to represent the part the Empress takes in this war as a matter quite foreign to the common cause, and no way connected with it, to the end that the allies may less mind it, and in return, that his party may appear the stronger for it. But besides that this artifice can. not impose upon any body, the Empress hopes that, with the help of God, her troops will soon enter the provinces of the King of Prussia, that make part of the German empire.

And as on this occasion one must expect to meet with all the false imputations which the Em. press's allies are obliged to bear, as if the empire was invaded, its liberties infringed, and the protestant religion menaced; Her Majesty declares in the most solemn manner, that having taken part in the pre. sent war only by virtue of her an. terior engagements, and after her reiterated declarations, that she would not look with indifference on any invasion that should be made by the King of Prussia in the do. minions of her allies, but would assist, with all her power, the party attacked, did not produce the effect that was hoped from them; and considering the firm resolution taken by the enemies of her allies to continue an unjust war, she also becomes more and more steady in her design, as well as in her sincere desire to act unanimously with them, and to assist them ef ficaciously and vigorously, in order to procure just satisfaction to the parties aggrieved, and to settle the general peace on terms that may be productive of a solid and lasting tranquillity. That, towards attaining so salutary an end, the

troops of Her Imperial Majesty will endeavour to penetrate into the King of Prussia's German domini. ons as far as possible. That every one may persuade themselves beforehand, that on this occasion there will be no violation of the laws and liberties of Germany; but, on the contrary, that even the inhabitants of the enemy's coun tries shall experience, each in their station, as far as circumstances may permit, the effects of Her Imperial Majesty's benignity, as appears already by the permission she has given for carrying on a free trade even in the places that may become the seat of war: that as on the occasion of the new motions the Russian troops are going to make in favour of the Empress's allies, they will be indispensibly obliged to pass through the territories of the republic of Poland, Her Imperial Majesty renews the assurances she has more than once given, that neither in this occasional passage, nor in any other circumstance, will they ever dream of violating the rights and liberties of the republic, whose tranquillity will ever be dear to the Empress in fine, that what. ever may be the always uncertain events of war, Her Imperial Majesty can beforehand affirm, that her fortitude shall not be shaken by them: that she never will recede from the engagements she has entered into with her allies, not to treat separately about a truce or peace; but that Her Majesty will faithfully and punctually perform what. ever she has once promised and de. clared.'

her the title of Apostolical Queen of Hungary.

"The Roman pontiffs, whom we have succeeded notwithstanding our want of merit, wisely neglected not, greatly to their ho. nour, amidst different regulations, paternally to distinguish and load with favours, as occasion offered, the countries situated on the frontiers of the perpetual enemies of the Christian name, and always regarded those countries as the bulwarks, which alone could secure christianity from hostile invasions. We have regarded in the same light the most flourishing kingdom of Hungary, possessed by our dearly beloved daughter in Christ; which, both by its situation and the bravery of the people, is the most proper for the propagation of the Christian lustre and name. All the world knows how the noble Hungarians have contributed, by their valour, to the extending and defending the Christian religion; and how often, and with what success they have fought against its hereditary enemy. Who knows not the signal and almost incredible victories which they have gained, when Christendom was in danger of being totally ruined and overwhelmed?

"These actions are generally known. They are recorded in the most authentic anuals, and will be transmitted down to the most distant posterity. Meanwhile we ought to call to mind St. Stephen, that valiant sovereign of Hungary, whose memory is precious to the church; which has been inscribed in the catalogue of the saints, and whom we particu. larly reverence. We talk, even in these parts (to the honour of

the Hungarian nation) of his vir tues, his piety, and his magnani mity. The princes who have succeeded him, have exerted themselves at all times to imitate his vir tuous example.

"No wonder, then, that the sovereign pontiffs, having regard to the sincere and unshaken attachment of the princes and kings of Hungary to the Catholic faith, and calling to mind the service they have done the holy see, have, from time to time, heightened their merit, and granted them particular privileges. Among other privileges, their kings enjoyed that of having a cross carried before them by a bishop, when they appeared in public on solemn occasions, as the most eminent sign of their apostleship; a particular concession of the holy see, which would thereby shew that the Hungarian nation, and its kings, glo ried only in the cross of our Sa viour Christ, and have always been wont to fight and overcome for the Catholic faith, under this holy banner.

