Oracle post — Portsmouth, N.H., 1804-03-27 00:00:00, page 1

OF ALL THE DISPOSITIONS AND HABITS
WHICH LEAD TO POLITICAL PROSPERITY,
RELIGION and MORALITY ARE INDISPINSA'-
BLE SUPPORTS. iffy;, ^,
MORALIST.
EVERY Jedfbn of th year, like the life of moa
is intermixed, more or left, rtvith beauties & deformi
tier, with forms and funjhines, with femes both de
lightfulaud disagreeable. Spring like youth, is the
season of animation, sprightliness and mufie. Win
ter like old age, bar more of fears thdn of hopes, mere
sfpains that of pleasures ; its days and nights are
%dious andfoyleft ; its proftefts are depressing and
gloomy. IrSwmmer, as in ripening manhood, all is
fervid, vigorous and productive. Autumn tske the
mature age of man is tranquil and sedate. It pro
fits usfrft<witb loaded branches of ripenedfuits ;
} and then wlh fading beauties,falling Leaves, nipping
Ifrofls, plaintive founds, dying in/e^s, grayling ^
pfist unmelodipus groves, naked bills ^ pillaged
gf*^'" ise fitting verdure of th fa^bas ; in ids
decaying, falling leaves of every tree, both the young 1
and the old ma, view femjelves as in a mirror, & I
learn their frailty, and rapid prpgrfs to dilution. I
But however our bodies fade, let our virtues sou
' 'MISCELLANY.
^. ;^ — .—«. -— ——— = ■ ——l
Intrigue, to Perfection ! !
INSTRUCTIONS
OF
C M. Talleyrand to Gen. Andreossi
Late French Ambwfador to Great Britain.
At your firft interview with the Bririfh miniver
'you have to declare, in the name of the Frfl Consul
his high esteem for them all; but particularly for
Mr. A-—-, and Lord H-, - ; and tint it is
the£ocere with of France to continue in peace
with England. Y“u hope they will not liftento the'
clamours and complaints of the pcrfohal enemies
wf the Fitft Consul, and the implacable and heredi
tary enemies of France; you may,hifinuate, that their
own honour and inttreft, arid the welfare of Eng
land, is nearly connected with such conduit be
capfe the Pitts, rhe Windhams, the Grenvilles ;
the Bourbons, and their friends the Chouaos, and
the emigrants, are as much their enemies as the
enemies of the present French Government and
: c^re little if war ruin England, to that it onlydif
plsce, the prefect ministers, & gives some trouble to ;
the First Coidal.,
On all occafinns bold this fame language,and try
to penetrate into the impression it makes upon
Mr. A. nd lord H. individually ; if they believe
its truth, or doubt i'a sincerity ; and if ambition &
uatereft blind, or patriotHm guide their judgments
• ^it^^ftd wiwwh ——^^ct^^^^ I.
At your tirit audience of hh B-- M-^ -•-,
prefect him with the, high refpe& and admiration
of the First Consul for all his royal and perianal
virtues; to which elone and to his prefect able
and#lc minifies, France and Europe Scribe the
general peace with which the world is billed, and
which it is ihe intent of ihr FirOConful inviolably
Co preserve. At every other audience, untifether
wife inftru&ed, you are to touch with as much
delicacy ,s _poflible on the merits of his present
ministers, and hrsown great judgment hi choosing
luch just meritorious arid patriotic councilors.
Tohis Royal highness the P. of W. you tire to
infinune that the First Confel has always admired
his generous and noble mind and that it has been
a source of the gr^ateft regret to him during the late
contest, not to be able sooner to express his relped
ful admiration, and to gain the good opinion of
fach a great prince ; pay particular attention to
the prince's answers and converlation ; and if he
throws ent arty hints that he knows what the First
Coeful had laid about him in a conversation with
tome of bis friends who visited France last summer,
but by your condud you are to appear perteaiy
ignorant on this fubjeft. Try to find out who are
the Prince's friends & favourites ; if those persons
whole names you already know, continue to advile
and govern him, or if they have been Succeeded by
others, and who these are. If you can intimate
yourfelf into rhe confidence of any one Who you
are certain po&ffes the entire confidence of the
Prince, you may let Kim underhand, as from yout
felf, that you furfur to fee his (the Prince's) retired
Situation; and^hat although you bad no permffion
go to do, you would take upon yourfilffrom the
known fentitrents of the First Consul if approved
by the Prince, to alk any sum of money H. 8» H.
