The great Western question

Popular opinion went much farther. The Turks who advanced into Servia declared, in plain terms, that they expected the assistance of France; that it„was the wish of the Grand.. Signior to plant a military force on the frontiers of Servia, for the purpose of threatening Austria, and thus preventing v. her from joining the coalition.

This would explain the fact that, whilst on former occasions a Pacha of Bosnia had disdained to > fight against the Servians, the Grand Vizier Churs chid in person now led the army against them.

The opinion of Andreossy was   that England, in order to occupy the attention of the Turks, and to prevent a renewal of the war on the Danube, had fomented the disturbances at Bagdad and the movements of the Persians, which were connected therewith, against the Ottoman empire.*

At a time when all the powers were necessarily engaged in the endeavour to bring to an issue the great Western question on which the re establishment or the downfall of the old States depended  it would unquestionably have proved a general calamity, had either Russia or Austria been compelled to resume the war on the Danube. How often have the Russians been reproached for having, at the breaking out of the Prussian war of 180G, divided their forces, and ventured at the same time to undertake a campaign on the Danube !

But might not something yet have been achieved in favour of Servia ? We must leave this question • undecided. In Europe, the minds of men were so occupied, that very little thought was given to this has tern dispute. But this is certain   Servia was now left without assistance.

The Servians, however, fully understood the gravity and importance of the approaching struggle.

As soon as the enemy’s advance was ascertained, Kara George ordered prayer meetings to be held in all the Kneshines, in the week before the festival of /u ,LC St. Peter and St. Paul. The proclamation which Kara George had sent to all the Woiwodes, was read in full assembly*, after the monks had repeated their vigils, and had prayed for victory over their enemies. In it he reminds the people of the grounds on which they had risen against the Turks: “ that they had for nine years fought victoriously against them, every man not only for himself, but also for his religion, and for the lives of his children.

They had found, loo, a protector; fur by a treaty Avhich lie had made, the Turks had been forbidden to return into the towns and palanks. To this the Sultan at Constantinople had agreed: but not so the Spahis and Janissaries, the citizens, and other inhabitants AATIO had been driven from the country.

The Turks had come, in opposition to the will of their imperial master, to rc conquer Serna; and they had determined to behead every male above the age of seven, to lead the women and children into captivity and make them Maho  matans, and to settle another people in these districts. But,” he proceeded, “ have AVC any good reason to fear them ?

Are they not the same enemies whom avc conquered in earlier times, when A\re had no means of resistance but our courage ? XOAV, on the contrary, we count one hundred and fifty cannon in the country; seven fortresses, strongly built of stone; forty entrenchments   before Avhich the Turks have often bled without being able to capture them; and our numbers are doubled by the arrival among us of our brethren of the land. Xo! for ten years AVC can resist them without any foreign aid: but, before the lapse of half a year, AVC shall Avitness the arrival of our ally. Only let the nation rise unanimously, take up arms, and not grudge even their lives in defence of their country and their religion.”

Great European Conflict.

The Christian and the Islamite Principles represented in the Servians and the Turks.   Opinion of the French. Ambassador at Constantinople respecting the Conduct of England.   Solemn Religious Meetings and Warlike Proclamations of the Servians.   Anticipated Aid of Russia.

Monarchical Government of Kara George.   Changes in the Servian Constitution.   Difference betiveen the Present and Former Military Proceedings.   Character of the Heydnc Welilto.   First Collision of the Servians with the Turks. Death of Weliko in the Defence of Negotin. Devastating Progress of the Turks on the Danube.   Junction of the Armies of the Grand Vizier and the Cupitan Pacha. Servian Prisoners conducted to Constantinople.   Continued Advance of the Turks.   Disastrous State of Servia.   Defection and. Flight of Kara George.  The Turks take Possession of Smederewo and Belgrade without Resistance.

At the time when all the powers of civilised Europe were prepared to settle the most momentous question that had arisen for centuries, a conflict arose on the very boundaries of this continent, amongst those whom we may, without wronging them, truly style barbarians: a conflict which, though it cannot be compared with that which agitated Europe, as regards its influence on the world in general, was yet of great importance in determining the superiority of the Christian or of the Islam sway.

