The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

FOREIGN NEWS

From the French papers.

LEGISLATIVE BODY.

PRESIDENCY OF M. FONTANES.

Sitting of the 10th of Nivose, 31st December.

The President read the following message:

EXTRACT FROM THE REGISTERS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

"At the Palace of the Tuileries 31st December.

NAPOLEON EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH.

"We have named, and do name, M. M. Champagny, minister of the interior—Regnaud and Lacuée, councillors of state, to repair to the legislative body this day, the 31st December, and make there the following exposition of the situation of the republic.

(Signed) NAPOLEON."

"By the Emperor, the Secretary of State.

(Signed) H. B. MARET."

M. Champagny—"Gentlemen, in consequence of the nomination of which you have been informed, I have the honor to lay before you an exposition of the present state of the French empire.

"The internal state of the Republic is at this day such as it has been in the most tranquil times. No movement, that can alarm the public tranquility; no crime, that belongs to the remembrances of the revolution; every where, useful undertakings; every where, the amelioration of public and private property, attest the progress of confidence and security.

"The leaven of opinions no longer disturbs opinions; the sentiment of the general interest, the principles of social order, better known and more refined, have attached every heart to the common prosperity. This, all the administrators proclaim; this, the emperor has observed in all the departments which he has traversed. This has been demonstrated in the clearest manner. As the armies are seen at the same time separated from their generals: all the military corps from their chiefs; the superior tribunals deprived of their first magistrates; the public administration of its first organs; the churches of their principal pastors: the cities, the country stripped every where, at the same moment, of every thing that could have power and influence over the mind: the people every where left to the bent of their own genius, and the people have every where shewn themselves attached to order and the laws.

"At the same moment, the sovereign Pontiff traversed France. From the banks of the Po to the banks of the Seine, he has been every where received with a religious homage, paid to him with love and respect, by that immense majority which, faithful to the old doctrine, saw a common father, and the centre of common faith, in him whom all Europe reveres, as a sovereign raised to a throne by his piety and his virtues.

"A plot, framed by an implacable government, was going to re-plunge in the abyss of civil wars and anarchy. Upon the discovery of this horrible plot, all France was thrown into emotion: anxieties imperfectly lulled to sleep are awakened, and in every heart, at once, are found again those principles which were constantly ours, before error and weakness had alienated the mind, and guilty intrigues perverted opinion.

"It was found that the divided power was without concert, and without strength. It was felt, that, entrusted for a time, it was precarious, and permitted neither long labors, nor reflection; that, entrusted for the life of a single man, it grew feeble with him, and less after him only chances of discord and anarchy. It was finally discovered that there was no safety for great nations, but in hereditary power, which alone could secure the political life and embrace ages and generations in its duration.

"The Senate, has been, as it ought to be, the organ of the common anxiety. This desire of inheritance, which was in all hearts truly French, soon manifested itself: it was proclaimed by the Electoral Colleges, by the armies. The Council of State, the magistrates, the most enlightened men, were consulted, and their answer has been unanimous.

"The necessity of hereditary power, in a state so extensive as France, had been for a long time perceived by the First Consul. In vain did he resist the force of principles—in vain did he attempt to establish a system of election, which might be able to perpetuate the authority, and transmit it without danger and without trouble.

"The public inquietude, the hopes of our enemies, blamed his work. His death was to be the ruin of his labours. It was at this moment the jealousy of the foreigner, and a spirit of discord and anarchy assailed us. Reason, sentiment, experience, alike assured all the French, that there could be no certain transmission of power, but that which operated without an interval: that there could be no tranquil succession, except that which was regulated by the laws of nature.

"When such motives supported such pressing wishes, the determination of the First Consul could not be doubtful. He resolved, therefore, to accept for himself, and for two of his brothers after him, the burthen, which the necessity of circumstances imposed upon him.

