The Sun.
London, England, 1835-12-05 00:00:00

PARIS.

COURT OF PEERS.

CONCLUSION OF THE REPORT OF WEDNESDAY'S SITTING.
M. Martin concluded his address by saying, that on see-
ing a handful of soldiers seek to decide the destiny of
France, disdain mingled with indignation and attenuated its
effects. It was for the Conrt to decide whether these sen-
timents ought not to temper the severity of its justice.
The President inquired whether the prisoners had any-
thing to say, but all remained silent:
At five o'clock the Court adjourned till to-morrow.
SITTING OF DEC. 3.
At one o'clock the prisoners of Luneville and Epinal
Were brought up and placed as on former occasions. Shortly
after the above hour, the President, Baron Pasquier, took
his seat.

The Registrar then proceeded to make the appal nominal,
the Duke de Montebello being the only Peer not present
to answer to his name.
M. Cremieux addressed the Court on behalf of the pri-
soner Becket. The Learned Advocate said that honour
and fidelity to its standard had always been the characte-
ristic of the French nation ; " where the standard is, there
is to be seen the French nation," was the eloquent expres-
sion of Napoleon, words which sufficiently proved the
high opinion the Emperor entertained of the noble
sentiments of French soldiers. Woe to the army which
deliberated, and woe to the nation which possessed
a deliberating army.; no matter whether that nation were
monarchical or republican, it must soon cease to exist.
Fidelity and strict discipline were absolutely essential, and
no army could be relied on without those qualities. The
army was the national strength, and when the strength of
the nation deliberated, the death-warrant of the State would
be soon signed. The ancients, even those who founded
republics, took care not to permit armed men to penetrate
into assemblies where the laws were passed. The reason
was evident—the law constituted right, but rights subject
to the force of arms were but the sport of despotism. Had
not history recorded the extraordinary trait of an ancient
legislator, who, on perceiving he had entered the council-
hall with his sword at his side, suddenly drew it forth and
Plunged it in his breast ? The soldier, however, was not to
be considered a mere living machine ; be stood on the same
line with the nation, but to the latter alone belonged the
right of deciding the proper moment for legal resistance,
the fit opportunity for a revolution, supposing it necessary.
Yes, when the authorities had violated all the bonds which
'united them to the nation, bad they not seen the nation
arise with the indignation and force of a giant, and tell the
army that it was relieved from its oaths to a former dynas-
ty, and must in future obey the orders of a new Govern-
ment chosen by the unanimous voice of the country ? The
crime imputed to the prisoners then before the Court,
Was one of the most serious description ; the greater the
gravity of the charge, the greater circumspection and
stricter examination were required on the part of those
called upon to decide upon the fate of young military men,
and of the two other prisoners accused of aiding them in a
Plan of rebellion. The evidence relied on by the Crown by
no means bore out the accusation, although supported by
the weight of five volumes in quarto. The evidence had
not proved that there had been any actual plan of in-
su.-rection formed by the private soldiers of the garrisons
of Luneville and Epinal ; there had been no connivance
with ihe citizens. The full extent of the charge proved
amounted to nothing more than a mere attempt to pro-
voke an insurrection ; but not followed by any act to
constitute a plot ; the former offence was provided for
by the law of 1819, which enacted that a mere provo-
cation to insurrection, not followed by actual execution,
did not amount to a conspiracy. With respect to the pre-
judice excited against the prisoners by the law officers of
the Crown, for having refused to m.'.ke any defence or re-
cognize the proceedings, the fact was, they had determined
not to speak, as they would not be permitted to declare
their real sentiments, or republican principles, as contrary
.to the new laws ; silence therefore became a matter of ne-
cessity. Then as to the jurisdiction of the Court, although
he ;the learned advocate) could not consider the Peers as
the le: al judges in this case, still he should prefer their de-
cision to that of any other tribunal, and he was sure the
Prisoners participated in that opinion, although they did not
think prop.9r to avow it. The learned advocate having en-
tered into a refutation of the principal points of evidence
against his client, Becket, and dwelt upon the testimony in
,
is favour, concluded by expressing his reliance on the justice
01 the Court, and his confidence that they would pronounce a
judgment of acquittal in favour of his client.
The Procureur-General was about to reply, when our re
porter left.

SPAIN.

ADDRESS OF THE PROCERES.

