" et qu'il doit faire ce soir ou demain son entrée “ dans la capitale. " Les troupes étrangères viennent d'occuper " les Tuileries où siège le gouvernment. " Dans cet état de choses, nous ne pouvons plus “ que faire des vœux pour la patrie, et nos délibé" rations n'étant plus libres nous croyons devoir " nous séparer. "Le Marechal Prince d'Essling, et le prefet " de la Seine, ont été chargés de veiller au main" tien de l'ordre, de la sûreté et de la tranquillité " publiques. "J'ai l'honneur de vous offrir, M. le president, " les nouvelles assurances de ma haute considera" tion. "Le President de la Commission de Gouvernement. (Signé) "Le Duc de OTRANTE. "QUINETTE. " CARNOT. "CAULAINCOURT, Duc de Vicenze." The recital of this message was heard in, and succeeded by, a profound silence; and M. Manuel, reporter of the committee of constitution, ascending the tribune, addressed the as sembly. "What has happened you have all foreseen; " with whatever rapidity events have succeeded " each other, they have not surprised you; and "already your declaration, founded upon the "deep feelings of your duty, has told to all "France that you are able to fulfil and com"plete your glorious design. The commission " of government has been reduced to a position "which leaves it incapable of farther defence. "As to ourselves, it is our duty to allot to our " country all our last moments, and, if need be, "the last drops of our blood. The time, per"haps, is not far distant, which shall restore you "to all your rights, consecrate public liberty, "accomplish all your wishes, and fulfil all the " desires of every Frenchman: that time it be "comes us to look forward to with the calm "dignity worthy the representatives of a great "people. Let there be neither shouts, nor com"plaints, nor acclamations. You are animated " by one firm resolve, which the dictates of wis "dom must develop, adorned with her charac"teristic qualities, and clearly demonstrated to " be the settled impression of every generous "heart. Forget, I demand it of you, every per"sonal interest; suffer no apprehension to hide м2 "from your eyes the good of your country: "you will complete your work by continuing 66 your deliberations. Gentlemen, one of two "things must happen, either the allied armies " will permit the usual sittings of your assembly, 66 or violence will tear you from this sanctuary., "If we are to remain free, let us not have to "reproach ourselves with any hesitation or in"terruption; if we are to bend beneath the laws "of force, let us leave to others the odium " of such a violation, and let the disgrace of " having stifled the accents of independence fall "with all its weight upon those who dare to " undertake so base an office. You have pro" tested beforehand; you protest again, against " every act aggressive on our liberties, and the "rights of your constituents. Alas! would you " have to fear such evils, if the promises of "kings were not given in vain? What, then, " remains, but to exclaim with that orator whose " words have resounded throughout the whole "of Europe: We are here by the will of "the people-the bayonet alone shall drive us "hence." Four distinct peals of applause, notwithstanding the injunction, greeted the orator as he concluded his speech. The chamber, having agreed unanimously to the proposal of M. Manuel, entered again upon the business of the day, and heard the report of the commissaries returned from communicating the thanks of the representatives to the army, which they found amounting to 73,000 soldiers, 14,000 of whom were of the old guard. M. Regnault then moved, that the national guard should be released from its oath of fidelity to the chamber, be considered as a guard of honour only, and directed to make no resistance to any armed force that might attempt to enter the hall. "You alone," said the orator, "are to " encounter; you alone have to resist the ene" mies of your independence." He concluded by moving, "that Marshal Massena should be " instantly informed of this resolution, and that "the prefect of the Seine should be recommended "to take every measure necessary for the pub"lic safety." Both propositions were adopted, M. Durbach having first premised, that the mover, when he mentioned non-resistance to an armed force, did not allude to an assemblage of traitors, the tools of a faction, but to foreign troops. M. Durbach himself then said, "I pro"pose, that, conformably to what is prescribed " by our constitution, the ministers do assemble " and form a council of government;" but M. Carnot assured the chamber, that the ministers were still in activity, and that the public service would suffer no interruption. The assembly then proceeded to vote on the peerage. The chamber divided twice; the decision remained doubtful, even at the second trial, but the presi dent pronounced the assembly to have voted that the peerage should be hereditary and unlimited. After this vote, which was concluded at six o'clock, several members demanded, that the remaining articles of the constitution should be debated; but the president rose from his seat, and adjourned the assembly to eight o'clock the next morning. As he was retiring, General Brouard exclaimed, "why not maintain the " actual permanence of the sitting? you have " adjourned us until to-morrow, because you "think that tomorrow we shall be forcibly ex" cluded from this place." The president only replied, "I do not think so," and retired; but the voice of General Solignac was heard as the assembly rose. "L'Histoire est là, elle recueille " chacune de nos actions. Songez, Mons. le prési"dent, que vous prenez șur vous une responsabilité "terrible." The chamber separated. |