and who acquire with the habits of the profession the knowledge of the art. The school of Compeigne presents the aspect of a vast manufactory, where 500 young persons pass from their studies to the workshops, and from the workshops to their studies. After a few months they execute with the precision of skill, works which could not have been obtained from them after years of a common apprenticeship; and in a short time commerce and industry will enjoy the benefit of their labour, and of the cares of the government. The engineers and the artillery have now but one school, and one common institution. Me dicine is every where submitted to the new regime, which the law prescribed to it. By a salutary reform, means have been found to simplify the expense, and to add to the instruction. The exercise of pharmacy has been put under the care of skill and probity. A regulation has placed between master and workman, judges who terminate their differences with the rapidity which their interests and their wants require; and at the same time with the impartiality which justice commands. The civil code is approaching to completion; and in the course of this session the last projects of laws, which are to complete it altogether, will be in a state to be submitted to the deliberations of the legisla tive body. The judicial code, called for by every wish, is at this moment undergoing the discussions which are to conduct it to its maturity. The criminal code is in a state of advancement; and that part of it which circumstances appear to call for most imperiously, is in a condition to receive the seal of the law in the next sessions. New chefs d'ouvre are come to em1804. bellish our museums; and, whilst` the rest of Europe envies our treasures, our young artists continue still to go into the bosom of Italy, to kindle the fire of their genius with the view of its great monuments, and to respire the enthusiasm which produced them. In the department of Marengo, under the walls of that Alexandria which will be one of the strongest bulwarks of France, the first camp of our veterans is formed. There they will keep up the recollection of their exploits, and the pride of their victories. They will inspire their new fellow citizens with love and respect for that country which they have extended, and which has rewarded them. They will leave in their children heirs of their courage, and new defenders of that country whose benefits they will enjoy.. New bridges are constructing on various rivers of the repub lic." This article goes on to notice the construction of roads, the draining of marshes, the state of fortifications, and other local subjects. The details here could not be interesting to our readers, and therefore we pass on to other subjects of more importance. The great improvements exe cuted at the different harbours are next specified :-" At Antwerp, in particular, there have been suddenly built a military post, an arsenal, and ships of war. The enlargement and repairs of this antient harbour are defrayed by two millions raised by the sale of national domains in the departments of the Scheldt and Deux Nethes. At Boulogne and Havre, that line of coast which the enemy will henceforth call a coast of iron,' the greatest undertakings are going forward, as well as at Rochelle, Cette, Marseilles, Nice, &c. while (1) the the navigation of the interior is placed under the inspection of prefects and other officers, who incessantly exert themselves for its advantage." On the subject of finances, the article says The last year has been favourable to our finances. The receipts have exceeded the previous calculations. Direct contributions have been collected with ease. The operations which are to regulate the mode in which taxes on landed property are to be col lected, go on with amazing rapidity. Distribution will become invariable, and we shall see no more of that conflict of interests which corrupted public justice, and that jealous rivalry which threatened the destruction of the industry and property of every department. The prefects and the councils-general have required that the same operation should extend to all the communes of their respective de partments, with the view of establishing the basis of proportional contribution. A decree of the government has authorized this sy stem, which is at once more simple and more economical. The sinking fund executes with fidelity and constancy its destination. Severe responsibility and inviolable fidelity, on the part of those who manage it, deserve the confidence of the government. The new coinage goes on without interruption. The credit of the country is supported amid the shocks of war and the rumours of the disaffected. The expenses of the colonics are defrayed either by direct transmissions of money, or by operations on the continent of America." But, amidst this vaunted prosperity, it appears that the government were alarmed at the creation in St. Domingo of a mass of bills to the amount of 42 millions, without any contribution to the actual