Star.
London, England, 1830-12-17 00:00:00

NOT EXCLUSIVE.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

TRIAL OF THE EX-MINISTERS.
CHAMBER OF PEERS, Dscemsza IS

At 10 o'clock this morning the important trial of the ex-
Ministers commenced before the Court of Peers. The morn-
ing was cold and snowy, consequently unfavourable to the
congregation of any considerable crowd in the streets. Num-
bers bad, however, assembled before 8 o'clock in the neigh-
bourhood of the Odeon and Luxembourg, but the great mass
of persons visible were national guards of all legions and
grades. They lined every avenue, their bayonets glittered
among the gardens of the Luxembourg, and the whole palace
was in a state of siege. The court-yard was entirely occu-
pied by the civil and military uuthorities, who, with excellent
arrangements, secured prompt ingress for the privileged few
who had obtained tickets of admission to the interior.
At 9 o'clock the whole area of the Chamber of Peers was
filled by spectators. The Peers did not take their seats be-
fore 10 o'clock.

The gloom of this beautiful Chamber corresponded with,
the solemn business of which it was about to be the theatre ;
and in the internal arrangements a great alteration was made
from its ordinary appearance. The President's chair was on- I
tirely removed, and in its place a square space was allotted
for a select number of the members of the French bar, who'
sat to witness the proceedings. The principal advocates of
the Paris and provincial bar were in attendance.
On the right of the place allotted to the French bar, and
on the spot usually filled by the clerks of the House of Peers,
was a commodious box enclosed for the prisoners, with four
chairs provided for their accommodation, and a desk and
stools for their counsel : the accusing Managers had a sim-
pler box, on the other side of the bar division.
About one third of the space on the floor was railed off
fur the use of the members of the Chamber of Deputies, who
were in full attendance. All the small boxes behind the
seats of the Peers were filled by those privileged from the
different Embassies, and the foreigners of rank who had
tickets. The small semicircular division behind the Presi-
dent's chair, which is commonly left open to admit Peers to
converse with the President, was on this occasion enclosed
for the use of Peers' sons, and Peers who were not yet of
an age to qualify.
The public had the semicircular gallery, nearly two thirds
of which were railed off for the journalists—the remainder
was filled by those who had tickets, so that in point of fact
for unprivileged strangers there wore found only four places.
The Ministers of the King sat, as usual, in the front
bench upon the floor. The Peers wore their full uniform,
and among the spectators, officers of the court, and journal-
ists, the greater number were in the uniform of the Na-
tional Guard. For the first time in the Chamber of Peers,
members had their seats marked, as is the custom on
nights of important business in the British House of
Commons.

The building was completely filled, but the distribution of
places was so mechanically correct, that not the slightest
confusion prevailed.
A few minutes after ten o'clock, and before the Presi-
dent took his seat, the prisoners were conducted into their
Chamber by four soldiers of the municipal guards, preceded
by Colonel Festamel, the commandant of the prison of the
Luxembourg ; they immediately sat upon the chairs pro-
vided for them. Two were dressed in black, except Polignac
and Peyronnet, who wore brown coats and coloured waist-
coats.
They entered the court uncovered, and bowed upon
entering. Some gentlemen of the bar cordially shook hands
with Count Peyronnet. They were not, however, seated
more than a minute, when, upon some intimation, Colonel
Festamel withdrew them across the floor, and through the
same door of their entrance ; as they were retiring in front
of the box allotted to the Deputies, a number conversed for
an instant with Count Peyronnet, and warmly shook him by
the hand.

The prisoners, with the exception of Peyronnet (who
maintained a firm and cheerful demeanour) were very pale
and wan. Chantelauze appeared like a man on the thresh-
bold of the tomb. The fortune which had conducted Polig-
nac to his elevation appeared now to have entirely deserted
him; he looked round with evident anxiety, but his eye
seemed not to meet a sympathising glance. He is a man
of very gentlemanly appearance, and his silvery hair gave a
sorrowful hue to his aspect. Polignac is 50 years of age ;
Peyronnet 52 ; Chantelauze 43 ; and Guornon de Renville
43.