Nevertheless, some connexion miglit be observed between the two contests. The French Ambassador  who, unfortunately, was too reserved respecting his negotiations reported only that the Porte, notwithstanding the disaster which had befallen the French, had not yielded to the influence of the combined Powers ; but that, on the contrary, he had found greater facility in the prosecution of his diplomatic duties.

Popular opinion went much farther. The Turks who advanced into Servia declared, in plain terms, that they expected the assistance of France; that it„was the wish of the Grand.. Signior to plant a military force on the frontiers of Servia, for the purpose of threatening Austria, and thus preventing v. her from joining the coalition.

This would explain the fact that, whilst on former occasions a Pacha of Bosnia had disdained to > fight against the Servians, the Grand Vizier Churs  >          chid in person now led the army against them.

The opinion of Andreossy was   that England, in order to occupy the attention of the Turks, and to prevent a renewal of the war on the Danube, had fomented the disturbances at Bagdad and the movements of the Persians, which were connected therewith, against the Ottoman empire.*

At a time when all the powers were necessarily engaged in the endeavour to bring to an issue the great Western question   on which the re establishment or the downfall of the old States depended  it would unquestionably have proved a general calamity, had either Russia or Austria been compelled to resume the war on the Danube. How often have the Russians been reproached for having, at the breaking out of the Prussian war of 180G, divided their forces, and ventured at the same time to undertake a campaign on the Danube !

But might not something yet have been achieved in favour of Servia ? We must leave this question • undecided. In Europe, the minds of men were so occupied, that very little thought was given to this has tern dispute. But this is certain   Servia was now left without assistance.

The Servians, however, fully understood the gravity and importance of the approaching struggle.

As soon as the enemy’s advance was ascertained, Kara George ordered prayer meetings to be held in all the Kneshines, in the week before the festival of /u ,LC St. Peter and St. Paul. The proclamation which Kara George had sent to all the Woiwodes, was read in full assembly*, after the monks had repeated their vigils, and had prayed for victory over their enemies. In it he reminds the people of the grounds on which they had risen against the Turks: “ that they had for nine years fought victoriously against them, every man not only for himself, but also for his religion, and for the lives of his children.

They had found, loo, a protector; fur by a treaty Avhich lie had made, the Turks had been forbidden to return into the towns and palanks. To this the Sultan at Constantinople had agreed: but not so the Spahis and Janissaries, the citizens, and other inhabitants AATIO had been driven from the country.

The Turks had come, in opposition to the will of their imperial master, to rc conquer Serna; and they had determined to behead every male above the age of seven, to lead the women and children into captivity and make them Maho  matans, and to settle another people in these districts. But,” he proceeded, “ have AVC any good reason to fear them ?

Are they not the same enemies whom avc conquered in earlier times, when A\re had no means of resistance but our courage ? XOAV, on the contrary, we count one hundred and fifty cannon in the country; seven fortresses, strongly built of stone; forty entrenchments   before Avhich the Turks have often bled without being able to capture them; and our numbers are doubled by the arrival among us of our brethren of the land. Xo! for ten years AVC can resist them without any foreign aid: but, before the lapse of half a year, AVC shall Avitness the arrival of our ally. Only let the nation rise unanimously, take up arms, and not grudge even their lives in defence of their country and their religion.”

WAR IN SERVIA IN THE YEAR 1813

Were not these the same contentions and disputes which had been the principal causes of the war ? Could it be imagined that the Spahis   who formed a large portion of the army, which was already on the boundary of the country   would consent to be excluded from what they deemed their inheritance: at a moment too, when every thing seemed favourable for its recovery ?

The Turks were again in possession of Moldavia and Wallachia, as well as of Widdin, and were also masters of Bulgaria. They were moreover inspired with peculiar confidence; from the circumstance that in the course of that very spring, the Holy Cities in Arabia had been freed from the Wechabites, and their keys brought to Constan tinople. Under this aspect of affairs, would the victorious armies of the Grand Signior hesitate to commence the war with the rebellious Servian Raja?

At that very time, also, was received the news of the battle of Lut/.en, which was regarded as a defeat of the Russians ; and all fear of them was entirely cast aside. Resides, the Turks did not consider that they had broken the treaty; since the Servians rejected the interpretation which the Porte had given to it.

Determined to maintain the privileges of Islamism undiminished within the boundaries of the Empire, the Turkish army advanced towards the; Servian frontiers, and recommenced the war.