or anticipated wants of the colony. "These bills were conveyed by unprincipled men to the Havannah, Jamaica, and the United States, where they were delivered at a shameful inferiority of value, to peo ple who had furnished neither money nor merchandize. Under these circumstances the government found it necessary to arrest the course of such an infamous proceeding, and to prevent the nation from sustaining the loss with which it was threatened; and for this purpose an agent was sent to St. Domingo, to ascertain what number of bills had been issued, by whose authority, and on what conditions. In short, eleven millions not in circulation were annulled, and accounts were obtained of the rest. Those for which an inte gral value had been received were discharged with interest to the day of payment; but those which were issued without any real value, were considered as false, and are to undergo a rigid examination.” After a few observations on the pacific views of the French government, the whole concludes in the following manner :— "This then was the moment which the British government chose to alarm its nation; to cover the Channel with ships; to insult our commerce by injuricus inspections; and our coasts and ports, as well as those of our allies, by the presence of its menacing forces. "If, on the 17th Ventose of the 11th year, there existed any extraordinary armament in the ports of France and Holland; if a single preparation was made in them to which the most remote suspicion could give a sinister interpretation, then we are the aggressors. The message message of the king of England, and his hostile attitude, have been rendered necessary by a legitimate precaution, and the English people had a right to believe that we threatened their independence, their religion, their constitution: but if the assertions of the message were false, if they were contradicted by the opinion of Europe, as well as by the conscience of the British government, then that government have deceived their nation; they have deceived it by precipitating it without reflection into a war, the terrible effects of which now begin to be felt in England, and the results of which may be decisive of its future destiny. The aggressor, however, ought alone to answer for the calamities which afflict humanity. "Malta, the cause of this war, was in the power of the English; it remained with France to arm to effect its independence; it was France who waited in silence for the justice of England, and it was England who began the war, even without a declaration. "By the dispersion of our ships and the security of our commerce, our losses might have been immense we foresaw these circumstances, and we would have supported them without discouragement or weakness; but happily they have been less than we apprehended. Our ships of war have returned to European ports: one only excepted, which had long been employed merely as a transport, has fallen into the hands of the avenged these losses by important captures, and they will complete their revenge by others more im portant. Tobago and St. Lucia were defenceless, and were obliged to surrender to the first force which appeared; but our great colonies are yet preserved, and the attacks made against them by the enemy have proved fruitless. "Hanover is in our power: twenty-five thousand of the best troops of the enemy have laid down their arms and become prisoners of war. Our cavalry has been remounted at the expense of that of the enemy; and a possession which was dear to the king of England is in our hands, a pledge of that justice which he will be compelled to render to us. "On the seas, British despotism daily adds to its usurpations: in the last war it struck terror into the neutral nations, by arrogating to itself inimical and revolting pretensions of declaring their whole coast in a state of siege; in the present war, it has just augmented its monstrous code, by the pretended right of blockading rivers and canals. "If the king of England has sworn to continue the war till he shall have reduced France to sign such dishonourable treaties as for merly exposed its misfortune and weakness, then the war will be long.-France consented in the treaty of Amiens to moderate conditions; she will never acknowledge any less favourable-nay more, she will never acknowledge in the British government the right of fulfilling their engagements only as may suit the progressive calcu lations of their ambition, nor the right of requiring further guaran tees than those which had been faithfully pledged. But if the treaty of Amiens has not been executed, how can we expect, in regard to a new one, a faith more holy, or oaths more sacred? "Louisiana is to be henceforth united to the American states: in that quarterwe shall preserve friends, whose remembrance of a common origin will always attach them, to our interest, while favourable commercial relations will unite their prosperity with ours. The United States are indebted to France for their independence; they will henceforth owe to us their strength and grandeur. "Spain remains neutral. Hel vetia is re-established in her constitution, which has suffered no change, but what has been rendered necessary by lapse of time and change of opinions. The retreat of our troops from this country is a proof of its internal security, and of the end of its dissensions.