Constantinople, Aug. 9.

Answer of the Sublime Porte to the last note of the French ambassador.

The Sublime Porte has received and considered the note delivered to it by its friend, the French am bassador. It imports that Napoleon Bonaparte, first consul, has been appointed emperor of the French; that this dignity is to be hereditary, and descend to his legitimate children and male descendants; and, in failure of them, to the princes Joseph or Louis Bonaparte, and their legitimate children and heirs; further, that the representatives of the French empire at foreign courts, as also those of other powers in France, until they shall have received their new credentials, will abstain from all reciprocal official communication, though with out neglecting the pressing occur rences of the time, on which they will correspond in a friendly manner. The sublime porte, according to its usual sincerity, participates with the most intimate satisfaction, in every increase of the dignity, honour, and glory of every power with which it has friendly connections. It is consequently notified to the said ambassador, our friend, that since the ruptured bands of friendship and concord between the two powers have been renewed, the Sublime Porte has received, with sincere joy, the news of the late occurrences in France; which, since they lay a foundation for the welfare and tranquillity of that empire, must have a beneficial effect on the gene

ral peace and security. With respect to the communications, it is admitted that the correspondence on any business that may occur, shall be carried on by non-official communications, till the necessary changes shall be made in the cre

dentials on either side. The Sublime Porte will always avail itself of every opportunity still more to strengthen and confirm the friendship so happily subsisting between it and France.

PROCLAMATION

Of the Batavian government, ap. pointing the 7th of March, as a day for acts of benevolence and public prayer.

Citizens-As it is certain that among the nations of the earth there are but few whose existence and preservation have been marked with such signal proofs of the favour of Divine Providence as our country, so it cannot be denied but that, on the other hand, this same nation, having more than once fallen from the height of prospe rity, and being threatened with ap proaching ruin, has learned repeatedly, and in the most striking manner, its dependence on the allpowerful Lord of the universe. Alas! there is no occasion to go so far back to the early annals of the republic to prove this; we need only reflect on the events of the two last years. Scarcely had the wish of all the' friends of their country, and of the human race, been gratified by the conclusion of a peace, that put an end to a most bloody and destructive war; scarcely had the sources of our na tional prosperity began to flow in their accustomed channel, so as to enable us to flatter ourselves with

the

the hope that our ruined affairs were likely, under Divine Providence, to be re-established, when ambition and cruel jealousy rekindled the torch of war, in contempt and open violation of the treaty which had been but just concluded, and with a prodigal expense of treasure and of blood. By this unhappy war, to which not only the sacred faith of our treaties of alliance, but even the duty of selfdefence compels us, we soon saw all the sources of our misfortunes and increasing poverty again open. Our ships, richly laden with the productions of our colonies, and the treasures of our reviving commerce, were captured while they were pursuing their peaceful destination, even before any declaration of war. Already some of our foreign possessions have fallen before the superior force of our enemy: every day our situation is growing worse by the stagnation which prevails in the different branches of our commerce and industry; and the considerable sacrifices which the part we have to bear in this fatal war requires from us, impose upon us the unavoidable necessity of laying new burdens upon our fellow-citizens, whose burdens are already great.

The consideration of this unfortunate and humiliating situation of the republic would make us almost despair of ever seeing its affairs reestablished on a solid foundation, if we did not feel the most lively persuasion that all those evils (though stirred up by the injustice of a neighbouring power, who has rashly and hastily entered into the war) have yet happened under the wise and bountiful direction of that all-ruling Providence, whose mercy can again close the wounds which we have received from his hand,

who change oppression and adversity to the seeds of future and more lasting happiness, and has made the 'history of our country so often bear witness of this consoling truth. It is this encouraging persuasion which makes it our duty to recal to our recollection the proofs which we have already experienced of the Divine Goodness. Who does not recollect, that at the beginning of last year this country was threatened with a most de structive inundation by the vast collection of heaped up ice in our rivers, when our fears were suddenly dissipated, and the country saved by a thaw, which brought no misery with it? Who can consider without gratitude, that the contagious disease, more destructive and terrible than the sword of war, which, in another part of the world, is the scourge of a nation, otherwise happy in prosperity and peace, and which has already raged with fury in some parts of Europe, has not, however, reached us yet, although our extensive commerce exposed us to more danger than other nations?. Who can consider, without feeling gratitude, that notwithstanding all the obstacles which the spirit of industry (that distinguishes our na tion) has to encounter, still it is not quite smothered, but even now inspires hopes that in happier days it may revive?

Who can see, without gratitude, that in the midst of our increasing distresses, that there are still found men who have not only the will, but the means of relieving the distressed, and preventing the utter ruin of all the springs of industry.

