Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1815-10-18
IMPORTANT.

IMPORTANT.
Translated for the n. Y. Columban.]
Rehort 10 the King on the Internal situa-
fion of France. on the relations zyifh TO
reign armies zUith reshect TO order and
hacifcation-by the minister Of general
hoiice.
SIRE-The ravages of France are at
their height, the allied powers destroy and
devastate her, as if we had neither peace
nor accommodation to hope for. The inha-
bitaDts are flying before licentious troops
the forests are filled with the wretched,
who run there to seek out a last asylum
the harvests are about 10 perish on the
helds-despair will soon hearken no longer
to the voice of any authority-and this
war, undertaken to assure the triumph of
moderation and justice, will equal the bar
barity of those lamentable and most cruel
invasions whose history cannot be recollcc-
ted without horror.
The allied powers have proclaimed their
doctrine too loudly for us possibly to doubt
their magnanimity What benefit can be
drawn from so many useless calamities
Is there no more bonds of faith between ma
tons Would they retard the reconcilia-
ton of Europe with France? One of the
views of the sovereigns would appear to
be to strengthen your majesty's govern
ment, and its authority is increasingly COM
promitted by the state of impotence to
which they have reduced it. Its power
is even rendered odious by the evils of
which it seems to be the accomplice, be-
cause it cannot hinder them. Your ma
jesty signed the treaty of May 25 as an al
ly, and war is waged against you in man
ner the most direct.
The sovereigns know the state of knowl-
edge in France no reasoning, no species
Of defect, no kind of inconsequence escapes
the penetration of this people--although
humbled by necessity, they yield to it with
courage. Has not your Majesty perform
ed for the interest of the powers and for
peace whatever depended on your efforts?
Bonapartc has been not only tlispossessed,
but is in the hands of the allies his family
too are in their power, since they are on
their territory. The chambers have been
dissolved, and speedily there will be none
in public functions but friends of peace and
duty. The Bonapartists were feared,
though none of them can be dangerous any
more-your majesty, in the mean time, has
granted every thing on this point which
the executive could require
II, having conquered France, it be pre-
tended that it yet remains to punish her,
this language (Which ought not to be lis
tened to after the promises of the sove-
reigns) should exact serious deliberation
on all its consequence. Wherefore would
they punish us Is it for us to expiate the
ambition of single man the evils which
it has produced we were its first victims
we have delivered Europe from it twice.
lis not in foreign countries, it is in France,
that terror always troubled his repose,
and nf hIC bo
der the war acknowledgements are not
accessories-and who is ignorant that he
who exercises despotic power, always finds
in the multitude force sufficient to make
him obeyed We are reproached with
his successes. They retaliate sufficiently
by our reverses. What image brought
the news of victory to France if it is not
that of the Conscriptions, which the sword
of war went to reap anew We have sa-
we'd ourselves like all Europe, by the same
woes and misfortunes
The army has Submitted to your majes-
ty but it still ex SITS. We ought to explain
ourselves with frankness on this head
while the army exists it can be attached
only to paci6cation and public tranquility.
It's state of union far from being an evil,
prevents mischief from spreading. The
return of soldiers to the bosom of the peo-
pie. will not be dangerous when the CON
clusion ofthe war shall leave to the people
the means of resumiDg their occupations
and their habits 4; but before that moment,
whilst fermentation is not yet extinguished,
nor obedience established, the mixture of
soldiers with citizens could not but throw
fresh combustibles into the flame-it is too
painful to reflect that such state of things
should have no other source than the terror
Of some cabinets. On the opinion they en-
terrain of the situation of France, depends
whether all their desires should be accom-
plished. There is no sacrifice to which an
enlightened people will not submit, if they
find in it the means of preventing greater
evils. Such is the disposition, such the de-
termination of all the French.-Would
they (the allies) on the contrary obtain
measures Of anticipation for unknown
plans It is TO demand All impossiblity
there is no blind obedience in France. The
powers have hitherto unfolded none of
their designs, no one can form an idea of
what is to be done, either of the govern
ment OF the authority of your majesty,
or of the future.
Anxiety and doubt are at their height,
and every thing appears subject Of ter
YOr in this obscuritv--but a single word.