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From French Papers per the Criterion.
CONSERVATIVE senate.
Sitting ok Monday, Dec. 27, !8!3.
Presided by his serene highness the Prince
.Irek-chance!lor of the Empire.
In the mime of the wpeoiivl committee ap
pointed at the sitting ofthc 22(1 instant,
conn 1 deFontancs, senator, & one of its
members, made the following report:
yir LoUbS AND S a NATO AS,
‘ The first duty of the senate towards the
monarch and people is truth. The extra
ordinary circumstances it* which the eoun-
tty is now placed reuilcr this duty still
more rigorous.
The emperor himself invites all the
high bodies of the stule to n. miles! their
free opinion—a thought truly royal! a
salutary developement of those monurchi-
:il institutions where the power, united in
the hands of a single person, fortifying
itself with the confidence of the national
opinion, impresses the people in tl.eir
turn with the sentiment of their dignity, a
Well deserved reward of their sacriliees !
intensions so magnanimous arc not to be
deceived.
Aocurdingly your committee, appoint
ed at the sitting of the 23d of December,
ami of which i have the honor of being
the origan, lias made the must serious in
vestigation of the otVn in I papers laid be
fore them by order of his majesty the em
peror.
Negoriatious for peace have begun—
Toil doubtless are acquainted with (!-:>
progress of it. Your judgment must not
he biassed. A simple narration of facts,
in enlightening your opinion, will pre
pare that of France.
When the Austrian cabinet ceased act-
inglhe part of mediator, when every tiling
annonm.'d that the congress of Prague
was about hreakiugtip, tin* emperor wish
ed to make a last elfort for the peace of
H,o continent. The duko of Hussuno
wrote a letter to prince Metternich. lie
proposed to neutralize a point on the
frontier, and there to resume the uegoci-
atiou oT Prague during even the course
of hostilities. Unhappily his first over-
lures were without effect.
The period of that pacific step is im
portant; it was the 18th day of August
Just. The recent battles of Lutzeu and
Bautzen were yet fresh in the mind.—.
This wish,therefore against the prolon
gation of the war, is in a manner expres
sed ut the date of two victories. The
entreaties of the French cabinet were
fruitless 5 peace flew away, hostilities
recommenced, events look a different
turn. The soldiers of the German prin
ces, our lute allies, exhibited in more
i ban one instancy, in lighting under our
colours, hut a too equivocal faithfulness ;
they all at once ceased to light, & went
over to our enemies. From that moment
the combinations of a campaign so gin-
viously opened could not obtain the ex
pected success. The emperor ivus sensi
ble it was time to order his French troops
to evuenate (formally. He came hack
with them, combating every step, and
ou the narrow passage, when so mauy ex
traordinary defections and secret treasons
impeded his march and his movements,
trophies have still signalized his return
We followed him with some disquie
tude amidst so many obstacles, over which
he alone eould triumph. We have ex
ultingly seen him rejurn to his frontiers,
not with his usual fortune, but not with
out heroism and glory.
Arrived in his capital, he tarneri his
eyes from these fields of battles where the
World admired him for fifteen yeais; lie
even laid aside alt thoughts of the gram!
designs he had conceived. 1 make nsc
of bis own expressions : he turned towards
his people ;—his heart opened itself, and
in it we have read our own sentiments,
lie wished for peace, and so soon ns the
hope of the negociatiou appeared possi
ble, he hastened to improve it.
The circumstances of w ar brought ba-
ronde Saint A i git an at the headquarter*
of the coalesced powers. There he saw
the Austrain minister prince de Milter-
uich, and the Russian minister count de
Nesselrode.—Both of them in the name
of their court laid before him, in a confi
dential conversation, the preliminary ba
sis of a general peace. The English em
bassador, lord Aberdeen, was present at
the conference. Pay a particular atten
tion to this‘last fact, Senators; it is of
importance.
- The baron de Saint Aignnn, charged
with transniiting to this court every
thing he had heard, acquitted himself
faithfully of it.
Though France had aright to expect
other propositions, the emperor sacrifi
ced every thiug to the sincere desire of
peaite.
