The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1803-02-28 00:00:00

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EXPOSITION OF THE SITUATION OF THE 11.FPUBLIC.

Paris, 21 Feb. 11th Year.

Even to have not disappointed the wishes and exertions of
the Government, the Legislative Body, at the moment it re-
sumes its labours, finds the Republic stronger in the union of
her citizens, more aElive in her industry, and more confident
in her prosperity.

The execution of Concordat, on which the enemies of pub-
lic order had founded guilty hopes, has been even• where at-
tended with results the most prosperous. The principles of a:t
enlightened Religion, the voice of the sovereign Pontiff, and
the constancy of the Government, have triumphed over every
obstacle. Mutual sacrifices have united the Ministers of V 761••
ship. The Gallican Church is regenerated by Philosophy and
by Concord, and already a happy change is 1.21 t in the public
morals ; opinions and sentiments become uniform ; our chil-
dren are more dueile to the voice of their parents ; youth
more obedient to the authority of the Magistrates ; conscrip-
tions arc executed in places, where the very word Conscription:
excited the minds of the peaple ; and to serve the country is a
part of the reiiginn.

In the ctripaninents which the FIRST CONSUL hat visited.
lie has eve. y where received an iisiuranee of this retirn to prin-
ciples which form the foundation of the strength and haiyi-
ness of Society.

Iu
the Eire, the Lnwer S,;irte, and in the Oise, they are
prowl of the National glory ; they feel, in their full extent,
the adyai.taces of equality ; they h:ess the return of Peace ;
they bless the re-establishment of the public worship. It is by
all theie ties that their hearts have been attached to the State
and the Constitution.

The Duty of the Government, is to nom :sh and enlighten
th4e,e happy dispositions.
Other modes of worship are organized; consistories are com-
posed, of intelligent eftizens, known defenders of the pubhe
order and civil and religious liberty.

Public Instructions, that neeesniry support of Society, is every
where demanded with ardour ; already many Lyceums arc open
already, as the Government foresaw, a multitude of privat
sminaries have raised themselves to the rank of secondary
schools. Every citizen is sensible that there is no happiness
without knowledge—that without talents and without learning
there is 110 egitality, but that of misery and servitude.

A Military School will receive the young defenders of the
Country—Soldiers ; they will learn to support the life of camps,
and the fatigues of war: by long obedience they w.ll form
themselves to the art of commanding, and will bring to the
armies force and discipline united to knowledge and talents.
In the Lyceums, as in the Military Schools, the youth of
the departments newly incorporated w.th the Republic, will
live confounded with the youth of ancient France. By the
fusion of minds and manners, by the communication habit
and characters, by the blending their interests, ambitions, and
hopes, that fraternity will arise which, of many nations, will
make but one nation, destined, by its position, its courage,
and its virtues, to be the protector and example of Europe.
The National Institute, which has its effect upon public in-
struction, has received a more useful direction, and henceforth
it will display, over the language, the sciences, letters, the
arts, and the character of the nation, a more active influence.
To assure the stability of our rising institutions, to banish
from the regards of the citizens that spectre of discord which
appeared to them at the periodical return of tire elections for
the supreme magistracy, the friends of the Country dernind•
ed the Consulate for life in favour of the First Magistrate.
The people, consulted, have answered their appeal, and the
Serrate has proclaimed the will of the People.
The system of the lists of eligibility has not been able to
resist the test of experience and the force of public opinion.

The organization of the Senate was incomplete.
The national justice was disseminated through the Tribu-
nals without harmony, and without mutual dependance: there
was no authority which could protect or reform them—no re-
sponsibility which subjected them to a necessary controul.

In fine, France was in want of a power which should re-
claim justice itself—a power of granting Pardon. I-low many
times within these twelve years, has such a power been invok-
ed?-11ow many unhappy wretches have fallen victims to that
inflexibility with which wise men reproached our laws. I fow
many guilty ones, whom a fatal indulgence has acquitted, be-
cause the punishments arc too severe.
A Decree of the Senate has rendered to the people, the ex-
ercise of the rights which the Constituent Assembly had ac-
knowledged ; but it has restored it to them surrounded with
precautions, which prevent the error or precipitation of their
choke—which assures the influence of property, and the as-
cendancy of intellect.

Should the first offices of the Magistracy become vacant, the
duties and the proceedings of the Senate are traced out. Cer-
tain forms guarantee the wisdom and liberty of its choice, and
the promptitude neither leavea to ambition the means of con-
spiring, nor to anarchy the means of destroying.
The cement of time will daily consolidate this tutelary in-
stitution. It will constitute the ter of all unquietude, and
the object of every hope; as it is the fairest recompence pro.
rinsed to public services and virtues.

Justice embraces in one common chain all the tribunals;
they have their subordination, and their censure—ever free in
the exercise of their functions, ever independant of power,
and never independant of the laws.

The right of pardoning, when the interest of the Republic
requires it, or when circumstances command the indulgence,
is entrusted to tie hands of the first Magistrate ; but it is en-
trusted to him only under the guard of justice. He is not to
exercise it but with the adviceipf a Counsel, and after having
consulted the must severe organs of the law.
If institutions may be judged of by their effeCts, never had
any institution a more important result, than the organic Se-
natus Cunsulte. It is from that period, the French people
date their confidence in their destiny ; that "party resumed
its farmer value, and that those speculations they have so long
indulged in were multiplied : till then every thing seemed to
Hoat in uncertainty. They enjoyed the present, doubtful
what the next day might bring forth, Lad the enemies of the

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