At half-past ten o'clock precisely, Colonel Festamel re-
conducted his prisoners to the bar: they were now followed
by the whole corps of their counsel; of the letter,Martignac
took the lead. He did not wear the professional costume of
the defenders of the other prisoners, but wore his Court
dress as deputy.
As soon as the prisoners were seated, a number of wit-
nesses were introduced on the floor at the right of the court.
The President then entered, and all the Peers took their
seats in great pomp and order. The prisoners looked stead-
fastly at their Judges as they passed—Peyronnet, who is a
tall figure, with his arms crossed, and apparently at perfect
ease. Polignac followed them attentively with his eye, but
no familiar recognition on the part of the Peers to the pri-
soners was observed during this ceremony. Polignac, how-
ever, at times, conferred with some of the gentlemen of the
bar deputation, who were next his elbow.
Silence being proclaimed, the President asked the pri-
soners in succession, beginning with Prince Polignac, their
names, ages, and professions, as follows. The answers
were given (except from Peyronnet, who maintained the
utmost self-possession and naivete') in a plaintive tone, in
particular by Polignac, who was at times scarcely audible.
The tone of Chantelause was that of a man entirely subdued
by physical indisposition.
The Court of Peers was then called over by the proper
officers, and the Peers answered to their names. The com-
missioners of the Chamber of Deputies, charged with the
impeachment of the Ministers of Charles X. were in full
Court dress. As the business commenced all the prisoners
were furnished with paper, pens, and ink, of which they
commenced to make immediate use, with the exception of
Chantelause, who was evidently too weak for any per-
sonal exertion.

The answers to the President's questions to the prisoners
were u follow :

The President, to the Prince Polignite—Monsieur It Prince, what
is your name, rank, age, and plate of nativity P—My name is Jules
Amand Marie Prince de Polignac, Peer of Fames.
Your age, Sir P.—Fifty years. •
Your domicile P—The reply of the prisoner was given by a sign of
his hand, pointing to the adjoining prison, where he bad been so lately
domiciled. _

Your pprofession P—l have none.
The President then put the same interrogatories to Count de Peyton.
uet, who replied.
M. de Peyronnet.—Mr. President, before I answer I wish to say,
that I have already prefaced my interrogatories elsewhere by a protests.
don, which must be recorded by the Commissioners of the Chamber
of Deputies. I wish here to record on your proem webs& a similar
protest. My name is Count de Peyronnet, Peer of Prance, my age
63 years. My former maidence and protest me correctly given in the
previous process,
Mr. Presillsoe—The gran (once of the Court) will take a note of
that deck:ads,.
Tbe else loud= bft repeated to M. Gomm de Haaville,
sod M. de CheiOulairs, the tame eekt he woe Deploy tee the Melee
and Lobs, aid Sopa= years, bars at Reeve I and that be withal
to have hie oseteisd Woe the coot to the arm tow as that
oat de M. de Cheatelosse pee hie es Ware (411
1 yeas), was boo at Clase, tomerly Mahon if Palk sea
then :Waft at the Indoor. He pretested 111weriee.

Prince Polignac then rose and aid—" I also wish to renew my pro.
testation before the commissioners, and to have it here recorded."
This conjoint protestation was against the competency of the
to question their acts by command of the Sing in council.
The Peers being all called over, and some other forms complied
will, the President rose and said, " The defenders of the prisoners
know the terms of the Article 211 of the criminal code of instruction.
I desire they will bear in mind to conform to them during this trial."
The dreffier then read the record of the proceedings of the Chamber
of Deputies on the 29th of September, and of the Chamber of Peers
on the 28th of November, relative to the process against the accused.
Dlr. President.—" Accused--you are charged with having signed
the ordinances of the 25th of July. You will now hear this accuse.
doe read according to the forms prescribed by the law, and you will an.
aver afterwards the questions which it is my duty to put to you sept.
rattly."
The prisoners Polignac and Peyronnet inclined their heads in assent
to this intimation.

