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THE WEEKLY MESSENGER
Boston, Friday, July 1, 1814
SPEECH OF MARSHAL BERTHIER
Compiegne, April 29. — All the marshals of France are here. They this day did homage to the king at the castle. The Prince of Neutchatel (Berthier) thus addressed his majesty: —
"Sire — After 25 years of uncertainty and tumult, the French people have again entrusted the care of their happiness to that dynasty which eight ages of glory have consecrated in the history of the world, as the most ancient that ever existed. As warriors and citizens, the marshals of France have been led by all the impulses of their soul to second this movement of the national wish. Absolute confidence in the future, admiration for greatness under misfortune, all, even to former recollections, concur to excite in our warriors, always the support of the splendors of the French armies, those transports, which your majesty has observed on your passage. Already, sire, the accents of their gratitude have preceded you. How is it possible to paint the emotions with which they were penetrated on hearing with what touching interest your majesty, forgetting your own misfortune, seemed only to be occupied with those of the French prisoners? ‘It is of little importance,’ you said to the magnanimous Alexander, ‘under what banners these 150,000 prisoners have served; they are unfortunate; I see amongst them only my children.’ At these memorable words, which each soldier repeated to his comrade, what Frenchman could fail to perceive the blood of the great Henry who nourished Paris whilst he besieged it? Like him his illustrious descendant comes to unite all Frenchmen in one family. Your armies, sire, of which the marshals are today the organ, consider themselves happy in being called by their devotion and fidelity to second such generous efforts."
The king made a most affectionate reply, and embraced them. They were afterwards presented to the Duchess d’Angouleme, and to the Prince of Conde and Duke of Bourbon.
The marshals dined with the king, when the king gave as a toast ‘the French armies.’
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-Napoleon Bonaparte
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