Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-10

those already in existence, were created. The
Ministry of State, Misistre d'Etat which had
nothing to do with foreign affairs and Sec
rotary of General Police, Ministre de Police
Generate.
In the mind Of Louis Napoleon, the Miristre
d'Etat was the Ministry Of Ministries. He was
a sort Of indirect surveyor Of all other cabinets.
He had, within the range of his attributes, the
relation of the government with the Senate,
the Legislative body, and the Council of State;
and, under his care, the correspondence Of the
Prince President (such was the name taken by
Louis Napoleon after the coup d'etat) with the
various departments. Besides this, he coun-
tersgned all important documents; the nomi-
President of the Senate and Legislative body,
and the DEGREES Of the President. The exclu
sive direction Of the official part Of the Moni
teur was also under his control.
The creation of the Ministry Of the General
Police, was followed by that of nine inspectors
general, possessing, within the scope Of their
authority, several military divisions. These
nine general inspectors had under their order
twelve sub-inspectors whose function was to
keep up direct communication with the COM
missaries cfpolice all over France. Before the
creation of this secretariship, the commissary
Of police was local officer without any rela-
ton with the central government.
The duties of the inspectors-general we're
immense; they had to correspond with the
projects and the mayors, the attorneys-gen-
eral, and the attorneys Of the republic; with
the colonies and officers of the gendarmerie.
They had under their order the sub-inspectors
and the commissaries of police. 1t was their
duty to watch everything calculated to inAu
ence public opinion. The press, public libra:
ries, pedlers, theaters, seminaries and schools,
prisons, and societies of all kinds. Their at
tention was to be fixed upon all parts of the
administration and of the public service. They
were empowered to cause suspicious men to be
arrested, after having, however, concerted with
the project of the department upon that mea-
sure. The inspectors and subinspectors were
under the direction Of the minister of general
police.
There are no doubts left as to the intention
Of Louis Napoleon in reference to the addition
Of these two departments to those already in
existence. To stihe the last few vestiges of
Independence in his cabinet, by replacing it
under the control Of the Secretary of State,
with attributes entirely new; to render power
less and inoffensive the action Of the projects
in the department in case of resistance; to
concentrate in his hands the power in Paris,
the power in the interior of France, and to be
the Deusermaehina Of the government such
was his plan. The constitution which he
formed gave him the authority he wanted to
exercise; and, Of course, that authority in
vested him with absolute power. Once in such
a position, he had no trouble in governing and
directing everything. M. Casabianca, one Of
his creatures, entirely devoted to him for many
long years, was placed at the head Of the Min
istry Of State. M. de Maupas, his faithful
friend, was put at the head of the general
police. Through the agency of the first he
held the whole administration under his thumb;
by means of the second, he took away and con-
trolled the few local liberties France still pos
sessed. However, when we say local liberties,
we allude to those only which had, or should
have, any reference to the general policy Of the
government.
AS to that power essentially local in its
character which could not be used against the
government, it was rather increased than de-
creased in tho hands of the Project. But those
who have reflected upon the powers Of the
general inspectors, will have remarked that
they apply not only to politics. but to social
relations; that they interfere with mems occu-
pations, pleasures, morals, intellects, duties,
and rights in word, that they place every
body's freedom under the good viii of the
government, and the good will of the govern
ment under that Of L. Napoleon.
In our next number we will speak of the three
bodies now representing the Legislative power,
admitting that there be such thing LEFT in
France.
INCREASE OF THE ARMY AND NAVY.
The recommendations OF the Secretaries Of