The act of accusation was then read in due form, and in the Ingmar
in which we have already published it. It charged the Ministers anti
conspiring, through the means of the memorable ordinances of Jule
$
to overthrow the charter and liberties of the French people.
Al. Berenger, the Reporter of the Commission of Accusation of tl,
Chamber of Deputies, then rose and addressed the Court. Ile
that the resolution and act of accusation which they had just caused to
be read against the ex-Ministers of Charles X, it was for them Mb,: to
proceed upon. As the organ of the commissioners, he said he demanded
justice for the violation, by these ex-Ministers, of the law of France ;
the attempt to overthrow by an act of arbitrary power her institutions
and for the blood of her citizens so daringly and unlawfully shed. In
making this appeal in behalf of the people of France, he begged to
assure the Court of Peers, that the good citizens of Paris, who had
salted so much in their struggle, sought for justice only, and that
justice in strict conformity with the law, the jurisdiction of which
they had re-established. He had to accuse the ex-31inisters of vio.
lating the electoral laws, under the form and pretext of a dissolutioa
of the Chamber of Deputies, and to demand justice against the perpe.
trators of these crimes. The nation demar do, and has a right to
demand this act of justice .when I prove to you these crimes.
—lt was, he knew, necessary that the tribunal which had to ad.
judge such a cause should be independent, that its free deliberation
should be secured, and its judgment above all suspicion of being in.
duced by fear or bias. Of this important cause they would so judge as
to acquit their consciences with:sattsfaction to themselves, and then I r
had no doubt they would ►ecure the according voice of their country,
and of Europe, which now kept its eye upon their solemn proceeding.—
He concluded by a strong appeal to the Court to govern all its feelings
during the progress of this trial, so as to secure the permanent asein.
dancy of the laws, the liberties of the people, and the punishment of
those who should be convicted of crimes which shock, as these did, the
basis of society.
The witnesses who had previously entered the court, and among
show were M. Cassimir Perrier, Al. Lefitte, and other eminent mem-
bers of parliament, were here commanded by the voice of the GrLffier to
retire.

- -
The President to the Prince Polignac—You see, Sir, the necessity
' which is now imposed upon you of repelling, in the best manner you
can, this most serious charge. You ate called upon to do so to clear
your own conscience, if you can, and also to acquit the cor.seiences of
your peers.
Upon your entrance, on the lith of August, into the ministry, had
you been, for any time previous, acquainted with the intentions of King
Charles X. respecting your appointment P—No.
Did you, when called upon, aid or form that Ministry ?—I hada list
of persons submitted to the Kiog,wbo chose those who were agreeable
to his wishes.
Was the formation of that Ministry preceded by several, or by any
conferences, and was M. tie Cbabrol's retirement discosszd ?—I know
of none of these conferences. The selection was made by the King, as
I have already mentioned, and the retirement of M. de Chabrol was the
consequence, I believe, of differences respecting the person to be named
President of the Council.
What was the nature of these diferences ?—1 can any nothing of the
particulars which confidentially transpired in the councils of the King.
What is the meaning of your distinctiob ? Justice requires front
you the fullest explanations, it is your duty to give them, both fur your.
self and your colleagues ?-1 cannot disclose the secrets of the council.
I have no means of furnishing the particulars which transpired therein.
Who dictated the answer to the address of the Chamber of Deputies'
—I sin Ignorant about it.
Was there not, I ask you, some opposition in the council respecting
it?—lt necessarily gave rise to some observations and discussions.
Was not the dissolution of the Chamber a measure long resolved upon?
—From what epoch do you wish me to speak ?
Was it not determined upon to dissolve the Chamber at the time of
the prorogation P—No, it was not.
What was the motive which led to the measure of dissolution ? The
desire to have, as we hoped we should, a better Chamber.
Why did MM. de Chabrol and Courvoissier retire from the Minis.
try ? On account of differences in the council, but not because of the
Ordinance for the dissolution.

