STATE 
' In the midst of these negotia- 
tions, the daily incroachments of 
the French government, its spirit of 
aggrandisement, and its unbounded 
- ambition, which threatened to swal- 
low vp our allies, at last compelled 
us to take an active part in the 
war 
We took up arms,’ but never 
ceased to wish for peace. We there. 
fore announced, by our ukases of 
the Ist of September, 1805, that the 
object of our arming was to main- 
tain the faith of our alliances, and 
to re-establish a general peace. 
The misfortune which attended 
the arms of the allies disappointed 
our intentions, but the principles 
on which we acted are not changed. 
The French government, in the 
beginning of the present year, shewed 
a disposition towards pacific ap- 
proximations. We gave orders to 
enter into discussions upon the sub- 
ject. 
The restoration of peace, which 
should combine the security of our 
empire with the interests of our 
allies, and with the general tranquil- 
lity of Europe, was laid down as the 
principles of the discussions. 
But to our regret the condition of 
the treaty concluded with France 
neither corresponded with the dig. 
__ nity of our empire nor with the in- 
terests of our allies. We there- 
_ fore refused to ratify those condi- 
tions. 
7 In order, nevertheless, to demon- 
strate the unalterable principles by 
_ which we are actuated, and which, 
under all events, we have kept 
Steadily in view, we have at the same 
_ -time explained the means and the 
_ principles in conformity to which 
we are disposed again to open ne- 
gotiations with the French govern. 
ment, 
PAPERS. 
799 
The principles which we have 
proposed are on the one hand so mo- 
derate that they cannot be rejected 
without a menace to the general se- 
curity, and on the other hand so 
conformable to the interests of all 
the powers concerned, that if they 
are accepted a general and lasting 
peace may be again restored to 
Europe. 
Kither peace or a continuance of 
war must necessarily be the result 
of this measure. We wish for 
peace, but if a durable peace, and 
one grounded upon reciprocal ad- 
vantages cannot be attained, we 
shall accountit a sacred duty which 
we owe to the honour of the Rus- 
sianname, to the. security of the 
country, to our faith pledged by 
treaties, to the general preservation 
of Europe, to abandon all pacific 
proceedings, and to make those ex- 
ertions which all those considerations 
render indispensable. 
We are persuaded, that the pro- 
vidence of the most high, who is 
the protector of truth, will defend 
our just cause with his strong arm. 
We are persuaded that our faith- 
ful subjects, animated at all times 
with love for their country, ac- 
tuated at all times with a spirit of 
honour, and sentiments of bravery, 
all surrounded with great examples 
of patriotic zeal, will unite their 
exertions with ours when called 
upon bythe security of Russia, by 
the voice of fame, and by our com- 
mands to co-operate for the general 
weal. 
In this firm persuasion, depending 
upon the aid of the Almighty, and 
the zeal of our faithful subjeets, we 
have thought it necessary to an- 
nounce to you beforehand our in- 
tentions, thereby to give you a fresh 
proof that in none of our under- 
takings 
