תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors]

66

against Buonaparté, whom would they "have selected? If they attach any weight "tothe opinion of their military councillor, "Col. Craufurd, they would have selected "this very Gen. Mack, whom the colonel " has always described as one of the greatest generals in Europe.Of the Oppo*sition article [in the Morning Chronicle] to which we bave been alluding, it is an appropriate conclusion to remind us, that "his Majesty's eldest daughter has been compelled to be the hostess of Buonaparté. Such a humiliation has, no doubt, deeply wounded the feelings of her illustrious father. But is that event imputable to Mr. Pitt? Or do the Opposition mean an indirect 'censure upon the King for marrying iris daughter to a prince whose power is unable to resist, and whose ter

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors]

same humiliation awaits the illustrious

family at home; that Buonaparté will be "able to make as triumphant an entry into "Windsor Castle as he did into Ludwigs"burg, and that our Queen, like her dangh"ter, the Duchess of Wirtemberg, may hé

66

[ocr errors]

equally compelled to be the hostess of the "Usurper."-This closing passage, though little connected with the main subject before us, demands a remark or two. That "wound might have been spared!”. Just as if the writer, who made the observation relative to the Duchess of Wirtemberg, meant thereby to wound the breasts of her Royal Parents! Nothing was more striking, and nothing more fitting, than the observation. Being upon the subject of the probable consequences of Mr. Pitt's continuing to rule the country, as prime minister of the King; being upon this subject, and considering Mr. Pitt as holding his place by the mere will and pleasure of his Majesty, was it not perfectly proper to remind the public of the conse quences which the ministry of that gentleman has produced elsewhere, particularly as to any branch of the Royal Family of England? A very pretty state, indeed, should we be in, were we to suffer ourselves to be deterred from making such observations, by insinuations like that here resorted to. In returning to Mr. Pitt, we may first observe, that our statement against him is completely blinked by his partisans. We never blamed him for the choice of General MACK; no, nor of any of the other generals employed in the Suabian campaign; we only blamed him for precipitating Austria into the war. That there was precipitation we know. We know, that the Russians did not arrive soon enough to assist General MACK ; and, it will be seen, from a letter of COUNT STAHREMBERG (with respect to the discretion of writing which letter nothing need be said) to the editor of the Morning Post, that the Russians were not expected so soon as they actually arrived. What, then, could urge them on? We are told that they were deceived by the Elector of Bavaria. Where are the documents to prove this? The Elector has published his narrative, and Austria has not contradicted it. The Austrians over-ran Bavaria; they took possession of its treasures and of its government; they issued their pa per-money there in payment for things of real value, which things they took. What obstacie, therefore, was Bavaria in their way That Mr. Pitt urged on: the Austrians lis partisans, as was shown in the preceding

[ocr errors]

ers of the continent and France; but, it was not calculated to effect a well-combined plan of operations against the latter; and, this was stated at the time, and has been repeated a hundred times since.Mr. Pitt, in an swer to the observation of Mr. Fox, that a continental war might render our situation worse, instead of better, said, that this ob

sheet, have a hundred times asserted; it has been a subject of great boasting with them; their phrase was, that he had " quickened the House of Austria," at other times so tardy, into action. They represented his merit in this respect as being so great as to cause an obliteration of all the "little non"sense," as the Morning Post termed it, "about Naval Inquiries and Tenth Re-jection would apply to all cases of danger.

