states have begun to decline, as soon as they ceased to rise. The ambition, avarice, and ignorance of individuals, allow nations no interval of stationary quiet and security.

In modern times, the only governments that seem to have acted upon any digested system, are the French since the commencement of the reign of Louis XIV. and the Russian since that of Peter I. These two monarchs felt the internal strength of their respective empires, and measured the powers of their neighbours.

When Louis assumed the direction of affairs, he found himself hemmed in, on the side of Germany, Italy and Spain, by Austria; and on all other sides, by GreatBritain and Holland. To break through that circumvallation, was an enterprize worthy of a young aspiring monarch; and as enterprizing princes generally do, he succeeded. By the valour of his arms, seconded by the infatuation and treachery of his neighbours, he levelled down all the bulwarks of his opponents; and laid Europe open to the inroads of France. He broke the power of Austria,and thereby destroyed the union and force of the German empire; he made Spain a province of his dominions; annihilated the arrogant and independent spirit of the Dutch *; and deprived GreatBritain of all her useful connexions on the continent of Europe †. His successors made

*The Dutch struggled long and bravely to consolidate the independence and political rank of their country; from 1709 to 1712, they believed they had succeeded; but one of those unforeseen fatalities, which, in a moment destroys the work of ages, blasted all their hopes. The change of system in the British Cabinet, or rather the change of men, (for it is not known to us, that ever a system was adopted there) produced the infamous treaty of Utrecht. The Dutch having spent immense treasures during the war, and obliged to abandon all the advantages they had acquired by it, their proud spirit of independence and ambition for military and naval glory, sunk into a sullen haired towards Great-Britain. That hatred never diminished; on the contrary, the connex ions between the houses of Brunswick and Nassau Orange, and our interference, sometimes by intrigue and sometimes by force, in favour of the Stadtholderate, made every Dutchman our inveterate enemy; and has, in the end, made Holland a department of France.

Since the peace of Utrecht, Great-Britain has had for allies, Portugal, the Stadtholder, Hanover and the Landgrave of Hesse Massel. Inevery continental war, these howers have been quited by the aims of

but a poor use of the means he left at their disposal, it is true, but they adhered to the leading principle of his system; they kept fast hold of Spain; took all the measures, which a court like that of Versailles could be expected to devise, to weaken the House of Austria; to attach Holland to France, and undermine and divide the British empire. Todirect the government of Spain, to subdue the Low countries, and to attach and secure Holland in the interests of France, were considered as the most effectual means to ruin the maritime trade and destroy the power of Great-Britain. These three objects were the principal articles in the political creed of the French monarchy. They are now accomplished! How far their effects may ultimately justify the calculations that have been made upon them, will depend upon the British cabinet. The result will, in all likelihood, be shortly seen.

The revolution has, in no wise altered the politics of France; it has changed the actors and they have adopted new measures. But they are measures much more dangerous to the peace of the civili ed world than those of their predecessors. Instead of grovelling, in obscure intrigue, deceit and circumvention, the champions of the Republic have substituted a bold system of treachery, violence and military despotism. During the few years, that they have exercised the supreme authority, the Republic has achieved all that Louis XII. perhaps, ever intended;. France is raised to an eminence of power, which in that prince's time, would have made him as completely master of Europe, as he was of Alsace and Navarre. The treaties of Luneville and AMIENS, have made the First Consul a more formidable potentate, than those of Ut echt and Rastadt made the chief of the House of Bourbon.

However, although the Republic may certainly be considered, as completely mistress of the south-west-half of continental Europe, there is another power, of equal force, and. perhaps of superior strength, that claims a similar dominion over the north and eastern-parts. We have before said, the political powers and military force of continental Europe, are di vided between the governments of France and Russia. These two mighty empires, are come in contact: Berlin, Vienna and Constantinople, can only be considered as three neutral posts, situate in their line

France, and have been ransomed either by British money, or by British conquests; or retaken by other powers subsidised for that purpose: witness the surrender of our coloies at every peace, and our subsidies to Prussia, &c.

of demarcation. By the reduction of other states, the politics of Europe are much simplified; but that very circumstance renders the respective positions of the two dictatorial powers more critical. The intermediate field of their usual machinations is cleared, the slightest motion of the one, must now directly affect the other.

