952 Select Poetry, Ancient and Modern, for O&tober, 1791. Light boats, all fail, athwart the currents cease: Fair Poefy, will still immortal prove; Give fureft proofs of an enlighten'd mind; For me who fcarcely venture to aspire ODE то AUTUM N. OME, joviai Autumn! twine thy yellow hair; The fickle now demands thy foft'ring care; Oh, may no raging Northern blast portend Th' approaching tempeft, harveft's dreadful fiend! feed, Quick thro' the valethy riches would it fweep, Ah, vain's thy art the fcent to lofe ! The deep-ton'd hound thy fteps pursues, Nor fpeed, nor rivers, from deftruction fave. Thefe are thy joys, O Autumn! thefe thy ftores, Superior far to all on foreign fhores ! Be valiant, Britons, then thefe paftimes brace THE REMONSTRANCE OF DUTY. BY A LATE EMINENT AND UNFORTU◄ NATE DIVINE. Multa gemens magn que animum labefactus amore, Jula tamen Divum ex quitur. WHAT then! fhall schemes of Love O'erbalance Country, Duty, and the Gods? Said not my Soldier, "Love, I'm wholly thine ? Doft thou not know, Ambition, and the man MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF Wednesday, SOME July 6.1 fame tendency with those from the fugitive officers at Mons, (see p. 860,) were addreffed to different officers at Dunkirk; ftating, that the fugitives were in high fpirits, and that the day of attack was actually fixed. On thefe letters being read,, it appeared that M. d'Artois was invested with full powers from the King to affemble an army in the Low Countries; and that M. de la Chatre and M. de la Queuiltre were his Adjutants General. After these letters were read, M. Ramelnegaret informed the Affembly, that in the Southern, as well as the Northern frontiers, attempts had been made to feduce the foldiers. This being fully confirmed, it was determined to defer no longer than the next day the Decree against the Emigrants, that, as they were fo bufy in their intrigues to disturb the peace of the kingdom, the Affembly fhould withhold from them the means of doing mischief. In the evening, M. Foucade rofe, and, in the name of 290 Members of the Affembly, declared for the inviolability of the perfon of the King, and for the right of the facred blood of the Bourbons. We fhall continue," faid he, "to aflift at the deliberations of the National Affembly, but take no part in their Decrees, not having in view the intereft of the only object which remains for us to defend." A letter from the Commiffioners fent to Alface ftated, that the Monks and difaffected Priests had already been but too fuccessful in misleading the inhabitants of the country, and that there was a neceflity of adopting fome vigorous measures to stop the growing evil. Thursday, July 7.] The Prefident acquainted the Affembly, that he had received a communication from the King. A letter was read from the Commiffioners fent to the Departments of the North Calais and Aifm, ftating, that the officers and the foldiers took the oath with the utmost readinefs, and were followed by the National Guard, a fine body of men, and well difciplined; that the greatest order was maintained, and the places in the utmost fecurity. M. Vernier propofed the following De Grees : 1. That all the people of France have a right to go out of the kingdom, and to return, at their pleasure. 2. The Legislative Body have a right to call upon every individual for aid, in cafe of neceffity. This law fhall be followed by a proclamation, which fhall determine the condition on which it is founded. This law occafioned much debate, and was ordered to be reconfidered on Saturday, GENT. MAG. 02øber, 175 1. A letter was now read from Rhetel, in the Department of Arden, ftating, that M. de Bouillé was at the abbey of Orval, two leagues diftant from Montmedi, with an army of fifteen thousand men. Another letter from the fame place reduces this number to fifteen hundred men. Friday, July 8.] An addrefs was read from M. Calonne, late Secretary to the King, with an offer of 500 livres for the fupport of the troops to defend the frontiers. A fupply of twenty-fix millions was voted from the Fund of Extraordinaries, to make good the deficiencies of the preceding mourb. A Remonftrance was read from the Spanifh Ambassador, against the stoppage of fome plate at Qoillebœuf, the property of the Queen of Portug . The Affembly decreed, that no interruption fhould be given to any merchandize but warlike ftores and bullion; and that the importation of new plate and jewels thould continue free. Saturd ay, July 9.] The Affembly paffed a Decree for the encouragement of the whale fifhery. M. Vernier, in the name of the Commiffioners appointed, brought forward the law refpecting Emigrants, which had for its object the seizure of the effects of Emigrants, who, in the course of one month, reckoning from the publication of the Decree, fhail not return into the kingdom; and even to confifcate their effects, if they do not return be fore the month of October: referving, however, the rights of relations and creditors. Some debate took place on the principle of the propofed Decree. One party infifted that it was a violation of the Rights of Man. The other party contended, that, against a law calculated for the fecurity of all men, no man had a right to complain. After a long and interefting debate, the Affembly at length adopted a new principle, and, holding it equitable that a man might, in place of perfonal fervices, pay a fum of money without confifcation of property, decreed, that all Emigrants (travellers, notoriously known as fuch, excepted) fhall pay treble taxes. The Prefident gave notice, that the remains of Voltaire would arrive on Sunday on the ruins of the Baftille, and on Monday be conveyed to thofe of Defcartes and Mirabeau.