Was it not because it was wished to give a new direction to the
council ? No.

But dam were reports made in that council, were there not, respect.
ing certain circumstances—you have admitted this yourself ?—To what
circumstances do you particularly allude, and to what admissions
of mine ?

Did not M. Coot voisier declare he would take no part In these rio.
lent measures ?—lt was after the repeat was drawn up for the diseolu.
tion that he wished to take no further part in the proceedings of the
council.

Why did you select foe the Ministry MM. Montbel, Capel, and
Peyronnet I—lt was to give the Ministry more strength of able
speakers.
What wu the motive of the King to require the electors, by a reds.
motion, not to be hostile to the avowed wisha of the King?-I'o secure
u far as possible the influence of his friends.
Who drew up the proclamation ?—I don't know.
Wu it not you who signed it I—Yes, it wu.
[A number of quemions to Prince Pollgnac followed, which were in prc•
cisely the same terms as those we have already published.
Were not the secrets of tie electoral votes violated by order 1—No;
I believe not.

A note being here handed to Polignac at his desire, which it was in-
Minted implicated him upon his long consideration upon the
ordinances, the Prince said, I see nothing in this note to justify your
suspicion. I see nothing to show that we did not wish to repose upon
the forms and principles of the constitution; and In a report which I
addressed to the King, on the 7th of the same month, I proved the ne-
cessity of resting upon the charter. Where, I ask, is the proof that we
wished deliberately to violate the charter? I see none in this note—
(handing it back to the officer of the coat
M. de Peyronnet here rose evidently to dress the Court, but he was
checked, and informed by the President brat he could only be heard in
his turn, when he should be fully heard.
Al. de Alartignac (counsel for the defence) rose, and requested that no
interlocutory remarks should be made in this stage of the trial, or indeed
until the proper time aune when the accused could go fuily into their
defence, the thread of the interrogatories should not be broken. (Hear.)

THE PRESIDENT TO IS. DM TETILONNIT.
You have said, that up to the moment of publication, no pan of the
public was apprised of your intention respecting the ordinaneo ?—I be.
none.

Precautions were taken to arrange the local command after their put -
Hestia) J—Yes.

Were not the proper precautions taken ?—No.
Did you not, on the 26th of July, cause a communication In be
made to the King of the public impression produced by the piomul•
gallon of the ordinances ?—I can make ne communication upon that
bead.

Were not several hundred men, 500 or more, drawn up before the
Tuilleriesl—Yes, it was 1 ordered General Wall to make that us&
tart' disposition, on hearing that crowds were collecting in the streets.
What councils did you hold during the three daysl—There was only
a council held on the Tuesday, the 27th of July.
Did you deliver any orders to the military, and to the Prefect of Pcr
lice N.-No ; I did not.
Did you not give orders to the Procureur du Roi, and also to busk
the prss.es of the journals I—No.
Were you informed speedily of the breaking out of the troubles ? —1
was only Informed of the opening tumult in the Patois Royal.
Did you not order the execution of the ordinances I—No. that was
not my province.
Were you not at St. Cloud on Tuesday, the 27th I—No.
Did you not hear that numbers of the manufacturers were discharging
their workmen I—Yes, on the Tuesday evening only.
Were you not aware of the protestations of tbe Deputies on the Tues.
day I.—l was, through the medium of the public papers.
Did you give orders to west the Deputies who bad signed this FN.
testatlon I—No, I did not.
Did you not cause orders to be given to the Royal Guard and the gen'
dames to repel toms by fame and put down the tumult on the Pslsis
Bold deities as intensely as any man can the blood which by
bees shed ; I knew it deeply, and it was not caused by an,. order
Wee; and I know it will be In proof before you keratin that I lin•
mean* entemedi the king to revoke the ordinances, and Weed ei
owl
will he tediptedsoevid , as
ence a.
peeenneferblg to the resisting people. This
pane d Is
The didarenot give any order to the troops to use forte ?—No"
wiener I l
Ist Ifria had gives no order, there is a great difficulty In belies ill
yma amid be ignorantgiven, that such orders wen OWN and if so, what weft
till maims et your sees-inteefersece t Wbo gave orders to the polio
for the illegal proceedings P—Their *Atm, I suppose.
Illd yet not give the orders, or hear them gives, to distribute dfty
weed sElllaielleteldges to the 1 had nothing to do with
then... 11111.• wen y is the hands of the Marshal is
"111.1114 "skidaselettetl Pads in a state of siege. Tim whole mill-
selcree Was ascammily mita lais am au yea were a party to any of theme military ores%