"The kings of Hungary have also, at divers times, acquired the privilege of being decorated and honoured with the glorious and magnificent title of Apostolic Kings, though the true origin of this custom, and the authenticity of such a high prerogative, cannot be pre. cisely discovered.

We, for our part, though we cannot manifest the true spirit of our predecessors, have, neverthe less, made it our constant endea. vours to follow their sentiments. We cannot, we imagine, more advantageously distinguish the beginning of our pontificate, than by conferring all possible honours, and the

M 2

utmost

utmost splendor on those Princes and Kings whom we know to be attached to the holy see; and therefore we have thought proper to contribute particularly to the exaltation of your Apostolic Majesty, and of your kingdom of Hungary. We cannot do this more effectually, than by confirm ing, as far as in us lies, by our papal authority and power, this apostolical denomination. We, therefore, of our own proper motion, certain knowledge, and plenitude of apostolic authority, in vest, honour, and decorate your Majesty, as Queen of Hungary, and your successors in that kingdom, with the title and denomi nation of Apostolic Queen; willing that all, and every one, shall name and acknowledge you, and your successors, for Apostolic Queen.

tion

power

"Receive then, dearly beloved daughter in Christ, this title joyfully; not, however, as a mark of that which the vanity of the age, and a deceitful ambimay invent, but as a symbol of a christian submission to Jesus Christ, by whom alone the true glory of your kingdom can subsist for ever. This title you receive as a testimony, or recompense of your zeal for the propagation of the catholic religion; a zeal, which hath been transmitted to you by a long series of ancestors, which you have kept up, and which increases in you more and more. Transmit this title of honour and splendor to the best and best-be loved of sons, that son who shall possess the whole glory of his mother's inheritance. Receive this brief as the pledge and the first.

fruits of the paternal love and af.

fection which we bear towards your Apostolic Majesty; and we give you, dearly beloved daughter in Christ Jesus, most tenderly our apostolic benediction.

"Rome, August 25."

Translation of the instructions given by the States of Courland and Semigallia to Mr. Schopping, whom they sent as their deputy to Warsaw, about the election of a new Duke.

I. He shall, with the most profound respect, assure His Majesty, our most gracious King and Lord Paramount, of the inviolable obedience and fidelity of these duchies, and most humbly recommend them to His Majesty's paternal benevolence and protec

tion.

2. He shall most respectfully beseech His Majesty, and the most illustrious republic, to procure the release of the unfortunate Duke and his family.

(6 3. His excellency Count Malachowski, high chancellor of the crown, having written to the states, that it was in vain to hope any longer for the release of that Duke and his male issue: and M. Simolin, minister-resident from Her Majesty the Empress of all the Russias in these duchies, having declared and confirmed the same thing, by order of his court, adding, that her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, would be glad to see his Royal Highness Prince Charles of Poland elected Duke of Courland; and her Imperial Czarish Majesty having given the like instructions to her minister at Warsaw; the deputy must also represent to the high chancellor of the crown, that, according to

the

the precise terms of the constitutions of our government, the assembly of the states cannot attempt any thing against the investiture of the duchies; and that so long as the king and republic do not declare the seat to be vacant, we must, according to our laws, continue to pray for our unfortunate lord and his family.

4. But, whereas his Royal Highness Prince Charles has gained the veneration of all hearts by his great qualities, and his gracious deportment, both in going to and returning from Petersburgh, the deputy is to make known the inclination of the states for this Prince, in case the seat of the duchies be declared vacant, and intimate that they should deem themselves very happy if his Royal Highness would make profession of the confession of Augsburgh, and thereby empower them humbly to beseech His Majesty to grant him the sovereignty of these duchies.

5. This being supposed, then, if his Royal Highness will be pleased, according to custom, previously to secure to the country, all its civil and religious rights,' the deputy shall declare that the states will not hesitate a moment to take advantage of the dispositions of the Empress of all the Russias in favour of this Prince, and will entreat her to grant him the sovereignty of these du. chies.

