The National Register.
London, England, 1813-12-26 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL BEGISTER.

818

It appears to n►e, that the late events in Holland, and those
'ihicl►'lnkve taken place before Bayonne, have. determi►►ed
NA po L cos to " adbe, e to the preliminary basis proposed
by the which was so undefined, that he will have
_ •

been authorised to ask for time and an armistice. The Al-
lies will have denied the latter, and NA Por.EoN will have
adhered to the preliminary basis, in the hope of being able
to negociate, and to obtain a suspension of arms during the
negociation. I think this is the very point on which our
Allies themselves do not agree, and that Russia and Pi trysia,
who are 44 acquainted with cur view,," have tiansmitte4 to
our GOvernment intelligence of the vrriety of opinions
which prevails on this sithject. Lord !A sT LIC LEA Gl4 goes to
. ascertain what extent of additional territory the Allies in-
tend to grant to France : whether they are all disposed to
continue the operations of the campaign, and to declare
that England will only consent to a suspension of
arms when the basis of the peace shall be settled.
Lord CASTLEREAGH and all his Majesty's Ministers certainly
wish for peace. We all desire it : but we all wish it to be
solid, we will have no peace that should compel us to keep

our troops and our expenses on the war footing ; but one
that will give us " security f►►r the future."—" Indemnity
for the past," is now out of the question, for it is obtained
by the exhausted stare in which the revolution and her
conquests have left France. You long for peace ; so do I.
You wi,ll it to be safe; so do 1, and all the wm Id also ; but

we differ respecting the means of rendering it such with a
faithlef's enemy, to whom peace will restore a v.tteran army,
exceeding in numbers that of his neighbours, with an enemy,

torlm is an usurper, the heir of a revolution subve!sive of 'so-
cial order, the Head of a military and despotic Government,
anal the Itnier of a nation become essentially warlike, whose
naval trade has been destroyed, whose industry be neces-
sarily restrained by the want of capital, of ci edit, and by
the impoverked condition of Europe ; a nation, which will
otweessnrily retain her warlike character under a Chief
whose usurpation has been facilitated by his military re-
nown.

I have never shared the opinion of Close who consider
NApOLEW•eS personal character as the chief ob:staele to
peace. That obstacle is found in the nature and the object
of his Geveinment, and in the by which it is
vipprn ted. It is the revolutionat y principle which must he
destroyed ; that is the chief impediment to a solid peace ;
the tetnoval of which can alone change the character of the
Fieoell nation, and resettle her that which would prevent
her from again endangering the safety of Europe.
NAPOLEON can only maintain himself on the throne by •
the exercise of absolute power. • If he appears to conseet to
a peace that strips hint of his military reputation, of his con•
guests, atiesof the means of domineering ()ter Europe, it
will be to regain a numerous army, to obtain the recognition
of his title by England, and to renew the war as soon a.
the Allied Powets shall have laid down their arms. hog
Nvar is to Napoleon, what the guillotine was to Roberspierre,
a financial expedient as well as a means of tyranny.
When Roane sr lEita turned it against his accomplices, they
delivered him to an enfuriated people. Had he set bounds
to his vengeance, he would have become First Consul of the
Republic, and perhaps Emperor of the French. When
Bnonaparte shall require from his people the last army
which they can possibly raise, they will put an end to his
career. To sign a peace with him is to give him the crown
of France, and war to Europe. To procure a solid peace
to the World, it k neeessary that the Ruler of Fiance be
rot a military Commander, who has gained his throne by
I N QUM° It,

FOREIGN INT.ELLIGENCL

FRENCH PAPERS.

26.

BUONAPARTE'S ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE
ASSEMBLY RESPECTING PE ICE.

PARIS. Dec. 19—TO-day, Sunday-, Dee. 19, his Majesty the Em-
peror And King set oft at mie ►'cluck from the paloce of the Thnii-
leries, to repair in stmr to the Legi.lative body, where, having been
received‘wirh the usual ceremonies, his Majesty, atter taking his
seat, made time following speech :

" Senators, Comisrllors of State, Deputies from the Departments
to the Legislative Hotly :

" Splendid victories have raised the glory of the French arms
during this campaivi : defections with►►ut parallel have tendered
those victories nsele,s ; all has turned against us. France itself would
be in danger, but for the nnion and energy of-the French.
" In these weighty circumstances, it wane*, first thought to call
you around we. My heart has need of the prescnce and of the
affection of toy subjects.

" I have never (nen seduced by prosperity. Adversity st ill
aiwapt find me snprtior to its atte.ehs.

" I have several times given peace to nations when tizey bad lntt
every thing. From ;, part of my compitsts I have raised thrones ror
Kings who have forsaken me.
.1 had conceived and eNce-uted treat design's fbr the prosperity
and the happiness of the world. As uonart i n and a fitter. I feel
that peace adds to the'sccuriiv of throne*, atobto that of
Xegociations have twin enteted into with the Altied Powers. I
have adhered to the preliminary b.f.% ,which they have presented.
I had then the hope, that before tho opening of this se,4ion, the
Congress of Manhunt) Ayoubd be assembled : hit OICW• (Mari, which
ate not to be awrihed to France, have deferred this me:tient, Winds
the wishes of the world eagerly call for.
" T have ordered to be laid before you alf the original documents
which are in the part-fez/ We of nay department of foreign affairs.
You will make yourselves acquainted xvith them by means of a Coen.
mittee. The Speaker* (0 rateurs) of my Cuba cil will acquaint yost
with my will on this snbject. •

44 On my side there is no obstacle to the re egtabliithinent of
peace. I know aa,l partake all the gentiment3 of the'Ficiich,--1
say, ofthe French, bccAase thet e is not oue of them who .would
desire peace at the price.ot honour.

" It is aith regret that I a,k of this generous people new 1 aryl-
flees ; but they are commanded by its noblest and dearest interestg.
It is necessaty to recruit my armies by numerous levies ; nations
cannot treat Midi security except by displaying their whole strength.
An increase of twits becomes imlispensible. What my Mini&ter of
Finances will propose to you, is conformable to the system or
finance which I have established. We shall meet every demand
without a loan, which consumes the future, and without paper money
which is the greatest enemy of social order.
" I am satisfied with the sentiments which my people of Italy
have testified towards me, on this ueeasioo.
" Denmark and Naples, alone, have remained faithfill to their
alliance with

46 The Republic of the United States of America continues with
success its war with Ermland.

" I have recognised the neutrality of the nineteen Swiss cantons.
" Senatots, Counsellors of State, Deputies from the Depart•
'mitts to the Legislative Body :
" Yon are the natural organs of this throne : it is for yon to give
an example of energy, which may recommend our generation Le the
generations to come. Let them not •ay of use "lite). hove sacri-
ficed the best ittterets of their country! They have aanowledged
the laws which England has in vain sought, doting four centuries,
to impose on France!'

" My people cannot fear that tho policy of their Empemr. will
ever betray the national glory. On my side, I feel the confidence,
that the French will be constantly worthy of themselves, and of me fwv

After the Speech of his Majesty. the Session being terminated,
his Majesty rose in the midst of acclamations.

ilk Nlaiesty returned to the palace of the Thuil!cries, with his
retinue, by the same way as lie repaired to the LegAative Body.
Diseharees of Artillery were fired, both as his Majesty lert the
palace of the Legi-h Body, and when he reached the Thuillerits.

iliS SHOf d.