་་

If

ports;" thus pretty broadly insinuating, | that the merit of having urged Austria into the war ought to be balanced against all the facts brought to light by the Tenth Report and by the subsequent enquiries and discussions; but now, behold, the "quickened" operations having failed, General Mack, or even the Einperor of Austria himself, is welcome to all the merit of the campaign; and, they are, into the bargain, welcome to all the abuse, which a venomous and baffled Pittite can invent. The former is called "a "talking fellow without brains," and it is insinuated that the other is very little better, or, at least, that his ministers are not. one had seen COUNT STAHREMBERG interfere upon this account, indee, one need not have been so much surprised. Probably, however, he is going to interfere in another, and, it is sincerely to be hoped, in a not less dignified, manner, in defence of the character of the Austrian cominanders and the Austrian government. No: it never did enter into the head of any reasonable man, that, in consideration of any subsidy, the Emperor of Austria would relinquish the appointment of his own generals; but, as to the movements of his armies, and as to the time of entering the field, these certainly may become subject of agreement; and, is it certain, that the movement of the Austrians, in nearly the direction in which they unfortunately did move, was not agreed upon as a condition of their receiving, by a certain time, that part of the subsidy, which has been already sent them? I put this directly as a question to this ministerial writer: will he say, that there was no such agreement? I believe that there was. But, be this as it may, we all know, that the Minister went a recruiting for Princes to fight against France, and that, in his advertisements, he made an offer of a five-millions bounty. What were those 5 mildions talked of for, in the budget of February last? The intention of the measure was, evidently, to say to the powers of the Continent, here, if you will fight, you see we have money for you." This was a measure of precipitation: it was calculated to" quicken courtiers at any rate: it was calculated to produce war between the pow

No, replied the other; I do not say, that you are never to risk any thing; but, I tell you, and I beg the house to remember that I tell you, that, in this particular case, the chances against you are so great, that you ought, not to proceed. The question was, inde.d, a question of mere policy; Mr Fox was against hurrying Austria in the wat, and Mr. Pitt was for it.--As to the metives by which Mr. Fitt was actuated, I shall not pretend to describe them; bet, the exultation of his and Lord Melville's partizans at the prospect of seeing "the atten

tion of the House of Commons turned from "the little nonsense about naval inquiries "and Tenth Reports to the mighty con

66

cerns connected with the deliverance of Europe;" this and similar passages, in the ministerial prints cannot already be forgotten, and the public will do well to keep them constantly in mind. Ever since the army of Austria began to move, the ministerial papers have been holding a language calculated to convince one, that they looked forward to the eflect which the campaign on the continent would produce upon the divisions during the ensuing session of parliament! They seem to have cared but very little about any other consequence; and we now see them, in the same spirit, bending all their efforts, hot towards an endeavour to prove, that the House of Austria will recover the blow; but, that Mr. Pitt is not to blame, and that, on account of these calamities, he ought to lose no votes in the House of Commons! Such is the consclation, which they tender to their country and to the Emperor of Austria !

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

CHOICE OF COMMANDERS.The ministerial prints have, with one accord and with open mouth, joined in a cry against the Emperor of Austria, or, against his cabinet ministers, for choosing General MACK, a man," say they," who had never de feated an enemy, and who had " always "been unfortunate." Now, if these be good and solid objections in the choice of a general, how will these gentlemen account for the choice, which, it is affirmed, Mr. Pitt has made of a Commander in Chief of the expedition now going out? Fur, we have, cry few of us, at any me, ever heard

of any enemy defeated by His Royal Highness the Duke of York; and, those who recollect the plains of Dunkirk, and the convention of the Helder, will not, it is presumed, regard his royal Highness as singularly fortunate. The Duke of Cambridge was, I believe, in Hanover when the plate was saved: so far his royal highness might be called fortunate; but, all taken together, the defence of Hanover was not a fortunate one, whatever may be said of its bravery. Nor has Lord Chatham ever, that we have read of, been very fortunate in war, except, indeed, in the obtaining of commands at hone, in which respect his fortune has, by most persons been thought to be nearly equal to his merit-Observe, UPSTART, that I do not say, that a want of good fortune in the past ought to prevent a man from being entrusted with a command: observe me well, UPSTART, that I say no such thing; but, I say, that if this reason ought to have prevented the Emperor of Austria from committing the command of an army to General MACK, what shall we think of Mr. Fitt for committing the command of an ar'my to the Duke of York?—I am aware, that the partizans of Mr.Pitt will say, that the appointment is not his. Base insinuation! Thus it is that they, upon all such occasions, endeavour to shift the responsibility from his shoulders! But, what will they say as to the appointment of Lord Chatham? Was that not Mr. Pitt's Once more, observe, that I do not give any opinion as to the justice of the maxim which these Pittites prescribe to the Emperor of Austria; I am only endeavouring to show, that, whether their -doctrine be sound, or not, Mr. Pitt has not acted in conformity to it. For my part, I hope, that the Duke of York's good fortane is to come; and that he will bring home this army covered with glory; but. I cannot, then, join in abusing the Emperor of Austria, merely because he appointed a commander, who had never been fortunate. General Mack is, indeed, the ministerial writers, tell us, a talking fellow without "brains;" and, here, the comparison with our Commanders would not hold; but, I beg the reader to remember, that the accusation against the Austrian cabinet is, that they appointed a commander, who had never been fortunate.