Should fix upon, as a loan, to be repaid when the
J Prince succeeds tc/ the throne. This tranfs&oa is
of the most delicate and fecrct nature, and mull be
kept entirely from the knowledge of the King, tvs
family, and the midifters ; and you cannot be too
'careful not to commit (compromeure) yourfelf or
your charaaer. Should the Prince f^cept of the
offer, and you of course receive prvate audiences,
impress ftroogly upon the Prince's mind the nec
essity for secrecy; when the qurftion is about the
sum he mould want, that for avoid fu picioo, which
may be followed by difcovety, and be hurtful to
the Prince in the public opinion, you thiuk a cer
tain annual turn (any sum under one million)
would be the belt and ipeft convenient arrangement.
When this pointis failed, and that you have re
ceived the sirs lremittance for. the Prince, and of
course are offered his bond, you are to refufe it, fay
ing, the Fit ft Confultrulls entirely, to the honour
of the Prince, Out you have at the fame time to de
clare, that it would give the Firfl Consul the high
. est fatisfaaion if, in a letter from the Prince's hand
he was allured that H. R. H. would by degrees
cease all future acquaintance with the Bourbons;
and at his acceffioiuto the throne not permit them,
or any other emigrants, to refine any longer in his
dominions. Be attentiveto what the Prince lays,
to if he is farcin what he fays; after you re
pOTr, you shall receive further inftruaious how to
a/t If'tte Prince or his friends decline your offer
catavout to find out the reafen ; and , be has not
Vol. XIV.I
a previous engagement with the Bourbons,^ and if
he ent~ei,ins any hatred or prejudice against the
First Consul. In her present di(grace, avoid great
attention to, or notice of the P-.--.ss of W. because
it may hurt her, and offend the P- ;as you
know that next summer a French lady, who knew
the princess of Brunswick, intends to renew her ac
quaintance, and to inspire her with a good opinion
of the Brft Cenfal, and then you (hall receive di
re&ioris how to assist her. Inform yourfelf, how
gver, if her daughter, the young Priocefs ffieWs any
genius and abilities; in what manner (he is edu
cated ; if her governess and the persons educating
and attending her have talents, to what party they
belong, and ilthty are known to like or hate France.
If by tome difereet attentions you Can gain their
good opinion, do npt ueglea it. If they are to be
gained over to out interest only by money, make
your report, and you &all receive orders bow to
cenduft vourfeff.
With reipe& to the other branches of the rdval
family, you have to follow the examples, cuffoms,
and etiquette of otter ambafladors ; but when you
speak with the D—^-of ¥• — r , remember to throw
lout1out delicate compliments on his military abilities,
from which France has fuffered so much; and to ;
the D—of C---,express the obligations of France to
him lor not employing his"great naval talents dur
ing the late war.
Endeavour to be as popular as possible; never
I refufe an invitation from tue chief of the city, or
I of the wealthy citizens ; immitate as much as pof-
I (il'le then manners of society and their cufirra of
Iconversation; as at their feafts and affctublies where
I you are invited, fame members of the government
I will possibly be prefenti As a Frenchman, you
I may without giving offence, mix water with your
I wine, whilst they drink theirs undiluted ; and thus
often, perhaps, you may difeover their secrets with-
out exposing ours.
It is not necessary to remind you to be polite &
condescending at the balls and routes of the Eng
li(h nobility, but not so as to forget your rank, and
that of the nation you represent ; your own judg
ment will tell you when it will be neceffa, to be
prouder then th^ proudest, and to resent with in
dignation or contempt,offences or negled.—-Never
forget or forgive the presence of a Bourbon, of any
noble emigrant, dr one decorated with the prdfcri.
bed order; mould you meet with Pitt, Windham
Grenville, or any known enemies of the firft con
sul, be civil, but formal and distant ; and at any
future invitation to the fame pbce, refute your
pretence; on the contrary to those of Mr. Fox's
party, who have oppoled the late war, and whole
liberal opinions and attachment to the cause of the
revolution are khown, you cahoot be affable enough
and endeavour, by diftiuaiom, invitation and a
miableness, to prove to them that the firft Coriful %
knows, remembers and is greatful for their past ;
condu& and bebavour.
As in most Societies, you will probably rn^et
with military men of the army and navy if they do
not (him yours, court their acquaintance and con
versation, and report your opinion of their princi
ples, talents, and abilites ; lay it down as an invari
able rule to address yourfelf to the passions & not to
thereafon of those men,particularly if they are over
heated with drinking ; and you may depend upon
it you will pick up feme, to us unknown and
ufeful truths and discoveries.