-The Affembly ordered twelve of its Members to attend this ceremony. M. Cazales fent to the Prefident his letter of refignation, in thefe words: "I have the honour to inform the National Ailembly, that I refign my office." One of the Secretaries gave notice of numerous Addrelles from all parts of the empire, announcing the unalterable refolution of 954 Proceedings of the National Affembly of France. all Citizens to hazard their lives in defunce of the Constitution. And a letter, dated Befançon, from the Commiflioners fent to examine the state of the frontiers, where M. Toulangeon had established pofts, takes notice, that all attempts on that fide would be fruitless, and that more troops would only be an incumbrance. Letters from the fugitive officers at Mons were then read, inviting their fellow-officers to join them, and promising rank and pay to those who fhall join them. [About this time, a Memoir from the -Prince of Condé was circulated, by way of answer to the Decree of the Affembly of the 7th of June, the authenticity of which has been denied, and is therefore difregarded.] Sunday, July 10.] M. Freteau read feveral papers relative to the pretended invafion of the Spaniards; and one from M. de Lafey, Commandant in Catalonia, to M. Collet, in which that officer complains vehemently against the ordinary intercourfe between the two nations being interrupted. Read two letters from the Department of the Lower Pyrennees, acquainting the Affembly, that nine Bithops had taken refuge at Uftarck, where they are bufy in fowing fedition, and lighting-up a civil war. Some letters were read from the Spanish Court, relative to the affair of the French King. Monday, July 11. A call of the Afiembly took place. It was debated what punishment fhould be inflicted on abfentees, and agreed that their names fhould be left out of the lift. A Decree paffed, on the mode of affeffing wood. A Deputation from the Free-fchool at Dellin was admitted to the bar; and the Speaker concluded his addrefs to the fcholars with an exhortation never to employ their talents to the injury of their country, but in all their tranfactions to have its interest in view. Wedn (dov, July 13.] A Decree paffed, for regulating the falt-works of Montmorot. This day the Report of the feven Committees on the affairs of the King took place. The debate began by M. Muguet's reading the Report; the object of which was, 1. The fact, the circumita ices, and mode, of the King's efcape, the perfons concerned in it, and the motives. 2. To itate the manner in which the Affembly ought, according to the laws of the Conflitution, to conduct themselves towards the King. And, 3. how the feveral perfons concerned in the efcape aught to be treated. With regard to the fact, it appeared that, nine days before the efcape, the Queen had been made acquainted with the meafores concerted, and that the led in every refpect conformed to her instructions; that, if the King had been equally upon his guard, they had not been detected. Most of what hap год. pened at Varennes is well known; but there is one circumftance in the King's behaviour while there, that the publick are not fo well acquainted with. While in the house of the Procureur, he said to thofe about him, who reprefented the neceflity of his return to Paris, "I am your King!-Placed in the capital amidst bayonets and poignards, I fly to the provinces, to feek that peace and tranquillity which all of you enjoy here.-I cannot remain at Paris, but at the rifk of life.I and my family fhall die if we remain there." After this detail of facts, the reading of which took up a long space of time, the Report went to the three main questions, Whether the King could conftitutionally be put to his trial? Whether his flight be a crime againft the Conftitution? And, laftly, Whether any accufation will ftand against thofs who have been aiding and abetting in the flight? In treating the two first of thefe points, the principles of the Constitution' are deve loped with clearness and precision. The reporter began by obferving, "That, is forming a Conflitution, you have adopted Monarchical Government. It is for the Nation, and not for the King, that you have made the throne hereditary, and established fuch a Government, that the Constitution has nothing to fear, either from the energy or the incapacity of a King. "It is not for the Monarch; it is not on a fuperftitious principle, or a political idolatry, that the inviolability is become not the privilege of the perfon of the King, but the neceffary attribute of the power. The func tions of the King are infeparable from his perfon; the King is not a Citizen, but he is a power. If this power were not independent, he would foon be deftroyed by that power on which he would depend. For example: if he depended on the Legislative Bedy, that body, by continually comprening his action, would ufurp his rights. "Without the attribute of inviolability, the King might be brought before the Tribunals for actions which might not be crimes againit the Conftitution; but the truth could not be known and acknowledged till after the procefs: and thus the dignity of the Executive Power might be inceffantly tarnished. However, as it is poffible that the King may be induced to criminal actions