Star.
London, England, 1802-04-12 00:00:00

LEGISLATIVE BODY.

EXTRAORDINARY SITTING OT THE fTH *APRIL.
At noon the Minifler of the Interior, with two
Meffengers, entered the Palace of the Legiflative
Body to receive the Members, and prefide at the
opening of this extraordinary legion.
The Legiflators having entered the Hall, the
Minitler addreffed them, by congratulating them
upon the favourable circumftances under which
they afembled. He concluded by obferving, that
he ftiould immediately acquaint the Government
of the meeting of the Legiflatnre.
The Affembly being conflituted provifionally,
proceeded to the formation of the Bureau,"„ and
MARCORRLLR was chofen Prefident, who declared
the Ligiflature conftituted.--,, I-egiflators (laid
he)f in offering to you the juft tribute of my fen-
fibility for this new tellimony of your efteem and
confidence, I regret that a more able orator is not
charged to retrace to you thole prodigies of vic-
tory, which, during three years, have raifed
Prance to the summit of glory, and which ecliple
the wonders of antiquity. Happy the day when
the Conftitution of the year 8 became the regula-
tor of our political rights. Hiftory will tell future
times who was the hero, that at the commence-
ment of the i9th century knew how to fiem the
revolutionary torrent, to secure liberty, and give
peace to the world. Peace is no longer a problem!
What an epoch, Legifiators, for the renewal of
your work! Under what happy aufpices we com-
mence this extraordinary Sitting. All eyes are
turned towards us. From your aural} funflions
is expeaed that falutary influence which mnft con-
folidate the public profperity, of which the magna-
nimity of Government has laid the foundation
we alto will co-operate in this work of profperity.
Great interefts are without doubt to be submitted
to you in this extraordinary feffion. You, my
countrymen, whom the public has counted more
than once among the number of her faithful Citi-
zens, and you, who have kill been called by the
Senate to the honour of the national reprefentation,
you cannot forget that the happinefs and peace of
the nation can reit only on the vrifdomof the laws."
After cospanding a long speech, it was ordered by
the Leg.f.:at.ve Body to be printed.
Lasuaet froke.—Never, raid he, hes a more
brilliant epoch signalized the meeting of the Legif-
lature. War and its ravages, negociations web
their uncertainties, faitions with their dilaters, all
evils and all fears have difappeared. Peace alone
reigns over France. The French people, after
twelve years of !forms, are about at lan to enjoy
and abundance. Let the firft momenta
tordinary Sitting be confecratea to joy
e ! A *Durand times have thcfe walli
ith our acclamations for the fuccefs of
and of our Generals. Let us proclaim
tecefs more precious to humanity, the
all our evils, and the re-union of two
WlTillf Duce to the :lobe: 'Hisnoitr

to the hero and the Page who has commanded
peace by viaory ; and who has finiffied it with
moderation ! I propofe a deputation, who Wall be
charged to bear to the Government the expref-
fions of our joy and gratitude. This propofition
was adopted.
The Members of the New Fifth were then ad-
mitted to make the promife of fidelity to the Con-
Ritution.
Three Counfellois of State were introduced—
the Citizens RIONIA• RIGNALID, and PORTAL'S.
CONCORDAT.
•
The fitting was opened in form by CHATTALI
Minifter of the Interior. _ _