Great European Conflict.   The Christian and the Islamite Principles represented in the Servians and the Turks.   Opinion of the French. Ambassador at Constantinople respecting the Conduct of England.   Solemn Religious Meetings and Warlike Proclamations of the Servians.   Anticipated Aid of Russia.   Monarchical Government of Kara George.   Changes in the Servian Constitution.   Difference betiveen the Present and Former Military Proceedings.   Character of the Heydnc Welilto.

First Collision of the Servians with the Turks.  ft [la deli s jealousy of Weliko.  Death of Weliko in the Defence of Negotin. Devastating Progress of the Turks on the Danube.   Junction of the Armies of the Grand Vizier and the Cupitan Pacha. Servian Prisoners conducted to Constantinople.   Continued Advance of the Turks.   Disastrous State of Servia.   Defection and. Flight of Kara George.  The Turks take Possession of Smederewo and Belgrade without Resistance.

At the time when all the powers of civilised Europe were prepared to settle the most momentous question that had arisen for centuries, a conflict arose on the very boundaries of this continent, amongst those whom we may, without wronging them, truly style barbarians: a conflict which, though it cannot be compared with that which agitated Europe, as regards its influence on the world in general, was yet of great importance in determining the superiority of the Christian or of the Islam sway.

Nevertheless, some connexion miglit be observed between the two contests. The French Ambassador  who, unfortunately, was too reserved respecting his negotiations reported only that the Porte, notwithstanding the disaster which had befallen the French, had not yielded to the influence of the combined Powers ; but that, on the contrary, he had found greater facility in the prosecution of his diplomatic duties.

Popular opinion went much farther. The Turks who advanced into Servia declared, in plain terms, that they expected the assistance of France; that it„was the wish of the Grand.. Signior to plant a military force on the frontiers of Servia, for the purpose of threatening Austria, and thus preventing v. her from joining the coalition.

This would explain the fact that, whilst on former occasions a Pacha of Bosnia had disdained to > fight against the Servians, the Grand Vizier Churs  >          chid in person now led the army against them.

Fortress to the Turks

The Turks who had been banished were to return into the towns and Palanks. Nothing else, it was said, could be meant by the Peace of  Bucharest. .Jt now remained for Kara George to verify his words, and to submit to what had been agreed upon by the two Emperors; and any one dissatisfied with this arrangement was at liberty to emigrate.

But if the Servians were to deliver up their arms, and the Turks were to resume their possessions, a still further rc establishment of the former state of things was to be expected. To these demands, therefore, the deputies could not, and would not, agree. Consequently, towards the spring, the Turkish troops assembled close to the Servian frontiers. They had also other business in that neighbourhood; to act against Molla Pacha, the successor of Passwan Oglu, at AViddin; whom, as one who had raised himself to independent power, the Sultan was no longer disposed to tolerate.

In order to save himself, Molla Pacha had at one time actually offered to surrender his citadel to the Servians; but when it came to the point, he could not, as a “good Turk,” make up his mind to take a step so decisive in favour of Christians. Nor, perhaps, would the oiler have been accepted; as the Servians had received express instructions from St. Petersburg to remain quiet, and by no means to provoke the Turks; who would not then venture to violate the existing treaty. At the same time, Molla Pacha, pressed by his opponents in the town itself, was under the necessity of surrendering his fortress to the Turks.

Kara George now .found himself oldiged to concede an important point to the Turks. He consented to admit their garrisons into the fortresses ; but jon condition that.their small arms, which they had formerly been permitted to wear, should be left to the Servians. He also insisted that, at all events, those Turks who had been expelled should not be permitted to return; as on this unquestionably depended the peace of the country.

Never had the two parties seemed nearer coming to an agreement. The Tschelebi Effendi, an aged man, who had brought many a difficult business to a successful termination, felt confident that he should be equally fortunate on the present occasion. He sent the proposals of the Servians to Constantinople, and promised them an early decision. It is needless to inquire whether he really expected this ; but in fact it was now impossible.

Were not these the same contentions and disputes which had been the principal causes of the war ? Could it be imagined that the Spahis   who formed a large portion of the army, which was already on the boundary of the country   would consent to be excluded from what they deemed their inheritance: at a moment too, when every thing seemed favourable for its recovery ?

