ed on such magnificent purposes. The third and fourth contain a simple and dignified appeal to the whole civilized world, in vindication of the great objects which the allied powers have already accomplished, the still greater objects which they have in view, and the sacred compacts into which they profess to have entered for the benefit of the human race. They solemnly invoke the assistance of heaven and of mankind to carry these noble projects into execution, and declare that their great objects of contention, henceforward, shall be such only as respect the gradual advancement of the human species, and the maintenance of peace and good will on earth.

Declaration of the Allied Sovereigns, on the breaking up of the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle.

Now that the pacification of Europe is accomplished, by the resolution of withdrawing the foreign troops from the French territory; and now that there is an end of those measures of precaution which deplorable events had rendered necessary, the Ministers and Plenipotentiaries of their Majesties the Emperor of Austria, the King of France, the King of Great Britain, the King of Prussia, and the Emperor of all the Russias, have received orders from their Sovereigns to make known to all the courts of Europe, the results of their meeting at Aix-la-Chapelle, and with that view do publish the following Declaration :

The Convention of the 9th of October, which definitively regulated the execution of the engagements agreed to in the Treaty of Peace, of November 20, 1815, is considered by the Sovereigns who concurred therein, as the accomplishment of the work of peace, and of the completion of the political system destined to insure its solidity.

The intimate union established among the monarchs, who are joint parties to this system, by their own principles, no less than by the interests of their people, offers to Europe the most sacred pledge of its future tranquillity.

The object of this union is as simple as it is great and salutary. It does not tend to any new political combination-to

any change in the relations sanctioned by existing treaties. Calm and consistent in its proceedings, it has no other object than the maintenance of peace, and the security of those transactions on which the peace was founded and consolidated.

The Sovereigns, in forming this august union, haye regarded as its fundamental basis, their invariable resolution, never to depart, either among themselves or in their relations with other States, from the strictest observation of the principles of the right of nations; principles which, in their application to a state of permanent peace, can alone effectually guarantee the independence of each government and the stability of the general association.

Faithful to these principles, the Sovereigns will maintain them equally in those meetings at which they may be personally present, or in those which shall take place among their ministers; whether it shall be their object to discuss in common their own interests, or whether they take cognizance of questions in which other governments shall formally claim their interference. The same spirit which will direct their councils, and reign in their diplomatic communications, shall preside also at these meetings; and the repose of the world shall be constantly their motive and their end.

It is with such sentiments that the Sovereigns have consummated the work to which they were called. They will not cease to labour for its confirmation and perfection. They solemnly acknowledge, that their duties towards God and the people whom they govern, make it peremptory on them to give to the world, as far as in their power, an example of justice, of concord, of moderation: happy in the power of consecrating, from henceforth, all their efforts to the protection of the arts of peace, to the increase of the internal prosperity of their States, and to the awakening of those sentiments of religion and morality, whose empire has been but too much enfeebled by the misfortune of the times.

REMARKS ON THE "DECLARATION" OF SOVEREIGNS..

THE preceding Declaration of the Allied Sovereigns at Aix-la-Chapelle is regarded as a fruit of the same spirit and the same convictions which produced the Holy Alliance, in 1815. From that time to the present, so far as we have information, the several powers which united in that Alliance, have pursued a pacific policy. Little reason, it is believed, has been given by their public acts to support the suspicions which were entertained of intrigue and insincerity. But since that period, many have been the acts of the Emperor Alexander, which afford reason to believe that he was sincere in professing a desire to prevent the recurrence of war. It has been repeatedly stated in our public papers as a fact, that since the year 1814 he has discharged from the Russian service no less than four hundred and fourteen thousand men; and in his Ukase for establishing the Society of Christian Israelites, he has expressly exempted the whole Society from "military services," and from liability to have soldiers quartered on them. Other public acts of this sovereign, though not immediately relating to military affairs, afford evidence of a benevolent policy, and a disposition to advance the happiness of his subjects, and the general welfare of mankind.

In the proceedings of the late Congress there is much to approve. Admitting the sincerity of the Sovereigns in their Declaration, what more could have been reasonably expected of them under existing circumstances? They have publickly pledged themselves to seek the peace and tranquillity of the world-the advancement and happiness of the human race; and considering what some of them have already done, we may prudently forbear to question their sincerity till their works shall give the lie to their professions.

It is unquestionably in the power of the Allied Sovereigns to do very much for the preservation of peace and the abolition of war. If they shall fulfil their solemn engagements, much will be done. Instead, therefore, of deriding their professions and promises, or indulging a jealousy which may be adapted

to render them abortive, it will be the prayer of the wise and the good, that these sovereigns may redeem their pledge, by preserving the peace of Europe, and by extending a benign influence throughout the world.

Since the establishment of Peace Societies, some well disposed fellow citizens have been afraid that the exertions in favour of peace would so far paralyze the military spirit, as to endanger our country. With these apprehensions was associated the belief, that little or nothing of a similar nature was in operation in Europe. But such fears may now be suffered to go to sleep. Much is doing in Europe to discourage the spirit of war; and probably there is no nation in Europe, in which the desolating spirit of military ambition is now more prevalent, or more popular, than it is in the United States. There are perhaps as many Peace Societies in the United States, as in any other nation. But we have not the happiness to see any thing from our rulers equivalent to a Declaration, that "They solemnly acknowledge that their duties towards God and the people whom they govern make it peremptory on them to give to the world an example of justice, of concord, of moderation ;" or, "that their great objects of contention henceforward shall be such only as respect the gradual advancement of the human species, and the maintenance of peace and good will on earth."

These remarks are not, however, designed to excite sentiments of disrespect towards the rulers of our country, but rather to excite a spirit of prayer, that our republican government may not be many years behind the other governments of Christendom, in discovering the barbarity of war, its injustice and madness, as a mode of settling controversies, its contrariety to the Christian religion, and to every thing which is good in God or man.

CONSTITUTION OF THE PORTSMOUTH PEACE SOCIETY. Adopted at the formation of the Society,

Nov. 19, 1818.

WE the subscribers, impressed with the belief that the gospel is designed to produce peace on earth; and that it is

the duty of Christians to cultivate, and, as far as they have the power, to diffuse a spirit of kindness; do agree to form ourselves into a society upon the following plan:

Art. 1. This Society shall be called the Portsmouth Peace Society.

Art. 2. The officers of this society shall be a President and a Secretary, who shall also be Treasurer.

Art. 2. Any person by subscribing this Constitution, and paying annually one dollar, shall be a member of this Soci ety.

Art. 4. Any person paying fifteen dollars at one time, shall be considered a member for life.

Art. 5. It shall be the duty of the President of this Society to preside at all its meetings, and to call any occasional meeting at the request of any two members. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record all the proceedings of the Society, to give notice of all meetings; to collect subscriptions, and receive donations; and to hold all monies to be subject to the disposal of the Society.

Art. 6. The annual meeting, which shall be the stated meeting for choosing officers and transacting the business relative to the Society, shall be holden on the first Wednesday of November.

Art. 7. This Constitution shall not be altered except at an annual meeting, and by a vote of two thirds of the members present at said meeting.

At a meeting of the Portsmouth Peace Society,

November 19, 1818.

Voted, That this Society be auxiliary to the Massachusetts Peace Society, and become subject to its regulations.

From the Records.

(Attest)

JNO. W. FOSTER, Sec'y.