The National Register. — London, England, 1816-03-04 00:00:00

great contests, and to exult in great successes, that a tendency to admire decals of arms, and military establish ments, is in danger of being produced, and ought to be re pressed, rather than encouraged. The march of our army in Portugal, Spain, France, and the Netherlands, has been distinguished by the r o ut astonishing victf rics. During the period of three or f our successive campaigns, every packet or arrival mein the scene of action was ex pected to bring us news of important military movements; and public curiosity was kept on the stretch, or public admiration gratified, by the report or occurrence of great triumphs. The news of battles spread from the coast to the War-office; from the War-eiliee, to the journals ; and from the journals, to the lowest and most sequestered parts of our population. The guns of one fortress or cas tle told them to another; illuminations and rejoicings Tallowed the passage of the mat ; and . the towns and vil lages of our empire rung with the praises of our gallant countrymen, who were reaping for us such a harvest of glory. Amid the labours of the field; at church ; and in the common intercourse of life, the fame of our troops be came the common topic of conversation and pride. But the clergy, we are convinced, did not lend their aid to difihse this military spirit, or to invest the character of the soldier, with attractive attributes. They did not, to any considerable extent, recommend war and glory, by descanting on our successes ; or imitate the martial , bi shops and cardinals of former times, by inculcating on their flocks ; the necessity of becoming a church militant, by funning themselves into an army. But, it is to be feared, that on occasions of thanksgiving for victories, and on the late occasion of raisin a contribution on charity, for therelicf of those who sufered in our greatest victors, they may inconsiderately have lent their sanction to the prevalent and growing taste of the times, instead of op posing it. Nothing can be more pernicious to the morals of society, or more dangerous to its liberties, than a mili tary spirit; and nothing of course can be more inconsis tent with the character of a Christian teacher, as a friend to both, than any attempt to diffuse it. The character of soldiers seperated from the body of the people, and liv ing in comparative indolence, has been proverbial, in all ages, for dissoluteness in morals ; for disregard of religion, and neglect of social ties ; and therefore, however much we may be grateful for their exertions; when made for , our defence, we ought never to inculcate an admiration of their distinguishing qualities. The very efficiency of an army depends upon its passive obedience to superior command, and its renunciation of many of the feelings of citizens ; and, therefore, we ought never, if we have any regard to freedom, to render its existence popular beyond .the period of active service against a fireign enemy. Let Ifs bestow the laurel, or more substantial reward, upon our soldiers, when they fight successfully in our cause; let us be grateful to God for the victories, which, under his superintendence, they achieve for us; but let us never, as Christians, or as freemen, sanction a taste for the trade of war and bloodshed; or a passion for military parade and establishments. We carry a sword where our per sons are in danger ; we may raise batteries where we dread attacks ; but no man would encumber himself or his property with these things; when he might live in security without them ; or when there was a danger that they might he mimed against his family, or his interests. It was not necessary to introduce the subject of war, or the defence of the military profession, for the purpose of attaining the end proposed, of succouring those who bled or lost their relatives in a battle, which we trust in God will render a military attitude less prevalent in Europe. The gospel has commanded us to. relieve the wants and hind up the wounds of our fellow men ; and surely, when they have suffered in our service, their claim upon our sympathy and benevolence is strengthened. We tra vel the nearest way to the place of happiness, when we pass through the hospitals and prisons, where our fellow mortals languish, and distribute to them the greatest re- • lief that we have in our power.—We arrive most se curely whoa on the road we disencumber ourselves of our superfluous wealth for the benefit of less fortunate pil grims. To noise a contribution, therefore, fir the aid of the soldier, we are not bound to admire his character, any more than, by assisting the penitent, we are required to imitate his example. (We shall make a few further oh servatiors on this subject, and give a few extracts in our nexr. Number.) FRENCH PAPERS. CHAMBER OF DEPLITIES.