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THE WEEKLY MESSENGER
Boston, Friday, October 14, 1814
Foreign Intelligence
Extracts from English papers to the 6th August, received at the office of the New York Evening Post, via Halifax)ADDRESS TO THE FRENCH KING
Paris, July 30 -- Yesterday, his Majesty, seated and covered, received, in the Hall of the Throne, a deputation of the Chamber of Peers, the members of which were conducted to the audience of the grand master, the master and the aides of the ceremonies.
The King uncovered at the arrival and at the departure of the deputation.
The chancellor of France, president of the deputation, read the address, which was as follows:"Sire, your faithful subjects forming the Chamber of Peers of France, convey to the foot of your Majesty's ministers, in recognizing that the greater part of the calamities that weighed on France, had their source in the despotism of the late government; in its unbridled lust of war; in its contempt for the constitution, laws, treaties, and even the personal rights of every citizen; in short, in the disastrous abuse of strength which that government had not created, and of resources which were not its work.
It is to the lights (?) of the age, Sire, to the patriotism of excellent citizens, that the country has been indebted for the first germ of blessings which were so much abused. Agriculture, relieved from the burden of tithes and of feudal rights, legislation, political and civil, administration and finances, brought to a uniform system; the corporations, the towns, the provinces, making a sacrifice of their privileges to the common law; the increase of the number of landholders; the creation of new products and of new riches; the acceleration of the movement of capitals -- such are the things which twenty-five years of calamity could not entirely exhaust, suffices still to place France in the rank of states, whose finances present the greatest resources.
That opulence was not destroyed at the moment when a government rose, whose chief talent consisted in always placing the nation in those critical circumstances where one effort required another, where patriotism was constrained to second tyranny, where the national honor had no choice left but between foreign oppression and domestic oppression.
What use did he make of the supreme authority, who was not contented with the portion which he had of the national glory! On all sides he set about conquering hatred, amassing vengeance, lavishing blood and treasure, and compelling rival powers to discover within themselves a strength which they were not aware of. Hence the fate of battles was abandoned to the power of numbers, multitudes were seen rushing to mutual combat; whole nations precipitated against each other; and when at last, Europe in despair, leagued against its oppressor and ours, his enemies overwhelmed him in their turn, under that enormous weight of masses which he had taught them to raise.
At this memorable period, there was given to the world a spectacle hitherto without example in the history of nations; the aspect, Sire, of your long misfortunes, borne with so much fortitude, the opinion held of your enlightened understanding, improved in retirement; the respect which follows the constant practice of virtue, rendered the enemies of a government, which is no more, allies of Your Majesty. It was as such, Sire, that they treated with you; Your Majesty was seen, still surrounded by their numerous armies, impressing on negotiations the double character of moderation and firmness.
You are restored to the nation, Sire, and the nation is restored to you; who can henceforward doubt of the safety of the country? Since Your Majesty seized the reins of that government which had just sunk under the excess of its own despotism, you have wisely organized the balance of powers; and when consulting the spirit of nations, the present state of society, the wishes of enlightened men, Your Majesty bound yourself to your subjects by a constitution, the principles of which were already in all hearts and all mouths, the whole nation pressed around that sacred charter, and swore to you love and fidelity. In that charter, Sire, lies your strength and ours; it restores to public spirit its energy; it raises for us that salutary division of powers which moderates one by the other, which foresees imprudencies, weighs measures, and maturely judges of means. In it lie the germs for healing past calamities and the sources of future prosperity.
The prompt development of constitutional principles by necessary laws, the regular march of the authorities, the consolidation of religion and morals, will unite all interests, silence the passions, and establish public confidence on immoveable foundations.
The nation, instructed by the greatest events, is worthy to associate with your high designs, and to concur in the work of its happiness.
The revolutions which it has undergone has not changed its character. A people agricultural, active and industrious, a people who have received from nature a lively sensibility, a high courage, which kindles for glory, and prefers death to dishonor, will be always worthy of you.
In the very close of a terrible contest, our brave armies, weakened and dispersed, still fought with heroic courage, for honor and the country.
A people, Sire, who have displayed such greatness in adversity, will know how to make great efforts and sacrifices to secure the first benefits which we owe to Your Majesty. Your heart will not order them; the royal authorities alone would not suffice to effect them; but your people will be, beforehand, with those sacrifices, and will inspire their representatives with those sentiments of respect, affection and fidelity, which animated themselves. Your Majesty will impress on your counsels the seal of your character. Your ministers will be responsible to your people for the authority entrusted to them, and to you for the conformity of their acts with your paternal intentions.
Sire, in the exposition of the state of the kingdom, your ministers have said, that it will be impossible to do good unless general union second your beneficent views; the Chamber of Peers shall never forget that it ought to set the example of that union."(Signed)
DAMPRAY,
Count PASTORET,
Duc DE DELEVIS,
Count VALENCE,
MACDONALD, Mar. Duke of Tarentum.
(Seen and Sealed)
SEMONVILLE, Great Refrendrary
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