The Turks were again in possession of Moldavia and Wallachia, as well as of Widdin, and were also masters of Bulgaria. They were moreover inspired with peculiar confidence; from the circumstance that in the course of that very spring, the Holy Cities in Arabia had been freed from the Wechabites, and their keys brought to Constan tinople. Under this aspect of affairs, would the victorious armies of the Grand Signior hesitate to commence the war with the rebellious Servian Raja?

At that very time, also, was received the news of the battle of Lut/.en, which was regarded as a defeat of the Russians ; and all fear of them was entirely cast aside. Resides, the Turks did not consider that they had broken the treaty; since the Servians rejected the interpretation which the Porte had given to it.

Determined to maintain the privileges of Islamism undiminished within the boundaries of the Empire, the Turkish army advanced towards the; Servian frontiers, and recommenced the war.

Wholly independent of the Turks

The Servians professed themselves ready to pay tribute to the Porte   to receive a Pacha, with a certain number of men, in Belgrade   and, in time of war, to admit Turkish garrisons into the other fortresses; but under ordinary circumstances, they claimed the right of having in them garrisons of their own.

The internal administration of the country was to remain wholly independent of the Turks. But these demands were now no longer listened to at Constantinople. The Deputies were referred to the new Grand Vizier, Churschid Pacha; who, two years before, had proved so dangerous to the Servians in their own country, and who had been raised to the highest dignity expressly in consideration of the service he had rendered in checking their progress. At Nisch, on their way to Con stantinople, he had received them favourably ; but, on their return, his conduct was very different: lie refused to give them any satisfactory answer.

The Servian ambassadors returned home at Christmas, 1812, without having effected any of the objects of their mission. All negotiation was postponed, to a conference appointed to take place at Xisch, in 1813.

There, at length, the Commissioner from the Porte, Tschclebi Effcndi, set forth the Turkish interpretation of the treaty.

He demanded the surrender not only of all the fortresses, but also of all their arms and ammunition. The Turks who had been banished were

to return into the towns and Palanks. Nothing else, it was said, could be meant by the Peace of  Bucharest. .Jt now remained for Kara George to verify his words, and to submit to what had been agreed upon by the two Emperors; and any one dissatisfied with this arrangement was at liberty to emigrate.

But if the Servians were to deliver up their arms, and the Turks were to resume their possessions, a still further rc establishment of the former state of things was to be expected. To these demands, therefore, the deputies could not, and would not, agree. Consequently, towards the spring, the Turkish troops assembled close to the Servian frontiers. They had also other business in that neighbourhood; to act against Molla Pacha, the successor of Passwan Oglu, at AViddin; whom, as one who had raised himself to independent power, the Sultan was no longer disposed to tolerate.

In order to save himself, Molla Pacha had at one time actually offered to surrender his citadel to the Servians; but when it came to the point, he

could not, as a “good Turk,” make up his mind to take a step so decisive in favour of Christians. Nor, perhaps, would the oiler have been accepted; as the Servians had received express instructions from St. Petersburg to remain quiet, and by no means to provoke the Turks; who would not then venture to violate the existing treaty. At the same time, Molla Pacha, pressed by his opponents in the town itself, was under the necessity of surrendering his fortress to the Turks.

They had especially reckoned

Their whole policy took a different direction. After the arrival of Andreossy, the French ambassador at Constantinople, the very points were discussed by the Divan which excited the astonishment of Europe at this treaty. The Turks lost sight of what they had gained, and remembered only that, notwithstanding the favourable circurastances which had occurred, a part of their ancient territory had been surrendered.

Demetrius Morusi forfeited his life, for the share he had in the treaty.  His execution took place at the very moment when the Servian deputies entered the Turkish camp, to arrange in detail the stipulations which in the treaty had been agreed upon only in general terms. They had especially reckoned on the support of this very Morusi; and, as may be supposed, they experienced the disadvantage of this change in the aspect of affairs.

It was especially detrimental to the Servian cause, that the terms of this Treaty of Peace were better suited to the regular administration of an European State, than to the peculiar relations of the Ottoman Empire.

The stipulation that the Turks should garrison the fortresses, and leave the Servians their freedom and self government in the villages, though it might appear practicable according to generally received notions, presented serious difficulties in being carried into effect.