6. But since, according to the compacts of subjection, the guaranties of religion, and other documents, these duchies must have as heretofore a Teutonic ma. gistracy of the confession of Augsburgh; as no change can be made in this respect, without failing in

the assurances given and confirmed upon oath; and as Gothard, first' Duke of Courland; did keep to himself, in quality of grand mas.. ter, the whole administration of ecclesiastic affairs, which the pro-testant Princes have also done, in consequence of the compacts of subjection, whose authority ought to be immutable, according to the constitutions of the government; the deputy shall constantly and most strenuously insist on this ob. ject, most humbly representing the firm persuasion of the states that His Majesty and the illustrious republic will take into consideration the said assurances given to this country by His Majesty's prede. cessors, and will preserve the Teutonic magistracy which it has had ever since its subjection to the republic, viz. a Prince of the con. fession of Augsburgh.

7. As for the rest, the states will always continue with the most inviolable loyalty to live under the gracious supremacy of His Majesty and the illustrious republic of Poland, and never will they wish for a Duke that is not agreeable to their gracious lord paramount. This is what the deputy shall declare; and he is desired to conform exactly to his instructions, without deviating therefrom in any one point. Whereupon we wish him a good journey, and a happy issue to his negotiation."

[These instructions are signed by Christopher Frederick Sacken, governor; Otho Christopher von der Hoon, chancellor; Henry Christian Ossenberg, burgrave; Francis George Frank, marshal; all members of the great council; and also by twenty-five deputies of the parishes of Courland.

M 3

The

The dyet of Poland breaking up without settling any one national affair, the Courlanders are just where they were before; for though the Empress of Russia and King of Poland may declare the seat of their duke to be vacant, the republic must concur in this verdict before it can be filled up; and should these two sovereigns attempt by force to carry an election in Courland in favour of Prince Charles, it might possibly occasion an insurrection in Poland. Besides, the change of religion required for qualifying him to be a candidate, is another bar to his preferment but this might, perhaps, be got over with help of a dispensation from Rome, allowing him to keep covenants with his sub jects only till he should be able to break them.]

Translation of the Universalia issued by the King of Poland, for the assembling of a general dyet of the states at Warsaw:

"Augustus III. by the grace of God, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, &c.

"In the horrid calamities which have so long afflicted our hereditary dominions, the happiness and prosperity of the republic is the greatest alleviation we can find to the grief with which we are pene. trated.

"In 1756, about the time that was fixed for the ordinary dyet, the whole force of the enemy came and fell upon our heredi. tary dominions, and at one in. stant presented us with a prospect of all the misfortunes that were afterwards to ensue to that unhappy country.

This idea, painful as it was, would not so deeply have wounded

our paternal breast, if the army of an enterprizing neighbour, which surrounded us on all sides, had not prevented us from coming to you at the time appointed for the assem. bling of the states of the republic; for the sight of that assembly, and of a people that have been ever dear to us, would have assuaged our other sorrows.

"The tenor of the laws empowers us to convoke the general dyet this year at Warsaw, in order to treat there of the several necessities of the republic; therefore waving the consideration of the toil attached to this obligation, and animated only with the pleasing hopes of the public good, which, through your unanimity, may perhaps result from thence to the country, we fix the said ordinary dyet at Warsaw, on the 2d of October, 1758; the anti-comitial dyet at the usual place, on the 21st of August; and at of the generality, for the 18th of the same

month.

"As in former dyets we never proposed any thing relating to our own private interests, or those of our royal family, so we now so❤ lemnly protest, that we have no such views in this, and that we are very far from seeking our own advantage to the prejudice of Po-' land, by wanting to involve it in the present fatal troubles of the rest of Europe.

"It is by so upright a conduct that we hope to silence all those, who, by secret and artful insinuations, endeavour to destroy the confidence that subsists be. tween ourselves and the states of the republic, and render suspicious our most salutary measures for your welfare, that they may perpetuate disorder in the country,