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LETTER FROM A. BOURBONITE
FROM THE BOSTON DAILY ADVERTISER
What will be the final issue of the present conflict in Europe so
far as it respects the Bourbons?
Answer -- They will be reinstated on the throne of their
ancestors, with more strength and security, than if the late
rebellion had not taken place.
Mr. Hale, -- In a very early stage of the effort of Bonaparte to
renew his usurpation, some time before we heard of the
declaration of the allies, and long before we knew of their
treaty, which his sudden reappearance excited, I ventured to
express an opinion that the people of France did not favour the
Usurper, and that the rebellion would of course be of short
duration. I claim no merit for this opinion, however singular it
then was. I had no prophetic spirit, and all that can be said in
favour is, that I was less disturbed than some others, and did
not choose to join in that uncharitable and unkind outcry which
consigned the Bourbon family to shame and censure, or in that
applause which elevated Bonaparte to the rank of a hero which he
never deserved, merely because he was the successful instrument
of a military usurpation over which he had no control, and which
he had no agency in producing.
I say there was nothing which laid claim to extraordinary
foresight in my predictions -- I was vexed and humbled to find so
little attention to facts and reasoning, and so great a
disposition to truckle to successful ambition.
My opinions were founded on two strong grounds:
The attachment of the French people to the Bourbons.
And the overwhelming power of the allies.
Of the union of the latter it will be seen I never doubted, long
before that union was commenced.
I am now about to state the reasons why I believed in both those
sources of security to the Bourbon family.
1st -- I knew from a personal observation of the French
people, that there were multitudes of all classes, (especially
among the opulent) who felt a veneration for the Bourbons, and a
regret for their unmerited misfortunes, and who have often
declared that the nation could never wash away the stain which
the slaughter of their king had imprinted, but by the restoration
of the family. I have heard some persons assert, that the French
had forgotten the Bourbons; that most of them never knew them.
Every man of 35 years of age and upwards must have known them,
and with the impressions of childhood, which are always the
strongest.
What was the attachment of the Scotch to the house of Stuart, in
the rebellion of 1745, and yet that family had been exiled 57
years. It may be relied upon that there exists in France a
loyalty as generous as it is honorable, and as much warmer than
that of the Scotch, as the national character is more full of
fire.
2ndly -- I perceived, as every man must have done, that
the French had exchanged a monarchy, absolute to be sure,
absolute in form, but nearly as much restrained in effect as any
government in Europe except that of Great Britain, for a pure
military tyranny as great as that of Nero or of Turkey; a tyranny
without any check or limits, and which offered them no hope of
amendment, nor even the consolation of stability.
They felt it to be as revolutionary as any of the constitutions
of Sieves. The best they could hope would be a partition of the
empire among the Marshals.
It is accordingly a fact, which every American who has been in
France will admit, that confiscated property in the hands of
purchasers, could not sell for more than from 50 to 60 per cent
of its real value, with a clear title.
Everything in France was therefore in a dubious state, except
their sufferings, and oppressions, and exactions, which were most
certain.
3rd -- My third reason for believing the French wished
the restoration of the Bourbons, was, the manner of their
reception, their
treatment of the allies last year, and the quiet that family had
enjoyed, though surrounded by an army who hated them, by
officers who feared them, and supported only by the affections of
the people.
4Th -- My last reason was the conduct of the French
people, when they knew of Bonaparte's return, and that all the
army were on his side. They made no movement against the Bourbons.
In many places they hazarded their lives for them. If the
Parisians had been in favor of Bonaparte, one company of city
guards could have detained the king, and no offer could have been
so acceptable to the Usurper.
Even the army did not dare to take such a step. They would have
been cut to pieces with the domestic utensils, which were all the
arms the loyalists possessed.
Never in history did there occur such an example of fidelity and
affection to a monarch. Six hundred thousand Parisians were his
guard, and the affections of the people his escort to Lille.
Such were my inferences when I wrote before. I have since
received a letter from a person much more competent to state the
feelings of the French than an American traveller, who rides post
in that city, and collects his intelligence from the circle at
Beauvilliers, or a knot of politicians in the Palais Royal. It is
from a person born in Paris, and who has resided their 65 years,
intelligent, liberal, well informed. That person says nothing can
equal the enthusiasm, tenderness, and affection of all good
Frenchmen, and of the nation generally for Louis XVIII. That the
delirium of their joy was, at the date of the letter, unabated.
This letter was dated, about 30 days before Bonaparte's return to
Paris, and 5 or 10 before he landed. I need only say, that the
means of this person's information, was of the highest order,
having two brothers who had been prefects in great cities under
Bonaparte, and who were continued in power by Louis, having been
always loyal, though never emigrants. Thus, I find my opinions
perfectly supported, by sources of information far preferable to
those we commonly enjoy. The British ministers have recently
confirmed the same opinions, and the proceedings of many
provinces of France, in spite of all the efforts of the military,
fully establish their correctness.
A. BOURBONITE
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