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252] ANNUAL REGISTER For the YEAR 1772. 
appear, that nothing can be of a more urgent necessity, than to apply an immediate remedy to evils, from which the neighboring nations have already experienced the most disagreeable effects; and the consequences of which, if not timely prevented, must bring on such changes in the political system of this part of Europe, as may be fatal to the general tranquillity.
Urged by reasons so many and so weighty, her majesty the Empress of all Russias, her majesty the Empress-Dowager Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and his majesty the King of Prussia, find themselves under a necessity of taking a decisive part, in circumstances so very critical. And their said majesties have determined among themselves, without loss of time, and with one accord, to take the most effectual and best combined measures, in order to re-establish tranquility and good order in Poland; to stop the present troubles, and to put the ancient constitution of that kingdom, and the liberties of the people, on a sure and solid foundation.
But whilst they take advantage of that mutual friendship, and good harmony, which happily subsists between them at present, in order to prevent absolute ruin, and arbitrary dissolution of Poland; they cannot but be sensible how little it is in their power to promise themselves in future periods the same happy concurrence. And as they have respectfully very considerable claims on the possessions of the Republic, which they cannot permit themselves to expose to the hazard of possible contingencies; they have therefore determined among themselves, to assert these their ancient rights, and lawful claims, which each of them will be ready to justify in time and place by authentic records, and solid reasons; but for which the situation of the Republic will never leave them hopes of obtaining justice in the ordinary course of proceeding.
In consequence hereof, her majesty the Empress of all the Russias, her majesty the Empress-Dowager Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and his majesty the King of Prussia; have communicated reciprocally their respective rights and claims; and being mutually convinced of the justice thereof; are determine to secure themselves a proportionable equivalent, by taking immediate and effectual possession of such parts of the territories of the republic, as may serve to fix more natural, and sure bounds between her and the three powers. The said three powers engaging to give hereafter an exact specification of their respective quotas: and renouncing from the present moment all revival of right, demand, or claim, on account of damages sustained, debt, interest, or any other pretence whatever, which they might otherwise have, or form, on the possessions, or subjects of the Republic. 
Their said majesties have thought it right to notify these their intentions to the whole Polish nation in general; inviting, at the same time, all orders and ranks thereof, to banish, or at least suspend, all spirit of discord and delusion; in order, that, a dyet being legally assembled, they may co-operate with their said majesties, in establishing, on a firm and solid foundation, the good order and tranquility of the nation, and may, at the same time, ratify, by public and solemn
 
ANNUAL REGISTER For the Year 1772                         [253
solemn acts, the exchange of the titles, pretentions, and claims of each of their said majesties, against the equivalents, of which they have respectively taken possession.
Given at Warfaw, &c. &c.
NOTE. This manifesto was delivered on the 18th of September, by the Baron de Stackleberg, minister from the court to Petersburgh; and by the Sieur de Benoit, minister from the court of Berlin; and on the 26th of September, by the Baron Rzewicki, minister from the court of Vienna.

Counter Declaration of the Court of Warsaw
The underwritten, ministers of the king and republic of Poland, having laid before his majesty the declarations given in on the 18th and 26th of September, by the ministers from the courts of Vienna, Petersburgh, and Berlin; and his majesty having taken the advice of his senate thereupon, the underwritten are commanded to make the following answer thereto.-
The disinterested and successful pains of her majesty, the Empress of all the Russias, to preserve tranquillity in Poland during the last interregnum, and promote the free election of the reigning king, universally recognized; the concurrence of the King of Prussia in the same designs; and the system of neutrality at that time adopted by the Empress-queen, are circumstances, which appreciated, as they ought to be, by the king, will never be effaced from his memory or heart.
The king is happy in seeing the regulations and internal establishments of the diets, immediately succeeding the death of Augustus III. declared "useful and salutary" by the three powers: he would ever wish the emanations of the sovereign power of the Republic to be regarded with a favourable eye by all his neighbours. 
All Europe is long since informed of the original and successive causes of the present troubles in Poland: all Europe knows, that the king, and the soundest part of the nation, exerted their utmost endeavors to prevent the rise, and stop the progress of them; unfortunately these efforts have been unsuccessful; and certainly the consequences have been dreadful. The supreme and legal authority of the state has been denied by some: anarchy has spread itself over the provinces: all Poland has been impoverished, ravaged, trodden under foot, as well by her own citizens, as by foreign troops; she has felt, and all Europe has seen, those sufferings proportioned to the length of time these troops have been in the country, the orders of their respective courts, and the manner in which their orders have been put in execution. 
In a word, five years of scourge and desolation have ruined this country, and make the return of peace, a matter of urgent and indispensible necessity. 
The engagements entered into by the three powers, to co-operate in effectuating this great work, appeared therefore full of humanity, and would have been regarded by the king with the liveliest gratitude, if the latter part of their declaration had left room for any sentiment, but those of the utmost surprize, and the most profound grief. 
These courts pretend considerable