The Sun. — 1822-11-18 (London, England)

SECOND DAY.  At one o'clock, M. B. CONSTANT began his defence. 'The Court was even more crowded than yesterday. [His .first speech, and his reply to the observations of the Avocet du Roi completely fill the French 'Journals: We can only give a mere outline.] " The first thing of which I am -reproaChed by the Avocat du Roi is not having brought the matter to trial, in place of -writing what he calls a defamatory libel. But it was necessary both for the deputies inculpated and for public tranquility, that the imputations of M. Mangin-should be promptly disproved. After the motion in the Chamber of Deputies, on August sth, for calling him to the bar had been , rejected, in discussing which his most eloquent advocates admitted that he had erred, it was to be expected that he would refrain in his 'subsequent discourses from loading with injuries the Deputies he had inculpated in the act of accusation. But he acted quite differently, and called certain Deputies cowards, and perfidious, and stated that one of them had been expressly to Saumur to seduce one of the accused, and that another had paid the conspirators with the, treasures of the Usurper. " The first intention certainly was to bring M. 111angin • to trial, but it was stoxped'at the commencement. While a J)epuv may, by a simple citation, and without previous'  formalities, be summoned before/ the correctional police, no administrative or judiciary agent can be attacked without certain sanctions long and difficult to obtain ; and particularly when the person is a Preeztreur General the thing is quite impossible. By the code which regulates these matters the complaint is sent before the Procureur-General himself. Complaints were addressed to the Keeper of the Seals, and were rejected. The accusations, however, grew with each day. It was necessary to reply to them. Several Deputies prepared letters as strong or stronger than mine, and in every thing which I have written I can fearlessly say I was the interpreter of their sentiments. The common course of proceeding was too slaw for the interest of France. li. Mangin had represented us as forming .a centre, and it was of immediate necessity to,undeceive those who were deceived.  - " The Avocat has recognised the principle, that if my accusations against M. Mangm are well-founded, the culpability which he attributes to my 'letter will be much diminished. But if you place my defence by the side of the accusation, you will find that theformer is moderate compared with the latter. M. -B.'Constant then entered into along explanation of his conduct—of his visit to Saumur, and other particulars, tending to shew the injustice of - the inculpations of M. Mangin, who ought, fiad he any proofs, to hare brought M. Constant-to trial, as a conspirator. He concluded thus : " You, Gentlemen, will not give France the terriblcconvicdon, that every species of violence is allowed to one party, and prohibited tnthe other. I have been gratuitously attacked—l have defended myself with frankness and vigour—rhave replied with moderation, but not without indignation. Every thing which is honourable in France will approve my conduct —every thing generoui in the heart of man will grant me its applause and its sympathy—and, under these impressions, I :look forward with confidence to the judgment you are to give." After the reply of M. Billot, Avocat du Roi, and the observations of M. Mollot, Counsel for M. B. Constant, the latter again:addressed the Court; persisting that he: was obliged to defend himself in the manner he did, unless he wished to be consideied as a coward and an assassin.—" No danger," he said, " would have made me hold a different line of conduct. I would rather live at the bottom of a dungeon than walk at liberty in France, stained with the blood of the unhappy Caffi ; and however severe may be the punishment inflicted on .ine, I shOuld say it is better than to hear children uttering around me—' Behold the murderer of our fathers, the assassin °four, families replied, because 1 was accused, and you have now to decide if you will condemn me because I would not pass for a traitor—for the last and most contemptible of men.' The Tribunal postponed giving judgment till Tuesday.