STATE 
ie the remarks of their conductéts, 
| 
} 
l ever be abie to disgrace me. 
hereal copy ofmy letterof the22d, 
lord Harrowby is annexed. in 
comparing it with that inserted in 
the Moniteur, among other things 
may be observed, that there is 
any question, eithe r of a confe- 
ation to be formed which may 
dupt itself to events; but of that 
of concert adapted to circum- 
ances; nor yet of gaining time to 
ke measures more deci. ste, but only 
f the advantage of seeing things in 
clearer point of view, which might 
=expected to result ‘fromi the in- 
rmediary arrangement. Neither 
‘there any thing said of a plan that 
‘should haye submitted to lord 
arrowby ; but the intermediary 
rangement only is mentioned, 
ch was presented to him, to pre- 
nt any thing that might have im- 
%j ded the negociations ° which pro- 
sed the continuance of peace be- 
een Prussia and France, and 
hich would probably have led to a 
ni neral pacification. 
i 
E 
Hardenberg. 
lia, April 8, 1806. 
le: sage from his Majesty éo the 
Parliament, on Hostilities with 
5 majesty thinks it proper to 
juaint the house of commons, 
at he has found himself under the 
sity of withdrawing his minister 
fn the court of Berlin, and of 
ting provisionally measures of 
retaliation against the commerce 
navigation of Prussia. His ma. 
idee y regrets this extension apd 
eon of + Rai already so 
PAPERS. 689 
severely felt by the nations of the 
continent, whose independence and 
prosperity he has never ceascd to 
consider as intimately connected 
with those of his own people. But 
measures of direct hostility, delibe- 
rately adopted against him, have left 
him no alternative. 
In a moment of confidential in- 
tercourse, without even the pretence ’ 
of any cause of complaint, forcible 
possession has been taken by Prus- 
sia of his majesty’s clectoral domi. 
nions. Deeply as this event affected 
the interest of this kingdom, his 
majesty chose nevertheless to for- 
bear, on this painful occasion, all 
recourse to the tried and afiectionate 
attachment of his British subjects. 
He remonstrated, by amicable nego- 
ciation, against "the injury he had 
sustained, and rested his claim for 
reparation on the moderation of his 
conduct, on the justice of his repre- 
sentations, and on the common in- 
terest which Prussia herself must 
ultimately feel, to resist a system 
destructive of the security of all le. 
gitimate possession, But when, in- 
Stead of receiving assurances con- 
formable to this. just expectation, 
his majesty was informed that the 
‘determination had been taken, of 
excluding by force the vessels and 
the commodities of this kingdom, 
from ports and countries under 
the lawful dominion, or for. 
cible controul of Prussia; his ma- 
jesty could no longer delay to act, 
without neglecting the first duty 
which he owes to his people. The 
dignity-of his crown, and the inte. 
rests of his subjects, equally forbid 
his acquiescing in this open and un- 
provoked aggression. He has no 
doubt of the full support of his par- 
liament, in vindicating the honour of 
Yy the, 
