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General Solignac demanded that a commission of five members should wait upon his Majesty, and declare personally the urgency of his decision; but he retracted his proposition, upon information received of the forthcoming message, and agreed to protract the demand for one hour in other words consented, that Napoleon should wear the crown for an hour longer, and should have the opportunity of resigning that which should otherwise be snatched from him. The Prince of Eckmülh then appeared, and read an extract from a dispatch from the Duke of Dalmatia, purporting that the guard had rallied at Avesnes, and that Marshal Grouchy had beaten the remainder of the Prussian army on the 18th; so that the forces on the frontier amounted to 60,000 men, to which might be added 10,000 more, with some cavalry, and 100 pieces of cannon. He continued, by saying, "that a declaration of treason against every "national guard, or soldier of the line, who "should desert his colours, might yet save the "country." A member asked if it was true, that the light troops of the allies were advanced as far as Laon. The marshal denied the fact; and repeated his fidelity to the nation. At eleven the sitting adjourned, but was resumed at twelve. At one o'clock, the Dukes of Otranto and Vi

cenza, the Prince d'Eckmülh, and Count Carnot were introduced: the president then arose, and looking towards the galleries, said, "I am about "to read an important act, which is communicat"ed to me by his Majesty's ministers. I beg to "remind you of the regulation, which forbids "all sign of disapproval or approbation." He then proceeded thus.

Declaration to the French People.

"Frenchmen-In beginning the war to sus"tain the national independence, I reckoned 66 upon the union of all efforts and of all inclina"tions, and upon the concurrence of all the na"tional authorities. I had sufficient foundation "in hoping for success, and I braved all the de"clarations of the potentates against me. Cir"cumstances appear to me to be changed. I "offer myself as a sacrifice to the hate of the "enemies of France. I pray that their declara"tions may prove sincere, and that their real object of attack has been myself alone. My political life is come to a close, and I proclaim my son, under the title of Napoleon the Second, Emperor of the French. The present ministers "will form provisionally a council of govern"ment. The interest which I feel for my son " induces me to invite the chambers to organize

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a regency, by a law, and without delay. Unite "all of you, if you would consult the public "safety, and if you would remain an indepen"dent nation. (Signed) "NAPOLEON."

The abdication of Napoleon was heard with respectful silence. Although expected, it was cheerfully received by such members as doubted of the result of their efforts, and dreaded the resolution of the Emperor. It was known that two of their body had entered the Elysée on the afternoon of the day before, and had delivered their opinion of the necessity of this measure. It was known that Napoleon had defied the chambers to force him to such a step, and had declared that he had means of resistance, and would employ them. Add to this, that Add to this, that many members had received notification, by letter, that a thirteenth Vendemiere, or an eighteenth Brumaire, was in contemplation; and their dissolution, and perhaps destruction, already resolved upon at the palace. The national guard was in the hands of officers of the line; troops were crowding to Paris; the federates might rise; and a civil war in the capital might be the only hope and resource of the national representation. It is not, then, to be wondered at, that this apparently spontaneous resignation should be hailed with pleasure by

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destined for their protection.

Some discussion

took place, as to the reception of the ministers; and it was decided, upon a proposal of M. Dumolard, that the chamber should

put the questions to them through the president. The president then informed the house, that the archchancellor, and the Duke of Bassano, had acknowledged the receipt of the declaration of the representatives. At a quarter after three, Messieurs Regnault, Flaugergues, and Bedoch, entering the hall, a crowd of members surrounded them, but no communication was made, either from the ministers or the palace. M. Jay then proposed, that a second message should be sent, to invite ministers to the assembly. This was carried, with the observation, that invited should be changed into ordered. Another member advised some measures of personal security; saying, that the glory of perishing blindly was too common, and should have no charms for the man that ought to preserve himself for the safety of his country. This proposition, which sufficiently shewed the apprehension of some members, was more clearly developed by M. Penières, who moved, that the command of the national guard, though in the hands of the Emperor, should be given, at once, to some one possessed of the confidence of the chamber.

This motion was not carried; but at half after four, General Sebastiani proposed, that the legionary chiefs of the national guard should each put a battalion under arms for the protection of the national representatives and the town of Paris. This measure would have been adopted had not M. Garnier, from the commission of administration, announced that a battalion of the guard was then in service about the palace; and had not the president assured the assembly that there was no sign of the public tranquillity being disturbed, nor the shadow of any commotion. Besides, General Durosnel, the actual commandant, was declared not to have forfeited his title to public confidence. The president now read this letter from the four ministers:

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"Mr. PRESIDENT,

Having been detained up to the present "time at the chamber of peers, and at council, "and having received almost at the same moment your message and that of the peers, we are "about to present ourselves to the assembly. "We have the honour, &c.

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