—Srertao op Pea. it. The Minister fur Foreign Affairs and General Police, who ' was introduced into the thatcher while M. de Serres was at tie Tribune, after that metnbe•• had condi:tied his speech, se •gnes:cd to he heard. He met.: d the tribune, and in a tone winch announced the profound crnotiou produced in his mind by the melancholy cointem.ication with which be was eitarged, expressed himself in neat ty the follswi ac terms:— " Gentlemen, I^te King has charged us with a communica ticn to you, wirier 'nest deeply touch your hearts.•" A profound silence now The Chamber seemed to anticipate the object of the commuoication—a sentiment of emotioi was impressed tut e very r•,unteaance. Connt de Cazes confine •..i—" •t'he death of the just is never lest to poste; ity. It always eon% eys crave and salutury Providen , c. had permitted that a written trace of the last Woughts, the la •t wishes forme tf for his people, by a menareh wheFe name is for eN er consecmtvel in the remembrance of mankind, should be preset ved. It was its will that the testa ment of Louis XVI. should exist. " t'ils m^lanciruly consolation Und not been granted to ~,' THE NATIONAL REGISTER. descendant of Maria Theresa, that princess worthy of the son of fit. Louis, worthy to share his crown and his martyrdom. Gad alone had heard the vojett or the l lug queen: her august daughter did not collect the expression of her last wishes. Tweets-three years have passed ais av singe that writing was traced at the last hear of the most beloved, as well us the most unfortunate of sovereigns. But Provideoce Las at length per mitted that it shoold be presented to the august daughter of our kings. and bring sow consolation to her sorrows, even while it renews them. This letter is recognizable by the hand writing of the queen, the characters of which were never more firmly and correctly formed, as if to show the calmness of her soul at that awful moment. It is not signed, but its atithen ticity is guaranteed by a testimony which inspires horror. The Testament oldie victim is signed by her murderers. " This testament breathes the tenderness of a mother, the dignity of a queen, the firmness of a philosopher. It is worthy of being heard, along witu that august and sacred testament, which merited the being read in the pulpit of truth after the word of God." Count Carrs here read the following : LETTER FROM THE 111 FFN OF FRANCE, MANIc ANTOINETTE, TO HER SISTER, MADAME ELIZA/MTH. " Half-pain. Four. _ . . . . " I write to you, sister, for the last time ; I have just been condemned, not to a shamctul death, it is only so to the guilty ; but to gn and rejoin your brother, innocent as he was. I hope to show the same fortitude as be did in these last moments. " I am calm ns one is when one's conscience does not re proach us. I feel deep sorrow at abandoning my poor children —good and tender sister, you know I lived but Mr them and you—by year affection you have sacrificed every thing to be with us. y ln what a situation 110 I leave yon! I karat, by the pleadings in my case, that my daughter was separated from you. Alas ! poor child, I dare not write to her—she would nut receive my letter. I know not whither this even will reach you. Receive for them both my blessing. " I hope one day, when they w ill be older, they will be able to rejoin you anti enjoy all your tender care. Let them both rellect upon what I have never ceased to instil into them, that the principles aml exact execution of their duties are the first bases of lice, and that affection and mutual confidence will con stitute the happiness of it. Let my daughter feel that at the age she is, she might always to assist her brother with the coun sels which the greater experience she will have and her affec tion may suggest to her: let my son, in his turn, administer to his sister all the solicitude and services which affection can in spire: filially, let them feel that in whatever position they may he, they cannot be truly happy but by their onion. Let them take CNllittple by us—how oat n in our miseries has our infection afforded as consolation—in happiness we have a double enjoy ment when we can share it with a friend. Aud where can any be fomill more dear and tender than in one's own foully? " Let my son never forget the last words ofhis father, which I repeat expressly. Let him never seek to revenge our death? " I have to speak to yon of something very painful to my heart. 