Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-06-10

them back 10 victory.
"On landing at Frejus, my presence excited
enthusiasm in the people. My military glory
re animated those who were disheartened.-
The roads were crowded as L passed my jour
ney had the air of triumph, and on my arri-
val at Paris found that was all powerful in
France.
{" fonnd the government in state Of anar-
chv; its imbecility had brought il to the verge
OF rain. Every for saving his couu-
try, and every one proposed his plan. All
these various schemes were ccngided TO me;
was the pivot upon which every coaliation
turned; hut there was not siu.le head capa-
Die OF conducting any fixed plan. They all
relied on me-, because they. all required Il
sword. I relied on 20 oIe and chose the plan
which suited my own views.
-" Fortune bore rae TO Che head of affairs. l
determined to he master of the revolutions, for
did not choose 70 be merely its c,iiei'; that
part did not suit me. | was then called upon
In prepare the future Fa.e OF France-perhaps
that Of the world.
g But il WAS necessary first to make war;
TO make peace; to put down factions TO found
my authority. 1t was necessary to put the
huge machine, called government in NOTION
! foresaw the obstacles to be eucOuute red. and
would have thea preferred the simple trade of
war, for loved che authority OF head quar-
ters and the emotion Of the field of battle. In
short, ut that moment l tclt more disposed
to restore the military superiority OF France
than to govern II.
" But had no choice in my destiny I east
~ perceived that the reign ct the Directory
was near us end; that some eiiicientauthority
must be pu, IN its place. in order &c the
state; that there IS uothing truly imposing
but military Slory.-The Directory could then
only be succeeded by me, or by state of anar.
chy. The choice of France is doubtful. Pub
hc opinion, i'll this respect, enlightened my
own.
proposed to supply the place OF the Di-
rectory by Consulate; si ,ar was : IL that
time from conceiying the idea ot sssuming So
vereiyn power. The republicans proposed to
nlpt.f ~. N.itf
cause did not choose io .aYe ~ equal The
first place in this ttiGnyivate NDS Justly my
due; il was al aimed -;
My proposal vas reCctVed nv tli@ vcpuS.i-
caus with hiS,rust. 'fhey aircady perctt- ~
dictator among the tr,umvTi thel CC'u.iocl
against me. Even the presence 0i 5ie
nos pacify then.--Ie lad sa"en up,r =. 20
draw up constitution; bat the .ius 'alt
mcret terror at my sword, than &C SO euce III
the pen of their OLD Able.
" NtpartieS were low ranged under two
banners; on one side were the 'epu6'icahs.
who opposed my elevation, and on 4 other
all France demanding il. il was therefore in
evitabie AZ TINT period, because the majority
always succeed. The first had established
dred; they made reSolute defence; we were
obliged 70 win the battle at ST. Cloud Ia bring
about this resolution. AT one time thought
| il would have been carrier. by reclamation.
Tie wishes Of the rgniic had given me the
first place n The state the resistance that had
been opposed 70 it did not alarm me, because
it proceeded from persons blasted in the OPT
Mon OF that public.-The royalists had not APP
peared; they had been taken by surprise. Tile
| body of the people had confidence in me, be-
cause they knew that the revolution could not
have better security shan niue. derived my
strength solely from being at the head of the
Interests created by that revolution; since, in
1 opposing II, should nave taken the ground OF
| the BOurbons.
&c 1t was important that all should be new
| in the nature of my power, in order that all
N 1ipt ind nilrn Ruf
! there was nothing defined in il, and that was
its defect.
BY the constitution was only the first ma
gistrate OF the republic; but NV staff of office
was sword. There was AN incompatibility
between my constitutional rights and the as
| cendant which held in virtue OF my character
| and my actions.-'fhe public felt, as did, tsat
this state - things could not last; and everyone
! took measures accordingly.
found more cOurtiers than | wanted
| they formed Il train and l was not at all
| IN PAIN about the progress OF my authority,
| but very much as to the actual situation of
France.
We had suffered ourselves to be beaten
| The Austrians had recovered Italy, and over
turned my labors. We had no army to employ
extensively; there was not sons in the exche.
| quer, and no means OF supplying it, The con-
| scrptlon only went on it pleased the may
| ors. Sieyes had drawn mp an efficient and war
| dy constitution. All that constitutes the
strength Of a state was annihilated /; the weak
parts only remained.
" Forced by crcumstan thoughtit hest
10 demand peace. [ ccud then do il in good
earnest, because it wHuld have made my for
tune; later, it would have been Disgrace
full.
'' Mr.. Pitt refusedt and never did states-
man commit so great thunder for that was
the only opening for the allies to make it with
safety. France, by demanding peace, acknow-
LEGGED that she was conquered and nations
may rise from every reverse if they do not
consent 10 their own disgrace.
% He mo
hitting great error, and re extended the en-
plre Of the revolution over all European en-
pire that even my fall has not been able TO
destroy. Had he then left it 40 Itself, il would
have been confined TO France
Thus I was forced to 90 Owar. Massena
defended himself in Genoa ; hut tle armies Of
the republic no longer dared 10 cross either
the Rhine or the Alps. 1t was then nccessa-
ny to re-en,er Italy aud Germany, TO dictate
peace to Aust,a-Such was my plan hut
hadneithcr soldiers, ordnance, nor small arms.
" called ont the cOnscripts-I set armour
ers to wOrE--I awakened the sentiments Of
national honor. which is never more than iu-
ed IN the breast of Frenciman. l assembled
an army half oft still wore the clothing of
thepeasantry. -EuTOpe laughed a my soldiers :;
but SHE paid dearly for her nIomentary mrth
" could not, however, openly undertake
campaign with SUCH an army but t was ne
ceSsary to astOnisl the army and profit by his
surprise. General Snchct drew him on to-
wards the defiieS of Nice; Massena pTOtract.
ed the defence of Genoa from day to day.
set out advanced towards the AIps-mv
prcscuce and the grandeur of the enterprise,
animated the soldiers. They had no shoes,
but they marched as il each belonged to the
Vanguard.
" Al 40 time of my life have experienced
a sentiment like that which felt on entering
the deiiles Of the Alps. The mountain echoes
resOunded with shouts Of the army. They an
nounccd an uncertain but probable victory
| was again 10 see Itay-the theatre of nv first
ell eli