field because the late King, good man, (after he had packed up the Crown jewels we suppose) ordered all the powder and powder-mills to be destroyed. Now is it to be believed, when Soult had the direction of the war department, aided by other Marshals who were planning Napoleons return, that such an order would have been executed at the last moments of the Kings authority; and had it really happened, is it for gotten how in the earliest periods of the Revolutionary war, upon a scarcity of powder, how quickly the men of science, when directed to turn their attention to the preparation of this article, supplied the want. The same falsehood, the same delusion is practiced in a thousand forms. In nothing more than in the impudent statements of desertion from the French armies. I wish the issue of the question of war or peace could be rested upon the truth or falsehood of this fact, whether from the hour of Bonaparte's, landing in France, up to this moment of time, they could or could not shew a list of authenticated names of one thousand French soldiers, who had served with him, and who have quitted his standard to join the Allies. The chance would be a poor one for the friends of war.--Such then are the causes of the war, and such the vile means resorted to to induce your hearty concurrence in it, that you may pay for it in taxation and bleed for it, with slaves from Russia, changelings from Germany, and subsidised soldiers from all quarters of the Continent. They tell you, it is to be but A summer's business; that the Bourbons, the nobles, the priests, the tythes, the forfeited estates, the virtues, the blessings, and the comforts of the old Regime, and of all the Feudal System, will then be restored in full and original authority; as an example to all nations and all people who dare to exert the rights of nature, and vindicate their freedom against the tyranny of old institutions, and the feebleness and wickedness of the few who lord it over and trample on the many. As agriculturists, I think, you have sufficiently felt and seen the difficulties you now labour under; how taxation prevents your being able to meet the foreign corn grower in the market. As manufacturers, you now see, that by war you have driven all nations to become your rivals; that in the Siner goods you are undersold; and that even the demand for coarser articles is so diminished that trade languishes, and employment in many instances is not to be found. Will an addition of taxes better either of these respective conditions? will not rather increased causes produce increased effects?-Englishmen! arise, 66 awake, or be ever fallen." The war is not your war; the objects of it are not your advantage; and the continuance of it must produce a crisis, the horrors, the evils, and ultimate safety from which no man can calculate. The fall of those who occasion the evil will not be alone, or the just retribution of Heaven might cause few tears from the survivors. But around us would hover numerous people, whom we have by our subsidies enriched and ranged in arms; whom we have taught that interference in the internal Govern➡ ment of other countries, is in some causes a duty; and whom their own experience has taught, that in others it may be an advantage, inasmuch as sometimes they may end as conquerors where they pretended to come as mediators and friends. Would, my friends, what I have said might rouse you to the exercise of all legitimate means to stem the tide of war, with which the weakness and wickedness of some would overwhelm us. The cause is your own, and as is your apathy or your vigour you must abide and remain. CIVIS. June 7th, 1815. THE CHAMP DE MAI. 66 men In introducing to the notice of my rea ders, the most impressive and important proceeding which Europe has witnessed since the commencement of the French Revolution, few comments are necessary. It is a ceremony which speaks for itself, and which ought to overwhelm with confusion all the base efforts of the vile hire, ling press, who stigmatise it with the silly epithet of a farce." I fear its effects will not be found farcical; and certainly if our besotted war faction continue their industrious efforts, one of the first effects will be the renewal of those principles of liberty, which may possibly shake the thrones of the Allied Autocrats to their foundation. I do not say that it will; but it is, at least, possible that it may.→→ But there is one circumstance, connected with the celebration of the Champ de Mai, most memorable epochs have left us the ed in front of the Military School, and in so strikingly important, that I cannot for- | joining in vows for the great object of bear noticing it. The detestable Billings- that magnificent ceremony-all excited gate calumniators of the French Emperor, the most ardent enthusiasm of which the have uniformly stated, as their decided and conclusive conviction, that he dared not appear in public; that when he went out he was either shut up in a close carriage or rode his horse at full gallop. What do these foul mouthed hirelings say now?ments. The Emperor's throne was erectWhat do they say to his placing himself, unarmed and without guards, on an elevated throne, surrounded not only by the people from all parts of the immense French empire, but also by the whole population of the prodigious city of Paris? And yet not a single assassin could be found in spite of all the proclamations of the legitimate proprietors of the human race," to do the so much desired deed of putting an end to the only really elected monarch in Europe. Would any of the Emperors or Kings who have proscribed Napoleon venture so to expose themselves? I doubt much whether any of them, shining as they are in all the great qualities that adorn human nature, would choose to call about them the population of their States.