=Source.=--_Annual Register, 1816._
The hon. member rose to move for the production of a copy of the
treaty concluded at Paris on September 26th between Austria,
Russia, and Prussia. By the tenor of this treaty, expressed in the
most devout and solemn language, the three potentates, members of
three different Christian churches, declared in the face of the
world their resolution both in the administration of their own
states, and in their political relations with other Governments,
to take for their sole guide the precepts of the holy religion
taught by our Saviour. In consequence, they signed an agreement
to three articles, the first of which bound them to a fraternity
of mutual friendship and assistance, and the common protection of
religion, peace and justice, which in the second was explained in
a kind of mystical strain, to notify that they regarded themselves
as delegated by Providence to govern three branches of one and the
same Christian nation, of which the Divine Being under his three
characters was the sole real sovereign; and the third declared a
readiness to receive into this holy alliance all the powers who
should solemnly avow the sacred principles which had dictated it.
Politicians were much at a loss to conceive the occasion and
purpose of a treaty, at the same time so serious and so indefinite,
which appeared to bind the subscribers to nothing more than to
act upon those general principles which, as Christian princes,
they had always held forth as the rule of their conduct. It was
understood that its immediate cause was an impression made upon the
mind of the emperor Alexander, whose peculiar zeal in the project
was displayed by a manifesto issued on Christmas day, and signed
by his own hand, in which he made public the engagement which the
three powers had entered into, and which he interpreted to be a
reciprocal league of peace and amity upon Christian principles for
the general good.
_Mr. Brougham_ prefaced his motion with reasons why he thought it
material that inquiry should be made respecting the above treaty,
instancing the circumstances of its having been contracted by
three powers, our allies, without our participation; of its having
received the signatures of the sovereigns themselves, whereas all
other treaties had been ratified by the medium of diplomatic
agents; of being apparently uncalled for, since the attachment
of the contracting parties to the Christian religion had never
been questioned. He adverted to the union of the same powers for
the partition of Poland, on which occasion the empress Catherine
had employed in the proclamations language similar to that of the
treaty.
He concluded by moving an address to the Prince Regent, that he
would be pleased to give directions that a copy of the treaty would
be laid before the House.
_Lord Castlereagh_ who had previously admitted to the authenticity
of the document moved for, after adducing, from the result of the
preceding union of these sovereigns, arguments against regarding
them with suspicion, informed the hon. gentlemen, that instead
of any secrecy in their proceedings on the present occasion, the
emperor of Russia had communicated to him a draft of the proposed
treaty, he believed, before it had been communicated to the other
sovereigns; and that after its signature a joint-letter had been
addressed by them to the Prince Regent, stating the grounds on
which it had been concluded, and anxiously desiring his accession
to it: that his Royal Highness in reply had expressed his
satisfaction at the nature of the treaty, and his assurance that
the British Government would not be the one least disposed to act
up to its principles. His lordship then went into a panegyric of
the emperor of Russia, and finally characterised the motion as
wholly unnecessary and of dangerous tendency if the confederacy
could be shaken by attempts to degrade the sovereigns of Europe by
unfounded imputations.
On a division of the House, the motion was rejected by a majority
of 104 to 30.
The public opinion concerning this extraordinary treaty seems to
have corresponded with that expressed by the hon. _Mr. Bennet_ in
his speech: "that the only motive which the noble lord could have
for refusing its production was, that he was ashamed of it and of
our allies."