1832.] Wysocki's Narrative of the Polish Insurrection. 49 



was strictly forbidden by the Duke. Makrott was instantly at the heels 

 of every individual who absented himself from the barracks ; and the 

 direction of the academy was confided to General Trembicki. 



During this interval of terror and disorder, Xaverius Bronikowski 

 declared his irrevocable determination of withdrawing from the society, 

 and of refusing all future assistance ;* he accordingly abandoned his 

 usual occupations, resigned the editorship of the Polish Courier to 

 Mr. L. Zukowski, and changed his residence. On the 21st of Novem- 

 ber, Zaliwski, Bronikowski, and myself, repaired to the library of the 

 " Learned Society," under the pretext of visiting its cabinet of curiosities, 

 but in fact to meet Lelewel,t to whom Xaverius Bronikowski and 

 Maurice Mochnacki had already communicated the existence of a secret 

 military club. When Lelewel entered, I took the word, and spoke 

 pretty nearly as follows : 



" A report has been circulated, that the Polish army openly approves 

 the principles of the present government that it is inseparably and un- 

 conditionally attached to the Grand Duke that it boldly justifies the 

 abuses daily committed by the miserable slaves and spies that surround 

 it and that living at enmity with the nation, it only serves to oppress 

 and enchain her. In consequence of these rumours, I now declare to 

 you, most respected citizen, in the name of this so hatefully accused and 

 calumniated army, that we, indeed, have sworn fidelity to our king, 

 but he has also sworn fidelity to the nation. As the king has violated 

 his oath, he has absolved us from ours. We are now prepared to blend 

 our exertions with those of the nation, and fly to arms in defence of 

 those rights which were guaranteed us by the constitutional chart. You 

 need but speak ; your arguments and talents will serve as our guides. 

 You see in us present the organs of a vast number of officers who share 

 the same sentiments." 



Lelewel answered, that nobody imagined the army favoured an 

 unjust government, that the nation participated the views of the army, 

 and all good Poles thought as we did. " Though several military conspi- 

 racies," said he, " have had an unfortunate issue, still I doubt not your 

 efforts will be crowned with a happy result. Forty thousand men 

 under arms, who share the same opinions, and express the same wish, 

 cannot fail of bearing the national feeling along with them." In com- 

 pliance with the opinion of Lelewel, it was determined at this interview, 

 that the Sunday evening following, viz. 28th of November, should be 

 the day fixed for a general rising. After a subsequent interview with 

 Lelewel, we declared the revolt irrevocably fixed, even though it should 

 necessarily be delayed till Monday. 



Thursday, 25th November. After the departure of Lelewel, Urbanski, 

 Zaliwski, and myself, held an important deliberation, in which we came 

 to the following resolutions : 



" 1st. That the representatives of the society, viz. the officers of all the 



* We translate this passage exactly as it stands in Wysocki's deposition, notwith- 

 standing the obscurity to which it gives rise, as Bronikowski is found immediately 

 afterwards in closest intimacy with the society. Perhaps the present declaration 

 was made as a momentary blind to his enemies, in which case, some allusion might 

 have been expected in order to clear up the incongruity. 



f Lelewel is the name of the celebrated professor, so active in fanning the flame 

 of revolt among the students of the university. He is a man of most distinguished 

 talent, and has since been called to the cabinet. 



M. M. Senw. VOL. XIII. No. 73. E 