-At least, it would not perhaps be considered the most wise experiment, unless a body guard was previously provided to protect their sacred persons. After this new proof of the at-peror, and to be better seen by him. tachment of the French people to Napoleon, let us hear no more of the vile attempts of the Times and the Courier to persuad us, that Napoleon has not been elected by the free and unbiassed suffrages of the French nation. This event is pregnant with the most important consequences; but it is unnessary for me to say more upon the subject to such men as compose the readers of the Register.-I give them the text; they will make their own commentary Paris. June 2.—Never did a festival more national, never a spectacle at once so solemn and touching, attract the attention of the French people as the Assembly of the Champ de Mai. Every thing that could interest and elevate the soul-the prayers of religion-the compact of a great people with their Sovereign-France represented by the select of her Citizens, Agriculturists, Merchants, Magistrates, and Warriors, collected, around the Throne--an immense population, covering the Champ de Mars, aud An alter was erected in the and about 100 middle. Further on, toises distant, was placed another throne, which overlooked the whole Champ de Mars. The Emperor having repaired to the Champ de Mars, in procession, in the order described in the Programme, appeared on his throne amidst universal acclamations. Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Tours, assisted by Cardinal Bayanne, and four other Bishops.Mass being concluded, the Members of the Central Deputation of the Electoral Colleges advanced to the foot of the Throne, the steps of which they ascended, in order to have a nearer view of the Em They were about 500 in number. They were presented to his Majesty by the Arch Chancellor.-Then one of the Members of the Deputation (M. Duboys d'An gers, Elector and Representative of the Department of the Maine and Loire), pronounced with a loud voice and much animation, the following Address, in the name of the French peoole:- SIRE-The French people had decreed the Crown to you; you deposed it with, out their consent; its suffrages have just imposed upon you the duty of resuming it.-A new contract is formed between the nation and your Majesty.-Collected from all points of the Empire around the tables of the law on which we are about to inscribe the wish of the people, this wish, which is the only legitimate source of power, it is impossible for us not to utter the voice of France, of which we are the immediate organs, not to say in the presence of Europe, to the august chief of the nation, what it expects from him, and what he is to expect from it.-What The energy and the feelings of the speaker gradually extended to all around, and the whole Champ de Mars resounded with cries of Vive le Nation! Vive le Empereur ! At this moment the ArchChancellor proclaimed the result of the votes, shewing that the Additional Act to the Constitution of the Empire had been accepted almost unanimously; the number of negative votes being 4,206. The Chief of the Heralds at Arms, on the order of his Majesty, transmitted by the Grand Master of the Cereremonies, said, is the object of the league of Allied Kings, clare it to nations: may their chiefs hear with that warlike preparation by which us! If they accept your offers of peace, they alarm Europe and afflict humanity? the French people will look to your vi By what act, what violation have we pro-gorous, liberal, and paternal administravoked their vengeance, or given cause for tion for grounds of consolation, for the their aggression? Have we since peace sacrifices made to obtain peace: but if we was concluded endeavoured to give them are left no choice but between war and laws? We merely wish to make and to disgrace, the whole country will rise for follow those which are adapted to our war, and the nation is prepared to relieve manners. We will not have the Chief you from the too moderate offers you whom our enemies would give us, and we have perhaps made, in order to save Euwill have him whom they wish us not to repe from a new convulsion. Every have. They dare to proscribe you per- Frenchman is a soldier: Victory will sonally: you, Sire, who, so often master follow your eagles, and our enemies who of their capitals, generously consolidated rely on our divisions, will soon regret their tottering thrones. This hatred of having provoked us. our enemies adds to our love for you. Were they to proscribe the most obscure of our citizens, it would be our duty to defend him with the same energy. He would be, like