Kentucky Gazette And General Advertiser

In an article from Stutgard we are presented with a curious statement of the sort of conduct which Bonaparte has chalked out for the powers of the continent, in their relations with this country. The article clearly betrays its Parisian origin; and though not the official production of the French government, is written in that style which is consonant to its views. The system which is to be pursued with respect to this country is neither more nor less than this—England is to be degraded from the high rank she has long held among the states of Europe. She is to be reduced to the rank of a secondary power. She is to be allowed to take no interest in the politics of the continent. Her system is to be as insulated as her situation.

On these principles and grounds alone can the repose of the continent depend. This is not a hypothetical plan or policy; but according to the Stutgard politician, it has already begun to be reduced into practice, and will hereafter be steadily pursued. It is a singular circumstance that the first consul's act of mediation to Switzerland has been communicated to all the great powers of Europe, with the exception of England. The grounds of this exception are unequivocally explained in the articles to which we have alluded. The English government received no communication on the subject, because England "has nothing at all to do with the condition of a state situated in the centre of Europe." This doctrine, which has more than once been indirectly countenanced in the Official Journal, exceeds in absurdity whatever has been broached on the subject of the law of nations for ten centuries. If it were possible to find a British statesman, that would not hazard all rather than admit this doctrine, he ought to lose his head.