P., Archduke Rainer, Rechberg, Mecsery, Schmerling, Lasser Plener, Forgach, Esterhazy, Burger, Hein-Mertens to the Provinces of Gallicia and Cracow, February 24, 1864

Manifesto of the Emperor of Austria, of March1, 1864, addressed to the Provinces of Gallicia and Cracow.

[Document accompanying despatch No. 47.]

For many months the kingdom of Poland has been the scene of disastrous occurrences. Gallicia is powerfully moved by sympathy for its neighbor, and that province, generally so peaceful, and moving in the paths of law and order, is agitated to its centre.

My government has conscientiously performed its international duties in the face of this condition of things, put in force the existing laws, and given that leniency and forbearance full sway which was thought fitted to calm the excited minds and turn the misguided from their unhappy enterprises. The results have not met expectation.

Treasonable associations have been organized within the limits of my empire; enlistments and extortions for the support of the insurrection are uninterruptedly continued; the personal safety and property of the inhabitants of the land and the common weal are endangered, and the legal order seriously threatened. A revolutionary power, secret in its action, the end and aim of which are directed against the safety and integrity of Austria, usurps a formal sovereignty in my realms; demands taxes and other contributions; puts its organs under oath and allegiance; and seeks to secure obedience to, and execution of, its decrees through terror and every other means, not recoiling even from assassination. Numerous facts indicate that the revolutionary parties are now preparing to make very soon my kingdom of Gallicia and Cracow the scene of open hostilities.

Such a condition of things cannot be allowed. Conscious of my duty as ruler towards a land which forms an integral part of my empire, the inhabitants of which in the most decisive majority are among my most faithful subjects, I have found myself, after the fruitless employment of all the means offered by the existing laws, forced to decree such extraordinary measures for Gallicia as may secure internal peace and increased protection to person and property.

People of Gallicia: That these measures may very soon be dispensed with is my lively wish. Its gratification depends essentially upon your concurrence.

I cherish the firm faith that the efforts of my government to secure obedience to the laws and calm the disturbed condition of the land will not fail of your aid. My care is ever for your weal; and I am determined to spare no effort again at the earliest possible moment to secure to your land the blessings of legal order, and thereby the pledge of the general welfare.