46 Wysocki's Narrative of I he Polish Insurrection. [JAN. 



of the nation. About this time, Ensign Gorowski made me acquainted 

 with his brother Adam, who, in the name of his fellow-citizens, on 

 whom he bestowed unbounded praise, assured me of the success of the 

 undertaking. Shortly after, I was introduced into the house of the 

 deputy Zwierkowski, where I had sufficient opportunity of convincing 

 myself that the citizens were fully prepared to second the efforts of the 

 troops. 



A certain number of deputies, convened, at my suggestion, by Gus- 

 tavus Malachowski, decided, after mature consideration, that the mo- 

 ment for a general revolt could not yet be fixed, but that, in expectation 

 of a more favourable instant, every endeavour was to be made to ani- 

 mate the troops, and to disseminate a patriotic feeling among them. 



Captain Paszkiewicz having expressed a desire to be introduced to 

 some of these gentlemen, they were apprized of a meeting that was to 

 take place at my apartment. At this consultation it was agreed, that, 

 provided the war with Turkey was commenced immediately, it might 

 prove extremely advantageous to our enterprise; it was nevertheless 

 resolved to await the assembling of the Diet, which, it was said, would 

 take place by the end of April. I inquired of the gentlemen present 

 what was to be done if the Diet should not assemble at all, or in case the 

 war should be favourable to the Russians ; all, however, were of opinion 

 that no decisive stroke could be struck before the meeting of the Diet. 

 From this moment all our operations, which had commenced on the 

 15th of December, 1828, and had continued till the beginning of April, 

 were postponed. 



During this interruption I had an understanding with Urbanski, a 

 lieutenant of the grenadier guard, whom I informed of our secret asso- 

 ciation, and who promised, in case of need, to supply us with some 

 thousand cartridges, which he faithfully performed. From that instant 

 this officer, impressed with the noblest feelings of patriotism, was inces- 

 sant in his exertions for the national cause ; he always acted with vigour 

 and caution, and it is to him that we are perhaps most indebted for the 

 success of our efforts. 



A report was now spread of the expected coronation and the assembly 

 of the Diet, which enlivened our hearts with fresh hopes ; towards the 

 10th of May, 1829, we accordingly recommenced operations with new 

 ardour. Several landholders came to be present at the coronation. 

 The deputies Przeinski and Zwierkowski soon after waited on me, and 

 declared, that the longed-for hour of taking up arms for our indepen- 

 dence, under the eyes of the representatives of the nation, was already 

 at hand. " We will carry our petitions/' said these deputies, " to the 

 foot of the throne. We will require that the sittings of the Diet shall 

 be public, that the freedom of the press shall be guaranteed, that the 

 committee of examination, &c. &c. shall be abolished ; and if our requests 

 are refused, especially if the deputies are imprisoned, then you must 

 support our demands by force of arms." 



I communicated this declaration, with all its particulars, to the society ; 

 it was heard with the warmest enthusiasm, and not a doubt was enter- 

 tained that the nation would approve the justice of the plan now carry- 

 ing on by the army. The above-mentioned petition was attended by 

 no favourable result ; yet the deputies, in consideration of the state of 

 political circumstances, did not yet authorize our having recourse to 

 arms. Dissatisfied with the answer we received on the subject, we 



