Page images
PDF
EPUB

"the people. Thus, any government which shall "have no other title than the acclamations and.

wishes of a party, or that shall be imposed by force; any government that shall not adopt "the national colours, and that shall not gua"rantee the liberty of the citizens—the equali

ty of civil and political rights-the liberty of "the press-the liberty of worship-the repre"sentative system-the free consent of the " citizens in the levies of men and money-the

66

responsibility of ministers-the irrevocability "of the sales of the national property of all kinds "the inviolability of property-the abolition "of tythes, of ancient and new hereditary no

[ocr errors]

bility and of feudalism-the abolition of all "confiscation of goods-the entire oblivion of "opinions and political sentiments pronounced 66 up to this moment-the institution of the "legion of honour-the recompences due to the "officers and soldiers-the assistance due to "their widows and children-the institution of juries the permanence of the judges-the payment of the public debt-will have only an ephemeral existence, and will not ensure the tranquillity of France or of Europe. That if "it can be supposed that the bases announced in "this declaration can be disregarded or violated, "the representatives of the French people now

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

"acquit themselves of a sacred duty, protesting "beforehand, in the face of the whole world, against violence and usurpation. They con"fide the maintenance of the conditions which they thus proclaim to all good Frenchmen"to all generous hearts to all enlightened "minds to all men jealous of their liberty "lastly, to all future generations.

[ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors]

LANJUINAIS, President, “DUMOLARD,

BEDOCH,

"CLEMENT (du Doubs),

❝ HELLO,

Secretaries."

This declaration was proposed and adopted in consequence of a proclamation to the French by the government, communicated to the cham, ber, in which the surrender of the capital is justified, and the hopes of the nation elevated by the assurance, that, notwithstanding this event, "The declarations of the sovereigns of Europe "must inspire too much confidence, their pro"mises have been too solema, to admit of a "fear that our liberties and our dearest interests "can be sacrificed to victory*." The plenipotentiaries being returned (they came back last

See Appendix-No, 38.

night), this assurance must be the consequence of their communications; and as it seems that the promises of offering no interference in filling the throne have been renewed, the French people have surely a right to expect that Louis shall not again follow the baggage trains of the allies. The honour of England is in the hands of the Duke of Wellington. If, after being the sole objectors to the eighth article of the treaty of the 25th of March, we should be the persons to force Louis upon the French, no time nor history will furnish so black a page as such a conduct, on the part of our cabinet, will add to the base records of court policy. The representatives must have seen something in the communica tions of government which led them to hope, that one honest, dignified exertion might yet save the nation from the return of despotism. This persuasion has induced them not to give way to despair, nor abandon their posts by a voluntary separation, which, one or two of their royalist colleagues ventured to hint, was the necessary consequence of the surrender of Paris. This devotion in a cause, which less sincere or intrepid patriots might think hopeless, enabled them this day, when the yoke seemed lifted over their necks, to discuss and agree to a declaration of the rights of Frenchmen, and the funda

mental principles of their constitution, which an Englishman, at least, should respect, as it is the essence of those institutions under which he lives and is free. I inclose it*. This, as well as the other declaration, was adopted amidst repeated shouts of " long live the nation," from all parts of the assembly and of the galleries.

M. Felix Lepelletier was justified in calling this a memorable sitting, The British troops were taking possession of Montmartre, when these undaunted legislators proclaimed the independence of France with a courage no less constant than when they voted the basis of their limited monarchy under the discharges of artillery that announced the victories of Napoleon on the opening of the campaign. The English nation has certainly some right to complain of France, and some human hints of reprisal may now drop in our parliament and be forgiven; but a great people should resemble the divinityby making reform, rather than vengeance, the object of its chastisements, and by securing itself against future aggression, in any way more ge nerous than that of visiting past delinquencies. The attempt to establish a free government in this country should find the warmest patrons

See Appendix-No. 40.

in the British cabinet. Let us recollect, that the French people have been always allowed by ourselves to have been not guilty of the tyrannies and usurpation of their late leader, and have been always pitied by us rather as the tools than as the champions and partners of ambition. I shall say nothing of the esteem and distinction which the name of Englishman has long commanded in France, and which has, even during these late disasters (of which we must be looked upon as the immediate cause), so far prevailed, as to make our institutions the object of their perpetual eulogy and imitation. I am sure, that even the vanity of Frenchmen would be lost in their gratitude, if we would but consent to allow them to follow our example in the choice of a government and a king. I have some hopes that Lord Wellington, on seeing that the vacancy of the throne by no means implies the reascension of Louis, and that France shuts her arms still closer against the king, since disembarrassed from the embrace of her Emperor, will consult the honour of his country in taking no step by which her promises may be eluded or annulled. He had a conference with the Duke of Otranto this day.

In the proclamation of the government there is a phrase which might have been spared, and

« PreviousContinue »