1 know how much pain this child has given you. For give hint, my di ar sister; think of his age, how easy it k to make a child say what one pleases, stud even what he does not understand. A day will come, I hope, when he only will feel more deeply the value of your goodhess and tenderness fur both. _ " It remains for me to confide to you my last thoughts. I would have written them at the commencement of the process ; but. besides that they would not sutler me to write, the march of events has been so rapid, that I have out had in reality the time. " I die in the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion—in that of my father's, is which I was brought up, and which I have always professed, having no spiritual consolation to ex pect—not knowing if there still cxistauy priests of our religion; and even the place where I uu would expose them too much, if they once entered it. " I sincerely ask pardon of God for all the fanits I may have committed since I was born. I hope that in his goodness he will receive my last wishes, as well as those I have long put up, that he will receive my soul in his mercy and goodness. I ask pardon of all I know, and of you, sister, in particular, for all the pain I myy, without meaning it, have caused von. " I forgive all my enemies the ill they have done me I bid adieu here to my aunts, and all my brothers and sisters. " I had friends; the idea of being separated from them for ever and their troubles, are one of the greatest griefs I have in dying. Let them know, ut least. that, to my last moment, 1 thought of them. " Good and tender sister, farewell! May this letter reach you! Always think of me! I enibrace yon with all ray heart, as well as my poor dear children. Oh, my God ! what agony it is to quit them for ever. Adieu! Adieu! " And now I will resign myself wholly to my spiritual duties. As I am not free in my actions, they will bring me perhaps a priest ; but I protest here I will not say a word to him, and that T will treat him as a perfect stranger." Conformable to the original writing, entirely in the hand ' writing of the Queen, Marie Antoinette. The Minister of Po lice, (Signed) Comte de GAZES. After the letter had been read, it was long tsefore the Minister was able to proceed. His own emotion as well as that of the assembly prevented him. A long silence intervened before he was able to resume his disci arse. " Gentlemen," said Count C.rzcs, " the King, in (Erecting as to make this ccumnunicatiou, has authorised us to state, that in marking choice a.us fur that purpose, it was his desire to honour the Deputy as notch as the Minister. His Majesty wishes dna you should see, on this communication, a proolof his desire to mix all his feelings with those of his people, and to make you participate in the consolations he receives as he shares your hopes and your cares. " I deposit on the Bureau a certified copy of the Queen's Testament. His Majesty has directed me to state, that be has ordered a for-siosik to be taken, a copy of which will s ue deli vered to each of the Members of the Chamber." _ . _ At these words the whole assembly rose up, amidst cries of Vice is Iloi. - _ Laine, " Gentlemen, what an affecting interruption has the communication which has just agitated our hearts made in our• political discussions ! and how much cause have we pi put a rem on those passions which subvert states, and which plunged France into all the calamities of which the rending of this royal letter recals the remembrance! The emotion I feel is too powerful to allow me to pursue this idea. However, the ex pression of the last sentiments of our Queen raises us to ideas ►flarh higher than than an connected with po'..ics ; it elevates our souls towards religion, anti reminds us drat religion is along capable of being the imitst powerful support of government. What a security for nations, when it fills tile hearts of kings! What peace, what happiness rm sovereigns, if it penetrate into the hearts of the people as well as into royal harts! But I perceive I anticipate the expression of your sentiments: we ought to be less moved, and to have more time to express them w,riLily. I provv , v, Ge.,!l;•rt , :t, o :4' an 111:11He ad•lre•s :..,, ~. MARCH 4. sled not to hitu by a depista im of Ti Member% Did the trans port ut your hearty requirs an example, I should tell you, what, I have just been informs:!, that thcCisambes of Pet.r. has voted an address to the king, which is to he presented by a grand de putation. A general cry of— To the role ! to the rote I—The ‘N hole assem bly quickly wood up. 'The President repeated the motion of M. Laiae , which was fulassimouslt atiopfod, with cries of Keck. Rot! President then gave the Ministers an acknowledgment of the colinnimic.ition having WM; made to the chamber: and a certified ropy of the letter was ordered to be deposited in the arebkves Of the chamber. President.—lt does not appear to be the wish of the chamber to emitinue the discussion with which it wits previ• ously occupied. A cry from all sides—No! no! The Premident then announced that the interrupted dives 'lion should be resumed to-morrow, at noon ; and proposed that the rhamher should now resolve itset into a secret comrnittea, in order to give elket to M. haloes !notion. The chainber went into a secret committee accordingly. CHAMBER OF PEERS. 