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COLUMBIAN CENTINEL
Boston, MA. Wednesday Morning, June 8, 1814
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Saturday, June 4, 1814.
The following reported Answer to the Speech of his Excellency the Governor was taken up, passed without debate, and the Committee which reported it was directed to present the same: —
… We indulge some hope, mingled however with many doubts and fears, that peace may soon be restored to our suffering and bleeding country, that peace, so anxiously desired by all classes of its citizens: This hope is in some degree strengthened by the unexpected and unexampled change which has recently taken place in the political relations of the powers of Europe. Notwithstanding the manifest danger of being involved in the politics and quarrels of Europe, we are apprehensive that our relations have been too intimately combined with those of one of the contending powers. We will not say that our Government have been in alliance with that of France. But we cannot avoid perceiving that they have been pursuing similar objects by similar means, and have co-operated in fact if not in form. The commercial restrictions of America kept pace with the continental system of France, and was in fact abandoned when that system was destroyed. Neither have we forgotten that War was declared by America at the moment when BONAPARTE was collecting his countless myriads in the North to burst like a torrent upon the only civilized nation of Continental Europe, that dared to resist his power and assert her independence. But the failure of this effort we trust, will prove equally auspicious to our country and the world, equally grateful to the patriot and the philanthropist. With the highest satisfaction, therefore, we embrace this occasion to congratulate your Excellency upon the entire prostration of that monstrous military depotism which had so long trampled upon the rights, and at length, threatened the total annihilation of the liberties of civilized society.
Upon this subject we can scarcely command language to express our feelings. During many years we had witnessed the accumulating and despotic power of the French Emperor with emotions of terror and dismay. We had seen him combining a greater physical force than was ever before concentrated to a single object, aided by all the means of seduction and the arts of intrigue, actuated by no principles but those of boundless ambition, pursuing his rapid career of conquest with unrelenting violence, until the independence of Europe seemed nearly prostrate at his feet. Yet within the short period of eighteen months the power of BONAPARTE, once so formidable and so terrific, has been subverted, and that man is now a harmless exile, who had so long been the scourge of nations. Although we cannot contemplate without melancholy emotions, the immeasurable waste of human life, which so short a period of time has produced, yet in the event we think we may discern the signal interposition of a wise, merciful and over-ruling Providence for the punishment of lawless ambition, the protection of his suffering creatures, and the restoration of peace and tranquility to the world.
Any further communications which your Excellency may be pleased to make, will be received by the House of Representative with respectful deference, and acted upon with all the promptness, which their importance may demand.
In the House of Representatives, June 4, 1814.
Read and accepted,
TIMOTHY BIGELOW Speaker
FURTHER FOREIGN NEWS
(From European papers, received via Portsmouth, Portland and Quebec.)
Continuation of ALLIED OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS of War Events in France, from the Centinel of 1st inst.
FOREIGN OFFICE, London, April 6, 1814.
The following despatches from Lord BURGHERSH to General STEWART, have this morning been received: —
Fere Champenois, March 26, 1814.
MY LORD,
In considerable doubt whether this despatch will reach you, I still am anxious to seize the first opportunity of informing you of the events which have taken place since my last letters, and which, up to the present moment, have been attended with the most brilliant successes.
In the morning of the 23rd the different corps of this army were assembled in positions, from whence the whole were directed upon Vitry. The Russian light division of cavalry of the guard, under General Count Augerowsky, advanced from Metiercelin to Sommepus, where they attacked a considerable body of infantry; killed and made prisoners a great number of them, and took 20 pieces of cannon. This attack was conducted with so much talent and rapidity, that the loss on the part of the Russians was inconsiderable. The enemy immediately after began to defile from all their positions near Arcis, directing themselves upon Vitry. Count Wrede endeavored to intercept their march, but was unable to do so. The Prince Royal of Wurtemberg followed them and did them considerable mischief.
By a French courier taken at the charge of the Russian cavalry at Sommepus, it was ascertained, that the corps of Marshals Ney and Macdonald were in our front, filing to join Bonaparte, who was already at St. Dizier. The commandant at Vitry had been summoned by Marshal Ney, and threatened with the massacre of the whole garrison, if he did not surrender; he had, however, refused. Vitry was still in our possession.
By an intercepted letter of Bonaparte's, the objects of his movements were discovered. Prince Schwartzenberg; in consequence, halted his army on the Marne during the night of the 23rd, the French having entirely passed to the other bank of the river.
