The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-10 00:00:00

FRANCE.

The following letter is not from our usual Correspond-
ent, by whom many of the facts below noticed have been
already communicated to our readers. Though from an-
other hand, it will be observed that the tone of feeling is
similar :
PARIS, JAx. 6.
Every body's attention is engaged by the project of law foe
the indemnity of the emigrants. All the Salons are transformed
into debating assemblies, where the question is discussed in al
its parts—where they have amended, modified, adopted. and re-
.
jectetl, the law, as might be done in the Chamber of Deputies.
Greet curiosity is felt to know how the Chambers night be dis-
posed towards the proposal laid before them. It seems evident
that the Deputies will accept, almost without any modification, the
project proposed. It has shown the spirit by which it is animated
in this discussion of the Address in answer to the Speech from
the Throne. It adopted, without alteration, the Address as pro-
posed by the Committee to draw it up. It paid no attention to
the amendments proposed by Messrs. Dourdeau, Foy, and Ca-
simir Perrier. Al. Dourdeau had moved that the Charter, which
is precise, should be substituted for Institutions, lihich is vague.
The speeches made in favour of the proposed Address, prove the
absolute devotedness of the speakers to the present Ministers.
Every thing indicates that M. de Villele will obtain from this
Chamber whatever he pleases to ask.
In the Chamber of Peers the Adtiress first proposed by M. Bc.
nald, which was entirely conformable to the views of the Ministry,
was warmly combated. A pretty considerable number of Peers
attacked the principle, that the emigrants had a right to an indent.
nity ; and when 31. Clement de Tonnerre, the Minister of War,
rose and said —" Observe, that you attack a principle recognised
by the King, in his speech from the throne," a general murmur of
disapprobation arose; and even the partisans of the indemnity re-
minded the Member of the principles of representative govern-
ment. " The speech from the throne," said they, "is the speech
of the Ministers, delivered by the King. It is unconstitutional to
adduce the Monarch personally in support of a principle which
must be freely discussed in the two Chambers, and which cannot
be a law till It has receired the approbation of the three powers."
Every paragraph of the proposed Address was then put separately
to the vote, and they were all rejected.
In the sitting of the 31st another Address was proposed and
adopted. The Chamber recognising the general principle, that the
emigrants have a right to an indemnity, would not bind itself In
any manner with respect to the mode of execution, which would
have been the consequence of its adopting the Address in the form
at first proposed. It is then easy to see, by all that has passed in
these two sittings, that the Ministry has to fear a powerful opposition
in the Upper Chamber. Part of the Peers acknowledge the right
of the emigrants, others consider the indemnity merely as an act
of policy, and others again as an act of munificence. The majority
will agree with the Ministry only on the one point, that an Indem-
nity shall he voted ; but it is doubtful whether it will agree with
it respecting the mode of execution. Already the Journal des
Debuts of to-day contains cn article by M. de Chateaubriand
against the proposed means of procuring the sums sufficient to pay
the emigrants. The emigrants themselves are not wh, :ly amis.
fied ; they expected an immediate and integral indemnity, and
they are to be paid only by fire instalments in five years.
During this time they will be at the discretion of the Minister of
Finance, who may delay or accelerate the payments at his pleasure,
by requiring documents in suport of their claims, which it will be
difficult to procure. M. de Villele takes a great deal of pains, and
the mult always is to excite almost universal complaints. All the
emigrants are not in favour of the Law. There arc some who con-
eider it im-olitic, and contrary to the national interest. Of this
number, N. Gilbert des Voisins, whose fortune Is very limited,
and who, if the law is adopted, will be entitled to 3,000400 of
francs. Ile is, however, one of the most.decided adversaries of the
proposal of the Ministers.