66

LOLD NELSON'S LAST VICTORY.Upon this subject every man's heart will teach him what to think. There need no words; aud no words can express what we all ought to feel.--Yet, it may, as to the future, be necessary to caution the public against giving way to any great degree of

ment.

[716

hope, founded upon this glorious achieveIt is of value, of high value, as an acquisition of glory; but, in other respects, the effect will not be of much importance.

-Great part of the enemy's loss consists of the ships and men of our friends; and, of Spanish ships and men; that is to say, this loss will, in all probability, tend to bend more submissively, and to bind more firmly, the Spaniards to France.As to the final result of the war, this victory will do little, very little indeed; and, I submit to the reader, whether the news of it be likely to afford much satisfaction amongst our de they may not feel tempted to exclaim: feated allies upon the continent? Whether "this war may be sport to you, but it is "death to us." The official accounts of the battle and of the subsequent operations of the fleet will be found in another part of this sheet.

Botley, Thursday,
7th Nov. 1805. S

PUBLIC PAPERS.

CONTINENTAL WAR.
Extraordinary Meeting of the Conserva-
Proceeding of the
tive Senate of France; Oct. 24, 1805.

At one o'clock this day the members
of the Conservative Senate met, in virtue of
Highness Prince Joseph, grand elector. His
a convocation extraordinary ordered by his
Imperial Highness Prince Louis, constable;
his Serene Highness the Arch-Chancellor of
the Empire and some of the ministers, were
the presidency of the grand elector, with
present at the setting. It was opened under
the following speech pronounced by his
Highness. "Senators, in the midst of his
triumphs his Majesty has felt the necessity
esteem; it is the object of the message which
of giving to the Senate a new proof of his
You will perceive, gentlemen, that his Ma-
his Majesty has ordered me to submit to you..
jesty is inpatient that the French youth

should take their share of the fresh successes which await him. But already our young Conscripts are in motion; they are setting out, or have already done so. know, that when their children go to the All parents grand army, they go to place themselves under the shield of the common father of the French, who is more sparing of their blood than he is anxious for glory. The Emperor and his army have exceeded the hopes of the nation; I have the happiness of informing you, that it answers, in a manner worthy of it, the glorious invitation of its chief." -The message of the Emperor and King, meeting, is expressed in the following manwhich his Imperial Highness read to the