of that you ever said to an officer in command, " You will fire every
.:4 re where you can and you wish to fire ?" —I never said so.
MI you render any account to the King of what passed on the
I,iesday ?—No, for I had no official correspondence upon the subject,
d could not therefore make official communications to him eels-
;; to it.
Did you not know that the combat was then everywhere raging ?
tt. I did not.
Nor of the number of persons then killed ?—No.
Nor that the shops were shut, and the armourers plundered?—Nothing
i the kind.
Nor of the fire at the Exchange 7—No.
%Vete you not soon apprized of the reassemblage of the deputies at the
tiou,e of M. Cassimir Pericr, and of their resolution ?—Of none of it.
Nor of the formal protest drawn up in their name by MM. Guizot,
Dupin, Villemain, &c.—l knew of none of these details until after my
wrest.
You repeat. you had no official communication with the King on
l'a •sd.ty ?—tione officially, but verbally.
Were you informed as to the state of Paris P—No.
Did you propose to the King to sign the ordinance placing Paris in a
:ate of siege ?—Yes.
1
•Itipittiwyheaut on'ttorcekt didthe you return to Paris ?—At 11 o'clock.
re the aril authorities informed Caris mustin
havea
Who was it proposed to place Paris in a state of siege ? I cannot
_We Marshal of the
jed of it
stateb "o of sieges o . ?
Was it with the Council that the Marshal put himself in relatiou ?
With are and with the council.
(A noise hoeing been heard, the President called silence, observing
tk.a the voice of the prisoner was w-ak, and that he could not be heard
if the least noise was made.)
What communication had you with your colleagues? We had a
educed on Tuesday evening.
tell that.

AVas there any opposition ? The proposal to place Paris in a state of
.it ge was adopted.
What reason induced its adoption ? The motives will Le assigned in
tik. defence.

Was the placing Paris in a state of siege spoken of in the Council ?
_No.

At what hour on Wednesday were you at St. Cloud? Eight, or half.
,t eight, in the morning.
At what o'clock on Wednesday did you leave the hotel of the Min.
istir of Foreign Affairs ? About two o'clock.
What induced you to leave the hotel ? The crowds were numerous.
Dil you make your determination known to the other ministers ?
There were one or two of them with me at the time.
Were you informed of the resistance made by the inhabitants ? The
i:armation was not brought to me.
hen you did not inform the King of what had taken place ? I
could not do so, as I did not know it till late in the day—towards 11
!'clock. I wrote that the movements continued. but I had no positive
infinnation to communicate.
Did you communicate with the other ministers ?—Yes.
Did you communicate with the Marsha/ ?-1 asked him what had
and what he thought of it.
At what hour did you part with the deputies at the head-quarters ?
la the morning.
Did the Marshal give you an account of the proceeding of the depu-
ii:s ?—He made several observations to me on the subject. When I
~n,w that the deputies were with him, I caused it to be Intimated to
the Marshall that I could not see them. He told me that the conditions
they insisted on were the withdrawal of the ordinances. I answered
hat I could not take that upon me, but that I would commu-
7,icate with the King. I then sent an officer to the Deputies to
that I would see them ; but when I knew the conditions on which
I hid already made my answer, I did not think it my duty to see them.
Did you take the necessary measures for publishing this ordinance ?
—ln quality of Keeper of the Seals, it was my duty to send it to the
ompetent authorities.