Porraiis prefented the Convention with the
Pore, and the Ecclefizftical Laws founded on it.
Forums, in a moll interefting and eloquent
fpecch, explained the motives of the Government,
in forming this arrangement with the Holy See.
Our limits do not adMit of any thing like a full
tranflation of this rpeecii, but we have endeavoured
to lay before our Readers the principal points on
which the Orator enlarged.
After defcribing the difordered Rate of religion
in France revious to the acceffion of the FirftCon-
ful, he ohferved that. the affairs of religion then
fixed the anxious folicitude of the Government--
In forming any arrangement which fhould have
the effeet of reftoring religious tranquillity, the
firft queftion that prefented itfelf was, " Is reli-
gion neceffary to the fupport of a State and to the
happinefs of individuals r' In endeavouring to'
thew that religion is effential to the Government of
nations, the Orator Pets out with allowing every
degree of merit to the difcoveries, to the inftruc-
tion, to the philofophy of modern times. a But
whatever are our advantages, (raid he), whatever
Rate of perfeaion we may have reached, every
good mind is forced to admit that no fociety can
exill independent of morals,and that the reftraints
of law are infufficient to fecure the exigence of
this morality. For what purpofe is it that MagiC
trates txift, or that laws were formed ? For what
end is it that thefe laws hold out rewards and pu-
niffiments ? Is it not that man is not guided by his
reafon alone, that he is naturally difpofed to hope
and to Tear, and that Legiflators have employed
this propenfity of his nature to condua him to hap-
pinefs and to virtue ? Can the utility of religion to
fociety then be denied, which holds out fo many
promifes, and is fanaioned by fuch powerful
threatenings of puniftiment ? The influence of law
and morals is infufficient. Laws only regulate
certain aaions ; religion extends to every pact of
human condua. Laws reach only to the external
deportment ; religion regulates the heart. Laws
relate only to the citizen • religion lays hold of
the man. When we (peak of the force of laws, do
we confider the principle on which this force is
founded. It depends lees on the excellence of the
laws than on their power. Their excellence will
always be more or lees a fubjel of controverry.—
Unqueftionably a law is more durable in propor-
tion to its excellence, but its principal merit con-
fills in its not being an argument, but a decifion,
ooh Ample pofition, but a fa&. Of confequence
a fyftem of morals founded on religion, has need:
foray a degree of force which no fyftem purely
philofophical can ever poffefs. The multitude are
much more imprefred with what they are com-
manded to obey than what is proved to them to be
right. Men in general require to have their opi-
mon fixed. They have more need of maxims
than of demonftrations." He went on to difcufs
the queftion, how far an eflablifhed religion was
expedient to the ftability and order of a Rate, and
contended that it was confiftent with the julleft
principles of policy. By the influence of an eta-
bliffied religion,he argued that religious fentiments
acquire a a charaaer of energy, of fteadinefs, and*
of certainty, which they could never derive from
the mere influence of fcience. Among the advan-
tages of an eftabliffiment was to be confidered the
union which was formed with external rites and
ceremonies. True philofophy, Paid he, reepeas
forms.as much as pride defpifes them. There is
a difcipline neceffary for condua, as there is an
order requifite for ideas. To deny the utility of
rites and religious obfervances
.in the praaice of
morality would be to deny the dominion of fenfible
notions over beings, not purely intelleaual, it
would be to deny the exigence ofthe empire of habit.
A religion purely abftraa or intelleaual can never
become a national or popular religion. Can a re-
ligion which fhould addrefs nothing to the fenfes
or to the imagination, preferve its empire over
the human heart ? If nothing unites thofe profeC
fing a common faith, would there not in a few
years be as many religions as there exift individu-
als ? Have not ufeful truths need of being confe-
crated by falutary inftitutions I" The juflnefs of
the(e views he illultrated by an appeal to hiftory,
and !hewed that if ever there has been any (table
belief in the exigence of a Goo, if there has ex-
ifted any uniformity of opinion refpelting the na-
ture and dellination of man, it had only exifted
among thole adopting one fyftem of worffiip, and
united by the tics of an eftabliffied religion. By
religions inftitutions, he maintained, could the
great truths of religion alone be preferved, and it
was by there that the great fociety of mankind
was placed under the fpecial protection of the great
Author of Nature. He next contrafted the effeas
of Religion and Atheifm on the happinefs of fa
ciety. The fcepticifm of an Atheift, he remarks,
tends as much to di(connea mankind u Religion
to unite them. It does not make them tolerant,
but renders them difpofed to turn every thing fa-
cred into ridicule. It difrolves all the ties which
unite men together; it dries up the fprings of fen-
fibility, and Rifles all the rpontaneous emotions of
nature ; it ftrengthens }}elf love, and makes it de-
generate into gloomy felCintereflednefs ; it fubfti-
lutes doubts for truths ; It gives new vigour to
the paffions, and is weak in T.efifting error ; it in.
epires pretenfions wiihout giving additional light.
From licentioufnefs of opinions ii leads to 'ken-
tioufnefs of condua ; it hardens the hart ; it de-
ftroys every endearing tie ; it annihilates civil fo-
e-joy. Superftition and fanaticifm have tlrir ori-
gin in tie imperfeaions of human nature. With
a ftiely imagination, with a feeble itidgmeni, or
a contra4ted (grit, an individual mithe fuperfti-
firma ;so wk.r flirt as w ria thnr•-• enmiedtea

