The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-03-15
From French PAPERS.
LEGISL ATIVE BODT.
DID ECIDENICN on Al nnnr.r a>--,c,

PRESIDENCY OF M. FONTANES.
Sitting Qttbe 1879 Mi4gye, slR December.
The PRECEDENT read the following mefiage:
EXTRACTS
From the ResiRers qftbe Secretary ofState.
''At the palace of the Thuilleries, sin Dec.
"NAPoLEoN, Emperor Of tie French.
"We have named, and do name, Nj. NJ
Champagny, mnfter of the interior.-Reg-
n Id and Lacuree, councillors of fate, To re-
pair to the Legislative body this day, the slt
December, and make there the following ex-
petition of the iituation of the republic.
(Signed) "NAPoLEoN.
"By the emperor, the fecretary of fate,
(Signed) Oh. b. mAREr."
M. Champagne" Gentlemen, in confe-
lquence of the nomination of which Won have
oeen informed, I have the honour to lay before
you an expedition of the prelent Rate of the
French empire.
"The internal fate of the republic is at this
day fuch as it has been at the mott TRANQUIL
times. No movement, that can alarm the pub
lie tranquility; no crime that belongs to the
remembrance of the revolution; every where.
ufrful undertakings every where, the anne
lioration of public and private property,
atteit the progrefs of confidence and fecurity.
"The leaven of opinions no longer diturb
opinions; the ientiment of the general intereft,
the principles of focal order, better known and
more refined, have attached every heart to the
common PROPERTY. This, all the adm;niRra-
tors proclaim this, the emperor has obferved
in all the departments which he has traveried
This has been demonstrated in the cleareft man
rer. All the armies are feen, at the fame time
feparated from their generals; all the military
corps from their chiefs; the hyperion tribunals
J \ 6 al en-
administration OF its firft organs; the churches
of their principal pafors; the cities, the conn
try ftrpped every where, at the fame moment,
of every thing that could have power and influ-
ence over the mind the people every where
left TO the bent of their own genius, and the
people have every where fhewn themieves at
tached to order and the laws.
-" AT the fame moment, the fovereign pontiff
t,1verfed France. From the banks of the Pc
TO the banks Of the Seine, he has been every
where received with religious homage, paid
to him With love and refpect, by that immenfe
| maj ~rity which, faithful to the old doctrine,
iaw common father, and the centre of com
mon faith, in him whom all Europe reveres, as
afoveregn RATED to a throne by his piety and
his virtues.
GA plot, framed by an implacabe govern
ment, was going to re-plunee us in the abyfs of
civil wars and anarchy. Upon the difcovery of
this horrible plot, all France was thrown into
emotion anxieties perfectly lulIed to flecp are
| awakened, and in every heart, at once, are
found again thoie principles which were con-
family ours, before error and weakness had a.
lienated the mind, and guilty intrigues pervert-
ed opinion.
at was found that the divided power was
without concert, and without ltrength. IT was
| felt, that, entruaed for time, it was precari-
Gus, and permitted neither lorg labours, nor
reflections that, entrufted for the life of a fin
gle man, it grew feeble with him, and left after
| him only chances of difcord and anarchy. IT
was finally difcovered that there was no fafety
for great nations, but in hereditary power,
which alone could lecure the political life, and
embrace ages and generations in its duration.
The fenate has been, as it ought to be, the
organ of the common anxiety. This deire of
inheritance, which was in all hearts truly
French, foon manifelted itfelf; it was pro-
claimed by the electoral colleges, by the ar
mics. The council of fate, the magistrates,
the mott enlightened men, were confulted, and
| their anfwer has been unanimous.
"The neceliity of hereditary power, in rate
70 extenfve as France, had been for long time
perceived by the irh conlul. in vain did he
reiift the force Of principles-in vain did he at
| tempt to efabiih fyftem Of election, which
might be able TO perpetuate the authority, and
| tranfmit it without danger, and without trou-
| bic.
"The public inquietude, the hopes of our
enemies, blamed his work. His death was 10
be the ruin Of his abours. 1t was at this mo-
ment the jealoufy of the foreigner, and fpirit
of difcord and anarchy afiailed us.-Reafon,
| fentiment, experience, alike afured all the
French, that there could be no certain tranc
milton of power, but that which operated
without an interval? that there could be no
| tranquil fsccelIion, except that which was re-
gulated by the laws Of nature.
"When fuch motives fupported fuch pref
! ing wiflies, the determination of the fri con-
iu could not be doubtful. He reiolved there
| fore, to accept for bimfelf, and for two of his
brothers after him, the burthen, which the ne
cellity of ciTcumRances impofed upon him.
"From his own meditaiions, matured by con
ferences with the members of the fenate. bv
difcufiions in the councils, blythe oblervati5ns OF
the MOT enlightened men, is formed ferries of
/ difpoiitons which fixes the inheritance Of the
! imperial throne;