EXTRACT from the Moniteur Universel, of the 20th of

Brumaire, year VIII. of the French Republic, one and indivisible.

On the 19th of Brumaire, at nine o'clock in the morning, the Directory was still ignorant of the events which were taking place: Gobier, Moulins, and Barras, had met; Sieyes was walking in the garden of the Luxembourg; and Roger Ducos was at his own house. Sieyes, having been informed of the decree of the Council of Ancients, went to the Tuileries. Roger Ducos asked his three colleagues whether there was any truth in the rumours that were spread abroad. Being unable to afford any information, they proceeded to the Council of Ancients.

At ten o'clock, Gohier, Barras, and Moulins, forming the majority of the Directory, ordered General Lefevre, commanding the 17th military division, to attend them to give an account of his own conduct, and to inform them of what had taken place. Lefevre answered, that according to the decree which had been just made by the Council of Ancients, he was accountable only to Bonaparte, who had become his general.

At this intelligence the three Directors were struck with consternation. Moulins, in a violent rage, wanted to send a battalion to surround Bonaparte's house; but there were no means of executing any order: the

guard of the Directory had abandoned it, and gone to the Tuileries. The barriers were, however, closed for a few moments, and it is thought that the order was given by the three Directors.

In the course of the morning, Bellot, secretary to Barras, was seen to enter the Council of the Ancients he came to speak to Bonaparte. He conversed in private with him for some time; after which, Bonaparte, raising his voice, said to him before a crowd of officers and soldiers, "What have you done with that France which I left you so splendid? I left you peace-but I find you at war. I left you victories-I find nothing but oppressive laws and misery. What have you done with a hundred thousand Frenchmen whom I once knew, all my companions in glory? They are dead.

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This state of affairs cannot last. It would lead

us into slavery in less than three years. But we are resolved to have the Republic established on the foundations of equality, equity, civil liberty, and political tolerance. Under a good administration all individuals will forget the factions of which they were compelled to become members, in order to obtain the privilege of being Frenchmen. Finally, it is time to restore to the defenders of the nation that confidence to which they have so many just claims. According to some factious persons, we should all be enemies of the

Republic, shortly-we, who have preserved it by our efforts and our courage. We have no occasion for those who are better patriots than the brave men who have lost their limbs in the service of the Republic."

LETTER of BARRAS, addressed to the Council of Five Hundred.

18th of Brumaire.

HAVING engaged in public affairs, solely through my enthusiasm for liberty, I consented to accept the first magistracy of the state, only in order to support it, when in danger, by my devotedness; to preserve the patriots who hazarded themselves in its cause from the malice of their enemies; and to secure to the defenders. of the country those attentions which could not be paid to them more constantly than by a citizen who of old had witnessed their heroic virtues, and had always felt for their wants.

The glory which attends the return of the illustrious warrior to whom I had the happiness of first opening the path of honour, the striking proofs of confidence bestowed on him by the Legislative Body, and the decree of the National Representation, convince me that, whatever post the interest of the public may hereafter assign to me, the dangers of liberty are surmounted, and the interests of the army are secured. I return,

joyfully, into the 'station of a private citizen; happy, after so many troubles, to render up the fortunes of the Republic, committed in part to my care, more prosperous and respectable than ever.

THE Republic was threatened with approaching dissolution.

The Legislative Body has caught liberty on the brink of a precipice, in order to secure her on an immoveable basis.

Events have at last laid the foundation of our happiness, and of that of our posterity.

Let the Citizens of the Republic be calm, for their wishes are about to be fulfilled; let a firm resistance be shewn to the perfidious suggestions of those who, in political events, seek only the means of exciting commotions; and in commotions look only for the perpetuation of troubles and revenge.

Let the weak be encouraged by the recollection that Memoirs.-vOL. I.

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they are with the strong; let every one securely follow his business, and mind his domestic affairs.

None have cause for fear or hesitation, but those who spread alarms, mislead men's minds, and create disturbances. Every measure is adopted for repressing their attempts; the instigators of tumults, those who attempt to drive the nation into royalty, and, finally, all who shall be found to attack public or private tranquillity, shall be seized and delivered up to justice. (Signed,) FOUCHE.

SITTING OF THE COUNCIL OF ANCIENTS.

18th of Brumaire.

THE Council of Ancients met on the 18th of Brumaire, at two o'clock, in the great gallery of the Chateau of Saint-Cloud. At four, General Bonaparte was introduced, and having received from the President permission to address the Council, he spoke as follows:

"REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE. You do not now meet under common circumstances, you are upon a volcano. Permit me to address you with the freedom of a soldier, the candour of a citizen zealous for the welfare of his country; and to intreat you to suspend your judgment till you have heard the whole of what I am about to say.