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But I cannot help thinking it strange that the Times and Courier, disfigured and muall these prisoners, and all these cannon, tilated, that any part of it is correct? should have been taken from the French, Buonaparté has been accused of "mean without the Allies admitting that they had" spiritedness," of "whining," and of a single man killed, or wounded, or a "cowardice," because he tells his subsingle prisoner taken. Lord Burghersh jects the extent of his losses, and does not states, that there was much hard fighting; conceal from them the dangers to which the that the Allies were "strongly opposed," country is exposed. But I would rather that the French made repeated attacks upon trust a man who tells me all the truth, them, and were repulsed with difficulty. however disagreeable that truth may be, Was there nobody but Frenchmen that fell than he who keeps back a part of it. The on this occasion? were the skins of the former, I am certain, knows how to prac Cossacks impenetrable to shot? or had the tise deceit: the latter values himself upon holy charm, which every Russian carries being an honest man. It is from this view with him to battle, so miraculous an effect of matters, that I am inclined to believe on this occasion, that they neither lost leg the following account which Napoleon nor arm? But, reader, let me not deceive gives of the cause of the loss of his cannon, you; for I find, on again casting my eyes to be the true one: In the midst of over the very satisfactory and accurate" "the obscurity of the night, a battery of letter of Colonel Lowe, that I was mistaken" the artillery of the guard, following the in supposing the Allies had neither killed" movements of a column of cavalry, which nor wounded. I say, I find I was mis-" was advancing to repulse a charge of the taken in this, because I have now disco-" enemy, lost its way, and was taken. vered, what had formerly escaped my no- "When the cannoniers perceived the amtice, that "Cossack orderly of General "bush into which they had fallen, and ❝ Guiessenau, was shot by his (Blucher's)" saw that they had not time to form their "side." I suppose this unfortunate Cos" battery, formed themselves in a squa sack had either lost his holy amulet, or had "dron, attacked the enemy, and saved the neglected, in the morning, to offer up his "horses and harness. They lost fifteen prayers to St. Nicholas. He had certainly "men killed or taken prisoners."The been guilty of some very great crime, that reader will observe, that I have hitherto be, of all the thousands who had been ex- been speaking merely of the battle of the posed to the fire of the enemy, should be 1st. I shall notice what is said about the the only one that was slain. But, perhaps, loss of both sides on the 2d, after I have Heaven intended by this to show how stated my reasons for believing that Budhighly it favoured General Blucher, by di- naparté was not personally engaged in the recting the shot, which was probably battle of Brienne, and that he afterwards pointed at the "hoary veteran," to the drew off his troops from that quarter, not head or heart of the Cossack, whom it le- because they were routed, but because he velled with the dust. "If Europe be had previously intended to do so. Lord "saved," says the Courier, "Blucher Burghersh does not say, in as many words, "will be placed in the first rank of her sa- that the French Emperor took a part in the "viours!!"—But let us now return to my action. He merely states, that Buonaparté Lord Burghersh. If we are to consider placed his army so and so, that Buonaparté his Lordship's statement a faithful detail of continued the action with considerable ob what passed on the 1st instant, we shall stinacy, &c. All this we know he could be compelled to admit the power of the have directed to be done, without leaving holy charms of the Russians. But if we do his head-quarters. Of the Russian general, not; if we are to regard it as a mere partial Lord Burghersh speaks thus: "General account of the proceedings of that day, and "Blucher was present at the defence of this that many things passed before him, things" village, and contributed materially by his which others, who saw them, viewed as matters of importance, and which were really so: if, I say, his Lordship has told us only half the truth in one instance, how are we sure that he has told us the whole truth in every other? Or rather, be lieving that he did transmit a full detail of these occurrences, how are we sure, when we find that detail, as I have found it in

"exertions in the repulse of the enemy."Here the person of Blucher is so completely identi fied with the occurrences of the day, that it is impossible to mistake his being present. But there is no such identity of Buonaparté ; it is not said that he was present in any part of the action. If he had been on the spot, it cannot be believed that Lord Burg hersh would have omitted noticing, and

