The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from Warsaw, May 14.

This Day will be for ever a shocking one to all free and independent Nations, and a most cursed and shameful one to ours; for Liberty, which was bred and born in this Country, and nourished with the Blood of her true Friends, and supported with Bravery Upon our Throne, for these eight or nine Centuries past, and had so mildly governed her Children, is slain this Day by Bribery and Corruption, and the whole Nation become everlasting Slaves to Tyranny. As the Division of this vast Empire amongst the three united Plunderers has been agreed on by a Majority of our Diet, and signed this very Day by our King and Ministry. The foreign Troops came into this City, all the Streets were filled by Austrian and Prussian Hussars, with drawn Swords, and in this Manner the Question was put to the Assembly. The Diet, or Parliament, after a short Debate, was divided, when there were found, 52 Votes for the King, against the Question, and 92 against the King, or the Question; the Majority was declared for the Question, and the King, together with his Party against it, were immediately obliged to sign it. The foreign Troops still remain in the publick Streets, for Fear of an Insurrection amongst the People; but the Ministers of the three united Powers declare that their Troops shall withdraw to-morrow, and that but a small Garrison is to remain here, to prevent any Disorders, but in the mean Time nobody is permitted to enter or pass the City Gates without being examined. Such is the Consequence of a Nation’s not being satisfied with its Fate, and such is the Consequence of an aristocratick Form of Government. Its Members are very easily bought by Places and Pensions, and for the least private Interest will sell the whole Nation, which has been the Cause of all our Misfortunes; for we are sure that the most terrible Menaces could not have prevailed, had not Bribery been in the Case.