Volume 4 — NOTES ON THE WAR, GERMANY, AND NAPOLEON, BY PITT (1803). Source.—Stanhope’s Life of Pitt, 1862. Vol. iv., p. 223.

The War.

(Paper-mark, 1803.)

“Whether the attacks should be numerous or few in order to strengthen them, and in what points:—

“1. South of Italy.—Besides Neapolitans, 10 or 15,000 British troops and as many Russians; besides free corps raised in Albania and Italy, the latter by the King of Sardinia.

“2. North of Italy.—Switzerland and South of Germany.—Austrian troops supported by 60,000 Russians as auxiliaries.

“North of Germany.—40,000 Russians, with a body of Hanoverians, a Swedish army, and a diversion from England. To advance towards the Low Countries.

“The operations on the two flanks may be modified according to the conduct of Turkey. These will probably only act when forced. Austria and Sweden may, it is thought, be brought to act voluntarily.

“It is not meant by diversion that any descent should be made from hence in the beginning, but that we should continue to menace their coasts, and not attempt anything in the interior till after some decided success.

“Advantages to be given to any Power if necessary should be regulated with a view to the future safety of Europe, and the zeal shown by each Power. It is supposed nothing can be proposed for Prussia consistent with the safety and interests of the rest of Europe, except the provinces she ceded to France. Austria is expected from the little which has passed to be very moderate, and content with inconsiderable acquisitions in Germany and Italy.

“King of Sardinia should not only be re-established, but his share should be made as large as possible.

“Switzerland should be arrondi, and its position strengthened as much as possible.

“The same principle should be followed with respect to Holland.”

Germany.

(Paper-mark, 1803.)

“The present situation of the German body neither good for the countries themselves nor for Europe.

“Should a part of it be englobé by the two great Powers, or a third great State formed in the middle of Germany? This can scarce be thought of, from its injustice to so many Princes of the Empire.

“Could a more concentrated Federative Government be formed out of the different States; and should not in that case both Austria and Prussia be separated from it?

“Principle of mediation being to precede war.

“Intimate union necessary between England and Russia, who are the only Powers that for many years can have no jealousy or opposite interests.”

Napoleon.

“I see various and opposite qualities—all the great and all the little passions unfavourable to public tranquillity—united in the breast of one man, and of that man, unhappily, whose personal caprice can scarce fluctuate for an hour without affecting the destiny of Europe. I see the inward workings of fear struggling with pride in an ardent, enterprising, and tumultuous mind. I see all the captious jealousy of conscious usurpation dreaded, detested, and obeyed—the giddiness and intoxication of splendid but unmerited success—the arrogance, the presumption, the self-will of unlimited and idolized power, and—more dreadful than all in the plenitude of authority—the restless and incessant activity of guilty but unsated ambition.”