that in the most pointed manner, a cir- "engaged," and the votaries of these lying cumstance so well calculated, as the defeat idols, who would hold it criminal were of Napoleon in person, to enhance the they to entertain a doubt as to the veracity, value of the victory. Besides, it appears are ready to exterminate every man who from the French bulletin that he actually ventures to differ from them in opinion on was not there. "On the 28th the this subject. With them the French bul"Emperor went to Montierender. On letins contain nothing but "impudent false"the 29th, at 8 in the morning, Gene-" hoods." Even our own official accounts "ral Grouchy, who commands the cavalry, are rejected, or thrown aside, if they come sent word that General Milhaud, &c." in contact with their favourite journals. But Here we find him at a distance from leaving these groveling insects to enjoy the scene of action, and one of his Generals their fancied triumph, let us proceed, in the sending him word as to the movements of developement of the motives which induced the Allies; a step which would not have Buonaparte to withdraw his rear guard. been necessary had he been there in person from before Brienne. We have already to observe them. It is no where said that seen that this was not because of a defeat, Buonaparte left Montierender until the 3d for at the close of the battle, as admitted instant, on the noon of which day we find he by Lord Burghersh, "the enemy still held "entered Troyes."--But I shall be told that "the ground beyond La Rothiere, and was the fact of Buonaparte's personal presence is" still in possession, at the dark, of the put beyond all doubt by the letter of Colo- heights of Brienne." Even "next mornnel Lowe, who appears to have been" ing". (i. e. the morning of the 2d iustant): a witness of the whole transaction, and, says his lordship, "his rear guard was in therefore, it was but natural to expect"occupation of the position of Brienne." that he would be able to tell us some Those who have been in the practice of thing positive, something certain as to observing the military progress of Buona Buonaparte." Colonel Lowe's detail parté, must have remarked, that he has (says Sir C. Stewart) is so satisfactory, been indebted for the greater part of his " and so accurate, from his having had the victories, to his manœuvring, and the "advantage of being with Marshal Blucher in promptness with which he executes all his "the advance during the whole of the day." designs. In fact, he calculates more upon the rapidity and variety of his movements, than upon any other circumstance.. These he knows tend to embarrass his opponents, to deceive them as to his ulterior views; and when he finds, as he commonly does, that he has bewildered them, that he has drawn their attention from the

Let us see then what this very accurate Colonel, who saw every thing, says about the presence of Napoleon. He states, that "Buonaparte, in person, it is REPORTED "by the prisoners, led on the attack him"self, at the head of the young guard, and "had a horse shot under him."- -So this is what Sir Charles Stewart calls satis-real object he has in view, he never fails factory and accurate information. It is reported by the prisoners. Why not asserted by Colonel Lowe who was " in the "advance during the whole day," and could not fail to see Buonaparte if he "led "on the attack himself?"- -It is either true that Buonaparté led on the attack himself, or it is unlikely that Colonel Lowe was in the advance during the whole day. For the former of these statements, we have only the report of the Colonel to whom it was reported by some prisoners: neither he nor Sir Charles Wilson say that they believe the fact. But for the latter we have the positive assertion of both these officers. The fair and rational conclusion, therefore, is, that Buonaparté neither led on the attack himself, nor was present during any part of the action. The Times and the Courier, however, will have it that Buonaparté was actively

to turn this to good account. The advantages which Napoleon had gained on the side of Brienne, prior to the 30th of January, though, very decisive, in their nature, seem to have been more the result of the impetuosity and enthusiastic courage of his troops, than of any regular plan of this nature. They had driven the Allies from several strong positions: but there were still others which the vast accumulation of force that every day brought to the Allied army, rendered much more formidable, and which Buonaparte, with, his usual pe netration, appears to have very soon dis covered required something more than the native enthusiasm of his raw undisciplined soldiers to overcome. He, therefore, determined on concentrating his army, and effecting a junction of his different corps, which at that moment occupied separate positions, for the purpose of enabling him

