Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-09-16
From the Christian OJserrer.
RONAPARTE'S CONFERENCE,
WITH PIE
Catholic and Protestant Clergy,

Gazette Of Dorpt, town OF LiVohia' u
an audience granted by Bonaparte to the
Catholic and Protestant Clergy, at Bre-
da. on the first of May, 1910. 1t profess
es to be an accurate report oil what passed
on that occasion; and we conclude that,
in the present state Of the continental
press. no gazette would dare to attribute
TO Bonaparte, sentiments materially differ
ent from those which he might deem 1t
politic to avow. The account is as 1ol-
lows:
t" After Bonaparte had made the Gus
tomary tour. he said few words to the
President of the Court Of Appeal, took a
view Of the different collegiates, and at
length stopped opposite to the Catholic
Apostolic Vicar. who, with his manu-
script in his hand. complimented the Mo-
march in the name of the Catholic Cler-
sy. His Majesty, however. did not deisn
to give any answer, but asked-Where are
the Reformed Clergy? Whereupon the
Prince of Neufchatel presented them to
the Emperor, and Mr.. Ten Oever. ofthe
Valloon Congregation, received permis-
sion to address his Majesty. The dis
course was short, and contained amongst
the rest, the following words SO 1t is
the immutable principles of Protestants,
in every thing that happens, to address
Providence, and to render unto Cesar the
things which are Caesars" The Empe-
ror listened attentively to this speech, and
answered. You are right. l protect all
religions. Protestants and Catholics, en-
joy equal privileges in France; it is but
lust, that the Protestants in this depart
ment should have equal prerogatives with
the Catholics" His majesty then ask
ed Mr.. Ten Oever: :. Why Sir, are you
in your full dress :" Sire" answered
Ten Oeyer, " that is the rule Why.
yes" answered the Emperor SO 1t is the
custom in every country; but" continued
he turning to the Roman Catholic Clergy
who were not in their full dress, IS Why
have not you your cassocks on You
say you are priests: what are you |" At
tornies, notaries, peasants? ] come into
a province where the majority are Catho-
lies, who in former times, were oppressed.
who after the revolution, acquired more
liberty. and upon whom the king, my
brother, bestowed many favors-l come
in order to make you all equal to the rest
and you begin by forgetting the respect
due to me, and complain Of the oppres-
sions that you suffered under the former
governments. Your conduct. however.
shews how well you deserved them. The
first act of sovereignty which was oblig-
ed to exercise, consisted in the necessity
of arrestins two Of your contumacious
priests. even the Apostolic Vicar; they
are imprisoned, and shall continue under
arrest. On the other hand. the first words
that hear from reformed priest. are to
render unto Cesar the things which are
Casar's.-Tlis is the doctrine which you
ought to preach From that gentleman"
pointing to Mr.. Ten Oever, "yOu ought
to learn it. | have always met with faith
ful subjects amongst the Protestants -
never have had occasion TO complain of
any of them. You have illuminated the
PrOtestants, by representing them as
preaching doctrines dangerous TO the state;
but the best subjects l have are Protest
ants. In Paris am partly attended by
them: they have free access to me: and
here a handful of Brabant fanatics at
tempt to resist my designs. Had / not
met in Bossuet's doctrines, and in the
maxims of the Gallican church, with
principles that agree with mine, and had
not the COncordat been received, my.
self should have become Protestant, and
thirty millions of people, would have fol-
lowed my example. But, what religion
do You teach? Doyou not know that Christ
said, 8. My kingdom is not of this wdrld?"
and would you interfere in my concerns ?
You will not pray for soyereign"-(pro-
badly the Catholic clergy in these new
.u Prsdo CITY Of Dutch Rrahsnt Iarce