The Polish Patriot, Czarteryaki.
The death of
Adam Czartoryski, a distinguished Polish patriot, at
Paris, has been announced.
The following brief sketch of his biography is found in a work entitled ‘"Men of Our Time:"’
"
Prince Adam Czartoryski, a distinguished Polish nobleman, was born January 14, 1770. He took an active part in the affairs of his country as early as the period of
Kosciusko's attempt to liberate her from
Russian domination.
After the partition of
Poland in 1795, he and his brother were sent to
St. Petersburg by command of Catharine II., as hostages.
Here
Alexander was so charmed with the noble and manly character of the young Pole that he became his intimate friend, and upon his accession to the throne, appointed him
Minister of Foreign Affairs, in which post
Czartoryski conducted himself with so much prudence that the envy that was at first excited soon gave way. In 1805 he subscribed, in the name of
Russia, the treaty with
Great Britain.
He then demanded his dismissal, but, nevertheless, accompanied
Alexander in the campaign of 1807, having previously assisted at the
battle of Austerlitz.
"After the peace of Tilsit, he retired almost entirely from public life, declaring that his connection with
Russia was only to be referred to the person of the
Emperor.
When the war broke out in 1812, he was again by the side of
Alexander, whom he accompanied to
Paris in 1814.
"In 1815 he was appointed
Senator Palatine of the kingdom, and in 1817 married
the Princess Anna Sapieha.
He attended the first Diet, and spoke boldly in favor of a Constitution, but all his hopes were disappointed.
In 1821 some students of the
University of Wilma, of which he was a curator, were accused of revolutionary movements, and in spite of his efforts 60 of them were imprisoned with out trial.
Many of the sons of the first families were draughted as soldiers into the
Russian regiments, and others were banished to
Siberia and the military colonies.
Czartoryski thereupon resigned his post.
When the revolution of 1830 broke out he devoted all his energies to the service of his country.
He was appointed
President of the
Provisional Government, and summoned the Diet to meet on the 18th of December, 1830.
"On the 30th of January, 1831, he was placed at the head of the
National Government, and offered half his property for the service of his country.
After the terrible days of August 15th and 16th, he resigned his post, but served as a common soldier in the corps of
General Romarino during the last fruitless struggles.
When all was lost he made his escape, and reached
Paris, where he has since resided, and busted himself for the benefit of his homeless countrymen.
He was expressly excluded from the amnesty of 1831, and his estates in
Poland were confiscated.
"During the Polish insurrection of 1846 his Galician estates were put under sequestration by the
Austrian Government, but this was removed in the spring of 1848.
In March of that year he issued a proclamation urging the German representatives to unite with those of
France to demand the restoration of
Poland.
In April, 1848, he enfranchised the peasants upon his estate of Slendaiwa, in Gallicia, and gave their possessions in fee.
