The Sun.
London, England, 1829-08-22 00:00:00

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRENCH PAPERS.
(From the Messager des Ciambres.)
PARIS, AUG. 18.—The Duke de Chartres arrived
here yesterday morning from London.

INDEMNITY TO THE CLERGY.
We yesterday copied an article from the Courier
des Electeurs relative to a project for indemnifying
the clergy. Though the information given by that
paper is in substance correct, the mode in which it
will be carried into execution is wholly inaccurate.
The substance of the statement is as follows :—" It
is certain—and the short-robed Jesuits no longer

make a mystery of it—that one of the preparatory
measures which the faction expect from the new
Ministry is an indemnity for the property of the
clergy which was confiscated in virtue of the revolu-
tionary laws."
The Gazette, delighted at the idea of being able,
for once at least, to give a contradiction founded
upon an appearance of reason, hastened to reply to
the statement in these terms :
" Where is the person who is not aware that the
abandonment of church property in France was con-
sented to by the Pope and the Bishops, and conse-
quently Is consummated, and that the 35,000,000
carried to the state budget for the clergy, form, in
fact,an indemnity for the property which they lost

The Gazette is right. The idea of retrieving old
endowments by the aid of a thousand millions of
francs is no longer the order of the day, or at least it
is postponed till better times; for mortmain is equally
applicable in respect to the priesthood ; it is an in-
alienable possession, which is transmitted to poste-
rity, like the fisherman's ring : the church postpones
but never abandons. But the words of the ministe-
rial Journal ought not, like the thunderbolt in its
fall to the ground, to be lost in the soil; and there-
fore let us re-peruse the last part of the sentence, for
it portends much for the future.
Yes, the 35,000,000 carried to the state budget
do, indeed, form an indemnity for the property
which they lost, and it is this sum which must be
rendered immovable, at whatever price.
Happily, we do not live in those calamitous
times, when religion itself was menaced, and we
shall never again have occasion to witness them.
Let the clergy form an integral part of the people
whom they are called upon to console; but let them
not exalt themselves over every thing and every
body. This, however, is what those who now hold
the reigns of monarchy desire. The Gazette in a
few lines predicts what the future will bring forth.
Yes, it is in contemplation to make the expence of
maintaining the Catholic faith figure perpetually in
the budget, and to found a civil list for the clergy.
And—repeat all the echoes of the party—is it not
shameful to see the church annually holding out its
hand to the nation ? Is it not frightful to think
that the caprice of a majority of Jews or Dissenters,
and even Atheists, may, by some trick or scrutiny,
destroy the free exercise of religion in France ? Do
you dare each year, in the face of day, to bring
God before an earthly tribunal ? No, gentlemen,
do not be uneasy; banish those fears, which are so
loudly proclaimed only to frighten the weak-minded.
Do not any longer lend your support to that divine
Christianity, which certainly does not stand in need
of it ; and do not be uneasy about the interests of
the faithful people and your own. As to principles,
the majorities may now make grave attacks upon
them, it is true ; but they would be powerless when
made upon the wants of masses. The majorities
would stand no more chance of destroying the
church than the army the tribunals, and the admi-
nistration itself. If it was possible to read your
hearts, another fear would be discovered there. It
would be seen that your fear of majorities is, that
they would distinguish wants from prodigality, and
establish an equal distribution of the just tribute to
the state.
Thus let us endeavour to avert this future while
fortune favours us, and let us begin by making sure
of a clear and unincumbered revenue of 35,000,000,
without imposts or rents, but do not let us ask for
it in the funds. This would be wise, for they may
fall or rise according to the degree of public confi-
dence; and, besides, in whose name could we in-
scribe diem in the Treasury ?
Thanks to the antiquated s; stem that every thing
comes home and nothing goes out, we good contri-
butors may hope in our old days to see again esta-
blished those old monasteries with their little sur-
rounding kingdoms; and that day, if the measure
were adopted, may not be so far off as may be ima-
gined. We have before said, the endowments mul-
tiply in an enormous progression ; and, master of so
many millions of which they would give no account,
the clergy might have used that economy in their
expenses against which they cry out so much when
we desire it.
Gradually their immense capital would bring to
them all property; one by one the fields would re-
vert to them. The woods would resist longer, per-
haps, but they would at last cede to the attraction
of this immense body. Then vassalage would again
rise up of right upon the soil; for, being no longer
able to purchase an humble field for his family, the
labourer would be force to sell his labour to his un-
removable proprietor, and wotdd become l'honinte
liege de son Abbe".
Thus, by this single measure, the clergy would Thus,
be raised to the rank of kings, for they would divide
an immense prerogative, that of a perpetual endow-
ment, and, master of the half of France, which
they could feudalize as they pleased; they would
continue to make the rest of the inhabitants pay a
tithe of 35,000,000, without reckoning another sum
of 30,000,000 which the clergy receives from vari-
ous sources, independent of the budget. It will
then be for the Chamber of Peers to consider if it
is worth while to purchase by such sacrifices the ad-
vantage of hearing it said that the misfortunes of
the revolution have been slightly alleviated.
Accounts from Naples, dated Aug. 2, give reason
to hope that the unfortunate Galotti will be sent
back to Corsica ; but it seems that a decree of per-
petual proscription will be issued against him. In
the absence of the King, it is said, the functions of
the Lieutenant of the Kingdom will be exercised by
the Prince of Salerno. A great deal of gold coin
has beet: struck to supply the expences of the jour-
ney of the Xing and Queen, who, it is known, are.
about to accompany their daughter to Spain.
M. Courvoisier has not arrived at Paris; as was
thought ; and the courier who was appointed to be
the bearer of his nomination, found him at Luxeuil.
It is said that M. Courvoiser was very dilatory in
giving his answer to the despatches, and that it was
undcr.stood he had some private business to transact
at Lyons before lie set out for Paris. The same
courier wag charged with another despatch for M.
Guernon de Ranville, Procureur-General at Gre-
noble, who would have been appointed Keeper of
the Seals in the event of the refusal of M. Courveisier.
(From the Journal des Debate of Wednesday.)
It is said that, alarmed at the noble refusal of
Admiral de Rigny, the Ministry of Bourdonnaye-
Polignac is already (hiving M. de Chribrol from the
hotel Rivoli to the Marine, and opening negocia-
tions with M. de Berbis, for the purpose of induc-
ing him to accept the portfolio- of the Finances, A
man so justly esteemed by the Chamber as M. de
Berbis will not, without doubt, hesitate in rejecting
solicitations-Which have been unsuccessfully made to
men of worth, honour, and capacity. It would be
an ill-understood sentiment of devotedness which
would induce him to confide in the guarantee of a
Ministry which is shunned by the unanimous cry
of France. This would be to ruin oneself without
saving the Ministry.

(From the ConstitutionneL)
MIRACLE OF PROVIDENCE.

The following passages are extracted from the
official paper of the counter-revolutionary faction,
the chiefs of which have been just called to govern
France. This paper is called " The Apostolical, a
religious and ecclesiastical Journal."
“ Religion, disconsolate and. persecuted for the
last forty years, demanded with loud cries a new
order of things. For forty years all the Govern-