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to carry on operations in a quarter, where" be after such naughty tricks." But they he had calculated upon acting with greater could not conceal from the public, at least effect. That Buonaparte had formed this for any length of time, the fact as recorded' resolution prior to the battle of the 1st, by Buonaparté; neither could the attentive appears to me clear from what is said in the observer long remain ignorant, that the official bulletin, which the reader will pro- French rear guard had actually begun its bably think with me, deserves as much march towards Troyes, before the allied credit as the very "satisfactory and accu- army ventured, even with all its accumula"rate" letter of Colonel Lowe, of which tion of force, to attack it. Napoleon forewe have already had so notable a specimen. saw that it was probable something might "The 31st," says the bulletin," was ein- be attempted against this part of his army, "ployed by us in repairing the bridge of and therefore he provided against it. We' 66 Lesmont, on the Aube, the Emperor in- have seen what was the result. Not the de"tending to advance towards Troyes, to feat and dispersion of the enemy; no comoperate upon the columns which directed pelling them to abandon their positions; "their march by Bar-sur-Aube, and the but, on the contrary, a complete repulsion ❝ road of Auxerre upon Sens. The bridge of the main body of the united army of "of Lesmont could not be repaired before Russia, of Austria, of Prussia, and of Wer"the 1st of February in the morning; a temburgh, acting under the immediate com66 part of the troops were immediately made mand of their most celebrated Generals, "to file off." Here, then, it is distinctly and encouraged by the presence of the Emstated, that Buonaparté had resolved on the peror of Russia, the King of Prussia, the' 31st ult., if not before, to remove his head- Prince Royal of Wertemburgh, and the quarters to Troyes; to advance, not to re- never to be forgotten Prince Schwartzentreal, as the Courier most impudently as burgh, who, in person, received, on this serted. Not only had Napoleon adopted occasion, a sword from the Emperor Alexthis resolution on that day, but he actually ander, for the skill and talent he had “discaused a part of his troops "immediately" played in bringing the troops under his "to file off.”. -These were the troops who had, only two days before, defeated the Allies, after a whole day's fighting, and driven them beyond Brienne. Instead of filing off in consequence of having been themselves beaten by the Allies instead of relrealing before a victorious army, they were retiring of their own accord, in compliance with the orders of their Generals who had cut out work for them in another" pieces of cannon and about 4,000 priquarter. The circumstance of the other "soners" from them. We have already divisions of Buonaparte's army having been seen, that it was not by fighting, but previously in advance towards Troyes, at by accident, that the Allies got possession once accounts for this one being called the of a great proportion, at least, of these rear guard. It is true, neither Lord cannon. We have also seen it positively Burghersh, Sir Charles Stewart, nor Colo-asserted by Buonaparte, that, at the terminel Lowe tell us any thing of the intention nation of the battle of the 1st, "few priof the French Emperor, nor of the actual" soners were made on either side.". movement of his troops on the 31st January. The affair of the 1st had created a pause in ̈ But I have already shewn, that the dis- the movement of the enemy's rear. patches of these officers, as they appear in after the action was over; early in the the Gazette, are entirely silent as to every morning of the 2d, it again began to file thing that occurred before the 1st instant. off. His columns," says Lord BurgThe most glorious victory" obtained on hersh, " appear to have began their movethat day by the Allies was enough for them "ment to the rear, about one in the mornto think of. It gave them no leisure, even "ing." had they felt the inclination, to notice" says the French bulletin) to finish passevents which had proved glorious only to the enemy, and which they were not disposed to be the willing instruments of handing down to posterity. No, no; they knew the taste of "John Bull" better than

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"orders to the brilliant situation" which they then occupied.Mark, reader, the brilliant situation of troops, who had endeavoured for nearly a whole day, but in vain,' to compel the rear guard of Buonaparte's army to abandon its positions.- -But,' then, though the Allies could not, with 80,000 men, force this incorrigible rear guard to move an inch, they took "75

But

"It successively took positions

ing the bridge of Lesmont and rejoining "the rest of the army." It was at this critical moment that the Allies again resolved to renew the attack. They saw the rear guard separated from the main body

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of Napoleon's army; they observed its ex- which it appears, that the Allies entered posed situation, occasioned by the necessity that place on the 7th, in consequence of there was of changing its front, and of Buonaparté having left it the night before, contracting its files, in order to effect the and proceeded to Nogent. Troyes is about passage of a narrow bridge. Taking ad- 95 miles from Paris, and Nogent 70. The vantage of these circumstances, and while following French official bulletin, which part of the French division were actually has been confirmed by the arrival of Paris in position upon the bridge of Rosnay," papers to the 15th instanty shows that Nait was "attacked by an Austrian corps poleon has again commenced offensive ope "which had passed behind the woods.' rations, and that these have been attended It cannot be surprising, then, if a part of with very considerable success. The enthe French division, which must have re-gagement took place near Chateau Thiery.' mained on the Brienne side of the bridge "Paris, Feb. 12. (Telegraphic Disof Rosnay; which must have been isolated" patch. The day before yesterday, Feb. from the mass of the rear guard that had 10, the Emperor completely defeated at either crossed or was "in position upon "Russian corps near Sezanne. The Ge "the bridge." It will not, I say, appear"neral was taken, and his Staff, forty extraordinary if some of those troops" cannon, 6,000 men, all the caissons," which were surprised by the Austrian corps" the baggage and materiel. Yesterday, that had been concealed from view by the" the 11th, the Emperor completely dewoods, were taken prisoners, and that a "feated and put to rout the corps of Ge considerable number of them were killed" neral Sacken, of whom he has taken 50 and wounded. The French bulletin states" pieces of cannon, and 10,000 men." their loss in the two days at from 2 to The negociations are still going on at 3,000 killed or wounded; and adds, "that Chatillon, whence dispatches were reof the enemy has at least been double." ceived from Lord Gastlereagh, dated the Our dispatches, on the other hand, do not 10th. The Morning Post says, "that acknowledge the loss of a single man on the "Lord Castlereagh has recommended to part of the Allies; except, indeed, we ad- his colleagues the measure of peace with mit, that the "orderly Cossack," who fell" Buonaparte, whose authority is most by the side of Blucher, ought to be consi-"unfortunately ascertained to be unshaken, dered a person slain in battle, and not by" and his means of carrying on the war the hand of St. Nicholas, as a punishment" ample enough to discourage the hope of for losing his holy amulet, or for having "breaking down or overthrowing his pow impiously neglected to offer up prayers to "er;"" that the allied powers have found that Saint. Which of the statements are to the enemy much stronger than they exbe adopted as the most correct, the reader "pected; and that unless we become parwill be at no loss to determine, from what "ties, not only in the negociations, but I have already said. For my part, I can-" to the treaty which they are concluding, not refuse my assent to the leading facts "we expose ourselves to the charge of› stated in the French bulletin, because that "being considered as the sole obstacles to statement appears perfectly open, natural, peace, and being left alone to bear the and consistent; whereas, on the other side," burdens of an exhausting war, which we there is an obvious concealment of some 66 might have closed with safety and hoof the most important results, which "nour." It is said by the Morning Chrois sufficient, in my apprehension, to create nicle, that the Morning Post is the go, a doubt as to the truth of the whole. vernment demi-official journal, as the Courier, which deprecates all intercourse! OCCURRENCES OF THE WAR.Dis with the "Assassin of one of the Bourbonpatches have been received from Lord Burg," Princes," is that which belongs › to hersh, dated Troyes, the 8th instant, from Carlton House.

