Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-10-23
Letter from Count Surpillicrs (Joseph Buondpdrte)
I'm General J.ofuueffe

My DEAR GENERAL-tsen Lalemand, who will
deliver this letter. will recall your recollec-
ion. He will tell you with what enthusiasm the
population of this country doth American and
FRENCH received the news ofthe glorious events
of which Paris has been the theatre. The ,Amer-
cans were also glad to the iri-colored flag dis
played in their theatres Did not see at the head
of affairs a name with which mine never can ac-
cord, should be with you wholly and entirely, and
as soon as General Charles Lallemand. You will
recoleot the conversations we had in this free and
bospitable country. My sentiments and opinions
are interchangeable yours; and those Of my fami-
ly archery thing for the French People. With
out doubt, l cannot forget that my nephew, Ma
poleon III, was proclaimed by the Chamber, which,
in 1915, was dissolved by foreign bayonets, and
also by The army which dispersed tho
banks of the Loire, according to the wish of that
family whom foreigners imposed upon France, and
on whom France has at last done Justice; as, in
1915, it did justice itself in quitting the country
to take refuge under the cannon of the coalition.
shall never be so base as abandon what am
bound to love, but faithful TO the motto ofmy fami-
ly-EUery thing by France, and for France. 1
wish to fulfil my duty towards her, and see in the
100000 of votes which were given for US, only
obligations towards the country, which are greater
for than for any other Frenchman. You know
my opinions which have long been declared In
vduals and families, in their relations with
tons, can only have duties to perform; the latter
have rights TO exercise, they owe justice to all.
If the French nation should call to the head OF
IFS affairs the most obscure family, think that we
bound submit to its will wholly and entirely;
but the nation alone has the right of destroying
IS work. Governments being Deedful for
nations, the individuals who compose governments
ought, doubtless, TO be subordinate to the wants
OF the people clearly expressed. l should have
come myself to express these sentiments had
considered my presence useful,-h ID the arbitrary
law, dictated by the foreigner, and approved by
the family imposed OH country, to neutralizc
it's just influence the affairs of Europe, been
abolished by the authorities whom necessity gave
TO France after the events of the last days of July
ask then the abolition NJ that arbitrary lao tohich
closes France against ing family, which has open
ed France to all the Frenchmen whom the revo-
luton had expelled. protest against every cleo
ton made by :'rivate corporations and bodies;
which have not obtained from the nation those
powers which it alone is entitled to give; and de-
clare, under all these circumstances, that / an
ready to conform to the national will, legally
pressed, whatever that will may be, regarding
every sacrifice which the welfare of the country
imposes as tribute which she has right to re-
quirc of her children, and happiness for them o
perform.
The vessel which conveys Gen. Charles Lalle-
mand being on the point of sailing, have barely
time 10 write these lines. / address them to you
because, of all the Frenchmen who have taken
part OF the secret struggle which existed by the
force OF circumstances between the nation and a
government ot foreigners, you the person who
has seen me, and conversed with me here, who
knows my whole mind, and whose similarity Of po
Eticol opinions with my has given me a full
and entire confidence in your character.
L have begged VI to express my wish to
you, and and beg that you, General, will express
the ustrious citizens, who with Won have
assisted in raising up the national colors my senti
mens which you have had the opportunity of as
containing here, and which, in all possible hopothe
ses, are unalterabe- t1hcity for the French People,
The Emperor, my brother, when dying on the
rock OF ST. Helena dictated TO Gen Bertrand let
ter to me, in which he recommended his son to me
and babe me an eternal farewell. This letter tcrmi-
mates, thus. Empress increasingly my that
Inc is, before all things Frcnchman; let him take
for his device, Tout pour lie peUpIe Francaise."
have fulfilled, far as lay in my power the duty
which this sentiment imposed on me. / know that
his sou is much Frenchnan as you and l. in
despite of fortune; aud hope that the moment
IS mt Jar distant Dhen he m0y help me to restore
10 Frdncp portion Of iohnt oil otoe her.
Adieu my dear General; my letter sufficiently
proves that render justice to the sentiments YOU
eyinccd for me during the triumpba journey which
you made in that nation in which have lived for
fifteen years. Liberty is not a mere chirncra; il
is a blessing wi ich wise and moderate nation may
enjoy when it will. by way of precuution, ] send
duplicate Of this letter. The first copy was des
patched on the 10th inst:
BE pleased to accept, my dear General, cvory
expression Of my former attachment.
JosGPu BUoNAPARTE.
General Lafayetfe's Anstoer to the Count de Surpi
Tiers.
Pans, Nov &c, 1890.
CirERg CouPTR:-I have received the letters
which you have done the honor TO address to
me, with those sentiments Of affection and respect
which ] To the kindness you have at all times
ovinccd for me. My gratitude add attachment
could not but be strengthened by our late converse
lions, when VIC spoke vIh confidence of the past,
the present, and The future.
You must have been dissatisfied with my con.
duct IN recent circumstances, moi that had given
any pledge to you to any one; bat you must have
said, "SInce Lafayette conceived himself compell-
cd by circumstances to rolax in the preference hc
has at all times professed for purely republican in.
stltutious, why has that concession favored
thor flioily than mino7 Has he forgotten that
100000 ofyotes acknowledged the imperial dynas-
ty2" Yon see, my deag count, / present the re-
proacl in lis fell force. / have deserved it, and
viii now justify mysoll in foil independence and pu-
rity Of conscience.