Bonaparte having placed himself upon our line of communication with the rear, and our junction with the army of Marshal Blucher, being formed by the arrival of General Winzingerode from Chalons at Vitry, it was determined that the whole of the two great allied armies should march upon Paris. With this object the whole army broke up yesterday, and had advanced in one column upon this place. The corps of Marshals Marmont and Mortier appear to have received orders to join Bonaparte; they arrived with in two leagues of Vitry on the night of the 24th. The advanced guard of the Prince Royal of Wurtemberg fell in with them soon after he had commenced his march in this direction.
The enemy perceiving a considerable force advancing upon him, retired; the cavalry of the 4th and 6th corps pursued. The light cavalry division of Russian guards again distinguished itself; it charged, first the enemy's cuirassiers, next his masses of infantry — in both it succeeded; a great number of killed and wounded were left on the field of battle, ten pieces of cannon taken, and near one thousand prisoners. Several other charges were made by the Austrian cuirassiers and the Wurtemberg cavalry; the enemy suffered from them considerably, and was pursued, with the loss of above thirty pieces of cannon, to Sezanne. The results of these affairs are not yet completely known; I will transmit them to your Lordship by the first opportunity. Upon the arrival of Prince Schwartzenburg at Fere Champenois, a cannonade was observed upon our right; soon after a body of infantry was seen moving upon the head-quarters.
The Emperor Alexander and the King of Prussia, immediately directed a train of artillery which belonged to the 6th corps, and which was passing at the time, to place itself in position against this corps. The cavalry which was in the rear of this body, was soon after discovered to belong to the army of Marshal Blucher, which had been pursuing it during the greater part of the day. Prince Schwartzenberg immediately brought up a considerable portion of cavalry from the corps that were pursuing Marshal Marmont and Mortier; the Emperor of Russia directed the advance of the Russian guns, the whole body of French infantry was surrounded, they were charged on all sides, under the immediate direction of the Emperor of Russia, the King of Prussia, and Prince Schwartzenberg; after a resistance which does honor to the enemy's troops, the whole of his two masses amounting to 4,800 infantry with 12 pieces of cannon were taken.
Such have been, my Lord, the triumphant result of yesterday. The troops are already in advance this morning, the cavalry will arrive today at La Ferte Gaucher. General Winzingerode, with 10,000 cavalry, is in observation of Bonaparte's army, on the side of St. Dizier; its direction is not as yet known.
It is with the greatest regret I have to announce to your Lordship that Col. Campbell was yesterday most severely wounded by a Cossack. Col. Campbell continuing that gallant distinguished course which has ever marked his military career, had charged with the first cavalry which penetrated the French masses; the Cossacks who came to support this cavalry mistook him for a French officer and struck him to the ground. From the appearance this morning, I am however in considerable hope of his recovery. Col. Rapatel, late Aide-de-Camp of General Moreau, was also unfortunately killed — I have the honor, &c.
BURGHERSH, Lt. Col 63rd Regt.
(From Quebec papers — giving London dates four days latest.)
London, April 21, 1814.
Yesterday was the day appointed for the meeting of His Majesty the King of France and the Prince Regent, at Grillon's Hotel, which was furnished in the most sumptuous style for his reception. On the arrival of his Majesty he was met by the Prince Regent, when they both shook hands, and he was conducted to his superb audience room, where the Earls of Buckingham, Bathurst, and a large number of English noblemen, and nearly 150 of the ancient French noblesse, all decorated with the white cockade, were assembled. Being seated, the Prince Regent, the Duchess d'Angouleme (his niece), with the Dukes of York, &c. surrounded him, when the Prince Regent thus addressed him: —
PRINCE REGENT'S SPEECH
"May it please Your Majesty,
Permit me to offer to you my heartfelt congratulations upon that great event which has always been among the warmest of my wishes, and which must eminently contribute to the happiness, not only of your Majesty's people, but to the repose and happiness of all other nations. I am sure I may add that my own sentiments and feelings are in unison with those of the universal British nation, and that the triumph and transport with which your Majesty will be received in your own capital, can scarcely exceed the joy and satisfaction which your Majesty's restoration to the throne of your ancestors, has created in the capital of the British empire."
THE ANSWER OF LOUIS XVIII
"Your Royal Highness will accept my most grateful thanks for our Royal Highness congratulations, and for the unvariable kindness with which I have been treated by your Royal Highness, and by every member of your illustrious house. It is to your Royal Highness councils, to this great country, and to the constancy of its people, that I shall always ascribe under Providence, the restoration of our house to the throne of our ancestors, and that state of affairs which promises to heal the wounds, to calm the passions, and to restore the peace, prosperity and tranquility of all nations."