dad the Council any sitting after Paris was placed in a state of siege?
—There was no meeting of Council after the evening of the 27th.
Did you do nothing to stop the effusion of blood ?—The placing
of Paris in a state of siege placed all power in the hands of the Marshal.
I could have wished to stop the effusion of blood ; but I repeat, that I
mid do nothing to prevent it.
Were you acquainted with the proceedings of the Deputies in regard
to 31. de Polignac?—He told me of it afterwards.
Did you make the King acquainted with what was passing at Paris ?
—No; but I think the Marshal did.

At what o'clock did you rejoin your colleagues on Thursday morn.
?—I cannot say precisely.
What did you resolve on with them ?—We resolved to proceed imme•
(!lately to St. Cloud, to require the recall of the ordinances.
-

Did you not issue orders to arrest several persons, amongst whom
were some of the deputies P—Such orders appear, indeed, to have been
given, though not by me, and were revoked an hour after.
However, it is not probable that the Marshal would have taken such
a measure of his own accord do not know who gave him the
urders in question.
After the departure of the Deputies, were you not informed that the
troops were declaring for the people ; and did you not then say, that the
troops of the line ought to be fired at do not remember having
said anything to that purpose.
In the course of the evening did you not assemble your colleagues,
is order to deliberate on what was to be done the next day, which was
Thursday ?—No Council met since that moment.
Did you take every measure necessary to prevent the effusion of
blood ?—No measure could be taken ; for we continued to hope that
the disorders would cease.

Was the Cour Royale ordered to the Tuileries in consequence of your
directions ?—Yes.
..._

Was this measure adopted in the council ?—I have already observed
that no council was held since the Tuesday.
By whom were you informed of the events which were taking place
in Paris ? By Al. M. de Semonville and d'Argout.
On hearing the reports of these two peers. did you not retire with your
colleagues to deliberate on the subject ?-1 certainly spoke on the subject
with my colleagues, but I declare again that no council was held.
When the repeal of the ordinances and the dismissal of the ministry
were once decided upon, how did it happen that such a length of time
elapsed before this resolution was made known in Paris, and did you
make no opposition to h ?—When the King signed the repeal of the or.
donnances, I immediately retired; and from that moment I have re-
mained a total stranger to the public affairs.
Do you know if any money, was given to the troops ?-0n the Mon.
day they recived none ; but I heard that dose who were in Paris re.
ceived some money on Wednesday.
In virtue of what ordinance was that money distributed ?—ln virtue
of an ordinance emanating from the Minister of the Finances.
Where, and by whom, were the orders given to dissolve the camp of
St. Outer ?-11y the King, during the night between Wednesday and
Thursday.
The interrogatory was then suspended during a quarter of an hour.
The President to M. de Peyronnet —You are aware of the nature of
the charges brought against you ; it is highly important that you should
snorer clearly and without deviation to the questions which are now to
I e addressed to you. Were you acquainted with the measures which
eret-Aled your accession to the Ministry P—No.
Did you hold any conference with your colleagues relative to the mai.
ewes which were ultimately taken concerning the elections ?—I attended
One conference previous to my accession to the ministry.
Was there not a scheme foriimil to effect an entire change in the sys-
tem of elect4ms ?--I believe that in the proceedings there are most
evident proofs of the contrary. The only report to the King on the
subject is one dated the 14th of April, and which announces on the
part of the Government the formal intention of maintaining the char—
Ter. This report was made a few days before I became Minister.
What motives determined the King to appeal in person to the clat-
ters by the proclamation which preceded the elections P—l do not feel it
nil duty to investigate the intentions of the King. However, it la
Probable that his motives were the same as those which prompted Louis
XVIII. in 1820.
Was the proclamation issued by the Council?—Yes.
Who drew it up ?-I,rim bound to name no one.
Why was it signed by the Prince de Polignac, and not by yourself?
Because it was tbouyht more proper at the moment.
Were not many illegal measures taken to influence the elections ?-
1 took no measure of the kind you allude to; on the contrary, I
dways opposed them. I shall avail myself of the present opportunity
It) beg of the (;ours to allow my defender to read the only circular which
I wrote at the moment of the elections.
NI. Ilennequin, defender of M. de Peyronnet, then read the circular,
in which the 31inister gave orders to the Prefects to take every measure
necessary, in order that the electors might vote freely, and in perfect
ncurity.
M. de Peyronnet-1 shall also beg leave to enter into some details, in
..tiler to bring to light the sincerity of my conduct at that period. Of
the President, of the electoral colleges, three were chosen in this Court,
and now attend the present trial ; they thought proper to consult me
on the speeches they were to make at the opening of the Colleges, and
I hope that they will not refuse to do me justice by making known my
answer to their demand.
Were no threats made use of against any public functionary who
.huuld venture to oppose the intentions of the Government ?—I can
4ffirru positively that no menace was made use of by me in my relations
with the public functionaries.
Were no circulate addressed to the electors ?...-I have been informed
that seveval Prefects did address circulars to the electors of their de.
patnients, but they acted on this occasion without my order.
Did not many violent disorders take place at Montauban at the mo-
ment of the elections, and what meuures did you adopt to repress them?
—On being informed that disorders had arisen at Montauban and at
Fever., I transmitted immediate orders for the punishment of thou
who had disturbed the public tranquillity. I am truly sorry that the
Orders in question have not been found, and I have already expressed
regret on that point to the Commission of the Chamber of Peers.
The Presidest.-1 have myself written to Montauban in order to
due researches to be made for the letters 'madam having written,

