The National Register.
London, England, 1815-06-18 00:00:00

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRENCH PAPERS.

PARIS, Jutsz 8. Yesterday, at four o'clock, his Majesty the
Emperor went in state to the Palace of Representatives, to open the
Session of the Legislature.

The Peen' went with an escort of honour to the Palace of Re-
presentatives, aud• took their seats to the right of toe throne; the
Representatives took the benches in the centre. There was a bench
for the Ministers and Council of Stale.
His Majesty was received at the toot of the steps by the President
and twenty-five Members of the Representative Body. His Ma
jesty stopt in the halt and received the President and Vice-Presi-
dents, who were severally presented to him. He then entered the
Assembly amidst the unanimous acclamations of all present, who
received him standing.
Having taken his place on the throne, surrounded by the Princes,
Grand Dignitaries, Ministers, and Grand Eagles of the Legion of
Honour, : the Master of the Ceremonies received his Majesty's
order to invite the Peers and Representatives to sit down. The
president of the Representatives took his seat in a chair in the
centre of the halt, having two Ushers hekind him.
The names of the Peers were then called over, and each took the
oath, a Secretary having called the name of the first alphabetically,
pronounced the form of the oath —" I swear obedience to the Con-
stitutions of the Empire, and fidelity to the Emperor." The Peer,
standing up and lifting np his hand, said. " I swear it." In like
manner the Chamber of Representatives was called over alphabeti-
cally, and took the oath each, in the same terms.
The appeal being thus gone through, the Emperor uncovered for
a moment, then having re-covered his head, he delivered the
I'o-
- speech:
ig Messieurs of the Chamber of Peers, and Messieurs of the Cham-
ber of Representatives,—For the last three months existing circum-
stances and. the confidence of the nation have invested me with unli-
mited authority. The present day will behold the fidfilment of the
wish dearest to my heart. I now commence a Constitutional Mo-
tardy,
" Mortals are too weak to insure future events ; it is solely the
legal Institutions which determine the destinies of natidus. Mo-
narch:: is necessary to France, to gnaraatee the liberty, the inde-
pendence, and the rights of the people.
" Our Constitution and laws are scattered ; one of our most im-
.portant occupations will be, to collect them into a solid body, and
to bring the whole within the reach of every mind: This work
will recommend the present age to the gratitude of future gene-
rations. his my wish that France should enjoy all possible liberty.
I say possible, because anarchy always resolves itself into absolve
Goverument.
" A formidable coalition of Kings fthreaten our independence ;
their armies mire approaehing our frontiers.
" The frigate La Melpomene has been attacked and captured in
the Mediterranean, after a sanguinary action with an English ship of
74 guns. Blood has been-shed in time of peace !
" Our enemies reckon on our internal divisions. They excite
and foment a civil war. Assemblages have been formed, and
communications are carried an with Ghent, in the same manner
as with Cohlentz in 1792. Legislative measures are, therefore, be-
come indispenaibly necessary ; and I place me confidence, without
reserve in your patriotism, your wisdom, and your attachment to
niy person.
" The Liberty of the Press is inherent in our present Constitu-
tiou ; nor can any change be made in it, without altering our whole
political system; but it must be subject to legal restrictions, more
especially in the present state of the nation. I therefore recom-
mend this important matter to Your serions consideration.
, My Ministers will inforni y6u of the situation of our' affairs.
" The Finances would be in a satisfactory state, except from the
increase of expense which the present circumstances renders neces-
sary . yet we might face every thing, if the receipts contained in the
budget were all realizable within the year. It is to the means of
arriving at this result that my Minister of Finance will direCt your
attention.
4d It is possible that the first duty of a Prince may soon call me
to the head of the sons of the nation, to fight for the country—the
army and myselt will do our duty.
Yon, Peers and Representatives, give to the nation an example
of Confidence, energy, and patriotism ; and, like the Senate of the
great people of antiquity, swear to sic rather than turviyc the digit:.

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nour and degradation of France. The sacred cause of-the country
shall triumph!"
This discourse was followed by cries of Vire rEmperetir, Vire Plm-
perairice ! Fire la Famflle e Vine la Pattie! • i ire •la Na-
tion !—The same acclamations, the same transports, followed his,
Majesty when passing through the crowd of Depnties, 119 he left the
hall. The President re-conducted the Emperor at the head of the
Deputation.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.