If they are diffatisfied, or difaffeaed en
deavour to find if ambition, avarice or pat
riotism, is the cause of their difaffeaion or com
plaint ; and should they'll men of parts, rank
, and diftinaion, give with nbn-chalance, as a con.
folatien, an indirea condemnation of their govern
ment, by hinting that under monarchiril government
these things happen, and men are negteaed,, who
in republics would probably be at the bead of the
state ; and instead of fuffering from princes would
command emperors and kings. Your own difere
tion, will cell you, when such complains are to
be heard ; fach conversations to be (offered, and
when such hints ate to be thrown but ; but at all
times observe that you (peak not in your official
capacity, but as an individual and a military man
who interests yotfrfelf in the honor and content of
all mititarymep. Should any such conversation with
firm and distinguished characters, be followed with
any overtures or intrigues, make your report, and
expert orders before you engage yourfelf any fur
ther.
With the chief of the demagogues or demo
crats associate seldom in public, but to private
keep up the spirit of difeontentment of faction,&
of hape^with inferior members of parties decline
all both public 3cprivate foeiety and connec
tion ; leave it to your inferior agents. As to
petitions to individuals, or money to factious so
cieties, make always your report before you
give your promise, and gain time to inquire in
-1 to the Traders of the persons and what prob
iable fa-vice may be derived from their societies ;
I. X. is however, the fitteft person to tranfa&
these things; leave them, therefore, to him left
, you should expose yourfelf, and avoid, as much
as podible such intriguers, or intrigues except
; when some decisive blow is to be struck.
I Should you by chance, meet in company with
)known republicans and reformers, take care to
hint, that they are not to judge of the future
I condud of the irft consul in favor of liberty,
from that which necessity forces him to adopt at
present; that you are confident, fhouid Provi
fdence ppeferve his life, and Europe once en
joy the tranquility it has loft, by the many late
' rcvolutionary convultions, he will restore to
Frenchmen, a greater portion of liberty than the
Romans enjoyed in the time of the Gracchi : and
1 that posterity (hall not have to reproach him with
1 permitting any other government to exist in Eu
rope, but that of an universal republic. ^ ;
>- In the company of aristocrats you are to hold
* a different language ; speak of the dangers of m
* novation, the horrors of revolutions, and the ne
cessity of eeafing to be any longer the dupes of
' speculative phiiofophers and revolutionary feep
' tics; that the privileged orders are as necessary
' and indifpenfablc in & prefcoi civilized Rate of
ORACLE POST.
■ I ■"- ^ » V ■ '‘
TUESDAY, March 27, 1804.
t^7=ii— i.^^
mankind, as equality is absurd dangerous and
impossible ; and that fach are the red sentiments
of thefirft conful,his whole conduct fence in power
has proved.
Inquire how the public fpiritis id Canada; if
the inhabitants are yet attached to France ; and
if affiled by arms, ammunition and money,
whether there would be any profpe& at a future
war, that they would rife and throw off the En-1
glilh yoke ; fhonld any person of confequencel
and of sense from that country call upon you, fay
that his countrymen who emigrate to Louisiana
fiall there be received with the fame protection
and privileges as French citizens, and that it was
One of the ihorives of the frit consul in getting
back that fettlemen'., th afford an asylum there to|
his opprcHed and injured coautrytmen at Canada.'
4 With the Spauith, ,ruffian, and Dutch minift-1
its, you are to tie upon the roo& friendly and ,
intimate terms, donot however, lose fighofthpiri
{7;crenw)rs an, ^nlagiQns. Gain the friend|
ihip of ilte Ruffianambatfador, and endeavour!
to p^rfuade him that it was rfbt the intrigues of ;
France, but those oi his enemies in Riffia, thatl
caused his disgrace by the late emperor. Should j
you conceive that any seasonable present of valuel
from the firft consul would be Acceptable, men-j
tion it and it (hall befent you, accompanied with 1
a letter from the firft confers hand. Make, ;
ho wever, no unbecoming ordegrading advances'l
With the present Austrian ambaffadar be rath-|
er distant, not however to offend, but enough
to ihew that ire is under the pefdnil difpleafur^
ofthe First consul. Watch his scions ftridly ,
and report if he continues to fee the Bourbons
and the emigrants ; and if those speak well or
complain of him and ^ith what other members
of the diplomitic body he is mod intimate, Ac-
cept of his invitations ; but be formal and regu
lar in returning invitation for invitation—visit
for visit.