In former times, the garrisons of the fortresses had been also masters of the country. The Spahis, also, were yet living, who had always considered themselves proprietors of the villages. Were they to remain excluded, or were they to return ? And, if they came back, and should endeavour to assume their former position, who was then to protect the Servians? Could they even maintain the right of bearing their arms ?  those arms which they had so gloriously wielded!

It must not be left unnoticed, that, though the peace protected the Servian nation, those articles upon which chiefly depended the general execution of the treaty had not been specifically defined.

When the Servian government gave its deputies their instructions, it may readily be imagined that they adopted that interpretation of the treaty which was most in their own favour.

The Servians professed themselves ready to pay tribute to the Porte   to receive a Pacha, with a certain number of men, in Belgrade   and, in time of war, to admit Turkish garrisons into the other fortresses; but under ordinary circumstances, they claimed the right of having in them garrisons of their own. The internal administration of the country was to remain wholly independent of the Turks. But these demands were now no longer listened to at Constantinople.

The Deputies were referred to the new Grand Vizier, Churschid Pacha; who, two years before, had proved so dangerous to the Servians in their own country, and who had been raised to the highest dignity expressly in consideration of the service he had rendered in checking their progress. At Nisch, on their way to Con stantinople, he had received them favourably ; but, on their return, his conduct was very different: lie refused to give them any satisfactory answer.

The Servian ambassadors returned home at Christmas, 1812, without having effected any of

the objects of their mission. All negotiation was postponed, to a conference appointed to take place at Xisch, in 1813.

There, at length, the Commissioner from the Porte, Tschclebi Effcndi, set forth the Turkish interpretation of the treaty.

He demanded the surrender not only of all the fortresses, but also of all their arms and ammunition. The Turks who had been banished were to return into the towns and Palanks. Nothing else, it was said, could be meant by the Peace of  Bucharest. .Jt now remained for Kara George to verify his words, and to submit to what had been agreed upon by the two Emperors; and any one dissatisfied with this arrangement was at liberty to emigrate.

But if the Servians were to deliver up their arms, and the Turks were to resume their possessions, a still further rc establishment of the former state of things was to be expected. To these demands, therefore, the deputies could not, and would not, agree. Consequently, towards the spring, the Turkish troops assembled close to the Servian frontiers. They had also other business in that neighbourhood; to act against Molla Pacha, the successor of Passwan Oglu, at AViddin; whom, as one who had raised himself to independent power, the Sultan was no longer disposed to tolerate.

The peculiar relations of the Ottoman Empire

This project, however, was soon abandoned: England, it is believed, being opposed to the maritime expedition. It was represented to the Emperor Alexander, that the army of the Danube might be rendered far more serviceable to him, were it to form a junction with another force and be employed a Cadi and a Muscllim, who, however, were dependent on the native primate ; and the other islands might, so far as the internal administration was concerned, be considered as republics.

in the defence of the country, than it could he in hazarding an enterprise so uncertain in its result.

Accordingly, on the 13th of July, Alexander issued the order from Smolensk, for this army to unite itself with the third Western army inVolhynia; to oppose the farther advance of the Austrians and the Saxons under the command of a French General.

It cannot be doubted that Russia was right in con  I ccntrating all her forces, for a struggle on which her very existence depended. The troops which left the Danube took part, at a later period, in the 1 campaign on the Beresina.

This was a heavy .disaster for Servia^,   The

Russian regiment, which up to this time had been quartered in Belgrade, now left the countryand. it may be readily believed that the.. Servians regretted Ats departure Jllie Turks were now no longer restrained, by any consideration of a

threatening military, power in the neighbourhood, from giving free course to their natural wish Jo  re establish every thing on its old footing.

Their whole policy took a different direction. After the arrival of Andreossy, the French ambassador at Constantinople, the very points were discussed by the Divan which excited the astonishment of Europe at this treaty. The Turks lost sight of what they had gained, and remembered only that, notwithstanding the favourable cir

curastances which had occurred, a part of their ancient territory had been surrendered.

Demetrius Morusi forfeited his life, for the share he had in the treaty.  His execution took place at the very moment when the Servian deputies entered the Turkish camp, to arrange in detail the stipulations which in the treaty had been agreed upon only in general terms. They had especially reckoned on the support of this very Morusi; and, as may be supposed, they experienced the disadvantage of this change in the aspect of affairs.

It was especially detrimental to the Servian cause, that the terms of this Treaty of Peace were better suited to the regular administration of an European State, than to the peculiar relations of the Ottoman Empire.

