Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-12-13
From the London Statesman, Of Get II.
NAPOLEON TO THE FRENCH PEOPLE.


NAPOLEON TO THE FRENCH PEOPLE.
PANS, Oct. 9.
The following is the translation of an Address
to the French People, which is generally circu
lated in France, and which is believed to be an
authentic document, written by Napoleon on
board the Beilerophon -
/" The Vaccinations of treas ons have obliged
me TO separate again from you but victims OF
the sarre treason, L lament only your mislor-
tunes
"I coveted the sceptre but to sway it for your
glory and welfare The knowledge ofmy devo-
ticn to your honor and prosperity excited the
hatred ofthe Ssveregns of Europe Had sought
only to reign without regard to the interests ofmy
people, should have established in their eves
the legitimacy otmy title TO the throne. Had a
grculure been neglected, had manufactures
1angusled, had debt accumulated, and public
spirit been degraded, then | had assured the
Fiendsh llof rival Potentates: had l crctm-
scribed the prosperity of the empire to the en-
belishment of its palaces or sacrificed the majes-
" of the throne to Misrepresentation of the royal
authority, then my dynasty might have posses
sed the nglorious Inheritance.
"The Sovereigns OF Europe coneederated a.
gainsi me as Legislator whose establishments
nurtured and animated the talents and Industry
ofthe community of which had been cleo ed the
Chief Magistrate, and they prescribed my per-
son as the shield of the power and independence
of the State The enemies of a revolution which
had triHmphed over the abuses that occasion i il
and mercensry traitors nsensible to the caiami-
ties of an invaded country associated then efforts
to paraiyze national exertion, and To mskeyou be-
lieye that war was my policy, and peace The boon
which the Governments of Europe solicited fium
France UNIV Hing to sacrifice the iilusirous rem
nant of your defenders, thus isolated from their
country, Welded to the wishes of your Represcs-
tatives and, 10 consummate your security, sur
rendered myself into the hands of my enemies.
Sc llstory offered no example where repose and
independence were the rewards of submission;
but many of individual devotion to the hopes of
nation Since the fatal moment when Francean-
nouneed that she ceased to combat for her lber-
ties and saieties, what misfortunes, crimes, and
humillations have devasted and degraded the
empire War with all its devsstations, conquest
with all its volencles, tyranny with all It's abuses
and subsection with all its shamts, have over
whelmed you Outrage and pefiidy have out-step-
red, even my forebodlngs 1.-The peridy of Aus
tria, which uncovered my line, ard occasioned
my disasters in Russia-whch bartered Poland,
violated the Military Convention of Dresden, and
negotiated but 10 betray the perfdy of Prussia
whose monarchy preserved, when cowardice <
treason had rendered thekingdom defenceless
and treason had undermined its throne of Rvs
STA, whose civil, military, and political history is
a series of systematic cont empt of faith and equ-
-hged me to fight at Lepsic for preservation, and
not for conquest; of Switzerland who, for :: pal
Cry brlbe, sold the tranquility of her citizens q
safety of her cou cry, and the sanctty of her ne-
traliiy; of England whose sophisms have ami
Inflated public law, and whose policy, since the
ara of Pitt, had unblushingIy substituted power
for principle, and expedient for justice !-not the
recollection of all these periidies had pre-
pared me for those which have now been EMU
lously perpetuated by soveregrs, who protested
that they bore their arms against France only so
long as was seated on her throne !-the most
lawless barbarians have never manifested such
contempt Of Solemn engagements. The darkest
ages have never presented suchsceRes oftresch-
~ and llcentious direction of force in an unresis-
ting country.
:. The miserable King who was content TO sur
render Francois their prey has even his wrongs
to plead The nockery of his sway desecrates the
divinity of his right, and he trembles lest The ven
geance the nation should sweep HIM and the
despoilers from the soil before The work OF ruin
is accomplished.
Frenchmen! you are now told, that not only
my ambition, but your concurrent sprt of con
quest demands punishment even the acquis-
tons of former Soyereigns and epochs are now
cited as your crimes And By whom are these
charges advanced BY Soyereigns whose empires
have been formed by successful eucroaclments
on the independence and existence ofneighbour-
ing States What was Russia IN. The last century
low became the ElectOr Of Brandenburgh mo-
march of a powerful kingdom Has Austria ab-
sorbed no kingdom, dismembered no provinces,
aud does she now hold no domain by the sole ten
ure of force Look at the map Of Europe-Has
France only usurped DO all tho States recogniz-
ed independent even By the Treaty Of Syesipha- |
liza exist Look round the globe--see the Engiish
flag flying IN every quarter, in countries where |
religion, laws and language are dissonant--fIas |
she not subiugated the greater part Of Asia Is |
she not still endcsyourmg to force the ramparts /
that separate her from China; and has she not |
been wagiDg second war TO recover her influence
on the American continent Our ambition was Sc
eurity. If England had not aspred to the domi- /
nion Of three quarters of the globe, ! should |
have temp0Fised with The IInlfieDdlS Councils OF
Sp2.B----If Russia had not paFtitiOned Poland, /
and aimed at empire IN Germany, never should \
nave proposed to rAiulse her from tle Vistula to
the VolR---Europc las acknowledged the
baneful influence Of Engiand's usurpatons tie
blood that has flowed for the last twenty-five /
years has rived At her purchase and Europe |
viii further rue the event Of struggle shat re-
moves the ascendancy Of a civilized people foi |
The domination Of Northern barbarians. You arc
accused ofbavng preferred war 10 peace, 50 lon, !
rs war was successful; and your answers arf
Z .ese--who FIRST varied against your Revolution
no violated the Peace Of AmeHs, aud violated 4
{ with shameless disdain Of truth who rejected
negotiations repeatedly offered, Or broke then
III when Cancellation was practicable who made
he war Of (which you are now the victims Z IsiiI =
ot war Of Their own decree I regretted your