against the Conftitution, in this cafe the Law would attribute infanity to him, and give him a Regent. It is according to thefe principles, that, if you confider the King culpable, your conduct towards him ought to be determined. "The next queftion is, Whether his elcape be a crime against the State? "Your own Decrees are to decide the queftion. "The third article of the Decree of the 28th of March fays: "The King, the first public functionary, ought to keep his refidence within twenty leagues at fartheft of the National Affembly." "The fourth article fays: "If the King fhould go out of the kingdom, and if, after having been invited back by a proclamation of the Legislative Body, he fhould not return to France, he fhall be eiteemed to have abdicated the throne." "Now, if the King had arrived at Montmedi, and remained there, you ought to have reprefented to him, that he was at more than twenty leagues from the National Affembly; and, had he paffed the frontiers, you would then have made the proclamation according to the fourth article. Doubtless, you have not foreseen and provided for all poffible cafes in which the Crown may be forfeited; and new laws may be made, but they are not made." IMPORTANT AFFAIRS OF FRANCE. Friday, Sept. 30.] This day the Conftituting National Affembly, according to their former refolution, terminated their laborious career; and never were the latter moments of any political life more glorious, rendered fo by their own acts, and by the honourable teftimony which was borne to their labours. The King had intimated his intention of coming in perfon to the Affembly, and the hall and galleries were as crowded and brilliant as on the memorable day of his acceptance of the Conftitution. The Affembly clofed their labours by receiving the laft Reports from their Committees on different fubjects, particularly the Military Code, and by publishing an account of the state of the finances, of the fums in the National Treafary, of the receipt of the taxes, of the contributions received by the Departments, and of the precife state in which they delivered over the affairs of the kingdom to their fucceffors. The accounts were received with the highest pleature; they were considered as highly favourable to the nation; and the vouchers were ordered to be depofited in the archives. M. Montefquieu ftated, that there were thirty-five Millions in the National Treafury, of which eighteen millions were in fpecie; and the Members of the Committee of Finance pledged themfelves perfonally for the fidelity of the accounts, and that they would be ready to answer for them to the next Legif lature. Before three o'clock they had done their bufinefs, and were preparing to receive the Royal Prefence. Only one chair of ftate was placed on the platform, to the left of the ordinary chair of the Prefident, and no carpet. At half after three the King was announced, and he entered, preceded by the Deputation, and followed by his Minifters. His Majefty was dreffed in purple, embroidered, and with the ftar and ribband of the order of St. Louis. He was received with the most lively acclamations. He drew from his pocket a paper, and read his fpeech to the following purport: "Gentlemen, "You have terminated your labours-the Conftitution is finished-I have promifed to maintain it, to caufe it to be executed-it is proclaimed by my orders. This Conftitution, from which France expects profperity, this fruit of your cares and watchings, will be your recompence. France, made happy by your labours, will communicate her happinefs to you. "Return to your homes, and tell your fellow-citizens, that the happiness of the French ever has been, and ever will be, the object of my wishes; that I neither have, nor can have, any intereft but the general intereft ; that my profperity confifts only in the public profperity; that I fhall exert all the powers entrusted to me to give efficacy to the new fyftem; that I fhall communicate it to Foreign Courts; and fhall in every thing prove that I can only be happy in the happiness of the people of France." Next day the King iffued the following proclamation: "Louis, by the Grace of God, and by the Conftitutional Law of the State, King of the French: To all CitizensGreeting: "I have accepted the Conftitution--I will ufe all my endeavours to maintain it, and cause it to be executed. "The Revolution is completed. It is time that the re-establishment of order fhould give to the Conftitation the fupport which is ftill most necellary. It is time to fix the opinion of Europe on the destiny of France, and to fhew that the French are worthy to be free." The following is the answer of their High Mightineffes the States General of the United Provinces, to a letter received from the French King, in which that Monarch acquainted them of his acceptance of the Conftitutional Code which the National Affembly had decreed: "Sire, "We have received the letter which your Majefty did us the honour to write, under date the 19th ultimo, and by which your Majefty informs us you had determined to accept the Conftitutional Code which had been decreed and prefented to your Majelty by the National Affembly. "We are highly fenfible of this new mark of friendthip and good-will which your Majefty has given, by informing us of this event; and we haften to return you our thanks for the fame. We feize with alacrity this occa fion, as on all others which prefent themfelves, to teftify to your Majesty the lively intereft we take in all which