Find out inyour conversation with thePortuguefe
ambassador if he has abilites to fee, and patrio
tism to feel for the degraded bondage in which
England keeps his country ! if he has any par
tiality for England or antipathy for France—if
he mentionsthe cdndh& of Lafnefs with prudence
anger or contempt ; if he be liked or disliked by
the Englilh ministers, and if his reception at
court is hs gracious as that of the Imperal am
bassadors ; After him fomtimes, if you judge it
proper—but watch him at all times.
With the minißers and difplomatic agents
from the other powers and states you are to fol
low the etiquette eliablilhed in England ; never
forgetting or fuffering to be forgotten, that vou
are the representative of the firft nation upon
earth.
Should any one of them be particularly diftih
guilhed for grear talents, for great defers, for
hatred on puts&, for England or Franc ; k
favorite with his own sovereign, or with rhe
English ministers, report it. Be condescending
to them individually, but keep a vigilant eye
Upon them all, and upon what they are about.
For the reasons explain ed to you, pay parti cu
ter attention to every thing concerning the Eng
li(h finances, manufactures, and commerce. Os
the financial agents,under your maptruft ¥5, 51
and 60 ; % is doubtful, but it is a traitor to
whom, when fufficient proofs of his delinquency
collected, you may give a mission either to France
or Holland, and he (hull be taken care of. The
reportsof 29 must always be compared with
those of 15, 51, and 60, before believed or de
pended on,as he is very interested, and has many
underhand tranfidions not concerning France.
Citizen Ott 0 will leave you some notes regarding
,those aridother agents, which you mutt often
consult. His plan of influencing and depressing
the public funds, you mud Rudy, and follow at
all times, it is a mafler-piece. In the financial
and commercial i. # igues, as well as in those
with the factions you are always to remain the
Mobile invisible ; you are to command, in
&ru& and protest, but your agents are only feta
to ad and trarafad.
England is the only country in the world
where a diplomatic charader of talents and
judgement has so many and repeated opportu
nities to injure, to intrigue, to embroile, and at
the fame time to complain of wrongs and insults
and even when he is himfclf the offender,to speak
as the offended; a paragraph in a newspaper, a
word in a debate, or a toast at a club which he
may have paid for or provoked, will furniffi him
easily with complaints every week if not every
day.
, As the English ministers will probably (hew
some jealousy of our aggrandizements and out
endeavours to exclude England from its former
connections with the continent—should they make
you any representations, on this or other ' fub
jefts, meet their representations, with complaint
of the non-cxecution of the treaty of Amiens
of their tyranny in the East Indies ; of the libels
in the newspapers ,of the injuries and calum
nies of then writers against the firft consul and
the protedion afforded to the Bourbons and
other French rebels. Should, however, some
unforfeea demand be made, or explanations in
filled on, gam timeby referring to the decision
of the Firlt Consul, and await his orders.
If any complaints are made about thefeizurt
of British (hips, or contifcation of British proper
ty in France ; fay always that France is the
' proper place <6 arrange those mattetf; as Eng.
land is for the arrangement of rhe claims for
' French citizens tbeie.
Never give a dire&anfwer to any propofol,
,vmade, or to an, fuddea complaints or offers.
The want of inftru&ions, dnd the necessity to
consult your government, are always acceptable
; and accepted egcufes for u'el„s,in political tran
,factions ; make use of them even if your mind is
; made up on % fubje& mquettiorifor tear of com
fitting yourfelforof blundering. Few, political
^N^^^^^^^^^^ottxzezx^l.s-^.mr ^m-a.-h&twtoo
tranfaftions are of a naturenot adorning debfofc
nodelays can in the prefect hate of Europe ever
hurt any political tranfaftions; but a negotiator
or mibifer ; let bis presence of mind be ever so
great, and his abilities ever so tried : by giving
a decisive,& not a temporifing answer, may by
one moment's for getfulnefydo hi cause and hi#
country more harm than Services of years could
(repair..
Endeavor if pcffible, to get an account of the
real ' Rate at the Eatt-India Company's finances
and an exaft lift of all the native and European
forces in the Engliffi payin the Eafi-Indies ; of
what force they are, of what teftgion and lan
guage, and to what divisions they belong. Un
-1 til our colonies there are in our power, and the 1
iforces intended to be sent ihefe-have arrived, a-
I void all difeuffions concerning the usurpation of
A England the complaints of the native princes, or
1 any thing that can give reason to fufpea our fu-
Itore 'plans. On this subject until further
i edr^Sfo^fave THE utmost SILENCE on Tag
fTREATY OF AMIENS.
