The FIRST CONSUL to the Conservative Senate. SENATORS, 6th of Nivose. THE Consuls of the Republic hasten to inform you that the government is installed. Whatever events may occur, they will employ all means in their power to destroy the spirit of faction, create public spirit, and strengthen the Constitution which is the object of the hopes of the French people. The Conservative Senate will be animated by the same spirit, and by its unanimity with the Consuls, the plans of the evil disposed, if there exist any such in the first bodies of the state, will be disconcerted. The First Consul, BONAPARTE. PROCLAMATION Of the FIRST CONSUL to the Inhabitants of the Departments of the West. AN impious war threatens to ravage, a second time, the departments of the West. The duty of the First Magistrates of the Republic is to arrest its progress, and to extinguish it in its commencement; but they are unwilling to resort to force until they have exhausted all the means of persuasion and justice. The authors of these troubles are traitors sold to the English, and become the tools of that nation's fury; or robbers, who only seek in civil dissensions the objects and the impunity of their crimes. To such men government owes no remonstrance, no declaration of its principles. But there are citizens dear to the nation, who have been seduced by the artifices of the former; to such citizens truc information and explanation are due. Unjust laws have been promulgated and executed; arbitrary acts have alarmed the citizens for their safety and their liberty of conscience. In every direction rash inscriptions on the lists of emigrants have ruined citizens who never abandoned their country, or even their homes; finally, some of the first principles of social order have been violated. It is to repair the injuries occasioned by these unjust and erroneous proceedings, that a government founded on the sacred basis of liberty, equality, and the Representative system, has been proclaimed and acknowledged by the nation. The constant desire, as well as the interest and glory of the first magistrates whom it has appointed, will be to heal all the wounds. of France; and this intention is already proved by the acts which have emanated from them. Thus the disastrous law of the forced loan, and the still more disastrous law of hostages, have been repealed: individuals deported without due process of law, have been restored to their country and their families. Every day is and will be marked by acts of justice; the Council of State labours unremittingly in preparing the reformation of evil laws, and a more beneficial arrangement of the public contributions. The Consuls also declare, that freedom of worship is secured by the Constitution; that no magistrate has power to infringe thereon; that no man is authorized to say to another, you shall exercise such a worship, and only on such a day. The law of the 11th of Prairial, year III, which permits to all citizens the use of all buildings destined to religious worship, shall be executed. All the departments must be equally subjected to the rule of the general laws; but the first magistrates will always extend more particular interest and attention to the agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, of those departments which have suffered the greatest calamities. The government is inclined to forgiveness; it will pardon the repentant; its indulgence will be unreserved and absolute: but it will punish all who after this declaration shall dare to resist the national sovereignty. French inhabitants of the western departments, rally around a constitution which confers on the magistrates it has created, the power, as well as the office, of protecting the citizens; a constitution which equally secures them from the instability and the intemperance of the laws. Let those who are anxious for the prosperity of France, separate themselves from men who would persist in misleading them, in order to yield them up to the sword of tyranny, or the yoke of foreigners. Let the worthy country people return to their homes, and recommence their useful labours; let them be deaf to the insinuations of those who seek to restore them to feudal servitude. If, notwithstanding all the measures which the Government has adopted, there should still be found men daring enough to provoke a civil war, the chief magistrates would have only one painful but necessary duty to perform, that of subduing them by force. But this will never happen. One sentiment will animate all minds: the love of their country. The ministers of a God of peace will be the first to promote reconciliation and concord. Let them address to the hearts of their hearers the language they have learned in the school of their Master. Let them seek those temples which are once more opened to them, and there, with their fellow-citizens, offer expiatory sacrifices for the crimes of war, and the blood which it has caused to flow. The First Consul, BONAPARTE. PROCLAMATION Of the FIRST CONSUL to the Army of the West. SOLDIERS! THE Government has taken measures to enlighten the misled inhabitants of the Western departments: it has listened to their complaints. It has redressed their grievances, because their claims were reasonable. Most of the loyal inhabitants have laid down their arms. There now remain none but brigands, emigrants, and men in the pay of England. Frenchmen in the pay of England! They can only be heartless, dishonoured, vagabond wretches. March against them; you will have no occasion for any extraordinary exertions of valour. The army is composed of more than sixty thousand brave men. Let me hear shortly that the leaders of the rebels are no more. Let the Generals set an example of activity! Glory is only to be earned by hardships; if it could be gained by living at head |