When some act of Russian tyranny more gross and brutal than usual goads us to desperation, we take up arms to kill and to die.

You know not the awful persecution to which we Poles are exposed.

Whole villages are destroyed, and the inhabitants banished to Siberia; our young men are taken and compelled to serve in the Russian army.

Scores are shot down, after a mockery of a trial, on the pretence of discontent with Russian rule.

Women, ay, and ladies, are publicly flogged.