"From his own meditations, matured by conferences with the members of the Senate, by discussions in the councils, by the observations of the most enlightened men, is formed a series of dispositions which fixes the inheritance of the Imperial throne;

"Which assigns to Princes their rights and their duties:

"Which promises to the heir of the empire an education regulated by the laws, and such as shall be worthy of his high destinies;

"Which designates those, who, in case of minority, shall be called to the regency, and marks the limits of their power;

"Which places between the throne and the citizens dignities and offices accessible to all, encouragements and rewards of public virtues;

"Which gives to men honored with great distinctions or invested with great authority, judges too great to bend before their authority or before their distinctions;

"Which give to crimes against the public safety, and the interests of the empire, judges essentially attached to the safety of the empire and to its interest;

"Which places more eclat and more weight in the function of the legislator, more development and extent in the public discussion of the laws;

"Which brings back the tribunals and their judgments to their old denominations, which had obtained the respect of ages;

"Which in fine, guarantees the rights of the prince and of the people by oaths, the eternal guardians of all interests.

"These dispositions have been decreed by the Senatus Consulte of the 28th Floreal (18th of May): the French people have manifested their free and independent will: they have wished the Imperial dignity to be hereditary in the direct, legitimate and adoptive line of descent of Joseph Bonaparte; in the direct and legitimate line of descent of Louis Bonaparte.

"From that moment Napoleon has been, by the most just of titles emperor of the French. No other act was necessary to prove his titles and consecrate his authority.

"But he wished to restore to France its ancient forms, to recall among us those institutions which the Divinity seems to have inspired, and to impress upon the commencement of his reign the seal of religion itself. To give to the French a splendid proof of his paternal tenderness, the head of the church has pleased to give his assistance to this august ceremony.

"What deep and durable impressions it has left in the heart of the Emperor, and in the memory of the nation! What conversations for future generations, and what a subject of admiration for Europe!

"Napoleon prostrate at the foot of the altars which he has raised; the sovereign Pontiff imploring upon France and upon him the blessings of Heaven, and in his, wishes for the felicity of one nation, embraces the felicity of all nations!

"Pastors and priests, lately divided uniting to his supplications their gratitude and their voices!

"The senators, the legislators, the tribunes, magistrates, warriors, administrators of the people, and those who preside over their assemblies, mixing together their opinions, their hopes, their wishes. Sovereigns, princes, ambassadors, struck with this grand spectacle of France, re-seated upon her ancient foundations and by its repose assuring the repose of their country!

"In the midst of this pomp, and under the eyes of the Eternal Napoleon, pronouncing the immutable oath, which secures the integrity of the empire, the stability of property, the perpetuity of institutions, the respect of the laws and the happiness of the nation.

"The oath of Napoleon will be for ever the terror of enemies, and the aegis of the French. If our frontiers are attacked, it will be repeated at the head of our armies, and our frontiers will no longer fear foreign invasion.

"It will be present to the memory of the delegates from authority. It will remind them of the object of their labors, and the rule of their duties; and if it does not secure their administration from some errors, it will secure a prompt reparation.

"The principles which it consecrates are those of our legislation. In future, fewer new laws will be proposed for the deliberations of the Legislative Body. The civil code has satisfied the public expectation. It is in the memory of the citizens, it enlightens their steps, and their conduct, and every where it is celebrated as a blessing.

"A project of a criminal code, completed within these two years, has been submitted to the revision of the tribunals, and is, at this moment undergoing the last discussion of the council of state.

"The code of pleading, and the code of commerce are still in the state in which the labors of the last year left them. More urgent cares have called off the attention of the Emperor, and it is one of his maxims not to propose to the deliberation of legislators any projects of laws but such as have been matured by long and sage discussions.

"The schools of legislation are going to open; inspectors are appointed, who shall throw a light upon their precepts, and prevent it from degenerating into vain and useless experiments; the lyceums, the secondary schools, are filling with youth eager for instruction.

"Fontainebleau has already furnished a militia, distinguished in our armies for its high state, its attainments, and regard to discipline.

"The Polytechnic School is peopling our arsenals, our ports, and our establishments, with useful hands.

"At Compiègne, the School of Arts and Trades daily obtains new success—That which is forming on the limits of La Vendée, is expected with impatience, and will soon be in full activity.

