"twenty assassins rushed against me, aiming at my breast; the grenadiers of the legislature, "whom I had left at the door, hastened to pro "tect me against the assassins. One of those "brave grenadiers (Thomé) had his coat torn by a poniard. They carried me away.". (What an affecting scene!) "At the same time several assassins vocife"rated-outlawed! against the defender of the "law. It was the ferocious cry of murderers 66 66 against the force appointed to repress them. "They surrounded the president, threatening "him with the loss of his life, if he persisted to "refuse to proclaim me outlawed. Being instantly acquainted with his dangerous situation, "I ordered that he should be rescued, and six grenadiers of the legislature took him away. "Soon after, a body of grenadiers of the legis"lature rushed in and drove out every body." (Cromwell did the same.) 66 "The frightened factions dispersed and ran away. The majority thus out of danger, met again freely and peacefully in the hall of their sittings, heard the measures proposed for the "public safety, resolved and prepared the salutary resolution which was to become the new "and temporary law of the republic. Frenchmen, you will, no doubt, see in my "conduct the zeal of a soldier of liberty, of a "citizen devoted to the republic. (Wonderful "devotion!) The liberal principles and sound "doctrines re-assumed their rights, after the dis"persion of the ringleaders who oppressed the "councils; and who, although excessively odious, have never ceased to be extremely despi"cable." (Striking picture of himself!) The Council of Elders having been officially acquainted with what had been resolved by the Council of Five Hundred, after it had become free through the bayonets, annulled its former resolution, and approved with the utmost speed every measure proposed by the other council. What a degree of prudence! At one o'clock in the morning, the three Consuls went to the Council of Five Hundred, where the president, Lucien Buonaparte, spoke to them thus: Citizens, the greatest people upon earth en"trust you with their destinies; within three "months the public opinion shall judge you. "Domestic happiness, general liberty, the dis"tresses of the armies, and peace, all that is en"trusted to you. You must have courage and " zeal to accept such an important trust and such high functions; but you are supported by the "confidence of the nation and of the armies; and "besides, it is well known to the legislature that your souls are entirely devoted to the welfare of "the people." He then read to them the law relative to their appointment as Consuls of the French Republic, and invited them to take the oath of allegiance to the republic, one and indivisible, to liberty, to equality, and to the representative system. The Consuls swore, as they had formerly sworn to other constitutions, and then went to the Council of Elders, where they swore again. Thus ended the tragi-comical farce, in which a base deserter, and his accomplices, acted the first parts. Thus an odious and despicable run-away, supported by a mixed faction interested in his elevation, succeeded to overthrow a set of odious and despicable wretches who had formerly been his accomplices, abettors, protectors, and masters. CHAPTER VII. Buonaparte begins his Sovereignty by granting an Amnesty to those against whom he had formerly acted in the most infamous manner.-His measures against the Insurgents of the Western Departments.-He establishes a Council of Prizes.-Formation of an Army of Reserve. -He refuses to send a reinforcement to General Masséna at Genoa, who is forced to capitulate.-Passage over the Mount St. Bernard. -Battle of Maringo. THE HE three temporary Consuls, the cunning Buonaparte, the crafty Sieyes, and the simple Roger Ducos, began their boasted administration with the same splendid promises which had previously been made by all their revolutionary predecessors. The following proclamation was of course issued, in order to impose on the deluded and unhappy people: "The Consuls of the Republic to the French. "Paris, the 21st Brumaire, 8th year of the "French Republic, one and indivisible. "The constitution of the 3d year was perishing: it could neither insure your right nor its own safety, Repeated violations deprived it "for ever of the respect of the people; several "odious and rapacious factions desolated the Republic. France was at last on the very brink of a total ruin. 66 "The patriots have agreed upon a plan. Those "men who might have been dangerous to you, "have been discarded; those who may be use"ful to you, and those who behaved well in the "national representation, have never abandoned "the banners of liberty. 66 "Frenchmen, the Republic being better set"tled in that rank of Europe, which she should never have lost, will see the hopes of her citizens accomplished, and her glorious destinies "fulfilled. "Take with us the oath of allegiance to the Republic, one and indivisible, grounded on equality "on liberty, and on the representative system. "Signed, ROGER DUCOS, BUONAPARTE, "SIEYES. Signed, HUGUES-BERNARD MARET, It was hardly possible that the people, who had so long been the dupes and the victims of detested jugglers, would attach any credit to the promises of two known Jacobins and a cipher. But the people were tired of revolutions, and would meddle po more with the villains who governed; be |