13S RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 



Malta, and restored the English ships detained in the ports of Russia, 

 He at the same time acted in conjunction with the first consul of 

 France, in settling the indemnities allotted to the princes and states 

 of the German empire, in which interference he probably had a view 

 (patriotic with respect to his own subjects) to the extension of the in-., 

 fluence and power of Russia, 



He did not, however, continue long to act in concert with the am- 

 bitious ruler of France. The occupation of the northern provinces of 

 Italy by the French troops was in violation of a secret convention be- 

 tween the two powers, and produced a remonstrance from count Mar- 

 kou the Russian ambassador at the court of Paris. The remonstrance 

 was not only disregarded, but the ambassador was so grossly insulted 

 by Bonaparte at a public levee, that he immediately returned home, 

 This treatment of his minister highly incensed Alexander, and the 

 execution of the duke of Enghien, which soon followed, heightened 

 his fears for the safety and independence of Europe. 



On the 11th of April, 1S05, a treaty of concert between Great 

 Britain and Russia was signed, and Austria was strongly solicited to 

 30m the league. The war which was now commenced was marked 

 by want of concert and management on the part of the allies, and 

 was consequently attended with defeat and disgrace. Prussia, Den- 

 mark, and the smaller German powers, were decidedly in the French 

 interest. The court of Austria continued wavering, until compelled 

 by the conduct of France either disgracefully to surrender her rights 

 or to assert them in the field. She preferred the latter, and com- 

 menced hostilities by entering with a considerable force the Bavarian 

 territory. The commander in chief, general Mack, was slow and 

 indecisive in his movements, and by no means popular with the army. 

 To this, and to the inadequacy of the Austrian forces, the disastrous 

 commencement of the campaign may in a great measure be attribut- 

 ed. The Russians did not make their appearance till the beginning 

 pf November, when 70,000 men, under general Kutosoff, joined the 

 Austrians on the banks of the Inn, but immediately retired upon the 

 approach of the French army, which amounted to 1 10,000. Here a 

 misunderstanding took place between the Russian and Austrian com- 

 manders, in consequence of which the latter withdrew his forces. 

 Kutosoff, thus weakened, continued his retreat to Znaim ; but the rear 

 of his army, under prince Bagration, was overtaken and attacked by 

 the whole French force at Hollebrun. After a severe conflict they 

 succeeded in cutting their way through the enemy, and effected a 

 junction with the main army. On the 27th of November, Kutosoff 

 was reinforced by uniting with the second Russian division under 

 general Buxhoven, and on the next day a column of the allies fell 

 with great impetuosity on the advanced guard of Murat at Wischau, 

 drove them from their post, and after a slight resistance made them- 

 selves masters of the town. On the same day the whole allied army 

 encamped in the vicinity of Wischau. Bonaparte, improving by this 

 slight reverse of fortune, pretended to retreat, and drew the allies 

 after him to Austerlitz. Here a severe engagement was fought on 

 the 2d of December, which terminated in the overthrow of the allied 

 army. The emperor of Austria, completely disheartened, signed 

 the humiliating treaty of Presburg, and the Russians returned home. 



The emperor Alexander, however, by no means abandoned the 

 idea of prosecuting the war, but made vigorous preparations for % 

 fresh campaign. The important Austrian'fortress of Cattaro, on the; 