1111.1.FTIN OF THE. SITTING OF WEISNESDAT, FEB. 22. The Minister for Foreign Atfairs, President of time Council of Ministers, and the Minister for Geaeral Police, were iatroduct d. The first of these ministers communicated to the chamber, on the part of the King, a letter written to Madame Elizabeth by the unfortunate Queen Niarle Antoinette five hours before her death. This letter, entirely written in the queen's hand, was found among the papers of the ex-conventionalist Courtois. His Majesty wishes that the chamber of peers should rei!eive the first comumniention of this interosting document (for which see the chamber of deputies). A fac simile of it has been en graved, copies of which will to-morrow be delivered to the peers and deputies. Viscount Chateashriand expressed with equal animation and dignity the sentiments which this melancholy communication excited in the assembly. He proposed to transmit to the king, by a grand deputation, the homage of the sentiments of the chamber. The Duke of Choiseul, in seconding this metion, paid a just tribute of respect nud admiration to the ani:i.st compaiiitm of Louis XVI. The motion was unanimously agreed to, and the speeches of Viscount Chateaubriand and the Duke of Choiseul were ordered to be printed. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, MONDAY, Fen. 26. The Royal Assent was given by Commission to the Cochineal and Indigo Importation Bill, and Lord Gower's Indemnity !till. file Cul ttttt isNioners were, the Duke of Alontrose, the Lord Chancellor, and the Earl of Shaftesbury. After a few remarks from Earl Stanhope, Lord Holland, and the Earl of Liverpool, the House Adjourned. TUESDAN, PF.6. 27. The House confirmed the claims of his Grace the Duke of ',cluster to vote in the election of Irish Representatise Peen. —Adjourned till Thursday. T:WItIDAY, FIB. 29. INCOME TAX. Earl STANHOPE presented a Petition from the Ward of Al. dersgate, against the renewal of the Income Tax. The Peti tion, he said, complained of the tax as moat vexatious and op pressive, and also objected very much to a large military esta blishment in time of ptutee ; awl prayed their Lordship. not to agree to the renewal of the Income Tax under any modification whatever. The Earl of SHAFTEsmitir presented a Petition taint the Income Tax from Limehonse. Lord NA PI I:R presented a Petition from the Farmers of the county of Kirkcudbright. (as we underst•)od) pi dying relief, and complaining of the pressure of the Income Tax. Tax on Horses, &c. The Archbishop of CANTERBURY moved the second reading of the Clergy Forms Bill. The object of it he stated to be to continue a temporary Act on this suaject, in order to eive time to bring in and pass ageneral Act, relative to the Discipline of the Church, in which the matters of this Bill would beincluded. —Read usi.coud time.—Adjourned. FRIDAY, MARCH 1. The Malt Duty, and the 11 Million. Exelicquer-bills were read a third time and passed. Lerd King presented a Petition from the Ward of Aldgate against the Income-tax. Ordered to lie on the table. Earl Forteseue presented a similar Petition from ti, I and holders and Farmers of the parish of Tiverton, in the county of Devon. Ordered to lie on the table. Lord KING moved forfora ropy of any representation made by oar Ministers at Ficnna, at Varis or elsewhere, fur the reco very of the Loans made to Austrian) 1795 and 1797. The Earl of LIVER POOI. Ktatcd, that after the Treaty of Campo Formic) some representations was made to Austria for payment of this loan; but it was found impossible to engage Austria again in the contest with France if they exacted this payment horn her. The war began in 1502., and there was no intention on the vain of Mr. Pitt to enforce this claim, for otherwise Austria could not have come into the field. After Austria made a separate peace with France, the Right Hon. Gentleman (Fox) then at the head ofallairs, granted one million to Austria as a part of her calumet% during the campaign : but he took not ulie least notice of any claim on the plat of thia country against Austria, fur the repayment of this loan. In ISM) Aus.rin was again allowed to join the coalitimi; but not a ward was said ahout the loan. Russia asked ter a Wan at that time, which was refused en the ground ci the exanipie of Austria. Would the House or the country have pardoned any Minister, who at the time of forming a general confederacy, would have thrown impediments in its way to the ruin of Eu rope, by asking for the payment of this loan? lie had no diffi culty in saying, that as this demand not made at the time of entering into the last alliance, it would be unjust to make it now. _ _ The motion was negatived wilout a division.—Adjounted till Monday. , .-~_ HOUSE OF COMMONS, Mownty,Sra. 26. Sir F. Bynum pro rated a Petition. from the Electors of liFestmici!..r, attains: the renowni t.f the l'roperty Tax; which was read, and ordered to lie ou tl.: table. Sir J. SHAW presented a similar one from Broad-street Ward; Mr. W. brash one, from Non , leh ; Mr. Mellish one, from Limehouse; Lord Milton out. from Doncaster; one, from Northa!lerton; Mid one, from !, Ith und South Kays. Sir T. ACKLAND presented twenty-seven Petitions from dif ferent parts of North Devon. T!e Petitions were rend by the Clerk, and ordered to !lc on