This agreement of the distant year 1806 for the city of Herceg Novi – published in an American newspaper – marks one of the series of unstoppable agreements and treaties that will continue to devour the territories of Albania, with Tivar, Ulcinj, Hoti, Gruda and until the last agreement when Montenegro took 8200 hectares of Kosovo.

This agreement shows how, once, Albania bordered Croatia and Montenegro had no access to the sea. But, the political nanny of the Slavs, Russia, constantly sided with the neighbors of the Albanians to rob them of their territories. Even in this agreement, it is Russia that supports Montenegro.

This also shows how old Russia’s goal is to reach the Adriatic Sea, but also Austria’s continuous efforts to keep Russia as far away from these countries as possible. All that is said in the points of this agreement has been trampled with both feet by Montenegro, as well as in all other coastal lands, once Albanian.

Considering these developments, we cannot and will not come to the conclusion that history, especially for us Albanians, is repeating itself in its saddest form. Sami Frashëri says it very well, “Nations are like pigs that eat each other. Woe to the weak!” Being weak, do not try to become strong, it is a prerequisite that the enemies will tear you apart without mercy.”

DALMATIA, March 28 [1806]. These are the points of the agreement by which the Bay of Kotor was surrendered to the Russians, since the Austrians were too weak to resist the forces that opposed them.

Transcribed:

1. The Austrian garrison to be evacuated from the New Castle (Castel Nuovo, Herceg Novi) and from all the forts and garrisons in Albania, within twelve leagues, and to be handed over to the Russian army. Albania is now considered to be in the hands of the French, and this consideration has now become the property of Her Imperial Majesty of Russia.
   
2. The Austrian garrison to be discharged with all the honours of war, in accordance with the conditions of a friendly army, and to be allowed to take with them all that belongs to them, except the cannons, ammunition, etc., which are to be handed over to the Russians; since, according to the treaty of Pressburg, these articles were to be sent to the French. Commissioners to be appointed by both parties, for the delivery and receipt of them.
   
3. The Austrian garrison with all that belongs to them, within three days to embark on board the Russian ships and land at Trieste.
   
4. Those Catholics who choose not to remain in Albania, to be allowed to associate with the Austrian garrison.
   
5. The Catholic religion to be respected in Albania and to be protected according to the laws and customs as before.
   
6. The liberties and property of the inhabitants to be respected and the form of government to be adapted to this morality and behavior of the people.
   
7. The Montenegrins, under the protection and armament of the Russians, are required to be received by the inhabitants of Albania as friends, but not to be admitted into the fortresses.”
   
   (“The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser”, Washington, June 2, 1806)
   
   DALMATIA, March 28. [1806]