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Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Napoleon Bonaparte addresses the Deputies of the Polish Confederation at Wilna, expressing sympathy for Poland's cause, authorizing their efforts for national rights, and promising support contingent on unanimous action, while guaranteeing Austria's Polish territories.
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To the Deputies of Polish Confederation, at Wilna.
"Gentlemen Deputies,
"I have heard with interest what
you have related to me.
"Poles! I would have thought &
acted like you: like you I would
have voted in the Assembly at War-
saw. Love of country is the first
duty of civilized man."
"In my situation I have many in-
terests to conciliate, and many du-
ties to perform. Had I reigned dur-
ing the 1st, 2d or 3d partition of Po-
land, I would have armed all my
people to support you. Immedi-
ately that victory enabled me to res-
tore your ancient laws to your capi-
tal; and a part of your Province.
I did it without prolonging a war
which would have continued to spill
the blood of my subjects.
"I love your nation. For six-
teen years I have seen your soldiers
by my side, in the fields of Italy, as
well as in those of Spain.
"I applaud all you have done; I
authorise the efforts you wish to
make; I will do every thing that
depends on me to second your reso-
lutions.
"If your efforts are unanimous,
you may conceive the hope of reduc-
ing your enemies to acknowledge
your rights, but in these countries,
so distant and extensive, it is entirely
upon the unanimity of the efforts of
the population which covers them,
that you must found your hopes of
success.
"I have held to you the same lan-
guage since my first appearance in
Poland: I must add here, that I
have guaranteed to the emperor of
Austria the integrity of his domi-
nions; and that I cannot sanction any
manoeuvres, or any movement which
may tend to trouble the peaceable
possession of what remains to him of
the Polish Provinces. Let Lithua-
nia, Samogitia, Witepsk, Polisk,
Mohilow, Volhynia, the Ukraine,
Podolia, be animated with the same
spirit which I have seen in Great
Poland, and Providence will crown
with success your holy cause: He
will recompense that devotion to
your country which has rendered
you so interesting and acquired you
so many claims to my esteem and
protection, and upon which you may
depend under every circumstance."
What sub-type of article is it?
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Wilna
Key Persons
Outcome
bonaparte authorizes polish efforts and promises support if unanimous, but guarantees austria's polish territories and prohibits disturbances there.
Event Details
Bonaparte delivers a speech to the Deputies of the Polish Confederation at Wilna, expressing admiration for their patriotism, recalling his past support for Poland after victories, authorizing their resolutions, and urging unanimous efforts across regions like Lithuania, Samogitia, Witepsk, Polisk, Mohilow, Volhynia, Ukraine, Podolia, and Great Poland for success, while noting his guarantee to Austria.