The Estamento of the Proceres of the kingdom present
themselves to your Majesty, to offer anew their fealty and
respect, and at the same time their sentiments of pure and
lively gratitude. For the second time the sanctuary of the
national representation is open, and once more are mani-
fested the benevolence and confidence which animate the
people, governed by your Majesty in the name of your
aL'gust daughter. The loyalty of the Spaniards is great,
no
.less than the corresponding disposition of your Majesty
to guide us in the path of political liberty.. No power can
resist, io difficulty can obstruct this intimate union between
Queen L \rid people. The political world, which beheld us,
and imagined us lost in a vortex of political passions, has
marked (*some countries with admiration, others with
affright) h, ,w your voice was heard in the midst of a.ita-
4,cm, calming the tempest, and saving the majesty of the
Throne and .th e liberty of the State.
The Estanoauto congratulate your Majesty on the hope
held out to us.of crushing the factious by means of the
°l.dluary revcaue and resources of the country, independent
(4f either fresh loans or heavier taxation.
Not less grateful to the Chamber are the already
realized consequences of the Quadruple Alliance, and the
41neere and uscful co-operation of your Allies, to support
,4g against the factious.
The good understanding kept up by your Government
nth those States which bare recognised Isabel 11. adds to
the glory and dignity of your Crown.
t. May those Powers which have not recognised her con-
:PAP to preserve that political neutrality which they have
united; so that your Majesty strollg in the loyalty of your
people, and in the principles of a Government so much in
harmony with European civilization, may know how to pre-
serve towards those States the circumspection and decorum
befitting a great nation, and may await, with noble and
oanquil indifference, the moment when all may be brought
recogniz e its legitimacy and justice.
It was necessary that the differences which separate us
1,!'°111 our bre,tliren of America should cease, and that the
t'9's should be re-knit which bound Spain with those coun-
-I.les, once its colonies. Your Majesty has deigned to ac-
quaint us that negociations have been begun with this view,
:141 that your Government intends to consult the Cortes on
subject of such importance.
„_ Great and well deserved, though yet unequal to its
Velit, are the praises bestowed on the Royal speech, on
tLje valiant and loyal army of Isabella.' The Estamento of
Proceres unite in this just meed of applause, together
ivith tl'xe whole nation. The Estamcnto approve the neces-
toof the extraordinary augmentation proposed to be given
it, ...The nature of the war, and the local circumstances
beendan t upon it require this support, in order that such
eVorts may be crowned with success. To Spanish
"'ay an d bravery these efforts, although not light, will
tr'er be 7ainful, when it is a question of maintaining the
ellts of I sabella 11. and the independence and liberty of
Pain • This is proved by the promptitude with which
theinhabits .uts from all parts come forward to join the
4-Tics of th, army, and the innumerable offerings which
classes or society present every day at the foot of the
4orPe. In ,this noble struggle the Spaniards have shown
L 4 will show- themselves no less ambitious of bestowinm
OT,tll their blood And their gold, than of gaining the laurels'
honour and. renown.
The hospital of the invalids, and the college of the union,
°tected by your Majesty—the first as an asylum for
ti:3ohded and disabled soldiers, the second for the orphans
%, those Spaniards who have been victims of the factious—
t: great and benevolent institutions, and worthy of the
erous heart of your Majesty. The Estamento of the
tOceres cannot do less than applaud them, as contributing
,o
much to the honour of the country and the advantage of
)•e-defenders. Not content with this demonstration of inte-
&t le the werfare of the National Guard, your Majesty has
4eavoured to Tender its organization as complete and per-
-I,`'t as possible. The Estamento of the Proceres will always
k -willing to assist the development of the views of your
fi B.leSty with respect to this most important institution, the
eq('t essential support of public liberty and order. With
fi;,„441 an.eiety and respect the Estamento awaits the time
he clettel-ating upon the three projects of law, which may
th:esu sidered as the principal objects of the assembling of
ti; -Pi esent Cortes. It is to be hoped that these legisla-
easures will tend to calm the impatience of the m-
ill;rty< ) see secured those fundamental bases of political
, to the enjoyment of which your Majesty has called
4, T. he electoral law will give the extension due to the
xrese ntation, and will form a Parliamentary tribune,
acs ere • all the interests and wants of the nation may be fully
k. 4 The liberty of the press will be acknowledged
4,:°e lecitimate exercise of a right which is the most ne-
Ary coodition of the existence of every free State. The
arding Ministerial responsibility, will manifest
Se ,the whole .of Europe that your Majesty desires a repre-
IVtive Government with all its consequences, because
tlati the agents of power are not responsible before the
to 4-11 for their ;acts, liberty is no more than a chimera,
44e tative government an illusion, the ministers kings,
,rtiLe citizens slaves.
The 'difficulties which surround the prompt settlement