you, under the Egis of French Law and French Power. They menace us with invasion! And yet contracted within frontiers which nature has not imposed upon us, and which, long before your reign, victory and even peace had extended, we have not, from respect to treaties which you had not signed, but which you had offered to observe, sought to pass that narrow boundary. Do they ask for guarantees? They have them all in our institutions, and in the will of the French people henceforth united to yours. Do they not dread to remind us of times, of a state of things lately so different, The Grand Chamberlain caused a table but which may still be re-produced! It would not be the first time that we have to be brought in front of the throne, on conquered all Europe armed against us. which the Act was placed. The ChanBecause France wishes to be France, cellor delivered a pen to Prince Joseph, must she be degraded, torn, dismembered, who presented it to the Emperor, and his and must the fate of Poland be reserved Majesty affixed his signature to the Act for us? It is in vain to conceal insidious for the promulgation of the Constitution. designs under the sole pretence of sepa-The table being removed, and the Emperating you from us, in order to give us ror seated and covered, spoke in the folMasters with whom we have nothing in lowing terms:— common. Their presence destroyed all the illusions attached to their name. They could not believe our oaths, neither could we their promises. Tithes, feudal rights, privileges, every thing that was odious to us was too evidently the fond object of their thought, when one of them, to console the impatience of the present, assured his confidants that he would answer to them for the future. Every thing shall be attempted, every thing executed, to repel so ignominious a yoke. We de In the name of his Majesty I declare, that the Act Additional to the Constitutions of the Empire has been accepted by the French people. Gentlemen, Electors of the Colleges of the Departments and Districts: Gentlemen, Deputies of the Army and Navy, at the Champ de Mai;-Emperor, Consul, Soldier, I derive all from the people. I prosperity, in adversity, on the field of battle, in council, on the throne, and in exile, France has been the sole and constant object of my thoughts and actions. Like the King of Athens, I sacrificed myself for my people, in the hope of realizing the promise given to preserve to France now direct their blows against my person. Did I not perceive that it is the country they wish to injure, I would place at their mercy this existence against which they shew themselves so much incenced. But tell the citizens, that while the French people preserve towards me the sentiments of love, of which they have given me so many proofs, the rage of our enemies will be powerless. Frenchmen, my wish is that of the people; my rights are theirs; my honour, my glory, my happiness, can be no other than the honour, the glory, and the happiness of France. It would be difficult to describe the emotions which were manifested on every countenance by the words of his Majesty, or the prolonged cries which followed his speech. The Archbishop of Bourges, First Almoner, performing the functions of the Grand Almoner, then approached the throne, and on his knees presented the Holy Gospel to the Emperor, who took the oath in the following terms ISWEAR TO OBSERVE AND CAUSE TO BE OBSERVED THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE EMPIRE. her natural integrity, her honours and her rights. Indignation at seeing these sacred rights, acquired by 20 years of victory, disavowed and lost for ever; the cry of French honour tarnished, and the wishes of the nation have replaced me upon that throne which is dear to me, because it is the palladium of the independence, the honour, and the rights of the people. Frenchmen, in traversing amidst the public joy the different provinces of the empire to reach my capital, I had reason to rely on a lasting peace. Nations are bound by treaties concluded by their Governments, whatever they may be. My thoughts were then all occupied with the means of establishing our liberty by a constitution conformable to the will and interests of the people. I convoked the Champ de Mai. I soon learned that the Princes who have disregarded all principles, who have trampled on the sentiments and dearest interests of so many nations, wish to make war against us. They meditate the increasing the kingdom of the Netherlands, by giving it as barriers all our northern frontier places, and the conciliation of the differences which still exist among them by dividing Lorraine and Alsace. It was necessary to provide for war. But, be- The Prince Arch-Chancellor advancing fore personally encountering the hazards to the foot of the throne, first pronounced of battles, my first care has been to con- the oath of obedience to the Constitutions stitute the nation without delay. The and fidelity to the Emperor. The Aspeople have accepted the Act which I have sembly with one unanimous voice repeated presented to them. Frenchmen, when we-We swear. The Members of the Deshall have repelled these unjust aggres-putation remained seated on the steps of sions, and Europe shall be