a

TION.

“ all on the reflection, that he owes it eno, expressible by the English words UNPRO“ tirely to the love of the French people, VITABLE GREATNESS, or FRUITLESS GRAN56 and he has no other wish than to repay Deur, is insidiously and dishonestly per" such affections no longer by the trophies verted into the criminal passion of “ vain “of VAIN AMBITION, but by all the ad- ambition," to serve the purposes of cor

vantages of an honourable repose, and ruption and craft, and to delude the very “ by all the blessings of a happy tran- numerous readers of this interesting State “ quillity.” Now, Sir, who would sup- Paper, who have not the opportunity to pose, in reading this passage, but that the compare it with the French original. Can Emperor Napoleon, penetrated with com, “ good cause” stand in need of such punction for his past errors, had been led / despicable artifices? to confess, through his Minister, that he had been heretofore stimulated by

I am, Sir, your constant reader,

vain ambition,” the vice so currently attributed

WILLIAM MAYLÅND. to him by the prostituted press of Eng- | London, May 28, 1815. land ?—Their point in truth was thus accomplished. They had for years accused Bonaparte of disturbing the world by his To the TIINKING PEOPLE OF ENGLAND, “ vain ambition;" and here they give it WHO DO NOT FORM THE ARISTOCRACY, under his own hand, or, which is the AND WHO ARE NOT OF THE WAR Facsame thing, under the hand of his confidential Minister. Doubtless you and the public at large have been struck with this MY FRIENDS.-It might be well for extraordinary confession, made in the face you to consider the terrific scene, which is of a thousand 'facts, which give it the lie pendant over your country, and over direct, it being most notorious to every Europe. The moments are few, but they one who has lived with his eyes open since may yet serve for the public expression of the year 1799, that Bonaparte's career popular opinion against a war with France, began by the restoration of a general which your Regent and a large proportion peace, and has been uniformly marked by of your Aristocracy has determined on. endeavours to remain at peace with all Consider how similar the occasion and those who chose to be at peace with him ; commencement of this war is to that of his overtures and solicitations in favour the first one, which arose

out of the of peace savouring of pusillanimity, and French Revolution. It is the dread of the sometimes leading to war, by affording success and of the ultimate spread of that grounds for a charge of weakness on his spirit, of that Revolution which has alarmpart. I was led, therefore, to notice this ed the feelings, and aroused the indignapassage in the French original, as pre- tion of our trembling Aristocracy.-The sented ,

to the Houses of Parliament, when, expulsion of one dynasty, and the popular to my utter astonishment, 1 found nothing adoption of another; the extinction of about vain ambition," or any senti- old titles, the forfeiture of property, the ment which justified the use of this fa- dissolution of a powerful churchestavourite phrase of our war faction ! No blishment, the amelioration of the condiman, Mr. Cobbett, understands the French tion of the great mass of the people, who language better than yourself; behold then became independent; these are too then the original phrase of M. de Cau- formidable objects to be viewed with comLAINCOURT's letter,“ Sa Majesté s'ho placency by those of this country, whom simore sourtout de la de voir

quement milar events might place in similar situa66 à l'amour du peuple Français, et elle tions. This is the dread, this causes the

ne forme plus qu'un désir, c'est de panic, and this, this only, is the reason why payer tant d'affection, non plus par des you are to be engaged in a war, of which trophées d'une trop infructuese gran- no man can calculate the conclusion or 66 deur, mais par tous les avantages, d'un the consequences.--To make this war “houorable repos, par tous les bienfaits palatable, to make it appear necessary for ► d'une heureuse tranquillité.” Here, your interest, the base hirelings of every every person who understands French, or description are using every species of de. who is competent to consult a French dic- ception and falsehood. One hour we are tionary, will find that a moral sentiment, told, that Bonaparte can never take the