The Treaty was brief

It is true that this agreement did not in itself embrace all the wishes and demands of the Servians; but it granted them rights which were by no means unimportant.

The Porte had always most strenuously objected to the fortresses of the country being garrisoned by Servians; and, now that the Porte was placed in a different position by Napoleon’s hostility to liussia, this objection was not to be overcome. Accordingly the treaty secured to the Turks the right of occupying the Servian fortresses with  their own gar  »risons.

Qn the other handj a complete amnesty was granted to the Servians, and a general improvc  ment of their condition   according to the model of some of the islands of the Archipelago   was guaranteed to them as a matter of right: the details of this improvement being particularly specified. XJie regnlation of the domestic affairs of the nation was to be left to the Servians themselves; and only moderate imposts were . laid  jm Jhcm, which they were to pay directly to the Porte: all needful regulations being made with the approbation of the Servian people, and not arbitrarily enacted by the Porte.

The Treaty was brief; but it was of the utmost importance ; by it complete internal independence appeared to be secured to thc Seryians.

Nothing further was requisite, but that its terms should be carried out agreeably to the spirit in which they had been conceded.

Everything appeared to promise this fulfilment; as just then the project was formed for attacking the French in Dalmatia; by a fleet which was to sail from the Black Sea, and by a land force which was to proceed through Scrvia and Rou  melia. An army of more than 20,000 men, with artillery, light cavalry, and some Cossacks, was destined for this purpose. On the 27th of June, the first division commenced its march under the command of Colonel O’Rourke. Preparations were made for establishing magazines on the Dri  na; and commissariat contractors were already appointed, as well as guides, intimately acquainted with the country, for conducting the march of the army through Bosnia.

This project, however, was soon abandoned: England, it is believed, being opposed to the maritime expedition. It was represented to the Emperor Alexander, that the army of the Danube might be rendered far more serviceable to him, were it to form a junction with another force and be employed a Cadi and a Muscllim, who, however, were dependent on the native primate ; and the other islands might, so far as the internal administration was concerned, be considered as republics. in the defence of the country, than it could he in hazarding an enterprise so uncertain in its result.

Accordingly, on the 13th of July, Alexander issued the order from Smolensk, for this army to unite itself with the third Western army inVolhynia; to oppose the farther advance of the Austrians and the Saxons under the command of a French General.

It cannot be doubted that Russia was right in con  I ccntrating all her forces, for a struggle on which her very existence depended. The troops which left the Danube took part, at a later period, in the 1 campaign on the Beresina.

This was a heavy .disaster for Servia,   The Russian regiment, which up to this time had been quartered in Belgrade, now left the countryand. it may be readily believed that the.. Servians regretted Ats departure Jllie Turks were now no longer restrained, by any consideration of a

threatening military, power in the neighbourhood, from giving free course to their natural wish Jo  re establish every thing on its old footing.

The Porte had always most strenuously

In this treaty Servia was especially noticed: nation, tributary to the. Grand Signior. The concessions in their, favour wcre. spoken ofas acts of the outpouring of his mercy and generosity. The word.“ guarantee ” did not occur throughout, But be this as it may, the mere fact, that, in a treaty with   Russia, rights were granted to the nation, was a point of infinite importance : a solemn agreement had been entered into ; andJLIussia. u’as e nt itlcd to demand its.due. execution.

It is true that this agreement did not in itself embrace all the wishes and demands of the Servians; but it granted them rights which were by no means unimportant.

The Porte had always most strenuously objected to the fortresses of the country being garrisoned by Servians; and, now that the Porte was placed in a different position by Napoleon’s hostility to liussia, this objection was not to be overcome. Accordingly the treaty secured to the Turks the right of occupying the Servian fortresses with  their own gar  »risons.

Qn the other handj a complete amnesty was granted to the Servians, and a general improvc  ment of their condition   according to the model of some of the islands of the Archipelago   was guaranteed to them as a matter of right: the details of this improvement being particularly specified. XJie regnlation of the domestic affairs of the nation was to be left to the Servians themselves; and only moderate imposts were . laid  jm Jhcm, which they were to pay directly to the Porte: all needful regulations being made with the approbation of the Servian people, and not arbitrarily enacted by the Porte.

