The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-27
derall Frenchnrrn equufbejSre 1e tau, on
10 -,

derall Frenchnfrn e9ziufbeJSre the tuzy On
the contrary, it confirms those same rights
hecanse It aissc.s ;::5!:s: .sh;si ;t
ten goes astray for want Of those land II arks
raised on honorable motives.
| The career remains always open to virtue
and useful talents the advantages which il
grants to tried merit will not injure merit sc,
unknown; they will be OH the contrary, SC
many subjects of hope towards which Just
and praise verify emulation will be direct
| ed
! a hrst statute specifics the titles, it assigns
them to the great Offices of state. or to those
/ whe form the elements OF the body polite ;
1t consolidates the last and increases their
consideration. Thus the electoral depart
mental colleges will acquire more stability
and Importance by the honors conferred on
| their chiefs-by those to which their mem
pers may attain. This decree does still more
| 1t secures to those who shall have obtained
those first evidences of the satisfaction of the
sovereign, the power to hand them down !;
| 1t authorizes the ministers of the established
TeiStun To transfer 10 one vi their ue;,hc " $
the title which the others shall have lett to
their posterity aud this species OF adoption
VIII bind tighterthe cords which ought always
TO tie the priesthood to the great family Of the
state.
! Tire legion of honor cannot remain igno-
rant q the organization which is preparing.
Far tlcu.ar qualifications make the first de-
gree in the illustrious hierarchy The til
J tie which 1t confers, rsvcred as it was for
merry, appears to-day to have acquired ne W
dignity 1t willbecome glorious inheritance
WHICH their children shat be emGlo,Is to in
}crsase and make more splendid
| The second statute regulates every thing
which Concerns the formation and breserva-
ton OF majorisies, or body of properly des-
tined to serve as endowments to the titles.
his property ought 20 be. OF such a nature
as never to alter iii their substanoe-neverto
decrease Gift is possible) in tneir income
Il becomes inalienabe. Ii just and pressing
motives urge their exchange, this power Gun
never be exercised except In the express and
soiemn condition OF soon replacing il, by pro-
tperty OF equal soiidity
All these precautions of wisdom, all these
details of foresight, are confined to a council
destined to enlighten the religion,of hrs ma
lJesty, and to maintain the execution of those
iorhs, prescrvatNe as much OF the interest
OF families as OF the establishment eE rnaori-
| ties.
! The kind OF preliminary censure with which
| 1t is particularly charged, will necessarily
proclaim to all Classes of society, that q re-
guar and honorn5ie life is fjie oniy road
| which 'svii 'kecG merit and talents to heir
end.
You will see, gentlemen, in the union of
| these two DEGREES, the depth OF thought of
the genius who consolidates by their co-or-
dination all the parts OF his great work
The senate will pursue with zeal, the pro-
| tound means which me tiplies tile supports
around that dynasty, conseCrsted as much by
The homage OF the universe, as it is by the
affections of all Frenchmen; &c will ackno,y.
ledge ABOVE all, that tender sentiment which
| wishes to nix the uncertainty OF futurity, and
TO associate, II may say So, the glory of
France its own immortality.
ms speech being finished tic prince (I-al-
leyrand) arch chancellor, directed one OF his
secretaries to read the two statutes to the
assembled senate
FIRST STATUTE
NAPOLEON, by the grace OF God and the
c constitution, emperor OF the French, king of
Italy and protector of the confederation OF
the Rhlne-to all present * to come, health :.
Seeing the senatns censultun OF the 18th
August, 1906.
Art. 1. The intunbents on the great dig
nitarles of the Empire shall bear tn. title of
FRINGE and most serene highness.
.. me eldest sons OF the great diGnitaries
shall have, of right, the title of DUKE OF THE
IkMPIRE, when their father shall have in
IA SiCii idNOl neutrality-suspicious.
an income OF two ltundved thousand frames
this title and the majority shall be transmits
sible to their descendants direct and iegiti-
mate, natural or adopted, fronA male to male,
in order Of primogcRiture.
). The grand dignitaries may institute for
their eldest or youngest sons, majorlties, to
which shall be attached the titles of COUNT
or BARea, according to the conditions which
follow.
d. Our ministers, senators. councillors OF
state tor life, presidents of the legislative
bodies and archbishops, shall bear, during
life, the title of COUNT.
Io this effect they shall have letters pa
tent delivered to them, sealed with oui. great
seal
S. This title shall be tfansmissiblc to the
descendant direct and legitimate from male
to male, in order of promogeniture of him
who shall have been clothed there with, and
Tor the archbishops, to him of their ncphews
whom they shall have chosen on presenting
themselves before the prince, arch chancel-
Tor On the empire, in order to obtain our let
tiers patent, aud moreover on the follnwine
conditions.
8. The incumbent shall establish, In the
t@rns which We reserve - ourselves 70 de-
termine, clear revinue of thirty thousand