He cansed the duke of Bassam to write
to Frjnee Mctteruiehthat he admitted for
the basis of negociation the general prin
ciple contained in the enuiideutial report
of M. de Saint Aignan.
Prince Metternich, in answering the
duke of Uussuno. seemed to tliiuk that
there appeared something vague- in the
admission given by France. Then in
order to level every difficulty, the duke
of Vieence after taking the orders of his
majesty, made it known to the Aus'.rian
cubiiiet, that his majesty adhered to the
general dj* summary basis communicated by
*lf. Saint Aignan. I he letter of llu* duke
of Vicuna is of the 2d Dec. ;it was receiv
ed on the 3th of the same month. Priuee
Metternich answered it on the 10th only.
These dates ought to be carefully attended
vo ; you will soou find that they are not
Without some consequence.
Diie may conceive just hopes foe neace
Wading priqj-e Multmiiqb'a answer to
ihe dispatch .if 11;di.!.*.' uf \ u-uiiec ; on
ly that at the closing of his letter, lie tells
us that previous to opening of the nego< i-
ation it is necessary to consult \vitit
the uilies. Now these allies can be no o-
tlicr but Englishmen. Therefore their
umbassxdor assisted at the conference of
whit-li M. de buint Aignuu had been a
witness. We do not wish to excite
mistrust; we relate facts.
We have attentively noticed the date
of the last correspondence between the
French cabinet and that of Austria.—
We have remarked that the letter of the
duke of Vieence must have couie to hand
on the 3lh of Dec. and that ihe receipt
of it was only acknowledged ou the
10th.
In the mean time a gazette, now un
der the influence of the coulexed pow
ers, has published throughout Europe a
declaration said to be clothed with their
authority : it would be sot rowful to be
lieve it.
The declaration is of a character un
usual in the diploiinie y of kings, it is
no longer to kings like .themselves that
they unfold their grievances; and oend
their manifestoes ; it is not to the peo
ple they address them ; and to what pur
pose is so novel a step adopted r Jtis to
divide toe cause of the people uud Ilia!
of their chiefs, tlio* every where social
interest has blended them. Cxunot stu b
an example be fatal ? Must it be given
particularly ut this time when the minds
worked up with all the diseases nl pride,
have so much ilifficuii) in bending un
der the autlioiiiy that protects them
in reprimanding their audaciousness r
A ml against whom is this indirect at
tack aimed r Against a great man, who de
served the acknowledgements of ail
kings ; for in re-estabJisiug the throne of
France, lie closed tip the crater of that
volcano which threatened them all.
It cannot be dissembled that in some res
pects this extraordinary manifesto is of
a moderate tone. Tins would serve to
prove that the experience of coalitions has
perfected itself.
It may tie recollected that the manifesto
of the duke of Brunswick had provoked
the pride of a great people. Those even
in fuel w ho did not purluke in the prevail
ing opinion ofthc times, in perusing this
injurious manifesto,felt themselves wound
ed hi their national honor.
Another tone therefore has keen adopt
ed. Europe, tit present tired out, is iu more
want of repose than of passions.
But if there exists so much moderation
in the totineiis of the enemy, why, speak-
ing always of peace, do they continually
threaten the frontiers they had promised
to respect when tins Rhine should ue our
only barrier ?
If the enemies are so moderate, why
have they violated the capitulation of
Dresden ? Why have they not done jus
tice to the noble complaints ofthc geuerul
commanding that place ? If they he so mo
derate, why have they u-.t established the
artel of exchange conformably to .ill tin-
usages of war ? If, in sbor , they be so
moderate, why have nut these protectors
ofthc rights of nations respected those ot
the (Swiss cantons? Why does that wise
uud free government, that hud declared
itself neutral in the face of Europe, behold
now its peuceful rallies and mountains
ravaged by the scourge of wurr
Moderation is sometimes nothing more
than a diplomatic artifice. Were we dis
posed to use I lie same deception, by attest
tug also justice and good faith ; how easy
would it he for us to defeat our accusers
with their own weapons ?
That the queen escaped out of Sicily, &.
who from exile to exile has carried her
misfortunes into the Ottoman dominions,
does it prove to the world that our enemies
entertain so much respect for her royal
majesty ?