"Prizes have been decreed to the sciences, to literature, and the arts, and, during a period of ten years, devoted to works which his majesty is determined to recompense, he has a right to expect that the genius of the French shall produce master-pieces.

"In the department of bridges and roads, the works already commenced have been prosecuted with vigour, others have been planned, and each year prepares new projects for the prosperity of the state, to be executed in the succeeding ones. But the untowardness of the seasons has opposed the foresight and the zeal of the administration;—rains descending in torrents have broken up the roads with greater rapidity than their ravages could be repaired—some works have been destroyed: others have been for a moment suspended; great calamities have over-whelmed some of the departments, and particularly that of the Rhine and Moselle. A judicious prefect, anticipating the intentions of the emperor, has given assistance to the unfortunate persons who fell victims to it. His majesty has raised their courage by his presence, and has consoled them by his favours.

"The course of contagious diseases afflicted the neighbouring countries; but the vigilance of the administration has preserved our territory from its effects; it is now abating in those parts where it extended its ravages. By persisting in measures required by prudence and the public welfare, the attacks of this evil will be prevented, without interrupting the communication necessary for the supply of our commerce and manufactures.

"In the midst of La Vendée a new city is erecting which is intended to be the seat of the administration. It will thence extend its active and steady superintendence over every quarter; thence information will be propagated throughout this whole department, in which ignorance and the want of instruction have so often involved simple and honest minds in the intrigues of the malevolent.

"The decrees of the emperor have recalled commerce to the left bank of the Rhine, and given to Mentz and Cologne all the advantages of actual entrepots, without the danger of introducing contraband commodities into the interior of France.

"Improvements are made in the manufactures, and, while in their vain declamations, the mercenaries hired by the British government boast of their distant and precarious resources, dispersed on the seas and in the Indies; while they represent our workshops as deserted, and our artisans dying of misery: our industry is extending its roots in our own soil, drives the manufactures of England far from our frontiers, has equalled them in what constituted their glory and their success, the perfection of their machines, and will soon dispute with them the consumption in every quarter to which they can be conveyed.

"Agriculture, our principal manufacture, is daily acquiring greater extent, and receiving new improvements. A system of exportation so well planned, that it can be extended or contracted, according to our wants, ensures to the cultivator the price of his labor, and the plentiful supply of our markets.

"New encouragements are paving the way to the improvements of the breed of our horses; our wools have attained to greater perfection—our fields are covered with cattle, and real wealth covers every part of our empire with opulence,—reviving security has given more ample scope to active benevolence excited by religion, and the recollection of our misfortunes, it is no longer confined to temporary charities, it extends to the future, and confides its treasures to the government, by which they are employed conformably to its wishes.

"Never were so many legacies and pious donations bequeathed to the hospitals, and charitable establishments. Some of these institutions have been created and restored by private individuals; never did suffering humanity find more friends, nor indigence more relief. They are distributed with equal judgment and zeal, and the hospitals, managed with an intelligence which increases their advantages, by economising the funds, afford relief to every want, a cure for the multitude of diseases, and are no longer those abodes of destruction which devoured their numerous and wretched inhabitants. Thus the number of the indigent in the capital is less, by 32,000 than it was in 1791; and, by 25,000, than in the year 10.

"Religion has resumed its empire, which it exercises only for the good of humanity: it is accompanied with a wise toleration, and the ministers of different persuasions, who adore the same God, honor each other with testimonies of reciprocal respect, and know no other rivalry than that of virtue.

"Such is our internal situation. A broad, French courage, seconded by Spanish faith, preserves to us St. Domingo; Martinique defies the menaces of the enemy, and, under a paternal government, more durable and stronger ties of attachment to the mother country are established.

"Guadaloupe has enriched itself by the spoils of British commerce; and Guiana continues to prosper under an active and vigorous administration.

"The Isles of France and Reunion would now be the depot of the riches of Asia: London would be in convulsions and despair, if inexperience or weakness had not defeated a plan most ably concerted. Those islands, at least, are enriched by prizes taken from our enemies.

