STATE PAPERS. 



709 



The enemy lias entered the 

 country with a numerous army. It 

 appeared scarcely possible to resist 

 him ; but he soon learnt the power 

 of courage, when led by a chief so 

 brave and able as our minister of 

 war, prince Poniatowski. 



Poles ! Your battalions, which 

 the great hero has created, and in 

 whom he has inspired that valiant 

 spirit, the best proofs of which are 

 before his eyes have shown they 

 were worthy their creator. Inferior 

 in number, they not only resisted 

 the enemy, but successfully attack- 

 ed him. 



They have carried victory into 

 his provinces, and have every where 

 covered themselves with giory. 



The whole nation have on their 

 part shown that the valour and 

 patriotism of the ancient Poles is 

 theirs. The invasion of a numerous 

 enemy, far from intimidating them, 

 has only stimulated them to volun- 

 tary and extraordinary oflFers to sa- 

 crifice their private fortunes. They 

 have wholly devoted themselves to 

 the defence of their country. The 

 departments have emulated each 

 other, in filling the ranks of the 

 armies, and furnishing the neces- 

 sary contributions. They have 

 proved that the love of their coun- 

 try is a national quality, and have 

 rendered themselves worthy to be- 

 come models of that quality. Pro- 

 vidence has also crowned those 

 generous efforts with success. 



Our council of state has, by its 

 zeal and wisdom, seconded by all 

 the other constitutional authorities, 

 succeeded in maintaining the mea- 

 sures of the government, as far as 

 circumstances would permit. 



Poles! Your country owes its 

 safety to you ; it owes to you the 

 approbation of your great regene- 



rator, whose notice the brave con- 

 duct of the army, and the ardent 

 zeal of the nation will not have 

 escaped. It owes to you increased 

 respect among its neighbours, and 

 the glory which the sovereign feels 

 in reigning over such a nation. 



Though at a distance, our heart 

 has ever been with you. Your 

 situation was ever present to us. 

 Your fidelity and attachment to us, 

 has increased, if possible, ours to 

 you ; and if we have been unable 

 to afford j^ou the assistance our 

 heart desired, it was with pain we 

 were prevented by circumstances. 



Polish people! — Tranquillity is 

 restored to you, and the constitu- 

 tional government. Our great soli- 

 citude shall be to endeavour to 

 heal the wounds the war has occa- 

 sioned, reward merit, and restore 

 order ; which your future happi- 

 ness requires. On your part you 

 will contribute to this b}' entire 

 confidence in the government ; 

 which will be guided by our pater- 

 nal intentions. 



Given at Frankfort, on the 

 Maine, June 24, 1809. 



Frederic Augustus. 



Proclamation, dated Frankfort^ 

 June 24-. 



Frederic Augustus, by the grace 

 of God, king of Saxony, &c. 



Divine Providence has been so 

 beneficent to us, that since we have 

 been called to the government, we 

 have had only the agreeable duty 

 of offering him the homage of the 

 sincerest gratitude ; and we have 

 discharged this duty with so much 

 the more ardour, as our heart feels 

 no greater joy than in knowing 



that 



