquent address.— At the moment of my ordering the armies under my command," said he, "to pass the Prussian frontier, the emperor, my master, directs me to declare that this step is to be considered in no other light than as the inevitable consequence of the military operations. Faithful to the principles which have actuated his conduct at all times, his imperial majesty is guided by no view of conquest. The sentiments of moderation which have ever characterised his policy, are still the same, after the decisive successes with which Divine Providence has blessed his legitimate efforts. Peace and independence shall be their result. These his majesty offers, together with his assistance, to every people, who, being at present obliged to oppose him, shall abandon the cause of Napoleon in order to pursue their real interests. I invite them to take advantage of the fortunate opening which the Russian armies have produced, and to unite themselves with them in the pursuit of an enemy, whose precipitate flight has discovered his loss of power. It is to Prussia in particular this invitation is addressed.It is the intention of his imperial majesty to put an end to the calamities by which she is oppressed, to demonstrate to her king the friendship which he preserves for him, and to restore to the monarchy of Frederick its eclat and its extent. He hopes that his Prussian majesty, animated by sentiments which this frank declaration ought to produce, will, under such cir

cumstances, take that part which the interest of his states demands. Under this conviction, the emperor, my master, has sent me the most positive orders to avoid every thing that could betray a spirit of hostility between the two powers, and to endeavour, within the Prussian provinces, to soften, as far as a state of war will permit, the evils which for a short time must result from their occupation."

"When Russia was compelled, by a war of aggression," said the emperor, "to take arms for her defence, from the accuracy of her combinations, she was enabled to form an estimate of the important results which that war might produce with respect to the independence of Europe. The most heroic constancy, the greatest sacrifices, have led to a series of triumphs. At no period has Russia been accustomed to practise that art (too much resorted to in mo. dern wars) of exaggerating, by false statements, the success of her arms. But with whatever modesty her details might now be penned, they would appear incredible. Those who have wit nessed them can alone prove the facts to France, to Germany, and to Italy, before the slow progress of truth will fill those countries with mourning and consternation. Indeed, it is difficult to conceive, that in a campaign of only four months duration, 130,000 prisoners should have been taken from the enemy, 49 stand of colours, and all the waggon-train and baggage of the army. It is sufficient to say, that out of 300,000 men (exclusive of Austrians) who penetrated into Russia, not 30,000 of them, even if these should be favoured by fortune, will ever revisit their country. The manner in which the Emperor Napoleon repassed the Russian frontier can assuredly be no longer a secret to Europe. So much glory, and so many advantages, cannot, however, change the personal dispositions of the

Emperor of Russia. The grand principle of the independence of Europe has always formed the basis of his policy; for that policy is fixed in his heart. It is beneath his character to permit any endeavours to be made to induce the people to resist oppression, and to throw off the yoke which has weighed them down for twenty years. It is their governments whose eyes ought to be opened by the actual situation of France. Ages may elapse before an opportunity, equally favourable, again presents itself; and it would be an abuse of the goodness of Providence, not to take advantage of this crisis to accomplish the great work of the equilibrium of Europe, and thereby to insure public tranquillity and individual happiness."

One passage in this address appears singular:-"It is beneath the charac ter of the emperor to permit any endeavours to be used to induce the people to resist their oppressors, &c.," as if it had not been to the constancy and courage of the Russian people the emperor was now indebted for his crown, and the triumphs by which he was so much elated. It is beneath the dignity of any honourable mind, indeed, to stimulate the people to acts of violence and folly; but surely the Emperor Alexander could not think that the resistance which he so strenuously encouraged, participated in any degree of this character. He was therefore urging what was lawful, honourable, and expedient; and why should the people be deemed unworthy of such exhortations? To the people alone can they ever in such circumstances be with efficiency addressed; and had they not felt the generous enthusiasm of national honour and independence, the despotism of France would have defied every other shock. Far different from the views of the Emperor Alexander were the sentiments of the British ministers, some of

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the most distinguished of whom frankly avowed, in the legislature, that to the popularity of the war they ascribed its great and brilliant results. But it were absurd, perhaps, to expect any thing like a kindred feeling on such subjects in Russia and in England.

Another address, which the Russian emperor made about this time to his own subjects, is less exceptionable, and paints in strong colours the merciless progress of the invader his final over throw-and the patriotism and devotion of the Russian people." The world," said the emperor, "has witnessed with what objects the enemy entered our dear country. Nothing could avert his malevolence. Proudly calculating on his own armies, and on those which he had embodied against us from all the European powers, and hurried on by a desire of conquest and thirst for revenge, he hastened to penetrate even into the bosom of our great empire, and to spread amongst us the horrors of a war of devastation. Having foreseen, by former examples of his unmeasured ambition, and the violence of his proceedings, what bitter sufferings he was about to inflict upon us, and seeing him already pass our frontiers, with a fury which nothing could arrest, we were compelled, though with a sorrowful and wounded heart, to draw the sword, and to promise to our empire that we would not return it to the scabbard so long as a single enemy remained in arms in our territory. We fixed firmly in our hearts this determination, relying on the valour of the people whom God has confided to us; and we have not been deceived. What proofs of courage, of piety, of patience, and of fortitude, has not Russia shewn? The enemy who penetrated to her bosom with all his characteristic ferocity, has not been able to draw from her a single sigh by

the severe wounds he has inflicted. It would seem, that with the blood which flowed her spirit of bravery increased: that the burning villages animated her patriotism, and the destruction and profanation of the temples of God strengthened her faith, and nourished in her the sentiment of implacable revenge. The army, the nobility, the gentry, all estates of the empire, neither sparing their property nor their lives, have breathed the same spirita spirit of courage and of piety, a love ardent for their God and for their country. This unanimity, this universal zeal, have produced effects hardly credible, and such as have scarcely existed in any age. Let us contemplate the enormous force collected from twenty kingdoms and nations, united under the same standard, by an ambitious and atrocious enemy, flushed with success, which entered our country; half a million of soldiers, infantry and cavalry, accompanied by fifteen hundred pieces of cannon. With forces so powerful, he pierces into the heart of Russia, extends himself, and begins to spread fire and devastation. But six months have scarcely elapsed since he passed our frontiers, and what has become of him? We may here cite the words of the Holy Psalmist—“ I myself have seen the ungodly in great power, and flourishing like a green bay tree. I went by, and lo, he was gone: I sought him, but his place could no where be found." This sublime sentence is accomplished in all its force on our arrogant and impious enemy. Where are his armies, like a mass of black clouds which the wind had drawn together? They are dispersed as rain. A great part staining the earth with their blood, cover the fields of the governments of Moscow, Kaluga, Smolensk, White Russia, and Lithuania. Another part equally great, has been taken in the frequent battles with ma

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