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Published by G. BAGSHAW, Brydges Street, Covent-Garden.'

LONDON: Printed by J. M'Creery, Black-Horse-Court, Fleet-street.""

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VOL. XXV. No. 9.] LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1814. [Price 1s.

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SUMMARY OF POLITICS. "THE SCOURGE OF GOD."- -A Corres pondent, whose letter will be found in another part of this Number, has "taken me "" to task," as it is called, upon the subject of my notions, relative to the charge against Buonaparte, that he is the "scourge of "God." A charge, indeed, it is not, in my view of the matter; but, rather, an exculpation.This gentleman, who calls himself a constant reader, sets out with observing, though, I must confess, in a very moderate strain, that I do not understand matters of polemic divinity. He is very right; but, then, he should bear in mind, that I never pretended to understand them; and, he must permit me to observe, in my turn, that to say that I am ignorant of what I am writing about, or have been writing about, is but an indifferent opening to an answer to my positions or my arguThis subject, I am told by my correspondent, is not my fort; but, be it remembered, that I have never attempted to enter into it, except in cases, where our adversaries have mixed up religion with politics, and in such a way as made it impossible to separate them, in any commentary upon their writings. If divine right; or divine power; or divine authority, be introduced into a political discussion, it must make part of the subject on one side as well as on the other side. If the adversaries of our liberties will, in future, forhear to enrol Divine Providence on their side; if they will forbear thus to degrade, or endeavour to degrade the Deity, for the purpose of giving a sanction to the acts of tyrants, they will never find me introducing religion, or religious, subjects, into the Register. But, as long as Napoleon, or any other despot, though more hypocritical than be, shall put forth his claims to obedience, upon the ground of his being upheld by God, so long shall I, as often as the case requires, endeavour to show the folly of all such claims. So long as there are men to call upon us to make war, to spend hundreds of millions of money, and to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of lives,

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in the name of Divine Providence, it will be right and necessary to inquire into the probable share which Divine Providence has in the matter.- -So much for the general objection to the mixing of religion with politics. It is not I who cause this unnatural mixture; but those vile men, who are continually dragging Divine Providence into the discussion.My reasoning is, too, always, upon these points, hypothetical. I pretend to know nothing at all about the will of God in these political matters. I merely take the positions of the adversary, and show, or endeavour to show, that they are false; or, that, if true, they make against, instead of for, the hateful and bloody cause of the tyrants of the earth, the enemies of human liberty and happiness. If, in doing this, I wound the prejudices of men, who have never thought for themselves; if I offend men, who will have it, that the Bible was dictated by God to be a rule to men, and yet, that men ought to be execrated for imitating the examples there given; men, who will have it, that Napoleon may have been an instrument in the hands of God to do certain things, and yet, that those who adore God, ought to execrate Napoleon for doing those things; men, who think, or pretend to think, that God sent Napoleon to Moscow, and that now, to punish him for going to Moscow, he is sending the Cossacks to burn Paris. If I offend men of this sort, I am not sorry for it; for, I am very sure, that such men are utterly incapable of thinking right upon any of the matters, with regard to which it is my wish to produce an impression on their minds. Such men, though they may talk about liberty, do not, and cannot understand what it means. They are the creatures of habit, of error, of passion; fit to make part of a rabble, but quite unfit for any thing beyond it.I now come to the particular points of any correspondent's letter.Certain writers having denomi nated Napoleon the "Scourge of God," and then imputed to himself the guilt, the infamy, of the acts committed in that capacity, I showed the inconsistency, the folly, the absurdity, of such notions. My corres

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