with Religion. It is not at all a contrailion for
an individual to be at once impious and fuperfti ti-
on:. We might produce as inftances of this the
infidels of the middle ages, and Come Atheills of
our times. On the other hand, every opinion, re•
ligious, political, or philofophical, may create en-
thufiafts and fanatics. Mere points of grammar
have endangered a civil war, and contefts have
been begun in nations about the choke of a rope-
dancer. It is not fair, then, to impute to reli-
gion thofe evils which have exifted independent of
at, or which would continue to exift even if it were
abolifhed. Men in general have need of faith to
prevent them from being credulous ; they require
a form of external worfhip to preferve them from
fupernitions ; an eftablilbed religion is the only
barrier which can protea us againft the torrent of
falfe opinions of a more or refs dangerous kind,
which the delirium of human teafon would in.
vent. Let us not fear the return of fanaticifm.7-.
Our manners, our illumination feeure us againft
its approach. We honour literature, we cultivate
the fciences by Mewing proper relpeet for religion;
we may be philofophers without impiety, and im-
pretred with fentiments of religion without fanati.
cifm." He combats at length the pofition, that
Religion has been produaive of diforder and mi.
fay to mankind. Thoth crimes from which this !
mifery originates he traces to their fource, and
thews that they could not with the fmalleft degree
of reafon be afcribed to religion, but were the of ea
' of caufes over which even religion had no complete
control. On the importance of public inftruetion
he expatiates with much ability and eloquence, and ,
contends that without the aid of religion this molt
interefting objea could never be accomplithed.—
" Science, exclaimed he, can only be the portion of
a few, but with Religion inftruaion may be
gained without being learned. It is Religion which
difclofes to man every interefting and ufeful truth,
without either the means or the labour of painful
refearch." On this point he quotes the featiments
expreffed by the Members of the feveral depart-I
ments and affemblies of the Republic, all of
whom deplore the decay of national inftruaion,
and earneftly urge the neceffity of making religious
fentiment the ground-work of the education of
youth. He fays, "it is religious ideas which have
contributed more than any other circumltance to
the civilization of mankind. It was by the atrift-
ance of religious ideas that the &ft' Legiflators
fought to moderate and to (often the paffions and
affections of the human heart." He inuftrates
his ideas by referring. to the laws of all the great
Legiflators of antiquity, who founded their rules
for the education of youth on the grand bats of
religion. He extends his views on this fu1409
and prefents an interefting piaure of the effeas
of religion in preferving the peculiar habits of
focial life. He defcribes with much feeling the
effea of thofe days of reft which the Chrillian
fyftern has prefcribed. " Apart from our cities it
is the (pink of religion which preferves the fpirit of
fociety. The inhabitants affemble and fee each
other on days of repofe. By mutual intercourfe
the habits of mutual affeaion are contrafted. The
youths who with to render themfelves diftinguifh-
ed adopt an innocent luxury which tends more to
(often than to corrupt their manners. After the
fevereft toils, inftruaion and relaxation are at
once experienced. Auguft ceremonies ftrike the
fenfes and intereft the heart ; religious exercifes
prevent the dangers which could not fail to arife
from inactive indolence. At the approach of re-
ligious folemities families are united in the molt
endearing bonds of affeetion ; former enemies are
reconciled, even the wicked experience fomething
like remorfe ! Take Religion from the heart of
man, and by what will you replace it If it is
not preoccupied by good, it mutt afford a place
for evil. The mind and the heart cannot long
continue void." Theft, he goes on to obferve,
were the principles on which the Government
acted in the plans they had formed for reftoring
religions tranquillity to France, He Rates the
circumftances under which Chriffianity appears to
have the belt claims to fupport, and the Catholic
fyftem is to be the eftablilbed religion of the
French people. He expatiates at much length on
the beneficial effeas of the Chrillian Religion
.in
accelerating the civilization of all thofe countries
where its influence has been felt. He afcribes to
its influence many of the ben efforts of genius in
the various departments of literature and fcience.
"The Watery influence of the Chriffian Religion
in all the countries into which it has been intro-
duced has been noticed by all When. If the com-
pals has opened to us the different regions of the
world, it is Chriflianity which has made them the
feats of civilization. It may be Paid that Chrif-
tianity has been abufed. But what is the inftitution
which has not been ruble& to abort ? What is the
good which has ea-kited without a mixture of
evil ? What is the nation, what is the govern-
ment, what is the public body, who is the indi-
vidual who could fuftain the fpecies of examina-
tion to which the Chriflian Priett is expofed ?"
He goes on to notice, that among thofe nations
where Chriftianity was eftablilbed, the arts and fci-
ences had flourifhed in the greaten fplendour. Its
influence he notices in every department of litera-
ture and the arts. He defcribes its natural pre
cepts and religious doctrines, and points oat in
them all that is moil interetting in the religion of
I nature, or in the profoundeft dtkoveries of philo-
fophy, attended with a clearnefs and precifion
which philofophy had never been able to reach.—
" If nations (lays he) or individuals entertain
clearer notions than prevailed in the 'days of So-
crates or Plato, on the great truths of the being
of a Goo,'of the immortality of the human foul, of
a Bate of future retribution, to what are we in-
debted for it, but to Chriftianity ?" After alluding,
to the inftitution of the Christian Priefthood, he
elks, " Is there any religion better adapted to the
fituation of States and to the policy of Govern-
' menu ? This religion prefents nothing purely la.
cal, nothing which can limit its influence to a par-
ticular country, or to a particular age. It difeo-
vers itfelf ail the religion, not of a particular people,
but of the great family of mankind—not as the
religion of a country, but as the religion of the
world. After having therefore recognized the
utility cad °malty, of religion in general; the