-The antient treaties have been renewed, and France has regained her oldest and most faithful ally. "Peace reigns in Italy; a divi sion of the army of the Italian republic is at this time crossing France to encamp with our own on the sea coast. These battalions will there meet with innumerable instances of that patience, bravery, and heroim, which distinguished their ancestors. "The Ottoman empire, fatigued by intrigues, will gain by the interest of France the support of antient alliances. The tranquillity given to the continent by the treaty of Luneville is secured by the last acts of the diet of Ratisbon. The enlightened interest of great powers; the fidelity of the French government in cultivating with them relations of friendship; the justice, energy, and the forces of the republic, will guaranty it. (Signed) "BONAPARTE. "By order of the first consul, "H. B. MARET." FRANCE. The prefect of the department of the Indre and Loire has addressed to the mayors of his department a circular notice to the following ef fect: Citizens, Jan. 18. The French government attaches the most extreme importance to the immediate appearance before the proper officer at the different ports, of those seamen (marines) who have been called upon by their country to assist in the grand expedition now preparing, and which will shortly be afloat. Many have answered to this de mand, and have proceeded to their several places of destination. But there are still more, who have persisted in keeping themselves concealed, or who have otherwise found means to disobey this peremptory order, emptory order, notwithstanding their having been duly apprised of it by the proper magistrates. It is your duty, citizens, to coalesce with these magistrates in compelling such fugitives to return to their duty. I order you now to make known to the families of those seamen the severe penalty attached to such dereliction; and further, that not only shall they be treated as deserters, but their families also shall become the victims of their disobedience. You will also make it known, that that should not the objects of this notice appear in person before the commission established at Tours, within six days from the date hereof, the punishment here denounced shall be enforced with the utmost rigour. MINISTRY OF MARINE. The chargé d'affaires and commissary-general of commercial relations at Algiers, to citizen Decres, minister of marine. Algiers, 25th Jan. Citizen minister, The English appeared before Algiers on the 15th, with nine sail of the line, two of them three-deckers, and one frigate and a brig. Admiral Nelson, who commanded the fleet, demanded imperatively, in the name of his king, that the English chargé d'affaires, sent away from Algiers some months ago, should be honourably reinstated in his functions; he required, besides, the restitution of five Neapolitan and Maltese ships taken with his passports, the release of 79 unfortunate persons who composed the crews of those ships, and the severest orders to the corsairs to respect all ships, of whatever nation they might be, which had British passports, The dey refused every thing, and replied with much firmness to the English. After several days spent in very violent explanations, admiral Nelson ignominiously retired. The regency continue their preparations of defence with the greatest activity; and it may be depended upon that the Algerines will suffer a bombardment, rather than yield to one of the demands made by England. All the agents of the different nations have retired to their coun try houses. I salute you with respect, MINISTRY OF THE GRAND JUDGE. List of the brigands armed by the British minister to attack the life of the first consul. First landing on the 21st of August, at the foot of the Cliff de Belville, from an English cutter, captain Right. 1. Georges, ex-chief of the brigands. 2. Villeneuve. 3. Lahav St. Hilaire. 4. Querel, called Courson, arrested on the 11th October, in the rue de Rochechouant. 5. La Bonté, called Kercher ; his real name is Breche. 6. Picot, called Le Petit, arrested the 7th of February, rue dụ Bacq. Eu on the 1st of February 7. Froche, the son, arrested at 8. Jean Marie, under the name of Lemaire, confidential clerk of Georges. Second landing at the same place in the beginning of December, from an English vessel of the royal navy, captain Thomas Right. 1. Jean Marie, the same as before. 2. Coster, called St. Victor, one of the accomplices of the 3d Nivose, arrested on the 8th of Feb. in the rue Xaintonge. 3. Armand Polignac, eldest son of the duke de Polignac, arrested in the rue St. Denis, on the 28th of February. 4. Jean Louis. 5. Lemercier. 6. Tamerlan. 7. Lelan, called Brutus. 8. Pierre Jean. |