concerns your auguft perfon, as alfo the welfare and profperity of the French Monarchy. "We have alfo felt the greatest fatisfac. tion in finding, in the letter of your Majesty, Che 956 Interefting State of Affairs on the Continent. the affurance of your defire to render more and more unalterable the connexions which fur fit between you and our Republick; and, as we are animated with the fame fentiments, we shall, on ar fide, take every care to cultivate a mu Jal interc. ure, and to cement more and more the happy ties which unite the French nation to ours. On which, &c. "Hague, O. 4, 1791." The following letter from the Commander in Chief, ROCHAMBAU, of the Northern army, will fhew with what cordiality the King's acceptance of the New Conftitution of France is received by the army: Sire, Valenciennes, Sept. 15. "The happieft hour of my life is the inftant in which I can renew to your Majefty the affurances of my zeal, my refpect, and my fidelity. The army of the North, of which you have honoured me with the command, has taken, by your order, the oath to be faithful to the Nation, the Law, and the King; and to maintain the Constitution of the kingdom. It will obferve this oath, &c." The King's answer: "I receive, Sir, with equal fatisfaction the expreffion of your fentiments for me, and the affurances you have given me of the difpofition of the army under your command. I am pleafed to think, that the diftractions of a part of the troops will quickly ceafe; and that the army, brought back to proper principles, will henceforth fulfil all thofe duties which the Country have a right LOUIS." to expect. M. de la Fayette returns to his eftate, in imitation of Wathington, having delivered-in his refignation to the Council General of the Community. STATE OF AFFAIRS ABROAD. The news that has lately attracted the attention of all Europe took its rife from the meeting at Poelnitz, of which we gave fome account in our laft, p. 861; and of which a farther elucidation has fince tranfpired. It is now afferted, upon no mean authority, that the Emperor and the King of Pruffia, and perhaps fome other Powers, had agreed on the following points: 1. That, before they uted arms against France, a Manifefto fhould be fent to all the - Powers of Europe, inviting them to enter into a General League, as it concerned them particularly and individually. 2. That it fhould likewife be preceded by a treaty of alliance for reciprocally guaranteeing their territorial poffeilions, and their prefent forms of government, conformably to a plan formerly propofed by the Princets of Orange, which the British Ministry had approved at the time, and which the King of Prutia had prefented to the Emperor, who equally approved it. 3. That the Ambaffadors and Ministers in the Foreign Courts fhould negociate on this footing, and be ftrenuous in urging the neceflity for a General League. 4. That Sweden and Ruffia should be fpecially invited to accede thereto, (being perfuaded before-hand they would not refuse, as the Prince of Naffau, at the Emperor's requeft, had been fent to, and from Poelnitz, to give the Emprefs a dire and immediate account of the refult of the conferences). 5. That, however, they would firft begin a feeming negociation, and make preiling applications, but at the fame time infenfibly fupport it by troops, which fhould begin to be got in readiness immediately, that they might be prepared to act openly, the inftant it was thought proper. 6. That, as by the declaration of Mr. Pitt to M. Calonne, England would not openly join in the bufinefs, but would confent to pay fecretly a fubfidy, if the kept peace with Rumia; they would not make any more application for a concurrence, but, for the prefent, only require the offered and promised fubfidy. The Minifters and Generals, who were called on to attend, for the purpose of giving their advice, agreed, that an army of a hundred and fifty thousand men, joined to the French Emigrants, would be forces fufficient to confummate the great work. M. de Calonne a hundred times repeated, "It would be only a promenade, a walk :" to which M. de Lafcy replied, " Perhaps fo; but it would be a lng one." The Declaration of the Emperor and the King of Prullia, in regard to France, has been received by M. Montmorin. It states, "That the fituation of the King of France concerns all the Sovereigns of Europe :That, while they are waiting for the com munications they have requefted, and expect, from other Powers, they cannot refute the application of Count d'Artois, and other diftinguished perfons of France, to interpofe their good offices, in order to reitore to the King his proper authority (autorité convenable), and to the people of France their welfare:-That, for that purpose, they have refolved to fupport their negociation with the means they have in their hands, to maintain the tranquillity of Europe, and, in particular, of the kingdom of France:That, in confequence of that refolution, they have ordered troops to be in readinefs, in order to advance fpeedily, that they may be brought into action, if circumftances thould require it." Many think the above Declaration, with the intelligence that accompanied it, to be unauthentic, as not being fupported with the body of troops as projected; but the new order of things, which has very lately taken place in France, may have produced a great change of difpofitions with refpect to the whole arrangement, which time alone can develope.-At prefent, the prefervation of the |