French Government could not reafonably abjure
Chriflianity, which, beyond all other eftahlithed
religions, is that-which is the bell adapted to our
religion and our manners." He is at pains to
fliew that this determination of the Freifth C
yernment is by no means inconfifient with pixy,
or contrary to the molt enlarged principles of tr._
leration. The ideas which they have adopted,
while they will have the effea of refloring
influence of religious fentiment in France, he.
contends, partake in no degree of the higotrv,
or the perfecution, of an ezclufive fyftem of reh
gion. He Rates with conliderable perfpicuity the
difference betwixt giving proteElion to a religion,
and rendering it exclutive and domineering. Tc,
protea a religion was to place it under the fuppor:
of the laws, to prevent it from being molefted, to
guarantee to thofe who profelfed it the enjoyment
of their fpiritual rights, equally with that of tht
fecurity of their perfons and property. In the
fimple fyftem ofproteaion, there was nothing
exclufive ; many religions might be protedted—all
might receive fupport. Having laid down this
general principle, he argues very much at large
on the arrangement which the Government had
adopted with refpea to the Reman Catholic
worfhip ; he contends, that though from the at-
tachment of the French people to the Catholic re-
ligion, this would be the prevailing fyflem,yet that
every fpecies of perfecution would be avoided. that
all would be left in the full enjoyment of the
rights of confcience and the freedom of opinion.
Every kilt principle of policy fuggelled the expe.
diency of an arrangement with the Holy See,which
would put an end to religious divifions, and fatisfy
the wifhes of the French people. But the fa:ne
principles condemned perfecution every form,
and recommended freedom of worfhip in all the
, latitude which liberty claimed as its due. On this
I point, of the expediency of conforming to the wilhes
of the French people in the ellablifliment of the Ca.
tholic fyftem, he enters into a variety of arguments,
all, however, only tending to illuftrate the general
principles be had formerly flated. From this he
proceeds to an explanation of the feveral regula.
tions,which,by the arrangement with the Holy See,
had been formed. This part of the fpeech will, how-
ever, be beuerunderftood by a perufal of the arrange.
ment itfelf. He obferves " that the French Govern-
menthas treated with the Pope, not as a foreign Po-
tentate, but as the Head of the Church univerfal,
of which the French Catholics form a part. It has
agreed with him on the terms according to which
the Catholics than continue to exereife their religion
in France. Such is the object of the Convention en-
tered into betwixt the Government and Pius the,
VII. and of the (peel& articles of thisCoavention.
The French Prote flan ts have no Chief, but they have
minifters and paftors ; they have a difcipline, which
is the fame in the different perfuafions ; fuitable
ia-
Rruftions have been fixed upon, and according to
thefe the fpecific articles of thefe different leas have
been fettled." He concluded, after Come farther
explanations of the Convention, in the following
terms "By the nature of things religious inftitu.
Lions are thofe which unite mankind moll forci-
bly together ; thofe which molt uninterruptedly
prefent themfclves in all the fituations of life; thofe
which fpeak molt fenfibly to the heart ; thofe which
afford the greatelt confolation under all the inequa-
lities of fortune, and which alone can render tole-
rable the dangers and the injuftice infeparable from
the focial (tate. In a word, they are thofe which
in offering fupport to the wretched, and prefent.
ing to the criminal the profpedt of repentance, belt
deferve to be confidered as the means of fuccour
to our weaknefs. How deeply interefted, therefore,
is the country in holding out proteftion to religion,
fine it is more efpecially by the influence of reli-
gion that fo many individuals defined " to bear
the heat and burden of the day" (till continue at-
tached to their country.
" Citizen LegiUators, all the true friends of li-
berty will blefs you for having afpired to the prac.
tice of thole grand maxims which the experience
of ages has confecrated, and which have uniformly
fecured the happinefs of nations and formed the
ftrength of empires."
RIGNAVD DIE ST. JUN D'ANCIELY then prefent.
ed and read the Convention and the Laws founded
upon it.
Pao ?OM Law.—,The Convention concluded at
Paris, the 26th Meffidor, year 9, ( July :5, iBoi ),
between the Porz and the French Government,
the ratifications of which were exchanged at Paris
the 23d Fruaidor, year 9, (September to, rSot ),
together with component articles of the faid Con-
vention, and the articles regulating the worfhip of
the Proteftant Seas, which are as follow,fhall be pro.
claimed and executed as laws of the Republic :

