s painful
duty to anticipate. But in order to obviate as far as possible
such consequences, it is of essential importance to establish
the public tranquillity throughout the territories which
formerly constituted the Kingdom of Poland, upon some solid
and liberal basis of common interest, by applying to all,
however various may be their political institutions, a
congenial and conciliatory system of administration.

Experience has proved that it is not by counteracting all
their habits and usages as a people that either the happiness
of the Poles, or the peace of that important portion of
Europe, can be preserved. A fruitless attempt, too long
persevered in, by institutions foreign to their manner and
sentiments to make them forget their existence, and even
language, as a people, has been sufficiently tried and failed.
It has only tended to excite a sentiment of discontent and
self-degradation, and can never operate otherwise than to
provoke commotion and to awaken them to a recollection of past
misfortunes.

[Illustration: [map]]

The undersigned, for these reasons, and in cordial concurrence
with the general sentiments which he has had the satisfaction
to observe the respective Cabinets entertained on this
subject, ardently desires that the illustrious monarchs to
whom the destinies of the Polish Nation are confided, may be
induced, before they depart from Vienna, to take an engagement
with each other to treat as Poles, under whatever form of
political institution they may think fit to govern them, the
portions of that nation that may be placed under their
respective sovereignties. The knowledge of such a
determination will best tend to conciliate the general
sentiment to their rule, and to do honor to the several
sovereigns in the eyes of their Polish subjects. This course
will consequently afford the surest prospect of their living
peaceably and contentedly under their respective
Governments....

This dispatch was sent on the 12th of January, 1815, exactly a century
ago. The warnings were not heeded and the past century has been filled
with sorrow for the Poles and with risings and revolutions, as Lord
Castlereagh clearly foretold....

In Western Russia, in Eastern Prussia, and in Galicia there dwell about
20,000,000 Poles. If the war s