The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-19 00:00:00

JEROME BUONAPARTE.

The following is the petition presented by M. Odilon Barrot
to the Chamber of Deputies from Jerome Buonaparte, ex-
King of Westphalia, praying to be permitted to return to
France :

" Death has struck down all the brothers of the Empeeor,
except one, who now addresses himself to France through
her representatives. At the end of my career, on the brim(
of the tomb, I fulfil a sacred duty of a citizen and a let her,
in doing all that depends on me to return to a country
which I love above everything, end in net iefrainieg from
any step which may have the effect of allowing 1111" children
to enter it, and even enable them to serve it. Tide is the
first time since I quitted the field of the battle of Waterloo
that I address myself to the country. If I have not done
that. sooner, it is✓ because having brothers I was not the sole
arbiter of my cenduct ; it wes because I believed that time
itself would bring this reperation. Unfortunately that has
not been the case, and the Government has only lately shown
that it is more than ever di-cided to empiey the dangerous
arms that were given to it at critical moments. In 1814 the
laws of exile, of proscription and spoliation, came with the
foreigner; the relations of the Emperor shared his mister
tunes and those of France ; we were not tired, but were
stricken as chiefs, as individuals in every way, and much
beyond the limits recognised by the laws of all civilised
countries. In 1830 France rose; her revolution promised
to repair all injustices; but the ostracisms of the Napoleons
was maintained ; that was, it was said, a temporary mea-
sure, necessitated by the agitated state of France; the Go-
vernment only desired an arm to use in case of need, but
with tenderness. In tact, several members of the Emperor's
family went to France, and travelled freely in it. At that
period the King of Rome, the son of the Emperor, still lived ;
and the reason of state might have been invoked with an
appearance of good faith. At present, however, after seven-
teen years' reign, in the midst of the greatest calm, net only
are rigorous measures maintained, but they are aggravated,
the Government having just refused the youngest of toy
sons, the permission to pass some days at Paris to arrange
affairs of a private nature Nothing can justify such a re-
fusal, for I declare here in the most formal manner, and on
my honour, that never at any time, either directly or in-
directly, have my children or myself been mixed up in the
political dissensions of France. The last of my children was
born ten years_ after the promulgation of the law which
proscribes him. I only demand to enter under the common
law, and to enjoy all my rights as a French citizen, being
ready to fulfil all the duties. From the moment at which
by this demand, I submit myself to the general law by re-
cognising it, neither exceptional position, nor political dan-
ger can reasonably be invoked; injustice or a blind and in-
credible sentiment of fear can only be relied on. The past
conduct of the Chamber in this question is favourable to me ;
it has on several occasions shown itself disposed to abolish the
exile of the Emperor's relations. In 1845 especially peti-
tions demanding our readmission to France were unanimously
referred to the Ministers, after a favourable report, and
the members of the present Cabinet who were
present at the sitting did not make any opposition. What
I demand of you is just; I address myself without distinction
to all opinions, and on the inviolable ground of common
law and equity, there cannot be parties in the French Cham-
bers. The repeal of the law which exiles me, exacts un-
doubtedly the accord of the three Powers; but I cannot
' doubt that a favourable manifestation of the Chambers would
draw forth the adhesion of the executive power. Citizen,
soldier, or King, as proscribed, and as an exile, I
always been ready to make all sacrifices, except that of re-
nouncing the worship of the country. Will you prevent me
from dying in France, in the midst of my fellow citizens, of
my old brethren in arms? Will you refuse me the consola-
tion of guiding my sons in the servizes that they may render
to their country? Will it, in short, be proved that justice
will never be rendered me, for the only reason that 1 ant
brother of the Emperor. I request the Chamber of Deputies,
for myself and my children, to effect by taking into cou-
sideration my demand, the repeal of the law which exiles us."

POOR RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL.
DISSENT ON THE VOTE FuR MAKING THE WHOLE POOR
RELIEF BILL FOR lI:ELAXD PERPETUAL, MAY 16,

1847.

1. Because it appears to us rash and Llexpedient to
enact that as permanent a measure; which, in the juil4-
meat of many, even amorg those who r.eomenenti the
Bill tor he ieloption of to a- Legislature, is a:.!rnitttd
he a perilous exp,riceont.
2. Because the reversal by the House of a decision of
its CGmenittc?, adopted on (u'ltberation, acd afzer full
debate, is cr.lculrited to les,-.en the atithori -if this branch
of the Legislature and the weight justly due to its C,P11.-
sist( icy and the wislom of its final judgment.
3. Beenwe these °Ejections appt ,th still ',•reatt.,r
force when the inajuri:y of those nha are more ininie-
(lLlA; cocneeted by birth and property with Ircia.nd
have expressed their conviction, or their serious appre-
hension, that this measure cannot be carried into eff et
in many districts without leading to the general pau-
peri:,:qu of the peasantry, and with. ut absorbing so large
a portion sr the funds which employ labour as to check
industry and retard improvement.
4. Because the recognition by law of the out-door re-
lief of the able-bodied poor as a permanent pricciple is
at variance with all Parliamentary and official authori-
ties, and is at variance, likewise, with the experience
which late events have furnished to this Home and to
the public.
5. Because the difficulty of carrying into permanent
effect a system of out door relief for the able-bodied,
more especially when administered through the medium
of relieving officers, acting singly and necessarily, in
many places, without adequate protection, appears but
too likely to lead to attempts at violence and intimidation,
rendering the free and impartial exercise of judgment in
all cases difficult, in many cases dangerous, and, it may
be feared, in some impossible.
6. Because it appears to us that it is imprudent on the
part of the Legislature, in a case like the present, when
even the most sanguine are doubtful of the result, to boll
out to the Irish public that assured expectation of the
success of the measure which the enactment of this Bill
as a permanent law is but too well calculated to create
and to justy.
MONTEAGLE of BRANDON.

CLANCARTY, for reasons 1,2, 3, and 6.
DOWNSIIIRE.
DESART, for reasons 1,4, 5, and 6.
MOUNTCASFIEL.
LUCAN, for reasons 1,3, 4,5, and 6.