was burdened with the barges of the Emperor of Germany, heavily laden with artillery, military stores and troops.  More than a hundred thousand men were marched down to the theater of conflict from Hungary.  Fifteen hundred pieces of artillery were in the train of these vast armies of the German emperor.  The Russian force was equally efficient, as it directed its march through the plains of Poland, and floated down upon the waters of the Don and the Dnieper.  The Turkish sultan was not wanting in energy.  From all his wide-spread domains in Europe and Asia, he marshaled his hosts, and engaged from other nations of Europe, and particularly from France, the most skillful officers and engineers, to introduce into his armies European discipline and improvements in weapons of war.

The Ottoman Porte issued a manifesto, which was a very remarkable document both in vigor of style and nobility of sentiment.  After severely denouncing the enormous encroachments of Russia, extending her dominions unscrupulously in every direction, the sultan asked indignantly,

“What right can Russia have to territories annexed for ages to the dominions of the Porte?  Should the Porte make such claims on any portion of the Russian dominions, would they not be repulsed?  And can it be presumed that the Sublime Porte, however desirous of peace, will acquiesce in wrong which, however it may be disguised, reason and equity must deem absolute usurpation?  What northern power has the Porte offended?  Whose territories have the Ottoman troops invaded?  In the country of what prince is the Turkish standard displayed?  Content with the boundaries of empire assigned by God and the Prophet, the wishes of the Porte are for peace; but if the court of Russia be determined in her claim, and will not recede without the acquisition of territories which do not belong to her, the Sublime Porte, appealing to the world for the justice of its proceedings, must prepare for war, relying on the decrees of Heaven, and confident in the interposition of the Prophet of prophets, that he will protect his faithful followers in the hour of every difficulty.”

No Mohammedan pen could have produced so vigorous a document.  It was written by the English minister at Constantinople, Sir Robert Ainslie.  Catharine II., apprehensive that, while all her armies were engaged on the banks of the Euxine, Sweden might attack her on the shores of the Baltic, decided to form a new treaty of peace with Gustavus III.  An interview was arranged to take place at Frederiksham, a small but strongly fortified town upon the Gulf of Finland, the last town occupied by the Russians towards the frontiers of Sweden.  The empress repaired thither in a yacht the 29th of June, 1783.  Gustavus III., with his suite, met her at the appointed hour.  Two contiguous houses were prepared, furnished with the utmost splendor, and connected by a gallery, so that, during the four days these sovereigns remained at Frederiksham, they could meet and converse at any