A free, independent and secure communication between the southern provinces of Russia and the Mediterranean, was an essential article in the fundamental system of the Czar Peter; it has been pursued, with more, or less energy, by all his successors; and, it is of such importance to the Russian empire that it can never be abandoned,

The navigation of the Black Sea, was a standing project in the politics of the French monarchy; it is now obtained, and to preserve it, is a consideration of the utmost consequence to the Republic. The Turkish government, sunk as it is, into a lethargic effeminacy, an open passage through the Archipelago and the Dardanelles, give to France, not only the direction of the trade and that empire, but what, to the consulate, is an object of infinitely greater importance, it lays open the only vulnerable part of the frontiers of Russia.

In the present state of things, can Russia and republican France go mutual sharers in the trade and government of the Turkish empire? This is by no means likely; nay, we may venture to say, it is impossible. Which of the parties then is to give up its pretension? The cabinet of Petersburgh must certainly know, that should the Consulate be allowed to assume an ascendancy at Constantinople, or, to intermeddle in the affairs of Turkey, the fate of Moscow may again be disputed at Pultava! Will the present government of France retract and leave the Seraglio and St. Sophia to the desecration of Russians? In that case, a Cossack and Highland army, seconded by a Russian and British fleet, might yet confine the empire of Buonaparté to the government of his Gauls of the West. Or, can the ambition of Russia and the avarice of France be satisfied with a partial partition of Turkey? It is a known fact, that the Consul did propose to the court of Petersburgh, to leave Moldavia, Walachia, Bessarabia, Bosnia and Servia, to the disposal of Russia and Austria, on condition that France might possess Candia, Negro. pont and other Greek islands in the Archipelago. But Russia, would as soon see France in possession of the canal of Constantinople and the Crimea, as suffer her to fix her feet on posts that might soon command the communication between

Had

the Black and Mediterranean seas. the British ambassador arrived at Paris a few months sooner than he did, his Excellency could have informed Buonaparté, that Russia would not connive with France for the Turkish provinces north of the Danube. His lordship himself had the honour, as an agent, to sign away the property of those countries to the empress Catherine II. This monument of British shame was subscribed to by Sir Charles Whitworth, at Petersburg on the 22d July, 1791. We hope it wi not prove ominous!

Oczakow was not only the key to the northern provinces of Turkey, it was to Constantinople, what Bergen-op-Zoom and Maestricht formerly were to Amsterdam; and what the Pyrennees might yet be to Madrid. That post in the hands of Russia, to offer her the sovereignty of Moldavia, Wallachia, and Bessarabia, was ridiculous enough.

The Russians at Akkirmann and Soroko, and the French, or their auxiliaries in Malta, the Sultan with his Seraglio have the com fortable prospect of very soon passing, either au fil de l'épée, ou sous le knudt, into the kingdom of Mahomet. It is remarkable, that when the Emperor of Turkey was obliged to surrender Oczakow, the King of England was mediator with 36 line of battleships armed, in his favour; and when Malta was ceded to be possessed by France, Great Britain was also an ally in co operation with Turkey. To propose an entire partition of the European dominions of the Turks, to whom give Thrace and Constantinople? Besides, Russia will never agree to a division that shall leave the Grecian islands to France. Nor can it be expected that the Consulate will leave the Bosphorus to Russia.

Thus between these two governments matters seem to become nearly to a crisis. Considering the characters of each respec

*Were the Chief Consul to admit, amongst the fractional parts of his political calculations, the value of the characters and abilities of the men he finds, here and there, at the head of the public affairs of other states, he might, perhaps, at this moment, be induced to possess himself of such posts and strong holds in the Levant, as would insure to the Republic at once,the dominion which she will otherwise have to fight for. Who knows but such is his design? We cannot however, presume, that those governments which are most immediately interested, can be so immersed in ignorance and lost to all sense of public duty and personal safety, as not to see through the perfidious manœuvres of the Consulate.

tively, and the powers and attitude of the two empires, if the Consul possess only half of those transcendent talents which his panegyrists are willing to allow him, he must certainly see, that their present cordiality cannot be of long duration. And he is no doubt likewise aware that while Great Britain can powerfully interfere, to risk a quarrel with Russia would be imprudent and dangerous.