convinced of the throne, and Te Deum was chaunted, what is due to the rights and independence and the Presidents of the Electoral Col of 28 millions of people, a solemn law leges advanced to receive the Eagles for drawn up in the forms required by the the National Guards of their depart Constitutional Act shall combine toge-ments. The Eagle of the National Guard ther the different dispositions of our constitutions now dispersed. Frenchmen, you are about to return to your departments; inform the citizens that circumstances are grand! That with union, energy, and perseverance, we shall return victorious from this contest of a great people against their oppressors; that future generations will severely scrutanize our conduct, and that a nation has lost all when she has lost her independence; tell them that foreign Kings whom I have raised to the throne, or who owe to me the preservation of their crowns; who all during my prosperity sought my alliance and the protection of the French people, of the Seine, that of the first regiment of the Line, and that of the first Marine corps, were carried by the Ministers of the Interior, of War, and the Marine. The Emperor, having laid aside his Imperial, robe arose from the throne, came forward to the first steps, and spoke as follows: Soldiers of the National Guard of the Empire, Soldiers of the Land and Sea Forces, I entrust to you the Imperial Eagle with the National Colours: you will swear to defend it at the expence of your blood against the enemies of the country and of this throne! You swearing near 50,000 men, including 27,000 National Guards, then defiled before his Majesty amidst the cries of Vive l'Empereur! and the acclamations of an immense multitude, covering the Champ de Mars and extending to the Seine. His Majesty then entered the military School through a crowd, which with difficulty opened to afford him a passage, and finally returned in his carriage to the Thuilleries, in the same order of procession as he ar Cries, universally prolonged, of We swear, resounded throughout the Assembly. Amidst these acclamations, and surrounded by the Eagles of all the armed corps of France, the Emperor proceeded to place himself on the throne erected in the middle of the Champ de Mars, where, as Colonel of the National Guard of Paris, and of the Imperial Guard, he pre-rived in the Champ de Mars. sented Eagles to the Presidents of the departments, and the six arrondissements, and to the Chiefs of his Guard.-Count Chapital, President of the Electoral Colleges of Paris, and Lieutenant-General Durosnel, carried the Eagle of the National Guard; and Lieutenent-General Count Friant that of the Imperial Guard. The troops marched in battalion and squadron, and surrouded the throne, with the Officers in the first line. The Emperor said tional Colours. MINISTRY OF WAR ORDER OF THE DAY. The most august ceremony has consecrated our institutions. The Emperor has received from the Representatives of the People, and the Deputies of all the corps of the army, the expression of the wishes of the whole nation on the additional Act to the Constitutions of the Empire, which had been sent for its acceptance. A new oath binds together France and the Emperor. Thus are destinies accomplished, and the efforts of an impious league, will fail to separate the interests of a great people from that hero of whom the most brilliant triumphs have gained the admira tion of the universe. It is at the moment when Soldiers of the National Guard of Paris, Soldiers of the Imperial Guard, I entrust to you the Imperial Eagle, with the NaYou swear to die, if necessary, in its defence, against the enemies of the country and the throne. the national will displays itself, with so much [Here all who were within hearing inter-energy, that cries of war are heard. It is at the rupted the Emperor with cries of We moment when the national will displays itself with swear.] You swear never to acknowledge so much energy that cries of war are heard. It is any other rallying sign. [New cries of at the moment when France is at peace with all the We swear.] You, soldiers of the Na- world, that Foreign armies move towards our tional Guard, you swear never to permit frontiers. What are the hopes of this new Coaliforeigners again to stain the capital of the tion? Does it wish to sweep France away from. Great Nation. To your courage I shall her rank amongst nations? Does it intend to entrust it. [Cries of We swear! a thou- enslave 28 millions of Frenchmen? Has it forsand times repeated]-And you, soldiers gotten that the first leagne formed against our of the Imperial Guard, you swear to sur-independence only served to aggrandize us in pass yourselves in the campaign which is about to open, and to die rather than permit foreigners to dictate laws to your country. Here the acclamations, and the cries of We swear, resounded throught the whole of the Champ de Mars. The troops, form power and in glory. A hundred splendid victories, which momentary reverses and unfortunate circumstances have not effaced, must remind that Coalition, that a free people guided by a great man, is invincible. Every man in France is a Soldier when national honour and liberty are at stake; a common interest now unites all |