After complimentary rejoinders and further reply, the King of France took from his own shoulder the ribband and star of the order of St. Espirit, and invested the Prince with it.
Louis XVIII is making preparations for his return to Paris. Two deputies of the Provisional Government have arrived to invite him; and the French man ofwar, the Polonaise, 84 guns, bearing the ancient flag of France, has arrived to conduct him home. We learn, however, that his Majesty has accepted the offer of the British Government to grant him the escort of a British and Russian squadron, to be commanded by the Duke of Clarence, Admiral of the fleet, and which is ready for sailing. La Polonaise is commanded by Admiral Trouds; and her flag Lieut. landed amidst the acclamations of thousands.
The Tyrian sloop of war has arrive from Havre-de-Grace, where her officers and crew were received with the greatest attention and kindness.
RESTORATION AFFAIRS IN FRANCE
Paris, April 12.
The close columns of the new Moniteur, are loaded with the Acts of Adhesion to Louis XVIII, and immense numbers of them are unavoidably omitted. It adds emphatically, "France is unanimous." In such a burst of unanimity it were almost useless to notice individuals; but it may not be unnecessary to mention, that with the exception of the brothers and relatives of Napoleon Bonaparte, all the late Titulaires of the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire have been among the first to denounce their old Chief, and to restore the Ancient Dynasty. Of them are the Duke of Parma (Cambaceres) Arch Chancellor of the Empire; the Duke of Plaisance (Lebrun) Arch Treasurer; the Prince of Benevento (Talleyrand), &c. Of the Marshals, the Duke of Ragusa (Marmont) was the first who declared for the restoration; and he was immediately followed by Marshal Jourdan, Oudinot, Kellermann, &c. Marshal Jourdan announced the new order of things in the following:
ORDER OF THE DAY
SOLDIERS! — The Emperor Napoleon had abdicated the Imperial throne, and is to retire to the island of Elba, with a pension of six millions.
The Senate has adopted a Constitution which guarantees civil liberty, and insures the rights of the Monarch.
Louis Stanislaus Xavier, brother to Louis XVI, is called to the throne by the wish of the French nation, and the army has manifested the same sentiment. The accession of Louis XVIII is the guarantee of Peace.
At length, after so many glorious campaigns, so many fatigues, and honorable wounds, you are going to enjoy some repose.
Louis XVIII is a Frenchman; he will not be a stranger … (sentence missing).
Let us then swear obedience and fidelity to Louis XVIII, and let us display the white cockade as a sign of adhesion to an event which stops the effusion of blood, gives us peace, and saves our country.
This order shall be read by the commanders of the different corps at the head of the troops.
(Signed) JOURDAN, the Marshal of the Empire, Com. in Chief of the 15th Division. Head-Quarters at Rouen, April 8.
It is stated that Bergen-op-Zoom, Antwerp, Ostend, Lisle, &c. had all declared for Louis XVIII, and all hostilities between the besiegers and besieged had ceased.
Paris, April 18.
His Majesty the Emperor of Austria yesterday returned from a short visit to his daughter (the late Empress) at Rambouillet.
Nearly 1200 State Prisoners have been released from the several Bastilles since the restoration.
On the 10th a solemn Te Deum was chanted at the Place de Louis XV and a salute of 100 cannon announced the commencement of the Reign of Peace and Happiness. Este perpetua.
OF BONAPARTE — LATE EMPEROR
Paris, April 16.
Letters from Fontainebleau say, that Napoleon had been so indisposed, that his late chief physician, Baron de Corvisart, had visited him from Paris. He is now convalescent, and reads the Paris papers daily. His mind was so much agitated when he penned his act of abdication, that he omitted to put the day of the month to it. He exhibits at times, great impatience, and in his paroxisms ofrage, threatens every one who forgets to pay him the same homage as they did to the Emperor. He frequently says, "If I had been told three years ago a hundredth part of what I hear now, I should be still on the throne." Be he forgets how he treated the Legislative Body for telling him some home truths only three months ago.
The reports respecting Bonaparte, are numerous. It is said, he has asked to have the three libraries of Fontainebleau, the Council of State, and his private library granted him. The latter will probably be given him; after it has been duly searched, to ascertain some secrets highly necessary for the future government of the Monarchy.
This morning Bonaparte set off from Fontainebleau for the Island of Elba. He is accompanied by a guard of 1500 men of the allied army, commanded by the Russian General Ideswalaw; and by the English Col. Campbell, and an Austrian and Prussian General.