In this situation it appears to us, and indeed daily occurrences seem to confirm our opinion, that the plan of the Chief Consul is, to manage the Court of Petersburgh until he disengage his rear; that is, until he shall tie down the British Government to passive inactivity.

To point out the measures by which the rulers of France intend to reduce the British Government to inaction, is here unnecessary; they are already plainly exhibit ed to the world. When the rest of Europe was beaten off the field, Buonaparté saw, that to fight with Great Britain alone, was an unprofitable trade; the archives of Versailles, furnished him with several striking examples: but in that same library, the General learned, that in a campaign of diplomatic negotiations, victory was certain; this was tried, and, the Consulate make it no secret,

It is truly pitiful, to see public ministers and men charged with the defence of nations cajoling themselves in the hope, that Russia and France will quarrel and fight! Quarrel they certainly will; but when that event takes place, woe to their neighbours! While at peace, their mutual preponderance requires only dependency and obedience: at war their hostilities will impose upon the eastern continent, submission and slavery.

When the Czar and the Consul draw forth their legions in hostile array, mediation, armed coalitions, neutral conventions and demarcation-lines, will be of little avail. Those powers have long been unused to cabinet warfare, and to courtier étiquette in the field. The intervention of other states, may has ten their own subjection, but cannot ward off their fate. The chieftains of Russia and France will meet nearly on the centre of the world: the object of their quarrel will not be a bishoprick, a sugar island, nor who shall read their mass in Latin, or say their prayers in Greek: they will fight, for the possession of the Hellespont and Bosphorus, two posts on which hangs now suspended, the empire of our eastern hemisphere. Such contending parties will not come out to skirmish and then mutually retire; nor will they fight for conquests to give away; the one will keep the field,-and with it the d.ctatorship of the world.

that, the success far exceeded the most sanguinė expectations. Since our continental alliances have been reduced toa few needy subsidiaries, the only means which we have had to check the ambitious projects of France, were, to keep the French colonies and trade under the guns of a preponderating navy. This check the Consul has not only removed, but he has also inverted the position. The peace of Amiens has left the British colonies under the Guns of France; every passage to and from our possessions abroad is now flanked by posts already garrisoned, or to be garrisoned by the republic and her auxiliaries; and England herself is half encircled by the naval depots and rising flotillas of her enemies. Buonaparté considers Great Britain, as being reduced to the necessity of hereafter confining all her military and naval operations to the defence of her own dominions. * Abroad he has now no vulnerable point for us to attack; and our communication with the continent of Europe and Africa, depends immediately upon his will. These circumstances open to the republic, another advantage of a more serious nature, and which, the Consul believes, will lay open and expose to his tactics, the very soul of the state; namely, the financial sources of the nation. (The remainder of this interesting article, containing Buonaparte's opinion on the Finances of England, will be given in our next.)

FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

Rome, Feb. 24.-There is talk here of a new French expedition against Algiers. In the treaty of the 17th Dec. 1801, the Dey promised to restore to France all the establishments on that coast, in the same condition in which they were previous to the year 1792; but he now refuses to give them back, unless he receives the old tribute.-The Republic of the Seven United Islands has sent a Minister Plenipotentiary to St. Petersburgh (who has already arrived at Vienna). In these Islands a National Assembly (Nazionale Conssesso) has been convoked to settle the internal regulations, relative to which Count Moncenigo and the President Teotochi have issued Procla mations.

Brest, March The effects of General Decaen, and of the officers belonging to the expedition to India, were yesterday embarked. They were themselves to go on board, and the fine weather will no doubt expedite their departure. The Captain-General Decaen, and Vice-Adm. Linois, embark in the Marengo. The ships employed in this expedition are crowded with a vast number of passengers. Transport vessels are expected

*No state, once reduced to fight in its own defence ever fought long. It is now about a century, that the military opera tions of Holland, Austria and Turkey have been confined to the defensive; and the warfare as well as the independence of these states, may be considered as having nearly ceased.