SPARE? AP BS S: 
fhe new states formed by France, 
were states in the proper sense of 
the term, and not French provinces. 
But it cost the cabinet of St. Cloud 
only a word to deprive them of 
their independence. The appella- 
tion, The Great Empire, was in- 
vented, and that empire was imme- 
diately surrounded with vassals. 
Thus there was no trace of the 
treaty left, yet Prussia proceeded to 
shut her ports against England, and 
still considered herself as having 
obligations to fulfil. 
The emperor, at length, informed 
his majesty that it was his pleasure 
to dissolve the German empire, and 
form a confederation of the Rhine, 
and he recommended to the king to 
establish a similar confederation in 
the north of Germany.—This was 
according to his customary policy ; 
2 policy which had long been 
crowned with success ; at the mo. 
ment of the birth of any new pro- 
ject, to throw out a lure to those 
courts which might occasion diffi- 
culties in the execution of such pro- 
ject. The king adopted the idea 
of such a contederation, not that 
thg advice he reccived made the 
least impression on him, but because, 
in fact, it’ was rendered necessary 
by circumstances; and, because, 
after the succession of the princes 
who had acceded to the confedera- 
tion of the Rhine, a close union 
between those of the north, became 
more than ever the condition of 
their safety. The king took mea- 
sures to establish this league, but on. 
other principles from those of the 
model presented to him. He made 
it his pride to collect the last of the 
Germans under his banners ;° but 
the rights of each he left unimpaired, 
and honour alone was the bond of 
the league. 
807 
But could France advise the king 
to any measure which should be 
productive of adyantage to Prussia ? 
We shall soon see what is to be exe 
pected when France makes profes- 
sjous of favour. 
In the first place, care had been 
taken to introduce into the funda- 
mental statute of the confederation 
of the Rhine, an article which con- 
tained the germ of all future inno. 
vations. It provided, that other 
princes sliould be received into this 
confederation, shauld they desire it. 
In this manner, all. relations in 
Germany were left indeterminate - 
and as the means were still reserved 
to detach and annex to this league 
the weaker states, either by promise 
or threats, it was but too probable 
that, in time, this confederation 
would be extended into the heart of 
the Prussian monarchy. 
And, that this might no longer 
remain doubtful, but be manifest to 
every one, the first attempt was im- 
mediately made. Fortunately, it 
was made on a prince who knows 
not fear, and who considers inde- 
pendence as the highest object of 
his ambition. The French minister 
at Cassel invited the elector to throw 
himself into the arms of his master. 
Prussia, it was alledged, did nothing 
for her allies !—It is true, Napo- 
leon knows how to manage his 
better; and every one sees that 
Spain and Holland, and the kings 
of Wirtemberg and Bavaria, have 
to thank their alliance with him for , 
peace, independence, and honour ! 
Prussia did nothing for her allies. 
Napoleon, on the contrary, would 
reward the accession’ of the elector 
by an enlargement of his territory, 
And this treachery was exercised 
towards an ally, and at the very 
moment when the king was advised 
3F4 to 