66

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a

field because the late King, good man, even the demand for coarser articles is so (after he had packed up the Crown jewels diminished that trade languishes, and emwe suppose) ordered all the powder ployment in many instances is not to be and powder-mills to be destroyed. Now found. Will an addition of taxes better is it to be believed, when Soult had the either of these respective conditions? will direction of the war department, aided not rather increased causes produce inby other Marshals who were plan- creased effects ?--Englishmen! “ arise, ning Napoleons return, that such an awake, or be ever fallen.” The war is order would have been executed at the not your war; the objects of it are not last moments of the Kings authority; your advantage ; and the continuance of and had it really happened, is it for it must produce a crisis, the horrors, gotten how in the earliest periods of the evils, and ultimate safety from which the Revolutionary war, upon a scar- no man can calculate. The fall of those city of powder, how quickly the men who occasion the evil will not be alone, of sctence, when directed to turn their or the just retribution of Heaven might attention to the preparation of this article, cause few tears from the survivors. But supplied the want. The same falsehood, around us would haver numerous people, the same delusion is practiced in a thousand whom we have by our subsidies enriched forms. In nothing more than in the impudent and ranged in arms; whom we have taught statements of desertion from the French that interference in the internal Governarmies. I wish the issue of the question ment of other countries, is in some causes of war or peace could be rested upon the a duty; and whom their own experience truth or falsehood of this fact, whether has taught, that in others it may be an adfrom the hour of Bonaparte's landing in vantage, inasmuch as sometimes they may France, up to this moment of time, they end as conquerors where they pretended could or could not shew a list of authenti- | to come as mediators and friends. Would, cated names of one thousand French sol- my friends, what I have said might rouse diers, who had served with him, and who you to the exercise of all legitimate means have quitted his standard to join the Al- to stem the tide of war, with which the Jies. The chance would be a poor one weakness and wickedness of some men for the friends of war.-Such then are the would overwhelm us. The cause is your causes of the war, and such the vile means own, and as is your apathy or your vigouc resorted to to induce your hearty concur- you must abide and remain.

Civis. rence in it, that you may pay for it in tax

June 7th, 1815. ation and bleed for it, with slaves from Russia, changelings from Germany, and subsidised soldiers from all quarters of the

THE CHAMP DE Mar. Continent. They tell you, it is to be but a summer's business; that the Bourbons, In introducing to the notice of my re&the nobles, the priests, the tythes, the for- ders, the most impressive and important feited estates, the virtues, the blessings, proceeding which Europe has witnessed and the comforts of the old Regime, and since the commencement of the French of all the Feudal System, will then be re- Revolution, few comments are necessary. stored in full and original authority; as It is a ceremony which speaks for itself, an example to all nations and all people and which ought to overwhelm with conwho dare to exert the rights of nature, and fusion all the base efforts of the vile hire, vindicate their freedom against the tyranny ling press, who stigmatise it with the silly of old institutions, and the feebleness and epithet of “a furce." I fear its effects wickedness of the few who lord it over will not be found farcical; and certainly and trample on the many. As agricul- if our besotted war faction continue their turists, I think, you have sufliciently felt industrious efforts, one of the first effects and seen the difficulties you now labour will be the renewal of those principles of under ; how taxation prevents your being liberty, which may possibly shake the able to meet the foreign corn grower in thrones of the Allied Autocrats to their the market. As manufacturers, you now foundation.. I do not say that it will; see, that by war you have driven all but it is, at least, possible that it may. tions to become your rivals; that in the But there is one circumstance, connected rimer goods you are undersold; and that I with the celebration of the Champ de Maig

ną.

so strikingly important, that I cannot for- joining in vows for the great object of bear noticing it. The detestabl• Billings that magnificent ceremony-all excited gate calumniators of the French I'mperer, the most ardent enthusiasm of which the have uniformly stated, as their decided and most memorable epochs have left us the conclusive conviction, that he dared not recollection.--We shall not at present app aria public; that when he went out enter into a particular description of the he was either shut up in a close carriage buildings prepared for this ceremony, but or rod his horse at full gallop. What do shall merely state the general arrangethese foul mouthed birelings say now?ments. The Emperor's throne was erectWhat do they say to his placing himsell, ed in front of the Military School, and in unarmed and withont, varis, on an ele- the centre of a vast semi-circular inclovated i hrone, surrounded not only by the sure, two thirds of which formed, on the people from all parts of the immense right and left grand amphitheatres, in French empire, but also by the whole po- which 15,000 persons were seated. The pulation of the prodigious city of Paris : other third in front of the throne was And yet not a single assassin could be open. An alter was erected in the found in spite of all the proclamations middle. Further on, and about 100 of the 66 legitimate proprietors of the toi es distant, was placed another throne, human rac;"

