214] 
catried on with arms in our hands, 
that we may not be obliged tosubmit 
to destructive and disgraceful con- 
ditions, which this enemy, so apt to 
avail himself of the weakness of 
his adversaries, might choose to 
dictate, For this purpose lend me 
your assistance, ye prelates of the 
realm, ye who are the depositaries 
and first defenders of our holy re- 
ligion, and support my exertions 
with a zeal worthy of your aposto- 
lic mission. Summon the inhabi- 
tants of your dioceses to join me 
and my troops, to repell the ene- 
my, if he should dare to approach 
our frontiers. Explain to them 
the justice and im portance of our 
cause, and convince them that it is 
their bounden duty to concur in its 
defence. Let the voice of the 
church be heard through her mini- 
sters. and invite her children to 
support the cave of God, and to 
offer up prayers to him, that, in 
his mercy, he may grant us either 
a just peace, ora glorious triumph. 
(Signed) a FERDINAND. 
Naples, May 18, 1796, 
Edict of his Mujesty the King of Na- 
ples and the two Siciles, addressed 
to his Subjecis. 
We, Frrpinanp IV. by the 
Grace of God, &c. &c. 
SINCE the time when peace was 
interrupted in Europe, we redou- 
bled our care to preserve the public 
tranquillity, and to put the state 
in a safe condition of defence. We 
were, therefore, disposed to aug- 
ment our. land and sea forces, and 
to raise a considerable host of brave 
warriors on the frontiers of. this 
kingdom. Weafterwards put our- 
selves at the head of our.courageous 
troops, firmly resolved to use all 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
1796. 
the means in our power, and even 
to sacrifice our royal person. These 
effective preparations, added to 
lawful and becoming steps to ob- 
tain peace, give us hopes that our 
dominions will forthwith enjoy tran- 
quillity. At the same time we 
ought not to conceal, that in order 
to gain the proposed end of our de- 
signs, itis absolutely necessary to 
double the said preparations for 
the defence of the state, and the 
acceleration of a lasting and honour~ 
able peace, and to. station a still 
greater force than the present on 
the frontiers of our kingdom, We 
address ourselves to all the classes 
of our beloved subjects, and here- 
by do require them to contribute 
with all their power to the speedy 
augmentation of the army stationed 
in cantonments. We expect, a- 
mongst others, thatthe brave young 
men who have enrolled themselves 
for the defence of religion the 
throne, and the country, will now 
repair without delay to the fron- 
tiers, in order to put themselves 
under our immediate and personal 
command, with their brave com- 
rades ; and we hope that, in con- 
sequence of this, other volunteers 
will, in greater number, repair to 
the cantonments, that we may 
bring together a formidable army, 
and be enabled to secure the safety 
and tranquillity of the state, either 
by a permament peace, or by brilli- 
ant victorious. 
Done at Naples, Sept. 12,1796. 
Proclamation issued at Petersburgh, 
relating to Dutch Ships. 
WE, count Alexander: Nikola- 
zenwitsch, dohereby give directions 
for the immediate release and de- 
— of all the Dutch vessels, 
together 
eaen3ts 
we we 