The Treaty was brief; but it was of the utmost importance ; by it complete internal independence appeared to be secured to thc Seryians.

Nothing further was requisite, but that its terms should be carried out agreeably to the spirit in which they had been conceded.

Everything appeared to promise this fulfilment; as just then the project was formed for attacking the French in Dalmatia; by a fleet which was to sail from the Black Sea, and by a land force which was to proceed through Scrvia and Rou  melia. An army of more than 20,000 men, with artillery, light cavalry, and some Cossacks, was destined for this purpose. On the 27th of June, the first division commenced its march under the command of Colonel O’Rourke. Preparations were made for establishing magazines on the Dri  na; and commissariat contractors were already appointed, as well as guides, intimately acquainted with the country, for conducting the march of the army through Bosnia.

This project, however, was soon abandoned: England, it is believed, being opposed to the maritime expedition. It was represented to the Emperor Alexander, that the army of the Danube might be rendered far more serviceable to him, were it to form a junction with another force and be employed a Cadi and a Muscllim, who, however, were dependent on the native primate ; and the other islands might, so far as the internal administration was concerned, be considered as republics.

Even should the war terminate favourably for them

Perhaps it might be that Napoleon considered his proposals irresistible, at whatever time he might choose to make them; on account of the great oppor tunity which they afforded the Turks for re establishing their power. At the moment when lie opened the campaign of 1812 in earnest, he was by no means deficient in pressing invitations or in brilliant promises.

This confidence, however, deceived him. That the Turks under these circumstances showed themselves inclined for peace, need not be ascribed to the influence of English gold, or to the intrigues of the two Morusi: though one of them is said to have devoted his energies to that object in the capital; and the other, Demetrius, to have served the Deis Effendi as Dragoman. They had other and more cogent reasons.

Napoleon had at one time not only permitted the seizure of Moldavia and Wallachia by the Russians, but had, quite unnecessarily, at the opening of the session of the Legislative Assembly, expressed his sanction of that measure ; consequently, the people of Russia considered these provinces as already incorporated in the Empire.

In a war of six years’ duration, the Turks had made fruitless efforts to regain this territory; which the Emperor Alexander now offered to restore them: with the exception of the districts on the further side of the Pruth. Was it politic for the Turks to refuse this offer ? Could they leave the restoration of possessions so considerable dependent on the chances of war ? Even should the war terminate favourably for them, it was not improbable that, in a sub sequent agreement, they might fare as at Tilsit and Erfurt.  Was not Kutusow   who was obliged, at least on one point, to overstep his instructions fearful of incurring the displeasure of his master ?

In the letter which he wrote to the Emperor Alexander, on the 4th of May the day of settling the Preliminary Treaty   he affects not to consider the advantages which he had actually obtained as sufficient to excuse him for not having secured others of more importance.

Suffice it to say, that, whilst Napoleon still counted on the participation of the Turks in his enterprise, they had concluded a peace with his enemy.

In this treaty Servia was especially noticed: nation, tributary to the. Grand Signior. The concessions in their, favour wcre. spoken ofas acts of the outpouring of his mercy and generosity. The word.“ guarantee ” did not occur throughout,^ But be this as it may, the mere fact, that, in a treaty with   Russia, rights were granted to the nation, was a point of infinite importance : a solemn agreement had been entered into ; andJLIussia. u’as e nt itlcd to demand its.due. execution.

It is true that this agreement did not in itself embrace all the wishes and demands of the Servians; but it granted them rights which were by no means unimportant.

The Porte had always most strenuously objected to the fortresses of the country being garrisoned by Servians; and, now that the Porte was placed in a different position by Napoleon’s hostility to liussia, this objection was not to be overcome. Accordingly the treaty secured to the Turks the right of occupying the Servian fortresses with  their own gar  »risons.

Qn the other handj a complete amnesty was granted to the Servians, and a general improvc  ment of their condition   according to the model of some of the islands of the Archipelago   was guaranteed to them as a matter of right: the details of this improvement being particularly specified. XJie regnlation of the domestic affairs of the nation was to be left to the Servians themselves; and only moderate imposts were . laid  jm Jhcm, which they were to pay directly to the Porte: all needful regulations being made with the approbation of the Servian people, and not arbitrarily enacted by the Porte.

The Treaty was brief; but it was of the utmost importance ; by it complete internal independence appeared to be secured to thc Seryians.