"Our armies still continue to deserve the reputation they enjoy. With the same valor and the same discipline, they have acquired that patience which waits without murmuring for opportunities, and confides in the prudence and designs of the chief who conducts them. Our soldiers and our officers learn to master the element, which separates them from that island which is the object of their resentment. Their audacity and address astonish the oldest and most experienced seamen.

"Our fleets, by their continual manoeuvres, prepare for combat, and, while those of our enemies are battered by winds and tempests, ours, without injury, learn to cope with them.

"Lastly, since the commencement of the war, we have gained Hanover. We are, more than ever, in a situation for striking a decisive blow against our enemies. Our marine is in a better state than it has been these ten years; by land, our army is more numerous, in higher condition, and better provided with every requisite to insure victory, than it ever was.

"In the department of the Finances have prevailed the same activity in the receipts, the same regularity in the administration, the same order in the expenditure of the public treasure, and almost without fluctuation the same value of the public debt.

"War has produced a necessity for extraordinary expenses; but the sums thus applied have been retained within our territory; they have given us ports, vessels, and what is necessary for the development of our forces against our enemies.

"These extraordinary expenses now cease—and those which our warlike attitude requires will henceforth be directed with an economy, which the urgency of the preparations necessary both for attack and defence did not permit.

"The revenues of the crown will defray all the expenses of the emperor's coronation, and those which the splendor of his throne will continue to demand. The pomp by which he is surrounded will never be a burden to the nation.

"The situation of Europe has experienced only one important change.

"Spain reposed in a neutrality to which France had consented, and to which the British cabinet had agreed. Her vessels were suddenly attacked, and the treaty of Amiens was violated with regard to her, as it had before been for France. His catholic majesty has taken those measures required by the dignity of his throne, the violation of public faith, and the honor of a generous nation, whose destiny he directs.

"The Emperor of Austria devotes to the improvements of his finances, to the prosperity of his provinces, to the progress of their commerce, the repose which the loyalty of his character and the interests of his subjects recommend.

"The Italian Republic, administered and governed by the same principles as France, demands like her a definitive organization, which shall secure to the present and future generations all the advantages of the social compact united to this republic by the duties imposed upon him: and, as the President and Founder of that state, the Emperor will justify the confidence reposed in him, and secure its destinies and independence in serving the interests of the French people, to whom it also owes its existence, and in reconciling the interests of the two friendly nations with the real interests of the neighboring powers.

"By these changes, which the will of one nation and the interests of all demand, will, at length fall to the ground all absurd calumnies, and France having herself raised upon the spot where she had placed her limits, will no more be accused of a wish to trespass beyond them.

"Helvetia enjoys, in peace, the blessings of her constitution, of the wisdom of her citizens and of our alliance.

"Batavia still groans under an oligarchical government, without union in her views, without patriotism, and without vigor.

"Her colonies have been sold a second time, and surrendered without firing a gun, to England: but that nation has energy, morals and economy. She wants only a firm, patriotic and enlightened government.

"The king of Prussia upon all occasions has shewn himself the friend of France, and the Emperor has seized every opportunity that presented itself to consolidate this happy harmony.

"The electors, and all the members of the Germanic body, faithfully maintain the relations of friendship and good will, which unite them to France.

"Denmark follows the councils of a policy always wise, moderate and judicious.

"The spirit of Catharine the Great will watch over the councils of Alexander the First. He will remember that the friendship of France is for him a necessary counterpoise in the balance of Europe; that placed at a distance from her, he can neither attack her, nor disturb her repose, and that his chief interest is to seek in his intercourse with her the market necessary for the productions of his empire.

"Turkey wavers in her politics, and follows through fear, a system which her interest disavows. May he not learn, at the expense of her existence, that fear and uncertainty accelerate the fall of empires, and that they are a thousand times more fatal than the dangers and loss of an unsuccessful war.

"Whatever may the movements of England, the destinies of France are fixed; strong in her union, strong in her riches and the courage of her defenders, she will assiduously cultivate the alliance of friendly nations and will neither make enemies nor fear them.