Se

ner: Senators, I send you 40 stand of colours, which my army has conquered in the different actions which took place since that at Wertingen. It is a homage which I and my ariny pay to the sages of the Em pire; it is an offering made by children to their father's Senators, accept it as a proof of my satisfaction for the manner in which you have always assisted me in the most important concerns of the Empire. And you, Frenchnten, cause your brothers to march; let them hasten to combat by our sides, in order that, without shedding of blood, without extraordinary exertion, we may repel far from us all the armies created by the goid of England, and overwhelm with confusion the allies of the oppressors of the seas. nators, a month is not yet elapsed since I told you that your Emperor and his army would do their duty-I au impatient to say, that my people have done ther's. Since I began the campaign I have dispersed an army of 100,000 men: I have almost taken the half of them prisoners; the rest are killed, wounded, or deserted, and reduced to the greatest consternation. These brilliant snecesses I owe to the affection of my soldiers -to their patience in supporting fatigue. I have only lost 1500 men in killed and wounded. Senators, the first object of the war is already fulfilled. The elector of Bavaria is re-established on his throne. The unjust aggressors have been struck, as if by lightning; and, with the help of God, I hope, in a short space of time, to be able to triumph over my other enemies.-From my imperial camp at Elchingen, Oct. 18.-(Signed) NAPOLEON."By order of his Imperial Highness, the 6th bulletin of the grand army was then read, with the articles of the Capitulation of Ulm.-A member proposed, in a short speech, that five members should be appointed to prepare an address to his Majesty, to be presented to him by one of the members of the committee of the Senate and three other Senators. Senators Lacepede, Clement De Ris, and François (De Neufchateau), with his Imperial Highness Prince Louis, and his Serene Highness the Prince Arch-Chancellor of the Empire, were appointed to prepare the same; and a deputation, consisting of Coland, one of the Secretaries, St. Suzanne, Monge, and Garnier Laboissiere, were chosen by ballot to present it to the Emperor.

Fifth Oficial Bulletin of the Grond Army; from the French Official Paper, the Moniteur of the 25th of Oct. 1805.

Elchingen, Oct. 10.-Events of great consequence, the battles of Albeck, Elchin

gen, and the capture of Ulm and Memnuingen, followed the actions of Wertingen and Gunzburgh. Marshal Soult arrived, on the 13th, before Memmingen; immediately sur-a rounded the town, and after some negotia-s tion the commandant capitulated. Nine battalions, two of which were grenadiers, taken prisoners; a major-general, three colonels, many superior officers, ten pieces of cannon, a great deal of baggage and ammu.. nition of every kind, was the result of this affair. All the prisoners were immediately sent to head-quarters. At the same time Marshal Soult marched for Oschenhausen, for the purpose of reaching Biberach, and. cutting off the only retreat which lay open to the Archduke Ferdinand.-On the other hand, on the 16th, the enemy made a sortie from Ulm, and attacked the division of Dupont, which occupied the position of Albeck." The battle was a most ostinate one. Surrounded by 25,000 men, these 6000 brave fellows opposed them on all sides, and took 1,500 prisoners. This corps should not be astonished at any thing; it consisted of the 9th light, the 324, 09th, and 70th of the line. On the 13th the Emperor went to the camp before Ulm, and ordered the army of the enemy to be invested. The first operation was to take possession of the bridge, and the position of Elchingen-On the 14th, at day-break, Marshal Ney passed the bridge, at the head of Loison's division. The enemy opposed his taking possession of Elchingen, with 16,000 men; they were every where overthrown, lost 3000 men, who were made prisoners, and were pursued to their entrenchments.-Marshal Lannes occupied the small heights which command the plain above the village of Proel. The sharp shooters carried the works which protected the bridge of Ulm; the confusion in the town was excessive. At the same time Prince Murat made a movement with the divisions of Klein and Beaumont, which every where put the enemy's cavalry to flight - One 14th Gen. Marmont occupied the brid Unterkirch, and Oberkirch, at th fluence of the Iller with the Danube. the communications of the enemy Iller. On the 15th, at day break, tlperor himself appeared before Ulm corps of Prince Murat, and those of Mar Lannes and Ney, ranged themselves in or of battle, to make an assault, and force t entrenchments of the enemy. Gen. Ma mont, with the division of dismounted diagoons of Gen. B. D'Hilliers, blockaded the town on the right bank of the Danube. The day was dreadful: the troops were up to their knees in mud. The Emperor had not

1

4

719]

POLITICAL REGISTER-Capitulation of Ulm.