to do the so much de- which overlooked the whole Champ de sired deed of putting an end to the Mars. The Emperor having repaired to only really clected monarch in Europe.- the Champ de Mars, in procession, in the Would any of the Emperors or Kings who order described in the Programme, aphave proscribed Napoleon venture so to peared on his throne amidst universal acexpose thomselves? I doubt much whether clamations. Mass was celebrated by the any of them, shining as they are in all the Archbishop of Tours, assisted by Cardigreat qualities that adorn human nature, nal Bayanne, and four other Bishops.--wou i choose to call about them the popu- Mass being concluded, the Members of lation of their States.--At least, it would the Central Deputation of the Electoral not perhaps be considered the most wise Colleges advanced to the foot of the experiment, unless a body guard was pre- Throne, the steps of which they ascended, viously provided to protect their sacred in order to bave a nearer view of the Empersons. After this new proof of the at- peror, and to be better seen by him. tachment of the French people to Napo- They were about 500 in number. They leon, let us henr no more of the vile at- were presented to his Majesty by the tempts of the Times and the Courier to Arch Chancellor.--Then one of the Mempersuad- us, that Napoleon has not been bers of the Deputation (M. Duboys d'Anelected by the free and unbiassed suffrages gers, Elector and Representative of the of the French nation. This event is preg- Department of the Maine and Loire), pronant with the most important consequen- nounced with a loud voice and much anices; but it is unnessary for me to say more mation, the following Address, in the upon the subject to such men as compose name of the French peoole :the readers of the Register.--I give them the text; they will make their own com

SIRE--The French people had decreed mentary :

the Crown to you; you deposed it witlt

out their consent; its suffrages have just Paris, June 2.--Never did a festival imposed upon you the duty of resuming more national, never a spectacle at once it. A new contract is formed between 80 solemn and touching, attract the at- the nation and your Majesty.-Collected tention of the French people as the As- from all points of the Empire around the sembly of the Champ de Mai. Every I tables of the law on which we are about thing that could interest and elevate the to inscribe the wish of the people, this soul-the prayers of religion-the com- wish, which is the only legitimate source pact of a great people with their Sove- of power, it is impossible for us not to reign-France represented by the select utter the voice of France, of which we of her Citizens, Agriculturists, Merchants, are the immediate organs, not to say

in Magistrates, and Warriors, collected the presence of Europe, to the august chief around the 'Throneman immense popula- of the nation, what it expects from him, tion, covering the Champ de Mars, and and what he is to expect from it.- What

manners.

is the object of the league of Allied Kings , clare it to nations : may their chiefs hear wiih that warlike preparation by which us! If they accept your offers of peace, they alarm Europe and aflict humanity ? -- the French people will look to your vi

? By what act, what violation have we pro-gorous, liberal, and paterna! administravoked their vengeance,

given cause for tion for grounds of consolation, for the their aggression ? Have we since peace sacrifices made to obtain peace : but if we was concluded endeavoured to give them are left no choice but between war and laws? We merely wish to make and to disgrace, the whole country will rise for follow those which are adapted to our war, and the nation is prepared to relieve

We will not have the Chief you from the too moderate offers you whom our enemies would give us, and we have perhaps made, in order to save Euwill have him whom they wish us not to cope from a new convulsion. Every have. They dare to proscribe you per-Frenchman is a soldier: Victory will sonally: you, Sire, who, so often master follow your eagles, and our enemies who of their capitals, generously consolidated rely on our divisions, will soon regret their tottering thrones. This hatred of having provoked us. our enemies adds to our love for you. The energy and the feelings of the Were they to proscribe the most obscure speaker gradually extended to all around, of our citizens, it would be our duty to and the whole Champ de Mars resounded defend him with the same energy. He with cries of Vive le Nation! lire le would be, like you, under the Egis of Empereur! At this moment the ArchFrench Law and French Power. They Chancellor proclaimed the result of the menace us with invasion! And yet con- votes, shewing that the Additional Act tracted within frontiers which nature has to the Constitution of the Empire bad not imposed upon us, and which, long be- been accepted almost unanimously; the fore your reign, victory and even peace number of negative votes being 4,206. had extended, we have not, from respect The Chief of the Ileralds at Arms, on the to treaties which you had not signed, but oriler of his Majesty, transmitted by the

had offered to observe, sought Grand Master of the Cereremonies, to pass that narrow boundary. Do they said, ask for guarantees ? They have them all

In the name of his Majesty I declare, that in our institutions, and in the will of the the Act Additional to the Constitutions of French people henceforth united to yours. the Empire has been accepted by the French Do they not dread to remind us of times, people. of a state of things lately so dillerent, but which may still be re-produced! It

The Grand Chamberlain caused a table would not be the first time that we have to be bmught in front of the throne, on conquered all Europe armed against us.

which the Act was placed. The ChanBecause France wishes to be France,

cellor ddivered a pen to Prince Joseph, . must she be degraded, torn, dismembered, who presented it to the Emperor, and his and must the fate of Poland be reserver Majesty aslived his signature to the Act for us? It is in vain to conceal insidious for the promulgation of the Constitution. designs under the sole pretence of sepa- The table being removed, and the Emperating you from us, in order to give us

ror seated and covered, spoke in the folMasters with whom we have nothing is lowires terms :