No mention is made that his Empress, the King of Rome, so called, or Josephine, is to accompany him.
Paris, April 18, 1814.
The courier which was sent by the Provisional Government to announce to Marshal Soult the restoration of Peace by the dethronement of Napoleon, having been detained on the road, a bloody action has been fought at Toulouse between the army of that Marshal and that commanded by Lord Wellington, on the 10th and 11th inst. Thus are new wreaths of cypress joined to the olive and the laurel. The allied army after meeting heroic resistance entered Toulouse, and compelled the French to evacuate it. In this bloody affair, we have to regret the death of Major General Taupin; and the severe wounds of the intrepid Generals Harispe and Bourot. General Berlier and Gasnet were also wounded. We deplore this new and unnecessary effusion of blood; and can easily conceive what must be the sensations of those whose weakness or wickedness have occasioned it.
MISC.
There is no doubt the dominions of the Pope will be restored to Pius VII. And that Tuscany will revert to the Grand Duke of Wertzburg, brother to the Emperor of Austria.
A letter from an American gentleman in London, dated April 13th, says, "This immense city has been illuminated for three successive nights, in consequence of the astonishing events which have taken place in France. The Emperor Alexander is about to visit England, and is to come over in the same royal yacht which conveys Louis XVIII to France. A strong family connection between the Imperial and Royal Families of Russia and England is on the tapis. (?)
AFFAIRS RELATING TO AMERICA
April 15.
Rumor states, that transports are ordered to carry 25,000 of Lord Wellington's army to America; and that they are to be employed in replevying (?) the territory of Louisiana; which the celebrated Cevallos has stated was swindled from the Spanish King, by Bonaparte, and sold to the United States as stolen property.
GREAT FOREIGN NEWS.
June 8, 1814
Four days later advices from Europe have been received by the way of Quebec.
The news continues interesting. The mighty work of the French Restoration advanced with undiminished celerity and benignity. Bonaparte had become so insignificant as to be unworthy of persecution. He had been allowed to quit Fontainebleau, to embark from St. Tropez, in Provence, for his place of exile in Elba, guarded by a detachment of the allied army. Hostilities had already ceased in almost every part of France; and the French and allies were linked in bonds of amity. Unfortunately, by some occurrence, Lord WELLINGTON did not receive tidings of the restoration of amity in due season, and on the 10th April attacked Toulouse, (460 miles from Paris), again beat SOULT, and added another sprig to his forest of laurels, at the expense of much blood unnecessarily shed.
The complete restoration of all parts of Europe to their pristine institutions, kept a firm and steady pace.
In England every thing was festivity, exultation and prosperity, as regarded their European prospects. But with respects to America, the language of all ranks appeared angry, bitter, and threatening. The papers asserted, that large reinforcements would be sent out, and the War be continued with the utmost energy. But the papers which use this language say, their late cry of "Peace with France, but down with the Bourbons," must be kept up with the alteration, "Peace with America, but down with the Madisons."
It is the opinion of well informed Americans in England, that the government would not dare to make peace with the present American administration, for fear of the resentment of the people. We think the administration have advices to this effect in Washington.
SYSTEMATIC IMPOSITION
The administration papers show the utter contempt in which they hold the understanding of their readers, by the ready admission and pertinacious circulation of forgeries respecting the Great Events which are occurring in the world; and which are so wretchedly gross, contradictory and improbable that a very cursory reader of true statements detect them at the first perusal. Of these forgeries, it is only necessary to select the famous letter said to be from General Solignac, from Spain: the Argus handbill from Charleston — that late stupid Ponitcoeuf (?) letter, and the later and no less stupid and contradictory reports from Savannah of the recapture of Paris; too democratic that they are all chickens of the same brood; and hatched for the same purpose. Yet these contemptible forgeries find ready insertion in the paper which makes pretensions to official confidence — whenever the fabrication has been favorable to the cause of the nefarious and fallen Bonaparte. With the FACTS promulgated before them, the readers of the National Intelligencer have now evidence of the falsehood of these pretensions to officiality. They must now be convinced, that in the circulation of falsehood and absurdity it is not exceeded by the Aurora, the Argus; or the minor prints of the administration; and that those cannot have the least correct information of passing events, who rely on such a paper for the promulgation of it.
About this time BONAPARTE'S "fag-end men" in Washington are tumbling from the elevation to which the silly Savannah Honor raised them. The higher the flight, the harder will be their fall. If the American people, like the French, would decree their banishment to some little island, the American people, like the French, would soon hail the return of Peace and Prosperity.
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