The sovereignty of S&xorty put himself
ut the disposal of the coalesced powers,
lias lie found actions to ugrcc with
words ? Sinister rumors are circulating
through Europe; may they not he realised !
Would they punish the faith of oaths
upon that royal brow, grown ohl by age
and infirmities, and crowned w ilh so many
virtues ? it is not from the height of this
tribune that governments should lie out
raged, not even those who should permit
themselves to outrage us; but h may be
permitted to upprueintc to their just value
these very ancient fit well known reproach
es, lavished upon all the powers that
have performed a consnicious part, from
Llinrles V. to Eouis XIV. and from Loui*
the XIV. to the emperor. That system of
of invasion, of preponderance, of universal
monarchy, was ever the rallying cry tor
all coalitions ; uud 1‘rotn the very bosom
of those coalitions, ustonsihed at their
own imprudence,thcite often sprung out
a power more ambitious thou that whose
ambition they denounced.
The abuses of strength are marked
with letters of blood in every page of his
tory.—All tuitions have erred, ail govern
ments have committed excesses, all should
forgive each other.
If,as we are willingto believe, the coa-
lesecd powers are sincerely desirous of
peace, there is nothing iu the way of its re-
establishment.
We have demonstrated, by our investi
gation of the official documents, that the
Emperor wishes for peace, uud will pur
chase it even by sacrifices, in which his
great soul appears to neglect bis personal
glory, to devote himself wholly to the
wauls of the nation.
When wo behold that coalition formed
ol elements of a repulsive nature to eueli
other; when wo consider the fortuitous
uud singular mixture of so many people
whuiu nature has made, rivals; when we
reflect that several of them, by unthoiight-
ful alliances, expose themselves to dan-
g'-rs that are not chimerical, v.e cannot
persuade ourselves that-such p.n nsseni-
Iditgc of so diversified interests cuu be
of long duration.
l)o I not perceive, in the midst of the
enemy’s ranks, that prime born with all
the French sentiments, in the country
where perhaps they arc the most active r
The warrior, who formerly fought iu Ihe
defence of France, cuunot reuiaiu long
armed against her.
Let us recollect again, that a monarch
of the north, uud the most powerful of all,
added, not long since to the number of
bis titles of fame, the friendship of the
great man whom lie now combats.
We cast our eyes with confidence upon
that Emperor whom so many ties joins to
ours ; who made us the greatest gift in a
beloved sovereign, and who sees in lii«
grand son the heir of the Empire of
France.
Villi, so many motives for good under-,
standing and re-union, is peace so diffi
cult ?
Let the place for conferences be fixed
upon, let the plenipotentiaries come for
ward i'rotn both parts with the noble de
sire of purifying the world ; let modera
tion I e in the councils as well as in the
language. The foreign powers them
selves have said it in that declaration
which is attributed to them : “ A great
nation must not sink for huving in her
turn experienced reverses iu this painful
and sanguinary contest, iu w hir-h she has
fought with her accustomed boldness.**
Senators, we should be deficient iu the
duties you Expect from your committee, if
in showing with so perfect an eviuenee,
the pacific intentions of the Emperor, our
last words were not to remind the nation
of v. hut she owes to her monarch
The moment is decisive. Foreigners
hold a pacific language ; some of our fron
tiers are invaded, and war is at our doors.
Thirty six millions of souls cannot betray
their glory and theft- destiny. Illustrious
nations in this mighty conflict have expe
rienced numerous reverses; more than
once (hey have been defeated, their bleed
ing wounds are nut yet healed. Franre
also bus received some cheek, but she is
for front being prostrate. She may now
be proud of her wounds as of her past tri
umphs. Discouragement in misfortune
would be still more inexcusable than
boasting in time of success. Therefore,
in suing for peace let the military prepar
ations be accelerated at all points,amt be
the support of negociation. Let us rally
round that diadem where the eclat of fifty-
victories sparkles radiantly through a
passing cloud. Fortune does not keep
long absent from the nations who are con
sistent with themselves and the perform
ance of their duty.