Their presence destroyed all Gentlemen, Electors of the Colleges of the illusions attached to their name. They the Departments and Districts : Gentlecould not believe our oaths, neither could men, Deputies of the Army and Nary, at we their promises. 'Tithes, feudal rights, the Champ de Mai;-Emperor, Consul, privileges, every thing that was odicus to Soldier, I derive all from the people. In us was too evidently the fond object of prosperity, in adversity, on the field of their thought, when one of them, to con- battle, in council, on the throne, and in sole the impatience of the present, as- exile, France has been the sole and cona sured his confidants that he would constver stant object of my thoughts and actions. to them for the future. Every thing shall Like the King of Athens, I sacrificed msbe attempted, everything executed, to self for my people, in the hope of realizing repel so ignominious a yoke. We de- the promise given to preserve to France

which you

common.

OBSERVED

her natural integrity, her honours and her now direct their blows against my person.
rights. Indignation at seeing these sacred | Did I not perceive that it is the country
rights, acquired by 20 years of tictory, they wish to injure, I would place at their
disavowed and lost for ever; the cry of mercy this existence against, which they
French honour tarnished, and the wishes shew themselves so much incenced. But
of the nation have replaced me upon that tell the citizens, that while the French
throne which is dear to me, because it is people preserve towards me the sentiments
the palladium of the independence, the of love, of which they have given me so
honour, and the rights of the people. many proofs, the rage of our enemies will
Frenchimen, in traversing amidst the pub- | be powerless. Frenchmen, my wish is
lic joy the different provinces of the empire that of the people; my rights are theirs ;
to reach my capital, I had reason to rely my honour, my glory, my happiness, can
on a lasting peace. Nations are bound by be no other than the bonour, the glory,
treaties concluded by their Governments, and the happiness of France.
whatever they may be. My thoughts

.
were then all occupied with the means of

It would be difficult to describe the establishing our liberty by a constitution emotions which were manifested on every conformable to the will and interests of countenance by the words of his Majesty, the people. I convoked the Champ de or the prolonged cries which followed his Mai. I soon learned that the Princes who speech. The Archbishop of Bourges, have disregarded all principles, who have First Almoner, performing the functions trampled on the sentiments and dearest in- of the Grand Almoner, then approached terests of so many nations, wish to make the throne, and on his knees presented the war against us. They meditate the in-Holy Gospel to the Emperor, who took creasing the kingdom of the Netherlands, the oath in the following termsby giving it as barriers all our northern

I SWEAR TO OBSERTE AND CAUSE TO BE frontier places, and the conciliation of the differences which still exist among them

THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE

EMPIRE. hy dividing Lorraine and Alsace. It was necessary to provide for war. But, be- The Prince Arch-Chancellor advancing fore personally encountering the hazards to the foot of the throne, first pronounced of battles, my first care has beer' to con- the oath of obedience to the Constitutions stitute the nation without delay. The and fidelity to the Emperor. The Aspeople have accepted the Act which I have sembly with one unanimous voice repeated presented to them. Frenchmen, when we _We swocar. The Members of the De. shall have repelled these unjus: aggres- putation remained seated on the steps of sions, and Europe shall be corvinced of the throne, and Te Deum was chaunted, what is due to the rights and independence and the Presidents of the Electoral Colof 28 millions of people, a soemn law leges advanced to receive the Eagles for drawn up in the forms required by the the National Guards of their departConstitutional Act shall combine toge- ments. The Eagle of the National Guard ther the different dispositions of our con- of the Seine, that of the first regiment of stitutions now dispersed.. Frenchmen, the Line, and that of the first Marine you are about to return to your depart- corps, were carried by the Ministers of ments; inform the citizens that circum- the Interior, of War, and the Marine. stances are grand ! That with union, The Emperor, having laid aside his Impeenergy, and perseverance, we shall return rial, robe aroše from the throne, came victorious from this contest of a great peo- forward to the first steps, and spoke as ple against their oppressors; that future follows :generations will severely scrutanize our conduct, and that a nation has lost all Soldiers of the National Guard of the when she has lost her independence; tell Empire, Soldiers of the Land and Sea them that foreign Kings whom I have raised to the throne, or who owe to me

Forces, I entrust to you the Imperial the preservation of their crowns; who all Eagle with the National Colours : you during my prosperity sought my alliance will swear to defend it at the expence of and the protection of the French people, your blood against the enemies of the