Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz

“ But as it is not always in our power to serve her with arms in our hands, as political means are only accessible to the few, let us endeavour to be useful to her in a way open to every Pole: let us keep up, nourish, and strengthen this spirit, this national character, this sentiment of our imperishable rights, the glorious inheritance of our past, and the surest guarantee of our future. ”

“ Courage equally great was requisite to oppose the intrigues and menaces of the factions in the Assembly, and energy and talent to electrify the public mind without. Niemcewicz was among the first that supported in this Diet measures for establishing a monarchical power,—hereditary and strong,—together with the emancipation of the peasants, and pleaded always with eloquence, the cause of a wise liberty. ”

“ Niemcewicz, more than seventy years old at that time, did not, however, hesitate to undergo his fourth exile, and share the fate of his countrymen who left Poland. He continued, at first, to labour in order to influence public opinion in England and Ireland in favour of his country, and contributed to the establishment of the Literary Society of the Friends of Poland in London. He afterwards came to reside in Paris, where his noble efforts in the cause, which he had already served upwards of half a century, were to terminate only with his life. ”

“ On the other hand, the constant object of his other numerous works was to keep alive the patriotism of the Poles: sometimes by popular songs, sometimes by historical labours, sometimes by speeches made on the most solemn occasions, Niemcewicz, with his indefatigable literary activity, harassed the enemies of Poland, and contended, without intermission, with arbitrary power and antinational tendencies. ”

“ Called by the choice of the notables of Warsaw to the Presidency of the Society of Benevolence of that city, Niemcewicz found in these functions a vast field for honourable and useful labours. But a still more conspicuous proof of public respect awaited him. The Royal Society of the Friends of Sciences at Warsaw, after the death of the learned philanthropist Starzyc, elected him their President ”

“ The Central Historical Committee at Paris hold their sittings, and receive collections, in the apartments which have been presented them by a generous Polish lady.
The Committee will not fail to extend and raise the compass of their labours, if they are supported by a great number of their countrymen. ”

“ Every good Pole will, we are sure, approve of our object, and eagerly concur in it. A part of his leisure devoted every month to copy a few pages of documents connected with our history, will be sufficient for this purpose. ”

“ Those of our countrymen whose patriotic zeal may dispose them to answer our appeal, will oblige us by applying for information on the plan of our labours, and their execution, to Mons. Charles Sienkiewicz, Secretary to the Polish Historical Committee at Paris, Rue Matignon, No. ”