This appeal to'the national honoris
dictated by the love of peace itself, of that
peace which is not lobe obtained by weak
ness, blit by constancy ; of that peace, in
short, which the Emperor, by a new spe-
civs of courage, promises to grant at the
price of great sacrifices. We have the
pleasing confidence that Ins wishes and
ours w ill be realized, and that this brave
nation, after so long fatigues & so much
blood spilt, will find repose nnder the aus
pices of a throne which has had sufficient
glory, and which will now surround iiself
unjy with images ofthc public fplicity.
'1 he senate voted an address to his ma
jesty'. The drafting of wliieh was refer
red to the same special committee.
Paris, Dec. 27.
Palace of the Thuilleries,
26th Dec. 1813.
Napoleon, emperor of the French, king of
Italy, protector of the confederation of
the Rhine, meditator of the Swiss con
federation, &.c.
We have decreed and do decree as fol
lows.
Art. I. There shall be sent senators
or rouncellors of state into tile militaiy
divisions, as commissaries extraordinary.
They shall be accompanied by musters
of the requests or auditors.
II; Our Commissaries extraordinary
are charged w jth accelerating.
1st. The levies of the conscription.
2d. The clothing, equipment and arma
ment of the troops.
3d. The completion of the victualling
of place*.
♦th. The return of the horses iu requi
sition fur the service of the army.
filh. The levy anil organization of the
national guards in conformity tu our de
crees.
Our snid commissaries extraordinary
may extend the dispositions of Batd de
crees to cities and places not comprised
therein.
III. Those of our commissaries extra
ordinary who shall lie- sent in couHlries
threatened hy the enemy, shall order le
vies?!! mnsse. &, any other measure what
soever, necessary for the defence ol the
territory, and w hich the duty of opposing
the progress of the enemy may command.
Special instruct ions shall moreover be
given them, in respect ti/lhc peculiar situ
ation of the departments to which they
shall hymissioned.
IV. Our commissaries extraordinary are
authorized to order all the measures of
the high police which circumstances uud
the maintenance of public order may re
quire.
V. They shall likewise be authorised
to form military commissions, and arraign
before them or before special courts nl!
persons accused of favoring the enemy,
of conveying intelligence to him, or of at
tempts against the pnbiic tranqnility.
VI They may issue proclamations and
take resolves. The said resolutions shall
be obligatory upon every citizen. The
judiciary authority,civil am} military, are
held to conform themselves therewith and
to cause them to he carried into executi
on.
VII. Our commissaries extraordinary
shall correspond with our ministers in
mutters relative to each seperafe minis
try.
Our ministers are charged with the ex
ecution ofthc present decree, which shall
be iuserted in the bulletin of the laws.
[Signed] NAPOLEON.
By the emperor,
The minister of state,
[Signed!
THE duke ofbassano.
By a decree bearing the same date w ith
the proceeding, the commissaries extraor
dinary and their attendants are appoint
ed. And by subsequent dates we w ill no
tice their having arrived ut their different
stations, acting under their new commis
sion.
From the NationA Intelligencer*
WAYS AND MEANS.
We advise the friends of the government
throughout the states to be under no sort of
apprehension about the Ways and Means
tM-oessary to support the government in
the prosecution ofthc War. The ways
of obtaining means are plain & obvious ;
the means within the reach of the govern
ment are as abundant as the ways of ob-
t.lining them are obvious. We have seen,
indeed, much exultation in the party prints
and, we regret to sivv, no little ill-suppres
sed satisfaction among the opposition
members on either floor of Congress, ut
the idea oftlic failure oftlie Loan about
to he authorised by Congress; and it has
been held out too, iu more than one com
munication we have published, which, as
for ns that idea was encouraged, met oar
entire disapprobation and unbelief. There
is not the least doubt but the government
will obtain, on reasonable terms, every cent
it wauts—indeed, we entertain no doubt
but that, even tho’ the bill liasnot yet pas
sed, authorising the loan, the government
has already received proposals for a large
proportion, if not the whole of the loan,
which it is at present necessary to ask for.
