Page:Constitutional Charter of the Kingdom of Poland, In the Year 1815.pdf/66

 Thirdly:—The stipulations of the treaties, and the other diplomatic communications on the subject of a representation and national institutions for the Poles, concurred with these promises.

Fourthly:—All these stipulations were obligatory upon Russia not only as they regarded the Poles, but the other contracting powers, who had desisted from the re-establishment of Poland upon these conditions. Not being able to interpose between themselves and Russia the barrier of an independent kingdom of Poland, under a dynasty of its own, they had at least secured what independent Polish provinces, with a representation and national institutions of their own, could afford.

Fifthly:—Russia was more especially bound to fulfil its engagements to England, who had first broached these stipulations.

Such were the rights of the case. The practice adopted was in direct opposition.

The constitution once violated, and rendered illusory, no legal tie remains between the two States.

The Polish inhabitants of the provinces engrossed by Russia, have been debarred of their rights, and have never obtained either national institutions or a national representation.

The policy of the Russian cabinet on this head is only too evident. The most brilliant promises were held out to the Poles, in critical times, such as the invasion of Russia by Napoleon; and again at the Congress of Vienna, when they served to facilitate the negociations, by which Russia obtained nearly the whole of the Duchy of Warsaw; this end once accomplished, promises and oaths were thrown aside as useless. The Polish provinces incorporated in the Russian empire, were refused the enjoyment of those institutions which had been established in the new kingdom, because, by being extended, those institutions would have been strengthened, whereas it was intended that they should become a prey to despotism, supported by forces infinitely superior.