I Spare no pains to obtain ever, information
j poffib^ olfthc weak or vulnerable parts in India
I where thd greatest difconient reigns; where
I jhe English are most hated the French molt
I.liked.'
lAmufeI Amufe the minifterts with the details of our mis-
I fortunes in the weftern hemisphere, so as tri di
; vert their attention frora what we intend to do ini
the East. Be unceasing in your endeavours to per
suade them that, without their affiftaucc in fypg
and money, we are unable conquer the rebels at
St Domingo , observe that it is the common
cause of France and England to prevent a re
public or rather an anarchial government in the
Wed-Indies, which sooner or later, mast extends
to Jamaica, & the otfeer Britilh colonies,& caufc
their ruin or separation from the mother iountry~
Should these arguments fail to determine Eng^
land to afford us any assistance, and coat yoa
think the offer will be accepted, you may pro
pose, that England ffiould keep St. Eurtattia as
a fecarity, until what ic at present may advance
(hall be repaid, and should the advances of
England exceed iso railbions any other Dutch
colony in the Welt Indies (Surinam excepted)
raay be added as further security. Be caretaf
however, nor to make those offers,without a cer
tain profpea of fucceis; and after all other,
means have been tried in vain.
Procure a correft lift of all the persons pefef.
sing great property, with remarks of what their
properties consul ; whether in landed estate ia
the funds or in goods ; whether in the colonies
of the East Or the Weft Indies, the amount of
their certain revenue"; if they are fuppoled to
spend the whoie or only a part $ ifthey increase
tor decrease it. The ml copied from the inconz
ra# & sent-M- Orto,is incorrea ; bar dace this tax:
has ceafed,Engliih vanity will get the betcerofEn
glilh cupidity, and a correct one may be eafil,
procured )and is absolutely necessary for fixing
loans and requifificn at our future invasion-
Bay up all plans drawings and maps ofiheljl,
lilh coatis, provinces, cities fortirications , dock
yards and wh rfs ; all writings and remarks cos
the soundings tides and winds of England, Scot
land and Ireland; the proaudians, population^
refcources, poverty and riches of all the coun
tries where a landing may rake place with ad
vantage; the character of the people of those;
countries their political opinions their vices and.
prejudices.
Endeavour to find out if the officers of the
English navy have a favorable opinion of the,
First confai, if they speak the French language^
and are of whig or republican principles ; and
fend over rhe names of those distinguished so?
• naval abilities and political or feuatorial talents.
Oftrsc agents employed to watch the cou
•du& of i^ Bodr^ons you may iruft 2, 5 and
:•„, read the reports of the others, and pay the
reporters, but do hoc depend upon them; of
, those about Pichegru and George, 19 44, and
66 may Be believed, the others are too Itupid
[ to be either ol fervico or of harm,and may wirh
-1 out danger be difmi&d : those about the bilhops
and other emigrants and chouans, in, iz 33 42 .
; and 55, may be ^continued ; but let the others'
§ know, that their ferviceS are no longer wanted
; in England ; give them passes to France, with
L promifts of employment there under the police
. Give seldom any" grand feafts, but when you
; do give them, let them surpass others in fplendcr
r tAfte, delicacy and elegance ;on some oceafions,
such as the biith day of the First Consul the an
, niveifary of the Republic, or, if approved by the
r Consul in honor of the birth gay of the K ; ng of
r England ;no money is to be spared to impress
pupon the minds of the English,nation thegteattefi
and geoerotity of the Fiench. Do not forget io
t order your subaltern agents to have all the pkr
s ticular of these feafts noted in all the neufpa
s pers—the lower classes in England devour the
description of public feafts in their 'public prints
1 with the fame avidity as the higher da&S eat
4of your diffies and drink of your wine.
gCitizen Otto's littof authors and men of k>
ttrs is to be attended to ; but ihouid you hear
, of, or difeover any great tAlentsin any other per,
sons, court their acquaintance, offer a place ia
e the National institute, or a Ifterary petition. To
I men of letters you are always to insinuate that
e 'peutions nr places from ahe frit consul, are 041,
taWardtfor pad labours, arid not any pretenfiobs
l or expedations for future services ; that he looks
Oilmen of letters as fellow citizens bf ill Cduh
§ tria;&,thit theirtulehts belong to no country&.
ther th France nef thEhgtiiEdtutibihe utiiverfe.
, In four tranfadtidris with Irilh patriots, or
e with any other pet tons, or in any ibm^.s.,not
. mentioned here, you are to follow the te
s fimaions to citizen Otto, of the loth Ofo^r,
lsoi ; or if yoti judge 'it neceffarv, ask for new
1, ones. C. M. TALLEYRAND.
rtoso& ao I^o3.
taut Lil. LL-aaji
[No. 24