Although the amount oftlie loau is propo
sed to be t wenty five million of dollars, an
authority is already given to substitute
five ruillioi S of that amount hy Treasury
notes; and,us to the remainder, with neces
sary cure and rigid economy, the expenses
will probably be so lar limited as to reduce
the loan far below twenty millions, which
together with the ten millions of Treasury
notes, it will strike every reader, was cal
culated as tho extreme umbunt which, in
any event the government could have oc
casion for. There can be no doubt, we re
peat, hut so much money as the govern
ment actually w ill want, need only be -ask
ed for to be obtained.
From this view it will appear, that the
exultations of Faction ure premature.—
Having predicted only what they wish,
they v ill find themselves as wide of the
fact in their predictions as Mr. Picker
ing did, and perhaps be as much astonish
ed as he was, when he fouud the last loan
filled up without any of that difficulty
w hich he Lai 1 foretold The government,
we have no doubt, lully appreciates the
views of those who artificially depress
the price of public stocks, and magnify
the difficulty of obtaining money. Those
who shall have lost the opportunity
of vesting their money Jo advantage, iu
the hope of obtaining belter terms front
tbe necessities of the government than it
voluntarily offered, will doubtless find
themselves woefully disappointed.
We must avow that the satisfaction
afforded us by an enquiry into the finan
cial prospects ofthc nation, though it is
principally derived from the confidence
it inspires in (he resource's and ability
of the nation, is not at nil lessened by
the violence of the blow which the result
gives to the hopes of those who would
rejoice in the bankruptcy oftlie govern
incut, & the consequent ruin of the conn-
try.
CONGBKSS.
HOUSE OE KEPKESENTATIVKS.
Thursday, March 22.
YAZOO CLAIMS.
The House resumed tho consideration
of Ihe hill for tbe indemnification of cer
tain claimants to laud in the Mississippi
territory.
Mr. Gaston's amendment whs still un
der consideration, which amendment pro-
post- to strike out from the end of the
first section [providing for the release of
all their title hy the claimants] the follow
ing words : “ such release, assignment,
transfer and power to taj.e effect on the in
demnification of such claimants being made
conformably to the provisions of tins net.”
After objections by Mr. Oakley of JV. 1\
and Mr. freight of Md. and remarks in
reply by Mr Gaston, the motion was ne
gatived by a small majority.
Mr. Ingersoll of Fa', then moved to re
commit the bill to a select committee w'.h
instructions to report a bill with provisi
ons going to establish a Board, as pro
posed by the bill, hut for the purpose
merely of receiving evidence of the time
of purchase and amount paid by flic elai-
intuits, their uaines and ages, &c. &<•.
Mr. I. in support of this motion deli
vered his opinion on the subject very much
at large, premising that 3 weeks "ago lie
knew nothing of the circumstances of this
ease, had formed no opinion, and in exa
mining it had commenced entirely de novo,
and therefore without prejudice or bias in
any way. Mr. 1. spoke considerably
nuue than an hour against the present
hill.
When he concluded-—
Mr. Alston of ,V. C, spoke in favour
of recommitment, and Mr. Fisk ofn.u-
gamst it.
The question ou recommitting was de-
cided in the negativ e. 53 voting iu llip af
firmative,
A motion was then made to a*ljuarn \
negatived, 4
Mr. Forsyth ofG. lion moved to strilr«
out of ihe third seetiou the p ovi^o whiftl
excludes from all benefit uuder this at
nil persons who had fraudulently with
drawn money from the treasury of(J €or *
gia and provides that all claims ol such
persona m-mded in the Department of
State, shall be vested in tbe U.8. n
contended that such a provision woold
have an e.r post facto operation and wens
to annex a penalty to certain immoral
conduct which was not punishable by any
known law ut the time of its commitment
The obvious tendency of the ptovibitoj
would be to defeat the avoXved inject »f
the bill, beeause the claims of person
of this description were as valid a« an
other of the claims, because all were e-
qually fraudulent.
Mr. Oahly objected to the motion; and
Mr Forsyth replied.
Mr. Gholson of Va. also snppoitedthto
motion; and Mr. Jackson of f a. opposed
it.