CONVENTION 1111TVIERN THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT
AND HIS HOLINESS THE POPE, PIUS VII. RAT'.
PIED THE 23D TRUCTIDOR, TEAR 9, (lOTH SIP.
TIMM, 1800.
The Oust Cowsul. of the French Republic,
and his Holinefs the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VII.
stave named as their refpeftive Plenipotentiaries ;
T 11.2 CHILI CONSUL, the Citizens JOSEPH BONA!
PARTE, Counfellor of State; CRETET, Counfeilet
of State; and BERM sa, Do.aor of Divinity, Curate
of Saint Land d'Angers,furnifhed with full powers:
His Holinefs, his Eminence.Monfeigneur HER-
cuLa Comsexvi, cardinal of the Holy Roman
Church, Deacon of St. Agathe ad Subberam, 11:q
Secretary of State ; JOSEPH SPINA, AECllbilllOp (if
Corinth, Domenic Prelate to his Hands, Awn-
dant on the Pontifical Throne, and Father CA s ELL I,
his Holinefs's Advil-a on Points of Theology, in
like manner furnithed with full powers in due form
—Who, after exchanging their full powers, have
concluded the following Convention :---
CONVENTION BETWEEN THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT
AND HIS HOLINESS THE POPE, PIUS VII.

The Government of the Republic acknowledges
that the Catholic, Apoßolical, and Roman Re•
1i on,' is the religion of the great majority of
French Citizens.

His Holinefs, in like manner, acknowledges that
this tame religion has derived, and is lik
rive the great& benefit and the greateft .
from the eftabliihment of .the Catholic wt
France, and from being openly profeffed
Confuls of the Republic.
.
--matt being

mutual saw*

tranquillity an
of this extraor
and gratitude
refounded witl
our armies, an
to.day a fuec
cdfation of al
wrest node.