"When England shall be convinced of the insufficiency of her efforts to disturb the Continent; when she shall be sensible that she can only lose in a war undertaken without object, and without motives; when she shall be convinced that France will never agree to any other conditions than those of Amiens, and will never consent to allow her the right of breaking treaties, at pleasure."
by keeping possession of Malta; England will then be situated by pacific sentiments; hatred and envy are the passions of the day."

M. Le President—"Messieurs, the minister of the interior, the counsellors of state, and the legislative body, gave you the act of the exposition which you have just presented to it—it will form a general committee to confer of this communication, and will adopt a deliberation worthy of itself and the government which sends you."

The paper of the 2nd contains the address from the Tribunate and Legislative Body to the Emperor, returning thanks for this statement.
Address of the Legislative Body to the Emperor of France.

"SIRE,

Your very favourable subject, the members of the legislative body, carry to the foot of the throne the address of thanks and congratulations which they have voted for the sentiments contained in the speech of your majesty.

The opening of this session will be a memorable era of our history. Never did the throne and the nation give the one to the other, so much splendor and support.

The rights of the head of the state have accrued from all the interests which he has showed for the French people.

We already taste the good which the force of supreme power affords; and, thanks to our cares, we shall be secured from the evils which its excess might bring with it.

The national resources develop themselves with much the more energy as your majesty promises to manage them with the more vigilance.

You do not promise new subsidies notwithstanding the immense military preparations. You deserve, Sire, that the French should never reckon their resources, since you so well recall their wants.

This great people, adorers of great men, always regenerates itself in their virtue: and when illustrious chiefs call it to battle, it becomes more necessary to restrain its course than to excite it.

Faithful to your great designs, it will protect the states which you have created, and the existence of which it becomes a wise policy to secure.

But if, like you, this generous people are prepared for war, like you they desire only peace; and, too wise to give up their legitimate rights, they are too strong to over-rate their pretensions.

Your majesty declares that you do not wish to extend the territory of France, but to maintain its integrity. These words must deprive our enemies of every pretext. In fact, Sire, you have no need of any farther glory from conquest. You will be as great in the details of the internal administration, as upon the field of battle. The world will speak as much of your institutions, as of your victories.

A long time is before you. Everything which your majesty meditates for the happiness of France, will be carried into effect. The finest destiny will not be interrupted: and besides, it is a kind of glory that never dies.

Treaties may be abolished by new treaties. The fruit of victories is sometimes lost: the greatness itself of empires impairs their duration. But love and admiration perpetuate the examples of those who have touched or re-established society upon the triple basis of laws, morals, and religion. The work of these great men lasts for a long time, and their spirit governs posterity.

This glory, Sire, will one day be yours, and your actions as your words give assurance of it.

This day the voice of all the departments is heard by your majesty. They are assembled, in a manner, around you in the person of their deputies. Each of us has been enabled to concur by his individual opinion to this great act, which has given you the crown. We now maintain the same with one body. The people and their deputies will never repent of having formed it. They will serve with the same zeal, a power of which your genius proves more and more the advantage, and of which your wisdom has discerned all the limits."

His imperial majesty, in his reply to this address, expressed himself nearly in these words: He said he acquiesced in the sentiments of the legislative body; that these sentiments would serve as a guide for the decisions and deliberations of the body, in the same manner as those which he had expressed, when he opened the session, should be the rule of government.

Address of the Tribunate.

"SIRE,

Your very faithful subjects, the members of the tribunate, have heard with emotion the speech which your majesty has pronounced at the opening of the session of the legislative body. It has been much affected by the dispositions which you have manifested to maintain the honor and glory of the French nation abroad, and to secure its happiness and tranquility at home.

You have declared, Sire, that you will preserve the integrity of the empire, but that you do not wish to increase the territory. This solemn declaration will be to Europe the assured pledge of the sentiments of moderation and peace, which have constantly animated you.

Your majesty has also declared, that you would not sacrifice its rights, nor the bonds which connect it with the states which you have created.

Sire—The glory of the throne upon which you are seated, the honor of the French people, their real interests, those even of all Europe, require that you shall never renounce our intercourse, which is the guaranty of the continental peace.

You have farther announced, that you were satisfied with the prosperous state of the finances, and that no new sacrifice would be demanded of the nation.