These considerations, taken toge ther, contain some motives for not despairing of the return of our former happiness: how much should we be flattered with this perspec(M4)

tive,

tive, if, rendered wiser by our misfortunes, we shall, for the future, substitute economy, temperance, and moderation, for that expensive luxury which was extended to all classes of society; if we shall learn to be more rigid in our morals, and still more sincere and upright in our dealings; and if, above all things, we cultivate the respect of religion, that respect which was the orna. ment of the first founders of our republic, but which is now so miserably fallen, and which alone can ensure the lasting happiness of our nation.

Then, doubtless, we might hope that the God of our fathers would change our darkness into light, and would not shut his ears against our ardent prayers for the safety of the country.

It is for the advancement of this end, and for all those reasons united, that, with the approbation of the legislative body, it has been ordered, that throughout all the cities, towns, and districts of the Batavian republic, a day shall be appointed for acts of benevolence and public prayers, which we have fixed for Wednesday, the 7th of March, to give an opportunity to all the inhabitants of the republic to unite in the temples of their religious assemblies, and humble themselves in the most solemn manner before God, confessing their transgressions and sins; to adore even the chastisements which his hand inflicts upon us, to recommend to his favour and protection the urgent wants and interests of this country, with a sincere design of rendering themselves in future worthy of these blessings, which are the reward of a virtuous and religious nation. We exhort, therefore, every citizen, upon that day to pray ardently to God, that he may give us again peace and

prosperity; that he may grant that all those sacrifices we are obliged to make to obtain that object, shall tend to lay the foundations of lasting tranquillity; that he may bring to the hearts and feelings of the lovers of war, the tears and groans of the many thousands who suffer by it, so that, if possible, the effusion of human blood may cease; that he may crown with his blessing those constituted authorities, whose labour tends to those objects; and that he may open again the sources of our national prosperity, and secure their possession by the concord, virtue, and conscientious conduct of the faithful inhabitants of this country.

To attain this salutary object, the government of the state ordains, that the present proclamation shall be made as public as possible, and that the administration shall take diligent care that the said day shall be celebrated throughout the re public, with decency, solemnity, and in a manner suited to its object; and that on that day the exercise of all professions or trades shall be sus, pended, as well as all public amuse, ments, that no obstacle or trouble shall occur to the good dispositions of the religious friends of their country, and that the most holy name of God shall be every where glorified and implored with all be coming respect.

At the Hague, Feb. 6, 1804.

A. F. R. E. VAN HAERSOLTE. By order of the government of the C. G. HULTMAN.

state,

Copy of a convention concluded between his majesty, the emperor of the French, and the reigning count of Bentheim Steinfurth: Westphalia, July 10.

His excellency the reigning

count

count of Bentheim Steinfurth, having represented to the French government, 1. That the county of Bentheim was pledged for 30 years by the late court of Bentheim to the king of England, as elector of Hanover. 2. That this pledge, which was contracted in the year 1752, ought to have ceased in the year 1782. 3. That, however, it has still continued de facto, from that time, without any formal renewal, without the consent of the heir of the fiefs, or the confirmation of the emperor. 4. That, consequently, the death of count De Bentheim Bentheim has put an end to the obligation of this pledge, and the count of Bentheim Steinfurth has a right to enter into possession of the said county, on paying the sum for which it was pledged without deduction of the arrears and other sums, which the king of England, as elector of Hanover, was indebted to the late count of Bentheim Ben5. That the count of Bentheim Steinfurth, must apply to the French government as present possessor of the Hanoverian territory, as well to liquidate the sum for which the said county was pledged, as to receive possession of it.

All which representations having been considered, and the first consul, in the present circumstances having attended to the claims of the count Bentheim Steinfurth, and having also learned that the same are supported by the Danish and Prussian courts, the minister for foreign affairs is formally authorised to conclude a particular convention with the reigning count of Bentheim Steinfurth, of which the following shall be articles :

Article 1. His excellency the reigning count of Bentheim Steinfurth shall, with all the proper and customary forms usual in Germany,

be put in possession of the county of Bentheim immediately, on paying into the Hanoverian treasury the sum of 800,000 livres, which, without the deductions, which the French government resigns, is the original sum for which the county was pledged.

2. The French government guaranties to the count of Bentheim Steinfurth the maintenance and full force of this convention, whatever may be the future fate of the Hanoverian territory.

Concluded between the undersigned, at Paris, the 22d of Floreal, of the year 12 (May 12, 1804). (Signed) CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND.

Louis, reigning count of
Bentheim.

His majesty the emperor approves and ratifies the above convention, which was signed on the 22d of Floreal of the year 12, by Ch. Mau. Talleyrand, our minister for foreign affairs, provided with full powers for that purpose, and count Louis, reigning count of Bentheim.

Given at St. Cloud the 2d of Prairial (22d of May).