neugcs MIL
ikely to de-
fplendour
worfhip in
fled by the
g made, in

cri•Jemience as well for the good of religion as for
ib maintenance of interior tranquillity, they have
t rid follows :
esk r. I. The Catholic, Apnftolical, and Roman Religion
g!,1,19-• frosty exereifed in France. Its ferrice (hall be publicly
sea fri-ni:ti, conformably to the regulations of Police, which
t..c 6:termini-tit ihall judge nrceffary for the public tranquillity, I
U. !lune than be made by :he Holy See, in concert with the
G.. remount, a new dlv ifion of French I)incefes.
His Holliols (ball declare to the Titular French Biftops
that be expeas from them with the firmeft confidence, every
‘4,1:.".:c for the fake of pcaoe and unity—even that of their fees.
.•.:1:r el is exhortation, if they Omuta refute the facrifice corn.
~..440.1 for the good of the church (a refuLl new:et hckfs which
iLALcfs by no means expels), the fees of the new divifion
'oe governed by Bilhops appointed as follows
; The Chief Conful that prefent, within three months af-
ter the publication of his Holinefer Bull, to Arehbithoprieks
and niflicpricas of the new divifion. His Holinefs than confer
rvirariical iniLtudaa, according to the forma eftablithed in
Fr.,.ce bdore the revolution/var.:4 le deugeratrotsitGeesstrnewer).
V. 'lke nomination to the Bilisopricks which become vacant
in future, than bkewife belong to the Chief Conful. and canoni-
cal inftitotion fhall be adutiniltered by the Holy Sce, conforma-
lmy to the preceding article.
VL The Bithops. before entering upon their funtlions, null
LAI. before the Chief Cantul the oath of fidelity which was in
vie Iwo= the revolution, expreffed in the following words :-
1* I (wear and promife to GOD, upon the Holy Evangelifts,
to preferve obedience and fidelity to the Government eftablifhed
by the Conftitution of the French Republic. I likewife promife
to tarry on no correfpondenee, to be prefent at no converfa-
Con, to fonn no connettioa whether within the territories of
the Republic, or without, which may, in any degree, difturb
the !oldie tranquillity; and if, in my diocefe or cifewhere, I dif-
cover I hat any thinglsgeing forward to the prejudice of the
kite, I will immediately communicate to Government all the
infrrmation I reefs."
11. Ecclefialties of the frcond order than take the fame oath
Mr re the civil authorities appointed by the Government.
VIII. The following formula of prayer thall be recited at
tte Tad of divine fen's= in all the Catholic Churches of France:
Domine, faivam fee Rempublicam,
Dornine, falvos fat Confutes.

TX. The Bilhops map make a new divifion of the Parifhts in
Jlorzfes, which, however, dull not take dial till after it
is rodied 11,, government.
X. The &Mops Mall have the appointmon of the Parini
Pe.. ay.—Their choice null Dot fall but oo perk= approved of
by Uorernmou.
Xi. The 'Whops may have a chapter In their cathedral, and
a ferninary for the (Week, without the Government ;being
lb:Ted to enboW these. • s

la I. All the metropolitan, cathedral„ and other
elturche, which have not been alienated, necefary to public
worthip, mad be placed at the difpofal of the hops.
Xlll..liis Holinefs, few the fake of peace and the happy re-
epablid meat of tlicPatbolic Religion, declares, that neither he
cue his fuer-effort mill (Marti in any manner thole who have
accpired the alienated property of the Church; and that in con.
fequeoce that pi and every pact of it, Sall belong fur
ever to than, their hero and a!igna.

XIV. The Government iall Inuit a ratable falary to Bi-
der amid Parini Prises who& diocefes and parilbes are corn.
prifed in the new divifien.
XV. The Government 64 Ilkevrife take meafures to enable
French Catholics who are fo difpofed, to clifpore of their pro-
perty for the fuppert of rellgloe.
XVI. His Hands recognifes LI the Chief Centel of the French
Republic the fame rights and prerogatives in religions matters
which the ancient government enjoyed.
XVII. It is agreed between the Cootrading Panics, that in
cafe any of the fiteccifen of the prefent Chief Conful Mould not
be a Roman Catholic, the rights and prerogatives mentioued to
the foregoing article, as well Is the nomination to the Bithops'
Sees. ihall be regained with regard to him by a new convention.
Tito r .diadems RA be exchanged at Paris in the (pace of
forty days.
Dane at Pads, the a6tk Mdficka:. year 9 of the French Re-
)624k4 (joke Is, aos). (Signed)
031711BOIMAPARTI, if Billlllll.
IRCOLES, Cardin. ConfalvL Y. CAROLUS CASELLI.
OWII Archie?. Corinth!.