but the Prefect of that town has replied that all Investigation bas been
unsuccessful.

M. de Peyronnet.—l should wish that the clerks of the Ministry of
the Interior, charged with that part of public business, should be in-
terrogated.
In signing the ordinances, did you yield to a superior will which pro-
hibited the use of your reason ?-1 feel sincerely grateful for the senti-
ment which prompts you to make this question, and you will I hope do
no less justice to the feeling which obliges me to remain silent on that
point.
As soon as the ordinances were published, did you inform all the
authorities placed under your orders of that publication 7-1 did tot
think that any rigorous measure would become necessary. The reports
which were made to the ministry only served to delude it by a false and
fatal security.
Were you acquainted with the troubles which took place in Paris on
the Monday evening P—On my way home, I saw a few groups, and heard
several persons utter different vociferations.
To whom was the report on the seizure of the printing-presses ad-
dressed ? [Here the President sent the report to M. de Peyronnet
that he might read it. The latter, after examining it, replied]—The
documents reply to the question ; I shall therefore beg leave to make no
answer.

Who issued the orders to disperse the first groups ?—I do not know.
At what period were the measures in regard to the ordinances con-
certed ?—The measures were resolved on when the result of the elections
was known.

Were there not journals which published articles having this for
their object ?—lt is true there were journals which advocated the prin-
ciples I had professed all my life ; but I can affirm that at this period
the only journal which contained any articles of mine, incessantly corn.
batted ail coups d'etal.
Which of the Ministers opposed the publication of the ordinances ?
—Wben this question was first put to me by the commissioners of the
Chamber of Deputies, I kept the silence imposed on me by duty, in
regard to all that passed in the King's Council, On the other hand, it
was necessary to speak in favour of a colleague as unfortunate as my-
self, and also my friend. The commissioners saw my reluctance: they
triumphed over it. I told the truth. I do not regret it, but I must
add, that at this moment silence is n duty.
As the circumstances under which you acted no longer exist, it
appears to me that you should now feel yourself at liberty to speak
out ?—The oath I have taken is absolute, and not conditional. I
cannot think that misfortunes have absolved me of it.

You were one of those who opposed the ordinances?—l cannot
answer that question.
Had you any share in the preparation of the report to the King ?
—Yes.