taken off his boots for 8 days. Prince Ferdinand had marched off in the night towards Bberach, leaving 12 battalions in the town and upon the heights of Ulm; which were all taken, with a considerable quantity of Cannon. Marshal Soult took possession of Biberach on the 15th, in the morning. Prince Murat set out in pursuit of the enemy, which is in a dreadful state of dissolution. Out of an army of 80,000 men there are only 25,000 remaining, and hopes are entertained that they will not be able to escape us. Immediately after his arrival at Munich, Marshal Bernadotte pursued the army of Gen. Kienmayer, and took some waggons and prisoners from him-Since the commencement of the campaign we have made 20,000 prisoners; taken from the enemy 30 pieces of cannon and 20 standards. Cu our side the loss has been but small. If we add to that the deaths and the desertions, we may reckon the Austrian army is already reduced one half--So much devotedness on the part of the soldiers, so many affecting proofs of their attachment to the Emperor, and so many brilliant achievements, would require to be detailed more minutely. They shall be given as soon as these first operations of the campaign are terminated, and that it is positively ascertained how the wreck of the Austrian army will escape from Biberach, and the position they will take. At the battle of Elchingen, which was, one of the most brilliant military achievements that can be quoted, the 18th regiment of diagoons, and Colonels Lefevre, Colbert, the colonel of the 10th regiment of chasseurs, who had a horse killed under him, Col. Lajonquieres, of the 75th, and a great number of officers, distinguished themselves. The Emperor has to-day his headquarters at the Abbey of Eichingen.

Abstract of the Sixth Bulletin. Elchingen, Oct. 18.-Annexed is the capitulation of Ulm. The Emperor might have taken the place by assault, bat 20,000 men, defended by fortifications and wet ditches, would have made a resistance, and his desire was to save the effusion of blood. Gen., Mack was in that city. The Austrian army consisted of 14 regiments of infantry of the army of Bavaria, as it was called, 13 regiteats from the Tyrol, and 5 regiments which had been sent in waggons from Italy: altogether 32 regiments of infantry, and 15 regineu's of cavalry.-Gen. Mack intended to comp with his army, but the Emperor destroyed a badge, and took the position of Ellingen, Marshal Soult took Memmingn, and followed the other columns. Prince

(720

Murat pursued Prince Ferdinand, and took 3000 prisoners, at Langen, of the division of Werneck.-It appears that Prince Verdiconcealing his person, and getting off with a nand will not be able to escape, unless by Marshal Bernadotte, having pushed his adfew squadrons by a detour.-On the 15th vanced posts as far as Wasserbourg and Haag, on the high read of Braunau, took 4 or 500 prisoners, and 17 pieces of cannon; having thus taken, since his entry at Munich, 1500 prisoners, 19 pieces of cannon, 200 horses, and a quantity of baggage, without the loss of a single man. On the 15th the Emperor was in possession of Memmingen, and on the 17th of Ulm. In the different engagements of Wertingen, Gunzburgh, Uim, &c. he has taken 40,000 prisoners, above 40 stands of colours, a number of cannon, &c. The loss of the French army in the same engagements is only 500 killed, and 1000 wounded. The Austrian army may be considered as annihilated,

CAPITULATION OF ULM, Occupied by the Troops of his Majesty the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, to the Army of his Majesty the Emperor of France and King of Italy.

empire, and Field Marshal Baron Mack, &c. We, Alex. Berthier, Marshal of the have agreed upon the following articles: ed to the French arty, with all the maga Art. I. The City of Ulm shall be surrenderzines and artillery.-Answer: The half of the field artillery shall be retained by the Austrian troops. Refused.-II. The garrison shall march out, with all the honours of war, and after filing off, lay down their arms. The field officers shall be sent, on their parole of honour, to Austria, and the soldiers and subalterns shall be sent into France, where they shall remain until they are exchanged. Answer: The whole shail serving against France until they are exbe sent into Austria, under condition of not changed. Refused.-III. The officers and soldiers shall retain all the elects belonging to them. Answer: And also the regimental chests. Agreed to.-IV. The sick and wounded Austrians shall be treated in the same manner as the French sick and wounded. Answer: We know the generosity and humanity of the French -V. If, nevertheless, there should appear by noon of the 25th Oct. 1805, an army capable of raising the blockade of .Ulm, the garrison of this fortress shall in that case be released from the present capitulation, and at liberty to act as it may think fit. Answer: If the blockade of Ulm should be raised by an Auss

« הקודםהמשך »