Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-03
MARSHAL SOULT.
From his memorial IL, Justification u him

self.
It remains for me TO give an account of
my conduct from the 18th OF May to the
date of the Orlonnance which supposes me
culpablc. The facts in that period are
neither numerous nor susceptible of con-
troversy.
was appointed Major General Of the
armies obeyed. In shat character l
signcl an order OF tho day, addressed to
the soldiers, which was the work of the
govern ncnt which l obeyed. j fought the
Prussians and the English at Fleurus and
Waterloo.
If III .se are crimes, l am guilty.
But venture to persuade myself that
there was nothing criminal in my con-
duct ana tt be convinced of this, it
seems to me that it would be sufficient to
examine that conduct without prejudice,
and without detaching ones self from the
circumstances in which France was then
place ].
His majesty had for long time been
removed from his kingdom. That retreat,
which always appeared to me contrary
to the true Interest OF the king, had damp
ed the courage OF the royalsts.* The
capitalization of the Duke of Angouleme,
deprived them of their last hope. The acts
of resistance were avery where succeeded
by acts of submission. A great number of
Frenchmen, doubtless, regretted their le-
gitimate king and heheld the new sove
reign with terror, but all yielded to the
imperious law of necessity. All France
submitted, and the government of the u
surper was established in fact. II there be
any incontestible point, this is without con-
tradictoa one.
Things were in this state when the in
vasion OF the foreign powers became I'M
II, ch a,-I
Austrian battplions had already raised en-
our frontiers the cry of hatred and ven
geance. The foreign cabinets at first
declared that they only took up arms to
re-esteblish the dynasty of the Bourbous
tho I'iA"nae- Init they soon rs.racted
that solemn engagement, by new declar-
alton; and besides, has the sequel pro-
we'd that These promises ought to have i'll
spired blind confidence?
At the approach of this torrent. Conpo-
sed Of numerous nations which had long
been conquered and trampled upon by our
arJaieS, and amidst which there did not
appear single Frenchmsn, the only pros
pect which seemed to present itself to cit
liens Of all opinions was the rain OF France,
should she be reduced to see her plains in
undated and her strong places seized by
a milton of foreigners, impelIed by so ma
ny motives to her destruction.
Surrounded by my family and my friends,
lameated the situation of my country,
when | lie ,rned my nomination to the
place of Major General. and receiv-
ed orders to join the army Immediate
~.
I obeyed-not as a creature Of Bona
parte would have done in def, nee of a pnw-
or whence he had received or expected
fortune. It is we'll known to the whole army
that had always had reason to complain
Of that man and though served him with
fidelity, no one more sincerely deteSted his
tyranny.
obeyed not as an enemy of the king
would have done. / had received from
him only marks of esteem and conf
dence and l am incapable of being un~
grateful.
But as A citizen, AS soldier, ! obeyed him
who was thea at the head OF the govern
meDt.
NV heart may have deceived me but
it told me that a French Marshal could
not allow his sword to remain in thc scab-
bard when the whole army was taking up
arms for the defence OF the country. His
tory does not censure Admiral Bake, who,
while commanding the English feet under
another usurper, whose power he also de-
tested, did not the less valianty combat in
support Of the gory and freedom CT his
country. He consecrated these words, in
which he addressed his sailors" IL is
our dufy 10 tight far our country, in
10 7uhateUer hands he goUernmeH! may
6aH."
But why seek abroad for examples p
Daring the first years Of the revo ution,
when France, the victim Of the most iero-
cious usurD RS, languished under a govern
ment abhorrcd by the good citizens, and
uaacknowlsdged by all foreign powers, did
NIB c opinion FIX a stain upon the names
Of those brave men who fastened at the
cal of the chiefs Of the State, to sacrifice
their lives in rcpeiling tie encmies OF their
coontryl Was it not IN speaking OF these
ti;nss. 50 painful in recollection, that hi
cory has already slId--LTeHch h5Hor fook
7efisgc in inc can't
Il submission 60 the government ostab-
licked in France after the 2O,h Of March,
be recorded as a crime, let it be recollt Ct
I'd. that the whole nation must b. guilty,
f,r small indeed IS the num1er Of those
Who lcfl the country, TO place themselves
out of the power Of the Usurper.
sC1ant D.. Bforr-, w.th whom. few days be-
e,r. DE- lsp.-aii % %. Z usf, cou,rrscd sever
al,i-crs ~ th. s1 ci Of OIL. coure which lhe
King oeeAt t,Virse- taa flopro ianees in which
A.. rs plac,d, can ts-eit whsfb q. 3D. exurssng
-, ouinfn jd not say tie tame Cling ~ bin that
atusaai Bron wfoic % Henry " g. q .ituajob
nearly 81 -lsr'