By the mass of the nation this constitution was
received with gratitude and joy; but some of the aristocracy protested
against it, and their resistance was encouraged by Russian gold. At
first, however, their opposition was fruitless, and everything promised
well for the establishment of this new order of things. Russia, it is
true, threatened to subvert them; but the Porte, Sweden, and Prussia,
with other European powers, looked upon them in a friendly manner.
Prussia, indeed, solemnly promised assistance; and in the month of
March, 1790, Frederic William even concluded a defensive alliance with
Poland. But the friendship of courts is variable, and the favour of
monarchs fickle. The King of Prussia had attached himself to the cause
of Poland, not from any respect for her rights, but from a spirit of
jealousy towards Russia, and in the hopes of obtaining something for
himself. He was to have Dantzic and Thorn for his support; and when the
republic refused to cede these cities, his ardour on the behalf of
the Poles underwent a great change. He grew cool, and when peace was
concluded between Russia and the Porte, Frederic William withdrew
from the cause of Poland altogether, and even joined with her old and
inveterate enemy. When the Russian hordes entered the Polish territory,
under the pretext of assisting those aristocrats who protested against
the new constitution, he not only refused his promised assistance, but
took a menacing attitude. But the Poles were not discouraged by his
perfidy. The diet summoned the nation to its defence; and the army
fought valiantly, under the command of the celebrated Kosciusko. The
enemy, however, proved too strong for Poland. The king was not in heart
on the side of the patriots; and Kosciusko himself deserted them and
went over to the aristocratic party. The patriots now fled; and the
Russians having advanced to within three days march of the capital,
compelled the king to save his throne by consenting to the abolition
of the new constitution. On the 23rd of July, 1732, an armistice was
concluded, and the command of the Polish troops consigned to a Russian
general. Vengeance soon followed. On the 29th of October a diet
assembled in Grodno, to which diet it was declared, on the part of
Russia and Prussia, that a second division of Poland was necessary, and
that its members would be called upon to comply with this measure.
There was no alternative; for, at this time, Prussian as well as