The proposed amendment was ne^a*
lived, ayes 81. '
Mr. Hall of Geo. moved to umeud tbe
4th seeliou uf the bill, which makes tho
said certificates of stoek receivable in
incut for public lands sold in the Missis,
sippi territory, by incorporating in it
words to the following effect: ‘* alter tho I
payment of the debt duo to the state of |
Georgia by the United States, under the-
articles of agieemeutand cession fee.”
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22.
The House resumed me consideration
of the unfinished business, being the bill
from tbe Senate for the indemnifica
tion of certain r.luimauts to lauds iu lfi«
Mississippi territory.
Mr. Halt’s amendment still under coin*
sideratiun, for seem ing to Georgia tho
first monies arising from the sales ol fo®
lauds in question, until (he debt due
her by the United States should bo s&tigfi,
ed.
Tho amendment was opposed by Mr>
Oakley of A'. I. as unnecessary, and sup
ported by Messrs. Had, Alston oj J\. {).
Trtfutr of Geo. .mil tiarnct of Geo.
Mr. Troup of Georgia moved to pos(,
pone the further consideration of the bill
indefinitely, uud iu support of this mo
tion entered at large into the subject, in
which lie displayed, (hat vehenieueo
uud ztt.l which usually characterize
Ins observations ou tins question.—.
He exumiued uud dissected the report
ofthc committee of this House on the sub
ject, which ho said contained not a tiuk»
of evidence, not a particle of information;
which, taking into view the ability ti th«
committee who made it, he considered at
evidence conclusive ofthc badness of their
cause. He also examined the decisiou of
the Supreme Court,and spoke against tb®
decision, & the speculators iu whose fa-
vor it was made, until he uppeured to l>&
exhausted hy the elfort uf sneaking. 11®
spoke about uu hour.
[A message was received from the tie.
nate announcing that they insist on (heir
disagreement to the iOth auicudineiii of
this House, to the bill for the belter sup.
ply of the army, &c. and that they ask &
conference]
Mr. Farrow of S. C. spoke more than
an hour in a war.,, aud earnest mauner
iu opposition to the bill.
Air, Findley of Fa. spoke a few minute*
chiefly in reply io Mr. Farrow.
Mr. Lppes of Va. followed in an ani
mated ana decided speech of i.early an
hour in opposition to the bill, and in law
vour of Air. Troup’s inotiou.
Mr. C ork of Ky• replied to Air. Eppe*
and others, and supported the passage of
the biii in an argumentative speech ol eon«
siderablo length.
Air. Darnell of Geo. opposed the bill
& recited various circumstances to provn
ihe villainy practised by the first porch®*
sers.
Air. Fisk of N. P. in a short and perti-
nei! - speech, udvoculed the hill and oppo
sed the motion to postpone.
A1 r. Stanford of X (J. rose to reply to a
remark made by Air. Clark respecting th®
mutilation of the documents m the ofliu®
"fllie Clerk ofthis ilnusc which establish
ed the fraud in the purchase of the Ya
zoo lands, which foet Mr. 8. had asserted
some days ago. He now reiterated llif
assertion, and lus statement was confirm
ed by Air. Macon of N. C. and others.
A good deal of explanatory conversa
tion took place on this topic, during which
several muttons to adjourn were made tit
lost.
Mr J\ ’c/son of Va. declared his inten
tion of opposing his voice to the passage
ot the bill ; and emmenced a speech in
oppositou thereto. After proceeding a
few minutes, he made a motion to that
effect, and The House adjourned at
half past 5 o’clock.
N1N K id- nths ui'tr- date, applica*
tion w ill be made to the honorable Irr
ti rior court ol Washington county, for,
It ave to sell all the real estate ol Ed
ward Roberson dec’d of said county,
lor tl,e benefit o! the heirs and credi
tors.
Thomas Spencer.
ApiilC. nvym.
I he Subscriber
Having received a quantity of excel
lent Northern Calf Skins, can supply
fashionable
BOOTS a.id SHOES
ol the. best quality at hr-rt notice» hy
applying to him at the Old Fortification
iu jores county.
tfltim Wilkinson.*