Decrees,

Article 1.-When the Government has resolved that the project of a law shall be proposed, it is to inform the Legislative Body thereof by a message.

2.—The Government appoints the day on which it thinks proper that the discussion on the project of law shall be opened.

3. One of the speakers of the Council of State having read to the Legislative Body the project of law, and explained its motives, deposits in the office three copies thereof.

4.-On one of these copies a memorial is to be made of the proposition of the law: it is then to be transmitted, signed by the president and secretaries, to the speaker or speakers of the Government.

5.-One of the remaining copies is to be deposited in the archives of the Legislative Body.

6.—The third copy is to be addressed, without delay, by the Legislative Body to the Tribunate.

7.-On the day appointed by Government, the Tribunate will send its speaker to the Legislative Body to make known its sentiments on the proposition of

law.

8.—If on the appointed day the Tribunate require a prorogation of delay, the Legislative Body, after hearing the speaker or speakers of Government, will pro

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nounce whether or not there are grounds for the prorogation required.

9. If the Legislative Body decide that there is ground for the prorogation, the Government proposes a new delay.

10.—If the Legislative Body decide that there is no ground for the prorogation, the discussion is to be opened.

11.—If the Tribunate offer no observation on the project of law, it is considered as having consented to the proposition.

12. The Bureau of the Legislative Body cannot close the discussion, either on the propositions of law, or on demands of new delay, until each of the speakers of the Government and Tribunate shall have been heard once, if he demand it.

13. To place the Government in a situation to deliberate whether or not there be ground for withdrawing the project of law, the speakers of Government may at all times demand an adjournment, which cannot be denied them.

14.-The Legislative Body votes, in all cases, in the following manner: two urns are placed on the Bureau ; a secretary calls over the appel nominal of the voters; as fast as they appear at the Bureau, another secretary delivers to each a white ball, intended to signify Aye,

and a black ball, intended to signify No. Only one of the urns is intended to receive the votes, the useless balls are thrown into the other. When the appel is over, the secretaries open the ballotting urn before the assembly, and count the votes; the President declares the result.

Let the present law be ratified by the seal of the State, inserted in the bulletin of the laws, and inscribed in the registers of Judicial and Administrative Authorities; the Minister of Justice is charged to see to the publication thereof.

At Paris, 29th of Nivose, year VIII. of the Republic.

BONAPARTE, First Consul.

PROCLAMATION

Of the CONSULS of the Republic.

18th of Pluviose, ycar VIII. (7th of Feb. 1800.)

THE Consuls of the Republic, in conformity to Article V. of the law of the 23d of Frimaire, which regulates the manner in which the Constitution should be presented to the French people; after having heard the report of the Ministers of Justice, of the Interior, at War, and of Marine,

Proclaim the result of the votes given by the French citizens on the Constitutional Act:

Out of three million twelve thousand five hundred

and sixty-nine voters, one thousand five hundred and sixty-two have rejected, three million eleven thousand and seven have accepted the Constitution.

The Consuls of the Republic decree,

Art. 1.—The result of the votes given on the Constitution shall be proclaimed, published, and posted in all the Communes of the Republic.

2.-A national festival on the acceptation of the Constitution shall be celebrated in all the Communes, consecrated to the union of French citizens. This festival shall be celebrated in the decade following the complete pacification of the Western departments.

Paris, 19th of Ventose, year VIII. (20th of March.)

TO THE YOUTH OF FRANCE.

THE First Consul receives many letters from young Citizens eager to prove to him their attachment to the Republic, and the desire they feel to concur with him in the efforts he is about to make to conquer peace, Affected by their self-devotion, he receives the assurances of it with the most lively interest. Glory awaits them at Dijon. When he sees them assembled under the colours of the Army of reserve, he proposes to thank them, and to applaud their zeal.

BONAPARTE.

Paris, 12th of Germinal, year VIII. (April 1800.)

To GENERAL BERTHIER, Minister at War.

THE military talents of which you have given so many proofs, and the confidence of the Government, call you to the command of an army.* You have during the winter reorganized the war administration : you have provided, as well as circumstances would admit, for the wants of our armies: it now remains for you to lead our soldiers to victory during the spring and summer this is the effectual way to attain peace and establish the Republic.

Accept, I entreat you, Citizen General, the assurance of the entire satisfaction of Government with your conduct in the Ministry.

BONAPARTE.

Head Quarters, Martigni,

28th of Floreal, year VIII. (18th of May, 1800.)

To the Minister of the Interior.

CITIZEN MINISTER,

I AM at the foot of the High Alps, in the middle of the Valais.

The Great Saint-Bernard presented many obstacles, which were surmounted with that heroic courage which distinguishes French soldiers under circum

* That of the Army of Reserve, to which he was appoited by i decree transmitted with the letter.