Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-05-21


moral credit in counter revolution but see
ing the Republc about to become extinct, and
dreading the consequences of military domi-
nance in Bonapartei he probably desired
constitutional monarchy by national compact
with the Bourbons. A numerous party in the
Senate privately offered him the dictatorship,
a large portion of the army would have hailed
the event with acclamation, and he had the
confidence of 1000 officers, members Of
the Philadelphia Society. But thus holding
at command all the elements of a counter revo-
lution he was unwilling to proceed without
the concurrence of the Bourbon princes, and
obtaining from them guarantees of liberal in
stitutions
Pichegru was at this time in England COM
municating with the brothers of Louis XVI.
He had been connected with Moreau in the
army of the Rhine, and sought and obtained
several interviews with him. Moreau was on
bad terms with Bonsparte and his government,
but his prudence and moderate principles re-
voted from the idea of restoring the Bourbons
Internationally, as was proposed by Pichegru.
Pichegru's scheme was impractcable because
the number Of the royalists was inconsiderable;
and Cadondal so prominent in the affair, and
chief of the Chousns, had no weight but that
of courage Moreau was embarrassed by the
connection of the Chousns /; and despite his
prudence and consummate sagacity, his cool
and profound combinations were rashly pre-
cipitated by his associates, Lajoas and others,
who impatiently urged him to seize Bonaparte
dead or alive, but without guarantee from
the Bourbons he refused to participate in any
movement against the consular government
He was unable, however, as Philadelphia
chief, to enforce obedience, and his associates
virtually deposed him from the chieftainship
The conspiracy was now directed BY Piche-
gra and Cadondal, and the assassination of
Bonaparte determined on Fifty Chouans
were secretly introduced into Paris for the
purpose. The plan was to attack the Consul
on his way to Malmaison, or ST. Cloud But
the police were on the alert, aud a clue was
obtained to the whole affair
In February, 1904. Moreau, Pichegru, Ca
dondal the Polignacs, and more than seventy
others were arrested. These arrests were three |
months after the banishment of Oudet, and no
connection being suspected between Oudet and
Moreau, Bonaparte put period to the banish- |
sion OF major. He arrived in Paris just after |
the arrests, resumed his original functions as
chief of the Philadelphians, and concerted q
plan for the liberation of Moreau, in case of
his being capitally convicted.
The trial Of the conspirators, which lasted |
fourteen days, created an extraordinary sensa.
sation not only in Paris, bat throughout France |
The association of names in the indictment was |
singular. Moresu, the hero of Hohenlndeu |
the conqueror of Holsnd-Po- |
lguan, an ex-noble, and Cadondal the chief of |
the Brigands Of La Vendee The prisoners |
were found guilty, but the sentences were de- |
ferred.
Vague rumors of plots, inaammatory pla- |
cards, and frequent and anonymous letters |
alarmed the government, in case of the con-
demnation to death of Moreau. He was in |
the way of Bonaparte's ambition, but to put !
him to death was q hazardous experiment,
particularly on account of the army. There |
had been a failure to unravel the plot and the |
government might be treading on volcano |
1t was therefore adjudSed prudent, on the sug-
gestion of Murst, to reduce Moreau to insig- |
ni6cance by the very lenieacy of his treatment |
He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, |
but was allowed to retire to America On !
reaching the borders of France, he was told !
he must sell his estates-Gros-B Bois was one of /
them, and the price and purchaser were named
to him. The price he considered inadequate. |
Polgnac and some of his aristocratic asso- |
ciates were likewise spared, because their fs-
miles had recovered some of their former in |
fuence. There was even disposition to spare
the life Of Cadondal from admiration of his in- |
doniitable courage, and on the eve of the exc
cution Of the Chouans, whose chief be was, |
their lives were offered them on conditions
The messenger found them at prayers, and ad- |
dressing Csdondal, he proposed to him. in the |
name of the First Consul commission in the |
army and to spare the lives of his associates
on their renouncing the cause of the Bourbons. |
4" That does not concern me alone" returned /
the Chouan chief, permit me to communi
cate your proposals to my comrades. that
may hear their opinions He then repeated
the message, on which one of them immediate
ly rose and shouted, Fis k roi. The rest
did the same " You see,D observed Cadon-
dal to the officer, Eve have only one thought