Who was the author of that report ?—I cannot answer that question.
Who was the author of the ordinances as to the elections?--It was I.

Wu not the illegality of these ordinances discussed 2—Even if I
durst speak of what passed in the Council, I could not answer that ques-
tion.

Who prepared the ordinances' which named AI. de Ragusa to the
first military division ?-1 have but an imperfect knowledge of that or.
dinance, which was not in my province.
Do you knowif any summons was made to the people ?—I do not.
Did you not know that there was s meeting of Deputies at Paris ?
I knew it afterwards.

Did you assist at the Council, which had for its object the putting
Paris in a state of siege ?—Yes.
Was that revolution definitive or conditional ?—As far as I can re-
collect, a note was addressed to the Council, announcing that the
troubles had been appeased. It was then useless to recur to such a
measure, if next day the troubles had entirely ceased. That is at least
what I always understood.
Are you aware that measures were taken to make the people of Pa-
ris acquainted with the fact that the towt was placed in a state of
siege ? All that passed as to this ordinance and its execution is quite
strange tome. I was not informed of what had taken place till Wed-
nesday evening.
Did you take the necessary measures for making yourself acquainted
with what was passing at Paris ? I repeat that the ordinance placing
Paris in a state of siege united the whole power in a single hand. After
that, I had no means of action, and no communication with the audio.
rities intrusted with the execution. Returning from St-Cloud on Tuesday
I went to the Tuileries, where I expected to find my colleagues. Not
finding them, however, in their usual place of meeting, I learned by $
man, whom I met at the Tuileries, that they were assembled at head-
quarters. I went there, and found that the putting Paris in a state of
siege was already resolved on. I had then no means of communicating
with the Prefect of Police, whohad already been driven from his hotel.
At what o'clock did you meet your colleagues ? I cannot specify
the hour.

What deliberations took place at this council ? There was no council
for there was not an instant when the seven ministers could assemble.
To whom was the direction of affairs intrusted P"-1 cannot answer
that question.
Are you acquainted with an order given for the arrest of certain per-
sons, and particularly of certain deputies P—l was not aware of it at the
time of my first examination. It will easily be seen, on referring to the
hour, that I could not be easily acquainted with it.
The President.—lt is on that account important to fix the hour pre.
cisely at which you went to head-quarters hastened up stain to
change my clothes, and during that moment a conference took place,
which has been spoken of in the preparatory proceedings, and those who
fiend in it will probably be heard as witnesses. After this I hnme-
duttely set off for St. Cloud, and on the road I met the Peers, with whom
I exchanged a few words. M. de Polignac came up the next moment,
and we arrived all together at St. Cloud.
Was not a council held at St. Cloud P—A council was held on Thurs-
day night, in which the repeal of the ordinances was decided upon.
From that moment I had nothing more to do with the direction of
public affairs. I repaired to the Tuileries where I expected to find
some of my colleagues ; however, "not finding any there in the usual
place of our sittings, I repaired to the Etat Major. It was there I first
heard that Paris had been placed in a state of siege ; but I had no com-
munication with the official authorities.

At what hour did you next meet your colleagues P—l really do not
recollect the exact hour.

What were your deliberations, when you had re-assembled P—There
was some conversation, but r.o council ; for we were not all re-united.
To whom was then confided the general direction of the maim of the
Government !—I cannot answer that question.
Was it rot within your knowledge that orders were given to arrest se.
veral deputies ?—No, it must be obvious from any previous interroga-
tories that I could not have known such a circumstance.

The President—lt is important to know the precise hour when you
went to the Etat Major. Did you render an account to the King of the
visit of the Deputies, MM. Witte, Perrier, tite ?—lt was not my
business to do so.

lie then, in his further evidcr.cc, described that he had no part in
the measure for placing Paris in a state of siege, and that he did;all he
could to prevent the measures which were impending. He declined,
however, to state the especial points upon which those differences arose.

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